Cell-type-specific CAG repeat expansions and toxicity of mutant Huntingtin in human striatum and cerebellum.

Brain region-specific degeneration and somatic expansions of the mutant Huntingtin (mHTT) CAG tract are key features of Huntington's disease (HD). However, the relationships among CAG expansions, death of specific cell types and molecular events associated with these processes are not established. Here, we used fluorescence-activated nuclear sorting (FANS) and deep molecular profiling to gain insight into the properties of cell types of the human striatum and cerebellum in HD and control donors.

Selective vulnerability of layer 5a corticostriatal neurons in Huntington's disease.

The properties of the cell types that are selectively vulnerable in Huntington's disease (HD) cortex, the nature of somatic CAG expansions of mHTT in these cells, and their importance in CNS circuitry have not been delineated. Here, we employed serial fluorescence-activated nuclear sorting (sFANS), deep molecular profiling, and single-nucleus RNA sequencing (snRNA-seq) of motor-cortex samples from thirteen predominantly early stage, clinically diagnosed HD donors and selected samples from cingulate, visual, insular, and prefrontal cortices to demonstrate loss of layer 5a pyramidal neurons in HD. Extensive mHTT CAG expansions occur in vulnerable layer 5a pyramidal cells, and in Betz cells, layers 6a and 6b neurons that are resilient in HD.

Complete Hydatidiform Mole with a Coexisting Viable Male Fetus Detected by Cell-Free DNA.

Complete hydatidiform mole with coexisting fetus (CHMCF) is rare, and diagnosis is challenging due to limited data. Here, we present the case of a patient with noninvasive prenatal test (NIPT) resulting in "likely molar pregnancy" in the second trimester. Subsequent ultrasound confirmed a cystic appearing portion of the placenta.

Cell Type Specific CAG Repeat Expansions and Toxicity of Mutant Huntingtin in Human Striatum and Cerebellum.

Brain region-specific degeneration and somatic expansions of the mutant Huntingtin (mHTT) CAG tract are key features of Huntington's disease (HD). However, the relationships between CAG expansions, death of specific cell types, and molecular events associated with these processes are not established. Here we employed fluorescence-activated nuclear sorting (FANS) and deep molecular profiling to gain insight into the properties of cell types of the human striatum and cerebellum in HD and control donors.

Improvement in contraceptive knowledge after using an online educational resource.

Objectives: To measure the change in contraceptive knowledge after interaction with a web-based contraception education resource in an online cohort of potential users.

Study Design: We conducted a cross-sectional online survey of reproductive-aged, biologically female respondents using Amazon Mechanical Turk. Respondents provided demographic characteristics and responded to 32 contraceptive knowledge questions.