Histone H3K18 & H3K23 acetylation directs establishment of MLL-mediated H3K4 methylation.

In an unmodified state, positively charged histone N-terminal tails engage nucleosomal DNA in a manner which restricts access to not only the underlying DNA but also key tail residues subject to binding and/or modification. Charge-neutralizing modifications, such as histone acetylation, serve to disrupt this DNA-tail interaction, facilitating access to such residues. We previously showed that a polyacetylation-mediated chromatin "switch" governs the read-write capability of H3K4me3 by the MLL1 methyltransferase complex.

H3K18 & H3K23 acetylation directs establishment of MLL-mediated H3K4 methylation.

In an unmodified state, positively charged histone N-terminal tails engage nucleosomal DNA in a manner which restricts access to not only the underlying DNA, but also key tail residues subject to binding and/or modification. Charge-neutralizing modifications, such as histone acetylation, serve to disrupt this DNA-tail interaction, facilitating access to such residues. We previously showed that a polyacetylation-mediated chromatin "switch" governs the read-write capability of H3K4me3 by the MLL1 methyltransferase complex.

Ethical issues of nosology in disorders of consciousness.

The current classification scheme for severe disorders of consciousness (DoC) has several shortcomings. First, there is no consensus on how to incorporate patients with covert consciousness. Second, there is a mismatch between the definitions of severe DoC, based on consciousness, and the diagnosis of these same DoC, which is based on observable motoric responsiveness.

Variant Sciatic Nerve Anatomy in Relation to the Piriformis Muscle on Magnetic Resonance Neurography: A Potential Etiology for Extraspinal Sciatica.

Objective: To assess the prevalence and clinical implications of variant sciatic nerve anatomy in relation to the piriformis muscle on magnetic resonance neurography (MRN), in patients with lumbosacral neuropathic symptoms.

Materials And Methods: In this retrospective single-center study, 254 sciatic nerves, from 127 patients with clinical and imaging findings compatible with extra-spinal sciatica on MRN between 2003 and 2013, were evaluated for the presence and type of variant sciatic nerves, split sciatic nerve, abnormal T2-signal hyperintensity, asymmetric piriformis size and increased nerve caliber, and summarized using descriptive statistics. Two-tailed chi-square tests were performed to compare the anatomical variant type and clinical symptoms between imaging and clinical characteristics.

Black Patients Matter in Neurology: Race, Racism, and Race-Based Neurodisparities.

Black people living in the United States suffer disproportionate morbidity and mortality across a wide range of neurologic conditions. Despite common conceptions to the contrary, "race" is a socially defined construct with little genetic validity. Therefore, racial health inequities in neurology ("neurodisparities") are not a consequence of biologic differences between races.

Patient preference for virtual versus in-person visits in neuromuscular clinical practice.

Introduction/aims: It is unknown if patients with neuromuscular diseases prefer in-person or virtual telemedicine visits. We studied patient opinions and preference on virtual versus in-person visits, and the factors influencing such preferences.

Methods: Telephone surveys, consisting of 11 questions, of patients from 10 neuromuscular centers were completed.

Associations of Lower Extremity Peripheral Nerve Impairment and Risk of Dementia in Black and White Older Adults.

Background And Objectives: Peripheral nerve impairments and dementia are common among older adults and share risk factors. However, few studies have examined whether peripheral nerve function and dementia are associated. We evaluated whether lower extremity peripheral nerve impairments were associated with higher incidence of dementia and whether associations differed by comorbidity subgroups (diabetes, low vitamin B, and ε4 allele carriers).

Reduced Peripheral Nerve Conduction Velocity is Associated with Alzheimer's Disease: A Cross-Sectional Study from China.

Purpose: Elderly individuals with degenerative diseases of the central nervous system are more likely to develop peripheral neuropathy; however, research is limited as to whether the decline in peripheral nerve conduction can be used as a biomarker of Alzheimer's disease (AD).

Patients And Methods: This study enrolled 74 patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), 21 with AD, and 82 healthy elderly individuals. All participants underwent a peripheral nerve conduction and neuropsychological evaluation.

Early nutritional influences of cardiovascular health.

Introduction: Increasing evidence shows that nutritional choices during children's formative years, including prenatally, impacts the development of adult onset cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), such as hypertension, myocardial infarction, or stroke.

Areas Covered: This literature review aims to synthesize the current body of evidence on nutritional factors, from conception through adolescence, which may influence a person's risk factors for future development of CVD.

Expert Opinion: Given the escalating healthcare costs associated with CVD, it is imperative that medical professionals and scientists remain steadfast in prioritizing and promoting early CVD prevention, even within the first few years of life.

Financial Conflicts of Interest of United States-Based Authors in Neurology Journals: Cross-Sectional Study Using the Open Payments Database.

Objective: To detail the scope, nature, and disclosure of financial conflicts of interest (COI) between the pharmaceutical and medical device industries (Industry) and authors in high-impact clinical neurology journals.

Methods: Using the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Open Payments Database (OPD), we retrieved information on payments from Industry to 2,000 authors from randomly selected 2016 articles in 5 journals. We categorized payments by type (research, general, and associated research/institutional), sponsoring entity, and year (from 2013 to 2016).

Efficacy and Safety of the Telestroke Drip-And-Stay Model: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Objectives: To compare outcomes between two models of acute ischemic stroke care. Namely 1) "drip-and-stay", i.e.

What Should We Do About the Mismatch Between Legal Criteria for Death and How Brain Death Is Diagnosed?

Mismatch between whole-brain death criteria embedded in statutes and accepted tests physicians use to diagnose brain death have clinical and ethical implications that could undermine public trust in death pronouncements. We consider merits and drawbacks of 4 ways to address this problem.

A Novel SPAST/SPG4 Splice-Site Variant in a Family with Dominant Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia.

Some causes of spastic paraplegia are treatable and many are not. Diagnostic work-up to determine the etiology can be costly and invasive. Here we report the case of a man with slowly progressive spastic paraparesis.

Scope and nature of financial conflicts of interest between neurologists and industry: 2013-2016.

Objective: To detail the scope and nature of financial conflicts of interest (COIs) between neurologists and the pharmaceutical and medical device industries (Industry) using the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Open Payments (OP) database, with a focus on trends from 2013 to 2016.

Methods: Payments from Industry to US neurologists were categorized into research payments, general (nonresearch) payments, and value of ownership in Industry. We performed descriptive analyses to detail the scope and nature of these relationships and trends over time.