Flattened red nucleus in progressive supranuclear palsy detected by quantitative susceptibility mapping.

Introduction: Progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) involves midbrain structures, including the red nucleus (RN), an iron-rich region that appears as a high-contrast area on quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM). RN may serve as a promising biomarker for differentiating parkinsonism. However, RN deformation in PSP remains elusive.

Increase in Adult Patients with Varicella Zoster Virus-Related Central Nervous System Infections, Japan.

An increase in the number of herpes zoster patients has been reported since universal varicella immunization was introduced, perhaps because of reduced opportunities for varicella patients to experience the natural booster effect caused by reexposure. We investigated recent trends of varicella zoster virus (VZV)-related central nervous system (CNS) infections at a university hospital in Japan. We enrolled patients with suspected CNS infection during 2013-2022 and tested cerebrospinal fluid samples by real-time PCR for DNA from 7 human herpesviruses.

Electrochemical lithium-ion insertion/extraction reactions of multilayered graphene with random twist angles.

A multilayer graphene film with random twist angles between layers (TAGr) on SiC(0001̄) shows six pairs of redox peaks for Li insertion/extraction reaction. The distributed twisted angle in TAGr regulates Li insertion sites, and smaller -axis expansion (3%) is realized by Li insertion.

Uric acid and alterations of purine recycling disorders in Parkinson's disease: a cross-sectional study.

The relationship between reduced serum uric acid (UA) levels and Parkinson's disease (PD), particularly purine metabolic pathways, is not fully understood. Our study compared serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of inosine, hypoxanthine, xanthine, and UA in PD patients and healthy controls. We analyzed 132 samples (serum, 45 PD, and 29 age- and sex-matched healthy controls; CSF, 39 PD, and 19 age- and sex-matched healthy controls) using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

Adjuvant Therapy with Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors after Carbon Ion Radiotherapy for Mucosal Melanoma of the Head and Neck: A Case-Control Study.

The development of new treatment strategies to improve the prognosis of mucosal malignant melanoma of the head and neck (MMHN) after carbon ion radiotherapy (CIRT) is essential because of the risk of distant metastases. Therefore, our objective was to evaluate the outcomes of immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) treatment to justify its inclusion in the regimen after CIRT. Thirty-four patients who received CIRT as an initial treatment were included in the analysis and stratified into three groups: those who did not receive ICIs (Group A), those who received ICIs after recurrence or metastasis (Group B), and those who received ICIs as adjuvant therapy after CIRT (Group C).

Preliminary result of combined treatment with scanning carbon-ion radiotherapy and image-guided brachytherapy for locally advanced cervical adenocarcinoma.

Although there is growing evidence of the efficacy of carbon-ion radiotherapy (CIRT) for locally advanced cervical adenocarcinoma, reports on combined treatment with CIRT and image-guided brachytherapy (IGBT) are scarce. We retrospectively analyzed patients with International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (2008) stage II-IVA locally advanced cervical adenocarcinoma who received combined scanning CIRT (sCIRT) and IGBT between April 2019 and March 2022. sCIRT consisted of whole-pelvic irradiation with 36 Gy (relative biological effectiveness [RBE]) in 12 fractions and subsequent local boost irradiation with 19.

Mutational and structural studies of (βα)-barrel fold methylene-tetrahydropterin reductases utilizing a common catalytic mechanism.

Methylene-tetrahydropterin reductases catalyze the reduction of a methylene to a methyl group bound to a reduced pterin as C carrier in various one-carbon (C) metabolisms. F-dependent methylene-tetrahydromethanopterin (methylene-HMPT) reductase (Mer) and the flavin-independent methylene-tetrahydrofolate (methylene-HF) reductase (Mfr) use a ternary complex mechanism for the direct transfer of a hydride from FH and NAD(P)H to the respective methylene group, whereas FAD-dependent methylene-HF reductase (MTHFR) uses FAD as prosthetic group and a ping-pong mechanism to catalyze the reduction of methylene-HF. A ternary complex structure and a thereof derived catalytic mechanism of MTHFR is available, while no ternary complex structures of Mfr or Mer are reported.

Perioperative Management of Spinal Arteriovenous Malformation Embolization: Delayed Venous Thrombosis and Implications for Severe Back Pain.

Background And Purpose: The prognosis of untreated spinal arteriovenous malformations (SAVMs) is poor. Embolization plays an important role in the management of intramedullary SAVMs. Delayed aggravation due to spinal venous thrombosis following successful embolization has been reported; however, perioperative management strategies to prevent thrombosis have not been explored.

Structural and mechanistic basis of the central energy-converting methyltransferase complex of methanogenesis.

Methanogenic archaea inhabiting anaerobic environments play a crucial role in the global biogeochemical material cycle. The most universal electrogenic reaction of their methane-producing energy metabolism is catalyzed by -methyl-tetrahydromethanopterin: coenzyme M methyltransferase (MtrABCDEFGH), which couples the vectorial Na transport with a methyl transfer between the one-carbon carriers tetrahydromethanopterin and coenzyme M via a vitamin B derivative (cobamide) as prosthetic group. We present the 2.

Assessment of Mild Cognitive Impairment Using CogEvo: A Computerized Cognitive Function Assessment Tool.

Introduction/objectives: To assess the utility of the computerized cognitive function assessment tool, CogEvo, as a screening tool for mild cognitive impairment in primary care, we explored the relationship between CogEvo performance, age, and the severity of cognitive dysfunction evaluated by the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE).

Methods: The observational cross-sectional study included 209 individuals' data (mean age 79.4 ± 8.

Comparison of efficacy between clazosentan and fasudil hydrochloride-based management of vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage focusing on older and WFNS grade V patients: a single-center experience in Japan.

Subarachnoid hemorrhage often leads to poor outcomes owing to vasospasm, even after successful aneurysm treatment. Clazosentan, an endothelin receptor inhibitor, has been proven to be an effective treatment for vasospasms in a Japanese randomized controlled trial. However, its efficacy in older patients (≥ 75 years old) and those with World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies (WFNS) grade V has not been demonstrated.

Acyl and CO Ligands in the [Fe]-Hydrogenase Cofactor Scramble upon Photolysis.

[Fe]-hydrogenase harbors the iron-guanylylpyridinol (FeGP) cofactor, in which the Fe(II) complex contains acyl-carbon, pyridinol-nitrogen, cysteine-thiolate and two CO as ligands. Irradiation with UV-A/blue light decomposes the FeGP cofactor to a 6-carboxymethyl-4-guanylyl-2-pyridone (GP) and other components. Previous in vitro biosynthesis experiments indicated that the acyl- and CO-ligands in the FeGP cofactor can scramble, but whether scrambling occurred during biosynthesis or photolysis was unclear.

[Fe]-Hydrogenase, Cofactor Biosynthesis and Engineering.

[Fe]-hydrogenase catalyzes the heterolytic cleavage of H and reversible hydride transfer to methenyl-tetrahydromethanopterin. The iron-guanylylpyridinol (FeGP) cofactor is the prosthetic group of this enzyme, in which mononuclear Fe(II) is ligated with a pyridinol and two CO ligands. The pyridinol ligand fixes the iron by an acyl carbon and a pyridinol nitrogen.

Enzymatic properties and clinical associations of serum alpha-galactosidase A in Parkinson's disease.

Objective: Recent studies have revealed an association between Parkinson's disease (PD) and Fabry disease, a lysosomal storage disorder; however, the underlying mechanisms remain to be elucidated. This study aimed to investigate the enzymatic properties of serum alpha-galactosidase A (GLA) and compared them with the clinical parameters of PD.

Methods: The study participants consisted of 66 sporadic PD patients and 52 controls.

Clinical Outcomes of Intensity-modulated Carbon-ion Radiotherapy for Bone and Soft Tissue Tumors.

Background/aim: Carbon-ion radiotherapy (CIRT) for bone and soft tissue tumors (BSTs) has been reported to have favorable clinical outcomes. Intensity-modulated CIRT (IMCT) techniques have been developed to further reduce dose delivery to adjacent organs compared to conventional CIRT. We retrospectively analyzed the clinical results of IMCT for BSTs and investigated treatment efficacy and toxicity.

Safety of Carbon-ion Radiotherapy for Prostate Cancer After Rectal Cancer Surgery.

Background/aim: The safety of carbon-ion radiotherapy (CIRT) for patients with prostate cancer after rectal cancer surgery remains unknown. This is a retrospective analysis of the safety of CIRT in patients with prostate cancer after rectal cancer surgery.

Patients And Methods: The subjects were 13 consecutive patients with prostate cancer who underwent CIRT after rectal cancer surgery at the Kanagawa Cancer Center from December 2015 to April 2022.

Sinus reconstruction therapy for superior sagittal sinus dural arteriovenous fistula caused by parasagittal meningioma invasion: a case report.

A dural arteriovenous fistula (dAVF) involving the superior sagittal sinus (SSS) is relatively rare, and its clinical course is usually aggressive. Its concomitance with a tumor has rarely been reported. Here, we present a case of SSS dAVF due to meningioma invasion, which was treated with sinus reconstruction and endovascular embolization.

Crystal structure of FAD-independent methylene-tetrahydrofolate reductase from Mycobacterium hassiacum.

FAD-independent methylene-tetrahydrofolate (methylene-H F) reductase (Mfr), recently identified in mycobacteria, catalyzes the reduction of methylene-H F to methyl-H F with NADH as hydride donor by a ternary complex mechanism. This biochemical reaction corresponds to that of the ubiquitous FAD-dependent methylene-H F reductase (MTHFR), although the latter uses a ping-pong mechanism with the prosthetic group as intermediate hydride carrier. Comparative genomics and genetic analyses indicated that Mfr is indispensable for the growth of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which lacks the MTHFR encoding gene.

Postsurgical dural supply to the spinal cord arteriovenous malformation in spinal arteriovenous metameric syndrome.

Dural supply from the external carotid system in cerebral arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) is well known, but actual angiographic evidence of dural supply to spinal cord AVMs (SCAVMs) has not been reported. Here, we report a case of dural supply to the conus SCAVM in the spinal arteriovenous metameric syndrome segment 25-30. Thirteen years after spinal surgery (T12-L2 laminoplasty), spinal angiography showed multiple dural supplies from the dorsal somatic branches, prelaminar arteries, and radiculomeningeal arteries to the SCAVM at the level of the previous spinal surgery.