Mechanistic multiscale modelling of energy metabolism in human astrocytes reveals the impact of morphology changes in Alzheimer's Disease.

Astrocytes with their specialised morphology are essential for brain homeostasis as metabolic mediators between blood vessels and neurons. In neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), astrocytes adopt reactive profiles with molecular and morphological changes that could lead to the impairment of their metabolic support and impact disease progression. However, the underlying mechanisms of how the metabolic function of human astrocytes is impaired by their morphological changes in AD are still elusive.

Who to escalate during a pandemic? A retrospective observational study about decision-making during the COVID-19 pandemic in the UK.

Background: Optimal decision-making regarding who to admit to critical care in pandemic situations remains unclear. We compared age, Clinical Frailty Score (CFS), 4C Mortality Score and hospital mortality in two separate COVID-19 surges based on the escalation decision made by the treating physician.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of all referrals to critical care during the first COVID-19 surge (cohort 1, March/April 2020) and a late surge (cohort 2, October/November 2021) was undertaken.

Non-syndromic isolated dominant optic atrophy caused by the p.R468C mutation in the AFG3 like matrix AAA peptidase subunit 2 gene.

Autosomal dominant optic atrophy (DOA) is the most frequent form of hereditary optic atrophy, a disease presenting with considerable inter- and intra-familial clinical variability. Although a number of mutations in different genes are now known to cause DOA, many cases remain undiagnosed. In an attempt to identify the underlying genetic defect, whole exome sequencing was performed in a 19-year-old male that had been affected by isolated DOA since childhood.

A multifactorial study on nutritional status, binge eating and physical activity as main factors directly influencing body weight in Parkinson's disease.

Weight lossisa multifactorial disorder commonly affecting Parkinson's disease patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between body weight, nutritional status, physical activity, and Parkinson's disease-related factors. A total of 114 consecutive Parkinson's disease patients without dietary restrictions were evaluated prospectively with respect to: nutritional status (Mini Nutritional Assessment), physical activity level (Yale Physical Activity Survey), MDS-UPDRS score, olfactory function, depression, cognitive functionand impulse-control disorders, among other variables.

Facial tremors in patients with and without parkinsonism.

Facial (lip and jaw) tremors can be an early sign of Parkinson's disease (PD), essential tremor and other parkinsonisms. Its response to acute dopaminergic therapy and further predictive clinical diagnosis has not been previously addressed. The aim of this study was to evaluate facial tremors response to acute dopaminergic therapy and further predictive value for clinical diagnosis.