Affinity purification of serum-derived anti-IA-2 autoantibodies in type 1 diabetes using a novel MBP-IA-2 fusion protein.

Autoantibodies targeting epitopes contained within the intracellular domain (IC) of the protein phosphatase-like islet antigen 2 (IA-2) are a common marker of autoimmune type 1 diabetes (T1D), however the isolation of genuine, serum derived anti-IA-2 autoantibodies has proven challenging due to a lack of suitable bioassays. In the current study, an ELISA format was developed for affinity purification of human anti-IA-2ic autoantibodies utilizing a fusion protein (FP) incorporating maltose binding protein and the full-length IA-2IC domain. Using a T1D patient cohort validated for anti-IA-2ic autoantibodies by commercial ELISA, we demonstrate the MBP-IA-2ic FP ELISA detects serum anti-IA-2IC autoantibodies from 3 of 9 IA-2 positive patients.

A cell-based assay for the detection of pathogenic anti-voltage-gated calcium channel autoantibodies in immunoglobulin G from patients with type 1 diabetes.

Recent studies have postulated the presence of functional autoantibodies (Abs) against L-type voltage gated calcium channels (VGCCs) in the serum of patients with type 1 diabetes, with various proposed physiological consequences, both islet cell associated and extra-glandular. Arguably, the most potentially damaging effect reported for these Abs is induction of apoptosis in pancreatic beta (β) cells, yet a convincing pathogenic mechanism remains to be demonstrated. In the current study, we report an assay of reactive oxygen species (ROS) stress induction in the rat insulinoma cell line Rin A12, as determined by 2', 7'-Dichlorofluorescein diacetate (DCF-DA) fluorescence detection by flow cytometry.

Effect of Deutetrabenazine on Chorea Among Patients With Huntington Disease: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Deutetrabenazine is a novel molecule containing deuterium, which attenuates CYP2D6 metabolism and increases active metabolite half-lives and may therefore lead to stable systemic exposure while preserving key pharmacological activity.

Objective: To evaluate efficacy and safety of deutetrabenazine treatment to control chorea associated with Huntington disease.

Design, Setting, And Participants: Ninety ambulatory adults diagnosed with manifest Huntington disease and a baseline total maximal chorea score of 8 or higher (range, 0-28; lower score indicates less chorea) were enrolled from August 2013 to August 2014 and randomized to receive deutetrabenazine (n = 45) or placebo (n = 45) in a double-blind fashion at 34 Huntington Study Group sites.

Adaptation and validation of Common Object Token (COT) test into the Sinhalese language.

Objectives: This manuscript presents a translation and adaptation of the Common Object Token (COT) test, which assesses speech perception, into the Sinhalese language and an attempt to validate it for use on children with normal hearing (NH) and children with a cochlear implant (CI).

Methods: Ninety-five children (70 with NH, 25 with a CI) participated in the study. The COT test was translated, back-translated, and evaluated by a team of experts until the Sinhalese translation was deemed acceptable.