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031; OR8.2 (1.2-55.6)).

The result of this study demonstrated that PAPP-A MoM values may be significant in predicting the need for surfactant in RDS, which is a frequently seen condition in the neonatal period.

The result of this study demonstrated that PAPP-A MoM values may be significant in predicting the need for surfactant in RDS, which is a frequently seen condition in the neonatal period.In two recent postmortem studies, Jeffrey Kordower and colleagues report new findings that open up for an interesting discussion on the status of GDNF/NRTN signaling in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD), adding an interesting perspective on the, admittedly very limited, signs of restorative effects previously seen in GDNF/NRTN-treated patients. Their new findings show that the level of the GDNF signaling receptor Ret is overall reduced by about 65% relative to non-PD controls, and most severely, up to 80%, in nigral neurons containing α-synuclein inclusions, accompanied by impaired signaling downstream of the Ret receptor. Notably, however, the vast majority of the remaining nigral neurons retained a low level of Ret expression, and hence a threshold level of signaling. Further observations made in two patients who had received AAV-NRTN gene therapy 8-10 years earlier suggest the intriguing possibility that NRTN is able to restore Ret expression and upregulate its own signaling pathway. This “wind-up” mechanism, which is likely to depend on an interaction with dopaminergic transcription factor Nurr1, has therapeutic potential and should encourage renewed efforts to turn GDNF/NRTN therapy into success, once the recurring problem of under-dosing is resolved.

Multiple system atrophy (MSA) and Parkinson’s disease (PD) have overlapping symptoms, making diagnosis challenging. Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are produced exclusively by gut microbiota and were reduced in feces of MSA patients. However, plasma SCFA concentrations in MSA patients have not been investigated.

We aimed to investigate the plasma SCFAs in MSA patients and to identify the potential differential diagnostic ability.

Plasma SCFA were measured in 25 MSA patients, 46 healthy controls, and 46 PD patients using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Demographic and clinical characteristics of the participants were evaluated.

Acetic acid concentration was lower in MSA patients than in healthy controls. Acetic acid and propionic acid concentrations were lower in MSA and MSA with predominant parkinsonism (MSA-P) patients than in PD patients. A receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis revealed reduced acetic acid concentration discriminated MSA patients from healthy controls with 76% specificity but only 57% sensitivity and an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.68 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.55-0.81). Combined acetic acid and propionic acid concentrations discriminated MSA patients from PD patients with an AUC of 0.82 (95% CI 0.71-0.93), 84% specificity and 76% sensitivity. Especially, with combined acetic acid and propionic acid concentrations, MSA-P patients were separated from PD patients with an AUC of 0.89 (95% CI 0.80-0.97), 91% specificity and 80% sensitivity.

Plasma SCFAs were decreased in MSA patients. The combined acetic acid and propionic acid concentrations may be a potential biomarker for differentiating MSA patients from PD patients.

Plasma SCFAs were decreased in MSA patients. The combined acetic acid and propionic acid concentrations may be a potential biomarker for differentiating MSA patients from PD patients.

Clinician-based rating scales or questionnaires for gait in Parkinson’s disease (PD) are subjective and sensor-based analysis is limited in accessibility.

To develop an easily accessible and objective tool to evaluate gait in PD patients, we analyzed gait from a single 2-dimensional (2D) video.

We prospectively recorded 2D videos of PD patients (n = 16) and healthy controls (n = 15) performing the timed up and go test (TUG). The gait was simultaneously evaluated with a pressure-sensor (GAITRite). We estimated the 3D position of toes and heels with a deep-learning based pose-estimation algorithm and calculated gait parameters including step length, step length variability, gait velocity and step cadence which was validated with the result from the GAITRite. We further calculated the time and steps required for turning. Then, we applied the algorithm to previously recorded and archived videos of PD patients (n = 32) performing the TUG.

From the validation experiment, gait parameters derived from video tracking were in excellent agreement with the parameters obtained with the GAITRite. (Intraclass correlation coefficient > 0.9). From the analysis with the archived videos, step length, gait velocity, number of steps, and the time required for turning were significantly correlated (Absolute R > 0.4, p < 0.005) with the Freezing of gait questionnaire, Unified PD Rating scale part III total score, HY stage and postural instability. Furthermore, the video-based tracking objectively measured significant improvement of step length, gait velocity, steps and the time required for turning with antiparkinsonian medication.

2D video-based tracking could objectively evaluate gait in PD patients.

2D video-based tracking could objectively evaluate gait in PD patients.

Neurofilament light (NfL) can reflect the extent of neuron/axon damage, thus providing an opportunity to examine the severity and progression of the diseases with such damage.

Whether serum NfL can be used as an indicator to monitor the cognitive progress of de novo Parkinson’s disease (PD) remains unclear.

In this research, 144 healthy controls and 301 de novo PD patients from Parkinson’s Progression Markers Initiative (PPMI) were recruited. Linear mixed effects models were used to examine the associations of baseline/longitudinal serum NfL with cognitive decline. Cox regression was used to detect cognitive progression in PD participants.

We found PD patients had higher serum NfL than controls at baseline (p = 0.031), and NfL increase was faster in PD group (p < 0.001). Both baseline serum NfL and its rate of change predicted measurable cognitive decline in early PD (MoCA, β= -0.014, p < 0.001; β= -0.002, p < 0.001, respectively). find more Additionally, we observed that NfL levels were also able to predict progression in different diagnostic groups and Amyloid- PD and Amyloid+PD groups.