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Raman spectroscopy data from a section of subendocardial fibrosis, which was mainly used to establish the "Spectromics" approach with established bioinformatic tools. Samples: S01 (subpapillary fibrosis): Raman data, Raman Intensity image at 2940cm-1, H&E staining &nbsp

Bibliographie: Haug, Verena: Johanna Gehmacher, Klara Loffler (Hg.): Storylines and Blackboxes. Autobiographie und Zeugenschaft in der Nachgeschichte von Nationalsozialismus und Zweitem Weltkrieg, Wien: new academic press 2017 (Beitrage des VWI zur Holocaustforschung, Band 4, hg. vom Wiener Wiesenthal Institut fur Holocaust-Studien), 260 Seiten, 22,00 €., BIOS – Zeitschrift fur Biographieforschung, Oral History und Lebensverlaufsanalysen, 1-2/2017, S. 304-307. https://doi.org/10.3224/bios.v30i1-2.19

Background Long-term synaptic plasticity is a basic ability of the brain to dynamically adapt to external stimuli and regulate synaptic strength and ultimately network function. It is dysregulated by behavioral stress in animal models of depression and in humans with major depressive disorder. Antidepressants have been shown to restore disrupted synaptic plasticity in both animal models and humans; however, the underlying mechanism is unclear. Methods We examined modulation of synaptic plasticity by selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) in hippocampal brain slices from wild-type rats and serotonin transporter (SERT) knockout mice. Recombinant voltage-gated calcium (Ca2+) channels in heterologous expression systems were used to determine the modulation of Ca2+ channels by SSRIs. We tested the behavioral effects of SSRIs in the chronic behavioral despair model of depression both in the presence and in the absence of SERT. Results SSRIs selectively inhibited hippocampal long-term depression. The inhibition of long-term depression by SSRIs was mediated by a direct block of voltage-activated L-type Ca2+ channels and was independent of SERT. Furthermore, SSRIs protected both wild-type and SERT knockout mice from behavioral despair induced by chronic stress. Finally, long-term depression was facilitated in animals subjected to the behavioral despair model, which was prevented by SSRI treatment. Conclusions These results showed that antidepressants protected synaptic plasticity and neuronal circuitry from the effects of stress via a modulation of Ca2+ channels and synaptic plasticity independent of SERT. Thus, L-type Ca2+ channels might constitute an important signaling hub for stress response and for pathophysiology and treatment of depression.

To test the validity and reliability of the scale for the assessment and rating of ataxia (SARA) in Friedreich ataxia (FRDA). SARA is limited to eight items and can be performed rapidly. Ninety-six patients with a molecular genetic diagnosis of FRDA were rated using three different clinical scales, the FRDA Rating Scale (FARS), the International Cooperative Ataxia Rating Scale (ICARS), and SARA. Despite considerable discrepancies in scale size and subscale structure, SARA total scores were significantly correlated with ICARS (r = 0.953, P < 0.0001) and FARS (r = 0.938, P < 0.0001) total scores. SARA total scores also correlated with the activities of daily living (ADL, r = 0.929, P < 0.0001). Although originally developed for the use in dominantly inherited ataxias, which are primarily ataxias of the cerebellar type, SARA can also be used successfully to assess afferent ataxia, which is the predominant form in FRDA. Because SARA is characterized by high interrater reliability and practicability, SARA is applicable and well suited forclinical trials of FRDA.

Unilateral thalamic infarction is a rare condition in adults. This is a case report of a young child presenting with left-sided hemiparesis of sudden onset due to an unilateral venous thalamic infarction. This was attributed to an asymmetric thrombosis of the cerebral internal veins, a partial thrombosis of the vein of Galen and straight sinus. Magnetic resonance imaging resulted primarily in the differential diagnosis of a cerebral tumor or an intracerebral abscess, leading to stereotactic puncture. Subsequent magnetic resonance venography facilitated the correct diagnosis. Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia necessitated anticoagulation treatment with hirudin and later, warfarin. The patient made a complete recovery. We conclude that unclear unilateral thalamic lesions might be symptomatic of a cerebral deep venous thrombosis and might mimic a thalamic tumor. In uncertain cases, we suggest rapid performance of magnetic resonance angiography.

Primary deficiency of laminin alpha-2 due to mutations in the LAMA2 gene accounts for 30% of all patients with congenital muscular dystrophy. Here, we present seven patients with partial or total laminin alpha-2 deficiency (MDC1A) with a wide clinical spectrum, ranging from ambulant patients to patients who were never able to stand or sit. We identified two pathogenic mutations in the LAMA2 gene in all patients except for one patient in whom only one mutation was found. Six of the mutations were previously undescribed. In some of the milder cases, laminin alpha-2 expression in the muscle biopsy was only slightly reduced. These findings emphasize that analysis of the LAMA2 gene might be necessary in patients with muscle weakness, cerebral white matter changes and high creatine kinase levels, even in the presence of laminin alpha-2 in the muscle biopsy.

Introduction Whole-body-vibration training is used to improve muscle strength and function and might therefore constitute a potential supportive therapy for neuromuscular diseases. Objective To evaluate safety of whole-body vibration training in ambulatory children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). Methods 14 children with DMD and 8 with SMA underwent an 8-week vibration training programme on a Galileo MedM ® at home (3 × 3 min twice a day, 5 days a week). Primary outcome was safety of the training, assessed clinically and by measuring serum creatine kinase levels. Secondary outcome was efficacy as measured by changes in time function tests, muscle strength and angular degree of dorsiflexion of the ankles. Results All children showed good clinical tolerance. In boys with DMD, creatine kinase increased by 56% after the first day of training and returned to baseline after 8 weeks of continuous whole-body vibration training. No changes in laboratory parameters were observed in children with SMA. Secondary outcomes showed mild, but not significant, improvements with the exception of the distance walked in the 6-min walking test in children with SMA, which rose from 371.3 m to 402.8 m ( p Interpretation Whole-body vibration training is clinically well tolerated in children with DMD and SMA. The relevance of the temporary increase in creatine kinase in DMD during the first days of training is unclear, but it is not related to clinical symptoms or deterioration.

The broadwide spectrum of differential diagnoses of autosomal dominant muscular dystrophies in adults can be specified by additional features. The combination of late-onset muscular dystrophy, rimmed vacuoles and inclusion bodies in the muscle biopsy, and Paget's disease of bone suggests a mutation in the Valosin-containing protein gene (VCP, p97 or CDC48) even without dementia. We report on a German family with late-onset autosomal dominant muscular dystrophy starting in the pelvic girdle about age 40years, a subsequent rapidly-progressing course, high alkaline phosphatase and Paget's disease of bone. Clinical examination revealed no cognitive impairment. Histology showed myopathic changes with rimmed vacuoles and inclusion bodies on muscle biopsy. Mutations in VCP, filamin C, desmin, alphaB-crystallin, ZASP and myosin heavy chains 2 and 7 as well as the genes for facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy, Myotonic Dystrophy I and II, and LGMD1A-G were excluded by a combination of linkage analysis and direct sequencing. The family presented here suggests that a yet-unknown genetic defect can give rise to an autosomal dominant myopathy with Paget's disease but without dementia.

To test the validity and reliability of the scale for the assessment and rating of ataxia (SARA) in Friedreich ataxia (FRDA). SARA is limited to eight items and can be performed rapidly. Ninety-six patients with a molecular genetic diagnosis of FRDA were rated using three different clinical scales, the FRDA Rating Scale (FARS), the International Cooperative Ataxia Rating Scale (ICARS), and SARA. Despite considerable discrepancies in scale size and subscale structure, SARA total scores were significantly correlated with ICARS (r = 0.953, P0.0001) and FARS (r = 0.938, P0.0001) total scores. SARA total scores also correlated with the activities of daily living (ADL, r = 0.929, P0.0001). Although originally developed for the use in dominantly inherited ataxias, which are primarily ataxias of the cerebellar type, SARA can also be used successfully to assess afferent ataxia, which is the predominant form in FRDA. Because SARA is characterized by high interrater reliability and practicability, SARA is applicable and well suited forclinical trials of FRDA.