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Nihon Ronen Igakkai Zasshi 2019 ;56(1):43-50

Department of Diabetes, Metabolism, and Endocrinology, Tokyo Metropolitan Geriatric Hospital.

Aim: Bullous pemphigoid (BP) is an autoimmune skin disorder characterized by the production of autoantibodies. Several recent reports have described the occurrence of BP in diabetic patients treated with dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors. However, the clinical features of BP in diabetic patients, particularly in those treated with DPP-4 inhibitors, have not yet been examined. Read More

Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep 2019 Feb 12;19(3):12. Epub 2019 Feb 12.

Neuroscience Research Centre, Institute of Molecular and Clinical Sciences, St George's University of London;, Cranmer Terrace, London, SW17 0QT, UK.

Purpose Of Review: Functional movement disorders are common and disabling causes of abnormal movement control. Here, we review the current state of the evidence on the use of neuroimaging in Functional movement disorders, particularly its role in helping to unravel the pathophysiology of this enigmatic condition.

Recent Findings: In recent years, there has been a shift in thinking about functional movement disorder, away from a focus on high-level psychological precipitants as in Freudian conversion theories, or even an implicit belief they are 'put-on' for secondary gain. Read More

Indian J Dermatol 2019 Jan-Feb;64(1):19-22

Department of Skin and VD, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Kochi, Kerala, India.

Context: Androgenic alopecia (AGA) is a hereditary androgen-dependent disorder, characterized by gradual conversion of terminal hair into miniaturized hair and defined by various patterns. Common age group affected is between 30 and 50 years. Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a cluster of cardiovascular risk factors that include diabetes and prediabetes, abdominal obesity, dyslipidemia, and hypertension. Read More

Am J Obstet Gynecol 2019 Feb 8. Epub 2019 Feb 8.

New Haven CT, Yale School of Medicine.

Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of pregnancy-related death in the United States. (1) Identification of short-term indicators of cardiovascular morbidity has the potential to alter the course of this devastating disease among women. It has been established that hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) are associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease 10-30 years after delivery; however, little is known about the association of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy with cardiovascular (CV) morbidity during the delivery hospitalization. Read More

Med Mal Infect 2019 Feb 5. Epub 2019 Feb 5.

Institut de neurosciences de la Timone UMR7289, campus santé, Aix-Marseille université, 13005 Marseille, France; Pôle de psychiatrie, Assistance publique-Hôpitaux de Marseille, 13005 Marseille, France; Fondation FondaMental, 13005 Créteil, France.

Approximately 10% of patients presenting with Lyme disease experience fatigue, musculoskeletal pain, concentration disorders, or short-term memory deficits in the six months following treatment. This entity has been defined as post-Lyme disease syndrome or post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome. The pathophysiology of this syndrome is unknown, but neither persistence of the bacterium nor effectiveness of antibiotics are currently reported in the literature. Read More

J Environ Manage 2019 Feb 1;236:108-117. Epub 2019 Feb 1.

Institute of Rural Energy and Environmental Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Engineering, Beijing 100026, China.

Valorization of corn waste involves synthesis of hydrochar for use as a sorbent for ammonium nitrogen recovery from swine manure compost leachate. However, the inability to directly capture organic nitrogen and insoluble nitrogen, and the low sorption ability of hydrochar remain key issues. To overcome these issues, we used hydrothermal assisted pretreatment of compost leachate to promote the solubilization of nitrogen contained in feces, and the conversion of organic nitrogen into ammonium nitrogen in the compost leachate. Read More

Int J Biol Macromol 2019 Feb 1;129:50-60. Epub 2019 Feb 1.

Biomolecular Self-Assembly Group, Institute of Materials and Environmental Chemistry, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, P.O. Box 286, H-1519 Budapest, Hungary.

The human antimicrobial and immunomodulatory peptide LL-37 is ubiquitously expressed and secreted by epithelial cells of mucosal surfaces including the gastrointestinal tract, the primary absorption site of orally administered drugs and food components. Besides antimicrobial properties, LL-37 also contributes to the pathophysiology of various diseases such as ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease and cancer. Non-covalent association of antiinflammatory drugs, porphyrin pigments, bile salts and food dyes to the peptide was uncovered and evaluated by circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy. Read More

Int J Geriatr Psychiatry 2019 Feb 3. Epub 2019 Feb 3.

Institute of Neuroscience, Newcastle University, Campus for Ageing and Vitality Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK.

Objectives: The aim of this review was to provide an overview of the literature on imaging in prodromal Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB).

Design: Systematic PubMed search and literature review.

Results: Diagnostic classification of the prodromal DLB stage remains to be established but is likely to require imaging biomarkers to improve diagnostic accuracy. Read More

J Robot Surg 2019 Feb 1. Epub 2019 Feb 1.

Southeastern Center for Digestive Disorder and Hepatopancreatobiliary Cancer, Advanced Minimally Invasive and Robotic Surgery, Florida Hospital Tampa, 3000 Medical Park Dr, Suite #500, Tampa, USA.

High body mass index (BMI) is associated with other multiple comorbidities such as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, steatohepatitis, liver cirrhosis, and cardiopulmonary diseases, which can impact the perioperative outcomes following liver resection. We aimed to study the impact of BMI on perioperative outcomes after robotic liver resection. All the patients undergoing robotic liver resection between 2013 and 2017 were prospectively followed. Read More

J Neuroimmune Pharmacol 2019 Jan 31. Epub 2019 Jan 31.

Department of Biomedical Sciences, Parkinson's Disorder Research Program, Iowa Center for Advanced Neurotoxicology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, 50011, USA.

Adult-onset neurodegenerative disorders, like Parkinson's disease (PD) and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), that share the accumulation of aggregated α-synuclein (αSyn) as their hallmark molecular pathology are collectively known as α-synucleinopathies. Diagnosing α-synucleinopathies requires the post-mortem detection of αSyn in various brain regions. Recent efforts to measure αSyn in living patients include quantifying αSyn in different biofluids as a biomarker for PD. Read More

J Voice 2019 Jan 28. Epub 2019 Jan 28.

Department of Psychiatry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi, India.

Background: Functional neurological symptom disorder presents with varied neurological signs often as a result of stress. It is usually treated with supportive psychotherapy and occasionally antidepressants. Literature regarding treatment for resistant cases is scarce. Read More

NPJ Parkinsons Dis 2019 29;5. Epub 2019 Jan 29.

15Department of Neurology, Philipps University, Marburg, Germany.

REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD) is strongly associated with development of Parkinson's Disease and other α-synuclein-related disorders. Dopamine transporter (DAT) binding deficit predicts conversion to α-synuclein-related disorders in individuals with RBD. In turn, identifying which individuals with RBD have the highest likelihood of having abnormal DAT binding would be useful. Read More

Behav Sci (Basel) 2019 Jan 29;9(2). Epub 2019 Jan 29.

Department of Psychiatry, Griffin Memorial Hospital, Norman, OK 73071, USA.

Psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES) are classified as a somatoform conversion disorder. We present a case of a 24-year-old male with a past psychiatric history of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and anxiety disorder, admitted to our inpatient psychiatric unit. The patient experienced multiple episodes of seizures during hospitalization. Read More

J Med Case Rep 2019 Jan 30;13(1):27. Epub 2019 Jan 30.

Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, SE-112 81, Stockholm, Sweden.

Background: Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders are severe autoimmune inflammatory diseases of the central nervous system associated with the presence of immunoglobulin G antibodies against the water channel protein aquaporin-4. During exacerbation, specific aquaporin-4 immunoglobulin G may be produced intrathecally. We measured extracellular aquaporin-4 microparticles in the cerebrospinal fluid of a patient who later developed the typical symptoms and signs of a neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder. Read More

J Mol Biol 2019 Jan 25. Epub 2019 Jan 25.

Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA. Electronic address:

Single-copy loss-of-function mutations in the progranulin gene (PGRN) underlie the neurodegenerative disease frontotemporal lobar degeneration, while homozygous loss-of-function of PGRN results in the lysosomal storage disorder neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis. Despite evidence that normal PGRN levels are critical for neuronal health, the function of this protein is not yet understood. Here, we show that PGRN stimulates the in vitro maturation of the lysosomal aspartyl protease cathepsin D (CTSD). Read More

J Shoulder Elbow Surg 2019 Jan 23. Epub 2019 Jan 23.

Children's Orthopaedic Center, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA. Electronic address:

Background: Conversion disorder in children presents a challenge to orthopedic surgeons. The condition is frequently associated with unnecessary diagnostic tests, treatments, and cost. The purpose of this study was to report a series of children with upper extremity conversion disorder to raise awareness for this uncommon condition and to assist with its diagnosis and management. Read More

J Neural Transm (Vienna) 2019 Jan 25. Epub 2019 Jan 25.

Department of Neurology and Stereotactic Neurosurgery, Otto-von-Guericke-University, Magdeburg, Germany.

Normal cognition is an established selection criteria for subthalamic (STN) deep brain stimulation (DBS) in Parkinson's disease (PD), while concern has been raised as to aggravated cognitive decline in PD patients following STN-DBS. The present longterm study investigates cognitive status in all patients (n = 104) suffering from PD, who were treated via continuous bilateral STN-DBS between 1997 and 2006 in a single institution. Preoperative neuropsychological results were available in 79/104 of the patients. Read More

Nat Commun 2019 01 25;10(1):444. Epub 2019 Jan 25.

School of Materials Science and Engineering, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia.

Organic-inorganic metal halide perovskites have gained considerable attention for next-generation photovoltaic cells due to rapid improvement in power conversion efficiencies. However, fundamental understanding of underlying mechanisms related to light- and bias-induced effects at the nanoscale is still required. Here, structural variations of the perovskites induced by light and bias are systematically investigated using scanning probe microscopy techniques. Read More

J Cell Mol Med 2019 Jan 23. Epub 2019 Jan 23.

Beijing Youan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) has become a common disorder with a high risk of morbidity and mortality, which remains major medical problem without reliable and effective therapeutic intervention. Apoptosis-stimulating protein two of p53 (ASPP2) is a proapoptotic member that belongs to p53 binding protein family, which plays a key role in regulating apoptosis and cell growth. However, the role of ASPP2 in AKI has not been reported. Read More

Disabil Rehabil 2019 Jan 22:1-6. Epub 2019 Jan 22.

c Research Department of Primary Care and Population Health , UCL , London , UK.

Background: Patients with functional motor disorder are perceived as difficult by health care professionals, but we know very little about the patients' perspective. Understanding the experiences and perceptions of patients could help to improve clinical services and patient outcomes.

Purpose: To explore the experiences and perspectives of patients with functional motor disorder using qualitative research methods. Read More

Bioorg Med Chem 2019 Mar 16;27(5):760-768. Epub 2019 Jan 16.

State Key Laboratory of Virology & Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Biology and Medicine (MOE), College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, PR China; College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hubei Normal University, Huangshi 435002, PR China; Key Laboratory of Coal Conversion and New Carbon Materials of Hubei Province, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430081, PR China. Electronic address:

Considering the vital role of mitochondria in the anti-cancer mechanism of organic arsenical, the mitochondria-targeted precursor PDT-PAO-TPP was designed and synthesized. PDT-PAO-TPP, as a delocalization lipophilic cation (DLCs) which mainly accumulated in mitochondria, contributed to improve anti-cancer efficacy and selectivity towards NB4 cells. In detail, PDT-PAO-TPP inhibited the activity of PDHC resulting in the suppression of ATP synthesis and thermogenesis disorder. Read More

Trials 2019 Jan 21;20(1):71. Epub 2019 Jan 21.

Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Potsdam, Am Neuen Palais 10, 14469, Potsdam, Germany.

Background: Postoperative delirium is a common disorder in older adults that is associated with higher morbidity and mortality, prolonged cognitive impairment, development of dementia, higher institutionalization rates, and rising healthcare costs. The probability of delirium after surgery increases with patients' age, with pre-existing cognitive impairment, and with comorbidities, and its diagnosis and treatment is dependent on the knowledge of diagnostic criteria, risk factors, and treatment options of the medical staff. In this study, we will investigate whether a cross-sectoral and multimodal intervention for preventing delirium can reduce the prevalence of delirium and postoperative cognitive decline (POCD) in patients older than 70 years undergoing elective surgery. Read More

Mov Disord 2019 Jan 17. Epub 2019 Jan 17.

Department of Medical Psychology, Academic Medical Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

Background: The International Parkinson and Movement Disorders Society criteria for mild cognitive impairment in PD need validation. The objectives of this present study were to evaluate prognostic validity of level I (abbreviated) International Parkinson and Movement Disorders Society mild cognitive impairment in PD criteria for development of PD dementia and compared them with level II (comprehensive) criteria.

Methods: We analyzed data from 8 international studies (1045 patients) from our consortium that included baseline data on demographics, motor signs, depression, detailed neuropsychological testing, and longitudinal follow-up for conversion to Parkinson's disease dementia. Read More

Drug Saf 2019 Jan 16. Epub 2019 Jan 16.

Oklahoma Foundation for Digestive Research, 1813 Coventry Lane, Oklahoma City, OK, 73120, USA.

Plecanatide, a uroguanylin analog, activates the guanylate cyclase C receptors in the epithelial lining of the gastrointestinal tract in a pH-dependent fashion initiating (1) the conversion of intracellular guanosine triphosphate to cyclic guanosine monophosphate, which increases the activity of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator to increase chloride and bicarbonate secretion into the intestinal lumen and (2) a decrease in activity of the sodium-hydrogen ion exchanger. The resulting ionic shifts cause an increase in lumenal fluid to facilitate digestion. Plecanatide has been approved by the FDA for use in chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC) and irritable bowel syndrome with constipation. Read More

ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 2019 Feb 28;11(5):4766-4776. Epub 2019 Jan 28.

Synthetic organic molecules, which can selectively convert excess intracellular copper (Cu) ions to nanozymes with an ability to protect cells from oxidative stress, are highly significant in developing therapeutic agents against Cu-related disorder like Wilson's disease. Here, we report 1,3-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)-1 H-benzoimidazole-2-selenone (1), which shows a remarkable ability to remove Cu ion from glutathione, a major cytosolic Cu-binding ligand, and thereafter converts it into copper selenide (CuSe) nanozyme that exhibits remarkable glutathione peroxidase-like activity, at cellular level of HO concentration, with excellent cytoprotective effect against oxidative stress in hepatocyte. Cu-driven deselenization of 1, under physiologically relevant conditions, occurred in two steps. Read More

Int Rev Neurobiol 2019 8;144:185-210. Epub 2018 Nov 8.

Department of Psychology, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada; Center for Advanced Research in Sleep Medicine, CIUSSS-NÎM-Hôpital du Sacré-Cœur de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada; Research Center, Institut universitaire de gériatrie de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada. Electronic address:

Idiopathic rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder (iRBD) is a parasomnia characterized by the loss of muscle atonia and the presence of undesirable motor manifestations during rapid eye movement sleep. Research findings have shown that iRBD is a prodromal stage of synucleinopathies such as Parkinson's disease, dementia with Lewy bodies, and multiple system atrophy. A wide array of neuroimaging techniques have improved our understanding of the prodromal stage of these diseases in patients with iRBD, and identified potential biomarkers. Read More

Adv Mater 2019 Jan 13:e1805970. Epub 2019 Jan 13.

Department of Energy Conversion and Storage, Technical University of Denmark, Risø Campus, 4000, Roskilde, Denmark.

The metallic interface between two oxide insulators, such as LaAlO /SrTiO (LAO/STO), provides new opportunities for electronics and spintronics. However, due to the presence of multiple orbital populations, tailoring the interfacial properties such as the ground state and metal-insulator transitions remains challenging. Here, an unforeseen tunability of the phase diagram of LAO/STO is reported by alloying LAO with a ferromagnetic LaMnO insulator without forming lattice disorder and at the same time without changing the polarity of the system. Read More

Metab Brain Dis 2019 Jan 12. Epub 2019 Jan 12.

Department of Pediatrics B, Emek Medical Center, Afula, Israel.

D-glycerate 2 kinase (DGK) is an enzyme that mediates the conversion of D-glycerate, an intermediate metabolite of serine and fructose metabolism, to 2-phosphoglycerate. Deficiency of DGK leads to accumulation of D-glycerate in various tissues and its massive excretion in urine. D-glyceric aciduria (DGA) is an autosomal recessive metabolic disorder caused by mutations in the GLYCTK gene. Read More

Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep 2019 Jan 14;19(2). Epub 2019 Jan 14.

Section of Neurology, Department of Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy.

Purpose Of Review: Idiopathic REM sleep behavior disorder (iRBD) is one of the most significant prodromal manifestations of synucleinopathies. Different predictive biomarkers for iRBD conversion have been investigated, but scarce data are present in literature about the predictive role of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers. In this review, we focus on CSF biomarkers in patients with both iRBD and RBD associated with synucleinopathies to explore their potential predictive power. Read More

Front Psychiatry 2018 20;9:704. Epub 2018 Dec 20.

School of Biological Sciences & Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, China.

Bipolar disorder (BD) and major depressive disorder (MDD) are associated with different brain functional and structural abnormalities, but BD is hard to distinguish from MDD until the first manic or hypomanic episode. The aim of this study was to examine whether the topological properties of the brain structural network could be used to differentiate BD from MDD patients before their first manic/hypomanic episode. Diffusion tensor images were collected from 80 MDD patients and 53 healthy controls (HCs); 78 patients completed the follow-up study lasting 7 years. Read More

Nat Neurosci 2019 Feb 7;22(2):243-255. Epub 2019 Jan 7.

Laboratory of Genetics, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is thought to emerge during early cortical development. However, the exact developmental stages and associated molecular networks that prime disease propensity are elusive. To profile early neurodevelopmental alterations in ASD with macrocephaly, we monitored subject-derived induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) throughout the recapitulation of cortical development. Read More

Arch Dis Child Educ Pract Ed 2019 Jan 7. Epub 2019 Jan 7.

Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy.

QUESTION 1: What is the most likely diagnosis?Optical neuritis (ON).Central nervous system (CNS) tumour.Functional visual loss (FVL). Read More

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2019 Jan 4;116(4):1110-1115. Epub 2019 Jan 4.

Laboratory of Computational Science and Modeling, Institute of Materials, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland.

Thermodynamic properties of liquid water as well as hexagonal (Ih) and cubic (Ic) ice are predicted based on density functional theory at the hybrid-functional level, rigorously taking into account quantum nuclear motion, anharmonic fluctuations, and proton disorder. This is made possible by combining advanced free-energy methods and state-of-the-art machine-learning techniques. The ab initio description leads to structural properties in excellent agreement with experiments and reliable estimates of the melting points of light and heavy water. Read More

PM R 2019 Jan 4. Epub 2019 Jan 4.

TIRR Memorial Hermann.

Inpatient rehabilitation (IR) units represent a unique opportunity to provide comprehensive, wrap-around care for typically treatment resistant Functional Neurologic Symptom Disorder (FNSD, or Conversion Disorder). The following case report presents one example of an IR program for a patient with FNSD-based cataplexia and paralysis symptoms. Orienting an FNSD-naïve staff and an operant behavioral-based treatment approach are discussed. Read More

Eur J Paediatr Neurol 2018 Dec 13. Epub 2018 Dec 13.

Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Trust, Great Ormond Street, London, WC1N 3JH, UK; UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health (ICH), 30 Guilford Street, London, WC1N 1EH, UK. Electronic address:

Aim: To describe a cognitive-behavioural treatment and clinical outcomes in a series of children with functional neurological symptoms (FNS).

Method: Thirty-six children with FNS were assessed and of these twenty-two (13 male, 9 female) with a mean age 14.5 years (SD = 2. Read More

Emerg (Tehran) 2018 2;6(1):e47. Epub 2018 Aug 2.

Department of Epidemiology, Faculty of Health, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

Introduction: About 5% of visits to emergency departments are made up of conversion disorder cases. This study was designed with the aim of comparing the effectiveness of quetiapine and haloperidol in controlling conversion disorder symptoms.

Methods: The present single-blind clinical trial has been performed on patients with conversion disorder (based on the DSM-IV definition) presenting to emergency department of 9-Day Hospital, Torbat Heydariyeh, Iran, from January 2017 until May 2018. Read More

Emerg (Tehran) 2018 14;6(1):e43. Epub 2018 Jul 14.

Isfahan Cardiovascular Research Center, Cardiovascular Research Institute, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.

Introduction: Conversion disorder is a condition in which the patient shows psychological stress in physical ways. This study aimed to compare the effects of haloperidol versus midazolam in patients with conversion disorder.

Methods: This double-blind randomized clinical trial was conducted on patients with conversion disorder who had presented to the emergency department, throughout 2015. Read More

JAMA Neurol 2018 Dec 21. Epub 2018 Dec 21.

Institute of Human Genetics, University Medical Center Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany.

Importance: The identification and understanding of the monogenic causes of neurodevelopmental disorders are of high importance for personalized treatment and genetic counseling.

Objective: To identify and characterize novel genes for a specific neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by refractory seizures, respiratory failure, brain abnormalities, and death in the neonatal period; describe the outcome of glutaminase deficiency in humans; and understand the underlying pathological mechanisms.

Design, Setting, And Participants: We performed exome sequencing of cases of neurodevelopmental disorders without a clear genetic diagnosis, followed by genetic and bioinformatic evaluation of candidate variants and genes. Read More

Nanoscale 2019 Jan;11(2):762-774

Centro de Investigaciones en Catálisis (CICAT), Universidad Industrial de Santander, Sede UIS Guatiguará, Piedecuesta, Santander, C.P. 681011, Colombia.

In quantum dot sensitized solar cells (QDSSC), a cascade energy level structure controlled by assembly of cadmium-chalcogenide quantum dots can remarkably improve the sunlight harvesting and charge carrier lifetime. Despite the advantages of using co-sensitizers, energy conversion efficiencies are still low. An increased understanding of the causes of the low photoconversion efficiency (PCE) will contribute to the development of a straightforward approach to improve solar cell performance by exploiting co-sensitization. Read More

Schizophr Bull 2018 Dec 8. Epub 2018 Dec 8.

Department of Psychology, Department of Psychiatry, Department of Medical Social Sciences, Institute for Policy Research, Institute for Innovations in Developmental Sciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL.

Background: Negative symptoms occur early in the clinical high risk (CHR) state and indicate increased risk of conversion to psychotic disorder and poor functional outcome. However, while the negative symptom domain has shown to be parsimoniously explained by a 2-factor construct in schizophrenia, there has yet to be an established factor structure of negative symptoms in CHR.

Methods: 214 individuals meeting the Structured Interview for Psychosis-Risk Syndromes (SIPS) criteria for CHR were recruited through 3 active research programs in the United States. Read More

Front Psychiatry 2018 23;9:626. Epub 2018 Nov 23.

Section of Psychiatry, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy.

"Medically Unexplained Physical Symptoms" (MUPS) defines a subgroup of patients presenting physical symptoms of unclear origin. The study aims to profile clinical and socio-demographic characteristics of patients with MUPS. This 9-years observational retrospective study assesses all patients admitted between 2008 and 2016 in the divisions of neurology and gastroenterology. Read More

Mol Cell Endocrinol 2018 Nov 30. Epub 2018 Nov 30.

Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology, & Diabetes, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Department of Pharmacology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.

17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 3 (17βHSD3) deficiency is an autosomal recessive disorder of male sex development that results in defective testosterone biosynthesis. Although mutations in the cognate HSD17B3 gene cause a spectrum of phenotypic manifestations, the majority of affected patients are genetic males having female external genitalia. Many cases do not present until puberty, at which time peripheral conversion of androgen precursors causes progressive virilization. Read More

J Pak Med Assoc 2018 Dec;68(12):1776-1781

University of Central Punjab, Lahore.

Objective: To explore the association between childhood trauma and dissociation in patients of conversion disorder.

Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted in Lahore, Pakistan, from April to December 2016, and comprised female patients aged 18-40 years diagnosed with conversion disorder at three major public hospitals of the city. Urdu version of symptom checklist for conversion disorder, the dissociative experiences scale and traumatic experiences checklist were used to measure study variables. Read More

Sleep Med Rev 2019 02 8;43:37-46. Epub 2018 Nov 8.

"Vita-Salute" San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy; IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Neurology - Sleep Disorders Centre, Milan, Italy. Electronic address:

Several studies report an association between REM Sleep Behavior Disorder (RBD) and neurodegenerative diseases, in particular synucleinopathies. Interestingly, the onset of RBD precedes the development of neurodegeneration by several years. This review and meta-analysis aims to establish the rate of conversion of RBD into neurodegenerative diseases. Read More

Am J Hum Genet 2018 Dec 29;103(6):1030-1037. Epub 2018 Nov 29.

Human Genetics Program, Sanford-Burnham-Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA. Electronic address:

FUK encodes fucokinase, the only enzyme capable of converting L-fucose to fucose-1-phosphate, which will ultimately be used for synthesizing GDP-fucose, the donor substrate for all fucosyltransferases. Although it is essential for fucose salvage, this pathway is thought to make only a minor contribution to the total amount of GDP-fucose. A second pathway, the major de novo pathway, involves conversion of GDP-mannose to GDP-fucose. Read More

Mov Disord Clin Pract 2018 Sep-Oct;5(5):506-511. Epub 2018 Oct 3.

Center of Sleep Medicine Dokkyo Medical University Hospital Tochigi Japan.

Background: The conversion rate and estimated risk of neurodegenerative diseases vary with idiopathic rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder (IRBD).

Methods: This retrospective cohort study examined 273 patients (213 men, 60 women) with polysomnographic-confirmed IRBD (192 and 81 patients in the Sleep Center [SC] cohort and Neurological Center [NC] cohort, respectively) who were followed longitudinally. The date of diagnosis was determined as the onset of an overt neurological syndrome. Read More

Epilepsy Behav 2019 Jan 27;90:31-36. Epub 2018 Nov 27.

Department of Epileptology, University of Bonn Medical Centre, Sigmund-Freud-Strasse 25, FRG-53127 Bonn, Germany. Electronic address:

Objectives: When writing about the bidirectional etiological relationship between depression and epilepsy, neuropsychiatrists often cite Lewis (1934) [Lewis AJ. Melancholia: a historical review. Journal of Mental Science 1934; 80: 1-42] who cited Hippocrates - namely, "melancholics ordinarily become epileptics, and epileptics, melancholics". Read More

Zhonghua Wai Ke Za Zhi 2018 Dec;56(12):910-915

Departments of Cardiovascular Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China.

To report on the two years outcome of Chinese multi-center study of the treatment of high risk non-calcified pure aortic regurgitation with transcatheter heart valve replacement (TAVR) using domestic made J-Valve™ system. The national multi-center clinical study of the treatment of high risk non-calcified pure aortic regurgitation with transcatheter heart valve replacement using domestic made J-Valve™ system was conducted during the period from April 2014 to July 2015. The follow-up time was up to 2 years. Read More

Tijdschr Psychiatr 2018;60(11):738-740

Handb Clin Neurol 2018 ;159:417-423

Department of Neurology, St. George's, University of London, London, United Kingdom. Electronic address:

Functional (psychogenic) gait disorders are a common presentation of functional neurological disorder - one of the commonest diagnoses made in neurology practice. People with functional neurological disorder are as disabled and experience as poor a quality of life as patients with multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's disease. People with functional neurological disorder, including gait disorder, are often perceived as being challenging to diagnose and manage, and as a result attitudes of health professionals towards them are often negative. Read More