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Background: Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD) is the second most common cause of dementia under 65 years of age; it has a prevalence of 4-15 per 100,000 persons. The overt disease usually manifests in the sixth decade, and it is extremely rare to find affected patients in their twenties. Objective: Here, we present the clinical and molecular genetic findings of an Albanian family with a patient with early-onset FTD and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). Methods: Given the great variability of clinical presentation of FTD and the number of genes involved, targeted Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) was used to screen the DNA of the 27-year-old male patient. Segregation analysis was performed in available family members. Results and Discussion: A variant, consisting of a proline-leucine amino acid substitution in position 440, was identified in the UBQLN2 gene on the X-chromosome. This variant was previously reported as a variant of unknown significance in a 30-year-old female patient with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. With the description of our case, we add evidence on its involvement, also in ALS-FTD. The variant is in a functional domain important for interaction with HSP70 and this, in turn, may impair the shuttling of proteins to the proteasome leading to an accumulation of protein aggregates. The variant was inherited from the unaffected mother, in line with the fact that incomplete penetrance has been widely described for this gene. Conclusion:The present report adds information regarding one of 34 variants in the UBQLN2 gene reported so far in association with neurodegeneration and proposes a molecular pathogenesis of ALS-FTD in this patient.

Neuropilins are transmembrane coreceptors expressed by endothelial cells and neurons. NRP1 and NRP2 bind a variety of ligands, by which they trigger cell signaling, and are important in the development of lymphatic valves and lymphatic capillaries, respectively. This study focuses on identifying rare variants in the NRP1 and NRP2 genes that could be linked to the development of lymphatic malformations in patients diagnosed with lymphedema. Two hundred and thirty-five Italian lymphedema patients, who tested negative for variants in known lymphedema genes, were screened for variants in NRP1 and NRP2. Two probands carried variants in NRP1 and four in NRP2. The variants of both genes segregated with lymphedema in familial cases. Although further functional and biochemical studies are needed to clarify their involvement with lymphedema and to associate NRP1 and NRP2 with lymphedema, we suggest that it is worthwhile also screening lymphedema patients for these two new candidate genes.

Background We developed a Next‐Generation‐Sequencing (NGS) protocol to screen the most frequent genetic variants related to lymphedema and a group of candidate genes. The aim of the study was to find the genetic cause of lymphedema in the analyzed patients. Methods We sequenced a cohort of 246 Italian patients with lymphatic malformations. In the first step, we analyzed genes known to be linked to lymphedema: 235 out of 246 patients tested negative for the most frequent variants and underwent testing for variants in a group of candidate genes, including the NOTCH1 gene, selected from the database of mouse models. We also performed in silico analysis to observe molecular interactions between the wild‐type and the variant amino acids and other protein residues. Results Seven out of 235 probands, five with sporadic and two with familial lymphedema, were found to carry rare missense variants in the NOTCH1 gene. Conclusions Our results propose that NOTCH1 could be a novel candidate for genetic predisposition to lymphedema., Background: We developed a Next‐Generation‐Sequencing (NGS) protocol to screen the most frequent genetic variants related to lymphedema, including a group of candidate genes.Methods and Results: We sequenced a cohort of 246 Italian patients with lymphatic malformations. In the first step, we analyzed genes known to be linked to lymphedema: 235 out of 246 patients tested negative for the most frequent variants and underwent testing for variants in a group of candidate genes, including the NOTCH1 gene, selected from the database of mouse models. The aim of the study was to define the genotype of these patients, in order to explore the role of the candidate gene NOTCH1 in lymphedema.We studied lymphatic malformations related to NOTCH1 variants. We also performed in silico analysis to observe molecular interactions between the wild‐type and the variant amino acids and other protein residues. Seven out of 235 probands, five with sporadic and two with familial lymphedema, were found to carry rare missense variants in the NOTCH1 gene.Conclusions: Our results propose that NOTCH1 could be a novel candidate for genetic predisposition to lymphedema.

Background ARAP3 is a small GTPase-activating protein regulator, which has important functions in lymphatic vessel organogenesis and modulation of cell adhesion and migration. Mutations in the ARAP3 gene are associated with impaired lymphatic vessel formation. Objective The aim of our study was to determine the genotypes of lymphedema patients in relation to variants in the ARAP3 gene in order to explore its role in the development of lymphedema. Methods and Results We applied next-generation sequencing to DNA samples of a cohort of 246 Italian patients with lymphatic malformations. When we tested probands for known lymphedema genes, 235 out of 246 were negative. Retrospectively, we tested the DNA of these 235 patients for new candidate lymphedema-associated genes, including ARAP3. Three out of 235 probands proved to carry rare missense heterozygous variants in ARAP3. In the case of two families, other family members were also tested and proved negative for the ARAP3 variant, besides being unaffected by lymphedema. According to in silico analysis, alterations due to these variants have a significant impact on the overall structure and stability of the resulting proteins. Conclusions Based on our results, we propose that variants in ARAP3 could be included in genetic testing for lymphedema.

Background: Lymphedema is a disorder in which lymph accumulates in the interstitial spaces due to poor lymphatic flow resulting from hypoplasia or aplasia of the lymphatic vessels, or to morpho-functional alterations that impair lymphatic flow. Lymphedema is a debilitating condition associated initially with inflammation that then degenerates into hardening of affected tissues and the formation of ulcers on the skin of affected limbs. No definitive treatment is available. The only therapy for lymphedema consists of physiotherapy, surgery, and compression to reduce impairment, which only treats the symptoms, not the causes. A possible new therapy that could reinforce the treatment of lymphedema progression and complications is electrical stimulation (ES). Many studies underline the effects of electric currents on the different cell mechanisms associated with disease. Methods and Results: In this review, we summarize the effects of ES on the molecular and cellular processes involved in the pathophysiology of lymphedema, highlighting their therapeutic potential for edema reduction, ulcer repair, and restoration of lymphatic flow in vitro and in vivo. Conclusions: ES exerts its effect on the main stages that characterize lymphedema, from its onset to ulcer formation. There are few evidences on lymphatic models and more molecular studies are needed to understand the mechanism of action of this application in the treatment of lymphedema.

Hydroxytyrosol is a phenolic phytochemical with antioxidant properties in vitro. It is a natural compound that can be found in olive leaves and oil. The main dietary source of hydroxytyrosol is extra virgin olive oil. Due to its bioavailability, chemical properties and easy formulation along with its lack of toxicity, hydroxytyrosol is considered an excellent food supplement by the nutraceutical and food industries. The purpose of this review is to discuss the potential therapeutic effects of hydroxytyrosol in vivo. To do so, we conducted an electronic search in PubMed and other literature databases using "hydroxytyrosol", "beneficial effect/s", "pharmacology" as key-words. From this search, we found that hydroxytyrosol has anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, antiviral, antibacterial and antifungal properties. Hydroxytyrosol also improves endothelial dysfunction, decreases oxidative stress, and is neuro- and cardio-protective. Due to all these biological properties, hydroxytyrosol is currently the most actively investigated natural phenol. The evidence presented in this review suggests that hydroxytyrosol has great pharmacological potential.

Neuropilins are transmembrane coreceptors expressed by endothelial cells and neurons. NRP1 and NRP2 bind a variety of ligands, by which they trigger cell signaling, and are important in the development of lymphatic valves and lymphatic capillaries, respectively. This study focuses on identifying rare variants in the NRP1 and NRP2 genes that could be linked to the development of lymphatic malformations in patients diagnosed with lymphedema. Two hundred and thirty-five Italian lymphedema patients, who tested negative for variants in known lymphedema genes, were screened for variants in NRP1 and NRP2. Two probands carried variants in NRP1 and four in NRP2. The variants of both genes segregated with lymphedema in familial cases. Although further functional and biochemical studies are needed to clarify their involvement with lymphedema and to associate NRP1 and NRP2 with lymphedema, we suggest that it is worthwhile also screening lymphedema patients for these two new candidate genes.