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After optic nerve crush (ONC), the cell bodies and distal axons of most retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) degenerate. RGC somal and distal axon degenerations were previously thought to be controlled by two parallel pathways, involving activation of the kinase dual leucine-zipper kinase (DLK) and loss of the axon survival factor nicotinamide mononucleotide adenylyltransferase-2 (NMNAT2), respectively. Here, we report that palmitoylation of both DLK and NMNAT2 by the palmitoyl acyltransferase ZDHHC17 couples these signals. ZDHHC17-dependent palmitoylation enables DLK-dependent somal degeneration after ONC and also ensures NMNAT-dependent distal axon integrity in healthy optic nerves. We provide evidence that ZDHHC17 also controls survival-versus-degeneration decisions in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons, and we identify conserved motifs in NMNAT2 and DLK that govern their ZDHHC17-dependent regulation. These findings suggest that the control of somal and distal axon integrity should be considered as a single, holistic process, mediated by the concerted action of two palmitoylation-dependent pathways.

Introduction/Aims: Nerve enlargement has been described in autoimmune nodopathy and chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP). However, comparisons of the distribution of enlargement between autoimmune nodopathy and CIDP have not been well characterized. To fill this gap, we explored differences in the ultrasonographic and electrophysiological features between autoimmune nodopathy and CIDP. Methods: Between March 2015 and June 2023, patients fulfilling diagnostic criteria for CIDP were enrolled; among them, those with positive antibodies against nodal–paranodal cell‐adhesion molecules were distinguished as autoimmune nodopathy. Nerve ultrasound and nerve conduction studies (NCS) were performed. Results: Overall, 114 CIDP patients and 13 patients with autoimmune nodopathy were recruited. Cross‐sectional areas (CSA) at all sites were larger in patients with CIDP and autoimmune nodopathy than in healthy controls. CSAs at the roots and trunks of the brachial plexus were significantly larger in patients with anti‐neurofascin‐155 (NF155), anti‐contactin‐1 (CNTN1), and anti‐contactin‐associated protein 1 (CASPR1) antibodies than in CIDP patients. The patients with anti‐NF186 antibody did not have enlargement in the brachial plexus. NCS showed more frequent probable conduction block at Erb's point in autoimmune nodopathy than in CIDP (61.9% vs. 36.6% for median nerve, 52.4% vs. 39.5% for ulnar nerve). Markedly prolonged distal motor latencies were also present in autoimmune nodopathy. Discussion: Patients with autoimmune nodopathies had distinct distributions of peripheral nerve enlargement revealed by ultrasound, as well as distinct NCS patterns, which were different from CIDP. This suggests the potential utility of nerve ultrasound and NCS to supplement clinical characteristics for distinguishing nodopathies from CIDP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Comorbidity of Myasthenia gravis (MG) and Graves' disease (GD) in treated HIV‐infected individuals has rarely been described and little study has been done on the link between HIV‐related immune reconstitution and autoimmune diseases occurring post antiretroviral therapy. Case Presentation: Here we report on a 33‐year‐old Chinese man with HIV infection who had been virologically suppressed since 2018. The patient was diagnosed with GD and was treated in 2020. Early in 2022, he developed fluctuating weakness and fatigue involving the bilateral extraocular muscles and limbs. With a positive neostigmine test, he was considered to have MG, but showed a poor response to oral medication. After multiple failed medication attempts, a thymectomy was finally performed to resolve his symptoms. The consecutive onset of immunological events may have partially resulted from immune reconstitution after viral control. Conclusions: This is a rare case of HIV‐related immune reconstitution‐associated autoimmune disease (IRAD) with comorbidity of MG and GD which was reported initially. Cooperation with multidisciplinary teams is essential to avoid misdiagnosis and to promote the overall health of HIV‐infected patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Purpose: We aim to investigate nerve enlargement patterns and their correlation with clinical subtypes and treatment response using nerve ultrasound in chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP). Methods: Between March 2015 and December 2021, 135 CIDP patients were recruited. Nerve ultrasound and electrophysiological studies were performed on the median and ulnar nerves. The responses to intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) or prednisone were evaluated with the disability score. Results: There were 99 typical CIDP cases, 10 Lewis‐Sumner syndrome (LSS) cases, 15 distal acquired demyelinating symmetric neuropathy (DADS) cases, nine pure motor CIDP cases, and two pure sensory CIDP cases. Sixty (61%) typical CIDP and seven (78%) pure motor CIDP patients had moderately increased or normal cross‐sectional area (CSA), and 10 (67%) DADS and seven (70%) LSS patients had significantly increased CSA. The peripheral nerve showed a diffuse enlargement pattern in 46 (51%) typical CIDP, five (50%) LSS, three (25%) DADS, and three (33%) pure motor CIDP patients and a proximal regional enlargement pattern in 11 (12%) typical CIDP, one (10%) LSS, six (50%) DADS, and four (44%) pure motor CIDP patients. Patients with diffusely moderate enlargement patterns and those with proximal regional enlargement showed a higher response rate to glucocorticoids than to IVIg. Conclusions: Various distribution patterns of nerve enlargement existed in CIDP. Although almost all patterns could be detected in each CIDP subtype, diffusely moderate enlargement was more common in typical CIDP and LSS, while proximal regional enlargement was more common in DADS and pure motor CIDP. Different enlargement patterns might indicate different treatment responses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using the Time-Varying Parameter-Stochastic Volatility-Vector Auto Regression model, this study examines the dynamic relationship between Non-deliverable Forwards, Stock Index Gap, Interest Rate Gap, and short-term fluctuations of the RMB exchange rate during the early stage of the COVID-19 outbreak. Our findings indicate that these variables exhibit time-varying characteristics and a relatively significant stable trend. Additionally, in the initial phase of the pandemic, there were substantial capital outflows from the Chinese stock market. However, as the Chinese economic situation improved and the government intervened in a timely manner, exchange rate and Non-deliverable Forwards volatility decreased, leading to a slowdown in outflows. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]