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The increasing amount of data points to the circadian timing system as an essential part of processes regulating androgen homeostasis. However, the relationship between stress response, timekeeping-, and steroidogenesis-related systems is unexplored. Here, the stress-response of the testosterone-producing rat Leydig cells depending on the time of stressful events was studied. The study analyzes the effects of 3-h immobilization (IMO) applied at different periods during the day. The IMO performed once [1 time immobilization stress (1×IMO)] or repeated in 10 consecutive days [10 time repeated immobilization stress (10×IMO)]. Both types of IMO increased corticosterone and decreased testosterone blood level. However, the effect of 10×IMO occurring in the active phase on blood testosterone was less pronounced. This is related to different sensitivity to IMO-events depending on the diurnal time. Most steroidogenesis-related genes [gene encoding luteinizing hormone/choriogonadotropin receptor ( Lhcgr), gene encoding cytochrome P450, family 11, subfamily a, polypeptide 1 ( Cyp11a1), gene encoding hydroxy-δ-5-steroid dehydrogenase, 3 β- and steroid δ-isomerase 1 ( Hsd3b1/2), and gene encoding cytochrome P450, family 17, subfamily a, polypeptide 1 ( Cyp17a1)] were downregulated in the inactive phase but unchanged or even upregulated in the active phase of the day. Both types of IMO stimulated the expression of clock elements gene encoding aryl hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator-like ( Bmal1)/aryl hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator-like (BMAL1), gene encoding period circadian regulator 1 ( Per1) /period circadian regulator 1 (PER1) regardless of the day’s stage and reduced gene encoding nuclear receptor subfamily 1, group D, member 1 ( Rev-erba) in the inactive phase. The principal component analysis (PCA) confirmed a major shift, for both IMO-types, in the transcription of the genes across the passive/active stage. Further, 10×IMO changed a diurnal pattern of the glucocorticoid receptor [gene encoding nuclear receptor subfamily 3, group C, member 1 ( Nr3c1)/nuclear receptor subfamily 3, group C, member 1 (GR)] expression, whereas the observed time-dependent IMO-response of the Leydig cells correlated with different corticosterone engagements. Altogether, the Leydig cell’s stress response depends on the daytime of the stressful event, emphasizing the importance of the circadian system in supporting androgen homeostasis and male fertility.

Mitochondrial dynamics plays a significant role in shaping the mitochondrial network and maintaining mitochondrial function. Imbalanced mitochondrial dynamics can cause mitochondrial dysfunction leading to a wide range of diseases/disorders. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of mitochondrial dynamics markers and regulatory molecules in whole adrenal glands, cortices, and medullae obtained from adult male rats exposed to acute and repeated psychophysical stress, the most common stress in human society. The transcriptional profiles of most of the mitochondrial dynamics markers investigated here were altered: 81%-(17/21) in the whole adrenal gland, 76.2%-(16/21) in the adrenal cortex, and 85.7%-(18/21) in the adrenal medulla. Changes were evident in representatives of every process of mitochondrial dynamics. Markers of mitobiogenesis were changed up to 62.5%-(5/8) in the whole adrenal gland, 62.5%-(5/8) in the adrenal cortex, and 87.5%-(7/8) in the adrenal medulla. Markers of mitofusion were changed up to 100%-(3/3) in the whole adrenal gland, 66.7%-(5/8) in the adrenal cortex, and 87.5%-(7/8) in the adrenal medulla, while all markers of mitofission and mitophagy were changed in the adrenal glands. Moreover, almost all markers of mitochondrial functionality were changed: 83.3%-(5/6) in the whole adrenal, 83.3%-(5/6) in the cortex, 66.7%-(4/6) in the medulla. Accordingly, the study highlights the significant impact of acute and repeated stress on mitochondrial dynamics in the adrenal gland.

Background: Functional movement disorders include a wide spectrum of clinically documented movement disorders without an apparent organic substrate. Objective: To explore the functional connectivity (FC) of the primary motor (M1) cortex in functional dystonia (FD) patients relative to healthy controls, with a focus on different clinical phenotypes. Methods: Forty FD patients (12 fixed [FixFD]; 28 mobile [MobFD]) and 43 healthy controls (14 young FixFD-age-matched [yHC]; 29 old MobFD-age-matched [oHC]) underwent resting state fMRI. A seed-based FC analysis was performed using bilateral M1 as regions of interest. Results: Compared to controls, FD patients showed reduced FC between left M1 and left dorsal anterior cingulate cortex, and between right M1 and left M1, premotor/supplementary motor area (SMA), dorsal posterior cingulate cortex (PCC), and bilateral precuneus. Relative to yHC, FixFD patients showed reduced FC between M1 and precuneus bilaterally. Compared to oHC, MobFD patients revealed reduced FC between right M1 and left M1, premotor/SMA, dorsal-PCC, bilateral primary sensory cortices and parieto-occipital areas, and increased FC of right M1 with right associative visual cortex and bilateral ventral-PCC. FixFD patients, relative to MobFD, showed lower FC between the right M1 and right associative visual area, and bilateral precuneus and ventral-PCC. Conclusions: This study suggests an altered brain FC of the motor circuit with areas involved in emotional processes and sense of agency in FD. FixFD patients showed FC abnormalities mainly in areas related to sense of agency, while MobFD in regions involved in sensorimotor functions (reduced FC) and emotional processing (increased FC).

This study was designed to search for the possible mechanism(s) of male (in/sub)fertility by following the molecular response of spermatozoa on acute psychological stress (the most common stress in human society) and on a 20-h time-dependent recovery period. To mimic in vivo acute stress, the rats were exposed to immobilization once every 3 h. The recovery periods were as follows: 0 (immediately after stress and 3 h after the light is on—ZT3), 8 (ZT11), 14 (ZT17), and 20 (ZT23) h after stress. Results showed that acute stress provoked effects evident 20 h after the end of the stress period. Numbers of spermatozoa declined at ZT17 and ZT23, while functionality decreased at ZT3 and ZT11, but recovered at ZT17 and ZT23. Transcriptional profiles of 91% (20/22) of tracked mitochondrial dynamics and functionality markers and 91% (20/22) of signaling molecules regulating both mitochondrial dynamics and spermatozoa number/functionality were disturbed after acute stress and during the recovery period. Most of the changes presented as increased transcription or protein expression at ZT23. The results of the principal component analysis (PCA) showed the clear separation of acute stress recovery effects during active/dark and inactive/light phases. The physiological relevance of these results is the recovered positive-acrosome-reaction, suggesting that molecular events are an adaptive mechanism, regulated by acute stress response signaling. The results of the PCA confirmed the separation of the effects of acute stress recovery on gene expression related to mitochondrial dynamics, cAMP, and MAPK signaling. The transcriptional patterns were different during the active and inactive phases. Most of the transcripts were highly expressed during the active phase, which is expected given that stress occurred at the beginning of the inactive phase. To the best of our knowledge, our results provide a completely new view and the first presentation of the markers of mitochondrial dynamics network in spermatozoa and their correlation with signaling molecules regulating both mitochondrial dynamics and spermatozoa number and functionality during recovery from acute stress. Moreover, the interactions between the proteins important for spermatozoa homeostasis and functionality (MFN2 and PRKA catalytic subunit, MFN2 and p38MAPK) are shown for the first time. Since the existing literature suggests the importance of semen quality and male fertility not only as the fundamental marker of reproductive health but also as the fundamental biomarkers of overall health and harbingers for the development of comorbidity and mortality, we anticipate our result to be a starting point for more investigations considering the mitochondrial dynamics markers or their transcriptional profiles as possible predictors of (in/sub)fertility. Copyright © 2022 Starovlah, Radovic Pletikosic, Tomanic, Medar, Kostic and Andric.

Treatment of dystonia is particularly complex due to various etiologies and heterogeneous clinical manifestation, as well as different degrees of disability. In absence of causative treatment, all ...

Background The THAP1 gene encodes a transcription factor, and pathogenic variants cause a form of autosomal dominant, isolated dystonia (DYT-THAP1) with reduced penetrance. Factors underlying both reduced penetrance and the disease mechanism of DYT-THAP1 are largely unknown. Methods We performed transcriptome analysis on 29 cortical neuronal precursors derived from human-induced pluripotent stem cell lines generated from manifesting and nonmanifesting THAP1 mutation carriers and control individuals. Results Whole transcriptome analysis showed a penetrance-linked signature with expressional changes more pronounced in the group of manifesting (MMCs) than in nonmanifesting mutation carriers (NMCs) when compared to controls. A direct comparison of the transcriptomes in MMCs versus NMCs showed significant upregulation of the DRD4 gene in MMCs. A gene set enrichment analysis demonstrated alterations in various neurotransmitter release cycle pathways, extracellular matrix organization, and deoxyribonucleic acid methylation between MMCs and NMCs. When specifically considering transcription factors, the expression of YY1 and SIX2 differed in MMCs versus NMCs. Further, THAP1 was upregulated in the group of MMCs. Conclusions To our knowledge, this is the first report systematically analyzing reduced penetrance in DYT-THAP1 in a human model using transcriptomes. Our findings indicate that transcriptional alterations during cortical development influence DYT-THAP1 pathogenesis and penetrance. We reinforce previously linked pathways including dopamine and eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2 alpha signaling in the pathogenesis of dystonia including DYT-THAP1 and suggest extracellular matrix organization and deoxyribonucleic acid methylation as mediators of disease protection. © 2021 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.

Introduction: Although one of the most common monogenic late-onset neurodegenerative disorders, fragile-X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS) is still underdiagnosed. The aim of the present s...

Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients can be classified in tremor-dominant (TD) and postural-instability-and-gait-disorder (PIGD) motor subtypes. PIGD represents a more aggressive form of the disease that TD patients have a potentiality of converting into. This study investigated functional alterations within the cerebro-cerebellar system in PD-TD and PD-PIGD patients using stepwise functional connectivity (SFC) analysis and identified neuroimaging features that predict TD to PIGD conversion. Thirty-two PD-TD, 26 PD-PIGD patients and 60 healthy controls performed clinical/cognitive evaluations and resting-state functional MRI (fMRI). Four-year clinical follow-up data were available for 28 PD-TD patients, who were classified in 10 converters (cTD-PD) and 18 non-converters (ncTD-PD) to PIGD. The cerebellar seed-region was identified using a fMRI motor task. SFC analysis, characterizing regions that connect brain areas to the cerebellar seed at different levels of link-step distances, evaluated similar and divergent alterations in PD-TD and PD-PIGD. The discriminatory power of clinical data and/or SFC in distinguishing cPD-TD from ncPD-TD patients was assessed using ROC curve analysis. Compared to PD-TD, PD-PIGD patients showed decreased SFC in temporal lobe and occipital lobes and increased SFC in cerebellar cortex and ponto-medullary junction. Considering the subtype-conversion analysis, cPD-TD patients were characterized by increased SFC in temporal and occipital lobes and in cerebellum and ponto-medullary junction relative to ncPD-TD group. Combining clinical and SFC data, ROC curves provided the highest classification power to identify conversion to PIGD. These findings provide novel insights into the pathophysiology underlying different PD motor phenotypes and a potential tool for early characterization of PD-TD patients at risk of conversion to PIGD.

Since mitochondria play an essential role in the testosterone biosynthesis, serve as power centers and are a source of oxidative stress, a possible mitochondrial dysfunction could be connected with decreased activity of Leydig cells and lowered testosterone production during aging. Here we chronologically analyzed age-related alterations of mitochondrial function in Leydig cells correlated by the progressive rise of cGMP signaling and with respect to testosterone synthesis. To target cGMP signaling in Leydig cells, acute or long-term in vivo or ex vivo treatments with sildenafil (phosphodiesterase 5 [PDE5] inhibitor) were performed. Aging-related accumulation of cGMP in the Leydig cells is associated with mitochondrial dysfunction illustrated by reduced ATP and steroid production, lowered O2 consumption, increased mitochondrial abundance and mtDNA copies number, decreased expression of genes that regulate mitochondrial biogenesis (Ppargc1a/PGC1a-Tfam-Nrf1/NRF1), mitophagy (Pink1), fusion (Mfn1, Opa1), and increased Nrf2/NRF2. Acute in vivo PDE5 inhibition overaccumulated cGMP and stimulated testosterone but reduced ATP production in Leydig cells from adult, middle-aged, and old rats. The increased ATP/O ratio observed in cells from old compared to adult rats was diminished after stimulation of cGMP signaling. Opposite, long-term PDE5 inhibition decreased cGMP signaling and improved mitochondrial function/dynamics in Leydig cells from old rats. Mitochondrial abundance in Leydig cells decreased while ATP levels increased. Chronic treatment elevated Tfam, Nrf1, Nrf2, Opa1, Mfn1, Drp1, and normalized Pink1 expression. Altogether, long-term PDE5 inhibition prevented age-related NO and cGMP elevation, improved mitochondrial dynamics/function, and testosterone production. The results pointed on cGMP signaling in Leydig cells as a target for pharmacological manipulation of aging-associated changes in mitochondrial function and testosterone production.

Background and objectives: The most efficient long-term treatment strategy for achalasia has yet to be established. This study compared the long-term results (≥ 10 years) after either pneumatic dilatations or laparoscopic myotomy using treatment failure as the primary outcome. Secondary objectives were; the frequency and degree of dysphagia and effects on health-related quality of life (QoL). Patients and methods: Out of the 53 patients with achalasia who were initially randomized to either laparoscopic myotomy with a posterior partial fundoplication (LM) or repetitive pneumatic dilatation (PD), 43 remained for scrutiny after a median observation period of 170 months (LM; n = 20 and PD; n = 23). Results: At the follow-up of 60 months, 10 patients (36%) in the PD group and two patients (8%) in the LM group were classified as treatment failures (p = 0.016). At the latest follow-up time point (≥ 10 years), the corresponding numbers were 13 (57%) and 4 (20%), respectively. The Kaplan–Meier analysis of the cumulative incidence of treatment failure revealed a significant advantage of LM over the dilatation strategy (p = 0.036)). QoL assessed by the generic instrument PGWB and the more disease-specific instrument GSRS revealed scores which were similar in the two study groups with no obvious changes over time. Reflux was better controlled in the LM group (p = 0.02 regarding PPI consumption). Conclusions: After more than a decade of follow-up, laparoscopic myotomy reinforces its superiority over repetitive pneumatic dilatation treatment strategy in the management of newly diagnosed achalasia.

Previous studies suggested that brain regions subtending affective‐cognitive processes can be implicated in the pathophysiology of functional dystonia (FD). In this study, the role of the affective‐cognitive network was explored in two phenotypes of FD: fixed (FixFD) and mobile dystonia (MobFD). We hypothesized that each of these phenotypes would show peculiar functional connectivity (FC) alterations in line with their divergent disease clinical expressions. Resting state fMRI (RS‐fMRI) was obtained in 40 FD patients (12 FixFD; 28 MobFD) and 43 controls (14 young FixFD‐age‐matched [yHC]; 29 old MobFD‐age‐matched [oHC]). FC of brain regions of interest, known to be involved in affective‐cognitive processes, and independent component analysis of RS‐fMRI data to explore brain networks were employed. Compared to HC, all FD patients showed reduced FC between the majority of affective‐cognitive seeds of interest and the fronto‐subcortical and limbic circuits; enhanced FC between the right affective‐cognitive part of the cerebellum and the bilateral associative parietal cortex; enhanced FC of the bilateral amygdala with the subcortical and posterior cortical brain regions; and altered FC between the left medial dorsal nucleus and the sensorimotor and associative brain regions (enhanced in MobFD and reduced in FixFD). Compared with yHC and MobFD patients, FixFD patients had an extensive pattern of reduced FC within the cerebellar network, and between the majority of affective‐cognitive seeds of interest and the sensorimotor and high‐order function (“cognitive”) areas with a unique involvement of dorsal anterior cingulate cortex connectivity. Brain FC within the affective‐cognitive network is altered in FD and presented specific features associated with each FD phenotype, suggesting an interaction between brain connectivity and clinical expression of the disease.

Introduction. Pantothenate kinase-associated neurodegeneration (PKAN) is a rare, recessively inherited disorder caused by mutations in the pantothenate kinase 2 (PANK2) gene on chromosome 20p13. The objective of this report is to present a patient with atypical PKAN with the novel heterozygous PANK2 mutation. Case outline. We present a 32-year-old female who had disease onset at the age 20 (depression, speech, chewing problems and backward falls) with progressive course. Neurological examination revealed hypomimia, risus sardonicus, dysphagia, tachylalia and severe dystonic dysarthria, moderate arms, legs, and jaw-opening dystonia, postural instability, urge incontinence, and decreased visual acuity. Brain magnetic resonance imaging revealed iron accumulation in the bilateral globus pallidus and putamen (?eye-of-the-tiger?), a radiological finding pathognomonic for PKAN. Genetic analysis revealed known mutation p.T528M (c.1583C>T) in exon 6, and novel p.Y405D (c.1213T>G) in exon 3 of the PANK2 gene. In silico analyses strongly suggested this mutation to be pathogenic. Conclusion. We report a patient with PKAN, and novel substitution p.Y405D (c.1213T>G) in PANK2 that has not been previously described in PKAN patients.

In the search for the possible role of the mitochondrial dynamics markers in spermatozoa adaptation, an in vivo approach was designed to mimic situations in which human populations are exposed to 3 h of repeated psychological stress (the most common stress in human society) at different time points during the day (24 h). The hormones (stress hormone corticosterone and testosterone), the number and the functionality of spermatozoa (response to acrosome-reaction-inducer progesterone), as well as the transcriptional profiles of 22 mitochondrial dynamics and function markers and 22 signaling molecules regulating both mitochondrial dynamics and spermatozoa number and functionality were followed at three time points (ZT3, ZT11, and ZT23). The results show that repeated stress significantly decreased the number and functionality of spermatozoa at all time points. In the same samples, the transcriptional profiles of 91% (20/22) of mitochondrial dynamics and functionality markers and 86% (19/22) of signaling molecules were disturbed after repeated stress. It is important to point out that similar molecular changes in transcriptional profiles were observed at ZT3 and ZT23, but the opposite was observed at ZT11, suggesting the circadian nature of the adaptive response. The results of PCA analysis show the significant separation of repeated stress effects during the inactive/light and active/dark phases of the day, suggesting the circadian timing of molecular adaptations.

Background White matter hyperintensities (WMHs) have a role in cognitive impairment in normal brain aging, while the effect on Parkinson's disease (PD) progression is still controversial. Objective To investigate the longitudinal evolution of micro- and macrostructural damage of cerebral white matter (WM) and its relationship with the clinical picture in PD. Methods A total of 154 PD patients underwent clinical, cognitive, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) assessment once a year for up to 4 years. Sixty healthy controls underwent the same protocol at baseline. WMHs were identified and total WMH volume was measured. WMHs were also used as exclusion masks to define normal-appearing white matter (NAWM). Using tract-based spatial statistics, diffusion tensor (DT) MRI metrics of whole-brain WM and NAWM were obtained. Linear mixed-effects models defined the longitudinal evolution and association between variables. WM alterations were tested as risk factors of disease progression using linear regression and Cox proportional hazards models. Results At baseline, PD patients showed alterations of all DT MRI measures compared to controls. Longitudinally, DT MRI measures did not vary significantly and no association with clinical variables was found. WMH volume changed over time and was associated with impairment in global cognition, executive functions, and language. Baseline WMH volume was a moderate risk factor for progression to mild cognitive impairment. Conclusions Our study suggests an association between WMHs and cognitive deterioration in PD, whereas WM microstructural damage is a negligible contributor to clinical deterioration. WMHs assessed by MRI can provide an important tool for monitoring the development of cognitive impairment in PD patients. © 2021 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.

Clinical correlates of autonomic nervous system (ANS) dysfunction in early Parkinson's disease (PD) have been addressed mainly in a cross-sectional way.This is a combined cross-sectional and longitudinal prospective study of ANS dysfunction using the SCOPA-AUT in PD patients at the Hoehn and Yahr stage 1 with disease duration2 years. PD patients (n = 107) were compared to healthy controls (HC, n = 79), and then followed-up for over 3 years. The severity of PD, depression, anxiety, apathy and cognitive impairment were evaluated using rating scales.At least one symptom of ANS dysfunction was present in 71% of PD patients in comparison to 30.4% of HC, and in all PD patients after three years. The overall severity of dysautonomia symptoms was mild (SCOPA-AUT mean ± SD; 4.16 ± 5.0), but worsened by 23%, 86% and 0.3% during the 1st, 2nd and 3rd year respectively. Nighttime voiding (38.3%), constipation (30.8%) and straining for defecation (29%) were the most common symptoms. Prevalence and severity of urinary, gastrointestinal, and orthostatic symptoms increased, in contrast to thermoregulatory and pupillomotor symptoms. Frequency of symptoms suggestive of multi-domain ANS dysfunction rose from 49% to 79%. Psychiatric symptoms and age, but not motor impairment, were associated with dysautonomia symptoms.Symptoms of ANS dysfunction were frequent in the initial motor stage of PD and progressed, yet remaining mild, within 3 years. An independent progression of dysautonomia symptoms from motor disability and its associations with non-motor, mainly psychiatric symptoms and age support the non-motor clustering in PD.

© 2019 Elsevier Ltd Leydig cell steroidogenesis is the complex process of biosynthesis of androgens (mainly testosterone)from cholesterol as a precursor, via steroidogenic machinery, which includes cholesterol transporters, steroidogenic enzymes, transcription factors, and wide variety of regulators. In this review, we will summarize important discoveries made over the past several years that have contributed to our current understanding of (1)a complex and intriguing network of plethora signaling pathways regulating Leydig cell steroidogenesis during prenatal and postnatal life, as well as the essential roles played by autocrine and paracrine regulation; (2)the importance of the mitochondrial signalosome, interactome, and dynamics; and (3)the regulation and adaptation of Leydig cell steroidogenesis during psychophysiological stress and aging. It is well known that neural, endocrine, paracrine (including cryptocrine and juxtacrine), and autocrine inputs activate complicated signaling networks targeting Leydig cell steroidogenic machinery. Besides the well-established, leading regulatory role of cAMP-PRKA signaling, which is followed by cGMP-PRKG, mitogen-activated protein kinase, PRKC, AMPK, progenitor adult Leydig cell, and phosphatase signaling, recent data have revealed other signaling pathways (desert hedgehog, nerve growth factor, neuregulin-1, notch, insulin/insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor, retinoic acid, Wnt/β-catenin, and Wilms tumor gene 1)and molecules (14-3-3γ-adapter protein, 14-3-3ε-adapter protein, clock genes, gonadotropin-regulated testicular RNA helicase, LIM-homeobox gene 9, and Smad ubiquitylation regulatory factor 1)as important regulators of Leydig cell steroidogenesis. Recent data have also emphasized the importance of mitochondria-associated membranes, mitochondria–peroxisome interactions, lipophagy/autophagy, and processes of mitochondrial dynamics for Leydig cell steroidogenesis. These processes not only correlate with but also are essential for testosterone production, being dependent on the same regulators. Furthermore, recent discoveries have highlighted that the structural complexity of the testis and interactions between Leydig and neighboring cells are essential for regulation, preservation, and maintenance of Leydig cell steroidogenesis. Because androgens play a crucial role in the masculinization of male fetuses, in secondary male-specific sexual maturation, as well as in the well-being and reproduction of male adults, all recent knowledge may help in the prevention and treatment of androgen-related disorders, both in males and females.

© 2019 The Author(s) 2019. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Society for the Study of Reproduction. In mammals, circadian clock regulates concentration of many reproductive hormones including testosterone. Previously, we characterized pattern of circadian transcription of core clock genes in testosterone-producing Leydig cells. Here, the potential role of luteinizing hormone receptor (LHR)-cAMP signaling in synchronization of Leydig cell's circadian clock and rhythmic testosterone production were examined. Results showed that activation of LHR-cAMP signaling in primary rat Leydig cell culture increased Star/STAR and changed expression of many clock genes (upregulated Per1/PER1, Dec1/2, and Rorb, and downregulated Bmal1 and Rev-erba/b). Inhibition of protein kinase A prevented LHR-triggered increase in transcription of Per1 and Dec1. Effect of stimulated LHR-cAMP signaling on Leydig cell's clock transcription was also confirmed in vivo, using rats treated with single hCG injection. To analyze in vivo effect of low LH-cAMP activity on rhythmical Leydig cell function, rats with experimental hypogonadotropic hypogonadism were used. Characteristics of hypogonadal rats were decreased LH and testosterone secretion without circadian fluctuation; in Leydig cells decreased arrhythmic cAMP and transcription of steroidogenic genes (Cyp11a1 and Cyp17a1) were observed, while decreased Star/STAR expression retains circadian pattern. However, expression of clock genes, despite changes in transcription levels (increased Bmal1, Per2, Cry1, Cry2, Rora, Rorb, Rev-erba/b/REV-ERBB, Dec1, Csnk1e, and decreased Npas2 and PER1) kept circadian patterns observed in control groups. Altogether, the results strengthened the hypothesis about role of LH-cAMP signaling as synchronizer of Leydig cell's clock. However, clock in Leydig cells is not sufficient to sustain rhythmicity of testosterone production in absence of rhythmic activity of LH-cAMP signaling.

Soot formation modeling, when incorporated into computational fluid dynamics of industrial devices, can be numerically prohibitive. Nonetheless, there remains a significant push to predict soot formation, so as to aid in environmentally sustainable design. The present work features a redesign of an inexpensive soot estimator, that has been developed and applied to laminar flames with great success. It is much more accurate and efficient than previous versions. The soot estimator consists of a library generated from validated sooting flame models, in which the Lagrangian histories of soot-containing fluid parcels are stored. The library is used in post-processing to estimate soot concentrations. For the first time, the estimator framework is used to predict the entire soot field. Also, important parameters to the estimator technique are analyzed. This work is conducted for nine different sooting ethylene/air coflow diffusion flames. The framework successfully predicts the entire soot field. When the data from many flames were combined into one library based on mixture fraction, temperature, and $H_2 $ histories, it could predict all flames with high accuracy. Finally, two scenarios were considered to assess the framework with an independent set of data, and the predictor presented very good accuracy in capturing soot formation.

Background: Recent studies explored polymorphisms of multiple genes as contributing to genetic susceptibility to psychosis in Parkinson’s disease (PDP). Objective: We aimed to examine the association of seven selected polymorphisms of genes related to dopamine pathways with PDP development. At the same time, demographic and clinical correlates of PDP were assessed. Methods: PD patients (n = 234), treated with levodopa for at least two years, were genotyped for the rs4680 in COMT, rs6277, rs1076560, and rs2283265 in DRD2, and rs1800497 and rs2734849 polymorphisms in ANKK1 genes. Also, variable number of tandem repeats polymorphism in the DAT gene was examined. Each patient underwent comprehensive neurological examination, assessment of psychosis, as defined by the NINDS/NIMH criteria, as well as screening of depression, anxiety, and cognitive status. Results: Diagnostic criteria for PDP were met by 101 (43.2%) patients. They had longer disease duration, were taking higher doses of dopaminergic agents, and had higher scores of the motor and non-motor scales than the non-PDP group. Multivariate regression analysis revealed LEDD≥900 mg, Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale III part score, the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale score≥7, the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale score > 14,and GG homozygotes of rs2734849 ANKK1 as independent predictors of the onset of PDP. Conclusion: Besides previous exposure to dopaminergic drugs, impairment of motor status, depression and anxiety, as well-established clinical risk factors for the development of PDP, GG rs2734849 ANKK1 could also be a contributing factor, which requires addressing by future longitudinal studies.

This study aimed to identify functional neuroimaging patterns anticipating the clinical indication for deep brain stimulation (DBS) in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD). A cohort of prospectively recruited patients with PD underwent neurological evaluations and resting-state functional MRI (RS-fMRI) at baseline and annually for 4 years. Patients were divided into two groups: 19 patients eligible for DBS over the follow-up and 41 patients who did not meet the criteria to undergo DBS. Patients selected as candidates for DBS did not undergo surgery at this stage. Sixty age- and sex-matched healthy controls performed baseline evaluations. Graph analysis and connectomics assessed global and local topological network properties and regional functional connectivity at baseline and at each time point. At baseline, network analysis showed a higher mean nodal strength, local efficiency, and clustering coefficient of the occipital areas in candidates for DBS over time relative to controls and patients not eligible for DBS. The occipital hyperconnectivity pattern was confirmed by regional analysis. At baseline, a decreased functional connectivity between basal ganglia and sensorimotor/frontal networks was found in candidates for DBS compared to patients not eligible for surgery. In the longitudinal analysis, patient candidate for DBS showed a progressively decreased topological brain organization and functional connectivity, mainly in the posterior brain networks, and a progressively increased connectivity of basal ganglia network compared to non-candidates for DBS. RS-fMRI may support the clinical indication to DBS and could be useful in predicting which patients would be eligible for DBS in the earlier stages of PD.

Objective: To study the longitudinal disease course of Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients with glucocerebrosidase (GBA) mutation (GBA-positive) compared to PD non-carriers (GBA-negative) along a 5-year follow-up, evaluating changes in clinical and cognitive outcomes, cortical thickness, and gray-matter (GM) volumes. Methods: Ten GBA-positive and 20 GBA-negative PD patients underwent clinical, neuropsychological, and MRI assessments (cortical thickness and subcortical, hippocampal, and amygdala volumes) at study entry and once a year for 5 years. At baseline and at the last visit, each group of patients was compared with 22 age-matched healthy controls. Clinical, cognitive, and MRI features were compared between groups at baseline and over time. Results: At baseline, GBA-positive and GBA-negative PD patients had similar clinical and cognitive profiles. Compared to GBA-negative and controls, GBA-positive patients showed cortical thinning of left temporal, parietal, and occipital gyri. Over time, compared to GBA-negative, GBA-positive PD patients progressed significantly in motor and cognitive symptoms, and showed a greater pattern of cortical thinning of posterior regions, and frontal and orbito-frontal cortices. After 5 years, compared to controls, GBA-negative PD patients showed a pattern of cortical thinning similar to that showed by GBA-positive cases at baseline. The two groups of patients showed similar patterns of subcortical, hippocampal, and amygdala volume loss over time. Conclusions: Compared to GBA-negative PD, GBA-positive patients experienced a more rapid motor and cognitive decline together with a greater, earlier and faster cortical thinning. Cortical thickness measures may be a useful tool for monitoring and predicting PD progression in accordance with the genetic background.

BackgroundThe increasing amount of data points to the circadian timing system as an essential part of processes regulating androgen homeostasis. However, the relationship between stress response, timekeeping-, and steroidogenesis-related systems is unexplored.ObjectiveThe purpose of the study was to analyze the stress-response of the testosterone-producing Leydig cells depending on the stressful event’s time.Materials and methodsThe study was designed to follow the effects of 3-hour immobilization (IMO) applied at different periods during the day. The IMO performed once (1xIMO) or repeated in 10 consecutive days (10xIMO). Principal-component-analysis (PCA) followed the expression study of the clock and steroidogenic-related genes in Leydig cells.ResultsBoth types of IMO in all investigated periods increased corticosterone and decreased testosterone blood level. Transcriptional analysis revealed different sensitivity to IMO events depending on the circadian time. The majority of steroidogenesis-related genes (Lhcgr, Cyp11a1, Cyp17a1, Hsd3b1/2) were down-regulated in the inactive but unchanged or even up-regulated in the active phase of the day. Both types of IMO potentiated the expression of clock elements Bmal1/BMAL1, Per1/PER1 regardless of the day’s stage and reduced Reverba in the inactive phase. The PCA confirmed a major shift, for both IMO-types, in the transcription of steroidogenesis and clock genes across the inactive/active phase. Further, the diurnal pattern of the glucocorticoid receptor (Nr3c1/GR) expression in Leydig cells was increased in the inactive phase due to 10xIMO. The observed time-dependent IMO-response of the Leydig cells correlated with different GR engagements.DiscussionStress- and the circadian-system coordinatively shape Leydig cell’s physiology, assuming diverse GR engagement as a possible factor in mediating the diurnal effect of stress.ConclusionThe Leydig cell’s stress-response depends on the time of the stressful situation, emphasizing the importance of circadian activity in supporting androgen homeostasis and male fertility.

Objectives Wilson disease (WD) is an autosomal recessive disorder that leads to copper accumulation and deposition in different organs, frequently affecting visual pathways. Recent studies have detected morphological changes of the retina in patients with WD using optical coherence tomography (OCT). Measuring the thickness of the retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) with OCT provides an objective assessment of integrity and morphological abnormalities of the retina. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between OCT parameters and form of the disease, therapy and symptoms duration, as well as severity of neurological impairment. Methods The study comprised of 52 patients with WD and 52 healthy controls (HC). All the patients were on a regular and stable chelation therapy and/or zinc salts. Patients were divided into two groups, with neurological (NWD) or hepatic form of the disease (HWD). OCT was performed to assess the RNFL thickness. Results The WD patients had significantly lower intraocular pressure in both eyes and lower RNFL thickness than the HC. There were no differences between NWD and HWD in any of the ophthalmologically tested parameters. No significant correlations were found between clinical features and retinal thickness parameters. Stratification of the cohort according to the disease duration showed that disease duration did not influence the RNFL thickness. Conclusion We found that involvement of the retina represented a subclinical finding in neurologically intact patients in the HWD group. Nevertheless, the value of OCT as a biomarker for the assessment of the clinical course and progression of WD still remains uncertain.

GCH1 gene encodes the guanosine-5'-triphosphate (GTP) cyclohydrolase 1 (GTP-CH1), which is the enzyme involved in the first and rate-limiting step of the de novo biosynthesis of tetrahydrobiopterin and an essential cofactor for the synthesis of dopamine in nigrostriatal neurons. GCH1 mutation is the most common cause of the DOPA-responsive dystonia (DRD).1 This rare autosomal-dominant movement disorder is characterised predominantly by limb dystonia during childhood, although parkinsonian features may also be present.1 The hallmark of the disease is an excellent and sustained response to small doses of levodopa, generally without the occurrence of motor complications.1 Lack of changes in neuropathological and in majority of dopaminergic imaging studies in patients with GCH1 -related DRD suggest that this is a neurotransmitter rather than a neurodegenerative disorder.1 However, case reports showed a nigrostriatal dopaminergic denervation (abnormal DaTSCAN) in some individuals carrying GCH1 mutation with adult-onset dystonia-parkinsonism.2 Residual symptoms might partially result from a lack of timely therapy, possibly suggesting underlying neurodegeneration. It has been hypothesised that, after a period of compensation, chronic reduction of dopamine levels resulting from GTP-CH1 deficiency could predispose to nigral cell damage by making them more vulnerable to environmental or other genetic factors.2 To the best of our knowledge, no MRI studies have been performed to assess the presence of structural damage supporting the possible neurodegenerative process underlying DRD. In order to fill the gap in line with previous suggestions, in this study we used structural MRI (1.5 T) to evaluate patterns of cortical thickness, basal ganglia volumes, and white matter (WM) microstructural alterations …

The autonomic nervous system (ANS) is the part of the central and peripheral nervous system, hierarchically organized into central autonomic network and the peripheral autonomic branches, that regulates functions which are mostly independent of human will. These include vital functions such as breathing, blood pressure maintenance, heart rate regulation, sweating, digestion, urination, sexual functions. Organ systems responsible for these functions are regulated by two inseparable parts of ANS, the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems, that exert the antagonistic effects. Although both the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems exhibit constant tonic activity the predominance of one or the other is determined by the specific external or internal stimuli the person is exposed to. A flight-or-fight reaction is typical for the prevailing sympathetic activity characterized by an increase in heart rate and blood pressure and centralization of the circulation. In contrast, the parasympathetic system is more active in the rest-and-digest circumstances and causes energy conservation and stimulation of the digestive system. The principal neurotransmitter of the sympathetic system is norepinephrine whereas the parasympathetic fibers are cholinergic. A detailed knowledge of ANS physiology is a prerequisite for the diagnosis and treatment of various causes of ANS dysfunction.

Korrektur zu 10.1038/s41436-020-0899-x

The factors influencing Leydig cell maturity and the acquisition of functional capacity are incompletely defined. Here we analyzed the constant light (LL) influence on Leydig cells’ endocrine function during reproductive maturation. Rats were exposed to LL from P21 to P90. Data were collected at juvenile (P35), peri/pubertal (P42, P49), and adult (P90) stages of life. The results proved the effect of LL on rats’ physiology by changing of bimodal voluntary activity pattern into free-running. Additionally, the peripheral clock in Leydig cells changed in LL condition, indicating disturbed rhythm: the positive element (Bmal1) increased in pre-/pubertal but decreased in the adult period, while negative elements (Per2 and Reverba) were increased. The effects of LL were most prominent in puberty: pituitary genes encoding gonadotropic hormones (Cga, Lhb, Fshb) decreased; serum corticosterone increased, while serum androgens and mass of testicular and sex accessory organs reduced; markers of Leydig cells maturity/differentiation (Insl3, Lhcgr) and steroidogenesis-related genes (Scarb1, Star, Cyp11a1, Cyp17a1) decreased; the steroidogenic and energetic capacity of the Leydig cell mitochondria decreased; the mtDNA copy number reduced, and mitochondrial dynamics markers changed: fusion decreased (Opa1 and Mfn2), and mitophagy increased (Pink1). In adults, the negative effect of LL on mitochondrial function and steroidogenic capacity persists in adult Leydig cells while other parameters reached control values. Altogether, the results indicate that LL slows down Leydig cells’ maturation by reducing the endocrine and energy capacity of cells leading to the delay of reproductive development.

Longitudinal connectivity studies might guide our understanding of the underlying neurodegenerative processes. We report the results of a longitudinal study in patients at different stages of Parkinson's disease (PD), who performed motor and non-motor evaluations and serial resting state (RS) functional MRI (fMRI). Cluster analysis was applied to demographic and clinical data of 146 PD patients to define disease subtypes. Brain network functional alterations were assessed at baseline in PD relative to 60 healthy controls and every year for a maximum of 4 years in PD groups. Progression of brain network changes were compared between patient clusters using RS fMRI. The contribution of network changes in predicting clinical deterioration was explored. Two main PD clusters were identified: mild PD (86 patients) and moderate-to-severe PD (60 patients), with the latter group being older and having earlier onset, longer PD duration, more severe motor, non-motor and cognitive deficits. Within the mild patient cluster, two clinical subtypes were further identified: mild motor-predominant (43) and mild-diffuse (43), with the latter being older and having more frequent non-motor symptoms. Longitudinal functional connectivity changes vary across patients in different disease stages with the coexistence of hypo- and hyper-connectivity in all subtypes. RS fMRI changes were associated with motor, cognitive and non-motor evolution in PD patients. Baseline RS fMRI presaged clinical and cognitive evolution. Our network perspective was able to define trajectories of functional architecture changes according to PD stages and prognosis. RS fMRI may be an early biomarker of PD motor and non-motor progression.

Here, we study possible mechanisms of (in/sub)fertility related to the acute or repeated psychological stresses (the most common stresses in human society) by following the transcriptional profile of 22 mitochondrial dynamics/function markers and 22 signaling molecules regulating both mitochondrial dynamics and spermatozoa number/functionality. An in vivo study mimicking acute (once for 3 h) and repeated (3 h for 10 consecutive days) psychophysical stress was performed on adult rats. The analysis of hormones, the number/functionality of spermatozoa, and 44 transcriptional markers were performed on individual samples from up to 12 animals per group. Results showed that both types of stress reduced spermatozoa functionality (acute by 4.4-fold, repeated by 3.3-fold) and ATP production (acute by 2.3-fold, repeated by 14.5-fold), while only repeated stress reduces the number of spermatozoa (1.9-fold). Stress significantly disturbed transcription of 34-out-of-44 markers (77%). Mitochondrial dynamics and functionality markers: 18-out-of-22 =&gt, 82% (mitochondrial-biogenesis-markers –&gt, 6-out-of-8 =&gt, 75%, mitochondrial-fusion-markers –&gt, 3-out-of-3 =&gt, 100%, mitochondrial-fission-markers –&gt, 1-out-of-2 =&gt, 50%, mitochondrial-autophagy-markers –&gt, mitochondrial-functionality-markers –&gt, 5-out-of-6 =&gt, 83%). Markers of signaling pathways regulating both mitochondrial dynamics/functionality and spermatozoa number/functionality important for male (in/sub)fertility –&gt, 16-out-of-22 =&gt, 73% (cAMP-signaling-markers –&gt, 8-out-of-12 =&gt, 67%, MAPK-signaling-markers –&gt, 8-out-of-10 =&gt, 80%). Accordingly, stress-triggered changes of transcriptional profile of mitochondrial dynamics/functionality markers as well as signaling molecules regulating both mitochondrial dynamics and spermatozoa number and functionality represent adaptive mechanisms.

Background The neural basis of task specificity in dystonia is still poorly understood. This study investigated gray and white matter (WM) brain alterations in patients with task-specific dystonia (TSD) and non-task-specific dystonia (NTSD). Methods Thirty-six patients with TSD (spasmodic dysphonia, writer's cramp), 61 patients with NTSD (blepharospasm, cervical dystonia), and 83 healthy controls underwent 3D T1-weighted and diffusion tensor magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Whole brain cortical thickness and voxel-based morphometry; volumes of basal ganglia, thalamus, nucleus accumbens, amygdala, and hippocampus; and WM damage were assessed. Analysis of variance models were used to compare MRI measures between groups, adjusting for age and botulinum toxin (BoNT) treatment. Results The comparison between focal dystonia patients showed cortical thickness and gray matter (GM) volume differences (ie, decreased in NTSD, increased in TSD) in frontal, parietal, temporal, and occipital cortical regions; basal ganglia; thalamus; hippocampus; and amygdala. Cerebellar atrophy was found in NTSD patients relative to controls. WM damage was more severe and widespread in task-specific relative to NTSD patients. TSD patients receiving BoNT, relative to nontreated patients, had cortical thickening and increased GM volume in frontoparietal, temporal, and occipital regions. NTSD patients experiencing pain showed cortical thickening of areas involved in pain-inhibitory mechanisms. Conclusions TSD and NTSD are characterized by opposite alterations of the main cortical and subcortical sensorimotor and cognitive-controlling brain structures, suggesting the possible presence of different pathophysiological and/or compensatory mechanisms underlying the complexity of the two clinical phenotypes of focal dystonia. © 2020 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.