No abstract

Wolfram syndrome (WFS) is a rare hereditary neurodegenerative disorder also known as DIDMOAD (diabetes insipidus, diabetes mellitus, optic atrophy, and deafness). WFS seems to be a heterogeneous disease that has not yet been fully characterized in terms of clinical features and pathophysiological mechanisms because the number of patients in most series was small. In this study we describe 31 Lebanese WFS patients belonging to 17 families; this, to our knowledge, is the largest number of patients reported in one series so far. Criteria for diagnosis of WFS were the presence of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and optic atrophy unexplained by any other disease. Central diabetes insipidus was found in 87% of the patients, and sensorineural deafness confirmed by audiograms was present in 64.5%. Other less frequent features included neurological and psychiatric abnormalities, urodynamic abnormalities, limited joint motility, cardiovascular and gastrointestinal autonomic neuropathy, hypergonadotropic hypogonadism in males, and diabetic microvascular disease. New features, not reported in previous descriptions, such as heart malformations and anterior pituitary dysfunction, were recognized in some of the patients and participated in the morbidity and mortality of the disease. Genetic analysis revealed WFS1 gene mutations in three families (23.5%), whereas no abnormalities were detected in mitochondrial DNA. In conclusion, WFS is a devastating disease for the patients and their families. More information about WFS will lead to a better understanding of this disease and hopefully to improvement in means of its prevention and treatment.

Mutations in STAR usually cause lipoid congenital adrenal hyperplasia, a disorder characterized by both gonadal and adrenal steroid deficiency. Our results demonstrate that certain mutations in STAR (R192C and the previously reported R188C) can present with a phenotype indistinguishable from that seen in FGD.

e rated acids showed the presence of oleic 48.76%, linoleic Proximate analysis of Nigella sativa L. seeds showed a composition of 21% protein, 35.5% fat, 5.5% moisture, 3.7% ash and the rest deing total carbohydrate. Fatty acid analysis of the extracted oil was determined using gas-liquid chromatography; it showed 56% linoleic acid, 24.6% oleic acid, 12% palmitic acid, 3% stearic acid, 2.5% eicosadienoic acid, 0.7% linolenic acid and 0.16% myristic acid. Traces of few unidentified fatty acids were also found. Amino acid analysis of the seed protein hydrolysate by gas chromatography of the n-propyl, N-acetyl derivatives showed the presence of 15 amino acids including 9 essential amino acids. Given the significant content of fat, protein and minerals in the seeds, it should be investigated as a source of these nutrients and its potential applications in flavoring various types of foods.

Calpain 3 deficiency is associated with myonuclear apoptosis and profound perturbation of the IkBa/NF-kB pathway in limb-girdle muscular dystrophy type 2A