Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39719631›Full record

ArticleOrphanet journal of rare diseases2024

Multisystem clinicopathologic and genetic analysis of MELAS.

Shuai Xu, Jialiu Jiang, Leilei Chang, Biao Zhang, Xiaolei Zhu, Fengnan Niu

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Orphanet journal of rare diseases, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 7 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
7citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

7 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
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  3. Review
  4. Review
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Shuai XuDepartment of Neurology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Zhongshan Road 321#, Nanjing, 210008, Jiangsu, China.
Jialiu JiangDepartment of Neurology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Zhongshan Road 321#, Nanjing, 210008, Jiangsu, China.
Leilei ChangDepartment of Neurology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Zhongshan Road 321#, Nanjing, 210008, Jiangsu, China.
Biao ZhangDepartment of Pathology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Zhongshan Road 321#, Nanjing, 210008, Jiangsu, China.
Xiaolei ZhuDepartment of Neurology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Zhongshan Road 321#, Nanjing, 210008, Jiangsu, China. zhuquelee@126.com.ORCID 0000-0003-4696-9696
Fengnan NiuDepartment of Pathology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Zhongshan Road 321#, Nanjing, 210008, Jiangsu, China. alison2009@126.com.ORCID 0009-0001-3845-0002

Funding

Nanjing Medical Science and Technology Development Foundation ZKX22025the National Nature Science Foundation of China 81671113the Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province BK20231120
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND

objectivesMitochondrial encephalomyopathy with lactic acidosis and stroke-like episodes (MELAS) syndrome is a maternally inherited mitochondrial disorder that mostly affects the central nervous system and skeletal muscle. This study provides a comprehensive summary of the clinical symptoms, multisystemic pathogenesis, and genetic characteristics of MELAS syndrome. The aim was to improve comprehension of clinical practice and gain a deeper understanding of the latest pathophysiological theories.

methodsThe present investigation involved a cohort of patients diagnosed with MELAS at Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital between January 2014 and December 2022. Multisystem symptoms, magnetic resonance imaging/spectroscopy (MRI/MRS), muscle biopsy, and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) data were summarized and subsequently analysed.

resultsThis retrospective study included a cohort of 29 MELAS patients who predominantly presented symptoms such as stroke-like episodes, proximal muscle weakness, and exercise intolerance. MRI scans revealed very small infarcts beneath the deep cortex during stroke-like episodes, indicating nonvascular brain damage. Pathology analyses of the brain also showed neuronal degeneration and glial cell proliferation in the cerebral parenchyma. Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (

conclusionsMELAS is a rare mitochondrial syndrome characterized by clinical heterogeneity and genetic heteroplasmy. Abnormalities in mitochondrial metabolic function and impairments in enzyme activity are the pathogenic processes underlying MELAS. Mitochondrial vasculopathy and mitochondrial neuropathy may provide a partial explanation for the unique aetiology of stroke-like episodes.

Indexed as

MELAS SyndromeAdolescentAdultChildDNA, MitochondrialFemaleHumansMagnetic Resonance ImagingMagnetic Resonance SpectroscopyMaleMiddle AgedMuscle, SkeletalRetrospective StudiesYoung AdultDNA, MitochondrialCOX enzyme defectsMELASMRSRRFsStroke-like episodes

Identifiers

PMID39719631
PMCPMC11668008

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.