On pelvic reference lines and the MR evaluation of genital prolapse: a proposal for standardization using the Pelvic Inclination Correction System

Five midsagittal pelvic reference lines have been employed to quantify prolapse using MRI. However, the lack of standardization makes study results difficult to compare. Using MRI scans from 149 women, we demonstrate how use of existing reference lines can systematically affect measurements in three distinct ways: in oblique line systems, distances measured to the reference line vary with antero-posterior location; soft issue-based reference lines can underestimate organ movement relative to the pelvic bones; and systems defined relative to the MR scanner are affected by intra- and interindividual differences in the pelvic inclination angle at rest and strain. Thus, we propose a standardized approach called the Pelvic Inclination Correction System (PICS). Based on bony structures and the body axis, the PICS system corrects for variation in pelvic inclination, at rest of straining, and allows for the standardized measurement of organ displacement in the direction of prolapse

The association of trail features with self-report trail use by neighborhood residents

Background: Urban trails are a useful resource to promote physical activity. This study identified features of urban trails that correlated with trail use. Methods:Multiuse urban trails were selected in Chicago, Dallas, and Los Angeles. An audit of each trail was completed using the Systematic Pedestrian and Cyclist Environmental Scan for Trails instrument, identifying built environmental features. A self-report of trail use was obtained from trailside residents (N = 331) living within 1 mile of each trail. Univariate and multivariate Poisson regressions controlled for trail time from home and motivation for physical activity. Results: Positive associations with the past month’s hours on the trail were observed for the presence of distance signs, vegetation height, vegetation maintenance, and trail crowding, and a negative association was observed for the presence of crossings on the trail. Positive associations with dichotomous trail use were observed for the presence of distance signs, vegetation height, and vegetation maintenance, and a negative association was observed for the presence of crossings on the trail. Conclusions: These correlates should be confirmed in other studies and, if supported, should be considered in the promotion and design of urban trails

Recent advances in 3D tissue models

Physiologically relevant tissue models that bridge the gap between 2D tissue culture and animal trials would be highly desirable to study the function of tissues in health and disease as well as for the validation of lead compounds during drug development. The field has made impressive advances in 3D culturing cells and organoids in naturally derived materials. Novel, rationally designed, biomimetic materials have been established, which allow the almost individual variation of matrix parameters, such as stiffness, cell adhesion, degradability, or growth factor binding and controlled release. The combination of innovative materials with novel technological platforms such as printing, microfluidics, and additive or preventive manufacturing provides a great potential to build unprecedented, complex tissue models. Here we review recent advances in the design of materials building blocks which allow the formation of 3D structured microenvironments. We will mainly focus on strategies to locally position cell-instructive molecular cues and discuss needs to generate models which would allow the investigator to controllably manipulate cells in their 3D context with the aim to generate complex but yet scalable tissue models