Plasma levels of matrix metalloproteinase-2, -3, -10, and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 are associated with vascular complications in patients with type 1 diabetes: The EURODIAB Prospective Complications Study

Impaired regulation of extracellular matrix remodeling by matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP) may contribute to vascular complications in patients with type 1 diabetes. We investigated associations between plasma MMP-1, -2, -3, -9, -10 and TIMP-1, and cardiovascular disease (CVD) or microvascular complications in type 1 diabetic patients. We also evaluated to which extent these associations could be explained by low-grade inflammation (LGI) or endothelial dysfunction (ED). Methods: 493 type 1 diabetes patients (39.5 ± 9.9 years old, 51% men) from the EURODIAB Prospective Complications Study were included. Linear regression analysis was applied to investigate differences in plasma levels of MMP-1, -2, -3, -9, -10, and TIMP-1 between patients with and without CVD, albuminuria or retinopathy. All analyses were adjusted for age, sex, duration of diabetes, Hba1c and additionally for other cardiovascular risk factors including LGI and ED. Results: Patients with CVD (n = 118) showed significantly higher levels of TIMP-1 [β = 0.32 SD (95%CI: 0.12; 0.52)], but not of MMPs, than patients without CVD (n = 375). Higher plasma levels of MMP-2, MMP-3, MMP-10 and TIMP-1 were associated with higher levels of albuminuria (p-trends were 0.028, 0.004, 0.005 and 0.001, respectively). Severity of retinopathy was significantly associated with higher levels of MMP-2 (p-trend = 0.017). These associations remained significant after further adjustment for markers of LGI and ED. Conclusions: These data support the hypothesis that impaired regulation of matrix remodeling by actions of MMP-2, -3 and-10 and TIMP-1 contributes to the pathogenesis of vascular complications in type 1 diabetes

Molecular biomarkers in the context of focal therapy for prostate cancer: Recommendations of a delphi consensus from the focal therapy society

BACKGROUND: Focal therapy (FT) for prostate cancer (PCa) is promising. However, long-term oncological results are awaited and there is no consensus on follow-up strategies. Molecular biomarkers (MB) may be useful in selecting, treating and following up men undergoing FT, though there is limited evidence in this field to guide practice. We aimed to conduct a consensus meeting, endorsed by the Focal Therapy Society, amongst a large group of experts, to understand the potential utility of MB in FT for localized PCa. METHODS: A 38-item questionnaire was built following a literature search. The authors then performed three rounds of a Delphi Consensus using DelphiManager, using the GRADE grid scoring system, followed by a face-to-face expert meeting. Three areas of interest were identified and covered concerning MB for FT, 1) the current/present role; 2) the potential/future role; 3) the recommended features for future studies. Consensus was defined using a 70% agreement threshold. RESULTS: Of 95 invited experts, 42 (44.2%) completed the three Delphi rounds. Twenty-four items reached a consensus and they were then approved at the meeting involving (N.=15) experts. Fourteen items reached a consensus on uncertainty, or they did not reach a consensus. They were re-discussed, resulting in a consensus (N.=3), a consensus on a partial agreement (N.=1), and a consensus on uncertainty (N.=10). A final list of statements were derived from the approved and discussed items, with the addition of three generated statements, to provide guidance regarding MB in the context of FT for localized PCa. Research efforts in this field should be considered a priority. CONCLUSIONS: The present study detailed an initial consensus on the use of MB in FT for PCa. This is until evidence becomes available on the subject

Relationship Between Risk Factors and Mortality in Type 1 Diabetic Patients in Europe: The EURODIAB Prospective Complications Study (PCS)

OBJECTIVE—The purpose of this study was to examine risk factors for mortality in patients with type 1 diabetes

From polygons and symbols to polylogarithmic functions

We present a review of the symbol map, a mathematical tool that can be useful in simplifying expressions among multiple polylogarithms, and recall its main properties. A recipe is given for how to obtain the symbol of a multiple polylogarithm in terms of the combinatorial properties of an associated rooted decorated polygon. We also outline a systematic approach to constructing a function corresponding to a given symbol, and illustrate it in the particular case of harmonic polylogarithms up to weight four. Furthermore, part of the ambiguity of this process is highlighted by exhibiting a family of non-trivial elements in the kernel of the symbol map for arbitrary weight.Comment: 75 pages. Mathematica files with the expression of all HPLs up to weight 4 in terms of the spanning set are include

Robot-assisted Versus Standard Laparoscopy for Simple Prostatectomy: Multicenter Comparative Outcomes

Objective To report a comparative analysis of laparoscopic simple prostatectomy (LSP) vs robot-assisted simple prostatectomy (RASP). Patients and Methods Consecutive cases of LSP and RASP done between 2003 and 2014 at 3 participating institutions were included in this retrospective analysis. The effectiveness of the two procedures was determined by performing a paired analysis of main functional and surgical outcomes. A multivariate analysis was also conducted to determine the factors predictive of "trifecta" outcome (combination of International Prostate Symptom Score 15 mL/second, and no perioperative complications). Results A total of 319 patients underwent minimally invasive simple prostatectomy at the participating institutions over the study period. Total prostate volume was larger in the RASP group (median 118.5 mL vs 109 mL, P =.02). Median estimated blood loss tended to be higher for LSP (300 mL vs 350 mL, P =.07). There was no difference in terms of catheterization time (P =.3) and hospital stay (P =.42). A higher rate of overall postoperative complications was recorded in the RASP group (17.7% vs 5.3%), but rate of major complications was not significantly different between the two techniques (2.3 vs 2.1, P =.6). Subjective and objective parameters significantly improved for both LSP and RASP. On multivariable analysis, only two factors were associated with likelihood of obtaining a favorable (trifecta) outcome: age (odds ratio: 0.94; P =.03) and body mass index (odds ratio: 0.84; P =.03). Conclusion Both LSP and RASP can be regarded as safe and effective minimally invasive surgical treatments for bladder outlet obstruction due to large prostate glands

MAS-NMR studies of geopolymer heat-treated for applications in biomaterials field

Journal of Materials Science (J. Mat. Sci)., 2007, 42, 3092-309

Calcification mechanism and bony bonding studies of CaCO3 and composite aluminosilicate calcium phosphate applied as biomaterials by using radioactivation methods

J. Radioanalytical and Nucl Chem., 2007, 274, n° 2, 421-42