1,932 research outputs found
The role of prostate inflammation and fibrosis in lower urinary tract symptoms
Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in aging men are extremely common. They have historically been attributed to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), enlargement of the prostate, and bladder outlet obstruction. However, recent studies have revealed acute and chronic inflammation to be highly associated with LUTS, correlated with prostatic enlargement, and implicated as a cause of prostatic fibrosis that contributes to bladder outlet obstruction. This review examines the evidence implicating inflammation and fibrosis in BPH/LUTS. It identifies potential mechanisms by which inflammation may drive nociceptive signaling as well as hyperplastic growth and fibrosis and identifies targets for pharmacological intervention. This is a promising area for research and development of novel therapies to prevent or more effectively treat LUTS in aging men
Second-harmonic generation microscopy analysis reveals proteoglycan decorin is necessary for proper collagen organization in prostate.
Collagen remodeling occurs in many prostate pathologies; however, the underlying structural architecture in both normal and diseased prostatic tissues is largely unexplored. Here, we use second-harmonic generation (SHG) microscopy to specifically probe the role of the proteoglycan decorin (Dcn) on collagen assembly in a wild type (wt) and Dcn null mouse (Dcn - / - ). Dcn is required for proper organization of collagen fibrils as it regulates size by forming an arch-like structure at the end of the fibril. We have utilized SHG metrics based on emission directionality (forward-backward ratio) and relative conversion efficiency, which are both related to the SHG coherence length, and found more disordered fibril organization in the Dcn - / - . We have also used image analysis readouts based on entropy, multifractal dimension, and wavelet transforms to compare the collagen fibril/fiber architecture in the two models, where all these showed that the Dcn - / - prostate comprised smaller and more disorganized collagen structures. All these SHG metrics are consistent with decreased SHG phase matching in the Dcn - / - and are further consistent with ultrastructural analysis of collagen in this model in other tissues, which show a more random distribution of fibril sizes and their packing into fibers. As Dcn is a known tumor suppressor, this work forms the basis for future studies of collagen remodeling in both malignant and benign prostate disease
Do Violent Video Games Harm Children? Comparing the Scientific Amicus Curiae “Experts” in Brown v. Entertainment Merchants Association
Do Violent Video Games Harm Children? Comparing the Scientific Amicus Curiae “Experts” in Brown v. Entertainment Merchants Association
Acute caffeine intake increases performance in the 15-s Wingate test during the menstrual cycle.
Aims: In male athletes, caffeine is considered an ergogenic aid to increase anaerobic
performance during the Wingate anaerobic test (WANT). However, information
about the effect of caffeine on WANT performance in female athletes is
contradictory. Furthermore, it is unknown whether the ergogenicity of caffeine is present during all the phases of the menstrual cycle. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of caffeine intake on WANT performance during 3 phases of the
menstrual cycle.
Methods: Thirteen well-trained eumenorrhoeic triathletes participated in a
double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over experimental trial. On 2 different days in
each phase, and in randomized order, participants ingested caffeine (3 mg kg−1
) or a
placebo (cellulose). The menstrual cycle phases were individually characterized as
follows: (i) early follicular; (ii) preovulatory; and (iii) midluteal. In each trial, participants
performed a 15-s adapted version of the WANT.
Results: In comparison to the placebo, caffeine increased peak power during the
WANT in the early follicular (8.6 ± 0.8 vs 8.9 ± 0.9 W/kg, P = .04; effect size
[d] = 0.45), preovulatory (8.6 ± 0.9 vs 8.9 ± 0.9 W/kg, P = .04; d = 0.23) and mid-luteal
phases (8.6 ± 0.8 vs 8.9 ± 0.9 W/kg, P < .01; d = 0.52).
Conclusion: The ergogenic effect of caffeine on WANT peak cycling power was of a
similar magnitude in the follicular, preovulatory, and mid-luteal phases. These results
suggest that caffeine increases performance in the 15-s Wingate test in women
athletes and it might be considered an ergogenic aid to increase anaerobic
performance in eumenorrhoeic women during their menstrual cycle.post-print486 K
The equation of state of solid nickel aluminide
The pressure-volume-temperature equation of state of the intermetallic
compound NiAl was calculated theoretically, and compared with experimental
measurements. Electron ground states were calculated for NiAl in the CsCl
structure, using density functional theory, and were used to predict the cold
compression curve and the density of phonon states. The Rose form of
compression curve was found to reproduce the ab initio calculations well in
compression but exhibited significant deviations in expansion. A
thermodynamically-complete equation of state was constructed for NiAl. Shock
waves were induced in crystals of NiAl by the impact of laser-launched Cu
flyers and by launching NiAl flyers into transparent windows of known
properties. The TRIDENT laser was used to accelerate the flyers to speeds
between 100 and 600m/s. Point and line-imaging laser Doppler velocimetry was
used to measure the acceleration of the flyer and the surface velocity history
of the target. The velocity histories were used to deduce the stress state, and
hence states on the principal Hugoniot and the flow stress. Flyers and targets
were recovered from most experiments. The effect of elasticity and plastic flow
in the sample and window was assessed. The ambient isotherm reproduced static
compression data very well, and the predicted Hugoniot was consistent with
shock compression data
High shock release in ultrafast laser irradiated metals: Scenario for material ejection
We present one-dimensional numerical simulations describing the behavior of
solid matter exposed to subpicosecond near infrared pulsed laser radiation. We
point out to the role of strong isochoric heating as a mechanism for producing
highly non-equilibrium thermodynamic states. In the case of metals, the
conditions of material ejection from the surface are discussed in a
hydrodynamic context, allowing correlation of the thermodynamic features with
ablation mechanisms. A convenient synthetic representation of the thermodynamic
processes is presented, emphasizing different competitive pathways of material
ejection. Based on the study of the relaxation and cooling processes which
constrain the system to follow original thermodynamic paths, we establish that
the metal surface can exhibit several kinds of phase evolution which can result
in phase explosion or fragmentation. An estimation of the amount of material
exceeding the specific energy required for melting is reported for copper and
aluminum and a theoretical value of the limit-size of the recast material after
ultrashort laser irradiation is determined. Ablation by mechanical
fragmentation is also analysed and compared to experimental data for aluminum
subjected to high tensile pressures and ultrafast loading rates. Spallation is
expected to occur at the rear surface of the aluminum foils and a comparison
with simulation results can determine a spall strength value related to high
strain rates
Маркетинговий менеджмент як регулятор торгівлі
У статті розглянуто актуальний стан і можливості покращення макроекономічної ситуації в Україні шляхом використання маркетингового менеджменту як
регулятора внутрішніх резервів активізації торгівлі та споживання.В статье рассмотрены актуальное состояние и возможности улучшения макроэкономической ситуации в
Украине путем использования маркетингового менеджмента как регулятора внутренних резервов активизации торговли и потребления.In the article the actual condition and the ways of
macroeconomic situation in Ukraine improvement by usage
of marketing management as an internal trade and consumption reserves regulator are considered
Thermophysical properties for shock compressed polystyrene
We have performed quantum molecular dynamic simulations for warm dense
polystyrene at high pressures. The principal Hugoniot up to 790 GPa is derived
from wide range equation of states, where contributions from atomic ionizations
are semiclassically determined. The optical conductivity is calculated via the
Kubo-Greenwood formula, from which the dc electrical conductivity and optical
reflectivity are determined. The nonmetal-to-metal transition is identified by
gradual decomposition of the polymer. Our results show good agreement with
recent high precision laser-driven experiments.Comment: 4.2 pages, 3 figure
Violent video games and morality: a meta-ethical approach
This paper considers what it is about violent video games that leads one reasonably minded person to declare "That is immoral" while another denies it. Three interpretations of video game content a re discussed: reductionist, narrow, and broad. It is argued that a broad interpretation is required for a moral objection to be justified. It is further argued that understanding the meaning of moral utterances – like "x is immoral" – is important to an understanding of why there is a lack of moral consensus when it comes to the content of violent video games. Constructive ecumenical expressivism is presented as a means of explaining what it is that we are doing when we make moral pronouncements and why, when it comes to video game content, differing moral attitudes abound. Constructive ecumenical expressivism is also presented as a means of illuminating what would be required for moral consensus to be achieved
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