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

An Eigenvalue test for spatial principal component analysis

Background: The spatial Principal Component Analysis (sPCA, Jombart (Heredity 101:92-103, 2008) is designed to investigate non-random spatial distributions of genetic variation. Unfortunately, the associated tests used for assessing the existence of spatial patterns (global and local test; (Heredity 101:92-103, 2008) lack statistical power and may fail to reveal existing spatial patterns. Here, we present a non-parametric test for the significance of specific patterns recovered by sPCA. Results: We compared the performance of this new test to the original global and local tests using datasets simulated under classical population genetic models. Results show that our test outperforms the original global and local tests, exhibiting improved statistical power while retaining similar, and reliable type I errors. Moreover, by allowing to test various sets of axes, it can be used to guide the selection of retained sPCA components. Conclusions: As such, our test represents a valuable complement to the original analysis, and should prove useful for the investigation of spatial genetic patterns.Publisher PDFPeer reviewe

Ultrasonographic mound height as predictor of vesicoureteral reflux resolution after endoscopic treatment in children

Purpose: Endoscopic dextranomer/hyaluronic acid copolymer (Dx/HA) injection is a safe and efficacious treatment option for vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) in children. Endoscopic appearance, hydrodistention and amount of injected Dx/HA have been demonstrated not to be reliable predictors of outcome. Aim of this study was to evaluate Dx/HA mounds on ultrasound scans (US) and find out any eventual correlation with reflux resolution. Methods: We selected patients treated with endoscopic injection for moderate to high VUR, renal scaring or repeated infections under antibiotic prophylaxis. Success was defined by absence of VUR at control 3. months after surgery; at 3. months we also measured mound height ultrasonographically. Results: We considered a total of 32 children (15 male, 17 female; 53 ureters) with a median age of 3. years (±. 24. months). Overall success rate was 77% per ureter. Success rate correlates directly with age and inversely with VUR grade. Mound height is the major predictive parameter for reflux resolution (sensitivity 100%, specificity 65.9%); mean mound heights of success-group vs. persistence-of-reflux group were 9.97. ±. 1.61. mm and 7.29. ±. 1.74. mm respectively (p. <. 0.0005). Conclusion: A mound measuring at least 9.8. mm at post-operative US scan is a predictor of reflux resolution. Age and grade also seems to influence success rate

Out-of-hospital cardiac arrests in a large metropolitan area : synergistic effect of exposure to air particulates and high temperature

Aims: Air pollution and climate change are intrinsically linked to emerging hazards for global health. High air particulate matter (PM) levels may trigger out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). High temperature could act synergistically with PM in determining OHCA. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of PM exposure alone, and in combination with temperature, on the risk of OHCA, in a large European metropolitan area with population >4 million. Methods: We evaluated the association between short-term PM exposure, temperature, and the risk of OHCA over a two-year study period, allowing us to investigate 5761 events using a time-stratified case-crossover design combined with a distributed lag non-linear model. Results: Higher risk of OHCA was associated with short-term exposure to PM10. The strongest association was experienced three days before the cardiac event where the estimated change in risk was 1.70% (0.48\u20132.93%) per 10 \ub5g/m3 of PM. The cumulative exposure risk over the lags 0\u20136 was 8.5% (0.0\u201317.9%). We observed a joint effect of PM and temperature in triggering cardiac arrests, with a maximum effect of 14.9% (10.0\u201320.0%) increase, for high levels of PM before the cardiac event, in the presence of high temperature. Conclusion: The present study helps to clarify the controversial role of PM as OHCA determinant. It also highlights the role of increased temperature as a key factor in triggering cardiac events. This evidence suggests that tackling both air pollution and climate change might have a relevant impact in terms of public health

Mediterranean Diet as a Shield against Male Infertility and Cancer Risk Induced by Environmental Pollutants: A Focus on Flavonoids

The role of environmental factors in influencing health status is well documented. Heavy metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyls, dioxins, pesticides, ultrafine particles, produced by human activities put a strain on the body’s entire defense system. Therefore, together with public health measures, evidence-based individual resilience measures are necessary to mitigate cancer risk under environmental stress and to prevent reproductive dysfunction and non-communicable diseases; this is especially relevant for workers occupationally exposed to pollutants and/or populations residing in highly polluted areas. The Mediterranean diet is characterized by a high intake of fruits and vegetables rich in flavonoids, that can promote the elimination of pollutants in tissues and fluids and/or mitigate their effects through different mechanisms. In this review, we collected evidence from pre-clinical and clinical studies showing that the impairment of male fertility and gonadal development, as well as cancers of reproductive system, due to the exposure of organic and inorganic pollutants, may be counteracted by flavonoids

A Retrospective Study To Determine Patients' Satisfaction With Fixed Dental Prostheses Provided During The Period 2008 – 2012 at The School of Dentistry In Trinidad

Introduction : The School of Dentistry undertakes the training of dental students, where they provide fixed dental prostheses such as crowns bridges and onlays to patients of the dental polyclinic. The aim of this study was to determine the patient satisfaction with their fixed prostheses and the quantity of remakes at the School of Dentistry polyclinic during the period 2008-2012. Methods : The lab records of fixed prosthetic work during the period 2008-2012 were analyzed. Patients who received treatment during this period were contacted via telephone for a structured interview via a questionnaire. Results : Ninety-six (96) patients were contacted via telephone and 72% of patients were female. Fifty-six (56) crowns and onlays, 22 conventional bridges and 18 resin-retained bridges were provided for patients. Ninety-six (96%) of patients were satisfied with the aesthetics (appearance) of their prosthesis immediately after fitting and 90.7 % were still satisfied with the appearance at the time of interview. 79.2% of prostheses were still in place at the time of interview but patients reported that 18% of crowns failed, 22.7% of conventional bridges and 27.8% of resin-retained bridges had failed. Fifteen (15%) of the fixed prostheses were remade. However, the majority of patients (99 %) were overall satisfied with their services at the School of Dentistry in Trinidad. Conclusion : Patients are generally satisfied with the fixed prosthetic work delivered at the School of Dentistry polyclinic and highly satisfied with the services provided. The amount of remakes whilst small can be reduced with more stringent quality assurance measure

Particulate Air Pollution, Clock Gene Methylation, and Stroke : Effects on Stroke Severity and Disability

Circadian rhythm disturbances have been consistently associated with the development of several diseases, particularly cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). A central clock in the brain maintains the daily rhythm in accordance with the external environment. At the molecular level, the clock is maintained by \u201cclock genes\u201d, the regulation of which is mainly due to DNA methylation, a molecular mechanism of gene expression regulation, able to react to and be reprogrammed by environmental exposure such as exposure to particulate matter (PM). In 55 patients with a diagnosis of acute ischemic stroke, we showed that PM2.5 exposure experienced before the event influenced clock genes methylation (i.e., circadian locomotor output cycles protein kaput CLOCK, period 2 PER2, cryprochrome 1 CRY1, Neuronal PAS Domain Protein 2 NPAS2), possibly modulating the patient prognosis after the event, as cryptochrome 1 CRY1 and period 1 PER1 methylation levels were associated with the Rankin score. Moreover, if PM2.5 annual average was low, CRY1/CRY2 methylation levels were positively associated with the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score, whereas they were negatively associated if PM2.5 exposure was high. Whether epigenetic changes in clock genes need to be considered as a prognostic marker of stroke or rather a causal agent in stroke development remains to be determined. Further studies are needed to determine the role of clock gene methylation in regulating the response to and recovery after a stroke event