Vascular density and distribution of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptor VEGFR-2 (Flk-1) are significantly higher in patients with deeply infiltrating endometriosis affecting the rectum

Objective: To analyze vascular density and immunolocalization of angiogenic vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptor Flk-1 in the proliferative and secretory eutopic human endometrium. and in three different sites of endometriosis: the ovary, bladder, and rectum. Design: Prospective study. Setting: University hospital. Patient(s): Thirty women with endometriosis (10 ovarian, 1.0 bladder, 10 rectal) and 32 control women (10 proliferative endometrium, 10 secretory endometrium, 4 normal ovary, 4 normal bladder, 4 normal rectum). Intervention(s): Normal endometrial samples were obtained from women during laparoscopic ablation of subserous myoma, and biopsy specimens of endometriosis were obtained from patients undergoing surgery for the diagnosis and treatment of endometriosis. Normal tissues of ovary, bladder, and rectum were obtained from these organs beside the lesions of endometriosis. Main Outcome Measure(S): Blood vessels were quantified according to the number of von Willebrand factor-positive endothelial cells. The VEGF and Flk-1 distribution were evaluated semiquantitatively by immunohistochemical staining. Result(s): More blood vessels were found in cases of endometriosis, particularly rectal endometriosis, compared with the respective control samples and with the eutopic endometrium, and they were localized in endometrial stroma around the glands. The VEGF and Flk-1 expression levels were also higher in cases of endometriosis, especially rectal endometriosis. Conclusion(s): Vascularization and VEGF and Flk-1 expression are significantly higher in deeply infiltrating endometriosis affecting the rectum, reinforcing the hypothesis that antiangiogenesis therapy may constitute a new modality of treatment, especially in cases of deep endometriosis involving the rectum.

Geometric and electronic information from the spectroscopy of six-coordinate copper(II) compounds

The ground and excited state geometry of the six-coordinate copper(II) ion is examined in detail using the CuF64- and Cu(H2O)(6)(2+) complexes as examples. A variety of spectroscopic techniques are used to illustrate the relations between the geometric and electronic properties of these complexes through the characterization of their potential energy surfaces.

Collagen Fiber and Versican Distribution Within the Lamina Propria of Fetal Vocal Folds

Objectives: To analyze the presence and distribution of collagen fibers and versican in human vocal fold lamina propria of fetal larynges. Study Design: Cross sectional analysis of cadaveric vocal folds of human fetuses. Methods: Seven fetal larynges obtained from 28- to 36-week-old fetuses were analyzed with the Picrosirius-polarization method, immunohistochemistry, and image analysis. Results: Collagen fibers within the lamina propria exhibited a monolaminar distribution pattern and spatial arrangement in ""wicker basket."" Versican distribution was larger in the superficial and intermediate layers when compared to the deep layer. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that collagen and versican distribution and arrangement within the lamina propria in the developing fetus are important for vocalization at birth.

Prevalence and distribution of the GBV-C/HGV among HIV-1-infected patients under anti-retroviral therapy

Infection with GB virus C (GBV-C) or hepatitis G virus (HGV) is highly prevalent among HIV/AIDS patients. GBV-C/HGV viremia has not been associated with liver disease and seems to slow HIV disease progression. To study the GBV-C/HGV genotypes prevalence among HIV/AIDS patients and its association with HIV viral load (VL) and CD4+ lymphocyte counts. From February 2003 to February 2004, we analyzed 210 HIV-1-infected subjects who were on anti-retroviral therapy (ART). For 63 of them a PCR-nested to the non-coding 5` (5`NCR) region of the GBV-C/HGV was done, and for 49 a DNA direct sequencing was done. A phylogenetic analysis was performed by PHYLIP program. 63(30%) of the HIV-1-infected patients were co-infected with GBV-C/HGV. The phylogenetic analysis revealed the following genotypes (and respective relative frequencies): 1(10%), 2a (41%), 2b (43%), and 3 (6%). Co-infected patients presented lower HIV-1 VL and higher T CD4+ lymphocyte cells counts as compared with patients negative for GBV-C/HGV sequences (log = 4.52 vs. 4.71, p = 0.036), and T CD4+ lymphocyte counts (cells/mm(3) = 322.6 vs. 273.5, p = 0.081, respectively). T CD4+ cells counts equal to, or higher than, 200/mm(3) were significantly more common among co-infected patients than among HIV-infected-only patients (p = 0.042). The lowest T CD4+ cells counts were associated with genotype 1 and the highest with genotype 2b (p = 0.05). The GBV-C/HGV infection prevalence was 30% among HIV-1-infected subjects, and was associated with lower VL and higher CD4+ lymphocyte counts. GBV-C/HGV genotype 2b may be associated with better immunological response. Published by Elsevier B.V.

The presence of a vocal ligament in fetuses: a histochemical and ultrastructural study

Although it is currently believed that the vocal ligament of humans undergoes considerable development postnatally, there is no consensus as to the age at which it first emerges. In the newborn infant, the lamina propria has been described as containing a sparse collection of relatively unorganized fibres. In this study we obtained larynges from autopsy of human fetuses aged 7-9 months and used light and electron microscopy to study the collagenous and elastic system fibres in the lamina propria of the vocal fold. Collagen fibres were viewed using the Picrosirius polarization method and elastic system fibres were stained using Weigert`s resorcin-fuchsin after oxidation with oxone. The histochemical and electron microscopic observations were consistent, showing collagen populations with an asymmetric distribution across different compartments of the lamina propria. In the central region, the collagen appeared as thin, weakly birefringent, greenish fibres when viewed using the Picrosirius polarization method, whereas the superficial and deep regions contained thick collagen fibres that displayed a strong red or yellow birefringence. These findings suggest that the thin fibres in the central region consist mainly of type III collagen, whereas type I collagen predominates in the superficial and deep regions, as has been reported in studies of adult vocal folds. Similarly, elastic system fibres showed a differential distribution throughout the lamina propria. Their distribution pattern was complementary to that of collagen fibres, with a much greater density of elastic fibres apparent in the central region than in the superficial and deep regions. This distribution of collagen and elastic fibres in the fetal vocal fold mirrors that classically described for the adult vocal ligament, suggesting that a vocal ligament has already begun to develop by the time of birth. The apparently high level of organization of connective tissue components in the newborn is in contrast to current hypotheses that argue that the mechanical stimuli of phonation are essential to the determination of the layered structure of the lamina propria and suggests that genetic factors may play a more significant role in the development of the vocal ligament than previously believed.

Ventilation Distribution Studies Comparing Technegas and ""Gallgas"" Using (68)GaCl(3) as the Label

Ventilation distribution can be assessed by SPECT with Technegas. This study was undertaken in piglets with different degrees of ventilation inhomogeneity to compare PET using (68)Ga-labeled pseudogas or ""Gallgas"" with Technegas. Methods: Twelve piglets were studied in 3 groups: control, lobar obstruction, and diffuse airway obstruction. Two more piglets were assessed for lung volume (functional residual capacity). Results: In controls, SPECT and PET images showed an even distribution of radioactivity. With lobar obstruction, the absence of ventilation of the obstructed lobe was visible with both techniques. In diffuse airway obstruction, SPECT images showed an even distribution of radioactivity, and PET images showed more varied radioactivity over the lung. Conclusion: PET provides detailed ventilation distribution images and a better appreciation of ventilation heterogeneity. Gallgas with PET is a promising new diagnostic tool for the assessment of ventilation distribution.

POISSON DISTRIBUTION TO ANALYZE NEAR-THRESHOLD MOTOR EVOKED POTENTIALS

Motor unit action potentials (MUAPs) evoked by repetitive, low-intensity transcranial magnetic stimulation can be modeled as a Poisson process. A mathematical consequence of such a model is that the ratio of the variance to the mean of the amplitudes of motor evoked potentials (MEPs) should provide an estimate of the mean size of the individual MUAPs that summate to generate each MEP. We found that this is, in fact, the case. Our finding thus supports the use of the Poisson distribution to model MEP generation and indicates that this model enables characterization of the motor unit population that contributes to near-threshold MEPs. Muscle Nerve 42: 825-828, 2010

Forefoot Deformity in Diabetic Neuropathic Individuals and its Role in Pressure Distribution and Gait

Background. Foot deformities have been related to diabetic neuropathy progression but their influence on plantar distribution during dynamic tasks is not completely understood. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the influence of metatarsal head prominence and claw toes on regional plantar pressures during gait in patients with diabetic neuropathy Methods Seventy-one adults participated in this study categorized into three groups: a control group (CG, n = 32), patients with diabetic neuropathy without any foot deformities (DG, n = 20), and patients with diabetic neuropathy with metatarsal head prominence and/or claw toes (DMHG, n = 19). Plantar pressure variables (contact area, peak pressure, and maximum mean pressure) were evaluated during gait on rearfoot, midfoot, and forefoot using capacitive insoles (Pedar-X System, Novel Inc., Munich, Germany). A general linear model was applied to repeatedly measure and analyze variance relationships between groups and areas. Results. DMHG. presented larger contact areas at the forefoot and midfoot along with higher peak pressure at the rearfoot compared to the other two groups The DG showed higher mean pressure at the midfoot compared to:the other two groups. Conclusion. The coexistence of diabetic neuropathy and metatarsal head prominence in addition to claw toes, resulted in overloading the rearfoot and enhancing the contact area of forefoot and midfoot while walking. This plantar pressure distribution is a result of a different coordination pattern adopted in order to reduce plantar loads at the anterior parts of the foot that were structurally altered. Patients with diabetic neuropathy without any forefoot deformities presented a different plantar pressure distribution than patients with deformities suggesting that both neuropathy and structural foot alterations can influence foot rollover mechanisms.

Initial hepatosplanchnic blood flow distribution and oxygen metabolism in experimental model of hypotensive brain death

Background: Organs from the so-called marginal donors have been used with a significant higher risk of primary non function than organs retrieved from the optimal donors. We investigated the early metabolic changes and blood flow redistribution in splanchnic territory in an experimental model that mimics marginal brain-dead (BD) donor. Material/Methods: Ten dogs (21.3 +/- 0.9 kg), were subjected to a brain death protocol induced by subdural balloon inflation and observed for 30 min thereafter without ally additional interventions. Mean arterial and intracranial pressures, heart rate, cardiac output (CO), portal vein and hepatic artery blood flows (PVBF and HABF, ultrasonic flowprobe), and O(2)-derived variables were evaluated. Results: An increase in arterial pressure, CO, PVBF and HABF was observed after BD induction. At the end, an intense hypotension with normalization in CO (3.0 +/- 0.2 VS. 2.8 +/- 2.8 L/min) and PVBF (687 +/- 114 vs. 623 +/- 130 ml/min) was observed, whereas HABF (277 33 vs. 134 28 ml/min, p<0.005) remained lower than baseline values. Conclusions: Despite severe hypotension induced by sudden increase of intracranial pressure, the systemic and splanchnic blood flows were partially preserved without signs of severe hypoperfusion (i.e. hyperlactatemia). Additionally, the HABF was mostly negatively affected in this model of marginal BD donor. Our data suggest that not only the cardiac output, but the intrinsic hepatic microcirculatory mechanism plays a role in the hepatic blood flow control after BD.