The Assessment of the Efficacy of Imperatorin in Reducing Overactive Bladder Symptoms.

Overactive bladder syndrome (OAB) is a prevalent condition that affects the elderly population in particular and significantly impairs quality of life. Imperatorin, a naturally occurring furocoumarin, possesses diverse pharmacological properties that warrant consideration for drug development. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential of imperatorin (IMP) to attenuate the cystometric and biochemical changes typically associated with retinyl acetate-induced overactive bladder (OAB) and to assess its viability as a pharmacological intervention for OAB patients. A total of 60 rats were divided into four groups: I-control, II-rats with rapamycin (RA)-induced OAB, III-rats administered IMP at a dose of 10 mg/kg/day, and IV-rats with RA-induced OAB treated with IMP. IMP or vehicle were injected intraperitoneally for 14 days. The cystometry and assessment of bladder blood flow were performed two days after the last dose of IMP. The rats were then placed in metabolic cages for 24 h. Urothelial thickness measurements and biochemical analyses were performed. Intravesical infusion of RA induced OAB. Notably, intraperitoneal administration of imperatorin had no discernible effect on urinary bladder function and micturition cycles in normal rats. IMP attenuated the severity of RA-induced OAB. RA induced increases in urothelial ATP, calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), organic cation transporter 3 (OCT3), and vesicular acetylcholine transporter (VAChT), as well as significant c-Fos expression in all micturition areas analyzed, which were attenuated by IMP. Furthermore, elevated levels of Rho kinase (ROCK1) and VAChT were observed in the detrusor, which were reversed by IMP in the context of RA-induced OAB in the urothelium, detrusor muscle, and urine. Imperatorin has a mitigating effect on detrusor overactivity. The mechanisms of action of IMP in the bladder appear to be diverse and complex. These findings suggest that IMP may provide protection against RA-induced OAB and could potentially develop into an innovative therapeutic strategy for the treatment of OAB.

An Assessment of Serum Selenium Concentration in Women with Ovarian Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Available studies on the effect of serum selenium levels on the risk of malignancies show some conflicting results. In this study, we investigated the correlation between serum selenium levels and ovarian cancer occurrence. METHODS: 314 women (157 diseased patients and 157 healthy ones) matched in terms of age and BMI were included in the study. The measurements of selenium in the collected blood samples were performed using an ICP mass spectrometer. Univariable and multivariable analyzes were performed to determine the relationship between the factors under the study and the occurrence of ovarian cancer. RESULTS: The mean concentration of selenium was lower among diseased ones than among controls (53.31 µg/L vs. 78.99 µg/L). A decrease in selenium concentration was noticed with the advancement of ovarian cancer. In univariable and multivariable analyzes, a clear relationship between low selenium concentration and the occurrence of ovarian cancer was found (35.3 (95% CI: 11.2-111; p < 0.001) and 45.8 (95% CI: 12.8-164; p < 0.001)). CONCLUSION: The studied patients with ovarian cancer are characterized by statistically significant lower serum selenium levels than patients from the control group. Among the study group, a decrease in selenium concentration was observed with an increase in the FIGO stage. The determination of the role of selenium as a prophylactic factor in ovarian cancer requires further prospective studies.

An Assessment of Serum Selenium Concentration in Women with Endometrial Cancer.

Background: Numerous studies have shown a relationship between low serum selenium levels and an increased risk of developing cancer. Methods: A total of 306 women participated in the study: 153 patients diagnosed with endometrial cancer and 153 healthy women who were matched, in terms of birth year (+/−3 years), to the patients from the study group. The quantitative measurement of selenium content in the collected blood samples was performed using a mass spectrometer with excitation in inductively coupled plasma. In order to determine the relationship between the risk factors and the incidence of endometrial cancer, analyses based on single- and multi-factor conditional logistic regression models were performed. Results: The mean concentration of selenium was lower in patients with endometrial cancer than in healthy controls (60.63 µg/L (0.77 µmol/L) vs. 78.74 µg/L (0.99 µmol/L), respectively). When compared in quartiles, a significant association of lower selenium concentration with the incidence of endometrial cancer was recorded. The highest OR was observed in the first and second quartiles (OR-22.0, p-value < 0.001; medium selenium level 46.95 µg/L (0.59 µmol/L), and OR-5.94; p-value < 0.001; medium selenium level 63.60 µg/L (0.80 µmol/L), respectively). Conclusion: A strong correlation between the level of selenium in the blood serum and the risk of endometrial cancer indicates that patients with low levels should be a candidate group requiring appropriate preventive examinations. Further research on a larger group of patients is required.

The ratio of anterior and posterior vertebral heights reinforces the utility of DXA in assessment of vertebrae strength.

The objective of the study was to introduce a new parameter describing bone strength with greater precision than the widely used antero-posterior DXA (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry), which measures areal bone mineral density (aBMD). The adjusted areal bone mineral density (AaBMD) defined as the ratio between aBMD and h a/h p (h a and h p: anterior and posterior vertebral body heights measured on the lateral view, respectively) is proposed: AaBMD = aBMD/(h a/h p). The utility of AaBMD in prediction of bone strength was assessed by in vitro measurements of cadaver L3 vertebrae. The AaBMD of 31 vertebrae was correlated with the ultimate stress (P max) and load (F max) values obtained in mechanical tests. The correlations were compared to those obtained for aBMD and for volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD) measured by computed tomography. The correlation of AaBMD to F max adjusted for donor's age was significantly higher than for aBMD and vBMD (r = 0.740, 0.658, and 0.609, respectively, p < 0.05). The differences between partial correlation coefficients for P max to AaBMD, aBMD and vBMD relationships were smaller (r = 0.764, 0.720, and 0.732, respectively, p < 0.05), but also showed the superiority of AaBMD. Combining antero-posterior DXA aBMD and the lateral h a/h p ratio, measured, for example, by the Vertebral Fracture Assessment software of the new generation of DXA devices, seems to accurately predict the mechanical vertebral parameters related to bone strength. It is assumed that the proposed AaBMD parameter may be more predictive for fracture risk assessment, which requires further studies.

Application of geometrical measurements in the assessment of vertebral strength.

BACKGROUND: The study was aimed at the development of parameters that could be used as predictors of vertebral strength. Proposed parameters describing vertebral geometry and/or shape can be established on the basis of routine spine roentgenograms, making roentgenography a novel tool for vertebral fracture risk assessment in the future. MATERIAL/METHODS: 20 human cadaveric L3 vertebrae were included in the study. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) was used for an assessment of bone mineral density (BMD). Quantitative computed tomography (QCT) was performed to measure the volumetric bone density as the most reliable parameter in vertebral fracture risk assessment. Geometrical measurements were performed on the basis of high quality and high resolution computer tomography 3-dimensional images. Biomechanical tests were performed to measure vertebral strength. Two parameters were defined on the basis of extensive research: the ratio between vertebral base area and its height (A/H), and the ratio of vertebral coronal width to coronal height (W/H). Correlations between vertebral mechanical strength - its BMD, QCT density, A/H and W/H were calculated. RESULTS: The best correlation to bone durability was achieved for QCT density (r=0.882), while correlation strength for BMD (r=0.779) and A/H (r=-0.773) were comparable. W/H correlated better than BMD to mechanical strength (-0.788). CONCLUSIONS: Geometrical parameters of vertebrae potentially measured on spine radiograms could be used as predictors of vertebral durability. The calculated correlation coefficients suggest that one of the proposed parameters works better than the commonly used BMD.

Neuroscience data and tool sharing: a legal and policy framework for neuroinformatics.

The requirements for neuroinformatics to make a significant impact on neuroscience are not simply technical--the hardware, software, and protocols for collaborative research--they also include the legal and policy frameworks within which projects operate. This is not least because the creation of large collaborative scientific databases amplifies the complicated interactions between proprietary, for-profit R&D and public "open science." In this paper, we draw on experiences from the field of genomics to examine some of the likely consequences of these interactions in neuroscience. Facilitating the widespread sharing of data and tools for neuroscientific research will accelerate the development of neuroinformatics. We propose approaches to overcome the cultural and legal barriers that have slowed these developments to date. We also draw on legal strategies employed by the Free Software community, in suggesting frameworks neuroinformatics might adopt to reinforce the role of public-science databases, and propose a mechanism for identifying and allowing "open science" uses for data whilst still permitting flexible licensing for secondary commercial research.

[Assessment of the reliability of different methods in diagnosing endometrial cancer]. / Ocena wiarygodnosci metod diagnostycznych stosowanych w wykrywaniu raka endometrium.

OBJECTIVES: Endometrial cancer is the most common gynecologic malignancy. The purpose of the study was to compare the reliability of different methods for diagnosing endometrial cancer. DESIGN: A prospective study from January 1996 to September 1998. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 264 women at risk of endometrial cancer with clinical indications for hysteroscopy with curettage participated in the study. They underwent different diagnostic methods: endometrial cytology (121 cases), endometrial biopsy (150) or ultrasonography (200). The accuracy of these methods was related to the following results obtained from hysteroscopy with curettage. RESULTS: The results of the study suggest higher reliability of endometrial biopsy from cytology. The hysteroscopic diagnosis conforms with the histologic examination showed by the curettage. Endometrial cancer as the cause of post-menopausal bleeding can be excluded in cases with endometrial thickness of < or = 5 mm measured by vaginal ultrasonography. CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that the combination of hysteroscopy and endometrial biopsy may substitute for curettage and become the method of choice for the endometrium.