Effect of Vitamin D Status on Vascular Function of the Aorta in a Rat Model of PCOS.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is associated with elevated cardiovascular risk. Early vascular dysfunction may lead to the development of cardiovascular disease in PCOS. Vitamin D deficiency (VDD) is a common comorbidity of PCOS that contributes to the pathogenesis of the disease and its complications. Both PCOS and VDD are accompanied by increased oxidative stress that may be involved in the arising vascular dysfunction. We aimed to investigate the role of vitamin D status on aortic function. PCOS was induced by an 8-week-long transdermal testosterone treatment of female rats, and low and adequate vitamin D status was achieved by dietary means. Contraction and relaxation abilities of isolated aortic segments were measured by myograph. Resorcin-fuchsin staining and immunohistochemical labeling of 3-nitrotyrosine were performed. No difference was shown in the norepinephrine-induced contraction of the aortas of different groups, whereas we detected reduced acetylcholine- and insulin-evoked relaxation in VDD groups. A lower level of resorcin-fuchsin staining and elevated 3-nitrotyrosine immunostaining was observed in VDD. In our study, we demonstrated early endothelial dysfunction in VDD PCOS rat model. Vitamin D supplementation could prevent vascular disturbances, while VDD itself damaged endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation and induced nitrative stress.

Evaluation of oxidative/nitrative stress and uterine artery pulsatility index in early pregnancy.

INTRODUCTION: Increased oxidative/nitrative stress is characteristic not only in pathologic, but also in healthy pregnancy. High uterine artery pulsatility index (UtAPI) at the end of the first trimester is associated with altered placentation and elevated risk for adverse pregnancy outcomes. We aimed to examine the relationship of systemic oxidative/nitrative stress and uterine artery pulsatility index in the first trimester and their correlation to pregnancy outcomes. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Healthy pregnant women were recruited at 12-13th gestational week ultrasound examination; UtAPI was determined by color Doppler ultrasound. Patients were divided into high (UtAPI ≥ 2.3) (n = 30) and low (n = 31) resistance groups, and pregnancies were followed until labor. Systemic oxidative/nitrative stress was estimated by measuring total peroxide level, total antioxidant capacity and nitrotyrosine level. RESULTS: Plasma total peroxide level was significantly lower (2,510 ± 39 µM vs. 2,285 ± 59 µM), total antioxidant capacity was higher (781 ± 16 mM CRE vs. 822 ± 13 mM CRE) in the high UtAPI group, which were accompanied by lower birth weight (3,317 ± 64 vs. 3,517 ± 77 g, P < 0.05). Plasma total peroxide level showed a negative correlation (by Pearson) to UtAPI (P < 0.01) and positive correlation to birth weight (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: According to our results, lower systemic oxidative stress showed correlation with high UtAPI measured between the 12-13th weeks of gestation. We also found significant differences in the birth weight of healthy newborns; therefore it is worth examining this relationship in pathological pregnancies.

Outcomes for severe aponeurotic ptosis using posterior approach white-line advancement ptosis surgery.

PurposeThe purpose of the study was to report the outcome of posterior approach white-line advancement surgery for severe involutional aponeurotic ptosis.Patients and methodsThis was a retrospective review of an interventional case series of all patients undergoing surgery for severe involutional aponeurotic ptosis during a 42-month period at a single center. The inclusion criteria were severe involutional ptosis (upper eyelid margin reflex distance (MRD) ≤1 mm) undergoing posterior approach surgery. There was minimum 3-month follow-up. The main outcome measures were type of ptosis (primary or recurrent), preoperative margin reflex distance, levator function and eyelid skin crease height, presence of visible iris sign (VIS), documented unusual intraoperative findings, postoperative complications, and follow-up time.ResultsOf the 836 procedures for ptosis, 122 procedures (76 patients) met the inclusion criteria for this study. Mean postoperative follow-up was 28 (median 18, range 12-98) weeks. Success rates were 80.3% (98/122) overall, 81.5% (66/81) in the non-VIS group, and 78% (32/41) in the VIS group. There was no significant difference between the two groups (P=0.411). Failures were due to undercorrection, with <2 mm MRD in 75% (18/24), overcorrection with >4.5 mm MRD in 16.7% (4/24), and inter-eyelid height asymmetry of >1 mm in 8.3% (2/122).ConclusionsOutcomes of ptosis surgery for severe aponeurotic ptosis using a posterior approach white-line advancement are comparable to, and possibly better than, anterior approach in eyelids with VIS.

Predicted vitamin D status and colon cancer recurrence and mortality in CALGB 89803 (Alliance).

BACKGROUND: Observational studies suggest that higher levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25(OH)D) are associated with a reduced risk of colorectal cancer and improved survival of colorectal cancer patients. However, the influence of vitamin D status on cancer recurrence and survival of patients with stage III colon cancer is unknown. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We prospectively examined the influence of post-diagnosis predicted plasma 25(OH)D on outcome among 1016 patients with stage III colon cancer who were enrolled in a National Cancer Institute-sponsored adjuvant therapy trial (CALGB 89803). Predicted 25(OH)D scores were computed using validated regression models. We examined the influence of predicted 25(OH)D scores on cancer recurrence and mortality (disease-free survival; DFS) using Cox proportional hazards. RESULTS: Patients in the highest quintile of predicted 25(OH)D score had an adjusted hazard ratio (HR) for colon cancer recurrence or mortality (DFS) of 0.62 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.44-0.86), compared with those in the lowest quintile (Ptrend = 0.005). Higher predicted 25(OH)D score was also associated with a significant improvement in recurrence-free survival and overall survival (Ptrend = 0.01 and 0.0004, respectively). The benefit associated with higher predicted 25(OH)D score appeared consistent across predictors of cancer outcome and strata of molecular tumor characteristics, including microsatellite instability and KRAS, BRAF, PIK3CA, and TP53 mutation status. CONCLUSION: Higher predicted 25(OH)D levels after a diagnosis of stage III colon cancer may be associated with decreased recurrence and improved survival. Clinical trials assessing the benefit of vitamin D supplementation in the adjuvant setting are warranted. CLINICALTRIALS.GOV IDENTIFIER: NCT00003835.

Optically switched magnetism in photovoltaic perovskite CH3NH3(Mn:Pb)I3.

The demand for ever-increasing density of information storage and speed of manipulation boosts an intense search for new magnetic materials and novel ways of controlling the magnetic bit. Here, we report the synthesis of a ferromagnetic photovoltaic CH3NH3(Mn:Pb)I3 material in which the photo-excited electrons rapidly melt the local magnetic order through the Ruderman-Kittel-Kasuya-Yosida interactions without heating up the spin system. Our finding offers an alternative, very simple and efficient way of optical spin control, and opens an avenue for applications in low-power, light controlling magnetic devices.

Ultrasensitive 1D field-effect phototransistors: CH3NH3PbI3 nanowire sensitized individual carbon nanotubes.

Field-effect phototransistors were fabricated based on individual carbon nanotubes (CNTs) sensitized by CH3NH3PbI3 nanowires (MAPbI3NWs). These devices represent light responsivities of R = 7.7 × 10(5) A W(-1) under low-lighting conditions in the nW mm(-2) range, unprecedented among CNT-based photodetectors. At high incident power (∼1 mW mm(-2)), light soaking results in a negative photocurrent, turning the device insulating. We interpret the phenomenon as a result of efficient free photoexcited charge generation and charge transfer of photoexcited holes from the perovskite to the carbon nanotube. The charge transfer improves conductance by increasing the number of carriers, but leaves electrons behind. At high illumination intensity their random electrostatic potential quenches mobility in the nanotube.

The relation between sleep duration and sedentary behaviours in European adults.

Too much sitting, and both short and long sleep duration are associated with obesity, but little is known on the nature of the relations between these behaviours. We therefore examined the associations between sleep duration and time spent sitting in adults across five urban regions in Europe. We used cross-sectional survey data from 6,037 adults (mean age 51.9 years (SD 16.4), 44.0% men) to assess the association between self-reported short (<6 h per night), normal (6-8 h per night) and long (>8 h per night) sleep duration with self-report total time spent sitting, time spent sitting at work, during transport, during leisure and while watching screens. The multivariable multilevel linear regression models were tested for moderation by urban region, age, gender, education and weight status. Because short sleepers have more awake time to be sedentary, we also used the percentage of awake time spent sedentary as an outcome. Short sleepers had 26.5 min day(-1) more sedentary screen time, compared with normal sleepers (CI 5.2; 47.8). No statistically significant associations were found with total or other domains of sedentary behaviour, and there was no evidence for effect modification. Long sleepers spent 3.2% higher proportion of their awake time sedentary compared with normal sleepers. Shorter sleep was associated with increased screen time in a sample of European adults, irrespective of urban region, gender, age, educational level and weight status. Experimental studies are needed to assess the prospective relation between sedentary (screen) time and sleep duration.

WEED SURVEYING OF PHACELIA (PHACELIA TANACETIFOLIA L.) AND EVALUATING THE EFFICIENCY OF THE WEED CONTROL.

The experiment was set up in an area of 9 ha that was split into 4 plots: in plot 1 the row spacing was 12 cm and the seeding rate was 10 kg; in plot 2 the row spacing was 24 cm and the seeding rate was 10 kg; in plot 3 the row spacing was 24 cm and the seeding rate was 8 kg; in plot 4 the row spacing was 12 cm and the seeding rate was 8 kg. After the weed surveying, the total weed coverage was established as follows: in plot 1 the total weed coverage was 11.34%, in plot 2 it was 12.3%, in plot 3 it was 18%, and in plot 4 the total weed coverage was 15%. Based on the weed survey, on the test area the following dicotyledon weeds belonging to the T4 Raunkiaer plant life-form category occupied the highest percentage: heal-all, black-bindweed, goosefoot. The proportion of the perennial dicotyledons: field bindweed (G3), tuberous pea (G1), white campion (H3) was negligible. In all four cases the weed control was executed using the same herbicide in the same doses and with regard to the weed species it showed the same level of efficiency. The smaller row spacing and higher seeding rate has a beneficial effect on the weed suppressing capacity of the crop, the crop's weed suppressing capacity is better and the development of the weeds becomes worse.

Arteriolar biomechanics in a rat polycystic ovary syndrome model - effects of parallel vitamin D3 treatment.

UNLABELLED: To clarify the effects of dihydrotestosterone (DHT)-induced polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) on arteriolar biomechanics in a rat model and the possible modulatory role of vitamin D3. METHODS AND RESULTS: The PCOS model was induced in female Wistar rats by ten-weeks DHT treatment. Arteriolar biomechanics was tested in arterioles by pressure arteriography in control as well as DHT- and DHT with vitamin D3-treated animals in contracted and passive conditions. Increased wall stress and distensibility as well as increased vascular lumen were detected after DHT treatment. Concomitant vitamin D3 treatment lowered the mechanical load of the arterioles and restored the vascular diameter. CONCLUSION: The hyperandrogenic state resulted in more rigid, less flexible arteriolar walls with increased vascular lumen compared with controls. DHT treatment caused eutrophic remodelling of gracilis arteriole. These prehypertensive alterations caused by chronic DHT treatment were mostly reversed by concomitant vitamin D3 administration.

A clone of elusive parents: gonadotroph adenoma-female type.

A 69-year-old woman presented with visual disturbance. Perimetry testing revealed a bitemporal hemianopia. Brain MRI demonstrated a 2.2-cm gadolinium-enhancing pituitary mass. Previously she had been treated for hypothyroidism, hypertension, and dyslipidemia. She had hyperprolactinemia. Endoscopic transsphenoidal debulking improved her visual field defects. Histology showed a chromophobic adenoma. Electron microscopy showed elongated, polar cells with long, slender processes. The small uniform secretory granules were peripherally disposed, collecting heavily within cell processes. Based on electron microscopical characteristics the tumor is consistent with an ACTH-negative female gonadotroph adenoma. The parent cell of this rare variant of a pituitary adenoma is yet unknown.

Pituitary blastoma: a unique embryonal tumor.

Pituitary blastoma, a recently described tumor of the neonatal pituitary, exhibits differentiation to Rathke epithelium and adenohypophysial cells of folliculostellate and secretory type, a reflection of arrested pituitary development and unchecked proliferation (Scheithauer et al. in Acta Neuropathol 116(6):657-666, 2008). Herein, we report the pathologic features of three additional cases, all ACTH-producing. One involved a 9-month-old male presenting with progressive right ophthalmoplegia, MRI findings of a large suprasellar mass with cavernous sinus invasion, and elevated plasma ACTH levels. The second was nonfunctioning and occurred in a 13-month-old female with right third nerve palsy. The third had been previously published as a "pituitary adenoma" in a 2-year-old female (Min et al. in Pathol Int 57(9):600-605, 2007). The subtotally resected tumors were subject to histochemical, immunohistochemical and, in two cases, ultrastructural study. Histologically, the complex tumors consisted of glands of varying from rosettes to glandular structures resembling Rathke epithelium, small undifferentiated-appearing cells (blastema), and large secretory cells. Mucin-producing goblet cells were noted in case 3. Cell proliferation was high in two cases and low in case 3. Immunoreactivity of the secretory cells included synaptophysin, chromogranin, various keratins and, to a lesser extent, ACTH and beta endorphin. MGMT immunolabeling was 40-60%. Mitotic activity was moderate to high in cases 1 and 2 and was low in case 3. The same was true for MIB-1 labeling. Germ cell markers were lacking in all cases. One tumor ultrastructurally consisted of three cell populations including (a) small, polyhedral, primitive-appearing cells (blastema) with scant cytoplasm, abundant glycogen and few organelles, (b) folliculostellate cells and (c) large corticotroph cells containing rough endoplasmic reticulum, golgi membranes, spherical, 150-400 nm secretory granules and occasional perinuclear, intermediate filament bundles. A second example (case 3) lacked a blastema and glandular component. The clinical and morphologic features of our three cases were those of pituitary blastoma. The finding of cellular elements of adenohypophysial development is consistent with a diagnosis of pituitary blastoma and aligns it with blastomas of other organs. It also suggests an underlying specific genetic abnormality. Marked variations in cellular proliferative activity suggest blastomas occur in low- and higher-grade form. Variable MGMT reactivity suggests an incomplete response to temozolomide therapy. Literature regarding similar morphologically complex, infantile, Cushing disease-associated lesions is briefly reviewed.

Characterization of stress processes of Phaffia rhodozyma stress-resistant mutant.

A carotenoid-less Phaffia rhodozyma mutant (MCP 325) exhibited significantly higher resistance to oxidative stressors such as menadione, H2O2 and K2Cr2O7 than its astaxanthin-producing parental strain (MCP 324). The absence of carotenoids in the mutant did not explain this phenomenon. The cause of the decreased superoxide, hydroxyl radical and glutathione contents, the increased peroxide concentration and the elevated specific activity of catalase under uninduced conditions may be a second mutation. Peroxide treatment induced specific catalase activity in the mutant but not in the parental strain. Regulation of these processes led to the result that, in spite of the mutations, the two strains exhibited the same multiplication rate and generation time.

[Bleomycin therapy for lymphangioma]. / Tratament cu bleomicina pentru limfangioame.

Lymphangiomas are uncommun congenital malformations of the lymphatic system, that involve the skin and subcutaneous tissues. Of the several types of treatment, surgical excision has been the preferred. There is a high recurrence rate because lymphangiomas tend to infiltrate the surrounding tissues. The bleomycin is a cytotoxic antitumoral antibiotic, that causes modifications of DNA. It has been also successfully used in intralesional injection treatment of cystic hygromas and haemangiomas, based specifically on a high sclerosing effect on vascular endothelium. We report the cases of five patients, with congenital lymphangioma, localized on the leg, in cervical and latero-thoracal region, treated with repeated intralesional bleomycin injections. The treatment indication was given by the location of this lesions and the infiltration of the surrounding vital tissues, that made the complete surgical excision impossible. Intralesional injection of bleomycin into the lymphangiomas was given at a dose, not exceeding 0,5 mg/kg of body weight, at intervals of 4 weeks. Complete resolution (n = 4) or significant improvement (n = 1) occurred in all patients treated. No other treatment was needed. We didn't notice local or general adverse effects. With this method we set the purpose to treat effectively this congenital malformations, obviating the need for invasive primary surgery or systemic treatment regimens. Toward other methods, intralesional bleomycin injections have a minimal risk of side effects (ulceration, pulmonary fibrosis).

Fetomaternal transfusion after amniocentesis and cordocentesis.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the extent of fetomaternal transfusion after amniocentesis and cordocentesis. SETTING: Three-hundred and forty-five amniocentesis and 268 cordocentesis were performed for genetic indications. The extent of fetomaternal transfusion was calculated on the basis of the maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein level changes. RESULTS: The mean fetomaternal transfusion was 6.3 and 62 µL in the amniocentesis and cordocentesis groups, respectively. Transplacental needle passage and longer procedural time were risk factors for fetomaternal transfusion. The frequency of transplacental passage was higher and the procedural time was longer in the cordocentesis group. The fetal loss rate was 1.17% after amniocentesis and 1.2% after cordocentesis, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Cordocentesis causes more injury to the extrafetal compartment, which results in a higher level of fetomaternal transfusion. However, though a nearly ten times higher fetomaternal transfusion was observed after cordocentesis, there was no essential difference in pregnancy outcome between the two groups.

Endoglin and CD-34 immunoreactivity in the assessment of microvessel density in normal pituitary and adenoma subtypes.

UNLABELLED: Vascularization is a prerequisite of tumor growth, invasion and metastasis. In the present work, microvessel density was assessed by quantitating using two different endothelial cell biomarkers, endoglin (CD-105) and CD-34. Fifty endocrinologically active and 36 clinically nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas, all surgically resected, as well as 10 autopsy-derived normal adenohypophyses were investigated by immunohistochemistry. The results showed that in every pituitary adenoma type endoglin, an assumed biomarker of proliferating endothelial cells, immunostained fewer vessels than CD-34 which revealed immunopositivity in all capillaries. Differences in endoglin versus CD-34 immunoexpression indicate varying degrees of vascularity in pituitary adenoma subtypes. The low levels of endoglin immunoexpression in pituitary tumors exposed to long-acting somatostatin analogs and dopamine agonists are consistent with the view that these agents inhibit angiogenesis. KEYWORDS: immunohistochemistry, endoglin, CD34, microvascular density, angiogenesis, pituitary.

Bioinspired artificial photonic nanoarchitecture using the elytron of the beetle Trigonophorus rothschildi varians as a 'blueprint'.

An unusual, intercalated photonic nanoarchitecture was discovered in the elytra of Taiwanese Trigonophorus rothschildi varians beetles. It consists of a multilayer structure intercalated with a random distribution of cylindrical holes normal to the plane of the multilayer. The nanoarchitectures were characterized structurally by scanning electron microscopy and optically by normal incidence, integrated and goniometric reflectance measurements. They exhibit an unsaturated specular and saturated non-specular component of the reflected light. Bioinspired, artificial nanoarchitectures of similar structure and with similar properties were realized by drilling holes of submicron size in a multilayer structure, showing that such photonic nanoarchitectures of biological origin may constitute valuable blueprints for artificial photonic materials.

Rapidly recurring folliculostellate cell tumor of the adenohypophysis with the morphology of a spindle cell oncocytoma: case report with electron microscopic studies.

We report a rapidly recurring folliculostellate cell tumor of the adenohypophysis in a 63-year-old woman. Morphologically the tumor had the typical appearance of a spindle cell oncocytoma of the adenohypophysis. It recurred within 5 months of selective transsphenoidal resection, requiring a second transsphenoidal operation followed by radiation therapy. The spindle cell oncocytoma (SCO) of the adenohypophysis is a relatively recently described entity and a new addition to the fourth edition of the WHO Classification of Tumors of the Central Nervous System. In our case, the ultrastructural features were significantly different from those so far described in SCO, in that tumor cells formed a network of structures indistinguishable from pituitary follicles. In addition, a minority of tumor cells exhibited endocrine differentiation.