Factors affecting the increased prevalence of erectile dysfunction in Greek hypertensive compared with normotensive subjects

Arterial hypertension is considered a risk factor for erectile dysfunction. The aim of the study was to evaluate the prevalence of erectile dysfunction in hypertensive compared with normotensive individuals of similar demographic characteristics in Greece. Furthermore, the effect of age, hypertension severity, hypertension duration, and antihypertension medication on erectile function of these subjects was investigated. The study population consisted of 634 consecutive young and middle-aged men (31-65 years) that visited our outpatient clinic. From them, 358 patients had arterial hypertension and 276 were normotensive. Erectile dysfunction was evaluated with the International Index for Erectile Function questionnaire. Erectile dysfunction was found in 35.2% of patients with essential hypertension compared with 14.1% of normotensive subjects (chi(2) = 35.92, P < .001). Patients with essential hypertension had more severe erectile dysfunction than their normotensive counterparts (chi(2) = 17.1, P < .001). Hypertension duration, hypertension severity, antihypertension medication, and age were positively correlated with erectile dysfunction. The prevalence of erectile dysfunction is higher in patients with essential hypertension compared with normotensive subjects of similar demographic characteristics. Erectile dysfunction is related to age in both groups, whereas duration and severity of hypertension as well as antihypertension drugs affect erectile function of hypertensive patients. Erectile dysfunction affects patient quality of life, underlining the need for vigorous research of this condition and appropriate management.     

Transient micro-elastography: A novel non-invasive approach to measure liver stiffness in mice

AIM:To develop and validate a transient micro-elastography device to measure liver stiffness(LS) in mice.METHODS:A novel transient micro-elastography(TME) device,dedicated to LS measurements in mice with a range of measurement from 1-170 kPa,was developed using an optimized vibration frequency of 300 Hz and a 2 mm piston.The novel probe was validated in a classical fibrosis model(CCl4) and in a transgenic murine model of systemic amyloidosis.RESULTS:TME could be successfully performed in control mice below ...     

Cerebral abnormalities in infants with myelomeningocele

Background and purposeWe evaluated brain abnormalities associated with myelomeningocele in infants.Material and methodsBetween June 1995 and June 2008, 42 patients with myelomeningocele were treated in our hospital. Only 24 patients (13 males, 11 females, mean age 1.5 months, range 1 day – 11 months) were evaluated by both spinal and brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and were enrolled in the study.ResultsBrain MRI revealed: hydrocephalus in 21 (87.5%) patients, all of whom required immediate shunting. Total agenesis of the corpus callosum was observed in 2 (8.3%) patients, partial agenesis was seen in 4 (17%) patients and 8 (34%) patients had dysplasia of the corpus callosum. Absence of the septum pellucidum was observed in 2 (8%) patients. Widening of the interhemispheric fissure and colpocephaly were noted in 10 (41%) and in 3 (12%) patients, respectively. Abnormal white matter maturation was observed in 2 (8%) patients. Small posterior fossa was observed in 18 (74%) patients, Chiari malformation in 16 (67%) patients, cerebellar and brain stem hypoplasia in 3 (12%) and 7 (30%) patients, respectively.ConclusionsMRI examination of the myelomeningocele site is not sufficient. Clinicians should consider obtaining imaging studies of the entire neuraxis in patients with myelomeningocele.     

Determination of cardiovascular parameters in burn patients using arterial waveform analysis: a review

Optimizing cardiovascular function to ensure adequate tissue oxygen delivery is a key objective in the care of critically ill burn patients. In recent years several less invasive hemodynamic monitoring techniques (arterial waveform analysis techniques) have become available in clinical practice. These alternative techniques provide beat-to-beat cardiac output measurement and permit preload assessment using volumetric parameters. The aim of this article is to review the currently available data regarding to use of less invasive hemodynamic monitoring methods using the pulse wave analysis in burn unit setting.     

Low leukotriene B4 receptor 1 leads to ALOX5 downregulation at diagnosis of chronic myeloid leukemia

ALOX5 is implicated in chronic myeloid leukemia development in mouse leukemic stem cells, but its importance in human chronic myeloid leukemia is unknown. Functional ALOX5 was assessed using an LTB4 ELISA and ALOX5, and LTB4R1 mRNA expression was determined via a TaqMan gene expression assay. LTB4R1 and 5-LOX protein levels were assessed by cell surface flow cytometry analysis. At diagnosis ALOX5 was below normal in both blood and CD34⁺ stem cells in all patients. On treatment initiation, ALOX5 levels increased in all patients except those who were destined to progress subsequently to blast crisis. LTB4 levels were increased despite low ALOX5 expression, suggesting that the arachidonic acid pathway is functioning normally up to the point of LTB4 production. However, the LTB4 receptor (BLT1) protein in newly diagnosed patients was significantly lower than after a period of treatment (P<0.0001). The low level of LTB4R1 at diagnosis explains the downregulation of ALOX5. In the absence of LTB4R1, the arachidonic acid pathway intermediates (5-HEPTE and LTA4) negatively regulate ALOX5. ALOX5 regulation is aberrant in chronic myeloid leukemia patients and may not be important for the development of the disease. Our data suggest caution when extrapolating mouse model data into human chronic myeloid leukemia.     

The neurobiology of anhedonia and other reward-related deficits

Anhedonia, or markedly diminished interest or pleasure, is a hallmark symptom of major depression, schizophrenia and other neuropsychiatric disorders. Over the past three decades, the clinical definition of anhedonia has remained relatively unchanged, although cognitive psychology and behavioral neuroscience have expanded our understanding of other reward-related processes. Here, we review the neural bases of the construct of anhedonia that reflects deficits in hedonic capacity and also closely linked to the constructs of reward valuation, decision-making, anticipation and motivation. The neural circuits subserving these reward-related processes include the ventral striatum, prefrontal cortical regions, and afferent and efferent projections. An understanding of anhedonia and other reward-related constructs will facilitate the diagnosis and treatment of disorders that include reward deficits as key symptoms.     

Mechanisms regulating the recruitment of macrophages into hypoxic areas of tumors and other ischemic tissues

The mechanisms responsible for recruiting monocytes from the bloodstream into solid tumors are now well characterized. However, recent evidence has shown that these cells then differentiate into macrophages and accumulate in large numbers in avascular and necrotic areas where they are exposed to hypoxia. This parallels their tendency to congregate in ischemic areas of other diseased tissues such as atherosclerotic plaques and arthritic joints. In tumors, macrophages appear to undergo marked phenotypic changes when exposed to hypoxia and to switch on their expression of a number of mitogenic and proangiogenic cytokines and enzymes. This then promotes tumor growth, angiogenesis, and metastasis. Here, we compare the various mechanisms responsible for monocyte recruitment into tumors with those regulating the accumulation of macrophages in hypoxic/necrotic areas. Because the latter are best characterized in human tumors, we focus mainly on these but also discuss their relevance to macrophage migration in ischemic areas of other diseased tissues. Finally, we discuss the relevance of these mechanisms to the development of novel cancer therapies, both in providing targets to reduce the proangiogenic contribution made by hypoxic macrophages in tumors and in developing the use of macrophages to deliver therapeutic gene constructs to hypoxic areas of diseased tissues.     

Hyaluronic acid and hyaluronidase as possible novel urine biomarkers for the diagnosis of prostate cancer

The goal of the study is to examine the possible use of HA (hyaluronic acid) and HAase (hyaluronidase) as novel urine biomarkers for the early diagnosis for prostate cancer (Pca). After a prostatic massage, the urine of 118 high-risk patients for Pca was collected, and the patients were submitted to ultrasound-guided transrectal biopsy. HA and HAase were detected and analyzed with Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay, and a statistical analysis of the urine levels of the two biomarkers according to the histology results was performed. HAase and HA were independently associated with Pca, and both HAase and HA showed significant predictive ability for prostate cancer. With an optimal cut-off point of 183.71 HAase had 70% sensitivity maintaining at the same time a 55.2% specificity, while the optimal cut-off point for HA was 50.13 with 65% sensitivity and 53.9% specificity. Patients with HAase more than 183.71 ng/ml had 3.67 times greater likelihood for prostate cancer and Patients with HA more than 50.13 ng/ml had 2.31 times greater likelihood for prostate cancer. The need of novel biomarkers that will improve the efficacy of PSA is urgent. HAase and HA showed significant predictive ability for prostate cancer and were independently associated with Pca, and greater levels were associated with greater odds for prostate cancer. To Our Knowledge, this is the first study referring to the detection of HAase and HA as potential urine biomarkers for the early diagnosis of Pca.