Mechanism of Marinobufagenin-Induced Hyperpermeability of Human Brain Microvascular Endothelial Cell Monolayer: A Potential Pathogenesis of Seizure in Preeclampsia.

Preeclampsia (preE) is a hypertensive disorder in pregnancies. It is the third leading cause of mortality among pregnant women and fetuses worldwide, and there is much we have yet to learn about its pathophysiology. One complication includes cerebral edema, which causes a breach of the blood-brain barrier (BBB).

Pravastatin Protects Cytotrophoblasts from Hyperglycemia-Induced Preeclampsia Phenotype.

Unlabelled: There are no effective therapies to prevent preeclampsia (PE). Pravastatin shows promise by attenuating processes associated with PE such as decreased cytotrophoblast (CTB) migration, aberrant angiogenesis, and increased oxidative stress. This study assesses the effects of pravastatin on hyperglycemia-induced CTB dysfunction.

Inflammatory Cytokines Associated with Multiple Sclerosis Directly Induce Alterations of Neuronal Cytoarchitecture in Human Neurons.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the central nervous system (CNS) coined by inflammation and neurodegeneration. The actual cause of the neurodegenerative component of the disease is however unclear. We investigated here the direct and differential effects of inflammatory mediators on human neurons.

Violence perpetration prevalence among Colorado (United States) high school students across gender, racial/ethnic, and sexual identities.

Adolescent violence, including sexual violence, homophobic name-calling, and teen dating violence, are public health problems that cause harm to many adolescents in the United States. Although research on the perpetration of these forms of adolescent violence has increased in recent years, little is known about perpetration rates across gender, race/ethnicity, and sexual orientation. To address this gap, the current study descriptively examined perpetration rates between and across different identities, including self-identified race/ethnicity, sexual identity, and gender identity.

Reduced urinary angiotensinogen excretion in preeclampsia.

Objective: This study evaluated urinary angiotensinogen in preeclampsia.

Methods: Normal pregnant (n = 57) and preeclamptic patients (n = 31); Normal pregnant (n = 10) and preeclamptic rats (n = 10) were studied. Urinary angiotensinogen and plasma angiotensin II were assayed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Female squirrel monkeys as models for research on women's pelvic floor disorders.

Animal models enable research on biological phenomena with controlled interventions not possible or ethical in patients. Among species used as experimental models, squirrel monkeys ( genus) are phylogenetically related to humans and are relatively easily managed in captivity. Quadrupedal locomotion of squirrel monkeys resembles most other quadrupedal primates in that they utilize a diagonal sequence/diagonal couplets gait when walking on small branches.

Supporting Sexual Minority Youth: Protective Factors of Adverse Health Outcomes and Implications for Public Health.

Purpose: Sexual and gender minority (SGM) youth (e.g., gay, lesbian, bisexual, questioning, transgender) are systemically impacted by victimization and poor mental health because of discrimination in society.

Postoperative prophylactic antibiotics for retropubic mid-urethral slings.

Objectives And Hypothesis: The primary objective is to measure the difference in urinary tract infection (UTI) rates within 6  weeks of placement of a retropubic mid-urethral sling (RMUS) in the setting of various postoperative prophylactic antibiotic regimens. UTI rates were measured by antibiotic prescriptions to treat UTI and/or culture. Secondary aims included determining risk factors for postoperative UTI.

Retropubic mid-urethral slings and de novo urinary urgency and frequency: The role of retropubic hematomas.

Aims: This is a prospective cohort study comparing de novo lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in subjects undergoing a retropubic mid-urethral sling who either did or did not develop a postoperative retropubic hematoma within 6 weeks of surgery. The secondary objective was to measure the incidence and prevalence of retropubic hematomas, and subject characteristics associated with retropubic hematomas.

Methods: Eligible subjects were recruited before undergoing a retropubic mid-urethral sling with or without concurrent pelvic reconstructive surgery.

Cartiotonic steroids affect monolayer permeability in lymphatic endothelial cells.

Edema is common in preeclampsia (preE), a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy. Cardiotonic steroids (CTSs) such as marinobufagenin (MBG) are involved in the pathogenesis of preE. To assess whether CTSs are involved in the leakage of lymphatic endothelial cell (LEC), we evaluated their effect on monolayer permeability of LECs (MPLEC) in culture.

First on-line detection of radioactive fission isotopes produced by laser-accelerated protons.

The on-going developments in laser acceleration of protons and light ions, as well as the production of strong bursts of neutrons and multi-[Formula: see text] photons by secondary processes now provide a basis for novel high-flux nuclear physics experiments. While the maximum energy of protons resulting from Target Normal Sheath Acceleration is presently still limited to around [Formula: see text], the generated proton peak flux within the short laser-accelerated bunches can already today exceed the values achievable at the most advanced conventional accelerators by orders of magnitude. This paper consists of two parts covering the scientific motivation and relevance of such experiments and a first proof-of-principle demonstration.

Longitudinal Associations Between Sexual Victimization and Substance Misuse Among High School Youth in Colorado.

There are consistently high rates of sexual victimization and substance misuse among youth in the United States. Although there is a known relation between sexual victimization and substance use, there is a gap in the research regarding the magnitude and temporality of these associations. This study examined whether latent classes of sexual victimization and help-seeking attitudes longitudinally predict intentions of future substance misuse 7-10 months later.

Pelvic floor changes in the first term pregnancy and postpartum period.

Objective: To follow a prospective cohort of women during their first term pregnancy to elucidate the nature and timing of changes to the pelvic floor during pregnancy and after vaginal delivery.

Methods: Enrolled subjects were evaluated at four time points with dynamic MRI, POP-Q examinations, and validated symptom questionnaires. The four assessments occurred during the first trimester (ePG), late third trimester (lPG), within a week after vaginal delivery (ePP), and three months postpartum (lPP).

Protocol for a multicenter randomized, double blind, controlled pilot trial of higher neural function in overactive bladder patients after anticholinergic, beta-3 adrenergic agonist, or placebo.

Introduction: Overactive bladder (OAB) syndrome has a negative impact on quality of life and prevalence increases with advanced age. Anticholinergics (AC) and beta-3 adrenergic agonists (β3a) are commonly prescribed medications for treatment of OAB. AC medication has been associated with dementia in population studies and with cortical atrophy in imaging studies.

Energetic Profiles of the Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Tests 1 and 2.

Purpose: To analyze the energetic profiles of the Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Tests 1 and 2 (YYIR1 and YYIR2).

Methods: Intermittent running distance (IR1D and IR2D), time to exhaustion (IR1T and IR2T), and total recovery time between shuttles (IR1R and IR2R) were measured in 10 well-trained male athletes (age 24.4 [2.

Pilot Trial of Midstream Urine Collection Device Versus Transurethral Catheter in Women With Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms: Practicality of Use in a Clinical Setting, Patient Preferences, and Comparison of Laboratory Findings.

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate successful use of a midstream urine collection device in women with lower urinary tract symptoms and to assess specimen contamination.

Methods: Nonpregnant women 18 years or older without use of antibiotics in the last 4 weeks were recruited. After using the midstream urine collection device to obtain a specimen in a private restroom, a paired specimen was obtained by transurethral catheterization.

Prevalence of Pelvic Floor Disorders in Female CrossFit Athletes.

Objectives: This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of pelvic floor disorders by symptoms in female CrossFit athletes in the United States and characterize subjects reporting pelvic organ prolapse symptoms, urinary incontinence, and fecal incontinence.

Methods: A 27-question anonymous questionnaire was distributed to owners of CrossFit-affiliated gyms. Select questions from validated questionnaires were used to define symptoms.

Differential Effects of Treatment with Cinobufotalin on Three Types of Ovarian Cancer Cells.

Background/aim: Cinobufotalin (CINO), a cardiotonic steroid, has been used as an anticancer agent. This study assessed the cell-specific effect of CINO on SK-OV-3, CRL-1978 and CRL-11731 ovarian cancer cells which differ in terms of their respective karyotypes.

Materials And Methods: Cell cultures were treated with CINO (0.

Energy enhancement of the target surface electron by using a 200 TW sub-picosecond laser.

One order of magnitude energy enhancement of the target surface electron beams with central energy at 11.5 MeV is achieved by using a 200 TW, 500 fs laser at an incident angle of 72° with a prepulse intensity ratio of 5×10. The experimental results demonstrate the scalability of the acceleration process to high electron energy with a longer (sub-picosecond) laser pulse duration and a higher laser energy (120 J).

A pilot study in intraparenchymal therapy delivery in the prostate: a comparison of delivery with a porous needle vs standard needle.

Background: New biologic therapies directly injected into the prostate are in clinical trials for prostatic diseases. There is a need to understand distribution of injected therapies as a function of prostatic anatomy, physiology, and device design.

Methods: A needle with a porous length of customizable-length was tested and its performance compared with a standard needle.

Intraabdominal pressure in women during CrossFit exercises and the effect of age and parity.

To determine intraabdominal pressure (IAP) in women during CrossFit and to determine whether parity, age, or CrossFit experience affects IAP during CrossFit exercises, we evaluated 10 women: 5 experienced and active CrossFitters and 5 who were not regularly engaged in CrossFit. A Laborie urodynamics abdominal pressure probe with the Goby wireless system measured IAP during 10 repetitions of 13 different CrossFit exercises. Women had a mean age of 36 years.

Utilization of cryopreserved sperm cells based on the indication for storage.

Purpose: Cryopreservation of sperm from human semen has been available since the 1950s. The actual utilization of available cryopreservation technology has been infrequently reported. We set out to examine the utilization and outcomes of cryopreserved sperm cells based on the indication for storage.

Time trends for bacterial species and resistance patterns in semen in patients undergoing evaluation for male infertility.

Semen from asymptomatic men who are being evaluated as male partners in interfile couples have been reported to contain a variety of bacteria. Longitudinal studies of the variation of these bacteria over time and their resistance patterns have not been commonly reported. At our institution, residues from semen samples are routinely evaluated for bacteria, including antibiotic sensitivity profiles.

BH3 mimetics as anti-fibrotic therapy: Unleashing the mitochondrial pathway of apoptosis in myofibroblasts.

Organs and tissues in mammals can undergo self-repair following injury. However, chronic or severe tissue injury leads to the development of dense scar tissue or fibrosis at the expense of regeneration. The identification of novel therapeutic strategies aiming at reversing fibrosis is therefore a major clinical unmet need in regenerative medicine.