Alterations of Placental Sodium in Preeclampsia: Trophoblast Responses.

Background: Evidence suggests that increasing salt intake in pregnancy lowers blood pressure, protecting against preeclampsia. We hypothesized that sodium (Na) evokes beneficial placental signals that are disrupted in preeclampsia.

Methods: Blood and urine were collected from nonpregnant women of reproductive age (n=26) and pregnant women with (n=50) and without (n=55) preeclampsia, along with placental biopsies.

No extra-adrenal aldosterone production in various human cell lines.

Extra-adrenal de novo aldosterone (Aldo) production has been described inconsistently. Systematic data based upon state-of-the-art technology including validated controls are sparse. We hypothesized that aldosterone synthase (CYP11B2) expression and de novo Aldo production are absent in nonadrenal human cell lines, either immortalized cell lines or commercially available primary cell lines, including peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of individuals without and with primary hyperaldosteronism (PA).

Prior to versus after Metformin Treatment-Effects on Steroid Enzymatic Activities.

: We recently reported that metformin administration has substantial effects on steroid hormone concentrations. In this study, we specifically explored which enzymatic activities were affected before a first treatment versus after a time of metformin treatment. Twelve male subjects (54.

Androgens Tend to Be Higher, but What about Altered Progesterone Metabolites in Boys and Girls with Autism?

Background: Evidence exists that steroid hormones are altered in individuals with autism, especially androgens. Despite lower prevalence in girls than boys, evidence of potential alterations in progesterone metabolites is sparse, so the aim of this study was to elucidate different progesterone metabolites in affected children with autism versus healthy controls. Material and Methods: Circadian urine samples from 48 boys and 16 girls with autism spectrum disorders and a matched case−control group were analysed for progesterone metabolites by gas chromatography−mass spectrometry and normalised for creatinine excretion.

Increased glucocorticoid metabolism in diabetic kidney disease.

Aims: Glomerular damage indicated by proteinuria is a main symptom in diabetic nephropathy. Mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) antagonists (MRAs) are beneficial irrespective of aldosterone availability. Thus, we hypothesized an alternatively activated MR to promote glomerular damage in proteinuric diabetic nephropathy.

How Is CYP17A1 Activity Altered in Autism? A Pilot Study to Identify Potential Pharmacological Targets.

Increasing evidence exists that higher levels of androgens can be found in individuals with autism. Evidence yields to a susceptible role of Cytochrome P450 17A1 (CYP17A1) with its catalyzation of the two distinct types of substrate oxidation by a hydroxylase activity (17-alpha hydroxylase) and C17/20 lyase activity. However, to what extent steps are altered in affected children with autism versus healthy controls remains to be elucidated.

Effects of aldosterone on the human placenta: Insights from placental perfusion studies.

Introduction: In pregnancy, aldosterone is linked to maternal plasma volume expansion, improved fetal and placental growth/angiogenesis and reduced maternal blood pressure. Aldosterone levels are low in women with pre-eclampsia. Given the placental growth properties of aldosterone in pregnancy, we hypothesised that increased aldosterone improves placental function ex vivo.

VueBox® for quantitative analysis of contrast-enhanced ultrasound in liver tumors1.

Dynamic contrast-enhanced ultrasound (DCE-US) enables quantification of tumor perfusion. VueBox is a platform independent external software using DICOM cine loops which objectively provides various DCE-US parameters of tumor vascularity. This review summaries its use for diagnosis and treatment monitoring of liver tumors.

Hyperandrogenism? Increased 17, 20-Lyase Activity? A Metanalysis and Systematic Review of Altered Androgens in Boys and Girls with Autism.

There is increasing evidence that steroid hormone levels and, especially, androgen levels are elevated in autism. An overactivity of 17, 20-lyase with a higher production of the testosterone precursors dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and androstenedione/androstenediol seems especially present in autism. An encompassing literature analysis was performed, searching for altered androgens in children with autism and using preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis (PRISMA) guidelines.

Steroid hormone bioavailability is controlled by the lymphatic system.

The steroid hormone progesterone accounts for immune tolerance in pregnancy. Enhanced progesterone metabolism to 6α-OH-pregnanolone occurs in complicated pregnancies such as in preeclampsia with preterm delivery or intrauterine growth restriction, and in cancer. As lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs) promote tumor immunity, we hypothesized that human LECs modify progesterone bioavailability.

Stress-induced alterations of social behavior are reversible by antagonism of steroid hormones in C57/BL6 mice.

Various disturbances of social behavior, such as autism, depression, or posttraumatic stress disorder, have been associated with an altered steroid hormone homeostasis and a dysregulation of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis. A link between steroid hormone antagonists and the treatment of stress-related conditions has been suggested. We evaluated the effects of stress induction on social behavior in the three chambers and its potential reversibility upon specific steroid hormone antagonism in mice.

Development and validation of the first consensus gene-expression signature of operational tolerance in kidney transplantation, incorporating adjustment for immunosuppressive drug therapy.

Background: Kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) with "operational tolerance" (OT) maintain a functioning graft without immunosuppressive (IS) drugs, thus avoiding treatment complications. Nevertheless, IS drugs can influence gene-expression signatures aiming to identify OT among treated KTRs.

Methods: We compared five published signatures of OT in peripheral blood samples from 18 tolerant, 183 stable, and 34 chronic rejector KTRs, using gene-expression levels with and without adjustment for IS drugs and regularised logistic regression.

Are Steroid Hormones Dysregulated in Autistic Girls?

Evidence of altered cholesterol and steroid hormones in autism is increasing. However, as boys are more often affected, evidence mainly relates to autistic males, whereas evidence for affected autistic girls is sparse. Therefore, a comprehensive gas chromatography mass spectrometry-based steroid hormone metabolite analysis was conducted from autistic girls.

Responses of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system in pregnant chronic kidney disease patients with and without superimposed pre-eclampsia.

Background: Women with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are at increased risk of superimposed pre-eclampsia (SPE). Accurate identification of SPE is challenging. We hypothesized that specific components of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) would discriminate between CKD and SPE.

Steroid Metabolites Support Evidence of Autism as a Spectrum.

: It is common nowadays to refer to autism as a spectrum. Increased evidence of the involvement of steroid metabolites has been shown by the presence of stronger alterations in Kanner's syndrome compared with Asperger syndrome. : 24 h urine samples were collected from 20 boys with Asperger syndrome, 21 boys with Kanner's syndrome, and identically sized control groups, each matched for age, weight, and height for comprehensive steroid hormone metabolite analysis via gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

Physiological and Molecular Responses to Altered Sodium Intake in Rat Pregnancy.

Background In pregnancy, a high plasma volume maintains uteroplacental perfusion and prevents placental ischemia, a condition linked to elevated maternal blood pressure ( BP ). Reducing BP by increasing Na intake via plasma volume expansion appears contra-intuitive. We hypothesize that an appropriate Na intake in pregnancy reduces maternal BP and adapts the renin-angiotensin system in a pregnancy-specific manner.

Association of 24-Hour Blood Pressure With Urinary Sodium Excretion in Healthy Adults.

Background: While the positive relationship between urinary sodium excretion and blood pressure (BP) is well established for middle-aged to elderly individuals using office BP, data are limited for younger individuals and ambulatory BP measurements.

Methods: Our analysis included 2,899 individuals aged 18 to 90 years from 2 population-based studies (GAPP, Swiss Kidney Project on Genes in Hypertension [SKIPOGH]). Participants with prevalent cardiovascular disease, diabetes, or on BP-lowering treatment were excluded.

Steroid regulation: An overlooked aspect of tolerance and chronic rejection in kidney transplantation.

Steroid conversion (HSD11B1, HSD11B2, H6PD) and receptor genes (NR3C1, NR3C2) were examined in kidney-transplant recipients with "operational tolerance" and chronic rejection (CR), independently and within the context of 88 tolerance-associated genes. Associations with cellular types were explored. Peripheral whole-blood gene-expression levels (RT-qPCR-based) and cell counts were adjusted for immunosuppressant drug intake.

Increased maternal and fetal cholesterol efflux capacity and placental CYP27A1 expression in preeclampsia.

Preeclampsia is a pregnancy-specific condition that leads to increased cardiovascular risk in later life. A decrease in cholesterol efflux capacity is linked to CVD. We hypothesized that in preeclampsia there would be a disruption of maternal/fetal plasma to efflux cholesterol, as well as differences in the concentrations of both placental sterol 27-hydroxylase (CYP27A1) and apoA1 binding protein (AIBP).

Serum cholesterol acceptor capacity in intrauterine growth restricted fetuses.

Aim: Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is an independent risk factor for the development of cardiovascular diseases later in life. The mechanisms whereby slowed intrauterine growth confers vascular risk are not clearly established. In general, a disturbed cholesterol efflux has been linked to atherosclerosis.

Salt, aldosterone and extrarenal Na - sensitive responses in pregnancy.

Outside of pregnancy excessive salt consumption is known to be harmful being linked to increased blood pressure and cardiovascular disease. However, pregnancy represents a major change to a woman's physiology resulting in an intimate adaptation to environmental conditions. It is now becoming apparent that salt is essential for a number of these changes during pregnancy including haematological, cardiac adaptations as well as directly influencing placental development and the uteroplacental immune environment.

Orteronel Switch Maintenance Therapy in Metastatic Castration Resistant Prostate Cancer After First-Line Docetaxel: A Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial (SAKK 08/11).

Background: We tested whether a switch maintenance treatment with orteronel, an oral inhibitor of androgen biosynthesis, prolongs disease control in men with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) after documented disease stabilization with docetaxel.

Methods: Men with mCRPC and non-progressive disease after a cumulative dose of ≥300 mg/m docetaxel for first line treatment were randomized 1:1 to receive orteronel 300 mg twice daily or placebo. The primary endpoint was event-free survival (EFS) defined as the time from randomization to death or the combination of at least two of radiographic, clinical, or PSA progression.

Comments and extensions to EFSUMB guidelines on renal interventional ultrasound (INVUS).

The substantial evidence base for interventional ultrasound approaches to renal diagnostic sampling and therapeutic access exists. This review comments on the evidence-based recommendations on ultrasound-guided renal access which have been published recently within the framework of Guidelines on Interventional Ultrasound (InVUS) of the European Federation of Societies for Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology (EFSUMB) from a clinical practice point of view. Specific aspects of tissue handling and workup, procedural approach and patient interaction are discussed.