Neuronal Network Topology Indicates Distinct Recovery Processes after Stroke.

Despite substantial recent progress in network neuroscience, the impact of stroke on the distinct features of reorganizing neuronal networks during recovery has not been defined. Using a functional connections-based approach through 2-photon in vivo calcium imaging at the level of single neurons, we demonstrate for the first time the functional connectivity maps during motion and nonmotion states, connection length distribution in functional connectome maps and a pattern of high clustering in motor and premotor cortical networks that is disturbed in stroke and reconstitutes partially in recovery. Stroke disrupts the network topology of connected inhibitory and excitatory neurons with distinct patterns in these 2 cell types and in different cortical areas. These data indicate that premotor cortex displays a distinguished neuron-specific recovery profile after stroke.

Bio-based Algae Oil: an oxidation and structural analysis.

OBJECTIVE: In search of natural components, vegetal oils are increasingly becoming more popular in cosmetics. However, high oxidation instability, presence of potential allergens and synthetic anti-oxidants have limited their applications so far. Therefore, a need exists for a natural emollient with high oxidation stability. In this work, we report on a novel sustainably produced triglyceride containing primarily three monounsaturated oleic acid chains, dubbed 'Bio-Based Algae Oil' hereafter, as a natural emollient for cosmetic formulations. To produce Bio-Based Algae Oil, simple sugars are converted into triglyceride oils using microalgae fermentation with minimal environmental impact. METHODS: Bio-Based Algae Oil was compared to other commonly used triglyceride-based emollients in the skincare industry in terms of thermal/oxidation stability, composition and moisturizing properties. Oxidation stability of emollients was compared using Rancimat and pressurized differential scanning calorimetry (PDSC) techniques. Fatty acid composition of each oil was analysed using proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1 H-NMR) and gas chromatography (GC) techniques to correlate unsaturation level of each oil to its oxidation stability. We also conducted an in vivo moisturizing study in which skin hydration level of human subjects was compared before and after application of emollient up to 24 h. RESULTS: Results showed that Bio-Based Algae Oil was the most stable emollient in thermal and oxidation stability studies given its low unsaturation and high anti-oxidant content determined by 1 H-NMR and GC techniques. It also provided the highest skin hydration level when applied on skin demonstrating its efficacy as a moisturizing emollient in cosmetic formulations. CONCLUSIONS: Compositional analysis of Bio-Based Algae revealed that it is a triglyceride containing primarily three monounsaturated oleic acid chains with very low polyunsaturated fatty acid content resulting in high oxidation stability and consequently prolonged shelf-life. Given its sustainability, high oxidation stability and skin health benefits such as moisturization demonstrated during an in vivo study, we envision to utilize Bio-Based Algae Oil in many cosmetic formulations across skincare, suncare and bath and shower markets.

OBJECTIF: Dans la quête de composants naturels, les huiles végétales deviennent de plus en plus prisées en cosmétique. Toutefois, la forte instabilité à l'oxydation, la présence d'allergènes potentiels et d'antioxydants synthétiques ont contribué à la réduction de leurs demandes jusqu'ici. Par conséquent, il existe un besoin en émollient naturel doté d'une stabilité à l'oxydation élevée. Dans le cadre de ces travaux, nous présentons un nouveau triglycéride produit de manière durable contenant principalement trois chaînes d'acide oléique mono-insaturées, appelé « Huile d'algues d'origine biologique ¼ comme étant un émollient naturel pour les produits cosmétiques. Pour obtenir de l'Huile d'algues d'origine biologique, des sucres rapides sont transformés en huiles triglycérides par fermentation de microalgues avec un impact environnemental minimal. MÉTHODES: L'huile d'algues d'origine biologique a été comparée à d'autres émollients à base de triglycérides fréquemment utilisés dans l'industrie des soins de la peau en matière de stabilité thermique ou d'oxydation, de composition et de propriétés hydratantes. Stabilité thermique ou oxydation, composition et propriétés hydratantes. La stabilité à l'oxydation des émollients a été comparée grâce au Rancimat et à des techniques de calorimétrie différentielle à balayage haute pression (PDSC). La composition des acides gras de chaque huile a été analysée grâce aux techniques de résonance magnétique nucléaire du proton (1 H-NMR) et de chromatographie en phase gazeuse (CPG) afin de créer une corrélation entre le taux d'insaturation de chaque huile et sa stabilité à l'oxydation. Nous avons également procédé à une étude in vivo de l'hydratation au cours de laquelle le niveau d'hydratation de la peau des patients humains a été comparé avant et après l'utilisation de l'émollient sur une période allant jusqu'à 24 h. RÉSULTATS: Les résultats ont démontré que l'huile d'algues d'origine biologique était l'émollient le plus stable lors des études sur la stabilité thermique et la stabilité à l'oxydation, en raison de sa faible insaturation et de sa teneur élevée en antioxydants déterminés par les techniques 1 H-NMR et GC. Elle a également produit le taux d'hydratation de la peau le plus élévé, lorsqu'appliqué à la peau, ce qui démontre son efficacité comme émollient hydratant dans les produits cosmétiques. CONCLUSIONS: L'analyse de la composition de l'huile d'algues d'origine biologique a révélé qu'il s'agit d'un triglycéride contenant principalement trois chaînes d'acide oléique mono-insaturées avec une très faible teneur en acides gras polyinsaturés, ce qui entraîne une stabilité à l'oxydation élevée et par conséquent une durée de vie prolongée. Compte tenu de sa durabilité, sa stabilité à l'oxydation élevée et ses bienfaits pour la santé de la peau, notamment l'hydratation démontrée au cours d'une étude in vivo, nous envisageons d'utiliser l'huile d'algues d'origine biologique dans de nombreuses formulations cosmétiques présentes sur le marché des soins de la peau, des produits solaires et des bains et douches.

POGLUT1 biallelic mutations cause myopathy with reduced satellite cells, α-dystroglycan hypoglycosylation and a distinctive radiological pattern.

Protein O-glucosyltransferase 1 (POGLUT1) activity is critical for the Notch signaling pathway, being one of the main enzymes responsible for the glycosylation of the extracellular domain of Notch receptors. A biallelic mutation in the POGLUT1 gene has been reported in one family as the cause of an adult-onset limb-girdle muscular dystrophy (LGMD R21; OMIM# 617232). As the result of a collaborative international effort, we have identified the first cohort of 15 patients with LGMD R21, from nine unrelated families coming from different countries, providing a reliable phenotype-genotype and mechanistic insight. Patients carrying novel mutations in POGLUT1 all displayed a clinical picture of limb-girdle muscle weakness. However, the age at onset was broadened from adult to congenital and infantile onset. Moreover, we now report that the unique muscle imaging pattern of "inside-to-outside" fatty degeneration observed in the original cases is indeed a defining feature of POGLUT1 muscular dystrophy. Experiments on muscle biopsies from patients revealed a remarkable and consistent decrease in the level of the NOTCH1 intracellular domain, reduction of the pool of satellite cells (SC), and evidence of α-dystroglycan hypoglycosylation. In vitro biochemical and cell-based assays suggested a pathogenic role of the novel POGLUT1 mutations, leading to reduced enzymatic activity and/or protein stability. The association between the POGLUT1 variants and the muscular phenotype was established by in vivo experiments analyzing the indirect flight muscle development in transgenic Drosophila, showing that the human POGLUT1 mutations reduced its myogenic activity. In line with the well-known role of the Notch pathway in the homeostasis of SC and muscle regeneration, SC-derived myoblasts from patients' muscle samples showed decreased proliferation and facilitated differentiation. Together, these observations suggest that alterations in SC biology caused by reduced Notch1 signaling result in muscular dystrophy in LGMD R21 patients, likely with additional contribution from α-dystroglycan hypoglycosylation. This study settles the muscular clinical phenotype linked to POGLUT1 mutations and establishes the pathogenic mechanism underlying this muscle disorder. The description of a specific imaging pattern of fatty degeneration and muscle pathology with a decrease of α-dystroglycan glycosylation provides excellent tools which will help diagnose and follow up LGMD R21 patients.

Variation in collagenase Clostridium histolyticum practice patterns: a Survey of ISSM Members.

Collagenase clostridium histolyticum (CCH, Xiaflex, Xiapex) is the only FDA-approved medication for treatment of Peyronie's disease. It is unclear how practitioners actually use CCH in their own practices. The objectives of the study were: (1) to identify variability in practice patterns for CCH among practitioners, (2) to assess adherence to the package insert instructions, and (3) to evaluate whether provider satisfaction was associated with adherence to instructions. A 30-question online survey was distributed to 1270 members of the International Society for Sexual Medicine (ISSM) from the EU, USA, Canada and Australia. Of the 30 questions, 10 survey questions had only one response consistent with the CCH package insert recommendations. An "adherence" score was calculated for each survey participant depending on how many of these questions were answered correctly. The average adherence scores of various groups were compared using a student's t-test. A chi-squared test was used to determine association between categorical variables. Of 202 total responses, 132 practitioners reported using CCH out of 1270 ISSM members from countries where CCH is available (10.4% response rate). Practitioners from outside the USA were more likely to be satisfied with CCH (p = 0.006), and more experienced users (>20 uses) were more likely to be satisfied than less experienced users (<10 uses) (p = 0.046). Satisfied users of CCH did not have significantly different adherence scores than non-satisfied users. Even though 67% of practitioners believed they followed the package insert guidelines, only 11% adhered to all the recommendations evaluated by the survey. Treatment adherence to package insert guidelines does not appear to be associated with provider satisfaction. We believe there is utility in seeing a snapshot of these practice patterns so practitioners may feel more comfortable adapting their own practice in light of newer data supporting alternative administration methods.

Characterization of the geometry of negative dielectrophoresis traps for particle immobilization in digital microfluidic platforms.

This paper studies the effect of dielectrophoresis on particle manipulation and immobilization in digital microfluidic (DMF) devices. The dimensions of negative dielectrophoresis (nDEP) traps in the form of circular and square shapes are characterized using numerical and experimental approaches. These efforts will result in defining lifting and trapping zones, the ratio of which is shown to remain constant for trap sizes larger than 40 µm. As a result, a limiting constant K based on the ratio of the particle diameter to the trap size is introduced to identify the status of particle trapping prior to running numerical models or experiments. The results show that K must be less than 0.63 for trapping the particles on the nDEP traps. This study will also result in optimizing the trap size for single particle immobilization which is important for cell printing and growth applications.

Generation and analysis of bacteriorhodopsin mutants with the potential for biotechnological applications.

The properties of bacteriorhodopsin (BR) can be manipulated by genetic engineering. Therefore, by the methods of gene engineering, Asp85 was replaced individually by two other amino acids (D85V, D85S). The resulting recombinant proteins were assembled into soybean vesicles retinylated to form functional BR-like nano-particles. Proton translocation was almost completely abrogated by the mutant D85S, while the D85V mutant was partially active in pumping protons. Compared with wild type, maximum absorption of the mutants, D85V and D85S, were 563 and 609 nm, which illustrated 5 nm reductions (blue shift) and 41 nm increases (red shift), respectively. Since proton transport activity and spectroscopic activities of the mutants are different, a wide variety of membrane bioreactors (MBr) have been developed. Modified proteins can be utilized to produce unique photo/Electro-chromic materials and tools.

Proposal for ultra-high performance infrared quantum dot.

In this paper, effect of an introduced defect on electrical and optical properties of quantum box and spherical quantum dot is studied. 3D-self-consistent solution of the Schrödinger-Poisson equations for evaluation of the proposed complex quantum box and analytical solution for spherical quantum dot are used. It is shown that with increasing the defect size and height a considerable enhancement in matrix element, optical nonlinearities (second order, quadratic electro-optic effect and the resonant third order nonlinear susceptibilities), optical linear absorption coefficient ( 4.5 -10 nm, 10(-4) approximately 10(-2) m.V(-1), 10(-12) approximately 10(-9) m(2) / V (2) , 10(-11) approximately 10(-9) m(2) / V(2) and 4.7 x 10(2) approximately 3.8 x 10(4) cm(-1) respectively) and electroabsorption properties associated with intersublevel transition of centered defect quantum dot are examined. Also, it is shown that enhancement of optical nonlinearity is approximately independent of defect position that is so excellent from practical implementation point of view. A THZ-IR photodetector based on resonant tunneling spherical centered defect quantum dot (RT-SCDQD) operating at room temperature is also investigated. Inserting the centered defect in quantum dot increases the dipole transition matrix element and so increases the absorption coefficient considerably (1.05 x 10(6) approximately 7.33 x 10(6)at 83 microm ). Therefore the quantum efficiency in SCDQD structure enhances which leads to increasing the responsivity of the proposed system. The double barrier reduces the dark current. These improvements concludes to ultra high detectivity 5 x 10(16) 2.25 x 10(9) cm Hz (1/2)/W at 83 and 300 degrees K at 83 microm respectively.

Effect of Azotobacter chroococcum application on quantity and quality forage of rapeseed cultivars.

The study was conducted to determine the effect of Azotobacter chroococcum (Azotobacter) application on quality and quantity forage of the rapeseed cultivars (RGS 003, Hyolla 401 and Hyolla 330) and the possibility of cultivation the rapeseed forage in summer. The experimental design was spilt plot laid out in randomized complete block with three replications. Different levels of Azotobacter (zero and one kg hal) and cultivars were randomized to main plot and sub plot units, respectively. Results showed that Azotobacter significantly affected on all quantity traits except plant height. There were significant differences among cultivars for dry matter, biomass, sub branch number, plant height and forage glucosinolate concentration. Therefore Azotobacter can be considered as growth promoting for rapeseed in the future studies. Also, RGS003 cultivar was better than other cultivars when Azotobacter was applied.

Multi-institutional outcome study on the efficacy of closed-suction drainage of the scrotum in three-piece inflatable penile prosthesis surgery.

Infection is a devastating complication of penile prosthesis surgery that occurs in approximately 2-5% of all primary inflatable penile primary implants in most series. Prevention of hematoma and swelling with closed-suction drains has been shown not to increase infection rate and yield an earlier recovery time. Despite the intuitive advantages of short-term closed-suction drainage in reducing the incidence of postoperative scrotal swelling and associated adverse effects, many urologists are reluctant to drain the scrotum because of a theoretical risk of introducing an infection. In conclusion, this study was undertaken to evaluate the incidence of infection in three-piece penile prosthesis surgery with scrotal closed-suction drainage. A retrospective review of 425 consecutive primary three-piece penile prosthesis implantations was performed at three institutions in New Jersey, Ohio, and Arkansas from 1998 to 2002. Following the prosthesis insertion, 10 French Round Blake (Johnson & Johnson) or, in a few cases, 10 French Jackson Pratt, closed-suction drains were placed in each patient for less than 24 h. All subjects received standard perioperative antibiotic coverage. Average age at implant was 62 y (range 24-92 y). Operative time (incision to skin closure) was less than 60 min in the vast majority of cases. There were a total of 14 (3.3%) infections and three hematomas (0.7%) during an average 18-month follow-up period. In conclusion, this investigation revealed that closed-suction drainage of the scrotum for approximately 12-24 h following three-piece inflatable penile prosthesis surgery does not result in increased infection rate and is associated with a very low incidence of postoperative hematoma formation, swelling, and ecchymosis.

Comparison of finasteride and alpha-blockers as independent risk factors for erectile dysfunction.

There are insufficient data on the effects of alpha-blockers and finasteride on erectile function in men who have other risk factors for erectile dysfunction (ED). This study was conducted to compare the relative effects of these medications on ED in men who may be on other medications or have other risk factors for ED. Patients attending urology and primary care clinics were asked to complete an IRB-approved questionnaire that combined the validated Sexual Health Inventory for Men (SHIM) and a detailed medical history. A total of 123 patients completed the questionnaire. The age range was 28-88 years (mean: 68 years). Eighty-one per cent of patients had SHIM scores <21, indicating some degree of ED. The average SHIM scores in a population of patients with similar age and risk factors who had been on finasteride or alpha-blockers indicated the presence of ED but did not reveal a significant difference between the two groups. The scores were no different from an age-matched group of patients who were not on either medication, demonstrating the relatively greater importance of various other risk factors for ED. There was an inverse linear relationship between the number of ED risk factors and SHIM scores. There does not appear to be a significant difference between alpha-blockers and finasteride as independent risk factors for ED. Age and other risk factors (heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, smoking, and hypercholesterolaemia) tend to have a much stronger influence on the severity of ED as assessed by SHIM scores.

Management of prepubertal varicoceles-results of a questionnaire study among pediatric urologists and urologists with infertility training.

OBJECTIVES: Varicoceles are a common condition affecting male fertility seen by urologists. However, prepubertal varicoceles are much less common and their management is controversial. We designed a questionnaire to assess the practice patterns among urologists (pediatric urologists/urologists with infertility training) with regard to prepubertal varicocele management. METHODS: A 15-point questionnaire pertaining to management issues of prepubertal varicoceles was sent to 150 pediatric urologists and 150 urologists with infertility training. Two clinical scenarios referring to treatment algorithms of prepubertal varicoceles were included. RESULTS: Of the 300 questionnaires mailed, 174 urologists (58%) responded. Seventy-five of the respondents were urologists with an interest in infertility, and 99 were pediatric urologists. Of the 174 respondents, 86.2% treated prepubertal varicoceles and 13.8% referred patients to interventional radiologists for embolization. The ratio of varicocelectomy to expectant management was about equal between urologists with infertility training and pediatric urologists (46% versus 54%). A difference in testicular size was the most common indication for varicocelectomy (80.5%), followed by pain (51.1%) and potential fertility problems (24.7%). About one third of all urologists would perform varicocelectomy on patients of any age and seven (4%) would not operate before puberty. In 136 responses (78.2%), follow-up information was not available. Among the 35 respondents with follow-up information (21.8%), 21 reported infertility occurring after varicocelectomy and 16 after expectant management. If varicocelectomy was performed, most urologists (47.2%) used magnification loupes, 29.3% used microscopes, and 29% used no magnification. The preferred approach was inguinal (Ivanissevich) in 35.6% followed by subinguinal in 30%; 21% performed retroperitoneal varicocelectomy (Palomo) and 9.8% used a laparoscopic approach. Of the 300 complications reported, postoperative hydroceles were the most common (40.4%), followed by recurrence (20.8%) and hematomas (17.4%). CONCLUSIONS: The management of prepubertal varicoceles is controversial among different urologic subspecialties (pediatric urology/infertility). Differences include indications, timing, and techniques used for varicocelectomy. Accurate follow-up information for children with prepubertal varicoceles is rare. A prospective randomized study comparing varicocelectomy versus expectant management of prepubertal varicoceles is needed to assess the outcomes and define uniform treatment criteria.

Are we ordering too many PSA tests? Prostate cancer diagnosis and PSA screening patterns for a single Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

BACKGROUND: Limits on the frequency of PSA testing and an endpoint for the age of the screened population have not been established. The numbers of performed serum PSA tests, cost evolution, and utilization patterns by various subspecialties in one medical center were analyzed to gain insight into trends in screening for early detection of prostate cancer and gather information about the appropriate use of PSA testing. METHOD: Computerized records were reviewed for numbers of PSA tests obtained, prostate biopsies performed, and prostate cancer cases diagnosed in the VA NJ-Health Care System from 1996 to 1998. In addition, PSA tests performed during two representative weeks in 1996 and 1997 were analyzed to evaluate a smaller cohort of patients with regard to age, consequences of the test results in their management, and subspecialties ordering the tests. RESULTS: PSA testing increased steadily between 1992 and 1998, with the most significant change (152% increase) between 1997 (9,410 tests) and 1998 (23,684). Prostate cancer diagnoses by biopsy were 164/434 (37.8%) in 1997 and 195/507 (38.5%) in 1998. For the 14,274 additional PSA tests obtained in 1998, 31 more prostate cancers were diagnosed. Prostate cancer diagnoses per PSA tests were 164/9,410 (1.8%) in 1997 and 195/23,684 (0.8%) in 1998. Primary care providers ordered 61% of the PSA tests. CONCLUSIONS: Most PSA tests at this institution were ordered by general practitioners, and the number of PSA tests ordered for men over 75 was high. The dramatic increase between 1997 and 1998 was not accompanied by a similar rise in the diagnosis of prostate cancer, raising the possibility of indiscriminate PSA testing or unnecessary repetition of testing. Guidelines for prostate cancer screening and continued PSA testing in the geriatric population may need further clarification.

Unilateral renal agenesis associated with congenital bilateral absence of the vas deferens: phenotypic findings and genetic considerations.

An association between congenital bilateral absence of the vas deferens (CBAVD), normal renal anatomy and cystic fibrosis (CF) gene mutations is well established (CF/CBAVD). We postulate that unilateral renal agenesis (URA) and CBAVD (URA/CBAVD) may have a non-CF mutation-mediated genetic basis that leads to abnormal development of the entire mesonephric duct at a very early stage in embryo development (< or =7 weeks). The physical, laboratory and radiographic findings of men with URA/CBAVD (n = 17) and CF/CBAVD (n = 97) were compared; the fertilization and pregnancy rates in the URA/CBAVD population calculated, and the incidence of renal agenesis in immediate family members and offspring of men with URA/CBAVD analysed. No statistical differences could be identified within any of the above comparisons. The fertilization rate for the URA/CBAVD group was 58.2 +/- 26.3%. Eight infants and two fetuses had normal renal anatomy, while one terminated male fetus had bilateral renal and vasal agenesis. Thirty first-order relatives had normal renal units. Anatomical expression of the reproductive ductal derivatives in men with URA/CBAVD and CF/CBAVD was similar, but the phenotypic outcome of the renal portion of the mesonephric duct was different. The potential for transmission of this fatal anomaly reinforces the need for prenatal ultrasounds with all pregnancies involving URA/CBAVD men.

Reservoir herniation as a complication of three-piece penile prosthesis insertion.

OBJECTIVES: To obtain data concerning the incidence and management of reservoir herniation in inflatable penile prosthesis surgery in a clinical investigation. Reservoir herniation after scrotal placement of inflatable penile prosthesis is an unusual complication, and a review of the published medical reports reveals only anecdotal reports and no definitive articles. METHODS: A multi-item self-addressed questionnaire was mailed to the members of the Society for the Study of Impotence questioning the occurrence of reservoir migration from the prevesical space to the inguinal canal or scrotum. In addition, the database of one of us was reviewed to determine the incidence of reservoir migration in a large series of 1206 three-piece penile prostheses. RESULTS: The response rate was 38%. A minority of respondents (28%) were familiar with the problem. Of those who had experienced this complication, the occurrence was very rare and usually appeared in the immediate postoperative period, often in association with vigorous coughing spells or vomiting. The responders also indicated that imperfect surgical technique might have been implicated in some cases. Management usually consisted of reservoir replacement or repositioning through an inguinal incision with repair of the defect. Alternatively, several surgeons used the existing scrotal incision if the patient presented in the immediate postoperative period. The incidence of reservoir herniation was 0.7%. CONCLUSIONS: Reservoir herniation is a rare complication of inflatable penile prosthesis surgery that occurs almost exclusively in penoscrotally placed prostheses. Familiarity with various approaches to the management of this complication is clinically useful to urologists performing penile prosthesis surgery.

Lecture 5: erectile dysfunction in the HIV-positive male: a review of medical, legal and ethical considerations in the age of oral pharmacotherapy.

Urologists and health care professionals treating erectile dysfunction face a significant challenge in caring for the HIV-positive patient who seeks restoration of normal sexual function. The encounter between the health care provider and the patient in this setting requires knowledge of HIV disease and potential drug interactions specific to this population, as well as thorough counseling on strategies aimed at reducing the infectiousness of HIV-1. The interaction extends beyond the immediate boundaries of the doctor-patient relationship and their respective rights, to include careful consideration of the rights of the partner/s and the society as a whole. This paper is a summary and analysis of presentations and discussions by medical, legal, nursing and bioethics specialists in an interactive seminar on this topic.

Novel dual repressor elements for neuronal cell-specific transcription of the rat 5-HT1A receptor gene.

The level of expression of the 5-HT1A receptor in the raphe and limbic systems is implicated in the etiology and treatment of major depression and anxiety disorders. The rat 5-HT1A receptor gene is regulated by a proximal TATA-driven promoter and by upstream repressors that inhibit gene expression. Deletion of a 71-base pair (bp) segment between -1590/-1519 bp of the 5-HT1A receptor gene induced over 10-fold enhancement of transcriptional activity in both 5-HT1A receptor-expressing (RN46A raphe and SN48 septal) cells and receptor-negative (L6 myoblast and C6 glioma) cells. A 31-bp segment of the repressor was protected from DNase I digestion by RN46A or L6 nuclear extracts. Within the 31-bp segment, a single protein complex was present in receptor-expressing cells that bound a novel 14-bp DNA element; in receptor-negative cells, an additional complex bound an adjacent 12-bp sequence. In receptor-positive but not receptor-negative cells, mutation of the 14-bp element to eliminate protein binding abrogated repression to nearly the same extent as deletion of the -1590/-1519 bp segment. Additional mutation of both 14-bp and 12-bp elements abolished protein binding and repressor activity in receptor-negative cells. Thus a single protein-DNA complex at the 14-bp element represses the 5-HT1A receptor gene in 5-HT1A receptor-positive neuronal cells, whereas adjacent DNA elements provide a dual repression mechanism in 5-HT1A receptor-negative cells.

Axial penile buckling forces vs Rigiscan radial rigidity as a function of intracavernosal pressure: why Rigiscan does not predict functional erections in individual patients.

AIM: An improved understanding of the relationship between radial and axial rigdity values would enable better appreciation of the clinical usefulness of RigiScantrade mark, the most widely utilized determination of erectile rigidity testing. Previous studies have shown that axial rigidity (measured by buckling forces) correlated well with radial rigidity (measured by RigiScantrade mark) for radial rigidity values below 60%. For radial rigidity exceeding 60%, there was poor correlation. Heretofore, there has been no physiologic explanation of this phenomenon. METHODS: During dynamic pharmacocavernosometry in 36 impotent patients, we investigated the relationship between axial buckling forces and RigiScan radial rigidity and, for the first time, how they both vary with pressure, (which we varied over over a wide functional range). In addition, we recorded multiple penile length and diameter values enabling us to relate, also for the first time, axial and radial rigidity to individual mechanical erectile tissue and penile geometric properties. RESULTS: Marked differences were found in the manner RigiScan radial rigidity units and axial buckling force magnitudes increased with increases in intracavernosal pressure values in each individual. The former asymptotically approached a maximum finite value while the latter increased continuously towards infinity. Based on data in this study, RigiScan radial rigidity values greater than 55% may be considered a necessary criteria for vaginal intromission capability in all partners but it is not a sufficient one. CONCLUSIONS: Axial and radial rigidity share a common dependency upon intracavernosal pressure, however, they are also dependent upon other unique physical determinants. For axial rigidity, additional dependent variables include cavernosal erectile tissue properties and penile geometry, while for radial rigidity, this may include tunical surface wall tension properties. Clinical devices which assess functional penile rigidity should utilize axial and not radial rigidity testing.