Background/Objective One of the speculated mechanisms underlying fetal origin hypothesis of breast cancer is the possible influence of maternal environment on epigenetic regulation, such as changes in DNA methylation of the insulin-like growth factor-2 (IGF2) gene. The aim of the study is to investigate the relationship between folate, vitamin B12 and methylation of the IGF2 gene in maternal and cord blood. Subjects/Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study to measure methylation patterns of IGF2 in promoters 2 (P2) and 3 (P3). Results The percentage of methylation in IGF2 P3 was higher in maternal blood than in cord blood (p<0.0001), while the methylation in P2 was higher in cord blood than in maternal blood (p=0.016). P3 methylation was correlated between maternal and cord blood (p<0.0001) but not P2 (p=0.06). The multivariate linear regression model showed that methylation patterns of both promoters in cord blood were not associated with serum folate levels in either cord or maternal blood, while the P3 methylation patterns were associated with serum levels of vitamin B12 in mother’s blood (MC=−0.22, p=0.0014). Methylation patterns in P2 of maternal blood were associated with serum levels of vitamin B12 in mother’s blood (MC=−0.23, p=0.012), exposure to passive smoking (MC=0.46, p=0.034) and mother’s weight gain during pregnancy (MC=0.23, p=0.019). Conclusions The study suggests that environment influences methylation patterns in maternal blood, and then the maternal patterns influence the methylation status and levels of folate and vitamin B12 in cord blood.

Testicular rupture, one of the most common complications in blunt scrotal trauma, is the rupture of tunica albuginea and extrusion of seminiferous tubules. Testicular rupture is more inclined to young men, and injury mechanisms are associated with sports and motor accidents. After history taking and essential physical examination, scrotal ultrasound is the first-line auxiliary examination. MRI is also one of the vital complementary examinations to evaluate testicular rupture after blunt scrotal trauma. Surgical exploration and repair may be necessary when the diagnosis of testicular rupture is definite or suspicious. Postoperative follow-up is to monitor the relief of local symptoms and changes of testicular functions. This review sums up the literatures about testicular rupture after blunt scrotal trauma in recent 16 years and also refers some new advantages and perspectives on diagnosis and management of testicular rupture.

Background:The Caprini risk assessment model (RAM) and D-dimer testing have been widely used in the prediction of venous thromboembolism (VTE). However, the clinical significance of these testing options are limited in non-oncological urological inpatients because of the low specificity.

The prostacyclin receptor antagonist RO3244019 decreased bladder contraction frequency and increased micturition threshold in the anesthetized isovolumetric bladder contraction and Refill models, respectively, and increased the micturition voiding interval in the conscious citric acid induced detrusor overactivity model. Additionally, RO3244019 remained effective for increasing the micturition threshold in the Refill model even following chronic capsaicin desensitization. Taken together these data suggest that prostacyclin may have a facilitory role in the micturition reflex by modulating the threshold for activation of capsaicin sensitive and insensitive bladder sensory afferents.