Expression of androgen-activating enzymes in cultured cells of developing rat brain

Dihydrotestosterone and estradiol, two active metabolites formed locally in the brain from testosterone, modulate several functions of the developing rat CNS; these compounds derive from the 5 alpha-reduction or the aromatization of the A-ring of the hormone. Also, progesterone and corticosteroids may be 5 alpha-reduced and subsequently 3 alpha-hydroxylated, becoming modulators of specific neuronal functions. Although the aromatase is a single enzyme, two types of 5 alpha-reductase have been cloned, showing peculiar biochemical properties and probably different functions. Therefore, the isoform(s) of the enzyme 5 alpha-reductase(s) present in early stage of brain development have been characterized in primary neuronal and glial cell cultures obtained from the fetal or neonatal rat brain, respectively. Aromatase expression was also studied. The results have shown that in all the brain cells examined type 1 5 alpha-reductase mRNA is expressed. No specific transcript of type 2 5 alpha-reductase is detectable in any of the cell types examined. Finally, the aromatase gene is expressed only in cultured fetal neurons and especially in those derived from the hypothalamic area of the rat embryos. It is interesting that no aromatase mRNA is detectable in mixed glia or in type 1 astrocytes and oligodendrocytes cultured separately

Validation and factor structure of the Italian version of the Birth Satisfaction Scale-Revised (BSS-R)

ObjectiveTo validate the Italian-language version of the Birth Satisfaction Scale-Revised (BSS-R) and report key measurement properties of the tool. To evaluate the impact of antenatal class attendance on BSS-R assessed birth satisfaction.BackgroundMaternal satisfaction is one of the standards of care defined by the World Health Organisation (WHO) to improve the quality of services. The BSS-R is a multi-dimensional self-report measure of the experience of labour and birth.MethodsCross-sectional instrument evaluation design examining factor structure and key aspects of validity and reliability. Embedded between-subjects design to examine known-group discriminant validity and the impact of antenatal class attendance on BSS-R sub-scale and total scores as dependent variables. After giving birth, 297 women provided data for analysis.ResultsThe Italian version of the BSS-R (I-BSS-R) was the key study measure. The established three-factor and bi-factor models of the BSS-R were found to offer an excellent fit to the data. Comparison of the tri-dimensional measurement model and the bi-factor model of the BSS-R found no significant differences between models. Women who attended antenatal classes had significantly lower stress experienced during childbearing sub-scale scores (I-BSS-R SE), compared to those who did not. Good convergent, divergent validity and known-groups discriminant validity were established for the I-BSS-R. Internal consistency observations were found to be sub-optimal in this population.ConclusionsOn all key psychometric indices, with the exception of internal consistency that requires further investigation, the I-BSS-R was found to be a valid translation of the original BSS-R. The impact of antenatal classes on birth satisfaction warrants further research

Epigenome and Environment: effects of a PCB exposure on epigenome during early development in the rat

Introduction: Epigenetic represents the genome programming to express appropriate set of genes in a temporal and spatial way during life. Epigenetic signature is dynamic and responsive to environment, especially in critical periods of development. Deregulation of epigenetic mechanisms may be responsible for incorrect transcription patterns, resulting in stable modifications of key physiological processes. Exposure to PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls) during gestation and lactation, modifies the gene expression of important mediators of sex steroid action and of their receptors. Androgen receptor (AR) could also act as co-regulator of histone modifications enzymes. Aim: to evaluate whether prenatal administration of a reconstituted PCB mixture is able to influence epigenome Results: PCBs reduce histone post-translational modifications (H3K4me3 and H4K16Ac) in a dimorphic way, possibly as the result of a decreased expression of the histone modification enzymes, Jarid1b and SirtT1. AR gene and protein expression is also reduced, especially in females. ChIP performed against H3K4me3 shows a correlation between the expression of some genes involved in embryonic differentiation (e.g., TSHR and GabaRr3) and histone post- translational gene modifications. Conclusion: the influence of PCB exposure during differentiation on epigenome is dimorphic and affects chromatin packaging, probably through an impairment of interaction between androgen receptor and histone modification enzymes

Monsignor Luigi Biraghi e i falsi di Cernusco

We present here some reflections on an inscription from Cernusco sul Naviglio (Milan) discovered by Monsignor Luigi Biraghi in 1849 and published by Mommsen among the falsae in CIL V 664*. This paper stems from the discovery of some private and unpublished letters by Biraghi that we consulted at the Archive of the Quadronno Institute of the Sisters of St. Marcellina in Milan. This correspondence informs us of Biraghi\u2019s personal and professional relationships with other mid-19th century classical scholars. The analysis of these documents will shed some light on the harsh judgment that Mommsen (along with others) expressed on Biraghi regarding some inscriptions that he had discovered in the Ager Mediolanensis

Competition and inequality

This paper links the debate on the decrease in competitiveness and busi ness dynamism with that on rising inequality. We build a framework with entry, imperfect competition, heterogeneous households, and incomplete markets. Recent trends in markups, factorsíshare, and business dynamism are explained through an increase in barriers to entry for new Örms, which restrict competition. Those trends account for 11% to 22% of the increase in income inequality observed between 1989 and 2007 and for 10% of the in crease in wealth inequality. Just 16% of the population experiences a welfare gain during the transition from a high to a low competition environment. These are either the wealthy, or agents with low productivity relative to their asset holdings