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Context: Measurements of anatomical structures on preoperative prostate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are used in risk models for treatment decisions to predict urinary continence (UC) following radical prostatectomy (RP). However, the association between these parameters and UC is unclear. Objective: To systematically summarize the literature on prognostic preoperative prostate MRI measurements of (peri)prostatic structures in relation to time to recovery of postoperative UC in men with prostate cancer. Evidence acquisition: Online libraries were searched up to August 27, 2021. Article selection and critical appraisal were performed by two reviewers. All papers reporting on preoperative MRI measurements with UC correlation in univariable or multivariable analyses were included. Evidence synthesis: In the 50 studies included (mostly retrospective), 57 MRI parameters were evaluated. The pooled analyses showed that greater membranous urethra length (MUL) was prognostic for regaining UC at 1 mo (odds ratio [OR] 1.15, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.10–1.21), 3 mo (OR 1.23, 95% CI 1.16–1.31), 6 mo (OR 1.16, 95% CI 1.08–1.25), and 12 mo (OR 1.19, 95% CI 1.10–1.29). Several other anatomical structures showed at least in one study a significant correlation with later return to UC: four prostate-related parameters (greater depth, apical protrusion, larger intravesical protrusion, small dorsal vascular complex), five urethra-related parameters (thicker wall, severe fibrosis, smaller volume, larger preoperative angle between the prostate axis and membranous urethra, shorter minimal residual MUL), and six musculoskeletal-related parameters (lower perfusion ratio, thinner levator ani muscle, larger inner or outer levator distance, shorter pelvic diaphragm length, and larger midpelvic area). Conclusions: Greater MUL as measured on preoperative MRI was an independent prognostic factor for return to UC within 1 mo after RP and remained prognostic at 12 mo. Other anatomical structures may potentially be predictive, but these would need to be substantiated in prospective trials before being adopted in postoperative UC risk models for treatment decisions in men with prostate cancer. Patient summary: We summarized study data on the relation between measurements of anatomical structures on preoperative magnetic resonance imaging scans and urinary continence after removal of the prostate. Greater length of one part of the urethra (membranous urethra) is associated with faster return to continence. Other anatomical structures have potential for predicting postoperative continence, but need further investigation.

Hypothermia induced at the onset of ischemia is a potent experimental cardioprotective strategy for myocardial infarction. The aim of our study was to determine whether the beneficial effects of hypothermia may be due to decreasing mitochondria-mediated mechanisms of damage that contribute to the pathophysiology of ischemia/reperfusion injury. New Zealand male rabbits were submitted to 30 min of myocardial ischemia with hypothermia (32 °C) induced by total liquid ventilation (TLV). Hypothermia was applied during ischemia alone (TLV group), during ischemia and reperfusion (TLV-IR group) and normothermia (Control group). In all the cases, ischemia was performed by surgical ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery and was followed by 3 h of reperfusion before assessment of infarct size. In a parallel study, male C57BL6/J mice underwent 30 min myocardial ischemia followed by reperfusion under either normothermia (37 °C) or conventionally induced hypothermia (32 °C). In both the models, the levels of the citric acid cycle intermediate succinate, mitochondrial complex I activity were assessed at various times. The benefit of hypothermia during ischemia on infarct size was compared to inhibition of succinate accumulation and oxidation by the complex II inhibitor malonate, applied as the pro-drug dimethyl malonate under either normothermic or hypothermic conditions. Hypothermia during ischemia was cardioprotective, even when followed by normothermic reperfusion. Hypothermia during ischemia only, or during both, ischemia and reperfusion, significantly reduced infarct size (2.8 ± 0.6%, 24.2 ± 3.0% and 49.6 ± 2.6% of the area at risk, for TLV-IR, TLV and Control groups, respectively). The significant reduction of infarct size by hypothermia was neither associated with a decrease in ischemic myocardial succinate accumulation, nor with a change in its rate of oxidation at reperfusion. Similarly, dimethyl malonate infusion and hypothermia during ischemia additively reduced infarct size (4.8 ± 2.2% of risk zone) as compared to either strategy alone. Hypothermic cardioprotection is neither dependent on the inhibition of succinate accumulation during ischemia, nor of its rapid oxidation at reperfusion. The additive effect of hypothermia and dimethyl malonate on infarct size shows that they are protective by distinct mechanisms and also suggests that combining these different therapeutic approaches could further protect against ischemia/reperfusion injury during acute myocardial infarction.

The major challenge in analysing omic datasets is the strong dependencies which are present between samples and features. Taking into account and modelling the different dependency structures can lead to further improvements of our knowledge of the biological mechanisms. Therefore, improving our ability to predict diseases. This dissertation focuses on the development of new statistical methods designed to take into account the existing structures inside omic datasets by using mixed models, Gaussian graphical models, and machine learning approaches.

Animal research is essential to propose new therapeutic approaches limiting the sequels of cardiac arrest in human and veterinary medicine. The ultimate goal is to improve the long term prognosis and neurological recovery. For such investigations, the use of animal models seems unavoidable as cardiac arrest provokes multiple visceral consequences as well as inflammatory response and coagulopathy. These models allow not only a better understanding of the pathophysiology but also the investigation of new treatment strategies to improve basic life support efficiency or prevent multi-organ failure. In this review, we are summarizing the characteristics of the main animal models used in resuscitation sciences. The choice of the species and methods of evaluation of cardiac arrest is crucial. These studies often concern human medicine but they can also address fundamental questions for veterinary research as they are mostly based on animal research.

The LHC Beam Loss Monitoring (BLM) system is one of the most complex instrumentation systems deployed in the LHC. In addition to protecting the collider, the system also needs to provide a means of diagnosing machine faults and deliver feedback of the losses to the control room as well as to several systems for their setup and analysis. It has to transmit and process signals from approximately 4’000 monitors, and has nearly 3 million configurable parameters. This paper will discuss its performance and ability to provide the expected measurements, the problems encountered and necessary improvements, the adequacy of related software and databases, and in general its readiness and suitability for 3.5 TeV operation.