Human resident CD34+ stromal cells/telocytes have progenitor capacity and are a source of αSMA+ cells during repair

We studied the progenitor capacity of human resident CD34+ stromal cells/telocytes (SC/TCs) in the enteric wall affected by inflammatory/repair processes (appendicitis, diverticulitis of large bowel and Crohn's disease of the terminal ileum) at different stages of evolution (inflammatory, proliferative and remodelling). In these conditions, CD34+ SC/TCs are activated, showing changes, which include the following overlapping events: 1) separation from adjacent structures (e.g., from vascular walls) and location in oedematous spaces, 2) morphological modifications (in cell shape and size) with presence of transitional cell forms between quiescent and activated CD34+ SC/TCs, 3) rapid proliferation and 4) loss of CD34 expression and gain of αSMA expression. These events mainly occur in the inflammatory and proliferative stages. During the loss of CD34 expression, the following findings are observed: a) irregular cell labelling intensity for anti-CD34, b) co-localization of CD34 and actin, c) concurrent irregular labelling intensity for αSMA and d) αSMA expression in all stromal cells, with total loss of CD34 expression. While CD34 expression was conserved, a high proliferative capacity (Ki-67 expression) was observed and vice versa. In the segments of the ileum affected by Crohn's disease, the stromal cells around fissures were αSMA+ and, in the transitional zones with normal enteric wall, activated CD34+ SC/TCs were observed. In conclusion, human resident CD34+ SC/TCs in the enteric wall have progenitor capacity and are activated with or without differentiation into αSMA+ stromal cells during inflammatory/repair processes.

Male facial attractiveness and masculinity may provide sex- and culture-independent cues to semen quality

Phenotype-linked fertility hypothesis (PLFH) predicts that male secondary sexual traits reveal honest information about male fertilization ability. However, PLFH has rarely been studied in humans. The aim of the present study was to test PLFH in humans and to investigate whether potential ability to select fertile partners is independent of sex or cultural background. We found that on the contrary to the hypothesis, facial masculinity was negatively associated with semen quality. As increased levels of testosterone have been demonstrated to impair sperm production, this finding may indicate a trade-off between investments in secondary sexual signalling (i.e. facial masculinity) and fertility or status-dependent differences in investments in semen quality. In both sexes and nationalities (Spanish and Colombian), ranked male facial attractiveness predicted male semen quality. However, Spanish males and females estimated facial images generally more attractive (gave higher ranks) than Colombian raters, and in both nationalities, males gave higher ranks than females. This suggests that male facial cues may provide culture- and sex-independent information about male fertility. However, our results also indicate that humans may be more sensitive to facial attractiveness cues within their own populations and also that males may generally overestimate the attractiveness of other men to females.

Synchronization of interconnected networks: the role of connector nodes

In this Letter we identify the general rules that determine the synchronization properties of interconnected networks. We study analytically, numerically, and experimentally how the degree of the nodes through which two networks are connected influences the ability of the whole system to synchronize. We show that connecting the high-degree (low-degree) nodes of each network turns out to be the most (least) effective strategy to achieve synchronization. We find the functional relation between synchronizability and size for a given network of networks, and report the existence of the optimal connector link weights for the different interconnection strategies. Finally, we perform an electronic experiment with two coupled star networks and conclude that the analytical results are indeed valid in the presence of noise and parameter mismatches.

CD34+ stromal cells/fibroblasts/fibrocytes/telocytes as a tissue reserve and a principal source of mesenchymal cells. Location, morphology, function and role in pathology

We review the morphofunctional characteristics of CD34+ stromal fibroblastic/fibrocytic cells (CD34+ SFCs) and report our observations. We consider the following aspects of CD34+ SFCs: A) The confusing terms applied to this cell type, often combining the prefix CD34 with numerous names, including fibroblasts, fibrocytes, dendrocytes, keratocytes, telocytes and stromal, dendritic, adventitial, supraadventitial, perivascular, paravascular and delimiting cells; B) Changes in their immunophenotype, e.g., loss of CD34 expression and gain of other markers, such as those defining mesenchymal and derivate cells (myofibroblasts, osteoblasts, chondroblasts, adipocytes); C) Morphology (elongated or triangular cell body and thin, moniliform, bipolar or multipolar cytoplasmic processes), immunohistochemistry (co-expression of and changes in molecular expression) and structure (characteristics of nucleus and cytoplasmic organelles, and points of contact and junctions in quiescent and activated stages by light and electron microscopy); D) Location and distribution in the vessels (adventitia or external layer), in the tissues (connective, adipose, blood, muscle and nervous) and in the organs and systems (skin, oral cavity and oropharynx, respiratory, digestive, urinary, male, female, endocrine and lymphoid systems, serosal and synovial membranes, heart, eye and meninges); E) Origin from the mesoderm and cranial neural crest in the embryo, and from stem cells (themselves or other cells) and/or peripheral blood pluripotent stem cells (circulating progenitor cells) in post-natal life; F) Functions, such as synthesis of different molecules, progenitor of mesenchymal cells, immunomodulation, parenchymal regulation (growth, maturation and differentiation of adjacent cells), induction of angiogenesis, scaffolding support of other cells and phagocytic properties. Since CD34+ SFCs are the main reservoir of tissue mesenchymal cells (great mesenchymal potential, probably higher than that proposed for pericytes and other stromal cells), we dedicate a broad section to explain their in vivo behaviour during proliferation and differentiation in different physiologic and pathologic conditions, in addition to their characteristics in the human tissues of origin (adult stem cell niches); G) Involvement in pathological processes, e.g., repair (regeneration and repair through granulation tissue), fibrosis, tumour stroma formation and possible CD34+ SFC-derived tumours (e.g., solitary fibrous tumour, dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans, giant cell fibroblastoma, nuchal-type fibroma, mammary and extramammary myofibroblastoma, spindle and pleomorphic cell lipoma, and elastofibroma) and H) Clinical and therapeutic implications.

Implications of full-scale implementation of an anammox-based process as post-treatment of a municipal anaerobic sludge digester operated with co-digestion

The feasibility of treating the supernatant of a municipal sludge digester supplemented with co-substrates by means of an anammox-based process (ELAN(®)) was tested in Guillarei (NW of Spain). Ammonia concentration measured in the supernatant of the sludge digester varied in the range 800-1,500 g N/m(3) due to the fact that the sludge produced in the plant was co-digested with wastes coming from surrounding food industries. Treating this supernatant in the ELAN(®) reactor, nitrogen removal rates up to 1.1 kg N/(m(3) d) were reached in experiments run in a pilot plant reactor operated in batch mode. No nitrite oxidation was registered after several months of operation despite the average dissolved oxygen (DO) concentrations being 1.5 g O2/m(3) and the temperature reaching values as low as 18 °C. By keeping the DO set point at 1-2 g O2/m(3) and tuning the hydraulic retention time, the stability of the process was guaranteed and the presence of co-substrates in the anaerobic digester did not affect negatively the operation of the autotrophic nitrogen removal process. Due to the success of the pilot plant experiment, an upscale of the process to full scale is proposed. Mass balances applied to Guillarei wastewater treatment plant revealed that in the main stream line the average denitrification rate calculated with the data of year 2011 was 226 kg N/d. Since the nitrogen removal efficiency is limited by the amount of readily biodegradable organic matter available to carry out denitrification in the water line, the implementation of an anammox-based process to treat the supernatant seems the best option to improve the effluent quality in terms of nitrogen content. The nitrogen removal rate in the sludge line would be 30 times higher than the one in the water line. The implementation of the process would improve the energetic balance and the nitrogen removal performance of the plant.

Generalized synchronization in relay systems with instantaneous coupling

We demonstrate the existence of generalized synchronization in systems that act as mediators between two dynamical units that, in turn, show complete synchronization with each other. These are the so-called relay systems. Specifically, we analyze the Lyapunov spectrum of the full system to elucidate when complete and generalized synchronization appear. We show that once a critical coupling strength is achieved, complete synchronization emerges between the systems to be synchronized, and at the same point, generalized synchronization with the relay system also arises. Next, we use two nonlinear measures based on the distance between phase-space neighbors to quantify the generalized synchronization in discretized time series. Finally, we experimentally show the robustness of the phenomenon and of the theoretical tools here proposed to characterize it.

Residues of legacy organochlorine contaminants in the milk of Alpine and Saanen goats from the central region of Mexico

This study investigated a suite of legacy organochlorine contaminants in the milk of two breeds of goats raised in the central region of Mexico, where this agricultural production is of national (Mexican) economic importance. Forty milk samples from Alpine and Saanen goats were assessed. It was found that the concentrations of the majority of organochlorine pesticides in milk samples were lower than those stipulated in Mexican and international regulation. The values in both breeds of goat exceeded the upper permissible limits of Codex Alimentarius for delta hexachloro cyclohexane (HCH) (17.3 of samples of Saanen) and heptachlor plus heptachlor epoxide (50 % and 13 % of samples). It may be concluded that milk from these goat breeds from central Mexico showed some risks of contamination in certain times of the year (dry season). However, under further assessment and use of pesticides the goat's milk will likely be safe for human consumption and for use in products such as cheeses, regional candies and desserts (cajeta). In recent years, goat milk production has increased in the central regions and it is an economic alternative to milk from livestock. It is necessary to continue the monitoring of goat's milk to assess the presence and control of HCHs through best management practices.

Small is fast: astrocytic glucose and lactate metabolism at cellular resolution

Brain tissue is highly dynamic in terms of electrical activity and energy demand. Relevant energy metabolites have turnover times ranging from milliseconds to seconds and are rapidly exchanged between cells and within cells. Until recently these fast metabolic events were inaccessible, because standard isotopic techniques require use of populations of cells and/or involve integration times of tens of minutes. Thanks to fluorescent probes and recently available genetically-encoded optical nanosensors, this Technology Report shows how it is now possible to monitor the concentration of metabolites in real-time and in single cells. In combination with ad hoc inhibitor-stop protocols, these probes have revealed a key role for K⁺ in the acute stimulation of astrocytic glycolysis by synaptic activity. They have also permitted detection of the Warburg effect in single cancer cells. Genetically-encoded nanosensors currently exist for glucose, lactate, NADH and ATP, and it is envisaged that other metabolite nanosensors will soon be available. These optical tools together with improved expression systems and in vivo imaging, herald an exciting era of single-cell metabolic analysis.

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) residues in milk from an agroindustrial zone of Tuxpan, Veracruz, Mexico

The coasts of the Gulf of Mexico are zones exposed to the exploration and exploitation of petroleum sources, and the products generated in agricultural zones may become contaminated by persistent organic pollutants (POPs). The objective of the present study was to evaluate the presence of polychlorinated biphenyl compounds (PCBs) in milk from dairy production units near sources of environmental pollutants. It was confirmed that the seven congeners of nondioxin-like PCBs (NDL-PCBs) are present in milk where compounds PCB101, PCB118, PCB153 and PCB180 appear in 100% of the samples analyzed, the rank of concentration for the sum of the seven congeners fluctuating between 2.6 and 26 ng g(-1) with a median of 6 ng g(-1). None of the samples surpassed the provisional value established by the EU of 40 ng g(-1) of milk fat for the sum of the seven congeners, indicator that was not affected by the season of the year (p<0.05), whose median of 8.6 ng g(-1) and 6.3 ng g(-1) for rain and drought respectively. The concentrations of NDL-PCBs found in milk do not represent a problem for human health; however, they alert the existence of spontaneously generated, uncontrolled sources that may represent a potential danger for human and animal health.

Organochlorine pesticide residues in bovine milk from organic farms in Chiapas, Mexico

Thirty six samples of bovine milk were collected from Chiapas State, Mexico between January 2011 and December 2011 with the intention of identifying and quantifying organochlorine pesticide residues in organic farms. The analyses were done using gas chromatography with an electron capture detector (Ni(63)). In general the values found in raw milk were lower than the permissible limit proposed by FAO/WHO/Codex Alimentarius 2006. Average concentrations for alpha + beta HCH were 3.62 ng/g, gamma HCH 0.34 ng/g, heptachlor + epoxide 0.67 ng/g, DDT and isomers 1.53 ng/g, aldrin + dieldrin 0.77 ng/g, and endrin 0.66 ng/g (only present in samples from farm 2). The organic milk from Chiapas has shown low concentrations of pesticide residues in recent years and satisfies international and national regulations for commercialization.

Probing charge transport in oxidatively damaged DNA sequences under the influence of structural fluctuations

We present a detailed study of the charge transport characteristics of double-stranded DNA oligomers including the oxidative damage 7,8-dihydro-8-oxoguanine (8-oxoG). The problem is treated by a hybrid methodology combining classical molecular dynamics simulations and semiempirical electronic structure calculations to formulate a coarse-grained charge transport model. The influence of solvent- and DNA-mediated structural fluctuations is encoded in the obtained time series of the electronic charge transfer parameters. Within the Landauer approach to charge transport, we perform a detailed analysis of the conductance and current time series obtained by sampling the electronic structure along the molecular dynamics trajectory, and find that the inclusion of 8-oxoG damages into the DNA sequence can induce a change in the electrical response of the system. However, solvent-induced fluctuations tend to mask the effect, so that a detection of such sequence modifications via electrical transport measurements in a liquid environment seems to be difficult to achieve.

Ultrastructure of myopericytoma: a continuum of transitional phenotypes of myopericytes

The authors report the ultrastructural characteristics of myopericytoma, a recently described variant of perivascular (pericytic) tumors, mainly with regard to their myopericytic cells and vessels. Myopericytes range between pericytes and vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) in a morphologic continuum. The principal findings of the intermediate phenotypes are (1) elongated or annular morphology with processes of varying length and thickness (usually long and thin); (2) a continuous, irregularly thickened and zonally duplicated basement membrane; (3) heterocellular "peg and socket" junctions with neighboring endothelial cells, and scarce specialized junctions between myopericytes; (4) numerous micropinocytotic vesicles, whether continuous or forming focal rows; (5) abundant thin microfilaments, grouped in bundles with dense bodies and adhesion plaques; (6) poorly developed synthetic system (RER and Golgi); (7) pseudointracellular bodies formed by invagination of basement and plasma membranes, with numerous endocytic vesicles; and (8) zones of cytoplasmic rarefaction near micropinocytotic vesicles and intracellular organelles. The ultrastructure of myopericytes therefore makes it possible to distinguish them from pericytes, SMCs, and fibroblast/myofibroblasts, which is useful for myopericytoma diagnosis. The main pattern of the vessels, with perivascular concentric and multilayered growth of myopericytes (a thick wall in contrast to a small lumen) and lack of elastic material, also supports an intermediate form between pericytic and muscular microvasculature. The presence of myopericytes more similar to SMCs and of hemangiopericytoma-like vessels concurs with transitional forms with angioleyomyoma and true hemangiopericytoma, histogenetically representing a morphologic continuum for the perivascular tumors.

Presence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in top soils from rural terrains in Mexico City

A soil survey was carried out to determine the levels and sources and concentrations of 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in 2 semi-rural terrains in Mexico City (Tlahuac and Milpa Alta) during 2008-2009. PAH determination was made by Soxhlet extraction and chromatographic clean-up with final analysis by gas chromatography with a flame ionization detector. The concentrations in Tlahuac were 9.13 mg/kg (dry season) and 11.22 mg/kg (wet season) and in Milpa Alta were 11.43 mg/kg (dry season) and 35.77 mg/kg (wet season). The variation of total PAH concentrations are due to environmental and anthropogenic conditions within Mexico City and also the addition of compost to the soils. According to Mexican regulations BaP, DaA, BbF and Ind were within the permissible limit (2 mg/kg) for agricultural and residential soils and BkF was close to the limit (8 mg/kg). The total PAH concentrations do however surpass the permissible European limit of 1,000 μg/kg and there is probably some risk to human health, in spite of measures aimed at decreasing contamination in Mexico City. Long term monitoring of soils will be necessary.

Emerging meso- and macroscales from synchronization of adaptive networks

We consider a set of interacting phase oscillators, with a coupling between synchronized nodes adaptively reinforced, and the constraint of a limited resource for a node to establish connections with the other units of the network. We show that such a competitive mechanism leads to the emergence of a rich modular structure underlying cluster synchronization, and to a scale-free distribution for the connection strengths of the units.

Peg-and-socket junctions between smooth muscle cells and endothelial cells in femoral veins are stimulated to angiogenesis by prostaglandin E₂ and glycerols

The administration of prostaglandin (PG) E2, triacetylglycerol and glycerol induce the formation of numerous vascular buds arising from the femoral vein, as previously demonstrated by our group. In the present study, a great number of peg-and-socket junctions (PSJs) between smooth muscle cells (SMCs) (providing the pegs) and ECs (forming the sockets) were demonstrated. At the first stage, days 1 to 3, PSJs connect subendothelial penetrating processes from activated SMCs with activated ECs of the intima. Subsequently, during angiogenesis (days 4 to 6), SMCs, showing transitional aspects with pericytes, also form PSJs with intimal ECs, but also new PSJs between SMCs and sprouting ECs in the media layer were now observed. Immunohistochemically, α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and H-caldesmon are positive in the cytoplasm of the SMCs, showing a higher expression in pegs. Desmin, however, although it is also positive in the cytoplasm of the SMCs, is negative in the pegs. The expression of CD34 in ECs reveals abundant positive folding that appears to correspond to the sockets. The peculiar expression of caldesmon, whose isoforms may contribute to the regulation of cell motility, and to vasculogenesis and angiogenesis, may have a role in the different mechanisms by which PSJs act in the vein wall.

Hydrocarbons derived from petroleum in bottled drinking water from Mexico City

This paper describes the concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and aliphatic hydrocarbons (AHs) derived from petroleum in bottled drinking water samples that were collected over 1 year from Mexico City in two bottle sizes (1.5 and 19 L), all brought in supermarkets. The analysis was by gas chromatography with flame ionization detection. -Concentrations of AHs (9.26-1.74 μg/L) were greater than PAHs (20.15-12.78 ng/L). Individual concentrations of PAHs such as fluoranthene, benzo(b)fluoranthene, benzo(k)fluoranthene, indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene and benzo(ghi)perylene were comparable with data reported by the World Health Organization (WHO). Total concentrations of PAHs for all samples (BDW1: 12.78 μg/L, BDW2: 16.72 μg/L, BDW3: 14.62 μg/L, BDW4: 20.15 μg/L and BDW5: 13.23 ng/L) were below the maximum permissible European level of 100 ng/L; no regulations exist for AHs although their values were greater than PAHs (BDW1: 3.11 μg/L, BDW2: 8.45 μg/L, BDW3: 1.74 μg/L, BDW4: 4.75 μg/L and BDW5: 9.26 μg/L).

Choroid plexus papilloma with stromal deposition of amyloid and elastic material

Congophilic birefringent amyloid deposits, with immunostaining for transthyretin (TTR) and amyloid P, associated with numerous coarse, enlarged and thick elastic fibres, are reported in the stroma of two choroid plexus papillomas, a finding not previously described in choroid plexus tumours. TTR was expressed as aggregates of 'doughnut-shaped' bodies, in which the TTR-positive peripheral area encircled the elastic fibre (TTR-negative core). Ultrastructurally, the amyloid microfibrils surrounded the elastic fibres and appeared to continue into the microfibrillar mantle of the latter. The stromal TTR-amyloid deposits associated with abundant elastic fibres in tumours that occur in the choroid plexus may be related to the alteration (production/accumulation, insufficient breakdown and/or extracellular matrix modifications) of some of the choroid plexus functions (removal, target and source of polypeptides, including TTR synthesis) and may be of interest for future studies on choroid plexus polypeptide activity and on protein development into elastomeric and amyloidogenic microfibrils.

Feeding behaviour of Belminus ferroae (Hemiptera: Reduviidae), a predaceous Triatominae colonizing rural houses in Norte de Santander, Colombia

Belminus ferroae (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) was collected from houses in the localities of San Alberto and Santa Catalina in the municipality of Toledo, Department of Norte de Santander, Colombia. Precipitin tests revealed that the main hosts of B. ferroae are insects belonging to the order Blattodea, whose haemolymph serves as food (89.43%). A low rate of haematophagy was indicated on rodents, dogs and humans (7.32%) and no natural infection with Trypanosoma cruzi was found by either microscopic examination or polymerase chain reaction. The finding of B. ferroae inside houses, feeding primarily on Blattodea with only a minor tendency to feed on vertebrate blood, is indicative of both the evolutionary path from predator to blood-sucker taken by Triatominae and their tendency to adapt from silvatic to domestic habitats.

The Axial Diagnostic Criteria for Depression. Development, construct and predictive validity and reliability

INTRODUCTION

The authors have developed a new axial diagnostic criterion for depression (ADCD) made up of seven items: mood, motivation/interest, impulse/drive, liking/pleasure, daily job, energy and different quality. They have aimed to examine its predictive validity and reliability, psychometric properties and constructive validity. There are few studies that have examined the psychometric properties of other diagnostic criteria for depression currently in use.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A total of 111 psychiatric outpatients who attended an out-patient clinic consecutively were interviewed. Sixty met the ICD-10 criteria for depressive episode and 51 formed a part of the control group: non-depressed psychiatric outpatients. For the interview, the authors used a brief self-administered questionnaire (IDASD) in which the patients indicated how they felt. Each item had a Visual Analogue Scale so that the subjects could quantify their answers.

RESULTS

Four or more items are needed for the ADCD to correctly diagnose depression. At least two of these should belong to a group of three items that were extracted using a discriminant function (mood, energy and different quality). The ADCD constructed in this way has a 0.93 sensitivity and 0.82 specificity, with a kappa reliability of 0.76 and a proportion of total cases correctly classified ranging from 88% to 93%. Specificity reaches up to 0.92 when the control group is formed exclusively by symptom-free psychiatric outpatients. A factor analysis reveals that the ADCD is a one-dimensional model that has good construct validity (0.69). It also has good alpha reliability (alpha = 0.92), elevated consistency of the two halves of the test (R = 0.91) and a high test-retest correlation (r = 0.67). The ADCD diagnostic agreement between two psychiatrists who use the IDASD as a data source is very high (kappa: 1.00).

CONCLUSIONS

The ADCD/IDASD system offers a valid and reliable procedure to diagnose depression. It also has an excellent internal architecture, good construct validity and internal consistency. These data are much more than what can be said about other more used diagnostic criteria, which lack this information.

Pericytes. Morphofunction, interactions and pathology in a quiescent and activated mesenchymal cell niche

We review the morphofunctional characteristics of pericytes and report our observations. After a brief historical background, we consider the following aspects of pericytes: A) Origin in embryonic vasculogenesis (mesenchymal stem cells, neurocrest and other possible sources) and in embryonic and postnatal life angiogenesis (pre-existing pericytes, fibroblast/ myofibroblasts and circulating progenitor cells). B) Location in pericytic microvasculature and in the other blood vessels (including transitional cell forms and absence in lymphatic vessels), incidence (differences depending on species, topographical location, and type and stage of vessels) and distribution (specific polarities) in blood vessels. C) Morphology (cell body, and longitudinal and circumferential cytoplasmic processes), structure (nucleus, cytoplasmic organelles and distribution of microtubules, intermediate filaments and microfilaments) and surface (caveolae system). D) Basement membrane disposition, formation, components and functions. E) Contacts with endothelial cells (ECs) (peg and socket arrangements, adherent junctions and gap junctions) and with basal membrane (adhesion plaques). F) Molecular expression (pericyte marker identification). G) Functions, such as vessel stabilization, regulation of vascular tone and maintenance of local and tissue homeostasis (contractile capacity and vessel permeability regulation), matrix protein synthesis, macrophage-like properties, immunological defense, intervention in coagulation, participation in mechanisms that regulate the quiescent and angiogenic stages of blood vessels (including the behaviour of pericytes during sprouting angiogenesis and intussuceptive vascular growth, as well as pericyte interactions with endothelium and other cells, and with extracellular matrix) and plasticity, as progenitor cells with great mesenchymal potential, originating other pericytes, fibroblast/myofibroblasts, preadipocytes, chondroblasts, osteoblasts, odontoblasts, vascular smooth muscle and myointimal cells. This mesenchymal capacity is seen in a broad section on the perivascular mesenchymal cell niche hypothesis and in the concept of pericyte and EC "marriage and divorce". H) Peculiar pericyte types, such as hepatic stellate cells (Ito cells), bone marrow reticular cells and mesangial cells. I) Involvement in pathological processes, such as repair through granulation tissue, pericyte-derived tumors, tumor angiogenesis and tumoral cell metastasis, diabetic microangiopathy, fibrosis, atherosclerosis and calcific vasculopathy, lymphedema distichiasis, chronic venous insufficiency, pulmonary hypertension, Alzheimer disease and multiple sclerosis. J) Clinical and therapeutic implications (de-stabilization of vessels or formation of a stable vasculature).