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The penile erectile tissue has a complex microscopic anatomy with important functions in the mechanism of penile erection. The knowledge of such structures is necessary for understanding the normal physiology of the adult penis. Therefore, it is important to know the changes of these penile structures during fetal development. This study aims to analyze the development of the main components of the erectile tissue, such as collagen, smooth muscle fibers and elastic system fibers, in human fetuses. We studied the penises of 56 human fetuses aged 13 to 36 weeks post-conception (WPC). We used histochemical and immunohistochemical staining, as well as morphometric techniques to analyze the collagen, smooth muscle fibers and elastic system fibers in the corpus cavernosum and in the corpus spongiosum. These elements were identified and quantified as percentage by using the Image J software (NIH, Bethesda, USA). From 13 to 36 WPC, in the corpus cavernosum, the amount of collagen, smooth muscle fibers and elastic system fibers varied from 19.88% to 36.60%, from 4.39% to 29.76% and from 1.91% to 8.92%, respectively. In the corpus spongiosum, the amount of collagen, smooth muscle fibers and elastic system fibers varied from 34.65% to 45.89%, from 0.60% to 11.90% and from 3.22% to 11.93%, respectively. We found strong correlation between the elements analyzed with fetal age, both in corpus cavernosum and corpus spongiosum. The growth rate of these elements was more intense during the second trimester (13 to 24 WPC) of gestation, both in corpus cavernosum and in corpus spongiosum. There is greater proportional amount of collagen in the corpus spongiosum than in corpus cavernosum during all fetal period. In the corpus spongiosum, there is about four times more collagen than smooth muscle fibers and elastic system fibers, during all fetal period studied.

ABSTRACT Background: Knowledge of the anatomy of laboratory animals is important for experimental research. Erectile dysfunction has been studied using the penises of different laboratory animals such as rats, mice, rabbits, dogs, etc. However, these animals have penises with different characteristics to the human penis. If these differences are not taken into account, the conclusions may be questionable. The Rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta), due to its similarities to humans, could be a good model. Objective: To characterize and quantify the components of the penis of the Rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta), qualifying it as a model for experimental studies. Methods: Ten adult Rhesus monkey penises were fixed in 10% buffered formalin and processed for paraffin embedding. Histological sections 5-μm thick were made and stained using histochemical techniques. We assessed the thickness of the tunica albuginea, and in the erectile tissue, the following parameters were analyzed: in the corpus cavernosum (CC): total area, area densities of collagen fibers, muscle fibers and elastic system fibers; in the corpus spongiosum (CS): area densities of collagen fibers, muscle fibers and elastic system fibers. Histomorphometric analyses were carried out on photomicrographs by using ImageJ software. Results: The penis of the Rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta) has a single CC. The tunica albuginea was thicker in the dorsal region (1.11 ± 0.03 mm) than in the ventral region (0.87 ± 0.01 mm). The quantitative analysis of the CC showed the following values: total area (20.33 ± 5.67 mm²), collagen fibers (24.00 ± 4.00%), muscle fibers (31.52 ± 9.93%) and elastic system fibers (8.46 ± 3.20%). The quantitative analysis of the CS showed the following values: collagen fibers (52.50 ± 11.76%), muscle fibers (10.50 ± 6.36%) and elastic system fibers (15.07 ± 4.78%). Conclusion: The predominance of muscle tissue over connective tissue in the corpus cavernosum, similar to what is observed in humans, qualifies the Rhesus monkey penis as a good experimental model for erectile dysfunction.

ABSTRACT Background: To compare Gleason 7 (3+4) and (4+3) prostatic adenocarcinoma (PC) with different prognostic criteria through immunohistochemical analysis with anti-PSA, anti-Ki 67 and anti-AMARC antibodies. Methods: We analyzed 221 surgical specimens from patients between 40 and 86 years-old (mean=63) with PC. The immunohistochemical study was performed with anti-PSA, anti-Ki 67 and anti-AMARC. The microscopic fields were photographed with an Olympus DP70 digital camera coupled to an Olympus BX51 microscope and archived in TIFF. Proportion and intensity criteria were used to quantify the anti-PSA antibody and for the anti-Ki 67 antibody, the quantification by similarity of this antibody in breast carcinomas. Anti-AMACR protein expression was based on four scores: negative, weak, moderate and strong. The statistical analysis was performed with the Graph Pad Prism 5 program. Results: In the Gleason score 7 (3+4) we had 91.72% in pT2 and 8.27% in the pT3 group; 8.27% recurrences, of which 90.90% in the pT2 group. In the Gleason score 7 (4+3) we had 77.27% in the pT2 group and 22.72% in the pT3 group and 10.22% of relapses, of which 66.66% in the pT2 group and 33.33% in the pT3 group. In 6.81% of cases there was an increase in the anti-Ki 67 index and in 2.27% of the cases, there was an increase in the immunoexpression of anti-p53 when comparing Gleason score 7 (3+4) with Gleason score 7 (4+3). Conclusion: Our study confirmed differences in the Gleason score 7 (3+4) and Gleason score 7 (4+3) of PC when comparing prognostic criteria. Anti-Ki 67 and anti-PSA antibody immunostaining showed a positive correlation as the Gleason score 7 increased from (3+4) to (4+3).

Analyze the biometric parameters and the size (area) of abdominal wall defect (AWD) in fetuses with gastroschisis and omphaloceles and correlate them with the herniated internal organs. We studied 22 fetuses (11 with AWDs and 11 without anomalies). In all fetuses we evaluated the xiphopubic distance (XPD) and iliac crest distance (ICD). In fetuses with AWDs we dissected the abdominal wall and measured the width and length of the defect for calculating its area and studying the correlation between the size of the defect with the organs that were herniated. For statistical analysis, the Anova and Tukey post-test were used (p < 0.05). The XPD in the control group had mean of 4.2 mm (2.3–5.9; SD ± 1.11), while in the AWDs it was 4.2 mm (2.9–5.5; SD ± 0.98) (p = 0.4366). The ICD had mean values of 2.5 mm (1.6–3.4; SD ± 0.58) in the control group, and 2.3 mm (1.2–3.0; SD ± 0.56) in AWDs fetuses (p = 0.6963). The number of herniate organs do not have significant correlation with the area of the defect (r 2  = 0.2504, p = 0.5068). There is no correlation between the size (area) of abdominal wall defects and the number of the internal organs that herniated. Therefore, the hole size is not a predictor of the severity of the gastroschisis or omphalocele.

One of the most common malformations of the central nervous system is related to embryonic neural tube alterations. We hypothesized that anencephaly affects the development of the uterus during the human second trimester of pregnancy. The objective of this study was to study the biometric parameters of the uterus in fetuses with anencephaly and compare them with normocephalic fetuses at that important. In our study, 34 female fetuses were analyzed, 22 normal and 12 anencephalic, aged between 12 and 22 weeks post-conception (WPC). After dissection of the pelvis and individualization of the genital tract, we evaluated the length and width of the uterus using the Image J software. We compared the means statistically using the Wilcoxon-Mann–Whitney test and performed linear regression. We identify significant differences between the uterus length (mm)/weight (g) × 100 (p = 0.0046) and uterus width (mm)/weight (g) × 100 (p = 0.0013) when we compared the control with the anencephalic group. The linear regression analysis indicated that 80% significance was found in the correlations in normocephalic fetuses (12.9 to 22.6 WPC) and 40% significance in anencephalic fetuses (12.3 to 18.6 WPC). The measurements of the uterus were greater in anencephalic group but there are no difference in the uterine width and length growth curves during the period studied. Further studies are required to support the hypothesis suggesting that anencephaly may affect uterine development during the human fetal period.

PurposeOne of the most common malformations of the central nervous system is related to embryonic neural tube alterations. We hypothesized that anencephaly affects the development of the vagina during the human second trimester of pregnancy. Our study compared the biometric parameters of the vagina in human female fetuses with neural tube defects.MethodsIn our study, 34 female fetuses were analyzed, 22 normal and 12 anencephalic, aged between 12 and 22 weeks post conception (WPC). After dissection of the pelvis and individualization of the genital tract, we evaluated the length and width of the vagina using the Image J software. We compared the means statistically using the Wilcoxon–Mann–Whitney test and performed linear regression.ResultsWe do not identify statistical significance between the groups for the measurements of vaginal length (Control 3.12–18.33 mm/mean = 9.08 mm/SD +  − 3.77 vs. Anencephalic 2.91–13.10 mm/mean = 7.24 mm/SD +  − 2.28, p = 0.3469) and vaginal width (Control 1.04–4.86 mm/mean = 2.71 mm/SD + − 0.94 vs. Anencephalic 1.35–3.17 mm/mean = 2.13 mm/SD + − 0.65; p = 0.2503). The linear regression analysis indicated that 78.57% significance was found in the correlations in normocephalic fetuses and 57.14% significance in anencephalic fetuses (12.3–18.6 WPC).ConclusionsWe do not find differences in the length and width of the vagina in anencephalic fetuses but the vaginal length and width shows a lesser tendency of growth in the anencephalic fetuses during the second trimester suggesting that anencephaly can impact the development of the vagina.

Dental size variation in modern humans has been assessed from regional to worldwide scales, especially under microevolutionary and forensic contexts. Despite this, populations of mixed continental ancestry such as contemporary Latin Americans remain unexplored. In the present study we investigated a large Latin American sample from Colombia (N = 804) and obtained buccolingual and mesiodistal diameters and three indices for maxillary and mandibular teeth (except third molars). We evaluated the correlation between 28 dental measurements (and three indices) with age, sex and genomic ancestry (estimated using genome-wide SNP data). In addition, we explored correlation patterns between dental measurements and the biological affinities, based on these measurements, between two Latin American samples (Colombians and Mexicans) and three putative parental populations: Central and South Native Americans, western Europeans and western Africans through PCA and DFA. Our results indicate that Latin Americans have high dental size diversity, overlapping the variation exhibited by the parental populations. Several dental dimensions and indices have significant correlations with sex and age. Western Europeans presented closer biological affinities with Colombians, and the European genomic ancestry exhibited the highest correlations with tooth size. Correlations between tooth measurements reveal distinct dental modules, as well as a higher integration of postcanine dentition. The effects on dental size of age, sex and genomic ancestry is of relevance for forensic, biohistorical and microevolutionary studies in Latin Americans.

Obesity is not simply a matter of excess weight. It also involves changes in structure and proportion in body morphology that can vary between populations and within individuals as they develop and age. Anthropometric measurements and their derived indices are widely used to study obesity. However, they present limitations to capture variations of fat distribution in the human body within a given population, and among different populations. Particularly, currently a problem in epidemiology is that cut-off points and health risk classifications based on anthropometric measures such as BMI, WHR or WHtR may not be equally valid for all population groups, especially when there are differences in genetic ancestry. Using data from Latin American adults, we evaluated the accuracy of traditional indices across gradients of Native American, European, and African ancestry, and a comparison with three-dimensional (3D) body shape analysis, which offers a promising venue for capturing these complexities. We found that traditional indices systematically misclassified obesity-related risk in certain ancestry groups, with WHR and WHtR showing ancestry-specific biases. In contrast, 3D body shape promises to capture nuanced variations in fat distribution and reduced ancestry-related misclassification. By leveraging techniques based on advanced geometric morphometry and image and data processing, we can better characterize the interaction between genetic ancestry and body composition, ultimately improving the accuracy of obesity diagnosis and stratification in Latin American populations. These results highlight the need for ancestry-aware obesity diagnostics and demonstrate that integrating advanced 3D morphometric techniques can improve risk assessment and guide precision public health strategies in Latin America and beyond. We demonstrate that incorporating 3D body shape data alongside genetic ancestry data improves the accuracy of obesity risk stratification in Latin American populations. Our proposed methods could be adapted, expanded and applied to other populations.

Latin Americans are highly heterogeneous regarding the type of Native American ancestry. Consideration of specific associations with common diseases may lead to substantial advances in unraveling of disease etiology and disease prevention. Here we investigate possible associations between the type of Native American ancestry and leading causes of death. After an aggregate-data study based on genome-wide genotype data from 1805 admixed Chileans and 639,789 deaths, we validate an identified association with gallbladder cancer relying on individual data from 64 gallbladder cancer patients, with and without a family history, and 170 healthy controls. Native American proportions were markedly underestimated when the two main types of Native American ancestry in Chile, originated from the Mapuche and Aymara indigenous peoples, were combined together. Consideration of the type of Native American ancestry was crucial to identify disease associations. Native American ancestry showed no association with gallbladder cancer mortality (P = 0.26). By contrast, each 1% increase in the Mapuche proportion represented a 3.7% increased mortality risk by gallbladder cancer (95%CI 3.1-4.3%, P = 6×10-27). Individual-data results and extensive sensitivity analyses confirmed the association between Mapuche ancestry and gallbladder cancer. Increasing Mapuche proportions were also associated with an increased mortality due to asthma and, interestingly, with a decreased mortality by diabetes. The mortality due to skin, bladder, larynx, bronchus and lung cancers increased with increasing Aymara proportions. Described methods should be considered in future studies on human population genetics and human health. Complementary individual-based studies are needed to apportion the genetic and non-genetic components of associations identified relying on aggregate-data.

Vitamin D deficiency is common in pregnant women and infants. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of vitamin D restricted diet on the Wistar rats offspring penis morphology. Mother rats received either standard diet (SC) or vitamin D restricted (VitD) diet. At birth, offspring were divided into SC/SC (from SC mothers, fed with SC diet) and VitD/VitD (from VitD mothers, fed with VitD diet). After euthanasia the penises were processed for histomorphometric analysis. The VitD/VitD offspring displayed metabolic changes and reduction in the cross-sectional area of the penis, corpus cavernosum, tunica albuginea, and increased area of the corpus spongiosum. The connective tissue, smooth muscle, and cell proliferation percentages were greater in the corpus cavernosum and corpus spongiosum in the VitD/VitD offspring. The percentages of sinusoidal spaces and elastic fibers in the corpus cavernosum decreased. The elastic fibers in the tunica albuginea of the corpus spongiosum in the VitD/VitD offspring were reduced. Vitamin D restriction during perinatal and postnatal periods induced metabolic and structural changes and represented important risk factors for erectile dysfunction in the penis of the adult offspring. These findings suggest that vitamin D is an important micronutrient in maintaining the cytoarchitecture of the penis.