Despite positive evidence from animal models of dystrophinopathy and physiological findings in patients with BMD, this double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study showed no effect of sildenafil on blood flow, maximal work capacity, and heart function in adults with BMD. This discrepancy may be explained by a significant downregulation of PDE5 in muscle.

Fibrinogen C domain containing 1 (FIBCD1) is a transmembrane receptor that binds chitin and other acetylated compounds with high affinity. FIBCD1 has previously been shown to be present in the epithelium of the gastrointestinal tract. In the present study, we performed a detailed analysis of normally structured human tissues for the expression of FIBCD1 by quantitative PCR and immunohistochemistry. We find that FIBCD1 is expressed in epithelial cells derived from all three germ layers. Endodermal-derived epithelial cells throughout the gastrointestinal tract and the respiratory system showed high expression of FIBCD1 and also mesodermal-derived cells in the genitourinary system and ectodermal-derived epidermis and sebaceous glands cells expressed FIBCD1. In some columnar epithelial cells, for example, in the salivary gland and gall bladder, the FIBCD1 expression was clearly polarized with strong apical reaction, while other columnar cells, for example, in small and large intestine and in bronchi, the staining was equally strong apically and basolaterally. In keratinocytes in skin, tongue, and oral cavity, the FIBCD1 staining was granular. This expression pattern together with the known binding properties supports that FIBCD1 plays a role in innate immunity in the skin and at mucosal surfaces.

Objective: To investigate normal human placental growth longitudinally throughout the second and third trimesters using MRI. Methods: Twenty normal, first-time singleton pregnancies were scanned 7 times between the 14th and 38th week of gestation, at 4-week intervals, using MRI. Placental volumes were measured in both sagittal and transversal slices. All placentas were weighed after delivery to make a comparative study. Results: Sixteen of the 20 women had increasing placental volumes from the 14th to 38th week of gestation. The 6th and 7th scan showed that 4 women had placentas of the same size. The mean placental volume increases linearly from the 14th till the 38th week of gestation, with a constant mean growth rate of 29.97 ml/week. The median placental volume extrapolated to delivery was to 856 ml (range 602-1,050 ml). The median weight of the exsanguinated placenta after delivery was 640 g (range 500-787 g). All pregnancies were carried to term, resulting in the delivery of healthy infants with good correlation between placental size and birth weight (R = 0.56, p = 0.009). Conclusion: Placental growth was measured systematically in a longitudinal study through the second and third trimesters using MRI. MRI provides a safe and feasible method to measure placental growth. The mean placental growth was linear throughout the second and third trimesters.