Self-reported respiratory and gastrointestinal outcomes in children with isolated congenital diaphragmatic hernia: A prospective multicentre study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate medium-term self-reported respiratory and gastrointestinal (GI) outcomes in children with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). DESIGN: Self-reported respiratory and GI outcomes correlated with prenatal severity indicators. SETTING: Prospective study at three fetal medicine units. POPULATION: Families of children prenatally diagnosed with isolated, left-sided CDH surviving for >1 year. METHODS: Families received validated questionnaires for GI outcomes (Infant Gastroesophageal Reflux Questionnaire Revised, I-GERQ-R, for infants aged <2 years, or Paediatric Gastro-oesophageal Symptom and Quality of Life Questionnaire, PGSQ, for children aged aged 2-8 years or >9 years) and respiratory outcomes (preschool respiratory outcome questionnaire, for children aged ≤5 years, or the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood asthma questionnaire, for children aged 6-8 years or ≥9 years). Prenatal data collected from the medical records included lung size (percentage observed/expected lung-to-head ratio, O/E LHR %), liver position, fetal endoluminal tracheal occlusion (FETO) gestational age (GA) at delivery, and perinatal data included birthweight, location, patch repair and respiratory support. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The GI and respiratory scores were correlated with O/E LHR using linear and logistic regression models. Univariate analysis was used to evaluate associations with perinatal variables. RESULTS: We obtained 142 responses from 342 families (representing a response rate of 45%). The baseline characteristics of participants and non-participants were comparable. No correlations between perinatal variables and respiratory or GI scores were identified. Children aged ≤5 years with lower O/E LHR values reported higher respiratory scores (P = 0.0175); this finding was not reported in older children. Overall, the children who underwent FETO (n = 51) had GI (P = 0.290) and respiratory (P = 0.052) scores that were comparable with those of children who were expectantly managed. CONCLUSIONS: Families and children with prenatally diagnosed CDH reported fewer respiratory symptoms with increasing age. There was no correlation between O/E LHR or the use of FETO and self-reported outcomes.

EZH2 and matrix co-regulate phenotype and KCNB2 expression in bladder smooth muscle cells.

BACKGROUND: Partial bladder outlet obstruction (PBO) is a widespread cause of urinary dysfunction and patient discomfort, resulting in immense health care costs. Previously, we found that obstruction is associated with altered regulation of epigenetic machinery and altered function. Here we examined if PBO and chronic bladder obstructive disease (COBD) affect epigenetic marks in a proof of principle gene and explored mechanisms of its epigenetic regulation using in vitro models. METHODS: Archival obstruction tissues from COBD had been created in 200-250 g female Sprague-Dawley rats by surgical ligation of the urethra for 6 weeks, followed by removal of the suture and following animals for 6 more weeks. Obstruction (PBO) is the 6-week ligation only. Sham ligations comprise passing the suture behind the urethra. Histone3 lysine27 trimethylation (H3K27me3) was studied by immunostaining and Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP)/PCR. The interaction of matrix with KCNB2 regulation was studied in human bladder SMC plated on damaged matrix and native collagen and treated with vehicle or UNC1999. Cells were analyzed by immunostaining for cell phenotype, and western blotting for KCNB2, H3K27me3 and EZH2. Effects of conditioned media from these cells were also examined on cell phenotype. siRNA against KCNB2 was examined for effects on cell phenotype and gene expression by RT-qPCR. RESULTS: H3K27me3 increased by immunofluorescence during PBO, and by ChIP/PCR during COBD in the CpG Island (CGI) as well as 350 bp upstream. Obstruction vs. sham also showed an increase in H3K27me3 deposition. In SMC in vitro, EZH2 inhibition restored KCNB2 expression and partially restored SMC phenotype. CONCLUSIONS: Regulation of KCNB2 at the promoter demonstrated dynamic changes in H3K27me3 during COBD and obstruction. In vitro models suggest that matrix plays a role in regulation of EZH2, H3K27me3 and KCNB2, which may play a role in the regulation of smooth muscle phenotype in vivo.

Spontaneous urinary bladder regeneration after subtotal cystectomy increases YAP/WWTR1 signaling and downstream BDNF expression: Implications for smooth muscle injury responses.

Rodents have the capacity for spontaneous bladder regeneration and bladder smooth muscle cell (BSMC) migration following a subtotal cystectomy (STC). YAP/WWTR1 and BDNF (Brain-derived neurotrophic factor) play crucial roles in development and regeneration. During partial bladder outlet obstruction (PBO), excessive YAP/WWTR1 signaling and BDNF expression increases BSMC hypertrophy and dysfunction. YAP/WWTR1 and expression of BDNF and CYR61 were examined in models of regeneration and wound repair. Live cell microscopy was utilized in an ex vivo model of STC to visualize cell movement and division. In Sprague-Dawley female rats, STC was performed by resection of the bladder dome sparing the trigone, followed by closure of the bladder. Smooth muscle migration and downstream effects on signaling and expression were also examined after scratch wound of BSMC with inhibitors of YAP and BDNF signaling. Sham, PBO and incision (cystotomy) were comparators for the STC model. Scratch wound in vitro increased SMC migration and expression of BDNF, CTGF and CYR61 in a YAP/WWTR1-dependent manner. Inhibition of YAP/WWTR1 and BDNF signaling reduced scratch-induced migration. BDNF and CYR61 expression was elevated during STC and PBO. STC induces discrete genes associated with endogenous de novo cell regeneration downstream of YAP/WWTR1 activation.

Inhibition of DNA methylation during chronic obstructive bladder disease (COBD) improves function, pathology and expression.

Partial bladder outlet obstruction due to prostate hyperplasia or posterior urethral valves, is a widespread cause of urinary dysfunction, patient discomfort and also responsible for immense health care costs. Even after removal or relief of obstruction, the functional and pathologic aspects of obstruction remain as a chronic obstructive bladder disease (COBD). Epigenetic changes, such as DNA methylation, contribute to the persistent character of many chronic diseases, and may be altered in COBD. We tested whether candidate genes and pathways and the pathophysiology of COBD were affected by a hypomethylating agent, decitabine (DAC). COBD was created in female Sprague-Dawley rats by surgical ligation of the urethra for 6 weeks, followed by removal of the suture. Sham ligations were performed by passing the suture behind the urethra. After removal of the obstruction or sham removal, animals were randomized to DAC treatment (1 mg/kg/3-times/week intraperitoneally) or vehicle (normal saline). Bladder function was non-invasively tested using metabolic cages, both one day prior to de-obstruction at 6 weeks and prior to sacrifice at 10 weeks. Residual volume and bladder mass were measured for each bladder. Bladders were examined by immunostaining as well as qPCR. The effects of DNA methyltransferase (DNMT)-3A knockout or overexpression on smooth muscle cell (SMC) function and phenotype were also examined in bladder SMC and ex vivo culture. Residual volumes of the DAC treated group were not significantly different from the NS group. Compared to COBD NS, COBD DAC treatment helped preserve micturition volume with a significant recovery of the voiding efficiency (ratio of the maximum voided volume/maximum bladder capacity) by one third (Fig. 1, p > 0.05). Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) variants 1 and 5 were upregulated by COBD and significantly reduced by DAC treatment. Deposition of collagen in the COBD bladder was reduced by DAC, but gross hypertrophy remained. In bladder SMC, DNMT3A overexpression led to a loss of contractile function and phenotype. In bladders, persistently altered by COBD, inhibition of DNA-methylation enhances functional recovery, unlike treatment during partial obstruction, which exacerbates obstructive pathology. The underlying mechanisms may relate to the gene expression changes in BDNF and their effects on signaling in the bladder.

Insufflation in minimally invasive surgery: Is there any advantage in staying low?

AIM: Minimally invasive repair of esophageal atresia with tracheoesophageal fistula (EA/TEF) and congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is feasible and confers benefits compared to thoracotomy or laparotomy. However, carbon dioxide (CO2) insufflation can lead to hypercapnia and acidosis. We sought to determine the effect of lower insufflation pressures on patients' surrogate markers for CO2 absorption - arterial partial pressure of CO2 (PaCO2), end tidal CO2 (EtCO2) and pH. METHODS: Single center retrospective review, including neonates without major cardiac anomaly. Selected patients formed 2 groups: Historical pressure (HP) group and low pressure (LP) group. We reported on the patients' preoperative characteristics that potentially confound the degree of CO2 absorption or elimination. Outcome measures were perioperative PaCO2, EtCO2, arterial pH and anesthetic time. RESULTS: 30 patients underwent minimally invasive surgery for CDH and 24 patients for EA/TEF with similar distribution within the HP and LP group. For CDH patients as well as for EA/TEF patients, there were no significant differences in their preoperative characteristics or surgery duration comparing HP and LP groups. With a decrease in insufflation pressure in CDH patients, there were a significant decrease (p = 0.002) in peak PaCO2 and an improvement in nadir pH (p = 0.01). For the EA/TEF patients, the decrease in insufflation pressure was associated with a significant decrease (p = 0.03) in peak EtCO2. Considering all 54 patients, we found EtCO2 to be highly significantly inversely correlated with pH and positively correlated with intraoperative PaCO2 (p < 0.001). Baseline Hb was inversely correlated with mean EtCO2 (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: With lower insufflation pressures, CDH patients had significantly improved hypercapnia and acidosis, while EA/TEF patients had significantly reduced EtCO2. EtCO2 was correlated with acidosis and hypercapnia. TYPE OF STUDY: Retrospective case control study. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III.

Persistent myopathy despite release of partial obstruction: in vivo reversal of dysfunction and transcriptional responses using rapamycin.

Current and potential medical therapy for obstruction-induced myopathic bladder dysfunction (from benign prostatic hyperplasia or posterior urethral valves) focuses on symptoms. The persistent tissue pathology and dysfunction after release of obstruction is often deemed irreversible without any systematic therapeutic approaches. As rapamycin can attenuate bladder smooth muscle hypertrophy and dysfunction during the genesis of partial obstruction in vivo, we tested whether rapamycin could improve persistent function after release of obstruction (de-obstruction or REL). Female Sprague-Dawley rat bladders were partially obstructed (PBO) by suturing around both the urethra and a para-urethral steel rod, then removing the rod. One day prior to release of obstruction (preREL), voiding parameters and residual urine volume of preREL+future rapa, preREL+future veh groups were recorded. Release of obstruction (REL) was performed by suture removal following 6 weeks of PBO. For 4 more weeks after the de-obstruction, REL animals were randomized to rapamycin (REL+rapa) or vehicle (REL+veh). PBO for 6 weeks were used as positive controls. In shams, the urethra was exposed, but no suture tied. Voiding parameters and residual urine volume were measured prior to sacrifice of sham and REL+veh or REL+rapa, and PBO. Rapamycin efficacy was tested by pair-wise comparison of changes in individual voiding data from preREL+future veh or preREL+future rapa versus REL+veh or REL+rapa, respectively, as well as by comparisons of REL+veh to REL+rapa groups. Bladders were weighed and processed for a high-throughput QPCR array, and histopathology. Bladder/body mass ratios with PBO increased significantly and remained higher in the release phase in REL+veh animals. REL+rapa versus REL+veh improved residual volumes and micturition fractions toward sham levels. Three genes encoding extracellular proteins, BMP2, SOD3, and IGFBP7, correlated with functional improvement by Pearson's correlations. The promoters of these genes showed enrichment for several motifs including circadian E-boxes. While obstruction and REL augmented CLOCK and NPAS2 expression above sham levels, rapamycin treatment during release significantly blocked their expression. This experimental design of pharmaco-intervention during the de-obstruction phase revealed a novel pathway dysregulated during the clinically relevant treatment phase of obstructive bladder myopathy.

Thoracic versus abdominal approach to correct diaphragmatic eventration in children.

BACKGROUND: Plication of diaphragm (DP) for eventration (DE) can be done using thoracic or abdominal approaches. The purpose of our study was to compare outcomes between these approaches based on our experience and on systematic literature review. METHODS: Retrospective records of children <16 years who underwent DP (single-center, 2004-2018) were recorded and analyzed. Systematic review and meta-analysis of related studies was undertaken. Data are reported as median (range). RESULTS: Eighty-nine cases were identified in thoracic (Congenital = 5, Acquired = 84) and 13 (Congenital = 10, Acquired = 3) in abdominal group aged 5.88 (0.36-184.44) and 10.0 (0.12-181.8) months. Improvement in diaphragm level post-DP was significantly higher in abdominal [2(0-4)] than chest [1.5(0-5)] group (p = 0.04). On Cox regression analysis, there was a non-significant trend to a longer time to extubation in the chest group (Hazard ratio (HR) = 0.539[0.208-1.395], p = 0.203). Patients operated transthoracically left intensive care unit after a significantly longer time (HR = 0.339[0.119-0.966], p = 0.043). Patients operated transabdominally tended to be fed later, although this was not significant (HR = 1.801[0.762-4.253], p = 0.043). On Kaplan-Meier analysis, there was a non-significant trend to a lower rate of recurrence in the abdominal group (HR = 0.3196[0.061-1.675], p = 0.1876). In the meta-analysis including three published studies as well as our data (total n = 181, Thoracic = 139, Abdominal = 42), no difference was found in the incidence of recurrence amongst the 2 groups (RD = -0.04, 95%CI = -0.25, 0.18, p = 0.74). CONCLUSION: This is one of the largest reports on outcomes of children undergoing DP for DE. There is no significant difference in recurrence rate, even though all recurrences in our series (15.7%) were in the acquired cases operated using a thoracic approach. TYPE OF STUDY: Treatment Retrospective Comparative Study. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III.

Potential Benefits of Laparoscopic Repair of Duodenal Atresia: Insights from a Retrospective Comparative Study.

INTRODUCTION: Congenital duodenal obstruction (CDO) repair can be performed open or laparoscopically. We aimed to determine the potential benefit of laparoscopic repair regarding tolerance of enteral feeding, postoperative pain, hospital stay, and complication rate. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a single-center retrospective cohort study, we compared neonates with isolated CDO operated open versus laparoscopically from 2010 to 2019. No transanastomotic tubes were used, and anastomoses were created in a side-to-side fashion in all cases. An early feeding policy is applied for all cases operated at our institution. Statistical comparison was performed using the Mann-Whitney's test or Fisher's exact test where appropriate. RESULTS: Forty-one patients analyzed were similar regarding body weight, gestational age, and proportion of patients with trisomy 21. Median follow-up was 21 months. Four (20%) out of 20 laparoscopic procedures started laparoscopically were converted to open. Comparing the 21 open with the 16 laparoscopically completed patients, median anesthetic duration was shorter by 18% in the open versus laparoscopic completed group (218 vs. 179 minutes, respectively; p = 0.025). Median postoperative time to full enteral feeds was shorter by 4 days in the first group (7 vs. 11 days, respectively; p = 0.028). In accordance, the median duration of parenteral nutrition (PN) was less than half in the laparoscopic completed compared with the open group (5 vs. 11.5 days, respectively; p = 0.031). Postoperative opioids were required for only half the duration in the laparoscopically completed group compared with open (2 vs. 4 days, respectively; p = 0.026). Outcomes such as length of stay, the occurrence of strictures or adhesions requiring reintervention, or line sepsis were similar in both groups. CONCLUSION: Patients undergoing laparoscopic CDO repair at our institution benefited from shorter time to full enteral feeds, and reduced the need for PN as well as postoperative pain medication.

Augmented latissimus dorsi transfer: initial results in patients with massive irreparable posterosuperior rotator cuff tears.

BACKGROUND: The surgical treatment of irreparable massive rotator cuff tears is challenging. The purpose of the present study was to report the initial outcomes after a modified latissimus dorsi transfer (LDT) augmented by acellular dermal allograft (ADA). METHODS: This retrospective study includes 24 patients managed with LDT using ADA augmentation as a bursal-sided onlay between March 2009 and December 2015. RESULTS: All patients were men with a mean age of 57 years (range 48 years to 70 years). Seven patients had a previously failed rotator cuff repair and ten patients presented with a deficient subscapularis tendon. At last follow-up (mean 27 months), there was a significant improvement in active forward flexion (mean increase 31°; p = 0.016), and abduction by 25° (p = 0.059). The acromiohumeral distance remained stable and the failure rate was low (4%). Neither a history of previous rotator cuff surgery, nor the presence of a subscapularis tear had a negative impact on functional outcome. CONCLUSIONS: In our cohort of patients, LDT augmented with ADA was a reasonable option for patients with previously failed rotator cuff repair, as well as in the subgroup of patients with a deficient subscapularis tendon. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV: Therapeutic study (case series).

The fulcrum axis: an accurate measure of glenoid version on radiographs and computed tomography.

BACKGROUND: Proper glenoid position in total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) is important. However, traditional glenoid version (GV) measurements overestimate retroversion on radiographs (XR) and computed tomography (CT).The fulcrum axis (FA) uses palpable surface landmarks and may be useful as an intra-operative guide. Also, the FA has not yet been validated on XR or CT in an arthritic population. METHODS: Four observers measured FA and GV on the XR, CT and three-dimensional CT (3DCT) of 40 patients who underwent TSA at a single institution from 2009 to 2015. Reliability and accuracy of FA and GV were calculated for XR and CT, using 3DCT as the gold standard. RESULTS: The mean FA and GV were 7.768° and 18.910° on XR; 6.23° and 12.920° on CT; and 8.100° and 7.740° on 3DCT, respectively. FA and GV were significantly different for XR and CT (p < 0.001) but not for 3DCT (p = 0.725). The inter-rater reliability, intra-rater reliability and accuracy of FA were not significantly different from GV and were 0.929 to 0.948, 0.779 to 0.974 and 0.674 to 0.705, respectively. However, the absolute difference of FA was closer to the gold standard (3DCT) than GV for XR (0.330° versus 11.172°) and CT (1.871° versus 5.178°) (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: FA showed comparable reliability and accuracy to GV. However, FA more accurately reflected the gold standard.

DNA Methylation Reduces the Yes-Associated Protein 1/WW Domain Containing Transcription Regulator 1 Pathway and Prevents Pathologic Remodeling during Bladder Obstruction by Limiting Expression of BDNF.

Chronic bladder obstruction and bladder smooth muscle cell (SMC) stretch provide fibrotic and mechanical environments that can lead to epigenetic change. Therefore, we examined the role of DNA methylation in bladder pathology and transcriptional control. Sprague-Dawley female rats underwent partial bladder obstruction by ligation of a silk suture around the proximal urethra next to a 0.9-mm steel rod. Sham operation comprised passing the suture around the urethra. After 2 weeks, rats were randomized to normal saline or DNA methyltransferase inhibitor, 5-aza-2-deoxycytidine (DAC) at 1 mg/kg, three times/week intraperitoneally. After 6 weeks, bladders were weighed and divided for histology and RNA analysis by high-throughput real-time quantitative PCR arrays. DAC treatment during obstruction in vivo profoundly augmented brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression compared with the obstruction with vehicle group, which was statistically correlated with pathophysiologic parameters. BDNF, cysteine rich angiogenic inducer 61 (CYR61), and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) expression clustered tightly together using Pearson's correlation analysis. Their promoters were associated with the TEA domain family member 1 (TEAD1) and Yes-associated protein 1/WW domain containing transcription regulator 1 pathways. Interestingly, DAC treatment increased BDNF expression in bladder SMCs (P < 0.0002). Stretch-induced BDNF was inhibited by the YAP/WWTR1 inhibitor verteporfin. Verteporfin improved the SMC phenotype (proliferative markers and SMC marker expression), in part by reducing BDNF. Expression of BDNF is limited by DNA methylation and associated with pathophysiologic changes during partial bladder outlet obstruction and SMC phenotypic change in vitro.

Intraoperative blood transfusion in pediatric patients undergoing renal transplant-Effect of renal graft size.

In pediatric RT, donor allograft size often exceeds the expected recipient norms, especially in younger recipients. An "oversize" graft might not only present a technical- and space-related challenge, but may possibly lead to increased demands in perioperative volume requirements due to the disparity between donor and recipient in renal blood flow. We evaluated transfusion practices at a single tertiary institution with special consideration of kidney graft size, hypothesizing that oversize graft kidneys might lead to a quantifiable increased need of blood transfusion in smaller recipients. Retrospective analysis of all patients who underwent pediatric RT from January 2004 to June 2014 at a tertiary pediatric centre was performed. Variables analyzed included patient age, weight, pre- and postoperative Hb concentration, graft size, EBL, amount of intraoperative blood transfusion, and preoperative use of erythropoietin. Based on graft size in relation to patient's age, a SMR and an OvR were identified. A subcohort of age-matched pairs was used to allow for comparison between groups. We calculated the expected procedure- and transfusion-induced changes in Hb and compared these changes to the observed difference in pre- vs postoperative Hb to assess the influence of graft size on transfusion requirements. RT was performed in 188 pediatric recipients during the study period. In the matched cohort, percentage of transfused patients during transplantation in the OvR group was more than double compared with SMR (89% vs 39%, P < .001); similarly, the median number of transfused PRBC units in OvR was 1, while the median of SMR did not receive transfusion (P < .001). The difference between expected (calculated) and observed change in Hb was significantly higher in OvR with a median of 1.9 g/dL compared with SMR with a median of 1.0 g/dL (P = .026). Correspondingly, the calculated median volume taken up by a regular size kidney was significantly higher with 213 mL compared with 313 mL (P = .031) taken up by an oversize graft kidney. Median estimated intraoperative blood loss was significantly higher in OvR than in SMR (6.9 mL/kg, vs 5.3 mL/kg, respectively; P = .04). Median postoperative Hb was similar among groups (10.4 g/dL vs 10.6 g/dL for SMR vs OvR, respectively). Transplantation of an oversized kidney in pediatric RT recipients is associated with a quantifiable higher need for blood transfusion. This may be caused by a higher intraoperative EBL and/or greater blood volume sequestered by the larger renal allograft and requires further evaluation.

Non-invasive voiding assessment in conscious mice.

OBJECTIVE: To review available options of assessing murine bladder function and to evaluate a non-invasive technique suitable for long-term recording. METHODS: We reviewed previously described methods to record rodent bladder function. We used modified metabolic cages to capture novel recording tracings of mouse micturition. We evaluated our method in a pilot study with female mice undergoing partial bladder outlet obstruction or sham operation, respectively; half of the partial obstruction and sham group received treatment with an S6K-inhibitor, targeting the mTOR pathway, which is known to be implicated in bladder response to obstruction. RESULTS: Our non-invasive method using continuous urine weight recording reliably detected changes in murine bladder function resulting from partial bladder outlet obstruction or treatment with S6K-inhibitor. We found obstruction as well as treatment with S6K-inhibitor to correlate with a hyperactive voiding pattern. CONCLUSIONS: While invasive methods to assess murine bladder function largely disturb bladder histology and intrinsically render post-cystometry gene expression analysis of questionable value, continuous urine weight recording is a reliable, inexpensive, and critically non-invasive method to assess murine bladder function, suitable for a long-term application.

Nerve-sparing Mid-urethral Obstruction (NeMO) in Female Small Rodents.

Partial bladder outlet obstruction (pBOO) has a high prevalence, causes significant patient burden, and immense health care costs. The most common animal model to investigate bladder remodeling in pBOO are female rodents undergoing partial obstruction at the proximal urethra. Variability in the degree of obstruction and animal mortality are major concerns with proximal obstruction. Furthermore, dissecting around the proximal urethra and bladder neck jeopardizes bladder innervation. We developed a nerve-sparing mid-urethral obstruction (NeMO) model for pBOO avoiding the disadvantages of the traditional model. We approached the urethra just inferior to the pubic symphysis, which obviated the need for laparotomy as well as for dissection in this area; also, the striated urethral sphincter remained untouched. We performed NeMO in female Sprague-Dawley rats (12 obstructions, 6 sham animals) as well as in female C57/bl6 mice (20 obstructions, 18 sham animals). After two weeks, we evaluated bladder function, bladder mass, and body mass. We had no mortalities among obstructed- or sham-operated female rats; as described for the traditional proximal pBOO-method, we tied the suture around the proximal urethra and a temporarily placed 0.9 mm metal rod. NeMO induced an 85% increase in bladder mass after two weeks, average residual urine volume was 0.4 mL in partially obstructed rats while only 0.03 mL in sham animals. In mice, we tested 3 sizes of cannulas that we placed along the urethra when tying the suture. We found that using a 27-gauge cannula resulted in over 50% animal mortality; placing the 25-gauge cannula did not yield the desired response in increasing bladder mass; utilizing a 26-gauge cannula yielded favorable results with minimal animal mortality (1/8) yet a significant 2-fold increase in bladder mass.

Finding NeMO-Nerve-sparing Mid-urethral Obstruction: A Pathophysiologically Accurate Model of Rodent Partial Bladder Outlet Obstruction.

OBJECTIVE: To develop and evaluate a novel technique modeling partial bladder outlet obstruction (pBOO) using a nerve-sparing mid-urethral obstruction (NeMO) approach. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Female unoperated rats were compared to rats after NeMO, NeMO sham, proximal urethral (PU) obstruction, or PU sham. Residual volume, bladder capacity, voiding volume, and bladder mass were recorded; the contractile characteristics of isolated bladder strips were also analyzed. Additionally, we quantitated nerve fibers at the bladder neck as well as the extracellular matrix in the bladder wall. RESULTS: NeMO yields a more predictable degree of obstruction vs PU, causes no animal mortality, and is easy to release. NeMO also results in a more moderate increase in bladder mass commensurate with human disease vs the exaggerated response to PU, and does not lead to the excessive bladder dilation observed after PU while showing increased residual urine and fibrosis over time, thus closely modeling human pBOO pathophysiology. Importantly, PU shams significantly incite both an undesirable mass increase as well as bladder dysfunction, correlating with a denervation injury making them unsuitable as controls when modeling a non-neurogenic pBOO. The bladder physiology and structure of NeMO-sham animals were indistinguishable from those of unoperated controls. The low complication rate and low variability of NeMO also can be applied to mice, opening the pBOO field to the full spectrum of transgenic manipulation. CONCLUSION: NeMO is a pathophysiologically accurate modeling approach, with low variability and mortality, and newly paves the way for realistic and robust interpretation of omics and sequencing analytical methodologies. We therefore suggest NeMO as a new standard model when investigating pBOO.

Uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC) Infection Induces Proliferation through Enhancer of Zeste Homologue 2 (EZH2).

UNLABELLED: Host-pathogen interactions can induce epigenetic changes in the host directly, as well as indirectly through secreted factors. Previously, uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) was shown to increase DNA methyltransferase activity and expression, which was associated with methylation-dependent alterations in the urothelial expression of CDKN2A. Here, we showed that paracrine factors from infected cells alter expression of another epigenetic writer, EZH2, coordinate with proliferation. Urothelial cells were inoculated with UPEC, UPEC derivatives, or vehicle (mock infection) at low moi, washed, then maintained in media with Gentamycin. Urothelial conditioned media (CM) and extracellular vesicles (EV) were isolated after the inoculations and used to treat naïve urothelial cells. EZH2 increased with UPEC infection, inoculation-induced CM, and inoculation-induced EV vs. parallel stimulation derived from mock-inoculated urothelial cells. We found that infection also increased proliferation at one day post-infection, which was blocked by the EZH2 inhibitor UNC1999. Inhibition of demethylation at H3K27me3 had the opposite effect and augmented proliferation. CONCLUSION: Uropathogen-induced paracrine factors act epigenetically by altering expression of EZH2, which plays a key role in early host cell proliferative responses to infection.

Use of multislice computed tomography in disaster victim identification--advantages and limitations.

After a mass fatality incident (MFI), all victims have to be rapidly and accurately identified for juridical reasons as well as for the relatives' sake. Since MFIs are often international in scope, Interpol has proposed standard disaster victim identification (DVI) procedures, which have been widely adopted by authorities and forensic experts. This study investigates how postmortem multislice computed tomography (MSCT) can contribute to the DVI process as proposed by Interpol. The Interpol postmortem (PM) form has been analyzed, and a number of items in sections D and E thereof have been postulated to be suitable for documentation by CT data. CT scans have then been performed on forensic cases. Interpretation of the reconstructed images showed that indeed much of the postmortem information required for identification can be gathered from CT data. Further advantages of the proposed approach concern the observer independent documentation, the possibility to reconstruct a variety of images a long time after the event, the possibility to distribute the work by transmitting CT data digitally, and the reduction of time and specialists needed at the disaster site. We conclude that MSCT may be used as a valuable screening tool in DVI in the future.