Transcriptional and translational abundance of visfatin (NAMPT) in buffalo ovary during estrous cycle and its in vitro effect on steroidogenesis.

Visfatin is a highly conserved adipokine protein having multiple biological effects, including regulation of reproduction. Evidence in recent years has shown a pivotal role of visfatin in ovarian functions. The present study was conducted to evaluate the mRNA and protein abundance of visfatin in ovarian follicles and corpora lutea (CL) during different stages of their development in the ovary of water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) and to investigate the role of visfatin on estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P4) secretion. Ovarian follicles were categorized in to small (F1), medium (F2), large (F3), and preovulatory (F4) follicles, whereas the CL were categorized into early (CL1), mid (CL2), late (CL3), and regressing (CL4) CL stage. In follicles, the mRNA and protein abundance of visfatin increased with an increase in follicle size in granulosa cells (GCs) and theca interna (TI) cells. In CL, the transcript of visfatin was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in the late luteal phase (CL3) than that in other phases. The translational abundance of visfatin was significantly higher in the mid and late luteal phase. Visfatin was localized in the cytoplasm of GC and TI of ovarian follicles and small and large luteal cells of CL. GCs were cultured in vitro and treated at 0, 1, and 10 ng/mL visfatin either alone or in the presence of FSH (30 ng/mL) or IGF-I (10 ng/mL) for 48 h. The luteal cells were treated with visfatin at 0, 1, and 10 ng/mL dose for 48h. There was significant (P < 0.05) increase in estradiol (E2) secretion from GCs at 10 ng/mL dose of visfatin and visfatin (10 ng/mL) +IGF-I (10 ng/mL). Visfatin also increased (P < 0.05) progesterone (P4) secretion from cultured luteal cells at both 1 and 10 ng/mL dose. In GCs, visfatin in the presence of IGF-I increased the transcriptional abundance of cytochrome P45019A1 (CYP19A1), the gene for key enzyme aromatase. In luteal cells, the visfatin increased mRNA abundance of factors involved in progesterone synthesis viz. steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR), cytochrome P45011A1 (CYP11A1), 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (HSD3B1). The present study provided evidence that visfatin is expressed in ovarian follicles and CL of buffalo ovary and visfatin has a stimulatory effect on estradiol and progesterone secretion in ovarian cells of water buffalo.

Is smaller workspace a limitation for robot performance in laparoscopy?

PURPOSE: Robot or computer assisted laparoscopic surgeries have overcome several impediments of conventional laparoscopy in pediatric urology. However, in our practice we faced difficulties while performing specific tasks using the da Vinci Surgical System in small cavities. Thus, we objectively evaluated the performance of robot assisted laparoscopic skills in different sizes of workspace. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seven assessors performed 5 different drills in 7 different sizes of cubic boxes (edge size ranging from 40 to 150 mm) with the da Vinci Surgical System. The drills were developed based on the McGill Inanimate System for Training and Evaluation of Laparoscopic Skills. Assessor performance was evaluated by 2 reviewers for the drill achievement, and time to completion was recorded. A global score was then calculated for each drill in accordance to 1 assessor and 1 box. RESULTS: There were significant collisions while working with the smaller cubes (edges measuring 40 and 45 mm), preventing the surgeon from performing drills. With difficulty, but without collision, the drills were performed in the 50 and 60 mm size cubes. Drills could be accomplished uniformly with ease in the larger cubes (edge 70 mm and greater). CONCLUSIONS: We found that surgeon ability to perform tasks using the da Vinci Surgical System in a small workspace is restricted. This assessment was confirmed by a statistical analysis of the data collected, demonstrating that with common surgical practice using the da Vinci robot workspace has a major impact on surgeon performance.

Urinary bladder pheochromocytoma, an extremely rare tumor in children: case report and review of the literature.

We report a case of pheochromocytoma in the urinary bladder of a 14-year-old girl who presented with headache and palpitation after voiding. This is an extremely rare condition in pediatric age group and thus can be missed easily. This case is the seventh case reported in the reviewed literature.

Advanced da Vinci Surgical System simulator for surgeon training and operation planning.

BACKGROUND: Although patients benefit considerably from minimally invasive surgery, the use of new instruments such as robotic systems is challenging for surgeons, and extensive training is required. METHOD: We developed a computer-based simulator of the da Vinci Surgical System, modelling the robot and designing a new interface. RESULTS: The simulator offers users a two-handed interface to control a realistic model of the da Vinci robot. The simulator can be applied (i) to provide an environment in which to practice simple surgical skills and (ii) to serve as a visualization platform on which to validate port placement and robot pose for operation planning. CONCLUSIONS: Virtual reality is a useful technique for medical training. The simulator is currently in its early stages, but this preliminary work is promising.