SLC20A1 Is Involved in Urinary Tract and Urorectal Development.

Previous studies in developing Xenopus and zebrafish reported that the phosphate transporter slc20a1a is expressed in pronephric kidneys. The recent identification of SLC20A1 as a monoallelic candidate gene for cloacal exstrophy further suggests its involvement in the urinary tract and urorectal development. However, little is known of the functional role of SLC20A1 in urinary tract development. Here, we investigated this using morpholino oligonucleotide knockdown of the zebrafish ortholog slc20a1a. This caused kidney cysts and malformations of the cloaca. Moreover, in morphants we demonstrated dysfunctional voiding and hindgut opening defects mimicking imperforate anus in human cloacal exstrophy. Furthermore, we performed immunohistochemistry of an unaffected 6-week-old human embryo and detected SLC20A1 in the urinary tract and the abdominal midline, structures implicated in the pathogenesis of cloacal exstrophy. Additionally, we resequenced SLC20A1 in 690 individuals with bladder exstrophy-epispadias complex (BEEC) including 84 individuals with cloacal exstrophy. We identified two additional monoallelic de novo variants. One was identified in a case-parent trio with classic bladder exstrophy, and one additional novel de novo variant was detected in an affected mother who transmitted this variant to her affected son. To study the potential cellular impact of SLC20A1 variants, we expressed them in HEK293 cells. Here, phosphate transport was not compromised, suggesting that it is not a disease mechanism. However, there was a tendency for lower levels of cleaved caspase-3, perhaps implicating apoptosis pathways in the disease. Our results suggest SLC20A1 is involved in urinary tract and urorectal development and implicate SLC20A1 as a disease-gene for BEEC.

Rare Variants in BNC2 Are Implicated in Autosomal-Dominant Congenital Lower Urinary-Tract Obstruction.

Congenital lower urinary-tract obstruction (LUTO) is caused by anatomical blockage of the bladder outflow tract or by functional impairment of urinary voiding. About three out of 10,000 pregnancies are affected. Although several monogenic causes of functional obstruction have been defined, it is unknown whether congenital LUTO caused by anatomical blockage has a monogenic cause. Exome sequencing in a family with four affected individuals with anatomical blockage of the urethra identified a rare nonsense variant (c.2557C>T [p.Arg853∗]) in BNC2, encoding basonuclin 2, tracking with LUTO over three generations. Re-sequencing BNC2 in 697 individuals with LUTO revealed three further independent missense variants in three unrelated families. In human and mouse embryogenesis, basonuclin 2 was detected in lower urinary-tract rudiments. In zebrafish embryos, bnc2 was expressed in the pronephric duct and cloaca, analogs of the mammalian lower urinary tract. Experimental knockdown of Bnc2 in zebrafish caused pronephric-outlet obstruction and cloacal dilatation, phenocopying human congenital LUTO. Collectively, these results support the conclusion that variants in BNC2 are strongly implicated in LUTO etiology as a result of anatomical blockage.

CNV analysis in 169 patients with bladder exstrophy-epispadias complex.

BACKGROUND: The bladder exstrophy-epispadias complex (BEEC) represents the severe end of the congenital uro-rectal malformation spectrum. Initial studies have implicated rare copy number variations (CNVs), including recurrent duplications of chromosomal region 22q11.21, in BEEC etiology. METHODS: To detect further CNVs, array analysis was performed in 169 BEEC patients. Prior to inclusion, 22q11.21 duplications were excluded using multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification. RESULTS: Following the application of stringent filter criteria, seven rare CNVs were identified: n = 4, not present in 1307 in-house controls; n = 3, frequency of <0.002 in controls. These CNVs ranged from 1 to 6.08 Mb in size. To identify smaller CNVs, relaxed filter criteria used in the detection of previously reported BEEC associated chromosomal regions were applied. This resulted in the identification of six additional rare CNVs: n = 4, not present in 1307 in-house controls; n = 2, frequency <0.0008 in controls. These CNVs ranged from 0.03-0.08 Mb in size. For 10 of these 13 CNVs, confirmation and segregation analyses were performed (5 of maternal origin; 5 of paternal origin). Interestingly, one female with classic bladder extrophy carried a 1.18 Mb duplication of 22q11.1, a chromosomal region that is associated with cat eye syndrome. CONCLUSIONS: A number of rare CNVs were identified in BEEC patients, and these represent candidates for further evaluation. Rare inherited CNVs may constitute modifiers of, or contributors to, multifactorial BEEC phenotypes.

Predictors for a positive outcome of adapted clinical dry bed training in adolescents and adults with enuresis.

AIMS: Adapted Dry Bed Training (Adapted DBT) has been shown to be effective in therapy-resistant adolescents and adults with enuresis. Given the substantial impact of enuresis and the time-consuming nature of Adapted DBT, we investigated which patients benefited most from Adapted DBT. Therefore, we identified predictors for a successful treatment response to Adapted DBT in this population. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study in 907 consecutive patients, aged 11-42 years, subjected to in-hospital Adapted DBT in our Dry Bed Center between January 2003 and July 2013. Outcome was defined as treatment success after six months (primary outcome) and six weeks. Results of logistic regression analyses are presented in odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: Predictors for a successful treatment response to Adapted DBT in adolescents and adults with enuresis after six months are: gender (female), initial degree of enuresis (mild: 0-3 nights/week), current diaper use, never used anticholinergics in the past, and degree of enuresis six weeks after training. Predictors for successful treatment response after six weeks are: gender and initial degree of enuresis only. LIMITATION: The low explained variance of our model, showing that many other factors, not included in our study, could be of interest in the prediction of success. CONCLUSIONS: Several factors that predicted a successful treatment response of Adapted DBT after six weeks and six months were identified. However, the low explained variance of our model suggests that other non-identified factors are also important in predicting outcome. Neurourol. Urodynam. 35:1006-1010, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Genome-wide association study and mouse expression data identify a highly conserved 32 kb intergenic region between WNT3 and WNT9b as possible susceptibility locus for isolated classic exstrophy of the bladder.

Bladder exstrophy-epispadias complex (BEEC), the severe end of the urorectal malformation spectrum, has a profound impact on continence as well as sexual and renal functions. It is widely accepted that for the majority of cases the genetic basis appears to be multifactorial. Here, we report the first study which utilizes genome-wide association methods to analyze a cohort comprising patients presenting the most common BEEC form, classic bladder exstrophy (CBE), to identify common variation associated with risk for isolated CBE. We employed discovery and follow-up samples comprising 218 cases/865 controls and 78 trios in total, all of European descent. Our discovery sample identified a marker near SALL1, showing genome-wide significant association with CBE. However, analyses performed on follow-up samples did not add further support to these findings. We were also able to identify an association with CBE across our study samples (discovery: P = 8.88 × 10(-5); follow-up: P = 0.0025; combined: 1.09 × 10(-6)) in a highly conserved 32 kb intergenic region containing regulatory elements between WNT3 and WNT9B. Subsequent analyses in mice revealed expression for both genes in the genital region during stages relevant to the development of CBE in humans. Unfortunately, we were not able to replicate the suggestive signal for WNT3 and WNT9B in a sample that was enriched for non-CBE BEEC cases (P = 0.51). Our suggestive findings support the hypothesis that larger samples are warranted to identify association of common variation with CBE.

Seamless vascularized large-diameter tubular collagen scaffolds reinforced with polymer knittings for esophageal regenerative medicine.

A clinical demand exists for alternatives to repair the esophagus in case of congenital defects, cancer, or trauma. A seamless biocompatible off-the-shelf large-diameter tubular scaffold, which is accessible for vascularization, could set the stage for regenerative medicine of the esophagus. The use of seamless scaffolds eliminates the error-prone tubularization step, which is necessary when emanating from flat scaffolds. In this study, we developed and characterized three different types of seamless tubular scaffolds, and evaluated in vivo tissue compatibility, including vascularization by omental wrapping. Scaffolds (luminal Ø âˆ¼ 1.5 cm) were constructed using freezing, lyophilizing, and cross-linking techniques and included (1) single-layered porous collagen scaffold, (2) dual-layered (porous+dense) collagen scaffold, and (3) hybrid scaffold (collagen+incorporated polycaprolacton knitting). The latter had an ultimate tensile strength comparable to a porcine esophagus. To induce rapid vascularization, scaffolds were implanted in the omentum of sheep using a wrapping technique. After 6 weeks of biocompatibility, vascularization, calcification, and hypoxia were evaluated using immunohistochemistry. Scaffolds were biocompatible, and cellular influx and ingrowth of blood vessels were observed throughout the whole scaffold. No calcification was observed, and slight hypoxic conditions were detected only in the direct vicinity of the polymer knitting. It is concluded that seamless large-diameter tubular collagen-based scaffolds can be constructed and vascularized in vivo. Such scaffolds provide novel tools for esophageal reconstruction.

Regenerative urology clinical trials: an ethical assessment of road blocks and solutions.

Tissue engineering--part of regenerative medicine--is a promising technology that could potentially offer elegant solutions to urogenital defects, but so far, it has fallen short of its potential. Within experimental studies for bladder and urethra reconstructions, two clinical applications have been described, but extension of these techniques to the broader urological patient population has not happened so far. In this article, we aim to identify the ethical road blocks in the clinical evaluation of tissue-engineered products under the European Medicines Agency and Food and Drug Administration regulations for pediatric urological conditions and, ultimately, to recommend strategies to overcome them. The use of human tissue-engineered products (HTEPs) to treat children with congenital urogenital defects poses challenges in the clinical testing phase, connected to three features of the application of this treatment in this patient group: (1) those associated with the product, namely, the multifaceted complexity of the HTEP; (2) those connected to the procedure, namely, the lack of a randomized controlled trial (RCT)-tested gold standard to compare the new treatment to and difficulties surrounding standardization of the treatment protocol; and (3) the patient's young age and associated problems concerning possible long-term effects and the informed consent process. Due to these problems, a conventional RCT is not the methodology of choice to evaluate this treatment in this patient group. The unpredictability of HTEPs necessitates stringent and long-term surveillance and registry to ensure the safety of patients treated with these products.

Treatment response of an outpatient training for children with enuresis in a tertiary health care setting.

PURPOSE: To evaluate treatment effectiveness for children with enuresis, according to the definitions of the International Children's Continence Society (ICCS, 2006). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Children ≥6 years of age followed a 4-month outpatient treatment consisted of a visit during which history regarding enuresis was taken, causes were explained and therapeutic tips & tricks were discussed. All children received a booklet about enuresis and were trained with an alarm and/or pharmacological therapy. At baseline, 4, 10 and 16 months, the number of wet nights during the previous 28 days and the use of medication were assessed. Success of treatment was determined using ICCS definitions of treatment outcome. RESULTS: 66 children with enuresis were included (48 boys/18 girls) in this retrospective study. Mean age: 11(± 2.6) years. 91%(n = 60) of the children had non-monosymptomatic enuresis. Results at 4 months: 46% full, 15% good, 21% partial response (n = 66). At 10 months: 55% full, 4% good, 29% partial response (n = 49). At 16 months: 53% full, 6% good, 25% partial response (n = 34). Overall, use of pharmacological therapy showed a decline in time. CONCLUSION: According to the ICCS definitions, outpatient treatment for enuresis shows a good overall treatment response, and these results can be used to compare with other studies in the future.

Risk factors for undescended testis.

OBJECTIVE: To contribute to the understanding of the etiology of undescended testis (UDT), by exploring a wide range of potential risk factors in a case-referent study. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Cases and referents were recruited at five hospitals and included 200 boys with surgically corrected UDT and 629 boys with persistent middle ear effusion. Risk factor data were obtained by postal questionnaires to both parents. Clinical data were collected from medical files. Adjusted odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated using logistic regression. RESULTS: The main findings include associations between UDT and familial occurrence of the disorder: OR 3.1 (95%CI 1.9-4.9), low birth weight: 2.2 (1.1-4.3), twinning: 2.2 (0.9-5.4), gestational preeclampsia: 1.9 (0.8-4.4), use of oral contraceptives after conception: 3.6 (1.0-12.5), in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection treatment: 2.2 (0.8-6.0), paternal subfertility: 1.8 (0.8-4.1), and maternal occupational exposure to cosmetics: 3.0 (0.9-10.0). Subgroup analyses indicated differences in ORs for several factors between cases with (n = 92) and without (n = 103) inguinal hernia or hydrocele. CONCLUSION: The findings point towards a role for genetic predisposition, placental insufficiency, and possibly exposure to specific endocrine disrupting substances in the etiology of UDT. Further research should take into account potential etiologic differences between subgroups of cases with UDT.

Hypospadias: risk factor patterns and different phenotypes.

OBJECTIVE: To obtain more insight into the origin of hypospadias by exploring a wide range of potential risk factors in a case-referent study in which a distinction was made between different phenotypes. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Cases and referents were 305 boys with hypospadias and 629 boys with middle ear effusion whose parents completed postal questionnaires. Hypospadias phenotype was classified as distal (195 boys), middle (67), and proximal (43). Adjusted odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated using logistic regression. RESULTS: Low birth weight, being a twin or triplet, mother being a diethylstilbestrol-daughter, fertility treatments, paternal subfertility, obesity, prescriptive drug use, and familial occurrence of hypospadias or testicular cancer were associated with hypospadias in general. For familial occurrence of hypospadias, there were high risk estimates for the distal and middle phenotypes with an OR (95%CI) of 10.4 (4.5-24.1) and 9.0 (3.1-26.0), but not for the proximal type at 1.8 (0.2-14.9). By contrast, the association with low birth weight (a proxy for placental dysfunction) seemed much stronger for proximal hypospadias with an OR (95%CI) of 9.1 (3.4-24.2) compared with distal and middle hypospadias at 2.6 (1.4-5.0) and 2.3 (0.8-6.5). There were similar estimates for pre-eclampsia. CONCLUSION: These findings indicate aetiological heterogeneity of hypospadias and provide indications for the possible mechanisms through which specific risk factors may interfere with penile development.

Bladder exstrophy and male fertility: pregnancies after ICSI with ejaculated or epididymal sperm.

OBJECTIVE: To define the additional value of intracytoplasmatic sperm injection (ICSI). DESIGN: Descriptive clinical study. SETTING: Male patients with bladder exstrophy in an academic setting. PATIENT(S): Three male patients in a stable relationship, desirous to have their own children. They were born with bladder exstrophy and had undergone surgical reconstruction. INTERVENTION(S): The ICSI procedure. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Number of pregnancies. RESULT(S): Each of the three men presented a different way of producing sperm. The first male patient had no ejaculation, and sperm cells were retrieved by percutaneous sperm aspiration (PESA). The second could ejaculate with the production of sperm cells, and the third had no ejaculation but collected prostatic fluid by catheterization of a cutaneous fistula; this fluid contained sperm cells. Their partners all had undergone a successful ICSI procedure. CONCLUSION(S): Nowadays, men with bladder exstrophy reach adult age and therefore express the desire to parent their own children. Careful attention to genital reconstruction has to be given to enhance the possibility to antegrade production of sperm. In cases when this is not possible, PESA/testicular sperm extraction in combination with ICSI offer an added opportunity for these couples.

Risk factors for hypospadias.

Despite being one of the most common congenital defects in boys, the etiology of hypospadias remains largely unknown. In this case-referent study, we evaluated a wide spectrum of potential risk factors for hypospadias. Cases were identified from the hospital information system, and referents were recruited through the parents of the cases. Both parents of cases and referents completed written questionnaires that they received through the mail. Logistic regression analyses were used to assess the independent contribution of different factors to the risk of hypospadias. The final database included 583 cases and 251 referents. Hypospadias more often occurred in children whose father had hypospadias (OR=9.7; 95%CI: 1.3-74.0) and in children with a low birth weight (OR=2.3; 95%CI: 1.2-4.2). Indications for elevated risks were found when mothers were DES-daughters (OR=3.5; 95%CI: 0.8-15.6), fathers were subfertile (OR=1.8; 95%CI: 0.7-4.5), the parents had undergone fertility treatment (OR=2.3; 95%CI: 0.9-5.8), and in twin or triplet pregnancies (OR=2.0; 95%CI: 0.8-5.1). Maternal use of iron supplements (OR=2.2; 95%CI: 0.8-6.0), maternal smoking (OR=1.5; 95%CI: 1.0-2.4), paternal prescriptive drug use (OR=2.6; 95%CI: 1.1-6.6), and paternal exposure to pesticides (OR=2.1; 95%CI: 0.6-7.1) during the 3 months immediately prior to conception or in the first trimester of pregnancy also appeared to increase the risk of hypospadias. The associations found in this study support the hypothesis that genetic predisposition, placental insufficiency, and substances that interfere with natural hormones play a role in the etiology of hypospadias.

Dysfunction of lower urinary tract in renal transplant children with nephrologic disease.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the relationship between dysfunction of the lower urinary tract after renal transplantation and renal transplant function in children with an underlying nephrologic disease. METHODS: The research group consisted of 21 renal transplant children (12 girls and 9 boys, mean age 13.5 years, range 6 to 18) with an underlying nephrologic disease. To indicate renal transplant function, the calculated creatinine clearance rate (Ccr) according to Schwartz was used. The Ccr was measured at two points, 2 months after transplantation and at the moment of study. The average graft age was 34 months (range 5 to 85). The data on dysfunction of the lower urinary tract were gathered using a written questionnaire, frequency volume chart, free uroflowmetry, transabdominal ultrasonography, and medical records. To determine the relationship between the symptoms of dysfunction of the lower urinary tract and Ccr at the moment of study, we computed bivariate correlations and performed multivariate regression analyses in which the associations were studied while controlling for the Ccr 2 months after transplantation and graft age. RESULTS: A sensation of incomplete emptying (P = 0.03), postvoid residual urine volume (P = 0.06), and urinary tract infection (P = 0.004) correlated negatively with the Ccr at the moment of study. These effects remained present (P = 0.07, P = 0.03, and P = 0.003, respectively) while controlling for graft age and the Ccr at 2 months after transplantation in the regression analysis. CONCLUSIONS: The results of our study have shown that a postvoid residual urine volume and urinary tract infections after renal transplantation may result in renal transplant deterioration in children with an underlying nephrologic disease.

Lower urinary tract symptoms after renal transplantation in children.

PURPOSE: We investigated the prevalence and nature of LUTS after renal Tx in children. The focus of the study was the presence of LUTS in children without a history of urological symptoms. We also studied the relationship between the characteristics of these patients and the occurrence of LUTS. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data were gathered using a written questionnaire, frequency volume chart, free uroflowmetry, transabdominal ultrasonography and medical records. The study group (30 patients) consisted of 9 children (30%) undergoing renal transplantation with an underlying urological disease and 21 (70%) with an underlying nephrological disease. RESULTS: In the nephrological group the incidence of high capacity bladder was 75%, residual urine 50%, UTI 43%, hesitancy 38%, intermittent flow 33%, bladder pain 33%, nighttime incontinence 29%, nocturia 24%, feeling of incomplete emptying 15%, daytime incontinence 14%, straining 14%, urgency 10%, burning sensation 10% and intermittency 5%. No substantial difference in the occurrence of LUTS, UTI or high bladder capacity after Tx was found between children with an underlying urological disease and those with an underlying nephrological disease. On average, patients in both groups suffered from 3 different LUTS. CONCLUSIONS: After renal Tx children with a nephrological disease demonstrated a high incidence of LUTS. The occurrence of LUTS combined with UTI and increased bladder capacity indicates that these children are at risk for development of myogenic failure. This finding emphasizes the importance of close urological followup after Tx in children with urological and nephrological disease.

Localization and functional characterization of glycosaminoglycan domains in the normal human kidney as revealed by phage display-derived single chain antibodies.

Glycosaminoglycans (GAG) play an important role in renal homeostasis. They are strongly negatively charged polysaccharides that bind and modulate a myriad of proteins, including growth factors, cytokines, and enzymes. With the aid of specific phage display-derived antibodies, the distribution of heparan sulfate (HS) and chondroitin sulfate (CS) domains in the normal human kidney was studied. HS domains were specifically located in basement membranes and/or surfaces of renal cells and displayed a characteristic distribution over the nephron. A characteristic location in specific parts of the tubular system was also observed. CS showed mainly an interstitial location. Immunoelectron microscopy indicated specific ultrastructural location of domains. Only partial overlap with any of seven different proteoglycan core proteins was observed. Two HS domains, one highly sulfated (defined by antibody HS4C3) and one low sulfated (defined by antibody RB4Ea12), were studied for their cell biologic relevance with respect to the proliferative effect of FGF-2 on human mesangial cells in vitro. Fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF-2) binding was HS dependent. Addition of purified HS4C3 antibody but not of the RB4Ea12 antibody counteracted the binding and the proliferative effect of FGF-2, indicating that the HS4C3 domain is involved in FGF-2 handling by mesangial cells. In conclusion, specific GAG domains are differentially distributed in the normal human kidney and are likely involved in binding of effector molecules such as FGF-2. The availability of tools to identify and study relevant GAG structures allows the development of glycomimetica to halt, for instance, mesangial proliferation and matrix production as seen in diabetic nephropathy.

The long term outcome of feminizing genital surgery for congenital adrenal hyperplasia: anatomical, functional and cosmetic outcomes, psychosexual development, and satisfaction in adult female patients.

BACKGROUND: There are only a few reports analyzing the long term outcome of feminizing surgery in females with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH). Such analysis is crucial to evaluate the treatment and to make necessary adjustments. STUDY OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the adult outcome after feminizing surgery in adult females with salt wasting CAH. DESIGN: Retrospective observational followup investigation. SETTING: Outpatient clinic of a University Medical Center, in 2002. PARTICIPANTS: Eight patients (born 1973-1983) who underwent feminizing surgery in infancy by the same procedure and the same pediatric surgeon in our center, and 19 healthy female controls (for visual analog scales). METHODS: (a) Study of patients' records (n=8); (b) Systematic evaluation of the current situation (n=6): uroflowmetry, a written questionnaire to screen for psychopathology (Youth Adult Self Report, YASR), structured gynecologic examination and a structured psychosexual interview, including scoring on visual analog scales. RESULTS: (a) The first surgery (age 0.1-3.7 yr) consisted of clitoris reduction and vaginoplasty (single-stage) in 7 patients and clitoris reduction only in one patient. The latter patient had vaginoplasty in puberty. In puberty, 6 of the 7 patients with an initial single-stage procedure required re-vaginoplasty. All 6 patients who participated in this systematic evaluation had undergone (re-) vaginoplasty in puberty; (b) 2 of the 6 patients experienced some urinary incontinence, and in one of them, the uroflowmetry result was abnormal. The YASR showed no psychopathology, except for 1 patient with a slightly elevated externalizing score. Gynecologic examination (n=5) revealed vaginal strictures in 3 patients (1 severe, 2 mild). The 2 patients without vaginal strictures had coitus regularly. In the interview, 2 patients called themselves bisexual, the other 4 heterosexual. None of the patients had homosexual contacts. Sexual developmental milestones (romantic interest, falling in love, kissing and petting, coitus) had been reached by all, except for 1 patient who did not have coitus yet. In the patient group, satisfaction with height, body hair, and external genitalia and sexual fantasies and interest, measured with visual analog scales, was not different compared to the control group, except for satisfaction with total body appearance, which was significantly lower in the patients. CONCLUSION: Despite the poor outcome of the initial single-stage surgery in infancy and the inevitable re-operation in puberty, the adult outcome in our study population seems more positive than the findings in the few previous reports, especially with respect to sexual development and activity.

Surgical instrument migration from the abdominal cavity through the bladder into the vagina: a rare long-term complication.

A foreign body in the bladder is a well-recognized, although rare, cause of urinary tract infections. We describe a 15-year-old girl who presented with abdominal pain and recurrent urinary tract infections. On analysis, a forceps was found, with the two legs of the instrument separately perforating both the back wall of the bladder and the trigone, with the top of the forceps lying in the vagina, covered with a large calculus. The forceps must have been left behind during laparotomy for bowel invagination in her first year of life.