Urodynamic changes in mice with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis correlate with neurological impairment.

AIMS: Neurogenic bladder dysfunction is a major issue in Multiple Sclerosis (MS). High intravesical pressure should be treated early. Available therapies are insufficient and there is need for drug development and investigation of pathogenesis. Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis (EAE) in rodents is a well validated model to study MS. Previous research has shown that these animals develop urinary symptoms. However, from clinical studies, we know that symptoms do not necessarily reflect changes in bladder pressure. This paper aims to provide a complete overview of urodynamic changes in a model for detrusor overactivity in MS. METHODS: Female C57Bl/6J mice, injected with MOG35-55 and control mice, injected with vehicle (Complete Freund's adjuvant), were monitored daily for neurologic symptoms. Within 1 month after symptom development, mice were used for cystometry or histology of the bladder. RESULTS: Increasing disease score correlated with increased micturition frequency, basal pressure, and average pressure, and with a decrease in functional bladder capacity, voiding amplitude, and maximum pressure. CONCLUSIONS: This paper provides a detailed description of bladder function in C57Bl/6J mice with Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein peptide (MOG35-55 ) induced EAE. This EAE model induces detrusor overactivity in close relationship to neurological impairment. EAE in mice is a suitable model to study detrusor overactivity in MS. Neurourol. Urodynam. 35:450-456, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Graft-related complications and biaxial tensiometry following experimental vaginal implantation of flat mesh of variable dimensions.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the occurrence of graft-related complications (GRCs) and biomechanical properties of meshes implanted vaginally and abdominally. DESIGN: In vivo animal experiment. SETTING: Centre for Surgical Technologies, Medical Faculty, KU Leuven, Belgium. POPULATION: Twenty adult parous Texel ewes. METHODS: Sheep were implanted with Gynemesh M, a 28-g/m² polypropylene mesh reinforced with polyglecaprone fibres, under general anaesthesia. Dissection into the rectovaginal septum was performed to accommodate a flat 50 × 50 mm (n = 10) or 35 × 35 mm (n = 10) mesh, which was sutured to the underlying tissues. A 50 × 50 mm mesh was laid over a primarily sutured, full-thickness, 40-mm longitudinal abdominal wall incision. Sacrifice was at 60 days (n = 10) or 90 days (n = 5). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The occurrence of exposure, the degree of contraction and examination of the biomechanical properties of explants with a minimum radius of 32 mm via biaxial tensiometry. RESULTS: Insertion of a 50 × 50 mm mesh led to exposures in 30% (3/10) of cases, and the average contraction rate was 52 ± 14%. In the 35 × 35 mm implants, there were no exposures, and the contraction rate was 25 ± 26.3%. Vaginal explants with no GRCs and of sufficient size had biomechanical properties that were comparable with those of abdominal explants. CONCLUSION: Vaginal mesh insertion is associated with GRCs, such as exposure and contraction. Although other factors probably play a role, this study illustrates that mesh size may also induce these complications. In a vaginal surgery model, clinically occurring GRCs can be reproduced. In addition, biomechanics of uncomplicated vaginal explants are comparable with those measured on abdominal explants.

A comparison of the peri-operative data after open radical retropubic prostatectomy or robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy.

PURPOSES: To compare the peri-operative biochemical data, the postoperative need for help with hygiene and mobility, and the duration of bladder catheterization, hospitalization and ICU stay of patients undergoing radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP) versus robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RALP) performed by an experienced open, yet inexperienced laparoscopic, surgical team, in a peripheral low-volume urological centre. METHODS: Over a 4-year period (2004-2008), 22 men underwent radical prostatectomy without lymphadenectomy at the study institution. The mean age of the patients was 63.9 years and the mean PSA value at the time of diagnosis was 9.2 ng/mL. RESULTS: Patients in the robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy group presented a significantly lower decrease in haemoglobin, haematocrit and total plasmatic protein and a significantly smaller need for help with hygiene and mobility and a shorter duration of bladder catheterization, hospitalization and ICU stay. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study have shown that robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy is associated with lower peri-operative morbidity and a shorter hospital stay than radical retropubic prostatectomy, even when only considering the first performed robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomies by a yet inexperienced robotic team in a peripheral low-volume urological centre.

Lifestyle among urology trainees and young urologist in the context of burn-out syndrome. / Estilo de vida y burnout en residentes y urólogos jóvenes.

INTRODUCTION: Burnout syndrome has increased dramatically in urology within recent years. A healthy lifestyle has been described as a protective factor. However, data on lifestyle is lacking among residents and urologists and remains to be elucidated. We aim to assess lifestyle among urology residents and young urologists across Europe. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Members of the European Society of Residents in Urology (ESRU) designed a 34-item online survey via surveymonkey.com. The survey was designed in accordance with Checklist for Reporting Results of Internet E-Surveys (CHERRIES) guidelines and was distributed via e-mail and social media in 23 European countries to urology residents and young urologists. The primary endpoint was reported as self-perceived health status. Secondary endpoints included questions on sleeping disorders, exercise and dietary habits. Data was analyzed SPSS software. RESULTS: A total of 412 residents and young urologists responded to the survey. The mean age of the respondents was 31.4±3.9 yr. The data on dietary intake demonstrate a mean of 2 or more cups/day of coffee and alcohol consumption 2-3 times/week. The intake of fruits and vegetables is very low, almost 60% of responders consume<1 portions of fruit/day and more than half (52%) eat<1 portion of vegetable/day. Overall, the majority of respondents reported to have a moderate to low satisfaction with lifestyle (59.65%) and low to moderate self-perceived health status (45.94%). Moreover, 46% of respondents reported to have some kind of sleep disturbance and 60% only slept 6hours/night or less with 53% reporting a moderate to very low quality of Sleep. Regular exercise of at least 30min twice weekly was only performed by 33% of the respondents. CONCLUSIONS: Residents and young urologists have unbalanced diet, tend to exercise too little and often suffer from sleep disturbances all of which increases the risk of burnout. Physicians, organizations and institutions should strive to promote healthy lifestyle, resiliency and support programs.

Prevalence, Risk Factors, and Clinical Relevance of Fluoroquinolone-Resistant Organisms in Rectal Cultures: Should We Target Antibiotic Prophylaxis Prior to Prostate Biopsy?

The rise of infectious complications after prostate biopsy has been linked to the growing resistance of enterobacteria to fluoroquinolone (FQ) antibiotics. In this review, we investigated the potential benefit of targeted antibiotic prophylaxis based on rectal cultures prior to prostate biopsy. An electronic search for all related literature published in English was performed from April until June 2015 using the MEDLINE and EMBASE databases. Data were obtained regarding the true prevalence of FQ-resistant bacteria in the rectum of patients, the identification of those patients at risk of harbouring FQ-resistant bacteria, the risk of infectious complications after transrectal prostate biopsy in patients with FQ-resistant bacteria, and the effect of targeted prophylaxis. Although there is limited evidence that a targeted approach might be beneficial, we conclude that current studies on the use of rectal cultures in the prebiopsy setting have too many limitations and confounding variables to definitely accept this approach in clinical practice. Whether this methodology is useful in a certain region will greatly depend on local fluoroquinolone-resistance rates.

The state of world hunger.

Three distinct but related concepts have been used to estimate the numbers of people affected by hunger and to analyze the global food situation: food shortage, food poverty, and food deprivation. They focus on different aspects of the phenomenon of hunger and different levels of aggregation involved in its study. Food shortage occurs when total food supplies within a designated area--the world as a whole or continents, countries, or regions within countries--are insufficient to meet the needs of its population. Food poverty refers to the situation in which households cannot obtain enough food to meet the needs of all their members. Food deprivation refers to inadequate individual consumption of food or specific nutrients, also known as undernutrition. The relationships between food shortage, food poverty, and food deprivation are complex. If a region suffers a food shortage, some households will be food poor, and at least one household member will suffer food deprivation. Conversely, food poverty also can (and does) occur within regions where there is no aggregate food shortage, and individual food deprivation can occur in households that are not food poor. The key factor in both cases is distribution.

TRP channels in lower urinary tract dysfunction.

Lower urinary tract dysfunction (LUTd) represents a major healthcare problem. Although it is mostly not lethal, associated social disturbance, medical costs, loss of productivity and especially diminished quality of life should not be underestimated. Although more than 15% of people suffer from a form of LUTd to some extent, pathophysiology often remains obscure. In the past 20 years, transient receptor potential (TRP) channels have become increasingly important in this field of research. These intriguing ion channels are believed to be the main molecular sensors that generate bladder sensation. Therefore, they are intensely pursued as new drug targets for both curative and symptomatic treatment of different forms of LUTd. TRPV1 was the first of its class to be investigated. Actually, even before this channel was cloned, it had already been targeted in the bladder, with clinical trials of intravesical capsaicin instillations. Several other polymodally gated TRP channels, particularly TRPM8, TRPA1 and TRPV4, also appear to play a prominent role in bladder (patho)physiology. With this review, we provide a brief overview of current knowledge on the role of these TRP channels in LUTd and their potential as molecular targets for treatment.

The influence of malrotation of the femoral component in total knee replacement on the mechanics of patellofemoral contact during gait: an in vitro biomechanical study.

Malrotation of the femoral component is a cause of patellofemoral maltracking after total knee arthroplasty. Its precise effect on the patellofemoral mechanics has not been well quantified. We have developed an in vitro method to measure the influence of patellar maltracking on contact. Maltracking was induced by progressively rotating the femoral component either internally or externally. The contact mechanics were analysed using Tekscan. The results showed that excessive malrotation of the femoral component, both internally and externally, had a significant influence on the mechanics of contact. The contact area decreased with progressive maltracking, with a concomitant increase in contact pressure. The amount of contact area that carries more than the yield stress of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene significantly increases with progressive maltracking. It is likely that the elevated pressures noted in malrotation could cause accelerated and excessive wear of the patellar button.