Dynamics analysis of bladder-urethra system based on CFD

A mathematical model for a bladder-urethra system can provide basic analysis for the disabled urethra closure of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) patients in a clinic. Based on computational fluid dynamics (CFD), we developed a three-dimensional urodynamic bladder-urethra system, which includes bladder, bladder neck, prostate, and urethra. The realistic recirculation process of the urinary bladder during the physiologic voiding process in conjunction with a flow simulation through the female urinary bladder and urethra is presented. The computational results show that a dead-water zone and the zone of secondary flow occur, independent of the shape of the prostatic urethra. For the pathological prostata, the extreme constriction of the prostatic urethra results in an additional wide-stretched dead-water zone. The simulation results does not only improve urinary incontinence surgery for clinicians, but can also provide a basis for theoretical analysis.     

Dynamics analysis of bladder-urethra system based on CFD

A mathematical model for a bladder-urethra system can provide basic analysis for the disabled urethra closure of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) patients in a clinic. Based on computational fluid dynamics (CFD), we developed a three-dimensional urodynamic bladder-urethra system, which includes bladder, bladder neck, prostate, and urethra. The realistic recirculation process of the urinary bladder during the physiologic voiding process in conjunction with a flow simulation through the female urinary bladder and urethra is presented. The computational results show that a dead-water zone and the zone of secondary flow occur, independent of the shape of the prostatic urethra. For the pathological prostata, the extreme constriction of the prostatic urethra results in an additional wide-stretched dead-water zone. The simulation results does not only improve urinary incontinence surgery for clinicians, but can also provide a basis for theoretical analysis.     

Ketamine effects on the urogenital system--changes in the urinary bladder and sperm motility

Different doses of ketamine (10 mg/kg, 20 mg/kg, 30 mg/kg, 40 mg/kg, 50 mg/kg, and 60 mg/kg) were injected i.p. (I.P.), respectively, to male ICR mice to determine the optimal dosage for chronic administration. At and above 40 mg/kg I.P. injection, mice had almost no hindlimb movement during swimming test. Subsequently, 30 mg/kg was used as the dose for the study in the toxicity of long-term ketamine administration on urinary bladder and sperm motility. The treatment group were subdivided into two (n = 10 each group); one received daily ketamine treatment i.p. for 3 months and another group for 6 months. Corresponding number of mice in control groups (n = 5 each group) received saline injection instead of ketamine. Terminal dUTP nick and labeling (TUNEL) study and Sirius red staining were carried out on the sectioned slides of the urinary bladders to study the degree of apoptosis in both epithelium and muscular layers of the urinary bladder and the relative thickness of the muscular layers in this organ was also computed. Apoptosis in the bladder epithelium was observed initially in the 3-month ketamine treated mice and the number of apoptotic cells was significantly different (P < 0.05) between the 3-month and 6-month ketamine treated mice and the control. The relative thickness of muscular layers in the bladder wall also decreased significantly (P < 0.05) when the 6-month treated mice and the control were compared. Sirius red staining revealed increase of collagen in the urinary bladder of the treated mice, most evidently 6 months after ketamine treatment. In addition, the sperm motility was studied and there was a statistically significant difference between the control and ketamine treated groups in the percentages of sperms which were motile (P < 0.05). This suggested that the chronic administration of ketamine affected the genital system as well.     

Marsupial morphology of reproduction: South America opossum male model

This study aims to describe the morphology of Didelphis sp. male genital organs (penis, testes, epididymis, ductus deferens, prostate, and bulbourethral gland). Ten male animals were used, eight for macroscopic and light microscopy analysis, and two for scanning electron microscopy. The testes and epididymis showed similarity to other eutherian mammals. The bifid penis showed the urethra ending in the medial region where the bifurcation begins, occurring in each segment extension of the urethral groove until the beginning of the glans. Histologically, the penis consists of a cavernous and spongy body, covered by stratified squamous epithelium with loose connective tissue. The urethra was lined by transitional stratified epithelium. In the prostate, prostatic segments were found consisting of tubular glands in a radial arrangement around the urethra, coated externally by a dense connective tissue associated with a relatively thick layer of smooth muscle arranged in two layers that surround the glandular tissue. The animals had three pairs of bulbourethral glands placed at the membranous and cavernous urethra junction with descending and parallel excretory ducts ending caudally in the urethral lumen. Microsc. Res. Tech. 76:388–397, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

The artificial urinary sphincter: review and progress

Urinary incontinence, the inability to retain urine, creates a misery that cannot be overestimated. The foul odor emanating from the patient repels family and friends to such an extent that it affects the social life of the sufferer. Total incontinence, that is, the continuous loss of urine as opposed to the loss associated with coughing or sneezing, is the most severe type of the malady. For such individuals, the artificial sphincter offers hope for a new life. Incidences of total urinary incontinence as a result of radical prostatectomy in the treatment of carcinoma of the prostate have been reported in the range of 5-50%. Incontinence may occur as a result of injury to the proximal urethra, and it is usually present to some extent in patients with neurogenic bladder dysfunction caused by spinal cord injury, myelomeningocele, or other conditions that affect the micturition centers of the nervous system. Some patients whose urinary tract is completely obstructed and who are therefore unable to urinate, as for example individuals who sustain traumatic complete transection of the urethra with resulting obstructive fibrosis of the urethra, or those patients whose neurogenic spastic sphincter inhibits satisfactory voiding, may benefit from reconstructive surgery or ablation of their pathologic sphincter in order to restore urination. Rehabilitation of such patients can then be complete with implantation of an artificial sphincter to provide urinary control. The alternatives for management include diapers, the placement of external collecting or occlusive devices, or major surgery in which the intestinal tract is used either for conducting the urine to an abdominal collecting bag or as a bladder substitute that is periodically emptied by catheterization.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

膀胱动力泵尿道阀的设计及实验研究

运用电磁学理论和流体力学理论,建立了尿道阀的数学模型,利用该模型仿真分析了电流和气隙等不同因素对尿道阀特性的影响。通过仿真和实验对比,验证了所建立模型的有效性。在模拟实验系统上,探讨了尿道阀对膀胱动力泵排尿动力特性的影响,结果表明:增大电磁铁电流、减小电磁铁与尿道阀之间的气隙,有利于提高最大尿流率、缩短尿流时间。研究结果可为膀胱动力泵的特性分析和结构优化设计提供参考。     

Urinary exosomes and proteomics

A number of highly abundant proteins in urine have been identified through proteomics approaches, and some have been considered as disease-biomarker candidates. These molecules might be clinically useful in diagnosis of various diseases. However, none has proven to be specifically indicative of perturbations of cellular processes in cells associated with urogenital diseases. Exosomes could be released into urine which flows through the kidney, ureter, bladder and urethra, with a process of filtration and reabsorption. Urinary exosomes have been recently suggested as alternative materials that offer new opportunities to identify useful biomarkers, because these exosomes secreted from epithelial cells lining the urinary track might reflect the cellular processes associated with the pathogenesis of diseases in their donor cells. Proteomic analysis of such urinary exosomes assists the search of urinary biomarkers reflecting pathogenesis of various diseases and also helps understanding the function of urinary exosomes in urinary systems. Thus, it has been recently suggested that urinary exosomes are one of the most valuable targets for biomarker development and to understand pathophysiology of relevant diseases.     

Tissue distribution of some immune cells in bovine reproductive tract during follicular and luteal phase

More recent studies indicate that immune cells which secrete their secretory products or cytokines play an important role in reproductive system. In our study, immune cell populations (CD8⁺ T lymphocytes, CD68⁺ macrophages, plasma cells, siderophages, eosinophils) and expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I and class II were examined in female reproductive tract during follicular (n = 13) and luteal phase (n = 10). Plasma cells and eosinophil granulocytes are present in few numbers in luminal epithelium, but abundant in longitudinal muscle layer of uterus, whereas siderophages are the dominant cell type in stroma. Moreover, MHC‐I and ‐II⁺ cells are expressed by individual cells in organ layers, while CD8⁺ T cells and CD68⁺ macrophages are dominant in epithelium and muscle layer, respectively. In conclusion, we did not found significant changes in immune cells according to follicular and luteal phases, but localization and numbers in each organ have changed according to both organ and layers. These results indicate that these factors may play a crucial role not only to generate an immune response but also to have a role in regulation of physiological functions in female reproductive organs.     

Autoradiographic distribution of radioactivity from (14)C-GABA in the mouse

We investigated the distribution of radioactivity from (14)C-labeled gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the mouse by in vivo autoradiography to clarify the tissues that show GABA uptake and/or GABA binding. Male mice were injected intravenously with (14)C-GABA in both the absence and presence of an excess of unlabeled GABA, baclofen and isoguvacine. Whole-body autoradiography of (3)H-baclofen, a GABA(B) receptor agonist was also performed. At short intervals after (14)C-GABA injection ( 3 and 6 minutes), very high radioactivity was detected in the kidney cortex, liver, pineal gland, hypophysis, median eminence of the hypothalamus, and cervical ganglion. The hyaline cartilage and glandular part of the stomach showed moderate radioactivity. In the presence of an excess amount of unlabeled GABA, radioactivity in most of tissues decreased significantly, but no significant difference in radioactivity was observed in the presence of baclofen and isoguvacine, agonists of GABA(A) and GABA(B) receptors, respectively. Autoradiography of (3)H-baclofen showed that the kidney had high level of radioactivity, whereas the activity in other tissues and organs was similar or lower than in the blood except for the content of the urinary bladder and the pancreas at 15 minutes after injection. These data indicate that radioactivity from incorporated (14)C-GABA into a variety of cells is much higher than that from bound (14)C-GABA to the receptor sites. Our results suggest that GABA can be quickly localized in many organs of the mouse body after 3 minutes following injection, and GABA may serve multiple functions in those organs.     

Bladder reconstruction--from cells to materials

Surgical reconstruction of the urinary bladder is performed on patients of all ages for a diverse range of conditions, including congenital abnormalities, bladder dysfunction, trauma and cancer. The most common material utilized to augment or replace the bladder during these procedures is a segment of the patient's own intestine. However, this procedure ('enterocytoplasty') is associated with significant clinical complications that arise due to the exposure of the epithelial lining of the intestine to urine. A number of alternative approaches are being actively developed to find a practical and functional substitute for native bladder tissue. These range from 'composite enterocystoplasty', where the de-epithelialized intestine wall is lined with bladder epithelial cells that have been propagated in vitro, to augmenting the urinary system with natural or synthetic biomaterials that may incorporate in vitro-propagated cells. However, if tissue-engineered products are to have therapeutic application in bladder reconstruction, a number of issues remain to be addressed; these issues are discussed briefly below.     

Immunocytochemical localization of cell adhesion molecules in the developing and mature olfactory system.

The localization of Ca+(+)-independent cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) in the developing and mature olfactory epithelium and bulb is reviewed. The CAMs included in this article are the neural cell adhesion molecule (N-CAM), the 180 kD component of N-CAM (N-CAM 180), the embryonic form of N-CAM (E-N-CAM), L1 glycoproteins, J1 glycoproteins, and the adhesion molecule on glia (AMOG). In addition, the expression of the L2-HNK-1 carbohydrate epitope, shared by N-CAM, L1, J1 and myelin-associated glycoprotein (MAG) in the adult olfactory epithelium and bulb has also been documented. For the localization of these molecules at the light and electron microscopic levels, immunocytochemical techniques were used and are described in detail. During development and organogenesis, the olfactory system exhibits a pattern of CAM expression similar to the general pattern described for the developing nervous system. In the adult olfactory system, however, a significant retention of CAMs characteristic for developmental and morphogenetic processes, such as E-N-CAM, AMOG, as well as the high molecular weight components of J1 glycoproteins, can be observed. The retention of these embryonic features are most likely associated with the cell turnover and high plasticity of this system. Moreover, the predominance of N-CAM 180 with respect to other components of N-CAM, as well as the absence of the L2/HNK-1 carbohydrate epitope, are also particular traits of the primary olfactory system which could be associated with its exceptional properties.     

Modes of chromatin packing in Feulgen-stained normal and malignant uro-epithelial cell nuclei,and in lymphocytes,in relation to DNA content

By a two-step method of histogram densitometry it was found that the inhomogeneity of distribution of chromatin within a nucleus was similar in normal and malignant human bladder epithelium and in lymphocytes, despite the grossly abnormal range of DNA content of the carcinoma nuclei.     

体外磁控内置式尿道阀仿真与实验研究

为克服人工尿道括约肌长时间压闭尿道引起组织坏死等问题,设计了一种体外磁控内置式尿道阀.建立了流量-压差特性及磁驱动力数学模型,应用有限元法计算分析了流场分布、液阻和磁驱动力的影响因素.搭建了下尿路模拟实验平台,研究了尿流率-膀胱压特性、磁驱动力特性.结果表明:增大阀口开度和阀芯半锥角均能增加尿流率;增大外磁体厚度、减小...     

TRPV4 in the sensory organs of adult zebrafish

TRPV4 is a nonselective cation channel that belongs to the vanilloid (V) subfamily of transient receptor potential (TRP) ion channels. While TRP channels have been found to be involved in sensing temperature, light, pressure, and chemical stimuli, TPRV4 is believed to be primarily a mechanosensor although it can also respond to warm temperatures, acidic pH, and several chemical compounds. In zebrafish, the expression of trpv4 has been studied during embryonic development, whereas its pattern of TPRV4 expression during the adult life has not been thoroughly analyzed. In this study, the occurrence of TRPV4 was addressed in the zebrafish sensory organs at the mRNA (RT-PCR) and protein (Westernblot) levels. Once the occurrence of TRPV4 was demonstrated, the TRPV4 positive cells were identified by using immunohistochemistry. TPRV4 was detected in mantle and sensory cells of neuromasts, in a subpopulation of hair sensory cells in the macula and in the cristae ampullaris of the inner ear, in sensory cells in the taste buds, in crypt neurons and ciliated sensory neurons of the olfactory epithelium, and in cells of the retina. These results demonstrate the presence of TRPV4 in all sensory organs of adult zebrafish and are consistent with the multiple physiological functions suspected for TRPV4 in mammals (mechanosensation, hearing, and temperature sensing), but furthermore suggest potential roles in olfaction and vision in zebrafish.     

Use of an automated image analyser to quantitate cellular hyperplasia in urinary bladder epithelium.

The feasibility of using an automated image analyser to evaluate quantitatively hyperplasia caused by N-butyl-N-(4-hydroxybutyl) nitrosamine in bladder epithelium was studied. The number of cells per unit length of epithelium was counted manually, and compared with automated measurements of: (1) the number of nuclei, (2) the number of positive tangents to the lower edge of nuclei, (3) the nuclear cross-sectional area, and (4) the epithelial cross-sectional area per unit length respectively. Regression of each of the automated measurements on the manual counts all revealed close linear relationships with correlation coefficients in excess of 0-9. Coefficients of variation for repetitive automated measurements were less than or equal to 0-06 in each of the four modes. The automated system resulted in a great saving in time over manual counting. It is concluded that the automated image analyser provides an accurate, precise, and efficient tool for estimating epithelial cell numbers in normal and hyperplastic bladder epithelia.     

智能膀胱冲洗器控制系统设计

膀胱冲洗是预防长期留置导尿管患者泌尿系统感染的有效措施之一.传统人工膀胱冲洗技术操作繁琐并且需要全程监护.以传统膀胱冲洗技术为基础,研制了一种智能膀胱冲洗器,设计了智能膀胱冲洗器的控制系统.控制系统以PLC和触摸屏组合为控制核心,通过称重传感器实时监测输液袋重量,控制夹管阀自动切换输液管路.通过该智能膀胱冲洗器可以实现膀胱冲洗自动化.     

Rodlet cells development in the intestine of sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax)

The enigmatic rodlet cells (RCs) are characterized by conspicuous inclusions named “rodlets”. They were discovered over 100 years ago and were considered as parasites but shortly afterward interpreted as endogenous cells. The RCs have been described in different tissues of marine and freshwater teleosts, but their origin and function remain unknown. This work was designed to an ultrastructural study on RCs development and distribution in intestinal epithelium of Dicentrarchus labrax. Three different stages of RCs development from early precursor cells to mature phase were observed, as well as a migration and finally an extrusion of their contents. In this study, the immature cells were found near the basal epithelium membrane. They were mainly identified by a rough endoplasmic reticulum with dilated cisternae, by developing rodlets and a thin fibrillar coat. The maturing RCs, localized in the middle zone of the epithelium, appeared to be undergoing a reorganization of the cell organelles. The mature RCs, placed near the free surface, showed a thick subplasmalemmar fibrillar coat. Most of the organelles were aggregated at the cell apex with a basally located nucleus. A cellular polarity was more evident. One of the most conspicuous features was the occurrence of mature rodlets club‐sac in shape orientated toward the cell apex. Adhesive junctions between surface epithelial cells and RCs, while discharging their contents, were seen. We have connected morphological figures and distribution to different stages of development in RCs, supporting the hypothesis of their secretory function. Microsc. Res. Tech. 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Region‐specific localization of NOS isoforms and NADPH‐diaphorase activity in the intratesticular and excurrent duct systems of adult domestic cats (Felis catus)

Nitric oxide (NO) is produced by nitric oxide synthases (NOSs) and plays an important role in all levels of reproduction from the brain to the reproductive organs. Recently, it has been discovered that all germ cells and Leydig cells in the cat testis exhibit stage‐dependent nuclear and cytoplasmic endothelial (eNOS) and inducible (iNOS)‐NOS immunoreactivity and cytoplasmic nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate‐diaphorase (NADPH‐d) reactivity. As a continuation of this finding, in this study, cellular localization of NADPH‐d and immunolocalization and expression of all three NOS isoforms were investigated in the intratesticular (tubuli recti and rete testis), and excurrent ducts (efferent ductules, epididymal duct and vas deferens) of adult cats using histochemistry, immunohistochemistry and western blotting. NADPH‐d activity was found in the midpiece of the spermatozoa tail and epithelial cells of all of ducts, except for nonciliated cells of the efferent ductules. Even though the immunoblotting results revealed similar levels of nNOS, eNOS and iNOS in the caput, corpus and cauda segments of epididymis and the vas deferens, immunostainings showed cell‐specific localization in the efferent ductules and region‐ and cell‐specific localization in the epididymal duct. All of three NOS isoforms were immunolocalized to the nuclear membrane and cytoplasm of the epithelial cells in all ducts, but were found in the tail and the cytoplasmic droplets of spermatozoa. These data suggest that NO/NOS activity might be of importance not only for the functions of the intratesticular and excurrent ducts but also for sperm maturation. Microsc. Res. Tech. 79:192–208, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Use of mixed glycosidase for the removal of mucus from the rat nasal epithelium in SEM studies

The surface layer of mucus, which obscures the epithelium from view, is a major obstacle when performing scanning electron microscopic studies of the nasal mucosa. Samples treated with a 1% mixed glycosidase solution for 1 or 2 minutes, followed by agitation, removed most of the mucus from the conchae without damaging the underlying epithelium. Removal of mucus allows the complete evaluation of the underlying epithelium in normal animals and the localization and characterization of lesions in animals exposed to nasal toxicants.     

Immunohistochemical study on the distribution of sodium-dependent vitamin C transporters in the respiratory system of adult rat

As vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid, VC) is known to be essential for many enzymatic reactions, the study on the transport mechanism of VC through cytoplasmic membrane is crucial to understanding physiological role of VC in cells and the respiratory system. In this regard, the study on the newly identified sodium-dependent VC transporters (SVCTs), SVCT1 and SVCT2, is required in organs that contain high concentration of VC. We have shown the distribution of SVCT proteins in the respiratory system, which has been reported to be one of the organs with a high concentration of VC, using immunohistochemical techniques. In the present study, intense SVCT immunoreactivities (IRs) were mainly localized in the respiratory system epithelial cells. In the trachea, both SVCT1 and 2 were localized in the psuedostratified ciliated columnar epithelium. In the terminal bronchiole, SVCT1 and 2 IRs were mainly observed in the apical portion of the simple columnar epithelium. In addition, SVCT IRs was localized within the cell membrane of some alveolar cells, even though we could not identify the exact cell types. These results provide the first evidence that intense SVCT1 and 2 IRs were found in the apical portion of the respiratory epithelial cells, suggesting that SVCT proteins in the apical portion could transport the reduced form of VC included in the airway surface liquid into the respiratory epithelial cells.