Non-genetic differences underlie variability in proliferation among esophageal epithelial clones.

Individual cells grown in culture exhibit remarkable differences in their growth, with some cells capable of forming large clusters, while others are limited or fail to grow at all. While these differences have been observed across cell lines and human samples, the growth dynamics and associated cell states remain poorly understood. In this study, we performed clonal tracing through imaging and cellular barcoding of an in vitro model of esophageal epithelial cells (EPC2-hTERT).

Clonal cell states link Barrett's esophagus and esophageal adenocarcinoma.

Barrett's esophagus is a common type of metaplasia and a precursor of esophageal adenocarcinoma. However, the cell states and lineage connections underlying the origin, maintenance, and progression of Barrett's esophagus have not been resolved in humans. To address this, we performed single-cell lineage tracing and transcriptional profiling of patient cells isolated from metaplastic and healthy tissue.

Induction of General Anesthesia With Alfaxalone in the Domestic Chicken.

Alfaxalone is a safe and effective anesthetic drug for the induction of general anesthesia in many nonavian companion animal species; however, its efficacy has not been fully evaluated in birds. In premedicated trials, the chickens were sedated with butorphanol 2 mg/kg intramuscularly and midazolam 0.5 mg/kg intramuscularly, 15 minutes before intravenous administration of alfaxalone.

High-performance CRISPR-Cas12a genome editing for combinatorial genetic screening.

CRISPR-based genetic screening has revolutionized cancer drug target discovery, yet reliable, multiplex gene editing to reveal synergies between gene targets remains a major challenge. Here, we present a simple and robust CRISPR-Cas12a-based approach for combinatorial genetic screening in cancer cells. By engineering the CRISPR-AsCas12a system with key modifications to the Cas protein and its CRISPR RNA (crRNA), we can achieve high efficiency combinatorial genetic screening.

Development of a prediction model for postoperative complications after primary hypospadias correction.

Purpose: To develop a prediction model for postoperative complications after primary one-stage hypospadias correction to improve preoperative parental counseling.

Materials And Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, data were collected from 356 patients with anterior or middle hypospadias who had a one-stage hypospadias correction from 2003 onwards. Potential treatment- and patient-related factors were selected and used to develop a prediction model for postoperative complications within one year (wound-related complications, urinary tract infections, fistulas, stenosis, and prepuce-related complications).

Level of agreement on postoperative complications after one-stage hypospadias correction comparing medical records and parent reports.

Purpose: To analyze agreement on postoperative complications after hypospadias surgery according to medical records and parents' reports.

Materials & Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, data were collected from 409 children who received an initial one-stage hypospadias correction in the Radboudumc, The Netherlands. Postoperative complications according to medical records were compared with parent-reported complications in an online questionnaire.

Peer mentoring for eating disorders: evaluation of a pilot program.

Background: Eating disorders are serious psychiatric illnesses that are often associated with poor quality of life and low long-term recovery rates. Peer mentor programs have been found to improve psychiatric symptoms and quality of life in other mental illnesses, and a small number of studies have suggested that eating disorder patients may benefit from such programs. The aim of this study is to assess the efficacy of a peer mentor program for individuals with eating disorders in terms of improving symptomatology and quality of life.

Ureteral Reconstruction in Goats Using Tissue-Engineered Templates and Subcutaneous Preimplantation.

Repair of long ureteral defects often requires long graft tissues and extensive surgery. This is associated with complications, including a lack of suitable tissue and graft site morbidity. Tissue engineering may provide an attractive alternative to the autologous graft tissues.

Clinical protocol levels are required in laboratory animal surgery when using medical devices: experiences with ureteral replacement surgery in goats.

It is common to test medical devices in large animal studies that are or could also be used in humans. In this short report we describe the use of a ureteral J-stent for the evaluation of biodegradable tubular constructs for tissue reconstruction, and the regeneration of ureters in Saanen goats. Similarly to a previous study in pigs, the ureteral J-stent was blindly inserted until some resistance was met.

Bladder Regeneration Using Multiple Acellular Scaffolds with Growth Factors in a Bladder.

Introduction: Tissue engineering may become an alternative to current bladder augmentation techniques. Large scaffolds are needed for clinically significant augmentation, but can result in fibrosis and graft shrinkage. The purpose of this study was to investigate the use of multiple scaffolds instead of one large scaffold, to enhance bladder tissue regeneration and bladder capacity.

AGORA, a data- and biobank for birth defects and childhood cancer.

Background: Research regarding the etiology of birth defects and childhood cancer is essential to develop preventive measures, but often requires large study populations. Therefore, we established the AGORA data- and biobank in the Netherlands. In this study, we describe its rationale, design, and ongoing data collection.

Clinical outcome of cloacal exstrophy, current status, and a change in surgical management.

Introduction: Cloacal exstrophy is a complex and rare congenital malformation. Because of improvements in medicine, operative techniques, and perioperative management the survival rates are now approaching 100%. Currently, treatment is focused on improving quality of life.

Cultural bias in the AAP's 2012 Technical Report and Policy Statement on male circumcision.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recently released its new Technical Report and Policy Statement on male circumcision, concluding that current evidence indicates that the health benefits of newborn male circumcision outweigh the risks. The technical report is based on the scrutiny of a large number of complex scientific articles. Therefore, while striving for objectivity, the conclusions drawn by the 8 task force members reflect what these individual physicians perceived as trustworthy evidence.

Introducing the HOPE (Hypospadias Objective Penile Evaluation)-score: a validation study of an objective scoring system for evaluating cosmetic appearance in hypospadias patients.

Objective: To determine the reliability and internal validity of the Hypospadias Objective Penile Evaluation (HOPE)-score, a newly developed scoring system assessing the cosmetic outcome in hypospadias.

Patients And Methods: The HOPE scoring system incorporates all surgically-correctable items: position of meatus, shape of meatus, shape of glans, shape of penile skin and penile axis. Objectivity was established with standardized photographs, anonymously coded patients, independent assessment by a panel, standards for a "normal" penile appearance, reference pictures and assessment of the degree of abnormality.

First report of a Wautersiella falsenii isolated from the urine of an infant with pyelonephritis.

Here, we report the first isolation of Wautersiella falsenii from the urine of an infant with a complicated urinary tract infection. W. falsenii was correctly identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionisation time of flight mass spectrometry.

Tissue engineered tubular construct for urinary diversion in a preclinical porcine model.

Purpose: The ileal conduit has been considered the gold standard urinary diversion for patients with bladder cancer and pediatric patients. Complications are mainly related to the use of gastrointestinal tissue. Tissue engineering may be the technical platform on which to develop alternatives to gastrointestinal tissue.

Needs of children with a chronic bladder in preparation for transfer to adult care.

Objective: Transfers to adult care can be problematic, resulting in postponement due to the protective nature of pediatric care and patient dependency. It is unknown whether these findings apply specifically to urology patients. Our department is taking part in a national general transition project.

Urological anomalies in anorectal malformations in The Netherlands: effects of screening all patients on long-term outcome.

Introduction: Urological anomalies are frequently seen in patients with anorectal malformations (ARM) and can result in upper urinary tract deterioration. Whether the current method of screening is valid, adequate and needed for all patients is not clear. We, therefore, evaluated the urological screening methods in our ARM patients for changes in urological treatment, outcome and follow-up.

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.

Urotherapy in children: quantitative measurements of daytime urinary incontinence before and after treatment according to the new definitions of the International Children's Continence Society.

Objective: To assess the effectiveness of urotherapy in children with lower urinary tract dysfunction, according to the new definitions of the International Children's Continence Society.

Material And Methods: We performed a retrospective review of 122 children (aged 8.8 ± 2.

Longer than expected-duration of caudal analgesia with two different doses of levobupivacaine in children undergoing hypospadias repair.

Objective: To assess our study design and to obtain preliminary data for a dose-effect study on levobupivacaine for caudal analgesia in patients undergoing hypospadias repair.

Study Design: non randomised, non-blinded pilot study.

Method: For this non-randomized, non-blinded pilot study, 20 patients (median age 17 months, median weight 10.

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).

A large extra-abdominal prevesical pseudo-cyst in a newborn with posterior urethral valves.

A male newborn is described, in whom a large extra-abdominal prevesical pseudo-cyst as well as prune-belly features were present, both of which were supposedly secondary to posterior urethral valves. It is postulated that the subvesical obstruction caused pressure build-up in the urinary tract, followed by fetal bladder rupture. The resultant urinoma migrated extra-abdominally.