gene is required for transposon silencing and heterochromatin organization, and ensures germline stem cell maintenance and differentiation.

Self-renewal and differentiation of stem cells is one of the fundamental biological phenomena relying on proper chromatin organization. In our study, we describe a novel chromatin regulator encoded by the () gene. We demonstrate that is required in both the germline stem cells (GSCs) and the surrounding somatic niche cells to ensure GSC survival and differentiation.

Pelvic magnetic resonance imaging angioanatomy of the arterial blood supply to the penis in suspected prostate cancer patients.

Purpose: To describe the internal pudendal artery (IPA) and accessory pudendal artery (APA) detected by magnetic resonance (MR) angiography to help surgeons to find and preserve them during radical prostatectomy (RP).

Materials And Methods: Constrast-enhanced MR 3.0 T angiography of the pelvis were performed in 111 male patients suspected diagnosis of prostate cancer (PCa), and describe the penile arterial blood supply.

Autonomic-somatic communications in the human pelvis: computer-assisted anatomic dissection in male and female fetuses.

Sphincter continence and sexual function require co-ordinated activity of autonomic and somatic neural pathways, which communicate at several levels in the human pelvis. However, classical dissection approaches are only of limited value for the determination and examination of thin nerve fibres belonging to autonomic supralevator and somatic infralevator pathways. In this study, we aimed to identify the location and nature of communications between these two pathways by combining specific neuronal immunohistochemical staining and three-dimensional reconstruction imaging.

Computer-assisted anatomic dissection (CAAD): evolution, methodology and application in intra-pelvic innervation study.

Objective: Classic anatomical methods have limitations in micro determination of nerve fibre location. Furthermore, the precise detection of the nerve fibres nature is not possible by means of dissection. The combination of immunohistochemistry and three-dimensional reconstruction could be used to resolve these limitations of morphological sciences.

Division of autonomic nerves within the neurovascular bundles distally into corpora cavernosa and corpus spongiosum components: immunohistochemical confirmation with three-dimensional reconstruction.

Background: Detailed knowledge of the distribution and distal course of periprostatic nerves is essential to improve functional outcomes (erection and continence) after radical prostatectomy (RP).

Objective: To describe the location of nerve fibres within neurovascular bundles (NVBs) and around the prostate by three-dimensional (3D) computer-assisted anatomic dissection (CAAD) in human foetuses and adult cadavers.

Design, Setting, And Participants: Serial transverse sections of the pelvic portion were performed in seven human male foetuses and four male adult cadavers.

Tridimensional computer-assisted anatomic dissection of posterolateral prostatic neurovascular bundles.

Background: Detailed knowledge of nerve distribution in the neurovascular bundle (NVB) is essential to preserve sexual function after prostatic surgery.

Objective: To identify the location as well as the type (adrenergic, cholinergic, and sensory) of nerve fibres within the NVB and to provide a three-dimensional (3D) representation of their structural relationship in the human male foetus.

Design, Setting, And Participants: Serial transverse sections were performed every 150-200 microm in the pelvic portion of six human male foetuses (15-20 wk of gestation).

Effect of a local delivery of triiodothyronine (T3) within neuroregenerative guide on recovery of erectile function in a rat-model of cavernous nerve injury.

Introduction: A promoting effect of thyroid hormones has been established on the maturation of central and peripheral nervous systems. However, effects on autonomic nerves have never been experimentally investigated.

Aim: To assess the effect of a local treatment combining silicone guides and local administration of Triiodothyronine (T3) on the erectile function and the histological neuroregeneration of crushed cavernous nerves (CNs) in rats.

Coexistence of adrenergic and cholinergic nerves in the inferior hypogastric plexus: anatomical and immunohistochemical study with 3D reconstruction in human male fetus.

Classic anatomical methods have failed to determine the precise location, origin and nature of nerve fibres in the inferior hypogastric plexus (IHP). The purpose of this study was to identify the location and nature (adrenergic and/or cholinergic) of IHP nerve fibres and to provide a three-dimensional (3D) representation of pelvic nerves and their relationship to other anatomical structures. Serial transverse sections of the pelvic portion of two human male fetuses (16 and 17 weeks' gestation) were studied histologically and immunohistochemically, digitized and reconstructed three-dimensionally.

The precise location and nature of the nerves to the male human urethra: histological and immunohistochemical studies with three-dimensional reconstruction.

Objectives: The precise location, origin and nature of nerve fibers innervating the male urethral sphincter have not been clearly established. Classical anatomical studies based on cadaver dissections have provided conflicting results concerning the location of somatic and autonomic nerve fibers. This study was designed to identify nerve fibers innervating the male urethral sphincter and to provide a three-dimensional representation of their tissue relations in the human male fetus.

Innervation of the female human urethral sphincter: 3D reconstruction of immunohistochemical studies in the fetus.

Objectives: The precise location, origin and nature of nerve fibers innervating the urethral sphincter have not been clearly established. Classical anatomical studies based on cadaver dissections have provided conflicting results concerning the location of pudendal and autonomic nerve fibers. This study was designed to identify nerve fibers innervating the urethral sphincter and to provide a three-dimensional representation of their tissue relations in the female human fetus.