Multipotent bone marrow cell-seeded polymeric composites drive long-term, definitive urinary bladder tissue regeneration.

To date, there are no efficacious translational solutions for end-stage urinary bladder dysfunction. Current surgical strategies, including urinary diversion and bladder augmentation enterocystoplasty (BAE), utilize autologous intestinal segments (e.g.

What Is the Trigger for Sexual Climax?

A model is proposed to consider sexual climax in men, women, and animals as a unitary phenomenon. Sexual climax is a stereotyped rhythmic pattern of spinally generated neural activity in the autonomic and somatic nerves innervating pelvic organs. A column of neurons in the spinal cord of the male rat is strongly activated by ejaculation (sexual climax in the male).

Effect of Onabotulinum Toxin A on Substance P and Receptor Neurokinin 1 in the Rat Ventral Prostate.

Introduction: The objective of this work is to examine if sensory innervation impacts lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). Onabotulinum toxin A (BoNTA) has been used for the treatment of overactive and neurogenic bladder and as a treatment for LUTS secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). The mechanism of how BoNTA impacts LUTS/BPH is unclear.

Role of PAR2 in the Development of Lower Urinary Tract Dysfunction.

Purpose: Lower urinary tract symptoms are a common finding in patients with chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome. We previously reported that the mast cell-tryptase-PAR2 (protease activated receptor 2) axis has a critical role in the development of chronic pain in experimental autoimmune prostatitis, a mouse model of chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome. Therefore, we examined whether PAR2 activation mediates lower urinary tract dysfunction.

Subungual Congenital Nevus with Recurrent Nevus Phenomenon.

Melanonychia is uncommon. We report the first case of histopathologic recurrence of a completely excised subungual congenital nevus that presented as congenital melanonychia.

Nerve growth factor signaling following unilateral pelvic ganglionectomy in the rat ventral prostate is age dependent.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a serious health concern and is an underlying cause of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in many men. In affected men, LUTS/BPH is believed to result from benign proliferation of the prostate resulting in bladder outlet obstruction. Postnatal growth of the prostate is controlled via growth factor and endocrine mechanisms.

Systemic leptin produces a long-lasting increase in respiratory motor output in rats.

Leptin decreases food intake and increases energy expenditure. Leptin administration into the CNS of mice or rats increases alveolar ventilation and dysfunction in leptin signaling has been implicated in the hypoventilation that can accompany obesity. An increase in CO(2) chemosensitivity has been implicated in this response but it is unclear whether ventilation is augmented when PCO(2) is maintained constant.

Ciprofloxacin-induced phototoxicity in an adult cystic fibrosis population.

The incidence of phototoxicity as a side effect of ciprofloxacin appears to be increased in patients with cystic fibrosis compared to the general population (approximately 2.4%). We used an interview-based questionnaire to determine the incidence of such phototoxic skin reactions in cystic fibrosis patients.

A pivotal role of lumbar spinothalamic cells in the regulation of ejaculation via intraspinal connections.

Introduction: A population of lumbar spinothalamic cells (LSt cells) has been demonstrated to play a pivotal role in ejaculatory behavior and comprise a critical component of the spinal ejaculation generator. LSt cells are hypothesized to regulate ejaculation via their projections to autonomic and motor neurons in the lumbosacral spinal cord.

Aim: The current study tested the hypothesis that ejaculatory reflexes are dependent on LSt cells via projections within the lumbosacral spinal cord.

Activation of NMDA receptors in lumbar spinothalamic cells is required for ejaculation.

Introduction: The sexual reflex ejaculation is controlled by a spinal ejaculation generator located in the lumbosacral spinal cord. A population of spinothalamic (LSt) neurons forms a key component of this generator, as manipulations of LSt cells either block or trigger ejaculation. However, it is currently unknown which afferent signals contribute to the activation of LSt cells and ejaculation.

Regeneration of the cavernous nerve by Sonic hedgehog using aligned peptide amphiphile nanofibers.

SHH plays a significant role in peripheral nerve regeneration and has clinical potential to be used as a regenerative therapy for the CN in prostatectomy patients and in other patients with neuropathy of peripheral nerves. Efforts to regenerate the cavernous nerve (CN), which provides innervation to the penis, have been minimally successful, with little translation into improved clinical outcomes. We propose that, Sonic hedgehog (SHH), is critical to maintain CN integrity, and that SHH delivered to the CN by novel peptide amphiphile (PA) nanofibers, will promote CN regeneration, restore physiological function, and prevent penile morphology changes that result in erectile dysfunction (ED).

Peptide amphiphile nanofiber delivery of sonic hedgehog protein to reduce smooth muscle apoptosis in the penis after cavernous nerve resection.

Introduction: Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a serious medical condition that affects 16-82% of prostate cancer patients treated by radical prostatectomy and current treatments are ineffective in 50-60% of prostatectomy patients. The reduced efficacy of treatments makes novel therapeutic approaches to treat ED essential. The secreted protein Sonic hedgehog (SHH) is a critical regulator of penile smooth muscle and apoptosis that is decreased in cavernous nerve (CN) injury and diabetic ED models.

Activation of MAP kinase in lumbar spinothalamic cells is required for ejaculation.

Introduction: Ejaculation is a reflex controlled by a spinal ejaculation generator located in the lumbosacral spinal cord responsible for the coordination of genital sensory with autonomic and motor outputs that regulate ejaculation. In the male rat, a population of lumbar spinothalamic cells (LSt cells) comprises an essential component of the spinal ejaculation generator. LSt cells are activated with ejaculation, but the nature of the signal transduction pathways involved in this activation is unknown.

Regulation of cavernous nerve injury-induced apoptosis by sonic hedgehog.

Thirty to eighty-seven percent of patients treated by radical prostatectomy experience erectile dysfunction (ED). The reduced efficacy of treatments in this population makes novel therapeutic approaches to treat ED essential. We propose that abundant apoptosis observed in penile smooth muscle when the cavernous nerve (CN) is cut (mimicking the neural injury which can result from prostatectomy) is a major contributing factor to ED development.

Spinal cord control of ejaculation.

Ejaculation is a reflex mediated by a spinal control center, referred to as a spinal ejaculation generator. During intercourse, the spinal ejaculation generator integrates the sensory inputs that are necessary to trigger ejaculation. At the time of ejaculation, it coordinates the sympathetic, parasympathetic, and somatic outflow to induce the two phases of ejaculation, i.

Central regulation of ejaculation.

Ejaculation is a reflex mediated by a spinal control center, referred to as a spinal ejaculation generator. This spinal ejaculation generator coordinates sympathetic, parasympathetic and motor outflow to induce the two phases of ejaculation, i.e.

The relationship between erectile dysfunction and lower urinary tract symptoms: epidemiological, clinical, and basic science evidence.

Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and sexual dysfunction are highly prevalent in aging men. Both conditions also are significant contributors to overall quality of life. New data have emerged to indicate potential links in epidemiological, physiologic, pathophysiologic, and treatment aspects of these two entities.

PDE-5 inhibition and sexual response: pharmacological mechanisms and clinical outcomes.

Phosphodiesterase type-5 (PDE-5) inhibitors are a new class of vasoactive drugs that have been developed for treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED). The mechanism of action involves active inhibition of the PDE-5 enzyme and resulting increase in cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) and smooth muscle relaxation in the penis. Sildenafil citrate (Viagra) is a potent and selective PDE-5 inhibitor, which is the first drug in this class to be approved for treatment of ED.

Microarray analysis and description of SMR1 gene in rat penis in a post-radical prostatectomy model of erectile dysfunction.

Purpose: We focused on the post-radical prostatectomy model to advance the understanding of neurogenic erectile dysfunction. We attempted to identify previously undescribed molecular changes via gene discovery methods using GeneChip (Affymetrix, Santa Clara, California) microarray technology.

Materials And Methods: Five male adult 120-day-old Sprague-Dawley rats underwent bilateral cavernous nerve neurectomy.

Altered Sonic hedgehog signaling is associated with morphological abnormalities in the penis of the BB/WOR diabetic rat.

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common and debilitating pathological development that affects up to 75% of diabetic males. Neural stimulation is a crucial aspect of the normal erection process. Nerve injury causes ED and disrupts signaling of the Sonic hedgehog (Shh) cascade in the smooth muscle of the corpora cavernosa.

Penile weight and cell subtype specific changes in a post-radical prostatectomy model of erectile dysfunction.

Purpose: We evaluated neurogenic erectile dysfunction, focusing on the post-radical prostatectomy model. We investigated changes in DNA, protein and apoptotic cells of the rat penis after denervation. Gross morphometry was measured to elucidate the impact of chemical changes.

Sonic hedgehog cascade is required for penile postnatal morphogenesis, differentiation, and adult homeostasis.

The penis is unique in that it undergoes morphogenesis and differentiation primarily in the postnatal period. For complex structures such as the penis to be made from undifferentiated precursor cells, proliferation, differentiation, and patterning are required. This process involves coordinated activity of multiple signals.