Effect of comestibles on symptoms of interstitial cystitis.

Purpose: Anecdotal evidence suggests that patients with painful bladder syndrome/interstitial cystitis report symptom exacerbation after consuming particular foods, beverages and/or supplements. We determined the prevalence of the effect of comestibles on painful bladder syndrome/interstitial cystitis symptoms and identified particular comestible items more likely to affect such symptoms.

Materials And Methods: A validated questionnaire designed to detect whether food, beverages and/or supplements have an effect on bladder symptoms was administered to 104 patients meeting National Institute for Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases criteria for interstitial cystitis.

Analysis of outcomes of single polypropylene mesh in total pelvic floor reconstruction.

Aims: A 2.5-year outcome analysis was performed on patients who underwent transvaginal repair of total pelvic organ prolapse with single polypropylene mesh. A description of the repair technique using a tension-free 4-point fixation is also reviewed.

Efficiency of questionnaires used to screen for interstitial cystitis.

Purpose: Questionnaires for the evaluation of interstitial cystitis are widely used, but their value in discriminating interstitial cystitis from other diagnoses among patients with urological symptoms has not been determined. We assessed the validity of 2 frequently used interstitial cystitis questionnaires-the O'Leary-Sant Symptom Index and Problem Index and the Pain, Urgency, Frequency Symptom Scale-for screening for interstitial cystitis.

Materials And Methods: The Pain, Urgency, Frequency Symptom Scale and the O'Leary-Sant Symptom Index and Problem Index were administered to the same 220 patients at a urology clinic before diagnosis.

Effects of pneumoperitoneal gases and pressures on transitional cell carcinoma adhesion, growth, apoptosis and necrosis: an in vitro study.

Purpose: We studied the effects of insufflation gas and pressure on the adhesion, growth, apoptosis and necrosis of transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) in an in vitro model.

Materials And Methods: Tumor adhesion and cell growth of AY-27 rat TCC was measured after 3-hour incubation with CO2, N2 and He insufflation at different pressures (0, 10 and 15 mm Hg) in vitro. The effects of these gases on the rate of tumor cell apoptosis and necrosis were compared.

Synthetic biomaterials for pelvic floor reconstruction.

Pelvic organ prolapse and stress urinary incontinence increase with age. The increasing proportion of the aging female population is likely to result in a demand for care of pelvic floor prolapse and incontinence. Experimental evidence of altered connective tissue metabolism may predispose to pelvic floor dysfunction, supporting the use of biomaterials, such as synthetic mesh, to correct pelvic fascial defects.

Collagen synthesis is not altered in women with stress urinary incontinence.

Aims: The objective of this study was to demonstrate that weakened pelvic floor support of the lower genitourinary tract in women with stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is due, in part, to decreased collagen synthesis and secretion and/or an altered ratio of collagen III/I synthesis by the fibroblasts of the endopelvic fascia and skin compared to that of women without evidence of pelvic floor weakening.

Methods: Endopelvic fascia and skin biopsies were obtained from women with SUI (n = 14) and women without evidence of SUI or genital prolapse (n = 12). Fibroblast cultures established from the biopsies were incubated with 3H-proline in medium containing ascorbic acid for 3 hr.

Excretion of collagen derived peptides is increased in women with stress urinary incontinence.

Aims: The objective of this study was to demonstrate that weakened pelvic floor support of the lower genitourinary tract in women with stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is due to increased collagenolysis. When fibrillar collagen is degraded, pyridinium (PYD) crosslinks are released and excreted in the urine. Degradation of collagen also results in peptide fragments of various lengths which are excreted in the urine.

A comparison of multiple urine markers for interstitial cystitis.

Purpose: We measured several urine markers in 24-hour specimens from patients with interstitial cystitis and healthy controls. For each marker we determined whether the urine level was significantly different in interstitial cystitis and control cases, and whether the marker level correlated with the symptom score.

Materials And Methods: Study participants included 36 female patients with interstitial cystitis and 36 age matched female volunteers.

Effects of Salts, Sugars, and Salt-Sugar Combinations on Growth and Sporulation of an Isolate of Eurotium rubrum from Pancake Syrup.

An osmoduric-saccharophilic fungus, identified as a strain of Eurotium rubrum Konig, Speikermann and Bremer and isolated from a bottle of syrup, showed optimum growth (i.e., increase in colony diameter) on Sabouraud's agar amended with 60% (w/v) sucrose (calculated a = 0.