Cutaneous vasoregulation during short- and long-term aerial acclimation in the amphibious mangrove rivulus, Kryptolebias marmoratus.

The mangrove rivulus (Kryptolebias marmoratus) is an amphibious fish and evidence suggests that the cutaneous surface is the primary site of gas exchange during emersion. The aim of this study was to determine whether cutaneous blood vessels were regulated in the caudal fin during the initial transition from water to aerial exposure, and after 10 days of aerial acclimation. Acute changes (first 3 min following emersion) in the cutaneous vessels diameter were measured in real-time on live fish using light microscopy.

Rapid increase in the partial pressure of NH3 on the cutaneous surface of air-exposed mangrove killifish, Rivulus marmoratus.

Mangrove killifish, Rivulus marmoratus, are tolerant of prolonged periods of air exposure (>30 days). Air-exposed R. marmoratus eliminate more than 40% of their total ammonia through NH(3) volatilization; however, the sites and mechanisms are unclear.

Characterization of prostate size, PSA and endocrine profiles in patients with spinal cord injuries.

Aims of this study: From cross-sectional and longitudinal population based studies as well as from autopsy studies it is well documented that total prostate volume increases with advancing age. However, it is not well known (1) which factors are ultimately responsible for this growth phenomenon; or (2) at what time in a persons life the growth tends to occur. At present at least a permissive role for testicular androgens is assumed to be involved in growth regulation.

Percutaneous afferent neuromodulation for the refractory overactive bladder: results of a multicenter study.

Purpose: More than 20 million Americans have an overactive bladder, the predominant symptoms being frequency, urgency, urge incontinence and pelvic pain. While the etiology is not completely understood, most investigators believe the causes to be many and the pelvic floor to be intimately related. Whatever the etiology, traditional therapies, including dietary manipulation, bladder drill, medications and physical therapy, are often poorly tolerated and/or ineffective.

Multiple sclerosis and the urologist.

Purpose: We provide an updated reference detailing the neurological and urological state of the art approach to multiple sclerosis (MS) with special emphasis on the pathology and physiology, effects on the genitourinary tract, diagnostic evaluation, and treatment of neurological and urological manifestations.

Materials And Methods: A MEDLINE computerized reference search and manual bibliography review were performed to find pertinent peer reviewed articles on the neurological and urological manifestations and treatment of MS. A meta-analysis was performed on the urodynamic findings of 22 studies involving 1,882 patients from well-defined MS populations.

Vaginal wall sling: long-term outcome analysis of factors contributing to patients satisfaction and surgical success.

Purpose: The clinical outcome of the vaginal wall sling was retrospectively evaluated to determine patient perception, satisfaction and factors contributing to postoperative success.

Material And Methods: An outcome based study was conducted of 51 patients undergoing construction of a vaginal wall sling for genuine stress incontinence or intrinsic sphincteric deficiency. Preoperative symptoms, demographic parameters and video urodynamic studies were correlated with postoperative patient perception of symptoms to determine patient satisfaction and factors contributing to overall success.

Urodynamic findings in the tethered spinal cord syndrome: does surgical release improve bladder function?

Purpose: We retrospectively reviewed 39 patients with a tethered spinal cord to evaluate whether surgical release positively influenced urological symptoms or urodynamic findings.

Materials And Methods: The patients were divided into 2 groups: group 1-11 with occult spinal dysraphism and group 2-28 with secondary spinal cord tethering after previous closure of a myelomeningocele or resection of a lipomyelomeningocele. Diagnosis was confirmed in all cases by magnetic resonance imaging or spinal ultrasound.

Post-prostatectomy incontinence and the artificial urinary sphincter: a long-term study of patient satisfaction and criteria for success.

Purpose: We investigated patient satisfaction with the artificial urinary sphincter and established criteria for a successful outcome by inquiring about patient perceived satisfaction, continence achieved and comparison with the surgeon office records.

Materials And Methods: During 9 years 65 patients with post-prostatectomy incontinence underwent placement of the AMS800 artificial urinary sphincter. Review of charts and a telephone questionnaire were conducted to determine patient perceived satisfaction.

Mucinous adenocarcinoma in defunctionalized bladders.

Primary adenocarcinoma of the bladder accounts for less than 2% of all bladder cancers. There is no report of such a case in a defunctionalized bladder. All reported cases of carcinoma in defunctionalized bladders were either squamous cell, signet ring cell, or transitional cell carcinoma, detected within an average of 5 years after urinary diversion, and all have been associated with chronic inflammation of the bladder.

Radical retropubic prostatectomy for localized carcinoma of the prostate in a large metropolitan hospital: changing trends over a 10-year period (1984-1994). Dallas Outcomes Research Group for Urological Disorders.

Objectives: To analyze changing trends in the surgical treatment for localized carcinoma of the prostate in a large metropolitan community hospital over a 10-year period from 1984 to 1994.

Methods: The records of all 428 patients who underwent radical prostatectomy for localized carcinoma of the prostate from January 1, 1984, to January 1, 1994, at a large metropolitan community hospital (Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas, Tex) were retrieved and data abstracted in a predefined computerized database by a urology resident who was not part of the patient's surgical team. The abstracted data included attending surgeon, date of surgery, patient's age, clinical stage at presentation and pathologic stage, prostate-specific antigen (PSA), perioperative events, such as duration of surgery, blood loss, transfusion, duration of hospital stay, comorbidities according to the Charlson comorbidity index, and others.

Anastomotic suture granuloma following radical retropubic prostatectomy.

We report 2 cases of symptomatic suture granuloma formation after erosion of the silk suture (used to ligate the dorsal venous complex) into the urethrovesical anastomosis. Irritative or obstructive voiding complaints, sterile pyuria or hematuria found after radical retropubic prostatectomy mandates urological evaluation, including cystoscopy to rule out anastomotic suture granuloma formation. Although erosion appears to be a rare occurrence, we recommend use of absorbable suture to control the dorsal venous complex and avoid this possible complication.