VEGF overexpressed mesoangioblasts enhance urethral and vaginal recovery following simulated vaginal birth in rats.

Vaginal birth causes pelvic floor injury which may lead to urinary incontinence. Cell therapy has been proposed to assist in functional recovery. We aim to assess if intra-arterial injection of rat mesoangioblasts (MABs) and stable Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF)-expressing MABs, improve recovery of urethral and vaginal function following simulated vaginal delivery (SVD).

Neutering is not associated with early-onset urethral obstruction in cats.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the correlation between clinical aspects and urethral lesions with reproductive status and age at neutering in obstructed male cats.

Methods: All cats with compatible signs of urethral obstruction (UO) treated at the Veterinary Hospital of the Federal Rural University of Pernambuco from 2019 to 2021 were divided into three groups according to their reproductive status: intact; prepubertal neutered; and post-pubertal neutered. Cats with compatible signs of UO were selected for further analysis.

Hyperthermia Enhances Efficacy of Chemotherapeutic Agents in Pancreatic Cancer Cell Lines.

Chemotherapy (CT) is the standard care for advanced pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC); however, with limited efficacy. Hyperthermia (HT) treatment has been suggested as a sensitizer to improve outcomes. However, the direct effect of the HT and CT combination is not fully understood.

Animal models for pelvic organ prolapse: systematic review.

Introduction And Hypothesis: We aimed to summarize the knowledge on the pathogenesis of pelvic organ prolapse (POP) generated in animal models.

Methods: We searched MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane and the Web of Science to establish what animal models are used in the study of suggested risk factors for the development of POP, including pregnancy, labor, delivery, parity, aging and menopause. Lack of methodologic uniformity precluded meta-analysis; hence, results are presented as a narrative review.

The ewe as an animal model of vaginal atrophy and vaginal Er:YAG laser application.

Objective: In sheep of reproductive age, we aimed to document decrease in epithelial thickness, glycogen amount, and other vaginal changes after castration and the effect of Er:YAG laser as used clinically.

Methods: On day 0, 16 sheep underwent ovariectomy. They were randomized to sham or three vaginal Er:YAG laser applications at monthly intervals.

Functional supramolecular bioactivated electrospun mesh improves tissue ingrowth in experimental abdominal wall reconstruction in rats.

Development of biomaterials for hernia and pelvic organ prolapse (POP) repair is encouraged because of high local complication rates with current materials. Therefore, we aimed to develop a functionalized electrospun mesh that promotes tissue ingrowth and provides adequate mechanical strength and compliance during degradation. We describe the in vivo function of a new supramolecular bioactivated polycarbonate (PC) material based on fourfold hydrogen bonding ureidopyrimidinone (UPy) units (UPy-PC).

Biomechanical Behaviour and Biocompatibility of Ureidopyrimidinone-Polycarbonate Electrospun and Polypropylene Meshes in a Hernia Repair in Rabbits.

Although mesh use has significantly improved the outcomes of hernia and pelvic organ prolapse repair, long-term recurrence rates remain unacceptably high. We aim to determine the in vivo degradation and functional outcome of reconstructed abdominal wall defects, using slowly degradable electrospun ureidopyrimidinone moieties incorporated into a polycarbonate backbone (UPy-PC) implant compared to an ultra-lightweight polypropylene (PP) textile mesh with high pore stability. Twenty four New-Zealand rabbits were implanted with UPy-PC or PP to either reinforce a primary fascial defect repair or to cover (referred to as gap bridging) a full-thickness abdominal wall defect.

Experimental reconstruction of an abdominal wall defect with electrospun polycaprolactone-ureidopyrimidinone mesh conserves compliance yet may have insufficient strength.

Purpose: Electrospun meshes mimic the extracellular matrix, which may improve their integration. We aimed to compare polycaprolactone (PCL) modified with ureidopyrimidinone (UPy) electrospun meshes with ultra-lightweight polypropylene (PP; Restorelle) reference textile meshes for in vivo compliance. We chose UPy-PCL because we have shown it does not compromise biomechanical properties of native tissue, and because it potentially can be bioactivated.

Assessment of Electrospun and Ultra-lightweight Polypropylene Meshes in the Sheep Model for Vaginal Surgery.

Background: There is an urgent need to develop better materials to provide anatomical support to the pelvic floor without compromising its function.

Objective: Our aim was to assess outcomes after simulated vaginal prolapse repair in a sheep model using three different materials: (1) ultra-lightweight polypropylene (PP) non-degradable textile (Restorelle) mesh, (2) electrospun biodegradable ureidopyrimidinone-polycarbonate (UPy-PC), and (3) electrospun non-degradable polyurethane (PU) mesh in comparison with simulated native tissue repair (NTR). These implants may reduce implant-related complications and avoid vaginal function loss.

Fate of mesoangioblasts in a vaginal birth injury model: influence of the route of administration.

Currently cell therapy is considered as an experimental strategy to assist the healing process following simulated vaginal birth injury in rats, boosting the functional and morphologic recovery of pelvic floor muscles and nerves. However, the optimal administration route and dose still need to be determined. Mesangioblasts theoretically have the advantage that they can differentiate in skeletal and smooth muscle.

Physiologic musculofascial compliance following reinforcement with electrospun polycaprolactone-ureidopyrimidinone mesh in a rat model.

Purpose: Electrospun meshes may be considered as substitutes to textile polypropylene implants. We compared the host response and biomechanical properties of the rat abdominal wall following reinforcement with either polycaprolactone (PCL) modified with ureidopyrimidinone-motifs (UPy) or polypropylene mesh.

Methods: First we measured the response to cyclic uniaxial load within the physiological range both dry (room temperature) and wet (body temperature).

A novel translational model for fetoscopic intratracheal delivery of nanoparticles in piglets.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility of fetal tracheal injection in the late-gestational pig to target the airways.

Methods: Following laparotomy and hysterotomy, fetoscopy was performed in pregnant sows to access the fetal trachea. Two volumes of fluospheres were injected (1 and 3 mL).

Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Up-regulation in Human Amniotic Fluid Stem Cell Enhances Nephroprotection After Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury in the Rat.

Objective: To evaluate if the up-regulation of vascular endothelial growth factor strengthens the protective effect of amniotic fluid stem cells in a renal ischemia-reperfusion injury model.

Design: Randomized animal study.

Settings: University research laboratory.