Design, implementation and assessment of a novel, introductory curriculum into female, neurological and urodynamic urology: a 7-year experience of urology simulation bootcamp course.

Purpose: To present the seven-year experience of a multi-component and interactive module on female, neurological and urodynamic urology (FNUU) training at the UK National Urology Simulation Bootcamp Course (USBC) and demonstrate trainee satisfaction and competency progression.

Methods: During the week-long USBC, a four-hour module on FNUU was designed which consisted of short interactive presentations with an emphasis on practical stations in urodynamics, intravesical botulinum toxin injection, urethral bulking injection, female pelvic examination and, initially, mid-urethral tapes (subsequently replaced with percutaneous sacral nerve evaluation). The trainee's level of knowledge, operative experience and confidence were assessed pre- and post-course.

Clinical and Patient-reported Outcome Measures in Men Referred for Consideration of Surgery to Treat Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms: Baseline Results and Diagnostic Findings of the Urodynamics for Prostate Surgery Trial; Randomised Evaluation of Assessment Methods (UPSTREAM).

Background: Clinical evaluation of male lower urinary tract symptoms (MLUTS) in secondary care uses a range of assessments. It is unknown how MLUTS evaluation influences outcome of therapy recommendations and choice, notably urodynamics (UDS; filling cystometry and pressure flow studies).

Objective: To report participants' sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, and initial diagnostic findings of the Urodynamics for Prostate Surgery Trial; Randomised Evaluation of Assessment Methods (UPSTREAM).

A Rare Urachal Cyst in a Case of Ketamine-induced Cystitis Provides Mechanistic Insights.

Objective: To establish whether the urothelial ulceration observed in ketamine-induced cystitis is triggered by urinary or systemic factors. This was achieved with a rare case where an urachal cyst was found near the bladder dome in a patient undergoing cystectomy for unremitting pain following ketamine abuse.

Methods: Clinical investigations included cystoscopy, video urodynamic investigation, and computed tomography of the kidneys, ureters, and bladder.

Use of donor bladder tissues for in vitro research.

Objectives: To evaluate deceased non-heart beating (DNHB) donors and deceased heart beating (DHB) brain-stem dead donors, as sources of viable urological tissue for use in biomedical research. To identify sources of viable human bladder tissue as an essential resource for cell biological research aimed at understanding human diseases of the bladder and for developing new tissue engineering and regenerative medicine strategies for bladder reconstruction. Typically, normal human urinary tract tissue is obtained from adult or paediatric surgical patients with benign urological conditions, but few surgical procedures yield useful quantities of healthy bladder tissue for research.

Vesicovaginal fistulae.

Vesicovaginal fistula (VVF) formation represents a condition with devastating consequences for the patient and continues to pose a significant challenge to the surgeon. Quick and accurate diagnosis, followed by timely repair is essential to the successful management of these cases. A thorough understanding of the pathophysiology and anatomy of the fistula, potential factors that may compromise healing and experience in the fundamental principles of fistula repair are the vital tools of the fistula surgeon.

Assessing UK specialists' knowledge of the diagnostic criteria for painful bladder syndrome/interstitial cystitis.

The aim of this study was to assess UK clinicians' knowledge of the National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney diseases (NIDDK) criteria for painful bladder syndrome (PBS)/interstitial cystitis (IC). A questionnaire survey was distributed nationally to 100 gynaecologists and urologists. The main outcome measure was to determine whether respondents knew the NIDDK diagnostic criteria for PBS/IC.

The implementation of European Association of Urology guidelines in the management of acute epididymo-orchitis.

Introduction: Acute epididymo-orchitis is a common and increasing problem. This retrospective study reviewed whether the European Association of Urology guidelines for the management of acute epididymo-orchitis, which form the basis of this Trust's present inter-departmental guidelines, are being effectively implemented.

Patients And Methods: Case notes of 53 patients attending the emergency department with acute epididymo-orchitis over a 6-month period were reviewed retrospectively.

Differentiation potential of urothelium from patients with benign bladder dysfunction.

Objective: To develop a novel in vitro approach to test the hypothesis that failure of urothelial differentiation underlies the aetiopathology of interstitial cystitis (IC), where there is evidence of compromised urinary barrier function, as benign dysfunctional bladder disease encompass several poorly understood clinically defined conditions, including IC, idiopathic detrusor overactivity (IDO) and stress urinary incontinence (SUI).

Materials And Methods: Biopsy-derived urothelial cells from dysfunctional bladder biopsies were propagated as finite cell lines and examined for their capacity to differentiate in vitro, as assessed by the acquisition of a transitional cell morphology, a switch from a cytokeratin (CK)13(lo)/CK14(hi) to a CK13(hi)/CK14(lo) phenotype, expression of claudin 3, 4 and 5 proteins, and induction of uroplakin gene transcription.

Results: Two of 12 SUI cell lines showed early senescent changes in culture and were not characterized further; one of seven IC, one of five IDO and a further three SUI cell lines had some evidence of senescence at passage 3.

PPARgamma-regulated tight junction development during human urothelial cytodifferentiation.

Urothelial barrier function is maintained by apical membrane plaques and intercellular tight junctions (TJ). Little is known about the composition and regulation of TJ expression in human urothelium. In this study, we have characterised the expression of TJ components in situ and their regulation in an in vitro model of differentiating normal human urothelial (NHU) cells.

Urothelial differentiation in vesicoureteric reflux and other urological disorders of childhood: a comparative study.

Objective: The strong familial basis of vesicoureteric reflux (VUR) is well recognised, however little progress has been made in identifying the causative genes. In this study we have investigated whether human vesicoureteric reflux (VUR) is associated with the aberrant expression of urothelial differentiation-associated antigens in view of the VUR phenotype of the Uroplakin IIIa (UPIIIa) "knockout" mouse.

Methods: Samples of urothelium were collected from 13 children with primary VUR, four children with secondary VUR and from seven children with non-refluxing disorders of the urinary tract.