Clinical determination of the natural distensibility of the human ureter: initial study.

Objectives: To define the natural distensibility of the human ureter and evaluate the impact of other possibly favourable factors on ureteric distensibility.

Patients And Methods: A total of 101 patients undergoing ureteroscopic stone removal or percutaneous nephrolithotomy underwent ureteric sizing using sequential passage of 37-cm urethral dilators in 2-F increments while attached to a unique force sensor. Insertion forces were limited to 6 N.

Surgical Force: Initial Study and Clinical Implications in the Assessment of Ureteral Access Sheath Induced Injury.

Ureteral access sheaths (UAS) pose the risk of severe ureteral injury. Our prior studies revealed forces ≤6 Newtons (N) prevent ureteral injury. Accordingly, we sought to define the force urologists and residents in training typically use when placing a UAS.

Alkaline Water: Help or Hype for Uric Acid and Cystine Urolithiasis?

Purpose: The consumption of alkaline water, water with an average pH of 8 to 10, has been steadily increasing globally as proponents claim it to be a healthier alternative to regular water. Urinary alkalinization therapy is frequently prescribed in patients with uric acid and cystine urolithiasis, and as such we analyzed commercially available alkaline waters to assess their potential to increase urinary pH.

Materials And Methods: Five commercially available alkaline water brands (Essentia, Smart Water Alkaline, Great Value Hydrate Alkaline Water, Body Armor SportWater, and Perfect Hydration) underwent anion chromatography and direct chemical measurements to determine the mineral contents of each product.

Electromotive Drug Administration in the Porcine Renal Pelvis: First Report.

Electromotive Drug Administration (EMDA) amplifies drug delivery deep into targeted tissues. We tested, for the first time, the ability of EMDA to deliver methylene blue into the urothelium of the renal pelvis. In an anesthetized female pig, both proximal ureters were transected two inches distal to the ureteropelvic junction.

Nucleoside Metabolism Is Induced in Common Bean During Early Seedling Development.

Nucleoside hydrolases (NSH; nucleosidases) catalyze the cleavage of nucleosides into ribose and free nucleobases. These enzymes have been postulated as key elements controlling the ratio between nucleotide salvage and degradation. Moreover, they play a pivotal role in ureidic legumes by providing the substrate for the synthesis of ureides.