Preclinical Female Model of Urogenital Dysfunction and Pathophysiological Changes After Pelvic Radiation Therapy.

Introduction Radiation therapy (RT) is the gold standard for many pelvic cancers and improves overall patient survival. However, pelvic RT is associated with increased sexual dysfunction and urinary incontinence. Although the side effects of pelvic RT are well-documented, the pathological mechanisms leading to pelvic organ dysfunction are unknown, and a preclinical model has not been established.

Impact of prostatic radiation therapy on bladder contractility and innervation.

Aims: To determine the effect of prostatic radiation therapy (RT) on bladder contractility and morphology, and axon, or neuron profiles within the detrusor and major pelvic ganglia (MPG) in male rats.

Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats (8 weeks) received a single dose of prostatic RT (0 or 22 Gy). Bladders and MPG were collected 2- and 10-weeks post-RT.

Measuring Parental Presence in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

Parental presence is believed to improve outcomes for infants hospitalized in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). As a result, NICU policies and procedures have evolved to support parental presence, and a growing number of studies examine the role of parental presence in the NICU. However, the measurement of parental presence is not standardized, complicating assessment of its impact on child and parent outcomes across studies.

Managing female pelvic floor disorders: a medical device review and appraisal.

Pelvic floor disorders (PFDs) will affect most women during their lifetime. Sequelae such as pelvic organ prolapse, stress urinary incontinence, chronic pain and dyspareunia significantly impact overall quality of life. Interventions to manage or eliminate symptoms from PFDs aim to restore support of the pelvic floor.

Chronic high-fat diet decreased detrusor mitochondrial respiration and increased nerve-mediated contractions.

Aims: To assess the impact of chronic high-fat diet (HFD) on behavioral voiding patterns, detrusor contractility, and smooth muscle mitochondrial function in male mice.

Materials And Methods: Male C57BL/6J mice (6 weeks) were fed a control or HFD for 20 weeks. Bladder function was assessed by void spot assays.

Prostate-Confined Radiation Decreased Pelvic Ganglia Neuronal Survival and Outgrowth.

Background: Erectile dysfunction (ED) is common following radiation therapy (RT) for prostate cancer. Although the cause of RT-induced ED is unknown, damage to both the neuronal and vascular components supporting erections are often implicated.

Aim: To determine the effects of prostatic RT on erections, penile vascular physiology, and major pelvic ganglia (MPG) neuron growth and survival in a rat model.

Homogenizing an urban habitat mosaic: arthropod diversity declines in New York City parks after Super Storm Sandy.

The frequency and intensity of hurricanes are increasing globally, and anthropogenic modifications in cities have created systems that may be particularly vulnerable to their negative effects. Organisms living in cities are exposed to variable levels of chronic environmental stress. However, whether chronic stress ameliorates or exacerbates the negative effects of hurricanes remains an open question.

Impaired contraction and decreased detrusor innervation in a female rat model of pelvic neuropraxia.

Introduction And Hypothesis: Bilateral pelvic nerve injury (BPNI) is a model of post-radical hysterectomy neuropraxia, a common sequela. This study assessed the time course of changes to detrusor autonomic innervation, smooth muscle (SM) content and cholinergic-mediated contraction post-BPNI.

Methods: Female Sprague-Dawley rats underwent BPNI or sham surgery and were evaluated 3, 7, 14, and 30 days post-BPNI (n = 8/group).