A novel cell-permeable antioxidant peptide decreases renal tubular apoptosis and damage in unilateral ureteral obstruction.

Unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) is characterized by decreases in renal function, increased interstitial fibrosis, tubular apoptosis, and cellular infiltration. It has been suggested that inhibition of tubular apoptosis may protect against renal damage in obstruction. We have recently developed a series of peptides which are concentrated in the inner mitochondrial membrane and prevent cell death.

Granular cell tumor of the glans penis in a 9-year-old boy.

Granular cell tumor of the penis is a rare lesion, especially in the pediatric population. We present a case of a 9-year-old white boy with a granular cell tumor of the glans penis, as well as a review of literature. We also discuss clinical management and subsequent implications pertinent to lesion location.

Early upregulation of iNOS mRNA expression and increase in NO metabolites in pressurized renal epithelial cells.

Pressure is an important physiological regulator, but under abnormal conditions it may be a critical factor in the onset and progression of disease in many organs. In vivo, proximal tubular epithelial cells are subjected to pressure as a result of ureteral obstruction, which may influence the production of nitric oxide (NO), a ubiquitous multifunctional cytokine. To directly explore the effect of pressure on the expression and activity of NO synthase (NOS) in cultured proximal tubular epithelial cells, a novel pressure apparatus was developed.

Nerve sparing ventral clitoroplasty: analysis of clitoral sensitivity and viability.

Purpose: Enlargement of the clitoris is often a prominent manifestation of virilizing congenital adrenal hyperplasia and other disorders of sexual development. Controversy persists regarding the viability and sensitivity of the clitoris following clitoroplasty. We present 51 consecutive cases of nerve sparing ventral clitoroplasty performed by a single surgeon.

Angiotensin receptor blockade decreases fibrosis and fibroblast expression in a rat model of unilateral ureteral obstruction.

Purpose: Unilateral ureteral obstruction is characterized by histopathological changes including interstitial fibrosis, fibroblast specific protein expression, tubular atrophy and apoptosis, and macrophage infiltration. Angiotensin II has been implicated in some of these changes. We examined the effect of angiotensin blockade on markers of renal injury, including fibroblast specific protein expression, fibrosis, apoptosis and macrophage infiltration.

Dietary arginine supplementation attenuates renal damage after relief of unilateral ureteral obstruction in rats.

Background: Progression of renal injury after relief of unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) has been demonstrated. Nitric oxide (NO) may be an effective intervention due to its vasodilatory, antifibrotic, and anti-apoptotic effects. Herein, we used dietary L-arginine (ARG) supplementation in a UUO relief model.

Cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor decreases extracellular matrix synthesis in stretched renal fibroblasts.

Background/aims: Both TGF-beta and cyclooxygenase-2 have been implicated in the pathogenesis of interstitial fibrosis in unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO). Cyclic tensile stretch has been used in vitro to mimic the changes in intrarenal pressure in UUO. We sought to determine the effect of meloxicam (a selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor) on extracellular matrix and TGF-beta synthesis in stretched renal fibroblasts (NRK-49F).

Liposome-mediated transfer of nitric oxide synthase gene improves renal function in ureteral obstruction in rats.

Background: The protective effect of nitric oxide has been demonstrated in several renal disease models. We augmented renal nitric oxide production by transfer of the inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) gene into rat kidney in controls and in unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO).

Methods: The human iNOS gene was inserted into a pcDNA 3.

Nerve sparing extravesical repair of bilateral vesicoureteral reflux: description of technique and evaluation of urinary retention.

Purpose: Prolonged urinary retention remains a controversial and feared complication following bilateral extravesical ureteral reimplantation. We report a modified approach to limit detrusor nerve damage during extravesical correction of bilateral ureteral reflux that significantly reduces this adverse outcome.

Materials And Methods: A modified approach to the distal detrusor dissection and ureteral mobilization, along with limited periureteral dissection, was used to perform this technique.

Testosterone treatment of human foreskin in a novel transplant model.

Objectives: To determine whether testosterone would increase angiogenesis in human foreskin, because of the known effects of testosterone on endothelial cells and vascular endothelial growth factor expression. Surgical management of complex hypospadias in a patient who has undergone multiple procedures is technically very challenging. It is possible that therapy to increase the blood supply to this tissue could be beneficial.