Comparative anatomy of the ovine and human pelvis for laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy: evaluating the effectiveness of the ovine model.

Introduction And Hypothesis: Laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy (LSC) is a functional reconstructive surgery used to treat pelvic organ prolapse (POP) in middle-aged women. Although LSC is widely used, its implementation is hindered by perceived technical difficulties and surgical learning curves. Surgeons require adequate experience with LSC prior to performing the procedure on patients to improve their quality of life.

Development and assessment of an ex-vivo bench model aimed at laparoscopic ureteric reconstructive techniques.

Introduction/background: Reconstructive and ablative urologic techniques require special technical mastery, especially the intracorporeal suturing.

Objective: To report the subjective evaluation of a versatile ex-vivo model aimed to practice laparoscopic ureteric reconstructive techniques (LURT) on box-trainer.

Study Design: The model is a continuous portion of porcine urinary bladder ("dilated pelvis"), the vesico-ureteral joint ("stenosis") and healthy ureter.

Hydrogels for Bioprinting: A Systematic Review of Hydrogels Synthesis, Bioprinting Parameters, and Bioprinted Structures Behavior.

Nowadays, bioprinting is rapidly evolving and hydrogels are a key component for its success. In this sense, synthesis of hydrogels, as well as bioprinting process, and cross-linking of bioinks represent different challenges for the scientific community. A set of unified criteria and a common framework are missing, so multidisciplinary research teams might not efficiently share the advances and limitations of bioprinting.

Can effective pedagogy be ensured in minimally invasive surgery e-learning?

Introduction: Effectiveness of e-learning diminishes without the support of a pedagogical model to guide its use. In minimally invasive surgery (MIS), this has been reported as a limitation when technology is used to deliver contents without a sound pedagogical background.

Material And Methods: We describe how a generic pedagogical model, the 3D pedagogy framework, can be used for setting learning outcomes and activities in e-learning platforms focused on MIS cognitive skills.

Experimental Assessment of New Generation of Ureteral Stents: Biodegradable and Antireflux Properties.

The aim was to assess a new biodegradable and antireflux intraureteral stent (BraidStent) design in a swine model after ureteral laparoscopic operation. A total of 24 female pigs underwent initial endoscopic, nephrosonographic, and contrast fluoroscopy assessment of the urinary tract. Afterward, unilateral ureteropelvic junction obstruction was performed by laparoscopic approach.

Latest advancements in ureteral stent technology.

Urological diseases such as tumours, kidney stones, or strictures in the ureter can lead to a number of health consequences, including life-threatening complications. Ureteral stents have been widely used as a valid solution to restore compromised urological function. Despite their clinical success, stents are subject to failure due to encrustation and biofilm formation, potentially leading to urinary tract infection.

Antireflux ureteral stent proof of concept assessment after minimally invasive treatment of obstructive uropathy in animal model.

Objectives: To assess the efficacy of a new anti-reflux intraureteral stent design in a swine model after minimally invasive treatment of ureteral stricture to reduce ureteral stent morbidity, previous to manufacture this design in a biodegradable fashion.

Methods: Twenty-eight female pigs were included. The study began with a cystoscopic, nephrosonographic and contrast fluoroscopic assessment.

Evaluation of a New Design of Antireflux-biodegradable Ureteral Stent in Animal Model.

Objective: To determine the effects in urinary tract of a new antireflux-biodegradable ureteral stent.

Materials And Methods: Thirty six ureters belonging to 24 pigs were used. The study began with endoscopic, nephrosonographic, and fluoroscopic assessments.

Evidences supporting the vascular etiology of post-double balloon enteroscopy pancreatitis: Study in porcine model.

Double balloon enteroscopy (DBE) is an endoscopic technique broadly used to diagnose and treat small bowel diseases. Among the associated complications of the oral DBE, post-procedure pancreatitis has taken the most attention due to its gravity and the thought that it might be associated to the technique itself and anatomical features of the pancreas. However, as the etiology has not been clarified yet, this paper aims to review the published literature and adds new results from a porcine animal model.

Role of the Calcium-Sensing Receptor (CaSR) in bovine gametes and during in vitro fertilization.

Calcium Sensing Receptor (CaSR) is a G-protein coupled receptor which senses extracellular calcium and activates diverse intracellular pathways. The objective of our work was to demonstrate the presence of CaSR in bovine gametes and its possible role in fertilization and embryo development. The location of CaSR was demonstrated by immunofluorescence in bovine gametes; additionally bovine sperm were incubated with 5, 10 and 15 μM of the specific CaSR inhibitor NPS2143 in a Tyrode's Albumin Lactate Pyruvate medium (4 h).

Immunosenescence: limitations of natural killer cell-based cancer immunotherapy.

Cancer is primarily considered a disease of old age. Immunosenescence refers to the age-associated changes in the immune system, and its contribution to the increased risk of cancer in old individuals has been discussed for many years. Natural killer (NK) cells are cytotoxic innate immune cells specialized in defence against tumour and virus-infected cells.

Changes on Adipose Tissue Distribution After Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass in Obese Göttingen Minipig. Effects on Glucose Metabolism.

Background: The objective of the study was to assess Roux-en-Y independent-to-weight metabolic effects on an obese Gottingen minipig.

Methods: Eleven castrated Göttingen minipigs were enrolled. Minipigs became obese after a 9-month period of experimental diet.

Comparison of minilaparoscopy and single-incision intragastric surgery for gastric submucosal tumor resection in a porcine model.

Background: The aim of this study was to develop an easy-to-induce and reproducible model of gastric submucosal tumor in swine to compare minilaparoscopy (ML) with single-incision (SI) intragastric surgery.

Methods: Twelve healthy female pigs (weight 30.94 ± 2.

Validation of a structured intensive laparoscopic course for basic and advanced gynecologic skills training.

Objective: To describe and validate a gynecologic laparoscopic-surgery training model.

Methods: The present prospective observational study was conducted at the Minimally Invasive Surgery Centre Jesús Usón, Cáceres, Spain, between January 2011 and June 2013. Novice gynecologists attended a 3-day course including simulation and animal training.

Validation of a simulator for temporomandibular joint arthroscopy.

The traditional method of surgical training has followed the 'observe, practice, and teach' model, which is useful for open surgery, but is insufficient for minimally invasive surgery. This study presents the validation of a new simulator designed for TMJ arthroscopy training. A group of 10 senior maxillofacial surgeons performed an arthroscopy procedure using the simulator.

Quantitative evaluation of the vasculature supplying the oviduct in pre-pubertal and sexually mature sows.

The present work was aimed at characterizing the regional vascularization of the oviduct in the pig to ascertain whether the number of terminal mesosalpingeal arterioles supplying the isthmus and ampulla is influenced by reproductive maturity and state of the estrous cycle. The total number of terminal arterioles (NTA) in the mesosalpinx was quantified under a stereomicroscope in latex injected ex-vivo reproductive tracts from pre-pubertal (n = 10) and mature sows (n = 34), the latter allocated into three phases of the estrous cycle: follicular (n = 12); early luteal (n = 11); and late luteal (n = 11). The NTA and density of terminal arterioles (DTA) changed little between pre-pubertal and mature sows or among sows of different reproductive status (P > 0.

Development and Validation of a Novel Skills Training Model for Retrograde Intrarenal Surgery.

Purpose: The aim of this study is to validate a training model that combines the use of nonbiologic and biologic simulators as well as live porcine animal model in endoscopic retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS).

Materials And Methods: A total of 60 urologists took part in this study, and the activity lasted for 2 days. The training model was divided into three modules: Module-I, related to the acquisition of basic theoretical knowledge; Module-II, consisting of an internship with bench models; and Module III, in which animal models were used.

Preliminary Assessment of a New Antireflux Ureteral Stent Design in Swine Model.

Objective: To assess a new antireflux ureteral stent in animal model. The design expects to reduce morbidity associated with JJ ureteral stents.

Materials And Methods: Twelve pigs were used in this study.

Natural killer cell immunosenescence in acute myeloid leukaemia patients: new targets for immunotherapeutic strategies?

Several age-associated changes in natural killer (NK) cell phenotype have been reported that contribute to the defective NK cell response observed in elderly patients. A remodelling of the NK cell compartment occurs in the elderly with a reduction in the output of immature CD56(bright) cells and an accumulation of highly differentiated CD56(dim) NK cells. Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) is generally a disease of older adults.

Hemostatic sponge effect on adhesion prevention in a porcine model.

Background: In this work, we aimed to assess the preventive effect of an absorbable hemostatic collagen sponge (HCS) on the reduction of postsurgical gynecological adhesions in a porcine model.

Materials And Methods: Forty female pigs were subjected to a right uterine horn myotomy and left uterine horn deserosation. They were randomly divided into two groups, HCS application and control, which were rearranged into laparotomy and laparoscopy groups.

Immunomodulatory Potential of Human Adipose Mesenchymal Stem Cells Derived Exosomes on in vitro Stimulated T Cells.

In the recent years, it has been demonstrated that the biological activity of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) is mediated through the release of paracrine factors. Many of these factors are released into exosomes, which are small membranous vesicles that participate in cell-cell communication. Exosomes from MSCs are thought to have similar functions to MSCs such as repairing and regeneration of damaged tissue, but little is known about the immunomodulatory effect of these vesicles.

Description and validation of realistic and structured endourology training model.

Purpose: The aim of the present study was to validate a model of training, which combines the use of non-biological and ex vivo biological bench models, as well as the modelling of urological injuries for endourological treatment in a porcine animal model.

Material And Methods: A total of 40 participants took part in this study. The duration of the activity was 16 hours.

Comparison of single access devices during cut and suturing tasks on simulator.

Background: Published comparisons of the different available laparoendoscopic single-site surgery (LESS) devices focused on its economic cost and technical aspects. With this study, we aimed to objectively compare the use of three different LESS access devices in controlled experimental tasks.

Materials And Methods: Twenty subjects participated in simulator trials.