Characterization of spontaneous electrical activity of the urinary tract: Ureter,bladder, urethra

The study aimed to characterize spontaneous electrical activity of the ureter, urinary bladder and urethra as well as their interrelationship. The basic parameters of pacemaker activity (amplitude, frequency, peak rise rate, peak rise time, peak half-width) were comparatively analyzed in each of the active areas. Out of the three areas compared, the ureteral rhythmogenic zone displayed the maximum amplitude and apex formation rate. Under conditions of urine influx from the ureter into the bladder and isolation of these organs from the urethra, the amplitude and peak rise rate in the latter decreased by almost 20%. At the same time, all the parameters of the ureter and bladder remained intact. Complete block of urine influx into the bladder by transecting the ureter at the appropriate area led to a slight decrease in the amplitude of action potentials, peak rise rate and rhythmogenicity frequency in the bladder, respectively, by 14.2, 12.5 and 16% at the constancy of other parameters of its activity. Subsequent isolation of the bladder from the urethra had no appreciable effect on the altered parameters of the former. The similar tendency towards a reduction of the parameters was observed under the same conditions in the urethra. Thus, a relationship was revealed between autonomous activities of the ureter, bladder and urethra. The regulatory role in this process is provided by the urine flow through these organs.     

A Case of Vesical and Scrotal Sparganosis Presenting as a Scrotal Mass

A 59-year-old Korean man complained of a painless scrotal hard nodule and weak urine stream. The ultrasound scan revealed a 2.2-cm sized round heteroechogenic nodule located in the extratesticular area. Microscopic hematuria was detected in routine laboratory examinations. On scrotal exploration, multiple spargana were incidentally found in the mass and along the left spermatic cord. On cystoscopy, a 10-mm sized mucosal elevation was found in the right side of the bladder dome. After transurethral resection of the covered mucosa, larval tapeworms were removed from inside of the nodule by forceps. Plerocercoids of Spirometra erinacei was confirmed morphologically and also by PCR-sequencing analysis from the extracted tissue of the urinary bladder. So far as the literature is concerned, this is the first worm (PCR)-proven case of sparganosis in the urinary bladder.     

Urinary cystic calculi in a cynomolgus monkey (Macaca fascicularis): a case report.

An adult female Macaca fascicularis monkey became acutely anorexic and depressed and was found dead approximately 24 hours later. Necropsy revealed three hard brownish-yellow stones within the urinary bladder and urethra, a moderately shrunken left kidney, hemorrhage of the medulla of the left adrenal gland and a yellow liver. The stones, one of which was lodged in the urethra, were 1-2.5 cm in diameter, and their surfaces were rough and covered with spines. Chemical analysis of the stones revealed oxalates, phosphates, carbonates, ammonium salts, magnesium and calcium. Microscopic examination revealed chronic interstitial and glomerular nephritis and papillary hyperplasia of the transitional epithelium of the bladder.     

Capillaria plica (syn. Pearsonema plica) infection in a dog with chronic pollakiuria: Challenges in the diagnosis and treatment

Capillaria plica (syn. Pearsonema plica) is a nematode parasite of the urinary tract of canids, felids and mustelids, which can cause cystitis, pollakiuria, dysuria and hematuria. An eight-month-old female crossbred dog from Switzerland presented a six-month history of frequent urination. During the first clinical examination, C. plica eggs were detected in the urine sediment. Three series of treatments with fenbendazole (50 mg/kg body weight [BW]/day, orally) for 10 days each, three single day treatments with moxidectin–imidacloprid (spot-on) and one single administration of ivermectin (0.2 mg/kg BW subcutaneously) were performed within an eight-month period. None of those treatments succeeded in eliminating the C. plica infection or in resolving the clinical signs. An endoscopic examination of the urine bladder still revealed numerous adult viable C. plica worms attached to the bladder mucosa. A two-day treatment with levamisole (7.5 mg/kg BW/day intramuscularly) was subsequently performed. An endoscopic control of the urine bladder two days after this treatment and a urine analysis after two weeks confirmed the elimination of the parasites. The clinical signs disappeared within one month. Levamisole was shown to be effective against C. plica infection in a dog, whereas previous treatments with fenbendazole, moxidectin and ivermectin had failed.     

Abdominal pregnancy in a baboon: a first case report

The abdominal pregnancy is a rare, but life threatening complication of ectopic embryo implantation. Only three cases of abdominal pregnancy have been previously described in primates: in a squirrel monkey, owl monkey and in a rhesus macaque. A 14-year-old wild-caught olive baboon (Papio cynocephalus anubis) was diagnosed at the ultrasound examination with advanced gestational age extrauterine pregnancy. At the initial laparotomy and necropsy the diagnosis of abdominal pregnancy was made on Studdiford's criteria. This case indicates the possibility of developing a model for further study of different types of ectopic pregnancy and indicates a cesarean section as a risk factor for abdominal pregnancy.     

Development of an effective alternative model for in vivo hypnozoite-induced relapse infection: A Japanese macaque (Macaca fuscata) model experimentally infected with Plasmodium cynomolgi

In the present study, we demonstrate that the Japanese macaque (Macaca fuscata) can be used as an effective alternative in vivo model for investigating hypnozoite-induced relapsing infection caused by Plasmodium cynomolgi B strain, and that this model is comparable to the rhesus macaque model. Two female Japanese macaques (JM-1 and JM-2; aged 5 years; weighing about 4.0 kg) were used for the experiment. To produce sporozoites in mosquitoes, blood infected with P. cynomolgi B strain was collected from the donor monkey JM-1 and fed to approximately 200 mosquitoes using the standard artificial membrane feeding method. The isolated sporozoites (2 × 10⁵) were intravenously inoculated into the JM-2 monkey, and the blood stage of the parasite was detected on day 8 after the infection. Chloroquine sulfate (CQ) was intramuscularly administered at a dosage of 6.0 mg/kg into the JM-2 monkey for 6 consecutive days from day 12 onward, after which the parasites disappeared from the peripheral blood. The first relapse occurred on day 26, which was treated again with CQ. Then, the second relapse occurred on day 44, which was cured by CQ treatment followed by the administration of primaquine phosphate (PQ) at a dosage of 1.0 mg/kg/day for 15 days. The JM-2 monkey was observed until 69 days after PQ administration, and there was no relapse during the entire follow-up period. We propose that the Japanese macaque model could contribute not only to drug screening for anti-hypnozoite activity, but could also be used as a powerful tool for investigating hypnozoite biology.     

输尿管子宫内膜异位症伴肾积水1 例报告并文献复习

目的:探讨子宫内膜异位症累及输尿管的诊断和治疗方法。方法:术前诊断为右侧输尿管下段占位病变伴右肾积水的42岁女性患者,行下腹正中切口,探查右侧输尿管开口处可见淡黄色息肉样病变,突入膀胱,输尿管下段增粗并全程扩张积水,行输尿管下段并膀胱袖式切除,输尿管膀胱再植术。术后病理报告为输尿管子宫内膜异位症。结果:术后复查B超示右肾积水较术前恢复,术后予抑那通3.75mg/28d,随访6个月未见复发。结论:对于输尿管占位并上尿路积水的女性患者,除考虑肿瘤外还应考虑子宫内膜异位症可能。手术联合内分泌治疗是治疗输尿管子宫内膜异位伴肾积水的有效方法。     

A proteomic glimpse into human ureter proteome

Urine has evolved as one of the most important biofluids in clinical proteomics due to its noninvasive sampling and its stability. Yet, it is used in clinical diagnostics of several disorders by detecting changes in its components including urinary protein/polypeptide profile. Despite the fact that majority of proteins detected in urine are primarily originated from the urogenital (UG) tract, determining its precise source within the UG tract remains elusive. In this article, we performed a comprehensive analysis of ureter proteome to assemble the first unbiased ureter dataset. Next, we compared these data to urine, urinary exosome, and kidney mass spectrometric datasets. Our result concluded that among 2217 nonredundant ureter proteins, 751 protein candidates (33.8%) were detected in urine as urinary protein/polypeptide or exosomal protein. On the other hand, comparing ureter protein hits (48) that are not shown in corresponding databases to urinary bladder and prostate human protein atlas databases pinpointed 21 proteins that might be unique to ureter tissue. In conclusion, this finding offers future perspectives for possible identification of ureter disease‐associated biomarkers such as ureter carcinoma. In addition, the ureter proteomic dataset published in this article will provide a valuable resource for researchers working in the field of urology and urine biomarker discovery. All MS data have been deposited in the ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD002620 ( http://proteomecentral.proteomexchange.org/dataset/PXD002620 ).     

A case of nonimmune hydrops fetalis with a rare cardiac anomaly in a rhesus monkey

A case of nonimmune hydrops fetalis in a rhesus monkey was identified by ultrasound. The 68-day fetus exhibited generalized edema, pleural effusion, and mild ascites. Intrauterine fetal demise occurred between 75 and 80 days gestation. Necropsy revealed marked anasarca and a rare cardiac anomaly characterized by aortic and left atrioventricular valve atresia, hypoplasia of the ascending aorta and arch, and absence of the left ventricle.     

Urine cytology of localized primary amyloidosis of the ureter: a case report

BACKGROUND: Morphologic findings of amyloid in urine cytology material have rarely been reported because amyloidosis of the urinary tract is a relatively uncommon disorder. We present a case of primary amyloidosis of the ureter, including catheterized urine cytologicfindings. CASE: A 78-year-old man had pollakiuria and dysuria for 5 years before admission after transurethral resection of the prostate. Clinical examination revealed left hydronephrosis and stricture of the lower part of the left ureter, and a malignant ureteral tumor was suspected clinically. In catheterized urine cytology, many clusters of epithelial cells, inflammatory cells and abundant, amorphous, waxy material were observed. The amorphous material stained light green by the Papanicolaou method and positive with direct fast scarlet (DFS), showing yellow-green birefringence under polarized light. Positivity with DFS staining was not affected by treatment with potassium permanganate. Immunocytochemically the material was AL-type amyloid protein. Atypia were absent from epithelial cells. The patient had no history of diseases that could cause secondary amyloidosis. The present case was considered to be primary amyloidosis localized to the left ureter because no particular morphologic change in the epithelial cells of the urinary tract was observed. CONCLUSION: Amyloid can be present in urine and should not be overlooked or confused with tumor diathesis when a malignant tumor is suspected clinically.     

Blockage of urine by intravesical ejaculate in cynomolgus monkeys

BACKGROUND: The present communication reports intravesical semen coagulation and formation of a larger precipitate in two Cynomolgus monkeys. METHODS: Ultrasound of the urinary bladder and light microscopy of intravesical coagulates. RESULTS: These monkeys suffered from complete blockage of urine output and surgery was required to remove the sperm mass. Microscopic examination of the urine revealed millions of sperm as a cause of the mass and the blockage of urine output. CONCLUSIONS: Retrograde ejaculation of sperm may cause coagulation of ejaculates in the bladder of the cynomolgus monkey Macaca fascicularis. However, involvement of sperm mass in blockage of urine passage has not been described in this species.     

Genetics of Vesicoureteral Reflux

Vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) is the retrograde passage of urine from the bladder to the upper urinary tract. It is the most common congenital urological anomaly affecting 1-2% of children and 30-40% of patients with urinary tract infections. VUR is a major risk factor for pyelonephritic scarring and chronic renal failure in children. It is the result of a shortened intravesical ureter with an enlarged or malpositioned ureteric orifice. An ectopic embryonal ureteric budding development is implicated in the pathogenesis of VUR, which is a complex genetic developmental disorder. Many genes are involved in the ureteric budding formation and subsequently in the urinary tract and kidney development. Previous studies demonstrate an heterogeneous genetic pattern of VUR. In fact no single major locus or gene for primary VUR has been identified. It is likely that different forms of VUR with different genetic determinantes are present. Moreover genetic studies of syndromes with associated VUR have revealed several possible candidate genes involved in the pathogenesis of VUR and related urinary tract malformations. Mutations in genes essential for urinary tract morphogenesis are linked to numerous congenital syndromes, and in most of those VUR is a feature. The Authors provide an overview of the developmental processes leading to the VUR. The different genes and signaling pathways controlling the embryonal urinary tract development are analyzed. A better understanding of VUR genetic bases could improve the management of this condition in children.     

Use of selenium–silymarin mix reduces lower urinary tract symptoms and prostate specific antigen in men

The aim of this double-blind, placebo controlled clinical trial was to assess the effects of a combination of selenium and silymarin in men with lower urinary tract symptoms, benign prostatic hyperplasia and a prostate specific antigen (PSA) ≤2.5 ng/ml. The volunteers were randomized to two groups: the first one (n = 26) received 240 μg selenium (in the form of yeast l-selenomethionine) plus 570 mg silymarin daily for 6 months and the second (n = 29) received placebo. Outcome measures were changes in the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), bladder volume (V), urinary flow rate, ultrasound estimated postvoid residual urine volume (RV), serum PSA, testosterone and selenium levels, safety clinical biochemistry, hematology and oxidative stress parameters at baseline and on day 180. The results showed statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) between treatment and control groups for the following parameters: IPSS score, urodynamic parameters: maximal rate of urine flow (Q_max), average flow (Q_ave), V and RV, total PSA value and serum selenium levels. There was a significant reduction in PSA in the selenium–silymarin group but no effect on blood testosterone level. Overall the treatment was well-tolerated with no adverse effects.     

6-keto-prostaglandin F1α is not added to urine during passage through the rat urinary bladder

Studies were conducted to determine whether prostaglandins are added to the urine during its passage through the rat urinary blader . Control rats and rats with chronic streptozotocin-induced diabetes were anesthetized with Inactin, 100 mg/kg i.p., and urine was collected simultaneously from both kidneys. Urine from the left kidney was collected directly from the renal pelvis via a ureteral cannula, while urine from the right kidney was collected via a cannula in the urinary bladder. Prostaglandins in the urine were measured by radioimmunoassay. No difference in urinary concentration or rate of excretion of 6-keto-PGF_1α or PGE₂ was seen between ureteral urine and bladder urine from either normal or diabetic rats. The results of this study indicate that there is no intralumenal addition of either 6-keto-PGF_1α or PGE₂ to the urine by the ureteral bladder of rats.     

实验猕猴肺部CT影像断层初步观察

目的应用CT技术对成年实验猕猴胸部肺窗进行断层扫描观察,探讨CT技术对猕猴肺部疾病的临床诊断意义,建立正常猴肺部CT断层扫描图谱,为CT技术在猕猴解剖学的研究、疾病的临床诊断及科学实验方面的应用,提供影像学的基础资料。方法经过触诊、叩诊、听诊、体温、呼吸率、心率、呼吸运动、血液常规等检查,选择健康猴10只,雌雄各半,年龄分别为5～10岁,进行肺部CT断层扫描检测。试验猴全身麻醉后,置于CT诊断床上,取头前尾后仰卧位进行肺部扫描,获取肺窗扫描图像。对具有解剖意义的扫描图像的每个层面的主要结构（肺叶、气管、动脉血管、静脉血管等）进行标注。结果 （1）获得具有解剖意义的肺窗扫描图像13张。（2）在断层扫描的图像中,肺、气管、较大血管等组织器官界面清晰。肺为左右两侧,左肺分为上叶、中叶、下叶,右肺分为上叶、中叶、下叶、奇叶四部分。不同的断层面分别可见肺部左主支气管、右主支气管、支气管、血管等组织。（3）肺部较小或细小的血管、神经组织界面不清晰。结论 （1）应用CT获得的正常猕猴胸部肺窗断层扫描图像表明,正常健康猴双肺纹理清晰,走行自然,肺野透光度良好,双肺无异常实质病变影像。（2）获得了健康猕猴肺部的CT影像学资料,为猕猴肺部疾病的诊断,提供了一种安全、方便又准确的新依据,建立了成年健康猕猴肺部CT断层解剖研究的背景资料。     

Effect of naftopidil,an alpha1D/A-adrenoceptor antagonist,on the urinary bladder in rats with spinal cord injury

AimsAlpha_1D-adrenoceptors (α_1D-ARs) located in the spinal cord are involved in the control of lower urinary tract function. In order to clarify the effect of α_1D-ARs on storage function in the spinal cord, we examined the effect of oral administration and intrathecal injection of the α_1D/A-AR antagonist, naftopidil, on bladder activity, as well as the effect of naftopidil on bladder wall histology, in female rats with spinal cord injury (SCI).Main methodsAdult female Sprague–Dawley rats with Th9–10 spinal cord transection were used. In SCI rats with or without 5 mg/day of naftopidil for 4 weeks, bladder activity was examined via continuous cystometry. In other SCI rats, bladder activity was examined before and after intrathecal injection of naftopidil. In addition, bladder wall histology was compared between SCI rats with or without oral administration of naftopidil for 4 weeks.Key findingsOral administration of naftopidil decreased the number of non-voiding contractions (NVCs). Intrathecal injection of naftopidil prolonged the interval between voiding contractions, decreased the maximum voiding contraction pressure and the number of NVCs, and increased bladder capacity without affecting the residual urine volume. Oral administration of naftopidil also decreased bladder wall fibrosis.SignificanceThe α_1D/A-AR antagonist naftopidil might act on the bladder and spinal cord to improve detrusor hyperreflexia in the storage state in SCI female rats. Naftopidil also suppressed bladder wall fibrosis, suggesting that it may be effective for the treatment of neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction after SCI.     

Noninstrumented enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay for detection of early pregnancy in macaques

A practical, noninstrumented enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay (NELISA) for the measurement of urinary monkey chorionic gonadotropin (mCG) has been developed for the detection of early pregnancy in macaque monkeys for use in both the laboratory and the field. Five rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) and six crab-eating monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) were tested for the presence of mCG in urine on gestational days (GDs) 12 to 35. The mCG NELISA detected pregnancy as early as GD 14, with an average earliest detection at GD 16.5 +/- 1.4 (n = 11). Out of 90 tests, 27 false-negative and zero false-positive tests were obtained, for an accuracy of 70.0%. Without the aid of a spectrophotometer, the presence of mCG in pregnant monkey samples was indicated by a dark green color change. Nonpregnant monkey urine samples, on the other hand, exhibited no color change. These findings suggest that the simple, economical, and reliable urinary mCG NELISA may be useful for diagnosing early pregnancy in these and related species. Because capture and restraint are unnecessary for collecting urine samples, the mCG NELISA has widespread potential for confined and free-ranging animals.     

Mass spectral characterization of doxylamine and its rhesus monkey urinary metabolites

This study describes the use of mass spectrometry (MS), high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and chemical derivatization techniques for the identification of doxylamine and five rhesus monkey urinary metabolites. The analyses were performed using chemical ionization mass spectrometry with either methane or ammonia as the reagent gas. The confirmation of the structures of two of these urinary metabolites was aided by the synthesis of doxylamine N-oxide and desmethyldoxylamine and by the use of methylation and acetylation derivatization techniques. Doxylamine N-oxide, desmethyldoxylamine, didesmethyldoxylamine, and two metabolites which resulted from the cleavage of the aliphatic tertiary nitrogen side chain to the subsequent 2-[1-phenyl-1-(2-pyridinyl)ethoxy]acetic acid or 2-[1-phenyl-1-(2-pyridinyl)ethoxy]methanol compounds were isolated and identified from rhesus monkey urine. Additional data concerning the mass spectral analysis of derivatization or reaction products from the three chloroformate reactions with doxylamine, and the synthesis and separation techniques which afforded mass spectral identification of the urinary metabolites are also presented.     

Determination of 17α-dihydroequilenin in rat,rabbit and monkey plasma by high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorimetric detection

A high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method with fluorescence detection for the determination of total (unconjugated and conjugated) 71α-dihydroequilenin in male and female rat rabbit and male rhesus monkey plasma is described here. Plasma sample preparation involved hydrolysis with enzyme (Glusulase), addition of internal standard (14β-equilenin) and solvent extraction. The extracts were chromatographed on a C₆, 5-μm reversed-phase HPLC column and detection was accomplished with a fluorescence detector operated at an excitation wavelength of 210 nm and an emission wavelength of 370 nm. The assay was linear over a range of 2.5 to 100 ng/ml in male and female rat plasma, and 5 to 500 ng/ml in female rabbit and male and female monkey plasma. The method was specific, accurate and reproducible (percent differences <14.5; coefficients of variation <9.5%) in all matrices examined. The applicability of this method was successfully tested by quantifying total plasma concentrations of 17α-dihydroequilenin in ovariectomized female rats, ovariectomized female rabbits and a normal female rhesus monkey receiving 2.0, 8.3 and 0.1 mg/kg, respectively, of 17α-dihydroequilenin sulfate intragastrically.     

Autonomy of spontaneous rhythmogenesis of perivesicular area of cat ureter

The work presents data indicating no dependence of the pacemaker activity located in the zone of junction of cat ureter with urinary bladder on genesis of the main perirenal pacemaker. Data are presented on effect of clamping the renal artery supplying with blood flow the renal area on rhythmogenesis of the ureter perivesicular area. An inhibition of the pacemaker activity of the pyeloureteral anastomosis is observed. At the same time, no marked effect on automatism of the low organ area is revealed. Data of morphological studies of the vascular bed providing blood supply of various ureter areas are presented.