Responses Of Strips Research Articles

PDE5 inhibitor potentially improves polyuria and bladder storage and voiding dysfunctions in type 2 diabetic rats.

Bladder dysfunction associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) includes urine storage and voiding disorders. We examined pathological conditions of the bladder wall in a rat T2DM model and evaluated the effects of the phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5) inhibitor tadalafil. Male Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty (OLETF) rats and Long-Evans Tokushima Otsuka (LETO) rats were used as the T2DM and control groups, respectively. Tadalafil was orally administered for 12 weeks. Micturition behavior was monitored using metabolic cages, and bladder function was evaluated by cystometry. Bladder blood flow was evaluated by laser speckle imaging, and an organ bath bladder distention test was used to measure adenosine triphosphate (ATP) release from the bladder urothelium. The expression levels of vesicular nucleotide transporter (VNUT), hypoxia markers, pro-inflammatory cytokines and growth factors in the bladder wall were measured using real-time polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Bladder wall contractions in response to KCl and carbachol were monitored using bladder-strip tests. With aging, OLETF rats had higher micturition frequency and greater urine volume than LETO rats. Although bladder capacity was not significantly different, non-voiding bladder contraction occurred more frequently in OLETF rats than in LETO rats. Bladder blood flow was decreased and ATP release was increased with higher VNUT expression in OLETF rats than in LETO rats. These effects were suppressed by tadalafil administration, with accompanying decreased HIF-1α, 8-OHdG, IL-6, TNF-α, IGF-1, and bFGF expression. The impaired contractile responses of bladder strips to KCl and carbachol in OLETF rats with aging were restored by tadalafil administration. The T2DM rats had polyuria, increased ATP release induced by decreased bladder blood flow and impaired contractile function. PDE5 inhibition improved these changes and may prevent T2DM-associated urinary frequency and bladder storage and voiding dysfunctions.

Response of a Poroelastic Semi-Infinite Strip to the Compression Acting Upon Its Lateral Sides

Response of a Poroelastic Semi-Infinite Strip to the Compression Acting Upon Its Lateral Sides

Correlations between moisture expansion and flexural properties of bamboo strips in response to different loading rates

Bamboo and bamboo products, known for their hygroscopic nature, exhibit sensitivity to different loading rates in dry conditions. However, with the increasing prevalence of heavy and extended precipitation events due to global warming, there is still a lack of investigation on the response of bamboo strips to various loading rates after being attacked by moisture. In this study, the bending properties of bamboo strips after exposure to extremely high-humidity environments were investigated to assess their responses to varying loading rates. Throughout different exposure durations, bamboo strips exhibited varying moisture contents up to 112% and evident volumetric moisture expansion. After moisture exposure, bamboo strips exhibited heightened sensitivity in flexural strength and modulus to loading rates, with the most pronounced sensitivity observed at 33.9% moisture content. In addition, a linear relationship was established between flexural strength loss and volumetric expansion rather than moisture content. Notably, the samples exhibited greater sensitivity in strength loss to moisture expansion under lower loading rates. These findings preliminarily elucidate how loading rates impact the mechanical properties of bamboo strips across varying moisture levels, contributing to understanding the deterioration in the properties of engineered bamboo products when exposed to high humidity and rainy environments with potential collision events.

Pulsed current-assisted twelve-roll precision rolling deformation of SUS304 ultra-thin strips with exceptional mechanical properties

Innovative pulsed current-assisted multi-pass rolling tests were conducted on a 12-roll mill during the rolling deformation processing of SUS304 ultra-thin strips. The results show that in the first rolling pass, the rolling reduction rate of a conventionally rolled sample (at room temperature) is 33.8%, which can be increased to 41.5% by pulsed current-assisted rolling, enabling the formation of an ultra-thin strip with a size of 67.3 μm in only one rolling pass. After three passes of pulsed current-assisted rolling, the thickness of the ultra-thin strip can be further reduced to 51.7 μm. To clearly compare the effects of a pulsed current on the microstructure and mechanical response of the ultra-thin strip, ultra-thin strips with nearly the same thickness reduction were analyzed. It was found that pulsed current can reduce the degree of work-hardening of the rolled samples by promoting dislocation detachment, reducing the density of stacking faults, inhibiting martensitic phase transformation, and shortening the total length of grain boundaries. As a result, the ductility of ultra-thin strips can be effectively restored to approximately 16.3% while maintaining a high tensile strength of 1118 MPa.Therefore, pulsed current-assisted rolling deformation shows great potential for the formation of ultra-thin strips with a combination of high strength and ductility.

Investigating the impact of silane on different surface modified stainless steel ultra-thin strips and the bonding interface of stainless-steel bonded with epoxy

The silane coupling agent is extensively utilized to improve the bonding strength between the stainless steel (SS) ultra-thin strip and the epoxy resin. Along these lines, the response of SS strips with different mild surface modifications to silane coupling agent was systematically investigated. It was found that the HCl etching and anodizing-thermally treating sample (EAT-SS) exhibited a relatively optimal response to the KH550 silane coupling agent. This effect was attributed to the increased surface roughness and abundant micro/nano scale porous structure. The shear strength of the EAT-SS/epoxy specimen increased from 6.05 MPa to 16.04 MPa due to the improved interlock effect induced by the coexistence of the micro and nano structures, further increased to 20.36 MPa after the incorporation of the KH550 coating with a 4 wt% mass fraction. This improvement can be attributed to the increased thickness of the bonding interface and dual introduction of mechanical interlocking and chemical bonding effects after the application of the KH550 coating. Besides, the enhancement effect of the KH550 coating was stronger than that of KH560, which can be ascribed to the chemical reaction between the amino group in the former and the epoxy group in epoxy resin.

Fabrication and application of glutathione biosensing SPCE strips with gold nanoparticle modification.

Glutathione (GSH) is a major antioxidant in organisms. An alteration in GSH concentration has been implicated in a number of pathological conditions. Therefore, GSH sensing has become a critical issue. In this study, a disposable strip used for tyrosinase-modified electrochemical testing was fabricated for the detection of GSH levels in vivo. The system is based on tyrosinase as a biorecognition element and a screen-printed carbon electrode (SPCE) as an amperometric transducer. On the tyrosinase-SPCE strips, the oxidation reaction from catechol to o-quinone was catalyzed by tyrosinase. The tyrosinase-SPCE strips were modified with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). In the presence of AuNPs of 25 nm diameter, the cathodic peak current of cyclic voltammetry (CV) was significantly enhanced by 5.2 fold. Under optimized conditions (250 μM catechol, 50 mM phosphate buffer, and pH 6.5), the linear response of the tyrosinase-SPCE strips ranged from 31.25 to 500 μM GSH, with a detection limit of approximately 35 μM (S/N > 3). The tyrosinase-SPCE strips have been used to detect real samples of plasma and tissue homogenates in a mouse experiment. The mice were orally administrated with N-acetylcysteine (NAC) 100 mg kg-1 once a day for 7 days; the plasma GSH significantly enhanced 2.8 fold as compared with saline-treated mice (1123 vs. 480 μM μg-1 protein). NAC administration also could alleviate the adverse effect of GSH reduction in the mice treated with doxorubicin.

Contractility of isolated colonic smooth muscle strips from rats treated with cancer chemotherapy: differential effects of cisplatin and vincristine.

Certain antineoplastic drugs cause gastrointestinal disorders even after the end of treatment. Enteric neuropathy has been associated with some of these alterations. Our goal was to assess the impact of repeated treatment with cisplatin and vincristine on the contractility of circular and longitudinal muscle strips isolated from the rat colon. Two cohorts of male rats were used: in cohort 1, rats received one intraperitoneal (ip) injection of saline or cisplatin (2 mg kg-1 week-1) on the first day of weeks 1-5; in cohort 2, rats received two cycles of five daily ip injections (Monday to Friday, weeks 1-2) of saline or vincristine (0.1 mg kg-1 day-1). Body weight and food and water intake were monitored throughout the study. One week after treatment, responses of colonic smooth muscle strips to acetylcholine (10-9-10-5 M) and electrical field stimulation (EFS, 0.1-20 Hz), before and after atropine (10-6 M), were evaluated in an organ bath. Both drugs decreased body weight gain. Compared to saline, cisplatin significantly decreased responses of both longitudinal and circular smooth muscle strips to EFS, whereas vincristine tended to increase them, although in a non-significant manner. No differences were observed in the muscle response to acetylcholine. Atropine abolished the contractile responses induced by acetylcholine, although those induced by EFS were only partially reduced in the presence of atropine. The findings suggest that although both drugs cause the development of enteric neuropathy, this seems to have a functional impact only in cisplatin-treated animals. Understanding the effects of chemotherapy on gastrointestinal motor function is vital for enhancing the quality of life of cancer patients.

A Capacitive Ice-Sensor Based on Graphene Nano-Platelets Strips.

This paper investigates the possibility of realizing ice sensors based on the electrical response of thin strips made from pressed graphene nano-platelets. The novelty of this work resides in the use of the same graphene strips that can act as heating elements via the Joule effect, thus opening the route for a combined device able to both detect and remove ice. A planar capacitive sensor is designed and fabricated, in which the graphene strip acts as one of the armatures. The sensing principle is based on the high sensitivity of the planar capacitor to the change in electrical permittivity in the presence of ice, as shown in the experimental case study discussed here, can also be interpreted by means of a simple circuit and electromagnetic model. The properties of the sensor are analyzed, and the frequency range for its use as an ice detector has been established.

Efficient zigzag theory-based spectral element model for guided waves in composite structures containing delaminations

Lamb wave-based structural health monitoring offers excellent potential for real-time delamination detection in laminated structures. It necessitates fast and accurate numerical simulation of guided wave interaction with delaminations. Towards this objective, we present an efficient layerwise zigzag theory (ZIGT) based time-domain spectral element for wave propagation analysis of composite beam- and panel-type structures (strips) containing delamination at arbitrary locations. The ZIGT delivers accuracy like layerwise theories by allowing slope discontinuities in the in-plane displacement field at layer interfaces while maintaining computational efficiency like equivalent single-layer (ESL) theories, making it ideal for such analyses. The high-order elemental nodes at Lobatto points have only four displacement variables, irrespective of the number of layers in the laminate. Delamination is modelled using the region approach, adapting the recently proposed hybrid point-least squares continuity method to satisfy the nonlinear displacement field continuity at the delamination fronts. The model’s efficacy is examined vis-à-vis elasticity-based elements, ESL theory-based elements, and the ZIGT-based standard finite element for free vibration and guided wave propagation responses of composite strips featuring multiple delaminations. The present model shows superior overall efficiency, accuracy, and convergence. An application of the model is also explored for identifying delamination locations from Lamb wave velocity fields.

Experimental and numerical study for seismic response of strip footing on slopes

The present study investigates the free-field response of slopes as well as the seismic response of strip footing on slopes. The small-scaled physical model tests (PMT) have been performed under one-directional excitation. The sinusoidal waves of different amplitudes and frequencies are applied at the base of the model. To examine the kinematic interaction between the footing and slope, a rigid strip footing is placed at the center of the slope. The free-field response of the slope as well as the seismic response of the footing on the slope from PMT is determined using digital image correlation (DIC). Two-dimensional finite element analysis (FEA) has been carried out to simulate the PMT results. No study has been reported in the literature considering both experimental and numerical work. Further, the effects of increasing load on the footing on slopes have not been examined yet. Results from PMT and FEA are found in good agreement. The maximum amplification is observed near the crest for free-field response of slope. For both horizontal ground surface and sloping ground, the maximum amplification occurs at the frequency of excitation. However, some small peaks at other frequencies are also observed for the sloping ground due to the reflection of waves from the sloping surface. The seismic settlement of strip footing is increased with the increase of slope angle, amplitude and frequency of the excitation. However, the seismic settlement decreases with the increase in footing width and edge distance of footing from the slope. For footing on slope, the maximum amplification is observed at the center of the slope. A large settlement of footing is observed when the footing is heavily loaded (e.g., 80% of the ultimate bearing capacity of footing).

Inflammatory response of Teflon felt strip 41 years after surgical repair for Ebstein’s anomaly

Inflammatory response of Teflon felt strip 41 years after surgical repair for Ebstein’s anomaly

Fracture mechanism and control method of elastic strip of Cologne-egg fastener in the high-prevalence section of rail corrugation

Rail corrugation is a typical problem on rail surface, and its high-prevalence section is often accompanied by the fracture of fastener elastic strip. The present paper focuses on the fracture mechanism and control method of the Cologne-egg fastener elastic strip in the high-prevalence section of rail corrugation. Firstly, the numerical simulation model of wheel-rail-fastener system considering the key components of Cologne-egg fastener is completely constructed. Then, the fracture mechanism of Cologne-egg fastener is explored by comprehensively considering the resonance response and fatigue failure of the fastener elastic strip. Finally, the corresponding control methods are proposed by the passive control of rail grinding and active adjustment of fastener structure. Analysis results show that the intensified wheel-rail friction coupling vibration in the corrugation zone leads to the resonance response of the Cologne-egg fastener elastic strip, which intensifies the vibration response of elastic strip. Then, the aggravation of vibration response of the Cologne-egg fastener elastic strip leads the fatigue of the elastic strip, and the outer elastic strip is easier to fracture than the inner elastic strip on the low rail of small-radius curve. Controlling the corrugation depth before 0.16 mm or adjusting the elastic modulus of the damping rubber to be 2.20 MPa and 9.40 MPa can increase the service life of Cologne-egg fastener elastic strip.

High-Fat and High-Sucrose Diet Leads to Skeletal Muscle Loss and Bladder Dysfunction in Rat.

In this study, we investigated skeletal muscle loss and bladder dysfunction caused by high-fat/high-sucrose (HFS) diet. Twelve-week-old Sprague-Dawley (SD) female rats were fed on normal (Group N) or HFS (Group HFS) diet for 12 weeks. We conducted urodynamic investigation and pharmacologic in vitro. In addition, we measured gastrocnemius and tibialis muscle weight and protein concentration. The hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α and 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) in the bladder were assayed. The urodynamic investigations revealed the significantly shorter intercontraction intervals and lower maximal voiding pressure in Group HFS than in Group N. Furthermore, the absolute and relative weights of the gastrocnemius muscle were found to be significantly lower in Group HFS than in Group N. The protein concentration of the gastrocnemius muscle was also significantly lower in Group HFS than in Group N. The absolute and relative weights of the bladder were also significantly lower in Group HFS than in Group N. The contractile responses of the bladder strips to electrical field stimulation and carbachol were significantly lower in Group HFS than in Group N. The HIF1α and 8OHdG in the bladder muscle were significantly higher in Group HFS than in Group N. The HFS diet reduced bladder capacity and contractility along with the loss of the gastrocnemius muscle. HFS diet promotes bladder dysfunction similar to detrusor hyperreflexia with impaired contractility.

Determination of ovalbumin sensing response of protein-imprinted bilayered hydrogel strips via measurement of mechanically driven bending angles based on swelling-induced deformation.

Novel detection method has been developedto explore changes in mechanical bending angles on a bilayer of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP). For an ovalbumin (OVA)-imprinted hydrogel layer, functional monomers were employed to achieve sufficient binding effect in the polymer matrix. The OVA amount added in the MIP precursor solution and the dimensions of OVA-imprinted hydrogel (MIH) strips were controlled to maximize the change in bending angles as an OVA sensing response within a valid detection range. The sensing behaviors were determined by monitoring the difference in the bending angles via protein adsorption based on the swelling-induced deformation of the OVA-extracted hydrogel (E-MIH) strip. The equilibrium adsorption capacity of the E-MIH strip was calculated via the Bradford protein assay. The detection limit, quantification limit, and imprinting factor were calculated. To compare the selectivity coefficients, the adsorption behaviors of three proteins were investigated. Finally, the reusability of the E-MIH strip was explored via repeated adsorption and extraction. Based on the results, the E-MIH strips demonstrated a promising protein sensing platform monitoring mechanical bending angles affected by swelling deformation.

MP27-06 BROMELAIN INDUCES RELAXATION OF HUMAN CORPUS CAVERNOSUM TISSUE IN VITRO INDEPENDENT NITRIC OXIDE-CGMP PATHWAY: POSSIBLE SIGNIFICANCE FOR ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION

You have accessJournal of UrologyCME1 Apr 2023MP27-06 BROMELAIN INDUCES RELAXATION OF HUMAN CORPUS CAVERNOSUM TISSUE IN VITRO INDEPENDENT NITRIC OXIDE-CGMP PATHWAY: POSSIBLE SIGNIFICANCE FOR ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION Serap Gur, Suresh C. Sikka, Asim B. Abdel-Mageed, Didem Yilmaz-Oral, Sudha Talwar, and Wayne J.G. Hellstrom Serap GurSerap Gur More articles by this author , Suresh C. SikkaSuresh C. Sikka More articles by this author , Asim B. Abdel-MageedAsim B. Abdel-Mageed More articles by this author , Didem Yilmaz-OralDidem Yilmaz-Oral More articles by this author , Sudha TalwarSudha Talwar More articles by this author , and Wayne J.G. HellstromWayne J.G. Hellstrom More articles by this author View All Author Informationhttps://doi.org/10.1097/JU.0000000000003255.06AboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints ShareFacebookLinked InTwitterEmail Abstract INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Bromelain (BRM) is a mixture of proteolytic enzymes found in several parts of the pineapple (Ananas comosus) plant. BRM is widely administered for its well-recognized properties, mainly anti-inflammatory, antithrombotic and fibrinolytic, anticancer, and immunomodulatory. BRM gained universal acceptance as a phytotherapeutic agent due to its extensive dietary usage and lack of side effects; however, the complete molecular mechanism of action of BRM has not been completely identified. This exploratory study focuses on the erectile responses of human cavernosal strips on isometric tension measurements. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of (a) pure BRM (from pineapple stem, Sigma-Aldrich, St Louis, MO), (b) BRM dietary supplement (BG, Natural Brand Bromelain 500mg tablet, GNC, Pittsburgh, PA) and (c) fresh pineapple juice (PAJ) on human corpus cavernosum (HCC). METHODS: HCC tissues were obtained from men undergoing penile prosthesis implantation (n =8-10) and prepared for organ bath experiments as per our published procedures. BRM-induced relaxation response (10-8-10-3 M) was performed in vitro using HCC strips in an organ bath. The effects of inhibitors [NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, 100µM), 1H-[1,2,4]-oxadiazolole-[4,3-a] quinoxalin-10one (ODQ, 30µM), and tetraethylammonium (TEA, 100 µM, blocker Ca2+ - activated K+channels)] on BRM-mediated relaxation responses were evaluated. The relaxation effects of BRM, BG, and PAJ on phenylephrine (Phe)-induced contraction were also compared. The protein expression of endothelial (e) and neuronal (n) nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and vascular endothelium growh factor (VEGF) were determined using Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: BRM inhibited Phe-evoked contractions in a dose-dependent manner. All agents induced relaxation of HCC (maximum response: BRM- 62.87 ± 6.23%, BG - 61.95 ± 4.17%, PAJ -55.68 ± 5.52%) after Phe-contraction. Inhibitors of nitric oxide (L-NAME) and soluble guanylate cyclase (ODQ) as well as TEA failed to affect the BRM-induced HCC relaxations. The relaxant responses of HCC strips were observed in the presence or the absence of BRM products. Furthermore, eNOS and nNOS protein levels were decreased and were not restored after BRM, while VEGF levels remained unaltered. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that BRM have the capacity to exert in vitro penile relaxations. The underlying mechanism of BRM is likely independent of the nitric oxide-cyclic guanosine monophosphate pathway. Overall, these in vitro studies suggested that consumption of BRM and its supplements may represent a novel strategy to prevent and treat erectile dysfunction in men, especially due to inflammatory issues. Source of Funding: None © 2023 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Volume 209Issue Supplement 4April 2023Page: e364 Advertisement Copyright & Permissions© 2023 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.MetricsAuthor Information Serap Gur More articles by this author Suresh C. Sikka More articles by this author Asim B. Abdel-Mageed More articles by this author Didem Yilmaz-Oral More articles by this author Sudha Talwar More articles by this author Wayne J.G. Hellstrom More articles by this author Expand All Advertisement PDF downloadLoading ...

MP74-03 LONG-TERM ADMINISTRATION OF A PDE-5 INHIBITOR PREVENTS THE DEVELOPMENT OF BLADDER EPITHELIAL ATP INCREASE AND DECREASED DETRUSOR CONTRACTILITY IN TYPE 2 DIABETIC RATS

You have accessJournal of UrologyCME1 Apr 2023MP74-03 LONG-TERM ADMINISTRATION OF A PDE-5 INHIBITOR PREVENTS THE DEVELOPMENT OF BLADDER EPITHELIAL ATP INCREASE AND DECREASED DETRUSOR CONTRACTILITY IN TYPE 2 DIABETIC RATS Kabuto Takafumi, So Inamura, Hisato Kobayashi, Xinmin Zha, Keiko Nagase, Minekatsu Taga, Masaya Seki, Nobuki Tanaka, Yoshinaga Okumura, Osamu Yokoyama, and Naoki Tearada Kabuto TakafumiKabuto Takafumi More articles by this author , So InamuraSo Inamura More articles by this author , Hisato KobayashiHisato Kobayashi More articles by this author , Xinmin ZhaXinmin Zha More articles by this author , Keiko NagaseKeiko Nagase More articles by this author , Minekatsu TagaMinekatsu Taga More articles by this author , Masaya SekiMasaya Seki More articles by this author , Nobuki TanakaNobuki Tanaka More articles by this author , Yoshinaga OkumuraYoshinaga Okumura More articles by this author , Osamu YokoyamaOsamu Yokoyama More articles by this author , and Naoki TearadaNaoki Tearada More articles by this author View All Author Informationhttps://doi.org/10.1097/JU.0000000000003348.03AboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints ShareFacebookLinked InTwitterEmail Abstract INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: We examined a series of pathological conditions of bladder wall in a type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) model (Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty [OLEFT] rats) and evaluated the effects of a long-term administration of the PDE-5 inhibitor tadalafil (TA) on these conditions. METHODS: Male OLETF and Long-Evans Tokushima Otsuka (LETO) rats were used as T2DM and control groups, respectively. TA was orally administered for 12 weeks (wks) from the age of 36 wks. Bladder blood flow and ATP, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), and nerve growth factor (NGF) released from the bladder epithelium were measured at 36 and 48 wks of age. Vesicular nucleotide transporter (VNUT), hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1α), 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (HIF-1α), the oxidative stress marker 8-OHdG, and the mRNA and protein of pro-inflammatory cytokines and growth factors in the bladder wall were measured by RT-PCRs and ELISAs. Bladder strip contractions to KCl and carbachol were monitored in the OLETF rat bladder. RESULTS: The bladder blood flow in the OLETF rats was decreased at 48 wks compared to 36 wks. TA increased the bladder blood flow. Epithelial ATP was significantly increased in OLETF compared to LETO and decreased by TA in both LETO and OLETF. The bladder VNUT expression was significantly elevated in OLETF versus LETO at 36 wks; it was further enhanced at 48 wks, but a significant decrease occurred with TA in both rat strains. HIF-1α and 8-OHdG of OLETF were upregulated at 48 wks and decreased by TA. In OLETF, the expressions of IL-6, IL-8, bFGF, TNF-α, TGF-β, IGF-1, and IGF1R were increased at 48 wks versus 36 wks. TA decreased IL-6, TNF-α, IGF-1 and IGF1R. In OLETF, the contractile response of bladder strips to KCl and carbachol decreased at 48 wks versus 36 wks, but it recovered after TA administration. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that impaired bladder blood flow resulted in increased expressions of HIF-1α, 8-OhdG, and various pro-inflammatory cytokines and growth factors In T2DM. As a result, the bladder epithelial ATP release was enhanced, possibly via VNUT upregulation. A long-term administration of a PDE-5 inhibitor could prevent the development of storage and voiding dysfunction associated with T2DM. This study is the first to suggest that epithelium-derived ATP may be involved in urine storage dysfunction in T2DM and tadalafil inhibits ATP release and improves bladder contraction. Source of Funding: None © 2023 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Volume 209Issue Supplement 4April 2023Page: e1069 Advertisement Copyright & Permissions© 2023 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.MetricsAuthor Information Kabuto Takafumi More articles by this author So Inamura More articles by this author Hisato Kobayashi More articles by this author Xinmin Zha More articles by this author Keiko Nagase More articles by this author Minekatsu Taga More articles by this author Masaya Seki More articles by this author Nobuki Tanaka More articles by this author Yoshinaga Okumura More articles by this author Osamu Yokoyama More articles by this author Naoki Tearada More articles by this author Expand All Advertisement PDF downloadLoading ...

MP03-17 L-γ-GLUTAMYLETHYLAMIDE PREVENTS LOWER URINARY TRACT DYSFUNCTION INDUCED BY CHRONIC SYMPATHETIC HYPERACTIVITY

You have accessJournal of UrologyCME1 Apr 2023MP03-17 L-γ-GLUTAMYLETHYLAMIDE PREVENTS LOWER URINARY TRACT DYSFUNCTION INDUCED BY CHRONIC SYMPATHETIC HYPERACTIVITY Kanako Matsuoka, Kei Yaginuma, Yu Endo, Yuki Harigane, Yuta Matsuoka, Yuki Yoshida, Hitomi Imai, Akifumi Onagi, Seiji Hoshi, Tomoyuki Koguchi, Junya Hata, Yuichi Sato, Hidenori Akaihata, Masao Kataoka, and Yoshiyuki Kojima Kanako MatsuokaKanako Matsuoka More articles by this author , Kei YaginumaKei Yaginuma More articles by this author , Yu EndoYu Endo More articles by this author , Yuki HariganeYuki Harigane More articles by this author , Yuta MatsuokaYuta Matsuoka More articles by this author , Yuki YoshidaYuki Yoshida More articles by this author , Hitomi ImaiHitomi Imai More articles by this author , Akifumi OnagiAkifumi Onagi More articles by this author , Seiji HoshiSeiji Hoshi More articles by this author , Tomoyuki KoguchiTomoyuki Koguchi More articles by this author , Junya HataJunya Hata More articles by this author , Yuichi SatoYuichi Sato More articles by this author , Hidenori AkaihataHidenori Akaihata More articles by this author , Masao KataokaMasao Kataoka More articles by this author , and Yoshiyuki KojimaYoshiyuki Kojima More articles by this author View All Author Informationhttps://doi.org/10.1097/JU.0000000000003214.17AboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints ShareFacebookLinked InTwitterEmail Abstract INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Chronic sympathetic hyperactivity had been reported as a factor of lower urinary tract dysfunction (LUTD), but little is known about the mechanisms. L-γ-glutamylethylamide (L-theanine), one of the glutamine derivatives in Japanese green tea, has recently focused on the sympathetic inhibitory effects. Hence, we speculated that L-theanine might suppress the development of LUTD associated with chronic sympathetic hyperactivity. This study aimed to clarify the mechanisms underlying the effect of L-theanine on LUTD in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) known as one of OAB rat models with chronic sympathetic hyperactivity. METHODS: Twelve-week-old SHR were divided into two groups (controls, n=10; L-theanine, n=10). The L-theanine group was given only L-theanine solution to drink freely. After six weeks, blood pressure, plasma catecholamine level measurement, and cystometry were performed in both groups. The bladder tissue was harvested for pharmacological studies, histological examinations, and protein expression analysis. Contractile responses to 80-mM KCl, electrical field stimulation, 1-mM ATP, and carbachol in organ baths were recorded. Malondialdehyde (MDA), biomarkers for oxidative stress, was assessed using immunohistochemical staining and Western blotting. Values of p<0.05 were considered statistically significant. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in systolic and diastolic blood pressure between two groups. Mean blood pressure was significantly lower in the L-theanine group than in controls (p=0.046). The plasma noradrenaline level was significantly lower in the L-theanine group (365.5±31.6 pg/ml) than in controls (246.2±34.3 pg/ml, p=0.04). The cystometrogram showed the micturition interval and mean voided volume were significantly larger in the L-theanine group (7.8±1.7 min, 1.3±0.35 ml) than in controls (5.6±8.4 min, 0.96±0.18 ml, p=0.002, p=0.03). Contractile responses of bladder strip were significantly higher in the L-theanine group than in controls. The collagen/muscle ratio of the bladder smooth muscle was significantly decreased in the L-theanine group (p=0.02). The expression of MDA was significantly decreased in the L-theanine group (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggested that L-theanine ameliorated excessive contraction of vascular smooth muscle in peripheral small arteries by suppressing elevated serum levels of noradrenaline in SHR, thereby decreasing MBP. Oral administration of L-theanine for 6 weeks may contribute to the prevention of bladder voiding function, along with storage function by increasing blood perfusion in the bladder. Source of Funding: Nothing © 2023 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Volume 209Issue Supplement 4April 2023Page: e30 Advertisement Copyright & Permissions© 2023 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.MetricsAuthor Information Kanako Matsuoka More articles by this author Kei Yaginuma More articles by this author Yu Endo More articles by this author Yuki Harigane More articles by this author Yuta Matsuoka More articles by this author Yuki Yoshida More articles by this author Hitomi Imai More articles by this author Akifumi Onagi More articles by this author Seiji Hoshi More articles by this author Tomoyuki Koguchi More articles by this author Junya Hata More articles by this author Yuichi Sato More articles by this author Hidenori Akaihata More articles by this author Masao Kataoka More articles by this author Yoshiyuki Kojima More articles by this author Expand All Advertisement PDF downloadLoading ...

Modeling footing resting on anisotropic sand using material point method

Sand typically exhibits anisotropic internal structure which may significantly influence its mechanical behavior. The material point method (MPM) can eliminate mesh distortion and thus is suitable for investigating geotechnical problems with large deformation. In this study, an advanced anisotropic critical state theory (ACST)-based soil model is implemented in MPM to study the response of strip footing resting on anisotropic sand. The capability of the model is verified by simulating several element tests and strip footing tests with different soil densities and fabric bedding plane orientations. For the footing problem with a vertical load, as the fabric bedding plane orientation increases, the bearing capacity decreases and its corresponding settlement increases. The failure pattern becomes asymmetrical when the bedding plane orientation or the loading direction is inclined. A comparison between the simulation results predicted by the anisotropic and isotropic models is made, which demonstrates that neglecting the fabric anisotropy may lead to the overestimation of the bearing capacity.

Use of Magnetostrictive Actuators for Wave Energy Conversion with Improvised Structures

This paper presents work on a wave energy device with an on-board power take-off based on a magnetostrictively actuated deformable structure. Such devices potentially could be used in low-cost, short-term expeditionary operations. The paper discusses an analytical model that describes the heave oscillations of a buoy with two inclined, overhanging beams with magnetostrictive strips affixed to them. This work comprises the first steps toward an analytical model that would enable potential users to obtain quick power estimates at the planning stage. Here, the fully nonlinear magneto-mechanical-electrical constitutive relations are linearized about a desirable operating point, and a coupled dynamic model is derived using a variational formulation that includes buoy heave, flexural oscillations of the two beams, and the voltage response of the magnetostrictive strips. Energy conversion performance in wind-sea-dominated Pierson–Moskowitz spectra is found to be modest. However, present results also indicate that performance could be improved with suitable mechanical modifications.

Soil health responses of circular grass buffer strips in center‐pivot irrigated agriculture

AbstractDecline in water table in the Ogallala Aquifer, along with soil degradation, has threatened the sustainability of agriculture in the US High Plains region. Circular grass buffers in center pivot irrigated cropping systems could support sustainable crop production by providing multiple ecosystem services. This study evaluated soil organic matter (SOM), nutrients, and other selected soil health indicators under circular buffer strip grasses (BSG), adjacent buffer strip corn (Zea mays L.) (BSC), and continuous conventional corn (CCC) in the 0–80 cm soil profile. Soil samples were collected from the center of corn and grass strips for 5 years (2017–2021) and analyzed for nitrate N (NO3−‐N), soil pH, electrical conductivity, cation exchange capacity, SOM, and soil nutrients. The NO3−‐N under CCC in 0–20 cm (18.4 mg kg−1) and 60–80 cm (4.97 mg kg−1) were 1.56 and 1.96 times higher than BSC. The NO3−‐N was significantly lower under BSG than other treatments in 0–20 cm, 20–40, and 40–60 cm depths. The SOM was similar among all treatments. Response of other nutrients varied among treatments and inter‐annually. Soil pH in 0–20 cm depth was 0.1 and 0.3 units lower in CCC (pH = 7.7) than in BSC and BSG. Soil electrical conductivity was 37.5% and 25% greater in CCC than BSG (0.24 and 0.24 dS m−1) in 0–20 and 20–40 cm depths, respectively. Grass buffer strips maintaining SOM despite no irrigation, less residual N under corn with grass buffer, and less rapid changes in soil pH suggest the potential of grass buffer to maintain soil health in semi‐arid cropping systems facing the transition to dryland.