Utilizing the bulk and surface micromachining technologies, this thesis designed and fabricated a piezoresistive pressure microsensor for developing an in-vivo and real-time biomedical detection microsystem to monitor the uric pressure in patients¡¦ bladder. In this study, the main processing steps include the implantation of a moderate boron ion concentration into the N-epitaxial silicon layer to form the piezoresistors, anisotropic etching the backside silicon substrate to create a cavity by 30% KOH solution in 80¢XC temperature, and anodic bonding of the silicon based pressure microsensor and the hole-drilled glass sustain. To obtain the optimum design specification of the piezoresistive pressure microsensor, this study compared the characterization of the four types of devices with three different pressure sensing area (As) and two different length/width ratios (L/W) of the N-epitaxial piezoresistors. Based on the measurement results, the highest sensitivity (0.0076mV/(V*kgf/cm2) can be achieved as the As and the L/W ratio are equal to 1050 ¡Ñ 1050 £gm2 and 90/9 £gm/£gm, respectively. Such sensitivity is suitable for the application of bladder pressure detection microsystem. A very high sensing linearity (99.6%) can also be demonstrated in this research and this value approach to that of the commercial pressure sensor. On the other hand, through cooperation with another laboratory, this work has established a prototype of the uric pressure detecting microsystem by assembled with the piezoresistive pressure microsensor, a control ASIC and a radio-frequency (RF) module.

Thesis (M.S.)--The University of North Carolina at Greensboro, 2008. / Directed by Norman Chiu; submitted to the Dept. of Chemistry and Biochemistry. Title from PDF t.p. (viewed Mar. 19, 2010). Includes bibliographical references (p. 61-64).

Bladder cancer has been associated with chronic arsenic exposure. Monomethylarsonous acid [MMA(III)] is a metabolite of inorganic arsenic biotransformation and has been shown to transform an immortalized urothelial cell line (UROtsa) at a concentration 20-fold less than arsenite. MMA(III) was used as a model arsenical to examine the mechanisms of arsenical-induced transformation of the urothelium. A microarray analysis was performed to assess the transcriptional changes in UROtsa during the critical window of chronic MMA(III) exposure that leads to transformation at three months time. The analysis revealed only minor changes in gene expression at one and two months of exposure, contrasting with substantial changes observed at three months of exposure. The gene expression changes at three months were analyzed showing distinct alterations in biological processes and pathways such as a response to oxidative stress, enhanced cell proliferation, anti-apoptosis, MAPK signaling, as well as inflammation. To address the lack of information between two and three months of exposure -- the critical period of transformation -- the expression of selected pathway marker genes were measured by PCR array analysis on a weekly and monthly basis. A very similar pattern of altered expression of these genes was observed when compared to microarray results, and suggested early perturbations in cell signaling cascades, immunological pathways, cytokine expression, and MAPK pathway, are particularly important in driving malignant transformation. These results showed a strong association between the acquired phenotypic changes that occurred as early as one to two months of chronic MMA(III) exposure, and gene expression patterns that are indicative of the earliest stages in carcinogenesis. Additionally, studies on the effects of withdrawal of arsenical were also conducted and showed that phenotypic changes persisted even in the absence of arsenical; that gene expression patterns of pathway marker genes, those that showed significant alterations between 3 and 6 months of exposure, appeared to normalize after withdrawal of the arsenical.

Introduction: The purpose of this research was to assess the relationship between the degree of incontinence severity and treatment seeking behavior, healthcare utilization, and work productivity; and to compare overactive bladder (OAB) related disease burden from a global perspective. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was administered to eligible participants with idiopathic OAB residing in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, United Kingdom, and the United States. Participants were categorized into subgroups with dry, mild (1 leak/per day), moderate (2 leaks/day), and severe (3 leaks/day) urinary incontinence (UI) severity groups. Results: A total of 1,334 participants completed the survey. Persons with more severe urinary incontinence symptoms related to OAB consumed more healthcare resources, had a higher occurrence of OAB related clinical consequences, and higher work productivity loss compared to individuals with less severe symptoms. Even though OAB is associated with significant disease burden, many patients do not seek treatment.

Interstitial Cystitis / Painful Bladder Syndrome (IC/PBS) is a persistent and refractory medical condition that is characterized by chronic pelvic pain along with abnormal urinary frequency and urgency. There is no widely accepted etiology or efficacious cure for IC/PBS, thus treatment often relies on pain and symptom management. IC/PBS is associated with strong functional disability but theoretical models of disability have yet to be tested with these patients. As well, psychosocial factors associated with various IC/PBS outcomes (i.e., depression, catastrophizing, social support) are also associated with disability in a variety of chronic painful medical conditions but remain untested in disability models for IC/PBS. Thus, this research evaluated psychosocial factors as potential mediators of disability within the Disablement Process Model. Female patients diagnosed with IC/PBS by a urologist in a tertiary care hospitals were recruited (n=196; females). In using structural equation modeling of a final IC/PBS disability model, negative affect and catastrophizing were found to be partial mediators on the relationship between impairments and functional disability and social support was not a significant mediator of disability. Negative affect and catastrophizing may be key psychosocial factors in IC/PBS disability. Research implications for the Disablement Process Model and potential clinical interventions are discussed in light of the current findings. / Thesis (Master, Psychology) -- Queen's University, 2011-08-29 14:18:29.478

This study was prompted by the inconsistent reports and apparent controversies that exist in the biomedical literature on the responses of diabetic bladder strips to cholinergic nerve stimulation or exogenous administration of muscarinic agonists, especially acetylcholine (ACh), in vitro. In the present study, acetylcholine-induced contractions of urinary bladders isolated from normoglycaemic (normal) and streptozotocin-treated, diabetic Wistar rats were examined under physiological conditions. Mechanical contractile changes of the isolated urinary bladders of STZ-treated, diabetic rats in response to bath-applied acetylcholine were compared with those obtained from isolated urinary bladders of normal, age-matched, control rats. Results obtained show that urinary bladders from diabetic rats consistently weighed more, and were always more spontaneously active after mounting, than those of the age-matched normal, control rats. ft A Acetylcholine (ACh, 10" -10" M) provoked concentration-related, atropine-sensitive contractions of the isolated urinary bladders of both diabetic and age-matched normal, control rats. However, acetylcholine always induced more powerful and greater contractions of the diabetic bladders compared with bladders from the age-matched normal, control rats. The enhanced contractile responses of the diabetic bladder strips to bath-applied ACh were detected soon after induction of diabetes, and the magnitude and/or intensity of the enhanced contractile responses to ACh continued to increase as the diabetic state of the animals progressed. Although this preliminary study could not establish the mechanism of the increased contractile responsiveness of the diabetic bladders to the muscarinic agonist (ACh) used, the results tend to suggest that alterations in diabetic urinary bladder synaptosomal, vesicle-bound neurotransmitter (ACh) concentrations and the compensatory increase in the density of muscarinic M3-receptor population in diabetic bladders are two of the most attractive plausible mechanisms of the increased diabetic bladder responsiveness to bath-applied acetylcholine. / Thesis (M.Sc.Pharm.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville, 2006.

An uncommon case with semi-spheric perivesical calcification after pelvic radiotherapy is reported and the possible pathogenesis of this phenomenon is discussed. / Dieser Beitrag ist mit Zustimmung des Rechteinhabers aufgrund einer (DFG-geförderten) Allianz- bzw. Nationallizenz frei zugänglich.

Bibliography :leaves 149-172. / vii, 172,[60] leaves : ill. ; 30 cm. / Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library. / The investigations centre on the use of [beta]-aminothiols (cysteine, cysteamine and penicillamine) to decrease endogenous oxalate production by forming adducts with glyoxylate, the immediate precursor of oxalate. They indicate that cysteine delivery drugs like OTC have the potential to aid in management of calcium oxalate stone disease, thereby reducing endogenous oxalate production and urinary oxalate excretion. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Physiology, 1995?

Errata is tipped in behind bibliography. / Bibliography: leaves 191-215. / xiv, 216, [29] leaves, [81] leaves of plates : ill. (some col.) ; 30 cm. / Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library. / Reports the partial cloning and characterisation of the human uroplakin 1B gene which has allowed analysis and characterisation of the gene with regard to its structure, chromosomal localisation and integrity. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Surgery, 1999?

Bibliography: leaves 231-266. / 271 leaves : col. ill. ; 30 cm. / Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library. / Indicates that injections under the ureteric orifice can cure VUR and that the tissue response to the plastics becomes quiescent. Research into embolisation from solid implants from intravenous tubing and the possibility of antibody formation to implanted plastics is also included. A model for fetal VUR has been developed to clarify focus of the uncertainity about reflux disease. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Paediatrics, 1999