The introduction of antibiotics in healthcare is one of the most important medical achievements with regard to reducing human morbidity and mortality. However, bacterial pathogens have acquired antibiotic resistance at an increasing rate, and due to a high prevalence of resistance to some antibiotics they can no longer be used therapeutically. The antibiotic mecillinam, which inhibits the penicillin-binding protein PBP2, however, is an exception since mecillinam resistance (MecR) prevalence has remained low. This is particularly interesting since laboratory experiments have shown that bacteria can rapidly acquire MecR mutations by a multitude of different types of mutations. In this thesis, I examined mechanisms and dynamics of mecillinam resistance in clinical and laboratory isolates of Escherichia coli. Only one type of MecR mutations (cysB) was found in the clinical strains, even though laboratory experiments demonstrate that more than 100 genes can confer resistance Fitness assays showed that cysB mutants have higher fitness than most other MecR mutants, which is likely to contribute to their dominance in clinical settings. To determine if the mecillinam resistant strains could compensate for their fitness cost, six different MecR mutants (cysB, mrdA, spoT, ppa, aspS and ubiE) were evolved for 200-400 generations. All evolved mutants showed increased fitness, but the compensation was associated with loss of resistance in the majority of cases. This will also contribute to the rarity of clinical MecR isolates with chromosomal resistance mutations. How MecR is mediated by cysB mutations was previously unclear, but in this thesis I propose and test a model for the mechanism of resistance. Thus, inactivation of CysB results in cellular depletion of cysteine that triggers an oxidative stress response. The response alters the intracellular levels of 450 proteins, and MecR is achieved by the increase of two of these, the LpoB and PBP1B proteins, which rescue the cells with a mecillinam-inhibited PBP2. Mecillinam is used for UTI treatments and to investigate mecillinam resistance in a more host-like milieu, MecR strains were grown in urine and resistance was examined. Interestingly, this study showed that neither laboratory, nor clinical cysB mutants are resistant in urine, most likely because the cysteine present in the urine phenotypically reverts the bacteria to susceptibility. These findings suggest that mecillinam can be used to treat also those clinical strains that are identified as MecR in standard laboratory tests, and that testing of mecillinam susceptibility in the laboratory ought to be performed in media that mimics urine to obtain clinically relevant results. In summary, the work described in this thesis has increased ourgeneral knowledge of mecillinam resistance and its evolution. Hopefully this knowledge can be put to good use in clinical settings to reduce the negative impact of antibiotic resistance.

Orientador: Carlos Arturo Levi D'Ancona / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-22T09:57:34Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Perissinotto_MariaCarolinaRamos_D.pdf: 1870557 bytes, checksum: a3f8aae56bf22e41993fdf4017268274 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013 / Resumo: Introdução: A doença de Parkinson é uma doença neurológica degenerativa de causa desconhecida que leva a alterações motoras em decorrência da diminuição dos neurotransmissores de dopamina na substância nigraestriatal. Distúrbios miccionais acometem de 37% a 70% dos pacientes com esta doença. A eletroestimulação do nervo tibial posterior é uma opção no tratamento dos sintomas do trato urinário inferior. Objetivo: Avaliar a eficácia da referida eletroestimulação na sintomatologia do trato urinário inferior em pacientes com doença de Parkinson. Métodos: A metodologia utilizada foi o estudo controlado randomizado, pela qual foram 96 pacientes com diagnóstico de doença de Parkinson com queixas de sintomas do trato urinário inferior, os quais foram alocados em dois grupos: grupo tratamento e grupo sham. Todos os pacientes foram avaliados através de escalas específicas para a doença de Parkinson, como a Unified Parkinson's Diseases Rating Scale, nos quais preencheram os questionários de qualidade de vida, de incontinência urinária e de bexiga hiperativa, através dos quais foi realizado o estudo urodinâmico. Todas as avaliações foram realizadas pré e pós-tratamento e a técnica utilizada foi a eletroestimulação do nervo tibial posterior durante dez sessões, duas vezes por semana com duração de 30 minutos cada sessão. O grupo de tratamento realizou esta eletroestimulação e o outro grupo, o procedimento sham. Resultados: Os resultados obtidos ao final do tratamento foi que o grupo de tratamento relatou melhora significativa nos sintomas urinários de urgência e noctúria em comparação ao grupo sham. Urgência (p=0,0047), entre os grupos (100,0% grupo de tratamento, 12,5% grupo sham) e noctúria no grupo de tratamento entre os tempos pré e pós (p=0,0156) (4,0 pré - 2,0 pós). Na análise da qualidade de vida, ocorreu uma melhora significativa no score total do questionário International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire no grupo de tratamento entre os tempos pré e pós (p=0,0191) (7,0 pré - 4,0 pós), e no questionário Overactive Bladder Questionnaire no mesmo grupo entre os tempos (p=0,0144) (29,0 pré - 21,5 pós). No estudo urodinâmico, houve melhora significativa no grupo de tratamento entre o tempo pré e pós no primeiro desejo (mediana 150 pré -185 ml pós) (p=0.0056) e volume urgência (mediana 200 pré -285 ml pós) (p= 0.0014). Conclusão: O tratamento com a eletroestimulação do nervo tibial posterior se mostrou uma técnica capaz de melhoras na sintomatologia do trato urinário inferior em pacientes com doença de Parkinson, tais como a redução da urgência e da noctúria, proporcionando, assim, melhora na qualidade de vida desses pacientes. Novos estudos são necessários para aprofundar a eficácia desta técnica em pacientes com doença de Parkinson / Abstract: Introduction: Parkinson's disease is a neurologic disorder caused by neurodegeneration of the nigrostriatal dopaminergic. Lower urinary tract symptoms, are non-motor symptoms that occur in 37% to 70% of patients throughout the course of the disease and negatively affect the Quality of Life of these patients. Aims: Evaluate the efficacy of transcutaneous posterior tibial nerve stimulation on treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms in patients with Parkinson's disease. Methods: Randomized controlled trial, twenty three patients with a diagnosis of parkinson's disease and lower urinary tract symptoms, were randomized in two groups: PNTS group (GI) and group sham (GII). Evaluation included, urinary symptoms, Unified Parkinson's Diseases Rating Scale, International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire, Overactive Bladder Questionnaire questionnaire and the urodynamic study, all evaluation were performed pre and post PNTS. GI intervention consisted on PNTS and GII received a sham treatment with effective stimulation. Results: At the end of the treatment the GI present's significant improvement in storage and voiding symptoms than GII. There were significant differences on the symptoms of urgency (p=0.0047) between group (100.0% GI, 12.5% GII). In nocturia occurs an improvement pre and post PNTS in GI (p=0.0156) (4.0 pre - 2.0 post). Quality of life analyses there were significant differences on questionnaire, International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire, GI pre and post PNTS (p=0.0191) (7.0 pre - 4.0 post) and Overactive Bladder Questionnaire, GI pre and post PNTS (p=0.0144) (29.0 pre - 21.5 post). There were statistical difference in the urodynamic study pre and post PNTS in group I in volume stronge desire (median 150 pre -185ml post) (p=0.0056) and volume urgency (Median 200 pre-285 ml post) (p= 0.0014). Conclusion: PNTS is an option in the treatment of Lower urinary tract symptoms in patients with diagnosis of parkinson's disease, contributing to reduce urgency and nocturia and improving Quality of life score. This pilot study shows a good response in treat patients with parkinson's disease and Lower urinary tract symptoms, further study should be perform to provide evidence of the potential therapeutic effects / Doutorado / Fisiopatologia Cirúrgica / Doutora em Ciências

Orientadores: Patrícia Moriel, Carlos Emílio Levy / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-26T14:28:55Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Mattos_KarenPradoHerzer_M.pdf: 1543498 bytes, checksum: 9d1f9328148bdfe74a6e65854c319426 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014 / Resumo: As Infecções de Trato Urinário (ITUs) são definidas como colonizações microbianas com invasão tecidual de qualquer parte do trato urinário, desde a uretra até os rins, considerada a doença infecciosa extra intestinal de origem comunitária mais comum em todo mundo. As ITUs em sua maioria são causadas por bactérias Gram-negativas, sendo a Escherichia coli o micro-organismo invasor mais comum, isolado em cerca de 80% a 90% das infecções agudas de origem comunitária. Neste início de terceiro milênio, a resistência bacteriana é um dos desafios globais de saúde pública a ser enfrentado e sabe-se que, a intensidade de exposição ao antimicrobiano é um importante parâmetro relacionado à seleção e à manutenção de bactérias resistentes. Em 2010 o Brasil vivia uma situação na qual estavam sendo observados vários focos de infecções hospitalares causadas por micro-organismos multirresistentes como a Klebsiella pneumoniae produtoras de carbapenemase (KPC). Em função do preocupante cenário, em 2010 foi implantada a Resolução da Diretoria Colegiada (RDC) nº 44 da Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária (ANVISA) que possui, dentre outros objetivos, a diminuição da resistência bacteriana aos antimicrobianos. Objetivo: Estudar o perfil de resistência de bactérias Gram-negativas relacionadas às ITUs de origem comunitária e analisar a influência da legislação atuante no controle de venda de antimicrobianos. Métodos: População de pacientes de demanda espontânea aos hospitais da Universidade Estadual de Campinas entre 2009 e 2013 com hipótese-diagnóstica de ITU de origem comunitária, de ambos os sexos, independente de raça e idade. As amostras de urina dos pacientes foram encaminhadas ao Laboratório de Microbiologia Clínica da instituição e foram incluídas no estudo as uroculturas com resultado positivo para os agentes etiológicos Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae e Proteus mirabilis. Os antimicrobianos foram agrupados em 5 classes: Aminoglicosídeos, Fluorquinolonas, Sulfonamidas, Beta-lactâmicos e Nitrofurano . Foi realizada análise estatística descritiva e o nível de significância adotado foi de 5%. Resultados e discussão: Os dados demográficos demonstraram prevalência média de 75% de ITU's em mulheres. A idade média dos casos de ITU foi de 40 ± 1,8 anos. A E. coli foi o patógeno mais frequente (83%) nos exames de urocultura para casos de ITU. O relatório estatístico não apontou diferenças significantes entre a variação dos percentuais de resistência bacteriana para E. coli e P. mirabilis, além de não apontar uma tendência linear. Apenas a K. pneumoniae apresentou resultado estatístico significante na análise geral quando foi observado aumento das taxas de resistência e tendência linear crescente. A E. coli apresentou queda do percentual de resistência bacteriana e tendência linear decrescente com relação às fluorquinolonas. Estudo de 2013 da Universidade de São Paulo analisou o consumo extra hospitalar de antimicrobianos e observou queda de 7% do consumo geral, além de queda de 28% da venda de norfloxacino, o que suporta nossos resultados. Conclusão: Sugere-se que a RDC nº 44/2010 influenciou na queda das taxas de resistência bacteriana entre a classe das fluorquinolonas, principalmente o ciprofloxacino, para ITU¿s de origem comunitária / Abstract: Introduction: Community-acquired urinary tract infections (UTIs) are extra intestinal infectious diseases, causing microbial colonization and tissue invasion in the urinary tract. Gram-negative bacteria, especially Escherichia coli, are the most common invasive microorganisms causing UTIs; they are isolated in 80%¿90% of acute infections of community origin. Bacterial resistance is currently a global public health challenge. The intensity of bacterial exposure to antimicrobials is an important parameter affecting the selection and maintenance of resistant bacteria. In 2010, Brazil witnessed several outbreaks of nosocomial infections caused by multidrug-resistant microorganisms such as Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase (KPC). Collegiate Board Resolution (CBR) no. 44 was introduced by the National Health Surveillance Agency with the goal of reducing bacterial resistance to antimicrobials. Objectives: To study the resistance profile of gram-negative bacteria causing community-acquired UTIs and to analyze the influence of the legislation promoting active control of the sale of antimicrobials. Methods: Patients of different gender, ethnicity, and age, admitted at the State University of Campinas Hospital between 2009 and 2013, with a diagnosis of suspected community-acquired UTI were included in the study Patients with urine cultures positive for Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Proteus mirabilis were included in the study. The antimicrobial classes used were aminoglycosides, fluoroquinolones, sulfonamides, beta-lactams, and nitrofuran. Descriptive statistical analysis was performed, and the level of significance was set at 5%. Results and Discussion: Demographic data showed the average prevalence of UTIs among women to be 75%. The average age of the affected individuals was 40 ± 1.8 years. E. coli was the most common pathogen (83%) detected in urine culture tests for UTI cases. The percentage of variation of bacterial resistance was not significant between E. coli and P. mirabilis and did not indicate a linear trend. Only K. pneumoniae showed a statistically significant result in the overall analysis, showing increasing rates of resistance and an increasing linear trend. E. coli demonstrated a decrease in the percentage of bacterial resistance and a decreasing linear trend in fluoroquinolone resistance. The 2013 study from the University of Sao Paulo discussed the extra-hospital antimicrobial consumption, and observed a 7% decline in overall consumption and a 28% decline in the sale of norfloxacin, which supports our results. Conclusion: It is suggested that CBR nº 44/2010 influenced the decline in the rate of bacterial resistance towards fluoroquinolones, especially ciprofloxacinin community-acquired UTIs / Mestrado / Ciencias Biomedicas / Mestra em Ciências Médicas

Background: We aimed to update the 2010 evidence- and consensus-based national clinical guideline on the diagnosis and management of uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTIs) in adult patients. Results are published in 2 parts. Part 1 covers methods, the definition of patient groups, and diagnostics. This second publication focuses on treatment of acute episodes of cystitis and pyelonephritis as well as on prophylaxis of recurrent UTIs. Materials and Methods: An interdisciplinary group consisting of 17 representatives of 12 medical societies and a patient representative was formed. Systematic literature searches were conducted in MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library to identify literature published in 2010–2015. Results: For the treatment of acute uncomplicated cystitis (AUC), fosfomycin-trometamol, nitrofurantoin, nitroxoline, pivmecillinam, and trimethoprim (depending on the local rate of resistance) are all equally recommended. Cotrimoxazole, fluoroquinolones, and cephalosporins are not recommended as antibiotics of first choice, for concern of an unfavorable impact on the microbiome. Mild to moderate uncomplicated pyelonephritis should be treated with oral cefpodoxime, ceftibuten, ciprofloxacin, or levofloxacin. For AUC with mild to moderate symptoms, instead of antibiotics symptomatic treatment alone may be considered depending on patient preference after discussing adverse events and outcomes. Primarily non-antibiotic options are recommended for prophylaxis of recurrent urinary tract infection. Conclusion: In accordance with the global antibiotic stewardship initiative and considering new insights in scientific research, we updated our German clinical UTI guideline to promote a responsible antibiotic use and to give clear hands-on recommendations for the diagnosis and management of UTIs in adults in Germany for healthcare providers and patients.

Introduction: No studies to date have assessed the efficacy/tolerability of degarelix in the relief of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) secondary to prostate cancer (PrCa). Methods: Patients were randomised to degarelix 240/80 mg or goserelin 3.6 mg + bicalutamide flare protection (G+B); both treatments were administered for 3 months. The primary endpoint was change in International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) at week 12 compared with baseline. Results: This study was stopped early due to recruitment difficulties. 40 patients received treatment (degarelix n = 27; G+B n = 13); most had locally advanced disease and were highly symptomatic. Degarelix was non-inferior to G+B in reducing IPSS at week 12 in the full analysis set (p = 0.20); the significantly larger IPSS reduction in the per-protocol analysis (p = 0.04) was suggestive of superior reductions with degarelix. Significantly more degarelix patients had improved quality of life (IPSS question) at week 12 (85 vs. 46%; p = 0.01). Mean prostate size reductions at week 12 were 42 versus 25% for patients receiving degarelix versus G+B, respectively (p = 0.04; post hoc analysis). Most adverse events were mild/moderate; more degarelix patients experienced injection site reactions whereas more G+B patients had urinary tract infections/cystitis. Conclusion: In 40 men with predominantly locally advanced PrCa and highly symptomatic LUTS, degarelix was at least non-inferior to G+B in reducing IPSS at week 12.

Orientador: Rodrigo Tavanelli Hernandes / Resumo: Escherichia coli uropatogênica (UPEC) causa a maioria das infecções do trato urinário (ITU), incluindo cistite e pielonefrite, no hospedeiro humano. A UPEC utiliza numerosos fatores de virulência para entrar, aderir, colonizar, adquirir nutrientes essenciais, multiplicar e causar danos ao ambiente do trato urinário. Estudos recentes demonstraram que alguns isolados de UPEC carregam fatores de virulência associados à patótipos diarreiogênicos de E. coli (DEC), como EAEC (E. coli enteroagregativa) e EPEC (E. coli enteropatogênica). Uma grande preocupação nas infecções por UPEC é o aumento da resistência antimicrobiana, levando à falha do tratamento em algumas ITUs causadas por esse patógeno. Nesse estudo, um total de 118 isolados de UPEC de amostras ambulatoriais de urina de pacientes atendidos no Hospital das Clinicas da Faculdade de medicina de Botucatu entre março e maio de 2018. Reação em cadeia da polimerase (PCR) foi usada para detectar 29 genes que codificam fatores de virulência, bem como marcadores de DEC (escN, stx1/2, aatA e aggR); além de genes que codificam adesinas e toxinas associadas ao patótipo EAEC. Os isolados de UPEC foram designados nos diferentes filogrupos de E. coli, utilizando um PCR quadruplex; e a determinação do perfil de susceptibilidade antimicrobiana foi realizada pelo método de disco difusão. Entre os isolados estudados, 39,8% foram atribuídos ao filogrupo B2, enquanto UPEC dos filogrupos B1 (14,4%), A (14,4%), D (12,7%), F (8,5%), G (3,4%), E ( ... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) cause the majority of urinary tract infections (UTIs), including cystitis and pyelonephritis, in the human host. UPEC utilizes numerous virulence factors to entry, adhere, colonize, acquire essential nutrients, multiply and cause damage in the urinary tract environment. Recent studies have shown that some UPEC isolates carry virulence factors associated with the diarrheagenic E. coli (DEC) pathotypes, such as EAEC (enteroaggregative E. coli) and EPEC (enteropathogenic E. coli). A major concern in UPEC infections is the constant increasing of antimicrobial resistance, thus leading to treatment failure in some UTIs caused by this pathogen. In this study a total of 118 UPEC isolates were obtained from outpatient urine samples, attended at University Hospital of Botucatu Medical School between March and May of 2018. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to detect 29 virulence factor-encoding genes, diarhoeagenic E. coli markers, (escN, stx1/2, aatA and aggR), as well as genes encoding adhesins and toxins associated with the EAEC pathotype. The UPEC isolates were assigned in the distinct E. coli phylogroups, using a quadruplex PCR; and the determination of the antimicrobial resistance profile was performed using the diskdiffusion method. Among the isolates studied, 39.8% were assigned to phylogroup B2, while UPEC isolates from other phylogroups were detected as follows: B1 (14,4%), A (14,4%), D (12,7%), F (8,5%), G (3,4%), E ( 2,5%), E. cla... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

Objective: Primary transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the upper urinary tract represents 6–8% of all TCC cases. Nephroureterectomy with removal of a bladder cuff is the treatment of choice. The rates of TCC recurrence in the bladder after primary upper urinary tract surgery described in the literature range between 12.5 and 37.5%. In a retrospective analysis we examined the occurrence of TCC after nephroureterectomy for upper tract TCC in patients without a previous history of bladder TCC at the time of surgery. Methods: Between 1990 and 2002, 29 patients underwent primary nephroureterectomy for upper tract TCC. The mean age of the patients was 69.5 years. In 5 cases upper urinary tract tumors were multilocular, in the remaining cases unilocular in the renal pelvis (n = 12) or the ureter (n = 12). The follow-up was available for 29 patients with a mean follow-up of 3.37 (0.1–11.2) years. Results: 11/29 (37.9%) patients had TCC recurrence with 9/11 patients having bladder TCC diagnosed within 2.5 years (0.9–6.0) after nephroureterectomy. 13/29 patients are alive without TCC recurrence, 3/29 patients died due to systemic TCC progression and 5/29 died of unrelated causes without evidence of TCC recurrence. Conclusion: Our data indicate a high incidence of bladder TCC after nephroureterectomy for primary upper tract TCC of up to 6 years after primary surgery. Because of the high incidence of bladder TCC within the first 3 years of surgery, careful follow-up is needed over at least this period. / Dieser Beitrag ist mit Zustimmung des Rechteinhabers aufgrund einer (DFG-geförderten) Allianz- bzw. Nationallizenz frei zugänglich.

Bakgrund: Urinvägsinfektion (UVI) är den vanligaste förekommande bakteriella infektionen på äldreboenden. Idag behandlas den oftast med antibiotika men med det ständiga hotet av antibiotikaresistens krävs det andra alternativ till prevention. Tranbär är en nordamerikansk frukt som förekommer i olika former; tranbärsjuice, tranbärskapslar, tranbärspulver eller tranbärscocktails och som används som alternativ behandling. På grund av anatomiska skillnader, där kvinnans urinrör är närmre anus, är kvinnor överrepresenterade i studier om urinvägsinfektion. Syfte: Syftet var att med hjälp av studier undersöka om det går att förebygga urinvägsinfektioner, med fokus på äldre, med hjälp av tranbär och redogöra för andra effekter av dess behandling. Metod: En kvantitativ litteraturstudie med artiklar hämtade från CINAHL och PubMed, internationella databaser för forskning inom medicin och omvårdnad. Artiklarna granskades med SBU:s (statens beredning för medicinsk och social utvärdering) mall för kvalitetsgranskning.  Resultat: Resultatet av denna studie visar på att tranbär uppvisar effekt i prevention av urinvägsinfektioner i jämförelse med placebo eller annan intervention. Enstaka studier påvisar ett icke signifikant resultat trots en viss minskning i incidensen av urinvägsinfektioner. Speciellt god effekt har tranbär på Escherichia coli (E. coli bakterier) och dess vidhäftningsförmåga. Tranbär påverkar E. coli bakteriens fimbrier och försvårar därmed vidhäftningen. Till följd av tranbärsintervention rapporteras minskad användning av antibiotika.  Konklusion: Tranbärets effekt har uppvisat flera positiva resultat och är ett alternativ som är värt att överväga. Tranbär är ett billigare alternativ som kan ersätta kontinuerliga doser av antibiotika och det medför inte samma mängd biverkningar. Om det dessutom används som tillägg till antibiotikabehandling kan det minska antalet antibiotikaförskrivningar vilket på lång sikt minskar utvecklingen av antibiotikaresistens. Tranbär kan rekommenderas till äldre för att förebygga och behandla urinvägsinfektioner. / Background: Urinary tract infection (UTI) is the most common bacterial infection in nursing homes. Today it is usually treated with antibiotics but with the constant threat of antibiotic resistance other alternatives to prevention are required. Cranberries are a North American fruit that comes in various forms; cranberry juice, cranberry capsules, cranberry powder or cranberry cocktails. Due to anatomical differences, where the woman's urethra is closer to the anus, women are overrepresented in studies of urinary tract infections. Aim: The aim was to examine with the help of studies whether it is possible to prevent urinary tract infections, with focus on older care recipients, with the help of cranberries and account for other effects of its treatment. Method: A quantitative literature review with articles taken from CINAHL and PubMed, international databases for research in medicine and nursing. The articles were reviewed with SBU's (the Swedish Agency for Medical and Social Evaluation) criteria for quality review. Results: The results of this study show that cranberry demonstrates an effect in the prevention of urinary tract infections in comparison to placebo or other interventions. A few of the studies show a non-significant result despite some reduction in the incidence of urinary tract infections. Cranberry has particularly good effect on Escherichia coli (E. coli bacteria) and its adhesion. Cranberries affects the fimbriae of E. coli bacteria to make adhesion more difficult. Less use of antibiotics is reported after intake of cranberry. Conclusion: The effect of cranberry has shown several positive results and is an option worth considering. Cranberries can be seen as an unnecessary cost but could replace continuous doses of antibiotics. Cranberries are also a cheaper alternative and they do not cause the same amount of side effects as antibiotics. If it is used as a supplement to antibiotic treatment, it may not be necessary to prescribe antibiotics, which in long-term reduces the development of antibiotic resistance. Cranberry can be recommended to elderly for prevention and treatment of urinary tract infections.

of the thesis Considerable research attention has been paid to the neural regulation of the lower urinary tract (LUT) in past three decades. The aim of this work is mapping of a brain activity by functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) using refined scanning protocol with synchronously performed urodynamics. We aimed to detect neural activity associated with pelvic floor muscle (PF) contractions, filling of urinary bladder and miction. In addition we evaluated using fMRI brain activity associated with urinary bladder filling in patients with a complete spinal cord injury (SCI). We hypothesized activation of brainstem and forebrain areas in receiving information from the vagal nerves. Adjustments of urodynamic system enabled successful implementation of synchronous filling cystometry with fMRI evaluation of cortical activity. We concluded that synchronous urodynamic examination is a novel feasible method that facilitates and enhance interpretation of fMRI data acquired. The main clusters of brain activation during PF contractions were observed in the medial surface of the frontal lobe (primary motor area) and supplementary motor area (SMA). We detected neural activity associated with filling of urinary bladder and miction in middle and inferior frontal gyrus, angular gyrus, posterior and...

PURPOSE: Our goal was to describe changes in bladder health, defined as "a complete state of physical, mental, and social well-being related to bladder function that permits daily activities, adapts to short-term stressors, and allows optimal well-being," in women over time. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We used data on 15 lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and interference from urinary experiences assessed at the baseline and 5-year followup interviews of the BACH (Boston Area Community Health) Survey to estimate changes in bladder health over time in women. Associations between baseline and followup bladder health (defined as the maximum frequency of LUTS or interference at each time point) were calculated by ordinal logistic regression and generalized linear models. RESULTS: A total of 2,526 women provided complete information on bladder health at baseline and followup. Over the 5-year followup, 6.5% of women maintained optimal bladder health (no LUTS or interference), 33.6% developed worse bladder health (including 10.4% who transitioned from optimal to less than optimal health), 31.4% maintained their less than optimal bladder health status and 28.7% improved. Despite these changes, women with poorer bladder health at baseline were still more likely to have poorer bladder health 5 years later (eg multivariable-adjusted relative risk=3.27, 95% confidence interval: 2.49-4.29 for severe LUTS/interference at followup among those with severe LUTS/interference at baseline). CONCLUSIONS: Findings from our large secondary analysis of BACH Survey data suggest considerable variability in bladder health over time, and underscore the importance of bladder health promotion to prevent the initial onset and progression of poor bladder health in women.