Urodynamic studies on hemiplegic patients after cerebrovascular accident

Thirty-nine hemiplegic patients were evaluated by complete urodynamic study after cerebrovascular accidents. Computerized tomography was performed to identify localization of the brain lesion. The common urinary symptoms were frequency and urgency incontinence (26/39), while 13 patients complained of dysuria or urinary retention. Ten of the 11 patients who had frontal and internal capsular lesions showed hyperactive bladder, and 6 showed uninhibited sphincter relaxation. Nine of the 10 patients who had putaminal lesions showed hyperactive bladder. Normal sphincter activity was demonstrated in 7 of these 10 patients. In the remaining patients with the other types of lesions, no correlation was found between urodynamic dysfunction and type of brain injury.

Urethral response to nerve stimulation measured by strain gauge force transducer

This paper presents a study of urethral responses to efferent nerve stimulation in dogs. The pelvic, hypogastric and pudendal nerves were stimulated using a programmed instrument under three different in vivo conditions. The preparations consisted of: (A) bladder, urethra, and rectum; (B) urethra and rectum, and (C) urethra only. Stimulation of the pelvic nerve in preparation A resulted in elongation and constriction of the mid and proximal urethra with a resultant rise in pressure. However, this response was reduced in preparations B and C. Similar observations were made with hypogastric nerve stimulation. The results of pudendal nerve stimulation were significantly different, in that the pressure rise occurred in the mild and distal urethra and varied in elongation response.

A new modified catheter for voiding cystourethrography

We made a new modified catheter for voiding cystourethrography to evaluate the function of the external urethral sphincter. Using this catheter, we can evaluate it precisely, excluding the influences of the posterior urethra. The findings of voiding cystourethrography observed by using this catheter were equal to the findings of the simultaneous recording of cystourethrogram and external urethral sphincter electromyogram, and permitted us to assess the function of each portion of the urethra separately, such as the sphincteric urethra (prostatic urethra) and external urethral sphincter (membranous urethra). In addition, this urodynamic procedure can be performed safely and easily.

Inactivation of oxytocin and angiotensin II by placental leucine aminopeptidase (P-LAP)

The inactivation of oxytocin and angiotensin II by retroplacental serum and placental leucine aminopeptidase (P-LAP), which had been highly purified from retroplacental serum, was demonstrated using biological methods.

A new synchronous video urodynamics

A new synchronous video urodynamics to evaluate the function of the lower urinary tract is described. The urodynamic study together with the transrectal longitudinal ultrasonotomography of the bladder and urethra can be seen on the colour display monitor through the display controller. An image on the colour display monitor is also stored on the video cassette recorder. This new technique will be indispensable for evaluation of the lower urinary tract dysfunction.

A comparison of angiotensinase and placental leucine aminopeptidase during normal pregnancy

1. Serum leucine aminopeptidase activity measured by its action on hydrolysis of L-leucyl-beta-naphthylamide was increased progressively as pregnancy advanced. Angiotensinase activity determined by bioasaay showed parallel increase during normal pregnancy. 2. The effects of heat treatment and L-methionine on the activity of angiotensinase were compared with those on leucine aminopeptidase activity in pregnancy serum.