Functional abnormalities of ureteric motility with a leaky urothelial barrier

A leaky urothelial barrier is a characteristic feature of bilharzial uropathy and renal calculi impaction. The structural evidence of bilharzial uropathy was demonstrated in this study together with its functional consequences. In vitro, the study was conducted on ten lower ureteric rings from patients with bilharzial stricture of lower ureter and ten normal lower ureteric rings from patients treated by cystectomy. It was found that the bilharzial rings display irregular phasic contractions with intermittent bursts of activity while the normal rings display regular rhythmic contractions. On addition of freshly voided human urine [2 ml] to the organ bath, the frequency of contractions and basal tone were significantly increased while the amplitude of contractions was significantly decreased in bilharzial ureters more than in normal ones. The urine induced changes in motility were reversed by H-blocker [Pheneramine maleate] and prostaglandin synthetase inhibitor [Diclofenac sodium]. Histamine [5 micro g / ml] was found to have similar effects to that induced by addition of urine, while prostaglandin F[2] alpha [5 micro g / ml] was found to increase the frequency of ureteric contractions. In conclusion, histamine and prostaglandin F[2] alpha play an important role in mediating the response of human ureter with a leaky urothelium to urine

Fibronectin in the newborn

This work was carried out on 220 neonates selected from the Pediatric Department of Al-Husain University Hospital. They were classified into 6 groups; group I 40 healthy full term neonates, group II 40 healthy preterm neonates, group III 35 healthy full term breast fed neonates, group IV 35 healthy full term formula fed neonates, group V 60 neonates with documented bacterial infections and group VI 10 healthy neonates as a control group]. Plasma fibronectin [FN] level was estimated by radial immunudiffusion for all neonates together with total leucocytic count, total neutrophil count Band/total neutrophil, platelet count, C.R.P. And ESR for septicemic and healthy control groups. Blood culture was done for septicemic group. The results showed that the mean FN in healthy full term was 213.2 mg/l and 205 mg/l in healthy preterm [p >0.05]. There was no significant difference of FN level in both groups in relation to gestational age, body weight and sex [p >0.05]. Plasma FN level was much higher in breast fed than formula fed neonates [p <0.001]. It was also found that FN was significantly decreased among septicemic compared to healthy neonates [p <0.001]. The absolute band count as well as band/total neutrophil ratio were significantly higher among septicemic as compared to control group [p <0.05]