Christian Moro | Bond University (original) (raw)

Papers by Christian Moro

Tissue Barriers

The inner lining of the urinary bladder (urothelium and lamina propria, or bladder mucosa) has an... more The inner lining of the urinary bladder (urothelium and lamina propria, or bladder mucosa) has an important role as a tissue barrier between stored urine and the underlying smooth muscle, as well as in the modulation and regulation of bladder contractility. However, the individual influence of the apical urothelial layer on the contractile activity of this tissue is uncertain. The aim of this experiment was to identify the contractile activity of the lamina propria after removal of the urothelium. Several methods were used to mechanically disrupt the urothelium, including dabbing the tissue with a paper towel, longitudinal swipes with a cotton bud, or a longitudinal scrape with the edge of a scalpel. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was utilized to determine the level of removal of the apical urothelial cells. Spontaneous contractile activity was measured in organ baths, and responses to the agonists carbachol and isoprenaline were obtained. Three longitudinal swipes with a cotton bud was found to be the optimal method to remove the majority of the urothelium without damaging the lamina propria. Upon removal of the urothelium, the spontaneous activity of the tissue was unaltered. Similarly, responses to carbachol (1 μM) and isoprenaline (1 μM) were not affected after removal of the urothelium. The urothelium can be effectively removed without damaging the lamina propria. This apical tissue layer is not responsible for mediating the increases to spontaneous phasic activity or tonic contractions of the bladder mucosa (urothelium with lamina propria) when muscarinic or adrenergic receptors are stimulated. This research presents the lamina propria as the important cell layer mediating the overall contractile activity of the bladder wall.

Frontiers in Physiology

With many common bladder diseases arising due to abnormal contractions, a greater understanding o... more With many common bladder diseases arising due to abnormal contractions, a greater understanding of the receptor systems involved may aid the development of future treatments. The aim of this study was to identify any difference in the involvement of extracellular calcium (Ca2+) across prominent contractile-mediating receptors within cells lining the bladder. Strips of porcine urothelium and lamina propria were isolated from the urinary bladder dome and mounted in isolated tissue baths containing Krebs-bicarbonate solution, perfused with carbogen gas at 37°C. Tissue contractions, as well as changes to the frequency and amplitude of spontaneous activity were recorded after the addition of muscarinic, histamine, 5-hydroxytryptamine, neurokinin-A, prostaglandin E2, and angiotensin II receptor agonists in the absence and presence of 1 µM nifedipine or nominally zero Ca2+ solution. The absence of extracellular Ca2+ influx after immersion into nominally zero Ca2+ solution, or the addition ...

The conversation, Oct 8, 2021

Medical Education, 2022

the greatest challenges of online delivery was the equipment: a computer, camera, speaker, microp... more the greatest challenges of online delivery was the equipment: a computer, camera, speaker, microphone, projector/screen and stable internet connection. The survey demonstrated that not all classrooms were adequately equipped: 43% of the teachers and 35% of the medical students reported technical difficulties, such as internet connectivity and audio issues. To circumvent this, we recommend adopting a town hall meeting setup, where one elementary student walks up to the computer at a time to talk, to allow presenters to communicate. Alternatively, the teacher can circulate with a laptop to the student who would like to speak. A trial run prior to the session to rectify technical challenges is also recommended. The DBND online presentations were a successful alternative to in-person sessions, suggesting that important public health lessons can be taught online to elementary students, without compromising the quality. With some technical improvements, the virtual DBND programme is a successful model for virtual elementary education and medical student community engagement, beyond the confines of geographic area.

Computers and Education Open, 2021

Stroke is one of the leading contributors to the global burden of disease. The prevalence of stro... more Stroke is one of the leading contributors to the global burden of disease. The prevalence of stroke increases with age, and with an ageing population, this is expected to place increasing strains on health care teams. Education for diseases such as stroke is vital to enhance patient outcomes and compliance with treatment regimens. This study investigated the effectiveness of augmented reality (AR) compared to a written pamphlet for enhancing the understanding of stroke. 101 participants were randomised into two groups to complete a lesson using either a printed pamphlet (n = 50) or AR (n = 51) delivery mode. The educational interventions were identical, describing important aspects of stroke physiology and pathophysiology, as well as brain anatomy. Participants answered a pre-test multiple-choice questionnaire to evaluate prior understanding before the lesson, followed by an additional multiple-choice test and Likert-scale survey after its completion. Pre-and post-test scores demonstrated effective learning from both interventions (p < 0.001), with no significance differences between AR or pamphlet scores. Participants using AR reported more enjoyment using the resource (P < 0.01), and perceived AR to be a better learning tool (p < 0.001) with more helpful visualizations (p < 0.01). Participants using AR reported more favourably that it would help their friends or family to better understand stroke compared to those using the pamphlet intervention (p < 0.001). Overall, both modes were equally successful for learning with participants perceiving AR as the preferred mode for content delivery. This presents AR as an effective technology to enhance health literacy and comprehension surrounding specific diseases such as stroke.

Journal of Clinical Laboratory Analysis, 2017

International Journal of Urology, 2016

Objectives: The urothelium and lamina propria play important roles in the maintenance of normal b... more Objectives: The urothelium and lamina propria play important roles in the maintenance of normal bladder function. Recently, contraction has been added to the properties the tissue possesses, but little is known about the mechanisms regulating this activity. This study examines the actions of 5-HT (serotonin) on the contractile properties of the urothelium and lamina propria, since a better understanding of bladder physiology may aid the development of new treatments. Methods: Strips of porcine urothelium and lamina propria were suspended in gassed Krebs-bicarbonate solution and cumulative concentration-response curves to 5-HT were generated in the absence and presence of 5-HT antagonists, L-NNA and indomethacin. Responses to α-methyl-5-hydroxytryptamine were also examined. Results: Strips of urothelium/lamina propria developed spontaneous contractions, while the addition of 5-HT induced concentration-dependent increases in contractile tone with maximal contractions of 50.43 ± 2.78mN per gram tissue weight (n=100). Tonic contractions to 5-HT were unchanged in the presence of L-NNA (100µM) or indomethacin (5µM). Selective concentrations of the antagonists methiothepin (

Urology, 2011

Urothelial/lamina propria spontaneous activity and the role of M3 muscarinic receptors in mediati... more Urothelial/lamina propria spontaneous activity and the role of M3 muscarinic receptors in mediating rate responses to stretch and carbachol

European Journal of Pharmacology, 2012

In the bladder, nitric oxide (NO) is released from neuronal and non-neuronal sources, but its act... more In the bladder, nitric oxide (NO) is released from neuronal and non-neuronal sources, but its actions are unclear. Strips of urothelium plus lamina propria contract in response to agonists and develop spontaneous phasic contractions, and the aim of this study was to investigate the influence of NO on this activity. Isolated strips of urothelium/lamina propria from porcine bladder developed spontaneous contractions (3.5± 0.3 cycles/min) and contracted in response to carbachol and electrical field stimulation (EFS). The NO synthase inhibitor N ωnitro-L-arginine (L-NNA, 100 μM) had no effects on the tissues, but the NO donors diethylamine NONOate (DEANO, 100 μM) and nitroprusside (10 μM) caused relaxation, slowed the spontaneous rate of contractions and inhibited responses to carbachol. Maximum tonic contractions to carbachol were reduced by 17± 4% (Pb 0.001) and 35± 5% (Pb 0.001) by DEANO and nitroprusside respectively and the potency of carbachol was also reduced. Carbachol also increased the spontaneous frequency of contraction and these rate responses were again inhibited by DEANO and nitroprusside, but unaffected by L-NNA. Similarly, responses to EFS were significantly depressed (52-70%) by DEANO (Pb 0.05), but were unaffected by L-NNA. These data demonstrate spontaneous contractile activity and also nerve and agonist-induced tonic contractile activity within the urothelium and lamina propria. This activity is sensitive to depression by NO, but NO does not appear to be spontaneously released to influence this activity, nor does it appear to be released by muscarinic receptor stimulation. However the results suggest that in situations where NO production is increased, NO can influence the contractile activity of this tissue.

Autonomic and Autacoid Pharmacology, 2012

Research in Learning Technology

Understanding the key physiology and anatomy of the brain, and the mechanisms underlying dementia... more Understanding the key physiology and anatomy of the brain, and the mechanisms underlying dementia, represents essential components within a medical curriculum. This study assessed the implementation feasibility of an augmented reality (AR) three-dimensional (3D) brain visualisation learning mode and the knowledge improvements in medical students when compared to a text-based pamphlet. The pamphlet group learnt from a double-sided information pamphlet, while the AR group used an AR app. In AR, participants held a cube in front of the camera on the tablet, rendered on-screen as a 3D brain model, and received a narrated lesson containing the same information as the pamphlet verbatim. Both resources were also evaluated for perceived usefulness via pre-post tests and written survey. A total of 24 students participated in the study. A significant overall difference in knowledge scores (p < 0.001) was found for all participants but without significant differences between groups. Prior education was a significant covariate for pre-post change (p = 0.016) across all participants but had no impact on group outcomes. Positive feedback was received on both resources where the majority perceived them as easy to use, enjoyable, and helped develop their knowledge of dementia. Both the text-based pamphlet and AR delivery modes improved knowledge, although neither was significantly superior to the other. However, the AR lesson was perceived highly for learning, and has the potential for implementation within a medical programme.

The conversation, Jan 20, 2021

Sports Biomechanics, 2021

Many students avoid or withdraw/drop out of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STE... more Many students avoid or withdraw/drop out of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) majors (including biomechanics) due to anxiety about science and mathematics. Physics education r...