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Hepatitis C core antigen (HCVcAg) is becoming increasingly recognized as an alternative to molecular testing for the confirmation of chronic hepatitis C. However, there are limited data on the performance of this assay in a genotype 3 (GT3) predominant country like Pakistan. We conducted a study to evaluate the diagnostic performance of HCVcAg against the HCV polymerase chain reaction (PCR) molecular test. HCV antibody‐positive patients requiring confirmatory testing were recruited from August to October 2018 at the Pakistan Kidney and Liver Institute and Research Center (PKLI&RC), Lahore, Pakistan. Patients with previously known diagnoses or treatment histories were excluded. The Abbott HCV Ag assay was used for HCVcAg testing. Results ≥3.00 fmol/L were considered positive for HCVcAg. The Abbott RealTime HCV assay was used for PCR testing with a lower detection limit of ≥12 IU/mL. We computed the sensitivity, specificity and correlation of HCVcAg against HCV PCR. A total of 394 patients were recruited. The median age of the patients was 42 years. Most participants were females (51.5%, n = 203), 30.7% (n = 121) had HTN, 10.4% DM (n = 41) and 5% had APRI ≥2. The overall sensitivity was 98.0% and the specificity was 98.6%. The lowest detection limit of cAg was an HCV RNA value of 4657 IU/mL. The levels of cAg were highly correlated with those of HCV RNA by Spearman's rank correlation test (r = 0.935, p <.001). HCVcAg represents a suitable alternative with high sensitivity and specificity compared with HCV PCR in the GT3‐predominant population and can be incorporated into algorithms to improve linkage to care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The Triple D score is a novel and easy to use nomogram to predict shock-wave lithotripsy (SWL) outcomes. It is based on Computed Tomography (CT scan) parameters including stone density, skin-to-stone distance, and stone volume. However, its use has not been validated much as studies are sparse regarding its use. Our aim was to validate and evaluate accuracy of the Triple D scoring system in predicting SWL success rates. Methods: It was a prospective study of 277 patients who had undergone SWL procedure for renal stones. They were evaluated by using non-contrast tomography, before undergoing SWL. CT scan-based parameters including distance of stone to skin (SSD), stone volume (SV), stone density was assessed. Computation of Cut off values was done with receiver operating characteristics analysis. Score was assigned on the basis of these cut-off values and success rate of SWL was determined. This score ranged from 0 (least favourable score) to 3 (most favourable score). Results: Stone-free status was attained in 160 patients (57.7%), and 117 (42.3%) patients were labelled to have failed the procedure. Differences between these two groups in terms of Stone volume, stone density and skin to stone distance were significant. Triple D scores of zero,1, 2, and 3 had stone-free rates of 3.6%, 52.56%, 53.3%, and 93.1% respectively (p-vaue<0.001). Conclusion: Shock-wave lithotripsy outcomes can be predicted with use of Triple D score and hence, it’s externally corroborated. It may help urologist in appropriate patient selection and hence decision making and patient counselling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Urolithiasis is a prevailing ailment affecting all age groups across global population. In modern innovative industry endoscopic instruments alterations and miniaturization has simplified the interventional strategy for undertaking these procedures for renal stones. However, there has been paucity of studies regarding outcomes of Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy (PCNL) in elder age group. We aimed to report success rates and complications in elder age group. Methods: This was a retrospective review of the charts for subjects that underwent unilateral PCNL from 2012 till 2018 November at a tertiary care hospital at capital of Pakistan. Patients of age ≥60 years were chosen for this study. PCNL procedures were done in prone position. We implemented the Guy stone scoring (stone complexity) to forecast the net results of PCNL. Information regarding variables were recorded in specified proforma and then processed in SPSS version 16 for the statistical computations. Results: On the whole 79 patients were incorporated for this study. Most common presenting complaint in clinic was flank pain followed by haematuria and fever respectively. Mean age in this analysis was calculated as 63.36±5.19 years. Mean size for calculi was 449±163mm². One patient underwent transfusion after surgery while only 2.5% of these patients had sepsis (post PCNL procedure). Stone free rate was significantly affected by Guys stone score (GSS). Conclusion: PCNL can be undertaken safely and effectually for achieving treatment goals even in elder subjects. Stone free rates are higher in lower Guys stone score as compared to the higher scores. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Despite numerous clinical studies regarding the management of unilateral impalpable testes by laparoscopy, there is a paucity of such studies regarding the management of bilateral 'nonpalpable' testes. We shared the outcome of the laparoscopic management of bilateral 'non-palpable' testes in terms of successful orchiopexy and complications in children. Methods: A total of 22 children underwent bilateral diagnostic laparoscopy for undescended testes who presented to our department from January 2010 till March 2018. We did chart review for variables such as the age of children, operative time, hospital stay, single-stage or 2 stage procedure, and operative complications. Preoperatively history and physical examination were done along with baseline investigations and Ultrasound abdomen and scrotum before surgery for general anaesthesia fitness. They were managed by single or two steps laparoscopic orchiopexy according to suitability for each case. Results: We performed bilateral laparoscopic orchidopexies in 22 children having a mean age of 4.1±1.98 years (49.2 months) Mean operative time for single setting bilateral single-stage orchiopexy was 136±32 minutes. Out of twenty-two children with bilateral impalpable testes, 12 boys (54.5%) were managed with a single-stage Bilateral Laparoscopic technique while the other 10 (45.45%) were managed in 2 staged laparoscopic intervention using Fowler-Stephens technique. Testicular atrophy was seen in 2/44 testes (4.54%). While 1 /44 (2.27%) testis had ascended to the inguinal region requiring redo surgery. Conclusion: Laparoscopic management of bilateral 'nonpalpable' testes in a single or double setting is a safe and effective method of bringing testes down to the scrotum. It has no major morbidities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Efficacy of percutaneous nephrolithotomy in adults has been studied well in past. However, such studies are sparse within paediatric age group. As this procedure is being adopted in smaller and older children alike, we wanted to determine its safety and efficacy in two different age groups of children (preschool age and school age). Methods: The records of 59 children undergoing PCNL at our department from December 2009 to May 2017 were reviewed retrospectively. Patients were placed into 2 age groups including children ≤7 years old (group 1) and those ≥7 years (group 2). Twenty-seven patients were put in preschool group with mean age of 4.8±2.1 years while 32 patients in school age group having mean age of 11.8±4.6 years. Results: Stone size was calculated showing mean 309±55 mm2 in preschool and 324±63 mm2 in school age group respectively (p=0.1). The mean operative time was 150.1±38.7 minutes and 166.3±39.6 minutes in the preschool and school age children respectively (p=0.1). The mean length of hospital stay was 3.1±1.4 days and 2.9±1.3 days in preschool and school going children (p=0.5). The stone clearance with PCNL was seen in 96.3% (pre-school group) and 93.75% (school age group) as monotherapy (p=0.1), which increased to 100% after combining it with extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy. Conclusion: PCNL is equally effective in both pre-school and school age groups in terms of stone free rates. Complication rates were not different between the two groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Emphysematous pyelonephritis (EPN) is a type of critical renal infection having dire consequences at times. It is said to be result of gases produced inside renal parenchymal tissue or pelvicalyceal system. Rarely coexistence of emphysematous pyelonephritis and emphysematous cystitis (EC) may lead to an intimidating condition in case it is not dealt with swiftly. The resent case report narrates the management of a 45-year-old female patient who suffered from EPN with concomitant EC. Right-sided emergency percutaneous nephrostomy was passed. Afterwards, Double J stent was passed under general anaesthesia. Although she had an initial improvement clinically but later on due to recurrent urinary tract infections and non-resolving right kidney abscess and fever right sided nephrectomy was done. This is a very rare presentation and has not previously reported much in literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Mitrofanoff procedure has been employed commonly as bladder draining tool in patients unable to do clean intermittent self catheterization through native urethera. Single centre experience of pediatric age group patients undergoing Mitrofanoff procedure has been presented here. Material and methods: It was a retrospective study of 29 children who underwent continent catheterizable conduit (CCC), from January 2009 till March 2017. Charts were reviewed for age, gender, presenting complaints, need for augmentation cystoplasty, Mitrofanoff channel source such as appendix or ileal patch, duration of surgery in minutes, hospital stay in days, per operative and postoperative complications. Preoperative evaluation of the children was done by doing complete blood picture, serum electrolytes, and renal function tests. Radiological evaluation included ultrasound kidney,ureter and bladder, voiding cystourethrography, urodynamic analysis and a nuclear renal scan with 99m Technetium dimercapto-succinic acid or MAG-3 scan. The abdominal end of the conduit was brought through the abdominal wall, and a stoma was fashioned by the V-quadrilateral-Z technique. Results: Twenty nine children having mean age of 9.54±4.88 years underwent CCC. There were 19 males (65.51%) and 10 females (34.48%). Children who underwent CCC included 18 children having neurogenic bladder, 2 cases of urethral trauma/stricture 3 patients with history of posterior uretheral valve and 6 patients with exstrophy bladder. Augmentation cystoplasty plus mitrofanoff was done in 18 children while only mitrofanoff in 11 children. Stuck catheter was seen in one patient which was removed successfully via normal urethral route under general anesthesia. Stomal stenosis in first year was noted in 4 patients (13.79%). Conclusion: Continent catheterizable conduit based on Mitrofanoff principle have durable outcome over long term follow up in terms of urinary continence and complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate and compare the effectiveness of ureteroscopic (URS) pneumatic lithotripsy versus extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) in the management of the proximal ureteral stones in terms of stone- free rates, complications and costs involved. Material and methods: We included 200 patients in Group 1 who underwent ESWL and 200 patients in Group 2 who underwent URS intervention. We used Modulith SL X lithotripter 3rd generation Storz medical for ESWL group while Swiss pneumatic lithoclast was used to break the stone in the URS group. Stone-free status was defined as stone fragment of less than 4 mm on follow- up kidney ureter and bladder X-ray after 3 months of procedure. SPSS version 16 was used for statistical analysis. Results: The mean age in ESWL and URS groups were 39.21±13.36, and 43.13±13.65 years respectively. Mean stone size was 10.47±3.7 mm (ESWL) and 13.6±6.6 mm (URS). Stone- free rate after single procedure was (125/200 patients) 62.5% for ESWL and (168/200 patients) 84% for URS group (p=0.001). Complications included post procedure sepsis in 3 (1.5%) patient of ESWL, while 7 (3.5%) patients of URS groups. Steinstrasse was seen in 4 (2%) patients of ESWL group. No mortality was seen in both groups. Mean costs for ESWL were US $320±50 while US $1100±150 for URS group (p=0.001). Conclusion: The stone-free rates after single procedure were significantly higher for the URS group while the complication rates were comparable in both groups. Treatment costs were significantly lower for the ESWL group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Altered DNA repair capacity may affect an individual's susceptibility to cancers due to compromised genomic integrity. This study was designed to elucidate the association of selected polymorphisms in DNA repair genes with urothelial bladder carcinoma (UBC). OGG1 rs1052133 and rs2304277, XRCC1 rs1799782 and rs25487, XRCC3 rs861539, XPC rs2228001, and XPD rs13181 were genotyped using polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR‐RFLP) in 200 UBC cases and 200 controls. We found association of OGG1 rs2304277 [odds ratio (OR)GG = 3.55, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.79–7.06] and XPC rs2228001 (ORAC = 2.38, 95% CI = 1.43–3.94) with UBC. In stratified analysis with respect to smoking status, OGG1 rs2304277 and XPC rs2228001 exhibited increased risk in smokers [(rs2304277 ORGG = 4.96, 95% CI = 1.51–16.30) (rs2228001 ORAC = 2.19, 95% CI = 1.02–4.72)] as well as nonsmokers [(rs2304277 ORGG = 2.95, 95% CI = 1.26–6.90) (rs2228001 ORAC = 2.57, 95% CI = 1.31–5.04)]. These polymorphisms were also associated with both low‐grade [(rs2304277 ORGG = 3.73, 95% CI = 1.72–8.09) (rs2228001 ORAC = 2.18, 95% CI = 1.21–3.92)] and high‐grade tumors [(rs2304277 ORGG = 3.45, 95% CI = 1.52–7.80) (rs2228001 ORAC = 2.81, 95% CI = 1.48–5.33)] as well as with non–muscle‐invasive bladder cancer [(rs2304277 ORGG = 4.03, 95% CI = 1.87–8.67) (rs2228001 ORAC = 2.14, 95% CI = 1.20–3.81)] and muscle‐invasive bladder cancer [(rs2304277 ORGG = 3.06, 95%CI = 1.31–7.13) (rs2228001 ORAC = 2.95, 95%CI = 1.51–5.75)]. This is the first study on DNA repair gene polymorphisms and UBC in the Pakistani population. It identifies OGG1 rs2304277 and replicates XPC rs2228001 as significant modulators of UBC susceptibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate and compare the effectiveness of tubeless percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) and tubed PCNL by using small bore nephrostomy tube (12Fr) in children for the management of nephrolithiasis. Material and methods: This study was a retrospective analysis of 35 children where tubed PCNL (Group 1) was done in 18, and tubeless PCNL (group 2) in 17 patients from January 2010 to December 2016. Charts were reviewed for age, mass, stone size, operative time, hospital stay and stone-free rates. These variables were compared between the two groups. SPSS version 21 was used for data analysis. The data were shown as mean±standard deviation for continuous variables. Categorical variables were presented in percentages. Results: There is no difference in terms of age, stone sizes, operative times, hospital stays, stone-free rates and post-PCNL complications between the two groups (p>0.05). The mean drop in hemoglobin level was 0.7±0.1 g/dL and 1.3±0.2 g/dL in Groups 1 and 2, respectively (p=0.01). Conclusion: Tubeless PCNL in children is a safe option in well selected cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

NCS is the combination of control system with control loops that used to regulate feedback signals among system. With the promising research vogue in academic and industry domains stimulate the emergence and advancement of networked control system. In nonlinear systems one of the foremost altercates is communication delays and packet losses. In this paper we analyzed different network control schemes, data rates and other network parameters to investigate the performance of our control system in a comprehensive way. It is also demonstrated by simulations and practical experiments that the several network control systems can compensate for arbitrary communication data dropout to attain anticipated performance and loop stability. The results demonstrate that as the data rate increases, frame size becomes lower and path loss exponent is decreased. Moreover, the control system response can be improved by increasing transmit power and error coding threshold. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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