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This investigation reports a comparison of the exoskeleton mechanical strength of deep sea shrimp species Rimicaris exoculata and shallow water shrimp species Pandalus platyceros at temperatures ranging from 25°C to 80°C using nanoindentation experiments. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) observations suggest that both shrimp exoskeletons have the Bouligand structure. Differences in the structural arrangement and chemical composition of both shrimps are highlighted by SEM and EDX (Energy Dispersive X-ray) analyses. The variation in the elastic moduli with temperature is found to be correlated with the measured compositional differences. The reduced modulus of R. exoculata is 8.26±0.89GPa at 25°C that reduces to 7.61±0.65GPa at 80°C. The corresponding decrease in the reduced modulus of P. platyceros is from 27.38±2.3GPa at 25°C to 24.58±1.71GPa at 80°C. The decrease in reduced moduli as a function of temperature is found to be dependent on the extent of calcium based minerals in exoskeleton of both types of shrimp exoskeletons., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Upper urinary tract is accessed for various procedures. The maximum numbers of procedures are carried out in prone position. Perforation of the colon is a well-known complication. The incidence of retrorenal colon varies from 10-20% in prone position, but the chances of injury is around <1%. These facts lead us to review the occurrence of retrorenal colon. The CT scan is imaging test of choice., Objective: The aim of this study was to find out the occurrence of retrorenal colon at our centre and potential risk of injury to colon when kidney is punctured at various levels by percutaneous route., Materials and Methods: It is a hospital-based descriptive type of observational study. We reviewed CT abdomen in supine and prone position in patients with different problems from January 2013 to December 2013. Inclusion and exclusion criteria applied. Colon posterior to the line as described by Prassopoulos and coworkers is regarded as retrorenal colon and being at risk., Results: A total number of 700 patients were included, 350 each in supine and prone position. Patients had CT scan as a part of workup for pain abdomen in 27% cases, calculus disease in 25% cases, carcinoma bladder in 16% cases and rest were of different diagnoses. Retrorenal colon was found in 2% patients in supine and 6.8% patients in prone position., Conclusion: Considering the low incidence, the sample size in our study is small. We recommend multicentric large population-based study to establish the true incidence of retrorenal colon and chances of injury to colon.

Renal cell carcinoma presenting with dysphagia is rare. We report a case who presented with dysphagia as the only manifestations of renal malignancy. Biopsy from the pyriform fossa nodules revealed a clear cell neoplasm. Immuno-histochemical analysis of tissue confirmed metastasis of renal cell carcinoma.

Two different nematodes were isolated from the bark of Albizia lebbeck trees; one from insect infested and another from noninfested, healthy tree. Based on the biological, morphological, and molecular evidences, the nematodes are described as Deladenus albizicus n. sp. and D. processus n. sp. (Nematoda: Hexatylina). Deladenus albizicus n. sp., isolated from insect-infested tree, multiplied on the fungus Nigrospora oryzae. Myceliophagous females of this nematode reproduced by parthenogenesis and spermathecae were indistinct. Infective females, readily produced in the cultures, are dorsally curved. Only one type of males containing small-sized sperms in their genital tracts were produced in the culture. Myceliophagous females: L = 0.75 to 1.71 mm, a = 32.3 to 50.8, b = 9.3 to 11.2, b' = 5.2 to 7.3, c = 27.2 to 35.6, V = 91.0 to 93.3, c' = 2.0 to 2.9, stylet = 11 to 12 µm, excretory pore in the region of median pharyngeal bulb, 43 to 47 µm anterior to hemizonid. Deladenus processus n. sp., isolated from bark of healthy A. lebbeck tree, was cultured on Alternaria alternata. Myceliophagous females reproduced by amphimixis and their spermathecae contained rounded sperms. Infective females were never produced, even in old cultures. Myceliophagous females: L = 0.76 to 0.99 mm, a = 34 to 49, b = 13.3 to 17.7, b' = 3.8 to 5.8, c = 19.6 to 22.8, V = 92.2 to 93.5, c' = 2.7 to 3.5, stylet = 6 to 7 µm, excretory pore in the proximity of hemizonid, tail conoid, tapering from both sides to a long pointed central process. It is proposed to classify Deladenus species in three groups: durus, siricidicola, and laricis groups based on female and spermatogonia dimorphism, mode of reproduction, and insect parasitism.

Objectives. To evaluate the safety and efficacy of Tadalafil and Tamsulosin in treating Double J stent related symptoms. Methods. In a prospective study, 161 patients with DJ related symptoms were randomized into 3 groups: Group A patients (54), Group B patients (53), and Group C patients (54). They were given Tadalafil, Tamsulosin, and placebo, respectively, at 1st week till removal of DJ stent at 3rd week. All patients completed Ureteral Stent Symptom Questionnaire (USSQ) at 1st week and at 3rd week. The statistical significant difference among groups was determined by the t-test, Kruskal-Wallis test and multivariate analysis were used to assess association of the variables within the three groups, and the level of significance was set at P < 0.05. Results. Tadalafil and Tamsulosin were comparable in relieving urinary symptoms, general health, and work performance (OR = 0.65, 1.8, and 0.92). But Tadalafil was more effective in relieving body pain, sexual problems, and additional problems than Tamsulosin (OR = 5.95, 19.25, and 2.69) and was statistically significant as P < 0.05. Conclusion. Tadalafil was as effective as Tamsulosin in relieving urinary symptom but more effective in relieving sexual symptoms and body pain.

We report a case of 24-year-old male presenting with painless penoscrotal swelling for 3 years. On examination, a large soft bag of worm-like, superficial, nonpulsatile swelling was present in scrotum and penis. Color Doppler showed dilated tortuous vessels and on angiography no connections to corpora or vessels were seen. So a diagnosis of hemangioma was made and a surgical excision was carried out by circumcoronal and scrotal incisions. Postop course was uneventful. At 6 months of follow-up, no recurrence was seen and wound had healed with excellent cosmetic appearance.

Megalourethra with Y-type duplication is an extremely rare anomaly. We report here one such case, diagnosed with retrograde urethrogram, which was done from both penile meatus and perianal opening simultaneously. Patient was successfully treated by laser optical internal urethrotomy (OIU), excision of duplicated urethra, and reduction urethroplasty in a single stage.

The present investigation focuses on understanding the influence of change from wet to dry environment on nanomechanical properties of shallow water shrimp exoskeleton. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) based measurements suggest that the shrimp exoskeleton has Bouligand structure, a key characteristic of the crustaceans. As expected, wet samples are found to be softer than dry samples. Reduced modulus values of dry samples are found to be 24.90 ± 1.14 GPa as compared to the corresponding values of 3.79 ± 0.69 GPa in the case of wet samples. Hardness values are found to be 0.86 ± 0.06 GPa in the case of dry samples as compared to the corresponding values of 0.17 ± 0.02 GPa in the case of wet samples. In order to simulate the influence of underwater pressure on the exoskeleton strength, constant load creep experiments as a function of wet and dry environments are performed. The switch in deformation mechanism as a function of environment is explained based on the role played by water molecules in assisting interface slip and increased ductility of matrix material in wet environment in comparison to the dry environment., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Almost 80% of ectopic ureters are associated with duplicated system, and 5-17% of ectopic ureters are bilateral. Ectopic ureters usually open into urethra, vestibule and vagina in females and into posterior urethra and seminal vesicles in males. Bilateral single-system ectopic ureter (BSSEU) is a rare entity in urology. BSSEU opening into a vestibule with the absence of urinary bladder is an extremely rare occurrence. We report such a case and briefly discuss its management.

The ability of a biomaterial to transport energy by conduction is best characterized in the steady state by its thermal conductivity and in the non-steady state by its thermal diffusivity. The complex hierarchical structure of most biomaterials makes the direct determination of the thermal diffusivity and thermal conductivity difficult using experimental methods. This study presents a classical molecular simulation based approach for the thermal diffusivity and thermal conductivity prediction for a set of tropocollagen and hydroxyapatite based idealized biomaterial interfaces. The thermal diffusivity and thermal conductivity values are calculated using the presented approach at three different temperatures (300 K, 500 K and 700 K). The effects of temperature, structural arrangements, and size of simulated systems on the thermal properties are analyzed. Analyses point out important role played by the interface orientation, interface area, and structural hierarchy. Ensuing discussions establish that the interface structural arrangement and interface orientation combined with biomimetic structural hierarchy can lead to non-intuitive thermal property variations as a function of structural features., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Raman spectroscopy provides an accurate approach to measure temperature and stress in semiconductors at micro-scale and nano-scale. In the present work an in situ experimentation-based approach to separate a measured room to high temperature Raman shift signal into mechanical and thermal components when a uniaxial compressive load is applied in situ is presented. In situ uniaxial compressive loads were applied on examined silicon cantilever specimens from room temperature to 150 °C. The Raman shift measurements were performed as a function of strain at constant temperature and as a function of temperature at constant strain levels. The results show that the Raman shift measured at a given temperature under a given level of applied stress can be expressed as a summation of stress-induced Raman shift signal and temperature-induced Raman shift signal measured separately. For silicon, the stress-induced Raman shift is caused by inelastic interaction between the incident laser and the vibration of crystal lattice, while the temperature-induced Raman shift is caused by the anharmonic terms in the vibrational potential energy. Analyses indicate that such separation of Raman shift signal can be used to measure localized change in thermal conductivity and mechanical stress of semiconductor structures under applied stress.

Fluoride is a persistent and non-biodegradable pollutant that accumulates in soil, plants, wildlife and in human beings. Therefore, knowledge of its removal, using best technique with optimum efficiency is needed. The present survey highlights on efficacy of different materials for the removal of fluoride from water. The most important results of extensive studies on various key factors (pH, agitation time, initial fluoride concentration, temperature, particle size, surface area, presence and nature of counter ions and solvent dose) fluctuate fluoride removal capacity of materials are reviewed.

Here, we report the case of a 55-year-old man with reactivation of old cutaneous scars associated with a febrile illness, episcleritis, polyarthralgias, erythema nodosum and hilar adenopathy. High-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) revealed right paratracheal, bilateral hilar, and subcarinal lymphadenopathy without any nodular densities in both lung fields. A scar biopsy revealed multiple noncaseating granulomas and confirmed the diagnosis of sarcoidosis. A short course of oral steroids led to regression of systemic symptoms, and the scars returned to baseline size. This patient represented a rare case of simultaneous Löfgren's syndrome and scar sarcoidosis.

Noscapine, a tubulin binding anticancer agent undergoing Phase I/II clinical trials, inhibits tumor growth in nude mice bearing human xenografts of breast, lung, ovarian, brain, and prostrate origin. The analogues of noscapine like 9-bromonoscapine (EM011) are 5 to 10-fold more active than parent compound, noscapine. Noscapinoids inhibit the proliferation of cancer cells that are resistant to paclitaxel and epothilone. Noscapine also potentiated the anticancer activity of doxorubicin in a synergistic manner against triple negative breast cancer (TNBC). However, physicochemical and pharmacokinetic (ED50˜300-600 mg/kg bodyweight) limitations of noscapine present hurdle in development of commercial anticancer formulations. Therefore, objectives of the present review are to summarize the chemotherapeutic potential of noscapine and implications of nanoscale based drug delivery systems in enhancing the therapeutic efficacy of noscapine in cancer cells. We have constructed noscapine-enveloped gelatin nanoparticles, NPs and poly (ethylene glycol) grafted gelatin NPs as well as inclusion complex of noscapine in β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) and evaluated their physicochemical characteristics. The Fe3O4 NPs were also used to incorporate noscapine in its polymeric nanomatrix system where molecular weight of the polymer governed the encapsulation efficiency of drug. The enhanced noscapine delivery using μPAR-targeted optical-MR imaging trackable NPs offer a great potential for image directed targeted delivery of noscapine. Human Serum Albumin NPs (150-300 nm) as efficient noscapine drug delivery systems have also been developed for potential use in breast cancer.

Introduction: The purpose of the present study was to identify the true prevalence of hemorrhage in the abscess using T2*-weighted angiography (SWAN) imaging and to study its influence on diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) metrics., Methods: Fifteen patients of brain abscess underwent conventional, SWAN, and DT imaging on a 3-T MRI followed by its confirmation with histology. DTI metrics were quantified by region-of-interest analysis on hemorrhagic and non-hemorrhagic regions of the abscess wall. Prussian blue staining was performed on excised abscess walls to confirm hemorrhage on histology., Results: Eleven of 15 patients showed evidence of hemorrhage on both Prussian blue staining as well as SWAN imaging. Fractional anisotropy (FA) and linear anisotropy (CL) values were significantly higher, while spherical anisotropy was significantly lower in hemorrhagic compared to non-hemorrhagic regions of the abscess wall., Conclusion: Hemorrhage in the abscess wall is a common feature and may not always indicate neoplasm. The presence of intracellular iron in addition to concentrically laid collagen fibers may have synergistic effect on FA and CL values in the abscess wall. Inclusion of SWAN to MRI protocol will define the true prevalence of hemorrhage in brain abscess.

Brachial Plexus is formed by the union of the anterior rami of cervical 5, 6, 7, 8 and thoracic 1 nerves. These nerves unite and divide to form the key nerves innervating the upper limb. Variations in the course of these nerves are clinically important to anesthetists, neurologists and orthopedicians. We report bilateral variations in the arterial and neural structures in the upper limb of a 65 year old cadaver. The muscles of the arm on one side were innervated by the median nerve with absence ofmusculocutaneous. While on the other side the musculocutaneous nerve contributed to the formation of the median nerve. There was a presence of high bifurcation of brachial artery on both sides. Knowledge of such variations in the innervations of muscles and the arterial supply of the limbs are important to remember before performing any reconstructive procedures or interventions on the limb.

Objectives: An important and frequently reported arterial variant of the upper extremity is the superficial ulnar artery (SUA). Although SUA is not an uncommon variation, its presence should be detected timely as any surgical procedure in this region could put this unnaturally present superficial vessel to risk. Therefore, we sought to report this anomaly relating to the brachial arterial branching pattern., Materials and Methods: Through the course of a usual instructive gross anatomy class an arterial variant of the brachial artery was noted. A scrupulous dissection was carried out and the specimen photographed., Results: The present study reports the unilateral presence of abnormal branching pattern and disposition of antebrachial blood vessels. The brachial artery is seen to branch off into superficial ulnar artery (SUA) and usual radial artery. Interestingly, common interosseous artery (CIA) springs from the radial artery instead of the ulnar artery which is the usual case., Conclusions: Simple procedures such as venepuncture and intra arterial injections may become cumbersome and complication prone. The study is a humble attempt to caution the radiologists before interpreting angiographic films and the surgeons before performing reconstructions in this region.

Background and Purpose: DWI by using higher b-values provides tissue diffusivity with less T2 shinethrough effect. VCD in the abscess cavity correlates with ADC values. The purpose of this study was to investigate which b-value-derived ADC correlates better with VCD., Materials and Methods: Thirty patients with brain abscess underwent conventional MR imaging and DWI with b = 1000, 2000, and 3000 s/mm(2) on a 3T MR imaging scanner. ADC values were quantified by placing regions of interest inside the abscess cavity in all sections where the lesion was apparent on coregistered ADC maps derived from different b-values. VCD was measured on pus aspirated., Results: An increase in b-value was associated with a decrease in ADC values in normal parenchyma as well as in the abscess cavity. The most significant negative correlation of VCD was observed with b = 3000 s/mm(2) (r = -0.98, P = .01)., Conclusions: VCD in the abscess cavity can be best assessed at b = 3000 s/mm(2) secondary to the reduction in the T2 shinethrough effect. DWI with b = 3000 s/mm(2) is of promising value in the assessment of the therapeutic response of brain abscess.

Biological materials have evolved over millions of years and are often found as complex composites with superior properties compared to their relatively weak original constituents. Hard biomaterials such as nacre, bone, and dentin have intrigue researchers for decades for their high stiffness and toughness, multifunctionality, and self-healing capabilities. Challenges lie in identifying nature's mechanisms behind imparting such properties and her pathways in fabricating these composites. The route frequently acquired by nature is embedding submicron- or nano-sized mineral particles in protein matrix in a well-organized hierarchical arrangement. The key here is the formation of large amount of precisely and carefully designed organic-inorganic interfaces and synergy of mechanisms acting over multiple scales to distribute loads and damage, dissipate energy, and resist change in properties owing to events such as cracking. An important aspect to focus on is the chemo-mechanics of the organic-inorganic interfaces and its correlation with overall mechanical behavior of materials. This review focuses on presenting an overview of the past work and currently ongoing work done on this aspect. Analyses focuses on understanding role played by the interfacial mechanics on overall mechanical strength of hard biomaterials. Specific attention is given to synergy between experiments and modeling at the nanoscale to understand the hard biomaterial biomechanics.

A series of novel chalcones bearing acridine moiety attached to the amino group in their ring A have been synthesized through noncatalyzed nucleophilic aromatic substitution reaction between various 3'-aminochalcone or 4'-aminochalcones and 9-chloroacridine. The synthesized chalcone derivatives have been characterized and screened for in vitro antimalarial activity against Plasmodium falciparum NF-54. All the chalcones showed complete inhibition at concentration of 10 microg/mL and above while three compounds showed significant inhibition at concentration of 2 microg/mL. The three most active chalcone derivatives were screened for in vivo activity as well, but no significant inhibition in parasitaemia was observed when given intraperitoneally to Plasmodium yoelii infected mice model., (Copyright 2009 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Changes in mineral texture (e.g. hydroxyapatite (HAP) or aragonite) and polypeptide (e.g. tropocollagen (TC)) residue sequence are characteristic features of a disease known as osteogenesis imperfecta (OI). In OI, different possibilities of changes in polypeptide residue sequence as well as changes in polypeptide helix replacement (e.g. 3 alpha1 chains instead of 2 alpha1 and 1 alpha2 chain in OI murine) exist. The cross section of the HAP crystals could be needle like or plate like. Such texture and residue sequence related changes can significantly affect the material strength at the nanoscale. In this work, a mechanistic understanding of such factors in determining strength of nanoscale TC-HAP biomaterials is presented using three dimensional molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. Analyses point out that the peak interfacial strength for failure is the highest for supercells with plate shaped HAP crystals. TC molecules with higher number of side chain functional groups impart higher strength to the TC-HAP biomaterials at the nanoscale. Overall, HAP crystal shape variation, the direction of applied loading with respect to the relative TC-HAP orientation, and the number of side chain functional groups in TC molecules are the factor that affect TC-HAP biomaterial strength in a significant manner.

Nanoscale engineered materials with tailored thermal properties are desirable for applications such as highly efficient thermoelectric, microelectronic and optoelectronic devices. It has been shown earlier that by judiciously varying the interface thermal boundary resistance (TBR), thermal conductivity in nanostructures can be controlled. In the presented investigation, the role of TBR in controlling thermal conductivity at the nanoscale is analyzed by performing non-equilibrium molecular dynamics (NEMD) simulations to calculate thermal conductivity of a range of Si-Ge multilayered structures with 1-3 periods, and with four different layer thicknesses. The analyses are performed at three different temperatures (400, 600 and 800 K). As expected, the thermal conductivity of all layered structures increases with the increase in the number of periods as well as with the increase in the monolayer thickness. Invariably, we find that the TBR offered by the interface nearest to the hot reservoir is the highest. This effect is in contrast to the usual notion that each interface contributes equally to the heat transfer resistance in a layered structure. Findings also suggest that for high period structures the average TBR offered by the interfaces is not equal. Findings are used to derive an analytical expression that describes period-length-dependent thermal conductivity of multilayered structures.

Nanoscale interfacial interactions between a polypeptide (e.g. tropocollagen (TC)) phase and a mineral (e.g. hydroxyapatite (HAP), aragonite) phase is a strong determinant of the strength of hard biological materials such as bone, dentin and nacre. This work presents a mechanistic understanding of such interfacial interactions by examining idealized TC and HAP interfacial systems. For this purpose, three-dimensional molecular dynamics analyses of tensile and compressive failure in two structurally distinct TC-HAP supercells with TC molecules arranged either along or perpendicular to a chosen HAP surface are performed. Analyses point out that the peak interfacial strength for failure results when the load is applied in the direction of TC molecules aligned along the HAP surface such that the contact area between the TC and HAP phases is at a maximum. Such an alignment also leads to the localization of peak stress over a larger length scale resulting in higher fracture strength. The addition of water is found to invariably cause an increase in the mechanical strength. Overall, analyses point out that the relative alignment of TC molecules with respect to the HAP mineral surface such that the contact area is maximal, the optimal direction of applied loading with respect to the TC-HAP orientation and the increase in strength in a hydrated environment can be important factors that contribute to making nanoscale staggered arrangement a preferred structural configuration in biomaterials.

Hard biomaterials such as bone, dentin and nacre have primarily a polypeptide phase (e.g. tropocollagen (TC)) and a mineral phase (e.g. hydroxyapatite (HAP) or aragonite) arranged in a staggered manner. It has been observed that the mechanical behaviour of such materials changes with the chemical environment and the direction of applied loading. In the presented investigation, explicit three-dimensional molecular dynamics (MD) simulations based analyses are performed on idealized TC-HAP composite biomaterial systems to understand the effects of tensile and compressive loadings in three different chemical environments: (1) unsolvated, (2) solvated with water and (3) calcinated and solvated with water. The MD analyses are performed on two interfacial supercells corresponding to the lowest structural level (level n) of TC-HAP interactions and on two other supercells with HAP supercells arranged in a staggered manner (level n+1) in a TC matrix. The supercells at level n+1 are formed by arranging level n interfacial supercells in a staggered manner. Analyses show that at level n, the presence of water molecules results in greater stability of TC molecules and TC-HAP interfaces during mechanical deformation. In addition, water also acts as a lubricant between adjacent TC molecules. Under the application of shear stress dominated loading, water molecules act to strengthen the TC-HAP interfacial strength in a manner similar to the action of glue. An overall effect of the observed mechanisms is that, in a staggered arrangement, tensile strength increases in the presence of water and calcinated water environments. On the other hand, corresponding compressive strength decreases under similar circumstances. Fundamentally, supercells with primarily normal load transfer at the TC-HAP interfaces are stronger in tensile shear loading. On the other hand, supercells with primarily tangential or shear load transfer at the TC-HAP interfaces are stronger in compressive shear loading. A combination of changes in chemical environment from vacuum to calcinated water and changes in interfacial configurations in a staggered arrangement could be chosen to make the TC-HAP material stronger under applied deformation.

Trabecular bone fracture is closely related to the trabecular architecture, microdamage accumulation, and bone tissue properties. Micro-finite-element models have been used to investigate the elastic and yield properties of trabecular bone but have only seen limited application in modeling the microstructure dependent fracture of trabecular bone. In this research, dynamic fracture in two-dimensional (2D) micrographs of ovine (sheep) trabecular bone is modeled using the cohesive finite element method. For this purpose, the bone tissue is modeled as an orthotropic material with the cohesive parameters calculated from the experimental fracture properties of the human cortical bone. Crack propagation analyses are carried out in two different 2D orthogonal sections cut from a three-dimensional 8 mm diameter cylindrical trabecular bone sample. The two sections differ in microstructural features such as area fraction (ratio of the 2D space occupied by bone tissue to the total 2D space), mean trabecula thickness, and connectivity. Analyses focus on understanding the effect of the rate of loading as well as on how the rate variation interacts with the microstructural features to cause anisotropy in microdamage accumulation and in the fracture resistance. Results are analyzed in terms of the dependence of fracture energy dissipation on the microstructural features as well as in terms of the changes in damage and stresses associated with the bone architecture variation. Besides the obvious dependence of the fracture behavior on the rate of loading, it is found that the microstructure strongly influences the fracture properties. The orthogonal section with lesser area fraction, low connectivity, and higher mean trabecula thickness is more resistant to fracture than the section with high area fraction, high connectivity, and lower mean trabecula thickness. In addition, it is found that the trabecular architecture leads to inhomogeneous distribution of damage, irrespective of the symmetry in the applied loading with the fracture of the entire bone section rapidly progressing to bone fragmentation once the accumulated damage in any trabeculae reaches a critical limit.

We examine the surface morphological evolution of a conducting crystalline solid under the simultaneous action of an electric field and mechanical stress based on a fully nonlinear model and combining linear stability theory with self-consistent dynamical simulations. We demonstrate that electric current, through surface electromigration, can stabilize the surface morphology of the stressed solid against cracklike surface instabilities. The results also have more general implications for the morphological response of solid surfaces under the simultaneous action of multiple external forces.

Complete avulsion of the ureter is one of the most serious complications of ureteroscopy. It requires open or laparoscopic intervention for repair. This case report emphasizes its management and presents recommendations for prevention in current urological practice.

Blood components especially platelet concentrates due to their short shelf life are frequently in limited supply. Appropriate use of blood components is required to ensure their availability for needy patients as well as to avoid the unnecessary risk of transfusion-transmitted diseases. Medical audit of blood transfusion practice, which forms an important part of quality assurance programme in a transfusion centre, can provide grounds for improvement in transfusion medicine practice. During the epidemic of dengue fever in Oct., 1996, 1837 patients were admitted as dengue haemorrhagic fever in a teaching hospital in Delhi. Two hundred and eight patients (11.3%) were given platelet transfusions. Retrospective analysis of these platelet transfusions was done. It was observed that in only 52 (25%) out of 208 patients the information on platelet counts was provided. History of active bleeding was obtained only in 65 (31.2%) patients. About 35% patients received unnecessary prophylactic transfusions and during 89% of the transfusion episodes inappropriate dose of platelet concentrate was given. Information regarding post-transfusion recovery could be obtained in only 16.5% of transfusion episodes. The study emphasises the need for development of specific guidelines for transfusion of blood components, constant interaction and co-ordination amongst clinicians and transfusion centre for implementation of these guidelines, and a regular medical audit to review the optimal utilisation of blood components.

Recently, a murine retrovirus (LpBM5 MuLV), which induces immunodeficiency syndrome in mice, termed MAIDS, has been found to have several features similar to those seen in human acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). The present study was undertaken to compare the effects of 40% energy restriction (R) and/or ad libitum (AL) diets with vegetable [corn oil, (CO) (n-6)] or marine oil [menhaden fish oil (FO), (n-3)] as a source of dietary fats on the immune function and survival rate of C57BL/6 mice injected with the LpBM5 MuLV virus. Weanling mice were fed, throughout the study, either a 5% CO-, 5% CO(R)-, 20% CO- or 20% FO-based diet and 8 wk later the mice were injected with the LpBM5 MuLV (5 x 10(5) plaque-forming units). The results revealed a significantly prolonged postinjected survival rate in the mice fed 20% FO and 5% CO(R) diets [5% CO = 131 +/- 7 d; 5% CO(R) = 161 +/- 13 d; 20% CO = 125 +/- 6 d; 20% FO = 164 +/- 14 d]. Immunological studies conducted 4 wk after injection revealed decline in both interleukin-2 production and proliferative response to mitogens in spleen cells of mice in all four dietary groups. However, this decline was less apparent in mice fed 5% CO(R) and 20% FO diets.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)