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Pollen is the first choice of germplasm curator, geneticist, breeder and physiologist for conservation and crop improvement programs. A pollen palynological attributes and pollen germination study of Lilium longiflorum cv. 'Pavia' was conducted using scanning electron microscope (SEM). Various morphological characteristics were studied. The results showed that pollens were much alike in ultramorphology with elliptical to ellipsoidal shape, reticulate exine and single germination ditch. The pollen viability was tested by the wet room method with 3 dyes: Acetocarmine, TTC, Lugol's iodine. 49.66% pollen viability was recorded with Acetocarmine dye, which suggested acetocarmine stain can be used as a quick test method for pollen viability. The pollen germination ability was examined at set intervals, thereby establishing the dynamics of this process for 72 hours. Pollens collected just 1 h after anthesis were recorded with the highest germination (85%) compared to pollen harvested before or one day after. The suitable medium for pollen germination was 3% sucrose and 15% PEG, which was recorded with the highest pollen germination (95%) after 72 h of inoculation. Understanding evolutionary ecology and the sterility problem and designing hybridization programmes in cross-breeding necessitates a thorough understanding of pollen morphology and viability. Pollen ultra-morphology traits could be useful in determining the evolutionary relationship of lilies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Vesicovaginal fistula (VVF) is well recognized complication of prolonged labor or urogynecologic surgery. Failing conservative management, it may be repaired with abdominal or vaginal approach. We herein share our initial experience of VVF repair done laparoscopically through transperitoneal approach. Materials and Methods: From January 2005 to January 2007, we treated 4 cases of VVF developed following vaginal hysterectomy. All except one had fistula recognized in post operative period. In one case, bladder injury was recognized intraoperative, repaired primarily but developed VVF immediately after removal of urethral catheter. All cases underwent successful laparoscopic VVF repair (O'Conor's) by standard transperitoneal approach. Results: The mean operative time was 176 minutes. The estimated blood loss was 40 cc. The mean hospital stay was 2.7 days. The urethral catheter was removed at 2 weeks after visualizing no extravasation on cystogram. In follow up, all patients are asymptomatic with normal voiding. Conclusion: Laparoscopic VVF repair is feasible and efficacious approach for VVF repair. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Laparoscopic right sided donor nephrectomy is associated with technical problems of short renal vein length of the right kidney and retro-caval location of the renal artery. We present our experience of overcoming both these challenges during retr operitoneoscopic donor nephrectomy on right side. Materials and Methods: Between September 2004 and August 2007, total 210 retroperitoneoscopic donor nephrectomy was performed. 53 cases were on right side. Four ports were used for right sided donor nephrectomy. Hem-o-lok clip was used for control of renal artery and Endo TA stapler was used for control of renal vein. All procedures were completed without conversion to open surgery. Kidney was retrieved by inguinal incision. Results: Mean operative time, mean blood loss and mean warm ischemia time were 120 min, 98 ml, and 4.7 minutes respectively. Five cases had two or more renal veins. Five cases had two and one had three renal arteries. Mean value of serum creatinine at 1 month and 3 months post transplantation was 1.28 mg% and 1.26 mg% respectively. Three grafts were lost due to rejection and none due to technical problems at mean follow up of 19 months. Conclusion: Right sided retroperitoneoscopic donor nephrectomy is safe and effective with immediate and intermediate term results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Open pyeloplasty has been the gold standard for surgical treatment of ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) obstruction, enjoying a long-term success rate exceeding 90%. This procedure requires a muscle incision that entails some degree of morbidity. Laparoscopic dismembered pyeloplasty is an acceptable option for UPJ obstruction. We report our experience with this approach. Materials and Methods: From November 2005 to January 2007, 51 patients underwent laparoscopic dismembered pyeloplasty for the treatment of UPJ obstruction. Mean age of adult patient was 29.60 years (18-64 years). Mean age of pediatric patients was 10 years (7 months-15 years). 43 patients underwent transperitoneal approach and 8 retroperitoneal approaches. 29 cases were of right side and 22 cases of left side UPJ obstruction. Five patients underwent simultaneous pyelolithotomy. Three ports were used in all cases.48 patients had primary UPJ obstruction, one patient had pelvic kidney with UPJ obstruction and two cases had secondary UPJ obstruction. Patients were followed at regular intervals for symptomatic improvement and further assessed with imaging studies. Data collected included operative time, length of hospital stay, and resolution of obstruction by ultrasonography, renal scan or intravenous urography. Failure was defined as inability to complete the intended procedure, persistent symptoms, and radiographic evidence of obstruction. Results: Mean operating time was 161 minutes (range 100-240). The procedure was completed successfully in all cases except in one case. Crossing vessels were noted in 21 of 51 ureters (50.0%). Mean blood loss 70 ml (25-200 ml). Mean hospital stay was 3.5 days. Postoperative complications were noted in 4 patients. Of the two patients with poorly functioning unit, one required baloon dilatation of anastomosis site and the other required nephrectomy. One patient required ureterocalicostomy for restricure. One patients had immediate urinoma in the post operative period requiring percutaneous drainge. 48 of 51 ureters (94.1%) demonstrated a patent UPJ on excretory urography and/or improvement of renal function on diuretic renography at a minimum follow up of 6 months. Conclusion: Although the procedure requires advanced laparoscopic skills, it can be safely and successfully completed as frequently as the conventional open procedure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Information about the three-day national seminar that was held in India is presented. Topics include the role of higher education in addressing climate change, challenges of global warming and climate change faced by the Himalayan states and their people and effect of climate change to the society, agriculture and health. The seminar featured speaker Manju Sundriyal, scientist of Uttarakhand Science Education and Research Centre (USERC).

In a developing country such as India, cadaveric renal transplantation accounts for only less than 1% of total renal transplantations. The reasons for such a low rate of cadaveric transplantation are many, ranging from lack of awareness to socioeconomic reasons. Our institute conducted a statewide public awareness program and initiated an intercity organ harvesting program. This doubled the cadaveric renal transplantations in the last 2 years. We performed 38 cadaveric transplantations among 190 renal transplantations in the last year (August 2005 to July 2006). We retrieved kidneys from 21 donors, of whom 9 were outside our city. From 21 donors we transplanted 38 recipients; out of whom 3 received dual kidneys and one kidney was discarded. The Mean age of the donors was 41.4 +/- 18.2 years with a mean cold ischemia time of 6.9 +/- 3.8 hours. Sixty-eight percent had delayed graft function. At the last follow-up, which was 190 +/- 98 days, patient survival rate was 90%: 4 patients died, including 2 due to bacterial sepsis and 2 due to cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease. The Graft survival rate was 85%, and the death-censored graft survival rate was 90%. Mean serum creatinine value at the last follow-up was 1.2 +/- 0.3 mg%. There were 5 episodes of acute rejection in 31 patients during first 3 months (16% acute rejection rate). The increase in cadaveric transplantations was associated with satisfactory patient and graft survival despite the high incidence of delayed graft function.

The bladder stones in 45 patients were treated with tactile litholapaxy over a period of 3 years. The overall success rate was 91.1%. The associated urological lesions like enlarged prostate, bladder neck contracture and urethral stricture could be safely dealt with simultaneously with litholapaxy in one sitting which was advantageous to the patient as well as to the surgeon.