Critical retrospective analysis of various types of neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction (NLUTD) at HUSM (2006-2007)

To find the true incidence of various types of Bladder dysfunction (NLUTD) among neurological, neuro surgical lesions and post OBG status during 2006-2007 at HUSM

Intravesical electrical stimulation of the bladder – animal model study in HUSM

To study the effects of intravesical eletrical stimulation of rabbit’s bladder and to apply the principle in human hypocontractile bladder as a method of bladderbiofeedback training

Bicaval obstruction complicating right atrial tuberculoma:the diagnostic value of Cardiovascular MR

Cardiac tuberculosis is rare and usually involves the pericardium. Myocardial tuberculoma is a very rare occurrence and only a few cases were reported

Multiple urological problems in young age: a case report

Renal stone disease has been regarded as an uncommon problem in children as compared to adult population. The incidence varies in different parts of continent. Posterior urethral valve is also regarded as uncommon urological problem in pediatric population. The incidence is about 1 per 8,000 to 25,000 life births. A combination of renal calculi, posterior uerthral valve and vesicoureteric reflux in any given case is extremely rare especially in pediatri

Exploring the origin of high optical absorption in conjugated polymers

The specific optical absorption of an organic semiconductor is critical to the performance of organic optoelectronic devices. For example, higher light-harvesting efficiency can lead to higher photocurrent in solar cells that are limited by sub-optimal electrical transport. Here, we compare over 40 conjugated polymers, and find that many different chemical structures share an apparent maximum in their extinction coefficients. However, a diketopyrrolopyrrole-thienothiophene copolymer shows remarkably high optical absorption at relatively low photon energies. By investigating its backbone structure and conformation with measurements and quantum chemical calculations, we find that the high optical absorption can be explained by the high persistence length of the polymer. Accordingly, we demonstrate high absorption in other polymers with high theoretical persistence length. Visible light harvesting may be enhanced in other conjugated polymers through judicious design of the structure

Trancutaneous posterior tibial nerve stimulation (tptns): a promising method of management of neurogenic overactive bladder

To determine TPTNS is effective as less invasive form of neuromodulatory method either as a direct therapy for certain overactive bladder or as a preliminary evaluation for sacral root neuromodulation as a permanent method subsequently

Autonomic dysreflexia – neurovegetative syndrome

Autonomic dysreflexia is an exaggerated uninhibited sympathetic response to afferent stimulation following spinal cord injury above T6 level

Trace-gas metabolic versatility of the facultative methanotroph Methylocella silvestris

The climate-active gas methane is generated both by biological processes and by thermogenic decomposition of fossil organic material, which forms methane and short-chain alkanes, principally ethane, propane and butane1, 2. In addition to natural sources, environments are exposed to anthropogenic inputs of all these gases from oil and gas extraction and distribution. The gases provide carbon and/or energy for a diverse range of microorganisms that can metabolize them in both anoxic3 and oxic zones. Aerobic methanotrophs, which can assimilate methane, have been considered to be entirely distinct from utilizers of short-chain alkanes, and studies of environments exposed to mixtures of methane and multi-carbon alkanes have assumed that disparate groups of microorganisms are responsible for the metabolism of these gases. Here we describe the mechanism by which a single bacterial strain, Methylocella silvestris, can use methane or propane as a carbon and energy source, documenting a methanotroph that can utilize a short-chain alkane as an alternative to methane. Furthermore, during growth on a mixture of these gases, efficient consumption of both gases occurred at the same time. Two soluble di-iron centre monooxygenase (SDIMO) gene clusters were identified and were found to be differentially expressed during bacterial growth on these gases, although both were required for efficient propane utilization. This report of a methanotroph expressing an additional SDIMO that seems to be uniquely involved in short-chain alkane metabolism suggests that such metabolic flexibility may be important in many environments where methane and short-chain alkanes co-occur

Protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B inhibitors isolated from Artemisia roxburghiana

Artemisia roxburghiana is used in traditional medicine for treating various diseases including diabetes. The present study was designed to evaluate the antidiabetic potential of active constituents by using protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) as a validated target for management of diabetes. Various compounds were isolated as active principles from the crude methanolic extract of aerial parts of A. roxburghiana. All compounds were screened for PTP1B inhibitory activity. Molecular docking simulations were performed to investigate the mechanism behind PTP1B inhibition of the isolated compound and positive control, ursolic acid. Betulinic acid, betulin and taraxeryl acetate were the active PTP1B principles with IC50 values 3.49 ± 0.02, 4.17 ± 0.03 and 87.52 ± 0.03 µM, respectively. Molecular docking studies showed significant molecular interactions of the triterpene inhibitors with Gly220, Cys215, Gly218 and Asp48 inside the active site of PTP1B. The antidiabetic activity of A. roxburghiana could be attributed due to PTP1B inhibition by its triterpene constituents, betulin, betulinic acid and taraxeryl acetate. Computational insights of this study revealed that the C-3 and C-17 positions of the compounds needs extensive optimization for the development of new lead compounds

PCNL in horseshoe kidney- the first experience at HUSM

Horseshoe kidney is one of the commonest congenital renal fusion anomalies with an incidence of 0.25% in general population. Disturbances in urine flow, drainage and concomitant infections promote stone formation is common. Percutaneous nephrolithotripsy (PCNL) in horseshoe kidney is a challenge due to its anatomical difference and thus a modified technique is needed. Hereby, we report our first experience with PCNL in this anomaly, a 55 year old with left staghorn renal calculi in a horseshoe kidne