Outcomes of reconstructive surgery of tuberculosis affecting the ureter and bladder

Background: Genito-urinary tuberculosis (GUTB) affects kidneys and bladder more frequently leading to scarring and eventually loss of function. Reconstructive surgical procedures are implemented to preserve the function by relieving obstruction of the urinary tract. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the outcome of urinary reconstructive surgical procedures in terms of improvement in renal function and quality of life.Methods: This was retrospective analysis of all patients treated for tuberculous stricture of the ureter and scarring of the bladder from January 2001 to December 2005. Outcome of interventions were assessed using IVU, TC-DTPA renogram and serum creatinine level.Results: Among the 160 genito-urinary tuberculosis cases diagnosed in the 5 year period, only 51 patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were managed with reconstructive surgery alone or in combination with temporary diversion. Sixteen (31.5%) patients had elevated serum creatinine level greater than 1.5mg% out of which Nadir serum creatinine level less than 1.5mg% was found in only 9 patients following various procedures. Pan urethral or multiple segment involvement occurred in 24 ureters of which 10 required eventual definitive reconstructive surgery. Twenty eight bladders were found scarred of which 17 needed augmentation procedures.Conclusions: Based on acceptable renal function using Tc-scan, renogram and other functional assessments an overall favourable outcome of 92% at median follow up of 18 (6-48) months was observed

Wavelet-Based Linear-Response Time-Dependent Density-Functional Theory

Linear-response time-dependent (TD) density-functional theory (DFT) has been implemented in the pseudopotential wavelet-based electronic structure program BigDFT and results are compared against those obtained with the all-electron Gaussian-type orbital program deMon2k for the calculation of electronic absorption spectra of N2 using the TD local density approximation (LDA). The two programs give comparable excitation energies and absorption spectra once suitably extensive basis sets are used. Convergence of LDA density orbitals and orbital energies to the basis-set limit is significantly faster for BigDFT than for deMon2k. However the number of virtual orbitals used in TD-DFT calculations is a parameter in BigDFT, while all virtual orbitals are included in TD-DFT calculations in deMon2k. As a reality check, we report the x-ray crystal structure and the measured and calculated absorption spectrum (excitation energies and oscillator strengths) of the small organic molecule N-cyclohexyl-2-(4-methoxyphenyl)imidazo[1,2-a]pyridin-3-amine

Cardiovascular magnetic resonance in pericardial diseases

The pericardium and pericardial diseases in particular have received, in contrast to other topics in the field of cardiology, relatively limited interest. Today, despite improved knowledge of pathophysiology of pericardial diseases and the availability of a wide spectrum of diagnostic tools, the diagnostic challenge remains. Not only the clinical presentation may be atypical, mimicking other cardiac, pulmonary or pleural diseases; in developed countries a shift for instance in the epidemiology of constrictive pericarditis has been noted. Accurate decision making is crucial taking into account the significant morbidity and mortality caused by complicated pericardial diseases, and the potential benefit of therapeutic interventions. Imaging herein has an important role, and cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) is definitely one of the most versatile modalities to study the pericardium. It fuses excellent anatomic detail and tissue characterization with accurate evaluation of cardiac function and assessment of the haemodynamic consequences of pericardial constraint on cardiac filling. This review focuses on the current state of knowledge how CMR can be used to study the most common pericardial diseases

Outcomes of Reconstructive Surgery of Tuberculosis Affecting the Ureter and Bladder

Background : Genito-urinary tuberculosis (GUTB) affects kidneys and bladder more frequently leading to scarring and eventually loss of function. Reconstructive surgical procedures are implemented to preserve the function by relieving obstruction of the urinary tract. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the outcome of urinary reconstructive surgical procedures in terms of improvement in renal function and quality of life. Methods :This was retrospective analysis of all patients treated for tuberculous stricture of the ureter and scarring of the bladder from January 2001 to December 2005. Outcome of interventions were assessed using IVU, TC-DTPA renogram and serum creatinine level. Results : Among the 160 genito-urinary tuberculosis cases diagnosed in the 5 year period, only 51 patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were managed with reconstructive surgery alone or in combination with temporary diversion. Sixteen (31.5%) patients had elevated serum creatinine level greater than 1.5mg% out of which Nadir serum creatinine level less than 1.5mg% was found in only 9 patients following various procedures. Pan urethral or multiple segment involvement occurred in 24 ureters of which 10 required eventual definitive reconstructive surgery. Twenty eight bladders were found scarred of which 17 needed augmentation procedures. Conclusion : Based on acceptable renal function using Tc-scan, renogram and other functional assessments an overall favourable outcome of 92% at median follow up of 18 (6-48) months was observed

Role of technetium scan in diagnosis of congenital hypothyroidism

Background: With advent of screening new born population the incidence of congenital hypothyroidism dropped to 1:3000 to 1:4000. We have aimed to show the importance of doing technetium scan to find out exact etiology of congenital hypothyroidism. It helps in proper treatment and explaining the long-term prognosis. However, many centres in India do not have facilities for nuclear study.Methods: Study comprised of 30 children, the results of thyroid function test (TFT) were analysed, ultrasound neck was done to detect the presence or absence of thyroid gland in the neck and technetium scan was done in the department of nuclear medicine. Based on the images its classified as agenesis, ectopic or decreased uptake. The results of TFT, Ultrasound neck, technetium scan was analysed using statistical software.Results: Correlation of thyroid profile with technetium scans, T3 was decreased in 61.5% cases of ectopic thyroid, 100% cases of thyroid agenesis and 83.3% cases of decreased uptake. T4 was decreased in 92.3% cases of ectopic thyroid, 80% cases of thyroid agenesis and 75% of decreased uptake. Whereas TSH increased in all the cases with abnormal Technetium scan results. Correlation of ultrasound neck with technetium scans revealed, of the nonvisualised thyroid gland by ultrasound, 13 were ectopic, 5 agenesis and 5decreased uptake. of the visualized thyroid gland, all the 07 showed decreased uptake.Conclusions: Congenital hypothyroidism is one of the most serious condition needs to be diagnosed as early as in the newborn period

Standardizing the assessment of citizen scientists’ motivations: a motivational goal-based approach

Science Communication and Societ