Parathyroid Adenoma: is Sestamibi scintigraphy mandatory?

Localization of parathyroid adenoma using 99mTc scintigraphy is the standard of care. However, of late, ultrasound has been employed to this end with increasing frequency.1, 2, 3 The employment of intra-operative PTH estimation (IOPTH) has further augmented the cure rate of hyperparathyroidism due to parathyroid adenomas.4 While ultrasound is widely available, scintigraphy is available only in tertiary health-care centres.With this background, a prospective study was conducted in the department of endocrine surgery of a tertiary care hospital to analyse the efficacy of surgeon-performed ultrasound (SPUS) in comparison to that of 99mTc Sestamibi scintigraphy in the localization of parathyroid adenomas.

Generating Finite Dimensional Integrable Nonlinear Dynamical Systems

In this article, we present a brief overview of some of the recent progress made in identifying and generating finite dimensional integrable nonlinear dynamical systems, exhibiting interesting oscillatory and other solution properties, including quantum aspects. Particularly we concentrate on Lienard type nonlinear oscillators and their generalizations and coupled versions. Specific systems include Mathews-Lakshmanan oscillators, modified Emden equations, isochronous oscillators and generalizations. Nonstandard Lagrangian and Hamiltonian formulations of some of these systems are also briefly touched upon. Nonlocal transformations and linearization aspects are also discussed.Comment: To appear in Eur. Phys. J - ST 222, 665 (2013

Autophagy and urothelial carcinoma of the bladder: A review.

The incidence of urothelial carcinoma of the urinary bladder (bladder cancer) remains high. While other solid organ malignancies have seen significant improvement in morbidity and mortality, there has been little change in bladder cancer mortality in the past few decades. The mortality is mainly driven by muscle invasive bladder cancer, but the cancer burden remains high even in nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer due to high recurrence rates and risk of progression. While apoptosis deregulation has long been an established pathway for cancer progression, nonapoptotic pathways have gained prominence of late. Recent research in the role of autophagy in other malignancies, including its role in treatment resistance, has led to greater interest in the role of autophagy in bladder cancer. Herein, we summarize the literature regarding the role of autophagy in bladder cancer progression and treatment resistance. We address it by systematically reviewing treatment modalities for nonmuscle invasive and muscle invasive bladder cancer