Unstented laparoscopic pyeloplasty in young children (1–5 years old): A comparison with a repair using double-J stent or transanastomotic externalized stent

ObjectiveTo evaluate feasibility of unstented laparoscopic pyeloplasty in young children to prevent pyelonephritis and second anaesthesia.Patients and methodsDuring 2006–2013, 70 children (1–5 years old) underwent laparoscopic pyeloplasty for high grade hydronephrosis. Unstented repair was indicated in 34 children (GroupL1), double-J stent was placed in 21 patients (Group L2) and uretero-pyelostomy stent (Cook) in 15 patients (Group L3). Stenting was preferred in large thin-walled pelvis, thin ureter, kidney malrotation, and unfavourable course of crossing vessels. The outcome was compared with age-matched group of 52 children who had open surgery during 1996–2006 (Groups O1, O3).ResultsOperation times were significantly shorter in Groups L1 and L2 than in Group L3; the times were shorter in open repairs. Three patients with crossing vessels from Group L1 had urine leakage and one had obstruction (11.4%). In Group L2, one patient had obstruction, one incorrect placement of the stent, and one girl had serious pyelonephritis (14.3%). In Group L3, displacement of uretero-pyelostomy occurred in one patient (6.7%). There is no statistical difference between laparoscopic groups and between laparoscopic and open groups.ConclusionUnstented laparoscopic pyeloplasty is a safe procedure in selected young children with favourable anatomical conditions preventing additional anaesthesia and stent-related complications.     

Antimelanoma Potential of Eruca sativa Seed Oil and its Bioactive Principles

The present communication reports the comparison of in vivo antioxidant, antimelanoma and antimutagenic activities of Eruca sativa seed oil and its bio principles (allyl isothiocyanate, phenylethyl isothiocyanate and sulphoraphane) against B16F10 melanoma cells induced in C57BL/6 mice model. Among the various treatments considered for the study, isothiocyanates combination (allyl isothiocyanate, phenylethyl isothiocyanate and sulphoraphane; 1:1:1; 10 µM) exhibited optimum antioxidant activity, 51.95±1.14 µM glutathione per mg protein compared to seed oil 25.91±1.26 µM. Lipid peroxidation value was 9.97±1.72 µM malondialdehyde per mg wet weight for isothiocyanates combination against seed oil, 28.45±1.87 µM and rendered significant protection against oxidative stress induced by melanoma in liver tissue. Isothiocyanates combination significantly suppressed various parameters, such as tumor growth, isothiocyanates combination by 36.36% while the seed oil by 15.23%; tumor weight, isothiocyanates combination by 45.9% and seed oil by 19.6%; tumor volume, isothiocyanates combination by 41.7% while the seed oil by 32.3%, measured for antimelanoma activity at a concentration of 10 µM. Isothiocyanates combination has been found to be more cytotoxic bioagent against B16F10 melanoma cells induced in C57BL/6 mice compared to naturally occurring Eruca sativa seed oil.     

Evaluation of Self-Contained PACS Viewers on CD-ROM

Providing patients and clinicians with self-contained PACS viewer on CD format is a common and necessary tool to share vital imaging data. However, to be useful, this tool should be reliable, robust, and convenient. Numerous PACS viewer options are available, often without empirical data to guide in choosing one for routine use. To assist in making a standardized choice for our institution, we chose four common viewers, benchmarked on four different workstations reflecting the variety of environments used by non-radiologist clinicians who would receive a CD. Four CD-based DICOM viewers from eFilm, Philips, Pacsgear Gearview, and iSite were examed on two radiology PACS workstations, a standard desktop computer, and a laptop using a test case consisting of a multi-series CTA with 13 series and 3,035 total images. Multiple objective measures, subjective measures, and presence of key features were evaluated including program time to load, image time to load, cine/movie mode, ability to adequately window and level, pan and zoom functionality, basic measurement tools, and perceived lag when scrolling through a multi-image series. Substantial differences in speed of operation and behavior on multiple systems were documented, which could potentially add several minutes to the time required to open and view a patient’s imaging data. The eFilm and iSite viewers operated consistently and reliably across all tested computer environments. The iSite viewer, having among the quickest load times in the group tested and consistently low subjective scroll lag during series viewing, and also beneficially allowing partial viewing while images load in the background, was found to generate the best overall user experience. Because of these significant differences, we have recommended that our institution standardize all patient imaging CD creation using the iSite viewer.     

Rapid screening of 35 new psychoactive substances by ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) and direct analysis in real time (DART) coupled to quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (QTOF‐MS)

The recent propagation of new psychoactive substances (NPS) has led to the development of new techniques for the rapid characterization of controlled substances in this category. A commercial bench‐top ion mobility spectrometer (IMS) with a ⁶³Ni ionization source and a direct analysis in real time (DART) coupled to quadrupole time‐of‐flight (QTOF) were used for the rapid characterization of 35 NPS. The advantages of these techniques are fast response, ease of operation, and minimal sample preparation. The characteristic reduced mobilities of each substance are reported as are the mass spectra of the 35 compounds. The acquired product ion scan mass spectra were also compared to a library database constructed by QTOF with a electrospray ionization (ESI) source and showed a consistent relative abundance for each peak over time. A total of four seized drug samples provided by the local forensic laboratory were analyzed in order to demonstrate the utility of this approach. The results of this study suggest that both IMS and DART‐QTOF are promising alternatives for the rapid screening and characterization of these new psychoactive substances. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Does increase in DNA repair allow “Tolerance‐to‐Insult” in chemical carcinogenesis? Skin tumor experiments with MGMT‐overexpressing mice

Several genotoxicity endpoints have been evaluated to define nonlinear dose‐responses for S_N1 and S_N2 alkylating genotoxicants. Dose‐response studies acknowledging the process of multistage tumorigenesis are important; however, data pertaining nonlinearity are not yet available. In this communication, the role of DNA repair in the dose‐response relationship for benign papillomas was examined using the two‐stage skin carcinogenesis protocol. The data obtained with O⁶‐methylguanine‐DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) overexpressing mice in which papillomas were induced by a single topical treatment with N‐methyl‐N‐nitrosourea (MNU) followed by promotion with 12‐O‐tetradecanoylphorbol‐13‐acetate are reported. As MGMT efficiently protects cells from mutations by repairing O⁶‐methylguanine, a miscoding lesion induced by MNU, the question whether MGMT is able to nullify carcinogenic lesions to an extent where they would be considered nonhazardous has been addressed. It is shown here that MGMT overexpression significantly protects against, but does not completely nullify, the effect of MNU in tumor initiation. The possible mechanisms involved have also been discussed. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 55:145–150, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Golgi apparatus-synthesized sulfated glycosaminoglycans mediate polymerization and activation of the cGAMP sensor STING

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