Robotic uretero-ureterostomy of the retrocaval ureter without excision of the retrocaval segment

Robotic reconstruction of the retrocaval ureter is gaining momentum as the method of choice for surgically treating this rare condition. Maintaining the retrocaval ureteric segment further facilitates the procedure. We report a case of a 23-year-old man who underwent intraperitoneal robotic resection anastomosis and repositioning of the retrocaval ureter. We also discuss the advantages of this technique.     

Influence of Humans on Evolution and Mobilization of Environmental Antibiotic Resistome

The clinical failure of antimicrobial drugs that were previously effective in controlling infectious disease is a tragedy of increasing magnitude that gravely affects human health. This resistance by pathogens is often the endpoint of an evolutionary process that began billions of years ago in non–disease-causing microorganisms. This environmental resistome, its mobilization, and the conditions that facilitate its entry into human pathogens are at the heart of the current public health crisis in antibiotic resistance. Understanding the origins, evolution, and mechanisms of transfer of resistance elements is vital to our ability to adequately address this public health issue.     

Modifiable Factors to Decrease the Cost of Robotic-Assisted Procedures

In 2000, the US Food and Drug Administration approved the da Vinci Surgical System® for use in the United States. Since that time, the number of surgical robotic systems throughout the United States has continued to grow. The costs for using the system include the initial purchase ($1 million to $2.3 million) plus annual maintenance fees ($100,000 to $150,000) and the cost of limited-use or disposable instruments. Increasing the number of procedures that are performed using the robotic system can decrease the per-procedure costs. Two modifiable factors that contribute to increasing the annual caseload are increasing the number of surgeons capable of using the system and having a properly educated perioperative nursing team. An educated surgical team decreases turnover time, facilitates proper flow of each surgical procedure, and is able to actively and passively solve intraoperative problems.     

First molecular characterization of Giardia duodenalis from goats in Malaysia

In the present study, 310 faecal samples from goats from eight different farms in Malaysia were tested for the presence of Giardia using a PCR-coupled approach. The nested PCR for SSU amplified products of the expected size (～200 bp) from 21 of 310 (6.8%) samples. Sixteen of these 21 products could be sequenced successfully and represented six distinct sequence types. Phylogenetic analysis of the SSU sequence data using Bayesian Inference (BI) identified Giardia assemblages A, B and E. The identification of the ‘zoonotic’ assemblages A and B suggests that Giardia-infected goats represent a possible reservoir for human giardiasis in Malaysia.     

Child homicide in Cairo from 2006 to 2010: Characteristics and trends

BackgroundCrimes towards children have drawn public attention over the decades. Several studies have been conducted to determine the risk factors of victimizing children. Conducting studies of this crime in Cairo, the capital city of Egypt, would help in understanding the motives behind it in such a densely populated area.Research design and methodologyA review of death charts was conducted in Zeinhom morgue in the years of 2006–2010 to study the trends and characteristics of child homicide in Cairo. The cut-off for a child age was at 18 years. Data related to the victim and offender was collected.ResultsChild homicides represented 7.97% of total child deaths in the studied period. Most of them (25%) fall in the age group of 1–6 years. Females were the majority in the age group of 12–18 years (89%). The offender was the father in 28% of cases and the cause of death was mainly trauma to the head (42%).ConclusionFurther studies should be conducted to discern the risk factors of this crime in Cairo with special considerations to the motives behind murdering females in teen ages.