Spondylothoracic dysplasia (Jarcho-Levin syndrome) is a syndrome of unknown etiology. We describe a new case with diaphragmatic eventration. Literature review for cases of Jarcho-Levin syndrome with diaphragmatic defects, which were six cases, revealed that renal affection increased when diaphragmatic defects associate the syndrome with pulmonary hypoplasia. Thus, the subgroup of spondylothoracic dysplasia with diaphragmatic defect is a more severe subgroup of the syndrome rather than the other forms of this syndrome. Relating the described anomalies in this case and that of the literature cases to the known embryological basis may point to a pivotal developmental link between lung, kidney and diaphragm, possibly the posterior mesenchyme.

Low-cost and low-density (LCD) DNA arrays offer an easy way to detect resistance as minimal laboratory instrumentation is needed. Nucleic acid-based amplification tests allow the rapid detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Recently, a real-time PCR assay for M. tuberculosis complex was introduced. Real-Time PCR and DNAmicroarray techniques were compared with the classical methods of Ziehl-Neelsen (ZN) staining and culturing. Regarding to the standard culture method, 80 positive individuals were identified out of 140 urine samples. RT-PCR showed 96.3% sensitivity and 96.7% specificity with Mycobacterial tuberculosis complex (MTB) (n=10) and nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) (n=70). The DNA-microarray analysis exhibited 100% sensitivity and specificity. One species belonging to (MTB) was identified as M. tuberculosis and positively represented by 12.5% (n=10). Five species belonging to nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) were identified and represented as M. kansasii 37.5% (n=30), M. celatum 21.25% (n=17), M. gordonae 11.25% (n=9), M. chelonae 10% (n=8), and M. phlei 7.5% (n=6). The results recommend the use of our simple and rapid PCR technique for early diagnosis of mycobacteria's. Gaber A, et al 2 Genetics and Molecular Research 16 (4): gmr16039837 Also, the fast LCD-microarray protocol is very useful for species identification and differentiation between MTB and NTM.

Augmented prophylaxis with single-dose gentamicin is an effective and practical approach. Targeted prophylaxis might be reserved for cases with contraindication to gentamicin.

Stone culture has been frequently investigated following percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PNL) in the last decade. We aimed to crucially define the clinical role of stone culture in modifying the treatment plan in patients with postoperative sepsis. Between June 2012 and April 2013, a total of 79 consecutive PNL procedures were included. Perioperative data were prospectively maintained. Preoperative urine sample, retrieved stone fragments and postoperative nephrostomy tube urine sample were cultured and antibiotic sensitivity tests were performed. The occurrence of at least two of the systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) events during their inpatient stay was diagnostic of SIRS. The antibiotic regimen utilized and its modifications were reported. The preoperative culture was positive in 26 patients (32.9 %). The culture of stone fragments showed significant bacterial growth in 23 (29.1 %) cases. Significant growth on stone culture was significantly associated with the presence of preoperative urinary catheters and positive preoperative urine culture (P = 0.001, 0.006 respectively). Postoperative culture was positive in only six patients (7.6 %). SIRS was diagnosed in the first postoperative day in 12 patients (15.2 %). Leukocytosis was the only predictor of SIRS. Neither preoperative culture, stone culture nor postoperative culture was predictor of SIRS. Stone culture was positive in four patients with SIRS. Stone culture changed the treatment plan in only one patient. Our data do not support the routine implementation of stone culture in the PNL workup, as it did not indicate a change of antibiotic regimen in most of the cases.

Background: Successful diagnosis and effective treatment for mycobacterial infections are mainly depending on a rapid and sensitive identification method. Objective: To detect and identify the Mycobacterium species. Methodology: PCR and LCD-microarry techniques were compared with the classical methods of Ziehl-Neelsen staining (ZN) and culturing. Two primers based on two conservative regions within the mycobacterium 16S rRNA gene were designed and amplified a DNA fragment of about 1350 bp for both complex of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) and non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM). Results: Regarding to the standard method of culture, 57 positive individuals were identified out of 100 urine samples. The PCR showed 96.30 % sensitivity and 96.70% specificity, while ZN gave Se = 67.50 % and Sp = 100 %. The LCD-microarray analysis exhibited 100 % sensitivity and specificity. One species of MTB was determined as M. tuberculosis and positively represented by 12.3% (n=7). Five species of NTM were determined and represented as M. kansasii 36.8 % (n=21), M. celatum 21 % (n=12), M. gordonae 12.2% (n=7), M. chelonae 10.5 % (n=6), and M. phlei 7% (n=4). Conclusion: The results recommended utilizing the simple and rapid PCR method for early mycobacteria detection. Also, the fast LCD-microarray protocol is very beneficial for identification and differentiation between MTB and of NTM species.

No abstract

H EPATITIS B virus (HBV) infects millions of people worldwide annually, causing chronic liver diseases such as cirrhosis, fibrosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. HBV has nine known genotypes (A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, and I) and a tentative tenth genotype (J). Identifying HBV genotyping is crucial since different genotypes and sub-genotypes can influence treatment outcomes and responses to antiviral therapy. Therefore, we employed conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to determine the HBV genotypes in three Egyptian governorates: Dakahlia (DK), Gharbia (GHR), and El-Sharkia (SHR). Specific primers for various HBV genotypes (A, B, C, D, E, and F) were used for this purpose. Out of 38 samples, three samples (7.8%) were found to have the D genotype, and four samples (10.5%) were identified as genotype C. The genotypes that were discovered underwent deep sequencing, which revealed two bands in the sequence results that were 99% identical to genotype D. The remaining bands could not be sequenced or gave unclear and incorrect sequence data. We evaluated the leaf extracts of three Ficus species (F. mysorensis, F. deltoidei, and sycomorus) as antiviral substances against HBV infection using an MTT assay. The results showed promising antiviral effects of these extracts, which could potentially aid in stopping the progression of HBV infection. Our findings indicate that conventional PCR with deep sequencing can accurately identify HBV genotypes, and Ficus plants may serve as an excellent supplement to standard treatment for HBV infections.

within 2 hours of one other for each patient to identify ureteral patency, the primary outcome for this study. Results from both imaging studies were reviewed in a blinded fashion by two experienced radiologists and compared.RESULTS: Eighty-six imaging studies were performed in 76 patients during the study period from September 2015 to September 2016. Females (58.3%) predominated males (41.7%) with a mean age of 51.2AE16.1 years and a mean body mass index of 29.6AE8.4 kg/m 2 . Four studies were excluded due to technical factors preventing imaging interpretation. For the remaining 82 studies, 66 (80.5%) demonstrated concordance for detecting ureteral patency between the two imaging techniques. Within the 16 (19.5%) discordant studies,15 showed antegrade urine flow on contrast-enhanced ultrasound but not on fluoroscopic nephrostogram, and one antegrade flow on fluoroscopic nephrostogram but not on ultrasound. For discordant studies, 97.5% of tubes were managed according to ultrasound results. No adverse events were noted related to any contrast-enhanced ultrasound studies. While contrast-enhanced ultrasound utilized no ionizing radiation, fluoroscopic nephrostograms provided a mean radiation exposure dose of 13.1AE17.5 mGycm 2 for patients.CONCLUSIONS: Contrast-enhanced ultrasound can be used to perform a nephrostogram with ultrasound contrast administered via a nephrostomy tube. This novel imaging technique is non-inferior to fluoroscopic nephrostogram, safe for patients, and devoid of radiation exposure in evaluating ureteral patency following percutaneous nephrolithotomy.