Acetalization of glycerol and benzaldehyde to synthesize biofuel additives using SO /CeO-ZrO catalyst.

Synthesis of 1,3- dioxane and 1,3-dioxolane, using sulfated CeO-ZrO catalyst for acetalization of glycerol with benzaldehyde, is the focus of present work. SO /CeO-ZrO catalyst was synthesized using combustion method. Experiments were carried out to analyze the effect of various solvents (n-hexane, toluene, tert-butyl alcohol, pentanol), molar ratios (1:3, 1:5, 1:7), catalyst loadings (3 wt%, 5 wt%, 9 wt %) and temperatures (80 °C, 90 °C, 100 °C) on glycerol conversion and selectivity of the products.

Removing hospital-based triage from suspected colorectal cancer pathways: the impact and learning from a primary care-led electronic straight-to-test pathway.

Background: The 2-week wait referral pathway for suspected colorectal cancer was introduced in England to improve time from referral from a general practitioner (GP) to diagnosis and treatment. Patients are required to be seen by a hospital clinician within 2 weeks if their symptoms meet the criteria set by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and to start cancer treatment within 62 days. To achieve this, many hospitals have introduced a straight-to-test (STT) strategy requiring hospital-based triage of referrals.

Contemporary use of ultrasonic versus standard electrosurgical dissection in laparoscopic nephrectomy: Safety, efficacy and cost.

Objective: To assess the safety, efficacy and cost-effectiveness of ultrasonic dissection (USD) compared with standard monopolar electrosurgery (ES) in laparoscopic nephrectomy (LN).

Patients And Methods: Retrospective analysis of patients' records who underwent elective LN was performed. Patients were divided in to two groups: USD and ES groups depending on the energy source used during LN.

Laparoscopic ureterolysis and omental wrapping in patients with retroperitoneal fibrosis and obstructive uropathy: a single-center experience.

Objectives: To analyze the outcomes with mid- to long-term follow-up of laparoscopic ureterolysis (LU) and omental wrapping in retroperitoneal fibrosis (RPF) with obstructive uropathy.

Patients And Methods: Records of 9 patients with RPF who had obstructive uropathy at presentation and had undergone LU and omental wrapping at our center during January 2004 to June 2012 were collected and analyzed.

Results: Six females and three males underwent LU for RPF.

Ureteral metastasis as the presenting manifestation of pancreatic carcinoma.

We recently cared for a patient with adenocarcinoma of the pancreas who presented with ureteral metastasis followed by hydroureteronephrosis long before the appearance of any symptoms related to the primary lesion. The entity is extremely rare; only seven similar cases are on record in the scientific literature. No recent review exists on this topic.

Testicular vein syndrome and its treatment with a laparoscopic approach.

Background And Objectives: Testicular vein syndrome (TVS) is a rare cause of ureteral obstruction. Only 5 previous cases are on record in the literature, and no review exists on this topic to date. Laparoscopic treatment has never been mentioned in the management of TVS.

A case of extensive genitourinary tuberculosis: combined augmentation ileo-cystoplasty, ureteric ileal replacement and buccal mucosal graft urethroplasty.

Genitourinary tuberculosis (GUTB) is the second most common form of extrapulmonary TB after lymph nodes. Advanced GUTB leading to strictures of ureters and urethra, and bladder contracture frequently need surgical management. These are usually treated by ileal replacement of ureter, substitution urethroplasty using buccal mucosal graft (BMG) and augmentation ileo-cystoplasty, respectively.

Laparoscopic nephrectomy for pyonephrosis during pregnancy: case report and review of the literature.

The maternal and fetal complications of pyonephrosis during pregnancy can be devastating, thus the call for urgent but safe intervention. Laparoscopic nephrectomy has been used safely and effectively in nonpregnant patients with pyonephrotic kidney. We report on a case of a 28-year-old pregnant woman with pyonephrotic kidney that we believe to be the first such case managed by transperitoneal laparoscopic nephrectomy.

Laparoscopic nephrectomy in xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis: 7-year single-surgeon outcome.

Objective: To evaluate the outcome of laparoscopic nephrectomy in patients with xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis (XGPN).

Methods: The medical and procedural records of patients with pathologically confirmed XGPN from February 2004 to December 2010 were reviewed retrospectively. During this period, 19 patients (mean age 37.

Anterior urethral strictures: a brief review of the current surgical treatment.

A review of the recent literature on the surgical management of anterior urethral stricture was performed. The literature was searched via PubMed using the search terms 'urethral stricture' and 'urethroplasty' from 1996 to 2009. The management of anterior urethral strictures is changing rapidly in the sense that the reconstructive procedures have evolved greatly.

Laparoscopic transperitoneal pyelopyelostomy and ureteroureterostomy of retrocaval ureter: Report of two cases and review of the literature.

We report two cases of retrocaval ureter that were successfully treated by a laparoscopic transperitoneal approach. Presentation of both these cases was with flank pain. Ureteroureterostomy using an intracorporeal suture technique was performed for one, and pyelopyelostomy for the other case.

Laparoscopic dismembered pyeloplasty for ureteropelvic junction obstruction: experience with 142 cases in a high-volume center.

Background And Purpose: Laparoscopic dismembered pyeloplasty (LDP) is a minimally invasive approach that is becoming standard management of ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO). It provides similar results when compared with open surgery. The main goal of LDP is to meet the standard of open dismembered pyeloplasty with reduced trauma for the patients.

Laparoscopic pyeloplasty: an analysis of first 100 cases and important lessons learned.

Aim: Laparoscopic pyeloplasty (LP) is a minimally invasive approach that is becoming a standard treatment of ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO). It is providing similar results when compared with open surgery. We here present our technique and analyses of experience of our first 100 cases.

An outbreak of extended spectrum beta-lactamase producing Klebsiella pneumoniae in a neonatal intensive care unit.

Klebsiella pneumoniae has long been a prominent cause of nosocomial infections and outbreaks have been observed in the intensive care units and in high risk groups. We present here a brief report on an outbreak of Klebsiella pneumoniae which occurred in a neonatal intensive care unit in our teaching hospital. As neonates are at highest risk for acquisition of Klebsiella pneumoniae producing extended spectrum beta-lactamase, infection control policies and procedures should be strictly followed to prevent such outbreaks.

Fixation of the access-port is not required in gastric banding.

Background: Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) is increasingly performed in patients with morbid obesity. Suturing of the access-port in LAGB can be difficult and time consuming but is felt necessary by many surgeons to prevent migration and facilitate band adjustments.

Methods: Between 2003 and 2006, 226 patients underwent LAGB with the MIDband.

Evidence-based management of Mastalgia: a meta-analysis of randomised trials.

Several agents have been utilised for therapy of mastalgia based on data from small trials. No meta-analysis of trials on mastalgia exists. We have conducted a meta-analysis on trials on mastalgia published in the English language.

Hepatic adenomatosis--a rare double complication of multiple adenoma rupture and malignant transformation.

Hepatic adenomatosis (HA) is a rare disorder that is susceptible to hemorrhagic complications and, rarely, to malignant transformation. We report a 24-year-old woman who was found to have HA with > 10 tumors; she presented with simultaneous rupture of two of the adenomas, along with malignant change in one. Hematoma evacuation and caudate lobe resection were done and she has been doing well 6 months later.

Laparoscopy-assisted live donor nephrectomy: a modified cost-effective approach for developing countries.

Background And Purpose: Because of the prohibitive cost of laparoscopic disposable instruments such as the PneumoSleeve, Endocatch, and vascular staples, laparoscopic live-donor nephrectomy has not gained wide acceptance in many developing countries. To circumvent this problem, we have developed a cost-saving approach, which is described herein and compared with the open method.

Patients And Methods: Forty-nine patients underwent laparoscopic live-donor nephrectomy at our institute, of which two were performed by the hand-assisted technique, five by the technique described by Fabrizio et al and forty-two by our modified cost-saving laparoscopy-assisted technique (LD).