Auricular cartilage regeneration using different types of mesenchymal stem cells in rabbits.

Background: Cartilaginous disorders comprise a wide range of diseases that affect normal joint movement, ear and nose shape; and they have great social and economic impact. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) provide a promising regeneration alternative for treatment of degenerative cartilaginous disorders. This study aimed to compare therapeutic potential of different types of laser activated MSCs to promote auricular cartilage regeneration.

The Currarino triad: What pediatric surgeons need to know.

Purpose: We report our experience in managing a group of patients with Currarino syndrome, highlighting diagnostic challenges, surgical techniques, in addition to a review of current neurosurgical options.

Patients And Methods: The study included patients with Currarino syndrome who presented to our pediatric surgery department during the period 2010 through 2016. The 'sacral scimitar' in plain X-ray provided the clue for the diagnosis; while MRI examination was essential to define the nature of the presacral mass and associated spinal anomalies.

The double urethra: revisiting the surgical classification.

Aim: The aim of this article was to describe our experience with 14 patients with double urethra.

Patients And Methods: We retrospectively examined the patients' records including their clinical presentations, investigations, operative findings, and outcome. In addition to Effmann's classification, we used a newly proposed classification that depends on the orientation of the double urethral channels.

Renal stone disease and obesity: what is important for urologists and nephrologists?

Currently, obesity has reached an epidemic stage and represents a challenge for health authorities across the globe. Certainly, with emergence of obesity epidemic, we started to see an increase in the prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and nephrolithiasis. Interestingly, epidemiologic studies have shown that the incident stone risk increases with body mass index (BMI), and no further increase in risk is noticed when the BMI > 30 kg/m(2).