With the advent of newer technologies, the management of small renal masses has shown a paradigm shift.This has resulted in preferring partial nephrectomy over radical nephrectomy, emphasizing the concept of nephronsparing surgery. Various lasers have been used in few cases. We prospectively evaluated the use of thuliumlaser in open partial nephrectomy over last 1 year. The aim is to study thulium laser as an energy source forpartial nephrectomy for peripheral tumor. The role of partial nephrectomy and zero ischemia time in renalpreservation is already proven. Outcomes of total of 4 patients who underwent open partial nephrectomy wereanalyzed prospectively. We used Quanta Cyber TM laser at setting of 30 W both for cutting and coagulation.Preoperative characteristics and outcomes were analyzed. Four patients underwent open partial nephrectomy withzero ischemia. The mean tumor size was 5.26 cm, mean RENAL nephrometry score was 4.5, mean operativetime was 67.5 minutes, active laser time was 2 minutes, mean blood loss related to partial nephrectomy perse was 65 mL. Mean preoperative hemoglobin was 11.12 g% and mean postoperative hemoglobin was 10.05g%. Mean duration of stay was 6 days. Histologically all lesions were renal cell carcinoma pT1/T2, with marginsnegative for tumor and no deterioration in renal function during follow-up. The thulium laser at 2013 nm wavelengthdemonstrates excellent hemostasis and precise cutting capabilities of the renal cortex during open partialnephrectomy for peripheral tumors without requiring renal artery clamping.

For the development of 19-plex Y STR system and polymorphism studies in locl ethnic populations sixteen markers of non-recombining regions (NRY) of Y chromosome, which show high power of discrimination among individuals, were selected in this study. Blood samples (600) were e.ollected from the males of three most common castes of Pakistani population (Arnin, Awan and Rajput) with different parent lineages. Three markers (DYS385a/b, DYS389Ⅰ/Ⅱ and YCAⅡa/b) among 16 Y STRs are double-targeted regions of the Y chromosome and thus provide two polymorphie peaks for each respective primer set. These 16 Y-STRs were developed into Megaplex system for simultaneous amplification of all markers within the population. The overall power of discrimination observed in focused populations was 60.5%, 66.5% and 55% in Rajput, Awan and Arain casts respectively. This discrimination power will be helpful in haman identification for forensic casework studies including sexual assaults and paternity testing.

OBJECTIVE: Scandix pecten-veneris L. is a less studied wild edible herb and is considered an extinct plant species in many parts of the world. This study was designed to evaluate its phytochemical composition and biological potential of S. pecten-veneris L. METHODS: Phytochemicals including alkaloids, flavonoids, polyphenols, and tannins were determined in extracts of S. pecten-veneris. Antioxidant activity was determined using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), while reducing power was tested by ferric reducing/antioxidant power (FRAP) assay. Antimicrobial activity against seven bacterial and four fungal strains was evaluated using agar well diffusion assay. Enzymes inhibition study was performed for urease, phosphodiesterase-I, and catalase-II. RESULTS: S. pecten-veneris showed moderate antiradical activity and reducing potential of hydroxyl radicals to about 20% of the initial value. The antioxidant activity of various extracts of S. pecten-veneris showed a linear correlation with total phenolic contents in the order of water>n-butanol>chloroform>ethyl acetate>methanol extracts. S. pecten-veneris leaves showed the highest inhibitory activity against Staphylococcus aureus while the highest antifungal activity was observed against Candida albicans. The plant extract was most potent against urease enzymes but showed moderate activity against phosphodiestrase-I and carbonic anhydrase-II. CONCLUSIONS Our data demonstrate that in addition to its culinary uses, S. pecten-veneris has good medicinal potential and hence could be used for treating some specific health ailments.
Animals ; Anti-Infective Agents/pharmacology* ; Antioxidants/pharmacology* ; Apiaceae/chemistry* ; Enzyme Inhibitors/pharmacology* ; Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors/pharmacology* ; Phytochemicals/analysis* ; Plant Extracts/pharmacology* ; Plants, Edible/chemistry* ; Staphylococcus aureus/drug effects* ; Urease/antagonists & inhibitors*