The multi planar reconstruction capability of multidetector-row CT allowed good specificity in predicting renal vein, IVC involvement, capsular invasion and nodal disease.

Alfuzosin 10 mg once daily in patients with a Double-J stent significantly decreases the bothersome urinary symptoms, besides decreasing significantly the pain associated with the stent.

ObjectiveTo assess the prediction of stone clearance and complications of percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) using the ‘STONE’ nephrolithometry score, assessing stone size, tract length (skin-to-stone distance), degree of obstruction, number of calyces involved and stone essence (density).Patients and methodsThis was a prospective study of patients undergoing single-tract PCNL while prone, conducted at a university hospital. All patients had non-contrast-enhanced computed tomography within 3 weeks of the procedure. Only patients with a unilateral procedure and radio-opaque stones were included. The five variables of the STONE nephrolithometry score were calculated before the procedure. The stone-free rates were assessed with a plain abdominal film at 4 weeks and complications were graded using the modified Clavien system.ResultsIn all, 107 patients were included in the final analysis. Overall, 80% of patients were rendered stone-free. Among the individual variables, a larger stone (P = 0.002) and the involvement of multiple calyces (P = 0.04) were associated with residual stones, while tract length (skin-to-stone distance), stone density and presence of hydronephrosis were not. Patients who were rendered stone-free had a statistically significant lower overall STONE score than those with residual stones, at 7.24 vs. 8.14 (P = 0.02). The score also correlated with operative duration, which was significantly longer with a higher STONE score (P = 0.03). The complication rate was 18% and most complications were Clavien grade 2, with bleeding requiring a blood transfusion (11 patients) being the commonest. There were no deaths within 30 days of surgery, but there was no correlation between the STONE score and complications.ConclusionThe STONE nephrolithometry score is a simple and easy to apply system for predicting complexity in stone clearance with PCNL.

There was significant improvement in the quality of life, following tumor nephrectomy, even for Stage-IV cancers. Multivariate analysis indicated besides tumor stage, grade, and size of the tumor, Charlson's index has a significant predictive value on overall survival.

Purpose -The purpose of this paper is to identify and validate the competencies perceived to be essential for library and information science (LIS) professionals keeping in view the needs of knowledge management (KM) applications in Indian academic libraries. Design/methodology/approach -After reviewing relevant literature on the topic, a list of 25 competencies was prepared and organized in five categories. A link for attending the survey (list of KM competency statements) for the validation of competencies was sent via electronic mail to the teachers (95 in numbers) of 65 LIS schools where post-graduate courses in LIS were offered. Respondents were asked to nominate the level of importance for validation of each proposed KM competency. Findings -Findings of the study show a minor difference in the mean scores of five categories of competencies, but all the competencies were validated as needed. However, respondents were of the opinion that development of competencies in the field of management by LIS professionals is the most essential requirement for effective application of KM in Indian academic libraries. Practical implications -Competencies validated by the respondents may be used as the groundwork for evaluation of current LIS educational programmes and revision of LIS curricula to impart a wide range of competencies to LIS students for working in KM environment. Originality/value -Since no empirical study on required competencies for KM in India has been carried out before, this study closes this gap and provides guidelines to modify existing LIS curricula or LIS educational programmes to impart skills and competencies as validated by the academic community.