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Routine Double-J stenting prevents ureteral complications. Early removal at 2 weeks is advisable. The short duration of stenting is effective and saves the cost of repeat hospitalization at a later date.

Energy homeostasis is regulated by twin factors, energy intake and energy expenditure. Obesity arises when these two factors are out of balance. Recently, the microflora residing in the human gut has been found to be one of the influential factors disturbing energy balance. Recent interest in this field has led to use of the term "gut microbiome" to describe the genomes of trillions of microbes residing in the gut. Metagenomic studies have shown that the human gut microbiome facilitates fermentation of indigestible carbohydrates to short-chain fatty acids that provide excess energy to the body, thus contributing to the obese phenotype. Alteration in the ratio of Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes drives a change in fermentation patterns that could explain weight gain. Therefore, changes in the gut microbiome (induced by antibiotics or dietary supplements) may be helpful in curbing the obesity pandemic. This review provides information on the expansive role the gut microbiome is believed to play in obesity and other related metabolic disorders.

Background and Objective. Glutathione-S-transferase (GST) is the superfamily of genes that provides protection to the cells against reactive oxygen species and plays a vital role in phase II of biotransformation of many substances. Overexpression of GST (EC 2.5.1.18) has been documented in the erythrocytes of patients with chronic renal failure, which may be of clinical relevance. Keeping this background in mind, we have investigated the relationship between human GST gene polymorphism in end stage renal disease (ESRD) patients. Design and Methods. We have assessed 184 patients with ESRD and 569 age-and sexmatched controls from North India. The GSTT1 and GSTM1 null genotypes were identified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). GSTP1-313 A/G mutation was determined by PCR followed by restriction enzyme digestion. Results. The gene frequency of GSTM1, GSTT1, and GSTP1 polymorphism were evaluated. We observed that GSTM1 null genotype was present in 46.74% of the ESRD patients while GSTT1 null genotype was present in 58.7% of the ESRD subjects. There was a significant association of null alleles of the GSTM1 (p = 0.0386; OR = 1.445, 95% CI = 1.033-2.021) and GSTT1 (p ≤ 0.0001; OR = 4.568, 95% CI = 3.215-6.492) and in the -313 G alleles (Val) of the GSTP1 gene (p = 0.0032; OR = 1.956, 95% CI = 1.265-3.024) with end stage renal disease. The combined analysis of the three genotypes showed a further increased risk to ESRD (p ≤ 0.0001; OR = 9.01, 95% CI = 5.55-14.626). Interpretations and Conclusions. The null / low polymorphism of the detoxifying enzymes GSTT1, GSTM1, and GSTP1 are associated with the risk of developing ESRD in North Indian patients.

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