Single ileal segment in a cat-tail configuration for bilateral ureteric strictures.

INTRODUCTION: Management of bilateral long length ureteric strictures is difficult with few options for reconstruction. In this report, we describe our experience with the use of a single, 15- 20 cm ileal segment for reconstruction of bilateral long length (involving more than 2/3rd ureter) ureteric strictures. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 5 cases operated between 2015 and 2020for bilateral long length ureteric strictures, using a single segment ileal interposition in a cat tail configuration was performed. We evaluated renal function, surgical success, incidence of urinary tract infection and complications of the procedure. Surgical success was defined as an asymptomatic patient with no hydronephrosis and/or prompt drainage of the kidney on radiological investigations. RESULTS: The average age of presentation was 42.8 ± 7.4 years (33-53) years). All the cases were secondary to a gynaecological intervention. The mean creatinine prior to surgery was 0.81 ± 0.36 mg % (range 0.5 -1.4 mg%). Mean duration of follow-up was 28.6 ± 20.6 months (Range 10 - 56 months). Mean hospital stay was 14.4 ± 3.36 days (range 12-20 days). Two patients developed ileus and one patient developed deep venous thrombosis in the post-operative period. One patient developed pyelonephritis within one month of surgery. There was no deterioration of renal function with the mean serum creatinine at last follow-up being 0.9 ± 0.36 mg% (range 0.6 - 1.5 mg%). CONCLUSION: The use of an ileal segment in cat-tail configuration for bilateral simultaneous ileal replacement is a feasible and safe option. The medium-term result states that it is effective in the preservation of renal function and provides a good conduit for drainage.

Methods for high-throughput MethylCap-Seq data analysis.

BACKGROUND: Advances in whole genome profiling have revolutionized the cancer research field, but at the same time have raised new bioinformatics challenges. For next generation sequencing (NGS), these include data storage, computational costs, sequence processing and alignment, delineating appropriate statistical measures, and data visualization. Currently there is a lack of workflows for efficient analysis of large, MethylCap-seq datasets containing multiple sample groups. METHODS: The NGS application MethylCap-seq involves the in vitro capture of methylated DNA and subsequent analysis of enriched fragments by massively parallel sequencing. The workflow we describe performs MethylCap-seq experimental Quality Control (QC), sequence file processing and alignment, differential methylation analysis of multiple biological groups, hierarchical clustering, assessment of genome-wide methylation patterns, and preparation of files for data visualization. RESULTS: Here, we present a scalable, flexible workflow for MethylCap-seq QC, secondary data analysis, tertiary analysis of multiple experimental groups, and data visualization. We demonstrate the experimental QC procedure with results from a large ovarian cancer study dataset and propose parameters which can identify problematic experiments. Promoter methylation profiling and hierarchical clustering analyses are demonstrated for four groups of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients. We propose a Global Methylation Indicator (GMI) function to assess genome-wide changes in methylation patterns between experimental groups. We also show how the workflow facilitates data visualization in a web browser with the application Anno-J. CONCLUSIONS: This workflow and its suite of features will assist biologists in conducting methylation profiling projects and facilitate meaningful biological interpretation.

A Scalable, Flexible Workflow for MethylCap-Seq Data Analysis.

Advances in whole genome profiling have revolutionized the cancer research field, but at the same time have raised new bioinformatics challenges. For next generation sequencing (NGS), these include data storage, computational costs, sequence processing and alignment, delineating appropriate statistical measures, and data visualization. The NGS application MethylCap-seq involves the in vitro capture of methylated DNA and subsequent analysis of enriched fragments by massively parallel sequencing. Here, we present a scalable, flexible workflow for MethylCap-seq Quality Control, secondary data analysis, tertiary analysis of multiple experimental groups, and data visualization. This workflow and its suite of features will assist biologists in conducting methylation profiling projects and facilitate meaningful biological interpretation.

Improving daily workflow to improve insurance rejection handling by leveraging an existing data warehouse.

The Ohio State University Medical Center (OSUMC) has developed a comprehensive Information Warehouse (IW), comprising data from all aspects of the academic medical center. By leveraging this data source, OSUMC was able to create an application combining Business Intelligence (BI) reporting, advanced worklisting, and distributed data management techniques. OSUMC was able to use this application to substantially improve the throughput of rejection handling, allowing more timely resolution without an increase in staff.