K. Donald Tham^a, Asad M. Madni^b

Intelligent Automation & Soft Computing, Vol.24, No.1, pp. 17-26, 2018, DOI:10.1080/10798587.2017.1284411

Abstract The Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) Act 2002 resulted from the mounting accounting and corporate scandals in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Since the passage of the SOX Act, companies are facing even greater challenges to meet raised expectations to provide accurate, visible, and timely information for SOX compliance. This research puts forth a systems design framework to achieve a real time, accurate, consistently traceable and easily verifiable SOX compliant technology. Our multidisciplinary and integrative systems design incorporates Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) to ensure effective business performance within a knowledge represented company modeled as Enveloped Activity Based More >

Carlos E. B. Branco¹, Roney O. Sampaio¹, Flavio Tarasoutchi¹, Justin P. Zachariah²

Congenital Heart Disease, Vol.13, No.6, pp. 1069-1071, 2018, DOI:10.1111/chd.12676

Abstract In the 2017, “Cairo Accord on Rheumatic Heart Disease—From Molecules to The Global Community” experts from endemic areas enumerated an approach to reduce the population burden of rheumatic heart disease. The 10 key recommendations in‐ clude immediate logistical objectives as well as domains for further study. Echocardiographic population screening programs were relegated to research alone. Given the large body of supporting data, relegating echo screening to an investiga‐ tional modality is an opportunity lost. More >

Jimarez-Montiel MJ¹, A Robledo-Paz¹, VM Ordaz-Chaparro², LI Trejo-Tellez², JC Molina-Moreno¹

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.87, pp. 94-104, 2018, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2018.87.094

Abstract An alternative method for improving the production of habanero chili is the tissue culture technique; however, the gelling agent, the high salt and sucrose concentrations used in the culture media raise production costs and limit the adaptation of the regenerated plants to greenhouse or field conditions. In this study, the effect of the substrates perlite-coconut fiber, coconut fiber-volcanic rock, vermiculite-perlite, and perlite-volcanic rock in conjunction with various culture media in in vitro plant regeneration from embryos was evaluated. The differentiation of adventitious shoots on substrates was scarcely observed or non-existent. Inducing the formation of shoots on… More >

Amar P. Patel, Don Bui, John Pattaras, Kenneth Ogan

Canadian Journal of Urology, Vol.24, No.2, pp. 8754-8758, 2017

Abstract Introduction: Interventional radiologist may be hesitant to obtain upper pole access for percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) due to a higher complication rate. Renal access gained by urologists may achieve higher stone-free rates with similar complication rates. We evaluate our institution's contemporary results of percutaneous renal access in the upper pole for nephrolithotomy by urologists, which we believe both safe and efficacious.
Materials and methods: This retrospective chart review included all PCNL's performed by fellowship-trained endourologists from 2003 to 2014 at a single institution. Inclusion criteria included patients in which renal access was obtained by the urologist via the… More >

Guilherme J. A. Wood, Fabio C. M. Torricelli, Fabio C. Vicentini, Miguel Srougi, Eduardo Mazzucchi

Canadian Journal of Urology, Vol.24, No.2, pp. 8749-8753, 2017

Abstract Introduction: The feasibility and safety of supracostal punctures in supine percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) are still controversial. In this study we aim to compare success and complication rates from prone and supine PCNL with at least one supracostal puncture.
Material and methods: We reviewed our electronic database for all supracostal PCNLs performed in our institution from February 2008 to September 2013. Patients were enrolled in the study if at least one supracostal puncture was required during surgery. Patients' demographics data, stone characteristics, intra and postoperative data, and success on first postoperative day CT were compared.
Results: A total of… More >

Lesli Nicolay, Adam S. Howe, Lane S. Palmer

Canadian Journal of Urology, Vol.24, No.6, pp. 9127-9131, 2017

Abstract Introduction: Costs of radiologic imaging are rising. The goal of this study is to examine the utilization practices of pediatric urologists who have access to in-office ultrasound imaging when managing children with primary hydronephrosis.
Materials and methods: A retrospective cross sectional study was performed of children ≤ 5 years old with an isolated diagnosis of hydronephrosis. Ultrasound utilization was evaluated by tallying the number of ultrasounds obtained during the time each child was followed. Imaging frequency was determined from orders given by each overseeing physician. Ultrasounds were performed at either the practitioner's clinic or at outside radiology… More >

Rahul H. Rathod^1,2, Brittney Jurgen^1,2, Rose A. Hamershock³, Kevin G. Friedman^1,2, Audrey C. Marshall^1,2, Mihail Samnaliev⁴, Dionne A. Graham³, Kathy Jenkins^1,2, James E. Lock^1,2, Andrew J. Powell^1,2

Congenital Heart Disease, Vol.12, No.6, pp. 768-776, 2017, DOI:10.1111/chd.12508

Abstract Background: Standardized Clinical Assessment and Management Plans (SCAMPs) are a quality improvement initiative designed to reduce unnecessary utilization, decrease practice variation, and improve patient outcomes. We created a novel methodology, the SCAMP managed episode of care (SMEOC), which encompasses multiple encounters to assess the impact of the arterial switch operation (ASO) SCAMP on total costs.
Methods: All ASO SCAMP patients (dates March 2009 to July 2015) were compared to a control group of ASO patients (January 2001 to February 2009). Patients were divided into “younger” (<2 years) and “older” (2–18 years) subgroups. Utilization included all cardiology visits,… More >

Zenon Pogorelić^1,2, Karla Gudelj², Dražen Budimir¹, Jakov Todorić¹, Miro Jukić¹, Dubravko Furlan¹, Đurđica Košuljandić³, Marijan Saraga^2,3

Canadian Journal of Urology, Vol.23, No.3, pp. 8312-8317, 2016

Abstract Introduction: The objective of this study was to compare the clinical efficacy of two similar tissue bulking agents, Deflux and Vurdex, used for treatment of vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) in our institution.
Material and methods: The case records of 104 children, treated endoscopically for primary VUR from January 2010 to January 2015, were retrospectively reviewed. Most of the patients were treated with Deflux until 2012, when use of Vurdex was started. Exclusion criteria were patients with secondary reflux due to neurogenic bladder, duplicated refluxing ureters, primarily operated patients and patients operated after first or second injection.
Results: Endoscopic treatment… More >

David E. Rapp^1,3, Nada L. Wood¹, Matthew Bassignani¹, Luke Gergoudis², Sarah Caulkins³, Eugene V. Kramolowsky^1,3

Canadian Journal of Urology, Vol.23, No.5, pp. 8441-8445, 2016

Abstract Introduction: Non-contrast CT (NCT) is commonly used to evaluate flank pain (FP). We sought to evaluate incidence of ureteral calculi on NCT in patients with FP, and to determine if clinical variables are associated with higher detection rates.
Materials and methods: Retrospective review identified 613 patients undergoing NCT for FP. Patient clinical data, NCT findings, and intervention were analyzed. Focus was placed on variables commonly associated with urolithiasis (V_stone), comprising hematuria, nausea/vomiting, and prior stone history. Statistical analysis was performed to identify risk of ureteral stones based on number and type of V_stone.
Results: No stone disease was identified… More >

Mark R. Helmers, Mark W. Ball, Michael A. Gorin, Phillip M. Pierorazio, Mohamad E. Allaf

Canadian Journal of Urology, Vol.23, No.5, pp. 8435-8440, 2016

Abstract Introduction: Robotic-assisted laparoscopic radical nephrectomy (RRN) is an increasingly utilized alternative to laparoscopic radical nephrectomy (LRN); however, there is little data on comparative effectiveness and cost of these procedures. We analyzed perioperative outcomes and hospital charge differences among patients undergoing laparoscopic radical nephrectomy (LRN) and robotic radical nephrectomy (RRN).
Materials and methods: Our institutional renal mass registry was queried for patients who underwent either LRN or RRN from 2010 to 2014. Demographic, perioperative outcomes and hospital charge data were compared between surgical approaches.
Results: Overall, 319 minimally invasive radical nephrectomies were performed during the study period. Of these,… More >