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Reduced reliance on synthetic chemical fertilizers necessarily requires using renewable biomaterial-derived soil organic amendments (SOAs) in agriculture for sustained retention of nutrients through improvement in the soil organic matter (SOM). SOM replenishment through SOAs derived from wasted materials could help in its valorization by furthering the sustainability prospects of agronomic crop production systems. In the current study, compost (CP) and biochar (BC) were derived as SOAs from combustible and compostable fractions of municipal solid waste (MSW) for their potential valorization by adding SOAs as potential sustainable sources of nutrients as a replacement of chemical fertilizers (CF) for sunflower crops cultivated in potted soils. The experimental design included quadruplicated soil application of MSW-derived BC and CP in discrete and combined forms, each in three doses (% w:w), viz., low (L), medium (M), and high (H), i.e., BC-L, BC-M, BC-H; CP-L, CP-M, CP-H; and BC + CP-L, BC + CP-M, BC-CP-H. The results showed that, compared to the control (soil only), the sunflower growth and harvestable yield were significantly greater in BC + CF with a medium dose and were comparable to the growth and yield obtained in soils with CF. Sunflower growth in the discrete SOAs remained less than in the combined SOAs (BC + CP) and was attributed to the comprehensive soil health improvement rendered by the applied SOAs. The soil health improvement factors included SOM, CEC, and concentrations of total and available NPK. The dose-effect comparison of the SOAs showed highly variable trends, i.e., the sunflower growth did not correspond with the increase in dose of the SOAs. It is concluded that the combined application of BC + CP derived from MSW components at a medium dose could act as a potential alternative to CF. The developed approach resulted in MSW valorization, which improved soil health and yielded a better sunflower crop. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study is to determine the association of imaging spectrum of hepatocellular carcinoma with post-transplant pattern of metastatic disease.METHOD AND MATERIAL: A seven-year retrospective study (20142020) of live donor liver transplant (LDLT) patients at Shifa International Hospital (SIH) involved comparing pre-transplant CT scans to post-transplant dynamic CT images using a picture archiving and communication system (PACS). Disease recurrence in potential sites, including the hepatic graft, abdomino-pelvic viscera, lungs, bones, and more, was documented. Data was analyzed using frequency statistics, histograms, and tables. RESULTS: Out of 221 transplants, 36 individuals (4F, 32M) experienced recurrences; 27.8% had prior Transarterial chemo-embolization (TACE). Segment VII had the most HCCs (14 patients, 38.9%); Segments V and VI had 6 patients each (16.7%) with average sizes of 4.372 - 1.912 cm. Most patients (69.4%) showed capsular involvement on pre-transplant CT, followed by diaphragmatic involvement in 8, segmental portal venous (PV) tumor in 6, and APS in 3 individuals (22%, 16.7%, 8.3% respectively). Post-transplant CT showed recurrence in the lungs (44.4%), bones (41.6%), hepatic graft (30.5%), lymph nodes (22.2%), adrenals (8.3%), and other sites. Pre-transplant factors had varying associations with recurrence, but none were statistically significant (P-values > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Our study does not show significant association between presence of diaphragmatic involvement, hepatic capsular invasion, thrombosed segmental branches, and arterioportal shunting (APS) and the site of tumor recurrence. However, presence of significant capsular and diaphragmatic bulge particularly in segment VII and VIII HCCs, robust scrutiny should be carried out for evaluation of these areas both intra-operatively by surgeon and in post-transplant follow-up CT reporting by radiologist. Furthermore, in post-transplant CTs, comparison and correlation with pre-transplant CT findings should be carried out. The study also highlights the key role of radiologist in highlighting these features of HCCs for assistance in ensuring safe surgical practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this article is to present imaging findings in tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC), which will eventually help in imaging based diagnosis. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Radiology Department, Shifa International Hospital, from 2010 to 2021. METHODOLOGY: Total of 20 patients were selected from the radiology database retrospectively from 2010 to 2021. These patients were diagnosed with Tuberous Sclerosis by radiology department and their scans were performed and reviewed at CT and MRI machines of Shifa International Hospital. CT scan was performed on Toshiba 640 slices, Siemens 128 slices and Siemens 16 slices, and MRI was performed on Siemens 3 tesla, Toshiba-titan 1.5 tesla and Hitachi 0.4 tesla. The literature review was also done to identify different organ system involvement of this disease. RESULT: Different organ system involvement by this disease and imaging features of them are reported. CONCLUSION: TSC has wide range of radiological imaging findings. Recognition of various organ manifestations on imaging is necessary for making the accurate diagnosis and is helpful in the treatment plan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate the relationship of variant biliary anatomy with hepatic vascular variants in living liver donors. Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted at Shifa International Hospital, Islamabad, from January 2017 to Feb 2020. Two radiologists reviewed pre-operative Computed tomography (CT) angiography and Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) of live liver donors having the variant biliary anatomy only, in consensus. The classification of the conventional or variant hepatic artery, hepatic veins, and portal vein was done based on CT angiography scans, while biliary anatomy was characterized based on MRCP images. Results: Of 165 liver donors with variant biliary anatomy, standard anatomy involving hepatic arteries observed in 88 (53.3%) and portal veins in 125 (75.8%) individuals. Twenty-nine (17.5%) liver donors had trifurcation pattern (B) and 26 (15.7%) had short right hepatic duct (C). Forty (24.2%) had anterior right hepatic duct (RAHD) continuing into common hepatic duct (D). In 49 (29.6%) donors, abnormal right posterior hepatic duct (RPHD) configurations draining into left hepatic duct (E) were found. In 21 (12.7%), RAHD had separate drainage into left hepatic duct (F). Trifurcation, short right hepatic artery, drainage of RPHD into left hepatic duct, and drainage of RAHD into left hepatic duct were mostly observed in conventional-Michel's I, i.e., 16 (9.7%), 12 (7.2%), 28 (16.9%), 14 (5.4%), and 88 (53.3%) respectively. Conclusion: Among the biliary variants, type D and E were most frequent. There was also an increased incidence of a concurrent variant hepatic arterial supply in liver donors in presence of variant biliary drainage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]