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Although percutaneous renal biopsy remains the preferred method, there are several scenarios where transjugular approach is more suitable. We hereby describe our technique of transjugular renal biopsy (TJRB) and evaluate its safety and efficacy. We retrospectively collected data regarding indication for the transjugular route of biopsy, its complications, clinical and laboratory data, and adequacy of samples from patients' records. TJRB was performed when the patients were at a high risk for bleeding from percutaneous renal biopsy. Tissue samples were assessed by a pathologist for adequacy. All patients were followed up with ultrasonographic scan 3 h after the procedure and on day 3. Nine patients (age 41.5 ± 15.4 years; 8 men) underwent 9 TJRB procedures. The procedure was technically successful in all patients. Six patients (66.67%) had a platelet count of <50,000/mcL, 2 (33.3%) had an elevated International Normalized Ratio of more than 1.4, and 1 had both. 3.2 ± 0.4 cores were obtained, with median (range) number of glomeruli being ten (7-11). Adequate renal tissue sample was obtained in all the patients. Though capsular perforation developed in 5 patients, none had major complication requiring management (endovascular treatment or blood transfusion). TJRB is a safe and effective in patients with contraindications to percutaneous biopsy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sugar free ice-cream was prepared using different levels of aspartame, sorbitol and maltodextrin. The response variables considered were: flavour, sweetness, body and texture, colour and appearance and overall acceptability. A Central Composite Rotatable Design (CCRD) was used as experimental design. The Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was used to analyze and predict the optimum levels of artificial sweeteners for preparation of sugar free ice-cream. All model terms were significant in flavour at quadratic level for aspartame and maltodextrin except sorbitol whereas, in respect of sweetness, all the model terms were significant at linear level only. In respect of body and texture the model terms where significant at linear and quadratic level for maltodextrin only. But for colour and appearance the model term for aspartame and maltodextrin were significant at linear level except sorbitol. For overall acceptability the model terms at linear level were significant for aspartame and maltodextrin whereas, it is significant only for aspartame at quadratic level. The optimum levels of artificial sweeteners corresponded to 700 ppm aspartame, 7.00 per cent sorbitol and 12 per cent maltodextrin on the basis of milk to obtain flavour score 9, sweetness score 4.5, body and texture 4.5, colour and appearance score 4.6 and overall acceptability score 22.5. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Angiographic appearances are characteristic, distinctive and a major basis of established criteria in the diagnosis of aortoarteritis. We present a pictorial review of digital subtraction angiography imaging in patients with proven aortoarteritis, based upon 16 years' experience in our institution. Understanding of these angiographic appearances is important for definitive diagnosis, and for evaluation of the extent of the disease in order to plan appropriate further management.