As a consequence, the way in which a person uses EBM can be relat

As a consequence, the way in which a person uses EBM can be related to his or her learning style. In order to tailor EBM education to the individual learner, this study aims

to determine whether there is a relationship between an individual’s learning style and EBM competence (knowledge/skills, Salubrinal supplier attitude, behaviour).\n\nMethods: In 2008, we conducted a survey among 140 novice GP trainees in order to assess their EBM competence and learning styles (Accommodator, Diverger, Assimilator, Converger, or mixed learning style).\n\nResults: The trainees’ EBM knowledge/skills (scale 0-15; mean 6.8; 95% CI 6.4-7.2) were adequate and their attitudes towards EBM (scale 0-100; mean 63; 95% CI 61.3-64.3) were positive. We found no relationship between their knowledge/skills or attitudes and their learning styles (p = 0.21; p = 0.19). Of the trainees, 40% used guidelines to answer clinical questions and 55% agreed that the use of guidelines is the most appropriate way of applying EBM in general practice. Trainees preferred using evidence from summaries GSK2879552 mw to using evidence from single studies. There were no differences in medical decision-making or in EBM use (p = 0.59) for the various learning styles. However, we did find a link between having an Accommodating or Converging learning style and making greater use of intuition.

Moreover, trainees with different learning styles expressed different ideas about the optimal use of EBM in primary care.\n\nConclusions: We found that EBM knowledge/skills and EBM attitudes did not differ with respect to

the learning styles of GP trainees. However, we did find differences relating to the use of intuition and the trainees’ ideas regarding the use of evidence in decision-making.”
“Purpose: Analysis of human-retrieved implants provides a unique opportunity to evaluate osseointegration processes. There is evidence that faster bone apposition is present at textured LY411575 chemical structure surfaces, with a very high success percentage. Aim of the present retrospective analysis was an evaluation of 14 human retrieved from humans implants with a wettable, highly hydrophilic, microstructured surface.\n\nMaterials and Methods: The archives of the Implant Retrieval Center of the Dental School, University of Chieti-Pescara, Italy, were searched, and a total of 14 implants FRIADENT plus surface (Dentsply Implants Manufacturing GmbH, Mannheim, Germany) retrieved after a loading period comprised between 4 and 8 weeks were found.\n\nResults: Around all implants, newly formed bone was found in direct contact with the implant surface, with no connective fibrous tissue found at the interface. In all implants, no epithelial downgrowth was present. A very high bone-to-implant contact percentage was found.\n\nConclusions: The efficacy of dental implants is related to biological and biomechanical stability and to the integration between the bone and the implant.

The demonstration that the use of COX-2 selective or preferential

The demonstration that the use of COX-2 selective or preferential inhibitors is associated with a better tolerability opened new horizons

in the search of safer drugs for the management of inflammation. In the present study, we report the synthesis and the pharmacological evaluation of pyridine analogues R406 manufacturer of nimesulide, a COX-2 preferential inhibitor. The cyclooxygenases (COXs) inhibitory activities were evaluated in vitro using a human whole blood model. According to the in vitro results, a selection of compounds exhibiting moderate to high COX-2/COX-1 selectivity ratio (from weak COX-2 preferential inhibitors to compounds displaying a celecoxib-like selectivity profile) were further evaluated in vivo in a model of A carrageenan-induced pleurisy in rats. Some of the selected compounds displayed similar or improved anti-inflammatory properties when compared to nimesulide and celecoxib.”
“Neurons in primary sensory cortex have diverse response properties, whereas higher cortical areas are specialized. Specific connectivity may be important for areal specialization, particularly in the mouse, where neighboring neurons are functionally diverse. selleck chemical To examine whether higher visual areas receive functionally

specific input from primary visual cortex (V1), we used two-photon calcium imaging to measure responses of axons from V1 arborizing in three areas with distinct spatial and temporal frequency preferences. We found that visual preferences of presynaptic boutons in each area were distinct and matched the average preferences of

recipient neurons. This specificity could not be explained by organization Galardin ic50 within V1 and instead was due to both a greater density and greater response amplitude of functionally matched boutons. Projections from a single layer (layer 5) and from secondary visual cortex were also matched to their target areas. Thus, transmission of specific information to downstream targets may be a general feature of cortico-cortical communication.”
“IMPACT is an inhibitor of GCN2, a kinase that phosphorylates the alpha subunit of the translation initiation factor 2 (eIF2ot). GCN2 has been implicated in regulating feeding behavior and learning and memory in mice. IMPACT is highly abundant in the brain, suggesting its relevance in the control of GCN2 activation in the central nervous system. We describe here the distribution of IMPACT in the brain of rodents (mice and rats) and of a primate (marmoset) using highly specific antibodies raised against the mouse IMPACT protein. Neurons expressing high levels of IMPACT were found in most areas of the brain. In the hippocampal formation the lack of IMPACT in the dentate gyrus granule cells was striking.

Also been observed difference between the second and third sets w

Also been observed difference between the second and third sets with RI45 ”, and in the third set, the RI45 ” present greater values when compared to RI90 ”. Similarly, the HR present difference between the first and all other

sets in all RI. The RI45 ” and RI60 ” showed differences between the second and third sets. However, the DP has demonstrated difference between the first and all others sets in all RI, and, the RI45 ” and RI60 ” showed difference between the second and third sets. Conclusion: According to the Nirogacestat nmr results, it is concluded that the SBP and HR is sensitive to the number of sets intra-sets, but there was no difference when comparing the RI with each other. However, there is a greater tendency of RI45 ” cause increased cardiac overload, primarily by increased in SBP.”
“Megaherbivores have been lost from most ecosystems world-wide, and current increases in poaching of rhino and elephant spp. threaten their status in the systems where they still occur. Although megaherbivores are said to be key drivers of ecosystem structure and functioning, empirical evidence is strongly biased to studies on African elephant. We urgently need a better understanding of the impact of other megaherbivore species to predict the consequences of megaherbivore

loss.\n\nWe used a unique ‘recolonization experiment’ to test how a megagrazer, white rhinoceros, is affecting the structure of savanna selleck chemicals grasslands in Kruger National Park (KNP).\n\nWith a 30-year

record of rhinoceros distribution, we quantified how they recolonized KNP following their re-introduction. This allowed us to identify landscapes with high rhino densities and long time since recolonization versus landscapes with low rhino densities that were recolonized more recently but were otherwise biophysically similar. We recorded grassland heterogeneity on 40transects covering a total of 30km distributed across both landscapes. We used two proxies of grassland heterogeneity: % short grass cover and number of grazing lawn patches. Grazing lawns LY2835219 purchase are patches with specific communities of prostrate-growing stoloniferous short grass species.\n\nShort grass cover was clearly higher in the high rhino impact (17.5%) than low rhino impact landscape (10.7%). Moreover, we encountered ~20 times more grazing lawns in the high rhino impact landscape. The effect of rhino on number of lawns and on short grass cover was similar to the two dominant geologies in KNP, basalt-derived versus granite-derived soils.\n\nSynthesis. We provide empirical evidence that white rhinoceros may have started to change the structure and composition of KNP’s savanna grasslands. It remains to be tested if these changes lead to other ecological cascading effects. However, our results highlight that the current rhino poaching crisis may not only affect the species, but also threaten the potential key role of this megaherbivore as a driver of savanna functioning.


“Objective The overall effect of the reported long-term se


“Objective The overall effect of the reported long-term sequelae following sacrococcygeal teratoma (SCT) excision on the psychosocial and sexual development has not been addressed appropriately in the literature. The aim of this study was to evaluate the psychosocial adjustment of a national cohort of SCT patients using a click here validated psychosocial questionnaire. Methods Three paediatric surgery centres in Scotland were contacted to identify those SCT patients who were now 5 years or older. The main outcome measure was the Derriford Appearance

Scale 59 (DAS-59) which assesses concerns of everyday living, personal relationships, self-esteem and emotional distress. Following ethical approval, age appropriate invitation letters and information sheets for both parents and patients were sent to prospective participants. Parents/patients were contacted after 2 weeks to arrange an interview to complete the questionnaire. Results 31/48 (65%) of patients identified with SCT completed the DAS-59. Participant ages ranged from 5 to 35 years (median 12 years). 5/31 (16%) were malignant cases. There were 25 (81%) female participants and 12 (39%) patients older than 16 years. 9/31 (29%) participants indicated

concern over their appearance. However, we found low levels of appearance-related distress and overall participants see more showed positive adjustment to personal relationships and everyday living on the DAS-59. Conclusions This is the first study looking at the psychosocial adjustment of patients with SCT using a validated psychosocial questionnaire. Encouragingly, we found low levels of appearance-related distress. Future research could identify those factors associated with increased risk of poorer outcomes and highlight those in need of psychological selleck chemical intervention.”
“Tumor areas can now be very precisely delimited thanks to technical

progress in imaging and ballistics. This has also led to the development of novel radiotherapy protocols, delivering higher doses of ionizing radiation directly to cancer cells. Despite this, radiation toxicity in healthy tissue remains a major issue, particularly with dose-escalation in these new protocols. Acute and late tissue damage following irradiation have both been linked to the endothelium irrigating normal tissues. The molecular mechanisms involved in the endothelial response to high doses of radiation are associated with signaling from the plasma membrane, mainly via the acid sphingomyelinase/ceramide pathway. This review describes this signaling pathway and discusses the relevance of targeting endothelial signaling to protect healthy tissues from the deleterious effects of high doses of radiation.

1% of infants and 22 2% of adults Conclusions: TLESR is the main

1% of infants and 22.2% of adults. Conclusions: TLESR is the main mechanism underlying GER events in patients with EA. Most infants and adults have impaired motility, delayed bolus clearance, see more and delayed gastric emptying. However, normal motility patterns were seen in a minority of patients. (C) 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.”
“The methods of preparation of fatty acids from brewer’s yeast and its use in production of biofuels and in different

branches of industry are described. Isolation of fatty acids from cell lipids includes cell disintegration (e.g., with liquid nitrogen, KOH, NaOH, petroleum ether, nitrogenous basic compounds, etc.) and subsequent processing of extracted lipids, including analysis of fatty acid and computing of biodiesel properties such as viscosity, density, cloud point, and cetane number. Methyl esters obtained from brewer’s waste yeast are well suited for the production of biodiesel. All 49 samples (7 breweries and 7 methods) meet the requirements for biodiesel quality in both the composition of fatty acids and the properties of the biofuel required by the US and EU standards.”
“Authorship of scientific publications holds great importance for basic and clinical researchers. Academic appointments and promotions, grant funding, and

salary support depend to some extent on published recognition through authorship. Peer-recognition and personal selleck chemicals satisfaction are additional incentives for authorship. Some current “rules” and conventions for assigning authorship are

based on largely unwritten but widely-accepted arbitrary decisions. We hypothesize that the inherent uncertainties about assigning “credit where credit is due” serve as a disincentive for GM6001 nmr clinicians considering an academic career and may discourage or at least impede the collaborations essential to address most translational and clinical research issues. Surveys of the New England Journal of Medicine and the Annals of Neurology suggest that neurologists have been slow to adopt ways of sharing “credit” appropriately. We recommend that authorship of reports of the primary results of multicenter or multidisciplinary studies should be in the name of the group of investigators collaborating on the work. Given the availability of digital methods that could apportion credit quantitatively, academic leaders, including funding agencies and promotions committees, should consider challenging outmoded authorship conventions. Authorship is too important to be left to chance. ANN NEUROL 2010;68:782-786″
“Verotoxin (VT-1) is a cytotoxin, produced by Shigella dysenteriae type I or by Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli, which binds specifically to globotriaosylceramide (Gb3). This glycosphingolipid is a B cell differentiation antigen (Gb3/CD77) strongly expressed on Burkitt’s lymphoma cells. We have previously shown that, in these cells, VT-1 induces apoptosis via a caspase- and mitochondria-dependent pathway.

Because mutants in rigidity sensing show no detectable

di

Because mutants in rigidity sensing show no detectable

displacement on 0.5-mu mdiameter pillars, there is a correlation between local contractions to 60 nm and rigidity sensing. Localization of myosin between submicron WH-4-023 pillars demonstrates that submicron scale myosin filaments can cause these local contractions. Finally, submicron pillars can capture many details of cellular force generation that are missed on larger pillars and more closely mimic continuous surfaces.”
“Marcanine A was isolated from the stems of Polyalthia plagioneura as light yellow crystals. The molecular and crystal structures have been determined by 1D, 2D-NMR and X-ray diffraction analysis. It crystallizes in the triclinic system, space group P-1 with a = 5.2140(5)angstrom, b = 10.1871(11)angstrom, c = 11.0709(13)angstrom, alpha = 110.452(2)degrees, beta = 103.376(2)degrees gamma = 90.1870(10)degrees,

V = 533.74(10)angstrom(3), Z = 2. There are three intermolecular hydrogen bonds in a unit cell. It displays some inhibitory activities towards four kinds of human tumor cells, including BEL-7402, K562, SPCA-1and SGC-7409.”
“Background. In some subjects with suspected asthma who have normal spirometry, administration of bronchodilators (BD) improves expiratory flow rates. The predictive value of this phenomenon in adults is not known. HSP990 Cytoskeletal Signaling inhibitor Objectives. To evaluate the predictive value of the response to PHA-848125 in vitro BD for bronchial hyper-responsiveness (BHR) using the metacholine challenge test (MCT). Patients and methods. The study population included 62 non-smoking adult patients (41.9% women) 29.5 +/- 15.5 years of age (range 18-64 years) with suspected asthma with normal spirometry that underwent MCT within 1 week. The response to BD (200 g inhaled salbutamol) was compared between subjects with positive and negative MCT using cutoff levels of provocative

concentrations of metacholine causing a 20% decrease in forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) (PC20) of 4 and 8 mg/mL. Results. Mean (+/- SD) baseline FEV1 was 87.8 +/- 12% of predicted. After BD administration the mean FEV1 increased by 4.3 +/- 3.9%. The prevalence of BHR was 17.7% and 25.8% for PC20 for PC20 of 4 mg/mL and 8 mg/mL, respectively. The post-BD FEV1 increment for subjects with positive and negative MCT tests was 3.9% +/- 3.3% versus 4.4% +/- 4.1%, respectively; p = 0.89, using cutoff of 4 mg/mL. The corresponding figures for cutoff of 8 mg/ml were 4.3% +/- 3.1% vs. 4.3% +/- 4.2%, respectively; p = 0.8465. There was no correlation between post-BD FEV1 increment and PC20 values in patients with positive MCT test for the above-mentioned cutoff levels (correlation coefficient r = 0.1645, p = 0.6289; and r = 0.2417, p = 0.4051, respectively). Conclusions. In adults with suspected asthma who have normal spirometry, the response to BD cannot be used to predict BHR.

The detection of in-situ caves associated with the removal of the

The detection of in-situ caves associated with the removal of the concrete face during dyke repair is used to validate the statistical model. The degree of cavity erosion is classified based on the in-situ GPR detection results. The outlook factors of the concrete faces are collected by a visual survey to correlate the outlook factors of the concrete dyke to the internal

cavity erosion degree by multiple linear regression analysis. The accuracy of the statistical model is verified by comparing the cavity erosion degree predicted by the statistical model and that defined by GPR.”
“Human arylacetamide deacetylase S3I-201 supplier (AADAC) can hydrolyze clinical drugs such as flutamide, phenacetin, and rifamycins. AADAC is a glycoprotein, but the role of glycosylation remains unclear. In the present study, we investigated the effect of glycosylation on AADAC enzyme activity. Immunoblot analysis of mutant AADACs that contained an asparagine (N, Asn) to glutamine (Q Gin) substitution at either residue 78 or 282 (N78Q or N282Q) showed a different migration compared with the wild-type

protein. A mutant AADAC that contained N to Q substitutions at both residue 78 and 282 (N78Q/N282Q) showed a similar migration to AADAC in human liver microsomes (HLM) treated with endoglycosidase H (Endo H), which produces deglycosylated proteins. This https://www.selleckchem.com/products/Nutlin-3.html result indicated that AADAC was glycosylated at both N78 and N282. Mutant types of AADAC with the N282Q and the N78Q/N282Q substitutions showed dramatically lower phenacetin hydrolase activity than did the wild-type protein. The treatment of wildtype AADAC-expressing

HuH-7 cells with tunicamycin, which produces unglycosylated protein, decreased AADAC enzyme activity. However, the treatment check details of the HLM with Endo H caused no decrease of AADAC activity. Thus, the oligosaccharide chain, per se, was not important for AADAC activity in the mature form. The mutant types of AADAC containing the N282Q and the N78Q/N282Q substitutions were not detected by immunoblotting analysis after non-reducing SDS-PAGE, suggesting that the glycosylation of AADAC at N282 was important for proper protein folding. Overall, this study found that the translational, but not post-translational, N-glycosylation of AADAC plays a crucial role in regulating AADAC enzyme activity. (C) 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.”
“Effects of grazing management systems (GS) on biomass production and nutritional quality of rangeland vegetation in semiarid regions are extensively studied; however, limited information is available regarding their effects on diet digestibility and feed intake of grazing livestock.

One is to detect coherent and uncertain components from NN output

One is to detect coherent and uncertain components from NN outputs by using multiple mixture data, then removing the uncertain portion to enhance AZD8186 clinical trial signals. The other is to find better estimation of mixing matrix by leveraging reliable source peak structures in NN output. Numerical results on examples including NMR spectra of a C-13-1-acetylated carbohydrate with overlapping proton spin multiplets show satisfactory performance of the postprocessed sparse BSS and offer promise to resolve complex spectra without using multidimensional NMR methods. Published by Elsevier B.V.”
“Applications of biosolids

to grassland areas might alter the attractiveness of those habitats to wildlife. For the past 21 yr, biosolids have been applied annually to grasslands at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Cherry Point, Havelock, North Carolina. During 2003-2005, we conducted a study to determine if the long-term application of biosolids has altered plant communities and/or wildlife use of grassland areas. Ten circular 1.7-ha plots were established: five plots served as controls (untreated) and five plots were located in areas that received biosolids. We monitored vegetation growth, measured plant community

composition, and observed all plots for wildlife activity during December 2003 through December FRAX597 in vitro 2005. Long-term application of biosolids to grasslands at MCAS Cherry Point has altered the botanical structure and composition of those areas. Plant communities in grassland areas receiving biosolids were taller (P < MK-2206 0.001), denser (P < 0.001), and less diverse (P < 0.001) than control areas that did

not receive biosolids. Biosolids study plots were dominated by tall fescue (Lolium arundinaceum [Schreb.] S.J. Darbyshire), whereas control plots consisted of a diversity of grasses, forbs, and woody plants. We observed more (P < 0.001.) total birds . 3-min survey(-1) using biosolids treatment plots (6.7 +/- 0.5 birds; (x) over bar +/- SE) than birds using control (2.6 +/- 0.2 birds) plots. Species-specific differences in use of biosolids and control grasslands did occur and was often related to season. We observed no differences in white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) use of biosolids and control areas when examining information from two types of deer surveys. Long-term biosolids application to cool-season grasslands alters plant communities and favors use of those areas by some grassland birds.”
“Observational data suggest a link between menaquinone (MK, vitamin K2) intake and cardiovascular (CV) health. However, MK intervention trials with vascular endpoints are lacking. We investigated long-term effects of MK-7 (180 mu g MenaQ7/day) supplementation on arterial stiffness in a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Healthy postmenopausal women (n=244) received either placebo (n=124) or MK-7 (n=120) for three years.

Methods: This was a single-center, retrospective cohort study of

Methods: This was a single-center, retrospective cohort study of patients years of age who received daptomycin for >= 72 hours and had >= 1 follow-up CPK during a 5-year period. A Kaplan-Meier curve was used to evaluate time to CPK elevation. Cox regression analyses were used to compare the risk of developing elevated CPK Ruboxistaurin inhibitor between 3 study groups: those receiving daptomycin alone, daptomycin with concurrent statin therapy, and statin therapy held while on daptomycin. Results:

498 patients were included in the study-384 received daptomycin alone, 63 received daptomycin concurrent with statin, and 51 with statin held during daptomycin therapy. Cumulative incidence of CPK elevation was 5.1% and 12% at 7 and 14 days. Those on daptomycin and statin concurrent therapy demonstrated an approximately 2-fold risk of CPK elevation compared Selleck Belinostat with those having their statin therapy held, but the overall group effect was not statistically significant (P = .17). Conclusions: Our findings suggest that holding statin during daptomycin therapy may not be necessary, but may indicate need for increased frequency of CPK monitoring when these medications are used concurrently.”
“Anamorphic basidiomycetous yeast strains RS090(T) and RS092 were isolated from a soil sample collected on Rishiri

Island in the Rishiri, Rebun, Sarobetsu National Park, Hokkaido, Japan. As the sequences of the D1/D2 domains of their large-subunit rRNA genes were identical and those of the internal transcribed spacer regions differed in only four bases, we conclude that they belong to a single species with intraspecific diversity. Phylogenetically, this species was related to Dioszegia buhagiarii and Dioszegia hungarica, in the Tremellales, Tremellomycetes, Basidiomycota, but was clearly distinct from them. Based on the results of sequence analyses and phenotypic

buy SCH727965 characteristics, we conclude that they belong to a novel species in the genus Dioszegia, for which the name Dioszegia rishiriensis sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain RS090(T) (=JCM 16282(T) =CBS 11844(T)).”
“Free-space-nanowiring using focused-ion-beam chemical vapor deposition (FIB-CVD) has been demonstrated to enable the fabrication of various innovative three-dimensional (3D) nanodevices with overhanging structures. However, due to the change in growth characteristics, it is difficult to fabricate a free-space-nanostructure larger than several micrometers while keeping a uniform angle. Normally, the free-space-nanowire deviates downward from the starting angle after becoming approximately 2 mu m long. In this study, the authors proposed a technology to fabricate ultralong horizontal free-space-nanowire by using the growth angle dependency of specimen current and carrying out feedback control of the scanning speed on Ga+ FIB.

Scanning electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering reveale

Scanning electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering revealed that the particles are spherical in shape, have a size distribution between 220 and 840 nm of diameter, and have a tendency to aggregate confirmed by a zeta potential between -3.2 and +3.5 mV. Using this method the loading efficiency was 26% for trans-[Ru(NO)Cl(cyclam)](PF6)(2) and 32% for [Ru(NO)(Hedta)]. The release of the complexes from the NPs shows that cyclam-NP and Hedta-NP exhibited a two-phase exponential association release pattern, which was characterized by an initial complex burst during the first 24 h, followed by a slower release phase complex profile, due to a few pores observed in surface

of nanoparticles using atomic force microscopy. The in vitro cytotoxic activity of the nitrosyl complexes in solution and incorporated https://www.selleckchem.com/products/NVP-AUY922.html in PLGA nanoparticles on melanoma cancer cells (cell line B16-F10) was investigated. The lower cytotoxicity of trans-[RuCl(cyclam)(NO)](2+) (12.4 +/- 2.6%) and [Ru(NO)(Hedta)] (4.0 +/- 2.7%) in solution compared to that of trans-[Ru(NO)(NH3)(4)py](3+) (46.1 +/- 6.4%) is consistent with

the rate constant release of NO of these complexes (k(-NO) = 6.2 x 10(-4) s(-1), 2.0 x 10(-3) s(-1), and 6.0 x 10(-2) s(-1), respectively); the cytotoxicities are also inhibited in the presence of the NO BTSA1 price scavenger carboxy-PTIO. The phototoxicity of these complexes is due to NO release, which lead to 53.8 +/- 6.2% of cell death in the. presence of trans-[Ru(NO)Cl(cyclam)](PF6)(2) and 22.3 +/- 5.1% in the presence of [Ru(NO)(Hedta)]. The PLGA nanoparticles loaded with trans-[Ru(NO)Cl(cyclam)](PF6)(2) and [Ru(NO)(Hedta)] exerted in vitro a reduced activity against melanoma cells when compared to the activity of complex in solution (nonentrapped in nanoparticles). Blank PLGA nanoparticles did not exhibit cytotoxicity. In the presence of light and of ruthenium nitrosyl complexes or cyclam-NP and Hedta-NP, B16-F10 cells displayed a considerable

damage of the surface with rupture of the plasma SBC-115076 membrane. This behavior is an indicative of the efficiency of the DDS to deliver the NO from the entrapped complex when photoinduced.”
“OBJECTIVE To review our experiences with management of symptomatic ureteral calculi complicating pregnancy.\n\nMETHODS Between January 2001 and December 2011, 57 pregnant women were treated for symptomatic ureteral stones. The medical records of these patients were reviewed retrospectively.\n\nRESULTS The mean patient age was 24 (range 17-37) years and gestational age at presentation was 26 weeks (range 12-38). Most of the cases (60%) occurred in the third trimester. Flank pain was the most common presenting symptom (90%). Ultrasonography was the initial test confirming diagnosis. With conservative management, spontaneous passing of stones was noted in 13 cases (22.8%). In 10 patients (17.5%), symptomatic relief occurred without spontaneous passing of stones until the end of pregnancy.