Use of Diagnostic Laparoscopy for Identification of Bilateral Noncommunicating Hydroceles in an Infant with Right-Sided Abdominoscrotal Mass and Left-Sided Scrotal Mass

Infantile abdominoscrotal hydrocele (ASH) is a rare condition characterized by a dumbbell-shaped cystic mass extending from the scrotum to the abdomen. We present the case of a 4-month-old infant who presented with progressively enlarging bilateral scrotal swelling and a tense, ballotable right-sided abdominal mass with extension into the scrotum. Scrotal ultrasound revealed bilateral hydroceles but exam and ultrasound could not rule out communication. At the time of planned hydrocelectomy, initial diagnostic laparoscopy was used to identify a massive right-sided ASH extending from the internal ring to the umbilicus and a large noncommunicating left-sided hydrocele that was visible with application of pressure to the left side of the scrotum. Following confirmation of anatomy with diagnostic laparoscopy, a scrotal approach to hydrocelectomy was performed as well as bilateral orchidopexy

Complement protein C1q interacts with DC-SIGN via its globular domain, and thus may interfere with HIV-1 transmission

Dendritic Cells (DCs) are the most potent antigen presenting cells capable of priming naïve T cells. Its C-type lectin receptor, DC-SIGN, regulates a wide range of immune functions. Along with its role in HIV-1 pathogenesis through complement opsonization of the virus, DC-SIGN has recently emerged as an adaptor for complement protein C1q on the surface of immature DCs via a trimeric complex involving gC1qR, a receptor for the globular domain of C1q. Here, we have examined the nature of interaction between C1q and DC-SIGN in terms of domain localization, and implications of C1q-DC-SIGN-gC1qR complex formation on HIV-1 transmission. We first expressed and purified recombinant extracellular domains of DC-SIGN and its homologue SIGN-R as tetramers comprising of the entire extra cellular domain including the α-helical neck region, and monomers comprising of the carbohydrate recognition domain only. Direct binding studies revealed that both DC-SIGN and SIGN-R were able to bind independently to the recombinant globular head modules ghA, ghB and ghC, with ghB being the preferential binder. C1q appeared to interact with DC-SIGN or SIGN-R in a manner similar to IgG. Mutational analysis using single amino acid substitutions within the globular head modules showed that TyrB175 and LysB136 38 were critical for the C1q-DC-SIGN/SIGN-R interaction. Competitive studies revealed that gC1qR and ghB shared overlapping binding sites on DC-SIGN, implying that HIV- 1 transmission by DCs could be modulated due to the interplay of gC1qR-C1q with DC-SIGN. Since C1q, gC1qR and DC-SIGN can individually bind HIV-1, we examined how C1q and gC1qR modulated HIV-1-DC-SIGN interaction in an infection assay. Here, we report, for the first time, that C1q suppressed DC-SIGN-mediated transfer of HIV-1 to activated PBMCs, although the globular head modules did not. The protective effect of C1q was negated by the addition of gC1qR. In fact, gC1qR enhanced DC-SIGN-mediated HIV-1 transfer, suggesting its role in HIV-1 pathogenesis. Our results highlight the consequences of multiple innate immune pattern recognition molecules forming a complex that can modify their functions in a way which may be advantageous for the pathogen

Use of Diagnostic Laparoscopy for Identification of Bilateral Noncommunicating Hydroceles in an Infant with Right-Sided Abdominoscrotal Mass and Left-Sided Scrotal Mass

Infantile abdominoscrotal hydrocele (ASH) is a rare condition characterized by a dumbbell-shaped cystic mass extending from the scrotum to the abdomen. We present the case of a 4-month-old infant who presented with progressively enlarging bilateral scrotal swelling and a tense, ballotable right-sided abdominal mass with extension into the scrotum. Scrotal ultrasound revealed bilateral hydroceles but exam and ultrasound could not rule out communication. At the time of planned hydrocelectomy, initial diagnostic laparoscopy was used to identify a massive right-sided ASH extending from the internal ring to the umbilicus and a large noncommunicating left-sided hydrocele that was visible with application of pressure to the left side of the scrotum. Following confirmation of anatomy with diagnostic laparoscopy, a scrotal approach to hydrocelectomy was performed as well as bilateral orchidopexy

Anastomotic Urethroplasty for an Obstructing Calculus Within a Bulbar Urethral Diverticulum and Urethral Stricture

A 61-year-old male with prior history of endoscopic urethral calculus removal presented to the emergency room with urinary retention and a palpable perineal mass. A CT showed a large calcification within the bulbar urethra. After multiple unsuccessful attempts at foley catheter insertion, the urology service was consulted. The patient was taken to the operating room where an obstructing urethral calculus with associated urethral stricture was visualized on cystoscopy. We present an exceedingly rare case of recurrent urethrolithiasis with associated urethral stricture managed with initial suprapubic tube and delayed primary end-to-end urethroplasty, excision of urethral stricture and urethral diverticulectomy

Electrical Conductivity in the Molten and Glassy States of the Li2(O, Cl2, I2)-B2O3 system

Glasses in the B2O3-Li2 (O, Cl2, I2) system were prepared through the conventional melt-quenching method. Then, the conductivity of the molten and glassy states of these compositions was evaluated. Furthermore, the thermal and crystallization behavior of the glasses was determined using simultaneous thermal analysis (STA) and X-ray diffractometry (XRD). The electrical conductivity of the melts was measured at temperatures ranging from 863 to 973 K, and the activation energy of the samples was calculated using the data obtained from ion conduction in the molten state and found to be in the vicinity of 32 kcal/mol. In glassy states, electrical conductivity was also measured. To determine this property, the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy method (EIS) was used. In the molten state, temperature played an important role in the ion conductivity; however, at lower temperatures, other factors became important. Based on the results, the addition of LiI and LiCl to the B2O3-Li2O base glass system (75 B2O3, 10 Li2O, 7.5 LiI, 7.5 LiCl) (mol%) increases the ionic conductivity of the glass from 3.2 10-8 S.cm-1 to 1.4 10-7 S.cm-1 at 300 K

Direct Electron Transfer of Myoglobin on Zirconia Nanoparticles Modified Carbon Paste Electrode

Abstract In this study, myoglobin (Mb) immobilized on carbon paste electrode that modified with zirconia nanoparticles to construct a novel biosensor for hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ). The prepared nanoparticles and electrodes were characterized by transmission electron microscope (TEM) and atomic force microscope (AFM). The resulting electrode displayed an excellent redox behavior for the myoglobin. The myoglobin showed a quasi-reversible electrochemical redox behavior with a formal potential of -0.428 V (versus Ag/AgCl) in 0.1 M PBS solution at pH 7.0 and temperature 25°C. The linear range of this biosensor for H 2 O 2 determination was from 20 to 450 μM Moreover, the modified electrode demonstrated additional improved electrochemical properties, such as good reversibility (ipc/ipa ≈1) and high selectivity good stability and repeatability