Synthesis, Characterization and Crystal Structure Studies of Nickel(II) Complexes With NO Donor Schiff Base Ligands.

Four complexes of the type [Ni(N-substituted-salicydenaminato)2], with bidentate Schiff base ligands (L1-L4), have been synthesized. The complexes were characterized by IR and elemental analysis methods. The solid state structures of three complexes (1-3) were determined by X-ray crystallography. The complexes show mononuclear, four-coordinate, slightly distorted square-planar trans-Ni(N2O2) geometry. The angles around the Ni center deviate slightly from 90° indicating a rectangular distortion. The chelating N-Ni-O angles are larger than 90° whereas the non-chelating N-Ni-O angles are smaller than 90°. The crystallograpic studies indicate that any steric/electronic effects due to CH3 and Br moieties have had no significant impact on the coordination sphere.

Type 2 calyceal diverticulum with an unusual appearance in the lower pole of the kidney.

A 45-year-old woman presented to our clinic with intermittent left flank pain. The family physician referred her for renal cystic mass with a calcified appearance. The non-contrast spiral abdominal computed tomographic (CT) scan demonstrated the mass-like cystic lesion with a densely calcified lesion in the lower pole of the kidney. A detailed history revealed that she underwent shock wave lithotripsy (SWL) for the lower pole renal stone one year ago. After SWL, the stone fragments migrated to the dependent diverticulum region and produced the misleading appearance of a Bosniak type III lesion. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) scan was done for further evaluation, and finally, the diagnosis of the calyceal diverticulum was confirmed in the lower pole of the kidney. Calyceal diverticula are the outpouching of the pyelocalyceal system lined by non-secretory transitional epithelium. It is a rare condition that occurs in less than 0.5% of the population. Most patients are asymptomatic and have been discovered incidentally in routine imaging modalities. As most of the patients are asymptomatic, many do not need intervention. However, in some instances, patients present with flank pain, hematuria, urinary tract infection, and stone formation in the diverticulum. They are in the differential diagnosis of renal cystic lesions such as simple renal cyst, renal cortical abscess, and parapelvic cyst. In renal cystic lesion besides of simple renal cyst or renal cystic mass, we should keep the differential diagnosis of the calyceal diverticulum type 2, especially in patients that underwent SWL for renal stones; the fragmented residual stone may have migrated to this dilated region and produce the deceptive appearance of a Bosniak type III lesion.

The correlation between promoter hypermethylation of VDR, CLDN, and CasR genes and recurrent stone formation.

OBJECTIVES: Recurrent Kidney stone formation is a main medical problem imposing a significant burden on both healthcare and the economy worldwide. Environmental and genetic factors have been linked to a bigger risk of kidney stone formation. We aim to assess the role of methylation on recurrent stone formation in three target genes. METHODS: We aimed to check the association between promoter hypermethylation vitamin D receptor (VDR), calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR), and claudin 14 (CLDN14) genes in recurrent kidney stones. We enrolled 30 consecutive recurrent kidney stone formers (age 18-60 years) (cases) and 30 age and gender-matched controls.3. To identify promoter methylation, two target regions from each candidate gene were bisulfited after blood collection and DNA extraction. Methylation quantification was done through methylation-specific high resolution melting (MS-HRM). RESULTS: The mean age of the patients and controls (mean ± SD) was 49.58 ± 14.23 years and BMI 36.12 ± 2.72. The methylation status in all six target regions was meaningfully different between the stone-former group and controls when methylation was considered in three clusters of unmethylated, methylated, and hypermethylated. A higher effect in VDR and CLDN was observed compare to CasR (p-value < 0.001, and < 0.005 versus p-value < 0.256). CONCLUSIONS: Methylation as an important epigenetic mechanism should be considered more in recurrent stone formations. Promoter hypermethylation of VRD and CLDN genes may have an essential role in recurrent kidney stones formations.

Endourological management of mucosal ureteral avulsion: Case report.

The ureteral avulsion is the most horrific complication of ureteroscopy. The traditional treatment of ureteral avulsion is open ureteral repair. However, mucosal avulsion is a new terminology that could be managed endoscopically. Herein, we present a patient with mucosal avulsion. This case was followed-up with imaging and there wasn't any evidence of ureteral stenosis. We believe that mucosal ureteral avulsion could be managed by endourology techniques in selected patients. However, pros and cons of this treatment option should be carefully discussed with patients and long term follow up is necessary in these group of patients.