Search

Background: Sodium butyrate (SB) used to increase oxidative stress was reduced and the glutathione redox pathway was boosted. It inhibits proliferation, induction of differentiation, and induction or repression of gene expression and it has also anti-inflammatory action. This is endorsed for suppression of nephrotic symptoms. Objectives: The present study was carried out to evaluate the nephroprotective activity of SB on gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats. Materials and Methods: Present research work was designed to estimate pharmacological potential of SB in gentamicin-induced nephrotic disorder. The pharmacological prospective was estimated in gentamicin-induced rats through the oral administration of SB formulation 200 mg/kg and 300 mg/kg BW. Results: The study observed that the SB significantly protects the kidneys from gentamicin-induced nephrotic disorders. Gentamicin 100 mg/kg for 7 days was used for induction of nephrotoxicity in Wistar rats by intraperitoneal administration. The administration of SB was observed to decrease the occurrence of glomerular congestion, vascular congestion, epithelial desquamation, inflammatory cell build-up, and kidney cell necrosis induced by gentamicin. The dose of SB maintained the gentamicin-induced increased creatinine (0.62±0.05), serum urea (18.10±0.79), uric acid (2.10±0.28), and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) (17.56±0.55) levels. This fact is further sustained by the histopathological examinations. Conclusion: Sodium butyrate formulation with antinephrotic activity in maintaining uremic solutes such as urea, uric acid, creatinine, BUN, ketone, urobilinogen, glucose, specific gravity, and urine pH in Wistar rats with gentamicin-induced glomerulonephritis (GN). The SB was administered to the animals at doses of 200 and 300 mg/kg body weight. Pretreatment with the drug showed promising results in maintaining elevated parameters in nephritic rats within a short duration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A urea quantification method integrated with a pipette-tip-based biosensor and a smartphone was developed for the on-site diagnosis of blood urea nitrogen. When a sample solution containing phenol red is drawn into a pipette tip with urease immobilized on its inner wall, the color of the solution changes owing to an enzymatic reaction. The urea concentration can be quantified by photographing the pipette tip with a smartphone and quantifying the color intensity of the solution. In actual urea measurements, the detection limit (3σ) was estimated to be 1.3 mg/dL, indicating that the method has sufficient performance to quantify urea in serum. Furthermore, the method was found to reduce sample consumption and analysis time to 1/10 and 1/3, respectively, compared with conventional methods using microwell plates. This method requires only a micropipette and a smartphone to carry out measurements and does not require bench-top precision equipment or special training. Therefore, the method is expected to develop into a practical analytical platform for biomarker diagnostics that can be used in the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zichen Wang,1– 3,* Wen Wang,1– 3,* Mingqi Wang,1– 3 Qiao He,1– 3 Jiayue Xu,1– 3 Kang Zou,1– 3 Yan Kang,4 Xin Sun1– 3 1Institute of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Chinese Evidence-Based Medicine Center and Cochrane China Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, People’s Republic of China; 2NMPA Key Laboratory for Real World Data Research and Evaluation in Hainan, Chengdu, 610041, People’s Republic of China; 3Sichuan Center of Technology Innovation for Real World Data, Chengdu, People’s Republic of China; 4Intensive Care Unit, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, People’s Republic of China*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Yan Kang; Xin Sun, Email kangyan@scu.edu.cn; sunxin@wchscu.cnObjective: To identify subclasses of acute pancreatitis (AP) patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) by analyzing blood urea nitrogen (BUN) trajectories.Methods: AP patients in West China Hospital System (development cohort) and three public databases in the United States (validation cohort) were included. Latent class trajectory modelling was used to identify subclasses based on BUN trajectories within the first 21 days after ICU admission. Clinical characteristics and outcomes were compared, and results were externally validated.Results: The study comprised 2971 and 930 patients in the development and validation cohorts, respectively, with five subclasses: Class 1 (“Moderate-azotemia, slow decreasing”), Class 2 (“Non-azotemia”), Class 3 (“Severe-azotemia, slow decreasing”), Class 4 (“Moderate-azotemia, rapid increasing”), and Class 5 (‘Moderate-azotemia, slow increasing) identified. Azotemia patients showed significantly higher 30-day mortality risk in development and validation cohorts. Specifically, Class 4 patients exhibited notably highest mortality risk in both the development cohort (HR 5.32, 95% CI 2.62– 10.82) and validation cohort (HR 6.23, 95% CI 2.93– 13.22). Regarding clinical characteristics, AP patients in Class 4 showed lower mean arterial pressure and a higher proportion of renal disease. We also created an online early classification model to further identify Class 4 patients among all patients with moderate azotemia at baseline.Conclusion: This multinational study uncovers heterogeneity in BUN trajectories among AP patients. Patients with “Moderate-azotemia, rapid increasing” trajectory, had a higher mortality risk than patients with severe azotemia at baseline. This finding complements studies that solely rely on baseline BUN for risk stratification and enhanced our understanding of longitudinal progression of AP.Keywords: acute pancreatitis, BUN, trajectories analysis, ICU

Polyethylene terephthalate nanoplastics (PET-NPs) are utilized in the production of medical bionic materials and the packaging of beverages. Betaine is a ubiquitous natural constituent present in organisms such as plants, animals, and microorganisms. So, the current investigation tries to find out if PET-NPs could seriously harm mice's kidneys and whether betaine could have any ameliorative effects. In this study, a total of 40 mice were separated into four groups (ten mice in each): Group I (performed as the control group), Group II (received 1000 mg/kg betaine intraperitoneally), Group III (received 200 mg/kg PET-NPs orally), and Group IV (was given betaine first, and after 1 hour, PET-NPs were given at dosages that were the same as those given to groups II and III, respectively) daily for a month. Serum and kidney samples were collected and processed for biochemical and histological assessments. The current study found that PET-NPs significantly increased blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, and malondialdehyde levels (MDA), while reducing glutathione (GSH) levels. The histological examination revealed multiple histopathological alterations. The PET-NPs-exposed group demonstrated renal corpuscle hypotrophy, a loss of cellular structure in some proximal convoluted tubules (PCT) and distal convoluted tubules (DCT). The renal medulla exhibits hyalinization, congestion, and degeneration of collecting tubules. Conversely, the pre-administration of betaine results in a decline in BUN, creatinine, and MDA concentrations. Furthermore, there is a rise in GSH levels, and the group pretreated with betaine showed significant improvement in kidney architecture, with the renal cortex showing almost normal architecture and the collecting tubules in the renal medulla slightly improving. In conclusion, betaine showed a promising nephroprotective effect against PET-NP-induced toxicity

Polyethylene terephthalate nanoplastics (PET-NPs) are utilized in the production of medical bionic materials and the packaging of beverages. Betaine is a ubiquitous natural constituent present in organisms such as plants, animals, and microorganisms. So, the current investigation tries to find out if PET-NPs could seriously harm mice's kidneys and whether betaine could have any ameliorative effects. In this study, a total of 40 mice were separated into four groups (ten mice in each): Group I (performed as the control group), Group II (received 1000 mg/kg betaine intraperitoneally), Group III (received 200 mg/kg PET-NPs orally), and Group IV (was given betaine first, and after 1 hour, PET-NPs were given at dosages that were the same as those given to groups II and III, respectively) daily for a month. Serum and kidney samples were collected and processed for biochemical and histological assessments. The current study found that PET-NPs significantly increased blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, and malondialdehyde levels (MDA), while reducing glutathione (GSH) levels. The histological examination revealed multiple histopathological alterations. The PET-NPs-exposed group demonstrated renal corpuscle hypotrophy, a loss of cellular structure in some proximal convoluted tubules (PCT) and distal convoluted tubules (DCT). The renal medulla exhibits hyalinization, congestion, and degeneration of collecting tubules. Conversely, the pre-administration of betaine results in a decline in BUN, creatinine, and MDA concentrations. Furthermore, there is a rise in GSH levels and the group pretreated with betaine showed significant improvement in kidney architecture, with the renal cortex showing almost normal architecture and the collecting tubules in the renal medulla slightly improving. In conclusion, betaine showed a promising nephroprotective effect against PET-NP-induced toxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was aimed to explore the effects of supplementation of different rates of calcium propionate on nutrient utilization, rumen fermentation pattern and blood biochemical profile of mid lactating dairy cattle. The dairy cows were fed with a common diet of ad libitum APBN-1 green fodder, concentrate pellet feed and paddy straw. Twenty-four lactating dairy cows (4th to 6th month of lactation) were randomly divided in to four treatment groups each of six cows. The groups were designated as T1 (control) common diet without calcium propionate supplementation, whereas the treatment groups T2, T3 and T4 were supplemented with calcium propionate at the rate of 60 g, 70 g and 80 g/animal/day in addition to the common diet. Feeding trial was carried out for a period of 40 days. The supplementation of calcium propionate to the dairy cattle had no major changes in the rumen pH within the treatment. In the present study, there was no significant difference in mean pH values among the dietary treatments, time/hours after feeding and diet x hour interaction. The mean TVFA (mEq/L) was lowest at 0 h and highest (p<0.05) at 3 h of SRL collection, and then showed a decreasing trend (p<0.05) from 6 h to 12-h post-feeding in all groups. The mean NH3-N (mg/100 mL SRL) was higher (p<0.05) at 3 h and thereafter showed a reducing trend from 6 to 12 h intervals. The serum glucose and calcium values were found to be significantly (p<0.05) higher among treatment groups when compared with control group, whereas the BUN levels did not vary much. It was concluded that supplementation of calcium propionate to dairy cows showed a significant increase in the ruminal TVFA, NH3-N, and total nitrogen as well as serum glucose and calcium concentrations by 3rd hour of feeding and then either persists at almost same level till 6th hour or gradually declined till 12 h of sampling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To identify the association between the changes in intestinal microflora and renal function in patients with chronic renal failure (CRF). Methods: This retrospective case-control study included 50 patients with CRF (study group), admitted to the Clinical Laboratory Department of Shenzhen People’s Hospital from March 2021 to May 2022, and 50 healthy individuals (control group). The association between the distribution of intestinal microflora and the glomerular filtration rate (GFR), levels of serum creatinine (SCr), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and serum cystatin C (CysC) were analyzed. Results: Intestinal microflora of CRF patients had significantly higher levels of Enterococci compared to the control group (p-Value <0.05), while the levels of Bifidobacterium spp. and Escherichia coli were lower in the study group (p-Value <0.05). GFR was lower, and the levels of BUN, SCr, and CysC were higher in the study group compared to the control group (all p-Value <0.05). GFR, BUN, SCr and CysC levels in the study group negatively correlated with the levels of Bifidobacterium spp. and Lactobacillus spp. (r<0, P<0.05), and positively correlated with the abundance of Enterococcus spp. and Escherichia coli (r>0, P<0.05) in the intestinal microflora. Conclusions: Changes in intestinal microbiota are associated with a significant decrease in GFR and a marked increase in serum levels of renal function indicators, and alterations in the balance of intestinal microbiota may lead to further aggravation of the renal function damage in patients with CRF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A középkori luxusellenes prédikációk a Szentíráson és az ókereszténység, valamint a kora-középkor teológiai művein alapultak. A kiindulópontot a Biblia a világi javak elutasításáról szóló tanítása, és a tisztaságra (szüzesség), szegénységre, mértékletességre vonatkozó előírásai jelentették. A test és a lélek szétválasztása a keresztény tanítás sajátossága. A dualista felfogás a test kívánságainak minél teljesebb megtagadását, egyfajta aszketikus életmódot javasolt az üdvözülés érdekében: a testtel szemben a lélek felmagasztalását. Az ókeresztény írásokban a szüzesség dicséretét és a luxus elítélését találjuk meg. A patrisztikus kor művei elsősorban a hölgyek istenfélő életéhez, tisztaságuk és ártatlanságuk megőrzéséhez adtak útmutatót. A mindennapi ember a külső jegyekből vonta le következtetéseit. Meghatározott sémái voltak az életszentség vagy a penitencia igazolására. A díszes ruhák, az ékszerek, az arc- és hajfestés, egyszóval a női cicoma nem az erényeket, nem a lélek tisztaságát, hanem a bűnöket mutatja, ezért ellentétes az erkölcsösséggel, a szeméremmel, a krisztusi hittel.

Chronic renal failure is the loss of the ability of kidneys to excrete waste products, concentrate urine, electrolytes and fluid balance leading to retention of creatinine, urea and other metabolic waste products in the body. The present study was planned to evaluate and correlate Symmetric Dimethylarginine (SDMA) with the severity of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and with BUN and creatinine in dogs. Twenty four dogs presented at Veterinary Clinical Complex of LLUVAS, Hisar (India), diagnosed to be suffering from renal failure on the basis of history, clinical signs and ultrasonographic findings were included in the study. The dogs were divided into three categories (atypical, mild and severe) based on the duration of presentation of cases after emergence of the clinical signs. Six apparently healthy dogs were taken for comparsion with affected ones. Serum from all the affected and apparently healthy animals was used to evaluate SDMA using ELISA kits, whereas BUN and creatinine were determined using biochemistry autoanalyzer. SDMA was significantly (20-fold) elevated in dogs suffering from renal failure as compared to the control group. Significant (p<0.01) positive correlations of SDMA with BUN and serum creatinine were found in all three categories of dogs indicating that serum SDMA can be a biomarker for detection of CKD earlier than does measurement of serum creatinine in dogs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To identify the association between the changes in intestinal microflora and renal function in patients with chronic renal failure (CRF)., Methods: This retrospective case-control study included 50 patients with CRF (study group), admitted to the Clinical Laboratory Department of Shenzhen People's Hospital from March 2021 to May 2022, and 50 healthy individuals (control group). The association between the distribution of intestinal microflora and the glomerular filtration rate (GFR), levels of serum creatinine (SCr), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and serum cystatin C (CysC) were analyzed., Results: Intestinal microflora of CRF patients had significantly higher levels of Enterococci compared to the control group (p-Value <0.05), while the levels of Bifidobacterium spp. and Escherichia coli were lower in the study group (p-Value <0.05). GFR was lower, and the levels of BUN, SCr, and CysC were higher in the study group compared to the control group (all p-Value <0.05). GFR, BUN, SCr and CysC levels in the study group negatively correlated with the levels of Bifidobacterium spp. and Lactobacillus spp. (r<0, P<0.05), and positively correlated with the abundance of Enterococcus spp. and Escherichia coli (r>0, P<0.05) in the intestinal microflora., Conclusions: Changes in intestinal microbiota are associated with a significant decrease in GFR and a marked increase in serum levels of renal function indicators, and alterations in the balance of intestinal microbiota may lead to further aggravation of the renal function damage in patients with CRF., (Copyright: © Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences.)