Search

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) non-primary infections can occur in pregnant women and may result in congenital infection. Comprehensive studies investigating the frequency, characteristics, risk factors and immune response of non-primary infection in pregnancy are missing, while the rate of vertical transmission is not known.HCMV non-primary infection was investigated prospectively in 250 pregnant women. Blood and urine samples as well as saliva and vaginal swabs were collected at 13, 21 and 31 weeks of gestation and at delivery. HCMV-DNA and specific IgG and IgM levels were determined.Overall, 105/250 pregnant women (42.0%) developed non-primary infection. HCMV-DNA was detected more frequently in vaginal secretions (84/250 of the women, 33.6%) than in urine (35/250, 14.0%), saliva (26/250, 10.4%) and blood (7/250, 3.0%). The rate of HCMV non-primary infection increased significantly with the progression of pregnancy (from 12.9% in the first trimesters of gestation to 21.9% at delivery, p 0.01). IgM was detected in 25/250 of the women (10.0%), with no association with non-primary infection, while anti-gB IgG was significantly higher (p 0.01) in women with non-primary infection. Age and close contact with children were not associated with non-primary infection. No woman with non-primary infection transmitted the infection to the fetus (95% confidence interval of transmission rate: 0-3.5%).Although HCMV non-primary infection is frequent during pregnancy, the rate of congenital infection as a consequence of non-primary infection is likely to be ≤ 3.5%.

Indoxyl sulfate (IS) and p-cresyl sulfate (pCS) are two important gut microbiota-generated protein-bound uremic toxins. The present study aims to explore the alterations of serum IS and pCS concentrations, their production, and daily removal in end-stage renal disease (ESRD).A case-controlled study was conducted based on 11 patients with ESRD and 11 healthy volunteers. The metabolic processes for IS and pCS were compared in these two groups, including gut microbiome, fecal indole and p-cresol, indole-producing bacteria and p-cresol-producing bacteria, serum total IS and pCS concentrations, and their daily removal by urine and spent dialyzate.Compared with healthy controls, patients with ESRD exhibited higher relative abundance of the indole-producing bacteria Escherichia coli (P .001) and Bacteroides fragilis (P = .010) and p-cresol-producing bacteria Bacteroides fragilis (P = .010) and Bacteroides caccae (P = .047). The predicted functional profiles of gut microbiome based on 16S rRNA gene PhyloChip analysis showed that the microbial tryptophan metabolism pathway (map00380, P = .0006) was significantly enriched in patients with ESRD. However, the fecal precursors indole (P = .332) and p-cresol concentrations (P = .699) were comparable between the two groups. The serum IS (P .001) and pCS (P .001) concentrations were far higher in patients with ESRD than those in healthy controls, whereas the daily total removal by urine and dialyzate was much lower for the former than that for the latter (P = .019 for IS, P = .016 for pCS).The present study showed serious IS and pCS accumulation in patients with ESRD, with significant expansion of indole-producing bacteria and p-cresol-producing bacteria, upregulation of the bacterial tryptophan metabolism pathway, and greatly increased serum IS and pCS concentrations, whereas significant decline of daily IS and pCS removal.

We reviewed the sustainability of a multifaceted intervention on catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) in 3 intensive care units. During the 4-year postintervention period, we observed reductions in urine culture rates (from 80.9 to 47.5 per 1,000 patient days; P < .01), catheter utilization (from 0.68 to 0.58; P < .01), and CAUTI incidence rates (from 1.7 to 0.8 per 1,000 patient days; P = .16).

Background Chlamydia trachomatis is considered a public health problem due to the high prevalence in sexually active women and men. The distribution of genital Chlamydia genotypes among Mexican men is unknown. Objective To assess the prevalence of Chlamydia genotypes in men with infertile women as sexual partners. Methods A total of 659 urine samples were collected from men whose sexual partners were infertile women; the identifying Chlamydia infection was by means of a real-time nucleic acid amplification test (qPCR). OmpA gene PCR-RFLP and sequencing were used to confirm the genotypes of C. trachomatis. The association of genotypes with age, spermatic parameters and gynecological data of sexual partners was further analyzed. Results Forty-nine urine samples were positive infection (7.4%). The Chlamydia infection was significantly associated with teratozoospermia, azoospermia, hypospermia, and oligozoospermia. Five genotypes (F 51%; 12.2% to D; 12.2% to E; 6.1% to L2 and 4.1% Ia) were correctly identified. None genotypes identified in this comparative study were positively associated with changes in some of the spermatic values because all of them typically produce some considerable damage to these cells. Conclusions The F genotype was the most frequent genotype identified in infertile men from Mexico City and all genotypes play an important role in the seminal alteration of Mexican men whose female partners are infertile.

Background Hyperglycaemia occurs frequently in the critically ill. Dietary intake of advanced glycation end-products (AGEs), specifically N epsilon-(carboxymethyl)lysine (CML), may exacerbate hyperglycaemia through perturbation of insulin sensitivity. The present study aimed to determine whether the use of nutritional formulae, with varying AGE loads, affects the amount of insulin administered and inflammation. Methods Exclusively tube fed patients (n = 35) were randomised to receive Nutrison Protein Plus Multifibre (R), Diason (R) or Glucerna Select (R). Insulin administration was standardised according to protocol based on blood glucose (

Introduction The high cost of viral load (VL) testing limits its use for antiretroviral treatment (ART) adherence support. A low-cost lateral flow urine tenofovir (TFV) rapid assay predicts PrEP breakthroughs but has not yet been investigated in HIV treatment. We therefore evaluated its utility in a pilot cross-sectional study of TFV-containing ART recipients at increased risk of virologic failure. Methods Participants who had a treatment interruption ≥30 days or had ≥1 episode of viremia (VL≥400 copies/mL) in the previous year were recruited from a public health setting in Cape Town, South Africa. Self-reported adherence data were collected, the urine TFV assay performed, and concurrent TFV-diphosphate (DP) analysed in dried blood spots. VL testing was done concurrently and, if viremic, genotypic HIV drug resistance testing performed. Results Of 48 participants, 18 (37.5%) had virologic failure (VL>400 copies/mL) at the time of the study including 16 of 39 receiving efavirenz (EFV), 2 of 6 receiving protease inhibitors (PI) and 0 of 3 receiving dolutegravir (DTG). Resistance testing succeeded in 17/18, of which 14 had significant mutations compromising ≥2 agents of the current EFV-based regimen. Of these 14, all had detected urine TFV. Urine TFV was undetectable in 2 out of 3 without regimen-relevant resistance; p=0.02. Conclusion In participants on EFV-based regimens returning to care, virologic failure was largely due to viral resistance, where detectable urine TFV had 100% sensitivity (14/14 participants) in predicting resistance. Conversely, when undetectable, the urine-based assay could be used to preclude participants with poor adherence from undergoing costly HIV drug resistance testing.

Background Sixty percent of children with nephrotic syndrome have frequently relapsing or steroid-dependent course. Serious infections like peritonitis, cellulitis, pneumonia etc. and anasarca with reduced urine output and complications there of including acute kidney injury and thromboembolism contribute significantly to morbidity and mortality in these children. Methods Questionnaire-based module to study infectious complications in children with nephrotic syndrome was circulated through survey monkey portal to paediatric nephrologists in our country. Twenty-two responded. Forty percent said that they saw patients with severe infections once a month. Fish bone analysis conducted on such patients reporting to our centre over next 3 months revealed that only 22% regularly monitored urine protein by dipstick. We proposed that reduction in time to report relapse by regularly monitoring urine protein could reduce complications in these children. Six urine protein dipsticks were handed over to patients who presented >7 days since relapse or with severe infection or anasarca in the last 1 year. These children were followed up for the next 1 year and given six more urine dipsticks every 3 months. Results Twenty-three patients were given urine protein dipsticks. Nine of them had 12 severe complications in the previous 6 months. None had any serious infections/anasarca on follow-up. Sixteen new patients had 14 serious complications in this time. Conclusions Early detection of relapse by home monitoring of urine protein by dipsticks was effective in significantly reducing the number of patients with severe infections and anasarca with reduced urine output.

Summary Purpose To report our management of preoperative polymicrobial urine culture and to determine its correlation with the risk of postoperative urinary tract infection (UTI). Patients and methods We retrospectively identified all patients with preoperative polymicrobial urine culture in our center between January 2017 and October 2019. Preoperative urine cultures were collected 5 to 8 days before the surgery. No antibiotic prophylaxis was administered preoperatively in the absence of pyuria. Patients with pyuria (≥ 10 leukocytes/mm3) were treated preoperatively with Ceftriaxone. In case of beta-lactam allergy, the choice between other antibiotic therapies was left to the surgeon's discretion. A second urine culture was collected the day before surgery. The primary endpoint was the occurrence of UTI within 15 days following surgery. Results In all, 690 patients were included in the study. In line with our protocol, patients had Ceftriaxone, Fluoroquinolones, another antibiotic or no antibiotic prophylaxis in 492 cases (71.3%), 22 cases (3.2%), 31 cases (4.5%), and 145 cases (21%), respectively. The overall sterilization rate of 40.4% was similar between each treatment arm (P = 0.54). Postoperative UTI occurred in 68 cases (10.5%). In multivariate analysis, a sterile urine culture the day before surgery was the only factor decreasing the risk of postoperative UTI (OR 0.39, 95%CI, 0.17–0.84; P = 0.022). Conclusions Our findings suggest that empirical antibiotic therapy for the treatment of preoperative polymicrobial urine culture is no longer adequate. Further evaluation of organisms isolated may provide the necessary antibiograms for initiation of susceptibility based antibiotic therapy that could decrease postoperative UTI rates. Level of evidence 3.

Introduction and aims Viral hepatitis, which appears most frequently at birth or during childhood, is a disease whose transmission routes include tears, bile, sexual fluids, sweat, milk, urine, feces, and saliva. The aim of the present study was to analyze the specificity of the immunochromatographic and ELISA diagnostic tests for hepatitis B surface antigen and compare them with PCR testing. Materials and methods The study sample was made up of 140 men and 60 women referred to the Urmia Medical University hospital to undergo PCR testing for HBV diagnosis. The ELISA test was performed using the Pioneer Medicine Company kit (Tehran, Iran). Results The results of the HBs-Ag rapid test and the ELISA test were compared with the PCR test. The HBs-Ag rapid test had 97% sensitivity and 91% specificity, whereas the ELISA test had 78% sensitivity and 76% specificity. Discussion and conclusion According to our results, the immunochromatographic test was accurate for diagnosing HBs-Ag in blood and the ELISA test had acceptable sensitivity and specificity, compared with PCR testing.

Aim of the work: To assess urinary soluble CD163 (sCD136) in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients compared to healthy controls. In addition to determine its association with different SLE clinical features, laboratory investigations and pathological indices focusing on those suggest renal disease activity. Patients and methods: The study included 58 SLE patients and 30 controls. SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI) was assessed and patients subdivided into active lupus nephritis (ALN) (renal SLEDAI ≥ 4) and no-renal activity (NRA) SLE patients (renal SLEDAI = 0). Urinary sCD163 was measured by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). Urine values were normalized to urinary creatinine excretion. Renal biopsies were performed in 21 ALN patients. Results: They were 54 females and 4 males with a mean age 31.8 ± 9.1 years and disease duration 6.2 ± 4.8 years. They were 31 with ALN and 27 NRA SLE patients. Urinary sCD163 level was significantly higher in SLE patients (1.85 ± 0.3) than controls (0.5 ± 0.36, p 0.82 with sensitivity of 90.3%, specificity of 88.89%, p

Introduction: The frequency of bacteria affecting urinary tract and their antibiotic susceptibility pattern vary from one territory to another. This study was conducted to determine spectrum of bacterial isolates causing UTI and their antibiotic susceptibility pattern among female patients attending tertiary care center Materials and Methods: A total of 577 female urine culture sensitivity reports (CS) were collected. The culture was done by inoculation by standard loop technique. Antibiotic susceptibility testing for identified bacteria was done by Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method and result was interpreted as per CLSI guidelines. Data was analyzed using SPSS software. Results: Infection rates were similar up to reproductive age group with no significant difference between gram-positive (GP) and gram-negative organisms (GN) but post reproductive age group suffered more from GN. The most commonly infecting organism was Staphylococci followed by Escherichia coli showing resistance in >50% tests to cephalosporins, penicillin and fluoroquinolones. All antibiotics are showing resistance from one or the other organisms. Conclusion: The commonly infecting bacteria are developing resistance to regularly used antibiotics raising concerns of cross resistance and selection of antibiotics. This warrants due diligence by all stakeholders, including public-health authorities, health care providers, policymakers and even the public to prevent and control antimicrobial resistance.

Objectives The present study was designed to determine the effect of dietary phosphorus restriction, independent of protein intake, on the urinary protein excretion in patients with proteinuria. Methods Seventy-one patients with proteinuria were enrolled in a parallel randomized controlled trial study. The patients were randomly allocated to receive either a recommended phosphorus-restricted diet (n = 36) or a recommended control diet (n = 35), for 8 weeks. A diet was designed and recommended to participants in a way that both trial groups would receive the same amount of energy and protein and the only significant difference between them was the amount of phosphorus intake. The study outcomes included the changes in spot urine protein-to-creatinine ratio, the changes in serum and urine levels of phosphorus, as well as the changes in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Results The mean ± standard deviation of age, body mass index, and eGFR of the participants were 59 ± 14 years, 29 ± 5.5 kg/m2, and 56.1 ± 21.7 mL/min/1.73 m2, respectively. The amount of phosphorus intake decreased significantly in the phosphorus-restricted group compared to the control one (−709 vs. −369 mg/day; P Conclusions Although adherence to a phosphorus-restricted diet by patients with proteinuria led to a significant decrease in urinary protein excretion, this change was not significantly different from that of the control diet. Further studies with larger sample sizes and different designs will reveal more evidence for a link between phosphorus intake and proteinuria.

Background Multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) are a reality that can alter the paradigm of treatment and prevention of infection in patients with liver cirrhosis (LC). Objective Identify risk factors for the occurrence of MDROs in patients with LC. Patients and methods Prospective study from October 2017 to March 2018 in consecutively hospitalized patients with decompensated LC with infection. Blood, urine and ascitic fluid cultures were analyzed. A p-value ≤0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results MDROs isolated in 18 of 52 episodes of infection. MDROs were associated with the use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) (p = 0.0312), antibiotic therapy in the last 90 days (p = 0.0033) and discharge within preceding 30 days or current hospitalization above 48 h (p = 0.0082). There was higher 90-day mortality in patients with MDROs infection (71.4% versus 35.7%, p = 0.0316). Conclusion MDROs infections were prevalent in this cohort and associated with 90-day mortality. Use of PPIs and antibiotics increased the risk of MDROs infections, suggesting that its prescription should be restricted to formal indication. Hospitalization was associated with the onset of MDROs, so LC patients should stay at the hospital the least possible. It is relevant to investigate other factors predisposing to the emergence of these microorganisms, in order to prevent it.

Children with vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) are at an increased risk of recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs) and renal scarring. Gut microbiota are associated with disease phenotypes, but there has been no study that associates urinary microbiota (uMB) and metabolic profiles with VUR pathology. To identify dominant uMB genera and metabolites associated with UTIs in VUR, urine samples collected under sterile conditions underwent 16S ribosomal RNA sequencing (n = 49) and metabolomic analysis by mass spectrometry (n = 96). Alterations in uMB and metabolomic profiles in VUR patients suggest remodeling of urinary bacterial communities after UTIs: Dorea- and Escherichia-dominant uMB profiles were more frequently identified in participants with VUR. Prevotella- and Lactobacillus-dominant uMB profiles were more prevalent in controls (p 0.001). Microbial composition varied based on recurrent febrile UTI status (p = 0.001). A total of 243 urinary metabolites involved in energy, amino acid, nucleotide, and lipid metabolism were altered in VUR patients with UTIs (p 0.05). Importantly, VUR specimens revealed changes in the bacteria-associated metabolic pathways such as glutamate degradation, methyl-citrate cycle, and bile acid metabolism. PATIENT SUMMARY: Differences in urinary commensal bacteria and metabolites exist between children with and without vesicoureteral reflux (VUR). These changes may be utilized to identify patients at risk of VUR-associated kidney damage.

Microscopic hematuria is one of the most common office consults for urologists. While revised guidelines have risk-stratified patients to reduce unnecessary screening, they do not provide guidance concerning specimen quality. We sought to define "properly collected" specimens using catheterized urine samples as a reference to improve the utility of hematuria screening in women.We prospectively acquired same-visit voided and catheterized urine samples from 46 women referred for microscopic hematuria from September 2016 to March 2020. Characteristics of pre-referral urinalysis were compared to the matched specimens. True microscopic hematuria was defined as ≥3 red blood cells per high power field on catheterization.Catheterized urinalyses had significantly fewer red blood and squamous epithelial cells in comparison to both referral urinalyses (p=0.006, p=0.001, respectively) and same-day void urinalyses (p=0.02, p=0.04, respectively). As no catheterized sample had2 squamous epithelial cells, we applied this squamous epithelial cell threshold to referral urinalyses for analysis. Addition of this criterion for "properly collected specimen" increased the positive predictive value of referral urinalyses from 46.1% to 68.8% for true microscopic hematuria. Fewer than 2 squamous epithelial cells with elevated RBC was a significant predictor for true microscopic hematuria (p=0.003).Voided specimens in the urology clinic had significantly lower red blood cells than referral samples, indicating improved collection technique may reduce false positive urinalyses. Matched collection suggested that repeat collection by catheterization in women who present with2 squamous epithelial cells per high power field on referral urinalysis may prevent unnecessary future work-up.

Introduction: Individuals with focal segmental glomerular sclerosis (FSGS) typically undergo kidney biopsy only once, which limits the ability to characterize kidney cell gene expression over time. Methods: We used single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) to explore disease-related molecular signatures in urine cells from subjects with FSGS. We collected 17 urine samples from 12 FSGS subjects and captured these as 23 urine cell samples. The inflammatory signatures from renal epithelial and immune cells were evaluated in bulk gene expression data sets of FSGS and minimal change disease (MCD) (The Nephrotic Syndrome Study Network [NEPTUNE] study) and an immune single-cell data set from lupus nephritis (Accelerating Medicines Partnership). Results: We identified immune cells, predominantly monocytes, and renal epithelial cells in the urine. Further analysis revealed 2 monocyte subtypes consistent with M1 and M2 monocytes. Shed podocytes in the urine had high expression of marker genes for epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). We selected the 16 most highly expressed genes from urine immune cells and 10 most highly expressed EMT genes from urine podocytes as immune signatures and EMT signatures, respectively. Using kidney biopsy transcriptomic data from NEPTUNE, we found that urine cell immune signature and EMT signature genes were more highly expressed in FSGS biopsies compared with MCD biopsies. Conclusion: The identification of monocyte subsets and podocyte expression signatures in the urine samples of subjects with FSGS suggests that urine cell profiling might serve as a diagnostic and prognostic tool in nephrotic syndrome. Furthermore, this approach may aid in the development of novel biomarkers and identifying personalized therapies targeting particular molecular pathways in immune cells and podocytes.

Context No consensus exists about the optimal duration of the low-iodine diet (LID) in the preparation of 131I therapy in differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) patients. Objective This work aimed to investigate if a LID of 4 days is enough to achieve adequate iodine depletion in preparation for 131I therapy. In addition, the nutritional status of the LID was evaluated. Methods In this prospective study, 65 DTC patients treated at 2 university medical centers were included between 2018 and 2021. The patients collected 24-hour urine on days 4 and 7 of the LID and kept a food diary before and during the LID. The primary outcome was the difference between the 24-hour urinary iodine excretion (UIE) on both days. Results The median 24-hour UIE on days 4 and 7 of the LID were not significantly different (36.1 mcg [interquartile range, 25.4-51.2 mcg] and 36.5 mcg [interquartile range, 23.9-47.7 mcg], respectively, P = .43). On day 4 of the LID, 72.1% of the DTC patients were adequately prepared (24-hour UIE Conclusion The 24-hour UIE on day 4 of the LID did not differ from day 7, and therefore shortening the LID from 7 to 4 days seems justified to prepare DTC patients for 131I therapy in areas with sufficient iodine intake and may be beneficial to maintain a sufficient nutritional intake during DTC treatment.

Background Systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) is a dangerous complication after percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) and retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS). We aimed to review the diag...

Актуальность. Среди всех заболеваний мочевой системы доминируют микробно-воспалительные поражения, распространенность которых составляет 29 на 1000 человек детского населения. Нейрогенная дисфункция мочевого пузыря приводит к хронизации и рецидивированию инфекций мочевой системы. Цель исследования. Изучение этиологического спектра у детей с инфекцией мочевой системы в сочетании с нейрогенной дисфункцией мочевого пузыря. Материалы и методы. Проведено обследование 434 детей в возрасте от 4 до 15 лет, находившихся на стационарном и амбулаторном лечении в городе Омске с 2008 по 2014 год. Осуществлен бактериологический посев мочи на микрофлору с определением чувствительности к антибактериальным препаратам с использованием Urin System Plus (Liofilchem, Италия). Параллельно исследовалась моча на наличие Cytomegalovirus, Herpes simplex virus I–II, Mycoplasma genitalium, Chlamydiae trachomatis, Ureaplasma urealyticum с помощью метода полимеразной цепной реакции и иммуноферментного анализа. Обработка данных проводилась с использованием пакета программ Statistica 10.0. Результаты. Установлено, что у детей с инфекциями мочевой системы и нейрогенной дисфункцией мочевого пузыря в микробном пейзаже мочи доминируют представители семейства Staphylococcus в отличие от спектра уропатогенов у пациентов с инфекцией мочевой системы без функциональной обструкции, для которых характерно преобладание Escherichia coli. Высокая частота обнаружения цитомегаловирусов в моче свидетельствует о значительном снижении иммунитета у детей с инфекциями мочевой системы и нейрогенной дисфункцией мочевого пузыря. Заключение. Показанные отличия в микробном пейзаже мочи при инфекции мочевой системы в сочетании с нейрогенной дисфункцией мочевого пузыря и без функциональной обструкции необходимо учитывать при подборе адекватной терапии пациентам разных групп, включая иммунокорригирующие подходы.

PURPOSE: To evaluate efficacy and safety of flexible ureteroscopy and laser lithotripsy (FURSL) for treatment of the upper urinary tract calculi. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 784 patients who underwent FURSL between January 2015 and October 2020 in our unit. All patients were preoperatively evaluated with urine analysis, serum biochemistry, urinary ultrasonography, non-contrast computed tomography and intravenous urography. The procedure was considered as successful in patients with complete stone disappearance or fragments

Objective Cervical cancer (CC) is a major public health problem in women, and its early detection can help reduce morbidity and mortality. The objective of this study was to compare serum levels of soluble major histocompatibility complex class I-related chain A (sMICA) levels in various body fluids between women diagnosed with CC and healthy women.Methods A case-control study was conducted at a tertiary care hospital and a cancer center in Kolhapur, India. Overall, 150 individuals (100 CC patients and 50 healthy women) participated after providing informed written consent. Demographic data, histopathology history, parity, and tumor, node, and metastasis (TNM) staging data were collected. Pap smears, saliva, blood, and urine samples were collected. Pap smears were examined microscopically, and sMICA levels in all samples were determined by enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA).Results The mean age of women with cervical cancer was 49.86±8.18 years. Squamous cell carcinoma (70%) was the most common histological variant in CC patients. Serum soluble sMICA levels differed significantly with parity and TNM staging (P

The ready detectability of synthetic androgens by mass spectrometry (MS)-based antidoping tests has reoriented androgen doping to using testosterone (T), which must be distinguished from its endogenous counterpart making detection of exogenous T harder. We investigated urine and serum steroid and hematological profiling individually and combined to determine the optimal detection model for T administration in women. Twelve healthy females provided six paired blood and urine samples over 2 weeks prior to treatment consisting of 12.5-mg T in a topical transdermal gel applied daily for 7 days. Paired blood and urine samples were then obtained at the end of treatment and Days 1, 2, 4, 7, and 14 days later. Compliance with treatment and sampling was high, and no adverse effects were reported. T treatment significantly increased serum and urine T, serum dihydrotestosterone (DHT), urine 5α-androstane-3α,17β-diol (5α-diol) epitestosterone (E), and urine T/E ratio with a brief window of detection (2-4 days) as well as total and immature (medium and high fluorescence) reticulocytes that remained elevated over the full 14 posttreatment days. Carbon isotope ratio MS and the OFF score and Abnormal Blood Profile score (ABPS) were not discriminatory. The optimal multivariate model to identify T exposure combined serum T, urine T/E ratio with three hematological variables (% high fluorescence reticulocytes, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, and volume) with the five variables providing 93% correct classification (4% false positive, 10% false negatives). Hence, combining select serum and urine steroid MS variables with reticulocyte measures can achieve a high but imperfect detection of T administration to healthy females.

1. The metabolism and excretion of cetagliptin were investigated in healthy male subjects after a single oral dose of 100mg/50μCi [14C] cetagliptin.2. The mean concentration-time profile of cetagliptin was similar to that of total radioactivity in plasma after oral administration of [14C] cetagliptin in healthy male subjects. Cetagliptin was rapidly absorbed after oral administration. Unchanged cetagliptin was the most abundant radioactive component in all matrices investigated. Approximately 53.13% of plasma AUC of total radioactivity was accounted for by cetagliptin. Each metabolite plasma AUC was not higher than 2.93% of plasma AUC of total radioactivity. By 336 h after administration, 91.68% of the administered radioactivity was excreted, and the cumulative excretion in the urine and feces was 72.88% and 18.81%, respectively. The primary route of excretion of radioactivity was via the kidneys.3. Four metabolites were detected at trace levels, and it involved hydroxylated (M436-1 and M436-3), N- sulfate (M500), and N-carbamoyl glucuronic acid conjugates (M640B) of cetagliptin. These metabolites were detected also in plasma, urine, and feces at low levels, except that metabolite M640B was not detected in feces. All metabolites were observed with < 10% of parent compound systemic exposure after oral administration.

Background Kidneys with chronic inflammation develop tertiary lymphoid structures (TLSs). Infectious pyelonephritis is characterized by renal pelvis (RP) inflammation. However, the pathologic features of TLSs, including their formation and association with non-infectious nephritis, are unclear. Methods RPs from humans and mice that were healthy or had non-infectious chronic nephritis were analyzed for TLS development, and the mechanism of TLS formation investigated using urothelium or lymphoid structure cultures. Results Regardless of infection, TLSs in the RP, termed urinary tract-associated lymphoid structures (UTALSs), formed in humans and mice with chronic nephritis. Moreover, urine played a unique role in UTALS formation. Specifically, we identified urinary IFN-gamma as a candidate factor affecting urothelial barrier integrity because it alters occludin expression. In a nephritis mouse model, urine leaked from the lumen of the RP into the parenchyma. In addition, urine immunologically stimulated UTALS-forming cells via cytokine (IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha) and chemokine (CXCL9, CXCL13) production. CXCL9 and CXCL13 were expressed in UTALS stromal cells and urine stimulation specifically induced CXCL13 in cultured fibroblasts. Characteristically, type XVII collagen (BP180), a candidate autoantigen of bullous pemphigoid, was ectopically localized in the urothelium covering UTALSs and associated with UTALS development by stimulating CXCL9 or IL-22 induction via the TNF-alpha/ FOS/JUN pathway. Notably, UTALS development indices were positively correlated with chronic nephritis development. Conclusions TLS formation in the RP is possible and altered urine-urothelium barrier-based UTALS formation may represent a novel mechanism underlying the pathogenesis of chronic nephritis, regardless of urinary tract infection.

Summary Epidemiology and pathogenesis Urinary tract infection (UTI) in patients with neurogenic bladder causes significant morbidity and mortality. Diagnosis UTI in neurogenic bladder causes atypical symptomatology. Urine tests are pivotal in confirming or excluding UTI, and in guiding appropriate antibiotic treatment. Treatment 1. Symptomatic UTI warrants appropriate antibiotic treatment with reference to culture results and local antibiotic resistance patterns. Asymptomatic bacteriuria should not be treated, and antibiotic prophylaxis is generally not recommended.2. Adequate bladder drainage is essential in reducing the occurrence of urinary tract infections.3. Recurrent UTI in neurogenic bladder may necessitate the treatment of neurogenic detrusor overactivity and the restoration of low bladder pressure during bladder storage and voiding by drugs or surgery.

Background: Finerenone reduced risk of cardiorenal outcomes in patients with CKD and type 2 diabetes in the FIDELIO-DKD trial. We report incidences and risk factors for hyperkalemia with finerenone and placebo in FIDELIO-DKD. Methods: This post hoc safety analysis defined hyperkalemia as ≥mild or ≥moderate based on serum potassium concentrations of >5.5 or >6.0 mmol/L, respectively, assessed at all regular visits. Cumulative incidences of hyperkalemia were based on the Aalen-Johansen estimator using death as competing risk. A multivariate Cox proportional hazards model identified significant independent predictors of hyperkalemia. Restricted cubic splines assessed relationships between short-term post-baseline changes in serum potassium or eGFR and subsequent hyperkalemia risk. During the study, serum potassium levels guided drug dosing. Patients in either group who experienced ≥mild hyperkalemia had the study drug withheld until serum potassium was ≤5.0 mmol/L; then the drug was restarted at the 10 mg daily dose. Placebo-treated patients underwent sham treatment interruption and downtitration. Results: Over 2.6 years' median follow-up, 597 of 2785 (21.4%) and 256 of 2775 (9.2%) patients treated with finerenone and placebo, respectively, experienced treatment-emergent ≥mild hyperkalemia; 126 of 2802 (4.5%) and 38 of 2796 (1.4%) patients, respectively, experienced moderate hyperkalemia. Independent risk factors for ≥mild hyperkalemia were higher serum potassium, lower eGFR, increased urine albumin-creatinine ratio, younger age, female sex, β-blocker use, and finerenone assignment. Diuretic or sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitor use reduced risk. In both groups, short-term increases in serum potassium and decreases in eGFR were associated with subsequent hyperkalemia. At month 4, the magnitude of increased hyperkalemia risk for any change from baseline was smaller with finerenone than with placebo. Conclusions: Finerenone was independently associated with hyperkalemia. However, routine potassium monitoring and hyperkalemia management strategies employed in FIDELIO-DKD minimized the impact of hyperkalemia, providing a basis for clinical use of finerenone. Bayer AG 10.121 JCR (2020) Q1, 6/89 Urology & Nephrology 4.451 SJR (2020) Q1, 39/2446 Medicine (miscellaneous) No data IDR 2020 UEM

PURPOSE Urinary stone disease (USD) has been associated with an increased risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage renal disease in Western populations. However, the metabolic disorders associated with unilateral and bilateral renal stones and the association of these types of stones with CKD and kidney tubular injury markers, such as urine N-acetyl-s-D-glucosaminidase (NAG) and alpha-1-microglobulin (α1-MG), have not been fully examined. MATERIALS AND METHODS We performed a cross-sectional study of 10,281 participants in rural China in 2014. All the subjects underwent renal ultrasound to detect USD; stone formers were divided into groups with unilateral or bilateral renal stones by ultrasound examinations. CKD was defined as a decreased estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR

T1-hyperintense urine can be an incidental finding on MRI with many potential causes, such as prior gadolinium administration or hematuria. This is the case of a 33-year-old female with a history of sickle cell disease complicated by iron overload secondary to chronic transfusions, who has been on multiple different iron chelation regimens. Due to persistent iron overload despite various treatments, the patient was started on a new iron chelation regimen that utilized a protocol involving inpatient admission for high dose IV deferoxamine. While admitted for the administration of this regimen, the patient underwent an MRI due to acute on chronic hip pain; this MRI demonstrated an incidental finding of T1-hyperintense urine. There was no evidence found to suggest that this T1-hyperintense urine was caused by prior gadolinium administration, hematuria, or other typical causes of T1-hyperintensity. This incidental finding was thought to have been caused by the usage of deferoxamine; to our knowledge, there is no previous literature discussing this association. Therefore, the findings of this case report demonstrate that this medication is an important item to keep in mind while evaluating the differential diagnosis of T1-hyperintense urine.

Fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD), a nonatherosclerotic, noninflammatory disease of medium-sized arteries, is an underdiagnosed disease. We investigated the urinary proteome and developed a classifier for discrimination of FMD from healthy controls and other diseases. We further hypothesized that urinary proteomics biomarkers may be associated with alterations in medium-sized, but not large artery geometry and mechanics. The study included 33 patients with mostly multifocal, renal FMD who underwent in depth arterial exploration using ultra-high frequency ultrasound. The cohort was separated in a training set of 23 patients with FMD from Belgium and an independent test set of 10 patients with FMD from Italy. For each set, controls matched 2:1 were selected from the Human Urinary Proteome Database. The specificity of the classifier was tested in 700 additional controls from general population studies, patients with chronic kidney disease (n=66) and coronary artery disease (n=31). Three hundred thirty-five urinary peptides, mostly related to collagen turnover, were identified in the training cohort and combined into a classifier. When applying in the test cohort, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 1.00, 100% specificity at 100% sensitivity. The classifier maintained a high specificity in additional controls (98.3%), patients with chronic kidney (90.9%) and coronary artery (96.8%) diseases. Furthermore, in patients with FMD, the proteomic score was positively associated with radial wall thickness and wall cross-sectional area. In conclusion, a proteomic score has the potential to discriminate between patients with FMD and controls. If confirmed in a wider and more diverse cohort, these findings may pave the way for a noninvasive diagnostic test of FMD.

Purpose: To investigate the clinical value of urine interleukin-18 (IL-8), neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) and kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1) for the early diagnosis of acute kidney injury (AKI) in patients with ureteroscopic lithotripsy (URL) related urosepsis. Methods: A retrospective study was carried out in 157 patients with urosepsis after URL. The patients were divided into AKI group and non-AKI group according to the Kidigo guideline and urine IL-8, NGAL and KIM-1 levels were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay at 0, 4, 12, 24 and 48 h after the surgery. Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was used to evaluate the diagnostic value of these three biomarkers for postoperative AKI. Results: The level of urine IL-8, NGAL and KIM-1 in AKI group was significantly higher than that in non-AKI group at 4, 12, 24 and 48 h (p

Decompensated cirrhosis (DC) is associated with high mortality, mainly owing to the development of acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF). Identifying the patients with DC who are at high risk of mortality and ACLF development is an unmet clinical need. Liver fatty acid-binding protein (L-FABP) is expressed in several organs and correlates with liver and systemic inflammation. Herein, we aimed to assess the prognostic value of L-FABP in patients with DC.A prospective series of 444 patients hospitalized for DC was divided into 2 cohorts: study cohort (305 patients) and validation cohort (139 patients). L-FABP was measured in urine and plasma samples collected at admission. Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) was also measured in urine samples for comparison.Urine but not plasma L-FABP correlated with 3-month survival on univariate analysis. On multivariate analysis, urine L-FABP and model for end-stage liver disease (MELD)-Na were the only independent predictors of prognosis. Urine L-FABP levels were higher in patients with ACLF than in those without and also predicted the development of ACLF, together with MELD-Na, during follow-up. In patients with ACLF, urine L-FABP correlated with liver, coagulation, and circulatory failure. Urine L-FABP levels were also increased in patients with acute kidney injury, particularly in those with acute tubular necrosis. The ability of urinary L-FABP to predict survival and ACLF development was confirmed in the validation cohort. Urine NGAL predicted outcome on univariate but not multivariate analysis.Urinary L-FABP levels are independently associated with the 3-month clinical course in patients with DC, in terms of mortality and ACLF development. Urinary L-FABP is a promising prognostic biomarker for patients with DC.Increased levels of liver fatty acid-binding protein (L-FABP), a protein related to lipid metabolism, have been associated with liver-related diseases. The present study analyzed urinary L-FABP levels in 2 independent groups of patients with decompensated cirrhosis and showed that higher urinary L-FABP levels correlated with increased mortality and risk of acute-on-chronic liver failure development. Therefore, urinary L-FABP levels could be useful as a new tool to predict complications in patients with decompensated cirrhosis.

Looking at the urine for diagnostic purposes, once performed by ancient Egyptians, can still provide some valuable clues in modern medicine. Several diseases have been named after their associated urine color and this underlines the clinical value of visual urine inspection: blue diaper disease, purple urine bag syndrome, black urine disease or porphyria. Abnormal urine color could be challenging for the clinician: it may reveal neoplastic disease (urologic cancer; melanoma), cell lysis (rhabdomyolysis; hemolysis), infection (lymphatic filariasis; malaria), enzyme deficiency (porphyria; alkaptonuria), medication or food intake. In this article, we present the diagnostic approach, the mechanisms involved and the main causes of abnormal urine color.

BackgroundApproaches are needed to better delineate the continuum of opioid misuse that occurs in hospitalized patients. A prognostic enrichment strategy with latent class analysis (LCA) may facilitate treatment strategies in subtypes of opioid misuse. We aim to identify subtypes of patients with opioid misuse and examine the distinctions between the subtypes by examining patient characteristics, topic models from clinical notes, and clinical outcomes.MethodsThis was an observational study of inpatient hospitalizations at a tertiary care center between 2007 and 2017. Patients with opioid misuse were identified using an operational definition applied to all inpatient encounters. LCA with eight class-defining variables from the electronic health record (EHR) was applied to identify subtypes in the cohort of patients with opioid misuse. Comparisons between subtypes were made using the following approaches: (1) descriptive statistics on patient characteristics and healthcare utilization using EHR data and census-level data; (2) topic models with natural language processing (NLP) from clinical notes; (3) association with hospital outcomes.FindingsThe analysis cohort was 6,224 (2.7% of all hospitalizations) patient encounters with opioid misuse with a data corpus of 422,147 clinical notes. LCA identified four subtypes with differing patient characteristics, topics from the clinical notes, and hospital outcomes. Class 1 was categorized by high hospital utilization with known opioid-related conditions (36.5%); Class 2 included patients with illicit use, low socioeconomic status, and psychoses (12.8%); Class 3 contained patients with alcohol use disorders with complications (39.2%); and class 4 consisted of those with low hospital utilization and incidental opioid misuse (11.5%). The following hospital outcomes were the highest for each subtype when compared against the other subtypes: readmission for class 1 (13.9% vs. 10.5%, pConclusionsA 4-class latent model was the most parsimonious model that defined clinically interpretable and relevant subtypes for opioid misuse. Distinct subtypes were delineated after examining multiple domains of EHR data and applying methods in artificial intelligence. The approach with LCA and readily available class-defining substance use variables from the EHR may be applied as a prognostic enrichment strategy for targeted interventions.

OBJECTIVE To study the association of hyperuricaemia with clinical and pathological characteristics of patients with IgA nephropathy, and to clarify adverse effects of hyperuricaemia on the onset and progression of IgA nephropathy. METHODS A total of 244 patients with IgA nephropathy enrolled in Jiangjin Center Hospital were divided into a group with normal serum uric acid level and a group with elevated level. Age, gender, course of disease, blood pressure, liver function, renal function, blood lipid levels, blood glucose level, 24-hour urine protein level and pathological grades were recorded. The correlations of serum uric acid level with clinical indices and pathological grades were analyzed. RESULTS The incidence rate of IgA nephropathy complicated with hyperuricaemia was 25.4%. The two groups had significantly different course of disease, body mass index (BMI), and levels of urea nitrogen, creatinine, triglyceride and urine protein (p

Background Thromboembolic disease is a major cause of mortality in dogs with immune‐mediated hemolytic anemia (IMHA). At present, no reliable biomarkers of individual patient thrombotic risk are available. In human medicine, increased urinary thromboxane concentrations have utility as markers of prothrombotic tendency in various situations. Hypothesis/Objectives First, to determine if urinary 11‐dehydrothromboxane B2 (u11‐dTXB) concentrations are increased in dogs with primary IMHA compared to normal dogs; second, to assess whether u11‐dTXB concentration is associated with survival, known prognostic indicators, or frequency of thrombosis in dogs with IMHA. Animals Twenty client‐owned dogs diagnosed with primary IMHA and 17 healthy dogs volunteered by hospital staff. Methods Prospective case‐control study. A previously validated ELISA was used to measure urine 11‐dTXB concentrations, which were normalized to urine creatinine concentration (u11‐dTXB:Cr). Samples were obtained at presentation from patients with primary IMHA. Standard clincopathological data at baseline and survival data were collected. Urinary 11‐dTXB:Cr was compared between outcome subgroups, and correlated with known markers of disease severity. Results Baseline u11‐dTXB:Cr was significantly higher in dogs with IMHA than in healthy dogs (median, 3.75; range, 0.83‐25.36 vs 0.65; 0.24‐2.57; P = .003) but did not differ between dogs with IMHA that survived and did not survive to 30 days after presentation, nor between dogs with and without clinical suspicion of thrombotic disease. Conclusions and Clinical Importance Urinary 11‐dTXB:Cr is increased in dogs with IMHA compared to healthy controls, consistent with a prothrombotic state. However, in this IMHA population u11‐dTXB:Cr was not associated with survival or suspected thrombosis.

Introduction: Urinary tract infection (UTI) should be treated before percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL). However, the most appropriate treatment strategy in patients with negative urine culture bu...

Objective To evaluate if decreasing postop abx prophylaxis affects UTI and wound infection rates in patients following urethroplasty. Methods A retrospective review of patients who underwent urethroplasty from 9/2017 - 3/2020 by a single surgeon was performed. All patients received urine culture specific perioperative IV abx prior to urethroplasty and kept a urethral catheter for 3 weeks postop. Patients undergoing a urethroplasty from 9/2017 to 12/2018 received extended postop abx prophylaxis for 3 weeks until catheter removal (Group 1). Patients from 12/2018 to 3/2020 received abx for 3 days around catheter removal (Group 2). UTIs, abx complications, and wound infections between groups were evaluated. UTIs were defined as a positive urine culture or reported lower urinary tract symptoms/fevers treated with empiric abx. Results 120 patients underwent urethroplasty. Group 1 consisted of 60 patients with mean age of 51.9 years and mean stricture length of 3.6 cm. Group 2 had 60 patients with mean age of 53.1 years and mean stricture length of 3.8 cm. 10 patients had UTIs after urethroplasty. There was no significant difference in UTI (6.7% vs 11.7%; P = 0.529) or wound infection rates (3.3% vs 1.7%;’ P = 1.000) between the two groups. Conclusion Extended postoperative antibiotic prophylaxis does not appear to significantly affect UTI or wound infection rates following urethroplasty. The retrospective nature of the study has limitations, however, this is the first comparison of two different antibiotic administration protocols to our knowledge.

OBJECTIVES: SARS-CoV-2 exhibits tropism for the gastrointestinal tract, however lesions in enterocytes and their correlation with disease severity and patient prognosis are still unknown. METHODS: SARS-CoV-2 patients were enrolled in five medical centres in the Sao Paulo State, Brazil. Clinical characteristics and laboratory findings of patients were recorded. At admission, 7th and 14th day of hospitalisation, plasma and urine samples were collected. The levels of cytokines (IFN-I³, IL-6 and TNF-α) and the biomarker intestinal fatty acid-binding protein (I-FABP) were measured. RESULTS: COVID-19 patients displayed ≈48-, 74- and 125-fold increased urinary I-FABP levels at admission (n=283; p

Background: Measurement of the 24-h urinary iodine concentration or urinary iodine excretion (UIE) is the gold standard to determine iodine status; however, this method is inconvenient. The use of salivary iodine could be a possible alternative since salivary glands express the sodium-iodine symporter.Objectives: We aimed to establish the correlation between the salivary iodine secretion and UIE, to evaluate the clinical applicability of the iodine saliva measurement.Methods: We collected 24-h urine and saliva samples from 40 participants >= 18 y: 20 healthy volunteers with no specific diet (group 1), 10 patients with differentiated thyroid cancer with a low dietary intake (

Background Circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) is very useful for purposes of cancer genetics; however, it has some limitations. Recently, ctDNA in body fluids, such as urine, sputum, and pleural effusion, has been investigated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the quantity of ctDNA derived from urine (trans-renal ctDNA) and the accuracy of KRAS mutation detection in relation to disease stage in colorectal cancer. Methods Urine, plasma, and tissue samples were collected from consecutively resected colorectal cancer patients. DNA was extracted from each sample and the quantity was determined. From each DNA sample, KRAS mutations were detected using droplet digital PCR. Results 200 patients participated and KRAS mutations were detected in 84 patients (42.0%) from tumour tissue. The concentration of trans-renal ctDNA (trtDNA) was significantly lower than that of plasma; however, there was no significant difference between the sensitivity using ctDNA and that using trtDNA (29.8% VS 33.3%, p = 0.62). Concordance between these two tests was only 17.5%. Combination analysis (ctDNA + trtDNA) improved the sensitivity to 53.6%, and sensitivity was significantly higher than that of corresponding single assays (p = 0.003). In early cancer stages, trtDNA had greater sensitivity for detecting KRAS mutations than ctDNA (37.7% vs. 21.3%, p = 0.047). Conversely, it was less useful for advanced cancer stages (21.7% vs. 52.2%, p = 0.07). Notably, KRAS mutations were detected using ctDNA or trtDNA in 12 of 116 (10.3%) patients who had no KRAS mutations in their tissue samples. Conclusions: trtDNA and ctDNA have equal potential and combination analysis significantly improved the sensitivity.

Introduction: Urinary tract symptoms and infection have been associated with occupational factors that impact hydration habits particularly in women. We compared self-reported urinary symptoms and infection and hydration habits between nurses and other occupations in dialysis units. Methods: Cross-sectional study. Participants worked in five nephrology centers in Brazil and answered an online questionnaire comprising questions regarding urinary tract symptoms and infection episodes in the preceding year; data on usual daily beverage intake, urine frequency, and urine color according to a urine color chart were also collected, as well as perceptions of water access and toilet adequacy at work. Results: We included 133 women (age=36.9±9.5 years). The self-reported usual daily beverage intake was 6.6±2.9 cups/day (~1320 mL), daily urine frequency was 5.4±2.1, and urine color chart score: 3.0±1.2. Nurses (N=66/49.6%) reported higher prevalence of burning sensation (50 versus 27%; P

PURPOSE: Reliable urine samples are of eminent importance when diagnosing urinary tract infections (UTI) in children. Non-invasive procedures are convenient, but likely to be contaminated. This study aimed to compare the diagnostic accuracy of urine samples obtained by the midstream clean-catch method (CCU) with urine obtained by suprapubic aspiration (SPA), and evaluate the ability of urinary dipstick to predict true infection.MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospectively, data on children RESULTS: 223 children were included. Using a cut-off of ≥104 CFU/ml, 16.6% (n=37) of the cohort would be misdiagnosed if relying only on CCU. Using ≥105 CFU/ml, the number was 24.6% (n=55). Evaluating leucocyte esterase (LE) on urinary dipstick, a large difference between using CCU (sensitivity 94.7%, specificity 14.4%) and SPA (sensitivity 78.9%, specificity 82.2%) became obvious.CONCLUSIONS: A large number of children will be misdiagnosed if relying on CCU specimens compared to SPA. Relying on a negative leucocyte esterase dipstick test to rule out a UTI is not sufficient in a child with high suspicion of such an infection. SPA is a safe procedure, and we thus recommend its use, to avoid delay of treatment and unnecessary invasive follow-up investigations.

Purpose Radiation therapy to the prostate and pelvic lymph nodes (PLNRT) is part of the curative treatment of high-risk prostate cancer. Yet, the broader influence of radiation therapy on patient physiology is poorly understood. We conducted comprehensive global metabolomic profiling of urine, plasma, and stools sampled from patients undergoing PLNRT for high-risk prostate cancer. Methods and Materials Samples were taken from 32 patients at 6 timepoints: baseline, 2 to 3 and 4 to 5 weeks of PLNRT; and 3, 6, and 12 months after PLNRT. We characterized the global metabolome of urine and plasma using 1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and ultraperformance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, and of stools with nuclear magnetic resonance. Linear mixed-effects modeling was used to investigate metabolic changes between timepoints for each biofluid and assay and determine metabolites of interest. Results Metabolites in urine, plasma and stools changed significantly after PLNRT initiation. Metabolic profiles did not return to baseline up to 1 year post-PLNRT in any biofluid. Molecules associated with cardiovascular risk were increased in plasma. Pre-PLNRT fecal butyrate levels directly associated with increasing gastrointestinal side effects, as did a sharper fall in those levels during and up to 1 year postradiation therapy, mirroring our previous results with metataxonomics. Conclusions We showed for the first time that an overall metabolic effect is observed in patients undergoing PLNRT up to 1 year posttreatment. These metabolic changes may effect on long-term morbidity after treatment, which warrants further investigation.

Background Whether in the world or in China, allergic rhinitis (AR) is a disease that seriously affects people's daily life. However, the current diagnostic methods for AR still have certain limitations. Adopt matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) for proteomics detection makes it possible to screen for high-throughput biomarkers. This study intends to use this technology to analyze the urine proteomics of AR patients to find potential biomarkers for AR diagnosis. Materials and methods Urine and clinical data were collected from 60 patients with AR and 60 healthy controls. MALDI-TOF-MS based on weak cation exchange magnetic beads was used to obtain and analyze the urine peptide profiles between AR patients and healthy controls. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate the diagnostic ability of identified peptides and proteins. Results The results revealed significantly different expressions of nine peptide peaks between AR and healthy controls (ROC area under the curve [AUC], 0.660–0.780). We constructed a diagnostic model containing seven proteins identified from the above-mentioned peptide peaks. The AUC of the seven peptides panel for AR diagnosis was 0.882 with 75.0% sensitivity and 90.0% specificity. Conclusions The seven peptides diagnostic model established in this study had high specificity and moderate sensitivity in the diagnosis of AR. MALDI-TOF MS is a potential tool for diagnosing AR by the use of urine samples.

Background The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of preoperative factors on the recovery of continence after artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) implantation in postprostatectomy incontinence. Materials and methods Seventy-two patients who underwent AUS implantation between April 2006 and March 2020 were analyzed. The clinical features and preoperative urodynamic parameters were correlated with the postoperative continence rate using linear and logistic regression analysis. The recovery of continence was defined by the patient requiring no use of a protective urine pad during the 24 hours. Results Of the 72 patients, 57 (79.2%) recovered continence (dry group), while 15 (20.8%) were wearing more than 1 pad per day (wet group) on the last follow-up visit. In the clinical characteristics, only the interval between radical prostatectomy and AUS (in months) showed a statistically significant difference (35.4 ± 26.2 in the dry group, 22.7 ± 12.2 in the wet group, p = 0.009). Other preoperative clinical features such as the underlying disease, surgical methods, size of prostate, tumor stage, and radio nor hormonal therapy did not present statistically significant differences. Of the preoperative urodynamic parameters, only the abdominal leak point pressure (ALPP) showed statistical significance when related to surgical outcomes by 88.6 ± 33.6 in the dry group and 66.1 ± 29.6 in wet the group (P = 0.024). The number of patients for whom ALPP was higher than 80 cm H2O was 61.4% in the dry group and 20% in the wet group (95% confidence interval: 1.612-25.11). Other preoperative UDS features including detrusor underactivity, maximum urethral closure pressure, and others were not statistically significant. Conclusions The interval between RP and AUS, as well as the preoperative ALPP, can be possible predictive factors for the surgical outcomes of AUS implantation. In addition, an ALPP of >80 cm H2O has a high degree of predictability for success of AUS surgical outcomes in post-RP incontinence.

Background In China, the association between estrogen metabolism and breast cancer risk and the differences in metabolic pattern between breast cancer patients and controls are poorly understood. Methods A total of 84 patients with invasive breast cancer and 47 controls with benign breast diseases were included in this study. Estrogen metabolites from their morning urine were determined by HPLC-MS/MS and evaluated in both groups, and the predictive value of each estrogen metabolite in the malignant group according to their menstrual status was analyzed. Results Urinary concentration of estrogen metabolites 2-hydroxyestrone (2-OHE1), 2-hydroxyestradiol (2-OHE2), 4-hydroxyestradiol (4-OHE2), 4-methoxyestrone (4-MeOE1), and 16α-hydroxyestrone were lower in postmenopausal patients with breast cancer, compared with benign controls. In logistic regression model, breast cancer risk increased with the decline in the levels of 4-OHE2 and 4-MeOE1. In premenopausal patients, a difference in the level of 2-OHE2 was observed between both groups, and 2-OHE2 was found to have predictive value for breast cancer. Additionally, urinary 2-OHE2 level in premenopausal hormone receptor positive (HR+) patients was considerably higher compared with hormone receptor negative patients. Conclusions We found that lower urinary levels of 4-OHE2 and 4-MeOE1 had predictive value for breast cancer, and higher 2-OHE1 were associated with HR+ breast cancer in premenopausal women.

Purpose The current research is aimed at analyzing the relationship between kidney stone (KS) and abdominal aortic calcification (AAC) and the relationship between KS components and AAC. Methods This is a retrospective, case–control study. Kidney stone formers (KSFs) were treated at the Department of Urology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University for urological calculus disease from January 2014 to January 2020. Matched non-stone formers (non-SFs) were drawn from the same hospital for routine health examination from January 2018 to February 2019. Research-related information was collected and reviewed retrospectively from the hospital’s computerized records. AAC were evaluated using available results of computed tomography imaging and abdominal vascular ultrasound. The relationships of AAC between KSFs and non-SFs were compared. The composition of renal calculi was analyzed by Fourier-transform infrared spectrophotometer. KSFs were divided into AAC groups and non-AAC based on AAC. The relationship of the composition of renal calculi between AAC and non-AAC were compared. The independent-sample t test, the chi-squared test and binary logistics regression were performed. Results Altogether, 4516 people were included, with 1027 KSFs and 3489 non-SFs. There were no significant differences in the laboratory parameters between KSFs and non-SFs. The association between the presence of AAC and KS was significant in multivariable model 2 [adjusting hypertension, diabetes mellitus, fasting blood glucose, uric acid, serum triglyceride (TG), serum calcium, and urine pH] (OR 5.756, 95% CI 4.616–7.177, p p = 0.048). Conclusions The current study pioneered the revelation of the relationship between CaOx and AAC. Through an elimination of the confounding factors, the study demonstrated that KS and AAC were connected.

Purpose Bladder cancer is one of the most common malignancies of the urinary system, and its screening relies heavily on invasive cystoscopy, which increases the risk of urethral injury and infection. This study aims to use non-targeted metabolomics methods to screen for metabolites that are significantly different between the urine of bladder cancer patients and cancer-free controls. Methods In this study, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry was used to analyze the urine of bladder cancer patients (n = 57) and the cancer-free controls (n = 38) by non-targeted metabolomic analysis and metabolite identification. Results The results showed that there were significant differences in the expression of 27 metabolites between bladder cancer patients and the cancer-free controls. Conclusion In the multivariate statistical analysis of this study, the urinary metabolic profile data of bladder cancer patients were analyzed, and the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that it is possible to perform non-invasive clinical diagnoses of bladder cancer through these candidate biomarkers.