Potential effect of Silybum marianum L. and Cistus ladaniferus L.extracts on urine volume, creatinine clearance and renal function

Objective:To investigate the diuretic and renal effects of Silybum marianum L.and Cistus ladaniferus L.in normal rats.Methods:Four groups of rats were used in each experiment.The first group received water,the second group received Cistus ladaniferus L.extract(100 mg/kg b.wt),the third group received Silybum marianum L.extract(100 mg/kg b.wt),and the fourth group received furosemide(10 mg/kg b.wt).Variables including urine volume,plasma and urine sodium,potassium and creatinine,and creatinine clearance were measured.Two experiments were conducted.A single dose of each intervention was used and the variables were measured during 24 h,and the interventions were given daily for a total of 8 d and the variables were measured during various intervals.Results:The single dose of each plant extract increased urine volume at all-time intervals and increased urine sodium and potassium excretion without affecting plasma sodium and potassium(P<0.05).On the day 8 after daily administration,the plant extracts induced a significant diuresis and natriuresis without affecting serum electrolytes(P<0.05),while furosemide caused hypokalemia.Both plant extracts significantly increased creatinine clearance(P<0.05).Conclusions:Silybum marianum L.and Cistus ladaniferus L Increase creatinine clearance and have a significant diuretic effect without affecting serum electrolytes.Silybum marianum L.is more potent than furosemide or Cistus ladaniferus L.

Relationship between Voided Urine Volume and Urinary ATP in Healthy Volunteers

Purpose: We examined the relationship between the urinary ATP level and the desire to void, voided urine volume, and urinary osmotic pressure. Materials and Methods: The subjects were 4 healthy volunteers (2 men and 2 women) without micturition disorders who were not taking any medications and had normal urinalysis findings. Over 2 - 3 days, they urinated into a clean cup a total of 20 times. The strength of the desire to void was classified (none, slight, moderate, or strong;scored from 1 to 4, respectively) and a voiding score was assigned at each urination, along with measurement of the voided volume, urinary ATP, urinary creatinine, and urinary osmotic pressure (one man). Results: Variation of the urinary ATP/creatinine ratio was large in both male and female subjects. The urinary ATP/creatinine ratio was lower in the 2 men compared with the 2 women. This ratio showed a significant negative correlation (R2 = 0.1577 and 0.1673, both p < 0.05) with the voided urine volume in the male subjects. However, there was no relationship between the urinary ATP/creatinine ratio and the voiding score or voided urine volume in the female subjects. Conclusions: The urinary ATP level may not be a clinically useful marker of bladder pathology. Both the present study and our previous studies identified a large sex difference in the urinary ATP/creatinine ratio, and this finding may be important when considering the causes of overactive bladder (OAB) in women. The mechanism underlying the increase in urinary ATP in women should be investigated to develop new therapies for OAB.

Effect of mechanical ventilation on urine volume and expression of aquaporins in rabbits

Objective:To explore biological mechanisms underlying the traditional Chinese medicine theory of 'lung governing the regulation of water passage' by observing effects of mechanical ventilation on urine volume and related bioactive substances.Methods:A total of 16 male rabbits were randomly divided into control and lung expansion model groups (n =8 per group),which were examined during the following four respiratory intervention stages (10 minutes each):(1) free breathing without any respiratory intervention;(2) lung expansion induced by mechanical ventilator;(3) free breathing without ventilator intervention;(4) cutting of bilateral sympathetic,vagus,and depressor nerves with mechanical ventilation.Data for breathing rate,blood pressure,and urine drops were recorded with a Medlab data acquisition system.Levels of nitric oxide (NO),antidiuretic hormone (ADH),endothelin 1 (ET-1),angiotensin Ⅱ (AngⅡ),prostaglandin E2 (PGE2),and atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) were detected in lung tissue,kidney tissue,and serum by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Protein expression of aquaporins 1 and 2 (AQP1 and AQP2) was detected in kidney tissue by immunohistochemistry,while Aqp1 mRNA and Aqp2 mRNA levels in kidney tissue were detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction.Histopathological changes in lung and kidney tissues were examined by hematoxylin and eosin staining.Results:Compared with the control group,number of urine drops during the second and fourth stages is significantly decreased in the model group (P <.05).In addition,NO and PGE2 content in lung and kidney tissues was significantly decreased in the model group (P <.05).ANP content in model group lung and kidney tissues was significantly increased (P <.05),while ET-1 content in these tissues was significantly decreased (P <.05).AngⅡ content in kidney tissue was significantly decreased in the model group (P <.05),while serum AngⅡ content of the animals was significantly increased (P <.05).Expression of AQP1 and AQP2 proteins in kidney tissue was significantly higher in the model group than in the control group (P <.05).No obvious histopathological changes were observed in lung or kidney tissues of animals in either group.Conclusions:Mechanical ventilation reduced urine volume,increased expression of AQP1 and AQP2 in kidney tissue,and altered levels of NO,ADH,ET-1,AngⅡ,PGE2,and ANP in lung tissue,kidney tissue,and serum.These results provide an experimental basis for preliminary studies of mechanisms under pinning the theory of 'lung governing the regulation of water passage'.

Measurement of very low-molecular weight metabolites by traveling wave ion mobility and its use in human urine samples

The collision cross-sections(CCS)measurement using ion mobility spectrometry(IMS)in combination with mass spectrometry(MS)offers a great opportunity to increase confidence in metabolite identification.However,owing to the lack of sensitivity and resolution,IMS has an analytical challenge in studying the CCS values of very low-molecular-weight metabolites(VLMs250 Da).Here,we describe an analytical method using ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography(UPLC)coupled to a traveling wave ion mobility-quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometer optimized for the measurement of VLMs in human urine samples.The experimental CCS values,along with mass spectral properties,were reported for the 174 metabolites.The experimental data included the mass-to-charge ratio(m/z),retention time(RT),tandem MS(MS/MS)spectra,and CCS values.Among the studied metabolites,263 traveling wave ion mobility spectrometry(TWIMS)-derived CCS values(TWCCSN2)were reported for the first time,and more than 70%of these were CCS values of VLMs.The TWCCSN2 values were highly repeatable,with inter-day variations of<1%relative standard deviation(RSD).The developed method revealed excellent TWCCSN2 accuracy with a CCS difference(DCCS)within±2%of the reported drift tube IMS(DTIMS)and TWIMS CCS values.The complexity of the urine matrix did not affect the precision of the method,as evidenced by DCCS within±1.92%.According to the Metabolomics Standards Initiative,55 urinary metabolites were identified with a confidence level of 1.Among these 55 metabolites,53(96%)were VLMs.The larger number of confirmed compounds found in this study was a result of the addition of TWCCSN2 values,which clearly increased metabolite identification confidence.

Learning Discriminatory Information for Object Detection on Urine Sediment Image

In clinical practice,the microscopic examination of urine sediment is considered an important in vitro examination with many broad applications.Measuring the amount of each type of urine sediment allows for screening,diagnosis and evaluation of kidney and urinary tract disease,providing insight into the specific type and severity.However,manual urine sediment examination is labor-intensive,time-consuming,and subjective.Traditional machine learning based object detection methods require hand-crafted features for localization and classification,which have poor generalization capabilities and are difficult to quickly and accurately detect the number of urine sediments.Deep learning based object detection methods have the potential to address the challenges mentioned above,but these methods require access to large urine sediment image datasets.Unfortunately,only a limited number of publicly available urine sediment datasets are currently available.To alleviate the lack of urine sediment datasets in medical image analysis,we propose a new dataset named UriSed2K,which contains 2465 high-quality images annotated with expert guidance.Two main challenges are associated with our dataset:a large number of small objects and the occlusion between these small objects.Our manuscript focuses on applying deep learning object detection methods to the urine sediment dataset and addressing the challenges presented by this dataset.Specifically,our goal is to improve the accuracy and efficiency of the detection algorithm and,in doing so,provide medical professionals with an automatic detector that saves time and effort.We propose an improved lightweight one-stage object detection algorithm called Discriminatory-YOLO.The proposed algorithm comprises a local context attention module and a global background suppression module,which aid the detector in distinguishing urine sediment features in the image.The local context attention module captures context information beyond the object region,while the global background suppression module emphasizes objects in uninformative backgrounds.We comprehensively evaluate our method on the UriSed2K dataset,which includes seven categories of urine sediments,such as erythrocytes(red blood cells),leukocytes(white blood cells),epithelial cells,crystals,mycetes,broken erythrocytes,and broken leukocytes,achieving the best average precision(AP)of 95.3%while taking only 10 ms per image.The source code and dataset are available at https://github.com/binghuiwu98/discriminatoryyolov5.

Landscape of urine biomarkers for bladder cancer:molecular function,cell-of-origin,and bibliometric trend

Background:The effective management of bladder cancer(BCa)depends on the early diagnosis and surveillance.Previous studies have explored numerous urinary molecules as potential biomarkers of BCa.However,the molecular functions and cell-of-origin profiles of these biomarkers are yet to be elucidated.In this study,we aimed to provide a comprehensive overview of the landscape of urinary biomarker genes for BCa.Methods:We conducted an exhaustive literature search in PubMed,through which 555 biomarker genes were identified.We then analyzed the BCa single-cell atlas to infer the cellular origin of these BCa urine biomarker genes and performed functional enrichment analysis to gain insights into the functional molecular implications of these biomarkers.Results:These genes are involved in tumor proliferation,angiogenesis,cellmigration,and cell death and are predominantly expressed in epithelial and stromal cells.Interestingly,our analysis ofmultiomics tumor data revealed a discordance between tissue and urine in terms of differential methylation and RNA expression,suggesting that biomarker discovery for liquid biopsies should ideally begin with the analysis of bodily fluids rather than relying interest and that test strategies incorporating multiple molecular markers represent an ongoing trend.Conclusions:Collectively,our study has built a landscape of BCa urine biomarker genes,uncovered molecular insights into these biomarkers,and revealed the bibliometric trends in this field,which will contribute to the discovery of novel biomarkers in the future.

San-Ao Decoction (三拗汤) Regulates Urine Volume on Bronchial Asthma Model Mice

Objective To observe the effect of San-Ao Decoction(三拗汤,SAD)on water metabolism of bronchial asthra model mice.Methods Forty-five female BALB/c mice were randomly divided into control,model and SAD groups by a random number table,15 mice in each group.A composite method with ovalbumin(OVA)sensitization and challenge was developed to establish bronchial asthma model.Mice in the control group were intraperitoneally injected with distilled water without aerosol inhalation challenge.On day 15–22,0.3 mL SAD was administered via gastric route in SAD group,one time per day,while an equivalent volume of normal saline was used for gastric administration in the control and model groups.Changes in airway resistance in the inspiratory phase(RI-R-Area)were detected using an AniRes2005 system,and 5-h urine output was collected by metabolic cages.Histopathological changes in lung and kidney were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining.mRNA expressions of aquaporin(AQP)1 and AQP2 in kidney were detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction,and the protein expressions of AQP1 and AQP2 in kidney were detected by immunohistochemistry.Enzyme-linked immune sorbent assay was used to detect the OVA-specific endothelium-1(ET-1),antidiuretic hormone(ADH),atrial natriuretic peptide(ANP),prostaglandin E_(2)(PGE_(2)),and angiotensin II(Ang II)levels in serum,lung and kidney tissues,respectively.The nitric oxide(NO)contents in serum,lung,and kidney tissues were tested by chemical method,respectively.Results Compared with the control group,the serum IgE level in model group increased(P<0.01).Following the pathologic changes in lung tissue,no significant change in kidney tissue was observed among 3 groups.Compared with the control group,the mice in the model group showed elevated airway resistance during inhalation phase,higher mRNA and protein expression levels on AQP1 and AQP2 in kidney tissue and higher ET-1 levels in serum,lung and kidney tissues,ADH and ANP in lung and serum,PGE_(2) in kidney,Ang II in lung and kidney tissues(P<0.05 or P<0.01),but decreased in 5-h urinary output as well as NO and PGE_(2) contents in serum and lung tissues(P<0.05 or P<0.01).Compared with the model group,the mice in the SAD group showed a weakened airway resistance in inspiratory phase,lower mRNA and protein expressions of AQP1 and AQP2 in kidney tissues,lower levels of ET-1,ADH,ANP in serum as well as ET-1,ANP,Ang II levels in kidney tissues(P<0.05 or P<0.01),whereas 5-h urinary output,NO content in kidney,ADH,ANP and PGE_(2) levels in lung and Ang II in serum increased(P<0.05 or P<0.01).Conclusion San-Ao Decoction can regulate the urine volume through regulating AQP1 and AQP2 expression,and the expression of these in the kidneys might be regulated by ET-1,NO and Ang II.

Influence of Sanao Tang on urine volume and expression of aquaporin 2 in rats with respiratory function impairment induced by passive smoking and lipopolysaccharide

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of Sanao Tang(SAT) on urine volume and the expression of aquaporin-2(AQP2) in rats with lung dysfunction induced by passive smoking and lipopolysaccharide.METHODS: Totally 45 healthy Specific pathogen Free Wistar Rats were randomized into 3 groups:normal control group, model group and SAT group.A rat model of respiratory dysfunction induced by exposure to cigarette smoking and lipopolysaccharide(LPS). Lavage of decoction of the Chinese medicine was performed for rats in the SAT group. Anires 2005 System was used to analyze the pulmonary function. Urine of rats was collected through metabolism cage method. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was used to determine content of antidiuretic hormone(ADH), angiotensin Ⅱ(AngⅡ), atrial natriuretic factor(ANP), endothelin 1(ET-1), nitric oxide(NO) and prostaglandin E2(PGE2) in serum, lung and kidney. The expression of AQP2 in rat renal tissue was determined with real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR(RT-PCR).RESULTS:(a) In comparison with the normal control, It was found that enforced vital capacity(FVC),1-second forced expiratory volume/forced vital capacity%(FEV1/FVC%), 24 h urine volume content of NO and PGE2 were decreased, while AQP2 m RNA level and content of ADH, Agn Ⅱ, ANP and ET-1were increased in the model group with statistical significance(P < 0.05).(b) In comparison with the model group, It was found that FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC%, 24 h urine volume, content of PGE2 and NO decreased, while AQP2 m RNA level, content of ANP,ADH and AngⅡ decreased in the SAT group with statistical significance(P < 0.05).CONCLUSION: SAT might effectively regulate the urine volume in the modeled rats; ADH, Ang Ⅱ,ANP, ET-1, NO and PGE2 might play an important role in the regulation on urine volume by lungs.This might be the mechanisms underpinning the function of lung governing water passage in terms of the theory of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Diagnosis of an intermediate case of maple syrup urine disease:A case report

BACKGROUND Maple syrup urine disease(MSUD)is an autosomal recessive genetic disorder caused by defects in the catabolism of the branched-chain amino acids(BCAAs).However,the clinical and metabolic screening is limited in identifying all MSUD patients,especially those patients with mild phenotypes or are asymptomatic.This study aims to share the diagnostic experience of an intermediate MSUD case who was missed by metabolic profiling but identified by genetic analysis.CASE SUMMARY This study reports the diagnostic process of a boy with intermediate MSUD.The proband presented with psychomotor retardation and cerebral lesions on magnetic resonance imaging scans at 8 mo of age.Preliminary clinical and metabolic profiling did not support a specific disease.However,whole exome sequencing and subsequent Sanger sequencing at 1 year and 7 mo of age identified bi-allelic pathogenic variants of the BCKDHB gene,confirming the proband as having MSUD with non-classic mild phenotypes.His clinical and laboratory data were retrospectively analyzed.According to his disease course,he was classified into an intermediate form of MSUD.His management was then changed to BCAAs restriction and metabolic monitoring conforming to MSUD.In addition,genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis were provided to his parents.CONCLUSION Our work provides diagnostic experience of an intermediate MSUD case,suggesting that a genetic analysis is important for ambiguous cases,and alerts clinicians to avoid missing patients with non-classic mild phenotypes of MSUD.

Volume of residual urine as an indication for surgical treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia

Objective To study the volume of residual urine as related to the surgical indication for BPH. Methods Urodynamic study was carried out in 103 BPH patients who were assigned to group A(no residual urine), group B( residual urine【 60 ml) and group C( residual urine 60 - 100 ml). Results Qmax, URA, DR and DI were not significantly different between group C and group B (P 】 0.05) but significantly different between group C and A or between B and A(P【0.05). Conclusion The conventional conception that surgical intervention is indicated when the residual urine being 】 60 ml should be strictly followed. Early surgical intervention should be undertaken if the bladder outlet obstruction or bladder function deteriorated by BPH causing residual urine. Other causes such as neurogenic should be ruled out before surgery. 10 refs,2 tabs.

Diagnostic value of matrix metalloproteinases 2, 7 and 9 in urine for early detection of colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND A noninvasive biomarker with high diagnostic performance is urgently needed for the early diagnosis of colorectal cancer(CRC).AIM To evaluate the diagnostic value of matrix metalloproteinases(MMPs)2,7 and 9 in urine for CRC.METHODS Of 59 healthy controls,47 patients with colon polyps and 82 patients with CRC were included in this study.Carcinoembryonic antigen(CEA)in serum and MMP2,MMP7,and MMP9 in urine were detected.The combined diagnostic model of the indicators was established by binary logistic regression.The receiver operating characteristic curve(ROC)of the subjects was used to evaluate the independent and combined diagnostic value of the indicators.RESULTS The MMP2,MMP7,MMP9,and CEA levels in the CRC group differed significantly from levels in the healthy controls(P<0.05).The levels of MMP7,MMP9,and CEA also differed significantly between the CRC group and the colon polyps group(P<0.05).The area under the curve(AUC)distinguishing between the healthy control and the CRC patients using the joint model with CEA,MMP2,MMP7 and MMP9 was 0.977,and the sensitivity and specificity were 95.10%and 91.50%,respectively.For early-stage CRC,the AUC was 0.975,and the sensitivity and specificity were 94.30%and 98.30%,respectively.For advanced stage CRC,the AUC was 0.979,and the sensitivity and specificity were 95.70%and 91.50%,respectively.Using CEA,MMP7 and MMP9 to jointly established a model distinguishing the colorectal polyp group from the CRC group,the AUC was 0.849,and the sensitivity and specificity were 84.10%and 70.20%,respectively.For early-stage CRC,the AUC was 0.818,and the sensitivity and specificity were 76.30%and 72.30%,respectively.For advanced stage CRC,the AUC was 0.875,and the sensitivity and specificity were 81.80%and 72.30%,respectively.CONCLUSION MMP2,MMP7 and MMP 9 may exhibit diagnostic value for the early detection of CRC and may serve as auxiliary diagnostic markers for CRC.

Can the Urine Dipstick Test Be an Alternative in the Screening of Urinary Tract Infections for Inpatients in the Context of a Low-Income Country?

Background: Urinary Tract Infection (UTI), a prevalent bacterial infection in adults, heavily relies on cytobacteriological examination of urine (CBEU) for diagnosis. However, in resource-limited countries, accessibility to CBEU remains hindered by cost and availability. This study aims to assess the utility of the Urinary Dipstick Test (UDT) in diagnosing UTIs among hospitalized patients in the context of limited resources. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from February to May 2019, encompassing hospitalized patients who underwent CBEU at the bacteriology unit of Sour? Sanou University Hospital. UDT and CBEU were concurrently performed, and UDT’s analytical and diagnostic performance was evaluated against CBEU, considered the gold standard. Results: A total of 274 CBEU requests were registered, involving 274 patients (159 males) with a mean age of 45.8 ± 21.3 years (ranging from 1 to 90 years). UTI was confirmed in 90 patients, yielding a frequency of 32.85%. The UTI bacteriological profile was dominated by Enterobacteriaceae (75.23%), primarily Escherichia coli (60.55%). Nitrite and Leukocytes were positive in 54 (19.8%) and 157 (53.6%) of the samples tested. Among patients with confirmed UTI, Nitrite, and Leukocytes were positive in 30 (33%) and 71 (79%) patients respectively. UDT demonstrated variable performance based on nitrite and leukocyte combination: Sensitivity (57%-82%), Specificity (7%-98%), Positive Predictive Value (PPV) (43%-57%), Negative Predictive Value (NPV) (43%-67%). UDT performed slightly better in women (NPV = 88%) and inpatients without urinary catheters (NPV = 75% and PPV = 80%). Conclusion: This study underscores UDT’s potential utility in excluding UTIs among women, younger patients, and inpatients without urinary catheters, albeit with limited confidence. The UDT emerges as a complementary tool for UTI screening, particularly in resource-limited settings.

Effects of Inhabiting and Life Patterns on the UV Spectral Properties of Small Mammalian Herbivores’ Urine

It is well known that avian predators can use prey excretions such as urine and feces to track their prey, and the urine and feces of small mammalian herbivores can reflect ultraviolet (UV) light and emit fluorescent light. There are still some debates as to whether UV visibility of small mammalian herbivores’ urine is used as a hunting cue by avian raptors. Some studies in Europe have demonstrated that diurnal raptors are capable of utilizing these cues to target key prey species. However, researchers in Australia have argued that raptors do not use the UV visibility of urine while hunting. To our knowledge, there are no reports from Asia concerning the ultraviolet spectral characteristics of small mammal herbivores’ urine. This study examined the UV spectral properties of urine from 6 small mammal herbivores species by comparing the UV reflectance and fluorescence spectra of urine from small mammalian herbivores living in plateau meadows, plateau shrubs, open marshland, farmland, and semi-desert grassland in China. In addition, we compared the UV spectral properties of urine from ground-dwelling species of rodents and subterranean species to determine whether ultraviolet visibility of small mammal herbivores’ urine could be used as a visual signal by Asian vole-eating raptors. The results showed that: 1) the SC370 values of urine from four small mammal herbivores species were ordered as plateau pika (plateau meadow) > root voles (plateau bush) > reed voles (swampland) > Brandt’s vole (desert grassland);and 2) UV fluorescence peak intensity and the wavelengths of urine from ground-dwelling species (such as the root vole, plateau pika, or Brandt’s vole) were significantly higher than those of subterranean-dwelling species (mandarin vole and plateau zokor). These results indicate that UV visibility of small mammal herbivores’ urine may act as a visual cue for raptors.

Effects of Different Diuretics on Water Drinking Amount, Urination Volume and Related Blood Indices of Sheep Fed with Cottonseed

[Objective] This study aimed to investigate the effects of three kinds of diuretics on the water drinking amount and urination volume of sheep fed with cottonseed hulls. [Method] The method of self-control was adopted. Five two-year-old male Kazak sheep about 40 kg which never had intake of the feeds containing gossypol were selected. The experiment was divided into five periods, namely the control period, a period with the supplement of 300 mg/d of hydrochlorothiazide, a period with the supplement of 200 mg/d of hydrochlorothiazide, a period with the supplement of 350 mg of GY-01 and a period with the supplement of 200 mg of GY-01. The sheep were fed with the concentrate and the cottonseed hulls in the control period, and corresponding diuretics were supplemented in the rest four periods. The water drinking amount, urination volume and the contents of the hormone and ion in the blood were determined in each period. [Result] After 350 mg GY-01 was supplemented, the water drinking amount of each sheep had an increase of 60.14% compared with that of the sheep in the control period and the urination volume was 2.67 times of that of the latter, and the differences were both significant （P0.01）. The antidiuretic hormone declined by 32.59% compared with that of the sheep in the control period, with the significant difference （P 0.05）. The adrenocorticotropic hormone content increased by 81.93% compared with that of the sheep in the control period and the difference was significant （P0.01）. An increase of 28.04% （P 0.05） and 39.39% （P 0.01） was found in the contents of serum potassium and phosphorus respectively compared with that of sheep in the control period. [Conclusion] The diet with supplement of GY-01 can increase the urination volume of livestock fed with the cottonseed hulls, and the most appropriate supplement amount is 200 mg GY-01.

影响Urine-H-11干化学法检测尿液分析的因素

Urine—H—11尿液试纸是干化学法检测尿液分析的一种方法，利用干化学法进行尿液分析，能够简便，快速为临床诊断、治疗、预防和监测疾病提供可靠的实验依据，但是，Urine—H—11干化学法也受许多因素的影响，而导致结果的准确性，为了使大家更多的了解影响Urine-H—11干化学法检测尿液的各项因素，准确的为临床提供诊断依据，现将有关Urine—H—11干化学法检测尿液的影响因素总结如下：

Could natural phytochemicals be used to reduce nitrogen excretion and excreta‑derived N_(2)O emissions from ruminants?

Ruminants play a critical role in our food system by converting plant biomass that humans cannot or choose not to consume into edible high-quality food.However,ruminant excreta is a significant source of nitrous oxide(N_(2)O),a potent greenhouse gas with a long-term global warming potential 298 times that of carbon dioxide.Natural phytochemicals or forages containing phytochemicals have shown the potential to improve the efficiency of nitrogen(N)utilization and decrease N_(2)O emissions from the excreta of ruminants.Dietary inclusion of tannins can shift more of the excreted N to the feces,alter the urinary N composition and consequently reduce N_(2)O emissions from excreta.Essential oils or saponins could inhibit rumen ammonia production and decrease urinary N excretion.In grazed pastures,large amounts of glucosinolates or aucubin can be introduced into pasture soils when animals consume plants rich in these compounds and then excrete them or their metabolites in the urine or feces.If inhibitory compounds are excreted in the urine,they would be directly applied to the urine patch to reduce nitrification and subsequent N_(2)O emissions.The phytochemicals’role in sustainable ruminant production is undeniable,but much uncertainty remains.Inconsistency,transient effects,and adverse effects limit the effectiveness of these phytochemicals for reducing N losses.In this review,we will identify some current phytochemicals found in feed that have the potential to manipulate ruminant N excretion or mitigate N_(2)O production and deliberate the challenges and opportunities associated with using phytochemicals or forages rich in phytochemicals as dietary strategies for reducing N excretion and excreta-derived N_(2)O emissions.

An accurate diagnostic approach for urothelial carcinomas based on novel dual methylated DNA markers in small-volume urine

Diagnostic methods for urothelial carcinomas(UCs)are often invasive or have suboptimal accuracy.Methylation of exfoliated cell DNA or cell-free DNA in urine has shown great promise in the diagnosis of UCs.However,most current studies have focused on bladder cancer(BCa),and only a few high-plex methylated DNA panels based on large-volume urine have been reported to exhibit both high sensitivity and specificity.[1,2]The purpose of this study was to identify universal biomarkers for BCa and upper tract urothelial carcinoma(UTUC)using a small volume of urine.We developed a dual-target diagnostic panel comprising the novel marker AL021918.2 and the well-known BCa biomarker Vimentin(VIM).This panel can accurately detect UCs using only 1.8 mL of full-voided urine.

Multivariate Analysis of Female Stress Urinary Incontinence and Establishment of a Prediction Model

Stress urinary incontinence(SUI)is a symptom of uncontrolled urine outflow that affects millions of women worldwide[1].SUI is a significant healthcare issue that affects the quality of life of women across numerous domains,including social activities,physical health,mental well-being,employment,and sexual life.

Metabolic dynamics in chronic gastritis:Examining urinary profiles post Helicobacter pylori eradication

Chronic gastritis is the persistent and insidious inflammation of the gastric lining.Helicobacter pylori(H.pylori)has been identified as the most common cause of chronic gastritis and consequently elimination of H.pylori can lead to its cure.This editorial explores the use of urinary metabolic profiles before and after eradication to identify biomarkers that can aid in prognosis and treatment.Despite providing promising insights,there are limitations such as a small sample size(17 patients),a narrow treatment period of 2 wk,and treatment heterogeneity,which raise concerns.Nevertheless,these findings have opened a gateway to enhancing the treatment and prognosis of chronic gastritis through urinary metabolomics.

Prevalence and Antibiotic Resistance of Urinary Tract Pathogens, with Molecular Identification of Klebsiella pneumoniae, Klebsiella oxytoca, and Acinetobacter spp., Using Multiplex Real-Time PCR

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) caused by uropathogens are a significant public health problem, and their treatment primarily relies on antibiotic therapy. However, the increasing global development of antibiotic resistance necessitates updating diagnostic techniques to ensure higher sensitivity and specificity, especially with advancements in science and medicine. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of UTIs and antibiotic resistance profiles through urine culture, as well as to identify Klebsiella pneumoniae, Klebsiella oxytoca, and Acinetobacter spp. in urine samples using a molecular approach with multiplex real-time PCR. From May 3 to July 25, 2023, at the Pietro Annigoni Biomolecular Research Center (CERBA) and Saint Camille Hospital of Ouagadougou (HOSCO), 209 urine samples collected from patients with suspected UTIs were analyzed using both urine culture and multiplex real-time PCR. Among the 209 patients, 52.15% were male and 47.85% female, with an average age of 46.87 ± 21.33 years. Urine cultures revealed an overall UTI prevalence of 23.44%, with a prevalence of 8.13% in men versus 15.31% in women (P = 0.023). The bacterial prevalence rates were as follows: Escherichia coli (12.92%), Klebsiella spp. (7.18%), Enterobacter cloacae (1.44%), Staphylococcus aureus (0.96%), and other bacteria. Klebsiella spp. demonstrated 100% resistance to Amoxicillin and Amoxicillin/Clavulanic Acid, while Escherichia coli showed 96.2% and 65.4% resistance to Amoxicillin and Amoxicillin/Clavulanic Acid, respectively. PCR analysis of the target bacteria revealed mono-infection prevalence rates of Klebsiella pneumoniae (10.39%), Klebsiella oxytoca (7.79%), and Acinetobacter spp. (7.79%), along with a co-infection prevalence rate of Klebsiella pneumoniae/Acinetobacter spp. (1.30%). This study demonstrated that PCR, with its high sensitivity and specificity, could effectively distinguish Klebsiella pneumoniae from Klebsiella oxytoca and detect Acinetobacter spp. in less than 24 hours—something urine culture alone could not achieve. The relative ease of automating urine PCR testing, combined with its diagnostic accuracy and rapid turnaround time, makes it a valuable addition to modern medical practice for the laboratory diagnosis of UTIs.