Explore the vast range of titles available.

Urine Specific Gravity (USG) is a direct indicator of the osmolarity of the urine and therefore it can be considered as a nonspecific marker of several underlying diseases which result in changes in hydration levels of the body. Here, a biosensor based on the principle of localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) is developed, which utilizes its refractive index sensing properties to measure USG with a sensitivity of 79.21 nm USG−1unit. Additionally, the sensor can measure the serum protein content within the urine. Traditionally, handheld refractometers are used to measure USG which are operated as calibrated refractive index scales rather than a sensor. A simple experiment demonstrating the advantage of a sensor over scale, with LSPR as the transduction method, is also conducted to highlight the enhanced sensitivity of a sensor over a scale. Finally, analysis of results with an unsupervised machine learning algorithm, principal component analysis (PCA), demonstrate the feasibility of automating or perhaps adding artificial intelligence to such sensors, thereby exemplifying a potential paradigm shift from refractive index scales to sensors in USG measurement. The work emphasizes the progression of measurement methods, transitioning from conventional scales to advanced sensors. For example, the image here exemplifies the shift from traditional refractometers employed for the detection of urine‐specific gravity to the utilization of localized surface plasmon resonance sensors.

To gain some insight into early disease progression in human autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD), we analyzed the urine proteome of 41 young patients with ADPKD whose renal function was relatively preserved. Using capillary electrophoresis and mass spectrometry, we compared these results to those from age-matched healthy controls and patients with other renal diseases. There were 197 proteins with significantly altered urinary excretion; and 38 of them could be sequenced, most of which were collagen fragments. This suggests that there is high turnover of extracellular matrix proteins. Uromodulin peptides, previously implicated in tubular injury, were also found in the urine specimens. These marker proteins were found to distinguish patients from controls with a high degree of accuracy. The sensitivity and specificity of this marker set remained high in an independent validation cohort of 24 patients with ADPKD and 35 healthy controls, and even in comparisons of patients with a variety of other renal diseases or patients with kidney or bladder cancer. These findings present a potential hypothesis for the mechanisms of disease progression in ADPKD which will need to be confirmed by further studies.

Creatinine (CR) is a representative metabolic byproduct of muscles, and its sensitive and selective detection has become critical in the diagnosis of kidney diseases. In this study, poly(acrylic acid) (PAA)-assisted molecularly imprinted (MI) TiO2 nanothin films fabricated via liquid phase deposition (LPD) were employed for CR detection. The molecular recognition properties of the fabricated films were evaluated using fiber optic long period grating (LPG) and quartz crystal microbalance sensors. Imprinting effects were examined compared with nonimprinted (NI) pure TiO2 and PAA-assisted TiO2 films fabricated similarly without a template. In addition, the surface modification of the optical fiber section containing the LPG with a mesoporous base coating of silica nanoparticles, which was conducted before LPD-based TiO2 film deposition, contributed to the improvement of the sensitivity of the MI LPG sensor. The sensitivity and selectivity of LPGs coated with MI films were tested using CR solutions dissolved in different pH waters and artificial urine (near pH 7). The CR binding constants of the MI and NI films, which were calculated from the Benesi–Hildebrand plots of the wavelength shifts of the second LPG band recorded in water at pH 4.6, were estimated to be 67 and 7.8 M−1, respectively, showing an almost ninefold higher sensitivity in the MI film. The mechanism of the interaction between the template and the TiO2 matrix and the film composition was investigated via ultraviolet–visible and attenuated total reflectance Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy along with X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis. In addition, morphological studies using a scanning electron microscope and atomic force microscope were conducted. The proposed system has the potential for practical use to determine CR levels in urine samples. This LPG-based label-free CR biosensor is innovative and expected to be a new tool to identify complex biomolecules in terms of its easy fabrication and simplicity in methodology.

Prostate cancer (PCa) is the second most prevalent malignancy among men worldwide. However, current screening tools such as serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) tests and digital rectal examination (DRE) are limited by low specificity and high false-positive rates, often leading to unnecessary biopsies and overtreatment. To address this clinical challenge, we developed a novel diagnostic framework termed PCASSO (Prostate CAncer diagnosis using Sensitive and Sophisticated ML classifiers based on nOn-invasive urinary RNA biomarkers), which integrates machine learning (ML) algorithms with non-invasive urinary RNA biomarker profiles obtained from DRE-free whole urine. A total of 163 urine samples (112 PCa, 51  benign prostatic hyperplasia [BPH]) were analyzed using quantitative PCR for 20 RNA biomarkers, including 2 long noncoding RNAs, 1 fusion gene, and 17 miRNAs. Among six ML classifiers evaluated, a Gradient Boosting model using an optimized 9-biomarker panel achieved the highest diagnostic performance (AUC: 0.99), with robust cross-validation results (Stratified-K-Fold: 0.912; LOOCV: 0.890). Notably, this classifier retained high accuracy in patients within the PSA gray zone (3–10 ng/mL), where clinical decision-making is often ambiguous. Our results demonstrate that ML-based classifiers using DRE-free urinary RNA biomarkers showed improved performance through robust internal validation, providing a basis for future validation studies.

A simple and reliable method was developed using LC-MS/MS to quantify alprazolam, bromazepam, clonazepam, diazepam, and flunitrazepam in clinical samples. This method was validated for the simultaneous determination of alprazolam, bromazepam, clonazepam, diazepam, and flunitrazepam. It was applied to human urine samples collected from people suspected of drug abuse in the Kuwaiti region. Formic acid in water and acetonitrile was used in mobile phase with a gradient mode of elution using C18 reverse-phase column. The instrument was operated in a positive mode with an electrospray ionization source using multiple reaction monitoring. For sample extraction, the liquid-liquid extraction technique was used. The method was validated for limit of detection, limit of quantitation, selectivity, linearity, accuracy, and precision. The concentration for limit of quantitation was 6.0 ng/mL, the linearity ranged from 2.0 to 300 ng/mL for each of the analytes, and the r2 values were ≥0.99. The accuracy was found to be within a range of 80–120% and precision had a %RSD of ≤15% for each of the analytes. The method was applied to 48 urine samples collected from those suspected of drug abuse by the Toxicology Department of the General Department of Criminal Evidence, Kuwait, and alprazolam, bromazepam, clonazepam, diazepam and flunitrazepam were identified commonly in the samples. The overall drug positivity rate obtained considering 48 samples was 93.75%. Based on these results and successful determination of alprazolam, bromazepam, clonazepam, diazepam and flunitrazepam in human urine samples from those suspected of drug abuse, this method is deemed to be suitable for its routine analysis.

INTRODUCTION: The incidence of renal failure in children is increasing worldwide, and most renal diseases do not show clinical symptoms for the patient. Moreover, given the importance of screening for patient identification and prevention planning that result from screening, the present study was performed. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was performed on 292 children aged 7 years who referred to Neyshabur health centers during 2017–2018. In addition, sampling was clustered. The first urine sample was taken in the morning, and the dipstick test was performed. Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 11.5 and Mann–Whitney, Chi-square, and Pearson's tests. RESULTS: Of the 292 children, 142 (48.6%) were male and 150 (51.4%) were female. All the boys had been circumcised. The children were 7-year-old. Urinary tract problems were present in 31 (10.61%) children. Urinary problems were observed in 163 children (55.82%) considering crystalluria. Some children had more than one type of urinary disorder. Pyuria was the most common disorder in 13 (8.7%) of the studied children, and proteinuria was the least common. Nitrite and hemoglobin were not found in the urine of the studied children. There was a statistically significant relationship between gender and white blood cell count (P < 0.001), crystalline oxalate (P = 0.004), and specific gravity (P = 0.009). There was also a statistically significant relationship between urinary-specific gravity and pH (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Asymptomatic urinary problems may be identified by screening tests in school-aged children. Therefore, it is necessary to determine the exact cause of the obtained abnormal results and determine whether or not they are related to renal disease in order to reduce the number of people with untreated renal diseases in future.

A glassy carbon electrode (GCE) was modified with poly(L-arginine) (P-Arg), reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and gold nanoparticle (AuNP) to obtain an electrode for simultaneous determination of dopamine (DA), serotonin (5-HT) and L-tryptophan (L-Trp) in the presence of ascorbic acid (AA). The modified GCE was prepared via subsequent ‘layer-by-layer’ deposition using an electrochemical technique. The surface morphology of the modified electrode was studied by scanning electron microscopy, and electrochemical characterizations were carried out via cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The modified electrode showed excellent electrocatalytic activity toward DA, 5-HT and L-Trp at pH 7.0. Figures of merit for the differential pulse voltammetric reponse are as follows: (a) Response to DA is linear in two intervals, viz. 1.0–50 nM and 1.0–50 μM DA concentration range, the typical working voltage is 202 mV (vs. Ag/AgCl), and the detection limit is 1 nM (at an S/N ratio of 3). For 5-HT, the respective data are 10 to 500 nM and 1.0 to 10 μM, 381 mV, and 30 nM. For L-Trp, the respective data are 10–70 nM and 10–100 μM, 719 mV, and 0.1 μM. The modified GCE is fairly selective. It was successfully applied to the simultaneous determination of DA, 5-HT, and L-Trp in spiked urine samples, and high recovery rates were found. Graphical abstract Schematic presentation of the voltammetric sensor based on a glassy carbon electrode modified with poly(L-arginine), reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and gold nanoparticle (GCE/P-Arg/ErGO/AuNP) for simultaneous determination of dopamine (DA), serotonin (5-HT) and L-tryptophan (L-Trp).

Biomarkers are potentially useful in assessment of outcomes in patients with cirrhosis, but information is very limited. Given the large number of biomarkers, adequate choice of which biomarker(s) to investigate first is important. Analysis of potential usefulness of a panel of urinary biomarkers in outcome assessment in cirrhosis. Fifty-five patients with acute decompensation of cirrhosis were studied: 39 had Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) (Prerenal 12, type-1 HRS (hepatorenal syndrome) 15 and Acute Tubular Necrosis (ATN) 12) and 16 acute decompensation without AKI. Thirty-four patients had Acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF). A panel of 12 urinary biomarkers was assessed, using a multiplex assay, for their relationship with ATN, ACLF and mortality. Biomarker with best accuracy for ATN diagnosis was NGAL (neutrophil-gelatinase associated lipocalin): 36 [26-125], 104 [58-208] and 1807 [494-3,716] μg/g creatinine in Prerenal-AKI, type-1 HRS and ATN, respectively; p<0.0001 (AUROC 0.957). Other attractive biomarkers for ATN diagnosis were IL-18, albumin, trefoil-factor-3 (TFF-3) and glutathione-S-transferase-π (GST-π) Biomarkers with less accuracy for ATN AUCROC<0.8 were β2-microglobulin, calbindin, cystatin-C, clusterin and KIM-1 (kidney injury molecule-1). For ACLF, the biomarker with the best accuracy was NGAL (ACLF vs. No-ACLF: 165 [67-676] and 32 [19-40] μg/g creatinine; respectively; p<0.0001; AUROC 0.878). Interestingly, other biomarkers with high accuracy for ACLF were osteopontin, albumin, and TFF-3. Biomarkers with best accuracy for prognosis were those associated with ACLF. A number of biomarkers appear promising for differential diagnosis between ATN and other types of AKI. The most interesting biomarkers for ACLF and prognosis are NGAL, osteopontin, albumin, and TFF-3. These results support the role of major inflammatory reaction in the pathogenesis of ACLF.

Background Preeclampsia (PE) is a severe hypertensive disorder affecting approximately 6.7% of pregnancies worldwide. Identifying reliable biomarkers for early prediction could significantly reduce the incidence of PE and facilitate closer monitoring and timely management. This study aims to investigate the association between albuminuria in early pregnancy and the subsequent development of PE, and to explore its predictive abilities. Methods A systematic search was conducted across PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science on July 15, 2024, for studies published between January 1, 1990, and June 30, 2024. Quality assessments were performed using the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal and Risk of Bias in Non-randomized Studies - of Exposures Checklists. Random-effects models in STATA were used to conduct meta-analyses comparing urine albumin and albumin-to-creatinine ratio levels in patients who later developed PE versus those who did not. The incidence of PE was also compared between patients with and without albuminuria in early pregnancy. The predictive ability of albuminuria for PE was assessed using META-DISC software. Results A total of 26 studies comprising 7,640 pregnant women were systematically reviewed. Of these, 17 studies met the quality criteria for inclusion in the meta-analyses. Our findings indicate that urine albumin (Hedges’s g = 0.48 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.16–0.80]; p-value  < 0.001) and albumin-to-creatinine ratio (Hedges’s g = 0.48 [95% CI: 0.16–0.80]; p-value  = 0.003) were significantly higher in the early stages of pregnancy in patients who later developed PE compared to those who did not. The incidence of PE was higher in patients with early-diagnosed albuminuria (log odds ratio = 2.56 [95% CI: 1.75–3.38]; p-value  < 0.001). The pooled sensitivity and specificity for albuminuria in predicting PE were 56% [95% CI: 48-64%] and 87% [95% CI: 85-89%], respectively. Conclusions Elevated maternal urine albumin and albumin-to-creatinine ratio in early pregnancy are associated with a higher risk of developing PE. While these biomarkers show promise for early identification of at-risk patients, the relatively low sensitivity suggests that albuminuria alone may not be a robust predictor of PE, which underscores the need for future research in this regard. Trial registration Review protocol was registered with the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) under the code CRD42024575772.

The Consensus Group deliberated on a number of questions concerning urine and stone analysis over a period of months, and then met to develop consensus. The Group concluded that analyses of urine and stones should be routine in the diagnosis and treatment of urinary stone diseases. At present, the 24-h urine is the most useful type of urine collection, and accepted methods for analysis are described. Patient education is also important for obtaining a proper urine sample. Graphical methods for reporting urine analysis results can be helpful both for the physician and for educating the patient as to proper dietary changes that could be beneficial. Proper analysis of stones is also essential for diagnosis and management of patients. The Consensus Group also agreed that research has shown that evaluation of urinary crystals could be very valuable, but the Group also recognizes that existing methods for assessment of crystalluria do not allow this to be part of stone treatment in many places.