Characterization of Seven Species of Camellia Oil: Oil Content, Volatile Compounds, and Oxidative Stability.

In this study, we conducted tests on the seeds from four Taiwanese native Camellia species (C. japonica, C. furfuracea, C. laufoshanensis, and C. formosensis) and three commercialized species (C. oleifera, C. brevistyla, and C. sinensis) for comparison. We examined various aspects of these species, such as seed oil content, suitability for mechanical pressing, volatile components (edible flavor), and oil stability (suitability for cooking), to assess the feasibility of using these four native Taiwanese Camellia seeds as sources of edible oil. The results from solvent extraction tests and mechanical pressing experiments confirm that the seeds from C. furfuracea, C. japonica, and C. laufoshanensis have high oil contents, and their oils are suitable for extraction via the popular mechanical pressing method, with oil yields comparable to or higher than those of the commercialized Camellia species. The volatile components of the oils were collected using MonoTrap adsorbents and analyzed with a thermal desorption system coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (ATD-GC/MS), primarily consisting of alcohols, ketones, and aldehydes. The results of oxidative stability tests reveal that the seed oils from C. japonica, C. furfuracea, and C. laufoshanensis are higher than or equally stable to those from the commercialized Camellia species. After six months of storage, the stability of these three Camellia seed oils remained relatively high, demonstrating that the seed oils from C. japonica, C. furfuracea, and C. laufoshanensis can withstand high temperatures and can be easily preserved for future applications.

Retrograde ureteral catheterization under local anesthesia for emergency drainage in patients with infection and hydronephrosis secondary to ureteral calculi: Experience from a tertiary care hospital.

Objectives: The aim is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of retrograde ureteral catheterization under local anesthesia in patients with urinary tract infections complicated by hydronephrosis caused by ureteral stone obstruction. Materials and Methods: From October 2020 to September 2021, a retrospective analysis of patients' medical records was performed. Records of past history, physical examination, laboratory tests, and imaging investigations were reviewed. Retrograde ureteric stent (RUS) was performed under local anesthesia using cystoscopes and guided by portable fluoroscopy. Real-time fluoroscopy was used to verify the double-J stent position and confirm a smooth process. The postoperative recovery and length of admission were also recorded. Results: A total of 14 patients with ureteral stone obstruction with infective hydronephrosis received 15 total emergency RUS procedures (one bilateral). Intraoperative findings, operation times, and infection signs were recorded and analyzed. All patients met systemic infection criteria, with a mean body temperature of 38.7°C ± 1.7°C. Leukocytosis was noted in 8 (57.1%) patients. Elevated C-reactive protein (8.5 ± 6.3 mg/L) and procalcitonin (24.1 ± 22.0 ng/mL) were found in 13 (92.9%) and 9 (64.3%) patients, respectively. Mean stone size was 8.5 ± 6.3 mm, mostly localized to the upper ureter (upper: 12; middle: 0; lower: 3). Mean operation time was 14.1 ± 4.3 min. After emergency drainage, all patients improved and were discharged after infection was controlled. The average length of admission was 6.2 ± 2.2 days. Conclusion: RUS under local anesthesia is safe and effective for treating infective hydronephrosis due to ureteral stone obstruction. A randomized controlled trial with a large sample remains necessary to validate these findings.

Large retroperitoneal extraskeletal Ewing's sarcoma with renal pedicle invasion: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Extraskeletal Ewing's sarcoma (EES) is a rare malignant tumor primarily found in children and young adults. Localized disease can present with nonspecific symptoms such as local mass, regional pain, and increased skin temperature. More severe cases may present with systemic symptoms such as malaise, weakness, fever, anemia, and weight loss. Among these lesions, retroperitoneal sarcomas are relatively uncommon and difficult to diagnose. Since they are usually asymptomatic until large enough to compress or invade the surrounding tissues, most are already advanced at first detection. Traditionally, the treatment of choice is complete surgical resection, sometimes combined with postoperative radiotherapy and chemotherapy. We report a case of EES with left renal artery invasion in the left retroperitoneal cavity successfully treated with transarterial embolization and surgery. CASE PRESENTATION: A 57-year-old woman with a negative family history of cancer presented at our Urology Department with a large left retroperitoneal tumor found by magnetic resonance imaging during the health exam. Physical examination showed a soft abdomen and no palpable mass or tenderness. Imaging studies showed that the tumor covered the entire left renal pedicle, but the left kidney, left adrenal gland, and pancreas appeared tumor free. Since the tumor tightly covered the entire renal pedicle, tumor excision with radical nephrectomy was advised. The patient underwent transarterial embolization of the left renal artery with 10 mg of Gelfoam pieces daily before surgical excision. Tumor excision and left radical nephrectomy were uneventful the day after embolization. Post-operatively, the patient recovered well and was discharged on day 10. The final histopathological analysis showed a round blue cell tumor consistent with an Ewing sarcoma, and the surgical margins were tumor free. CONCLUSIONS: Retroperitoneal malignancies are rare but usually severe conditions. Our case report showed that retroperitoneal EES with renal artery invasion could be treated safely with transarterial embolization and surgery.

Predictive factors for stone management timing after emergency percutaneous nephrostomy drainage in patients with infection and hydronephrosis secondary to ureteral calculi.

This study examined the interval between stone management and emergency percutaneous nephrostomy drainage in patients with infection and hydronephrosis secondary to ureteral calculi. A retrospective chart review was conducted for 88 patients treated for 94 stones enrolled in this study from 2005 to 2020. The mean age was 60.7 ± 15.2 years (range: 2-87 years). The average stone size was 1.51 ± 0.8 cm (range: 0.4-4 cm). The most common location was the upper ureter (n = 71, 75.5%), followed by the lower (n = 17, 18.1%) and middle (n = 6, 6.4%) ureter. The mean interval between percutaneous nephrostomy drainage and secondary stone management was 8.17 ± 11.6 days (range: 1-76 days). Most patients underwent operations within 1 week (n = 72, 81.8%). Abnormal white blood cell counts were found in most patients (58, 65.9%). Tachycardia was detected in 40 (45.5%) patients. Only 11 (12.5%) patients had fever upon emergency department arrival. Severe shock was reported in 6 (6.8%) patients. More than half of all patients (45, 51.1%) experienced acute kidney injury, and 37 (42%) patients had elevated C-reactive protein levels. Most patients (69, 73.4%) received ureteroscopic lithotripsy as stone management. Mean arterial pressure (MAP) was the only significant parameter (p = 0.016) affecting the operation interval, with MAP < 60 mmHg associated with longer operation intervals (16.2 days). The timing of stone surgery depends on clinician discretion and patient recovery.

Ketamine Inhalation Alters Behavior and Lower Urinary Tract Function in Mice.

We aimed to evaluate behavioral and lower urinary tract changes in mice using a novel ketamine inhalation model mimicking human ketamine abusers and compare the results to those obtained using a ketamine intraperitoneal injection model. C57BL/6N mice were placed in a transparent acrylic observation cage connected to an ultrasonic nebulizer producing ketamine (KI) or saline (SI) fog. The mice were given KI or SI fog twice a week for three months. In another experiment arm, the mice were given intraperitoneal ketamine injections (KP) or saline injections (SP) twice a week for three months. The presence of urine ketamine (>100 ng/mL) was determined using a quick test kit. Locomotor activity was recorded by video using the open field test. Lower urinary tract function was assessed using urine spots, cystometry and histology. KI and KP mice crossed the center more frequently and traveled farther than SI and SP mice. Only KI mice, however, demonstrated popcorn-like jumping, and frequent center crossing. Detrusor overactivity, reduced cystometric bladder capacity, and denuded mucosa were observed in both KI and KP mice. Ketamine inhalation induces behavioral and lower urinary tract changes in mice that are comparable to intraperitoneal ketamine injections.

Comparing the efficacy and safety between robotic-assisted versus open pyeloplasty in children: a systemic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: This manuscript is mainly to systemically review the published reports that compared the efficacy and safety of robotic-assisted (RP) versus open pyeloplasty (OP) in children with ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO). METHODS: We did a systemic search in the PubMed(®) for all randomized controlled trials or comparative studies that compared the surgical results of robotic versus open pyeloplasty in children with UPJO. Two of the authors (Hsu and Chang) independently did the literature search, quality assessment, and data extraction. The obtained data were analyzed with Cochrane Collaboration Review Manager (RevMan(®), version 5.3). The end points of the analysis and review included age, operative time, hospital stay, costs, complications, and success rate. RESULTS: In total, seven comparative trials and three studies using national database met the criteria that comprised 20,691 (RP:OP = 1956:18,735) patients in the meta-analysis. Most studies reported median value of patient age, operative time, and hospital stay. Only a small proportion of studies could be included for meta-analysis. The enrolled trials revealed that RP was more frequently performed in older children, required longer operative time, and shorter hospital stay. The postoperative success rate was comparable (RR = 0.99, 95 CI 0.94-1.04). Comparing with OP, there was a significant higher complication rate (RR = 1.29, 95 CI 1.10-1.51) and higher costs in the RP group. CONCLUSION: Robotic-assisted pyeloplasty may be a promising alternative minimal invasive surgery for UPJO in children if the higher complication rates and higher costs in the RP can be overcome in the near future.

Elevated postvoid residual urine volume predicting recurrence of urinary tract infections in toilet-trained children.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to examine whether toilet-trained children with a history of febrile urinary tract infection (fUTI) and elevated postvoid residual (PVR) urine volume according to a recently published PVR nomogram were at greater risk of UTI recurrence. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One month after recovery from febrile UTI, constipation was diagnosed according to the Rome III criteria, and lower urinary tract (LUT) function was evaluated with two sets of uroflowmetry and PVR by ultrasonography. For children aged ≦ 6 and ≧ 7 years, elevated PVR is defined as >20 and >10 ml, respectively. Cox proportion hazards regression was used to evaluate the risk factors for recurrence of UTI. RESULTS: Between 2005 and 2011, 60 children aged 6.5 ± 2.5 years (boy:girl ratio 27:33) were enrolled for analysis. Univariate analysis showed that recurrent febrile UTI was more commonly observed in children with elevated PVR [repetitive elevated PVR: hazard ratio (HR) 5.75, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.41-23.4; one elevated PVR: HR 4.53, 95% CI 1.01-20.2] and high-grade vesicoureteral reflux (VUR; HR 4.53, 95% CI 1.46-14.07). Multivariate analysis showed that younger age (HR 1.37, 95% CI 1.03-1.82, p < 0.01) and elevated PVR (HR 2.88, 95% CI 1.44-5.73, p = 0.01) were significant, independent risk factors for recurrent febrile UTI--but not gender, presence of high-grade VUR and constipation. CONCLUSION: Elevated PVR defined by the new PVR nomogram predicted recurrent UTI in children with history of febrile UTI. Care should be taken to manage children with elevated PVR.