Kidney stone growth through the lens of Raman mapping.

Bulk composition of kidney stones, often analyzed with infrared spectroscopy, plays an essential role in determining the course of treatment for kidney stone disease. Though bulk analysis of kidney stones can hint at the general causes of stone formation, it is necessary to understand kidney stone microstructure to further advance potential treatments that rely on in vivo dissolution of stones rather than surgery. The utility of Raman microscopy is demonstrated for the purpose of studying kidney stone microstructure with chemical maps at ≤ 1 µm scales collected for calcium oxalate, calcium phosphate, uric acid, and struvite stones. Observed microstructures are discussed with respect to kidney stone growth and dissolution with emphasis placed on < 5 µm features that would be difficult to identify using alternative techniques including micro computed tomography. These features include thin concentric rings of calcium oxalate monohydrate within uric acid stones and increased frequency of calcium oxalate crystals within regions of elongated crystal growth in a brushite stone. We relate these observations to potential concerns of clinical significance including dissolution of uric acid by raising urine pH and the higher rates of brushite stone recurrence compared to other non-infectious kidney stones.

Iron-carbon dots embedded in molybdenum single-atom nanoflowers as multifunctional nanozyme for dual-mode detection of hydrogen peroxide and uric acid.

Single-atom catalysts (SACs) have attracted extensive attention in the field of catalysis due to their excellent catalytic ability and enhanced atomic utilization, but the multi-mode single-atom nanozymes for biosensors remain a challenging issue. In this work, iron-doped carbon dots (Fe CDs) were loaded onto the edges and pores of Mo SACs with nanoflower morphology; accordingly, a composite material Fe CDs/Mo SACs was prepared successfully, which improves the catalytic performance and develops a fluorescence mode without changing the original morphology. The steady-state kinetic data indicates that the material prepared have better affinity for substrates and faster reaction rates under optimized conditions. The specific kinetic parameters Km and Vmax were calculated as 0.39 mM and 7.502×10-7 M·s-1 respectively. The excellent peroxidase-like activity of Fe CDs/Mo SACs allows H2O2 to decompose into •OH, which in turn oxidizes colorless o-phenylenediamine (OPD) to yellow 2,3-diaminophenazine (DAP). At the same time, the fluorescence signal of Fe CDs/Mo SACs quenches obviously by DAP at 460 nm through internal filtration effect (IFE), while the characteristic fluorescence response of DAP gradually increases at 590 nm. Based on this sensing mechanism, a sensitive and accurate dual-mode (colorimetric and ratiometric fluorescent) sensor was constructed to detect H2O2 and uric acid, and the rate of recovery and linearity were acceptable for the detection of UA in human serum and urine samples. This method provides a new strategy for rapid and sensitive detection of UA, and also broadens the development of SACs in the field of biosensors.

Investigation of the protective effect of chitosan against arsenic-induced nephrotoxicity and oxidative damage in rat kidney tissue.

Arsenic is an important metalloid that can cause poisoning in humans and domestic animals. Exposure to arsenic causes cell damage, increasing the production of reactive oxygen species. Chitosan is a biopolymer obtained by deacetylation of chitin with antioxidant and metal ion chelating properties. In this study, the protective effect of chitosan on arsenic-induced nephrotoxicity and oxidative damage was investigated. 32 male Wistar-albino rats were divided into 4 groups of 8 rats each as control group (C), chitosan group (CS group), arsenic group (AS group), and arsenic+chitosan group (AS+CS group). The C group was given distilled water by oral gavage, the AS group was given 100 ppm/day Na-arsenite ad libitum with drinking water, the CS group was given 200 mg/kg/day chitosan dissolved in saline by oral gavage, the AS+CS group was given 100 ppm/day Na-arsenite ad libitum with drinking water and 200 mg/kg/day chitosan dissolved in saline by oral gavage for 30 days. At the end of the 30-day experimental period, 90 mg/kg ketamine was administered intraperitoneally to all rats, and blood samples and kidney tissues were collected. Urea, uric acid, creatinine, P, Mg, K, Ca, Na, Cystatin C (CYS-C), Neutrophil Gelatinase Associated Lipocalin (NGAL) and Kidney Injury Molecule 1 (KIM-1) levels were measured in serum samples. Malondialdehyde (MDA), Glutathione (GSH), Catalase (CAT) and Superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels in the supernatant obtained from kidney tissue were analyzed by ELISA method. Compared with AS group, uric acid and creatinine levels of the AS+CS group were significantly decreased (p<0.001), urea, KIM-1, CYS-C, NGAL, and MDA levels were numerically decreased and CAT, GSH, and SOD levels were numerically increased (p>0.05). In conclusion, based on both biochemical and histopathological-immunohistochemical- immunofluorescence findings, it can be concluded that chitosan attenuates kidney injury and protects the kidney.

Redox biomarkers in saliva and nuclear abnormalities in jugal epithelial cells of individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus and periodontitis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate salivary redox biomarkers levels in individuals with periodontitis and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and correlate with periodontal parameters and nuclear alterations in epithelial cells from jugal mucosa. DESIGN: Sixty individuals were categorized into three groups: T2DM with periodontitis (DM, n = 20), non-T2DM with periodontitis (PE, n = 20), and non-T2DM with periodontal health (HC, n = 20). All participants underwent fasting blood glucose and glycated hemoglobin measurements. After a periodontal examination, samples of epithelial cells from the jugal mucosa and saliva were collected. DNA damage was assessed by counting nuclear abnormalities using cytological analysis. Biomarkers of oxidative stress were determined through biochemical methods. Significant differences among groups were assessed using Kruskal-Wallis, Mann-Whitney, and Chi-square tests at a 5% significance level. Data were analyzed using Spearman's correlation coefficient, linear regression, and logistic regression. RESULTS: Frequencies of nuclear abnormalities, as well as levels of reduced glutathione and uric acid, were significantly higher in the DM group compared to the PE and HC groups (p < 0.05). Fasting glucose, glycated hemoglobin, nuclear abnormalities, reduced glutathione, and uric acid exhibited positive correlations with periodontal parameters (p < 0.05). Furthermore, reduced glutathione was associated with dental biofilm (OR = 1.027 [95% CI, 1.004-1.049]) and condensed chromatin (OR = 0.415 [95% CI, 0.196-0.878]). CONCLUSIONS: Periodontitis and T2DM are correlated with nuclear abnormalities, as well as salivary reduced glutathione and uric acid levels. Moreover, a higher prevalence of teeth with dental biofilm increases the likelihood of elevated levels of reduced glutathione in saliva, while the presence of condensed chromatin decreases that likelihood.

New insight into interference-free and highly sensitive dopamine electroanalysis.

Early diagnosis of Parkinson's disease and hyperprolactinemia based on electrochemical dopamine (DA) sensing appears as an efficient and promising practical diagnostic method. However, the coexistence of DA in real samples with ascorbic acid (AA) and uric acid (UA), which oxidize at potentials close to its own, prevents the accurate electrochemical DA sensing and therefore, hinders the effective diagnosis of these diseases. In this work, we successfully combined the electrostatic proprieties of GO, the electron transfer properties of an AuNPs@MWCNTs nanocomposite and the ability of thiol group of the amino acid l-cysteine to react chemically with carbonyl groups of UA, to develop a novel approach that enabled complete suppression of interference from AA and UA and hence, accurate DA electroanalysis in the conditions close to those of human blood serum. The chemical reaction between l-cysteine and UA was evidenced by monitoring the DPV responses of UA under different conditions. XRD, Raman spectroscopy, XPS and FE-SEM revealed the successful synthesis of GO and AuNPs@MWCNTs. The study of the electrode material (GO-AuNPs@MWCNTs) morphology via FE-SEM and HR-TEM showed that AuNPs@MWCNTs are distributed throughout the exfoliated GO layers. The fabricated sensor was calibrated in the concentration range of 0.5-5 µM, in the presence of the highest blood concentrations of AA and UA for healthy individuals. A linear relationship was observed and the LOD was found to be 1.31 nM (S/N = 3). Furthermore, the sensor showed good electron transfer kinetics, good repeatability and reproducibility, satisfactory long-term stability, and recoveries in human blood serum.

Possible role of pomegranate fruit in reversing renal damage in rats exposed to Phenylhydrazine.

Background: Pomegranate granatum (molasses and peels) and its constituents showed protective effects against natural toxins such as phenylhydrazine (PHZ) as well as chemical toxicants such as arsenic, diazinon, and carbon tetrachloride. Aim: The current study aimed to assess the effect of pomegranate molasses (PM), white peel extract, and red peel extract on nephrotoxicity induced by PHZ. Methods: 80 male rats were divided into eight equal groups; a control group, PM pure group, white peel pomegranate pure group, red peel pomegranate pure group, PHZ group, PM + PHZ group, white peel pomegranate + PHZ group and red peel pomegranate + PHZ group. Kidney function, inflammation markers, antioxidant activities, and renal tissue histopathology were investigated. Results: The results revealed that PHZ group showed a significant increase in lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH), malondialdehyde (MDA), creatinine, uric acid, BUNBUN, C - reactive protein (CRP), tumor necrosis factor, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARSs), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) with a significant decrease of catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) as compared with a control group. Other pomegranate-treated and PHZ co-treated groups with pomegranate showed a significant decrease of LDH, MDA, creatinine, uric acid, BUN, tumor necrosis factor, TBARSs, and TAC with a significant increase of CAT, GPx, and SOD as compared with PHZ group. Conclusion: Collectively, our data suggest that red, white peels, and molasses have anti-toxic and anti-inflammatory effects on renal function and tissues.

Uric acid-based ratios for predicting renal failure in Chinese IgA nephropathy patients.

Objective: The uric acid/albumin ratio (UAR), a novel, simple, and compositive laboratory biomarker, has recently attracted attention for predicting disease prediction and disease prognosis. However, whether uric acid-related biomarkers (especially UAR) could serve as prognostic indicator for IgAN is unclear. Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, biopsy-confirmed IgAN patients from 2009 to 2017 from West China Hospital were evaluated. The optimal cutoff value of UAR for renal outcome was defined using the Youden index by the area under receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). The patients were then categorized into the high UAR group and the low UAR group. Renal endpoints were defined as progression to ESRD, eGFR decreased ≥50% of the baseline level, or initiation of renal replacement treatment. Kaplan‒Meier survival analysis and Cox regression analysis were used to identify factors influencing IgAN outcomes. Results: A total of 1143 patients with a median age of 33.0 (26.0-42.0) (44.2% men) were included in the study. The best cut-off UAR concerned with renal survival was determined to be 9.94 with a specificity of 77.5% and a sensitivity of 61.5% (J, 0.390; AUC, 0.750). Then, the patients were divided into two groups labelled as low and high UAR ratios (≥ 9.94 and <9.94, respectively). More severe clinical manifestations and pathological lesions were observed in the high UAR group. Multivariate Cox regression analysis after adjusted for important clinicopathological parameters manifested that a high UAR was an independent prognostic biomarker for IgAN. (p = 0.036, HR =2.56, 95% CI: 1.07-6.16). Conclusion: UAR might be a novel predictor for renal progression and contribute to targeted management.

An ultra-sensitive uric acid second generation biosensor based on chemical immobilization of uricase on functionalized multiwall carbon nanotube grafted palm oil fiber in the presence of a ferrocene mediator.

In this work, palm oil fiber (POF) grafted functionalized multiwall carbon nanotube (FMWCNT) decorated ferrocene (Fc) has been drop coated on a platinum electrode (Pt), in which uricase (UOx) has been chemically immobilized for sensitive and selective biosensing of uric acid (UA). Through the use of EDC/NHS, a stable bioelectrode (UOx/Fc/FMWCNT-POF/Pt) was obtained and characterized by FTIR/ATRIR, XRD, Raman, EA/EDX, TGA, SEM, TEM, CV, EIS, CA, and DPV. Results from DPV showed the rapid response of the developed bioelectrode towards UA (0.185 V) with high sensitivity (41.14 µA mM-1) and good limit of detection (19 µM) in the linear range 10-1000 µM. The low value of Michaelis-Menten constant (km = 31.364 µM) shows high affinity of the UA towards the enzyme at the electrode surface. The developed biosensor demonstrates good reproducibility, repeatability, and stability with a deviation of less than 2.5%, and was successfully applied for human blood sample analysis. The CA study revealed a fast response time (2 s) of the sensor. The work has pioneered a new addition to the class of tailorable chemical species for biosensor development and proven to be a promising new tool for point of care testing (POCT) applications.

The relationship between patients' kidney stone type and demographics in Israel: analysis of 10 K patients.

PURPOSE: To analyze urinary stone composition in Israel and assess the effects of key demographic parameters (gender, age, socioeconomic status, ethnicity, medical history and geographic region) on stone composition. METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted of stone analysis of 10,633 patients from an HMO Israeli database analyzed by a central laboratory from 2014 to 2019 and subjected to Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. Associations between stone composition and different demographic parameters were determined using the Chi-square test. RESULTS: Calcium oxalate (CaOx) monohydrate accounted for 51.9% of the stones. Of the total sample, 5776 stones had one single component (54%), whereas 4857 (46%) had mixed components. Men had a higher frequency of CaOx stones (89.6% vs. 85.6%), whereas women had a higher frequency of calcium phosphate, infection, and cystine stones (27.2%, 17.7%, and 0.9% vs. 17.2%, 7.5%, and 0.5%, respectively). Cystine stones were more abundant in Arabs (1.2% vs. 0.5% in the Jewish population). Lower socioeconomic status was associated with a higher prevalence of calcium phosphate, uric acid, and infection stones and a lower prevalence of CaOx stones. Uric acid stones were associated with medical conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, ischemic heart disease, and obesity (28.3%, 24.9%, 25.7%, and 22.6% vs. 9.6%, 8.4%, 12.3%, and 10.3%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Stone types were highly influenced by patients' demographics. COM was the most common stone component in either pure or complex form. UA stone prevalence was found to increase with age and was associated with medical conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, ischemic heart disease, and obesity.

Dual-energy CT kidney stone characterization-can diagnostic accuracy be achieved at low radiation dose?

OBJECTIVES: To assess the accuracy of low-dose dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) to differentiate uric acid from non-uric acid kidney stones in two generations of dual-source DECT with stone composition analysis as the reference standard. METHODS: Patients who received a low-dose unenhanced DECT for the detection or follow-up of urolithiasis and stone extraction with stone composition analysis between January 2020 and January 2022 were retrospectively included. Collected stones were characterized using X-ray diffraction. Size, volume, CT attenuation, and stone characterization were assessed using DECT post-processing software. Characterization as uric acid or non-uric acid stones was compared to stone composition analysis as the reference standard. Sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of stone classification were computed. Dose length product (DLP) and effective dose served as radiation dose estimates. RESULTS: A total of 227 stones in 203 patients were analyzed. Stone composition analysis identified 15 uric acid and 212 non-uric acid stones. Mean size and volume were 4.7 mm × 2.8 mm and 114 mm3, respectively. CT attenuation of uric acid stones was significantly lower as compared to non-uric acid stones (p < 0.001). Two hundred twenty-five of 227 kidney stones were correctly classified by DECT. Pooled sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were 1.0 (95%CI: 0.97, 1.00), 0.93 (95%CI: 0.68, 1.00), and 0.99 (95%CI: 0.97, 1.00), respectively. Eighty-two of 84 stones with a diameter of ≤ 3 mm were correctly classified. Mean DLP was 162 ± 57 mGy*cm and effective dose was 2.43 ± 0.86 mSv. CONCLUSIONS: Low-dose dual-source DECT demonstrated high accuracy to discriminate uric acid from non-uric acid stones even at small stone sizes. KEY POINTS: • Two hundred twenty-five of 227 stones were correctly classified as uric acid vs. non-uric acid stones by low-dose dual-energy CT with stone composition analysis as the reference standard. • Pooled sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy for stone characterization were 1.0, 0.93, and 0.99, respectively. • Low-dose dual-energy CT for stone characterization was feasible in the majority of small stones < 3 mm.

Comparative analysis of biochemical, hormonal, and mineral compositions of preovulatory and cystic ovarian follicles in buffalo during the non-breeding season.

This study is a comparative analysis of the biochemical, hormonal, and mineral compositions of follicular fluid in preovulatory and cystic follicles of water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis). In total, reproductive tracts from 215 buffalo along with intact ovaries were collected randomly from an abattoir. The incidence of cystic conditions found in this study was 3.72% (8/215), involving the right ovary in 62.5% of instances and the left ovary in 37.5% of instances during the non-breeding season. Follicular fluid was aspirated from preovulatory follicles (12-15 mm diameter, oestrogen-active, follicular phase or stage IV corpus luteum on one of the two ovaries, n = 10) and cystic follicles (at least 20 mm diameter, no corpus luteum on any one of the two ovaries, n = 8). The follicular fluid samples were assayed for biochemical components (uric acid, creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, cholesterol, total protein, glucose, ascorbic acid, and alkaline phosphatase), hormones (progesterone, estradiol, and insulin), and minerals (calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, copper, zinc, and cobalt). Cystic follicles had greater (P < 0.05) concentrations of creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, cholesterol, progesterone, copper, zinc, and cobalt, and lesser (P < 0.05) concentrations of uric acid, glucose, ascorbic acid, estradiol, insulin, calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus compared with preovulatory follicles. These results indicated the marked differences in follicular fluid composition between preovulatory and cystic follicles in buffalo. Some of the changes were indicative of oxidative stress and disturbed steroidogenesis, two important mechanisms shown to be associated with cystic ovarian disease in various species. Further studies are warranted to investigate whether these differences are directly or indirectly involved in the formation of cystic follicles or are mere manifestations of the condition.

Analysis of the Components of 236 Cases of Urinary Stones in Xinjiang Uyghur Children.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of the study is to explore the relationship between clinical characteristics and urinary calculus in Xinjiang Uyghur children, and to provide clinical basis for the prevention as well as treatment of urinary stone. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In total, 236 urinary tract stone samples were collected from pediatric patients from February 2017 to April 2019, and those samples were analyzed by infrared spectroscopy. Stone compositions were compared with demographic data. RESULTS: Among the 236 cases, 166 cases were boys (70.34%) and 70 cases were girls (29.66%), with a male-to-female ratio of 2.37:1. A total of 21 kinds of calculi were detected, including 107 cases with six kinds of simple calculi and 129 cases with 15 kinds of mixed calculi. In this study, magnesium ammonium phosphate hexahydrate was only found in boys, and the difference was statistically significant (6.6 vs. 0.0%, p = 0.037). There were statistical differences in the age distribution of children with ammonium hydrogen urate, calcium oxalate, and other stone components (p < 0.05), while there were no statistical differences in the age distribution of children with apatite carbonate, magnesium ammonium phosphate hexahydrate, and anhydrous uric acid. The results showed that there was a significant difference in the localization of calculi between male and female children (upper urinary tract stones: 78.9 vs. 98.6%, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Uyghur pediatric patients with urolithiasis were young and the majority of stones was mixed, The main components of calculi were ammonium hydrogen urate, calcium oxalate and apatite carbonate, and there are differences in the localization of calculi between genders.

Detection of Cadmium and Lead in Kidney Stones. Associations with Patient Demographics, Stone Composition, and Smoking.

BACKGROUND: Kidney stones are a highly prevalent disease worldwide. Additionally, both environmental and occupational exposure to Pb and Cd continue to be prevalent globally and can result in renal toxicity. The objective of this study was to examine the potential presence of Pb and Cd in kidney stones, and to assess for correlation with demographic factors including smoking, gender, age, and kidney stone matrix composition. METHODS: Patient kidney stones (n = 96) were analyzed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy to identify the stone constituents. Cd and Pb concentrations (µg/g) were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Cd and Pb concentrations were correlated using bivariable and multivariable statistical analysis with demographic factors (age, gender, smoking status), and kidney stone composition. RESULTS: Kidney stone Cd (median 0.092 µg/g, range 0.014 to 2.46) and Pb concentrations (median 0.95 µg/g, range 0.060 to 15.4) were moderately correlated (r = 0.56, P < 0.0001). Cd concentrations were positively associated with patient history of smoking, patient age, and calcium oxalate monohydrate levels while negatively associated with struvite and uric acid/uric acid dihydrate. Pb concentrations were positively associated with females and apatite levels while negatively associated with uric acid/uric acid dihydrate. After holding constant other stone type composition levels, smoking status, and age, both Pb and Cd were positively associated with apatite and negatively associated with uric acid/uric acid dihydrate, struvite, and calcium carbonate. CONCLUSIONS: Cd and Pb kidney stone concentrations are associated with specific kidney stone types. Cd and Pb kidney stone concentrations are both associated with smoking.

The prognostic prediction of periodontal non-surgery therapy in periodontitis patients based on surface-enhanced Raman measurements of pre-treatment saliva.

Periodontitis is one of the most prevalent dental diseases, and the patients with periodontitis often suffer from refractory periodontitis or recurrence of disease due to improper or inadequate treatment. In clinical practice, the early and accurate assessment of post-treatment prognosis in periodontitis patients is always very important in order to implement timely interventions. In this study, a pre-treatment saliva SERS based prognostic protocol was explored to predict the prognosis of periodontal non-surgery therapy in periodontitis patients. According to the biomolecular analysis, significant differences in the levels of ascorbic acid, uric acid and glutathione are observed between good prognosis group and poor prognosis group, which are expected to serve as potential prognostic markers. Furthermore, high accuracy, sensitivity and specificity can also be achieved by using the proposed prognostic model. The excellent performance of the proposed method has demonstrated its potential for fast, accurate, and non-invasive prognostic prediction of periodontal non-surgery therapy in periodontitis patients, even at the time before implementing treatment, thus is expected to benefit timely and rational guidance on clinical interventions.

Enzymatic determination of hypoxanthine in fish samples as a freshness indicator using the CUPRAC colorimetric sensor.

Fish consumption is essential for a healthy diet. However, all seafood including fish are susceptible to deterioration unless properly preserved. Controlling the freshness of fresh or packaged fish is a challenging issue for the food industry in terms of human health and shelf life determination. One of the main indicators showing the freshness of fish is undoubtedly the amount of hypoxanthine (Hx). As soon as the organism dies, Hx begins to be released with the cessation of ATP synthesis and shows a gradual increase over time. Therefore, Hx determination is an important indicator in the control of fish freshness. Based on this fact, a colorimetric method for the enzymatic determination of Hx using the CUPRAC (Cupric ion Reducing Antioxidant Capacity) sensor was developed. Uric acid (UA) and H2O2 are enzymatically produced by xanthine oxidase (XOD) from Hx, and both products respond to the CUPRAC reagent to produce the cuprous neocuproine (Cu(I)-Nc) chromophore chelate formed in situ on a Nafion anionic membrane on which the cationic Cu(II)-Nc complex was fixed. Hx was measured at different time intervals in the meat samples taken from sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax), which was left to stand at room temperature for a time period between 0 and 24 h; the level of spoilage was determined from the coloration of the CUPRAC membrane sensor (via absorbance measurement at 450 nm). It was observed that there was a linear increase in the amount of Hx during the measurement period. The method was optimized for Hx determination, verified with interference analysis and standard additions to real samples, and validated against HPLC. The linear detection range of the developed method for Hx was 2.0-32.0 µM with an LOD of 0.79 µM, and early stages of fish degradation could be detected at several nanomoles of Hx per gram of fish meat. The proposed method was demonstrated to have distinct superiority over many recent colorimetric sensors of fish freshness in regard to its lower LOD for Hx, wider linear range, capability to cope with interferents (including biologically important antioxidants, such as cysteine, reduced glutathione, ascorbic acid, UA and α-tocopherol) and applicability to real samples.

Cooking methods are associated with inflammatory factors, renal function, and other hormones and nutritional biomarkers in older adults.

Evidence of the role of cooking methods on inflammation and metabolic health is scarce due to the paucity of large-size studies. Our aim was to evaluate the association of cooking methods with inflammatory markers, renal function, and other hormones and nutritional biomarkers in a general population of older adults. In a cross sectional analysis with 2467 individuals aged ≥ 65, dietary and cooking information was collected using a validated face-to-face dietary history. Eight cooking methods were considered: raw, boiling, roasting, pan-frying, frying, toasting, sautéing, and stewing. Biomarkers were analyzed in a central laboratory following standard procedures. Marginal effects from generalized linear models were calculated and percentage differences (PD) of the multivariable-adjusted means of biomarkers between extreme sex-specific quintiles (Q) of cooking methods consumption were computed ([Q5 - Q1/Q1] × 100). Participants' mean age was 71.6 years (53% women). Significant PD for the highest vs lowest quintile of raw food consumption was - 54.7% for high sensitivity-C reactive protein (hs-CRP), - 11.9% for neutrophils, - 11.9% for Growth Differentiation Factor-15, - 25.0% for Interleukin-6 (IL-6), - 12.3% for urinary albumin, and - 10.3% for uric acid. PD for boiling were - 17.8% for hs-CRP, - 12.4% for urinary albumin, and - 11.3% for thyroid-stimulating hormone. Concerning pan-frying, the PD was - 23.2% for hs-CRP, - 11.5% for IL-6, - 16.3% for urinary albumin and 10.9% for serum vitamin D. For frying, the PD was a 25.7% for hs-CRP, and - 12.6% for vitamin D. For toasting, corresponding figures were - 21.4% for hs-CRP, - 11.1% for IL-6 and 10.6% for vitamin D. For stewing, the PD was 13.3% for hs-CRP. Raw, boiling, pan-frying, and toasting were associated with healthy profiles as for inflammatory markers, renal function, thyroid hormones, and serum vitamin D. On the contrary, frying and, to a less extent, stewing showed unhealthier profiles. Cooking methods not including added fats where healthier than those with added fats heated at high temperatures or during longer periods of time.

Chemical Composition and Anti-Urolithiatic Activity of Extracts from Argania spinosa (L.) Skeels Press-Cake and Acacia senegal (L.) Willd.

Ethnobotanical studies have reported the traditional medicinal uses of Acacia senegal (L.) Willd. and Argania spinosa (L.) Skeels against kidney stone formation and other chronic kidney diseases. The present work is undertaken to study the litholytic activity and the inhibiting activity of calcium oxalate crystallization by bioactive compounds identified in Argania spinosa (L.) Skeels press-cake (residue of Argan oil) and in Acacia senegal (L.) Willd. The litholytic activity was studied in vitro on cystine and uric acid stones using a porous bag and an Erlenmeyer glass. The study of the inhibiting activity of calcium oxalate crystallization, was based on temporal measurements of the optical density, registered at a 620 nm wavelength for 30 min using an ultraviolet−visible spectrophotometer. The silylation method was performed to identify phytochemicals, followed by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrophotometry (GC/MS) analysis. The results show significant litholytic activity of Argania Spinosa press-cake hydro-ethanolic extract on uric acid and cystine stones, respectively, with dissolution rates (DR) of 86.38% and 60.42% versus 3.23% and 9.48% for the hydro-ethanolic extract of Acacia senegal exudate. Furthermore, the percentages of nucleation inhibition are 83.78% and 43.77% (p ˂ 0.05) for Argania spinosa and Acacia senegal, respectively. The results point to the detection of 17 phytochemicals in Argania spinosa press-cake extract, the majority of which are phenolic acids and have potent anti-urolithiatic action.

Acute joint swelling in psoriatic arthritis: Flare or "psout"-A 10-year-monocentric study on synovial fluid.

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a multifaceted inflammatory disease associated with psoriasis that can affect peripheral joints, entheses, and the axial skeleton with a variable clinical course. Acute episodes of joint swelling in PsA patients can have different causes and require specific treatments. We aimed to describe the acute joint swelling in PsA patients via synovial fluid (SF) analyses, assessing in particular the presence of pathogenic crystals, to determine whether it is a flare or an acute episode of gout ("psout") during the course of the disease. This retrospective study was based on the results of SF analysis of samples collected from unselected adult PsA patients referred to our clinic for acute joint swelling. Demographic characteristics, disease involvement, laboratory findings on SF, and treatment options were recorded and reviewed. Among 5,478 SF samples analyzed in a 10-year time span, 213 complete SF records from PsA patients were evaluated. Overall, after adjustment for the degree of synovial inflammation, significant differences were observed in term of sex (p = 0.0017) and ongoing therapy (p = 0.0246). Non-inflammatory SFs, indeed, were mainly described for female PsA patients under therapy. Regarding serum uric acid levels, there were 19/213 (8.9%) PsA with hyperuricemia (HU), who were older, mostly male, patients with mild articular involvement and rare pathogenic crystals in their SF. Although it is known that the risk of gout is higher among patients with PsA ("psout"), monosodium urate crystals were reported only in 5/213 SFs (2.4%) of our cohort and in 2/19 SFs (10.5%) of HU PsA patients. Moreover, hyperuricemia seems not to modify the SF features in PsA patients. This study results seem to suggest that the convergence of gout and PsA, involving the role of urate crystals, is a more intricate relationship, which needs further insights to be unraveled.

Wearable transdermal colorimetric microneedle patch for Uric acid monitoring based on peroxidase-like polypyrrole nanoparticles.

Regular Uric Acid (UA) monitoring is essential for patients with gout, and great efforts have been made to develop portable, low-cost and easy-to-operate UA detection technologies. Herein, we developed a wearable microneedle colorimetric patch integrating the sampling function and the capability of real-time UA analysis in a minimally invasive manner, which can dramatically improve patient compliance. For the operation of the constructed device, the poly(vinyl alcohol) based microneedle was embedded with the uricase which catalyzed the oxidation of UA extracted from the interstitial fluids and produced H2O2. Polypyrrole nanoparticles (PPy NPs) with peroxidase-like activity encapsulated in the display layer triggered the reaction between H2O2 and 3,3',5,5'- tetramethylbenzidine, resulting in the color variation associated with the concentration of H2O2 produced by the UA oxidation. Thus, the UA level can be determined with the naked eye. According to the relationship between the color intensity and the UA concentration, the UA level within the range of 200-1000 µM can be further quantified accurately by analyzing sample images with a smart phone. The developed device exhibited good selectivity and stability, and a limit of detection of about 65 µM. This wearable device holds great potential in health management and clinical point-of-care detection.

Sensitive and selective electrochemical determination of uric acid in urine based on ultrasmall iron oxide nanoparticles decorated urchin-like nitrogen-doped carbon.

Hypercrosslinked pyrrole was synthesized via the Friedel-Crafts reaction and then carbonized to obtain urchin-like nitrogen-doped carbon (UNC). Ultrasmall iron oxide nanoparticles were then supported on UNC, and the composite was used to prepare an electrochemical sensor for detecting uric acid (UA) in human urine. FexOy/UNC was characterized and analyzed via scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectrometry, X-ray diffraction, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. A glassy carbon electrode (GCE) modified with FexOy/UNC was used as an electrochemical sensor to effectively identify UA. The electrochemical behavior of the FexOy/UNC-based UA sensor was studied using differential pulse stripping voltammetry, and the optimal conditions were determined by changing the amount of FexOy/UNC, pH of the buffer solution, deposition potential, and deposition time. Under optimal conditions, the FexOy/UNC-based electrochemical sensor detected UA in the range of 2-200 µM, where the limit of detection (LOD) for UA was 0.29 µM. Anti-interference experiments were performed, and the sensor was applied to the actual analysis of human urine samples. Urea, glucose, ascorbic acid, and many cations and anions present at 100-fold concentrations relative to UA did not strongly interfere with the response of the sensor to UA. The FexOy/UNC electrochemical sensor has high sensitivity and selectivity for uric acid in human urine samples and can be used for actual clinical testing of UA in urine.