Urea como opción terapéutica en síndrome de antidiuresis inadecuada

El síndrome de antiduresis inadecuada (SADI) se produce por una alteración en el eje hipotálamo-neurohipófisis, por una falla en la respuesta regulatoria osmótica o por factores no osmóticos, con complicaciones en relación directa al grado de hiponatremia e impacto en la calidad de vida y mortalidad del paciente. El tratamiento consiste en la normalización de la natremia, y la búsqueda de la etiología. Presentamos el caso de un paciente adulto con el diagnóstico de SADI idiopático y trastorno neurocognitivo asociado, con respuesta favorable al tratamiento con urea.

Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuresis (SIAD), is produced by an alteration in the hypothalamus-neurohypophysis axis due to a failure in the osmotic regulatory response or non-osmotic factors, with complications directly related to the degree of hyponatremia and impact on quality of life and patient mortality. Management consists of normalization of natremia, and the search for the underlying etiology. We present the case of an adult patient diagnosed with idiopathic SIAD and associated neurocognitive disorder, with a favorable response to treatment with urea.

Manejo inicial de la hiperamonemia aguda en pediatría / Initial management of acute hyperammonemia in pediatrics

La hiperamonemia constituye una emergencia médica. No existen publicaciones que hagan referencia a la disponibilidad de recursos, insumos y conocimientos necesarios para el manejo inicial de esta por parte del pediatra en nuestro país, pero, según la experiencia de los autores, los recursos necesarios no se encuentran disponibles los 365 días del año en una gran porción de nuestro territorio. Sobre la base de este estado de situación, de una revisión bibliográfica internacional sobre el tema y de la experiencia de los autores, se elaboraron una serie de recomendaciones para el manejo pediátrico inicial de esta emergencia, que tienen como objetivo poder reducir las deficiencias, permitir una sospecha clínica adecuada que lleve a un diagnóstico y tratamiento de emergencia oportunos, con utilización racional de recursos farmacológicos (algunos de ellos de alto costo), para reducir la morbimortalidad que asocia la patología.

Hyperammonemia is a medical emergency. There are no publications regarding the availability of resources, supplies, and knowledge necessary for the initial management of hyperammonemia by pediatricians in Argentina; however, according to the authors' experience, the necessary resources are not available all year round in a large portion of our territory. Based on such state of affairs, an international bibliographic review on this topic and the authors' experience, we developed a series of recommendations for the initial pediatric management of this emergency, with the objective of reducing deficiencies, allowing adequate clinical suspicion leading to a timely diagnosis and emergency management and a rational use of pharmacological resources (some of which are costly) to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with hyperammonemia.

Protective Role of Pomegranate on kidney of Albino Rat Treated with Monosodium Glutamate

Background: Sodium mono glutamate (MSG), the sodium salt of glutamic acid, is a food flavoring agent that is widely used in many countries. Pomegranate is used as a traditional medication in numerous countries, it is planted in Asian countries, Mediterranean countries and the U.S.A. Aim of the work: The present study aimed to detect structural and functional changes in adult rat kidney tissue treated with sodium mono glutamate, and the possible protective effect of pomegranate on the kidney treated with MSG. Materials and Methods: This study was done by using 60 adult Wistar Albino rats of both sexes were divided into three equal groups: Group I (control group), Group II (sodium mono glutamate treated group), and Group III (combined MSG and pomegranate treated group) Doses were given once daily for 8 weeks every day. At the end of the treatment period, blood samples collected from each rat were used for measuring the values of urea and creatinine. Also animals of the different groups were sacrificed at the end of the experiment, quickly dissected and the kidneys were removed and stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) for the histological examination by light microscopy, other tissue sections were evaluated using a transmission electron microscope. Both were used to examine the effect of sodium mono glutamate on cortex of the kidneys of albino rats ,compared with control group and the combined MSG and pomegranate group. Results: There was a major rise in blood urea level and blood creatinine level in sodium mono glutamate treated group in contrast to the control group. There was a significant reduction in blood urea level and blood creatinine level in combined sodium mono glutamate and pomegranate treated group in comparison to MSG treated group. Examination of kidney tissue of rats treated with sodium mono glutamate (Group. II) showed damaging changes of its structure. The glomerulus had markedly widened blood capillaries with thickened filtration membrane. The epithelial tubular cells had marked degenerative changes. Examination of rats kidney tissue treated with sodium mono glutamate and pomegranate (Group III) revealed improvement of the lesions in the glomeruli and renal tubules. Conclusion: Pomegranate protected the kidneys and restricted the histological and functional alterations caused by sodium mono glutamate, and thus, there is an advantage of usage of pomegranate with sodium mono glutamate.

Ameliorating effects of ethanol extract of root bark of Salacia nitida on blood electrolyte and renal perturbations in Plasmodium berghei-infected mice

Abstract Malaria, a disease of public health concern is a known cause of kidney failure, and dependence on herbal medicines for its treatment is increasing due to the high cost of drugs. So this study is designed to evaluate the ameliorating effect of ethanol extract from Salacia nitida root bark on electrolyte and renal perturbations in Plasmodium berghei-infected mice. Thirty malariainfected mice divided into five groups of six mice each and another group of six uninfected mice were used for the study. 280, 430, and 580 mg/kg of extract were given to infected mice in groups B, C, and D, 4 mg/kg of artesunate given to group E mice, and 4 ml/kg of physiological saline given to group A and uninfected group F mice for five days. Serum Na+, K+, HCO3, Cl-, TB, urea, creatinine, BUN concentrations, and BUN/creatinine ratio were determined using standard methods. Results showed significant increases (p < 0.05) in Na+, K+, and HCO3 and decreases in Cl-, TB, urea, creatinine, BUN, and BUN/creatinine ratio in the infected treated mice in groups B - E. This study showed that ethanol extract of S. nitida root bark is efficient in the treatment of renal disorders and blood electrolyte perturbations

Soluble epoxide hydrolase inhibitor promotes the healing of oral ulcers

Abstract Objective Oral ulcers are a lesion in the oral mucosa that impacts chewing or drinking. Epoxyeicosatrienoic Acids (EETs) have enhanced angiogenic, regenerative, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic effects. The present study aims to evaluate the effects of 1-Trifluoromethoxyphenyl-3-(1-Propionylpiperidin-4-yl) Urea (TPPU), a soluble epoxide hydrolase inhibitor for increasing EETs level, on the healing of oral ulcers. Methods The chemically-induced oral ulcers were established in Sprague Dawley rats. The ulcer area was treated with TPPU to evaluate the healing time and pain threshold of ulcers. The expression of angiogenesis and cell proliferation-related protein in the ulcer area was detected using immunohistochemical staining. The effects of TPPU on migration and angiogenesis capability were measured with scratch assay and tube formation. Results Compared with the control group, TPPU promoted wound healing of oral ulcers with a shorter healing time, and raised pain thresholds. Immunohistochemical staining showed that TPPU increased the expression of angiogenesis and cell proliferation-related protein with reduced inflammatory cell infiltration in the ulcer area. TPPU enhanced cell migration and tube-forming potential in vitro. Conclusions The present results support the potential of TPPU with multiple biological effects for the treatment of oral ulcers by targeting soluble epoxide hydrolase.

Development and clinical application of hydrogel formulations containing papain and urea for wound healing

Abstract Hydrogels are used for wound treatment, as they may contain one or more active components and protect the wound bed. Papain is one of the active substances that have been used with this purpose, alongside urea. In this paper, carboxypolymethylene hydrogels containing papain (2% and 10% concentrations) and urea (5% concentration) were produced. Physical-chemical stability was performed at 0, 7, 15 and 30 days at 2-8ºC, 25ºC and 40ºC, as well as the rheological aspects and proteolytic activity of papain by gel electrophoresis. Clinical efficacy of the formulations in patients with lower limb ulcers was also evaluated in a prospective, single-center, randomized, double-blind and comparative clinical trial. The results showed 7-day stability for the formulations under 25ºC, in addition to approximately 100% and 15% of protein activity for 10% and 2% papain hydrogel, respectively. The rheological profile was non-Newtonian for the 10% papain hydrogel tested. There were no significant differences regarding the mean time for healing of the lesions, although 10% papain presented a better approach to be used in all types of tissue present in the wound bed.

C-reactive Protein, Albumin, Urea, CRP/Albumin Ratio, and Urea/Albumin Ratio: A Retrospective Evaluation in COVID-19 Patients

@#Introduction: C-reactive protein (CRP), urea, albumin, CRP/albumin ratio (CAR) and urea/albumin ratio (UAR) could be valuable biomarkers for determining the severity of illness in patients with COVID-19. This study aimed to determine the association between these markers and disease severity in COVID-19 patients on admission and days five to seven after admission. Methods: This retrospective study includes 153 adult COVID-19 patients admitted to Hospital Raja Perempuan Zainab II and Hospital Ampang from January 2021 to December 2021. Patients’ serum CRP, urea, albumin and creatinine levels were recorded on admission and on days five to seven after admission. The patients were categorised based on the Annex 2e guidelines published by the Ministry of Health, Malaysia and further classified as mild to moderate disease (stages 1-3) and severe to critical illness (stages 4-5). Results: On admission, urea, creatinine, CRP, UAR and CAR were significantly higher in the severe to critical group (p<0.001). The optimal cut-off value for the UAR was 0.16; the area under the curve (AUC) was 0.760, and sensitivity and specificity were 63.6% and 85.7%, respectively. The AUC of the CAR was 0.752, with 54.2% sensitivity and 91.4% specificity at an optimal cut-off value of 1.63. In severe to critical COVID-19 patients, albumin levels decreased significantly on days five to seven after admission, while urea levels remained significantly higher in this group (p<0.001, p<0.05, respectively). Conclusion: CRP, urea, albumin, CAR and UAR are promising biomarkers for predicting the severity of disease in COVID-19 patients.

Development of national secondary reference materials of urea and creatinine in frozen human serum / 中华检验医学杂志

Objective:To develop a national secondary reference material of Urea and Creatinine in frozen human serum as a standard for metrological traceability.Methods:According to JJF1343-2012 "General and Statistical Principles for Characterization of Reference Materials" and JJF 1006-1994 " Technical Norm of Primary Reference Material ", the homogeneity, stability, and commutability were evaluated;Using the JCTLM recommended methods, the value of the reference materials was assigned through collaboration with 6 accredited reference laboratories from Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Beijing Aerospace General Hospital, Shenzhen Mindray Bio-Medical Electronics, Maccura Biotechnology, Beijing Leadman Biochemistry, and Zhejiang MedicalSystem Biotechnology. Uncertainty components including inhomogeneity, stability and value assignment were evaluated.Results:The results of one-way analysis of variance of homogeneity for the reference materials showed P>0.05, and the stability evaluation was less than the critical value of the t-test. The measured values were in the 95% confidence interval in the four conventional detection systems for commutability, and the certified values and expanded uncertainties were urea:(14.7±0.3) mmol/L ( k=2),Cr:(313.9±14.5) μmol/L ( k=2). Conclusion:The prepared secondary reference materials of urea and creatinine had promising homogeneity, stability, and commutable, the values of urea and creatinine concentration in reference materials were accurate and reliable.

Clinical characteristics analysis of Chlamydia psittaci pneumonia detected by metagenomic next-generation sequencing / 中国热带医学

@#Abstract: Objective　To analyze the clinical characteristics of Chlamydia psittaci pneumonia and improve the diagnosis and treatment skills of clinicians on this disease. Methods The clinical data of thirty-nine Chlamydia psittaci pneumonia cases detected by metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) from September 2020 to January 2022 at the Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University were retrospectively analyzed. Results There was a history of poultry exposure in 89.7%(35 cases) of the patients. The most common clinical manifestations were high fever (92.3%, 36), cough (76.9%,30), muscle soreness (48.7%,19), headache (38.5%,15), etc. Laboratory examinations showed 76.9% of patients had a normal leukocyte count, and 76.9% had decreased lymphocyte count, often accompanied by elevated C-reactive protein (100%), procalcitonin (97.4%), interleukin-6 (95.8%), interleukin-10 (95.8%), alanine aminotransferase (74.4%), and aspartate aminotransferase (84.6%). Univariate analysis indicated that there were statistically significant differences in the levels of aspartate transaminase, blood urea nitrogen, C-reactive protein, and procalcitonin between severe pneumonia patients and non-severe pneumonia patients（P<0.05）. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that an elevated blood urea nitrogen (OR=4.899) had guiding significance for predicting the occurrence of severe pneumonia. Bronchoscopy examination showed no abnormalities in 53.6% of the patients. The imaging manifestations of pulmonary lesions were mainly lobar pneumonia (61.5%) and air bronchograms (94.9%). Therapeutically, it was sensitive to tetracyclines, macrocyclic lactones, and fluoroquinolones. A total of 84.6%(33 cases) of the patients were cured and discharged from the hospital at the end of the treatment. Conclusion Chlamydia psittaci pneumonia is a zoonotic disease that can be detected by mNGS. An elevated blood urea nitrogen level has guiding significance for predicting the occurrence of severe pneumonia. Empirically-selected regimens based on doxycycline are effective for the treatment of Chlamydia psittaci pneumonia.

Protective role and mechanism of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosome in renal ischemia-reperfusion injury / 器官移植

Objective To investigate the protective effect of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosome (hucMSC-Exo) on renal ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI), and to clarify the critical role and regulating mechanism of transient receptor potential canonical (TRPC) 6/poly adenosine-diphosphate-ribose polymerase (PARP) 1 signaling pathway during this process. Methods The hucMSC-Exo was extracted by ultracentrifugation, and identified by transmission electron microscope (TEM), nanoparticle tracing analysis and Western blot. SD rats were randomly divided into the sham operation group (group S), sham operation+TRPC6 inhibitor SKF96365 group (group SS), renal IRI group (group IRI), exosome treatment group (group EXO) and exosome +TRPC6 inhibitor SKF96365 group (group ES), with 6 rats in each group. Serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen levels were detected. Pathological changes of renal tissues were observed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and Paller score was calculated. The expression levels of key molecules of necroptosis in rat renal tissues, including receptor-interacting protein kinase (RIPK)1, RIPK3 and mixed-lineage kinase domain-like protein (MLKL), TRPC6 and PARP1, were detected by Western blot. Results Typical saucer-like structure was observed under TEM. Nanoparticle tracing analysis showed that the average diameter of the extracted substance was 125.9 nm. Western blot revealed that the surface markers of CD9, CD63 and CD81 were positively expressed, confirmed that the extracted substance was exosome. Compared with group S, the serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen levels were up-regulated, the pathological damage of renal tissues was worsened, Paller score was elevated, the relative expression levels of TRPC6 and PARP1 proteins were down-regulated, and the relative expression levels of RIPK1, RIPK3 and MLKL proteins were up-regulated in group IRI (all P < 0.05). Compared with group IRI, the serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen levels were down-regulated, the pathological damage of renal tissues was mitigated, Paller score was decreased, the relative expression levels of TRPC6 and PARP1 proteins were up-regulated, and the relative expression levels of RIPK1, RIPK3 and MLKL proteins were down-regulated in group EXO (all P < 0.05). Compared with group EXO, the serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen levels were up-regulated, the pathological damage of renal tissues was aggravated, Paller score was increased, the relative expression levels of TRPC6 and PARP1 proteins were down-regulated, and the relative expression levels of RIPK1, RIPK3 and MLKL proteins were up-regulated in group ES (all P < 0.05). Conclusions hucMSC-Exo may alleviate the necroptosis induced by renal IRI in rat models, which is related to the activation of TRPC6/PARP1 signaling pathway.

Correlation of serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen and uric acid levels in patients with nephrotic syndrome / 公共卫生与预防医学

Objective To explore the correlation between serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen content and uric acid level in adult nephrotie syndrome (AS) patients of different ages, in order to provide a theoretical basis for the prevention and control of uric acid metabolism. Methods Individuals of different ages who were diagnosed with nephrotic syndrome from March 2018 to August 2020 in the outpatient department of our hospital were selected as research subjects by stratified random sampling,healthy individuals who underwent physical examination during the same period were selected as controls .The age range of the subjects was 18-55 years old. The biochemical test results of serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen and uric acid were retrospectively collected from patients of different ages. Pearson correlation analysis of adult serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen and uric acid levels. Results The levels of creatinine and blood urea nitrogen in healthy adults showed an upward trend at the age of 18-40, and reached a plateau at the age of 40; while the level of uric acid showed an upward trend with age. The levels of serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen and uric acid in AS patients at different ages were higher than those in healthy controls, and the increase was most pronounced between the ages of 45 and 55. The t-test results showed that the serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen and uric acid contents of healthy controls were different from those of AS patients except for the 18-22 age group. The main performance was that AS patients had higher measured values than healthy controls. Pearson correlation was used to analyze the correlation between serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen levels and uric acid in AS patients of different ages. The results showed that the 41-45-year-old patients had the strongest correlation with uric acid, r was 0.584; The patients' blood urea nitrogen level had the strongest correlation with uric acid, with r of 0.373. The age groups with the correlation between serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen and uric acid content in AS patients were stratified according to gender. There was a significant positive correlation (r>0.45, P0.30, P<0.05). Conclusion The expression level of serum creatinine in 34-45 years old patients with nephrotic syndrome can effectively predict the level of uric acid, and the predictive value of women is higher than that of men.

Glyceryl phenylbutyrate in the treatment of argininosuccinate synthetase deficiency: a case report / 中华实用儿科临床杂志

Clinical data of a child with high blood ammonia and suspected argininosuccinate synthetase deficiency (ASSD) in Hunan Children′s Hospital were retrospectively analyzed, including data of mass spectra for blood amino acids and acyl carnitine, urine organic acid analysis and whole exome sequencing.After the exact diagnosis of ASSD and being approved by the Administrative Regulation for Import Medical Devices Urgently Needed in Boao Lecheng International Medical Tourism Pilot Zone of Hainan Free Trade Port, the patient was medicated with Glyceryl phenylbutyrate (GPB) and followed up.The patient was a boy aged 7 years and 8 months, who presented at the Neurology Department of Hunan Children′s Hospital for sleepiness, abnormal mental behavior and personality change for 1 week on December 2, 2021.Before GPB treatment, the highest blood ammonia, alanine aminotransferase and aspartate transaminase were 325.2 μmol/L, 465.7 IU/L and 277.3 IU/L, respectively.Genetic metabolism assay of blood and urine showed a significantly increased citrulline at 697.42 μmol/L; urine organic acid analysis showed increased urinary orotic acid at 144.2 μmol/L, and increased uracil at 65.1 μmol/L.A pure heterozygous variant of the ASS1 gene (c.1087C>T, p.R363W) was detected.After GPB treatment, the blood ammonia levels were 21.3 μmol/L, 54.6 μmol/L and 62.4 μmol/L on the 41 st, 90 th and 146 th days, respectively.Until July 20, 2022 follow-up visit, the patient recovered well without adverse events.This was the first ASSD child in China who was treated with GPB.This case report provided therapeutic experience of ASSD in our country.ASSD has a high mortality rate and unexplained abnormal mental behavior.It is necessary to timely measure blood ammonia, and a series of urea cycle disorders should be well concerned.The diagnosis and management of ASSD rely on the data of metabolism examination and genetic testing.

Newborn screening for ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency in Zhejiang Province and the follow-up analysis / 中华实用儿科临床杂志

Objective:To investigate the incidence, clinical characteristics and prognosis of ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency(OCTD) in newborns in Zhejiang Province.Methods:A retrospective research was conducted.A total of 4 261 036 newborns from Department of Genetics and Metabolism, Children′s Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, between January 2009 and December 2021 were screened for inherited metabolic disorders using tandem mass spectrometry.OCTD was confirmed by urine organic acid and OTC gene analysis.Patients with OTCD received guidance on diet and lifestyle management, and were treated with citrulline and arginine.Long-term follow-up was performed.Their growth and intellectual development were evaluated. Results:A total of 7 patients with OCTD were diagnosed, with an incidence of 1.6/1 million.All patients were males.Two patients had neonatal-onset OCTD, and the other 5 had late-onset OCTD.Symptoms occurred several times in 6 patients, inducing hyperammonemia and hepatic impairment.One patient had no clinical manifestation.One patient died in the neonatal period.Blood citrulline levels were decreased in 7 patients to varying degrees.Uracil levels were increased in 4 patients, and 1 of them was complicated with elevated orotic acid levels.All patients had hemizygote variations in the OTC gene, including 6 missense variations(c.604C>T, c.386G>A, c.779T>C, c.1019C>T, c.594C>G, c.931G>A) and 1 intron variation(c.514-35C>G). Two variants(c.594C>G, c.514-35C>G) were never reported previously. Conclusions:The OTCD incidence by newborn screening is low with 1.6/1 million in Zhejiang province.All patients are males and present hypocitrullinemia.The clinical manifestations of OTCD are highly heterogeneous.The neonatal-onset form is severe and survivors always suffer serious sequelae.The late-onset form is mostly manifested with hyperammonemia and hepatic impairment.There may be association between phenotype and genotype.Two novel OTC variants are identified, which further expands the mutational spectrum.

Efficacy and safety of transurethral flexible ureteroscopy combined with single channel minimally invasive percutaneous nephroscopy in the treatment of complex renal calculi / 国际外科学杂志

Objective:To investigate the clinical efficacy and safety of transurethral flexible ureteroscopy combined with single channel minimally invasive percutaneous nephroscopy in the treatment of complex renal calculi.Methods:A total of 72 patients with complex renal calculi admitted to Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University from November 2019 to April 2022 were prospective selected, which were randomly divided into study group and control group by the random number table method, with 36 cases in each group. The control group underwent single channel minimally invasive percutaneous nephrolithotomy, while the study group underwent transurethral flexible ureteroscopy combined with single channel minimally invasive percutaneous nephrolithotomy. The perioperative indexes (operation time, postoperative hospital stay, intraoperative blood loss), stone removal effect, renal function indicators [blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine (SCr)] and complication rate were compared between the two groups. Measurement data were expressed as mean ± standard deviation ( ± s), and t-test was used for inter-group comparison. The Chi-square test or Fisher exact probability method were used to compare the count data of two groups. Results:The operation time [(101.05±11.34) min vs (107.84±10.28) min] and postoperative hospital stay [(8.54±3.15) d vs (12.36±4.08) d] in the study group were significantly shorter than those in the control group, and the difference were statistically significant ( P<0.05). The amount of intraoperative bleeding was close to that in the control group, but the difference was not statistically significant ( P>0.05). The primary stone clearance rate and summary stone clearance rate in the study group were 91.67% (33/36) and 100.0% (36/36), respectively, which were significantly higher than 69.44% (25/36) and 83.33% (30/36) in the control group, and the differences were statistically significant ( P<0.05). The postoperative BUN and SCr levels in the study group were (5.24±0.31) mmol/L and (90.65±25.57) μmol/L, respectively, the control group was (7.69±0.78) mmol/L and (131.96±37.80) μmol/L, respectively. BUN and SCr levels in the study group were significantly lower than those in the control group, and the differences were statistically significant ( P<0.05). The total incidence of postoperative complications in the study group was significantly lower than that in the control group (5.56% vs 16.67%), and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.05). Conclusion:Transurethral flexible ureteroscopy combined with single channel minimally invasive percutaneous nephroscopy is an ideal method for the treatment of complex renal calculi, which has good removal effect, less complications and helps to improve renal function.

An analysis of lactate/albumin, procalcitonin/albumin, and blood urea nitrogen/albumin ratios as a predictor of mortality in uroseptic patients

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the ratios of lactate/albumin, procalcitonin/albumin, and blood urea nitrogen/albumin to predict 14- and 28-day mortality in uroseptic patients. Urosepsis is a disease with high mortality, and early diagnosis and treatment are important. METHODS: Patients with urosepsis who were admitted to the intensive care unit between January 2021 and September 2022, had a follow-up of at least 28 days, and met the inclusion criteria were evaluated retrospectively. RESULTS: The mean age was 70.23 (15.66) years and 84 (53.85%) were males. The number of non-survivors were 75 (48%) in the 14-day mortality group and 97 (62.1%) in the 28-day mortality group. Based on the 14-day mortality data, the blood urea nitrogen/albumin ratio was higher in non-survivors vs. survivors (median, 15.88 vs. 9.62), and the lactate/albumin ratio was higher (median, 0.96 vs. 0.52, p<0.01, all). Based on the 28-day mortality data, the blood urea nitrogen/albumin ratio was higher in non-survivors vs. survivors (median, 14.78 vs. 8.46), and the lactate/albumin ratio was higher (median, 0.90 vs. 0.50, p<0.01, all). CONCLUSION: It is very difficult to determine the prognosis of patients admitted to the emergency department with the diagnosis of urosepsis. The lactate/albumin ratio and the blood urea nitrogen/albumin ratio can be used as early prognostic markers for both 14-day and 28-day mortality until more reliable markers are identified.

Córnea plana congénita y error innato del metabolismo en un niño

Introducción: La córnea plana congénita es una rara anomalía de herencia autosómica dominante o recesiva. Los defectos del ciclo de la urea son errores innatos del metabolismo que puede producir encefalopatía progresiva. Objetivo: Describir las características clínicas de un paciente con diagnósticos de córnea plana congénita y error innato del metabolismo. Presentación del caso: Paciente masculino de 7 años de edad, miembro de la cuarta generación de una familia con diagnóstico de córnea plana congénita. Al examen oftalmológico se observó en ambos ojos esclerización superior del limbo, aplanamiento corneal generalizado y cámaras anteriores estrechas. La topografía corneal mostró patrones esféricos y aplanamiento corneal más prominente en la media y extrema periferia. A la edad de 5 años comenzó a presentar ataxia recurrente, crisis epilépticas de inicio focal motoras clónicas en el hemicuerpo derecho y vómitos. Ingresó en estado de coma en la unidad de cuidados intensivos pediátricos del Hospital Pediátrico Universitario "William Soler". Se planteó encefalopatía progresiva por trastorno en el ciclo de la urea luego de constatarse hiperamonemia (error congénito del metabolismo), sin acidosis metabólica. Conclusiones: La córnea plana congénita es una enfermedad caracterizada por aplanamiento corneal generalizado con repercusión en la calidad visual. Los errores innatos del metabolismo debidos a trastornos en el ciclo de la urea se caracterizan por manifestaciones neurológicas graves con peligro potencial para la vida. Resulta novedosa la presentación de estas dos enfermedades infrecuentes en un mismo paciente, asociación que no aparece publicada con anterioridad.

Introduction: Congenital flat cornea is a rare anomaly of dominant or recessive autosomal inheritance. Urea cycle defects are inborn errors of metabolism that can lead to progressive encephalopathy. Objective: To describe the clinical characteristics of a patient with diagnoses of congenital flat cornea and inborn error of metabolism. Case Presentation: A 7-year-old male patient, member of the fourth generation of a family diagnosed with congenital flat cornea. Ophthalmological examination showed upper limbal sclerization, generalized corneal flattening and narrow anterior chambers in both eyes. Corneal topography showed more prominent spherical patterns and corneal flattening in the middle and extreme periphery. At the age of 5 years, he began to present recurrent ataxia, focal onset epileptic seizures of clonic motor in the right hemibody and vomiting. He was admitted in a coma in the pediatric intensive care unit of "William Soler" University Pediatric Hospital. Progressive encephalopathy was stated due to disorder in the urea cycle after hyperammonemia (congenital error of metabolism) was observed, without metabolic acidosis. Conclusions: Congenital flat cornea is a disease characterized by generalized corneal flattening with an impact on visual quality. Inborn errors of metabolism due to disorders in the urea cycle are characterized by severe neurological manifestations with potential danger to life. The presentation of these two rare diseases in the same patient is novel; an association that has not been published previously.

Helicobacter pylori infection and UBT-13C values are associated with changes in body mass index in children and adults / La infección por Helicobacter pylori y los valores de UBT-13C se asocian con el índice de masa corporal en niños y adultos

BACKGROUND: The urea breath test (UBT-13C) is a non-invasive technique that allows the diagnosis and confirmation of eradication of Helicobacter pylori infection. Aim: To evaluate H. pylori positivity and values of UBT-13C among infected Chilean children and adults, and to analyze its variation in relation to sex, nutritional status, and age of the patients. Material and Methods: Retrospective study of 1141 patients aged 6 to 94 years, with an indication for a UBT-13C either for diagnosis or for confirmation of eradication of H. pylori infection. 13C enrichment was measured using an infrared spectrometer calculating the delta 13C values before and after the ingestion of 13C marked urea. The clinical data of the patients were obtained at the time of the examination. Results: We included 241 children and 900 adults. Infected children obtained lower UBT-13C delta values than infected adults (16.1 ± 8.7 and 37 ± 52.9, respectively). The rates of infection were higher in males who were recruited for diagnosis. Significant differences were obtained between positivity for H. pylori in overweight and obese children but not adults. UBT-13C titers were significantly associated with the body mass index (BMI) only in adults. Conclusions: H. pylori infection rates are similar between sexes and are higher in children probably because of selection bias. In children, H. pylori positivity is associated with higher BMI and excess malnutrition although with similar UBT-13C values. In adults, H. pylori infection is not related with BMI, but a higher BMI impacts UBT-13C titers.

ANTECEDENTES: La prueba de aliento con urea (UBT-13C) es una técnica no invasiva que permite el diagnóstico y confirmación de erradicación de la infección por Helicobacter pylori. Objetivo: Evaluar los valores de UBT- 13C en niños y adultos chilenos infectados y analizar su variación en relación al sexo, diagnóstico nutricional y edad de los pacientes. Material y Métodos: Estudio retrospectivo de 1.141 pacientes de 6 a 94 años. El enriquecimiento de13C se midió usando un espectrómetro de infrarrojos, calculando el delta 13C antes y después de la ingesta de urea marcada con 13C. Los datos clínicos de los pacientes se obtuvieron al momento del examen. Resultados: Incluimos 241 niños y 900 adultos con valores delta de UBT-13C de 16,1 ± 8,7 frente a 37 ± 52,9, respectivamente. Las tasas de infección fueron mayores en los hombres reclutados para el diagnóstico. Se obtuvieron diferencias significativas entre la positividad para H. pylori en niños con sobrepeso y obesidad, pero no en adultos. Los títulos de UBT-13C se asociaron significativamente con el índice de masa corporal (IMC) solo en adultos. Conclusiones: Las tasas de infección por H. pylori son similares entre los sexos y aumentan en los niños probablemente debido al sesgo de selección. En niños, la positividad para H. pylori se asocia con un IMC más alto y malnutrición por exceso, aunque con valores similares de UBT-13C. En los adultos, la infección por H. pylori no se relaciona con el IMC ni con la obesidad, pero el aumento del IMC afecta los títulos de UBT-13C.

Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection among asymptomatic children in southeastern Brazil: a cross-sectional study

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: The prevalence of Helico bacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is decreasing worldwide, but is still high in developing countries. We previously observed an H. pylori infection rate of 52% among children and adolescents with chronic non-ulcer dyspepsia. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence of H. pylori infection among asymptomatic children living in a single region and to evaluate the risk factors for this infection. DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional study in which 161 children aged 5-13 years (mean age 7.8 years), at a public school in Botucatu, state of São Paulo, southeastern Brazil, were assessed. METHOD: The children's H. pylori infection status was determined through the urea breath test and the risk factors for acquisition of the infection were determined based on a sociodemographic questionnaire. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of H. pylori infection was 20.5%: 18.7% among females and 22.2% among males. The results from the sociodemographic survey did not differ between children with and without H. pylori infection. 30.9% of the children had previous records of upper gastrointestinal symptoms, which consisted of H. pylori infection in only 26.5% of these cases. Family histories of gastritis and peptic ulcer disease were found in relation to 50% and 32.3% of the children with H. pylori infection respectively. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of H. pylori infection among asymptomatic children in southeastern Brazil is lower than that recorded among symptomatic children in the same region and similar to the prevalence of H. pylori infection observed in developed countries.

A comparative study on the renal function parameters and serum C reactive protein levels in relation to the severity of preeclampsia

Background: Preeclampsia is one of the major complications affecting the pregnancy. It is an important cause of both maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality worldwide. Aims and Objectives: The aim of the study was to assess the renal function and serum C reactive protein (CRP) levels in pre-eclampsia. Materials and Methods: Our study was a cross-sectional study conducted among 90 pregnant women in a tertiary care center in Kerala. The Institutional Ethics Committee approved the study. Blood urea, serum creatinine, and serum CRP levels were estimated in 30 normotensive pregnant women, 30 mild preeclamptic, and 30 severe pre eclamptic women. Statistical analysis was done. Results: The mean values of all the three parameters were highest in severe pre-eclampsia when compared to the normotensive pregnant women. The mean values in mild pre-eclampsia lies in between the values of other two groups. The results were statistically significant. Conclusion: Significant alteration in renal function tests and serum CRP levels prove to be an important indicator in assessing the severity of preeclampsia.

Synthesis, spectral characterization, anti-bacterial, cytotoxic evaluation and docking studies of new urea and thiourea derivatives

Isoniazid is one of the main API’s used in the combination treatment of tuberculosis recommended by the WHO. Urea and its derivatives are an important class of heterocyclic compounds that possess a wide range of therapeutic and pharmacological properties, while thiourea is an organosulphur compound in that it resembles urea except that the atom oxygen has been replaced by a Sulphur atom, but the properties of urea and thiourea are significantly different. The current work concerns the synthesis of a new class of urea and thiourea derivatives of isoniazid with various isocyanates and isothiocyanates in the presence of trimethylamine. The IR and NMR spectral data were performed for the urea and thiourea derivatives of the compounds [(3c & 3f) & (3d & 3e)], respectively. Molecular docking studies of the compounds (3a-h) revealed the binding mode involved in the active site of DNA gyrase. The synthesized urea and thiourea derivatives of isoniazid with various isocyanates and isothiocyanates were tested for their antibacterial activity against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria using the “disc diffusion method”. Of all compounds tested, the urea derivatives (3a &3d), the thiourea derivatives (3e & 3g) showed more potent activity than the other compounds. The MTT assay revealed concentration dependent cytotoxic effects over a concentration range 25-200 µg/mL.