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Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the association between blood lead levels and the prevalence of nocturia in American adults. Methods: We analyzed data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2005 to 2020, focusing on individuals aged 20 years or older (n = 11,919). Blood lead levels were categorized into two groups (<2 µg/dL and ≥2 µg/dL), and the presence of nocturia was assessed based on questionnaire responses. We used multivariable logistic regression models to explore the association between blood lead levels and nocturia while adjusting for various covariates, including sex, ratio of family income to poverty (RIP), lipid profile, age, body mass index (BMI), race, citizenship, sleep trouble, diabetes, and hypertension. To verify whether certain covariates influence blood lead levels and the risk of nocturia, we conducted subgroup analyses. Results: Of the study participants, 31.70% reported experiencing nocturia. Individuals with higher blood lead levels (≥2 µg/dL) exhibited a higher likelihood of experiencing nocturia compared to those with lower levels (<2 µg/dL) in all three models (Model 1: OR 1.46, 95% CI 1.29–1.66, p < 0.0001; Model 2: OR 1.25, 95% CI 1.09–1.44, p = 0.002; Model 3: OR 1.22, 95%CI 1.06–1.41, p = 0.01). Subgroup analyses revealed that factors such as age, sex, sleep trouble, diabetes, hypertension, BMI, RIP, and race did not affect the association between blood lead levels and the risk of nocturia (P for interaction >0.05). Conclusions: This study reported the correlation between blood lead levels and nocturia. We found that compared to blood lead levels below 2 µg/dL, when lead levels reached or exceeded 2 µg/dL, the risk of nocturia occurrence increased by 22%. Clinical trial registration: This study is based on existing data from a public database and not from a specific clinical trial; hence, clinical registration information is not provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The relationship between waist circumference and nocturia has not been previously studied. This study investigated the association between waist circumference and the occurrence of nocturia in adults. Methods: We analyzed data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey covering 2005–2020, encompassing 6287 adults aged ≥20. Nocturia was defined as the need to urinate two or more times during the night. First, we compared baseline characteristics between the nocturia and non‐nocturia groups. Subsequently, we used multivariate logistic regression analysis to investigate the relationship between waist circumference and nocturia prevalence. We also employed restricted cubic spline analysis to study the potential nonlinear correlation between waist circumference and the prevalence of nocturia. Recognizing the baseline data's heterogeneity based on nocturia prevalence, we conducted subgroup analyses according to age, sex, body mass index (BMI), and ethnicity. Results: Our findings indicated that females, individuals aged ≥50, citizens, Non‐Hispanic Black, those with lower education levels (high school or less), higher BMIs, lower family income‐to‐poverty ratios, higher waist circumference, hypertension, and diabetes were more likely to experience nocturia. Compared with individuals in the lowest waist circumference quartile (Q1), those in the higher quartiles (Q4) exhibited an increased risk of nocturia in Model 1 (Q4, OR:2.00, 95% CI:1.64, 2.45, p < 0.0001). These results remained consistent after adjusting for covariates in models 2 and 3. A restricted cubic spline analysis suggested a linear association between waist circumference and nocturia (P for nonlinearity = 0.066). Subgroup analyses based on age, sex, BMI, and ethnicity revealed no significant differences in the interaction tests between waist circumference and nocturia (P for interaction = 0.437, 0.331, 0.121, and 0.889, respectively), indicating that these baseline characteristics did not influence the association. Conclusions: Our findings indicated an association between increased waist circumference and a higher prevalence of nocturia. Knowledge of this association reinforces the importance of lifestyle modifications in maintaining a healthy waist circumference and informs public health strategies to address other potential risk factors for nocturia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review contains the results of Polish (Central Europe) ethnomedical studies that describe the treatment of urinary tract diseases with wild and cultivated plants. The study includes only the plants that are used to treat the urinary tract, excluding prostate diseases. A review of the literature was carried out to verify the pharmacological use of the plants mentioned in the interviews. Based on this, the study reviews the pharmacological activities of all the recorded species and indicates their most important chemical compounds. Fifty-three species (belonging to 30 families) were selected for the study. The Compositae (eight species), Rosaceae (six species), and Apiaceae (six species) are the most common families used in the treatment of urinary diseases in Polish folk medicine. Both in vitro and in vivo studies have confirmed that many of these plant species have beneficial properties, such as diuretic, antihyperuricemic, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory activity, or the prevention of urinary stone formation. These effects are exerted through different mechanisms, for example, through the activation of bradykinin B2 receptors, inhibition of xanthine oxidase, or inhibition of Na+-K+ pump. Many plants used in folk medicine are rich in phytochemicals with proven effectiveness against urinary tract diseases, such as rutin, arbutin, or triterpene saponins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To compare the etiologies and perinatal outcomes of fetal megacystis according to their gestational age at diagnosis. The second aim is to detect the prognostic sonographic criteria in each gestational age group. Methods: Fetal megacystis cases detected over eight years were retrospectively searched on hospital records. They were classified into three groups according to the gestational age at diagnosis: first, second, and third trimester of pregnancy. Pregnancy outcomes, postnatal prognosis, and etiologies were compared between the groups. The sonographic criteria that predicted the adverse outcomes were assessed for each trimester. Results: A total of seventy-eight cases of fetal megacystis were included in the study. Thirty-two, forty, and six of the cases were diagnosed in the first, second, and third trimester respectively. 38.4% of the fetuses were born alive, and 19.2% of the fetuses survived beyond infancy. Gestational age at diagnosis, the presence of signs of renal impairment, and increased bladder diameter were associated with poor outcomes in the first trimester. Oligohydramnios, earlier gestational weeks at diagnosis, and an increased bladder length/biparietal diameter ratio were associated with poor outcomes in the second trimester. Third-trimester cases had better outcomes and were associated with varying pathologies. Conclusion: The underlying etiologies of megacystis vary depending on gestational age at diagnosis. It may have a favorable prognosis when it presents in the later gestational ages and when abnormal amniotic fluid volume does not accompany. LBD: BPD ratio higher than 0.96 can be used as a poor prognostic factor in the second trimester of pregnancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: This study aimed to examine the correlation between television (TV) and/or video viewing time and the occurrence of nocturia in adults. Methods: An analysis of data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey for 2011–2016 was conducted, involving 13 294 adults aged 20 and older. The main outcome was specified as nocturia, which refers to the requirement of urinating two or more times during the night. Initially, baseline characteristics were contrasted between individuals with and without nocturia. The effects of TV and/or video viewing time on nocturia were further explored using multivariable logistic regression models. To acknowledge the variation in baseline data regarding the prevalence of nocturia, subgroup analyses were performed. Results: Adjusted multivariate analysis revealed that individuals in the group with the longest TV and/or video viewing time had a significantly 48% higher risk of experiencing nocturia compared to those with the shortest TV and/or video viewing time. The results of subgroup analyses revealed no significant differences in the interaction tests between TV and/or video viewing time and nocturia. Conclusions: Our research showed that individuals who spent 5 or more hours a day watching TV and/or videos were significantly more likely to develop nocturia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To establish a normal reference value of postvoid residual (PVR) urine volume in "healthy" adults. Methods: Adults were recruited to undergo uroflowmetry and PVR. Those with neurological disorders, malignancy, diabetes, known lower urinary tract dysfunction, and urinary tract infection within the previous 3 months, were excluded from the study. Constipation was defined as Rome IV ≥ 2. Results: Of the 883 adults enrolled in this study, 194 (22.3%) did not complete the questionnaires or perform the uroflowmetry, 103 (11.7%) met ≥1 exclusion criteria and thus were excluded. In addition, 30 and 38 uroflowmetry were excluded due to artifacts and low bladder volume (BV) (<100 mL), respectively. Finally, 515 uroflowmetry and PVR data from adults aged 36–89 (mean: 59.0 ± 9.5) were examined. There was a significant nonlinear relationship between BV and PVR (p < 0.05), with PVR significantly increased when BV was around 528 mL. Women had lower PVR than men (p < 0.05). PVR also increased as the International Prostatic Symptom Score (IPSS) increased. PVR was unaffected by age and functional constipation. A multivariate analysis revealed that BV (p < 0.05) and IPSS (p < 0.05) had significant influence on PVR, but age, gender, and Rome IV score did not. The 90th and 95th percentiles of PVR for men were 73.2 mL (25% of BV) and 102.6 mL (30% of BV), respectively, while for women they were 60.5 mL (21% of BV) and 93.8 mL (27% of BV), respectively. Conclusion: Women had lower PVR than men. The 90th percentile or 95th percentile of normal adults' PVR may serve as the upper limit of normal PVR, and readings above this level may necessitate additional evaluation and treatment. Further studies are required to substantiate these recommendations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The most common interventions in lower urinary tract obstruction are vesico-amniotic shunting (VAS) and serial amnioinfusions; however, their outcome remains uncertain. The aim of the study was to assess the kidney function as well as clinical complications in boys at the age of 6 months with posterior urethral valves (PUV), who underwent prenatal VAS and survived the neonatal period. Material and methods: The study group consisted of 14 boys and the mean time of the VAS procedure was 22 weeks of gestational age (GA). Children were born in 34 GA (29--39) with average birth weight of 2860 g. Four fetuses needed amnioinfusion. In the study we assessed physical development, prevalence and aetiology of urinary tract infections (UTIs), number of hospitalizations, estimated glomerular filtration rate, presence of hypertension, albuminuria, proteinuria and acidosis. Results: Average body weight at 6 months of life was 7.2 kg. 86% of children had at least one UTI; the same percentage were given antibacterial prophylaxis. 36% underwent urinary diversion. Median number of hospitalizations was 4. One patient required chronic renal replacement therapy, and one needed a short course of peritoneal dialysis. Median serum creatinine level was 0.65 mg/dl with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) 50.6 ml/min/1.73 m². Average serum cystatin C level was 1.50 mg/l with eGFR 48.5 ml/min/1.73 m². 43% developed acidosis. 71% had elevated albuminuria with a median urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio of 581.64 mg/g. 28.5% had overt proteinuria. Conclusions: Growth at the age of 6 month of infants with PUV after prenatal VAS was barely satisfactory. More than half had impaired kidney function, but the need for renal replacement therapy was uncommon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ureteral stents are commonly used in urology but are frequently associated with hematuria, abdominal discomfort, urinary tract infection, stent displacement, and stent encrustation. Surface modification of ureteral stents is beneficial to solve the problem, and these can be divided into coated stents and drug-eluting stents according to the modification method. Coated stents can be divided into hydrophilic coatings, antibacterial coatings, and anti-encrustation coatings. Drug-eluting stents can be divided into antimicrobial drug-eluting, antispasmodic analgesic drug-eluting, anti-ureteral stricture drug-eluting, and anti-tumor drug-eluting. Surface modification of ureteral stents can not only reduce complications related to ureteral stents but also strengthen the treatment of certain urologic diseases, which has a high clinical application value. This review focuses on highlighting and summarizing the latest research progress about surface modification of ureteral stents, ureteral stent development history, classification, functions, and future development prospects. The purpose of this article is to discuss surface modification of ureteral stents to reduce stent-related complications and potential research directions for the treatment of urinary tract tumors are also briefly discussed, to help guide further innovation in ureteral stent coatings, which contribute to the future progress of ureteral stents surface modification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Describing the urodynamic parameters of children aged 3 to 5 years with microcephaly related to congenital Zika syndrome and verifying the association with clinical, imaging and neurological characteristics. Methods: From October 2018 to March 2020, children with Zika-related microcephaly underwent urological, ultrasonographic and urodynamic evaluation. In selected cases, complementary exams such as urethrocystography and scintigraphy were performed. The children also underwent a complete neurological evaluation. To compare frequency between groups, we used Pearson's chi-squared test or Fisher's exact test. Results: This study evaluated 40 children, of whom 85% were 4 years old, and all had abnormalities on the urodynamic study, with low bladder capacity (92.5%) and detrusor overactivity (77.5%) as the most frequent findings. Only three children had ultrasound abnormalities, but no child had cystographic or scintigraphic abnormalities, and the postvoid residual volume was normal in 80% of cases. In spite of a frequency of 67.5% of intestinal constipation, there was no record of febrile urinary tract infection after the first year of life. All children presented severe microcephaly and at least one neurological abnormality in addition to microcephaly. The homogeneity of the children in relation to microcephaly severity and neurological abnormalities limited the study of the association with the urodynamic parameters. Conclusions: Urodynamic abnormalities in children aged 3 to 5 years with Zika-related microcephaly do not seem to characterize a neurogenic bladder with immediate risks for the upper urinary tract. The satisfactory bladder emptying suggests that the voiding pattern is reflex. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neonatal nephrology is really complex and still a somewhat incomplete branch of nephrology. There are many questions and dilemmas about the diseases of the urinary tract in newborns that we don’t have an answer to, and even more so when it comes to neonates with low birth weight and extremely low birth weight. As we all know, the fetal kidney is of utmost importance for the normal growth of the fetus, and after birth, the primary function of the kidneys is maintaining the homeostasis of the electrolytes and fluids. The most common diseases of newborns’ urinary tract are congenital malformations of the urinary tract and then many other diseases such as urinary tract infections, nephrocalcinosis, glomerulopathy, hypertension, etc. It’s very important to diagnose these diseases and conditions as soon as possible and apply the corresponding therapy in order to prevent permanent kidney injury which could lead, later in life, to a terminal kidney injury. There has been an increasing number of studies pointing out that there is a connection between prenatal and neonatal events that affect the development of hypertension in adolescents and adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]