1%) patients. Among them, 3 patients refused treatment despite PSA progression. Five patients, who underwent RP as an intervention, all had organ-confined Gleason score smaller than = 6 disease. In 67 patients who underwent RP, 50 (74.6%) patients had insignificant prostate cancer and 8 (11.9%) patients showed unfavorable features. During follow-up,

Selleckchem Fedratinib biochemical recurrence occurred in 2 patients. Among 34 patients who received HT, 3 (8.8%) patients had PSA progression. Among 156 patients, 6 patients died due to other causes during follow-up. There were no patients who died due to prostate cancer. Conclusion: The clinical outcomes of incidental prostate cancer were satisfactory regardless of the initial treatment. However, according to recent researches and guidelines,

immediate definite therapy should be avoided without a careful assessment. We also believe that improved clinical staging is needed for these patients.”
“Background: A growing body of evidence shows that brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays a role in depressive disorder. Serum BDNF levels are lower in depressed patients and they increase after a long course of antidepressant treatment. Our study aims to test the effect of antidepressant treatment on serum BDNF levels in patients with a depressive SB203580 episode, after they have achieved remission in two studies in Macedonia and Bulgaria. Subjects and methods: In the Macedonian study 23 patients were included (11 female, 12 male) diagnosed with a first depressive episode Baf-A1 supplier according to ICD-10, as well as 23 control subjects age- and sex-matched without a history of psychiatric disorder. In the Bulgarian study 10 female patients with depression and 10 control subjects were included. We have applied the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) to assess depression

severity. Blood samples were collected before antidepressive treatment and after remission was achieved (decrease to 7 points or less on HDRS). Results: In the Macedonian study, mean serum BDNF level at baseline was 13.15 +/- 6.75 ng/ml and the mean HDRS score was 28.52 +/- 4.02. Untreated depressed patients showed significantly lower serum BDNF levels compared to the control group (25.95 +/- 9.17 ng/ml). After remission was achieved, the mean serum BDNF level was 24.73 +/- 11.80 ng/ml whereas the mean HDRS score was 7.04 +/- 3.15. After 8 weeks of treatment there was no statistically significant difference in the serum BDNF levels between the two groups. In the Bulgarian study, baseline mean serum BDNF levels were 26.84 +/- 8.66 ng/ml, after 3 weeks treatment and remission was achieved mean serum BDNF levels were 30.33 +/- 9.25 ng/ml and in the control group mean serum BDNF levels were 25.04 +/- 2.88 ng/ml. Integrated results showed baseline mean serum BDNF levels of 17.30 +/- 9.66 ng/ml, after achieved remission 26.43 +/- 11.25 ng/ml and in the control group mean serum BDNF levels of 25.68 +/- 7.76 ng/ml.

The proposed solution has been specially designed to have good fixed-point error performances that have been exploited to further reduce the hardware complexity and power consumption. It leads to a ROM based VLSI kernel with good quantization properties. A parallel VLSI algorithm and architecture with a good fixed point implementation appropriate for a memory-based implementation have been obtained. The proposed algorithm can bemapped onto two linear systolic arrays with similar length and form. They can be further efficientlymerged into a single array using an appropriate hardware sharing technique.

A highly efficient VLSI chip can be thus obtained with appealing features as good architectural topology, processing speed, MK-8931 hardware complexity and I/ O costs. Moreover, the proposed solution substantially selleck chemical reduces the hardware overhead involved by the

pre-processing stage that for short length DCT consumes an important percentage of the chip area.”
“The 2010 ERC-guidelines strongly emphasise the need for high-quality chest compression to a depth of 5-6 cm and a rate of 100-120/min. Delivery of compressions should not be interrupted for more than 5 s for manual defibrillation and 10 s for passing the endotracheal tube through the vocal cords. The ratio of compression-ventilation remains unchanged at 30:2. Routine BLS for AZD6244 two minutes before rhythm analysis is no longer recommended. In the event of ventricular fibrillation, a single shock is recommended; serial 3 shocks may be given initially in the event of witnessed ventricular fibrillation only. After the third shock, adrenaline (1 mg) and amiodarone (300 mg) are now given immediately one after another. In the event of asystole, 1 mg adrenaline is given (repeated every 3-5 min); atropine is no longer recommended. In adults, endotracheal delivery of drugs is no longer

recommended; as in children, the intraosseous route is the route of second choice after failed intravenous access.”
“Hepatitis B virus genotype E (HBV/E) is highly prevalent in Western Africa. In this work, 30 HBV/E isolates from HBsAg positive Angolans (staff and visitors of a private hospital in Luanda) were genetically characterized: 16 of them were completely sequenced and the pre-S/S sequences of the remaining 14 were determined. A high proportion (12/30, 40%) of subjects tested positive for both HBsAg and anti-HBs markers. Deduced amino acid sequences revealed the existence of specific substitutions and deletions in the B-and T-cell epitopes of the surface antigen (pre-S1- and pre-S2 regions) of the virus isolates derived from 8/12 individuals with concurrent HBsAg/anti-HBs.

Here, we report two cases of HHV-8-unrelated HIV-negative PEL-like lymphoma in which malignant cells regressed spontaneously after effusion drainage alone. These cells expressed B-cell markers, such as CD20. No chemotherapy was given to either patient, as they were of an advanced age, and both achieved a complete response by effusion drainage alone. One showed a complete S63845 price response for 16 months after effusion drainage, and

the other has survived for 11 months with a complete response. This suggests that sufficient drainage of serous effusion may induce and maintain a complete response in some patients with HHV-8-unrelated HIV-negative PEL-like lymphoma, which represents an excellent treatment option check details for elderly patients with this disease.”
“AIM: To assess the biocompatibility of bovine bone as orbital implants in rabbits.\n\nMETHODS: Bovine bone graft was used as an ocular implant in rabbits to determine whether it could be successfully used in the anophthalmic socket as an alternative to the expensive synthetic alloplastics. Evisceration of eyes with and without bovine bone orbital implantation was performed in the right eyes of 12 New Zealand white rabbits. Group Y (n = 6) was eviscerated without implant, meanwhile Group X (n = 6) was eviscerated with insertion of an orbital implant using bovine bone. Observation was carried out on day 1, day 7, day 14,

day 28 and day 42. Serial clinical examination was carried out based on a few fixed criteria, which included rate of infection, implant migration, evidence of wound breakdown and any restriction of intraocular movements. The implanted eyes Citarinostat purchase were then enucleated on day 42. The enucleated eyes were sent for histopathological evaluation to record the type of inflammatory reaction and rate of fibrovascular ingrowth.\n\nRESULTS: Serial clinical examination showed presence of minimal infection in all eyes, both in Group X (implanted) and Group Y (control) on first postoperative day, which responded well with antibiotics. Infection occurred in the implanted group after first postoperative day,

but there was no evidence of orbital migration or extrusion of implant, wound breakdown, restriction of extraocular movement, severe infection or any physical abnormality. Histopathological examination revealed good fibrovascular ingrowth in the implanted group, with minimal rejecting reaction of rabbit eye towards bovine bone implant.\n\nCONCLUSION: This study shows that bovine orbital implant has a good biocompatibility in rabbit eyes and its cost is acceptable.”
“Introduction. – Hyperthyroidism is a rare complication of molar pregnancy.\n\nCase report. – We report a 39-year-old woman who presented a thyrotoxic syndrome accompanying a molar pregnancy. Serum thyroid hormones were elevated and returned to normal level after uterine evacuation of a molar pregnancy.

Bootstrap and Likelihood-based confidence intervals are broadly comparable and ERR is strictly positive by bootstrap methods for all 5 cancers. Except for the pancreas, similar estimates of latency and risk from 10 mSv are obtained from the 0 – 20 mSv and 5 – 500 mSv subcohorts. Large and significant cancer risks for Japanese survivors exposed to less than 20 mSv PCI-34051 purchase external radiation from the atomic bombs in 1945 cast doubt on the ICRP recommended annual occupational dose limit.”
“Objective To document the application of diagnostics and treatments at one rehabilitation facility over 10 years and their effects on recovery and post-release

survival of 88 koalas treated for chlamydiosis, and to highlight associated wildlife care issues with potential

significance to animal welfare and disease ecology.\n\nDesign Using a retrospective analysis of medical records, we identified risk factors for successful release using a logistic regression model and descriptive statistics.\n\nProcedure We examined the clinical presentation, signalment, diagnostics, treatments, outcomes and whether released koalas were re-presented by the end of 2008 indicating post-release survival.\n\nResults Records of 88 koalas were included. Treatments and diagnostics were directed at the anatomical site displaying clinical signs. Younger age and use of ancillary treatments were associated with successful release. The type, route and duration of the treatments used were not those theorised to result in microbial

cure. Despite this, LY2835219 research buy approximately 50% of koalas were released and many survived in the wild for extended periods.\n\nConclusions SNX-5422 chemical structure Wildlife rehabilitators’ records can guide research priorities and the development of care facilities and policies. This study identified the need for more accessible chlamydial diagnostic tests and veterinary support of carers, and the need for a more rigorous assessment of novel therapies. Current treatment regimens appear to be moderately successful in terms of clinical improvement, but it is unclear which aspects are responsible for the success or whether microbial cure is achieved. The long-term effect of released koalas on wild populations requires further study to assess its contribution to the conservation of koala populations.”
“Fluorescent-labeled invertase, a hyperglycosylated mannoprotein from Saccharomyces cerevisiae, was found to bind to Lactococcus lactis IL1403 at acidic pH. Proteins on the cell wall of the bacterium affinity-purified using invertase as a ligand were identified to be heat shock proteins such as DnaK and GroEL and glycolytic enzymes such as pyruvate kinase and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase. DnaK bound to both the bacterium and yeast at pH 4 and aggregated them at above 0.1 mg/ml, whereas no significant difference between the circular dichroism spectra of DnaK at pH 4 and 7 was observed.

In vivo EB administration significantly influenced the epileptifornn activity in gonadal status-dependent manner. The onset of epileptiform discharges was modestly delayed in slices from OVX rats replaced with physiologically relevant doses of EB but the number of discharges was not affected. In contrast, EB administration to gonadally intact rats had robust effects such that: EB delayed the onset of discharges but significantly increased their number within the dentate gyrus network. Our data suggest that EB in physiologically relevant concentrations does not seem to negatively affect hippocampal neuronal excitability, nevertheless supraphysiological

EB levels may enhance this website seizure severity. (C) 2013 selleck chemicals Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.”
“Mutations in the FERMT1 gene (also known as KIND1), encoding the focal adhesion protein kindlin-1, underlie the Kindler syndrome (KS), an autosomal recessive skin disorder with an intriguing progressive phenotype comprising skin blistering, photosensitivity, progressive poikiloderma with extensive skin atrophy, and propensity to skin cancer. Herein we review the clinical and genetic data of 62 patients, and delineate the natural history of the disorder, for example, age at onset of symptoms, or risk of malignancy.

Although most mutations are predicted to lead to premature termination of translation, and to loss of kindlin-1 function, significant 5-Fluoracil DNA Damage inhibitor clinical variability is observed among patients. There is an association of FERMT1 missense and in-frame deletion mutations with milder disease

phenotypes, and later onset of complications. Nevertheless, the clinical variability is not fully explained by genotype-phenotype correlations. Environmental factors and yet unidentified modifiers may play a role. Better understanding of the molecular pathogenesis of KS should enable the development of prevention strategies for disease complications. Hum Mutat 32: 1204-1212, 2011. (C) 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.”
“Recently, we found that sphingomyelin bound and activated hepatitis C virus (HCV) 1b RNA polymerase (RdRp), thereby recruiting the HCV replication complex into lipid raft structures. Detergents are commonly used for resolving lipids and purifying proteins, including HCV RdRp. Here, we tested the effect of detergents on HCV RdRp activity in vitro and found that non-ionic (Triton X-100, NP-40, Tween 20, Tween 80, and Brij 35) and twitterionic (CHAPS) detergents activated HCV 1b RdRps by 8-16.6 folds, but did not affect 1a or 2a RdRps. The maximum effect of these detergents was observed at around their critical micelle concentrations. On the other hand, ionic detergents (SDS and DOC) completely inactivated polymerase activity at 0.01%. In the presence of Triton X-100, HCV 1b RdRp did not form oligomers, but recruited more template RNA and increased the speed of polymerization.

Thus, DLEC1 is a functional tumour suppressor, check details being frequently silenced by epigenetic mechanism in gastrointestinal tumours.”
“Fraser JA, Peacher DF, Freiberger JJ, Natoli MJ, Schinazi EA, Beck IV, Walker JR, Doar PO, Boso AE, Walker AJ, Kernagis DN, Moon RE. Risk factors for immersion pulmonary edema: hyperoxia does not attenuate pulmonary hypertension associated with cold water-immersed prone exercise at 4.7 ATA. J Appl Physiol 110: 610-618, 2011. First published December 9, 2010; doi:10.1152/japplphysiol.01088.2010.-Hyperoxia has been

shown to attenuate the increase in pulmonary artery (PA) pressure associated with immersed exercise in thermoneutral water, which could serve Selleckchem GDC-0994 as a possible preventive strategy for the development of immersion pulmonary edema (IPE). We tested the hypothesis that the same is true during exercise in cold water. Six healthy volunteers instrumented with arterial and PA catheters were studied during two 16-min exercise trials during prone immersion in cold water (19.9-20.9 degrees C) in normoxia [0.21 atmospheres absolute (ATA)] and hyperoxia (1.75 ATA) at 4.7 ATA. Heart rate (HR), Fick cardiac output (CO), mean arterial pressure (MAP), pulmonary artery pressure (PAP), pulmonary artery wedge pressure (PAWP), central venous pressure (CVP), arterial and venous blood gases, and ventilatory parameters

Quisinostat nmr were measured both early (E, 5-6 min) and late (L, 15-16 min) in exercise. During exercise at an average oxygen

consumption rate ((V) over dotO(2)) of 2.38 ml.kg(-1.)min(-1), CO, CVP, and pulmonary vascular resistance were not affected by inspired PO(2) or exercise duration. Minute ventilation ((V) over dotE), alveolar ventilation ((V) over dotA), and ventilation frequency (f) were significantly lower in hyperoxia compared with normoxia (mean +/- SD: (V) over dot 58.8 +/- 8.0 vs. 65.1 +/- 9.2, P = 0.003; (V) over dotA 40.2 +/- 5.4 vs. 44.2 +/- 9.0, P = 0.01; f 25.4 +/- 5.4 vs. 27.2 +/- 4.2, P = 0.04). Mixed venous pH was lower in hyperoxia compared with normoxia (7.17 +/- 0.07 vs. 7.20 +/- 0.07), and this result was significant early in exercise (P = 0.002). There was no difference in mean PAP (MPAP: 28.28 +/- 8.1 and 29.09 +/- 14.3 mmHg) or PAWP (18.0 +/- 7.6 and 18.7 +/- 8.7 mmHg) between normoxia and hyperoxia, respectively. PAWP decreased from early to late exercise in hyperoxia (P = 0.002). These results suggest that the increase in pulmonary vascular pressures associated with cold water immersion is not attenuated with hyperoxia.”
“Osteosarcoma (OS) is the most common primary malignant bone tumour in children and adolescents. Despite aggressive therapy, survival outcomes remain unsatisfactory, especially for patients with metastatic disease or patients with a poor chemotherapy response. Chemoresistance contributes to treatment failure.

Also, we present evidences that an FBXO25-dependent ubiquitin ligase activity prevents aggregation of recombinant polyglutamine-containing huntingtin protein in the nucleus of human embryonic

kidney 293 cells, suggesting that this protein can be a target for the nuclear FBXO25 mediated ubiquitination.”
“Aim: To determine the long-term (4 years) glycaemic outcome of a structured nurse-led intervention programme for type 2 diabetic patients in rural Africa.\n\nDesign: Single-centre, observational cohort study.\n\nMethods: The programme was delivered in the scattered primary health clinics of Hlabisa District, in northern Kwazulu Natal, South Africa. Monthly diabetic clinics were FAK inhibitor held at which empowerment-based education was delivered and regularly reinforced. Selleck Blebbistatin Oral hypoglycaemic

agents (OHAs) were titrated according to a previously validated clinical algorithm. Outcome was measured by glycated haemoglobin (HbA(1)c), as well as body mass index (BMI). Data were collected at baseline, and then 6, 18, 24 and 48 month’s post-intervention.\n\nResults: Eighty patients had data available at all time collection points. They were of mean +/- SD, age 56 +/- 11 years, 70% were female, BMI 31.5 +/- 7.2 kg/m(2) and HbA(1)c 10.8 +/- 4.2%. HbA(1)c fell significantly to 8.1 +/- 2.2% at 6 months and 7.5 +/- 2.0% at 18 months. By 24 months, it had risen (8.4 +/- 2.3%), and at 4 years post-intervention it was 9.7 +/-

4.0% (still significantly lower than baseline, P = 0.015). BMI rose significantly at 6 and 18 months, but by 48 months was not significantly different from baseline.\n\nConclusions: We conclude that the intervention led to marked HbA(1)c improvements up to 18 months follow-up, but thereafter there was ‘glycaemic slippage’. This may be not only due to educational ‘wear-off’, noted in other education-intervention programmes, but also to the expected glycaemic deterioration with time known to occur in type 2 diabetes. Nevertheless, 4-year HbA(1)c levels were still significantly lower than at baseline. The programme was also well received by staff and patients, and we believe is an appropriate and effective diabetes Cell Cycle inhibitor intervention system in rural Africa.”
“Purpose of review\n\nWe summarize current information on Fc receptor-mediated antiviral activities of antibodies. These activities include Fc gamma receptor-mediated inhibition and neutralization of HIV on antigen-presenting cells, antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity, and antibody-dependent cell-mediated virus inhibition (ADCVI).\n\nRecent findings\n\nAn Fc gamma receptor-mediated mechanism that results in augmented neutralization and may render nonneutralizing antibodies inhibitory has been demonstrated in antigen-presenting cell.

NRG-1 beta obviously reduced and delayed the cerebral damage. With the duration of ischemia, the expression of MMP-9 gradually Selleck SC79 increased in the control group. NRG-1 beta decreased the level of MMP-9 compared with that in the control group (P < 0.01). NSE immunoreaction transiently elevated at the early stage of cerebral ischemia insult, and then gradually decreased in the control group. The administration of NRG-1 beta significantly increased the level of NSE, and thus delayed the time and the degree of neuron damage. There were statistical differences in contrast to the control group (P < 0.01). There was no relationship between the expressions of the

two proteins. MMP-9 might aim at various target cells at different stages and contribute to the inflammatory reaction after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion insult. NRG-1 Adavosertib beta inhibits the activation of MMP-9 and development of inflammation, enhances the activity of NSE, improves the microenvironment of neuron survivals, and delays the phase of irreversible neuron necrosis. Therefore, NRG-1 beta

may play a neuroprotective role in cerebral ischemia/reperfusion.”
“Context: Increased hepatic de novo lipogenesis (DNL) in response to dietary sugar is implicated in dyslipidemia, fatty liver, and insulin resistance.\n\nObjective: The aim of the study was to develop a simple outpatient tolerance test for lipogenic sensitivity to dietary sugar.\n\nDesign and Setting: In inpatients given repeated doses of fructose, protocol 1 compared the acute increase in DNL determined from the percentage of palmitate (“new palmitate”) and the percentage of isotopically labeled palmitate (“% DNL”)in very low-density lipoprotein triglyceride (TG). Protocol 2 compared the increase in new palmitate in outpatients given three different sugar beverages in a randomized

crossover design.\n\nParticipants: There were 15 lean and overweight volunteers in protocol 1 and 15 overweight THZ1 nmr volunteers in protocol 2.\n\nInterventions: In protocol 1, subjects received 1.4 g/kg fructose in divided oral doses over 6 h; in protocol 2, subjects received 0.5 g/kg fructose, 0.5 g/kg fructose plus 0.5g/kg glucose, or 1 g/kg fructose plus 1g/kg glucose each as a single oral bolus.\n\nMain Outcome Measures: We measured the increase in DNL by two methods. Results: After repeated doses of fructose, new palmitate was significantly correlated with the increase in %DNL (Delta, r = 0.814; P < 0.001) and with fasting insulin levels (area under the curve, r = 0.754; P = 0.001). After a single sugar dose, new palmitate showed a dose effect and was greater after fructose plus glucose. Very low-density lipoprotein TG and total TG significantly increased in both protocols.

Evidence base: Information provided in this article is based on published literature, comprising original studies, case review series LCL161 supplier and textbook chapters, and the authors’ own clinical experience.”
“Insect gustatory systems play important roles in food selection and feeding behaviors. In spite

of the enormous progress in understanding gustation in Drosophila, for other insects one of the key elements in gustatory signaling, the gustatory receptor (GR), is still elusive. In this study, we report that fructose elicits behavioral and physiological responses in Helicoverpa armigera (Harm) to fructose and identify the gustatory receptor for this sugar. Using the proboscis extension reflex (PER) assays we found that females respond to fructose following stimulation of the distal part of the antenna, where we have identified Buparlisib mw contact chemosensilla tuned to fructose in tip recording experiments. We isolated three full-length cDNAs encoding candidate HarmGRs based on comparison with orthologous GR sequences in Heliothis virescens and functionally characterized the responses of HarmGR4 to 15

chemicals when this receptor was expressed in Xeno pus oocytes with two-electrode voltage-clamp recording. Among the tastants tested, the oocytes dose-dependently responded only to D-fructose (EC50 = 0.045 M). By combining behavioral, electrophysiological and molecular approaches, these results provide basic knowledge for further research on the molecular mechanisms of gustatory reception. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“Purine biosynthesis requires ten enzymatic transformations to generate inosine monophosphate. PurF, PurD, PurL, PurM, selleck kinase inhibitor PurC, and PurB are common to all pathways, while PurN or PurT, PurK/PurE-I or PurE-II, PurH or PurP, and PurJ or PurO catalyze the same steps in different organisms. X-ray crystal structures are available for

all 15 purine biosynthetic enzymes, including 7 ATP-dependent enzymes, 2 amidotransferases and 2 tetrahydrofolate-dependent enzymes. Here we summarize the structures of the purine biosynthetic enzymes, discuss similarities and differences, and present arguments for pathway evolution. Four of the ATP-dependent enzymes belong to the ATP-grasp superfamily and 2 to the PurM superfamily. The amidotransferases are unrelated, with one utilizing an N-terminal nucleophileglutaminase and the other utilizing a triad glutaminase. Likewise the tetrahydrofolate-dependent enzymes are unrelated. Ancestral proteins may have included a broad specificity enzyme instead of PurD, PurT, PurK, PurC, and PurP, and a separate enzyme instead of PurM and PurL.”
“Since the worldwide approval of lithium therapy in 1970, lithium has been used for its anti-manic, antidepressant, and anti-suicidal effects. The last decade has witnessed the following discoveries about its neuroprotective and neurotrophic properties, yet the therapeutic mechanisms at the cellular level remain not-fully defined.

Australia’s largest land predator, the dingo Canis dingo, is

a controversial taxon that is threatened by hybridization. Since their arrival smaller than 5000 yBP (years Before Present) dingoes have been subject to isolation, leading to them becoming a unique canid. GDC-0068 in vitro However, the dingo’s taxonomic status is clouded by hybridization with modern domesticated dogs and confusion about how to distinguish pure’ dingoes from dingo-dog hybrids. Confusion exists because there is no description or series of original specimens against which the identities of putative hybrid and pure’ dingoes can be assessed. Current methods to classify dingoes have poor discriminatory abilities because natural variation within dingoes Y 27632 is poorly understood, and it is unknown if hybridization may have altered the genome of post-19th century reference specimens. Here we provide a description of the dingo based on pre-20th century specimens that are unlikely to have been influenced by hybridization. The dingo differs from the domestic dog by relatively larger palatal width, relatively longer rostrum, relatively shorter

skull height and relatively wider top ridge of skull. A sample of 19th century dingo skins we examined suggests that there was considerable variability in the colour of dingoes and included various combinations of yellow, white, ginger and darker variations from tan to black. Although it remains difficult to provide consistent and clear diagnostic

features, our study places morphological limits on what can be considered a dingo.”
“Context: Urine specific gravity (U-sg), measured by a handheld manual refractometer (MAN), has been recognized as a valid and practical means of assessing hydration status. Newer, digital refractometers are faster and more user friendly but have not been validated against the traditional MAN. Objective: Bafilomycin A1 order To compare the reliability and validity of 2 digital refractometer models and a MAN. Design: Descriptive laboratory study. Setting: Research laboratory. Patients or Other Participants: Sample of convenience was recruited from the local university and surrounding community (n = 82). Intervention(s): Participants provided multiple urine samples (n = 124) over a 5-month period under various hydration conditions. Main Outcome Measure(s): Urine specific gravity was compared among a MAN, a digital refractometer requiring the prism to be dipped (DIP) into a urine sample, and a digital refractometer that requires urine to be pipetted (PIP) onto its prism for analysis. Results: The MAN measurements were strongly correlated with the DIP (r = 0.99, P smaller than .001) and PIP (r = 0.97, P smaller than .001) measurements. Bland-Altman analyses revealed slight mean underestimation (95% upper and lower levels of agreement) between MAN and DIP (-0.0012 [0.