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| [[Image:Weewee.JPG|thumb|Human Urine Sample]] | | #REDIRECT [[Urine]] |
| {{Search infobox}}
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| {{SCC}}
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| ==Overview==
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| '''Urine''' is liquid waste product of the body secreted by the [[kidney]]s by a process of filtration from [[blood]] and [[excreted]] through the [[urethra]]. This waste is eventually expelled from the body in a process known as [[urination]].
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| Most commonly the excretion of urine serves for flushing waste molecules collected from the [[blood]] by the kidneys, and for the [[homeostasis]] of the body fluids.
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| == Composition ==
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| Urine is the byproduct or fluid secreted by the kidneys, transported by the [[ureter]]s to the [[urinary bladder]] where it is stored until it is voided through the urethra.
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| It is a transparent solution that is clear to amber in [[color]], and is usually a light yellow color. Urine is made up of a watery solution of metabolic wastes (such as [[urea]]), dissolved salts and organic materials. Fluid and materials being filtered by the kidneys, destined to become urine, come from the blood or [[interstitial fluid]].
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| The composition of urine is adjusted in the process of reabsorption when essential molecules needed by the body, such as [[glucose]], are reabsorbed back into the blood stream via carrier molecules. The remaining fluid contains high concentrations of [[urea]] and other excess or potentially toxic substances that will be released from the body via urination. Urine flows through these structures: the [[kidney]], [[ureter]], [[urinary bladder|bladder]], and finally the [[urethra]]. Urine is produced by a process of [[filtration]], [[absorption (chemistry)|reabsorption]], and tubular secretion.
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| Urine contains large amounts of [[urea]], an excellent source of [[nitrogen]] for plants. As such it is a useful accelerator for [[compost]]. Urea is much less toxic than [[ammonia]] and is formed by the indirect combination of the byproducts of deamination (2 NH<sub>3</sub> molecules) and cellular respiration (1 CO<sub>2</sub> molecule). Other components include various inorganic [[salt]]s such as [[sodium chloride]] ([[sodium]] discharge is called [[natriuresis]]).
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| ===Chemical analysis===
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| [[Image:Urea.png|thumb|left|150px|Urea structure]]
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| Here is a list of all substances contained in urine:
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| * Non-organic substances in the urine: bicarbonate, chloride, phosphorus, sulphur, bromide, fluoride, iodide, rhodanide, potassium, natron, calcium, magnesium, iron, copper, zinc, cobalt, selenium, arsenium, lead, mercury.
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| * Nitrogenous substances in urine nitrogen, [[urea]], [[creatine]], [[creatinine]], [[guanidine]], [[choline]], [[carnitine]], [[piperidine]], [[spermidine]], [[dopamine]], [[epinephrine]], [[norepinephrine]], [[serotonin]], [[tryptamine]], levulinique amino-acid, [[bilirubin]], and so on.
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| * [[Amino acid]]s in the urine: [[alanine]], [[carnosine]], [[glycine]], [[histidine]], [[leucine]], [[lysine]], [[methionine]], [[phenylalanine]], [[serine]], [[tyrosine]], [[valine]], hydroxyloproline, galactosylhydroxylyzine, xylosylserine, and others.
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| * Protein in the urine: [[albumin]], [[haptoglobin]], [[transferrin]], immunoglobulins [[IgG]], [[IgA]], [[IgM]], and others.
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| * Enzymes in the urine: lactadehydrogenase, [[gamma-glutamyl transferase]], alpha amylase, uropepsinogene, [[lysozyme]], beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase, [[urokinase]], [[protease]], and others.
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| * Carbohydrates (sugars) in the urine: [[arabinose]], xyloseribose, [[fucose]], rhammose, [[ketopentose]], [[glucose]], [[galactose]], [[mannose]], [[fructose]], [[lactose]], [[sucrose]], fucosylglucose, [[raffinose]], and others.
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| * Substances devoid of nitrogen in the urine: wide assortment of organic acids
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| * Vitamins in urine: [[thiamine]] (vitamin B1), [[riboflavin]] (vitamin B2), [[vitamin B6]], 4-pyridoxique acid, [[nicotinic acid]], [[vitamin B12]], biopterine, [[ascorbic acid]] (vitamin C) and others.
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| * Hormone in urine: [[gonadotropin]], [[corticotropin]], [[prolactin]], lactogeniques hormones, [[oxytocin]], [[vasopressin]], [[thyroxine]], catecholamines ([[epinephrine]], [[norepinephrine]], [[dopamine]]), [[insulin]], [[erythropoietin]], corticosteroids ([[aldosterone]], [[corticosterone]], [[cortisone]]), [[testosterone]], [[progesterone]], [[estrogen]] and others.
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| * Agglutinines and precipitines: neutralizing action on the polio virus and other viruses.
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| * Antineoplaston: selectively prevents the development of cancer cells without affecting healthy cells that
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| * Allantoin: nitrogen crystalline substance that promotes healing, from the oxidation of uric acid. It is used in the manufacture of many skin creams.
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| * DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone): steroid secreted by the adrenal glands, present in large quantities in male urine. It prevents obesity, prolongs the life of animals and is a possible treatment against anemia, diabetes and breast cancer. DHEA stimulates the development of the bone marrow and increases its production of red blood cells, monocytes, macrophages and lymphocytes. A low level of DHEA seems to be associated with aging.
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| * Antisecretoires gastric: prevent the onset and development of stomach ulcers.
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| * Acid glycuronique: produced by the liver, kidneys and intestines, it has a major secretory function.
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| * H-11: inhibits the growth of cancer cells and reduces the existing tumors without disrupting the recovery process.
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| * H.U.D. HUD (Human’s urine derivative) demonstrates remarkable anticancer properties.
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| * Interleukin-1: a positive influence on the auxiliary and inhibitory substances. Can send a signal to the hypothalamus to trigger fever.
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| * Trimethyl-glyoxal: destroys cancer cells.
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| * Prostaglandine a hormonal substance that dilates the blood vessels, lowers tension, relaxes the muscle walls of the bronchi, stimulates contractions during labor, and many metabolic functions.
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| * Proteoglobulines: plasma proteins containing anti-bodies against certain allergens, they are identical to the proteins of immoglobulines blood serum.
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| * Prosteoses: immunological products assets allergic reactions.
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| == Colour ==
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| The typical bright yellow colour of urine is caused by the pigment
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| [[urochrome]], but also from the degradation products of [[bilirubin]] and [[urobilin]]. Clear colors are a sign of hydration and are the preferred colors of urine.
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| ===Unusual colouration===
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| *Yellowing/light Orange may be caused by removal of excess [[B vitamin]]s from the bloodstream.
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| *Certain medications such as [[rifampin]] and [[pyridium]] can cause orange urine.
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| *Bloody urine is termed [[hematuria]] and is a symptom that requires medical attention. (This could also be a sign of a bladder infection, which also requires medical attention)
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| *Dark orange to brown urine can be a symptom of [[jaundice]] or [[Gilbert's syndrome]].
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| *Black or dark-colored urine is referred to as melanuria and may be caused by a [[melanoma]].
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| *Reddish or brown urine may be caused by [[porphyria]].
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| *Flourescent Yellow / Greenish urine may be caused by taking dietary supplemental vitamins
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| *Dark yellow urine is usually caused by dehydration.
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| == Turbidity ==
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| [[Turbidity|Turbid]] urine may be a symptom of a bacterial infection, but can also be due to crystallisation of salts in the urine (e.g. [[calcium phosphate]]), which will dissolve if [[acetic acid]] (vinegar) is added.
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| == pH ==
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| The [[pH]] of urine is close to neutral, i.e. 7, but can normally vary between 4.5 and 8. Strongly acidic or alkaline urine may be a symptom of a disease.<ref>[http://www.rnceus.com/ua/uaph.html Urine pH<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
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| == Amount ==
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| The amount of urine produced depends on numerous factors including state of hydration, activities, environmental factors, size, and health. In adult humans the average production is about 1 - 2 L per day. Producing too much or too little urine needs medical attention: [[Polyuria]] is a condition of excessive production of urine (> 2.5 L/day), in contrast to [[oliguria]] where < 400 mL are produced per day, or [[anuria]] with a production of < 100 mL per day.
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| == Function ==
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| {{Main|Renal physiology}}
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| Urination is the primary method for excreting toxins, chemicals and [[Psychoactive drug|drugs]] from the body. These chemicals can be detected and analysed by [[urinalysis]]. Cellular metabolism results in a buildup of toxic nitrogen compounds, or nitrogenous waste. Since this waste is toxic, most animals have excretory systems (in humans this is known as the [[Urinary system]], which consists of the [[Kidneys]], [[Urinary bladder]], [[Ureter]], and [[Urethra]]) to rid themselves of this waste. The kidneys extract the nitrogenous wastes from the bloodstream, as well as excess water, sugars, and a variety of other chemicals.
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| In cases of kidney or [[urinary tract infection]] (UTI), the urine will contain [[bacterium|bacteria]], but otherwise urine is virtually [[sterilization (microbiology)|sterile]] and nearly odorless when it leaves the body. However, after that, bacteria that contaminate the urine will convert chemicals in the urine into smelly chemicals that are responsible for the distinctive [[odor]] of stale urine; in particular, [[ammonia]] is produced from urea.
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| Some diseases alter the quantity and consistency of the urine, (e.g., [[sugar]] in the urine is a sign of [[diabetes]]).
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| == Density or specific gravity==
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| Normal urine density or [[specific gravity]] values vary between 1.003-1.035 (g.cm<sup>-3</sup>) , and any deviations may or may not be associated with urinary disorders.
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| == Urine in medicine ==
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| === Examination ===
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| Many physicians in history have resorted to the inspection and examination of the urine of their patients. [[Hippocrates]] described urine examination. Hermogenes wrote about the color and other attributes of urine as indicators of certain diseases. Abdul Malik Ibn Habib of Andalusia d.862CE, mentions numerous reports of urine examination throughout the Umayyad empire.<ref>Ibn Habib, Abdul Malik d.862CE/283AH "Kitaab Tib Al'Arab" (The Book of Arabian Medicine), Published by Dar Ibn Hazm, Beirut, Lebanon 2007(Arabic)</ref> [[Diabetes mellitus]] got its name because the urine is plentiful and sweet. A [[urinalysis]] is a medical examination of the urine and part of routine examinations. A culture of the urine is performed when a [[urinary tract infection]] is suspected. A microscopic examination of the urine may be helpful to identify organic or inorganic substrates and help in the diagnosis.
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| The color and volume of urine can be reliable indicators of [[rehydration|hydration]] level. '''Clear and copious''' urine is generally a sign of adequate hydration, dark urine is a sign of [[dehydration]]. The exception is when [[alcohol]], [[caffeine]], or other [[diuretics]] are consumed, in which case urine can be clear and copious and the person still be dehydrated.
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| ===Application===
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| The use of [[urine therapy]] as a medical treatment or daily health regimen is uncommon. Aztec physicians used urine to clean external wounds to prevent infection, and administered it as a drink to relieve stomach and intestine problems. Purported beneficiaries of the 'urine cure' include Jim Morrison, and Steve McQueen. Its medicinal properties have also been used in China as a part of holistic medicine, and in India, especially as part of the traditional Indian medicine, Ayurveda, under the name Amaroli.
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| === Resource ===
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| Urine may contain proteins or other substances that are useful for medical therapy. Urine from [[menopause|postmenopausal]] women is rich in [[gonadotropin]]s that can yield [[follicle stimulating hormone]] and [[luteinizing hormone]] for fertility therapy. The first such commercial product was [[Pergonal]]. Urine from pregnant women contains enough [[human chorionic gonadotropin]]s for commercial extraction and purification to produce hCG medication. Pregnant mare urine is the source of [[estrogen]]s, namely [[Premarin]].
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| In recent times, the Port-A-John corporation of Utica, Michigan, USA has developed a filter to collect medically significant [[protein]]s from users of their chemical toilets.
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| ==Other uses==
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| ===Ancient uses===
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| *The ancient Romans used urine as a bleaching agent for cleaning clothes and teeth.
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| *In Scotland, it was used to wash wool to prevent it from shrinking.
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| ===Survival uses===
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| {{Seealso|Urophagia}}
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| Shipwrecked or people otherwise adrift at sea for long periods often resort to drinking their urine when no rainwater is available, seawater being unsuitable. People stranded in deserts often also drank urine to prevent life-threatening dehydration from setting in. However, this desperate measure achieves little to delay death from thirst as urine dehydrates one in the same manner saltwater does.
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| During World War I, the Germans experimented with numerous poisonous gases for use during war. After the first German [[chlorine]] gas attacks, Allied troops were supplied with masks of cotton pads that had been soaked in urine. It was believed that the [[ammonia]] in the pad neutralized the chlorine. These pads were held over the face until the soldiers could escape from the poisonous fumes, although it is now known that chlorine gas reacts with urine to produce toxic fumes.
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| Urine has also been historically used as an antiseptic. In times of war, when other antiseptics were unavailable, urine, the darker the better, was utilized on open wounds to kill bacteria.
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| Urban myth states that urine works well against jellyfish stings, although in reality it is at best ineffective and in some cases may actually make the injury worse.<ref>[http://abcnews.go.com/Health/story?id=2283933&page=1 ABC News: Old Wives' Tale? Urine as Jellyfish Sting Remedy<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref><ref>[http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?chanID=sa004&articleID=EEC8FE59-E7F2-99DF-3F08DA1A6F42454F&ref=rss Fact or Fiction?: Urinating on a Jellyfish Sting is an Effective Treatment: Scientific American<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref><ref>[http://firstaid.about.com/od/bitesstings/ht/06_jellyfish.htm Jellyfish Sting Treatment - How to Treat a Jellyfish Sting<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
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| == History ==
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| The yellow color of urine was previously thought to come from gold. Alchemists spent much time trying to extract gold from urine, and this led to discoveries such as white [[phosphorus]], which was discovered by the German alchemist [[Hennig Brand]] in 1669 when he was distilling [[fermentation (biochemistry)|fermented]] urine. In 1773 the French chemist [[Hilaire Rouelle]] discovered the organic compound [[urea]] by boiling urine dry.
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| There are also reports surfacing recently that urine contains small amounts of OMRE/ORMUS style monoatomic transition metals (such as ruthenium, osmium, iridium, rhodium, palladium, platinum, gold, silver, copper, cobalt and nickel). Some claim these are found in very small amounts in normal drinking water, vegetables, fruits, meat, and other foods. We consume these inadvertently anytime we eat or drink. These claims have not been confirmed yet, because of the difficult task of analyzing ORME style elements.
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| ==References==
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| {{reflist|2}}
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| {{Refbegin}}
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| * [http://medres.med.ucla.edu/curriculum/lectures/acute_oliguria.htm Definition of oliguria and anuria]
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| * [http://content.karger.com/ProdukteDB/produkte.asp?Aktion=ShowPDF&ProduktNr=223979&Ausgabe=225203&ArtikelNr=13449&filename=13449.pdf Hermogenes on urine]
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| {{Refend}}
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| == See also ==
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| * Ecological sanitation
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| * [[Urolagnia]], an attraction to urine
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| * [[Urination]]
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| * [[Urine therapy]]
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| * Drinking urine
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| * [[Bedwetting]]
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| ==External links==
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| * [http://excretion-osmoregulation.know-heart-diseases.com Urine formation, excretion and osmoregulation.]
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| * [http://www-medlib.med.utah.edu/WebPath/TUTORIAL/URINE/URINE.html Urinanalysis page]
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| * BBC News Online - [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/3915659.stm US army food... just add urine]
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| * Kelly, John F. "[http://www.wfmu.org/LCD/19/urine.html The Urine Cure and Other Curious Medical Treatments]" ''Hippocrates Magazine.'' (May/June 1988)
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| *Punch and Us "[http://www.punchandus.com/article/1005-pee.html A Golden Shower A Day, Keeps The Doctors Away]" (Humor)
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| *[http://www.drugs.com/enc/urine-chemistry.html Urine Chemistry (www.drugs.com)]
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| *[http://www.redurine.com/urine.html Urine]
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| [[af:Urine]]
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| [[cs:Moč]]
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| [[da:Urin]]
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| [[de:Urin]]
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| [[es:Orina]]
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| [[eo:Urino]]
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| [[fr:Urine]]
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| [[id:Urin]]
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| [[it:Urina]]
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| [[he:שתן]]
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| [[la:Urina]]
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| [[lt:Šlapimas]]
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| [[nl:Urine]]
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| [[ja:尿]]
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| [[pl:Mocz]]
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| [[pt:Urina humana]]
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| [[ru:Моча]]
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| [[sk:Moč]]
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| [[fi:Virtsa]]
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| [[sv:Urin]]
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| [[zh:尿]]
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| [[Category:Urine]]
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| [[Category:Body fluids]]
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| [[Category:Urology]]
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| [[Category:Nephrology]]
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| {{Link FA|de}}
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