Mixed Ionic and Electronic Conductivity in a Tetrathiafulvalene-Phosphonate Metal-Organic Framework.

Mixed ionic-electronic conductors have great potential as materials for energy storage applications. However, despite their promising properties, only a handful of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) provide efficient pathways for both ion and electron transport. This work reports a proton-electron dual-conductive MOF based on tetrathiafulvalene(TTF)-phosphonate linkers and lanthanum ions.

Tailored Interaction between Cellulose Nanowhiskers and Core-Shell Particles Determines the Optical and Mechanical Properties in Hybrid Films.

Hybrid materials of core-shell particles and cellulose nanowhiskers (CNWs) were synthesized to produce opal films with increasing tensile strength. After the incorporation of CNWs into the processed particle films, differences in the mechanical and optical properties were noticeable, which stemmed from the adhesion forces between the cellulose and the particles' shell material. Two different particle compositions were compared, using polystyrene as cores, and either poly(ethyl acrylate) (PEA) or a copolymer of ethyl acrylate and 3 wt % of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) as the shell material.

Longitudinal Trajectories of Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate in a European Population of Living Kidney Donors.

A living donor (LD) kidney transplant is the best treatment for kidney failure, but LDs safety is paramount. We sought to evaluate our LDs cohort's longitudinal changes in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). We retrospectively studied 320 LDs submitted to nephrectomy between 1998 and 2020.

Surgical complications and technical failure of simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation: A 22-year experience from a single center.

Simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation (SPKT) is the best treatment for selected individuals with type 1 diabetes mellitus and end-stage renal disease. Despite advances in surgical techniques, donor and recipient selection, and immunosuppressive therapies, SPKT remains a complex procedure with associated surgical complications and adverse consequences. We conducted a retrospective study that included 263 SPKT procedures performed between May 2000, and December 2022.

Clinical performance of the iPREDICTLIVING tool for the prediction of the post-transplant recipient and living donor outcomes in a European cohort.

A living donor kidney transplant (LDKT) is the best treatment for ESRD. A prediction tool based on clinical and demographic data available pre-KT was developed in a Norwegian cohort with three different models to predict graft loss, recipient death, and donor candidate's risk of death, the iPREDICTLIVING tool. No external validations are yet available.

Renal Artery Stenosis in Living Donor Kidney Transplantation: A Rare Cause of "Flash Edema".

Transplant renal artery stenosis (TRAS) is a well-recognized vascular complication after kidney transplantation, with an incidence ranging from 1% to 23%. TRAS often presents with clinical features such as refractory hypertension, de novo hypertension, allograft dysfunction, and the presence of a bruit over the graft. A rare manifestation of TRAS is flash pulmonary edema.

Conceptualizing flexible papers using cellulose model surfaces and polymer particles.

Cellulose, as a naturally abundant and biocompatible material, is still gaining interest due to its high potential for functionalization. This makes cellulose a promising candidate for replacing plastics. Understanding how cellulose interacts with various additives is crucial for creating composite materials with diverse properties, as it is the case for plastics.

Elbow septic arthritis in an infant: an unusual presentation of invasive pneumococcal disease.

Acute septic arthritis is a rare, potentially severe infection that requires immediate treatment to avoid long-term morbidity. Most common aetiological agents are commonly used for empirical treatment, but the choice of antibiotics may be influenced by other factors, such as the patient's age and the epidemiological context.We report an infant with elbow arthritis, whose treatment was changed after serotype 9N was isolated in the blood and synovial fluid.

Organic electrodes based on redox-active covalent organic frameworks for lithium batteries.

Electroactive organic materials have received much attention as alternative electrodes for metal-ion batteries due to their high theoretical capacity, resource availability, and environmental friendliness. In particular, redox-active covalent organic frameworks (COFs) have recently emerged as promising electrodes due to their tunable electrochemical properties, insolubility in electrolytes, and structural versatility. In this Highlight, we review some recent strategies to improve the energy density and power density of COF electrodes for lithium batteries from the perspective of molecular design and electrode optimisation.

Living Donors' Age Modifies the Impact of Pre-Donation Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate on Graft Survival.

Background: The global scarcity of organs for kidney transplants (KTs) has led to the increased acceptance of living donors (LDs) with minor abnormalities to increase the donor pool.. We sought to evaluate the effects of some of these LDs' clinical characteristics (older age, borderline renal function, hypertension, dyslipidemia, smoking, and obesity) on graft outcomes.

Excess Mortality in Kidney and Kidney-Pancreas Transplant Recipients in the COVID-19 Pandemic in Portugal-A Cohort Study.

The COVID-19 pandemic increased morbidity and mortality worldwide, particularly in the Kidney and Kidney-Pancreas Transplant Recipient (KTR/KPTR) population. Aiming at assessing the absolute and relative excess mortality (EM) in a Portuguese KTR/KPTR cohort, we conducted a retrospective observational study of two KTR/KPTRs cohorts: cohort 1 (; = 2,179) between September/2012 and March/2020; cohort 2 (; = 2067) between March/2020, and August/2022. A correlation between relative and absolute EM and age, sex, time from transplantation and cause of death was explored.

Characterization of the Effect of a Novel Production Technique for 'Not from Concentrate' Pear and Apple Juices on the Composition of Phenolic Compounds.

The consumption of 'not-from-concentrate' (NFC) fruit juices can be a convenient and enjoyable way to incorporate the nutritional benefits and flavors of fruits into one's diet. This study will focus on the effect of production of juices from apple and pear fruits, by using centrifugal decanter and tangential filtration, on the profile of polyphenols as a valuable source of bioactive compounds. Likewise, by-products from the juice industry were characterized in order to understand the high-value-added potential based on their composition of polyphenols.

An Unexpected Catastrophe-Renal Artery Thrombosis in a Living Donor: A Case Report.

Renal artery thrombosis is a devastating complication if not detected early. Cardioembolic disease or surgical and technical complications are frequent causes of renal artery thrombosis. There are some reports of renal artery thrombosis in a renal allograft, but to our knowledge, this is the first case of renal artery thrombosis reported in a kidney donor.

Pregnancy After Kidney Donation: The Experience in a Cohort of Portuguese Living Donors.

Background: Living kidney donation (LKD) is a preferred treatment option for end-stage chronic kidney disease, but it can also pose potential risks for the donor, including hypertension and end-stage renal disease. Many donors are women of reproductive age who may have concerns about the effects of donation on future pregnancies. The aim of this study was to determine fetal and maternal outcomes in a cohort of pregnancies after LKD and to compare them with pregnancies before LKD.

Direct C-H Arylation of Dithiophene-Tetrathiafulvalene: Tuneable Electronic Properties and 2D Self-Assembled Molecular Networks at the Solid/Liquid Interface.

Invited for the cover of this issue is the group of Manuel Souto and co-workers at the University of Aveiro and CICECO-Aveiro Institute of Materials. The image depicts the direct C-H arylation of dithiophene-tetrathiafulvalene (DT-TTF) and the self-assembly of DT-TTF-tetrabenzoic acid studied by using scanning tunnelling microscopy. Read the full text of the article at 10.

Impact of Donor Age on Long-Term Outcomes in Simultaneous Pancreas-Kidney Transplantation.

Background: Simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation (SPKT) is the treatment of choice for type 1 diabetes patients with end-stage renal disease. Donor characteristics are determinants of graft and patient survival. We aimed to study the impact of donor age on outcomes in SPKT.

Direct C-H Arylation of Dithiophene-Tetrathiafulvalene: Tuneable Electronic Properties and 2D Self-Assembled Molecular Networks at the Solid/Liquid Interface.

Tetrathiafulvalene is among the best known building blocks in molecular electronics due to its outstanding electron-donating and redox properties. Among its derivatives, dithiophene-tetrathiafulvalene (DT-TTF) has attracted considerable interest in organic electronics, owing to its high field-effect mobility. Herein, we report the direct C-H arylation of DT-TTF to synthesise mono- and tetraarylated derivatives functionalised with electron-withdrawing and electron-donating groups in order to evaluate their influence on the electronic properties by cyclic voltammetry, UV-vis spectroscopy and theoretical calculations.

Refinement of Animal Model of Colorectal Carcinogenesis through the Definition of Novel Humane Endpoints.

This study aimed to define appropriate humane endpoints (HEs) for an animal model of colorectal carcinogenesis (CRC). Twenty-nine male Wistar rats were divided into two control groups (CTRL1 and CTRL2) injected with ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA)-saline solutions and two induced groups (CRC1 and CRC2) injected with 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH) for seven weeks. A score sheet with 14 biological parameters was used to assess animal welfare.

Human Microbiota and Breast Cancer-Is There Any Relevant Link?-A Literature Review and New Horizons Toward Personalised Medicine.

Breast cancer (BC) is the most common malignancy and the second cause of cancer-specific death in women from high-income countries. Recently, gut microbiota dysbiosis emerged as a key player that may directly and/or indirectly influence development, treatment, and prognosis of BC through diverse biological processes: host cell proliferation and death, immune system function, chronic inflammation, oncogenic signalling, hormonal and detoxification pathways. Gut colonisation occurs during the prenatal period and is later diversified over distinct phases throughout life.

The indirect effect of body image on distress in women with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy.

Background: This study assessed the indirect effect of body image in the relationship between illness duration, optimism, coping strategies and psychological distress as well as the moderator role of being or not submitted to surgery and type of surgery, in women with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy.

Participants And Procedure: This cross-sectional study included eighty-seven women with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy, who answered instruments that assessed sociodemographic and clinical issues, optimism, coping, concerns with body image and psychological distress. Bayesian statistics were performed to test the indirect effect model that included also the moderator effects.

Repeat and Relapsing Peritonitis Microbiological Trends and Outcomes: A 21-Year Single-Center Experience.

Peritonitis is a major peritoneal dialysis complication. Despite a high cure rate, relapsing and repeat peritonitis is associated with Tenckhoff catheter biofilm and multiple episodes of peritoneal damage. In relapsing peritonitis, prompt catheter removal is mandatory; otherwise, in repeat peritonitis, there is not a clear indication for catheter removal.

Protective effect of olive oil polyphenol phase II sulfate conjugates on erythrocyte oxidative-induced hemolysis.

The consumption of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) has been associated with a lower incidence of cardiovascular diseases partly due to its polyphenol content. The metabolites hydroxytyrosol sulfate and hydroxytyrosol acetate sulfate were shown to be the most concentrated polyphenol metabolites found in plasma after EVOO consumption. Therefore, the capacity of hydroxytyrosol, hydroxytyrosol acetate, homovanillyl alcohol, homovanillyl alcohol acetate and tyrosol sulfate metabolites, to protect red blood cells (RBCs) from oxidative injury induced by the radical initiator 2,2'-azo-bis(2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride (AAPH) was evaluated.

Lower donated kidney volume is associated with increased risk of lower graft function and acute rejection at 1 year after living donor kidney-a retrospective study.

Kidney volume has been proven to be a surrogate marker of nephron mass and renal function. We studied 190 donor and recipient pairs undergoing living donor kidney transplantation at our institution during 9 years. Different metrics of donor kidney volume (DKV) were explored: alone or indexed to recipient's anthropometry, as body surface area (BSA).

Resistance training in advanced cancer: a phase II safety and feasibility trial-home versus hospital.

Background: Resistance training (RT) is an effective way to increase muscle mass but little is known about its role to prevent sarcopenia in advanced cancer. Furthermore, the preferred setting for this training is not known. Considering home is frequently the place of care and death preferred by cancer patients, it is important to find out whether this would also be the best training setting as opposed to the most common one, hospital.

Pregnancy and dialysis.

The pregnancy rate of women on dialysis is still very low when compared to that of the remaining population. However, recent years have seen an increase in the success rates of these pregnancies. Among the main precautions that must be taken with pregnant women on dialysis are the maintenance of low levels of pre-dialysis urea, the adequacy of the tension profile, the control of anemia and care to avoid infections, nutritional deficits, changes in phosphorus-calcium metabolism and electrolytic fluctuations.