Short and long-term effects of kidney donation on mineral and bone metabolism.

Background: Living kidney donors (LKD) experience an abrupt decline in glomerular filtration rate (GFR) resulting in abnormalities of mineral and bone metabolism (MBD), and this may have implications for skeletal health. We prospectively studied acute and long term MBD adaptation of LKD from two kidney transplant centers (São Paulo, Brazil and Miami, USA).

Methods: Renal function and MBD parameters longitudinally after kidney donation (baseline - D0, day 1, 14, 180 and 360 post-operatively) were measured in 74 patients (40 y, 73% female, 54% Brazilian).

The role of osteopontin and osteocyte-derived factors in secondary hyperparathyroidism-induced myopathy.

Muscle weakness is a common symptom in CKD patients, and the pathway by which secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) affects muscle function is unknown. Osteopontin (OPN), a bone matrix protein stimulated by PTH and phosphate, has been associated with inflammatory muscle diseases. In this observational and prospective cohort study, we evaluated 30 patients with severe SHPT (39 ± 12 yr; 18 women), before and 6 mo after parathyroidectomy (PTx).

Incidence of intra-abdominal injuries in hemodynamically stable blunt trauma patients with a normal computed tomography scan admitted to the emergency department.

Objectives: Blunt abdominal trauma is a common cause of emergency department admission. Computed tomography (CT) scanning is the gold standard method for identifying intra-abdominal injuries in patients experiencing blunt trauma, especially those with high-energy trauma. Although the diagnostic accuracy of this imaging technique is very high, patient admission and prolonged observation protocols are still common practices worldwide.

Analysis of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratios as inflammatory biomarkers in chronic kidney disease: impact of parathyroidectomy.

Introduction: Secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) is one of the causes for inflammation in CKD. We assessed the impact of parathyroidectomy (PTX) on neutrophil-to-lymphocyte (N/L) and platelet-to-lymphocyte (P/L) ratios in SHPT patients.

Methods: A total of 118 patients [hemodialysis (HD, n = 81), and transplant recipients (TX, n = 37)] undergoing PTX between 2015 and 2021 were analyzed.

Characterization of an extremophile bacterial acid phosphatase derived from metagenomics analysis.

Acid phosphatases are enzymes that play a crucial role in the hydrolysis of various organophosphorous molecules. A putative acid phosphatase called FS6 was identified using genetic profiles and sequences from different environments. FS6 showed high sequence similarity to type C acid phosphatases and retained more than 30% of consensus residues in its protein sequence.

Biosynthesis of fragrance 2-phenylethanol from sugars by Pseudomonas putida.

Background: Petrochemicals contribute to environmental issues, with concerns ranging from energy consumption and carbon emission to pollution. In contrast, microbial biorefineries offer eco-friendly alternatives. The solvent-tolerant Pseudomonas putida DOT-T1E serves as a suitable host for producing aromatic compounds, specifically L-phenylalanine and its derivative, 2-phenylethanol (2-PE), which find widespread applications in various industries.

Specific activity and utility of recombinant cellobiohydrolase II (Cel6A) produced in maize endosperm.

Cellobiohydrolase II (CBH II) is an exo-glucanase that is part of a fungal mixture of enzymes from a wood-rot fungus, Trichoderma reesei. It is therefore difficult to purify and to establish a specific activity assay. The gene for this enzyme, driven by the rice Os glutelin promoter, was transformed into High II tissue culture competent corn, and the enzyme accumulated in the endosperm of the seed.

Working conditions and attitudes towards work: the case of Portuguese youth from Braga.

The purpose of this study is to explore the working conditions and attitudes towards work among the youth of Braga, Portugal. Focusing on residents of the Municipality of Braga born between 1990 and 2000, we employed a quantitative approach using a non-probabilistic convenience sampling method, with a sample size of 406 people. The survey, conducted through questionnaires, reveals a complex interplay between the youth's work attitudes and their conditions.

Engineering styrene biosynthesis: designing a functional trans-cinnamic acid decarboxylase in Pseudomonas.

We are interested in converting second generation feedstocks into styrene, a valuable chemical compound, using the solvent-tolerant Pseudomonas putida DOT-T1E as a chassis. Styrene biosynthesis takes place from L-phenylalanine in two steps: firstly, L-phenylalanine is converted into trans-cinnamic acid (tCA) by PAL enzymes and secondly, a decarboxylase yields styrene. This study focuses on designing and synthesizing a functional trans-cinnamic acid decarboxylase in Pseudomonas putida.

Epidemiological characterization of ischemic heart disease at different altitudes: A nationwide population-based analysis from 2011 to 2021 in Ecuador.

Background: Cardiovascular diseases, including ischemic heart disease, are the leading cause of premature death and disability worldwide. While traditional risk factors such as smoking, obesity, and diabetes have been thoroughly investigated, non-traditional risk factors like high-altitude exposure remain underexplored. This study aims to examine the incidence and mortality rates of ischemic heart disease over the past decade in Ecuador, a country with a diverse altitude profile spanning from 0 to 4,300 meters.

Corneal and Coronary Calcification in Maintenance Hemodialysis: The Face Is No Index to the Heart.

Although the eyes are the main site of metastatic calcification in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), corneal and conjunctival calcification (CCC) is poorly evaluated in this population. Whether CCC correlates with coronary artery calcification remains unknown since studies so far have relied on methods with low sensitivity. Our objective was to test the relationship between CCC and coronary calcification based on tomography.

Cardiogenic Shock in Non-Ischemic Cardiomyopathy: Dynamic Mechanical Circulatory Support and Pathophysiology Illustration.

Nonischemic cardiomyopathy (NICM) is a significant cause of cardiogenic shock (CS). We present a case of a 56-year-old previously healthy man who arrived with vague abdominal symptoms, over 2 weeks. Subsequently, the patient's condition rapidly deteriorated over 12 hours, leading to cardiogenic shock categorized as Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (SCAI) stage D.

Rio Tinto as a niche for acidophilus enzymes of industrial relevance.

Lignocellulosic residues are amongst the most abundant waste products on Earth. Therefore, there is an increasing interest in the utilization of these residues for bioethanol production and for biorefineries to produce compounds of industrial interest. Enzymes that breakdown cellulose and hemicellulose into oligomers and monosaccharides are required in these processes and cellulolytic enzymes with optimum activity at a low pH area are desirable for industrial processes.

Insights into the susceptibility of Pseudomonas putida to industrially relevant aromatic hydrocarbons that it can synthesize from sugars.

Pseudomonas putida DOT-T1E is a highly solvent tolerant strain for which many genetic tools have been developed. The strain represents a promising candidate host for the synthesis of aromatic compounds-opening a path towards a green alternative to petrol-derived chemicals. We have engineered this strain to produce phenylalanine, which can then be used as a raw material for the synthesis of styrene via trans-cinnamic acid.

Combined methylphenidate and fluoxetine treatment in adolescent rats significantly impairs weight gain with minimal effects on skeletal development.

Methylphenidate (MP) is frequently prescribed to treat Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD); however, many patients with ADHD experience depression and anxiety. As such, concomitant administration of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors such as fluoxetine (FLX) is common. Our laboratory and others have shown that MP impairs skeletal development in preclinical and clinical settings, and FLX has also been linked to skeletal deficits.

Impact of Pre-Operative Right Ventricular Response to Hemodynamic Optimization on Outcomes in Patients with LVADs.

Background: Right ventricular failure (RVF) continues to affect patients supported with durable left ventricular assist devices (LVAD) and results in increased morbidity and mortality. Information regarding the impact of right ventricular response to pre-operative optimization on outcomes is scarce. Methods: Single-center retrospective analysis of consecutive patients who underwent first continuous flow LVAD implantation between 2006 and 2020.

Characteristics, Predictors, and Outcomes of Early mTOR Inhibitor Use After Heart Transplantation: Insights From the UNOS Database.

Background The clinical characteristics of mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin) inhibitors use in heart transplant recipients and their outcomes have not been well described. Methods and Results We compared patients who received mTOR inhibitors within the first 2 years after heart transplantation to patients who did not by inquiring the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) database between 2010 and 2018. The primary end point was all-cause mortality with retransplantation as a competing event.

Phosphate balance during dialysis and after kidney transplantation in patients with chronic kidney disease.

Purpose Of Review: In patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), hyperphosphatemia is associated with several adverse outcomes, including bone fragility and progression of kidney and cardiovascular disease. However, there is a knowledge gap regarding phosphate balance in CKD. This review explores its current state, depending on the stage of CKD, dialysis modalities, and the influence of kidney transplantation.

Providing octane degradation capability to Pseudomonas putida KT2440 through the horizontal acquisition of oct genes located on an integrative and conjugative element.

The extensive use of petrochemicals has produced serious environmental pollution problems; fortunately, bioremediation is considered an efficient way to fight against pollution. In line with Synthetic Biology is that robust microbial chassis with an expanded ability to remove environmental pollutants are desirable. Pseudomonas putida KT2440 is a robust lab microbe that has preserved the ability to survive in the environment and is the natural host for the self-transmissible TOL plasmid, which allows metabolism of toluene and xylenes to central metabolism.

Computer tool with intelligent behavior for the optimal preliminary design in non-braced structural steel frame.

The optimization of civil structures is a technique whose purpose is to efficiently use the materials that make up the structural systems based on previously established restrictions and objectives. The use and development of these techniques has been closely linked to technological advance since, through the use of computer equipment, complex mathematical models can be solved with low cost and time. This article presents OPS Design v2.

Temporary Mechanical Circulatory Support in Cardiogenic Shock due to ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction: Analysis of the National Readmissions Database.

Despite advances in temporary mechanical circulatory support (TMCS), in-hospital mortality and morbidity related to cardiogenic shock due to ST elevation myocardial infarction (CS-STEMI) are highly prevalent. We identified admissions with CS-STEMI between 2016 and 2019 from the National Readmission Database (NRD). Among 80 997 patients with CS-STEMI, we identified 42,139 without TMCS, while the remaining received various types of TMCS (Extra corporeal membrane oxygenation [ECMO] alone: n = 753; Intra-aortic balloon pump [IABP] alone: n = 27 556; Impella alone: n = 9055; ECMO with IABP or Impella: n = 1494).

Addressing the energy crisis: using microbes to make biofuels.

Much of the energy being used to power our lives comes from fossil fuels such as coal, natural gas and petroleum. These energy sources are non-renewable, are being exhausted and also pollute the air, water and soil with toxic chemicals. Their mining, transportation, refining and use are associated with a large carbon footprint that contributes significantly to global warming.