A binary system in the S cluster close to the supermassive black hole Sagittarius A.

High-velocity stars and peculiar G objects orbit the central supermassive black hole (SMBH) Sagittarius A* (Sgr A*). Together, the G objects and high-velocity stars constitute the S cluster. In contrast with theoretical predictions, no binary system near Sgr A* has been identified.

Food Insecurity Is Associated With Urge Urinary Incontinence: An Analysis of the 2005-2010 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

Purpose: Urge urinary incontinence is the involuntary leakage of urine associated with a sudden compelling urge to void. A previous study found an association between urge urinary incontinence and household income, indicating that social determinants of health may influence urge urinary incontinence. Food insecurity is a relevant social determinant of health, as a diet with bladder irritants may worsen urge urinary incontinence symptoms.

Feasibility of a Peer Mentor Training Program for Patients Receiving Hemodialysis: An Educational Program Evaluation.

Rationale And Objective: The 'PEER-HD' multicenter study tests the effectiveness of peer mentorship to reduce hospitalizations in patients receiving maintenance hemodialysis. In this study, we describe the feasibility, efficacy, and acceptability of the mentor training program.

Study Design: Educational program evaluation including the following aspects: (1) description of training content, (2) quantitative analysis of feasibility and acceptability of the program, and (3) quantitative pre-post analysis of efficacy of the training to impart knowledge and self-efficacy.

Reduced kidney function and hypertension in adolescents with low birth weight, NHANES 1999-2016.

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a major health problem, and the risk of CKD and hypertension in children born low birth weight (LBW) is under-recognized. We hypothesized that children born with LBW would have a higher prevalence of reduced kidney function and hypertension.

Methods: Using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), we conducted a cross-sectional study to evaluate whether LBW (< 2500 g), very low birth weight (VLBW < 1500 g), and large birth weight (BW) (> 4000 g) were associated with kidney disease using 4 different estimating equations.

Urinary Ammonium in Clinical Medicine: Direct Measurement and the Urine Anion Gap as a Surrogate Marker During Metabolic Acidosis.

Ammonium is the most important component of urinary acid excretion, normally accounting for about two-third of net acid excretion. In this article, we discuss urine ammonium not only in the evaluation of metabolic acidosis but also in other clinical conditions such as chronic kidney disease. Different methods to measure urine NH that have been employed over the years are discussed.

Comprehensive Associations between Acidosis and the Skeleton in Patients with Kidney Disease.

Significance Statement: Renal osteodystrophy (ROD) contributes substantially to morbidity in CKD, including increased fracture risk. Metabolic acidosis (MA) contributes to the development of ROD, but an up-to-date skeletal phenotype in CKD-associated acidosis has not been described. We comprehensively studied associations between acidosis and bone in patients with CKD using advanced methods to image the skeleton and analyze bone-tissue, along with biochemical testing.

Effects of Vitamin D Supplementation on Cardiovascular and Cancer Outcomes by eGFR in VITAL.

Background: Reduced 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) metabolism and secondary hyperparathyroidism are common with lower estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and may contribute to cardiovascular disease and cancer risk.

Methods: We assessed for heterogeneity by baseline eGFR of the effects of vitamin D on cardiovascular and cancer outcomes in the Vitamin D and Omega-3 Trial (VITAL). Participants were randomized to 2000 IU vitamin D and/or 1 g -3 fatty acids daily using a placebo-controlled, two-by-two factorial design (5.

The relationship between fecal incontinence and food insecurity in United States women: an analysis of 2005-2010 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

Background: Fecal incontinence is a prevalent debilitating pelvic floor disorder characterized by the involuntary loss of stool. Fecal incontinence is known to be associated with constipation and loose stool, advancing age, chronic comorbidities, and previous anorectal trauma, among other biologic risk factors. The relationship between social determinants of health, such as food insecurity, and fecal incontinence is not well elucidated.

Essential role of the mitochondrial Na/Ca exchanger NCLX in mediating PDE2-dependent neuronal survival and learning.

Impaired phosphodiesterase (PDE) function and mitochondrial Ca (i.e., [Ca]m) lead to multiple health syndromes by an unknown pathway.

Longitudinal Associations between Low Serum Bicarbonate and Linear Growth in Children with CKD.

Background: Poor linear growth is a consequence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) that has been linked to adverse outcomes. Metabolic acidosis (MA) has been identified as a risk factor for growth failure. We investigated the longitudinal relationship between MA and linear growth in children with CKD and examined whether treatment of MA modified linear growth.

Atraumatic spontaneous splenic rupture in a female COVID-19 patient.

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19), an infection caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has severely ravaged the world since the end of 2019. Although most cases range from mild to severe with primarily respiratory symptoms, there have been some unusual clinical presentations, one of which is described in this case report. A 30 year-old woman with no significant medical history presented to the emergency department (ED) in October 2020 with sudden onset of severe left upper and lower abdominal pain.

Interdisciplinary Care and Preparedness for Kidney Failure Management in a High-Risk Population.

Rationale & Objective: Interdisciplinary care may improve health outcomes in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Few studies have evaluated this model of health care delivery in racial and ethnic minorities.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Peer mentorship to improve outcomes in patients on hemodialysis (PEER-HD): a randomized controlled trial protocol.

Background: Patients receiving in-center hemodialysis experience disproportionate morbidity and incur high healthcare-related costs. Much of this cost stems from potentially avoidable hospitalizations. Peer mentorship has been used effectively to improve outcomes for patients with complex chronic diseases.

Sex-related differences in mortality, acute kidney injury, and respiratory failure among critically ill patients with COVID-19.

Although the number of deaths due to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is higher in men than women, prior studies have provided limited sex-stratified clinical data.We evaluated sex-related differences in clinical outcomes among critically ill adults with COVID-19.Multicenter cohort study of adults with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 admitted to intensive care units at 67 U.

Association of GSTM1 Deletion With Progression of CKD in Children: Findings From the Chronic Kidney Disease in Children (CKiD) Study.

Rationale & Objective: Loss of function of the product of the GSTM1 gene has been implicated in rapid progression of adult chronic kidney disease (CKD). Its role in pediatric CKD has not been previously described.

Study Design: Secondary analysis of a prospective observational cohort examining the association between deletions in GSTM1 and progression of CKD.

Muscle fibrosis and maladaptation occur progressively in CKD and are rescued by dialysis.

BACKGROUNDSkeletal muscle maladaptation accompanies chronic kidney disease (CKD) and negatively affects physical function. Emphasis in CKD has historically been placed on muscle fiber-intrinsic deficits, such as altered protein metabolism and atrophy. However, targeted treatment of fiber-intrinsic dysfunction has produced limited improvement, whereas alterations within the fiber-extrinsic environment have scarcely been examined.

Female Sexual Dysfunction as Measured by Low Sexual Frequency is Associated With Lower Socioeconomic Status: An Analysis of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), 2007-2016.

Background: Female sexual dysfunction (FSD) is a complex disorder of biopsychosocial etiology, and FSD symptoms affect more than 40% of adult women worldwide.

Aim: In this cross-sectional study, we sought to investigate the association between FSD and socioeconomic status (SES) in a nationally representative female adult population.

Methods: Economic and sexual data for women aged 20-59 from the 2007-2016 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, a United States nationwide representative database, was analyzed.

Machine Learning Prediction of Death in Critically Ill Patients With Coronavirus Disease 2019.

Objectives: Critically ill patients with coronavirus disease 2019 have variable mortality. Risk scores could improve care and be used for prognostic enrichment in trials. We aimed to compare machine learning algorithms and develop a simple tool for predicting 28-day mortality in ICU patients with coronavirus disease 2019.

MTADV 5-MER peptide suppresses chronic inflammations as well as autoimmune pathologies and unveils a new potential target-Serum Amyloid A.

Despite the existence of potent anti-inflammatory biological drugs e.g., anti-TNF and anti IL-6 receptor antibodies, for treating chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, these are costly and not specific.

Comparison of the tissue distribution and metabolism of AN1284, a potent anti-inflammatory agent, after subcutaneous and oral administration in mice.

This study is to compare the tissue distribution and metabolism of AN1284 after subcutaneous and oral administration at doses causing maximal reductions in IL-6 in plasma and tissues of mice. Anti-inflammatory activity of AN1284 and its metabolites was detected in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) activated RAW 264.7 macrophages.