Safety and Efficacy of a Preemptive Mycophenolate Mofetil Dose Reduction Strategy in Kidney Transplant Recipients.

Background: There are no high-quality data to guide long-term mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) dosing in kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) to balance the long-term risks of allograft rejection with that of infections and malignancy. At our center, KTRs are managed with either a "preemptive" dose reduction strategy, where the MMF dose is reduced after the first year before the development of adverse events, or with a "reactive" dosing strategy, where they are maintained on the same MMF dose and only reduced if they develop an adverse event. We hypothesized that a preemptive MMF dosing strategy after the first year of transplantation is associated with decreased infections without increasing alloimmune complications.

Post-acute Sequelae of COVID-19 Among Solid Organ Transplant Recipients: Insights From the Omicron Period.

Background: In solid organ transplant recipients (SOTRs), studies investigating post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC) are limited, and risk factors for their development require further investigation.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we evaluated PASC symptoms among SOTRs followed at our institutions who had COVID-19 during the Omicron period from December 28, 2021, to November 4, 2022. Participants were surveyed using a newly published PASC score containing 13 symptoms experienced for ≥30 d.

The Use of Clot Strength as a Predictor of Thrombosis in Peripheral Artery Disease.

Background: Graft/stent thrombosis is the leading cause of amputation in patients over 60, and while dual antiplatelet therapy is the standard of care, there is a significant variability in platelet response and limited guidance on measuring effectiveness. Thromboelastography with platelet mapping (TEG-PM) can objectively detail an individual's coagulation profile, namely the strength of the clot and its response to antiplatelet medication. Although TEG-PM has been used for predicting postoperative bleeding and assessing platelet dysfunction in traumatic brain injury, its application in thrombosis diseases such as peripheral artery disease remains unexplored.

The value of pre-transplant coronary angiography findings in kidney transplant candidates at high risk for cardiovascular disease.

Introduction: Cardiovascular disease is a significant cause of mortality after kidney transplantation. Whether pre-transplant screening for coronary artery disease (CAD) in asymptomatic kidney transplant candidates (KTCs) is beneficial is unclear.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study evaluating post-transplant cardiovascular events in 192 high-risk KTCs who underwent pre-transplant CAD evaluation.

The Impact of Sex on Antiplatelet and Anticoagulant Thromboprophylaxis in Patients With Peripheral Artery Disease Post-revascularization.

Objective: The aim of this prospective study was to (1) objectively quantify the impact of sex on platelet function in patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD) taking antiplatelet and anticoagulant medications and (2) to develop and test a personalized, iterative algorithm that personalizes thromboprophylaxis that incorporates platelet function testing.

Background: Women with PAD have worse outcomes as compared with their male counterparts despite having lower risk factors. This health disparity may be mitigated by personalizing thromboprophylaxis regimens.

Recurrence of membranous nephropathy after kidney transplantation: A multicenter retrospective cohort study.

Membranous nephropathy (MN) is a leading cause of kidney failure worldwide and frequently recurs after transplant. Available data originated from small retrospective cohort studies or registry analyses; therefore, uncertainties remain on risk factors for MN recurrence and response to therapy. Within the Post-Transplant Glomerular Disease Consortium, we conducted a retrospective multicenter cohort study examining the MN recurrence rate, risk factors, and response to treatment.

Urbanization and kidney dysfunction in Brazilian indigenous people: a burden for the youth.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate whether the degree of urbanization influences the prevalence of chronic kidney disease in Brazilian indigenous people.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional study conducted between 2016 and 2017 in northeastern Brazil and includes individuals aged between 30 and 70 years from two specific indigenous groups who volunteered to participate in the study: the Fulni-ô people (lowest degree of urbanization) and the Truká group (greater degree of urbanization). Cultural and geographical parameters were used to characterize and measure the magnitude of urbanization.

Soluble urokinase Plasminogen Activator Receptor (suPAR) levels are predictive of COVID-19 severity: an Italian experience.

Background: The soluble urokinase Plasminogen Activator Receptor (suPAR) has been identified as a reliable marker of COVID-19 severity, helping in personalizing COVID-19 therapy. This study aims to evaluate the correlation between suPAR levels and COVID-19 severity, in relation to the traditional inflammatory markers.

Methods: Sera from 71 COVID-19 patients were tested for suPAR levels using Chorus suPAR assay (Diesse Diagnostica Senese SpA, Italy).

Tixagevimab/cilgavimab pre-exposure prophylaxis is associated with lower breakthrough infection risk in vaccinated solid organ transplant recipients during the omicron wave.

The neutralizing monoclonal antibody combination of tixagevimab/cilgavimab has been shown to reduce the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection in unvaccinated individuals during the Alpha (B.1.1.

Development of a droplet digital polymerase chain reaction tool for the detection of Toxoplasma gondii in meat samples.

Toxoplasmosis is a zoonotic disease caused by the protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii. Infection in humans has usually been related to the consumption of raw, undercooked or cured meat. The aim of this study was to develop a droplet digital polymerase chain reaction (ddPCR)-based assay for the detection and quantification of T.

Towards an Integrated Approach for Monitoring Toxoplasmosis in Southern Italy.

Toxoplasmosis is a widespread worldwide zoonotic infection caused by the intracellular protozoan . This protozoan infection is considered one of the most important food-borne parasitic zoonoses globally. Beyond its impact on public health, toxoplasmosis has also important veterinary implications, because it causes miscarriage or congenital malformations in livestock with negative economic impacts.

Effects of acupuncture on the heart rate variability, cortisol levels and behavioural response induced by thunder sound in beagles.

Sound stimuli such as fireworks, firearms, and claps of thunder have been used as a stress reactivity model for dogs. Acupuncture has been widely used to treat and prevent physiological and behavioural disorders induced by stress. Our study aims to evaluate the effects of acupuncture on cardiac autonomic modulation (heart rate variability - HRV), behavioural (reactivity) and endocrine (cortisol levels) responses in dogs exposed to sounds of thunder.

Examining the impact of feedback and repeated readings on oral reading fluency: let's not forget prosody.

Although extensive research supports repeated readings (RR) as an intervention for improving reading fluency, it largely ignores reading prosody, which is a key component of reading fluency. The current study extends the RR literature by examining the impact of RR on prosody and whether the content of directions and feedback might impact what components of fluency are improved. Elementary students (N = 76) were randomly assigned to either a rate- or prosody-focused RR intervention.

A systematic review and summarization of the recommendations and research surrounding Curriculum-Based Measurement of oral reading fluency (CBM-R) decision rules.

Research and policy have established that data are necessary to guide decisions within education. Many of these decisions are made within problem solving and response to intervention frameworks for service delivery. Curriculum-Based Measurement in Reading (CBM-R) is a widely used data collection procedure within those models of service delivery.

Assessing glycaemic variability with continuous glucose monitoring system before and after continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion in people with Type 1 diabetes.

We evaluated glycaemic variability with continuous glucose monitoring system in 31 people with Type 1 diabetes mellitus using multiple daily injections initially and after switching to continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion. There was a significant improvement in HbA1c, mean glucose, standard deviation of mean glucose and in hyperglycaemic excursions with CSII.

Appraising the pathophysiologic impact of coronary collaterals as measured by fractional flow reserve on symptoms and signs of myocardial ischemia.

Background: The purpose of coronary revascularization in stable patients is anginal relief, yet there is no linear relationship between stenosis severity and clinical significance. A major factor in this complex lesion-myocardium interaction is collateral flow. We aimed to define which collateral flow cut-offs separate asymptomatic from symptomatic patients during coronary occlusion.

[Neurally-mediated syncope and occupational accidents: prevention strategies and case report].

A bus driver came to our observation after an occupational traffic accident due to a syncopal event. The positive result of the tilt testing demonstrated the neurally-mediated nature of the syncope. The accident involved approximately 40 people (all the bus passengers), fortunately without severe injuries or deaths.

Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura and percutaneous coronary stenting: a dangerous duo?

Dual antiplatelet therapy is a mainstay in the management of patients undergoing coronary stenting. Whether this is also appropriate in patients with a diagnosis of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is unclear. We report the case of a 66-year-old man with ITP admitted for an acute coronary syndrome.

[A questionnaire to assess school social climate].

A questionnaire to assess the school social climate (CECSCE) made from items of The California School Climate and Safety Survey is presented. The CECSCE displays a stable factorial Oblimin structure in two social climate factors: 1) relative to the school and 2) relative to the teaching staff. Both factors present a correlation that oscillates between 0.