Incidence and risk factors for acute kidney injury after spine surgery using the RIFLE classification.

Object: Earlier definitions of acute renal failure are not sensitive in identifying milder forms of acute kidney injury (AKI). The authors hypothesized that by applying the RIFLE criteria for acute renal failure (Risk of renal dysfunction, Injury to the kidney, Failure of kidney function, Loss of kidney function, and End-stage kidney disease) to thoracic and lumbar spine surgery, there would be a higher incidence of AKI. They also developed a model to predict the postoperative glomerular filtration rate (GFR).

Role for a conserved structural motif in assembly of a class I aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase active site.

The catalytic domains of class I aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases are built around a conserved Rossmann nucleotide binding fold, with additional polypeptide domains responsible for tRNA binding or hydrolytic editing of misacylated substrates. Structural comparisons identified a conserved motif bridging the catalytic and anticodon binding domains of class Ia and Ib enzymes. This stem contact fold (SCF) has been proposed to globally orient each enzyme's cognate tRNA by interacting with the inner corner of the L-shaped tRNA.