The 25-hydroxyvitamin D level in Kidney Transplant Recipients and Its Association With Renal Function and Other Cardio-Metabolic Risk Markers.

BACKGROUND: Vitamin D is the main hormone that plays a critical role in controlling mineral homeostasis. Transplant recipients frequently have altered levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH] D) and 1, 25-hydroxyvitamin (1, 25[OH] D). OBJECTIVES: To explore the status of vitamin D level in renal allograft recipients and its association with renal function and cardio-metabolic risk markers. METHODS: One hundred two adult kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) were included. Clinical history and information about transplantation and immunosuppression were recorded. Blood and urine samples were collected for relevant laboratory tests, including chronic kidney disease (CKD)-mineral and bone disorder markers (Ca, PO4, and 25[OH] D). RESULTS: The mean age was 35 ± 8 years, with a male/female ratio of 89/11%. The transplant duration was 34 ± 26 (4.5-112) months. All donors involved were living-related: fathers comprised 44%, wives 16%, sisters 13%, mothers 11%, and the others 16% (ie, brothers, sons, daughters, uncles, aunts). The immunosuppression regimen included prednisolone and tacrolimus in all, with mycophenolate mofetil in 96%. The estimated glomerular filtration rate showed CKD distribution from stage 1 to 5 in 6%, 29%, 44%, 15%, and 6%, respectively. Vitamin D level was lower in 22% (<20 ng/mL), insufficient (20-30 ng/mL) in 48%, and adequate (>30 ng/mL) in 30%. We compared different clinical and laboratory variables in 3 different vitamin D groups but found no difference in cardio-renal risk factors (P = Not Significant). Similarly, no correlation was seen between vitamin D levels and other clinical and metabolic factors. CONCLUSION: According to conventional cutoffs, the vitamin D (25[OH] D) level is inadequate in 70% of renal allograft recipients. The hormone level has no apparent association with renal function and major cardio-metabolic risk factors.

Occurrence of microplastics in fish gastrointestinal tracts belongs to different feeding habits from the Bangladesh coast of the Bay of Bengal.

The Bay of Bengal (BoB) is home to a range of commercially important species with different food habits and feeding features. Microplastic (MP) contamination in the fish of BoB, like in many other marine environments, is a significant environmental concern. The study aimed to investigate the presence of microplastics (MPs) in the gastrointestinal tracts (GITs) of selected commercial marine fishes from the Bangladesh coast of the BoB. Six fish species (Escualosa thoracata, Tenualosa ilisha, Johnius belangerii, Trichiurus lepturus, Planiliza parsia, and Mystus gulio) were investigated (n = 120) following hydrogen peroxide digestion, and floatation (saline solution) protocols. After analyses, a total number of 696 MPs (dimension 0.3 to 5 mm) were identified. Moreover, the highest occurrence of MPs in fish GITs was found in planktivorous fish (average of 7.7 items/individual), followed by omnivorous (average of 5.2 items/individual), and carnivorous fish (average of 4.6 items/individual) (p < 0.001). However, planktivorous E. thoracata showed the highest number of MPs per g of GIT (average of 30.99 items/g GIT), whereas T. ilisha showed the lowest count (average of 0.77 items/g GIT). Different types of MPs (fibers (19 to 76%), fragments (6 to 61%), films (8 to 35%), microbeads (0 to 5%), and foams (0 to 2%)) were also observed. In terms of the color of MPs, the transparent, black, green, and blue types were the most common. Polymers were found as polyethylene (35 to 43%), polyethylene terephthalate (28 to 35%), polyamide (20 to 31%), and polystyrene (0 to 7%). The study provides a significant incidence of MPs in fish from the Bangladesh part of the BoB, which is very concerning. Therefore, long-term research is indispensable to ascertain the variables affecting the presence of MPs in fish, their origins, and their potential effects on the BoB fisheries. Stringent policies on plastic use and disposal should be strongly urged in this coastal region.

Runx2 deletion in hypertrophic chondrocytes impairs osteoclast mediated bone resorption.

Deletion of Runx2 gene in proliferating chondrocytes results in complete failure of endochondral ossification and perinatal lethality. We reported recently that mice with Runx2 deletion specifically in hypertrophic chondrocytes (HCs) using the Col10a1-Cre transgene survive and exhibit enlarged growth plates due to decreased HC apoptosis and cartilage resorption. Bulk of chondrogenesis occurs postnatally, however, the role of Runx2 in HCs during postnatal chondrogenesis is unknown. Despite limb dwarfism, adult homozygous (Runx2HC/HC) mice showed a significant increase in length of growth plate and articular cartilage. Consistent with doubling of the hypertrophic zone, collagen type X expression was increased in Runx2HC/HC mice. In sharp contrast, expression of metalloproteinases and aggrecanases were markedly decreased. Impaired cartilage degradation was evident by the retention of significant amount of safranin-O positive cartilage. Histomorphometry and µCT uncovered increased trabecular bone mass with a significant increase in BV/TV ratio, trabecular number, thickness, and a decrease in trabecular space in Runx2HC/HC mice. To identify if this is due to increased bone synthesis, expression of osteoblast differentiation markers was evaluated and found to be comparable amongst littermates. Histomorphometry confirmed similar number of osteoblasts in the littermates. Furthermore, dynamic bone synthesis showed no differences in mineral apposition or bone formation rates. Surprisingly, three-point-bending test revealed Runx2HC/HC bones to be structurally less strong. Interestingly, both the number and surface of osteoclasts were markedly reduced in Runx2HC/HC littermates. Rankl and IL-17a ligands that promote osteoclast differentiation were markedly reduced in Runx2HC/HC mice. Bone marrow cultures were performed to independently establish Runx2 and hypertrophic chondrocytes role in osteoclast development. The culture from the Runx2HC/HC mice formed significantly fewer and smaller osteoclasts. The expression of mature osteoclast markers, Ctsk and Mmp9, were significantly reduced in the cultures from Runx2HC/HC mice. Thus, Runx2 functions extend beyond embryonic development and chondrocyte hypertrophy by regulating cartilage degradation, osteoclast differentiation, and bone resorption during postnatal endochondral ossification.

Gender Disparities of Youths in Trust on Health Management System during Post-COVID-19 in Bangladesh / Disparidades de gênero de jovens na confiança em sistemas de gestão de saúde durante o período pós-COVID-19 em Bangladesh

Objective: The purpose of this paper is to find out the gender-based disparities in trust in the public health measures taken in Bangladesh during the post-COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A cross-sectional study design and quantitative research approach were used to collect primary data. A total of 742 students from different socioeconomic backgrounds participated in the survey randomly by filling up a structured questionnaire from 15 June 2022 to 10 July 2022. The Wilks' λ statistic, MANOVA, and Regression analysis were performed in this study to find out the gender-based differences in trust in the public health measures taken in Bangladesh during the post-COVID-19 pandemic. Results: In a multivariate test, the p-value is 0.018 (p<0.05), which implies a significant difference between the trust of males and females among youths about public health measures during the post-COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh. This study provides that overall infrastructure, responsiveness, and attachments have a significant correlation with youth trust as all the p-values < 0.001. Conclusions: Health infrastructure and youths' attachment to the various networks and institutions have more impact on determining the level of trust in government health measures during the post-pandemic than the way of government responsiveness; policymakers and advocates will get significant insight from the findings of the study during post-COVID-19. Without gender-sensitive health policy measures, gaining citizens' trust in the government will be difficult.

Objetivo: descobrir as disparidades de confiança baseadas em gênero nas medidas de saúde pública tomadas em Bangladesh, durante a pandemia pós-COVID-19. Métodos: um desenho de estudo transversal e abordagem de pesquisa quantitativa foram usados para coletar dados primários. Um total de 742 estudantes de diferentes origens socioeconômicas participaram da pesquisa aleatoriamente, preenchendo um questionário estruturado de 15 de junho de 2022 a 10 de julho de 2022. A estatística λ de Wilks, MANOVA e a análise de regressão foram realizadas neste estudo para descobrir o sexo - diferenças baseadas na confiança nas medidas de saúde pública tomadas em Bangladesh, durante a pandemia pós-COVID-19. Resultados: em um teste multivariado, o p-valor é 0,018 (p<0.05), o que implica uma diferença significativa entre a confiança de homens e mulheres entre jovens sobre medidas de saúde pública durante a pandemia pós-COVID-19 em Bangladesh. Este estudo fornece que a infraestrutura geral, a capacidade de resposta e os vínculos têm uma correlação significativa com a confiança dos jovens, pois todos os valores de p < 0.001. Conclusões: a infraestrutura de saúde e o vínculo dos jovens às várias redes e instituições têm mais impacto na determinação do nível de confiança nas medidas governamentais de saúde durante o pós-pandemia do que na forma de resposta do governo; os formuladores de políticas e defensores obterão uma visão significativa das descobertas do estudo durante o período pós-COVID-19. Sem medidas de política de saúde sensíveis ao gênero, será difícil ganhar a confiança dos cidadãos para o governo.