Environmental and economic assessment of biodegradable and compostable alternatives for plastic materials in greenhouses.

Plastics and other materials commonly used in horticulture for plant support (e.g. raffia) and soil protection (e.g. mulching film) pose a challenge to achieving a circular economy. These materials contaminate plant residues, hampering their direct reuse due to the need for separation and cleaning. As a result, contaminated plant residues is often landfilled or incinerated. This study investigates the replacement of conventional plastic raffia and mulching film with biodegradable and compostable alternatives. Polypropylene raffia is compared with a biodegradable viscose polymer and compostable jute fibre, while polyethylene mulching film is compared with a biodegradable polylactic acid film. Conventional and novel alternatives are compared economically using Life-Cycle Costing and environmentally using Life-Cycle Assessment. The economic assessment is based on case studies with two horticultural companies in Almeria (south-eastern Spain), while the environmental analysis uses data from the Ecoinvent database. The use of biodegradable and compostable alternatives for raffia and mulching film proved to be 49% more expensive than conventional options. However, when conventional plastic waste is incinerated rather than landfilled, biodegradable and compostable alternatives have a lower carbon footprint. Although biodegradable and compostable options can be more expensive and have higher impacts in certain situations, proper waste management can lead to environmental benefits. With optimisation and incentives, these alternative options support the transition of horticulture to a sustainable circular economy.

COVID-19: una revisión radiológica en medio de la pandemia / COVID-19: a radiological review in the middle of the pandemic

Resumen La actual pandemia SARS-CoV-2 ha cambiado nuestra manera de trabajar y relacionarnos. Fue notificada en Wuhan, provincia de Hubei, en China, en diciembre de 2019. Habían existido dos brotes previos importantes de Coronavirus: el SARS, en 2002-2003 y el MERS, en 2012. Este artículo pretende ser una breve revisión acerca de algunos aspectos de la infección COVID-19 desde los aspectos fisiopatológicos, hallazgos por imagen y de las principales indicaciones de las pruebas de imagen, si bien estas siempre serán individualizadas. Tampoco podemos dejar de lado la posibilidad de que algunos de estos pacientes presente una evolución a fibrosis pulmonar. Finalmente, mencionaremos algunas recomendaciones para protegernos en nuestro puesto de trabajo.

Abstract The current SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has changed the way we work and interact. It was notified in Wuhan, Hubei province, China, in December 2019. There had been two previous major outbreaks of Coronavirus: SARS in 2002-2003 and MERS in 2012. This article aims to be a brief review of some aspects of the COVID-19 infection from the pathophysiological aspects, imaging findings, as well as the main indications for the imaging, although these will always be individualized. We cannot ignore the possibility that some of these patients may present evolution to pulmonary fibrosis. Finally, we will mention some recommendations to protect ourselves in our workplace.

Transplant: The Success of Renal Transplant Programs.

In the absence of malignancy or other severe comorbidity, kidney transplantation offers better survival rates and quality of life than dialysis. Despite this survival advantage, many lower- and upper-middle-income countries do not offer adequate kidney transplant services. This is particularly troubling because end-stage kidney disease often is more common in these countries than in high-income countries and overall is less costly in the life of a patient. We describe the contrasting levels of provision of kidney transplantation in Mexico, India, Nigeria, Ghana, and Zimbabwe, and kidney transplant services for children in Africa.

Prevalence and risk factors of chronic kidney disease in an HIV positive Mexican cohort.

BACKGROUND: HIV subjects have several kidney pathologies, like HIV-associated nephropathy or antiretroviral therapy injury, among others. The global prevalence of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is 8-16%; however, in HIV subjects, the prevalence varies between geographic regions (2-38%). The aim was to determine the prevalence of CKD and identify the associated risk factors. METHODS: A longitudinal descriptive study was carried out at the 'Hospital Civil de Guadalajara' Feb'18 - Jan'19. Basal clinical, demographic, opportunistic infections (OI), and laboratory data were obtained at months 0 and 3; inclusion criteria were ≥ 18 years old, naïve HIV + , urine albumin/creatinine ratio, serum creatinine & urine test, and signed informed consent. Descriptive and multiple logistic regression statistical analyses were made. RESULTS: One hundred twenty subjects were included; 92.5% were male, 33 ± 9.5 years, 60% consumed tobacco, 73% alcohol, and 59% some type of drug. The CKD prevalence was 15.8%. CKD patients had a higher risk of hepatitis C virus coinfection, Relative Risk (RR):5.9; HCV infection, RR:4.3; ≥ 30 years old, RR:3.9; C clinical-stage, RR:3.5; CD4+ T cells count < 200 cells/µL, RR: 2.4; and HIV-1 viral load ≥ 100,000 cop/mL, RR: 2.7. CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed a higher CKD prevalence in patients with HIV; higher CKD development with coinfections as Hepatitis C Virus and Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The identification and prompt management of CKD and coinfections should be considered to avoid the progression and to delay renal replacement therapy as long as possible.

The sum of kidney donor profile index and estimated post-transplant survival scale and their correlation with egfr decline in deceased donor kidney recipients

Background: The impact of donor quality on post-kidney transplant survival may vary by candidate condition. Objective: Analyzing the combined use of the Kidney Donor Profile Index (KDPI) and the estimated post-transplant survival (EPTS) scale and their correlation with the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) decline in deceased-donor kidney recipients (DDKR). Methods: This was a retrospective, observational cohort study. We included DDKRs between 2015 and 2017 at a national third-level hospital. Results: We analyzed 68 DDKR. The mean age at transplant was 41 ± 14 years, 47 (69%) had sensitization events, 18 (26%) had delayed graft function, and 16 (23%) acute rejection. The graft survival at 12 and 36 months was 98.1% (95% CI 94-100) and 83.7% (95% CI 65-100), respectively. The Pearson correlation coefficient between the percentage reduction in the annual eGFR and the sum of EPTS and KDPI scales was r = 0.61, p < 0.001. The correlation coefficient between the percentage reduction in the annual eGFR and the EPTS and KDPI scales separately was r = 0.55, p < 0.001, and r = 0.53, p < 0.001, respectively. Conclusions: The sum of EPTS and KDPI scales can provide a better donor-recipient relationship and has a moderately positive correlation with the decrease in eGFR in DDKR.

Acute kidney injury in renal trauma patients.

BACKGROUND: The kidney is the most commonly injured organ of the genitourinary system during trauma. We describe the associated risk factors for the development of acute kidney injury (AKI) in patients with renal trauma (RT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We prospectively analyzed data from 65 patients who suffered RT from 2015 to 2019 at the Hospital Civil de Guadalajara. Demographic variables, clinical characteristics, and AKI risk factors were described. We assessed the risk factors related to AKI development. RESULTS: In our study cohort, 60 (92.3%) patients were men, mean age 25 (20 - 30) years; the most common cause of RT was firearm injury in 26 (40%) of patients and 46 (70%) required surgery. AKI associated with RT developed in 39 (60%) patients. There were no differences between patients with or without AKI requiring nephrectomy (35.9 vs. 19.2%, p = 0.15). RT was classified as high-grade in 37 (56.9%) cases; high-grade RT increased four-fold the probability of AKI (adjusted OR 3.95, p = 0.05). A model for AKI prediction during RT was built with the most relevant variables: firearm injury, shock, emergency surgery, high-grade RT, and liver injury, all predicting AKI (ROC-AUC of 0.74 p = 0.02). CONCLUSION: AKI occurred in 60% of cases with RT, and it was significantly associated with high-grade RT. Further studies will be required to confirm this association in other populations, which could lead to an earlier and proactive management of AKI in this setting.

Kidney health for everyone everywhere-from prevention to detection and equitable access to care.

The global burden of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is rapidly increasing with a projection of becoming the 5th most common cause of years of life lost globally by 2040. Aggravatingly, CKD is a major cause of catastrophic health expenditure. The costs of dialysis and transplantation consume up to 3% of the annual healthcare budget in high-income countries. Crucially, however, the onset and progression of CKD are often preventable. In 2020, the World Kidney Day campaign highlights the importance of preventive interventions-be it primary, secondary, or tertiary. This complementing article focuses on outlining and analyzing measures that can be implemented in every country to promote and advance CKD prevention. Primary prevention of kidney disease should focus on the modification of risk factors and addressing structural abnormalities of the kidney and urinary tracts, as well as exposure to environmental risk factors and nephrotoxins. In persons with pre-existing kidney disease, secondary prevention, including blood pressure optimization and glycemic control, should be the main goal of education and clinical interventions. In patients with advanced CKD, the management of comorbidities such as uremia and cardiovascular disease is a highly recommended preventative intervention to avoid or delay dialysis or kidney transplantation. Political efforts are needed to proliferate the preventive approach. While national policies and strategies for non-communicable diseases might be present in a country, specific policies directed toward education and awareness about CKD screening, management, and treatment are often lacking. Hence, there is an urgent need to increase awareness of the importance of preventive measures throughout populations, professionals, and policy makers.

Salud renal para todos en todos lados - de la prevención a la detección y acceso equitativo a la atención / Kidney health for everyone everywhere - from prevention to detection and equitable access to care

La enfermedad renal crónica (ERC) será la 5.ta causa más común de años de vida perdidos para 2040. Su comienzo y progresión son, con frecuencia, prevenibles.La campaña del Día Mundial del Riñón 2020 resalta la importancia de las intervenciones preventivas. La prevención primaria debe focalizarse en modificar los riesgos y reducir la exposición a factores ambientales y nefrotoxinas. El control de la tensión arterial y de la glucemia deberían ser una de las principales intervenciones en personas con enfermedad renal pre-existente. El manejo de las comorbilidades (uremia, enfermedad cardiovascular) es altamente recomendado para evitar o postergar el uso de diálisis o trasplante renal. Con frecuencia faltan políticas específicas dirigidas a la educación, la pesquisa, el manejo y el tratamiento de la ERC.Es urgente aumentar la concientización sobre la importancia de medidas preventivas en la población, los profesionales y los responsables de políticas de salud a nivel mundial

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is rapidly becoming the 5th most common cause of years of life lost globally by 2040. Crucially, the onset and progression of CKD is often preventable. The World Kidney Day 2020 campaign highlights the importance of preventive interventions on CKD. Primary prevention should focus on risks modification as well as reduced exposure to environmental risk factors and nephrotoxins. Blood pressure optimization and glycemic control should be one of the main interventions in persons with pre-existing kidney disease. Management of co-morbidities such as uremia and cardiovascular disease is highly recommended to avoid or delay dialysis or kidney transplantation. Globally, specific policies directed toward education and awareness about CKD screening, management and treatment are often lacking. Hence, there is an urgent need to increase the awareness of the importance of preventive measures throughout populations, professionals and policy makers around the world.

Kidney Health for Everyone Everywhere - From Prevention to Detection and Equitable Access to Care.

The global burden of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is rapidly increasing with a projection of becoming the 5th most common cause of years of life lost globally by 2040. Aggravatingly, CKD is a major cause of catastrophic health expenditure. The costs of dialysis and transplantation consume up to 3% of the annual healthcare budget in high-income countries. Crucially, however, the onset and progression of CKD is often preventable. In 2020, the World Kidney Day campaign highlights the importance of preventive interventions - be it primary, secondary or tertiary. This complementing article focuses on outlining and analyzing measures that can be implemented in every country to promote and advance CKD prevention. Primary prevention of kidney disease should focus on the modification of risk factors and addressing structural abnormalities of the kidney and urinary tracts, as well as exposure to environmental risk factors and nephrotoxins. In persons with pre-existing kidney disease, secondary prevention, including blood pressure optimization and glycemic control, should be the main goal of education and clinical interventions. In patients with advanced CKD, management of co-morbidities such as uremia and cardiovascular disease is a highly recommended preventative intervention to avoid or delay dialysis or kidney transplantation. Political efforts are needed to proliferate the preventive approach. While national policies and strategies for non-communicable diseases might be present in a country, specific policies directed toward education and awareness about CKD screening, management and treatment are often lacking. Hence, there is an urgent need to increase the awareness of the importance of preventive measures throughout populations, professionals and policy makers.

Kidney Health for Everyone Everywhere - From prevention to detection and equitable access to care.

The global burden of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is rapidly increasing with a projection of becoming the 5th most common cause of years of life lost globally by 2040. Aggravatingly, CKD is a major cause of catastrophic health expenditure. The costs of dialysis and transplantation consume up to 3% of the annual healthcare budget in high-income countries. Crucially, however, the onset and progression of CKD is often preventable. In 2020, the World Kidney Day campaign highlights the importance of preventive interventions - be it primary, secondary or tertiary. This complementing article focuses on outlining and analyzing measures that can be implemented in every country to promote and advance CKD prevention. Primary prevention of kidney disease should focus on the modification of risk factors and addressing structural abnormalities of the kidney and urinary tracts, as well as exposure to environmental risk factors and nephrotoxins. In persons with pre-existing kidney disease, secondary prevention, including blood pressure optimization and glycemic control, should be the main goal of education and clinical interventions. In patients with advanced CKD, management of co-morbidities such as uremia and cardiovascular disease is a highly recommended preventative intervention to avoid or delay dialysis or kidney transplantation. Political efforts are needed to proliferate the preventive approach. While national policies and strategies for non-communicable diseases might be present in a country, specific policies directed toward education and awareness about CKD screening, management and treatment are often lacking. Hence, there is an urgent need to increase the awareness of the importance of preventive measures throughout populations, professionals and policy makers.

Kidney health for everyone everywhere - from prevention to detection and equitable access to care. / Salud renal para todos en todos lados - de la prevención a la detección y acceso equitativo a la atención.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is rapidly becoming the 5th most common cause of years of life lost globally by 2040. Crucially, the onset and progression of CKD is often preventable. The World Kidney Day 2020 campaign highlights the importance of preventive interventions on CKD. Primary prevention should focus on risks modification as well as reduced exposure to environmental risk factors and nephrotoxins. Blood pressure optimization and glycemic control should be one of the main interventions in persons with pre-existing kidney disease. Management of co-morbidities such as uremia and cardiovascular disease is highly recommended to avoid or delay dialysis or kidney transplantation. Globally, specific policies directed toward education and awareness about CKD screening, management and treatment are often lacking. Hence, there is an urgent need to increase the awareness of the importance of preventive measures throughout populations, professionals and policy makers around the world.

La enfermedad renal crónica (ERC) será la 5.ta causa más común de años de vida perdidos para 2040. Su comienzo y progresión son, con frecuencia, prevenibles. La campaña del Día Mundial del Riñón 2020 resalta la importancia de las intervenciones preventivas. La prevención primaria debe focalizarse en modificar los riesgos y reducir la exposición a factores ambientales y nefrotoxinas. El control de la tensión arterial y de la glucemia deberían ser una de las principales intervenciones en personas con enfermedad renal pre-existente. El manejo de las comorbilidades (uremia, enfermedad cardiovascular) es altamente recomendado para evitar o postergar el uso de diálisis o trasplante renal. Con frecuencia faltan políticas específicas dirigidas a la educación, la pesquisa, el manejo y el tratamiento de la ERC. Es urgente aumentar la concientización sobre la importancia de medidas preventivas en la población, los profesionales y los responsables de políticas de salud a nivel mundial.

Kidney Health for Everyone Everywhere-From Prevention to Detection and Equitable Access to Care.

The global burden of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is increasing with a projection of becoming the fifth leading cause of years of life lost globally by 2040. CKD is a major cause of catastrophic health expenditure. The costs of dialysis and transplantation consume up to 3% of the entire annual healthcare budget in high-income countries. Crucially, however, both the onset and progression of CKD is potentially preventable. In 2020, the World Kidney Day campaign highlights the importance of preventive interventions-be it primary, i.e. to prevent de novo CKD, or secondary or tertiary, i.e. prevention of worsening early CKD or progression of more advanced CKD to end-stage kidney disease, respectively. Primary prevention should focus on the modification of CKD risk factors and address the structural abnormalities of the kidney and urinary tracts, and exposure to environmental risk factors and nephrotoxins. In persons with pre-existing kidney disease, secondary prevention, including blood pressure optimization, glycemic control and avoiding high-protein high-sodium diet should be the main goal of education and clinical interventions. In patients with moderate to advanced CKD, the management of comorbidities such as uremia and cardiovascular disease along with low-protein diet are among the recommended preventative interventions to avoid or delay dialysis or kidney transplantation. Whereas national policies and strategies for noncommunicable diseases may exist in a country, specific policies directed toward education and awareness about CKD screening, prevention and treatment are often lacking. There is an urgent need to increase awareness for preventive measures throughout populations, professionals and policy makers.

Procalcitonina como biomarcador de daño renal agudo en pacientes con sepsis y choque séptico / Procalcitonin as a biomarker for acute kidney injury in patients with sepsis and septic shock

Resumen Introducción: hasta el 60 % de los pacientes con sepsis desarrollan daño renal agudo. La procalcitonina indica la presencia de sepsis y puede predecir un daño renal agudo. Objetivos: determinar los valores de procalcitonina como biomarcador predictor de daño renal agudo y sus complicaciones en el espectro de sepsis. Métodos: estudio transversal. Se midió procalcitonina durante las 24 horas de hospitalización. Se determinó el área bajo la curva, el error estándar, la sensibilidad y especificidad de los valores de procalcitonina relacionado con daño renal agudo. Resultados: un total de 72 pacientes con edad de 51 años (rango 18 -79); 35 (48,6 %) casos eran hombres, 44 (61,1 %) presentaron sepsis, 14 (19,4 %) choque séptico, 11 (15,3 %) sepsis severa y 3 (4,2 %) hipotensión inducida por sepsis. Encontramos una elevación de procalcitonina (≥0,5 ng/mL) en 54 (75 %) pacientes; presentaron daño renal agudo 42 (58,3 %) casos; estadio KDIGO 1 en 19 (45,2 %), KDIGO 2 en 12 (28,6 %) y KDIGO 3 en 11 (26,2 %) pacientes; de ellos 37 (88,1 %) presentaron procalcitonina ≥0,5 ng/mL (OR 5,65, IC 95 % 1,73 - 18,42; p<0,01). El área debajo de la curva 0,75 (IC 95 % 0,63 - 0,86 p <0,0001); el valor de procalcitonina de 2,565 ng/mL tuvo la mayor validez prediciendo daño renal agudo, con sensibilidad de 61,9 %, especificidad de 80 %, un valor predictivo positivo de 44,52 %, valor predictivo negativo de 56,18 %, LR+ de 0.80 y un LR- de 0.77. Conclusión: en el espectro de sepsis, el nivel de procalcitonina ≥2,565 ng/mL al ingreso hospitalario predice daño renal agudo.

Abstract Introduction: Up to 60% of patients with sepsis develop acute kidney injury. Procalcitonin indicates the presence of sepsis and could predict acute kidney injury. Objectives: To determine the values of procalcitonin as a predictive biomarker of acute renal injury and its complications in the sepsis spectrum. Methods: Cross-sectional study. Procalcitonin was measured during the 24 hours of hospitalization. We determined the area under the curve, standard error, sensitivity and specificity of procalcitonin values related to acute renal injury. Results: A total of 72 patients aged 51 years (range 18-79); 35 (48.6%) were male, 44 (61.1%) presented sepsis, 14 (19.4%) had septic shock, 11 (15.3%) severe sepsis and 3 (4.2%) sepsis-induced hypotension. We found an elevation of procalcitonin (≥0.5 ng / mL) in 54 (75%) patients; presented acute renal injury 42 (58.3%) cases; KDIGO 1 in 19 (45.2%), KDIGO 2 in 12 (28.6%) and KDIGO 3 in 11 (26.2%) patients; of them 37 (88.1%) had procalcitonin ≥0.5 ng / mL (OR 5.65, 95% CI 1.73-18.42, p <0.01). The area under the curve 0.75 (95% CI 0.63 - 0.86 p <0.0001); the value of procalcitonin of 2,565 ng / mL had the highest validity predicting acute renal injury, with sensitivity of 61.9%, specificity of 80%, a positive predictive value of44.52%, negative predictive value of 56.18%, LR + of 0.80 and an LR - 0.77. Conclusion: In the sepsis spectrum, the level of procalcitonin ≥2,565 ng / mL at hospital admission predicts acute kidney injury.

Oral acyclovir induced hypokalemia and acute tubular necrosis a case report.

BACKGROUND: Acyclovir is one of the most common prescribed antiviral drugs. Acyclovir nephrotoxicity occurs in approximately 12-48% of cases. It can present in clinical practice as acute kidney injury (AKI), crystal-induced nephropathy, acute tubulointerstitial nephritis, and rarely, as tubular dysfunction. Electrolytes abnormalities like hypokalemia, were previously described only when given intravenously. CASE PRESENTATION: A 54 year-old female presented with weakness and lower extremities paresis, nausea and vomiting after receiving oral acyclovir. Physical examination disclosed a decrease in the patellar osteotendinous reflexes (++ / ++++). Laboratory data showed a serum creatinine level of 2.1 mg/dL; serum potassium 2.1 mmol/L. Kidney biopsy was obtained; histological findings were consistent with acute tubular necrosis and acute tubulointerstitial nephritis. The patient was advised to stop the medications and to start with oral and intravenous potassium supplement, symptoms improved and continued until serum potassium levels were > 3.5 meq/L. CONCLUSIONS: The case reported in this vignette is unique since it is the first one to describe hypokalemia associated to acute tubular necrosis induced by oral acyclovir.

Effect of a symbiotic gel (Lactobacillus acidophilus + Bifidobacterium lactis + inulin) on presence and severity of gastrointestinal symptoms in hemodialysis patients.

OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to assess the effect of a symbiotic gel on presence and severity of gastrointestinal symptoms (GIS) in hemodialysis patients. DESIGN: A double-blinded, placebo-controlled, randomized, clinical trial was designed. The study was conducted at 2 public hospitals in Guadalajara, Mexico. SUBJECTS AND INTERVENTION: Twenty-two patients were randomized to the intervention group (nutritional counseling + symbiotic gel) and 20 patients were randomized to the control group (nutritional counseling + placebo), during 2 months of follow-up. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Presence and monthly episodes of GIS were assessed by direct interview and severity by using the self-administered GIS questionnaire. Additionally, biochemical parameters, inflammatory markers, and nutritional status (dietary intake, subjective global assessment, anthropometry, and body composition) were evaluated. RESULTS: After a 2-month treatment, intervention group had a significant reduction in prevalence and monthly episodes of vomit, heartburn, and stomachache, as well as a significant decrease in GIS severity compared with control group. Moreover, intervention group had a greater yet not significant decrease in the prevalence of malnutrition and a trend to reduce their C-reactive protein and tumor necrosis factor α levels compared with control group. No symbiotic-related adverse side effects were shown in these patients. Clinical studies with longer follow-up and sample size are needed to confirm these results. CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that administration of a symbiotic gel is a safe and simple way to improve common GIS in dialysis patients.