ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND & AIMS: Baveno VII has defined a clinically significant (i.e., prognostically meaningful) decrease in liver stiffness measurement (LSM) in cACLD as a decrease of ≥20% associated with a final LSM <20 kPa or any decrease to <10 kPa. However, these rules have not yet been validated against direct clinical endpoints. METHODS: We retrospectively analysed patients with cACLD (LSM ≥10 kPa) with paired liver stiffness measurement (LSM) before (BL) and after (FU) HCV cure by interferon-free therapies from 15 European centres. The cumulative incidence of hepatic decompensation was compared according to these criteria, considering hepatocellular carcinoma and non-liver-related death as competing risks. RESULTS: A total of 2,335 patients followed for a median of 6 years were analysed. Median BL-LSM was 16.6 kPa with 37.1% having ≥20 kPa. After HCV cure, FU-LSM decreased to a median of 10.9 kPa (<10 kPa: 1,002 [42.9%], ≥20 kPa: 465 [19.9%]) translating into a median LSM change of -5.3 (-8.8 to -2.4) kPa corresponding to -33.9 (-48.0 to -15.9) %. Patients achieving a clinically significant decrease (65.4%) had a significantly lower risk of hepatic decompensation (subdistribution hazard ratio: 0.12, 95% CI 0.04-0.35, p <0.001). However, these risk differences were primarily driven by a negligible risk in patients with FU-LSM <10 kPa (5-year cumulative incidence: 0.3%) compared to a high risk in patients with FU-LSM ≥20 kPa (16.6%). Patients with FU-LSM 10-19.9 kPa (37.4%) also had a low risk of hepatic decompensation (5-year cumulative incidence: 1.7%), and importantly, the risk of hepatic decompensation did not differ between those with/without an LSM decrease of ≥20% (p = 0.550). CONCLUSIONS: FU-LSM is key for risk stratification after HCV cure and should guide clinical decision making. LSM dynamics do not hold significant prognostic information in patients with FU-LSM 10-19.9 kPa, and thus, their consideration is not of sufficient incremental value in the specific context of HCV cure. IMPACT AND IMPLICATIONS: Liver stiffness measurement (LSM) is increasingly applied as a prognostic biomarker and commonly decreases in patients with compensated advanced chronic liver disease achieving HCV cure. Although Baveno VII proposed criteria for a clinically significant decrease, little is known about the prognostic utility of LSM dynamics (changes through antiviral therapy). Interestingly, in those with a post-treatment LSM of 10-19.9 kPa, LSM dynamics did not provide incremental information, arguing against the consideration of LSM dynamics as prognostic criteria. Thus, post-treatment LSM should guide the management of patients with compensated advanced chronic liver disease achieving HCV cure.
Subject(s)
Elasticity Imaging Techniques , Hepatitis C, Chronic , Humans , Male , Female , Middle Aged , Retrospective Studies , Elasticity Imaging Techniques/methods , Hepatitis C, Chronic/drug therapy , Hepatitis C, Chronic/complications , Antiviral Agents/therapeutic use , Liver Cirrhosis/epidemiology , Prognosis , Aged , Liver/diagnostic imaging , Liver Neoplasms/epidemiology , Liver Neoplasms/etiology , Adult , Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/epidemiology , Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/etiologyABSTRACT
BACKGROUND & AIMS: Obeticholic acid (OCA) is the only licensed second-line therapy for primary biliary cholangitis (PBC). With novel therapeutics in advanced development, clinical tools are needed to tailor the treatment algorithm. We aimed to derive and externally validate the OCA response score (ORS) for predicting the response probability of individuals with PBC to OCA. METHODS: We used data from the Italian RECAPITULATE (N = 441) and the IBER-PBC (N = 244) OCA real-world prospective cohorts to derive/validate a score including widely available variables obtained either pre-treatment (ORS) or also after 6 months of treatment (ORS+). Multivariable Cox regressions with backward selection were applied to obtain parsimonious predictive models. The predicted outcomes were biochemical response according to POISE (alkaline phosphatase [ALP]/upper limit of normal [ULN]<1.67 with a reduction of at least 15%, and normal bilirubin), or ALP/ULN<1.67, or normal range criteria (NR: normal ALP, alanine aminotransferase [ALT], and bilirubin) up to 24 months. RESULTS: Depending on the response criteria, ORS included age, pruritus, cirrhosis, ALP/ULN, ALT/ULN, GGT/ULN, and bilirubin. ORS+ also included ALP/ULN and bilirubin after 6 months of OCA therapy. Internally validated c-statistics for ORS were 0.75, 0.78, and 0.72 for POISE, ALP/ULN<1.67, and NR response, which raised to 0.83, 0.88, and 0.81 with ORS+, respectively. The respective performances in validation were 0.70, 0.72, and 0.71 for ORS and 0.80, 0.84, and 0.78 for ORS+. Results were consistent across groups with mild/severe disease. CONCLUSIONS: We developed and externally validated a scoring system capable to predict OCA response according to different criteria. This tool will enhance a stratified second-line therapy model to streamline standard care and trial delivery in PBC.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Spontaneous ruptured hepatocellular carcinoma is an uncommon complication, and there are scarce data about non-cirrhotic patients. Tumor treatment is not standardized and the risk of peritoneal dissemination is unclear. AIM: we analyzed the treatment and survival in patients with rHCC on non-cirrhotic liver. METHODS: One hundred and forty-one non-cirrhotic patients with hepatocellular carcinoma diagnosed by histology were included in a multicenter prospective registry (2018-2022). Seven of them (5%) presented with hemoperitoneum due to spontaneous rupture. RESULTS: Liver disease was associated in three patients (42.9%). A single nodule was detected in three cases (42.9%). One patient had vascular invasion and none extrahepatic spread. Initial hemostatic therapy and sequential treatment was individualized. Patients with single nodule were treated: resection (one case) with recurrence at 4 months treated with TACE and sorafenib. TACE/TAE followed by surgery (two cases) one in remission 43 months later, the other had liver recurrence at 18 months and was transplanted. Patients with multiple lesions were treated: TAE/emergency surgery and subsequent systemic therapy (two cases), one received lenvatinib (1-year survival) and the other sorafenib (5-month survival). TAE and surgery with subsequent systemic therapy (one case). Initial hemostatic surgery, dying on admission (one case). No patient developed intraperitoneal metastasis. All patients with multiple lesions died by tumor. The 3-year survival rate was 42.9%. CONCLUSIONS: Initial hemostasis was achieved in all patients by TAE/TACE or surgery. Subsequent treatment was individualized, based on tumor characteristics, regardless of rupture. Long-time remission could be achieved in single nodule patients.
ABSTRACT
There is uncertainty regarding Wilson's disease (WD) management. OBJECTIVES: To assess, in a multicenter Spanish retrospective cohort study, whether the approach to WD is homogeneous among centers. METHODS: Data on WD patients followed at 32 Spanish hospitals were collected. RESULTS: 153 cases, 58% men, 20.6 years at diagnosis, 69.1% hepatic presentation, were followed for 15.5 years. Discordant results in non-invasive laboratory parameters were present in 39.8%. Intrahepatic copper concentration was pathologic in 82.4%. Genetic testing was only done in 56.6% with positive results in 83.9%. A definite WD diagnosis (Leipzig score ≥4) was retrospectively confirmed in 92.5% of cases. Chelating agents were standard initial therapy (75.2%) with frequent modifications (57%), particularly to maintenance zinc. Enzyme normalization was not achieved by one third, most commonly in the setting of poor compliance, lack of genetic mutations and/or presence of cardiometabolic risk factors. Although not statistically significant, there were trends for sex differences in number of diagnosed cases, age at diagnosis and biochemical response. CONCLUSIONS: Significant heterogeneity in diagnosis and management of WD patients emerges from this multicenter study that includes both small and large reference centers. The incorporation of genetic testing will likely improve diagnosis. Sex differences need to be further explored.
Subject(s)
Hepatolenticular Degeneration , Humans , Female , Male , Hepatolenticular Degeneration/diagnosis , Hepatolenticular Degeneration/genetics , Retrospective Studies , Chelating Agents/therapeutic use , Zinc , Copper , Penicillamine/therapeutic useABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) and advanced fibrosis remain at risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after sustained viral response (SVR) and need lifelong surveillance. Because HCC risk is not homogenous and may decrease with fibrosis regression, we aimed to identify patients with low HCC risk based on the prediction of noninvasive markers and its changes after SVR. APPROACH AND RESULTS: This is a multicenter cohort study, including patients with HCV and compensated advanced fibrosis that achieved SVR after direct antivirals. Clinical and transient elastography (TE) data were registered at baseline, 1 year, and 3 years after the end of treatment (EOT). All patients underwent liver ultrasound scan every 6 months. Patients with clinical evaluation 1 year after EOT were eligible. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis were performed, and predictive models were constructed. HCC occurrence rates were evaluated by Kaplan-Meier. Nine hundred and ninety-three patients were eligible (56% male; 44% female; median age 62 years), 35 developed HCC (3.9%), and the median follow-up was 45 months (range 13-53). Baseline liver stiffness measurement (LSM) (HR 1.040; 95% CI 1.017-1.064), serum albumin (HR 0.400; 95% CI 0.174-0.923), 1-year DeltaLSM (HR 0.993; 95% CI 0.987-0.998), and 1-year FIB-4 score (HR 1.095; 95% CI 1.046-1.146) were independent factors associated with HCC. The TE-based HCC risk model predicted 0% of HCC occurrence at 3 years in patients with score 0 (baseline LSM ≤ 17.3 kPa, albumin >4.2 g/dL, and 1-year DeltaLSM > 25.5%) versus 5.2% in patients with score 1-3 (Harrell's C 0.779; log-rank 0.002). An alternative model with FIB-4 similarly predicted HCC risk. CONCLUSIONS: A combination of baseline and dynamic changes in noninvasive markers may help to identify patients with a very low risk of HCC development after SVR.
Subject(s)
Biomarkers, Tumor/blood , Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/epidemiology , Hepatitis C, Chronic/pathology , Liver Cirrhosis/pathology , Liver Neoplasms/epidemiology , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Antiviral Agents/therapeutic use , Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/blood , Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/pathology , Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/virology , Disease Progression , Elasticity Imaging Techniques , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Hepacivirus/isolation & purification , Hepatitis C, Chronic/blood , Hepatitis C, Chronic/drug therapy , Hepatitis C, Chronic/virology , Humans , Liver/diagnostic imaging , Liver/pathology , Liver Cirrhosis/blood , Liver Cirrhosis/drug therapy , Liver Cirrhosis/virology , Liver Neoplasms/blood , Liver Neoplasms/pathology , Liver Neoplasms/virology , Male , Middle Aged , Retrospective Studies , Risk Assessment/methods , Risk Factors , Sustained Virologic ResponseABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) chronic infection affects up to 240 million people in the world and it is a common cause of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). HBV covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) plays an essential role in HBV persistence and replication. Current pharmacological treatment with nucleos(t)ide analogues (NA) may suppress HBV replication with little or no impact on cccDNA, hence lifelong treatment is required in the vast majority of patients. Clearances of intrahepatic cccDNA and/or HBsAg are critical endpoints for future antiviral therapy in chronic HBV. Recent promising developments targeting different molecular HBV life cycle steps are being pre-clinically tested or have moved forward in early clinical trials. METHODS: We review the current state of the art of these pharmacological developments, mainly focusing on efficacy and safety results, which are expected to lay the ground for future HBV eradication. An inclusive literature search on new treatments of HBV using the following electronic databases: Pubmed/MEDLINE, AMED, CINAHL and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. Full-text manuscripts and abstracts published over the last 12 years, from 2005 to March 2011 were reviewed for relevance and reference lists were crosschecked for additional applicable studies regarding new HBV antiviral treatment. RESULTS: HBV entry inhibitors, HBV core inhibitors, HBV cccDNA transcripts RNA interference, HBV cell apoptosis inducers, HBV RNA, viral proteins and DNA knock down agents, HBV release inhibitors, anti-sense nucleosides, exogenous interferon stimulation, interferon response stimulation and HBV therapeutic vaccines were reviewed. CONCLUSION: This review will provide readers with an updated vision of current and foreseeable therapeutic developments in chronic hepatitis B.
Subject(s)
Antiviral Agents/therapeutic use , Hepatitis B, Chronic/drug therapy , Antiviral Agents/adverse effects , Apoptosis/drug effects , DNA, Circular/antagonists & inhibitors , DNA, Viral/antagonists & inhibitors , Gene Expression/drug effects , Hepatitis B Surface Antigens/drug effects , Hepatitis B virus/drug effects , Hepatitis B virus/genetics , Hepatitis B virus/growth & development , Hepatitis B, Chronic/genetics , Hepatitis B, Chronic/virology , Host-Pathogen Interactions , Humans , Life Cycle Stages , Virus Attachment/drug effects , Virus Replication/drug effectsABSTRACT
The fungicide carbendazim is an ecotoxic agent affecting aquatic biota. Due to its suspected hormone-disrupting effects, it is considered a "priority hazard substance" by the Water Framework Directive of the European Commission, and its degradation is of major concern. In this work, a horizontal tubular biofilm reactor (HTBR) operating in plug-flow regime was used to study the kinetics of carbendazim removal by an acclimated microbial consortium. The reactor was operated in steady state continuous culture at eight different carbendazim loading rates. The concentrations of the fungicide were determined at several distances of the HTBR. At the loading rates tested, the highest instantaneous removal rates were observed in the first section of the tubular biofilm reactor. No evidence of inhibition of the catabolic activity of the microbial community was found. Strains of the genera Flectobacillus, Klebsiella, Stenotrophomonas, and Flavobacterium were identified in the biofilm; the last three degrade carbendazim in axenic culture.
Subject(s)
Bacteria/metabolism , Benzimidazoles/metabolism , Bioreactors , Carbamates/metabolism , Membranes, Artificial , Microbial Consortia , KineticsABSTRACT
Purpose: This work explores the dynamics of spatiotemporal changes in the taxonomic structure of biofilms and the degradation kinetics of three imidazole group compounds: carbendazim (CBZ), methyl thiophanate (MT), and benomyl (BN) by a multispecies microbial community attached to a fixed bed horizontal tubular reactor (HTR). This bioreactor mimics a permeable reactive biobarrier, which helps prevent the contamination of water bodies by pesticides in agricultural wastewater. Methods: To rapidly quantify the microbial response to crescent loading rates of benzimidazole compounds, a gradient system was used to transiently raise the fungicide volumetric loading rates, measuring the structural and functional dynamics response of a microbial community in terms of the volumetric removal rates of the HTR entering pollutants. Results: The loading rate gradient of benzimidazole compounds severely impacts the spatiotemporal taxonomic structure of the HTR biofilm-forming microbial community. Notable differences with the original structure in HTR stable conditions can be noted after three historical contingencies (CBZ, MT, and BN gradient loading rates). It was evidenced that the microbial community did not return to the composition prior to environmental disturbances; however, the functional similarity of microbial communities after steady state reestablishment was observed. Conclusions: The usefulness of the method of gradual delivery of potentially toxic agents for a microbial community immobilized in a tubular biofilm reactor was shown since its functional and structural dynamics were quickly evaluated in response to fungicide composition and concentration changes. The rapid adjustment of the contaminants' removal rates indicates that even with changes in the taxonomic structure of a microbial community, its functional redundancy favors its adjustment to gradual environmental disturbances.
ABSTRACT
The supernumerary mostly dispensable B chromosomes are nuclear components of about 15% of eukaryotic phyla. For a long time, B chromosomes have been studied, generating an enormous bulk of knowledge, diluted in the vastness of the scientific literature. In order to provide better access to this information, we created B-chrom ( www.bchrom.csic.es ), an online database with comprehensive information on Bs for plants, animals, and fungi. It was released in 2017 and first updated in 2021, by adding 334 entries and 123 new species. Currently, the resource provides information for 2951 species coming from 3292 sources. During this time, the usefulness of this database has been proven by the number of visits (more than 207,000 since its release) and by the scientific community, having been cited in more than 60 publications until present. This chapter explains the database composition and tips on how to use it.
Subject(s)
Chromium , Eukaryota , Animals , Databases, Factual , Eukaryotic Cells , ChromosomesABSTRACT
The advancements in research in the field of plant cytogenetics and genomics in recent decades have led to a significant increase in publications. To simplify access to the widely dispersed data, there has been a rise in the number of online databases, repositories, and analytical tools. This chapter presents a comprehensive overview of these resources, which can be beneficial to researchers in these areas. It includes, among others, databases on chromosome numbers, special chromosomes (such as B chromosomes or sex chromosomes), some of which are taxon-specific; genome sizes, cytogenetics; and online applications and tools for genomic analysis and visualization.
Subject(s)
Chromosomes , Genomics , Cytogenetics , Genome , Plants/genetics , Cytogenetic Analysis , Genome, PlantABSTRACT
This paper presents the latest update to the Plant rDNA database (Release 4.0), a valuable resource for researchers in the field of plant cytogenetics. The database provides information on the number, position, and arrangement of ribosomal DNA loci in plants, including angiosperms, gymnosperms, bryophytes, and pteridophytes. The new release includes new data for 820 species coming from additional 173 papers. In the updated version of the Plant rDNA database, 4948 entries comprising 2760 organisms can be found. A brief guide on how to navigate the database and obtain the desired information is also provided. The regular updating of the database is important for ensuring the information it contains is accurate, up-to-date, and useful for the research community. The Plant rDNA database continues to be beneficial for phylogenetic and cytogenetic studies in a wide range of taxa including angiosperms, gymnosperms, and early diverging groups, such as bryophytes and lycophytes.
Subject(s)
Information Sources , Magnoliopsida , DNA, Ribosomal/genetics , Phylogeny , Ribosomes , DNA, Plant/genetics , Cytogenetic AnalysisABSTRACT
We investigated a FLAGIDA-lite protocol (fludarabine 40 mg/m(2)/d orally days 1-5, cytarabine 20 mg/m(2)/d subcutaneously days 1-5, G-CSF 300 µg/d subcutaneously days 1-5, and idarrubicin 15 mg/m(2)/d orally days 1-3) in 38 consecutive patients older than 70 years of age with acute myeloid leukemia (32 patients) or refractory anemia with excess blasts-2 (six patients) and no prior therapy. Seventy-nine percent had intermediate/unfavorable karyotype and 79% had a high comorbidity. Overall response was 55% [complete response (CR) 47%] and 37% were refractory. CR rate was 52% in patients between 71 and 79 years of age and 38% in patients 80 years or older. The 4-week induction mortality was 16% (8% in patients between 70 and 79 years of age and 32% in patients 80 years or older). Overall survival (OS) at 3 years was 22% (31.3% in patients between 70 and 79 years and 15.4% in patients 80 years or older). Relapse-free survival (RFS) at 3 years was 15%. A total of 65 cycles (47 as induction and 18 as consolidation) were administered, 46 of them (70%) in an outpatient setting. In summary, this FLAGIDA-lite protocol is an effective and well-tolerated option for patients between the ages of 70 and 79 years with acute myeloid leukemia or refractory anemia with excess blasts-2 and is usually feasible as outpatient treatment, but is not beneficial for most patients 80 years or older.
Subject(s)
Ambulatory Care , Anemia, Refractory, with Excess of Blasts/drug therapy , Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/therapeutic use , Cytarabine/therapeutic use , Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor/therapeutic use , Idarubicin/therapeutic use , Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/drug therapy , Vidarabine/analogs & derivatives , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/adverse effects , Cytarabine/administration & dosage , Cytarabine/adverse effects , Female , Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor/administration & dosage , Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor/adverse effects , Humans , Idarubicin/administration & dosage , Idarubicin/adverse effects , Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/mortality , Male , Prognosis , Treatment Outcome , Vidarabine/administration & dosage , Vidarabine/adverse effects , Vidarabine/therapeutic useABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The management of acute hepatitis C (AHC) is controversial. We have conducted a retrospective study to determine the epidemiological and biochemical aspects, the genotypes, the spontaneous clearance of HCV (SVC), and the treatment responses in patients with AHC. METHODS: We have retrospectively collected data from 131 patients with AHC from 18 Spanish hospitals. RESULTS: The mean age was 43 ± 16 years (17-83), 69% were symptomatic. The causes of infection were nosocomial in 40% and intravenous drug users in 20%. Eighty two percent had genotype 1. The delay from symptoms-onset to HCV-RNA confirmation was 50 ± 68 days (range, 11-350 days) and to treatment (in 59%) 14±1 3 weeks (range, 2-58 days). In the treated group, 80% achieved sustained virological response (SVR) versus 57% SVC in untreated patients (p = 0.004). Up to 96% of those treated within the first 12 weeks had SVR versus 86% of those treated later (p = 0.04). Patients with HCV-RNA(-) at week 4 resolved with or without treatment more frequently than those HCV-RNA(+) (98% versus 69%, p = 0.005). The treatment was not beneficial if HCV-RNA was undetectable at week 12. No differences in SVR were found in genotype 1 patients treated for 24 or 48 weeks. Patients with low baseline viral load achieved higher SVC and SVR. The SVC in patients with bilirubin > 5 mg/dL was 78 versus 40% in those with lower values (p = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS: The most common transmission route was nosocomial. SVR was higher in patients treated than SVC in non-treated.Early treatment (before week 12) achieved the highest response rate. SVC and SVR were more common in patients with a low baseline viral load. Undetectable HCV-RNA at week 4 was associated with high SVR and SVC rates. Jaundice was related with SVC.
Subject(s)
Hepatitis C/epidemiology , Adolescent , Adult , Age Factors , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Antibodies, Viral/analysis , Antiviral Agents/therapeutic use , Cohort Studies , Cross Infection/complications , Cross Infection/therapy , Female , Genotype , Hepacivirus/immunology , Hepatitis C/therapy , Hepatitis C/virology , Humans , Immunoenzyme Techniques , Immunoglobulin G/analysis , Interferon-gamma/therapeutic use , Liver Function Tests , Male , Middle Aged , RNA, Viral/blood , Retrospective Studies , Ribavirin/therapeutic use , Spain/epidemiology , Substance Abuse, Intravenous/epidemiology , Viral Load , Young AdultABSTRACT
Malnutrition is conditioned by a series of factors, among them the dietary factors, which include appetite, eating behaviors and habits. In order to assess these factors, the following objective was pursued: describe the dietary factors and their relation to appetite in children under two years of age with mild malnutrition. A correlational study was conducted. The sample consisted of all children under two years of age (n = 168) diagnosed with primary (mild) malnutrition, who attended consultation at the Centro de Atención Nutricional Infantil Antímano, CANIA, during the period 2000-2008. The results showed intake of energy and macronutrients was lower than the individual requirement; iron intake < 85% of the requirement, in accordance with the Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA) in over 50% of the sample; weekly consumption of vegetables (57%) and miscellaneous (66%) was inadequate; inadequate intake of formula and whole milk in more than 60%; 9% were exclusively breastfed during the first six months; 64% lacked a regular eating place; in child-caregiver interaction during mealtimes, more than half of the children showed rebellious behavior and caregivers were permissive. Protein adequacy, vegetable and whole milk consumption frequency, preparation type, identification of refusals and preferences, place and duration of meals, and child-caregiver interaction at mealtimes were significantly associated with appetite; if we consider this last one as a guide and we try to modify inadequate eating behaviors and habits, we will generate an impact over the child appetite that could improve the food consumption and prevent malnutrition.
Subject(s)
Appetite/physiology , Feeding Behavior/physiology , Infant Nutrition Disorders/physiopathology , Nutritional Requirements/physiology , Breast Feeding/statistics & numerical data , Cross-Sectional Studies , Diet , Female , Humans , Infant , Infant Nutrition Disorders/diagnosis , Male , Nutrition Assessment , VegetablesABSTRACT
The fungicide carbendazim is an ecotoxic pollutant frequently found in water reservoirs. The ability of microorganisms to remove pollutants found in diverse environments, soil, water, or air is well documented. Although microbial communities have many advantages in bioremediation processes, in many cases, those with the desired capabilities may be slow-growing or have low pollutant degradation rates. In these cases, the manipulation of the microbial community through enrichment with specialized microbial strains showing high specific growth rates and high rates and efficiencies of pollutant degradation is desirable. In this work, bacteria of the genera Klebsiella, Flavobacterium, and Stenotrophomonas, isolated from the biofilm attached to the packed zones of a biofilm reactor, were able to grow individually in selective medium containing carbendazim. In the three bacteria studied, the mheI gene encoding the first enzyme involved in the degradation of the fungicide carbendazim was found. Studying the dynamics of growth and carbendazim degradation of the three bacteria, the effect of co-formulants was also evaluated. The pure compound and a commercial formulation of carbendazim were used as substrates. Finally, the study made it possible to define the biokinetic advantages of these strains for amendment of microbial communities.
Subject(s)
Stenotrophomonas maltophilia , Benzimidazoles , Biodegradation, Environmental , Carbamates , Flavobacterium , Kinetics , Klebsiella oxytocaSubject(s)
Plasma/immunology , Skin Tests , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Serum/immunologyABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Non-selective ß-blockers (NSBBs) are widely prescribed in patients with cirrhosis for primary and secondary prophylaxis of bleeding oesophageal varices. Furthermore, it has been suggested that the clinical benefits of NSBBs may extend beyond their haemodynamic effects. Recently, a potentially harmful effect has been described in patients with refractory ascites or spontaneous bacterial peritonitis. METHODOLOGY: A comprehensive literature search on ß-blockers and cirrhosis survival using the electronic databases PubMed/MEDLINE, AMED, CINAHL and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. Full-text manuscripts published over more than 35 years, from 1980 to April 2016 were reviewed for relevance and reference lists were cross-checked for additional pertinent studies regarding potential NSBB effects, especially focused on those concerned with survival and/or acute kidney injury (AKI). DISCUSSION: The proposed review will be able to provide valuable evidence to help decision making in the use of NSBB for the treatment of advanced cirrhosis and highlights some limitations in existing evidence to direct future research.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Reference methods for the quantification of the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) are difficult to use in clinical practice; formulas for evaluating GFR based on serum creatinine (SCr) and/or creatinine clearance are used. The aim of this study was to quantify the correlation and concordance of GFR with creatinine clearance in 24-hour urine (GFR24) and Schwartz and Schwartz updated formulas. METHODS: Cross-sectional study involving healthy pediatric patients and with chronic kidney disease (CKD) from 5 to 16.9 years. Linear correlation between GFR 24 and two formulas was evaluated with the Pearson correlation coefficient (r) and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). RESULTS: We studied 134 patients, of which 59.7% were male. Mean age was 10.8 years. The average GFR24 was 140.34ml/min/1.73m2; 34.3% (n=46) had GFR <90ml/min/1.73m2. Moderate linear correlation between GFR24 and Schwartz (r= 0.63) and Schwartz updated (r= 0.65) formulas was observed. There was good concordance between the GFR24 and Schwartz (ICC= 0.77) and updated Schwartz (ICC= 0.77) formulas. Schwartz classical formula in patients with GFR24 ≥ 90ml/min/1.73m2 estimated higher values, while Schwartz updated underestimated values. CONCLUSIONS: There is moderate correlation and good concordance between the GFR24 and Schwartz and Schwartz updated formulas. The concordance was better in patients with obesity and lower in women, patients with hyperfiltration and normal weight.
ABSTRACT
El cáncer y su tratamiento implican cambios en la dieta y metabolismo que aumentan el riesgo de desarrollar desnutrición, especialmente cuando los pacientes desconocen cómo alimentarse. Aunque se han desarrollado materiales psicoeducativos para favorecer conductas alimentarias saludables, la mayoría son extensos, están dirigidos a pacientes diagnosticados con tumores sólidos o no señalan datos de validación. Con el objetivo de construir y validar un material psicoeducativo breve, orientado a la promoción de conductas alimentarias y nutricionales saludables del paciente oncohematológico adulto, se diseñó y validó la infografía Recomendaciones para la alimentación del paciente oncohematológico. Se empleó la metodología propuesta por la Organización Panamericana de la Salud y por Ziemendorff y Krause en un grupo de jueces expertos (n=18) y otro de pacientes oncohematológicos (n=20). Se obtuvieron acuerdos porcentuales superiores a 80 % y κ>.68 en ambos grupos de validación, por lo tanto, la infografía diseñada es un instrumento conciso, válido y específico que puede ser distribuida entre la población diana
Cancer and its treatment involve changes in diet and metabolism that increase the risk of developing malnutrition, especially when patients do not know how to feed. Although psychoeducational materials have been developed to favor healthy eating behaviors, the majority are extensive, they are aimed at patients diagnosed with solid tumors or do not indicate validation data.In order to create and validate a brief psychoeducational material aimed at promoting healthy eating and nutritional behaviors of the adult oncohematological patient, the infographic Recommendations for feeding the oncohematological patient was designed and validated. The methodology proposed by the Pan American Health Organization and by Ziemendorff and Krause was used in a group of expert judges (n = 18) and another group of oncohematological patients (n = 20). Percent agreements greater than 80% and κ> .68 were obtained in both validation groups, therefore, the designed infographic is a concise, valid and specific instrument that can share out among the target population