Treatment of asymptomatic bacteriuria in the first 2 months after kidney transplant: A controlled clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of urinary tract infections (UTIs) in the first 2 months postrenal transplantation (pRT) is very high. We evaluate the efficacy of asymptomatic bacteriuria (AB) screening and treatment on the incidence of UTI in the first 2 months pRT METHODS: We conducted a randomized controlled clinical trial. A urine culture was obtained in all patients on the day of the bladder catheter removal, on week three, and before removal of the ureteral catheter. The intervention group received treatment for AB. The control group did not receive treatment. The primary outcomes were the cumulative incidence of UTI and/or graft pyelonephritis and the time to the first episode of UTI and/or graft pyelonephritis RESULTS: Eighty patients were randomized, 40 in each group, and the median follow-up was 63 days (IQR 54-70). The average age was 29.8 years and 33.7% (n = 27) were women. The incidences of UTI (n = 10, 25 % vs. n = 4, 10%, p = .07) and pyelonephritis (n = 6, 15% vs. n = 1, 2.5%, p = .04) were greater in the intervention group, as also shown in the survival analysis: UTI (HR2.8, 95% CI 0.8-9.1, p = .07) and pyelonephritis (HR 6.5, 95% CI 0.8-54.7, p = .08), respectively. The most commonly isolated bacterium was Escherichia coli (n = 28, 59.5%), and over half were E. coli with extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (n = 15). A major limitation was not obtaining the calculated sample size due to a delay in patient recruitment resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic CONCLUSION: Treatment of AB in the first 2 months pRT does not decrease the incidence of UTI or graft pyelonephritis and may actually increase their frequency. Routine treatment of AB during the first months after renal transplantation should not be a standard procedure.

Characterization of Sodium Alginate Hydrogels Reinforced with Nanoparticles of Hydroxyapatite for Biomedical Applications.

In recent years, researchers working in biomedical science and technology have investigated alternatives for enhancing the mechanical properties of biomedical materials. In this work, sodium alginate (SA) hydrogel-reinforced nanoparticles (NPs) of hydroxyapatite (HA) were prepared to enhance the mechanical properties of this polymer. Compression tests showed an increase of 354.54% in ultimate compressive strength (UCS), and 154.36% in Young's modulus with the addition of these NPs compared with pure SA. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) revealed that the amount of residual water is not negligible and covered a range from 20 to 35 wt%, and the decomposition degree of the alginate depends on the hydroxyapatite content, possibly due to the displacement of sodium ions by the hydroxyapatite and not by calcium chloride. Further, there is an important effect possibly due to the existence of an interaction of hydrogen bonds between the hydroxyl of the alginate and the oxygen atoms of the hydroxyapatite, so signals appear upfield in nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) data. An increase in the accumulation of HA particles was observed with the use of X-ray microtomography, in which the quantified volume of particles per reconstructed volume corresponded accordingly to the increase in the mechanical properties of the hydrogel.

Resultados y reproducibilidad a corto plazo de la prueba de lanzadera incremental (Incremental Shuttle Walking Test) en pacientes con enfermedad renal crónica en hemodiálisis / Results and short-term reproducibility of the Incremental Shuttle Walking Test in patients with chronic kidney disease on hemodialysis

RESUMEN Antecedentes: La prueba de lanzadera incremental ha sido empleada para determinar la capacidad física en pacientes con enfermedad renal crónica. Sin embargo, su aplicabilidad y reproducibilidad ha sido poco estudiada en pacientes bajo tratamiento de hemodiálisis. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar el rendimiento y reproducibilidad de la prueba de lanzadera incremental en pacientes con enfermedad renal crónica en hemodiálisis. Material y métodos: Se incluyeron pacientes con enfermedad renal crónica en diálisis y sujetos sin enfermedad renal crónica. Cada individuo realizó dos pruebas de lanzadera incremental con un intervalo de 30 minutos. Se registró la distancia recorrida, velocidad máxima, frecuencia cardiaca y el esfuerzo percibido. La reproducibilidad se analizó mediante el cálculo del coeficiente de correlación intraclase y el error estándar de la media. Mediante el método de Bland-Altman, se calculó la discordancia de la distancia recorrida y la frecuencia cardiaca pico. Además, se calculó el cambio mínimo detectable para todos los parámetros de la prueba de lanzadera incremental. Un valor de p=<0,05 se consideró significativo. Resultados: 68 sujetos entraron al estudio (34 pacientes con enfermedad renal crónica y 34 sujetos en el grupo control). Los pacientes con enfermedad renal crónica caminaron una menor distancia recorrida respecto al grupo control (-40%; p=<0,0001). En ambos grupos, se encontró una excelente confiabilidad test/retest en todas las medidas de resultado (cálculo del coeficiente de correlación intraclase >0,80). Los registros del error estándar de medición y cambio mínimo detectable para la distancia recorrida fueron de 26,0 m y 72,1 m, respectivamente. El método de Bland-Altman para la distancia recorrida mostró una diferencia media de -0,9 m con límites de concordancia entre 65,5 y -63,7 m. Conclusión: Los pacientes con enfermedad renal crónica en hemodiálisis presentan un menor rendimiento durante la prueba de lanzadera incremental comparado con individuos sin enfermedad renal crónica. Las medidas de resultado de la prueba de lanzadera incremental presentan una alta reproducibilidad test/retest a corto plazo en este grupo de pacientes.

ABSTRACT Introduction: The Incremental Shuttle Walk Test has been used to determine physical capacity in patients with chronic kidney disease. However, its applicability and reproducibility have seldom been studied in hemodialysis patients. The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance and reproducibility of the incremental shuttle walk test in patients with chronic kidney disease on hemodialysis. Methods: Patients with chronic kidney disease on dialysis and subjects without chronic kidney disease were included. Each individual performed two Incremental Shuttle Walk Test with an interval of 30 minutes. We recorded the distance traveled, maximum speed, heart rate and perceived effort. Reproducibility was analyzed by calculating the intraclass correlation coefficient and the standard error of the mean. Using the Bland-Altman analysis, we calculated the discrepancy of the distance traveled and the peak heart rate. The minimum detectable change was also calculated for all parameters of the incremental shuttle walk test. A value of p=<0.05 was considered significant. Results: 68 subjects entered the study (34 were patients with chronic kidney disease, and 34 subjects constituted the control group). Patients with chronic kidney disease walked a shorter distance than those in the control group (-40%; p=<0.0001). In both groups, excellent test-retest reliability was found in all outcome measurements (intraclass correlation coefficient calculation >0.80). The standard error of measurement and the minimum detectable change for the distance traveled were 26.0 m and 72.1 m, respectively. The Bland-Altman analysis for the distance traveled showed a mean difference of -0.9 m with limits of agreement between 65.5 and -63.7 m. Conclusion: Patients with chronic kidney disease on hemodialysis show lower performance during the incremental shuttle walk test, compared to individuals without chronic kidney disease. The outcome measurements of the Incremental Shuttle Walk Test show high test-retest reproducibility in the short run in this group of patients.

Effects of home-based respiratory muscle training in children and adolescents with chronic lung disease / Efeitos do treinamento muscular respiratório domiciliar em crianças e adolescentes com doença pulmonar crônica

OBJECTIVE: Respiratory muscle weakness is a functional repercussion of chronic lung disease (CLD). The objective of this study was to assess the effects of home-based respiratory muscle training (RMT) in children and adolescents with CLD or neuromuscular disease (NMD). METHODS: This was a quasi-experimental study involving children and adolescents with CLD or NMD. Before and after 6 months of home-based RMT, we measured respiratory muscle strength (MIP and MEP), PEF, and peak cough flow (PCF). We made statistical comparisons between the pre-RMT and post-RMT values, as well as evaluating the correlation between the duration and effect of RMT. RESULTS: The study included 29 patients, with a mean age of 12 years (range, 5-17 years), of whom 18 (62.1%) were male. The CLD group comprised 11 patients (37.9%), and the NMD group comprised 18 (62.1%). The mean duration of the RMT was 60 weeks (range, 46-90 weeks) in the CLD group and 39 weeks (range, 24-89 weeks) in the NMD group. In comparison with the pre-RMT values, the post-RMT values for MIP and MEP were significantly higher in both groups, whereas those for PEF and PCF were significantly higher only in the NMD group. We found no correlation between the duration and the effect of RMT. CONCLUSIONS: Home-based RMT appears to be an effective strategy for increasing respiratory muscle strength in children and adolescents with CLD or NMD, although it increased the ability to cough effectively only in those with NMD. .

OBJETIVO: A fraqueza muscular respiratória é uma repercussão funcional da doença pulmonar crônica (DPC). O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar os efeitos do treinamento muscular respiratório (TMR) domiciliar em crianças e adolescentes com DPC ou doença neuromuscular (DNM). MÉTODOS: Estudo quasi-experimental com crianças e adolescentes com DPC ou DNM. Foram medidos a força muscular respiratória (PEmáx e PImáx) e o pico de fluxo da tosse (PFT) antes e depois de 6 meses de TMR domiciliar. Foram realizadas comparações estatísticas entre valores pré- e pós-TMR e foram avaliadas as correlações entre a duração e o efeito do TMR. RESULTADOS: Foram incluídos no estudo 29 pacientes, com média de idade de 12 anos (variação, 5-17 anos), dos quais 18 (62,1%) eram meninos. O grupo DPC consistiu em 11 pacientes (37,9%) e o grupo DNM, em 18 (62,1%). A média da duração do TMR foi de 60 semanas (variação, 46-90 semanas) no grupo DPC e de 39 semanas (variação, 24-89 semanas) no grupo DNM. Em comparação com os valores pré-TMR, os valores pós-TMR para PImáx e PEmáx foram significativamente maiores nos dois grupos, enquanto aqueles para PFE e PFT foram significativamente maiores apenas no grupo DNM. Não houve correlações entre a duração e o efeito do TMR. CONCLUSÕES: O TMR domiciliar parece ser uma estratégia eficaz para o aumento da força muscular respiratória em crianças e adolescentes com DPC ou DNM, embora aumente efetivamente a capacidade de tosse somente naqueles com DNM. .

Effects of home-based respiratory muscle training in children and adolescents with chronic lung disease.

OBJECTIVE: Respiratory muscle weakness is a functional repercussion of chronic lung disease (CLD). The objective of this study was to assess the effects of home-based respiratory muscle training (RMT) in children and adolescents with CLD or neuromuscular disease (NMD). METHODS: This was a quasi-experimental study involving children and adolescents with CLD or NMD. Before and after 6 months of home-based RMT, we measured respiratory muscle strength (MIP and MEP), PEF, and peak cough flow (PCF). We made statistical comparisons between the pre-RMT and post-RMT values, as well as evaluating the correlation between the duration and effect of RMT. RESULTS: The study included 29 patients, with a mean age of 12 years (range, 5-17 years), of whom 18 (62.1%) were male. The CLD group comprised 11 patients (37.9%), and the NMD group comprised 18 (62.1%). The mean duration of the RMT was 60 weeks (range, 46-90 weeks) in the CLD group and 39 weeks (range, 24-89 weeks) in the NMD group. In comparison with the pre-RMT values, the post-RMT values for MIP and MEP were significantly higher in both groups, whereas those for PEF and PCF were significantly higher only in the NMD group. We found no correlation between the duration and the effect of RMT. CONCLUSIONS: Home-based RMT appears to be an effective strategy for increasing respiratory muscle strength in children and adolescents with CLD or NMD, although it increased the ability to cough effectively only in those with NMD.

OBJETIVO: A fraqueza muscular respiratória é uma repercussão funcional da doença pulmonar crônica (DPC). O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar os efeitos do treinamento muscular respiratório (TMR) domiciliar em crianças e adolescentes com DPC ou doença neuromuscular (DNM). MÉTODOS: Estudo quasi-experimental com crianças e adolescentes com DPC ou DNM. Foram medidos a força muscular respiratória (PEmáx e PImáx) e o pico de fluxo da tosse (PFT) antes e depois de 6 meses de TMR domiciliar. Foram realizadas comparações estatísticas entre valores pré- e pós-TMR e foram avaliadas as correlações entre a duração e o efeito do TMR. RESULTADOS: Foram incluídos no estudo 29 pacientes, com média de idade de 12 anos (variação, 5-17 anos), dos quais 18 (62,1%) eram meninos. O grupo DPC consistiu em 11 pacientes (37,9%) e o grupo DNM, em 18 (62,1%). A média da duração do TMR foi de 60 semanas (variação, 46-90 semanas) no grupo DPC e de 39 semanas (variação, 24-89 semanas) no grupo DNM. Em comparação com os valores pré-TMR, os valores pós-TMR para PImáx e PEmáx foram significativamente maiores nos dois grupos, enquanto aqueles para PFE e PFT foram significativamente maiores apenas no grupo DNM. Não houve correlações entre a duração e o efeito do TMR. CONCLUSÕES: O TMR domiciliar parece ser uma estratégia eficaz para o aumento da força muscular respiratória em crianças e adolescentes com DPC ou DNM, embora aumente efetivamente a capacidade de tosse somente naqueles com DNM.

Estudo morfométrico do gênero Panstrongylus Berg, 1879 (Hemiptera, Reduviidae, Triatominae) / Morphometric study of the genus Panstrongylus Berg, 1879 (Hemiptera, Reduviidae, Triatominae)

The subfamily Triatominae is actually represented by 137 species distributed among 6 tribes and 19 genera. Within this subfamily, the genus Panstrongylus, Berg 1879, is composed by 13 species widespread in sylvatic, peridomestic, and domestic habitats of Neotropical regions. These species are vectors of Chagas disease and consequently are found associated with its main hosts, such as birds and mammals. Interest in species of this genus has been increasing in the last few years. Reports of several authors indicate these Triatominae to invade and colonize houses, increasing their epidemiological significance. Morphometry was used in this study to investigate correlations among possible closely related species. We measured 224 specimens among 13 species through a set of metric variables of the head. The results indicated that the genus Panstrongylus seems to be homogeneous since 10 of the 14 species were shown to be closely related.

[Morphometric study of the genus Panstrongylus Berg, 1879 (Hemiptera, Reduviidae, Triatominae)]. / Estudo morfométrico do gênero Panstrongylus Berg, 1879 (Hemiptera, Reduviidae, Triatominae).

The subfamily Triatominae is actually represented by 137 species distributed among 6 tribes and 19 genera. Within this subfamily, the genus Panstrongylus, Berg 1879, is composed by 13 species widespread in sylvatic, peridomestic, and domestic habitats of Neotropical regions. These species are vectors of Chagas disease and consequently are found associated with its main hosts, such as birds and mammals. Interest in species of this genus has been increasing in the last few years. Reports of several authors indicate these Triatominae to invade and colonize houses, increasing their epidemiological significance. Morphometry was used in this study to investigate correlations among possible closely related species. We measured 224 specimens among 13 species through a set of metric variables of the head. The results indicated that the genus Panstrongylus seems to be homogeneous since 10 of the 14 species were shown to be closely related.