Evaluating the Removal of the Antibiotic Cephalexin from Aqueous Solutions Using an Adsorbent Obtained from Palm Oil Fiber.

This study aimed to understand the adsorption process of cephalexin (CPX) from aqueous solution by a biochar produced from the fiber residue of palm oil. Scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Boehm titration, and the point of zero charge were used to characterize the morphology and surface functional groups of the adsorbent. Batch tests were carried out to evaluate the effects of the solution pH, temperature, and antibiotic structure. The adsorption behavior followed the Langmuir model and pseudo-second-order model with a maximum CPX adsorption capacity of 57.47 mg g-1. Tests on the thermodynamic behavior suggested that chemisorption occurs with an activation energy of 91.6 kJ mol-1 through a spontaneous endothermic process. Electrostatic interactions and hydrogen bonding represent the most likely adsorption mechanisms, although π-π interactions also appear to contribute. Finally, the CPX removal efficiency of the adsorbent was evaluated for synthetic matrices of municipal wastewater and urine. Promising results were obtained, indicating that this adsorbent can potentially be applied to purifying wastewater that contains trace antibiotics.

Medición del NGAL urinario en el donante para detectar función retardada del injerto renal en el receptor / NGAL as a marker to detect donor risk factors for delayed graft function

Resumen Introducciónen el trasplante renal de donante fallecido es importante tener marcadores tempranos que ayuden a predecir la funcionalidad adecuada del injerto renal. La medición de creatinina continóa siendo el marcador de elección para definir si los riñones de un posible donante son aptos para ser trasplantados. La lipocalina asociada a la gelatinasa del neutrófilo urinaria (NGALu) es un biomarcador que ha sido utilizado para el diagnóstico temprano de lesión renal aguda, pero su comportamiento es incierto en el donante fallecido. Este estudio tiene como objetivo determinar si los niveles de NGALu del donante pueden predecir la función retardada del injerto (FRI) en los receptores. Métodología: cohorte prospectiva en la que se evaluaron los niveles de NGALu del donante al momento de la extracción renal; se aplicó estadística descriptiva y pruebas no paramétricas. Se exploró el comportamiento de este biomarcador en el donante del injerto renal para determinar si es un factor predictivo de función retardada del injerto. Resultados: se evaluaron 27 donantes de criterios óptimos; el 74,1 % eran hombres, la edad tuvo una mediana de 27 años (rango: 18,8-43,3); la principal causa de muerte fue trauma encefalocraneano, seguido por el accidente cerebrovascular. La creatinina tuvo una mediana de 0,8 mg/dl y los valores de NGALu tuvieron una mediana de 11,1ng/ml (4,2-33,6). En total se realizaron 46 trasplantes, de los cuales el 15,2 % presentaron función retardada del injerto y dos pacientes necesitaron terapia de reemplazo renal en la primera semana luego del trasplante. Los valores de NGALu agrupados de acuerdo a presencia o no de función retardada del injerto fueron de 11,1 ng/ml (3-17,3) en los pacientes sin función retardada del injerto y 11,2 ng/ml en los pacientes con dicha función (7,7-39,4) (p=0,40). En el análisis multivariado no se encontró ningón factor asociado al desarrollo de función retardada del injerto. Conclusión: en este estudio la medición de uNGAL en donantes fallecidos de criterios óptimos no predijo función retardada del injerto.

Abstract Introduction: For deceased donor renal transplantation, it is important to have early markers that can predict the functional outcome of the transplant. Currently, creatinine is the marker of choice for determining whether a potential donor's kidneys are suitable for transplantation. Urine neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (uNGAL) is a biomarker that has been utilized to diagnose early-stage acute kidney injury, but its behavior in deceased donors is uncertain. The objective of this study was to determine whether donor uNGAL levels can predict delayed graft function in recipients. Methodology: A prospective cohort utilizing descriptive statistics and non-parametric median tests was carried out to evaluate donor uNGAL levels at the time of kidney removal. The behavior of this biomarker was analyzed in kidney transplant donors to evaluate its use as a predictive factor for DGF. Results: A total of 27 standard criteria transplants were evaluated, including 7 (25.9%) women and 20 (74.1%) men with a median age of 27 years (18.75-43.25). The principal cause of death was traumatic head injury, followed by stroke. The median creatinine level was 0.8 mg/dl (0.57-1), and the median uNGAL level was 11.1 ng/ml (4.2-33.6). In total, 46 transplants were performed, of which 15.22% (7 patients) presented with delayed graft function and 2 patients needed renal replacement therapy within the first week after transplantation. The patients were grouped according to the presence of DGF, with median uNGAL values of 11.1 ng/ml (3-17.3) in patients without DGF and median values of 11.2 ng/ml (7.7-39.4) (p=0.4) in those with delayed graft function. No factors were found to be associated with the development of delayed graft function in the multivariate analysis. Discussion: in this study, uNGAL measurements in deceased standard criteria donors did not predict delayed graft function.

Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin as an early predictor of delayed graft function.

INTRODUCTION: Delayed graft function occurs in about 20 to 50 percent of kidney transplants.  OBJECTIVE: To describe the behavior of urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGALu) in deceased-donor renal transplant recipients and to compare this indicator with the percentage of creatinine decrease (PdC) for the early detection of delayed graft function.  MATERIALS AND METHODS: NGALu levels were evaluated in a prospective cohort in the first, 12th, 24th and 48th hours after kidney transplant, and compared with the daily PdC until day 5.  RESULTS: We included 79 patients in the study. Delayed graft function occurred in 13 patients (16.5%), and five patients (6.3%) required dialysis in the first week. NGALu levels at all cut-off points were higher in patients with delayed graft function (p=0.526, p=0.049, p=0.032, and p=0.001). NGALu levels above 120 ng/ml at 48 hours predicted delayed graft function with a sensitivity of 75% and a specificity of 71%. A PdC of 59.5% best discriminated the delayed graft function, with a sensitivity of 92% and a specificity of 83% at 48 hours. Using logistic regression for the adjusted delayed graft function, the only significant values to predict it were those of PdC.  CONCLUSIONS: NGALu levels measured at 48 hours after renal transplantation predicted delayed graft function, including the need for dialysis; however, this marker was not superior to the PdC for early detection.

La lipocalina asociada con la gelatinasa de neutrófilos como factor temprano de predicción de la función retardada del injerto renal / Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin as an early predictor of delayed graft function

Introducción. La función retardada del injerto renal se presenta en 20 a 50 % de los trasplantes renales. Objetivo. Describir el comportamiento de la lipocalina urinaria asociada a la gelatinasa de neutrófilos en receptores de trasplante renal de donante fallecido y compararlo con el porcentaje de descenso de la creatinina sérica para detectar tempranamente la función retardada del injerto renal. Materiales y métodos. Se evaluaron los niveles de lipocalina urinaria asociada a la gelatinasa de neutrófilos en una cohorte prospectiva 1, 12, 24 y 48 horas después del trasplante renal, y se compararon diariamente con los de la creatinina sérica hasta el quinto día del trasplante. Resultados. Se incluyeron en el estudio 79 pacientes con trasplante renal de donante fallecido. La función retardada del injerto renal se presentó en 13 pacientes (16,5 %) y cinco de ellos (6,3 %) necesitaron diálisis en la primera semana. Los valores de lipocalina urinaria asociada a la gelatinasa de neutrófilos en todos los puntos de corte fueron mayores en los pacientes con función retardada del injerto renal (p=0,526, p=0,049, p=0,032 y p=0,001, respectivamente). Se estableció un valor de más de 120 ng/ml a las 48 horas como factor de predicción de la función retardada del injerto, con una sensibilidad de 75 % y una especificidad de 71 %; el valor de creatinina sérica que mejor discriminó la función retardada se presentó a las 48 horas (59,5 %), con una sensibilidad de 92 % y una especificidad de 83 %. En la regresión logística los únicos valores significativos para predecir la función retardada del injerto renal fueron los de la creatinina serica. Conclusión. Los niveles de lipocalina urinaria asociada a la gelatinasa de neutrófilos a las 48 horas del trasplante renal predijeron la función retardada, incluida la necesidad de diálisis, pero no fueron superiores a los de la creatinina sérica para la detección temprana.

Introduction: Delayed graft function occurs in about 20 to 50 percent of kidney transplants. Objective: To describe the behavior of urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGALu) in deceased-donor renal transplant recipients and to compare this indicator with the percentage of creatinine decrease (PdC) for the early detection of delayed graft function. Materials and methods: NGALu levels were evaluated in a prospective cohort in the first, 12th, 24th and 48th hours after kidney transplant, and compared with the daily PdC until day 5. Results: We included 79 patients in the study. Delayed graft function occurred in 13 patients (16.5%), and five patients (6.3%) required dialysis in the first week. NGALu levels at all cut-off points were higher in patients with delayed graft function (p=0.526, p=0.049, p=0.032, and p=0.001). NGALu levels above 120 ng/ml at 48 hours predicted delayed graft function with a sensitivity of 75% and a specificity of 71%. A PdC of 59.5% best discriminated the delayed graft function, with a sensitivity of 92% and a specificity of 83% at 48 hours. Using logistic regression for the adjusted delayed graft function, the only significant values to predict it were those of PdC. Conclusions: NGALu levels measured at 48 hours after renal transplantation predicted delayed graft function, including the need for dialysis; however, this marker was not superior to the PdC for early detection.

Gn-RH antagonists in intrauterine insemination: the weekend-free protocol.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the results of intrauterine insemination (IUI) when GnRH antagonist was added-to avoid IUI on weekend-with those obtained with the standard IUI protocol. STUDY DESIGN: In an IUI program under ovarian stimulation with gonadotropins when one or more follicles of 15-16 mm were seen, if it was not possible for logistic reasons (weekend) to perform the insemination 72 h later, GnRH antagonist was administered until human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) administration. The IUI was performed on Monday. We compared the results of this IUI "weekend-free'' group with our results in standard IUI cycles, where IUI was performed 36-38 h after reaching optimal follicular growth. RESULTS: Both groups were comparable regarding the main demographic parameters, except for higher estradiol levels, due to the prolonging ovarian stimulation. The per cycle pregnancy rate (PR) were very similar in both groups: 15.7% in the weekend-free IUI versus 16.5% in standard IUI. The multiple pregnancy rate and the hyperstimulation rate were also similar. A non-significant trend to higher high-order multiple pregnancy was observed in the weekend-free IUI. CONCLUSIONS: In IUI cycles under ovarian suprastimulation with gonadotrophins, the use of GnRH antagonist allows the manipulation of the follicular development in such a way that it is possible to avoid inseminations on the weekends, without apparently reducing the PR.