The impact of pre-transplantation nephrectomy on quality of life in patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease

PURPOSE: In selected ADPKD patients, a nephrectomy is required in the work-up for a kidney transplantation. Because the impact of this procedure is unknown, we investigated the effect of pre-transplantation nephrectomy on quality of life in this group.METHODS: In this retrospective cohort study all ADPKD patients, ≥ 18 years, who received a kidney transplantation in 2 ADPKD expertise centers between January 2000 and January 2016, were asked to participate. Quality of life was assessed using three validated questionnaires on three time points. Nephrectomy was performed in preparation for transplantation.RESULTS: Two hundred seventy-six ADPKD patients (53 ± 9 years, 56.2% male) were included. 98 patients (35.5%) underwent native nephrectomy in preparation for transplantation, of which 43 underwent bilateral nephrectomy. Pre-transplantation, ADPKD-IS scores were worse in the nephrectomy group vs. no-nephrectomy group (physical: 2.9 vs. 2.3, p &lt; 0.001; emotional: 2.0 vs. 1.8, p = 0.03; fatigue: 3.0 vs. 2.3, p = 0.01). Post-transplantation and post-nephrectomy, ADPKD-IS scores improved significantly in both groups, with a significantly higher improvement in the nephrectomy group. During follow-up, all scores were still better compared to pre-transplantation. Observed physical QoL (ADPKD-IS physical 1.3 vs. 1.7, p = 0.04; SF-36 physical 50.0 vs. 41.3, p = 0.03) was better post-transplantation after bilateral nephrectomy compared to unilateral nephrectomy. In retrospect, 19.7% of patients would have liked to undergo a nephrectomy, while the decision not to perform nephrectomy was made by the treating physician.CONCLUSION: This study shows that pre-transplantation nephrectomy improves quality of life in selected ADPKD patients. Bilateral nephrectomy may be preferred, although the risk of additional complications should be weighted.</p

Insomnia Symptoms and Daytime Fatigue Co-Occurrence in Adolescent and Young Adult Childhood Cancer Patients in Follow-Up after Treatment:Prevalence and Associated Risk Factors

Simple Summary Insomnia symptoms and daytime fatigue significantly impact physical and psychosocial health. While these are common symptoms in pediatric oncology, relationships between these symptoms remain unclear. This study evaluated the prevalence of insomnia only, daytime fatigue only, the co-occurrence of insomnia and daytime fatigue symptoms, and associated risk factors in adolescent/young adult childhood cancer patients in follow-up after treatment. Results showed that around forty percent had insomnia and daytime fatigue symptoms, which often co-occurred. Risk factors that emerged were: female sex and co-morbidities (all), shorter time after treatment and bedtime gaming (insomnia only), young adulthood (insomnia-fatigue and fatigue only), needing someone else to fall asleep and inconsistent wake times (both insomnia groups), and lower educational level and consistent bedtimes (insomnia-fatigue). Overall, insomnia symptoms and daytime fatigue were common and often co-occurred in this patient population. While current fatigue guidelines do not include insomnia symptoms, healthcare providers should inquire about insomnia as this potentially provides additional options for treatment and prevention. Insomnia symptoms and daytime fatigue commonly occur in pediatric oncology, which significantly impact physical and psychosocial health. This study evaluated the prevalence of insomnia only, daytime fatigue only, the co-occurrence of insomnia-daytime fatigue symptoms, and associated risk factors. Childhood cancer patients (n = 565, 12-26 years old, >= 6 months after treatment) participated in a national, cross-sectional questionnaire study, measuring insomnia symptoms (ISI; Insomnia Severity Index) and daytime fatigue (single item). Prevalence rates of insomnia and/or daytime fatigue subgroups and ISI severity ranges were calculated. Multinomial regression models were applied to assess risk factors. Most patients reported no insomnia symptoms or daytime fatigue (61.8%). In the 38.2% of patients who had symptoms, 48.1% reported insomnia and daytime fatigue, 34.7% insomnia only, and 17.1% daytime fatigue only. Insomnia scores were higher in patients with insomnia-daytime fatigue compared to insomnia only (p < 0.001). Risk factors that emerged were: female sex and co-morbidities (all), shorter time after treatment and bedtime gaming (insomnia only), young adulthood (insomnia-fatigue/fatigue only), needing someone else to fall asleep and inconsistent wake times (both insomnia groups), lower educational level and consistent bedtimes (insomnia-fatigue). Insomnia symptoms and daytime fatigue are common and often co-occur. While current fatigue guidelines do not include insomnia symptoms, healthcare providers should inquire about insomnia as this potentially provides additional options for treatment and prevention

Changes in arginase isoforms in a murine model of neonatal brain hypoxia-ischemia.

BackgroundArginases (ARG isoforms, ARG-1/ARG-2) are key regulatory enzymes of inflammation and tissue repair; however, their role after neonatal brain hypoxia (H) and hypoxia-ischemia (HI) remains unknown.MethodsC57BL/6 mice subjected to the Vannucci procedure on postnatal day (P9) were sacrificed at different timepoints. The degree of brain damage was assessed histologically. ARG spatiotemporal localization was determined via immunohistochemistry. ARG expression was measured by Western blot and activity spectrophotometrically.ResultsARG isoform expression increased during neurodevelopment (P9-P17) in the cortex and hippocampus. This was suppressed with H and HI only in the hippocampus. In the cortex, both isoforms increased with H alone and only ARG-2 increased with HI at 3 days. ARG activity during neurodevelopment remained unchanged, but increased at 1 day with H and not HI. ARG-1 localized with microglia at the injury site as early as 4 h after injury, while ARG-2 localized with neurons.ConclusionsARG isoform expression increases with age from P9 to P17, but is suppressed by injury specifically in the hippocampus and not in the cortex. Both levels and activity of ARG isoforms increase with H, while ARG-1 immunolabelling is upregulated in the HI cortex. Evidently, ARG isoforms in the brain differ in spatiotemporal localization, expression, and activity during neurodevelopment and after injury.ImpactArginase isoforms change during neurodevelopment and after neonatal brain HI. This is the first study investigating the key enzymes of inflammation and tissue repair called arginases following murine neonatal brain HI. The highly region- and cell-specific expression suggests the possibility of specific functions of arginases. ARG-1 in microglia at the injury site may regulate neuroinflammation, while ARG-2 in neurons of developmental structures may impact neurodevelopment. While further studies are needed to describe the exact role of ARGs after neonatal brain HI, our study adds valuable data on anatomical localization and expression of ARGs in brain during development and after stroke

Mold contamination and total aflatoxin content in marketed raw milk in Zagazig city, Egypt

Milk contains a lot of bioactive peptides, vitamins, and trace minerals including calcium and magnesium. Mold contamination of milk and aflatoxin formation are major concerns in the food industry. One of the primary tasks of the food safety and public health sectors is to ensure that the population receives safe animal products. Given these considerations, the current investigation attempted to examine into mold contamination of retailed raw milk from cattle, buffaloes, and sheep. Furthermore, the total aflatoxins in the analyzed samples were estimated, and their potential health risks were explored further. The obtained results revealed that cattle milk had the highest mold contamination, followed by buffalo and sheep milk, with 60%, 40%, and 35%, respectively. In the current study, the identification of distinct mold species indicated four mold genera recovered from the milk samples, namely Aspergillus spp., Penicillium spp., Cladosporium spp., and Fusarium spp. Aspergillus spp. was the most prevalent mold genera isolated from the milk samples of cattle, sheep, and buffaloes, with 34%, 13.2%, and 11.3%, respectively. The mean total aflatoxins (ppb) levels in the milk samples tested were 5.05±0.25 (cattle), 4.22±0.18 (buffaloes), and 3.1±0.11 (sheep), respectively. In conclusion, mold contamination was found in retailed raw milk from cattle, buffaloes, and sheep in Zagazig, Egypt. Aflatoxin was found in several samples. As a result, efficient heat treatment of milk to pasteurization temperatures and avoidance of raw milk consumption are strongly advised

Mold contamination and total aflatoxin content in marketed raw milk in Zagazig city, Egypt

Milk contains a lot of bioactive peptides, vitamins, and trace minerals including calcium and magnesium. Mold contamination of milk and aflatoxin formation are major concerns in the food industry. One of the primary tasks of the food safety and public health sectors is to ensure that the population receives safe animal products. Given these considerations, the current investigation attempted to examine into mold contamination of retailed raw milk from cattle, buffaloes, and sheep. Furthermore, the total aflatoxins in the analyzed samples were estimated, and their potential health risks were explored further. The obtained results revealed that cattle milk had the highest mold contamination, followed by buffalo and sheep milk, with 60%, 40%, and 35%, respectively. In the current study, the identification of distinct mold species indicated four mold genera recovered from the milk samples, namely Aspergillus spp., Penicillium spp., Cladosporium spp., and Fusarium spp. Aspergillus spp. was the most prevalent mold genera isolated from the milk samples of cattle, sheep, and buffaloes, with 34%, 13.2%, and 11.3%, respectively. The mean total aflatoxins (ppb) levels in the milk samples tested were 5.05±0.25 (cattle), 4.22±0.18 (buffaloes), and 3.1±0.11 (sheep), respectively. In conclusion, mold contamination was found in retailed raw milk from cattle, buffaloes, and sheep in Zagazig, Egypt. Aflatoxin was found in several samples. As a result, efficient heat treatment of milk to pasteurization temperatures and avoidance of raw milk consumption are strongly advised

Effects of Water Loading on Observed and Predicted Plasma Sodium, and Fluid and Urine Cation Excretion in Healthy Individuals

Rationale & Objective: The discovery of sodium storage without concurrent water retention suggests the presence of an additional compartment for sodium distribution in the body. The osmoregulatory role of this compartment under hypotonic conditions is not known. Study Design: Experimental interventional study. Setting & Participants: Single-center study of 12 apparently healthy men. Intervention: To investigate whether sodium can be released from its nonosmotic stores after a hypotonic fluid load, a water-loading test (20 mL water/kg in 20 minutes) was performed. Outcomes: During a 240-minute follow-up, we compared the observed plasma sodium concentration ([Na + ]) and fluid and urine cation excretion with values predicted by the Barsoum-Levine and Nguyen-Kurtz formulas. These formulas are used for guidance of fluid therapy during dysnatremia, but do not account for nonosmotic sodium stores. Results: 30 minutes after water loading, mean plasma [Na + ] decreased 3.2 ± 1.6 (SD) mmol/L, after which plasma [Na + ] increased gradually. 120 minutes after water loading, plasma [Na + ] was significantly underestimated by the Barsoum-Levine (−1.3 ± 1.4 mmol/L; P = 0.05) and Nguyen-Kurtz (−1.5 ± 1.5 mmol/L; P = 0.03) formulas. In addition, the Barsoum-Levine and Nguyen-Kurtz formulas overestimated urine volume, while cation excretion was significantly underestimated, with a cation gap of 57 ± 62 (P = 0.009) and 63 ± 63 mmol (P = 0.005), respectively. After 240 minutes, this gap was 28 ± 59 (P = 0.2) and 34 ± 60 mmol (P = 0.08), respectively. Limitations: The compartment from which the mobilized sodium originated was not identified, and heterogeneity in responses to water loading was observed across participants. Conclusions: These data suggest that healthy individuals are able to mobilize osmotically inactivated sodium after an acute hypotonic fluid load. Further research is needed to expand knowledge about the compartment of osmotically inactivated sodium and its role in osmoregulation and therapy for dysnatremias. Funding: This investigator-initiated study was partly supported by a grant from Unilever Research and Development Vlaardingen, The Netherlands B.V. (MA-2014-01914)