Recovery of dialysis patients with COVID-19 : health outcomes 3 months after diagnosis in ERACODA

Background. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-related short-term mortality is high in dialysis patients, but longer-term outcomes are largely unknown. We therefore assessed patient recovery in a large cohort of dialysis patients 3 months after their COVID-19 diagnosis. Methods. We analyzed data on dialysis patients diagnosed with COVID-19 from 1 February 2020 to 31 March 2021 from the European Renal Association COVID-19 Database (ERACODA). The outcomes studied were patient survival, residence and functional and mental health status (estimated by their treating physician) 3 months after COVID-19 diagnosis. Complete follow-up data were available for 854 surviving patients. Patient characteristics associated with recovery were analyzed using logistic regression. Results. In 2449 hemodialysis patients (mean ± SD age 67.5 ± 14.4 years, 62% male), survival probabilities at 3 months after COVID-19 diagnosis were 90% for nonhospitalized patients (n = 1087), 73% for patients admitted to the hospital but not to an intensive care unit (ICU) (n = 1165) and 40% for those admitted to an ICU (n = 197). Patient survival hardly decreased between 28 days and 3 months after COVID-19 diagnosis. At 3 months, 87% functioned at their pre-existent functional and 94% at their pre-existent mental level. Only few of the surviving patients were still admitted to the hospital (0.8-6.3%) or a nursing home (∼5%). A higher age and frailty score at presentation and ICU admission were associated with worse functional outcome. Conclusions. Mortality between 28 days and 3 months after COVID-19 diagnosis was low and the majority of patients who survived COVID-19 recovered to their pre-existent functional and mental health level at 3 months after diagnosis

The Influence of Diphenhydramine Administration on Lidocaine Protein Binding in Rat Serum and Tissues

Lidocaine is an amide type local anaesthetic and diphenhydramine is a first-generation antihistamine drug. The aim of the present study was to investigate the influence of diphenhydramine co-administration on the extent of lidocaine binding to rat serum and maxillofacial tissue proteins in order to determine a possible synergistic action that could enhance lidocaine’s anaesthetic/analgesic activity. Twenty-eight Wistar rats divided in 4 groups (I, II, Ill, IV) received lidocaine in the masseter muscle. Groups II and IV received diphenhydramine per os 2 h before lidocaine administration. Groups I and II were sacrificed after 15 min and groups III and IV 30 min after lidocaine injection. Masseter and mandible samples were isolated and incubated in NaCl 0.9% solution while serum was obtained through blood centrifugation. Free lidocaine fraction in the tissues’ incubation medium and the serum was obtained through ultrafiltration and determined by radioscopic method in a beta-counter Lidocaine’s free fraction levels (mu g g(-1)) were enhanced after 15 min under diphenhydramine co-administration in all samples from (7.1319 +/- 1.4066) x 10(-4) to (12.1097 +/- 3.7528) x 10(-4) in serum, from 0.9339 +/- 0.3077 to 2.6791 +/- 1.1648 in masseter (p<0.01) and from 0.3898 +/- 0.0879 to 0.6918 +/- 0.2743 in mandible (p<0.05). A statistically significant increase in free anaesthetic levels was also noticed after 30 min in serum from (8.6227 +/- 0.6902) x 10(-4) to (13.9518 +/- 4.9849) x 10(-4) (p<0.05). Lidocaine’s increase could probably be attributed to mechanisms influencing its protein binding properties. Consequently, a possible synergistic action of the two drugs’ combination is demonstrated which could enhance lidocaine’s anaesthetic action, affecting depth and duration of anaesthesia

The influence of clonidine co-administration on the extent of lidocaine protein binding to rat serum and tissues.

Lidocaine is an amide local anesthetic and clonidine is an antihypertensive (α2-adrenergic agonist). The use of these two drugs in combination is recommended to enhance the analgesic effect of lidocaine. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of clonidine co-administration on the extent of lidocaine binding to rat serum, heart and maxillofacial tissues in vivo and in vitro. Thirty-two Wistar rats received either lidocaine alone, or lidocaine and clonidine, in the masseter muscle, and were then sacrificed 15 or 30 min after treatment. Serum, masseter, mandible and heart samples were then isolated and incubated in 0.9% NaCl solution for 12 h at 8°C. The extent of binding in the incubation medium and the serum was estimated by ultrafiltration, and the free lidocaine fraction was determined by the radioscopic method in a β-counter. An in vitro procedure was also performed. Serum, heart, masseter and mandible samples were incubated at 37°C for 15 or 30 min in Ringer's solution containing either lidocaine or lidocaine and clonidine, and the samples were similarly subjected to ultrafiltration. The percentage binding of lidocaine was again estimated by the radioscopic method. Lidocaine levels were found to be increased by clonidine co-administration in vivo and the free lidocaine fraction was enhanced in vitro as well in the examined tissues, obviously through mechanisms related to protein binding alterations

Adjuvant arthritis-induced changes on ampicillin binding in serum and tissues under the influence of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in rats

Adjuvant arthritis, as a model for investigating rheumatoid arthritis (RA), is characterized by reduced plasma albumin levels and interferes with drug binding in the plasma and tissues (liver and bone). Ampicillin interacts with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) due to the acidic pka. The aim of this study was to investigate in vitro the concentrations of ampicillin in the serum, femur, mandible and liver proteins following the co-administration of ketoprofen, flurbiprofen, ibuprofen, oxyphenbutazone and ASA in adjuvant arthritis versus healthy control rats. Ampicillin binding was found to be reduced in the serum of arthritic rats, and ampicillin binding to serum proteins was also reduced under the influence of NSAIDs in the control animals. Differences in ampicillin binding were observed in the various tissues due to the effect of adjuvant arthritis as well as that due to the co-administration of NSAIDs. In conclusion, this in vitro study may provide a plausible explanation for the ampicillin-NSAIDs interaction and such a finding may be of therapeutic significance in the treatment of painful arthritic disease such as RA

Clonidine changes lidocaine free concentrations in rat myocardium without affecting heart function measured by echocardiography

Lidocaine is a local anaesthetic widely used in regional and epidural anaesthesia. Clonidine a α2-adrenergic agonist is an antihypertensive agent, regulating the production of catecholamines (epinephrine and norepinephrine) and added to local anesthetic infusions in order to improve postoperative analgesia. The aim of the study was to investigate the influence of clonidine co-administration on the binding of 14C lidocaine to rat serum and heart tissue protein as well as its pharmacodynamic effects in the heart. Four groups of Wistar rats (n=7) were used; Groups I and II received 4 mg/kg lidocaine I.M. Groups III and IV received lidocaine and 1 μg/kg clonidine I.M. In group I and III fifteen minutes and in groups II and IV thirty minutes after the initial treatment, ultrasound examination of heart function (heart rate, diameter of left ventricle in systole and diastole, ejection fraction) was performed. The animals were then sacrificed in all groups. Lidocaine free fraction in serum and heart was evaluated via ultrafiltration. The kinetics of lidocaine was altered by clonidine co-administration probably by mechanisms related to protein binding alterations. However, the pharmacokinetic interactions were not accompanied by changes of pharmacodynamic parameters including those of heart function as measured by echocardiography

Evaluation of cover-cropping managements on productivity and N-utilization efficiency of kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.), under different nitrogen fertilization rates and soil types

Biomass productivity, nitrogen recovery fraction and nitrogen utilization efficiency (NUE) of kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.) cultivar Tainung 2 were tested, under three Lens culinaries treatments (incorporated, harvested before the sowing of the energy crop and mono-cropping) and four nitrogen dressings (0, 50, 100 and 150 kg ha(-1)), in two field experiments carried out on a fertile, clayey to loamy soil, and on a sandy soil of moderate fertility, in central Greece, over the period 2007-2009. The obtained results showed a positive response in L. culinaries cover cropping on kenaf total yield, on both experimental sites. Total dry biomass fluctuated from 16.07 to 21.46 t ha(-1) for incorporated plots and from 13.63 to 16.55 t ha(-1) for control treatments (relied only on applications of N-fertilization) for sandy soil, and from 14.98 to 19.28 t ha(-1) in case of legume incorporation and from 12.34 to 16.69 t ha(-1) for control plots, for clayey soil, respectively. The evaluated NUE was 76 kg kg(-1), for sandy soil, and 72 kg kg(-1), for clay soil. The recovery fraction escalated from 41% in control plots to 70% in plots with previous L culinaries cultivation for sandy soil, while for clayey soil an increase of 20% was recorded, indicating a prominent effect of legume cover-cropping management. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

BIOMASS PRODUCTION AND N-USE OF FIBRE SORGHUM UNDER DIFFERENT COVER CROPPING MANAGEMENT, NITROGEN INFLUXES AND SOIL TYPES IN CENTRAL GREECE

Field experiments were carried out over a period of three years to evaluate the effect of cover cropping faba bean with fibre sorghum, compared to mono-crop cultivation, on yield (dry matter), nitrogen utilization efficiency (NUE) and N fertilizer recovery fraction of sorghum. Experimental sites were located in central Greece on a fertile, clayey to loamy textured soil, and on a sandy soil of moderate fertility. A factorial combination of four nitrogen application rates (0, 50, 100, 150 kg ha(-1)) and three legume treatments (incorporated into the topsoil or harvested before the sowing of sorghum and mono-cropping) were tested in a split plot design in three blocks. The results showed importance of legume cover crops for both soil types as sorghum total dry biomass yield for clayey soil fluctuated from 23 to 27 t ha(-1) for control plots, from 25.2 to 30.9 t ha(-1) when faba bean was harvested and from 26.3 to 32.5 t ha(-1) when incorporated, and for sandy soil the yield fluctuated from 18.1 to 22.1 t ha(-1) for control plots, from 22 to 27 t ha(-1) when faba bean was harvested and from 23.1 to 28.1 t ha(-1) when incorporated. The NUE was estimated at 62 kg kg(-1) and 60 kg kg(-1) for clayey and sandy soils respectively. The N recovery fraction was doubled after incorporating faba bean as green manure, reaching large amounts for both soil types

Understanding consumer patterns on meat and dairy products derived from animals fed with locally produced feed

The scope of this study is to clarify the main factors affecting the consumption of foodstuff derived from animal products. For this, we applied a modified version of the health belief model (HBM); trying to quantify the differences on the impact of two food groups on human health. Principal component analysis was applied to highlight essential components influencing participants to consume locally produced animal products. Based on the 'consumers' perceptions, there is a general positive attitude towards agricultural products of animals fed with locally produced feed (LPF). Most respondents trust more LPF, considering them as healthier than imported ones, enhancing their identity. Age and educational level of respondents are characteristics that significantly influence their answers, as younger and higher educated consumers are more interested in adopting good eating habits, while seeking information about the origin of foodstuff. This is promising parameter for enhancing competitiveness of LPF on both local and international context. Copyright © 2022 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd