Molecular cloning of KS, a novel rat gene expressed exclusively in the kidney

Molecular cloning of xKSx, a novel rat gene expressed exclusively in the kidney.BackgroundWe aimed to identify genes with kidney specific, developmentally regulated expression. Here we report the cDNA sequence and expression pattern of KS, a novel kidney-specific rat gene.MethodsA partial cDNA was identified by differential display polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of a renal cell fraction enriched for proximal tubular and renin-expressing cells. Using the partial cDNA as a probe, a rat kidney cDNA library was screened. The full-length KS sequence was obtained by PCR amplification of cDNA ends. The expression pattern of KS was investigated by Northern blot. RNA was extracted from several organs of newborn and adult rats, as well as from the kidneys of rats with altered tubular function, that is, rats that had undergone unilateral nephrectomy, unilateral ureteral obstruction, neonatal losartan treatment, and the appropriate control animals. The expression of KS was also investigated in the kidneys of rats with spontaneous or renovascular hypertension.ResultsThe KS cDNA (2426bp) contained one open reading frame encoding a predicted 572 amino acid protein. The derived peptide sequence displayed approximately 70% similarity to the hypertension-related SA gene product and approximately 50% similarity to prokaryotic and eukaryotic acetyl-CoA synthases (EC 6.2.1.1). KS was expressed in the kidney and not in any other organ assayed. KS RNA was not detected in fetal and newborn rat kidney but became apparent after one week of postnatal life. Gene expression was downregulated in rat models of altered tubular function. KS expression was decreased in spontaneously hypertensive rats but not in renovascular hypertension.ConclusionKS, a novel rat gene, exhibits a unique tissue-specific expression exclusively in mature kidneys. The data suggest KS may encode an adenosine monophosphate binding enzyme

Antimicrobial Surveillance of Haemophilus influenzae in the United States during 2000-2001 Leads to Detection of Clonal Dissemination of a β-Lactamase-Negative and Ampicillin-Resistant Strain

A 2000-2001 U.S. Haemophilus influenzae surveillance study (n = 1,434) detected nine (0.6%) β-lactamase-negative and ampicillin-resistant (BLNAR) isolates collected from two different hospitals. The MICs of ampicillin for all nine isolates were 4 μg/ml, with results being reproducible; and all nine isolates were susceptible to amoxicillin-clavulanate, cefuroxime, cefprozil, macrolides, and fluoroquinolones. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis of genomic DNA following SmaI digestion demonstrated identical patterns for each of the nine isolates, suggesting intra- and interhospital dissemination of a BLNAR clone

Association between night-time surgery and occurrence of intraoperative adverse events and postoperative pulmonary complications

Background: The aim of this post hoc analysis of a large cohort study was to evaluate the association between night-time surgery and the occurrence of intraoperative adverse events (AEs) and postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs)

Association between night-time surgery and occurrence of intraoperative adverse events and postoperative pulmonary complications

Background: The aim of this post hoc analysis of a large cohort study was to evaluate the association between night-time surgery and the occurrence of intraoperative adverse events (AEs) and postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs). Methods: LAS VEGAS (Local Assessment of Ventilatory Management During General Anesthesia for Surgery) was a prospective international 1-week study that enrolled adult patients undergoing surgical procedures with general anaesthesia and mechanical ventilation in 146 hospitals across 29 countries. Surgeries were defined as occurring during 'daytime' when induction of anaesthesia was between 8: 00 AM and 7: 59 PM, and as 'night-time' when induction was between 8: 00 PM and 7: 59 AM. Results: Of 9861 included patients, 555 (5.6%) underwent surgery during night-time. The proportion of patients who developed intraoperative AEs was higher during night-time surgery in unmatched (43.6% vs 34.1%; P<0.001) and propensity-matched analyses (43.7% vs 36.8%; P = 0.029). PPCs also occurred more often in patients who underwent night-time surgery (14% vs 10%; P = 0.004) in an unmatched cohort analysis, although not in a propensity-matched analysis (13.8% vs 11.8%; P = 0.39). In a multivariable regression model, including patient characteristics and types of surgery and anaesthesia, night-time surgery was independently associated with a higher incidence of intraoperative AEs (odds ratio: 1.44; 95% confidence interval: 1.09-1.90; P = 0.01), but not with a higher incidence of PPCs (odds ratio: 1.32; 95% confidence interval: 0.89-1.90; P = 0.15). Conclusions: Intraoperative adverse events and postoperative pulmonary complications occurred more often in patients undergoing night-time surgery. Imbalances in patients' clinical characteristics, types of surgery, and intraoperative management at night-time partially explained the higher incidence of postoperative pulmonary complications, but not the higher incidence of adverse events

Intraoperative ventilator settings and their association with postoperative pulmonary complications in neurosurgical patients: post-hoc analysis of LAS VEGAS study

Background: Limited information is available regarding intraoperative ventilator settings and the incidence of postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) in patients undergoing neurosurgical procedures. The aim of this post-hoc analysis of the 'Multicentre Local ASsessment of VEntilatory management during General Anaesthesia for Surgery' (LAS VEGAS) study was to examine the ventilator settings of patients undergoing neurosurgical procedures, and to explore the association between perioperative variables and the development of PPCs in neurosurgical patients. Methods: Post-hoc analysis of LAS VEGAS study, restricted to patients undergoing neurosurgery. Patients were stratified into groups based on the type of surgery (brain and spine), the occurrence of PPCs and the assess respiratory risk in surgical patients in Catalonia (ARISCAT) score risk for PPCs. Results: Seven hundred eighty-four patients were included in the analysis; 408 patients (52%) underwent spine surgery and 376 patients (48%) brain surgery. Median tidal volume (VT) was 8 ml [Interquartile Range, IQR = 7.3-9] per predicted body weight; median positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) was 5 [3 to 5] cmH20. Planned recruitment manoeuvres were used in the 6.9% of patients. No differences in ventilator settings were found among the sub-groups. PPCs occurred in 81 patients (10.3%). Duration of anaesthesia (odds ratio, 1.295 [95% confidence interval 1.067 to 1.572]; p = 0.009) and higher age for the brain group (odds ratio, 0.000 [0.000 to 0.189]; p = 0.031), but not intraoperative ventilator settings were independently associated with development of PPCs. Conclusions: Neurosurgical patients are ventilated with low VT and low PEEP, while recruitment manoeuvres are seldom applied. Intraoperative ventilator settings are not associated with PPCs