The Relationship of a Novel Marker of Inflammation (Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio) to Nutritional Status, Diet and Clinical Outcomes in Hemodialysis Patients

The aim of this dissertation was to examine prospectively the relationship of a novel marker of inflammation (neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio) with nutrition markers, diet and clinical outcomes in a cohort study that included 77 patients from one hemodialysis (HD) center located in South Florida. Demographics and clinical parameters were obtained from patients’ medical charts. Nutritional status was determined at baseline, six and 12 months using the Malnutrition-Inflammation Score (MIS) and the 7-point Subjective Global Assessment (SGA) scale consisting of two categories: medical history and physical examination. Dietary assessments were performed, and 24-hour diet recalls were collected at each assessment visit. Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR) at baseline was associated with nutritional markers (albumin and body mass index) and was a predictor of hospitalizations only for diabetics (HR=0.27, 95% CI 0.07-0.96, P=0.044). Participants with moderate-to-severe malnutrition based on SGA had a 2.67 higher risk for hospitalization events. MIS \u3e5 was associated with hospitalization (HR=2.11, 95% CI:1.12-3.97, P=0.019) and with mortality (HR=13.87, 95% CI:1.56-123.045, P= 0.018) even after adjustments. Meeting energy recommendations reduced the chances of hospitalization by 59% (HR=0.41 95% CI:0.21-0.79, P=0.008), and mortality was reduced by 81% (H R=0.19, 95% CI:0.03-0.98, P=0.049). The intake of two or more fruit servings per day was associated with lowering mortality risk by 75% (HR=0.246, 95%CI: 0.069- 0.880, P=0.031); and intake of at least 7 grams of cereal fiber per day lowered mortality risk by 81% (HR= 0.187; 95.0% CI:0.05-0.693, P=0.012). Our findings support the use of NLR, an inexpensive and convenient inflammation marker, as a strong predictor of outcomes in hemodialysis patients, and provide preliminary data on the protective effect that a low NLR might have on the risk of hospitalizations in HD patients. Our study also provided observational evidence for nutrition interventions that aim at improving the nutrition-inflammation status and promoting adequate energy, protein and fiber intakes in patients living with hemodialysis

A Global Perspective On The Effects Of Eutrophication And Hypoxia On Aquatic Biota And Water Quality

Development associated with human populations has led to the globalization of many environmental problems. In marine systems, the most serious of these problems are directly related to the process of eutrophication. The increased production of organic matter in these marine systems associated with eutrophication is the primary factor impacting species abundance and composition and dissolved oxygen budgets. Oxygen, which is essential to maintaining balance in ecosystem processes through its role in mediating microbial and metazoan activities, has declined to critically low levels in many systems, which has led to the development of hypoxia (/l) and anoxia (0 ml O2/l). Currently, most oxygen depletion events are seasonal, but trends toward longer periods that could eventually lead to persistent hypoxic or anoxic conditions are emerging. Over the last 50 years, there has been an increase in the number of systems reporting problems associated with low dissolved oxygen. Currently there are over 100 hypoxic/anoxic areas around the globe, ranging in size fromkm2, that exhibit a graded series of responses to oxygen depletion, ranging from no obvious change to mass mortality of bottom fauna. Ecosystems currently severely stressed by eutrophication induced hypoxia continue to be threatened with the loss of fisheries, loss of biodiversity, alteration of food webs, and simplification of energy flows.https://scholarworks.wm.edu/vimsbooks/1014/thumbnail.jp

Functional analysis of human alpha 1(I) procollagen gene promoter. Differential activity in collagen-producing and -nonproducing cells and response to transforming growth factor beta 1.

To gain a further understanding of the regulation of human type I collagen gene expression under physiologic and pathologic conditions, we characterized 5.3 kilobase pairs (kb) of the human alpha 1(I) procollagen gene promoter. A series of deletion constructs containing portions of the alpha 1(I) procollagen 5\u27-flanking region (with end points from -5.3 kb to -84 base pairs (bp)) ligated to the chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) reporter gene were transiently transfected into NIH/3T3 cells. Maximal CAT activity was observed with constructs having 5\u27 end points from -804 to -174 bp. A further 5\u27 deletion to -84 bp caused a marked reduction in CAT activity. Cells transfected with plasmids containing longer 5\u27-flanking fragments of the alpha 1(I) procollagen gene (-2.3 or -5.3 kb) showed reduced CAT activity compared with the -804 bp construct. The activity of the alpha 1(I) procollagen promoter was much lower in cells that do not normally express type I collagen (HeLa cells) compared with collagen-producing NIH/3T3 cells. The CAT activity of deletion constructs containing longer 5\u27 regions than -84 bp was increased by approximately 2-fold in NIH/3T3 cells treated with transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF beta 1). Electrophoretic mobility shift assays indicated that protein-DNA complex formation with a probe corresponding to the -170 to -80 bp fragment of the alpha 1(I) procollagen promoter was markedly enhanced in nuclear extracts prepared from TGF beta 1-treated fibroblasts as compared with untreated fibroblasts. The DNA binding activity stimulated by TGF beta 1 was specific for an Sp1-like sequence at positions -164 to -142 bp in the promoter. These results demonstrate that 1) there are both positive and negative cis-acting regulatory elements in the human alpha 1(I) procollagen promoter, 2) these regulatory regions function differently in collagen-producing and -nonproducing cells, 3) the alpha 1(I) procollagen promoter contains TGF beta 1-responsive sequences located between -174 and -84 bp from the transcription start site, and 4) TGF beta 1 caused marked stimulation of the DNA binding activity of a nuclear factor interacting with an Sp1-like binding site located within a region encompassing -164 to -142 bp of the alpha 1(I) procollagen promoter

Staphylococcus Biofilms

The majority of staphylococci produce biofilm on medical devices, which is the main mechanism to infect humans. Staphylococcal biofilms attach to abiotic or biotic surfaces, forming aggregates and protecting themselves against the immune system and the antimicrobial compounds of the host. Few studies on biofilm formation mechanism in Staphylococcus epidermidis and other coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS) have been performed; however, there is a great interest in studying and controlling biofilm formation of this genus. This chapter exhibits the state of the art on biofilm formation in S. epidermidis and other staphylococcal species. The main goal of this chapter is to recognize the importance of biofilm formation in Staphylococcus. The participating molecules in staphylococcal biofilm formation are described. Currently, biofilm producer strains of Staphylococcus and mainly CNS have been frequently isolated at hospitals, causing significant economic losses. This chapter includes promising solutions in order to prevent medical device-associated infections, as the development of medical devices possessing anti-biofilm materials or surfaces that act against the adhesion or viability of the microorganisms

Settlement and survival of the oyster Crassostrea virginica on created oyster reef habitats in Chesapeake Bay

Efforts to restore Crassostrea virginica oyster reef habitats in Chesapeake Bay typically begin with the placement of hard substrata, such as oyster shell, in the form ofthreedimensional mounds on the seabed to serve as a base for oyster recruitment and growth. A shortage of sufficient volumes of oyster shell for creating large-scale reefs has led to widespread use of other materials, such as surf clam (Spisula solidissima) shell, as a substitute for oyster shell. We monitored oyster recruitment, survival, and growth on intertidal and subtidal reefs constructed shucked oyster and surf clam shell. Results indicate that oyster settlement occurred on both substrate types throughout the monitoring period but high levels of postsettlement mortality occurred on clam shell mounds. On the subtidal clam shell mound, the quality of the substrate material varied with reef elevation with large shell fragments and intact valves scattered around the reef base and small, tightly packed shell fragments paving the crest and flank of the reef mound. The abundance of oysters on this reef reflected this distribution where oysters were more abundant and larger at the reef base and less abundant and smaller on the crest of the reef. Oyster shell reefs supported greater oyster growth and survival and offered the highest degree of structural complexity. We suggest that the availability of interstitial space and appropriate settlement surfaces account for the observed differences in oyster abundance across the reef systems. The patterns observed give context to the importance of substrate selection in similar restoration activities

Transformation or Resistance? A Case Study of Pre-Service Teachers Engaged in Technology Integration

This case study examined the context of one social studies methods course and its use of technology in instruction. The purpose was to determine to what extent pre-service teacher views and practice transformed to embrace technology use in their own teaching. The lens of Transformative Learning Theory (Mezirow, 2012) was used to analyze and describe the results of this embedded single case study. Results suggest that some transformation of beliefs occurred among participants, but that more sustained exposure and experience is needed for practice to change

Sustaining Precarious Transnational Families: The Significance of Remittances From Canada's Seasonal Agricultural Workers Program

Accelerating flows of remittances are dwarfing global development aid. This study deepens our understanding of remittance impacts on the families of workers who come to Canada annually for several months under the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Program (SAWP). Interviews with SAWP workers, their spouses, adult children and teachers in Mexico deepen our understanding of the impacts of these remittances. They demonstrate that the remittances are often literally a lifeline to transnational family survival, allowing them to pay for basic needs such as shelter, food, and medical care. Yet, at the same time, the remittances do not allow most of these workers and their families to escape deep poverty and significant precarity, including new forms of precarity generated by the SAWP. Instead, SAWP remittances help reduce poverty, at least temporarily, to more moderate levels while precarious poverty expands through globalneoliberal underdevelopment

Surface Proteins of Staphylococcus aureus

Staphylococcus aureus is a commensal bacterium that causes infections such as sepsis, endocarditis, and pneumonia. S. aureus can express a variety of virulence factors, including surface proteins. Surface proteins are characterized by presence of a Sec‐dependent signal sequence at the amino terminal, and the sorting signal domain. Surface proteins are covalently attached to peptidoglycan and they are commonly known as cell wall–anchored (CWA) proteins. CWA proteins have many functions and participate in the pathogenesis of S. aureus. Furthermore, these proteins have been proposed as therapeutic targets for the generation of vaccines. In this chapter, different topics related to CWA proteins of S. aureus are addressed. The molecular structure of CWA proteins and their role as virulence factors of S. aureus are described. Furthermore, the involvement of CWA proteins in the processes of adhesion, invasion of host cells and tissues, evasion of the immune response, and the formation of biofilm is discussed. In addition, the role of CWA proteins in skin infection and the proposal to use them as potential vaccine antigens are described. The information contained in this chapter will help the readers to understand the biology of CWA proteins and to recognize the importance of surface molecules of S. aureus

Effect of flocculation on lipid extraction from Chlorella vulgaris Utex 1803 using response surface methodology

Microalgae are an attractive source of metabolites, such as lipids, proteins, pigments and carbohydrates, of potential interest to the pharmaceutical, food and energy sectors. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of flocculation on lipid extraction from Chlorella Vulgaris. A 3 3 experimental design was performed with STATISTICA 7.0 software in order to determine the effects of flocculant (AlCl 3 ) addition, pH and time. The best strategy of pH adjustment-flocculant addition was evaluated, followed by lipid extraction under optimal conditions. pH adjustment after the addition of flocculant provided higher flocculation efficiencies (87.2-98.9%) compared to adjustments made before adding the flocculant (67.8-85.9%). Experiments performed according to the experimental design led to a flocculation efficiency of 99.7% when 100 mg/L of AlCl 3 , pH 7 and a cultivation time of 18.3 days were used. The percentage of a lipid extract from the flocculated biomass was 2.7% and the flocculant did not affect the production of fatty acid methyl esters