C1Q Assay Results in Complement-Dependent Cytotoxicity Crossmatch Negative Renal Transplant Candidates with Donor-Specific Antibodies: High Specificity but Low Sensitivity When Predicting Flow Crossmatch

The aim of the present study was to describe the association of positive flow cross match (FXM) and C1q-SAB. Methods. In this observational, cross-sectional, and comparative study, patients included had negative AHG-CDC-XM and donor specific antibodies (DSA) and were tested with FXM. All pretransplant sera were tested with C1q-SAB assay. Results. A total of 50 donor/recipient evaluations were conducted; half of them had at least one C1q+ Ab (n=26, 52%). Ten patients (20.0%) had DSA C1q+ Ab. Twenty-five (50%) FXMs were positive. Factors associated with a positive FXM were the presence of C1q+ Ab (DSA C1q+ Ab: OR 27, 2.80–259.56, P=0.004, and no DSA C1q+ Ab: OR 5, 1.27–19.68, P=0.021) and the DSA LABScreen-SAB MFI (OR 1.26, 95% CI 1.06–1.49, P=0.007). The cutoff point of immunodominant LABScreen SAB DSA-MFI with the greatest sensitivity and specificity to predict FXM was 2,300 (sensitivity: 72% and specificity: 75%). For FXM prediction, DSA C1q+ Ab was the most specific (95.8%, 85–100) and the combination of DSA-MFI > 2,300 and C1q+ Ab was the most sensitive (92.0%, 79.3–100). Conclusions. C1q+ Ab and LABScreen SAB DSA-MFI were significantly associated with FXM. DSA C1q+ Ab was highly specific but with low sensitivity

Effect of Fosfomycin on Cyclosporine Nephrotoxicity

Fosfomycin (Fos) has emerged as a potential treatment against multidrug-resistant organisms, however, there has been little work done on its influence on calcineurin inhibitor nephrotoxicity (CIN). This study was designed to evaluate the effect of Fos in combination with cyclosporine (CsA) on CIN. Two sets of experiments were undertaken. In the first, Wistar rats received different doses of Fos: 0, 62.5, 125, 250, and 500 mg/kg. In the second, rats were divided into four groups: control, CsA 15 mg/kg s.c., CsA + fosfomycin 62.5 mg/kg (CsA + LF), and CsA + Fos 500 mg/kg (CsA + HF). CsA was administrated daily for 14 days, whereas Fos administration started on the ninth day followed by two more doses, delivered 48 h apart. The administration of different Fos doses did not alter renal function. In contrast, CsA induced arteriolopathy, hypoperfusion, a reduction in the glomerular filtration rate, and downregulation of eNOS, angiotensinogen, and AT1R mRNA levels. Lower doses of Fos did not modify CIN. Instead, the CsA + HF group exhibited greater hypoperfusion, arteriolopathy, and oxidative stress, and increased mRNA levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines. This study shows that Fos administered by itself at different doses did not cause renal injury, but when it was given repeatedly at high dosages (500 mg/kg) in combination with CsA, it increased CIN through the promotion of greater oxidative stress and renal inflammation

A urine score for noninvasive accurate diagnosis and prediction of kidney transplant rejection

Accurate and noninvasive monitoring of renal allograft posttransplant is essential for early detection of acute rejection (AR) and to affect the long-term survival of the transplant. We present the development and validation of a noninvasive, spot urine-based diagnostic assay based on measurements of six urinary DNA, protein, and metabolic biomarkers. The performance of this assay for detecting kidney injury in both native kidneys and renal allografts is presented on a cohort of 601 distinct urine samples. The urinary composite score enables diagnosis of AR, with a receiver-operator characteristic curve area under the curve of 0.99 and an accuracy of 96%. In addition, we demonstrate the clinical utility of this assay for predicting AR before a rise in the serum creatinine, enabling earlier detection of rejection than currently possible by standard of care tests. This noninvasive, sensitive, and quantitative approach is a robust and informative method for the rapid and routine monitoring of renal allografts

Plant composition and structure of two post-livestock areas of Tamaulipan thornscrub, Mexico

Abstract Background The composition, structure and biological diversity of two regenerated areas after livestock activities in a Tamaulipan thornscrub vegetation from Northeast Mexico were evaluated. The regeneration of each area was evaluated with the establishment of 12 sampling sites of 50m2. From the data obtained ecological indexes such as: Importance Value Index and Diversity (alpha and beta) were evaluated. Results A total of 17 families, 40 genera and 42 species were registered, the most representative family was Fabaceae with 11 spp. The intensive livestock area had 36 species; a Margalef index of 4.44 and a 1.24 Shannon index, while the extensive livestock area had 32 species, a Margalef index of 4.24 and a 2.16 Shannon index. The communities evaluated have a (48%) mean similarity. Conclusions 1) Regenerated communities after livestock use showed higher richness of species and alpha diversity. 2) Evaluated communities have a mean similarity of (48%). 3) Even after 25 years of regeneration the most dominant species was Cenchrus ciliaris that is used for cattle forage