An Interdisciplinary Model for Graphical Representation

International audienceThe paper questions whether data-driven and problem-driven models are sufficient for a software to automatically represent a meaningful graphi-cal representation of scientific findings. The paper presents descriptive and prescriptive case studies to understand the benefits and the shortcomings of existing models that aim to provide graphical representations of data-sets. First, the paper considers data-sets coming from the field of software metrics and shows that existing models can provide the expected outcomes for descriptive scientific studies. Second, the paper presents data-sets coming from the field of human mobility and sustainable development, and shows that a more comprehensive model is needed in the case of prescriptive scientific fields requiring interdisciplinary research. Finally, an interdisciplinary problem-driven model is proposed to guide the software users, and specifically scientists, to produce meaningful graphical representation of research findings. The proposal is indeed based not only on a data-driven and/or problem-driven model but also on the different knowledge domains and scientific aims of the experts, who can provide the information needed for a higher-order structure of the data, supporting the graphical representation output

Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibition in kidney transplant recipients with diabetes mellitus.

Background: Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibition has been shown to reduce cardiovascular mortality and preserve kidney function in patients with type 2 diabetes. Kidney transplant recipients with diabetes demonstrate increased risk and accelerated progression of micro- and macrovascular complications and may specifically benefit from SGLT2 inhibition. However, potential concerns of SGLT2 inhibition include volume depletion and urinary tract infections. Objectives: We report data on the use of SGLT2 inhibitors in a case series of ten patients with diabetes after kidney transplantation in order to analyze efficacy, safety, and the effect on renal function. Methods: Patients with a stable allograft function and no history of recurrent urinary tract infections were eligible. The SGLT2 inhibitor empagliflozin was given as add-on to preexisting antidiabetic treatment with initial dose reduction of the latter. Results: Median estimated glomerular filtration rate at baseline was 57 mL/min/1.73 m(2) and remained stable throughout the follow-up of 12.0 (5.3-12.0) months. Median HbA(1c) decreased from 7.3 to 7.1%. The rate of urinary tract infections and other side effects was low. Conclusions: SGLT2 inhibition is feasible and well tolerated in selected kidney transplant recipients with diabetes. Whether SGLT2 inhibition is able to reduce cardiovascular mortality and improve allograft survival in these patients has to be addressed in further studies

Successful long-term management of recurrent focalsegmental glomerulosclerosis after kidneytransplantation with costimulation blockade.

Recurrence of primary focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) occurs in up to 50% of patients after kidney transplantation and is associated with poor allograft outcome. Novel therapeutic concepts directly target podocyte function via B7-1 with inconsistent response. We present the case of a 19-year-old patient with recurrent primary FSGS early after living donor kidney transplantation. Plasmapheresis and rituximab did not induce remission. Repetitive abatacept administration was able to achieve partial remission. Maintenance immunosuppression was subsequently switched to a belatacept-based calcineurin inhibitor-free immunosuppression, resulting in sustained complete remission with excellent allograft function throughout a follow-up of >56 months