Effect of soil and water environment on typeability of PowerPlex Y (Promega) in selected tissue samples.

In cases of decomposed bodies Y chromosomal STR markers may be useful in identification of a male relative. The authors assessed typeability PowerPlex Y (Promega) loci in tissue material stored in water and soil environment. Tissue material was collected during autopsies of five persons aged 20-30 years with time of death determined within the limit of 14 hours. Heart muscle, liver and lung specimens were stored in pond water, sea water, sand and peat soil. DNA was extracted by organic method from tissue samples collected in 7-day intervals. Liver specimens were typeable in all PowerPlex Y loci within 100 days of storage in pond water with gradual decline at DYS392 in sea water. Heart muscle specimens stored in pond water exhibited allelic loss at DYS19, DYS385, DYS389II and DYS392, while all loci were typeable in sea water stored samples. For lung specimens allelic loss was noted throughout the profile. Storage of liver specimens in peat soil for more than 14 days resulted in allelic drop-out, and after 21 days no profiles were typeable. Heart muscle specimens were typeable in all PowerPlex Y systems after 35-day storage in sand, while allelic drop-out and subsequent lack of profiles were noted after 14 and 35 days respectively. Lung specimens stored in garden soil exhibited allelic drop-out and subsequent lack of profiles after 7 and 21 days, respectively. All PowerPlex Y loci were typeable in the latter material in sand up to day 35 with gradual decline of longer amplicons (DYS19, DYS385, DYS389II and DYS392)

Vitamin D deficiency and anemia is highly prevalent and dependent on the etiology of heart failure: A pilot study

Background: Anemia and vitamin D deficiency are common factors in chronic heart failure (CHF). The aim of this study was to assess vitamin D levels as well as its binding protein and anemia in relation to a cause of CHF: coronary heart disease, valvular disease and cardiomyopathy.Methods: One hundred and sixteen consecutive patients (36 females and 80 males) with CHF were admitted for percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI). Hemoglobin concentration, serum creatinine, B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] and its binding protein-VDBP were measured.Results: The prevalence of anemia was 22%. BNP was the highest in the group with coronary artery disease. Ejection fraction was the lowest in cardiomyopathy group. 25(OH)D was lowest in valvular disease group, significantly lower than in the coronary artery group. A similar pattern of change showed vitamin D binding protein. The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency (level below 20 ng/mL) in the whole group was 95%, in 49% of the patients 25(OH)D was below 10 ng/mL. In univariate analysis 25(OH)D correlated with hemoglobin, red blood cell count, hematocrit, mean corpuscular volume and BNP in patients with CHF in the whole group. In multiple regression analysis, predictors of 25(OH)D were estimated, glomerular filtration rate, BNP and valvular disease.Conclusions: 25(OH)D deficiency is common in CHF patients. Valvular disease is associated the most severe vitamin D deficiency and worsened kidney function. A higher prevalence of anemia in CHF due to coronary heart disease may be associated with wider use of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors and acetylsalicylic acid. Heart and kidney function are predictors of 25(OH)D level in the patients of this study

GDF15 Is Related to Anemia and Hepcidin in Kidney Allograft Recipients

Anemia is more prevalent in renal transplant recipients than in GFR-matched chronic kidney disease patients. Hepcidin is a small defensin-like peptide whose production by hepatocytes is modulated in response to anemia, hypoxia or inflammation. Growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15) was recently identified as a hepcidin-suppression factor that is expressed at high levels in patients with ineffective erythropoiesis. The aim of the study was to assess GDF15 levels with relation to iron parameters in 62 stable kidney allograft recipients maintained on triple immunosuppressive therapy. &lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;Methods:&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt; Complete blood count, urea, creatinine, and iron status were assessed by standard methods. We measured GDF15, hepcidin, hemojuvelin, IL-6 and NGAL with commercially available assays. &lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;Results:&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt; Mean levels of GDF15, NGAL, hepcidin and hemojuvelin were significantly higher in kidney allograft recipients when compared to the control group (p &lt; 0.001 for all). GDF15 was significantly higher in patients with anemia according to the WHO definition when compared to their nonanemic counterparts (p &lt; 0.05). GDF15 levels were not dependent on the type of immunosuppressive therapy. In univariate analysis GDF15 was related to kidney function (creatinine r = 0.39, p &lt; 0.01, eGFR by MDRD r = -0.37, p &lt; 0.01), urea (r = 0.39, p &lt; 0.01), uric acid (r = 0.42, p &lt; 0.01), hepcidin (r = -0.32, p &lt; 0.01), IL-6 (r = 0.28, p &lt; 0.05), hemoglobin (r = -0.32, p &lt; 0.05), and NGAL (r = -0.35, p &lt; 0.01). GDF15 was not related to serum iron, or ferritin. In multivariate analysis, hepcidin was found to be a predictor of GDF15. In conclusion, our preliminary data may suggest possible mutual relations between GDF15 and hepcidin in patients with kidney disease and that GDF15 might be involved in the pathogenesis of anemia in kidney allograft recipients. However, the role of inflammation should be also elucidated.</jats:p

Factors Influencing Longevity of Humoral Response to SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination in Patients with End Stage Kidney Disease Receiving Renal Replacement Therapy

COVID-19 has severely affected the population of patients with end stage renal disease. Current data have proved a two-dose vaccination schedule against SARS-CoV-2 to be effective among dialyzed patients. There are limited data on the longevity and modulating factors of humoral response after vaccination. We performed a prospective longitudinal cohort study to determine longevity of the humoral response after SARS-CoV-2 vaccine. The study included 191 adult patients on hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis. All participants had been vaccinated with three doses, either with BNT162b2 (Pfizer-BioNTech) (n = 109) or mRNA-1273 (Moderna) (n = 82). Anti-spike protein receptor-binding domain antibodies (anti-S IgG) were assessed using SARS-CoV-2 (RBD) IgG ELISA EIA-6150 IVD assay at baseline, on the 21st day and 43rd day, before a booster dose and two weeks thereafter. We found that before vaccination, 37.7% of the cohort had anti-S IgG titres concordant with seroconversion. After two-dose vaccination, seroconversion occurred in 97% of patients. The booster dose evoked a ~12-fold increase in antibody level. Obesity increased more than two-fold the odds for a decrease in anti-S IgG. Previous COVID-19 infection enhanced longevity of the humoral response following vaccination. In patients with previous COVID-19 infection, the BNT162b2 vaccine was associated with a higher odds of anti-S IgG waning compared to the mRNA-1273 vaccine. In conclusion, we report that obesity predisposes patients to protective antibody waning, hybrid immunity enhances odds for higher anti-S IgG concentrations and vaccine efficacy may be influenced by previous SARS-CoV-2 infection. The results might provide a rationale for vaccination protocol design