Effects of Lower Past-Year Serum Sodium and Hyponatremia on Depression Symptoms and Cognitive Impairments in Patients With Hemodialysis.

The relationship between hyponatremia, depression symptoms, and cognitive impairments in patients receiving hemodialysis treatment remain unclear. This study aimed to examine the impact of past-year average serum sodium levels on current depression symptoms and cognitive impairments in patients receiving hemodialysis, with adjustment for possible confounders. A total of 200 participants were recruited for this study. Depression symptoms and cognitive impairments were assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire and Perceived Deficits Questionnaire-5, respectively. Additionally, sociodemographic features, physical health, metabolic factors, and substance use information were collected. Significant associations between serum sodium levels, depression symptoms, and cognitive impairments were found after multivariate regression analysis. Furthermore, such differences were observed profoundly in moderate to profound hyponatremia. Our study revealed exclusive relationships between hyponatremia, depression symptoms, and cognitive impairments. As such, programs of cognitive rehabilitation and emotional regulation should be included in the prevention of chronic kidney disease for moderate to profound hyponatremia.

Pulmonary hypertension in patients on chronic hemodialysis and with heart failure.

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is linked to chronic kidney disease. However, few studies have examined the prevalence, risk factors, or outcomes of PH in patients with chronic hemodialysis and concomitant heart failure. This retrospective cohort study enrolled 160 patients with a history of acute decompensated heart failure after maintenance hemodialysis therapy. All patients were prospectively observed until December 2013 or death. PH was defined as pulmonary artery systolic pressure >35 mmHg, as determined through echocardiography. Fifty-one (32%) patients had PH, more of whom were female (70% vs. 52%, P = 0.04). The patients with PH had a lower body mass index (21.8 vs. 23.0, P = 0.03), higher cardiothoracic ratio (55% vs. 52%, P = 0.006), larger left atrium (38.5 vs. 35.7 mm, P = 0.01), and an increased proportion of mitral regurgitation (MR) (73% vs. 38%, P < 0.001) compared with the patients who did not have PH. In the multivariate regression analysis, MR was associated most strongly with PH (odds ratio 3.75, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.67-8.43, P = 0.001). In the multivariate Cox proportional hazard models, PH was related independently to all-cause mortality (hazard ratio [HR], 3.11; 95% CI, 1.53-6.31; P = 0.002) and combined cardiovascular events (HR, 2.71; 95% CI, 1.66-4.44; P < 0.001) after the model was adjusted for conventional cardiovascular risk factors. PH is related to MR and independently associated with increased all-cause mortality and cardiovascular events in patients with chronic hemodialysis and heart failure.

Wickerhamiella slavikovae sp. nov. and Wickerhamiella goesii sp. nov., two yeast species isolated from natural substrates.

Two novel yeast species were isolated during three independent studies of yeasts associated with natural substrates in Brazil and Taiwan. Analysis of the sequences of the D1/D2 domains of the large subunit rRNA gene showed that these novel species belong to the Wickerhamiella clade. The first was isolated from freshwater and a leaf of sugar cane (Saccharum officinarum) in Brazil and from leaves of Wedelia biflora in Taiwan. Described here as Wickerhamiella slavikovae sp. nov., it differs by 56 nucleotide substitutions and 19 gaps in the D1/D2 region of the large subunit rRNA gene from Candida sorbophila, the least divergent species. The second species, named Wickerhamiella goesii sp. nov., was isolated from leaves and the rhizosphere of sugar cane collected in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The species differs by 54 nucleotide substitutions and nine gaps in the D1/D2 domains from Candida drosophilae, its least divergent relative. The type strains are Wickerhamiella slavikovae sp. nov. IMUFRJ 52096(T) (= CBS 12417(T) = DBVPG 8032(T)) and Wickerhamiella goesii sp. nov. IMUFRJ 52102(T) (= CBS 12419(T) = DBVPG 8034(T)).

Five novel anamorphic, ascomycetous yeast species associated with mushrooms and soil.

Five novel yeast species belonging to the Kodamaea clade are proposed in this paper based on nine strains isolated from mushrooms and soil in Taiwan between 2007 and 2008. These nine yeast strains were found to represent five novel yeast species based on their D1/D2 domain sequences of the large subunit (LSU) rRNA gene and physiological characteristics. Sequence analysis of the D1/D2 domain of the LSU rRNA gene revealed that the five species are phylogenetically related to Kodamaea and Candida sp. clustered into the Kodamaea clade in the phylogenetic tree. All the species reproduced asexually, and no ascospores could be found. Therefore, the scientific names of Candida alishanica sp. nov., Candida hsintzibuensis sp. nov., Candida kaohsiungensis sp. nov., Candida lidongshanica sp. nov., and Candida smagusa sp. nov. were proposed to accommodate these strains. Strains of the first species were discovered from soil; two strains of the second species were isolated from soil and the fruiting body of a mushroom, respectively; and strains of the latter three species were recovered from fruiting bodies of mushrooms. The type strains are listed as follows: C. alishanica GY43S11(T) (=CBS 11429(T) =BCRC 23188(T) ); C. hsintzibuensis EJ7S06(T) (=CBS 11427(T) =BCRC 23183(T) ); C. kaohsiungensis GJ10M01(T) (=CBS 11435(T) =BCRC 23197(T) ); C. lidongshanica SD5S01(T) (=CBS 11426(T) =BCRC 23191(T) ); and C. smagusa EN4M03(T) (=CBS 11430(T) =BCRC 23186(T) ).

Lachancea dasiensis sp. nov., an ascosporogenous yeast isolated from soil and leaves in Taiwan.

A novel yeast species, Lachancea dasiensis sp. nov., is proposed in this paper based on two strains isolated from leaves and one strain from soil in Taiwan. The strains produce one or two spherical ascospores in each ascus, preceded by conjugation of individual cells. Genus assignment and distinction of the species from other recognized species of Lachancea are based on morphological and physiological characteristics and on phylogenetic analysis of nucleotide sequences of the D1/D2 domains of the large subunit (LSU) rRNA gene. Sequence analysis of the D1/D2 domains of the LSU rRNA gene reveals that the phylogenetically closest relatives of L. dasiensis sp. nov. are Lachancea thermotolerans and Lachancea waltii. The novel species could be differentiated from the latter two species based on electrophoretic karyotypes. The type strain of Lachancea dasiensis sp. nov. is SC5L02(T) (=CBS 10888(T) =BCRC 23139(T)), which was isolated from a leaf of Angiopteris lygodiifolia Rosenst. in Dasi, Taoyuan, Taiwan.