Major determinants of primary non function from kidney donation after Maastricht II circulatory death: A single center experience.

PURPOSE: Organ shortage greatly limits treatment of patients with end-stage chronic kidney. Maastricht type 2 donation after circulatory death (DCD) has been shown to have similar results in long term outcomes in kidney transplantation, when compared with brain dead donation. Our main goal was to assess Maastricht type 2 DCD and evaluate factors that impact on early graft function. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted in an ECMO Referral Centre. All patients who received a kidney transplant from Maastricht type 2 DCD were included in study. Early graft function and short term outcomes were assessed. RESULTS: From October 2017 to December 2022, 47 renal grafts were collected from 24 uDCD donors. Median warm ischemia time was 106 min (94-115), cannulation time was 10 min (8; 20) and duration of extracorporeal reperfusion (ANOR) was 180 min (126-214). Regarding early graft function, 25% had immediate graft function, 63.6% had delayed graft function and 11.4% had primary non-function (PNF). There was a correlation between cannulation time (p = 0.006) and ANOR with PNF (p = 0.016). CONCLUSIONS: Cannulation time and ANOR were the main factors that correlated with PNF. Better understanding of underlying mechanisms should be sought in future studies to reduce the incidence of PNF.

Phenotypic and genome-wide association analyses for nitrogen use efficiency related traits in maize (Zea mays L.) exotic introgression lines.

Nitrogen (N) limits crop production, yet more than half of N fertilizer inputs are lost to the environment. Developing maize hybrids with improved N use efficiency can help minimize N losses and in turn reduce adverse ecological, economical, and health consequences. This study aimed to identify single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with agronomic traits (plant height, grain yield, and anthesis to silking interval) under high and low N conditions. A genome-wide association study (GWAS) was conducted using 181 doubled haploid (DH) lines derived from crosses between landraces from the Germplasm Enhancement of Maize (BGEM lines) project and two inbreds, PHB47 and PHZ51. These DH lines were genotyped using 62,077 SNP markers. The same lines from the per se trials were used as parental lines for the testcross field trials. Plant height, anthesis to silking interval, and grain yield were collected from high and low N conditions in three environments for both per se and testcross trials. We used three GWAS models, namely, general linear model (GLM), mixed linear model (MLM), and Fixed and Random model Circulating Probability Unification (FarmCPU) model. We observed significant genetic variation among the DH lines and their derived testcrosses. Interestingly, some testcrosses of exotic introgression lines were superior under high and low N conditions compared to the check hybrid, PHB47/PHZ51. We detected multiple SNPs associated with agronomic traits under high and low N, some of which co-localized with gene models associated with stress response and N metabolism. The BGEM panel is, thus, a promising source of allelic diversity for genes controlling agronomic traits under different N conditions.

Development of an educational technology on clean intermittent bladder catheterization in children to instruct family members / Desarrollo de una tecnología educativa sobre cateterismo vesical intermitente limpio en niños para orientar a los familiares / Desenvolvimento de tecnologia educacional sobre cateterismo vesical intermitente limpo em crianças para orientação de familiares

ABSTRACT Objectives: to prepare and validate an illustrated guide to instruct family members on clean intermittent bladder catheterizarion in children. Method: a methodological research study carried out between January 2021 and February 2022 and developed in three stages: Bibliographical review and elaboration of the illustrated guide; Content validation by expert judges (Delphi technique); and Validation of the response process by representatives of the target audience. The study was conducted in the specialties outpatient service of a large-sized university hospital from the municipality of São Paulo, Brazil. The sample consisted of 18 expert judges and 9 mothers of children undergoing clean intermittent bladder catheterization and in outpatient care. Agreement levels equal to or greater than 80% were considered as consensus, and a 0.80 rate was the acceptable minimum for the Content Validity Index. Results: the illustrated guide consists in 18 sessions, from the step-by-step instructions for clean intermittent bladder catheterization to including children in the procedure. In the first and second validation rounds with the evaluators, Content Validity Index values of 0.8 and 1.0 were obtained, respectively. In the validation by the target audience, 100% agreement was reached in the understanding, Appeal, Self-efficacy, Cultural acceptability and Persuasion domains. Conclusion: the illustrated guide proved to be valid in terms of content by the judges and family members, with the potential to mediate the educational practice in care settings for children in need of clean intermittent bladder catheterization.

RESUMEN Objetivos: elaborar y validar una guía ilustrada para orientar a los familiares sobre el cateterismo vesical intermitente limpio en niños. Método: investigación metodológica realizada entre enero de 2021 y febrero de 2022 y desarrollada en tres etapas: Revisión bibliográfica y elaboración de la guía ilustrada; Validación del contenido a cargo de jueces especialistas (técnica Delphi); y Validación del proceso de respuesta por parte de representantes de la población objetivo. El estudio se condujo en el servicio ambulatorio de especialidades de un hospital universitario de gran porte del municipio de San Pablo, Brasil. La muestra estuvo compuesta por 18 jueces especialistas y 9 madres de niños sometidos a cateterismo vesical intermitente limpio y se encontraban en tratamiento ambulatorio. Un nivel de concordancia de al menos el 80% se consideró como consenso, al igual que el índice de 0,80 como concordancia mínima aceptable para el Índice de Validez de Contenido. Resultados: la guía ilustrada consta de 18 sesiones, desde las instrucciones paso a paso para realizar el cateterismo vesical intermitente limpio hasta la inclusión de los niños en el procedimiento. En la primera ronda de validación con los jueces se obtuvo un Índice de Validez de Contenido superior a 0,8 y, en la segunda ronda, dicho índice fue 1,0. En la validación por parte de la población objetivo se obtuvo 100% de concordancia en los dominios de Comprensión, Aspecto atractivo, Autoeficacia, Aceptabilidad cultural y Persuasión. Conclusión: la guía ilustrada demostró ser válida en cuanto al contenido según la evaluación de los jueces y familiares, con potencial para mediar la práctica educativa en situaciones de atención a niños que precisan cateterismo vesical intermitente limpio.

RESUMO Objetivos: elaborar e validar um guia ilustrado para orientações de familiares sobre o cateterismo vesical intermitente limpo em crianças. Método: pesquisa metodológica, realizada entre janeiro de 2021 e fevereiro de 2022, desenvolvida em três etapas: revisão bibliográfica e elaboração do guia ilustrado; validação de conteúdo por juízes especialistas (técnica Delphi) e validação de processo de resposta por representantes do público-alvo. O estudo foi conduzido no ambulatório de especialidades de um hospital universitário de grande porte do município de São Paulo, Brasil. A amostra foi composta por 18 juízes especialistas e 9 mães de crianças que realizavam cateterismo vesical intermitente limpo e estavam em atendimento ambulatorial. Foi considerado consenso concordância igual ou superior a 80%, e taxa de 0,80 como concordância mínima aceitável para o índice de validade de conteúdo. Resultados: o guia ilustrado é composto por 18 sessões, desde o passo a passo do cateterismo vesical intermitente limpo até a inclusão da criança no procedimento. Na primeira rodada de validação com juízes, obteve-se índice de validade de conteúdo maior que 0,8 e, na segunda rodada, de 1,0. Na validação por parte do público-alvo obteve-se 100% de concordância nos domínios compreensão, atratividade, autoeficácia, aceitabilidade cultural e persuasão. Conclusão: o guia ilustrado mostrou-se válido quanto ao conteúdo pelos juízes e familiares com potencial para mediar a prática educativa em cenários de cuidado à criança com necessidade de cateterismo vesical intermitente limpo.

Genome-wide association analysis of plant architecture traits using doubled haploid lines derived from different cycles of the Iowa Stiff Stalk Synthetic maize population.

Selection in the Iowa Stiff Stalk Synthetic (BSSS) maize population for high yield, grain moisture, and root and stalk lodging has indirectly modified plant architecture traits that are important for adaptation to high plant density. In this study, we developed doubled haploid (DH) lines from the BSSS maize population in the earliest cycle of recurrent selection (BSSS), cycle 17 of reciprocal recurrent selection, [BSSS(R)17] and the cross between the two cycles [BSSS/BSSS(R)C17]. We aimed to determine the phenotypic variation and changes in agronomic traits that have occurred through the recurrent selection program in this population and to identify genes or regions in the genome associated with the plant architecture changes observed in the different cycles of selection. We conducted a per se evaluation of DH lines focusing on high heritability traits important for adaptation to high planting density and grain yield. Trends for reducing flowering time, anthesis-silking interval, ear height, and the number of primary tassel branches in BSSS(R)17 DH lines compared to BSSS and BSSS/BSSS(R)C17 DH lines were observed. Additionally, the BSSS(R)C17 DH lines showed more upright flag leaf angles. Using the entire panel of DH lines increased the number of SNP markers identified within candidate genes associated with plant architecture traits. The genomic regions identified for plant architecture traits in this study may help to elucidate the genetic basis of these traits and facilitate future work about marker-assisted selection or map-based cloning in maize breeding programs.

Fournier Gangrene as a Complication of a Perinephric Abscess After Kidney Transplant: A Case Report.

Fournier gangrene is a progressive necrotizing infection of the external genitalia or perineum that constitutes a urologic emergency. Incidence of Fournier gangrene is rising because of population aging, increasing comorbidities, and widespread use of immunosuppressive therapy, including immunosuppressive regimens used in kidney transplants. This is a rapidly progressive and potentially lethal disease without treatment, and early recognition of the disease, proper management of the predisposing factors, and aggressive surgical debridement are the most essential interventions. We report a rare case of Fournier gangrene in the early postoperative period of a kidney transplant due to a perinephric abscess.

Porphyria Cutanea Tarda in a Patient with End-Stage Renal Disease: A Case of Successful Treatment with Deferoxamine and Ferric Carboxymaltose.

Porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT) is a rare disease, with a strong association with hepatitis C virus. PCT is particularly problematic in end-stage renal disease patients as they have no renal excretion of porphyrins and these are poorly dialyzed. Also, conventional treatment of PCT is compromised in these patients as hydroxychloroquine is contraindicated, phlebotomies with the stipulated frequency are poorly tolerated in already anaemia-prone patients, and iron-chelating agents are less efficient in removing iron and contribute to worsening anaemia. The authors report a patient on haemodialysis, with hepatitis C infection, that is diagnosed with PCT. Despite the good clinical results with deferoxamine, she became dependent on blood transfusions because of her ferropenic state. Every time oxide iron was started, the patient developed clinical features of the disease, resolving after the suspension of the drug. A decision was made to start the patient on ferric carboxymaltose, which was well tolerated without disease symptoms and need of further blood transfusions. This case suggests that deferoxamine is efficient in treatment of porphyria cutanea tarda. Also, ferric carboxymaltose may be a valuable option for refractory anaemia in patients with this disease and end-stage renal disease, as it seems to provide iron without clinical relapse of the disease.

[Skin cancer in kidney transplant recipients: incidence and association with clinical and demographic factors]. / Cancro Cutâneo em Doentes com Transplante Renal: Incidência e Associações com Fatores Clínicos e Sociodemográficos.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Organ transplanted recipients have a higher risk of non melanoma skin cancer. Our objectives were to determine incidence of skin cancer and search for associations with clinical or demographic factors in a series of kidney transplant recipients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective study with face-to-face interview of 127 kidney transplant recipients who were observed for the first time during the second half of 2010 and in 2011. All diagnosed skin cancers were confirmed by histopathology. A 5% significance level was used and statistical analysis performed with chi-square, Fisher´s exact test or Mann Whitney test. RESULTS: The mean age was 53 (s = 12.98) and 67% were males. The mean number of years since the transplant was 8 (s = 4.61) and skin cancer was observed in 16% (20 / 127), with equal number of basaliomas and squamous cell carcinoma. In sun exposed areas, actinic keratoses and viral warts were present in 24% and 8%, respectively. Skin cancer was significantly associated with older age (p = 0.016), longer duration of immunosuppression (p = 0.003) as well as with previous outdoor work (p = 0.049) or actinic keratoses in sun exposed areas (p < 0.001). Present intake of azathioprine (n = 8) was the only medication associated with skin cancer (p = 0.035 in Fisher´s exact test). CONCLUSIONS: Skin cancer incidence is high in our series and education about photoprotection should be given to these patients, as well as regular dermatologic surveillance. This regular follow up improves compliance with photoprotection measures and helps to decrease the incidence of non melanoma skin cancer.

Introdução/Objetivos: Os doentes transplantados têm maior risco de cancro cutâneo não melanoma, sobretudo basaliomas e carcinomas espinocelulares. Os objetivos do estudo foram determinar a incidência destas neoplasias numa série de doentes com transplante renal e pesquisar associações destas com variáveis clínicas e demográficas. Material e Métodos: Estudo prospetivo com observação dermatológica e entrevista a 127 doentes com transplante renal observados pela primeira vez no entre Julho de 2010 e Dezembro de 2011. Todos os tumores cutâneos diagnosticados tiveram confirmação histológica. Os testes utilizados foram os testes não paramétricos de Mann-Whitney, teste do Qui-quadrado e teste exato de Fisher, com um nível de significância de 5%. Resultados: A média de idades foi 53 anos (s = 12,98) e 67% (85 / 127) dos doentes eram do sexo masculino. A média de anos decorridos desde o transplante foi oito anos (s = 4,61) e no exame objetivo diagnosticou-se cancro cutâneo não melanoma em 16% (20 / 127) dos doentes, com igual número de basaliomas e carcinomas espinocelulares. Nas áreas fotoexpostas observaram-se queratoses actínicas e verrugas virais em, respetivamente, 24% (30 / 127) e 8% (10 / 127) dos doentes. O cancro cutâneo não melanoma diagnosticado no nosso estudo esteve significativamente associado a maior idade (p = 0,016), maior duração do período sob imunossupressão (p = 0,003), atividade laboral no passado ao ar livre (p = 0,049) e com queratoses actínicas nas áreas fotoexpostas (p < 0,001). O único fármaco associado a estes tumores nesta série foi a medicação atual com azatioprina (p = 0,035 no teste exato de Fischer). Conclusões: A incidência de cancro cutâneo é elevada na nossa série e estes doentes beneficiariam de educação sobre medidas de fotoproteção e seguimento dermatológico regular. Este seguimento aumenta a adesão dos doentes a essas medidas e permite reduzir a incidência destes tumores cutâneos malignos.

Cutaneous Alternariosis Caused by Alternaria infectoria: Three Cases in Kidney Transplant Patients.

The genus Alternaria has more than 80 species. Alternaria alternata and Alternaria infectoria are the most frequent species associated with infections in humans. Their clinical importance lies in the growing number of cases reported in immunocompromised patients. Herein, we report three cases of kidney-transplanted patients with different clinical presentations of cutaneous alternariosis and we discuss the treatment options.

Atypical Presentation of Herpes Zoster Duplex Bilateralis in a Renal Transplanted Patient.

Viral infections in renal transplant patients are an important cause of morbidity and mortality. In most cases, the clinical presentation of herpes zoster allows the diagnosis to be made only by history and physical examination. However, patients who are immunosuppressed may have uncommon presentations, and require a high index of suspicion and additional diagnostic testing for proper management. We report a rare presentation of herpes zoster duplex bilateralis involving symmetrical dermatomes over the lower limbs occurring in a woman with a recent history of renal transplantation. The skin lesions were also atypical representing a diagnostic challenge. This infection should be part of differential diagnosis of cutaneous manifestations in organ transplant recipients.

Teriparatide efficacy in the treatment of severe hypocalcemia after kidney transplantation in parathyroidectomized patients: a series of five case reports.

BACKGROUND: Teriparatide is a recombinant human parathormone (PTH 1-34) currently approved for the treatment of osteoporosis with high risk of fracture. In this study, we analyze the efficacy and safety profile of teriparatide therapy in severe and prolonged hypocalcemia after kidney transplantation in patients previously submitted to parathyroidectomy. METHODS: The authors report results from a series of five hemodialyzed patients (mean age: 50±15 years; three female) previously submitted to parathyroidectomy to control secondary hyperparathyroidism. All patients had developed severe refractory hypocalcemia (calcium minimum levels: 5±1.4 mg/dL) early after kidney transplantation. The effect of teriparatide in calcemia and phosphatemia levels was analyzed, and variations in calcium and vitamin D analog requirements were analyzed. Secondary effects and serum creatinine changes were also ascertained. RESULTS: Teriparatide therapy was initiated 32±14 days after the development of hypocalcemia. As a result, calcemia levels increased (median±standard deviation [SD]: 6.7±0.8 vs. 8.5±0.8 mg/dL, P=0.024) allowing suspension of intravenous calcium in two patients and reduction of calcitriol doses (mean±SD: 1.1±0.38 vs. 0.55±0.27 µg/day, P=0.004). In addition, phosphatemia levels (median±SD: 5.1±1.5 vs. 3.9±0.5 mg/dL, P=0.09) and calcium carbonate requirements (mean±SD: 13.8±9.4 vs. 7.2 ±3.7 g/day, P=0.9) exhibited declining trends. No secondary effects were observed and creatinemia remained stable. CONCLUSIONS: Our data strongly suggest that refractory hypocalcemia after kidney transplantation in patients with low PTH levels can be successfully treated with teriparatide. PTH analog therapy leads to faster normalization of calcemia, permits earlier suspension of intravenous calcium supplementation, and reduces calcitriol requirements.