Background/Objectives
An increase in fat mass is accompanied by a loss of muscle mass and function in chronic kidney disease. However, no studies in haemodialysis (HD) patients have investigated the ...relationship between fat mass and sarcopenia. The primary aim of this study is to assess the prevalence of sarcopenia, while the secondary aim is to verify the association between the fat mass percentage and SARC-F and SARC-F combined with calf circumference (SARC-F+CC) in elderly HD patients.
Subjects/Methods
A cross-sectional study enrolled 96 HD older patients (male, n = 66). SARC-F ≥4 is used to define the muscle function loss, whereas SARC-F ≥6 or SARC-F ≥11 (with the calf circumference added) are the thresholds to diagnose sarcopenia. The fat mass percentage is obtained using bioelectrical impedance analysis.
Results
We found that 37.5% had a risk of muscle function loss due to SARC-F ≥4, 21.8% risk of sarcopenia using the SARC-F ≥6, and when using CC, the prevalence of risk of sarcopenia increased to 41.6% according to SARC-F+CC ≥11. In addition, there was an association between adiposity and sarcopenia for SARC-F ≥6 (OR: 1.25, p= 0.028) and SARC-F+CC ≥11 (OR: 1.25, p= 0.0003), but not with muscle function loss (SARC-F ≥4).
Conclusion
In conclusion, we found that 37.5% of HD patients had a risk of muscle function loss and 21–41% presented sarcopenia, depending on the cut-off point used. In addition, higher adiposity was associated with an increased likelihood of having sarcopenia by 25%.
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•Falsified chloroquine phosphate tablets were analyzed in the context of Covid-19 pandemic.•Handheld Raman spectroscopy, Raman hyperspectral imaging and HPLC were performed.•Low ...levels of chloroquine phosphate, substitution of API and presence of non-declared API were detected.•Raman spectroscopy and Raman hyperspectral imaging are interesting techniques for the of analysis of SF medicines.
The proliferation of falsified medicines can cause serious public health issues, particularly in the context of a global pandemic such as the actual COVID-19 pandemic. Our study involved eight chloroquine phosphate medicines seized in Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo and Niger during March and May 2020. These suspect samples were first analyzed in a screening phase using field tools such as handheld Raman spectroscopy (TruScan) and then in a confirmation phase using laboratory tools such as hyperspectral Raman imaging and High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). The results confirmed the falsified nature of the samples, highlighting the presence of metronidazole at low dose in four samples (16.6, 15.2, 15.2 and 14.5 mg/tab), too low levels of chloroquine in two samples (2.4 and 20.2 mg/tab), and substitution of chloroquine phosphate by paracetamol in one sample (255.7 mg/tab). The results also confirmed that four samples had been adulterated with paracetamol in trace amounts and two of them presented traces of chloramphenicol.
Purpose
The aim of this study was to investigate the association between fatigue and phase angle (PA) in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) on hemodialysis (HD).
Methods
A cross-sectional ...study with older patients than 18 years diagnosed with CKD undergoing HD. From 160 (58.36±15.05 years) patients, (n=96; 60%) are men. Body mass and height were assessed using a portable scale and stadiometer, followed by body mass index (BMI) calculus. The bioimpedance electrical analysis was performed using the Bodystat QuadScan 4000. The sample size was dichotomized in two groups, using the median of our sample, either normal when PA ≥5.4°, or low when the PA <5.4°. The Chalder fatigue questionnaire was used the assess the fatigue. The multiple regression was applied to assess the association between fatigue questionnaire and PA.
Results
Were considered normal PA≥5.4° (n=78, 48.8%) and low PA<5.4° (n=82, 51.2%). The patients of the PA<5.4° group are older compared to the PA≥5.4° group (63.1±15.1 vs. 53.3±13.4 years, p<0.001). There was no association between PA and fatigue score in the crude model (OR: 1.02, 95%CI: 0.96–1.08, p=0.47) and after confounding variables (OR: 1.03, CI: 0.95–1.12, p=0.43).
Conclusions
In HD patients, we found that patients with lower PA values are older. In addition, we did not find association between fatigue and PA.
Objectives
In patients with chronic kidney disease, sarcopenia is associated with dialysis treatment, accelerated protein catabolism, and high energy demand. Thus, this study aimed to assess the ...association between 25-OH vitamin D concentrations and muscle function in patients undergoing hemodialysis.
Design
A cross-sectional study.
Setting
Performed in a hemodialysis clinic.
Participants
79 adult and elderly patients undergoing hemodialysis.
Measurements
The sample was divided according to the SARC-F definition, being 55 patients allocated in the SARC-F <4 group and 24 in the SARC-F ≥4 group. Normal 25-OH vitamin D concentrations was considered when ≥30 ng/dL.
Results
Vitamin D concentrations and number of patients with low or normal muscle function did not differ between the groups. There was no correlation between SARC-F and 25-OH vitamin D levels (r: −0.09, p=0.42).
Conclusions
25-OH vitamin D has no association with muscle function loss in adults and elderly patients undergoing hemodialysis.
Abstract Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is a skeletal dysplasia characterized by fragile bones and short stature and known for its clinical and genetic heterogeneity. OI is now understood as a ...collagen-related disorder. During the last decade, research has made remarkable progress in identifying new OI-causing genes and beginning to understand the intertwined molecular and biochemical mechanisms of their gene products. Most cases of OI have dominant inheritance. Each new gene for recessive OI, and a recently identified gene for X-linked OI, has shed new light on its (often previously unsuspected) function in bone biology. Here we summarize the literature that has contributed to our current understanding of the pathogenesis of OI.
Background
Sarcopenia can be characterized by European Consensus for Sarcopenia (EWGSOP2) criteria, but it methods are not easily accessible. Likewise, the Strength, Assistance with walking, Rise ...from a Chair, Climb stairs and Falls (SARC-F) has been proposed.
Objective
The aim of this study was i) to evaluate the prevalence for risk sarcopenia and ii) to correlate the SARC-F with components of the EWGSOP2 consensus in hemodialysis (HD) patients.
Measurements
This cross-sectional study enrolled ninety-five (male n= 59; 62%) HD older patients. Sarcopenia risk was assessed using the SARC-F, which ≥4 score indicates sarcopenia risk. Sarcopenia was confirmed through of the EWGSOP2 consensus, including the handgrip strength (HGS <27kg for men and <16kg for women) using the dynamometer, muscle mass through appendicular muscle mass (ASMI/m
2
<7.0 kg/m
2
for men and 5.5 kg/m
2
for women) using the bioimpedance electrical, and physical performance through of gait speed (GS <0.8 m/s).
Results
From 95 patients, n=21(22%) presented sarcopenia risk. SARC-F ≥4 group are older (64.9±13.9 vs. 56.9±14.6 y, p= 0.028), presented lower ASMI (7.4±1.2 vs. 8.3±1.8 kg/m
2
, p=0.033), HGS (20.5±5.7 vs. 27.2±10.2 kg, p=0.005), and GS (0.5±0.1 vs. 0.7±0.1 m/s, p=0.001) than SARC-F<4 group. SARC-F score was negatively correlated with EWGSOP2 components: ASMI × SARC-F (r=−0.27, p=0.007), HGS × SARC-F (r=−0.35, p=0.0005), and GS × SARC-F (r=−0.47, p<0.0001). Although, no difference of number of patients with low or normal ASMI values was found, 62% and 95% of SARC-F≥4 group patients presented low HGS and gait speed, respectively.
Conclusions
In older HD patients, 22% presented sarcopenia risk. In addition, SARC-F is better correlated with muscle function indicators (HGS and gait speed) than muscle mass.
Sarcopenia can be characterized by European Consensus for Sarcopenia (EWGSOP2) criteria, but it methods are not easily accessible. Likewise, the Strength, Assistance with walking, Rise from a Chair, ...Climb stairs and Falls (SARC-F) has been proposed.
The aim of this study was i) to evaluate the prevalence for risk sarcopenia and ii) to correlate the SARC-F with components of the EWGSOP2 consensus in hemodialysis (HD) patients.
This cross-sectional study enrolled ninety-five (male n= 59; 62%) HD older patients. Sarcopenia risk was assessed using the SARC-F, which ≥4 score indicates sarcopenia risk. Sarcopenia was confirmed through of the EWGSOP2 consensus, including the handgrip strength (HGS <27kg for men and <16kg for women) using the dynamometer, muscle mass through appendicular muscle mass (ASMI/m2 <7.0 kg/m2 for men and 5.5 kg/m2 for women) using the bioimpedance electrical, and physical performance through of gait speed (GS <0.8 m/s).
From 95 patients, n=21(22%) presented sarcopenia risk. SARC-F ≥4 group are older (64.9±13.9 vs. 56.9±14.6 y, p= 0.028), presented lower ASMI (7.4±1.2 vs. 8.3±1.8 kg/m2, p=0.033), HGS (20.5±5.7 vs. 27.2±10.2 kg, p=0.005), and GS (0.5±0.1 vs. 0.7±0.1 m/s, p=0.001) than SARC-F<4 group. SARC-F score was negatively correlated with EWGSOP2 components: ASMI x SARC-F (r=-0.27, p=0.007), HGS x SARC-F (r=-0.35, p=0.0005), and GS x SARC-F (r=-0.47, p<0.0001). Although, no difference of number of patients with low or normal ASMI values was found, 62% and 95% of SARC-F≥4 group patients presented low HGS and gait speed, respectively.
In older HD patients, 22% presented sarcopenia risk. In addition, SARC-F is better correlated with muscle function indicators (HGS and gait speed) than muscle mass.
Despite many studies on avian blood parasites, we still have a limited understanding of the mechanisms that drive patterns of haemosporidian infection among tropical birds, including effects ...associated with sex, age, and seasonality. Using molecular and morphological methods for blood-parasite detection, we found that juvenile White-banded Tanagers (Neothraupis fasciata (Lichtenstein, 1823)) had lower haemosporidian prevalence than adults in a population within central Brazil. However, no sex or seasonal differences were detected. Of the 92 White-banded Tanagers analyzed, 67 individuals (72.8% prevalence) were infected with either Haemoproteus or Plasmodium (phylum Sporozoa, class Coccidea, order Haemosporida). Sequencing of a portion of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene revealed six haemosporidian lineages: two lineages within the genus Haemoproteus and four within the genus Plasmodium. The prevalences of Plasmodium and Haemoproteus parasites were 43.5% and 17.4%, respectively. Our results suggest that this species maintains chronic infections all year round and individuals are able to sustain high parasite pressure.
DNA topoisomerases (topos) are essential enzymes that regulate the topological state of DNA during cellular processes such as replication, transcription, recombination, and chromatin remodeling. ...Topoisomerase I (Topo I) is a ubiquitous nuclear enzyme which catalyzes the relaxation of superhelical DNA generating a transient single strand nick in the duplex, through cycles of cleavage and religation. Topoisomerase II (Topo II) mediates the ATP-dependent induction of coordinated nicks in both strands of the DNA duplex, followed by crossing of another double strand DNA through the transiently broken duplex. Although the biological functions of Topoisomerases are important for ensuing genomic integrity, the ability to interfere with enzymes or generate enzyme-mediated damage is an effective strategy for cancer therapy and, in this connection, DNA topos (I and II) proved to be the excellent targets of clinically significant classes of anticancer drugs. Actually, specific Topo I and Topo II inhibitors reversibly trap the enzyme-DNA complexes, thus converting Topos into physiological poisons, able to produce permanent DNA damage, which triggers cell death. Given that both enzymes are good targets, it would be desirable to jointly inhibit them, but use-limiting toxicity of sequential or simultaneous combinations of topo I and II poisons include severe to life-threatening neutropenia and anemia. Furthermore, the emergence of resistance phenomena to topo I inhibitors is often accompanied by a concomitant rise in the level of topo II expression and viceversa, leading to the failure of clinical therapies. In this regard, a single compound able to inhibit both Topo I and II may present the advantage of improving antitopoisomerase activity, with reduced toxic side effects, with respect to the combination of two inhibitors. Due to the high interest in such compounds, this review represents an update of previous works dealing with the development of dual Topo I and II inhibitors as novel anti-cancer agents. The newly collected derivatives have been described focusing attention on their chemical structures and their biological profiles.
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