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Background Hyperkalaemia is a frequent and potentially life-threatening condition in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Even after successful kidney transplantation (KTx), KTx recipients have mild to severe CKD. Moreover, they share comorbid conditions and frequently use medications that predispose to hyperkalaemia. This study aimed to examine the prevalence and factors associated with hyperkalaemia in this population. Methods Over a pre-specified period of 6 months (1 September 2019 to 31 March 2020), we recorded in cross-sectional fashion information on serum potassium (K+) and relevant demographics, comorbidities, medications, laboratory and transplant-associated variables in clinically stable KTx recipients attending the Transplant Outpatient Clinic of our Department. Ηyperkalaemia was classified as follows: serum K+ level >5.0 mEq/L; and further as >5.0 mEq/L with concomitant use of sodium (Na+) polystyrene sulphonate; serum K+ ≥5.2 mEq/L; serum K+ ≥5.5 mEq/L. Univariate and multiple logistic regression analyses were used to identify factors associated with serum K+ >5.0 mEq/L. Results The study population consisted of 582 stable KTx recipients, 369 (63.4%) males, aged 52.4 ± 13.5 years, with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of 55.8 ± 20.1 mL/min/1.73 m2 transplanted for >1 year. The prevalence of hyperkalaemia defined as K+ >5.0 mEq/L; >5.0 mEq/L and use of Na+ polystyrene sulphonate; K+ ≥5.2; or K+ ≥5.5 mEq/L, was: 22.7, 22.7, 14.4 and 4.1% (132, 132, 84 and 24 patients), respectively. In multivariate analysis, male gender [odds ratio (OR) = 2.020, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.264–3.227] and use of renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system (RAAS) blockers (OR = 1.628, 95% CI 1.045–2.536) were independently associated with hyperkalaemia, while higher eGFR (OR = 0.967, 95% CI 0.955–0.979) and use of non-K+-sparing diuretics (OR = 0.140, 95% CI 0.046–0.430) were associated with lower odds of the disorder. Conclusions The prevalence of mild hyperkalaemia in stable KTx recipients is relatively high but that of moderate or severe hyperkalaemia is low. Among a wide range of factors studied, only male gender and RAAS blockade were associated with increased odds of hyperkalaemia, while higher eGFR and diuretics were associated with decreased odds of hyperkalaemia., GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT Graphical Abstract

Background and Aims Hyperkalaemia is a frequent and potentially life-threatening condition in patients with CKD. Even after successful kidney transplantation, kidney transplant recipients have mild to severe CKD. Moreover, they share co-morbid conditions and frequently use medications that predispose to hyperkalaemia. This study aimed to examine the prevalence and factors associated with hyperkalaemia in this population. Method Over a pre-specified period of 6 months (September 1st 2019 to March 31st 2020), we recorded in a cross-sectional fashion information on serum potassium and relevant demographics, co-morbidities, medications, laboratory and transplant-associated variables in clinically stable kidney transplant recipients attending the Transplant Outpatient Clinic of our Department. Ηyperkalaemia was classified as follows: serum potassium level >5 mEq/L or >5 with concomitant use of sodium polystyrene sulfonate; ≥5.2; and ≥5.5 mEq/L. Univariate and multiple logistic regression analyses were used to identify factors associated with increased serum potassium >5.0 mEq/L. Results The study population consisted of 582 stable kidney transplant recipients, 369 (63.4%) males, aged 52.4±13.5 years, with eGFR of 55.8±20.1 ml/min/1.73m2 transplanted for more than one year. The prevalence of hyperkalaemia defined as potassium >5, >5 and use of sodium polystyrene sulfonate, ≥ 5.2 or ≥5.5, was 22.7%, 22.7%, 14.4% and 4.1% (132, 132, 84 and 24 patients), respectively. In multivariate analysis, male gender (OR 2.020, 95% CI 1.264-3.227) and use of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone-system blockers (OR 1.628, 95% CI 1.045-2.536), were independently associated with hyperkalaemia, while higher eGFR (OR 0.967, 95% CI 0.955-0.979) and diuretic use (OR 0.140, 95% CI 0.046-0.430) were associated with lower odds of the disorder. Conclusion The prevalence of mild hyperkalaemia in stable kidney transplant recipients is common but that of moderate or severe hyperkalemia is relatively uncommon. Male gender and low eGFR are the most potent factors associated with hyperkalaemia. Among a wide range of factors only male gender, RAAS blockade and low eGFR increased the odds of hyperkalemia.

Background and Aims Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy is required in 2.6% to 5% of patients who have undergone cardiovascular surgery. Although its implementation is frequent, several aspects of this therapeutic measure still remain uncertain. Method The data of all patients who were surgically treated during a 3-year period (2017-2019) at a single cardiovascular department were collected and the cases in which continuous renal replacement therapy was used were identified. From this group, the data of those that received dialysis for the first time were analyzed. Results In about 5% of patients renal replacement was inevitable, and the mortality rate among them reached 57.6%. The mean duration of renal therapy was 8.4 days. The investigation of laboratory parameters in different stages revealed certain aspects about the expected outcomes. The survival rate varied significantly in relation to the indication for CRRT. Fluid overload and electrolytic disorders were associated with high survival rate, while oliguria or anuria, acidosis or intoxications were linked to increased mortality rate. Conclusion Despite CRRT being associated with high mortality rates, it is the only option for life-threatening conditions in clinical practice. The indication for CRRT is a key factor for the prognosis, decision-making and the overall management of a patient.

Background and Aims Renal resistive index (RRI) of ultrasonography is a useful and potent tool for assessment and evaluation of renal hyperfiltration status of the transplanted patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of RRI with renal function one year after transplant. Method We evaluated retrospectively 98 kidney allograft recipients. Data were collected from transplantations performed in our medical center between 01/2014 and 09/2018. Patients with acute loss of the renal function and renal survival less than a year were excluded from the study. We compared longitudinally the RRI at the first week after transplant and the third month, with glomerular filtration rate (eGFR, by CKD-EPI) at the end of the first year of transplantation. RRI was measured on the interlobular artery level, in each of the aforementioned time periods, and results were classified into 2 groups, RRI 0,8. In addition, age, gender and delayed graft function (DGF) were also determined in all patients. Results Sixty seven (67) of the recipients were males and 31 females with a mean age of 48±12years. The corresponding demographics for the donors were 46 males and 52 females with a mean age of 53 ±14. No correlations were found between RRI of the first week with gender and age, of both donors and recipients (p>0.05). Similarly, RRI of the first week was not correlated with DGF and one-year eGFR after transplant (p>0.05). On the contrary, RRI performed at the third month was strongly correlated to DGF and eGFR at the end of the first year. In other words, allograft recipients with a resistive index less than 0.80, had a higher eGFR and reduced frequency of DGF (p=0.01 and 0.03 respectively). Last but not least, higher recipient age and not gender was the main determinant of an increase of resistive index in the third month after transplant (P=0.02). Conclusion RRI offers interesting and helpful data on kidney allograft function. RRI of the third month less than 0.8 was related to better renal function at the end of the first year after transplant mainly and a lower incidence of DGF.

One of the most important bottlenecks of meagre (Argyrosomus regius) production is Systemic Granulomatosis (SG), a pathological condition affecting the majority of farmed populations. The aetiology of the disease, which is characterized by multiple granulomas in all soft tissues, is unknown; however, two hypotheses have been raised. The first is that it may be a metabolic disorder similar to systemic granulomas observed in other cultured fishes. The second hypothesis is that it is caused by bacterial pathogens, most likely Nocardia spp. (i.e. nocardiosis). The aim of this study was to test the bacterial pathogen hypothesis as the aetiological factor of SG. Meagre from various locations of Greece were sampled and examined using microbiological, molecular and histological techniques. The prevalence of granulomas in fish was 100% and was not correlated to an infectious agent, whereas nocardiosis was found in a single incidence (prevalence: 1.3%). The results suggest that nocardiosis is not the cause of SG, as it is most probably present in a confined geographical region in Greece. The metabolic disorder hypothesis for SG is more probable and more research has to been done to conclusively identify the aetiological factor of SG. Keywords: Meagre, Granuloma, Acid-fast, Nocardia

Aeromonas veronii is an emerging pathogen causing severe pathology and mortalities in European seabass aquaculture in the Aegean Sea, Mediterranean. More than 50 strains of the pathogen were characterized biochemically and genetically in order to study the epidemiology of the disease, as well as the phylogeny and virulence of the bacterium. Based on the phenotypic characteristics, the isolates form three groups consisting of: (a) the West Aegean Sea, non-motile, non-pigment-producing strains, (b) the West Aegean Sea, motile, and pigment-producing strains and (c) the East Aegean Sea motile strains that produce minute amounts of pigment. All strains were highly similar at the genomic level, however, the pattern of West/East geographic origin was reflected in biochemical properties, in general genomic level comparison and in the putative virulent factors studied. Type VI secretion system was not detected in the western strains. The outer membrane protein (OMP) profile which contains proteins that are putative antigenic factors, was very similar between strains from the different areas. Although most of the OMPs were detected in all strains with great sequence similarity, diversification according to geographic origin was evident in known antigenic factors such as the maltoporin LamB. A systematic comparative analysis of the strains is presented and discussed in view of the emergence of A. veronii as a significant pathogen for the Mediterranean aquaculture.

Determining migratory strategies of seabirds is still a major challenge due to their relative inaccessibility. Small geolocators are improving this knowledge, but not all birds can be tracked. Stable isotope ratios in feathers can help us to understand migration, but we still have insufficient baseline knowledge for linking feather signatures to movements amongst distinct water masses. To understand the migration strategies of kittiwakes Rissa tridactyla and the link between stable isotopes in feathers and the areas in which these were grown, we tracked 6 kittiwakes from Hornøya, Norway, with light level geolocators over 1 yr. Then we analysed the stable isotopes of carbon and nitrogen in their 1st and 7th primary feathers as well as in the 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th and 10th primaries of 12 birds found freshly dead in the same breeding colony. After breeding, all tracked birds moved east of the Svalbard Archipelago and subsequently migrated to the Labrador Sea. Thereafter, birds showed individual variation in migration strategies: 3 travelled to the NE Atlantic, whereas the others remained in the Labrador Sea until the end of the wintering period. Changes in stable isotope signatures from the 1st to the 10th primary feathers corresponded well to the sequence of movements during migration and the area in which we inferred that each feather was grown. Thus, by combining information on moult patterns and tracking data, we demonstrate that stable isotope analysis of feathers can be used to trace migratory movements of seabirds.

Background Edwardsiella tarda, is a serious bacterial pathogen affecting a broad range of aquaculture fish species. The bacterium has also been reported as a human pathogen, however recent studies have dissociated the fish pathogenic Edwardsiella from those isolated from humans by placing them in a new species, E. piscicida. Here we report the first case of Edwardsiellosis in cultured sharpsnout sea breams, Diplodus puntazzo in Greece. Case presentation The disease has affected cultured sharpsnout sea breams of a commercial fish farm in a single location in East Greece. Two populations of sharpsnout sea breams stocked in two consecutive years in floating cages presented signs of disease which included nodules and abscesses in spleen and kidney, morbidity and cumulative mortality reaching 5.3 %. Using microbiological, biochemical and molecular tools we have identified Edwardsiella sp. as the main aetiological factor of the disease. Following phylogenetic analysis the bacterial isolates are grouped with the newly described Edwardsiella piscicida species. Conclusions This is the first report of Edwardsiellosis in this species but most importantly in sea cage-cultured fish in the Mediterranean which may pose a serious threat for aquaculture fish species in this region.

MedAID (Mediterranean Aquaculture Integrated Development) is a European H2020 Research and Innovation Project that started in 2017. The main objective was to increase the overall competitiveness and sustainability of the whole value chain of the Mediterranean marine aquaculture sector by improving its technical and business performance and by shifting to a sustainable market-oriented approach with a more positive social and consumer perception. In the field of disease control and welfare MedAID aims to provide essential components for a better health and welfare management system for the Mediterranean marine aquaculture industry overall and at company level. One of the gaps addressed by MedAID was the lack of reference methodologies for disease diagnostics for European seabass and Gilthead seabream, the main species produced in Mediterranean marine fish farming. The present Diagnostic Manual was conceived in the form of up-to-date guidelines providing current methodologies for a harmonised approach to the health challenges due to viral and bacterial pathogens in the farming of seabass and seabream., https://om.ciheam.org/option.php?IDOM=1037