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La motivación de los alumnos en las clases de Educación Física con carácter eminentemente práctico se contrapone al rechazo en otras áreas con clases más teóricas y con contenidos más abstractos. El presente artículo pretende valorar la motivación, las dificultades y el aprendizaje que supone el trabajo interdisciplinar de Matemáticas y Educación Física. Para ello se realiza una intervención en las clases de Educación Física, donde a través del deporte del voleibol se imparten diferentes contenidos propios del área de matemáticas. Setenta y dos alumnos/as de sexto curso de Primaria formaron parte de este estudio distribuidos en dos grupos, grupo experimental (n=36) y grupo control (n=36). Se utiliza una metodología mixta, cuantitativa descriptiva y cualitativa, a través de la realización de un test pedagógico (pre-test y post test) y el análisis de los diarios del alumnado. Tras el análisis de los resultados, se constata que los estudiantes mostraron gran motivación hacia el trabajo y una asimilación de los aprendizajes planteados, no encontrándose dificultades destacadas durante la intervención. Los contenidos de geometría, perímetro, probabilidad y estadística han sido los que aumentaron el porcentaje de acierto en mayor medida tras la intervención. Se concluye que la Educación Física constituye una herramienta válida y motivadora para trabajar contenidos matemáticos. Abstract: The motivation of the students in Physical Education classes with an eminently practical nature is opposed to the rejection in other areas with more theoretical classes and with more abstract content. This article aims to assess the motivation, difficulties and learning involved in the interdisciplinary work of Mathematics and Physical Education. For this, an intervention is carried out in the Physical Education classes, where different contents of the area of ​​mathematics are taught through the sport of volleyball. Seventy-two sixth-grade primary school students were part of this study, divided into two groups, the experimental group (n = 36) and the control group (n = 36). A mixed methodology is used quantitative descriptive and qualitative, through the performance of a pedagogical test (pre-test and post-test) and the analysis of the students' diaries. After the analysis of the results, it is found that the students showed great motivation towards work and an assimilation of the proposed learning, not encountering any notable difficulties during the intervention. The contents of geometry, perimeter, probability and statistics, have been those that increased the percentage of success in greater measure after the intervention. It is concluded that Physical Education constitutes a valid and motivating tool to work on mathematical content.

Introducción: Los pacientes en hemodiálisis (HD) suelen tener una condición física mermaday elevado sedentarismo. La consolidación de programas de ejercicio físico en las unidadesde diálisis está limitada por barreras como la seguridad inherente a estos programas y lafalta de recursos.Objetivos: Evaluar la eficacia y seguridad en la implantación de un programa de ejerciciofísico intradiálisis (EFI) sobre la condición física de los pacientes con un equipo multidisci-plinar (fisioterapeuta y auxiliares de enfermería).Material y métodos: Estudio cuasiexperimental pre-post unicéntrico prospectivo de 6 mesesen 34 pacientes. Intervención con EFI combinado 2 días a la semana, evaluándose de formabasal y final la capacidad cardiorrespiratoria (6MWT), fuerza muscular (HG, dinamometría decuádriceps y 10STS), la composición corporal (bioimpedanciometría) y la capacidad coordi-nativa (Timed Up and Go test). La seguridad se valoró registrando las incidencias relacionadascon el acceso vascular, la estabilidad hemodinámica y el perfil de rellenado vascular (RBV)durante las sesiones. También se registró la adherencia al programa así como parámetrosanalíticos habituales.Resultados: La adherencia al programa de EFI fue elevada (70,8%). Se constató una mejorasignificativa de 47 m (p < 0,001) en el 6MWT; un incremento medio de 1,6 kg (p = 0,007) enel HG para la fuerza de extremidades superiores y en las extremidades inferiores (10STSp = 0,003; dinamometría p < 0,05). Respecto a la seguridad, no se detectaron incidencias nidiferencias significativas en el RBV.Conclusiones: Un programa de EFI combinado favorece la mejora de la condición física de lospacientes en HD sin comprometer la seguridad del tratamiento. Es aconsejable un equipomultidisciplinar para implantar y dar continuidad eficazmente a un programa de EFI., Introduction: Patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD) are characterized by a poor physical condition and a substantial sedentary profile. The implementation of physical exercise pro- grams in the hemodialysis units is usually limited by the inherent safeness and the lack of appropriate resources. Objectives: We aimed to evaluate the impact and safety outcomes of the implementation of an intradialytic physical exercise program (IPE) by a multidisciplinary team (physiotherapist and nursing assistant) in the physical condition of the patients. Material and methods: This six months single-centre and experimental pre-post prospective study was carried out in 34 patients. A two day-week combined IPE intervention was implemented. The cardiopulmonary capacity (6MWT), muscular strength (HG, leg dynamometry and 10STS), body composition (bioimpedance) and coordination capacity (Timed Up and Go test) was assessed at the beginning and at the end of the study. Safety was evaluated by means of the number of issues regarding the vascular access, the hemodynamic stability as well as the vascular refilling profile (RBV) in each session. The adhesion to the program was also registered. Additionally, analytical parameters were recorded. Results: The adhesion to an IPE program was high (70.8%). A significant improvement of the cardiopulmonary capacity (6MWT average increase 47 m; p < 0.001), superior limbs (HG average increase of 1.6 kg; p = 0.007) as well as the lower extremities (10STS; p = 0.003; dynamometry p < 0.05). Regarding safeness, there were no incidences neither significant difference in the RBV. Conclusions: A combined IPE may contribute to the improvement of the physical condition of the patients as well as ensures a safe development of the HD treatment. We suggest a multidisciplinary team in order to efficiently establish an IPE program.

Diàlisi; Puntuació d'inflamació de desnutrició; Valoració nutricional Diálisis; Puntuación de inflamación de desnutrición; Valoración nutricional Dialysis; Malnutrition inflammation score; Nutritional assessment This cross-sectional study aims to explore the prevalence of protein-energy wasting (PEW) in dialysis patients in Catalonia, Spain, using a new and practical online tool which enables rapid calculation and comparison with other nutritional scores. Methods: A web tool (Nutrendial) was created to introduce different variables and automatically calculate PEW, Malnutrition inflammation Score (MIS) and Subjective Global Assessment (SGA) in 1389 patients (88% in haemodialysis (HD)), 12% in peritoneal dialysis (PD) from different regions of Catalonia. Results: A prevalence of 23.3% (26% HD, 10.2% PD) of PEW was found, with a mean MIS score of 6 and SGA score of C in 7% of the patients. ROC analysis showed MIS as the best nutritional score to diagnose PEW (AUC 0.85). Albumin delivered lower diagnostic precision (AUC 0.77) and sensitivity (66%). A cut off point of 7 (86% sensitivity and 75% specificity) for MIS and 3.7 mg/dL for albumin were found to predict the appearance of PEW in this population. SGA B or C showed an 87% sensitivity and 55% specificity to diagnose PEW. Very low nutritional intervention (14%) was recorded with this tool in patients with PEW. Conclusions: This new online tool facilitated the calculation of PEW, enabling different professionals-including nephrologists, dieticians and nurses-to efficiently obtain insights into the nutritional status of the Catalonian dialysis population and implement the required nutritional interventions. MIS is the score with more sensitivity to diagnose PEW.

Introduction: COVID-19 is a highly contagious disease that has easily spread worldwide. Outpatient maintenance hemodialysis seems to entail an increased risk of contagion, and previous reports inform of increased mortality among this population. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed clinical and laboratory parameters, outcomes, and management once discharged of CKD-5D patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 from our health area. Results: Out of the 429 CKD-5D population, 36 were diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 infection (8%): 34 on in-center hemodialysis and 2 on peritoneal dialysis. Five were asymptomatic. The most common symptom was fever (70%), followed by dyspnea and cough. History of cardiovascular disease and elevation of LDH and C-reactive protein during admission were associated with higher mortality. Thirteen patients died (36%), 8 patients were admitted to an ICU, and survival was low (38%) among the latter. The mean time to death was 12 days. Most discharged patients got negative rRT-PCR in nasopharyngeal swabs within 26 days of diagnosis. However, there is a portion of cured patients that continue to have positive results even more than 2 months after the initial presentation. Conclusions: Patients on dialysis have an increased mortality risk if infected with SARS-CoV-2. Preventive measures have proven useful. Thus, proper ones, such as universal screening of the population and isolation when required, need to be generalized. Better de-isolation criteria are necessary to ensure an appropriate use of public health resources.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) involves heterogeneous diseases that affect the renal structure and function. Malnutrition plays a crucial role during patients with CKD on hemodialysis (HD) treatment and is associated with an increased rate and duration of hospitalizations. The aim of this randomized, parallel, intervention-controlled trial was to assess whether the use of daily supplementation with a new nutritional product developed by the Grand Fontaine Laboratories improves the nutritional status and anthropometric parameters of stage 5 CKD patients, compared with standard renal dietary advice, after three months of follow-up. Dietary intake, anthropometric measurements, physical activity, and blood samples were collected at baseline and after three months of intervention. Significant improvements were observed within the intervention group in body weight (1.5 kg [95% CI: 0.9 to 2.12 kg]) and BMI (0.54 kg/m2 [95% CI: 0.31 to 0.77]; p-value between groups, 0.002 and 0.006, respectively). In the control group, significant decreases were observed in transferrin saturation (−5.04% [95% CI: −8.88 to −1.21]) and alpha-tocopherol levels (−3.31 umol/L [95% CI: −6.30 to −0.32]). We concluded that daily dietary intake of a specific renal nutritional complement in CKD patients with or at risk of malnutrition may prevent deterioration in nutritional parameters.

Background Metabolic acidosis is a common problem in haemodialysis patients, but acidosis overcorrection has been associated with higher mortality. There is no clear definition of the optimal serum bicarbonate target or dialysate bicarbonate. This study analysed the impact of reducing dialysate bicarbonate from 35 to 32 mEq/L on plasma bicarbonate levels in a cohort of patients treated with online haemodiafiltration (OL-HDF). Methods We performed a prospective cohort study with patients in a stable chronic OL-HDF programme for at least 12 months in the Hospital Clinic of Barcelona. We analysed pre- and post-dialysis total carbon dioxide(TCO2) before and after dialysate bicarbonate reduction from 35 to 32 mEq/L, as well as the number of patients with a pre- and post-dialysis TCO2 within 19–25 and ≤29 mEq/L, respectively, after the bicarbonate modification. Changes in serum sodium, potassium, calcium, phosphorous and parathyroid hormone (PTH) were also assessed. Results We included 84 patients with a 6-month follow-up. At 6 months, pre- and post-dialysis TCO2 significantly decreased (26.78 ± 1.26 at baseline to 23.69 ± 1.92 mEq/L and 31.91 ± 0.91 to 27.58 ± 1.36 mEq/L, respectively). The number of patients with a pre-dialysis TCO2 >25 mEq/L was significantly reduced from 80 (90.5%) to 17 (20.2%) and for post-dialysis TCO2 >29 mEq/L this number was reduced from 83 (98.8%) to 9 (10.7%). PTH significantly decreased from 226.09 (range 172–296) to 182.50 (125–239) pg/mL at 6 months (P Conclusions Reducing dialysate bicarbonate concentration by 3 mEq/L significantly and safely decreased pre- and post-dialysis TCO2, avoiding acidosis overcorrection and improving secondary hyperparathyroidism control. An individualized bicarbonate prescription (a key factor in the adequate control of acidosis) according to pre-dialysis TCO2 is suggested based on these results.

Introduction: The medium cut-off Elisio HX dialyzer by Nipro became commercially available in Europe in 2021, but there are still no reports of in vivo data. This study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of it compared with previously evaluated hemodialysis (HD), expanded HD (HDx), and postdilution hemodiafiltration (HDF) treatments. Methods: A prospective study was carried out on 18 patients who underwent 5 dialysis sessions: FX80 Cordiax in HD, Elisio H19 in HD, Elisio HX19 in HDx, Theranova 400 in HDx, and FX80 Cordiax in HDF. The reduction ratios of urea, creatinine, ß2-microglobulin, myoglobin, kappa FLC, prolactin, α1-microglobulin, α1-acid glycoprotein, lambda FLC, and albumin were compared. Dialysate albumin loss was measured. Results: The comparison between the different dialysis modalities revealed no difference for small molecules, but HDx and HDF were significantly more efficient than HD for medium and large molecule removal. The efficacy of Elisio HX19 dialyzer in HDx was similar to the Theranova 400, superior to both dialyzers in HD, and slightly lower than HDF. Albumin losses in dialysate with HD dialyzers were less than 1 g, but between 1.5 and 2.5 g in HDx and HDF. The global removal score (GRS) values with HDx treatments were statistically significantly higher than those with HD. The highest GRS was obtained with the helixone dialyzer in HDF. Conclusions: The new MCO dialyzer, Elisio HX, performs with excellent behavior and tolerance. It represents an upgrade compared to their predecessor and is very close to the removal capacity of HDF treatment.

Background Both metabolic acidosis and alkalosis increase hospitalizations, haemodynamic instability and mortality in haemodialysis patients. Unfortunately, current practices opt for a one-size-fits-all approach, leaving many patients either acidotic before or alkalotic after dialysis sessions. Therefore an individualized adjustment of these patients’ dialysate bicarbonate prescriptions could reduce these acid–base imbalances. Methods This is a prospective single-cohort study of patients on a chronic haemodiafiltration programme. The dialysate bicarbonate prescription was modified according to the pre- and post-dialysis total carbon dioxide (TCO2) values of 19–25 mEq/L and ≤29 mEq/L, respectively, with an adjustment formula calculated with the data obtained from previously published work by our group. In addition, we analysed this adjustment's effect on plasma sodium, potassium, phosphorus, parathyroid hormone (PTH) and calcium. Results At baseline, only 67.9% of patients were within the desired pre- and post-dialysis TCO2 target range. As of the first month, every followed patient met the TCO2 target range objective in pre-dialysis measurements and ˃95% met the post-dialysis TCO2 target. At the end of the study, 75% of the patients were on dialysate bicarbonate of 32–34 mEq/L. There were no clinically significant changes in calcium, phosphate, PTH, sodium or potassium levels. Also, we did not notice any increase in intradialytic adverse events. Conclusions We suggest an individualized adjustment of the dialysate bicarbonate concentration according to the pre- and post-dialysis TCO2 values. With it, nearly every patient in our cohort reached the established range, potentially reducing their mortality risk.

Resumen: Introducción: Recientemente, se ha incorporado a nuestras posibilidades terapéuticas una nueva clase de dializadores, las membranas de medio cut-off (MCO), diseñadas para mejorar la permeabilidad y que podrían alcanzar una eficacia similar a la hemodiafiltración. Para aumentar el conocimiento sobre su uso, el objetivo del estudio fue valorar en las membranas de MCO el efecto de la superficie y del flujo sanguíneo (Qb) sobre la eficacia depurativa. Material y métodos: Se incluyó a 19 pacientes en programa de hemodiálisis. Cada paciente recibió 6 sesiones, en las que se varió la superficie de membrana, de 1,7 o 2,0 m2, y el Qb (300, 350, 400 o 450 mL/min). En cada sesión se determinaron diferentes solutos al inicio y al final de la diálisis. Resultados: El cambio de superficie del dializador no mostró diferencias significativas en la depuración de pequeñas o grandes moléculas, sin cambios en la pérdida de albúmina. El aumento del Qb se acompañó de un aumento de depuración de pequeñas moléculas, sin mostrar diferencias en el porcentaje de reducción de β2-microglobulina, mioglobina, prolactina, α1-microglobulina y α1-glicoproteína ácida, a excepción de alguna comparación con Qb 450 mL/min. Tampoco se observaron diferencias en la pérdida de albúmina en el líquido de diálisis, inferior a 2,5 g en todas las situaciones. Conclusión: El incremento de la superficie de 1,7 a 2,0 m2 en el dializador de MCO no ha significado una mayor eficacia depurativa. En estos dializadores el aumento del Qb no parece ser tan determinante como en la hemodiafiltración, a excepción de la depuración de pequeñas moléculas. Abstract: Introduction: Recently, a new class of dialyzers, medium cut-off membranes (MCO), designed to improve the permeability, which could provide an efficacy similar to hemodiafiltration, have been incorporated into our therapeutic possibilities. To increase the knowledge about its use, the objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of the surface and blood flow (Qb) on the depurative efficacy in the MCO membranes. Material and methods: We included 19 patients in the hemodialysis. Each patient received 6 sessions, in which the membrane surface was varied, from 1.7 to 2.0 m2, and/or the Qb (300, 350, 400 or 450 mL/min). In each session, different solutes were determined at the beginning and end of dialysis. Results: The surface change of the dialyzer did not show significant differences in the removal of small or large molecules, without changes in albumin loss. The increase in Qb was accompanied by an increase in clearance of small molecules, without showing differences in the percentage reduction of β2-microglobulin, myoglobin, prolactin, α1-microglobulin and α1-acid glycoprotein, except for some comparison with Qb 450 mL/min. There were also no differences in the loss of albumin in the dialysis fluid, less than 2.5 g in all situations. Conclusion: The increase of the surface area from 1.7 to 2.0 m2 in the MCO dialyzer has not meant a greater depurative effectiveness. In these dialyzers the increase of Qb does not seem to be as determinant as in hemodiafiltration except for the clearance of small molecules. Palabras clave: Dializador, Eficacia, Hemodiafiltración, Medio cut-off, Keywords: Dialyzer, Efficacy, Hemodiafiltration, Medium cut-off

Introduction: Recently, a new class of dialyzers, medium cut-off membranes (MCO), designed to improve the permeability, which could provide an efficacy similar to hemodiafiltration, have been incorporated into our therapeutic possibilities. To increase the knowledge about its use, the objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of the surface and blood flow (Qb) on the depurative efficacy in the MCO membranes. Material and methods: We included 19 patients in the hemodialysis. Each patient received 6 sessions, in which the membrane surface was varied, 1.7 or 2.0 m2, and/or the Qb (300, 350, 400 or 450 mL/min). In each session, different solutes were determined at the beginning and end of dialysis. Results: The surface change of the dialyzer did not show significant differences in the removal of small or large molecules, without changes in albumin loss. The increase in Qb was accompanied by an increase in clearance of small molecules, without showing differences in the percentage reduction of β2-microglobulin, myoglobin, prolactin, α1-microglobulin and α1-acid glycoprotein, except for some comparison with Qb 450 mL/min. There were also no differences in the loss of albumin in the dialysis fluid, less than 2.5 grams in all situations. Conclusion: The increase of the surface area of 1.7–2.0 m2 in the MCO dialyzer has not meant a greater depurative effectiveness. In these dialyzers the increase of Qb does not seem to be as determinant as in hemodiafiltration except for the clearance of small molecules. Resumen: Introducción: Recientemente, se han incorporado en nuestras posibilidades terapéuticas, una nueva clase de dializadores, membranas de medio cut-off (MCO), diseñados para mejorar la permeabilidad y podrían alcanzar una eficacia similar a la hemodiafiltración. Para aumentar el conocimiento sobre su utilización, el objetivo del estudio fue valorar en las membranas de MCO el efecto de la superficie y del flujo sanguíneo (Qb) sobre la eficacia depurativa. Material y métodos: Se incluyeron 19 pacientes en programa de hemodiálisis. Cada paciente recibió 6 sesiones, en las que se varió la superficie de membrana, 1.7 o 2.0 m2, y el Qb (300, 350, 400 o 450 mL/min). En cada sesión se determinaron diferentes solutos al inicio y al final de diálisis. Resultados: El cambio de superficie del dializador no mostró diferencias significativas en la depuración de pequeñas o grandes moléculas, sin cambios en la pérdida de albúmina. El aumento del Qb se acompaño de un aumento de depuración de pequeñas moléculas, sin mostrar diferencias en el porcentaje de reducción de β2-microglobulina, mioglobina, prolactina, α1-microglobulina y α1-glicoproteína ácida, a excepción de alguna comparación con Qb 450 mL/min. Tampoco se observaron diferencias en la pérdida de albúmina en el líquido de diálisis, inferior a 2.5 gramos en todas las situaciones. Conclusión: El incremento de la superficie de 1.7 a 2.0 m2 en el dializador de MCO no ha significado una mayor eficacia depurativa. En estos dializadores el aumento del Qb no parece ser tan determinante como en la hemodiafiltración a excepción de la depuración de pequeñas moléculas. Keywords: Dialyzer, Efficacy, Hemodiafiltration, Medium cut-off, Palabras clave: Dializador, Eficacia, Hemodiafiltración, Medio cut-off

Most high-flux dialyzers can be used in both hemodialysis (HD) and online hemodiafiltration (OL-HDF). However, some of these dialyzers have higher permeability and should not be prescribed for OL-HDF to avoid high albumin losses. The aim of this study was to compare the safety and efficacy of a currently used dialyzer in HD and OL-HDF with those of several other high permeability dialyzers which should only be used in HD. A prospective, single-center study was carried out in 21 patients. Each patient underwent 5 dialysis sessions with routine dialysis parameters: 2 sessions with Helixone (HD and postdilution OL-HDF) and 1 session each with steam sterilized polyphenylene, polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), and medium cut-off (MCO) dialyzers in HD treatment. The removal ratios (RR) of urea, creatinine, s2 -microglobulin, myoglobin, prolactin, α1 -microglobulin, α1 -acid glycoprotein, and albumin were compared intraindividually. A proportional part of the dialysate was collected to quantify the loss of various solutes, including albumin. Urea and creatinine RRs with the Helixone-HDF and MCO dialyzers were higher than with the other 3 dialyzers in HD. The β2 -microglobulin, myoglobin and prolactin RRs with Helixone-HDF treatment were significantly higher than those obtained with all 4 dialyzers in HD treatment. The β2 -microglobulin value obtained with the MCO dialyzer was also higher than that obtained with the other 3 dialyzers in HD treatment. The myoglobin RR with MCO was higher than those obtained with Helixone and PMMA in HD treatment. The prolactin RR with Helixone-HD was significantly lower than those obtained in the other 4 study sessions. The α1 -microglobulin and α1 - acid glycoprotein RRs with Helixone-HDF were significantly higher than those obtained with Helixone and PMMA in HD treatment. The albumin loss varied from 0.54 g with Helixone-HD to 3.3 g with polyphenylene. The global removal score values ((UreaRR + β2 -microglobulinRR + myoglobinRR + prolactinRR + α1 -microglobulinRR + α1 -acid glycoproteinRR - albuminRR )/6) were 43.7% with Helixone-HD, 47.7% with PMMA, 54% with polyphenylene, 54.8% with MCO and 59.6% with Helixone-HDF, with significant differences. In conclusion, this study confirms the superiority of OL-HDF over HD with the high-flux dialyzers that allow both treatments. Although new dialyzers with high permeability can only be used in HD, they are in an intermediate position and some are very close to OL-HDF.

Introduction In the interferon era, the treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in patients on haemodialysis (HD) was limited due to the significant number of treatment-related adverse events (AEs). Direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) have demonstrated their efficacy and safety in the treatment of HCV in patients with advanced chronic kidney disease on haemodialysis. The objective of the study was to evaluate the success in eliminating HCV infection from our dialysis unit using DAAs, and to assess the impact of HCV elimination on clinical and analytical outcomes. Patients and methods This is a prospective, interventional, single-center study at Hospital Clinic de Barcelona. All HCV-RNA positive patients who received antiviral therapy with DAAs within a 3-year period (2014–2017) were analyzed (n = 20). Data on virologic response, adverse events, and biochemical and hematological parameters during and after DAA therapy were analyzed. Results All patients achieved sustained virologic response (SVR) and only 40% of patients presented with mild AEs. None of the patients presented with HCV reinfection after a 1-year follow-up period, and thus HCV was eliminated from our HD unit. SVR was associated with a significant increase in hemoglobin and hematocrit, and a tendency toward the need for lower doses of iron supplementation with no changes in darbepoetin dose. Conclusion HCV infection can be safely eliminated from HD units with the use of DAAs, preventing new infections in patients and healthcare staff. In the short term, the achievement of SVR is associated with an improvement in the control of anemia.

Background: A novel class of membranes, medium cut-off (MCO) membranes, has recently been designed to achieve interesting removal capacities for middle and large middle molecules in hemodialysis (HD) treatments. The few studies published to date have reported contradictory results regarding middle-sized molecules when comparing MCO dialyzers versus dialyzers used in online hemodiafiltration (OL-HDF). Methods: A prospective, single-center study was carried out in 22 patients. Each patient underwent 9 dialysis sessions with routine dialysis parameters, one with an MCO dialyzer in HD and the other 8 with different dialyzers in OL-HDF. The removal ratio (RR) of urea, creatinine, β2-microglobulin, myoglobin, prolactin, α1-microglobulin, α1-acid glycoprotein, and albumin was intraindividually compared. Albumin loss in dialysate was measured. We propose a global removal score ([ureaRR + β2-microglobulinRR + myoglobinRR + prolactinRR + α1-microglobulinRR + α1-acid glycoproteinRR]/6 – albuminRR) as a new tool for measuring dialyzer effectiveness. Results: No significant differences in the RRs of small and middle molecular range molecules were observed between the MCO vs. OL-HDF dialyzers (range 60–80%). Lower RRs were found for α1-microglobulin and α1-acid glycoprotein without significant differences. The albumin RR was < 11% and dialysate albumin loss was < 3.5 g in all situations without significant differences. The global removal score was 54.9 ± 4.8% with the MCO dialyzer without significant differences. Conclusions: Removal of a wide range of molecular weights, calculated with the proposed global removal score, was almost equal with the MCO dialyzer in HD treatment compared with 8 high-flux dialyzers in high-volume OL-HDF without relevant changes in albumin loss. The global removal score could be a new tool to evaluate the effectiveness of dialyzers and/or different treatment modalities.

Background: Etelcalcetide is a novel second-generation calcimimetic that, because of its intravenous administration, could improve treatment adherence in secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT). The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of etelcalcetide compared with that of cinacalcet in controlling SHPT in patients under hemodialysis. Methods: A prospective observational study was performed in 29 patients with SHPT under hemodialysis who switched from cinacalcet to etelcalcetide with a follow-up of 6 months. A survey was conducted of adherence to the oral calcimimetic. The primary end-point of the study was to assess whether etelcalcetide was more effective than cinacalcet in controlling SHPT. Results: After the switch of treatment, none of the patients developed clinical intolerance or new adverse effects. Etelcalcetide was more effective than cinacalcet in controlling intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH), with an overall decrease in iPTH levels that was significant from the second month. Average calcium levels remained within the normal range, with a higher percentage of hypocalcemia with etelcalcetide (6.9 vs. 13.8%), which was asymptomatic in all cases. Patients who were nonadherent to cinacalcet (38%) showed a significant reduction in calcium and iPTH during follow-up with etelcalcetide. The adherent group (62%) also showed a trend to lower iPTH levels reaching statistical significance after 5 months of follow-up. The dose conversion factor for the switch from cinacalcet to etelcalcetide was etelcalcetide/session = 0.111*mg cinacalcet/day + 0.96, R2 = 0.57. Conclusions: Etelcalcetide was more effective than cinacalcet in this patient population, especially in the nonadherent subgroup, leading to better SHPT control without adverse effects.

Toray has created a new generation of dialyzers, the polysulphone (TS) UL series, and polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) NF-U series, which offer enhanced efficacy over the previous TS-S series and NF-H series. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of these dialyzer series versus contrasted expanded hemodialysis (HDx) and postdilution hemodiafiltration (HDF). We conducted a prospective study in 12 patients. Each patient underwent six dialysis sessions: FX80 Cordiax in HD, Toraysulfone TS-1.8 UL in HD, Theranova 400 in HDx, polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) NF-2.1 U in HDF, Toraysulfone TS-2.1 UL in HDF, and FX80 Cordiax in HDF. The removal ratios (RRs) of urea, creatinine, s2 -microglobulin, myoglobin, prolactin, α1 -microglobulin, α1 -acid glycoprotein, and albumin were compared intraindividually. Dialysate albumin loss was also measured. The RRs for β2 -microglobulin, myoglobin, prolactin, α1 -microglobulin, and α1 -acid glycoprotein were higher with the TS-2.1 UL and FX80 Cordiax dialyzers in HDF than those obtained with HD treatments and NF-2.1 U in HDF. The β2 -microglobulin, myoglobin, and prolactin RRs were also higher with HDx than those obtained with HD treatments. The myoglobin and prolactin RRs were higher with TS-1.8 UL in HD than those obtained with helixone dialyzers in HD. Dialysate albumin loss was less than 3 g in all situations except in TS-2.1 UL in HDF. The highest global removal score values were obtained with the TS-2.1 UL and helixone dialyzers in HDF. Significant differences were found between all study situations. In conclusion, the new generation dialyzers, Toraysulfone TS Series UL and PMMA NF-U series, show excellent behaviour and tolerance in HD and HDF, representing an upgrade versus their predecessor series. The higher permeability of the TS UL series has been proven with higher efficiency in HD and maximum performance in HDF. The new PMMA NF-U series allows the use of HDF with good efficiency and complete safety.

The Clearum dialyzer, built by Medtronic, became commercially available in several European countries in 2020, but there are still no reports of in vivo data. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and risk of hypoalbuminemia of this dialyzer compared with previously evaluated hemodialysis (HD), expanded hemodialysis (HDx), and postdilution hemodiafiltration (HDF) treatments. A prospective study was carried out in 15 patients. Each patient underwent seven dialysis sessions: FX80 Cordiax in HD, Clearum HS17 in HD, Phylther 17-SD in HDx, Theranova 400 in HDx, Phylther 17-G in postdilution HDF, Clearum HS17 in postdilution HDF, and FX80 Cordiax in postdilution HDF. The reduction ratios of urea, creatinine, s2 -microglobulin, myoglobin, prolactin, α1 -microglobulin, α1 -acid glycoprotein, and albumin were compared intraindividually. Dialysate albumin loss was also measured. Comparison of dialysis techniques revealed no differences between small molecules, but HDx and HDF were significantly higher than HD with medium and large molecular weights. The Clearum dialyzer in HDF obtained similar results to FX80 Cordiax in HDF, was slightly superior to Phylther 17-G in HDF, and was statistically superior to both dialyzers in HDx. Albumin losses with the Clearum dialyzer were among the lowest, both in HD and HDF treatments. The highest global removal score (GRS) values were obtained with the helixone and Clearum dialyzers in HDF, with similar results both in HD and HDF. In addition, the GRS values with HDx treatments were statistically significantly higher than those with HD. The new Clearum dialyzer has excellent behavior and tolerance in HD and HDF. Its adequate permeability has been proven with its maximal performance in HDF, which could represent an upgrade versus its predecessor polyphenylene dialyzers.

A sparse, UWB, multi-module 1D MIMO array at D-band (110-160 GHz) is proposed for 2D imaging of hot steel slabs during the hot rolling process in steelworks. The MIMO array consists of 22 transmitting and 175 receiving antennas. Results illustrate that the MIMO array provides significantly low level of side lobes and high resolution capability. Besides the MIMO concept and first simulations, this paper describes the wide band antenna concept which will be integrated in the system. Full-wave simulation results for the antenna show 37% bandwidth with more than 85% radiation efficiency, and stable −3 dB beamwidth over the whole frequency band.

In this contribution, a broadband G-band leaky-wave (LW) fed lens antenna with an integrated dielectric grid polarizer is presented. The proposed wideband polarizer unit cell geometry enables its fabrication at frequencies higher than 100 GHz, presenting high transmission properties and low axial ratio (AR). A quasi-Analytic technique based on multilayer spectral Green's function combined with a numerical Floquet modes' solver is used to optimize the lens aperture efficiency and AR. The proposed technique is validated via full-wave (FW) simulations. A design is proposed in low dielectric permittivity material, achieving FW simulated aperture efficiency higher than 75% over 44% relative bandwidth, and an AR lower than 3 dB over 35% relative bandwidth. The antenna is able to achieve multiple directive circularly polarized (CP) beams when fed by a focal plane array, preserving the AR bandwidth. A prototype has been fabricated and measured, exhibiting an excellent agreement with quasi-Analytic and FW simulations.