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Contrast-associated acute kidney injury (CA-AKI) is an abrupt decline in kidney function occurring after a recent exposure to iodinated radiocontrast media. CA-AKI presents as elevated serum creatinine level or decreased urine output. CA-AKI is the third leading cause of inpatient AKI. The incidence of CA-AKI varies according to patient population characteristics, ranging from 5% in the general population to as high as 30% in special populations with preexisting comorbidities such as diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, and chronic kidney disease. The development of CA-AKI places a heavy toll on patients and the healthcare system secondary to increased patient morbidity, mortality, hospital length of stay, readmission risk, and healthcare cost. Patients undergoing cardiac catheterization are of special interest, since they have higher risk of developing CA-AKI and its associated complications. The recognition, prevention, and management of CA-AKI has improved over the past few years with the introduction of fluid management guidelines, using less nephrotoxic radiocontrast media, and preprocedural CA-AKI risk assessment. Future advancements in patients' CA-AKI risk stratification and early detection will facilitate prompt initiation of mitigation treatment plans and decrease associated complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The class 3 phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (Pik3c3) plays critical roles in regulating autophagy, endocytosis, and nutrient sensing, but its expression profile in the kidney remains undefined. Recently, we validated a Pik3c3 antibody through immunofluorescence staining of kidney tissues from cell type-specific Pik3c3 knockout mice. Immunohistochemistry unveiled significant disparities in Pik3c3 expression levels across various kidney cell types. Notably, renal interstitial cells exhibit minimal Pik3c3 expression. Further, coimmunofluorescence staining, utilizing nephron segment- or cell type-specific markers, revealed nearly undetectable levels of Pik3c3 expression in glomerular mesangial cells and endothelial cells. Intriguingly, although podocytes exhibit the highest Pik3c3 expression levels among all kidney cell types, the renal proximal tubule cells (RPTCs) express the highest level of Pik3c3 among all renal tubules. RPTCs are known to express the highest level of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in adult kidneys; however, the role of Pik3c3 in EGFR signaling within RPTCs remains unexplored. Therefore, we conducted additional cell culture studies. The results demonstrated that Pik3c3 inhibition significantly delayed EGF-stimulated EGFR degradation and the termination of EGFR signaling in RPTCs. Mechanistically, Pik3c3 inhibition surprisingly did not affect the initial endocytosis process but instead impeded the lysosomal degradation of EGFR. In summary, this study defines, for the first time, the expression profile of Pik3c3 in the mouse kidney and also highlights a pivotal role of Pik3c3 in the proximal tubule cells. These findings shed light on the intricate mechanisms underlying Pik3c3-mediated regulation of EGFR signaling, providing valuable insights into the role of Pik3c3 in renal cell physiology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Arrhythmogenic left ventricular cardiomyopathy is an increasingly recognized cause of recurrentmyocarditis, a mimicker of acute coronary syndrome, and an important cause of malignant ventricular arrythmias and heart failure. Desmoplakin is a protein that is critical to maintaining the structural integrity of the myocardium. Disruption of desmoplakin leads to fibrofatty infiltration of the myocardium which leads to congestive heart failure, cardiac arrhythmias, and sudden cardiac death. However, desmoplakin cardiomyopathy is of ten misdiagnosed, resulting in significant morbidity and mortality. We report 2 contrasting cases illustrating the natural history--hot and cold phases--of arrhythmogenic left ventricular cardiomyopathy. Case Series: The first case demonstrates a commonphenotypic presentation of desmoplakin cardiomyopathymanifested as recurrent myocarditis and myocardial injury representing the hot phase. The second case is an undulating course of chronic systolic heart failure and ventricular arrhythmias representing the cold phase. Conclusion: Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy manifests as a spectrum of disease processes that involve the right, left, or both ventricles. Mutations in the desmoplakin gene are of ten associated with a left dominant ventricular cardiomyopathy. Diagnosis remains difficult as the condition has no signature clinical presentation, and imaging findings are variable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Author(s): Vronique Frattini [1]; Stefano M. Pagnotta [1, 2]; Tala [1]; Jerry J. Fan [3, 4]; Marco V. Russo [1]; Sang Bae Lee [1]; Luciano Garofano [1, 2, 5]; Jing [...]

Baylor Scott & White Health Central Texas displayed the diversity and growth of scholarly pursuits during Scholars Day on May 3, 2019. Residents and fellows, medical students, nurses, and research staff were among those showcasing their scholarly activity in areas such as medical innovation, clinical vignettes, research, and quality improvement. A selection committee chose 32 abstracts—12 select podium, 20 rapid fire. In addition, 60 abstracts were included as electronic poster presentations. Residency and fellowship program directors nominated presentations for the Excellence Awards. The scholarship committee chose four to receive travel awards to support the presentation of each project at a national meeting. Excellence Awards were granted to Jasson Abraham, MD, Jerry Fan, MD, Veronica Lozano, MD, and Chhaya Patel, MD. A selection of abstracts is presented here. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes an experimental investigation of submerged hydraulic jumps forming downstream of overflow structures. Submergence happens when the hydrological tailwater depth in a channel exceeds the jump's subcritical sequent depth. It is a common occurrence, particularly with low overflow structures. The jump may produce a vortex having significant countercurrent free-surface velocities. This phenomenon is held responsible for frequent personal injury accidents of unwary recreationists, hence its appellation of 'drowning machine.' Experimental results, supported by analytical reasoning, are presented that quantify these dangerously high velocities for all hydraulic situations.