The volume-outcome relationship for organ-specific transplantation is well-described; it is unknown if the relative balance of kidney compared with liver volumes within an institution relates to organ-specific outcomes. We assessed the association between relative balance within a transplant center and outcomes.
 
  National retrospective analysis of isolated kidney and liver transplants in United States 2005-2014 followed through 2019. Latent class analysis defined transplant center phenotypes. Multivariate Cox models estimated death-censored graft loss and mortality.
 
  Latent class analysis identified four phenotypes kidney only (n=117), kidney dominant (n=36), mixed/balanced (n=90), and liver dominant (n=13). Compared to mixed centers, the risk of kidney graft loss was higher at kidney-dominant (HR 1.07, p<.001) and liver-dominant (HR 1.10, p<.001) centers, while kidney-only (HR 1.06, p=.01) centers had higher mortality. Liver graft loss was not associated with phenotype, but risk of patient death was lower (HR 0.93, p=.02) at liver dominant and higher (HR 1.06, p=.02) at kidney-dominant centers.
 
  A mixed phenotype was associated with improved kidney transplant outcomes, whereas liver transplant outcomes were best at liver-dominant centers. While these findings need to be verified with center-level resources, optimization of shared resources could improve patient and organ outcomes.
 A mixed phenotype was associated with improved kidney transplant outcomes, whereas liver transplant outcomes were best at liver-dominant centers. While these findings need to be verified with center-level resources, optimization of shared resources could improve patient and organ outcomes.Serum soluble Klotho levels are associated with renal function in predialysis patients with chronic kidney disease. However, few reports exist regarding the association between soluble Klotho levels and renal function in kidney transplant (KTx) recipients. This was a retrospective observational study of 41 living KTx recipients. The serum soluble Klotho levels were classed as "high" (>456 pg/mL [i.e., high-Klotho group]) or "low" (≤456 pg/mL [i.e., low-Klotho group]). Renal function decline was defined as a decrease in the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of 30% or more from the baseline value within 3 months after KTx. A multivariable time-to-event analysis between the groups was conducted. Among the KTx recipients, the incidence of a 30% decrease in the eGFR was significantly higher in the low-Klotho group than in the high-Klotho group (P = .036). After adjusting for donor age, donor sex, the presence of rejection, and the number of cytomegalovirus infections, multivariable Cox models revealed that low soluble Klotho levels remained associated with a higher risk of a 30% decrease in the eGFR (hazard ratio, 2.38; 95% confidence interval, 1.02-6.41).  https://www.selleckchem.com/ALK.html  These findings suggested that lower soluble Klotho levels in the pre-KTx period are associated with an increased risk of renal function decline in KTx recipients.
  The OM-85 (Broncho-Vaxom) consumption has drawn considerable attention in the prevention of recurrent respiratory tract infections. However, it has been reported that the relationship between OM-85 consumption and recurrent respiratory tract infections is variable. This meta-analysis was performed to evaluate this relationship.
 
  A systematic literature search up-to May 2020 was performed and 14 studies were detected with 1859 paediatric subjects, of them 890 consumed OM-85. They were reporting relationships between OM-85 consumption and recurrent respiratory tract infections. Odds ratio (OR) or mean differences (MD) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) was calculated to evaluate the prognostic role of OM-85 consumption and recurrent respiratory tract infections using the dichotomous or continuous method with a random or fixed-effect model.
 
  OM-85 consumption was significantly related to lower frequency of respiratory tract infections (MD, -1.16; 95% CI, -1.66 to -0.65, P<.001); lower total duration of rons.
 The impact of OM-85 consumption on recurrent respiratory tract infections may have a great effect as a tool to improve subjects' immunity against recurrent respiratory tract infections, which could be helpful in crucial situations, eg, COVID-19 pandemic. OM-85 non-consumers had an independent risk relationship with recurrent respiratory tract infections. This relationship forces us to recommend OM-85 consumption with those with a high risk of recurrent respiratory tract infections to avoid any possible complications.
  To apply novel analysis methods for processing high-resolution pressure-impedance motility parameters, raw data acquired by commercial motility systems are exported and analyzed externally using purposed-designed software.
 
  Data acquired by the Medical Measurement Systems (MMS) motility equipment are exported from MMS in different file formats.
 
  MMS studies that are exported to ASCII-file format will be in cmH
  O units even though acquired and displayed by the MMS system in mmHg units (1mmHg would be exported as 1.36cmH
  O).
 
  Due to this issue, investigators may unknowingly generate pressure data in incorrect units, data exported from MMS in ASCII-file format need to be divided by a factor 1.36 to convert cmH
  O to mmHg.
 Due to this issue, investigators may unknowingly generate pressure data in incorrect units, data exported from MMS in ASCII-file format need to be divided by a factor 1.36 to convert cmH2O to mmHg.Kidney transplant is a life-changing procedure, and transplant nephrologists, as part of a larger transplant team, play an important role in the field by managing the complex medical needs of transplant patients. The subspecialty of transplant nephrology, however, faces structural challenges related to its workforce, reporting structures, compensation, research and innovation, and health care information technology. The position of transplant nephrology at the academic and operational intersection of medicine and surgery may limit its access to critical resources, hinder academic promotion, and contribute to physician burnout. The authors provide an overview of the subspecialty transplant nephrology and propose solutions. Collaborative efforts that fortify the subspecialty of transplant nephrology will ultimately improve the lives of patients suffering from kidney disease.