University of Vermont

About: University of Vermont is a education organization based out in Burlington, Vermont, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Poison control. The organization has 17592 authors who have published 38251 publications receiving 1609874 citations. The organization is also known as: UVM & University of Vermont and State Agricultural College.

Association of Serum Phosphate with Vascular and Valvular Calcification in Moderate CKD

Abstract: Within the normal range, higher serum phosphate concentrations are associated with cardiovascular events and mortality in individuals with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and in those with normal kidney function. Experimental models suggest that phosphate has a direct calcifying effect on vascular smooth muscle. We examined associations of serum phosphate concentrations with vascular and valvular calcification in 439 participants from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis who had moderate CKD and no clinical cardiovascular disease. Serum phosphate concentrations were within the normal range (2.5 to 4.5 mg/dl) in 95% of study participants. The prevalence of calcification in the coronary arteries, descending thoracic aorta, aortic valve, and mitral valve was 67, 49, 25, and 20%, respectively, measured by electron-beam or multi-detector row computed tomography. After adjustment for demographics and estimated GFR, each 1-mg/dl increment in serum phosphate concentration was associated with a 21% (P = 0.002), 33% (P = 0.001), 25% (P = 0.16), and 62% (P = 0.007) greater prevalence of coronary artery, thoracic, aortic valve, and mitral valve calcification, respectively. Adjustment for traditional risk factors for atherosclerosis, parathyroid hormone, or 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D levels did not alter these associations. In conclusion, higher serum phosphate concentrations, although still within the normal range, are associated with a greater prevalence of vascular and valvular calcification in people with moderate CKD. It remains to be determined whether lowering phosphate concentrations will impact calcification risk in the setting of kidney disease.

Mineral supply for sustainable development requires resource governance

Abstract: Successful delivery of the United Nations sustainable development goals and implementation of the Paris Agreement requires technologies that utilize a wide range of minerals in vast quantities. Metal recycling and technological change will contribute to sustaining supply, but mining must continue and grow for the foreseeable future to ensure that such minerals remain available to industry. New links are needed between existing institutional frameworks to oversee responsible sourcing of minerals, trajectories for mineral exploration, environmental practices, and consumer awareness of the effects of consumption. Here we present, through analysis of a comprehensive set of data and demand forecasts, an interdisciplinary perspective on how best to ensure ecologically viable continuity of global mineral supply over the coming decades.

Application of a 5-tiered scheme for standardized classification of 2,360 unique mismatch repair gene variants in the InSiGHT locus-specific database

Abstract: The clinical classification of hereditary sequence variants identified in disease-related genes directly affects clinical management of patients and their relatives. The International Society for Gastrointestinal Hereditary Tumours (InSiGHT) undertook a collaborative effort to develop, test and apply a standardized classification scheme to constitutional variants in the Lynch syndrome-associated genes MLH1, MSH2, MSH6 and PMS2. Unpublished data submission was encouraged to assist in variant classification and was recognized through microattribution. The scheme was refined by multidisciplinary expert committee review of the clinical and functional data available for variants, applied to 2,360 sequence alterations, and disseminated online. Assessment using validated criteria altered classifications for 66% of 12,006 database entries. Clinical recommendations based on transparent evaluation are now possible for 1,370 variants that were not obviously protein truncating from nomenclature. This large-scale endeavor will facilitate the consistent management of families suspected to have Lynch syndrome and demonstrates the value of multidisciplinary collaboration in the curation and classification of variants in public locus-specific databases.

A Practical Algorithm for Solving Dynamic Membrane Equations

Abstract: Many investigators work with the Hodgkin-Huxley model of membrane behavior or extensions thereof. In these models action potentials are found as solutions of simultaneous non-linear differential equations which must be solved using numerical techniques on a digital computer. Recent membrane models showing pacemaker activity, such as that of McAllister, Noble, and Tsien, involve solutions covering long periods of time, up to fisve seconds, and many ionic currents. Those added requirements make it desirable to have an efficient algorithm to minimize computer costs, and a systematic and simple solution method to keep the program writing and debugging to manageable levels.