Chronic Renal Disease (chronic + renal_disease)

Distribution by Scientific Domains
Distribution within Medical Sciences


Selected Abstracts


Microalbuminuria, Chronic Renal Disease, and the Effects of the Metabolic Syndrome on Cardiovascular Events

JOURNAL OF CLINICAL HYPERTENSION, Issue 7 2007
Marvin Moser MD
In March 2007, a panel discussion was held following a hypertension symposium in New York, New York. The panel was moderated by Marvin Moser, MD, Clinical Professor of Medicine at the Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut. Serving on the panel were James R. Sowers, MD, Professor of Medicine and Physiology at the University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, and Henry R. Black, MD, Clinical Professor of Medicine at the New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York. This expert panel discussion was supported by Novartis and each author received an honorarium from Novartis for time and effort spent participating in the discussion and reviewing the transcript for important intellectual content prior to publication. The authors maintained full control of the discussion and the resulting content of this article; Novartis had no input in the choice of topic, speakers, or content. [source]


Children's and young people's experiences of chronic renal disease: a review of the literature, methodological commentary and an alternative proposal

JOURNAL OF CLINICAL NURSING, Issue 6 2006
Philip Darbyshire MN
Aim., The aims of this paper were to review and critique existing research literature on children's and young people's experiences of chronic renal disease and to propose alternative approaches that may be more fruitful in addressing existing research shortcomings. Background., Chronic renal disease, which results in approximately 1·6,4 new cases per year per million population in the 0,15 years age group, is a serious illness that causes severe and irreversible reduction in kidney function. Despite modern medical advances, its significance and implications for the lives of the children and young people concerned are profound. Method., Salient literature for this review was obtained using the major health and social science electronic databases such as Medline, CINAHL, Psyclit and Sociofile. Manual searching of relevant books, journals and ,grey literature', combined with the genealogy approach, extended and strengthened the search. Conclusions., Research in this area focuses mainly on two areas, namely psychological adjustment and adaptation to end-stage renal disease. This research is grounded within a framework of empirical psychology that values objectivity, measurement and quantification. This predominantly psychometric approach is critiqued for simplifying the complex experience of end-stage renal disease and for pathologizing children and young people with this disease. We identify a significant gap in the research literature, namely the lack of research that takes into account these children's and young peoples'own perspectives of their experiences. Relevance to clinical practice., Chronic renal disease has a significant impact on children's and young people's lives. Understanding the experiences of these children is important for the provision of effective healthcare. Conducting child-centred qualitative research in this area would allow us to explore vital questions of meaning, perception and understanding. If health and social care organizations claim to provide ,consumer-focused' services, it behoves us to develop first a clearer understanding of the lives and experiences of children and families who seek our help and to use this knowledge and understanding to plan and provide more grounded and responsive services. [source]


Effect of a Disease-Specific Planning Intervention on Surrogate Understanding of Patient Goals for Future Medical Treatment

JOURNAL OF AMERICAN GERIATRICS SOCIETY, Issue 7 2010
Karin T. Kirchhoff PhD
OBJECTIVES: To determine whether a disease-specific planning process can improve surrogate understanding of goals of patients with life-limiting illnesses for future medical treatments. DESIGN: A multisite randomized controlled trial conducted between January 1, 2004 and July 31, 2007. SETTING: Six outpatient clinics of large community or university health systems in three Wisconsin cities. PARTICIPANTS: Competent, English-speaking adults aged 18 and older with chronic congestive heart failure or chronic renal disease and their surrogate decision-makers. INTERVENTION: Trained health professionals conducted a structured, patient-centered interview intended to promote informed decision-making and to result in the completion of a document clarifying the goals of the patient with regard to four disease-specific health outcome situations and the degree of decision-making latitude granted to the surrogate. MEASUREMENTS: Surrogate understanding of patient goals for care with regard to four expected, disease-specific outcomes situations and of the degree of surrogate latitude in decision-making. RESULTS: Three hundred thirteen patient,surrogate pairs completed the study. As measured according to kappa scores and in all four situations and in the degree of latitude, intervention group surrogates demonstrated a significantly higher degree of understanding of patient goals than control group surrogates. Intervention group kappa scores ranged from 0.61 to 0.78, whereas control group kappa scores ranged from 0.07 to 0.28. CONCLUSION: Surrogates in the intervention group had a significantly better understanding of patient goals and preferences than surrogates in the control group. This finding is the first step toward ensuring that patient goals for care are known and honored. [source]


Beyond the Usual Strategies for Blood Pressure Reduction: Therapeutic Considerations and Combination Therapies

JOURNAL OF CLINICAL HYPERTENSION, Issue 6 2001
Thomas D. Giles MD
Rapidly accumulating clinical data have repeatedly demonstrated not only the critical importance of even small increases in blood pressure as a pathophysiologic factor in the development of cardiovascular disease, particularly in individuals with diabetes mellitus, but also the therapeutic necessity of more aggressive blood pressure reduction and the achievement of progressively lower blood pressure targets in reducing cardiovascular event rates. JNC VI has defined optimal blood pressure as ,120/80 mm Hg, and Stage 1 hypertension as ,140/80 mm Hg. Target blood pressures are now ,130/80 mm Hg in patients with diabetes and <125/75 mm Hg for patients with hypertensive renal disease with proteinuria of>1 gm/24 hours. Achieving such target pressures is increasingly difficult, particularly in diabetic patients with chronic renal disease, who require complex multidrug antihypertensive regimens. This review attempts to provide some suggestions for constructing such antihypertensive regimens, and provides considerations for the appropriate use of diuretics and the most effective drug combinations. Factors potentially contributing to drug resistant hypertension include such problems as failure to maximize drug dosing, suboptimal diuretic use, noncompliance, and possible confounding effects of such concomitant medications as nonsteroidal and anti-inflammatory drugs or decongestants. The issues underlying drug-resistant hypertension are listed, together with strategies for overcoming this problem. [source]


Children's and young people's experiences of chronic renal disease: a review of the literature, methodological commentary and an alternative proposal

JOURNAL OF CLINICAL NURSING, Issue 6 2006
Philip Darbyshire MN
Aim., The aims of this paper were to review and critique existing research literature on children's and young people's experiences of chronic renal disease and to propose alternative approaches that may be more fruitful in addressing existing research shortcomings. Background., Chronic renal disease, which results in approximately 1·6,4 new cases per year per million population in the 0,15 years age group, is a serious illness that causes severe and irreversible reduction in kidney function. Despite modern medical advances, its significance and implications for the lives of the children and young people concerned are profound. Method., Salient literature for this review was obtained using the major health and social science electronic databases such as Medline, CINAHL, Psyclit and Sociofile. Manual searching of relevant books, journals and ,grey literature', combined with the genealogy approach, extended and strengthened the search. Conclusions., Research in this area focuses mainly on two areas, namely psychological adjustment and adaptation to end-stage renal disease. This research is grounded within a framework of empirical psychology that values objectivity, measurement and quantification. This predominantly psychometric approach is critiqued for simplifying the complex experience of end-stage renal disease and for pathologizing children and young people with this disease. We identify a significant gap in the research literature, namely the lack of research that takes into account these children's and young peoples'own perspectives of their experiences. Relevance to clinical practice., Chronic renal disease has a significant impact on children's and young people's lives. Understanding the experiences of these children is important for the provision of effective healthcare. Conducting child-centred qualitative research in this area would allow us to explore vital questions of meaning, perception and understanding. If health and social care organizations claim to provide ,consumer-focused' services, it behoves us to develop first a clearer understanding of the lives and experiences of children and families who seek our help and to use this knowledge and understanding to plan and provide more grounded and responsive services. [source]


Who should receive a statin these days?

JOURNAL OF INTERNAL MEDICINE, Issue 4 2006
Lessons from recent clinical trials
Abstract. The 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors or statins are the most successful cardiovascular drugs of all time. By interrupting cholesterol synthesis in the liver, they activate hepatocyte low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptors and produce consistent and predictable reductions in circulating LDL cholesterol with resulting reproducible improvements in cardiovascular risk by retarding or even regressing the march of atherosclerosis in all major arterial trees (coronary, cerebral and peripheral). Clinical trials have demonstrated their capacity not only to extend life, but also to improve its quality by retarding the progression of diabetes mellitus and chronic renal disease and by enhancing central and peripheral blood flow. They are amongst the most extensively investigated pharmaceutical agents in current clinical use. In cardiovascular end-point trials they have proven ability to help prevent that first and all important myocardial infarction and to reduce the likelihood of a recurrence in those who do succumb. They are equally effective in men and women of all ages and at all levels of cardiovascular risk, whether caused by hypercholesterolaemia, hypertension, cigarette smoking, diabetes mellitus or the metabolic syndrome. In addition, they improve the outlook of patients with familial hypercholesterolaemia whose LDL receptor function is deficient or defective; and all of this comes at minimal risk to the recipient. Their most important potential side effect is myopathy, which on very rare occasions may lead to rhabdomyolysis. Clinical experience shows that myopathic symptoms with creatine kinase levels raised to more than 10 times the upper limit of normal is seen in <0.01% of recipients and progression to fatal rhabdomyolysis because of renal failure has been recorded in only 0.15 cases per million prescriptions. Liver function abnormalities are also, rarely, seen. Again, the frequency of raised aspartate or alanine aminotransferase to more than three times the normal limit is encountered in no more than 1,2% of all treated patients and is completely reversible upon withdrawal of treatment. Progression to hepatitis or liver failure does not occur. This constellation of benefits with little side effect penalty has resulted in the comparison of statins with antibiotics in the global battle against cardiovascular disease. [source]


Retrospective Study: Cause and clinical characteristics of rib fractures in cats: 33 cases (2000,2009)

JOURNAL OF VETERINARY EMERGENCY AND CRITICAL CARE, Issue 4 2010
Christine Adams DVM
Abstract Objective , To characterize the clinical features and population differences among cats sustaining traumatic and nontraumatic rib fractures. Design , Retrospective clinical study. Setting , University small animal hospital. Animals , Thirty-three cats with radiographic evidence of rib fractures. Interventions , None. Measurements and Main Results , Cats with rib fractures were identified by performing a computer search of the radiology database. Thirty-three cats that sustained rib fractures were identified between January 2000 and September 2009. Seventeen cats had fractures due to trauma and 16 were deemed to occur from nontraumatic causes. A Mann-Whitney rank-sum test revealed statistically significant differences in the median ages between the 2 groups. Older cats were more likely to sustain rib fractures as a result of a presumed nontraumatic causes. A Chi-square analysis showed that nontraumatic fractures occurred significantly more often in the midbody region and involved the 9th,13th ribs. The majority of cats with presumed nontraumatic rib fracture had respiratory disease; the remaining cats had chronic renal disease or neoplasia. Cats with traumatic rib fractures had external signs of trauma. Conclusion , Rib fractures in cats may be clearly associated with trauma, or may be an incidental finding in cats with comorbidities. Cats with diseases that cause prolonged respiratory effort or coughing, metabolic diseases, or certain neoplasms, are at increased risk of spontaneous nontraumatic rib fractures. [source]


School urinalysis screening in Korea

NEPHROLOGY, Issue 2007
BYOUNG-SOO CHO
SUMMARY: Since 1998, by law, all school children in Korea must have an annual urinalysis. The first early morning urine specimen is examined by a simple dipstick method for the detection of proteinuria, haematuria and glucose. If a urine test is positive, a second test is performed by paediatric nephrologists. We analysed urinalysis data of school urinalysis screening. We also analysed the results of clinical data and the renal biopsy findings of patients referred to our medical centre due to abnormal urinalysis result. To date, about five million students have been screened since annual school urinalysis started in January 1998. Among them, isolated proteinuria was about 0.2%, occult blood was about 0.8%, and glucosuria was about 0.07% from January 1998 to December 2004. Among referred patients, renal biopsy was taken in 63.1% of isolated haematuria, 10.5% of isolated proteinuria and 69.9% of haematuria combined with proteinuria. Histopathological findings are IgA nephropathy in 43.8%, mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis in 38.4%, Henoch,Schönlein nephritis in 2.7%, membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis in 1.6% and lupus nephritis in 0.5%. Alport disease showed 0.6% as a hereditary disease. In conclusion, the school urinalysis screening could detect chronic renal disease in its early stage. Early detection using school urinalysis screening and confirmatory diagnosis by renal biopsy seems to be helpful for assessment of prognosis and intervention of chronic renal disease progression. [source]


Perspectives of chronic renal failure

NEPHROLOGY, Issue 2002
Kiyoshi Kurokawa
SUMMARY: End-stage renal disease (ESRD) is a major source of morbidity and the increasing number of chronic dialysis patients is a significant health-care issue in many developed as well as developing countries. In the present brief review the current status of chronic dialysis is discussed; and Japan and the USA, two major countries in which chronic dialysis programmes are well developed, are compared. Also discussed is the economic impact, the status of renal transplantation and its future possibilities, recent efforts to halt progression of chronic renal disease, in particular, diabetic nephropathy (which has become the major cause of ESRD in many developed countries), and future perspectives in renal research. It is hoped that, in the future, perhaps by the mid-21st century, chronic dialysis may become the exception in therapy through our efforts. [source]


Comparison of characteristics from White- and Black-Americans with venous thromboembolism: A cross-sectional study,,

AMERICAN JOURNAL OF HEMATOLOGY, Issue 7 2010
John A. Heit
When compared with Whites, Black-Americans may have a 40% higher incidence venous thromboembolism (VTE) incidence. However, whether other VTE characteristics and risk factors vary by race is uncertain. To compare demographic and baseline characteristics among White- and Black-Americans with VTE, we used data prospectively collected from consecutive consenting adults enrolled in seven Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Thrombosis and Hemostasis Centers from August 2003 to March 2009. These characteristics were compared among Whites (n = 2002) and Blacks (n = 395) with objectively diagnosed VTE, both overall, and by age and gender. When compared with Whites, Blacks had a significantly higher proportion with pulmonary embolism (PE), including idiopathic PE among Black women, and a significantly higher proportion of Blacks were women. Blacks had a significantly higher mean BMI and a significantly lower proportion with recent surgery, trauma or infection, family history of VTE, and documented thrombophilia (solely from reduced factor V Leiden and prothrombin G20210A prevalence). Conversely, Blacks had a significantly higher proportion with hypertension, diabetes mellitus, chronic renal disease and dialysis, HIV, and sickle cell disease. When compared with White women, Black women had a significantly lower proportion with recent oral contraceptive use or hormone therapy. We conclude that Whites and Blacks differ significantly regarding demographic and baseline characteristics that may be risk factors for VTE. The prevalence of transient VTE risk factors and idiopathic VTE among Blacks appears to be lower and higher, respectively, suggesting that heritability may be important in the etiology of VTE among Black-Americans. Am. J. Hematol. 85:467,471, 2010 © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


Depressive symptoms amongst asthmatic children's caregivers

PEDIATRIC ALLERGY AND IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 4p2 2010
Alexandra Szabó
Szabó A, Mezei G, K,vári É, Cserháti E. Depressive symptoms amongst asthmatic children's caregivers. Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2010: 21: e667,e673. © 2009 John Wiley & Sons A/S We wanted to find out, whether the number of depressive symptoms is higher amongst asthmatic children's caregivers, compared to international data, to the Hungarian population average, and to parents of children with chronic renal disease. Are these depressive symptoms connected to the children's psychological status, asthma severity or current asthma symptoms? One-hundred and eight, 7- to 17-yr-old asthmatic children were enrolled, who have been treated at the Semmelweis University, First Department of Pediatrics. Children were suffering from asthma for at least 1 yr, with a median of 8 yr (1,16 yr), they started to develop asthmatic symptoms between the age of 0.5,14 yr (median: 3 yr). We also identified 27 children with chronic renal diseases and their caregivers, who functioned as a control group. Children were asked to complete the Hungarian-validated versions of the Child Depression Inventory, the Spielberger State Anxiety Inventory for Children and the Juniper Pediatric Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire. Asthma severity and current symptoms were also documented, 56% had no symptoms on the preceding week. Caregivers were asked to complete the Hungarian versions of the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) short form, the Spielberger Anxiety Inventory and the Juniper Pediatric Asthma Caregivers' Quality of Life Questionnaire. Caregivers of asthmatic children had significantly more depressive symptoms (7.73 ± 6.69 s.d.) than the age-specific normal population (p < 0.01). Caregivers of renal patients also experience more depressive symptoms (9.61 ± 7.43 s.d.) than their healthy peers, but difference between the two chronic diseases' group did not prove to be significant. Asthmatic children's caregivers who scored more points on the BDI than the population average suffer from more anxiety symptoms, but their quality of life is not worse than the caregivers' with less depressive points. Depressive symptoms were neither connected to the children's psychological and asthmatic symptoms nor quality of life. Amongst caregivers of asthmatic children, at least mild depressive symptoms were represented amongst 39% of men and 33% of women. Gender difference was not significant, despite observations in the normal Hungarian population. Amongst caregivers of renal patients, depressive symptoms were represented in 14% of men and 50% of women. Gender difference was significant. (p = 0.05). Significant difference was observed between male asthmatic and renal caregivers, albeit difference was not significant between the female groups. No difference was found in depressive symptoms according to caregivers' level of education. Caregivers of children with asthma have more depressive symptoms than the average Hungarian population, but their results do not differ from caregivers taking care of children with chronic renal diseases. Caregivers of asthmatic children having at least mild depressive symptoms tend to have higher anxiety symptoms as well. Up to date, childhood chronic disease management and long-term care should also focus on parental psychology, mainly on depression and anxiety, as prevalence is higher than in the average population. [source]


Short-term follow-up of patients with sickle cell disease and albuminuria

PEDIATRIC BLOOD & CANCER, Issue 6 2008
Ofelia Alvarez MD
Abstract Background Albuminuria with normal serum creatinine occurs frequently in patients with sickle cell disease (SCD), but the rate of progression to more advanced chronic renal disease is unknown. The purpose of this study was to investigate the rate of progression of children and young adults with SCD and albuminuria over time. Procedure Urine albumin/creatinine (A/C) ratios and serum creatinine were obtained serially. Serum cystatin C levels were determined in a subgroup of 20 patients. Results Of 38 patients with SCD who had albuminuria (30 with microalbuminuria and 8 with proteinuria), 10.5% had progressive disease during follow-up of 20,±,12 months. Progressive disease was observed in 2 of 30 patients with MA because MA worsened to either intermittent proteinuria (1 patient), or persistent proteinuria after 7 months follow-up (1 patient). Two of eight patients with proteinuria worsened to nephrotic-range after 8 and 17 months with elevations of serum creatinine. All eight patients with proteinuria were treated with angiotensin blockade and/or hydroxyurea. Of those, six patients responded to treatment with decreased albuminuria and no changes in serum creatinine. Serum cystatin C level trended to increase before serum creatinine in patients with proteinuria. Conclusions Patients with rapid progression to nephrotic-range proteinuria showed decreased kidney function. Therefore, patients with albuminuria should be monitored closely for progression, and therapy with hydroxyurea and/or angiotensin blockade should be considered for patients who develop proteinuria. Serum cystatin C appears more sensitive than serum creatinine to detect early decrease in kidney function. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2008;50:1236,1239. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


Classification of renal disease status using estimated glomerular filtration rates in diabetes

PRACTICAL DIABETES INTERNATIONAL (INCORPORATING CARDIABETES), Issue 8 2007
How do the Cockcroft's & Gault's, the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) study equations compare?
Abstract The need for the incorporation of estimated glomerular filtration rates (eGFR) in diabetes renal risk assessment is increasingly recognised but the choice of equation to use is not clear. We evaluated the differential impact of eGFR, using the Cockcroft's & Gault's (C&G) and the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) study equations, on the prevalence of various stages of chronic renal disease in our diabetes population. A cross sectional evaluation was conducted amongst 4548 individuals who attended our centre over an 18-month period. SPSS was utilised for statistical analysis. Of 4171 with complete data, the prevalence of individuals with eGFR >90, 90,60, 60,30 and <30ml/min/1.73m2 were 25%, 46%, 27% and 2% respectively using the C&G equation and 9%, 62%, 27% and 2% respectively using the MDRD equation. The two equations were fully concordant in their classification of eGFR rank in 65%; in 20% of the cohort, the equations were discordant but not at an arbitrary eGFR threshold of 60ml/min/1.73m2; while in 15% of the population the two equations were discordant even at the threshold of 60ml/min/1.73m2, the majority of whom had normal values of serum creatinine and urine albumin:creatinine ratio. In conclusion, the prevalence of various stages of chronic renal disease in our diabetes cohort differed depending on the eGFR equation used, potentially impacting on service provision. To aid clarity and uniformity of practice, there is a need for organisations to decide on a single equation of choice before recommending it to routine diabetes care providers. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons. [source]


Meningothelial Hyperplasia: A Detailed Clinicopathologic, Immunohistochemical and Genetic Study of 11 Cases

BRAIN PATHOLOGY, Issue 2 2005
Arie Perry MD
Meningothelial hyperplasia is a poorly characterized entity, often associated with advanced age, chronic renal failure, trauma, hemorrhage, and neoplasia. In order to elucidate the nature of this lesion, 11 cases defined by the presence of nests of 10 or more cell layers thick, were compared with normal arachnoidal cap cells and meningiomas. Immunohistochemistry and FISH were performed to determine NF2 (merlin), protein 4.1 B, EMA, progesterone receptor (PR), EGFR, survivin, VEGF, PDGF-BB, PDGFR,, E-cadherin, and cathepsin D status. All cases had at least one putative predisposing factor, including hemorrhage (7), chronic renal disease (5), old age (5), trauma (1), and an adjacent optic nerve pilocytic astrocytoma (1). There was typically a discontinuous growth pattern, with no invasion of surrounding normal tissue. No gene deletions were found, though scattered polyploid cells were seen in 2 cases. The immunoprofile was similar to normal cap cells with one exception; whereas normal cells were uniformly negative for PR, nuclear positivity was seen in 64% of hyperplasias, a frequency similar to that of benign meningiomas. Our data suggest that meningothelial hyperplasia is a reactive process that is usually distinguishable from meningioma based on clinicopathologic and genetic features. It may be preneoplastic in some, though further studies are needed to test this hypothesis. SUMMARY Based on our data and that of others, we conclude that meningothelial hyperplasia is a reactive process characterized by a proliferation of arachnoidal cap cells that is often non-invasive, multicentric, and at least focally reaches a thickness of 10 or more cell layers. Florid examples are often difficult to distinguish from meningioma. However, they are commonly associated with inciting factors, such as chronic renal disease, hemorrhage, trauma, intracranial hypotension, and neoplasia, particularly optic pathway gliomas. Although meningothelial hyperplasia shares many immunohistochemical and genetic features with normal cap cells, it differs in terms of its frequent PR immunoreactivity and occasional polyploid cells. In contrast to classic meningiomas, there is no evidence for either NF2 or 4.1 B gene deletions by FISH or merlin or protein 4.1 B losses of expression by immunohistochemistry. The data suggest that meningothelial hyperplasia may represent a preneoplastic lesion in some cases, although additional studies are needed to rigorously test this hypothesis. [source]


Acute myocardial infarction percutaneous coronary intervention in the patient with chronic renal disease,Two strikes trying to avoid the third

CATHETERIZATION AND CARDIOVASCULAR INTERVENTIONS, Issue 5 2007
Charles E. Chambers MD
No abstract is available for this article. [source]


Glomerulonephritis, Th1 and Th2: what's new?

CLINICAL & EXPERIMENTAL IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 2 2005
P. G. Tipping
Summary Glomerulonephritis (GN), the major worldwide cause of chronic renal disease and renal failure, shows a wide spectrum of histological patterns, severity of injury and clinical outcomes that may be related to the nature of the nephritogenic immune response. In the majority of cases, there is evidence of a central role for cognate immunity in the initiation of human GN and contributions of both humoral and cellular effector mechanisms have been demonstrated in both humans and in animal models. T helper cell subsets are known to activate different immune effector mechanisms which influence disease outcomes in infectious and autoimmune diseases and evidence is now accumulating that Th1 and Th2 subsets direct diverging effector pathways that lead to different patterns and severity of glomerular injury in GN. Th1-predominant responses appear to be associated strongly with proliferative and crescentic forms of GN that result in severe renal injury, while Th2 responses are associated with membranous patterns of injury. The challenge remains to understand fully the relevance of T helper cell subset responses to the spectrum of human GN and to apply this new knowledge to the development of more potent and selective therapeutic strategies. [source]


RENAL OXYGEN DELIVERY: MATCHING DELIVERY TO METABOLIC DEMAND

CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL PHARMACOLOGY AND PHYSIOLOGY, Issue 10 2006
Paul M O'Connor
SUMMARY 1The kidneys are second only to the heart in terms of O2 consumption; however, relative to other organs, the kidneys receive a very high blood flow and oxygen extraction in the healthy kidney is low. Despite low arterial,venous O2 extraction, the kidneys are particularly susceptible to hypoxic injury and much interest surrounds the role of renal hypoxia in the development and progression of both acute and chronic renal disease. 2Numerous regulatory mechanisms have been identified that act to maintain renal parenchymal oxygenation within homeostatic limits in the in vivo kidney. However, the processes by which many of these mechanisms act to modulate renal oxygenation and the factors that influence these processes remain poorly understood. 3A number of such mechanisms specific to the kidney are reviewed herein, including the relationship between renal blood flow and O2 consumption, pre- and post-glomerular arterial,venous O2 shunting, tubulovascular cross-talk, the differential control of regional kidney blood flow and the tubuloglomerular feedback mechanism. 4The roles of these mechanisms in the control of renal oxygenation, as well as how dysfunction of these mechanisms may lead to renal hypoxia, are discussed. [source]


Angiotensinogen and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 gene polymorphism in relation to chronic allograft dysfunction,

CLINICAL TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 1 2005
Kadriye Reis
Abstract:, Chronic allograft dysfunction (CAD) is the most common cause of allograft failure in the long-term, and current immunologic strategies have little effect on this condition. The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) plays important roles progression of chronic renal disease. It is thought that plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) functions in the RAS, in addition to involvement in thrombotic risk and fibrosis. This study investigated possible links between angiotensinogen (AGT) genotypes (M235T/MM, MT, TT) and PAI-1 genotypes (4G4G, 4G5G, 5G5G) and CAD assessments of both types of polymorphism were performed in 82 renal allograft recipients. One hundred healthy subjects were also investigated for AGT polymorphism, and 80 healthy subjects for PAI-1 polymorphism. Genotypes were determined using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) sequence-specific primers, and PCR followed by restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. Kidney recipients with CAD had significantly lower frequencies of the MM genotype and the M allele than the recipients without CAD (p < 0.05 and <0.001). The transplant recipients with CAD also had significantly lower frequencies of the 5G5G genotype and the 5G allele than those without CAD (p < 0.001 and <0.05). Determination of AGT M235T and PAI-1 genotypes prior to transplantation may help identify patients who at risk for chronic renal transplant dysfunction. [source]


Depressive symptoms amongst asthmatic children's caregivers

PEDIATRIC ALLERGY AND IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 4p2 2010
Alexandra Szabó
Szabó A, Mezei G, K,vári É, Cserháti E. Depressive symptoms amongst asthmatic children's caregivers. Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2010: 21: e667,e673. © 2009 John Wiley & Sons A/S We wanted to find out, whether the number of depressive symptoms is higher amongst asthmatic children's caregivers, compared to international data, to the Hungarian population average, and to parents of children with chronic renal disease. Are these depressive symptoms connected to the children's psychological status, asthma severity or current asthma symptoms? One-hundred and eight, 7- to 17-yr-old asthmatic children were enrolled, who have been treated at the Semmelweis University, First Department of Pediatrics. Children were suffering from asthma for at least 1 yr, with a median of 8 yr (1,16 yr), they started to develop asthmatic symptoms between the age of 0.5,14 yr (median: 3 yr). We also identified 27 children with chronic renal diseases and their caregivers, who functioned as a control group. Children were asked to complete the Hungarian-validated versions of the Child Depression Inventory, the Spielberger State Anxiety Inventory for Children and the Juniper Pediatric Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire. Asthma severity and current symptoms were also documented, 56% had no symptoms on the preceding week. Caregivers were asked to complete the Hungarian versions of the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) short form, the Spielberger Anxiety Inventory and the Juniper Pediatric Asthma Caregivers' Quality of Life Questionnaire. Caregivers of asthmatic children had significantly more depressive symptoms (7.73 ± 6.69 s.d.) than the age-specific normal population (p < 0.01). Caregivers of renal patients also experience more depressive symptoms (9.61 ± 7.43 s.d.) than their healthy peers, but difference between the two chronic diseases' group did not prove to be significant. Asthmatic children's caregivers who scored more points on the BDI than the population average suffer from more anxiety symptoms, but their quality of life is not worse than the caregivers' with less depressive points. Depressive symptoms were neither connected to the children's psychological and asthmatic symptoms nor quality of life. Amongst caregivers of asthmatic children, at least mild depressive symptoms were represented amongst 39% of men and 33% of women. Gender difference was not significant, despite observations in the normal Hungarian population. Amongst caregivers of renal patients, depressive symptoms were represented in 14% of men and 50% of women. Gender difference was significant. (p = 0.05). Significant difference was observed between male asthmatic and renal caregivers, albeit difference was not significant between the female groups. No difference was found in depressive symptoms according to caregivers' level of education. Caregivers of children with asthma have more depressive symptoms than the average Hungarian population, but their results do not differ from caregivers taking care of children with chronic renal diseases. Caregivers of asthmatic children having at least mild depressive symptoms tend to have higher anxiety symptoms as well. Up to date, childhood chronic disease management and long-term care should also focus on parental psychology, mainly on depression and anxiety, as prevalence is higher than in the average population. [source]


Increased Expression of Senescence-Associated Cell Cycle Inhibitor p16INK4a in Deteriorating Renal Transplants and Diseased Native Kidney

AMERICAN JOURNAL OF TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 6 2005
Anette Melk
Some features of kidney transplants with dysfunction overlap the lesions of aging, such as tubular atrophy and interstitial fibrosis (TA/IF) without major glomerular abnormalities. Somatic cell limitations could contribute to deterioration in aging and disease states. Since expression of p16INK4a, a cell cycle inhibitor associated with somatic cell senescence in vitro, is induced in aged kidney, we studied whether kidneys with dysfunction and TA/IF manifested increased p16INK4a expression. We performed p16INK4a immunostaining on transplanted kidneys and native kidneys with chronic renal diseases. At implantation, transplants manifested little TA/IF, and nuclear p16INK4a immunostaining was consistent with age. However, transplants biopsied for abnormal function displaying TA/IF showed strong nuclear and cytoplasmic p16INK4a staining, beyond the amount predicted for age. Both atrophic and non-atrophic nephrons displayed increased p16INK4a, suggesting that it was not simply a feature of atrophy. Epithelial p16INK4a staining was not increased in transplants with good function, but was increased in diseased native kidneys. The finding of increased p16INK4a expression in renal transplants and diseased kidneys with TA/IF and impaired function supports the concept that some cell senescence changes that accompany aging are also induced by injury and disease stresses. Thus, aging, injury and disease may share common pathways involving somatic cell senescence. [source]