The Effect of <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>ω-Nitro-<Emphasis Type="SmallCaps">l</Emphasis>-Arginine Methyl Ester and <Emphasis Type="SmallCaps">l</Emphasis>-Arginine on Lung Injury Induced by Abdominal Aortic Occlusion–Reperfusion

Purpose

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of Nω-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME) and l-arginine on lung injury after aortic ischemia–reperfusion (IR).

Methods

Twenty-four Wistar-Albino rats were randomized into four groups (n = 6) as follows: Control (sham laparotomy), Aortic IR (30?min ischemia and 120?min reperfusion), l-Arginine (intraperitoneal 100?mg?kg<συπ>?1 live weight)+aortic IR, and l-NAME (intraperitoneal 10?mg?kg<συπ>?1 live weight)+aortic IR. In the lung specimens, the tissue levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and nitric oxide (NO) were measured and a histological examination was done.

Results

Aortic IR increased MDA, VEGF, and NO. l-Arginine further significantly increased MDA and NO, and decreased VEGF (P < 0.05 vs aortic IR). l-NAME significantly decreased MDA and NO (P < 0.05 vs l-arginine+aortic IR) and increased VEGF (P < 0.05 vs other groups). A histological examination showed the aortic IR to significantly increase (P < 0.05 vs control) while l-arginine also further increased (P > 0.05 vs aortic IR), whereas l-NAME caused a significant decrease in pulmonary leukocyte infiltration (P < 0.05 vs aortic IR).

Conclusions

Our results indicate that l-arginine aggravates the lung injury induced by aortic IR, while l-NAME attenuates it.

     

Initial treatment with pulse methylprednisolone followed by short-term prednisolone and tonsillectomy for childhood IgA nephropathy

Background

Although a combination therapy, comprising 2-year high-dose oral prednisolone (PSL), is effective for treating childhood immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN), severe adverse effects and residual proteinuria occur in some patients after the therapy.

Methods

To clarify the efficacy of intravenous pulse methylprednisolone (IVMP; 15–20 mg/kg; maximum 600 mg/day; for 3 consecutive days/week for 3 weeks) followed by short-term reduced-dose PSL (initially 1 mg/kg; maximum 30 mg on alternate days; tapered off within approximately 12 months) and tonsillectomy as an initial treatment, we retrospectively reviewed the clinical courses of 54 consecutive children with IgAN (32 boys; mean age at onset, 12.2 years; follow-up period of >?2 years) after initiating the treatment. According to the Japanese pediatric IgAN guidelines, we divided the 54 patients into the following two groups: group 1, comprising 24 patients with severe IgAN, and group 2, comprising 30 patients with mild IgAN.

Results

After the treatment, proteinuria disappeared in all patients at a median of 1.6 months (group 1, 2.8 months; group 2, 0.4 months) and hematuria disappeared in 47 patients (87%) at a median of 13.2 months (group 1, 15.9 months; group 2, 13.2 months). During the follow-up period (median 5 years), no severe adverse effects were observed in any patient. At the last visit, although two patients (4%) had mild proteinuria, none developed hypertension or renal insufficiency.

Conclusions

As an initial treatment, IVMP followed by short-term PSL and tonsillectomy appears to be effective for treating childhood IgAN.

     

The features in IgA-dominant infection-related glomerulonephritis distinct from IgA nephropathy: a single-center study

Background

IgA-dominant infection-related glomerulonephritis (IgA-IRGN) is a unique form of IRGN, which needs to be distinguished from IgA nephropathy (IgAN).

Methods

Thirteen patients with IgA-IRGN (IgA-IRGN group) and 122 with IgAN (IgAN group) were selected from 1788 patients who underwent kidney biopsy between 2000 and 2015 in Kitano Hospital. Data selected included clinical and serological parameters; light and electron microscope findings; immunofluorescence findings; and prognostic parameters like renal and overall survival and creatinine increase by >?50%. In addition, a 26-patient IgAN cohort (matching-IgAN), matching with IgA-IRGN group with respect to age, sex, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), and proteinuria was segregated for comparison.

Results

Compared to IgAN group, IgA-IRGN group were older, had lower hemoglobin, higher CRP, lower eGFR, heavier proteinuria, lower serum albumin, and higher serum IgG and IgA levels (p?<?0.05). Endocapillary hypercellularity, deposition of immune complexes along the glomerular capillary wall, and subendothelial and subepithelial electron dense deposits were more frequently observed (p?<?0.05); and they were more susceptible to renal dysfunction and poorer prognosis. After propensity score-matching, serum albumin was significantly lower in the IgA-IRGN group. Significantly subendothelial and subepithelial deposits were frequently observed in this group. Matching-IgAN group showed relatively advanced sclerotic lesions with more global sclerosis and fibrous crescent.

Conclusion

Local inflammation involved glomerular capillary wall in IgA-IRGN, in contrast to relatively chronic and sclerotic renal lesion in IgAN, might result in poorer prognosis in former, even under indistinguishable condition of deteriorated renal function and proteinuria.

     

Impact of Carbohydrate Content and Glycemic Load on Postprandial Glucose After Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass

Background

Abnormal glucose profiles have been described after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) with intense postprandial hyperglycemic peaks in some but not all the patients. The underlying mechanisms of these anomalies are not totally understood.

Objective

The aim of this study is to determine whether or not the composition of the meal impacts the existence and maximum interstitial glucose (IG) concentration, measured under real-life conditions.

Design

Retrospective cohort.

Setting

Referral bariatric surgery left.

Methods

Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) and meal composition were recorded for at least 3 days on an outpatient basis in 56 patients after RYGB. The presence of postprandial peaks defined by IG above 140 mg/dl, the maximum postprandial IG, the carbohydrate content, and the glycemic load of the meals were analyzed.

Results

Thirty-two patients had a hyperglycemic peak (PEAK), and 24 did not (NO PEAK). The average max IG was 159.6?±?33.0 mg/dl in PEAK individuals and 111.8?±?13.0 mg/dl in NO PEAK. Age was significantly higher in PEAK, but no other parameter was different between the two groups, including meal composition. In the PEAK patients, in multivariate analyses, carbohydrate content in model one and glucose load in model two explained respectively 50 and 26 % of maximum IG variance. For each gram of ingested carbohydrates, interstitial glucose increased by 1.68 mg/dl.

Conclusions

Following a gastric bypass, under real-life conditions, irrespective of the carbohydrate content of the meal, some patients develop postprandial hyperglycemic peaks, whereas others do not. In patients with postprandial hyperglycemic peaks, the maximum IG depends on the carbohydrate content of the meal.

     

The Impact of Obesity and Metabolic Surgery on Chronic Inflammation

Background

Obesity and metabolic surgery is known to improve chronic inflammatory status. Whether improvement is related to anatomical changes or weight loss is still to debate.

Objective

The aim of this clinical trial is to compare the different bariatric procedures sleeve gastrectomy (SG), Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB), and One-anastomosis gastric bypass (OAGB), pertaining to their effects on inflammation markers.

Methods

Patients who underwent SG, RYGB, or OAGB as a primary treatment for severe obesity were included. The data collected preoperatively (T0) and 1, 3, and 6 (T6) months after surgery included gender, weight, comorbidities and toxic habits at baseline, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, total body weight loss in % (TBWL), leukocyte count in ×?10³/μl, C-reactive protein (CRP) in mg/l, HbA1c in %, aspartate transaminase in U/l, alanine transaminase in U/l, gamma-glutamyltransferase in U/l, bilirubin in mg/dl, cholesterol in mg/dl, and triglycerides in mg/dl.

Results

Four hundred sixty-eight patients were included. Drop-out rate was 25.8% at T6. Preoperatively the mean value of leukocytes and CRP was 7.4?×?10³/μl?±?2 and 10.5 mg/l?±?8.1. At T6, mean value of leukocytes and CRP was 7.1?×?10³/μl?±?1.9 (p?=?0.075) and 7.2 mg/l?±?9.5 (p?<?0.001). TBWL % at T6 was 24.2?±?7.6 in the SG, 25.8?±?5.9 in the RYGB and 25.5?±?4.6 in the OAGB group. Comparing SG, RYGB, and OAGB in relation to leukocyte count and CRP no significant difference was seen between the groups.

Conclusion

CRP but not leukocyte count decreased after all three bariatric procedures but without any significance between the three groups. Surgically induced weight loss and not anatomical changes might play an important role for improvement in chronic inflammation.

Trial Registration

The National Clinical Trials number was NCT02697695 (https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02697695).

     

Acute renal infarction in Turkey: a review of 121 cases

Purpose

Renal infarction is a clinical condition which is caused by renal artery occlusion and leads to permanent renal parenchymal damage. In the literature, there are generally case reports on this subject, and few studies that include a large group of patients. Therefore, we aimed to present the data of a large group of patients who were diagnosed with acute renal infarction in our country in this retrospective study.

Methods

The data of patients who were diagnosed with acute renal infarction according to clinical and radiological findings in Turkey in the last 3 years were examined. For this purpose, we contacted with more than 40 centers in 7 regions and obtained support from clinically responsible persons. Demographic data of patients, laboratory data at the time of diagnosis, tests performed for etiologic evaluation, given medications, and patients’ clinical status during follow-up were obtained from databases and statistical analysis was performed.

Results

One-hundred and twenty-one patients were included in the study. The mean age was 53?±?1.4 (19–91) years. Seventy-one (58.7%) patients were male, 18 (14.9%) had diabetes, 53 (43.8%) had hypertension, 36 (30%) had atrial fibrillation (AF), and 6 had a history of lupus?+?antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). Forty-five patients had right renal infarction, 50 patients had left renal infarction, and 26 (21.5%) patients had bilateral renal infarction. The examinations for the ethiologies revealed that, 36 patients had thromboemboli due to atrial fibrillation, 10 patients had genetic anomalies leading to thrombosis, 9 patients had trauma, 6 patients had lupus?+?APS, 2 patients had hematologic diseases, and 1 patient had a substance abuse problem. Fifty-seven (57%) patients had unknown. The mean follow-up period was 14?±?2 months. The mean creatinine and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) values at 3 months were found to be 1.65?±?0.16 mg/dl and 62?±?3 ml/min, respectively. The final mean creatinine and GFR values were found to be 1.69?±?0.16 mg/dl and 62?±?3 ml/min, respectively.

Conclusions

Our study is the second largest series published on renal infarction in the literature. More detailed studies are needed to determine the etiological causes of acute renal infarction occurring in patients.

     

The discrepancy between serum creatinine and cystatin C can predict renal function after treatment for postrenal acute kidney injury: multicenter study and pooled data analysis

Background

Although serum cystatin C and creatinine are used as practical markers of renal function, the discrepancy between them in postrenal acute kidney injury (AKI) cases was reported. The aim of this study was to determine whether the preoperative serum cystatin C (pre-CysC) level could predict clinical outcomes after treatment in patients with postrenal AKI.

Methods

Patients who underwent urological interventions with postrenal AKI were enrolled in this prospective observational study. Associations among preoperative serum creatinine (pre-sCr), pre-CysC, and nadir postoperative serum creatinine (post-sCr) were evaluated. In addition, based on our results in combination with detailed data from the literature, a predictive equation for postoperative serum creatinine (post-sCr) was developed by simple regression analysis and validated using Bland–Altman plots.

Results

Finally, 19 patients were eligible for analysis in this study. The value calculated by subtracting pre-CysC (mg/L) from pre-sCr (mg/dl) had a strong correlation to the decrement of serum creatinine (r?=?0.9508, p?<?0.0001). We added the data of 16 patients obtained from the literature to our series, which were totally randomized into 2 groups, training set and validation set in a 2:1 ratio (n?=?23 and 12, respectively) to develop and validate a predictive equation for post-sCr. The mean difference between the predictive and actual post-sCr, ?0.68 mg/dl (95% CI ?1.62 to 0.26) in the validation set was within the limits of agreement.

Conclusion

We showed that the discrepancy between pre-sCr and pre-CysC could predict improvement of renal function after intervention in patients with postrenal AKI.

     

Changes in renal papillary density after hydration therapy in calcium stone formers

Background

Previous studies have shown that, compared with non-stone formers, stone formers have a higher papillary density measured with computer tomography (CT) scan. The effect of increased hydration on such papillary density in idiopathic calcium stone formers is not known.

Methods

Patients with recurrent calcium oxalate stones undergoing endourological procedures for renal stones at our Institution from June 2013 to June 2014 were considered eligible for enrolment. Enrolled patients underwent a baseline unenhanced CT scan before the urological procedure; after endoscopic removal of their stones, the patients were instructed to drink at least 2 L/day of a hypotonic, oligomineral water low in sodium and minerals (fixed residue at 180 °C?<?200 mg/L) for at least 12 months. Finally, the patients underwent a follow-up unenhanced CT scan during hydration regimen.

Results

Twenty-five patients were prospectively enrolled and underwent baseline and follow-up CT scans. At baseline, mean papillary density was 43.2?±?6.6 Hounsfield Units (HU) (43.2?±?6.7 for the left kidney and 42.8?±?7.1 HU for the right kidney). At follow-up and after at least 12 months of hydration regimen, mean papillary density was significantly reduced at 35.4?±?4.2 HU (35.8?±?5.0 for the left kidney and 35.1?±?4.2 HU for the right kidney); the mean difference between baseline and follow-up was ??7.8 HU (95% confidence interval???10.6 to ??5.1 HU, p?<?0.001).

Conclusions

Increased fluid intake in patients with recurrent calcium oxalate stones was associated with a significant reduction in renal papillary density.

Trial registration

NCT03343743, 15/11/2017 (Retrospectively registered).

     

Nephrotoxicity of iodixanol versus iopamidol in patients undergoing peripheral angiography with or without endovascular therapy

Purpose

To compare the nephrotoxic effects of iodixanol and iopamidol in patients undergoing peripheral angiography.

Methods

Patients scheduled for peripheral angiography were randomly assigned to the iodixanol group (n?=?463) and iopamidol group (n?=?458). The primary endpoint was the incidence of contrast associated acute kidney injury (CA-AKI), which was defined as an increase?≥?25% or ≥?44.2 µmol/l (0.5 mg/dl) in serum creatinine (SCr) from baseline within 72 h after receiving contrast media (CM). The secondary endpoints were the mean peak SCr increase within 72 h after receiving CM and major adverse renal events (SCr increased by two times after 30 days, the need for dialysis treatment, rehospitalization for acute renal failure, or kidney-related death) during hospitalization and within 30 day postdischarge.

Results

The incidence of CA-AKI did not differ significantly between the iodixanol group and iopamidol group (18.1% vs. 16.8%; p?=?0.595). There was no significant difference in the mean peak SCr increase between the iodixanol group and iopamidol group (10.4?±?13.0 vs. 10.6?±?14.3 µmol/l, p?=?0.919). There were four patients [1 (0.2%) patient in the iodixanol group and 1 (0.7%) patients in the iopamidol group, p?=?0.609] with doubling of SCr; no other adverse renal events were observed.

Conclusions

Our data showed that the nephrotoxicity of iodixanol was comparable with that of iopamidol in patients undergoing peripheral angiography.

     

Comparison of long-term follow-up outcomes between multiple-drugs combination therapy and tonsillectomy pulse therapy for pediatric IgA nephropathy

Background

To clarify the long-term efficacy of multiple-drugs combination therapy (PWDM) and tonsillectomy pulse therapy (TPT) for pediatric IgA nephropathy (IgAN), we retrospectively evaluated the clinical and laboratory findings as well as the prognosis for IgAN patients treated with each treatment at long-term follow-up.

Methods

We collected data on 61 children who had been diagnosed with severe IgAN. The children were retrospectively divided into two groups. Group 1 consisted of 44 severe IgAN children treated with PWDM, and Group 2 consisted of 17 severe IgAN children treated with TPT. The clinical features, pathological findings, and prognosis were analyzed for both groups.

Results

The mean urinary protein excretion, serum creatinine, IgA levels, MESTCG scores, and percentage of glomeruli showing crescents in both groups at the second renal biopsy were lower than those at the first renal biopsy. At the time of the second biopsy, the IgA level in Group 2 was lower than that in Group 1; however, there were no significant differences in the mean urinary protein excretion, frequency of hematuria, serum albumin, creatinine, or e-GFR between the two groups. At the most recent follow-up, there were no significant differences in prognosis between the groups.

Conclusions

Our study suggested that PWDM and TPT are effective in ameliorating urinary abnormalities and improving the long-term outcome of pediatric IgAN.

     

Comparative study of the treatment of 20–30 mm renal stones with miniaturized percutaneous nephrolithotomy and flexible ureterorenoscopy in obese patients

Purpose

To evaluate and compare flexible ureteroscopy (f-URS) and mini-percutaneous nephrolithotomy (mPNL) for 20–30 mm renal stones in obese patients regarding efficacy and safety.

Methods

Between May 2011 and June 2017, 254 obese patients who had 20–30 mm kidney stone were consecutively included in the study; 106 patients underwent mPNL and 148 underwent f-URS by the same surgeon. The following parameters were retrospectively assessed: patient and stone characteristics, surgical details, perioperative outcomes, and stone-free rates (SFR).

Results

F-URS group was similar to mPNL group in terms of the mean duration of surgery (92.8?±?26.1 vs 87.4?±?31.5 min, P?=?0.137) and the final SFR (89.1 vs 92.5%, P?=?0.381). The f-URS group had significantly shorter postoperative stay (1.0?±?0.8 vs 4.3?±?1.7 days, P?<?0.001) and lower postoperative complications (11.5 vs 26.4%, P?=?0.002). However, the f-URS group had a lower SFR after first session (67.2 vs 87.4%, P?<?0.001) and needed more number of procedures (1.5?±?0.4 vs 1.3?±?0.4, P?<?0.001) than the mPNL group.

Conclusions

MPNL has a higher efficacy (higher SFR after first session and lower number of procedures); however, f-URS offers advantages regarding safety (lower complication rate). Therefore, both options can be offered to obese patients with renal stones from 20 to 30 mm in size. Nevertheless, these results must be confirmed by further prospective randomized trials.

     

The Japanese Histologic Classification and T-score in the Oxford Classification system could predict renal outcome in Japanese IgA nephropathy patients

Background

The Oxford Classification is utilized globally, but has not been fully validated. In this study, we conducted a comparative analysis between the Oxford Classification and Japanese Histologic Classification (JHC) to predict renal outcome in Japanese patients with IgA nephropathy (IgAN).

Methods

A retrospective cohort study including 86 adult IgAN patients was conducted. The Oxford Classification and the JHC were evaluated by 7 independent specialists. The JHC, MEST score in the Oxford Classification, and crescents were analyzed in association with renal outcome, defined as a 50% increase in serum creatinine.

Results

In multivariate analysis without the JHC, only the T score was significantly associated with renal outcome. While, a significant association was revealed only in the JHC on multivariate analysis with JHC.

Conclusions

The JHC and T score in the Oxford Classification were associated with renal outcome among Japanese patients with IgAN. Superiority of the JHC as a predictive index should be validated with larger study population and cohort studies in different ethnicities.

     

The impact of serum uric acid reduction on renal function and blood pressure in chronic kidney disease patients with hyperuricemia

Background

Febuxostat is tolerable in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients with hyperuricemia. However, the long-term effect of lowering uric acid with febuxostat on renal function and blood pressure has not been elucidated.

Methods

This was a 2 years retrospective observational study. 86 CKD patients with hyperuricemia who continued with allopurinol (allopurinol group, n?=?30), switched from allopurinol to febuxostat (switched group, n?=?25), or were newly prescribed febuxostat (febuxostat group, n?=?31) were included in this study. Serum uric acid, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), blood pressure, and urinary protein were analyzed. Moreover, the impact of serum uric acid reduction on renal function and blood pressure was assessed.

Results

Serum uric acid in the switched and febuxostat groups was significantly reduced at 6 months (switched group; 8.49?±?1.32–7.19?±?1.14 mg/dL, p?<?0.0001, febuxostat group; 9.43?±?1.63–6.31?±?0.90 mg/dL, p?<?0.0001). In the allopurinol group, serum uric acid was increased (6.86?±?0.87–7.10?±?0.85 mg/dL, p?=?0.0213). eGFR was significantly increased (35.2?±?12.8–37.3?±?13.9 mL/min/1.73 m², p?=?0.0232), while mean arterial pressure (93.1?±?10.8–88.2?±?9.5 mmHg, p?=?0.0039) was significantly decreased at 6 months in the febuxostat group, resulting in the retention of eGFR for 2 years.

Conclusions

The impact of serum uric acid reduction might have beneficial effects on CKD progression and blood pressure. However, a large prospective study is needed to determine the long-term efficacy of febuxostat therapy in CKD patients with hyperuricemia.

     

The clinical relevance of plasma CD147/basigin in biopsy-proven kidney diseases

Background

Precise understanding of kidney disease activity is needed to design therapeutic strategies. CD147/basigin is involved in the pathogenesis of acute kidney injury and renal fibrosis through inflammatory cell infiltration. The present study examined the clinical relevance of CD147 in biopsy-proven kidney diseases that lead to the progression of chronic kidney disease.

Methods

Kidney biopsy specimens and plasma and urine samples were obtained from patients with kidney diseases, including IgA nephropathy (IgAN), Henoch–Schönlein purpura nephritis (HSPN), diabetic kidney disease (DKD), focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), and membranous nephropathy (MN), who underwent renal biopsy between 2011 and 2014. Plasma and urinary CD147 levels were measured and evaluated for their ability to reflect histological features. Disease activity of IgAN tissues was evaluated according to the Oxford classification and the Japanese histological grading system.

Results

In biopsy tissues, CD147 induction was detected in injured lesions representing renal inflammation. Plasma CD147 values correlated with eGFR in patients with inflammation-related kidney diseases such as IgAN, HSPN, and DKD. Particularly in IgAN patients, plasma CD147 levels were correlated with injured regions comprising more than 50% of glomeruli or with tubular atrophy/interstitial injury in biopsy tissues. Proteinuria showed a closer correlation with urinary values of CD147 and L-FABP. Of note, plasma and urinary CD147 levels showed a strong correlation with eGFR or proteinuria, respectively, only in DKD patients.

Conclusion

Evaluation of plasma and urinary CD147 levels might provide key insights for the understanding of the activity of various kidney diseases.

     

Long-term Metabolic Effects of Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy

Objective

Obesity is one of the major health challenges throughout the world. The association between obesity and diabetes is well established because 90% of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) show excess body weight. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) on morbid obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2DM) in the long-term follow-up.

Methods

One hundred ninety-five obese patients, 78 with T2DM, were evaluated before and after LSG up to 10 years, to identify complete diabetes remission (FPG?<?100 mg/dl, A1c?<?6.0%), partial remission (FPG 100–125 mg/dl, A1c?<?6.5%), or relapse.

Results

Before surgery, body weight and BMI were 123?±?21 kg and 44.6?±?6.8 kg/m² respectively; at a mean follow-up of 7 years (range 4–10), body weight was 104.9?±?18 kg and BMI 37?±?6 kg/m². Minimum weight was reached after 2 years. T2DM remission was observed in 66, 57, and 52% at short (<?2 years), medium (2–5 years), and long-term (>?5 years) follow-up respectively. Furthermore, 45.2% maintained complete remission for at least 5 years and about 36% showed a persistent but improved diabetes. None of the patients cured from diabetes had a duration disease greater than 8 years and a glycemic control requiring insulin. The prevalence of hypertension and dyslipidemia significantly decreased from 49 to 35% and from 51 to 40% respectively.

Conclusions

LSG significantly improves body weight, diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia in long-term follow-up.

     

Acute changes in fluid status affect the incidence,associative clinical outcomes,and urine biomarker performance in premature infants with acute kidney injury

Background

During the first postnatal weeks, infants have abrupt changes in fluid weight that alter serum creatinine (SCr) concentration, and possibly, the evaluation for acute kidney injury (AKI).

Methods

We performed a prospective study on 122 premature infants to determine how fluid adjustment (FA) to SCr alters the incidence of AKI, demographics, outcomes, and performance of candidate urine biomarkers. FA-SCr values were estimated using changes in total body water (TBW) from birth; FA-SCR?=?SCr × [TBW + (current wt. – BW)]/ TBW; where TBW?=?0.8 × wt in kg). SCr-AKI and FA-SCr AKI were defined if values increased by?≥?0.3 mg/dl from previous lowest value.

Results

AKI incidence was lower using the FA-SCr vs. SCr definition [(23/122 (18.8 %) vs. (34/122 (27.9 %); p?<?0.05)], with concordance in 105/122 (86 %) and discordance in 17/122 (14 %). Discordant subjects tended to have similar demographics and outcomes to those who were negative by both definitions. Candidate urine AKI biomarkers performed better under the FA-SCr than SCr definition, especially on day 4 and days 12–14.

Conclusions

Adjusting SCr for acute change in fluid weight may help differentiate SCr rise from true change in renal function from acute concentration due to abrupt weight change.

     

Tonsillitis exacerbates renal injury in IgA nephropathy through promoting Th22 cells chemotaxis

Background

Tonsillitis can promote the progression of IgA nephropathy (IgAN) by aggravating immunopathologic response. Th22 cell disorder is involved in the pathogenesis of IgAN with tonsillitis. This study was determined to explore the possible mechanism of IgAN with tonsillitis underlying Th22 cell chemotaxis response to the effect of CCL20, CCL22, and CCL27.

Methods

This research was conducted on 65 subjects including 16 healthy controls (HC group), 5 patients with  renal carcinoma (HTC group) and 44 patients with IgAN between 2015 and 2016. According to clinical symptoms and results of throat swab culture, patients with IgAN were divided into two groups: IgAN with tonsillitis (IgAN + tonsillitis, n = 14) and IgAN patients without tonsillitis (IgAN, n = 30). Distribution of Th22 cells in IgAN patients was determined. The expression of CCL20, CCL22, and CCL27 in both peripheral blood and kidneys of IgAN patients was investigated. Severity of pathological lesions in IgAN patients was analyzed. Coculture assay and transwell assay were performed to explore the impacts of human mesangial cells (HMC) on Th22 cell chemotaxis and Th22 cell local accumulation under hemolytic streptococcus (HS) infection.

Results

Th22 cell percentages in IgAN patients increased compared with healthy controls. This increased Th22 cell percentage was positively correlated with the renal lesions of IgAN patients. Correspondingly, the expression of CCL20, CCL22, and CCL27 in renal tissue increased in IgAN patients. Tonsillitis exacerbated these overrepresentations of Th22 cells and chemokines. It was found that HMC could produce CCL20, CCL22, and CCL27. The supernatant of HMC was chemotactic for Th22 cells. This activity of HMC was stimulated by HS infection, whereas treatment of anti-CCL20, anti-CCL22, and anti-CCL27 antibodies partly blocked this chemoattractant effect of HMC.

Conclusions

Tonsil infection may aggravate the renal pathological lesions of IgAN by exacerbating Th22 cell accumulation. Our data suggested a collaboration between HMC and Th22 cells in IgAN with tonsillitis underlying the effects of CCL20, CCL22, and CCL27.

     

Is Interstitial Pneumonia in Patients with Collagen Diseases a Contraindication to Lung Cancer Surgery?

Purpose

Lung cancer surgery can be dangerous in patients with interstitial pneumonia (IP) as acute exacerbation of the IP may prove fatal. It remains unclear if patients with collagen diseases (CD), who often suffer from IP, are also at increased risk during lung cancer surgery.

Methods

We retrospectively examined 17 (3.1%) patients with CD among 545 patients who underwent surgery for lung cancer at our institution.

Results

Nine patients with rheumatoid arthritis, five with systemic sclerosis, two with Sjögren's disease, and one with systemic lupus erythematosus were enrolled in this study. Eleven patients (65%) were taking corticosteroids at the time of surgery. Fourteen patients underwent lobectomy and lymph node dissection, and three patients with pStage IA lung cancer underwent pulmonary wedge resection. Pathologically, 11 (65%) patients had IP with various inflammatory cellular infiltrations, and three (18%) had honeycombing of the lung. Postoperatively, none of the patients suffered acute exacerbation of their IP.

Conclusions

Despite the high incidence of IP in patients with lung cancer and CD, our results suggest that CD is not a contraindication to the surgical resection of lung cancer.

     

Defective renal autoregulation in the chronic bile duct ligation model of liver failure

Background

Cirrhosis of the liver is often associated with an impairment of renal function that is usually not associated with consistent structural abnormalities of the renal parenchyma, but is thought to be the functional consequence of arterial underfilling and reduced arterial blood pressure.

Method

We have used the cirrhosis model of chronic bile duct ligation (BDL) to assess the response of renal blood flow to a change of blood pressure. We have measured renal haemodynamics in BDL rats.

Result

Three weeks after BDL, rats showed elevated levels of total bilirubin, AST, and ALT as well as reduced arterial blood pressure. Creatinine clearance was significantly reduced, and plasma creatinine and urea nitrogen were elevated. Renal blood flow at baseline blood pressure was significantly lower in the BDL group than in the sham group. Clamp-induced reductions of renal perfusion pressure caused significantly greater changes of renal blood flow in BDL than control rats. The autoregulatory index over a comparable blood pressure range averaged 0.28?±?0.35 in control rats and 1.26?±?0.6 in BDL rats (p?=?0.0004) indicating impairment of renal autoregulation in liver cirrhosis.

Conclusion

Tubuloglomerular feedback (TGF) responses were significantly attenuated in BDL rats, especially in the subnormal flow range. Impairment of renal blood flow autoregulation, to some extent mediated by reduced TGF-mediated vasodilatation, may contribute to the renal vascular constrictor state in liver cirrhosis by preventing the full dilatory response to the blood pressure reduction.

     

Renal infarct volume and renal function decline in acute and chronic phases

Background

Acute renal infarction (ARI) is a rare disease. ARI causes decline in renal function in both the acute and chronic phases. However, the correlation between the volume of the infarction and degree of renal function decline has not been fully investigated. Therefore, we aimed to examine the relationship between the volume of the infarction and degree of renal function decline.

Methods

We performed a single-center, retrospective, observational study investigating clinical parameters and the volume of the infarction. The volume of the infarction was measured using reconstructed computed tomography data.

Results

A total of 39 patients (mean age, 72.6?±?13.2 years; men, 59%) were enrolled. The median infarction volume was 45 mL (interquartile range, 14–91 mL). The volume of the infarction was significantly associated with the peak lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) level (median, 728 IU/L; interquartile range, 491–1227 U/L) (r?=?0.58, p?<?0.01) and the degree of renal function decline in both acute and chronic phases (r?=??0.44, ?0.38, respectively, p?<?0.05). The peak LDH level was significantly correlated with the degree of renal function decline in the acute phase but not in the chronic phase (r?=??0.35, ?0.21; p?<?0.05, N.S., respectively).

Conclusions

The volume of the infarction may be a factor in the degree of renal function decline in ARI. Therefore, assessment of infarct volume in ARI is important.