Loss of ultrafiltration in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD)

Fifteen patients on long-term continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) were assessed with respect to net ultrafiltration capacity. Eight patients were defined as having good and seven as having poor ultrafiltration on the basis of net ultrafiltrate obtained/mmol glucose infused. Subsequently, dialysate was sampled at times 0, 1, 15, 30, 60, 90, 120, 180, and 240 min. No difference in residual volume was observed between the groups. A significantly greater decrease in dialysate sodium during the initial dialysis period in those patients with good as compared to those with poor ultrafiltration occurred, reflecting a greater transcapillary movement of electrolyte poor ultrafiltrate. In those with good ultrafiltration, glucose transfer was normal in five and rapid in three, suggesting the latter had low rates of lymphatic reabsorption. Five of seven patients with poor ultrafiltration had no fall in dialysate sodium in association with a high rate of glucose transfer, suggesting a low rate of transcapillary water movement and normal to high lymphatic absorption. Two patients with low ultrafiltration had an initial fall in dialysate sodium with a normal glucose transfer and thus net ultrafiltration is low due to elevated lymphatic reabsorption. We thus propose that the relative contribution of transcapillary water movement and lymphatic reabsorption can be determined by assessing net ultrafiltration and dialysate sodium concentration in conjunction with solute transfer.     

Combined testing for antibodies to rubella non-structural and envelope proteins sentinels infections in two outbreaks

Two separate outbreaks of Rubella occurred in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, 7 yrs apart, with a peak incidence for both in the month of April. A total of 138 cases, 51 in 1978 and 87 in 1985, was observed, the majority being in adolescents and young adults 15-25 years of age. Cases were diagnosed by the presence of Rubella IgM antibody or the combination of a negative passive hemagglutination (Rubacell-Abbott) and a positive enzyme immunoassay (EIA) or hemagglutination inhibition (HI) test on a single serum or by seroconversion for Rubella IgG antibody. Routine screening of sera with the Rubacell test, which measures antibodies to nonstructural rubella proteins together with HI or EIA testing of the negatives, served as a sentinel for rubella infection in the community during both outbreaks. Rubacell antibodies usually appeared 2-3 wk after onset of infections, and when present contained either or both IgG and IgM. Only 8/103 cases had a history of Rubella vaccination. Two of three products of conception yielded rubella virus in cell culture.     

The ultrasonic detection of platelet aggregates

The echogenicity of platelet aggregates in platelet-rich plasma and whole blood was evaluated in stirring and flowing in vitro models. Real-time two dimensional ultrasonic images were obtained with transducers operating at 3.0, 5.0, 10 and 12 mHz. Platelet-rich plasma was not echogenic. The addition of adenosine diphosphate (ADP) resulted in the formation of multiple, discrete echoes that increased in size and intensity. This echogenicity was time and dose-dependent and could be quantitated by videodensitometry. Whole blood was echogenic, but the addition of ADP resulted in a time and dose-dependent increase in the size and echogenicity of the reflections. The overall echogenicity of whole blood declined with the development of platelet aggregates. There is inter- and intra-aggregate variability in the echogenicity of aggregates. Aggregates were best seen with transducers operating at the higher frequencies. These results imply that the detection of in vivo platelet aggregates may be feasible with ultrasonic imaging.     

Randomised, blinded, placebo controlled trial of doxycycline for chronic seronegative arthritis

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether long term doxycycline improves symptoms in patients with chronic seronegative or reactive arthritis. METHODS: A randomised, triple blind, controlled clinical trial of three months' treatment with doxycycline or placebo of patients with chronic reactive or seronegative arthritis was conducted. The primary study end points were three month pain and functional status measured by a self administered Arthritis Impact Measurement Scales version 2 (AIMS2) quality of life questionnaire. Secondary end points were pain and functional status at 6-12 months, three month rheumatologist assessed joint count, pain, and arthritis activity, and treatment efficacy in those with previous exposure to chlamydia. RESULTS: Of 60 patients randomly allocated to receive doxycycline or placebo, results from 37 were evaluable at three months. Groups were well balanced for major prognostic variables. Doxycycline had no detectable effect at three months on pain change scores (mean difference 1.5, 95% CI -1.2 to 4.2, p=0.25) or composite functional change scores (mean difference 0.8, 95% CI -5.6 to 7.1, p=0.81). Furthermore, there were no differences in secondary study end points, and no apparent treatment effect in patients with previous chlamydia infection. CONCLUSION: Three months' treatment with doxycycline did not improve pain or functional status in patients with chronic reactive or seronegative arthritis.     

Midpole Ureterocalycostomy for Renal Transplant Salvage: A Pediatric Case Report

Background

Ureteral obstruction is the most common urological complication of kidney transplantation. Obstruction secondary to ureteral stenosis can be an early or late complication.

Meckel-Gruber syndrome. Importance of prenatal diagnosis

Prenatal sonographic findings are reported in six fetuses with the Meckel-Gruber syndrome to illustrate the variety of sonographic findings associated with this disorder and to emphasize the importance of prenatal sonography in helping to establish the correct diagnosis. All six fetuses demonstrated evidence of renal cystic dysplasia. In five cases the kidneys were large and echogenic, demonstrating small discrete cysts in the range of 2 to 5 mm. The remaining fetus demonstrated unilateral renal cystic dysplasia and contralateral renal agenesis. Oligohydramnios was noted in all cases and was evident as early as 14 weeks. An occipital cephalocele was demonstrated on sonography in each case although the size and contents of the cephalocele varied significantly. Two fetuses, both in the same family, also demonstrated a cystic mass in the posterior fossa and partial absence of the cerebellum consistent with a Dandy-Walker variant or cerebellar hypoplasia. The concurrence of marked oligohydramnios and bilateral severe renal anomalies should initiate a search for anomalies of the central nervous system indicative of the Meckel-Gruber syndrome. Recurrence of Meckel-Gruber syndrome may be evaluated as soon as 14 weeks, but it may not be reliably excluded until 20 weeks.