Interleukin-18 gene polymorphism and risk of CVD in older patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Objective: Interleukin-18 (IL-18), a proinflammatory cytokine, plays a key role in the acute and chronic inflammatory processes. It is associated with risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD). The aim of this study was to evaluate association between G(-137)C polymorphism (rs187238) in the IL-18 gene and risk of diabetes and CVD in type 2 diabetes patients.

Cardiac sympathetic hyperactivity in chronic kidney disease--a comparison between haemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis patients.

Background: The effect of renal replacement therapy on cardiac sympathetic function in patients with chronic kidney disease has not yet been completely elucidated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of renal replacement therapy on the activity of cardiac sympathetic nervous system.

Material And Methods: Thirty-four patients with chronic kidney disease were studied: 14 patients (6 men, mean age 48 ± 11 years) were receiving peritoneal dialysis (PD) and 20 patients (20 men, mean age 52 ± 10 years) were receiving haemodialysis (HD).

Assessment of cytokine release after in vitro stimulation of whole blood with legionella pneumophila in immunocompromised patients.

This study we examined ex vivo potential of the immune response after stimulation of whole blood with L. pneumophila SG 1, SG 2-14 and L. pneumophila standard strain ATCC 33152 in immunocompromised patients, such as: hemodialysis patients and patients after renal transplantation.

Aortic stiffness and valvular calcifications in patients with end-stage renal disease.

Objectives: To evaluate the presence and extent of cardiac calcifications and aortic stiffness in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD).

Patients And Methods: The study group consisted of 60 patients with ESRD with a mean age of 51.7 years, treated with peritoneal dialysis.

[Analysis of some risk factors of coronary artery calcification in peritoneal dialysis patients].

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a major cause of death in peritoneal dialysed patients (PD-pts). Coronary artery calcification (CAC) is likely to affect the development of CVD. Purpose of our study was to evaluate coronary artery calcification and risk factors of this calcification in PD-pts.

Comparison between some anthropometric measurements in adequately treated peritoneal dialysis and hemodialysis patients.

Some anthropometric measurements are usually used to estimate the nutritional status of dialysis patients. The aim of our study was the comparison of some anthropometric measurements in patients adequately (from the clinical point of view) treated with peritoneal dialysis (PD) and hemodialysis (HD). The study was performed on 40 chronic dialysis (both: PD and HD), non-diabetic patients, without any inflammatory process.

[Changes in selected parameters of bone turnover resulting from use of different calcium concentrations in dialysate of patients treated with CAPD].

Renal osteodystrophy is a common complication occurring in patients with end stage disease. Using dialysis solutions with different concentrations of calcium undoubtedly has an influence on calcium-phosphorus homeostasis and bone turnover. The aim of the study was to examine the influence of dialysate with calcium concentrations of Ca 1.

[Clinical analysis of CAPD-treated patients without anemia].

Very few patients with chronic renal failure (CRF) can maintain a hemoglobin concentration > 12 g/dl without rHuEpo treatment. Among 68 patients treated in our Department by CAPD, 12 of them (17.6%) with daily diuresis < 400 ml, for at least 6 months had Hb level over 12 g/dl, Hct > 35% without rHuEpo treatment.

Genetic polymorphisms of renin-angiotensin system and progression of interstitial nephritis.

Genes of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) are involved in the progression of renal failure. Among them, the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), angiotensinogen (AGT) and angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R) genes are of particular interest. We examined polymorphisms of these three genes for association with the development of interstitial nephritis and progression to end-stage renal failure.

Asymptomatic bacteriuria in patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis.

Unlabelled: Chronic inflammatory state and chronic infections appear to be one of the most important risk factors of morbidity and mortality in patients (pts) on dialysis. The aim of our study was to determine the frequency of urinary tract infections (UTI) in clinically asymptomatic patients on CAPD. The study included 43 (22F, 21M) clinically stable asymptomatic CAPD patients with diuresis ranged from 300 to 2500 ml per 24 h.