The management of dialysis access thrombosis during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background: Maintaining patent access is essential for haemodialysis dependent end stage renal failure patients. The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly affected surgical and interventional radiology services worldwide. We aimed to review the impact COVID-19 has caused to the management of acute dialysis access thrombosis.

Outcomes of Renal Transplant Recipients With SARS-CoV-2 Infection in the Eye of the Storm: A Comparative Study With Waitlisted Patients.

Background: Patients with chronic kidney disease stage 5 and those on immunosuppression are particularly vulnerable and are shielded as per public health strategy. We present our experience of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) transplant patients in one of the most affected parts of the UK with direct comparison to waitlisted patients.

Methods: A single-center prospective study of symptomatic severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) positive waitlisted and transplant patients was undertaken to compare these groups and assess clinical outcomes.

"Epigenome-wide methylation profile of chronic kidney disease-derived arterial DNA uncovers novel pathways in disease-associated cardiovascular pathology.".

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) related cardiovascular disease (CVD) is characterized by vascular remodelling with well-established structural and functional changes in the vascular wall such as arterial stiffness, matrix deposition, and calcification. These phenotypic changes resemble pathology seen in ageing, and are likely to be mediated by sustained alterations in gene expression, which may be caused by epigenetic changes such as tissue-specific DNA methylation. We aimed to investigate tissue specific changes in DNA methylation that occur in CKD-related CVD.

Spatiotemporal Transition in the Role of Synaptic Inhibition to the Tail Beat Rhythm of Developing Larval Zebrafish.

Significant maturation of swimming in zebrafish () occurs within the first few days of life when fish transition from coiling movements to burst swimming and then to beat-and-glide swimming. This maturation occurs against a backdrop of numerous developmental changes - neurogenesis, a transition from predominantly electrical to chemical-based neurotransmission, and refinement of intrinsic properties. There is evidence that spinal locomotor circuits undergo fundamental changes as the zebrafish transitions from burst to beat-and-glide swimming.

Successful Repair of a Vasculopathic Aneurysmal Brachial Artery in a Patient with Type 1 Neurofibromatosis.

Vasculopathy is a well-recognized abnormality associated with neurofibromatosis type 1(NF1) and may cause stenoses, aneurysms, and arteriovenous malformations. We report a challenging case of a woman with NF1, who presented with spontaneous rupture of a brachial aneurysm around her right elbow, on a background of previous debulking and soft tissue reconstructive surgery in the same arm. She underwent successful delayed reconstruction of the brachial artery using an autologous great saphenous vein graft.

Post-operative arterio-venous fistula blood flow influences primary and secondary patency following access surgery.

Purpose: Primary arteriovenous fistula arterio venous fistula (AVF) formation has proven to be the best and optimal vascular access for the majority of haemodialysis patients. At present there are limited data to suggest which haemodynamic parameters most correlate with the likelihood of early failure. The aim of this study is to identify the haemodynamic predictors of early failure, hence identify which fistulae may benefit from timely pre-emptive intervention.

Do we need a different organ allocation system for kidney transplants using donors after circulatory death?

Background: There is no national policy for allocation of kidneys from Donation after circulatory death (DCD) donors in the UK. Allocation is geographical and based on individual/regional centre policies. We have evaluated the short term outcomes of paired kidneys from DCD donors subject to this allocation policy.

Acute facial oedema post live-donor renal transplantation.

Facial oedema leading to airway compromise immediately after surgery is a rare event. We report a case of acute facial swelling sufficient to cause a significant obstruction of the patient's airway in recovery. We believe it was caused by partial obstruction of the venous drainage from the head associated with a sudden and large fluid load.