The Effect of Neutral Peritoneal Dialysis Solution with Low Glucose-Degradation-Product on the Fluid Status and Body Composition--A Randomized Control Trial.

Background: Previous studies report conflicting results on the benefit of peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients treated with low glucose degradation product (GDP) solution. The effects of low GDP solution on body fluid status and arterial pulse wave velocity (PWV) have not been studied.

Methods: We randomly assigned 68 incident PD patients to low GDP (Intervention Group) or conventional solutions (Control Group); 4 dropped off before they received the assigned treatment.

Public lacks knowledge on chronic kidney disease: telephone survey.

Objectives: To examine knowledge of chronic kidney disease in the general public.

Design: Cross-sectional telephone survey.

Setting: Hong Kong.

Randomized controlled study of icodextrin on the treatment of peritoneal dialysis patients during acute peritonitis.

Background: The clinical benefits of using icodextrin during acute peritonitis in peritoneal dialysis are uncertain. On the premise that high glucose concentration might jeopardize the peritoneal defense during peritonitis, icodextrin administration during acute peritonitis could have the potential to improve the peritonitis outcome whilst improving ultrafiltration.

Methods: We conducted a single-center, open-label, randomized controlled trial in which 53 adult continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis patients underwent randomization to receive either icodextrin or original glucose-based dialysis solution.

Campylobacter peritonitis complicating peritoneal dialysis: a review of 12 consecutive cases.

Background: Peritoneal dialysis-associated peritonitis secondary to Campylobacter organisms is uncommon. Few studies have assessed either treatment or clinical outcomes.

Methods: We reviewed all Campylobacter peritonitis episodes occurring in a single dialysis unit from 1994 to 2011.

Cross sectional survey on the concerns and anxiety of patients waiting for organ transplants.

Aim:   We aimed to gain an understanding of patient concerns while on a transplantation waiting list in areas with long transplant waiting time.

Methods:   The study population comprised patients with organ failure on the transplant waiting list in Hong Kong. They were invited to complete a questionnaire survey.

Expression of ACE and ACE2 in patients with hypertensive nephrosclerosis.

Background: The interplay between intrarenal angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) and type 2 ACE (ACE2) might play important roles in the pathogenesis of hypertensive nephrosclerosis (HTN), but human data are limited.

Methods: Renal biopsy specimens of 41 patients with HTN and 10 transplant donors as controls (CTL) were studied. The glomerular and tubulointerstitial mRNA expression of ACE and ACE2 was measured by laser microdissection and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction.

Tenckhoff catheter insertion by nephrologists: open dissection technique.

Background: The practice of Tenckhoff catheter insertion by nephrologists remains uncommon in most countries. ♢

Methods: We report our single-center experience of Tenckhoff catheter insertion by nephrologists using the open dissection surgical technique in a dedicated ward-based procedure room. ♢

Results: Between November 2005 and September 2008, 250 peritoneal catheters were inserted by 6 nephrologists with varying levels of experience.

Extra-high-dose hepatitis B vaccination does not confer longer serological protection in peritoneal dialysis patients: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: The response to recombinant hepatitis B vaccine remains suboptimal among the dialysis population.

Methods: In this multi-centre randomized controlled trial, we studied the factors that modify the response to intramuscular Engerix-B vaccination in patients on peritoneal dialysis. The primary aim was to study if a three-dose schedule of extra-high dose (80 microg) of Engerix-B would offer better primary seroconversion and more persistent serological protection than the conventional 40-microg dose.

Intrarenal expression of microRNAs in patients with IgA nephropathy.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are noncoding, single-stranded RNA molecules that have important roles in a number of physiological and pathological processes. Previous studies have proved that miRNAs targeting ZEB1 and ZEB2 may repress epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. In this work, we studied the intrarenal expression of miR-200 family, miR-205 and miR-192 in patients with immunoglobulin A (IgA) nephropathy.

Fatal pancytopenia in a hemodialysis patient after treatment with low-dose methotrexate.

We report a 56-year-old male hemodialysis patient who developed fatal pancytopenia after treatment with low-dose methotrexate for psoriasis and psoriatic arthropathy. Risk factors identified included impaired renal function, concurrent use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, low serum albumin, and relatively low serum folate level. Literature review found similar risk factors in 12 other cases.

Urinary FOXP3 mRNA in patients with lupus nephritis--relation with disease activity and treatment response.

Objective: Regulatory T lymphocytes (Tregs) probably play an important role in the pathogenesis of SLE.

Methods: We quantified messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of FOXP3, a critical regulator for the development and function of Tregs, in the urinary sediment of 25 subjects with active lupus nephritis (LN), 17 with inactive lupus and 7 healthy subjects.

Results: We found that the expression level of FOXP3 was significantly higher in urine from patients with active LN than from subjects with inactive lupus and healthy controls (24.

A story half untold: adiposity, adipokines and outcomes in dialysis population.

In contrast to the associations of high body mass index (BMI) with increased mortality in the general population, high BMI is associated with better survival in dialysis patients. Nonetheless, high BMI/adiposity in chronic kidney disease (CKD)/dialysis patients is associated with insulin resistance, inflammation, dyslipidemia, atherosclerosis and coronary calcification as described in the general population. These apparently perplexing associations might be explained if (1) adiposity has dual competing effects on survival; a protective nutritional effect and a deleterious metabolic effect resulting in insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, hypertension and inflammation and (2) the level of kidney function modifies the relative importance of these effects.

Associations of body size with metabolic syndrome and mortality in moderate chronic kidney disease.

Background And Objectives: Obesity is associated with metabolic syndrome and poor outcomes in those with normal kidney function but better survival in dialysis patients. We examined whether chronic kidney disease (CKD) modifies the association of obesity with metabolic syndrome and mortality.

Design, Setting, Participants, & Measurements: Analyses of 15,355 participants in limited access, public use Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study database.

Cellular and morphological changes during neointimal hyperplasia development in a porcine arteriovenous graft model.

Background: Implantation of a haemodialysis arteriovenous graft is often followed by the development of neointimal hyperplasia (NH) at the venous anastomosis. The nature of the proliferating cells in these lesions is not well understood. A better understanding of the cells contributing to NH is important to the development of preventive strategies.

Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis in patients with hepatitis B liver disease.

Objective: We hypothesized that patients with hepatitis B virus infection and cirrhosis are more susceptible to peritonitis as a complication of peritoneal dialysis (PD).

Methods: A retrospective study was carried out to compare peritonitis rates between cirrhotic and non-cirrhotic patients with hepatitis B virus infection.

Results: Between 1994 and 2004, 25 PD patients with hepatitis B cirrhosis and 36 patients with hepatitis B without cirrhosis were included for analysis.

Improved health-related quality of life and left ventricular hypertrophy among dialysis patients treated with parathyroidectomy.

Background: We prospectively studied changes in the perception of health-related quality of life, pruritus, and degree of left ventricular hypertrophy in end-stage renal disease patients with tertiary hyperparathyroid disorder, before and 6 months after total parathyroidectomy treatment.

Methods: A series of 12 consecutive patients were enrolled. Throughout the follow-up period, all subjects completed the Kidney Disease Quality of Life Short Form-36 (KDQOL SF-36) questionnaire at inclusion and after 6 months.