Efficacy and Safety of Intra-gastric Balloon Placement in Dialyzed Patients Awaiting Kidney Transplantation.

Background: The number of obese patients who are candidates for renal transplantation has considerably increased, but obesity can be a barrier to kidney transplantation. Weight loss is often difficult through diet alone. We studied the efficacy and tolerance of the intra-gastric balloon (IGB) procedure in obese patients who were undergoing dialysis and were candidates for a renal transplantation.

Optimal management of primary focal segmental glomerulosclerosis in adults.

Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) is a frequent glomerular kidney disease that is revealed by proteinuria or even nephrotic syndrome. A diagnosis can be established from a kidney biopsy that shows focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis. This histopathological lesion may be caused by a primary podocyte injury (idiopathic FSGS) but is also associated with other pathologies (secondary FSGS).

Impact of arteriovenous fistula cannulation on the quality of dialysis.

Introduction: Adequate hemodialysis directly improves health. Puncturing an arteriovenous fistula (AVF) and the amount of blood recirculation greatly affect the quality of dialysis. Few studies have assessed the method to cannulate a fistula and its influence on efficiency of hemodialysis.

Comparison of the AN69ST Membrane versus Citrate-Enriched Dialysate on Clotting Events during Hemodialysis without Systemic Anticoagulation.

Background: The optimal management of anticoagulation in hemodialyzed patients with a high risk of bleeding is controversial.

Methods: We compared premature termination of dialysis caused by clotting events between AN69ST membranes (G1) and 0.8 mmol/L citrate-enriched dialysate (G2).

Complement modulation in solid-organ transplantation.

The complement system is a major constituent of the innate immune system. It has a critical role in defense against pathogens but dysregulation of complement activation may lead to tissue injury and modulate the adaptive immune response. In organ transplantation, local complement activation is involved in hyper-acute rejection and antibody-mediated rejection.

Effect of a proteasome inhibitor plus steroids on HLA antibodies in sensitized patients awaiting a renal transplant.

Background: This prospective monocentric study investigated the effect of corticosteroids plus bortezomib to reduce anti-HLA antibodies before renal transplantation.

Methods: Included were 23 patients with stable immunization against HLA and awaiting a kidney transplant (KT). Treatment consisted of bortezomib (1.

[Acute renal failure following a treatment with acyclovir].

Unlabelled: The antiviral molecule acyclovir can be responsible of severe renal dysfunction. Intratubular crystal precipitation of the drug may represent a major pathogenetic mechanism.

Observation: A 30-year old, immunocompetent woman was admitted in the neurology unit for a viral meningo-encephalitic syndrome.