Dialysis parameters associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection and prognosis in end-stage kidney disease.

Background: The Covid-19 pandemic has affected patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). Whether dialysis parameters have a prognostic value in ESKD patients with Covid-19 remains unclear.

Materials And Methods: We retrospectively evaluated clinical characteristics, blood pressure (BP) and dialysis parameters in ESKD patients undergoing maintenance outpatient hemodialysis, with (Covid-ESKD) and without (No-Covid-ESKD) Covid-19, at four Brazilian hemodialysis facilities.

Hemodialysis-induced chronodisruption and chronotype distribution in patients with chronic kidney disease.

Changes in circadian rhythms have been observed in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), and evidence suggests that these changes can have a negative impact on health. This study aimed to investigate the existence of hemodialysis-induced chronodisruption, the chronotype distribution, and their association with sleep quality and quality of life (QoL). This was a cross-sectional study that enrolled 165 patients (mean age: 51.

Standardized Brazilian green propolis extract (EPP-AF®) in COVID-19 outcomes: a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial.

SARS-CoV-2 and its different variants caused a "wave and wave" pandemic pattern. During the first wave we demonstrated that standardized Brazilian green propolis extract (EPP-AF®) reduces length of hospital stay in adult patients with COVID-19. Afterwards, we decided to evaluate the impact of EPP-AF in hospitalized patients during the third wave of the pandemic.

Tamoxifen associated to the conservative CKD treatment promoted additional antifibrotic effects on experimental hypertensive nephrosclerosis.

CKD progression depends on the activation of an intricate set of hemodynamic and inflammatory mechanisms, promoting renal leukocyte infiltration, inflammation and fibrosis, leading to renal function loss. There are currently no specific drugs to detain renal fibrogenesis, which is a common end-point for different nephropathies. Clinical therapy for CKD is mostly based on the management of hypertension and proteinuria, partially achieved with renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) blockers, and the control of inflammation by immunosuppressive drugs.

Effectiveness of thiazide and thiazide-like diuretics in advanced chronic kidney disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background And Objective: Thiazide diuretics are first-line drugs for the treatment of hypertension, but hypertension treatment guidelines have systematically discouraged their use in patients with advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD). For the first time, a systematic review and random-effects meta-analysis were performed to assess the effectiveness of thiazides and thiazide-like diuretics to treat hypertension in patients with stages 3b, 4, and 5 CKD.

Design, Setting, Participants, & Measurements: A systematic review and random-effects meta-analysis that included a literature search using the following databases were performed: MEDLINE through PubMed, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (CDSR) and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) through the Cochrane Library, Embase, and ISI - Web of Science (all databases).

Effects of Standardized Brazilian Green Propolis Extract (EPP-AF®) on Inflammation in Haemodialysis Patients: A Clinical Trial.

Background: Patients on haemodialysis (HD) present a significant inflammatory status, which has a pronounced negative impact on their outcomes. Propolis is a natural resin with anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties. We assessed the safety and impact of a standardized Brazilian green propolis extract (EPP-AF®) on the inflammatory status in patients under conventional HD.

Assessment of glomerular filtration rate by formulas in obese patients: What is the best choice?

Background: The equations routinely used to calculate the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) have not been validated in obese patients.

Materials And Methods: This cross-sectional study evaluated 7 formulas used to estimate GFR, analyzing the effect of using ideal body weight (IBW) through the formula IBW = desirable BMI × (height), using the calculated body surface area (BSA) of each patient through the Dubois and Dubois formula. Bias, accuracy, and receiver operating characteristic curve were calculated.

Synergic Renoprotective Effects of Combined ASC Therapy with RAAS Blockade in Experimental Advanced CKD.

Global prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) has increased considerably in the recent decades. Overactivity of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS), associated to renal inflammation and fibrosis, contributes to its evolution. The treatments currently employed to control CKD progression are limited and mainly based on the pharmacological inhibition of RAAS, associated with diuretics and immunosuppressive drugs.

Outcomes of critically ill patients with acute kidney injury in COVID-19 infection: an observational study.

Background: Early reports indicate that AKI is common during COVID-19 infection. Different mortality rates of AKI due to SARS-CoV-2 have been reported, based on the degree of organic dysfunction and varying from public to private hospitals. However, there is a lack of data about AKI among critically ill patients with COVID-19.

Green propolis extract attenuates acute kidney injury and lung injury in a rat model of sepsis.

Sepsis is the leading cause of acute kidney injury (AKI) and lung injury worldwide. Despite therapeutic advances, sepsis continues to be associated with high mortality. Because Brazilian green propolis (GP) has promising anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory properties, we hypothesized that it would protect kidneys and lungs in rats induced to sepsis by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP).

Effects of Brazilian green propolis on proteinuria and renal function in patients with chronic kidney disease: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a public health problem worldwide, and proteinuria is a well-established marker of disease progression in CKD patients. Propolis, a natural resin produced by bees from plant materials, has anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and anti-oxidant properties, as well as having been shown to have an antiproteinuric effect in experimental CKD. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of Brazilian green propolis extract on proteinuria reduction and the changes in the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR).

The impact of dialysis on critically ill elderly patients with acute kidney injury: an analysis by propensity score matching.

Introduction: Aging is a global phenomenon. Recent forecasts indicate that Brazil will be the sixth country in population of elderly individuals in 2020. The incidence of acute kidney injury (AKI) among the elderly varies, but studies have indicated that older individuals are more prone to developing AKI and have higher mortality rates than the general population with renal disease.

Quality of life and depression in haemodialysis patients.

Chronic kidney disease is associated with a high prevalence of depression, which increases inversely with the glomerular filtration rate. This paper aims to evaluate the factors associated with a low quality of life and depression in patients on haemodialysis. Two hundred patients undergoing haemodialysis answered the Medical Outcomes Study 36 - Item Short - Form Health Survey (SF-36) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI).

Risk factors for mortality in fournier's gangrene in a general hospital: use of simplified founier gangrene severe index score (SFGSI).

Objective: To evaluate risk factors for mortality in patients with Fournier's gangrene (FG), with emphasis in the Simplified Fournier Gangrene Severe Index Score (SFGSI).

Materials And Methods: This was a cross-sectional study that was carried out from January 2010 to December 2014, with 124 patients treated for FG in a General Hospital. Several clinical and laboratory variables, including SFGSI, were evaluated and correlated with mortality through univariate analysis and logistic regression.

Evaluation of renal function in a specific population of living kidney donors.

Background: The increase in candidates for kidney transplant has led to growth in the number of living donor transplants. Therefore, studies that adequately evaluate the possible long-term consequences of elective transplant nephrectomy are needed.

Objective: To evaluate the possible long-term adverse effects of transplant nephrectomy on the renal function of living kidney donors.

Lupus cystitis presenting with hidronephrosis and gastrointestinal involvement.

Introduction: Lupus cystitis is a rare manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus, characterized by thickening of the bladder wall, associated with ureterohydronephrosis. In several cases gastrointestinal symptoms are the main manifestation. The optimal immunosuppressive regimen is still unknown.

Acute kidney injury in leptospirosis: the Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) criteria and mortality .

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is one of the most serious complications of leptospirosis. In recent years, studies have evaluated this complication using the risk, injury, failure, loss, and end-stage kidney disease and the acute kidney injury network classification systems. More recently, the kidney disease improving global outcomes (KDIGO) criteria have been developed to increase accuracy in detecting AKI.

Red propolis ameliorates ischemic-reperfusion acute kidney injury.

Introduction: Acute kidney injury (AKI) remains a great problem in clinical practice. Renal ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury is a complex pathophysiological process. Propolis is a natural polyphenol-rich resinous substance collected by honeybees from a variety of plant sources that has anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative properties.

Brazilian red propolis attenuates hypertension and renal damage in 5/6 renal ablation model.

The pathogenic role of inflammation and oxidative stress in chronic kidney disease (CKD) is well known. Anti-inflammatories and antioxidant drugs has demonstrated significant renoprotection in experimental nephropathies. Moreover, the inclusion of natural antioxidants derived from food and herbal extracts (such as polyphenols, curcumin and lycopene) as an adjuvant therapy for slowing CKD progression has been largely tested.

AKI complications in critically ill patients: association with mortality rates and RRT.

Background And Objectives: AKI is associated with short- and long-term mortality. However, the exact contribution of AKI complications to the burden of mortality and whether RRT has any beneficial effect on reducing mortality rates in critically ill AKI patients are unknown.

Design, Setting, Participants, & Measurements: This was a retrospective analysis using data from the Multiparameter Intelligent Monitoring in Intensive Care II project.

Depression in hemodialysis patients: the role of dialysis shift.

Objective: Depression is the most important neuropsychiatric complication in chronic kidney disease because it reduces quality of life and increases mortality. Evidence demonstrating the association between dialysis shift and depression is lacking; thus, obtaining such evidence was the main objective of this study.

Method: This cross-sectional study included patients attending a hemodialysis program.

Assessment of intensivists' knowledge on abdominal compartment syndrome.

Background And Objectives: : Early recognition of abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS) is essential, as delay in the diagnosis may induce a negative impact on prognosis. However, there are some evidences suggesting a low level of knowledge concerning ACS in intensive care units (ICU). The aim of this study was to evaluate the intensivist's knowledge on ACS.

Low birth weight as a marker of changes in ambulatory blood pressure monitoring.

Background: Low birth weight (LBW) is associated with increased incidence of high blood pressure (BP) and cardiovascular diseases in adulthood.

Objective: To evaluate possible changes in Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring (ABPM) in LBW children.

Methods: The birth weight (BW) of 1049 school children (ages 8 to 11) living in Goiânia was assessed.

Regression of glomerular injury by losartan in experimental diabetic nephropathy.

Many features of chronic kidney disease may be reversed, but it is unclear whether advanced lesions, such as adhesions of sclerotic glomerular tufts to Bowman's capsule (synechiae), can resolve during treatment. We previously showed, using a renal ablation model, that the renoprotective effect of the AT-1 receptor blocker, losartan, is dose-dependent. Here we determined if moderate and advanced glomerular lesions, associated with streptozotocin-induced diabetes, regress with conventional or high-dose losartan treatment.