Efficacy and safety of prophylactic anticoagulation in patients with primary nephrotic syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background And Aims: Nephrotic syndrome (NS) is associated with an increased incidence of venous thromboembolism (VTE), approximately 10%. We performed a systematic review to evaluate the efficacy and safety of prophylactic anticoagulation in patients with NS.

Methods: Studies evaluating prophylactic anticoagulation in NS were identified by an electronic search of MEDLINE and EMBASE databases until December 2021.

Danger-associated molecular pattern molecules and the receptor for advanced glycation end products enhance ANCA-induced responses.

Objectives: The pro-inflammatory activities of the calgranulins and HMGB1 can be counteracted by sRAGE, the soluble form of their shared receptor. To understand the role of these molecules in AAV and their potential as therapeutic targets we have studied (i) the relationship between these DAMPS and disease activity; (ii) the expression of RAGE and sRAGE in biopsy tissue and peripheral blood; and (iii) the effect of these molecules on ANCA-mediated cytokine production.

Methods: We examined circulating levels of calgranulins (S100A8/A9 and S100A12), HMGB1 and sRAGE by ELISA.

Excessive neutrophil extracellular trap formation in ANCA-associated vasculitis is independent of ANCA.

Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) are auto-antigenic strands of extracellular DNA covered with myeloperoxidase (MPO) and proteinase3 (PR3) that can be a source for the formation of anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibodies (ANCAs). The presence of NETs was recently demonstrated in renal tissue of patients with ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV). NET formation was enhanced in AAV, suggesting that MPO-ANCA could trigger NET formation, supporting a vicious circle placing NETs in the center of AAV pathogenesis.

Alport syndrome and pregnancy: a case series and literature review.

Purpose: To assess pregnancy outcome in women with Alport syndrome and the impact of pregnancy on the disease progression.

Methods: We describe one of the largest series of pregnancies in Alport syndrome. Seven pregnancies of six women were monitored by a multidisciplinary team of nephrologists and gynecologists.

The role of monocytes in ANCA-associated vasculitides.

The anti-neutrophil cytoplasm antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitides (AAV) are a heterogeneous group of diseases causing inflammation in small blood vessels and linked by the presence of circulating ANCA specific for proteinase 3 (PR3) or myeloperoxidase (MPO). These antigens are present both in the cytoplasmic granules and on the surface of neutrophils, and the effect of ANCA on neutrophil biology has been extensively studied. In contrast, less attention has been paid to the role of monocytes in AAV.

Low-dose rituximab is poorly effective in patients with primary membranous nephropathy.

Background: The optimal dosing and the efficacy of rituximab for primary membranous nephropathy (PMN) has not been established. This multicentric prospective study evaluates the efficacy and safety of low-dose rituximab (RTX) therapy in patients with PMN in clinical practice.

Methods: Thirty-four consecutive patients with PMN and nephrotic syndrome were included and received RTX (375 mg/m2) once (18 patients) or twice (16 patients).

Congenital anomalies of superior vena cava and their implications in central venous catheterization.

Congenital anomalies of superior vena cava (SVC) are generally discovered incidentally during central venous catheter (CVC) insertion, pacemaker electrode placement, and cardiopulmonary bypass surgery. Persistent left SVC (PLSVC) is a rare (0.3%) anomaly in healthy subjects, usually asymptomatic, but when present and undiagnosed, it may be associated with difficulties and complications of CVC placement.

Glomerular Autoimmune Multicomponents of Human Lupus Nephritis In Vivo (2): Planted Antigens.

Glomerular planted antigens (histones, DNA, and C1q) are potential targets of autoimmunity in lupus nephritis (LN). However, the characterization of these antigens in human glomeruli in vivo remains inconsistent. We eluted glomerular autoantibodies recognizing planted antigens from laser-microdissected renal biopsy samples of 20 patients with LN.

Dialysis central venous catheter types and performance.

The choice of both short-term (nontunneled) and long-term (tunneled) central venous catheters (CVCs) for hemodialysis is a difficult one, due to the large number of available catheters, with very different characteristics and cost.CVC-related complications (in particular infections, thrombosis and inefficient dialysis) can determine ominous consequences and death, with extremely elevated costs due to prolonged hospitalization and expensive procedures. Thus, the correct balance between cost and quality of CVC is required when deciding which kind of CVC should be adopted.

Which cannulation technique for which patient.

Cannulation of arteriovenous (AV) access is a crucial part of vascular access management in hemodialysis patients. It can significantly affect survival of the AV access, and consequently, it probably influences patient survival. The best type of cannulation technique, rotating site versus constant site (or buttonhole), is currently debated, but the increase in infectious complications observed with the buttonhole technique suggests a prudent use of this technique, restricting it to specific patients.

[Role of vitamin D in the pathogenesis of chronic kidney disease].

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a relevant health problem due to its worldwide increasing prevalence and the morbidity and mortality linked to its complications. Since the early stages of CKD, although patients are completely asymptomatic, important mineral homeostasis disorders occur. These disorders, involving serum levels of calcium, phosphorus, parathyroid hormone, and vitamin D, have a striking impact on patient prognosis as they affect the cardiovascular system.