Intravenous alfacalcidol once weekly pulse therapy for secondary hyperparathyroidism in hemodialysis patients.

Background: This study was carried out to assess the efficacy of intravenous administration of alfacalcidol once weekly versus thrice weekly in patients with poorly controlled secondary hyperparathyroidism.

Methods: Thirty-six hemodialysis patients with intact parathyroid hormone (i-PTH) > 31.8 pmol/L were divided into two groups.

Serum soluble interleukin-2 receptor alpha in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Introduction: This study aimed at determination of circulating soluble interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2 R) alpha in the sera of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and correlating the level of expression of these receptors with the SLE disease activity.

Materials And Methods: The study included 55 patients with SLE and 20 healthy volunteers as controls. The following investigations were done: serum complement component 3, complement 4, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, complete blood count, serum creatinine, creatinine clearance, 24-hour urinary protein, urinalysis, and serum soluble IL-2R alpha level.