Secondary membranous glomerulonephritis.

Membranous glomerulonephritis of defined aetiology (secondary MG) is a common finding, particularly in children and older adults. Secondary MG can be readily detected by a combination of clinical, serological and morphological analysis in a majority of instances. Recognition of secondary MG has significant prognostic and therapeutic implications.

The therapy of idiopathic membranous glomerulonephritis.

This analysis of IMG has focused on the long-term natural history and current approaches to therapy of this disorder. It seems clear that IMG is intrinsically a relatively benign disease, particularly in certain populations. Risk factors for an unfavorable course can often be identified at the discovery of disease.

Dimethyl sulfoxide enhances hexose monophosphate shunt activity in cultured glomerular mesangial cells, leukocytes and erythrocytes.

The effect of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) on the rate of glucose oxidation by cultured rat glomerular mesangial cells, human erythrocytes and peritoneal exudate cells was studied. Mesangial cells, erythrocytes and peritoneal exudate cells incubated with DMSO showed enhancement of 14CO2 production from D-[1-14C] glucose but not from D-[6-14C] glucose. The concentration of DMSO required to stimulate respiratory burst activity was lowest for erythrocytes and highest for peritoneal exudate cells.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and the kidney.

Since the first report on the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) in 1981, organ involvement of AIDS has increased. We discuss the effect of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, the causative agent of AIDS, on the field of nephrology. Hyponatremia, the commonest fluid and electrolyte abnormality, is caused by various pathophysiologic mechanisms, including adrenal insufficiency.

Focus on proteinuria.

The treatment of glomerular proteinuria may be directed at: (1) control of basic disease processes; (2) interference with mediator systems; (3) modulation of the physiological determinants of glomerular permselectivity. Glucocorticoids and immunosuppressant agents largely exert their putative beneficial effects through actions on basic processes. Agents which affect mediator systems show great promise but the multiplicity of mediators may frustrate therapeutic efforts.

Sex vulnerability in the subtotal nephrectomy model of glomerulosclerosis in the rat.

Unilateral nephrectomy and contralateral ligation of two thirds of the renal arterial circulation were performed on male (N x M, n = 6) and female (N x F, n = 7) Sprague-Dawley rats. Sham nephrectomies were performed in 16 male and female control rats (SN x M, n = 8; SN x F, n = 8). Creatinine clearance corrected for body weight and systolic arterial blood pressure were equal in both nephrectomized groups after 1, 3, and 5 weeks.

What is the value of determining the presence and measuring the level of circulating immune complexes in children with kidney disease and what methods should be used for their measurement?

What is the value of determining the presence and measuring the level of circulating immune complexes in children with kidney disease and what methods should be used for their measurement?

Infection patterns in cyclosporine-treated cadaveric renal transplant patients.

Immunosuppression with Cs regimens has not significantly altered infection patterns relative to earlier modalities. However, reports of increased infection, especially with CMV/PCC, are not borne out in our experience both in numbers and timing of infections. Patients on low-dose Cs immunosuppression do continue to acquire infectious complications but, in general, rarely will lose their grafts or lives.

Declining incidence of wound infection in cadaveric renal transplant recipient.

Over a five-year period 100 cadaveric renal transplants were performed. In 91 of these recipients, a prophylactic parenteral antibiotic (cefoperazone) was administered and closed wound drainage was used. Of these 91 patients, 33 received azathioprine/prednisone immunosuppression, whereas cyclosporine/prednisone with or without azathioprine was used in the remaining 58.

The current role of pre-transplant blood transfusions and tissue typing in cadaveric renal transplantation.

In a retrospective analysis of 74 consecutive cadaveric renal transplants performed at our center during a 38-month period we assessed the influence of random blood transfusions and tissue matching on graft and patient survival. All patients received cyclosporine and low dose prednisone with or without azathioprine as immunosuppressive therapy. Actual patient survival was 100 per cent at 1 year and actuarial 1-year graft survival was 82 per cent.

Clinical aspects of glomerular diseases.

This article discusses the current concepts of the pathophysiology of disturbed glomerular structure and/or function that lead to the cardinal clinical manifestations of glomerular disease, ie, alterations in glomerular filtration rate, disturbances in sodium homeostasis, proteinuria, and hematuria. The functional and anatomic bases of these alterations include changes in filtering surface area, filtration pressure and/or nephron mass, primary and secondary renal sodium and water retention, defects in size and/or charge-selective barriers to filtration of plasma proteins, and defects in capillary wall integrity. Longitudinal evaluation of albuminuria/gamma globulinuria and the investigation of dysmorphic hematuria may be helpful approaches to the study of glomerular disease.