Contribution of Bone Tissue to Regulation of Calcium and Phosphate Metabolism. Role of FGF23 and Klotho Protein.

Bone tissue actively contributes to the regulation of systemic homoeostasis, and particularly the maintenance of calcium-phosphate balance. The parathyroid hormone-vitamin D feedback axis is balanced by the recently discovered bone-FGF23-kidney hormonal axis. An active complex consisting of FGF23, a receptor and Klotho protein blocks phosphate reabsorption in the proximal tubules, increasing urine phosphate levels and decreasing blood phosphate levels.

Evaluation of Selected Parameters of Calcium and Phosphate Metabolism in Children with Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis.

Background: The multifactor aetiology of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis is commonly acknowledged. Both multivariate analyses of large study groups and the search for causes of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis and its progression in individual patients indicate that the aetiopathogenesis of this disorder is remarkably complex. The discovery of novel bone turnover markers, such as Klotho protein and FGF-23, means that their role in this condition also has to be considered.

Primary aldosteronism: a new insight into pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment in hypertensive patients.

Primary aldosteronism (PA) seems to be a pathogenetically heterogenous disease. It is suggested that approximately 30% of all hypertensive patients are affected by this disease. Autonomous hypersecretion of aldosterone, which is observed in this patient group, may be caused by an adrenal adenoma (aldosteronoma), hyperplasia of the zona glomerulosa, mutation of the KCNJ5 potassium channel, or other rare pathogenetic factors.

Diagnostic value of plasma asymmetric and symmetric dimethylarginine levels in liver transplant recipients.

Introduction: Nitric oxide is an important factor in the pathogenesis of liver cirrhosis. Its synthesis depends on the availability of L‑arginine and is inhibited by asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA). Symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) seems to be a good marker of multiorgan failure, especially renal failure.

[Comparison of quantitative computerized angiography and intravascular ultrasound in assessment of renal artery stenosis in patients with renovascular hypertension treated with percutaneous transluminal angioplasty with concomitant intravascular brachytherapy].

Unlabelled: Renal Angiography and IntraVascular UltraSonography (IVUS), are valuable diagnosis methods for assessment of renovascular hypertension (RVH). Endovascular techniques employing percutaneous transluminal renal angioplasty (PTRA) are effective for therapy of ischaemic nephropathy in patients with RVH. Success of PTRA is limited by a significant rate of restenosis.

Comparison of early and late efficacy of percutaneous transluminal renal angioplasty with or without subsequent brachytherapy: the effect on blood pressure in patients with renovascular hypertension.

Background: Scarce data exist concerning the long-term effect of percutaneous transluminal renal angioplasty (PTRA) enhanced with intravascular gamma brachytherapy (IVBT) in patients with renovascular hypertension.

Methods: Seventy one patients aged 52 +/- 8 years with refractory renovascular hypertension were randomized to Group I (PTRA + IVBT) or Group II (PTRA). For the IVBT procedure, the PARIS catheter and Microselectron HDR (Nucletron) system was employed.

Effects of short- and long-term efficacy of percutaneous transluminal renal angioplasty with or without intravascular brachytherapy on regression of left ventricular hypertrophy in patients with renovascular hypertension.

Introduction: The largest group of patients with secondary hypertension comprises individuals with renovascular hypertension resulting from renal artery stenosis that is a potentially removable condition. It is caused by atherosclerosis in 70-80% of patients.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of intravascular brachytherapy (IVBT) procedure performed after percutaneous transluminal renal angioplasty (PTRA) on left ventricular (LV) function, mass regression and type of hypertrophy (LVH) determined on echocardiography during long-term follow-up.

Serum concentration of 1-84 (cyclase-activating) and 7-84 (cyclase-inhibiting) parathormone in elderly women with low mineral density of the trabecular bone.

Introduction: Ageing may cause an increase in parathormone (PTH) secretion and, subsequently, increased bone resorption and osteoporosis. In recent years two subfractions of PTH have been discovered: cyclase-activating (1-84, CAP) and cyclase-inhibiting (7-84, CIP) PTH. It is not known however, whether these may play a role in the pathogenesis of bone loss in elderly subjects.

Comparison of early and long-term impact of percutaneous transluminal renal artery angioplasty alone or with brachytherapy on renal function in patients with reno-vascular hypertension.

Background: Renal ischaemia resulting from stenosis of the renal artery may result in two important sequelae: systemic arterial hypertension, and renal atrophy and nephron loss, resulting in an increased risk of progression to end-stage renal disease. Renal artery stenosis (RAS) may lead to both renovascular hypertension and ischaemic nephropathy - a potentially curable cause of renal failure.

Aim: To assess the efficacy of g-intraluminal brachytherapy (ILBT) in prevention of restenosis after percutaneous transluminal renal artery angioplasty (PTRA) and the effects of this method of revascularisation on renal function.

Angiographic and intravascular ultrasound assessment of immediate and 9-month efficacy of percutaneous transluminal renal artery balloon angioplasty with subsequent brachytherapy in patients with renovascular hypertension.

Background/aim: Scarce data exist concerning the long-term effect of renal balloon angioplasty (PTRA) enhanced by intravascular gamma-brachytherapy (IVBT) in patients with renovascular hypertension. The aim of this randomized study was to evaluate long-term outcome after PTRA with IVBT in patients with renal artery stenosis.

Patients And Methods: 71 patients with renovascular hypertension were randomized into group I (PTRA + IVBT) or group II (PTRA).

Drug-induced abnormalities of potassium metabolism.

Pharmacotherapy has progressed rapidly over the last 20 years with the result that general practioners more and more often use drugs which may influence potassium metabolism at the kidney or gastrointestinal level, or the transmembrane transport of potassium at the cellular level. Potassium abnormalities may result in life-theatening clinical conditions. Hypokalemia is most frequently caused by renal loss of this electrolyte (thiazide, thiazide-like and loop diuretics, glucocorticoids) and the gastrointestinal tract (laxatives, diarrhea, vomiting, external fistula), and may be the result of an increased intracellular potassium influx induced by sympathicomimetics used mostly by patients with asthma, or by insulin overdosage in diabetic subjects.

Phosphatemia is related to chromosomal aberrations of parathyroid glands in patients with hyperparathyroidism.

Background And Aims: It has been well documented that gene and DNA alterations occur frequently in benign primary parathyroid adenomas as well as in parathyroid glands with secondary hyperplasia. However, it has not been shown whether a correlation exists between somatic DNA aberrations and clinical data.

Methods: We analyzed the frequency of chromosomal aberrations in adenomas obtained from 25 patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (pHPT) and 60 parathyroid nodules from 20 uremic patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism (sHPT).

Efficacy of indapamide SR compared with enalapril in elderly hypertensive patients with type 2 diabetes.

Background: Blood pressure control is the main influential variable in reducing microalbuminuria in patients with type 2 diabetes. In this subanalysis of the Natrilix SR versus Enalapril Study in hypertensive Type 2 diabetics with micrOalbuminuRia (NESTOR) study, we have compared the effectiveness of indapamide sustained release (SR) and enalapril in reducing blood pressure and microalbuminuria in patients > or =65 years of age.

Methods: Of the 570 hypertensive patients with type 2 diabetes and persistent microalbuminuria in the NESTOR study, 187 (33%) individuals > or =65 years of age were included in this analysis.

Plasma concentrations of tumor necrosis factor alpha may predict the outcome of patients with acute renal failure.

Background/aims: Elevated plasma tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFalpha) concentration is frequently found in patients with chronic renal failure on hemodialysis (HD) and correlates with their mortality. The present study aimed to analyze the relationship between plasma TNFalpha concentrations and survival of patients with nonseptic acute renal failure (ARF).

Methods: Twenty-seven patients with ARF and 27 HD patients were examined.

Development of renal replacement therapy in Poland.

Different methods of renal replacement therapy (RRT) were introduced in Poland quite early: peritoneal dialysis (1953), hemodialysis (1958), renal transplantation (1966). Unfortunately due to the lack of resources in the health care budget, caused by an inefficient economic system, the further development of this therapy was very slow and not compatible with patients needs. The situation changed in the 1980s and 1990s when a National Board of Specialists in Nephrology chaired by A.

Chronic periodontitis in hemodialysis patients with chronic kidney disease is associated with elevated serum C-reactive protein concentration and greater intima-media thickness of the carotid artery.

Background: An increasing number of papers have documented the contribution of chronic periodontitis (P) to the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease. The aim of this study was to answer the question whether there is an association between periodontal inflammation and atherosclerotic processes in hemodialysis patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Methods: Forty-four hemodialysis patients with CKD were considered.

[Oral hygiene in haemodialyzed patients with chronic renal failure].

Unlabelled: The present study aimed to assess the oral hygiene in haemodialyzed patients with chronic renal failure (CRF).

Material And Methods: 44 haemodialyzed patients with CRF were analyzed (18 F and 26 M, mean age 47.4 +/- 1.

Two corticosteroid-free regimens-tacrolimus monotherapy after basiliximab administration and tacrolimus/mycophenolate mofetil-in comparison with a standard triple regimen in renal transplantation: results of the Atlas study.

Background: The side effects associated with corticosteroids have led to efforts to minimize their use in renal transplant patients. In this study we compared two corticosteroid-free tacrolimus-based regimens with a standard triple therapy.

Methods: This was a 6-month, phase III, open-label, parallel-group, multicenter study.

[Clinical, biochemical and hormonal characteristics of 84 patients with incidentally found adrenal tumor (incidentaloma)].

In this study we have analyzed 84 patients (58 women, 26 men, mean age 57 +/- 1.1 year) hospitalized in the Department of Nephrology, Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases of the Medical University of Silesia in Katowice from 01.01.

[Effect of orlistat therapy on carbohydrate, lipid, vitamin and hormone plasma levels in obese subjects].

Unlabelled: Orlistat is an inhibitor of lipase which splits triglycerides into free fatty acides and glycerol. This drug, by inhibiting hydrolysis of triglycerides, is the cause of significant loss of fat in the faeces. 13 obese and 15 nonobese subjects were examined.