Characteristics of Unscheduled and Scheduled Outpatient Palliative Care Clinic Patients at a Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Context: There is limited literature regarding outpatient palliative care and factors associated with unscheduled clinic visits.

Objectives: To compare characteristics of patients with unscheduled vs. scheduled outpatient palliative care clinic visits.

Inhibition of renin activity slows down the progression of HIV-associated nephropathy.

In the present study, we evaluated the effect of inhibition of renin activity (aliskiren) on the progression of renal lesions in two different mouse models (Vpr and Tg26) of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-associated nephropathy (HIVAN). In protocol A, Vpr mice were fed either water (C-VprA) or doxycycline [Doxy (D-VprA)] in their drinking water for 6 wk. In protocols B and C, Vpr mice received either normal saline (C-VprB/C), Doxy + normal saline (D-VprB/C), or Doxy + aliskiren (AD-VprB/C) for 6 wk (protocol B) or 12 wk (protocol C).

Sirolimus modulates HIVAN phenotype through inhibition of epithelial mesenchymal transition.

HIV-associated nephropathy (HIVAN) is characterized by proliferative phenotype in the form of collapsing glomerulopathy and microcystic dilatation of tubules. Recently, epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) of renal cells has been demonstrated to contribute to the pathogenesis of proliferative HIVAN phenotype. We hypothesized that sirolimus would modulate HIVAN phenotype by attenuating renal cell EMT.

HIV-associated nephropathy: role of AT2R.

AT(1)R has been reported to play an important role in the progression of HIV-associated nephropathy (HIVAN); however, the effect of AT(2)R has not been studied. Age and sex matched control (FVB/N) and Tg26 mice aged 4, 8, and 16weeks were studied for renal tissue expression of AT(1)R and AT(2)R (Protocol A). Renal tissue mRNA expression of AT(2)R was lower in Tg26 mice when compared with control mice.

Severe hyperkalaemia resulting from octreotide use in a haemodialysis patient.

A 48-year-old man, with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) on haemodialysis, presented to the emergency department with sulphonylurea-induced hypoglycaemia. His hypoglycaemia was persistent despite glucose infusion, so he was treated with octreotide. Octreotide administration reversed the hypoglycaemia but also resulted in severe hyperkalaemia.