A rare case of IgA lambda multiple myeloma in a 32-year-old woman with t(14;16) translocation associated with kidney injury and non-albumin proteinuria.

Background: Multiple myeloma (MM) is a malignant disorder characterized by monoclonal differentiated plasma cells. While it is more commonly diagnosed in elderly individuals, it can also affect younger populations, though with a lower incidence.

Case Presentation: Here, we present the case of a 32-year-old woman diagnosed with IgA lambda MM.

Findings of cholangitis in a kidney transplant patient with Caroli disease on FDG PET/CT and MRI.

Caroli disease is a rare congenital disorder of segmental cystic dilatations of the intrahepatic biliary ducts that maintain communication with the rest of the biliary tree. Its typical clinical presentation is recurrent episodes of cholangitis. The diagnosis is usually made using abdominal imaging modalities.

Blood pressure control in treated hypertensive Middle Eastern patients: a post hoc analysis based on JNC8 definitions.

Background: Long-term blood pressure (BP) control is challenging due to the asymptomatic nature of hypertension and poor treatment adherence among patients. We conducted a post hoc analysis to assess "target BP" attainment and maintenance and to identify their associated factors in a sample of hypertensive Middle Eastern patients.

Methods: We previously conducted an observational study between May 2011 and September 2012 to assess antihypertensive treatment adherence and its determinants in a sample of 1,470 hypertensive patients in Lebanon and Jordan.

Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors in patients with respiratory failure and metabolic alkalosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Background: Metabolic alkalosis is common in patients with respiratory failure and may delay weaning in mechanically ventilated patients. Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors block renal bicarbonate reabsorption, and thus reverse metabolic alkalosis. The objective of this systematic review is to assess the benefits and harms of carbonic anhydrase inhibitor therapy in patients with respiratory failure and metabolic alkalosis.

Markers of arterial stiffness in a sample of Lebanese subjects with Grade I essential hypertension.

Objectives: Arterial stiffness is becoming a major global condition associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular problems and death. Several markers have been linked to arterial stiffness.

Methods: To determine and evaluate these relations, anthropometric parameters (weight, height, and pulse rate), biochemical profile, and central and peripheral indices of arterial function were measured in 114 Lebanese subjects with Grade I essential hypertension.

CMV and BKPyV Infections in Renal Transplant Recipients Receiving an mTOR Inhibitor-Based Regimen Versus a CNI-Based Regimen: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized, Controlled Trials.

Background And Objectives: The objective of this meta-analysis is to compare the incidences of cytomegalovirus and BK polyoma virus infections in renal transplant recipients receiving a mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitor (mTOR)-based regimen compared with a calcineurin inhibitor-based regimen.

Design, Setting, Participants, & Measurements: We conducted a comprehensive search for randomized, controlled trials up to January of 2016 addressing our objective. Other outcomes included acute rejection, graft loss, serious adverse events, proteinuria, wound-healing complications, and eGFR.

Renal pseudoaneurysm formation post allograft biopsy: a case report.

Renal pseudoaneurysm (PSA) is a rare complication post kidney transplant biopsy that accounts for less than 1% of allograft dysfunction. Imaging guidelines in the diagnosis of renal PSA have not yet been developed owing to the low occurrence and limited data availability. However, contrast-enhanced CT and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) are the preferred modalities in detecting PSA owing to the high contrast and spatial resolution.

Treatment adherence and quality of life in patients on antihypertensive medications in a Middle Eastern population: adherence.

Background: Poor adherence to antihypertensive treatment remains a clinical challenge worldwide. The objectives of this study were to assess the adherence level to antihypertensive treatment and to identify its associated factors in a sample of hypertensive patients in Lebanon and Jordan.

Methods: We conducted an observational study between May 2011 and September 2012.

Hyperuricemia, Hypertension, and Chronic Kidney Disease: an Emerging Association.

Uric acid is a product of purine metabolism and has been linked to gout and kidney calculi. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) and hypertension (HTN) are two major public health problems, and both are associated with increased risk of cardiovascular events. Emerging evidence suggests a pathogenic role of hyperuricemia in the development of HTN and CKD, in addition to progression of CKD, by inducing renal inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, and activation of the renin-angiotensin system.

Rituximab use in adult primary glomerulopathy: where is the evidence?

Rituximab is a chimeric anti-CD20 antibody that results in depletion of B-cell lymphocytes. It is currently used in the treatment of a variety of autoimmune diseases, in addition to CD20-positive lymphomas. The use of rituximab in the treatment of the adult primary glomerular diseases has emerged recently, although not yet established as first-line therapy in international guidelines.

Free versus Fixed Combination Antihypertensive Therapy for Essential Arterial Hypertension: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: In a free drug combination, each Blood pressure (BP)-lowering drug is administered as a separate pill, while in a fixed drug combination several BP-lowering agents are combined in a single pill. Using a single pill may enhance compliance and simplify treatment, which would translate into better clinical outcomes. The objective of this meta-analysis is to compare the effects of using a fixed combination versus free combination of BP-lowering agents in the management of patients with essential hypertension.

CYTOMEGALOVIRUS INFECTION POST KIDNEY TRANSPLANT: What Should We Know Now?

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) remains one of the most important pathogen responsible for the morbidity and mortality of transplantation patients. The impact on recipients depends on the form of CMV infection knowing that 10% to 50% develop symptomatic disease while solid organ involvement if presumed (e.g.

LIVING DONOR NEPHRECTOMY: OPEN vs LAPARASCOPY. Renal Function and Complications.

Objectives: This study is to compare the short and long-term renal function between adult recipients of living laparoscopic and open donors (LR vs OR) to highlight the effect of the surgical technique on graft function. Moreover, we chose to compare the organic (hypertension, proteinuria, serum creatinine) and psychological (aspect of libido, need for anxiolytics) long-term effect of the surgery between laparoscopic and open donors (LD vs OD).

Methods: After census of adult recipients and living donors between 2003 and 2012, and after application of exclusion criteria and selection of homogeneous groups of donors and recipients, a retrospective cohort study was conducted between October 2008 and January 2012.

Identifying predictors of blood pressure control in the Lebanese population - a national, multicentric survey -- I-PREDICT.

Background: Blood Pressure (BP) is not well controlled and factors that predict BP control are not well identified in Lebanon. Improvement of hypertension management requires an understanding of patients' characteristics and factors associated with uncontrolled BP. This national, multicentric, observational prospective study was designed to determine the predictors of BP control in patients followed up to 6 months.

Calcineurin inhibitors: 40 years later, can't live without ..

Calcineurin inhibitors (CNIs) revolutionized the field of organ transplantation and remain the standard of care 40 years after the discovery of cyclosporine. The early impressive results of cyclosporine in kidney transplant recipients led to its subsequent use in other organ transplant recipients and for treatment of a variety of autoimmune diseases as well. In this review, we examine the discovery of CNIs, their mechanism of action, preclinical and clinical studies with CNIs, and the usage of CNIs in nontransplant recipients.

Dual renin-angiotensin system inhibition for prevention of renal and cardiovascular events: do the latest trials challenge existing evidence?

Circulatory and tissue renin-angiotensin systems (RAS) play a central role in cardiovascular (CV) and renal pathophysiology, making RAS inhibition a logical therapeutic approach in the prevention of CV and renal disease in patients with hypertension. The cardio- and renoprotective effects observed with angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors or angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) monotherapy, together with the availability of a direct renin inhibitor (DRI), led to the investigation of the potential benefits of dual RAS inhibition. In small studies, ARB and ACE inhibitor combinations were shown to be beneficial in patients with CV or renal disease, with improvement in surrogate markers.

Current perspectives on combination therapy in the management of hypertension.

Hypertension (HTN) is a worldwide health problem and a major preventable risk factor for cardiovascular (CV) events. Achieving an optimal blood pressure (BP) target for patients with HTN will often require more than one BP-lowering drug. Combination therapy is not only needed, but also confers many advantages such as better efficacy and a better tolerability.

Potential mechanisms for renal damage in beta-thalassemia.

Improvement of survival in patients with β-thalassemia has allowed several clinical morbidities to manifest, including renal complications. Patients may experience proximal tubular dysfunctions and abnormalities in glomerular filtration rate. Several risk factors have been proposed.

Glomerular hyperfiltration and proteinuria in transfusion-independent patients with β-thalassemia intermedia.

Background/aims: Renal manifestations have been described in β-thalassemia major and were attributed to transfusional iron overload and chelation therapy. Patients with the milder phenotype, β-thalassemia intermedia (TI), remain largely transfusion and iron chelation independent while enduring a chronic hemolytic anemia and primary iron overload. Data on renal function in patients with TI is lacking.

What is a preferred angiotensin II receptor blocker-based combination therapy for blood pressure control in hypertensive patients with diabetic and non-diabetic renal impairment?

Hypertension has a major associated risk for organ damage and mortality, which is further heightened in patients with prior cardiovascular (CV) events, comorbid diabetes mellitus, microalbuminuria and renal impairment. Given that most patients with hypertension require at least two antihypertensives to achieve blood pressure (BP) goals, identifying the most appropriate combination regimen based on individual risk factors and comorbidities is important for risk management. Single-pill combinations (SPCs) containing two or more antihypertensive agents with complementary mechanisms of action offer potential advantages over free-drug combinations, including simplification of treatment regimens, convenience and reduced costs.

[Risk factors of permanent functional limitations on 210 hemodialysed patients].

Unlabelled: The aim of the study is to identify risk factors that can worsen the disability in chronic hemodialysis patients.

Patients And Methods: A transversal study was conducted on a total of 210 patients. Data was collected using a 42-item questionnaire, and univariate and multivariate statistical analyses were conducted.

Skeletal features of primary hyperoxaluria type 1, revisited.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to describe the skeletal manifestations of primary hyperoxaluria type 1 (PH1), the most common of the primary hyperoxalurias.

Methods: We clinically and radiographically reviewed 12 consecutive patients diagnosed with PH1, aged between 2 and 17 years. All patients had evidence of some type of renal involvement, 4 of whom were at end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and were under dialysis.

Interleukin-10-592C/A, -819C/T and -1082A/G promoter variants affect the susceptibility to nephropathy in Tunisian type 2 diabetes (T2DM) patients.

Background: The Interleukin (IL)-10 polymorphic variants -1082G/A, -819C/T and -592C/A were linked with obesity, metabolic syndrome, and type 2 diabetes (T2DM). We investigated the hypothesis that IL-10 promoter polymorphisms may be associated with the progression of diabetic nephropathy (DN).

Design: Case-controlled study.