[Treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism in hemodialysed patients--paricalcitol with or without cinacalcet].

Secondary hyperparathyroidism (sHPT) is a common complication being a consequence of metabolic disorders associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Treatment of the sHPT should lead to calcium-phosphate management stabilization and parathyroid hormone levels reduction. The phosphate binders, synthetic vitamin D analogs and calcimimetics are used in sHPT treatment.

Kaposi Sarcoma in the Genital Area in a Kidney Transplant Patient: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Background: Kaposi sarcoma (KS) is a cancer with an incidence in patients after transplantation (Tx) that is 500 times greater than that in the healthy population. The risk of KS increases significantly during therapy, especially when immunosuppressive therapy with cyclosporine A (CsA) is used. Most cases of KS develop during the first 2 years after transplantation.

Endocan Concentration and Chronic Inflammatory Process Among Heart Transplant Recipients.

Background: Endocan is a novel soluble dermatan sulfate proteoglycan derived from endothelium. It has the capacity of binding to different biologically active molecules associated with cellular signaling, adhesion, and regulating proliferation, differentiation, migration, and adhesion of different cell types in health and pathology. Its elevated level is connected with endothelial activation, neovascularization, and inflammation or carcinogenesis.

High-performance Liquid Chromatography Measured Metabolites of Endogenous Catecholamines and Their Relations to Chronic Kidney Disease and High Blood Pressure in Heart Transplant Recipients.

Background: Patients after solid organ transplantation, especially heart and kidneys, are prone to be hypertensive. Recently chronic kidney disease and renalase metabolism of endogenous catecholamines are thought to make major contribution to the pathogenesis of hypertension.

Materials And Methods: We analyzed 75 heart recipients (80% male, 20% female), medium age 54.

Prospective Assessment of Hepcidin in Relation to Delayed or Immediate Graft Function in Patients Undergoing Kidney Transplantation.

Background: Hepcidin is a peptide hormone that regulates iron homeostasis. Hepcidin may represent an early, predictive biomarker of acute kidney injury, another model of ischemia-reperfusion injury. Urinary hepcidin-25 has been shown to be elevated in patients who do not develop acute kidney injury.

Opinions and Attitudes of University Students Concerning Organ Transplantation.

Introduction: Organ donation and transplantology are receiving more and more support and approval all over the world every year. However, there remains a considerable and growing difference between the number of patients awaiting transplantation and the number of donors. The aim of the work was to find out the opinions and attitudes of university students concerning organ donation and transplantology.

Do Age and Religion Have an Impact on the Attitude to Organ Transplantation?

Background: Religious issues may be a significant reason for the lack of organs for transplantation. Younger people have a more enthusiastic attitude toward organ donation. The goal of the present study was to determine whether age and religion affect people's attitudes to organ transplantation.

Renal Function Predicts Outcomes in Patients with Ischaemic Stroke and Haemorrhagic Stroke.

Background/aims: We evaluated renal function and the impact of renal function on in-hospital outcomes in patients with ischaemic and haemorrhagic stroke.

Methods: We collected data from 766 patients with stroke; 637 (83.2 %) with ischaemic and 129 with haemorrhagic one.

Management of patients with atrial fibrillation and chronic kidney disease in light of the latest guidelines.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) frequently occurs in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), and the rate reaches even 30% in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Patients with AF and CKD have a significantly higher risk of thrombotic complications, particularly ischemic stroke, and at the same time, a higher bleeding risk (proportionally to the grade of renal failure). In addition, AF and CKD share a number of comorbidities and risk factors, which results in increased mortality rates.

GDF-15, iron, and inflammation in early chronic kidney disease among elderly patients.

Purpose: The aim of the study was to assess GDF-15 and iron status in patients in early stages of chronic kidney disease with a particular emphasis on elderly population in association of classic iron status parameters with novel iron homeostasis biomarkers and inflammatory parameters.

Methods: Serum concentrations of GDF-15, iron (Fe), transferrin saturation, soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR), hepcidin, high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP), interleukin 6 (IL-6), and hemoglobin were measured in 56 patients ≥65 years of age and in 31 <65 years of age.

Results: In patients ≥65 years, serum concentrations of GDF-15 and hsCRP were significantly higher in comparison with younger group.

Absolute and Functional Iron Deficiency Is a Common Finding in Patients With Heart Failure and After Heart Transplantation.

Background: Anemia is relatively common in patients with heart failure and heart transplant recipients. Both absolute and functional iron deficiency may contribute to the anemia in these populations. Functional iron deficiency (defined as ferritin greater than 200 ng/mL with TSAT (Transferrin saturation) less than 20%) is characterized by the presence of adequate iron stores as defined by conventional criteria, but with insufficient iron mobilization to adequately support.

[Renalase and its role in the development of hypertension in patients with chronic renal failure].

Renalase is a newly-discovered enzyme--amine oxidase containing flavin adenine dinucleotide that determines its activity. Kidneys are the main source of renalase, however, the enzyme has also been detected in the myocardium, skeletal muscles, small intestine, peripheral nerves, adrenal cortex and adipose tissue. This enzyme metabolizes circulating catecholamines, particularly epinephrine and L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (a dopamine precursor).

[Contemporary opinions on the diagnosis and treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism].

Secondary hyperparathyroidism is one of the most common hormonal disorders associated with a chronic kidney disease. The main causes of this disease are associated with renal failure hyperphosphatemia, hypocalcemia, and active form of vitamin D deficiency. The progressive secondary hyperparathyroidism leads to a series of complications known as a mineral and bone disorder in a chronic kidney disease.

Nephrotoxicity of anticancer treatment.

Severe adverse systemic drug events occur commonly as a result of treatment of cancer patients. Nephrotoxicity of chemotherapeutic agents remains a significant complication limiting the efficacy of the treatment. A variety of renal disease and electrolyte disorders can result from the drugs that are used to treat malignant disease.

The fate of triaged and rejected manuscripts.

In 2011, Nephrology Dialysis and Transplantation (NDT) established a more restrictive selection process for manuscripts submitted to the journal, reducing the acceptance rate from 25% (2008-2009) to currently about 12-15%. To achieve this goal, we decided to score the priority of manuscripts submitted to NDT and to reject more papers at triage than in the past. This new scoring system allows a rapid decision for the authors without external review.

Do CHA2 DS2 VASc and HAS-BLED scores influence 'real-world' anticoagulation management in atrial fibrillation? 1556 patient registry from the reference cardiology centre.

Introduction: Although recommendations for the antithrombotic management of atrial fibrillation (AF) are based on strong evidence, the European guidelines are not fully implemented into practice.

Objectives: The objective of this study is to analyse antithrombotic treatment in AF in Poland after the publication of the European Society of Cardiology Guidelines in 2012.

Patients And Methods: We retrospectively studied 1556 patients with AF from the Reference Cardiology University Centre in Poland in 2012-2014.

Circulating renalase, catecholamines, and vascular adhesion protein 1 in hypertensive patients.

The aim of the study was to estimate and correlate circulating levels of renalase, vascular adhesion protein-1 (VAP-1), catecholamines in patients with primary hypertension. The renalase, VAP-1, and catecholamines concentration was estimated in 121 hypertensive patients. The correlation between renalase, VAP-1 levels and catecholamine concentration in blood, blood pressure control, pharmacological therapy, and medical history were taken in to consideration.

Copeptin: Pathophysiology and potential clinical impact.

Copeptin, a C-terminal part of the precursor pre-provasopressin is a novel biomarker of arginine-vasopressin (AVP) system. Measurements of AVP concentration are not used in clinical practice because of technical difficulties. Copeptin is synthesized in stoichiometric ratio with AVP, hence it reflects vasopressin concentration in human plasma and serum.

Biomarkers of delayed graft function as a form of acute kidney injury in kidney transplantation.

Renal transplantation ensures distinct advantages for patients with end-stage kidney disease. However, in some cases early complications can lead to allograft dysfunction and consequently graft loss. One of the most common early complications after kidney transplantation is delayed graft function (DGF).

Iron Status and Inflammation in Early Stages of Chronic Kidney Disease.

Background/aims: One of the most common causes of anemia of chronic disease (ACD) is chronic kidney disease. The main pathomechanism responsible for ACD is subclinical inflammation. The key element involved in iron metabolism is hepcidin, however, studies on new indices of iron status are in progress.

Opinions and knowledge about organ donation and transplantation of residents of selected villages in Podlaskie Voivodeship.

Background: In recent years, transplantation, a specific area of medicine, has achieved more and more support and acceptance among different nations around the world. However, there are still many ethical, moral, and legal barriers related to this form of treatment of end-stage organ failures. The aim of this study was to investigate the knowledge and opinions of rural residents about organ transplantation.