Antifungal Activity of Newly Formed Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) Modification by Zinc Oxide and Zinc Oxide-Silver Hybrid Nanoparticles.

Incorporating nanoparticles into denture materials shows promise for the prevention of denture-associated fungal infections. This study investigates the antifungal properties of acrylic modified with microwave-sintered ZnO-Ag nanoparticles. ZnO-Ag nanoparticles (1% and 2.

Renal artery stenosis stenting with unmasking and embolisation of a renal arteriovenous fistula.

A man in his 70s was presented to the emergency department with uncontrollable hypertension and worsening renal function on a background of atherosclerosis-related bilateral renal artery stenosis. Following progressive deterioration in renal function and refractory hypertension, the patient was referred to interventional radiology for consideration of renal artery stenting. Following stenting of the right renal artery, a large renal arteriovenous fistula became apparent, which required emergent embolisation.

Left ventricular torsion changes post kidney transplantation.

Background: To quantify changes of left ventricular (LV) torsion in patients' pre and post kidney transplantation.

Methods: A prospective study was conducted on 48 patients who received kidney transplantation for end stage renal disease and without myocardial infarction. The rotation, twist and torsion of LV were studied pre and post kidney transplantation (6 months post transplantation) using velocity vector imaging by echocardiography.

Polyomavirus JC urinary shedding in kidney and liver transplant recipients associated with reduced creatinine clearance.

Background: Polyomavirus reactivation can cause significant morbidity in solid organ transplant recipients, particularly BK virus (BKV) in kidney transplant patients. Less is known about dynamics of John Cunningham virus (JCV) in nonkidney organ transplant patients.

Methods: We examined the frequency of urinary shedding of polyomaviruses BKV and JCV and their relationship to creatinine clearance (CrCl) in a longitudinal study of 41 kidney and 33 liver transplant recipients.

Relationship between inpatient hyperglycemia and insulin treatment after kidney transplantation and future new onset diabetes mellitus.

Background And Objectives: Approximately two-thirds of kidney transplant recipients with no previous history of diabetes experience inpatient hyperglycemia immediately after kidney transplant surgery; whether inpatient hyperglycemia predicts future new onset diabetes after transplant (NODAT) is not established.

Design, Setting, Participants, & Measurements: A retrospective study was conducted to determine the risk conferred by inpatient hyperglycemia on development of NODAT within 1 year posttransplant. All adult nondiabetic kidney transplant recipients between June 1999 and January 2008 were included.

Altered Na(+) currents in atrial fibrillation effects of ranolazine on arrhythmias and contractility in human atrial myocardium.

Objectives: We investigated changes in Na(+) currents (I(Na)) in permanent (or chronic) atrial fibrillation (AF) and the effects of I(Na) inhibition using ranolazine (Ran) on arrhythmias and contractility in human atrial myocardium.

Background: Electrical remodeling during AF is typically associated with alterations in Ca(2+) and K(+) currents. It remains unclear whether I(Na) is also altered.

Immunosuppression in simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation: progress to date.

Simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation (SPKT) is the treatment of choice for patients with end-stage renal failure due to type 1 diabetes mellitus. With advances in surgical techniques and immunosuppression management, outcomes have improved, with current 1- and 10-year pancreas graft survival rates of 86% and 53%, respectively. Induction therapy with either alemtuzumab or rabbit antithymocyte globulin (rATG) in combination with a calcineurin inhibitor (CNI) and mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) or sirolimus appears to be safe and effective in the setting of rapid steroid withdrawal (RSW), with excellent graft survival and low rejection rates.

Increased prevalence of reduced estimated glomerular filtration rate in chronic hepatitis C patients.

Background: To investigate the prevalence and severity of reduced estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC).

Methods: Medical record review of 831 consecutive CHC patients seen in our clinic between July 2000 and August 2003; eGFR was estimated using the abbreviated Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (aMDRD) equation. The stage of kidney disease was determined based on eGFR expressed in milliliters per minute per 1.

Hyperglycemia during the immediate period after kidney transplantation.

Background And Objectives: Hyperglycemia and new-onset diabetes occurs frequently after kidney transplantation. The stress of surgery and exposure to immunosuppression medications have metabolic effects and can cause or worsen preexisting hyperglycemia. To our knowledge, hyperglycemia in the immediate posttransplantation period has not been studied.

Plasmapheresis therapy for rare but potentially fatal reaction to rituximab.

Rituximab (Rituxan), a genetically engineered chimeric murine and human IgG1 monoclonal antibody directed against CD20 antigen, is an emerging drug used for a wide spectrum of disease processes and found to be relatively safe. We report a near-fatal reaction to rituximab, which started 30 min after infusion and worsened over 24 to 48 h, resulting in hemodynamic and respiratory compromise that necessitated both intubation and high-dose vasopressors. Subsequent treatment with plasmapheresis helped stabilize and improve the patient's clinical condition, and the patient was discharged home on hospital day 5.

Clinical factors associated with graft fibrosis in kidney-transplant recipients on steroid-avoidance immunosuppression.

Background: Recent studies have documented good patient and graft outcomes and a low risk of acute rejection with steroid-avoidance immunosuppression in kidney-transplant recipients, but the risk of progressive graft fibrosis is not well studied.

Methods: All adult primary kidney transplant or combined kidney and pancreas transplant recipients on steroid avoidance immunosuppression were eligible for study. All recipients received induction with antithymocyte globulin or basiliximab.

Decline in native renal function early after bladder-drained pancreas transplantation alone.

Background: Pancreas transplant alone (PTA) has become accepted therapy for select nonuremic patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus. However, PTA may lead to significant complications including a decline in native renal function. This study examines trends in native renal function during the first posttransplant year in PTA recipients with a spectrum of pretransplant glomerular filtration rates (GFR).