Protective Effect of BCG and Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio on Latent Tuberculosis in End Stage Renal Disease.

Introduction: Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccination has been reported to be protective against latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) in the general population. The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effect of BCG vaccination against LTBI in adult patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and renal transplants.

Methods: Patients aged ≥ 20 years with ESRD who received hemodialysis (HD), peritoneal dialysis (PD) or kidney transplant were enrolled from January 2012 to December 2019 at a medical center and a regional hemodialysis center.

Protective Effect of Vaccine Doses and Antibody Titers Against SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Kidney Transplant Recipients.

Patients undergoing kidney transplantation have a poor response to vaccination and a higher risk of disease progression of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The effectiveness of vaccine doses and antibody titer tests against the mutant variant in these patients remains unclear. We retrospectively analyzed the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection in a single medical center according to vaccine doses and immune responses before the outbreak.

Long-term durability of sustained virologic response for hepatitis C virus infection in solid organ transplant recipients receiving direct-acting antivirals.

Data are limited regarding the long-term durability of sustained virologic response (SVR) in solid organ transplant recipients who achieve SVR with direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) for hepatitis C virus (HCV). We reported the virologic outcomes in 42 recipients who received DAAs for acute or chronic HCV infection after heart, liver, and kidney transplantation. After achieving SVR, all recipients received HCV RNA surveys at SVR, and biannually until the last visit.

Outbreak investigation in a COVID-19 designated hospital: The combination of phylogenetic analysis and field epidemiology study suggesting airborne transmission.

Background: Healthcare-associated COVID-19 infections caused by SARS-CoV-2 have increased morbidity and mortality. Hospitals and skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) have been challenged by infection control and management.

Methods: This case study presents an outbreak investigation in a COVID-19-designated hospital and a hospital-based SNF.

Immunogenicity and safety of two-dose SARS-CoV-2 vaccination different platforms in kidney transplantation recipients.

After kidney transplantation, patients exhibit a poor response to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccination. However, the efficacy and adverse effects of vaccines based on different platforms in these patients remain unclear. We prospectively analyzed both anti-spike protein antibody and cellular responses 1 month after the first and second doses of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines in 171 kidney transplant patients.

Survey of factors associated with the willingness toward living kidney donation.

Background: Living donor kidney transplantation (LDKT) is an important organ resource, especially in countries with low deceased donation rates. Strategies for expanding access to transplantation should be developed by identifying the modifiable factors. In this study, we evaluated these factors in the relatives of patients from both medical centers and dialysis clinics using questionnaires.

Effects of perioperative dexmedetomidine infusion on renal function and microcirculation in kidney transplant recipients: a randomised controlled trial.

Objective: Ischemia-reperfusion injury affects postoperative transplanted kidney function in kidney transplant recipients. Dexmedetomidine was reported to attenuate ischemia-reperfusion injury and improve microcirculation, but its propensity to cause bradycardia and hypotension may adversely affect microcirculation. This study investigated the effect of dexmedetomidine on postoperative renal function and sublingual microcirculation in kidney recipients.

Different methods of detaching adherent cells and their effects on the cell surface expression of Fas receptor and Fas ligand.

In cell culture environment, some cells adhere firmly to the culture plates and may be vulnerable to cell detachment during passage. Therefore, it is important to harvest cells with a proper detaching method to maintain the viability of cells after detachment. Trypsinization is frequently used for cellular dissociation and detachment.

Importance of the creation of a short musculofascial tunnel in peritoneal dialysis catheter placement.

Background: Peritoneal dialysis (PD) catheter migration impedes the efficacy of dialysis. Therefore, several techniques involving additional sutures or incisions have been proposed to maintain catheter position in the pelvis.

Aim: To evaluate the efficacy of creating a short musculofascial tunnel beneath the anterior sheath of the rectus abdominis during PD catheter implantation.

Hepatitis C virus reinfection in patients on haemodialysis after achieving sustained virologic response with antiviral treatment.

Background: Data are limited regarding the risk of hepatitis C virus (HCV) reinfection after treatment-induced sustained virologic response (SVR) in patients on haemodialysis.

Aims: To assess the risk of HCV reinfection among patients on haemodialysis with treatment-induced SVR.

Methods: Patients on haemodialysis patients who achieved SVR with interferon (IFN) or direct-acting antiviral (DAA)-based treatment received follow-up at SVR and then biannually with HCV RNA measurements.

The role of S100A9 in the interaction between pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cells and stromal cells.

Background: A major feature of the microenvironment in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is the significant amount of extracellular matrix produced by pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs), which have been reported to enhance the invasiveness of pancreatic cancer cells and negatively impact the prognosis.

Methods: We analyzed the data from two publicly available microarray datasets deposited in the Gene Expression Omnibus and found candidate genes that were differentially expressed in PDAC cells with metastatic potential and PDAC cells cocultured with PSCs. We studied the interaction between PDAC cells and PSCs in vitro and verified our finding with the survival data of patients with PDAC from the website of The Human Protein Atlas.

Dynamics of cellular immune responses in recipients of renal allografts positive for hepatitis B surface antigen.

Background/purpose: Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-positive renal transplantation recipients must take lifelong immunosuppressants and nucleotide analogues (NAs). We investigated the cellular immune responses of HBsAg-positive renal transplantation recipients taking immunosuppressants and NAs.

Methods: Blood samples were collected from HBsAg-positive individuals with end-stage renal disease on the transplant waiting list (Group 1) and renal transplantation recipients taking immunosuppressants and NAs (Group 2) or immunosuppressants without NAs (Group 3).

Unmet Care Needs and Related Factors of Spouses of Liver or Kidney Transplant Recipients.

This study aimed to (1) explore the unmet care needs of spouses of liver or kidney transplant recipients, (2) compare the unmet care needs, depression, and anxiety levels of transplant recipients and their spouses, and (3) identify factors related to spouses' unmet care needs. A cross-sectional study was conducted using purposive sampling from transplant outpatient departments at a medical center. Ninety-one liver or kidney transplant recipient-spouse dyads were recruited.

Two-year protocol biopsy after kidney transplantation in clinically stable recipients - a retrospective study.

The idea of protocol biopsy is to detect subclinical pathologies, including rejection, recurrent disease, or infection for early intervention and adjustment of immunosuppressants. Nevertheless, it is not adopted by most clinicians because of its low yield rate and uncertain long-term benefits. This retrospective study evaluated the impact of protocol biopsy on renal function and allograft survival.

Care Needs for Organ Transplant Recipients Scale: Development and psychometric testing.

Background: Needs assessment can determine how large the gap is between needs and available services; however, no tools are available to assess the unmet needs of renal transplant recipients.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to develop the Care Needs for Organ Transplant Recipients Scale (CNOTRS) and examine its psychometric properties.

Design: A cross-sectional design for instrument development and psychometric testing.

Latent Tuberculosis Infection Increases in Kidney Transplantation Recipients Compared With Transplantation Candidates: A Neglected Perspective in Tuberculosis Control.

Background: The prevalence and incidence of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) in patients with kidney transplantation remain unclear.

Methods: In this prospective study, we enrolled kidney transplantation candidates (KTCs) and recipients (KTRs) from 2014 to 2018. We defined LTBI as a positive result of QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-tube (QFT).

Telbivudine for renal transplant recipients with chronic hepatitis B infection: a randomized controlled trial with early termination.

Background: The aim of this study was to analyze changes in renal function in HBsAg-positive renal transplant recipients receiving lamivudine who did or did not switch to telbivudine.

Methods: In this prospective randomized clinical trial (RCT), HBsAg-positive renal transplant recipients who had received lamivudine prophylaxis for at least 6 months were 1:2 randomized to receive either lamivudine or telbivudine for another 24 months. Renal function was evaluated by creatinine level and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) at the time of randomization (baseline), 6, 12, 18, and 24 months respectively.

Prognostic factors for renal transplant graft survival in a retrospective cohort of 1000 cases: The role of desensitization therapy.

Background: To review the results of renal transplantation after promulgation of the Human Organ Transplant Act in Taiwan in 1987, we conducted a retrospective study in the first 1000 cases performed in our hospital. Prognostic factors for graft survival were assessed with emphasis on the impact of donor-specific antibody (DSA).

Methods: Between January 1988 and April 2014, there were 1000 cases of renal transplantation performed in our hospital.

An observational study of microcirculation in dialysis patients and kidney transplant recipients.

Background: Microcirculatory dysfunction contributes to acute and chronic kidney diseases. To the best of our knowledge, no study has compared differences in microcirculation among healthy volunteers, dialysis patients and kidney transplant recipients.

Materials And Methods: Sublingual microcirculation was examined using sidestream dark field imaging and was compared among 90 healthy volunteers, 40 dialysis patients and 40 kidney transplant recipients.

The ubiquitin ligase ZNRF1 promotes caveolin-1 ubiquitination and degradation to modulate inflammation.

Caveolin-1 (CAV1), the major constituent of caveolae, plays a pivotal role in various cellular biological functions, including cancer and inflammation. The ubiquitin/proteasomal pathway is known to contribute to the regulation of CAV1 expression, but the ubiquitin ligase responsible for CAV1 protein stability remains unidentified. Here we reveal that E3 ubiquitin ligase ZNRF1 modulates CAV1 protein stability to regulate Toll-like receptor (TLR) 4-triggered immune responses.

Repeated cycles of high-dose intravenous immunoglobulin and plasmapheresis for treatment of late antibody-mediated rejection of renal transplants.

Background/purpose: Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) plays a central role in the treatment of antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) of renal allografts, but the treatment outcomes for late AMR (>6 months after transplantation) are poor.

Methods: We performed a retrospective study to assess the response patterns of IVIG-based (2 g/kg) desensitization for late AMR. Patients who received desensitization after the pathological diagnosis of late AMR positive for complement component C4d were grouped as the Desensitized Group and compared to a historical Control Group with complement component C4d positivity in retrospective stainings.

The influence of a caveolin-1 mutant on the function of P-glycoprotein.

The genetic heterogeneity in cancer cells has an increased chance in the acquisition of new mutant such as drug-resistant phenotype in cancer cells. The phenotype of drug resistance in cancer cells could be evaluated by the number or function of drug transporters on cell membranes, which would lead to decreased intracellular anti-cancer drugs concentration. Caveolae are flask-shaped invaginations on cell membrane that function in membrane trafficking, endocytosis, and as a compartment where receptors and signaling proteins are concentrated.

Renal transplantation across the donor-specific antibody barrier: Graft outcome and cancer risk after desensitization therapy.

Background/purpose: Desensitization regimens including use of intravenous immune globulin and rituximab have been reported to overcome renal transplant hyperacute rejection. A retrospective case-control study was performed to assess the results and complications of renal transplantation with desensitization therapy for donor-specific antibody (DSA) in a transplant center in Asia, where donor exchange was usually not allowed.

Methods: Between January 2007 and December 2013, 22 patients with DSA received live-donor renal transplantation after desensitization (DSA group).

De novo cancer avoidance after renal transplantation: A case-control study on low-dose sirolimus combined with a calcineurin inhibitor.

Background/purpose: Full-dose sirolimus (SRL) therapy without a calcineurin inhibitor (CNI) reduces the incidence of malignancy after renal transplantation, but with significant side effects. We hypothesized that de novo therapy with low-dose SRL combined with a CNI could still prevent cancer in renal transplant recipients.

Methods: A retrospective case-control study was performed to assess the cancer incidence among renal transplant patients who had undergone surgery in our transplant centers between January 2000 and June 2012.