Risk factors of death or chronic renal replacement therapy requirements in patients with thrombotic microangiopathies without ADAMTS-13 deficiency.

Thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA), characterized by microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, and multisystem organ dysfunction, is a life-threatening disease. Patients with TMA who do not exhibit a severe ADAMTS-13 deficiency (defined as a disintegrin-like and metalloprotease with thrombospondin type 1 motif no. 13 activity ≥10%: TMA-13n) continue to experience elevated mortality rates.

Sequential administration of paricalcitol followed by IL-17 blockade for progressive refractory IgA nephropathy patients.

There is no established treatment for progressive IgA nephropathy refractory to steroids and immunosuppressant drugs (r-IgAN). Interleukin 17 (IL-17) blockade has garnered interest in immune-mediated diseases involving the gut-kidney axis. However, single IL-17A inhibition induced paradoxical effects in patients with Crohn's disease and some cases of de novo glomerulonephritis, possibly due to the complete Th1 cell response, along with the concomitant downregulation of regulatory T cells (Tregs).

Monthly Continuous Erythropoietin Receptor Activator Versus Weekly Epoetin-Beta, Similar Hemoglobinization but Different Anisocytosis Degree in Hemodialysis Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: The monthly continuous erythropoietin receptor activator (CERA) utilization maintains stable hemoglobin (Hb) after conversion from weekly epoetin-β (EB); however, how the different pharmacologic properties affect the red blood cell (RBC) size determined by RBC distribution width (RDW) has not been evaluated yet. We assess the potential differences in iron metabolism, plasma erythropoietin (EPO), hepcidin, and soluble α-Klotho (α-Klotho) levels as an emergent hematopoiesis factor.

Methods: Thirty-seven chronic hemodialysis patients were included from January 2010 to November 2011 and randomized (1:1) to continue with EB or to convert to monthly CERA.

Impact of a multidisciplinary team for the management of thrombotic microangiopathy.

Background: Thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) is an important complication associated with several diseases that are rare and life-threatening. TMA is common to thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) and hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). TTP is defined by a severe deficiency of ADAMTS13, and early treatment is associated with good prognosis.

Serum uric acid concentration as non-classic cardiovascular risk factor in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: effect of treatment with ethinyl-estradiol plus cyproterone acetate versus metformin.

Background: Serum uric acid levels have emerged as a cardiovascular risk factor, and interventions aimed to decrease its level have been related with an improvement in clinical and non-clinical cardiovascular outcomes.

Methods: Serum uric acid levels were measured in 40 polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) patients and 40 non-hyperandrogenic women matched for BMI and grade of obesity, and were followed-up in 34 PCOS patients who were randomized to an oral contraceptive containing 35 mg ethinyl-estradiol plus 2 mg cyproterone acetate (Diane(35) Diario) or metformin (850 mg twice daily) for 24 weeks.

Results: There were no statistically significant differences in uric acid levels between PCOS and non-hyperandrogenic control women.