Computer assisted sound analysis of arteriovenous fistula in hemodialysis patients.

The purpose of this study was to reveal the unique sound characteristics of the bruit produced by arteriovenous fistulae (AVF), using a computerized method. An electronic stethoscope (20 Hz to 20 000 Hz sensitivity) was used, connected to a portable laptop computer. Forty prevalent hemodialysis patients participated in the study.

Association of iron depletion with menstruation and dietary intake indices in pubertal girls: the healthy growth study.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the associations of iron depletion (ID) with menstrual blood losses, lifestyle, and dietary habits, in pubertal girls. The study sample comprised 1222 girls aged 9-13 years old. Biochemical, anthropometrical, dietary, clinical, and physical activity data were collected.

Phosphate binders in chronic kidney disease. When should we start, what should we prescribe?

It has been more than 2000 years since Hippocrates described renal disease and observed its progressive nature. Decreased survival and deteriorated health status of these patients' being is attributed to cardiovascular disease. There is increasing interest regarding the impact of non-traditional risk factors, including hyperphosphatemia, elevated calcium-phosphate (CaxPO(4)) product, elevated parathyroid hormone levels and extensive use of calcium-containing phosphate binders on vascular calcification.

Pharmacological management of hypertensive emergencies and urgencies: focus on newer agents.

Introduction: Hypertensive crises are categorized as hypertensive emergencies and urgencies depending on the presence of acute target-organ damage; the former are potentially life-threatening medical conditions, requiring urgent treatment under close monitoring. Although several short-acting intravenous antihypertensive agents are approved for this purpose, until recently little evidence from proper trials on the relative merits of different therapies was available.

Areas Covered: This article discusses in brief the pathophysiology, epidemiology and diagnostic approach of hypertensive crises and provides an extensive overview of established and emerging pharmacological agents for the treatment of patients with hypertensive emergencies and urgencies.

A study of the association of higher parathormone levels with health-related quality of life in hemodialysis patients.

Secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) is associated with poor outcome including mortality, hospitalization, as well as greater healthcare resource utilization and costs in chronic kidney disease (CKD). We hypothesized that SHPT is also associated with poor self reported health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in prevalent hemodialysis (HD) patients. We conducted a case-control study in patients with CKD receiving longterm HD treatment, in six dialysis clinics in Greece.

Hemodialysis reduces augmentation index but not aortic or brachial pulse wave velocity in dialysis-requiring patients.

Background/aims: Arterial stiffening characterizes the vasculature of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients and is a strong predictor of their cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Previous studies evaluating the effect of hemodialysis on large artery elasticity gave contradictory results. This study aimed to investigate the impact of hemodialysis on arterial stiffness and wave reflections on chronic hemodialysis patients.

Haemostatic profile of healthy premature small for gestational age neonates.

Background: The pathogenetic profile of premature Small for Gestational Age (SGA) neonates is strongly related to their haemostatic equilibrium, which is inadequately understood.

Objective: To evaluate coagulation and fibrinolysis in premature SGA neonates before intervening with Vitamin K administration.

Study Design: We performed a comparison of coagulation, natural inhibitors and fibrinolysis between SGA and Appropriate for Gestational Age (AGA) infants born prematurely [gestational age (G.

A rare retroperitoneal schwannoma in a patient with neurofibromatosis Type 2.

Neurofibromatosis Type 2 (NF2) is a dominantly inherited tumour-prone disorder, characterized by the development of multiple schwannomas, meningiomas and ependymomas. Its prevalence is around 1:60 000. Vestibular schwannoma (VS) is the hallmark of NF2.

Risk factors for childhood obesity in a Greek paediatric population.

Objective: Obesity in children is a serious public health issue in Greece. The purpose of the current study was to identify risk factors such as birth weight, breast-feeding, dietary patterns, family history of obesity and sedentary behaviours that are possibly associated with paediatric obesity.

Design: Two hundred and five overweight and obese children (OW/OB; group 1) aged 7-15 years from eight primary and secondary schools and a control group (group 2) of normal-weight children were matched for age and sex.

Possible Health Implications and Low Vitamin D Status during Childhood and Adolescence: An Updated Mini Review.

Vitamin D deficiency is common in the developing countries and exists in both childhood and adult life. The great importance of Vitamin D is the moderation of calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) homeostasis as well as the absorption of Ca. While insufficiency of vitamin D is a significant contributing factor to risk of rickets in childhood, it is possible that a more marginal deficiency of vitamin D during life span contribute to osteoporosis as well as potentially to the development and various other chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, cancer and diabetes.

Haemostatic profile of full-term, healthy, small for gestational age neonates.

Background: Small for Gestational Age (SGA) neonates often appear with haemostatic alterations, principally due to hepatic dysfunction that results from chronic intrauterine hypoxia. Polycythaemia and thrombocytopenia are common findings in this neonatal population.

Study Design: We performed a comparison of coagulation, natural inhibitors and fibrinolysis between SGA and Appropriate for Gestational Age (AGA) infants born full term [gestational age (G.

Is there any association between high-density lipoprotein, insulin resistance and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in obese children?

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is estimated to occur in about 50% of obese children. The purpose of this study is to examine the association of anthropometric, biochemical and liver indexes in obese children with and without NAFLD and its relation with insulin resistance (IR). Forty-three obese children participated in the study.

Are saturated fatty acids and insulin resistance associated with fatty liver in obese children?

Background: Fatty liver (FL) is a common cause of liver disease in children. Obesity and insulin resistance (IR) play an important role in pathogenesis of FL. Diet has been reported to affect IR and possibly FL.

Slow intravenous iron administration does not aggravate oxidative stress and inflammatory biomarkers during hemodialysis: a comparative study between iron sucrose and iron dextran.

Background/aims: Fast intravenous (i.v.) iron administration during hemodialysis (HD) is associated with the augmentation of oxidative stress and the increase in inflammatory biomarkers, which are also induced by the hemodialysis procedure itself.