Description of immature stages of Gamostolus subantarcticus (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Aenictopecheidae) from Tierra del Fuego, Argentina.

The immature stages of Gamostolus subantarcticus (Berg, 1883) (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Aenictopecheidae) are described and compared. Main characteristics to distinguish the nymphs from adults are explained, among which we emphasize the relationship between antennal and rostral segments as important characters for their separation.

LptD-antigen system on gold nanoparticles: an innovative strategy in the nanovaccine development.

Nanovaccine development is a growing research field in which the development of new carriers and bioconjugation approaches is a priority. In this sense, this report describes for the first time, the development of a novel conjugate that consists of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) obtained by a one-step synthesis using an immunogenic peptide of the Lipopolysaccharide-assembly protein LptD frombacteria as a reducing and capping agent. The resultingcompounds were fully characterized and the results showed the high capacity of the peptide to form complexes and reduce gold ions.

Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 activity and 4G/5G polymorphism in hemodialysis.

Introduction: Chronic insufficiency alters homeostasis, in part due to endothelial inflammation. Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) is increased in renal disease, contributing to vascular damage. We assessed PAI-1 activity and PAI-1 4G/5G polymorphism in hemodialysis (HD) subjects and any association between thrombotic vascular access (VA) events and PAI-1 polymorphism.

Dual renin-angiotensin system blockade plus oral methylprednisone for the treatment of proteinuria in IgA nephropathy.

Renin-angiotensin system inhibition is a widely accepted approach to initially deal with proteinuria in IgA nephropathy, while the role of immunosuppressants remains controversial in many instances. A prospective, uncontrolled, open-label trial was undertaken in patients with biopsy-proven IgA nephropathy with proteinuria > 0.5 g/day and normal renal function to assess the efficacy of a combination treatment of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors plus angiotensin receptor blockers enalapril valsartan coupled with methylprednisone to decrease proteinuria to levels below 0.

Disodium pamidronate for treating severe hypercalcemia in a hemodialysis patient.

Background: A 48-year-old man with a recent diagnosis of multiple myeloma and rapidly progressive oliguric end-stage renal disease requiring hemodialysis, presented with a serum calcium concentration of 3.4 mmol/l (13.6 mg/dl).

Thrombotic events of arteriovenous fistulae in hemodialysis patients related to the C677T thermolabile variant of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase.

Background: Hyperhomocysteinemia is a risk factor for thrombosis, a frequent complication of vascular access (VA) in hemodialysis (HD). The enzyme methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) is necessary for the remethylation of homocysteine (Hcy) to methionine. It has been postulated that patients homozygous and, to a lesser extent, heterozygous for the C677T thermolabile variant of this enzyme present a reduced catalytic activity, with secondary increases in plasmatic Hcy levels (normal: 10 +/- 5 micromol/L) and an elevated risk of vascular thromboses.

Clopidogrel diminishes hemodialysis access graft thrombosis.

Background: The most common complication of hemodialysis access graft is thrombosis. Clopidogrel, an inhibitor of platelet aggregation, was assessed to prevent this serious complication.

Methods: Nineteen patients on chronic hemodialysis whose vascular accesses were grafts were divided into two groups: Group A (n=11, 58%) consisted of patients who did not receive anti-thrombotic therapy after graft placement; Group B (n=8, 42%) received clopidogrel 75 mg/day from two days after surgery onwards.

Low initial vitamin B12 levels in Helicobacter pylori--positive patients on chronic hemodialysis.

Background: Helicobacter pylori has been identified as a possible cause of vitamin B12 deficiency in the general population. We assessed any potential relationship between low cyanocobalamin serum levels and Helicobacter pylori status in hemodialysis patients and subsequently correlated these results with the existence of anemia (a common complication in hemodialysis patients), and macrocytosis.

Methods: In 29 chronic hemodialysis patients, active H.

N-acetylcysteine reduces malondialdehyde levels in chronic hemodialysis patients--a pilot study.

Background: Oxidative stress has been implicated in the development of endothelial damage in hemodialysis (HD). We have assessed the effects of N-acetylcysteine (NAC), a compound with antioxidant effects, on malondialdehyde (MDA), a marker of oxidative stress on lipid peroxidation.

Methods: A clinical trial was conducted in which 24 chronic HD patients were divided into 2 groups according to gender, age, time on HD and cause of renal failure.

Late-onset cytomegalovirus-associated interstitial nephritis in a kidney transplant.

Cytomegalovirus is the most important viral infection in kidney transplants, but rarely affects the allograft after the sixth month posttransplantation. We present a patient who developed renal failure eighteen months posttransplant; a kidney biopsy showed cytomegalovirus inclusions, acute tubular necrosis and mild interstitial nephritis. After intravenous ganciclovir, renal function transiently improved.

The C677T thermolabile variant of methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase on homocysteine, folate and vitamin B12 in a hemodialysis center.

Homocysteine is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Mutations in a key enzyme in homocysteine metabolism, methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase, may contribute to hyperhomocysteinemia and alter folate and cobalamin levels. After starting hemodialysis, 10 mg oral folate daily and 500 micrograms intravenous methylcobalamin once weekly were prescribed to 27 hemodialysis patients (time on hemodialysis > or = 12 months) and two groups were defined: Group A normal; Group B heterozygous.

Ultrasonographic diagnosis of ovine cystic echinococcosis.

The sanitary and economic impact of cystic echinococcosis is serious in those countries where it becomes endemic. Ultrasonography is one technique that may be used to diagnose this disease in endemic areas. In parasitized sheep, hydatid cysts appear sonographically as a round hypoechoic structure.

Cyclosporine-associated thrombotic microangiopathy during daclizumab induction: a suggested therapeutic approach.

A woman on daclizumab developed thrombotic microangiopathy secondary to cyclosporine after a living-unrelated kidney transplant. Despite cyclosporine discontinuation, hemolysis persisted. The second dose of daclizumab was postponed 24 h, and after a maximum of two sessions of plasmapheresis (to avoid further modifications in daclizumab schedule) with plasma exchange, daclizumab was administered.