The role of mammalian target of rapamycin pathway in the pathogenesis of pauci-immune glomerulonephritis.

The characteristic lesion of pauci-immune glomerulonephritis is focal necrotizing and crescentic glomerulonephritis. The underlying mechanisms in the formation or progression of crescent formation need further investigations. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the role of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), which might be a potential therapeutic target, in kidney biopsies of patients with pauci-immune glomerulonephritis.

Prognostic value of glomerular C4d staining in patients with IgA nephritis.

Introduction: Mesangial IgA deposition is the initiative factor in the pathogenesis of IgA nephropathy (IgAN). Glomerular IgA depositon leads to activation local complement system. C4d positivity shows that complement activation occurs via alternative pathway.

Quantitative evaluation of interstitial fibrosis with Sirius Red in IgA nephritis.

Objective: Tubulointerstitial fibrosis is one of the strongest independent predictive factors in determining the prognosis in IgA nephritis. Recently, software-based quantitative measurement of interstitial fibrosis with Sirius Red staining has entered the practice. The objective of this study was to investigate the prognostic value of measurement of interstitial nephritis with this method in IgA nephritis.

Prognostic value of NGAL staining in patients with IgA nephropathy.

Background: Renal tubulointerstitial injury plays an important role in disease progression of IgAN. Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) is a stress protein released by tubular cells. NGAL is a promising biomarker of acute kidney injury.

Glomerular c4d staining can be an indicator of disease activity in lupus nephritis.

Background: Abnormalities in complement activation and clearance of immune complexes by erythrocytes are the central pathogenic mechanisms in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Serum C4d level, which is a degradation product of complement factor C4, was found to be a sensitive indicator of SLE activity. Our aim was to determine whether glomerular C4d staining could be a useful marker of disease activity in patients with lupus nephritis.

TLR polymorphisms in FMF: association of TLR-2 (Arg753Gln) and TLR-4 (Asp299Gly, Thre399Ile) polymorphisms and myeloid cell TLR-2 and TLR-4 expression with the development of secondary amyloidosis in FMF.

Amyloidosis is the major complication of familial Mediterranean fever (FMF). Toll-like receptors (TLR) are involved in the activation of an innate immune system TLR-2 and TLR-4 recognize lipoteichoic acid and lipopolysaccharides (LPS), respectively. While TLR-2 Arg753Gln polymorphism upregulates, TLR-4 Asp299Gly and Thre399Ile polymorphisms downregulate inflammation.

An unusual vascular involvement in a patient with Behcet's disease: renal artery stenosis.

Behcet's disease (BD) is a rare multisystem inflammatory disorder characterized by recurrent ulcers affecting the mouth and genitals, various skin lesions, relapsing iritis, and vasculitis. Vascular events may dominate the clinical presentation in some patients with BD. Hitherto three forms of vascular disease such as venous occlusions, arterial aneurysms, and arterial occlusions have been reported in BD.

Preventive effect of nebivolol on contrast-induced nephropathy in rats.

Background: Altered renal vasodilatation and oxidative stress are important mechanisms of contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN). The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of nebivolol, a beta blocker, on prevention of CIN. We hypothesized that nebivolol may prevent CIN due to its renal vasodilatation and antioxidant effects.

Impact of diabetic and pre-diabetic state on development of contrast-induced nephropathy in patients with chronic kidney disease.

Background: The aim of the present study was to assess the influence of diabetic and pre-diabetic state on the development of contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) in chronic kidney disease patients undergoing coronary angiography.

Methods: A total of 421 patients with Cockcroft clearance between 15 and 60 ml/min were divided into three groups [diabetes mellitus (DM), n = 137; pre-diabetes (pre-DM), n = 140; and normal fasting glucose (NFG), n = 144]. CIN was defined as an increase of > or =25% in creatinine over baseline within 48 h of angiography, DM as glucose > or =126 mg/dl, pre-DM as glucose between 100 and 125 mg/dl and NFG as glucose <100 mg/dl.

Reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome due to arteriovenous fistula.

A patient with end-stage renal disease presented with reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome (RSDS) on her left hand 1 month after arteriovenous fistula (AVF) surgery. Magnetic resonance angiography revealed steal syndrome at the AVF level. Bone scintigraphy revealed early-stage RSDS.

The effects of weekly mupirocin application on infections in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis patients.

Application of mupirocin to the nares or catheter exit site and frequency of mupirocin administration in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients remain controversial. The objective of our study was to evaluate, using a historical control group, the efficacy on CAPD-related infections of once-weekly application of mupirocin at the catheter exit site. We instructed 18 CAPD patients, who did not initially use prophylactic antibiotic treatment, about once-weekly application of mupirocin ointment to the exit site as part of their exit-site care.