Effect of pre-emptive rituximab on EBV DNA levels and prevention of post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder in pediatric kidney transplant recipients: A case series from the pediatric nephrology research consortium.

Background: There are scant data on the effect of rituximab on EBV DNA levels and prevention of post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) in pediatric kidney transplant recipients with EBV DNAemia.

Methods: Kidney transplant recipients with EBV DNAemia treated with rituximab to prevent PTLD between 7/1999 and 7/2019 at five pediatric centers were included. Those with confirmed PTLD at the onset of rituximab were excluded.

Preparing for kidney replacement therapy in pediatric advanced CKD: a review of literature and defining a multi-disciplinary clinical approach to patient-caregiver education.

Pediatric patients with progressive chronic kidney disease (CKD) approaching kidney replacement therapy (KRT) make up a small population but carry significant morbidity and mortality. Patients and caregivers require comprehensive kidney failure education to ensure a smooth start to KRT. Choice of KRT modality can be influenced by medical comorbidities, patient/caregiver comprehension, and comfort with a particular modality, social and economic factors, and/or implicit bias of the health care team.

Renal oximetry for early acute kidney injury detection in neonates with hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy receiving therapeutic hypothermia.

Background: Neonates with hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) receiving therapeutic hypothermia are at high risk of acute kidney injury (AKI).

Methods: We performed a two-site prospective observational study from 2018 to 2019 to evaluate the utility of renal near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) in detecting AKI in 38 neonates with HIE receiving therapeutic hypothermia. AKI was defined by a delayed rate of serum creatinine decline (< 33% on day 3 of life, < 40% on day 5, and < 46% on day 7).

COVID-19 in pediatric kidney transplantation: a follow-up report of the Improving Renal Outcomes Collaborative.

Background: We report follow-up data from an ongoing prospective cohort study of COVID-19 in pediatric kidney transplantation through the Improving Renal Outcomes Collaborative (IROC).

Methods: Patient-level data from the IROC registry were combined with testing, indication, and outcomes data collected to describe the epidemiology of COVID testing, treatment, and clinical outcomes; determine the incidence of a positive COVID-19 test; describe rates of COVID-19 testing; and assess for clinical predictors of a positive COVID-19 test.

Results: From September 2020 to February 2021, 21 centers that care for 2690 patients submitted data from 648 COVID-19 tests on 465 patients.

Utilization Pattern for Eculizumab Among Children With Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome.

Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) is a complex disease with multi-organ involvement. Eculizumab therapy is recommended for treatment of complement mediated hemolytic uremic syndrome (cHUS). However, there are few studies evaluating eculizumab therapy among children with HUS.

Industry Payments to Nephrologists in the United States.

Background Industry payments to physicians raise concerns about conflicts of interest that have the potential to impact patient care. In this study, we explored nonresearch and nonownership payments from industry to nephrologists to identify trends in compensation. Methodology Using data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), we explored financial relationships between industry and US nephrologists from 2014 to 2018.

Association of Anemia and Blood Pressure With Novel Markers of Diastolic Function in Pediatric Sickle Cell Disease.

Diastolic dysfunction is a known cause of mortality in adults with sickle cell disease (SCD). Left atrial function (LAf) and strain (LAS) are novel echocardiographic parameters to assess early diastolic dysfunction, which have not been assessed in pediatric SCD. Through a retrospective single-center study, we describe echocardiographic parameters of diastology in children with SCD and evaluate their relationship with clinical variables including anemia and blood pressure.

Nocturnal hypertension associated with stroke and silent cerebral infarcts in children with sickle cell disease.

Background: Strokes and silent cerebral infarcts (SCIs) lead to significant morbidity and mortality in children with sickle cell disease (SCD). Higher systolic blood pressures increase risk for stroke and SCIs; however, patients with SCD often have lower clinic blood pressures than the general population. Twenty-four-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) allows for more robust examination of blood pressures.

Ambulatory Hypertension in Pediatric Patients With Sickle Cell Disease and Its Association With End-Organ Damage.

Background Sickle cell disease (SCD), a chronic hemolytic disorder, results in cumulative end-organ damage affecting major organs such as the cardiovascular, renal, and central nervous systems. Effects of modifiable risk factors, such as blood pressure (BP), on the development of end-organ complications in SCD have not been well studied, particularly among the pediatric population. Relative hypertension in patients with SCD increases their risks of stroke, cardiovascular complications, and death.

Outcomes of COVID-19 in Solid Organ Transplants.

The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a global pandemic affecting millions of people worldwide. Solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients are probably at higher risk of severe infection and associated complications from COVID-19. Data on clinical outcomes of COVID-19 infection in SOT recipients are limited.

Use of direct oral anticoagulants in cerebral venous thrombosis: a systematic review.

: We are here to review the efficacy and safety of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) in the treatment of Cerebral Venous Thrombosis (CVT). A search strategy was developed with a research librarian. All published articles including trials, studies, case series, and case reports were reviewed from NCBI/PubMed up to May 2019 by two independent reviewers.

Industry Payment to Vascular Neurologists: A 6-Year Analysis of the Open Payments Program From 2013 Through 2018.

Background and Purpose- Industry payments to physicians raise concerns regarding conflicts of interest that could impact patient care. We explored nonresearch and nonownership payments from industry to vascular neurologists to identify trends in compensation. Methods- Using Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology data, we explored financial relationships between industry and US vascular neurologists from 2013 to 2018.

Author Correction: Tubular cell and keratinocyte single-cell transcriptomics applied to lupus nephritis reveal type I IFN and fibrosis relevant pathways.

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.

Tubular cell and keratinocyte single-cell transcriptomics applied to lupus nephritis reveal type I IFN and fibrosis relevant pathways.

The molecular and cellular processes that lead to renal damage and to the heterogeneity of lupus nephritis (LN) are not well understood. We applied single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) to renal biopsies from patients with LN and evaluated skin biopsies as a potential source of diagnostic and prognostic markers of renal disease. Type I interferon (IFN)-response signatures in tubular cells and keratinocytes distinguished patients with LN from healthy control subjects.

Fabry's disease and stroke: Effectiveness of enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) in stroke prevention, a review with meta-analysis.

Back Ground And Objective: Fabry's disease, is the most prevalent lysosomal storage disorder and is notorious for its early multi-organ involvement leading to complications, including ischemic strokes and transient ischemic attacks. Since 2001, enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) has become the mainstay treatment for Fabry's patients but the indications are not clearly defined. We did a meta-analysis of the available data to review the benefit of ERT for stroke prevention in Fabry's patients.

Why are acute ischemic stroke patients not receiving thrombolysis in a telestroke network?

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine reasons for not giving intravenous tissue plasminogen activator to eligible patients with acute ischemic stroke in a telestroke network.

Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data of patients who were seen as a telestroke consultation during 2015 and 2016 with the Arkansas Stroke Assistance through Virtual Emergency Support programme for possible acute ischemic stroke.

Results: Total consultations seen were 809 in 2015 and 744 in 2016, out of which 238 patients in 2015 and 247 patients in 2016 received intravenous tissue plasminogen activator.

Diagnosis and management of non-calcium-containing stones in the pediatric population.

Compared to adults, urolithiasis is less common in children, with a definite rise in incidence, especially among young adults (Tasian et al. in Clin J Am Soc Nephrol 11:488, 2016). In the last 25 years, the incidence in children has increased by approximately 6-10% annually, for reasons still unknown, with an associated significant increase in related health care-related expenditures (Hyams and Matlaga in Transl Androl Urol 3(3):278-83, 2014).

Single cell RNA sequencing to dissect the molecular heterogeneity in lupus nephritis.

Lupus nephritis is a leading cause of mortality among systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients, and its heterogeneous nature poses a significant challenge to the development of effective diagnostics and treatments. Single cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) offers a potential solution to dissect the heterogeneity of the disease and enables the study of similar cell types distant from the site of renal injury to identify novel biomarkers. We applied scRNA-seq to human renal and skin biopsy tissues and demonstrated that scRNA-seq can be performed on samples obtained during routine care.

Validation of automated Greulich-Pyle bone age determination in children with chronic renal failure?

Growth failure is a common problem in children with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The causes are multifactorial and are associated with increased mortality and morbidity. Standard deviations of bone age versus chronological age in children with CKD have not been developed to date.