[Treatment of chronic kidney disease in IgA nephropathy].

This article provides an overview of treatment approaches for chronic kidney disease (CKD) in patients with IgA nephropathy (IgAN). IgAN is the most common primary glomerulonephritis and results from an autoimmune reaction to aberrantly glycosylated immunoglobulin A (IgA) antibodies. Although historically considered largely benign, it is now recognized that a significant percentage of patients develop dialysis-dependent kidney disease over the years.

The Importance of Thioredoxin-1 in Health and Disease.

Thioredoxin-1 (Trx-1) is a multifunctional protein ubiquitously found in the human body. Trx-1 plays an important role in various cellular functions such as maintenance of redox homeostasis, proliferation, and DNA synthesis, but also modulation of transcription factors and control of cell death. Thus, Trx-1 is one of the most important proteins for proper cell and organ function.

Algorithm-based detection of acute kidney injury according to full KDIGO criteria including urine output following cardiac surgery: a descriptive analysis.

Background: Automated data analysis and processing has the potential to assist, improve and guide decision making in medical practice. However, by now it has not yet been fully integrated in a clinical setting. Herein we present the first results of applying algorithm-based detection to the diagnosis of postoperative acute kidney injury (AKI) comprising patient data from a cardiac surgical intensive care unit (ICU).

Enhanced Oxidative DNA-Damage in Peritoneal Dialysis Patients via the TXNIP/TRX Axis.

Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is an effective method of renal replacement therapy, providing a high level of patient autonomy. Nevertheless, the long-term use of PD is limited due to deleterious effects of PD fluids to the structure and function of the peritoneal membrane leading to loss of dialysis efficacy. PD patients show excessive oxidative stress compared to controls or chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients not on dialysis.

Unravelling the pathophysiology of chronic kidney disease-associated pruritus.

For decades, itch related to chronic kidney disease (CKDaP) has been a clinical problem, but the aetiology and pathophysiology of CKDaP are still not yet fully understood-currently the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms are thought to be multifactorial. As new therapeutic targets have recently been identified and clinical trials have shown promising results, our current understanding of the interrelationships has expanded significantly. Here we review the pathophysiology and recent findings on modulation and sensitization of itch contributing to the development of CKDaP, covering hypothesis regarding immune system dysfunction, metabolic changes, uremic toxin deposition, peripheral neuropathy and imbalances in the endogenous opioid system.

Gender-Specific Differences of Renal Heat Tolerance in Older Adults during Heat Waves.

Background: Heat waves are known to cause increased morbidity and mortality in susceptible populations like old and functionally impaired people. The objective of the study was to assess renal tubular stress, a predictor for development of acute kidney injury, during heat waves in Central Europe. As a marker of renal tubular stress tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-2 [TIMP-2]·insulin-like growth factor binding protein-7 [IGFBP7], a new FDA-cleared renal tubular stress biomarker, was used.

Peritoneal Expression of SGLT-2, GLUT1, and GLUT3 in Peritoneal Dialysis Patients.

Introduction: In peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients, the peritoneal membrane is affected by glucose-based solutions used as peritoneal dialysate fluids. This exposure leads to changes of the membrane which may eventually culminate in fibrosis and method failure. In vitro or animal studies demonstrated that glucose transporters are upregulated upon exposure to these solutions.

Under-recognition of Acute Kidney Injury after Cardiac Surgery in the ICU Impedes Early Detection and Prevention.

Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is associated with high morbidity and mortality; therefore, prevention is important. The aim of this study was to systematically assess AKI incidence after cardiac surgery as documented in clinical routine compared to the real incidence because AKI may be under-recognized in clinical practice. Further, its postoperative management was compared to Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) recommendations because recognition and adequate treatment represent the fundamental cornerstone in the prevention and management of AKI.

Physician-guided, hybrid genetic testing exerts promising effects on health-related behavior without compromising quality of life.

Genetic risk analysis is increasingly in demand by participants. Hybrid genetic testing has the advantage over direct to consumer testing by involving a physician who guides the process and offers counseling after receiving the results. The objective of this study was to determine whether a structured physician moderated primary preventive, hybrid genetic risk assessment enhanced counseling program leads to improvement in lifestyle and does not impair quality of life.

[How to manage polypharmacia?].

Pharmacogenomics (PGx) is a key component of personalized medicine to improve clinical outcome of drug therapy and/or to avoid adverse drug reactions. Major efforts are currently spent internationally to implement PGx diagnostics into clinical practice. Evidence-based recommendations for dose-adjusted treatment which are established by international expert groups covering clinical and pharmacological expertise are publicly available.

The phenotype of adverse drug effects: Do emergency visits due to adverse drug reactions look different in older people? Results from the ADRED study.

Aims: Older patients in particular suffer from adverse drug reactions (ADR) when presenting in the emergency department. We aimed to characterise the phenotype of those ADRs, to be able to recognise an ADR in older patients.

Methods: Cases of ADRs in emergency departments collected within the multicentre prospective observational study (ADRED) were analysed (n = 2215).

Prevalence of Pruritus in a Single Cohort of Long-term Kidney Transplant Recipients.

is missing (Short communication).

Personalising drug safety-results from the multi-centre prospective observational study on Adverse Drug Reactions in Emergency Departments (ADRED).

Purpose: Adverse drug reactions (ADR) account for 5 to 7% of emergency department (ED) consultations. We aimed to assess medication risk profiles for ADRs leading to ED visits.

Methods: We analysed medication intake and patient demographics in a prospective multi-centre observational study collecting ADR cases in four large EDs in Germany.

Strong Associations Between Inflammation, Pruritus and Mental Health in Dialysis Patients.

Pruritus, impaired mental health and inflammation contribute to morbidity in end-stage renal disease. There are no studies on all 3 conditions. We therefore obtained inflammatory parameter data (C-reactive protein and interleukin-6), pruritus data and psychological test data (36-Item Short-Form Health Survey, "Allgemeine Depressionsskala" and Toronto Alexithymia Scale-20) for 19 dialysis patients with pruritus, 20 dialysis patients without pruritus and 15 healthy controls.

Urinary [TIMP-2]·[IGFBP7]-guided randomized controlled intervention trial to prevent acute kidney injury in the emergency department.

Background: Early detection and prevention of acute kidney injury (AKI) is important to reduce morbidity and mortality. Discovery of early-detection biomarkers has enabled early preventive approaches. There are no data on early biomarker-guided intervention with nephrological consultation in emergency departments (EDs).