Minimal change glomerular disease associated with solid neoplasms: a systematic review.

Background: Paraneoplastic minimal change disease (MCD) has been associated with hematological malignancies, whereas solid malignancies are commonly associated with membranous glomerulonephritis. In this systematic review of the literature, we describe the clinical features, treatment and outcome of MCD associated with solid neoplasms.

Methods: We performed a systematic review of the MEDLINE, COCHRANE, EMBASE and SCOPUS databases, including case reports of adult patients with biopsy-proven MCD and solid malignancy, without language or time restrictions.

Papillary necrosis, fluid intake, and sickle cell nephropathy: lessons for the clinical nephrologist.

[Image: see text]

Obstructive sleep apnea in the hemodialysis population: are clinicians putting existing scientific evidence into practice?

Introduction: Hemodialysis (HD) populations have a high prevalence of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), which was specifically linked with fluid overload. HD fluid management targeting a low dry weight was shown to reduce OSA severity, opening to novel therapeutic options. We assessed nephrologists' awareness of OSA diagnosis in HD patients and whether they integrate the current knowledge into their fluid management strategy.

The impact of the introduction of a clinical nutrition unit in a hospital: a retrospective observational study.

Objectives: the study describes the evolution over the years of the use of artificial nutrition, in particular after the introduction of a dedicated Clinical Nutrition and Dietetic Service. Methods: a single-center, retrospective observational study performed with data collected from 2014 to 2019 at the Regional Hospital of Locarno, Switzerland. Results: from 2014 to 2019, there has been an increase in the number of patients identified as being at risk of malnutrition.

Poor neutralization and rapid decay of antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 variants in vaccinated dialysis patients.

Patients on dialysis are at risk of severe course of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Understanding the neutralizing activity and coverage of SARS-CoV-2 variants of vaccine-elicited antibodies is required to guide prophylactic and therapeutic COVID-19 interventions in this frail population. By analyzing plasma samples from 130 hemodialysis and 13 peritoneal dialysis patients after two doses of BNT162b2 or mRNA-1273 vaccines, we found that 35% of the patients had low-level or undetectable IgG antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 Spike (S).

SARS-CoV-2 detection in the lower respiratory tract of invasively ventilated ARDS patients.

Background: Data on SARS-CoV-2 load in lower respiratory tract (LRT) are scarce. Our objectives were to describe the viral shedding and the viral load in LRT and to determine their association with mortality in critically ill COVID-19 patients.

Methods: We conducted a binational study merging prospectively collected data from two COVID-19 reference centers in France and Switzerland.

Diabetes mellitus is a risk factor for prolonged SARS-CoV-2 viral shedding in lower respiratory tract samples of critically ill patients.

Purpose: The length of time a critically ill coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patient remains infectious and should therefore be isolated remains unknown. This prospective study was undertaken in critically ill patients to evaluate the reliability of single negative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in lower tracheal aspirates (LTA) in predicting a second negative test and to analyze clinical factors potentially influencing the viral shedding.

Methods: From April 9, 2020 onwards, intubated COVID-19 patients treated in the intensive care unit were systematically evaluated for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) by RT-PCR of nasopharyngeal swabs and LTA.

Impact of kidney transplantation on sleep apnea severity: A prospective polysomnographic study.

Fluid overload has been associated with a high prevalence of sleep apnea (SA) in patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). In this prospective study, we hypothesized that improvement in kidney function and hydration status after kidney transplantation (Tx) may result in an improvement in SA severity. A total of 196 patients on the kidney Tx waiting list were screened for SA using home nocturnal polysomnography (PSG) to measure the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) and underwent bioimpedance to assess body composition.

[Arterial hypertension and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome: state of knowledge].

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) and arterial hypertension (HT) are two frequent, often concomitant diseases, who are both associated with an increased cardiovascular risk. In the last years, an association between these two entities has been established. The purpose of this article is to review the current knowledge about the link between HT and OSAS, the pathophysiological mechanisms involved in the common genesis of the two conditions and the characteristics suggesting an underlying OSAS in a hypertensive subject.

Comparative Long-Term Effect of Three Anti-P2Y12 Drugs after Percutaneous Angioplasty: An Observational Study Based on Electronic Drug Adherence Monitoring.

Dual platelet inhibition using anti-P2Y12 drugs and aspirin is the standard of care in patients after percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI). Prasugrel and ticagrelor have been shown to be more potent than clopidogrel with less high on-treatment platelet reactivity. Whether differences in long-term adherence to these drugs can partly explain different antiplatelet efficacy has not been studied so far.

[How to start an antihypertensive treatment: from evidence to personalized choice].

Considering the high prevalence of hypertension among general population, the general practitioner is frequently challenged to start an antihypertensive therapy, which aims to lower blood pressure and to reduce the cardiovascular risk. At the initial stage, several critical questions must be asked : « Is a pharmacological treatment necessary ? », « Which are the target blood pressures ? » and « Which antihypertensive drug should be chosen to start therapy ? »The aim of this article is to give general practicioners some practical tools to guide them in the initial management of hypertensive patients.

Signification of distal urinary acidification defects in hypocitraturic patients.

Background And Objectives: Hypocitraturia has been associated with metabolic acidosis and mineral disorders. The aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence of urinary acidification defects underlying hypocitraturia.

Materials And Methods: This retrospective observational study included 67 patients (32 men), aged 40.

Effect of long-term adherence to clopidogrel on the VASP-PRI after elective coronary stent implantation: a randomized controlled study.

Aims: The biological response to clopidogrel is highly variable and a poor responsiveness is associated with major adverse cardiac events. Adherence to therapy is a major cause of poor responsiveness but its impact on long-term platelet inhibition is unknown. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of different programmes monitoring adherence to clopidogrel on platelet reactivity.

Prevalence and determinants of chronic kidney disease in the Swiss population.

Questions Under Study: The prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is increasing worldwide, corresponding to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. The latest study on prevalence of CKD involving the three linguistic regions of Switzerland dates back to 2002-2003 and definitions have changed since then. We aimed to assess the current prevalence and determinants of CKD in the Swiss general population.

Sleep Characteristics in Early Stages of Chronic Kidney Disease in the HypnoLaus Cohort.

Study Objectives: To evaluate the association between early stages of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and sleep disordered breathing (SDB), restless legs syndrome (RLS), and subjective and objective sleep quality (SQ).

Methods: Cross-sectional analysis of a general population-based cohort (HypnoLaus). 1,760 adults (862 men, 898 women; age 59.

Prevalence and Diagnostic Approach to Sleep Apnea in Hemodialysis Patients: A Population Study.

Background: Previous observations found a high prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in the hemodialysis population, but the best diagnostic approach remains undefined. We assessed OSA prevalence and performance of available screening tools to propose a specific diagnostic algorithm.

Methods: 104 patients from 6 Swiss hemodialysis centers underwent polygraphy and completed 3 OSA screening scores: STOP-BANG, Berlin's Questionnaire, and Adjusted Neck Circumference.

Furosemide stimulation of parathormone in humans: role of the calcium-sensing receptor and the renin-angiotensin system.

Interactions between sodium and calcium regulating systems are poorly characterized but clinically important. Parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels are increased shortly after furosemide treatment by an unknown mechanism, and this effect is blunted by the previous administration of a calcimimetic in animal studies. Here, we explored further the possible underlying mechanisms of this observation in a randomized crossover placebo-controlled study performed in 18 human males.

Association between obesity and glomerular hyperfiltration: the confounding effect of smoking and sodium and protein intakes.

Purpose: Glomerular hyperfiltration has been suggested as a possible mechanism linking obesity and chronic kidney disease (CKD), independently of classical risk factors. We explored the association of overweight and obesity with glomerular hyperfiltration in a large sample of the Swiss adult population, accounting for several confounders including dietary factors.

Methods: Data from a 2010 to 2012 cross-sectional population-based survey in Switzerland were used.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea Severity and Overnight Body Fluid Shift before and after Hemodialysis.

Background And Objectives: Obstructive sleep apnea is associated with significantly increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Fluid overload may promote obstructive sleep apnea in patients with ESRD through an overnight fluid shift from the legs to the neck soft tissues. Body fluid shift and severity of obstructive sleep apnea before and after hemodialysis were compared in patients with ESRD.

New anthropometry-based age- and sex-specific reference values for urinary 24-hour creatinine excretion based on the adult Swiss population.

Background: Urinary creatinine excretion is used as a marker of completeness of timed urine collections, which are a keystone of several metabolic evaluations in clinical investigations and epidemiological surveys.

Methods: We used data from two independent Swiss cross-sectional population-based studies with standardised 24-hour urinary collection and measured anthropometric variables. Only data from adults of European descent, with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) ≥60 ml/min/1.