Thirty-month follow-up of coronary artery calcification in hemodialysis patients: different roles for inflammation and abnormal calcium-phosphorous metabolism?

Background: Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in hemodialysis (HD) patients. Coronary artery calcification (CAC) is considered a marker of atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease (CAD). The CAC progression and factors that influence it were evaluated during a 30-month period.

Aortic stiffness in patients undergoing hemodialysis is positively related to antigen presenting cell-dependent T-lymphocyte reactivity.

Background: Aortic stiffness is increased in patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD), and it is associated with an increased cardiovascular mortality. Among others, aortic stiffness has been correlated with serum markers of inflammation, indicating a role of the immune system in its pathogenesis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of antigen-presenting cell-dependent T-lymphocyte reactivity on aortic stiffness in HD patients.

The value of computed tomography-derived coronary artery calcification score in coronary artery disease detection in asymptomatic hemodialysis patients.

Background: We evaluated the value of coronary artery calcification (CAC) score in coronary artery disease (CAD) detection in asymptomatic hemodialysis (HD) patients by evaluating the association among CAC score, exercise electrocardiography (EECG), and Thallium-201 dipyridamole scintigraphy. Correlation between aortic pulse wave velocity (PWV) and CAC score was also evaluated.

Methods: CAC score was assessed with conventional computed tomography in 40 patients.

Effect of 1-year oral alpha-tocopherol administration on anticardiolipin antibodies in hemodialysis patients.

Background: Anticardiolipin antibodies (ACA) have been related to an increased incidence of thrombotic episodes and atherosclerosis progression. ACA levels are elevated in hemodialysis (HD) patients. Atheroembolic episodes are the major cause of morbidity and mortality in this population.

Impaired T cell proliferation and zeta chain phosphorylation after stimulation with staphylococcal enterotoxin-B in hemodialysis patients.

Background: Patients on regular hemodialysis treatment are in an immunodeficiency state. Several studies have shown defective T cell proliferation after stimulation with various agents. Staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB) is a MHC-dependent superantigen that triggers proliferation of a large proportion of T cells.

High level of recovery of fungi from water and dialysate in haemodialysis units.

The counts of yeasts and filamentous fungi were investigated in the municipal water supplies of haemodialysis centres, in the treated water and the dialysate from all 85 haemodialysis units in Greece, in order to estimate their occurrence, their correlation with contamination indicator bacteria and other influencing factors. Filamentous fungi and yeasts were isolated from 69 (81.2%) and from three (3.

Effect of short-term rHuEPO treatment on insulin resistance in haemodialysis patients.

Background/aim: Decreased sensitivity to the hypoglycaemic action of insulin is an almost universal phenomenon in uraemic patients, and it is attributed either to uraemic toxins or to anaemia or even to secondary hyperparathyroidism. Considering the conflicting data of few existing studies, we examined the influence of erythropoietin (EPO) treatment on insulin resistance and tested the probable correlation of this influence with sympathetic nervous system (SNS) activity.

Methods: We studied 8 non-obese, non-diabetic, stable dialysis patients using the euglycaemic insulin clamp technique before administration of EPO (phase A), 10 days after (phase B), and after the correction of the haematocrit level, at least 8 weeks later (phase C).

Effect of pyrazinamide and probenecid on peritoneal urate transport kinetics during continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis.

Objective: We administered pyrazinamide (PZA) and probenecid (PB) --two well-known modulators of urate transport via the proximal tubules - to evaluate their impact on urate transport through the peritoneal membrane and to clarify mechanisms affecting peritoneal transport.

Setting: A continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) unit in 2nd Hospital of IKA (Social Services Institute), Greece.

Patients: In 20 stable CAPD patients, on the study day, a 4-hour, 2-L, 1.

Endotoxin concentration in treated water of all hemodialysis units in Greece and inquisition of influencing factors.

Mains and purified water samples from all hemodialysis centers in Greece were surveyed to assess hemodialysis water quality and the potential consequences on the dialysis population of any microbial and endotoxin contamination. Total heterotrophic bacteria counts were estimated employing the pour-plate method, the membrane filter technique, for total coliforms, fecal coliforms, enterococci and Pseudomonas spp., and the most probable number method for sulfite-reducing clostridia.

Microbiological quality of water and dialysate in all haemodialysis centres of Greece.

Background: Bacterial contamination of treated water and dialysate comprises an important problem for patients undergoing haemodialysis. Both the progressive reduction of the thickness of cellulose membranes and the expanding use of high-flux membranes probably enhance the risk of pyrogenic reactions, therefore increasing the need for atoxic water and non-pyrogenic dialysis fluid.

Methods: Samples of tap water, treated water, and effluent dialysate in all 85 haemodialysis centres in Greece were examined for total heterotrophic bacteria counts employing the pour plate method, total and faecal coliforms, faecal streptococci and pseudomonas spp.

Variability of peritoneal protein loss in diabetic and nondiabetic patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis.

In order to evaluate the influence of diabetes mellitus on peritoneal membrane permeability, we studied the peritoneal protein loss in two groups of patients. Group A consisted of 16 patients (9 nondiabetics and 7 diabetics) who were in the first month of treatment on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). Group B consisted of 13 patients (7 nondiabetics and 6 diabetics) who had been on CAPD for approximately 15 months.

Effect of uremic serum on sperm motility: evaluation by multiple exposure photography.

The effect of serum from patients with severe chronic renal failure on the motility of ejaculated spermatozoa was objectively evaluated by the multiple exposure photography method. Uremic serum was not found to have a deleterious effect on the motility of ejaculated spermatozoa. On the contrary it caused a significant increase of spermatozoal velocity and a slighter increase in the percentage motility.