A multidisciplinary nephrogenetic referral clinic for children and adults-diagnostic achievements and insights.

Background: Genetic kidney diseases contribute a significant portion of kidney diseases in children and young adults. Nephrogenetics is a rapidly evolving subspecialty; however, in the clinical setting, increased use of genetic testing poses implementation challenges. Consequently, we established a national nephrogenetics clinic to apply a multidisciplinary model.

The effect of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibition on aminoglycoside-induced acute tubular necrosis in rats.

Introduction: Aminoglycosides (AG) cause nephrotoxicity in 10 - 20% of patients. One of the mechanisms is by generating reactive oxygen species (ROS), leading to DNA destruction and activation of poly(ADPribose) polymerase (PARP) causing necrotic tubular cell death. PARP inhibition on gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity was studied.

Effect of atorvastatin on IgA nephropathy in the rat.

Background: IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is the most common chronic glomerulonephritis in humans and is a major cause of end-stage kidney disease worldwide. There is no agreement on the exact underlying mechanism or therapeutic intervention for this disorder. Mesangial proliferation typifies the renal histopathology in IgAN.

Medication apprehension and compliance among dialysis patients--a comprehensive guidance attitude.

Background: Compliance with treatment regimens is a continuing challenge for chronic dialysis patients and their medical caregivers. Poor patient adherence to prescribed medications can adversely affect treatment outcome.

Study Design: In this pre- versus post-intervention study, 89 chronic dialysis patients [75 hemodialysis (HD), 14 continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD); mean age 62.

A randomized controlled clinical trial comparing the efficacy of dead sea mineral-enriched body lotion versus two types of placebo in the treatment of cutaneous dryness, itching, peeling and tightness in hemodialysis patients (EDIT).

Background/aims: The present study was designed to investigate the short-term safety and efficacy of topical application with body lotion enriched with minerals from the Dead Sea versus 2 different placebo treatments in reducing symptoms of uremic pruritus.

Methods: In this single-center, randomized, double placebo-controlled clinical trial, 78 hemodialysis patients with self-reported uremic pruritus were randomized to twice-daily topical treatment with body lotion enriched with minerals from the Dead Sea (DS) or to each of 2 types of placebo: (1) lotion with no Dead Sea minerals but otherwise identical to DS (P1) or (2) lotion with no active ingredients (P2). Symptoms of uremic pruritus (itching, dryness, peeling, tightness) were evaluated at baseline and 2 weeks (14 days) after treatment intervention using a 5-point Likert scale.

Familial pure proximal renal tubular acidosis--a clinical and genetic study.

Background: Inherited proximal renal tubular acidosis (pRTA) is commonly associated with more generalized proximal tubular dysfunctions and occasionally with other organ system defects. Inherited combined pRTA and distal RTA with osteopetrosis and pure pRTA associated with ocular abnormalities, a rare disease which has been recently described. Only one family with pure isolated pRTA has been reported so far and the genetic cause for this disease is unknown.

Antihypertensive effect of low calcium dialysis.

Background: During maintenance hemodialysis acute elevation in serum calcium is common. Low calcium dialysis is advocated as a therapy for prevention of dialysis-induced hypercalcemia. Approximately 16% of our chronic hemodialysis patients experience elevated arterial blood pressure during the hemodialysis session, becoming hypertensive by the end of the treatment.

Neonates with extra-renal pelvis: the first 2 years.

Extra-renal pelvis (ERpel) is a common ultrasonographic finding among neonates who have undergone recurrent ultrasound examinations for a better definition of prenatal renal pelvic dilatation. This study tries to determine whether or not ERpel has important prognostic implications. Seventy-nine neonates (17 female) were examined.