Accurate Multiplex qPCR Detection of Epstein-Barr Virus/Cytomegalovirus/BK Virus in Kidney Transplant Patients: Pilot Study.

Chronic kidney disease is a really important heath issue, and transplantation is an intervention that can greatly increase patient quality of life and survival. The aim of this study was to perform a comprehensive evaluation of the BK virus, CMV, and EBV in kidney transplant recipients (KTRs); to assess the prevalence of infections; and to test if our detection method would be feasible for use in follow-ups with KTRs. A total of 157 KTRs registered at the Clinical Hospital "Dr.

The Impact of Frailty and Severe Cognitive Impairment on Survival Time and Time to Initiate Dialysis in Older Adults With Advanced Chronic Kidney Disease: A Prospective Observational Cohort Study.

Background and objectives Frailty and cognitive impairment significantly impact survival time and time to initiate dialysis in older adults with advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD). This study aims to evaluate the effects of frailty and cognitive impairment on these outcomes and determine the most effective assessment tool for predicting early dialysis initiation and short survival time. Materials and methods This prospective observational cohort study involved 240 patients aged ≥65 years with stage 4 or 5 CKD, recruited from a nephrology outpatient department (ambulatory care) between March 2020 and March 2021.

Cardiac Device Therapy in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease: An Update.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) are frequently interconnected and their association leads to an exponential increase in the risk of both fatal and non-fatal events. In addition, the burden of arrhythmias in CKD patients is increased. On the other hand, the presence of CKD is an important factor that influences the decision to pursue cardiac device therapy.

Therapeutic Potential of Rituximab in Managing Hepatitis C-Associated Cryoglobulinemic Vasculitis: A Systematic Review.

(1) Background. Hepatitis C infection often leads to extrahepatic manifestations, including cryoglobulinemic vasculitis. This systematic review aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of rituximab in treating hepatitis C-associated cryoglobulinemic vasculitis.

Renal Function Parameters in Distinctive Molecular Subtypes of Prostate Cancer.

Prostate cancer is a prevalent malignancy in male patients, having diverse clinical outcomes. The follow-up of patients diagnosed with prostate cancer involves the evaluation of renal function, because its impairment reduces patient survival rates and adds complexity to their treatment and clinical care. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between renal function parameters and distinctive molecular subtypes of prostate adenocarcinomas, defined by the immunoexpression of the SPINK1, ERG, HOXB13, and TFF3 markers.

Distribution, preparedness and management of Ukrainian adult refugees on dialysis-an international survey by the Renal Disaster Relief Task Force of the European Renal Association.

Background: Due to the Russian-Ukrainian war, some of the about 10 000 adults requiring dialysis in Ukraine fled their country to continue dialysis abroad. To better understand the needs of conflict-affected dialysis patients, the Renal Disaster Relief Task Force of the European Renal Association conducted a survey on distribution, preparedness and management of adults requiring dialysis who were displaced due to the war.

Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was sent via National Nephrology Societies across Europe and disseminated to their dialysis centers.

Atherosclerotic renovascular disease: a clinical practice document by the European Renal Best Practice (ERBP) board of the European Renal Association (ERA) and the Working Group Hypertension and the Kidney of the European Society of Hypertension (ESH).

Atherosclerotic renovascular disease (ARVD) is the most common type of renal artery stenosis. It represents a common health problem with clinical presentations relevant to many medical specialties and carries a high risk for future cardiovascular and renal events, as well as overall mortality. The available evidence regarding the management of ARVD is conflicting.

Connection between Cardiac Fibrosis Biomarkers and Echocardiography Parameters in Advanced Chronic Kidney Disease Patients.

Background: Myocardial fibrosis represents a mainstay pathway in the pathophysiology of uremic cardiomyopathy. This process leads to structural and functional changes in the heart, which can be detected by echocardiography. The purpose of our study was to determine the association between four echocardiographic parameters (ejection fraction (EF), global longitudinal strain (GLS), mean E/e' ratio, and left atrial volume indexed) and biomarkers associated with cardiac fibrosis, such as procollagen type I carboxy-terminal propeptide (PICP), procollagen type III N-terminal peptide (P3NP), and galectin-3 (Gal-3) in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD).

Lessons learned during the war in Ukraine: a report from the Renal Disaster Relief Task Force of the ERA.

People living with kidney disease are among the most vulnerable at times of natural or man-made disasters. In addition to their unpredictable course, armed conflicts impose a major threat given the disruption of infrastructure, sanitation and access to food, water and medical care. The ongoing war in Ukraine has once more demonstrated the importance of preparedness, organization, coordination and solidarity during disasters.

Gut Microbiota in Chronic Kidney Disease: From Composition to Modulation towards Better Outcomes-A Systematic Review.

Background: A bidirectional kidney-gut axis was described in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). On the one hand, gut dysbiosis could promote CKD progression, but on the other hand, studies reported specific gut microbiota alterations linked to CKD. Therefore, we aimed to systematically review the literature on gut microbiota composition in CKD patients, including those with advanced CKD stages and end-stage kidney disease (ESKD), possibilities to shift gut microbiota, and its impact on clinical outcomes.

Periostin in ovarian carcinoma: from heterogeneity to prognostic value.

Introduction: Periostin (POSTN), an extracellular matrix protein, is involved in tumor-associated extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling. However, its potential value as a prognostic and/or predictive factor has not yet been confirmed. The present study aims to assess POSTN expression separately in tumor cells and stroma of different ovarian carcinoma (OC) histological types, and its relationship with clinicopathological features.

Armed conflicts and kidney patients: a consensus statement from the Renal Disaster Relief Task Force of the ERA.

During conflicts, people with kidney disease, either those remaining in the affected zones or those who are displaced, may be exposed to additional threats because of medical and logistical challenges. Acute kidney injury developing on the battlefield, in field hospitals or in higher-level hospital settings is characterized by poor outcomes. People with chronic kidney disease may experience treatment interruptions, contributing to worsening kidney function.

Long-term cardio-vascular risk assessment in chronic kidney disease and kidney transplanted patients following SARS-COV-2 disease: protocol for multi-center observational match controlled trial.

Background: The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) produced a pandemic since March 2020 by affecting more than 243 million people with more than 5 million deaths globally. SARS-CoV-2 infection is produced by binding to angiotensin-converting enzyme, which among other sites is highly expressed in the endothelial cells of the blood vessels, pericytes and the heart, as well as in renal podocytes and proximal tubular epithelial cells. SARS-CoV-2 and cardiovascular disease (CVD) are interconnected by risk factors association with an increased incidence of the disease and by determining de novo cardiac complications.

Left atrial strain: A novel "biomarker" for chronic kidney disease patients?

Cardiovascular disease and chronic kidney disease are frequently inter-connected and this association leads to an exponential growth of cardiovascular risk. This risk is currently underestimated by the existing algorithms and there is a constant need for new markers to predict adverse outcomes in this special population. In general population left atrial strain has emerged as an important tool for both the diagnosis and prognostic stratification, but data regarding its role in chronic kidney disease patients is scarce.

Lung Ultrasound-Guided Fluid Management versus Standard Care in Surgical ICU Patients: A Randomised Controlled Trial.

The value of lung ultrasound (LU) in assessing extravascular lung water (EVLW) was demonstrated by comparing LU with gold-standard methods for EVLW assessment. However, few studies have analysed the value of B-Line score (BLS) in guiding fluid management during critical illness. The purpose of this trial was to evaluate if a BLS-guided fluid management strategy could improve fluid balance and short-term mortality in surgical intensive care unit (ICU) patients.

BMI-1 Expression Heterogeneity in Endometriosis-Related and Non-Endometriotic Ovarian Carcinoma.

Unlabelled: BMI-1 is a key component of stem cells, which are essential for normal organ development and cell phenotype maintenance. BMI-1 expression is deregulated in cancer, resulting in the alteration of chromatin and gene transcription repression. The cellular signaling pathway that governs BMI-1 action in the ovarian carcinogenesis sequences is incompletely deciphered.

Different aspects of frailty and COVID-19: points to consider in the current pandemic and future ones.

Background: Older adults at a higher risk of adverse outcomes and mortality if they get infected with Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS- CoV-2). These undesired outcomes are because ageing is associated with other conditions like multimorbidity, frailty and disability. This paper describes the impact of frailty on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) management and outcomes.

Application of survival classification and regression tree analysis for identification of subgroups of risk in patients with heart failure and reduced left ventricular ejection fraction.

The aim of this study was to identify by classification and regression tree (CART) analysis groups of patients with different survival patterns in a population of patients with heart failure and reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (HFrEF) by using standard methods of heart function assessment, as well as well as utilizing non-traditional approaches for determining hydration and nutritional status in HF patients-lung ultrasonography (LUS) and bioimpedance spectroscopy (BIS) analysis. Eligible patients with a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) below 45% were identified via the daily echocardiography assessments. LUS was performed with patients in the supine position, for a total of 28 sites per complete examination.

Colchicine Use in Acute Coronary Syndromes: An Update.

Coronary artery disease is the leading cause of death worldwide, and its main pathological substrate is represented by atherosclerosis. Inflammation is a major promoter of the atherosclerotic process and is involved in both the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis, as well as in the occurrence of fatal complications. Until the present moment, Colchicine Cardiovascular Outcomes Trial is the largest trial to demonstrate a major benefit of low-dose colchicine on major adverse cardiac events in patients with recent myocardial infarction (MI), but the mechanisms behind this relation are not completely known.

Health-related quality of life in patients with chronic kidney disease.

: In the last three decades, health systems have continued to pay increasing attention to the quality of life (QOL) due to definitional changes in the concept of health and disease. The health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is significantly affected, regardless of the stage of CKD. : We attempt to thoroughly explore how CKD affects HRQOL domains with a quick primer on HRQOL assessment instruments in patients with CKD.

Role of collagen turnover biomarkers in the noninvasive assessment of myocardial fibrosis: an update.

The pro-fibrotic milieu, as the result of the extracellular matrix remodeling, is a central feature in the pathophysiology of heart disease and contributes to its high morbidity and mortality. Fibrosis is a recognized risk factor for development of heart failure and arrythmias and is usually detected by cardiac magnetic resonance or endomyocardial biopsy. Collagen type I and type III are major components of the collagen network, and the assessment of their derived biomarkers could serve as estimate of the myocardial fibrotic content.

Prognostic value of lung ultrasonography and bioimpedance spectroscopy in patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction.

Introduction: Chronic heart failure (HF) represents a major global public health problem, and despite significant advances in diagnosis and management over the past two decades, HF patients still have a poor prognosis. The aim of the study was to evaluate the relationship between lung congestion, as assessed by lung ultrasonography (LUS), bioimpedance spectroscopy, body fluid compartments, and echocardiographic parameters, and to determine the effect of these associations on all-cause mortality in HF patients.

Material And Methods: Eligible patients with a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) below 45% were identified via daily echocardiography assessments.

A journey from microenvironment to macroenvironment: the role of metaflammation and epigenetic changes in cardiorenal disease.

Chronic non-communicable diseases have become a pandemic public problem in the 21st century, causing enormous burden on the economy, health and quality of life of societies. The role of a chronic inflammatory state in the pathogenesis of chronic disease has been more comprehensively recognized by recent findings. The new paradigm 'metaflammation' focuses on metabolism-induced (high fat or fructose-based diet or excessive calorie intake) chronic inflammation.

Antidiuretic Hormone and Serum Osmolarity Physiology and Related Outcomes: What Is Old, What Is New, and What Is Unknown?

Context: Although the physiology of sodium, water, and arginine vasopressin (AVP), also known as antidiuretic hormone, has long been known, accumulating data suggest that this system operates as a more complex network than previously thought.

Evidence Acquisition: English-language basic science and clinical studies of AVP and osmolarity on the development of kidney and cardiovascular disease and overall outcomes.

Evidence Synthesis: Apart from osmoreceptors and hypovolemia, AVP secretion is modified by novel factors such as tongue acid-sensing taste receptor cells and brain median preoptic nucleus neurons.