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To evaluate total Th1/Th2 cytokines in CD3+ cells (immunocompetent T-lymphocytes) and peripheral blood lymphocytes, mostly CD4+ (T helper cells) and CD8+ (T-cytotoxic cells) subpopulations in preeclampsia. Total blood leukocytes and lymphocytes counts, percent cells: CD3+, INF-g+/CD3+, IL-4+/CD3+, and IL-10+/CD3+, CD4+/CD8+ were determined by flow-cytometry. Preeclampsia (n= 26) and normal pregnancy (n= 25) participants were age and gestational age matched. CD4+ lymphocytes count was higher in preeclampsia, compared with normal pregnancy (43.6 ± 5.8 vs 37.6 ± 5.6%; P

Background Dialysis patients are typically inactive and their physical activity (PA) decreases over time. Uremic toxicity has been suggested as a potential causal factor of low PA in dialysis patients. Post-dilution high-volume online hemodiafiltration (HDF) provides greater higher molecular weight removal and studies suggest better clinical/patient-reported outcomes compared with hemodialysis (HD). Methods HDFIT was a randomized controlled trial at 13 clinics in Brazil that aimed to investigate the effects of HDF on measured PA (step counts) as a primary outcome. Stable HD patients (vintage 3–24 months) were randomized to receive HDF or high-flux HD. Treatment effect of HDF on the primary outcome from baseline to 3 and 6 months was estimated using a linear mixed-effects model. Results We randomized 195 patients (HDF 97; HD 98) between August 2016 and October 2017. Despite the achievement of a high convective volume in the majority of sessions and a positive impact on solute removal, the treatment effect HDF on the primary outcome was +538 [95% confidence interval (CI) −330 to 1407] steps/24 h after dialysis compared with HD, and was not statistically significant. Despite a lack of statistical significance, the observed size of the treatment effect was modest and driven by steps taken between 1.5 and 24.0 h after dialysis, in particular between 20 and 24 h (+197 steps; 95% CI −95 to 488). Conclusions HDF did not have a statistically significant treatment effect on PA 24 h following dialysis, albeit effect sizes may be clinically meaningful and deserve further investigation., Graphical Abstract

Aim Fatigue in haemodialysis (HD) patients can be captured in quality of life questionnaires and by the dialysis recovery time (DRT) question. The associations between fatigue and measured physical activity has not been explored until the present. We tested our hypothesis that the patient perception of chronic and post dialysis fatigue would be associated with lower physical activity. Methods This study was a cross sectional evaluation of baseline data from HD patients recruited in the HDFIT trial. Vitality scores from the Kidney Disease Quality of Life (KDQOL-36) and the dialysis recovery time (DRT) question were used as indicators of chronic and post dialysis fatigue, respectively. Granular physical activity was measured by accelerometers as part of the study protocol. Results Among 176 patients, Vitality score was 63 ± 21 and the DRT was ≤30 minutes in 57% of patients. The mean number of steps was 5288 ± 3540 in 24 hours after HD and 953 ± 617 in the 2-hour post-HD period. The multivariable analysis confirmed Vitality scores were associated with physical activity in the 24-hour post-HD period. In contrast, DRT was not associated with physical activity captured by the accelerometer in the period immediately (2 hours) after the HD session. Conclusion Chronic fatigue was negatively associated with step counts, while patient perception of post-dialysis fatigue was not associated with physical activity. These patterns indicate limitations in interpretation of DRT. Since physical activity is an important component of a healthy life, our results may partially explain the associations between fatigue and poor outcomes in HD patients.

INTRODUCTION Hypertension is multifactorial, highly prevalent in the hemodialysis (HD) population and its adequate control requires, in addition to adequate volume management, often the use of multiple antihypertensive drugs. We aimed to describe the use of antihypertensive agents in a group of HD patients and to evaluate the factors associated with the use of multiple classes (≥3) of antihypertensives. METHODS We analyzed the baseline data from the HDFit study. Clinically stable patients with HD vintage between 3 and 24 months without any severe mobility limitation were recruited from sites throughout southern Brazil. Fluid status was measured pre-dialysis with the Body Composition Monitor (BCM; Fresenius, Germany). Fluid overload (FO) was considered when the overhydration index (OH) was greater than 7% of extracellular water (OH/ECW > 7%) and overweight was defined as a body mass index (BMI) greater than 25 kg/m2 . Prescriptions of antihypertensive drugs were obtained from participants' reports and medical records. Logistic regression was employed to determine factors associated with excessive use of antihypertensive medication (≥3 classes). FINDINGS Of 195 studied patients, 171 with complete data were included (70% male, 53 ± 15 years old, 57% of them with FO). Pre-dialysis systolic blood pressure (SBP) was 150 ± 24 mmHg and patients used a median of 2 (1-3) antihypertensive drugs. Vasodilators (20%) were of lowest prevalence, use of other classes varied from 40% to 53%. Sixty-two (36%) subjects used ≥3 classes and presented a higher prevalence of diabetes and FO, lower prevalence of overweight, and higher SBP. In a logistic regression model age, BMI 7% were associated with excessive drug use. DISCUSSION More than one-third of participants used ≥3 classes of antihypertensive drugs, and it was associated with older age, BMI

Background End stage renal disease (ESRD) patients require a renal replacement therapy (RRT) to filter accumulated toxins and remove excess water, which are associated with impaired physical function. Hemodialysis (HD) removes middle-molecular weight (MMW) toxins less efficiently compared to hemodiafiltration (HDF); we hypothesized HDF may improve physical function. We detailed the design and methodology of the HDFIT protocol that is testing whether changing from HD to HDF effects physical activity levels and various outcomes. Methods HDFIT is a prospective, multi-center, unblinded, randomized control trial (RCT) investigating the impact of dialysis modality (HDF verses HD) on objectively measured physical activity levels, self-reported quality of life, and clinical/non-clinical outcomes. Clinically stable patients with HD vintage of 3 to 24 months without any severe limitation ambulation were recruited from sites throughout southern Brazil. Eligible patients were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to either: 1) be treated with high volume online HDF for 6 months, or 2) continue being treated with high-flux HD. This study includes run-in and randomization visits (baseline), 3- and 6-month study visits during the interventional period, and a 12-month observational follow up. The primary outcome is the difference in the change in steps per 24 h on dialysis days from baseline to the 6-month follow up in patients treated with HDF versus HD. Physical activity is being measured over one week at study visits with the ActiGraph (www.actigraphcorp.com). For assessment of peridialytic differences during the dialysis recovery period, we will analyze granular physical activity levels based on the initiation time of HD on dialysis days, or concurrent times on non-dialysis days and the long interdialytic day. Discussion In this manuscript, we provide detailed information about the HDFIT study design and methodology. This trial will provide novel insights into peridialytic profiles of physical activity and various self-reported, clinical and laboratory outcomes in ESRD patients treated by high volume online HDF versus high-flux HD. Ultimately, this investigation will elucidate whether HDF is associated with patients having better vitality and quality of life, and less negative outcomes as compared to HD. Trial registration Registered on ClinicalTrials.gov on 20 April 2016 (NCT02787161). Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12882-019-1247-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Made available in DSpace on 2021-06-25T11:03:35Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2021-03-01. Added 1 bitstream(s) on 2021-07-15T14:36:02Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 S0066-782X2021000400516.pdf: 3972880 bytes, checksum: b9bdbad26f21c4bcb57e0ea9683f5e70 (MD5) Universidade Federal de Goiás Liga de Hipertensão Arterial Pontifícia Universidade Católica de São Paulo Faculdade de Ciências Médicas e da Saúde Instituto do Coração (InCor) Centro Universitário CESMAC, AL - Brasil Universidade Federal de Pernambuco Pronto Socorro Cardiológico de Pernambuco (PROCAPE) Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da USP Serviço Hipertensão e Cardiometabolismo da Santa Casa de Porto Alegre Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto da Universidade de São Paulo Hospital São Francisco Universidade Federal da Bahia (UFBA) BA - Brasil Faculdade Estadual de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS) Universidade Federal do Paraná (UFPR) Hospital Agamenom Magalhães Hospital Alemão Oswaldo Cruz Universidade de São Paulo (USP) Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP) Cardiocentro Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ) Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz BA - Brasil Instituto de Cardiologia Fundação Universitária de Cardiologia (IC/FUC) Centro Universitário da Serra Gaúcha (FSG) Universidade Federal do Pará (UFPA) Ministério da Saúde Departamento de Cardiogeriatria da Sociedade Brazileira de Cardiologia Hospital Nossa Senhora da Conceição (HNSC) SC - Brasil Universidade Estácio de Sá (UNESA) Hospital de Clínicas da Universidade Federal do Paraná (HC/UFPR) Universidade Iguaçu (UNIG) Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto da Universidade de São Paulo Associação Ribeirãopretana de Ensino Pesquisa e Assistência ao Hipertenso (AREPAH) Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto da Universidade de São Paulo MT - Brasil Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina da Universidade Nove de Julho (UNINOVE) Instituto Dante Pazzanese de Cardiologia Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre Escola Bahiana de Medicina e Saúde Pública BA - Brasil Universidade Santo Amaro (UNISA) SC - Brasil, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (UFSC) Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein Centro de Ciências da Saúde Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo Faculdade Ciências Médicas de Minas Gerais MG - Brasil Hospital Felício Rocho MG - Brasil Hospital do Coração (HCor) Instituto Estadual de Cardiologia Aloysio de Castro Centro Universitário de Tecnologia e Ciência (UniFTC) BA - Brasil Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP) Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso MT - Brasil Sociedade Brazileira de Nefrologia Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Paraná Pontifícia Universidade Católica de Goiás Cardios Vita Centro de Medicina Cardiológica Hospital Pró-Cradíaco MG - Brasil, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora Avancor Cardiologia Universidade Estadual de Maringá Faculdade de Ciências Médicas da Santa Casa de São Paulo Universidade Federal de Uberlândia MG - Brasil Hospital Getúlio Vargas Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP)

Made available in DSpace on 2022-04-28T19:29:26Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2021-02-01 Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre Aims: To compare the blood pressure (BP)-lowering efficacy of a chlorthalidone/amiloride combination pill with losartan, during initial management of JNC 7 Stage I hypertension in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Methods: In an a priori subgroup analysis of a randomized, double-blind, controlled trial, volunteers aged 30–70 years, with stage I hypertension and diabetes mellitus, were randomized to 12.5/2.5 mg of chlorthalidone/amiloride (N = 47) or 50 mg of losartan (N = 50), and followed for 18 months in 21 clinical centers. If BP remained uncontrolled after three months, study medication dose was doubled, and if uncontrolled after six months, amlodipine (5 and 10 mg) and propranolol (40 and 80 mg BID) were added as open label drugs in a progressive fashion. Results: Systolic BP decreased to a greater extent in participants allocated to diuretics compared to losartan (P < 0.001). After 18 months of follow-up, systolic BP was 128.4 ± 10.3 mmHg in the diuretic group versus 133.5 ± 8.0 in the losartan group (P < 0.01). In the diuretic group, 36 out of 43 participants (83.7%) had a JNC 7 normal BP, compared to 31/47 (66%) in the losartan group (P = 0.089). Serum cholesterol was higher in the diuretic arm at the end of the trial. Other biochemical parameters and reports of adverse events did not differ by treatment. Conclusions: Treatment of hypertension based on a combination of chlorthalidone and amiloride is more effective for BP lowering compared to losartan in patients with diabetes mellitus and hypertension. Trial registration: Clinical trials registration number: NCT00971165 Division of Cardiology Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre Universidade Federal do Rio Grande Do Sul INCT PREVER, CPC, 5º. and Ramiro Barcelos, 2350 Hospital Universitário Júlio Müller Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso Faculdade de Medicina São José Do Rio Preto Department of Epidemiology School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine Tulane University Faculdade de Medicina Hospital São Lucas PUCRS Hospital Universitário Walter Cantídio Universidade Federal do Ceará Faculdade de Medicina Instituto do Coração Universidade de São Paulo Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre Universidade Federal do Rio Grande Do Sul Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas USP Ribeirão Preto Instituto de Cardiologia, Av. Princesa Isabel Hospital Universitário Universidade Federal do Maranhão Universidade Federal de Pernambuco Universidade Federal de Pelotas Instituto de Medicina Integral Prof Fernando Figueira Universidade Do Estado do Rio de Janeiro Hospital das Clínicas da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais Hospital das Clínicas de Goiânia Universidade Federal de Goiás Faculdade de Medicina de Botucatu Hospital do Coração de Alagoas Anis Rassi Hospital Hospital Universitário Procape Hospital Universitário Antônio Pedro UFF Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto USP Ribeirão Preto Instituto de Pesquisa Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein Faculdade de Medicina de Botucatu Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre: GPPG: 08-621

Background and Aims An inadequate response to the treatment of anemia with erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) in patients with chronic kidney disease is a challenging and common clinical condition previously associated with signs of inflammation and episodic clinical events. The associations between different immune response pathways and ESA hyporesponsiveness remain poorly understood. Here we describe the associations between a comprehensive panel of inflammatory biomarkers and ESA resistance in a group of stable HD patients. Method This is post-hoc analysis of the baseline evaluation of patients enrolled in the HDFIT, a randomized controlled trial. A panel comprising a more general (CRP), innate (IL-1β and IL-6), adaptive (IFNγ, IFNα2) biomarkers of immune response, and also a specific vascular inflammation (MCP-1) biomarkers were simultaneously measured with the same serum sample through turbidimetry and Milliplex Human Cytokine Magnetic Bead Panel - EMD Milipore Corporation, USA. Multivariable analysis was used to assess the association of their concentrations with the erythropoietin resistance index (ERI), defined as the weekly ESA dose divided by hemoglobin level. Results A total of 155 patients were included in this analysis (mean age 52 ± 6; 70% male; 32% with diabetes; mean hemoglobin 11.7 ± 1.5; median ESA dose/week 8000 IU IQR: 4000-12.000). Patients in the highest ERI tercile were mostly female, younger, more diabetic and with slightly higher proportion of iron prescription compared to those in the lowest tercile of ERI. The multivariable models adjusted for age, sex, diabetes and vascular access demonstrated that higher serum levels of IL-1β and IFN-γ were associated with higher ESA resistance, while there were no detectable associations of serum levels of IL-6 or CRP and ERI. Conclusion Among the biomarkers included in this comprehensive panel of biomarkers representing the multilevel nature of immune dysfunction in CKD, we observed associations between higher concentrations of innate (IL-1β) and adaptive (IFN) immune response and ESA hyporesponsiveness. Our results support the role of immune dysfunction in the pathophysiology of CKD anemia.

Background and Aims Online High-Volume Hemodiafiltration (OL-HDF) combines convective and diffusive clearances and is associated with better outcomes compared to standard hemodialysis (HD). Although HDF has been shown to improve the clearance and pre-dialysis concentration of middle size uremic toxins, little is known about its effect on concentration of protein-bound uremic toxins (PBUT), particularly in comparison to high-flux HD. Here, we investigated whether high-volume post-dilution OL-HDF impacts pre-dialysis plasma levels of PBUT indoxyl sulfate (IxS), p-cresyl sulfate (pCS) and indole 3-acetic acid (IAA) compared to high-flux HD over time, since accumulation of these PBUT has been associated with increased overall mortality of CKD patients. Method This is post hoc analysis of the multicentric randomized controlled trial (RCT) studying the impact of post-dilution high-volume OL-HDF versus high-flux HD on measured physical activity (HDFit - clinicalTrials.gov: NCT02787161), which included clinically stable HD patients with a vintage >3 to Results 193 patients (mean age 53 years old, 70% males and 60% white – no differences between groups) were analyzed. There were no differences between HD and OL-HDF groups regarding clinical and biochemical characteristics at the baseline. In the OL-HDF group, 99% of patients achieved a convective volume higher than 22 L and both groups had similar dialysis session duration and blood flows throughout the follow up. The mean differences (95% CI) in concentrations over time for PBUTs among HDF and HD groups are shown in Figure 1. HDF group presented a significantly lower trajectory of IxS levels and a lower trajectory of pCS levels than HD group. Trajectories of IAA levels were not different between groups. Conclusion OL-HDF reduced the pre-dialysis concentration of IxS and pCS through 6 months-period compared to high-flux HD.

Background Physical activity (PA) is typically lower on hemodialysis (HD) days. Albeit intradialytic inactivity is expected, it is unknown whether recovery after HD contributes to low PA. We investigated the impact of HD and post-HD period on granular PA relative to HD timing. Methods We used baseline data from the HDFIT trial conducted from August 2016 to October 2017. Accelerometry measured PA over 1 week in patients who received thrice-weekly high-flux HD (vintage 3 to 24 months), were clinically stable, and had no ambulatory limitations. PA was assessed on HD days (0 to ≤24 h after start HD), first non-HD days (> 24 to ≤48 h after start HD) and second non-HD day (> 48 to ≤72 h after start HD). PA was recorded in blocks/slices: 4 h during HD, 0 to ≤2 h post-HD (30 min slices), and > 2 to ≤20 h post-HD (4.5 h slices). Blocks/slices of PA were captured at concurrent/parallel times on first/second non-HD days compared to HD days. Results Among 195 patients (mean age 53 ± 15 years, 71% male), step counts per 24-h were 3919 ± 2899 on HD days, 5308 ± 3131 on first non-HD days (p p = 0.032). During concurrent/parallel times to HD on first and second non-HD days, patients took 1308 and 1128 more steps (both p p Conclusions PA was higher within 2-h of HD versus same times on non-HD days. Lower PA on HD days was attributable to intradialytic inactivity. The established PA profiles are of importance to the design and development of exercise programs that aim to increase activity during and between HD treatments. Trial registration HDFIT was prospectively registered 20 April 2016 on ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02787161)

Background and objectives High-volume online hemodiafiltration (OL-HDF) associates with improved outcomes compared to hemodialysis (HD), provided adequate dosing is achieved as estimated from convective volume (CV). Achievement of high CV and its impact on biochemical indicators following a standardized protocol converting HD patients to OL-HDF has not been systematically reported. We assessed the success of implementation of OL-HDF in clinics naive to the modality. Design, setting, participants, and measurements We analyzed the results of the implementation of postdilution OL-HDF in patients randomized to the HDF arm of a clinical trial (impact of hemoDiaFIlTration on physical activity and self-reported outcomes: a randomized controlled trial (HDFit) trial [ClinicalTrials.gov:NCT02787161]). The day before randomization of the first patient to OL-HDF at each clinic staff started a 3-day in-person training module on operation of Fresenius 5008 CorDiax machine in HDF mode. Patients were converted from high-flux HD to OL-HDF under oversight of trainers. OL-HDF was performed over a 6-months follow-up with a CV target of 22 L/treatment. We characterized median achieved CV >22 L/treatment record and analyzed the impact of HDF on biochemical variables. Results Ninety-seven patients (mean age 53 ± 16 years, 29% with diabetes, and 11% had a catheter) from 13 clinics randomized to the OL-HDF arm of the trial were converted from HD to HDF. Median CV > 22 L/treatment was achieved in 99% (94/95) of OL-HDF patients throughout follow-up. Monthly mean CV ranged from 27.1 L to 27.5 L. OL-HDF provided an increased single pool Kt/V at 3-months (0.2 [95% CI: 0.1-0.3]) and 6-months (0.2 [95% CI: 0.1-0.4]) compared to baseline, and reduced phosphate at 3-months (-0.4 mg/dL [95% CI: -0.8 to -0.12]) of follow-up. Conclusions High-volume online hemodiafiltration was successfully implemented with 99% of patients achieving protocol defined CV target. Monthly mean CV was consistently >22 L/treatment during follow-up. Kt/V increased, and phosphate decreased with OL-HDF. Findings resulting from a short training period in several dialysis facilities appear to suggest HDF is an easily implementable technique.

Background: Finerenone, a nonsteroidal, selective mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist, reduced albuminuria in short-term trials involving patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and type 2 diabetes. However, its long-term effects on kidney and cardiovascular outcomes are unknown. Methods: In this double-blind trial, we randomly assigned 5734 patients with CKD and type 2 diabetes in a 1:1 ratio to receive finerenone or placebo. Eligible patients had a urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (with albumin measured in milligrams and creatinine measured in grams) of 30 to less than 300, an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of 25 to less than 60 ml per minute per 1.73 m2 of body-surface area, and diabetic retinopathy, or they had a urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio of 300 to 5000 and an eGFR of 25 to less than 75 ml per minute per 1.73 m2. All the patients were treated with renin-angiotensin system blockade that had been adjusted before randomization to the maximum dose on the manufacturer's label that did not cause unacceptable side effects. The primary composite outcome, assessed in a time-to-event analysis, was kidney failure, a sustained decrease of at least 40% in the eGFR from baseline, or death from renal causes. The key secondary composite outcome, also assessed in a time-to-event analysis, was death from cardiovascular causes, nonfatal myocardial infarction, nonfatal stroke, or hospitalization for heart failure. Results: During a median follow-up of 2.6 years, a primary outcome event occurred in 504 of 2833 patients (17.8%) in the finerenone group and 600 of 2841 patients (21.1%) in the placebo group (hazard ratio, 0.82; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.73 to 0.93; P = 0.001). A key secondary outcome event occurred in 367 patients (13.0%) and 420 patients (14.8%) in the respective groups (hazard ratio, 0.86; 95% CI, 0.75 to 0.99; P = 0.03). Overall, the frequency of adverse events was similar in the two groups. The incidence of hyperkalemia-related discontinuation of the trial regimen was higher with finerenone than with placebo (2.3% and 0.9%, respectively). Conclusions: In patients with CKD and type 2 diabetes, treatment with finerenone resulted in lower risks of CKD progression and cardiovascular events than placebo. Bayer; FIDELIO-DKD ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT02540993. 91.253 JCR (2020) Q1, 1/167 Medicine, General & Internal 19.889 SJR (2020) Q1, 3/2447 Medicine (miscellaneous) No data IDR 2020 UEM

To analyze endocan-1, a biomarker of vascular endothelial related pathologies, and the placental growth factor (PlGF), an angiogenic factor and a placental dysfunction marker in patients with preeclampsia (PE). Case-control study conducted at Hospital São Lucas, in the city of Porto Alegre, Brazil. Endocan-1 and PlGF levels were quantified in the maternal plasma using the MagPlexTH-C microsphere system (MAGPIX System, Luminex, Austin, Texas, US) and evaluated through analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) and adjusted by body mass index (BMI), gestational age and maternal age. To estimate the difference between the groups, the mean ratio (MR) and the 95% confidence interval (95%CI) were calculated. The Pearson correlation test was used to establish any association between endocan-1 and PlGF levels. The null hypothesis was rejected when The group of patients was composed by normotensive ( Endocan-1 levels are increased in patients with PE, and are inversely correlated with PlGF levels. We suggest that it is important to analyze angiogenic and proinflammatory molecules concomitantly in women with PE to better understand the pathophysiology of the disease. Both molecules are strong candidates for PE biomarkers, and future studies will examine any mechanisms connecting these factors in PE. Analisar o endocan-1, um biomarcador de patologias vasculares endoteliais, e o fator de crescimento placentário (FCPl), um fator angiogênico, marcador de disfunção placentária em pacientes com pré-eclâmpsia (PE). MéTODOS: Estudo de caso-controle realizado no Hospital São Lucas, em Porto Alegre. Os níveis de endocan-1 e FCPl foram quantificados no plasma materno usando o sistema de microesferas MagPlexTH-C (MAGPIX System, Luminex, Austin, Texas, US) e analisados por análise de covariância (ANCOVA) e ajustados por índice de massa corporal (IMC), idade gestacional e idade materna. Para calcular a diferença entre os grupos, utilizou-se a razão das médias (RM) e o intervalo de confiança de 95% (IC95%). O teste de correlação de Pearson foi utilizado para estabelecer a associação entre os níveis de endocan-1 e FCPl. A hipótese nula foi rejeitada quando O grupo de pacientes foi composto por pacientes normotensas (

Objective To compare different disinfection techniques for the peritoneal dialysis bag medication port (MP). Methods An experimental study was conducted testing different cleaning agents (70% alcohol vs 2% chlorhexidine) and time periods (5, 10 and 60 seconds) for disinfection of the MP. Five microorganisms (S. aureus, E.coli, A. baumannii and C. parapsilosis, CNS) were prepared for use as contaminants of the MP. MP were incubated in Tryptic soy broth at 36 °C for 24 h, after which, they were seeded on a Biomerieux® blood agar plate and incubated for 24 h at 36 °C. Results 300 peritoneal dialysis bags were analyzed regarding the time expose to the disinfectant showed a statistically significant difference in the number of culture positive (7/100) p = 0.001; Gram positive (6/100) p = 0.006 for five seconds, one positive culture and turbid bag with ten seconds, while friction for 60 seconds showed all negative results. The comparison between disinfectant, alcohol or chlorhexidine, 150 bag in each group, showed that the ones disinfected with alcohol had 5 turbid bags, 8 positive cultures and 7 germs identified, while all bags disinfected with chlorhexidine were negative for all parameters, with a difference statistically significant (p = 0.004). Conclusion Our results suggest that the MP should be scrubbed with 2% chlorhexidine for at least 5 seconds; if alcohol 70% is used the length of friction should not be inferior to 10 seconds.

Made available in DSpace on 2022-04-28T19:09:40Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2018-04-01 Ministry of Science and Technology Background: To determine the effectiveness of low-dose diuretic therapy to achieve an optimal level of blood pressure (BP) in adults with prehypertension. Methods: The PREVER-prevention trial was a randomized, parallel, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial, with 18 months of follow-up, conducted at 21 academic medical centers in Brazil. Of 1772 individuals evaluated for eligibility, 730 volunteers with prehypertension who were aged 30-70 years, and who did not reach optimal blood pressure after 3 months of lifestyle intervention, were randomized to a fixed association of chlorthalidone 12.5mg and amiloride 2.5mg or placebo once a day. The main outcomes were the percentage of participants who achieved an optimal level of BP. Results: A total of 372 participants were randomly allocated to diuretics and 358 to placebo. After 18 months of treatment, optimal BP was noted in 25.6% of the diuretic group and 19.3% in the placebo group (P

Introduction: Dialysis patients suffer from poor sleep duration and quality. We examined the self-reported sleep duration in patients randomized to either high-volume hemodiafiltration (HDF) or high flux hemodialysis (HD). Methods: Patients from 13 Brazilian dialysis clinics were enrolled in the HDFIT randomized controlled trial (RCT) investigating the impact of HDF on physical activity and self-reported outcomes. Self-reported sleep duration was taken from patient diaries recording sleep start and end time over a week during baseline, months 3 and 6, respectively. Sleep duration was analyzed by shift and nights relative to dialysis. Results: The HDFIT study enrolled 197 patients; sleep data were available in 173 patients (87 HD; 86 HDF). Patients’ age was 53 ± 15 years, 57% were white, 72% were male, 34% had diabetes, Kt/V was 1.54 ± 0.40, and albumin 3.97 ± 0.36 g/dL. Most patients reported sleeping 510–530 min/night. At 3 months, HDF patients slept 513 ± 71 min/night, HD patients 518 ± 76 min/night. At 6 months, HDF patients slept 532 ± 74 min/night, HD patients 519 ± 80 min/night. At baseline, 1st shift patients slept 406 ± 86 min the night before HD, 534 ± 64 min the night after HD, and 496 ± 99 min the night between 2 non-HD days. Compared to patients in the 2nd and 3rd shifts, patients dialyzed in the 1st shift slept less in the night before dialysis. Similar patterns were seen after 3 and 6 months. Conclusion: In our RCT, the dialysis modality (HDF vs. HD) had no effect on self-reported sleep duration. In both groups, dialysis in the 1st shift adversely affected self reported sleep duration.

Introduction Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome is a clinicoradiologic entity with typical MR imaging showing a white matter vasogenic edema predominantly affecting the occipital and parietal lobes of the brain. The aim of this article is evaluated the importance of DWI as a prognosis factor in patients with PRES. Materials and methods We reviewed data from 70 patients with PRES (35 with restricted DWI and 35 with no DWI abnormalities), that were admitted to Hospital Sao Lucas-PUCRS. These two groups were evaluated in age, sex, previous diseases and past medical history, use of medications, the neurologic manifestations, the highest blood pressure during the neurologic presentation and the highest creatinine during the period of observation. Results Evaluating 70 patients with PRES with a mean age of 25.4 years old (range from 2 to 74 years old; 55 female and 15 male) we identified 35 cases were brain MRI presents with restricted DWI. Restricted DWI was associated with higher mortality in 90 days (14.2% vs 0.0%; p: 0.027). Conclusions Few articles present new data that will help clinicians in therapeutic decisions or that modify the knowledge of this syndrome. We suggested that restricted DWI is associated with a worst prognosis in PRES.

Background: Among diabetics, those with kidney disease have exceptionally high rates of cardiovascular (CV) morbidity and mortality, and progression of their underlying disease. Finerenone is a novel, non-steroidal, selective mineralocorticoid-receptor antagonist which has shown to reduce albuminuria in type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), while revealing only a low risk of hyperkalemia. However, the effect of finerenone on renal and CV outcomes has not been investigated in long-term trials yet. Methods: The Finerenone in Reducing Kidney Failure and Disease Progression in Diabetic Kidney Disease ­(FIDELIO-DKD) trial aims to assess the efficacy and safety of finerenone compared to placebo at reducing clinically important renal and CV outcomes in T2D patients with CKD. FIDELIO-DKD is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, event-driven trial running in 47 countries with an expected duration of approximately 5.5 years. FIDELIO-DKD randomized 5,734 patients with an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) ≥25–2 and albuminuria (urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio ≥30–≤5,000 mg/g). The study has at least 90% power to detect a 20% reduction in the risk of primary outcome (overall two-sided significance level α = 0.05), the composite of time to first occurrence of kidney failure, a sustained decrease of eGFR ≥40% from baseline over at least 4 weeks, or renal death. Conclusion: FIDELIO-DKD will determine whether an optimally treated cohort of T2D patients with CKD at high risk of renal and CV events will experience cardiorenal benefits with the addition of finerenone to their treatment regimen.

The Nephrology Unit at São Lucas Hospital, a University Hospital in Southern Brazil, has recently reached 35 years since its first kidney transplant. Few centers in the area have made a longitudinal analysis of processes, problems, grafts, and patient survival changes along this time.A single-center, retrospective study was performed. Data were separated into different eras, based on the nature of immunosuppression used: pre-cyclosporine (1978-1986), cyclosporine (1987-1997), mycophenolate introduction (1998-2002), new immunosuppressant drugs (2003-2007), and the current period (2008-2013).Between April 27, 1978, and April 30, 2013, 1231 transplants were performed. Significant differences were detected among different eras. The number of transplants has been progressively increasing, to include significantly older recipients (and donors), at a longer waiting list time, receiving organs that underwent longer cold ischemia time (P .001). Yet, fewer acute rejection episodes and lower incidence of myocardial infarction and post-transplant diabetes mellitus (P .001) were detected. In the present era, patient survival at 1, 3, and 5 years is 98.3%, 94.6%, and 90.5% respectively, for living donors, and 92.4%, 87.2%, and 80.7% for deceased donors, respectively. Living donor graft survival is 92.2%, 88.7%, and 82.4%, respectively, whereas deceased donor survival is 80.4%, 71.1%, and 63.7%, respectively.This retrospective analysis has significant historical value. It assembles and depicts a long follow-up period of a transplant series at a single Brazilian center. Throughout the eras, organ and patient survival increased, with fewer rejection episodes or complications, yet with overall decreased graft function.

Background One of the main postoperative complications of kidney transplant is delayed graft function (DGF), which means absence of graft function after transplant or the need for dialysis during the first week post procedure. The occurrence of DGF currently in our hospital is high and has been attributed to a combination of many factors. The aim of this study was to evaluate the factors associated to DGF and their influence in the outcome of kidney transplants. Methods Historical cohort of 150 patients transplanted with live or deceased donor kidneys from 2011 to 2013. Results DGF was associated to time in dialysis and the number of recipient pre-transplant transfusions, donors age, serum creatinine level, use of vasoactive drugs in the donor, distance from place of organ retrieval and transplant center, and duration of cold ischemia time. DGF influenced post-transplantation outcome in regard to length of stay in intensive care, length of hospital stay, acute rejection episodes, and higher creatinine levels at discharge. Patients and graft survival were shorter in the DGF group. Conclusions There are multiple factors related to DGF, the most important being those related to donors, and organ storage. The most important factor related to the recipient was the dialysis vintage. We did not find a correlation between DGF and HLA-compatibility. DGF consequences are important, including worse graft function and survival, as well as impact in recipient morbidity and mortality.

To compare the blood pressure (BP)-lowering efficacy of a chlorthalidone/amiloride combination pill with losartan, during initial management of stage I hypertension.In a randomized, double-blind, controlled trial, 655 participants were followed for 18 months in 21 Brazilian academic centers. Trial participants were adult volunteers aged 30-70 years with stage I hypertension (BP 140-159 or 90-99 mmHg) following 3 months of a lifestyle intervention. Participants were randomized to 12.5/2.5 mg of chlorthalidone/amiloride (N = 333) or 50 mg of losartan (N = 322). If BP remained uncontrolled after 3 months, study medication dose was doubled, and if uncontrolled after 6 months, amlodipine (5 and 10 mg) and propranolol (40 and 80 mg twice daily) were added as open-label drugs in a progressive fashion. At the end of follow-up, 609 (93%) participants were evaluated.The difference in SBP during 18 months of follow-up was 2.3 (95% confidence interval: 1.2 to 3.3) mmHg favoring chlorthalidone/amiloride. Compared with those randomized to diuretic, more participants allocated to losartan had their initial dose doubled and more of them used add-on antihypertensive medication. Levels of blood glucose, glycosilated hemoglobin, and incidence of diabetes were no different between the two treatment groups. Serum potassium was lower and serum cholesterol was higher in the diuretic arm. Microalbuminuria tended to be higher in patients with diabetes allocated to losartan (28.5 ± 40.4 versus 16.2 ± 26.7 mg, P = 0.09).Treatment with a combination of chlorthalidone and amiloride compared with losartan yielded a greater reduction in BP.NCT00971165.

Objectives: To compare nitric oxide (NO) serum levels in women with and without preeclampsia. Methods: 106 women were classified into preeclampsia group (n = 40) and normotensive group (n = 66). NO content was measured in the serum. Clinical and laboratorial data were recorded for comparison. Results: Preeclampsia presented a significant increase in nitrate and NOx levels compared to the control group. Uric acid, gestational age, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and creatinine showed correlation with nitrates and NOx. Conclusion: Increase of NO was observed in preeclampsia women. Failure in the mechanism of action, dependent on cyclic GMP, may justify this finding.

Patients with chronic kidney disease on peritoneal dialysis (PD) are susceptible to infections, with peritonitis being the primary cause of dropout. Peritoneal fluid culture is one of the essential elements for proper diagnosis and peritonitis treatment. The aim of this study was to compare the time required to obtain a positive culture using different laboratory methods. An in vitro cross-sectional study was conducted comparing different techniques for preparation and culture of bacteria in peritoneal fluid. The research was carried out with 21 sterile dialysis bags and 21 PD bags containing peritoneal fluid drained from patients without peritonitis. Fluids from the 42 PD bags were contaminated by injecting a coagulase-negative Staphylococcus suspension and then prepared for culture using 4 distinct techniques: A - direct culture; B - post-centrifugation culture; C - direct culture after 4 h sedimentation; and D - culture after 4 h sedimentation and centrifugation. This was followed by seeding. In the 21 contaminated sterile bags, mean times to obtain a positive culture with techniques D (19.6 h ± 2.6) and C (19.1 h ± 2.3) were longer than with technique A (15.8 h ± 3.0; p < 0.01), but not statistically different from group B (19.0 h ± 3.2). The same occurred in the 21 bags drained from patients, with mean times for techniques D (14.0 h ± 1.9) and C (14.5 h ± 1.7) being longer than technique A (12.22 h ± 1.94; p < 0.05) but not statistically different from technique B (13.2 h ± 1.3). The sedimentation and centrifugation steps seem to be unnecessary and may delay antibiotic sensitivity test results by approximately 8 hours.

The present study intends to review the possibility of using phosphodiesterase inhibitors as a treatment option for preeclampsia, addressing potential risks and benefits. Preeclampsia is the most common hypertensive disorder of pregnancy, often responsible for severe maternal and fetal complications, which can lead to early pregnancy termination and death. Despite the numerous studies, its pathophysiology is still unclear, although it seems to involve a multiplicity of complex factors related to angiogenesis, ineffective vasodilation, oxidative stress, inflammatory cytokines, and endothelial dysfunction. It has been hypothetically suggested that the use of phosphodiesterase inhibitors is capable of improving placental and fetal perfusion, contributing to gestational scenario, by decreasing the symptomatology and severity of this syndrome. In this literature review, it has been found that most of the studies were conducted in animal models, and there is still lack of evidence supporting its use in clinical practice. Research in human indicates conflicting findings; randomized controlled trials were scarce and did not demonstrate any benefit in morbidity or mortality. Data regarding to pathophysiological and interventional research are described and commented in this review. The use of phosphodiesterase inhibitors in the treatment of preeclampsia is controversial and should not be encouraged taking into account recent data.

Introduction Monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP1) main function is to recruit monocytes and other leukocytes into sites of inflammation. Inflammatory mediators, such as TNFα, regulate its expression. Objectives/hypothesis To analyze MCP1 levels in maternal, fetal plasma and placental in women with pre-eclampsia (PE) and correlate with TNFα. We hypothesized a positive correlation between both molecules. Methods Case-control study, 117 pregnant women consented to participate, PE (50)/controls (67). MCP1 and TNFα were quantified using MagPlexTH-C microsphere system and were analyzed using ANCOVA method, adjusted by BMI, gestational age at delivery (GA) and maternal age. To estimate the difference between groups, the mean ratio (MR) and the 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated. The analysis between MCP1 and TNFα was made by Pearson’s correlation. p Results Increased MCP1 were observed in fetal plasma of preterm (GA Discussion We observed a strong direct correlation between MCP-1 vs. TNFα in placenta PE groups, which suggests a possible regulation of TNFα molecule by MCP-1. Also, we observed that higher the levels of MCP-1 in fetal plasma, the lower the GA, FW and PW, which might indicate the involvement of MCP-1 in preterm delivery.

IntroductionEndocan-1 has been proposed as a possible biomarker and predictor of vascular endothelial related pathologies. Thus, we hypothesised that Endocan-1 levels would be up-regulated in maternal plasma and placentae from women with pre-eclampsia. The aim of our study was to compare Endocan-1 concentrations in maternal/fetal plasma and placentae from normotensive and pre-eclamptic pregnancies.MethodsObservational and case-controlled study, at the São Lucas Hospital, Brazil. Placental biopsies, maternal/umbilical venous (fetal) plasma were taken from 67 normotensive and 50 pre-eclamptic women. Endocan-1 levels were quantified using MagPlexTH-C and analysed by Analysis of Covariance and Pearson correlation. The null hypothesis was rejected at p

Caveolae regulate many cardiovascular functions and thus could be of interest in relation to pre-eclampsia, a pregnancy specific disorder characterised by hypertension and proteinuria. We examined placental mRNA and protein expression/localisation of the caveolae components Caveolin 1-3, Cavin 1-4 as well as eNOS/iNOS in normotensive control (n = 24) and pre-eclamptic pregnancies (n = 19). Placental mRNA expression of caveolin-1, cavin 1-3, was lower and eNOS expression was increased in pre-eclampsia (P

Acute graft pyelonephritis is a very common infection in renal transplantation. The impact of acute graft pyelonephritis (AGPN) on graft and patient outcome has not yet been established. Eight hundred seventy kidney and kidney-pancreas transplants were retrospectively studied, over last 13 years, to verify occurrence of AGPN in the first 30 days post-transplantation. We found that 112 patients (15.8%) presented post-transplantatiom AGPN up to 30 days after a kidney transplantation. The occurrence was higher in older patients (P = .005) and in those with ureteral stents (P = .06). Escherichia coli was the most frequent microorganism in urine cultures (32%). Ureteral stent (relative risk = 1.7; confidence interval [CI], 1.1–2.5; P = .018) was a major risk factor for AGPN as well as older ages (RR = 1.02; CI 1.01–1.04; P = .001), length of hospitalization stay (RR = 1.01; CI, 1.01–1.02; P < .001), and anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG) induction (RR = 1.6; CI, 1.022–2.561; P = .04). Long-term graft and patient survival was significantly lower in patients with pyelonephritis in the first 30 days after transplantation (OR 1.43; 95% CI, 0.95–2.16; P = .024 and OR 1.77; 95% CI, 1.12–2.80; P = .006, respectively). Acute pyelonephritis in the first 30 days after transplantation is therefore associated with a lower long-term graft and patient survival.

Objectives Eclampsia results in high morbidity and mortality, so it is important to identify clinical and laboratorial aspects that may be useful as potential markers to differentiate women at higher risk. Thus, we aim to identify, among women with preeclampsia, aspects that may increase the risk to develop eclampsia. Study design Retrospective cohort study. The records of patients delivered at Hospital Sao Lucas/PUCRS were reviewed retrospectively; 733 pregnant women with hypertension were analyzed; 329 had preeclampsia, and 45 eclampsia. Main outcome measures Serum uric acid levels and protein excretion in women that develop eclampsia. Results Patients with eclampsia had higher serum uric acid levels and protein excretion, systolic and diastolic blood pressure; were more likely to have cesarean section and had worst perinatal outcomes. The combination of uric acid above 5.9 mg/dL and protein/creatinine ratio over 4.9 had a striking association with eclampsia (p ≤ 0.001). The occurrence of HELLP syndrome was significantly different between groups, with a higher incidence among women who developed eclampsia (OR 6.5; 95%CI, 3.2–13.2; p Conclusion Our data suggest that the combination of high levels of maternal serum uric acid and proteinuria are strongly associated with the development of eclamptic crises.

Mean platelet volume (MPV), measured using automated blood analysers, has been appraised as a potential biomarker in cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, and cancer. The test, a useful tool in differentiation of thrombocytopenic states, has now been carried out for autoimmune disorders, but data are yet scarce. Controversial results have been obtained in systemic and organ-specific autoimmune disorders. Another test, the immature platelet fraction (IPF) reflects the amount of young, reticulated platelets. IPF is calculated by automated hematology analysis or flow cytometry, and it is usually high in patients with rapid platelet destruction. For both MPV and IPF, standardization of cutoff is a major need. In this review, we focus the current applicability of MPV and IPF as biomarkers in patients with autoimmune diseases.

Preeclampsia (PE), one of the leading gestational hypertensive diseases, is characterized by increased blood pressure (⩾140/90 mm Hg) and pathological proteinuria after 20 weeks gestation. It is a complex, multifactorial syndrome with an unestablished etiology and cure. The search continues for a biomarker that could assist in the early prediction or diagnosis of PE, reducing the rate of maternal and fetal mortality. Based on the findings of Casarini et al. that suggest the 90 kDa isoform of the Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) as a possible marker of hypertension, we hypothesized that this isoform may be present in pregnant women with PE, since they present a transient and spontaneous model of systemic arterial hypertension in pregnancy. We believe, therefore, that pregnant women with pure PE (PPE) express the ACE 90 kDa isoform in urine, as well as having elevated isoform enzymatic activity, during pregnancy only. Postpartum, with the normalization of blood pressure, the protein isoform would no longer be expressed. Pregnant women with superimposed preeclampsia (SPE) would present the ACE 90 kDa isoform both during and after the gestation period, and its enzymatic activity would remain high as they are chronically hypertensive. It is expected that normotensive pregnant women do not present this isoform in their urine as elevated blood pressure levels do not occur. Both normotensive and PPE affected pregnant women with a family history of hypertension, will possibly express the ACE 90 kDa isoform before pregnancy and may become hypertensive, only after some years, through the influence of environmental factors and/or other diseases. If our hypothesis is confirmed, it will allow differentiation of PPE and SPE sooner than 12 weeks postpartum, which is currently the estimated period for confirmation of the specific diagnosis. Furthermore, it could be an early biomarker for predicting the disease, enabling the physician to choose the best clinical management. In addition, it would minimize the use of other methods as the biological sample for obtaining the marker is urine, a practical and effective test with good reproducibility. Finally, test results would enable a greater understanding of the mechanisms involved in gestational hypertension.

Approximately 30% of the chronic kidney disease patients using recombinant human erythropoietin (rhuEPO) have an increase in blood pressure (BP). Its mechanism and whether it depends on renal function remain unclear. There is early evidence that acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) prevents the rhuEPO-induced increase in BP. This study aims to verify whether very high doses of rhuEPO can increase BP in nonuremic rats and whether the co-administration of ASA can prevent it.Forty male Wistar rats were divided into four groups: placebo/placebo; placebo/rhuEPO 200 UI/kg thrice weekly; placebo/ASA 50 mg/kg daily; rhuEPO 200 UI/kg thrice weekly/ASA 50 mg/kg daily. Hematocrit was measured before and after and systolic BP was measured weekly by tail-cuff technique. Direct measurement of the BP was obtained at the end.The rhuEPO groups had higher final hematocrit (rhuEPO/placebo 56.7 ± 7.6, rhuEPO/ASA 56.7 ± 7.7; p0.001 versus placebo/placebo, 42.2 ± 4.7 and ASA/placebo 41.2 ± 4.2); and also increase in systolic BP (rhuEPO/placebo 135.1 ± 15.0, p = 0.01 and rhuEPO/ASA 127.2 ± 6.8, p = 0.02), whereas BP in rats from placebo/placebo (120.9 ± 5.0, p = 0.18) and placebo/ASA (124.6 ± 13.3, p = 0.12) groups remained unchanged. By direct measurement, the final BP was higher in rhuEPO/placebo (DBP 123.1 ± 12.0; SBP 157.4 ± 12.5; MBP 139.8 ± 11.9) than placebo/placebo (DBP 105.1 ± 11.5; SBP 141.0 ± 12.6; MBP 122.1 ± 12.1) and placebo/ASA groups (DBP 106.6 ± 8.1; SBP 141.5 ± 8.4, MBP 122.1 ± 7.2) (p0.05 by post hoc Bonferroni test ANOVA). The rhuEPO/ASA group (PAD 115.1 ± 11.4, PAS 147.4 ± 9.1, MBP 130.1 ± 10.3) was not different from other groups.The administration of very high doses of rhuEPO is associated with an increase in hematocrit and BP in nonuremic rats. The concomitant use of ASA mitigates the rhuEPO-associated BP increase.

Ideal training methods that could ensure best peritoneal dialysis (PD) outcome have not been defined in previous reports. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the impact of training characteristics on peritonitis rates in a large Brazilian cohort.Incident patients with valid data on training recruited in the Brazilian Peritoneal Dialysis Multicenter Study (BRAZPD II) from January 2008 to January 2011 were included. Peritonitis was diagnosed according to International Society for Peritoneal Dialysis guidelines; incidence rate of peritonitis (episodes/patient-months) and time to the first peritonitis were used as end points.Two thousand two hundred and forty-three adult patients were included in the analysis: 59 ± 16 years old, 51.8% female, 64.7% with ≤4 years of education. The median training time was 15 h (IQI 10-20 h). Patients were followed for a median of 11.2 months (range 3-36.5). The overall peritonitis rate was 0.29 per year at risk (1 episode/41 patient-months). The mean number of hours of training per day was 1.8 ± 2.4. Less than 1 h of training/day was associated with higher incidence rate when compared with the intervals of 1-2 h/day (P = 0.03) and2 h/day (P = 0.02). Patients who received a cumulative training of15 h had significantly lower incidence of peritonitis compared with15 h (0.26 per year at risk versus 0.32 per year at risk, P = 0.01). The presence of a caregiver and the number of people trained were not significantly associated with peritonitis incidence rate. Training in the immediate 10 days after implantation of the catheter was associated with the highest peritonitis rate (0.32 per year), compared with training prior to catheter implantation (0.28 per year) or10 days after implantation (0.23 per year). More experienced centers had a lower risk for the first peritonitis (P = 0.003).This is the first study to analyze the association between training characteristics and outcomes in a large cohort of PD patients. Low training time (particularly15 h), smaller center size and the timing of training in relation to catheter implantation were associated with a higher incidence of peritonitis. These results support the recommendation of a minimum amount of training hours to reduce peritonitis incidence regardless of the number of hours trained per day.

Background: Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is a clinical entity characterized by headaches, altered mental status, seizures, and visual disturbances and is associated with white matter vasogenic edema. There are no experimental models to study PRES brain changes.Methods: Twenty-eight pregnant Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups of 7: (1) pregnant-control; (2) reduced uterine perfusion pressure (RUPP); (3) invasive blood pressure (IBP); and (4) reduced uterine perfusion pressure plus invasive blood pressure (RUPP-IBP). The RUPP and RUPP-IBP groups were submitted to a reduction of uterine perfusion pressure at pregnancy days 13 to 15. The invasive mean arterial pressure of the IBP and RUPP-IBP groups was measured on day 20. The blood–brain barriers (BBBs) of all groups were analyzed using 2% Evans Blue dye on day 21. Results: RUPP rats had higher blood pressures and increased BBB permeability to Evans Blue dye compared with the control animals. Brain staining occurred in 11 of 14 RUPP rats and in none of the control groups (P , .0001). Conclusions: The physiopathology of PRES remains unclear. Here, we described the use of RUPP rats as a potential model to better comprehend this syndrome. Key Words: Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome—blood–brain barrier—experimental model—reduction of uterine blood pressure—hypertension. 2014 by National Stroke Association

Risk factors related to the workplace environment are being studied to identify positive associations with hypertension disorders. Hypertension is considered as one of the main modifiable risk factors and most important public health issues. The study aims to describe the prevalence of hypertension and associate it with sociodemographic, labour and health aspects, in the health-care nursing staff of an emergency hospital.Cross-sectional study enrolled 606 nursing workers. The data were collected from February to June, and the analysis was conducted in November 2010. Arterial blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) were assessed, and sociodemographic and labour variables were investigated by means of a questionnaire. The data were analysed by descriptive statistics, univariate and multivariate analysis. The prevalence of hypertension was 32% (n = 388), with positive associations with age > 49 years (OR = 2.55 (CI: 1.19 to 5.43)), ethnicity (non-white) (odds ratio (OR) = 2.22, confidence interval (CI) 1.16 to 1.24), BMI (OR = 2.24 (CI: 1.25 to 4.01)) and WHR (OR = 2.65 (CI: 1.95 to 7.763)). Arterial hypertension was frequent in the nursing staff of this emergency hospital. Further studies are needed to better understand the relationship between occupational aspects and arterial hypertension.

Solid organ transplant recipients are susceptible to antibiotic-resistant infections and carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) has recently been recognized as a serious complication in solid organ recipients. High mortality rates have been described.We retrospectively analyzed 807 transplantations and detected 10 patients who died 24 hours after the diagnosis of septicemia, all with CRAB-positive blood cultures. Recipients were followed up for at least 1 year and were stratified into the following groups: Group 1, patients alive; Group 2, patients that died due to other causes except Acinetobacter infection; and Group 3, patients who died within 24 hours of CRAB diagnosis.CRAB-positive patients died a median of 3.17 (range, 1.81-18.7) months after transplantation. In these patients, expanded criteria donors (ECDs) were more frequent (P .001), as were the use of anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG) induction (P = .02) and delayed graft function (P = .01). For ECD recipients, death rate from any cause, whether induced with ATG or not, was 25% and 20.6%, respectively (odds ratio [OR], 1.28; confidence interval [CI] 95%, 0.56-2.91; P = .68). The death rate from CRAB-related sepsis was 10.3% and 0% whether receiving ATG or not, respectively (OR, 15.49; CI 95%, 0.87-277.16; P = .014). There was a 25.75-fold increase in the death rate in ECD kidney recipients induced with thymoglobulin and with CRAB-related sepsis.Transplants from ECDs and induced with thymoglobulin may be at increased risk of CRAB death in 24 hours when compared with patients with standard donors and induced with thymoglobulin.

Introduction: Endocan-1 is a soluble proteoglican specifically expressed in endothelial cells, a biomarker/predictor of vascular endothelial related pathologies, as pre-eclampsia (PE). PlGF is an angiogenic factor, and a marker of placental dysfunction, which is down regulated in women with PE. We hypothesized that Endocan-1 and PlGF levels would be negatively correlated in pregnant women with PE.\ud Objectives: To analyse Endocan-1 and PlGF levels in maternal plasma in normotensive and women with PE and test the correlation between the findings in the third trimester of pregnancy.\ud Methods: Endocan-1 and PlGF levels were measured in maternal plasma from normotensive (n= 67) and PE (n= 50) women using MagPlexTH-C microspheres system. Data was analysed by ANCOVA, adjusted for BMI, gestational age and maternal age. To estimate the difference between groups, mean ratio (MR) and confidence interval (CI) of 95% was calculated. Analysis between Endocan-1 levels and PlGF were made by Pearson correlation. The null hypothesis was rejected when p < 0.05.\ud Results: Higher concentrations of Endocan-1 were found in maternal plasma in PE (MR = 1.49; 95% CI: 1.19–1.85,p= 0.001), with a moderate effect size (Cohen’s D = 0.84). When women with superimposed PE and HELLP syndrome were excluded, lower levels of PlGF were found in the PE group (MR = 0.38, 95% CI: 0.15–0.95 p = 0.041). A strong negative correlation between Endocan-1 e PlGF in the entire group (r=-0.605; p < 0.001); as well as in PE group (r=-0.545; p < 0.001) was observed.\ud Conclusion: Endocan-1 levels are increased in patients with PE and are negatively correlated with PlGF levels. These data could be related to hypoxemia and fetal growth restriction (seen by lower PlGF levels), leading to a systemic response in order to find a volumetric compensation; leading to endothelial lesions (seen as the upregulation of Endocan-1). Thus, it is important to analyse angiogenic and proinflamatory molecules concomitantly in women with PE, in order to better understand the disease pathophysiology. In this case, both molecules are strong potentials as specific PE biomarkers.

Objective : The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of bioelectrical impedance analysis against clinical evaluation for the adequacy of DW in hemodialysis (HD) patients. Material and Methods : A randomized crossover study with patients randomized into two groups: A - DW determined by clinical evaluation (CA), and B - DW evaluated by bioimpedance analysis (BIA), for 4 weeks. After this period, the crossover to the alternate treatment was performed for a further 4 weeks. Results : The study included 57 CKD patients on HD. No statistical difference was found when comparing the two treatments for data related to blood pressure, hydration parameters and DW, regardless of group. Conclusions : The results suggest equivalence between the treatments of BIA and CA for determining DW and guiding HD ultrafiltration.

Background Prehypertension is associated with higher cardiovascular risk, target organ damage, and incidence of hypertension. The Prevention of Hypertension in Patients with PreHypertension (PREVER‐Prevention) trial aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a low‐dose diuretic for the prevention of hypertension and end‐organ damage. Methods and Results This randomized, parallel, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial was conducted in 21 Brazilian academic medical centers. Participants with prehypertension who were aged 30 to 70 years and who did not reach optimal blood pressure after 3 months of lifestyle intervention were randomized to a chlorthalidone/amiloride combination pill or placebo and were evaluated every 3 months during 18 months of treatment. The primary outcome was incidence of hypertension. Development or worsening of microalbuminuria, new‐onset diabetes mellitus, and reduction of left ventricular mass were secondary outcomes. Participant characteristics were evenly distributed by trial arms. The incidence of hypertension was significantly lower in 372 study participants allocated to diuretics compared with 358 allocated to placebo (hazard ratio 0.56, 95% CI 0.38–0.82), resulting in a cumulative incidence of 11.7% in the diuretic arm versus 19.5% in the placebo arm (P=0.004). Adverse events; levels of blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin, creatinine, and microalbuminuria; and incidence of diabetes mellitus were no different between the 2 arms. Left ventricular mass assessed through Sokolow‐Lyon voltage and voltage‐duration product decreased to a greater extent in participants allocated to diuretic therapy compared with placebo (P=0.02). Conclusions A combination of low‐dose chlorthalidone and amiloride effectively reduces the risk of incident hypertension and beneficially affects left ventricular mass in patients with prehypertension. Fundo A pré-hipertensão está associada a maior risco cardiovascular, lesão de órgãos-alvo e incidência de hipertensão. O estudo Prevention of Hypertension in Patients with PreHypertension (PREVER-Prevention) teve como objetivo avaliar a eficácia e a segurança de um diurético de baixa dosagem para a prevenção da hipertensão e danos aos órgãos-alvo. Métodos e Resultados Este estudo randomizado, paralelo, duplo-cego e controlado por placebo foi conduzido em 21 centros médicos acadêmicos brasileiros. Os participantes com pré-hipertensão com idades entre 30 e 70 anos e que não atingiram a pressão arterial ideal após 3 meses de intervenção no estilo de vida foram randomizados para uma pílula combinada de clortalidona/amilorida ou placebo e foram avaliados a cada 3 meses durante 18 meses de tratamento. O desfecho primário foi a incidência de hipertensão. Desenvolvimento ou agravamento de microalbuminúria, diabetes mellitus de início recente e redução da massa ventricular esquerda foram desfechos secundários. As características dos participantes foram distribuídas uniformemente pelos braços do ensaio. A incidência de hipertensão foi significativamente menor em 372 participantes do estudo alocados para diuréticos em comparação com 358 alocados para placebo (taxa de risco 0,56, IC 95% 0,38–0,82), resultando em uma incidência cumulativa de 11,7% no braço diurético versus 19,5% no braço braço placebo (P = 0,004). Eventos adversos; níveis de glicose no sangue, hemoglobina glicosilada, creatinina e microalbuminúria; e incidência de diabetes mellitus não foram diferentes entre os 2 braços. A massa ventricular esquerda avaliada por meio da voltagem de Sokolow-Lyon e do produto voltagem-duração diminuiu em maior extensão em participantes alocados para terapia diurética em comparação com placebo (P = 0,02). Conclusões Uma combinação de baixa dose de clortalidona e amilorida reduz efetivamente o risco de hipertensão incidente e afeta beneficamente a massa ventricular esquerda em pacientes com pré-hipertensão.

Background: Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) play important roles in the pathophysiology of renal diseases, and imbalanced MMP-2 and its endogenous inhibitor (the tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-2; TIMP-2) are implicated in the vascular alterations of end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) patients. We have examined whether MMP-2 gene polymorphisms and haplotypes modify MMP-2 and TIMP-2 levels in ESKD patients as well as the effects of hemodialysis on the concentrations of these biomarkers. Methods: We determined MMP-2 and TIMP-2 plasma levels by gelatin zymography and ELISA, respectively, in 98 ESKD patients and in 38 healthy controls. Genotypes for two relevant MMP-2 polymorphisms (C–1306T and C–735T in the promoter region) were determined by TaqMan® allele discrimination assay and real-time polymerase chain reaction. The software program PHASE 2.1 was used to estimate the haplotype frequencies. Results: We found increased plasma MMP-2 and TIMP-2 levels in ESKD patients compared to controls (p < 0.05), and hemodialysis decreased MMP-2 (but not TIMP-2) levels (p < 0.05). The T allele for the C–735T polymorphism and the C-T haplotype were associated with higher MMP-2 (but not TIMP-2) levels (p < 0.05), whereas the C–1306T had no effects. Hemodialysis decreased MMP-2 (but not TIMP-2) levels independently of MMP-2 genotypes or haplotypes (p < 0.05). Conclusions: MMP-2 genotypes or haplotypes modify MMP-2 levels in ESKD patients, and may help to identify patients with increased MMP-2 activity in plasma. Hemodialysis reduces MMP-2 levels independently of MMP-2 genetic variants.

Introduction - Singling out high-risk patients from the diverse hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, and not only preeclampsia, is a challenge for clinicians. The fullPIERS model is a simple and low-cost evaluation instrument using clinical variables to stratify the adverse outcomes probability of pregnant women with high-risk preeclampsia. Placental growth factor (PlGF) levels are reduced in preeclampsia and are increasingly being used as a biomarker in the assessment of this disease. Objectives - The aim of the study is to evaluate the performance of the fullPIERS model and PlGF to predict adverse outcomes in women with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. Methods - A prospective cohort study carried out at a teaching hospital in Porto Alegre, Brazil enrolling pregnant women admitted with a systolic blood pressure ≥ 140 mmHg and/or a diastolic blood pressure ≥ 90 mmHg from the 20th week of gestation. First 48 hours of admission worst clinical and laboratory data were recorded and the development of adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes scrutinised up to 14 days. Admission maternal plasma PlGF concentrations were measured. Results – A total of 405 women were enrolled. From the 351 women included in the fullPIERS model analysis, 20 (5%) developed at least one of the combined maternal adverse outcomes. The fullPIERS model had poor outcomes discrimination at 48h [AUC 0.639 (95% CI 0.458-0.819)]. At the seventh admission day, the model’s accuracy was even lower [AUC 0.612 (95% CI 0.440-0.783)]; the model’s discriminative ability remained similar [AUC 0.637 (95% CI 0.491-0.783)] at 14 days. Calibration of the fullPIERS model was poor: slope - 0.35 (95% CI 0.08-0.62), intercept -1.13 (95%CI -2.4-0.14). PlGF analysis included 392 women. PlGF < 5th percentile predicted maternal adverse outcomes within 48h in women with gestation < 35 weeks with sensitivity of 0.80, NPV of 0.98 and AUC ROC of 0.672 (CI 95%0.5-0.9). The threshold of

Hemodialysis therapy significantly impacts on patients' physical, psychological, and social performances. Such reduced quality of life depends on several factors, such as malnutrition, depression, and metabolic derangements. This study aims to evaluate the current nutritional status, quality of life and depressive symptoms, and determine the possible relationships with other risk factors for poor outcomes, in stable hemodialysis patients. This was a single-center, cross-sectional study that enrolled 59 adult patients undergoing hemodialysis. Laboratory tests that included high-sensitivity c-reactive protein (CRP), and quality of life and depressive symptom evaluation, as well as malnutrition-inflammation score, nutritional status and body composition (by direct segmental multi-frequency bioimpedance analysis) determinations were performed. Patients were classified as "underfat", "standard", "overfat", or "obese" by multi-frequency bioimpedance analysis. Seven patients were underfat, 19 standard, 19 overfat, and 14 obese. Triglyceride levels significantly differed between the underfat, standard, overfat, and obese groups (1.06 [0.98-1.98]; 1.47 [1.16-1.67]; 2.53 [1.17-3.13]; 2.12 [1.41-2.95] mmol/L, respectively; P=0.026), as did Kt/V between the underfat, overfat, and obese groups (1.49 ± 0.14; 1.23 ± 0.19; 1.19 ± 0.22; P=0.015 and P=0.006, respectively). Depressive symptoms, quality of life, and CRP and phosphate levels did not diverge among nutritional groups. Creatinine, albumin, and phosphate strongly correlated, as well as percent body fat, body mass index, and waist circumference (r=0.859 [P

Intradialytic symptomatic hypotension and muscle cramps are frequent and disturbing adverse effects involving hemodialysis patients. The use of sodium profiling has been a proposed approach to preclude such events. The aim of the study was to compare the frequency of intradialytic adverse effects and changes in anthropometric and physiological variables without profiling and with two distinct sodium profiles. A prospective study randomized 22 stable hemodialysis patients to receive either a step (11 patients) or a linear (11 patients) dialysate sodium profile for 12 consecutive sessions, following a 12-session steady sodium control period. After a wash-out period of 12 sessions, the groups were crossed over for another 12-session period. Frequency of adverse effects, interdialytic weight gain, pre- and post-dialysis blood pressure were computed. The frequency of intradialytic adverse effects was significantly different between the control and either the step or linear periods (48.5%, 33.7%, and 36.0%, respectively; P < 0.001). No significant differences in interdialytic weight gain or pre-dialysis blood pressure were detected between treatment periods. The mean post-dialysis systolic blood pressure was lower in the linear period (128 +/- 21; 127 +/- 20; 123 +/- 22 mm Hg, for the control, step and linear periods, respectively; P = 0.014). Seven patients benefited from sodium profiling, yet two became more symptomatic. Overall, both sodium profiles were associated with fewer intradialytic adverse effects. Intradialytic symptomatic hypotension occurred less often with the step profile, while a tendency to fewer cramps was associated with the linear profile. However, sodium profiling may not benefit every dialysis patient and should be individually evaluated.

Salt taste sensitivity is the capacity to identify the flavour of salt. It is possible that salt taste sensitivity threshold (STST) can influence salt appetite, and sodium ingestion is associated with hypertension. The present study evaluates the relationship between salt taste sensitivity threshold (STST) and blood pressure (BP) response to exercise during a treadmill stress test. Two hundred and three normotensive individuals undergoing evaluation before starting an exercise training program were tested for STST, using concentrated saline solutions from 0.22 to 58.4g/L. Patients were divided into two groups according to the STST: normal (n-STST) and increased (i-STST); and into two groups according to their BP response to exercise: exercise-induced hypertension (EIH) or physiological blood pressure response (n-EIH). EIH was detected in 49 (24.1%) individuals. Initial systolic and diastolic BP and their areas under the curves during the test were higher in the EIH group. Initial systolic and diastolic BP areas under the curves were significantly higher in i-STST than n-STST. There was an association between STST of at least 1.8g/L (increased STST) and EIH (OR=6.71, 95% CI 1.5-29.99) independent of gender, body mass index and age. Occurrence of EIH was associated to i-STST, suggesting that a relationship between high STST and increased BP response to exercise is possible.

Patients with end-stage renal failure (ESRF) undergoing haemodialysis (HD) are repeatedly exposed to stress and pain from approximately 300 punctures per year to their arteriovenous fistula (AVF). Repeated AVF punctures lead to a considerable degree of pain, due to the calibre and length of the bevel of fistula needles. Pain is a sensitive, emotional and subjective experience. The objective of this study was to measure pain associated with AVF needling. The analogue visual scale (AVS) divided into 10 equal parts (0 indicating lack of pain, and 10 unbearable pain) was used. Patients(7) perceptions were measured in three different HD sessions. Pain was considered mild during AVF needling. The buttonhole technique caused a mean degree of pain of 2.4 (+/-1.7), compared to 3.1 (+/-2.3) using the conventional ropeladder technique. Although without reaching a statistically significant difference, diminished pain was associated with the buttonhole technique.

Introduction: Kidney transplantation is currently the treatment of choice for end-stage renal disease. As the successful transplantation improves the physical and mental quality of life, it is expected that the transplant recipient should play a productive role in the society. The present study evaluates the occurrence and predictors of employment after kidney transplantation. Methods: Population-based cross-sectional study in which 272 adult kidney recipients assisted in a Brazilian Southern state were evaluated. Results: At the moment of the interview, 29% of the patients were employed. After analysis with logistic regression, the predictors of employment were male sex (OR 4.04; 95% CI 1.99–8.23), pre-transplant employment for non-diabetic (OR 4.35; 95% CI 3.79–4.99), diabetes for individuals who worked while on dialysis (OR 0.06; 95% CI 0.008–0.5), high educational level for individuals with mental quality of life scores above the 25th percentile (OR 3.06; 95% CI 2.98–3.14 for 50th percentile of mental quality of life). The Hosmer–Lemeshow test was of 3.33 (p = 0.91). Conclusion: The participation of the kidney transplant recipients with functioning graft into the work force in the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul is low, being predicted mainly by sociodemographic factors. It was not detected any influence of patient perception of his/her physical conditions or other clinical variables, except for the presence of diabetes.

Although a safe procedure, hemodialysis (HD) can cause numerous complications. The objective of this study was to evaluate the incidence of complications during dialysis, interdialytic weight gain, and the predialysis and postdialysis blood pressure in HD patients with and without variable sodium. Patients were observed during 12 HD sessions and those presenting with recurrent hypotension were selected for a step-wise model of variable sodium profiling. A total of 53 patients were evaluated; the mean-SD age was 53.7+/-16.3 years and 22 (41.5%) were male. Of these, 18 (34.0%) were selected to receive variable sodium profiling: the mean (SD) age was 59.9+/-12.6 years, and 10 (55.6%) were female. A significant decline in the occurrence of cramps (p

Imbalance in hemostatic mechanisms can occur during pregnancy with a tendency for hypercoagulability and increased thrombosis risk. Pregnant women with hypertensive disorder, especially preeclampsia, show alterations in platelet indexes. Immature platelet fraction (IPF) has been suggested as a sensitive index for monitoring changes in platelet production and destruction.To evaluate the IPF in patients diagnosed with a gestational hypertensive disorder (GHD).A cross-sectional study was conducted at an University Hospital to estimate maternal blood IPF index in 99 pregnant women, divided into three groups: normotensive pregnancy (NP), preeclampsia syndrome (PES), and non-proteinuric hypertensive pregnancy (nPHP). Following ethical approval and written informed consent, samples were collected from 33 NP, 34 PES, and 32 nPHP women. Platelet indexes were measured by fluorescent flow cytometry.IPF and mean platelet volume (MPV) counts in GHD were significantly higher than in NP (IPF: 3.8, 2.4-5.1%; 8.6, 5.8-10.6%; 7.3, 4.2-10.2%; p0.001 and MPV: 10.6 ± 0.9 fL; 12.1 ± 1.0 fL; 11.6 ± 1.0 fL; p0.001 for NP, PES, and nPHP, respectively). No difference was detected between PES and nPHP groups. The distribution of patients with an IPF above 6.1%for NP, PES, and nPHP was 9%, 65%, and 43.8%, respectively (p0.001). IPF as a test to differentiate GHD from the controls achieved an area under the curve of 0.83 on a receiver operating characteristics curve.A distinct profile in platelet indexes was detected in hypertensive pregnancies. It suggests that these markers could be used in daily routine as an additional tool in the management of pregnant women.