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Objectives In this study, we aim to discuss our experience with laparoscopic pyloromyotomy in patients with infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (IHPS) and skills development throughout our learning curve. Methods We retrospectively collected data from 15 patients with IHPS who underwent laparoscopic pyloromyotomy between 2016 and 2019 in our clinic. Evolution in operation techniques, peroperative and postoperative surgical complications were analysed. Results In this research, 15 patients (male-to-female ratio:2.7/1) were studied. The median age at presentation was 36.5 days (25-100 days). Non-bilious projectile vomiting was seen in all of the patients, and in eight cases, marked failure to thrive was seen. Situs inversus totalis was seen in one of the cases as an associated anomaly, no other anomalies were noted. A palpable olive-shaped mass was found in only 33% of infants (five cases). A patient was detected to have no IHPS peroperatively. One of the cases was converted to open technique due to peroperative technical difficulties. A patient underwent 2nd operation due to incomplete pyloromyotomy. The duration of the first and last cases was 110 mins and 35 mins, respectively. Conclusion The laparoscopic approach in patients with infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis can result in good postoperative outcomes and satisfying surgery in the hands of surgeons who perform minimally invasive surgery routinely.

Autosomal-dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is associated with oxidative stress and hypertension development before renal function decline and cardiovascular disease development. Oxidative stress-responsive kinase-1 (OSR-1) participates in the signaling regulating Na+ transport during oxidative stress and also plays a role in the regulation of cell volume and blood pressure. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the potential role of OSR-1 in ADPKD patients. Eighty ADPKD patients, 80 healthy controls, and 80 non-ADPKD patients with hypertension were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Twenty-four-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring was conducted in all participants. Blood samples were taken after 12-h fasting for the measurement of biochemical parameters and OSR-1 gene expression. Vascular dysfunction was assessed using ischemia-induced forearm flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD). Briefly, of the 80 ADPKD patients, 41(51%) were male, and 53(66%) of them were hypertensive. The mean age of the 80 controls was 35.3 +/- 12.6 years, and 37(46%) of them were male. The mean age of the 80 non-ADPKD patients with hypertension was 44.6 +/- 11.9 years, and 38(47.5) of them were male. There were significant differences in serum OSR-1 gene expression between the ADPKD patients and the control subjects. Serum OSR-1 gene expression was also significantly increased in hypertensive ADPKD patients in comparison with both normotensive ADPKD counterparts and non-ADPKD hypertensive subjects. Serum OSR-1 gene expression was increased in patients with ADPKD than healthy subjects. Low estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), OSR-1 gene expression, total kidney volume (TKV), and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) were also independently associated with hypertension in ADPKD patients.

Renal amyloid A (AA) amyloidosis is one of the systemic etiologies of nephrotic syndrome (NS) in adults. Chronic inflammatory conditions including rheumatoid arthritis, familial periodic fever syndromes, spondyloarthropathies, and chronic bacterial infections such as tuberculosis and chronic osteomyelitis are the common causes of secondary AA amyloidosis. In this case report, we reported a patient presented with nephrotic syndrome and secondary AA amyloidosis due to chronic hepatitis B infection in the absence of any glomerulonephritis.

OBJECTIVE: Metastatic infection is a rare but serious complication in patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD). In this retrospective study, we aimed to analyze the clinical aspects, responsible microorganisms, treatments, and clinical outcomes in HD patients with metastatic infection.

Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is the most common hereditary cause of chronic kidney disease. The intriguing role of innate immune system and inflammation become a target for potential therapeutic approach to slow progression. When toll-like receptors (TLRs) signaling and their receptors activate, they start a cascade of intracellular signaling that induces the production of the inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. Thus, we aim to investigate the association of TLRs between progression of ADPKD. Ninety ADPKD patients and ninety matched controls were enrolled this prospective study and were followed during 3 years. TLR-2 and TLR-4 gene polymorphisms and expressions were measured. Hypertension was diagnosed with ambulatory blood pressure monitoring. Rapid progression was defined as sustained decline in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of more than 5 mL/min per 1.73 m2 per year. TLR-4Asp299Gly polymorphisms were significantly different between patient and control group (P

Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is an autosomal recessive hereditary disease characterized by recurrent attacks of fever, usually accompanied by sterile polyserositis. Although colchicine is the main medical treatment option for FMF, potential adverse effects and drug interactions should be considered during the follow-up of these patients. Herein, we presented a case of a hemodialysis patient with FMF, who developed rhabdomyolysis due to concomitant use of colchicine and clarithromycin for pneumonia treatment.

Peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients have different peritoneal membrane permeability (transport) characteristics. High peritoneal membrane permeability is associated with increased mortality risk in the patient population. In this study, we aimed to investigate possible risk factor(s) related to high peritoneal membrane permeability.The study included 475 PD patients (46.1 ± 14.5 years of mean age; 198 female and 277 male). The patients were divided two groups according to peritoneal equilibration test (PET) result: high-permeability group (high and high-average) and low- permeability group (low-average and low).In both the univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses, it was found that diabetes mellitus and hypoalbuminemia was significantly associated with high peritoneal membrane permeability [relative risk (RR): 1.90, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.26-2.86, p: 0.002 and RR: 2.14, 95% CI: 1.44-3.18, p0.001, respectively].Diabetes mellitus and hypoalbuminemia were closely associated with high peritoneal membrane permeability. Diabetic patients had 1.9 times the likelihood of having high permeability. However, the relationship between hypoalbuminemia and high peritoneal permeability appears to be a result rather than cause.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to investigate whether there is a relationship between neutrophil/lymphocyte (N/L) ratio and albuminuria in diabetic patients.

Aim The aims of this study were to report the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS) in a cohort of Turkish kidney transplant recipients and to define the relationships between MS, microalbuminuria and C-reactive protein (CRP), which are cardiovascular risk factors, in kidney transplant setting. Methods This cross sectional study included 170 adult renal transplantation recipients with a mean follow-up of 53.1 ± 49.9 months. The diagnosis of MS was made according to the National Cholesterol Education Program-Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP-ATP III) criteria. Microalbuminuria was defined as a urinary albumin/creatinine ratio of 30–300 mg/g. CRP levels ≥6.0 were classified as high CRP. Results Mean age was 39.3 ± 11 years. The prevalence of MS was 45.8% (n = 78). The prevalence of microalbuminuria was not different in patients with MS compared to those without MS (39.7% vs 37%, P = .428). In multivariate logistic regression analyses, systolic blood pressure (SBP) (odds ratio 1.68; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.12–2.52; P = .011) and high fasting glucose (odds ratio 2.82; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.16–6.86; P = .022) were significantly associated with microalbuminuria. When patients with MS and high CRP were compared with patients with normal CRP and without MS, microalbuminuria did not differ between the groups ( P = .213). Conclusion The prevalence of MS in our kidney recipient cohort was found to be increased compared to general population. MS was not related to increased prevalence of microalbuminuria, even when combined with high CRP. Microalbuminuria was associated with elevated SBP and hyperglycemic status.

Background The presence of cardiac valvular calcification in patients with chronic kidney disease has become important. We aimed to evaluate the prevalence of cardiac valvular calcification and its association with serum Fetuin-A levels in kidney transplant recipients. Methods The cardiac valvular calcification was assessed by echocardiography in 89 kidney transplant recipients. Serum Fetuin-A levels were measured by use of the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. Results Patients were divided into 3 groups: patients without cardiac valvular calcification (n = 14), patients with aortic valve calcification (n = 51), and patients with both aortic and mitral valve calcification (n = 24). Aortic calcification area and number of aortic calcifications were significantly increased in the group with aortic and mitral calcification group compared with the other two groups. These two parameters were also significantly increased in patients with cardiac valvular calcification compared with patients without cardiac valvular calcification. Serum Fetuin-A levels were significantly increased in patients with aortic valve calcification compared with the other two groups, whereas there were no significant differences between these two groups. Serum Fetuin-A levels were positively correlated with blood urea nitrogen level (r = .241, P = .025) and serum creatinine level (r = .262, P = .014), whereas it was negatively correlated with serum phosphorus level (r = −.409, P Conclusions Serum Fetuin-A levels can be taken into consideration for the assessment of patients in terms of cardiac valvular calcification, depending on the relationship between serum Fetuin-A levels and cardiac valvular calcification during follow-up after kidney transplantation.

Aim: The aim of this study is to investigate whether there is a relationship between inflammation and volume status in patients underwent peritoneal dialysis (PD). Patients and method: This cross-sectional study included 159 PD patients. The median duration of PD was 17 (range, 1-151) months. All patients were examined using bioelectrical impedance analysis to estimate the ratio of extracellular water to total body water (ECW/TBW), which was used to assess their volume status. The patients were categorized as having one of the following three volume statuses: hypervolemic (above + 2 SD from the mean, which was obtained from healthy controls), normovolemic (between + 2 SD and -2 SD), or hypovolemic (below -2 SD from the mean). Five patients with hypovolemia were excluded from the study. Fifty-six patients were hypervolemic whereas 98 patients were euvolemic. High-sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels were measured to evaluate inflammation in all patients. Results: hs-CRP value levels were significantly higher in hypervolemic patients compared with euvolemic patients [7.1 (3.1-44.0) mg/L vs. 4.3 (3.1-39.6), p: 0.015, respectively]. Left ventricular hypertrophy was more frequent in hypervolemic patients compared with euvolemic patients (53.6% vs. 30.6%, p: 0.004, respectively). ECW/TBW ratio positively correlated with hs-CRP (r: 0.166, p: 0.039). Gender, hs-CRP, and residual Kt/V urea were found to be independent risk factors for hypervolemia in multivariate analysis. Conclusion: Inflammation is associated with hypervolemia in PD patients. Residual renal functions play an important role to maintain euvolemia in PD patients.

AIM Nephrotic syndrome (NS) is associated with an increased rate of cardiovascular events. The YKL-40 level is associated with atherosclerosis, endothelial dysfunction and proteinuria in renal and non-renal populations. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationships between the YKL-40 level and both vascular injury and proteinuria in NS patients. METHODS Sixty-nine NS patients and 20 healthy subjects were enrolled in the present study. The endothelial function was assessed according to the flow mediated dilatation (FMD) and the degree of arterial stiffness was determined based on the pulse wave velocity (PWV). The serum YKL-40 levels were measured using ELISA. RESULTS The YKL-40 levels and PWV values were higher and the FMD values were lower in the NS patients than in the healthy controls. However, the CA-IMT and LVEF levels were not statistically different between the two groups. The patients were divided into three groups with respect to the extent of proteinuria: the normoproteinuria group (n:18), non-nephrotic proteinuria group (n:33) and nephrotic proteinuria group (n:18). Consequently, the YKL-40 levels and PWV values were significantly increased and the FMD values were decreased in the nephrotic proteinuria group compared to that observed in both the non-nephrotic proteinuria and normoproteinuria groups. Furthermore, the YKL-40 level correlated with the FMD and PWV values in the NS patients. In addition, proteinuria correlated with the YKL-40, FMD, PWV, eGFR and fasting LDL cholesterol values in this patient group. Multivariate linear regression analyses showed that the YKL-40 and eGFR values were effective in predicting proteinuria in the NS patients. CONCLUSIONS The serum YKL-40 level is associated with endothelial dysfunction and increased arterial stiffness in NS patients and may be an indicator of the level of proteinuria in this patient population.

Background The pathogenesis of post-transplantation erythrocytosis (PTE) is not well understood and appears to be multifactorial. Our hypothesis in this study was that several factors, including toxicity of calcineurin inhibitor, immunologic factors, and chronic allograft nephropathy, can trigger local tissue hypoxia in peritubular interstitium, which is where production of erythropoietin (EPO) takes place. This local interstitial tissue hypoxia can cause an increase in renal EPO production, which induces the development of PTE. Methods This cross-sectional study included 15 renal transplant recipients, in whom polycythemia developed after kidney transplantation, with elevated hematocrit level to >51%. Forty-eight age- and gender-matched renal transplant recipients with normal hematocrit level were included as the renal transplant control group. In addition, 13 age- and gender-matched healthy subjects were also included as the healthy control group. We used urine hypoxia-inducible factor-2 alpha (HIF-2α) levels to evaluate whether there is local tissue hypoxia in renal allograft. HIF-2α levels were measured by double antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Serum EPO and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) levels were also measured. Results HIF-2α levels were significantly lower in the polycythemia group than the other two groups, but there was no significant difference between the healthy control group and the renal transplant control group with regard to HIF-2α levels. There was no significant difference among the 3 study groups in terms of levels of serum EPO and IGF-1. Conclusion Local tissue hypoxia in renal allograft does not seem to play an important role in the development of PTE.

Background Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is a common hereditary disorder with unclear disease mechanism. Currently, overt hypertension and increased renal volume are the best predictors of renal function. In this study, we assessed the usefulness of selected circulating microRNAs (miRs) to predict disease progress in a cohort with ADPKD. Methods Eighty ADPKD patients (44.6 ± 12.7 years, 40% female, 65% hypertensive) and 50 healthy subjects (HS; 45.4 ± 12.7, 44% female) were enrolled in the study. Serum levels of 384 miRs were determined by Biomark Real Time PCR. Groups were compared using the limma method with multiple-testing correction as proposed by Smyth (corrected p 10% loss of GFR over the following 12 months (cut-off >2.2 AU, sensitivity 83%, specificity 78%, area 0.872 [95% CI: 0.790–0.953, p

Additional infusions of mesenchymal stem cells improve response rate in multidrug-resistant GvHD patients

Castleman's disease (CD), also known as angiofolicular lymph node hyperplasia, is a rare heterogenous group of lymphoproliferative disorders. Histologically, it can be classified as hyaline vascular type, plasma cell type, or mixed type. Clinically two different subtypes of the CD are present: Unicentric and multicentric. Unicentric CD is generally asymptomatic and associated with hyaline vascular type, and its diagnoses depend on the localized lymphadenopathy on examination or imaging studies. However, multicentric CD presents with generalized lym-phadenopathy and systemic symptoms including malaise, fever, night sweats, weight loss, and it is associated with the plasma cell type and mix type. Herein, we report a patient with unicentric CD of the plasma cell type without systemic symptoms, who developed end stage renal failure caused by amyloidosis 6 years after onset of CD.

reSultS: The mean age was 47 ± 13 years and 38 (74.5%) of the patients were male. No significant difference was found in echocardiographic parameters including ejection fraction, fractional shortening, left ventricular mass, left ventricular mass index, left ventricular posterior wall thickness, inter ventricular septal thickness, left atrial diameter, early diastolic filling/late diastolic filling ratio before and after the period of PD. Left ventricular end-systolic diameter and left ventricular end-diastolic diameter values were significantly lower found in the period after PD.

AIM Cardiovascular disease is a major cause of mortality in dialysis patients. Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) has been proposed as a cardiovascular risk marker in this population. Subclinical hypothyroidism and low free triiodothyronine (fT3) levels are associated with EAT in patients without chronic renal failure. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between EAT and low free T3 levels in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. METHODS A total of 125 prevalent PD patients were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. The epicardial fat thickness (EFT) was measured by echocardiography, and the endothelial function was assessed by flow mediated dilatation (FMD). Thyroid function tests were performed by an enzyme immunoassay. RESULTS The mean age of the patients was 51 ± 13, and the time on PD was 36 months. The mean EFT was 6.7 ± 2.9 mm. The EFT correlated positively with the patient age, systolic blood pressure (BP), mean BP, high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) level and body mass index (BMI), and negatively with the fT3 level and FMD. The median fT3 value was 2.53, and patients were divided according to their serum fT3 values (within the normal range and below the reference level). Compared with patients in the low fT3 group, the subjects in the normal fT3 group had higher serum albumin levels and FMD, but a lower BMI, plasma fasting glucose level, EFT, TSH level, hs-CRP level, low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol level and mean BP in office measurements, and both the diastolic BP and mean BP by ambulatory blood pressure measurement. A multivariate linear regression analysis showed that the EFT was predicted by the hs-CRP and fT3 levels. CONCLUSION Low free T3 levels are associated with the epicardial fat thickness in PD patients. Further studies are needed to evaluate the pathogenesis and to support these findings.

Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF - α) -308 G > A promoter polymorphism seems to be associated with adverse clinical outcome in hemodialysis patients (HD). Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene may be the causative factor contributing to the deterioration of renal functions. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between vascular access failure and the genetic polymorphisms of ACE and TNF-α gene. We enrolled and genotyped 47 HD patients with arteriovenous fistula (AVF) thrombosis, 51 HD patients without AVF thrombosis, and 40 healthy controls. The genotypes of these polymorphisms were determined by polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism. The genotype distribution of TNF-α −308 G > A in patients with thrombosis was significantly different from the patients without thrombosis (p = 0.008). There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of ACE I/D polymorphism (p = 0.213). Our results propose that TNF-α −308 G > A genotype may be a potential genetic marker on HD patients with AVF thrombosis.

In this study, we aimed to compare patient and technique survival between the patients, in whom peritoneal dialysis (PD) catheter was removed due to severe peritonitis and then it was reinserted, and those, in whom PD catheter was removed due to non-peritonitis causes and then it was reinserted.Sixty-two patients, in whom PD catheter was reinserted surgically, were retrospectively analyzed in this cohort study. Group 1 consisted of 27 patients in whom PD catheter was removed due to severe peritonitis, whereas Group 2 consisted of 35 patients in whom PD catheter was removed due to non-peritonitis causes.There was no significant difference between Group 1 and Group 2 in terms of the estimation of overall patient survival [43 months (95 % CI 43.6-83.7) versus 80 months (95 % CI 52.8-107.3, p 0.362]. Similarly, there was no significant difference between Group 1 and Group 2 in terms of the estimation of overall technique survival [82 months (95 % CI 0-166.0) versus 31 months (95 % CI 9.7-52.3), p 0.346].Our results suggest that there was no significant effect of causes of PD catheter removal (peritonitis vs. non-peritonitis) on the outcomes of PD treatment.

Background: Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a common complication in hemodialysis (HD) patients and its pathogenesis is not explained clearly. Arterio-venous fistulas (AVFs) creation may contribute to the development of PAH because of increased pulmonary artery blood flow. However, it was not prospectively evaluated that effect of AVF on the development of PAH. Aim: We aimed to evaluate the effects of AVF on PAH and the relationship between blood flow rate of AVF and pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) in HD patients. Patients and Method: The prospective study included 50 patients with end-stage renal disease. Before an AVF was surgically created for hemodialysis, the patients were evaluated by echocardiography. Then, an AVF was surgically created in the patients. After mean 76.14 +/- 11.37 days, the second evaluation was performed by echocardiography. Results: Before AVF creation, 17 (34%) out of 50 patients had PAH. The systolic PAP was significantly higher in the patients with PAH compared with patients without PAH (47.82 +/- 9.82 mmHg vs. 30.15 +/- 5.70 mmHg, respectively, p = 0.001). In the second evaluation, 19 (38%) out of 50 patients had PAH. The systolic PAP values were significantly higher in the patients with PAH compared with patients without PAH (47.63 +/- 8.92 mmHg vs. 25.03 +/- 7.69 mmHg, P = 0.001, respectively). There was no relationship between the blood flow rate of AVF and PAP. Conclusion: PAH is a common problem in HD patients. AVF has no significant effect on the development of PAH within a short period. Similarly, blood flow rate of AVF also did not affect remarkably the systolic PAP.

Background In this study, we examined the relative usefulness of serum copeptin levels as a surrogate marker of vasopressin (AVP) in adult polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) by correlating it with baseline and longitudinal changes in markers of both renal function and common CVD manifestations (hypertensive vascular disease, atherosclerosis and endothelial dysfunction) that accompany the progression of this disease. Methods We studied a cohort of young and otherwise healthy ADPKD patients (n = 235) and measured cardiovascular function using flow-mediation dilatation (FMD), carotid intima media thickness (cIMT) and pulse wave velocity (PWV), as well as serum copeptin (commercial ELISA, a stable marker of AVP activity). The same analyses were carried out at baseline and after 3 years of follow-up. Results At baseline, median eGFR was 69 mL/min./1.73 m2, mean FMD 6.9 ± 0.9%, cIMT 0.7 ± 0.1 mm, and PWV 8.1 ± 1.2 m/s. At follow-up, equivalent values were 65 (44–75) mL/min./1.73 m2, 5.8 ± 0.9%, 0.8 ± 0.1 mm. and 8.2 ± 1.3 m/s. with all changes statistically significant. Plasma copeptin also rose from 0.62 ± 0.12 to 0.94 ± 0.19 ng/mL and this change correlated with ΔeGFR (-0.33, p 0.76], and ΔPWV [cut-off:≤7.80]. Conclusions Vascular dysfunction as reflected by FMD and cIMT, but not PWV or an altered cardiac geometry, precede most other signs of disease in ADPKD but is predicted by elevated levels of the circulating AVP-marker copeptin.

Objective: Cisplatin is a potent antineoplastic agent used and its major limiting side effect is nephrotoxicity. The aims of the study are early detection of acute kidney injury (AKI) with biomarkers and investigation of the potential nephron-protective effects of theophylline. Methods: Glomerular filtration rates (GFR), neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), cystatin C were measured at 5th day of treatment in all of the patients. In addition, these parameters were measured repeatedly after the administration of cisplatin, at 2nd hour, 5th and 20th days. Patients: Sixty patients who are planned to receive cisplatin for the first time were included in the study. Patients were divided into two groups as Group 1 (n=30) (standard treatment arm) and Group II (n=30) (theophylline arm). Results: In both groups after the administration of cisplatin, GFR showed a significant decrease within time (p=0.006). Urine NGAL levels were significantly high after 2h of cisplatin administration (p

Arteriovenous fistula (AVF) failure is one of the most important clinical problems in end-stage renal disease. Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) have a role on vascular angiogenesis and endothelialization. We aimed to investigate the association markers of EPCs on AVF maturation by measuring the surface expressions of CD34, CD309 and CD133 on the monocytes. This prospective observational study was conducted in 54 voluntary patients with end-stage renal disease who were admitted for their first renal replacement therapy and were available for AVF creation. Venography was performed in all patients before AVF creation. Six patients were excluded due to inadequate veins after venographic imaging, and also seven patients were excluded due to postoperative thrombosis. The blood samples were analyzed a day before the fistula operation, and the expressions of CD34, CD133 and CD309 on the surface of monocytes were measured. Patients were divided into two groups after the evaluation of AVF maturation, as the mature group and the failure group. The CD309 expression level on the monocytes was 338.00 (35.00–479.00) in the mature group; however, it was 36.00 (5.50–237.00) (p 0.031) in the failure group. Multiple logistic regression analyses showed that both BMI and the mean fluorescence intensity level of CD309 expression on monocytes independently predicted AVF maturation. The presence of DM and increased BMI negatively correlated with AVF maturation. High intensity of CD309 expression on monocytes was observed in patients with successful AVF maturation.

Background: To investigate the relationship between depression, nutritional status, and inflammatory markers in patients on peritoneal dialysis (PD). Patients and Methods: This prospective study included 40 PD patients and 20 healthy people. The severity of depressive symptoms was assessed using the Beck Depression Inventory, the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, and the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale. The depressive patients received antidepressant drug for 8 weeks. Blood samples were taken before and after antidepressant treatment for the high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), interleukin (IL)-1, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) levels. Results: Ten (25%) of the 40 PD patients had depression. No significant difference was determined between depressive patients and nondepressive patients. The mean erythrocyte sedimentation rate was higher in depressive patients. There was no significant difference for other inflammation parameters, including hs-CRP, TNF-alpha, IL-1, and IL-6, between depressive patients and nondepressive patients. In the depressive patients, we did not observe any significant change in nutritional parameters after antidepressant treatment. When we evaluated inflammation parameters of the depressive patients before and after antidepressant treatment, only IL-1 and IL-6 levels were significantly increased after antidepressant treatment. Conclusion: The depressive disorder in PD patients is a common psychopathology and has no significant effects on nutritional status and inflammation.

Background: Our aim was to investigate the prevalence, size, locations, and shapes of torus palatinus (TP) in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients receiving peritoneal dialysis (PD) in order to analyze the relationship between the TP size and duration of PD. Materials and methods: During 2007, 91 ESRD patients receiving PD were studied using dental examinations at our outpatient clinic. Results: The prevalence of TP was 41.7% (n=38). Most cases of TP were < 2 cm in size (81.6%) and spindle-shaped (78.9%). The duration of PD was statistically higher in patients with TP size > 2 cm (6.8±3.6 years) than patients with TP size of < 2 cm (3.5±2.6 years). Conclusions: The higher prevalence of TP and different TP shape (spindle) in comparison with our previous study and the significant relationship between duration of PD and TP size might be due to an underlying disorder, such as renal osteodystrophy.

Objective: Tunneled cuffed dual-lumen catheters (TCCs) are commonly used for vascular access in hemodialysis (HD) patients. Catheter-related bloodstream infection (CRBSI) is the major problem leading to morbidity and mortality. We investigated whether 26% NaCl solution has any favorable effect on the infections and thrombosis caused by HD catheters. Methods: TCCs were locked with either 26% NaCl and heparin or standard heparin. The primer end point of the study was the CRBSI or thrombosis of the TCC. We compared the antimicrobial activity of the NaCl solutions (6.5%, 13%, 26%) with 0.9% NaCl solution by time-kill kinetic assay. All tests were performed in triplicate by incubation of test fluids with Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Staphylococcus epidermidis. Results: The mean catheter survival was significantly higher in the 26% NaCl and heparin group (129.5 +/- 50.1 catheter days to 103.3 +/- 59.8, p = 0.008). CRBSI rates (10-15.4%) did not differ significantly between the two groups (p = 0.54). The hypertonic 13% NaCl solution had bactericidal effects on E. coli and P. aeruginosa, but had bacteriostatic effect on S. aureus and S. epidermidis. Conclusion: In this study we demonstrated that the 13% NaCl solution and more hypertonic NaCl solutions revealed potent in vitro antimicrobial properties against all checked Gram-negative microorganisms.

Aim: To evaluate the presence of the relationship between depression and proinflammatory cytokine levels in hemodialysis (HD) patients. Methods: The study included 40 HD patients and 20 healthy controls. All participants were evaluated for the presence of depression using the structured clinical interview based on criteria defined by Diagnostic and Statistical Manual Mental Disorders (Fourth Edition, Text Revision) Axis I disorders. The severity of depressive symptoms was assessed using the Beck Depression Inventory, the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, and the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale. The depressive patients received antidepressants for 8 weeks. Blood samples were taken at baseline and after 8 weeks of antidepressant treatment for interleukin-1 (IL-1), IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) levels. Results: A total of 9 (22.5%) of the 40 HD patients had depression. IL-1, IL-6, and TNF-a levels were significantly higher in HD patients compared with that in the control group, but were not significantly different between HD patients with and without depression. In the depressive patients, we observed no significant difference in proinflammatory cytokine levels after antidepressant treatment. The psychometric measurements in depressive patients decreased significantly after antidepressant treatment. Conclusion: We observed that depression is a common psychiatric disorder and has no significant effect on proinflammatory cytokine levels in HD patients; no important improvement in cytokine levels was observed after antidepressant therapy.

mateRiaL and metHODs: The prospective study included 40 patients (mean age 33.2 ± 7.7 years;25 female /15 male) with ESRD. In all of these patients, renal transplantation was performed successfully; and the serum creatinine levels were less than 2 mg/dL. The echocardiographic evaluations were performed before renal transplantation and 12. month after renal transplantation. Left ventricular diastolic diameter (LVDD), left ventricular systolic diameter (LVESD), left ventricular mass (LV Mass), left ventricular mass index (LVMI), LV ejection fraction (LVEF), Doppler and tissue Doppler parameters were obtained in all patients.

Orscelik, Ozcan/0000-0003-4349-9852; orscelik, ozcan/0000-0003-4349-9852; KOCYIGIT, ISMAIL/0000-0002-6654-4727 WOS: 000305812300002 PubMed: 22699414 Background/Aims: Cardiovascular disease is the main cause of morbidity and mortality in autosomal-dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) patients. To clarify temporal relationship between ADPKD, hypertension and the loss of renal function, we examined these factors in patients with early-stage ADPKD who did not yet have hypertension. Methods: Fifty patients with ADPKD (42% males, 36.6 +/- 8 9.9 years, no blood pressure medication) and 50 healthy controls (44% males, 35.4 +/- 8 6.4 years) were studied cross-sectionally. Pulse wave velocity (PWV), cardiac morphology and function, aortic elastic indexes, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure, interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and highly sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) were measured in all participants, using conventional methods. Results: Despite a normal blood pressure, aortic stiffness index and pulse wave velocity values were increased in patients compared to controls (6.8 +/- 4.7 vs. 5.1 +/- 3.3, p = 0.043 and 9.6 +/- 1.3 vs. 5.8 +/- 1.1 m/s, p < 0.001). In univariate analysis, IL-6, TNF-alpha, hs-CRP and eGFR were all significantly correlated with PWV. The independence of these correlations were analyzed in a regression model, and showed PWV to be significantly predicted by IL-6, TNF-alpha and hs-CRP. Conclusion: Increased arterial stiffness and pulse wave velocity are early manifestations of ADPKD appearing before hypertension or reduced eGFR. However, these vascular abnormalities are related to signs of systemic low grade inflammation, suggesting a common pathophysiological mechanism apparently present also in other vascular diseases but yet to be elucidated. Copyright (C) 2012 S. Karger AG, Basel

We aimed to evaluate the long-term effect of hemodialysis (HD) treatment on left and right ventricular (LV and RV) functions in patients with end-stage renal disease. The study population consisted of 22 patients with newly diagnosed end-stage renal disease. Before an arteriovenous fistula was surgically created for HD, the patients were evaluated by echocardiography for systolic and diastolic functions. After the first HD session (mean 24.22 ± 2.14 months), the second echocardiographic evaluations were performed. Left ventricular and RV functions before and after long-term HD treatment were compared. The mean age was 55 ± 13 years and 10 (45%) of the patients were female. After long-term HD treatment, the isovolumic relaxation time was significantly decreased; however, the peak early (E) and late (A) diastolic mitral inflow velocities, E/A ratio, and deceleration time of E wave were not significantly different from the baseline measurements. Also, there was no significantly change in the early diastolic velocity (Ea) of the lateral mitral anulus and the E/Ea ratio. Pulmonary vein peak diastolic velocity, peak atrial reversal velocity, and peak atrial reversal velocity duration remained almost unchanged even though the pulmonary vein peak systolic velocity and the pulmonary vein peak systolic velocity/pulmonary vein peak diastolic velocity ratio were significantly lower after long-term HD treatment. In addition, LV systolic functions, LV diameters, LV mass index, left atrium size, and RV diastolic functions were not statistically different after long-term HD treatment. The myocardium is exposed to hemodynamic, metabolic, and neuro-humoral abnormalities during HD treatment; however, the long-term effects of HD on ventricular functions are not clearly known. The present study showed that the long-term effects of HD on LV and RV functions were insignificant in patients with end-stage renal disease. We have demonstrated that the LV and RV functions did not change significantly after long-term HD treatment. We suggest that this result may be due to regulated blood pressure levels of the patients, treatment of anemia and other metabolic disorders during the HD period and the prevention of weight gain and hypervolemia.

A 25-year-old male patient with end-stage renal disease due to chronic pyelonephritis who had undergone renal transplantation was admitted 20 days after the operation with complaints of nausea, vomiting and darkening in the skin of the transplantation site. A 30x30 cm area of skin at the transplantation site in the left inguinal area was dark colored and of necrotic appearance. Gram-negative and gram-positive bacilli were observed in the gram stain of the material taken from the lesion through thin needle aspiration. Surgical debridement of necrotic tissues at the lesion site was performed. There were fungi with bacterial groups and branched rough hyphae infiltrating the necrotic lipid and connective tissue. The venous wall was under the invasion of these fungi hyphae in the histopathological examination of the debridement material and a diagnosis of subcutaneous zygomycosis was established. Amphotericin B was administered for 14 days at a cumulative dose of 625 mg. The skin defect at the left lower quadrant was closed by placing a graft. The patient no longer required dialysis after two weeks of hospitalization. He was discharged 48 days later with total recovery of the lesion site and a serum creatinin level of 2 mg/dL, under treatment with cyclosporine 400 mg/day and prednisolone 20 mg/day.

Although brucellosis is an endemic disease in Mediterranean countries, there are few reported cases of Brucella endocarditis and glomerulonephritis. We report a case of Brucella prosthetic mitral valve endocarditis and glomerulonephritis that could be managed by using only antibiotic therapy, including rifampicin, doxycycline and ceftriaxone, without a surgical procedure.

The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate long-term effects of arteriovenous fistula (AVF) on the development of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and the relationship between blood flow rate of AVF and pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) in the patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). This prospective study was performed in 20 patients with ESRD. Before an AVF was surgically created for hemodialysis, the patients were evaluated by echocardiography. Then, an AVF was surgically created in all patients. After mean 23.50 ± 2.25 months, the second evaluation was performed by echocardiography. Also, the blood flow rate of AVF was measured at the second echocardiographic evaluation. Pulmonary arterial hypertension was defined as a systolic PAP above 35 mmHg at rest. Mean age of 20 patients with ESRD was 55.05 ± 13.64 years; 11 of 20 patients were males. Pulmonary arterial hypertension was detected in 6 (30%) patients before AVF creation and in 4 (20%) patients after AVF creation. Systolic PAP value was meaningfully lower after AVF creation than before AVF creation (29.95 ± 10.26 mmHg vs. 35.35 ± 7.86 mmHg, respectively, P: 0.047). However, there was no significant difference between 2 time periods in terms of presence of PAH (P>0.05). Pulmonary artery pressure did not correlate with blood flow rate of AVF and duration after AVF creation (P>0.05). In hemodialysis patients, a surgically created AVF has no significant effect on the development of PAH within a long-term period. Similarly, blood flow rate of AVF also did not affect remarkably systolic PAP within the long-term period.

Aim: We aimed to investigate the prevalence, type, and possible risk factors of renal tubular acidosis (RTA) in Turkish patients with renal transplantation. Patients and method: The study included 66 adult renal transplantation recipients. We recorded the parameters of venous blood gas analysis including serum pH value, serum bicarbonate (HCO(3)) concentration, presence of metabolic acidosis, which was defined as low HCO(3) (

Aim: Acute renal failure (ARF) after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is a widespread complication leading to considerable morbidity and mortality. The present study aims to determine the incidence and risk factors of ARF and to investigate whether there exists a relationship between the renal injury indicators and quantity of the transplanted stem cells in a uniform patient population after allogeneic myeloablative HSCT. Methods: Patients undergoing myeloablative allogeneic HSCT from 2007 to 2008 were monitored prospectively in terms of their renal functions during the first 100 days after transplantation. ARF was defined as a twofold rise in serum creatinine concentration of baseline value or a >50% decrease in creatinine clearance and classified into three grades. Results: ARF occurred in 51.3% of patients over a period of 100 days after HSCT. ARF developed in 12 (60.0%) patients within the first 2 weeks, whereas in 8 (40.0%) of them ARF development was observed within 2-4 weeks. No correlation was found between ARF development and the quantity of the infused hematopoietic stem cells. Additionally, we were not able to identify a particular cause which was significantly associated with the occurrence of ARF after HSCT. Conclusion: A 51.3% incidence of ARF was found in patients after myeloablative allogeneic HSCT. ARF in HSCT patients could not be linked to a single cause. Rather a combination of multiple risk factors seems to be responsible for ARF development.