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Background Endothelial damage and cardiovascular disease complicate chronic kidney disease (CKD). The increased atherogenicity observed in patients with CKD can be linked to microinflammation and endothelial damage. Circulating endothelial glycocalyx degradation products, such as perlecan and decorin, tend to be elevated in CKD. We aimed to explore the association between the plasma perlecan and decorin levels and this pro-inflammatory and atherogenic state by studying monocyte subpopulations and intracellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1 expression in patients with CKD. Methods We studied 17 healthy controls, 23 patients with advanced CKD, 25 patients on haemodialysis, 23 patients on peritoneal dialysis and 20 patients who underwent kidney transplantation. Perlecan and decorin levels were evaluated using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, and the monocyte phenotype was analysed using direct immunofluorescence and flow cytometry. Results The plasma perlecan levels were higher in patients with CKD than in the healthy controls. These levels were associated with a higher prevalence of ICAM-1+ monocytes. Conversely, patients with advanced CKD (pre-dialysis) had higher plasma decorin levels, which were associated with a reduced ICAM-1 expression per monocyte. Conclusions Elevated perlecan levels in CKD may be associated with a higher prevalence of ICAM-1+ monocytes and a pro-inflammatory phenotype. Elevated decorin levels may act as a negative regulator of ICAM-1 expression in monocytes. Therefore, perlecan and decorin may be related to inflammation and monocyte activation in CKD and may act as potential markers of endothelial damage.

Background: Although diuretics are one of the most widely used drugs by nephrologists, their antiproteinuric properties are not generally taken into consideration. Summary: Thiazide diuretics have been shown to reduce proteinuria by >35% in several prospective controlled studies, and these values are markedly increased when combined with a low-salt diet. Thiazide-like diuretics (indapamide and chlorthalidone) have shown similar effectiveness. The antiproteinuric effect of mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (spironolactone, eplerenone, and finerenone) has been clearly established through prospective and controlled studies, and treatment with finerenone reduces the risk of chronic kidney disease progression in type-2 diabetic patients. The efficacy of other diuretics such as amiloride, triamterene, acetazolamide, or loop diuretics has been less explored, but different investigations suggest that they might share the same antiproteinuric properties of other diuretics that should be evaluated through controlled studies. Although the inclusion of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) among diuretics is a controversial issue, their renoprotective and cardioprotective properties, confirmed in various landmark trials, constitute a true revolution in the treatment of patients with kidney disease. Recent subanalyses of these trials have shown that the early antiproteinuric effect induced by SGLT2i predicts long-term preservation of kidney function. Key Message: Whether the early reduction in proteinuria induced by diuretics other than finerenone and SGLT2i, as summarized in this review, also translates into long-term renoprotection requires further prospective and observational studies. In any case, it is important for the clinician to be aware of the antiproteinuric properties of drugs so often used in daily clinical practice.

Patients on hemodialysis show dysregulated immunity, basal hyperinflammation and a marked vulnerability to COVID-19. We evaluated the immune profile in COVID-19 hemodialysis patients and the changes associated with clinical deterioration after the hemodialysis session. Recruited patients included eight hemodialysis subjects with active, PCR-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection, five uninfected hemodialysis patients and five healthy controls. In SARS-CoV-2-infected hemodialysis patients TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-8 were particularly increased. Lymphopenia was mostly due to reduction in CD4+ T, B and central memory CD8+ T cells. There was a predominance of classical and intermediate monocytes with reduced HLA-DR expression and enhanced production of pro-inflammatory molecules. Immune parameters were analysed pre- and post-hemodialysis in three patients with COVID-19 symptoms worsening after the hemodialysis session. There was a higher than 2.5-fold increase in GM-CSF, IFN-γ, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-6, IL-17A and IL-21 in serum, and augmentation of monocytes-derived TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-8 and CXCL10 (p < 0.05). In conclusion, COVID-19 in hemodialysis patients associates with alteration of lymphocyte subsets, increasing of pro-inflammatory cytokines and monocyte activation. The observed worsening during the hemodialysis session in some patients was accompanied by augmentation of particular inflammatory cytokines, which might suggest biomarkers and therapeutic targets to prevent or mitigate the hemodialysis-related deterioration during SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Kidney transplantation is the best option for patients with end-stage renal disease. Despite the improvement in cardiovascular burden (leading cause of mortality among patients with chronic kidney disease), cardiovascular adverse outcomes related to the inflammatory process remain a problem. Thus, the aim of the present study was to characterize the immune profile and microvesicles of patients who underwent transplantation. We investigated the lymphocyte phenotype (CD3, CD4, CD8, CD19, and CD56) and monocyte phenotype (CD14, CD16, CD86, and CD54) in peripheral blood, and endothelium-derived microvesicles (annexin V+CD31+CD41&-) in plasma of patients with advanced chronic kidney disease (n = 40), patients with transplantation (n = 40), and healthy subjects (n = 18) recruited from the University Hospital "12 de Octubre" (Madrid, Spain). Patients with kidney transplantation had B-cell lymphopenia, an impairment in co-stimulatory (CD86) and adhesion (CD54) molecules in monocytes, and a reduction in endothelium-derived microvesicles in plasma. The correlations between those parameters explained the modifications in the expression of co-stimulatory and adhesion molecules in monocytes caused by changes in lymphocyte populations, as well as the increase in the levels of endothelial-derived microvesicles in plasma caused by changes in lymphocyte and monocytes populations. Immunosuppressive treatment could directly or indirectly induce those changes. Nevertheless, the particular characteristics of these cells may partly explain the persistence of cardiovascular and renal alterations in patients who underwent transplantation, along with the decrease in arteriosclerotic events compared with advanced chronic kidney disease. In conclusion, the expression of adhesion molecules by monocytes and endothelial-derived microvesicles is related to lymphocyte alterations in patients with kidney transplantation., Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Sociedad Española de Nefrología, Comunidad de Madrid, Fondo Social Europeo

Oxidative stress plays a key role in the pathophysiology of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Most studies have investigated peripheral redox state focus on plasma, but not in different immune cells. Our study analyzed several redox state markers in plasma and isolated peripheral polymorphonuclear (PMNs) and mononuclear (MNs) leukocytes from advanced-CKD patients, also evaluating differences of hemodialysis (HD) and peritoneal dialysis (PD) procedures. Antioxidant (superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), reduced glutathione (GSH)) and oxidant parameters (xanthine oxidase (XO), oxidized glutathione (GSSG), malondialdehyde (MDA)) were assessed in plasma, PMNs and MNs from non-dialysis-dependent-CKD (NDD-CKD), HD and PD patients and healthy controls. Increased oxidative stress and damage were observed in plasma, PMNs and MNs from NDD-CKD, HD and PD patients (increased XO, GSSG and MDA, decreased SOD, CAT, GPX and GSH, altered GSSG/GSH balance). Several oxidative alterations were more exacerbated in PMNs, whereas others were only observed in MNs. Dialysis procedures had a positive effect on preserving the GSSG/GSH balance in PMNs. Interestingly, PD patients showed greater oxidative stress than HD patients, especially in MNs. The assessment of redox state parameters in PMNs and MNs could have potential use as biomarkers of the CKD progression.

Background and Aims COVID19 worldwide crisis has shown the fragility of usually overbooked hospital care, encouraging improvements on the homecare and remote monitoring of patients. IMUP (Intelligent Manager for Ubiquitous Personal Mobile Care) is a Mobile App developed by UPM to follow up chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients affected with COVID19. Method CKD patients (or their home caregivers) with access to a mobile phone were asked to introduce daily their symptoms (headache, tiredness, short of breath, cough and diarrhea) in addition to blood pressure and temperature. IMUP also allowed: (1) free asynchronous message exchange between patients and physicians, (2) provided general information and guidelines to reduce household COVID19 transmissions, (3) countdown of isolation days, and (4) notified alarms and alerts. All patients consented to a mobile phone monitor. Physicians categorized clinical situations reviewing IMUP symptoms into: (1) stable, (2) alert, and (3) presential assistance advised. Results A total of 38 patients (9 kidney transplant, 23 haemodialysis, 3 peritoneal dialysis, 3 low clearance)( 58.8% male, age 62.2 ± 15.6 years, 17.6 % diabetics) with confirmed COVID19 infection were followed up with IMUP, 23 after hospitalization (median of 10 [4-16] days) and 15 with complete outpatient follow-up. The mean follow-up with IMUP was 8 [4,17] days. Four houndred and seven daily symptoms were introduced in IMUP, being tiredness the commonest (27%), followed by cough (21.5%) and diarrhea (20.6%). Reviewing IMUP daily symptoms, 185 clinical situations were categorized in stable and 21 alert. Five patients required presential assistance, 3 of them requiring hospital admission (1 rehospitalization). 81 messages were exchanged, delivering 17 therapeutic recommendations. IMUP countdown helped to organize isolation on the HD unit (cases and contacts), plus follow up with chest X rays and blood samples. Conclusion The easy and intuitive use of mobile apps makes them widely accepted by the general population. Remote monitoring by mobile phone apps brings a new opportunity to alleviate our overbooked hospital care. Besides, remote monitoring could help to stratify and organize clinical follow up, allowing a closer communication between physicians and patients.

Background and Aims Overhydration (OH) is an independent predictor of mortality on hemodialysis (HD). The gold standard to assess OH is BCM monitor from Fresenius®, however BCM is a hospital hold device limiting its use. New smart scales have emerged as household devices reporting daily body composition data. Objective To determine if Renpho ES-CS20M® could be useful on a 52 HD patient to estimate body composition data. Method 72 body composition assessments (BCA) during mid-week HD session were performed. Each BCA included: (1) Predialysis Renpho measurement, (2) Predialysis BCM monitor measurement, (3) Postdialysis Renpho measurement. To track the fluid balance during the HD session: (1) we recorded ultrafiltration, (2) food or fluid intake was not allowed, and (3) none of the HD patients urinated during the HD session. If any intravenous fluids were needed during the HD session, we subtracted them off from UF. Results Data from 52 HD patients were studied (age 58.8 ± 16.8 years, 56.9 % males, 14.7% diabetics), with a mean pre-HD weight of 70.0 ± 13. 4 Kg, overhydration of 1.7 ± 1.5 L and urea distribution volume of 31.7 ± 5.7 L. The mean ultrafiltration during HD session was -1.8 ± 0.9 L. Renpho estimated a Pre – HD hydration of 34.25 ± 6.02 Kg vs 33.4 ± 5.7 Kg by BCM, showing a good concordance between methods (ICC 0.788 [0.67-0.86], B -0.58, p Conclusion Renpho has a proportional bias estimating predialysis hydration compared with BCM monitor, but is not able to assess changes produced with ultrafiltration or other parameters of body composition (as lean or fat tissue mass). Although smart scales are unacurate to assess body composition on HD patients, they could be useful on the follow up of them changing the accuracy for frequency.

Background and Aims Changes on body composition have an impact on the survival of haemodialysis (HD) patients. The aim of the study was to determine the impact of the reduction of physical activity due to COVID19 lockdown on body composition in HD patients. Method Retrospective and observational study including 149 HD patients. Nutritional and Bioimpedance spectroscopy (BIS) data were recorded before and after COVID19 lockdown (mean of 148 ± 20 days between determinations). Results Over the 49 days of COVID19 lockdown, we observed a decrease in normohydrated weight (NHW) of 1.01 ± 3.59 kg mainly secondary to a reduction on total body water (TBW) 0.95 ± 3.78 L (extracellular water 0.45 ± 1.58 L and intracellular water 0.41 ± 2.36 L). There was also a small loss on lean tissue index (LTI) of 0.28 ± 2.42 kg/m2, with an increase of fat tissue index (FTI) 0f 0.02 ± 2.82 kg/m2. Twenty-three patients presented COVID19 infection, of which 21 required admission (median of 10 [4-16] days). Patients who presented COVID19 were older (70.7 ± 12.0 vs 64.9 ± 16.6 years, NS) with higher Charlson index (7.48 ± 2.77 vs 6.33 ± 2.65, p = 0.07). Patients with COVID19 infection presented a greater loss on LTI (-1.18 ± 3.15 bs -0.16 ± 2.30 kg/m2; p = 0.22), FTI (-0.41 ± 3.38 vs 0.06 ± 2.74 kg/m2; p = 0.54); BMI (-1.49 ± 2.14 vs -0.25 ± 0.96 kg/m2; p = < 0.01) and NHW (-4.00 ± 6.33 vs -0.62 ± 2.90 kg; p = < 0.01) compared to patients without COVID19 infection. The length of hospitalization was associated with greater loss of BMI and NHW, resulting, therefore, in overhydration. There also had lower serum phosphorus (3.6 ± 0.8 vs 5.2 ± 0.8 mg/dl; p = 0.01) and serum albumin (3.5 ± 0.4 vs 4.0 ± 0.1 g/dl; p = 0.01). Seven patients died during hospitalization. Deceased patients were older (78.4 ± 6.6 vs 67.4 ± 12.4 years; p = 0.01), presented higher comorbidity (estimated by Charlson index 10.0 [8.0-11.0] vs 6.5 [4.3-8.0]; p = 0.02) and were more overhydrated (3.4 ± 3.6 vs 1.9 ± 1.9; p = 0.34). Although not statistically different, they had lower LTI (10.4 ± 2.1 vs 12.0 ± 3.4 kg/m2; p = 0.18) and lower serum albumin (3.4 ± 0.6 vs 3.9 ± 0.4 g/dl; p = 0.08) compared to survivors. Patients who survived COVID19 infection had longer hospitalization (57% were discharged between twelfth and forty third day; mean hospitalization 14.6 ± 11.5 days). Deceased patients died within the first 12 days of hospitalization (6.8 ± 4.1 days). Conclusion COVID19 lockdown induced a weight reduction on HD patients due to decrease in total body water. COVID19 infection increased this reduction, inducing greater loss on lean and fat tissue composition. Moreover, COVID19 impact on body composition was magnified with the length of hospitalization.

Background and Aims End-stage renal disease patients on haemodialysis (HD) seem more likely to develop severe COVID19 disease. Over the course of COVID disease, we observed a poor tolerance to HD sessions with a marked tendency of clinical deterioration over them. The objective is to evaluate changes on immunological system over HD session on patients affected with COVID19 compared with patients without COVID19. Method Fourteen HD patients were studied including 9 confirmed COVID19 infection and 5 healthy controls. Predialysis and postdialysis blood samples were compared to study alterations on immune status. We identified cytoKines by Luminex (CCL2, CXCL10, IL1Ra, IL10, IL12p70, TNFα, IL17Ra, IL6, IL7) and adaptive lymphocyte subsets (CD4/CD8 naïve, CD4/CD8 MC, CD4/CD8 MP, CD19, CD56). Monocyte subsets (CD14+CD16-, CD14+CD16+, CD14-CD16+) were detected from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), as well as immune activation (CD11b, HLA-DR, CD86) and migration factors (CCR2, CCR5). The supernatant of isolated CD14+ cells after 4-hour stimulation with LPS where analysed by Luminex to measure cytokines (CCL2, CXCL10, GM-CSF, IL10, IL12p70, IL17Ra, IL6, IL7, TNFα). Results Patients with COVID19 presented predialysis: (1) higher plasmatic levels of IL12p70, TNFα e IL7, (2) lymphopenia and neutrophilia, (3) higher percentage of intermediate monocytes and lower of non-classical, (4) lower membrane expression of CCR2, HLA-DR y CD86 over Cd14+ cells, and (5) higher production of CCL2, GM-CSF, IL10, IL12p70 y IL17Ra by LPS stimulated monocytes compared with patients without COVID19. When analysed the fold-change between pre and postdialysis values, patients with COVID19 infection present a: (a) higher plasmatic levels of IL6, IL1Ra, CCL2 e CXCL10, (b) reductions of total lymphocites, (c) higher membrane expression of CCR2, CD33 y CD86 on CD14+ cells, and (d) higher production of TNFα, GM-CSF, IL10, IL17, IL6 e IL7 by LPS stimulated monocytes compared with patients without COVID19. No differences on lymphocite subset were found. Conclusion The clinical deterioration on COVID19 infected patients over HD session could be related with monocyte activation and pro-inflammatory cytokines secretion.

Background and Aims Thin basement membrane nephropathy (TBMN), the most common cause of persistent microhaematuria (mH), is due to mutations in genes codifying alfa-3 and alfa-4 collagen IV chains (COL4A4/COL4A3). Initially considered as a benign condition, subsequent studies have shown that an important number of patients develop proteinuria and CKD. We reported in a previous small study the presence of multicystic kidney disease (MCD) in some TBMD patients. In this study we aimed to evaluate the presence of MCD in a larger cohort of TBMD patients and analyze its association with renal outcomes. Method We collected 50 patients with a diagnosis of TBMD based on the presence of persistent mH (>5 erythocytes per high power field in more than 90% of urinary sediments and radiological examinations to exclude other causes of mH) and at least one first-degree relative with persistent mH. TBMD diagnosis was confirmed by renal biopsy (glomerular basement membrane thickness less than 150nm) in 18 patients and by genetic test (pathogenic mutations in COL4A3/COL4A4) in 6 patients. MCD was diagnosed by the presence of uncountable cysts on renal ultrasonography. Results Mean age at diagnosis was 43.7 years, 34% were males and 18% had hypertension. At baseline, serum creatinine (SCr) was 0.9 mg/dL, proteinuria 0.48 gr/24h and 9 patients (18%) had CKD (estimated glomerular filtration rate -eGFR- lower than Conclusion MCD is frequently observed in TBMD patients and is a risk factor for the progression of CKD.

Background and Aims Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with premature immune aging and increased inflammatory activity leading into endothelial damage and macrophage senescence (CD14+CD16+). Objective. To evaluate the influence of CKD in senescent immune cells, and its relationship with fragility in patients with nondialysis CKD (ND-CKD) and Peritoneal Dialysis (PD). Method A descriptive transversal study analysing lymphocyte absolute counts and subpopulations in 74 CKD patients (36 DP, 38 ND-CKD) compared with 10 healthy subjects (HS). We also assessed immunoglobulin levels, C3 and C4 fragment complement, Edmonton fragility score and the percentage of proinflammatory blood monocytes with the CD14+CD16+ phenotype. Results PD patients presented more absolute lymphopenia compared with LCC and HS (PD 1194,2, 1589 ND-CKD and 1802 HS; p Conclusion PD patients presented changes in immune system compared with healthy population, that could explain accelerated senescence. Accelerated senescence is associated with more fragility and endothelial damage. There are necessary more studies to identify the role premature aging in ND-CKD and to establish the differences between renal replacement modalities.

Background and Aims Peritoneal dialysis (PD) fluids used colloid or crystalloid solutions to achieve ultrafiltration. Here we presented our clinical experience with the intraperitoneal (IP) use of mixed solutions (MS) (crystalloid plus colloid) to treat overhydration. Method We studied the kinetics of 4-hour single-dwell exchange using 2L MS in 3 different sessions. We analysed IP fluids and IP pressure at 0,30,60,120 and 240 min plus blood samples at 0, 120 and 240 min. MS kinetics were compared with standard 4-hour 3.86 % glucose (GS) exchange. MS composition. We modified a single-dwell exchange of 2L Icodextrin (Extraneal, Baxter®) by adding a continuous 50% glucose infusion (50g Glucose per 100mL) in an aseptic technique through infusion pump (42 ml/h) over 4 hours. Results MS exchange induced a progressive increase in IP pressure with an inverse decrease in IP sodium, without significant changes in IP glucose or osmolarity. MS exchanges were well tolerated without side effects (total 25 sessions). We did not observe any remarkable change in bloods samples during the MS exchange. The combination fluid enhanced net ultrafiltration (mean 1030 ml) compared with GS (650 ml). Although the net glucose dispensed was slightly higher with MS (79 g MS vs 77.2 g GS), similar net glucose absorption was observed (49.8 g MS vs 49.9g GS) and smaller maximum intraperitoneal glucose levels (1739 mg/dL at 120 min with MS vs 2695 mg/dL with GS at 0 min). GS induced a faster initial reduction in dialysate sodium concentration while MS maintained the sodium sieving over 4-hour dwell enhancing net ultrafiltration due to sustained IP glucose concentration. Conclusion The combination fluid could be a new strategy to enhance ultrafiltration in PD patients, leaded by colloid osmosis at the beginning of PD exchange maintained by crystalloid osmosis. Figure (A) Intraperitoneal kinetics of MIXED SOLUTION for IP sodium (Na+ PF), Osmolarity PF and intraperitoneal pressure. (B, C, D) Comparison between MIXED SOLUTIONS (black line) vs Glucose solution 3,86 % (gray line) intraperitoneal kinetcs for sodium (B), intraperitoneal pressure (C) and glucose (D).

Introduction: Over the past decade, obesity has become a risk factor for developing chronic kidney disease. Proteinuria is known to be an independent determinant of the progression of chronic kidney disease, and adipose tissue is a recognized source of components of the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system (RAAS). Recent studies have shown that plasma aldosterone levels are disproportionately higher in patients with obesity. Drugs that block the RAAS are unable to inhibit aldosterone in the long term. The aim of our study was to analyze the renoprotective effect of an aldosterone antagonist in combination with RAAS blockers in patients with obesity and proteinuric nephropathy. Material and methods: This study is a substudy of previously published study on the renoprotective effect of mineralocorticoid receptor blockers in patients with proteinuric nephropathies. Patients with proteinuria levels >1 g/24 h who were taking spironolactone and were being treated with other RAAS blockers were divided according to body mass index (BMI) into an obesity group (BMI ≥30 kg/m2) and a control group. Results: Seventy-one patients were included in the study, with a mean age of 56.7 ± 15.1 years. More than 50% of the patients in both groups had diabetes. Thirty-two patients were included in the obesity group and 39 were included in the control group. There were no significant differences in renal function, proteinuria, blood pressure, serum potassium levels and the percentage of RAAS blockers in both groups. After a follow-up of 28.9 (14–84) months, there was a 59.4% reduction in proteinuria in the obesity group (2.8 ± 2.1 vs. 1.3 ± 1.6 g/24 h, p

The addition of spironolactone or hydrochlorothiazide enhances the antialbuminuric effect of renin-angiotensin blockers. However, comparative studies on the effect of different diuretics are lacking. We conducted a prospective randomized crossover study to compare the effects of spironolactone (25 mg/day), hydrochlorothiazide (50 mg/day) without/with amiloride (5 mg/day) on top of enalapril treatment in 21 patients with CKD stages 1-3 and a urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR) over 300 mg/g. Treatment periods lasted 4 weeks. The UACR showed a significant reduction with the diuretics: spironolactone, -34% or hydrochlorothiazide without/with amiloride -42% or -56%, respectively. Reduction of the UACR was significantly greater with hydrochlorothiazide without/with amiloride when compared with spironolactone. The percentage of patients who achieved UACR reductions greater than 30% and 50% was greater with hydrochlorothiazide without/with amiloride (81% and 57%, and 81% and 66%, respectively) when compared with spironolactone alone (57% and 28%, respectively). Glomerular filtration rate (GFR), blood pressure, and body weight decreased with the three diuretic regimens. A significant correlation was found between the UACR reduction and GFR and blood pressure changes. Thus, diverse diuretic regimens differentially enhance albuminuria reduction, an effect likely associated with the degree of GFR reduction.

Background Although tacrolimus is recommended by KDIGO Clinical Practice Guideline for Glomerulonephritis for the treatment of idiopathic membranous nephropathy (MN), little is known about factors that influence response and relapse of the disease after tacrolimus therapy. Methods Multicentre study that collected 122 MN patients with nephrotic syndrome and stable renal function treated with tacrolimus. Duration of treatment was 17.6 ± 7.2 months, including a full-dose and a tapering period. Results The percentage of remission was 60, 78 and 84% after 6, 12 and 18 months of treatment, respectively. The amount of proteinuria at baseline significantly predicted remission, the lower the baseline proteinuria the higher the probability of remission. Only 10 patients (8%) received concomitantly corticosteroids, and their rate of remission was similar (80% at 18 months). Among responders, 42% achieved complete remission (CR) and 58% partial remission (PR). Almost half (44%) of the responder patients relapsed. The amount of proteinuria at the onset of tacrolimus tapering was significantly higher in relapsing patients. By multivariable analysis, the presence of a PR versus CR at the onset of tacrolimus tapering and a shorter duration of the tapering period significantly predicted relapses. Tolerance was good and the number of adverse events low. Conclusions Tacrolimus monotherapy is an effective and safe option for the treatment of MN with stable renal function. Relapses are frequent in patients with PR and can be partially prevented by a longer tapering period.

Membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis denotes a general pattern of glomerular injury that is easily recognised by light microscopy. With additional studies, MPGN subgrouping is possible. For example, electron microscopy resolves differences in electron-dense deposition location, while immunofluorescence typically detects the composition of electron-dense deposits. A C3 glomerulopathy (C3G) is a recently described entity, a proliferative glomerulonephritis (usually but not always), with a MPGN pattern on light microscopy, with C3 staining alone on immunofluorescence, implicating hyperactivity of the alternative complement pathway.nbsp;The evaluation of C3G in a patient should focus on the complement cascade, as deregulation of the alternative pathway and terminal complement cascade underlies pathogenesis. Although there are no specific treatments currently available for C3G, a better understanding of their pathogenesis would set the stage for the possible use of anti-complement drugs, as eculizumab. In this review, we summarise the pathogenesis of the C3 glomerulopathies, focusing on the role of complement, the patient cohorts recently reported and options of treatment up to the current moment.

Cholesterol atheroembolism (CAE) is a systemic disorder whose incidence has increased in recent decades and that presents high morbidity and mortality. Although several therapeutic alternatives have been reported, there is no consensus about the best treatment for this disease. In this paper we report the case of a patient with CAE with skin, bowel and kidney involvement who presented a good response to combined therapy with steroids and prostaglandin analogues. Although there are no conclusive studies, we recommend this therapeutic alternative in the management of CAE with organic failure.

Tesis (Psicopedagogo, Licenciado en Educación) Tomando en cuenta que no existen evidencias previas de evaluaciones de los procesos cognitivos de personas privadas de libertad, se decide evaluarlos, para así conocer el nivel cognitivo que presentan estas personas, beneficiadas por el programa de capacitación impartido por el Organismo Técnico Intermedio de Capacitación (OTIC). Se considera esta investigación, como un aporte para aquellos los profesionales técnicos que otorgan capacitación en las cárceles en las ciudades de Antofagasta y Concepción. A su vez esta investigación, es un aporte para la psicopedagogía, ya que abre un campo poco abordado por las personas que trabajan en esta área.

The development of drugs capable of modulatingangiogenesis has created a significant improvement inthe survival associated with metastatic tumors. Thisgroup of drugs includes anti-vascular endothelialgrowth factor (VEGF) monoclonal antibodies (bev-acizumab), intracellular VEGF receptor inhibitors (so-rafenib, sutinib, pazopanib), and the small VEGFinactivating molecules (VEGF trap).