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Plasma cell-rich acute rejection (PCAR), a subtype of T cell-mediated rejection, is a relatively rare type of acute allograft rejection, that is usually associated with a higher rate of graft failure. However, it is difficult to diagnose PCAR precisely.A 45-year-old woman who had received a kidney transplant presented with acute kidney injury and uremic symptoms approximately 1 year after transplantation.A renal biopsy was performed and pathological examination revealed marked inflammation with abundant plasma cells in areas within interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy. The patient was diagnosed with PCAR and chronic active T cell-mediated rejection (CA-TCMR) grade IA.Immunosuppressants were administered as tacrolimus (2 mg twice daily), mycophenolate mofetil (250 mg twice daily), and prednisolone (15 mg/day) for suspected PCAR.The patients showed rapid deterioration in kidney function and reached impending graft failure.PCAR is often associated with poor graft outcome. The high variability in tacrolimus levels could contribute to poor patient outcomes, leaving aggressive immunosuppressive therapy as the remaining choice for PCAR treatment.

Pyuria is common in chronic kidney disease (CKD), which could be due to either urinary tract infection (UTI) or renal parenchymal inflammation. Only little is known regarding the association of pyuria or UTI with renal outcomes. We investigated 3226 patients with stage 3–5 CKD. Pyuria was defined as ≥ 50 WBC per high-power field (hpf) and was correlated to old age, female, diabetes, hypoalbuminemia, lower eGFR, and higher inflammation status. In Cox regression, patients with more than one episode of pyuria in the first year (11.8%) had increased risks for end-stage renal disease (ESRD) [hazard ratio (95% CI): 1.90 (1.58–2.28); p 0.001], rapid renal function progression [odds ratio (95% CI): 1.49 (1.13–1.95); p = 0.001], and all-cause mortality [hazard ratio: 1.63 (1.29–2.05); p 0.001], compared to those without pyuria. In a subgroup analysis, the risk of pyuria for ESRD was modified by CKD stages. We investigated the effects of UTI (urinary symptoms and treated by antibiotics) and pyuria without UTI (urine WBC

Vitamin D is a hormone involved in many physiological processes. Its active form, 1,25(OH)2D3, modulates serum calcium–phosphate homeostasis and skeletal homeostasis. A growing body of evidence has demonstrated the renoprotective effects of vitamin D. Vitamin D modulates endothelial function, is associated with podocyte preservation, regulates the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system, and has anti-inflammatory effects. Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is a leading cause of end-stage kidney disease worldwide. There are numerous studies supporting vitamin D as a renoprotector, potentially delaying the onset of DKD. This review summarizes the findings of current research on vitamin D and its role in DKD.

INTRODUCTION: Serum creatinine is crucial in glomerular filtration rate (GFR) estimation. Various methods of measuring GFR have been developed, which vary in their ability to estimate the prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and predict consequences associated with CKD. The use of different laboratory devices also results in uncertainty in estimated GFR (eGFR). The purpose of our study was to discuss the effect of differences in laboratory devices on eGFR when performing serum creatinine measurements. METHODS: 163 participants aged 51.22 ± 18.66 years were enrolled during a community health screening programme conducted on 18 June 2011. Samples were sent to four different hospitals using four different devices to check serum creatinine by the Jaffe and enzymatic creatinine methods. RESULTS: Using Roche Cobas Integra 400, Beckman LX20, Hitachi 7180 and Toshiba TBA – c8000, the proportion of the population with eGFR < 60 mL/min/1.73 m(2) was 11.04%, 6.75%, 20.25% and 20.86%, respectively. Moreover, 3.68% of the participants had eGFR < 60 mL/min/1.73 m(2) in the laboratory when Roche Cobas Integra 400 was used with the enzymatic creatinine method and compensated Jaffe method. CONCLUSION: Although standardisation of serum creatinine measurement has been achieved by using isotope dilution mass spectrometry, differences in measurement devices still cause substantial bias in the overall results. This affects the application of GFR in the estimation of CKD progression and outcomes associated with CKD.

The factors associated with the timely creation of distal vascular access for hemodialysis initiation are unclear. We aimed to explore the association between the slope of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and the successful usage of vascular access upon hemodialysis initiation. This single center retrospective cohort study enrolled chronic kidney disease patients who undertook a multidisciplinary care program from 2003 to 2016. Using eGFR slope as predictor, we evaluated the vascular access created timely upon hemodialysis initiation. Among the 987 patients, vascular access was created at a median eGFR of 5.8 min/ml/1.73 m2, with a median duration of 3.1 months before hemodialysis. The proportions of vascular access created timely, created not timely (vascular access immature), and not created were 68.5%, 8.8%, and 22.7%, respectively. There was a significant negative association of eGFR upon vascular access creation with eGFR slope (r = − 0.182, P 2/year) had the lowest percentage of vascular access created timely. In the multivariable logistic regression analysis, only higher eGFR upon vascular access creation (P = 0.001) and eGFR slope (P = 0.009) were significantly associated with vascular access created timely. The adjusted odds ratios of each quartile of eGFR slopes for vascular access created timely were 0.46 (95% confidence interval 0.27–0.86), 1.30 (0.62, 2.72), 1.00 (reference), and 0.95 (0.48–1.87), respectively. eGFR slope is associated with the timely creation of vascular access for the initiation of hemodialysis in a reverse-J-shaped pattern and may help determine the time of vascular access creation.

This animal study aimed to elucidate the relationship of low-dose, narrow-band UVB at 308 nm with vitamin D synthesis. C57BL/6 female mice, at 3 weeks-of-age, were randomly divided into the following six groups (n = 6 at each time point of vitamin D measurement), which were: (1) normal diet without UVB irradiation; (2) VDd diet without UVB irradiation; and (3)–(6) VDd diet with 308 nm-UVB irradiation of 12.5, 25, 50, and 100 μω/cm2, respectively. All of the groups needing UVB irradiation received an exposure of 10 min per day, five days per week, and a duration of 3–5 weeks. The mice recovering from severe VDd (plasma total 25-hydroxyvitamin D level increasing from approximately 3 to over 30 ng/mL) only occurred in groups with a UVB irradiation dosage of either 50 or 100 μω/cm2. The optimal, estimated dosage for mice to recover from severe VDd was 355 mJ/cm2 within 3 weeks. Low-dose, narrow-band UVB irradiation at 308 nm is effective in improving VDd in mice. The results obtained, in addition to the especially small side effects of the above UVB irradiation formula, could be further translated to treating VDd-related disorders.

The introduction of mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors (mTORi) as immunosuppressive agents has changed the landscape of calcineurin inhibitor-based immunosuppressive regimens. However, the timing of mTORi conversion and its associated outcomes in kidney transplantation have conflicting results. This study investigated the effect of early or late mTORi post-transplant initiation on major transplant outcomes, including post-transplant malignancy, in kidney transplant recipients in our center. We enrolled 201 kidney transplant recipients with surviving function grafts of >3 months between 1983 and 2016. Patients were divided into three groups: early mTORi (initiated within 6 months of kidney transplantation), late mTORi, (mTORi initiation >6 months after kidney transplantation) and no mTORi. The mean creatinine at conversion was 1.46 ± 0.48 mg/dL and 1.30 ± 0.53 mg/dL for the early and late mTORi groups, respectively. During the study period, 10.5% of mTORi users and 19.2% of mTORi nonusers developed malignancy, mainly urothelial carcinoma. After adjustment for confounding factors, mTORi users were found to have a lower incidence of post-transplant malignancy than did nonusers (adjusted OR: 0.28, P = 0.04). No significant difference was observed between early and late mTORi users. Our results verified the potential advantages of mTORi usage in reducing cancer incidence after kidney transplantation. However, no significant result was found related to the timing of mTORi introduction. Future studies should include a longer observation period with a larger cohort.

Background: Arteriovenous fistula is recommended for the general dialysis population, but its use remains controversial in the elderly population. We evaluated the long-term outcomes of lateral tunneled transposed brachiobasilic arteriovenous fistulas in older patients who underwent hemodialysis. Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, we included patients who received a two-stage transposed brachiobasilic arteriovenous fistula in a medical center from May 2005 to January 2014. The patients were followed up from the fistula placement date until any intervention, death, failure, January 2015, or the end of the sixth year. Death and arteriovenous fistula failure during the observation period were considered as adverse outcomes, and the cause of death was identified. The cumulative patency rate was calculated using the Kaplan–Meier approach to reveal the long-term outcomes of this procedure. Results: Among the 66 patients who underwent surgery, the average age was 65.8 ± 13.5 years and the majority were females (62.1%). After a median follow-up of 20.6 months, 19 patients died, 12 (18.2%) received vascular intervention, and 3 experienced fistula failure. No significant difference was observed in the 6-year cumulative patency rates between younger and older adults (96.3% vs 80.3%, p = 0.58). None of the deaths during the observation period were related to bloodstream infection. Conclusion: A two-stage lateral tunneled transposed brachiobasilic arteriovenous fistula can be applied to patients undergoing hemodialysis, regardless of age.

Background Mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors (mTORi) play an essential role as novel immunosuppressive agents in kidney transplantation (KT). Treatment cessation usually occurs after adverse effects occur. We investigated the risk factors associated with withdrawal of mTORi in KT recipients and evaluated the outcomes related to the withdrawal. Methods The study enrolled KT recipients being followed up in a medical center in southern Taiwan from January 1999 through December 2014. Results Risk factors associated with mTORi withdrawal were initial proteinuria level, higher initial serum creatinine level posttransplantation, and history of glomerulonephritis as the primary etiology of renal failure. mTORi withdrawal was associated with increased risk of graft failure (hazard ratio [HR], 9.97 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.03–96.8]; P = .047). Higher body mass index (HR, 11.2 [95% CI, 1.63–76.6]; P = .01) and tacrolimus usage (HR, 8.30 [95% CI, 1.14–60.7]; P = .037) were associated with increased risk of new-onset diabetes after transplantation in mTORi withdrawal groups. Conclusions Proteinuria, poor graft function, and primary glomerulonephritis were associated with cessation of mTORi treatment. Earlier identification of these risk factors may prevent further adverse events and optimize transplantation outcomes after mTORi conversion.

Treatment with mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors (mTORi) has been associated with an increased incidence of proteinuria after kidney transplantation as compared to other immunosuppressive agents. Proteinuria after mTORi use may occur in different clinical conditions and the precise mechanism remains unclear. The objective of this study was to investigate the related risk factors for proteinuria after mTORi treatment in kidney transplant recipients. This retrospective observational study population consisted of kidney transplant recipients followed up in a medical center in Southern Taiwan from January 1999 to April 2016. The baseline characteristics and transplantation-related profiles were collected at the time of enrollment. We examined risk factors for mTORi-associated proteinuria using a multivariate logistic regression analysis. P .05 was considered as statistically significant. Hyperlipidemia and obesity at the initiation of mTORi treatment were strong predictors for proteinuria. Earlier identification of these risk factors may assist physicians in deciding the best candidate for mTORi conversion in order to optimize transplantation outcomes.

Hematuria may indicate nondiabetic renal disease in diabetic chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, some studies have reported that hematuria is noted in diabetic nephropathy and is associated with albuminuria. Hematuria is a risk factor for end-stage renal disease in glomerulonephritis, but its prognostic value in diabetic CKD is unknown. We investigated the factors associated with hematuria and the prognostic value of hematuria in patients with diabetic CKD.We included 1958 patients with type 2 diabetes and CKD stages 1-5, and 111 patients underwent renal biopsy. Patients in the biopsied cohort were younger and had more severe proteinuria, compared with those in the total cohort; hematuria was associated with nondiabetic renal disease.In the total cohort, hematuria was observed in 15.0% of the patients and was associated with young age, a lower estimated glomerular filtration rate, proteinuria, high blood pressure and short diabetes duration. Hematuria was significantly associated with an increased risk (hazard ratio 1.39, 95% CI: 1.10-1.76, P0.001) of end-stage renal disease, particularly in patients with CKD stages 1-3 or a urine protein-to-creatinine ratio of1,500mg/g (P for interaction0.05). The odds ratio of hematuria for rapid renal progression was 1.81 (95% CI: 1.29-2.53, P0.001).Hematuria is associated with nondiabetic renal disease in biopsied patients with diabetic CKD and is associated with an increased risk of end-stage renal disease in patients with early diabetic CKD.

Dipyridamole has been shown to decrease proteinuria and improve renal function progression especially in early chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients with glomerulonephropathy. A combination therapy of dipyridamole with aspirin could prevent second strokes in the general population. Whether these effects of dipyridamole are also true in advanced CKD patients and whether dipyridamole could improve renal outcomes or patient survival is unknown. We retrospectively analyzed an observational cohort of 3074 participants with CKD stage 3–5 from southern Taiwan, of whom 871 (28.3%) had received dipyridamole treatment ≥50 mg/d for ≥3 months and more than half of the observation period. The mean age was 63.6 ± 13.4 years and the mean estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was 25.5 mL/min/1.73 m2. After inverse probability of treatment weighted adjustment by propensity score, there were no differences between the dipyridamole-treated and untreated groups. Dipyridamole treatment was associated with decreased odds for rapid eGFR decline [odds ratio, 0.755; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.595–0.958; p = 0.007] and progression of urine protein-to-creatinine ratio (odds ratio, 0.655; 95% CI, 0.517–0.832; p = 0.002). In survival analysis, the dipyridamole-treated group was also associated with a decreased risk for end-stage renal disease (hazard ratio, 0.847; 95% CI, 0.733–0.980; p = 0.011) and all-cause mortality (hazard ratio, 0.765; 95% CI, 0.606–0.971; p = 0.001) but not for cardiovascular events. Our findings demonstrate that dipyridamole treatment is significantly associated with better renal outcomes and patient survival in patients with CKD stage 3–5. Further investigations are warranted to confirm these independent positive effects.

The 5th congress of International Society for Hemodialysis took place last August 3-5, 2012 at the Grand Hotel in Taipei and focused on "Save Life and Improve Quality." It attracted a total of 927 participants from 18 countries. The full spectrum of hemodialysis was covered with plenary lectures and symposiums delivered by experts from different subspecialties in nephrology starting from the history of hemodialysis, mineral bone disease, microinflammation and advanced techniques in hemodialysis. It was followed by critical care in nephrology, anemia, and nutrition in dialysis. Last but not the least, natural disasters and medical economics in hemodialysis were also discussed extensively. This special article will highlight the authentic contributions and innovative clinical presentations from the meeting.

Sodium glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors have shown a potential for renoprotection beyond blood glucose lowering. Glycosuria in nondiabetic patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is sometimes noted. Whether glycosuria in CKD implies a channelopathy or proximal tubulopathy is not known. The consequence of glycosuria in CKD is also not studied. We performed a cross-sectional study for the association between glycosuria and urine electrolyte excretion in 208 nondiabetic patients. Fractional excretion (FE) of glucose >4% was 3.4%, 6.3% and 62.5% in CKD stage 3, 4 and 5, respectively. These patients with glycosuria had higher FE sodium, FE potassium, FE uric acid, UPCR, and urine NGAL-creatinine ratio. We conducted a longitudinal study for the consequence of glycosuria, defined by dipstick, in 769 nondiabetic patients with stage 4–5 CKD. Glycosuria was associated with a decreased risk for end-stage renal disease (adjusted hazard ratio: 0.77; CI = 0.62–0.97; p = 0.024) and for rapid renal function decline (adjusted odds ratio: 0.63; CI = 0.43–0.95; p = 0.032); but glycosuria was not associated with all-cause mortality or cardiovascular events. The results were consistent in the propensity-score matched cohort. Glycosuria is associated with increased fractional excretion of electrolytes and is related to favorable renal outcomes in nondiabetic patients with stage 5 CKD.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is frequently complicated with hyponatremia, probably because of fluid overload or diuretic usage. Hyponatremia in CKD population is associated with increased mortality, but the effect on renal outcome was unknown. We investigated whether hyponatremia is associated with fluid status and is a prognostic indicator for adverse outcomes in a CKD cohort of 4,766 patients with 1,009 diuretic users. We found that diuretic users had worse clinical outcomes compared with diuretic non-users. Hyponatremia (serum sodium P P for interaction 141 mEq/L) was associated with an increased risk for all-cause mortality. Thus, hyponatremia is an indicator of fluid imbalance and also a prognostic factor for renal replacement therapy in CKD patients treated with diuretics.

Elective abortion complicated by bilateral renal cortical necrosis (BRCN) is not common in a developed country. We reported a patient having anuric acute renal failure after elective abortion. Initial laboratory studies implied thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura/Hemolytic uremic syndrome, but plasma exchange was not prescribed since magnetic resonance imaging study suggested BRCN soon after. The patient was treated as septic abortion and reached partial renal recovery after antibiotic treatment and short-term hemodialysis. Early diagnosis of BRCN is essential not only for prognosis prediction but also for treatment decision. We suggest that any anuric patient in suspicion of BRCN should receive MRI study as soon as possible.

Microscopic haematuria is proposed as a prognostic factor for renal outcomes in patients with glomerulonephritis. However, the role of haematuria in patients with advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD) or heavy proteinuria has not been investigated. We divided 1799 patients with stage 3–5 nondiabetic CKD into 3 groups according to the results from 3 urinalyses: no haematuria (0–2 red blood cells [RBCs]/hpf ≥2 times), mild haematuria (2–5 RBCs/hpf ≥2 times) and moderate haematuria (≥5–10 RBCs/hpf ≥2 times). The estimated glomerular filtration rate was 25.4 mL/min/1.73 m2, with a urine protein-to-creatinine ratio (UPCR) of 881 mg/g. The hazard ratios (HRs) of mild and moderate haematuria for end-stage renal disease (ESRD) were 1.28 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.05–1.56, P = 0.024) and 1.34 (95% CI: 1.03–1.74, P = 0.030), respectively. The HR of moderate haematuria for mortality was 1.56 (95% CI: 1.11–2.20, P = 0.011). According to subgroup analysis, the HR of moderate haematuria for ESRD in patients with a UPCR of

Background and Aim A higher body mass index (BMI) appears to be reversely associated with mortality in dialysis patients. Moreover, although women have better survival in chronic kidney disease (CKD), this survival advantage is cancelled in dialysis. The association between BMI and mortality and the gender difference remain controversial in advanced CKD. Methods This study enrolled 3,320 patients (1,938 men and 1,382 women) from southern Taiwan who had CKD stages 3–5 with a BMI of 15.0–35.0 kg/m2. Results During a median 2.9-year follow-up, there were 328 (16.9%) all-cause mortality and 319 (16.5%) cardiovascular (CV) events and death in male patients, 213 (15.4%) all-cause mortality and 224 (16.2%) CV events and death in female patients. Compared with the reference BMI of 27.6–30.0 kg/m2 in an adjusted Cox model, lower-BMI groups in men, BMI 15.0–20.0 kg/m2 and 20.1–22.5 kg/m2, were associated with higher risks of all-cause mortality: hazard ratios (HRs) 3.19 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.97–5.18) and 2.01 (95% CI, 1.29–3.14), respectively. Higher-BMI group in men, BMI 30.1–35.0 kg/m2, was associated with a higher risk of all-cause mortality: HR 1.72 (95% CI, 1.02–2.96). Likewise, lower- and higher-BMI groups in men were associated with a higher risk of CV events and death. In women, these associations between BMI and poor outcomes were not observed. Conclusions In advanced CKD, there was a reverse J-shaped association between BMI and all-cause mortality, and a U-shaped association between BMI and CV outcomes in men. Neutral associations between BMI and poor outcomes were detected in women. Gender could modify the effect of BMI on mortality in patients with CKD.

BackgroundX-linked agammaglobulinaemia (XLA) is the most common inherited humoural immunodeficiency disorder. Mutations in the gene coding for Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK) have been identified as the cause of XLA. Most affected patients exhibit a marked reduction of serum immunoglobulins, mature B cells, and an increased susceptibility to recurrent bacterial infections. However, the diagnosis of XLA can be a challenge in certain patients who have near-normal levels of serum immunoglobulin. Furthermore, reports on XLA with renal involvement are scant.Case presentationWe report an atypical XLA patient who presented with selective immunoglobulin M (IgM) immunodeficiency and nephropathy. He was diagnosed with selective IgM immunodeficiency, based on his normal serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) and immunoglobulin A (IgA) levels but undetectable serum IgM level. Intravenous immunoglobulin was initiated due to increased infections and persistent proteinuria but no improvement in proteinuria was found. A lupus-like nephritis was detected in his kidney biopsy and the proteinuria subsided after receiving a mycophenolate mofetil regimen. Although he had a history of recurrent bacterial infections since childhood, XLA was not diagnosed until B-lymphocyte surface antigen studies and a genetic analysis were conducted.ConclusionsWe suggest that B-lymphocyte surface antigen studies and a BTK mutation analysis should be performed in familial patients with selective IgM deficiency to rule out atypical XLA.

Hereditary 1, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D-resistant rickets (HVDRR), a rare recessive disease, is caused by mutation in the VDR gene encoding the vitamin D receptor leading to the resistance to vitamin D. We described a female toddler with initial presentation of leg tenderness and clinical features of HVDRR including severe rickets, hypocalcemia and hypophosphatemia without alopecia. Genetic analysis revealed novel compound heterozygous mutations of p.M4I and p.H229Q in patient's VDR gene. In cis p.M4I with FOKI-F eliminated both translation start sites of the VDR protein. The p.H229Q VDR exhibited significantly reduced VDR transactivation activity with intact dimerization with RXR. Our report expanded the mutation spectrum of HVDRR, and provided the first case of a benign variant p.M4I plus a common p.M1T polymorphism leading to a pathogenic allele.

Background Mineral disorders are associated with adverse renal outcomes in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. Previous studies have associated hypercalcemia and hypocalcemia with mortality; however, the association between serum calcium and renal outcome is not well-described. Whether adding calcium besides phosphorus or in the form of calcium-phosphorus (Ca × P) product into the model of survival analysis could improve the prediction of renal outcomes is not known. Methods A prospective cohort of 2144 outpatients with CKD stages 3–4 was evaluated. Cox proportional hazard analysis was performed according to calcium quartiles. Results The mean calcium level was 9.2 ± 0.7 mg/dL. Low serum calcium (9.8 mg/dL). Adding calcium into the survival model increased the integrated discrimination improvement by 0.80% (0.12% – 1.91%) while calcium-phosphorus product did not improve risk prediction. The combination of high serum phosphorus (>4.2 mg/dL) and low serum calcium (