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Clin Infect Dis 2020 Jul 8. Epub 2020 Jul 8.

Department of Cardiology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.

Background And Objectives: Male sex has been associated with severe Coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) infection. We examined the association between male sex and severe Covid-19 infection and if an increased risk remains after adjustment for age and comorbidities.

Methods: Nationwide register-based follow-up study of Covid-19 patients in Denmark until May 16, 2020. Read More

Turk Kardiyol Dern Ars 2020 Jul;48(5):451-453

Division of Cardiology, Montefiore Medical Center-Albert Einstein College of Medicine, NY, USA.

Turk Kardiyol Dern Ars 2020 Jul;48(5):454-460

Department of Cardiology, Başkent University Faculty of Medicine, İstanbul, Turkey.

Objective: This was an investigation of the relationship between the N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) level and mortality in patients with stage 3-4 chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Methods: This study was designed as a subgroup analysis of the Heart Failure Prevalence and Predictors in Turkey (HAPPY) study. The HAPPY study included 4650 randomly selected individuals from the 7 geographical regions of Turkey. Read More

Int J Hematol 2020 Jul 6. Epub 2020 Jul 6.

ProMedica Health System, 100 Madison Avenue, Toledo, OH, 43604, USA.

Patient-related risk factors for venous thromboembolism (VTE) are infrequently studied. We compared the role of patient-related risk factors for VTE in patients with solid organ cancers to their role in patients without cancer using National Inpatient Sample (NIS) data. Patients with cancer: risk of VTE hospitalization; Increased: chronic pulmonary disease (OR 1. Read More

Nat Biomed Eng 2020 Jul 6. Epub 2020 Jul 6.

Key Laboratory of Biomedical Polymers of Ministry of Education & Department of Chemistry, Wuhan University, Wuhan, People's Republic of China.

Patients with kidney failure commonly require dialysis to remove nitrogenous wastes and to reduce burden to the kidney. Here, we show that a bacterial cocktail orally delivered in animals with kidney injury can metabolize blood nitrogenous waste products before they diffuse through the intestinal mucosal barrier. The microbial cocktail consists of three strains of bacteria isolated from faecal microbiota that metabolize urea and creatinine into amino acids, and is encapsulated in calcium alginate microspheres coated with a polydopamine layer that is selectively permeable to small-molecule nitrogenous wastes. Read More

Biomolecules 2020 Jun 25;10(6). Epub 2020 Jun 25.

State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, National Clinical Research Center of Kidney Disease, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China.

Matrix metalloproteinase-7 (MMP-7) is a secreted zinc-dependent endopeptidase that is implicated in regulating kidney homeostasis and diseases. MMP-7 is produced as an inactive zymogen, and proteolytic cleavage is required for its activation. MMP-7 is barely expressed in normal adult kidney but upregulated in acute kidney injury (AKI) and chronic kidney disease (CKD). Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2020 Jul;99(27):e20881

Graduate Institute of Clinical Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a major independent risk factor of stroke and anticoagulation therapy is needed in patients with AF after ischemic stroke. However, the detection rate of AF is low after ischemic stroke. Developing a prediction model for newly diagnosed AF after ischemic stroke will help to assess the subclinical AF. Read More

Cardiovasc Pathol 2020 May 19;49:107243. Epub 2020 May 19.

The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, McGovern Medical School.

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) accounts for 50% of cases of heart failure, which is the most common cause of hospitalization in US patients over the age of 65. HFpEF pathogenesis is increasingly believed to be due to pathological hypertrophy and fibrosis of the myocardium that may be a result of systemic inflammation from comorbid conditions such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, anemia, chronic kidney disease and others. It is believed that oxidative stress triggers a process of pathological hypertrophy and fibrosis in cardiac endothelial cells, which leads to increased left ventricle filling pressures and, eventually, symptoms of heart failure. Read More

J Chin Med Assoc 2020 Jul;83(7):587-621

aGeneral Clinical Research Center, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC bDivision of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC cSchool of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC dChung-Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan, ROC eDepartment of Internal Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan, ROC fDepartment of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, ROC gDepartment of Medicine, Mackay Medical College, New Taipei City, Taiwan, ROC hCardiovascular Center, Department of Internal Medicine, MacKay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC iDepartment of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC jDepartment of Internal Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC kInstitute of Public Health and Community Medicine Research Center, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC lDivision of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan, ROC mInstitute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan, ROC nDivision of Cardiovascular Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan, ROC oSchool of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan, ROC pDivision of Cardiology, Shin Kong Wu Ho-Su Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC qCardiovascular center, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan, ROC rDepartment of Medicine, Changhua Christian Hospital, Changhua, Taiwan, ROC sDivision of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Hsinchu Mackay Memorial Hospital, Hsinchu, Taiwan, ROC tInstitute of Clinical Medicine, and Cardiovascular Research Center, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC uDivision of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Tri-Service General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC uCenter for Evidence-based Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC vInstitute of Public Health, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC wInstitute of Health and Welfare Policy, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC xDepartment of Cardiology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan, ROC ySchool of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan, ROC zHeart Center, Cheng Hsin General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC aaDivision of Cardiology, Cardiovascular Medical Center, and Department of Nuclear, ROC Medicine, Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, New Taipei City, Taiwan, ROC abDepartment of Internal Medicine and Nuclear Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC acDivision of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC adTaipei Heart Institute, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC aeDepartment of Medical Research, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC afInstitute of Clinical Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC agCardiovascular Division, Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan, ROC, University College of Medicine and Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC ahCardiovascular Center, National Taiwan University Hospital Yunlin Branch, Yunlin, Taiwan, ROC.

The global incidence and prevalence of type 2 diabetes have been escalating in recent decades. The total diabetic population is expected to increase from 415 million in 2015 to 642 million by 2040. Patients with type 2 diabetes have an increased risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Read More

J Am Heart Assoc 2020 Jul 4:e016782. Epub 2020 Jul 4.

Department of Cardiovascular Medicine Mayo Clinic Rochester MN.

Background Heart failure (HF) imparts a significant clinical and economic burden on the health system in the United States. Methods and Results We used the National Inpatient Sample database between September 2002 and December 2016. We examined trends of comorbidities, inpatient mortality, and healthcare resource use in patients admitted with acute HF. Read More

Scand J Clin Lab Invest 2020 Jul 6:1-8. Epub 2020 Jul 6.

Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU Leuven Campus Kulak Kortrijk, Kortrijk, Belgium.

The aim of this study was to establish creatinine growth curves separately for males and females that can be used to adjust childhood levels of serum creatinine to corresponding adult levels. Linear regression with fractional polynomials of age as independent variable was used to construct creatinine growth curves for a reference cohort (n = 83,157 samples from Belgium and Sweden, age 2-40 years). Adjusted creatinine obtained from the growth curves was used to improve accuracy of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) based on the Lund-Malmö revised (LMR) equation in children. Read More

Andrologia 2020 Jul 6:e13735. Epub 2020 Jul 6.

Department of Urology, Baskent University Adana Dr Turgut Noyan Research and Training Center, Adana, Turkey.

Sexual dysfunction is an under-recognised problem in due to very limited number of studies in the literature. This study aims to evaluate the sexual dysfunction related effects of dialysis modality among male patients with chronic renal failure. All patients were asked to complete 2 questionnaires: Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale [HADS] and International Index of Erectile Function [IIEF-5]. Read More

J Korean Med Sci 2020 Jul 6;35(26):e243. Epub 2020 Jul 6.

Department of Preventive Medicine, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.

Background: Mortality of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a major concern for quarantine departments in all countries. This is because the mortality of infectious diseases determines the basic policy stance of measures to prevent infectious diseases. Early screening of high-risk groups and taking action are the basics of disease management. Read More

Cureus 2020 May 31;12(5):e8375. Epub 2020 May 31.

Cardiology, Capital Cardiology Associates, Albany Medical Center, Albany, USA.

Background It is unclear if the WATCHMAN device (Boston Scientific, St. Paul, Minnesota) can be implanted without contrast to prevent complications in patients with advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD) or contrast allergy. Objective The efficiency and safety of WATCHMAN implantation under transesophageal echocardiography (TEE)-guidance and fluoroscopy without contrast use. Read More

Curr Probl Cardiol 2020 Jun 3:100639. Epub 2020 Jun 3.

Use of implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) is the treatment of choice for heart failure patients with ejection fraction <35% to prevent sudden cardiac death. Whether this benefit remains among patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) or end stage renal disease (ESRD) is yet to be elucidated. We conducted a systematic review of studies in PubMed that have investigated the use of ICDs among patients with CKD or ESRD. Read More

Korean J Intern Med 2020 07 7. Epub 2020 Jul 7.

Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.

Background/aims: We investigated whether serum neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) can predict mortality in patients with acute kidney injury (AKI) requiring continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT).

Methods: This study enrolled 169 patients who underwent serum NGAL testing at CRRT initiation from June 2017 to January 2019. The predictive power of serum NGAL level for 28-day mortality was compared to the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation-II (APACHE-II) score and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score via area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AuROC) value. Read More

Clin Infect Dis 2020 Jul 5. Epub 2020 Jul 5.

Department of Molecular Medicine, Division of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Nutrition, and Metabolism, University Hospital of Nancy, Nancy, France.

Background: In patients with severe COVID-19, data are scarce and conflicting regarding whether chronic use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) or angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) influences disease outcomes. In patients with severe COVID-19, we assessed the association between chronic ACEI/ARB use and the occurrence of kidney, lung, heart, and liver dysfunctions and the severity of the inflammatory reaction as evaluated by biomarkers kinetics, and their association with disease outcomes.

Methods: We performed a retrospective longitudinal cohort study on consecutive patients with newly diagnosed severe COVID-19. Read More

Explore (NY) 2020 May 23. Epub 2020 May 23.

Chiyu Center, 201 Coffman St., PO Box 605, Longmont, Colorado 80501, United States; Kansas City VA Medical Center, 4801 Linwood Blvd., Kansas City, MO 64128, United States; 933 McGee St., Unit 326, Kansas City, MO 64106, United States. Electronic address:

Diamond Blackfan Anemia (DBA) is a rare blood disorder of bone marrow failure typically identified in the first year of life. Due to treatment limitations, nearly all DBA patients are reliant upon chronic red cell infusion for some period of their lives. Repeat blood transfusion invariably leads to iron overload, which creates significant and life-threatening side effects. Read More

J Arthroplasty 2020 Jun 12. Epub 2020 Jun 12.

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX.

Background: Increased adverse events (AEs) have been reported among black patients undergoing joint arthroplasty, but little is known about their persistence and risk factors. The purpose of this study is (1) to examine recent annual trends in 30-day outcomes after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and (2) to develop a preoperative risk stratification model in this racial minority.

Methods: The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program was queried for all black/African American patients who underwent primary TKA between 2011 and 2017. Read More

Curr Hypertens Rep 2020 Jul 3;22(8):47. Epub 2020 Jul 3.

Vascular Biology and Hypertension Program, Division of Cardiovascular Disease, Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, LA, USA.

Purpose Of Review: Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction mainly affects the elderly. The obesity phenotype of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction reflects the coexistence of two highly prevalent conditions in the elderly. Obesity may also lead to heart failure with preserved ejection fraction in middle-aged persons, especially in African American women. Read More

J Diabetes Complications 2020 Jun 2:107646. Epub 2020 Jun 2.

Braden Diabetes Center and Marin Endocrine Care and Research, Greenbrae, CA, United States of America.

"Brittle diabetes" was first used to describe a life "disrupted by episodes of hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia." Early descriptions focused on small case reports of mostly young women with psycho-social instability, recurrent diabetic ketoacidosis, poor patient compliance or maladaptation. We redefine "brittle diabetes" as occurring in four specific life stages each with distinct characteristics and associated conditions resulting in severely erratic glycemic control and poor outcomes. Read More

Physiol Int 2020 Jul 2. Epub 2020 Jul 2.

1FMC Dialysis Center Pécs, Pécs, Hungary.

Objective: In this observational study we addressed accelerated arteriosclerosis (AS) in patients with chronic renal failure (CRF) on hemodialysis (HD) by measuring vascular stiffness (VS) parameters and attempted to relate them to pro-inflammatory and protective factors.

Patients: 96 consecutive patients receiving regular HD were included. 20 adult patients without major renal, cardiovascular or metabolic morbidities served as controls. Read More

Curr Opin Organ Transplant 2020 Jun 30. Epub 2020 Jun 30.

Department of Surgery, Division of Hepatobiliary, Pancreas, and Abdominal Organ Transplant, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA.

Purpose Of Review: In the United States, the leading indication for kidney transplant is primary kidney dysfunction arising from chronic hypertension and diabetes. However, an increasing indication for kidney transplantation is secondary kidney dysfunction in the setting of another severe organ dysfunction, including pancreas, liver, heart, and lung disease. In these settings, multiorgan transplantation is now commonly performed. Read More

Ther Apher Dial 2020 Jul 2. Epub 2020 Jul 2.

Nephrology and Dialysis Unit - "St. Marta and St. Venera" Hospital, Acireale, CT, Italy.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD)is an increasing public health problem.Aging is one of the leading causes, particularly in Western countries, but several comorbidities, such as hypertension and diabetes are involved in its pathogenesis. Thus, the treatment of CKDpatient is very complex and requires an integrated strategy. Read More

Obes Surg 2020 Jul 2. Epub 2020 Jul 2.

Department of Clinical Sciences, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, 19140, USA.

Purpose: Metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) is increasingly performed in patients with previous solid organ transplantation (PSOT). In addition, controversy remains about whether racial disparity in outcomes following MBS exists. Therefore, the aim of this analysis was to determine if race independently predicts outcomes in MBS patients with PSOT. Read More

Dig Dis Sci 2020 Jul 2. Epub 2020 Jul 2.

Institute of Digestive Heath and Liver Diseases, Mercy Medical Center, Baltimore, MD, 21202, USA.

Background: The efficacy of the two-dose hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccine (Heplisav-B) in patients with chronic liver disease (CLD) is unknown.

Aims: To compare the immunogenicity achieved with Heplisav-B and the conventional three-dose vaccine (Engerix-B) in patients with CLD, and to identify factors that predict seroconversion.

Methods: We retrospectively identified all adults who completed Heplisav-B or Engerix-B regimens from August 1, 2015, to January 31, 2019. Read More

J Am Soc Nephrol 2020 Jul 2. Epub 2020 Jul 2.

Division of Nephrology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, National Clinical Research Center of Kidney Disease, Guangzhou Regenerative Medicine and Health Guangdong Laboratory, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China

Background: Hypertension commonly complicates CKD. Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) of resistance arteries receive signals from the sympathetic nervous system that induce an endothelial cell (EC)-dependent anticontractile response that moderates vasoconstriction. However, the specific role of this pathway in the enhanced vasoconstriction in CKD is unknown. Read More

Clin J Am Soc Nephrol 2020 Jul 2. Epub 2020 Jul 2.

Vice President, Home Dialyzors United, Shepherdstown, West Virginia

Clin J Am Soc Nephrol 2020 Jul 2. Epub 2020 Jul 2.

Department of Nephrology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, People's Republic of China.

Background And Objectives: The International IgA Nephropathy Network recently developed and externally validated two models to predict the risk of progression of IgA nephropathy: full models without and with race. This study sought to externally validate the International IgA Nephropathy Prediction Tool in a large, independent, and contemporary cohort in China.

Design, Setting, Participants, & Measurements: We included 1373 patients with biopsy-confirmed primary IgA nephropathy from The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from January 2012 to May 2018 and calculated predicted risks for each patient. Read More

Trials 2020 Jul 2;21(1):604. Epub 2020 Jul 2.

Division of Experimental Medicine & Immunotherapeutics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.

Objectives: PRIMARY OBJECTIVE: To determine whether chemoprophylaxis with hydroxychloroquine versus placebo increases time to contracting coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in frontline healthcare workers.

Secondary Objectives: 1) To determine whether chemoprophylaxis with daily versus weekly dosing of hydroxychloroquine increases time to contracting COVID-19 disease in frontline healthcare workers. 2) To compare the number of COVID-19 cases between each trial arm on the basis of positive tests (as per current clinical testing methods and/or serology) 3) To compare the percentage of COVID-19 positive individuals with current testing methods versus serologically-proven COVID-19 in each trial arm 4) To compare COVID-19 disease severity in each trial arm 5) To compare recovery time from COVID-19 infection in each trial arm EXPLORATORY OBJECTIVES: 1) To determine compliance (as measured by trough pharmacokinetic hydroxychloroquine levels) on COVID-19 positive tests 2) To determine if genetic factors determine susceptibility to COVID-19 disease or response to treatment 3) To determine if blood group determines susceptibility to COVID-19 disease 4) To compare serum biomarkers of COVID-19 disease in each arm TRIAL DESIGN: Double-blind, multi-centre, 2-arm (3:3:2 ratio) randomised placebo-controlled trial PARTICIPANTS: National Health Service (NHS) workers who have direct patient contact delivering care to patients with COVID-19. Read More

Hum Vaccin Immunother 2020 Jul 2:1-8. Epub 2020 Jul 2.

Leuven University Vaccinology Center , Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.

Upon exposure to vaccine-preventable diseases, certain individuals are at increased risk for complications due to preexisting diseases, age or immunosuppressive treatment. Vaccination against influenza, pneumococcal disease and hepatitis B (for some groups) is advised in addition to standard vaccination against diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis. We estimated the vaccination coverage and determinants of recommended vaccinations in patients with diabetes mellitus type 1 (n = 173) and type 2 (n = 177), chronic kidney disease (CKD) (n = 138), heart failure (n = 200), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (n = 187), HIV (n = 201) or solid organ transplantation (SOT) (n = 201) in a monocentric study. Read More

Neurocrit Care 2020 Jul 1. Epub 2020 Jul 1.

Department of Neurology, Division of Critical Care Neurology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First St. SW - Mayo W8B, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA.

Background: Acute encephalopathy (AE) is a common complication of critical illness and is associated with increased short and long-term mortality. In this study, we evaluated the role of cefepime in causing AE.

Methods: Retrospective case-control study involving consecutive patients enrolled in the intensive care units (ICUs) of Mayo Clinic Rochester, MN between July 1, 2004 and December 31, 2015. Read More

Front Med (Lausanne) 2020 16;7:243. Epub 2020 Jun 16.

Université de Paris, IAME, INSERM, UMR1137, UFR de Médecine, Paris, France.

Invasive cardiovascular infections by associated with open-heart surgery have been reported worldwide since 2013. Here, we report a case of a 61 year old man, without any other particular medical background, who underwent cardiac surgery for replacing part of the ascending aorta by a bio-prosthetic graft. Eighteen months later, the patient was painful at the lower back with fever. Read More

Transplant Rev (Orlando) 2020 Jun 21:100565. Epub 2020 Jun 21.

University Hospital Rostock, Dept. of Urology, Rostock, Germany.

BK polyomavirus (BKPyV) associated nephropathy (BKVAN) is seen in about 5% of renal transplant patients and can lead to chronic graft failure or graft loss. No effective therapy is available. Leflunomide has shown promising results in BKVAN. Read More

Ren Fail 2020 Nov;42(1):613-621

Department of Nephrology, Xijing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China.

Red blood cell distribution width (RDW) is a parameter of the heterogeneity of circulating erythrocyte size. Recent researches have pointed out a link among RDW, chronic kidney disease, and inflammation. We sought to investigate the prognostic value of baseline RDW in patients with peritoneal dialysis-associated peritonitis (PDAP). Read More

Nutrients 2020 06 29;12(7). Epub 2020 Jun 29.

Division of Nephrology, University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center, Memphis, TN 38163, USA.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects >10% of the adult population. Each year, approximately 120,000 Americans develop end-stage kidney disease and initiate dialysis, which is costly and associated with functional impairments, worse health-related quality of life, and high early-mortality rates, exceeding 20% in the first year. Recent declarations by the World Kidney Day and the U. Read More

Heart Rhythm 2020 Jun 28. Epub 2020 Jun 28.

Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA; Division of Cardiology, Minneapolis VA Health Care System, Minneapolis, MN, USA. Electronic address:

Background: Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) has been promoted as a potential treatment for COVID-19 but there are safety concerns.

Objectives: To determine the effect of HCQ treatment on QT interval METHODS: We retrospectively studied the electrocardiograms of 819 patients treated with HCQ for rheumatologic diseases from 2000 to 2020. The primary outcome was corrected QT (QTc) interval, by Bazett formula, during HCQ therapy. Read More

Int J Nephrol Renovasc Dis 2020 8;13:139-146. Epub 2020 Jun 8.

Department of Child Health, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia - Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, Jakarta, Indonesia.

Introduction: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is common among end-stage renal disease patients undergoing hemodialysis. The standard treatment for HCV infection has been interferon-ribavirin combination prior to renal transplantation. However, compared to direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs), the risk of graft rejection is higher with interferon therapy. Read More

BMJ Open 2020 Jun 30;10(6):e038401. Epub 2020 Jun 30.

Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.

Objective: To systematically review the literature exploring the associations between multimorbidity (the presence of two or more long-term conditions (LTCs)) and adverse clinical outcomes in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Data Sources: MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, Cochrane Library and SCOPUS (1946-2019). Read More

J Clin Med 2020 Jun 28;9(7). Epub 2020 Jun 28.

IIS-Fundación Jiménez Diaz, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28029 Madrid, Spain.

Hospital admissions and mortality from the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic are spreading throughout the world, and second and third waves are thought to be likely. Risk factors for severe COVID-19 include diabetes, chronic kidney disease and cardiovascular disease. Currently, there is no vaccine and no approved therapy. Read More

Genes (Basel) 2020 Jun 26;11(6). Epub 2020 Jun 26.

Institute of Human Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Strzeszyńska 32, 60-479 Poznań, Poland.

The increasing life expectancy of humans has led to an increase in the number of patients with chronic diseases and organ failure. However, the imbalance between the supply and the demand for human organs is a serious problem in modern transplantology. One of many solutions to overcome this problem is the use of xenotransplantation. Read More

Sisli Etfal Hastan Tip Bul 2018 4;52(2):103-108. Epub 2018 Jun 4.

Department of Nephrology, Mehmet Akif Inan Training and Research Hospital, Sanliurfa, Turkey.

Objectives: Overhydration occurs in nephrotic syndrome related to kidney involvement of amyloid A (AA) amyloidosis, which can cause an overestimation of body mass index (BMI). Modified BMI (mBMI, albumin×BMI) may be a better marker of nutritional status; therefore, we investigated the relationship between mBMI and the prognosis of patients with renal AA amyloidosis.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the data of patients with biopsy-proven renal AA amyloidosis who were followed up between January 2001 and May 2013. Read More

J Clin Rheumatol 2020 Jun 23. Epub 2020 Jun 23.

From the Division of Rheumatology, Rush University Medical Center.

Objective: Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is an acute neurological syndrome. There are many reports of PRES occurring in the setting of rheumatic diseases. However, it remains uncertain whether rheumatic diseases are truly a risk factor for PRES, as the literature consists of case reports and small clinical series. Read More

PLoS One 2020 30;15(6):e0233457. Epub 2020 Jun 30.

Dr Foster Telstra Health, London, United Kingdom.

Background: Chronic diseases are increasingly prevalent in Western countries. Once hospitalised, the chance for another hospitalisation increases sharply with large impact on well-being of patients and costs. The pattern of readmissions is very complex, but poorly understood for multiple chronic diseases. Read More

Am J Trop Med Hyg 2020 Jun 29. Epub 2020 Jun 29.

Department of Endocrinology, Manipal Hospital, New Delhi, India.

Snake envenoming is a neglected, public health problem in tropical and subtropical regions. Local tissue necrosis, neurotoxic, and hemo-vasculotoxic effects are well-recognized features, whereas the endocrine and metabolic derangements are not as well known. In addition to contributing to morbidity, some of these manifestations can be potentially life-threatening if not recognized early. Read More

ESC Heart Fail 2020 Jun 29. Epub 2020 Jun 29.

Université de Lorraine, Inserm, Centre d'Investigations Cliniques, Plurithématique 1433, and Inserm 1116 DCAC, CHRU, F-CRIN INI-CRCT (Cardiovascular and Renal Clinical Trialists), Nancy, France.

Aims: How general practitioners (GPs) manage dyskalaemia is currently unknown. This study aimed at describing GP practices regarding hypokalaemia or hyperkalaemia diagnosis and management in their outpatients.

Methods And Results: A telephone survey was conducted among French GPs with a 20-item questionnaire (16 closed-ended questions and 12 open-ended questions) regarding their usual management of hypokalaemia or hyperkalaemia patients, both broadly and more specifically in patients with heart failure and/or chronic kidney disease and/or in patients treated with angiotensin-converting enzyme/angiotensin receptor blockers or mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists. Read More

J Nephrol 2020 Jun 29. Epub 2020 Jun 29.

Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Hospital Clínico San Carlos (IdISSC), Madrid, Spain.

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Despite its international aggressive extension, with a significant morbidity and mortality, the impact of renal function on its prognosis is uncertain.

Methods: Analysis from the international HOPE-Registry (NCT04334291). Read More

Am J Surg 2020 Jun 13. Epub 2020 Jun 13.

University of Alabama at Birmingham Schools of Medicine, Department of Surgery, United States.

Background: As obesity prevalence grows, more end-stage organ disease patients will be precluded from transplant. Numerous reports suggest bariatric surgery in end-stage organ disease may help patients achieve weight loss sufficient for transplant listing.

Methods: We performed a systematic review/meta-analysis of studies of bariatric surgery to achieve solid organ transplant listing. Read More

Curr Vasc Pharmacol 2020 Jun 27. Epub 2020 Jun 27.

Institute of Clinical Physiology-Reggio Cal Unit, National Research Council, Reggio Calabria. Italy.

Adverse innate immune responses have been implicated in several disease processes, including cardiovascular disease (CVD) and chronic kidney disease (CKD). The monocyte subsets natural killer (NK) cells and natural killer T (NKT) cells are involved in innate immunity. Monocytes subsets are key in atherogenesis and the inflammatory cascade occurring in heart failure. Read More

Turk J Med Sci 2020 Jun 30. Epub 2020 Jun 30.

Background/ aim: Malnutrition is common in patients with nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), especially in the end-stages of the disease where heart failure symptoms predominate. Malnutrition has been associated with atherosclerosis in patients with chronic kidney disease, but it is unknown whether a similar relationship exist between malnutrition and coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD). In the present study, we aimed to analyze whether indices of malnutrition were associated with coronary flow reserve (CFR) in patients with DCM. Read More