The PMC Turbo Balloon Mission to Measure Gravity Waves and Turbulence in Polar Mesospheric Clouds: Camera, Telemetry, and Software Performance.

The Polar Mesospheric Cloud Turbulence (PMC Turbo) instrument consists of a balloon-borne platform which hosts seven cameras and a Rayleigh lidar. During a 6-day flight in July 2018, the cameras captured images of Polar Mesospheric Clouds (PMCs) with a sensitivity to spatial scales from ~20 m to 100 km at a ~2-s cadence and a full field of view (FOV) of hundreds of kilometers. We developed software optimized for imaging of PMCs, controlling multiple independent cameras, compressing and storing images, and for choosing telemetry communication channels. We give an overview of the PMC Turbo design focusing on the flight software and telemetry functions. We describe the performance of the system during its first flight in July 2018.

Three-Stream, Bicarbonate-Based Hemodialysis Solution Delivery System Revisited: With an Emphasis on Some Aspects of Acid-Base Principles.

Hemodialysis patients can acquire buffer base (i.e., bicarbonate and buffer base equivalents of certain organic anions) from the acid and base concentrates of a three-stream, dual-concentrate, bicarbonate-based, dialysis solution delivery machine. The differences between dialysis fluid concentrate systems containing acetic acid versus sodium diacetate in the amount of potential buffering power were reviewed. Any organic anion such as acetate, citrate, or lactate (unless when combined with hydrogen) delivered to the body has the potential of being converted to bicarbonate. The prescribing physician aware of the role that organic anions in the concentrates can play in providing buffering power to the final dialysis fluid, will have a better knowledge of the amount of bicarbonate and bicarbonate precursors delivered to the patient.

Acidosis and coma in adult diabetic maintenance dialysis patients with extreme hyperglycemia.

BACKGROUND: Extreme hyperglycemia (serum glucose ≥ 800 mg/dL or 44.4 mmol/L) is infrequently associated with impaired consciousness in patients on maintenance dialysis. The purpose of this study was to determine features of extreme hyperglycemia that bring about coma in dialysis patients who do not have any of the potential conditions, other than hyperglycemia, that can affect the sensorium. METHODS: We analyzed 24 episodes of extreme dialysis-associated hyperglycemia in men who did not have neurological disease or sepsis. We compared serum parameters related to hyperglycemia between a group of 12 patients (8 on peritoneal dialysis, 4 on hemodialysis) who were alert and oriented (group A) and another group of 12 patients (5 on peritoneal dialysis, 7 on hemodialysis) who displayed varying degrees of impairment of sensorium, ranging from drowsiness to coma (group B). RESULTS: Group B had, in the serum, lower total carbon dioxide (TCO2, 8 ± 4 vs. 20 ± 3 mmol/L, P < 0.01) and higher anion gap (AG, 32 ± 8 vs. 15 ± 4 mEq/L, P < 0.01) and potassium (6.3 ± 1.5 vs. 4.6 ± 1.0 mEq/L, P < 0.05) than group A. Serum levels of glucose, chloride, urea nitrogen, calculated osmolarity and tonicity did not differ between the two groups. The test for serum ketone bodies was positive only in group B (all patients). Stepwise multiple linear regression identified serum TCO2 and AG as the only predictors of impaired sensorium (r (2) = 0.74. P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: There is a strong statistical association between the severity of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and the level of impairment of consciousness in patients on dialysis with extreme hyperglycemia and no neurological or infectious disease. This association suggests that the presence or absence of DKA is usually the primary etiologic factor in the development of impaired sensorium in these patients.

Phosphorus, phosphorous, and phosphate.

This article distinguishes the terms "phosphorus, phosphorous, and phosphate" which are frequently used interchangeably. We point out the difference between phosphorus and phosphate, with an emphasis on the unit of measure. Expressing a value without the proper name or unit of measure may lead to misunderstanding and erroneous conclusions. We indicate why phosphate must be expressed as milligrams per deciliter or millimoles per liter and not as milliequivalents per liter. Therefore, we elucidate the distinction among the terms "phosphorus, phosphorous, and phosphate" and the importance of saying precisely what one really means.

Superior patient and technique survival with very high standard Kt/V in quotidian home hemodialysis.

We studied the association of patient and dialysis factors with patient and technique survival in a cohort of all of our 191 of patients surviving >3 months on quotidian home hemodialysis (QHHD). Eighty-one patients were on nocturnal QHHD and 110 on short -daily QHHD. Weekly dialysis time was 7.5-48 hours, single pool Kt/V was 0.38-4.5 per treatment, and weekly standardKt/V was 2.1-7.5. The association of 18 patient and dialysis variables with patient and technique survival was analyzed by Kaplan-Meier and Cox analyses. Ninety-nine patients (52%) remained on QHHD, 34 (18%) were transplanted, 31 (16%) returned to 3/week HD, and 27 (14%) died. The 5-year patient survival was 71% ± 6% (night: 79% ± 7%, day: 69% ± 9%, P = 0.002). The 5-year technique survival was 80% ± 4% (night: 93% ± 3%, day: 46% ± 17%, P = 0.001). In Cox analyses, patient survival was independently associated with standard Kt/V (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.29, P < 0.0001), graduating from high school (HS) (HR = 0.11, P = 0.0002), and use of graft/fistula (HR = 0.22, P = 0.007). Technique survival was independently associated with standard Kt/V (HR = 0.50, P = 0.0003) and start of QHHD after 2003 (HR = 0.18, P = 0.007). Every increase in standard Kt/V was associated with improved survival. The highest survival occurred when standard Kt/V exceeded 5.1, only possible when weekly dialysis hours exceed 35 hours. In QHHD, higher standard Kt/V, education, and subcutaneous access are associated with better patient survival and higher standard Kt/V and longer experience of center with better technique survival. There was no upper limit of standard Kt/V, where survival plateaus. The amount of minimally "adequate" dialysis should be much increased.

Phosphorus dynamics during hemodialysis.

We studied phosphorus (P) dynamics and its relation to urea dynamics in a wide range of dialyses by measuring predialysis and postdialysis serum P levels and all removed P and urea in dialysate during 455 hemodialyses. Dialyses were performed at different frequencies (range 3-6 treatments/wk); duration of dialysis (t) (range 80-560 minutes), varied blood and dialysate flow, and with high-flux and low-flux membranes. Kt/V-P, Kt/V-urea, weekly removal of P-and urea and removal volumes (Vr) and their relationships to varying dialyses, and predialysis concentrations, and protein catabolic rates were studied in linear and multiple regression analyses. A weekly dialysis time of > 30 hours was needed to maintain serum P concentration normal without the use of phosphate binders. Vr-P as a percentage of body weight was dependent on predialysis serum P and increased steeply as predialysis serum P decreased and dialysis time was prolonged. There was no relationship between Vr-urea and Vr-P. Phosphorus removal per week was mainly dependent on weekly frequency, and time on dialysis and > 38 h/wk were necessary to remove the recommended P intake. Phosphorus shows highly variable dynamics during dialysis. The body maintains extracellular P concentration by releasing P from large compartments when the dialysis time is prolonged and the serum concentration of P decreases during dialysis. Vr-P shows huge variation between patients and in an individual patient, depending on predialysis serum P. Kt/V is inaccurate in describing P removal. To remove P efficiently, it is most important to perform long and more frequent hemodialysis.

Nightly home hemodialysis: outcome and factors associated with survival.

Nightly home hemodialysis (NHHD) has been reported to have a much better survival than the excessive mortality of thrice-weekly in-center dialysis, but the factors influencing survival of NHHD have not been investigated in detail. We studied the association of survival in a 12-year study of 87 NHHD patients from a single center evaluating demographic, sociologic, and anthropomorphic factors, diagnosis, comorbidity, vintage, and dialysis performance and efficiency. Secondly, we compared the survival of the 87 NHHD patients with that reported by the United States Renal Data System (USRDS) using standardized mortality rate (SMR). The average patient age was 52 ± 15 years, and 59% were males, 51% African Americans, and 25% had diabetes. The patients dialyzed 40 ± 6 hours weekly with a stdKt/V of 5.25 ± 0.84. Thirteen patients died. The cumulative survival was 79% at 5 years and 64% at 10 years. Using Cox proportional hazards univariate analysis, 7 of 26 factors studied were associated with mortality: less than high school education, hour of each dialysis, comorbidities, secondary renal disease, congestive heart failure, Leypoldt's eKt/V, and Daugirdas Kt/V. In backward stepwise Cox analysis, education and hour of dialysis were the only factors independently associated with survival. The standardized mortality rate was only 0.30 of that reported by the United States Renal Data System for patients on thrice-weekly hemodialysis adjusted for age, gender, race, and diagnosis. The influence of education was the most significantly associated with survival, and the duration of each dialysis treatment was important. The survival rate of NHHD patients appeared to be superior to intermittent hemodialysis.

Anticoagulation during haemodialysis using a citrate-enriched dialysate: a feasibility study.

BACKGROUND: The feasibility of anticoagulating the extracorporeal circuit during haemodialysis using a simple citrate-enriched dialysate was evaluated in a prospective, randomised, cross-over study of 24 patients who were at high risk for bleeding. METHODS: A dialysate, with a citrate level of 3 mEq/L (1 mmol/L), was generated by adding citrate to the conventional liquid 'bicarbonate concentrate' of a regular, dual-concentrate, bicarbonate-buffered dialysate delivery system. Each of the 24 patients received two dialysis treatments. For anticoagulation of the extracorporeal circuit, one treatment used the citrate-enriched dialysate (Citrate Group), while the other treatment used conventional saline flushing (Saline Group). The order of the two treatments was randomised. With either method, a heparinized, saline-rinsed dialyser was used, and no heparin was administered during dialysis. RESULTS: Ninety-two per cent (22 out of 24) and 100% of patients tolerated the procedure well in the Citrate Group and the Saline Group, respectively. Eight per cent (two out of 24) of the treatments in each group had to be abandoned because of clotting in the extracorporeal circuit. Significantly less thrombus formation in the venous air traps was detected in the Citrate Group. No patients from either group suffered from hypocalcaemic or bleeding complications, but the immediate post-dialysis and 0.5-h post-dialysis plasma levels of ionised calcium and of magnesium were slightly lower in the Citrate Group than in the Saline Group. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that it is feasible to use the present simple citrate-enriched dialysate to dialyse patients safely and effectively. Furthermore, the approach is much simpler than a conventional, intermittent, saline-flushing method.

Survival with short-daily hemodialysis: association of time, site, and dose of dialysis.

In thrice-weekly hemodialysis, survival correlates with the length of time (t) of each dialysis and the dose (Kt/V), and deaths occur most frequently on Mondays and Tuesdays. We studied the influence of t and Kt/V on survival in 262 patients on short-daily hemodialysis (SDHD) and also noted death rate by weekday. Contingency tables, Kaplan-Meier analysis, regression analysis, and stepwise Cox proportional hazard analysis were used to study the associations of clinical variables with survival. Patients had been on SDHD for a mean of 2.1 (range 0.1-11) years. Mean dialysis time was 12.9 ± 2.3 h/wk and mean weekly stdKt/V was 2.7 ± 0.5. Fifty-two of the patients died (20%) and 8-year survival was 54 ± 5%. In an analysis of 4 groups by weekly dialysis time, 5-year survival continuously increased from 45 ± 8% in those dialyzing <12 hours to 100% in those dialyzing >15 hours without any apparent threshold. There was no association between Kt/V and survival. In Cox proportional hazard analysis, 4 factors were independently associated with survival: age in years Hazard Ratio (HR)=1.05, weekly dialysis hours HR=0.84, home dialysis HR=0.50, and secondary renal disease HR=2.30. Unlike conventional HD, no pattern of excessive death occurred early in the week during SDHD. With SDHD, longer time and dialysis at home were independently associated with improved survival, while Kt/V was not. Homedialysis and dialysis 15+ h/wk appear to maximize survival in SDHD.

Forced euvolemic diuresis with mannitol and furosemide for prevention of contrast-induced nephropathy in patients with CKD undergoing coronary angiography: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Contrast-induced nephropathy is common in patients with coronary angiography. Mechanistically, forced euvolemic diuresis with mannitol and furosemide ought to prevent contrast-induced nephropathy. Our objectives are to: (1) undertake a randomized trial testing this hypothesis, and (2) conduct a meta-analysis of our findings with 2 earlier studies. STUDY DESIGN: (1) Randomized allocation-concealed controlled trial with blinded ascertainment of outcomes, and (2) random-effects meta-analysis of 3 trials. SETTING & PARTICIPANTS: Single-center study of consenting adults with serum creatinine level greater than 1.7 mg/dL undergoing coronary angiography; patients unable to tolerate fluid challenge or receiving dialysis were excluded. Two previous trials had randomly assigned 159 patients. INTERVENTION: Forced euvolemic diuresis with saline, mannitol, and furosemide compared with saline hydration controls. All patients were pretreated with at least 500 mL of half-normal saline before angiography; during and 8 hours after, urine output was replaced milliliter per milliliter with half-normal saline. OUTCOMES & MEASUREMENTS: The primary outcome was contrast-induced nephropathy within 48 hours of the procedure, defined as a 0.5-mg/dL absolute or 25% relative increase in creatinine level. RESULTS: Overall, 92 patients were allocated to intervention (n = 46) or control (n = 46). Mean age was 64 +/- 14 (SD) years, 23% were women, 37% had diabetes, 47% used oral furosemide, mean creatinine level was 2.8 +/- 1.6 mg/dL, and most patients (72%) underwent diagnostic catheterization. Patients had a net positive fluid balance (389 +/- 958 mL for intervention versus 655 +/- 982 mL for controls; P = 0.2). Contrast-induced nephropathy occurred in 23 (50%) intervention patients versus 13 (28%) controls (relative risk, 1.77; 95% confidence interval, 1.03 to 3.05; P = 0.03; adjusted odds ratio, 3.73; P = 0.03). Within 48 hours, creatinine level had increased by 0.8 +/- 1.1 mg/dL with intervention versus 0.2 +/- 0.6 mg/dL for controls (P = 0.002). Overall, 11 (12%) patients died or required dialysis, with no difference according to allocation status (P = 0.5). Random-effects meta-analysis of published data (3 trials; 251 patients) suggests furosemide-based interventions lead to significant harm compared with hydration: pooled relative risk, 2.15; 95% confidence interval, 1.37 to 3.37; I(2) = 0%. LIMITATIONS: Small single-center study that cannot determine whether harms were related to furosemide, mannitol, or a combination. CONCLUSIONS: Forced euvolemic diuresis led to a significantly increased risk of contrast-induced nephropathy. This strategy should be abandoned, and our results suggest that oral furosemide therapy perhaps should be held before angiography.

The ideal home hemodialysis machine.

Daily home hemodialysis (HD) patients have a much superior survival rate than patients on regular, 3 times a week in-center HD or on peritoneal dialysis. Present-day HD machines are unsuitable for use at home by patients. We present our concept of the ideal home HD machine that allows daily short and long HD, does all the work preparing for and cleaning up after dialysis, has an intravenous infusion system controlled by the patient, needs no systemic anticoagulation, and teaches and interacts with the patient during dialysis. To fulfill these functionalities, the dialyzer and blood tubing must be integrated with the machine and replaced less often than monthly, the machine must be capable of at least 200 L/week of hemodiafiltration, prepare all fluids necessary between and during dialyses, and all the components and fluids must be much beyond ultrapure.

Short daily haemodialysis: survival in 415 patients treated for 1006 patient-years.

BACKGROUND: Survival statistics for daily haemodialysis are lacking as most centres providing this have treated only a small number of patients for short observation times. We pooled our 23-year, 1006-patient-year, five-centre experience of 415 patients treated by short daily haemodialysis. METHODS: One hundred and fifty patients were treated in-centre, most because of medical complications and 265 by home or self-care haemodialysis. Patients were on daily haemodialysis for 29 +/- 31 (0-272) months. Forty-two percent had primary and 31% had secondary renal failure. Treatment time was 136 +/- 35 min, frequency 5.8 +/- 0.5 times/week and weekly stdKt/V 2.7 +/- 0.55. RESULTS: Eighty-five patients (20%) died; 5-year cumulative survival was 68 +/- 4.1% and 10-year survival was 42 +/- 9%. Age, secondary renal failure and in-centre dialysis were associated with mortality, while gender, frequency of dialysis (5, 6 or 7 per week), continent, country and blood access were not. Survival was compared with matched patients from the USRDS 2005 Data Report using the standardized mortality ratio and cumulative survival curves. Both comparisons showed that the survival of the daily haemodialysis patients was 2-3 times higher and the predicted 50% survival time 2.3-10.9 years longer than that of the matched US haemodialysis patients. Survival of patients dialyzing daily at home was similar to that of age-matched recipients of deceased donor renal transplants. CONCLUSIONS: Survival of patients on short daily haemodialysis was 2-3 times better than that of matched three times weekly haemodialysis patients reported by the USRDS.