Phenotypic features of vascular calcification in chronic kidney disease.

BACKGROUND: Patients with chronic kidney disease stage 5 (CKD5) are predisposed to vascular calcification (VC), but the combined effect of factors associated with VC was sparsely investigated. We applied the relaxed linear separability (RLS) feature selection model to identify features that concomitantly associate with VC in CKD5 patients. METHODS: Epigastric arteries collected during surgery from living donor kidney transplant recipients were examined to score the histological extent of medial VC. Sixty-two phenotypic features in 152 patients were entered into RLS model to differentiate between no-minimal VC (n = 93; score 0-1) and moderate-extensive VC (n = 59; score 2-3). The subset of features associated with VC was selected on the basis of cross-validation procedure. The strength of association of the selected features with VC was expressed by the absolute value of 'RLS factor'. RESULTS: Among 62 features, a subset of 17 features provided optimal prediction of VC with 89% of patients correctly classified into their groups. The 17 features included traditional risk factors (diabetes, age, cholesterol, BMI and male sex) and markers of bone metabolism, endothelial function, metabolites, serum antibodies and mitochondrial-derived peptide. Positive RLS factors range from 1.26 to 4.05 indicating features associated with increased risk of VC, and negative RLS factors range from -0.95 to -1.83 indicating features associated with reduced risk of VC. CONCLUSION: The RLS model identified 17 features including novel biomarkers and traditional risk factors that together concomitantly associated with medial VC. These results may inform further investigations of factors promoting VC in CKD5 patients.

Mass marking of Leuciscus idus larvae using Artemia salina as a vector of fluorescent dyes.

A method for the mass marking of ide Leuciscus idus larvae by feeding them Artemia salina nauplii that were immersed in different solutions of alizarin red S, tetracycline hydrochloride and calcein was tested. The best quality marks were obtained after feeding fish for 4 days with nauplii that had been immersed in 200 mg l(-1) alizarin red S.

Fluid and solute transport in CAPD patients before and after permanent loss of ultrafiltration capacity.

BACKGROUND: Two major types of permanent loss of ultrafiltration capacity (UFC) were previously distinguished among patients treated with CAPD: 1) type HDR with high diffusive peritoneal transport rate of small solutes and low osmotic conductance,but with normal fluid absorption rate, and 2) type HAR with high fluid absorption rate, but with normal diffusive peritoneal transport rate of small solutes and normal osmotic conductance. However, the detailed pattern of changes in peritoneal transport parameters in patients developing loss of ultrafiltration capacity is not known. OBJECTIVE: Analysis of solute and fluid transport parameters in the same patient before and after UFC loss. PATIENTS: Seven CAPD patients who had undergone repeated dwell studies,which were carried out before and/or after the onset of UFC loss. METHODS: Dialysis fluids (2 L) with glucose or a mixture of amino acids as osmotic agent at three basic tonicities were applied during 6 hour dwell studies. Fluid and solute transport parameters were previously shown not to be affected by these dialysis solutions (except by hypertonic amino acid-based solution). Intraperitoneal dialysate volume and fluid absorption rate were assessed using radiolabeled human serum albumin (RISA). Osmotic conductance (a(OS))was estimated by a mathematical model as ultrafiltration rate induced by unit osmolality gradient. Diffusive mass transport coefficients, K(BD), for glucose,urea,and creatinine were estimated using the modified Babb-Randerson-Farrell model. RESULTS: Five patients had increased K(BD) for small solutes after the onset of UFC loss,and three of them had decreased a(OS),whereas two patients had normal a(OS). In one of them, a(OS) decreased with time after the onset of UFC loss with concomitant normalization of glucose absorption. In all studies of these five patients the fluid absorption rate was within the normal range. Two other patients had increased fluid absorption rate (about 5 ml/min),and one of them also had increased K(BD) for small solutes,in two consecutive dwell studies in each patient with the second study being carried out at 1 and 7 months respectively after the first one. In all four studies in these two patients, the a(OS) was within the normal range. The sodium dip during dialysis with 3.86% glucose-based solution was lost, not only among most patients with UFC loss related to reduced osmotic conductance, but also in patients with increased K(BD). CONCLUSIONS: The occurrence of two major types of UFC loss was confirmed. However, a case of a mixed type of UFC loss with high fluid absorption rate and high K(BD) for small solutes, but normal osmotic conductance, and with normalization of initially high K(BD) for small solutes, linked with decreasing initially normal osmotic conductance,was also found. As a reduced sodium dip with hypertonic glucose solution is not only seen in patients with reduced osmotic conductance, it cannot reliably be used as a single measure of decreased aquaporin function. Permanent ultrafiltration capacity loss may be a dynamic phenomenon with a variety of alterations in peritoneal transport characteristics.

[Uremic neuropathy is more frequent in male patients]. / Neuropatia mocznicowa jest czestsza u mezczyzn.

The aim of this study was to analyse the relationship between clinical and electrophysiological features of somatic and autonomic neuropathy and gender of 51 patients on chronic hemodialysis. Apart from basic neurological examination, conduction velocities in peripheral nerves were determined, and the function of the autonomic nervous system was assessed with the help of two tests: R-R interval variation (RRIV) and sympathetic skin response (SSR). The incidence and intensity of clinical and electrophysiological signs of sensomotor neuropathy were statistically significantly more prevalent among male patients, whereas the symptoms suggesting autonomic involvement were more frequent in women. Results of parasympathetic electrophysiological tests were similar in both groups, but abnormal SSR results prevailed in male patients.

[Recurrent Zieve's syndrome: a case report]. / Nawracajacy zespól Zievego--opis przypadku.

We report a case of recurrent Zieve's syndrome, consisting of jaundice, hemolytic anemia and hyperlipoproteinemia, initiated by alcohol abuse. The crucial feature of this syndrome, which allows differentiation with common acute alcoholic hepatitis, is the presence of hemolysis. There is no specific treatment, and restraining from alcohol consumption remains the basic prophylactic measure.

[Hyperkalemic periodic muscle paralysis in primary adrenocortical insufficiency. A case report]. / Hiperkaliemiczne porazenie okresowe miesni w przebiegu pierwotnej niedoczynnosci kory nadnerczy opis przypadku.

20-years old man was admitted to the hospital because of a few paroxysmal muscle paralysis episodes with pronounced periodic hiperkalemia (maximal 9.8 mmol/l). The first episode was preceded by a very hard physical effort. Primary adrenal insufficiency was recognised on the basis of clinical, humoral and biochemical examinations. There was elevated ACTH and a very low serum level of cortisol and aldosterone. There was slight metabolic acidosis and hiponatremia. The patient was treated with hydrocortisone and fludrocortisone acetate (Cortineff) with positive result. During one year of this therapy his general condition was very good and clinical, humoral and biochemical signs (except of metabolic acidosis) resolved. Neurological symptoms and a very high serum kalium level were the most important signs of primary adrenal insufficiency in the presented case.