Comparison of the efficacy of 0.9% normal saline with balanced crystalloid (Plasmalyte) in maintaining the metabolic profile in head injury patients undergoing evacuation of acute subdural haematoma - A randomised controlled trial.

Background and Aims: The choice of intravenous fluids is important in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI), where large volumes may be required for resuscitation. Our study aimed to compare 0.9% normal saline (NS) with balanced crystalloid (Plasmalyte) in TBI patients in terms of metabolic and coagulation profile, brain relaxation score (BRS) and renal functions using serum urea, creatinine and urinary tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-2* insulin-like growth factor binding protein-7, [TIMP-2]*[IGFBP7], value to assess the risk of acute kidney injury. Methods: This randomised controlled trial on 90 TBI patients undergoing emergency craniotomy and subdural haematoma evacuation was conducted in a tertiary care institute. The patients were randomised to receive either NS (Group NS) or Plasmalyte (Group P) as the intraoperative maintenance fluid. The primary outcome measures included the potential of hydrogen (pH), base excess (BE) and chloride values from an arterial blood gas. The secondary outcomes were the coagulation profile, BRS and urinary [TIMP-2]*[IGFBP7]. The two groups' metabolic profile differences were analysed using two-way repeated analysis of variance. BRS was analysed using the Mann-Whitney U test. A P value < 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. Results: The pH and chloride values were significantly higher, and the BE values were significantly lower in Group P compared to Group NS (P < 0.001). Brain relaxation and coagulation profiles were comparable between the two groups. Serum creatinine (P = 0.002) and urinary [TIMP-2]*[IGFBP7] (P = 0.042) were significantly higher in the NS group. Conclusion: Plasmalyte maintains a more favourable metabolic profile than NS in TBI patients without affecting brain relaxation adversely.

Sarcopenia, a Risk Predictor of Postoperative Acute Kidney Injury in Elderly Patients after Hip Fracture Surgery: A Retrospective Analysis.

Background and Objectives: Hip fracture surgery, which affects quality of life, can be a major challenge in geriatric populations. Although sarcopenia is known to be associated with postoperative outcomes, there are few studies on the association between sarcopenia and postoperative acute kidney injury (AKI) in this population. We investigated the association between sarcopenia and postoperative AKI in elderly patients following hip fracture surgery. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the records of patients who underwent hip fracture surgery at our institution from March 2019 to December 2021. Patients under the age of 65, patients with no preoperative computed tomography (CT) scans and patients with inappropriate cross-sectional images for measurement were excluded. The psoas-lumbar vertebral index (PLVI), which is the ratio of the average area of both psoas muscles to the area of the fourth lumbar vertebral body, was measured from preoperative CT scans. Sarcopenia was defined as a PLVI within the lowest 25% for each sex, and patients were categorized into sarcopenic and nonsarcopenic groups. The occurrence of AKI was determined based on the serum creatinine level within postoperative day 7 using the Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) guidelines. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to evaluate the associations between clinical variables and the occurrence of AKI. Results: Among the 348 enrolled patients, 92 patients were excluded, and 256 patients were analyzed. The PLVI cutoff values for defining sarcopenia lower than 25% for male and female patients were 0.57 and 0.43, respectively. The overall incidence of AKI was 18.4% (47 patients), and AKI occurred more frequently in sarcopenic patients than in nonsarcopenic patients (29.7% vs. 14.6%, p = 0.007). According to the multivariate logistic regression, which included all variables with a p value < 0.05 in the univariate analysis and adjusted for age, body mass index (BMI) and American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status, sarcopenia was revealed to be an independent predictor of postoperative AKI (odds ratio = 5.10, 95% confidence interval = 1.77-14.77; p = 0.003). Conclusions: Preoperative sarcopenia, which corresponds to the lowest quartile of PLVI values, is associated with postoperative AKI among elderly patients who underwent hip fracture surgery.

Trans-sodium crocetinate suppresses apoptotic and oxidative response following myoglobin-induced cytotoxicity in HEK-293 cells.

Objectives: Rhabdomyolysis (RM) is a serious fatal syndrome. The RM leads to acute kidney injury (AKI) as a fatal complication. The belief is that RM-induced AKI is triggered by myoglobin (MB). MB activates oxidative and apoptotic pathways. Trans-sodium crocetinate (TSC) is obtained from saffron. It has anti-oxidant and renoprotective effects. This research was designed to assess the mechanisms of MB-induced cytotoxicity in HEK-293 cells (human embryonic kidney cells) as well as the possible effects of TSC against MB-induced cytotoxicity. Materials and Methods: HEK-293 cells were exposed to diverse concentrations of TSC (2.5, 5, 10, 20, 40, 80, and 100 µM) for 24 hr. Then, MB (9 mg/ml) was added to the cells. After 24 hr, cell viability was measured through MTT, and the values of ROS generation were calculated using DCFH-DA assay. Also, autophagy and apoptosis markers in cells were assessed by western blot analysis. Results: MB decreased viability and increased ROS levels in HEK-293 cells. However, pretreatment of HEK-293 cells with TSC for 24 hr reduced the cytotoxicity and ROS production caused by MB. Furthermore, MB enhanced both the apoptosis (cleaved caspase-3 and Bax/Bcl-2 ratio) and autophagy markers (LC3II/I ratio and Beclin-1) in HEK-293 cells. On the other hand, TSC pretreatment condensed the levels of autophagy and apoptosis criteria in response to MB cytotoxicity. Conclusion: TSC has a positive effect in preventing MB-induced cytotoxicity in HEK-293 cells by increasing anti-oxidant activity and regulation of apoptotic and autophagy signaling pathways.

Thrombocytopenia Secondary to COVID-19: Outcomes Analysis in Terms of Thrombotic Microangiopathy, Acute Kidney Injury, and Mortality.

Background: COVID-19 usually complicates respiratory failure; microvascular, macrovascular, and renal complications are common. Both micro and macrovascular complications are associated with multi-organ dysfunction and in-hospital mortality. Thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) causes microvascular thromboses associated with organ failure, including acute kidney injury (AKI). Materials and Methods: This Retrospective Cohort study included 100 COVID-19 patients with thrombocytopenia, followed up in a university hospital's intensive care unit (ICU). The primary endpoints were in-hospital mortality or discharge from the hospital and assessing the occurrence of TMA and AKI during the hospitalization. The effect of thrombotic microangiopathy and acute kidney injury on mortality was investigated using logistic regression models in Stata software version 12.1. Results: The TMA and AKI were associated with in-hospital mortality in COVID-19 patients presenting with thrombocytopenia in multivariate regression analysis, adjusted for other variables. The effect of AKI on mortality was obtained (adjusted OR 4.09, 95% CI: 1.33-12.53, p = 0.01). Moreover, the odds of mortality due to TMA were ten-fold higher in the patients who had TMA than those who did not (adjusted OR 10.26, 95% CI: 1.26-83.76, p = 0.03). Conclusion: We outlined TMA in COVID-19 patients, which could be responsible for kidney injury and mortality in critically COVID-19 patients.

Effective substances and molecular mechanisms guided by network pharmacology: An example study of Scrophulariae Radix treatment of hyperthyroidism and thyroid hormone-induced liver and kidney injuries.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Scrophulariae Radix (Xuanshen [XS]) has been used for several years to treat hyperthyroidism. However, its effective substances and pharmacological mechanisms in the treatment of hyperthyroidism and thyroid hormone-induced liver and kidney injuries have not yet been elucidated. AIM OF THE STUDY: This study aimed to explore the pharmacological material basis and potential mechanism of XS therapy for hyperthyroidism and thyroid hormone-induced liver and kidney injuries based on network pharmacology prediction and experimental validation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Based on 31 in vivo XS compounds identified using ultra-performance liquid chromatography tandem quadruple exactive orbitrap high-resolution accurate-mass spectrometry (UPLC-QE-HRMS), a network pharmacology approach was used for mechanism prediction. Systematic networks were constructed to identify the potential molecular targets, biological processes (BP), and signaling pathways. A component-target-pathway network was established. Mice were administered levothyroxine sodium through gavage for 30 d and then treated with different doses of XS extract with or without propylthiouracil (PTU) for 30 d. Blood, liver, and kidney samples were analyzed using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and western blotting. RESULTS: A total of 31 prototypes, 60 Phase I metabolites, and 23 Phase II metabolites were tentatively identified in the plasma of rats following the oral administration of XS extract. Ninety-six potential common targets between the 31 in vivo compounds and the diseases were identified. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis revealed that Bcl-2, BAD, JNK, p38, and ERK1/2 were the top targets. XS extract with or without PTU had the following effects: inhibition of T3/T4/fT3/fT4 caused by levothyroxine; increase of TSH levels in serum; restoration of thyroid structure; improvement of liver and kidney structure and function by elevating the activities of anti-oxidant enzymes catalase (CAT),superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px); activation anti-apoptotic proteins Bcl-2; inhibition the apoptotic protein p-BAD; downregulation inflammation-related proteins p-ERK1/2, p-JNK, and p-p38; and inhibition of the aggregation of pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-1ß, and IL-6, as well as immune cells in the liver. CONCLUSION: XS can be used to treat hyperthyroidism and liver and kidney injuries caused by thyroid hormones through its anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic properties. In addition, serum pharmacochemical analysis revealed that five active compounds, namely 4-methylcatechol, sugiol, eugenol, acetovanillone, and oleic acid, have diverse metabolic pathways in vivo and exhibit potential as effective therapeutic agents.

Machine-learning predictions for acute kidney injuries after coronary artery bypass grafting: a real-life muticenter retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Acute kidney injury (AKI) after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery is associated with poor outcomes. The objective of this study was to apply a new machine learning (ML) method to establish prediction models of AKI after CABG. METHODS: A total of 2,780 patients from two medical centers in East China who underwent primary isolated CABG were enrolled. The dataset was randomly divided for model training (80%) and model testing (20%). Four ML models based on LightGBM, Support vector machine (SVM), Softmax and random forest (RF) algorithms respectively were established in Python. A total of 2,051 patients from two other medical centers were assigned to an external validation group to verify the performances of the ML prediction models. The models were evaluated using the area under the receiver operating characteristics curve (AUC), Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit statistic, Bland-Altman plots, and decision curve analysis. The outcome of the LightGBM model was interpreted using SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP). RESULTS: The incidence of postoperative AKI in the modeling group was 13.4%. Similarly, the incidence of postoperative AKI of the two medical centers in the external validation group was 8.2% and 13.6% respectively. LightGBM performed the best in predicting, with an AUC of 0.8027 in internal validation group and 0.8798 and 0.7801 in the external validation group. The SHAP revealed the top 20 predictors of postoperative AKI ranked according to the importance, and the top three features on prediction were the serum creatinine in the first 24 h after operation, the last preoperative Scr level, and body surface area. CONCLUSION: This study provides a LightGBM predictive model that can make accurate predictions for AKI after CABG surgery. The LightGBM model shows good predictive ability in both internal and external validation. It can help cardiac surgeons identify high-risk patients who may experience AKI after CABG surgery.

Quercetin protects cadmium-induced renal injuries in mice by inhibiting cell pyroptosis.

The toxic heavy metal cadmium (Cd) has a significant impact on kidney health. Documents manifested that non-toxic flavonoid quercetin can reduce Cd-induced kidney damage by reducing oxidative stress and inhibiting apoptosis, while the effect of quercetin on Cd-induced renal cell pyroptosis has not been elucidated. In this study, we established a model of Cd poisoning treated with quercetin both in vitro and in vivo. Results revealed that quercetin effectively reversed the decrease in Cd-induced cell viability. Furthermore, Cd increased blood urea nitrogen while reducing GPX and SOD levels, caused histopathological injuries in kidney with a significantly elevated cell pyroptosis characterized by enhanced levels of proteins representing assembly (NLRP3) and activation (pro IL-1ß, cleaved IL-1ß, and IL-18) of NLRP3 inflammasome as well as pyroptosis executor (pro caspase-1, cleaved caspase-1). However, quercetin administration alleviated kidney injuries above by decreasing cell pyroptosis. Overall, it suggests that kidney cells are susceptible to pyroptotic cell death due to Cd exposure; while quercetin exhibits protective effects through cell pyroptosis inhibition.

Predictive factors of selective transarterial embolization failure in acute renal bleeding: a single-center experience.

PURPOSE: Transarterial embolization of renal artery branches (RTE) is a minimally invasive procedure commonly performed in life-threatening renal bleeding of different etiologies. Despite the widespread use of RTE, no consensus guidelines are currently available. Our aim was to investigate clinical and technical efficacy and to identify potential predictors for clinical failure of this procedure. METHODS: All the RTE procedures performed in our Interventional Radiology unit in last 10 years were retrospectively collected and analyzed. All selected patients underwent both pre-procedural computed tomography angiography (CTA) and post-procedural CTA within 30 days. Clinical success was considered as primary endpoint. Demographic, laboratory, and diagnostic findings predictive of clinical failure of RTE were identified. RESULTS: Over a total of 51 patients enrolled, 27 (53%) were females and 33 (64.7%) had a renal bleeding of iatrogenic origin. Technical and clinical success was 100% and 80.4%, respectively. Hematoma volumes > 258.5 cm3 measured at CTA, higher pre- and post-procedural serum creatinine (Scr) levels, an increase in Scr value > 0.135 mg/dl after the procedure, a worse post-procedural estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), a post-procedural reduction of eGFR < 3.350 ml/min, and a post-procedural reduction of platelet count (PLT) > 46.50 × 103/mmc showed a significantly higher rate of clinical failure. CONCLUSION: RTE is a safe and effective procedure in the management of acute renal bleeding of various origins. Hematoma volume, Scr, PLT, and eGFR values were found to be predictive factors of poor clinical outcome and should be closely monitored.

Prognosis and mortality within 90 days in community-acquired acute kidney injury in the Southwest of Sweden.

BACKGROUND: Community-acquired acute kidney injury (CA-AKI) is common among hospitalized patients and has a poor prognosis. Research is scarce on the impact of a CA-AKI episode among patients without preexisting kidney disease and has not previously been investigated in Sweden. The aim was to describe the outcomes of patients with normal pre-hospitalization kidney function, admitted with community-acquired AKI and to investigate the association between AKI severity with outcomes. METHODS: A retrospective population-based study was applied including patients with CA-AKI according to KDIGO classification, admitted via emergency department (ED) 2017-2019 and with a 90-day follow-up period from the ED-admission, collecting data from the Regional Healthcare Informative Platform. Age, gender and AKI stages, mortality and follow-up regarding recovery and readmission was registered. Hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence Interval (CI) for mortality was analyzed using Cox regression adjusted for age, comorbidities, and medication. RESULTS: There were 1646 patients included, mean age was 77.5 years. CA-AKI stage 3 occurred in 51% of patients < 65 years of age and 34% among those > 65 years. In this study, 578 (35%) patients died and 233 (22%) recovered their kidney function. Mortality rate peaked within the first two weeks and among those at AKI stage 3. Nephrology referral post discharge occurred in 3% and 29% were readmitted. HRs for mortality was 1.9 (CI 1.38-2.62) for those who are > 65 years, 1.56 (CI 1.30-1.88) for atherosclerotic-cardiovascular disease. Medication with RAASi related to a decreased HR 0.27 (95% CI 0.22-0.33). CONCLUSIONS: CA-AKI is associated with high mortality within 90 days, increased risk for developing chronic kidney disease (CKD) and only one fifth recover their kidney function after hospitalization with an AKI. Nephrology referral was sparse. Patient follow-up after a hospitalization with AKI should be carefully planned during the first 90 days and focused on identifying those with a higher risk of developing CKD.

Single Atom-Engineered NIR-II Gold Clusters with Ultrahigh Brightness and Stability for Acute Kidney Injury.

Near-infrared-II (NIR-II) imaging has shown great potential for monitoring the pathological progression and deep tissue imaging but is limited to present unmet NIR-II agent. Present fluorophores show a promising prospect for NIR-II imaging, but brightness and photostability are still highly challenging during real-time monitoring. In this work, atom-engineered NIR-II Au24 Cd1  clusters with ultrahigh brightness, stability, and photostability are developed via single atomic Cd doping. Single atom Cd substitutions contribute to Cd 4d state in HOMO and redistribution of energy level near the gap, exhibiting 56-fold fluorescence enhancement of Au24 Cd1  clusters. Meanwhile, single atomic Cd reinforces CdAu bond energy, formation energy, and stabilized cluster structure, leading to persistent stability for up to 1 month without decay, as well as excellent photostability of 1 h without photobleaching, much longer than clinically approved indocyanine green (<5 min). In vivo imaging shows gold clusters can monitor acute kidney injury (AKI) even after 72 h of injury, enabling evaluating progression at a very long window. Meanwhile, the bioactive gold clusters can alleviate AKI-induced oxidative stress damage and acute neuroinflammation. Single atom-engineered gold clusters exhibit molecular tracking and diagnostic prospect in kidney-related diseases.

Rapidly Blocking the Calcium Overload/ROS Production Feedback Loop to Alleviate Acute Kidney Injury via Microenvironment-Responsive BAPTA-AM/BAC Co-Delivery Nanosystem.

Calcium overload and ROS overproduction, two major triggers of acute kidney injury (AKI), are self-amplifying and mutually reinforcing, forming a complicated cascading feedback loop that induces kidney cell "suicide" and ultimately renal failure. There are currently no clinically effective drugs for the treatment of AKI, excluding adjuvant therapy. In this study, a porous silicon-based nanocarrier rich in disulfide bond skeleton (<50 nm) is developed that enables efficient co-loading of the hydrophilic drug borane amino complex and the hydrophobic drug BAPTA-AM, with its outer layer sealed by the renal tubule-targeting peptide PEG-LTH. Once targeted to the kidney injured site, the nanocarrier structure collapses in the high glutathione environment of the early stage of AKI, releasing the drugs. Under the action of the slightly acidic inflammatory environment and intracellular esterase, the released drugs produce hydrogen and BAPTA, which can rapidly eliminate the excess ROS and overloaded Ca2+ , blocking endoplasmic reticulum/mitochondrial apoptosis pathway (ATF4-CHOP-Bax axis, Casp-12-Casp-3 axis, Cyt-C-Casp-3 axis) and inflammatory pathway (TNF-α-NF-κB axis) from the source, thus rescuing the renal cells in the "critical survival" state and further restoring the kidney function. Overall, this nanoparticle shows substantial clinical promise as a potential therapeutic strategy for I/R injury-related diseases.

THE ROLE OF INTERVENTIONAL RADIOLOGISTS IN THE TREATMENT OF COMPLICATIONS IN UROLOGIC PATIENTS.

Higher turnaround of urologic patients in the tertiary clinical center can lead to more accompanying complications, ranging from 1% to 55% for various procedures, with the incidence of vascular injuries varying from 0.43% up to 9.5%. In patients with impaired renal function, it is imperative to prevent the loss of normal kidney function and potential hemodialysis. Being minimally invasive, endovascular procedures such as renal artery embolization (RAE) can treat major and life-threatening complications, but good and prompt communication between urologists and interventional radiologist is necessary for fast and effective treatment. Absolute contraindications for RAE are the presence of acute infection and previously known anaphylactic reaction to the iodine contrast media, while previous mild or moderate allergic reactions to iodine contrast media are not contraindications for RAE. Currently used embolic agents can be divided into temporary and permanent embolization agents. While the temporary embolization agent available is a gelatin sponge that could be used as complementary material or stand-alone, for permanent embolization interventional radiologists use microparticles, microspheres, liquid embolic agents, coils, and microcoils. RAE procedures are considered to be safe with a low incidence of complications, with non-target embolization being the most serious one. Postembolization syndrome is considered to be the most common adverse effect and it involves around 90% of patients. The overall results show that RAE is a safe, minimally invasive procedure that can effectively treat significant complications caused by other urologic procedures, with the reported success rates of 87%-100%.

Dynamic modulations of urinary sphingolipid and glycerophospholipid levels in COVID-19 and correlations with COVID-19-associated kidney injuries.

BACKGROUND: Among various complications of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), renal complications, namely COVID-19-associated kidney injuries, are related to the mortality of COVID-19. METHODS: In this retrospective cross-sectional study, we measured the sphingolipids and glycerophospholipids, which have been shown to possess potent biological properties, using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry in 272 urine samples collected longitudinally from 91 COVID-19 subjects and 95 control subjects without infectious diseases, to elucidate the pathogenesis of COVID-19-associated kidney injuries. RESULTS: The urinary levels of C18:0, C18:1, C22:0, and C24:0 ceramides, sphingosine, dihydrosphingosine, phosphatidylcholine, lysophosphatidylcholine, lysophosphatidic acid, and phosphatidylglycerol decreased, while those of phosphatidylserine, lysophosphatidylserine, phosphatidylethanolamine, and lysophosphatidylethanolamine increased in patients with mild COVID-19, especially during the early phase (day 1-3), suggesting that these modulations might reflect the direct effects of infection with SARS-CoV-2. Generally, the urinary levels of sphingomyelin, ceramides, sphingosine, dihydrosphingosine, dihydrosphingosine L-phosphate, phosphatidylcholine, lysophosphatidic acid, phosphatidylserine, lysophosphatidylserine, phosphatidylethanolamine, lysophosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, lysophosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol, and lysophosphatidylinositol increased, especially in patients with severe COVID-19 during the later phase, suggesting that their modulations might result from kidney injuries accompanying severe COVID-19. CONCLUSIONS: Considering the biological properties of sphingolipids and glycerophospholipids, an understanding of their urinary modulations in COVID-19 will help us to understand the mechanisms causing COVID-19-associated kidney injuries as well as general acute kidney injuries and may prompt researchers to develop laboratory tests for predicting maximum severity and/or novel reagents to suppress the renal complications of COVID-19.

[Diagnosis and treatment of kidney damage following stab and blunt abdominal injuries]. / Diagnostika i lechenie povrezhdenii pochek pri zakrytykh travmakh i koloto-rezanykh raneniyakh zhivota.

OBJECTIVE: To improve treatment outcomes in victims with kidney damage following blunt and stab abdominal trauma by using of minimally invasive methods of diagnosis and treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: About 1.2-3.5% of all victims arrived to the Dzhanelidze St. Petersburg Research Institute for Emergency Care have kidney injuries. We analyzed the results of treatment of 117 patients with isolated and combined blunt and stab abdominal injuries. The retrospective (2014-2017) group included 62 victims, and the prospective (2018-2021) group enrolled 55 patients who were treated according to the new algorithm. This algorithm included non-surgical and minimally invasive management for patients with systolic blood pressure >90 mm Hg after contrast-enhanced CT. Angiography with selective embolization was required for ongoing bleeding. We analyzed incidence of open interventions, organ-sparing procedures, complications, duration of treatment and mortality. Between-group differences were assessed using the χ2 test and Student's test. RESULTS: In both groups, kidney damage in most victims with abdominal trauma was due to road accident and catatrauma. Most patients had combined abdominal injuries, mainly in combination with head and chest lesions. Severity of injuries and clinical condition were similar in both groups. In the retrospective group, there were 9 laparotomies with nephrectomy. Nephrorraphy was performed in 8 cases, kidney vessel suture - in 4 patietns. In the prospective group, nephrectomy was performed in 3 patients with unstable hemodynamics and injuries AAST grade V. Nephrorraphy was performed in 4 victims. In one case, vascular suture was applied for tangential vein damage. All laparoscopies in both groups were diagnostic without nephrectomy. We used non-surgical treatment in 34 patients of the prospective group. One patient underwent angiography and selective embolization of renal artery branches. There were no significant between-group differences in the incidence of infectious and non-infectious complications. Mortality rate was 30.6% (n=19) and 27.3% (n=15) in the retrospective and prospective groups, respectively. CONCLUSION: The proposed algorithm for kidney injury made it possible to reduce the incidence of laparoscopies and laparotomies by 2 times, preserve the damaged kidney in 94.5% of cases and avoid invasive treatment in 62% of victims.

Urine sediment findings were milder in patients with COVID-19-associated renal injuries than in those with non-COVID-19-associated renal injuries.

BACKGROUND: Acute renal injury is an important complication of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Both COVID-19-specific mechanisms, such as damage to the renal parenchyma by direct infection, and non-specific mechanisms, such as the pre-renal injury factors, have been proposed to be involved in COVID-19-associated renal injuries. In this study, we aimed to elucidate the characteristics of COVID-19-associated renal injuries, focusing mainly on urine sediment findings. METHODS: We compared the urine sediment findings and their associations with renal functions or urinary clinical parameters between subjects with COVID-19 and subjects without COVID-19 with acute renal injuries. RESULTS: We found that the number of urine sediment particles and the levels of N-acetyl-ß-D-glucosaminidase, α1-microglobulin, liver type fatty acid-binding protein, and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin were associated with the severity of COVID-19. In addition, we observed that the number of granular casts, epithelial casts, waxy casts, and urinary chemical marker levels were lower in the subjects with COVID-19 than subjects without COVID-19 with acute renal injuries when the subjects were classified according to their renal function. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that pre-renal injury factors might be largely involved in the pathogenesis of COVID-19-associated renal injuries compared with non-COVID-19-associated renal injuries arising from surgery or sepsis.

Nephrotoxins and acute kidney injury - The consensus of the Taiwan acute kidney injury Task Force.

The Taiwan Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) Task Force conducted a review of data and developed a consensus regarding nephrotoxins and AKI. This consensus covers: (1) contrast-associated AKI; (2) drug-induced nephrotoxicity; (3) prevention of drug-associated AKI; (4) follow up after AKI; (5) re-initiation of medication after AKI. Strategies for the avoidance of contrast media related AKI, including peri-procedural hydration, sodium bicarbonate solutions, oral N-acetylcysteine, and iso-osmolar/low-osmolar non-ionic iodinated contrast media have been recommended, given the respective evidence levels. Regarding anticoagulants, both warfarin and new oral anticoagulants have potential nephrotoxicity, and dosage should be reduced if renal pathology exam proves renal injury. Recommended strategies to prevent drug related AKI have included assessment of 5R/(6R) reactions - risk, recognition, response, renal support, rehabilitation and (research), use of AKI alert system and computerized decision support. In terms of antibiotics-associated AKI, avoiding concomitant administration of vancomycin and piperacillin-tazobactam, monitoring vancomycin trough level, switching from vancomycin to teicoplanin in high-risk patients, and replacing conventional amphotericin B with lipid-based amphotericin B have been shown to reduce drug related AKI. With respect to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug associated AKI, it is recommended to use these drugs cautiously in the elderly and in patients receiving renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitors/diuretics triple combinations.

ACUTE KIDNEY INJURY AFTER OPEN-HEART SURGERY PROCEDURES.

Cardiac surgery-associated acute kidney injury (CS-AKI) is a major complication associated with increased morbidity and mortality. There are multiple diagnostic criteria for CS-AKI. Despite many new investigations available for improved AKI diagnostics, creatinine and urea remain the cornerstone of diagnostics in everyday clinical practice. There are three major pathophysiological mechanisms that contribute to kidney injury, i.e. renal hypoperfusion, inflammation with oxidative stress, and use of nephrotoxic agents. Some risk factors have been identified that can be modified during the course of treatment (use of nephrotoxic agents, duration of cardiopulmonary bypass, type of extracorporeal circulation, postoperative low cardiac output or hypotension). The aim of AKI prevention should always be to prevent aggravation of renal failure and, if possible, to avoid progression to renal replacement therapy, which in turn brings worse long-term outcomes.

Safety analysis regarding acute kidney injuries for chloride-restrictive intravenous fluid administration against that of chloride-liberal for patients admitted in the medical intensive care unit: A non-randomised retrospective (chrachl-mic) study.

BACKGROUND: Acute kidney injuries are common in the medical intensive care unit. Generally, intravenous normal saline is administered in critically ill patients but it is associated with acute kidney injury. Current knowledge of chloride and its effect on the physiological functions of the kidney is limited. The objectives of the study were to compare the safety of chloride-restrictive intravenous fluid administration against that of chloride-liberal regarding acute kidney injuries. METHODS: Data regarding RIFLE (risk, injury, failure, loss, and end-stage renal failure) categories, Kidney Disease: Improved Global Outcomes (KDIGO) stage, Δ creatinine, and requirements of renal replacement therapy of 285 patients admitted to medical intensive care unit for critical illness during 4-months from the hospitalisation were retrospectively collected and analysed. Patients received chloride-liberal intravenous fluid (CL cohort, n = 163) or that of chloride-restrictive (CR cohort, n = 122) during bundle-of-care. RESULTS: Patients with risk (P = .039) and injury (P = .041) categories of RIFLE, high Δ creatinine (0.22 ± 0.02 mg/dL/patient vs 0.18 ± 0.02 mg/dL/patient, P < .0001), and patients with KDIGO stage 1 (P = .023) and stage 2 (P = .048) were reported significantly higher in the CL cohort than the CR cohort. The higher numbers of patients were put on renal replacement therapy in the CL cohort than those of the CR cohort (16 vs 3, P = .014). CONCLUSION: The chloride-restrictive intravenous fluid administration has reduced the chances of acute kidney injuries in the intensive medical care unit.

Baseline serum cystatin C as a marker of acute kidney injury in patients with acute-on-chronic liver failure.

BACKGROUND: A creatinine-based estimation of the renal function lags behind the onset of disease process. Cystatin C is a new marker for acute kidney injury (AKI). However, data are limited in patients with acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF). We evaluated serum cystatin C as an early predictor of AKI in patients with ACLF. METHODS: In a prospective observational study, patients with ACLF and normal serum creatinine level were included in the study. Serum cystatin C was analyzed with the development of AKI and the disease outcome. RESULT: Forty-seven patients (mean age: 43.26±16.34 years; male:female: 2.35:1) were included in the study. AKI developed in 34% of patients during the hospital stay. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis revealed that the best cutoff for baseline cystatin C was 1.47 mg/L with a sensitivity of 0.94 and specificity of 0.68. The cystatin C ((area under the curve [AUC]=0.853) performance was better than that of the creatinine (AUC=0.699), Child-Turcotte-Pugh (CTP) (AUC=0.661), and model for end-stage liver disease-sodium (MELD-Na) (AUC=0.641). In the univariate analysis, age, platelet count, creatinine, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR)-modification of diet in renal disease (MDRD), cystatin C, and estimated glomerular filtration rate-serum cystatin C (eGFRcysC) were significantly associated with AKI in ACLF patients. Cystatin C was an independent positive predictor of AKI. Cystatin C was positively correlated with the MELD-Na scores (r=0.374 and p=0.009). CONCLUSION: Our study supports previous studies reporting that serum cystatin C is a better predictor for AKI development compared to serum creatinine. Cystatin C may be used as an early marker for new-onset AKI in hospitalized patients with ACLF.

Discriminatory Precision of Renal Angina Index in Predicting Acute Kidney Injury in Children; a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

INTRODUCTION: There is still controversy over the value of renal angina index (RAI) in predicting acute renal failure (AKI) in children. Therefore, the present study aims to provide evidence by conducting a systematic review and meta-analysis on the value of RAI in this regard. METHODS: An extensive search of Medline, Embase, Scopus and Web of Science databases was conducted by the end of January 2020 using words related to RAI and AKI. Two independent reviewers screened and summarized the related studies. Data were analysed using STATA 14.0 statistical program and discriminatory precision of RAI was assessed. RESULTS: Data from 11 studies were included. These studies included data from 3701 children (60.41% boys). There were 752 children with AKI and 2949 non-AKI children. Pooled analysis showed that the area under the ROC curve of RAI in prediction of AKI was 0.88 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.85 to 0.91]. Sensitivity and specificity of this tool in predicting AKI were 0.85% (95% CI: 0.74% to 0.92%) and 0.79% (95% CI: 0.69% to 0.89%), respectively. The diagnostic odds ratio of RAI was 20.40 (95% CI: 9.62 to 43.25). CONCLUSION: The findings of the present meta-analysis showed that RAI is a reliable tool in predicting AKI in children.