-
Yueh-Yu Lo,
Shen-Hsing Hsu,
Yi-Ching Ko,
Cheng-Chieh Hung,
Ming-Yang Chang, Hsiang-Hao Hsu,
Ming-Jeng Pan,
Yen-Wei Chen,
Ching-Hung Lee,
Fan-Gang Tseng,
Yuh-Ju Sun,
Chih-Wei Yang,
Rong-Long Pan
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Leptospirosis is the most widespread zoonosis caused by the pathogenic Leptospira worldwide. LipL32, a 32 kDa lipoprotein, is the most abundant protein on the outer membrane of Leptospira , and has an atypical polyD motif (D(161)DDDDGDD(168)).The X-ray crystallographic structure of LipL32 revealed that the calcium binding cluster of LipL32 includes several essential residues Asp(132), Thr(133), Asp(164), Asp(165), and Tyr(178). The goals of this study were to determine possible roles of the Ca(2+) binding cluster for the interaction of LipL32 and Toll like receptor 2 (TLR2) in induced inflammatory response of human kidney cells. Site-directed mutagenesis was employed to individually mutate Ca(2+)-binding residues of LipL32 to Ala and their effects subsequently observed. These mutations abolished primarily the structural integrity of calcium binding cluster in LipL32. The binding assay and atomic force microscopy analysis further demonstrated decreased binding capability of LipL32 mutants to TLR2. Inflammatory responses induced by LipL32 variants, as determined by TLR2 pathway intermediates hCXCL8/IL-8 , hCCL2/MCP-1 , hMMP7 , and hTNF-α, were also lessened. In conclusion, the calcium binding cluster of LipL32 plays essential roles presumably in sustaining LipL32 conformation for its proper association with TLR2 to elicit inflammatory responses in human renal cells.
Journal of Biological Chemistry 03/2013; · 4.77 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Acute compartment syndrome of the upper limb due to dialysis access-related bleeding is a rare and severe complication of hemodialysis. In most reported cases, this complication is caused by an enlarging hematoma after puncture or perforation of a fistula in combination with the use of heparin. In this case report, we describe a 52-year-old woman presenting with venous hypertension and left-arm swelling that progressed suddenly on the fifth day of presentation to neurological deficits, cyanotic skin changes, and typical clinical symptoms of acute arm compartment syndrome. An angiographic scan confirmed a critical stenosis at the proximal cephalic-axillary venous junction, and balloon angioplasty successfully dilated the lesion. The arm swelling and other symptoms subsided dramatically within 3 days. This case represents a potentially different mechanism for the development of acute arm compartment syndrome in dialysis patients as well as a treatment strategy different from standard fasciotomy to reduce intracompartmental pressure.
Annals of Vascular Surgery 09/2012; · 1.03 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) plays a critical role in kidney function and its inhibition reduces proteinuria and preserves kidney function in patients with chronic kidney disease. Recent studies have shown that podocytes generate many components of the RAAS and they express receptors of RAAS, including angiotensin II, mineralocorticoid, and prorenin receptors. Crucial functions of podocytes, such as contraction, apoptosis, autophagocytosis, and cytoskeletal organization, have been shown to be regulated by the angiotensin II type 1 receptors. An activation of the glomerular RAAS and protection from podocyte injury by RAAS inhibitors have been shown in many glomerular diseases. Exploring the interaction between the local RAAS and the signaling involved in RAAS activation in podocytes will lead to new therapeutic strategies of podocyte protection.
Seminars in Nephrology 07/2012; 32(4):377-84. · 2.12 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: A previous study in type 2 diabetic patients with high-normal body lead burdens showed that EDTA chelation therapy for 3 months slows progressive diabetic nephropathy during a 12-month follow-up. The effect of a longer course of therapy on kidney function decrease over a longer follow-up is not known.
A 12-month run-in phase, then a randomized single-blind study with a 27-month intervention.
University medical center; 50 patients (serum creatinine, 1.5-3.9 mg/dL) with high-normal body lead burden (≥80-<600 μg) were randomly assigned to the treatment and control groups.
The treatment group received weekly chelation therapy for 3 months to reduce their body lead burden to <60 μg and then as needed for 24 months to maintain this level. The control group received placebo for 3 months and then weekly for 5 weeks at 6-month intervals for 24 months.
The primary end point was change in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) over time. A secondary end point was a 2-fold increase in baseline serum creatinine level or the requirement for renal replacement therapy.
Body lead burdens were assessed by EDTA mobilization tests and eGFR was calculated using the equation for Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes.
Mean baseline eGFRs in the treatment and control groups were similar. After 3 months of chelation therapy, the change in eGFR in the treatment group (+1.0±4.8 mL/min/1.73 m(2)) differed significantly from that in the control group (-1.5±4.8 mL/min/1.73 m(2); P = 0.04). In the subsequent 24-month intervention, the yearly rate of decrease in eGFR (5.6±5.0 mL/min/1.73 m(2) per year) in the treatment group was slower than that (9.2±3.6 mL/min/1.73 m(2) per year; P = 0.04) in the control group. 17 (68%) control-group patients and 9 (36%) treatment-group patients achieved the secondary end point.
Small sample size, not double blind.
A 27-month course of EDTA chelation therapy retards the progression of diabetic nephropathy in type 2 diabetic patients with high-normal body lead burdens.
American Journal of Kidney Diseases 06/2012; 60(4):530-8. · 5.43 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: p-Cresol sulfate (PCS) and indoxyl sulfate (IS) have important roles in the kidney injury. The aim of this study was to determine the inflammatory response to PCS and IS.METHODS: Cultured mouse proximal renal tubular cells were treated with PCS or IS and analyzed by polymerase chain reaction array with an inflammation and immune panel. Gene annotation enrichment and functional annotation clustering were analyzed with the Database for Annotation, Visualization, and Integrated Discovery (DAVID). Functional networks of the target genes were analyzed with the algorithm GeneMANIA.RESULTS: PCS and IS increased the expression of inflammation associated genes. Sixteen upregulated gene clusters of cells treated with PCS or IS were found. The major cytokines in the functional networks generated by PCS or IS treatment were Tgfb1, Fasl, Il6/15, Il15, Csf1/3 and Cxcl10. The major intracellular signal triggered by PCS or IS included Stats, Smads, Nfkb2, Ikbkb, Bcl2 and Bax. In both PCS- and IS-treated cells, Col4a5, Cxc10, Fasl, Stat1 and Ikbkb were the target genes in the predicted molecular functional networks connected to Tgfb1.CONCLUSIONS: PCS and IS stimulate significant cellular inflammation. Similar immune and cellular inflammatory responses were induced by PCS or IS on cultured proximal renal tubular cells.
Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation 05/2012; · 3.40 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Primary small cell carcinoma (SCC) of the kidney is rare, and the factors associated with the survival of these patients are yet to be elucidated. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We collected data on patients who were admitted to our hospital for SCC of the kidney in the last 22 years and of those in studies in the literature. Clinical characteristics were summarized using descriptive statistics. The associations of these factors with survival were evaluated using Cox regression models, and the hazard ratio of death was calculated. RESULTS: This study included 45 patients (8 admitted to our hospital and 37 from studies in the literature) with SCC of the kidney. The overall median survival time was 9.9 months (range 6.9-31.6). Data on demographics, clinical symptoms, tumor staging, and tumor characteristics recorded at the time of diagnosis were not associated with survival. Among the different treatment modalities applied, cisplatin-based chemotherapy afforded a strong survival advantage (hazard ratio = 0.35, p = 0.022). However, patients with early local recurrence (hazard ratio = 19.13, p = 0.012) and early distant metastasis (hazard ratio = 10.93, p = 0.003) after primary treatment showed significantly poor survival. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with primary SCC of the kidney generally presented with large, advanced-stage tumors and showed poor survival. Early detection of the tumor, use of cisplatin-based chemotherapy, and careful follow-up for local recurrence or frequent metastasis within 6 months after the primary treatment could be important for improving overall patient survival.
International Journal of Clinical Oncology 12/2011; · 1.41 Impact Factor
-
Pei-Chun Fan,
Chih-Hsiang Chang,
Ming-Hung Tsai,
Shu-Min Lin,
Chang-Chyi Jenq, Hsiang-Hao Hsu,
Ming-Yang Chang,
Ya-Chung Tian,
Cheng-Chieh Hung,
Ji-Tseng Fang,
Chih-Wei Yang,
Yung-Chang Chen
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Sepsis is the most common noncoronary cause of mortality in intensive care units (ICUs). This study compared different systems for predicting outcomes in a population of critically ill patients with sepsis originating from different infection sites, including intra-abdominal and pulmonary infections.
This post hoc analysis of an accumulated database enrolled 161 heterogeneous critically ill patients diagnosed as severe sepsis and septic shock patients admitted to medical ICUs from June 2005 to May 2007. Demographic characteristics, clinical and laboratory variables, comorbidities and infection source were prospectively recorded on the first day of ICU admission. Patient evaluations included acute physiology and chronic health evaluation (APACHE) II, APACHE III, sequential organ failure assessment scores, organ system failure and risk of renal failure, injury to kidney, failure of kidney function, loss of kidney function and end-stage renal failure (RIFLE) classification.
Regarding the different originating sites of severe sepsis, intra-abdominal infections and pulmonary infections had the highest mortality rates (83.3% and 48.5%, respectively; P < 0.001). The APACHE III was the best mortality predictor for the overall sepsis population [areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) 0.800], whereas RIFLE classification was the best predictor in those with intra-abdominal infection (AUROC 0.856). The AUROC analyses verified that RIFLE classification had significantly (P < 0.05) better discriminatory power for predicting hospital mortality in patients with intra-abdominal infections than in those with pulmonary infections (AUROC 0.545).
This investigation confirms that different infection sites have different outcomes. In terms of mortality prediction, outcome scoring systems are significantly more accurate in patients with intra-abdominal infections than in those with pulmonary infections.
The American Journal of the Medical Sciences 12/2011; 344(2):83-9. · 1.39 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Chronic renal ischemia leads to renal fibrosis and atrophy. Activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system is one of the main mechanisms driving chronic renal ischemic injury. The aim of the present study was to define the effect of aliskiren in chronic ischemia of the kidney. Two-kidney, one-clip mice were used to study chronic renal ischemia. Aliskiren significantly lowered the blood pressure in mice with renal artery constriction (92.1±1.1 vs. 81.0±1.8 mm Hg, P<0.05). Renin expression was significantly increased in ischemic kidneys when treated with aliskiren. In addition, (Pro)renin receptor expression was decreased by aliskiren in ischemic kidneys. Aliskiren treatment significantly increased klotho expression and reduced the expression of fibrogenic cystokines, caspase-3 and Bax in ischemic kidneys. Histological examination revealed that aliskiren significantly reduced the nephrosclerosis score (4.5±1.9 vs. 7.3±0.4, P<0.05). Immunofluorescence staining also showed that aliskiren decreased the deposition of interstitial collagen I in ischemic kidneys. In conclusion, direct renin inhibition significantly reduced renal fibrosis and apoptosis following chronic renal ischemia.
Hypertension Research 11/2011; 35(3):304-11. · 2.58 Impact Factor
-
Tsung-Yu Tsai Tsai,
Feng-Chun Tsai,
Chih-Hsiang Chang,
Chang-Chyi Jenq, Hsiang-Hao Hsu,
Ming-Yang Chang,
Ya-Chung Tian,
Cheng-Chieh Hung,
Ji-Tseng Fang,
Chih-Wei Yang,
Yung-Chang Chen
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) has been utilized for critically ill patients such as those with life-threatening respiratory failure or post-cardiotomy cardiogenic shock. Patients on ECMO with acute renal failure have high mortality rates. This study identifies specific predictors of hospital mortality for patients receiving ECMO and continuous arteriovenous hemofiltration (CAVH).
This study reviewed the medical records of 123 critically ill patients on ECMO plus CAVH at a cardiovascular surgical intensive care unit (CVSICU) at a tertiary care university hospital between March 2003 and August 2010. Patient baseline, clinical, and laboratory data were collected retrospectively as survival predicators.
The overall mortality rate was 85.4%. The most common conditions requiring ECMO plus CAVH were cardiogenic shock and oliguria. The Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) score and organ system failure (OSF) score both indicated good discriminative power (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve [AUROC] 0.812 ± 0.048 and 0.758 ± 0.057, respectively). Multiple logistic regression analysis indicated that age, mean arterial pressure, and OSF score on day 1 of ECMO plus CAVH were independent risk factors for hospital mortality. Cumulative survival rates at the 6-month follow-up differed significantly (p < 0.001) between those with an OSF score ≤ 4 vs. those with an OSF score > 4.
During ECMO plus CAVH support, both the OSF and APACHE II scores showed good discriminative power in predicting hospital mortality for these patients.
Chang Gung medical journal 11/2011; 34(6):636-43.
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Podocytes have a significant role in establishing selective permeability of the glomerular filtration barrier. Sustained renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system activation is crucial to the pathogenesis of podocyte injury, but the mechanisms by which angiotensin II modulates podocyte survival due to physiological or injurious stimuli remain unclear. Here, we used proteomic analysis to find new mediators of angiotensin II-induced podocyte injury. Antioxidant protein peroxiredoxin 2 expression was decreased in cultured podocytes stimulated with angiotensin II. Peroxiredoxin 2 was found to be expressed in podocytes in vivo, and its expression was decreased in the glomeruli of rats transgenic for angiotensin II type 1 receptors in a podocyte-specific manner, or in rats infused with angiotensin II. Downregulation of peroxiredoxin 2 in podocytes resulted in increased reactive oxygen species release, protein overoxidation, and inhibition of the Akt pathway. Both treatment with angiotensin II and downregulation of peroxiredoxin 2 expression led to apoptosis of podocytes. Thus, peroxiredoxin 2 is an important modulator of angiotensin II-induced podocyte injury.
Kidney International 08/2011; 80(9):959-69. · 6.61 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Cirrhotic patients admitted to intensive care units (ICUs) have high mortality rates. This study evaluated specific predictors and scoring systems for hospital and 6-month mortality in critically ill cirrhotic patients. This investigation is a prospective clinical study performed in a 10-bed specialized hepatogastroenterology ICU in a tertiary care university hospital in Taiwan. Two hundred two consecutive cirrhotic patients admitted to the ICU during a 2-year period were enrolled in this study. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory variables recorded on the first day of ICU admission and scoring systems applied were prospectively recorded for post hoc analysis for predicting survival. The overall hospital mortality was 59.9%, and the 6-month mortality rate was 70.8%. The main causes of cirrhosis were hepatitis B (29%), hepatitis C (22%), and alcoholism (20%). The major cause of ICU admission was upper gastrointestinal bleeding (36%). Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that the Acute Kidney Injury Network (AKIN) score at the 48th hour of ICU admission and the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) as well as the Model for End-Stage Liver Disease scores on the first day of ICU admission were independent risk factors for hospital mortality. The SOFA score had the best discriminatory power (0.872 ± 0.036), whereas the AKIN had the best Youden index (0.57) and the highest correctness of prediction (79%). Cumulative survival rates at the 6-month follow-up after hospital discharge differed significantly (P < 0.05) for AKIN stage 0 vs. stages 1, 2, and 3, and for AKIN stage 1 vs. stage 3. The AKIN, SOFA, and Model for End-stage Liver Disease (MELD) scores showed well discriminative power in predicting hospital mortality in this group of patients. The AKIN scoring system proved to be a reproducible evaluation tool with excellent prognostic abilities for these patients.
Shock (Augusta, Ga.) 07/2011; 36(5):445-50. · 2.87 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: The association between blood lead levels and mortality in patients on maintenance hemodialysis remains unclear.
A cross-sectional and 18-month prospective study included 927 patients on maintenance hemodialysis. Baseline variables and blood lead levels were measured before hemodialysis and categorized as 3 equal groups: high (>12.64 μg/dL), middle (8.51-12.64 μg/dL), and low (<8.51 μg/dL). Mortality and cause of death were recoded for longitudinal analyses.
At baseline, after related variables were adjusted, logarithmic transformation of blood lead level was negatively related to log ferritin and positively related to the vintage of hemodialysis and the percentage of urban area patients. By the end of the follow-up, 59 patients had died. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that the high blood lead level group had greater mortality than the low blood lead level group (log-rank test, P<.001). After adjustment for potential variables, Cox multivariate analysis demonstrated that by using the low blood lead level as the reference, high blood lead levels were associated with increased hazard ratios (HRs) for all-cause (HR 4.70; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.92-11.49; P=.003), cardiovascular-cause (HR 9.71; 95% CI, 2.11-23.26; P=.005), and infection-cause (HR 5.35; 95% CI, 1.38-20.83; P=.046) 18-month mortality in patients on maintenance hemodialysis. Moreover, there was a significant trend (P=.032) of HRs for all-cause mortality among the 3 study groups.
High blood lead level is associated with increased HRs for all-cause, cardiovascular-cause, and infection-cause 18-month mortality in patients on maintenance hemodialysis.
The American journal of medicine 04/2011; 124(4):350-8. · 4.47 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Cadmium exposure is related to severity of diabetes and diabetes-related organ damage in diabetic patients. Elevated blood cadmium levels (BCLs) are well known in maintenance haemodialysis (MHD) patients but the clinical significance in diabetic MHD patients remains unknown.
A total of 212 diabetic MHD patients were enrolled in this 18-month prospective study and were categorized into three equal groups according to the basal BCL: high (> 0.889 μg/L; n = 71), middle (0.373-0.889 μg/L; n = 70) and low (< 0.373 μg/L; n = 71) BCL groups. The mortality and cause of death were recorded and analysed longitudinally.
Patients with high BCL had trends of higher white blood cell counts, glycosylated haemoglobin, phosphate and blood lead levels than other group patients. At the end of the follow-up, 31 patients had died. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that the high BCL group patients had a higher mortality than other group patients (log-rank test, P = 0.036). Cox multivariate analysis demonstrated that logarithmic BCL was associated with increased hazard ratios (HR) for the all-cause mortality (HR = 2.336, 95% confidence intervals [CI] = 1.099-4.964, P = 0.027) in diabetic MHD patients. Similarly, if the low BCL group was the reference, the high BCL was associated with increased HR for all-cause mortality (HR = 2.865, 95% CI = 1.117-7.353, P = 0.043) in these patients.
The study results first demonstrated that BCL is associated with increased HR for 18-month all-cause mortality in diabetic MHD patients. Avoiding smoking and high cadmium-containing food may be important in these patients.
Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation 03/2011; 26(3):998-1005. · 3.40 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Leptospirosis can activate inflammatory responses through Toll-like receptors (TLRs) and may cause renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis characterized by the accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM). We have previously demonstrated that Leptospira santorosai serovar Shermani detergent extract stimulates ECM accumulation in vitro. The aim of this study was to examine the mechanistic basis of these previous observations and, in particular, to examine the potential involvement of TLRs. The addition of serovar Shermani detergent extract led to an increase in fibronectin gene expression and production. Inhibition of TLR2 but not TLR4 expression abrogated serovar Shermani detergent extract-mediated increases in fibronectin production. This response was also blocked by the knockdown of the gene expression of the TLR2 downstream transducers myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88) and tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6). Serovar Shermani detergent extract also activated nuclear factor-κB, and its inhibition by curcumin-attenuated serovar Shermani detergent extract induced increases in fibronectin production. These effects were also mimicked by the specific TLR2 agonist, Pam(3)CsK(4), a response that was also abrogated by the knockdown of MyD88 and TRAF6. Similarly, the administration of live leptospires to cells also induced fibronectin production that was blocked by inhibition of TLR2 and MyD88 expression. In conclusion, serovar Shermani detergent extract can induce fibronectin production through the TLR2-associated cascade, providing evidence of an association between TLRs and leptospirosis-mediated ECM deposition.
Infection and immunity 03/2011; 79(3):1134-42. · 4.21 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is the major cause of end-stage renal disease. The early changes in DN are characterized by an increased in kidney size, glomerular volume, and kidney function, followed by the accumulation of glomerular extracellular matrix, increased urinary albumin excretion (UAE), glomerular sclerosis, and tubular fibrosis. Resveratrol (RSV) has been shown to ameliorate hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. In the present study, we examined the beneficial effects of RSV on DN and explored the possible mechanism of RSV action. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were injected with streptozotocin at 65mg/kg body weight. The induction of diabetes mellitus (DM) was confirmed by a fasting plasma glucose level ≥300mg/dL and symptoms of polyphagia and polydipsia. The DM rats were treated with or without RSV at 0.75mg/kg body weight 3 times a day for 8 weeks. Animals were sacrificed and kidney histology was examined by microscopy. Urinary albumin excretion, glomerular hypertrophy and expressions of fibronectin, collagen IV, and TGF-β in the glomeruli were alleviated in RSV-treated DM rats, but not in untreated DM rats. In addition, RSV treatment reduced the thickness of the glomerular basement membrane (GBM) to the original thickness and increased nephrin expressions to normal levels in DM rats. Moreover, RSV inhibited phosphorylation of smad2, smad3 and ERK1/2 in diabetic rat kidneys. This is the first report showing that RSV alleviates early glomerulosclerosis in DN through TGF-β/smad and ERK1/2 inhibition. In addition, podocyte injuries of diabetic kidneys are lessened by RSV.
Chemico-biological interactions 02/2011; 190(1):45-53. · 2.46 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: To clarify the efficacy of repeated methylprednisolone (MP) and cyclophosphamide (CP) pulse therapy and daily dexamethasone (DEX) therapy in patients with severe paraquat (PQ) poisoning.
A total of 111 patients with severe PQ poisoning and dark-blue color in urine tests within 24 h of intoxication were included prospectively. The control group consisted of 52 patients who were admitted between 1998 and 2001 and who received high doses of CP (2 mg/kg per day) and DEX (5 mg every 6 h) for 14 days. The study group consisted of 59 patients who were admitted from 2002 to 2007 and who received initial MP (1 g) for 3 days and CP (15 mg/kg per day) for 2 days, followed by DEX (5 mg every 6 h) until a PaO(2) of >80 mmHg had been achieved, or treated with repeated 1 g MP for 3 days and 1 g CP for 1 day if the PaO(2) was <60 mmHg.
There were no differences between the two groups with regard to baseline data and plasma PQ levels. The study group patients had a lower mortality rate (39/59, 66%) than the control group patients (48/52, 92%; P=0.003, log-rank test). Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that the repeated pulse therapy was correlated with decreased hazard ratios (HR) for all-cause mortality (HR=0.50, 95% CI 0.31-0.80; P=0.004) and death from lung fibrosis-related hypoxemia (HR=0.10, 95% CI 0.04-0.25; P<0.001) in severely PQ-intoxicated patients.
Repeated pulses of CP and MP, rather than high doses of CP and DEX, may result in a lower mortality rate in patients with severe PQ poisoning.
European Journal of Intensive Care Medicine 02/2011; 37(6):1006-13. · 5.17 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Despite advances in imaging, as well as antibiotic and surgical treatment, spinal epidural abscess (SEA) remains a challenging problem in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients. This investigation assesses the influence of ESRD on clinical manifestations, complications, and outcomes in patients with SEA.
This study retrospectively reviewed medical records of 41 patients with SEA treated during 2003-2006. The patients comprised two groups: group I (patients with ESRD) and group II (patients without ESRD). Patient characteristics, including age, gender, comorbidities, clinical presentations, laboratory data, locations of epidural abscess, and outcome, were recorded and compared.
The final sample comprised 41 patients. The mean age of the subjects was 62 + 12 years. The sample included 12 patients with ESRD and 29 without ESRD. The development of symptoms was similar for both groups. Group I patients displayed higher serum erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) (108 + 26 vs. 81 + 31 mm/h, p = 0.014) and lower serum hematocrit (27.1 + 4.3 vs. 33.7 + 5.1%, p < 0.001) than group II patients. Overall survival at 3 months was 88.9% and 93.1% for patients in groups I and II, respectively (p = 0.876). Meanwhile, patients that underwent surgical decompression of epidural abscess received more surgeries than group I patients (1.08 vs. 0.55, p = 0.086), although the difference was not significant.
ESRD is a risk factor for repeat surgery in patients with SEA. This investigation suggests that ESRD patients with SEA may require aggressive surgical intervention despite ESRD not affecting their long-term prognosis.
Renal Failure 01/2011; 33(6):582-6. · 0.82 Impact Factor
-
Yung-Chang Chen,
Feng-Chun Tsai,
Chih-Hsiang Chang,
Chan-Yu Lin,
Chang-Chyi Jenq,
Kuo-Chang Juan, Hsiang-Hao Hsu,
Ming-Yang Chang,
Ya-Chung Tian,
Cheng-Chieh Hung,
Ji-Tseng Fang,
Chih-Wei Yang
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) has been utilized for patients in critical condition, such as those with life-threatening respiratory failure or postcardiotomy cardiogenic shock. This study analyzed the outcomes of patients treated with ECMO and identified the relationship between prognosis and the Acute Kidney Injury Network (AKIN) scores obtained at pre-ECMO support (AKIN0-hour); and at post-ECMO support 24 hours (AKIN24-hour) and 48 hours (AKIN48-hour).
This study reviewed the medical records of 102 critically ill patients on ECMO support at a specialized intensive care unit at a tertiary care university hospital between March 2002 and January 2008. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory variables were retrospectively collected as survival predicators.
The overall mortality rate was 57.8%. The most common condition requiring ECMO support was cardiogenic shock. Goodness-of-fit was good for AKIN0-hour, AKIN24-hour, and AKIN48-hour criteria. The AKIN0-hour, AKIN24-hour, and AKIN48-hour scoring systems also had excellent areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve (0.804±0.046, 0.811±0.045, and 0.858±0.040, respectively). Furthermore, multiple logistic regression analysis indicated that AKIN48-hour, age, and Glasgow Coma Scale score on the first day of intensive care unit admission were independent risk factors for hospital mortality. Finally, cumulative survival rates at 6-month follow-up after hospital discharge differed significantly (p<0.05) for AKIN48-hour stage 0 versus AKIN48-hour stages 1, 2, and 3; and AKIN48-hour stage 1 and 2 versus AKIN48-hour stage 3.
During ECMO support, the AKIN48-hour scoring system proved to be a reproducible evaluation tool with excellent prognostic abilities for these patients.
The Annals of thoracic surgery 01/2011; 91(1):137-42. · 3.74 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Minimal change disease (MCD) is a major cause of nephrotic syndrome in both children and adults. The diagnosis of MCD in adults relies on findings of renal biopsy. Complications, although rare, may occur. This invasive procedure is also a suffering experience for some patients. Although Shu et al described the increase of serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) level in patients with MCD, whether IgE could be a predicting factor of MCD has not been determined.
The sample was composed of 76 nonlupus patients with nephrotic range (>or=3.5 g/d/1.73 m) proteinuria and normal creatinine level who received renal biopsy since January 2006 to December 2007. Twenty-four demographic, clinical, and laboratory variables as predictors of MCD, including IgG, IgA, IgM, and IgE, were retrospectively gathered by chart review 1 day before renal biopsy.
The overall prevalence of MCD in this group (nonlupus and normal creatinine level) was 27.6% (21 of 76). The independent Student t test identified that 3 of 24 variables is statistically significant (P < 0.05). Serum IgE was found to have a good discriminative power (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve 0.868 +/- 0.053; P < 0.001) according to the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve.
Serum IgE exhibited high discriminative power in predicting MCD. Serum IgE is a straightforward and easily applied evaluative tool with good predictive abilities.
The American Journal of the Medical Sciences 09/2009; 338(4):264-7. · 1.39 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: This study retrospectively evaluated outcomes, complications, and tumor shrinkage in renal angiomyolipomas after transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE). All renal angiomyolipoma patients who underwent TAE between August 2000 and December 2008 and had short-term (<or=6 months) or long-term (>6 months) follow-up images were evaluated. Complications and tumor relapse after TAE were reviewed. The sizes of embolized tumors were measured to calculate size reductions and reduction rates after TAE. Differences in tumor size, size reduction, and reduction rate between different time points (pre-TAE, short-term follow-up, and long-term follow-up) and groups (completely and incompletely embolized) were determined. Eleven renal angiomyolipoma patients who had undergone TAE were included. Seven (63.6%) patients had postembolization syndrome and one had abscess formation following TAE. Two patients had a tumor relapse (18.2%). The mean tumor size was 8.57+/-2.66 cm on pre-TAE images. The mean size reduction was 3.1 cm (33.3%) and 3.8 cm (43.0%) at short-term and long-term follow-up. Tumor sizes differed significantly between pre-TAE and short-term (p=0.004) or long-term images (p=0.022) but not between short-term and long-term images (p=0.059). Results stratified by the completeness of embolization indicate that only the short-term size reduction rate differed significantly (p=0.025), while the long-term reduction rate and short- and long-term follow-up tumor size and size reduction were comparable between the two groups. In conclusion, selective TAE is effective for tumor shrinkage in most renal angiomyolipomas, with acceptable complication and relapse rates. Tumor shrinkage occurring within 6 months after TAE may reflect the long-term effect of TAE.
CardioVascular and Interventional Radiology 08/2009; 32(6):1171-8. · 2.09 Impact Factor
