Interventional nephrology and vascular access practice: A perspective from South and Southeast Asia.

South and Southeast Asia is the most populated, heterogeneous part of the world. The Association of Vascular Access and InTerventionAl Renal physicians (AVATAR Foundation), India, gathered trends on epidemiology and Interventional Nephrology (IN) for this region. The countries were divided as upper-middle- and higher-income countries as Group-1 and lower and lower-middle-income countries as Group-2. Forty-three percent and 70% patients in the Group 1 and 2 countries had unplanned hemodialysis (HD) initiation. Among the incident HD patients, the dominant Vascular Access (VA) was non-tunneled central catheter (non-TCC) in 70% of Group 2 and tunneled central catheter (TCC) in 32.5% in Group 1 countries. Arterio-Venous Fistula (AVF) in the incident HD patients was observed in 24.5% and 35% of patients in Group-2 and Group-1, respectively. Eight percent and 68.7% of the prevalent HD patients in Group-2 and Group-1 received HD through an AVF respectively. Nephrologists performing any IN procedure were 90% and 60% in Group-2 and Group 1, respectively. The common procedures performed by nephrologists include renal biopsy (93.3%), peritoneal dialysis (PD) catheter insertion (80%), TCC (66.7%) and non-TCC (100%). Constraints for IN include lack of time (73.3%), lack of back-up (40%), lack of training (73.3%), economic issues (33.3%), medico-legal problems (46.6%), no incentive (20%), other interests (46.6%) and institution not supportive (26%). Routine VA surveillance is performed in 12.5% and 83.3% of Group-2 and Group-1, respectively. To conclude, non-TCC and TCC are the most common vascular access in incident HD patients in Group-2 and Group-1, respectively. Lack of training, back-up support and economic constraints were main constraints for IN growth in Group-2 countries.

Peritoneal dialysis: Status report in South and South East Asia.

BACKGROUND: Peritoneal dialysis (PD) as a modality of kidney replacement therapy (KRT) is largely underutilized globally. We analyzed PD utilization, impact of economic status, projected growth and impact of state policy(s) on PD growth in South Asia and Southeast Asia (SA&SEA) region. METHODS: The National Nephrology Societies of the region responded to a questionnaire on KRT practices. The responses were based on the latest registry data, acceptable community-based studies and societal perceptions. The representative countries were divided into high income and higher-middle income (HI & HMI) and low income and lower-middle income (LI & LMI) groups. RESULTS: Data provided by 15 countries showed almost similar percentage of GDP as health expenditure (4%-7%). But there was a significant difference in per capita income (HI & HMI -US$ 28 129 vs. LI & LMI - US$ 1710.2) between the groups. Even after having no significant difference in monthly cost of haemodialysis (HD) and PD in LI & LMI countries, they have poorer PD utilization as compared to HI & HMI countries (3.4% vs. 10.1%); the reason being lack of formal training/incentives and time constraints for the nephrologist while lack of reimbursement and poor general awareness of modalities has been a snag for the patients. The region expects ≥10% PD growth in the near future. Hong Kong and Thailand with 'PD first' policy have the highest PD utilization. CONCLUSION: Important deterrents to PD underutilization were lack of PD centric policies, lackadaisical patient/physician's attitude, lack of structured patient awareness programs, formal training programs and affordability.

Aetiology, practice patterns and burden of end-stage kidney disease in South Asia and South-East Asia: A questionnaire-based survey.

AIM: There is paucity of data on the epidemiology of end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) from South Asia and South-East Asia. The objective of this study was to assess the aetiology, practice patterns and disease burden and growth of ESKD in the region comparing the economies. METHODS: The national nephrology societies of the region; responded to the questionnaire; based on latest registries, acceptable community-based studies and society perceptions. The countries in the region were classified into Group 1 (High|higher-middle-income) and Group 2 (lower|lowermiddle income). Student t-test, Mann-Whitney U test and Fisher's exact test were used for comparison. RESULTS: Fifteen countries provided the data. The average incidence of ESKD was estimated at 226.7 per million population (pmp), (Group 1 vs. Group 2, 305.8 vs. 167.8 pmp) and average prevalence at 940.8 pmp (Group 1 vs. Group 2, 1306 vs. 321 pmp). Group 1 countries had a higher incidence and prevalence of ESKD. Diabetes, hypertension and chronic glomerulonephritis were most common causes. The mean age in Group 2 was lower by a decade (Group 1 vs. Group 2-59.45 vs 47.7 years). CONCLUSION: Haemodialysis was the most common kidney replacement therapy in both groups and conservative management of ESKD was the second commonest available treatment option within Group 2. The disease burden was expected to grow >20% in 50% of Group 1 countries and 78% of Group 2 countries along with the parallel growth in haemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis.

Percutaneous Renal Biopsy: Comparison of Blind and Real-time Ultrasound Guided Technique.

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous renal biopsy is performed for diagnosis and prediction of prognosis of renal diseases. Adequacy of tissue and clinically significant bleeding are the main issues of the procedure. We aimed to compare these issues in renal biopsy by blind and real time ultrasound guided technique. METHODS: It was a cross sectional, randomized study conducted between June 2016 to December 2016. In blind technique, marking for biopsy was done by ultrasound. Two attempts were performed for all and more if tissue was inadequate. Patients kept in bed rest for 24 hours, observed for post procedure hematuria and ultrasound done at 6 hours and 24 hours to diagnose perinephric hematoma. RESULTS: Total 75 biopsies (blind = 37 and Ultrasound -guided = 38) were evaluated. Blind and Ultrasound-guided technique had significant difference of number of attempt (mean±SD) 2.4±0.6 and 2.1±0.3 (p<0.01) respectively with no difference of number of glomeruli in light microscopy. Bleeding complications were macroscopic hematuria (11(30%)vs15(40%)) and perinephric hematoma ( 5(13.5%)vs3(7.9%)) in blind and Ultrasound-guided technique respectively with no significant difference. Those patients who developed perinephric hematoma was observed in all at 6 hours. CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasound-guided technique of percutaneous renal biopsy is superior with fewer attempts and equivalent in adequacy of tissue and bleeding complication than blind technique.

Forks in the tracks: Group II introns, spliceosomes, telomeres and beyond.

Group II introns are large catalytic RNAs that form a ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complex by binding to an intron-encoded protein (IEP). The IEP, which facilitates both RNA splicing and intron mobility, has multiple activities including reverse transcriptase. Recent structures of a group II intron RNP complex and of IEPs from diverse bacteria fuel arguments that group II introns are ancestrally related to eukaryotic spliceosomes as well as to telomerase and viruses. Furthermore, recent structural studies of various functional states of the spliceosome allow us to draw parallels between the group II intron RNP and the spliceosome. Here we present an overview of these studies, with an emphasis on the structure of the IEPs in their isolated and RNA-bound states and on their evolutionary relatedness. In addition, we address the conundrum of the free, albeit truncated IEPs forming dimers, whereas the IEP bound to the intron ribozyme is a monomer in the mature RNP. Future studies needed to resolve some of the outstanding issues related to group II intron RNP function and dynamics are also discussed.

Structure of a group II intron in complex with its reverse transcriptase.

Bacterial group II introns are large catalytic RNAs related to nuclear spliceosomal introns and eukaryotic retrotransposons. They self-splice, yielding mature RNA, and integrate into DNA as retroelements. A fully active group II intron forms a ribonucleoprotein complex comprising the intron ribozyme and an intron-encoded protein that performs multiple activities including reverse transcription, in which intron RNA is copied into the DNA target. Here we report cryo-EM structures of an endogenously spliced Lactococcus lactis group IIA intron in its ribonucleoprotein complex form at 3.8-Å resolution and in its protein-depleted form at 4.5-Å resolution, revealing functional coordination of the intron RNA with the protein. Remarkably, the protein structure reveals a close relationship between the reverse transcriptase catalytic domain and telomerase, whereas the active splicing center resembles the spliceosomal Prp8 protein. These extraordinary similarities hint at intricate ancestral relationships and provide new insights into splicing and retromobility.

Assessment of Nutritional Status of Nepalese Hemodialysis Patients by Anthropometric Examinations and Modified Quantitative Subjective Global Assessment.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the nutritional status of patients on maintenance hemodialysis by using modified quantitative subjective global assessment (MQSGA) and anthropometric measurements. METHOD: We Conducted a cross sectional descriptive analytical study to assess the nutritional status of fifty four patients with chronic kidney disease undergoing maintenance hemodialysis by using MQSGA and different anthropometric and laboratory measurements like body mass index (BMI), mid-arm circumference (MAC), mid-arm muscle circumference (MAMC), triceps skin fold (TSF) and biceps skin fold (BSF), serum albumin, C-reactive protein (CRP) and lipid profile in a government tertiary hospital at Kathmandu, Nepal. RESULTS: Based on MQSGA criteria, 66.7% of the patients suffered from mild to moderate malnutrition and 33.3% were well nourished. None of the patients were severely malnourished. CRP was positive in 56.3% patients. Serum albumin, MAC and BMI were (mean + SD) 4.0 + 0.3 mg/dl, 22 + 2.6 cm and 19.6 ± 3.2 kg/m(2) respectively. MQSGA showed negative correlation with MAC (r = -0.563; P = <0.001), BMI (r = -0.448; P = <0.001), MAMC (r = -0.506; P = <.0001), TSF (r = -0.483; P = <.0002), and BSF (r = -0.508; P = <0.0001). Negative correlation of MQSGA was also found with total cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL cholesterol and HDL cholesterol without any statistical significance. CONCLUSION: Mild to moderate malnutrition was found to be present in two thirds of the patients undergoing hemodialysis. Anthropometric measurements like BMI, MAC, MAMC, BSF and TSF were negatively correlated with MQSGA. Anthropometric and laboratory assessment tools could be used for nutritional assessment as they are relatively easier, cheaper and practical markers of nutritional status.

A comparison of glomerular filtration rate by creatinine based equations and DTPA-renogram in healthy adult kidney donors.

INTRODUCTION: Accurate determination of donor kidney function has important long-term implications for both donor health and recipient outcome. Many centers use 24 hour urinary creatinine clearance or creatinine-based GFR estimations to assess kidney function but their performance when compared with GFR measurements by isotope clearance remains inconclusive. We assessed the performance of creatinine based equations against DTPA GFR for evaluating Nepalese kidney donors. METHODS: All kidney donors who had undergone both DTPA GFR estimation and 24 hour urine CrCl were included. The performance of the urine-CrCl, CG-CrCl, modified MDRD GFR against DTPA GFR was evaluated by analyzing global bias, precision (R2),Pearson correlation and accuracy percentage within 30% and 15%. The sensitivity and specificity of each predictive equation in selecting donor with GFR of ≥80 mL/min/1.73 m2 was also calculated. RESULTS: Of 51 donors analysed, only 18 (35.29%) were male. The mean measured GFR was 102.752±16.71 mL/min/1.73 m2. Of all prediction equations, urine-CrCL has most precision (R2=0.207) with the highest pearson correlation (0.455) and highest accuracy percentage within 30% and 15%. However, predictive performance was poor for all the equations. The urine CrCl had highest sensitivity of 100% for detecting donor with measured GFR>80 mL/min/1.73 m2 with positive predictive value of 92.1%. CONCLUSIONS: The performance of all equations was disappointing and even the best performing equation urine-CrCl was suboptimal for donor selection. So considering the potential risk of living kidney donation, other more accurate methods of GFR estimation should be used.