The Key Role of Hepcidin-25 in Anemia in Multiple Myeloma Patients with Renal Impairment.

Background and objectives: Anemia is common in multiple myeloma (MM) and is caused by a complex pathomechanism, including impaired iron homeostasis. Our aim is to evaluate the biomarkers of iron turnover: serum soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR) and hepcidin-25 in patients at various stages of MM in relation with markers of anemia, iron status, inflammation, renal impairment and burden of the disease and as predictors of mortality. Materials and methods: Seventy-three MM patients (six with smoldering and 67 with symptomatic disease) were recruited and observed for up to 27 months. Control group included 21 healthy individuals. Serum sTfR and hepcidin were measured with immunoenzymatic assays. Results: MM patients with and without anemia had higher sTFR compared to controls, while only anemic patients had higher hepcidin-25. Both hepcidin-25 and sTfR were higher in anemic than non-anemic patients. Higher hepcidin-25 (but not sTfR) was associated with increasing MM advancement (from smoldering to International Staging System stage III disease) and with poor response to MM treatment, which was accompanied by lower blood hemoglobin and increased anisocytosis. Neither serum hepcidin-25 nor sTfR were correlated with markers of renal impairment. Hepcidin-25 predicted blood hemoglobin in MM patients independently of other predictors, including markers of renal impairment, inflammation and MM burden. Moreover, both blood hemoglobin and serum hepcidin-25 were independently associated with patients' 2-year survival. Conclusions: Our results suggest that hepcidin-25 is involved in anemia in MM and its concentrations are not affected by kidney impairment. Moreover, serum hepcidin-25 may be an early predictor of survival in this disease, independent of hemoglobin concentration. It should be further evaluated whether including hepcidin improves the early diagnosis of anemia in MM.

Transgelin-2 in Multiple Myeloma: A New Marker of Renal Impairment?

Transgelin is a 22-kDa protein involved in cytoskeletal organization and expressed in smooth muscle tissue. According to animal studies, it is a potential mediator of kidney injury and fibrosis, and moreover, its role in tumorigenesis is emerging in a variety of cancers. The study included 126 ambulatory patients with multiple myeloma (MM). Serum transgelin-2 concentrations were measured by enzyme-linked immunoassay. We evaluated associations between baseline transgelin and kidney function (serum creatinine, estimated glomerular filtration rate-eGFR, urinary markers of tubular injury: cystatin-C, neutrophil gelatinase associated lipocalin-NGAL monomer, cell cycle arrest biomarkers IGFBP-7 and TIMP-2) and markers of MM burden. Baseline serum transgelin was also evaluated as a predictor of kidney function after a follow-up of 27 months from the start of the study. Significant correlations were detected between serum transgelin-2 and serum creatinine (R = 0.29; p = 0.001) and eGFR (R = -0.25; p = 0.007). Transgelin significantly correlated with serum free light chains lambda (R = 0.18; p = 0.047) and serum periostin (R = -0.22; p = 0.013), after exclusion of smoldering MM patients. Patients with decreasing eGFR had higher transgelin levels (median 106.6 versus 83.9 ng/mL), although the difference was marginally significant (p = 0.05). However, baseline transgelin positively correlated with serum creatinine after the follow-up period (R = 0.37; p < 0.001) and negatively correlated with eGFR after the follow-up period (R = -0.33; p < 0.001). Moreover, higher baseline serum transgelin (beta = -0.11 ± 0.05; p = 0.032) significantly predicted lower eGFR values after the follow-up period, irrespective of baseline eGFR and follow-up duration. Our study shows for the first time that elevated serum transgelin is negatively associated with glomerular filtration in MM and predicts a decline in renal function over long-term follow-up.

Renal Impairment Detectors: IGFBP-7 and NGAL as Tubular Injury Markers in Multiple Myeloma Patients.

Background and Objectives: Urine insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 7 (IGFBP-7), tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase 2 (TIMP-2), and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) monomer are novel tubular kidney injury biomarkers. In multiple myeloma (MM), immunoglobulin free light chains (FLCs) play an integral role in renal impairment. This study aimed to investigate the correlation between new biomarkers and acclaimed parameters of renal failure, MM stage, and prognosis. Materials and Methods: The examined parameters included: urinary and serum cystatin-C, IGFBP-7, and TIMP-2, and urinary NGAL monomer in 124 enrolled patients. Results: Urinary and serum IGFBP-7 and urinary NGAL were higher among patients with an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) < 60 mL/min/1.73 m2, and positively correlated with urine light chains. Serum and urine IGFBP-7 and urine NGAL were greater among patients with a higher disease stage. In the whole study group, urinary concentrations of the studied markers were positively correlated with each other. In multiple linear regression, urinary IGFBP-7 and NGAL were associated with lower eGFR, independently of other urinary markers. Conclusions: Urinary IGFBP-7 and NGAL monomer may be useful markers of tubular renal damage in patients with MM. Biomarker-based diagnostics may contribute to earlier treatment that may improve renal outcomes and life expectancy in MM.

CRACoV-HHS: an interdisciplinary project for multi-specialist hospital and non-hospital care for patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection as well hospital staff assessment for infection exposure.

The complex course of the COVID-19 and the distant complications of the SARS-CoV-2 infection still remain an unfaded challenge for modern medicine. The care of patients with the symptomatic course of COVID-19 exceeds the competence of a single specialty, often requiring a multispecialist approach. The CRACoV-HHS (CRAcow in CoVid pandemic - Home, Hospital and Staff) project has been developed by a team of scientists and clinicians with the aim of optimizing medical care at hospital and ambulatory settings and treatment of patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection. The CRACoV project integrates 26 basic and clinical research from multiple medical disciplines, involving different populations infected with SARS-CoV-2 virus and exposed to infection. Between January 2021 and April 2022 we plan to recruit subjects among patients diagnosed and treated in the University Hospital in Cracow, the largest public hospital in Poland, i.e. 1) patients admitted to the hospital due to COVID-19 [main module: 'Hospital']; 2) patients with signs of infection who have been confirmed as having SARS-CoV-2 infection and have been referred to home isolation due to their mild course (module: 'Home isolation'); 3) patients with symptoms of infection and high exposure to SARS- CoV-2 who have a negative RT-PCR test result. In addition, survey in various professional groups of hospital employees, both medical and non-medical, and final-fifth year medical students (module: 'Staff') is planned. The project carries both scientific and practical dimension and is expected to develop a multidisciplinary model of care of COVID-19 patients as well as recommendations for the management of particular groups of patients including: asymptomatic patient or with mild symptoms of COVID-19; symptomatic patients requiring hospitalization due to more severe clinical course of disease and organ complications; patient requiring surgery; patient with diabetes; patient requiring psychological support; patient with undesirable consequences of pharmacological treatment.

Evaluating the Relationship of GDF-15 with Clinical Characteristics, Cardinal Features, and Survival in Multiple Myeloma.

Growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15), a member of the transforming growth factor-ß superfamily, participates in processes associated with myeloma development and its end-organ complications. It plays a significant role in both physiological and abnormal erythropoiesis and regulates iron homeostasis through modulation of hepcidin. It is abnormally secreted in marrow stromal cells of patients with multiple myeloma (MM), which may reflect the tumor microenvironment. We analyzed the associations of serum GDF-15 with clinical characteristics of 73 MM patients (including asymptomatic MM) and the laboratory indices of renal function, anemia, and inflammation. Baseline serum GDF-15 was studied as the predictor of two-year survival. We defined five clinically relevant subgroups of patients (symptomatic MM only, patients with and without remission, patients on chemotherapy, and without treatment). Increased GDF-15 concentrations were associated with more advanced MM stage, anemia, renal impairment (lower glomerular filtration and higher markers of tubular injury), and inflammation. Most of the results were confirmed in the subgroup analysis. Serum cystatin C and urine neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin were associated with GDF-15 independently of other variables. In the studied MM patients, GDF-15 did not significantly predict survival (p = 0.06). Our results suggest that serum GDF-15 reflects myeloma burden and shares a relationship with several markers of prognostic significance, as well as major manifestations.

NEUTROPHIL-LYMPHOCYTE RATIO AND PLATELET-LYMPHOCYTE RATIO AS PREDICTORS OF CORONARY MICROCIRCULATORY DISEASE OCCURRENCE AND OUTCOME IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC CORONARY SYNDROME AND NO SIGNIFICANT CORONARY ARTERY STENOSIS.

OBJECTIVE: Introduction: Index of microcirculatory resistance assessment is an invasive method of measuring coronary microcirculation function. Association between impaired microcirculatory function and higher rate of cardiovascular events was proven. Neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio and platelet-lymphocyte ratio seem to be a promising parameters to predict coronary microcirculatory disease in patients with chronic coronary syndrome. The aim: To determine neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio and platelet-lymphocyte ratio levels in patients with coronary microcirculatory disease and potential association with clinical outcome. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Material and methods: 82 consecutive patients with mean age of 67 years, 67% male, were tested for presence of coronary microcirculatory disease using index of microcirculatory resistance. Neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio and platelet-lymphocyte ratio were calculated based on admission full blood count. Follow-up with major adverse cardiac and cardiovascular events registration was performed (median 24 months). RESULTS: Results: The study showed significantly higher neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio and platelet-lymphocyte ratio in patients with coronary microcirculatory disease compared to control group (3.58±2.61 vs 2.54±1.09 and 164±87.9 vs 124±36.6 respectively). Higher level of platelet-lymphocyte ratio in patients with coronary microcirculatory disease results in worse MACCE-free survival. Optimal cut-off values of neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio and platelet-lymphocyte ratio to detect coronary microcirculatory disease were 3.2 and 181.3, respectively. CONCLUSION: Conclusions: Higher neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio and platelet-lymphocyte ratio are associated with increased index of microcirculatory resistance value. Platelet-lymphocyte ratio may be used as a predictor of worse outcome in patients with coronary microcirculatory disease.

Endothelial injury is closely related to osteopontin and TNF receptor-mediated inflammation in end-stage renal disease.

BACKGROUND: Endothelial dysfunction, inflammation and active mineralization are key processes involved in cardiovascular burden in end stage renal disease (ESRD). Serum (soluble) thrombomodulin (sTM) is an established marker of endothelial injury. PATIENTS: 80 patients in ESRD were recruited consecutively. Baseline distribution of sex, age, main comorbidities and Framingham score was similar. A biochemical panel including sTM, intact PTH (iPTH), interleukin-6 (IL-6), pentraxin 3 (PTX3), fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF-23), osteopontin (OPN), osteoprotegerin (OPG), osteocalcin (OC), osteonectin (ON), soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor type 2 (TNFR2), transforming growth factor-ß (TGF-ß), hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), vascular endothelial growth factor receptor type 2 (sVEGFR2) and stromal cell-derived factor 1α (SDF1α) was investigated in each patient. Samples obtained while establishing haemodialysis (HD) access were stained for radial artery calcifications (RACs) with Alizarin red and examined histologically. RESULTS: After adjustment for HD status, sTM showed a significant positive correlation with serum creatinine, TNFR2, OPN, HGF, SDF1α, sVEGFR2, Pi, iPTH, FGF-23, OPG, OC and ON. In forward stepwise multiple regression, serum creatinine, TNFR2, and OPN were identified as significant, independent predictors of sTM. Grades 1-3 of RACs correlated with sTM (R = 0.50, p = 0.017), while grade 3 RACs were significantly associated with higher sTM (p = 0.02) than less advanced lesions. CONCLUSION: Among novel renal and cardiovascular biomarkers, OPN and TNFR2 are closely related to sTM. This may link endothelial damage, vascular remodeling and inflammation. Progression of RAC parallels a presumed compensatory rise in sTM, reflecting endothelial injury. sTM has an intricate role in endothelial function and potential clinical and prognostic applications.

The clinical implication of monoclonal gammopathies: monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance and of renal significance.

Monoclonal gammopathy of renal significance (MGRS) has introduced a new perspective to several well-known disease entities impacting nephrology, haematology and pathology. Given the constantly changing disease spectrum of these entities, it is clinically imperative to establish diagnostic and treatment pathways supported by evidence-based medicine. MGRS is a disease of the kidney, secondary to plasma cell clonal proliferation or immune dysfunction, requiring therapeutic intervention to eradicate the offending clone. To fully understand the disease(s), it is prerequisite to determine the significance of the findings. The diagnostic work up should be extensive due to the wide heterogeneity of clinical presentation, ultimately necessitating kidney biopsy. Particular patient profiles such as AL amyloidosis, which may be diagnosed through biopsies of other tissues/organs, may be an exception. Treatment decisions should be formulated by multi-disciplinary consensus: nephrologists, haematologists and pathologists. The ultimate goal in managing MGRS is eradication of the offending plasma cell clone which requires targeted chemotherapy and, in eligible cases, haematopoietic stem cell transplantation. We present a review of diagnostic procedures, treatment options and advances in the last few years in the management of MGRS in an effort to acquaint specialists with this new face of several older diseases.

Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio predicts long-term all-cause mortality in patients with chronic kidney disease stage 5.

INTRODUCTION: A high neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) has been reported to be a strong biomarker of inflammation. AIM: We sought to evaluate the impact of NLR on long-term all-cause and cardio-vascular (CV) mortality in hemodialysis (HD) patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: total of 84 chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage 5 patients with 54 of them on HD, with a median age of 61.5 (51.3-74.8) years were enrolled. e association between NLR and clinical biomarkers was investigated. Multivariable Cox regression analysis was used to find significant predictors of all-cause and CV mortality at follow-up. RESULTS: the median NLR (interquartile range) was 3.0 (2.1-4.1). Patients with NLR ≥3.9 (the highest tertile) had higher five-year all-cause mortality then remaining patients (53.6% vs. 30.4%; p = 0.039). On the contrary, only a trend towards increased CV mortality was observed (25.0% vs. 42.9%; p = 0.10). NLR ≥3.9 was a significant predictor of all-cause mortality at five years [hazard ratio (95%CI): 2.23 (1.10-4.50); p = 0.025] in Cox regression model adjusted for age, gender, and diabetes status. Similarly, while using NLR as continuous variable a significant association between NLR and all-cause mortality was confirmed even a er adjustment for covariates [hazard ratio per 1 unit increase (95%CI): 1.26 (1.06-1.51); p = 0.009] with the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of 0.64. Correlations between NLR and WBC, concentration of fibrinogen, albumin were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Asymptomatic inflammation measured by NLR showed an association with long-term all-cause mortality in stage 5 CKD patients, even while white blood cell count was in the normal range.

Carboxylated and intact osteocalcin predict adiponectin concentration in hemodialyzed patients.

Purpose Disrupted bone metabolism in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with elevated concentrations of biochemical bone markers. Recently, animal studies show the role of osteocalcin in energy metabolism, which is partially confirmed in humans. The aim of our study was to evaluate the relationships between serum concentrations of bone markers and indices of energy metabolism in CKD patients on maintenance hemodialysis; in particular, the relationship between various forms of osteocalcin and adiponectin. Patients and methods The cross-sectional study included 155 hemodialyzed stage 5 CKD patients. Serum concentrations of glucose, insulin, adiponectin, bone alkaline phosphatase (bALP), tartrate resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP), carboxylated (cOC), undercarboxylated (ucOC), and intact osteocalcin (OC) were determined. Results In total cohort, bALP, TRAP, cOC, and ucOC negatively correlated with BMI. All analyzed bone markers positively correlated with adiponectin in total cohort and in men. In multiple linear regression analysis including all patients, log(cOC) and log(intact OC) were the only bone markers that predicted log(adiponectin) (beta = 0.22; p = 0.016 and beta = 0.26; p = 0.010) independently of sex, dialysis vintage, CRP, insulin, iPTH concentrations, BMI, and age. Conclusions Our data confirm the positive association between cOC, intact OC, and adiponectin concentrations in CKD patients on maintenance hemodialysis.

Cardiovascular risk in chronic kidney disease patients: intima-media thickness predicts the incidence and severity of histologically assessed medial calcification in radial arteries.

BACKGROUND: The objective of the study was to determine the relationship between common carotid artery intima-media thickness (CCA-IMT) and histologically assessed calcification of radial artery in relation to clinical features and laboratory markers of bone and mineral metabolism, inflammation, and oxidative stress in patients with stage 5 chronic kidney disease (CKD). METHODS: The study comprised 59 patients (36 hemodialyzed, 23 predialysis). CCA-IMT was measured by ultrasonography; the biochemical parameters examined were assessed using routine laboratory methods, ELISA micro-plate immunoassays and spectrophotometry. Fragments of radial artery obtained during creation of hemodialysis access were cryosectioned and stained for calcifications using von Kossa method and alizarin red. RESULTS: Glucose, osteoprotegerin, pentraxin 3 and Framingham risk score significantly correlated with CCA-IMT. In multiple regression analysis, OPG positively predicted CCA-IMT. Radial artery calcifications were found in 34 patients who showed higher CCA-IMT (0.98 ± 0.13 vs 0.86 ± 0.14 mm; P = 0.006). Higher CCA-IMT values were also associated with more advanced calcifications. CCA-IMT and the presence of plaques in common carotid artery were positive predictors of radial artery calcifications, independent of dialysis status, Framingham risk score, CRP and Ca x Pi [OR for calcifications 2.19 (1.08-4.45) per 0.1 mm increase in CCA-IMT]. The presence of radial artery calcifications was a significant predictor of mortality, independent of dialysis status and Framingham risk score [HR 3.16 (1.03-9.64)]. CONCLUSIONS: In CKD patients, CCA-IMT examination can be used as a surrogate measure to assess the incidence and severity of arterial medial calcification which is associated with poor clinical outcome in these patients.

Prevalence of the stages of chronic kidney disease (CKD) according to simplified MDRD formula in patients from ambulatory settings.

BACKGROUND: The staging system of chronic kidney disease (CKD) classification plays an important role in patients stratification according to disease activity. The aim of the study was to evaluate the frequency of appearance of consecutive stages of chronic kidney disease based on simplified MDRD formula in patients with diagnosed CKD. Additionally, relationship between eGFR values and selected biochemical parameters and comorbidities were analyzed. METHODS: The study was performed retrospectively in the group of 1176 patients (636 males and 540 females) aged between 17-98 years (mean 64.7) with creatinine level > 120 µmol/l and/or creatinine clearance < 90 ml/min/1.73 m2. RESULTS: The highest percentage of patients were designated to the 3rd CKD stage. There were positive correlations between eGFR and Hb, Ht, Fe, LDL-Ch, AspAT, HbA1c and negative correlations between eGFR and age, mean and systolic blood pressure, as well as with P, K, iPTH, and uric acid concentration. Patients with cardiovascular diseases had significaintly lower eGFR values as compare with patients without such complications, respectively: atrial fibrillation, arterial hypertension, chronic heart failure, ischaemic heart disease (p < 0.01), and myocardial infarction (p < 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: The highest percentage of patients with diagnosed CKD belong to the 3rd stage of disease. Patients with cardiovascular complications have significantly lower eGFR as compared with those without such disturbances.

Transforming growth factor beta 1 as a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases in end-stage renal disease patients treated with peritoneal dialysis.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to evaluate the relationship between the atherosclerotic changes in the carotid arteries expressed as common carotid artery intima-media thickness (CCA-IMT) with Body Mass Index (BMI), serum lipid levels, and selected inflammatory state markers in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. METHODS: The study included 67 patients (31 female and 36 male) on PD therapy for 30.4 +/- 24.2 months. Average age of the patients was 52.9 +/- 12.5 years (ranged from 19 to 75 years). The measurement of the CCA-IMT was performed by ultrasonography evaluation. BMI was calculated using the Quetelet formula. Serum lipid levels and hsCRP were performed using routine methods. IL-6, TGF-beta1, TNF-alpha, and hepatic growth factor (HGF) were tested with ELISA assays. RESULTS: In univariate analysis, the strongest factor influencing CCA-IMT was age (R = 0.54; p < 0.0001). CCA-IMT correlated positively with BMI (R = 0.39; p = 0.003). Of the inflammatory markers studied, significant correlations with CCA-IMT were shown for IL-6 (R = 0.35; p = 0.009), and TGF-beta (R = 0.31; p = 0.02). In multiple regression, only In TGF-beta1 (partial correlation coefficient = 0.29; p = 0.04) appeared to predict CCA-IMT independently of age and BMI, while IL-6 was not significant in the analysis. The regression model including age, BMI and TGF-beta1 as independent variables, explained 43% of CCA-IMT variance. Again, age was the strongest predictor of CCA-IMT (partial correlation coefficient = 0.50). CONCLUSIONS: Increased concentration of TGF-beta1 may be a biomarker of the development of cardiovascular diseases in patients treated with PD, as well as a prognostic factor in the evaluation of atherosclerosis progression in this group of patients.

Peritoneal solute transport rate as an independent risk factor for total and cardiovascular mortality in a population of peritoneal dialysis patients.

The aim of the present study was to assess the influence of peritoneal permeability expressed as the dialysate-to-plasma ratio of creatinine (D/P Cr) on total and cardiovascular (CV) mortality in a population of peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients during a 6-year observation period. The study recruited 55 patients (mean age: 53 years) treated with PD for a median of 24 months. Hematology parameters and serum albumin were determined using routine methods. Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta1) were determined by high-sensitivity ELISA. Peritoneal transport characteristics were identified using D/P Cr reference values after a peritoneal equilibration test. During the 6-year observation period, 22 patients (40%) died, mostly from CV complications (77% of deaths). In multiple Cox regression, D/P Cr and dialysate volume at PD initiation predicted total [hazard ratio (HR): 1.57; p = 0.02; and HR: 1.20; p = 0.04 respectively] and CV mortality (HR: 1.65; p = 0.02; and HR: 1.23; p = 0.05 respectively) independent of age, dialysis therapy duration, serum albumin concentration, dialysis adequacy measures, TGF-beta1, and TNF-alpha. Additionally, TNF-alpha was independently associated with all-cause and CV mortality, and albumin, with all-cause mortality. Baseline D/P Cr was a strong independent marker of survival in PD patients. Baseline D/P Cr and dialysate volume were independent risk factors for total and CV mortality in the PD population and could be significant for assessing CV risk in this population.

[Comparison of the hemodialysis adequacy conducted based on low-flux polysulfone dialyzers and high-flux helixone dialyzers]. / Porównanie adekwatnosci hemodializy prowadzonej z uzyciem niskoprzeplywowych dializatorów polisulfonowych i wysokoprzeplywowych dializatorów helixonowych.

UNLABELLED: Hemodialysis (HD) is a dynamic process, which occurs during movement through a semipermeable membrane, water soluble substances of low molecular weight. Transport across the membranes of low-flux (LF) dialyzers is based mainly on diffusion and through the membranes of high-flux (HF) dialyzers, diffusion and convection. The aim of the study was to compare the adequacy of hemodialyses conducted on the basis of the low-flux dialyzers with polysulfone membrane, and the high-flux dialyzers with helixone membrane. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 60 patients (23 women and 37 men) aged 24-84 years (mean 60.73 +/- 15.75) treated with maintenance hemodialysis (three times per week). The study enrolled clinically stable patients after a minimum 3-months period of HD. Blood tests were performed 1 time a month before the middle week dialysis session. For the first six months HD was based on LF dialyzers with polysulfone membrane, and then for an additional 6 months based on HF dialyzers with helixone membrane. RESULTS: The performed study demonstrated a statistically significant higher values of: spKtV and URR% and lower values of the urea before and after HD sessions performed based on HF-HD as compared with LF-HD (spKt/V LF = 1.26 +/- 0.23 vs. spKtV HF = 1.37 +/- 0.17; p < 0.001, URR% LF = 66.74 +/- 5.86 vs. URR% HF = 70.57 +/- 3.71; p < 0.001, urea before LF-HD = 21.57 +/- 4.57 mmol/I vs. HF-HD = 20.57 +/- 4.21 mmol/I; p < 0.01 and the urea after LF. HD = 7.19 +/- 2.25 mmol/l vs. HF-HD = 6.03 +/- 1.55 mmol/l; p < 0.001). Conclusions: The study showed better adequacy of HD treatment performed based on the high-flux dialyzers with helixone membrane as compared with low-flux dialyzers with polysulfone membrane.

[Patient receiving peritoneal dialysis after treatment of ovarian cancer]. / Pacjentka dializowana otrzewnowo, po leczeniu nowotworu zlosliwego jajnika.

Peritoneal dialysis is one of the three available options for renal replacement therapy. This method of treatment of end-stage renal disease gives patients relatively high sense of independence and control over their disease, especially in comparison with hemodialysis, and therefore is often preferable method for young individuals wishing to lead an active lifestyle. We present a case of 22 year old female patient with stage 5 of chronic kidney disease, which is a consequence of multi-agent chemotherapy for endo-dermal sinus tumor of the right ovary (diagnosed at the age of 13). Particularly important in the context of treating our patient with peritoneal dialysis is the fact of confirmed metastases into the peritoneum, which was the reason for the use of chemotherapy reserved for high-risk patients (ifosfamide + etoposide + cisplatin). The selected program of chemotherapy provided effective eradication of cancer, but a side effect of treatment was renal tubular damage. In the period from 03.2006 to 05.2007 our patient required hemodialysis (with gradually reduce dose of dialysis), at a later time to 12.2011 patient did not require renal replacement therapy (stable renal function were observed at the stage 4 of chronic kidney disease), but in 12.2011 resumption of dialysis was necessary and the patient, in accordance with her selection, is receiving peritoneal dialysis. Qualification of our patient for treatment with peritoneal dialysis was associated with reasonable concern about the ability to provide acceptable adequacy of dialysis. Apprehensions proved to be unfounded, the clinical observation of the patient presents proper ratios of dialysis adequacy. Our patient was also qualified for renal transplantation.

Risk factors of acute kidney injury during hospitalization in acute ischaemic stroke patients undergoing mechanical thrombectomy.

Introduction: Acute kidney injury (AKI) seems to worsen the prognosis of acute ischaemic stroke (AIS) patients treated with mechanical thrombectomy (MT). At the same time, the procedure of MT increases AKI risk by iodinated contrast use. Identification of factors predisposing to AKI after MT is important for recognizing vulnerable patients and successful prevention. Aim: To identify factors associated with the occurrence of AKI during hospitalization in MT-treated AIS patients. Material and methods: The study included all AIS patients treated with MT in the University Hospital in Krakow from 2019 to 2021. The diagnosis of AKI during hospitalisation was based on serum creatinine concentration levels, according to the Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes guidelines. We compared patients with and without AKI in terms of age, sex, comorbidities, stroke course and laboratory test results at admission. We identified factors associated with the occurrence of AKI using univariate logistic regression analysis, with significant variables subsequently added to the multivariate analyses. Results: Among 593 MT-treated AIS patients the incidence of AKI during hospitalisation was 12.6%. AKI development was associated with diabetes, chronic kidney disease, total volume of iodinated contrast obtained during hospitalisation, posterior circulation stroke, lack of intravenous thrombolysis, and laboratory test results at admission: haemoglobin, glucose, urea, potassium, and creatinine. Total contrast volume and urea level were the most important independent risk factors associated with occurrence of AKI. Conclusions: AKI is common in MT-treated AIS patients. There is a need to establish a protocol for decreasing the risk of AKI in AIS patients undergoing MT and, in case it occurs, a procedure for its treatment.

Short- and long-term outcomes of mechanical thrombectomy in acute ischemic stroke patients with chronic kidney disease.

INTRODUCTION: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a risk factor of acute ischemic stroke (AIS). Outcomes of treatment with mechanical thrombectomy (MT) in patients with CKD seem to be poorer than in the general population. Long-term follow-up studies are lacking. OBJECTIVES: Assessing short- and long-term outcomes (up to 365 days after stroke) in MT-treated AIS patients with concomitant CKD. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study included all AIS patients treated with MT in a Comprehensive Stroke Center from 2019 to 2021. The subjects were divided into CKD group (best glomerular filtration rate during hospitalization <60 ml/min/1.73 m2 or CKD diagnosed in patient's medical history) and controls. In-hospital, 90-day and 365-day mortality and rate of good functional outcomes (defined as modified Rankin Scale ≤2) were compared between CKD patients and controls as well as between patients with CKD stages 1-3 (GFR ≥30ml/min/1.73m2) and 4-5 (GFR <30ml/min/1.73m2). Factors associated with abovementioned outcomes were identified using univariable logistic regression analyses and then added to multivariable analyses. RESULTS: CKD patients had higher 90- and 365-day mortality and lower 90- and 365-day good functional outcome rates than controls. Patients with CKD stage 4-5 had significantly higher in-hospital, 90-day and 365-day mortality than patients with CKD stage 1-3. Neither CKD nor its late stages (4-5) were independently associated with short- and long-term mortality and functional outcomes of MT. CONCLUSIONS: Outcomes of MT-treatment in CKD patients are worse, especially in advanced stages of the disease, but CKD is not independently associated with bad prognosis. CKD alone should not be a contraindication for MT in otherwise eligible patients, although patients with impaired kidney function require more careful postprocedural monitoring.

Predicting acute kidney injury onset with a random forest algorithm using electronic medical records of COVID-19 patients: the CRACoV-AKI model.

INTRODUCTION: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a serious and common complication of SARS­CoV­2 infection. Most risk assessment tools for AKI have been developed in the intensive care unit or in elderly populations. As the COVID­19 pandemic is transitioning into an endemic phase, there is an unmet need for prognostic scores tailored to the population of patients hospitalized for this disease. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to develop a robust predictive model for the occurrence of AKI in hospitalized patients with COVID­19. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Electronic medical records of all adult inpatients admitted between March 2020 and January 2022 were extracted from the database of a large, tertiary care center with a reference status in Lesser Poland. We screened 5806 patients with SARS­CoV­2 infection confirmed with a polymerase chain reaction test. After excluding individuals with lacking data on serum creatinine levels and those with a mild disease course (<7 days of inpatient care), a total of 4630 records were considered. Data were randomly split into training (n = 3462) and test (n = 1168) sets. A random forest model was tuned with feature engineering based on expert advice and metrics evaluated in nested cross­validation to reduce bias. RESULTS: Nested cross­validation yielded an area under the curve ranging between 0.793 and 0.807, and an average performance of 0.798. Model explanation techniques from a global perspective suggested that a need for respiratory support, chronic kidney disease, and procalcitonin concentration were among the most important variables in permutation tests. CONCLUSIONS: The CRACoV­AKI model enables AKI risk stratification among hospitalized patients with COVID­19. Machine learning-based tools may thus offer additional decision­making support for specialist providers.

[Evaluation of the interdependence between homocystein and folic acid levels in patients after kidney transplantation during a 2 year observation period]. / Ocena zaleznosci homocysteinemii i kwasu foliowego u chorych po przeszczepieniu nerki w róznych okresach od momentu wykonania zabiegu w trakcie dwuletniej obserwacji.

UNLABELLED: Patients on maintenance dialysis have increased heomocystein (Hcy) serum levels. The aim of the study was to evaluate the interdependence between Hcy and folic acid (FA) levels in renal transplant patients (pts) at various time periods during a two year observation period after kidney transplantation (Ktx). PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study included 51 pts (17 F, 34 M) aged 15-62 years (median 38.1) after deceased donors Ktx. Before Ktx, 46 pts were treated with maintenance hemodialysis (HD), while 5 by peritoneal dialysis (PD). The mean observation period equaled 21.2 months (6-24 months); while total observation period was 90 person/years. Hcy level was measured using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). FA level was measured using chemiluminesence method (standard methods) using the Immulite 2000 analyzer. Patients blood was drawn before Ktx and 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21 and 24 months after procedure. RESULTS: An increased Hcy level (>15 micromol/l) - mean 28.5 +/- 17.8 micromol/l (range from 10.2 micromol/l to 116.8 micromol/I) was noted in the blood of 44 pts before Ktx (86.3% of the examined population). In 31 pts after Ktx (60.8% of the examined population), mean Hcy level remained increased above 15 micromol/I (mean Hcy - 19.2 +/- 5.8 micromol/I). A negative correlation was found between the levels of Hcy and FA directly before Ktx (R= -0.28, p<0.05). A statistically significant drop of FA level of 72.6% (mean 220.5 +/- 395.1 ng/ml to 60.3 +/- 129.8 ng/ mi) was noted 3 months after Ktx in the examined group (p<0.001 in the Wilcoxon test). However, in the following period time after Ktx, FA levels did not differ statistically (ANOVA Friedmana p=NS). Mean concentrations of Hcy after Ktx did not correlate significantly with levels of FA (R = -0.12, p = NS). No significant differences between mean levels of FA after Ktx in pts with normal and increased mean levels of Hcy were found; but one must note that presence of hiperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) was associated with a 42% lower concentration of FA in relation to patients who had Hcy >15 micromol/l (36.4 ng/ml vs. 62.5 ng/ml). CONCLUSIONS: Statistically significant decrease of Hcy concentration was observed after Ktx as compare with values before procedure, however not reached normal values. Significant decrease of FA concentration after Ktx is most likely associated with the discontinuation of FA supplementation, as well as due to the restoration of the erythropoietic line.