The interaction of the ribotoxin α-sarcin with complex model lipid vesicles.

Fungal ribotoxins are extracellular RNases that inactivate ribosomes by cleaving a single phosphodiester bond at the universally conserved sarcin-ricin loop of the large rRNA. However, to reach the ribosomes, they need to cross the plasma membrane. It is there where these toxins show their cellular specificity, being especially active against tumoral or virus-infected cells. Previous studies have shown that fungal ribotoxins interact with negatively charged membranes, typically containing phosphatidylserine or phosphatidylglycerol. This ability is rooted on their long, non-structured, positively charged loops, and its N-terminal ß-hairpin. However, its effect on complex lipid mixtures, including sphingophospholipids or cholesterol, remains poorly studied. Here, wild-type α-sarcin was used to evaluate its interaction with a variety of membranes not assayed before, which resemble much more closely mammalian cell membranes. The results confirm that α-sarcin is particularly sensitive to charge density on the vesicle surface. Its ability to induce vesicle aggregation is strongly influenced by both the lipid headgroup and the degree of saturation of the fatty acid chains. Acyl chain length is indeed particularly important for lipid mixing. Finally, cholesterol plays an important role in diluting the concentration of available negative charges and modulates the ability of α-sarcin to cross the membrane.

Sticholysin recognition of ceramide-phosphoethanolamine.

Actinoporins are pore-forming toxins produced by sea anemones. They exert their activity by binding to the membranes of target cells. There, they oligomerize, forming cation-selective pores, and inducing cell death by osmotic shock. In the early days of the field, it was shown that accessible sphingomyelin (SM) in the bilayer is required for the activity of actinoporins. While these toxins can also act on membranes composed solely of phosphatidylcholine (PC) with a high amount of cholesterol (Chol), consensus is that SM acts as a lipid receptor for actinoporins. It has been shown that the 2NH and 3OH moieties of SM are essential for actinoporin recognition. Hence, we wondered if ceramide-phosphoethanolamine (CPE) could also be recognized. Like SM, CPE has the 2NH and 3OH groups, and a positively charged headgroup. While actinoporins have been observed to affect membranes containing CPE, Chol was always also present, with the recognition of CPE remaining unclear. To test this possibility, we used sticholysins, produced by the Caribbean Sea anemone Stichodactyla helianthus. Our results show that sticholysins can induce calcein release on vesicles composed only of PC and CPE, in absence of Chol, in a way that is comparable to that induced on PC:SM membranes.

Sea Anemones, Actinoporins, and Cholesterol.

Spanish or Spanish-speaking scientists represent a remarkably populated group within the scientific community studying pore-forming proteins. Some of these scientists, ourselves included, focus on the study of actinoporins, a fascinating group of metamorphic pore-forming proteins produced within the venom of several sea anemones. These toxic proteins can spontaneously transit from a water-soluble fold to an integral membrane ensemble because they specifically recognize sphingomyelin in the membrane. Once they bind to the bilayer, they subsequently oligomerize into a pore that triggers cell-death by osmotic shock. In addition to sphingomyelin, some actinoporins are especially sensible to some other membrane components such as cholesterol. Our group from Universidad Complutense of Madrid has focused greatly on the role played by sterols in this water-membrane transition, a question which still remains only partially solved and constitutes the main core of the article below.

Different approaches to long-term treatment of aHUS due to MCP mutations: a multicenter analysis.

BACKGROUND: Atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) is a rare, life-threatening microangiopathy, frequently causing kidney failure. Inhibition of the terminal complement complex with eculizumab is the only licensed treatment but mostly requires long-term administration and risks severe side effects. The underlying genetic cause of aHUS is thought to influence the severity of initial and recurring episodes, with milder courses in patients with mutations in membrane cofactor protein (MCP). METHODS: Twenty pediatric cases of aHUS due to isolated heterozygous MCP mutations were reported from 12 German pediatric nephrology centers to describe initial presentation, timing of relapses, treatment, and kidney outcome. RESULTS: The median age of onset was 4.6 years, with a female to male ratio of 1:3. Without eculizumab maintenance therapy, 50% (9/18) of the patients experienced a first relapse after a median period of 3.8 years. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed a relapse-free survival of 93% at 1 year. Four patients received eculizumab long-term treatment, while 3 patients received short courses. We could not show a benefit from complement blockade therapy on long term kidney function, independent of short-term or long-term treatment. To prevent 1 relapse with eculizumab, the theoretical number-needed-to-treat (NNT) was 15 for the first year and 3 for the first 5 years after initial presentation. CONCLUSION: Our study shows that heterozygous MCP mutations cause aHUS with a risk of first relapse of about 10% per year, resulting in large NNTs for prevention of relapses with eculizumab. More studies are needed to define an optimal treatment schedule for patients with MCP mutations to minimize the risks of the disease and treatment.

Endurance-oriented training program with children and adolescents on maintenance hemodialysis to enhance dialysis efficacy-DiaSport.

OBJECTIVE: Pediatric patients spend significant time on maintenance hemodialysis (HD) and traveling. They are often not capable of participating in sports activities. To assess the effects of exercise training during HD on dialysis efficacy in children and adolescents, we set up a multi-center randomized controlled trial (RCT). METHODS: Patients on HD, age 6 to 18 years, were randomized either to 3× weekly bicycle ergometer training or to no training during HD for 12 weeks. Change in single-pool Kt/V (spKt/V) was the primary outcome parameter. RESULTS: We randomized 54 patients of whom 45 qualified (23 in the intervention and 22 in the waiting control group, 14.5 ± 3.01 years, 32 male and 13 female) for the intention-to-treat (ITT) population. Only 26 patients finished study per-protocol (PP). Training was performed for an average of 11.96 weeks (0.14-13.14) at 2.08 ± 0.76 times per week and for a weekly mean of 55.52 ± 27.26 min. Single-pool Kt/V was similar in the intervention compared to the control group (1.70 [0.33] vs. 1.79 [0.55]) at V0 and (1.70 [0.36] vs. 1.71 [0.51]) at V1; secondary endpoints also showed no difference in both ITT and PP analysis. No significant adverse events were reported. No bleeding or needle dislocation occurred in 1670 training sessions. CONCLUSIONS: Intradialytic bicycle training is safe, but does not improve dialysis efficacy and physical fitness. However, the study can be considered underpowered, particularly because of high dropout rates. Future studies need better strategies to increase motivation and compliance and other more effective/intensive exercise measures should be evaluated. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The trial was registered in ClinicalTrials.Gov ( Clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT01561118) on March 22, 2012.

Exome Sequencing and Identification of Phenocopies in Patients With Clinically Presumed Hereditary Nephropathies.

RATIONALE & OBJECTIVE: Hereditary nephropathies are clinically and genetically heterogeneous disorders. For some patients, the clinical phenotype corresponds to a specific hereditary disease but genetic testing reveals that the expected genotype is not present (phenocopy). The aim of this study was to evaluate the spectrum and frequency of phenocopies identified by using exome sequencing in a cohort of patients who were clinically suspected to have hereditary kidney disorders. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional cohort study. SETTING & PARTICIPANTS: 174 unrelated patients were recruited for exome sequencing and categorized into 7 disease groups according to their clinical presentation. They included autosomal dominant tubulointerstitial kidney disease, Alport syndrome, congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract, ciliopathy, focal segmental glomerulosclerosis/steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome, VACTERL association, and "other." RESULTS: A genetic diagnosis (either likely pathogenic or pathogenic variant according to the guidelines of the American College of Medical Genetics) was established using exome sequencing in 52 of 174 (30%) cases. A phenocopy was identified for 10 of the 52 exome sequencing-solved cases (19%), representing 6% of the total cohort. The most frequent phenocopies (n=5) were associated with genetic Alport syndrome presenting clinically as focal segmental glomerulosclerosis/steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome. Strictly targeted gene panels (<25 kilobases) did not identify any of the phenocopy cases. LIMITATIONS: The spectrum of described phenocopies is small. Selection bias may have altered the diagnostic yield within disease groups in our study population. The study cohort was predominantly of non-Finnish European descent, limiting generalizability. Certain hereditary kidney diseases cannot be diagnosed by using exome sequencing (eg, MUC1-autosomal dominant tubulointerstitial kidney disease). CONCLUSIONS: Phenocopies led to the recategorization of disease and altered clinical management. This study highlights that exome sequencing can detect otherwise occult genetic heterogeneity of kidney diseases.

Contingent Negative Variation in the Evaluation of Neurocognitive Disorders Due to Possible Alzheimer's Disease.

The usefulness of Contingent Negative Variation (CNV) potential as a biomarker of neurocognitive disorders due to possible Alzheimer's disease, is based on its possible physiological correlates. However, its application in the diagnostic evaluation of these disorders is still incipient. The aim of this study is to characterize the patterns of cognitive processing of information in the domain of nonspecific global attention, by recording potential CNV in a group of patients with neurocognitive disorders due to possible Alzheimer's disease. An experimental study of cases and controls was carried out. The sample included 39 patients classified according to DSM-5 with a neurocognitive disorder subtype possibly due Alzheimer's disease, and a Control Group of 53 subjects with normal cognitive functions. CNV potential was registered using standard protocol. The analysis of variance obtained significant differences in mean values and confidence intervals of total CNV amplitude between the three study groups. The late CNV segment amplitudes makes it possible to discriminate between the level of mild and major dysfunction in the group of patients. The CNV total amplitudes of potential allows for effective discrimination between normal cognitive functioning and neurocognitive disorders due to possible Alzheimer's disease.

Combined liver-kidney transplantation for children with autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease (ARPKD): indication and outcome.

In ARPKD, mutations in the PKHD1 gene lead to remodeling of the kidneys and liver. These may result in progressive liver fibrosis with portal hypertension requiring combined liver and kidney transplantation (CLKT). There is currently no consensus on the indication for CLKT and data on long-term outcomes are scarce. We analyzed in detail the pretransplant liver symptomatology, laboratory and ultrasound data, histological studies, and genotypes in eight patients undergoing CLKT. The median age was 10.1 years (range 1.7-16) and median follow-up was 4.6 years (range 1.1-8.9). All patients had clinical signs of portal hypertension and abnormal ultrasound findings. Congenital hepatic fibrosis was present in all pretransplant biopsies (6 out of 8 patients) and in all explanted livers. All patients survived; liver and kidney graft survival was 72% and 88%, respectively. Liver and kidney function were stable in all patients with a median eGFR of 70 ml/min/1.73 m² (range 45-108 ml/min/1.73 m²). Height-SDS improved significantly after 12, 24, and 36 months (P = 0.016, 0.022 and 0.018 respectively). The indication for CLKT remains challenging and controversial. A favorable outcome for patients with ARPKD can be achieved by using the degree of portal hypertension, longitudinal ultrasound examinations, and preoperative liver histology as parameters for CLKT.

Normal adult height after steroid-withdrawal within 6 months of pediatric kidney transplantation: a 20 years single center experience.

Long-term corticosteroid treatment impairs growth in children after kidney transplantation (KTx). The impact of steroid withdrawal with respect to adult height remains to be elucidated. In this single-center retrospective analysis linear growth and graft function in 74 pediatric KTx patients transplanted between 1981 and 2001 was investigated. Mean follow up was 8.5years. Steroids were weaned off between months 4 and 6. Steroid withdrawal resulted in sustained catch-up growth after KTx. Absolute and standardized height velocity in prepubertal patients during the first year post-KTx was 8.9cm/year and +2.9 SD score (SDS), respectively (P<0.001 versus healthy children). Mean adult height amounted to -0.5±1.1 SDS and -1.0±1.3 SDS in prepubertal and pubertal patients and was within the normal range (>-2 SD) in 94% and 80% of them. Multiple regression analysis revealed age and standardized height at KTx as independent predictors of adult height (model r(2) =0.48). Overall graft survival at 5 and 10years was 92% and 71%, respectively. Steroid withdrawal during month 4-6 after KTx in prepubertal patients results in an adult height within the normal range, whereas catch-up growth is limited in pubertal patients.

Determination of the boundary lipids of sticholysins using tryptophan quenching.

Sticholysins are α-pore-forming toxins produced by the sea-anemone Stichodactyla helianthus. These toxins exert their activity by forming pores on sphingomyelin-containing membranes. Recognition of sphingomyelin by sticholysins is required to start the process of pore formation. Sphingomyelin recognition is coupled with membrane binding and followed by membrane penetration and oligomerization. Many features of these processes are known. However, the extent of contact with each of the different kinds of lipids present in the membrane has received little attention. To delve into this question, we have used a phosphatidylcholine analogue labeled at one of its acyl chains with a doxyl moiety, a known quencher of tryptophan emission. Here we present evidence for the contact of sticholysins with phosphatidylcholine lipids in the sticholysin oligomer, and for how each sticholysin isotoxin is affected differently by the inclusion of cholesterol in the membrane. Furthermore, using phosphatidylcholine analogs that were labeled at different positions of their structure (acyl chains and headgroup) in combination with a variety of sticholysin mutants, we also investigated the depth of the tryptophan residues of sticholysins in the bilayer. Our results indicate that the position of the tryptophan residues relative to the membrane normal is deeper when cholesterol is absent from the membrane.

Sticholysin I-II oligomerization in the absence of membranes.

Sticholysins are pore-forming toxins produced by the sea anemone Stichodactyla helianthus. When they encounter a sphingomyelin-containing membrane, these proteins bind to it and oligomerize, a process that ends in pore formation. Mounting evidence indicates that StnII can favour the activity of StnI. Previous results have shown that these two isotoxins can oligomerize together. Furthermore, StnII appeared to potentiate the activity of StnI through the membrane-binding step of the process. Hence, isotoxin interaction should occur prior to membrane encounter. Here, we have used analytical ultracentrifugation to investigate the oligomerization of Stns in solution, both separately and together. Our results indicate that while StnI seems to be more prone to oligomerize in water solution than StnII, a small percentage of StnII in StnI-StnII mixtures promotes oligomerization.

The 300 Most-Cited Articles in Implant Dentistry.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to review and evaluate the characteristics of the 300 most-cited articles that have been published in the most important implant dentistry journals. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A search and selection of the most-cited articles up to October 2014 was conducted for implant journals with the highest impact factors, according to the ISI Web of Science. The 300-most-cited articles were evaluated according to the most commonly studied topics and methodological designs used. The most-cited journals and the number of articles cited by year were calculated. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the results. RESULTS: The most-cited topics consisted of implant success/survival and guided bone regeneration, and the most-cited methodological designs were case series and cohort studies. The most frequently referenced journal was The International Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Implants, with 47% of the citations, and the period with the most citations was 1996 to 2000. CONCLUSION: Longitudinal studies of success and survival have had great scientific impact on the practice of implant dentistry. Awareness of the most-cited articles in implant dentistry will contribute to scientific advances, as it serves to identify the most researched areas, the most frequently used study designs, and areas that require further research.

Identification of a Novel Heterozygous De Novo 7-bp Frameshift Deletion in PBX1 by Whole-Exome Sequencing Causing a Multi-Organ Syndrome Including Bilateral Dysplastic Kidneys and Hypoplastic Clavicles.

INTRODUCTION: Congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract (CAKUT) represent the primary cause of chronic kidney disease in children. Many genes have been attributed to the genesis of this disorder. Recently, haploinsufficiency of PBX1 caused by microdeletions has been shown to result in bilateral renal hypoplasia and other organ malformations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Here, we report on a 14-year-old male patient with congenital bilateral dysplastic kidneys, cryptorchidism, hypoplastic clavicles, developmental delay, impaired intelligence, and minor dysmorphic features. Presuming a syndromic origin, we performed SNP array analysis to scan for large copy number variations (CNVs) followed by whole-exome sequencing (WES). Sanger sequencing was done to confirm the variant's de novo status. RESULTS: SNP array analysis did not reveal any microdeletions or -duplications larger than 50 or 100 kb, respectively. WES identified a novel heterozygous 7-bp frameshift deletion in PBX1 (c.413_419del, p.Gly138Valfs*40) resulting in a loss-of-function. The de novo status could be confirmed by Sanger sequencing. DISCUSSION: By WES, we identified a novel heterozygous de novo 7-bp frameshift deletion in PBX1. Our findings expand the spectrum of causative variants in PBX1-related CAKUT. In this case, WES proved to be the apt technique to detect the variant responsible for the patient's phenotype, as single gene testing is not feasible given the multitude of genes involved in CAKUT and SNP array analysis misses rare single-nucleotide variants and small Indels.

Transition structures and timing of transfer from paediatric to adult-based care after kidney transplantation in Germany: a qualitative study.

OBJECTIVES: It is known that transition, as a shift of care, marks a vulnerable phase in the adolescents' lives with an increased risk for non-adherence and allograft failure. Still, the transition process of adolescents and young adults living with a kidney transplant in Germany is not well defined. The present research aims to assess transition-relevant structures for this group of young people. Special attention is paid to the timing of the process. SETTING: In an observational study, we visited 21 departments of paediatric nephrology in Germany. Participants were doctors (n=19), nurses (n=14) and psychosocial staff (n=16) who were responsible for transition in the relevant centres. Structural elements were surveyed using a short questionnaire. The experiential viewpoint was collected by interviews which were transcribedverbatim before thematic analysis was performed. RESULTS: This study highlights that professionals working within paediatric nephrology in Germany are well aware of the importance of successful transition. Key elements of transitional care are well understood and mutually agreed on. Nonetheless, implementation within daily routine seems challenging, and the absence of written, structured procedures may hamper successful transition. CONCLUSIONS: While professionals aim for an individual timing of transfer based on medical, social, emotional and structural aspects, rigid regulations on transfer age as given by the relevant health authorities add on to the challenge. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ISRCTN Registry no 22988897; results (phase I) and pre-results (phase II).

Defectos congénitos diagnosticados por ultrasonografía bidimensional / Congenital Defects Diagnosed by Bidimensional Ultrasonography

Introducción: La ecografía es la principal herramienta para el diagnóstico de los defectos congénitos, especialmente los estructurales, mediante un examen interno y externo de la anatomía fetal. Objetivo: Caracterizar el comportamiento de los defectos congénitos diagnosticados por ultrasonografía prenatal. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo, longitudinal, en el municipio Santiago de Cuba, 2006-2017. Se excluyeron las enfermedades genéticas. La muestra estuvo conformada por 967 gestantes con diagnóstico confirmado de defectos congénitos estructurales en el feto. Se clasificaron las anomalías por sistemas y se valoró la conducta terapéutica seguida. La información se procesó de forma computarizada, los resultados fueron expresados en valores absolutos, porcentuales y mostrados en tablas. Resultados: En el periodo estudiado, 2,1 por ciento de la muestra tenía historia anterior de interrupción voluntaria electiva, la prevalencia ajustada por defectos congénitos observada fue de 10,1 por cada 1000 nacidos vivos. La edad gestacional avanzada represento el 50,9 por ciento de los casos en seguimiento; de los cuales, 6,1 por ciento terminó en óbito fetal. El porcentaje de interrupción voluntaria electiva alcanzó el 64,4 por ciento de la muestra, Los hallazgos ecográficos más frecuentes fueron: alteraciones del sistema nervioso central (23,4 por ciento), sistema genitourinario (25,2 por ciento) y cardiovascular (18,1 por ciento). Los defectos faciales fueron los menos diagnosticados (1,1 por ciento). Entre los del sistema nervioso predominó la hidrocefalia (51,7 por ciento), los defectos septales dentro de los cardiovasculares (28,0 por ciento) y la hidronefrosis (66,0 por ciento) en las genitourinarias. Conclusiones: Se constató que la ultrasonografía prenatal permitió un mejor control de la gestación, al contribuir en el reconocimiento de un gran número de defectos congénitos, especialmente estructurales, durante la vida intrauterina y, con ello, contribuir a la disminución de la morbiletalidad perinatal(AU)

Introduction: Ultrasound is the main tool for diagnosis of congenital defects, especially structural ones, by means of an internal and external examination of the fetal anatomy. Objective: To characterize congenital defects diagnosed by prenatal ultrasonography. Methods: A longitudinal, descriptive study was carried out in Santiago de Cuba Municipality, covering the period 2016-2017. Genetic diseases were excluded. The sample consisted of 967 pregnant women with confirmed diagnosis of fetal structural congenital defects. The anomalies were classified by systems and the therapeutic behavior followed was assessed. The information was processed in a computerized way. The results were expressed in absolute values and percentages, as well as shown in tables. Results: In the period studied, 2.1 percent of the sample had a previous history of elective voluntary abortion. Adjusted prevalence for congenital defects was observed to be 10.1 per thousand live births. Advanced gestational age accounted for 50.9 percent of the cases under follow-up, of which 6.1 percent were stillbirths. The percentage of elective voluntary abortion reached 64.4 percent of the sample. The most frequent ultrasound findings were alterations of the central nervous system (23.4 percent), the genitourinary system (25.2 percent) and cardiovascular ones (18.1 percent). Facial defects were the least diagnosed (1.1 percent). Among those corresponding to the nervous system, there was a predominance of hydrocephalus (51.7 percent); septal defects predominated among cardiovascular ones, accounting for 28.0 percent; and hydronephrosis (66.0 percent) predominated among genitourinary ones. Conclusions: Prenatal ultrasonography was found to allow better pregnancy control, by contributing to the recognition of a large number of congenital defects, especially structural ones, during intrauterine life, a fact contributing to the reduction of perinatal morbidity and mortality(AU)

Caracterización clínica epidemiológica de los defectos congénitos del tracto genitourinario / Clinical-epidemiological Characterization of Congenital Defects of the Urinary Tract

Introducción: La malformación congénita es una alteración estructural de un órgano o parte de este, que sucede como consecuencia de una alteración durante la morfogénesis y que puede corresponder a defectos menores o mayores, únicos, múltiples o asilados. Objetivo: Caracterizar clínica y epidemiológicamente los defectos congénitos del tracto genitourinario. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio observacional retrospectivo en 453 fetos con diagnóstico por ecografía bidimensional de defecto congénito del tracto genitourinario. Para ello se tomó en cuenta la edad materna y gestacional al diagnóstico, antecedentes personales y familiares de interés clínico genético y la conducta terapéutica según criterio médico. Los datos fueron procesados mediante el Programa Microsoft Excel 2010, aplicándoles el método porcentual y los resultados expuestos en forma de tablas. Resultados: El 75,27 por ciento de las anomalías se presentaron en gestantes con edad materna entre 20 y 34 años. El 62,6 por ciento de los defectos fueron diagnosticados en el segundo trimestre del embarazo, con predominio del sexo masculino en los fetos estudiados. La pielocaliectacia (27,3 por ciento) resultó la principal causa de evaluación inicial seguida de la hidronefrosis (26,2 por ciento). Hubo correlación entre el diagnóstico definitivo por ultrasonido y el resultado de la necropsia. Los casos en seguimiento no presentaron ninguna complicación y solo en nueve gestantes se registró interrupción anterior por defectos genitourinarios. Conclusiones: Se constató aumento progresivo del diagnóstico de anomalías congénitas del tracto genitourinario por años de estudio, las pielocaliectacias bilaterales resultaron la principal causa de evaluación inicial(AU)

Introduction: A congenital malformation is a structural alteration of an organ or part of it, which happens as a consequence of an alteration during morphogenesis and may correspond to minor or major, unique, multiple or isolated defects. Objective: To characterize, clinically and epidemiologically, the congenital defects of the genitourinary tract. Methods: A retrospective observational study was carried out in 453 fetuses diagnosed with a congenital defect of the genitourinary tract by using two-dimensional ultrasound. For this, we considered the maternal and gestational ages at diagnosis, personal and family history of clinical genetic interest, and therapeutic behavior according to medical criteria. The data was processed using the program Microsoft Excel 2010, applying the percentage method and the results presented in tables. Results: 75.27 percent of the anomalies occurred in pregnant women with maternal ages between 20 and 34 years. 62.6 percent of the defects were diagnosed at second trimester of pregnancy, with a predominance of the male sex in the studied fetuses. Pyelocaliectasis (27.3 percent) was the main cause of initial evaluation, followed by hydronephrosis (26.2 percent). There was a correlation between the definitive ultrasound diagnosis and the outcome of the autopsy. The follow-up cases did not present any complications and only nine pregnant women presented a previous interruption due to genitourinary defects. Conclusions: A progressive increase in the diagnosis of congenital anomalies of the genitourinary tract was verified for years of study. Bilateral pyelocaliectasis was the main cause of initial evaluation(AU)

Transitional Care and Adherence of Adolescents and Young Adults After Kidney Transplantation in Germany and Austria: A Binational Observatory Census Within the TRANSNephro Trial.

Transition from child to adult-oriented care is widely regarded a challenging period for young people with kidney transplants and is associated with a high risk of graft failure. We analyzed the existing transition structures in Germany and Austria using a questionnaire and retrospective data of 119 patients transferred in 2011 to 2012. Most centers (73%) confirmed agreements on the transition procedure. Patients' age at transfer was subject to regulation in 73% (18 years). Median age at transition was 18.3 years (16.5-36.7). Median serum creatinine increased from 123 to 132 µmol/L over the 12 month observation period before transfer (P = 0.002). A total of 25/119 patients showed increased creatinine ≥ 20% just before transfer. Biopsy proven rejection was found in 10/119 patients. Three patients lost their graft due to chronic graft nephropathy.Mean coefficient of variation (CoV%) of immunosuppression levels was 0.20 ± 0.1. Increased creatinine levels ≥ 20% just before transfer were less frequently seen in patients with CoV < 0.20 (P = 0.007). The majority of pediatric nephrology centers have internal agreements on transitional care. More than half of the patients had CoV of immunosuppression trough levels consistent with good adherence. Although, 20% of the patients showed increase in serum creatinine close to transfer.