Surgical Treatment of Medically Refractory Encapsulating Peritoneal Sclerosis in a Patient After Kidney Transplant.

Encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis is a rare but highly morbid disease process in patients with end-stage kidney disease on peritoneal dialysis. Surgical management has been described in patients with encapsulation of bowel causing obstruction. Here, we describe a case of surgical management in a patient following kidney transplant with medically refractory ascites and lower extremity edema.

Development of a culturally targeted chatbot to inform living kidney donor candidates of African ancestry about APOL1 genetic testing: a mixed methods study.

Clinical chatbots are increasingly used to help integrate genetic testing into clinical contexts, but no chatbot exists for Apolipoprotein L1 (APOL1) genetic testing of living kidney donor (LKD) candidates of African ancestry. Our study aimed to culturally adapt and assess perceptions of the Gia® chatbot to help integrate APOL1 testing into LKD evaluation. Ten focus groups and post-focus group surveys were conducted with 54 LKDs, community members, and kidney transplant recipients of African ancestry. Data were analyzed through thematic analysis and descriptive statistics. Key themes about making Gia culturally targeted included ensuring: (1) transparency by providing Black LKDs' testimonials, explaining patient privacy and confidentiality protections, and explaining how genetic testing can help LKD evaluation; (2) content is informative by educating Black LKDs about APOL1 testing instead of aiming to convince them to undergo testing, presenting statistics, and describing how genetic discrimination is legally prevented; and (3) content avoids stigma about living donation in the Black community. Most agreed Gia was neutral and unbiased (82%), trustworthy (82%), and words, phrases, and expressions were familiar to the intended audience (85%). Our culturally adapted APOL1 Gia chatbot was well regarded. Future research should assess how this chatbot could supplement provider discussion prior to genetic testing to scale APOL1 counseling and testing for LKD candidate clinical evaluation.

Implementation of a culturally competent APOL1 genetic testing programme into living donor evaluation: A two-site, non-randomised, pre-post trial design.

INTRODUCTION: While living donor (LD) kidney transplantation is the optimal treatment for patients with kidney failure, LDs assume a higher risk of future kidney failure themselves. LDs of African ancestry have an even greater risk of kidney failure post-donation than White LDs. Because evidence suggests that Apolipoprotein L1 (APOL1) risk variants contribute to this greater risk, transplant nephrologists are increasingly using APOL1 genetic testing to evaluate LD candidates of African ancestry. However, nephrologists do not consistently perform genetic counselling with LD candidates about APOL1 due to a lack of knowledge and skill in counselling. Without proper counselling, APOL1 testing will magnify LD candidates' decisional conflict about donating, jeopardising their informed consent. Given cultural concerns about genetic testing among people of African ancestry, protecting LD candidates' safety is essential to improve informed decisions about donating. Clinical 'chatbots', mobile apps that provide genetic information to patients, can improve informed treatment decisions. No chatbot on APOL1 is available and no nephrologist training programmes are available to provide culturally competent counselling to LDs about APOL1. Given the shortage of genetic counsellors, increasing nephrologists' genetic literacy is critical to integrating genetic testing into practice. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: Using a non-randomised, pre-post trial design in two transplant centres (Chicago, IL, and Washington, DC), we will evaluate the effectiveness of culturally competent APOL1 testing, chatbot and counselling on LD candidates' decisional conflict about donating, preparedness for decision-making, willingness to donate and satisfaction with informed consent and longitudinally evaluate the implementation of this intervention into clinical practice using the Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation and Maintenance framework. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This study will create a model for APOL1 testing of LDs of African ancestry, which can be implemented nationally via implementation science approaches. APOL1 will serve as a model for integrating culturally competent genetic testing into transplant and other practices to improve informed consent. This study involves human participants and was approved by Northwestern University IRB (STU00214038). Participants gave informed consent to participate in the study before taking part. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04910867. Registered 8 May 2021, https://register. CLINICALTRIALS: gov/prs/app/action/SelectProtocol?sid=S000AWZ6&selectaction=Edit&uid=U0001PPF&ts=7&cx=-8jv7m2 ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04999436. Registered 5 November 2021, https://register. CLINICALTRIALS: gov/prs/app/action/SelectProtocol?sid=S000AYWW&selectaction=Edit&uid=U0001PPF&ts=11&cx=9tny7v.

Challenges of Integrating APOL1 Genetic Test Results into the Electronic Health Record.

OBJECTIVES: Integrating genetic test results into the electronic health record (EHR) is essential for integrating genetic testing into clinical practice. This article describes the organizational challenges of integrating discrete apolipoprotein L1 (APOL1) genetic test results into the EHR for a research study on culturally sensitive genetic counseling for living kidney donors. METHODS: We convened a multidisciplinary team across three institutions (Northwestern University, Northwestern Memorial HealthCare [NMHC], and OHSU Knight Diagnostic Laboratories [KDL]), including researchers, physicians, clinical information technology, and project management. Through a series of meetings over a year between the team and the genetic testing laboratory, we explored and adjusted our EHR integration plan based on regulatory and budgetary constraints. RESULTS: Our original proposal was to transmit results from KDL to NMHC as structured data sent via Health Level Seven (HL7) v2 message. This was ultimately deemed infeasible given the time and resources required to establish the interface, and the low number of samples to be processed for the study (n = 316). We next explored the use of Epic's Care Everywhere interoperability platform, but learned it was not possible as a laboratory test ordered for a research study; even though our intent was to study the APOL1 genetic test result's clinical use and impact, test results were still considered "research results." Faced with two remaining options-downloading a PDF from the KDL laboratory portal or scanning a faxed result from KDL-only a PDF of the APOL1 test result could be integrated into the EHR, reinforcing the status quo. CONCLUSION: Even with early and ongoing stakeholder engagement, dedicated project management, and funding, unanticipated implementation challenges-especially for research projects-can result in drastic design tradeoffs.

Long-Term Infectious Complications of Kidney Transplantation.

Infections remain a common complication of solid-organ transplantation. Most infections in the first month after transplant are typically health care-associated infections, whereas late infections, beyond 6-12 months, are community-acquired infections. Opportunistic infections most frequently present in the first 12 months post-transplant and can be modulated on prior exposures and use of prophylaxis. In this review, we summarize the current epidemiology of postkidney transplant infections with a focus on key viral (BK polyomavirus, cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus, and norovirus), bacterial (urinary tract infections and Clostridioides difficile colitis), and fungal infections. Current guidelines for safe living post-transplant are also summarized. Literature supporting prophylaxis and vaccination is also provided.

Treatment of Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate Patient With Intraoral Tooth Tissue Borne Distractor and Facemask Therapy: A Case Report.

This case report demonstrates the successful use of intraoral distractor/hygenic rapid expander (HYRAX) for rapid maxillary expansion in anteroposterior direction with an adjunctive use of face mask therapy for anterior orthopedic traction of maxillary complex in a cleft patient with concave profile. The patient was a 13-year-old girl who reported with a chief complaint of backwardly positioned upper jaw and a severely forward positioned lower jaw. Therefore, a treatment was chosen in which acrylic bonded rapid maxillary expansion was done with tooth tissue borne intraoral distractor/HYRAX having a different activation schedule along with Dr Henri Petit facemask to treat maxillary retrognathism. As a result, crossbite got corrected and attained a positive jet with no bone loss in cleft area over a period of 5 months which was followed by fixed mechanotherapy achieving a well settled occlusion in 1 year. After completion of expansion and fixed mechanotherapy, ANB became +1 post-treatment which was -4 pretreatment. The prognathic profile was markedly improved by expansion and taking advantage of the remaining growth potential, thus minimizing the chances of surgery later in life. This provided a viable alternative to orthognathic surgery with good long-term stability.

Management of hyperkalemia: A focus on kidney transplant recipients.

Hyperkalemia is a frequent complication among kidney transplant recipients that can lead to fatal arrhythmias. The causes of hyperkalemia post kidney transplant are multifactorial and often are drug-induced, and include decreased glomerular filtration rate, tubular dysfunction, and impaired sodium delivery in the distal nephron. This review will discuss pathophysiology and recent updates in the management of both acute and chronic hyperkalemia with a focus on kidney transplant recipients.

Comparison of block characteristics of spinal anesthesia following intravenous dexmedetomidine and clonidine.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Different routes of administration of α2 adrenergic receptor agonists have been found to prolong the duration of spinal block. MATERIAL AND METHODS: One hundred and twenty patients, aged 18-60 years, of ASA physical status I or II posted for elective fixation of fractures of lower limb under spinal anesthesia were selected. Spinal anesthesia was administered with 2.5 ml of 0.5% bupivacaine mixed with 10 µg fentanyl. The patients were randomized to receive intravenous (IV) dexmedetomidine 1 µg/kg/h for 15 min followed by infusion of 0.3 µg/kg/h (Group I), IV Clonidine 2 µg/kg/h for 15 min followed by infusion of 0.5 µg kg/h (Group II) or 15 ml of normal saline for 15 min followed by infusion at 50 ml/h (Group III). Motor and sensory blockade was evaluated using bromage score and pin prick method respectively. RESULTS: The median block height in all groups was T8. Time to achieve block height was fastest in Group I. Time of regression of sensory block to T12/L1 dermatome was 230.75 ± 21.25 min (Group I), 196.25 ± 20.27 min (Group II) and 163.88 ± 15.46 min (Group III) respectively. Regression of motor blocks to Bromage 0/1 was 274 ± 21.25 min, 234.25 ± 32.41 min and 130.12 ± 20.70 min in Groups I, II and III respectively. Bradycardia was seen in one patient in Group I and two patients in Group II. Hypotension was seen in five patients in Group I and seven patients in Group II. First requirement for postoperative analgesic was after 353.13 ± 39.60 min, 314.38 ± 30.64 min and 193.25 ± 17.74 min in Groups I, II and III respectively. CONCLUSION: IV α2 agonists are useful adjuvants for prolongation of the duration of spinal block. IV dexmedetomidine produces a better clinical profile compared to clonidine.

Effect of continuous magnesium sulfate infusion on spinal block characteristics: A prospective study.

BACKGROUND: Spinal anesthesia is an established mode of anesthesia for lower limb orthopedic surgeries. The limitations of the technique are short duration of action and limited post-operative analgesia. Concomitant use of intravenous infusion of magnesium sulfate may have an effect on the block characteristics and duration of action of intrathecal bupivacaine. METHODS: A total of 80 American Society of Anesthesiologists I and II patients, either sex, 20-60 years of age scheduled for elective orthopedic fixation of fracture of long bones of lower limbs under spinal anesthesia were included. Spinal anesthesia administered with 2.5 ml heavy bupivacaine mixed with 10 mcg fentanyl. The groups were then divided to receive an infusion of injection magnesium sulfate 50 mg/kg/h over 15 min followed by 15 mg/kg/h until the end of the surgery (Group M) and 15 ml of Normal Saline over 15 min followed by 100 ml/h until the end of surgery (Group S). Onset, duration of sensory and motor block and amount of post-operative analgesic were noted. RESULTS: A total of 6 patients (Group M) and seven patients (Group S) had inadequate block and excluded from the study. Mean block height was T6. Time required to achieve block height was 8.82 min versus 7.42 min in Groups M and S respectively (P = 0.04). Mean duration of motor block was longer in group M (160.63 ± 17.76 min) compared with Group S (130.12 ± 20.70 min) (P = 0.000). Time for regression of sensory block to T12/L1was 206.88 ± 20.96 min (Group M) and 163.88 ± 15.46 min (Group S) (P = 0.000). Hemodynamic parameters were similar and statistically not significant. Need for first analgesic requirement was after 262.88 ± 21.11 min in group M and 193.25 ± 17.74 min in the group S (P = 0.000). Mean dosage of tramadol needed in first 24 h was less in group M (190 ± 30.38 mg vs. 265 ± 48.30 mg, P = 0.000). CONCLUSION: Use of intravenous magnesium with spinal anesthesia reduces post-operative pain and analgesic consumption.

Cryptogenic hepatic insult, failing heart and advancing age: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Weakness and fatigue are accepted as normal accompaniments of aging. Usually, older individuals are not investigated with much enthusiasm but a treatable cause is discernible on several occasions. CASE PRESENTATION: We had a 67 year old hypertensive lady with a mitral stenosis, presenting in ischemic or hypertensive heart failure with underlying valvular disease, without pulmonary hypertension in sinus rhythm. She had pancytopenia with severe anemia and raised liver enzymes. Bone marrow examination showed aplastic anemia. She was treated with ATG and improved subsequently to become transfusion free. However, she succumbed to an unrelated sudden cardiac death. CONCLUSION: Our patient is unique in her uncommon presentation, complex management issues and a favorable outcome after a long and persevering therapeutic intervention and finally her sudden death.

Malignant mesothelioma of the tunica vaginalis of the testis without exposure to asbestos.

INTRODUCTION: Mesotheliomas are rare tumours that usually are seen in the pleura after asbestos exposure. Mesotheliomas have been reported around the testicular region but are even rarer following trauma, herniorrhaphy and long term hydrocoele. CASE PRESENTATION: An elderly male farmer presented to us with an insidious onset of painless swelling in his left lower limb which gradually progressive. At the time of presentation it had involved his entire limb. A hard palpable mass of size 5 * 4 cms was detected in the left iliac fossa and a testicular enlargement was noted on the left side. The ultrasound of the testes showed that the left testis was enlarged 3.9*3*3.2 cms showing diffusely heterogenous echo-texture and irregular nodular surface with irregular hypoechoic thickening of the scrotal wall with left sided hydrocele. A separate hypoechoic *1.2 cms lesion was visualized in the anterior scrotal wall. FNAC from the scrotal mass showed tumour cells of simialr morphology present singly in monolayered sheets and in three dimensional fragments. The overall immunomorphological features suggested a malignant mesothelioma likely to have arisen from the tunica vaginalis. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, though a rare tumor, malignant mesothelioma of the tunica vaginalis of the testis should be considered whenever a paratesticular mass lesion is seen even without a history of trauma or asbestos exposure as is highlighted in this case. Ultrasound findings are helpful and fine needle aspiration of the tumor may assist in arrival at a diagnosis. Surgical orchidectomy remains the modality of treatment.