RESUMO
This work proposes two myoelectric control maps based on a DoF-wise synergy algorithm, inspired by human motor control studies. One map, called intuitive, matches control outputs with body movement directions. The second one, named non-intuitive, takes advantage of different synergies contribution to each DoF, without specific correlation to body movement directions. The effectiveness and learning process for the two maps is evaluated through performance metrics in ten able-bodied individuals. The analysis was conducted using a 2-DoFs center-reach-out task and a survey. Results showed equivalent performance and perception for both mappings. However, learning is only visible in subjects that performed better in non-intuitive mapping, that required some familiarization to then exploit its features. Most of the myoelectric control designs use intuitive mappings. Nevertheless, non-intuitive mapping could provide more design flexibility, which can be especially interesting for patients with motor disabilities.
Assuntos
Movimento , Músculo Esquelético , Humanos , Eletromiografia/métodos , Músculo Esquelético/fisiologia , Movimento/fisiologia , Aprendizagem , AlgoritmosRESUMO
Patient blood management (PBM) is a patient-centred, multidisciplinary approach to optimise red cell mass, minimise blood loss, and manage tolerance to anaemia in an effort to improve patient outcomes. Well-implemented PBM improves patient outcomes and reduces demand for blood products. The multidisciplinary approach of PBM can often allow patients to avoid blood transfusions, which are associated with less favourable clinical outcomes. In Hong Kong, there has been increasing demand for blood in the ageing population, and there are simultaneous blood safety and donor issues that are adversely affecting the blood supply. To address these challenges, the Hong Kong Society of Clinical Blood Management recommends implementation of a PBM programme in Hong Kong, including strategies such as optimising red blood cell mass, improving anaemia management, minimising blood loss, and rationalising the use of blood and blood products.
Assuntos
Doadores de Sangue/provisão & distribuição , Transfusão de Sangue/normas , Implementação de Plano de Saúde/métodos , Necessidades e Demandas de Serviços de Saúde/organização & administração , Equipe de Assistência ao Paciente/organização & administração , Anemia/prevenção & controle , Anemia/terapia , Perda Sanguínea Cirúrgica/prevenção & controle , Implementação de Plano de Saúde/organização & administração , Hong Kong , Humanos , Sociedades MédicasAssuntos
Infecções por Bactérias Gram-Negativas/etiologia , Infecções por Bactérias Gram-Positivas/etiologia , Histeroscopia/efeitos adversos , Falência Renal Crônica/terapia , Diálise Peritoneal Ambulatorial Contínua/efeitos adversos , Peritonite/microbiologia , Adulto , Feminino , Infecções por Bactérias Gram-Negativas/diagnóstico , Infecções por Bactérias Gram-Negativas/terapia , Infecções por Bactérias Gram-Positivas/diagnóstico , Infecções por Bactérias Gram-Positivas/terapia , HumanosRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To study the childhood renal disease pattern based on the renal biopsy histology in a local paediatric tertiary renal centre. DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Princess Margaret Hospital, Hong Kong. PATIENTS: All patients who underwent real-time ultrasound-guided closed renal biopsy from 1 April 1997 to 31 March 2007 were included. RESULTS: A total of 209 renal biopsies were performed, 162 on native kidneys and 47 on grafts. In the native group, major indications were renal manifestations secondary to systemic diseases (34%), followed by idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (28%) and haematuria (27%). In 94% the histopathology revealed glomerular diseases. Among the primary glomerular diseases, thin glomerular basement membrane disease, immunoglobulin A nephropathy, minimal change disease, and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis accounted for most. In all, 37% of patients with steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome had focal segmental glomerulosclerosis and its relative incidence was increased when compared to previous studies. Minimal change disease and minimal change disease with mesangial immunoglobulin M deposits accounted for the majority of steroid dependent and frequent relapsers. Among patients with isolated microscopic haematuria, 73% had thin glomerular basement membrane disease, while patients with concomitant haematuria and proteinuria had a wide variety of pathology. In the kidney graft group, acute graft dysfunction was due to acute rejection in 38% of the patients, followed by calcineurin inhibitor toxicity in 14%. Chronic allograft nephropathy caused chronic allograft dysfunction in the majority of cases. Post-transplant proteinuria was caused by recurrence of the primary renal disease in all of our patients. CONCLUSION: This study provides updated epidemiological information for childhood renal disease and a change in the pattern of disease was observed.
Assuntos
Biópsia por Agulha Fina , Nefropatias/diagnóstico , Nefropatias/epidemiologia , Rim/patologia , Adolescente , Inibidores de Calcineurina , Criança , Pré-Escolar , Feminino , Rejeição de Enxerto , Hematúria/etiologia , Hong Kong/epidemiologia , Humanos , Imunossupressores/efeitos adversos , Lactente , Glomérulos Renais , Transplante de Rim , Masculino , Proteinúria/etiologia , Estudos RetrospectivosRESUMO
In this report, a renal transplant recipient with Rhodococcus lung abscess is described. A high clinical suspicion and appropriate combination antibiotic therapy obviated the need for surgical intervention and was associated with a good clinical outcome. The optimal regimen of combination antibiotic therapy is discussed.
Assuntos
Infecções por Actinomycetales/tratamento farmacológico , Infecções por Actinomycetales/microbiologia , Antibacterianos/uso terapêutico , Transplante de Rim/efeitos adversos , Abscesso Pulmonar/microbiologia , Rhodococcus equi/isolamento & purificação , Infecções por Actinomycetales/diagnóstico por imagem , Adulto , Quimioterapia Combinada , Humanos , Abscesso Pulmonar/diagnóstico por imagem , Masculino , Meropeném , Radiografia , Rifampina/uso terapêutico , Sirolimo/uso terapêutico , Tienamicinas/uso terapêutico , Resultado do Tratamento , Vancomicina/uso terapêuticoRESUMO
Persistent proteinuria in patients with quiescent lupus can result from membranous lupus nephritis and/or glomerular scarring following previous flares. This pilot study examined the effects of tacrolimus over two years in six patients with membranous/inactive lupus nephritis and persistent proteinuria despite angiotensin inhibition/blockade. Tacrolimus treatment reduced proteinuria and increased serum albumin (time effect, P = 0.047 and 0.032 respectively). Compared with baseline levels, proteinuria improved by more than 50% in five patients (83.3%) and hypoalbuminaemia was corrected in four patients. The efficacy was most prominent in four patients with biopsy-proven membranous lupus nephritis, whose protienuria improved by over 80%. One patient developed biopsy-proven chronic nephrotoxicity after 10 months of tacrolimus treatment, despite non-excessive blood levels. These data suggest that tacrolimus is an effective treatment for proteinuria due to membranous lupus nephritis, but should probably be reserved for patients who are refractory to other non-nephrotoxic treatments, in view of the potential risk of subclinical nephrotoxicity.
Assuntos
Imunossupressores/uso terapêutico , Nefrite Lúpica/tratamento farmacológico , Proteinúria/tratamento farmacológico , Tacrolimo/uso terapêutico , Adulto , Inibidores da Enzima Conversora de Angiotensina/uso terapêutico , Anticorpos Antinucleares/sangue , Autoantígenos/imunologia , Glicemia/análise , Pressão Sanguínea/efeitos dos fármacos , Complemento C3/análise , Creatinina/sangue , DNA/imunologia , Avaliação de Medicamentos , Resistência a Medicamentos , Feminino , Humanos , Hipoalbuminemia/tratamento farmacológico , Hipoalbuminemia/etiologia , Imunossupressores/efeitos adversos , Nefropatias/induzido quimicamente , Lipídeos/sangue , Nefrite Lúpica/sangue , Nefrite Lúpica/classificação , Nefrite Lúpica/complicações , Nefrite Lúpica/patologia , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Ácido Micofenólico/análogos & derivados , Ácido Micofenólico/uso terapêutico , Projetos Piloto , Prednisolona/uso terapêutico , Proteinúria/etiologia , Estudos Retrospectivos , Albumina Sérica/análise , Tacrolimo/efeitos adversos , Resultado do TratamentoAssuntos
Glomerulonefrite Membranosa/etiologia , Doença Enxerto-Hospedeiro/complicações , Transplante de Células-Tronco Hematopoéticas/efeitos adversos , Transfusão de Linfócitos/efeitos adversos , Quimeras de Transplante/imunologia , Adulto , Glomerulonefrite Membranosa/imunologia , Doença Enxerto-Hospedeiro/imunologia , Efeito Enxerto vs Leucemia , Humanos , Leucemia Mielogênica Crônica BCR-ABL Positiva/terapia , Masculino , Fatores de TempoRESUMO
There is accumulating evidence that mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), when combined with corticosteroid, is an effective induction treatment for severe proliferative lupus nephritis and is associated with fewer adverse effects compared to cyclophosphamide (CTX), but the quality of life (QOL) associated with these regimens as perceived by the patient has not been compared. This study included patients who had experienced both treatment regimens, for distinct episodes of diffuse proliferative lupus nephritis. QOL parameters during the first six months of each treatment were assessed through SF36 and WHOQOL questionnaires. Twelve patients and 24 episodes of severe lupus nephritis were studied. CTX-treated and MMF-treated episodes showed comparable baseline characteristics and response rate, with complete remission occurring in 83.3%. MMF treatment was associated with higher numerical scores for all domains across both QOL instruments than CTX. MMF treatment was associated with significantly less fatigue, less impediment of physical and social functioning, and better psychological well being compared to CTX. When each patient served as her/his own control, most patients ascribed higher QOL domain scores to the MMF-treated episode. Seventy-five percent of patients found MMF treatment more acceptable and preferred when compared with CTX, and the complications that most concerned them included Cushingoid features, alopecia, menstrual disturbance and infections. These data showed that MMF-based induction immunosuppression for severe lupus nephritis was associated with better QOL than CTX as perceived by patients, which was most likely attributed to the reduced side-effects during MMF treatment.
Assuntos
Ciclofosfamida/uso terapêutico , Imunossupressores/uso terapêutico , Nefrite Lúpica/tratamento farmacológico , Ácido Micofenólico/análogos & derivados , Prednisolona/uso terapêutico , Atividades Cotidianas , Adulto , Alopecia/induzido quimicamente , Amenorreia/induzido quimicamente , Ciclofosfamida/efeitos adversos , Avaliação de Medicamentos , Fadiga/etiologia , Fadiga/prevenção & controle , Feminino , Seguimentos , Humanos , Imunossupressores/efeitos adversos , Infecções/induzido quimicamente , Testes de Função Renal , Nefrite Lúpica/patologia , Nefrite Lúpica/psicologia , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Ácido Micofenólico/efeitos adversos , Ácido Micofenólico/uso terapêutico , Aceitação pelo Paciente de Cuidados de Saúde , Prednisolona/efeitos adversos , Qualidade de Vida , Indução de Remissão , Estudos Retrospectivos , Índice de Gravidade de DoençaAssuntos
Síndrome Hemolítico-Urêmica/etiologia , Transplante de Rim/efeitos adversos , Púrpura Trombocitopênica Trombótica/etiologia , Adulto , Complemento C4b/análise , Diagnóstico Diferencial , Feminino , Rejeição de Enxerto/diagnóstico , Rejeição de Enxerto/etiologia , Rejeição de Enxerto/prevenção & controle , Síndrome Hemolítico-Urêmica/diagnóstico , Síndrome Hemolítico-Urêmica/metabolismo , Humanos , Imuno-Histoquímica , Imunossupressores/efeitos adversos , Imunossupressores/uso terapêutico , Falência Renal Crônica/cirurgia , Transplante de Rim/métodos , Fragmentos de Peptídeos/análise , Púrpura Trombocitopênica Trombótica/diagnóstico , Púrpura Trombocitopênica Trombótica/metabolismo , Tacrolimo/efeitos adversos , Tacrolimo/uso terapêutico , Transplante HomólogoRESUMO
The short-term outcome of patients with diffuse proliferative lupus nephritis (DPLN) has improved with advances in immunosuppressive treatment. However, the impact of different immunosuppressive regimens on long-term renal function remains to be defined. This prospective cohort study examined the long-term renal function and disease relapse in adults with biopsy-proven DPLN, significant proteinuria, and hypoalbuminemia, who had been treated with sequential immunosuppression comprising prednisolone and oral cyclophosphamide as induction followed by low-dose prednisolone and azathioprine as maintenance. Sixty-six patients with 68 episodes of DPLN were included, with follow-up of 91.7 +/- 36.7 months. 82.4% achieved complete remission and 39.1% relapsed during follow-up. Patients in partial remission were at higher risk of relapse compared with those in complete remission (hazard ratio 6.2, P < 0.001). Serum creatinine remained stable over time (P = 0.931), while creatinine clearance showed a significant increase with time after treatment (P = 0.032). Three (4.4%) patients had doubling of baseline creatinine, but none reached end-stage renal failure or died. Univariate and mixed model analyses showed that the evolution of long-term renal function was significantly influenced by the chronicity score and creatinine clearance at baseline, and by the renal function at one year after treatment. These data demonstrate the efficacy of sequential immunosuppression in preserving renal function in most Chinese subjects with DPLN. The results also indicate that irreversible renal scarring (as reflected by baseline chronicity score), renal reserve (as reflected by renal function at baseline and one year), and an induction regimen that is effective in preserving the nephron mass are critical determinants of long-term renal outcome.
Assuntos
Azatioprina/administração & dosagem , Ciclofosfamida/administração & dosagem , Imunossupressores/administração & dosagem , Nefrite Lúpica/tratamento farmacológico , Prednisolona/administração & dosagem , Administração Oral , Adulto , Azatioprina/efeitos adversos , Estudos de Coortes , Creatinina/sangue , Ciclofosfamida/efeitos adversos , Quimioterapia Combinada , Feminino , Humanos , Imunossupressores/efeitos adversos , Nefrite Lúpica/fisiopatologia , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Estudos Prospectivos , Fatores de Tempo , Resultado do TratamentoRESUMO
Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) or angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) reduces proteinuria and the rate of renal function deterioration in diabetic nephropathy and other glomerular diseases, but its role in quiescent lupus nephritis has not been established. We conducted a retrospective study to investigate the effects of ACEI/ARB on proteinuria and renal function in patients with persistent proteinuria (>1 g/day) despite resolution of acute lupus nephritis following immunosuppressive treatment. Fourteen out of 92 patients were included. The duration of treatment with ACEI/ARB was 52.1 +/- 35.7 months. The levels of proteinuria, serum albumin, serum creatinine, systolic and diastolic blood pressure were 1.10 to 6.90 g/day, 35.8 +/- 3.6 g/L, 102.54 +/- 34.48 micromol/L, 137.6 +/- 10.9 and 81.9 +/- 9.2 mmHg at baseline. Proteinuria and serum albumin showed significant sustained improvements after 6 and 24 months of treatment. Comparison of slopes for serial proteinuria, albumin and reciprocal of serum creatinine before and after treatment showed significant improvements in six (43%), eight (57%) and two patients, respectively. At last follow-up proteinuria remained significantly lower (0.36 g/day, P = 0.043) and albumin higher (41.3 +/- 2.2 g/L, P = 0.023). Eleven (78.6%) patients had proteinuria improved by >50%, and five had insignificant proteinuria at last follow-up. Systolic blood pressure was significantly reduced from 6 months onwards, but this did not correlate with proteinuria reduction. Diastolic blood pressure, serum creatinine, creatinine clearance, anti-dsDNA, C3 and haemoglobin were not altered. We conclude that ACEI/ARB effectively reduces proteinuria and improves serum albumin in patients with persistent proteinuria despite quiescent lupus nephritis.
Assuntos
Antagonistas de Receptores de Angiotensina , Inibidores da Enzima Conversora de Angiotensina/uso terapêutico , Nefrite Lúpica/tratamento farmacológico , Proteinúria/tratamento farmacológico , Adulto , Pressão Sanguínea/efeitos dos fármacos , Creatinina/sangue , Enalapril/uso terapêutico , Feminino , Seguimentos , Humanos , Losartan/uso terapêutico , Masculino , Ramipril/uso terapêutico , Estudos Retrospectivos , Albumina Sérica/análiseAssuntos
Transplante de Medula Óssea/efeitos adversos , Glomerulonefrite por IGA/etiologia , Doença Enxerto-Hospedeiro/complicações , Síndrome Nefrótica/etiologia , Mesângio Glomerular/patologia , Mesângio Glomerular/ultraestrutura , Doença Enxerto-Hospedeiro/etiologia , Humanos , Masculino , Microscopia Eletrônica , Pessoa de Meia-IdadeRESUMO
Autoclaving peritoneal dialysate fluid (PDF) degrades glucose into glucose degradation products (GDPs) that impair peritoneal mesothelial cell functions. While glycation processes leading to formation of advanced glycation end-products (AGE) were viewed commonly as being mediated by glucose present in the PDF, recent evidence indicates that certain GDPs are even more powerful inducers of AGE formation than glucose per se. In the present study, we examined the expression and modulation of AGE receptors on human peritoneal mesothelial cells (HPMC) cultured with GDPs, conventional PDF or PDF with low GDP content. HPMC cultured with GDPs differentially modulated AGE receptors (including RAGE, AGE-R1, AGE-R2 and AGE-R3) expression in a dose-dependent manner. At subtoxic concentrations, GDPs increased RAGE mRNA expression in HPMC. 2-furaldehyde (FurA), methylglyoxal (M-Glx) and 3,4-dideoxy-glucosone-3-Ene (3,4-DGE) increased the expression of AGE-R1 and RAGE, the receptors that are associated with toxic effects. These three GDPs up-regulated the AGE synthesis by cultured HPMC. In parallel, these GDPs also increased the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in HPMC. PDF with lower GDP content exerted less cytotoxic effect than traditional heat-sterilized PDF. Both PDF preparations up-regulated the protein expression of RAGE and VEGF. However, the up-regulation of VEGF in HPMC following 24-h culture with conventional PDF was higher than values from HPMC cultured with PDF containing low GDP. We have demonstrated, for the first time, that in addition to RAGE, other AGE receptors including AGE-R1, AGE-R2 and AGE-R3 are expressed on HPMC. Different GDPs exert differential regulation on the expression of these receptors on HPMC. The interactions between GDPs and AGE receptors may bear biological relevance to the intraperitoneal homeostasis and membrane integrity.
Assuntos
Células Epiteliais/imunologia , Glucose/imunologia , Produtos Finais de Glicação Avançada/imunologia , Receptores Imunológicos/análise , Animais , Western Blotting/métodos , Membrana Celular/imunologia , Membrana Celular/metabolismo , Sobrevivência Celular/imunologia , Células Cultivadas , Soluções para Diálise , Células Epiteliais/metabolismo , Expressão Gênica/imunologia , Glucose/metabolismo , Produtos Finais de Glicação Avançada/metabolismo , Humanos , Masculino , Camundongos , Camundongos Endogâmicos C57BL , Peritônio/citologia , RNA Mensageiro/análise , Receptor para Produtos Finais de Glicação Avançada , Receptores Imunológicos/imunologia , Fator A de Crescimento do Endotélio Vascular/imunologiaAssuntos
Necrose Tubular Aguda/etiologia , Carne/efeitos adversos , Mieloma Múltiplo/terapia , Transplante de Células-Tronco , Animais , Atrofia , Carpas , Humanos , Imunoglobulina A/sangue , Imunossupressores/uso terapêutico , Necrose Tubular Aguda/patologia , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Mieloma Múltiplo/imunologia , Transplante HomólogoRESUMO
A 34 year old Chinese man presented with grand mal seizures complicating multiple brain abscesses caused by mixed oral flora. Because of persistent hypoxaemia contrast spiral thoracic computed tomography was done, which revealed bilateral pulmonary arteriovenous malformations (PAVMs). Concomitant IgA and IgG subclass deficiency was also found. The combination of these two conditions appears to have predisposed this patient to presumably paradoxical septic embolism. The patient's cerebral condition responded to postoperative antibiotic treatment and he eventually received selective coil embolisation of right lower lobe PAVMs, which relieved his hypoxaemia and dyspnoea.
Assuntos
Malformações Arteriovenosas/complicações , Abscesso Encefálico/complicações , Deficiência de IgA/complicações , Deficiência de IgG/complicações , Artéria Pulmonar/anormalidades , Adulto , Malformações Arteriovenosas/diagnóstico , Malformações Arteriovenosas/terapia , Abscesso Encefálico/diagnóstico , Dispneia/etiologia , Dispneia/terapia , Embolização Terapêutica/métodos , Humanos , Hipóxia/etiologia , Hipóxia/terapia , Angiografia por Ressonância Magnética/métodos , Masculino , Tomografia Computadorizada por Raios X/métodosRESUMO
Star fruit, belonging to the Oxalidaceae family, species Averrhoa carambola, is a popular fruit among Orientals. There have been reports of hiccup, confusion, and occasional fatal outcomes in uraemic patients after ingestion of star fruit. An excitatory neurotoxin from star fruit has been implicated although the exact nature of this toxic substance has not been identified. A group of seven patients is described from the dialysis centres at Queen Mary and Tung Wah Hospitals who developed symptoms including hiccup, confusion, vomiting, impaired consciousness, muscle twitching and hyperkalaemia shortly after ingestion of star fruit. Symptoms of most patients resolved after intensified dialysis or spontaneously, and no mortality was observed. The close temporal relationship of ingestion of star fruit and onset of symptoms strongly suggests the existence of a causal relationship between the two. It is recommended that uraemic patients should totally abstain from star fruit due to these rare but potentially fatal complications. The clinical manifestations of other reported series and current evidence for the possible candidate(s) of the neurotoxin are discussed.
Assuntos
Frutas/intoxicação , Síndromes Neurotóxicas/etiologia , Intoxicação por Plantas/complicações , Intoxicação por Plantas/diagnóstico , Uremia/complicações , Injúria Renal Aguda/complicações , Injúria Renal Aguda/diagnóstico , Injúria Renal Aguda/terapia , Adulto , Idoso , Feminino , Seguimentos , Hong Kong , Humanos , Testes de Função Renal , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Neurotoxinas/efeitos adversos , Intoxicação por Plantas/mortalidade , Diálise Renal , Medição de Risco , Estudos de Amostragem , Índice de Gravidade de Doença , Análise de Sobrevida , Resultado do Tratamento , Uremia/diagnóstico , Uremia/mortalidade , Uremia/terapiaAssuntos
Anticorpos Monoclonais/uso terapêutico , Imunossupressores/uso terapêutico , Transplante de Rim/imunologia , Proteínas Recombinantes de Fusão , Adulto , Basiliximab , Quimioterapia Combinada , Feminino , Rejeição de Enxerto/epidemiologia , Humanos , Transplante de Rim/efeitos adversos , Masculino , Morbidade , Complicações Pós-Operatórias/classificação , Complicações Pós-Operatórias/epidemiologia , Complicações Pós-Operatórias/prevenção & controle , Estudos RetrospectivosRESUMO
Chronic HBsAg carriers are known to have a higher risk of hepatitis-related mortality and morbidity when undergoing kidney transplantation. Immunosuppressants might flare up the infection that could be fulminating. Lamivudine and mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) have been shown to be effective in inhibiting replication of hepatitis B virus (HBV). With these two drugs, hepatitis related adverse outcome might be preventable when these patients are being transplanted. Four Chinese adolescents with chronic HBV infection were transplanted in our Department from 1999 to 2001. Immunosuppresants included prednisolone, cyclosporin A and MMF; azathioprine was not used for its potentially liver toxic effect. Prophylactic lamivudine 3 mg/kg and maximum 100 mg daily was given just before transplantation and was continued afterwards. HBV status and liver enzymes were monitored serially. Patients were followed up for 26.0 +/- 10.3 (11-34) months post-transplant and no mortality was reported. All grafts were functioning and no rejection was noted. MMF and lamivudine were well tolerated. Alanine transaminase was only transiently elevated in the first 2 months post-transplant in all patients and became normal afterwards. The patients were clinically well and liver function was normal at the last follow-up. However, HBV DNA became positive in three patients after the transplantation. YMDD mutant HBV was negative in one patient and undeterminable in the other three due to low virus load. In summary, with prophylactic lamivudine and MMF, short-term follow-up showed that renal transplant might be feasible and safe in chronic HBV carriers.