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Biomedical subjects

C Manno

Publications and source records attributed to C Manno.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Considerations in the evaluation of haemophilia patients for short-term prophylactic therapy: a paediatric and adult case study.

The long-term prophylactic administration of clotting factor concentrate in patients with haemophilia reduces bleeding events, slows joint deterioration, and improves quality of life. Prophylaxis can also be effective when used short-term to prevent or reduce bleeding associated with trauma, surgery, and athletic activities. While clinical trials are needed to establish the optimal length of prophylaxis following injury, several weeks and possibly months of treatment may be needed. Discontinuing therapy prematurely can result in rebleeding in the injured area.

Acute Disease↗

Haemoglobin and haematocrit targets for the anaemia of chronic renal disease.

BACKGROUND: Anaemia affects 60-80% of patients with renal impairment, reduces quality of life and is a risk factor for early death. Treatment options are blood transfusion, erythropoietin (EPO) alpha or beta and darbepoetin alfa. Recently higher haemoglobin (Hb) and haematocrit targets have been widely advocated because of positive data from observational studies. However, higher targets may lead to access thrombosis and hypertension and are costly. OBJECTIVES: This review assesses the benefits and harms of low (Hb </= 100 g/L or HCT </= 30%) and high (Hb > 100 g/L or HCT > 30%) targets in pre- and post-dialysis patients receiving any treatment for anaemia. SEARCH STRATEGY: We searched The Cochrane Renal Group specialised register (September 2002), Cochrane Controlled Trials Register (The Cochrane Library, Issue 3, 2002) MEDLINE (1966 - September 2002), EMBASE (1988 - September 2002) and reference lists of retrieved articles. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-RCTs comparing low Hb/HCT targets (Hb</- 100 g/L) with high Hb/HCT targets (Hb > 100 g/dL) in patients with anaemia of chronic renal disease. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two reviewers independently assessed trial quality and extracted data. Statistical analyses were performed using the random effects model and the results expressed as relative risk (RR) for dichotomous outcomes and weighted mean difference (WMD) for continuous outcomes, with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). MAIN RESULTS: Fifteen trials were identified in which 2096 patients were included. Twelve trials (673 patients) compared placebo with EPO and three trials (1423 patients) compared two doses of EPO. Hb values of 100 g/L (obtained with low EPO doses) were associated with lower mortality compared to Hb values of 140 g/L or more (obtained with high EPO doses) in the population with chronic renal disease and cardiovascular impairment (two trials, 1379 patients: RR 0.82; 95% CI 0.68 to 0.99). Lower targets obtained with a placebo resulted in an increased risk for seizures (four trials, 219 patients: RR 5.25; 95% CI 1.13 to 24.34) as compared to higher targets reached with EPO treatment. Finally, there was a reduced risk for hypertensive episodes with lower Hb targets reached with a placebo as compared to higher targets reached with EPO (six trials, 387 patients: RR 0.50; 95% CI 0.33 to 0.76). Quality of life was not adequately evaluated in the studies. REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS: Lower Hb targets of 100 g/L were associated with a lower risk of death in the population with cardiovascular impairment and chronic renal disease as compared to Hb 140 g/L. Lower Hb targets (Hb < 100 g/L) were also significantly associated with an increased risk for seizures and a reduced risk of hypertension compared to Hb > 100 g/L. There is a need of more adequately powered, well-designed and reported trials in this area. In particular, randomised controlled trials comparing the benefits and harms of low (Hb < 100 g/L) versus intermediate (Hb 130 g/L) and high (Hb 140 g/L) targets in the pre-dialysis population with chronic renal disease are necessary. In fact, there is a large deficiency of trials in the pre-dialysis population. The new trials should focus on hard outcomes and also look at outcomes which were previously not studied adequately, such as seizures and quality of life, which is to be assessed with validated measures.

Anemia↗

ACE gene polymorphism and IgA nephropathy: an ethnically homogeneous study and a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Conflicting results have implicated the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) D allele in the progression of renal damage in patients with IgA nephropathy (IgAN). Most of these findings have been obtained by heterogeneous studies. METHODS: We investigated the ACE insertion/deletion (I/D) gene polymorphism by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of genomic DNA in an ethnically homogeneous sample size of IgAN patients from Southern Italy. The association between ACE I/D gene polymorphism and the development of the disease was examined in 247 biopsy-proven IgAN patients and 205 healthy subjects. The association with the progression of renal damage was evaluated in 136 patients with a follow-up of > or =3 years according to the slope of the creatinine clearance against time, and in 221 patients with a follow-up of > or =1 year assessing by univariate and multivariate analyses of renal survival. These associations were further estimated in a meta-analysis of seven studies retrieved in the Medline database. The meta-analysis was performed according to the Mantel-Haenszel-Peto method when homogeneity of the studies was established using the chi(2) test by Breslow-Day. RESULTS: No difference in the ACE I/D gene distribution between patients and controls and between patients with stable and those with deteriorating renal function was found in our study. A meta-analysis performed separately for Caucasian and Asian studies showed that the ACE I/D gene polymorphism did not contribute to the genetic susceptibility of the development of IgAN (total OR 0.93, 95% CI, 0.71 to 1.23; and 0.95, 95% CI, 0.64 to 1.42, respectively) or the progression of the renal damage (total OR 1.12, 95% CI, 0.67 to 1.88; and 2.26, 95% CI, 0.75 to 6.79, respectively) in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Our study and meta-analysis suggest caution in the interpretation of results from association studies enrolling heterogeneous populations. Further studies using new tests, which are free of the bias due to population stratification and ethnicity, are warranted.

Adolescent↗

Renal C3 synthesis in idiopathic membranous nephropathy: correlation to urinary C5b-9 excretion.

UNLABELLED: Renal C3 synthesis in idiopathic membranous nephropathy: Correlation to urinary C5b-9 excretion. BACKGROUND: Complement activation plays a central pathogenetic role in idiopathic membranous nephropathy (IMN). Urinary excretion of C5b-9 correlates to the immunologic activity of this disease. Recently, renal cortical C3 gene expression has been described in several nephropathies. METHODS: The aim of this study was to investigate the renal C3 gene expression by in situ hybridization in IMN and to correlate it with histopathologic, pathophysiologic, and immunologic (urinary C5b-9) indices of disease activity. RESULTS: C3 was expressed in 77% of 22 renal biopsies of IMN patients, mainly at the cortical tubular and glomerular parietal epithelial cell levels. C3 protein synthesis by tubular cells was demonstrated by immunofluorescence. The intensity of C3 gene expression by both glomerular and tubulointerstitial compartments correlated with the glomerular stage of disease (P = 0. 0023 and P = 0.0214, respectively). Although no correlation was found with proteinuria, serum creatinine at renal biopsy time was strongly associated with renal C3 expression. IMN patients showed a trend of increased urinary C5b-9 levels, which correlated to C3 at the tubulointerstitial level (P = 0.0143). CONCLUSION: Renal C3 production, mainly at the tubular level, may be induced by urinary excretion of C5b-9 in IMN and may have a pathogenetic role in the tubulointerstitial damage that can be associated with this disease.

Adult↗

Transfusion practices in infants receiving assisted ventilation.

Controversies about medical practices usually arise from lack of definitive scientific studies. In the presence of continuing controversy about the appropriate hemoglobin level for ventilated (or nonventilated) infants, we can attempt to derive as much useful information as possible. In this article, the authors focus on four subjects: the physiologic role of red cells, the clinical effects of anemia and the proposed clinical benefit of red cell transfusions in preterm infants, the risks associated with transfusions, and the use of recombinant erythropoietin as an alternative to transfusion therapy.

Anemia, Neonatal↗

[DRG's and cost/efficacy indicators in nephrology and dialysis. Results at a hospital division].

The Diagnosis Related Groups (DRGs) classification system correlates hospital performance with their relative costs and encourages more efficient productive processes. We report the following parameters: a) the distribution of hospital discharges according to the Major Diagnostic Categories (MDCs) and DRGs; b) the relationship between mean length of stay and threshold values; c) economic analysis of the cost-reimbursement pay-off. The results showed that 71.3% of DRGs belonged to nephro-urological MDC 11 and 28.7% in other internal MDCs (mainly involving cardiac and respiratory system). Of the latter, 67.7% were utilized for dialysis and transplant patients and kidney donors. In MDC 11 the most common DRGs were: the surgical DRG 315, produced by the vascular accesses for hemodialysis and by insertion of Tenckoff catheter for peritoneal dialysis, DRG 316 by cases of acute and chronic renal failure, DRG 332 by biopsy-proven glomerulonephritides. The length of stay was most commonly within range of one-third of threshold value for specific DRG; there was a low percentage of one-day stays and outlier cases. The economic analysis demonstrated that mean daily reimbursement sum was 590,714 ITL. Analysis of the overall costs yielded a mean daily cost of 455,838 ITL. In conclusion, quality indicators show that, appropriately, our specialist activity is largely devoted to the diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic nephropathies and complications following dialysis and renal transplant.

Adolescent↗

Hepatitis C virus-related proteins in kidney tissue from hepatitis C virus-infected patients with cryoglobulinemic membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis.

Membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN) may be a component of a generalized vasculitis as well as a component of the clinical expression of type-II mixed cryoglobulinemia (MC). Several studies have established a striking association between hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and MC. The potential role of HCV in the pathogenesis of MPGN, which occurs in almost half of the cases of MC patients, has not been fully investigated, and the demonstration of HCV proteins as the antigenic constituent of the glomerular immune deposits has remained elusive. Kidney biopsy specimens were obtained from 12 HCV RNA, antibody to HCV (anti-HCV)-positive patients with MPGN and type-II MC, and from 8 controls (3 HCV RNA, anti-HCV-negative patients with MPGN and MC and 5 with noncryoglobulinemic "idiopathic" MPGN). Murine monoclonal antibodies developed against c22-3, E2/NS1, c33c, c100-3, and NS5 proteins were used to detect HCV-related antigens by indirect immunohistochemistry. Acid electroelution of tissue sections was performed to enhance the sensitivity of the immunohistochemical method. Specific HCV-related proteins were detected in glomerular and tubulo-interstitial vascular structures in 8 (66.7%) HCV-positive MC patients and in none of the HCV RNA, anti-HCV-negative controls. HCV immunoreactive deposits displayed the following two major patterns: 1) a linear, homogeneous deposition along glomerular capillary walls, including endothelial cells and sub-endothelial spaces; and 2) a granular bead-like appearance with distinct deposits in mesangial and paramesangial cells. Immunoglobulin G (IgG) and M (IgM) and C3 fraction deposition in adjacent kidney sections displayed features comparable with those found for HCV deposits. Patients with granular deposits showed more pronounced renal impairment and severe proteinuria. These findings indicate that in MC patients with HCV-associated MPGN, kidney deposits consist of HCV-containing immune complexes that are likely to play a direct pathogenetic role in the renal damage.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Monocyte recruitment in cryoglobulinemic membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis: a pathogenetic role for monocyte chemotactic peptide-1.

Monocyte chemotactic peptide-1 (MCP-1) belongs to a large family of cytokines known as chemokines. It is a potent mediator of inflammatory response and is thought to play a major role in recruiting monocytes into the site of inflammation. Mixed cryoglobulinemia is a systemic vasculitis characterized in 10 to 30% of the cases by renal involvement. Monocyte infiltration into the glomerulus, and in the periglomerular and perivascular areas is a common histopathological feature of this form of glomerulonephritis. We sought to determine, by in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry, the renal gene and protein expression of MCP-1 in cryoglobulinemic glomerulonephritis compared to normal kidney, and to correlate it with macrophage infiltration. Kidney biopsy specimens were obtained from 9 patients with cryoglobulinemic glomerulonephritis and 9 control kidneys. The distribution and intensity of MCP-1 gene and protein expression, and the macrophage infiltration (CD68 positive cells) were evaluated and quantitated by a computerized image analysis system. In normal kidneys, MCP-1 was weakly expressed, both at the gene as well as at the protein level. In diseased kidneys, a statistically significant (P < 0.001) up-regulation of MCP-1 gene and protein expression was found, particularly within the areas of tubulointerstitial damage and the glomeruli. By means of CD68 positive cells, a significant correlation (P < 0.001) was found between glomerular, tubulointerstitial macrophage infiltration and MCP-1 expression. Moreover, by combining immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization, we observed the presence of CD68 positive cells mainly, if not exclusively, around the cells expressing MCP-1 mRNA. Interestingly, a striking increase in MCP-1 urinary concentration was found in cryoglobulinemic patients. In conclusion, our data suggest that MCP-1 may play a major role in modulating the inflammatory process observed in cryoglobulinemic glomerulonephritis.

Adult↗

[Echography in the diagnosis and follow-up of renal biopsy complications].

The introduction of echography represented a focal step in the management of renal biopsy, resulting in easier and faster procedures. Chiefly, echography allows the diagnosis and monitoring of complications of bioptic procedure. Here we present a series of 722 consecutive echo-guided renal biopsies, carried out from 1990 to 1995, 97 of which on kidney allografts. Echographic examination, performed 24 to 48 hours after renal biopsy, enable to diagnose the presence of perirenal hematoma in 30% of patients. Of these, only 10% presented with clinical symptoms and/or signs (reduction of Hct and arterial pressure, local pain). Our protocol comprises an echographic follow-up to control the evolution of hematoma, that usually resolves within 15-40 days, according to the initial size of the lesion. One time we observed an intra-parenchimal hematoma, which resulted in kidney rupture and consequent nephrectomy. 14% of all patients complained with macrohematuria: in 10% of these cases, echography showed the presence of coaguli in the urinary tract, which was associated with the clinical features of renal colic pain. Only in two cases of persistent macrohematuria, the echography together with echo- and color-doppler, allowed the diagnosis of the arterio-venous fistula. In conclusion, our experience demonstrates that the echographic examination allows not only to simplify the bioptic procedure, but also to early diagnose the complications due to this invasive manouvre.

Biopsy↗

Use of a check-off system to improve middle school students' story compositions.

This study examined the effects of a self-management procedure designed to teach three 13- to 14-year-old middle school boys with learning and behavior problems to improve the completeness (inclusion of identified story elements) and quality (organization and coherence) of their story compositions. The procedure was based on two strategies: teaching the students to plan stories composed in a narrative style, and teaching them to monitor the inclusion of elements from the plan with a check-off system. A multiple baseline design was used to assess the effectiveness of the procedure, and a combination of holistic and atomistic ratings was used to assess the completeness and quality of the students' written work. Results indicated that stories were more complete when students used a simple check-off system to plan and monitor their work. In addition, there was a moderate correlation between the atomistic and holistic measures used to assess stories, with the total number of words written correlating most strongly (r = .49) with the overall rating for story quality.

Adolescent↗

A modified Two-BUN method for routine urea modeling: clinical validation in 120 patients on a free diet.

Recently, a modified algorithm of the Two-BUN method (MA2p), avoiding dialyzer clearance measurement, was presented for routine assessment of Kt/V and NPCR. To validate MA2p in patients on a free diet (FDP), we studied 120 stable dialysis FDP by measuring Kt/V and NPCR with both MA2p and a modified version of the standard Three-BUN method (MA3p), for the 3 weekly sessions. The NPCR values (g/kg/day), calculated by MA3p for the 3 interdialyses were: 1.286 +/- 0.274, 1.256 +/- 0.276, and 1.116 +/- 0.230, respectively. The correlation coefficient (r) for averaged Kt/V values obtained by the two methods was 0.999 and the percent error (Error%) for MA2p vs. MA3p results ranged from -1.5 to +0.78%. The respective results for NPCR were: r = 0.967, Error% range from -11.7 to +13.9%. In conclusion, MA2p can be safely used in patients on a free diet. The lowest NPCR values were observed during the long interdialysis.

Adult↗

Detection of antibodies to HCV in haemodialysis patients using two second generation ELISA tests.

Ortho HCV Elisa Test System 2nd Generation and Abbott HCV EIA 2nd Generation tests were used in 293 sera collected from dialysis patients in order to determine the prevalence of anti-HCV in this risk group and the sensitivity of the two tests. The agreement between the two tests employed was 98.3%. All reactive sera were confirmed using Ortho Riba and Abbott Supplemental tests. 91.9% sera were confirmed positive by Ortho RIBA and 100% by Abbott Supplemental test. The anti-HCV prevalence in haemodialysis patients increased with age, duration of dialysis treatment and number of transfusions. Our study confirms the higher prevalence of anti-HCV in haemodialysis patients using 2nd generation tests and their specificity.

Adult↗

Immunogenicity and efficacy of anti-hepatitis B vaccines in hemodialysis patients.

The 7-year follow-up with plasma-derived and 2-year follow-up with r-DNA vaccines have indicated the safety, immunogenicity and persistence of a vaccine-induced antibody response in hemodialysis patients. The results of our study indicate that these subjects have a lower and often inadequate immunogenic response to the HB vaccine and that the r-DNA vaccine gives a better seroconversion rate than the plasma-derived vaccines.

Hepatitis B↗

Prevalence and incidence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in hemodialysis patients: study of risk factors.

The prevalence of antibodies against hepatitis C virus (HCV) was assessed in 246 hemodialysis patients who attended a dialysis unit in Bari, using a recombinant enzyme immunoassay test (Abbot Lab.). Fifty-six (22.8%) sera were reactive to anti-HCV. The reactivity was confirmed in 46 specimens (18.7%) using the Abbott EIA HCV neutralization test. The anti-HCV prevalence was higher in males than in females and increased with age, duration of dialysis and number of transfusions. Moreover, a correlation between the presence of anti-HCV and the persistent increase of ALT was noted. The HCV-infection attack rate was calculated using the frozen sera collected from 1984 to 1990: the incidence of infection in the first year was 6.1%, and in following years 4.6%, 4.9%, 3.1%, 2.1% and 2.2%, respectively.

Adult↗

Chronic renal failure for bilateral spontaneous kidney rupture in a case of tuberous sclerosis. Case report and review of the literature.

A case of spontaneous, but not contemporary rupture of both kidneys in a 42-year-old man with tuberous sclerosis is described. Despite the high incidence of renal involvement, chronic renal failure due to replacement and compression of renal tissue by hamartomas is rare. We reviewed 25 cases in the literature and found only 1 other case which necessitated maintenance hemodialytic treatment for kidney rupture. It is suggested that early diagnosis and conservative partial nephrectomy could prevent or delay the onset of chronic renal failure, malignant transformation and dramatic rupture of hamartomas.

Adult↗