Use of iron sucrose in dialysis patients sensitive to iron dextran

This study aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of iron sucrose in hemodialysis (HD) patients with documented hypersensitivity reactions to iron dextran. Of 205 HD patients who received low molecular weight iron dextran, 15 (7.3%) patients developed documented hypersensitivity reactions. The patients were treated with iron sucrose (100 mg administered as an intravenous push over 5-10 minutes once a week) for 8 weeks. Complete blood count, serum iron, serum ferritin, and parathyroid hormone were measured at the beginning and at the end of the study (except parathyroid hormone). All patients received subcutaneous erythropoietin at a constant dose of 5000 IU twice weekly unless a change was required. All the patients completed the study period and none of them developed hypersensitivity reactions to iron sucrose. The mean hematocrit increased from 23.8% to 32.27% (p < 0.0001), the mean serum ferritin from 185 ng/mL to 599 ng/mL (p < 0.0001), and the mean serum iron from 29.3 ng/dL to 76.8 ng/dL (p = 0.01). We conclude that iron sucrose is safe and effective in HD patients with documented hypersensitivity reactions to low molecular weight iron dextran

Functional Status of Patients on Maintenance Hemodialysis

Factors associated with physical well being were examined in adults with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in two large hemodialysis units of the Royal Medical Services in Jordan. Utilizing the Karnofski scale we measured the functional status of 200 Patients who had been on maintenance hemodialysis for at least 12 months. A Marnofski scale of less than 70 incidents frank disability (Inability to perform routine living activities without assistance), in addition current vocational status was assessed as well as any existing comorbid conditions. The mean age of the study group was 45.2 years (range 16 to 70) and included 108 (54%) males and 92 (46%) females, there were 39 (19.5%) diabetic patients and 27 (13.5%) patients were receiving erythropoietin (EPO). The mean hematocrit of the entire group was 27.8%. As measured by Karnofski scale, 64 (32%) of the patients were unable to perform routine living activity without assistance; dependence on wheelchair was reported by 9 (4.5%) patients. The mean comorbidity index of patients who scored less than 70 on the Karnofski scale was 1.5 compared to 0.7 for those who scored at least 70 on the same scale (p< 0.001). Analysis of factors showed that age and diabetes mellitus affected functional status. Of the laboratory variables measured, only serum albumin concentration correlated significant with Karnofski scale. Fourteen (21.8%) of the patients who scored below 70, had serum albumin concentration above 40g/L compared to 66 (48.5%) of the patients who scored at least 70 on the Karnofski scale (p< 0.001). We conclude that a significant proportion of patients on maintenance hemodialysis is functionally disabled. The elderly, diabetics, patients with high co-morbidity index and those with low serum albumin are most likely to have poor functional status

A survey of challenges and solutions for the integration of renewable energy in datacenters

In Press, Corrected ProofInternational audienceAs more and more activities are moving online, the need for datacenters is increasing which raises their energy consumption and the resulting greenhouse gas emissions. The supply of datacenters with renewable energy is often seen as the main solution to this nexus. However, multiple challenges are posed by their integration. Solutions to these challenges, mainly in the form of flexibility and energy efficiency, require multidisciplinary skills. As a consequence, this article aims to review scientific efforts in several complementary disciplines: electrical engineering, computer science, control system engineering and operations research. It covers datacenter architecture, infrastructure sizing and resource management on both information and energy sides. Conclusions on current progresses are drawn and challenges that remain to be addressed are listed as well

Ticagrelor in patients with diabetes and stable coronary artery disease with a history of previous percutaneous coronary intervention (THEMIS-PCI) : a phase 3, placebo-controlled, randomised trial

Background: Patients with stable coronary artery disease and diabetes with previous percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), particularly those with previous stenting, are at high risk of ischaemic events. These patients are generally treated with aspirin. In this trial, we aimed to investigate if these patients would benefit from treatment with aspirin plus ticagrelor. Methods: The Effect of Ticagrelor on Health Outcomes in diabEtes Mellitus patients Intervention Study (THEMIS) was a phase 3 randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial, done in 1315 sites in 42 countries. Patients were eligible if 50 years or older, with type 2 diabetes, receiving anti-hyperglycaemic drugs for at least 6 months, with stable coronary artery disease, and one of three other mutually non-exclusive criteria: a history of previous PCI or of coronary artery bypass grafting, or documentation of angiographic stenosis of 50% or more in at least one coronary artery. Eligible patients were randomly assigned (1:1) to either ticagrelor or placebo, by use of an interactive voice-response or web-response system. The THEMIS-PCI trial comprised a prespecified subgroup of patients with previous PCI. The primary efficacy outcome was a composite of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, or stroke (measured in the intention-to-treat population). Findings: Between Feb 17, 2014, and May 24, 2016, 11 154 patients (58% of the overall THEMIS trial) with a history of previous PCI were enrolled in the THEMIS-PCI trial. Median follow-up was 3·3 years (IQR 2·8–3·8). In the previous PCI group, fewer patients receiving ticagrelor had a primary efficacy outcome event than in the placebo group (404 [7·3%] of 5558 vs 480 [8·6%] of 5596; HR 0·85 [95% CI 0·74–0·97], p=0·013). The same effect was not observed in patients without PCI (p=0·76, p interaction=0·16). The proportion of patients with cardiovascular death was similar in both treatment groups (174 [3·1%] with ticagrelor vs 183 (3·3%) with placebo; HR 0·96 [95% CI 0·78–1·18], p=0·68), as well as all-cause death (282 [5·1%] vs 323 [5·8%]; 0·88 [0·75–1·03], p=0·11). TIMI major bleeding occurred in 111 (2·0%) of 5536 patients receiving ticagrelor and 62 (1·1%) of 5564 patients receiving placebo (HR 2·03 [95% CI 1·48–2·76], p<0·0001), and fatal bleeding in 6 (0·1%) of 5536 patients with ticagrelor and 6 (0·1%) of 5564 with placebo (1·13 [0·36–3·50], p=0·83). Intracranial haemorrhage occurred in 33 (0·6%) and 31 (0·6%) patients (1·21 [0·74–1·97], p=0·45). Ticagrelor improved net clinical benefit: 519/5558 (9·3%) versus 617/5596 (11·0%), HR=0·85, 95% CI 0·75–0·95, p=0·005, in contrast to patients without PCI where it did not, p interaction=0·012. Benefit was present irrespective of time from most recent PCI. Interpretation: In patients with diabetes, stable coronary artery disease, and previous PCI, ticagrelor added to aspirin reduced cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, and stroke, although with increased major bleeding. In that large, easily identified population, ticagrelor provided a favourable net clinical benefit (more than in patients without history of PCI). This effect shows that long-term therapy with ticagrelor in addition to aspirin should be considered in patients with diabetes and a history of PCI who have tolerated antiplatelet therapy, have high ischaemic risk, and low bleeding risk