Parathyroidectomy versus cinacalcet for tertiary hyperparathyroidism; a retrospective analysis

Introduction Tertiary hyperparathyroidism (tHPT), i.e., persistent HPT after kidney transplantation, affects 17–50% of transplant recipients. Treatment of tHPT is mandatory since persistently elevated PTH concentrations after KTx increase the risk of renal allograft dysfunction and osteoporosis. The introduction of cinacalcet in 2004 seemed to offer a medical treatment alternative to parathyroidectomy (PTx). However, the optimal management of tHPT remains unclear. Methods A retrospective analysis was performed on patients receiving a kidney transplantation (KT) in two academic centers in the Netherlands. Thirty patients undergoing PTx within 3 years of transplantation and 64 patients treated with cinacalcet 1 year after transplantation for tHPT were included. Primary outcomes were serum calcium and PTH concentrations 1 year after KT and after PTx. Results Serum calcium normalized in both the cinacalcet and the PTx patients. PTH concentrations remained above the upper limit of normal (median 22.0 pmol/L) 1 year after KT, but returned to within the normal range in the PTx group (median 3.7 pmol/L). Side effects of cinacalcet were difficult to assess; minor complications occurred in three patients. Re-exploration due to persistent tHPT was performed in three (10%) patients. Conclusion In patients with tHPT, cinacalcet normalizes serum calcium, but does not lead to a normalization of serum PTH concentrations. In contrast, PTx leads to a normalization of both serum calcium and PTH concentrations. These findings suggest that PTx is the treatment of choice for tHPT

Outcomes of parathyroidectomy versus calcimimetics for secondary hyperparathyroidism and kidney transplantation: a propensity-matched analysis (vol 405, pg 851, 2020)

An Erratum to this paper has been published:Vascular Surger

Timing of Parathyroidectomy Does Not Influence Renal Function After Kidney Transplantation

Background Parathyroidectomy (PTx) is the treatment of choice for end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients with therapy-resistant hyperparathyroidism (HPT). The optimal timing of PTx for ESRD-related HPT—before or after kidney transplantation (KTx)—is subject of debate. Methods Patients with ESRD-related HPT who underwent both PTx and KTx between 1994 and 2015 were included in a multicenter retrospective study in four university hospitals. Two groups were formed according to treatment sequence: PTx before KTx (PTxKTx) and PTx after KTx (KTxPTx). Primary endpoint was renal function (eGFR, CKD-EPI) between both groups at several time points post-transplantation. Correlation between the timing of PTx and KTx and the course of eGFR was assessed using generalized estimating equations (GEE). Results The PTxKTx group consisted of 102 (55.1%) and the KTxPTx group of 83 (44.9%) patients. Recipient age, donor type, PTx type, and pre-KTx PTH levels were significantly different between groups. At 5 years after transplantation, eGFR was similar in the PTxKTx group (eGFR 44.5 ± 4.0 ml/min/1.73 m2 ) and KTxPTx group (40.0 ± 6.4 ml/min/1.73 m2 , p = 0.43). The unadjusted GEE model showed that timing of PTx was not correlated with graft function over time (mean difference -1.0 ml/min/1.73 m2 , 95% confidence interval -8.4 to 6.4, p = 0.79). Adjustment for potential confounders including recipient age and sex, various donor characteristics, PTx type, and PTH levels did not materially influence the results. Conclusions In this multicenter cohort study, timing of PTx before or after KTx does not independently impact graft function over time

Synaptic processes and immune-related pathways implicated in Tourette syndrome.

Tourette syndrome (TS) is a neuropsychiatric disorder of complex genetic architecture involving multiple interacting genes. Here, we sought to elucidate the pathways that underlie the neurobiology of the disorder through genome-wide analysis. We analyzed genome-wide genotypic data of 3581 individuals with TS and 7682 ancestry-matched controls and investigated associations of TS with sets of genes that are expressed in particular cell types and operate in specific neuronal and glial functions. We employed a self-contained, set-based association method (SBA) as well as a competitive gene set method (MAGMA) using individual-level genotype data to perform a comprehensive investigation of the biological background of TS. Our SBA analysis identified three significant gene sets after Bonferroni correction, implicating ligand-gated ion channel signaling, lymphocytic, and cell adhesion and transsynaptic signaling processes. MAGMA analysis further supported the involvement of the cell adhesion and trans-synaptic signaling gene set. The lymphocytic gene set was driven by variants in FLT3, raising an intriguing hypothesis for the involvement of a neuroinflammatory element in TS pathogenesis. The indications of involvement of ligand-gated ion channel signaling reinforce the role of GABA in TS, while the association of cell adhesion and trans-synaptic signaling gene set provides additional support for the role of adhesion molecules in neuropsychiatric disorders. This study reinforces previous findings but also provides new insights into the neurobiology of TS

Isotretinoin is safe and efficacious in Asians with acne vulgaris

10.3109/09546634.2012.672708Journal of Dermatological Treatment245387-391JDTR

Transaortic Aortic Valve Implantation in 100 Patients: Follow-up to 3 Years

OBJECTIVE: Transaortic aortic valve implantation (TAo-AVI) through the ascending aorta is a novel technique and is used as an alternative in patients with poor femoral access. Although early results have been promising, no midterm data have been published yet. To determine whether this approach is an acceptable treatment option, we analyzed the first 100 cases performed at our institution with a follow-up to 3 years. METHODS: Between July 2011 and January 2015, a total of 100 patients with high-risk or inoperable aortic valve stenosis were treated with TAo-AVI. Preoperative patient data were collected and analyzed retrospectively. All surviving patients were seen for clinical and echocardiographic examination for follow-up. RESULTS: Median follow-up was 15 months. Device success was accomplished in 94 patients (94%). There were no access site complications. The 30-day mortality rate was 9%. Stroke occurred in a total of six patients (6%). Survival at 1-, 2-, and 3 years was 75%, 62%, and 58%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that TAo-AVI is a promising alternative to transapical implantation for treating severe inoperable aortic valve stenosis

Contact-resistance reduction for strained n-FinFETs with silicon-carbon source/drain and platinum-based silicide contacts featuring tellurium implantation and segregation

10.1109/TED.2011.2166077IEEE Transactions on Electron Devices58113852-3862IETD

Beyond cell capture: Antibody conjugation improves hemocompatibility for vascular tissue engineering applications

10.1089/ten.tea.2009.0680Tissue Engineering - Part A1682485-249