Hyperuricemia and gout following pediatric renal transplantation

Hyperuricemia and gout are common complications in adult renal transplant recipients. In pediatric recipients, however, hyperuricemia seems to be rare, but data are scarce. Thirty-two children (21 males, 11 females) were investigated for a median time of 4.8years (range: 0.4-11.2years) following renal transplantation. The median age of this pediatric study group was 13.9years (range: 5.7-20.3years), and the calculated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was 61ml/min per 1.73m2 (range:12-88ml/min per 1.73m2). All patients were given calcineurin inhibitors, with 22 and ten children receiving cyclosporine A (CSA) and tacrolimus (TAC), respectively. The median plasma uric acid was 385μmol/l (range: 62-929μmol/l); 15 children (47%) were above the age-related normal range. Only one patient experienced gouty arthritis. There was a significant correlation between plasma uric acid concentration and both time span after transplantation and plasma creatinine, and an inverse correlation to GFR (p<0.05). No significant correlation was found between plasma uric acid and body mass index (BMI). Plasma uric acid concentrations were neither different among CSA- and TAC-treated children, nor did they correlate with drug exposure or blood trough levels of CSA or TAC. Plasma uric acid concentration was not different when compared to children with chronic renal failure (CRF) of a similar degree in native kidneys. We conclude that hyperuricemia is common among pediatric renal transplant recipients and rather a consequence of chronic renal transplant dysfunction than the use of calcineurin inhibitors. Gout, however, is rar

Psychosocial impact of living-related kidney transplantation on donors and partners

Living-related kidney transplantation (LRKT) is an option for children with end-stage renal failure. In addition to medical concerns, there is uncertainty about the psychological impact of living-related donation on parent donors and families. A survey was conducted on the decision making process and medical and psychosocial consequences of LRKT. Between 1992 and 1999, 20 parents donated a kidney for their child. A questionnaire including 24 items was sent to parent donors and their partners. Nineteen parents and partners responded; the median time after LRKT was 3years. Donors and partners reported an independent decision making process with no significant influence of partners, relatives, or hospital staff. Partners were more concerned about medical problems than donors themselves (P <0.02). Donors and partners cited no medical problems except sustained pain. Both reported an improved personal relationship towards the transplanted child. Donors and partners also cited an improved personal relationship. The vast majority (18/19) of couples still supported the decision for organ donation. In conclusion, there was a high degree of satisfaction with the decision making process in LRKT. The great majority of donors and partners did not report negative medical or psychological consequences. The relationship between donor, partner, and recipient child improved after LRK

Krankheitsverlauf bei jungen Patienten mit einem Harnblasenkarzinom - eine retrospektive Vergleichsstudie

Hintergrund: Etwa drei Prozent aller Krebserkrankungen des Menschen sind Karzinome der Harn-blase (TCCB), wobei das TCCB der häufigste maligne Tumor des Harntraktes und nach dem Prostatakarzinom der zweithäufigste des Urogenitaltrakts ist. Die wesentli-chen Riskofaktoren sind Alter und (männliches) Geschlecht sowie einige chemische Noxen und Nikotinabusus. Die Inzidenz des TCCBs ist proportional ansteigend mit zu dem Lebensalter der Pat mit einem Altersgipfel um das 65. Lebensjahr. Weniger als 1% der Patienten Pat mit einem TCCB sind bei Erstdiagnose (ED) jünger als 45 Jahre. Die Prognose dieser Pat. ist nur unzureichend an größeren Fallzahlen dokumentiert. Ziel der vorliegenden Arbeit war es, den Langzeitverlauf dieser Pat. zu beobachten. Material und Methode: Mittels einer telephonischen und schriftlichen Befragung anhand eines vorher erar-beiteten Fragebogens wurden 57 Pat. (=PG 45) mit einem Durchschnittsalter von 37,4 Jahren (17-45 Jahre) und einem oberflächlichen TCCB (< T2) hinsichtlich des Rezidivverhaltens mit einem identischen Kontrollkollektiv (TNM, Grading, Risikopro-fil), das älter als 65 Jahre alt war (65-98 Jahre, Ø73,4 Jahre, n=217, =KK65), vergli-chen. Die Patientensubgruppen wurden hierbei aus der Urologischen Klinik der Lud-wig-Maximilians Universität München und der Urologischen Klinik der St. Josef-Klinik in Regensburg rekrutiert. Die medianen zensierten Nachbeobachtungszeiten (d.h. für die Pat. ohne Rezidiv) betrugen 53 (PG 45) und 36,6 Monate (KK 65). Berechnungen zur Rezidivwahrscheinlichkeit wurden mittels der Methode von Kaplan-Meier durch-geführt, Log-Rank-Test, Vierfeldertafel-Analyse und der Chi-Quadrat Test dienten der Überprüfung signifikanter Unterschiede beider Kollektive. Ergebnisse: Bei ED fanden sich signifikante Unterschiede in beiden Patientenkollektiven bzgl. Tumostadium und Tumorgrading, wobei sich in der KK65 jeweils ein fortgeschrittene-res Tumorstadium sowie ein schlechteres Tumorgrading zeigten. Auch bei der übli-chen Unterscheidung in (oberflächliche) low-, intermediate- und (aggressivere) high-risk Tumore fanden sich signifikante Unterschiede zum Nachteil des älteren Kontroll-kollektivs. Was die Rezidivinzidenz betrifft, so entwickelten 29/57 der jungen Pat. (PG 45) ein Rezidiv. Die mediane Zeit bis zum Rezidiv betrug 89 (PG 45) vs. 72 Monate (KK 65) (log rank 0,392). Nach 10 Jahren betrug die tumorspezifische Rezidivrate nach Kap-lan-Meier-Schätzung 51,6 % (PG 45) gegenüber 61,6 % (KK 65). Von den Patienten, die bis zum 5. Jahr tumorfrei waren, entwickelten laut Kaplan-Meier-Schätzung nach weiteren fünf Jahren noch 20,5 % (PG 45) und bei dem Kontrollkollektiv noch 25,9 % ein Rezidiv. Schlussfolgerung: Das Risiko in beiden Subgruppen, nach 5 Jahren tumorfreien Intervalls ein Rezidiv zu erleiden ist nicht unerheblich. Die Prognose junger Pat. mit einem TCCB bezüg-lich des Rezidivverhaltens unterscheidet sich nicht von der älterer Patienten. Diese hohe Rate an Rezidiven und Krankheitsprogression bei jungen Patienten mit eigent-lich positiver tumorbiologischen Kriterien sollte Anlass zu weiteren Untersuchungen bezüglich ihrer Ursache. Da die Rezidivrate auch bei Patienten mit initial wenig fort-geschrittenen Karzinom signifikant ist, sollten auch diese Karzinome im Stadium pTa engmaschige Kontrollen erhalten. Die Tumornachsorge bei jüngeren Patienten sollte auch im Langzeitverlauf den Richtlinien älterer Pat. entsprechen

Transplantation of infant en bloc kidneys into paediatric recipients

En bloc renal transplantation (EBT) from infant donors is an option for children with end-stage renal failure. Owing to potential complications, EBT is not performed in all paediatric nephrology centres. We evaluated the perioperative and long-term course of five children undergoing EBT. Primary diagnosis was atypical (diarrhoea-negative) haemolytic uraemic syndrome (n=2), interstitial nephropathy (two siblings) and branchio-oto-renal syndrome (n=1). Recipient and donor ages ranged between 5.9 and 11.1 years and 0.3 and 2.5 years, respectively. Follow-up time after EBT was 2.1-13.2 years. Perioperative complications included (1) a renal artery thrombosis, with immediate intraoperative reconstruction and primary non-functioning of the graft, with recovery after 10 days, and (2) a vesico-ureteric obstruction, successfully managed with temporary insertion of a JJ-catheter. All grafts had good long-term function. Absolute glomerular filtration rate (GFR; millilitres/minute) increased in all patients, whereas relative GFR (millilitres/minute per 1.73m2 body surface area) remained stable during the follow-up period in all but one. Kidney size increased significantly, with maximal growth during the first year after EBT; magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed normal structure and vasculature. EBT is a safe and effective option for young children with end-stage renal failure. Absolute GFR and graft size increase and adapt to the children's growing body mas

Proteomic analysis of mononuclear cells of patients with minimal-change nephrotic syndrome of childhood

Background/Aims. Recently, peripheral blood mononuclear cell transcriptome analysis has identified genes that are upregulated in relapsing minimal-change nephrotic syndrome (MCNS). In order to investigate protein expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from relapsing MCNS patients, we performed proteomic comparisons of PBMC from patients with MCNS in relapse and controls. Methods. PBMC from a total of 20 patients were analysed. PBMC were taken from five patients with relapsing MCNS, four in remission, five patients with other glomerular diseases and six controls. Two dimensional electrophoresis was performed and proteome patterns were compared. Results. Automatic heuristic clustering analysis allowed us to pool correctly the gels from the MCNS patients in the relapse and in the control groups. Using hierarchical population matching, nine spots were found to be increased in PBMC from MCNS patients in relapse. Four spots were identified by mass spectrometry. Three of the four proteins identified (l-plastin, α-tropomyosin and annexin III) were cytoskeletal-associated proteins. Using western blot and immunochemistry, l-plastin and α-tropomyosin 3 concentrations were found to be enhanced in PBMC from MCNS patients in relapse. Conclusions. These data indicate that a specific proteomic profile characterizes PBMC from MCNS patients in relapse. Proteins involved in PBMC cytoskeletal rearrangement are increased in relapsing MCNS. We hypothesize that T-cell cytoskeletal rearrangement may play a role in the pathogenesis of MCNS by altering the expression of cell surface receptors and by modifying the interaction of these cells with glomerular cell

Towards Context-Aware Adaptable Web Services.

ABSTRACT In this paper, we present a context framework that facilitates the development and deployment of context-aware adaptable Web services. Web services are provided with context information about clients that may be utilized to provide a personalized behavior. Context is extensible with new types of information at any time without any changes to the underlying infrastructure. Context processing is done by Web services, context plugins, or context services. Context plugins and context services pre-and post-process Web service messages based on the available context information. Both are essential for automatic context processing and automatic adaption of Web services to new context types without the necessity to adjust the Web services themselves. We implemented the context framework within the ServiceGlobe system, our open and distributed Web service platform

Selective late steroid withdrawal after renal transplantation

Steroid withdrawal (SW) after paediatric renal transplantation (RTPL) is controversial. Selective late SW has been performed in our unit since 1995. The safety and effects of SW were analysed retrospectively in 47 patients undergoing RTPL between 1995 and 2004. Initial immunosuppression consisted of cyclosporine A, azathioprine or mycophenolate mofetil and steroids. Criteria for SW were: (1) stable renal function, (2) time interval after RTPL ≥ 1year, (3) no rejection or time interval after last rejection ≥ 1year and (4) good compliance. SW was performed in 30 patients at an age of 13.5years (range 4.5-18.5) and 2.2years (range 1-6.6) after RTPL. After SW, one patient experienced a steroid-sensitive rejection. Follow-up after SW (1.3year; range 0.25-7.5) showed maintained renal function: glomerular filtration rate at SW and currently was 82 (65-128) and 82 (42-115) ml/min per 1.73m2, respectively. The number of patients on antihypertensive treatment did not significantly change (at SW: n = 15; currently: n = 11). Height and body mass index (BMI) remained stable: Median standard deviation score (SDS) for height/BMI at SW and currently was −1.1/0.2 and −0.8/0.1, respectively. Selective late SW was safe regarding renal function and had no significant effect on blood pressure and growt

Antenatal oligohydramnios of renal origin: long-term outcome

Background. Prognosis of fetuses with renal oligohydramnios (ROH) is often still regarded as poor. Neonatal complications and the long-term follow-up of fetuses with ROH in two pediatric centres are described. Method. 23 fetuses (16 males, 7 females) were included as patients. Primary diseases included congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract (n = 16), autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease (n = 4) and renal tubular dysgenesis (n = 3). The analysis includes retrospective chart review. Results. Seven children died (30%), the majority (n = 4, 17%) within the neonatal period due to pulmonary hypoplasia and renal insufficiency. Fourteen patients (61%) required postnatal mechanical ventilation for a median of 4 (range 1-60) days; 11 infants had an associated pneumothorax. All 16 surviving children have chronic kidney disease (CKD) at a current median age of 5.7 years (range 0.5-14.5), managed conservatively in eight patients [median glomerular filtration rate 51 (range 20-78) ml/min/1.73 m2]. Eight patients reached end-stage renal disease at a median age of 0.3 years (range 2 days to 8.3 years), including one patient with pre-emptive kidney transplantation. Five of the patients requiring dialysis underwent successful renal transplantation at a median age of 3.5 years (range 2.5-4). Growth was impaired in seven children requiring growth hormone treatment. Cognitive and motor development was normal in 12 (75%) of the 16 patients and showed a delay in four children, including two with associated syndromal features. Conclusion. ROH is not always associated with a poor prognosis and long-term outcome in survivors is encouraging. The high incidence of neonatal complications and long-term morbidity due to CKD requires a multidisciplinary management of these childre