Cavernous Sinus Thrombosis in a Patient with Nephrotic Syndrome

info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Anemia, Thrombocytopenia and Acute Kidney Injury. A Diagnostic Challenge

info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Combined low-carbohydrate diet and long-term exercise in hypoxia in type 2 diabetes: A randomized controlled trial protocol to assess glycemic control, cardiovascular risk factors and body composition

Background: Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of mortality associated with diabetes, which is characterized by chronic hyperglycemia. Low-carbohydrate diet has gained popularity as an intervention in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, acting to improve glycemic profile and serum lipids. In its turn, exercise in hypoxia induces specific adaptations, mostly modulated via hypoxia-induced transcription factor signaling cascade, which increases with exposure to altitude, and promotes angiogenesis, glycogen supply, glucose tolerance, and raises GLUT-4 expression. Aim: Given that hyperglycemia decreases HIF-1 and it is better controlled when following a low-carbohydrate diet, this study aims to examine the hypothesis that a combination of both low-carbohydrate diet and chronic exercise in hypoxia in type 2 diabetes mellitus is associated with improved glycemic control and cardiovascular parameters, whose protocol is described. Methods: Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus ( n=48) will be recruited and randomized into one of the three groups: (a) Control group: Control diet (low-fat and moderate-carbohydrate diet)+exercise in normoxia; (2) exercise in hypoxia group: Control diet+exercise in hypoxia; (3) intervention group: Low-carbohydrate diet (low-carbohydrate and high-fat diet)+exercise in hypoxia. Before and after 8 weeks of interventions, cardiopulmonary tests (Bruce protocol), body composition and blood pressure will be evaluated. Blood samples will be collected to measure hypoxia-induced transcription factor, C-reactive protein, glycemic and lipid profiles. Summary: This will be the first trial to examine the isolated and combined effect of chronic exercise in hypoxia and low-carbohydrate diet in type 2 diabetes mellitus. This trial will help to fill a significant research gap, guide future research and contribute to the combined nutrition and exercise approach to type 2 diabetes mellitus. </jats:p

Púrpura de Henoch-Schönlein Associada a Adenocarcinoma do Pulmão

Introduction: The Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) is an immunoglobulin A (IgA)-mediated smallvessel systemic vasculitis, rare in adults. The association with solid tumours has been described, especially with lung cancer. Case Report: We present the case of a 60-year-old Caucasian male, diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma that underwent surgical resection without (neo)adjuvant theraphy. Two months latter he was admitted for abdominal pain, purpuric rash on his lower extremities and acute kidney injury, with serum creatinine (Scr) of 2 mg/dl. Urinalysis revealed haematuria and 24h proteinuria (P24h) of 1.5 g. The serum protein electrophoresis, complement components C3 and C4, circulating immune complexes, cryoglobulins, ANCA, ANA, anti-dsDNA and the remaining immunologic study as screening for viral infections (HCV, HBV and HIV) were negative. Renal ultrasound was normal and kidney biopsy revealed mild mesangial proliferation; 2 cellular glomerular crescents and 1 fibrinoid necrosis lesion; large amounts of red blood cell casts; lymphocytic infiltration in the intertubular interstitial capillaries; moderate arteriolar hyalinosis. Immunofluorescence demonstrated mesangial and parietal deposits of IgA. The diagnosis of HSP was assumed, and the patient started prednisolone 1 mg/kg/day. Ten months after diagnosis the patient’s baseline Scr is 1.4 mg/dl with P24h of 0.18g, without haematuria. Conclusion: Although this is a rare association and the exact mechanism behind the disease is yet unknown, physicians should be aware of it. The early recognition and treatment may prevent renal disease progression

Quantitative EEG and Functional Outcome Following Acute Ischemic Stroke

Objective: To identify the most accurate quantitative electroencephalographic (qEEG) predictor(s) of unfavorable post-ischemic stroke outcome, and its discriminative capacity compared to already known demographic, clinical and imaging prognostic markers. Methods: Prospective cohort of 151 consecutive anterior circulation ischemic stroke patients followed for 12 months. EEG was recorded within 72 h and at discharge or 7 days post-stroke. QEEG (global band power, symmetry, affected/unaffected hemisphere and time changes) indices were calculated from mean Fast Fourier Transform and analyzed as predictors of unfavorable outcome (mRS ≥ 3), at discharge and 12 months poststroke, before and after adjustment for age, admission NIHSS and ASPECTS. Results: Higher delta, lower alpha and beta relative powers (RP) predicted outcome. Indices with higher discriminative capacity were delta-theta to alpha-beta ratio (DTABR) and alpha RP. Outcome models including either of these and other clinical/imaging stroke outcome predictors were superior to models without qEEG data. In models with qEEG indices, infarct size was not a significant outcome predictor. Conclusions: DTAABR and alpha RP are the best qEEG indices and superior to ASPECTS in post-stroke outcome prediction. They improve the discriminative capacity of already known clinical and imaging stroke outcome predictors, both at discharge and 12 months after stroke. Significance: qEEG indices are independent predictors of stroke outcome.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Índices Morfológicos na Nefrite Lúpica: Orientação Prognóstica? Um Estudo Retrospectivo

INTRODUCTION: Lupus nephritis is a serious complication of systemic lupus erythematosus. Currently, therapy is guided by findings in the renal biopsy, following the International Society of Nephrology / Renal Pathology Society classification. Austin and Hill's histomorphological indexes are not routinely obtained. In this retrospective single-centre study, we aimed to analyze the importance and applicability of the different morphological indexes in predicting response to treatment and prognosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients with kidney biopsy demonstrating lupus nephritis from the 2010 - 2016 period were included. We analyzed their demographic data, comorbidities, clinical presentation and laboratorial evaluation at the time of renal biopsy. We evaluated the following outcomes: clinical remission, renal function and proteinuria at end of follow-up. Histologic analysis was performed using the International Society of Nephrology / Renal Pathology Society classification and the morphological indexes described by Austin (Activity and Chronicity) and Hill. Univariate and multivariate statistical analysis was performed using STATA software. RESULTS: We analyzed 46 biopsy-proven lupus nephritis cases, with a median follow-up of 31.9 (13.2 - 45.6) months. Based on biopsy findings, 35 patients were started on immunosuppressive therapy. We observed that Class IV patients had, at presentation, lower estimated glomerular filtration rate (67.3 vs 94.6 mL/min; p = 0.02), higher proteinuria (4.26 vs 2.37 g/24 hours; p = 0.02) and a non-significantly higher C3 consumption (58.9 vs 77.4 mg/dL; p = 0.06). We did not observe correlations between International Society of Nephrology / Renal Pathology Society classification and the outcomes at the end of follow-up. In contrast, both the Hill biopsy index and Austin's Chronicity index were correlated with renal function and proteinuria at the end of follow-up. Austin's Activity index correlated with the immunological findings (C3, C4 and anti-dsDNA) at presentation. DISCUSSION: Because clinical activity poorly correlates with histologic activity, histological findings are fundamental when assessing patients with suspected lupus nephritis. The most recent International Society of Nephrology / Renal Pathology Society report supports the European League Against Rheumatism guidelines, encouraging the adoption of histomorphological indexes when evaluating lupus nephritis. Our data, showing a correlation between the renal outcomes and the indexes described by Austin and Hill, supports this view. CONCLUSION: The histomorphological indexes in lupus nephritis are easily obtainable, can predict renal outcomes and may help in the management of such patients.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Transplantation in Highly Sensitised Patients Treated with Intravenous Immunoglobulin and Rituximab

Renal transplant in highly sensitised patients is associated with increased morbidity. The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the clinical evolution of 30 highly sensitised deceased donor kidney transplants and the influence of different timing of B cell directed treatment and its importance in the outcome of these patients. All recipients had negative complement dependent lymphocytotoxicity cytotoxic T cell crossmatch and no identified anti human leucocyte antigen class I donor specific antibodies. T cell flow crossmatch was performed within 24h of transplantation with serum obtained pretransplant (historic, recent or baseline). Posttransplant flow crossmatch were performed prospectively starting on the 3rd posttransplantation day. The immunosuppressive regime included thymoglobulin, tacrolimus, mycofenolate mofetil and steroids. Positive flow crossmatch occurred in 20/29 patients by the 3rd posttransplantation day, and in 17/27 patients after the 3rd posttransplantation day. All patients were started on intravenous immunoglobulin before transplantation: in nine patients (group A) at 400mg/kg/day for five days; in the remaining 21 patients (group B), as a continued infusion of 2g/kg during 48h. In group A, Rituximab was added only in the presence of antibody mediated rejection; in group B, introduced on the 3rd posttransplantation day whenever a positive flow crossmatch (with serum obtained pre or posttransplant) was reported. Antibody mediated rejection was observed in 44.4% of patients in group A, and 19% of those in group B. Mean follow-up was 12.2±5.5 months. Overall allograft survival was 76.6%, 81% in group B, and 66.6% in group A. At last follow up, mean serum creatinine was 1.3±0.6 mg/dl. Renal transplantation with pretransplant positive flow crossmatch is highly associated with antibody mediated rejection, despite introduction of intravenous immunoglobulin pretransplantation. However high dose intravenous immunoglobulin for 48h plus Rituximab by the 3rd posttransplantation day reduce the incidence of antibody mediated rejection by more than 50% and allowed for allograft survival of 81% at one year, with an excellent renal function