1,721,350 research outputs found
β2-Microglobulin and low-flux synthetic dialyzers
No full textThe aim of this study was to compare the effect on β2-microglobulin (β2-M) plasma levels of dialyzers with 3 low-flux synthetic membranes and regenerated cellulose (Cuprophan) in 12 chronic dialysis patients. The Synthetic membrane materials chosen were low-flux polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), low-flux polysulfone (PS 400), and polycarbonate-polyether (Gambrane). Adequate and comparable removal of small solutes was provided by dialyzers with all 4 membrane materials used under similar conditions. A significant reduction of β2-M plasma levels was seen only with Gambrane while the other 2 synthetic membrane materials gave rise to increases similar to those known to occur with Cuprophan. After correction for the hemoconcentration caused by ultrafiltration, dialysis with Gambrane showed a 24% lower plasma β2-M level while the β2-M concentrations with the other 3 membrane materials were practically unchanged. In addition, the efficiency of Gambrane dialyzers in β2-M removal was able to significantly lower the predialysis plasma β2-M levels after only 5 dialysis sessions. The hemocompatibility of the 3 synthetic low-flux membranes as judged by the white blood cell (WBC) count and complement activation was similar and therefore cannot be used to explain the different β2-M plasma levels. In anticipation of gaining further insight into the mechanisms of accumulation and deposition of β2-M in dialysis patients, a worthwhile approach may be to use a low-flux membrane such as Gambrane which combines removal with protection against potential activating factors in the dialysis fluid
A real-time analysis of a transplantation program with a personal computer
No full textThis study concerns the use of commercial software (a spreadsheet combined with database and graphic functions) to analyze data on kidney transplantation. The program consists of a section containing (macro) instructions, a section for entering data, a database, a set of spreadsheets (one for each field) with which the statistical calculations and summary tables are executed, and a set of diagrams for the final visual output. Three kinds of data are made available: descriptive statistics, actuarial survival rates, and risk factor evaluation. The program can analyze the importance of the variables considered and estimate the effect of a therapeutic or diagnostic maneuver
Urological complications after kidney Transplantation: Experience of over 1000 Transplants
No full text
Force spectroscopy study of the adhesion of plasma proteins to the surface of a dialysis membrane: Role of the nanoscale surface hydrophobicity and topography
No full textA mechanochemical study of the process of adhesion
of plasma proteins to the surface of dialysis membranes
was carried out with a scanning force microscope
(SFM) in the force spectroscopy mode. Three representative
blood plasma proteins (fibronectin, fibrinogen, and albumin)
covalently were grafted to a SFM probe, and the adhesion
forces of these proteins to cellulosic and synthetic dialysis
membranes were measured. The experiment was tailored
to apply a controlled load on the protein molecules
adsorbed onto the surface in order to simulate the squeezing
forces exerted on them during blood filtration. The deadhesion
forces, measured using this new approach for
studying the interaction between a protein and dialysis
membranes, suggest that the membrane’s topography, at a
nanometer scale, plays a critical role in the adhesion process.
This result was strongly supported by parallel experiments
performed on a flattened glass surface with the same dominant
hydrophilic character as dialysis membranes. In contrast,
a hydrophobic polystyrene surface led to de-adhesion
forces at least one order of magnitude greater, overwhelming
any possible shape recognition process between the protein
molecules and the surface
The value of alkaline phosphatase isoenzyme determinations in patients undergoing periodic haemodialysis [VALORE DELLA DETERMINAZIONE DEGLI ISOENZIMI DELLA FOSFATASI ALCALINA NEI PAZIENTI IN TRATTAMENTO EMODIALITICA PERIODICO]
No full textAlkaline phosphatase is frequently increased in patients treated with hemodialysis. This enzyme is connected with cellular structures and therefore there is no organ specificity. Isoenzymatic activity is a more accurate test for a specific organ. Four fractions have been separated inside alkaline phosphatase using an electrophoretic method on cellulose acetate: ALP 1 (biliary), ALP 2 (bone and hepatic), ALP 3 (intestinal, placentar and Regan), ALP 4 (fibroblastic). Studied are 28 patients on regular dialysis treatment: 14 had normal levels of alkaline phosphatase; 14 had increased levels. The analysis of the tracing and the thermostability tests have shown pathological bands in both groups of patients. It seems that the investigation of the fractions of alkaline phosphatase is a valid test for the study of specific organ pathology
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