BackgroundBio-products from stem/progenitor cells, such as extracellular vesicles, are likely a new promising approach for reprogramming resident cells in both acute and chronic kidney disease. Forty CKD patients stage III and IV (eGFR 15–60 mg/ml) have been divided into two groups; twenty patients as treatment group “A” and twenty patients as a matching placebo group “B”. Two doses of MSC-derived extracellular vesicles had been administered to patients of group “A”. Blood urea, serum creatinine, urinary albumin creatinine ratio (UACR) and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) have been used to assess kidney functions and TNF-α, TGF-β1 and IL-10 have been used to assess the amelioration of the inflammatory immune activity.ResultsParticipants in group A exhibited significant improvement of eGFR, serum creatinine level, blood urea and UACR. Patients of the treatment group “A” also exhibited significant increase in plasma levels of TGF-β1, and IL-10 and significant decrease in plasma levels of TNF-α. Participants of the control group B did not show significant improvement in any of the previously mentioned parameters at any time point of the study period. ConclusionAdministration of cell-free cord-blood mesenchymal stem cells derived extracellular vesicles (CF-CB-MSCs-EVs) is safe and can ameliorate the inflammatory immune reaction and improve the overall kidney function in grade III-IV CKD patients.

PCNL with multiple tracts carries a risk of adversely affecting renal function. Preoperative baseline renal impairment, diabetes, and hypertension are risk factors for significant renal function deterioration after the procedure.

Background: Fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF-23) has been linked to vascular calcification, ventricular hypertrophy and mortality in chronic kidney disease (CKD), although these links may not be direct and independent. Similar grave outcomes are associated with inflammation and oxidative stress in CKD. Recently, accumulating evidence has linked components of phosphate homeostasis to inflammation and oxidative stress. The interaction between the triad of inflammation, FGF-23 and cardiovascular outcomes is underinvestigated. Methods: We studied 65 patients with stage 5 CKD on hemodialysis. Serum levels of FGF-23, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), endogenous soluble receptor of advanced glycation end products (esRAGE), advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP), parathormone, lipids, calcium and phosphorous were measured. The aortic calcification index (ACI) was determined using non-contrast CT scans of the abdominal aorta. Results: FGF-23 was elevated (mean: 4,681 pg/ml, SD: 3,906) and correlated with hsCRP, esRAGE, AOPP, dialysis vintage and phosphorus in univariate analysis. In multiple regression analysis, hsCRP, AOPP and phosphorus but not esRAGE were all significantly correlated to FGF-23 (R² = 0.7, p < 0.001). In univariate analysis, ACI correlated with hsCRP, esRAGE, FGF-23, dialysis vintage, systolic blood pressure (BP) and serum cholesterol. In multiple regression analysis not including inflammation markers, ACI was associated with FGF-23. However, inclusion of inflammation markers in another multiple regression analyses showed that ACI correlated with hsCRP, BP, dialysis vintage and esRAGE but not with FGF-23 (R² = 0.65, p < 0.001). Conclusion: FGF-23 is strongly correlated to various markers of inflammation and oxidative stress in hemodialysis patients. The association between FGF-23 and vascular calcification was mitigated when corrected for inflammation markers.

We studied serious renal disease in Egypt by registering all 155 patients coming to the nephrology service at the University of Cairo during a period of 62 days in 1993. The patients presented with severe uremic symptoms. Admission creatinine and urea levels were high, 804 mumol/l and 64 mmol/l. Fifteen percent of the patients died; 115 underwent dialysis. Sixty patients presented with chronic renal failure; 53 with acute renal failure, but 24 of these were later found to have end-stage renal failure. Of 29 patients with true acute renal failure, 11 (38%) had pre-renal failure and 7 (24%) post-renal failure. Twenty-one patients were followed up after transplantation and chronic dialysis, another 17 had nephrotic syndrome, 3 hypertension, and one had asymptomatic urinary abnormalities. The most common specific etiology for chronic end-stage renal failure was diabetes mellitus type II in the older patients; second most common was Schistosoma in the younger ones. Most diabetic patients came from the city. All but one Schistosoma patient came from rural Egypt. In the 22 patients who underwent renal biopsy the most common diagnosis was mesangio capillary glomerulonephritis. The prevalence of acute renal failure, particularly iatrogenic-toxic, is increasing.

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Summary This prospective study reports the design and results obtained after the EMPODaT project implementation. This project was funded by the Tempus programme of the European Commission with the objective to implement a common postgraduate programme on organ donation and transplantation (ODT) in six selected universities from Middle East/North Africa (MENA) countries (Egypt, Lebanon and Morocco). The consortium, coordinated by the University of Barcelona, included universities from Spain, Germany, Sweden and France. The first phase of the project was to perform an analysis of the current situation in the beneficiary countries, including existing training programmes on ODT, Internet connection, digital facilities and competences, training needs, and ODT activity and accreditation requirements. A total of 90 healthcare postgraduate students participated in the 1‐year training programme (30 ECTS academic credits). The methodology was based on e‐learning modules and face‐to‐face courses in English and French. Training activities were evaluated through pre‐ and post‐tests, self‐assessment activities and evaluation charts. Quality was assessed through questionnaires and semi‐structured interviews. The project results on a reproducible and innovative international postgraduate programme, improvement of knowledge, satisfaction of the participants and confirms the need on professionalizing the activity as the cornerstone to ensure organ transplantation self‐sufficiency in MENA countries.