Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0020538 (hypertension)
 170,190 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Seventy-two and 34 consecutive HLA-identical sibling renal transplant recipients were treated with azathioprine/prednisone (AZA; follow-up, 5.0 years) and cyclosporine/prednisone (CSA; mean follow-up, 2.9 years), respectively. Both groups were similar in age, sex, race, and number of transplants, but there were more diabetics in the CSA group (34% v 8%). Actual patient survival at 1 year and actuarial patient survival at 5 years were 100% and 96%, respectively in the CSA group compared with an actual patient survival of 91% and 82% at 1 and 5 years, respectively, in the AZA group. Actual graft survival at 1 year improved from 85% in the AZA group to 97% in the CSA-treated recipients (P less than 0.05). Mean serum creatinine at 5 years remained stable in the AZA group at a mean of 123 mumol/L (1.4 mg/dL) compared with a progressive increase in this parameter to a mean of 212 mumol/L (2.4 mg/dL) after the same time interval in the CSA patients. Furthermore, the slopes of the serum creatinine against time were significantly different between the two groups (P less than 0.01). Mean daily CSA dose averaged 4 mg/kg 12 months following transplantation, with a decrease to 2.4 mg/kg by the fifth year. Causes of death in the AZA group were cardiovascular (eight), sepsis (three), cancer (one); and in the CSA group, Kaposi's sarcoma (one). Causes of graft failure in the AZA group were immunological (six), sepsis (three), technical (two), recurrence of disease (one), and patient death with a functioning graft (five). Technical (one), noncompliance (two), recurrence of disease (one), and patient death with a functioning kidney (one) caused graft failure in the CSA group. No difference in posttransplantation serum cholesterol or incidence of new onset diabetes was observed between the two groups, but hypertension was significantly more frequent (51% v 21%, P less than 0.01) when CSA was used. In conclusion, intermediate-term results of CSA-treated HLA-identical transplant recipients showed improved patient and graft survival with less complications apart from hypertension. However, the slow, but relentless, increase in serum creatinine in the CSA-treated patients compared with those treated with AZA is of concern.
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PMID:HLA-identical renal transplants: impact of cyclosporine on intermediate-term survival and renal function. 223 30

Fifty patients in stage IV of HIV infection (including 41 AIDS patients) were prospectively studied by echocardiography. Thirteen of them showed abnormalities: 4 had pericardial effusion, 1 endocarditis, 7 myocardial disorders and 1 primary pulmonary arterial hypertension. Pericardial effusion, also present in patients who had pleuropulmonary Kaposi's sarcoma, was not specific. Myocardial disorders concerned the diastolic function in 1 case, the segmental kinetics in 2 cases and the whole systolic function in 4 cases (3 had congestive myocardiopathy and 1 had transient systole alteration without left ventricular dilatation). The mechanism of global left ventricular disorders was multifactorial, and several hypotheses were discussed: infectious myocarditis, adrenergic or nutritional deficiency myocarditis, cardiotoxicity of antiviral drugs, common pathology with HIV encephalopathy. The prognosis of congestive myocardiopathy was poor in AIDS patients and undetermined in stage IV non-AIDS patients. Echocardiography is capable of detecting these lesions, and its use may contribute to a better care of these patients.
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PMID:[Echocardiographic abnormalities in the stage IV of HIV infection]. 851 Nov 25

Human herpes virus-8 (HHV-8)-associated primary effusion lymphoma (PEL) is an unusual lymphoma confined to the body cavities, which primarily affects human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive men at high risk for Kaposi's sarcoma (KS). We describe two HIV-negative elderly Italian men, who developed pleural HHV-8-positive PEL in association with other diseases (systemic hypertension, colonic carcinoma, chronic obstructive airways disease, dilated cardiomyopathy), but without KS. Thoracic computed tomography revealed unilateral pleural effusion and pleural thickening. Thoracentesis disclosed large lymphoma cells, with no T- or B-cell associated antigens, clonal rearrangement of the immunoglobulin heavy chain gene and the presence of HHV-8 but not Epstein-Barr virus deoxyribonucleic acid sequences. Our cases differ from most pleural effusion lymphomas, in that they are non-acquired immunodeficiency syndrome-related. This highlights the possible human herpes virus-8-associated primary effusion lymphoma risk among elderly human immunodeficiency virus-negative patients, particularly Italians, in whom human herpes virus-8 seroprevalence rates and incidence of classic Kaposi's sarcoma are high.
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PMID:Human herpes virus-8 associated primary effusion lymphoma of the pleural cavity in HIV-negative elderly men. 1059 17

Pseudo-Kaposi's sarcoma which develops due to arteriovenous fistulae for haemodialysis is relatively well known. In contrast, nail changes associated with pseudo-Kaposi's sarcoma or venous hypertension are rare. We report a novel case of pincer nail deformity associated with pseudo-Kaposi's sarcoma and venous hypertension, complications of an arteriovenous fistula for haemodialysis, and review eight similar cases reported in the literature. Most of the subjects presented with similar findings, having circulatory disturbance due to an arteriovenous fistula and/or increased venous pressure, and swelling, discoloration and papules/nodules of the skin distal to the shunt. Of the nine patients, three had overcurvature of the nails, in which the lateral edge of the nail pressed deeply into the lateral nail fold. Pincer nail deformity associated with pseudo-Kaposi's sarcoma after placement of an arteriovenous fistula may be relatively common and should be recognized as a specific sign of circulatory disturbance due to the arteriovenous fistula.
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PMID:Pincer nail deformity and pseudo-Kaposi's sarcoma: complications of an artificial arteriovenous fistula for haemodialysis. 1060 67

Kidney grafts from suboptimal donors are more likely to suffer the nephrotoxic side-effects of cyclosporine than kidneys from standard donors. In an attempt to avoid the use of cyclosporine, we carried out a prospective study in low-immunological risk recipients of suboptimal kidneys, using an immunosuppressive protocol combining Thymoglobuline in induction with a bi-therapy of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) and steroids. Patients with panel reactive antibodies (PRA) <50% receiving a first renal transplant from a suboptimal donor (age >or=50, non heart beating, arterial hypertension, or acute renal failure) or a kidney at risk of delayed graft function (DGF) because of a prolonged cold ischaemia time (CIT) of 24 h or more, were eligible for this trial. Between September 1996 and December 1999, 30 patients were enrolled for the trial and treated with MMF 2 g orally, pre-operatively, and 3 g daily, post-operatively; Thymoglobuline 2 mg/kg IV pre-operatively, 1.5 mg/kg IV the next day, and for doses of 1 mg/kg IV given on alternate days; and prednisolone 0.25 mg/kg per day, reduced progressively from the end of the first month to 0.1 mg/kg per day by 3 months post-transplant. Cyclosporine was added only if rejection grade II or higher, or a reduction in MMF below 1 g daily, occurred. Ten patients (30%) suffered from DGF, and one kidney suffered primary non function. Seven patients (24%) suffered acute rejection (six were biopsy proven, 3 grade I and 3 grade II). MMF dosage was reduced in 28 patients because of adverse events, and calcineurin inhibitors were introduced in 16 patients. There were 14 episodes of opportunistic infection (cytomegalovirus (CMV 10), Herpes zoster 2, Listeria monocytogenes 1, Pseudomonas aeuruginosa 1), and 7 malignancies (skin 2, thyroid 1, lung 1, Kaposi's sarcoma 2, post-transplantation lymphoproliferative disorder 1). Mean serum creatinine was 178, 199, 213, and 218 micromol/l at 1, 2, 3 and 5 years after transplantation, respectively. Actuarial patient and graft (after censoring for death) survival was 94% and 83% after 1 year and 79% and 65% after 5 years, respectively. These results show that with the combination of MMF, Thymoglobuline and steroids the use of cyclosporine can be delayed, and in a few cases completely avoided, with good efficacy in terms of prevention of rejection and recovery of renal function. Regardless of acceptable patient and graft survival, side-effects of MMF at the doses used in this protocol were common and led to overimmunosuppression in the long-term. Starting MMF at low dose, MPA monitoring and probably CMV prophylaxis may improve the results of this regimen.
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PMID:Calcineurin inhibitor-free immunosuppression based on antithymocyte globulin and mycophenolate mofetil in cadaveric kidney transplantation: results after 5 years. 1287 30

Worldwide, infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is increasing. At the same time, new treatments allow patients to live longer. Consequently, cardiovascular manifestations, most of which occur relatively late in the course of the infection, are becoming more frequent. Pericardial effusion, the most common cardiovascular manifestation of HIV infection, usually is small and causes no hemodynamic compromise or symptoms. It does, however, augur a grim prognosis, as do other cardiovascular conditions associated with the infection: myocarditis, dilated cardiomyopathy, pulmonary arterial hypertension, cardiac lymphoma, and Kaposi's sarcoma of the heart. Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), especially when incorporating protease inhibitors, greatly improves overall outlook in these patients, but appears not only to cause a lipodystrophic syndrome, but to accelerate atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease by inducing glucose intolerance, frank diabetes mellitus, hypertriglyceridemia, hypercholesterolemia, increased lipoprotein (a), and decreased HDL cholesterol. Recent ongoing prospective trials also are showing an association of HAART with increased coronary artery disease and myocardial infarction.
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PMID:Cardiovascular disease in patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus. 1475 Jul 51

Cigarette smoking may adversely influence patient and graft survival. In Europe and the United States the prevalence of cigarette smoking in dialysis patients is 35% to 40% and 25%, respectively. In Turkey, the estimated prevalence of cigarette smoking rate in the normal population is 26%. This study evaluated the rate of smoking in 63 cadaveric, and 158 living-related renal transplant recipients including (150 men, and 76 women of 38 +/- 12 years; range, 8 to 70) who were operated between 1986 and 2001. Demographic data were collected with a questionnaire delivered to patients during their routine outpatient visits. During this time period, 8 patients had died, 4 from hemophagocytic syndrome, 2 from cardiovascular disease, 1 from Kaposi sarcoma and 1 from a cerebrovascular accident. Twenty-three patients have lost their grafts. While at the time of transplantation 97 (42%) were smoking cigarettes, only 29 (12%) continued smoke after transplantation. Male gender significantly correlated with cigarette smoking (P =.000). Twelve smokers were single but 85 out of 97 were married, a statistically significant difference (P =.010). In contrast there was no significant relationship between pretransplant smoking and educational status (P =.354); graft loss and smoking (P =.129); or mortality and smoking (P =.224). There was a significant relationship between pretransplant and posttransplant smoking (P =.000). There was no relationship between pre- and post-transplant smoking and development of diabetes mellitus or hypertension. Interestingly the posttransplant serum albumin level was lower among smokers than nonsmokers (4.44 +/- 0.02 g/dL vs 4.30 +/- 0.02 g/dL; P =.019). There was a close relationship between transplantation duration and smoking.
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PMID:Cigarette smoking in renal transplant recipients. 1501 15

The objective of high activity antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in patients with AIDS, is to obtain immune restoration. This means a reduction of the viral load and restitution of the CD4 cell count. A decreased rate of HIV replication improves both the number and function of CD4 cells. Nevertheless, this treatment sometimes results in the reappearance of previous symptoms from treated conditions due to opportunistic infections (ie: tuberculosis, criptococcosis, hepatitis, Pneumocystis jirovesi, toxoplasmosis, etc) or non infectious condition such as sarcoidosis, Graves disease or Kaposi sarcoma. This is known as Inflammatory Reconstitution Immune Syndrome (IRIS). We report a 37 year-old woman in stage C3-AIDS with a previous criptococcal meningitis. She was treated, achieving a marked improvement with treatment and subsequent suppressive therapy with fluconazole 200 mg/day. IRIS appeared after 8 months of ongoing antiretroviral therapy with immune restoration with the development of aseptic meningitis and intracranial hypertension. The opportunistic agent could not be identified by cultures. Additional laboratory tests excluded toxoplasmosis, tuberculosis, bacterial cerebral abscesses, syphilitic cerebral gummas, and lymphoma. Brain CT and magnetic resonance studies were compatible with brain vasculitis and leptomeningitis. The patient condition improved with general measures, such as a repeated lumbar punctures and non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. We conclude that this patient had an IRIS due to a Cryptococcus neoformans antigen.
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PMID:[Inflammatory reconstitution immune syndrome associated to antiretroviral therapy and meningeal cryptococcosis]. 1718 3

To assess non-immunological complications affecting renal transplant patients in the first six months after transplantation in Al-Karama hospital, Baghdad, Iraq, we studied 68 patients (49 males, 19 females) attending the clinic during the year 2006. Forty six (67%) patients received kidneys from related and 22 (33%) from unrelated donors. The patients revealed the following complications: post transplant hypertension in 28 (41%) patient, infection (mostly bacterial) in 27 (37%), new onset diabetes in 11 (16%), calcineurin inhibitor toxicity in 10 (14%), anemia in 8 (12%), surgical complications in 7 (10%), slow graft recovery in 4 (6%), cardiovascular complications in 3 (4%), and Kaposi sarcoma in 2 (2.9%). Transient hyperglycemia, hypertension, infection and diabetes mellitus were the commonest early complications of renal transplantation. The incidence of complications is comparable to the average reported in the literature, especially in this region of the world.
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PMID:Early non-immunological post transplant complications: a single center experience. 1858 32

Human herpesvirus-8 (HHV-8) is the causative agent of Kaposi's sarcoma and is associated with the angioproliferative disorders primary effusion lymphoma and multicentric Castleman's disease. Evidence of HHV-8 infection within the pulmonary vasculature of patients with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH) has been described. We hypothesize that HHV-8 infection of pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells results in an apoptotic-resistant phenotype characteristic of severe pulmonary arterial hypertension. Our objective was to investigate the ability of HHV-8 to infect human pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells in vitro and characterize the phenotypic effect of this infection. Human pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells were exposed to HHV-8 using two methods (direct virus and co-culture technique). The presence of lytic and latent infection was confirmed. Changes in endothelial cell gene and protein expression and effects on cellular apoptosis were measured. HHV-8 can both lytically and latently infect primary human pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells in vitro. HHV-8 infection results in significant changes in gene expression, including alterations of pathways important to cellular apoptosis. HHV-8 infection also alters expression of genes integral to the bone morphogenic protein pathway, including down-regulation of bone morphogenic protein-4. Other genes previously implicated in the development of PAH are affected by HHV-8 infection, and cells infected with HHV-8 are resistant to apoptosis.
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PMID:Human herpesvirus-8 infection of primary pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells. 1858 55


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