Could immune cells be associated with nephropathy in Fabry disease patients?

BACKGROUND

In Fabry Disease (FD), although the primary factor initiating kidney damage is glycosphingolipid accumulation, secondary conditions such as increased inflammation and fibrosis may cause this damage to progress. These processes may be induced by immune cells. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the peripheral lymphocyte subgroup analysis of the patients with FD and compare these results with healthy individuals. In addition, we performed T, B, NK, and plasma cell analyses in kidney biopsy materials and compared these kidney biopsy results with the biopsy results of patients whose kidney functions were impaired after 4 years of regular ERT.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

18 FD and 16 healthy individuals were included in the study. T-B lymphocyte and NK-cell populations were determined. We performed kidney biopsies (KBx) on 13 patients with FD prior to ERT. Of these, 4 patients had rebiopsy after 4 years of regular ERT. Immunohistochemical staining was performed to define immune cell infiltration.

RESULTS

There was no statistically significant difference in terms of total, helper and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte and CD3^-CD16⁺CD56⁺ natural killer (NK)-cell count (p = 0.20; p = 0.12; p = 0.76; p = 0.75, respectively).According to KBx findings prior to ERT, all patients had interstitial fibrosis (IF), podocyte vacuoles (PV), and podocyte inclusion (PI), CD3, CD4, CD8, CD16, and CD56 positivity at different levels. None of the patients had CD19, CD20, and CD138 positivity at the first biopsies. When we compared the first and the second KBx results of the two progressors, we also demonstrated that CD3⁺4⁺T-cells infiltration remained the same, whereas CD8⁺T cells, CD16⁺ and 56⁺NK-cells infiltration were significantly decreased. In contrast, CD20⁺B cells and CD138⁺plasma cell infiltration were significantly increased despite 4 years of ERT (15 fold and sixfold, respectively). The CD20⁺B and CD138⁺ plasma cells and IF were positively correlated with proteinuria.

CONCLUSIONS

The progression of FD nephropathy and proteinuria is increased despite a long-term ERT. Immune cells, primarily B and plasma cells, might cause these unwanted consequences.

First report of carglumic acid in a patient with citrullinemia type 1 (argininosuccinate synthetase deficiency)

WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE

Carglumic acid is a structural analogue of human N-acetylglutamate, which has become an alternative therapeutic option for hyperammonaemia in organic acidaemias such as isovaleric acidaemia, methylmalonic acidaemia and propionic acidaemia, and it has been suggested in other urea cycle disorders such as ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency and carbamoyl phosphate synthetase 1 deficiency.

CASE DESCRIPTION

A male newborn was diagnosed with citrullinemia after serum amino acid analyses revealed markedly elevated citrulline concentration together with homozygous p.Gly390Arg mutation in ASS1 gene. The ammonia concentration decreased and blood gas analysis normalized after peritoneal dialysis was performed for three days. Also, sodium benzoate, L-arginine and parenteral nutrition with glucose and lipid therapy were initiated. Until 1 year of age, low adherence to sodium benzoate therapy due to unpleasant taste caused hyperammonaemic episodes and obligated us to initiate carglumic acid (100 mg/kg/day) therapy. During treatment with carglumic acid, the median ammonia level was 45.6 µmol/L. The patient's treatment was switched from carglumic acid to sodium phenylbutyrate when he was 4.5 years old. Currently, the patient is 6.5 years old and remains under follow-up with sodium phenylbutyrate, L-arginine and protein-restricted diet. Plasma ornithine level was found to be significantly lower during the carglumic acid treatment compared to other treatments (P=.039). Also, glutamic acid was found to be higher during the sodium benzoate treatment period compared to other treatment periods (P=.024).

WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSION

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report describing the long-term use of carglumic acid in a patient with argininosuccinate synthetase deficiency.

Evaluation of prehypertension and masked hypertension rate among clinically normotensive patients

BACKGROUND

The present cross-sectional study was aimed to identify pre-hypertension and masked hypertension rate in clinically normotensive adults in relation to socio-demographic, clinical and laboratory parameters.

METHODS

A total of 161 clinically normotensive adults with office blood pressure (OBP) <140/90 mmHg without medication were included in this single-center cross-sectional study. OBP, home BP (HBP) recordings and ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM) were used to identify rates of true normotensives, true pre-hypertensives and masked hypertensives. Data on sociodemographic and clinical characteristics were collected in each subject and evaluated with respect to true normotensive vs. pre-hypertensive patients with masked hypertension or true pre-hypertensive. Target organ damage (TOD) was evaluated in masked hypertensives based on laboratory investigation.

RESULTS

Masked hypertension was identified in 8.7% of clinically normotensives. Alcohol consumption was significantly more common in masked hypertension than in true pre-hypertension (28.6 vs. 0.0%, p = 0.020) with risk ratio of 2.7 (95% CI 1.7-4.4). Patients with true pre-hypertension and masked hypertension had significantly higher values for body mass index, waist circumference, systolic and diastolic OBP and HBP (p < 0.05 for each) compared to true normotensive subjects. ABPM revealed significantly higher values for day-time and night-time systolic and diastolic BP (p = 0.002 for night-time diastolic BP, p < 0.001 for others) in masked hypertension than true pre-hypertension.

CONCLUSIONS

Given that the associations of pre-hypertension with TOD might be attributable to the high prevalence of insidious presentation of masked hypertension among pre-hypertensive individuals, ABPM seems helpful in early identification and management of masked hypertension in the pre-hypertensive population.

Multiorgan involvement in a pediatric patient with hydatid disease

Human Echinococcus infection still remains an important health problem in endemic regions. Herein, we report a 5-year-old boy with hydatid disease who has spleen, lung, kidney and liver involvement simultaneously. To our knowledge, there is no pediatric case with hydatid disease in the literature reporting simultaneous involvement of spleen, kidney, liver and lungs as in our case.

Solid pseudopapillary tumor of the pancreas as a cause of recurrent pancreatitis

Solid pseudopapillary tumor (SPT) of the pancreas is a rare pancreatic tumor mostly seen in young women. We here report a twelve-year-old girl presenting with recurrent attacks of pancreatitis. No history of a systemic disease, trauma, drug usage or infection was present. All other etiologic factors like familial, hypertriglyceridemia, hypercalcemia, cystic fibrosis, medications were excluded. On abdominal ultrasound a heterogeneous mass was noticed at the tail of pancreas. Computerized tomography and magnetic resonance imaging proved that the mass was cystic. The mass was surgically removed. The diagnosis was pancreatic solid cystic papillary epithelial neoplasm. Although acute pancreatitis due to SPT was exceptionally reported, this is the first description of SPT leading to recurrent pancreatitis especially in children.

Lymphocytic colitis in a child with non-responsive celiac disease

In celiac disease, symptoms usually improve with strict adherence to diet. Some patients however do not show improvement despite of diet therapy. We here report a girl with non-responsive celiac disease whose diarrhea did not improve despite of a gluten free diet. A 12-year-old girl with recurrent diarrhea and failure to thrive was diagnosed with celiac disease. After six months of gluten-free diet her symptoms persisted. Adherence to diet was considered as correct and complete by a dietitian evaluation and by anti-endomysial antibodies that had become negative. Treatment with pancreatic enzymes, metronidazole or lactose free diet did not improve her symptoms. Colonoscopy was performed and lymphocytic colitis was diagnosed on histology from colonic biopsies. After mesalamine therapy diarrhea ceased, and weight and height z scores increased. Lymphocytic colitis, which is uncommonly seen in children compared to adults, should be considered in nonresponsive celiac disease in children.

Haemostatic actions of the folkloric medicinal plant extract Ankaferd Blood Stopper

Ankaferd Blood Stopper (ABS), a standardized mixture of five plants, has been used historically as a haemostatic agent but its mechanism of action remains unknown. This study investigated the in vitro effects of ABS on haemostatic parameters. When added to plasma or serum, ABS induced the very rapid formation of a protein network and erythrocyte aggregation. The levels of coagulation factors II, V, VII, VIII, IX, X, XI, and XIII were not affected by ABS. Plasma fibrinogen activity and antigen levels were decreased following the addition of ABS, in parallel with the prolonged thrombin time. Total protein, albumin, and globulin levels decreased after the addition of ABS. Our findings suggest that ABS stimulates the formation of an encapsulated protein network that provides focal points for erythrocyte aggregation. ABS has the therapeutic potential to be used for the management of haemorrhage and this agent should be investigated further in clinical trials.

Prokinetic agents in childen with poor appetite

BACKGROUND

Of the feeding disorders in children, poor appetite is probably one of the most common complaints notified by parents. Since gastric motility disorders may be the cause of this symptom, the aim of our study was to investigate the effect of prokinetics on children with poor appetite and delayed gastric emptying.

METHODS

Poor appetite was graded by VAS at start and end of treatment. Delayed gastric emptying was assessed by 99mTechnetium tincolloid scintigraphy. Malnutrition was defined according to Waterlow criteria. After initial assessment behavioural feeding recommendations were provided and trimebutine given for 6 months. Scintigraphy was repeated during treatment. Anthropometrical measurements and daily energy intake calculations were performed monthly

RESULTS

21 children (M/F: 12/9) with a mean age of 7 +/- 3 years were studied. At the end of treatment, weight and height standard deviation scores improved significantly (-1.0 +/- 0.6 vs. -0.8 +/- 0.7, p = 0.008 and -1.1 +/- 1.0 vs. -0.8 +/- 0.9, p=0.003, respectively) and malnutrition rate decreased from 81% to 66.7%. Improvement of gastric emptying was shown in 11 out of 16 children but was not statiscally significant (P = 0.059). The visual analogue scale scores of appetite showed significant improvement with therapy (7.5 +/- 1.3 vs. 5.3 +/- 2.0, p = 0.012).

CONCLUSION

Children with poor appetite who have delayed gastric emptying might benefit from prokinetic agent therapy combined with behavioural feeding recommendations.

Delayed gastric emptying in children with poor appetite

BACKGROUND

In this study we aimed to evaluate gastric emptying time in children with poor appetite.

METHODS

Anthropometrical measurements, daily energy intakes and gastric emptying times were determined in 36 children with poor appetite. The children were grouped as those with normal and delayed gastric emptying. These groups were then compared with respect to age and nutritional status.

RESULTS

Malnutrition was found in 63.9% and gastric emptying was delayed in 58.3% of all cases. Children with delayed gastric emptying were significantly older and malnutrition was significantly higher in this group (7.2 +/- 3.1 vs 3.9 +/- 1.5 years, P: 0.001 and 81.0% vs 40.0%, P: 0.017, respectively). Daily mean energy intake was significantly lower than daily mean energy requirement in children with delayed and normal gastric emptying (P = 0.002 and 0.026 respectively).

CONCLUSION

In children with poor appetite, probability of gastric motility disorders should be taken into consideration. Especially in children with failure to thrive at preschool and early school years gastric motility studies should be undertaken.

A stabilization algorithm for multichannel multidimensional linear prediction of imagery

The authors have investigated the stability problems observed in multichannel multidimensional linear predictive modeling of images. It is known that based on a positive definite autocorrelation matrix, singular values of the matrix H=delta(i+1)xHerm (delta(i+1)) must lie inside the unit circle for a stable solution, where delta(i+1 ) is the normalized partial correlation matrix and Herm denotes the Hermitian operator. The authors have developed a two-step stabilization method to obtain stabilized linear prediction coefficients for short term analysis windows formed digitized images. The authors have modified the multichannel Levinson recursion algorithm to include this stability procedure. They have tested the algorithm on numerous images commonly used in image coding and the results are very impressive.