American journal of kidney diseases : the official journal of the National Kidney Foundation
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Comparative Study
Circulating endothelial cells as a prognostic marker in thrombotic microangiopathy.
Circulating endothelial cells (CECs) are a reliable marker of disease activity in a variety of vascular disorders. Damage to microvascular endothelial cells is a hallmark of thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA). The aim of this study is to identify and count CECs during the course of TMA and evaluate whether cell numbers may serve as a prognostic marker in patients undergoing plasma exchange. ⋯ Markedly elevated numbers of CECs reflect severe and widespread endothelial damage in patients with TMA. Cell numbers at presentation and their degree of decrease after 4 sessions of plasma exchange could provide important prognostic clues.
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Multiple factors associated with hypocitraturia have been identified. However, limited studies addressing the causal relationship to hypocitraturia are available. We therefore conducted this study to determine factors associated with hypocitraturia and show their causal relationship in recurrent calcium stone formers. ⋯ Hypocitraturia was found to be a common risk factor associated with recurrent calcium stone formation and low urinary potassium level, low alkaline absorption, low urinary calcium level, and high titratable acid excretion. Hypocitraturia is predominantly of dietary origin. Estimation of fruit intake should be included in the metabolic evaluation for recurrent calcium stone formation.