Validation of Kidney Donor Profile Index and Estimated Post-Transplant Survival Scores in an Eastern European Transplantation Center-A Seven-Year Retrospective Observational Study.

The Kidney Donor Profile Index (KDPI) is an important metric for evaluating the quality of donor kidneys and predicting post-transplant outcomes. The Estimated Post-Transplant Survival (EPTS) score is a tool for estimating kidney transplant candidates' long-term survival. However, their validity in Eastern European cohorts is yet to be explored.

Comparative Effects of Tadalafil Cream Versus Oral Tadalafil on Males with Erectile Disfunction Regarding Relationship Dynamics: A Secondary Analysis of Dyadic Adjustment Outcomes in a Randomized Crossover Trial.

Background/objectives: Relationship quality is closely tied to sexual health. This study compared the effects of tadalafil cream and oral tadalafil on Dyadic Adjustment Scale (DAS) subscales and assessed the influence of age on treatment outcomes.

Methods: This study includes a secondary analysis of data collected during a previously published randomized controlled crossover trial, but they were not published at that time.

Identification of urinary metabolites correlated with tacrolimus levels through high-precision liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and machine learning algorithms in kidney transplant patients.

Background And Aim: Tacrolimus, a widely used immunosuppressive drug in kidney transplant recipients, exhibits a narrow therapeutic window necessitating careful monitoring of its concentration to balance efficacy and minimize dose-related toxic effects. Although essential, this approach is not optimal, and tacrolinemia, even in the therapeutic interval, might be associated with toxicity and rejection within range. This study aimed to identify specific urinary metabolites associated with tacrolimus levels in kidney transplant patients using a combination of serum high-precision liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS) and machine learning algorithms.

The Evaluation of Serum KIM-1 in a Pediatric Cohort of Renal Transplantation-A Pilot Study.

Introduction: Renal transplantation ensures particular advantages for patients with end-stage kidney disease. However, in some cases, early complications may result in allograft dysfunction, which can ultimately lead to the loss of the graft. Creatinine is a poor biomarker for kidney injury due principally to its inability to help diagnose early acute renal failure and complete inability to help differentiate among its various causes.

The Intra-Meatal Application of Tadalafil Cream Versus Oral Administration Efficacy and Safety: Results from a Randomized, Two-Administration Route, Cross-Over Clinical Trial.

Tadalafil cream, a topically administered phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor (PDE5), presents a potential alternative to oral PDE5 inhibitors like tadalafil for the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED). This study evaluates the non-inferiority and potential superiority of tadalafil cream compared to oral tadalafil. This randomized controlled trial employed a cross-over design with two treatment periods of two weeks each, separated by a one-week washout phase.

The use of metabolomics and machine learning algorithms to predict post-transplant diabetes mellitus in renal transplant patients on Tacrolimus therapy.

Background And Aim: Tacrolimus (TAC) has significantly improved kidney graft survival following transplantation, though it is associated with adverse side effects. The most prevalent complication resulting from excessive TAC exposure is the onset of de novo diabetes mellitus (DM), a condition that can negatively impact both renal graft function and patient outcomes. De novo DM is linked to an increased risk of chronic transplant dysfunction, as well as cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.

HLA Diversity in Transylvanian Ethnic Groups: Consequences for Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation.

The HLA profile is essential in cell and tissue transplantation, particularly in patients with autoimmune conditions and infections. Due to the extreme polymorphism in certain HLA loci, it also serves as a key tool for population genetic analysis. This study aimed to identify the allele and haplotype distributions of HLA class I (A, B, and C) and class II (DRB1) genotypes in unrelated hematopoietic stem cell donors.

Machine learning analysis of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) for the diagnosis of acute graft dysfunction in kidney transplant recipients.

Aim: The aim of the study was to develop machine learning algorithms (MLA) for diagnosing acute graft dysfunction (AGD) in kidney transplant recipients based on contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) analysis of the graft.Materials and methods: This prospective study involved 71 patients with kidney transplant undergoing CEUS during follow-up. AGD wasdefined as an increase in serum creatinine levels of at least 25% compared to the baseline of the last three months.

Orchestrating the Impact of KIR/HLA Interactions on Kidney Transplant.

This study examines the interplay between human leukocyte antigen (HLA) compatibility and killer-cell immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIR) genotypes in influencing kidney transplantation outcomes. Understanding these interactions is crucial for improving graft survival and minimizing rejection risks. We evaluated 84 kidney transplant recipients, dividing them into two groups based on post-transplant outcomes: there were 68 with stable graft function (SGF) and 16 who experienced chronic rejection (CR).

Minimal Change Disease: Pathogenetic Insights from Glomerular Proteomics.

The mechanism underlying podocyte dysfunction in minimal change disease (MCD) remains unknown. This study aimed to shed light on the potential pathophysiology of MCD using glomerular proteomic analysis. Shotgun proteomics using label-free quantitative mass spectrometry was performed on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) renal biopsies from two groups of samples: control (CTR) and MCD.

An Integrated Approach Using HLAMatchmaker and Pirche II for Epitopic Matching in Pediatric Kidney Transplant-A Romanian Single-Center Study.

(1) Background: Renal transplantation (KT) is the most efficient treatment for chronic kidney disease among pediatric patients. Antigenic matching and epitopic load should be the main criteria for choosing a renal graft in pediatric transplantation. Our study aims to compare the integration of new histocompatibility predictive algorithms with classical human leukocyte antigen (HLA) matching regarding different types of pediatric renal transplants.

The immunologically high-risk kidney recipient in the early post-COVID-19 period. To do or not to do? A case report.

Kidney transplantation is nowadays the treatment of choice for end-stage kidney disease (ESKD), and it is the most performed organ transplantation. During the COVID-19 pandemic, kidney-transplant recipients appeared to be at higher risk of morbidity and mortality due to severe forms of illness. The result was a decrease in the number of solid organs transplants worldwide, with patients' reduced chance of receiving transplants.

The Perspectives of Biomarkers in Predicting the Survival of the Renal Graft.

Kidney transplantation (KT) is currently the elective approach for patients with end-stage renal disease. Although it is a safe choice for these patients, the early complications can lead to graft dysfunction. One of the most redoubtable complications is delayed graft function (DGF), having no specific treatment.

The Use of Machine Learning Algorithms and the Mass Spectrometry Lipidomic Profile of Serum for the Evaluation of Tacrolimus Exposure and Toxicity in Kidney Transplant Recipients.

Tacrolimus has a narrow therapeutic window; a whole-blood trough target concentration of between 5 and 8 ng/mL is considered a safe level for stable kidney transplant recipients. Tacrolimus serum levels must be closely monitored to obtain a balance between maximizing efficacy and minimizing dose-related toxic effects. Currently, there is no specific tacrolimus toxicity biomarker except a graft biopsy.

Combined miRNA and SERS urine liquid biopsy for the point-of-care diagnosis and molecular stratification of bladder cancer.

Background: Bladder cancer (BC) has the highest per-patient cost of all cancer types. Hence, we aim to develop a non-invasive, point-of-care tool for the diagnostic and molecular stratification of patients with BC based on combined microRNAs (miRNAs) and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) profiling of urine.

Methods: Next-generation sequencing of the whole miRNome and SERS profiling were performed on urine samples collected from 15 patients with BC and 16 control subjects (CTRLs).

COVID-19 and kidney transplantation: the impact of remdesivir on renal function and outcome - a retrospective cohort study.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of remdesivir on overall mortality, ICU mortality, and renal functional outcome in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 who received kidney transplant.

Methods: We reviewed 165 patients with KTx hospitalized owing to COVID-19 between March 1, 2020, and May 31, 2021. A total of 38 patients with KTx received a 5-day RDV treatment, whereas 127 received standard of care (SOC).

Favipiravir in Kidney Transplant Recipients With COVID-19: A Romanian Case Series.

Background: Favipiravir (FPV) is an orally administrable antiviral drug that selectively inhibits RNA-dependent RNA polymerase and has been repurposed for COVID-19 treatment. There is limited information on the use of FPV in kidney transplant recipients (KTx), who often have multiple comorbidities and run a higher risk for death from COVID-19.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed all KTx at our institution who got sick with COVID-19 between March 1, 2020, and May 31, 2021, and who received FPV (loading dose of 1800 mg × 2 on day 1, maintenance dose 2  ×  800 mg/d for 5-14 days) as part of their COVID treatment.

Comparing the First and Second Wave of COVID-19 in Kidney Transplant Recipients: An East-European Perspective.

Background: The present study examined whether patient characteristics, management, and outcome of kidney transplant recipients (KTx) with COVID-19 changed in the second versus the first pandemic wave.

Methods: We reviewed all available data (demographics, medical history, comorbidities, therapeutic interventions, and outcome) on our KTx with COVID-19 during the first wave (March-September 2020, n = 33) and the second wave (October 2020-February 2021, n = 149) of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Results: One hundred eighty-two out of our 1,503 KTx in active follow-up got COVID-19 during 12-month period, corresponding to a prevalence of 12.

COVID-19 after kidney transplantation: Early outcomes and renal function following antiviral treatment.

Objectives: The lack of effective treatments for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has mandated the repurposing of several drugs, including antiretrovirals and remdesivir (RDV). These compounds may induce acute kidney injury and are not recommended in patients with poor renal function, such as kidney transplant (KTx) recipients.

Methods: The records of 42 KTx recipients with COVID-19 were reviewed.

First Reported Case in Romania of a Successfully Treated Severe COVID-19 in a Kidney Transplant Recipient: A Focus on Acute Kidney Injury.

As coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by the novel virus SARS-CoV-2 is expanding worldwide, kidney involvement seems to be part of the spectrum of its effects. Moreover, the prognosis of the disease seems to be worse in immunocompromised patients when compared to the general population, with 4-5 times higher mortality rates. However, the overall impact on long-term function of the kidney graft is unknown.

Angle grinder as surgical tool for incarcerated penoscrotal steel ring.

Penile strangulation with concomitant scrotal entrapment by a steel ring is an extremely rare urological emergency that requires immediate intervention. Any delay may lead to irreversible complications. Metal rings increase penile engorgement and are usually associated with an attempt to improve sexual pleasure or to maintain a prolonged erection.

Renal Tumors in Young Adults: Is Preoperative Computer Tomography Imaging Suggestive for the Nature of the Tumors?

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) accounts for 2-3% of all adult malignant neoplasms and is even rarer in patients under 45 years old. Clear-cell carcinoma represents most of the pathological subtypes. Our study aimed to investigate the association between preoperative computer tomography imagistic evaluation and histopathological diagnosis of renal tumors in young adults.