1.
Asymmetric cellulose triacetate is a safe and effective alternative for online haemodiafiltration.
Albalate Ramón, M, Martínez Miguel, P, Bohorquez, L, de Sequera, P, Bouarich, H, Pérez-García, R, Rodríguez Puyol, D, Barril, G, Sánchez Tomero, JA, Giorgi, M, et al
Nefrologia. 2018;(3):315-320
Abstract
BACKGROUND In post-dilution haemodiafiltration only synthetic membranes have been used to date. Asymmetric cellulose triacetate (ATA™) is now available, whose characteristics are suitable for this technique. OBJECTIVES To describe the in vivo performance and behaviour of this membrane, to identify its depurative effectiveness, use in clinical practice and its biocompatibility, both acute and after one month of treatment. METHODS Observational prospective study of 23 patients who were dialysed for 4 weeks using an ATA™ membrane and who maintained their prior regimen. RESULTS A total of 287 sessions were performed and 264 complete sessions were collected. With an effective time of 243.7 (17.6) min and a mean blood flow of 371.7 (23) ml/min, an average Kt of 56.3 (5.3) l was observed, as well as a convection volume of 27.1 (4.2) l, a filtration fraction of 29.9 (3.7) %, a urea reduction ratio (RR) of 81 (5.2) %, a creatinine RR of 74.7 (4.6) %, a β2-microglobulin RR of 76.5 (4.8) % and a retinol binding protein RR of 18.6 (7.6) %. There were no technical problems or alarms. Changing the heparin dosage was not necessary. No increases in C3a or C5a concentrations or leukopenia were observed in the first 30min of the session. Neither the monocyte subpopulations nor IL-β1 or IL-6 were significantly altered after one month of treatment. CONCLUSIONS The new ATA™ membrane achieves adequate Kt and convection volume, without technical problems and with good biocompatibility and inflammatory profiles. It is therefore a valid option for post-dilution haemodiafiltration, particularly in patients allergic to synthetic membranes.
2.
Sugarcane bagasse dietary fiber as an adjuvant therapy for stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a four-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.
Liu, M, Zheng, F, Ni, L, Sun, Y, Wu, R, Zhang, T, Zhang, J, Zhong, X, Li, Y
Journal of traditional Chinese medicine = Chung i tsa chih ying wen pan. 2016;(4):418-26
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the efficacy and safety of sugarcane bagasse dietary fiber as an adjuvant therapy for improving quality of life in patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). METHODS This was a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. A total of 196 participants were randomized into a trial group (treated with 6 g/day sugarcane bagasse plus conventional treatment, n = 98) and a control group (treated with placebo plus conventional treatment, n = 98). All efficacy analyses were performed according to the intention-to-treat (ITT) principle. A per-protocol analysis set (PPS) was used to analyze the cases that completed the clinical trial with good compliance. The trial period was 30 days, with a 6-month follow-up. Pre- and post-treatment pulmonary symptom scores (cough, sputum, wheezing, and dyspnea) were recorded for both groups. The St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) and the modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) dyspnea scale were assessed before treatment and at the end of the 6-month follow- up. RESULTS The ITT population was 178 and the PPS population was 166. Post-treatment pulmonary clinical symptoms and severity of dyspnea (mMRC and SGRQ evaluation) were significantly improved in both the trial group and the control group (ITT and PPS: P < 0.05). However, there was no statistical difference between the two groups in post-treatment pulmonary symptoms and mMRC. There was a greater reduction in the SGRQ subscales of activity, effect and total score in the trial group compared with the control group (ITT and PPS: P < 0.01). There was no statistical difference in pre- and post-treatment safety variables in either group. CONCLUSION Sugarcane bagasse combined with conventional treatment improved quality of life in patients with stable COPD. Sugarcane bagasse appears to be a safe herbal medicine with potential for treating patients with stable COPD when taken orally as an adjuvant therapy.