Purpose To prospectively evaluate prognostic capabilities of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) biomarkers for predicting disease recurrence or progression after radical TURB (transurethral resection of bladder tumor). Methods Evaluated biomarkers included blood: plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1), soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR), interleukin 8 (IL-8) and urine: IL-8, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and apolipoprotein E (APOE). Blood and urine samples acquired before TURB for NMIBC from 223 subjects were analysed. The primary outcome was tumor recurrence or progression. Results After 3 months follow-up with cystoscopy or TURB– 92 patients were tumor free (Group 1). In 131 subjects (Group 2) a recurrence of NMIBC (n = 120) or progression to muscle invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) (n = 11) has been observed. No major clinical differences between these two groups were spotted. The group 2 has presented with significantly higher concentrations of blood IL-8 and suPAR as well as urine VEGF and APOE. The serum IL-8 and urinary VEGF showed the highest prognostic abilities with AUROC of 0.611 (95% CI: 0.534–0.687, p = 0.0044) and 0.632 (95% CI: 0.557–0.707, p = 0.0006), respectively. Multivariable machine learning models which included all investigated biomarkers and European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) risk scores have allowed to discriminate the two patient entities with AUROC of 0.84 (95% CI: 0.73–0.95, p < 0.0001). Conclusions The assessed biomarkers alone have shown unsatisfactory prognostic capabilities to be used for prognostication of outcomes after TURB. More complex multivariable prediction models may improve their prognostic performance. Trial registration The study was retrospectively registered at clinicaltrails.gov with National Clinical Trial number (NCT): NCT06235853.

Arteriovenous fistulae (AVFs) may remain patent after kidney transplantation (KTx), contributing to maladaptive cardiac remodeling. The flow in AVFs is associated with the diameter of its vessels a...

Itch is the most common symptom of chronic dermatoses. Moreover, itch may be associated with systemic disorders. Chronic kidney disease—associated itch (CKD-aI) may affect up to 20% of renal transplant recipients (RTR). The aim of the study was to assess psychosocial burden of itch in RTR. The study was performed on a group of 129 RTR, out of which 54 (41.9%) experienced itch in the previous 3 days. A specially designed questionnaire assessing anxiety, depression, stigmatization, and quality of life was used. Results: Patients suffering from itch in the previous 3 days achieved significantly higher scores in GAD-7 (p < 0.001), BDI (p < 0.001), HADS total score (p < 0.001), HADS Depression (p = 0.004), and HADS Anxiety (p < 0.001). Severity of itch correlated positively with HADS, stigmatization scale, and GAD-7. Itch in RTR was associated with higher incidence of depression assessed with BDI (OR 3.7). Moreover, higher prevalence of anxiety was found among patients suffering from CKD-aI, assessed with HADS A and GAD-7 (OR 2.7 and OR 4.8, respectively) The results of our study clearly demonstrate that itch among RTR is a significant burden. Higher prevalence of depression and anxiety in this groups indicate the necessity of addressing itch relief as a part of holistic approach to patients after renal transplantation.

Arteriovenous fistulas (AVF) are a source of various complications. Among previously hemodialyzed kidney transplant recipients (KTxR), the AVF may persist over time. The patients’ decisions whether to ligate the functioning AVF may be prompted by many factors. Our knowledge of benefits concerning the procedure as well as patients' attitude towards it is scarce. Evaluation of the patients’ opinion on the persistent AVF ligation after a successful kidney transplantation. An anonymous survey was carried out among 301 previously hemodialyzed KTxR. The patients were recruited during scheduled visits in the Transplantation Outpatient Unit. All subjects completed an anonymous questionnaire including questions about their attitude towards the matter in question. 69 patients (22.9%) have considered AVF closure. The most common causes for such attitude were esthetic reasons (n = 29) and concerns about heart health (n = 13). Among those 69 subjects, 18 have presented with symptomatic AVF due to multiple symptoms. Symptomatic AVFs were localized on the forearm in 14 out of 18 cases. As many as 116 (38.5%) cases have never wanted to ligate the AVF and 116 (38.5%) subjects did not have a clear opinion. In our study we report 158 (52.5%) cases of non-functioning AVFs. The main reason for the above was spontaneous AVF thrombosis (121 cases). Only 24 subjects reported to rely on the physician-provided information about the AVF management. One fourth of KTRs have ever considered AVF ligation. There is a distinct need for educating patients on the possibilities of post-transplantation AVF management.

: Psoriasis (Ps) is a common chronic, recurrent, immune-mediated, inflammatory skin disease affecting up to 2% children. It has well-established impact on patients’ quality of life. Moreover, patie...

Chronic itch (CI) is a common symptom caused by both dermatological and systemic disorders. CI is also a frequent, burdensome symptom among renal transplant recipients (RTR); however, its pathophysiology is not fully understood. The aim of this study was to assess the differences in concentration of IL-31 among itchy RTR. The study was performed on a group of selected 129 RTRs (54 itchy and 75 non-itchy patients). Itch severity was assessed with the use of the numeral rating scale (NRS) and the 4-item itch questionnaire (4IIQ). Every subject had his blood drawn to measure the concentration of IL-31. The results were subsequently compared and correlated. The mean concentration differed significantly between RTR suffering from itch (602.44 ± 534.5 pg/mL), non-itchy RTR (161.49 ± 106.61 pg/mL), and HC (110.33 ± 51.81 pg/mL) (p < 0.001). Post-hoc analysis revealed a statistically significantly increased IL-31 serum concentration in itchy RTR in comparison to the non-itchy RTR group (p < 0.001) and HC (p < 0.001). No significant difference was observed in IL-31 serum levels between non-itchy RTRs and HC. No correlation between IL-31 and itch intensity was found. The results of our study clearly demonstrate the association between IL-31 levels and CI in patients after renal transplantation.