Background. Previous studies demonstrate that icodextrin is superior to 4.25% dextrose for fluid removal in patients with high and high-average transport membrane. Recent studies reveal that controlling volume status improves malnutrition in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. This study hypothesized that icodextrin enhances nutritional and inflammatory status by improving fluid balance. Methods. This retrospective case-control study investigated the effects of icodextrin on patient nutritional profiles over a one-year period. Thirty-two patients who used icodextrin for more than one year were classified as the "icodextrin group." Ten patients who used glucose-containing dialysate without icodextrin were classified as the control group. Clinical and laboratory parameters were compared between groups. Demographic and laboratory parameters were analyzed at baseline, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months after starting icodextrin dialysis. Results. Ultrafiltration of icodextrin per exchange in the icodextrin group was 66% higher than that for 4.25% dextrose exchange in the icodextrin group (icodextrin vs. 4.25% dextrose: 492.1 ± 204.5 vs. 296.1 ± 115.3 mL/exchange; p < 0.0001, paired t-test). The increased albumin and normalized protein catabolic rate (nPCR) after icodextrin for one year was unique for the icodextrin group (p < 0.0001 and p < 0.0001, respectively). The inflammatory marker high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) decreased significantly only in the icodextrin group (p = 0.0048). Conclusion. Icodextrin dialysate may improve nutritional and inflammatory status in PD patients. However, the long-term clinical effects of icodextrin require further study.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the association between platelet microRNA-96 (miR-96) expression levels and the occurrence of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in orthopedic patients. A total of consecutive 69 orthopedic patients with DVT and 30 healthy individuals were enrolled. Ultrasonic color Doppler imaging was performed on lower limb veins after orthopedic surgery to determine the occurrence of DVT. An enzyme-linked fluorescent assay was performed to detect the levels of D-dimer in plasma. A quantitative polymerase chain reaction assay was performed to determine the expression levels of miR-96. Expression levels of platelet miR-96 were significantly increased in orthopedic patients after orthopedic surgery. miR-96 expression levels in orthopedic patients with DVT at days 1, 3 and 7 after orthopedic surgery were significantly increased when compared with those in the control group. The increased miR-96 expression levels were correlated with plasma D-dimer levels in orthopedic patients with DVT. However, for the orthopedic patients in the non-DVT group following surgery, miR-96 expression levels were correlated with plasma D-dimer levels. In summary, the present results suggest that the expression levels of miR-96 may be associated with the occurrence of DVT. The occurrence of DVT may be accurately predicted by comprehensive analysis of the levels of miR-96 and plasma D-dimer.

We found an abnormally increased percentage of macrophage-expressing Fas receptor and ICAM-1, and the percentage of CD95+ macrophage, but not those of other markers, were increased among the subset of CAPD patients with peritonitis. The later finding suggests that this macrophage phenotype is associated with peritonitis occurring in CAPD.