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Kidney Blood Press Res 2018 Dec 7;43(6):1822-1831. Epub 2018 Dec 7.

Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung,

Background/aims: Hyperglycemia and hyperuricemia are two major disorders of Metabolic syndrome. Kidney plays a crucial role in maintaining the homeostasis of uric acid and glucose. The aim of the study was to examine the changes of renal glucose and uric acid transporters in animals with metabolic syndrome. Read More

Cell Physiol Biochem 2018 11;51(5):2421-2433. Epub 2018 Dec 11.

College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an, China.

Background/aims: Excessive fluoride intake can induce cytotoxicity, DNA damage and cell-cycle changes in many tissues and organs, including the kidney. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms of fluoride-induced renal cell-cycle changes are not well understood at present. In this study, we used a mouse model to investigate how sodium fluoride (NaF) induces cell-cycle changes in renal cells. Read More

Cell Physiol Biochem 2018 7;51(5):2359-2376. Epub 2018 Dec 7.

Background/aims: The aim of our study is to investigate the molecular mechanism by which mammalian STE20-like kinase 1 (Mst1) participates in renal I/R injury through modifying mitophagy and the AMPK-YAP signalling pathway.

Methods: WT mice and Mst1-knockout mice were subjected to renal ischaemia-reperfusion (I/R) in vivo. In vitro, the hypoxia-reoxygenation model was used with renal tubular epithelial cells to mimic renal I/R injury. Read More

Kidney Blood Press Res 2018 Dec 7;43(6):1865-1877. Epub 2018 Dec 7.

Department of Internal Cardiology Medicine, Faculty Hospital Brno, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic.

Background/aims: The rate of incidence and prevalence of acute kidney injury is increasing due to an increased number of patients with heart failure. Therefore it is very pertinent to early detect the level of renal injuries and to make necessary heart failure predictions. Thus the aim of this study is to determine renal functions and prognosis stratification in chronic heart failure patients and importance of Neutrophil Gelatinase-Associated Lipocalin (NGAL), an early diagnostic marker of acute kidney injury, as well as stratification of cardiovascular risk in heart failure patients. Read More

Kidney Blood Press Res 2018 Dec 7;43(6):1852-1864. Epub 2018 Dec 7.

Department of Nephrology, the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Key laboratory of Kidney disease and Blood Purification in Hunan Province, Changsha,

Background/aims: There is an increasing risk of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) among Asian people with immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN). A computer-aided system for ESRD prediction in Asian IgAN patients has not been well studied.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed biopsy-proven IgAN patients treated at the Department of Nephrology of the Second Xiangya Hospital from January 2009 to November 2013. Read More

Eur Surg Res 2018 Dec 11;59(5-6):349-360. Epub 2018 Dec 11.

Background: Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols are multimodal perioperative care pathways designed to achieve early recovery after surgical procedures by maintaining preoperative organ function and reducing profound stress responses following surgery [Wilmore and Kehlet: BMJ 2001; 322(7284): 473-6]. Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAgs), such as liraglutide, have recently been widely used as antidiabetic agents in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) because they maintain blood glucose at an ideal level throughout the day, including during postprandial periods, thereby improving hypoglycemia and body weight more than insulin therapies. Additionally, the administration of liraglutide may exert cardiovascular, renal, and cerebral protective effects in T2D patients. Read More

Cardiorenal Med 2018 Dec 11;9(2):69-82. Epub 2018 Dec 11.

Harold Simmons Center of Kidney Disease Research and Epidemiology, Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, University of California Irvine School of Medicine, Orange, California,

Background: Residual kidney function (RKF) is often expected to inevitably and rapidly decline among hemodialysis patients and, hence, has been inadvertently ignored in clinical practice. The importance of RKF has been revisited in some recent studies. Given that patients with end-stage renal disease now tend to initiate maintenance hemodialysis therapy with higher RKF levels, there seem to be important opportunities for incremental hemo-dialysis by individualizing the dose and frequency according to their RKF levels. Read More

Kidney Blood Press Res 2018 Dec 7;43(6):1842-1851. Epub 2018 Dec 7.

Background/aims: We aimed to explore the associations between clinical parameters and long-term allograft outcomes in transplant glomerulopathy (TG) in a large retrospective cohort with long follow-up.

Methods: Clinical and laboratory data at biopsy from 180 cases of TG with an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR)> 15ml/min/1.73m2 from January 2004 to December 2016 at our center were retrospectively analyzed. Read More

Med Princ Pract 2018 Dec 10. Epub 2018 Dec 10.

Objective: Diabetic complications involve multiple pathological pathways, including hyperglycemia-induced oxidative stress and inflammation. Combination therapy is usually employed to improve treatment outcomes and to lower potential adverse effects. In this study, we evaluated the effects of antidiabetic and antihypertensive agents, glibenclamide (GLI) and losartan (LT), on diabetes-associated metabolic changes in rats. Read More

Chemosphere 2018 Nov 26;219:109-121. Epub 2018 Nov 26.

Univ. Grenoble Alpes, Inserm U1055, LBFA, 38000 Grenoble, France. Electronic address:

Cadmium (Cd) is a metal which may participate in the development of type II diabetes even if Cd exposure levels are mild. However, experimental studies focusing on daily environmentally relevant doses are scarce, particularly for glucose metabolism of the offspring of chronically exposed mothers. The aim is to measure the impact of maternal low level Cd exposure on glucose and lipid metabolism of offspring. Read More

Int J Antimicrob Agents 2018 Dec 8. Epub 2018 Dec 8.

Service de maladies infectieuses, Centre hospitalier Sud Ile-de-France, 77000 Melun. Electronic address:

Objectives: To assess if the postprescription review and feedback (PPRF) of all antibiotics with restriction of carbapenems, fluoroquinolones and third generation cephalosporins, along with a change of medical standard of care, impacted the consumption of antibiotics and bacterial resistance in a medical/surgical intensive care unit (MSICU).

Methods: A four years before (2007-2010) and after (2011-2014) retrospective comparative study. Antibiotics consumption was evaluated in Defined Daily Doses per 1000 patient days. Read More

Hum Pathol 2018 Dec 8. Epub 2018 Dec 8.

Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, 2800 Plymouth Road, Building 35, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, 5309 CCC 5940, 1500 E. Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA; Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Michigan Medical School, 1500 E Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA. Electronic address:

5% of urothelial carcinoma occurs in the upper urinary tract (UUT), a challenging location to biopsy. We aim to evaluate concordance between biopsy, cytology, and resection specimens in a large upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) cohort.117 UTUC resections with UUT biopsy and/or cytology specimens from 2000-2016 were retrieved; pathologic material was re-reviewed, evaluated for concordance, and correlated with clinical information. Read More

Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 2018 Dec 10;315(6):R1272-R1280. Epub 2018 Oct 10.

Renal Division, Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine , Atlanta, Georgia.

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is characterized by increased sympathetic nervous system (SNS) activity, blunted parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) activity, and impaired baroreflex sensitivity (BRS), which contribute to accelerated cardiovascular disease. Patients with PTSD also have chronic stress-related elevations in resting blood pressure (BP), often in the prehypertensive range; yet, it is unclear if elevated resting blood pressure (ERBP) augments these autonomic derangements in PTSD. We hypothesized that compared with normotensive PTSD (N-PTSD), those with ERBP (E-PTSD) have further increased SNS, decreased PNS activity, and impaired BRS at rest and exaggerated SNS reactivity, PNS withdrawal, and pressor responses during stress. Read More

Nephrology (Carlton) 2018 Dec 8. Epub 2018 Dec 8.

Nephrology Department of Subei People's Hospital, Yangzhou, 225009, Jiangsu, China.

Background: Klotho G-395-A gene polymorphism is associated with several diseases; however, its association with calcium-phosphate metabolism disorders in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) is unknown.

Methods: 137 patients with ESRD and 80 healthy adults (control) were enrolled in the study. Patients with ESRD were divided into three subgroups: hemodialysis (A1, n=52), peritoneal dialysis (A2, n=30), and non-dialysis (A3, n=55). Read More

J Clin Apher 2018 Dec 10. Epub 2018 Dec 10.

Department of Transfusion Medicine, National Institutes of Health Clinical Center, Bethesda, Maryland.

Idiopathic membranous nephropathy is the most common cause of nephrotic syndrome in nondiabetic adults. The antibody most often implicated is the M-type phospholipase A2 receptor (PLA2R) antibody, found in >70% of primary membranous nephropathy cases. First-line therapy is immunosuppressive in nature, but for patients who are treatment-resistant there is a significant risk of end-stage renal disease and mortality. Read More

J Cell Biochem 2018 Dec 9. Epub 2018 Dec 9.

The Department of Oncology, Hebei Chest Hospital, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China.

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is a common kidney tumor in adults. The role of miR-486-5p in RCC is unknown. The aim of our study was to identify new targets regulated by miR-486-5p in RCC, to obtain a deeper insight into the network and to better understand the role of these microRNAs and their targets in carcinogenesis of RCC. Read More

Cancer Med 2018 Dec 8. Epub 2018 Dec 8.

Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.

Background: Prior to 2018, intravenous bisphosphonates (IV BPs) were the only therapies recommended to prevent skeletal-related events for patients diagnosed with multiple myeloma (MM). We examined patterns of IV BP initiation and interruption among patients with newly diagnosed MM (NDMM) in the United States.

Methods: Electronic health records linked to administrative health insurance claims were used to identify adults with NDMM between 1 January 2011 and 30 April 2016. Read More

Eur J Heart Fail 2018 Dec 10. Epub 2018 Dec 10.

Department of Medicine, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, USA.

Multiple drug classes have shown incremental benefits in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. Most of these trials were designed to achieve specific doses of the investigational agent. Clinical practice guidelines recommend using the same target dosing of therapies, as tolerated. Read More

Pediatr Transplant 2018 Dec 9:e13329. Epub 2018 Dec 9.

Department of Pediatrics and Transplantation Center, University Hospital Motol, 2nd Medical Faculty Prague, Charles University Prague, Prague, Czech Republic.

Objectives: Strict BP control can retard progression of CKD in children. This prospective 3-year randomized controlled trial is aimed to investigate whether strict BP control can retard progression of chronic allograft dysfunction.

Methods: Twenty-three pediatric patients were randomly selected to the standard BP group (STAND, target 24-hour MAP 50-95th percentile, n = 11) or the intensified BP group (INTENS, target 24-hour MAP <50th percentile, n = 12). Read More

Eur J Immunol 2018 Dec 10. Epub 2018 Dec 10.

Grupo de Inmunología Celular e Inmunogenética, Instituto de Investigaciones Médicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia UdeA, Calle 70 No 52-21, Medellín, Colombia.

Non-classical monocytes infiltrate the kidney parenchyma and participate in tissue damage in patients with lupus nephritis (LN). Circulating microparticles (MPs) seem to play critical roles in the activation of monocytes in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients. This study aims to characterize the phenotypes of MPs and monocyte subsets in LN patients and to determine their potential to discriminate between SLE patients with and without LN. Read More

J Physiol 2018 Dec 7. Epub 2018 Dec 7.

The British Heart Foundation Centre for Cardiovascular Science, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, The University of Edinburgh, 47 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh, United Kingdom, EH16 4TJ.

Key Points Summary: Type 1 diabetes mellitus increases cardiovascular risk: hypertension amplifies this risk. Pressure natriuresis regulates long-term blood pressure. We induced type 1 diabetes in rats by streptozotocin injection and after three weeks demonstrated a substantial impairment of pressure natriuresis: acute increases in blood pressure did not increase renal medullary blood flow, and tubular sodium reabsorption was not downregulated. Read More

J Clin Pharmacol 2018 Dec 10. Epub 2018 Dec 10.

Organ Transplantation Center, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.

The aim of the present study is to establish a population pharmacokinetic (PPK) model of mycophenolic acid (MPA) and limited sampling strategy models for the estimation of MPA exposure in Chinese adult renal allograft recipients following oral administration of enteric coated mycophenolate sodium (EC-MPS). A total of 74 sets of full pharmacokinetic profiles and 47 sets of MPA-sparing samples were collected from 102 renal transplant recipients who received oral EC-MPS. The MPA concentration was determined by an enzyme-multiplied immunoassay technique, and the pathophysiologic data were recorded. Read More

J Cell Physiol 2018 Dec 10. Epub 2018 Dec 10.

Department of Basic nursing, Nursing College, University of South China, Hengyang, China.

Lipid autophagy (lipophagy) is defined as a selective autophagy process in which some intracellular lipid droplets are selectively degraded by autophagic lysosomes pathway. The occurrence of lipophagy was first discovered in liver tissues. Additionally, abundant evidence indicated that the occurrence of hepatic lipophagy has been implicated in many liver diseases including fatty liver diseases, nonalcoholic fatty liver diseases, liver fibrosis, and liver cirrhosis. Read More

J Diabetes Investig 2018 Dec 9. Epub 2018 Dec 9.

Department of Internal Medicine, Eulji University and Eulji General Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea.

Cardio-renal protective effect of Sodium Glucose Co-transporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors is well established by three large clinical trials; Empagliflozin, Cardiovascular Outcome Events Trial in Type 2 Diabetes Patients (EMPA-REG OUTCOME), Canagliflozin Cardiovascular Assessment Study (CANVAS), and most recently Dapagliflozin Effect on Cardiovascular Events Trial 58 by the Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction Study Group (DECLARE-TIMI 58). Three different SGLT2 inhibitors, empagliflozin, canagliflozin and dapagliflozin, were proven effective not only for their glucose lowering effect, but in reducing deterioration of renal function and prevented hospitalization due to heart failure. This article is protected by copyright. Read More

J Cell Physiol 2018 Dec 8. Epub 2018 Dec 8.

Department of Urology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, People's Republic of China.

Long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) exerts an essential role in the pathological processes of many diseases. Our previous study found that lncRNA ATB was highly expressed in renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8), 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU), and migration-related assays were conducted to access the regulatory effects of lncRNA ATB on proliferative and migratory capacities of RCC cells. Read More

Congenit Heart Dis 2018 Dec 11. Epub 2018 Dec 11.

Department of Pediatrics, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee.

Even though up to 60% of premature infants less than 28 weeks gestation develop persistent patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), there remains controversy regarding if, when, and how to close the PDA. Failure to close the PDA has been associated with significant morbidity but no cause-and-effect has been proven for short-term or long-term outcomes in modern times. Surgical closure has the advantage of eliminating the PDA, but short-term complications and long-term adverse outcomes are worrisome. Read More

J Cell Physiol 2018 Dec 7. Epub 2018 Dec 7.

Biotechnology Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.

Diabetic nephropathy is the leading cause of renal failure worldwide. This debilitating disorder has several underlying pathophysiologic mechanisms, and therefore a variety of pharmacologic agents have been developed to prevent or treat diabetic nephropathy; however, synthetic drugs may possess unfavorable side effects. In response to this, the global use of herbal-based pharmacologic agents is increasing among diabetic patients. Read More

Magn Reson Med 2018 Dec 7. Epub 2018 Dec 7.

Department of Brain Repair and Rehabilitation, University College London Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London, United Kingdom.

Purpose: To develop a robust renal arterial spin labeling (ASL) acquisition and processing strategy for mapping renal blood flow (RBF) in a pediatric cohort with severe kidney disease.

Methods: A single-shot background-suppressed 3D gradient and spin-echo (GRASE) flow-sensitive alternating inversion recovery (FAIR) ASL acquisition method was used to perform 2 studies. First, an evaluation of the feasibility of single-shot 3D-GRASE and retrospective noise reduction methods was performed in healthy volunteers. Read More

Liver Transpl 2018 Dec 8. Epub 2018 Dec 8.

Institute of Liver Transplantation and Regenerative Medicine, Medanta-The Medicity Gurugram-122001, Delhi (NCR), India.

Introduction: Acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) is a syndrome characterized by acute decompensation of previously diagnosed or undiagnosed liver disease with organ failure(s) with high short-term mortality. This study was conducted to report the outcomes of LDLT in ACLF and assess the survival benefit of liver transplantation in these patients.

Materials And Methods: It was a retrospective study of 218 ACLF patients (based on EASL-CLIF criteria) from January 2014 through November 2017. Read More

J Clin Pharmacol 2018 Dec 11. Epub 2018 Dec 11.

Established Products, Janssen Research & Development, Titusville, NJ, USA.

Dacogen, the formulated product of the pharmaceutically active agent decitabine (5 aza-2'-deoxycytidine), is approved for treatment of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDSs) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The current analysis was performed to characterize the pharmacokinetics of decitabine in pediatric patients with AML and evaluate their consistency with the PK in adult patients. A population pharmacokinetic model was developed by pooling decitabine concentration-time data from 5 adult (AML and MDS) and 2 pediatric (AML) studies. Read More

Nephrology (Carlton) 2018 Dec 10. Epub 2018 Dec 10.

Department of Nephrology, Monash Medical Centre, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.

The demand for kidney transplantation continues to exceed the availability of deceased donor kidneys. Balancing the overarching principles of the optimal use of (utility) and equal access to (equity) this scarce resource requires a sophisticated allocation system. This review will examine how various factors are addressed in allocation systems around the world to strike a balance between utility and equity. Read More

J Cell Physiol 2018 Dec 10. Epub 2018 Dec 10.

Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genoa and Ospedale Policlinico San Martino-IST, Genova, Italy.

Renal proximal tubular cells (PTECs) participate in several mechanisms of innate immunity, express toll-like receptors (TLRs), and proinflammatory cytokines. Hyperuricemia may be a promoter of inflammation and renal damage. Angiotensin II (Ang II) modulate immune and inflammatory responses in renal tubular cells. Read More

Cancer Sci 2018 Dec 10. Epub 2018 Dec 10.

Department of Urology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan.

Reliable biomarkers for renal cell carcinoma (RCC) have yet to be found. Circulating-tumor DNA (ctDNA) is an emerging resource to detect and monitor molecular characteristics of various tumors. This study aims to clarify the clinical utility of ctDNA for RCC. Read More

J Cell Physiol 2018 Dec 10. Epub 2018 Dec 10.

Department of Nephrology, Minhang Hospital,Fudan University, Shanghai, China.

Objective: This study aimed to explore the underlying function of Gubenxiezhuo dialysis on the distribution of gut microflora uremia.

Methods: A uremia rat model was constructed, and the morphology of renal tissue was determined using the hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) staining. Moreover, the blood samples were collected and the expression of IL-1β, IL-6, and CRP was determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Read More

Dermatol Ther 2018 Dec 10:e12803. Epub 2018 Dec 10.

Department of Dermatology, University of Florida.

Treatment of recalcitrant warts in solid organ transplant recipients (SOTR) can pose a therapeutic challenge for dermatologists. Successful treatment of recalcitrant warts can serve as secondary prevention for skin cancer in those with chronic immunosuppression. Given the heterogeneity of associated comorbid conditions in SOTR, clinical trials are difficult to conduct in this high-risk population, therefore, our clinical practice is mostly driven by observed responses from studies in immunocompetent patients or from case reports of immunocompromised patients. Read More

Acta Paediatr 2018 Dec 11. Epub 2018 Dec 11.

Department of Paediatric Gastroenterology, Nephrology and Metabolic Diseases, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany.

Aim: Children and adolescents with end stage renal disease face a high morbidity and mortality. Palliative care provides a multidisciplinary approach to reduce disease burden and improve quality of life. This study evaluated concepts and current structures of palliative care from the perspective of a multidisciplinary paediatric nephrology team including physicians, nurses and psychosocial health professionals. Read More

J Cell Biochem 2018 Dec 9. Epub 2018 Dec 9.

State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, Department of Orthodontics, West China Hospital of Stomatology, West China School of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.

Stem cells are promising candidates for cell-based therapies in diverse conditions including regenerating damaged tissues, treating inflammation in virtue of sepsis, acute renal failure, and cardiovascular disease. Advancement of these therapies relies on the ability to guide stem cells to migrate directly and differentiate towards specific cell phenotypes. During the past decade, many researchers have demonstrated that exogenous applied forces could significantly affect the migration and lineage differentiation of stem cells. Read More

J Clin Apher 2018 Dec 8. Epub 2018 Dec 8.

Department of Molecular Medicine and Haematology, Faculty of Health Sciences, National Health Laboratory Service, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.

Introduction: Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is associated with high mortality if not managed timeously with therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE). TTP secondary to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is unique to sub-Saharan Africa. The management and outcome of TTP in the era of improved access to therapy has not been described. Read More

J Clin Pharmacol 2018 Dec 11. Epub 2018 Dec 11.

Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ, USA.

In patients with renal insufficiency, dose adjustments based on creatinine clearance and body weight have been a component of imipenem dosage instructions. The objective of the current analysis was to provide revised dosing recommendations by evaluating the impact of creatinine clearance and body weight on the pharmacokinetics of imipenem. A population pharmacokinetics model was developed with data from 465 patients and 3300 pharmacokinetic samples. Read More

Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 2018 Nov;22(22):8030-8033

Tumor Center, CFS, Fibromyalgia and Oxygen Ozone Therapy Unit, Mede Clinic, Sacile (PN), Italy.

Objective: Fatigue may be cause by all cancer treatments, maybe because the tissue damage or the build-up of dead cells derived products.

Patients And Methods: At the Mede Clinic in Sacile, Pordenone, Italy, from February 2016 to May 2018 we studied 50 patients with cancer and fatigue (15 with breast cancer, 12 with lung cancer, 11 with colon cancer, 5 with renal cancer, 3 with prostate cancer, 2 with melanoma and 2 hepatocellular carcinoma). Patients were treated with Auto Hemotransfusion (GAE) according to the SIOOT (Scientific Society of Oxygen Ozone Therapy) protocols, two times a week for one month and then twice monthly as maintenance therapy. Read More

Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 2018 Nov;22(22):7945-7951

1st Department of Cardiology, AHEPA University Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece.

Objective: Adrenomedullin (ADM) and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) are known to be associated with elevated left ventricular filling pressures. However, little is known about this association in hemodialysis (HD) patients with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). Our objective was to evaluate the potential association between E/e' ratio and plasma levels of BNP and ADM in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients with preserved LVEF undergoing chronic hemodialysis. Read More

Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 2018 Nov;22(22):7621-7627

Department of Nephrology, Yancheng TCM Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Yancheng, China.

Objective: To study the role of HGF (stem cell growth factor) in renal interstitial fibrosis and to explore its underlying mechanism.

Materials And Methods: A unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) mouse model was first constructed, and kidney samples of mice were then collected. Fibrosis-related indicators in UUO mice kidney were detected by Western blot. Read More

Int Urol Nephrol 2018 Dec 7. Epub 2018 Dec 7.

Department of Endocrinology, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), 29 Gaotanyan Street, Chongqing, 400038, China.

Purpose: To assess the role of serum pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) in the occurrence and development of proteinuria and renal dysfunction and determine its relevant signaling pathway.

Methods: We analyzed serum PEDF, creatinine, the urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio, and renal morphology of normal or streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mice, before and after treatment with PEDF. In vitro, podocytes were stimulated with PEDF under normal or high-glucose conditions; permeability was measured by the transwell assay with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-dextran; and F-actin cytoskeleton was analyzed by phalloidin staining. Read More

Exp Suppl 2018 ;108:177-210

Centre for Inflammatory Diseases, Monash University Department of Medicine, Monash Medical Centre, Clayton, VIC, Australia.

Inflammasomes influence a diverse range of kidney disease, including acute and chronic kidney diseases, and those mediated by innate and adaptive immunity. Both IL-18 and in particular IL-1β are validated therapeutic targets in several kidney diseases. In addition to leukocyte-derived inflammasomes, renal tissue cells express functional inflammasome components. Read More

Int Urol Nephrol 2018 Dec 10. Epub 2018 Dec 10.

Kidney Department, Zhenhai People's Hospital of Ningbo City (Ningbo No.7 Hospital), 718 Nanerxi Road, Luotuo Subdistrict, Zhenhai, Ningbo, People's Republic of China.

Progressive renal fibrosis is the last phase of chronic kidney disease and results in renal failure. Micro-RNA has been demonstrated as important agent to drive organ fibrosis. However, the precise mechanisms are not fully understood. Read More

Eur J Drug Metab Pharmacokinet 2018 Dec 7. Epub 2018 Dec 7.

Department of Pharmacy, Fukuoka University Hospital, 7-45-1 Nanakuma, Zyounan-ku, Fukuoka, 814-0180, Japan.

Background And Objective: Lithium, which is used to treat bipolar disorder, has a narrow therapeutic blood concentration range and quickly reaches clinically toxic levels. We performed a population pharmacokinetic analysis with a lithium tubular reabsorption model including urinary pH and investigated the relationship between blood lithium concentration and tremor as a side effect.

Methods: Routine clinical data, including 389 serum concentrations, were collected from 214 patients orally administered an adjusted amount of lithium carbonate. Read More

Ann Hematol 2018 Dec 10. Epub 2018 Dec 10.

Medical Intensive Care Unit, Saint-Louis Teaching Hospital, AP-HP, Paris, France.

Patients with autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) may require intensive care unit (ICU) admission. In order to describe the characteristics of AIHA patients in ICU and identify prognosis factors, clinical and biological data from 44 patients admitted in one ICU between 2002 and 2015 were retrospectively analyzed. The main reasons for ICU admission were profound anemia without any organ failure in 19 patients (either for safer transfusion or continuous monitoring only). Read More

Clin Res Cardiol 2018 Dec 10. Epub 2018 Dec 10.

Med. Klinik und Poliklinik II-Herzzentrum Bonn, Universitätsklinikum Bonn, Bonn, Germany.

Aims: Percutaneous left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAo) is commonly performed under fluoroscopy including the use of contrast dye. In this study, we aimed to assess feasibility and safety of contrast-free, 3D-echo-based LAAo with the use of the AMPLATZER™ Amulet™ device.

Methods And Results: We analyzed 20 patients (74 ± 10 years, 65% males) at an increased thromboembolic and bleeding risk (CHADSVASC 4. Read More

Clin Rheumatol 2018 Dec 7. Epub 2018 Dec 7.

Autoimmune Diseases Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, Hospital Universitario Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain.

Introduction: Our objective was to evaluate the pulmonary hypertension (PH) data for Spanish patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc), define the PH types and determine the associated factors.

Method: Descriptive study of PH-related data from the multicentre RESCLE registry. Estimated systolic pulmonary artery pressure (esPAP), measured via echocardiogram was considered elevated if ≥ 35 mmHg. Read More

Pediatr Nephrol 2018 Dec 10. Epub 2018 Dec 10.

Dokuz Eylul University, Izmir, Turkey.