Correlation of Asymmetric Dimethylarginine With Podocytopathy Markers in Diabetic Kidney Disease Patients.

Background: Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is the leading cause of end-stage kidney disease, and podocytopathy is an early manifestation of DKD characterized by the urinary excretion of podocyte-specific proteins, such as nephrin and podocin. Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA)-a biomarker of endothelial dysfunction-is associated with progressive kidney dysfunction. However, the mechanism of endothelial dysfunction in DKD progression is unclear.

The Correlation of MicroRNA-21 With the Nephrin, Podocin, and Urinary Albumin-Creatinine Ratio in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes and Albuminuria: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is the most common and deranging microvascular complication of diabetes mellitus (DM). Podocytopathy is a key component of glomerular damage in DKD. Micro RNA-21 (miRNA-21) is an epigenetic regulator that plays a role in podocyte damage; however, the results of previous studies have not resolved the controversy about the role of miRNA-21 in the pathogenesis of DKD.

Comparison of the Discrimination Performance of AI Scoring and the Brixia Score in Predicting COVID-19 Severity on Chest X-Ray Imaging: Diagnostic Accuracy Study.

Background: The artificial intelligence (AI) analysis of chest x-rays can increase the precision of binary COVID-19 diagnosis. However, it is unknown if AI-based chest x-rays can predict who will develop severe COVID-19, especially in low- and middle-income countries.

Objective: The study aims to compare the performance of human radiologist Brixia scores versus 2 AI scoring systems in predicting the severity of COVID-19 pneumonia.

The Etiology of Kidney Failure in Indonesia: A Multicenter Study in Tertiary-Care Centers in Jakarta.

Background: Despite a large number of patients requiring dialysis, the etiology of kidney failure is poorly documented in Indonesia. With the aim to reduce the disease burden, it is essential to obtain more insight in the etiology of chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Objectives: In the present study, we attempted to investigate the primary renal disease of kidney failure patients from five tertiary-care centers in Jakarta.

Practical considerations for the use of SGLT-2 inhibitors in the Asia-Pacific countries-An expert consensus statement.

Recent clinical studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of SGLT-2 inhibitors in reducing the risks of cardiovascular and renal events in both patients with and without type 2 diabetes mellitus. Consequently, many international guidelines have begun advocating for the use of SGLT-2 inhibitors for the purpose of organ protection rather than as simply a glucose-lowering agent. However, despite the consistent clinical benefits and available strong guideline recommendations, the utilization of SGLT-2 inhibitors have been unexpectedly low in many countries, a trend which is much more noticeable in low resource settings.

Diagnostic performance of Mac-2-binding protein glycosylation isomer (M2BPGi) as a liver fibrosis marker in chronic hepatitis C patients with chronic kidney disease on hemodialysis.

Background/aim: Liver fibrosis assessment is essential to determine the initiation, duration, and evaluation of chronic hepatitis C treatment. Therefore, the study aimed to assess the role of Mac-2-binding protein glycosylation isomer (M2BPGi) as a biomarker to measure liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis C patients with chronic kidney disease on hemodialysis.

Methods: This study used a cross-sectional design.

Role of Soluble Transferrin Receptor - An Iron Marker in Hemodialysis Patients.

Background: Iron status assessment is crucial in end-stage renal disease hemodialysis (ESRD-HD) patients because iron deficiency may cause unresponsiveness to erythropoiesis-stimulating agent. Soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR) is a potential iron marker that is not influenced by inflammation, and the results among studies are still conflicting. This study evaluated the role of sTfR in determining iron deficiency in ESRD-HD patients.

Raising Awareness of Acute Kidney Injury: Unfolding the Truth.

AKI is rarely being recognized as it may take place without any apparent symptoms. Severe AKI is commonly found in intensive care unit (ICU) patients. AKI in the ICU is an independent risk factor for death, as it may cause systemic effects on other vital organs including the lung, heart, liver, brain and immune system.

Early Recognition of Type 2 Diabetes Complications and Use of SGLT2i in Multidisciplinary Approach: Indonesian Perspective - An Expert Opinion.

Indonesia ranks seventh with the highest number of cases of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). T2DM is associated with major undesirable complications including cardiovascular disease and chronic kidney disease. Kidneys play a major role in maintaining glucose homeostasis, leading the development of sodium glucose transporter inhibitors (SGLT2i).

Effect of primary balloon angioplasty on draining vein diameter and volume flow in patients with arteriovenous fistula: A cohort study.

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) cause major morbidity and mortality in 10% of the global population with CKD. The most common renal replacement therapy is hemodialysis with arteriovenous fistula (AVF) access. AVF often undergoes maturation failure due to feeding artery and draining vein inadequacy.

The effects of synbiotics on indoxyl sulphate level, constipation, and quality of life associated with constipation in chronic haemodialysis patients: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Gut microbiota dysbiosis in patients with chronic kidney disease on haemodialysis (CKD-HD) creates an increase in proteolytic bacteria activity, leading to an increase in the production of uraemic toxins, such as indoxyl sulphate, worsening of constipation symptoms and reducing patients' quality of life. Improving gut microbiota dysbiosis is expected to improve this condition. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of synbiotics on indoxyl sulphate levels, constipation symptoms, and constipation-related quality of life in haemodialysis patients.

Chronic kidney disease in Hepatitis C and its association with liver cirrhosis and viral load: Revealing the importance of hematuria.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) contributed as a risk factor for chronic kidney disease (CKD). Many studies only showed it associated with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) reduction and albuminuria, but none revealed hematuria data. Besides, liver cirrhosis and viral load as risks for CKD are still yet to be established.

The Relationship between Folic Acid and Vitamin B12 Serum Levels with High Sensitivity C-reactive Protein and Homocysteine in Chronic Hemodialysis Patients: A Cross-sectional Study.

Background: Folic acid (FA) and vitamin B12 treatment have been routinely prescribed to lower serum homocysteine levels and to reduce inflammation. However, no study has been conducted to determine serum folic acid (SFA) and vitamin B12 (B12) levels in patients who have twice-weekly hemodialysis. The aim of our study was to assess serum folate and B12  levels in chronic hemodialysis patients and their relationship with hsCRP and homocysteine levels.

Trainees’ perceptions and expectations of formal academic mentoring during the COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesian cardiology residency programs.

Purpose: During medical residency programs, physicians develop their professional identities as specialists and encounter high expectations in terms of achieving competencies. The responsibilities of medical trainees include caring for patients, balancing work with personal life, and weathering stress, depression, and burnout. Formal academic mentoring programs strive to ease these burdens.

Peritoneal dialysis: Status report in South and South East Asia.

Background: Peritoneal dialysis (PD) as a modality of kidney replacement therapy (KRT) is largely underutilized globally. We analyzed PD utilization, impact of economic status, projected growth and impact of state policy(s) on PD growth in South Asia and Southeast Asia (SA&SEA) region.

Methods: The National Nephrology Societies of the region responded to a questionnaire on KRT practices.

Association of BsmI Polymorphisms in the Vitamin D Receptor Gene Among Indonesian Population with Diabetic Kidney Disease.

Background: Diabetic kidney disease (DKD), as a common cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD), is a chronic complication of diabetes mellitus (DM). It has been established that vitamin D deficiency is one of DKD risk factors, which may be related to vitamin D receptor (VDR) polymorphisms. This study aimed to analyze the association between VDR polymorphisms and DKD in Indonesian population, also risk factors that influence it.

Impact of National Economy and Policies on End-Stage Kidney Care in South Asia and Southeast Asia.

Background: The association between economic status and kidney disease is incompletely explored even in countries with higher economy (HE); the situation is complex in lower economies (LE) of South Asia and Southeast Asia (SA and SEA).

Methods: Fifteen countries of SA and SEA categorized as HE and LE, represented by the representatives of the national nephrology societies, participated in this questionnaire and interview-based assessment of the impact of economic status on renal care.

Results: Average incidence and prevalence of end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) per million population (pmp) are 1.

The Association of β2-Microglobulin and Fibroblast Growth Factor 23 with Major Adverse Cardiac Event in Acute Coronary Syndrome Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease.

Background: chronic kidney disease (CKD) increases the severity and risk of mortality in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients. The role of β2-M as a filtration and inflammation marker and FGF23 as a CKD-MBD process marker might be significant in the pathophysiology in ACS with CKD patients. This study aims to determine the association of β2-M and FGF23 with major adverse cardiac event (MACE) in ACS patients with CKD.

Prevalence of prehypertension and its risk factors in midlife and late life: Indonesian family life survey 2014-2015.

Background: Early detection of prehypertension is important to prevent hypertension-related complications, such as cardiovascular disease, cerebrovascular disease and all-cause mortality. Data regarding the prevalence of prehypertension among mid- and late-life population in Indonesia were lacking. It is crucial to obtain the prevalence data and identify the risk factors for prehypertension in Indonesia, which may differ from that of other countries.

Biofilm-Producing Bacteria and Risk Factors (Gender and Duration of Catheterization) Characterized as Catheter-Associated Biofilm Formation.

Background: A catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CA-UTI) is preceded by biofilm formation, which is related to several risk factors such as gender, age, diabetic status, duration of catheterization, bacteriuria before catheterization, virulence gene factor, and antibiotic usage.

Aims: This study aims to identify the microbial composition of catheter samples, including its corresponding comparison with urine samples, to determine the most important risk factors of biofilm formation and characterize the virulence gene factors that correlate with biofilm formation.

Methods: A longitudinal cross-sectional study was conducted on 109 catheterized patients from September 2017 to January 2018.

Factors Associated with Mortality of Intensive Care Unit Patients with Acute Kidney Injury at Cipto Mangunkusumo National Central General Hospital.

Background: the incidence of acute kidney injury (AKI) in intensive care units is associated with increased mortality, post AKI morbidity and high treatment costs. Research on factors related to mortality of AKI patients in intensive care units in Indonesia, especially Cipto Mangungkusumo General Hospital has never been done. This study aims to determine the prevalence of AKI, mortality rate of AKI patients, and the factors associated with increased mortality of AKI patients in intensive care units in ICU Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital.

Effects of low versus standard pressure pneumoperitoneum on renal syndecan-1 shedding and VEGF receptor-2 expression in living-donor nephrectomy: a randomized controlled study.

Background: Laparoscopic nephrectomy is a preferred technique for living kidney donation. However, positive-pressure pneumoperitoneum may have an unfavorable effect on the remaining kidney and other distant organs due to inflamed vascular endothelium and renal tubular cell injury in response to increased systemic inflammation. Early detection of vascular endothelial and renal tubular response is needed to prevent further kidney injury due to increased intraabdominal pressure induced by pneumoperitoneum.