Denosumab Is Superior to Raloxifene in Lowering Risks of Mortality and Ischemic Stroke in Osteoporotic Women.

Both osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease (CVD) share similar pathways in pathophysiology and are intercorrelated with increased morbidity and mortality in elderly women. Although denosumab and raloxifene are the current guideline-based pharmacological treatments, their impacts on cardiovascular protection are yet to be examined. This study aimed to compare mortality rate and cardiovascular events between denosumab and raloxifene in osteoporotic women.

Clinical effectiveness of molnupiravir in patients with COVID-19 undergoing haemodialysis.

Background: Molnupiravir is an essential oral antiviral agent against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19); however, its real-world effectiveness has not been evaluated in patients undergoing haemodialysis (HD).

Methods: This multi-centre retrospective study, involving 225 patients undergoing HD with initially mild or asymptomatic COVID-19, was conducted to compare the risks of 30-day COVID-19-related acute care visits between patients receiving and not receiving molnupiravir. Patients who received molnupiravir were stratified by rapid antigen detection (RAD) test results on day 7 after disease onset to assess whether rapid molnupiravir introduction accelerated viral clearance.

Ultrasonography Measurement of Renal Dimension and Its Correlation with Age, Body Indices, and eGFR in Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus Patients: Real World Data in Taiwan.

Background: Assessment of renal size is clinically significant for the screening, diagnosis, and follow-up of renal diseases as the basis of clinical decisions. However, the relationship of renal dimension with age, body indices, and the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) has rarely been reported in the Chinese type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) population.

Methods: A total of 220 T1DM patients were retrospectively analyzed from the Chang Gung Research Database in Taiwan.

Updates on the Pivotal Roles of Mitochondria in Urothelial Carcinoma.

Mitochondria are important organelles responsible for energy production, redox homeostasis, oncogenic signaling, cell death, and apoptosis. Deregulated mitochondrial metabolism and biogenesis are often observed during cancer development and progression. Reports have described the crucial roles of mitochondria in urothelial carcinoma (UC), which is a major global health challenge.

Comparative Adverse Kidney Outcomes in Women Receiving Raloxifene and Denosumab in a Real-World Setting.

Both osteoporosis and kidney diseases are common and intercorrelate to increase morbidity and mortality in elderly women. This study aimed to compare adverse kidney outcome between women initiated with denosumab and a matched group of raloxifene initiators using propensity score matching methods in a large healthcare delivery system in Taiwan. The risks of adverse kidney outcomes were estimated using Cox proportional hazard regression and the change in kidney function over time was analyzed using the linear mixed model.

Comparison of Adverse Kidney Outcomes With Empagliflozin and Linagliptin Use in Patients With Type 2 Diabetic Patients in a Real-World Setting.

To compare the effects of empagliflozin and linagliptin use on kidney outcomes of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients in a real-world setting. The study involved a propensity score-matched cohort comprising new users of empagliflozin or linagliptin with T2DM between January 1, 2013 and December 31, 2018 from a large healthcare delivery system in Taiwan. Clinical outcomes assessed: acute kidney injury (AKI), post-AKI dialysis, and mortality.

Empagliflozin Ameliorates Free Fatty Acid Induced-Lipotoxicity in Renal Proximal Tubular Cells via the PPARγ/CD36 Pathway in Obese Mice.

High serum levels of free fatty acids (FFAs) could contribute to obesity-induced nephropathy. CD36, a class B scavenger receptor, is a major receptor mediating FFA uptake in renal proximal tubular cells. Empagliflozin, a new anti-diabetic agent, is a specific inhibitor of sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 channels presented on renal proximal tubular cells and inhibits glucose reabsorption.

The AST-120 Recovers Uremic Toxin-Induced Cognitive Deficit via NLRP3 Inflammasome Pathway in Astrocytes and Microglia.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is characterized by the progressive loss of renal function; moreover, CKD progression commonly leads to multiple comorbidities, including neurological dysfunction and immune disorders. CKD-triggered neuroinflammation significantly contributes to cognitive impairment. This study aimed to investigate the contribution of uremic toxins to cognitive impairment.

Modest dose anti-thymocyte globulin administered intraoperatively is safe and effective in kidney transplantations: a retrospective study.

Background: Anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG) as induction therapy in renal transplantation is facing the dilemma of reducing the incidence of acute rejection (AR) and delayed graft function (DGF) or increasing risks of infection and malignancy. The purpose of this study was to delineate the safety and efficiency of the optimal ATG dosage.

Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 91 deceased donor kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) in our institution between March 2011 and January 2019.

Comparison of the Effects of Denosumab and Alendronate on Cardiovascular and Renal Outcomes in Osteoporotic Patients.

A correlation between impaired bone metabolism, chronic kidney disease, and cardiovascular diseases (CVD) has been suggested. This study aimed to compare the effects of denosumab and alendronate, two anti-resorptive agents, on cardiovascular and renal outcomes in osteoporotic patients. Propensity score-matched cohort study comparing denosumab to alendronate users between January 2005 and December 2017 was conducted from a large medical organization in Taiwan.

Calcification of the aortic arch predicts cardiovascular and all-cause mortality in chronic hemodialysis patients.

Background: Cardiovascular calcification represents a marker of cardiovascular risk in chronic dialysis patients. In the general population, aortic arch calcification (AAC) can predict cardiovascular mortality. We conducted a prospective study to investigate factors associated with AAC in hemodialysis patients and examined its prognostic value in long-term outcome.