Serum myostatin level is a positive predictor of endothelial function measured by digital thermal monitoring of vascular reactivity in kidney transplantation patients.

Objectives: Myostatin is a myokine predominantly expressed and secreted in skeletal muscle in response to stimulations, including oxidative stress or inflammation. We investigated a potential association between myostatin levels and endothelial function among kidney transplantation (KT) patients.

Materials And Methods: Fasting blood samples were collected from 64 KT patients.

Association of endothelial dysfunction with sarcopenia and muscle function in a relatively young cohort of kidney transplant recipients.

Background: Sarcopenia and endothelial dysfunction are both common among kidney transplant (KT) recipients. We aimed to evaluate the association between endothelial dysfunction and sarcopenia, as well as its individual components.

Methods: Vascular reactivity index (VRI), skeletal muscle index (SMI = skeletal muscle mass/height), handgrip strength (HGS), and 6-meter usual gait speed (GS) were measured in 95 KT recipients.

Nutrition support for acute kidney injury 2020-consensus of the Taiwan AKI task force.

Background: We used evidence-based medicine to suggest guidelines of nutritional support for Taiwanese patients with acute kidney injury (AKI).

Methods: Our panel reviewed the medical literature in group meetings to reach a consensus on answering clinical questions related to the effects of the nutritional status, energy/protein intake recommendations, timing of enteral, and parenteral nutrition supplementation.

Results: Markers of the nutritional status of serum albumin, protein intake, and nitrogen balance had positive relationships with low mortality.

Association of Low Serum l-Carnitine Levels with Peripheral Arterial Stiffness in Patients Who Undergo Kidney Transplantation.

l-carnitine is an important co-factor in fatty-acid metabolism, and its deficiency is associated with insulin resistance, which is independently associated with arterial stiffness. This study evaluated the relationship between serum l-carnitine level and peripheral arterial stiffness (PAS) in kidney transplantation (KT). Fasting blood samples were collected from 65 patients who underwent KT.

Serum adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein level is associated with arterial stiffness quantified with cardio-ankle vascular index in kidney transplant patients.

Background: Arterial stiffness is an established marker of cardiovascular risk and an independent predictor of cardiovascular disease (CVD) events and mortality in kidney transplant (KT) patients. Adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein (A-FABP), a novel adipokine, is positively associated with atherosclerosis. The present study evaluated the relationship between fasting circulating A-FABP and peripheral arterial stiffness using the cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) in KT patients.

Application of Bacteriophage-containing Aerosol against Nosocomial Transmission of Carbapenem-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii in an Intensive Care Unit.

Background: Carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) is associated with nosocomial infections worldwide. Here, we used phage as a potential agent to evaluate the efficacy of daily cleaning practices combined with a bacteriophage-containing aerosol against CRAB.

Methods: A two-phase prospective intervention study was performed at a 945-bed public teaching hospital.

Serum Sclerostin as an Independent Marker of Peripheral Arterial Stiffness in Renal Transplantation Recipients: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway is thought to be implicated in the development of arterial stiffness and vascular calcification. As a Wnt signaling pathway inhibitor, it is interesting to investigate whether sclerostin or dickkopf-1 (DKK1) level is correlated with arterial stiffness in renal transplant (RT) recipients. Fasting blood samples were obtained for biochemical data, sclerostin, DKK1, and osteoprotegerin (OPG) determinations.

Serum adiponectin is a negative predictor of central arterial stiffness in kidney transplant patients.

Background: The role of adiponectin in arterial stiffness and its relationship to cardiovascular disease is not fully demonstrated and needs further elaboration. In this study, the association between adiponectin level and arterial stiffness is studied among kidney transplant patients.

Material And Methods: Anthropometric data and biochemical data including fasting glucose, lipid profile, renal function and serum adiponectin were determined in 55 kidney transplant patients.

Serum osteoprotegerin levels associated with the aortic augmentation index in renal transplant recipients.

Objectives: Arterial stiffness is recognized as an independent risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Recent studies found that osteoprotegerin (OPG) is associated with arterial stiffness and may reflect endothelial dysfunction. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between fasting serum OPG levels and the aortic augmentation index (AIx) in renal transplant recipients.

High Serum Osteoprotegerin Is Associated with Arterial Stiffness in Kidney Transplant Patients.

Osteoprotegerin (OPG) is a cytokine that regulates bone resorption by inhibiting osteoclastogenesis, and OPG has been implicated in the process that causes vascular stiffness. An increase in serum OPG level has been associated with the development of arterial stiffness. Kidney transplant (KT) patients are susceptible to aortic stiffness, which is considered to be a predictor of cardiovascular events in this patient population.

Hypoadiponectinemia correlates with arterial stiffness in kidney transplantation patients.

Background: Adiponectin is a fat-derived hormone produced and secreted exclusively by adipocytes that have anti-atherosclerotic effects. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between fasting serum adiponectin levels and arterial stiffness among kidney transplant (KT) patients.

Methods: Fasting blood samples were obtained from 69 KT patients.

Fasting serum long-acting natriuretic peptide correlates with the ankle brachial index in renal transplant recipients.

Objectives: Peripheral arterial diseases associated with an increased risk of death in kidney transplant patients. Natriuretic peptide has anti-atherosclerotic effects. We sought to evaluate the relation between ankle-brachial index and fasting serum long-acting natriuretic peptide concentrations in kidney transplant patients.

N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide is associated with arterial stiffness measured using the cardio-ankle vascular index in renal transplant recipients.

Aim: Arterial stiffness is an established cardiovascular risk marker and an independent predictor of cardiovascular events and mortality in various groups of patients, including renal transplant recipients. Recent studies have noted that B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) acts as a local paracrine molecule that modulates endothelial permeability and regeneration. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between the serum N-terminal pro-BNP (NT-pro-BNP) level and arterial stiffness in renal transplant recipients.

Inverse association of serum long-acting natriuretic peptide and bone mineral density in renal transplant recipients.

Objective: Our aim was to evaluate the relationship between bone mineral density (BMD) and fasting serum long-acting natriuretic peptide (LANP) concentration in renal transplant recipients.

Patients And Methods: Fasting blood samples were obtained from 65 renal transplant recipients. BMD was measured using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry in lumbar vertebrae (L2-L4).

Hyperleptinemia positively correlated with metabolic syndrome in renal transplant recipients.

Objective: Our aim was to evaluate the relationship between metabolic syndrome and fasting serum leptin concentration in renal transplant recipients.

Patients And Methods: Fasting blood samples were obtained from 55 renal transplant recipients. Metabolic syndrome and its components were defined using the diagnostic criteria of the International Diabetes Federation.