Publications by authors named "Hong-Xin Niu"

Background: The enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) is a histone methyltransferase and induces the trimethylation of histone H3 lysine 27 (H3K27me3) in the promoter of many key genes; EZH2 acts as a transcriptional repressor and is an epigenetic regulator for several cancers. However, the role of EZH2 in nonneoplastic diseases, such as kidney diseases, is unknown and has been investigated.

Materials And Method: NRK-52E cells were treated with DZNep, a potent inhibitor of EZH2, with different concentrations and for different times to evaluate the apoptosis level of NRK-52E cells by Western blot and Flow cytometry analysis.

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A major feature of the injury sustained by the kidney during obstructive nephropathy is a profound induction of apoptosis in the tubular epithelium. In this study, we explored the central roles of mitochondria and the mechanism of the protective effect of the mitochondrial targeted peptides in tubular cell apoptosis and interstitial fibrosis during obstructive nephropathy. Unilateral ureter obstruction (UUO) was performed on rats, and the animals were randomly assigned to intravenous treatment with normal saline, rat serum albumin (RSA), or HOCl-rat serum albumin (HOCl-RSA) in the presence or absence of SS-31.

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Oxidative stress aggravates renal fibrosis, a pathway involved in almost all forms of chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, the underlying mechanism involved in the pathogenesis of renal oxidative stress has not been completely elucidated. In this study, we explored the role and mechanism of hypochlorite-modified albumin (HOCl-alb) in mediating oxidative stress and fibrotic response in a remnant-kidney rat model.

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Aim: Membranous nephropathy and minimal change disease (MCD) have been involved in mercury-induced nephrotic syndrome. IgA nephropathy is not known to be a common pathological type. In the present article, we report a case of IgA nephropathy with MCD following exposure to mercury-containing skin lightening cream.

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Objective: Whether statins can slow down the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD) remains controversial. We performed a meta-analysis to evaluate the effects of statin therapy on disease progression in adult patients with CKD who did not require dialysis therapy.

Methods: We searched the electronic databases for relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published by February 2015.

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Hypochlorite-modified albumin (HOCl-alb) has been linked to endothelial dysfunction, which plays an important role in the development of hypertension, diabetes, and chronic kidney disease. However, whether HOCl-alb induces endothelial dysfunction via vascular inflammation and whether a signaling pathway is involved are unknown and have not been investigated. HOCl-alb was found to upregulate ICAM-1 expression in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) in a time- and dose-dependent manner.

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The receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL) and its receptor RANK are overexpressed in focal segmental glomerular sclerosis (FSGS), IgA nephropathy (IgAN), and membranous nephropathy (MN). However, the expression and the potential roles of RANKL and RANK in diabetic nephropathy (DN) remain unclear. Irbesartan (Irb) has beneficial effects against diabetes-induced renal damage, but its mechanisms are poorly understood.

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Objective: To investigate feasibility and safety of stent implantation technique through percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG)-like pathway for treatment of malignant gastroduodenal obstructions.

Methods: Twelve patients with malignant gastroduodenal obstructions accepted PEG-like operations. A stent implantation pathway was established in abdominal wall under endoscopic guide.

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Article Synopsis
  • The study analyzed the time-averaged serum potassium levels in 357 new peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients to determine their impact on long-term survival.
  • Findings showed that lower time-averaged serum potassium levels were linked to a higher risk of death, while fluctuations in these levels also affected mortality rates.
  • Specifically, patients with consistently low potassium levels faced greater risks, while those with higher levels but stable readings had better survival outcomes.*
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Background: We designed a novel, spherical magnetic compression colorectal anastomosis device and established a swine model to assess the feasibility and safety, as well as advantages, of the device.

Methods And Materials: Fifteen animals were divided into five groups (sacrificed on Days 3, 5 7, 9, and 14) with 3 in each group. In each group, a magnetic compression device was used in 2 animals (experimental animals), and a stapled device was used in 1 animal (control animal).

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Inflammation is a relevant factor in the pathogenesis of diabetes nephropathy (DN). Sesquiterpene lactones (SLs), originally isolated from Tanacetum parthenium, have been reported to exhibit anti-inflammatory effects but few studies have examined their effects on DN. To determine whether advanced oxidation protein products (AOPPs) can induce the expression of chemokine monocyte chemoattractant protein- (MCP-) 1 in cultured mouse podocytes and to explore the mechanisms of the potential renoprotection of SLs, we treated podocytes with AOPPs and SLs (parthenolide and its derivatives micheliolide, compound 1, and compound 2).

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Objective: To observe the effect of nitrotyrosine on renal expressions of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) in rats with diabetic nephropathy (DN).

Methods: Rat DN models established by a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ) were randomly allocated into model group, nitrotyrosine group and ebselen group, with untreated rats as the normal control group. The rats were given the corresponding drugs for 8 weeks, and after the last administration, the 24-h urinary protein level was measured and the kidneys of the rats were harvested for detecting the protein and mRNA expressions of NF-κB, MCP-1 and TGF-β1 with immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR, respectively.

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Objective: To investigate the epidemiology, peritoneal dialysis (PD) related complications and survival outcomes of 236 patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) in our center from January, 2004 to November, 2009.

Methods: The data including patient gender, age, time of PD initiation, addresses, types of medical reimbursement, primary diseases, modes of PD catheter placement surgery, types of PD catheter, PD-related complications, and time of drop out were retrospectively analyzed. PD catheter migration rate, peritonitis rate, drop out rate (DOR), length of the time of PD therapy (TOT), and survival rate were calculated and compared with those of patients in other PD centers.

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Objective: To identify the clinical characteristics and risk factors of frequent peritoneal dialysis (PD)-related peritonitis.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted in the peritonitis patients undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) in our hospital. Frequent PD-related peritonitis was defined by two or more onsets in one year, and the patients with only one onset served as the control group.

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Objective: To investigate the effects of Shenkangwan on the expressions of angiotensin II (AngII) and its type I receptor (AT(1)R) and the renalprotection mechanism of Shenkangwan in rats with early diabetic nephropathy (DN).

Methods: The rat models of DN established by a single injection of streptozotocin were randomly divided into 4 groups, namely the model group, Shenkangwan treatment group, irbesartan treatment group, and Shenkangwan and irbesartan treatment group, with normal rats as the control. All the rats received daily gavage for 8 weeks.

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Objective: To investigate the effect of irbesartan on the renal expressions of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and their receptor (RAGEs) in rats with early diabetic nephropathy (DN) and the renoprotection mechanism of irbesartan.

Methods: Rat DN models established by a single injection of streptozotocin were randomly divided into the model group and irbesartan treatment group. With normal rats as the control, all the rats received daily gavage for 8 weeks.

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The accumulation of advanced oxidation protein products (AOPPs) has been linked to vascular lesions in diabetes, chronic renal insufficiency, and atherosclerosis. However, the signaling pathway involved in AOPPs-induced endothelial cells (ECs) perturbation is unknown and was investigated. AOPPs modified human serum albumin (AOPPs-HSA) bound to the receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) in a dose-dependent and saturable manner.

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The involvement of inflammatory processes has been recognized in development and/or progression of diabetic nephropathy. However, the mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of renal inflammation have not been completely understood. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that accumulation of advanced oxidation protein products (AOPPs), which occurs in diabetes, may promote inflammatory responses in diabetic kidney.

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