Alpha 2-Heremans-Schmid glycoprotein gene polymorphism (rs4918) is associated with coronary artery calcification in incident peritoneal dialysis patients.

Aim: Coronary artery calcification (CAC) is a common and severe complication in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients, and it progresses in a majority of patients. Fetuin-A, encoded by the alpha 2-Heremans-Schmid glycoprotein (AHSG) gene, is a serum calcification inhibitor. The study aimed to examine the role of AHSG gene polymorphism rs4918 in CAC and CAC progression of PD patients.

Coronary Artery Calcification Score as A Predictor of All-Cause Mortality and Cardiovascular Outcome in Peritoneal Dialysis Patients.

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Background: This study aimed to examine whether the coronary artery calcification score (CaCS) was associated with the prognosis of peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. ♦

Methods: Adult PD patients who were clinically stable for at least 2 months were recruited for this prospective, observational cohort study. Coronary artery calcification was assessed using multislice spiral computed tomography and was recorded according to the Agatston score.

Hyperphosphatemia as an independent risk factor for coronary artery calcification progression in peritoneal dialysis patients.

Background: Coronary artery calcification (CAC) is associated with cardiovascular mortality in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients. The present study aimed to identify modifiable risk factors for CAC progression in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients.

Methods: Adult patients who received regular PD for more than 6 months and underwent a series of coronary artery calcification score (CaCS) measurements by multislice spiral computed tomography (MSCT) with an interval of ≥ 6 months were included in this observational cohort study.

Evaluation of osteoinduction and proliferation on nano-Sr-HAP: a novel orthopedic biomaterial for bone tissue regeneration.

Hydroxyapatite (HAP), a CaP compound similar to the mineral phase present in bone, has excellent biocompatibility but little osseous inductivity. In this study, we evaluated the novel nano-Sr-HAP, in which the calcium of hydroxyapatite was substituted with strontium, which acts as a bone-forming agent. Its biocompatibility and osteoinduction were assayed using marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and osteoblasts (OBs) in vitro.

Baduanjin alleviates the symptoms of knee osteoarthritis.

Objectives: To assess the feasibility and safety of using the health-promoting traditional Chinese exercise, known as Baduanjin, in treating knee osteoarthritis (OA).

Subjects: Twenty-eight (28) female patients who met the American College of Rheumatology criteria for osteoarthritis of the knee signed the informed consent and were randomized into the Baduanjin group (n=14) and the control group (n=14). Eleven (11) patients in the Baduanjin group and 10 patients in the control group completed the trial.