SGCP: a spectral self-learning method for clustering genes in co-expression networks.

Background: A widely used approach for extracting information from gene expression data employs the construction of a gene co-expression network and the subsequent computational detection of gene clusters, called modules. WGCNA and related methods are the de facto standard for module detection. The purpose of this work is to investigate the applicability of more sophisticated algorithms toward the design of an alternative method with enhanced potential for extracting biologically meaningful modules.

A Novel Calibration Step in Gene Co-Expression Network Construction.

High-throughput technologies such as DNA microarrays and RNA-sequencing are used to measure the expression levels of large numbers of genes simultaneously. To support the extraction of biological knowledge, individual gene expression levels are transformed to Gene Co-expression Networks (GCNs). In a GCN, nodes correspond to genes, and the weight of the connection between two nodes is a measure of similarity in the expression behavior of the two genes.

Chronic kidney disease epidemiology collaboration equation accuracy in predicting peritoneal dialysis-delivered creatinine clearance.

Introduction: Measuring total (residual kidney plus peritoneal) creatinine clearance (CrCl) with 24-h urine and dialysate collections is recommended for peritoneal dialysis (PD) adequacy evaluation. Prediction equations applied in this instance could simplify the approach. Cockcroft-Gault and modification of diet in renal disease (MDRD) four (MDRD-4) and six (MDRD-6) variables equations have been tested in this setting, and conflicting results have been reported.

Lanthanum carbonate versus sevelamer hydrochloride: improvement of metabolic acidosis and hyperkalemia in hemodialysis patients.

Sevelamer hydrochloride (SH) has been reported to aggravate metabolic acidosis and hyperkalemia. This study was performed to evaluate acid-base status and serum potassium changes after replacing SH with lanthanum carbonate (LC) in hemodialysis patients. SH was prescribed for 24 weeks in 14 stable hemodialysis patients and replaced by LC in a similar treatment schedule.