Publications by authors named "Kalantar-Zadeh K"

Regulating favorable assemblies of metallic atoms in the liquid state provides promise for catalyzing various chemical reactions. Expanding the selection of metallic solvents, especially those with unique properties and low cost, enables access to distinctive fluidic atomic structures on the surface of liquid alloys and offers economic feasibility. Here, Sn solvent, as a low-cost commodity, supports unique atomic assemblies at the interface of molten SnInCu, which are highly selective for H synthesis from hydrocarbons.

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This report represents the conclusions of 15 experts in nephrology and endocrinology, based on their knowledge of key studies and evidence in the field, on the role of continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) in patients with diabetes and chronic kidney disease (CKD), including those receiving dialysis. The experts discussed issues related to CGM accuracy, indications, education, clinical outcomes, quality of life, research gaps, and barriers to dissemination. Three main goals of management for patients with CKD and diabetes were identified: (1) greater use of CGMs for better glycemic monitoring and management, (2) further research evaluating the accuracy, feasibility, outcomes, and potential value of CGMs in patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) on hemodialysis, and (3) equitable access to CGM technology for patients with CKD.

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  • Protein-energy wasting (PEW) is a significant issue in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), especially as the disease advances, leading to increased risks of hospitalization and mortality.
  • Research indicates that low levels of serum albumin, body mass index (BMI), and inadequate dietary intake of energy and protein are linked to the progression of CKD.
  • Effective management of PEW may involve a tailored nutrition plan, including a moderately low protein diet and appropriate supplementation, alongside addressing other health conditions and lifestyle factors.
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  • * Effective management of CKD involves integrated approaches, including risk assessment, patient education, and collaboration with specialists, all aimed at slowing disease progression and ensuring equitable access to treatments like home dialysis and kidney transplants.
  • * Urban safety-net systems prioritize early detection and comprehensive care for CKD, striving to improve outcomes and quality of life for underserved groups through tailored health strategies and shared decision-making.
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Purpose Of Review: Initiation of hemodialysis treatment with a thrice-weekly prescription is currently the standard of care irrespective of patients' residual kidney function (RKF), comorbidities, and preferences.

Recent Findings: Each year ∼12 000 Veterans with advanced kidney disease progress to end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) requiring dialysis and comprise greater than 10% of the US incident ESKD population. Dialysis is costly and is associated with impaired health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and high mortality risk, especially in the first year of treatment.

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  • Chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects 1 in 10 adults, especially vulnerable populations like low-income individuals and racial/ethnic minorities in urban areas with safety-net healthcare systems.
  • Los Angeles County exemplifies effective population health strategies in managing CKD through risk assessment, patient education, and partnerships, including innovations like eConsult and Precision Scheduling for timely nephrology referrals.
  • The focus on early detection and equitable access to treatments like home dialysis and kidney transplantation aims to improve health outcomes and quality of life for diverse, underserved communities.
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Purpose Of Review: The aim of this article is to review the current understanding of disparities in healthcare experienced by people living with kidney disease and emerging approaches to address root causes. Health equity for any disease state is an aspirational goal commonly sought out by the medical community, but all too often lacking the understanding and support required to improve the outcomes of people with complex conditions such as chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Recent Findings: The main themes of the literature covered in this article include a review of the structural drivers of healthcare outcomes, a description of research in the fields of health literacy and patient activation for patients with CKD, and an analysis of the examples of healthcare disparities in CKD patients that include involuntary discharges from dialysis facilities as well as the toll taken from dialysis populations during natural disasters.

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Purpose: This cross-sectional survey study quantified the humanistic burden of immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN), in terms of physical and mental health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and work productivity, among adults with primary IgAN and their care-partners.

Methods: HRQoL was assessed (01/31/22 - 05/31/23) with validated tools including the KDQoL-36 (with SF-12), GAD-7 (anxiety), PHQ-9 (depression), and WPAI: SHP (work productivity). Participant characteristics and total/domain scores were summarized; selected outcomes were compared to an external, kidney disease-free cohort.

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  • Pruritus, a common issue for chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients on haemodialysis, can significantly decrease quality of life (QoL).
  • A study analyzing data from three phase 3 trials demonstrated that the novel drug difelikefalin significantly reduces pruritus intensity, leading to improved QoL as measured by the Skindex-10 questionnaire.
  • Greater reductions in pruritus intensity were linked to better scores in QoL domains related to disease, mood, and social functioning, emphasizing the importance of managing itch for overall well-being in CKD patients.
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  • - Chronic kidney disease affects around 13% of the global population and is expected to be a major cause of life years lost by 2040, with end-stage kidney disease leading to complications like renal cachexia, which is not well understood and has limited treatment options.
  • - The study aims to understand the experiences of individuals with renal cachexia and their carers through in-depth interviews, adhering to ethical research practices in a UK healthcare setting.
  • - Seven participants (four patients and three carers) were recruited, with the data analyzed to identify six key themes related to their lived experiences, including issues like appetite loss, weight decline, social withdrawal, and emotional struggles.
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Ready-to-eat, shelf-stable tortillas contain several phosphorus- and aluminum-containing additives that may increase the risk of adverse events in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The present study analyzes and compares the elemental content of wheat flour and corn tortillas with special reference to dietary aluminum and phosphorus burden. Twenty-one elements were quantified by ICP-MS and ICP-OES in 14 corn and 13 wheat flour tortilla brands purchased from local supermarkets in Southern California.

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  • Sarcopenia is a condition that leads to the loss of muscle mass and function, particularly affecting older adults and those with chronic illnesses, and current treatments like diet and exercise aren't always effective or sustainable.
  • This meta-analysis aims to determine the effects of bimagrumab, a monoclonal antibody, on improving physical performance and body composition in sarcopenia patients.
  • The analysis reviewed seven randomized controlled trials, finding that bimagrumab significantly increased thigh muscle volume and fat-free body mass in subjects.
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  • Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) may provide valuable glucose measurements for diabetic patients undergoing hemodialysis, but its accuracy compared to traditional blood glucose monitoring is unclear.
  • The study involved 31 hemodialysis patients, measuring glucose levels with Dexcom G6 CGM and blood glucose periodically; results indicated moderate correlations and some differences in measurements.
  • Despite CGM showing higher mean absolute relative differences than optimal thresholds, most values fell within clinically acceptable ranges, suggesting potential merit in using CGM for this patient group, but further research is necessary.
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Electric discharge occurs ubiquitously in both natural and engineered systems, where the discharge paths provide critical information. However, control and visualization of discharge patterns is a challenging task. Here arrays of liquid metal marbles, droplets of a gallium-indium eutectic alloy with a copper-doped ZnS luminescent coating, are designed for pixelated visualization of electric discharge paths at optical imaging length-scales.

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  • - Diets high in plant-based foods, rich in phytate, may benefit individuals with chronic kidney disease (CKD) by reducing phosphate absorption and other macrominerals, which some researchers see as an anti-nutrient due to phytate's binding properties.
  • - Phytate, which is not effectively degraded by the human intestine and poorly absorbed, has shown potential to decrease issues like vascular calcification, osteoporosis, and urinary stones in clinical studies, especially in patients undergoing hemodialysis.
  • - Beyond its effects on phosphate absorption, phytate may also provide anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits, and preliminary research suggests it could play a role in cancer suppression and cognitive health, although these claims require more rigorous clinical trials
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  • Copper-based catalysts are effective for converting CO into valuable chemicals, but controlling product distribution is difficult.
  • A new method using gallium liquid metal helps create hierarchical nanoporous copper (HNP Cu) catalysts with precise sizes, improving their performance in CO reduction reactions.
  • The resulting HNP Cu shows a remarkable 91% efficiency in producing formate, thanks to its unique nanostructure and increased surface area, demonstrating that liquid metal methods can enhance catalyst design without complicating materials.
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Individuals afflicted with advanced kidney dysfunction who require dialysis for medical management exhibit different degrees of native kidney function, called residual kidney function (RKF), ranging from nil to appreciable levels. The primary focus of this manuscript is to delve into the concept of RKF, a pivotal yet under-represented topic in nephrology. To begin, we unpack the definition and intrinsic nature of RKF.

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Liquid metals may deliver greener and more sustainable chemical reactions.

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The development and market emergence of vaginal sensors have begun to demonstrate their impact on women's healthcare. Until recently, in limited cases, these sensors have exhibited their capabilities in diagnosing and monitoring disorders of the vaginal tract during different stages of women's lives. This Perspective is a compilation of what has been accomplished so far in the landscape of vaginal sensors.

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Background: We examined the real-world comparative safety of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) vs. other newer anti-glycemic medications (dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors [DPP4i], glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists [GLP1a]) in patients with and without chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Methods: Among US Veterans with diabetes receiving care from the Veterans Affairs (VA) healthcare system over 2004-19, we identified incident users of SGLT2i vs.

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Background: Age-related kidney failure is often induced by a decrease in the bioavailability of tubular epithelial cells in elderly chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. BRD4, an epigenetic regulator and a member of the bromodomain and extraterminal (BET) protein family, acts as a super-enhancer (SE) organizing and regulating genes expression during embryogenesis and cancer development. But the physiological function of BRD4 in normal cells has been less studied.

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Sarcopenia is one of the most common geriatric syndromes in the elderly. It is defined as a decrease in muscle mass and function, and it can lead to physical disability, falls, poor quality of life, impaired immune system, and death. It is known that, the frequency of sarcopenia increases in the kidney patient population compared to healthy individuals.

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