Nighttime Blood Pressure Abnormalities in Iranian CKD Patients: Necessity to Perform Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring.

Introduction: Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) is a valuable tool for detecting abnormalities in nighttime blood pressure (BP), including non-dipping and nighttime hypertension. These abnormalities are independent predictors of a poor prognosis in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The aim of our study  was to analyze ABPM data and evaluate nighttime BP abnormalities in an Iranian CKD population.

Alteration in body water compartments following intermittent fasting in Ramadan.

Concerning the health outcomes of intermittent fasting in Ramadan, loss of fat-free mass (FFM) and changes in the content of body water are of paramount importance. In this study, we aimed to assess the concomitant alterations in body water compartment and composition following Ramadan fasting in healthy individuals. We conducted an open-label cohort with longitudinal follow-up, involving 73 healthy medical staff who planned to fast for at least 20 consecutive days during Ramadan.

Transcriptomic analysis of human cytomegalovirus to survey the indirect effects on renal transplant recipients.

Unlabelled: Post-transplant human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) viremia has been linked to adverse "indirect effects" among transplant patients. HCMV-created immunomodulatory mechanisms could be associated with the indirect effects.

Objective: In the present study, the RNA-Seq whole transcriptome of renal transplant (RT) patients was analyzed to seek the underlying pathobiologic pathways associated with the long-term indirect effects of HCMV.

Comparison of Oral and Intravenous N-acetyl Cysteine in Preventing Contrast Nephropathy.

Introduction: Despite high rates of morbidity and mortality in patients with contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN), there is no consensus regarding prevention of this well-known complication of contrast media use. One agent that has been widely used in this regard is N-acetyl cysteine (NAC). Nevertheless, its efficacy is still controversial.

The effect of aerobic and resistance exercise training on the health related quality of life, physical function, and muscle strength among hemodialysis patients with Type 2 diabetes.

Introduction: Diabetic patients who undergo hemodialysis commonly suffer from reduction of both exercise capacity and muscle strength. These factors may have a negative effect on health related quality of life (HRQoL) and physical function. We investigated the effect of aerobic and resistance exercise training on the HRQoL, physical function, and muscle strength among hemodialysis patients with Type 2 diabetes.

Association Between Pre-Transplant Magnesemia and Post-Transplant Dysglycemia in Kidney Transplant Recipients.

Background: Serum magnesium (Mg) status in kidney transplant recipients has been a center of attention in the past few years. Current evidence suggests an association between pre-transplant hypomagnesemia and post-transplant hyperglycemia.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the associations of pre-transplant magnesemia with blood glucose disturbances within 6 months post-kidney transplantation.

Association Between CYP3A5 Genetic Polymorphisms with Tacrolimus Dose Requirement and Allograft Outcomes in Iranian Kidney Transplant Recipients.

Introduction: Tacrolimus is the cornerstone of immunosuppressive therapy in organ transplantation with variable inter-individual pharmacokinetics. This study assessed the relationship between CYP3A5/3A4 polymorphisms and tacrolimus dose requirement as well as 6-month transplant outcomes in Iranian kidney transplant recipients.

Methods: In this prospective study, 110 adult kidney transplant recipients treated with tacrolimus were genotyped for the presence of common SNPs: rs776746: A > G (CYP3A5*3).

Development of a Simple Risk Score Model to Predict Renal Artery Stenosis.

Background/aims: Renal artery stenosis (RAS) is a known cause of secondary hypertension and renal failure. Although renal artery angiography is the gold standard for diagnosing RAS, a simple method to estimate if patients will develop RAS is required. The aim of this retrospective study was to develop a simple risk score to predict significant RAS.

Comparing the Effect of Immediate versus Delayed Initiation of Tacrolimus on Delayed Graft Function in Kidney Transplant Recipients: A Randomized Open-label Clinical Trial.

Objective: Delayed graft function (DGF) is an early complication after kidney transplantation with negative impact on allograft outcomes. This study assessed the effect of delayed initiation of tacrolimus as a nephrotoxic drug, on DGF occurrence and allograft function.

Methods: This randomized, open-label clinical trial was conducted on kidney transplant recipients with the age of at least 14 years who underwent the first kidney transplantation from deceased or living donor.

Cytopenia Occurrence in Kidney Transplant Recipients Within Early Post-transplant Period.

Objective: This study assessed incidence, severity, and time to occurrence of drug-induced leukopenia/thrombocytopenia within 1 month after kidney transplantation.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on newly kidney transplant recipients from two hospitals, Iran. Patients with thrombocytopenia due to acute antibody-mediated rejection were excluded from the study.

Protective Effects of L-Carnitine Against Delayed Graft Function in Kidney Transplant Recipients: A Pilot, Randomized, Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial.

Objective: Delayed graft function (DGF) is an early complication after deceased donor kidney transplantation with significant adverse effects on graft outcomes. Ischemia-reperfusion injury during transplantation is a major cause of DGF. Tissue concentrations of carnitine, an antioxidant and regulator of cellular energy supply, decrease in the kidney following ischemia-reperfusion insult.

Fibroblast Growth Factor 23 in Postrenal Transplant: An Often Forgotten Hormone.

Fibroblast growth factor 23 is likely to be the most important regulator of phosphate homeostasis, which mediates its functions through fibroblast growth factor receptors and the coreceptor Klotho. In addition to reducing expression of the sodium-phosphate cotransporters NPT2a and NPT2c in the proximal tubules, fibroblast growth factor 23 inhibits renal 1α-hydroxylase and stimulates 24-hydroxylase and appears to reduce parathyroid hormone secretion in short-term studies. Fibroblast growth factor 23 synthesis and secretion by osteocytes and osteoblasts are upregulated through 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 and through an increased dietary phosphate intake.

Rituximab-Related Late-Onset Neutropenia in Kidney Transplant Recipients Treated for Antibody-Mediated Acute Rejection.

Objectives: Kidney transplant is a new area for use of rituximab, which is being used to treat acute antibody-mediated rejection or as an induction agent in ABO- or HLA-incompatible grafts. We report on late-onset neutropenia in rituximab-treated kidney transplant recipients with antibody-mediated rejection.

Materials And Methods: This observational prospective study was performed on kidney transplant recipients with clinically suspicious or biopsy-proven antibody-mediated rejection treated with plasmapheresis plus intravenous immunoglobulin with (cases) or without (controls) rituximab.

PKD2 mutation in an Iranian autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease family with misleading linkage analysis data.

Background: Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is the most common genetic renal disorder caused by mutation in 2 genes PKD1 and PKD2. Thus far, no mutation is identified in approximately 10% of ADPKD families, which can suggest further locus heterogeneity. Owing to the complexity of direct mutation detection, linkage analysis can initially identify the responsible gene in appropriate affected families.

Delayed Graft Function in Living-Donor Kidney Transplant: A Middle Eastern Perspective.

With an increased incidence of living-donor kidney transplants, in response to increasing unmet needs for renal transplant, a clear understanding of determinants of posttransplant outcomes is essential. The importance of delayed graft function in deceased-donor kidney transplant is now part of conventional medical wisdom, due to the large amount of evidence focused on this aspect. However, the same is not true for living-donor kidney transplant, partly due to lack of evidence on this crucial clinical question and partly due to lack of awareness about this issue.

A comparison of definitions of contrast-induced nephropathy in patients with normal serum creatinine.

Contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) is the third leading cause of acute kidney injury in hospitalized patients. The prevalence of CIN is reported to range from 0% to 50%, depending not only on patient condition and the procedure used but also the definition of CIN applied. We aimed to determine the best diagnostic indicator of CIN in patients with normal serum creatinine.

Detection of Staphylococcus Enterotoxin B (SEB) Using an Immunochromatographic Test Strip.

Background: Staphylococcus aureus is one of the most important microorganisms that causes various human diseases by secreting virulence factors known as staphylococcal super antigens (SAgs). Staphylococcal Enterotoxin B (SEB) is a bacterial antigen that is responsible for food poisoning in humans. Among SEB detection methods, a lateral flow device (LFD) is ideal for rapid immunochromatographic tests because it is easy to use, requires minimal time to produce results, and does not require personnel training.

Effectiveness of Intravenous Immunoglobulin Plus Plasmapheresis on Antibody-mediated Rejection or Thrombotic Microangiopathy in Iranian Kidney Transplant Recipient.

Background: Antibody mediated rejection (AMR) and thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) after kidney transplantation are difficult to differentiate most of the times and both play important roles in kidney allograft loss. Common treatment strategies of these two conditions include plasmapheresis, intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) and rituximab.

Objectives: This study was designed to assess the efficacy of routine treatment of AMR/TMA in Iranian kidney transplant recipients, which comprises of plasmapheresis and IVIG.

Renal artery stenosis in patients with established coronary artery disease: prevalence and predicting factors.

The association between renal artery stenosis (RAS) and other atherosclerotic diseases (particularly coronary artery diseases) is well known. In general, the risk factors for atherosclerosis have been clarified, but whether these risk factors operate equally in all forms of atherosclerotic diseases is not known. The aim of this study was to describe the prevalence of RAS in patients with established coronary artery diseases and then to define the most important risk factors that may help to predict the RAS in this population.

Effects of omega-3 fatty acids on depression and quality of life in maintenance hemodialysis patients.

Depression and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) are closely interrelated among hemodialysis (HD) patients and associated with negative impacts on patients' clinical outcomes. Considering previous reports on clinical benefits of omega-3 fatty acids in major depression and HRQoL in other patient populations, this study examined effects of omega-3 fatty acids on depression and HRQoL in chronic HD patients. In this randomized placebo-controlled trial, 40 adult patients with a Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) score of ≥16 and HD vintage of at least 3 months were randomized to ingest 6 soft-gel capsules of either omega-3 fatty acids (180 mg eicosapentaenoic acid and 120 mg docosahexaenoic acid in each capsule) or corresponding placebo, daily for 4 months.

The effect of omega-3 fatty acids on depressive symptoms and inflammatory markers in maintenance hemodialysis patients: a randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial.

Purpose: This study was designed to investigate the effects of omega-3 fatty acids on depression and chronic inflammation in hemodialysis patients.

Method: Fifty-four maintenance hemodialysis patients were randomized to ingest two omega-3 (each containing 180 mg eicosapentaenoic acid and 120 mg docosahexaenoic acid) or placebo capsules, three times daily for 4 months.

Main Outcome Measures: Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) score and serum levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, ferritin, intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH), and ratios of IL-10 to IL-6 and IL-10 to TNF-α were measured at baseline and at the end of the study.

Effects of oral supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids on nutritional state and inflammatory markers in maintenance hemodialysis patients.

Objective: The objective was to determine the effects of omega-3 supplementation on nutritional state and inflammatory markers of hemodialysis patients.

Design And Methods: This was a randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Adult patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis were included.