Traditional and non-traditional risk factors for incident peripheral arterial disease among patients with chronic kidney disease.

Background: The risk of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is higher in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) compared with those without. However, reasons for this increased risk are not fully understood.

Methods: We studied risk factors for incident PAD among 3169 participants in the Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort (CRIC) Study.

Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Graft and Recipient Survival in Elderly Kidney Transplant Recipients.

Objectives: To investigate racial and ethnic differences in graft and recipient survival in elderly kidney transplant recipients.

Design: Retrospective cohort.

Setting: First-time, kidney-only transplant recipients aged 60 and older of age at transplantation transplanted between July 1996 and October 2010 (N = 44,013).

Porphyromonas gingivalis initiates a mesenchymal-like transition through ZEB1 in gingival epithelial cells.

The oral anaerobe Porphyromonas gingivalis is associated with the development of cancers including oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Here, we show that infection of gingival epithelial cells with P. gingivalis induces expression and nuclear localization of the ZEB1 transcription factor, which controls epithelial-mesenchymal transition.

Eukaryotic opportunists dominate the deep-subsurface biosphere in South Africa.

Following the discovery of the first Eukarya in the deep subsurface, intense interest has developed to understand the diversity of eukaryotes living in these extreme environments. We identified that Platyhelminthes, Rotifera, Annelida and Arthropoda are thriving at 1.4 km depths in palaeometeoric fissure water up to 12,300 yr old in South African mines.

Factors affecting willingness to receive a kidney transplant among minority patients at an urban safety-net hospital: a cross-sectional survey.

Background: In the US, African Americans (AAs) are four times more likely to develop end stage renal disease (ESRD) but half as likely to receive a kidney transplant as whites. Patient interest in kidney transplantation is a fundamental step in the kidney transplant referral process. Our aim was to determine the factors associated with the willingness to receive a kidney transplant among chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients in a predominantly minority population.

Oxidative Balance Score and Chronic Kidney Disease.

Background: The oxidative balance score (OBS) is a composite estimate of the overall pro- and antioxidant exposure status in an individual. The aim of this study was to determine the association between OBS and renal disease.

Methods: Using the Reasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke cohort study, OBS was calculated by combining 13 a priori-defined pro- and antioxidant factors by using baseline dietary and lifestyle assessment.

The Impact of Obesity on Allograft Failure After Kidney Transplantation: A Competing Risks Analysis.

Background: The impact of pretransplant body mass index (BMI) on long-term allograft outcomes after kidney transplantation remains controversial. The conventional approach of using Kaplan-Meier method to calculate the cumulative risk of death-censored allograft failure may overestimate the risk of failure especially when competing failure risks are present.

Method: A retrospective cohort of adult first-time kidney transplant recipients was drawn from the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network database (2001 to 2009).

A Cost-Benefit Analysis of Government Compensation of Kidney Donors.

From 5000 to 10 000 kidney patients die prematurely in the United States each year, and about 100 000 more suffer the debilitating effects of dialysis, because of a shortage of transplant kidneys. To reduce this shortage, many advocate having the government compensate kidney donors. This paper presents a comprehensive cost-benefit analysis of such a change.

Thermographic laser Doppler velocimetry.

We propose a point measurement technique for simultaneous gas temperature and velocity measurement based on thermographic phosphor particles dispersed in the fluid. The flow velocity is determined from the frequency of light scattered by BaMgAl10O17:Eu2+ phosphor particles traversing the fringes like in conventional laser Doppler velocimetry. Flow temperatures are derived using a two-color ratio method applied to the phosphorescence from the same particles.

Deep subsurface mine stalactites trap endemic fissure fluid Archaea, Bacteria, and Nematoda possibly originating from ancient seas.

Stalactites (CaCO3 and salt) from water seeps are frequently encountered in ceilings of mine tunnels whenever they intersect water-bearing faults or fractures. To determine whether stalactites could be mineralized traps for indigenous fracture water microorganisms, we analyzed stalactites collected from three different mines ranging in depth from 1.3 to 3.

Prevalence, Predictors, and Outcomes of Pulmonary Hypertension in CKD.

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is associated with poor outcomes in the dialysis and general populations, but its effect in CKD is unclear. We evaluated the prevalence and predictors of PH measures and their associations with long-term clinical outcomes in patients with nondialysis-dependent CKD. Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort (CRIC) Study participants who had Doppler echocardiography performed were considered for inclusion.

Ameloblastomatous Change in Radicular Cyst of The Jaw in a Nigerian Population.

Objective: To determine the incidence, age, gender, jaw-sites and subtypes of radicular cyst, and to determine the incidence of ameloblastomatous change in radicular cyst in a Nigerian population.

Method: A 10-year retrospective analysis of all diagnosed orofacial lesions in the Department of Oral Pathology and Medicine, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria.

Results: From the 785 diagnosed orofacial lesions within the study period; there were 54 (6.

Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort Study (CRIC): Overview and Summary of Selected Findings.

The Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort (CRIC) Study is a United States multicenter, prospective study of racially and ethnically diverse patients with CKD. Although the original aims of the study were to identify novel predictors of CKD progression and to elucidate the risk and manifestations of cardiovascular disease among nearly 4000 individuals with CKD, the CRIC Study has evolved into a national resource for investigation of a broad spectrum of CKD-related topics. The study has produced >90 published scientific articles, promoted many young investigative careers in nephrology, and fostered international collaborations focused on understanding the global burden of CKD.

Single Institution Experience with Lymphatic Microsurgical Preventive Healing Approach (LYMPHA) for the Primary Prevention of Lymphedema.

Background: As many as 40 % of breast cancer patients undergoing axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) and radiotherapy develop lymphedema. We report our experience performing lymphatic-venous anastomosis using the lymphatic microsurgical preventive healing approach (LYMPHA) at the time of ALND. This technique was described by Boccardo, Campisi in 2009.

Influence of Nephrologist Care on Management and Outcomes in Adults with Chronic Kidney Disease.

Background: Predialysis nephrology care for adults with late stage chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with improved outcomes. Less is known about the effects of nephrology care in earlier stages of CKD.

Objective: We aimed to evaluate the effect of nephrology care on management of CKD risk factors and complications, CKD progression, incident cardiovascular disease (CVD), and death.

Protective effect of Irvingia gabonensis stem bark extract on cadmium-induced nephrotoxicity in rats.

Cadmium has been considered a risk factor for humans as it accumulates in body tissues, such as the liver, lungs, kidneys, bones, and reproductive organs. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of Irvingia gabonensis (IG) against cadmium (Cd)-induced nephrotoxicity. The study was performed on twenty (20) male rats divided into four groups: control group, cadmium group (4 mg/kg/day, intraperitoneally), cadmium + extract (200 mg/kg body weight by oral gavage) and cadmium + extract (400 mg/kg body weight by oral gavage).

Some correlates of electronic health information management system success in nigerian teaching hospitals.

Nowadays, an electronic health information management system (EHIMS) is crucial for patient care in hospitals. This paper explores the aspects and elements that contribute to the success of EHIMS in Nigerian teaching hospitals. The study adopted a survey research design.

FOXO responses to Porphyromonas gingivalis in epithelial cells.

Porphyromonas gingivalis is a prominent periodontal, and emerging systemic, pathogen that redirects host cell signalling pathways and modulates innate immune responses. In this study, we show that P. gingivalis infection induces the dephosphorylation and activation of forkhead box-O (FOXO)1, 3 and 4 in gingival epithelial cells.

Phosphate, fibroblast growth factor 23 and retinopathy in chronic kidney disease: the Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort Study.

Background: Elevated circulating concentrations of phosphate and fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) contribute to the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease in chronic kidney disease (CKD). Retinopathy is a common manifestation of microvascular disease in CKD, but its associations with phosphate and FGF23 have not been studied. We tested the hypothesis that higher serum phosphate is associated with more severe retinopathy in individuals with CKD, independent of FGF23 and known risk factors for retinopathy.

Association between Inflammation and Cardiac Geometry in Chronic Kidney Disease: Findings from the CRIC Study.

Background: Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and myocardial contractile dysfunction are independent predictors of mortality in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The association between inflammatory biomarkers and cardiac geometry has not yet been studied in a large cohort of CKD patients with a wide range of kidney function.

Methods: Plasma levels of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1RA), IL-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, transforming growth factor (TGF)-β, high-sensitivity C-Reactive protein (hs-CRP), fibrinogen and serum albumin were measured in 3,939 Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort study participants.

Relation of aortic valve calcium to chronic kidney disease (from the Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort Study).

Although subjects with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are at markedly increased risk for cardiovascular mortality, the relation between CKD and aortic valve calcification has not been fully elucidated. Also, few data are available on the relation of aortic valve calcification and earlier stages of CKD. We sought to assess the relation of aortic valve calcium (AVC) with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), traditional and novel cardiovascular risk factors, and markers of bone metabolism in the Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort (CRIC) Study.

The case for a systematic policy approach to free primary health care for vulnerable groups in New Zealand.

Unmet health care needs and health inequities are prevalent in New Zealand. Throughout New Zealand's history, the power dynamic between general practitioners, as a professional group, and the government has contributed to policies directed at primary-care access barriers not being fully realised. This has given 'third sector' (non-government, non-profit) clinics a continuing role in delivering primary care services to vulnerable populations.