Smoking patterns and chronic kidney disease in US Hispanics: Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos.

Background: Intermittent smoking is prevalent among Hispanics, but little is known about whether this smoking pattern associates with increased chronic kidney disease (CKD) risk in this population. The objective of the present study is to identify patterns of exposure associated with CKD in US Hispanics.

Methods: We used cross-sectional data on 15 410 participants of the Hispanics Community Health Study/the Study of Latinos, a population-based study of individuals aged 18-74 years, recruited in 2008 to 2011 from four US field centers (Bronx, NY; Chicago, IL; Miami, FL; San Diego, CA).

Abdominal Obesity, Race and Chronic Kidney Disease in Young Adults: Results from NHANES 1999-2010.

Objective: Kidney dysfunction in obesity may be independent of and may precede the development of hypertension and/or diabetes mellitus. We aimed to examine if abdominal obesity is associated with early markers of CKD in a young healthy population and whether these associations differ by race and/or ethnicity.

Methods: We analyzed data from the NHANES 1999-2010 for 6918 young adults ages 20-40 years.

Genetic associations at 53 loci highlight cell types and biological pathways relevant for kidney function.

Reduced glomerular filtration rate defines chronic kidney disease and is associated with cardiovascular and all-cause mortality. We conducted a meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies for estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), combining data across 133,413 individuals with replication in up to 42,166 individuals. We identify 24 new and confirm 29 previously identified loci.

Reasons for electronic cigarette use beyond cigarette smoking cessation: A concept mapping approach.

Introduction: Electronic cigarettes (ECIGs) continue to grow in popularity, however, limited research has examined reasons for ECIG use.

Methods: This study used an integrated, mixed-method participatory research approach called concept mapping (CM) to characterize and describe adults' reasons for using ECIGs. A total of 108 adults completed a multi-module online CM study that consisted of brainstorming statements about their reasons for ECIG use, sorting each statement into conceptually similar categories, and then rating each statement based on whether it represented a reason why they have used an ECIG in the past month.

Genome-wide Association Studies Identify Genetic Loci Associated With Albuminuria in Diabetes.

Elevated concentrations of albumin in the urine, albuminuria, are a hallmark of diabetic kidney disease and are associated with an increased risk for end-stage renal disease and cardiovascular events. To gain insight into the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying albuminuria, we conducted meta-analyses of genome-wide association studies and independent replication in up to 5,825 individuals of European ancestry with diabetes and up to 46,061 without diabetes, followed by functional studies. Known associations of variants in CUBN, encoding cubilin, with the urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR) were confirmed in the overall sample (P = 2.

Systems thinking and complexity: considerations for health promoting schools.

The health promoting schools concept reflects a comprehensive and integrated philosophy to improving student and personnel health and well-being. Conceptualized as a configuration of interacting, interdependent parts connected through a web of relationships that form a whole greater than the sum of its parts, school health promotion initiatives often target several levels (e.g.

Adverse Effects of Electronic Cigarette Use: A Concept Mapping Approach.

Introduction: Electronic cigarette (ECIG) use has grown rapidly in popularity within a short period of time. As ECIG products continue to evolve and more individuals begin using ECIGs, it is important to understand the potential adverse effects that are associated with ECIG use. The purpose of this study was to examine and describe the acute adverse effects associated with ECIG use.

Trends in surgical management of proximal humeral fractures in the Medicare population: a nationwide study of records from 2009 to 2012.

Background: Surgical management of proximal humeral fractures has reportedly increased in recent years. Much of this growth relates to a growing elderly population, together with the introduction of modern implants, such as locking plates and, recently, introduction of reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA). This study evaluated trends in surgical management of proximal humeral fractures from 2009 to 2012 by analyzing the use of hemiarthroplasty (HA), RSA, and osteosynthesis (open reduction with internal fixation [ORIF]) within the Medicare patient population.

Prevalence and Correlates of CKD in Hispanics/Latinos in the United States.

Background And Objectives: The prevalence of ESRD among Hispanics/Latinos is 2-fold higher than in non-Hispanic whites. However, little is known about the prevalence of earlier stages of CKD among Hispanics/Latinos. This study estimated the prevalence of CKD in US Hispanics/Latinos.

Urinary Sodium and Potassium Excretion and CKD Progression.

CKD is a major risk factor for ESRD, cardiovascular disease, and premature death. Whether dietary sodium and potassium intake affect CKD progression remains unclear. We prospectively studied the association of urinary sodium and potassium excretion with CKD progression and all-cause mortality among 3939 patients with CKD in the Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort Study.

Tuberosity healing after reverse shoulder arthroplasty for acute proximal humerus fractures: the "black and tan" technique.

Background: Reverse shoulder arthroplasty has seen increased use for management of complex proximal humeral fractures in the elderly. Recent evidence has shown that tuberosity healing leads to improved active range of motion and functional outcomes. The purpose of this study was to report on the radiographic and clinical outcomes of a consecutive series of patients having undergone reverse shoulder arthroplasty for fracture utilizing the "black and tan" method--a hybrid cementation-impaction grafting technique that uses autogenous cancellous bone graft to create an interface between the proximal cement mantle and the area of tuberosity repair.

Trends in Medial Ulnar Collateral Ligament Reconstruction in the United States: A Retrospective Review of a Large Private-Payer Database From 2007 to 2011.

Background: Overuse injuries to the elbow in the throwing athlete are common. Ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction (UCLR), commonly known as Tommy John surgery, is performed on both recreational and high-level athletes. There is no current literature regarding the incidence and demographic distribution of this surgical procedure in relation to patient age, location within the Unites States, and sex.

Arthroscopic Versus Open Treatment of Femoroacetabular Impingement: A Systematic Review of Medium- to Long-Term Outcomes.

Background: Surgical treatment of symptomatic femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) aims to improve symptoms and potentially delay initiation of hip osteoarthritis and prevent progression to end-stage hip osteoarthritis and possible total hip arthroplasty (THA). Hip arthroscopy and open surgical hip dislocations are the 2 most common surgical approaches used for this condition.

Purpose: To perform a comparative systematic review to determine whether there is a significant difference in clinical outcomes and progression to THA between hip arthroscopy and open surgical hip dislocation treatment for FAI at minimum medium-term follow-up.

Keeping an eye on dialysis: the association of hemodialysis with intraocular hypertension.

Intraocular hypertension is common during hemodialysis. Dialysis disequilibrium syndrome and intraocular hypertension occur via similar pathophysiologic mechanisms. These mechanisms may contribute to the development of glaucoma and cataracts in a patient population already at high risk for ocular abnormalities, given the common risk factors for chronic kidney disease and impaired aqueous humor outflow.

Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire Score Is Associated With Incident Heart Failure Hospitalization in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease Without Previously Diagnosed Heart Failure: Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort Study.

Background: Chronic kidney disease is a risk factor for heart failure (HF). Patients with chronic kidney disease without diagnosed HF have an increased burden of symptoms characteristic of HF. It is not known whether these symptoms are associated with occurrence of new onset HF.

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.

The role of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system genes in the progression of chronic kidney disease: findings from the Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort (CRIC) study.

Background: We conducted single-marker, gene- and pathway-based analyses to examine the association between renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) variants and chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression among Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort study participants.

Methods: A total of 1523 white and 1490 black subjects were genotyped for 490 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 12 RAAS genes as part of the ITMAT-Broad-CARe array. CKD progression phenotypes included decline in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) over time and the occurrence of a renal disease event, defined as incident end-stage renal disease or halving of eGFR from baseline.

Persistent high serum bicarbonate and the risk of heart failure in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD): A report from the Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort (CRIC) study.

Background: Serum bicarbonate varies over time in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients, and this variability may portend poor cardiovascular outcomes. The aim of this study was to conduct a time-updated longitudinal analysis to evaluate the association of serum bicarbonate with long-term clinical outcomes: heart failure, atherosclerotic events, renal events (halving of estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR] or end-stage renal disease), and mortality.

Methods And Results: Serum bicarbonate was measured annually, in 3586 participants with CKD, enrolled in the Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort (CRIC) study.

Current concepts on the use of corticosteroid injections for knee osteoarthritis.

Intraarticular corticosteroid injections are commonly used by the primary care providers and orthopedic surgeons to treat knee pain associated with osteoarthritis (OA). There is a spectrum of options for treating knee OA, ranging from ice therapy to partial or total knee replacement surgery. In mid-range treatment spectrum are different kinds of injections, with the most widely used being corticosteroid and hyaluronic acid.

State-of-the-art anterior cruciate ligament tears: A primer for primary care physicians.

The purpose of this article is to provide primary care physicians and other members of the medical community with an updated, general review on the subject of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears. We aim to enhance awareness of these injuries and to prepare those practicing in the primary care setting to address these injuries. Because ACL injuries are quite common, it is very likely that a primary care physician will encounter these injuries and need to address them acutely.

Frequency of Epstein-Barr virus DNA sequences in human gliomas.

Context And Objective: The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is the most common cause of infectious mononucleosis and is also associated with several human tumors, including Burkitt's lymphoma, Hodgkin's lymphoma, some cases of gastric carcinoma and nasopharyngeal carcinoma, among other neoplasms. The aim of this study was to screen 75 primary gliomas for the presence of specific EBV DNA sequences by means of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), with confirmation by direct sequencing.

Design And Setting: Prevalence study on EBV molecular genetics at a molecular pathology laboratory in a university hospital and at an applied genetics laboratory in a national institution.

Novel non-calcemic secosteroids that are produced by human epidermal keratinocytes protect against solar radiation.

CYP11A1 hydroxylates the side chain of vitamin D3 (D3) in a sequential fashion [D3→20S(OH)D3→20,23(OH)2D3→17,20,23(OH)3D3], in an alternative to the classical pathway of activation [D3→25(OH)D3→1,25(OH)2D3]. The products/intermediates of the pathway can be further modified by the action of CYP27B1. The CYP11A1-derived products are biologically active with functions determined by the lineage of the target cells.

Genome-wide association study of kidney function decline in individuals of European descent.

Genome-wide association studies (GWASs) have identified multiple loci associated with cross-sectional eGFR, but a systematic genetic analysis of kidney function decline over time is missing. Here we conducted a GWAS meta-analysis among 63,558 participants of European descent, initially from 16 cohorts with serial kidney function measurements within the CKDGen Consortium, followed by independent replication among additional participants from 13 cohorts. In stage 1 GWAS meta-analysis, single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at MEOX2, GALNT11, IL1RAP, NPPA, HPCAL1, and CDH23 showed the strongest associations for at least one trait, in addition to the known UMOD locus, which showed genome-wide significance with an annual change in eGFR.

Polygenic overlap between kidney function and large artery atherosclerotic stroke.

Background And Purpose: Epidemiological studies show strong associations between kidney dysfunction and risk of ischemic stroke (IS), the mechanisms of which are incompletely understood. We investigated whether these associations may reflect shared heritability because of a common polygenic basis and whether this differed for IS subtypes.

Methods: Polygenic models were derived using genome-wide association studies meta-analysis results for 3 kidney traits: estimated glomerular filtration rate using serum creatinine (eGFRcrea: n=73 998), eGFR using cystatin C (eGFRcys: n=22 937), and urinary albumin to creatinine ratio (n=31 580).