Members of the receptor for advanced glycation end products axis as potential therapeutic targets in patients with lupus nephritis.

The relationship of inflammation and the expression of full-length receptor for advanced glycation end products (flRAGE) on monocytes, plasma levels of RAGE ligand high mobility group box protein 1 (HMGB1), soluble RAGE (sRAGE) and endogenous secretory RAGE (esRAGE) was assessed to elucidate the effect of HMGB1/DNA/RAGE-mediated innate inflammatory responses in patients with lupus nephritis. Cell surface expression of flRAGE was elevated on the monocytes of lupus patients, correlated with plasma HMGB1 levels. Plasma sRAGE level negatively correlated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) disease activity index.

Circulating endotoxaemia and frequent haemodialysis schedules.

Background/aims: Endotoxaemia, a driver of systemic inflammation, appears to be driven by dialysis-induced circulatory stress in haemodialysis (HD) patients. More frequent HD regimens are associated with lower ultrafiltration requirements, improved haemodynamic stability and lower systemic inflammation. This study investigated the hypothesis that more frequently dialysed patients, with reduced exposure to dialysis-induced haemodynamic perturbation, would have lower circulating endotoxin (ET) levels.

Epigenetic markers for noninvasive early detection of nasopharyngeal carcinoma by methylation-sensitive high resolution melting.

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a human malignancy that is closely associated with Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV). Early diagnosis of NPC will greatly improve the overall survival. However, current EBV DNA marker detection still lacks the predictive value to perform well in high-risk populations for early detection of NPC.

A systematic review of the botanical, phytochemical and pharmacological profile of Dracaena cochinchinensis, a plant source of the ethnomedicine "dragon's blood".

"Dragon's blood" is the name given to a deep red resin obtained from a variety of plant sources. The resin extracted from stems of Dracaena cochinchinensis is one such source of "dragon's blood". It has a reputation for facilitating blood circulation and dispersing blood stasis.

Cell-free urinary microRNA-99a and microRNA-125b are diagnostic markers for the non-invasive screening of bladder cancer.

Background: Evidence implicated the diagnostic significance of microRNAs in whole urine/urine sediments in urothelial carcinoma of the bladder (UCB). However, the contaminated blood cells in patients with haematouria significantly altered the expression profiles of urinary microRNA, influencing the test accuracy.

Methods: MicroRNA profiles of the urine supernatants of UCB patients and controls without any malignancy and profiles of malignant and corresponding normal mucosa tissues from the patients were determined by microRNA microarray and compared to identify differentially expressed microRNAs.

Urine miRNA in nephrotic syndrome.

Nephrotic syndrome is a common problem in clinical nephrology. In general, nephrotic syndrome is pathognomonic of glomerular disease, but the underlying pathological etiology is highly variable. Although kidney biopsy is the standard method to classify the histology and determine the extent of renal scarring, it is an invasive procedure with potential complications, and is generally not suitable for serial monitoring.

MicroRNAs in IgA nephropathy.

IgA nephropathy is globally the most common primary glomerulonephritis, but the pathogenesis of this condition is still only partially understood. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short, noncoding RNA molecules that regulate gene expression. Genome-wide analysis of renal miRNA expression has identified a number of novel miRNAs related to immunological and pathological changes.

Peritoneal-dialysis related peritonitis caused by Gordonia species: report of four cases and literature review.

Aim: To investigate the clinical course and outcome of peritoneal dialysis-associated peritonitis secondary to Gordonia species.

Method: We reviewed all Gordonia peritonitis episodes occurring in a single dialysis unit from 1994 to 2013.

Results: During the study period, four episodes of Gordonia peritonitis were recorded.

Public lacks knowledge on chronic kidney disease: telephone survey.

Objectives: To examine knowledge of chronic kidney disease in the general public.

Design: Cross-sectional telephone survey.

Setting: Hong Kong.

Effect of cinacalcet treatment on vascular arterial stiffness among peritoneal dialysis patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism.

Aim: Although calcimimetics cinacalcet can reduce parathyroid hormone level and control secondary hyperparathyroidism in end-stage renal disease patients, risk of vascular calcification remains high. Whether cinacalcet can further reduce vascular damage or arterial stiffness is unknown.

Methods: We studied the effect of cinacalcet in 33 peritoneal dialysis patients with inadequately controlled secondary hyperparathyroidism despite standard treatment.

Randomized controlled study of icodextrin on the treatment of peritoneal dialysis patients during acute peritonitis.

Background: The clinical benefits of using icodextrin during acute peritonitis in peritoneal dialysis are uncertain. On the premise that high glucose concentration might jeopardize the peritoneal defense during peritonitis, icodextrin administration during acute peritonitis could have the potential to improve the peritonitis outcome whilst improving ultrafiltration.

Methods: We conducted a single-center, open-label, randomized controlled trial in which 53 adult continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis patients underwent randomization to receive either icodextrin or original glucose-based dialysis solution.

Predictors of residual renal function decline in patients undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis.

Background: Residual renal function (RRF) is an important prognostic indicator in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients. We determined the predictors of RRF loss in a cohort of incident CAPD patients.

Methods: We reviewed the record of 645 incident CAPD patients.

Integrated mRNA and microRNA transcriptome sequencing characterizes sequence variants and mRNA-microRNA regulatory network in nasopharyngeal carcinoma model systems.

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a prevalent malignancy in Southeast Asia among the Chinese population. Aberrant regulation of transcripts has been implicated in many types of cancers including NPC. Herein, we characterized mRNA and miRNA transcriptomes by RNA sequencing (RNASeq) of NPC model systems.

Contact endoscopy as a novel technique in the detection and diagnosis of oral cavity and oropharyngeal mucosal lesions in the head and neck.

Objective: We aimed to investigate the diagnostic accuracy of contact endoscopy in evaluating oral and oropharyngeal mucosal lesions.

Methods: Between January 2010 and December 2011, 34 patients with lesions of the oral and oropharyngeal mucosa were enrolled in the study. Comparison between initial contact endoscopy results and 'gold standard' tissue biopsy was undertaken.

Metabolic syndrome in peritoneal dialysis patients: choice of diagnostic criteria and prognostic implications.

Background And Objective: In the general population, metabolic syndrome (MES) is associated with cardiovascular risk. However, the definition of MES and its prognostic implication among patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis (PD) remain controversial.

Design, Setting, Participants, & Measurements: We studied 329 prevalent PD patients from April 2008 to April 2011 and compared four sets of diagnostic criteria: the original World Health Organization (WHO) criteria, the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) criteria, the original National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) criteria, and the modified NCEP criteria.

Prevalence of complications among Chinese diabetic patients in urban primary care clinics: a cross-sectional study.

Background: A territory-wide diabetes management program (Risk Assessment Management Program - RAMP) was recently established, providing comprehensive management for all diabetics, helping to delineate current level of control and complications prevalence among primary care diabetic patients in Hong Kong.

Method: This cross-sectional study captured anonymous clinical data from RAMP patients. Data obtained include sociodemographic details, type of diabetes, illness duration, family history, drug usage, coexisting illnesses, diabetic complications and other clinical parameters.

Bioimpedance spectroscopy for the detection of fluid overload in Chinese peritoneal dialysis patients.

Background: Fluid overload probably contributes to the cardiovascular risk of peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. We studied the relationship between over-hydration as determined by bioimpedance spectroscopy and dialysis adequacy, nutritional status, and arterial stiffness in Chinese PD patients.

Methods: We studied 122 asymptomatic prevalent PD patients: bioimpedance spectroscopy, arterial pulse wave velocity, dialysis adequacy and nutritional status were determined.

Bacteria-derived DNA fragment in peritoneal dialysis effluent as a predictor of relapsing peritonitis.

Background And Objectives: Relapsing and recurrent peritonitis episodes are important causes of treatment failure in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis (PD). This study explored whether the level of bacteria-derived DNA fragment in PD effluent predicts the development of relapsing or recurrent peritonitis.

Design, Setting, Participants, & Measurements: The study included 143 patients with PD peritonitis in a dialysis unit between September 2010 and December 2011.

Effect of using ultrapure dialysate for hemodialysis on the level of circulating bacterial fragment in renal failure patients.

Background: Cardiovascular disease is the major cause of mortality and morbidity in dialysis patients. Recently, circulating endotoxin is found to associate with the systemic inflammatory state and cardiovascular disease of dialysis patients. Previous studies showed that the use of ultrapure dialysate for hemodialysis could reduce the exposure to exogenous endotoxin.

Circulating bacterial-derived DNA fragments as a marker of systemic inflammation in peritoneal dialysis.

Background: Endotoxemia is common in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients, and circulating lipopolysaccharide (LPS) level is related to the degree of systemic inflammation and atherosclerosis. We hypothesize that circulating bacterial DNA, another microbial component, correlates with the degree of systemic inflammation and predicts the survival of new PD patients.

Methods: We measured the plasma bacterial DNA level in the archive blood samples of 300 consecutive new PD patients.

Methods of microRNA quantification in urinary sediment.

Circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) have been implicated as a promising biomarker for many diseases. Research on urinary miRNAs, however, is at the early stage. Preliminary studies found an association between urinary miRNA levels and lupus nephritis.

The safety and short-term efficacy of aliskiren in the treatment of immunoglobulin a nephropathy--a randomized cross-over study.

Background: Laboratory research and previous study suggest that aliskiren, a direct renin inhibitor, has anti-proteinuric effects. We conducted a randomized crossover study to evaluate the anti-proteinuric effect of aliskiren in patients with immunoglobulin A (IgA) nephropathy.

Methods: We studied 22 patients with biopsy-proven IgA nephropathy and persistent proteinuria despite angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor or angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB).

Development of a transoral robotic surgery program in Canada.

Due to significant differences in healthcare structure between the United States and Canada, there are unique barriers to adopting new medical technology in Canada. In this article, we describe our experience developing a transoral robotic surgery (TORS) program at Western University. Specifically, we outline the steps that were necessary to obtain institutional and multidisciplinary team approval, financial support, as well as surgeon and allied healthcare personnel training.