Association between constipation and incident chronic kidney disease in the UK Biobank study.

Despite previous studies supporting a close relationship between constipation and chronic kidney disease (CKD), the potential impact of constipation on incident CKD and the role of laxatives remains uncertain. We analyzed longitudinal data from the UK Biobank, which links baseline assessment data with follow-up data from hospital episode statistics and general practice records. Constipation was defined with diagnostic codes or regular use of laxatives at baseline as reported in the questionnaire.

Multi-Organ Relapse following COVID-19 in Myeloperoxidase-Anti-Neutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody-Associated Vasculitis: A Case Report.

Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV) is a complex systemic autoimmune disease characterized by small vessel vasculitis. Typically, the relapse rate is lower in patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) than in those with chronic kidney disease, prior to dialysis. Here, we report a rare case of multi-organ relapse in a patient with myeloperoxidase (MPO)-AAV who underwent hemodialysis following coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Urine Exosomal bkv-miR-B1-5p and BK Virus Nephropathy in Kidney Transplant Recipients.

Background: Urine exosomal bkv-miR-B1-5p is associated with BK virus (BKV) nephropathy (BKVN); however, its posttransplantation changes and predictability for BKVN have not been determined in kidney transplant recipients (KTRs).

Methods: Urine exosomal bkv-miR-B1-5p and urine and plasma BKV DNA were measured at 2 weeks and 3, 6, and 12 months posttransplant in 83 KTRs stratified into biopsy-proven or presumptive BKVN, BKV viruria, and no evidence of BKV reactivation. Joint model, multivariable Cox model and receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) were used to investigate the association of each assay with the following events: a composite of biopsy-proven or presumptive BKVN, and biopsy-proven BKVN.

Associations between Cell-Free Mitochondrial DNA and Inflammation, and Their Clinical Implications for Patients on Hemodialysis: A Prospective Multicenter Cohort Study.

Background: Cell-free mitochondrial DNA (cf-mtDNA) has recently been in the spotlight as an endogenously produced danger molecule that can potentially elicit inflammation. However, its clinical and prognostic implications are uncertain in patients undergoing hemodialysis.

Methods: We examined the association of baseline cf-mtDNA categorized as tertiles with health-related quality of life (HRQOL), inflammatory cytokines, and mortality in a multicenter prospective cohort of 334 patients on hemodialysis.

Characterization of IgA Deposition in the Kidney of Patients with IgA Nephropathy and Minimal Change.

Approximately 5% of patients with IgA nephropathy (IgAN) exhibit mild mesangial lesions with acute onset nephrotic syndrome and diffuse foot process effacement representative of minimal change disease (MCD). It is not clear whether these unusual cases of IgAN with MCD (IgAN-MCD) are variant types of IgAN or coincidental deposition of IgA in patients with MCD. In a retrospective multicenter cohort study of 18 hospitals in Korea, we analyzed 46 patients with IgAN-MCD.

Thermal plasticity of a freshwater cnidarian holobiont: detection of trans-generational effects in asexually reproducing hosts and symbionts.

Understanding factors affecting the susceptibility of organisms to thermal stress is of enormous interest in light of our rapidly changing climate. When adaptation is limited, thermal acclimation and deacclimation abilities of organisms are critical for population persistence through a period of thermal stress. Holobionts (hosts plus associated symbionts) are key components of various ecosystems, such as coral reefs, yet the contributions of their two partners to holobiont thermal plasticity are poorly understood.