Efficacy of Rituximab for Minimal Change Disease and Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis with Frequently Relapsing or Steroid-Dependent Nephrotic Syndrome in Adults: A Chinese Multicenter Retrospective Study.

Introduction: Rituximab has been proven effective and safe in pediatric patients with frequently relapsing or steroid-dependent nephrotic syndrome (FR/SDNS). We aimed to analyze the efficacy and safety of rituximab in adult FR/SDNS patients with minimal change disease (MCD) and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS).

Methods: A retrospective cohort study at three nephrology centers in China included adult FR/SDNS patients with biopsy-proven MCD or FSGS.

Development of a risk prediction nomogram for sarcopenia in hemodialysis patients.

Background: Sarcopenia is associated with various adverse outcomes in hemodialysis patients. However, current tools for assessing and diagnosing sarcopenia have limited applicability. In this study, we aimed to develop a simple and reliable nomogram to predict the risk of sarcopenia in hemodialysis patients that could assist physicians identify high-risk patients early.

Characterization and Function of the Interaction of Angiogenin With Alpha-Actinin 2.

Angiogenin (ANG) is the first human tumor-derived angiogenic protein, which can promote angiogenesis and tumor growth. In a previous study, we identified alpha-actinin 2 (ACTN2), a cytoskeletal protein, as a direct interacting protein with angiogenin. However, the interaction between ANG and ACTN2 was not characterized in detail, which may provide information on the molecular mechanisms of ANG functions.

Role of Age-Related Changes in DNA Methylation in the Disproportionate Susceptibility and Worse Outcomes of Sepsis in Older Adults.

Sepsis, a complex multisystem disorder, is among the top causes of hospitalization and mortality in older adults. However, the mechanisms underlying the disproportionate susceptibility to sepsis and worse outcomes in the elderly are not well understood. Recently, changes in DNA methylation have been shown to be linked to aging processes and age-related diseases.

The clinicopathological features of drug-induced acute kidney injury-a single-center retrospective analysis.

Background: This study aimed to analyze changes to the drug spectrum and clinicopathological features of drug-induced acute kidney injury (AKI) with recent medication habits changes.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of the characteristics of patients diagnosed with drug-induced AKI from January 2012 to October 2016 period at the First Affiliated Hospital of the Medical College of Zhejiang University was conducted.

Results: Between January 2012 and October 2016, 909 patients were diagnosed with AKI.

Inhibiting DNA Methylation Improves Survival in Severe Sepsis by Regulating NF-κB Pathway.

Organ dysfunction caused by sepsis is life-threatening and results in high mortality. Therapeutic options for sepsis are limited. Pathogenic factors are considered as components of environmental pressure that modify DNA methylation patterns thereby enhancing disease progression.

Association between Blood Potassium Level and Recovery of Postoperative Gastrointestinal Motility during Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy in Patient Undergoing Open Abdominal Surgery.

Background: The aim of this study was to identify the blood potassium level beneficial to the postoperative recovery of gastrointestinal motility during continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) in patient undergoing open abdominal surgery.

Materials And Methods: 538 critically ill patients after open abdominal surgery and receiving CRRT were retrospectively recruited as the study cohort. Demographic and clinical data were recorded along with an evaluation of the postoperative gastrointestinal motility.

Comparison of Three Methods Estimating Baseline Creatinine For Acute Kidney Injury in Hospitalized Patients: a Multicentre Survey in Third-Level Urban Hospitals of China.

Background/aims: A lack of baseline serum creatinine (SCr) data leads to underestimation of the burden caused by acute kidney injury (AKI) in developing countries. The goal of this study was to investigate the effects of various baseline SCr analysis methods on the current diagnosis of AKI in hospitalized patients.

Methods: Patients with at least one SCr value during their hospital stay between January 1, 2011 and December 31, 2012 were retrospectively included in the study.

Monocyte Chemotactic Protein-1, Fractalkine, and Receptor for Advanced Glycation End Products in Different Pathological Types of Lupus Nephritis and Their Value in Different Treatment Prognoses.

Background: Early diagnosis is important for the outcome of lupus nephritis (LN). However, the pathological type of lupus nephritis closely related to the clinical manifestations; therefore, the treatment of lupus nephritis depends on the different pathological types.

Objective: To assess the level of monocyte chemotactic protein (MCP-1), fractalkine (Fkn), and receptor for advanced glycation end product (RAGE) in different pathological types of lupus nephritis and to explore the value of these biomarkers for predicting the prognosis of lupus nephritis.

[Epidemiology of acute kidney injury in hospitalized patients in China].

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a disease spectrum ranging from minimal elevation of serum creatinine to complete renal failure. It is significantly associated with increased mortality, length of hospital stay and medical care cost. With the increasing awareness of the importance of AKI, several high quality and multicenter epidemiological studies have been published recently in China.

Effect of remote ischemic preconditioning on postoperative acute kidney injury among patients undergoing cardiac and vascular interventions: a meta-analysis.

It is currently controversial whether remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC) reduces the incidence of acute kidney injury (AKI) in patients undergoing cardiovascular interventions. The main objective of this meta-analysis was to investigate whether RIPC provides renal protection for patients undergoing cardiac or vascular surgery. We searched the PubMed database (1966-Oct 2015), Embase database (1966-Oct 2015), Google Scholar, Cochrane Library, ClinicalTrials Database and Open Grey.

Effects of rapamycin against paraquat-induced pulmonary fibrosis in mice.

Background And Aims: Ingestion of paraquat (PQ), a widely used herbicide, can cause severe toxicity in humans, leading to a poor survival rate and prognosis. One of the main causes of death by PQ is PQ-induced pulmonary fibrosis, for which there are no effective therapies. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of rapamycin (RAPA) on inhibiting PQ-induced pulmonary fibrosis in mice and to explore its possible mechanisms.

Remote ischemic preconditioning for prevention of acute kidney injury: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Background: Remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC) to prevent acute kidney injury (AKI) following cardiac and vascular interventions is a controversial practice.

Study Design: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis using the MEDLINE database (1966 through November 2013), EMBASE (1988 through November 2013), and Cochrane Library database.

Setting & Population: Patients undergoing cardiac and vascular interventions.