Coassembly of hypoxia-sensitive macrocyclic amphiphiles and extracellular vesicles for targeted kidney injury imaging and therapy.

Background: Hypoxia is a major contributor to global kidney diseases. Targeting hypoxia is a promising therapeutic option against both acute kidney injury and chronic kidney disease; however, an effective strategy that can achieve simultaneous targeted kidney hypoxia imaging and therapy has yet to be established. Herein, we fabricated a unique nano-sized hypoxia-sensitive coassembly (Pc/C5A@EVs) via molecular recognition and self-assembly, which is composed of the macrocyclic amphiphile C5A, the commercial dye sulfonated aluminum phthalocyanine (Pc) and mesenchymal stem cell-excreted extracellular vesicles (MSC-EVs).

Association of plasma neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin with parameters of CKD-MBD in maintenance hemodialysis patients.

Introduction: Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) is not only a biomarker of kidney injury but also a bone-derived factor involved in metabolism. We aimed to explore relationships between plasma NGAL and chronic kidney disease-mineral bone disorder (CKD-MBD) parameters in maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients.

Materials And Methods: First, a cross sectional observational study, including 105 MHD patients, was conducted to explore relationships between plasma NGAL levels and CKD-MBD parameters.

Association of hemoglobin with arterial stiffness evaluated by carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity among Chinese adults.

Objective: Increased hemoglobin (Hb) levels are known to be associated with increased cardiovascular events and mortalities. Therefore, we assumed that high Hb levels were associated with arterial stiffness. Pulse wave velocity (PWV) is a simple and noninvasive method for measuring arterial stiffness to assess cardiovascular disease in general populations.

Clinical significance of autoantibodies in the assessment and treatment of idiopathic membranous nephropathy.

The present study aimed to explore the correlation between the dynamic serum levels of phospholipase A2 receptor (PLA2R), aldose reductase (AR) and superoxide dismutase 2(SOD2) antibodies with disease activity and treatment response in patients with idiopathic membranous nephropathy (IMN). The present study included 56 patients with IMN who were diagnosed through a renal biopsy and presenting with nephrotic syndrome. The patients were divided into two treatment groups: One treated with cyclophosphamide (CTX) and one with tacrolimus (FK506).

Neural Stem Cells Transfected with Reactive Oxygen Species-Responsive Polyplexes for Effective Treatment of Ischemic Stroke.

Neural stem cells (NSCs), capable of ischemia-homing, regeneration, and differentiation, exert strong therapeutic potentials in treating ischemic stroke, but the curative effect is limited in the harsh microenvironment of ischemic regions rich in reactive oxygen species (ROS). Gene transfection to make NSCs overexpress brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) can enhance their therapeutic efficacy; however, viral vectors must be used because current nonviral vectors are unable to efficiently transfect NSCs. The first polymeric vector, ROS-responsive charge-reversal poly[(2-acryloyl)ethyl(p-boronic acid benzyl)diethylammonium bromide] (B-PDEA), is shown here, that mediates efficient gene transfection of NSCs and greatly enhances their therapeutics in ischemic stroke treatment.

Clustering of major cardiovascular risk factors is associated with arterial stiffness in adults.

Objective: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Previous studies have indicated that clustering of major CVD risk factors is common. We aimed to explore the association of clustering of CVD risk factors with arterial stiffness in adults.

Relationship between occult hepatitis B virus infection and chronic kidney disease in a Chinese population-based cohort.

Objective: Previous studies have revealed inconsistent results regarding the association between occult hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and chronic kidney disease (CKD). Therefore, we conducted a prospective cohort study to evaluate the association between occult HBV infection and CKD.

Methods: A total of 4329 adults, aged 46.

Effect of calcium carbonate combined with calcitonin on hypercalcemia in hemodialysis patients.

This short-term study assessed the efficacy and safety of calcium carbonate combined with calcitonin in the treatment of hypercalcemia in hemodialysis patients. Patients (n=64) on hemodialysis for chronic kidney disease for more than 6 months were included based on total serum calcium more than 10.5 mg/dL.

Association between microalbuminuria and subclinical atherosclerosis evaluated by carotid artery intima-media in elderly patients with normal renal function.

Background: Moderate to severe renal insufficiency and albuminuria have been shown to be independent risk factors for atherosclerosis. However, little is known about the direct association between subclinical atherosclerosis evaluated by carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT) and microalbuminuria in elderly patients with normal renal function.

Methods: Subjects were 272 elderly patients (age  ≥ 60 years) with normoalbuminuria (n = 238) and microalbuminuria (n = 34).

[Spectral study of N2O under pulsed DC discharge].

A new equipment of pulsed DC discharge supersonic molecular beam was set up for producing transient species. Thepulsed DC discharge can be used stably under 10 kV. In data collection using software, it can be utilized as gated integrators and averagers.

[Study on visible chemiluminescence from reaction of microwave discharge of CF4/Ar with carbon disulfide].

Using crossed molecular beam-chemiluminescence apparatus, visible chemiluminescence in the region of 300-900 nm was measured from the gas-phase reaction of microwave discharge of CF4 diluted in Ar with carbon disulfide at various pressures. The geometries and frequencies of possible reaction products were respectively investigated at the B3LYP/6-311 + + G (3df, 2pd) and MP2/6-311 + G(d, p) levels. Chemiluminescence spectrum was assigned to emission spectrum of the electronically excited states of F2S2.