CKAP4 contributes to the progression of vascular calcification (VC) in chronic kidney disease (CKD) by modulating YAP phosphorylation and MMP2 expression.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is an growing public health concern associated with high mortality rates. The occurrences of vascular calcification (VC) increase concordantly with the progression of CKD.With CKD, hyperphosphatemia promotes intermediate VC, a process that is further facilitated by vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) initiating osteogenic transdifferentiation.

High Mobility Group Box 1 Promotes Aortic Calcification in Chronic Kidney Disease via the Wnt/β-Catenin Pathway.

Vascular calcification (VC) is common in chronic kidney disease (CKD), where cardiovascular mortality remains the leading cause of death. Here, we examined the role of high-mobility group box1 (HMGB1), a nuclear DNA-binding protein involved in inflammation, in aortic calcification and renal dysfunction induced by high phosphate in a mouse model of CKD induced by 5/6 nephrectomy. HMGB1 and kidney function markers were measured by ELISA in the serum of CKD patients and in CKD mice.

Risk factors for heart valve calcification in chronic kidney disease.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a common cause of death in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Aortic and mitral valve calcification (AVC and MVC, respectively) are critical indicators of CVD and all-cause mortality in CKD patients.We conducted a single center retrospective study of Chinese inpatients with CKD to identify risk factors associated with valve calcification (VC).

Preliminary Evaluation of Virtual Touch Tissue Imaging Quantification for Differential Diagnosis of Metastatic and Nonmetastatic Cervical Lymph Nodes.

Objectives: Virtual Touch tissue imaging quantification (VTIQ; Siemens Medical Solutions, Mountain View, CA) is useful for assessing tissue hardness. This study aimed to investigate the value of VTIQ in differential diagnosis of cervical lymph nodes.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed conventional sonograms and VTIQ images of 85 pathologically confirmed patients with superficial lymph node lesions.

Transcatheter Closure of Intracristal Ventricular Septal Defect With Mild Aortic Cusp Prolapse Using Zero Eccentricity Ventricular Septal Defect Occluder.

Background: Transcatheter closure is a well-established therapy for patients with perimembranous ventricular septal defects (VSDs), but with limited experience in intracristal VSDs (IVSDs) with aortic cusp prolapse (ACP).

Methods and results: From 2012 to 2014, we reviewed 38 patients with IVSDs complicated with mild ACP who underwent device closure, and, in light of the findings, assessed the effect of transcatheter intervention on preoperative mild ACP. The zero eccentric VSD occluder was chosen for closure (Shanghai Shape Memory Alloy Ltd, Shanghai, China).

Vascular calcification in chronic kidney disease is induced by bone morphogenetic protein-2 via a mechanism involving the Wnt/β-catenin pathway.

Background: Vascular calcification (VC), in which vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) undergo a phenotypic transformation into osteoblast-like cells, is one of the emergent risk factors for the accelerated atherosclerosis process characteristic of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Phosphate is an important regulator of VC.

Methods: The expression of different smooth muscle cell or osteogenesis markers in response to high concentrations of phosphate or exogenous bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2) was examined by qRT-PCR and western blotting in rat VSMCs.

Effects of in-center nocturnal versus conventional hemodialysis on endothelial dysfunction.

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with end-stage renal disease who undergo hemodialysis and endothelial dysfunction is an early key step in the development of atherosclerosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of thrice-weekly in-center nocturnal hemodialysis (INHD, 8 h per session and three sessions per week) and conventional hemodialysis (CHD, 4 h per session and three sessions per week) on endothelial dysfunction in patients with end-stage renal disease. 32 INHD and 58 matched CHD patients were enrolled, baseline and 12-month measures of blood pressure (BP), serum calcium and phosphorus, serum intact PTH (iPTH) and brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD) were collected and analyzed.

Effects of thrice-weekly in-center nocturnal vs. conventional hemodialysis on integrated backscatter of myocardial tissue.

Ultrasonic tissue characterization with integrated backscatter (IBS) offers a promising method for the noninvasive assessment of myocardial fibrosis and contractile performance. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of thrice-weekly in-center nocturnal hemodialysis (INHD) and conventional hemodialysis (CHD) on myocardial fibrosis and left ventricular function in end-stage renal disease patients. Thirty-two INHD and 58 matched CHD patients were enrolled; baseline and 12-month measures of blood pressure (BP), serum calcium and phosphorus, echocardiographic left ventricular mass index (LVMI) and left ventricular function, the myocardial calibrated IBS (C-IBS), and systodiastolic cyclical variations in IBS (CV-IBS) were collected.

Ultrasonic characterization (integrated backscatter) of myocardial tissue in patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease.

Objective: To study changes in myocardial wall texture in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) patients by ultrasonic integrated backscatter (IBS) analysis.

Methods: Hypertensive and normotensive ADPKD patients, essential hypertension (EHP) patients and healthy volunteers were included in the study. All the subjects underwent conventional echocardiography and ultrasonic IBS of the myocardial wall.

Carotid vascular remodelling in patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease.

Aim: To study carotid vascular wall remodelling in patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) using integrated backscatter signal (IBS) analysis.

Methods: Included in the study were: 60 ADPKD patients with preserved renal function, including 32 patient with hypertension and 28 with normotension; 25 patients with essential hypertension; and 30 healthy volunteers. Carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) was measured by 2-D conventional ultrasonography.