Relationship between total testosterone, sex hormone-binding globulin levels and the severity of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in males: a meta-analysis.

Background: In recent years, many studies have reported the relationship between non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and sex hormones, especially total testosterone (TT) and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG). However, the relationship between sex hormones and the severity of NAFLD is still unclear.

Methods: PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, WanFang, China National Knowledge Infrastructure and VIP databases were searched for relevant studies from inception to 31 August 2021.

CMIP SNPs and their haplotypes are associated with dyslipidaemia and clinicopathologic features of IgA nephropathy.

The relationship between serum lipid profiles and related clinicopathologic features of IgA nephropathy (IgAN) and c-Maf-inducing protein (CMIP) gene polymorphisms is unclear. The present study was designed to examine the effect of CMIP single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on dyslipidaemia and clinicopathologic features of IgAN. Clinical and pathological data from patients with IgAN diagnosed at the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University were collected.

Association between gene polymorphism and renal function in patients with IgA nephropathy.

Background: Studies have shown that the occurrence and development of IgA nephropathy (IgAN) are genetically susceptible, but the relationship between vitamin D receptor () gene polymorphisms and renal function in IgAN patients is unclear.

Methods: We investigated the relationship between (rs2228570) single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and renal function and related clinicopathologic parameters in IgAN patients. Clinical and pathological data of 282 IgAN patients treated at the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University were collected, and genotypes were determined by PCR and direct sequencing.

Matrine suppresses lipopolysaccharide-induced fibrosis in human peritoneal mesothelial cells by inhibiting the epithelial-mesenchymal transition.

Background: Peritoneal fibrosis is the primary reason that patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) have to cease peritoneal dialysis. Peritonitis caused by Gram-negative bacteria such as Escherichia coli (E. coli) were on the rise.

The association of the rs16955379 polymorphism with dyslipidemia and the clinicopathological features of IgA nephropathy.

Immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) is among the most common primary glomerular diseases. The prognosis in IgAN is affected by dyslipidemia, a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. The c-Maf inducing protein (CMIP) gene has been found to be associated with lipid metabolism.

The susceptible HLA class II alleles and their presenting epitope(s) in Goodpasture's disease.

Goodpasture's disease is closely associated with HLA, particularly DRB1*1501. Other susceptible or protective HLA alleles are not clearly elucidated. The presentation models of epitopes by susceptible HLA alleles are also unclear.

Fever and prodromal infections in anti-glomerular basement membrane disease.

Aim: Anti-glomerular basement membrane (GBM) disease is an autoimmune disorder with rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis and alveolar haemorrhage. Fever symptoms and prodromal infections have been reported in many cases, but still not been elucidated.

Methods: Our study enrolled 140 consecutive patients with anti-GBM disease and retrospectively analyzed the characteristics of fever symptoms and the possible reasons.

MHC Class II Risk Alleles and Amino Acid Residues in Idiopathic Membranous Nephropathy.

Epitopes of phospholipase A2 receptor (PLA2R), the target antigen in idiopathic membranous nephropathy (iMN), must be presented by the HLA-encoded MHC class II molecules to stimulate autoantibody production. A genome-wide association study identified risk alleles at HLA and PLA2R loci, with the top variant rs2187668 within HLA-DQA1 showing a risk effect greater than that of the top variant rs4664308 within PLA2R1. How the HLA risk alleles affect epitope presentation by MHC class II molecules in iMN is unknown.

Vitamin D deficiency may predict a poorer outcome of IgA nephropathy.

Background: Experimental studies showed that 25-hydroxy-vitamin D [25(OH)D] deficiency (defined as 25-hydroxy-vitamin D < 15 ng/ml) has been associated with CKD progression. Patients with IgA nephropathy have an exceptionally high rate of severe 25(OH)D deficiency; however, it is not known whether this deficiency is a risk factor for progression of IgA nephropathy. We conducted this study to investigate the relationship between the plasma level of 25(OH)D and certain clinical parameters and renal histologic lesions in the patients with IgA nephropathy, and to evaluate whether the 25(OH)D level could be a good prognostic marker for IgA nephropathy progression.

Identification of new susceptibility loci for IgA nephropathy in Han Chinese.

IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is one of the most common primary glomerulonephritis. Previously identified genome-wide association study (GWAS) loci explain only a fraction of disease risk. To identify novel susceptibility loci in Han Chinese, we conduct a four-stage GWAS comprising 8,313 cases and 19,680 controls.

Efficacy of coenzyme Q10 in mitigating spinal cord injury-induced osteoporosis.

Spinal cord injury (SCI)‑induced osteoporosis may cause mild trauma to bone and increase the risk of bone fracture. The present study aimed to investigate the efficacy of coenzyme Q (CoQ10) on SCI‑induced osteoporosis in rats. SCI was induced by surgical transection of the cord at the T10‑12 level.

Prevalence and risk factors associated with chronic kidney disease in a Zhuang ethnic minority area in China.

Aim: Numerous studies have examined and reported a high prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in the general population in various countries including China. However, the situation may be different in undeveloped rural minority regions in China because of China's economic diversity. The aim of the present study was to estimate the prevalence of CKD and to analyze its associated factors in a Zhuang ethnic minority area in Southwest China.

Effect of active vitamin D on cardiovascular outcomes in predialysis chronic kidney diseases: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Aim: Vitamin D deficient patients present an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. We conducted this systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the effect of active vitamin D analogue on cardiovascular outcomes in predialysis chronic kidney disease.

Methods: Pubmed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, CNKI, and article reference lists were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared active vitamin D analogues with placebo or no treatment for patients with predialysis chronic kidney disease.

The alternative pathway of complement activation may be involved in the renal damage of human anti-glomerular basement membrane disease.

Linear deposition of IgG and complement 3 (C3) along glomerular basement membrane (GBM) is generally revealed in the kidneys of human anti-GBM disease. Our recent studies demonstrated the pathogenic role of complement activation in renal damage of this disease. However, the pathways of complement activation were still paradoxical.

[An epidemiology study on hypertension in the Zhuang nationality village from the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region].

Objective: To observe the risk factors and prevalence status of hypertension at the Guangxi Zhuang-rural region.

Methods: Through cross-sectional survey, Xinlan village (Ethnic-Zhuang tribe village) in Liangqing District of Nanning was chosen as survey site. Select Zhuang-ethnic villagers (age ≥ 18 years, living time ≥ 6 months per year) as survey subjects.

Benefits and harm of niacin and its analog for renal dialysis patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Purpose: Clinical trials have shown that niacin and its analog, niacinamide, significantly reduce serum phosphate in patients undergoing dialysis. This review aimed to assess the benefits and harm of niacin and niacinamide in renal dialysis patients.

Methods: PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library were searched, without language limitation, randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

Enalapril versus losartan for adults with chronic kidney disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Aim: Both enalapril and losartan are effective and widely used in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). This review aimed to evaluate the benefits of enalapril and losartan in adults with CKD.

Methods: PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library and ClinicalTrials.

Mycophenolate mofetil versus azathioprine as maintenance therapy for lupus nephritis: a meta-analysis.

Aim: The options for long-term maintenance therapy in lupus nephritis (LN) remain controversial. This meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessed the prognosis and safety of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) versus azathioprine (AZA) used as maintenance therapy for lupus nephritis.

Methods: The data of Cochrane Library, PubMed, EMBASE were retrieved to search the studies about the RCT studies that compared MMF with AZA used as maintenance therapy for lupus nephritis.

Complement activation contributes to the injury and outcome of kidney in human anti-glomerular basement membrane disease.

Purpose: Linear or granular deposition of complement 3 (C3) along glomerular basement membrane (GBM) is generally revealed in kidneys of human anti-GBM disease. However, the mechanism of complement activation and its association with clinical features and outcomes are less clear.

Methods: We measured the plasma and urinary levels of complement components, C1q, mannose-binding lectin (MBL), factor B (Ba), C3, C3a, C4, C4a, C5, C5a and soluble C5b-9 (SC5b-9), using ELISA in 20 patients with renal biopsy proven anti-GBM disease.