Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles containing miR-181d protect rats against renal fibrosis by inhibiting KLF6 and the NF-κB signaling pathway.

Recent studies have investigated the ability of extracellular vesicles (EVs) in regulating neighboring cells by transferring signaling molecules, such as microRNAs (miRs) in renal fibrosis. EVs released by bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) contain miR-181d, which may represent a potential therapy for renal fibrosis. miR-181d has been speculated to regulate Krüppel-like factor 6 (KLF6), which activates the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathway.

Actively implementing an evidence-based feeding guideline for critically ill patients (NEED): a multicenter, cluster-randomized, controlled trial.

Background: Previous cluster-randomized controlled trials evaluating the impact of implementing evidence-based guidelines for nutrition therapy in critical illness do not consistently demonstrate patient benefits. A large-scale, sufficiently powered study is therefore warranted to ascertain the effects of guideline implementation on patient-centered outcomes.

Methods: We conducted a multicenter, cluster-randomized, parallel-controlled trial in intensive care units (ICUs) across China.

Association between preoperative lipid profiles and new-onset diabetes after transplantation in Chinese kidney transplant recipients: A retrospective cohort study.

Background: This study investigated the association between the preoperative lipid profiles and new-onset diabetes after transplantation (NODAT) in Chinese kidney transplant recipients (KTRs).

Methods: In this study, of 1140 KTRs registered between January 1993 and March 2018 in Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, 449 were enrolled. Clinical data, obtained through a chart review of the patient records in the medical record system, were evaluated, and NODAT was diagnosed based on the American Diabetes Association guidelines.

Renoprotective effects of pirfenidone on chronic renal allograft dysfunction by reducing renal interstitial fibrosis in a rat model.

Aim: Pirfenidone (PFD) has been used as medication for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis due to its ability in reducing lung fibrosis. However, the underlying mode of action in renal fibrosis during chronic renal allograft dysfunction (CRAD) requires further investigation. Therefore, the present study was conducted to explore the effects of PFD on renal injury induced by CRAD.

A population-based study on prevalence and risk factors of gastroesophageal reflux disease in the Tibet Autonomous Region, China.

Objective: To investigate the prevalence and risk factors of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in the Tibet Autonomous Region, China.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, a stratified random sampling method was used for collecting samples in the Tibet Autonomous Region. A total of 10,000 individuals were selected from October 2016 to June 2017.

Paeonol reverses promoting effect of the HOTAIR/miR-124/Notch1 axis on renal interstitial fibrosis in a rat model.

Renal interstitial fibrosis (RIF) is a common manifestation of inflammatory and noninflammatory renal diseases, which correlates to renal excretory dysfunction. Recently, the long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been demonstrated to be involved in the development of various renal diseases. Here, we aim to determine whether paeonol (PAE) affects RIF with involvement of the lncRNA HOX transcript antisense intergenic RNA (HOTAIR)/microRNA-124 (miR-124)/Notch1 axis.

Relationship between cFGF23/Klotho ratio and phosphate levels in patients with chronic kidney disease.

Purpose: To characterize the relationship between the cFGF23/Klotho ratio and phosphate level in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Methods: A total of 152 patients with CKD stage 3-5 (CKD stage 3: n = 74; CKD stage 4: n = 60; CKD stage 5: n = 18) were included in the study. Thirty healthy volunteers served as controls.

Superior mesenteric artery syndrome coexists with Nutcracker syndrome in a female: a case report.

Background: Superior mesenteric artery (SMA) syndrome, also known as Wilkie's syndrome or Benign duodenal stasis, is a rare benign disease. It could threaten the life if the manifestation is severe and the treatment is inappropriate. In the patients with SMA syndrome, the third portion (transverse part) of the duodenum is compressed externally between the SMA and abdominal aorta (AA) leading to duodenal stasis and gastrointestinal obstruction.

Effects of preoperative hepatitis B virus infection, hepatitis C virus infection, and coinfection on the development of new-onset diabetes after kidney transplantation.

Background: The effects of preoperative hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, and HBV plus HCV coinfection on the development of new-onset diabetes after transplantation (NODAT) remain unexplored in kidney transplant recipients (KTRs). This study examined the association between preoperative viral status (i.e.

Interleukin-2 receptor antagonists: Protective factors against new-onset diabetes after renal transplantation.

Background: The aim of the present study was to examine the association between interleukin-2 receptor antagonists (IL-2Ra) and new-onset diabetes after transplantation (NODAT) among renal transplant recipients (RTRs).

Methods: Between January 1993 and March 2014, 915 patients underwent renal transplantation at Zhongshan Hospital. In all, 557 RTRs were included in the present retrospective cohort study.

Physical Exercise and Patients with Chronic Renal Failure: A Meta-Analysis.

Chronic renal failure is a severe clinical problem which has some significant socioeconomic impact worldwide and hemodialysis is an important way to maintain patients' health state, but it seems difficult to get better in short time. Considering these, the aim in our research is to update and evaluate the effects of exercise on the health of patients with chronic renal failure. The databases were used to search for the relevant studies in English or Chinese.

Association study of C-reactive protein associated gene HNF1A with ischemic stroke in Chinese population.

Background: Ischemic stroke is a life-threatening condition due to obstructed blood supply of the brain. Elevation of plasma C-reactive protein, an important inflammatory marker, was known to associate with increased risk of ischemic stroke. Previous studies reported association between genetic variants of HNF1A and plasma level of C-reactive protein.

Prednisone inhibits the focal adhesion kinase/receptor activator of NF-κB ligand/mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway in rats with adriamycin-induced nephropathy.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the mechanisms underlying the effects of prednisone on adriamycin-induced nephritic rat kidney damage via the focal adhesion kinase (FAK)/receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL)/mitogen‑activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway. An adriamycin‑induced nephritic rat model was established to investigate these mechanisms. A total of 30 healthy male Sprague‑Dawley rats were randomly assigned to the normal, model or prednisone group.

Effects and mechanism of recombinant human erythropoietin on the growth of human breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells in nude mice.

This study aimed to explore the effects of recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPO) on the growth of human breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells in nude mice, and investigate its functions in regulating tumor growth, angiogenesis and apoptosis. A tumor-bearing nude mice model was established by subcutaneous injection of human breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells. Two weeks later, the mice were randomly divided into four groups (n=6 for each group): negative control group, rhEPO group, EPO antibody group and EPO+EPO antibody group.

Influencing factors of new-onset diabetes after a renal transplant and their effects on complications and survival rate.

Objective: To discuss the onset of and relevant risk factors for new-onset diabetes after a transplant (NODAT) in patients who survive more than 1 year after undergoing a renal transplant and the influence of these risk factors on complications and long-term survival.

Method: A total of 428 patients who underwent a renal transplant between January 1993 and December 2008 and were not diabetic before surgery were studied. The prevalence rate of and relevant risk factors for postoperative NODAT were analyzed on the basis of fasting plasma glucose (FPG) levels, and differences in postoperative complications and survival rates between patients with and without NODAT were compared.

Intranasal dexmedetomidine premedication reduces the minimum alveolar concentration of sevoflurane for tracheal intubation in children: a randomized trial.

Study Objective: To determine the effects of dexmedetomidine premedication on the minimum alveolar concentration of sevoflurane for tracheal intubation (MACTI) in children.

Design: Prospective, randomized, clinical comparison study.

Setting: Operating room of an academic hospital.

Plasmakinetic enucleation of the prostate compared with open prostatectomy for prostates larger than 100 grams: a randomized noninferiority controlled trial with long-term results at 6 years.

Background: Studies have demonstrated that plasmakinetic enucleation of the prostate (PKEP) and open prostatectomy (OP) have equivalent short-term efficacy for large prostates, but no comparison concerning their long-term results was reported.

Objective: To demonstrate the noninferiority of PKEP to OP concerning maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax) at 1 yr postoperatively and to compare the long-term results of both procedures.

Design, Setting, And Participants: From 2004 to 2007, 160 patients with prostates >100g were randomized to receive PKEP or OP.

Use of the ImmuKnow assay to evaluate the effect of alemtuzumab-depleting induction therapy on cell-mediated immune function after renal transplantation.

Background: Good outcomes after renal transplantation are dependent on effective immunosuppression while minimizing infection. Alemtuzumab (Campath or Campath-1H) is an anti-CD52 humanized monoclonal IgG1 antibody which induces rapid and sustained depletion of circulating lymphocytes and has been effectively used as an immunosuppressant in post-transplant induction therapy.

Methods: We used the ImmuKnow assay to compare cell-mediated immune function in renal transplant patients treated with alemtuzumab or with conventional immunosuppressive tri-therapy.

[Therapeutic efficacy of modified zigui decoction in treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome of gan-shen yin deficiency syndrome].

Objective: To study the therapeutic efficacy of Modified Zigui Decoction (MZD) in treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome of Gan-Shen yin deficiency syndrome.

Methods: 66 polycystic ovary syndrome patients of Gan-Shen yin deficiency syndrome were randomly assigned to the MZD group (Group A) and the Westem medicine group (Group B), 33 patients in each. Patients in Group A orally took MZD, while those in Group B orally took Diane-35.