Acute Kidney Injury in the Nephrology Department of the Brazzaville University Hospital: Epidemiological, Clinical and Evolutionary Aspects

Introduction: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is defined as a sudden and reversible deterioration in renal function. It is a life-threatening condition in hospitalized patients. Our objectives were to determine the prevalence of AKI in a nephrology department, list the causes, describe the evolutionary profile and identify the factors associated with death. Patients and Methods: We reviewed the records of patients hospitalised between 1 January 2016 and 31 October 2020 in the nephrology department of Brazzaville University Hospital. We included patients aged at least 18 years whose discharge diagnosis included the item AKI. Study variables were socio-demographic data, clinical and paraclinical signs, stage and type of AKI, etiology and evolutionary profile. Results: Of the 1823 patients hospitalised, 244 (13.38%) were hospitalised for AKI. Of these, 60.2% were boys and 39.8% girls, with an average age of 47 19 years. The average consultation time was 10 6.5 days. AKI was stage 3 in 69.57% of cases. It was functional, organic and obstructive in the order of 55.28%, 36.02% and 8.69%. Dialysis was indicated in 62 patients (38.51%) and performed in 24 patients (14.9%). In-hospital mortality was 27.95%, with an average hospital stay of 9.6 5.8 days. Metabolic acidosis and anemia were the main causes of death in 14.28% and 4.35% of patients respectively. Factors associated with death were male sex, socioeconomic level, coma, indication for dialysis and absence of dialysis, with a p Conclusion: AKI is more common in young adult males. Mortality is relatively low. Improving prognosis requires early management and access to dialysis.

Epidemiological, Clinical, Therapeutic, and Evolutionary Aspects of Chronic End-Stage Renal Failure in the Nephrology Department of the University Hospital of Brazzaville in 2023

Objective: Chronic end-stage renal failure is a major public health problem in developing countries and is poorly documented. The objective of this study was to describe the epidemiological, diagnostic, therapeutic, and evolutionary aspects of patients admitted for end-stage renal failure to the Department of Nephrology at the University Hospital of Brazzaville. Patients and Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study collecting prospective data that took place over 10 months. We included 128 patients who were exhaustively identified. Sociodemographic, clinical, therapeutic and developmental data were collected using a standardized and pretested pre-established survey form. The EPI info software enabled the analysis and processing of the data. Results: We reported a male predominance with a sex ratio of 2.5. The median age was 50 years. The first cause found was diabetes (55%) followed by hypertension (46%). The majority of patients had a dialysis emergency and half could not be dialyzed for financial reasons. Conclusion: Our results highlighted that certain epidemiological parameters of end-stage renal failure are constantly changing, such as frequency, while others remain static, including the main etiologies, gender, and age. However, mortality continues to increase and deserves more attention.

First Emergency Hemodialysis Session at the Nephrology Department of the Teaching Hospital of Yopougon: About 146 Cases

Context: Due to the late referral of the pads to the nephrologist and the lack of medical follow-up, many patients are admitted with complications from kidney disease requiring the urgent start of hemodialysis sessions. Purpose: Study the profile of emergency hemodialysis patients in order to ease their management. Methods: This was a retrospective, descriptive and analytical study carried out at the Nephrology Department of the Teaching Hospital of Yopougon from January 1st to December 31st, 2016. This study included all patients who had received a first session of hemodialysis in an emergency context. Results: We collected 146 patients with an average age of 39.80 ± 14.55 years and a sex ratio of 0.6 for men. Before admission, patients were known as hypertensives (63.9%), followed by CKD (23.9%) and HIV-infected (8.2%). The main clinical signs were hypertension (64.3%), edema (44.5%) and coma (30.1%). Anemia was observed in 97.2% of cases and it was less than 8 g/dl in 57.5%. Kidney failure was chronic in 75.3% and acute in 24.6%. Chronic nephropathies were glomerular (54.1%), vascular (20.5%). The main indications for hemodialysis were encephalopathy (33.5%), severe uremia (28%), acute pulmonary edema (19.8%), persistent anuria (11.6%) and hyperkalemia (5.4%). The vascular approach was a catheter in 97.2% (femoral site in 53.4% and jugular in 43.8% and arteriovenous fistula in 2.7%). Death was observed in 17.8%. In univariate analysis, age > 65 years (p = 0.04), coma (p = 0.004) and acute kidney failure (p = 0.02) were associated with the risk of death, and in multivariate analysis, only coma (p = 0.024, OR = 5.88) seemed to be associated with mortality risk for our patients. Conclusion: Hemodialysis in an emergency situation is a common practice in the Teaching Hospital of Yopougon and mainly concerns patients with CKD.

Application of Dorzagliatin in peritoneal dialysis patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus:A case report

BACKGROUND Treating diabetes in dialysis patients remains a challenge,with many hypoglycemic drugs requiring dose adjustments or avoidance in these patients.CASE SUMMARY This report describes an 83-year-old female patient with a 30-year history of type 2 diabetes(T2DM)who had struggled to control her blood sugar for more than a year.She had a history of high blood pressure for 30 years,had undergone continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis for more than two years,was 163 cm tall,weighed 77 kg,and had a body mass index of 28.98 kg/m2.Despite intensive insulin therapy at a daily dose of 150 units,adding Dorzagliatin at a dosage of 75 mg orally twice daily led to immediate blood sugar improvement and a gradual reduction in insulin dosage.After one month of follow-up,the fasting plasma glucose was 6-8 mmol/L,and the 2-hour postprandial glucose was 8-12 mmol/L.CONCLUSION To our knowledge,this report is the first to use Dorzagliatin to treat type 2 diabetes peritoneal dialysis patients with challenging glucose control.Dorzagliatin,a novel glucokinase activator primarily metabolized by the liver,exhibits no pharmacokinetic differences among patients with varying degrees of chronic kidney disease.It has a high plasma protein binding rate and may not be cleared by peritoneal dialysis,potentially offering a new glycemic control option for Type 2 diabetic patients on peritoneal dialysis.

Microplastic and nanoplastic exposure and risk of diabetes mellitus

The issue of plastic pollutants has become a growing concern.Both microplastics(MPs)(particle size<5 mm)and nanoplastics(NPs)(particle size<1μm)can cause DNA damage,cytotoxicity,and oxidative stress in various organisms.The primary known impacts of microplastic/nanoplastic are observed in the liver and respiratory system,leading to hepatotoxicity and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.Although research on the effects of MPs and NPs on diabetes is still in its early stages,there are potential concerns.This editorial highlights the risk to diabetics from co-exposure to contaminants and MPs/NPs,supported by evidence from animal studies and the various chemical compositions of MPs/NPs.

Evaluation of the Therapeutic Management of Hypercalcemia in Myeloma at the Nephrology Department of Louis Pasteur Hospital of Chartres: About 8 Cases

Introduction: Hypercalcemia is the most common metabolic complication in myeloma. The aim of this study was to evaluate the management strategy of hypercalcemia in myeloma at the nephrology department of Louis Pasteur hospital of Chartres. Patients and Methods: We carried a retrospective study of patients treated for myeloma-related hypercalcemia between January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2021. The clinical, paraclinical, therapeutic and evolutive characteristics were studied. Results: Eight patients were included in this study with a median age of 67 years [41 - 85] and a sex ratio (M/F) of 1. A quarter of patients were known with chronic kidney disease. Four patients (50%) had symptoms of hypercalcemia. Biologically, the mean hemoglobin was 9.8 ± 2.7 g/dl, all patients had an acute kidney injury with a mean creatinine level of 364.1 ± 173.3 mmol/l, a mean serum calcium of 3.42 ± 0.59 mmol/l and three quarter of patients had bone lesions. Five patients (62.5%) were rehydrated with a mean volume of saline of 2700 ± 836.7 ml/24h. Seven patients (87.5%) received biphosphonates and none received diuretics. The mean normalization time of the serum calcium was 5 days. Conclusion: Hypercalcemia is frequent in malignancy and represents a poor prognosis factor of the disease. A well-conducted therapeutic strategy allows rapid normalization.

Strategic insights of telehealth platforms and strengths,weaknesses,opportunities,and threats analysis of Amazon's clinical endeavors

BACKGROUND The adoption of telehealth services surged after the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic,revolutionizing traditional healthcare delivery models.Amazon Clinic's recent nationwide launch marks a significant milestone in this trend.This study aims to offer a strengths,weaknesses,opportunities,and threats(SWOT)analysis of Amazon Clinic and compare its features with leading virtual healthcare platforms.AIM To evaluate Amazon Clinic's telehealth services through a SWOT analysis and compare its features with other leading virtual healthcare platforms.METHODS The initial search terms included were,amazon clinic odds ratio(OR)amwell OR Teladoc OR Walmart virtual health service OR CVS minute clinic OR CirrusMD OR brightside health,from 2000 to 2023.This search yielded 111 articles,from which duplicates were removed,and unrelated titles were filtered out.Eight articles were retained for a final review,including comparative studies,usability research,retrospective analyses,observational studies,and review articles.The data was organized and analyzed using Rayyan software and summarized in a table and PRISMA flowcharts.RESULTS The review included eight articles focusing on various aspects of telehealth.Comparative studies highlighted differences between Teladoc and traditional physician offices,noting lower diagnostic imaging orders and antibiotic prescriptions for Teladoc.User demographics for Teladoc showed younger,less engaged patients.Usability studies emphasized the importance of website design for telemedicine adoption.Tele-mental health platforms like Brightside showed superior outcomes in treating depression compared to traditional methods.Telemedicine for specialized fields like skin reconstruction demonstrated cost efficiency and reduced waiting times.The SWOT analysis identified Amazon Clinic's strengths,such as its vast consumer base and transparent pricing,and weaknesses like the lack of pediatric care.Opportunities included potential partnerships and service expansions,while threats involved competition and regulatory challenges.CONCLUSION Amazon Clinic's entry into the telehealth sector represents a significant development with various strengths and opportunities.However,it faces challenges from established healthcare providers and regulatory landscapes.The future success of Amazon Clinic will depend on strategic collaborations,addressing service gaps,and navigating competition and regulations.Telemedicine's impact will hinge on its ability to effectively leverage these opportunities and overcome inherent challenges in the ever-evolving healthcare landscape.

Concurrent occurrence of adenocarcinoma and urothelial carcinoma of the prostate:Coexistence mechanisms from multiple perspectives

This article discusses the coexistence of prostate adenocarcinoma and prostate urothelial carcinoma.Combining existing literature and research results,the potential mechanisms of the co-occurrence of these two cancers are explored,including the role of androgen receptor,gene mutations,and their complex interactions in cell signaling pathways,etc.Also,the hypothesis of prostate cancer transformation into urothelial carcinoma is explained from some perspectives,including tumor multipotent stem cell differentiation,epithelial-mesenchymal transition,mesenchymal-epithelial transition,and other mechanisms.Ultimately,the goal is to provide more accurate diagnoses and more personalized treatments in clinical practice,as well as to lay the foundation for improving patient prognoses in the future.

Clinical significance of perioperative probiotic intervention on recovery following intestinal surgery

Restoring the balance of gut microbiota has emerged as a critical strategy in treating intestinal disorders,with probiotics playing a pivotal role in maintaining bacterial equilibrium.Surgical preparations,trauma,and digestive tract reconstruction associated with intestinal surgeries often disrupt the intestinal flora,prompting interest in the potential role of probiotics in postoperative recovery.Lan et al conducted a prospective randomized study on 60 patients with acute appendicitis,revealing that postoperative administration of Bacillus licheniformis capsules facilitated early resolution of inflammation and restoration of gastrointestinal motility,offering a novel therapeutic avenue for accelerated postoperative recovery.This editorial delves into the effects of perioperative probiotic supplementation on physical and intestinal recovery following surgery.Within the framework of enhanced recovery after surgery,the exploration of new probiotic supplementation strategies to mitigate surgical complications and reshape gut microbiota is particularly intriguing.

Longitudinal assessment of measured and estimated glomerular filtration-rate in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease:Real practice experience

BACKGROUND Equations for estimation glomerular filtration rate(eGFR)have been associated with poor clinical performance and their clinical accuracy and reliability have been called into question.AIM To assess the longitudinal changes in measured glomerular filtration rate(mGFR)in patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease(ADPKD).METHODS Analysis of an ambispective data base conducted on consecutive patients diagnosed with ADPKD.The mGFR was assessed by iohexol clearance;while eGFR was calculated by three different formulas:(1)The chronic kidney disease epidemiology collaboration(CKD-EPI);(2)Modification of diet in renal disease(MDRD);and(3)The 24-hour urine creatinine clearance(CrCl).The primary end-points were the mean change in mGFR between the baseline and final visit,as well as the comparison of the mean change in mGFR with the change estimated by the different formulas.RESULTS Thirty-seven patients were included in the study.As compared to baseline,month-6 mGFR was significantly decrease by-4.4 mL/minute±10.3 mL/minute(P=0.0132).However,the CKD-EPI,MDRD,and CrCl formulas underestimated this change by 48.3%,89.0%,and 45.8%respectively,though none of these differences reached statistical significance(P=0.3647;P=0.0505;and P=0.736,respectively).The discrepancies between measured and estimated glomerular filtration rate values,as evaluated by CKD-EPI(r=0.29,P=0.086);MDRD(r=0.19,P=0.272);and CrCl(r=0.09,P=0.683),were not correlated with baseline mGFR values.CONCLUSION This study indicated that eGFR inaccurately reflects the decline in mGFR and cannot reliably track changes over time.This poses significant challenges for clinical decision-making,particularly in treatment strategies.

Late Nephrology Case Management and Morbidity Due to Chronic Renal Failure, Case of Guinea

Context and Object: Late nephrology case management for patients with chronic renal failure is consistently associated with high morbidity rate. The objectives of this study were to determine the factors associated with late nephrology case management and to describe the evolution of patients depending on the time of care nephrology. Material and Methods: It was a 5-year prospective study, observational type, going from January 1st, 2010 to December 31th, 2014. We studied all the patients hospitalized with chronic renal failure with dialysis or not and we excluded the patients hospitalized for acute renal failure. Results: The study population includes 307 men (53.4%) and 268 women (46.6%) with a sex ratio of 1.14. Age population ranged between 15 and 85 years old with a mean of 44.4 ± 16.20 years old. Their profession was distributed as follows: 220 housewives (38.3%), 181 workers (31.5%), 104 civil servants (18.1%), 56 students (9.7%) and 14 unemployed (2.4%). Patients came from all regions of the country: Conakry: 389 patients (67.6%);Lower Guinea: 82 (14.3%);Middle-Guinea: 57 (9.9%);Upper Guinea: 31 (5.4%);Guinea Forest Region: 16 (2.8%). In this study population, 48 patients were admitted in emergency (8.3%);105 were scheduled (18.3%) and 422 were referred to the nephrology department (73.4%). Reasons for the emergency admission were acute pulmonary edema in 21 patients (43.7%), decompensated anemia in 13 patients (27.1%), loss of consciousness in 9 patients (18.7%) and malignant hypertension in 5 patients (10.4%). The reference patterns was uremic syndrome in 312 patients (54.3%), followed by high blood pressure in 247 patients (42.9%), an edematous syndrome in 234 patients (40.7%), oligoanuria in 222 patients (38.6%), morphological abnormalities on the renal ultrasound in 4 patients (0.7%). The functional symptoms were vomiting in 379 patients (65.9%), followed by dyspnea in 290 patients (50.4%), headaches in 287 patients (49.9%). Among them, 121 patients could handle alone, 431 were borne by their families and 23 were indigent;181 patients had consulted before 1 month of the beginning of the signs, 238 between 1 and 2 months and 156 after 2 months;48 were admitted in emergency, 105 were programmed by the Nephrology Department and 422 were referred to the other health structures of the country. Conclusion: Several factors contributed to the delay in treatment, among which: the low socioeconomic level, the delay of the reference of the patients, the long distance of the regions, the lack of Nephrology units in the country.

The role of innate immunity in diabetic nephropathy and their therapeutic consequences

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is an enduring condition that leads to inflammation and affects a substantial number of individuals with diabetes worldwide. A gradual reduction in glomerular filtration and emergence of proteins in the urine are typical aspects of DN, ultimately resulting in renal failure. Mounting evidence suggests that immunological and inflammatory factors are crucial for the development of DN. Therefore, the activation of innate immunity by resident renal and immune cells is critical for initiating and perpetuating inflammation. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are an important group of receptors that identify patterns and activate immune responses and inflammation. Meanwhile, inflammatory responses in the liver, pancreatic islets, and kidneys involve inflammasomes and chemokines that generate pro-inflammatory cytokines. Moreover, the activation of the complement cascade can be triggered by glycated proteins. This review highlights recent findings elucidating how the innate immune system contributes to tissue fibrosis and organ dysfunction, ultimately leading to renal failure. This review also discusses innovative approaches that can be utilized to modulate the innate immune responses in DN for therapeutic purposes.

Metformin alleviates spinal cord injury by inhibiting nerve cell ferroptosis through upregulation of heme oxygenase-1 expression

Previous studies have reported upregulation of heme oxygenase-1 in different central nervous system injury models.Heme oxygenase-1 plays a critical anti-inflammatory role and is essential for regulating cellular redox homeostasis.Metformin is a classic drug used to treat type 2 diabetes that can inhibit ferroptosis.Previous studies have shown that,when used to treat cardiovascular and digestive system diseases,metformin can also upregulate heme oxygenase-1 expression.Therefore,we hypothesized that heme oxygenase-1 plays a significant role in mediating the beneficial effects of metformin on neuronal ferroptosis after spinal cord injury.To test this,we first performed a bioinformatics analysis based on the GEO database and found that heme oxygenase-1 was upregulated in the lesion of rats with spinal cord injury.Next,we confirmed this finding in a rat model of T9 spinal cord compression injury that exhibited spinal cord nerve cell ferroptosis.Continuous intraperitoneal injection of metformin for 14 days was found to both upregulate heme oxygenase-1 expression and reduce neuronal ferroptosis in rats with spinal cord injury.Subsequently,we used a lentivirus vector to knock down heme oxygenase-1 expression in the spinal cord,and found that this significantly reduced the effect of metformin on ferroptosis after spinal cord injury.Taken together,these findings suggest that metformin inhibits neuronal ferroptosis after spinal cord injury,and that this effect is partially dependent on upregulation of heme oxygenase-1.

The burden of depression,anxiety and schizophrenia among the older population in ageing and aged countries:an analysis of the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019

Background Depression,anxiety and schizophrenia among older persons have become global public health challenges.However,the burden of these disorders in ageing and aged countries has not been analysed.Aims To investigate the burden of depression,anxiety and schizophrenia among older adults in ageing and aged countries.Methods Using data from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019,we calculated the estimated annual percentage change(EAPC)in the age-standardised incidence rates(ASiR)and age-standardised disability-adjusted life years(DALYs)rates(ASDR)for depression,anxiety and schizophrenia of older people in ageing countries(China,India,Indonesia)and aged countries(Japan,Italy,Portugal)between 1990 and 2019.Trends in incidence and DALYs were analysed by gender and age.Results In 2019,the highest incidence of depression,anxiety and schizophrenia in the older population in aged countries was in Japan(927271.3(752552.3-1125796.5),51498.2(37625.7-70487.3)and 126.0(61.0-223.2),respectively),while the highest incidence in ageing countries was in China(5797556.9(4599403.4-7133006.5),330256.1(246448.9-445987.4)and 1067.7(556.2-1775.9),respectively).DALYs for these disorders were similar,with the highest in Japan and China.From 1990 to 2019,the ASIR for depressive disorders decreased in aged countries but increased in ageing countries;the ASIR for anxiety disorders and schizophrenia declined in both ageing and aged countries.The ASDR for depressive disorders was consistent with the ASIR but not for anxiety disorders and schizophrenia.The ASIR for depressive disorders was higher in older women,while the opposite was observed in anxiety disorders and schizophrenia.Notably,the conditions of burden of depressive disorders,anxiety disorders and schizophrenia in the 65-70-year-old age group were the most burdensome.Conclusions The incidence and DALYs of these three mental disorders increased while exhibiting differences between ageing and aged countries.Raising awareness about formulating health policies for preventing and treating mental disorders in the older population is necessary to reduce the future burden posed by the ageing challenge.

Leveraging diverse cell-death patterns to predict the clinical outcome of immune checkpoint therapy in lung adenocarcinoma:Based on muti-omics analysis and vitro assay

Advanced LUAD shows limited response to treatment including immune therapy.With the development of sequencing omics,it is urgent to combine high-throughput multi-omics data to identify new immune checkpoint therapeutic response markers.Using GSE72094(n=386)and GSE31210(n=226)gene expression profile data in the GEO database,we identified genes associated with lung adenocarcinoma(LUAD)death using tools such as“edgeR”and“maftools”and visualized the characteristics of these genes using the“circlize”R package.We constructed a prognostic model based on death-related genes and optimized the model using LASSO-Cox regression methods.By calculating the cell death index(CDI)of each individual,we divided LUAD patients into high and low CDI groups and examined the relationship between CDI and overall survival time by principal component analysis(PCA)and Kaplan-Meier analysis.We also used the“ConsensusClusterPlus”tool for unsupervised clustering of LUAD subtypes based on model genes.In addition,we collected data on the expression of immunomodulatory genes and model genes for each cohort and performed tumor microenvironment analyses.We also used the TIDE algorithm to predict immunotherapy responses in the CDI cohort.Finally,we studied the effect of PRKCD on the proliferation and migration of LUAD cells through cell culture experiments.The study utilized the TCGA-LUAD cohort(n=493)and identified 2,901 genes that are differentially expressed in patients with LUAD.Through KEGG and GO enrichment analysis,these genes were found to be involved in a wide range of biological pathways.The study also used univariate Cox regression models and LASSO regression analyses to identify 17 candidate genes that were best associated with mortality prognostic risk scores.By comparing the overall survival(OS)outcomes of patients with different CDI values,it was found that increased CDI levels were significantly associated with lower OS rates.In addition,the study used unsupervised cluster analysis to divide 115 LUAD patients into two distinct clusters with significant differences in OS timing.Finally,a prognostic indicator called CDI was established and its feasibility as an independent prognostic indicator was evaluated by Cox proportional risk regression analysis.The immunotherapy efficacy was more sensitive in the group with high expression of programmed cell death models.Relationship between programmed cell death(PCD)signature models and drug reactivity.After evaluating the median inhibitory concentration(IC50)of various drugs in LUAD samples,statistically significant differences in IC50 values were found in cohorts with high and low CDI status.Specifically,Gefitinib and Lapatinib had higher IC50 values in the high-CDI cohort,while Olaparib,Oxaliplatin,SB216763,and Axitinib had lower values.These results suggest that individuals with high CDI levels are sensitive to tyrosine kinase inhibitors and may be resistant to conventional chemotherapy.Therefore,this study constructed a gene model that can evaluate patient immunotherapy by using programmed cell death-related genes based on muti-omics.The CDI index composed of these programmed cell death-related genes reveals the heterogeneity of lung adenocarcinoma tumors and serves as a prognostic indicator for patients.

Superhydrophobic Surface-Assisted Preparation of Microspheres and Supraparticles and Their Applications

Superhydrophobic surface(SHS) has been well developed, as SHS renders the property of minimizing the water/solid contact interface. Water droplets deposited onto SHS with contact angles exceeding 150°, allow them to retain spherical shapes, and the low adhesion of SHS facilitates easy droplet collection when tilting the substrate. These characteristics make SHS suitable for a wide range of applications. One particularly promising application is the fabrication of microsphere and supraparticle materials. SHS offers a distinct advantage as a universal platform capable of providing customized services for a variety of microspheres and supraparticles. In this review, an overview of the strategies for fabricating microspheres and supraparticles with the aid of SHS, including cross-linking process, polymer melting,and droplet template evaporation methods, is first presented. Then, the applications of microspheres and supraparticles formed onto SHS are discussed in detail, for example, fabricating photonic devices with controllable structures and tunable structural colors, acting as catalysts with emerging or synergetic properties, being integrated into the biomedical field to construct the devices with different medicinal purposes, being utilized for inducing protein crystallization and detecting trace amounts of analytes. Finally,the perspective on future developments involved with this research field is given, along with some obstacles and opportunities.

Impact of body mass index on adverse kidney events in diabetes mellitus patients: A systematic-review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND The incidence of chronic kidney disease among patients with diabetes mellitus(DM)remains a global concern.Long-term obesity is known to possibly influence the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus.However,no previous meta-analysis has assessed the effects of body mass index(BMI)on adverse kidney events in patients with DM.AIM To determine the impact of BMI on adverse kidney events in patients with DM.METHODS A systematic literature search was performed on the PubMed,ISI Web of Science,Scopus,Ovid,Google Scholar,EMBASE,and BMJ databases.We included trials with the following characteristics:(1)Type of study:Prospective,retrospective,randomized,and non-randomized in design;(2)participants:Restricted to patients with DM aged≥18 years;(3)intervention:No intervention;and(4)kidney adverse events:Onset of diabetic kidney disease[estimated glomerular filtration rate(eGFR)of<60 mL/min/1.73 m2 and/or microalbuminuria value of≥30 mg/g Cr],serum creatinine increase of more than double the baseline or end-stage renal disease(eGFR<15 mL/min/1.73 m2 or dialysis),or death.RESULTS Overall,11 studies involving 801 patients with DM were included.High BMI(≥25 kg/m2)was significantly associated with higher blood pressure(BP)[systolic BP by 0.20,95%confidence interval(CI):0.15–0.25,P<0.00001;diastolic BP by 0.21 mmHg,95%CI:0.04–0.37,P=0.010],serum albumin,triglycerides[standard mean difference(SMD)=0.35,95%CI:0.29–0.41,P<0.00001],low-density lipoprotein(SMD=0.12,95%CI:0.04–0.20,P=0.030),and lower high-density lipoprotein(SMD=–0.36,95%CI:–0.51 to–0.21,P<0.00001)in patients with DM compared with those with low BMIs(<25 kg/m2).Our analysis showed that high BMI was associated with a higher risk ratio of adverse kidney events than low BMI(RR:1.22,95%CI:1.01–1.43,P=0.036).CONCLUSION The present analysis suggested that high BMI was a risk factor for adverse kidney events in patients with DM.

Clinical study of different prediction models in predicting diabetic nephropathy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

BACKGROUND Among older adults,type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)is widely recognized as one of the most prevalent diseases.Diabetic nephropathy(DN)is a frequent com-plication of DM,mainly characterized by renal microvascular damage.Early detection,aggressive prevention,and cure of DN are key to improving prognosis.Establishing a diagnostic and predictive model for DN is crucial in auxiliary diagnosis.AIM To investigate the factors that impact T2DM complicated with DN and utilize this information to develop a predictive model.METHODS The clinical data of 210 patients diagnosed with T2DM and admitted to the First People’s Hospital of Wenling between August 2019 and August 2022 were retrospectively analyzed.According to whether the patients had DN,they were divided into the DN group(complicated with DN)and the non-DN group(without DN).Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to explore factors affecting DN in patients with T2DM.The data were randomly split into a training set(n=147)and a test set(n=63)in a 7:3 ratio using a random function.The training set was used to construct the nomogram,decision tree,and random forest models,and the test set was used to evaluate the prediction performance of the model by comparing the sensitivity,specificity,accuracy,recall,precision,and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve.RESULTS Among the 210 patients with T2DM,74(35.34%)had DN.The validation dataset showed that the accuracies of the nomogram,decision tree,and random forest models in predicting DN in patients with T2DM were 0.746,0.714,and 0.730,respectively.The sensitivities were 0.710,0.710,and 0.806,respectively;the specificities were 0.844,0.875,and 0.844,respectively;the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve(AUC)of the patients were 0.811,0.735,and 0.850,respectively.The Delong test results revealed that the AUC values of the decision tree model were lower than those of the random forest and nomogram models(P<0.05),whereas the difference in AUC values of the random forest and column-line graph models was not statistically significant(P>0.05).CONCLUSION Among the three prediction models,random forest performs best and can help identify patients with T2DM at high risk of DN.

Impact of microplastics and nanoplastics on liver health:Current understanding and future research directions

With continuous population and economic growth in the 21st century,plastic pollution is a major global issue.However,the health concern of microplastics/nanoplastics(MPs/NPs)decomposed from plastic wastes has drawn public attention only in the recent decade.This article summarizes recent works dedicated to understanding the impact of MPs/NPs on the liver-the largest digestive organ,which is one of the primary routes that MPs/NPs enter human bodies.The interrelated mechanisms including oxidative stress,hepatocyte energy re-distribution,cell death and autophagy,as well as immune responses and inflammation,were also featured.In addition,the disturbance of microbiome and gut-liver axis,and the association with clinical diseases such as metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease,steatohepatitis,liver fibrosis,and cirrhosis were briefly discussed.Finally,we discussed potential directions in regard to this trending topic,highlighted current challenges in research,and proposed possible solutions.

Selection of dialysis methods for end-stage kidney disease patients with diabetes

The increasing prevalence of diabetes has led to a growing population of endstage kidney disease(ESKD)patients with diabetes.Currently,kidney transplantation is the best treatment option for ESKD patients;however,it is limited by the lack of donors.Therefore,dialysis has become the standard treatment for ESKD patients.However,the optimal dialysis method for diabetic ESKD patients remains controversial.ESKD patients with diabetes often present with complex conditions and numerous complications.Furthermore,these patients face a high risk of infection and technical failure,are more susceptible to malnutrition,have difficulty establishing vascular access,and experience more frequent blood sugar fluctuations than the general population.Therefore,this article reviews nine critical aspects:Survival rate,glucose metabolism disorder,infectious complications,cardiovascular events,residual renal function,quality of life,economic benefits,malnutrition,and volume load.This study aims to assist clinicians in selecting individualized treatment methods by comparing the advantages and disadvantages of hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis,thereby improving patients’quality of life and survival rates.