Transcriptional factors, Mafs and their biological roles

The Maf family of transcription factors is characterized by a typical b Zip structure; these transcription factors act as important regulators of the development and differentiation of many organs and tissues, including the kidney. The Maf family consists of two subgroups that are characterized according to their structure: large Maf transcription factors and small Maf transcriptionfactors. The large Maf subgroup consists of four proteins, designated as MAFA, MAFB, c-MAF and neural retina-specific leucine zipper. In particular, MAFA is a distinct molecule that has been attracting the attention of researchers because it acts as a strong transactivator of insulin, suggesting that Maf transcription factors are likely to be involved in systemic energy homeostasis. In this review, we focused on the regulation of glucose/energy balance by Maf transcription factors in various organs.

A Low Serum Albumin Level Predicts Cardiovascular Events in Hemodialysis Patients with Preserved Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction

Background: Cardiovascular (CV) diseases are the most frequent cause of death in hemodialysis (HD) patients. The aim of this study was to identify risk factors for CV events in HD patients with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (PEF). Objectives: A total of 213 HD patients (69 years, 64.1% males) were enrolled. Demographic, laboratory test, and echocardiographic data were recorded, and CV events during the 32-month follow-up period were documented. Results: During the follow-up period, 31 patients (14.6%) died and 50 patients (23.5%) suffered a fatal or nonfatal CV event. Age and serum albumin, C-reactive protein, total cholesterol, non-HDL cholesterol, and NT-proBNP levels were associated with CV events according to a univariate analyses. A multivariate analysis identified a low serum albumin value

An Invitation of the Combination of the Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index and the Triglyceride to High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Ratio as a Mortality Predictor in Maintenance Hemodialysis Patients

Background: The geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI) has been developed as a tool to assess the nutritional risk. The triglyceride to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (TG/HDL-C) ratio has been shown to be a predictor of cardiovascular (CV) outcomes in the general population. Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine whether the combination of GNRI and TG/HDL-C ratio is a predictor of all-cause mortality and CV deaths in maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients. Methods: We performed a retrospective, observational cohort study in which we enrolled 341 MHD patients from a single center in Japan who had been followed up for a mean of 48.0 ± 12.7 months. The outcomes were defined as the occurrence of all-cause mortality and CV deaths during the follow-up period. Baseline GNRI and TG/HDL-C ratios were investigated for associations with outcomes by using Cox proportion hazards models adjusted for demographic parameters. Results: Overall, 101 of the subjects had died, of whom 52 died due to CV events during the mean follow-up period of 48.0 ± 12.7 months. The patients were grouped into four categories according to a median GNRI Conclusion: The combination of GNRI and TG/HDL-C ratio is an easily accessible marker for predicting all-cause mortality and CV deaths in MHD patients.