Incidental renal cell carcinoma post bilateral nephrectomy in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease

BACKGROUND Renal cell carcinoma(RCC)is more common in patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease(ADPKD)than in the general population.Diagnosing RCC in ADPKD is challenging due to the presence of multiple renal cysts,often leading to delays and difficulties in distinguishing RCC from cyst infection or hemorrhage.A total of 38 kidneys were excised from 19 patients,with a mean age of 56.8 years and an average hemodialysis duration of 84.2 months.Eight patients underwent open nephrectomies,and 11 underwent hand-assisted laparoscopic nephrec-tomies.RCC was detected in 15.8%of kidneys,affecting 21.1%of patients.Two patients had multifocal RCC in both kidneys.All RCC cases were pT1 stage,with the largest lesion averaging 16.5 mm in diameter.The average operative duration was 120 minutes,with intraoperative blood loss averaging 184.2 mL.Five patients required blood transfusions.Postoperative complications occurred in five patients,with a mean hospital stay of 17.1 days.The mean follow-up period was 28.1 months.CONCLUSION The prevalence of RCC is higher in patients with ADPKD with ESRD than in those with ESRD alone.Thus,clinicians should be cautious and implement surveillance programs to monitor the development of RCC in patients with ADPKD,particularly those on dialysis.

Prevalence and risk factors for impaired renal function among Asian patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

Background:Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)is associated with impaired renal function,and both diseases often occur alongside other metabolic disorders.However,the prevalence and risk factors for impaired renal function in patients with NAFLD remain unclear.The objective of this study was to identify the prevalence and risk factors for renal impairment in NAFLD patients.Methods:All adults aged 18-70 years with ultrasound-diagnosed NAFLD and transient elastography examination from eight Asian centers were enrolled in this prospective study.Liver fibrosis and cirrhosis were assessed by FibroScan-aspartate aminotransferase(FAST),Agile 3+and Agile 4 scores.Impaired renal function and chronic kidney disease(CKD)were defined by an estimated glomerular filtration rate(eGFR)with value of<90 mL/min/1.73 m^(2) and<60 mL/min/1.73 m^(2),respectively,as estimated by the CKD-Epidemiology Collaboration(CKD-EPI)equation.Results:Among 529 included NAFLD patients,the prevalence rates of impaired renal function and CKD were 37.4%and 4.9%,respectively.In multivariate analysis,a moderate-high risk of advanced liver fibrosis and cirrhosis according to Agile 3+and Agile 4 scores were independent risk factors for CKD(P<0.05).Furthermore,increased fasting plasma glucose(FPG)and blood pressure were significantly associated with impaired renal function after controlling for the other components of metabolic syndrome(P<0.05).Compared with patients with normoglycemia,those with prediabetes[FPG≥5.6 mmol/L or hemoglobin A1c(HbA1c)≥5.7%]were more likely to have impaired renal function(P<0.05).Conclusions:Agile 3+and Agile 4 are reliable for identifying NAFLD patients with high risk of CKD.Early glycemic control in the prediabetic stage might have a potential renoprotective role in these patients.

Occult Adrenal Insufficiency in Patients with Chronic Renal Disease

Background: Addison’s disease is a rare disorder of the adrenal cortex that leads to inadequate production of cortisol initially followed by aldosterone and androgens. Its manifestations are usually slow and non-specific with potential for life-threatening adrenal crisis following hypermetabolic demands (infection, trauma, surgery). Patients: Over the past 10 years, 19 CRD-patients were diagnosed with occult PAI in our center. Results: Unprovoked hypotension was the most common manifestations of occult PAI and was the unmasking event in 11 (58%). It was without significant cardiac and/or severe systemic sepsis and was refractory to isotonic saline infusions. Equal number of the remaining patients (n = 2) presented with persistent and inexplicable electrolytes abnormalities viz. 1) hyponatremia despite restricted oral fluid intake, lack of dehydration and massive fluid overload, as well as 2) hyperkalemia despite potassium-restricted diet, hyperkalemic drugs and adequate therapy with Furosemide and low-potassium dialysis-baths. On the other hand, similar proportions presented with unprovoked 3) progressive weight loss, decrease appetite and cachexia as well as 4) frequent hypoglycemic attacks. All patients were treated and were medically stable after 29 (2 - 60) months of follow up. Autoantibodies to 21-hydroxylase enzyme were positive in 16 (90%). At diagnosis, and subsequent follow up, only 7 patients (37%) had multi-endocrine dysfunction of whom 2 with type 1 and 5 with type 2. Conclusion: High index of suspicion should be exerted in diagnosis of PAI in patients with CRD, since its clinical picture is similar to CRD manifestations and complications. In those patients, confirmatory tests and specific management can save their lives. .

Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists:Exploring the mechanisms from glycemic control to treatment of multisystemic diseases

This editorial takes a deeper look at the insights provided by Soresi and Giannitrapani,which examined the therapeutic potential of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists(GLP-1RAs)for metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease.We provide supplementary insights to their research,highlighting the broader systemic implications of GLP-1RAs,synthesizing the current understanding of their mechanisms and the trajectory of research in this field.GLP-1RAs are revolutionizing the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus and beyond.Beyond glycemic control,GLP-1RAs demonstrate cardiovascular and renal protective effects,offering potential in managing diabetic kidney disease alongside renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system inhibitors.Their role in bone metabolism hints at benefits for diabetic osteoporosis,while the neuroprotective properties of GLP-1RAs show promise in Alzheimer's disease treatment by modulating neuronal insulin signaling.Additionally,they improve hormonal and metabolic profiles in polycystic ovary syndrome.This editorial highlights the multifaceted mechanisms of GLP-1RAs,emphasizing the need for ongoing research to fully realize their therapeutic potential across a range of multisystemic diseases.

Interplay between metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease and renal function: An intriguing pediatric perspective

Over recent years,the nomenclature of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease has undergone significant changes.Indeed,in 2020,an expert consensus panel proposed the term“Metabolic(dysfunction)associated fatty liver disease”(MAFLD)to underscore the close association of fatty liver with metabolic abnormalities,thereby highlighting the cardiometabolic risks(such as metabolic syndrome,type 2 diabetes,insulin resistance,and cardiovascular disease)faced by these patients since childhood.More recently,this term has been further replaced with metabolic associated steatotic liver disease.It is worth noting that emerging evidence not only supports a close and independent association of MAFLD with chronic kidney disease in adults but also indicates its interplay with metabolic impairments.However,comparable pediatric data remain limited.Given the progressive and chronic nature of both diseases and their prognostic cardiometabolic implications,this editorial aims to provide a pediatric perspective on the intriguing relationship between MAFLD and renal function in childhood.

Challenges with non-descriptive compliance labeling of end-stage renal disease patients in accessibility for renal transplantation

Non-descriptive and convenient labels are uninformative and unfairly project blame onto patients.The language clinicians use in the Electronic Medical Record,research,and clinical settings shapes biases and subsequent behaviors of all providers involved in the enterprise of transplantation.Terminology such as noncompliant and nonadherent serve as a reason for waitlist inactivation and limit access to life-saving transplantation.These labels fail to capture all the circum-stances surrounding a patient’s inability to follow their care regimen,trivialize social determinants of health variables,and bring unsubstantiated subjectivity into decisions regarding organ allocation.Furthermore,insufficient Medicare coverage has forced patients to ration or stop taking medication,leading to allograft failure and their subsequent diagnosis of noncompliant.We argue that perpetuating non-descriptive language adds little substantive information,in-creases subjectivity to the organ allocation process,and plays a major role in reduced access to transplantation.For patients with existing barriers to care,such as racial/ethnic minorities,these effects may be even more drastic.Transplant committees must ensure thorough documentation to correctly encapsulate the entirety of a patient’s position and give voice to an already vulnerable population.

Exploring kidney biopsy findings in congenital heart diseases:Insights beyond cyanotic nephropathy

BACKGROUND The association between congenital heart disease and chronic kidney disease is well known.Various mechanisms of kidney damage associated with congenital heart disease have been established.The etiology of kidneydisease has commonly been considered to be secondary to focal segmental glomerulosclerosis(FSGS),however,this has only been demonstrated in case reports and not in observational or clinical trials.AIM To identify baseline and clinical characteristics,as well as the findings in kidney biopsies of patients with congenital heart disease in our hospital.METHODS This is a retrospective observational study conducted at the Nephrology Depart-ment of the National Institute of Cardiology“Ignacio Chávez”.All patients over 16 years old who underwent percutaneous kidney biopsy from January 2000 to January 2023 with congenital heart disease were included in the study.RESULTS Ten patients with congenital heart disease and kidney biopsy were found.The average age was 29.00 years±15.87 years with pre-biopsy proteinuria of 6193 mg/24 h±6165 mg/24 h.The most common congenital heart disease was Fallot’s tetralogy with 2 cases(20%)and ventricular septal defect with 2(20%)cases.Among the 10 cases,one case of IgA nephropathy and one case of membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis associated with immune complexes were found,receiving specific treatment after histopathological diagnosis,delaying the initiation of kidney replacement therapy.Among remaining 8 cases(80%),one case of FSGS with perihilar variety was found,while the other 7 cases were non-specific FSGS.CONCLUSION Determining the cause of chronic kidney disease can help in delaying the need for kidney replacement therapy.In 2 out of 10 patients in our study,interventions were performed,and initiation of kidney replacement therapy was delayed.Prospective studies are needed to determine the usefulness of kidney biopsy in patients with congenital heart disease.

Incidence and predictors of hypocalcemia in end-stage renal disease patients on denosumab therapy: A systematic review and metaanalysis

BACKGROUND Denosumab inhibits the receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-ligand.It markedly increases bone mineral density and has been proven to reduce the risk of fractures.However,numerous adverse effects,notably hypocalcemia,are prevalent in patients with end-stage renal disease(ESRD).AIM To analyze the incidence and predictors of hypocalcemia caused by denosumab compared to control in patients with ESRD.METHODS We conducted this study in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses guidelines.PubMed,Scopus,Cochrane Central,and EMBASE were systematically searched from inception through March 2024.All original studies investigating the effects of denosumab on patients with ESRD compared to control were extracted.The primary outcomes of our study were the incidence of mild,severe,and very severe hypocalcemia.Secondary outcomes included serum levels of intact parathyroid hormone,calcium,and phosphate.The results were pooled and analyzed using a random-effects model.RESULTS Seven articles comprising 3240 patients were included in our study.Patients treated with denosumab had a significantly increased incidence of mild hypocalcemia[risk ratio(RR):2.79;95%confidence interval(CI):0.99-7.91;P=0.05;I^(2)=37%]and of very severe hypocalcemia(RR:9.58;95%CI:1.58-57.98;P=0.01;I^(2)=49%).However,an increase in the occurrence of severe hypocalcemia was non-significant(RR:4.23;95%CI:0.47-38.34;P=0.20;I^(2)=96%).Alternatively,denosumab showed a significant decrease in serum intact parathyroid hormone[mean difference(MD):-433.20,95%CI:-775.12 to-91.28,I2=98%,P=0.01],while there was a non-significant decrease in phosphate(MD:-0.47,95%CI:-1.35 to 0.41,I^(2)=88%,P=0.30)and calcium levels(MD:-0.33,95%CI:-0.95 to 0.29,I^(2)=94%,P=0.29).CONCLUSION Our study demonstrated that denosumab is significantly associated with mild and very severe hypocalcemia in patients with ESRD making it necessary to detect and prevent this side effect of treatment.

Quality of life and psychological distress in end-stage renal disease patients undergoing hemodialysis and transplantation

BACKGROUND Among diverse profound impacts on patients’quality of life(QoL),end-stage renal disease(ESRD)frequently results in increased levels of depression,anxiety,and stress.Renal replacement therapies such as hemodialysis(HD)and transplantation(TX)are intended to enhance QoL,although their ability to alleviate psychological distress remains uncertain.This research posits the existence of a significant correlation between negative emotional states and QoL among ESRD patients,with varying effects observed in HD and TX patients.AIM To examine the relationship between QoL and negative emotional states(depression,anxiety,and stress)and predicted QoL in various end-stage renal replacement therapy patients with ESRD.METHODS This cross-sectional study included HD or TX patients in the Eastern Region of Saudi Arabia.The 36-item Short Form Survey and Depression Anxiety Stress Scale(DASS)was used for data collection,and correlation and regression analyses were performed.RESULTS The HD and TX transplantation groups showed statistically significant inverse relationships between QoL and DASS scores.HD patients with high anxiety levels and less education scored low on the physical component summary(PCS).In addition,the results of the mental component summary(MCS)were associated with reduced depression.Compared with older transplant patients,TX patients’PCS scores were lower,and depression,stress,and negative working conditions were highly correlated with MCS scores.CONCLUSION The findings of this study revealed notable connections between well-being and mental turmoil experienced by individuals undergoing HD and TX.The PCS of HD patients is affected by heightened levels of anxiety and lower educational attainment,while the MCS of transplant patients is influenced by advancing age and elevated stress levels.These insights will contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of patient support.

Mediating function of heart failure in the causal relationship between diastolic blood pressure and hypertensive renal disease with renal failure:a mediated Mendelian randomization study

Objective:To study the causality relationship between diastolic blood pressure(DBP)and hypertensive renal disease with renal failure(HRDRF)and the mediating role of hear t failure(HF)in the causality relationship by network Mendelian randomization(MR).Methods:Genome-wide analysis of DBP,HRDRF,and HF was downloaded from the public database(Genome-Wide Analysis Study[GWAS])and was used to analyze the results and to conduct mediated MR analysis.Results:Analysis showed that DBP was positively correlated with HRDRF(OR=1.0002,95%CI:1.0001–1.0003,P=1.8076e-05)and DBP was positively correlated with HF(OR=1.0295,95%CI:1.0221–1.0370,P=2.5292e-15).HF and HRDRF had a positive causal effect(OR=1.0001,95%CI:1.0000–1.0001,P=0.0152).Mediation analysis showed that the contribution ratio of HF to the combined effect of DBP and HRDRF was 24.69%.Conclusions:DBP can increase the risk of renal disease with renal failure,and HF may play an impor tant role in mediating this causal relationship.

Non-Diabetic Renal Disease in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus with Proteinuria

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is the leading cause of end stage renal disease (ESRD) worldwide. Although DM with proteinuria is the ultimate result of diabetic nephropathy (DN), a wide spectrum of non-diabetic renal diseases (NDRD) can occur in such patients. Objective: To observe the frequency and histological pattern of NDRD in diabetic patients with proteinuria and to explore their association with clinical and laboratory parameters. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Nephrology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Dhaka, Bangladesh from April 2016 to September 2017. In this study a total of 38 cases of DM with proteinuria (>1 gm/24-hour) were selected purposively. Renal biopsy was done in all patients. Based on histological findings they were categorized into two groups;Group 1 with NDRD and Group II with DN. Their clinical and laboratory parameters were analyzed and compared. Results: Among the total study subjects, 21 (55.3%) were male and 17 (44.7%) were female, mean (±SD) age 43.45 ± 9.99 years in the NDRD group and 41.57 ± 9.50 years in the DN group. Thirty one cases (81.6%) out of thirty eight had NDRD and seven (18.4%) cases had isolated DN;therefore more than two third cases had NDRD. Duration of DM was found to be significantly shorter (p = 0.004) in the NDRD group. Diabetic retinopathy was present in 12.9% cases in NDRD group vs. 57.1% cases in DN group (p = 0.025). Frequency of microscopic hematuria was significantly higher (90.3%) in NDRD patients (p = 0.002). Conclusion: The frequency of NDRD in type 2 diabetic patients other than diabetic nephropathy is relatively high. Membrano proliferative glomeru-lonephritis and membranous nephropathy are more common in NDRD. Absence of diabetic retinopathy, presence of hematuria and shorter duration of DM are markers associated with NDRD in type 2 DM, which are important indicators for renal biopsy in diabetic patients with proteinuria.

ELABELA protects against diabetic kidney disease by activating high glucose-inhibited renal tubular autophagy

ELABELA(ELA),an endogenous ligand of the apelin receptor(also known as apelin peptide jejunum[APJ]),has been shown to decrease in the plasma of patients with diabetic kidney disease(DKD).In the current study,we explored the potential function as well as the underlying mechanisms of ELA in DKD.We first found that the ELA levels were decreased in the kidneys of DKD mice.Then,we found that ELA administration mitigated renal damage and downregulated the expression of fibronectin,collagenⅣ,and transforming growth factor-β1 in the db/db mice and the high glucose cultured HK-2 cells.Furthermore,the autophagy markers,Beclin-1 and LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰratio,were significantly impaired in DKD,but the ELA treatment reversed these alterations.Mechanistically,the inhibitory effects of ELA on the secretion of fibrosis-associated proteins in high glucose conditions were blocked by pretreatment with 3-methyladenine(an autophagy inhibitor).In summary,these in vivo and in vitro results demonstrate that ELA effectively protects against DKD by activating high glucose-inhibited renal tubular autophagy,potentially serving as a novel therapeutic candidate for DKD.

MicroRNA-630 alleviates inflammatory reactions in rats with diabetic kidney disease by targeting toll-like receptor 4

BACKGROUND Diabetic kidney disease(DKD)is a major complication of diabetes mellitus.Renal tubular epithelial cell(TEC)damage,which is strongly associated with the inflammatory response and mesenchymal trans-differentiation,plays a significant role in DKD;However,the precise molecular mechanism is unknown.The recently identified microRNA-630(miR-630)has been hypothesized to be closely associated with cell migration,apoptosis,and autophagy.However,the association between miR-630 and DKD and the underlying mechanism remain unknown.AIM To investigate how miR-630 affects TEC injury and the inflammatory response in DKD rats.METHODS Streptozotocin was administered to six-week-old male rats to create a hypergly cemic diabetic model.In the second week of modeling,the rats were divided into control,DKD,negative control of lentivirus,and miR-630 overexpression groups.After 8 wk,urine and blood samples were collected for the kidney injury assays,and renal tissues were removed for further molecular assays.The target gene for miR-630 was predicted using bioinformatics,and the association between miR-630 and toll-like receptor 4(TLR4)was confirmed using in vitro investigations and double luciferase reporter gene assays.Overexpression of miR-630 in DKD rats led to changes in body weight,renal weight index,basic blood parameters and histopathological changes.RESULTS The expression level of miR-630 was reduced in the kidney tissue of rats with DKD(P<0.05).The miR-630 and TLR4 expressions in rat renal TECs(NRK-52E)were measured using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction.The mRNA expression level of miR-630 was significantly lower in the high-glucose(HG)and HG+mimic negative control(NC)groups than in the normal glucose(NG)group(P<0.05).In contrast,the mRNA expression level of TLR4 was significantly higher in these groups(P<0.05).However,miR-630 mRNA expression increased and TLR4 mRNA expression significantly decreased in the HG+miR-630 mimic group than in the HG+mimic NC group(P<0.05).Furthermore,the levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha(TNF-α),interleukin-1β(IL-1β),and IL-6 were significantly higher in the HG and HG+mimic NC groups than in NG group(P<0.05).However,the levels of these cytokines were significantly lower in the HG+miR-630 mimic group than in the HG+mimic NC group(P<0.05).Notably,changes in protein expression were observed.The HG and HG+mimic NC groups showed a significant decrease in E-cadherin protein expression,whereas TLR4,α-smooth muscle actin(SMA),and collagen IV protein expression increased(P<0.05).Conversely,the HG+miR-630 mimic group exhibited a significant increase in E-cadherin protein expression and a notable decrease in TLR4,α-SMA,and collagen IV protein expression than in the HG+mimic NC group(P<0.05).The miR-630 targets TLR4 gene expression.In vivo experiments demonstrated that DKD rats treated with miR-630 agomir exhibited significantly higher miR-630 mRNA expression than DKD rats injected with agomir NC.Additionally,rats treated with miR-630 agomir showed significant reductions in urinary albumin,blood glucose,TLR4,and proinflammatory markers(TNF-α,IL-1β,and IL-6)expression levels(P<0.05).Moreover,these rats exhibited fewer kidney lesions and reduced infiltration of inflammatory cells.CONCLUSION MiR-630 may inhibit the inflammatory reaction of DKD by targeting TLR4,and has a protective effect on DKD.

Brain Functional Networks with Dynamic Hypergraph Manifold Regularization for Classification of End-Stage Renal Disease Associated with Mild Cognitive Impairment

The structure and function of brain networks have been altered in patients with end-stage renal disease(ESRD).Manifold regularization(MR)only considers the pairing relationship between two brain regions and cannot represent functional interactions or higher-order relationships between multiple brain regions.To solve this issue,we developed a method to construct a dynamic brain functional network(DBFN)based on dynamic hypergraph MR(DHMR)and applied it to the classification of ESRD associated with mild cognitive impairment(ESRDaMCI).The construction of DBFN with Pearson’s correlation(PC)was transformed into an optimization model.Node convolution and hyperedge convolution superposition were adopted to dynamically modify the hypergraph structure,and then got the dynamic hypergraph to form the manifold regular terms of the dynamic hypergraph.The DHMR and L_(1) norm regularization were introduced into the PC-based optimization model to obtain the final DHMR-based DBFN(DDBFN).Experiment results demonstrated the validity of the DDBFN method by comparing the classification results with several related brain functional network construction methods.Our work not only improves better classification performance but also reveals the discriminative regions of ESRDaMCI,providing a reference for clinical research and auxiliary diagnosis of concomitant cognitive impairments.

Non-Diabetic Kidney Disease in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Study of 82 Patients and Review of the Literatures

Background: Worldwide, diabetic nephropathy-DN is the leading cause of end-stage kidney disease-ESKD, DN is a common cause of renal failure with a reported frequency of 10% - 15% in type-2-diabetes-mellitus-T2DM patients, however there is a great discrepancy between countries. The aim of the pre-sent study is to evaluate the findings of kidney biopsies performed on diabetic patients. Materials and Methods: We studied native kidney histopathological findings in the period from January 2016 till end of December 2018 done for patients with T2DM with chronic kidney diseases-CKD. Results: A total of 82 DM-patients, 50 males (61%) and 32 females (39%) with age mean (95% CI) of 50.8 (47.1 - 55.2) years for all patients, ranged between 15 to 65 years. Histological findings showed that 57.3% of patients had DN. While focal-segmental-glomerulosclerosis-FSGS was present in 20.7%—primary in 8.6% and secondary in 12.1%. IgA represented 4.9%, while Lupus nephritis, Membranous and drug induced interstitial nephritis were each present in 3.7%. MCD was present in 2.4%. Lastly diffuse proliferative GN, ANCA associated glomerulonephritis, and hypertensive nephrosclerosis accounted for 1.2%. Conclusion: The prevalence of NDKD is remarkably frequent in DM patients who underwent kidney biopsy and FSGS was the most frequent diagnosis. To get a proper histopathological diagnosis, an adequate tissue biopsy is needed with an adequate number of glomeruli. There is a great need for more consideration to biopsy diabetic patients, as the finding of NDKD requires a different therapeutic approach. This, hopefully, will help to manage these patients better and therefore, ameliorate the progression to ESKD over time and therefore delay the need for RRT.

Efficacy and safety of Nafamostat mesylate in patients with endstage renal failure

BACKGROUND Recent studies on dialysis anticoagulation therapy in patients with renal failure have shown that Nafamostat mesylate,a broad-spectrum potent serine protease inhibitor,has strong anticoagulation and anti-fiber activity.AIM To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Nafamostat mesylate in patients with end-stage renal failure.METHODS Seventy-five patients with end-stage renal failure who received hemodialysis at our hospital between January 2020 and August 2021 were selected and divided into the observation group(Nafamostat mesylate for injection,n=33)and control group(heparin sodium injection,n=32).General patient data,indicators of clinical efficacy,dialyzer hemocoagulation parameters,coagulation function indices,and hemoglobin concentration and platelet count before and after treatment,and the occurrence of adverse reactions after treatment were compared between the two groups.RESULTS The two groups showed no significant differences in general patient data(P>0.05).The post-treatment effectiveness rate in the control group was lower than that in the observation group(P<0.05).The two groups showed no significant difference in the number of patients in grade I(P>0.05),while the number of patients in grade 0 was lower in the control group,and the number of patients in grades II and III was higher in the control group(P<0.05).The post-treatment prothrombin time,activated partial thromboplastin time,thrombin time,and international normalized ratio values in the control group were higher than those in the observation group,while the fibrinogen level in the control group was lower than that in the observation group(P<0.05).The two groups showed no significant difference in the platelet count and hemoglobin level before and after treatment(P>0.05).The total number of post-treatment adverse reactions in the observation group was lower than that in the control group(P<0.05).CONCLUSION Treatment of patients showing end-stage renal failure with Nafamostat mesylate can significantly improve therapeutic efficacy and has high safety and clinical value.

Diabetes onset before or after the age of 65 does it affect the progression of renal and cardiovascular diseases in the elderly patient？

Type 2 diabetes （T2D） is common in the elderly and more than half of the people with diabetes are over 65 years old. Elderly diabetic patients have a higher frequency of hypertension, coronary artery disease and chronic kidney disease than non-diabetic elderly patients and the risk of these complications increases with patient age, duration of the dia- betes and glycated hemoglobin values. Besides the known classical factors of renal disease progression,

Sonographic findings in renal parenchymal diseases at Sudanese

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the sonographic findings in renal parenchymal diseases using gray-scale ultrasound in order to classify these diseases. The study design was a cross-sectional one. There were 204 patients who were suspected with renal diseases. They had been scanned with ultrasound to assess the kidneys. The echogenicity, renal cortex and paren-chyma, and cortico-medullary differentiation had been evaluated. Results: The study revealed that the echogenicity of renal parenchyma and cortex increased in all types of renal parenchymal diseases. The cortico-medullary differentiation was mainly disturbed in acute parenchymal disease (69.04%), loss in chronic end-stage parenchymal disease (85%);and there was significant difference (p-value = 0.0001). Conclusion: Ultrasound provided useful and accurate diagnosis of renal parenchymal diseases. In this study, renal parenchymal diseases had been classified into acute, chronic and end-stage renal parenchymal diseases.

Optimizing growth in pediatric renal transplant recipients: An update

Growth retardation is a significant complication observed in pediatric renal transplant recipients,originating from a multifactorial etiology.Factors contributing to growth impairment encompass pre-transplant conditions such as primary kidney disease,malnutrition,quality of care,growth deficits at the time of transplantation,dialysis adequacy,and the use of recombinant human growth hormone.Additionally,elements related to the renal transplant itself,such as living donors,corticosteroid usage,and graft functioning,further compound the challenge.Although renal transplantation is the preferred renal replacement therapy,its impact on achieving final height and normal growth in children remains uncertain.The consequences of growth delay extend beyond the physi-ological realm,negatively influencing the quality of life and social conditions of pediatric renal transplant recipients,and ultimately affecting their educational and employment outcomes.Despite advancements in graft survival rates,growth retardation remains a formidable clinical concern among children undergoing renal transplantation.Major risk factors for delayed final adult height include young age at transplantation,pre-existing short stature,and the use of specific immunosuppressive drugs,particularly steroids.Effective management of growth retardation necessitates early intervention,commencing even before transplantation.Strategies involving the administration of recombinant growth hormone both pre-and post-transplant,along with protocols aimed at minimizing steroid usage,are important for achieving catch-up growth.This review provides a comprehensive outline of the multifaceted nature of growth retardation in pediatric renal transplant recipients,emphasizing the importance of early and targeted interventions to mitigate its impact on the long-term well-being of these children from birth to adolescence.INTRODUCTION Children with chronic kidney disease(CKD)endure frequent hospitalizations and ongoing treatment,which significantly affect their quality of life.One of the most noticeable effects of CKD in children is poor growth,with stunted height being a common sign of chronic malnutrition.Growth assessment involves regularly measuring weight and height/length and comparing these against z-score charts,along with other anthropometric indicators like head circumference and mid-upper arm circumference.Data from the North American Pediatric Renal Trials and Collaborative Studies(NAPRTCS)registry shows that over 35%of children enrolled had stunted growth at the time of admission,with growth impairment being more severe in younger children(58%in those aged under 1 year,compared to 22%in those aged over 12 years).Additionally,the same data revealed that growth impairment worsens as the severity of the disease increases.Although recent advances in science have enabled better outcomes for children with CKD,in resource-limited settings,numerous children are still deprived of achieving optimal growth owing to the disease and its related factors.Stunting is a key indicator of chronic growth impairment in children.A study by Wong et al[1]in the United States Renal Data System found that each SD decrease in height among children with stage V CKD is linked to a 14%increase in the risk of death[1].Similarly,research by Furth et al[2]using data from the NAPRTCS indicated that children with a height standard deviation score(SDS)of-2.5 face a relative hazard of death of 2.07.Stunting also correlates with increased hospitalizations.A study in the United States followed 1112 pediatric patients with end-stage renal disease from 1990 to 1995.It showed that children with severe or moderate growth failure had higher hospitalization rates compared to those with normal growth.Specifically,the relative risk for hospitalization was 1.14(95%CI:1.1-1.2)for those with moderate growth failure and 1.24(95%CI:1.2-1.3)for those with severe growth failure,even after adjusting for age,sex,race,cause,and duration of end-stage renal disease,and treatment type[2](dialysis or transplant).The growth of a child significantly affects his/her psychological and overall well-being as an adult.Short children are often embarrassed by peers,and it has been observed that height influences employment status,with unemployment being more prevalent among stunted individuals.Further,marital opportunities can be fewer among stunted individuals[3].Hence,all measures to achieve adequate growth should be attempted in children with CKD,regardless of whether they undergo transplantation.

Hematological Alterations in an Eastern Sudanese Chronic Kidney Disease Patient Population

Background: Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), associated with a slow and progressive loss of kidney function over a period of several years, is an important clinical disaster with an increasing rate of morbidity and mortality especially in the least developed countries. Many hematological parameters are thought to alter dramatically during the course of the disease. These include white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets. Methods: We tried, retrospectively, to evaluate the peripheral blood hematological alterations in a group of patients undergoing hemodialysis in an eastern Sudan dialysis center to add local medical information. Results: Anemia (Low hemoglobin and hematocrit) was detected in 94% of the patients’ group. Mean Erythrocyte count (3.32vs.4.76 (×109/L)), Hemoglobin concentration (9.4vs.13 (g/dl)), Hematocrit (28.7vs.38.7 (L/L)) and platelet count (296 vs. 238 (×109/L)) were significantly lower in the patients’ group than in the control group (P-values Conclusion: Five out of eight studied parameters (Red cell count, hemoglobin, hematocrit, mean cell hemoglobin concentration, and platelets count) have shown a significant alteration in CKD patients. As the complete blood count (CBC) test is the most utilized test in clinical laboratory practice, these alterations may be considered as early indicators for CKD. Furthermore, all patients with CKD must be routinely checked for these alterations.