Clinical features of chronic kidney disease in dogs with the serological presence of Leptospira spp.,Ehrlichia canis,and Anaplasma phagocytophilum

Chronic kidney disease is commonly diagnosed in dogs,and clinical signs may be aggravated when infected agents are involved.In this case report,33 dogs with chronic kidney disease were clinically evaluated and serologically tested for Leptospira spp.,Ehrlichia canis,and Anaplasma phagocytophilum.The seroprevalence for Leptospira spp.was 39.4%.The most frequent serovars found were Pyrogenes,Canicola,Bratislava and Australis,with serological titers between 1:100 to 1:800.Clinical signs included fever,depression,decreased body condition,vomiting and hema‑turia.Signifcant laboratory fndings were anemia,leukocytosis,thrombocytopenia,increased liver enzymes,urea and creatinine,hyperbilirubinemia and hyperphosphatemia.All leptospira seronegative dogs were positive for one or both monitored homoparasites(i.e.,E.canis and A.phagocytophilum);only three leptospira seropositive dogs were positive for one or both hemoparasites.Findings also suggest that endemic hemoparasites of dogs should be moni‑tored in dogs with a kidney condition for a better clinical picture of the patients and therapeutic approach.

Classical bovine spongiform encephalopathy and chronic wasting disease:two sides of the prion coin

Transmissible spongiform encephalopathies(TSEs)are a group of progressive and ultimately fatal neurologic diseases of man and animals,all resulting from the propagated misfolding of the host's normal cellular prion protein.These diseases can be spontaneous,heritable,anthropogenic/iatrogenic,or in some cases horizontally transmissible,and include such notable TSEs as bovine spongiform encephalopathy(BSE)of cattle and chronic wasting disease(CWD)of cervids.Although they are both unequivocally protein misfolding disorders,they differ markedly in their pathogenesis,transmissibility,and zoonotic potential.While the BSE epidemic has largely abated over the past three decades following global feed bans on ruminant meat and bone meal,CWD,which is readily transmitted through various forms of excreta,has rapidly expanded from its original endemic zone to encompass much of North America,along with recently identified foci in Scandinavia.Most importantly,although the classical form of BSE has proven transmissible to humans consuming contaminated beef or beef products,so far there have been no conclusive reports on the zoonotic transmission of cWD to humans.The underlying basis for these differences-whether host or agent directed-are not well understood,though may be due to inherent differences in the three-dimensional structure of the misfolded BSE or CWD prion proteins or the expression levels and tissue distribution of respective cellular prion proteins.With the uncontrolled geographic spread of CWD,it is imperative that we improve our understanding of the factors governing prion disease pathogenesis,transmission,and zoonotic potential.

Impact of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease on the efficacy of immunotherapy in patients with chronic hepatitis B-related hepatocellular carcinoma

Objective:To investigate the impact of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease(MASLD)on the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitor(ICI)-based therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis B(CHB)-related hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).Methods:A total of 155 patients with CHB-related HCC who received ICI–based therapy(in the Department of Hepatology,Tianjin Second People’s Hospital and Department of Hepatobiliary Oncology,Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute&Hospital)between April 2021 and December 2023 were evaluated.Patients were divided into two groups:MASLD concurrent with CHB[MASLD-CHB](n=38),and CHB(n=117).Results:The median progression-free survival(PFS,6.9 months vs.9.3 months;P=0.001),progressive disease(57.89%vs.37.61%;P=0.028),and disease control rate(42.11%vs.62.39%;P=0.028)in the MASLD-CHB group were significantly worse than the CHB group.The median overall survival was not attained.The percentage of CD4+PD1+(17.56%vs.8.89%;P<0.001)and CD8+PD1+T cells(10.50%vs.7.42%;P=0.005)in patient samples from the MASLD-CHB group were significantly higher than the CHB group.Concurrent MASLD[hazard ratio(HR)=1.921;95%CI,1.138–3.245;P=0.015]and alpha-fetoprotein levels after 3 months of treatment(HR=2.412;95%CI,1.360–4.279;P=0.003)were independent risk factors for PFS in all patients.Conclusions:ICI-based therapy in patients with CHB-related HCC and concurrent MASLD resulted in poorer efficacy and shorter PFS compared to patients with CHB-related HCC alone.

Rates, predictors, and causes of readmission after transcatheter aortic valve replacement in patients with chronic kidney disease

BACKGROUND Transcatheter aortic valve replacement(TAVR)is a revolutionary procedure for severe aortic stenosis.The coexistence of chronic kidney disease(CKD)and TAVR introduces a challenge that significantly impacts patient outcomes.AIM To define readmission rates,predictors,and causes after TAVR procedure in CKD stage 1-4 patients.METHODS We used the national readmission database 2018 and 2020 to look into readmission rates,causes and predictors after TAVR procedure in patients with CKD stage 1-4.RESULTS Out of 24758 who underwent TAVR and had CKD,7892(32.4%)patients were readmitted within 90 days,and had higher adjusted odds of being females(adjusted odds ratio:1.17,95%CI:1.02-1.31,P=0.02)with longer length of hospital stay>6 days,and more comorbidities including but not limited to diabetes mellitus,anemia,and congestive heart failure(CHF).CONCLUSION Most common causes of readmission included CHF(18.0%),sepsis,and complete atrioventricular block.Controlling readmission predictors with very close followup is warranted to prevent such high rate of readmission.

Inflammasome links traumatic brain injury, chronic traumatic encephalopathy, and Alzheimer's disease

Traumatic brain injury, chronic traumatic encephalopathy, and Alzheimer's disease are three distinct neurological disorders that share common pathophysiological mechanisms involving neuroinflammation. One sequela of neuroinflammation includes the pathologic hyperphosphorylation of tau protein, an endogenous microtubule-associated protein that protects the integrity of neuronal cytoskeletons. Tau hyperphosphorylation results in protein misfolding and subsequent accumulation of tau tangles forming neurotoxic aggregates. These misfolded proteins are characteristic of traumatic brain injury, chronic traumatic encephalopathy, and Alzheimer's disease and can lead to downstream neuroinflammatory processes, including assembly and activation of the inflammasome complex. Inflammasomes refer to a family of multimeric protein units that, upon activation, release a cascade of signaling molecules resulting in caspase-induced cell death and inflammation mediated by the release of interleukin-1β cytokine. One specific inflammasome, the NOD-like receptor protein 3, has been proposed to be a key regulator of tau phosphorylation where it has been shown that prolonged NOD-like receptor protein 3 activation acts as a causal factor in pathological tau accumulation and spreading. This review begins by describing the epidemiology and pathophysiology of traumatic brain injury, chronic traumatic encephalopathy, and Alzheimer's disease. Next, we highlight neuroinflammation as an overriding theme and discuss the role of the NOD-like receptor protein 3 inflammasome in the formation of tau deposits and how such tauopathic entities spread throughout the brain. We then propose a novel framework linking traumatic brain injury, chronic traumatic encephalopathy, and Alzheimer's disease as inflammasomedependent pathologies that exist along a temporal continuum. Finally, we discuss potential therapeutic targets that may intercept this pathway and ultimately minimize long-term neurological decline.

Study on the impact of comprehensive geriatric assessment on anxiety and depression in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients

BACKGROUND Psychological factors such as anxiety and depression will not only aggravate the symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD)patients and reduce the quality of life of patients,but also affect the treatment effect and long-term prognosis.Therefore,it is of great significance to explore the clinical application of senile comprehensive assessment in the treatment of COPD and its influence on psychological factors such as anxiety and depression.AIM To explore the clinical application of comprehensive geriatric assessment in COPD care and its impact on anxiety and depression in elderly patents.METHODS In this retrospective study,60 patients with COPD who were hospitalized in our hospital from 2019 to 2020 were randomly divided into two groups with 30 patients in each group.The control group was given routine nursing,and the observation group was given comprehensive assessment.Clinical symptoms,quality of life[COPD assessment test(CAT)score],anxiety and depression Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale(HAMA)and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale(HAMD)were compared between the two groups.RESULTS CAT scores in the observation group decreased from an average of 24.5 points at admission to an average of 18.3 points at discharge,and in the control group from an average of 24.7 points at admission to an average of 18.3 points at discharge.The average score was 22.1(P<0.05).In the observation group,HAMA scores decreased from 14.2 points at admission to 8.6 points at discharge,and HAMD scores decreased from 13.8 points at admission to 7.4 points at discharge.The mean HAMD scores in the control group decreased from an average of 14.5 at admission to an average of 12.3 at discharge,and from an average of 14.1 at admission to an average of 11.8 at discharge.CONCLUSION The application of comprehensive geriatric assessment in COPD care has a significant effect on improving patients'clinical symptoms and quality of life,and can effectively reduce patients'anxiety and depression.

Effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection on incidence and treatment strategies of hepatocellular carcinoma in people with chronic liver disease

BACKGROUND Chronic liver disease(CLD)was associated with adverse clinical outcomes among people with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2)infection.AIM To determine the effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection on the incidence and treatment strategy of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)among patients with CLD.METHODS A retrospective,territory-wide cohort of CLD patients was identified from an electronic health database in Hong Kong.Patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection[coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)+CLD]between January 1,2020 and October 25,2022 were identified and matched 1:1 by propensity-score with those without(COVID-19-CLD).Each patient was followed up until death,outcome event,or November 15,2022.Primary outcome was incidence of HCC.Secondary outcomes included all-cause mortality,adverse hepatic outcomes,and different treatment strategies to HCC(curative,non-curative treatment,and palliative care).Analyses were further stratified by acute(within 20 d)and post-acute(21 d or beyond)phases of SARS-CoV-2 infection.Incidence rate ratios(IRRs)were estimated by Poisson regression models.RESULTS Of 193589 CLD patients(>95%non-cirrhotic)in the cohort,55163 patients with COVID-19+CLD and 55163 patients with COVID-19-CLD were included after 1:1 propensity-score matching.Upon 249-d median follow-up,COVID-19+CLD was not associated with increased risk of incident HCC(IRR:1.19,95%CI:0.99-1.42,P=0.06),but higher risks of receiving palliative care for HCC(IRR:1.60,95%CI:1.46-1.75,P<0.001),compared to COVID-19-CLD.In both acute and post-acute phases of infection,COVID-19+CLD were associated with increased risks of allcause mortality(acute:IRR:7.06,95%CI:5.78-8.63,P<0.001;post-acute:IRR:1.24,95%CI:1.14-1.36,P<0.001)and adverse hepatic outcomes(acute:IRR:1.98,95%CI:1.79-2.18,P<0.001;post-acute:IRR:1.24,95%CI:1.13-1.35,P<0.001),compared to COVID-19-CLD.CONCLUSION Although CLD patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection were not associated with increased risk of HCC,they were more likely to receive palliative treatment than those without.The detrimental effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection persisted in post-acute phase.

Perceptions of Patients with Chronic Diseases on Telenursing in Selected Hospitals of Shandong Province, China: A Comparative Study

Objectives:To explore the perception of telenursing among patients with chronic diseases in the selected community hospitals only in Shandong Province,China,and to compare the differences in perception of telenursing among patients with different chronic diseases.Methods:The purpose sampling method was adopted in this study,and questionnaires were distributed to 324 chronic disease patients in OPD hospitals.Results:Patients with chronic diseases have higher awareness and acceptance of telenursing,and there are significant differences in their cognition of telenursing needs.Conclusion:The disease characteristics of patients with different chronic diseases and their different needs for telenursing require more considerations in the design and use of telenursing services.

Surveillance Report of the Prevalence and Risk Factors of Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases in Tinghu District,Yancheng City,2021

Objective:To comprehensively understand the changes and prevalence of major chronic diseases among residents of Tinghu District,Yancheng City,in 2021,and to analyze the trends of the major risk factors for the onset of chronic diseases in the region.Methods:Chronic diseases and their risk factors in Tinghu District in 2021 were monitored among the resident population who had lived in the district for five years or more and were aged 18 years or older.The survey was conducted using random cluster sampling,with 7,130 questionnaires collected.After data processing,7,012 valid questionnaires were obtained,resulting in a qualification rate of 98.35%.Results:Among the chronic diseases reported in the survey population,hypertension had the highest prevalence at 37.61%,followed by dyslipidemia at 37.19%.Other chronic diseases were ranked in order of prevalence from highest to lowest.Regardless of gender,the top three chronic diseases were hypertension,diabetes,and hyperlipidemia.Multifactorial regression analysis identified both non-preventable risk factors(such as family history,gender,and age)and preventable risk factors(such as smoking,sedentary behavior,overweight,and obesity)as significant contributors to the major chronic diseases in Tinghu District.Conclusion:Analyzing the trends in the main risk factors for chronic disease incidence in Tinghu District,Yancheng City,provides a basis for developing a new comprehensive chronic disease prevention and control plan to address chronic disease prevention and management.

A Study on the Association Between Siglec-1 Gene Polymorphism and Susceptibility in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in Luohe Area

Objective:To analyze the association between Siglec-1 gene polymorphism and susceptibility to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD)in the population of the Luohe area.Methods:A case-control study(150 COPD patients and 150 healthy controls)was conducted to analyze the Siglec-1 allele in two groups of individuals using single nucleotide polymorphism(SNP)high-throughput detection technology,and the frequencies of each allele were compared.Results:The frequency of rs611847 heterozygous A/G genotype in COPD patients was significantly lower in females than in healthy controls(OR=0.282,95%CI=0.085-0.938,P=0.039);among smokers,the frequency of rs3859664 and rs6084444 genotypes in COPD patients was significantly higher than that in the healthy control group(OR=2.028,95%CI=1.111-3.704,P=0.021;OR=1.836,95%CI=1.033-3.262,P=0.038).Conclusion:Among the COPD population in the Luohe area,there is a significant correlation between the genotypes of three SNPs loci,rs3859664,rs6084444,and rs611847 and susceptibility to COPD in different subgroups of the population.The rs3859664 A/G-A/A and rs6084444 A/G-G/G genotypes can increase the risk of COPD in smokers;the rs611847 heterozygous A/G genotype can reduce the risk of COPD in both female and smoking populations.

Association of physical activity with risk of chronic kidney disease in China:A population-based cohort study

Background:Information on the association between physical activity(PA)and the risk of chronic kidney disease(CKD)is limited.We aimed to explore the associations of total,domain-specific,and intensity-specific PA with CKD and its subtypes in China.Methods:The study included 475,376 adults from the China Kadoorie Biobank aged 30-79 years during 2004-2008 at baseline.An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect the information about PA,which was quantified as metabolic equivalent of task hours per day(MET-h/day)and categorized into 4 groups based on quartiles.Cox regression was used to analyze the association between PA and CKD risk.Results:During a median follow-up of 12.1 years,5415 incident CKD cases were documented,including 1159 incident diabetic kidney disease(DKD)cases and 362 incident hypertensive nephropathy(HTN)cases.Total PA was inversely associated with CKD risk,with an adjusted hazard ratio(HR,95%confidence interval(95%CI))of 0.83(0.75-0.92)for incident CKD in the highest quartile of total PA as compared with participants in the lowest quartile.Similar results were observed for risk of DKD and HTN,and the corresponding HRs(95%CIs)were 0.75(0.58-0.97)for DKD risk and 0.56(0.37-0.85)for HTN risk.Increased nonoccupational PA,low-intensity PA,and moderate-to-vigorous-intensity PA were significantly associated with a decreased risk of CKD,with HRs(95%CIs)of 0.80(0.73-0.88),0.85(0.77-0.94),and 0.85(0.76-0.95)in the highest quartile,respectively.Conclusion:PA,including nonoccupational PA,low-intensity PA,and moderate-to-vigorous-intensity PA,was inversely associated with the risk of CKD,including DKD,HTN,and other CKD,and such associations were dose dependent.

Risk factors for cognitive impairment in patients with chronic kidney disease

BACKGROUND Chronic kidney disease(CKD)patients have been found to be at risk of concurrent cognitive dysfunction in previous studies,which has now become an important public health issue of widespread concern.AIM To investigate the risk factors for concurrent cognitive dysfunction in patients with CKD.METHODS This is a prospective cohort study conducted among patients with CKD between October 2021 and March 2023.A questionnaire was formulated by literature review and expert consultation and included questions about age,sex,education level,per capita monthly household income,marital status,living condition,payment method,and hypertension.RESULTS Logistic regression analysis showed that patients aged 60-79 years[odds ratio(OR)=1.561,P=0.015]and≥80 years(OR=1.760,P=0.013),participants with middle to high school education(OR=0.820,P=0.027),divorced or widowed individuals(OR=1.37,P=0.032),self-funded patients(OR=2.368,P=0.008),and patients with hypertension(OR=2.011,P=0.041)had a higher risk of cognitive impairment.The risk of cognitive impairment was lower for those with a college degree(OR=0.435,P=0.034)and married individuals.CONCLUSION The risk factors affecting cognitive dysfunction are age,60-79 years and≥80 years;education,primary school education or less;marital status,divorced or widowed;payment method,selffunded;hypertension;and CKD.

Heat exposure and hospitalizations for chronic kidney disease in China: a nationwide time series study in 261 major Chinese cities

Background:Climate change profoundly shapes the population health at the global scale.However,there was still insufficient and inconsistent evidence for the association between heat exposure and chronic kidney disease(CKD).Methods:In the present study,we studied the association of heat exposure with hospitalizations for cause-specific CKD using a national inpatient database in China during the study period of hot season from 2015 to 2018.Standard time-series regression models and random-effects Meta-analysis were developed to estimate the city-specific and national averaged associations at a 7 lag-day span,respectively.Results:A total of 768,129 hospitalizations for CKD was recorded during the study period.The results showed that higher temperature was associated with elevated risk of hospitalizations for CKD,especially in sub-tropical cities.With a 1℃ increase in daily mean temperature,the cumulative relative risks(RR)over lag 0-7 d were 1.008[95% confidence interval(CI)1.003-1.012]for nationwide.The attributable fraction of CKD hospitalizations due to high temperatures was 5.50%.Stronger associations were observed among younger patients and those with obstructive nephropathy.Our study also found that exposure to heatwaves was associated with added risk of hospitalizations for CKD compared to non-heatwave days(RR=1.116,95%CI 1.069-1.166)above the effect of daily mean temperature.Conclusions:Short-term heat exposure may increase the risk of hospitalization for CKD.Our findings provide insights into the health effects of climate change and suggest the necessity of guided protection strategies against the adverse effects of high temperatures.

Resveratrol combats chronic diseases through enhancing mitochondrial quality

Resveratrol(RSV),as a functional food component extracted from natural plants,has been widely studied and recognized in preventing and treating various diseases,with major mechanisms including executing anti-inflammation and anti-oxidation functions,and improving mitochondrial quality.Chronic diseases as non-communicable diseases are mainly caused by multiple factors,such as physiological decline and dysfunction in the body,and have become a significant challenge on public health worldwide.It is worth noting that chronic diseases such as Alzheimer's disease(AD),Parkinson's disease(PD),muscle atrophy,cardiovascular disease,obesity,and cancer are accompanied by abnormal mitochondrial function.Therefore,targeted regulation of mitochondria may be a meaningful way to prevent and treat chronic diseases.Increasing evidence has confirmed that RSV is actively involved in regulating mitochondria,and it has become an essential consideration to prevent and treat chronic diseases through targeting mitochondria and improving corresponding functions.In this article,current studies on RSV to optimize mitochondrial quality for preventing and alleviating chronic disease are systematically summarized,which can provide a theoretical reference for the development of functional foods or drugs to combat chronic diseases.

Improving Prediction of Chronic Kidney Disease Using KNN Imputed SMOTE Features and TrioNet Model

Chronic kidney disease(CKD)is a major health concern today,requiring early and accurate diagnosis.Machine learning has emerged as a powerful tool for disease detection,and medical professionals are increasingly using ML classifier algorithms to identify CKD early.This study explores the application of advanced machine learning techniques on a CKD dataset obtained from the University of California,UC Irvine Machine Learning repository.The research introduces TrioNet,an ensemble model combining extreme gradient boosting,random forest,and extra tree classifier,which excels in providing highly accurate predictions for CKD.Furthermore,K nearest neighbor(KNN)imputer is utilized to deal withmissing values while synthetic minority oversampling(SMOTE)is used for class-imbalance problems.To ascertain the efficacy of the proposed model,a comprehensive comparative analysis is conducted with various machine learning models.The proposed TrioNet using KNN imputer and SMOTE outperformed other models with 98.97%accuracy for detectingCKD.This in-depth analysis demonstrates the model’s capabilities and underscores its potential as a valuable tool in the diagnosis of CKD.

Meta-analysis of the association between chronic periodontitis and chronic kidney disease

BACKGROUND Many scholars have performed several clinical studies have investigated the association between chronic periodontitis(CP)and chronic kidney disease(CKD).However,there are still differences between these research results,and there is no unified conclusion.Therefore,a systematic review is required to understand this issue fully.AIM To explore the correlation between CP and CKD.METHODS Literature on the correlation between CP and CKD,as well as the clinical attachment level(CAL)and pocket probing depth(PPD)of CKD and non-CKD,were retrieved from PubMed,Embase,the Cochrane Library,and Web of Science repositories until January 2024.After the effective data were extracted,data processing and statistics were performed using Stata 12.0.RESULTS Of the 22 studies,13 were related to CP and CKD,and 9 reported CAL and PPD in patients with CKD and healthy controls.Meta-analysis of the correlation between CP and CKD revealed that CKD probability in people with CP was 1.54 times that of healthy individuals[relative risk=1.54,95%confidence interval(CI):1.40-1.70],and CP incidence in patients with CKD was 1.98 times that of healthy individuals[overall risk(OR)=1.98,95%CI:1.53-2.57].Meta-analysis of CAL and PPD evaluations between CKD patients and healthy individuals showed that CAL and PPD levels were higher in CKD patients[standard mean difference(SMD)of CAL=0.65,95%CI:0.29-1.01;SMD of PPD=0.33,95%CI:0.02-0.63].CONCLUSION A bidirectional association exists between CP and CKD.CKD risk is increased in CP patients and vice versa.Periodontal tissue or tooth loss risks increase over time in CKD patients.

Periodontitis and chronic kidney disease:A bidirectional relationship based on inflammation and oxidative stress

Chronic kidney disease(CKD)and chronic periodontitis(CP)are prevalent conditions which significantly impact public health worldwide.Both diseases share inflammatory and oxidative stress mechanisms,an indication of a likely bidirectional relationship.This editorial explored the association between CKD and CP by highlighting common inflammatory mechanisms and recent research findings that address this interrelationship.Through reviews of recent studies,we discussed how periodontal bacteria may activate systemic immune responses that affect both periodontal and renal tissues.Additionally,meta-analysis data indicated an increased risk of CKD development in patients with CP,and vice versa.The results suggest the need for more rigorous research in the future in order to address the confounding factors and evaluate specific periodontal health interventions and their direct effects on kidney function.We emphasized the importance of comprehensive and multidisciplinary care for the improvement of the overall health of patients affected by CP and CKD.

The Effect of Blood Lipid Profiles on Chronic Kidney Disease in a Prospective Cohort:Based on a Regression Discontinuity Design

Objective Previous studies on the association between lipid profiles and chronic kidney disease(CKD)have yielded inconsistent results and no defined thresholds for blood lipids.Methods A prospective cohort study including 32,351 subjects who completed baseline and follow-up surveys over 5 years was conducted.Restricted cubic splines and Cox models were used to examine the association between the lipid profiles and CKD.A regression discontinuity design was used to determine the cutoff value of lipid profiles that was significantly associated with increased the risk of CKD.Results Over a median follow-up time of 2.2(0.5,4.2)years,648(2.00%)subjects developed CKD.The lipid profiles that were significantly and linearly related to CKD included total cholesterol(TC),triglycerides(TG),high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C),TC/HDL-C,and TG/HDL-C,whereas lowdensity lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C)and LDL-C/HDL-C were nonlinearly correlated with CKD.TC,TG,TC/HDL-C,and TG/HDL-C showed an upward jump at the cutoff value,increasing the risk of CKD by 0.90%,1.50%,2.30%,and 1.60%,respectively,whereas HDL-C showed a downward jump at the cutoff value,reducing this risk by 1.0%.Female and participants with dyslipidemia had a higher risk of CKD,while the cutoff values for the different characteristics of the population were different.Conclusion There was a significant association between lipid profiles and CKD in a prospective cohort from Northwest China,while TG,TC/HDL-C,and TG/HDL-C showed a stronger risk association.The specific cutoff values of lipid profiles may provide a clinical reference for screening or diagnosing CKD risk.

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. .

Role of diaphragmatic ultrasound in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Assessing diaphragm function status is vital for diagnosing and treating acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(AECOPD).Diaphrag-matic ultrasound has become increasingly important due to its non-invasive nature,absence of radiation exposure,widespread availability,prompt results,high accuracy,and repeatability at the bedside.The diaphragm is a crucial respiratory muscle.Decline or dysfunction of the diaphragm can lead to dyspnea and even respiratory failure in AECOPD patients.In this editorial,we comment on an article,retrospectively analyzed ninety-four acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients who received mechanical ventilation from January 2022 to December 2023.The study found that the diaphragm thickening fraction,an index from diaphragm ultrasound,can better predict the outcome of non-invasive ventilation in patients with AECOPD.The value of non-invasive ventilation in treating respiratory failure caused by AECOPD has been widely acknowledged.Diaphragmatic dysfunction diagnosed with ultrasound is asso-ciated with prolonged mechanical ventilation and weaning times and higher mortality.