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Abstract Background Chronic kidney disease (CKD) has become a global public health problem. Accumulating evidence suggested that vitamins play important roles in the progression of CKD. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted to investigate the vitamin status of patients with CKD at stage 1–5. The serum concentrations of 9 vitamins, vitamin A, B1, B2, B6, B9, B12, C, D, and E were measured by electroanalytical method with a Multi-Vitamin Analyzer. Pearson correlation and multiple linear regression between serum level of vitamins were analyzed. Results The median levels of vitamin A, B1, B2, B6, B9, B12, C and E were within the reference ranges or on the borderline. Vitamin D deficiency was found in all patients. Weak correlation was found between vitamin A or vitamin D and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). The Pearson correlation coefficient were − 0.21766 and 0.19752, respectively. Hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and atherosclerosis were the major comorbidities. Conclusions For the first time, the serum levels of 9 vitamins were measured simultaneously in patients with CKD at different stages. Vitamin D deficiency was found in all patients. Weak correlation between vitamin A or vitamin D and eGFR was found.

Background: IgA nephropathy is the most common progressive glomerular disease to end stage renal failure worldwide. Calcineurin inhibitors (CNIs) is a selective immunosuppressant widely used in organ transplantation. The efficacy and safety of calcineurin inhibitors for the treatment of IgA nephropathy remain uncertain.Methods: We performed a systematic literature search using the PubMed, Embase, Science Citation Index, Ovid evidence-based medicine, Chinese Biomedical Literature (CBM) and Chinese science and technology periodicals (CNKI, VIP, and Wan Fang) for randomized, controlled trials of CNIs therapy of IgA nephropathy. Complete remission rate (CR) was defined as proteinuria less than 0.5 or 0.3 g/d. Partial remission rate (PR) was defined as proteinuria reduced to at least half of the baseline measurement and an absolute value of >0.5 or 0.3 g/d.Results: Seven relevant trials were conducted with 374 patients enrolled. CNIs plus medium/low-dose steroid had a higher CR (RR = 2.51 [95% CI,1.25 to 5.04], P = 0.02) compared to therapy with steroid alone or placebo, but were not significant on PR (RR = 0.87 [95% CI,0.32 to 2.38]; P = 0.78). Also, significant alterations were observed in proteinuria (weighted mean difference, -0.46 g/d,[95% CI:-0.55 to -0.24], P < 0.01) with no differences were found in serum creatinine (SCr) (weighted mean difference, 0.57,95% CI:-4.05 to 5.19; P = 0.78) and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) (weighted mean difference, 1.13,95% CI:-4.05 to 6.32; P = 0.34) level between the two groups. CNI therapy was associated with an increased risk for adverse events (RR = 2.21,95% CI:1.52 to 3.21, P < 0.01), such as gastrointestinal and neurological symptoms or hirsutism.Conclusions: CNIs might provide renal protection in patients with IgAN, but at an increased risk of adverse events. Reliably defining the efficacy and safety of CNIs in IgAN requires a high-quality trial with a large sample size. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background This study investigated the impact of renal dysfunction (RD) on long-term outcomes in elderly patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS), and evaluated prognostic factors in elderly patients with ACS and RD. Methods This longitudinal prospective study included 184 consecutive patients who were admitted with ACS between January 2009 and January 2010 and also had RD. Patients were divided into five groups according to their estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR): 1) eGFR ≥ 90 mL/min/1.73 m2 with evidence of kidney damage, 2) 60 ≤ eGFR < 90 mL/min/1.73 m2, 3) 30 ≤ eGFR < 60 mL/min/1.73 m2, 4) 15 ≤ eGFR < 30 mL/min/1.73 m2, and 5) eGFR < 15 mL/min/1.73 m2. The primary endpoints were death and complications during hospitalization. The secondary endpoint was any major adverse cardiac event (MACE) during follow-up. Results The mean follow-up period was 502.2 ± 203.6 days. The mean patient age was 73.7 ± 9.4 years, and 61.4% of the patients were men. Severe RD (eGFR < 30 mL/min/1.73 m2) was an independent predictor of MACE. Severe RD was associated with a low hemoglobin level, low left ventricular ejection fraction, and high levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, Nterminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide, and cystatin C. Survival was significantly poorer in patients with severe RD than in patients with mild RD. Conclusions Among patients with ACS, severe RD was associated with advanced age, diabetes, hypertension, and cardiac dysfunction. Severe RD was an independent risk factor for MACE, and was associated with poor prognosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Light chain cast nephropathy (LCCN) is the most common renal disease caused by multiple myeloma (MM). In addition to ordinary light chain protein casts, there are a few rare casts with unique shapes, including light chain amyloid casts (LCAC) and light chain crystal casts (LCCC). Case presentations Here, we report two patients. Patient 1 is a 72-year-old man who was clinically diagnosed with MM and acute kidney injury (AKI). Pathological examination of a renal biopsy revealed that there were many amyloid casts in the distal tubules that had a lightly-stained central area and a deeply-stained burr-like edge. The marginal zone of the cast was positive for Congo red staining and contained numerous amyloid fibers, as observed by electron microscopy. No systemic amyloidosis was found. The patient received 4 courses of bortezomib-based chemotherapy, and then, his MM achieved partial remission. Patient 2 is a 57-year-old man who was also clinically diagnosed with MM and AKI. Pathological examination of a renal biopsy showed that there were many crystalline casts in the distal tubules that were fully or partially composed of crystals with different shapes, including rhomboid, needle, triangle, rectangle and other geometric shapes. Congo red staining was negative. Crystals were also detected in the urine of this patient. After 9 courses of treatment with a bortezomib-based regimen, his MM obtained complete remission and his renal function returned to normal. Conclusions LCAC and LCCC nephropathy caused by MM are two rare types of LCCN, and both have their own unique morphological manifestations. LCAC nephropathy may not be accompanied by systemic amyloidosis. The diagnosis of these two unique LCCNs must rely on renal biopsy pathology, and the discovery of urine crystals is of great significance for indicating LCCC nephropathy.

Abstract Background Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a major complication of acute myocardial infarction(AMI), which can significantly increase mortality. This study is to analyze the related risk factors and establish a prediction score of acute kidney injury in order to take early measurement for prevention. Methods The medical records of 6014 hospitalized patients with AMI in Beijing Anzhen Hospital from January 2010 to December 2016 were retrospectively analyzed. These patients were randomly assigned into two cohorts: one was for the derivation of prediction score (n = 4252) and another for validation (n = 1762). The criterion for AKI was defined as an increase in serum creatinine of ≥ 0.3 mg/dL or ≥ 50% from baseline within 48 h. On the basis of odds ratio obtained from multivariate logistic regression analysis, a prediction score of acute kidney injury after AMI was built up. Results In this prediction score, risk score 1 point included hypertension history, heart rate > 100 bpm on admission, peak serum troponin I ≥ 100 μg/L, and time from admission to coronary reperfusion > 120 min; risks score 2 points included Killip classification ≥ class 3 on admission; and maximum dosage of intravenous furosemide ≥ 60 mg/d; risks score 3 points only included shock during hospitalization. In addition, when baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was less than 90 ml/min·1.73 m2, every 10 ml/min·1.73 m2 reduction of eGFR increased risk score 1 point. Youden index showed that the best cut-off value for prediction of AKI was 3 points with a sensitivity of 71.1% and specificity 74.2%. The datasets of derivation and validation both displayed adequate discrimination (an area under the ROC curve, 0.79 and 0.81, respectively) and satisfactory calibration (Hosmer–Lemeshow statistic test, P = 0.63 and P = 0.60, respectively). Conclusions In conclusion, a prediction score for AKI secondary to AMI in Chinese patients was established, which may help to prevent AKI early.