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Objectives: This study characterized the determinants of carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) in a large (n > 4,000) longitudinal cohort of healthy young people age 9 to 21 years. Background: Greater cIMT is commonly used in the young as a marker of subclinical atherosclerosis, but its evolution at this age is still poorly understood. Methods: Associations between cardiovascular risk factors and cIMT were investigated in both longitudinal (ages 9 to 17 years) and cross-sectional (ages 17 and 21 years) analyses, with the latter also related to other measures of carotid structure and stress. Additional use of ultra-high frequency ultrasound in the radial artery at age 21 years allowed investigation of the distinct layers (i.e., intima or media) that may underlie observed differences. Results: Fat-free mass (FFM) and systolic blood pressure were the only modifiable risk factors positively associated with cIMT (e.g., mean difference in cIMT per 1-SD increase in FFM at age 17: 0.007 mm: 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.004 to 0.010; p < 0.001), whereas fat mass was negatively associated with cIMT (difference: −0.0032; 95% CI: 0.004 to −0.001; p = 0.001). Similar results were obtained when investigating cumulative exposure to these factors throughout adolescence. An increase in cIMT maintained circumferential wall stress in the face of increased mean arterial pressure when increases in body mass were attributable to increased FFM, but not fat mass. Risk factor−associated differences in the radial artery occurred in the media alone, and there was little evidence of a relationship between intimal thickness and any risk factor. Conclusions: Subtle changes in cIMT in the young may predominantly involve the media and represent physiological adaptations as opposed to subclinical atherosclerosis. Other vascular measures may be more appropriate for the identification of arterial disease before adulthood. © 2021 The Authors

PubMedID: 29481636 Background: We investigated the effects of nutritional vitamin D supplementation on markers of bone and mineral metabolism, i.e. serum levels of fibroblast growth factor 23(FGF23), Klotho, bone alkaline phosphatase (BAP) and sclerostin, in two cohorts with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Methods: In all, 80 vitamin D-deficient children were selected: 40 with mild to moderate CKD from the ERGO study, a randomized trial of ergocalciferol supplementation [estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) 55 mL/min/1.73 m 2 ], and 40 with advanced CKD from the observational Cardiovascular Comorbidity in Children with Chronic Kidney Disease (4C) study (eGFR 24 mL/min/1.73 m 2 ). In each study, vitamin D supplementation was started in 20 children and 20 matched children not receiving vitamin D served as controls. Measures were taken at baseline and after a median period of 8 months. Age- and gender-related standard deviation scores (SDSs) were calculated. Results: Before vitamin D supplementation, children in the ERGO study had normal FGF23 (median 0.31 SDS) and BAP (-0.10 SDS) but decreased Klotho and sclerostin (-0.77 and - 1.04 SDS, respectively), whereas 4C patients had increased FGF23 (3.87 SDS), BAP (0.78 SDS) and sclerostin (0.76 SDS) but normal Klotho (-0.27 SDS) levels. Vitamin D supplementation further increased FGF23 in 4C but not in ERGO patients. Serum Klotho and sclerostin normalized with vitamin D supplementation in ERGO but remained unchanged in 4C patients. BAP levels were unchanged in all patients. In the total cohort, significant effects of vitamin D supplementation were noted for Klotho at eGFR 40-70mL/min/1.73m 2 . Conclusions: Vitamin D supplementation normalized Klotho and sclerostin in children with mild to moderate CKD but further increased FGF23 in advanced CKD. © The Author(s) 2018. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of ERA-EDTA. All rights reserved. American Society of Pediatric Nephrology: ESPN 2014.3 This work was supported by the European Society for Pediatric Nephrology (reference number ESPN 2014.3), KfH Foundation for Preventive Medicine and ERA-EDTA (to D.H.).

We assessed the potential of Calcium (Ca) isotope fractionation measurements in blood (δ44/42CaBlood) and urine (δ44/42CaUrine) as a new biomarker for the diagnosis of osteoporosis. One hundred post-menopausal women aged 50 to 75 years underwent dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), the gold standard for determination of bone mineral density. After exclusion of women with kidney failure and vitamin D deficiency (

Shroff, Rukshana C/0000-0001-8501-1072; /0000-0001-8501-1072; Caliskan, Salim/0000-0002-3316-8032; Dufek, Stephanie/0000-0002-6323-6673; Verrina, Enrico Eugenio/0000-0002-5178-1949; pasini, andrea/0000-0001-8479-8379; Faria, Maria do Sameiro/0000-0002-8061-9289; Bacchetta, Justine/0000-0002-0578-2529 WOS:000459819600014 PubMed ID: 30374605 BackgroundChildren with congenital nephrotic syndrome (CNS) commonly develop end stage renal failure in infancy and require dialysis, but little is known about the complications and outcomes of dialysis in these children.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective case note review across members of the European Society for Pediatric Nephrology Dialysis Working Group to evaluate dialysis management, complications of dialysis, and outcomes in children with CNS.ResultsEighty children (50% male) with CNS were identified form 17 centers over a 6-year period. Chronic dialysis was started in 44 (55%) children at a median age of 8 (interquartile range 4-14) months. Of these, 17 (39%) were on dialysis by the age of 6months, 30 (68%) by 1year, and 40 (91%) by 2years. Peritoneal dialysis (PD) was the modality of choice in 93%, but 34% switched to hemodialysis (HD), largely due to catheter malfunction (n=5) or peritonitis (n=4). The peritonitis rate was 0.77 per patient-year. Weight and height SDS remained static after 6months on dialysis. In the overall cohort, at final follow-up, 29 children were transplanted, 18 were still on dialysis (15 PD, 3 HD), 19 were in pre-dialysis chronic kidney disease (CKD), and there were 14 deaths (8 on dialysis). Median time on chronic dialysis until transplantation was 9 (6-18) months, and the median age at transplantation was 22 (14-28) months.ConclusionsInfants with CNS on dialysis have a comparable mortality, peritonitis rate, growth, and time to transplantation as infants with other primary renal diseases reported in international registry data. Department of Health [CDF-2016-09-038] Funding Source: Medline

INTRODUCTION: Prevalence of isolated nocturnal hypertension (INH) and isolated daytime hypertension (IDH) is around 10% in adults. Data in children, especially in chronic kidney disease (CKD), are lacking. The aim of this cross-sectional multicenter cohort study was to define the prevalence of INH and IDH and its association with cardiovascular morphology and function, that is, pulse wave velocity (PWV), carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT), or left ventricular mass index (LVMI) in children with CKD. METHODS: Ambulatory blood pressure (BP) monitoring profiles were analyzed in 456 children with CKD stages III-V participating in the Cardiovascular Comorbidity in Children with Chronic Kidney Disease Study (64.3% males, 71.3% congenital anomaly of the kidney and urinary tract, age 12.5 +/- 3.2 years, estimated glomerular filtration rate 29 +/- 12 ml/min per 1.73 m). Baseline PWV, cIMT, and LVMI were compared in normotension, INH, IDH, or sustained 24-h hypertension. RESULTS: Prevalence of sustained hypertension was 18.4%, of INH 13.4%, and of IDH 3.7%. PWV SDS (SD score) and cIMT SDS were significantly higher in sustained hypertension and INH, and PWV SDS was significantly higher in IDH, compared with normotension. LVMI was significantly increased in sustained hypertension, but not in INH or IDH. Determinants of INH were smallness for gestational age, older age, higher height SDS and parathyroid hormone, and shorter duration of CKD. In logistic regression analysis, day/night-time hypertension or ambulatory BP monitoring pattern (normal, INH, IDH, sustained hypertension) were independently associated with cardiovascular outcome measures: elevated night-time BP was associated with increased cIMT, PWV, and left ventricular hypertrophy; INH was associated with cIMT. CONCLUSION: INH is present in almost one out of seven children with predialysis CKD; INH and nocturnal hypertension in general are associated with alterations of arterial morphology and function.

Ozcakar, Zeynep/0000-0002-6376-9189; Canpolat, Nur/0000-0002-3420-9756; Shroff, Rukshana/0000-0001-8501-1072; DUZOVA, ALI/0000-0002-4365-2995, WOS: 000509478200018, PubMed: 31205198, Introduction: Prevalence of isolated nocturnal hypertension (INH) and isolated daytime hypertension (IDH) is around 10% in adults. Data in children, especially in chronic kidney disease (CKD), are lacking. the aim of this cross-sectional multicenter cohort study was to define the prevalence of INH and IDH and its association with cardiovascular morphology and function, that is, pulse wave velocity (PWV), carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT), or left ventricular mass index (LVMI) in children with CKD. Methods: Ambulatory blood pressure (BP) monitoring profiles were analyzed in 456 children with CKD stages III-V participating in the Cardiovascular Comorbidity in Children with Chronic Kidney Disease Study (64.3% males, 71.3% congenital anomaly of the kidney and urinary tract, age 12.5 +/- 3.2 years, estimated glomerular filtration rate 29 +/- 12 ml/min per 1.73m(2)). Baseline PWV, cIMT, and LVMI were compared in normotension, INH, IDH, or sustained 24-h hypertension. Results: Prevalence of sustained hypertension was 18.4%, of INH 13.4%, and of IDH 3.7%. PWV SDS (SD score) and cIMT SDS were significantly higher in sustained hypertension and INH, and PWV SDS was significantly higher in IDH, compared with normotension. LVMI was significantly increased in sustained hypertension, but not in INH or IDH. Determinants of INH were smallness for gestational age, older age, higher height SDS and parathyroid hormone, and shorter duration of CKD. in logistic regression analysis, day/night-time hypertension or ambulatory BP monitoring pattern (normal, INH, IDH, sustained hypertension) were independently associated with cardiovascular outcome measures: elevated night-time BP was associated with increased cIMT, PWV, and left ventricular hypertrophy; INH was associated with cIMT. Conclusion: INH is present in almost one out of seven children with predialysis CKD; INH and nocturnal hypertension in general are associated with alterations of arterial morphology and function., ERA-EDTA Research Programme; KfH Foundation for Preventive Medicine; German Federal Ministry of Education and ResearchFederal Ministry of Education & Research (BMBF) [01EO0802]; European CommunityEuropean Community (EC) [2012-305608]; Turkish Academy of SciencesTurkish Academy of Sciences [TUBA-GEBIP/2006-6]; Turkish Council of Higher EducationMinistry of National Education - Turkey, Support for the 4C Study was received from the ERA-EDTA Research Programme, the KfH Foundation for Preventive Medicine and the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (reference number: 01EO0802). F.S. and M.K. received support for this study from the European Community's Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2013) under grant agreement No. 2012-305608 (EURenOmics). A.D. received support fromthe Turkish Academy of Sciences (Programme to Reward Successful Young Scientists, TUBA-GEBIP/2006-6) and the Turkish Council of Higher Education. Several authors of this publication (K.A., R.S., A.B., B.R., A.J., A.M., F.S., E.W.) are members of the European Reference Network for Rare Kidney Diseases (ERKNet).

Failure of statural growth is one of the major long-term sequelae of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in children. In recent years effective therapeutic strategies have become available that lead to evidence based practice recommendations. To assess the current growth performance of European children and adolescents with CKD, we analyzed a cohort of 594 patients from 12 European countries who were followed prospectively for up to 6 years in the 4C Study. While all patients were on conservative treatment with a mean estimated glomerular filtration rate of 28 ml/min/1.73 m2 at study entry, 130 children commenced dialysis during the observation period. At time of enrolment the mean height standard deviation score (SDS) was -1.57; 36% of patients had a height below the third percentile. The prevalence of growth failure varied between countries from 7 to 44% Whereas patients on conservative treatment showed stable growth, height SDS gradually declined on those on dialysis. Parental height, pubertal status and treatment with recombinant growth hormone (GH) were positively, and the diagnosis of syndromic disease and CKD stage were negatively associated with height SDS during the observation period. Unexpectedly, higher body mass index (BMI) SDS was associated with lower height SDS both at enrolment and during follow up. Renal anemia, metabolic acidosis, and hyperparathyroidism were mostly mild and not predictive of growth rates by multivariable analysis. GH therapy was applied in only 15% of growth retarded patients with large variation between countries. When adjusting for all significant covariates listed above, the country of residence remained a highly significant predictor of overall growth performance. In conclusion, growth failure remains common in European children with CKD, despite improved general management of CKD complications. The widespread underutilization of GH, an approved efficacious therapy for CKD-associated growth failure, deserves further exploration. © 2019 Behnisch, Kirchner, Anarat, Bacchetta, Shroff, Bilginer, Mir, Caliskan, Paripovic, Harambat, Mencarelli, Büscher, Arbeiter, Soylemezoglu, Zaloszyc, Zurowska, Melk, Querfeld, Schaefer and the 4C Study Consortium. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms. 01EO0802 Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft Ministry of Science,Technology and Research Support for the 4C Study was received from the ERA-EDTA Research Programme, the KfH Foundation for Preventive Medicine and the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (reference number: 01EO0802). The funders had no role in the design and conduct of the study; collection, management, analysis, and interpretation of the data; preparation, review, or approval of the manuscript; and decision to submit the manuscript for publication. The authors thank all principal and sub-investigators of the 4C Study for their continued dedicated support of the study. We particularly appreciate the dedicated input of the regional study coordinators Anke Doyon, Karolis Azukaitis, Aysun Bayazit, Ana Nimierska, Lukasz Obrinski, Ali Duzova, Nur Canpolat, Betul Sözeri, Ipek Kaplan Bulut, and Daniela Thurn-Valsassina. We gratefully acknowledge financial support by Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft within the funding programme Open Access Publishing, by the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Science, Research and the Arts and by Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg. Several authors of this publication are members of the European Reference Network for Rare Kidney DIseases (ERKNet).

Background: We investigated the effects of nutritional vitamin D supplementation on markers of bone and mineral metabolism, i.e. serum levels of fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23), Klotho, bone alkaline phosphatase (BAP) and sclerostin, in two cohorts with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Methods: In all, 80 vitamin D-deficient children were selected: 40 with mild to moderate CKD from the ERGO study, a randomized trial of ergocalciferol supplementation [estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) 55 mL/min/1.73 m2], and 40 with advanced CKD from the observational Cardiovascular Comorbidity in Children with Chronic Kidney Disease (4C) study (eGFR 24 mL/min/1.73 m2). In each study, vitamin D supplementation was started in 20 children and 20 matched children not receiving vitamin D served as controls. Measures were taken at baseline and after a median period of 8 months. Age- and gender-related standard deviation scores (SDSs) were calculated. Results: Before vitamin D supplementation, children in the ERGO study had normal FGF23 (median 0.31 SDS) and BAP (-0.10 SDS) but decreased Klotho and sclerostin (-0.77 and -1.04 SDS, respectively), whereas 4C patients had increased FGF23 (3.87 SDS), BAP (0.78 SDS) and sclerostin (0.76 SDS) but normal Klotho (-0.27 SDS) levels. Vitamin D supplementation further increased FGF23 in 4C but not in ERGO patients. Serum Klotho and sclerostin normalized with vitamin D supplementation in ERGO but remained unchanged in 4C patients. BAP levels were unchanged in all patients. In the total cohort, significant effects of vitamin D supplementation were noted for Klotho at eGFR 40-70 mL/min/1.73 m2. Conclusions: Vitamin D supplementation normalized Klotho and sclerostin in children with mild to moderate CKD but further increased FGF23 in advanced CKD.

PubMedID: 28873971 In patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), renal synthesis of active Vitamin D [1, 25-dihydroxyVitamin D (1, 25(OH)2D)] declines and is associated with hypocalcaemia, secondary hyperparathyroidism and the spectrum of CKD-mineral and bone disorder (MBD). In advanced CKD, active Vitamin D analogues, including alfacalcidol, calcitriol and paricalcitol, are routinely administered. There are few studies on the use of Vitamin D analogues in children with CKD and on dialysis. It is difficult to define bone-specific outcomes that can guide treatment with active Vitamin D analogues in children with CKD-MBD. A core working group (WG) of the European Society for Paediatric Nephrology (ESPN) CKD-MBD and Dialysis WGs has developed recommendations for the use of active Vitamin D therapy in children with CKD and on dialysis. A second document in parallel with this one covers treatment recommendations for native Vitamin D therapy. The WGs have performed an extensive literature review to include systematic reviews and randomized controlled trials in adults and children with CKD and prospective observational studies in children with CKD. The Grading of Recommendation, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) system was used to develop and grade the recommendations. In the absence of applicable study data, the opinion of experts from the ESPN CKD-MBD and Dialysis WGs is provided, but clearly GRADE-ed as such and must be carefully considered by the treating physician and adapted to individual patient needs as appropriate. © The Author 2017. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of ERA-EDTA. All rights reserved. National Institute for Health Research RS holds a fellowship with the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR). Members of the ESPN CKD-MBD Working Group: Belgium: A. Prytula, Ghent University, Utopaed. France: J. Bachetta., University Children’s Hospital, Lyon. Germany: D. Haffner., Hannover Medical School, Hannover. G. Klaus, University Children’s Hospital, Marburg. Hungary: G. Reusz, Semmelweis University, Budapest. Italy: E. Verrina, G. Gaslini Institute, Genoa. The Netherlands: J. Groothoff, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam. Spain: M.A. Gamero, Reina Sofía Universitary Hospital, Córdoba. Russia: E. Petrosyan, Russian National Research Medical University, Moscow. Turkey: S. A. Bakkaloglu, Gazi University Hospital, Ankara; I. Dursun, Erciyes University Faculty of Medicine, Kayseri. United Kingdom: R. Shroff, Great Ormond Street Hospital, London. Members of the ESPN Dialysis Working Group: Austria: C. Aufricht, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna. Belgium: J. Vande Walle, University Hospital Ghent, Department of Pediatric Nephrology/Urology, Ghent. Czech Republic: K. Vondrak, University Hospital Motol, Charles University Prague, 2nd Faculty of Medicine, Prague. Finland: T. Holtta, Children’s Hospital, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki. France: B. Ranchin, Centre de Référence des Maladies Rénales Héréditaires, Hospices Civils de Lyon and Université Lyon, Lyon. M. Fischbach, Hautepierre University Hospital, Strasbourg. Germany: Claus Peter Schmitt, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg. Günter Klaus, University Children’s Hospital, Marburg. Greece: Constantinos J. Stefanidis, A. and P. Kyriakou Childrens Hospital, Athens; N. Printza, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki. Italy: Alberto Edefonti, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan; E. Verrina, Giannina Gaslini Children’s Hospital, Dialysis Unit, Genova; E. Vidal, University Hospital of Padova, Padova. Lithuania: A. Jankauskiene, Vilnius

PubMed ID: 27827310, Background and objectives Cardiovascular disease is the most important comorbidity affecting long-term survival in children with CKD. Design, setting, participants, & measurements The Cardiovascular Comorbidity in Children with CKD Study is a multicenter, prospective, observational study in children ages 6–17 years old with initial GFR of 10–60 ml/min per 1.73 m2. The cardiovascular status is monitored annually, and subclinical cardiovascular disease is assessed by noninvasive measurements of surrogate markers, including the left ventricular mass index, carotid intima-media thickness, and central pulse wave velocity. We here report baseline data at study entry and an explorative analysis of variables associated with surrogate markers. Results A total of 737 patients were screened from October of 2009 to August of 2011 in 55 centers in 12 European countries, and baseline data were analyzed in 688 patients. Sixty-four percent had congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract; 26.1% of children had uncontrolled hypertension (24-hour ambulatory BP monitoring; n=545), and the prevalence increased from 24.4% in CKD stage 3 to 47.4% in CKD stage 5. The prevalence of left ventricular hypertrophy was higher with each CKD stage, from 10.6% in CKD stage 3a to 48% in CKD stage 5. Carotid intima-media thickness was elevated in 41.6%, with only 10.8% of patients displaying measurements below the 50th percentile. Pulse wave velocity was increased in 20.1%. The office systolic BP SD score was the single independent factor significantly associated with all surrogate markers of cardiovascular disease. The intermediate end point score (derived from the number of surrogate marker measurements >95th percentile) was independently associated with a diagnosis of congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract, time since diagnosis of CKD, body mass index, office systolic BP, serum phosphorus, and the hemoglobin level. Conclusions The baseline data of this large pediatric cohort show that surrogate markers for cardiovascular disease are closely associated with systolic hypertension and stage of CKD. © 2016 by the American Society of Nephrology.

PubMed ID: 26069294, Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEi) for renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) blockade are routinely used to slow CKD progression. However, Vitamin D may also promote renoprotection by suppressing renin transcription through cross-talk between RAAS and Vitamin D -fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF-23)-Klotho pathways. To determine whether Vitamin D levels influence proteinuria and CKD progression in children, we performed a post hoc analysis of the Effect of Strict Blood Pressure Control and ACE Inhibition on Progression of CKD in Pediatric Patients (ESCAPE) cohort. In 167 children (median EGFR 51 ml/min per 1.73 m2), serum 25-hydroxyvitaminD(25(OH)D),FGF-23, andKlotho levelsweremeasuredatbaselineandafteramedian8months onACEi.Childrenwith lower 25(OH)D levels had higher urinary protein/creatinine ratios at baseline (P=0.03) and at follow-up (P=0.006). Levels of 25(OH)D and serum Vitamin D -binding protein were not associated, but 25(OH)D #50 nmol/L associated with higher diastolicBP(P=0.004).ACEi therapy alsoassociatedwith increasedKlotho levels (P

The present paper describes matrix-free laser desorption/ionisation mass spectrometric imaging (LDI-MSI) of highly localized UV-absorbing secondary metabolites in plant tissues at single-cell resolution. The scope and limitations of the method are discussed with regard to plants of the genus Hypericum. Naphthodianthrones such as hypericin and pseudohypericin are traceable in dark glands on Hypericum leaves, placenta, stamens and styli; biflavonoids are also traceable in the pollen of this important phytomedical plant. The highest spatial resolution achieved, 10 µm, was much higher than that achieved by commonly used matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) imaging protocols. The data from imaging experiments were supported by independent LDI-TOF/MS analysis of cryo-sectioned, laser-microdissected and freshly cut plant material. The results confirmed the suitability of combining laser microdissection (LMD) and LDI-TOF/MS or LDI-MSI to analyse localized plant secondary metabolites. Furthermore, Arabidopsis thaliana was analysed to demonstrate the feasibility of LDI-MSI for other commonly occurring compounds such as flavonoids. The organ-specific distribution of kaempferol, quercetin and isorhamnetin, and their glycosides, was imaged at the cellular level. © 2009 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

In the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, meiotic recombination is initiated by double-strand DNA breaks (DSBs). Meiotic DSBs occur at relatively high frequencies in some genomic regions (hotspots) and relatively low frequencies in others (coldspots). We used DNA microarrays to estimate variation in the level of nearby meiotic DSBs for all 6,200 yeast genes. Hotspots were nonrandomly associated with regions of high G + C base composition and certain transcriptional profiles. Coldspots were nonrandomly associated with the centromeres and telomeres.