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Background. Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF) stimulates epidermis cell growth, proliferation and differentiation in skin regeneration. The aim of this study was to pre-clinically investigation of the role of EGF in tendon healing. Methods. One cm defects were created at the right Achilles tendons of 30 New Zealand White rabbits. Ten rabbits were allocated to one of three groups: Group-1-(Sham) tendon defect with a gap that was splinted with a non-absorbable suture; Group-2-(EGF +) tendon defect with a gap that was splinted with a non-absorbable suture and a 25 µg/kg EGF injection into the defect; Group-3-(Scaffold + EGF) tendon defect was grafted with a biodegradable, porous Polycaprolactone (PCL) scaffold loaded with 25 µg/kg EGF and stabilized with a non-absorbable suture. Animals were sacrificed at 8 weeks post-surgery and Achilles tendon repair and healing status was investigated using histopathologic and biomechanical analysis methods. Results. Group-2-(EGF +) had greater adipocyte development (moderate) than Group- 1-(Sham) and Group-3-(Scaffold + EGF). Group-2-(EGF +) and Group-3-(Scaffold + EGF) had greater peripheral nerve development (weak) than Group-1-(Sham). Group-2- (EGF +) had greater vascularization (moderate) than Group-1-(Sham) and Group-3-(Scaffold + EGF). Group-2-(EGF +) had greater collagen Type-III development (moderate) than Group-1-(Sham) and Group-3-(Scaffold + EGF). Group-3-(Scaffold + EGF) had greater collagen Type-I development (moderate) than Group-1-(Sham) and Group- 2-(EGF +). Groups did not display statistically significant differences for load to failure or elongation at failure. Group-2-(EGF +) and Group-3-(Scaffold + EGF) displayed less stiffness that the control (healthy contralateral Achilles tendon) (p < 0.05), however, experimental groups did not differ (p > 0.05). Conclusions. The application of EGF and scaffold displayed superior histological tendon healing evidence, but there was no significant difference in terms of biomechanics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The efficacy of methotrexate (MTX), a widely used cytotoxic chemotherapeutic agent, is often limited by its severe hepatotoxicity. Regarding the mechanisms of these adverse effects, several hypotheses have been put forward, among which oxidative stress is noticeable. The present study was undertaken to determine whether grape seed extract (GSE), a new natural free radical scavenger, could ameliorate the MTX-induced oxidative injury in the rat liver. The animals were divided into 3 groups. Each group consisted of 12 animals. MTX-GSE group: rats were given GSE (100 mg/kg body weight) orally for 15 days, and a single dose of MTX (20 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) was added on the 10th day. MTX group: these received placebo distilled water (orally) instead of GSE for 15 days and the same MTX protocol applied to this group on the 10th day. Control group: rats were given distilled water (orally) through 15 days and physiological saline (intraperitoneaIly) instead of MTX was administered on the 10th day in a similar manner. On the 16th day, liver tissue samples were obtained under deep anaesthesia. The level of malondialdehyde (MDA), an end product of lipid peroxidation, and the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), two important endogenous antioxidants, were evaluated in the tissue homogenates. MTX administration increased the MDA level and decreased the SOD and CAT activities in the liver homogenates (p < 0.001), while these alterations were significantly reversed by GSE treatment (p < 0.001). MTX led to significantly reduced whole blood count parameters (p < 0.05). When GSE was supplemented, no significant changes in blood count parameters were noted. It appears that GSE protects the rat liver and inhibits methotrexate-induced oxidative stress. These data indicate that GSE may be of therapeutic benefit when used with MTX. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The pathogenesis of post-transplantation erythrocytosis (PTE) is not well understood and appears to be multifactorial. Our hypothesis in this study was that several factors, including toxicity of calcineurin inhibitor, immunologic factors, and chronic allograft nephropathy, can trigger local tissue hypoxia in peritubular interstitium, which is where production of erythropoietin (EPO) takes place. This local interstitial tissue hypoxia can cause an increase in renal EPO production, which induces the development of PTE. Methods This cross-sectional study included 15 renal transplant recipients, in whom polycythemia developed after kidney transplantation, with elevated hematocrit level to >51%. Forty-eight age- and gender-matched renal transplant recipients with normal hematocrit level were included as the renal transplant control group. In addition, 13 age- and gender-matched healthy subjects were also included as the healthy control group. We used urine hypoxia-inducible factor-2 alpha (HIF-2α) levels to evaluate whether there is local tissue hypoxia in renal allograft. HIF-2α levels were measured by double antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Serum EPO and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) levels were also measured. Results HIF-2α levels were significantly lower in the polycythemia group than the other two groups, but there was no significant difference between the healthy control group and the renal transplant control group with regard to HIF-2α levels. There was no significant difference among the 3 study groups in terms of levels of serum EPO and IGF-1. Conclusion Local tissue hypoxia in renal allograft does not seem to play an important role in the development of PTE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated in-hospital outcomes and related factors in patients diagnosed with postearthquake crush syndrome after the earthquakes in Kahramanmaraş, Türkiye. One thousand twenty-four adult patients diagnosed with crush syndrome were analyzed. Data on demographic characteristics, clinical presentation, laboratory values, treatments, and outcomes were collected. A total of 9.8% of patients died during their hospital stay. Nonsurvivors were generally older, more likely to have preexisting chronic kidney disease, and faced more severe injuries and complications, including hypotension-shock, arrhythmias, elevated markers of renal dysfunction, and higher rates of acute kidney injury (AKI) and compartment syndrome. In addition, intensive care unit needs were higher. Multivariate analysis confirmed that age, injury severity, shock, high potassium, uric acid, and lactate levels on admission, development of AKI, compartment syndrome, and intensive care unit admission were significant predictors of mortality. Better disaster preparedness and improved health care infrastructure could be potential explanations for improved in-hospital mortality in the current era, as compared to previous earthquakes., (Copyright © 2024 International Society of Nephrology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: The aim of this study is to determine whether there is a relationship between peritoneal membrane permeability and dyspepsia in peritoneal dialysis patients., Patients and Methods: This study included 95 peritoneal dialysis patients aged 18 and older. The presence of dyspepsia in patients was recorded according to the 2016 ROME-IV Functional Dyspepsia Diagnostic Criteria. Subsequently, the Glasgow Dyspepsia Severity Score questionnaire was administered to assess the severity of dyspepsia. Endoscopy was performed for those who agreed to exclude organic pathology, or the results of endoscopy conducted within the last 2 years were recorded. Furthermore, stool samples were examined for H. pylori to exclude organic causes of dyspepsia. PET (peritoneal equilibration test) and Kt/V values of patients were calculated using the "PD Adequest" computer software. PET values were categorized as low and low-normal for low permeability and high and high-normal for high permeability., Results: Dyspepsia was detected in 51.6% of all peritoneal dialysis patients. H. pylori was found positive in 11.6% of all patients and 12.2% of those with dyspeptic symptoms. There was no significant difference in the rate of H. pylori occurrence between low and high permeability groups. The Glasgow Dyspepsia Severity Score did not differ significantly between H. pylori-positive and -negative patients. Dyspepsia was more frequent and severe in the low permeability group. Dyspepsia in the low permeability group was mostly considered as functional dyspepsia due to the predominance of normal endoscopic findings., Conclusion: Dyspepsia is a common health problem in approximately half of peritoneal dialysis patients. Dyspepsia observed in those with low peritoneal membrane permeability is generally of functional origin. Furthermore, the frequency and severity of dyspepsia are higher in individuals with low permeability. When planning peritoneal dialysis for these patients, the current status should be taken into consideration, and patients should be informed about necessary precautions and recommendations., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V.)

Aim: BK polyomavirus infection is a challenging complication of renal transplantation. The management is not standardized and is based on reports from transplantation centers' experiences, usually with small sample sizes. Therefore, we aimed to present our countrywide experience with BK virus nephropathy (BKVN) in renal transplant recipients., Materials and Methods: Our study was carried out with the participation of 30 transplantation centers from all regions of Turkey. Only cases with allograft biopsy-proven BKVN were included in the study., Results: 13,857 patients from 30 transplantation centers were screened, and 207 BK nephropathy cases were included. The mean age was 46.4 ±  13.1 years, and 146 (70.5%) patients were male. The mean time to diagnosis of BK nephropathy was 15.8 ± 22.2 months after transplantation. At diagnosis, the mean creatinine level was 1.8 ±  0.7 mg/dL, and the mean estimated glomerular filtration rate was 45.8 ± 19.6 mL/min/1.73m 2 . In addition to dose reduction or discontinuation of immunosuppressive drugs, 18 patients were treated with cidofovir, 11 patients with leflunomide, 17 patients with quinolones, 15 patients with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), 5 patients with cidofovir plus IVIG, and 12 patients with leflunomide plus IVIG. None of the patients receiving leflunomide or leflunomide plus IVIG had allograft loss. During follow-up, allograft loss occurred in 32 (15%) out of 207 patients with BK nephropathy., Conclusion: BKVN is still a frequent cause of allograft loss in kidney transplantation and is not fully elucidated. The results of our study suggest that leflunomide treatment is associated with more favorable allograft outcomes.

Introduction: We focused on neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) and autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) progression., Methods: ADPKD patients with an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) ≥ 30 mL/min/1.73 m 2 were included. Serum NGAL level and NGAL to eGFR ratio (NGR), height-adjusted total kidney volume (hTKV) were assessed initially. Patients were followed-up for 5 years., Results: Sixty one patients were enrolled and initial eGFR was 73.6 (48.9-101.5) ml/min/1.73m 2 . EGFR declined by 3.7 mL/min/1.73m 2 per year. Thirty four patients (55.7%) exhibited rapid progression. Rapid progression group had lower serum NGAL levels (p < 0.001) and higher hTKV (p < 0.001). Lower serum NGAL level was a risk factor for rapid progression (p < 0.001). NGR was not associated with rapid progression. Serum NGAL level was predictive in for rapid progression ROC analysis (cut-off <10.62 ng/mL)., Conclusion: Relatively lower serum NGAL levels can predict worse outcomes in ADPKD and can provide risk stratification in patients with ADPKD., (© 2024 International Society for Apheresis and Japanese Society for Apheresis.)

Background: Each year, millions face natural disasters, encountering mass fatalities and severe medical issues such as crush injuries and crush syndrome. Crush syndrome, marked by acute kidney injury (AKI) and hyperkalemia, correlates with mortality. This study focuses on presenting epidemiological data on kidney disease resulting from the February 6, 2023 earthquakes centered in Kahramanmaras., Methods: This retrospective analysis included patients diagnosed with crush syndrome after the 2023 Kahramanmaras earthquakes, treated in regional hospitals or referred elsewhere in Turkey. Patient data were documented using the web-based system developed by the Turkish Nephrology Association Renal Disaster Working Group., Results: Of the 1024 analyzed patients from 46 centers, 515 (50.3%) were women. The mean age was 41 ± 16 years, with a median duration of 12 h under rubble, and the median presentation time to the first health facility was 4 h after extrication from the rubble. Upon admission, 79.8% received intravenous fluid therapy, all potassium-free. Initial serum creatinine, K + , and creatinine kinase levels averaged 2.59 ± 2 mg/dl, 5.1 ± 1 mmol/L 38,305 ± 54,303 U/L, respectively. Intensive care unit (ICU) admissions were 53.6%, with mean hospital and ICU stays of 20 and 11 days, respectively. Compartment syndrome occurred in 40.8% of patients, with 75.8% undergoing fasciotomy. Acute kidney injury developed in 67.9% of patients, with 70.3% undergoing hemodialysis, totaling 3016 sessions on 488 patients. The overall in-hospital mortality rate was 9.8%., Conclusion: Earthquakes have a significant impact on kidney health. Although our study indicates some progress compared to previous earthquake responses, there remains a crucial need for drills emphasizing post-earthquake initial response, fluid-electrolyte balance management, and emergency dialysis protocols., (© 2024. The Author(s) under exclusive licence to Italian Society of Nephrology.)

Background: Peritoneal fibrosis (PF) is a major, persistent complication of prolonged peritoneal dialysis that eventually leads to peritoneal ultrafiltration failure and termination of peritoneal dialysis. Prolonged exposure to high glucose concentrations, degradation products, uremic toxins, and episodes of peritonitis can cause some changes in the peritoneal membrane, resulting in intraperitoneal inflammation and PF, leading to failure of ultrafiltration and dialysis. CA-125 can be used as a biomarker of peritoneal mesothelial cell count in the peritoneal dialysate and for monitoring cell count in PD patients. Hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha (HIF-1α) has been reported to cause PF, but has not been reported to be associated with changes in peritoneal structure. We hypothesized that peritoneal adequacy can be followed using HIF-1α and CA-125 values. In the present study, therefore, we investigated the relationship between HIF-1α and CA-125 levels and parietal membrane permeability changes in PD patients., Methods: Forty-five patients were included in the study. Peritoneal permeability was constant in 20 of these, while peritoneal permeability increased in 11 and decreased in 14. The HIF-1α value from the blood samples of the patients and the CA-125 measurement from the peritoneal fluids were measured. The relationship between peritoneal variability and CA-125 and HIF levels after follow-up was investigated., Results: We compared serum HIF-1α and peritoneal fluid CA-125 levels in the three groups receiving peritoneal dialysis treatment. HIF-1α levels increased with peritoneal permeability changes, while CA-125 levels decreased. In patients with high to low permeability changes, HIF-1α levels were higher compared to those with stable or low to high changes, which was statistically significant. Conversely, CA-125 levels significantly decreased in patients whose peritoneal permeability changed from high to low, compared to the other two groups., Conclusion: Changes in peritoneal structure can be followed with biomarkers. It has been shown that CA-125 and HIF-1α levels can guide the changes in the peritoneal membrane. This can be useful in the monitoring of peritoneal dialysis., (© 2024 International Society for Apheresis and Japanese Society for Apheresis.)

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease and there is a distinct differentiation of clinical manifestations. Lupus nephritis (LN) is clinically apparent in approximately half of patients. A kidney biopsy is essential to define the kidney injury, exclude other injurious causes, and determine the histopathologic subtypes. Autoantibodies are crucial to the pathogenesis and the deposition of immune complexes in glomeruli is a hallmark of LN. The histopathology of LN is quite varied. Despite pauci-immune LN being an unexpected condition in SLE, it has been observed rarely with the presence of antineutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibodies (ANCA). We present a young male who was admitted to the emergency with syncope. The brain imaging revealed small infarct areas and signs of cerebral vasculitis. Also, he had elevated inflammatory markers, moderate proteinuria, and preserved kidney function. Anti-nuclear antibodies and anti-dsDNA were positive. Pauci-immune crescentic glomerulonephritis (PICGN) was observed in a kidney biopsy, however, ANCA was negative. SLE diagnosis was established by neurological manifestation, specific antibodies, proteinuria, and kidney biopsy findings. We administered a combination induction regimen, including pulse steroid and parenteral cyclophosphamide. The proteinuria was resolved in the follow-up. Our case highlights that SLE-associated ANCA-negative PICGN can be the initial presentation in the absence of typical manifestations. LN exhibits various pathological mechanisms in the kidney. As a consequence, SLE should be considered in the differential diagnosis of all forms of kidney injury., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Japanese Society of Nephrology.)

Kidney transplantation is the encouraged kidney replacement therapy due to providing more prolonged survival with a better quality of life. Unfortunately, kidney transplant recipients are susceptible to infections because of long-term utilization of immunosuppression. Despite dermatophyte infections are generally not life-threatening, the clinical significance has been recently enhanced by an increasing number of immunocompromised patients. We have presented a rare dermatophytosis course, Majocchi's granuloma, that spreads to all extremities during the early post-transplant period. A young kidney transplant recipient was exposed to intensive immunosuppression therapy due to acute rejection in the early period of post-transplantation. After four months, numerous nodular skin lesions were raised on various body parts. An invasive fungal infection was identified in the skin biopsy. Also, Trichophyton rubrum was isolated in the tissue cultures. Consequently, the patient was diagnosed with Majocchi's granuloma. An effectual treatment was attained with an oral terbinafine tablet. Majocchi's granuloma is a distinct form of dermatophytosis characterized by the spreading of infection into the dermis. In this unexpected case, we alerted physicians to opportunistic infections in the kidney transplant recipient., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Japanese Society of Nephrology.)

Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) has cancer-like pathophysiology. In this study, we aimed to investigate the phenotype of peripheral blood (PB) T cell subsets and immune checkpoint inhibitor expression of ADPKD patients across different chronic kidney disease (CKD) stages. Seventy-two patients with ADPKD and twenty-three healthy controls were included in the study. The patients were grouped into five different CKD stages, according to glomerular filtration rate (GFR). PB mononuclear cells were isolated and T cell subsets and cytokine production were examined by flow cytometry. CRP levels, height-adjusted total kidney volume (htTKV), rate of hypertension (HT) differed significantly across different GFR stages in ADPKD. T cell phenotyping revealed significantly elevated CD3+ T cells, CD4+, CD8+, double-negative, and double-positive subsets and significantly elevated IFN-γ and TNF-α producing subsets of CD4+, CD8+ cells. The expression of checkpoint inhibitors CTLA-4, PD-1, and TIGIT by T cell subsets was also increased to various extent. Additionally, Treg cell numbers and suppressive markers CTLA-4, PD-1, and TIGIT were significantly elevated in ADPKD patients' PB. Treg CTLA4 expression and CD4CD8DP T cell frequency in patients with HT were significantly higher. Lastly, HT and increased htTKV and higher frequency of PD1+ CD8SP were found to be risk factors for rapid disease progression. Our data provide the first detailed analyses of checkpoint inhibitor expression by PB T cell subsets during stages of ADPKD, and that a higher frequency of PD1+ CD8SP cells is associated with rapid disease progression., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.)

Background: On February 6, 2023, an earthquake occurred in Kahramanmaras, Turkey, resulting in loss of life, injuries, and the displacement of thousands of people. The aim of this study is to determine the factors affecting amputation and fasciotomy decisions in patients with crush syndrome, along with clinical laboratory parameters., Materials and Methods: The study included patients over 18 years of age who presented with crush injuries and exhibited systemic symptoms. Inclusion criteria comprised patients with creatine kinase (CK) levels exceeding 1,000 IU/L, oliguria (urine output less than 400 mL per day), elevated blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels surpassing 40 mg/dL, serum creatinine exceeding 1.5 mg/dL, potassium levels over 6 mEq/L, phosphorus levels surpassing 8 mg/dL, and serum calcium levels below 8 mg/dL. Multiple parameters were evaluated, including blood glucose, serum sodium, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, BUN, creatinine, uric acid, CK, albumin, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, prothrombin time (international normalized ratio (INR)), urinalysis, C-reactive protein (CRP), venous blood gas, ECG, and chest radiography., Results: Following the Maraş earthquake, a total of 3,184 patients were admitted to our hospital within the first seven days. Out of these patients, 2,216 received outpatient treatment, 639 were hospitalized in the general ward, and 128 were admitted to the intensive care unit. Among the admitted patients, 237 were diagnosed with crush syndrome, with 126 being male and 111 being female. The average duration of being trapped under debris was eight hours, ranging from four to 36 hours. In the study population, extremity trauma was observed in 84 patients, thoracic trauma in 32 patients, and abdominal trauma in 20 patients. Erythrocyte replacement was administered to 123 patients, while fresh frozen plasma was given to 69 patients, for a total of 1008 units utilized. Mannitol infusions were provided to 58 patients, while bicarbonate infusions were administered to 116 patients. Among the cohort, 71 patients underwent dialysis, with nine of them receiving hemodialysis along with mannitol. Additionally, 67 patients experienced stage 3 acute kidney injury, and 41 patients were deceased. None of the patients required permanent hemodialysis., Conclusion: Earthquakes are considered to be one of nature's most significant and inevitable disasters. While it is impossible to prevent them, effective management strategies are crucial in mitigating the ensuing chaos and reducing casualties. In order to achieve this, it is imperative to draw lessons from past seismic events and apply appropriate treatment protocols to the affected individuals., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright © 2023, Koyuncu et al.)

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) incidence is high in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and is the most frequent cause of mortality in this population. Advanced age, hypertension, uremic toxins, endothelial dysfunction, atherosclerosis, hyperhomocysteinemia, oxidative stress, and inflammation are among the leading causes of increased CVD in advanced stages of CKD. Although defined as a decrease in muscle strength associated with aging, sarcopenia is also prevalent in CKD patients. Sarcopenia causes physical disability, low quality of life, and mortality. Regular exercise and nutritional supplementation may slow the progression of sarcopenia. Recent studies have shown that sarcopenia increases the risk of CVD and mortality in people with or without kidney disease. This review discusses the relationship between sarcopenia and CVD in light of the current literature., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V.)

Purpose: In our study, diagnostic and demographic characteristics of patients diagnosed with minimal change disease (MCD) by biopsy, clinical and laboratory findings in our country were investigated., Methods: Data were obtained from the Turkish Society of Nephrology Glomerular Diseases (TSN-GOLD) Working Group database. Demographic characteristics, indications for biopsy, diagnosis of the glomerular diseases, comorbidities, laboratory and biopsy findings of all patients were recorded. The data presented are cross-sectional and includes application data for the biopsy period., Results: Of 3875 patients, 233 patients with MCD (median age 35.0 years) were included in the study, which constitutes 6.0% of the total glomerulonephritis database. Renal biopsy was performed in 196 (84.1%) patients due to nephrotic syndrome. Median serum creatinine was 0.7 (0.6-1.0) mg/dl, mean eGFR was 104 ± 33 ml/min/1.73 m 2 and median proteinuria 6000 mg/day. The number of patients under the age of 40 years was 139 (59.7%) (Group A), and the number of patients aged 40 years and over was 94 (40.3%) (Group B). Compared to Group A, global sclerotic glomeruli (24 vs. 43, p < 0.001) interstitial inflammation (15 vs. 34, p < 0.001), interstitial fibrosis (20 vs. 31, p = 0.001, vascular changes (10 vs. 25, p < 0.001) and tubular atrophy (18 vs. 30, p < 0.001) were found to be significantly higher in Group B. There was no difference in immunofluorescent staining properties between the two groups., Conclusion: Our data are generally compatible with the literature. Chronic histopathological changes were more common in patients aged 40 years and older than younger patients. Studies investigating the effects of these different features on renal survival are needed., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V.)

Introduction: Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) is responsible for 5%-10% of end-stage renal disease. We examined the relationship between renal and extrarenal findings, disease severity, and the level of consciousness of PKD patients., Methods: Patients were asked to answer the questionnaire about PKD. Disease severity was determined according to estimated glomerular filtration rate, and disease awareness was assessed by adapting the Disease Perception Scale to PKD. Awareness of patients was evaluated comparatively with chronic kidney disease stage, age, region, and symptoms., Results: One out of five patients does not know that this disease is inherited. Mean awareness scores of the patients decreased significantly with increasing age. Awareness scores were significantly higher in patients with flank pain, hematuria, and urinary tract stones., Conclusion: Although PKD is the most common hereditary kidney disease, the rate of patients' knowledge on this subject is low. Increased awareness might lead to better treatment in those patients., (© 2022 International Society for Apheresis and Japanese Society for Apheresis.)