Search

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a prevalent disease among felids; yet its origin is still poorly understood, and the disease often remains asymptomatic for years, underscoring the need for early diagnosis. This study aimed to investigate the diagnostic value of urinalysis in accurately staging CKD, particularly as routine health checks in large felids often overlook its significance. In this research, ultrasound-guided cystocentesis (UGC) was performed on 50 captive nondomestic felids during routine veterinary health checks under general anesthesia. Urinalysis included microscopic examination of the sediment, measurement of urine specific gravity (USG) and protein to creatinine ratio (UPC). Additional serum kidney markers, such as creatinine and symmetric dimethylarginine, were compared with USG and UPC to assess their diagnostic value as urinary biomarkers. The results demonstrated proteinuria (UPC > 0.4) or borderline proteinuria (UPC 0.2–0.4) in 49% of the animals. Among these cases, 62% were of renal origin, and 38% were postrenal causes. USG was significantly higher in felids with borderline proteinuria compared to those with proteinuria. A moderate, but significant negative correlation between serum parameters and USG was observed, emphasizing the importance of assessing both diagnostic parameters during kidney evaluations. Additionally, felids with CKD have an increased risk of urinary tract infections, necessitating microscopic urinalysis and bacterial culture analysis. Abnormalities, including hematuria, pyuria, crystalluria, and bacteriuria, were found in approximately 38% of cases through microscopical examination of urine. No complications associated with UGC were observed and abnormal findings were detected in 60% of the cases. Based on these results, the authors recommend the inclusion of UGC and urinalysis as standard diagnostic tools in general health checks for nondomestic felids. This approach provides valuable insights into the early detection and staging of CKD, supporting early intervention and supportive medical care to prolong renal health in these animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to determine, through a genome-wide association study (GWAS), the genetic components contributing to different clinical sub-phenotypes of systemic sclerosis (SSc). We considered limited (lcSSc) and diffuse (dcSSc) cutaneous involvement, and the relationships with presence of the SSc-specific auto-antibodies, anti-centromere (ACA), and anti-topoisomerase I (ATA). Four GWAS cohorts, comprising 2,296 SSc patients and 5,171 healthy controls, were meta-analyzed looking for associations in the selected subgroups. Eighteen polymorphisms were further tested in nine independent cohorts comprising an additional 3,175 SSc patients and 4,971 controls. Conditional analysis for associated SNPs in the HLA region was performed to explore their independent association in antibody subgroups. Overall analysis showed that non-HLA polymorphism rs11642873 in IRF8 gene to be associated at GWAS level with lcSSc (P = 2.32×10(-12), OR = 0.75). Also, rs12540874 in GRB10 gene (P = 1.27 × 10(-6), OR = 1.15) and rs11047102 in SOX5 gene (P = 1.39×10(-7), OR = 1.36) showed a suggestive association with lcSSc and ACA subgroups respectively. In the HLA region, we observed highly associated allelic combinations in the HLA-DQB1 locus with ACA (P = 1.79×10(-61), OR = 2.48), in the HLA-DPA1/B1 loci with ATA (P = 4.57×10(-76), OR = 8.84), and in NOTCH4 with ACA P = 8.84×10(-21), OR = 0.55) and ATA (P = 1.14×10(-8), OR = 0.54). We have identified three new non-HLA genes (IRF8, GRB10, and SOX5) associated with SSc clinical and auto-antibody subgroups. Within the HLA region, HLA-DQB1, HLA-DPA1/B1, and NOTCH4 associations with SSc are likely confined to specific auto-antibodies. These data emphasize the differential genetic components of subphenotypes of SSc.

Fermentation has been used since the Early Neolithic period to preserve foods. It has inherent organoleptic and nutritive properties that bestow health benefits, including reducing inflammation and oxidative stress, supporting the growth of salutogenic microbiota, enhancing intestinal mucosal protection and promoting beneficial immunometabolic health effects. The fermentation of food with specific microbiota increases the production salutogenic bioactive compounds that can activate Nrf2 mediated cytoprotective responses and mitigate the effects of the 'diseasome of aging' and its associated inflammageing, which presents as a prominent feature of obesity, type-2 diabetes, cardiovascular and chronic kidney disease. This review discusses the importance of fermented food in improving health span, with special reference to cardiometabolic diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Garlic, a member of the Allium family, widely used in cooking for many centuries, displays well described antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, as a result of its constituent organosulfur compounds, such as alliin, allicin, ajoene S-allyl-cysteine, diallyl sulfide and diallyl disulfide, among others. Although garlic has demonstrated beneficial effects in cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer, its efficacy as a therapeutic intervention in chronic kidney disease remains to be proven. This review thus focuses on the potential benefits of garlic as a treatment option in chronic kidney disease. and its ability to mitigate associated cardiovascular complications and gut dysbiosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Socioeconomic gradients in health persist despite public health campaigns and improvements in healthcare. The Psychosocial and Biological Determinants of Ill-health (pSoBid) study was designed to uncover novel biomarkers of chronic disease that may help explain pathways between socioeconomic adversity and poorer physical and mental health. Methods We examined links between indicators of early life adversity, possible intermediary phenotypes, and markers of ill health in adult subjects (n = 666) recruited from affluent and deprived areas. Classical and novel risk factors for chronic disease (lung function and atherosclerosis) and for cognitive performance were assessed, and associations sought with early life variables including conditions in the parental home, family size and leg length. Results Associations were observed between father's occupation, childhood home status (owner-occupier; overcrowding) and biomarkers of chronic inflammation and endothelial activation in adults (C reactive protein, interleukin 6, intercellular adhesion molecule; P < 0.0001) but not number of siblings and leg length. Lung function (forced expiratory volume in 1 second) and cognition (Choice Reaction Time, the Stroop test, Auditory Verbal Learning Test) were likewise related to early life conditions (P < 0.001). In multivariate models inclusion of inflammatory variables reduced the impact and independence of early life conditions on lung function and measures of cognitive ability. Including variables of adult socioeconomic status attenuated the early life associations with disease biomarkers. Conclusions Adverse levels of biomarkers of ill health in adults appear to be influenced by father's occupation and childhood home conditions. Chronic inflammation and endothelial activation may in part act as intermediary phenotypes in this complex relationship. Reducing the 'health divide' requires that these life course determinants are taken into account.

Chocolate is a widely appreciated foodstuff with historical appreciation as a food from the gods. In addition to its highly palatable taste, it is a rich source of (poly)phenolics, which have several proposed salutogenic effects, including neuroprotective anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and cardioprotective capabilities. Despite the known benefits of this ancient foodstuff, there is a paucity of information on the effects of chocolate in the context of chronic kidney disease (CKD). This review focusses on the potential salutogenic contribution of chocolate intake, to mitigate inflammatory and oxidative burden in CKD, its potential, for cardiovascular protection and on the maintenance of diversity in gut microbiota, as well as clinical perspectives, on regular chocolate intake by CKD patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To explore putative different impacts of delayed graft function (DGF) on long-term graft survival in kidneys donated after brain death (DBD) and circulatory death (DCD). Background: Despite a 3-fold higher incidence of DGF in DCD grafts, large studies show equivalent long-term graft survival for DBD and DCD grafts. This observation implies a differential impact of DGF on DBD and DCD graft survival. The contrasting impact is remarkable and yet unexplained. Methods: The impact of DGF on DBD and DCD graft survival was evaluated in 6635 kidney transplants performed in The Netherlands. DGF severity and functional recovery dynamics were assessed for 599 kidney transplants performed at the Leiden Transplant Center. Immunohistochemical staining, gene expression profiling, and Ingenuity Pathway Analysis were used to identify differentially activated pathways in DBD and DCD grafts. Results: While DGF severely impacted 10-year graft survival in DBD grafts (HR 1.67; P < 0.001), DGF did not impact graft survival in DCD grafts (HR 1.08; P = 0.63). Shorter dialysis periods and superior posttransplant eGFRs in DBD grafts show that the differential impact was not caused by a more severe DGF phenotype in DBD grafts. Immunohistochemical evaluation indicates that pathways associated with tissue resilience are present in kidney grafts. Molecular evaluation showed selective activation of resilience-associated pathways in DCD grafts. Conclusions: This study shows an absent impact of DGF on long-term graft survival in DCD kidneys. Molecular evaluation suggests that the differential impact of DGF between DBD and DCD grafts relates to donor-type specific activation of resilience pathways in DCD grafts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Propolis, a resin produced by bees, is rich in polyphenolic compounds. • Propolis may mitigate inflammation and oxidative stress by reducing pro-inflammatory cytokines. • Propolis supplementation significantly reduced levels of TNF-α expression. • Propolis supplementation showed a tendency to increase the mRNA expression of Nrf2. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients on dialysis display a low-grade systemic inflammatory burden. Nutritional interventions designed to activate the cytoprotective nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and inhibit nuclear factor-kB (NF-κB) have been proposed to mitigate this burden. Several bioactive compounds have been investigated to achieve this, including propolis, a resin produced by Apis mellifera bees. Considering the safety and efficacy of propolis, it could be a strategy to benefit these patients. Still, there are no studies using propolis in patients with CKD on peritoneal dialysis (DP), and clinical studies to support this application are lacking. The objective and novelty of the present study are to evaluate the effects of propolis supplementation on inflammatory markers in patients with CKD on PD. A longitudinal, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial with CKD patients on PD. The patients were randomised into two groups: propolis that received four capsules of 100 mg (400 mg/day), containing concentrated and standardised dry EPP-AF® Brazilian green propolis extract) or placebo, four capsules of 100 mg (400 mg/day), of magnesium stearate, silicon dioxide, and microcrystalline cellulose, for two months. Plasma levels of inflammatory cytokines, including tumour necrosis factor (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), were evaluated by ELISA. Quantitative real-time PCR analyses were performed to evaluate the transcriptional expression levels of Nrf2 and NF-κB in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, a lipid peroxidation marker, was measured as thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS). Routine biochemical markers, including C-reactive protein (CRP), were analysed using commercial kits. Carotid Intima-Media Thickness (CIMT) was measured with a doppler ultrasonography device. The study was registered on ClinicalTrials.gov under the number NCT04411758. A total of 19 patients completed the study, ten patients in the propolis group (54 ± 1.0 years, five men, 7.2 (5.1) months on PD) and 9 in the placebo group (47.5 ± 15.2 years, three men, 10.8 (24.3) months on PD). The plasma levels of TNF-α reduced significantly (p = 0.02), and expression of Nrf2 showed a trend to increase (p = 0.07) after propolis supplementation. EPP-AF® Green Propolis extract (400 mg/day) supplementation for two months appears as a potential strategy to mitigate inflammation, reducing TNF-α plasma levels in CKD patients on PD. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]