Tragic faces of the deadly US flu outbreak
As the nation continues to fight the flu, some families are sharing their stories in hopes of preventing others from facing similar tragedie...
Wednesday, January 31, 2018
This Months Highlights
from Journal of the American Society of Nephrology current issue http://ift.tt/2DQOC...
Insights into the Regulation of Collecting Duct Homeostasis by Small Noncoding RNAs
from Journal of the American Society of Nephrology current issue http://ift.tt/2EsLn...
Any Progress in the Treatment of Antibody-Mediated Rejection?
from Journal of the American Society of Nephrology current issue http://ift.tt/2DQi8...
Making the Right Decision: Do Clinical Decision Support Systems for AKI Improve Patient Outcomes?
from Journal of the American Society of Nephrology current issue http://ift.tt/2ErsV...
Banff Classification of Polyomavirus Nephropathy: A New Tool for Research and Clinical Practice
from Journal of the American Society of Nephrology current issue http://ift.tt/2DPSV...
Editorial Note: From Both Sides Now
from Journal of the American Society of Nephrology current issue http://ift.tt/2ErpS...
Should We Increase GFR with Bardoxolone in Alport Syndrome?
from Journal of the American Society of Nephrology current issue http://ift.tt/2DRzl...
Bardoxolone--the Phoenix?
from Journal of the American Society of Nephrology current issue http://ift.tt/2Eu1l...
Clinical Translation of Mesenchymal Stromal Cell Therapies in Nephrology
Mesenchymal stromal cells have emerged as potential candidates for cell-based therapies to modulate the immune response in organ transplantation and repair tissues after acute or chronic injury. Preclinical studies have shown convincingly in rodent models that mesenchymal stromal cells can prolong solid organ graft survival and that they can induce immune tolerance, accelerate recovery from AKI, and promote functional improvement in chronic nephropathies....
Metabolic Acidosis and Subclinical Metabolic Acidosis in CKD
Metabolic acidosis is not uncommon in CKD and is linked with bone demineralization, muscle catabolism, and higher risks of CKD progression and mortality. Clinical practice guidelines recommend maintaining serum total CO2 at ≥22 mEq/L to help prevent these complications. Although a definitive trial testing whether correcting metabolic acidosis improves clinical outcomes has not been conducted, results from small, single-center studies support this...
BP Measurement in Clinical Practice: Time to SPRINT to Guideline-Recommended Protocols
Hypertension is the leading chronic disease risk factor in the world and is especially important in patients with CKD, nearly 90% of whom have hypertension. Recently, in the Systolic BP Intervention Trial (SPRINT), intensive lowering of clinic systolic BP to a target <120 mm Hg, compared with a standard BP target of <140 mm Hg, reduced risk for cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality. However, because BP was measured unobserved using...
Tissue-Resident Lymphocytes in the Kidney
It has become evident that nonlymphoid tissues are populated by distinct subsets of innate and adaptive lymphocytes that are characterized by minimal exchange with recirculating counterparts. Especially at barrier sites, such as the skin, gut, and lung, these tissue-resident lymphocyte populations are ideally positioned to quickly respond to pathogens and other environmental stimuli. The kidney harbors several classes of innate and innate-like lymphocytes...
Phospholipase A2 Receptor 1 Epitope Spreading at Baseline Predicts Reduced Likelihood of Remission of Membranous Nephropathy
The phospholipase A2 receptor (PLA2R1) is the major autoantigen in primary membranous nephropathy. Several PLA2R1 epitopes have been characterized, and a retrospective study identified PLA2R1 epitope spreading as a potential indicator of poor prognosis. Here, we analyzed the predictive value of anti-PLA2R1 antibody (PLA2R1-Ab) titers and epitope spreading in a prospective cohort of 58 patients positive for PLA2R1-Ab randomly allocated to rituximab...
TRPC5 Does Not Cause or Aggravate Glomerular Disease
Transient receptor potential channel 5 (TRPC5) is highly expressed in brain and kidney and mediates calcium influx and promotes cell migration. In the kidney, loss of TRPC5 function has been reported to benefit kidney filter dynamics by balancing podocyte cytoskeletal remodeling. However, in vivo gain-in-function studies of TRPC5 with respect to kidney function have not been reported. To address this gap, we developed two transgenic mouse models...
Serum Response Factor Is Essential for Maintenance of Podocyte Structure and Function
Podocytes contain an intricate actin cytoskeleton that is essential for the specialized function of this cell type in renal filtration. Serum response factor (SRF) is a master transcription factor for the actin cytoskeleton, but the in vivo expression and function of SRF in podocytes are unknown. We found that SRF protein colocalizes with podocyte markers in human and mouse kidneys. Compared with littermate controls, mice in which the Srf gene was...
Intragraft Molecular Pathways Associated with Tolerance Induction in Renal Transplantation
The modern immunosuppression regimen has greatly improved short-term allograft outcomes but not long-term allograft survival. Complications associated with immunosuppression, specifically nephrotoxicity and infection risk, significantly affect graft and patient survival. Inducing and understanding pathways underlying clinical tolerance after transplantation are, therefore, necessary. We previously showed full donor chimerism and immunosuppression...
Modulation of Renal GLUT2 by the Cannabinoid-1 Receptor: Implications for the Treatment of Diabetic Nephropathy
Altered glucose reabsorption via the facilitative glucose transporter 2 (GLUT2) during diabetes may lead to renal proximal tubule cell (RPTC) injury, inflammation, and interstitial fibrosis. These pathologies are also triggered by activating the cannabinoid-1 receptor (CB1R), which contributes to the development of diabetic nephropathy (DN). However, the link between CB1R and GLUT2 remains to be determined. Here, we show that chronic peripheral CB1R...
MicroRNA-709 Mediates Acute Tubular Injury through Effects on Mitochondrial Function
Mitochondrial dysfunction has important roles in the pathogenesis of AKI, yet therapeutic approaches to improve mitochondrial function remain limited. In this study, we investigated the pathogenic role of microRNA-709 (miR-709) in mediating mitochondrial impairment and tubular cell death in AKI. In a cisplatin-induced AKI mouse model and in biopsy samples of human AKI kidney tissue, miR-709 was significantly upregulated in the proximal tubular cells...
Chromatin Conformation Links Distal Target Genes to CKD Loci
Genome-wide association studies (GWASs) have identified many genetic risk factors for CKD. However, linking common variants to genes that are causal for CKD etiology remains challenging. By adapting self-transcribing active regulatory region sequencing, we evaluated the effect of genetic variation on DNA regulatory elements (DREs). Variants in linkage with the CKD-associated single-nucleotide polymorphism rs11959928 were shown to affect DRE function,...
Progressive Renal Disease Established by Renin-Coding Adeno-Associated Virus-Driven Hypertension in Diverse Diabetic Models
Progress in research and developing therapeutics to prevent diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is limited by a lack of animal models exhibiting progressive kidney disease. Chronic hypertension, a driving factor of disease progression in human patients, is lacking in most available models of diabetes. We hypothesized that superimposition of hypertension on diabetic mouse models would accelerate DKD. To test this possibility, we induced persistent hypertension...
Tonicity-Responsive Enhancer-Binding Protein Mediates Hyperglycemia-Induced Inflammation and Vascular and Renal Injury
Diabetic nephropathy (DN) has become the single leading cause of ESRD in developed nations. Bearing in mind the paucity of effective treatment for DN and progressive CKD, novel targets for treatment are sorely needed. We previously reported that increased activity of tonicity-responsive enhancer-binding protein (TonEBP) in monocytes was associated with early DN in humans. We now extend these findings by testing the hypotheses that TonEBP in macrophages...
Reduced Expression of Glutathione S-Transferase {alpha}4 Promotes Vascular Neointimal Hyperplasia in CKD
Neointima formation is the leading cause of arteriovenous fistula (AVF) failure. We have shown that CKD accelerates this process by transforming the vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) lining the AVF from a contractile to the synthetic phenotype. However, the underlying mechanisms affecting this transformation are not clear. Previous studies have shown that the α-class glutathione transferase isozymes have an important role in regulating 4-hydroxynonenal...
Suppression of microRNA Activity in Kidney Collecting Ducts Induces Partial Loss of Epithelial Phenotype and Renal Fibrosis
microRNAs (miRNAs) are sequence-specific inhibitors of post-transcriptional gene expression. The physiologic function of these noncoding RNAs in postnatal renal tubules still remains unclear. Surprisingly, they appear to be dispensable for mammalian proximal tubule (PT) function. Here, we examined the effects of miRNA suppression in collecting ducts (CDs). To conclusively evaluate the role of miRNAs, we generated three mouse models with CD-specific...
Activated Hedgehog-GLI Signaling Causes Congenital Ureteropelvic Junction Obstruction
Intrinsic ureteropelvic junction obstruction is the most common cause of congenital hydronephrosis, yet the underlying pathogenesis is undefined. Hedgehog proteins control morphogenesis by promoting GLI-dependent transcriptional activation and inhibiting the formation of the GLI3 transcriptional repressor. Hedgehog regulates differentiation and proliferation of ureteric smooth muscle progenitor cells during murine kidney-ureter development. Histopathologic...
Extracellular Adenosine Stimulates Vacuolar ATPase-Dependent Proton Secretion in Medullary Intercalated Cells
Acidosis is an important complication of AKI and CKD. Renal intercalated cells (ICs) express the proton pumping vacuolar H+-ATPase (V-ATPase) and are extensively involved in acid-base homeostasis. H+ secretion in type A intercalated cells (A-ICs) is regulated by apical vesicle recycling and stimulated by cAMP. In other cell types, cAMP is increased by extracellular agonists, including adenosine, through purinergic receptors. Adenosine is a Food and...
Redirecting TGF-{beta} Signaling through the {beta}-Catenin/Foxo Complex Prevents Kidney Fibrosis
TGF-β is a key profibrotic factor, but targeting TGF-β to prevent fibrosis also abolishes its protective anti-inflammatory effects. Here, we investigated the hypothesis that we can redirect TGF-β signaling by preventing downstream profibrotic interaction of β-catenin with T cell factor (TCF), thereby enhancing the interaction of β-catenin with Foxo, a transcription factor that controls differentiation of TGF-β induced regulatory T cells (iTregs),...
Overweight and Obesity Are Predictors of Progression in Early Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease
The association of overweight/obesity with disease progression in patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) remains untested. We hypothesized that overweight/obesity associates with faster progression in early-stage ADPKD. Overall, 441 nondiabetic participants with ADPKD and an eGFR>60 ml/min per 1.73 m2 who participated in the Halt Progression of Polycystic Kidney Disease Study A were categorized on the basis of body...
Longitudinal FGF23 Trajectories and Mortality in Patients with CKD
Elevated fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) levels, measured at a single time, are strongly associated with increased risk of mortality in patients with CKD. There are minimal data on serial FGF23 measurements in CKD. In a prospective case-cohort study of the Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort, we measured FGF23 at two to five annual time points (mean 4.0±1.2) in a randomly selected subcohort of 1135 participants, of whom 203 died, and all remaining...
A Randomized Trial of Bortezomib in Late Antibody-Mediated Kidney Transplant Rejection
Late antibody-mediated rejection (ABMR) is a leading cause of kidney allograft failure. Uncontrolled studies have suggested efficacy of the proteasome inhibitor bortezomib, but no systematic trial has been undertaken to support its use in ABMR. In this randomized, placebo-controlled trial (the Bortezomib in Late Antibody-Mediated Kidney Transplant Rejection [BORTEJECT] Trial), we investigated whether two cycles of bortezomib (each cycle: 1.3 mg/m2...
Dynamic Prognostic Score to Predict Kidney Allograft Survival in Patients with Antibody-Mediated Rejection
No tool is available for the early assessment of response to antibody-mediated rejection (ABMR) therapies in kidney allograft recipients. This study was designed to define a dynamic composite prognostic ABMR score to predict kidney allograft survival, integrating the disease characteristics at diagnosis and the response to treatment. Among 1978 kidney recipients who underwent transplant between 2008 and 2014, we included 278 patients diagnosed with...
FOX NEWS: Family blames Tamiflu for their teenage son's suicide
Family blames Tamiflu for their teenage son's suicide
An Indiana family tells Fox 59 News they believe their son committed suicide less than 24-hours after he took Tamiflu following a flu diagnose...
FOX NEWS: New photos show mother right after giving birth in car, says it was 'perfect'
New photos show mother right after giving birth in car, says it was 'perfect'
New photographs captured the moment an Australian mother gave birth in the back seat of her ca...
FOX NEWS: Go figure! Woman stops gorging on raw bacon, loses 150 pounds, clears up skin condition
Go figure! Woman stops gorging on raw bacon, loses 150 pounds, clears up skin condition
An obese woman from Melbourne, Florida who struggled with out-of-control eating ends up clearing up a skin problem after losing 150 pound...
FOX NEWS: New photos show mother right after giving drug-free birth in car, says it was 'perfect'
New photos show mother right after giving drug-free birth in car, says it was 'perfect'
New photographs captured the moment an Australian mother gave birth in the back seat of her ca...
Dr. Brenda Fitzgerald, C.D.C. Director, Resigns Over Tobacco and Other Investments
By SHEILA KAPLAN from NYT Health http://ift.tt/2rY8g...
FOX NEWS: Cancer survival rates improve in some parts of the world, but wide gaps remain
Cancer survival rates improve in some parts of the world, but wide gaps remain
Cancer patients' survival rates are improving, even for some of the deadliest types such as lung cancer, but there are huge disparities between countries, particularly for children, according to a study published in The Lance...
Tuesday, January 30, 2018
FOX NEWS: Atlanta hospital opens mobile ER to handle flu cases
Atlanta hospital opens mobile ER to handle flu cases
As the flu epidemic overwhelms Georgia, one Atlanta hospital has set up a mobile unit to handle flu patient...
FOX NEWS: Early pregnancy weight gain linked to baby's size at birth
Early pregnancy weight gain linked to baby's size at birth
Women who gain more weight in early pregnancy are more likely to deliver unusually large babies, who may be prone to a host of health problems later in life, new research show...
FOX NEWS: Woman claiming to have stage 4 breast cancer lied, raised over $30G fraudulently, police say
Woman claiming to have stage 4 breast cancer lied, raised over $30G fraudulently, police say
A Michigan woman claimed she was battling stage four breast cancer and got all her friends together to help raise money for treatment...
FOX NEWS: Tragic faces of the deadly US flu outbreak
Tragic faces of the deadly US flu outbreak
As the nation continues to fight the flu, some families are sharing their stories in hopes of preventing others from facing similar tragedie...
FOX NEWS: Flu kills 7-year-old boy one day after diagnosis
Flu kills 7-year-old boy one day after diagnosis
A 7-year old Virginia boy has died from the flu just one day after being diagnose...
Monday, January 29, 2018
FOX NEWS: Tragic faces of the deadly US flu outbreak
Tragic faces of the deadly US flu outbreak
As the nation continues to fight the flu, some families are sharing their stories in hopes of preventing others from facing similar tragedie...
FOX NEWS: Junk-food addict lost 162 pounds to grant late mother's deathbed wish
Junk-food addict lost 162 pounds to grant late mother's deathbed wish
A British woman is celebrating her amazing weight loss after keeping her promise to her dying mothe...
FOX NEWS: Tragic faces of the deadly U.S. flu outbreak
Tragic faces of the deadly U.S. flu outbreak
As the nation continues to fight the flu, some families are sharing their stories in hopes of preventing others from facing similar tragedie...
FOX NEWS: Florida teen fulfills dying wish, marries high school sweetheart
Florida teen fulfills dying wish, marries high school sweetheart
A Florida teenager with terminal cancer fulfilled his dying wish on Sunday and married his high school sweetheart after the local community rallied together to put together the special da...
FOX NEWS: Flu deaths prompt warnings from victims' families as outbreak continues
Flu deaths prompt warnings from victims' families as outbreak continues
As the nation continues to fight the flu, some families are sharing their stories in hopes of preventing others from facing similar tragedie...
FOX NEWS: Super Bowl events take steps to fight flu as estimated 1 million to attend
Super Bowl events take steps to fight flu as estimated 1 million to attend
Super Bowl visitors could face more exposure to the flu at Super Bowl-related events, and organizers are taking precaution...
Scientists Discover a Bone-Deep Risk for Heart Disease
By GINA KOLATA from NYT Health http://ift.tt/2EkPH...
Saturday, January 27, 2018
FOX NEWS: Flu deaths prompt warnings from victims' families as outbreak continues
Flu deaths prompt warnings from victims' families as outbreak continues
As the nation continues to fight the flu, some families are sharing their stories in hopes of preventing others from facing similar tragedie...
FOX NEWS: Florida teen's dying wish to marry high school sweetheart to come true
Florida teen's dying wish to marry high school sweetheart to come true
Dustin Snyder, 19, is set to marry his high school sweetheart Sierra Siverio in Plant City, Fla. on Sunda...
Friday, January 26, 2018
FOX NEWS: Breast implants tied to increased risk of rare blood cancer
Breast implants tied to increased risk of rare blood cancer
Women who get breast implants may be more likely to develop a rare type of cancer known as anaplastic large cell lymphoma, a small Dutch study suggest...
Citing Deaths of Lab Monkeys, F.D.A. Ends an Addiction Study
By SHEILA KAPLAN from NYT Health http://ift.tt/2rI8I...
FOX NEWS: Mobile stroke unit brings hospital to patients – and could save lives
Mobile stroke unit brings hospital to patients – and could save lives
UCLA and the Los Angeles County Fire Department are using a Mobile Stroke Unit to treat stroke victims in the field, saving them brain cells and possibly their li...
More Than 150 Women Described Sexual Abuse By Lawrence Nassar. Will Their Testimony Help Them Heal?
By BENEDICT CAREY from NYT Health http://ift.tt/2FkVM...
FOX NEWS: 'Tough flu season' hitting baby boomers hard, CDC says
'Tough flu season' hitting baby boomers hard, CDC says
The flu season is still ravaging the country according to health officials at the Centers for Disease Control and Preventio...
This Flu Season Is the Worst in Nearly a Decade
By DONALD G. McNEIL Jr. from NYT Health http://ift.tt/2DBU6...
FOX NEWS: Teens eating more Tide Pods than ever, despite efforts to stop trend
Teens eating more Tide Pods than ever, despite efforts to stop trend
The American Association of Poison Control Centers released a report that the number of teenagers eating Tide Pods has skyrockete...
FOX NEWS: Flu deaths prompt warnings from victims' families as outbreak continues
Flu deaths prompt warnings from victims' families as outbreak continues
As the nation continues to fight the flu, some families are sharing their stories in hopes of preventing others from facing similar tragedie...
Thursday, January 25, 2018
FOX NEWS: Flu outbreak prompts Florida district to close schools Friday
Flu outbreak prompts Florida district to close schools Friday
A Florida school district said Thursday that it plans to cancel classes Friday in an effort to contain the spread of flu in the are...
FOX NEWS: New Jersey man receives kidney transplant after viral t-shirt plea
New Jersey man receives kidney transplant after viral t-shirt plea
A New Jersey man with a creative approach to finding a kidney donor unexpectedly got the help he needed from a stranger across the country, Pix 11 reporte...
FOX NEWS: Oregon boy, 8, dies from flesh-eating bacteria days after falling off bike
Oregon boy, 8, dies from flesh-eating bacteria days after falling off bike
Like most 8-year-old boys, Liam Flanagan has had his fair share of tumbles while playing outsid...
FOX NEWS: Doctors discover small light bulb inside a child after coughing fit
Doctors discover small light bulb inside a child after coughing fit
Doctors in India investigating a baby's cough were shocked to find a tiny LED light bulb in her right lun...
F.D.A. Panel Rejects Philip Morris’ Claim That Tobacco Stick Is Safer Than Cigarettes
By SHEILA KAPLAN from NYT Health http://ift.tt/2ndTu...
FOX NEWS: Symptoms of deadly flu strain spreading across US tend to 'escalate rapidly,' doctor says
Symptoms of deadly flu strain spreading across US tend to 'escalate rapidly,' doctor says
Last Friday, the CDC reported that 30 children have died so far this season from flu-related illness compared to eight at this time last yea...
FOX NEWS: Symptoms of deadly flu strain spreading across U.S. tend to 'escalate rapidly,' doctor says
Symptoms of deadly flu strain spreading across U.S. tend to 'escalate rapidly,' doctor says
Last Friday, the CDC reported that 30 children have died so far this season from flu-related illness compared to eight at this time last yea...
FOX NEWS: Florida family says 12-year-old son has died from flu
Florida family says 12-year-old son has died from flu
Dr. Marc Siegel reacts to the rise in deaths across the U....
FOX NEWS: Flu deaths prompt warnings from victims' families as outbreak continues
Flu deaths prompt warnings from victims' families as outbreak continues
It doesn't matter if you run marathons or play sports, when it comes to the flu, no one is completely immun...
Wednesday, January 24, 2018
FOX NEWS: Dog suffers burns, swollen eye after being dyed purple, animal services says
Dog suffers burns, swollen eye after being dyed purple, animal services says
An animal services team in Florida is pleading with pet owners after a dog suffered burns, eye swelling and nearly died after being colored purple with human hair dy...
New Findings Could Save Lives of More Stroke Patients
By DENISE GRADY from NYT Health http://ift.tt/2n9ly...
FOX NEWS: Smart contact lens helps diabetics monitor blood sugar levels
Smart contact lens helps diabetics monitor blood sugar levels
New technology has been developed in South Korea that will measure diabetes patients' glucose levels with a smart contact len...
FOX NEWS: How are the cold and flu different?
How are the cold and flu different?
Knowing the difference between the common cold and the flu can be crucial to your well-being -- and that of your loved ones -- this winte...
FOX NEWS: Model shares bloated IBS photos and harrowing syndrome story
Model shares bloated IBS photos and harrowing syndrome story
Beautiful Australian model chronicles her struggle with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) by revealing her new bikini body on Instagra...
FOX NEWS: Flu deaths prompt warnings from victims' families as outbreak continues
Flu deaths prompt warnings from victims' families as outbreak continues
It doesn't matter if you run marathons or play sports, when it comes to the flu, no one is completely immun...
FOX NEWS: Single mother dies from flu-related cause two days after docs tell her to go home and rest
Single mother dies from flu-related cause two days after docs tell her to go home and rest
Family and friends are devastated after 36-year old Tandy Harmon died of the fl...
FOX NEWS: Do e-cigarettes help or harm? Report says not clear yet
Do e-cigarettes help or harm? Report says not clear yet
Vaping with e-cigarettes that contains nicotine can be addictive and teenagers may be more likely to get hooked on nicotine according to a new report from the National Academy of Sciences, Engineering and Medicin...
Tuesday, January 23, 2018
FOX NEWS: How are the cold and flu different?
How are the cold and flu different?
Knowing the difference between the cold and the flu can be crucial to your well-being -- and that of your loved ones -- this winte...
New Index Rates Drug Companies in Fight Against ‘Superbugs’
By DONALD G. McNEIL Jr. from NYT Health http://ift.tt/2Dxuy...
Science Group Ranks Evidence on E-Cigarette Safety
By SHEILA KAPLAN from NYT Health http://ift.tt/2G8Ww...
FOX NEWS: 5-year-old girl survives rattlesnake bite
5-year-old girl survives rattlesnake bite
A 5-year-old girl Texas girl is recovering in the hospital after surviving a venomous rattlesnake bit...
