The presence of vitamin D insufficiency in apparently healthy individuals warrants further investigation.”
“Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is found at epidemic levels in certain populations of the Pacific Coast in northwestern 3-MA research buy Nicaragua especially in younger men. There are knowledge gaps concerning CKD’s prevalence in regions at higher altitudes.
Methods: A cross-sectional study of adults between the ages of 20 and 60 years in 1 coffee-growing village in Nicaragua located at 1,000 m above sea level (MASL) altitude was performed. Predictors included
participant sex, age, occupation, conventional CKD risk factors and other factors associated with CKD suggested by previous surveys in Central America. Outcomes included serum creatinine (SCr) values >1.2 mg/dL for men and >0.9 mg/dL for women, estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) <60 ml/min per 1.73 m(2), dipstick proteinuria stratified as microalbuminuria (30-300 mg/dL) and macroalbuminuria (>300 mg/dL), hypertension and body
mass index.
Results: Of 324 eligible participants, 293 were interviewed (90.4%), and 267 of those received the physical exam (82.4% overall). Of the sample, 45% were men. Prevalence rate of estimated GFFI <60 ml/min per 1.73 m(2) was 0 men (0%) and 2 for Selleck Danusertib women (1.4%). The prevalence of at least microalbuminuria was significantly higher among men compared with women (27.5% vs. 21.4%, respectively; p=0.02).
Conclusions: The CKD prevalence in this village is comparable to a previously studied Nicaraguan coffee-farming PND-1186 region and much lower than previously screened portions of northwestern Nicaragua. There is heterogeneity in CKD prevalence across Nicaragua. At this time, screenings should target individuals living in previously
identified, higher risk regions. More work is needed to understand determinants of CKD in this resource-poor nation.”
“Background: Angiopoietin-2 (ang-2) that activates endothelial cells and increases vascular inflammation might have significant roles in the pathogenesis of glomerular diseases. This study aimed at assessing the level of ang-2 as a marker of renal involvement in SLE patients to elucidate its correlation with disease activity and endothelial dysfunction.
Methods: This study included 81 subjects. The control group included 21 healthy subjects. The patients group included 60 SLE patients, 24 patients without lupus nephritis (LN) and 36 patients with LN. Clinical examination and laboratory investigations including 24 hours urinary protein, estimation of serum ang-2 and creatinine and calculation of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Measurement of SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI), flow mediated dilatation (FMD) and carotid intima media thickness (CIMT) were done. Renal biopsy was done for patients with LN.
Results: Ang2 level was significantly higher in subjects with FMD <= 10%, than in subjects with FMD >10%.