INTRODUCTION

Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) are both prevalent globally. The diagnosis and management of ACS in ESRD is difficult because the interplay of cardiovascular and renal disease is complicated. The guidelines for ACS may not be applicable to the ESRD population because the trials from which these are drawn mostly excluded ESRD patients.

To determine the clinical profile and outcomes of CKD patients on dialysis admitted for ACS in the Philippine General Hospital (PGH).

We did a retrospective cohort study and employed a retrospective review of electronic medical records among ESRD patients presenting with ACS in PGH from May 2021 to November 2023. The collected data was analyzed using univariate and bivariate statistics using PRISM software.

A total of 48 patients with ESRD were admitted for ACS in this study – 8 with STEMI and 40 with NSTEMI. The mean age was 61 years old and 33 (68.8%) were male. Among those with STEMI, six (75%) presented with Kilip II or more. While among those with NSTEMI, 17 (42.5%) had a GRACE score >140 and 27 (67.5%) had an NSTEMI TIMI risk score >2. On average, the patients were on hemodialysis for 31 months prior to admission. The most common comorbidities were hypertension (91.7%) and heart failure (83.3%). On admission, 18 (37.5%) presented with SBP >160, 7 (14.6%) patients presented with shock, and 4 (8.3%) patients presented with cardiac arrest. 38 (79.2%) patients had anemia on admission. 21 (43.8%) patients had left ventricular hypertrophy on electrocardiogram while 34 (70.8%) patients had cardiomegaly on chest radiography. The average left ventricular ejection fraction on echocardiogram was 46% and 27 (90%) patients had segmental wall motion abnormalities. The most common angiographic finding was 3-vessel coronary artery disease seen in 50% of patients. Almost all patients received dualantiplatelet therapy, high dose statin, and beta-blocker. The mortality rate was high at 43.8% with cardiovascular causes being the most common cause of death.

This study demonstrates the high mortality rate among patients with ESRD presenting with ACS. Our study portrays that patients with ESRD present with higher risk features including abnormalities in vital signs, laboratories, imaging, high prognostications score, and high in-hospital morbidity.

This study aims to explore the medication rules and mechanisms of treating chronic renal failure(CRF) by Jinling medical school based on data mining, network pharmacology, and experimental validation systematically and deeply. Firstly, the study selected the papers published by the inherited clinicians in Jinling medical school in Chinese journals using the subject headings named "traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) + chronic renal failure", "TCM + chronic renal inefficiency", or "TCM + consumptive disease" in China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang, and VIP Chinese Science and Technology Periodical Database and screened TCM formulas for treating CRF according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. The study analyzed the frequency of use of single TCM and the four properties, five tastes, channel tropism, and efficacy of TCM used with high frequency and performed association rule and clustering analysis, respectively. As a result, a total of 215 TCM formulas and 235 different single TCM were screened, respectively. The TCM used with high frequency included Astragali Radix, Rhei Radix et Rhizoma, Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, Poria, and Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma(top 5). The single TCM characterized by "cold properties, sweet flavor, and restoring spleen channel" and the TCM with the efficacy of tonifying deficiency had the highest frequency of use, respectively. Then, the TCM with the rules of "blood-activating and stasis-removing" and "diuretic and dampness-penetrating" appeared. In addition, the core combination of TCM [(Hexin Formula, HXF)] included "Astragali Radix, Rhei Radix et Rhizoma, Poria, Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix, and Angelicae Sinensis Radix". The network pharmacology analysis showed that HXF had 91 active compounds and 250 corresponding protein targets including prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2(PTGS2), PTGS1, sodium voltage-gated channel alpha subunit 5(SCN5A), cholinergic receptor muscarinic 1(CHRM1), and heat shock protein 90 alpha family class A member 1(HSP90AA1)(top 5). Gene Ontology(GO) function analysis revealed that the core targets of HXF predominantly affected biological processes, cellular components, and molecular functions such as positive regulation of transcription by ribonucleic acid polymerase Ⅱ and DNA template transcription, formation of cytosol, nucleus, and plasma membrane, and identical protein binding and enzyme binding. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG) analysis revealed that CRF-related genes were involved in a variety of signaling pathways and cellular metabolic pathways, primarily involving "phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase(PI3K)-protein kinase B(Akt) pathway" and "advanced glycation end products-receptor for advanced glycation end products". Molecular docking results showed that the active components in HXF such as isomucronulatol 7-O-glucoside, betulinic acid, sitosterol, and przewaquinone B might be crucial in the treatment of CRF. Finally, a modified rat model with renal failure induced by adenine was used, and the in vivo experimental confirmation was performed based on the above-mentioned predictions. The results verify that HXF can regulate mitochondrial autophagy in the kidneys and the PI3K-Akt-mammalian target of rapamycin(mTOR) signaling pathway activation at upstream, so as to alleviate renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis and then delay the progression of CRF.
Data Mining ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry* ; Network Pharmacology ; Humans ; Kidney Failure, Chronic/metabolism* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; China

OBJECTIVES: To summarize the clinical and genetic characteristics of end-stage renal disease caused by PLCE1 gene mutations. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of the clinical and genetic features of three children from a family with PLCE1 gene mutations was conducted, along with a literature review of hereditary kidney disease cases caused by PLCE1 gene mutations. RESULTS: The proband was an 8-year-old male presenting with nephrotic syndrome stage 4 chronic kidney disease. Renal biopsy showed focal segmental glomerulosclerosis. Two years and five months after kidney transplantation, the patient had persistent negative proteinuria and normal renal function. Whole-exome sequencing identified two pathogenic heterozygous variants: c.961C>T and c.3255_3256delinsT, with c.3255_3256delinsT being a novel mutation. Family screening revealed no renal involvement in the parents, but among five siblings, one brother died at age of 4 years from end-stage renal disease. A 7-year-old sister presented with proteinuria and bilateral medullary sponge kidney, with proteinuria resolving after one year of follow-up. A 3-year-old brother died after kidney transplantation due to severe pneumonia. The literature review included 45 patients with hereditary kidney disease caused by PLCE1 gene mutations. The main clinical phenotype was nephrotic syndrome (87%, 39/45), and renal pathology predominantly showed focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (57%, 16/28). No mutation hotspots were identified. CONCLUSIONS Compound heterozygous mutations in the PLCE1 gene can lead to rapid progression of the disease to end-stage renal disease, with favorable outcomes following kidney transplantation. Family screening is crucial for early diagnosis, and medullary sponge kidney may be a novel phenotype associated with these gene mutations.
Humans ; Male ; Proteinuria/genetics* ; Kidney Failure, Chronic/etiology* ; Child ; Mutation ; Female ; Child, Preschool ; Retrospective Studies ; Phosphoinositide Phospholipase C

OBJECTIVE: To explore the mechanism of colon dialysis with Yishen Decoction (YS) in improving the autophagy disorder of intestinal epithelial cells in chronic renal failure (CRF) in vivo and in vitro. METHODS: Thirty male SD rats were randomly divided into normal, CRF, and colonic dialysis with YS groups by a random number table method (n=10). The CRF model was established by orally gavage of adenine 200 mg/(kg•d) for 4 weeks. CRF rats in the YS group were treated with colonic dialysis using YS 20 g/(kg•d) for 14 consecutive days. The serum creatinine (SCr) and urea nitrogen (BUN) levels were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Pathological changes of kidney and colon tissues were observed by hematoxylin and eosin staining. Autophagosome changes in colonic epithelial cells was observed with electron microscopy. In vitro experiments, human colon cancer epithelial cells (T84) were cultured and divided into normal, urea model (74U), YS colon dialysis, autophagy activator rapamycin (Ra), autophagy inhibitor 3-methyladenine (3-MA), and SIRT1 activator resveratrol (Re) groups. RT-PCR and Western blot were used to detect the mRNA and protein expressions of zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1), Claudin-1, silent information regulator sirtuin 1 (SIRT1), LC3, and Beclin-1 both in vitro and in vivo. RESULTS: Colonic dialysis with YS decreased SCr and BUN levels in CRF rats (P<0.05), and alleviated the pathological changes of renal and colon tissues. Expressions of SIRT1, ZO-1, Claudin-1, Beclin-1, and LC3II/I were increased in the YS group compared with the CRF group in vivo (P<0.05). In in vitro study, compared with normal group, the expressions of SIRT1, ZO-1, and Claudin-1 were decreased, and expressions of Beclin-1, and LC3II/I were increased in the 74U group (P<0.05). Compared with the 74U group, expressions of SIRT1, ZO-1, and Claudin-1 were increased, whereas Beclin-1, and LC3II/I were decreased in the YS group (P<0.05). The treatment of 3-MA and rapamycin regulated autophagy and the expression of SIRT1. SIRT1 activator intervention up-regulated autophagy as well as the expressions of ZO-1 and Claudin-1 compared with the 74U group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION Colonic dialysis with YS could improve autophagy disorder and repair CRF intestinal mucosal barrier injury by regulating SIRT1 expression in intestinal epithelial cells.
Animals ; Sirtuin 1/metabolism* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Autophagy/drug effects* ; Male ; Intestinal Mucosa/drug effects* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Epithelial Cells/metabolism* ; Colon/drug effects* ; Humans ; Kidney Failure, Chronic/drug therapy* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Renal Dialysis ; Rats ; Kidney/drug effects*

OBJECTIVES: End stage renal disease (ESRD) is a major disease that seriously threatens the health of young people, and kidney transplantation is an effective treatment method to improve its prognosis.Young ESRD patients at a critical stage of life development often face significant physical and psychological challenges while waiting for kidney transplantation. Their psychological state directly affects treatment compliance and transplantation outcomes.This study aims to explore the psychological experiences of young patients with end stage renal disease during the waiting period for kidney transplantation, and provide a reference for formulating relevant psychological intervention measures. METHODS: A descriptive qualitative research design was adopted. Using purposive sampling, 20 young ESRD patients awaiting for kidney transplantation at the Transplantation Center of Xiangya Third Hospital, Central South University, from June to August 2024, were recruited. Based on the socio-ecological systems theory, a semi-structured interview outline was developed, and directed content analysis was applied to analyze the interview data. RESULTS: According to the results of qualitative interviews, 3 themes and 9 sub-themes were summarized as follows: Microsystem (disease pain experience, anxiety during transplantation waiting period, cognitive differentiation and coping differences), mesosystem (imbalance of family roles and dependent guilt, physician-patient trust dynamics, ambivalence toward peer support), and macrosystem (decision-making powerlessness caused by information asymmetry, sociocultural stigma and public bias, institutional dependence and passive behavior). CONCLUSIONS Young ESRD patients experience complex psychological experiences during the waiting period for kidney transplantation. Healthcare providers should explore corresponding intervention measures based on patients' psychological status to improve their waiting period experience and promote both physical and mental health.
Humans ; Kidney Transplantation/psychology* ; Kidney Failure, Chronic/surgery* ; Qualitative Research ; Female ; Male ; Adult ; Adaptation, Psychological ; Waiting Lists ; Young Adult ; Adolescent ; Anxiety/psychology*

OBJECTIVES: To explore the value of serum cystatin C (CysC) levels in evaluating renal prognosis in IgA nephropathy (IgAN) patients. METHODS: We retrospectively collected the clinical data of IgAN patients diagnosed by renal biopsy at Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital from January, 2014 to December, 2018. Based on baseline serum CysC levels, the patients were divided into high serum CysC (>1.03 mg/L) group and normal serum CysC (≤1.03 mg/L) group. The composite endpoint for poor renal prognosis was defined as ≥50% decline in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and/or progression to end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Lasso regression, multivariate Cox regression and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis were used to identify the risk factors and compare renal survival rates between the two groups. Smooth curves fitting and threshold effect analysis were used to explore the relationship between serum CysC levels and the outcomes. A nomogram model was constructed and its predictive performance was evaluated using concordance index, calibration curve, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and the area under curve (AUC). RESULTS: A total of 356 IgAN patients were enrolled, who were followed up for 4.65±0.93 years. The composite endpoint occurred in 74 patients. High serum CysC was identified as an independent risk factor for poor renal prognosis in IgAN (HR=2.142, 95% CI 1.222 to 3.755), and the patients with high serum CysC levels had a lower renal survival rate (Log-rank χ²=47.970, P<0.001). In patients with serum CysC below 2.12 mg/L, a higher CysC level was associated with an increased risk of poor renal prognosis (β=3.487, 95% CI: 2.561-4.413, P<0.001), while above this level, the increase of the risk was not significant (β=0.676, 95% CI: -0.642-1.995, P=0.315). The nomogram model based on serum CysC and 3 other independent risk factors demonstrated good internal validity with a concordance index of 0.873 (95% CI: 0.839-0.907) and an AUC of 0.909 (95% CI: 0.873-0.945). CONCLUSIONS Serum CysC levels are associated with renal prognosis in IgAN patients, and high serum CysC an independent risk factor for poor renal prognosis.
Humans ; Glomerulonephritis, IGA/diagnosis* ; Cystatin C/blood* ; Prognosis ; Risk Factors ; Retrospective Studies ; Glomerular Filtration Rate ; Kidney Failure, Chronic ; Male ; Female ; Adult ; Nomograms ; Middle Aged

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effect of serum advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs) on stenosis after first autologous arteriovenous fistula (AVF) in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). METHODS: Patients with ESRD undergoing standard native arteriovenous fistula (AVF) for the first time in the Department of Nephrology, Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University from February to June 2022 were prospectively enrolled. The preoperative general data, clinical examination results and ultrasound data of the operated limbs were collected. The patients with and without stenosis within 2 months after the operation were compared for preoperative serum AGEs levels detected using ELISA and the clinical parameters. Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the independent risk factors of AVF stenosis, and the sensitivity and specificity of AGEs for predicting postoperative stenosis were analyzed using receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve. RESULTS: Of the 94 patients enrolled, 34 had postoperative arteriovenous stenosis and 60 had no stenosis. The number of diabetic patients differed significantly between stenosis group and non-stenosis group (P<0.001). Serum AGEs levels, which were negatively correlated with serum phosphorus level (P<0.05), were significantly higher in stenosis group than in non-stenosis group (Z=-2.837, P=0.005). Serum AGE level was an independent risk factor for postoperative stenosis after AVF (OR=1.251, 95% CI:1.096-1.423, P<0.001). For predicting AVF stenosis, the area under the ROC curve (AUC) of AGEs was 0.677 (P=0.007, 95% CI: 0.572-0.770), with a specificity of 90.00% and a sensitivity of 52.94% at the optimal cut-off value of 8.43 µg/mL; AGEs combined with fibrinogen had an AUC of 0.763 (P<0.001, 95% CI: 0.664-0.844), with a specificity of 73.33% and a sensitivity of 70.59% at the optimal cut-off value of 0.30. CONCLUSIONS Elevated serum AGEs level is an independent risk factor for postoperative AVF stenosis, and its combination with fibrinogen has a better efficacy for predicting postoperative AVF stenosis.
Humans ; Glycation End Products, Advanced/blood* ; Risk Factors ; Arteriovenous Shunt, Surgical/adverse effects* ; Kidney Failure, Chronic/blood* ; Male ; Constriction, Pathologic/etiology* ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Complications/etiology* ; Renal Dialysis ; Aged ; Prospective Studies ; ROC Curve ; Adult

Long-term exposure to particulate matter has been increasingly implicated in the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, its impact on IgA nephropathy (IgAN), a leading cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD), remains unclear. A total of 1768 IgAN patients, confirmed by renal biopsy were included in this cohort study. Long-term exposure to PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ was assessed using high-resolution satellite-based data from the China High Air Pollutants (CHAP) dataset. Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate the associations between PM_2.5 or PM₁₀ and ESRD risk, adjusting for demographic, clinical, and biochemical covariates. Over a median follow-up of 3.63 years, 209 participants progressed to ESRD. Higher exposure to both PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ was significantly associated with an increased risk, with hazard ratios of 1.62 and 1.36 per 10 µg/m³ increase, respectively. A nonlinear dose-response relationship was observed, with risk increasing markedly beyond threshold levels. Trajectory modeling of prebaseline exposure identified a subgroup with persistently high and fluctuating particulate matter exposure that showed the highest risk. This study provides strong evidence that prolonged exposure to ambient particulate matter contributes to renal disease progression in individuals with IgAN.
Humans ; Glomerulonephritis, IGA/pathology* ; Particulate Matter/adverse effects* ; Male ; Female ; Kidney Failure, Chronic/epidemiology* ; Adult ; China/epidemiology* ; Disease Progression ; Environmental Exposure/adverse effects* ; Middle Aged ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Risk Factors ; Air Pollutants/adverse effects* ; Cohort Studies

Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is one of the main renal replacement therapy methods for patients with end-stage chronic kidney disease, and peritoneal dialysis belt is a key auxiliary device. However, there are some problems in the existing PD technology, such as the separation of heating system and dialysate system, the inability to continuously heat dialysate and the single function of peritoneal dialysis belt. In order to solve the above problems, the staff of Shanghai Geriatric Medical Center designed an intelligent temperature-controlled peritoneal dialysis belt and obtained the National Utility Model Patent of China (patent number: ZL 2023 2 1815961.9). The intelligent temperature-controlled peritoneal dialysis belt is composed of a double-layer fixed belt, an intelligent temperature control system (including temperature control structure and intelligent control system) and other auxiliary structures. The peritoneal dialysis tube can penetrate into the dissection from the entry of the inner surface of the fixed belt and pass through the exit of the outer surface. The double-layer fixed belt ensures the stable fixation of the dialysis tube. The two ends of the fixing belt are designed with magic stickers to adjust the tightness of the fixing belt to adapt to people with different waist circumferences. The interlayer is equipped with an intelligent temperature control system, which can continuously heat the dialysate through an electric heating plate to maintain a temperature close to the body temperature. Through the display screen and controller on the intelligent control system, medical staff can be allowed to monitor and adjust the temperature, pressure and flow parameters of the dialysate in real time. In addition, a cloth with a pulling chain is designed on the inner surface of the fixed belt, and the cloth is opened to facilitate the medical staff to wear the peritoneal dialysis tube in the temperature control structure or the restraint belt. The intelligent temperature-controlled peritoneal dialysis belt enhances the effectiveness of PD, saves PD resources, improves the convenience of PD, is suitable for family and hospital use, can effectively improve the quality of life of patients with chronic renal failure, and is suitable for clinical promotion.
Peritoneal Dialysis/instrumentation* ; Humans ; Equipment Design ; Temperature ; Kidney Failure, Chronic/therapy* ; Dialysis Solutions

BACKGROUND

A patent and functional vascular access (VA) is the lifeline of hemodialysis patients. Prevention of VA failure and maintaining patency are crucial to ensure efficient dialysis, reduce morbidity, lessen healthcare costs and improve patient outcomes. This study aims to determine the risk factors of VA failure among hemodialysis dependent end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients.

This is a retrospective, case-control study conducted between July 2022 and December 2022. One hundred forty six ESRD patients consisting of 73 with VA failure and 73 without VA failure, undergoing hemodialysis in Manila Doctors Hospital (MDH) - Hemodialysis Unit were included in the study. At least one age (up to 5 years or younger) and sex-matched control was recruited per case (1:1 case-control sampling). The relation of patient demographic profile, smoking, comorbidities (ie, hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, coronary artery disease [CAD], peripheral artery disease [PAD] and heart failure [HF]), duration of dialysis, location of VA, preoperative vessel diameter and arterial peak systolic velocity (PSV) and history of central vein catheterization to VA failure were analyzed. Odds ratio and their 95% confidence interval (CI) for the association of risk factors to VA failure were calculated.

Based on univariate analysis, the following are significant risk factors for VA failure: diabetes (OR 2.35, CI 1.20-4.62), CAD (OR 3.58, CI 1.58-8.13) and PAD (OR 3.04, CI 1.11-8.29). On multivariate analysis, two variables are significant risk factors associated with VA failure, namely: heart failure (OR 7.3, CI 2.15-21.4) and history of ipsilateral central venous catheter (OR 5.51, CI 1.99-15.3) (p = 0.05). Distal radiocephalic VAs have higher failure rates (53.42%) than proximal brachiocephalic (23.36%) and brachiobasilic (8.22%).

Diabetes, CAD, PAD, HF and history of ipsilateral central vein catheterization are significant risk factors for VA failure. Distal VA has higher failure rates compared to proximal access in these high-risk patients. This information may guide clinicians in making the appropriate recommendation regarding location of VA in this subset of patients. Aside from patient comorbidities, inherent characteristics, patency and functionality of VA vessels may be influenced by other extrinsic factors leading to VA failure.