Abstract Congenital nephrotic syndrome of the Finnish type (NPHS1, CNF) is an autosomal recessive disease that affects 1:8000 newborns in Finland. NPHS1 is characterised by heavy proteinuria already in utero and typical signs of nephrotic syndrome (NS) are present at or soon after birth. Due to the evident absence of extrarenal symptoms, NPHS1 has been considered a model disease for NS. In this study, the NPHS1 locus on chromosome 19q13.1 was sequenced and analysed with computer programs to identify new genes in the region. Genes were further characterised and sequenced from NPHS1 patient samples, as well as from controls. Analysis of the data resulted in the identification of the affected gene with two mutations that were found to explain 94% of the Finnish NPHS1 cases. The NPHS1 gene was found to encode a novel single-pass transmembrane protein, termed nephrin, which belongs to the immunoglobulin superfamily of cell adhesion molecules. The NPHS1 gene was cloned and recombinant nephrin fragments were produced in prokaryotic and eukaryotic expression systems. These fragments were used to raise antibodies that were utilized to characterise the spatial and temporal expression of nephrin in kidney glomeruli. Nephrin was localised by electron microscopy (EM) in ladder-like structures of the early junctional complexes of developing columnar podocytes at the capillary stage. In mature glomeruli, nephrin was localised to the slit diaphragm (SD) between adjacent glomerular podocyte foot processes. In order to investigate the more general involvement of nephrin in proteinuric disease, its expression was studied in primary acquired NS by immunofluorescence microscopy. The level of nephrin expression was found to be significantly reduced in membranous glomerulonephritis, minimal change disease and in focal segmental glomerulosclerosis. The known effects of nephrin mutations, together with the structure predicted from its sequence and localisation of the protein to the SD, emphasizes its indispensable role in maintaining the integrity of the glomerular filtration barrier. The glomerular basement membrane has long been considered to possess the size-selective filtration property of the filtration barrier. However, the identification of nephrin in the SD, as well as its alterations in proteinuria, has led us to reconsider SD as the final decisive size-selective filter.

Background-Heart failure is common in patients with chronic kidney disease. We studied risk factors for incident heart failure among 3557 participants in the CRIC (Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort) Study. Methods and Results-Kidney function was assessed by estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) using serum creatinine, cystatin C, or both, and 24-hour urine albumin excretion. During an average of 6.3 years of follow-up, 452 participants developed incident heart failure. After adjustment for age, sex, race, and clinical site, hazard ratio (95% CI) for heart failure associated with 1 SD lower creatinine-based eGFR was 1.67 (1.49, 1.89), 1 SD lower cystatin C-based-eGFR was 2.43 (2.10, 2.80), and 1 SD higher log-albuminuria was 1.65 (1.53, 1.78), all P< 0.001. When all 3 kidney function measures were simultaneously included in the model, lower cystatin C-based eGFR and higher log-albuminuria remained significantly and directly associated with incidence of heart failure. After adjusting for eGFR, albuminuria, and other traditional cardiovascular risk factors, anemia (1.37, 95% CI 1.09, 1.72, P= 0.006), insulin resistance (1.16, 95% CI 1.04, 1.28, P= 0.006), hemoglobin A1c (1.27, 95% CI 1.14, 1.41, P< 0.001), interleukin-6 (1.15, 95% CI 1.05, 1.25, P= 0.002), and tumor necrosis factor-a (1.10, 95% CI 1.00, 1.21, P= 0.05) were all significantly and directly associated with incidence of heart failure. Conclusions-Our study indicates that cystatin C-based eGFR and albuminuria are better predictors for risk of heart failure compared to creatinine-based eGFR. Furthermore, anemia, insulin resistance, inflammation, and poor glycemic control are independent risk factors for the development of heart failure among patients with chronic kidney disease.

National Kidney Disease Education Program has initiated a serum creatinine standardization program. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) can be re-estimated from standardized serum creatinine measurements. How the standardized estimated GFR (eGFR) influences hypertension prevalence has not been evaluated. In this study, cross-sectional data from 21 205 participants aged 18 years in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999-2006 were analyzed. The differences between standardized and non-standardized eGFRs in the prevalence of hypertension and low eGFR were evaluated. Multiple logistic regression models were conducted to determine the association of standardized eGFR with hypertension prevalence. The prevalence of low eGFR estimated from standardized eGFR was higher than that from non-standardized eGFR (all P0.01), except for the 2005-2006 survey. The prevalence of hypertension under standardized eGFR was not significantly different from that under non-standardized eGFR in both groups of participants with eGFR60 and eGFR60 ml min 1 per 1.73 m 2. Adjusted for age, education, gender, race/ethnicity, smoking, serum cholesterol and diabetes mellitus, the participants with standardized eGFR60 ml min 1 per 1.73 m 2 had 56.1% more chance to be hypertensive patients than those with normal eGFR (P0.0001). The difference in the relationship to hypertension prevalence between standardized and non-standardized eGFR was not found significant.

Dialysis patients are often denied hospice benefits unless they forego dialysis treatments. However, many of those patients might benefit from as-needed dialysis treatments to palliate symptoms of uremia, fluid overload, etc. The current Medicare payment system precludes this "palliative dialysis" except in those few cases where the terminal diagnosis is unrelated to renal failure. As approximately three quarters of all US patients on dialysis have Medicare as their primary insurance, a of review of Medicare policy is suggested, with a goal of creating a new "palliative dialysis" category that would allow patients to receive treatments on a less regular schedule without affecting the quality statistics of the dialysis center.

No description available.

Background: There is a 3-fold risk of developing end stage kidney disease in Non-Hispanic African Americans compared to Non-Hispanic White Americans (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2017). Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), one of the fundamental algorithms for coordinating treatment for kidney disease which factors in age, race, gender, and levels of creatinine, may pose an issue in this vulnerable population. Currently African Americans receive a correction factor between 1.21 and 1.16 to their eGFR to adjusting the value higher, potentially impacting appropriate kidney disease classification, and delaying beneficial interventions (National Kidney Foundation, 2020). Methods: A systematic literature search of four databases was completed. Eligibility criteria included 1) published in a peer reviewed journal, 2) English language, 3) the use of race correction in calculating eGFR, and 4) a quantitative study design. A total of 47 articles were screened with 17 selected for final review. The Johns-Hopkins Nursing Evidence - Based Practice evidence guide was then used to rate the strength and quality of the evidence. Results: Early evidence of the unreliability of race based eGFR equations emerged in 2008, and the body of evidence continues to grow. Recent studies have found eGFR calculated with no race corrections correlate best with directly measured iothalmate GFR in black patients (Zelnick et al., 2021), and that a potential 1,066,026 Black Americans may be reclassified to a more severe stage of CKD (Bragg-Gresham et al., 2021). Use of the race correction in GFR equations has been poorly supported in studies conducted in Africa and Brazil. For those with HIV, an accurate eGFR is doubly important yet all eGFR equations have marked variability. Some medical facilities have successfully updated to calculating eGFR without the racial coefficient (Shi et al., 2021). Conclusion: Nurses should be aware of the implications of using race correction in eGFR equations, educate their patients on its use, and advocate for those near threshold targets to ensure equitable and timely access to appropriate kidney disease interventions.

The olfactory system is a great model for studying regeneration due to the olfactory epithelium’s regenerative capability which makes it a potential a source of neural stem cells. The olfactory epithelium presents three types of cells: sustentacular cells which provide support and act as glial supporting cells; olfactory sensory neurons that are in charge of detecting odorant molecules in the air; and the stem cells that generated the aforementioned cell types. Olfactory sensory neurons are constantly dying and being replaced by new neurons originating from the stem cells that lie at the base of the olfactory epithelium. We have used an injury model that allows us to remove all the olfactory sensory neurons from the olfactory epithelium, via a single injection of methimazole. Then, at different timepoints after injury we measure the functional recovery of the olfactory epithelium by analyzing the expression of specific synaptic associated markers. Specifically, we analyzed the expression of synaptophysin, tyrosine hydroxylase, vesicular glutamate transporter 1, and vesicular glutamate transporter 2. Simultaneously, we measured glomerular size in order to serve as an indicator of anatomical recovery. Finally, we correlate these findings with previously generated data in the lab associated with functional recovery through behavior.

No description available.

Vários estudos mostram que na doença renal policística autossômica dominante os cistos surgem a partir de um mecanismo de "dois-golpes". A patogênese das manifestações não-císticas, contudo, é pouco compreendida. Neste estudo usamos uma linhagem de camundongos endogâmica com uma mutação nula em Pkd1, onde animais heterozigotos apresentam formação cística renal mínima até 40 semanas de idade. O clearance de inulina e o número de glomérulos foram menores em machos Pkd1+/- que Pkd1+/+, enquanto o volume glomerular médio foi maior em heterozigotos. A excreção urinária de NO2/NO3 não diferiu significantemente entre os dois grupos. Avaliamos a osmolalidade urinária máxima em machos e fêmeas Pkd1+/- and Pkd1+/+, porém não foi detectada diferença significante entre os grupos heterozigoto e selvagem. Nossos resultados oferecem evidência direta de que a haploinsuficiência de Pkd1 resulta em anormalidades anatômicas e funcionais renais e sugerem que o estado haploinsuficiente de Pkd1 possa resultar na redução do número de néfrons por diminuir a ramificação tubular renal durante a nefrogênese / Several studies show that in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease cysts arise through a "two-hit" mechanism. The pathogenesis of non-cystic features, however, is poorly understood. In this study we used an inbred mouse line with a null mutation of Pkd1, where heterozygotes had minimal renal cyst formation up to 40 weeks of age. Inulin clearance and the number of glomeruli were lower in Pkd1+/- than in Pkd1+/+ males, while a higher average glomerular volume was observed in heterozygotes. The urinary excretion of NO2/NO3 did not significantly differ between the two groups. Maximal urinary osmolality was evaluated in Pkd1+/- and Pkd1+/+ males and females, but no significant difference was detected between the heterozygous and the wild type groups. Our results provide direct evidence that haploinsufficiency for Pkd1 results in anatomic and functional abnormalities of the kidney and suggest that Pkd1 haploinsufficiency may result in a reduced number of nephrons by diminishing renal tubule branching during nephrogenesis

INTRODUÇÃO: Em pacientes transplantados renais, a paratireoidectomia está associada à piora aguda da função renal. Os efeitos agudos e crônicos da paratireoidectomia sobre a filtração glomerular foram pouco estudados em Hiperparatireoidismo Primário (HPTP). MÉTODO E CASUÍSTICA: Neste estudo retrospectivo de coorte, foram estudados 494 pacientes submetidos a paratireoidectomia por HPTP, entre os anos de 2007 e 2016. Variações agudas da creatinina foram aferidas diariamente na internação, até o 4o pós-operatório, sendo classificados conforme os critérios de KDIGO para IRA. Dados bioquímicos incluíram dosagem sérica de creatinina, cálcio iônico e total, paratormônio (PTH) e 25-OH vitamina D. A taxa de filtração glomerular foi estimada a partir da equação CKD-EPI. Foram comparados dados de função renal pré e pós-operatórios até 5 anos de seguimento. RESULTADOS: Dos 494 pacientes, 391 (79,1%) eram mulheres e 422 (85,4%) de cor branca. A causa mais comum de HPTP foi adenoma de paratireóide (351, 71,1%) e a mediana de idade foi de 58 anos. As medianas (Q1-Q3) de creatinina, PTH e cálcio total séricos foram de: 0,81 mg/dL (0,68-1,01), 154,5 pg/mL (106-238,5) e 10,9 mg/dL (10,3-11,5) respectivamente. A mediana de eGFR préoperatória foi de 86 mL/min x 1,73m2. No período agudo, houve redução mediana de 26 mL/min x 1,73m2 na eGFR (p < 0,0001), que representou -27,44% (±19,12%) de variação aguda da eGFR. De acordo com os critérios de IRA, 41,1% dos pacientes tiveram IRA estágio 1, 5,9% estágio 2 e 1,8% estágio 3. Outros 223 pacientes (45,1%) tiveram elevação da creatinina porém não preencheram critérios de IRA. Na análise univariada foram observadas correlações fracas, porém significativas, entre o percentual de variação aguda de eGFR e os seguintes fatores pré-operatórios: idade, PTH, cálcio e creatinina. Uma redução definitiva da eGFR foi observada em 60,7% dos pacientes, após 12 meses de seguimento. CONCLUSÃO: Houve significativa redução aguda da função renal após paratireoidectomia por HPTP, sendo que quase metade dos pacientes preencheram critérios de IRA. Observou-se importante recuperação da eGFR no primeiro mês de pós-operatório, podendo ocorrer algum grau de perda definitva de função renal / INTRODUCTION: In kidney transplant patients, parathyroidectomy is associated with acute decrease in renal function. Acute and chronic effects of parathyroidectomy on renal function have not been as extensively studied in primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective cohort study of 494 patients undergoing parathyroidectomy for PHPT. Acute renal changes were evaluated daily until day 4 post parathyroidectomy, and stratified according to acute kidney injury (AKI) criteria. Biochemical assessment included serum creatinine, total and ionized calcium, PTH, and 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD). EGFR were calculated using the CKD-EPI equation. We compared preoperative and postoperative renal function up to 5 years of follow-up. RESULTS: 391 (79.1%) patients were female and 422 (85.4%) were non-African American. Median age was 58 years old. Median (interquartile range) preoperative serum creatinine, PTH and total calcium were 0.81 mg/dL (0.68- 1.01), 154.5 pg/mL (106-238.5), and 10.9 mg/dL (10.3-11.5) respectively. Median (interquartile range) preoperative eGFR was 86 mL/min/1.73m2 (65-101.3). After surgery the median acute decrease in eGFR was 26 mL/min/1.73m2 (p < 0.0001). Acutely, 41.1% patients developed AKI stage 1, 5.9% AKI stage 2 and 1.8% AKI stage 3. Acute eGFR decrease (%) correlated with age, PTH, calcium and preoperative creatinine, in univariate analysis. Permanent reduction in eGFR occurred in 60.7 % of the patients, after acute episode. CONCLUSION: There is a significant acute impairment in renal function after parathyroidectomy for PHPT and almost half of patients meet the criteria for AKI. Significant eGFR recovery was observed during first month after surgery, but a small permanent reduction may occur