The functions of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA)-MALAT-1 in the pathogenesis of renal cell carcinoma

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC), a prevalent form of renal malignancy, is distinguished by its proclivity for robust tumor proliferation and metastatic dissemination. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have emerged as pivotal modulators of gene expression, exerting substantial influence over diverse biological processes, encompassing the intricate landscape of cancer development. Metastasis-associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 (MALAT-1), an exemplar among lncRNAs, has been discovered to assume functional responsibilities within the context of RCC. The conspicuous expression of MALAT-1 in RCC cells has been closely linked to the advancement of tumors and an unfavorable prognosis. Experimental evidence has demonstrated the pronounced ability of MALAT-1 to stimulate RCC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, thereby underscoring its active participation in facilitating the metastatic cascade. Furthermore, MALAT-1 has been implicated in orchestrating angiogenesis, an indispensable process for tumor expansion and metastatic dissemination, through its regulatory influence on pro-angiogenic factor expression. MALAT-1 has also been linked to the evasion of immune surveillance in RCC, as it can regulate the expression of immune checkpoint molecules and modulate the tumor microenvironment. Hence, the potential utility of MALAT-1 as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker in RCC emerges, warranting further investigation and validation of its clinical significance. This comprehensive review provides an overview of the diverse functional roles exhibited by MALAT-1 in RCC.

The effect of single dose prophylactic vancomycin before semi-permanent catheterization to prevent catheter related infection; a randomized controlled trial, phase II

Introduction: Catheter-related infections are a common complication and a major cause of morbidity and mortality in hemodialysis patients with tunneled central venous catheters. The optimal strategy for the management and prevention of catheter-related infections is unclear. Objectives: This study is aimed to evaluate the single-dose prophylactic vancomycin efficacy before semi-permanent catheterization to prevent catheter-related infection. Patients and Methods: This randomized double-blind controlled clinical trial was conducted on patients with chronic renal failure requiring hemodialysis and insertion of a double-lumen central venous catheter admitted to Ahvaz Golestan Hospital. The intervention group (n=30) received 1 g of vancomycin intravenously one hour before catheter insertion and the control group (n=30) received an equal amount of normal saline. The incidence of catheter-related infections and other complications for 6 months was evaluated. Results: During the 6-month follow-up, hospitalization due to catheter-related infection and the need for antibiotic administration was observed in 9 patients (30.0%) who received vancomycin and 14 patients (46.7%) in the control group (P=0.184). Catheter extraction due to infection was observed in 4 patients of the vancomycin group (13.3%) and 6 patients of the control group (20.7%) (P=0.451). Complications other than infection were observed in four patients (13.3%) in each group (P=1.000). The mean time to onset of infection was 2.43 ±0.38 months in the control group and 3.85 ± 0.42 months in the vancomycin group (P=0.002). Conclusion: Although a single dose of intravenous vancomycin one hour before insertion of a bi-luminal hemodialysis catheter did not show a significant effect on preventing catheter-related infections over 6 months, it significantly delayed the onset of infection. Trial Registration: The trial protocol was approved by Iranian Registry of Clinical Trial (Ethical code: IR.AJUMS.HGOLESTAN.REC.1399.106 and IRCT code: IRCT20201206049617N1; https://www.irct.ir/trial/52832).

Effect of vitamin D treatment on magnesium levels in chronic hemodialysis patient; a double blind controlled clinical trial

Introduction: The homeostasis of magnesium (Mg) is impaired in chronic kidney disease (CKD) and it has been suggested that intestinal absorption of Mg may be affected by vitamin D status. 25-Hydroxy vitamin D or 25(OH)D deficiency is common in patients undergoing chronic hemodialysis; however the efficacy of nutritional vitamin D supplementation on Mg level in this population remains uncertain. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of vitamin D treatment on Mg levels in chronic hemodialysis patients. Patients and Methods: This randomized clinical trial study was conducted on 69 chronic hemodialysis patients (mean age of 56.93 ±12.26 years) with serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D levels <30 ng/mL. The patients were randomly assigned to one of treatment groups of oral vitamin D3- 50 000 units per week (n=35; experimental group) or 500 mg calcium D3 tablets, every 12 hours (n=34; control group) for three months. At the beginning and end of the treatment period, the levels of serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D and the levels of Mg, calcium, phosphorus and intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) were measured in two groups. Results: In both groups, serum vitamin D levels increased significantly after treatment (P<0.0001 for both groups), however after three months of treatment, in the experimental group the levels of vitamin D were significantly higher than the patients in the control group (57 ng/mL versus 28 ng/mL; P<0.0001) and the median increase of vitamin D after treatment in the experimental group was significantly higher than the control group (40 ng/mL versus 10.5; P<0.0001). Serum Mg levels before and after treatment were not significantly different between two groups (P=0.880 and P=0.434). In this study, we found no significant correlation between serum vitamin D level with serum Mg, calcium, phosphate, and parathyroid Hormone levels (P>0.05). Conclusion: Our study shows that oral vitamin D therapy can increase 25(OH)D levels in maintenance hemodialysis patients without significant alterations in serum calcium, phosphate, magnesium and parathyroid hormone during a 12-week period. Trial Registration: Registration of trial protocol has been approved by the Iranian registry of clinical trial (#IRCT20210314050698N1; https://en.irct.ir/trial/55159, local ethical code# IR.SKUMS.REC.1397.181).

[Prevalenza di ipotiroidismo nei pazienti sottoposti a emodialisi presso un ospedale generale di Ahvaz.]

Riassunto. Obiettivo. Lo scopo di questo studio trasversale è determinare la prevalenza dell'ipotiroidismo tra i pazienti in emodialisi (ED) e i suoi potenziali fattori di rischio. Metodi. Sono stati raccolti dati demografici e di laboratorio [vale a dire, livelli sierici di tireotropina (TSH), anticorpi anti-perossidasi tiroidea (anti-TPO)] di 117 pazienti con MH. I dati sono stati analizzati da SPSS.V 26, quando necessario. Risultati. I pazienti avevano un'età media (DS) di 59,47±15,08 anni e il 66,7% (n=78) era di genere maschile. I livelli medi (DS) di TSH erano 2,56 (4,01) μIU/mL. L'ipotiroidismo subclinico (SCH) è stato definito come un livello di TSH >4,2 μIU/mL e FT4 normale. Quindici pazienti (12,80%) avevano SCH. Non c'era correlazione significativa tra ipotiroidismo ed età, genere e/o malattie sottostanti (p>0,05). Inoltre, tra i 15 pazienti con SCH, 1 paziente (6,7%) ha mostrato un risultato anti-TPO positivo mentre 14 pazienti (93,3%) hanno avuto un risultato anti-TPO negativo. Conclusione. Data la notevole prevalenza dell'ipotiroidismo nei pazienti con ED, lo screening di routine della funzione tiroidea in questa popolazione di pazienti può aiutare a ridurre i tassi di complicanze e mortalità attraverso una diagnosi precoce e un intervento tempestivo.

The effect of intensive hemodialysis on pulmonary arterial pressure and left ventricular systolic function in patients with end-stage renal disease; a prospective clinical trial

Introduction: End-stage renal disease (ESRD) requires hemodialysis or kidney transplantation for the patients to survive. Objectives: The present study was conducted to examine whether intensive hemodialysis and hemoglobin (Hb) concentration correction can improve left ventricular (LV) function and pulmonary arterial hypertension in ESRD patients? Patients and Methods: This prospective clinical trial was designed to examine patients referring to public hospitals in Ahvaz, Iran, in 2016-2017. All the patients treated with intensive hemodialysis for two months were included in the study. The Hb concentration was corrected by the subcutaneous injection of erythropoietin at the dose of 50-150 IU/kg three times per week. Results: Thirty-one ESRD patients with high pulmonary arterial pressure participated in this study. After the intervention, blood Hb levels increased significantly in the ESRD patients from 9.20±1.39 g/dL to 10.96±1.01 g/dL (P<0.0001). Pulmonary arterial pressure decreased significantly from 53.52±10.63 mmHg to 43.32±10.92 mm Hg (P<0.0001). Left ventricular ejection fraction increased significantly based on the visual assessment and Simpson’s method (2D echocardiography) from 41.06±10.76 to 43.00±11.28 and 46.26±13.72 to 48.36±13.90, respectively (P<0.0001). Absolute value of two dimensional global longitudinal strain (GLS) increased significantly from 13.99±5.05 to 15.14±5.32 (P<0.0001) after the intervention. Conclusion: Intensive hemodialysis for two months resulted in a significant increase in Hb concentrations, improved the LV systolic function and decreased pulmonary hypertension in ESRD patients. Trial registration: The trial protocol was approved in the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (identifier: IRCT20180212038705N1, https://www.irct.ir/trial/29593; Ethic code: IR.AJUMS. REC.1396.911).

Comparison of clinical outcome of induction immunosuppressive therapy with thymoglobulin and standard therapy in kidney transplantation; a randomized double-blind clinical trial

Introduction: Thymoglobulin is a lymphocyte-depleting polyclonal antibody, administered for induction therapy at the time of kidney transplantation to reduce the risk of acute allograft rejection. The appropriate dosage and duration of therapy is controversial. The higher dosages are associated with infection and malignancy. Objectives: In this study efficacy and safety of lower dosage (in comparison with previous studies) of thymoglobulin in kidney transplant recipients was evaluated. Patients and Methods: In this clinical trial, 106 adult kidney transplant recipients, were randomized before transplantation in two groups (case and control). The case group (53 patients) were received induction therapy with thymoglobulin (1.5 mg/kg/d for 3 days) and the control group (53 patients) were received non-induction regiment. Delayed graft function (DGF), glomerular filtration rate (GFR), acute allograft rejection and thymoglobulin complications were evaluated during the first post-transplantation year. Results: Around 106 kidney transplant recipients were enrolled (71 or 66.98% deceased donor) to the study. No significant statistical differences were found in GFR at the time of discharge from hospital (P=0.399) and at 1 year (P=0.851) and acute allograft rejection (P= 0.304) between two groups. Graft survival (73.5% in case group versus 81.1% in control group, P=0.392) at month 12th was similar among groups. Additionally, no significant differences of acute allograft rejection in recipient from deceased or living donor between two groups were detected. There was a higher incidence of DGF in the control group (26.4%) than the thymoglobulin group (5.8%) and the difference was statistically significant (P= 0.004). Thrombocytopenia (17% versus 49.1%, P<0.001) and leukopenia (11.3% versus 50.9%, P<0.001) were also significantly higher in the case group. Conclusion: While the incidence of DGF was reduced in thymoglobulin group, the short-term acute allograft rejection rate was not reduced compared to the control group. However, our results require further consideration with larger samples

Mycophenolate mofetil versus cyclophosphamide for idiopathic membranous nephropathy; a double blind and randomized clinical trial

Introduction: The current treatment regimens for patients with idiopathic membranous nephropathy (MN) are based on cyclophosphamide-glucocorticoid or calcineurin inhibitor-glucocorticoid. Objectives: We evaluated whether mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) -glucocorticoid could be an option for first-line therapy among these patients. Patients and Methods: In a double-blinded, randomized and controlled clinical trial, we compared the effect of MMF with cyclophosphamide in inducing complete or partial remission (PR) among patients with nephrotic syndrome due to idiopathic MN. All of the patients in both groups also received steroid, renin-angiotensin blockers and statins. Diuretics were also used in the patients who had edema. The primary end point of our study was change in urinary protein/creatinine ratio. Results: A total of 30 patients completed the study. Around 17 patients received MMF (2 g/d) and 13 patients received intravenous or oral cyclophosphamide for 6 months. At the start of the study, no significant differences in demographic and biochemical parameters of patients including the urinary protein excretion rate between two groups (P = 0.432). The proportion of proteinuria was 5235 ± 1655 mg/24 in MMF group and 8781 ± 8741 mg/24 in the cyclophosphamide group at the beginning of the study. The rate of complete and PR were 5.9% and 52.9 in MMF group versus 16.7% and 100% in cyclophosphamide group which it is significantly lower in MMF group. Kidney function was stable in both groups during treatment. Conclusions: According to the result of our study, a 6-month therapy with MMF-glucocorticoid is not recommended for treatment of patients with nephrotic syndrome due to idiopathic MN.

Gabapentin for treatment of restless legs syndrome among hemodialysis patients; a pilot study

Introduction: Unfortunately the restless leg syndrome (RLS) is a neglected issue among hemodialysis (HD) centers. Objectives: The aim of our study was to find the efficacy of gabapentin at a low dose of 100 mg three times a week among HD patients with RLS. Patients and Methods: Around 21 patients with fulfilled the criteria of RLS were randomized to receive either gabapentin (100 mg) or placebo after HD session for 4 weeks. After 2 weeks of washout period, the patients were switched from gabapentin to placebo or placebo to gabapentin for another 4 weeks. Severity of RLS symptoms before and after management with medication or placebo was evaluated with standardized questionnaire. Results: Twenty-one patients (10 females and 11 males with mean age of 58 years) were enrolled to the study. Before the study, all patients had questionnaire scores of 16 or greater and the mean score was 24.19± 7.96. After gabapentin administration (before or after crossover), the mean score significantly decreased from 24.19± 7.96 to 19.24± 9.87 (P=0.04). The mean score before and after placebo administration (before or after crossover) were 24.19± 7.96 and 18.89± 11.15 with no significant difference (P=0.09). Conclusion: According to the results of the study gabapentin at a dose of 100 mg at the end of HD is a safe effective therapy for RLS. It can significantly reduce the intensity of RLS among these patients.