Longitudinal artificial intelligence-based deep learning models for diagnosis and prediction of the future occurrence of polyneuropathy in diabetes and prediabetes

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to develop artificial intelligence-based deep learning models and assess their potential utility and accuracy in diagnosing and predicting the future occurrence of diabetic distal sensorimotor polyneuropathy (DSPN) among individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and prediabetes.

METHODS

In 394 patients (T2DM=300, Prediabetes=94), we developed a DSPN diagnostic and predictive model using Random Forest (RF)-based variable selection techniques, specifically incorporating the combined capabilities of the Clinical Toronto Neuropathy Score (TCNS) and nerve conduction study (NCS) to identify relevant variables. These important variables were then integrated into a deep learning framework comprising Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) and Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) networks. To evaluate temporal predictive efficacy, patients were assessed at enrollment and one-year follow-up.

RESULTS

RF-based variable selection identified key factors for diagnosing DSPN. Numbness scores, sensory test results (vibration), reflexes (knee, ankle), sural nerve attributes (sensory nerve action potential [SNAP] amplitude, nerve conduction velocity [NCV], latency), and peroneal/tibial motor NCV were candidate variables at baseline and over one year. Tibial compound motor action potential amplitudes were used for initial diagnosis, and ulnar SNAP amplitude for subsequent diagnoses. CNNs and LSTMs achieved impressive AUC values of 0.98 for DSPN diagnosis prediction, and 0.93 and 0.89 respectively for predicting the future occurrence of DSPN. RF techniques combined with two deep learning algorithms exhibited outstanding performance in diagnosing and predicting the future occurrence of DSPN. These algorithms have the potential to serve as surrogate measures, aiding clinicians in accurate diagnosis and future prediction of DSPN.

Baroreflex Sensitivity as a Surrogate Biomarker for Concurrently Assessing the Severity of Arterial Stiffness and Cardiovascular Autonomic Neuropathy in Individuals with Type 2 Diabetes

This study aimed to investigate whether baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) could serve as a reliable metric for assessing cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy (CAN) and concurrently act as a surrogate biomarker for evaluating the severity of arterial stiffness and CAN in individuals diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Participants underwent brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) as well as autonomic function evaluations encompassing the Sudoscan-based modified composite autonomic scoring scale (CASS), baroreflex sensitivity, and heart rate variability in time domains and frequency domains. Linear regression analysis was performed to evaluate the influence of independent variables on baPWV and modified CASS. Participants with higher baPWV values were older, with longer diabetes duration, lower body weight, body mass index, waist circumference, elevated systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and mean arterial blood pressure. They also exhibited a higher prevalence of retinopathy as the underlying disease and reduced estimated glomerular filtration rate. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that age and BRS were significantly associated with baPWV while diabetes duration, UACR, and BRS were significantly associated with modified CASS. Our study confirms the significant association of BRS with baPWV and modified CASS in T2DM, highlighting its pivotal role in linking microvascular and macrovascular complications. This supports BRS as a surrogate marker for assessing both the severity of arterial stiffness and cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy in T2DM, enabling the early identification of complications.

Predictive value of heart rate variability and electrochemical skin conductance measurements for cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy persistence in type 2 diabetes and prediabetes: A 3-year follow-up study

OBJECTIVE

The study aimed to explore risk stratification approaches for cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy (CAN) in individuals with prediabetes and type 2 diabetes (T2DM) over a three-year follow-up period.

METHODS

Participants underwent evaluations of autonomic function encompassing cardiovascular autonomic reflex tests (CARTs), baroreflex sensitivity (BRS), heart rate variability (HRV) in time domains (standard deviation of all normal RR intervals (SDNN)) and frequency domains (high frequency/low frequency ratio), and electrochemical skin conductance (ESC). The diagnosis of CAN relied on abnormal CART results. Subjects were categorized into 4 groups, based on their assessment of cardiac autonomic function at 3-year follow-up, relative to the presence or absence of CAN at baseline assessment: Persistent absence of CAN; Resolution of CAN; Progression to CAN; and Persistent CAN.

RESULTS

Participants with T2DM/prediabetes (n = 91/7) were categorized as: Persistent absence of CAN (n = 25), Resolution of CAN (n = 10), Progression to CAN (n = 18), and Persistent CAN (n = 45) groups. The Persistent absence of CAN group showed significant associations with SDNN. The Resolution of CAN group exhibited notable associations with mean HbA1C (follow-up), while the Progression to CAN group displayed a significant link with baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate. The Persistent CAN group demonstrated significant associations with SDNN and Sudoscan CAN risk score. Screening recommendations involve biennial to annual assessments based on risk levels, aiding in CAN detection and subsequent comprehensive and time-intensive autonomic function tests for confirmation. The study's findings offer improved risk categorization approaches for detecting CAN, which has relevance for shaping public health strategies.

Prevalence and varieties of complementary and alternative medicine usage among individuals with pre-dialysis chronic kidney disease in Taiwan: an investigative cross-sectional analysis

BACKGROUND

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is frequently used in the general population, yet only limited data are available regarding the prevalence of these medications in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Hence, our study aimed to explore the prevalence and types of CAM in Taiwanese patients with CKD.

METHODS

A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted by face-to-face interview of 275 pre-dialysis patients without dialysis treatment or kidney transplant at an outpatient nephrology clinic in Taiwan from March 2021 to June 2023. The study outcomes were the prevalence of CAM, CAM types, reasons for using CAM, and sources of information about CAM.

RESULTS

Overall, 128 patients (46.5%) were using CAM, but no significant differences from non-CAM users in the various CKD stages (p = 0.156) were found. CAM usage was high in the age range of 20-60 years and duration of CKD ≤ 5 years (p < 0.05). The most commonly used type of CAM was nutritional approaches (79.7%), followed by other complementary health approaches (26.6%). The most commonly utilized modalities of CAM were vitamins and minerals (38.3%), and only 27.1% of patients disclosed their CAM use to their physicians. The most common sources of information about CAM were family and friends, cited by 66% of the participants. Health promotion and a proactive attitude were reported by 40% of users as the reasons for using CAM.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study provides data on the CAM usage among CKD patients and adds to the increasing evidence on CAM use. Because some of these practices have safety concerns, better education from healthcare providers on the risks and benefits of CAM therapy is needed by CKD patients.

Sudoscan as substitute for quantitative sudomotor axon reflex test in composite autonomic scoring scale and its correlation with composite autonomic symptom scale 31 in type 2 diabetes

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to evaluate the feasibility of substituting electrochemical skin conductance measurement using SUDOSCAN for sudomotor function testing in the Composite Autonomic Scoring Scale (CASS) and to correlate the results with the Composite Autonomic Symptom Scale 31 (COMPASS 31) among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

METHODS

Fifty patients with T2DM underwent cardiovascular autonomic function testing and the SUDOSCAN test and completed the COMPASS 31 questionnaire. We developed a SUDOSCAN-based sudomotor subscore as a substitute for the original sudomotor subscore (based on the quantitative sudomotor axon reflex test [QSART]). The modified CASS score (SUDOSCAN-based sudomotor subscore combined with the adrenergic and cardiovagal subscores) and the original CASS score without suomotor assessment (sum of the adrenergic and cardiovagal subscores) were obtained according to the results of the cardiovascular autonomic function and SUDOSCAN tests.

RESULTS

The total COMPASS 31 score was significantly correlated with the modified CASS score (p = 0.019 and 0.037 for the raw and weighted scores, respectively) but not with the CASS score without sudomotor assessment. After adding the SUDOSCAN-based sudomotor subscore, the number of patients identified as having diabetic autonomic neuropathy (DAN) increased from 24 (48 %, based on the CASS score without sudomotor assessment) to 35 (70 %, based on the modified CASS score). The modified CASS score enhances the accuracy of assessing autonomic function and improves the diagnosis of diabetic autonomic neuropathy (DAN) among patients with T2DM. In medical settings where QSART is not accessible, SUDOSCAN testing offers a practical and efficient alternative.

Dapagliflozin-entresto protected kidney from renal hypertension via downregulating cell-stress signaling and upregulating SIRT1/PGC-1α/Mfn2-medicated mitochondrial homeostasis

This study tested whether combined dapagliflozin and entresto would be superior to mere one therapy on protecting the residual renal function and integrity of kidney parenchyma in hypertensive kidney disease (HKD) rat. In vitro results showed that the protein expressions of oxidative-stress/mitochondrial-damaged (NOX-1/NOX-2/oxidized-protein/cytosolic-cytochrome-C)/apoptotic (mitochondrial-Bax/cleaved caspeases 3, 9)/cell-stress (p-ERK/p-JNK/p-p38) biomarkers were significantly increased in H2O2-treated NRK-52E cells than those of controls that were reversed by dapagliflozin or entresto treatment. Adult-male SD rats (n = 50) were equally categorized into group 1 (sham-operated-control), group 2 (HKD by 5/6 nephrectomy + DOCA-salt/25 mg/kg/subcutaneous injection/twice weekly), group 3 (HKD + dapagliflozin/orally, 20 mg/kg/day for 4 weeks since day 7 after HKD induction), group 4 (HKD + entresto/orally, 100 mg/kg/day for 4 weeks since day 7 after HKD induction), and group 5 (HKD + dapagliflozin + entresto/the procedure and treatment strategy were identical to groups 2/3/4). By day 35, circulatory levels of blood-urine-nitrogen (BUN)/creatinine and urine protein/creatinine ratio were lowest in group 1, highest in group 2, and significantly lower in group 5 than in groups 3/4, but no difference between groups 3/4. Histopathological findings showed the kidney injury score/fibrotic area/cellular expressions of oxidative-stress/kidney-injury-molecule (8-OHdG+/KIM-1+) exhibited an identical trend, whereas the cellular expressions of podocyte components (synaptopodin/ZO-1/E-cadherin) exhibited an opposite pattern of BUN level among the groups. The protein expressions of oxidative stress/mitochondrial-damaged (NOX-1/NOX-2/oxidized protein/cytosolic-cytochrome-C/cyclophilin-D)/apoptotic (mitochondrial-Bax/cleaved-caspase 3)/mitochondrial-fission (PINK1/Parkin/p-DRP1)/autophagic (LC3BII/LC3BI ratio, Atg5/beclin-1)/MAPK-family (p-ERK/p-JNK/p-p38) biomarkers displayed a similar pattern, whereas the protein expression of mitochondria-biogenesis signaling (SIRT1/PGC-1α-Mfn2/complex I-V) displayed an opposite pattern of BUN among the groups. In conclusion, combined dapagliflozin-entresto therapy offered additional benefits on protecting the residual kidney function and architectural integrity in HKD rat.

Impacts of Chemerin Levels and Antioxidant Capacity on the Severity of Cardiovascular Autonomic Neuropathy in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes and Prediabetes

Existing evidence supports an association between chemerin levels and cardiovascular risk, while reduced thiol levels are linked to diabetes mellitus. It is hypothesized that chemerin may contribute to autonomic dysfunction and cardiovascular risk in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), potentially mediated by the antioxidant capacity of patients with well-controlled T2DM and prediabetes. Comprehensive cardiovascular autonomic testing and biomarker assessments were conducted for all participants. The severity of cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy (CAN) was evaluated using the composite autonomic scoring scale (CASS). A mediation model was employed to explore the potential relationships among chemerin levels, antioxidant capacity (indicated by thiol levels), and CAN severity (indicated by CASS values). A total of 184 participants were enrolled in this study, comprising 143 individuals with T2DM and 40 individuals with prediabetes. The findings reveal a significant negative association between thiols levels (r = -0.38, p < 0.0001) and the CASS values, while a positive association is observed between chemerin levels (r = 0.47, p < 0.0001) and the CASS values. Linear regression analysis identified chemerin and thiols as independent variables significantly associated with CASS values. Subsequent mediation analysis elucidated that thiols levels act as mediators in the relationship between elevated chemerin levels and an increased CASS value. This study shows that poor cardiovascular function, higher chemerin levels, and reduced antioxidant capacity coexist in individuals with T2DM and prediabetes. Mediation analysis suggests a pathophysiological link between high chemerin levels and low antioxidant capacity, adversely impacting CAN severity.

Effectiveness of Center of Pressure Trajectory as Anticipatory Postural Adjustment Measurement in Parkinson's Disease With Freezing of Gait History

BACKGROUND

Evidence showed that patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) who have a history of freezing of gait (FOG) have hypometric anticipatory postural adjustment (APA) during gait initiation (GI) compared to PD without FOG.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to test the feasibility of center of pressure (COP) displacement during GI as the measure of APA in PD with and without a history of FOG.

METHODS

Patients with PD underwent COP trajectory measurements, including duration, length, velocity, and acceleration in different phases of APA (APA1, APA2a, APA2, and LOC), as well as evaluation of New Freezing of Gait Questionnaire (NFOG-Q), Tinetti balance and gait score, and Postural Instability and Gait Difficulty (PIGD) score in the on and off medication states.

RESULTS

The duration (seconds) of APA2a, APA2b, and LOC were highest while velocity in mediolateral direction (X) (m/s), including APA1, APA2a, APA2b, and LOC showed lowest in PD with FOG. Velocity in the mediolateral direction in different phases of APA increased in patients with FOG after dopaminergic therapy. APA2a (seconds) and APA2b (X) (m/s) were significantly associated with NFOG-Q part II, APA2b (X) (m/s) was significantly associated with NFOG-Q part III, and APA2a (seconds) was significantly associated with Tinetti balance and gait and PIGD score.

CONCLUSIONS

PD with FOG history showed a favorable response of APAs to dopaminergic replacement. The APA parameters by COP trajectory, especially lateral COP shift toward the stance foot (APA2b (X) (m/s) and APA2a (seconds)) are surrogate markers to assess PD with FOG history.

Quantitative thermal testing as a screening and follow-up tool for diabetic sensorimotor polyneuropathy in patients with type 2 diabetes and prediabetes

Introduction

The diagnosis and assessment of neuropathy severity of diabetic sensorimotor polyneuropathy (DSPN) are mainly based on clinical neuropathy scores and electrophysiologic studies. This study aimed to determine whether quantitative thermal testing (QTT) can be used as a screening and follow-up tool for DSPN of prediabetes and type 2 diabetes at baseline and at 1-year follow-up.

Methods

All patients were assessed using the Toronto Clinical Neuropathy Score (TCNS) and underwent electrophysiological testing, including a nerve conduction study (NCS) and QTT, at baseline and at a 1-year follow-up. The TCNS and the composite scores of nerve conduction were used to assess the severity of DSPN. The DSPN status at the 1-year follow-up was classified as remaining no DSPN, remaining DSPN, regression to no DSPN, or progression to DSPN.

Results

Diabetic sensorimotor polyneuropathy was initially diagnosed in 89 patients with prediabetes and type 2 diabetes (22%). The regressed to no DSPN in 29 patients and progressed to DSPN in 20 patients at the 1-year follow-up. TCNS was significantly correlated with composite scores of nerve conduction, hand cold detection threshold (CDT), hand warm detection threshold (WDT), foot CDT, and foot WDT. Stepwise logistic regression demonstrated that the foot CDT (p &lt; 0.0001) was independently associated with the presence of DSPN. The TCNS, composite scores of the nerve conduction, hand WDT, hand CDT, foot WDT, and foot CDT were all statistically significant among the four different DSPN status groups at two different time periods (baseline and the 1-year follow-up).

Conclusion

The foot CDT can be used as an initial screening tool for DSPN alternatively. The characteristics of nerve damage after 1 year of DSPN can be progressive or reversible, and the neurological functions of large and small fibers have a parallel trend, which can be objectively measured by NCS and QTT.

The clinical utility of plantar pressure measurements as screening in patients with Parkinson's disease with and without freezing of gait history

OBJECTIVE

To test the feasibility of objective assessments using the TekScan MatScan pressure mat plantar pressure measurement as a time-effective screening service for Parkinson's disease (PD) with and without freezing of gait (FOG) history.

DESIGN

A prospective cross-sectional study.

SETTING

The largest medical center in southern Taiwan.

INTERVENTIONS

Not applicable.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)

Plantar pressure measurements including average peak pressure (PP), contact distribution (CA), and pressure time integral (PTI) in static and dynamic conditions as well as clinical scores during off-medication states.

PARTICIPANTS

One hundred and three patients with PD and the other 22 age-sex-match healthy volunteers.

RESULTS

Plantar pressure assessment including PP, CA, and PTI on the total foot (TF) areas between PD and healthy control in the static conditions are similar. Patients with PD represented higher PTI on TF areas as well as hallux, midfoot area, and medial and lateral hells during dynamic conditions as compared with healthy control. The PP, CA, and PTI during the static condition and CA during the dynamic condition on the hallux showed statistical significance between PD with and without FOG history. Stepwise logistic regression after controlling with age and BMI showed only PTI on hallux (static conditions) was significantly associated with the presence of FOG. The receiver operating characteristic curve analysis in diagnostic accuracy for FOG in PTI were statistically significant (p=0.002, Area under the curve: 0.71).

CONCLUSION

FOG screening using the TekScan MatScan pressure mat plantar pressure measurement could serve as a time-effective screening service at the outpatient clinic. Based on our study, PTI may be valuable in auxiliary diagnosis.

Assessing the Feasibility of Using Electrochemical Skin Conductance as a Substitute for the Quantitative Sudomotor Axon Reflex Test in the Composite Autonomic Scoring Scale and Its Correlation with Composite Autonomic Symptom Scale 31 in Parkinson's Disease

The Composite Autonomic Scoring Scale (CASS) is a quantitative scoring system that integrates the sudomotor, the cardiovagal, and the adrenergic subscores, and the Composite Autonomic Symptom Scale 31 (COMPASS 31) is based on a well-established comprehensive questionnaire designed to assess the autonomic symptoms across multiple domains. We tested the hypothesis that electrochemical skin conductance (Sudoscan) can be a substitute for the quantitative sudomotor axon reflex test (QSART) in the sudomotor domain and assessed its correlation with COMPASS 31 in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). Fifty-five patients with PD underwent clinical assessment and cardiovascular autonomic function tests and completed the COMPASS 31 questionnaire. We compared the modified CASS (integrating the Sudoscan-based sudomotor, adrenergic, and cardiovagal subscores) and CASS subscores (the sum of the adrenergic and cardiovagal subscores). The total weighted score of COMPASS 31 was significantly correlated with both the modified CASS and the CASS subscore (p = 0.007 and p = 0.019). The correlation of the total weighted score of COMPASS 31 increased from 0.316 (CASS subscores) to 0.361 (modified CASS). When we added the Sudoscan-based sudomotor subscore, the case numbers for autonomic neuropathy (AN) increased from 22 (40%, CASS subscores) to 40 (72.7%, modified CASS). The modified CASS not only better reflects the exact autonomic function, but also improves the characterization and quantification of AN in patients with PD. In areas in which a QSART facility is not easily available, Sudoscan could be a time-saving substitution.

The associations between renal disease severity and exposure to organophosphate flame retardants in patients with chronic kidney disease

Organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs) are emerging and widespread environmental pollutants with potential health hazards, including nephrotoxicity. However, the exposure patterns and nephrotoxic potential of OPFRs are yet to be investigated in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). We conducted a cross-sectional study involving 166 patients with CKD stratified by estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and severity of proteinuria. The urinary concentrations of 10 OPFR compounds were measured to evaluate the exposure patterns. Clinical and urinary OPFR profiles were compared among subgroups to identify whether the OPFR compounds were independently correlated with eGFR and proteinuria. Additionally, lifestyle factors were compared among subgroups stratified by median concentrations of urinary OPFR compounds associated with renal disease severity. This study revealed universal exposure to OPFRs in the CKD population, with an overall urinary detection rate of 98.80 %. Furthermore, after adjusting for covariates, the urinary concentration of bis(2-chloroethyl) phosphate (BCEP) was identified as an independent predictor of lower eGFR (low vs high eGFR, odds ratio (OR) (95 % confidence interval (CI)), 1.761 (1.032-3.005) per log μg/g creatinine, p = 0.038), and the urinary concentration of bis(2-butoxyethyl) phosphate (BBOEP) was independently correlated with overt proteinuria in CKD patients (with vs without overt proteinuria, OR (95 % CI), 1.813 (1.065-3.086) per log μg/g creatinine, p = 0.028). Moreover, frequent seafood consumption was negatively correlated with urinary BCEP concentration (high vs low BCEP, OR (95 % CI), 0.455 (0.228-0.908), p = 0.025), and age was inversely associated with urinary BBOEP concentration (high vs low BBOEP, OR (95 % CI), 0.968 (0.937-0.999) per year, p = 0.048). In conclusion, our investigation highlights the extensive exposure to OPFRs and the independent association between renal disease severity and urinary BCEP/BBOEP concentrations in the CKD population, indicating the nephrotoxic potential of these pollutants.

Radiotherapy Is Associated with an Accelerated Risk of Carotid Atherosclerosis in Patients with Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma: A Nine-Year Prospective Follow-Up Study

Radiation-related extracranial vasculopathy is a common late effect after radiation in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). We proposed the hypothesis that radiation-related extracranial vasculopathy is a progressive process that can begin immediately after radiotherapy and persist for a longer period, and inflammation and oxidative stress may play a pivotal role in this process. Thirty-six newly diagnosed NPC patients were assessed with B-mode ultrasound for the common carotid artery (CCA) intima media thickness (IMT) measurement as well as surrogate markers at three different stages (baseline, immediately after concurrent chemoradiation therapy (CCRT), and 9 years after enrollment). A healthy control group was also recruited for comparison. Surrogate markers including a lipid profile, HbA1c, inflammation, oxidative stress, and platelet activation markers were assessed. The mean CCA IMT in the NPC group were increased immediately after CCRT (p = 0.043). The mean CCA IMT value after a 9-year follow-up also showed a significant increase in NPC and control group, respectively (p < 0.0001 and p < 0.0001, paired t test). The annual increase mean CCA IMT (mm) was 0.053 ± 0.025 and 0.014 ± 0.013 in NPC and control group, respectively (p < 0.0001). The baseline high sensitivity CRP (hs-CRP), thiol, TBARS, and CD63 level were significantly higher in the NPC group (hs-CRP, p = 0.001, thiol, p < 0.0001, TBARS, p = 0.05, and CD63 level, p = 0.04). The thiol and TBARS levels were significantly lower in NPC patients immediately after CCRT (thiol, p < 0.0001, and TBARS, p = 0.043). The CD62P level was significantly higher while the thiol level was significantly lower in the NPC group after a 9-year follow-up (CD62P level, p = 0.007; and thiol level, p = 0.004). Radiation-related extracranial vasculopathy is a progressive process that begins immediately after radiotherapy with significantly increased carotid IMT compared to the control group during the 9-year follow-up. Chronic inflammation and oxidative stress might serve to drive the process and also contribute to increased platelet activation.

Effectiveness of Different Methods for Baroreflex Sensitivity Assessment in Determining the Severity of Cardiovascular Autonomic Neuropathy in Patients With Parkinson’s Disease

Background

Autonomic disorders are an important non-motor feature of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) is often used as an indicator of cardiovascular autonomic function, and it is clinically significant. Several different methods of BRS assessment have been described. We evaluated and compared the efficiency of several methods of BRS assessment for additional insight into the underlying physiology and the determination of its severity in patients with PD.

Materials and Methods

Eighty-five patients with PD underwent cardiovascular autonomic testing. The Composite Autonomic Scoring Scale (CASS) was used to grade the severity of autonomic impairment and to define the presence of cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy (CAN). BRS was assessed using the Valsalva maneuver (BRS_VM). In addition, spontaneous BRS was computed using the sequence method and the spectral method.

Results and Conclusion

There was considerable agreement between the different methods of BRS assessment. Nevertheless, BRS_VM exhibited a higher degree of correlation with cardiovascular autonomic function than spontaneous BRS indexes obtained by the sequence or spectral method. BRS_VM, rather than spontaneous BRS, also had a predictive value for the presence of CAN to the diagnostic criteria by CASS in patients with PD.

Clinical Disease Severity Mediates the Relationship between Stride Length and Speed and the Risk of Falling in Parkinson’s Disease

The shuffling gait with slowed speed and reduced stride length has been considered classic clinical features in idiopathic Parkinson’s disease (PD), and the risk of falling increases as the disease progresses. This raises the possibility that clinical disease severity might mediate the relationship between stride length and speed and the risk of falling in patients with PD. Sixty-one patients with PD patients underwent the clinical scores as well as quantitative biomechanical measures during walking cycles before and after dopamine replacement therapy. Mediation analysis tests whether the direct effect of an independent variable (stride length and speed) on a dependent variable (three-step fall prediction model score) can be explained by the indirect influence of the mediating variable (Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) total scores). The results demonstrate that decreased stride length, straight walking speed, and turning speed is associated with increased three-step fall prediction model score (r = −0.583, p < 0.0001, r = −0.519, p < 0.0001, and r = −0.462, p < 0.0001, respectively). We further discovered that UPDRS total scores value is negatively correlated with stride length, straight walking, and turning speed (r = −0.651, p < 0.0001, r = −0.555, p < 0.0001, and r = −0.372, p = 0.005, respectively) but positively correlated with the fall prediction model score value (r = 0.527, p < 0.0001). Further mediation analysis shows that the UPDRS total score values serve as mediators between lower stride length, straight walking, and turning speed and higher fall prediction model score values. Our results highlighted the relationship among stride length and speed, clinical disease severity, and risk of falling. As decreased stride length and speed are hallmarks of falls, monitoring the changes of quantitative biomechanical measures along with the use of wearable technology in a longitudinal study can provide a scientific basis for pharmacology, rehabilitation programs, and selecting high-risk candidates for surgical treatment to reduce future fall risk.

Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio are associated with a 2-year relapse in patients with multiple sclerosis

BACKGROUND

The association between increased neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and multiple sclerosis has been demonstrated in several studies. The monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR) is an emerging biomarker for disease monitoring. Moreover, there has not been a published Taiwanese study to date.

AIM

To investigate the correlation of NLR, MLR and white blood cell (WBC) count as possible biomarkers for predicting a 2-year relapse in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 641 Taiwanese patients with MS were enrolled in the present study between January 1, 2001, and December 31, 2018. We collected data on NLR, MLR, WBC count, disease-modifying therapy (DMT) use, and the time between first diagnosis and first relapse in all patients within a 2-year duration.

RESULTS

In the relapse group, there were significantly more patients with NLR >median or MLR >median (p = 0.006 and p = 0.020, respectively). There were also more patients with WBC count >median, although the difference was not statically significant (p = 0.069). The adjusted hazard ratio for relapse and NLR >median was 1.61(p = 0.008). The adjusted hazard ratio for relapse and MLR >median was 1.43 (p = 0.044). Patients with NLR >median or MLR >median had a significantly (p = 0.008 and p = 0.039, respectively) increased risk of MS relapse in the 2 years, compared with those who had NLR <median or MLR <median.

CONCLUSION

NLR and MLR are widely available, fast and measurable inflammatory markers for predicting the relapse risk of MS patients.

Detraining Effect on Pulmonary and Cardiovascular Autonomic Function and Functional Outcomes in Patients With Parkinson's Disease After Respiratory Muscle Training: An 18-Month Follow-Up Study

Background: The effect of 3-month respiratory muscle training (RMT) on pulmonary and autonomic function and functional outcomes has been demonstrated in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD); however, there is a paucity of information on the durability of the training effect. In this study, we monitored the pulmonary and cardiovascular autonomic function and clinical severity scales until 18 months after the cessation of RMT to elucidate the detraining effect after RMT.

Methods: All patients with PD receiving RMT were assessed with clinical severity scales as well as pulmonary and autonomic function tests at four different stages (baseline on enrollment, immediately after 3 months of RMT, and 6 and 18 months after cessation of RMT). A control group of PD patients who did not receive RMT was also recruited for comparison. Pulmonary function parameters, including forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP), and maximum expiratory pressure (MEP), were assessed. Cardiovascular autonomic function was assessed using measures including heart rate response to deep breathing (HRDB), Valsalva ratio, and baroreflex sensitivity. Clinical severity scores were also measured using the Hoehn and Yahr staging and the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS).

Results: The results showed significant improvements in MIP, MEP, HRDB, and UPDRS immediately after RMT. Despite some decay, the improvements in pulmonary function (MIP and MEP) and functional outcomes (UPDRS) remained significant until 6 months of detraining (9 months after enrollment). However, the improvement in cardiovascular autonomic function (HRDB) was reversed after 6 months of detraining.

Conclusions: Based on these findings, we recommend that RMT may be repeated after at least 6 months after previous session (9 months after enrollment) for patients with PD to maintain optimal therapeutic effects.

Impact on Mental Well-Being and Resilience of Patients with Multiple Chronic Conditions in Different Periods during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Outbreak in Taiwan

Concerns over the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and control measures have affected the routine outpatient visits of individuals with comorbidities and their mental well-being. From October 2019 to August 2020, this cross-sectional study enrolled 135 patients who sought medical attention at a medical center in Taiwan. This period covered the early (October to December 2019), peak (January to April 2020), and late (May to August 2020) periods of the COVID-19 outbreak in Taiwan. The demographic data, social support data, activities of daily living (ADL), resilience scale scores, and mental well-being scale scores of the participants were compared. There were no statistically significant differences in the participation rate, demographic data, and social support data between the three periods. The correlation analysis confirmed significant negative relationships between the number of COVID-19 cases and outpatient department visits per month (r = −0.764, p < 0.001), emergency department visits per month (r = −0.023, p < 0.001), ADL (r = −0.257, p = 0.03), resilience scale (r = −0.390, p < 0.001), and mental well-being scale (r = −0.475, p < 0.001). In conclusion, the severity of the COVID-19 outbreak in Taiwan was associated with declines in the ADL, mental well-being, and resilience of patients who sought medical attention.

Hemogram parameters can predict in-hospital mortality of patients with Myasthenic crisis

BACKGROUND

Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoimmune disease involving the neuromuscular junction. Myasthenic crisis (MC), which is characterized by respiratory failure and the requirement of mechanical ventilation in patients with MG, is still a medical emergency despite the decrease in mortality with the advances in acute management. Hemogram is a cost-effective test for evaluating hematological complications and systemic inflammation, and hemogram data have been used to predict various clinical outcomes of several diseases. The relationship between hemogram and MG has been discussed, but the role of hemogram data in predicting the prognosis of MC patients has not been established.

METHODS

To identify whether hemogram data can predict in-hospital mortality in patients with MC, we retrospectively investigated 188 myasthenic crisis events from the Chang Gung Research Database between April 2001 and March 2019. Demographic and clinical characteristics were collected, as well as hemogram data before intubation and extubation. The endpoints were mortality during mechanical ventilation and mortality after extubation.

RESULTS

The overall in-hospital mortality rate was 22%. Multivariate logistic regression analysis for predicting mortality during mechanical ventilation showed that old age at MC onset (OR = 1.039, p = 0.022), moderate-to-severe anemia (OR = 5.851, p = 0.001), and extreme leukocytosis (OR = 5.659, p = 0.022) before intubation were strong predictors of mortality, while acute management with plasma exchange or double-filtration plasmapheresis (PE/DFPP) significantly decreased mortality (OR = 0.236, p = 0.012). For predicting mortality after extubation, moderate-to-severe anemia before extubation (OR = 8.452, p = 0.017) and non-treated with disease-modifying therapy before MC (OR = 5.459, p = 0.031) were crucial predictive factors.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrated that both old age at MC onset and moderate-to-severe anemia are important predictors of in-hospital mortality in patients with MC, and extreme leukocytosis is another crucial predictor of mortality during mechanical ventilation. The suggested mechanism is that anemia-induced hypoxia may enhance the release of proinflammatory cytokines, exacerbate systemic inflammation, and lead to multiple organ dysfunction syndrome and, finally, mortality.

Nationwide Population-Based Epidemiological Study for Outcomes of Adjunctive Steroid Therapy in Pediatric Patients with Bacterial Meningitis in Taiwan

Although corticosteroids can serve as an effective anti-inflammatory adjuvant therapy, the role of adjunctive steroid therapy in pediatric bacterial meningitis in Taiwan remains under-investigated. Cases of acute bacterial meningitis, aged between 1 month and 20 years, were divided into a steroid group (empirical antibiotics with adjunctive steroid therapy) and a non-steroid group (empirical antibiotics only). Data were identified from the annual hospitalization discharge claims of the National Health Insurance Research Database using the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision codes. Of the 8083 episodes enrolled in this study, 26% (2122/8083) and 74% (5961/8083) were divided into the steroid and non-steroid groups, respectively. The fatality rates were 7.9% in the steroid group and 1.7% in the non-steroid group during hospitalization (p < 0.0001). In the steroid and non-steroid groups, the median length of hospital stay was 13 and 6 days, respectively (p < 0.0001). Medical costs (median (interquartile range)) of hospitalization were 77,941 (26,647–237,540) and 26,653 (14,287–53,421) New Taiwan dollars in the steroid and non-steroid groups, respectively (p < 0.0001). The steroid group had a more fulminant course at baseline, a higher fatality rate, length of hospital stay, and medical cost of hospitalization. Therefore, the beneficial effects of the adjunctive use of corticosteroids in pediatric bacterial meningitis are inconclusive, and additional prospective multicenter investigations are required to clarify this issue.

Improved cardiovascular autonomic function and decreased protein-bound uremic toxins in patients with end-stage renal disease after peritoneal dialysis

Objective

Cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy is highly prevalent in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD), and it has a high fatality rate. This study aimed to determine whether peritoneal dialysis (PD) improves cardiovascular autonomic function (CAF) and decreases protein-bound uremic toxin (indoxyl sulfate [IS], p-cresyl sulfate [PCS]) levels.

Methods

IS and PCS levels, and parameters of CAF (heart rate response to deep breathing [HR_DB], the Valsalva ratio, baroreflex sensitivity, and the frequency domain) were prospectively evaluated in 26 patients with ESRD undergoing PD at two time points (pre-PD and 6 months post-PD). For comparison, 19 consecutive patients with pre-dialysis chronic kidney disease and 30 age- and sex-matched healthy volunteers were included as the disease and control groups, respectively.

Results

Baroreflex sensitivity, HR_DB, and the Valsalva ratio were significantly lower in the ESRD and disease groups than in the control group. IS and PCS levels were significantly higher in the ESRD group than in the control group. Sympathetic/parasympathetic activity was improved after PD. IS levels were significantly decreased after PD and IS level changes were correlated with the frequency domain.

Conclusions

IS may play a role in cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy, and decreased IS levels after dialysis are associated with sympathetic/parasympathetic activity imbalance.

Severity of Cardiovascular Autonomic Neuropathy Is a Predictor Associated With Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events in Adults With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A 6-Year Follow-up Study

OBJECTIVES

Cardiovascular autonomic function impairment has been reported in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and is associated with cardiovascular events. In this study, we test the hypothesis that the severity of cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy is a predictor associated with subsequent 3-point major adverse cardiovascular events (3-P MACE; combined endpoint of cardiovascular death, nonfatal myocardial infarction and nonfatal stroke).

METHODS

In this prospective study, we enrolled 168 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus over a 6-year follow-up period. We constructed the Composite Autonomic Scoring Scale as a measure of the severity of cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy and examined baseline clinical and laboratory data of 168 patients with diabetes. Cardiovascular autonomic testing included heart rate response to deep breathing, Valsalva ratio and baroreflex sensitivity. Therapeutic outcome was defined as 3-P MACE.

RESULTS

The overall incidence of new 3-P MACE was 23.2% and overall fatality rate was 9.5% during the 6-year follow-up period. Only underlying coronary heart disease and Composite Autonomic Scoring Scale were independently associated with subsequent 3-P MACE in the Cox proportional hazards model. Any increase of 1 point in Composite Autonomic Scoring Scale would increase the risk of new 3-P MACE by 9.7%. Area under the curve on receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis was 0.72 in predicting subsequent 3-point MACE in combined heart rate response to deep breathing and Valsalva ratio.

CONCLUSIONS

Besides underlying coronary heart disease, the severity of cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy is strongly associated with subsequent 3-P MACE. Combined heart rate response to deep breathing and Valsalva ratio testing can increase sensitivity and specificity in predicting subsequent 3-point MACE, and it can serve as a time-effective cardiovascular autonomic screening service in the outpatient clinic sitting.

Peri-renal fat thickness is positively associated with the urine albumin excretion rate in patients with type 2 diabetes

BACKGROUNDS

Albuminuria, the earliest clinical manifestation of diabetic kidney disease (DKD), is a major prognostic indicator of renal progression. Obesity itself is associated with the development of DKD and accelerates its progression. Accumulation of peri-renal fat on the kidneys can damage kidney function. Measuring the perirenal fat thickness (PFT) by ultrasound is a non-invasive method to measure ectopic fat deposition on the kidney. In this study, we aim to obtain the association between albuminuria and PFT.

METHODS

Eighty-nine subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) were enrolled. Albuminuria was defined as a urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR) ≧30 mg/g. Measurement of the PFT was performed by B-mode ultrasound (Toshiba SSA-680A) and determined from the surface of the abdominal musculature to the surface of kidney. Pearson correlation coefficients were determined to test the significant independent relationship between the PFT and demographic, anthropometric and laboratory parameters.

RESULTS

Patients were divided into those with (n = 66) and without (n = 23) albuminuria. PFT (odds ratio [OR], 19.3; 95% CI, 2.25-165.00; p = 0.01) was significantly correlated with albuminuria based on multiple logistic regression analysis. Additionally, linear regression confirmed that degree of albuminuria has a positive association with the PFT (r = 0.233; p = 0.03).

CONCLUSIONS

Our study showed that an increased PFT is positively associated with the albuminuria among patients with T2DM. Our findings suggest that measurement of the PFT may represent a helpful tool to assess the risk of developing albuminuria in patients with T2DM.

Impact of oxidative stress on treatment outcomes in adult patients with sepsis: A prospective study

PURPOSE

Oxidative stress has been shown to reflect on the development of sepsis and disease severity. In the present study, we evaluated the effects of increased levels of oxidative stress and decreased antioxidant coactivity in patients with sepsis, and the importance of oxidative stress on treatment outcomes.

METHODS

Biomarkers of oxidative stress (thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances [TBARS]) and antioxidant capacity (glutathione peroxidase [GPx] and glutathione content [thiol]) were prospectively evaluated along with biochemical and clinical data in 100 patients with sepsis on days 1, 4, and 7 after admission.

RESULTS

The TBARS level of the non-survivor group was significantly higher than that of the survivor group on day 1 and day 4 and negatively correlated with thiol upon admission. However, thiol was positively correlated with lactate concentration. The TBARS and lactate levels upon admission were independent predictors of fatality.

CONCLUSIONS

We conclude that a TBARS cut-off value of 18.30 μM can be used to predict fatality, and an increase in the TBARS concentration by 1 μM will increase the fatality rate by 0.94%. In the panel of biomarkers, the TBARS assay can be considered as a prognostic biomarker for the treatment of patients with sepsis.

Safety and efficacy of intrarenal arterial autologous CD34+ cell transfusion in patients with chronic kidney disease: A randomized, open-label, controlled phase II clinical trial

Background

This was a randomized, open‐label, controlled phase II clinical trial to investigate the safety, efficacy, and outcomes of intrarenal artery infusion of autologous peripheral‐blood‐derived CD34+ cells for patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD; ie, stage III or IV).

Materials and Methods

Between October 2016 and July 2018, 52 consecutive patients with CKD at stage III or IV were randomly allocated into a treatment group (TG; 2.5 × 10⁷ cells for each intrarenal artery; n = 26) and a control group (CG; standardized pharmacotherapy only; n = 26). The primary endpoints included safety and change of creatinine level/creatinine clearance. The secondary endpoints were 12‐month combined unfavorable clinical outcomes (defined as dialysis or death), improvement in proteinuria, and CD34+ cell‐related adverse events.

Results

All patients were uneventfully discharged after CD34+ cell therapy. The baseline endothelial progenitor cell (EPC) populations did not differ between TG and CG (P > .5). Flow cytometric analysis showed increases in circulating EPC (ie, CD34+KDR+CD45^dim/ CD34+CD133+CD45^dim/CD31+CD133+CD45^dim/CD34+CD133+KDR+/CD133+) and hematopoietic stem cell (CD34+) populations after granulocyte‐colony stimulating factor treatment (all P < .001). Besides, Matrigel assay of angiogenesis was also significantly enhanced (all P < .001). Renal‐venous blood samplings (ie, at 0, 5, 10, and 30 minutes after CD34+ cell infusion) demonstrated significant progressive increases in EPC level (P for trend <.001) among the TG patients. One‐year combined unfavorable clinical outcomes were significantly lower in TG than those in CG (0% [0] vs 13.3% [4], P = .038). By 12 months after CD34+ cell therapy, circulating creatinine level, ratio of urine protein to urine creatinine, and creatinine clearance showed no difference between TG and CG (all P > .1).

Conclusion

CD34+ cell therapy was safe and improved 1‐year outcome.

The role of blink reflex R1 latency as an electrophysiological marker in diabetic distal symmetrical polyneuropathy

OBJECTIVE

Studies showed a relatively prolonged blink R1 latency in patients with diabetic distal symmetrical polyneuropathy (DSPN) compared to that without DSPN. We tested the hypothesis that blink R1 latency would provide a diagnostic alternative to nerve conduction studies (NCS) in DSPN and act as a marker of the severity of NCS abnormalities in DSPN.

METHOD

A total of 109 patients with type 2 diabetes underwent blink reflex studies and NCS. We used the composite amplitude scores of nerve conductions (CAS), which consisted of motor (tibial, peroneal and ulnar) and sensory (sural and ulnar) amplitudes for estimating the severity of NCS.

RESULTS

Patients with DSPN had longer blink R1, R2, and contralateral R2 latencies (P < 0.0001, P = 0.001, and P = 0.031, respectively) and higher CAS (P < 0.0001). Area under curve on receiver operating characteristic curve analysis in diagnosing occurrence of DSPN in blink R1 latency was 0.772 (P < 0.0001). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that blink R1 latency was independently associated with CAS.

CONCLUSION

Blink R1 latency may be valuable in auxiliary diagnosis and in determining the severity of NCS abnormalities in DSPN.

SIGNIFICANCE

Blink R1 latency can be added as a supplemental marker of severity of NCS in DSPN, especially if the patient's sural amplitudes has a floor effect.

Level and Value of T Cell-derived Circulating Microparticles in Liver Cirrhosis Patients

BACKGROUND/AIM

We examined the hypothesis that T cell-derived-circulating microparticles (MPs) are increased in liver-cirrhosis (LC) patients compared to normal subjects and are also increased in chronic hepatitis compared to acute-decompensated-liver cirrhosis (ADLC).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 66 LC patients, including 35 with ADLC and 31 with non-decompensated-LC (NDLC), were enrolled in the study. Ten volunteers served as controls.

RESULTS

Flow-cytometric analysis showed that circulating levels of T-cell derived MPs (i.e., total MPs and CD4+/CD8+/CD54+MPs) were higher in LC patients than in the controls (all p<0.003). Total MPs and CD8+MPs were higher in NDLC than in ADLC patients. There were good correlations between CD8+MPs and ADLC as well as between total MPs and chronic hepatitis. Multivariate-linear-regression analysis showed that NDLC was independently predictive of increased circulating CD8+MPs levels (p<0.05) and chronic hepatitis independently predictive of increased circulating total MPs levels (p<0.001)/CD4+MPs (p<0.05).

CONCLUSION

Circulating levels of T-cell-derived MPs were increased in ADLC patients and were even more elevated in NDLC patients compared to healthy-control subjects.

Adjunctive statin therapy reduces intracranial hemorrhage and 1-year mortality in patients with atrial fibrillation after acute ischemic stroke: A population-based epidemiological study from Taiwan

BACKGROUND

Atrial fibrillation (AF)-related stroke causes severe disability and poor prognosis. Adjunctive statin therapy has been recommended for atherosclerotic-related stroke but not AF-related stroke. This study investigated the effects of statin in AF patients who experienced acute ischemic stroke.

METHODS

Data from patients with AF experiencing first-ever ischemic stroke between 2001 and 2010 were collected from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database and categorized into non-statin and statin groups. The statin group was further divided into pre-stroke statin (those who began statin therapy before stroke) and post-stroke statin (those who began statin therapy after stroke) groups. The risks for recurrent ischemic stroke, coronary artery disease (CAD), intracranial hemorrhage (ICH), and 1-year mortality were compared among the groups.

RESULTS

A total of 43,242 patients were in the non-statin, 2858 in the pre-stroke statin and 4640 in post-stroke statin groups. Comparing the risk for recurrent stroke and CAD among the three groups, the pre-stroke statin and post-stroke statin groups did not exhibit a significant difference compared with the non-statin group. In terms of ICH risk, the statin group had a lower risk for ICH (odds ratio [OR] 0.79, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.68-0.90; p = 0.0007) compared with the non-statin group. The overall 1-year mortality in both statin subgroups was lower than that in the non-statin group (pre-stroke statin, OR 0.55 [95% CI 0.49-0.61]; p < 0.0001 versus post-stroke statin, OR 0.53 [95% CI 0.48-0.58]; p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

Statin therapy reduced the risk of ICH and 1-year mortality in AF patients who experienced acute ischemic stroke.

Time-varying serum albumin levels and all-cause mortality in prevalent peritoneal dialysis patients: a 5-year observational study

BACKGROUND

In this study, we investigated the association of time-varying serum albumin levels with mortality over a 5-year period in one cohort of patients undergoing long-term peritoneal dialysis (PD) therapy.

METHODS

The participants in this study enrolled 302 patients who underwent long-term PD at a single PD center in Taiwan. We reviewed medical records from 2011 to 2015 retrospectively. Time-averaged albumin level and serum albumin reach rate (defined as the percentage of serum albumin measurements that reached ≥3.5 g/dL) were applied as the predictor variables in the first 2 years (2011-2012). All-cause mortality was used as the outcome variable in the subsequent 3 years (2013-2015). Hazard function of all-cause mortality in the study participants was examined by using Cox proportional hazard regression models .

RESULTS

Patients with different albumin reach rates (75-< 100%, 50-< 75%, 1-< 50%) did not exhibit a significantly increased risk for all-cause mortality. Patients with a 0% albumin reach rate exhibited a significantly increased risk for all-cause mortality (hazard ratio [HR] 7.59, 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.38-24.21) by fully adjusted analysis. Patients with time-averaged albumin levels of < 3.5 g/dL (HR 15.49, 95% CI 1.74-137.72) exhibited a higher risk for all-cause mortality than those with serum albumin levels ≥4.0 g/dL.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrated that higher serum albumin reach rates and higher time-averaged serum albumin levels are associated with a lower mortality rate over a 5-year period among patients undergoing long-term PD.

Close relationship between cardiovagal function and sural sensory nerve action potential in type 2 diabetes

OBJECTIVE

Both diabetic distal symmetrical polyneuropathy (DSPN) and cardiac autonomic neuropathy (CAN) indicate the length-dependent pattern of disease. Decreased parasympathetic activity has been found in the early phase of CAN and sural sensory nerve action potential (SNAP) imply axonal loss in DSPN.

METHOD

All patients with type 2 diabetes underwent cardiovascular autonomic function and nerve conduction studies (NCS). We constructed modified composite autonomic scoring scale (CASS) and composite score of NCS to measure the severity of CAN and DSPN, respectively.

RESULTS

Patients with a longer duration of diabetes had a lower heart rate response to deep breathing (HR_DB), Valsalva ratio (VR), and baroreflex sensitivity (BRS), higher CASS, a higher percentage of CAN, lower sural SNAP, higher composite score of NCS, and a higher percentage of DSPN. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that only sural SNAPs were independently associated with mean HR_DB.

CONCLUSION

Sural SNAP was closely correlated with parameters of cardiovagal functions in patients with different durations of diabetes. The percentage and severity of CAN and DSPN increase with longer duration of diabetes.

SIGNIFICANCE

The independent association of sural sensory nerve action potential amplitude and heart rate response to deep breathing with type 2 diabetes is important because combined testing increases diagnostic sensitivity and specificity.

HbA1C Variability Is Strongly Associated With the Severity of Cardiovascular Autonomic Neuropathy in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes After Longer Diabetes Duration

Background

Variability in the glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) level is associated with a higher risk of microvascular complications in patients with type 2 diabetes. We tested the hypothesis that HbA1c variability is not only strongly associated with the presence but also the degree of severity of cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy (CAN) in patients with long diabetes durations (more than 10 years).

Methods

For each patient, the intrapersonal mean, standard deviation (SD), and coefficient of variation (CV) for HbA1c were calculated using all measurements obtained 3 years before the study. We constructed the composite autonomic scoring scale (CASS) as a measure of the severity of cardiovascular autonomic functions. Stepwise logistic regression and linear regression analyses were performed to evaluate the presence of CAN and the influence of independent variables on the mean CASS, respectively.

Results

Those with CAN had a higher mean age, a higher low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), HbA1c-SD, HbA1c-CV, mean HbA1c, and index HbA1c, higher prevalence of retinopathy as the underlying disease, and lower high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels. Stepwise logistic regression showed that HbA1c-SD and retinopathy were risk factors that were independently associated with the presence of CAN. Mean HbA1c, HbA1c-CV, HbA1c-SD, and index HbA1c were positively correlated with mean CASS, and a multiple linear regression analysis revealed that HbA1c-SD was independently associated with the mean CASS.

Conclusion

HbA1c variability is strongly associated with not only the presence but also the degree of severity of CAN. A longitudinal study is required to confirm whether controlling blood glucose level is effective in reducing CAN progression.

Decreased cerebral blood flow and improved cognitive function in patients with end-stage renal disease after peritoneal dialysis: An arterial spin-labelling study

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between cognitive impairment and brain perfusion using arterial spin labelling (ASL) in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients undergoing PD.

METHODS

ESRD patients undergoing PD were recruited. Laboratory screening, neuropsychological tests and ASL magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were conducted prior to and after 6 months of PD. Age- and sex-matched normal subjects without ESRD served as the control group. Comparisons of regional CBF between ESRD patients before or after undergoing PD and normal controls were performed. Correlations between biochemical, neuropsychological and CBF data were also conducted to evaluate the relationships.

RESULTS

ESRD patients showed poor performance in many of the neuropsychological tests; PD improved cognition in some domains. Pre-PD patients had higher mean CBF than post-PD patients and normal controls, but no significant difference was found between the normal controls and post-PD patients. Negative correlations were observed pre-PD (regional CBF in left hippocampus vs. perseverative responses, r = -0.662, p = 0.014), post-PD (mean CBF vs. haemoglobin level, r = -0.766, p = 0.002), and before and after PD (change in CBF in the left putamen vs. change in haematocrit percentage, r = -0.808, p = 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Before PD, ESRD patients had increased cerebral perfusion that was related to poorer executive function, especially in the left hippocampus. Post-PD patients performed better in some cognitive test domains than pre-PD patients. The degree of anaemia, i.e., haemoglobin level or haematocrit percentage, might predict cognitive impairment in PD patients.

KEY POINTS

• In this study, ESRD patients before PD had cerebral hyperperfusion that was related to poorer executive function. • Post-PD patients performed better in some cognitive test domains than pre-PD patients did. • The degree of anaemia might predict cognitive impairment in PD patients.

HbA1C Variability Is Strongly Associated With the Severity of Peripheral Neuropathy in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes

Variability in HbA1c is associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular disease and microvascular complications in patients with type 2 diabetes. The present study evaluated the severity of somatic nerve dysfunction at different stages of chronic glycemic impairment, and its correlation with different cardio-metabolic parameters. The study was conducted on 223 patients with type 2 diabetes. We calculated the intrapersonal mean, standard deviation (SD), and coefficient of variation of HbA1c for each patient using all measurements obtained for 3 years prior to the study. Patients were divided into quartiles according to the SD of HbA1c, and we constructed composite scores of nerve conduction as the severity of peripheral neuropathy. Linear regression analysis was performed to evaluate the influence of independent variables on mean composite scores. Those with higher SD-HbA1c had a higher body mass index, mean and index HbA1c, triglyceride and uric acid level, urinary albumin excretion and albumin-creatinine ratio, proportion of insulin therapy, and prevalence of hypertension as the underlying diseases, but lower estimate glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). In addition, those with higher SD-HbA1c showed lower amplitudes and reduced motor nerve conduction velocity in tested nerves, and lower sensory nerve conduction velocity in the sural nerve. Furthermore, those with higher SD-HbA1c had higher composite scores of low extremities. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that diabetes duration, SD-HbA1c, and eGFR were independently associated with mean composite scores. Based on our results, HbA1c variability plus chronic glycemic impairment is strongly associated with the severity of peripheral neuropathy in patients with type 2 diabetes. Aggressively control blood glucose to an acceptable range and avoid blood glucose fluctuations by individualized treatment to prevent further nerve damage.

Effects of Peritoneal Dialysis on Clinical Factors and Functional Performance

BACKGROUND

We investigated the longitudinal trend of functional performance in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients over 1 year after PD commencement and its related clinical parameters.

METHODS

One hundred and ninety-six PD patients were enrolled in this study. Karnofsky Performance Status Scale(KPSS) scores were used to assess functional performance. Patients were stratified into 3 groups according to the changes in KPSS from baseline to 1 year. A logistic regression analysis was performed to examine the associations of clinical parameters with KPSS changes.

RESULTS

Patients with KPSS declined showed older age and higher serum albumin concentration reduction within 1 year than those in KPSS improved and stable changes. Age was the significant risk factor for KPSS decline, while male and diabetes were significantly associated with non-declined KPSS by multivariable logistic regression analysis.

CONCLUSION

The main determinants of KPSS trend were age, sex, and diabetes in new PD patients.

Outcomes of adjunctive steroid therapy in adult patients with bacterial meningitis in Taiwan: A nationwide population-based epidemiologic study

BACKGROUND

Although corticosteroids are an effective anti-inflammatory adjuvant therapy, the role of adjunctive steroid therapy in treating adult bacterial meningitis in Taiwan remains controversial.

METHODS

Cases of acute bacterial meningitis were identified from the annual hospitalization discharge claims of the National Health Insurance Research Database using International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision codes from January 2000 to December 2013. Patients were classified into two groups: (1) steroid group (adjunctive steroids and empirical antibiotics) and (2) placebo group (empirical antibiotics only).

RESULTS

There were 15,037 patients enrolled in this study; of these, 57% (7175/15,037) and 52% (7862/15,037) were placed in the placebo and steroid groups, respectively. The case-fatality rates were 11.5% (826/7175) in the placebo group and 19.9% (1562/7862) in the steroid groups during hospitalization (P = 0.77). Further, the hazard ratio (relative to placebo group) of in-hospital and one-year case fatality rate were 0.923 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.846-1.007, P = 0.073) and 1.514 (95% CI: 1.425-1.608, P < 0.0001) according to the multivariate Cox model after adjustment for age and sex.

CONCLUSION

On the basis of these results, steroid group had a more fulminant clinical course (e.g., acute respiratory failure and pneumonia, etc.), and unfavorable outcomes than placebo group. Therefore, more prospective, randomized, double-blind trials are warranted to evaluate the efficacy of adjunctive steroid therapy in treating adult bacterial meningitis in Taiwan.

Viridans streptococcus peritonitis in peritoneal dialysis: clinical characteristics and comparison with concurrent polymicrobial infection

Background

The clinical course of Viridans streptococci (VS) peritonitis in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis (PD) is rarely reported. This study examined the association of clinical factors with VS peritonitis.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed clinical data from patients with VS peritonitis from March 1990 to February 2016 in a PD center in Taiwan and evaluated clinical profiles and treatment outcomes.

Results

A total of 109 episodes of VS peritonitis in 71 patients identified. Among these patients, 57 had mono-VS peritonitis and 14 had concurrent polymicrobial infections. The median time interval from PD initiation to the first VS peritonitis episode was 18 months (range, 0.6–144 months). Among clinical outcomes, most VS peritonitis episodes were completely cured regardless of a history of peritonitis. All episodes with catheter removal occurred in those without a history of recent antibiotic use.

Conclusion

VS peritonitis in patients undergoing PD typically has favorable treatment outcomes. Antibiotic therapy should be started promptly.

Inducible pluripotent stem cell-derived mesenchymal stem cell therapy effectively protected kidney from acute ischemia-reperfusion injury

This study tested whether inducible pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy could effectively protect kidney from acute ischemia (1 h) - reperfusion (5 day) injury (IRI). Male-adult SD-rats (n = 24) were equally categorized into groups 1 (sham-control), 2 [sham-control + iPSC-MSC (1.2 × 106 cells/rat)], 3 (IR only) and 4 (IR + iPSC-MSC). Blood urine nitrogen/creatinine levels and ratio of urine protein to creatinine, kidney weight and expressions of inflammation (TNF-α/NF-κB), oxidative-stress (NOX-1/NOX-2/oxidized protein) and apoptosis (mitochondrial-Bax/cleaved caspase-3/PARP) were significantly higher in group 3 than in groups 1, 2 and 4 and significantly higher in group 4 than in groups 1 and 2 (all P<0.0001), but showed no differences between groups 1 and 2, whereas the protein expressions of anti-inflammation (IL-4/IL-10) and endothelial (CD31/vWF) markers exhibited an opposite pattern to inflammation among the four groups (all P<0.0001). Protein expressions of angiogenesis (VEGF/CXCR4/SDF-1α) markers progressively increased from groups 1 to 4 (all P<0.0001). Cellular expressions of kidney injury score/DNA-damage (γ-H2AX)/apoptotic nuclei and glomerulus-tubular-damage (KIM/FSP-1) displayed an identical pattern to inflammation, whereas the cellular expressions of glomerulus-tubular-integrity (dystroglycan/podocin/p-cadherin/synaptopodin/ZO-1/fibronectin) revealed an opposite pattern to inflammation among the four groups (all P<0.0001). In conclusion, iPSC-derived MSC therapy effectively protected kidney against IRI.

Increased circulating endothelial progenitor cells and improved short-term outcomes in acute non-cardioembolic stroke after hyperbaric oxygen therapy

Background

Acute ischemic stroke is a leading cause of mortality and long-term disability, and profiles of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) reflect the degree of endothelial impairment. This study tested the hypothesis that hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) both improves the clinical short-term outcomes and increases the number of circulating EPCs and antioxidant capacity.

Methods

The numbers of circulating EPCs [CD133⁺/CD34⁺ (%), KDR⁺/CD34⁺ (%)], biomarkers for oxidative stress (thiols and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances), and clinical scores (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale [NIHSS], Barthel index [BI], and modified Rankin Scale [MRS]) were prospectively evaluated in 25 patients with acute non-cardioembolic stroke under HBOT at two time points (pre- and post-HBOT). The biomarkers and clinical scores were compared with those of 25 age- and sex-matched disease controls.

Results

The numbers of KDR⁺/CD34⁺ (%) in the HBOT group following HBOT increased significantly, whereas the numbers of CD133⁺/CD34⁺ (%) also showed a tendency to increase without statistical significance. The mean high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels showed significant decrease post-HBOT follow-up in the HBOT group. The changes in KDR⁺/CD34⁺EPC (%) numbers were positively correlated with changes in clinical outcomes scores (BI, NIHSS, and MRS) in the HBOT group.

Conclusions

Based on the results of our study, HBOT can both improve short-term clinical outcomes and increase the number of circulating EPCs in patients with acute non-cardioembolic stroke.

Longitudinal analysis of cardiac structure and function in incident-automated peritoneal dialysis: comparison between icodextrin solution and glucose-based solution

Background

This study aimed to evaluate the longitudinal changes in cardiac structure and function in incident-automated peritoneal dialysis (APD) patients.

Methods

We conducted a 2-year prospective, randomized, open-label, parallel-group study to compare the efficacy of icodextrin solution versus glucose-based solution. Echocardiography was performed at baseline, 1 and 2 years. Echocardiographic parameters over 2 years were evaluated for each group, using the Friedman test. Generalized linear regression analysis was used to test the associations between baseline clinical variables and echocardiographic changes, and a multivariate model was used to analyze cardiac function between the two groups.

Results

A total of 43 APD patients were enrolled in the beginning of this study. Twenty patients in the icodextrin group (ICO) and 18 patients in the glucose group (GLU) completed the study. In left ventricular (LV) systolic function measurements, ejection fraction (EF) increased significantly in the GLU group. Measurements of LV diastolic function and septal early mitral annulus velocity (EMV) increased significantly from baseline to 24-months in the ICO group (5.43–5.51 ms). The GLU group showed a significant decrease in peak early diastolic velocity (EDV) (70.67–68.25 cm/s), but a significant increase in septal EMV (5.94–7.57 ms) from baseline to 24-months. No significant association was found between the baseline clinical variables and echocardiographic changes within 24 months in the generalized linear regression analysis. Multivariate models were used to investigate changes in the four primary endpoints, namely, myocardial performance index (MPI), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), deceleration time (DT), and E/e′ ratio. These primary endpoints show no significant association with the baseline values in both the ICO and GLU groups.

Conclusion

The present study demonstrates that long-dwell icodextrin solution can maintain reasonable cardiac structure and function in incident-APD patients.

Trial registration

ISRCTN14931270 (retrospectively registered on 23/03/2018).

Adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes alleviate overwhelming systemic inflammatory reaction and organ damage and improve outcome in rat sepsis syndrome

This study tested the hypothesis that healthy adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cell (ADMSC)-derived exosomes (HMSCEXO) and apoptotic (A) (induced by 12 h hypoxia/12 h starvation)-ADMSC-derived exosomes (AMSCEXO) were comparably effective at alleviating sepsis syndrome [SS; induced by cecal-ligation and puncture (CLP)]-induced systemic inflammation and reduced organ damage and unfavorable outcomes in rats. SD rats were divided into sham control (SC), SS only, SS + HMSCEXO (100 µg intravenous administration 3 h after CLP), and AMSCEXO. By day 5 after CLP procedure, the mortality rate was significantly higher in SS than in SC and HMSCEXO (all P < 0.01), but it showed no significant different between SC and HMSCEXO, between AMSCEXO and HMSCEXO or between SS and AMSCEXO (P > 0.05). The levels of inflammatory mediators in circulation (CD11b/c/Ly6G/MIF), bronchioalveolar lavage (CD11b/c/Ly6G) and abdominal ascites (CD11b/c/CD14/Ly6G/MIF) were highest in SS, lowest in SC and significantly higher in AMSCEXO than in HMSCEXO (all P < 0.001). The circulating/splenic levels of immune cells (CD34+/CD4+/CD3+/CD8+) were expressed in an identical pattern whereas the T-reg+ cells exhibited an opposite pattern of inflammation among the groups (all P < 0.001). The protein expressions of inflammation (MMP-9/MIF/TNF-α/NF-κB/IL-1β) and oxidative stress (NOX-1/NOX-2/oxidized protein), and cellular expressions (CD14+/CD68+) in lung/kidney parenchyma exhibited an identical pattern of inflammatory mediators (all P < 0.001). The kidney/lung injury scores displayed an identical pattern of inflammatory mediators among the groups (all P < 0.001). In conclusion, HMSCEXO might be superior to AMSCEXO for improving survival and suppressing the inflammatory reactions in rats after SS.

Extracorporeal shock wave markedly alleviates radiation-induced chronic cystitis in rat

This study tested the hypothesis that extracorporeal shock wave (ECSW) treatment can effectively inhibit radiation-induced chronic cystitis (CC). Adult male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats (n = 24) were randomly divided into group 1 (normal control), group 2 (CC induced by radiation with 300 cGy twice with a four-hour interval to the urinary bladder), group 3 [CC with ECSW treatment (0.2 mJ/mm²/120 impulses/at days 1, 7, and 14 after radiation)]. Bladder specimens were harvested by day 28 after radiation. By day 28 after radiation, the degree of detrusor contraction impairment was significantly higher in group 2 than that in groups 1 and 3, and significantly higher in group 3 than that in group 1 (P<0.0001). The urine albumin concentration expressed an opposite pattern compared to that of detrusor function among the three groups (P<0.0001). The bladder protein expressions of inflammatory (TLR-2/TLR-4/IL-6/IL-12/MMP-9/TNF-α/NF-κB/RANTES/iNOS) and oxidative-stress (NOX-1/NOX-2/oxidized protein) biomarkers exhibited a pattern identical to that of urine albumin in all groups (all P<0.0001). The cellular expressions of inflammatory (CD14+/CD68+/CD74+/COX-2/MIF+/substance P+) and cytokeratin (CK13+/HMW CK+/CK+17/CK+18/CK+19) biomarkers, and collagen-deposition/fibrotic areas as well as epithelial-damaged score displayed an identical pattern compared to that of urine albumin among the three groups (all P<0.0001). In conclusion, ECSW treatment effectively protected urinary bladder from radiation-induced CC.

Incidence and outcomes of encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis (EPS) and factors associated with severe EPS

BACKGROUND

Encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis (EPS) is a rare but serious complication of long-term peritoneal dialysis (PD). However, previous studies reported large variations in its mortality rates that may associate with a different degree of EPS severity. This study reports the incidence and outcomes of EPS and identifies the risk factors associated with severe EPS.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed clinical data of EPS patients from 3 medical centers in Taiwan from January 1982 to September 2015, and classified patients as having mild/moderate or severe EPS. Patients with intractable intestinal obstruction/gut-related sepsis that needed surgical intervention or resulted in mortality were in severe EPS group. Follow-up for outcome was through December 31, 2015. Clinical characteristics, peritoneal dialysis (PD)-related parameters, biochemical and imaging results were analyzed and compared between groups.

RESULTS

Fifty-eight of 3202 patients undergoing PD during the study period had EPS (prevalence 1.8%). The incidence of EPS increased for patients on PD for >6-8 years (≤6 yrs. vs. >6-8 yrs., 0.0% vs. 1.8%, p = 0.001). Relative to those on PD for >6-8 years, the risk of EPS significantly increased with PD duration longer than 10 years (>10-12 years vs. >6-8 years: OR: 5.5, 95% CI: 1.7-17.1, p < 0.01). Twenty-three patients fulfilled the criteria for severe EPS. The overall mortality rate of EPS was 35% (20/58), and was 74% (17/23) in the severe EPS group. The average serum levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) and intact-parathyroid hormone (i-PTH), which were checked every 3~6 months within one year before diagnosis of EPS, were higher in severe EPS group than in mild/moderate group (p = 0.02, p = 0.08, respectively). Multivariate analysis revealed severe EPS was independently associated with bowel tethering (based on CT), presentation with bloody ascites, diagnosis of EPS after withdrawal from PD, and i-PTH ≥ 384 pg/mL. Receiver operating characteristic analysis indicated that presentation with 2 or more of the 5 risk factors (EPS diagnosis after PD withdrawal, bloody ascites, bowel tethering, CRP ≥ 29 mg/L, and i-PTH ≥ 384 pg/mL) had a good accuracy (AUC = 0.80, p = 0.001) for prediction of severe EPS.

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence of EPS increases with PD duration. Severe EPS has high mortality rate and is associated with bowel tethering, presentation of bloody ascites, diagnosis after PD withdrawal, and higher serum levels of i-PTH before EPS diagnosis. Having 2 or more of the 5 risk factors can provide a good accuracy for prediction of severe EPS.

Impact of risk factors on functional status in maintenance hemodialysis patients

Objectives

To survey by measuring patient’s functional status which is crucial when end-stage renal disease patients begin a dialysis program. The influence of the disease on patients can be examined by the measurement of Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) scores, together with a quality of life survey, and clinical variables.

Methods

The details for the dataset in the study were collected from patients receiving regular hemodialysis (HD) in one hospital, which were available retrospectively for 1166 patients during the 5-year study period. KPS scores were applied for quantifying functional status. To identify risk factors for functional status, clinical factors including demographics, laboratory data, and HD vintage were selected. This study applied a classification and regression tree approach (CART) and logistic regression to determine risk factors on functional impairment among HD patients.

Results

Ten risk factors were identified by CART and regression model (age, primary kidney disease subclass, treatment years, hemoglobin, albumin, creatinine, phosphorus, intact parathyroid hormone, ferritin, and cardiothoracic ratio). The results of logistic regression with selected interaction models showed older age or higher hematocrit, blood urea nitrogen, and glucose levels could significantly increase the log-odds of obtaining low KPS scores at in-person visits.

Conclusions

In interaction results, the combination of older age with higher albumin level and higher creatinine level with longer HD treatment years could significantly decrease the log-odds of a low KPS score assessment during in-person visits. Age, hemoglobin, albumin, urea, creatinine levels, primary kidney disease subclass, and HD duration are the major determinants for functional status in HD patients.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s40001-017-0298-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Association between Extreme Values of Markers of Chronic Kidney Disease: Mineral and Bone Disorder and 5-Year Mortality among Prevalent Hemodialysis Patients

BACKGROUND/AIMS

We examined the association between markers of chronic kidney disease - mineral and bone disorder (CKD-MBD) and mortality in hemodialysis (HD) patients.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the association between markers of CKD-MBD and mortality in 1,126 HD patients from 2009 to 2013 with baseline (B), time-average (TA), and time-dependent (TD) Cox regression models.

RESULTS

Hypercalcemia (10.9-11.9 mg/dL) indicated an increased risk of all-cause mortality (TA: hazard ratio [HR] 3.49; p = 0.01). Hypophosphatemia (2.0-2.5 mg/dL) was significantly associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality (TA: HR 5.18; p = 0.01). Hypophosphatemia (<2.0 mg/dL) was significantly associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular mortality in all models. Intact parathyroid hormone levels <60 and >1,500 pg/mL indicated an increased risk of all-cause mortality (TA: HR 1.64; p = 0.02; TD: HR 2.26; p = 0.02).

CONCLUSION

Extreme values of CKD-MBD markers are associated with mortality risk in HD patients. Video Journal Club 'Cappuccino with Claudio Ronco' at http://www.karger.com/?doi=478972.

Combination therapy of exendin-4 and allogenic adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cell preserved renal function in a chronic kidney disease and sepsis syndrome setting in rats

Combined therapy with exendin-4 (Ex4) and allogenic adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADMSC) was tested against either therapy alone for protecting kidney function against chronic kidney disease (CKD) complicated by sepsis syndrome (SS) [i.e., by intraperitoneal injection of cecal-derived bacteria (1.0 × 104) cells/milliliter/total 5.0 cc].Adult-male-Sprague Dawley rats (n=36) were equally divided into group 1 (sham-control), group 2 (CKD), group 3 (CKD-SS), group 4 (CKD-SS-Ex4), group 5 (CKD-SS-ADMSC) and group 6 (CKD-SS-Ex4-ADMSC). At day 42 after CKD induction SS was induced. Thirty-minutes after SS induction, ADMSCs (2.0 ×106 cells) were intravenously administered to groups 5 and 6. Ex4 (10 μg/kg) was intraperitoneally administered groups 4 and 6 at 30 min and days 1 to 5 after SS induction. Animals were euthanized at day 47 after CKD induction. Kidney-injury score, collagen-deposition area, and creatinine/BUN levels were lowest in group 1, highest in group 3 and significantly higher in group 2 than in groups 4 to 6 in a progressively increasing manner (all P<0.0001). Protein expressions of inflammatory (MMP-9/TNF-α/NF-κB/IL-1ß/ICAM-1), oxidative-stress (NOX-1/NOX-2/oxidized protein), apoptotic (mitochondrial-Bax/cleaved-caspase-3/cleaved-PARP) and fibrotic/DNA-damaged (Smad3/TGF-ß/γ-H2AX) biomarkers showed an identical pattern, whereas anti-fibrotic (BMP-2/Smad1/5), anti-apoptotic/endothelial-integrity (Bcl-2/eNOS) and podocyte-integrity (ZO-1/p-cadherin) biomarkers exhibited an opposite pattern of kidney-injury score among the six groups (all P>0.0001). Cellular expressions of inflammatory (CD14/CD68) and glomerulus/tubular-injury (WT-1/KIM-1) biomarkers displayed an identical pattern, whereas glomerulus/podocyte-component (dystroglycan/nephrin/ZO-1/fibronectin/p-cadherin) biomarkers showed an opposite kidney-injury score among the six groups (all P<0.0001). In conclusion, Ex4-ADMSC therapy effectively preserved renal function in the CKD-SS setting.

The Role of Monocyte Percentage in Osteoporosis in Male Rheumatic Diseases

Osteoporosis is easily overlooked in male patients, especially in the field of rheumatic diseases mostly prevalent with female patients, and its link to pathogenesis is still lacking. Attenuated monocyte apoptosis from a transcriptome-wide expression study illustrates the role of monocytes in osteoporosis. This study tested the hypothesis that the monocyte percentage among leukocytes could be a biomarker of osteoporosis in rheumatic diseases. Eighty-seven males with rheumatic diseases were evaluated in rheumatology outpatient clinics for bone mineral density (BMD) and surrogate markers, such as routine peripheral blood parameters and autoantibodies. From the total number of 87 patients included in this study, only 15 met the criteria for diagnosis of osteoporosis. Both age and monocyte percentage remained independently associated with the presence of osteoporosis. Steroid dose (equivalent prednisolone dose) was negatively associated with BMD of the hip area and platelet counts were negatively associated with BMD and T score of the spine area. Besides age, monocyte percentage meets the major requirements for osteoporosis in male rheumatic diseases. A higher monocyte percentage in male rheumatic disease patients, aged over 50 years in this study, and BMD study should be considered in order to reduce the risk of osteoporosis-related fractures.