bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
SERUM ANTI-AGING PROTEIN - SIRTUIN 1 CONCENTRATION CORRELATES WITH IMPAIRED KIDNEY FUNCTION
Authors: Bielach-Bazyluk Angelika , Zbroch Edtra , Czajkowska Katarzyna , Koc-Zorawska Ewa , Rydzewska-Rosolowska Alicja , Kakareko Katarzyna , Hryszko Tomasz 
Published: April 2021

Objective:
To compare serum concentration of sirtuin 1 between patients suffering from chronic kidney disease, conservatively treated and healthy volunteers. In addition, our aim was to establish its possible relation to kidney function, pharmacological treatment and demographic data.

Design and method:
Sirtuin 1 concentration was estimated in 102 patients suffering from stable chronic kidney disease and 26 healthy volunteers using commercially available assays. The correlation between sirtiuin 1 level, estimated glomerular filtration rate based on cystatin C, hypotensive therapy, statins use status, age and sex were analysed.

Results:
The median sirtuin 1 concentration in the study group was significantly higher than in the control group (2237.5 pg/mL vs 444.9 pg/mL, p < 0.001). Sirtuin 1 concentration positively correlated with CKD-EPI cystatin C eGFR (R = 0.51, p < 0.001), age (R = 0.23, p = 0.008), creatinine (R = 0.21, p = 0.038) and parathormone level (R = 0.26, p = 0.017). Statin and beta-blockers use were associated with decreased sirtuin concentration (p < 0.001 and p = 0.006, respectively). There were no differences in sirtuin 1 level between men and women (p = 0.779)

Conclusions:
Serum sirtuin 1 concentration was elevated in patients with chronic kidney disease and was dependent on the degree of kidney impairment. Statins and beta-blockers therapy was associated with decreased sirtuin 1 level. Patients with chronic kidney disease have excessive cardiovascular risk, which can be reduced by statins and beta-blockers use. Sirtuin 1 concentration may reflect high risk for cardiovascular disease. It could indicates individuals, who may benefit from more rigorous chronic kidney disease management. Further studies are warranted to establish if sirtuin 1 may become a novel, alternative marker of kidney function and cardiovascular risk.
CAPILLARY DENSITY DURING POSTOCCLUSIVE REACTIVE HYPEREMIA AND VENOUS CONGESTION DETERIORATES WITH ADVANCING CKD STAGES
Authors: Schoina Maria , Memmos Evangelos , Loutradis Charalampos , Dimitroulas Theodoros , Pagkopoulou Eleni , Theodorakopoulou Marieta , Binas Athanasios , Doumas Michael , Karagiannis Asterios , Garyfallos Alexandros , Papagianni Aikaterini , Sarafidis Pantelis 
Published: April 2021

Objective:
Cardiovascular disease is the main cause of mortality in CKD patients. Endothelial dysfunction and capillary rarefaction are established cardiovascular risk factors. Nailfold video-capillaroscory provides a thorough assessment of capillary density and microcirculation changes. The aim of this study is to examine structural and functional capillary density in CKD patients of stages 2 to 4.

Design and method:
A total of 96 CKD patients were included in the study. The population consisted of 4 equal groups according to CKD stage (2, 3a, 3b and 4). All patients underwent nailfold video-capillaroscopy, during which capillary density was measured at baseline, after a 4-minute arterial occlusion (postocclusive reactive hyperemia) and at the end of a 2-minute venous occlusion (congestion phase). Arterial stiffness and arterial wave parameters were measured with applanation tonometry and common carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) with a 2D ultrasound device.

Results:
Capillary density at baseline showed a progressive reduction with advancing CKD stages (stage 2: 32.63 ± 2.79, stage 3a: 31.23 ± 3.84, stage 3b: 32.48 ± 3.34, stage 4: 28.50 ± 3.09, p < 0.001). Similar reductions were observed in capillary density during postocclusive hyperemia (39.42 ± 3.00, 37.63 ± 4.24, 38.35 ± 3.83, and 33.77 ± 3.34, respectively, p < 0.001) and after venous congestion (41.10 ± 3.09, 39.02 ± 4.41, 39.90 ± 3.51, and 35.21 ± 3.40, p < 0.001). Office pulse wave velocity showed a non-significant increasing trend with advancing CKD, but carotid IMT did not. In multivariate regression analysis, eGFR showed a positive association (per ml/min increase; OR: 0.053, 95%CI: 0.004 to 0.101), whereas diabetes (OR: -1.706, 95%CI: -3.176 to -0.236), and parathormone (PTH) (per pg/ml increase; OR: -0.022, 95%CI: -0.036 to -0.008) negative associations with post-occlusive capillary density.

Conclusions:
Both structural and functional capillary density progressively decrease with advancing CKD stages. Apart from reduced eGFR, the presence of diabetes and increased PTH levels are independently associated with this reduction. This capillary rarefaction may play a central role in the increased burden of cardiovascular events in CKD patients.
PREVALENCE, AWARENESS AND CONTROL OF HYPERTENSION WITH OFFICE BLOOD PRESSURE MEASUREMENTS AND AMBULATORY BLOOD PRESSURE MONITORING IN KIDNEY TRANSPLANT RECIPIENTS
Authors: Loutradis Charalampos , Korogiannou Maria , Xagas Efstathios , Marinaki Smaragdi , Argyris Antonios , Protogerou Athanasios , Sarafidis Pantelis , Boletis John 
Published: April 2021

Objective:
The prevalence of hypertension in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is estimated to 80–90% as determined by ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM), while adequate control is achieved in only 20–30% of these patients. Until now, few reliable data exist on the prevalence and blood pressure (BP) control in kidney transplant recipients, as determined by ABPM. The objective of this study is to examine these epidemiologic characteristics of hypertension in kidney transplant recipients using ABPM.

Design and method:
150 kidney transplant recipients were included in this study. They underwent 24-hour ABPM with the Mobil-O-Graph NG device. Hypertension was defined as follows: (1) office BP (oBP) > or = 140/90 mmHg or use of antihypertensive agents, (2) ambulatory BP > or = 130/80 mmHg or use of antihypertensive agents. Awareness of arterial hypertension was determined according to their past medical history. Adequate control was defined as oBP <140/90 or 24-hr BP <130/80 mmHg.

Results:
Prevalence of hypertension was 88.0% according to office BP measurements and 93.3% according to ABPM data (p = 0,112 and kappa-statistics = 0,531, p < 0,001). Totally, 26,7% had office BP > or = 140/90 and 58,7% 24-hr BP > or = 130/80 mmHg (p < 0,001). Awareness of arterial hypertension was 88,6% irrespectively of the method (p = 0,987).83.3% of the patients were receiving antihypertensive agents. Adequate control according to office BP measurements had 69,7% of the hypertensive patients, whereas only the 37.1% of them achieved adequate control according to ABPM (p < 0,001 and kappa-statistics = 0,205, p = 0,005). In hypertensive patients, office BP > or = 140/90 mmHg was of poor predictive value in the diagnosis of 24-hour BP > or = 130/80 mmHg (AUC: 0,590, 95%CI: 0,499–0,681, sensitivity: 34,1%, specificity: 83,9%, positive predictive value: 75,0%, negative predictive value: 47,3%).

Conclusions:
The prevalence of arterial hypertension in kidney transplant recipients is extremely high. Office BP readings is a poor marker for assessment of BP control, as there appears to be a huge difference between office and ABPM in the rates of hypertension control.
EVOLUTION OF TRANSIT TIME BETWEEN THE SYSTOLIC AND DIASTOLIC PRESSURE PEAKS OF THE RADIAL PULSE WAVEFORM AFTER KIDNEY TRANSPLANTATION
Authors: Philibert Emy , Obeid Hasan , Paré Mathilde , Côté Nadège , Fortier Catherine , Goupil Remi , Agharazii Mohsen 
Published: April 2021

Objective:
The transit time between peak systolic and peak diastolic digital volume pulse had been proposed as a measure of arterial stiffness. Indeed, the height of an individual divided by such transit time can be used to estimate a pulse wave velocity. In a cohort of patients with end-stage kidney disease, we aim to examine whether the reduction of aortic stiffness that occurs after kidney transplantation (KTx), translates into improvement of radial artery systolic-diastolic pulse transit time.

Design and method:
Before and three months after KTx, we recorded radial pressure waveforms using applanation tonometry in 62 patients. We used a two gaussian method to break down the radial pressure waveforms to extract transit time. Radial waveforms were recorded over a 10 seconds period and ensemble-averaged (using in house-MATLAB program) to obtain a single waveform and then modelled using two Gaussian functions. Transit time (dT) was determined as the difference between the first systolic peak (T1) and the early diastolic peak (T2). Generalized transfer function was used to estimate central blood pressures. Carotid-radial and carotid-femoral pulse wave velocities (cr-PWV, cf-PWV) were also measured.

Results:
62 patients (66% male, mean age: 48 ± 14 years, mean eGFR: 66 ± 17 ml/min/1.73m2) were assessed. After KTx, there was a significant reduction in cr-PWV (9.49 ± 1.50 to 8.94 ± 1.34, p = 0.001) and cf-PWV (11.56 ± 2.65 to 10.19 ± 1.72, p < 0.001), as well as in central and peripheral blood pressure (p < 0.001). While T1 significantly declined (0.184 [0.172–0.199] to 0.179 [0.164–0.194]s, p = 0.008), there were no significant changes in transit time (0.139 [0.119–0.165] to 0.134 [0.118–0.178]s, p = 0.390) nor in T2 (0.325 [0.293–0.361] to 0.319 [0.283–0.357]s, p = 0.119).

Conclusions:
Contrary to our expectation, three months after KTx, we did not observe a significant change in transit time. Our results suggest that transit time between the systolic and diastolic pressure peaks of the radial pulse waveform may not be used as a marker of arterial stiffness. We propose that the radial artery pressure wave integrates information from both upstream and downstream vascular beds and so the transit time cannot be used as a reliable surrogate for arterial stiffness.
MINERALOCORTICOID RECEPTOR ANTAGONIST HAS BENEFICIAL RENAL EFFECTS IN A NEW MOUSE MODEL OF DIABETIC NEPHROPATHY
Authors: Posada Ixchel Lima , Ramirez Roberto Palacios , Bonnard Benjamin , Genty Marie , Jaisser Frederic 
Published: April 2021

Objective:
Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is the leading cause of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Several studies have demonstrated beneficial effects of mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) antagonists in DN.
To characterize a new model of diabetic nephropathy and test the effect of MR antagonism using canrenoate.

Design and method:
C57BL6 mice underwent 5/6 nephrectomy and after 4 weeks they were split in the following groups: CKD (n = 7), CKD+ 60% fat diet (CKD+HFD) (n = 9) and CKD+HFD+canrenoate 30 mg/kg/day (CKD+HFD+CAN) (n = 9) for 8 weeks. We assessed renal function, kidney fibrosis, albuminuria and molecular markers of DN by RT-PCR. RNAseq analysis was carried out. The comparison between the groups was performed by one-way-ANOVA, results were considered significant with p < 0.05.

Results:
There were no differences in creatinine clearance between the groups. The HFD cause increased renal fibrosis (0.956 ± 0.1503 vs 3.001 ± 0.6754; p = 0.0205) and urinary albumine/creatinine ratio (262.5 ± 73.83 vs 2042 ± 281.1; p < 0.0001). These increases were prevented by treatment with canrenoate. In concordance with the increased interstitial fibrosis, mRNA levels of profibrotic molecules such as IL-10 and FSP-1 were increased by HFD, an effect fully prevented by canrenoate. Gene expression of the inflammatory cytokine IL-6 was increased in CKD HFD group compared to CKD alone (p = 0.0395) and this was prevented by canrenoate. RNAseq comparison between CKD and CKD-HFD groups indicated enrichment in the CKD-HFD group of pathways for inflammatory response, epithelial mesenchymal transition and allograft rejection, interferon, IL6-JAK-STA3 signaling.

Conclusions:
Nephrectomized mice fed a HFD are a good model of DN. MR antagonism improves the renal fibrosis and the albuminuria but not plasma creatinine and urea in the time period studied. Our results highlight the MR as a good therapeutic target to improve the prognosis of DN patients.
META-ANALYSIS OF DEDICATED RENAL OUTCOME TRIALS ASSESSING THE CARDIO-RENAL EFFICACY OF SODIUM-GLUCOSE CO-TRANSPORTER-2 INHIBITORS IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE AND ALBUMI
Authors: Patoulias Dimitrios , Imprialos Konstantinos , Stavropoulos Konstantinos , Toumpourleka Maria , Koutsampasopoulos Konstantinos , Katsimardou Alexandra , Papadopoulos Christodoulos , Doumas Michael 
Published: April 2021

Objective:
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) represents a frequent co-morbidity of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), affecting 30–50% of all patients, while diabetes is the leading cause of end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) worldwide. Severity of CKD is strongly and positively associated with the 10-year risk for cardiovascular death. Thus, appropriate treatment options that can delay CKD progression and ameliorate the impact of the rest cardiovascular risk factors are required.

Design and method:
We sought to determine the renal and cardiovascular efficacy of sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors in patients with CKD and albuminuria, pooling data from the dedicated renal outcome trials, namely the Canagliflozin and Renal Events in Diabetes with Established Nephropathy Clinical Evaluation (CREDENCE) trial and the trial evaluating the effects of dapagliflozin on patients with chronic kidney disease and albuminuria, with or without diabetes (DAPA-CKD). We assessed the following efficacy outcomes: end-stage kidney disease (ESKD), renal death, renal replacement therapy or kidney transplantation, cardiovascular death, cardiovascular death/hospitalization for heart failure (HF).

Results:
We pooled data in a total of 8,705 patients with CKD. SGLT-2 inhibitor treatment was shown to decrease the risk for ESKD by 31% compared to placebo. In addition, SGLT-2 inhibitor treatment resulted in a significant decrease in the risk for renal replacement therapy or kidney transplantation by 29%, and a non-significant decrease in the risk for renal death. Regarding cardiovascular outcomes, SGLT-2 inhibitor was shown to decrease the risk for the composite outcome of cardiovascular death or HF hospitalization by 29%, and the risk for cardiovascular death by 21%.

Conclusions:
SGLT-2 inhibitor treatment confers significant renal and cardiovascular benefits in patients with CKD and albuminuria, with or without T2DM.
DETECTION OF CHANGES IN RENAL BLOOD FLOW USING ARTERIAL SPIN LABELING MRI
Authors: Kannenkeril Dennis , Janka Rolf , Bosch Agnes , Jung Susanne , Kolwelter Julie , Striepe Kristina , Ott Christian , Martirosian Petros , Schiffer Mario , Uder Michael , Schmieder Roland E. 
Published: April 2021

Objective:
Alteration in kidney perfusion is an early marker of renal damage. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with arterial spin labeling (ASL) is a noninvasive approach to measure renal blood flow (RBF) without the use of contrast media. The purpose of this study consisting of two experiments was to evaluate whether both acute and short-term changes in RBF could be detected using ASL-MRI technique.

Design and method:
RBF as assessed by cortical (CRBF), medullary, and total renal blood flow (TRBF) were measured by ASL-MRI using FAIR True-FISP sequence. In the first experiment with 11 normotensive healthy individuals (NT) and 11 hypertensive patients (HT), RBF was measured at baseline and after both feet were covered with cold ice packs (cold pressor test) that activates the sympathetic nervous system. In the second experiment, RBF was measured in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) before and after a pharmacological intervention.

Results:
A significant reduction in CRBF (p = 0.042) and a trend in TRBF (p = 0.053) were observed in response to the activation of the sympathetic nervous system in both NT individuals and HT patients (Table 1). In the second experiment, a trend towards reduction of CRBF (p = 0.051) and TRBF (p = 0.059) has been detected after pharmacological intervention. An evaluation of RBF measurements between three different study populations reveals that TRBF were significantly lower in patients with HT (309.5 ± 17.3 mL/100 g/min) and CKD patients (260.4 ± 29.1 mL/100 g/min) compared to NT individuals (338.7 ± 30.0 mL/100 g/min) (NT vs. HT-p = 0.014, NT vs. CKD-p = 0.004). TRBF was also lower in patients with CKD compared to HT (p = 0.047).

Conclusions:
Our data indicate that both acute and short-term changes in RBF could be detected using ASL-MRI. Moreover, we were able to detect differences in RBF between healthy and diseased individuals by needing only small sample size per group. Thus, ASL-MRI offers an advantage in conducting clinical trials compared to other technologies.
CAROTID-FEMORAL PULSE WAVE VELOCITY, PULSE WAVE ANALYSIS AND 24-HOUR AMBULATORY BLOOD PRESSURE MEASUREMENT IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE
Authors: Ekart Robert , Hojs Radovan 
Published: April 2021

Objective:
Increased arterial stiffness and arterial hypertension are known risk factors for vascular damage and are an independent predictor of cardiovascular events. Pulse wave analysis of the radial artery (PWA) is a simple method for assessing various hemodynamic parameters in the central aorta. The aim of our study was to investigate the relationship between arterial stiffness measured by carotid femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV), PWA parameters and 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure measurement (ABPM) in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Design and method:
We conducted a cross-sectional study in a cohort of 87 non-dialysed CKD patients. cfPWV and PWA were investigated non-invasively using applanation tonometry (SphygmoCor®,Atcor, Australia). ABPM was measured with the monitor BR -102 (Schiller, Switzerland). Cardiovascular (CV) risk factors (urinary albumin/creatinine ratio, NT -pro-BNP, troponin I, cystatin C, cholesterol, LDL, HDL, triglycerides, lipoprotein Lp(a)) were measured. The patients were divided into two groups according to the median cfPWV: lower cfPWV group (cfPWV < 11.58m/s, n = 44), higher cfPWV group (cfPWV > 11.58m/s, n = 43).

Results:
The mean age of the patients was 60 ± 13.4 years, 65.5% were men, 24.1% had diabetes, 43.7% were smokers. Further descriptive data for all patients and both groups are presented in Table 1. With the t-test we found a significant difference between both groups regarding age (P < 0.0001), but not regarding the biochemical CV risk factors. Patients with higher cfPWV had statistically significant higher central aortic systolic pressure (P < 0.0001) and pulse pressure (P < 0.0001), lower subendocardial viability ratio (P = 0.003), higher 24 h systolic ABPM (P < 0.0001) and 24 h pulse pressure (P < 0.0001).

Conclusions:
The results of our study show that non-dialysis CKD patients with higher cfPWV levels also have higher systolic and pulse pressure (central aorta and 24 h ABPM).
CHANGES IN CAROTID LOCAL STIFFNESS DURING A SIX-YEARS FOLLOW UP IN A GENERAL POPULATION: THE VOBARNO STUDY
Authors: Paini Anna , Aggiusti Carlo , Stassaldi Debora , Bertacchini Fabio , Capellini Sara , Arnoldi Chiara , Salvetti Massimo , Muiesan Maria Lorenza 
Published: April 2021

Objective:
Local carotid stiffness (Carotid PWV) is an independent predictor of cardiovascular events but few data are available on the progression of Carotid stiffness over time. The aim of the present longitudinal study was to analyze the progression of local carotid stiffness over a 6-year period in a general population in Northern Italy (Vobarno Study).

Design and method:
123 subjects, age 55 ± 4 years (42% males, hypertension in 43% at baseline visit), underwent a baseline (BL) and a follow up (FU) visit, 6.2 ± 0.5 years apart. In all subjects laboratory examinations, measurements of blood pressure (BP) and of Carotid PWV (using an echotracking approach) were performed at BL and at FU. Progression rate of Carotid PWV (δCarotid_PWV/Year) was defined as (Carotid PWV at FU-Carotid PWV at BL)/years of FU.

Results:
In the overall population, Carotid PWV increased from 6.39 ± 1.41 at BL to 6.79 ± 1.18 m/s at FU (p < 0.05). δCarotid_PWV/Year was inversely related to BP (mean BP: r = -0.193, p < 0.05; pulse pressure: r = -0.1.81, p < 0.05) and to Carotid PWV at BL (r = -0.669, p < 0.001). No other correlation was observed between δCarotid_PWV/Year and demographic or laboratory parameters at BL. δCarotid_PWV/Year was also related to changes over time in BP values (δSystolicBP: r = 0.291, p < 0.01; δDiastolicBP: r = 0.266, p < 0.01; δMeanBP: r = 0.310, p < 0.0001).
At multivariate analysis the variables independently related to the annual progression rate of Carotid PWV were Carotid PWV and mean BP at BL (beta -0.68, p < 0.0001, and beta 0.20, p < 0.05, respectively) and changes in mean BP during follow-up (beta 0.18, p < 0.05).

Conclusions:
In a general population sample in Northern Italy the main determinants of the increase in local carotid stiffness during a 6 years FU were local carotid stiffness and mean BP at BL and change in mean BP over time.
ASSOCIATION BETWEEN URIC ACID AND PULSE WAVE VELOCITY IN HYPERTENSIVE PATIENTS AND GENERAL POPULATION: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW AND META-ANALYSIS
Authors: Maloberti Alessandro , Rebora Paola , Andreano Anita , Triglione Nicola , Piccinelli Enrico , Palazzini Matteo , Occhi Lucia , Sun Jinwei , De Chiara Benedetta , Grassi Guido , Valsecchi Grazia , Giannattasio Cristina 
Published: April 2021

Objective:
The association between Serum Uric Acid (SUA) and Pulse Wave Velocity (PWV), has been extensively evaluated but with some discrepancies in results. A further limitation refers to the fact that only few data were analyzed taking into account the possible effects of gender. The purpose of this study was to estimate the association between SUA and arterial stiffness in general population and hypertensive patients, as a whole population and as divided by gender, by pooling results from existing studies.

Design and method:
Carotid-femoral and brachial-ankle PWV (cf- and ba-PWV) have been analysed separately and subgroup analyses by gender are reported.

Results:
Among 692 potentially relevant works, 24 paper were analysed. 7 studies referred to cf-PWV in the general population with an overall positive association at adjusted analysis for both males and females (0.07 - 95%CI: 0.03; 0.11 and 0.06 - 95%CI: 0.03; 0.09, respectively). 12 studies referred to ba-PWV in the general population with the finding of a positive association at adjusted analysis for females (0.04 - 95%CI: 0.01;0.07), but not for males (0.13 - 95%CI: -0.09;0.34). In hypertensive patients only 4 studies evaluated cf-PWV and 1 ba-PWV with only one study (with cf-PWV) finding positive association.

Conclusions:
The association between SUA and cf-PWV resulted significant in general population in both males and females while it was only significant for female regarding ba-PWV. Furthermore, the few available studies found no significant relationship between SUA and both cf- and ba-PWV in hypertensive subjects.