Renal failure
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Several molecular epidemiological studies have been conducted to examine the association between methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T polymorphism and male infertility susceptibility, but the results remain inconclusive. To derive a more precise estimation of the relationship, a meta-analysis was performed. In this meta-analysis, a total of 26 case-control studies including 5659 infertility cases and 5528 controls were selected to evaluate the possible association. ⋯ Additionally, MTHFR C677T was associated with a significant increase in the risk of azoospermia in all genetic models. Meanwhile, no significantly increased risks of oligoasthenotertozoospermia (OAT) were found in most of the genetic models. In conclusion, this meta-analysis is in favor that the MTHFR C677T polymorphism is capable of causing male infertility susceptibility, especially in Asians and the subgroup of azoospermia.
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Comparative Study
The role of the uncertainty of measurement of serum creatinine concentrations in the diagnosis of acute kidney injury.
Uncertainty of measurement is the numeric expression of the errors associated with all measurements taken in clinical laboratories. Serum creatinine concentration is the most common diagnostic marker for acute kidney injury. The goal of this study was to determine the effect of the uncertainty of measurement of serum creatinine concentrations on the diagnosis of acute kidney injury. ⋯ There was a statistically significant difference in the number of patients diagnosed with acute kidney injury when uncertainty of measurement was taken into consideration (first probability compared to the fifth p = 0.023 and first probability compared to the ninth p = 0.012). We found that the uncertainty of measurement for serum creatinine concentrations was an important factor for correctly diagnosing acute kidney injury. In addition, based on the AKIN classification scheme, minimizing the total allowable error levels for serum creatinine concentrations is necessary for the accurate diagnosis of acute kidney injury by clinicians.
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Multicenter Study
Factors related to fatigue in Chinese patients with end-stage renal disease receiving maintenance hemodialysis: a multi-center cross-sectional study.
Fatigue is considered as a common symptom in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and can significantly decrease patients' quality of life. This study aimed to assess fatigue in hemodialysis patients and to investigate risk factors of fatigue in Chinese patients receiving maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) in China. ⋯ Fatigue is related to sleep disturbance, social and family functioning, taking physical exercise time, comorbidity condition, Kt/V and serum creatinine level in Chinese MHD patients. Future studies and interventions should focus on developing strategies and improving the quality of life in patients by addressing these significant contributing factors.
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Comparative Study
Retrograde Intrarenal Surgery is equally efficient and safe in patients with different American Society of Anesthesia physical status.
To assess the efficacy and safety of Retrograde Intrarenal Surgery to treat renal stones in patients with different American Society of Anesthesia (ASA) physical status. ⋯ Retrograde Intrarenal Surgery is an effective and safe surgery with high stone-free rates and low morbidity in patients with different ASA physical status.
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Erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESA) are commonly used for the treatment of anemia in hemodialysis (HD) patients, however, 5-10% of these patients have resistance to ESA treatment. Hepcidin and neutrophil-gelatinase associated lipocalin (NGAL) are induced by inflammation and these proteins may take role in ESA resistance. Herein, we aimed to investigate the effects of serum hepcidin, NGAL, transferrin and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels on ESA resistance in HD patients. ⋯ CRP was the only predictor of ESA resistance index in HD patients. Hepcidin, NGAL and transferrin were not found to be markers of ESA resistance.