Trends of treated hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and tuberculosis infection in long-term hemodialysis patients in Taiwan: A nationwide survey in 2010-2018.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and tuberculosis (TB) infections affect patient morbidity and mortality and challenge infection control procedures within dialysis facilities. Thus, updated information on the yearly infection trends in the dialysis population is pivotal to preventing and improving the management of these infectious diseases. METHODS: This study used reimbursement data from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database. Long-term hemodialysis (HD) patients were defined as those receiving regular HD for more than 3 months. Treated HBV, HCV, and TB cases were defined according to the diagnosis codes, together with specified prescriptions. Liver malignancy and liver-related mortality were determined by the disease diagnosis. RESULTS: The long-term HD population in Taiwan grew from 57,539 in 2010 to 74,203 in 2018. The mean number of treated HBV, HCV, and TB cases in the HD population was 254 (3.9 per thousand HD patients), 136 (2.0 per thousand), and 165 (2.6 per thousand), respectively. An increasing trend of treated viral hepatitis and a mildly decreasing trend in treated TB were observed. Liver outcome showed an increasing trend in liver malignancy prevalence and a stationary trend of liver-related mortality. Treated HBV and TB, liver malignancy, and liver-associated mortality were higher in men than women (all p < 0.001). The burden of liver complications was higher in southern Taiwan. CONCLUSION: The increasing yearly trend of treated HBV and HCV and a stable trend of treated TB provide evidence for further infection control management and risk population identification of the HD population.

Establishment of an outreach, grouping healthcare system to achieve microelimination of HCV for uremic patients in haemodialysis centres (ERASE-C).

OBJECTIVE: HCV prevails in uremic haemodialysis patients. The current study aimed to achieve HCV microelimination in haemodialysis centres through a comprehensive outreach programme. DESIGN: The ERASE-C Campaign is an outreach programme for the screening, diagnosis and group treatment of HCV encompassing 2323 uremic patients and 353 medical staff members from 18 haemodialysis centres. HCV-viremic subjects were linked to care for directly acting antiviral therapy or received on-site sofosbuvir/velpatasvir therapy. The objectives were HCV microelimination (>80% reduction of the HCV-viremic rate 24 weeks after the end of the campaign in centres with ≥90% of the HCV-viremic patients treated) and 'No-C HD' (no HCV-viremic subjects at the end of follow-up). RESULTS: At the preinterventional screening, 178 (7.7%) uremic patients and 2 (0.6%) staff members were HCV-viremic. Among them, 146 (83.9%) uremic patients received anti-HCV therapy (41 link-to-care; 105 on-site sofosbuvir/velpatasvir). The rates of sustained virological response (SVR12, undetectable HCV RNA 12 weeks after the end of treatment) in the full analysis set and per-protocol population were 89.5% (94/105) and 100% (86/86), respectively, in the on-site treatment group, which were comparable with the rates of 92.7% (38/41) and 100% (38/38), respectively, in the link-to-care group. Eventually, the HCV-viremic rate decreased to 0.9% (18/1,953), yielding an 88.3% reduction from baseline. HCV microelimination and 'No-C HD' were achieved in 92.3% (12/13) and 38.9% (7/18) of the haemodialysis centres, respectively. CONCLUSION: Outreach strategies with mass screenings and on-site group treatment greatly facilitated HCV microelimination in the haemodialysis population. CLINICALTRIALSGOV IDENTIFIER: NCT03803410 and NCT03891550.

Evolutionary seroepidemiology of viral hepatitis and the gap in hepatitis C care cascades among uraemic patients receiving haemodialysis in Taiwan-the Formosa-Like Group.

Uraemic patients undergoing haemodialysis are at high risk of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. We aimed to evaluate the evolutionary seroprevalence of viral hepatitis and the gap in HCV care cascades in this special population by a large-scale surveillance study in Taiwan. Uraemic patients on maintenance haemodialysis from 22 sites (FORMOSA-LIKE group) in 2012 (n = 1,680) and 2019 (n = 2,326) were recruited for this study. The distributions and sequential changes of viral hepatitis markers were analysed. The prevalence of anti-HCV antibody and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) seropositivity was 13.6% (316/2326) and 11.5% (267/2326), respectively, in 2019 compared with 17.3% (290/1680, P = .002) and 13.6% (229/1680, P = .046), respectively, in 2012. The HCV-viremic rate among anti-HCV-seropositive patients was significantly lower in 2019 than in 2012 (56.3% [178/316] vs. 73.8% [214/290], P < .001). The HCV treatment rate increased from 2.3% (5/217) in 2012 to 21.7% (49/226) in 2019 (P < .001). In the sequential analysis of the 490 patients who participated in both screens, 17 of the 55 HCV-viremic patients became HCV RNA seronegative, including 13 by antivirals and four spontaneously. By contrast, one anti-HCV-seropositive but nonviremic patient became viremic, and six anti-HCV-seronegative patients became anti-HCV-seropositive in 2019. The annual incidence of new HCV was 0.2%/year. Seven HBsAg-seropositive patients experienced HBsAg loss (1.25%/year). Two patients had new anti-HBc seropositivity (new HBV exposure: 0.57%/year). The seroprevalence of viral hepatitis decreased in an 8-year follow-up but remained prevalent, and the treatment of HCV infection was underutilized in uraemic patients. Additional efforts are needed to enhance the HCV treatment uptake of uraemic patients. Clinical Trial IDs: NCT03803410, NCT01766895.

Comorbidities in patients with chronic hepatitis C and hepatitis B on hemodialysis.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Hemodialysis patients are at increased risk of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Both HBV and HCV infections lead to risks of end-stage liver diseases and extrahepatic manifestations. This study aimed to investigate hepatic and extrahepatic comorbidities in hemodialysis patients with HBV or HCV infections compared with those without viral hepatitis. METHODS: A total of 1910 hemodialysis patients, including 159 HCV viremic patients (HCV group), 217 seropositive for HBV surface antigen (HBsAg, HBV group) and 1534 seronegative for both anti-HCV and HBsAg (non-B and non-C [NBNC] group), from 23 hemodialysis centers were enrolled. Comorbidities were classified into 10 categories by the International Classification of Diseases-10th Revision. RESULTS: Among the 1910 patients, the mean age was 64.6 years, and 52.7% were male patients. A total of 1834 (96%) patients had at least one comorbidity, and the mean number of comorbidities was 2.9 ± 1.5 per person. The three most common comorbidities were hypertension, diabetes, and ischemic heart diseases. The mean number of comorbidities per person was significantly higher in the HCV group (3.3 ± 1.7) than in the HBV (2.7 ± 1.5, P < 0.001) and NBNC groups (2.9 ± 1.5, P = 0.004), mainly due to the higher prevalence of ischemic heart disease, respiratory disorders, and mental/behavioral disorders. The HBV and NBNC groups exhibited comparable burdens of comorbidities. CONCLUSIONS: Hemodialysis patients had a high prevalence of multiple comorbidities. Hemodialysis patients with HCV exhibited a higher burden of comorbidities, especially ischemic heart diseases, respiratory disorders, and mental/behavioral disorders, than HBV and NBNC patients did.

Blood pressure modifies outcomes in patients with stage 3 to 5 chronic kidney disease.

Observational studies have demonstrated that low blood pressure is related to poor clinical outcomes in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Subgroup analyses from the SPRINT trial showed that targeting systolic blood pressure under 120 mmHg is less beneficial for patients with CKD. Although malnutrition and inflammation are common in patients with advanced CKD, such patients are usually excluded from clinical trials. Therefore, we hypothesized that malnutrition-inflammation-cachexia syndrome could explain this J-shaped relationship. To test this, we studied 2441 patients with CKD stages 3-5 who received anti-hypertensive treatment for at least one year. Averaged blood pressures of the first year were used in the analyses. Fine-Gray competing risks regression showed a J-shaped relationship between continuous systolic blood pressure and end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) with a nadir risk at a systolic blood pressure of 120 mmHg. Adjusted sub-distribution hazard ratios of categorical systolic blood pressure 100-109 and 110-119 mmHg were 2.17 (95% confidence interval: 1.21-3.89) and 1.37 (0.94-1.99) for ESKD, respectively, compared with systolic blood pressures of 120-129 mmHg. Cox regression also showed J-shaped relationships between continuous systolic or diastolic blood pressures, and the composite outcomes of cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality. Logistic regression demonstrated the odds ratios of blood pressure components for Malnutrition-Inflammation Scores over 4 were J-shaped. Sub-distribution hazard ratios of systolic blood pressure 100-119 mmHg for ESKD was higher in those with a Malnutrition-Inflammation Score over 4, compared to 0.93 (0.53-1.63) in those with a score of 4 or under with significant interaction. Thus, malnutrition-inflammation-cachexia syndrome is associated with low blood pressure and modifies the J-shaped relationship in patients with advanced CKD.

Angiopoietin-2, Renal Deterioration, Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events and All-Cause Mortality in Patients with Diabetic Nephropathy.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Diabetic nephropathy is the leading cause of end-stage renal disease and accounts for 30∼40% of patients requiring maintenance dialysis, thereby increasing the burden on health insurance programs. Diabetic nephropathy is also the strongest predictor of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to examine whether angiopoietin-2 (Angpt2), a modulator of endothelial function, affects the clinical outcomes of diabetic patients. METHODS: This study enrolled 236 patients with diabetes mellitus with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) < 60ml/min/1.73m2 from January 2006 to December 2011, who were followed until June 2017. Clinical outcomes included renal outcomes (commencing dialysis and rapid decline in renal function (eGFR decline > 3 ml/min per 1.73 m2/year)), major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs), and all-cause mortality. RESULTS: Over a mean follow-up period of 3.9±2.7 years, 135 (57.2%) patients commenced dialysis, 106 (44.9%) had rapid decline in renal function, and 50 (21.2%) had MACEs or died from all-causes. Log-formed Angpt2 was significantly associated with increased risks of commencing dialysis (HR: 3.91, 95% CI: 1.56-9.76), rapid renal function decline (OR: 6.81, 95% CI: 1.06-43.88), and MACEs or all-cause mortality (HR: 6.34, 95% CI: 1.18-33.97) in the adjusted analysis. Patients in the highest quartile had hazard ratios of 2.90 and 3.11 for commencing dialysis and rapid renal function decline, respectively, compared to those in the lowest quartile after adjustments. Similar significant dose-response results were found in composite outcomes of either MACEs or all-cause mortality. CONCLUSION: Angpt2 is an independent predictor of adverse clinical outcomes in diabetic patients. Further studies are needed to identify the pathogenic role of Angpt2 in renal deterioration and cardiovascular complications of diabetes mellitus.

Independent Association of Overhydration with All-Cause and Cardiovascular Mortality Adjusted for Global Left Ventricular Longitudinal Systolic Strain and E/E' Ratio in Maintenance Hemodialysis Patients.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Fluid overload is common and associated with morbidity and mortality in patients with end-stage renal disease. The relationship between fluid overload and cardiac function is complex, and whether fluid overload is associated with adverse outcomes in patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD) independently of systolic and diastolic function of the left ventricle (LV) remains unclear. METHODS: The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between overhydration and all-cause and cardiovascular (CV) mortality after adjusting for LV function in 178 maintenance HD patients. The relative hydration status (overhydration/ extracellular water, ∆HS) was measured using a body composition monitor, and then used to assess the fluid status. A ∆HS ≥7% was defined as fluid overload. Global left ventricular longitudinal systolic strain (GLS), and the early filling and early diastolic mitral annular velocity (E/E') ratio were assessed using speckle-tracking and tissue Doppler echocardiography. RESULTS: During a mean follow-up period of 2.7 years, 24 patients died, including 11 CV deaths. An increased ∆HS was significantly associated with all-cause and CV mortality in the univariate analysis. This prognostic significance remains after multivariate adjusting for GLS and E/E' ratio for all-cause (HR, 1.123; 95% CI, 1.063-1.186; p-value < 0.001) and CV (HR, 1.088; 95% CI, 1.005-1.178; p-value =0.037) mortality. Moreover, ∆HS significantly improved the prognostic value beyond conventional clinical and echocardiographic parameters. CONCLUSION: A higher ∆HS was independently associated with increased all-cause and CV mortality after adjusting for systolic and diastolic function of the LV. This suggests that ∆HS may be a relevant target for improving outcomes in maintenance HD patients.

Heart Rate Variability Predicts Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events and Hospitalization in Maintenance Hemodialysis Patients.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Heart rate variability (HRV) has been linked to mortality in maintenance hemodialysis (HD) patients, but it is less clear whether HRV is associated with major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) and hospitalization. METHODS: This study enrolled 179 maintenance HD patients. HRV was measured to assess its prognostic significance in relation to MACEs and hospitalization. RESULTS: During the follow-up period of 33.3 ± 6.7 months, 36 (20.1%) patients had a MACE, and 98 (54.7%) experienced hospitalization. In multivariate adjusted Cox regression analysis, low very low frequency (VLF) power (hazard ratio [HR], 0.727; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.624-0.848; p < 0.001), a history of coronary artery disease, high ultrafiltration rate, the use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin II receptor blockers, and the use of beta-blockers were all significantly associated with MACEs. Low VLF power (HR, 0.873; 95% CI, 0.785-0.971; p = 0.012), low serum albumin, low serum creatinine, low Kt/V levels, and high serum calcium-phosphorus product levels significantly predicted hospitalization in maintenance HD patients. CONCLUSIONS: Reduced VLF power is linked to an increased risk of MACEs and hospitalization in maintenance HD patients. Assessing cardiac autonomic function through HRV is of pivotal prognostic significance for this patient population.

High hepatitis B virus surface antigen levels and favorable interleukin 28B genotype predict spontaneous hepatitis C virus clearance in uremic patients.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Host and viral factors interplay in the spontaneous clearance of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. We aimed to explore the roles of IL28B genotypes and hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections in spontaneous HCV seroclearance. METHODS: IL28B rs8099917 genotypes, HCV and HBV markers were determined in 290 patients who were seropositive for HCV antibodies from 1681 total uremic patients on maintenance hemodialysis. RESULTS: Persistent HCV viremia was observed in 74.6% (214/287) of patients. Logistic regression revealed that the strongest factors associated with spontaneous HCV seroclearance were carriage of rs8099917 TT-type (odds ratio/95% confidence intervals [OR/CI]: 6.22/1.41-27.35, p=0.016), followed by concurrent hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) seropositivity (OR/CI: 2.37/1.06-5.26, p=0.035). The clearance rate was highest among patients with both positive HBsAg/rs8099917 TT-type (44.8%, OR/CI: 20.88/3.5-402.5), followed by positive HBsAg/rs8099917 non-TT-type (28.6%, OR/CI: 8.86/1.8-160.8), and negative HBsAg/rs8099917 TT-type (26.7%, OR/CI: 12.75/1.0-319.4), compared to 4% of negative HBsAg/rs8099917 non-TT-type (trend p=0.0002). HBsAg levels, but not HBV DNA levels, were significantly associated with spontaneous HCV seroclearance. Spontaneous HCV seroclearance rate was 58.3% in patients with HBsAg>200IU/ml/rs8099917 TT-type (OR/CI: 42.54/5.7-908.4), 28.0% in patients with HBsAg<200IU/ml/rs8099917 TT-type or HBsAg>200IU/ml/rs8099917 non-TT-type (OR/CI: 11.12/2.3-201.0), compared to only 3.3% in those with HBsAg<200IU/ml/rs8099917 non-TT-type (trend p=0.0004). Five of 214 (2.3%) HCV viremic patients at enrollment had spontaneous HCV seroclearance during one-year follow-up, which was associated with baseline HCV RNA and HBsAg levels. CONCLUSIONS: High HBsAg levels and favorable IL28B genotype were additively associated with spontaneous HCV seroclearance in uremic patients.

Low serum calcium is associated with poor renal outcomes in chronic kidney disease stages 3-4 patients.

BACKGROUND: Mineral disorders are associated with adverse renal outcomes in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. Previous studies have associated hypercalcemia and hypocalcemia with mortality; however, the association between serum calcium and renal outcome is not well-described. Whether adding calcium besides phosphorus or in the form of calcium-phosphorus (Ca×P) product into the model of survival analysis could improve the prediction of renal outcomes is not known. METHODS: A prospective cohort of 2144 outpatients with CKD stages 3-4 was evaluated. Cox proportional hazard analysis was performed according to calcium quartiles. RESULTS: The mean calcium level was 9.2±0.7 mg/dL. Low serum calcium (<9.0 mg/dL) was associated with increased risk of requiring renal replacement therapy (RRT) (hazards ratio [HR]:2.12 (95% CI: 1.49-3.02, P<0.05) and rapid renal function progression (odds ratio [OR]: 1.65 (95% CI: 1.19-2.27, P<0.05) compared with high serum calcium (>9.8 mg/dL). Adding calcium into the survival model increased the integrated discrimination improvement by 0.80% (0.12%-1.91%) while calcium-phosphorus product did not improve risk prediction.The combination of high serum phosphorus (>4.2 mg/dL) and low serum calcium (<9.1 mg/dL) was associated with the highest risk of RRT (HR:2.31 (95% CI: 1.45-3.67, P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Low serum calcium is associated with increased risk of RRT and rapid renal function progression in CKD stage 3-4 patients. The integration of serum calcium and phosphorus, but not calcium-phosphorus product should be considered in a predictive model of renal outcome.

Gut butyrate-producers confer post-infarction cardiac protection.

The gut microbiome and its metabolites are increasingly implicated in several cardiovascular diseases, but their role in human myocardial infarction (MI) injury responses have yet to be established. To address this, we examined stool samples from 77 ST-elevation MI (STEMI) patients using 16 S V3-V4 next-generation sequencing, metagenomics and machine learning. Our analysis identified an enriched population of butyrate-producing bacteria. These findings were then validated using a controlled ischemia/reperfusion model using eight nonhuman primates. To elucidate mechanisms, we inoculated gnotobiotic mice with these bacteria and found that they can produce beta-hydroxybutyrate, supporting cardiac function post-MI. This was further confirmed using HMGCS2-deficient mice which lack endogenous ketogenesis and have poor outcomes after MI. Inoculation increased plasma ketone levels and provided significant improvements in cardiac function post-MI. Together, this demonstrates a previously unknown role of gut butyrate-producers in the post-MI response.

Opportunities and Challenges of Human IPSC Technology in Kidney Disease Research.

Human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), since their discovery in 2007, open a broad array of opportunities for research and potential therapeutic uses. The substantial progress in iPSC reprogramming, maintenance, differentiation, and characterization technologies since then has supported their applications from disease modeling and preclinical experimental platforms to the initiation of cell therapies. In this review, we started with a background introduction about stem cells and the discovery of iPSCs, examined the developing technologies in reprogramming and characterization, and provided the updated list of stem cell biobanks. We highlighted several important iPSC-based research including that on autosomal dominant kidney disease and SARS-CoV-2 kidney involvement and discussed challenges and future perspectives.

Association between Body Mass Index and Renal Outcomes Modified by Chronic Kidney Disease and Anemia: The Obesity Paradox for Renal Outcomes.

Obesity-related nephropathy is associated with renal function progression. However, some studies have associated a high body mass index (BMI) with improved renal outcomes­this is referred to as the obesity paradox for renal outcomes, especially in relation to advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD). Central obesity can explain the obesity paradox in all-cause mortality. However, whether obesity or central obesity is associated with renal outcomes (renal replacement therapy or a 50% decline in the estimated glomerular filtration rate) in patients with advanced CKD remains unclear. Our study included 3605 Asian patients with CKD stages 1−5 divided into six groups according to their BMI (between 15 and 35 kg/m2). Through linear regression, BMI was positively associated with hemoglobin and albumin at CKD stages 4 and 5. In the competing risk Cox regression model, a high BMI (27.5−35 kg/m2) was associated with renal outcomes at CKD stages 1−3, but not stages 4 and 5. A high BMI was associated with renal outcomes in patients with hemoglobin ≥11 g/dL, but not <11 g/dL. A high waist-to-hip ratio was not associated with renal outcomes. We conclude that the CKD stage and anemia may explain the obesity paradox in renal outcomes in patients with CKD.

Predictive Value of HbA1c and Metabolic Syndrome for Renal Outcome in Non-Diabetic CKD Stage 1-4 Patients.

Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels are commonly used to indicate long-term glycemic control. An HbA1c level of 6.5−5.7% is defined as pre-diabetes and is proposed as a criterion for diagnosing metabolic syndrome (MetS). However, HbA1c levels can be affected by chronic kidney disease (CKD). Whether HbA1c is associated with clinical outcomes in nondiabetic CKD patients with or without MetS is still unknown. This study included 1270 nondiabetic CKD stage 1−4 Asian patients, divided by HbA1c and MetS. Through linear regression, HbA1c was positively associated with age, waist circumference, hemoglobin levels, and C-reactive protein and was negatively associated with malnutrition−inflammation. HbA1c levels were 5.5% (0.6%) and 5.7% (0.6%) in non-MetS and MetS, respectively (p < 0.001). In Cox regression, higher-level HbA1c was associated with worse composite renal outcome in MetS patients, but with better renal outcome in non-MetS patients: Hazard ratio (HR) (95% confidence interval [CI]) of HbA1c ≥5.7%, compared with HbA1c <5%, was 2.00 (1.06−3.78) in MetS and 0.25 (0.14−0.45) in non-MetS. An association between HbA1c and all-cause mortality was not found. In conclusion, higher HbA1c levels are associated with worse renal outcomes in nondiabetic CKD stage 1−4 patients modified by the presence of MetS.

Normal weight and waist obesity indicated by increased total body fat associated with all-cause mortality in stage 3-5 chronic kidney disease.

Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) demonstrate a survival benefit with a high body mass index (BMI); this is the obesity paradox. Central obesity has a higher prognostic value than BMI, even in those with normal weight. Whether total body fat percentage (TBF%) provides more information than BMI and waist circumference (WC) remains unknown. We included 3,262 Asian patients with stage 3-5 CKD and divided these patients by TBF% and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) quartiles (Q1-Q4). TBF% was associated with BMI, WC, nutritional markers, and C-reactive protein. In all patients, BMI but not TBF% or WHtR demonstrated a survival paradox. In patients with BMI <25 kg/m2, but not in those with BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2, TBF% Q4 and WHtR Q4 were associated with all-cause mortality, with hazard ratios [HRs; 95% confidence intervals (CIs)] of 2.35 (1.31-4.22) and 1.38 (1.06-1.80), respectively. The HRs of TBF% Q4 for all-cause mortality were 2.90 (1.50-5.58) in patients with a normal WC and 3.81 (1.93-7.50) in patients with normal weight and normal WC (All P for interaction < 0.05). In conclusion, TBF% can predict all-cause mortality in patients with advanced CKD and a normal weight, normal WC, or both.

Coordination of LMO7 with FAK Signaling Sustains Epithelial Integrity in Renal Epithelia Exposed to Osmotic Pressure.

The kidney epithelial barrier has multifaceted functions in body fluids, electrolyte homeostasis, and urine production. The renal epithelial barrier (REB) frequently faces and challenges osmotic dynamics, which gives rise to osmotic pressure (a physical force). Osmotic pressure overloading can crack epithelial integrity and damage the REB. The endurance of REB to osmotic pressure forces remains obscure. LMO7 (LIM domain only 7) is a protein associated with the cell-cell junctional complex and cortical F-actin. Its upregulation was observed in cells cultured under hypertonic conditions. LMO7 is predominantly distributed in renal tubule epithelial cells. Hypertonic stimulation leads to LMO7 and F-actin assembly in the cortical stress fibers of renal epithelial cells. Hypertonic-isotonic alternation, as a pressure force pushing the plasma membrane inward/outward, was set as osmotic disturbance and was applied to test FAK signaling and LMO7 functioning in maintaining junctional integrity. LMO7 depletion in cells resulted in junctional integrity loss in the epithelial sheet-cultured hypertonic medium or hypertonic-isotonic alternation. Conversely, FAK inhibition by PF-573228 led to failure in robust cortical F-actin assembly and LMO7 association with cortical F-actin in epithelial cells responding to hypertonic stress. Epithelial integrity against osmotic stress and LMO7 and FAK signaling are involved in assembling robust cortical F-actin and maintaining junctional integrity. LMO7 elaborately manages FAK activation in renal epithelial cells, which was demonstrated excessive FAK activation present in LMO7 depleted NRK-52E cells and epithelial integrity loss when cells with LMO7 depletion were exposed to a hypertonic environment. Our data suggests that LMO7 regulates FAK activation and is responsible for maintaining REB under osmotic disturbance.

Hepatic Steatosis Is Associated with High White Blood Cell and Platelet Counts.

The incidence of hepatic steatosis is increasing globally, and it is important to identify those at risk to prevent comorbidities. Complete blood count is a simple, convenient, and inexpensive laboratory examination which can be used to obtain white blood cell (WBC) and platelet counts. The aims of this study were to investigate the relationships between WBC and platelet counts with hepatic steatosis, and whether WBC and platelet counts were associated with the severity of hepatic steatosis. We enrolled 1969 participants residing in southern Taiwan who took part in a health survey from June 2016 to September 2018 in this cross-sectional study. None of the participants were heavy alcohol users or had a history of hepatitis B or C. We collected laboratory data, and the severity of hepatic steatosis was determined by abdominal ultrasound. The overall prevalence rate of hepatic steatosis was 42.0%. There were significant trends of stepwise increases in WBC count (p < 0.001) corresponding to the severity of hepatic steatosis. After multivariable linear regression analysis, hepatic steatosis was significantly associated with high WBC count (coefficient ß, 0.209; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.055 to 0.364; p = 0.008) and high platelet count (coefficient ß, 12.213; 95% CI, 6.092 to 18.334; p < 0.001); also, higher WBC counts corresponded with the severity of hepatic steatosis.

Low serum iron is associated with anemia in CKD stage 1-4 patients with normal transferrin saturations.

Low transferrin saturation (TSAT), calculated by serum iron divided by total iron-binding capacity (TIBC), indicates iron deficiency. Because malnutrition and inflammation are associated with low TIBC in chronic kidney disease (CKD), TSAT might not reflect iron status or risk for anemia. We examined whether low serum iron was a risk factor for anemia in CKD patients with normal TSAT. Thus we compare the risk for anemia in 2500 CKD stage 1-4 patients divided by TSAT (cutoff: 20%) and serum iron (cutoff: 70 µg/dL in men, 60 µg/dL in women). Our results confirmed low TIBC (< 200 µg/dL) was associated with hypoalbuminemia and high C-reactive protein. In fully-adjusted logistic regression, both "normal TSAT low iron" and "low TSAT low iron" groups were associated with baseline anemia (hemoglobin < 11 g/dL) (odds ratios (OR) 1.56; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.13-2.16 and OR 2.36; 95% CI 1.76-3.18, respectively) compared with the reference group (normal TSAT normal iron). Sensitivity tests with different cutoffs for TSAT and iron also showed similar results. In patients without anemia, both groups were associated with anemia after 1 year (OR 1.69; 95% CI 1.00-2.83 and OR 1.94; 95% CI 1.11-3.40, respectively). In conclusion, CKD stage 1-4 patients with normal TSAT but low serum iron are still at risk for anemia.

Generation of induced pluripotent stem cells from a Bardet-Biedl syndrome patient carrying a homologous BBS2 c.534 + 1G > T mutation.

Bardet-Biedl syndrome is a autosomal recessive hereditary disorder characterized by polydactyly, multiple renal cysts, retinal cone-rod dystrophy, obesity, and variable neural development or cognitive impairment. We reported the generation and characterization of an iPS cell line, IBMS-iPSC-063-06, from a patient carrying the BBS2 homologous c534 + 1G > T mutation. The generated iPS cell line retains the mutation and exhibits pluripotency and differentiation ability both in vivo and in vitro condition.