SFN promotes renal fibrosis via binding with MYH9 in chronic kidney disease.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a clinical syndrome characterized by persistent renal function decline. Renal fibrosis is the main pathological process in CKD, but an effective treatment does not exist. Stratifin (SFN) is a highly-conserved, multi-function soluble acidic protein. Therefore, this study explored the effects of SFN on renal fibrosis. First, we found that SFN was highly expressed in patients with CKD, as well as in renal fibrosis animal and cell models. Next, transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-ß1) induced injury and fibrosis in human renal tubule epithelial cells, and SFN knockdown reversed these effects. Furthermore, SFN knockdown mitigated unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO)-induced renal tubular dilatation and renal interstitial fibrosis in mice. Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP), and immunofluorescence co-localization assays demonstrated that SFN bound the non-muscle myosin-encoding gene, myosin heavy chain 9 (MYH9), in the cytoplasm of renal tubular epithelial cells. MYH9 knockdown also reduced Col-1 and α-SMA expression, which are fibrosis markers. Finally, silencing SFN decreased MYH9 expression, alleviating renal fibrosis. These results suggest that SFN promotes renal fibrosis in CKD by interacting with MYH9. This study may provide potential strategies for the treatment of CKD.

Association between DCP levels and kidney stone prevalence in US female adults based on NHANES data.

Our study aimed to evaluate the correlation between levels of 2,4-DCP(2,4-Dichlorophenol) and 2,5-DCP(2,5-Dichlorophenol) and the prevalence of kidney stones in US female adults. Participants were chosen from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey database, spanning the years 2007-2016. Dose-response curves were analyzed using logistic regression, subgroup analyses, and other statistical methods to evaluate the relationship between 2,4-DCP and 2,5-DCP levels and the prevalence of kidney stones. The final study included 3220 participants aged over 20 years, with 252 females reporting a history of kidney stones. After accounting for all interfering variables, we found that every 0.1 ug/ml increase in 2.4-DCP correlated with a 1% rise in kidney stone prevalence (OR = 1.01, 95% CI 1.00, 1.01), whereas the same increase in 2.5-DCP was linked to a 27% growth in prevalence (OR = 1.27, 95% CI 1.01, 1.61). Sensitivity analysis was performed by triangulating 2,4-DCP and 2,5-DCP levels. The dose-response curves demonstrated a linear positive relationship between 2,4-DCP and 2,5-DCP levels and the risk of stone development. Our findings indicate a positive correlation between 2,4-DCP and 2,5-DCP levels and the prevalence of kidney stones in US female adults. This association is of clinical significance; however, a direct causal relationship cannot be definitively established.

Tubeless PCNL versus standard PCNL for the treatment of upper urinary tract stones: a propensity score matching analysis.

PURPOSE: In this study, the feasibility of tubeless percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) for the treatment of upper urinary tract stones was investigated. METHODS: From January 2021 to December 2022, the clinical data of 273 patients who received tubeless PCNL (Group A) were studied. The control group includes clinical data from 302 patients (from January 2019 to October 2022) who received standard PCNL (Group B). The baseline characteristics were consistent between the two groups after using the propensity score matching (PSM) method. Compare the preoperative clinical characteristics, postoperative complications, residual stones, catheterization time, and hospital stay between the two groups. RESULTS: 146 pairs of patients were successfully paired through PSM. There was no statistically significant difference in operative time, blood leukocyte counts, haemoglobin decrease, fever, urinary extravasation, sepsis, bleeding, blood transfusion rates, embolism, and residual stones after surgery between the two groups; Postoperative day 1 and discharge day, the VAS pain score in Group A was significantly lower than that in Group B. The catheterization time and hospitalization time of patients in Group A were significantly lower than those in Group B. CONCLUSION: According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, selecting suitable patients for tubeless PCNL is safe and effective, while significantly alleviating pain and reducing catheterization time and hospital stay.

Could METS-VF provide a clue as to the formation of kidney stones?

Objective: The lifetime occurrence rate of kidney stones is 14%, making it one of the most prevalent urological conditions. Other contributing elements, such as obesity, diabetes, diet, and heredity, are also taken into account. Our research sought to explore the potential link between high visceral fat scores (METS-VF) and the occurrence of kidney stones, as a means of understanding how to prevent them. Methods: This research utilized data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), mirroring the demographics of the United States. We carried out an in-depth analysis of the connection between METS-VF and kidney stones, based on data from 29,246 participants in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey spanning 2007 to 2018, involving logistic regression, segmentation, and dose-response curve analysis. Results: Our study of 29,246 potential participants found that METS-VF was positively associated with the prevalence and progression of kidney stones. After subgroup analysis by gender, race, blood pressure, and blood glucose, our results showed that the ORs for METS-VF and kidney stones were (1.49, 1.44) in males and females, respectively; while in Mexicans, whites, blacks, and In other populations, the OR values were (1.33, 1.43, 1.54, 1.86); in hypertensive and normal populations, the OR values were (1.23, 1.48); in diabetic patients and normoglycemic patients were (1.36,1.43). This proves that it works for all groups of people. Summary: Our studies demonstrate a strong connection between METS-FV and the emergence of kidney stones. It would be beneficial to investigate METS-VF as a marker for kidney stone development and progression in light of these findings.

No bladder irrigation versus continuous bladder irrigation after HoLEP: a propensity score matching analysis.

PURPOSE: In this study, the feasibility of a no bladder irrigation strategy after transurethral holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) was studied. METHODS: From August 2021 to December 2021, the clinical data of 62 patients who received no bladder irrigation after HoLEP (Group A) were studied. The control group contained the clinical data of 150 patients in the same therapy group (from January 2021 to July 2021) who received continuous bladder irrigation after HoLEP (Group B). The baseline was consistent after using the propensity score matching (PSM) method, and the differences between groups were compared. The pre- and postoperative complications, international prostate symptom score (IPSS), quality of life (QOL), maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax), and postvoid residual urine (PVR) of the two groups were compared, accompanied by a follow-up evaluation of surgical effects. RESULTS: 47 pairs of patients were successfully matched by PSM. There was no statistically significant difference in the intraoperative conditions and the incidence of early postoperative complications between the two groups (P > 0.05). Before and one month after the surgery, significant differences were also found in the IPSS, QOL, Qmax, and PVR of both groups (P < 0.05). Within one month after the surgery, no statistically significant difference was found in IPSS, QOL, Qmax, PVR, or the incidence of early postoperative complications between the two groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: For appropriately selected patients according to the exclusion criteria, the no bladder irrigation strategy after HoLEP for BPH is safe and effective.

Study from the United States: increased prevalence of kidney stones in patients with high weight-adjusted waist index.

Objective: Using data from NHANES 2007-2018, to examine the association between WWI (weight-adjusted waist index) index and prevalence of kidney stones. Methods: Using multiple logistic regression analysis of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2007-2018, we evaluated the association between WWI index and the prevalence of kidney stones, followed by subgroup analysis of sensitive populations. Smooth curve fitting was used to determine whether there was a non-linear relationship between the WWI index and kidney stone prevalence, and threshold effect analysis was used to test this relationship. Results: Among 29,280 participants, 2,760 self-reported renal calculi. After adjustment for all confounders, there was a positive association between WWI and kidney stone prevalence (OR = 1.20, 95% CI: 1.12, 1.28), and this positive association was stronger with increasing WWI (and P = 0.01 for trend). Our results indicate a non-linear positive correlation between WWI index and kidney stones, with the saturation threshold effect analysis and the most important threshold value at 11.02. According to subgroup analysis, WWI showed the strongest association with kidney stone prevalence in participants aged 20-39 years, males, other US ethnic groups, and participants without hypertension and diabetes. Conclusion: Increased WWI is positively associated with increased incidence of kidney stones, and increased WWI is a high risk for kidney stones that should be treated with caution. This association should be more pronounced in people between the ages of 20 and 39 years, in men, in other US ethnic populations, and in participants who do not have hypertension or diabetes.

Corrigendum: Could METS-VF provide a clue as to the formation of kidney stones?

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1166922.].

Association between body fat distribution and kidney stones: Evidence from a US population.

Objectives: We aimed to evaluate the relationship between the proportion of Android to Gynoid ratio and the incidence of kidney stones among US adults. Methods: Participants aged 20-59 years from the 2011-2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) database were selected to assess the association between Android to Gynoid ratio and kidney stone prevalence using logistic regression analysis, subgroup analysis and calculation of dose-response curves. Results: This study ultimately included 10858 participants, of whom 859 self-reported a history of kidney stones. And after adjusting for all confounders, an increased Android to Gynoid ratio was associated with an increased prevalence of kidney stones (OR=2.75, 95% CI:1.62-4.88). And subgroup analysis showed an increased prevalence of kidney stones in women (OR=3.55, 95% CI: 1.54-8.22), non-diabetic (OR=2.59, 95% CI: 1.45-4.60), 60 > age ≥ 40 years (OR=3.51, 95% CI: 1.83-6.71), Mexican-American (OR=4.35, 95% CI: 1.40- 13.53) and white (OR=3.86, 95% CI: 1.82-8.18) groups, there was a significant positive association between A/G ratio and kidney stones. In contrast, in the hypertensive subgroup, the A/G ratio was associated with kidney stones in all groups. Conclusions: Higher Android to Gynoid ratio is associated with a high prevalence of kidney stone disease.