Development of SPEEK-Coated IrOx Sensor for High-Biomass Aquatic pH Monitoring.

Instability is a key challenge for current pH sensors in practical applications, especially in aquatic environments with high biomass and redox substances. Herein, we present a novel approach that uses a highly stable IrOx sensing layer enveloped in a composite film of SPEEK doped with a silicon-stabilized ionic liquid (SP-IrOx). This design mitigates drift due to sensitive layer variations and minimizes interference from complex external conditions. After exhibiting robustness under moderately reducing conditions caused by S2-, I-, and ascorbic acid, the SP-IrOx sensor's efficacy was validated through real-time pH measurements in demanding aquatic settings. These included laboratory algal culture medium, sediment substrates, and mussel aquaculture areas. The sensor sustained accuracy and stability over extended periods of 6-8 days when compared to calibrated commercial electrodes. The deviations from reference samples were minimal, with a variance of no more than 0.03 pH units in mussel aquaculture areas (n = 17) and 0.07 pH units in an algal culture medium (n = 37). As a potentiometric, this solid-state electrode features a compact structure and low energy consumption, making it an economical and low-maintenance solution for precise pH monitoring in diverse challenging environments with high biomass and turbidity.

Reduced nitrite accumulation at the primary nitrite maximum in the cyclonic eddies in the western North Pacific subtropical gyre.

Nitrite, an intermediate product of the oxidation of ammonia to nitrate (nitrification), accumulates in upper oceans, forming the primary nitrite maximum (PNM). Nitrite concentrations in the PNM are relatively low in the western North Pacific subtropical gyre (wNPSG), where eddies are frequent and intense. To explain these low nitrite concentrations, we investigated nitrification in cyclonic eddies in the wNPSG. We detected relatively low half-saturation constants (i.e., high substrate affinities) for ammonia and nitrite oxidation at 150 to 200 meter water depth. Eddy-induced displacement of high-affinity nitrifiers and increased substrate supply enhanced ammonia and nitrite oxidation, depleting ambient substrate concentrations in the euphotic zone. Nitrite oxidation is more strongly enhanced by the cyclonic eddies than ammonia oxidation, reducing concentrations and accelerating the turnover of nitrite in the PNM. These findings demonstrate a spatial decoupling of the two steps of nitrification in response to mesoscale processes and provide insights into physical-ecological controls on the PNM.

Hypertriglyceridemia is a risk factor for treatment failure in patients with peritoneal dialysis-related peritonitis.

OBJECTIVE: Disorders of triglycerides (TG) are common in patients with peritoneal dialysis (PD). Hypertriglyceridemia has been demonstrated in various infections. The association between triglycerides and the outcomes of peritoneal dialysis-related peritonitis (PDRP) was investigated in this study. METHODS: We retrospectively investigated patients with PDRP from January 1, 2013 to October 31, 2020. Hypertriglyceridemia was defined as triglycerides ≥ 1.7 mmol/L. PDRP episodes were divided into two groups: hypertriglyceridemia and normal levels of triglycerides. The clinical and laboratory baseline data of the two groups were collected and compared. The association between triglycerides and treatment failure was analyzed by logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Ninety episodes in 66 patients were recorded in our center. Hypertriglyceridemia occurred in 38% (34/90) of episodes. Twenty-five episodes were not cured in 90 episodes (27.8%, 25/90). The levels of thrombocytes, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and glycated hemoglobin, were higher in hypertriglyceridemia episodes of PDRP at baseline. The bacterial classification was different between elevated triglyceride group and normal triglyceride group. Adjusted for age, duration of dialysis, residual renal function, diabetes, thrombocytes, hs-CRP, serum albumin, cholesterol, HDL-C, LDL-C, intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH), glycated hemoglobin and spectrum of bacteria, hypertriglyceridemia were associated significantly with treatment failure of PDRP in our study (OR 3.416, 95% CI 1.223-9.540 p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Hypertriglyceridemia at baseline was an independent risk factor for treatment failure of PDRP.

Comparative Study on the Elucidation of Sedimentary Phosphorus Species Using Two Methods, the SMT and SEDEX Methods.

Sedimentary phosphorus (P) forms are important representatives of P sources and their bioavailability as well as the potential of sediments to release P in water. In this study, surface sediments along a transect of the Changjiang Estuary and two transects along the Andong salt marsh in the southwest of Hangzhou Bay were subjected to the elucidation of sedimentary P species using the standards, measurements, and testing (SMT) and sequential extraction (SEDEX) methods. The results showed that the mean sedimentary P forms elucidated by the SMT method were as follows: organic P (OP; ∼11-14 mg/kg; ∼30-45% of total P; TP) > apatite P (∼5-15 mg/kg; ∼21-36% TP) > Fe/Al-P (∼8-14 mg/kg; ∼31-34% TP), with inorganic P (IP) composing 54-70% of TP. The mean sedimentary P forms elucidated by the SEDEX method were as follows: authigenic P (∼54-68 mg/kg; ∼41-46% TP) > extractable P (Ex-P; ∼36-53 mg/kg; ∼28-34%) > Fe-P (∼21-27 mg/kg; ∼13-19%) > OP (∼8.7-13 mg/kg; ∼5-8%) > detrital P (De-P; ∼2 mg/kg; ∼1-2% TP), with IP composed of ∼91-94% TP. These results showed that the SEDEX method elucidated higher concentrations of sedimentary P forms as well as the TP from these coastal sediments although the SMT method had the advantage of being more economic and faster. The results of both the SMT and SEDEX methods showed that the Andong salt marsh and Changjiang Estuary sediments had much bioavailable P. The mean percentages of bioavailable P from the SMT and SEDEX methods were ∼64-74% and 52-56% of TP, respectively, indicating that these sediments were prone to release P to the coastal areas.

Relationship between angiotensin-converting enzyme insertion/deletion gene polymorphism and prostate cancer susceptibility.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Investigations on the relationship between angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) insertion/deletion (I/D) gene polymorphism and prostate cancer risk are conflicting. This meta-analysis was conducted to assess the relationship between ACE I/D gene polymorphism and prostate cancer risk. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Reports were identified from PubMed, Cochrane Library, and China Biological Medicine (CBM)-disc (CBM database) on December 30, 2014, and eligible studies were recruited. RESULTS: ACE I/D gene polymorphism was not associated with prostate cancer risk for overall populations in this meta-analysis (D allele: Odds ratio [OR] =1.56, 95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 1.00-2.46, P = 0.05; DD genotype: OR = 1.74, 95% CI: 0.95-3.20, P = 0.07; II genotype: OR = 0.67, 95% CI: 0.39-1.15, P = 0.15). Furthermore, the association of ACE I/D gene polymorphism with colorectal cancer risk was not found for the Caucasians. Interestingly, ACE I/D gene polymorphism was associated with prostate cancer risk for the Asian population and Latino population. CONCLUSIONS: There was an association between ACE I/D gene polymorphism and prostate cancer risk for the Asians and Latino population in this meta-analysis. However, more investigations should be performed to confirm this relationship.

Elevated baseline serum IgA may predict earlier proteinuria remission in IgA nephropathy patients.

The goals of this work were to investigate the correlations of elevated serum IgA with renal pathology and outcome of proteinuria in IgA nephropathy patients. Retrospective cohort analysis enrolled 90 IgA nephropathy patients (proteinuria ≥0.5 g/24 hr, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) ≥30 ml/min/1.73 m2) who were admitted to The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University from 2013.01 to 2017.04. The elevated serum IgA level was found in 20 (22.2%) patients. In clinical characteristics, serum IgG, ratio of IgA/C3 and recurrent mucosal infection rate were increased obviously in high serum IgA group compared with normal serum IgA group (serum IgG, 14.90±3.50 g/L vs. 10.27±3.49 g/L, P<0.001, IgA/C3, 4.45±1.21 vs. 2.77±0.75, P<0.001, recurrent mucosae infection rate, 40.0% vs. 14.3%, P=0.027). In kidney biopsy, mesangial proliferation was significantly more common in normal serum IgA group (81% vs. 50% in high serum IgA group, P=0.028). The proportion of crescent less than 25% more often occurred in elevated IgA group (81.3% vs. 63.8% in normal IgA group). The Kaplan-Meier curves showed that proteinuria remission rate for patients with high serum IgA was 80%, 85%, 90%, 95% and 95% after 3, 6, 9, 12 and 15 months compared with patients with normal serum IgA (proteinuria remission rate, 45%, 64%, 75%, 86% and 93%, P=0.020). Cox proportional hazard regression model indicated that elevated serum IgA (RR=1.984, P=0.040) and steroids therapy (RR=2.192, P=0.030) were independent predictors for proteinuria remission in IgA nephropathy patients. In view of our data, more active treatments may improve outcome of IgA nephropathy patients with elevated serum IgA. We conclude that elevated serum IgA may indicate a higher proteinuria remission rate within a shorter period of time in IgA nephropathy patients.

Potential signal pathway between all-trans retinoic acid and LMX1B in hypoxia-induced renal tubular epithelial cell injury.

All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA), an active metabolite of vitamin A, exerts various effects on physiological processes such as cell growth, differentiation, apoptosis and inflammation. LMX1B, a developmental LIM-homeodomain transcription factor, is widely expressed in vertebrate embryos, and it takes part in the development of diverse structures such as limbs, kidneys, eyes, brains, etc. Renal tubular epithelial cell culture was performed, and mRNA and protein expression of some factors were detected. We recently demonstrated that ATRA up-regulated the LMX1B, and down-regulated the transforming growth factor-ß1, collagen IV and fibronectin in a hypoxia/reoxygenation (H-R) injury system in renal tubular epithelial cells (RTEC). In conclusion, ATRA acts as a positive regulator of LMX1B in H-R RTEC.

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T gene polymorphism and diabetic nephropathy susceptibility in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) is a crucial enzyme that regulates nucleotide synthesis and DNA methylation. The MTHFR C677T gene polymorphism (rs1801133), a C → T transition at nucleotide 677 in exon 4, is a common gene variant of MTHFR and has been implicated in diabetic nephropathy, albeit with inconsistent results. Here, we performed a meta-analysis to assess the common effect size of this polymorphism on DN susceptibility. Case-control studies on the association of the MTHFR C677T gene polymorphism with DN risk were retrieved from databases up to August 1, 2013, and eligible studies were recruited into the meta-analysis and further analyzed. Of 132 studies, 33 were identified as suitable for this analysis. The results showed that T allele and TT genotype were distinctly associated with DN susceptibility in the overall population and Asians, and might be a risk factor in Caucasians and Africans (T allele: Overall population: p < 0.00001, Asians: p = 0.0002, Caucasians: p = 0.02, Africans: p < 0.00001; TT genotype: Overall population: p < 0.00001, Asians: p = 0.0003, Caucasians: p = 0.008, Africans: p = 0.0003). Furthermore, the analysis suggested that the CC genotype might play a protective role against DN onset in patients with type 2 diabetes for the overall population, Asians, Caucasian and Africans. However, due to the limited sample size in the African population, these results should be interpreted with care. In conclusion, the MTHFR C677T T allele or TT genotype might be a significant genetic molecular marker to determine the risk of DN in patients with type 2 diabetes and help to develop suitable disease prevention and management strategies.

Association of angiotensin II type-1 receptor A1166C gene polymorphism with the susceptibility of immunoglobulin A nephropathy.

Association of angiotensin II type-1 receptor (AT1R) A1166C gene polymorphism with the susceptibility of immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) is still controversial. This meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate the association of AT1R A1166C gene polymorphism with IgAN susceptibility. The search was performed in the databases of PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library as of 1 May 2014. The eligible investigations were recruited for this meta-analysis. Four literatures on the association between AT1R A1166C gene polymorphism and IgAN susceptibility were identified for this meta-analysis. Interestingly, all the included studies were from Asian population. There was no association between AT1R A1166C gene polymorphism and IgAN susceptibility for overall populations (C allele vs. A allele: OR = 1.04, 95% CI: 0.78-1.39, p = 0.76; CC vs. AC + AA: OR = 1.20, 95% CI: 0.48-2.98, p = 0.70; AA vs. AC + CC: OR = 0.97, 95% CI: 0.70-1.34, p = 0.85), and in Asians. In conclusion, AT1R A1166C gene polymorphism was not associated with IgAN susceptibility in Asian population. However, more case-control association investigations on larger, stratified populations are required in the future.

Is there an association of hepatitis B virus infection with minimal change disease of nephrotic syndrome? A clinical observational report.

The rate of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is high in the Chinese population, and the implications of HBV infection are widely recognized, and membranous nephropathy is the most common renal lesion to be associated with HBV infection. Minimal change disease (MCD) is one of the most important histopathological characteristics in patients with nephrotic syndrome. There is no any study to report that HBV infection is associated with the etiology of MCD. Herein, we report four MCD patients with HBV infection and speculate that there is an association of HBV infection with the pathological type of MCD. In this study, we also reported the treatment schedule for these four MCD patients, and found that the anti-virus alone and combination of anti-virus with immunosuppressive agent could obtain a benefit for MCD patients with HBV infection. However, a well-designed study should be performed to confirm this association.

RETRACTED: Role of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitors in radiation nephropathy.

The following article has been included in a multiple retraction: Tian-Biao Zhou, Hong-Yan Li, Zong-Pei Jiang, Jia-Fan Zhou, Miao-Fang Huang and Zhi-Yang Zhou Role of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitors in radiation nephropathy Journal of Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System ( JRAAS) 1470320314563424, first published 18 December 2014. DOI: 10.1177/1470320314563424 . This article has been retracted at the request of the Editors and the Publisher. After conducting a thorough investigation, SAGE found that the submitting authors of a number of papers published in the JRAAS (listed below) had supplied fabricated contact details for their nominated reviewers. The Editors accepted these papers based on the reports supplied by the individuals using these fake reviewer email accounts. After concluding that the peer-review process was therefore seriously compromised, SAGE and the journal Editors have decided to retract all affected articles. Online-first articles (these articles will not be published in an issue) Wenzhuang Tang, Tian-Biao Zhou and Zongpei Jiang Association of the angiotensinogen M235T gene polymorphism with risk of diabetes mellitus developing into diabetic nephropathy JRAAS 1470320314563426, first published 18 December 2014. DOI: 10.1177/1470320314563426 . Tian-Biao Zhou, Hong-Yan Li, Zong-Pei Jiang, Jia-Fan Zhou, Miao-Fang Huang and Zhi-Yang Zhou Role of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitors in radiation nephropathy JRAAS 1470320314563424, first published 18 December 2014. DOI: 10.1177/1470320314563424 . Weiqiang Zhong, Zongpei Jiang and Tian-Biao Zhou Association between the ACE I/D gene polymorphism and T2DN susceptibility: The risk of T2DM developing into T2DN in the Asian population JRAAS1470320314566019, first published 26 January 2015. DOI: 10.1177/1470320314566019 . Tian-Biao Zhou, Xue-Feng Guo, Zongpei Jiang and Hong-Yan Li Relationship between the ACE I/D gene polymorphism and T1DN susceptibility/risk of T1DM developing into T1DN in the Caucasian population JRAAS 1470320314563425, first published 1 February 2015. DOI: 10.1177/1470320314563425 . Chun-Hua Yang and Tian-Biao Zhou Relationship between the angiotensinogen A1166C gene polymorphism and the risk of diabetes mellitus developing into diabetic nephropathy JRAAS 1470320314566221, first published 1 February 2015. DOI: 10.1177/1470320314566221 . Chun-Hua Yang and Tian-Biao Zhou Association of the ACE I/D gene polymorphism with sepsis susceptibility and sepsis progression JRAAS 1470320314568521, first published 3 February 2015. DOI: 10.1177/1470320314568521 . Articles published in an issue Guohui Liu, Tian-Biao Zhou, Zongpei Jiang and Dongwen Zheng Association of ACE I/D gene polymorphism with T2DN susceptibility and the risk of T2DM developing into T2DN in a Caucasian population JRAAS March 2015; 16: 165-171, first published 14 November 2014. DOI: 10.1177/1470320314557849 . Weiqiang Zhong, Zhongliang Huang, Yong Wu, Zongpei Jiang and Tian-Biao Zhou Association of aldosterone synthase ( CYP11B2) gene polymorphism with IgA nephropathy risk and progression of IgA nephropathy JRAAS September 2015; 16: 660-665, first published 20 August 2014. DOI: 10.1177/1470320314524011 .

Comparing the Incidence of Catheter-Related Complications with Straight and Coiled Tenckhoff Catheters in Peritoneal Dialysis Patients-A Single-Center Prospective Randomized Trial.

UNLABELLED: ♦ OBJECTIVES: We aimed to prospectively compare the incidence of catheter-related complications and catheter survival for straight (SCs) and coiled (CCs) Tenckhoff catheters in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. ♦ METHODS: This open prospective randomized trial recruited 189 PD patients with end-stage renal disease from the department of nephrology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University from 6 November 2007 to 27 August 2008. The patients were randomized to a SC (n = 99) or a CC (n = 90) and were then followed for 2 years. All catheter placements were performed by two designated experienced nephrologists who used a standardized institutional placement protocol. The primary study outcomes were catheter-related complications and catheter survival at 1 and 2 years. ♦ RESULTS: We observed no significant differences in clinical and demographic characteristics between the groups at baseline. The overall incidence of catheter dysfunction was higher in the CC group than in the SC group (17.8% vs 7.1%, p = 0.03), and most of the events occurred 4 weeks or more after the catheters were implanted. Catheter tip migration and omental wrapping were the most common causes of catheter dysfunction. Surgical catheter rescue was more common in patients with CCs than in patients with SCs (9 vs 3 patients respectively, p = 0.05). No significant differences were observed in other catheter-related complications, including dialysate leaks, hernias, and PD-related infections (peritonitis, exit-site, and tunnel infections). Catheter survival rates in the SC and CC groups were similar at 1 year (96.7% ± 1.9% vs 96.5% ± 2.0%, p = 0.98) and at 2 years (95.3% ± 2.3% vs 92.4% ± 3.6%, p = 0.76). ♦ CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of PD catheter-related complications is probably higher with CCs than with SCs. The results of our study suggest that a SC is the better option to reduce subsequent catheter complications.

Association of vitamin D receptor gene polymorphism with the risk of systemic lupus erythematosus.

Relationship between vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene polymorphism and the risk of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) from the published reports are still conflicting. This study was conducted to evaluate the relationship between VDR BsmI (rs1544410), Fok1 (rs2228570), ApaI (rs7975232) and TaqI (rs731236) gene polymorphism and the risk of SLE using meta-analysis method. The association studies were identified from PubMed and Cochrane Library on 1 March 2014, and eligible investigations were included and synthesized using meta-analysis method. Thirteen reports were recruited into this meta-analysis for the association of VDR gene polymorphism with SLE susceptibility. In this meta-analysis for overall populations, the BsmI B allele and bb genotype, Fok1 f allele and ff genotype, and ApaI aa genotype, were associated with the risk of SLE. In Asians, the BsmI B allele, BB genotype and bb genotype, Fok1 f allele and ff genotype were associated with the risk of SLE. In Africans, the BsmI B allele, BB genotype and bb genotype, Fok1 f allele and ff genotype, ApaI A allele, AA genotype and aa genotype were associated with the risk of SLE. However, VDR BsmI, Fok1, ApaI and TaqI gene polymorphism were not associated with the risk of SLE in Caucasians. In conclusion, the BsmI B allele and bb genotype, Fok1 f allele and ff genotype were associated with the risk of SLE in overall populations, and in Asians, but these associations were not found in Caucasians. However, more studies should be conducted to confirm it.

Association of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 2518G/A gene polymorphism with diabetic nephropathy risk.

Results from the published studies on the association between monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) -2518 A/G gene polymorphism and diabetic nephropathy (DN) risk are still conflicting. This meta-analysis was performed to evaluate the relationship between MCP-1 A/G gene polymorphism and DN risk and to explore whether MCP-1 A allele, AA genotype or GG genotype could become a predictive marker for DN risk. Association studies were identified from the databases of PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library and CBM-disc (China Biological Medicine Database) as of 1 March 2014, and eligible investigations were synthesized using meta-analysis method. Four studies were identified for the analysis of association between MCP-1 A/G gene polymorphism and DN risk, and all the included studies were form Asian population. The association between MCP-1 A/G gene polymorphism and DN susceptibility was not found (A allele: OR = 1.19; 95% CI: 0.97-1.45; p = 0.10; AA genotype: OR = 1.27; 95% CI: 0.95-1.70; p = 0.11; GG genotype: OR = 0.77; 95% CI: 0.57-1.05; p = 0.10). In the sensitive analysis, according to the control source from hospital, we found that AA genotype was associated with the DN risk (OR = 1.45; 95% CI: 1.05-2.00; p = 0.02). However, other associations were not found in the sensitive analysis according to the control source from hospital or population. Our results indicate that AA homozygous might be a significant genetic molecular marker to predict the diabetes mellitus patients developing into DN. However, more investigations are required to further clarify this association.

Association of vitamin D receptor BsmI (rs1544410), Fok1 (rs2228570), TaqI (rs731236) and ApaI (rs7975232) gene polymorphism with the nephrolithiasis susceptibility.

Association of vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene polymorphism with the risk of nephrolithiasis from the published reports is still conflicting. This study was conducted to evaluate the relationship between VDR BsmI (rs1544410), Fok1 (rs2228570), TaqI (rs731236) and ApaI (rs7975232) gene polymorphism and the risk of nephrolithiasis using meta-analysis method. The association studies were identified from PubMed, and Cochrane Library on 1 April 2014, and eligible investigations were included and synthesized using meta-analysis method. Six reports were recruited into this meta-analysis for the association of VDR BsmI, Fok1, TaqI and ApaI gene polymorphism with nephrolithiasis susceptibility. In this meta-analysis, VDR BsmI, Fok1, TaqI and ApaI gene polymorphism were not associated with nephrolithiasis susceptibility for overall populations and in Caucasians. However, the Fok1 f allele and ff genotype were associated with the risk of nephrolithiasis in Asians, but the FF genotype not. Furthermore, TaqI TT genotype was associated with the risk of nephrolithiasis in Asians, but the t allele and tt genotype not. However, ApaI gene polymorphism was not associated with nephrolithiasis susceptibility in Asians. In conclusion, VDR BsmI, Fok1, TaqI and ApaI gene polymorphism were not associated with nephrolithiasis risk in overall populations and in Caucasians. But, the Fok1 f allele and ff genotype, TaqI TT genotype, ApaI gene polymorphism were associated with the risk of nephrolithiasis in Asians. However, more studies should be conducted to confirm it.

Association of vitamin D receptor BsmI (rs1544410) gene polymorphism with the intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) level among patients with end-stage renal disease.

Association of vitamin D receptor (VDR) BsmI (rs1544410) gene polymorphism with the intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) level among patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) from the published reports is still conflicting. This meta-analysis was performed to evaluate the relationship between VDR BsmI (rs1544410) gene polymorphism and the iPTH level among patients with ESRD. The association studies were identified from PubMed, and Cochrane Library on 1 March 2014, and eligible investigations were included and synthesized using meta-analysis method. Six reports were recruited into this meta-analysis for the association of VDR BsmI gene polymorphism with iPTH level among patients with ESRD. In this meta-analysis, the iPTH level in ESRD patients carrying BsmI Bb genotype was higher than that in ESRD patients carrying bb genotype in overall populations (Bb versus bb: OR = 61.40, 95% CI: 19.65-103.16, p = 0.004). However, the iPTH level in ESRD patients carrying BB genotype was not significant different from that in ESRD patients with Bb genotype and bb genotype in overall populations (BB versus Bb: OR = -18.30, 95% CI: -126.28-89.69, p = 0.74; BB versus bb: OR = 22.85, 95% CI: -70.81-116.51, p = 0.63). Furthermore, the results for Caucasians were similar to those in overall populations. In conclusion, the iPTH level in ESRD patients carrying BsmI Bb genotype was higher than that in ESRD patients carrying bb genotype in overall populations and in Caucasians. However, more studies should be conducted to confirm it.

Association of Megsin gene polymorphism with IgA nephropathy risk.

This meta-analysis was conducted to assess the association of Megsin 2093C/T, 2180C/T, C25663G gene polymorphism with the risk of IgA nephropathy (IgAN). The association literatures were identified from PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library and CBM-disc (China Biological Medicine Database) on 1 January 2014, and eligible reports were recruited and synthesized. Seven eligible reports were recruited into this meta-analysis for the association of Megsin 2093C/T, 2180C/T, C25663G gene polymorphism with IgAN risk. In this meta-analysis, the association of Megsin 2093C/T TT genotype with IgAN risk in Asians was found. Interestingly, Megsin C25663G G allele and GG genotype were associated with the risk of IgAN in Asian population. However, Megsin 2180C/T gene polymorphism was not associated with IgAN risk in Asians. In conclusion, Megsin 2093C/T TT genotype, and C25663G G allele and GG genotype were associated with the risk of IgAN in Asian population. However, more studies should be performed in the future to confirm this association.

Relationship between MCP-1 promoter -2518 A/G gene polymorphism (rs1024611) and systemic lupus erythematosus/lupus nephritis.

Results from the published studies on the association between monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) promoter -2518 A/G (rs1024611) gene polymorphism and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)/lupus nephritis (LN) are still conflicting. This meta-analysis was performed to evaluate the relationship between MCP-1 A/G gene polymorphism and SLE/LN and to explore whether MCP-1 A allele, AA genotype or GG genotype could become a predictive marker for SLE/LN risk. Association studies were identified from the databases of PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library and CBM-disc (China Biological Medicine Database) as of 1 January 2014, and eligible investigations were synthesized using meta-analysis method. Results were expressed with odds ratios (OR) for dichotomous data, and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were also calculated. Sixteen investigations were identified for the analysis of association between MCP-1 A/G gene polymorphism and SLE, consisting of 2425 patients with SLE and 2567 controls. In the overall populations, Asians, Caucasian population, the association between MCP-1 A/G gene polymorphism and SLE susceptibility was not found. Interestingly, a trend toward an association between A allele/AA genotype and LN risk was observed in overall populations, although there was no statistical difference. However, this meta-analysis indicated that AA genotype was associated with LN risk in Caucasians (OR = 0.71; 95% CI: 0.54-0.93; p = 0.01). In conclusion, our results indicate that AA homozygous might be a significant genetic molecular marker to predict the SLE patients developing into LN in Caucasians. However, more investigations are required to further clarify this association.