Proneurotensin/Neuromedin N and Risk of Incident CKD and Other Kidney Outcomes in Community-Living Individuals: The REGARDS Study.

Rationale & Objective: Plasma proneurotensin/neuromedin N (pro-NT/NMN) is a precursor of neurotensin, a tridecapeptide linked with type 2 diabetes mellitus and other comorbid conditions associated with kidney disease. Whether pro-NT/NMN is directly associated with incident chronic kidney disease (CKD), and whether that association differs by race, is uncertain. We evaluated whether pro-NT/NMN levels were associated with increased risk of kidney outcomes. Study Design: Prospective cohort. Setting & Participants: Participants in Biomarker Mediators of Racial Disparities in Risk Factors, a nested cohort from the REasons for Geographic And Racial Differences in Stroke study, with available stored serum and urine samples from baseline and second visits for biomarker measurement. Exposure: Baseline log-transformed pro-NT/NMN. Outcomes: Incident CKD, progressive estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) decline, incident albuminuria, and incident kidney failure within median follow-up time of 9.4 years. Analytical Approach: Logistic regression. Results: Among 3,914 participants, the mean ± SD age was 64 ± 8 (SD) years, 48% were women, and 51% were Black. Median baseline eGFR was 90 (IQR, 77-102) mL/min/1.73 m2. Each SD higher of pro-NT/NMN was associated with 9% higher odds of progressive eGFR decline (OR, 1.09; 95% CI, 1.00-1.20). There was no association observed with incident CKD (OR, 1.10; 95% CI, 0.96-1.27), incident albuminuria (OR, 1.08; 95% CI, 0.96-1.22), or incident kidney failure (OR, 1.10; 95% CI, 0.83-1.46). There were no differences in results by race or sex. Limitations: Single measurement of pro-NT/NMN and limited generalizability. Conclusions: Higher pro-NT/NMN was associated with progressive eGFR decline but no other manifestations of kidney disease incidence.

Neurotensin is a peptide secreted by the small intestine in response to a meal. Higher levels of neurotensin and its stable precursor, proneurotensin/neuromedin N (pro-NT/NMN), have been associated with cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus, important risk factors for the development of kidney disease. Whether pro-NT/NMN is directly associated with kidney outcomes has been less studied and has been done so in largely homogenous cohorts of White participants. Using the REasons for Geographic And Racial Differences in Stroke study, we followed Black and White participants and evaluated the risk of developing kidney outcomes. We found that elevated levels of pro-NT/NMN were associated with kidney function decline. Pro-NT/NMN may help individuals who may benefit from closer monitoring of kidney function.

Plasma proenkephalin A and incident chronic kidney disease and albuminuria in the REasons for Geographic And Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) cohort.

BACKGROUND: Plasma proenkephalin A (PENK-A) is a precursor of active enkephalins. Higher blood concentrations have been associated with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) decline in European populations. Due to the significant disparity in incident chronic kidney disease (CKD) between White and Black people, we evaluated the association of PENK-A with incident CKD and other kidney outcomes among a biracial cohort in the U.S. METHODS: In a nested cohort of 4,400 participants among the REasons for Geographic And Racial Differences in Stroke, we determined the association between baseline PENK-A concentration and incident CKD using the creatinine-cystatin C CKD-EPI 2021 equation without race coefficient, significant eGFR decline, and incident albuminuria between baseline and a follow-up visit 9.4 years later. We tested for race and sex interactions. We used inverse probability sampling weights to account for the sampling design. RESULTS: At baseline, mean (SD) age was 64 (8) years, 49% were women, and 52% were Black participants. 8.5% developed CKD, 21% experienced ≥ 30% decline in eGFR and 18% developed albuminuria. There was no association between PENK-A and incident CKD and no difference by race or sex. However, higher PENK-A was associated with increased odds of progressive eGFR decline (OR: 1.12; 95% CI 1.00, 1.25). Higher PENK-A concentration was strongly associated with incident albuminuria among patients without diabetes mellitus (OR: 1.29; 95% CI 1.09, 1.53). CONCLUSION: While PENK-A was not associated with incident CKD, its associations with progression of CKD and incident albuminuria, among patients without diabetes, suggest that it might be a useful tool in the evaluation of kidney disease among White and Black patients.

Acute high-dose MitoQ does not increase urinary kidney injury markers in healthy adults: a randomized crossover trial.

Several human studies have used the mitochondrial antioxidant MitoQ. Recent in vitro data indicating that MitoQ may induce nephrotoxicity caused concern regarding the safety of MitoQ on the kidneys, but the doses were supraphysiological. Therefore, we sought to determine whether acute MitoQ elicits changes in urinary biomarkers associated with tubular injury in healthy adults with our hypothesis being there would be no changes. Using a randomized crossover design, 32 healthy adults (16 females and 16 males, 29 ± 11 yr old) consumed MitoQ (100-160 mg based on body mass) or placebo capsules. We obtained serum samples and a 4- to 6-h postcapsule consumption urine sample. We assessed creatinine clearance and urine kidney injury biomarkers including the chitinase 3-like-1 gene product YKL-40, kidney-injury marker-1, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, epidermal growth factor, neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin, interleukin-18, and uromodulin using multiplex assays. We used t tests, Wilcoxon tests, and Hotelling's T2 to assess global differences in urinary kidney injury markers between conditions. Acute MitoQ supplementation did not influence urine flow rate (P = 0.086, rrb = 0.39), creatinine clearance (P = 0.085, rrb = 0.42), or urinary kidney injury markers (T22,8 = 30.6, P = 0.121, univariate ps > 0.064). Using exploratory univariate analysis, MitoQ did not alter individual injury markers compared with placebo (e.g., placebo vs. MitoQ: YKL-40, 507 ± 241 vs. 442 ± 236 pg/min, P = 0.241; kidney injury molecule-1, 84.1 ± 43.2 vs. 76.2 ± 51.2 pg/min, P = 0.890; and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin, 10.8 ± 10.1 vs. 9.83 ± 8.06 ng/min, P = 0.609). In conclusion, although longer-term surveillance and data are needed in clinical populations, our findings suggest that acute high-dose MitoQ had no effect on urinary kidney injury markers in healthy adults.NEW & NOTEWORTHY We found acute high-dose mitochondria-targeted antioxidant (MitoQ) supplementation was not nephrotoxic and had no effect on markers of acute kidney injury in healthy adults. These findings can help bolster further confidence in the safety of MitoQ, particularly for future investigations seeking to examine the role of mitochondrial oxidative stress, via acute MitoQ supplementation, on various physiological outcomes.

Development and Validation of the American Heart Association's PREVENT Equations.

BACKGROUND: Multivariable equations are recommended by primary prevention guidelines to assess absolute risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, current equations have several limitations. Therefore, we developed and validated the American Heart Association Predicting Risk of CVD EVENTs (PREVENT) equations among US adults 30 to 79 years of age without known CVD. METHODS: The derivation sample included individual-level participant data from 25 data sets (N=3 281 919) between 1992 and 2017. The primary outcome was CVD (atherosclerotic CVD and heart failure). Predictors included traditional risk factors (smoking status, systolic blood pressure, cholesterol, antihypertensive or statin use, and diabetes) and estimated glomerular filtration rate. Models were sex-specific, race-free, developed on the age scale, and adjusted for competing risk of non-CVD death. Analyses were conducted in each data set and meta-analyzed. Discrimination was assessed using the Harrell C-statistic. Calibration was calculated as the slope of the observed versus predicted risk by decile. Additional equations to predict each CVD subtype (atherosclerotic CVD and heart failure) and include optional predictors (urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio and hemoglobin A1c), and social deprivation index were also developed. External validation was performed in 3 330 085 participants from 21 additional data sets. RESULTS: Among 6 612 004 adults included, mean±SD age was 53±12 years, and 56% were women. Over a mean±SD follow-up of 4.8±3.1 years, there were 211 515 incident total CVD events. The median C-statistics in external validation for CVD were 0.794 (interquartile interval, 0.763-0.809) in female and 0.757 (0.727-0.778) in male participants. The calibration slopes were 1.03 (interquartile interval, 0.81-1.16) and 0.94 (0.81-1.13) among female and male participants, respectively. Similar estimates for discrimination and calibration were observed for atherosclerotic CVD- and heart failure-specific models. The improvement in discrimination was small but statistically significant when urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio, hemoglobin A1c, and social deprivation index were added together to the base model to total CVD (ΔC-statistic [interquartile interval] 0.004 [0.004-0.005] and 0.005 [0.004-0.007] among female and male participants, respectively). Calibration improved significantly when the urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio was added to the base model among those with marked albuminuria (>300 mg/g; 1.05 [0.84-1.20] versus 1.39 [1.14-1.65]; P=0.01). CONCLUSIONS: PREVENT equations accurately and precisely predicted risk for incident CVD and CVD subtypes in a large, diverse, and contemporary sample of US adults by using routinely available clinical variables.

Eicosanoid-Regulated Myeloid ENaC and Isolevuglandin Formation in Human Salt-Sensitive Hypertension.

BACKGROUND: The mechanisms by which salt increases blood pressure in people with salt sensitivity remain unclear. Our previous studies found that high sodium enters antigen-presenting cells (APCs) via the epithelial sodium channel and leads to the production of isolevuglandins and hypertension. In the current mechanistic clinical study, we hypothesized that epithelial sodium channel-dependent isolevuglandin-adduct formation in APCs is regulated by epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) and leads to salt-sensitive hypertension in humans. METHODS: Salt sensitivity was assessed in 19 hypertensive subjects using an inpatient salt loading and depletion protocol. Isolevuglandin-adduct accumulation in APCs was analyzed using flow cytometry. Gene expression in APCs was analyzed using cellular indexing of transcriptomes and epitopes by sequencing analysis of blood mononuclear cells. Plasma and urine EETs were measured using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. RESULTS: Baseline isolevuglandin+ APCs correlated with higher salt-sensitivity index. Isolevuglandin+ APCs significantly decreased from salt loading to depletion with an increasing salt-sensitivity index. We observed that human APCs express the epithelial sodium channel δ subunit, SGK1 (salt-sensing kinase serum/glucocorticoid kinase 1), and cytochrome P450 2S1. We found a direct correlation between baseline urinary 14,15 EET and salt-sensitivity index, whereas changes in urinary 14,15 EET negatively correlated with isolevuglandin+ monocytes from salt loading to depletion. Coincubation with 14,15 EET inhibited high-salt-induced increase in isolevuglandin+ APC. CONCLUSIONS: Isolevuglandin formation in APCs responds to acute changes in salt intake in salt-sensitive but not salt-resistant people with hypertension, and this may be regulated by renal 14,15 EET. Baseline levels of isolevuglandin+ APCs or urinary 14,15 EET may provide diagnostic tools for salt sensitivity without a protocol of salt loading.

Modification of Association of Cystatin C With Kidney and Cardiovascular Outcomes by Obesity.

RATIONALE & OBJECTIVE: Cystatin C-based estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFRcys) has stronger associations with adverse clinical outcomes than creatinine-based eGFR (eGFRcr). Obesity may be associated with higher cystatin C levels, independent of kidney function, but it is unknown whether obesity modifies associations of eGFRcys with kidney and cardiovascular outcomes. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study. SETTING & PARTICIPANTS: 27,249 US adults in the Reasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke Study. PREDICTORS: eGFRcys, eGFRcr, waist circumference, and body mass index (BMI). OUTCOME: All-cause mortality, kidney failure, incident atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), and incident heart failure (HF). ANALYTICAL APPROACH: Multivariable Cox and Fine-Gray models with multiplicative interaction terms were constructed to investigate whether waist circumference quartiles or BMI categories modified associations of eGFRcys with risks of 4 clinical outcomes. RESULTS: Participants had a mean age of 65 years; 54% were women, 41% were Black, and 21% had an eGFRcys<60mL/min/1.73m2. The baseline prevalence of abdominal obesity (waist circumference≥88cm for women or≥102cm for men) was 48% and obesity was 38%. In multivariable adjusted analyses, each 15mL/min/1.73m2 lower eGFRcys was associated with higher HR and 95% CI of mortality in each waist circumference quartile (first quartile, 1.19 [1.15-1.24]; second quartile, 1.22 [1.18-1.26]; third quartile, 1.20 [1.16-1.24]; fourth quartile, 1.19 [1.15-1.23]) as well as within each BMI category (BMI<24.9: 1.21 [1.17-1.25]; BMI 25.0-29.9: 1.21 [1.18-1.25]; BMI 30.0-34.9: 1.20 [1.16-1.25]; BMI≥35: 1.17, [1.12-1.22]). Neither waist circumference nor BMI modified the association of eGFRcys with mortality, kidney failure, incident ASCVD, or incident HF (all Pinteraction>0.05). LIMITATIONS: Included only Black and White persons in the United States. CONCLUSION: Obesity did not modify the association of eGFRcys with all-cause mortality, kidney failure, incident ASCVD, or incident HF. Among individuals with obesity, cystatin C may be used to provide eGFR-based risk prognostication for adverse outcomes. PLAIN-LANGUAGE SUMMARY: Cystatin C is increasingly used in clinical practice to estimate kidney function, and cystatin C-based eGFR (eGFRcys) may be used to determine risk for adverse clinical outcomes. Adiposity may increase serum levels of cystatin C, independent of kidney function. This cohort study investigated whether associations of eGFRcys with adverse kidney and cardiovascular outcomes are modified by measures of obesity, waist circumference, and body mass index. We found that obesity does not modify associations of eGFRcys with 4 clinical outcomes and conclude that among individuals with obesity, cystatin C may be used to provide eGFR-based risk prognostication for adverse outcomes.

Tubule dysfunction and injury and future risk of sepsis-associated acute kidney injury.

BACKGROUND: Novel biomarkers can quantify both kidney tubule function, including proximal tubule reabsorptive (urine α-1 microglobulin (uα1m)) and tubule protein synthesis capacities (urine uromodulin (uUMOD)), and tubular injury (urine neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (uNGAL)). In a blood pressure trial, we reported that lower reabsorptive and synthetic protein capacity at times of health predicted future risk of acute kidney injury (AKI), but most AKI was related to hemodynamic causes in this trial. Associations between tubular function and injury and future AKI related to other causes is unknown. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a case-control study in REGARDS, a population-based cohort study, among participants who provided urine at the baseline visit. We matched each septic AKI case by age, sex, race, and time from baseline to hospital admission 1 : 1 to a participant with sepsis who did not develop AKI (controls). Using conditional logistic regression, we evaluated the associations of uα1m, uUMOD, urine ammonium, and uNGAL with septic AKI. RESULTS: Mean age was 69 ± 8 years, 44% were female, and 39% were Black participants. Median baseline eGFR among cases and controls was 73 (55, 90) and 82 (65, 92) mL/min/1.73m2, and median albuminuria was 19 (8, 87) vs. 9 (5, 22) mg/g, respectively. No independent associations were observed between the tubule function or injury markers and subsequent risk of septic AKI once models were adjusted for baseline albuminuria, estimated glomerular filtration rate, and other risk factors. CONCLUSION: Among community participants, tubule function and injury markers at times of health were not independently associated with future risk of septic AKI.

Validación de las propiedades psicométricas de la Escala de Personalidad Tipo D en adultos colombianos

La personalidad tipo D se refiere a la vulnerabilidad frente al estrés psicológico, la cual se expresa en dos componentes: la afectividad negativa (AN) y la inhibición social (is), que pueden desencadenar un estado de estrés psicosocial que afecta la salud. El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar las propiedades psicométricas de la Escala de Personalidad Tipo D (DS-14) en población adulta colombiana. La muestra estuvo conformada por 456 adultos (41.7 % hombres y 58.3 % mujeres) colombianos entre los 18 y 86 años. El coeficiente de fiabilidad para las dos subescalas de la DS-14 fue de .73 (AN) y .72 (IS), y .79 para el puntaje total. Se analizó la validez concurrente con medidas de estrategias de afrontamiento resiliente y afrontamiento religioso. Los resultados evidencian validez interna y externa, dados los índices del análisis factorial exploratorio y confirmatorio.

Type D personality refers to vulnerability to psychological stress, which is expressed in two components: negative affectivity (NA) and social inhibition (si), which can trigger a state of psychosocial stress that affects health. The aim of this study was to analyze the psychometric properties of the Type D Personality Scale (DS-14) in the Colombian adult population. The sample consisted of 456 colombian adults (41.7 °% men and 58.3 °% women) between 18 and 86 years of age. The reliability coefficient for the two subscales of the DS-14 was .73 (NA) and .72 (SI), and .79 for the total score. Concurrent validity was analyzed with measures of resilient coping strategies and religious coping. The results show internal and external validity given the indices of the exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis.

Strong protective effect of the APOL1 p.N264K variant against G2-associated focal segmental glomerulosclerosis and kidney disease.

African Americans have a significantly higher risk of developing chronic kidney disease, especially focal segmental glomerulosclerosis -, than European Americans. Two coding variants (G1 and G2) in the APOL1 gene play a major role in this disparity. While 13% of African Americans carry the high-risk recessive genotypes, only a fraction of these individuals develops FSGS or kidney failure, indicating the involvement of additional disease modifiers. Here, we show that the presence of the APOL1 p.N264K missense variant, when co-inherited with the G2 APOL1 risk allele, substantially reduces the penetrance of the G1G2 and G2G2 high-risk genotypes by rendering these genotypes low-risk. These results align with prior functional evidence showing that the p.N264K variant reduces the toxicity of the APOL1 high-risk alleles. These findings have important implications for our understanding of the mechanisms of APOL1-associated nephropathy, as well as for the clinical management of individuals with high-risk genotypes that include the G2 allele.

Exploring the health-related decision-making experiences of people with chronic kidney disease and their caregivers: A qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to explore the decision-making experience of patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and their caregivers. METHODS: This was a qualitative descriptive study of the decision-making experiences of individuals with stage 3-end-stage CKD and their family caregivers. One-on-one, semistructured interviews were conducted using a guide developed and approved by a community advisory group. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis. RESULTS: Three themes were identified: (1) decisions triggered by declining health and broad in scope, (2) challenges to decision-making and (3) factors influencing decision-making. Participants' experiences with health-related decision-making demonstrated that decisions were triggered when health declined. Yet, decisions that impact disease progression were being made in stage 3. Decision-making was made difficult due to lack of information, complex co-morbidities, and poor resource utilization. However, the structure and nature of the medical appointment, supportive caregivers, and resources served to remove challenges. CONCLUSION: Decision-support interventions must train patients and caregivers to be empowered participants in answer-seeking behaviours upstream of advanced illness. PUBLIC CONTRIBUTIONS: This work was conducted in full collaboration with a community advisory board consisting of patients with CKD, caregivers and clinicians. These members are noted in the acknowledgement section, and those who worked with the team to develop the interview guide, study protocols, and manuscript preparation are included as authors. As part of their role, advisory members met monthly, providing input on recruitment, study progress, inclusion of diverse voices and added relevance to study findings.

Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate, Albuminuria, and Adverse Outcomes: An Individual-Participant Data Meta-Analysis.

Importance: Chronic kidney disease (low estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR] or albuminuria) affects approximately 14% of adults in the US. Objective: To evaluate associations of lower eGFR based on creatinine alone, lower eGFR based on creatinine combined with cystatin C, and more severe albuminuria with adverse kidney outcomes, cardiovascular outcomes, and other health outcomes. Design, Setting, and Participants: Individual-participant data meta-analysis of 27 503 140 individuals from 114 global cohorts (eGFR based on creatinine alone) and 720 736 individuals from 20 cohorts (eGFR based on creatinine and cystatin C) and 9 067 753 individuals from 114 cohorts (albuminuria) from 1980 to 2021. Exposures: The Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration 2021 equations for eGFR based on creatinine alone and eGFR based on creatinine and cystatin C; and albuminuria estimated as urine albumin to creatinine ratio (UACR). Main Outcomes and Measures: The risk of kidney failure requiring replacement therapy, all-cause mortality, cardiovascular mortality, acute kidney injury, any hospitalization, coronary heart disease, stroke, heart failure, atrial fibrillation, and peripheral artery disease. The analyses were performed within each cohort and summarized with random-effects meta-analyses. Results: Within the population using eGFR based on creatinine alone (mean age, 54 years [SD, 17 years]; 51% were women; mean follow-up time, 4.8 years [SD, 3.3 years]), the mean eGFR was 90 mL/min/1.73 m2 (SD, 22 mL/min/1.73 m2) and the median UACR was 11 mg/g (IQR, 8-16 mg/g). Within the population using eGFR based on creatinine and cystatin C (mean age, 59 years [SD, 12 years]; 53% were women; mean follow-up time, 10.8 years [SD, 4.1 years]), the mean eGFR was 88 mL/min/1.73 m2 (SD, 22 mL/min/1.73 m2) and the median UACR was 9 mg/g (IQR, 6-18 mg/g). Lower eGFR (whether based on creatinine alone or based on creatinine and cystatin C) and higher UACR were each significantly associated with higher risk for each of the 10 adverse outcomes, including those in the mildest categories of chronic kidney disease. For example, among people with a UACR less than 10 mg/g, an eGFR of 45 to 59 mL/min/1.73 m2 based on creatinine alone was associated with significantly higher hospitalization rates compared with an eGFR of 90 to 104 mL/min/1.73 m2 (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.3 [95% CI, 1.2-1.3]; 161 vs 79 events per 1000 person-years; excess absolute risk, 22 events per 1000 person-years [95% CI, 19-25 events per 1000 person-years]). Conclusions and Relevance: In this retrospective analysis of 114 cohorts, lower eGFR based on creatinine alone, lower eGFR based on creatinine and cystatin C, and more severe UACR were each associated with increased rates of 10 adverse outcomes, including adverse kidney outcomes, cardiovascular diseases, and hospitalizations.

Plasma Biomarkers and Incident CKD Among Individuals Without Diabetes.

Rationale & Objective: Biomarkers of kidney disease progression have been identified in individuals with diabetes and underlying chronic kidney disease (CKD). Whether or not these markers are associated with the development of CKD in a general population without diabetes or CKD is not well established. Study Design: Prospective observational cohort. Setting & Participants: In the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities) study, 948 participants were studied. Exposures: The baseline plasma biomarkers of kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR), tumor necrosis factor receptor 1 (TNFR-1), tumor necrosis factor receptor 2 (TNFR-2), and human cartilage glycoprotein-39 (YKL-40) measured in 1996-1998. Outcome: Incident CKD after 15 years of follow-up defined as ≥40% estimated glomerular filtration rate decline to <60 mL/min/1.73 m2 or dialysis dependence through United States Renal Data System linkage. Analytical Approach: Logistic regression and C statistics. Results: There were 523 cases of incident CKD. Compared with a random sample of 425 controls, there were greater odds of incident CKD per 2-fold higher concentration of KIM-1 (OR, 1.49; 95% CI, 1.25-1.78), suPAR (OR, 2.57; 95% CI, 1.74-3.84), TNFR-1 (OR, 2.20; 95% CI, 1.58-3.09), TNFR-2 (OR, 2.03; 95% CI, 1.37-3.04). After adjustment for all biomarkers, KIM-1 (OR, 1.42; 95% CI, 1.19-1.71), and suPAR (OR, 1.86; 95% CI, 1.18-2.92) remained associated with incident CKD. Compared with traditional risk factors, the addition of all 6 biomarkers improved the C statistic from 0.695-0.731 (P < 0.01) and using the observed risk of 12% for incident CKD, the predicted risk gradient changed from 5%-40% (for the 1st-5th quintile) to 4%-44%. Limitations: Biomarkers and creatinine were measured at one time point. Conclusions: Higher levels of KIM-1, suPAR, TNFR-1, and TNFR-2 were associated with higher odds of incident CKD among individuals without diabetes. Plain-Language Summary: For people with diabetes or kidney disease, several biomarkers have been shown to be associated with worsening kidney disease. Whether these biomarkers have prognostic significance in people without diabetes or kidney disease is less studied. Using the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities study, we followed individuals without diabetes or kidney disease for an average of 15 years after biomarker measurement to see if these biomarkers were associated with the development of kidney disease. We found that elevated levels of KIM-1, suPAR, TNFR-1, and TNFR-2 were associated with the development of kidney disease. These biomarkers may help identify individuals who would benefit from interventions to prevent the development of kidney disease.

Strong protective effect of the APOL1 p.N264K variant against G2-associated focal segmental glomerulosclerosis and kidney disease.

Black Americans have a significantly higher risk of developing chronic kidney disease (CKD), especially focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), than European Americans. Two coding variants (G1 and G2) in the APOL1 gene play a major role in this disparity. While 13% of Black Americans carry the high-risk recessive genotypes, only a fraction of these individuals develops FSGS or kidney failure, indicating the involvement of additional disease modifiers. Here, we show that the presence of the APOL1 p.N264K missense variant, when co-inherited with the G2 APOL1 risk allele, substantially reduces the penetrance of the G1G2 and G2G2 high-risk genotypes by rendering these genotypes low-risk. These results align with prior functional evidence showing that the p.N264K variant reduces the toxicity of the APOL1 high-risk alleles. These findings have important implications for our understanding of the mechanisms of APOL1 -associated nephropathy, as well as for the clinical management of individuals with high-risk genotypes that include the G2 allele.

Cross-sectional analysis of racial differences in hydration and neighborhood deprivation in young adults.

BACKGROUND: Inadequate hydration is associated with cardiovascular and kidney disease morbidity and all-cause mortality. Compared with White individuals, Black individuals exhibit a higher prevalence of inadequate hydration, which may contribute to racial health disparities. However, the underlying reasons for these differences in hydration remain unclear. OBJECTIVE: This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate whether neighborhood deprivation contributes to racial differences in hydration status. METHODS: We assessed 24 Black and 30 White college students, measuring 24-hour urine osmolality, urine flow rate, urine specific gravity, and plasma copeptin concentration. Participants recorded their food and fluid intake for 3 d to assess total water intake from food and beverages. Neighborhood socioeconomic deprivation was measured using a tract-level Area Deprivation Index. RESULTS: Black participants exhibited higher urine osmolality (640 [314] compared with 440 [283] mOsm/kg H2O, respectively, P = 0.006) and lower urine flow rate (1.06 [0.65] compared with 1.71 [0.89] ml/min, respectively, P = 0.009) compared with White participants, indicating greater hypohydration among Black participants. Black participants reported lower total water intake from food and beverages than White participants (2.3 ± 0.7 compared with 3.5 ± 1.1 L/day, respectively, P < 0.01). Black participants exhibited higher copeptin than White participants (6.3 [3.1] compared with 4.5 [2.3] pmol/L, P = 0.046), and urine osmolality mediated 67% of the difference (P = 0.027). Black participants reported greater cumulative exposure to neighborhood deprivation during childhood (ages 0-18 y). Furthermore, neighborhood deprivation during childhood was associated with urine specific gravity (P = 0.031) and total water intake from food and beverages (P = 0.042) but did not mediate the racial differences in these measures. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that compared with White young adults, Black young adults are hypohydrated and exhibit higher plasma copeptin concentration, and that greater neighborhood deprivation is associated with chronic underhydration irrespective of race. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT04576338.

Alpha globin gene copy number and incident ischemic stroke risk among Black Americans.

Introduction: People with African ancestry have greater stroke risk and greater heritability of stroke risk than people of other ancestries. Given the importance of nitric oxide (NO) in stroke, and recent evidence that alpha globin restricts nitric oxide release from vascular endothelial cells, we hypothesized that alpha globin gene (HBA) deletion would be associated with reduced risk of incident ischemic stroke. Methods: We evaluated 8,947 participants self-reporting African ancestry in the national, prospective Reasons for Geographic And Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) cohort. Incident ischemic stroke was defined as non-hemorrhagic stroke with focal neurological deficit lasting ≥ 24 hours confirmed by the medical record or focal or non-focal neurological deficit with positive imaging confirmed with medical records. Genomic DNA was analyzed using droplet digital PCR to determine HBA copy number. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression was used to estimate the hazard ratio (HR) of HBA copy number on time to first ischemic stroke. Results: Four-hundred seventy-nine (5.3%) participants had an incident ischemic stroke over a median (IQR) of 11.0 (5.7, 14.0) years' follow-up. HBA copy number ranged from 2 to 6: 368 (4%) -α/-α, 2,480 (28%) -α/αα, 6,014 (67%) αα/αα, 83 (1%) ααα/αα and 2 (<1%) ααα/ααα. The adjusted HR of ischemic stroke with HBA copy number was 1.04; 95%CI 0.89, 1.21; p = 0.66. Conclusions: Although a reduction in HBA copy number is expected to increase endothelial nitric oxide signaling in the human vascular endothelium, HBA copy number was not associated with incident ischemic stroke in this large cohort of Black Americans.

Validación de las propiedades psicométricas de la escala breve de estrategias resilientes en adultos colombianos / Validation of the psychometric properties of the Brief Resilient Coping Scale (BRCS) in Colombian adults

Resumen La resiliencia es la competencia de afrontamiento y adaptación a las condiciones estresantes que puede experimentar una persona. Se puede expresar a través de varias estrategias como el optimismo, la perseverancia, la creatividad y el crecimiento positivo frente a la adversidad. Esta investigación tuvo como objetivo analizar las propiedades psicométricas de la Escala Breve de Estrategias Resilientes (BRCS) en población adulta colombiana. La muestra estuvo conformada por 456 adultos colombianos (41.7 % hombres y 58.3 % mujeres) entre los 18 y los 86 años (M = 46.99). El coeficiente de fiabilidad para el puntaje total de las dos subescalas de la BRCS fue de .77. Se corroboró la validez del constructo a través de la bondad de ajuste del modelo de un factor y la correlación entre los cuatro ítems, por el que se confirmó la estructura del modelo propuesto por Sinclair y Wallston (2004). Se analizó la validez concurrente con medidas de afrontamiento religioso y personalidad Tipo D. Se efectuó un análisis de la discriminación de los reactivos a través del coeficiente de correlación biserial, que indicó que las correlaciones del ítem con la escala total tienen un nivel de discriminación excelente, con valores entre .740 y .807. Los resultados muestran correlaciones significativas entre la resiliencia y el afrontamiento religioso positivo, índices de confiabilidad interna aceptables y consistencia interna, dados los índices del análisis factorial confirmatorio. Se concluye que la evidencia sugiere que la escala BRCS es un instrumento válido y confiable para la evaluación de la capacidad de resiliencia en adultos colombianos.

Abstract Resilience is the ability to cope and adapt to stressful situations that a person may experience. This ability can be expressed through several strategies such as optimism, perseverance, creativity, and positive growth from adversity. Considering the few studies on this subject in the Latin American context and, therefore, the difficulties in evaluating resilient strategies in adults, this research considered to analyze the psychometric characteristics of the Brief Resilient Strategies Scale (BRCS). This study aimed to analyze the psychometric properties of the "Brief Resilient Coping Scale (BRCS)" in the Colombian adult population. The sample consisted of 456 Colombian adults (41.7 % men and 58.3 % women) between 18 and 86 years old (M = 46.99). The reliability coefficient for the total score of the two BRCS subscales was .77. The construct validity was confirmed by goodness of fit results for applying a one-factor model to the scale and the correlation between the four items, confirming the structure of the model proposed by Sinclair y Wallston (2004), the initial solution of a factor was confirmed, with the same items loading the same factor and with factorial weights greater than .3. Likewise, all the values of the goodness of fit indices are within the accepted ranges for a good fit of the model. That is, the data fit the factorial model well. The concurrent validity was analyzed with measures of religious coping and type D personality. Positive correlations of the BRCS scale were found with positive religious coping of the RCOPE, indicating that a greater resilience, more expression of a sense of spirituality. In the same way, the BRCS scale correlates with the DS-14 scale, indicating that a greater resilience, less tendency to experience negative emotions such as dysphoria, tension, worry, irritability, and anger more extensively over time. In addition, the correlations indicated that a higher resilience, lower vulnerability to psychological stress with experiences of strong negative emotions and inhibition of their expression in interaction with other people. The results of the criterion validity suggest that people who use resilient strategies and religious coping are protective factors for the physical and mental health of the adult population, in such a way that people with higher levels of resilience may have a greater expression of a sense spiritual. Likewise, the most resilient subjects use variables such as satisfaction with life, humor, perceived personal competence, optimism, among others, indicative of a heightened sense of internal coherence. Also, the subjects who demonstrated greater resilience capacity were less vulnerable to experiencing negative affect and social inhibition. In general terms, these results suggest that the use of resilient strategies is related to constructs that are theoretically expected from a clinical and mental health perspective. The results show significant correlations between resilience and positive religious coping, acceptable internal reliability indices and internal consistency given the confirmatory factor analysis indices. An item discrimination analysis was performed through the biserial correlation coefficient, the correlations of the item with the total scale have an excellent level of discrimination, with values between .740 and .807. For data analysis, IBM SPSS Software®, Version 25, the R for Statistical Computing program (R Project, 2019) and LISREL 8.80 was used. The evidence suggests that the BRCS scale is a valid and reliable instrument for assessing resilience capacity in Colombian adults. In general, it was found that the BRCS has good psychometric properties in the various countries where it has been evaluated, for all the population groups analyzed, with only significant differences between men and women.

Lipoprotein(a) and the Risk for Recurrent Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Events Among Adults With CKD: The Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort (CRIC) Study.

Rationale & Objective: Many adults with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) have high lipoprotein(a) levels. It is unclear whether high lipoprotein(a) levels confer an increased risk for recurrent ASCVD events in this population. We estimated the risk for recurrent ASCVD events associated with lipoprotein(a) in adults with CKD and prevalent ASCVD. Study Design: Observational cohort study. Setting & Participants: We included 1,439 adults with CKD and prevalent ASCVD not on dialysis enrolled in the Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort study between 2003 and 2008. Exposure: Baseline lipoprotein(a) mass concentration, measured using a latex-enhanced immunoturbidimetric assay. Outcomes: Recurrent ASCVD events (primary outcome), kidney failure, and death (exploratory outcomes) through 2019. Analytical Approach: We used Cox proportional-hazards regression models to estimate adjusted HR (aHRs) and 95% CIs. Results: Among participants included in the current analysis (mean age 61.6 years, median lipoprotein(a) 29.4 mg/dL [25th-75th percentiles 9.9-70.9 mg/dL]), 641 had a recurrent ASCVD event, 510 developed kidney failure, and 845 died over a median follow-up of 6.6 years. The aHR for ASCVD events associated with 1 standard deviation (SD) higher log-transformed lipoprotein(a) was 1.04 (95% CI, 0.95-1.15). In subgroup analyses, 1 SD higher log-lipoprotein(a) was associated with an increased risk for ASCVD events in participants without diabetes (aHR, 1.23; 95% CI, 1.02-1.48), but there was no evidence of an association among those with diabetes (aHR, 0.99; 95% CI, 0.88-1.10, P comparing aHRs = 0.031). The aHR associated with 1 SD higher log-lipoprotein(a) in the overall study population was 1.16 (95% CI, 1.04-1.28) for kidney failure and 1.02 (95% CI, 0.94-1.11) for death. Limitations: Lipoprotein(a) was not available in molar concentration. Conclusions: Lipoprotein(a) was not associated with the risk for recurrent ASCVD events in adults with CKD, although it was associated with a risk for kidney failure.

Iron-Deficiency Anemia in CKD: A Narrative Review for the Kidney Care Team.

Anemia is a common complication of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and is associated with increased mortality and reduced health-related quality of life. Anemia is characterized by a decrease in hemoglobin, the iron-rich protein that the body uses for oxygen transport. Iron is required to produce hemoglobin, and disruptions in the iron homeostasis can lead to iron-deficiency anemia. Management of anemia in individuals with CKD is typically performed by a team of physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, or registered nurses. Throughout the care continuum, the management can be enhanced by multidisciplinary care, and individuals with CKD can benefit from the involvement of other specialties, with dietitians/nutritionists playing an important role. However, a key area of unmet clinical need is how to assess and address iron-deficiency anemia. This review aims to provide an overview of iron-deficiency anemia in CKD and how this may be diagnosed and managed by the entire kidney care team, such as describing the mechanisms underlying iron homeostasis, the complications of iron-deficiency anemia, and the current challenges associated with its diagnosis and treatment in CKD. Opportunities for each multidisciplinary team member to add value to the care of individuals with CKD and iron-deficiency anemia are also described.