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Topic Review
Role of Leptin in Chronic Kidney Disease
Leptin is a 16 kDa globular protein that comprises 167 amino acids and presents a tertiary structure. It is mainly produced by adipocytes, and its levels are proportional to fat mass. In blood, leptin circulates in free and protein-bound forms; biologically active leptin exists in the free form. Leptin is cleared from circulation by the kidneys through glomerular filtration and metabolic degradation in renal tubules. Hyperleptinemia has direct and indirect negative effects on renal function. Development of cardiovascular disease (CVD), thickening of the basement membrane of the proximal tubular cells (which increase protein leakage into filtrate) and the activation of protein synthesis (which favors fibrosis and glomerulosclerosis), of NADPH oxidase (which increases reactive oxygen species production and, consequently, inflammation), of the sympathetic nervous system in the kidneys and of the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system (associated with sodium retention, predisposing it to high blood pressure) are some potential mechanisms proposed to explain the damaging effect of hyperleptinemia on renal function.
  • 662
  • 27 Oct 2022
Topic Review
Roles of Extracellular Vesicles in RCC Progression
Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is the most common type of kidney cancer and is thought to originate from renal tubular epithelial cells. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are nanosized lipid bilayer vesicles that are secreted into extracellular spaces by nearly all cell types, including cancer cells and non-cancerous cells. EVs are involved in multiple steps of RCC progression, such as local invasion, host immune modulation, drug resistance, and metastasis. 
  • 657
  • 30 May 2023
Topic Review
Second-Generation Antiandrogen Therapy for Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer therapy for locally advanced and metastatic diseases includes androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). Second-generation antiandrogens have a role in castration-resistant prostate cancer. Nevertheless, some patients do not respond to this therapy, and eventually all the patients became resistant. This is due to modifications to intracellular signaling pathways, genomic alteration, cytokines production, metabolic switches, constitutional receptor activation, overexpression of some proteins, and regulation of gene expression.
  • 654
  • 19 May 2022
Topic Review
SC and TE Treatment of Neurogenic Bladder Dysfunction
Tissue engineering (TE) is a rapidly evolving biomedical discipline that can play an important role in treating neurogenic bladder dysfunction and compensating for conventional options’ shortcomings. 
  • 654
  • 09 Aug 2023
Topic Review
Fructan's Effect on Cryopreserved Rat-Islets
Cryopreservation of pancreatic islets enables their long-term storage and subsequent transplantation; however, post-cryopreservation, islets viability, and functions are reduced to a significant extent. Islet is composed of five cells (α cell, β cell, δ cell, ε cell, and PP cell), and blood vessels that carry the nutrition. Freezing technology of the organization has not developed a good method. This paper is studied using a fructan which has been found to effectively freeze protect a material of the cell. Islet transplantation has been established as an effective means of treating patients with type 1 diabetes. In this study, we demonstrated the effectiveness of using a fructan on the cryopreserved islets by showing valid results for diabetes. Isolated rat islets were cryopreserved using phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) supplemented with different concentrations of fructan and/or dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) in FBS. The survival rates of the islets were estimated at different time intervals, and insulin secretion function was tested in vitro. Furthermore, the in vivo function was tested by syngeneic transplantation into streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats, and the grafts were analyzed histologically and immunohistochemically. Fructan significantly increased islet survival; 30% fructan led to survival rates of more than 90% on day 3, which was significantly higher than those of the DMSO groups (p < 0.05). For both fructan and DMSO, the survival showed dose dependence, with the highest rates observed for 30% fructan and 10% DMSO, respectively (p < 0.05). The fructan groups showed a significantly increased insulin secretion volume in comparison to the DMSO groups (p < 0.05). Furthermore, cell clusters of pancreatic islets were well maintained in the fructan group, whereas margin collapse and vacuolation were observed in the DMSO group. Three days after transplantation of pancreatic islets preserved with 30% fructan, the blood glucose levels of diabetic rats were restored to the normal range, and removal of transplanted pancreatic islets from the kidney led to a profound increase in blood glucose levels. Together, these results show that a fructan is effective at cryopreserving rat pancreatic islets for subsequent transplantation. 
  • 653
  • 08 Sep 2021
Topic Review
Dysfunctional Lipid Metabolism in Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer is the second most frequent cancer in men, with increasing prevalence due to an ageing population. Advanced prostate cancer is diagnosed in up to 20% of patients, and, therefore, it is important to understand evolving mechanisms of progression. Significant morbidity and mortality can occur in advanced prostate cancer where treatment options are intrinsically related to lipid metabolism. Dysfunctional lipid metabolism has long been known to have a relationship to prostate cancer development. Research has established the pathways leading to prostate cancer development, including dysregulated lipid metabolism-associated de novo lipogenesis through steroid hormone biogenesis and β-oxidation of fatty acids. These pathways, in relation to treatment, have formed potential novel targets for management of advanced prostate cancer via androgen deprivation. 
  • 651
  • 29 Jan 2023
Topic Review
Possible Therapeutic Strategies for ADPKD Patients
Gender exerts a significant influence on the occurrence and progression of many renal diseases, including ADPKD. ADPKD, impacting roughly 12 million individuals globally, affects both men and women equally. Mutations in PKD1 and PKD2 genes contribute to ADPKD, with gender playing a crucial role in disease manifestation and progression.
  • 651
  • 04 Mar 2024
Topic Review
Meat Intake on Bladder Cancer Incidence
Bladder cancer (BC) represents the second most common genitourinary malignancy. The major risk factors for BC include age, gender, smoking, occupational exposure, and infections. The BC etiology and pathogenesis have not been fully defined yet. Since catabolites are excreted through the urinary tract, the diet may play a pivotal role in bladder carcinogenesis. Meat, conventionally classified as “red”, “white” or “processed”, represents a significant risk factor for chronic diseases like cardiovascular disease, obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cancer. In particular, red and processed meat consumption seems to increase the risk of BC onset. The most accepted mechanism proposed for explaining the correlation between meat intake and BC involves the generation of carcinogens, such as heterocyclic amines and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons by high-temperature cooking.
  • 645
  • 25 Oct 2022
Topic Review
Active Surveillance in Intermediate-Risk Prostate Cancer
Active surveillance (AS) is a monitoring strategy to avoid or defer curative treatment, minimizing the side effects of radiotherapy and prostatectomy without compromising survival. AS in intermediate-risk prostate cancer (PC) has increasingly become used. There is heterogeneity in intermediate-risk PC patients. Some of them have an aggressive clinical course and require active treatment, while others have indolent disease and may benefit from AS. However, intermediate-risk patients have an increased risk of metastasis, and the proper way to select the best candidates for AS is unknown. In addition, there are several differences between AS protocols in inclusion criteria, monitoring follow-up, and triggers for active treatment. A few large series and randomized trials are under investigation.
  • 644
  • 07 Sep 2022
Topic Review
Chronic Kidney Disease Urine Metabolomics
One of the primary challenges regarding chronic kidney disease (CKD) diagnosis is the absence of reliable methods to detect early-stage kidney damage. A metabolomic approach is expected to broaden the current diagnostic modalities by enabling timely detection and making the prognosis more accurate. Analysis performed on urine has several advantages, such as the ease of collection using noninvasive methods and its lower protein and lipid content compared with other bodily fluids. 
  • 641
  • 13 Nov 2023
Topic Review
Kidney Cancer and Chronic Kidney Disease
Kidney cancer and chronic kidney disease are two renal pathologies with very different clinical management strategies and therapeutical options. Nonetheless, the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying both conditions are closely related. Renal physiology is adapted to operate with a limited oxygen supply, making the kidney remarkably equipped to respond to hypoxia. This tightly regulated response mechanism is at the heart of kidney cancer, leading to the onset of malignant cellular phenotypes. Although elusive, the role of hypoxia in chronic kidney diseases is emerging as related to fibrosis, a pivotal factor in decaying renal function. 
  • 638
  • 15 Dec 2021
Topic Review
Educational Needs of Young Adult Renal Transplant Recipients
Renal transplantation is the gold-standard treatment for adolescents and young adults with end-stage renal disease. Despite enjoying excellent short-term outcomes, they suffer the worst rates of premature transplant function loss. Health behaviors: such as lack of adherence to immunosuppressive medications, are felt to be the major contributory factor. Understanding the educational needs of young renal transplant recipients allows healthcare practitioners to better support patients in managing their chronic disease. 
  • 637
  • 21 Feb 2023
Topic Review
A PRoliferation-Inducing Ligand in IgA Nephropathy Pathogenesis
A PRoliferation-Inducing Ligand (APRIL), the thirteenth member of the tumor necrosis factor superfamily, plays a key role in the regulation of activated B cells, the survival of long-lived plasma cells, and immunoglobulin (Ig) isotype class switching. Several lines of evidence have implicated APRIL in the pathogenesis of IgA nephropathy (IgAN).
  • 632
  • 10 Nov 2023
Topic Review
Recurrent Prostate Cancer after Radical Prostatectomy
The main prostate cancer (PCa) treatments include surgery or radiotherapy (with or without ADT). None of the suggested treatments eliminates the risk of lymph node metastases. Conventional imaging methods, including MRI and CT scanning, are not sensitive enough for the diagnosis of lymph node metastases; the novel imaging method, PSMA PET/CT scanning, has provided valuable information about the pelvic LN involvement in patients with recurrent PCa (RPCa) after radical prostatectomy.
  • 630
  • 30 Dec 2022
Topic Review
Applications of Biobanking in Neuro-Urology
Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying neuro-urological disorders is crucial for the development of targeted therapeutic interventions. Through the establishment of comprehensive biobanks, researchers can collect and store various biological specimens, including urine, blood, tissue, and DNA samples, to study these mechanisms. In the context of neuro-urology, biobanking facilitates the identification of genetic variations, epigenetic modifications, and gene expression patterns associated with neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction. These conditions often present as symptoms of neurological diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, spinal cord injury, and many others. Biobanking of tissue specimens from such patients is essential to understand why these diseases cause the respective symptoms and what can be done to alleviate them. 
  • 629
  • 11 Dec 2023
Topic Review
REDOX Imbalance in Chronic Kidney Disease
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a global health burden with high mortality and health costs. CKD patients exhibit lower cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness, strongly associated with morbidity/mortality, which is exacerbated when they reach the need for renal replacement therapies (RRT). Muscle wasting in CKD has been associated with an inflammatory/oxidative status affecting the resident cells’ microenvironment, decreasing repair capacity and leading to atrophy.
  • 628
  • 18 Apr 2023
Topic Review
Etiopathology of IC/BPS
Interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS) is a disabling disease, with a reported prevalence of 52—500/100,000 in the female and 8—41/100,000 in the male population. The etiopathology of IC/BPS is still unclear, impeding causal treatment. Biomarkers could help to better understand the etiopathology, to improve diagnosis, and to develop patient-tailored treatment.
  • 623
  • 20 Dec 2021
Topic Review
Regulating Renal Afferent Arterioles in Angiotensin II-Dependent Hypertension
In angiotensin II (Ang II)-dependent hypertension, Ang II activates angiotensin II type 1 receptors (AT1R) on renal vascular smooth muscle cells, leading to renal vasoconstriction with eventual glomerular and tubular injury and interstitial inflammation. While afferent arteriolar vasoconstriction is initiated by the increased intrarenal levels of Ang II activating AT1R, the progressive increases in arterial pressure stimulate the paracrine secretion of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), leading to the purinergic P2X receptor (P2XR)-mediated constriction of afferent arterioles. 
  • 622
  • 24 Jul 2023
Topic Review
Sarcopenia Screening Among Patients Undergoing Peritoneal Dialysis
Sarcopenia, characterized by an aging-related progressive decline of skeletal muscle mass, strength, and physical performance, is frequently encountered in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis (PD) and is associated with adverse clinical outcomes. However, the best screening tools facilitating the rapid detection of sarcopenia among patients undergoing PD remain unknown.
  • 621
  • 01 Mar 2022
Topic Review
Dysuricemia on the Path toward Normouricemia
The disease concept of “dysuricemia” includes hyperuricemia and hypouricemia. Both influence diseases in humans. Uric acid plays dual roles in oxidative stress: it has both an anti-oxidative protective effect and a pro-oxidative and/or a harmful crystal-forming effect. Extensive research on the relationship between the serum urate (SU) level and several common disease risks show characteristic patterns that are broadly classifiable into three patterns: the “gout pattern,” “neurodegenerative disease (ND) pattern,” and “chronic kidney disease (CKD) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) pattern”. In short, “the lower, the better” is incorrect; the ideal is to maintain normouricemia, or an optimal SU level, to reduce the risks of the common diseases associated with dysuricemia.
  • 621
  • 22 Jan 2024
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