Effect of Immune Complex on the Biomechanics of Blood Flow in Common Glomerulonephritis Diseases

Glomerulonephritis (GN) is a common nephrological disorder. The correlation between degree of glomerular damage, severity of GN, and development of hypertension is an interesting topic in present research on GN. Although the progression of GN is proved to associate with hypertension, no clear pathogenesis is reported. In this study, the author assesses the effect of various sizes of immune complex in three common GN diseases on the biomechanics of blood flow in the renal vascular. Further discussion on the impact on hypertension is also provided.     

Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Gene Polymorphism Is Correlated to the Progression of Disease in Patients with IgA Nephropathy: A Metaanalysis

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) displays potent vasoconstrictive effects, attenuation of fibrinolysis, and platelet activation and aggregation. Recently it was mentioned that the insertion/deletion polymorphism of the ACE gene is associated with ESRD. The lengthy course of IgA Nephropathy (IgAN) and the possibility of good outcomes without therapy suggest nontoxic therapies such as ACE inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs). However, the correlation between the ACE gene polymorphism and progression of IgAN still requires further approval. Here, the author performs a summative analysis on the recent previous reports on the ACE gene polymorphism and its correlation to progression of IgAN. The meta-analysis was performed to assess the correlation between the pattern of ACE gene polymorphism and progression of IgAN. From five available studies, 346 and 555 patients with (group 1) and without (group 2) the progression of disease are evaluated. According to this study, the frequency of DD genotype in group 1 is significant higher than group 2 (p < 0.05). In addition, the author first reports a non-significant correlation between the ethnicity and the ACE gene polymorphism.     

Screening for syphilis in pregnancy: which is the proper method?

Background Consequences of syphilis in mother, pregnancy, fetus and child are considerable, but preventable. Serological screening must be offered at the first prenatal visit. Presently, the diagnosis of syphilis is dependent mainly on serological tests. The most widely used screening tests for syphilis are the VDRL and the rapid plasma reagin (RPR) and for confirmation the fluorescent treponemal antibody (FTA) and the treponema pallidum hemagglutination (TPHA) tests. Method The four alternative nodes for diagnosis of can be a) VDRL + FTA, b) VDRL + TPHA, c) RPR + FTA and d) RPR + TPHA. Here the author reports an evaluation of cost utility of those tests in obstetrical practice. According to this study, it can be shown that the cost per accurate diagnosis for VDRL + TPHA is the least expensive choice and for RPR + FTA is the most expensive choice. Conclusion Therefore, this alternative is the best method for serological diagnosis of syphilis, based on medical laboratory economics principles.     

Can we trust the hemoglobin A1C measurement by point of care testing analyzer in published papers? A retrospective appraisal

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is the most common endocrine disorder that can be seen in any age groups. At present, many millions of patients with this disorder can be seen around the world. A serious consequence of DM for the patients is the development of diabetic complications that can end up with death. For control of DM, diabetic complication is strongly recommended. Since poorer diabetic control means higher complication, several attempts are introduced for help control of blood sugar of the patients. Focusing on the laboratory investigation, the new concept for measurement of glycosylated hemoglobin is proposed and used at present. Based on the concept of point of care testing (POCT), several new glucometers are developed and circulated in present clinical practice. However, the problem of the “quality” of those meters must be addressed. Here, the author retrospectively appraised on the published papers that used POCT glucometers as tools for measuring hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C). Acceptability of the tool in each report is decided based on the referencing report on the quality of the POCT HbA1C analyzers. It can be seen that not all reports used reliable POCT HbA1C tools which means the doubtfulness of the results and conclusions on many published papers.