What do we know about chronic kidney disease in India: first report of the Indian CKD registry

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>There are no national data on the magnitude and pattern of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in India. The Indian CKD Registry documents the demographics, etiological spectrum, practice patterns, variations and special characteristics.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Data was collected for this cross-sectional study in a standardized format according to predetermined criteria. Of the 52,273 adult patients, 35.5%, 27.9%, 25.6% and 11% patients came from South, North, West and East zones respectively.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The mean age was 50.1 ± 14.6 years, with M:F ratio of 70:30. Patients from North Zone were younger and those from the East Zone older. Diabetic nephropathy was the commonest cause (31%), followed by CKD of undetermined etiology (16%), chronic glomerulonephritis (14%) and hypertensive nephrosclerosis (13%). About 48% cases presented in Stage V; they were younger than those in Stages III-IV. Diabetic nephropathy patients were older, more likely to present in earlier stages of CKD and had a higher frequency of males; whereas those with CKD of unexplained etiology were younger, had more females and more frequently presented in Stage V. Patients in lower income groups had more advanced CKD at presentation. Patients presenting to public sector hospitals were poorer, younger, and more frequently had CKD of unknown etiology.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>This report confirms the emergence of diabetic nephropathy as the pre-eminent cause in India. Patients with CKD of unknown etiology are younger, poorer and more likely to present with advanced CKD. There were some geographic variations.</p

Minnelide effectively eliminates CD133+ side population in pancreatic cancer

BACKGROUND: Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a devastating disease hallmarked by limited patient survival. Resistance to chemotherapy, a major cause of treatment failure in PDAC patients, is often attributed to Cancer Stem Cells (CSCs). Pancreatic CSCs are a small subset of quiescent cells within a tumor represented by surface markers like CD133. These cells are responsible not only for tumor recurrence, but also poor prognosis based on their “stem-like” characteristics. At present, conventional therapy is directed towards rapidly dividing PDAC cells and thus fails to target the CSC population. METHODS: MIA PaCa-2, S2-013 and AsPC-1 were treated with 12.5 nM triptolide (12 T cells) for 7 days. The surviving cells were recovered briefly in drug-free growth media and then transferred to Cancer Stem cell Media (CSM). As a control, untreated cells were also transferred to CSM media (CSM). The 12 T and CSM cells were tested for stemness properties using RNA and protein markers. Low numbers of CSM and 12 T cells were implanted subcutaneously in athymic nude mice to study their tumorigenic potential. 12 T and CSM cells were sorted for CD133 expression and assayed for their colony forming ability and sphere forming ability. Invasiveness of 12 T cells, CSM and MIA PaCa-2 were compared using Boyden chamber assays. RESULTS: Treated 12 T cells displayed increased expression of the surface marker CD133 and the drug transporter ABCG2 compared to untreated cells (CSM cells). Both 12 T and CSM cells formed subcutaneous tumors in mice confirming their tumor-initiating properties. When tested for invasion, 12 T cells had increased invasiveness compared to CSM cells. CD133(+) cells in both CSM and 12 T showed greater colony and sphere forming ability compared to CD133(−) cells from each group. Consistent with these data, when injected subcutaneously in mice, CD133(−) cells from CSM or 12 T did not form any tumors whereas CD133(+) cells from both groups showed tumor formation at a very low cell number. Despite pre-exposure to triptolide in 12 T CD133(+) cells, treatment of tumors formed by these cells with Minnelide, a triptolide pro-drug, showed significant tumor regression. CONCLUSION: Our results indicated that triptolide enhanced and enriched the “stemness” in the PDAC cell lines at a low dose of 12.5 nM, but also resulted in the regression of tumors derived from these cells. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12943-015-0470-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users

A Unified Procedure for Earth Pressure Calculations

A unified procedure for calculating active and passive earth pressures on retaining structures for static and seismic (pseudostatic) loading conditions is presented. The procedure is based on the limit equilibrium method, uses the method of slices, and satisfies complete statics. Necessary equations for a typical slice are presented and a solution scheme for solving them is discussed. A sample problem is included to indicate convenience of use of the proposed procedure and accuracy of results obtained. The results are in terms of magnitude, direction, and location of lateral thrust on the wall; however, distribution of earth pressure along the wall height is not obtained and the direction of lateral thrust is user specified

Discussion to the paper: A framework to assess Newmark-type simplified methods for evaluation of earthquake-induced deformation of embankment dams by Kan, M, E., Taiebat, H. A., and Taiebat, M. Canadian Geotechnical Journal 2017, 54(3): 392-404.

n/aThe accepted manuscript in pdf format is listed with the files at the bottom of this page. The presentation of the authors' names and (or) special characters in the title of the manuscript may differ slightly between what is listed on this page and what is listed in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript; that in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript is what was submitted by the author

Numerical Assessment of an Estimated Slip Surface, Locke Island Landslides, Columbia River, South-Central Washington State, USA

Results of slope stability analyses for an inferred slip surface in a landslide along the Columbia River in the State of Washington are presented. The numerical analyses were made using limit-equilibrium-based computer program SSTAB2 and a commercially available continuum-mechanics-based computer program, FLAC. For the known and best understood/estimated field conditions, results of SSTAB2 analyses indicate validity of the inferred slip surface. However, the same is not true with the results of FLAC. Reasons for the differences in results from the two essentially independent methods of analysis are discussed. Preference for use of one method over the other in studying occurrence of ground instability is indicated. Usefulness of the two methods of analysis in quantitative assessments of landslides is mentioned

An Isolated Conjunctival Capillary Hemangioma Masquerading as Ocular Surface Squamous Neoplasia

The purpose of this article is to report a case of isolated subconjunctival capillary hemangioma, masquerading as ocular surface squamous neoplasia (OSSN) in a 58-year-old lady. Conjunctival hemangioma over the age of 58 is rare, with few cases reported in the literature. Here, we present an interesting case of spontaneous development of this tumor at age 58, without associated systemic disease process or cutaneous manifestations. This female presented with complaints of isolated elevated vascular nodular lesions with feeder vessels in superior-temporal bulbar portion of left eye. Provisional diagnosis of left eye OSSN was made. Wide excisional biopsy with cryotherapy was performed for the left eye. Histopathology report of the lesion showed subconjunctival capillary hemangioma with no malignancy. The patient did not show any recurrence of lesion in the left eye at 2-month follow-up

Review of the unmet medical need for vaccination in adults with immunocompromising conditions: An Indian perspective

Immunocompromised (IC) populations are at increased risk of vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs). In India, the concern of VPDs in IC populations is particularly acute due to the prevalence of crowded living situations, poor sanitation and variable access to healthcare services. We present a narrative review of IC-related disease and economic burden, risk of VPDs and vaccination guidelines, based on global and India-specific literature (2000–2022). IC conditions considered were cancer, diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease, respiratory disorders, disorders treated with immunosuppressive therapy, and human immune deficiency virus (HIV). The burden of IC populations in India is comparable to the global population, except for cancer and HIV, which have lower prevalence compared with the global average. Regional and socioeconomic inequalities exist in IC prevalence; VPDs add to the burden of IC conditions, especially in lower income strata. Adult vaccination programs could improve health and reduce the economic impact of VPDs in IC populations