The four concordance correlation coefficients (CCC) between the value from each formula and in-GFR were high and not significantly different. At in-GFR≥90mL/min/1.73m
  , Ng-Schwartz-Munoz formula performed slightly better than other formulas regarding median bias (-0.5; 95% CI [-3.0 to 2.0] and accuracy P
  (95.0; 95% CI [88.0-100.0]).
 
  The studied formulas were found equivalent in terms of precision and accuracy, but the Ng-Schwartz-Munoz formula improved the accuracy at higher levels of in-GFR.
 The studied formulas were found equivalent in terms of precision and accuracy, but the Ng-Schwartz-Munoz formula improved the accuracy at higher levels of in-GFR.
  Soluble (s) CD163 is a well-established macrophage biomarker, and recent data suggests urine sCD163 to reflect disease activity in crescentic glomerulonephritis (GN). Other types of GN may also be associated with glomerular inflammation but the potential usefulness of urine sCD163 as a general biomarker of GN remains unaddressed.
 
  An in-house sCD163 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was validated for urinary use and compared to a frequently used commercial ELISA. The pre-analytical stability of urine sCD163 was assessed and a reference interval was established according to the CLSI guidelines using specimens from 253 healthy individuals. Urine samples from 64 patients with different types of renal disorders were also analysed.
 
  Urine sCD163 was highly stable during storage.  https://www.selleckchem.com/products/VX-770.html  An upper reference limit of 5.1μg/L (1.9μg/mmol, normalised to creatinine) was established using the in-house ELISA. Urine sCD163 was generally increased in GN patients (3.9μg/mmol, p<0.0001, AUROC=0.97) and decreased upon treatment, but did not perform better than urine albumin (AUROC=1.00). Patients with proliferative GN had higher urine sCD163/albumin (p=0.0001) ratio. The commercial assay had a higher detection limit, and patient levels were 4-6 times lower than in the in-house assay.
 
  Urine sCD163 is a stable biomarker that can be measured with acceptable accuracy using our in-house ELISA. Its pre-analytical characteristics makes it a reliable biomarker and our findings point towards the use of urine sCD163 as a biomarker of specific subtypes of GN.
 Urine sCD163 is a stable biomarker that can be measured with acceptable accuracy using our in-house ELISA. Its pre-analytical characteristics makes it a reliable biomarker and our findings point towards the use of urine sCD163 as a biomarker of specific subtypes of GN.Plastids are specialized organelles found in plants, which are endowed with their own genomes, and differ in many respects from the intracellular compartments of organisms belonging to other kingdoms of life. They differentiate into diverse, plant organ-specific variants, and are perhaps the most versatile organelles known. Chloroplasts are the green plastids in the leaves and stems of plants, whose primary function is photosynthesis. In response to environmental changes, chloroplasts use several mechanisms to coordinate their photosynthetic activities with nuclear gene expression and other metabolic pathways. Here, we focus on a redox-based regulatory network composed of thioredoxins (TRX) and TRX-like proteins. Among multiple redox-controlled metabolic activities in chloroplasts, tetrapyrrole biosynthesis is particularly rich in TRX-dependent enzymes. This review summarizes the effects of plastid-localized reductants on several enzymes of this pathway, which have been shown to undergo dithiol-disulfide transitions. We describe the impact of TRX-dependent control on the activity, stability and interactions of these enzymes, and assess its contribution to the provision of adequate supplies of metabolic intermediates in the face of diurnal and more rapid and transient changes in light levels and other environmental factors.
  Mold sensitization has been reported as a factor associated with severe asthma exacerbation (SAE).
 
  To identify the factors associated with SAE in asthmatic children, particularly mold sensitization.
 
  The asthmatic children recruited into this case-control study were classified into an SAE and an outpatient (OPD) group, based on their histories of asthma exacerbation with hospitalization in the preceding year. A skin prick test to common aeroallergens was performed. Possible SAE risk factors were analyzed.
 
  A total of 102 patients were enrolled. The 51 patients in the SAE group were significantly younger than the 51 in the OPD group (mean ages of 6.8 ± 3.3 vs 8.7 ±3.2 years, p = 0.005). Higher proportions of patients with partly controlled or uncontrolled asthma were found in the SAE group (41.2% vs 17.6%, p = 0.009). The incidences of a paternal history of atopy, an emergency department visit, and a history of systemic corticosteroid administration in the preceding year were significantly higher for the SAE group (35.3% vs 15.7%, p = 0.023; 100% vs 43.5%, p < 0.001; and 100% vs 31.4%, p < 0.001; respectively). The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that risk factors for SAE were Alternaria sensitization (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 3.00; 95% CI 1.09-8.3; p = 0.033), patients who were younger than 6 years (AOR 3.28; 95% CI 1.17-9.18; p = 0.024), and a paternal history of atopy (AOR 2.94; 95% CI 1.05-8.25; p = 0.040).
 
  Alternaria sensitization, an age younger than 6 years, and a paternal history of atopy were associated with SAE in asthmatic children.
 Alternaria sensitization, an age younger than 6 years, and a paternal history of atopy were associated with SAE in asthmatic children.
  Management of allergic rhinitis with oral antihistamine and steroid nasal spray are the standard treatment which is recommended by Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma guidelines. In addition, nasal irrigation as an adjuvant therapy also provides a satisfactory result.
 
  To compare the treatment outcome in adults majority with intermittent allergic rhinitis who receive different concentrations of nasal irrigation.
 
  The prospective randomized double-blind study was performed in 80 patients. All patients were prescribed oral antihistamine and nasal irrigated solution between 3% NaCl and 0.9% NaCl. Nasal congestion and rhinorrhea were evaluated at baseline, first and second weeks after treatment. Assessments were measured by nasal congestion visual analog scale rhinorrhea visual analog scale, inferior turbinate size, and peak nasal expiratory flow rate (PNEFR). A p value of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
 
  There were 40 patients in each group of the study. Patients reported satisfactory experience after using saline irrigation at first and second weeks in both solutions (p value < 0.