Leu169Pro homozygote, p.Arg138Gln homozygote, and p.Arg168His homozygous mutations. When we correlated the NPHS2 mutation status with disease progression, there was a statistically significant increase in serum creatinine, proteinuria, and serum albumin values in patients with NPHS2 gene mutations compared to the group without mutation (P less then 0.05). Our study concludes that mutations of the NPHS2 gene (38%) are heterogeneous in Azerbaijani SRNS patients. Based on our results, we support a model in which ethnicity plays an important role in certain NPHS2 mutations. NPHS2 mutation analysis may help to better predict the course of the disease, remove unnecessary long-term immunosuppressive therapy, and develop specific treatment.Coronary artery calcification is an acceptable tool for cardiovascular risk assessment in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) population. We aimed to identify the association and predictive value of components of blood cell parameters with coronary and thoracic aorta vascular calcification (VC) in ESRD population on dialysis. All ESRD patients receiving hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis aged between 18 and 60 years were included in the study. Exclusion criteria comprised patients with active infection or inflammatory disease, autoimmune disease, congestive heart failure, angina pectoris and/or documented coronary artery disease, thyroid disease, and hepatic dysfunction. Agatston scoring was used for the evaluation of coronary aorta calcification (CAC) score (CACS) and thoracic aorta calcification (TAC) score (TACS). Compared to participants with no VC, those who had VC were statistically significantly older (P less then 0.001) and had higher neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) (P = 0.02 and less then 0.001, respectively). On multivariate logistic regression analysis, increasing age (P = 0.00) and higher PLR (P = 0.04) were associated with an increased likelihood of exhibiting VC (CAC or TAC). There was a positive correlation between CACS and age (rs = 0.495, P = 0.00). A statistically significant positive correlation existed between TACS and age (rs = 0.516, P = 0.00).  https://www.selleckchem.com/  Similarly, a positive correlation was found between NLR, PLR, and TACS (rs = 0.334, P = 0.001, and rs = 0.438, P = 0.00, respectively). On multivariate linear regression analysis, increased age and red cell distribution width were found to be significant predictors of log(n) TACS. PLR of 135 gave a sensitivity of 80% and a specificity of 50% for predicting VC. Being a cost-effective and easily available investigation, the utilization of the correlation of NLR and PLR with CAC and TAC appears promising, particularly in the age group of 30-60 years.Metabolic disorder contributes to the increase in the mortality rate of patients on hemodialysis (HD). The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS) and malnutrition in patients on maintenance HD and to evaluate their influence on cardiovascular and all-cause mortality during the follow-up. We carried out a prospective cross- sectional study in which we enrolled 100 patients from a single center who had been followed up for three years. Collected data included demographic characteristics, detailed medical history, clinical variables, MS variables, nutritional status, and laboratory findings. The outcomes were the occurrence of a cardiovascular event and cardiovascular or all-cause mortality during the follow-up period. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software was used for statistical analysis. Whereas 50% of patients had MS, 23% showed evidence of malnutrition. Patients with MS were older and had more preexisting cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). All patients were followed for 36 months. During this time, 19 patients with MS and 14 patients without MS died (38% vs. 28%; P = 0.19), most frequently of CVD. Mean survival time was 71.52 ± 42.1 months for MS group versus 92.06 ± 65 months for non-MS group, but the difference was not significant. MS was related with a higher cardiovascular mortality, while malnutrition was significantly associated with all-cause mortality. Our data showed that MS was not related to cardiovascular or all-cause mortality in HD patients and did not influence survival. The independent risk factors for all-cause mortality were older age, preexisting CVD, and malnutrition.Knowledge limitation is a major cause of the increasing number of chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients in Malaysia and the world. Nurses are responsible for identifying the patients' needs to come up with appropriate discharge plans which might include educational activities. The objective of this study was to determine the baseline information (socio- demographic background, as well as medical and lifestyle histories), along with educational needs of CKD patients. A total of 116 CKD patients who attended the Nephrology Clinic of Hospital Tengku Ampuan Afzan were recruited. Patients who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were selected between April and May 2017. Data were obtained via semi-guided questionnaires; the patients were given enough time to complete the required items. The CKD educational needs' assessment consisted of seven domains general information, chronic illness management, complications, self-management, medications, treatment, and financial status. Majority of the patients were men (53.4%), aged 54.65 ± 16.49 years, secondary school-finishers (49.1%), and jobless (48.3%). In terms of medical and life-style histories, most patients were diagnosed with end-stage renal disease (51.7%), hypertension (96.6%), diabetes (51.7%), and anemia (25.9%). The patients were interested to know the complications of kidney disease (57.8%), management of diseases like hypertension (58.6%), complications like edema (55.2%), indications for medication (73.3%), self-management or fluid control (37.9%), hemodialysis (37.1%), and financial status (21.6%). Thus, strengthening patient education strategies in the clinics, hospitals, and community settings should be given due attention by relevant healthcare professionals.The management of hepatitis C virus (HCV)-induced glomerular disease remains unsatisfactory despite novel advances in antiviral and immunosuppressive therapy. Recent evidence highlighted the role of ribavirin, a drug provided with immunomodulatory properties, in the treatment of glomerular diseases associated with chronic HCV. We administered low-dose ribavirin (200 mg/day or 200 mg twice a week or 200 mg thrice weekly) in a prospective fashion to a group of patients with HCV-associated glomerular disease (n = 7). Ribavirin monotherapy was given in most (n = 6) patients and was accompanied by erythropoietin therapy in all. The primary endpoint was reduction of 24-h proteinuria after treatment ended; the secondary end-points were decrease in serum creatinine and amelioration of urinary abnormalities. We collected data on on-treatment adverse events (AEs), serious AEs, and laboratory abnormalities. Many patients (n = 6) had inactive HCV infection as they had shown HCV RNA clearance from serum after antiviral therapy with direct-acting antivirals.