Luman regulates the activity of the LHCGR promoter.

Testosterone in male mammals is mainly secreted by testicular Leydig cells, and its secretion process is regulated by the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. After receiving the luteinizing hormone (LH) stimulus signal, the lutropin/choriogonadotropin receptor (LHCGR) on the Leydig cell membrane transfers the signal into the cell and finally increases the secretion of testosterone by upregulating the expression of steroid hormone synthase. In previous experiments, we found that interfering with the expression of the Luman protein can significantly increase testosterone secretion in MLTC-1 cells.

Toxoplasma gondii induces MLTC-1 apoptosis via ERS pathway.

Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is a serious intracellular parasite and mammalian infection can damage the reproductive system and lead to apoptosis of Murine Leydig tumor cells (MLTC-1); however, the mechanism is unclear. The testis Leydig cell is the main testosterone synthesis cell in male mammals.

Angiotensin Receptor-Neprilysin Inhibitors in Patients With Heart Failure With Reduced Ejection Fraction and Advanced Chronic Kidney Disease: A Retrospective Multi-Institutional Study.

Background: Data regarding using angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitor (ARNI) in patients with both heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD) are limited.

Methods And Results: Between January 2016 and December 2018, patients with HFrEF and advanced CKD (estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR] ≤ 30 mL/min/1.73 m) were identified from a multi-institutional database in Taiwan.

Prognostic factors and complication rates for double-filtration plasmapheresis in patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome.

Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is an acute immune-mediated demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy that could lead to disabilities if not properly treated. There are only limited data on the prognostic factors and complications when using double-filtration plasmapheresis in these patients. We reviewed the medical records of 60 GBS patients who underwent double-filtration plasmapheresis as the first-line therapy at a tertiary care teaching hospital.

Predictors of acquired perforating dermatosis in uremic patients on hemodialysis: a case-control study.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to identify the predictors of acquired perforating dermatosis (APD) in patients on maintenance hemodialysis (HD).

Methods: A case-control study was performed at our outpatient HD center between January 1, 2000 and March 31, 2011. Patients on HD with APD were matched (1 : 2) for gender and age with controls on HD.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus nasal carriage among patients receiving hemodialysis in Taiwan: prevalence rate, molecular characterization and de-colonization.

Background: Staphylococcus aureus, particularly methicillin resistant (MRSA), is a common pathogen among patients receiving hemodialysis. To evaluate nasal carriage, molecular characterization and effectiveness of decolonization of MRSA among patients receiving hemodialysis in Taiwan, we conducted this study.

Methods: From January to June 2011, two nasal samplings with a 3-month interval were obtained from patients undergoing hemodialysis in a medical center (CGMH), and in a local hospital (YMH) and sent for detection of MRSA.

Korean red ginseng improves blood pressure stability in patients with intradialytic hypotension.

Introduction. Intradialytic hypotension (IDH) is a common complication during hemodialysis which may increase mortality risks. Low dose of Korean red ginseng (KRG) has been reported to increase blood pressure.

Early identification of leptospirosis as an ignored cause of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome.

Leptospirosis is the most common zoonosis in the world but remains underreported, owing to protean manifestations and ignorance about the disease among health care providers in Taiwan. From September 2000 to March 2006, surveillance of 455 patients with multiple organ dysfunction syndrome with unclear cause or clinical suspicion of leptospirosis was performed. Diagnosis was further confirmed by microscopic agglutination test or isolation of Leptospira.

Immunoglobulin G levels can predict non-diabetic renal disease in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Background: Proteinuria in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) is sometimes caused by glomerular diseases other than diabetic nephropathy. In patients with type 2 DM (T2DM), specific predictors for non-diabetic renal disease (NDRD) are needed in addition to the traditional indicators for renal biopsy.

Methods: From 1 January 2000 to 31 March 2011, we retrospectively enrolled 54 T2DM patients with proteinuria who had undergone renal biopsies into the present study.

Short range magnetic correlations induced by La substitution in Ho(1-x)La(x)Mn(2)O(5).

Magnetic susceptibility, x-ray diffraction, neutron diffraction and Raman scattering measurements are employed to study the effects of La substitution on the magnetic properties of multiferroic HoMn(2)O(5). 9% and 18% La-substituted compounds crystallize into the same orthorhombic Pbam symmetry as the parent compound. The magnetic responses to an ac driving magnetic field between 40 and 140 K are greatly enhanced by 18% La substitution.

The impact of type of assistance on characteristics of peritonitis in elderly peritoneal dialysis patients.

Background: The elderly patients are the fastest-growing end-stage renal disease (ESRD) population in Taiwan. Assisted peritoneal dialysis (PD) has been employed to overcome the barriers to PD. The aim of this retrospective, single-center study was to describe the status of assisted PD and the impact of type of assistance on peritonitis in elderly patients in Taiwan.

Peritoneal dialysis and hemodialysis in systemic lupus erythematosus patients: comparison of clinical outcomes.

Background: This study compared peritoneal dialysis (PD) and hemodialysis (HD) outcomes between female systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) due to lupus nephropathy.

Methods: 22 female SLE patients undergoing PD were compared with 14 female SLE patients receiving HD. Clinical outcomes and infective complications were reviewed.

Colchicine overdose-induced acute renal failure and electrolyte imbalance.

Colchicine has been used to control gouty arthritis for long time; colchicine overdose, however, causes multiple organ dysfunction. To date, no investigation has revealed the site of kidney lesion or dysfunction. This investigation describes the case of a male with a history of gout who ingested a large amount of colchicine and developed renal, hematopoietic, gastrointestinal, muscular, electrolytic, and hepatic disorder.

Culture-negative peritonitis: a fifteen-year review.

Peritonitis is a serious complication in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients; however, the clinical outcome of culture-negative peritonitis (CNP) is controversial. This retrospective study of CNP attempts to resolve this controversy. In 813 episodes of peritonitis, 202 episodes of CNP in 152 PD patients were reviewed.

Enhancement of epithelial sodium channel expression in renal cortical collecting ducts cells by advanced glycation end products.

Background: The epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) is a complex, and the alphaENaC subunit has a crucial role in sodium uptake induced by aldosterone in the distal nephron. Although experimental animal models of diabetes have demonstrated up-regulation of alphaENaC expression in renal cortical collecting duct (CCD) cells, the molecular mechanism remains unclear. Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are by-products of long-term hyperglycaemia and comprise a significant pathogenic factor in diabetic nephropathy.

A comparison of sevelamer hydrochloride with calcium acetate on biomarkers of bone turnover in hemodialysis patients.

Objective: To evaluate the influence of sevelamer hydrochloride and calcium acetate on biomarkers of bone turnover in patients with hyperphosphatemia receiving hemodialysis.

Methods: In this prospective, open-label, randomized, active-controlled study, 70 patients (38 men and 32 women) with hyperphosphatemia (serum phosphorus level >6.0 mg/dL) underwent a two-week washout period and were randomly selected to receive sevelamer hydrochloride (n = 37) or calcium acetate (n = 33) for eight weeks.

Xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis and malacoplakia of the bladder in a middle aged female.

We describe the case of a female with xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis and malacoplakia of the bladder, presenting with recurrent urinary tract infection and renal mass. The genitourinary tract should be explored to evaluate the coexistence of these two diseases. Nephrectomy and bladder mass resection is warranted to maintain sterile urine.

Candida parapsilosis peritonitis has more complications than other Candida peritonitis in peritoneal dialysis patients.

Candida parapsilosis is the most prevalent pathogen of fungal peritonitis in peritoneal dialysis (PD). The difference between C. parapsilosis peritonitis and other C.

Aristolochic acid-related nephropathy associated with the popular Chinese herb Xi Xin.

Chinese herbs nephropathy is known as a subacute interstitial nephritis attributed to aristolochic acid. This work describes the case of a 49-year-old male who displayed subacute renal failure induced by ingestion of herbal powder containing Xi Xin, which includes aristolochic acid. Since Xi Xin is a common ingredient in traditional formulae, care needs to be taken in the future to identify the aristolochic acid concentration of different components of Xi Xin.

Does hepatitis C virus affect the reactivation of hepatitis B virus following renal transplantation?

Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is endemic in Taiwan. Transplantation followed by long-term immunosuppressive medications may precipitate HBV reactivation. Interference of hepatitis C virus (HCV) with HBV gene expression and replication has been confirmed in many studies involving non-transplant populations.

Leptospiral membrane proteins stimulate pro-inflammatory chemokines secretion by renal tubule epithelial cells through toll-like receptor 2 and p38 mitogen activated protein kinase.

Background: Leptospiral membrane proteins extracted from pathogenic Leptospira santarosai serovar Shermani (LMPS) stimulated pro-inflammatory chemokines production in cultured mouse proximal tubule epithelial cells (PTECs) and implicated its role in the pathogenesis of leptospira-induced tubulointerstitial nephritis. PTECs express the functional TLR2 and TLR4, which have been shown to play essential roles in innate immunity. This study investigated the roles of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) signalling pathways in the pathogenesis of leptospira-induced tubulointerstitial nephritis.

Acute renal failure induced by a Brazilian variety of propolis.

Propolis is a resinous substance collected by honeybees and used in hive construction and maintenance. Cumulative evidence suggests that propolis may have anti-inflammatory, antibiotic, antioxidant, antihepatotoxic, and antitumor properties. In addition to topical applications, products containing propolis have been used increasingly as dietary supplements.

Clinical distinction and evaluation of leptospirosis in Taiwan--a case-control study.

Background: Leptospirosis is the most widespread zoonosis. Leptospirosis remains underreported in Taiwan because of ignorance and the broad spectrum of clinical manifestations. Acute renal failure (ARF) is a prominent feature of leptospirosis.

Ultrapure dialysate improves iron utilization and erythropoietin response in chronic hemodialysis patients - a prospective cross-over study.

Background: The impact of ultrapure dialysis on dialysate-related chronic inflammatory status and anemia in uremic patients on maintenance hemodialysis (HD) remains uncertain. We evaluated ultrapure dialysate effects on erythropoietin (EPO) response and inflammatory status in a prospective, randomized, cross-over study.

Methods: Thirty-four HD patients were divided into two groups.

Impact of HCV infection on first cadaveric renal transplantation, a single center experience.

Background: Controversy still persists regarding the impact of HCV infection on renal transplant recipients. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of anti-HCV antibody status on patients and grafts of renal transplants at a single center.

Methods: We examined 299 first cadaveric renal transplants performed between July 1981 and May 2000 at our hospital, including 129 patients with anti-HCV antibody positive (HCV+ group) and 170 patients with anti-HCV antibody negative (HCV- group).