Neshat, Sina

Hyperuricemia is described as a serum uric acid level more than 6.0 mg/dL. It is demonstrated by basic research and clinical studies, which the elevation of uric acid level may change the renal histology and function by developing acute and chronic kidney diseases (CKDs), diabetic nephropathy and end-stage renal disease (ESRD). There is no doubt about a significant relationship between uric acid and renal impairment. However, the details of this correlation, especially; between uric acid and renal failure, are discussable. Renal vasoconstriction, antiangiogenic properties, endothelial dysfunction, proinflammatory properties, renal fibrosis, pro-oxidative properties, and alteration of renal autoregulation are the most common mechanisms, which approve the association between uric acid and renal impairment. Allopurinol administration for CKD treatment in patients with gout is one of the most discussable challenges. It should be investigated whether allopurinol can diminish the deterioration of the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in CKD patients who are at risk of ESRD. Some previous studies reported that allopurinol decreases the CKD incident risk, but others could not confirm this association. The benefit or risks of allopurinol in different stages of CKD, dialysis, and renal transplant are discussed in this study.

COVID-19 infection has been a global health issue in the past recent years and numerous topics are studied in order to discover its pathophysiology and potential side effects. The potential for disease recurrence following the administration of the COVID-19 vaccine is one of the issues that has recently attracted attention. Several studies have revealed that the COVID-19 vaccines, like other vaccines, may have side effects and, in some cases, they may even deteriorate the underlying illnesses, such as rheumatic diseases, autoimmune diseases, and cancers. The effectiveness and safety of the COVID-19 vaccine for patients with malignancies are one of the factors that are considered regarding this vaccine. Lymph node involvement, disease recurrence, and potential paraclinical changes after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine are some of the concerns of patients with malignancy. In this mini-review, we attempted to investigate cases of cancer recurrence or recovery as well as lymphadenopathy following vaccination.

High blood pressure is a potential adjustable risk factor for vascular complications of diabetes. Numerous categories of anti-hypertensive medications have proven to effectively reduce these complications. Additionally, metformin, besides lowering glucose and lipid levels, has advantages on vascular blood flow and improving endothelial function. In this review, we investigate the potential benefits of metformin in lowering blood pressure. Previous studies suggested that the administration of metformin to non-diabetic patients could efficiently reduce systolic blood pressure. The whole comparison of the evidence shows that metformin may have small effects on lowering blood pressure; however, this effect is not directly via a change in sympathetic activity. Mechanisms of blood pressure reduction by metformin may be due to its indirect effects on insulin resistance, nephroprotective, cardioprotective, improvement of the sympatric nerve system, and endothelial function.

IgA vasculitis nephritis (Schönlein-Henoch purpura nephritis) is an autoimmune circumstance characterized by palpable purpura involving the lower limbs, arthralgia, abdominal pain and kidney involvement. It is possible that a cytokine storm following coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) could lead to an immunological dysregulation responsible for IgA vasculitis nephritis in these cases. Reactivation or first onset of IgA vasculitis nephritis is uncommon; however, there have been increasing reports of this disease, as a complication of COVID-19 vaccination. It is possible that COVID-19 mRNA vaccination may trigger several auto-inflammatory and autoimmune cascades. Previous research has shown that Toll-like receptors play a role in the development of IgA vasculitis nephritis. Following injection of a COVID-19 mRNA vaccine, the uptake of double-stranded RNA by-products will trigger Toll-like receptors, leading to a series of intracellular cascades starting an innate immunity-driven process of cell-mediated and humoral- mediated immunity.

AbstractPleural effusion is a common condition related to various diseases such as heart failure, malignancies, and pneumonia. Ovarian hemangioma is a rare type of female genital tumour and can rarely cause pleural effusion. In this case, we present a 48‐year‐old female with repeated episodes of recurrent right‐sided pleural effusion over 1 year with no clear aetiology. Abdominal computed tomography revealed a large left ovarian mass. After surgical removal of the mass, the repeated pleural effusion episodes ceased, and histopathology analysis reported a rare ovarian hemangioma. Pseudo Meigs' syndrome is a triad of an ovarian tumour, ascites, and hydrothorax that rarely presents with ovarian hemangioma; both effusions are eradicated after removing the tumour.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) pose a serious threat to people’s health, with extremely high global morbidity, mortality, and disability rates. This study aimed to review the literature that examined the relationship between blood groups and CVD. Many studies have reported that non-O blood groups are associated with an increased risk and severity of coronary artery disease and acute coronary syndromes. Non-O blood groups increase the risk and severity of these conditions by increasing von Willebrand factor and plasma cholesterol levels and inducing endothelial dysfunction and inflammation. They have also been linked with increased coronary artery calcification, coronary lesion complexity, and poor collateral circulation. Blood groups also affect the prognosis of coronary artery disease and acute coronary syndrome and can alter the rate of complications and mortality. Several cardiovascular complications have been described for coronavirus disease 2019, and blood groups can influence their occurrence. No studies have found a significant relationship between the Lewis blood group and CVD. In conclusion, people with non-O blood groups should be vigilantly monitored for cardiovascular risk factors as prevention and proper treatment of these risk factors may mitigate their risk of CVD and adverse cardiovascular events.