The present study aimed to evaluate relationships of skin autofluorescence to renal function as well as CVD in pre-dialysis patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD).\n\nMethods. Subjects in this cross-sectional analysis comprised 304 pre-dialysis CKD patients [median age, 62.0 years; median estimated glomerular

filtration rate (eGFR), 54.3 mL/min/1.73 m(2); diabetes, n= 81 (26.6%)]. AGE accumulation in skin was assessed by skin autofluorescence using an MDV3100 molecular weight autofluorescence reader. Relationships between skin autofluorescence, eGFR, CVD history and other parameters were evaluated.\n\nResults. Skin autofluorescence correlated negatively with eGFR (r = -0.42, P<0.01) and increased as CKD stage advanced. Multiple regression analysis revealed significant correlations of skin autofluorescence with age, presence of diabetes, eGFR and CVD history in CKD patients (R(2) = 30%). Age, male gender, smoking history, skin autofluorescence and eGFR were significantly correlated with CVD history, and multiple logistic regression analysis identified age [odds ratio (OR), 1.09; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.03-1.15; P< 0.01], history of smoking (OR, 6.50; 95% CI, 1.94-21.83; P< 0.01) and skin autofluorescence Smoothened Agonist (OR, 3.74; 95% CI, 1.54-9.24; P< 0.01) as independent factors.\n\nConclusions. Tissue

AGE accumulation measured as skin autofluorescence increased as GFR decreased and was related to CVD history in CKD patients. Non-invasive autofluorescence readers may provide potential markers for clinical risk assessment in pre-dialysis CKD patients.”
“Purpose of review\n\nThe purpose of this review is to examine current evidence for the efficacy of rehabilitation techniques for musculoskeletal impairments

in persons with scleroderma.\n\nRecent findings\n\nThe current literature on rehabilitation techniques consists of studies evaluating the effectiveness of paraffin wax treatment, hand and face stretching exercises, connective tissue massage and joint manipulation, splints, and aerobic exercise and resistance training. Only four randomized controlled trials were found and except for those studies, the LB-100 molecular weight majority of studies involved small sample sizes and no control groups. However, except for splints, these studies show improvement in joint motion, hand function, and cardiopulmonary endurance.\n\nSummary\n\nAlthough the results from these small studies are promising, larger, randomized controlled studies are needed to fully determine the effectiveness of rehabilitation techniques for persons with scleroderma.”
“Agricultural intensification in Europe has affected farmland bird populations negatively, both during summer and winter. Although the migratory period poses separate challenges on birds than breeding and wintering, the consequences of farming practices for birds during migration remain poorly investigated.