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Introduction: Graft function early after kidney transplantation is an important parameter in determining the outcome of operation. Urinary and plasma neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), a member of the lipocalin protein family, has been advocated as a sensitive, early biomarker for predicting early renal graft after transplantation. The functions of NGAL appears to be expressed in stress conditions and in tissues undergoing involution. It rapidly accumulates in the kidney tubules and urine after nephrotoxic and ischemic insults. Objectives: This study aimed to examine the prognostic role of NGAL early after renal transplantation. Patients and Methods: A total of 37 kidney recipients were enrolled from a teaching centre in Tabriz within a 6-month period of time. Plasma NGAL was measured immediately before and at 6 and 12 hours post-transplantation. Changes of serum creatinine were documented daily within the first week post-operation. Acute kidney injury (AKI)/graft rejection during the first week after transplantation was the outcome variable. Results: There were 22 males (59.5%) and 15 females (40.5%) with the mean age of 34.93 ± 14.97 years (range: 12-59) in the study group. AKI/graft rejection developed in 12 patients (32.4%). The mean post-transplantation plasma NGAL levels and serum creatinine at all time points were significantly higher in patients with AKI/graft rejection. The best prognostic role was found for plasma NGAL at 12 hours (sensitivity = 100%, specificity = 92%; cut-off value = 309 ng/ml), far better than the prognostic accuracy of corresponding serum creatinine (sensitivity = 66.7%, specificity = 61.9%). Conclusion: Plasma NGAL, particularly 12 hours after transplantation, is a very sensitive and specific biomarker for predicting acute renal injury.

The immune response plays a crucial role in preventing diseases, such as infections. There are two types of immune responses, specific and innate immunity, each of which consists of two components: cellular immunity and humoral immunity. Dysfunction in any immune system component increases the risk of developing certain diseases. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), an autoimmune disease in the human body, develops an immune response against its own components. In these patients, due to underlying immune system disorders and receipt of immunosuppressive drugs, the susceptibility to infections is higher than in the general population and is the single largest cause of mortality in this group. COVID-19 infection, which first appeared in late 2019, has caused several concerns in patients with SLE. However, there is no strong proof of additional risk of developing COVID-19 in patients with SLE, and in some cases, studies have shown less severity of the disease in these individuals. This review paper discusses the immune disorders in SLE and COVID-19.

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Pastopoitin showed comparable efficacy and safety profile with Eprex in anemic patients on hemodialysis. Hence, Pastopoitin may be considered as a rHuEPO with a lower cost and wider availability compared with the innovator product Eprex.

This study showed that all three nerves of the upper extremity can be affected by hemodialysis vascular access construction in patients with CRF, and the motor radial nerve was the most affected nerve.