We give an elementary proof for the Positivity Problem for second order recurrent sequences: it is decidable whether or not a recurrent sequence defined by un = aun−1 + bun−2 has only nonnegative terms.

Objectives In this study, we investigated the protective effects of piperine on lead acetate-induced renal damage in rat kidney tissue. Materials and Methods Forty male rats were divided into 5 groups: negative control (rats were given aquadest daily), positive control (rats were given lead acetate 30 mg/kg BW orally once a day for 60 days), and the treatment group (rats were given piperine 5...

Malaria is a major public health problem in the world because it can cause of death in patients. Malaria-associated renal injury is associated with 45% of mortality in adult patients hospitalized with severe form of the disease. Therefore, new plant extracts to protect against renal injury induced by malaria infection are urgently needed. In this study, we investigated the protective effect of ...

BACKGROUND Hyperuricemia is frequently present in patients with heart failure. Many pathological conditions, such as tissue ischemia, renal function impairment, cardiac function impairment, metabolic syndrome, and inflammatory status, may impact uric acid (UA) metabolism. This study was to assess their potential relations to UA metabolism in heart failure. METHODS We retrospectively assessed ...

The mechanism underlying a dose-dependent, reversible increase in serum creatinine (SC) caused by the administration of PA-824, a novel nitroimidazo-oxazine, was evaluated in 47 healthy male and female volunteers. Subjects were administered either 800 or 1,000 mg PA-824 or matching placebo once daily for 8 days. The following renal function parameters were determined before and during dosing an...

Cisplatin (CP) as an important anti-tumor drug causes nephrotoxicity mainly by oxidative stress and renin-angiotensin system (RAS). Since flavonoids have high antioxidant activity and probable role in the inhibition of RAS, this study was designed to investigate the protective effect of hydroalcoholic extract and flavonoid fraction of Morus alba leaves on cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in rat...

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of erythropoietin (EPO) loading chitosan-tripolyphosphate (CS-TPP) nanoparticles on an immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) rat model. CS-TPP nanoparticles were produced from CS and TPP and EPO was loaded by mixing with the nanoparticles. The IgAN rat models were randomly divided into three groups: the CS-TPP-EPO group, CS-TPP group and ...

Objectives This study aimed to analyze changes in hematologic parameters in the residents of the areas highly contaminated by the Hebei Spirit Oil Spill in 2007 and those who participated in the clean-up activities. Methods According to demographic characteristics, health status and behavior, and level of exposure to oil, we compared the hematologic results in 2009 and 2012 among 701 resident...

BACKGROUND Renal and hepatic dysfunction or injury might be involved by ether based anesthetic and intravenous anesthetic drug or surgical stress. The purpose of this study is to compare the effect of moderate duration low-flow sevoflurane versus total intravenous anesthesia on renal and hepatic functions. PATIENTS AND METHODS Eighty (80) patients between the ages of 25-70 scheduled for elect...