Editorial Material
Urology & Nephrology
Mario Cozzolino, Andrea Galassi, Paola Ciceri
Summary: Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) have a higher risk of mortality compared to the general population, with fatal cardiovascular events being the most common cause of death. Mineral metabolism abnormalities and hyperphosphataemia are recognized as important triggers of vascular complications in CKD patients. The use of phosphate binders has been shown to reduce mortality risk in dialysis patients, regardless of the specific type of binder used.
CLINICAL KIDNEY JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Reem Elsiddig, Niall J. O'Reilly, Sarah P. Hudson, Eleanor Owens, Helen Hughes, David O'Grady, Peter McLoughlin
Summary: The relationship between the structure of sevelamer hydrochloride hydrogel and its binding capacity and affinity was investigated. The amount of crosslinker used in the preparation of the hydrogel influenced its structure and physical characteristics. Lower amounts of crosslinker resulted in a slight increase in binding capacity but lower affinity. The pH of the binding media was found to significantly affect the binding parameters of sevelamer hydrochloride.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICS
(2022)
Review
Immunology
Astrid Johannesson Hjelholt, Cecilia Bergh, Deepak L. Bhatt, Ole Frobert, Mads Fuglsang Kjolby
Summary: Influenza vaccines not only protect against infection but also potentially induce nonspecific effects, such as immunological memory and modulation of cytokines. This article discusses the possible impacts of influenza vaccination on cardiovascular disease, type 1 diabetes, cancer, and Alzheimer's disease.
Review
Urology & Nephrology
Roopa Satyanarayan Basutkar, Resia Varghese, Nina Kallanthanath Mathew, Prithika Sankar Indira, Balasubramaniam Viswanathan, Ponnusankar Sivasankaran
Summary: Sevelamer has been shown to have various effects on lipid panel, inflammatory markers, and blood glucose levels in chronic kidney disease patients. Compared to other phosphate binders, sevelamer significantly reduces LDL and total cholesterol while increasing HDL. However, there were no significant changes observed in other biochemical parameters.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Marcin Basiak, Michal Kosowski, Marcin Cyrnek, Lukasz Buldak, Mateusz Maliglowka, Grzegorz Machnik, Boguslaw Okopien
Summary: PCSK-9 inhibitors are a group of drugs that reduce the degradation of LDL-R, increase the uptake of LDLc, and have various pleiotropic effects beyond lipid-lowering, including anti-atherosclerotic, anti-aggregation, anticoagulant, antineoplastic effects, and influence on bacterial infections. This review article systematically examines the current scientific data on the multifaceted effects of PCSK-9 inhibitors.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Vittoriano Della Corte, Gaetano Pacinella, Federica Todaro, Rosaria Pecoraro, Antonino Tuttolomondo
Summary: Natriuretic peptides are a complex molecular network with pleiotropic effects on various organs and tissues, primarily maintaining cardiovascular homeostasis and regulating water-salt balance. Increasing knowledge of their receptors, molecular mechanisms, and discovery of new peptides has led to a better understanding of their physiological and pathophysiological roles, with potential therapeutic applications.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Elodia Nataly Diaz-De la Cruz, Jose Ignacio Cerrillos-Gutierrez, Andres Garcia-Sanchez, Carlos Gerardo Prado-Nevarez, Jorge Andrade-Sierra, Basilio Jalomo-Martinez, Adriana Banda-Lopez, Enrique Rojas-Campos, Alejandra Guillermina Miranda-Diaz
Summary: This study found that managing hyperphosphatemia with sevelamer hydrochloride in patients with end-stage renal disease led to significant increases in antioxidant enzyme activity, reduction in inflammation levels, and regulation of oxidative stress state.
FRONTIERS IN MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Urology & Nephrology
Mark K. Tiong, Shahid Ullah, Stephen P. McDonald, Sven-Jean Tan, Nicole M. Lioufas, Matthew A. Roberts, Nigel D. Toussaint
Summary: The study found that both high and low levels of serum phosphate were independently associated with increased risk of mortality, with a more pronounced association with high serum phosphate and cardiovascular mortality. This association was consistent across patients receiving haemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis treatment.
Review
Plant Sciences
Phetole Mangena
Summary: Recombinant gene encoded protease inhibitors have been recognized as effective molecules to protect essential proteins in plants. This review examines recently published literature on recombinant protease inhibitors (RPIs) and highlights their unintended consequences in plants, other organisms, and the environment.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Biology
Franziska Vollmy, Henk van den Toorn, Riccardo Zenezini Chiozzi, Ottavio Zucchetti, Alberto Papi, Carlo Alberto Volta, Luisa Marracino, Francesco Vieceli Dalla Sega, Francesca Fortini, Vadim Demichev, Pinkus Tober-Lau, Gianluca Campo, Marco Contoli, Markus Ralser, Florian Kurth, Savino Spadaro, Paola Rizzo, Albert J. R. Heck
Summary: The study recorded serum proteome profiles of 33 severe COVID-19 patients and identified a panel of about a dozen proteins that showed significantly different abundance between survivors and non-survivors. Nine proteins were defined for mortality risk assessment, and the predictive power of this panel was found to perform well in predicting mortality in independent cohorts measured in other countries. Some proteins in the panel have been previously annotated as mortality markers in aging and other diseases caused by different pathogens.
LIFE SCIENCE ALLIANCE
(2021)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Ivan Cruz-Chamorro, Guillermo Santos-Sanchez, Ana Isabel Alvarez-Lopez, Justo Pedroche, Patricia Judith Lardone, Anna Arnoldi, Carmen Lammi, Antonio Carrillo-Vico
Summary: In the past 20 years, the demand for meat-free food has increased, leading to research on vegetable compounds as beneficial agents for human health. Particularly, protein hydrolysation has gained much interest as it releases peptides with biological activities. Lupinus spp. protein hydrolysates (LPHs) have been extensively studied for their biological activities, and they have shown antioxidant, immunomodulatory, hypotensive, hypoglycemic, and hypolipidemic effects. LPHs could potentially be used as nutraceuticals to prevent or treat chronic diseases, and the development of nanonutraceuticals to enhance their stability and bioactivity has been discussed.
TRENDS IN FOOD SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Cell Biology
Maria M. Bayliak, Volodymyr I. Lushchak
Summary: AKG, an intermediate of the tricarboxylic acid cycle, plays diverse roles in cellular metabolism and regulation, with potential anti-aging effects demonstrated in experimental models. Its geroprotective actions may involve epigenetic regulation, antioxidant properties, and mimicking caloric restriction and hormesis. AKG's influence on mitochondrial respiration and induction of ROS production could lead to beneficial biological effects according to hormesis hypothesis, despite discrepancies in different models and limitations as a geroprotective drug.
AGEING RESEARCH REVIEWS
(2021)
Review
Biology
Sevdalina Nikolova Lambova
Summary: The involvement of the knee joint in osteoarthritis is most commonly associated with obesity and is mediated by mechanical, inflammatory, and metabolic mechanisms. Metabolic knee OA, characterized by obesity and associated conditions, has been identified as a distinct phenotype. The use of metformin, a drug with multiple pleiotropic effects, has shown potential in slowing OA progression by modulating inflammatory and metabolic factors.
Review
Toxicology
Charles A. German, James K. Liao
Summary: Statins not only reduce LDL-C through inhibition of the key rate-limiting step in the cholesterol biosynthetic pathway, but also improve serum clearance by upregulating the expression of LDL receptors. They may exert various pleiotropic effects, such as improving plaque stability, reducing inflammation and thrombosis, decreasing oxidative stress, and improving endothelial function and vascular tone. However, they also have potential harmful pleiotropic effects, including increased risk of muscle-related side effects, diabetes, hemorrhagic stroke, and cognitive decline.
ARCHIVES OF TOXICOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Susan Smith, Jaideep Seth, Amanda Midkiff, Rachel Stahl, Yu-Ci Syu, Nikoloz Shkriabai, Mamuka Kvaratskhelia, Karin Musier-Forsyth, Pooja Jain, Patrick L. Green, Amanda R. Panfil
Summary: In this study, YBX1 was found to interact with the viral gene HBZ of HTLV-1 and enhance transcription activity from the 5 & PRIME; LTR promoter. The interaction between YBX1 and Tax or HBZ affected the transcription and protein abundance of both genes. Overall, YBX1 positively influences HTLV-1 gene expression.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Acoustics
Matthias Hofer, Lars Kamper, Nicole Heussen, Ole Martin, Johannes Heverhagen
Summary: This study examined how the clinical expertise of ultrasound instructors influenced the ultrasound competency of clinicians after a three-day training course. It also compared the rating of sonographic and didactic skills between student instructors and medical staff instructors. The results showed no significant difference in ultrasound competency between the two instructor groups, indicating that student instructors can be as effective as experienced physicians.
ULTRASCHALL IN DER MEDIZIN
(2022)
Article
Emergency Medicine
Klemens Horst, Philipp Lichte, Felix Blaesius, Christian David Weber, Martin Tonglet, Philipp Kobbe, Nicole Heussen, Frank Hildebrand
Summary: The modified Trauma-Induced Coagulopathy Clinical Score (mTICCS) is a scoring system for the early detection of the need for a massive transfusion (MT). This study validated the inter-rater reliability of the mTICCS and found it to have high consistency among raters, suggesting it could be a useful tool in clinical decision-making.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF TRAUMA AND EMERGENCY SURGERY
(2022)
Article
Pediatrics
Sabrina C. Behr, Christopher Platen, Pascal Vetter, Nicole Heussen, Steffen Leonhardt, Thorsten Orlikowsky, Konrad Heimann
Summary: Background Magnetic induction measurement (MIM) is a noninvasive method used for contactless registration of respiration in newborn piglets. This study tested the detection of pulmonary ventilation disorders via MIM in 11 newborn piglets, showing that MIM has the potential to detect acute ventilation disorders.
PEDIATRIC RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Urology & Nephrology
Hanne Skou Jorgensen, Geert Behets, Liesbeth Viaene, Bert Bammens, Kathleen Claes, Bjorn Meijers, Maarten Naesens, Ben Sprangers, Dirk Kuypers, Etienne Cavalier, Patrick D'Haese, Pieter Evenepoel
Summary: This study investigated the diagnostic accuracy of biochemical markers of skeletal remodeling to predict bone turnover and found that these biomarkers can be used to rule out high and low bone turnover diseases.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF KIDNEY DISEASES
(2022)
Editorial Material
Urology & Nephrology
Ricard Farre, Sander Dejongh, Bjorn Meijers
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF NEPHROLOGY
(2022)
Review
Physiology
Stefan Rudloff, Willi Jahnen-Dechent, Uyen Huynh-Do
Summary: Traditionally, fetuin-A is known as an anti-calcification protein that prevents cardiovascular calcification. Recent evidence suggests that it also plays a crucial role in moderating tissue inflammation and fibrosis, as well as serving as a systemic indicator of acute inflammatory disease. In this context, unbalanced depletion of fetuin-A may trigger a vicious cycle of progressive calcification, inflammation, and tissue injury.
PFLUGERS ARCHIV-EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Pieter Evenepoel, Bjorn Meijers, Rosalinde Masereeuw, Jerome Lowenstein
Summary: SGLT inhibitors have been shown to improve renal and cardiovascular outcomes in patients with kidney disease, but the mechanisms behind these benefits are still debated and require further research.
Review
Food Science & Technology
Bjorn Meijers, Jerome Lowenstein
Summary: Indoxyl sulfate is a protein-bound solute closely related to indigo dye, commonly found in the serum of patients with impaired glomerular filtration. Early studies have shown that indoxyl sulfate is a toxin that can accelerate renal damage. Recent observations suggest that indoxyl sulfate may be part of a systemic signaling system, with organic anion transporters found in non-renal tissues.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Armand M. G. Jaminon, Nikolas Rapp, Asim C. Akbulut, Robert Dzhanaev, Chris P. Reutelingsperger, Willi Jahnen-Dechent, Leon J. Schurgers
Summary: Vascular calcification is a degenerative pathology that leads to a loss of vessel elasticity and function, and contributes to various diseases. Current research models for studying vascular calcification are limited and in vitro tools introduce variability. We introduce a novel fluorescent probe that allows real-time monitoring of in vitro calcification, which has potential translational applications in disease modeling.
JOVE-JOURNAL OF VISUALIZED EXPERIMENTS
(2022)
Review
Food Science & Technology
Mara Lauriola, Ricard Farre, Pieter Evenepoel, Saskia Adriana Overbeek, Bjorn Meijers
Summary: Patients with CKD have a higher cardiovascular risk than the general population due to the accumulation of uremic toxins. Protein-bound uremic toxins originate from various sources and are difficult to remove with conventional therapies. Diet plays an important role in uremic toxicity, with most toxins derived from the gut. This review summarizes the sources of uremic toxins in foods and discusses their metabolism and potential dietary strategies for reducing their plasma levels.
Review
Urology & Nephrology
Marlies Noordzij, Bjorn Meijers, Ron T. Gansevoort, Adrian Covic, Raphael Duivenvoorden, Luuk B. Hilbrands, Marc H. Hemmelder, Kitty J. Jager, Geir Mjoen, Ionut Nistor, Ekaterina Parshina, Giuseppina Pessolano, Serhan Tuglular, Priya Vart, Luca Zanoli, Casper F. M. Franssen, ERACODA collaborators
Summary: This study analyzed the infection prevention and control strategies implemented by dialysis centers in Europe during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. The results showed that most centers implemented measures such as fever screening, hand disinfection, and mask-wearing to prevent the spread of the virus. There were variations between centers and national guidelines in terms of recommended distances between dialysis chairs and isolation practices.
CLINICAL KIDNEY JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Christina Polan, Christina Brenner, Monika Herten, Gero Hilken, Florian Grabellus, Heinz-Lothar Meyer, Manuel Burggraf, Marcel Dudda, Willi Jahnen-Dechent, Christian Wedemeyer, Max Daniel Kauther
Summary: Particle-induced osteolysis is a major cause of prosthetic loosening. In this study, the influence of fetuin-A on particle-induced osteolysis was investigated using fetuin-A-deficient mice. The results showed that fetuin-A deficiency led to increased bone resorption, eroded surface areas, and osteoclast numbers. Fetuin-A deficiency also caused changes in bone metabolism parameters. These findings suggest that fetuin-A deficiency may be a risk factor for particle-induced osteolysis.
JOURNAL OF FUNCTIONAL BIOMATERIALS
(2023)
Editorial Material
Urology & Nephrology
Thomas Demuynck, Alexander Wilmer, Bjorn Meijers
CLINICAL JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF NEPHROLOGY
(2023)
Meeting Abstract
Transplantation
Sander Dejongh, Mara Lauriola, Pieter Evenepoel, Ricard Farre, Bjorn Meijers
NEPHROLOGY DIALYSIS TRANSPLANTATION
(2022)
Meeting Abstract
Transplantation
Bjorn Meijers, Annelien Goedgezelschap, Domien Peeters, Annelien van der Veen, Margo Verbinnen, Pieter Vermeersch, Koenraad J. F. Stas, Dirk Kuypers
NEPHROLOGY DIALYSIS TRANSPLANTATION
(2022)