The quest for a better understanding of chronic kidney disease complications: an update on uremic toxins.

Chronic kidney disease is characterized by a progressive reduction of glomerular filtration rate and/or the appearance of proteinuria, and subsequently the progressive retention of organic waste compounds called uremic toxins (UT). Over the last decades, a large number of such compounds have been identified and their effects on organs and tissues, especially the cardiovascular system, has been demonstrated. In this review, we present the current classification of UT, as proposed by the EUTox Group, and the effects of some of the probably most important UTs, such as phosphate, FGF-23, PTH, AGEs, indoxyl sulfate and para-cresyl sulfate.

Effects of cryopreservation and/or decellularization on extracellular matrix of porcine valves.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the morphology of decellularized and/or cryopreserved porcine pulmonary valves, to determine a solution capable of completely remove the cells without damaging the extracellular matrix. Porcine pulmonary valves were incubated for 24 hs in sodium deoxicholate 1% or sodium dodecyl sulfate 0.1 and 0.

Influence of cigarette smoke condensate on cariogenic and candidal biofilm formation on orthodontic materials.

Introduction: An experimental analysis was made to quantify the adherence rates and the biofilm formation capacity of Streptococcus mutans ATCC25175 and Candida albicans SC5314 on orthodontic material surfaces in the presence of cigarette smoke condensate (CSC).

Methods: Metal brackets, bands, acrylic resin, and polyurethane elastic rings were coated with stimulated saliva and submitted to adhesion and biofilm formation tests with and without CSC in a dynamic system.

Results: The CSC increased the adhesion of S mutans ATCC25175 to the acquired pellicle (P <0.

Neutrophil activation induced by ArtinM: release of inflammatory mediators and enhancement of effector functions.

The D-mannose binding lectin ArtinM from Artocarpus integrifolia, previously known as KM+ and artocarpin, is considered a stimulant of Th1-type immunity, which is able to confer resistance to some intracellular pathogens. In addition, ArtinM induces neutrophil migration by haptotaxis through simultaneous interactions of its carbohydrate recognition domains (CRDs) with glycans expressed on the extracellular matrix and the neutrophil surface. In the present study, we have expanded the characterization of ArtinM as a neutrophil activator.