Overview of the role of purinergic signaling and insights into its role in cancer therapy.

Innovation of cancer therapy has received a dramatic acceleration over the last fifteen years thanks to the introduction of the novel immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI). On the other hand, the conspicuous scientific knowledge accumulated in purinergic signaling since the early seventies is finally being transferred to the clinic. Several Phase I/II clinical trials are currently underway to investigate the effect of drugs interfering with purinergic signaling as stand-alone or combination therapy in cancer.

The P2X7 Receptor is a Master Regulator of Microparticle and Mitochondria Exchange in Mouse Microglia.

Microparticles (MPs) are secreted by all cells, where they play a key role in intercellular communication, differentiation, inflammation, and cell energy transfer. P2X7 receptor (P2X7R) activation by extracellular ATP (eATP) causes a large MP release and affects their contents in a cell-specific fashion. We investigated MP release and functional impact in microglial cells from P2X7R-WT or P2X7R-KO mice, as well as mouse microglial cell lines characterized for high (N13-P2X7RHigh) or low (N13-P2X7RLow) P2X7R expression.

Ongoing Peritoneal Dialysis Training at Home Allows for the Improvement of Patients' Empowerment: A Single Center Experience.

Introduction: Peritoneal dialysis (PD), as a home treatment, ensures better patient autonomy and lower intrusiveness compared to hemodialysis. However, choosing PD comes with an increased burden of responsibility that the patient may not always be able to bear, due to advanced age and deteriorating health condition. Various approaches have been explored to address this issue and mitigate its primary complications.

[Contrast Induced Encephalopathy after carotid percutaneous transluminal angioplasty in a patient with end stage renal disease undergoing peritoneal Dialysis].

Contrast Induced Encephalopathy (CIE) belongs to Major Adverse Renal and Cardiovascular Events (MARCE) after iodinated contrast medium (IOCM), especially for high-risk patients with several comorbidities such as hypertension, diabetes, heart failure, and Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD). We report a case of CIE in a Peritoneal Dialysis (PD)-patient. A 78-year-old, affected by diabetes, hypertension, chronic heart failure, and End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) treated with PD, underwent a carotid Percutaneous Angioplasty (PTA).

Neutrophil Gelatinase-Associated Lipocalin in Peritoneal Dialysis-Related Peritonitis: Correlation with White Blood Cells over Time and a Possible Role as the Outcome Predictor.

Introduction: The present study aimed to monitor peritoneal neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (pNGAL) during peritonitis episodes and to enhance its diagnostic value by evaluating pNGAL at scheduled times in parallel with white blood cell (WBC) count. In addition, we investigated possible correlations between pNGAL and the etiology of peritonitis, evaluating it as a possible marker of the clinical outcome.

Methods: Twenty-two patients with peritoneal dialysis (PD)-related peritonitis were enrolled.

The Coming of Age of the P2X7 Receptor in Diagnostic Medicine.

The discovery of the P2X7 receptor (P2X7R, originally named P2Z) in immune cells, its cloning, and the identification of its role in a multiplicity of immune-mediated diseases raised great hopes for the development of novel and more potent anti-inflammatory medicaments. Unfortunately, such hopes were partially deluded by the unsatisfactory results of most early clinical trials. This failure substantially reduced the interest of the pharmaceutical and biotech industries in the clinical development of P2X7R-targeted therapies.

The shed P2X7 receptor is an index of adverse clinical outcome in COVID-19 patients.

Introduction: The pathophysiology of the Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is incompletely known. A robust inflammatory response caused by viral replication is a main cause of the acute lung and multiorgan injury observed in critical patients. Inflammasomes are likely players in COVID-19 pathogenesis.

Fetal bovine serum contains biologically available ATP.

ATP is a ubiquitous extracellular messenger released in a wide number of pathophysiological conditions. ATP is known to be present in minute amounts in the extracellular space in healthy tissues and in the blood, and to modulate a multiplicity of cell responses. Cell culture systems are widely used to explore purinergic signaling.

[Psychological support in anxiety management for patients affected by chronic kidney disease and treated by dialysis].

The quality of life of patients with chronic kidney disease stage V is strongly affected by the recommended therapies. Such a situation alters the state of anxiety, which expresses a perception connected to a specific context and it overlaps with trait anxiety, which evaluates relatively stable aspects of being prone to anxiety. The study aims to analyze the anxiety level of uremic patients and to demonstrate the benefit of psychological support either in person or online in order to mostly reduce the state of anxiety.

Eryptosis in Peritoneal Dialysis-Related Peritonitis: The Potential Role of Inflammation in Mediating the Increase in Eryptosis in PD.

Background: Peritonitis and exit site infections are the main complications of patients treated with peritoneal dialysis (PD). Erythrocytes (red blood cells—RBCs) are very sensitive cells, and they are characterized by eryptosis (programmed cell death). The purpose of this research was to assess eryptosis in PD patients with PD-related peritonitis and its connection to inflammatory markers in vivo and in vitro.

Extracellular ATP: A powerful inflammatory mediator in the central nervous system.

Nucleotides play a crucial role in extracellular signaling across species boundaries. All the three kingdoms of life (Bacteria, Archea and Eukariota) are responsive to extracellular ATP (eATP) and many release this and other nucleotides. Thus, eATP fulfills different functions, many related to danger-sensing or avoidance reactions.

colitis and peritoneal dialysis associated peritonitis: 'Difficile' treatment considerations.

Peritoneal dialysis (PD) associated peritonitis is the leading cause of PD discontinuation and haemodialysis transfer. Current guidelines strongly recommend prompt initiation of empiric broad-spectrum intraperitoneal antibiotics, with suspected peritonitis. colitis is one of the most common healthcare-associated infections, with increased morbidity and mortality among end-stage kidney disease patients.

Modulation of Cell Energy Metabolism by the P2X7 Receptor.

For many years the P2X7 receptor (P2X7R) was considered the prototypic cytolytic receptor due to its ability to cause dramatic changes in plasma membrane permeability, eventually leading to cell death. However, later studies revealed that controlled P2X7R activation has beneficial effects on cell metabolism and nowadays our perception of the physiological role of this receptor has radically changed. Some of the biochemical pathways underlying the trophic effect of the P2X7R are being unveiled, thus disclosing an unanticipated role of P2X7Rs in mitochondrial and glycolytic metabolism.

[Lymphocytic leukopenia in two patients affected by polycystic kidney disease waiting for renal transplantation].

Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is the most common hereditary kidney disease, responsible for 10% of patients on renal replacement therapy. The disease is well known to be associated with many extrarenal manifestations. Leukopenia may also be present, even if it is not commonly identified as a typical extrarenal manifestation.

Signalling by extracellular nucleotides in health and disease.

Nucleotides are released from all cells through regulated pathways or as a result of plasma membrane damage or cell death. Outside the cell, nucleotides act as signalling molecules triggering multiple responses via specific plasma membrane receptors of the P2 family. In the nervous system, purinergic signalling has a key function in neurotransmission.

Assisted peritoneal dialysis: strategies and outcomes.

Assisted peritoneal dialysis (asPD) is a modality intended for not self-sufficient patients, mainly elderly, who are not able to perform peritoneal dialysis (PD) alone and require some help to manage the treatment. In the last decades, many countries developed strategies of asPD to face with aging of dialysis population and give an answer to the increasing demand of health service for elderly. Model of asPD varies according to the type of assistants employed and intensity of assistance provided.

Extracellular ATP is increased by release of ATP-loaded microparticles triggered by nutrient deprivation.

: Caloric restriction improves the efficacy of anti-cancer therapy. This effect is largely dependent on the increase of the extracellular ATP concentration in the tumor microenvironment (TME). Pathways for ATP release triggered by nutrient deprivation are largely unknown.

Peritoneal Vicenza "Short" Catheter Outcomes and Comparison with International Society for Peritoneal Dialysis Guidelines.

Introduction: A well-functioning peritoneal catheter is key to success of peritoneal dialysis (PD). The Vicenza "short" catheter is a modified Tenckhoff catheter with a shorter intraperitoneal segment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence of catheter-related complications and catheter survival rate using the Vicenza "short" catheter, according to the goals suggested by the International Society for Peritoneal Dialysis (ISPD) guidelines.

[Slowing progression of chronic kidney disease in polycistic kidney disease patients with tolvaptan: from guidelines to clinical practice].

Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is the most common hereditary kidney disease and accounts for∼10% of patients on renal replacement therapy. In the last decade, no specific treatment was available and only preventive measures could be put in place to delay the onset of ESRD. Following the results of the TEMPO 3:4 study, tolvaptan was approved in many countries, for the purpose of slowing the progression of renal insufficiency.

Automated Peritoneal Dialysis: Patient Perspectives and Outcomes.

A steadily increasing number of end stage kidney disease (ESKD) patients are maintained on automated peritoneal dialysis (APD) worldwide, in long-standing as well as in more recently established peritoneal dialysis (PD) programs. A better understanding of the technique, paralleled by progress in involved technology, sustained this growth to the point that APD has become the prevalent mode of PD delivery in most high-income countries. While APD is now regarded to be at least as efficient as continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) with regard to major biomedical outcomes, its impact on patient-reported outcomes has been less investigated.

Abscopal Effect and Drug-Induced Xenogenization: A Strategic Alliance in Cancer Treatment?

The current state of cancer treatment is still far from being satisfactory considering the strong impairment of patients' quality of life and the high lethality of malignant diseases. Therefore, it is critical for innovative approaches to be tested in the near future. In view of the crucial role that is played by tumor immunity, the present review provides essential information on the immune-mediated effects potentially generated by the interplay between ionizing radiation and cytotoxic antitumor agents when interacting with target malignant cells.

Experience and attitudes on vaccinations recommended during pregnancy: survey on an Italian sample of women and consultant gynecologists.

Active immunization in pregnancy is recommended for the influenza and the tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccines. Evidence indicates vaccine effectiveness in preventing influenza-related hospitalizations and pertussis in early infancy. We investigate vaccine uptake in pregnant and non-pregnant women through a sample of young women and consultant gynecologists, along with the potential predisposing and/or enabling factors affecting attitudes to vaccination (knowledge, beliefs, barriers).