The use of pulse wave velocity in predicting pre-eclampsia in high-risk women.

In this study, we evaluated the diagnostic utility of pulse wave velocity (PWV) alone or in combination with other diagnostic markers in predicting pre-eclampsia (PE) in high-risk women. Pregnant women at high risk for PE were recruited between 22 and 26 weeks of gestation and were assessed for (a) PWV, (b) serum levels of the placental soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 (sFlt-1) protein and uric acid and (c) 24-h urinary protein and calcium excretion. Sensitivities and specificities were derived from receiver operating characteristic curves.

Rapamycin ameliorates proteinuria and restores nephrin and podocin expression in experimental membranous nephropathy.

Objective: Recent studies have shown a beneficial effect of rapamycin in passive and active Heymann Nephritis (HN). However, the mechanisms underlying this beneficial effect have not been elucidated.

Methods: Passive Heymann Nephritis (PHN) was induced by a single intravenous infusion of anti-Fx1 in 12 Sprague-Dawley male rats.

Refractory and massive lymphocele in a transplant patient with encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis treated with a single infusion of bleomycin: a case report.

A 26-year-old Caucasian man developed a large lymphocele after living-related kidney transplantation necessitating repeated drainage of large volumes every other day owing to ureteral compression. An open laparotomy for internal drainage was unsuccessful because of severe encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis. Prolonged external drainage with a catheter was inefficient.

Hsf-1 affects podocyte markers NPHS1, NPHS2 and WT1 in a transgenic mouse model of TTRVal30Met-related amyloidosis.

Introduction: Familial amyloid polyneuropathy is characterized by transthyretin (TTR) deposition in various tissues, including the kidneys. While deposition induces organ dysfunction, renal involvement in TTR-related amyloidosis could manifest from proteinuria to end-stage kidney failure. As proteinuria is considered result of glomerular filtration barrier injury we investigated whether TTR deposition affects either glomerular basement membrane (GBM) or podocytes.

Losartan affects glomerular AKT and mTOR phosphorylation in an experimental model of type 1 diabetic nephropathy.

The AKT-mTOR pathway is activated in diabetic nephropathy. Renin-angiotensin system modulators exert beneficial effects on the diabetic kidney. We explored the action of losartan on AKT-mTOR phosphorylation in glomeruli and podocytes.