Humoral Response to Hepatitis B and COVID-19 Vaccine among Maintenance Hemodialysis Patients.

Maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients have impaired immunological responses to pathogens and vaccines. In this study, we compared the humoral response to HBV and COVID-19 vaccines in a cohort of MHD patients. Demographic and clinical characteristics of vaccine responders and non-responders were also compared, and the association between the humoral responses to both vaccines was evaluated.

Early effectiveness of BNT162b2 Covid-19 vaccine in preventing SARS-CoV-2 infection in healthcare personnel in six Israeli hospitals (CoVEHPI).

Background: Methodologically rigorous studies on Covid-19 vaccine effectiveness (VE) in preventing SARS-CoV-2 infection are critically needed to inform national and global policy on Covid-19 vaccine use. In Israel, healthcare personnel (HCP) were initially prioritized for Covid-19 vaccination, creating an ideal setting to evaluate early real-world VE in a closely monitored population.

Methods: We conducted a prospective study among HCP in 6 hospitals to estimate the effectiveness of the BNT162b2 mRNA Covid-19 vaccine in preventing SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Chemical and thyroid hormone profile of the bone marrow interstitial fluid in hematologic disorders and patients without primary hematologic disorders.

Bone marrow interstitial fluid (BMIF) has not been well characterized. BMIF was isolated from 60 patients including plasma cell dyscrasias (PCD, n = 33), other primary hematologic disorders (OHD, n = 15), and patients with secondary or nonhemtologic disorders (NHD, n = 12) and analyzed for an array of chemical constituents. These included total cholesterol, glucose, phosphate, creatinine, urea, total protein, albumin, globulins, total bilirubin, aspartate aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, sodium, osmolarity, free triiodothyronine (free T3), total triiodothyronine (total T3), and free tetraiodothyronine (free T4).

Vitamin D diminishes the high platelet aggregation of type 2 diabetes mellitus patients.

Platelet activation is found in inflammatory conditions and implicated in the pathogenesis of chronic medical conditions, such as atherosclerosis, coronary vascular disease, cerebrovascular disease, and diabetes mellitus (DM). HbA1c is inversely related to vitamin D25 levels in individuals with and without DM. This study aimed to determine the relation between platelet aggregation, vitamin D and HbA1c among healthy individuals and those with Type 2 DM (T2DM).

[THE EFFECT OF VITAMIN D ON THE EXPRESSION OF ADAMTS13 IN CULTURED ENDOTHELIAL CELLS EXPOSED TO A DIABETIC-LIKE ENVIRONMENT].

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is the leading cause of end-stage kidney disease. Inflammation, fibrosis, coagulability and oxidative stress exacerbate kidney disease. The glycoprotein, Von Willebrand Factor (VWF) has a crucial role in platelet thrombus formation.

Effect of Vitamin D Status on Von Willebrand Factor and ADAMTS13 in Diabetic Patients on Chronic Hemodialysis.

Von Willebrand factor (vWF) is a glycoprotein with a crucial role in the formation of platelet thrombi, and ADAMTS13 is the main enzyme responsible for vWF cleavage. Both are important in the relationship between diabetic nephropathy, hypercoagulability, and cardiovascular disease. This study evaluated a potential relationship between vitamin D (vitD) levels, vWF, ADAMTS13 activity, and inflammation in diabetic patients on chronic hemodialysis (HD).

[REPORTING CRITICAL LAB RESULTS, A CHALLENGE FOR THE LAB AND THE PHYSICIAN - A SUMMARY OF FOUR YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IN MEIR MEDICAL CENTER LABORATORIES].

Introduction: Critical laboratory results require prompt reporting to the attending physician, as they may indicate that a patient is in a life-threatening condition. Although this important subject has been covered in many publications, it needs more attention from our healthcare organizations, which have no official policy on the subject. Matching expectations between the doctor and the laboratory needs to be better defined.

Indole-3-carbinol inhibits telomerase activity and gene expression in prostate cancer cell lines.

Background: Indole-3-carbinol (I3C) is a phytochemical with anticarcinogenic properties. Telomerase activity is key in carcinogenesis. We investigated the effect of I3C on telomerase in human prostate cancer cell lines LNCaP and PC3.

Bevacizumab attenuates major signaling cascades and eIF4E translation initiation factor in multiple myeloma cells.

Multiple myeloma (MM), a malignancy of plasma cells, remains fatal despite introduction of novel therapies, partially due to humoral factors, including vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), in their microenvironment. The aim of this study was to explore the efficacy of anti-VEGF treatment with bevacizumab directly on MM cells. Particular attention was directed to the affect of VEGF inhibition on protein translation initiation.

Pleural ELFA D-dimer assay: a surrogate marker for malignant pleural effusion.

Background: Malignant pleural effusion is associated with enhanced fibrinolysis. However, no data are available concerning the precise role of pleural D-dimer assay in pleural effusion. We therefore assessed the role of pleural D-dimer assay in predicting malignant pleural effusion.

The synthetic estrogen diethylstilbestrol (DES) inhibits the telomerase activity and gene expression of prostate cancer cells.

Background: Telomerase, which lengthens telomeres, is normally down-regulated in somatic cells and highly up-regulated in dividing cells, such as malignant cells. Human prostate cancer is androgen dependent. Estrogens, including the synthetic estrogen diethylstilbestrol (DES), are used in prostate cancer treatment to reduce androgen levels via feedback inhibition of the hypothalamic release of luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LH-RH).

Low extracellular Ca2+: a mediator of endothelial inflammation.

Background: Recent studies have suggested that vitamin D and an imbalance in calcium homeostasis may have an impact on the cardiovascular system. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of different concentrations of extracellular Ca(2+) on human umbilical vein cord endothelial cells (HUVEC) by measuring its effect on parameters involved in the pathogenesis of vascular inflammatory responses.

Methods: HUVEC were grown in the 3.

Parathyroid hormone decreases endothelial osteoprotegerin secretion: role of protein kinase A and C.

Parathyroid hormone (PTH), which is elevated in patients with chronic renal failure, has been shown to participate in the development of vascular calcification. Previous studies have demonstrated that PTH may promote endothelial expressions of proinflammatory parameters. On the basis of these data, we evaluated whether PTH may have an impact on endothelial osteoprotegerin (OPG), a vascular-protective factor which may control vascular calcification.

Calcitriol blunts the deleterious impact of advanced glycation end products on endothelial cells.

Advanced glycation end products (AGEs), which are elevated in diabetic and uremic patients, may induce vascular dysfunctions, and calcitriol may improve the cardiovascular complications. Therefore, we examined whether calcitriol may modify the endothelial response to AGEs stimulation. Knowing the importance of nuclear factor-kappaB in endothelial inflammatory responses, the effect of AGEs and calcitriol on this pathway was also studied.

Parathyroid hormone stimulates the endothelial nitric oxide synthase through protein kinase A and C pathways.

Background: Parathyroid hormone (PTH), the major systemic calcium regulating hormone has been implicated in the development of hypertension and the occurrence of uraemic vascular changes. As nitric oxide synthase (NOS) is involved in the production of nitric oxide, and acute PTH effect is characterized by vasodilation, the effect of PTH on the endothelial NOS (eNOS) system was measured in cultured human umbilical cord vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) and the pathways possibly involved were studied.

Methods: The presence of the PTH receptor-1 (PTHR1) on the HUVEC membrane was examined by RT-PCR, immunocytochemistry and western blot.

Additive renoprotective effect of candesartan and tetrahydrobiopterin in rats after 5/6 nephrectomy.

Background: Chronic treatment with candesartan cilexetil (C) improves the outcome of rats after 5/6 nephrectomy (Nx). Tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4), an essential cofactor for appropriate endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) activity, prevents an increase in blood pressure (BP) in Nx rats when given immediately after surgery. In the present study, we evaluated the renoprotective effect of a combined treatment.

Halofuginone reduces the occurrence of renal fibrosis in 5/6 nephrectomized rats.

Background: Halofuginone is a novel antifibrotic agent that can reverse the fibrotic process by specific inhibition of collagen type I synthesis.

Objectives: To evaluate the effect of Halo on the development of glomerulosclerosis and interstitial fibrosis in the 5/6 nephrectomy rat model

Methods: Male Wistar rats were assigned to undergo 5/6 NX or sham operation, and then divided into three groups: 5/6 NX rats (NX-Halo and NX-Control) and sham. Systolic blood pressure, proteinuria and body weight were determined every 2 weeks.

Parathyroid hormone stimulates endothelial expression of atherosclerotic parameters through protein kinase pathways.

Parathyroid hormone (PTH), the major systemic calcium-regulating hormone, has been linked to uremic vascular changes. Considering the possible deleterious action of PTH on vascular structures, it seemed logical to evaluate the impact of PTH on the receptor of advanced glycation end products (RAGE) and interleukin 6 (IL-6) mRNA and protein expression, taking into account that such parameters might be involved in the pathogenesis of vascular calcification, atherosclerosis, and/or arteriolosclerosis. Human umbilical vein cord endothelial cells (HUVEC) were stimulated for 24 h with 10(-12)-10(-10) mol/l PTH.

Advanced glycation end products stimulate tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-1 beta secretion by peritoneal macrophages in patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis.

Background: Advanced glycation end products, formed by the non-enzymatic glycation of proteins with reducing sugars, are thought to play a pathogenetic role in the vascular complications of diabetes, uremia and atherosclerosis. 132-microglobulin is a major constituent of amyloid fibrils in dialysis-related amyloidosis. AGE1-modified beta2m has been found in amyloid deposits of long-term hemodialysis patients.

Effect of advanced glycation end-products on gene expression and synthesis of TNF-alpha and endothelial nitric oxide synthase by endothelial cells.

Background: Advanced glycation end-products (AGEs), which are formed in aging, diabetes mellitus, and kidney failure are implicated in the occurrence of vascular complications. We, thus, evaluated in cultured endothelial cells, the AGEs' effect on gene expression and synthesis of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) mRNA and protein expression, which may be involved in vascular remodeling.

Methods: Human umbilical vein cords endothelial cells (HUVEC) were stimulated with AGE-specific compounds [AGE-human serum albumin (AGE-HSA), N(epsilon)-carboxymethylysine (CML), AGE-beta2 microglobulin (AGE-beta2m)], and thereafter, incubated with interleukin1-alpha, lipopolysaccharide, and interferon-gamma.

Effect of chronic tetrahydrobiopterin supplementation on blood pressure and proteinuria in 5/6 nephrectomized rats.

Background: Tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) is a key cofactor of nitric oxide (NO) synthase. Reduced BH4 levels may mediate endothelial NO synthase uncoupling, resulting in reduced NO synthesis and enhanced oxidative stress. In rats after 5/6 nephrectomy (Nx), administration of BH4 prevents the onset of hypertension, typically observed 10 days after Nx.

Effect of tetrahydrobiopterin on blood pressure in rats after subtotal nephrectomy.

Background: Previous studies have shown that endothelial dysfunction after 5/6 nephrectomy (5/6 Nx) in rats is associated with decreased nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability and increased vascular superoxide production. Blood pressure is significantly increased by day 10 after surgery. Tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) is a key cofactor of NO synthase.

Endothelial dysfunction and hypertension in 5/6 nephrectomized rats are mediated by vascular superoxide.

Background: Nitric oxide inactivation by superoxide impairs endothelium-dependent vasodilation and plays a role in various forms of hypertension. Almost no data exist regarding hypertension secondary to chronic renal failure. Previous studies have shown that endothelium-related relaxations, secondary to decreased nitric oxide bioactivity, are impaired in resistance vessels from rats 3 to 10 days after renal mass reduction (RMR).