Randomized Trial Demonstrating No Translocation of Intact Intestinal Bacteria During Hemodialysis or Hemodiafiltration.

Introduction: The low incidence of intradialytic hypotension (IDH) in high-volume (HV) hemodiafiltration (HDF) may help in maintaining gut perfusion during treatment. Preservation of gut endothelial integrity would limit or prevent bacterial translocation and subsequent systemic inflammation, which may contribute to the low mortality rate in HV-HDF.

Methods: Forty patients were cross-over randomized to standard (hemodialysis [HD]) (S-HD), cool HD (C-HD), and HDF (low-volume [LV] and HV, convection volume (CV) of 15 L and ≥ 23 L per session, respectively), each for 2 weeks.

Integration of Stromal Cells and Hydrogel Below Epithelium Results in Optimal Barrier Properties of Small Intestine Organoid Models.

: The barrier properties of the human small intestine play a crucial role in regulating digestion, nutrient absorption and drug metabolism. Current in vitro organotypic models consist only of an epithelium, which does not take into account the possible role of stromal cells such as fibroblasts or the extracellular matrix (ECM) which could contribute to epithelial barrier properties. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine whether these stromal cells or ECM were beneficial or detrimental to barrier function when incorporated into an organotypic human small intestine model.

Cutting edge confusion about cut-off settings in autoimmune diagnostics.

In autoimmune diagnostics results are interpreted in relation to a single or multiple cut-off value(s) in order to decide if the test is negative, weak positive, positive, or even strong positive. The way a cut-off is established appears to be very heterogeneous and this hampers harmonization of test results obtained in assays, either established in-house or obtained from different companies. In this context it is surprising that in diagnostic and classification criteria for distinct autoimmune diseases referral is made to cut-off values with the intention of harmonization.