Enteroaggregative Escherichia coli (EAEC) isolates obtained from non-diarrheic children carry virulence factor-encoding genes from Extraintestinal Pathogenic E. Coli (ExPEC).

Enteroaggregative E. coli (EAEC) is one of the most frequent pathogens isolated from diarrheal patients as well as from healthy individuals in Brazil and has recently also been implicated as an extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli (ExPEC) associated with bloodstream and urinary tract infections.

High-sugar diet leads to obesity and metabolic diseases in ad libitum -fed rats irrespective of caloric intake.

Objective Provide a comprehensive view of the events surrounding the sugar consumption, under conditions of energy equivalence; through the analysis of behavioral aspects of intake, and of biochemical, metabolic and physiological parameters, as well as the effect of this nutrient on the plasticity of adipose tissue. Materials and methods Newly weaned male Wistar rats were classified in two groups and subjected to the following normocaloric diets: standard chow diet or to high-sugar diet (HSD) ad libitum for 18 weeks. Results The animals submitted to the HSD were associated with a lower caloric intake during the 18 weeks of experimentation.

Variables associated to fetal microchimerism in systemic lupus erythematosus patients.

In the present study, we sought to identify the factors during the pregnancy of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients that could be linked to the presence and proliferation of male fetal cells (MFC) and the possible relation between these factors and development of lupus nephritis (LN). We evaluated 18 healthy women (control group) and 28 women affected by SLE. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood and quantified using the technique of quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) for specific Y chromosome sequences.

Fetal microchimerism in kidney biopsies of lupus nephritis patients may be associated with a beneficial effect.

Introduction: Microchimeric male fetal cells (MFCs) have been associated with systemic lupus erythematosus, and published studies have further correlated MFC with lupus nephritis (LN). In the present study, we evaluated the frequency of MFC in the renal tissue of patients with LN.

Methods: Twenty-seven renal biopsies were evaluated: Fourteen were from women with clinical and laboratory findings of LN, and thirteen were from controls.

Comparative effects of mesenchymal stem cell therapy in distinct stages of chronic renal failure.

Background: The therapeutic potential of adult stem cells in the treatment of chronic diseases is becoming increasingly evident. In the present study, we sought to assess whether treatment with mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) efficiently retards progression of chronic renal failure (CRF) when administered to experimental models of less severe CRF.

Methods: We used two renal mass reduction models to simulate different stages of CRF (5/6 or 2/3 mass renal reduction).

Supplementation with omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and experimental tacrolimus-induced nephrotoxicity.

Objectives: Calcineurin inhibitors are effective immunosuppressive agents, but associated adverse effects such as nephrotoxicity may limit efficacy. Dietary fish oil may minimize nephrotoxicity caused by long-term use of calcineurin inhibitors. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effects of omega-3 fatty acids on calcineurin inhibitor nephrotoxicity in rats that had normal kidney function or chronic kidney failure.

Effects of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in the treatment of experimental chronic renal failure.

Purpose: A diet with polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) supplementation has been reported to reduce renal and cardiac diseases. This study sought to elucidate whether PUFAs derived from plant or marine oils could have beneficial effects on the progression of experimental chronic renal failure (CRF).

Methods: Experimental CRF was achieved by a 5/6 nephrectomy model.

Effect of stem cells seeded onto biomaterial on the progression of experimental chronic kidney disease.

Different routes for the administration of bone marrow-derived cells (BMDC) have been proposed to treat the progression of chronic renal failure (CRF). We investigated whether (1) the use of bovine pericardium (BP) as a scaffold for cell therapy would retard the progression of CRF and (2) the efficacy of cell therapy differently impacts distinct degrees of CRF. We used 2/3 and 5/6 models of renal mass reduction to simulate different stages of chronicity.

Impact of reduced nephron mass on cyclosporine- and/or sirolimus-induced nephrotoxicity.

Background: We evaluated the impact of reduced nephron mass on nephrotoxicity by cyclosporine A (CsA) and/or sirolimus (SRL).

Methods: Renal function was tested in salt-depleted rats bearing two kidneys (2K), one kidney, or half a kidney (1/2K) and treated for 7 or 28 days with CsA (5 mg/kg) and/or SRL (0.8 mg/kg).

Tetanus-induced acute kidney injury in a renal transplant recipient.

A 48-year-old renal transplant recipient who developed tetanus 6 years after transplantation is described. His immunosuppressive protocol was mofetil mycophenolate, sirolimus, and prednisone. The patient presented symptoms of severe tetanus with autonomic dysfunction, requiring ICU care and mechanical ventilation.