Colostrum Lactoferrin Following Active and Recovered SARS-CoV-2 Infections during Pregnancy.

Lactoferrin (Lf), which is particularly abundant in human breast milk during the early stages of lactation, provides protection against a variety of infections, including viral infections, and has demonstrated activity against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The objective of this study was to measure the concentrations of Lf in the colostrum of mothers with active coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infections during delivery, in mothers with a history of COVID-19 during pregnancy, and in non-infected controls. In this cross-sectional study, colostrum samples from 41 lactating mothers with a confirmed history of SARS-CoV-2 infection (asymptomatic or symptomatic) (both active and past infections) were collected.

High Plasma Angiopoietin-2 Levels Predict the Need to Initiate Dialysis within Two Years in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease.

Volume status, congestion, endothelial activation, and injury all play roles in glomerular filtration rate (GFR) decline. In this study, we aimed to determine whether the plasma endothelial and overhydration markers could serve as independent predictors for dialysis initiation in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) 3b-5 (GFR < 45 mL/min/1.72 m) and preserved ejection fraction.

Antibodies in the breastmilk of COVID-19 recovered women.

Objective: Human milk contains antibodies against Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) which may serve as a protective factor through passive immunization in infants. The objective of this study was to measure the levels of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG and IgA in human milk and serum after a SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Design: Breast milk and serum samples from 72 lactating mothers with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 asymptomatic or symptomatic infection were collected 1-229 days after the onset of clinical symptoms related to COVID-19.

Biomarkers in Primary Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis in Optimal Diagnostic-Therapeutic Strategy.

Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) involves podocyte injury. In patients with nephrotic syndrome, progression to end-stage renal disease often occurs over the course of 5 to 10 years. The diagnosis is based on a renal biopsy.

Diurnal Variability of Platelet Aggregation in Patients with Myocardial Infarction Treated with Prasugrel and Ticagrelor.

Background: Contemporary antiplatelet treatment in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is based on one of two P2Y12 receptor inhibitors, prasugrel or ticagrelor. The aim of this study was to compare diurnal variability of platelet reactivity between patients receiving prasugrel and ticagrelor during the initial phase of maintenance treatment after AMI.

Methods: It was a prospective, two-center, pharmacodynamic, observational study.

Influence of Virtual Reality Devices on Pain and Anxiety in Patients Undergoing Cystoscopy Performed under Local Anaesthesia.

Bladder cancer is one of the most common malignancies. Its diagnosis is based on transurethral cystoscopy. Virtual reality (VR) is a three-dimensional world generated through the projection of images, the emission of sounds and other stimuli.

Anti-ETAR and suPAR as markers of disease activity in renal ANCA-associated vasculitis.

Purpose: In anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV), there is a lack of reliable biomarkers of disease activity. The aim of the study was to evaluate soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) and anti-endothelin-1 type A receptor (anti-ETAR) antibodies levels in active phase and remission of AAV.

Patients And Methods: We enrolled 60 patients (median age 63.

Comparing Humoral and Cellular Adaptive Immunity during Convalescent Phase of COVID-19 in Hemodialysis Patients and Kidney Transplant Recipients.

Background: It is still unclear whether COVID-19 convalescent kidney transplant recipients (KTR) and hemodialysis (HD) patients can develop anti-SARS-CoV-2 adaptive immunity. The aim was to characterize and compare the immune response to the virus in HD patients and KTR.

Methods: The study included 26 HD patients and 54 KTR-both convalescent (14 HD, 25 KTR) and unexposed.

Alpha-1 Acid Glycoprotein and Podocin mRNA as Novel Biomarkers for Early Glomerular Injury in Obese Children.

Introduction: Obesity, which is a serious problem in children, has a negative impact on many organs, including kidneys, and obesity-related glomerulopathy (ORG) is an increasingly common cause of ESKD (end-stage kidney disease) in adults. Early-detected and -treated glomerular lesions are reversible, so it is important to find a useful marker of early damage. The study aimed to evaluate the albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR), urinary alpha-1-acid glycoprotein (α1-AGP), and mRNA of podocyte-specific proteins as indicators of glomerular injury and their relationship with the degree of obesity and metabolic disorders.

Immune Cells Profiling in ANCA-Associated Vasculitis Patients-Relation to Disease Activity.

Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitides (AAV) are a group of necrotizing multiorgan autoimmune vasculitides that predominantly affect small blood vessels and are associated with the presence of ANCAs. The aim was to assess regulatory and effector cell populations accompanied by the suPAR biomarker level and link the so-defined immune state to the AAV disease activity. The research involved a multicomponent description of an immune state encompassing a range of B and T cell subsets such as transitional/regulatory B cells (CD19CD24CD38), naïve B cells (CD19CD24CD38), Th17 cells, T regulatory cells (CD4CD25FoxP3) and cytotoxic CD4CD28 cells by flow cytometry.

Immune Response to Vaccination against COVID-19 in Breastfeeding Health Workers.

Background: Initially, there were no data on the safety of COVID-19 vaccines in lactating women. The aim of our study was to evaluate the immune response to COVID-19 vaccinations in breastfeeding women.

Methods: The study included 32 breastfeeding women who, regardless of the study, had decided to be vaccinated.

Endothelin A Receptors Expressed in Glomeruli of Renal Transplant Patients May Be Associated with Antibody-Mediated Rejection.

Background: Non-human leukocyte antigen (HLA) anti-endothelin A receptor antibodies are presented as being potentially important, but the expression of the endothelin A receptor in glomeruli (ETA receptor (g+)) has not yet been described. We decided to evaluate the presence and relevance of the ETA receptor in for-cause renal transplant biopsies. The aim of our study was to evaluate the immunoreactivity of the ETA receptor and its significance in patients who underwent a renal transplant biopsy due to the deterioration of transplant function, with detailed characterization of staining in glomeruli.

Serum cytokines in ANCA-associated vasculitis: Correlation with disease-related clinical and laboratory findings.

Background: Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis is a systemic, autoimmune disease. Cytokine dysregulation during active disease and clinical remission, reflects significant immunological activity in various disease stages, and might be responsible for the potential relapse of ANCA-vasculitis.

Objectives: This study aimed to screen serological profiles in active granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) and microscopic polyangiitis (MPA), and to determine their associations with clinical characteristics.

Serum metabolomics approach to monitor the changes in metabolite profiles following renal transplantation.

Systemic metabolic changes after renal transplantation reflect the key processes that are related to graft accommodation. In order to describe and better understand these changes, the HNMR based metabolomics approach was used. The changes of 47 metabolites in the serum samples of 19 individuals were interpreted over time with respect to their levels prior to transplantation.

Systemic Inflammatory Markers Predict Detrimental Outcome of Urosepsis in Kidney Transplant Recipients.

Background: Urosepsis is a frequent cause of hospitalization among kidney transplant recipients (KTxR). Systemic inflammatory markers may reflect disease severity; nevertheless, their predictive value has not been evaluated in KTxRs.

Aims: We sought to investigate the diagnostic and prognostic value of blood-derived systemic inflammatory markers during urosepsis in KTxR.

Computed Tomography Parameters and Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate Formulas for Peridonation Living Kidney Donor Assessment.

Background: Renal function is usually described by the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). The standard method used for living kidney donor evaluation in our center is the 24-hour urine creatinine clearance (CrCl) and kidney morphology assessment with computed tomography (CT). The aim of the study was the analysis of the correlation of CrCl with 15 published eGFR formulas and morphologic CT parameters to choose the most accurate kidney function estimation method before and after donation.

Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Expression in Renal Transplant Biopsies and Anti-AT1R Antibodies in Serum Indicates the Risk of Transplant Loss.

Unlabelled: The manifestation of anti-angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R) antibodies is considered a risk factor for transplant injury; however, the occurrence of angiotensin II type 1 (AT1)-Receptor expression in renal transplant biopsy may help to predict transplant loss. The aim of our study was to evaluate the expression of AT1-Receptors together with their antibodies and assess the risk of transplant loss in patients who had a renal transplant indication biopsy.

Methods: AT1-Receptor immunoreactivity was analyzed in renal transplant biopsies.

Conversion From a Twice-Daily to a Once-Daily Tacrolimus Formulation in Kidney Transplant Recipients.

Background: The aim of the study was to assess bioavailability aspects of tacrolimus formulations during conversion from twice-daily (TAC BID) to once-daily (TAC OD) formulation in 89 stable kidney transplant recipients.

Materials And Methods: The study included 89 stable kidney transplant recipients transplanted between 1998 and 2008 (37 female, 52 male, aged 46.0 ± 12.

Serum levels of interleukin-32 and interleukin-6 in granulomatosis with polyangiitis and microscopic polyangiitis: association with clinical and biochemical findings.

Background: Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis is an autoimmune disorder of unknown etiology with dysregulated cytokines levels.

Objectives: The main aim of this study was to assess the clinical correlation between antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis, granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) serum levels of the microscopic polyangiitis (MPA), serum levels of the proinflammatory cytokines, interleukin (IL)-32 and interleukin-6.

Methods: Study included 71 patients, 47 with GPA and 24 with MPA.

Does restaging transurethral resection of bladder tumour influence outcomes in patients treated with BCG immunotherapy? 491 cases in 20 years' experience.

Introduction: Bladder cancer is one of the most common malignancies worldwide.

Aim: To analyse the influence of restaging transurethral resection of bladder tumour (reTURB) on outcomes in patients treated with BCG immunotherapy.

Material And Methods: We analysed a database of 491 patients who were treated in a Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) outpatient department between 1998 and 2016.