3D-Bioprinted Co-Cultures of Glioblastoma Multiforme and Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Indicate a Role for Perivascular Niche Cells in Shaping Glioma Chemokine Microenvironment.

3D bioprinting has become a valuable tool for studying the biology of solid tumors, including glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). Our analysis of publicly available bulk RNA and single-cell sequencing data has allowed us to define the chemotactic profile of GBM tumors and identify the cell types that secrete particular chemokines in the GBM tumor microenvironment (TME). Our findings indicate that primary GBM tissues express multiple chemokines, whereas spherical monocultures of GBM cells significantly lose this diversity.

Uterine Artery Pulsatility Index in Pregnant Kidney or Liver Recipients and Its Impact on Perinatal Outcome.

Background: The uterine artery pulsatility index (UtA PI) is associated with blood flow to the placenta. Its increased values imply impaired placentation. This study aimed to evaluate UtA PI measurements in first-trimester ultrasound in pregnancies after kidney (KTx) or liver transplantation (LTx) and its relationship with perinatal outcome.

CureGN-Diabetes Study: Rationale, Design, and Methods of a Prospective Observational Study of Glomerular Disease Patients with Diabetes.

Glomerular diseases (GDs) represent the third leading cause of end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) in the US Diabetes was excluded from the CureGN Study, an NIH/NIDDK-sponsored observational cohort study of four leading primary GDs: IgA nephropathy (IgAN), membranous nephropathy (MN), focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), and minimal change disease (MCD). CureGN-Diabetes, an ancillary study to CureGN, seeks to understand how diabetes influences the diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes of GD. It is a multicenter, prospective cohort study, targeting an enrollment of 300 adults with prevalent type 1 or type 2 diabetes and MCD, FSGS, MN, or IgAN, with first kidney biopsy obtained within 5 years of enrollment in 80% (20% allowed if biopsy after 2010).

Hybrid Immunity Provides the Best COVID-19 Humoral Response in Immunocompromised Patients with or without SARS-CoV-2 Infection History.

Immunization against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has significantly limited the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and reduced the associated complications, especially mortality. To prolong immunity, an immune booster was implemented. We evaluated the role of SARS-CoV-2 infection history in the vaccination schedules of kidney and liver transplant recipients and patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Lupus Nephritis and Dysbiosis.

Lupus nephritis (LN) is one of the most common and serious complications of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The risk factors for developing LN by SLE patients are not fully understood. They are considered to be a mix of genetic and environmental variables, one of them being dysbiosis, proposed recently to interfere with autoimmunity.

Omics are Getting Us Closer to Understanding IgA Nephropathy.

During the last decade, thanks to omics technologies, new light has been shed on the pathogenesis of many diseases. Genomics, epigenomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics have helped to provide a better understanding of the origin and heterogeneity of several diseases. However, the risk factors for most autoimmune diseases remain unknown.

Mobility Analysis of the Lumbar Spine with a Dynamic Spine-Correction Device.

According to data, 60-70% of the world's population experience low-back pain (LBP) at least once during their lifetime, often at a young or middle age. Those affected are at risk of having worse quality of life, more missed days at work, and higher medical care costs. We present a new rehabilitation method that helps collect and analyze data on an ongoing basis and offers a more personalized therapeutic approach.

Age of Onset and Disease Course in Biopsy-Proven Minimal Change Disease: An Analysis From the Cure Glomerulonephropathy Network.

Rationale & Objective: Adolescent- and adult-onset minimal change disease (MCD) may have a clinical course distinct from childhood-onset disease. We characterized the course of children and adults with MCD in the Cure Glomerulonephropathy Network (CureGN) and assessed predictors of rituximab response.

Study Design: Prospective, multicenter, observational study.

The Different Patterns of Over-the-Counter Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs or Analgesics Use in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease and the General Population.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and analgesics are the most commonly used drugs worldwide and their availability over-the-counter is increasing. The aim of this study was to examine the frequency of their use as well as the awareness of the associated risk of side effects in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) compared to the patients at general practice (GP) offices. We found that 88.

Perspectives for 3D-Bioprinting in Modeling of Tumor Immune Evasion.

In a living organism, cancer cells function in a specific microenvironment, where they exchange numerous physical and biochemical cues with other cells and the surrounding extracellular matrix (ECM). Immune evasion is a clinically relevant phenomenon, in which cancer cells are able to direct this interchange of signals against the immune effector cells and to generate an immunosuppressive environment favoring their own survival. A proper understanding of this phenomenon is substantial for generating more successful anticancer therapies.

Osteopontin-A Potential Biomarker for IgA Nephropathy: Machine Learning Application.

Many potential biomarkers in nephrology have been studied, but few are currently used in clinical practice. One is osteopontin (OPN). We compared urinary OPN concentrations in 80 participants: 67 patients with various biopsy-proven glomerulopathies (GNs)-immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN, 29), membranous nephropathy (MN, 20) and lupus nephritis (LN, 18) and 13 with no GN.

Costs of Treatment of Acute Antibody-Mediated Rejection in Kidney Transplant Recipients.

Background: Antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) remains challenging in kidney transplant recipients. It may negatively impact the graft survival, and its treatment is associated to relatively high expenses. The aim of our study was to assess the costs of treatment of acute AMR in the Polish settings.

Organization of Post-Transplant Care and the 5-Year Outcomes of Kidney Transplantation.

The outcomes of kidney transplantation depend on numerous factors and vary between transplant centers. The aim of this study is to assess the relationship between selected organizational factors, comorbidities, and patient and graft survival. This is a retrospective analysis of 438 renal transplant recipients (RTR) followed for 5 years.

Unexpectedly High Efficacy of SARS-CoV-2 BNT162b2 Vaccine in Liver versus Kidney Transplant Recipients-Is It Related to Immunosuppression Only?

The BNT162b2 vaccine is reportedly effective in preventing severe disease in more than 90% of the general population, but its efficacy in transplant recipients remains controversial. We aimed to determine the immune response to the BNT162b2 vaccine in kidney (KTRs) and liver transplant recipients (LTRs). In this retrospective cohort study, we included randomly 65 KTRs and 65 LTRs, who received two 30 μg doses of BNT162b2 vaccine in 3-to6-week intervals.

Peroxiredoxins as Markers of Oxidative Stress in IgA Nephropathy, Membranous Nephropathy and Lupus Nephritis.

IgA nephropathy (IgAN), membranous nephropathy (MN), and lupus nephritis (LN) represent important causes of chronic kidney disease. They belong to the immune-mediated glomerulonephritis (GNs), and have distinct pathogenesis, distinct clinical courses, and variable responses to treatment. Therefore, specific diagnostic procedures are necessary for more effective patient management.

Glucocorticoid Receptor Gene Polymorphisms Are Associated with Membranous and IgA Nephropathies.

Glomerular diseases (GNs) are responsible for approximately 20% of chronic kidney diseases. Glucocorticoid receptor gene () single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are implicated in differences in predisposition to autoimmunity and steroid sensitivity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency of the SNPs-rs6198, rs41423247 and rs17209237-in 72 IgA nephropathy (IgAN) and 38 membranous nephropathy (MN) patients compared to 175 healthy controls and to correlate the effectiveness of treatment in IgAN and MN groups defined as a reduction of proteinuria <1 g/24 h after 12 months of treatment.

The molecular phenotypes of injury, steatohepatitis, and fibrosis in liver transplant biopsies in the INTERLIVER study.

To extend previous molecular analyses of rejection in liver transplant biopsies in the INTERLIVER study (ClinicalTrials.gov #NCT03193151), the present study aimed to define the gene expression selective for parenchymal injury, fibrosis, and steatohepatitis. We analyzed genome-wide microarray measurements from 337 liver transplant biopsies from 13 centers.

Immunology and Donor-Specific Antibodies in Corneal Transplantation.

The first human corneal transplantation was performed in 1905 by Eduard Zirm in the Olomouc Eye Clinic, now Czech Republic. However, despite great advancements in microsurgical eye procedures, penetrating keratoplasty in high-risk patients (e.g.

Analysis of Factors Affecting Employment Status of Kidney Transplant Recipients in Selected European Union Member States.

Despite an increasing quality of life after renal transplantation, the number of recipients undertaking paid professional work remains relatively low. Employment after kidney transplantation became a new important marker of clinically significant health recovery. Furthermore, for social and economic reasons, returning to work and participation in social life may be considered as an objective parameter that demonstrate the effectiveness of transplantation.