Furosemide does not improve renal recovery after hemofiltration for acute renal failure in critically ill patients: a double blind randomized controlled trial.

Objective: To study the potential beneficial role of furosemide in resolving renal failure after hemofiltration in mechanically ventilated critically ill patients.

Design: Single-center randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled study.

Setting: A 13-bed mixed intensive care unit (ICU) in a teaching hospital.

Infection of human endothelium in vitro by cytomegalovirus causes enhanced expression of purinergic receptors: a potential virus escape mechanism?

Background: Human cytomegalovirus (CMV) uses different strategies to escape from human host defense reactions. Previously we have observed that infection of endothelial cells with CMV in vitro leads to enhanced activity of endothelial ectonucleotidases. These ectoenzymes are responsible for hydrolysis of extracellular adenine nucleotides, resulting in the formation of adenosine.