Elevated hydrostatic pressure disturbs expression of growth factors in human renal epithelial cells.

Obstructive uropathy is a common kidney disease caused by elevated hydrostatic pressure (HP), but relevant molecular and cellular mechanisms have not yet been well understood. In this study, we ex vivo investigated the effects of elevated HP on human renal epithelial cells (HREpCs). Primary HREpCs were subjected to 100 cmH2O HP for 8 or 48 h.

Losartan alleviates renal fibrosis by inhibiting the biomechanical stress-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition of renal epithelial cells.

Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) have been reported to be beneficial of renal fibrosis, but the molecular and cellular mechanisms are still unclear. In this study, we investigated the effectiveness and relevant mechanism of ARBs in alleviating renal fibrosis, especially by focusing on biomechanical stress-induced epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) of renal epithelial cells. Unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) renal fibrosis model was established in mice by ligating the left ureter, and then randomly received losartan at a low dose (1 mg/kg) or a regular dose (3 mg/kg) for 2 weeks.

The BACE1-Specific DNA Aptamer A1 Rescues Amyloid-β Pathology and Behavioral Deficits in a Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease.

Amyloid-β (Aβ) plaque deposits in the brain are considered to be one of the main pathological markers of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The sequential proteolytic cleavage of amyloid precursor protein (APP) by the aspartyl proteases β-site APP-cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE1) and γ-secretase produces Aβ. Therefore, BACE1 inhibition is a very attractive target for the treatment of AD.

Potential Role of the Resident Mesenchymal Stem-Like Cells in Renal Fibrogenesis after Ureteral Obstruction.

The mechanisms of renal fibrogenesis after ureteral obstruction remain unclear. We tried to primarily expand mesenchymal stem cells from renal tissues and then investigated their role in fibrogenesis after ureteral obstruction. Unilateral ureteral obstruction was induced by ligating the left ureteral duct of adult C57BL/6 mice.

Recovery of renal function in a heart transplantation recipient with over 300 days of iatrogenic anuria: A case report.

Rationale: Anuria is a severe symptom indicating severe kidney damage. Patient recovery from prolonged anuria is rarely reported.

Patient Concerns: A 15-year-old boy received gender- and weight-mismatch heart transplantation (HT) due to dilated cardiomyopathy.

[Application of the Oxford classification of IgA nephropathy to predict renal outcome].

Objective: To validate the value of the Oxford classification of IgA nephropathy in predicting the renal outcome in Chinese population.

Methods: Retrospective study was done in patients with IgA nephropathy. All slides were re-assessed according to the Oxford classification of IgA nephropathy.

Gene expression of conditioned locomotion and context-specific locomotor sensitization controlled by morphine-associated environment.

The nucleus accumbens (NAc) is involved in contextual drug associations, which might be particularly important for environmental cue-induced relapse to drug seeking. In the present study, rats were first administered repeated morphine for 5 days (5 mg/kg, i.p.