Protective effects of interleukin-22 on oxalate-induced crystalline renal injury via alleviating mitochondrial damage and inflammatory response.

Oxalate-induced crystalline kidney injury is one of the most common types of crystalline nephropathy. Unfortunately, there is no effective treatment to reduce the deposition of calcium oxalate crystals and alleviate kidney damage. Thus, proactive therapeutic is urgently needed to alleviate the suffering it causes to patient. Here, we investigated whether IL-22 exerted nephroprotective effects to sodium oxalate-mediated kidney damage and its potential mechanism. Crystalline kidney injury models were developed in vitro and in vivo that was often observed in clinic. We provided evidence that IL-22 could effectively decrease the accumulation of ROS and mitochondrial damage in cell and animal models and reduce the death of TECs. Moreover, IL-22 decreased the expression of the NLRP3 inflammasome and mature IL-1ß in renal tissue induced by sodium oxalate. Further studies confirmed that IL-22 could play an anti-inflammatory role by reducing the levels of cytokines such as IL-1ß, IL-18, and TNF-α in serum. In conclusion, our study confirmed that IL-22 has protective effects on sodium oxalate-induced crystalline kidney injury by reducing the production of ROS, protecting mitochondrial membrane potential, and inhibiting the inflammatory response. Therefore, IL-22 may play a potential preventive role in sodium oxalate-induced acute renal injury. KEY POINTS: • IL-22 could reduce sodium oxalate-mediated cytotoxicity and ameliorate renal injury. • IL-22 could alleviate oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction induced by sodium oxalate. • IL-22 could inhibit inflammatory response of renal injury caused by sodium oxalate.

Primary meningococcal septic arthritis associated with joint calcium oxalate crystals: A case report and review of the literature.

Primary meningococcal septic arthritis (PMSA) is an extremely rare local infection by Neisseria meningitidis in the absence of meningitis or meningococcaemia syndrome. A 30-year-old healthy, immunocompetent man presented with arthralgia, fever, chest rash, and significant swelling of the right knee. On admission, a disseminated maculopapular and purpuric rash, oligoarthritis, neutrophilia, and elevated acute phase reactants were documented. Following arthrocentesis of the right knee, isolation of N. meningitidis and the presence of calcium oxalate crystals in the synovial fluid were reported. The diagnosis of PMSA was made. Histological analysis of the skin lesion showed leucocytoclastic vasculitis. He was treated with intravenous ceftriaxone plus open surgical drainage and ambulatory cefixime with adequate response. After 1 month, he presented resolution of the pathological process. We performed an extensive review of the literature, finding that the key elements supporting the diagnosis of PMSA are prodromal upper respiratory tract symptoms and skin involvement prior to or synchronous with the arthritis. Also, the most frequently involved joint is the knee. This report is the first case of a patient presenting with PMSA associated with calcium oxalate crystals in the synovial fluid. Herein, we discuss the most frequent clinical manifestations, the unusual histological features, the recommended treatment, and the reported prognosis of this rare entity.

Evaluation of the infection process by Lecanicillium fungicola in Agaricus bisporus by scanning electron microscopy / Evaluación del proceso de infección por Lecanicillium fungicola en Agaricus bisporus por microscopia electrónica de barrido

Background. Lecanicillium fungicola causes dry bubble disease in Agaricus bisporus mushrooms leading to significant economic losses in commercial production. Aims. To monitor the infection process of L. fungicola in Brazilian strains of A. bisporus. Methods. The interaction between the mycelium of L. fungicola (LF.1) and three strains of A. bisporus (ABI 7, ABI 11/14 and ABI 11/21) was studied. Electron microscopy and X-ray microanalyses of vegetative growth and basidiocarp infection were evaluated. Results. Micrographs show that the vegetative mycelium of the Brazilian strains of A. bisporus is not infected by the parasite. The images show that the pathogen can interlace the hyphae of A. bisporus without causing damage, which contributes to the presence of L. fungicola during the substrate colonization, allowing their presence during primordial formation of A. bisporus. In the basidiocarp, germ tubes form within 16h of infection with L. fungicola and the beginning of penetration takes place within 18h, both without the formation of specialized structures. Conclusions. Scanning electron microscopy enabled the process of colonization and reproduction to be observed within the formation of phialides, conidiophores and verticils of L. fungicola. The formation of calcium oxalate crystals by the pathogen was also visible using the X-ray microanalysis, both at the hyphae in the Petri plate and at basidiocarp infection site (AU)

Antecedentes. Lecanicillium fungicola es el agente causal de la enfermedad de la mole seca en Agaricus bisporus, responsable de importantes pérdidas económicas en la producción comercial de esta seta. Objetivos. Comprobar el proceso de infección de L. fungicola en cepas brasileñas de A. bisporus. Métodos. Se estudió la interacción entre el micelio de L. fungicola (LF.1) y tres cepas de A. bisporus (ABI 7, ABI 11/14 y ABI 11/21). Se evaluaron mediante microscopia electrónica y microanálisis de rayos X el crecimiento vegetativo y la infección de los basidiocarpos. Resultados. Las micrografías muestran que el micelio vegetativo de las cepas brasileñas de A. bisporus no resultó afectado por la infección del parásito. Las imágenes muestran también cómo el agente patógeno puede entrelazar las hifas de A. bisporus sin causar daños, lo que contribuye a la perpetuación de L. fungicola durante la colonización del sustrato y durante la formación de los primordios de A. bisporus. En el basidiocarpo, los tubos germinales se forman después de 16h de la infección con L. fungicola y el comienzo de la penetración tiene lugar tras 18h, sin formación de estructuras especializadas. Conclusiones. La microscopia electrónica permite observar el proceso de colonización y reproducción con la formación de fiálides, conidióforos y verticilos de L. fungicola. La formación de cristales de oxalato de calcio por parte del agente patógeno también fue visible mediante el microanálisis por rayos X, tanto en la infección de las hifas en placa de Petri como en la de los basidiocarpos (AU)

Ureteral stent encrustation. Pathophysiology / Incrustacion de cateteres ureterales. Fisiopatología

Ureteral stents are the most commonly used urological implants. They are used for temporary as well as for long-term ureteral stenting. Amongst others, complications of ureteral stenting are encrustation and cellular adherence which, in turn, promotes urinary tract infection and can induce impaired healing in case of ureteral damage. Biofilm formation on urological implants leads to the protection of persisting bacteria from local defense mechanisms, thereby rendering persistent urinary tract infections more common. It seems clear that antibiotics cannot penetrate into biofilms adequately. Also, bacteria persist in biofilms in a state of reduced metabolism which further reduces antibiotic efficacy. Furthermore, bacteria develop resistance more quickly in biofilms. This paper tries to give an overview of the complex pathophysiological mechanisms that underlie stent encrustation as far as we know to date

Los catéteres ureterales son los implantes urológicos más utilizados. Se utilizan de forma temporal o a largo plazo. Entre otras complicaciones la utilización de catéteres ureterales incluye la incrustación y la adherencia celular que a su vez promueven la infección del tracto urinario y pueden empeorar la cicatrización en caso de lesión ureteral. La formación de biofilms en los implantes urológicos conlleva la protección de las bacterias persistentes de los mecanismos de defensa locales, haciendo de ese modo mas común la infección urinaria. Parece claro que los antibióticos no pueden penetrar adecuadamente en los biofilms. Además, las bacterias en los biofilms persisten en un estado de metabolismo reducido que disminuye más aún la eficacia de los antibióticos. Asimismo, las bacterias en los biofilms desarrollan resistencias más rápido. Este artículo intenta ofrecer una visión de conjunto sobre los mecanismos fisiopatológicos complejos que subyacen a la incrustación de catéteres hasta donde se conoce hoy en día

Rottlerin, a polyphenolic compound from the fruits of Mallotus phillipensis (Lam.) Müll.Arg., impedes oxalate/calcium oxalate induced pathways of oxidative stress in male wistar rats.

BACKGROUND: Oxalate and/or calcium oxalate, is known to induce free radical production, subsequently leading to renal epithelial injury. Oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction have emerged as new targets for managing oxalate induced renal injury. HYPOTHESIS: Plant products and antioxidants have gained tremendous attention in the prevention of lithiatic disease. Rottlerin, a polyphenolic compound from the fruits of Mallotus phillipensis (Lam.) Müll.Arg., has shown free radical scavenging, antioxidant activity and has been reported to interfere in signaling pathways leading to inflammation and apoptosis. In this study, the potential role of rottlerin, in rats exposed to hyperoxaluric environment was explored. METHODS: Hyperoxaluria was induced by administering 0.4% ethylene glycol and 1% ammonium chloride in drinking water to male wistar rats for 9 days. Rottlerin was administered intraperitoneally at 1mg/kg/day along with the hyperoxaluric agent. Prophylactic efficacy of rottlerin to diminish hyperoxaluria induced renal dysfunctionality and crystal load was examined along with its effect on free radicals generating pathways in hyperoxaluric rats. RESULTS: 0.4% ethylene glycol and 1% ammonium chloride led to induction of hyperoxaluria, oxiadtive stress and mitochondrial damage in rats. Rottlerin treatment reduced NADPH oxidase activity, prevented mitochondrial dysfunction and maintained antioxidant environment. It also refurbished renal functioning, tissue integrity and diminished urinary crystal load in hyperoxaluric rats treated with rottlerin. CONCLUSIONS: Thus, the present investigation suggests that rottlerin evidently reduced hyperoxaluric consequences and the probable mechanism of action of this drug could be attributed to its ability to quench free radicals by itself and interrupting signaling pathways involved in pathogenesis of stone formation.

Efecto antiurolitiásico de una formulación de las plantas Herniaria glabra, Agropyron repens, Equisetum arvense y Sambucus nigra (Herbensurina®) en un modelo experimental de nefrolitiasis en ratas / Antiurolithiasic effect of a plant mixture of Herniaria glabra, Agropyron repens, Equisetum arvense and Sambucus nigra (Herbensurina®) in the prevention of experimentally induced nephrolithiasis in rats

OBJETIVO: Determinar el efecto preventivo sobre la litiasis renal de una formulación botánica formada por Herniaria glabra, Agropyron repens, Equisetum arvense y Sambucus nigra en un modelo experimental de nefrolitiasis en ratas. MÉTODOS: Seis grupos de animales con seis ratas Wistar macho cada uno fueron inducidos a nefrolitiasis mediante el tratamiento con etilenglicol (EG) 0,75% y cloruro de amonio 1% durante tres días y posteriormente con EG durante 15 días más. Un grupo fue tratado con placebo (grupo control) y los otros grupos (grupos tratados) fueron tratados con 30 mg/Kg, 60 mg/Kg, 125 mg/Kg, 250 mg/kg y 500 mg/Kg de la formulación de extractos de plantas (FEP). Se midió el volumen de agua ingerida y de orina excretada durante 24 h en diferentes días del experimento y se determinó la diuresis, cristaluria y bioquímica. Se realizó el análisis histológico del riñón. La caracterización fitoquímica de la FEP se realizó mediante técnicas cromatográficas. RESULTADO: La cantidad de depósitos de cristales de oxalato de calcio (OxCa) de los animales tratados con 125 mg/Kg de la FEP y el número de microcalcificaciones en todos los grupos tratados con la FEP fue menor comparado con el grupo control, siendo las diferencias estadísticamente significativas (d. e. s.). La presencia de fibrosis subcapsular fue mayor en el grupo control que en los grupos tratados (d. e. s.). La diuresis de los grupos tratados con 125 mg/Kg y 500 mg/Kg de la FEP fue mayor que la del grupo control (d. e. s.). El análisis fitoquímico demostró la presencia de flavonoides, ácidos dicarboxílicos y saponinas. CONCLUSIONES: La administración de la FEP previene la formación de cristales de OxCa y de microcalcificaciones en el riñón y disminuye el riesgo de fibrosis subcapsular renal. La dosis de 125 mg/Kg de la FEP es la que presenta un mayor efecto sobre los parámetros estudiados

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of a botanical formulation of Herniaria glabra, Agropyron repens, Equisetum arvense, and Sambucus nigra as a preventive agent in an experimentally induced nefrolithiasis model in rats. METHODS: Six groups of six Wistar male rats each were induced for nefrolithiasis by treatment with 0.75% ethylene glycol (EG) and 1% ammonium chloride for three days and then EG only for 15 days. One group was treated with placebo (control group) and the other groups (treated groups) were treated with 30 mg/Kg, 60 mg/Kg, 125 mg/Kg, 250 mg/Kg and 500 mg/Kg of the plant extract formulation (PEF). 24-h urine and water samples were collected one day before EG administration and at 7, 13 and 18 days to determine diuresis, crystalluria and urine biochemistry. The kidneys were removed for histological analysis. The phytochemical characterization of PEF and each of its component plant extracts was performed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. RESULTS: Animals treated with 125 mg/Kg of the PEF had statistically significantly lower calcium oxalate crystals deposits content compared to the control group. All PEF doses statistically significantly decreased the number of microcalcifications compared to the control group. Furthermore, the number of kidneys affected by subcapsular fibrosis was statistically significantly higher in control group than in treated groups with the PEF. The diuresis of the 125 mg/Kg and 500 mg/Kg PEF-treated groups was statistically significantly higher than that of the control group. A phytochemical analysis demonstrated the presence of flavonoids, dicarboxylic acids and saponins. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with PEF prevents deposits of calcium oxalate crystals formation and of microcalcifications in the kidney, and reduces the risk of fibrosis subcapsular. 125 mg/Kg of PEF is the dose that has a greater effect on the studied parameters

Nefropatía aguda por oxalato y pancreatitis crónica / Acute oxalate nephropathy and chronic pancreatitis

No disponible

Randomized controlled clinical trial on the efficacy of dentin desensitizing agents.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of four dentin desensitizers on pain reduction in hypersensitive cervical dentin lesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The trial was designed as a randomized, controlled, four-arm, single-masked study. Fifty subjects with at least one hypersensitive lesion in each of the four quadrants were allocated. The requested pre-operative pain, determined as a response to 2-s air-blast (AB) and probe scratching (PS), was ≥5 on a VAS scale, 0 = no through to 10 = worst pain. Randomly each subject received each of the four treatments: MS Coat One F (MSC, Sun Medical, Japan), Nanoseal (NAN, Nishin, Japan), Teethmate Desensitizer (TMD, Kuraray Noritake, Japan) and Gluma Desensitizer PowerGel (GLU, HeraeusKulzer, Germany). The investigator assessed blindly the pain response using the two stimuli and recorded the patients' VAS scores before and immediately after application, after 1 week and after 1, 3 and 6 months. STATISTICAL DATA TREATMENT: ANOVA and post-hoc testing (p ≤ 0.05). RESULTS: Forty-nine subjects completed the trial. Pre-operative dentin hypersensitivity (DH) for the groups was not significantly different. All desensitizers reduced DH significantly throughout the 6-months observation. ANOVA revealed significant differences among VAS scores, obtained with the desensitizing agents (p < 0.001). Ranking by post-hoc testing was: MSC > NAN > TMD > GLU (p < 0.05). Upon PS NAN and TMD showed slight but significant regain of sensitivity after 6 months. For GLU PS scores immediately after application and after 6 months were not significantly different, whereas recalls after 1 week, 1 month and 3 months revealed significantly lower scores. CONCLUSION: The calcium phosphate-based TMD and GLU proved highly effective in reducing sensitivity.

Dental hypersensitivity: recent advances in diagnosis and treatment.

Dentinal hypersensitivity affects eating, brushing, drinking, and breathing habits. Each dentist must know its manifestations and management. Hypersensitive teeth are not temporary annoyances. Dental patients want and expect solutions to the hypersensitivity problem. The latest diagnostic and treatment skills, along with new products and reimbursement procedures, can be offered as part of your practice-building agenda.