Of the patients, 36 were females and 74 were males The age of th

Of the patients, 36 were females and 74 were males. The age of the infants was between 1 day and 22 months. Of the 110 infants, 47 were preterm neonates, 40 were term neonates, and 23 were older than 28 days. No difference in serum glucose level was noted between symptomatic and asymptomatic infants. The most common observed abnormal findings were hyperintense lesions, encephalomalacia, and cerebral atrophy. Abnormal MRI findings were found in 4% of preterm infants, in 32.5% of term

infants, and in 43.5% of older infants. Abnormal MRI findings were statistically significantly more common in symptomatic infants than in asymptomatic infants. Of the infants, 45.5% of hypoglycemic infants had cerebral palsy and/or cerebral palsy HKI-272 clinical trial plus epilepsy.”
“Knee pain is predominant among osteoarthritis (OA) patients, but CB-839 chemical structure the mechanism is poorly understood. We investigated subchondral bone as a source of OA knee pain using immunohistochemistry. Fifteen medial-type OA knees with minimum involvement of the lateral compartment determined by X-ray as well as magnetic resonance imaging that received total

knee arthroplasty (TKA) were involved. Each pair of the medial femoral condyle (MFC) and lateral femoral condyle (LFC) was compared obtained at the time of TKA. Osteocartilaginous MFC and LFC specimens were histologically examined and stained with antibodies against cyclooxygenase 1 (Cox-1), cyclooxygenase 2 (Cox-2), substance P, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), and neuron-specific class III beta-tubulin (TUJ1), a pan-neuronal marker. Formation of cystic lesions was more frequently seen in the MFC. The lesions were composed of vascular endothelial cells, osteoclasts, and mononuclear cells and were present in similar proportions between the MFC and the LFC. Four out of 15 MFC specimens were positive for Cox-1, 15 for Cox-2,

and 13 for TNF-alpha. No LFC specimens were positive for any antibodies. Substance P-positive and TUJ1-positive fibers VX-689 in vitro were found in the subchondral area of the MFC, but not in the LFC. Pathological changes in the subchondral bone can be a source of knee pain, which was detectable by the positive immunoreactivity of substance P, Cox-2, TNF-alpha, and TUJ1, in the subchondral bone of affected compartments. The relatively immediate reduction in pain obtained by TKA might account for the involvement of the subchondral bone in knee pain because most of the affected subchondral plate is excised in TKA (debridement effect of TKA).”
“The design of present generation uncooled Hg(1-x)Cd(x)Te infrared photon detectors relies on complex heterostructures with a basic unit cell of type (n) under bar (+)/pi/(p) under bar (+). We present an analysis of double barrier (n) under bar (+)/pi/(p) under bar (+) mid wave infrared (x = 0.3) HgCdTe detector for near room temperature operation using numerical computations.

Interobserver variability was quantified as coefficients of varia

Interobserver variability was quantified as coefficients of variation.

Results: Onset time of contrast enhancement in the right portal check details vein was significantly longer for both IPH (22 sec +/- 3.9, P = .0035) and cirrhosis (19.3 sec +/- 4.7, P = .04) patients than for control subjects (17 sec +/- 3.3), with no significant difference in the onset time in the right hepatic artery. Images obtained in both IPH patients (21.2 dB +/- 1.4) and control subjects (22.1 dB +/- 2.2) had significantly higher signal intensity differences than those obtained in

cirrhosis patients (13.8 dB +/- 2.8, P < .0001), with no significant difference between images of IPH patients and control subjects. Signal intensity differences of more than 18 dB had 100% sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis in IPH patients and control subjects. Interobserver variability for signal intensity differences was 8.7%.

Conclusion: Contrast-enhanced US may offer the possibility for a simple, easy, and noninvasive diagnosis of IPH. (c) RSNA, 2009″
“Microorganisms tend to form biofilms on surfaces, thereby causing deterioration of the

underlaying material. In addition, biofilm is a potential health risk to humans. Therefore, microorganism growth is not only an issue on Earth but also in manned space habitats like the International Space Station (ISS). The aim of the study was to identify physiological processes relevant for Selleck BEZ235 Micrococcus luteus Nepicastat clinical trial attachment under microgravity conditions. The results demonstrate that simulated microgravity influences physiological processes which trigger bacterial attachment and biofilm formation. The ISS strains produced larger amounts of exopolymeric substances (EPS) compared with a reference strain from Earth. In contrast, M. luteus strains were growing faster, and Earth as well as ISS isolates produced a higher yield of

biomass under microgravity conditions than under normal gravity. Furthermore, microgravity caused a reduction of the colloidal EPS production of ISS isolates in comparison with normal gravity, which probably influences biofilm thickness and stability as well.”
“Shemamruthaa (SM), an indigenous herbal formulation (Hibiscus rosa sinensis flowers, Phyllanthus emblica, and pure honey) in a definite ratio was analyzed using acute and sub-acute toxicity studies in Sprague-Dawley rats. The acute toxicity study for 72 h showed no adverse effects in behavior or mortality at a dosage of 75-2,000 mg/kg of BW. The sub-acute toxicity study at 50, 100, 250, and 500 mg/kg of BW for 30 days showed transient rises in the white blood cell count, and levels of hemoglobin, free fatty acids, high density lipoproteins, and cholesterol, and a significant decrease in the blood glucose, cholesterol, triglyceride, phospholipid, and LDL levels. Other parameters remained unchanged.

Results: Forty-two infants were enrolled in this observational st

Results: Forty-two infants were enrolled in this observational study, and five infants with bad visualization of SCV GSK1838705A were excluded. The procedure duration was < 5 min in all cases except one. The success rate at the first attempt was 81% and 100% after two attempts. No major complications were reported.

Conclusions: This US-guided supraclavicular approach for SCV puncture is a new possibility for central venous catheterization in

small infants, offering all the advantages of SCV cannulation without the risk of ‘pinch-off’ syndrome. This technique seems valuable for children and infants and quite easy to apply for physicians trained to US guidance punctures.”
“Embryonic development is a specificity of metazoans. It starts with fertilization of the oocyte by a spermatozoon. Gametes then undergo intense chromatin remodelling and epigenetic reprogramming, which is necessary for reversion to a totipotent state in order to start a new developmental programme. This reprogramming process must occur with 100% efficiency in order to sustain development. The

period following fertilization is therefore very rich and interesting in terms of chromatin remodelling. The latter underlies the reprogramming of the parental genomes, which is thought in turn to be essential to achieve the plasticity required to form all cell types in the new organism. However, this amazing capacity of the cells in the embryo to generate all cell types seems to be transient. Indeed, the ability of the early embryo to reprogramme AZD8186 molecular weight somatic nuclei decreases as development proceeds. What makes the cells in the early embryo capable of supporting such a large degree of plasticity? These questions have remained largely unanswered and are central for understanding of cell plasticity, development and reprogramming. It is proposed that the basis of such plasticity relies on distinctive Akt inhibitor chromatin features that prevail during early embryogenesis and this hypothesis

will be discussed in light of recent findings. (C) 2013, Reproductive Healthcare Ltd. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“Scanning ion conductance microscopy (SICM) is an emerging tool for the noncontact investigation of biological samples such as live cells. It uses an ion current through the opening of a tapered nanopipette filled with an electrolyte for topography measurements. Despite its successful application to numerous systems no systematic investigation of the image formation process has yet been performed. Here, we use finite element modeling to investigate how the scanning ion conductance microscope images small particles on a planar surface, providing a fundamental characterization of the imaging process. We find that a small particle appears with a height that is only a fraction of its actual height. This has significant consequences for the quantitative interpretation of SICM images.

Serum CCL17 levels were measured as an objective severity paramet

Serum CCL17 levels were measured as an objective severity parameter of AD together with percentage of eosinophils and serum IgE levels.

Results: In AD patients, the number of Th1 (IFN-gamma(+)) and Th17 (IL-17(+)) subsets was significantly decreased, but that of Th2 (IL-4(+)) and Treg (Foxp3(+)) subsets was similar to that of normal controls. The T cell subset profiles of patients with chronic eczema were not different with those of normal controls. The frequency of Th17cells, particularly that of the IFN-gamma(nega)IL-17(+) subset,

showed a significant negative correlation with CCL17, IgE and eosinophil levels in AD patients. This was, however, AZD8931 nmr not the case in Th1, Th2 and Treg

cells.

Conclusion: Decreased circulating Th17 cells might contribute to activity of AD. (C) 2010 Japanese Society for Investigative Dermatology. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“We propose a coupled surface plasmon (SP) interference lithography based on a metal-bounded dielectric structure. The long and short range SP interferences at different dielectric thicknesses in the structure are analyzed. The interference in Kretschmann structure under the same conditions is also compared. Numerical results show the coupled SP interference offers better lithography performance as compared with the Kretschmann SP interference. This proposed technique provides potential for fabrication of periodic nanostructures. (C) 2010 American www.selleckchem.com/products/Raltegravir-(MK-0518).html Institute of Physics. [doi:10.1063/1.3517793]“
“Background: MicroRNA-221 (miR-221) is known to be abnormally

expressed in malignant melanoma (MM) HM781-36B clinical trial cells, and it favors the induction of the malignant phenotype through down-modulation of p27Kip1/CDKN1B and the c-KIT receptor. This suggests that the serum level of miR-221 might increase in patients with MM and thus could be used as a new tumor marker.

Objective: To evaluate the possibility that the serum miR-221 level can be a marker of MM.

Methods: Serum samples were obtained from 94 MM patients and 20 healthy controls. MicroRNAs were purified from serum, and miR-221 levels were measured by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction.

Results: Circulating miR-221 was detectable and could be quantified in serum samples. MM patients had significantly higher miR-221 levels than healthy controls. Among the MM patients, the miR-221 levels were significantly increased in patients with stage I-IV MM compared to those with MM in situ, and the levels were correlated with tumor thickness. Moreover, a longitudinal study revealed a tendency for the miR-221 levels to decrease after surgical removal of the primary tumor, and to increase again at recurrence.

Oil and grease (O&G) content of the effluent was also consistentl

Oil and grease (O&G) content of the effluent was also consistently

below international limits for discharge to the sea or re-injection to oil wells. With increase in organic loading rate from 0.3 to 0.9kg COD m(-3) d(-1), O&G removal efficiency increased from 89.2% to 95.5% whereas chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal efficiency (c. 83%) did not change. Also, the transmembrane pressure during operation of the MBR remained in the range 1-2 kPa.

ConclusionThe results of the present study indicate the very good potential of the MBR, both in terms of removal performance and membrane fouling, for treatment Salubrinal ic50 of high salinity PW. (c) 2013 Society of Chemical Industry”
“Study Design. Retrospective matched cohort.

Objective. To investigate the factors that may affect the decision-making process of adult deformity patients.

Summary of Background Data. Adult deformity is a significant cause of morbidity in the elderly population. Despite high complication rates a significant number of patients still prefer operative treatment. Analysis of the factors that drive these patients to operative treatment would LEE011 cell line help surgeons to better evaluate these patients.

Methods. Adult deformity patients

who are evaluated in a single institute were reviewed. The inclusion criteria were being >18 years old, having a coronal curve magnitude of >30 degrees, having no previous surgery or associated neuromuscular or inflammatory condition, having completed SF-12, SRS-30, and Oswestry Disability Index questionnaires in the initial visit, and having LY411575 a complete set of radiographs. The demographic data as well as back and leg pain incidences and magnitudes were collected. The eligible patients were compared first as age-gender-curve type matched cohorts.

Results. Functional domain scores particularly walking in Oswestry Disability Index and vitality in the SRS-30 were significantly worse in the operative treatment group, whereas the pain

scores were similar in both groups in all outcomes assessment questionnaires. Besides, there was no difference among 2 groups with respect to either the incidence or the magnitude of back or leg pain.

Conclusion. These results suggest that functional limitations are more important than pain for adult deformity patients when deciding for operative or nonoperative treatment.”
“A 5-year-old male patient with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma developed haemorrhagic cystitisgrade IV due to cyclophosphamide. Intravesical prostaglandin E-1 was administered safely and successfully. This case demonstrates that intravesical prostaglandin E-1 is a safe, easy and effective treatment method in resistant grade IV haemorrhagic cystitis.”
“BACKGROUND: A study of the effect of different ion exchange resins, Amberlyst 15, Amberlite 200 and Amberlite IRC-50, on glycerol etherificationwith tert-butyl alcohol was performed.


“Background: Lung sequestration is a rare congenital pulmo


“Background: Lung sequestration is a rare congenital pulmonary disorder and is usually diagnosed in children with recurrent pulmonary infections. Lung sequestrations Fer-1 concentration are not commonly found to be a cause of respiratory symptoms in adults. Objectives: It was the aim of this study to show that pulmonary sequestration is rare in advanced age and can be accompanied by severe pulmonary symptoms. Methods: We conducted a case series analysis of patient characteristics, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of 11 adults with a lung sequestration at the Thoraxklinik Heidelberg between 2001 and 2009. Results: From 2001 to 2009, intralobar lung sequestration was diagnosed

and treated in 11 adults aged 19 to 58 years with an average age of 39.9 +/- 11.3 years and a male: female distribution of 5:6. In 3 patients (27.3%), the predominant symptom was hemoptysis. Recurrent pulmonary infections occurred in 1 patient (9.1%); pneumonia and lung abscess were detected in 2 patients (18.2%). In 3 cases (27.3%), dry cough was the predominant symptom, and in only 2 cases (18.2%), lung sequestration was asymptomatic. Eight patients

(72.7%) were diagnosed by imaging techniques prior to surgery. In 3 cases (27.3%), diagnosis was made intraoperatively and by pathological examination. Surgical intervention included 7 lobectomies (63.6%), selleck screening library 3 wedge resections (27.3%) and 1 (9.1%) segmentectomy. Conclusion: Lung sequestration in adults is rare, but it can cause severe pulmonary symptoms. In cases of recurrent pulmonary infections of identical

localization or recurrent hemoptysis, lung sequestration should be considered in order for the diagnosis to be made rapidly. Surgical resection is the treatment of choice. Copyright (C) 2011 S. Karger AG, Basel”
“The aim of this study was to explore the operative technique and effectiveness of triangular osteosynthesis for vertically unstable sacral fractures.

From January 2009 to December 2010, 25 vertical unstable sacral fractures in 22 patients were treated with triangular osteosynthesis using the combination of universal spine system and iliosacral screw in our institution. Patients were followed up prospectively with routine post-operation visits for clinical and radiographic examination. The reduction selleck quality was evaluated according to Matta criterion. Clinical function outcome, and nerve function outcome was evaluated by Majeed and Gibbons criterion.

All patients were followed up for an average of 14 months (range 8-26 months). Local infection was seen in two patients, and both were healed with debridement and antibiotics. Patients experienced early weight-bearing ability, no fracture reduction loss, and hardware loosening, while all fractures appeared as bone union at the final follow-up. According to Matta criterion for fracture reduction, the results were excellent in 18 sides, good in 6 sides, and fair in 1 side.

The study included 27 patients with stroke and 30 healthy control

The study included 27 patients with stroke and 30 healthy controls, aged 0 to 18. In the comparison of the sEPCR,

cytokine, and FVIII levels between patient and control groups, median levels of TNF-alpha, IL-2, IL-6, and IL-8 are found to be high in the patient group when compared with controls, whereas there is no difference in sEPCR, IL-11, and FVIII levels. In the patient group, a positive correlation is seen between TNF-alpha levels and IL-2 and IL-6 levels, between IL-2 and IL-6 levels, and between IL-6 and IL-8 levels, whereas a negative relationship is seen between sEPCR and FVIII. In the control group click here apart from the patient group, a negative relationship is seen between TNF-alpha and FVIII, whereas there is a positive relationship between IL-11 and sEPCR levels. Median sEPCR levels in patients who have normal or low FVIII levels are significantly high when compared with those with high FVIII levels. In conclusion, in the pediatric population, an increase in TNF-alpha, IL-2, IL-6, and IL-8 levels is seen. Also, an inverse relationship I-BET-762 molecular weight of sEPCR and FVIII levels is shown for the first time. This

study provides a basis for ongoing studies that aim to clarify stroke etiopathogenesis. Studies with larger series of patients are warranted to confirm this hypothesis.”
“Objective: To explore the psychosocial experiences of pregnancy in women diagnosed with breast cancer during or shortly after pregnancy. Methods: A retrospective qualitative design was employed. Fifteen women who had received a gestational breast cancer (GBC) diagnosis participated in semi- structured interviews. The interviews sought to identify the emotional and social issues related to the experiences of pregnancy and motherhood in women diagnosed with gestational breast cancer. Results: Women diagnosed with GBC experience difficulties in adjusting to two different and conflicting life events; the threat of their breast cancer alongside the CH5183284 news of their pregnancy. They have to make difficult decisions that impact on their own life, the life

of their foetus/new baby and that of their existing family. Women who received a GBC diagnosis reported high levels of anxiety and stress, which pervaded their whole GBC experience. Women reported their anxiety was linked to the conflict between the concern for their baby’s health and the concern for their own health and wellbeing. Conclusions: Women diagnosed with GBC attributed different meanings to their experience of pregnancy and motherhood and made choices based on their own beliefs, values and how complete they believed their family was. Copyright (c) 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.”
“Methods: The current paper reviews the quantitative research regarding ICD patient psychosocial outcomes in the adult and pediatric literature, and highlights existing intervention research on adult ICD patients and its implications for young ICD patients.

Subcutaneous once-daily prandial lixisenatide is indicated for th

Subcutaneous once-daily prandial lixisenatide is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with type 2 diabetes to achieve glycemic control in combination with oral antihyperglycemic drugs (OADs) and/or basal insulin when these antihyperglycemic drugs do not provide adequate glycemic control. In an extensive phase III clinical trial program, lixisenatide once daily in combination with OADs and/or basal insulin for 24 weeks

improved glycemic control, had beneficial effects on bodyweight, and was generally well tolerated in adult patients with inadequately controlled type 2 diabetes despite treatment with OADs and/or Entinostat cost basal insulin. At 24 weeks, in terms of the primary efficacy endpoint of each trial, combination therapy with lixisenatide was associated with better efficacy than placebo in patients inadequately

controlled on OADs and/or basal insulin, was shown to be noninferior to exenatide in patients inadequately controlled on background metformin therapy, and showed similar efficacy to sitagliptin in patients inadequately controlled on background metformin therapy. Further clinical experience/post-marketing Akt inhibitor surveillance studies and long-term safety data, along with pharmacoeconomic analyses, are required to fully define the position of lixisenatide in relation to other antihyperglycemics. In the meantime, once-daily prandial lixisenatide in combination with OADs and/or basal insulin (plus diet and exercise) is an effective option for improving glycemic control in adult patients with type 2 diabetes, including in patients where bodyweight loss is an essential component in their management.”
“Objective: RG-7388 cost This meta-ethnography synthesises the evidence on the experiences, needs and concerns of younger women with breast cancer.

Methods: Using a method called ‘reciprocal translation’ we developed a conceptual model to reflect the local and social contexts, issues, processes, needs and concerns of importance in this literature.

Findings: Key findings relate to the particular point in

the life-course at which young women with breast cancer stand. Issues for these women relate to feeling different as a result of cancer, fear of recurrence, feeling ‘out of sync’ and altered embodied subjectivity. Young women with breast cancer use three processes to integrate the changes that cancer brings, namely, balancing, normalising and changing. Our conceptual model also highlights young women’s needs, primarily for support, information, childcare, counselling and spiritual support. Areas of reproduction, fertility and sexuality were also of particular concern. The included papers have methodological limitations that impact on our findings, such as opportunistic data analyses, lack of theoretical frameworks and limited reference to socio-cultural factors.

All patients had radiographic and clinical follow-up at a minimum

All patients had radiographic and clinical follow-up at a minimum of twenty-four months and an average of thirty-six months. Reduction and implant placement were evaluated radiographically. Clinical outcomes were measured with use of the Constant-Murley system.

Results: The mean Constant score (and standard deviation) at the time of

final follow-up was significantly better in the locked-plate group (68.6 +/- 9.5 points) than in the hemiarthroplasty group (60.6 +/- 5.9 points) (p < 0.001). The Constant scores for the three-part fractures in the locked-plate and hemiarthroplasty groups were 71.6 and 60.4 points (p < 0.001), respectively, and the scores for the four-part fractures in those groups selleckchem were 64.7 and 60.1 points (p = 0.19), respectively. Patients with an initial varus extension deformity in the locked-plate group had significantly worse outcomes than those with a valgus impacted pattern (Constant score, 63.8 compared with 74.6 points, respectively; p < 0.001). Complications in the group treated with locked-plate fixation included osteonecrosis in six patients, screw perforation of the humeral

head in six patients, loss of fixation in four patients, and wound infection in three patients. Loss of fixation was seen only in patients with >20 degrees of initial varus angulation of the humeral head. Complications in the hemiarthroplasty group included nonunion of the tuberosity in seven patients and wound infection in three patients.

Conclusions: In this series, open repair with use Selleck LDC000067 of a locked plate resulted in better outcome scores than did hemiarthroplasty in similar patients, especially in those with a three-part fracture, despite a higher overall complication rate. Open reduction and internal fixation of fractures with an initial varus extension pattern should be approached with caution.”
“Phytochemical studies of the wood and the stem bark of Tridesmostemon omphalocarpoides Engl. (Sapotaceae) led to the isolation of omphalocarpoidone (1), a new lanostane-type furano-spiro-gamma-lactone

together with beta-amyrin acetate (2), taraxerol (3), spinasterol (4), lichexanthone (5), epi-catechin (6), spinasterol 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside selleck kinase inhibitor (7), tormentic acid (8), and 1,2,3,4-tetrahydronorharman-1-one (9). Their structures were established on the basis of extensive NMR studies, mass spectrometry, and by comparison of the data with those previously reported in the literature. The structure of the new secondary metabolite was later confirmed by X-ray crystallography. Except for spinasterol, the antimicrobial activities of these secondary metabolites were investigated on ten bacterial strains and the alkaloid 9 showed a significant activity against Escherichia coli with a MIC at 16 mu g/mL. (C) 2013 Phytochemical Society of Europe. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

9 +/- 111 9 vs 29 5 +/- 25 1 days, odds ratio [OR] 1 034, 95% co

9 +/- 111.9 vs. 29.5 +/- 25.1 days, odds ratio [OR] 1.034, 95% confidence interval this website [Cl] 1.016-1.053, p < .001), therapeutic indication (OR 5.197, 95% Cl 1.200-22.511, p = .028), and filter wall apposition (OR 11.857, 95% Cl 2.069-67.968, p = .006). Challenging retrievals were predicted by dwell time (51.1 +/- 9.8 vs. 29.1 +/- 24.5 days, OR 1.017, 95% Cl 1.005-1.029, p = .007), filter tilt (OR 2.607, 95%

Cl 1.045-6.508, p = .040) and filter wall apposition (OR 6.149, 95% Cl 2.398-15.763, p = <.001).

Conclusions: Physician oversight leads to poor IVC filter retrieval rates. Retrievals can be challenging or fail when the dwell time is >50 days and >90 days, respectively, and when the filter hook apposes the caval wall. Filter tilt increases retrieval difficulty but not failure rates. (C) 2013 European

Society for Vascular Surgery. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“We report placental cryptococcosis in a woman with multidrug resistant human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. She received antifungal therapy for cryptococcal meningitis prior to delivery. Cesarean section was performed with delivery of a single full-term male infant. There was no evidence of HIV or cryptococcal infection in the infant. The placenta grossly showed multiple white nodules. Microscopically, numerous encapsulated budding yeasts, morphologically consistent with cryptococci, were identified in MCC950 price the intervillous space and, to a lesser extent, in the chorionic villi. Cryptococcal infections are not uncommon, but only 2 cases of placental cryptococcosis have been reported. Our case is the 1st account documenting cryptococcal organisms within the chorionic villi, and yet there was no evidence of infection in the infant. Mother-to-fetal transmission of cryptococcal infection is not well defined. We review the literature and discuss its possible mechanisms.”
“Background: Bone morphogenetic protein-5 (BMP-5) has been shown to be essential for nephrogenesis.

Its role in adult kidney and in patients with hypertensive nephrosclerosis is still unknown.

Methods: BYL719 mouse BMP-5 expression was evaluated by immunostaining and real-time PCR in tissue samples from normal and nephrosclerotic human kidneys. The impact of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and angiotensin-II (AT-II) on expression of BMP-5 and its receptors was quantified in proximal tubular cells (HK-2). Functional characteristics of BMP-5 were evaluated by testing its influence on TGF-beta-induced epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), TNF-alpha-induced apoptosis of HK-2 cells and inflammatory cell infiltration.

Results: BMP-5 expression was localized in tubular epithelial cells and significantly decreased in nephrosclerotic kidneys. Stimulation of HK-2 cells with TGF-beta, TNF-alpha and AT-II resulted in a significant decreased expression of BMP-5 and its receptors.