Prokineticins (PK1 and PK2) are peptide hormones that exert their biological activity via two common G-protein-coupled receptors: prokineticin receptor (PKR) 1 and 2. Their physiology was originally explored mostly in the context of angiogenic actions in the reproductive tract and gut motility. Since autocrine and paracrine loops have been established between PK2 and PKR1 in the heart, in this ...

Abstract: Simultaneous heart and kidney transplantation is quite a popular type of multiorgan transplant in the world, considered an optimum treatment for end stage cardiorenal syndrome. This report presents first successful simultaneous heart-kidney Vietnam. A 37-year-old male patient with 10 years chronic disease: end-stage failure due to dilated cardiomyopathy 15-25% left ventricular systoli...

This review article summarizes current knowledge about the locations and possible functions of annexin family members in the kidney. Beginning with an introduction on common structural and biochemical features as well as general functional characteristics of annexins, the paper focuses on individual members with documented and/or proposed physiological relevance for renal development, structure...

ABSTRACT Tensins are a family of focal adhesion proteins consisting four members in mammals (TNS1, TNS2, TNS3 and TNS4). Their multiple domains activities contribute to the molecular linkage between extracellular matrix cytoskeletal networks, as well mediating signal transduction pathways, leading variety physiological processes, including cell proliferation, attachment, migration mechanical se...

Numerical estimation of the size of the kidney is useful in evaluating conditions of the kidney, especially, when serial MR imaging is performed to evaluate the kidney function. This paper presents a new method for automatic segmentation of the kidney in three-dimensional (3D) MR images, by extracting texture features and statistical matching of geometrical shape of the kidney. A set of Wavelet...

Abstract Background Chronic kidney disease (CKD) has increased progressively worldwide, however evidence on public awareness highlights gaps for a comprehensive health strategy. This study aims to evaluate knowledge and possible lack of about CKD in Portugal. Methods Cross-sectional conducted through community based online survey (n = 1209). It was applied the Knowledge Questionnaire score calc...

Background: Membrane αKlotho (hereinafter called Klotho) is highly expressed in the kidney and functions as a coreceptor of FGF receptors (FGFRs) to activate specific fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) signal pathway. FGF23 is produced in bones and participates in the maintenance of mineral homeostasis. The extracellular domain of transmembrane Klotho can be cleaved by secretases and released ...

P2X7 is an intriguing membrane receptor for the extracellular nucleotide ATP, which functions as a ligand-gated ion channel; it can activate cell membrane permeabilization and also has a wide range of downstream signaling pathways, including mediation of inflammatory responses and modulation of cell turnover. Despite recent identification of P2X7 receptor protein in the renal tract, the biologi...