Specialized plasma membranes from the endocytic complex of ileal epithelial cells of suckling rats were isolated by differential flotation. Thin-section and negative-stain electron microscopy showed the luminal surfaces of these membranes to be covered by an ordered array of particles 14.5-nm separations in long rows. This particulate coating was released from the membrane surfaces by 10 mM CaC...

The Hemodialysis Study is a multicenter clinical trial of hemodialysis prescriptions for patients with end stage renal disease. Participants from over 65 dialysis facilities associated with 15 clinical centers in the United States are randomized in a 2 x 2 factorial design to dialysis prescriptions targeted to a standard dose or a high dose, and to either low or high flux membranes. The primary...

The success and the quality of hemodialysis therapy are mainly related to both clearance and biocompatibility properties of the artificial membrane packed in the hemodialyzer. Performance of a membrane is strongly influenced by its interaction with the plasma protein repertoire during the extracorporeal procedure. Recognition that a number of medium-high molecular weight solutes, including prot...

In 1972, Raij et al. reported the occurrence of circulating endotoxins in patients with febrile reactions at the end of dialysis sessions and, in parallel, high endotoxin levels in the dialysate w2x. Even nowadays, neither tap water nor purified water or dialysate are sterile. In more than 14 000 analysed water probes of city and village water systems in South-West Germany, 5.6% contained colif...

BACKGROUND Inadequacy of dialysis is one of the main causes of death in hemodialysis patients. Some studies have suggested that high-flux membrane improves the removal of moderate-sized molecules while other studies indicate no significant effect on them. OBJECTIVES This study aimed to investigate the dialysis efficacy of low-flux versus high-flux membranes in hemodialysis patients. PATIENT...

Significant advances have lead to a greater understanding of the role of the complement system within nephrology. The success of the first clinically approved complement inhibitor has created renewed appreciation of complement-targeting therapeutics. Several clinical trials are currently underway to evaluate the therapeutic potential of complement inhibition in renal diseases and kidney transpl...

Recent publications have reintroduced the concept of using sorbent systems to augment the efficiency of the dialysis process, either by making stationary or compact wearable devices to regenerate dialysis fluid or to target larger molecules for removal by direct blood or plasma contact with sorbent particles. Many of the inherent problems associated with older sorbents have been overcome by des...