It remains unclear whether reproduction of symptoms during UDS in

It remains unclear whether reproduction of symptoms during UDS in females ultimately results in improved interventional outcomes. The implications of new or unexpected UDS findings during

UDS are unknown. “
“Objectives: Tension-free vaginal tape has gained large popularity owing to the ease of the procedure and its effectiveness. These procedures were initially thought to rarely involve any significant morbid complications. The transobturator tape (TOT) procedure reproduces the natural suspension similar Selleckchem Metformin to the tension-free vaginal tape with a reduction in potential bladder, bowel, and vascular complications by the retropubic approach. However, the TOT procedure is not risk-free when improperly performed. We report a rare case of abscess formation after TOT. Methods: A 45-year-old woman was admitted to the orthopedic department

with the chief complaint of right side thigh pain and swelling. Pelvis MRI showed abscess formation and inflammatory changes extending into the soft tissues and muscles between the right gracilis and adductor femoris. During incision and open drainage, the remnant mesh could not be located. On urologic consult, the pelvic examination located the remnant mesh to the right upper vaginal wall. Our patient underwent excision of the mesh material. Results: She had significant improvement of the leg pain and was discharged home in good condition on postoperative day 7. Ultimately, BMN 673 mw the treatment for this complication was the removal of the mesh. Conclusion: Treatment for thigh abscess after TOT was the removal of the mesh. All patients Venetoclax in vivo should be counseled about this potential complication. “
“Regenerative medicine based on tissue engineering and/or stem cell therapy techniques has the potential to improve irreversibly damaged tissues. Surgical injury to the lower urinary tract can occur as a result of radical prostatectomy or bladder neck surgery. Regeneration of urethral sphincters could be an effective treatment for post-surgical intrinsic sphincter deficiency (ISD)-related urinary incontinence. The replacement, enhancement, and/or recovery the urethral sphincter striated and smooth muscles could increase urethral

closure pressure to help patients regain continence. Stem cells from muscle-derived satellite or adipose-derived mesenchymal cells provide temporary improvement in urethral closure pressure but do not reconstruct the muscle layer structures. Our strategy to accomplish regeneration of urethral sphincters is the utilization of autologous bone marrow-derived cells. We have developed a freeze injury model of ISD in rabbits. Freezing of the urinary sphincter causes loss of the majority of striated and smooth muscle cells, and causes a significant decrease in leak point pressure. In this review, we show that the autologous bone marrow-derived cells implanted within the freeze-injured sphincters differentiate into striated or smooth muscle cells.

38 and 2 45, respectively] Using multiple SNPs in the logistic r

38 and 2.45, respectively]. Using multiple SNPs in the logistic regression for covariates, wild-type AhR and mutant AhRR combination was significantly higher in patients (67.8%) than in controls (48.0%) (OR = 2.76). On the other hand, mutant AhRR in combination with GSTM1 null genotype was significantly higher in patients

(35.5%) than in controls (19.3%) (OR = 6.12). Conclusion  Polymorphisms of dioxin receptor complex components and detoxification-related genes jointly confer susceptibility to advanced-stage endometriosis in the Taiwanese Han population. “
“Clostridium difficile is a pathogen responsible for diarrhoea and colitis, particularly after antibiotic treatment. phosphatase inhibitor library We evaluated the C. difficile protease Cwp84, found to be associated with the S-layer proteins, as a vaccine antigen to limit the C. difficile intestinal colonization and therefore the development of the infection in a clindamycin-treated hamster model. First, we evaluated the immune response and the animal protection against death induced by several immunization routes: rectal, intragastric and subcutaneous. Antibody production was variable according to the immunization routes. In addition, serum Cwp84 antibody titres did not always correlate with animal protection after challenge with a toxigenic www.selleckchem.com/products/fg-4592.html C. difficile strain. The best survival rate was observed with the rectal route of immunization. Then, in a second assay, we selected

this immunization route to perform a larger immunization assay including a Cwp84 immunized group and a control group. Clostridium difficile intestinal colonization and survival rate, as well as the immune response were examined. Clostridium difficile hamster challenge resulted in a 26% weaker and slower C. difficile intestinal

colonization in the immunized group. Furthermore, hamster survival in the Cwp84 immunized group was 33% greater than that of the control group, with a significant statistical difference. Following the disruption of the normal bowel microbiota by antibiotic therapy, Clostridium difficile colonizes the gut, resulting in a spectrum of diseases ranging Methisazone from asymptomatic carriage to pseudomembranous colitis (PMC) (Kelly & LaMont, 1998; Wilcox, 2003). The disease symptoms are mediated by two secreted enterotoxins: TcdA and TcdB. Clostridium difficile is shed in the faeces as spores that persist in the environment and facilitate the colonization of new individuals. Clostridium difficile is thus a particular problem in health care facilities, where transmission easily occurs between patients and from carriers to patients (McFarland et al., 1989). Measures to prevent C. difficile infection (CDI) through patient isolation are costly and have had variable success. Although previously considered rare, the incidences of community-acquired CDI and colitis are on the increase. After the acquisition of C.

The cska-TCRs, in conjunction with surrounding adhesion molecules

The cska-TCRs, in conjunction with surrounding adhesion molecules as LFA1 and CD2 [34, 35], and additional bundling proteins, maintain the specific polar orientation of cytoskeleton structures and a sustained T-cell–APC interaction. These are necessary for optimal cytokine synthesis and polar secretion toward the T-cell–APC interface, events critical for the activation of the T cells and the corresponding https://www.selleckchem.com/products/CAL-101.html APCs, as indicated by expression of CD25 and CD69 on both cell types. The presented model demonstrates the pivotal role of the cska-TCRs in resting T cells and in both early and late processes of T-cell activation. Moreover, our novel results fill the

missing gap that was puzzled by numerous studies, aiming at understanding the mechanism underlying IS formation and maintenance, by showing that the TCR is directly connected to the cytoskeleton and that the cska ζ “guide” the initial activation signal via the TCR toward a subsequent actin-dependent receptor cluster formation. Female BALB/c mice were bred in the Hebrew University SPF facility. ζ KO and transgenic ζ DISTAL and TAIL-LESS mice were kind gift of Dr. mTOR inhibitor W.E. Shores from the NIH [13]. Splenocytes were isolated

from 6- to 12-week-old mice. 2B4 T-cell hybridoma and its ζ-deficient variant (MA5.8) expressing full length (FL) and truncated (CT-150 and CT-108) ζ were used. The Abs used are: A2B4 clonotypic Abs, anti-CD3ε, and anti-ζ, as previously described [8], anti-ZAP70 was a gift from L.E. Samelson (NIH), anti-CD3δ, anti-GST-LAT, Adenosine and anti-GST were generated in rabbits, anti-Thy1.2 Abs (Serotek), anti-CD3ε, anti-CD28, anti-CD25, anti-CD69, and anti-IL-2 (BD Pharmingen), anti-CD16/32 and H57 (Biolegend),

anti-phosphotyrosine (4G10) (UBI), anti-actin, and anti-pLAT (Abcam), Streptavidin-Cy5 or-allophycocyanin (Jackson Immunoresearch). Polyclonal Abs, “b”, “c”, and “d”, directed against different epitopes within ζ, were generated in rabbits, and H-l46 anti-ζ (Ab “a”) Abs were generously provided by Ralph Kubo, USA. dscf and dicf were separated from tested cells and when indicated, proteins were immunoprecipitated. Samples were separated on 1D or 2D nonreducing/reducing SDS-PAGE and subjected to Western blot analysis. The above-mentioned procedures and those for biotinylation and activation of splenocytes were previously described [10]. Ezrin and IκB were used in all experiments as control proteins to verify efficacy of detergent-insoluble and -soluble fractionation, respectively, and the ratio between dscf and dicf proteins were determined by densitometry analysis. Site-directed mutagenesis of murine ζ was performed using Pfu DNA polymerase (Stratagene) according to the manufacture’s protocol. Double mutated (MUT) cDNA was sequenced and cloned into pcDNA3 (Invitrogen) for transfection or into pGEX6p2 to generate GST recombinant proteins.

A 67-year-old Japanese woman had worsening edema in her right thi

A 67-year-old Japanese woman had worsening edema in her right thigh and hip area for 3 years. She had previously undergone extended hysterectomy with lymph node dissection for endometrial cancer 8 years before. Indocyanine green test showed antegrade and retrograde lymph flow. Four LVAs were made in the right medial thigh and right lower abdominal area under local anesthesia. Lymphedema showed rapid improvement within 12 months and compression therapy was not required at 24 months after LVA. Retrograde LVA has a possibility of a more efficacy for secondary lymphedema. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals,

Inc. Microsurgery, 2012. “
“Free tissue transfer has become a popular technique learn more for soft tissue defect reconstruction in head

and neck cancer ablation. Although high success rates and good reliability of free flaps are proven, microvascular thrombosis is still the most critical issue for microsurgeons. Pharmacological antithrombotic agents are widely used but their efficacy is still debated. In this study, we analyzed whether prostaglandin-E1 (PGE1) and dextran-40 can improve the outcomes compared to no antithrombotic therapy at all. We retrospectively reviewed 1,351 free flaps performed for head and neck reconstruction after cancer ablation. Three groups defined were 232 flaps received PGE1, 283 flaps received dextran-40, and 836 received no antithrombotic therapy. selleck compound The demographics of these three groups indicated no statistical differences. The results showed that flap survival revealed no significant 4-Aminobutyrate aminotransferase difference among PGE1, dextran-40, and control group (P = 0.734). There was a tendency to hematomas in PGE1 group (P = 0.056) when compared with other two groups. Dextran-40 significantly increased flap failure rate in high-risk patients with diabetes mellitus (P = 0.006) or hypertension (P = 0.003), when compared with PGE1 and control group. These results revealed antithrombotic therapy with PGE1 and dextran-40 do not determine a significant improvement in flap survival. © 2012 Wiley

Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery, 2012. “
“Injuries of the common peroneal nerve (CPN) are frequent and associated with poor motor outcomes. So far, the opinion is held, that nerve reconstruction is reasonable and indicated up to 6 months after injury. We describe successful sural nerve interposition grafting in a patient with neuroma-in-continuity formation of the CPN, presenting with foot drop, 13 months after injury. Due to this positive result, we think nerve grafting in neuroma-in-continuity lesions of the CPN should be contemplated in patients with foot drop even more than one year after injury. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery, 2013. “
“We developed a biodegradable poly-lactide (PLA) film with a honeycomb-patterned porous structure (honeycomb film). This study investigated the use of this film in neurorrhaphy.

72 The situation may differ at the maternal–fetal interface, howe

72 The situation may differ at the maternal–fetal interface, however, because of the unique selleck inhibitor patterning

of MHC molecules in placental cells. Syncytiotrophoblast, which abundantly expresses B7-H1, represses virtually all MHC expression, effectively ruling out the possibility that in cis signaling to the T cell with MHC would occur from these cells. Our data suggest that these cells can in fact suppress TCR-mediated events on T cells in trans.71 Other trophoblast cells express B7-H1, including extravillous trophoblast cells, that express a restricted array of MHC. Although most investigators do not consider these cells to function as APCs, which possibility has not been formally ruled out. B7-H1 and HLA-G, for example, are co-expressed Alisertib on the surface of invading cytotrophoblast cells and those found in the chorion membrane (Fig. 2). Another possibility is that reverse-signaling through B7-H1 can occur, transmitting a signal not to the lymphocyte, but to the syncytiotrophoblast and/or cytotrophoblast itself. In the mouse, it is not entirely clear as yet whether the trophoblast, decidua, or both express B7-H1.40,48 Nonetheless, given its suppressive role in controlling self-reactive T cells and autoimmunity, we and others

tested whether maternal B7-H1 or PD-1 is mandatory for successful allogeneic pregnancy. Guleria and colleagues reported that systemic blockade of B7-H1 but not B7-DC disrupted allogeneic, but not syngeneic, pregnancy in mice.40 Fetal resorption was also observed in allogeneic pregnancies using CHIR-99021 mw B7-H1-deficient

mice. This group also found that B7-H1 may influence the local cytokine milieu at the maternal–fetal interface, as IFN-γ and IL-17 were increased, whereas IL-4 and IL-5 were reduced in the placenta of B7-H1-deficient mice.73 These authors additionally provide evidence to propose that the requirement for B7-H1 in allogeneic pregnancy lies in its utilization by maternal TRegs to control maternal anti-fetal T cells.73 On the other hand, we have shown in several models of pregnancy that genetic deletion or blockade of PD-1 has no obvious detrimental effect on pregnancy (Fig. 3).74 Similarly, in our hands, dams lacking B7-H1 carry allogeneic pups to term unimpeded.74 We carried these studies a step further to discern whether PD-1 on maternal T cells play any role in the maternal response to fetal antigen. Adopting a model of a defined fetal alloantigen, ovalbumin, combined with maternal anti-ovalbumin T cells, we showed that PD-1 prevents over-accumulation of fetal antigen-specific T cells in maternal lymphoid organs, possibly via a mechanism involving apoptosis.

This is consistent with the fact that while antisporozoite antibo

This is consistent with the fact that while antisporozoite antibodies develop in natural infections they see more do not appear to be protective, especially in childhood

[4]. However, apart from the passive transfer experiments of Cohen and colleagues [2], causal relationships between particular immune responses and protection in humans are not clear. A better understanding can be obtained from experimental mouse and monkey models that can be precisely manipulated. Antibody-mediated protection was confirmed in murine malaria [5-7], although the degree of protection varied with the host–parasite combination. Importantly, passive transfer of hyperimmune serum, from mice that had recovered from self-limiting Plasmodium yoelii infections, controlled P. yoelii infection in naive recipients [8], but protection was T-cell-dependent [9]. Serum from mice

that had been protected against lethal infections by vaccination with killed parasite vaccines was also protective against the homologous parasite [10]. This protective effect of immune serum has been demonstrated in mice [11] and monkeys [12, 13], and also with serum from animals that had been immunized with purified blood-stage antigens [14-17]. The importance of T cells in protective immunity was demonstrated in T-cell-depleted animals and confirmed by the transfer of T cells from immune donors, of antigen-specific T-cell lines or clones to nonimmune recipients. From the mid-1990s, however, INCB024360 cell line it became evident that the most important contribution made by T cells to antimalarial immunity was in the

production of the various cytokines, which act as regulators of humoral immunity, pathology [18-20], and delayed-type hypersensitivity T-cell responses [21]. Less was known about the part played by cell-mediated immunity in human malaria, although T cells taken from individuals with varying exposure, from 1 month to 15 years after infection, were reported to give a good proliferative response to Plasmodium falciparum lysates [22]. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, next small-scale longitudinal studies were performed of immune responses before, during, and after infection, and correlates of protective immunity were studied prospectively, in countries endemic for malaria where most individuals are exposed to P. falciparum infection every year. Approval for experimental human infections allowed further studies of the immune response, after infection with live sporozoites or immunization with irradiated sporozoites, or by means of drug-cured whole blood-stage parasites. By the late 1970s to the1980s, it was clear that both innate and adaptive immune responses, together with regulated cytokine production, are involved in the control of self-resolving malaria infections in mice.

However, the absolute content of Si in the eastern U S is quite

However, the absolute content of Si in the eastern U.S. is quite low, whereas sulfate is the predominate non-carbon constituent [19]. In our particulate sample, the content of Si is second only to sulfate in terms of% of total mass. Si is a known respiratory toxicant and has been implicated in specific diseases in miners such as coal workers pneumoconiosis [7], which has been observed at surface mines in the United States [8]. Furthermore, selleck kinase inhibitor silica particle exposures have been demonstrated to reduce HR

variability measures in mice suggesting cardiotoxic effect [9]. The dosage of 300 μg per rat used in this study is a typical toxicological dosage to determine effect in healthy animals. Furthermore, this dosage, which is ~1 mg/kg, is lower than previous dosages used by our group [34], and lower than the dosages reported by other groups for initial determination of toxic effects [10]. Furthermore, the single-dose exposure in rats reported here would be equivalent to an accumulated dose over the course of 1.7 years based on ambient recorded concentrations of PM10 of 8.3 µg/m3 a minute ventilation www.selleckchem.com/products/PLX-4032.html of 200 mL/min, and an estimated deposition fraction of 0.2. While high, these dosages represent an accumulated dosage based on a low average ambient particle concentrations that are approximately double that of ambient concentrations

determined in non-mining areas (data not shown). Additionally, this study is a toxicological determination of an effect from which future work will determine dose response and temporal relationships. Arteriolar tone, in vivo, is generated by the complex interplay between intrinsic and extrinsic factors [41]. In this study, PMMTM exposure

altered resting tone in the l-NMMA-treated arterioles (Table 3), which contrasts with previous findings in our laboratory [24]. Alteration of diameter or tone following l-NMMA treatment in the arteriolar network of the spinotrapezius is inconsistent between studies, with some investigations demonstrating an increase in arteriolar tone [28], while others show no change [24]. Metabolically stimulated vasodilation buy 5-Fluoracil by AH was not found to be significantly different between the sham and PMMTM-exposed groups (Figure 3A). These data are not consistent with previous exposures performed in our laboratory using TiO2 nanoparticles in which we demonstrated a marked decrease in vasodilation at 12 Hz [24], suggesting that AH-mediated arteriolar dilation is not impaired following PMMTM exposure. However, during NOS inhibition (l-NMMA), it becomes apparent that the mechanisms supporting AH after PMMTM exposure are altered (Figure 3A). Because NOS inhibition did not affect AH in the PMMTM group, other vasoactive influences, such as COX products, may be compensating to preserve normal reactivity to this metabolic stimulus. In previous work, we have demonstrated such a compensatory mechanism [24, 27].

Further analyses showed that Six2 likely engages in a complex wit

Further analyses showed that Six2 likely engages in a complex with Lef/TCF factors, the DNA binding component of the β-catenin-dependent Wnt signalling transcriptional machinery, but that the entry of β-catenin into this complex is restricted

to newly induced and differentiating cells. These data suggest a model wherein Six2 action at these sites inhibits Wnt4 and Fgf8 expression in the nephron progenitors. Upon Wnt9b induction, β-catenin entry into the complex turns on the expression of Wnt4, Fgf8, and other targets, promoting commitment of these cells to a nephrogenic programme (Fig. 1).[12] While our analyses have shed new light on the regulatory mechanisms that balance nephron progenitor self-renewal versus differentiation, a host of transcriptional regulators have integral roles

in kidney development NVP-BKM120 purchase and progenitor function. Future studies will employ a combination of ChIP-seq, expression analyses, biochemistry and in vitro and in vivo modelling to identify the regulatory modules employed by these factors. We expect to find independent regulatory networks used by each factor but hypothesize that a significant overlap will be identified with any combination of factors. The exploration of shared gene regulatory networks will undoubtedly uncover new mechanisms that help maintain nephron progenitor multi-potency. This knowledge will be critical to future research

aimed at exploiting the potential of the nephron programme for therapeutic intervention. “
“Aim:  Dorsomorphin clinical trial Plasma visfatin levels are elevated in diabetic nephropathy in parallel to the severity of proteinuria and glomerular filtration Vasopressin Receptor rate. The aim of this study was to find out whether the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system (RAAS) blockage has any effect on the plasma visfatin levels. Methods:  Thirty-two patients with diabetic proteinuria (>500 mg/day) with a normal glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and 33 healthy subjects were enrolled. Patients were treated with ramipril 5 mg daily for 2 months. Proteinuria, GFR, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), visfatin, flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) index measurements were performed both before and after the treatment. Results:  The plasma visfatin, and hsCRP levels of the patients were significantly higher and the FMD was significantly lower (P < 0.001 for all). The visfatin levels were significantly correlated to FMD, systolic and diastolic blood pressures, proteinuria, eGFR, HOMA-IR and hsCRP. Ramipril treatment resulted in a significant decrease in plasma visfatin, proteinuria, hsCRP, HOMA-IR and increase in FMD (P < 0.001) in patients (P < 0.001 for all).

The role of PGE2 in mediating MSC suppressive effects on Th17 dif

The role of PGE2 in mediating MSC suppressive effects on Th17 differentiation PLX4032 cultures was confirmed by addition of specific antagonists and agonists for candidate PGE2 receptors. IL-17A secretion by CD4+ T cells re-purified from MSC/Th17 co-cultures was restored to the

same level as that of control Th17 cultures by the highly selective EP4 receptor antagonist L-161,982 (Fig. 6C). Similarly, EP4 antagonism reversed the inhibition by MSCs of CD25 up-regulation on CD4+ T cells (data not shown). That this observation was specifically attributable to PGE2 produced by MSCs during co-culture was confirmed by transfer of conditioned media from FACS-sorted co-culture populations and relevant controls to fresh Th17 cultures in the presence or absence of EP4 antagonist (Supplementary Figs. S5, S6 and S7B). In this case, only medium conditioned by MSCs sorted from Th17/MCS co-cultures transferred a

Th17 suppressive effect that was reversible by EP4 antagonism. Experiments carried out with antagonists of the EP1 and EP2 receptors (SC-51322 and AH 6809 respectively) yielded negative results (data not shown). As further evidence of a specific role for PGE2/EP4, the EP4 agonist L-902,688-mediated dose-dependent inhibition of the primary induction of Th17 cells (Fig. 6D). Up to this point, the experiments were carried out exclusively with primary naïve and/or memory CD4+ T cells undergoing activation in vitro under Crizotinib in vitro short-term Th17-skewing conditions. Making use of a unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) model in which we have previously reported intra-renal accumulation of effector-memory phenotype Th17 cells 22, it was determined

whether MSCs exert a mechanistically-similar Pregnenolone suppressive effect on the re-activation of committed Th17 cells from an area of ongoing tissue inflammation. As shown in Fig. 7A, B6 mice underwent UUO for 72 h following which CD45+ cells were enriched from obstructed and contralateral (non-obstructed) kidneys and briefly stimulated through the T-cell receptor in the absence or presence of MSCs. In-line with our previous findings 22, anti-CD3ε-stimulation was associated with robust secretion of IL-17A by cells from obstructed kidneys (Fig. 7B). The presence of MSCs was associated with dose-dependent reduction in IL-17A concentration following either 24 or 48 h culture periods. Qualitatively similar results were observed in a total of seven similar experiments with median proportionate inhibition of IL-17A production being 56% (range 19–69%) at MSC:CD45+ cell ratio of 1:20. As we have previously reported 22, IL-17A secretion was absent from stimulated cultures of CD45+ cells from non-obstructed kidneys (data not shown). The suppressive effect of MSCs was reversed by indomethacin (Fig. 7C). Thus, naturally occurring effector-memory Th17 cells undergoing activation through the T-cell receptor signalling complex are amenable to suppression by MSCs via a similar COX-2-dependent mechanism.

guideline gov/) provides a free public resource for evidence-base

guideline.gov/) provides a free public resource for evidence-based clinical practice guidelines. The National Health and Medical Research Council (http://www.nhmrc.gov.au/publications/subjects/clinical) provides access to clinical practice guidelines for Australia and New Zealand. Knowing what is being published and discussed in key nephrology journals is a good way of keeping abreast of new developments and controversies. Rather than waiting for a print copy to arrive, or coming upon a journal issue ad hoc, a good way of keeping an eye on the news is via Electronic Table of Contents, also known as eTOC. eTOC enable a journal’s STA-9090 clinical trial table of contents to be delivered as soon as an issue

is published, usually well before the print copy is mailed out. Most of the major publishers such as Elsevier (http://www.sciencedirect.com) and Wiley-Interscience (http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/cgi-bin/home) offer eTOC via email or RSS feeds (see boxed text). Access to the full text of articles may require a subscription (unless you are affiliated with an academic institution or hospital system and can access the full text using institution subscriptions),

but table of contents feeds can be set up for free for most journals available Lenvatinib datasheet through these publishers. Free aggregators such as Medworm (http://www.medworm.com/) are useful, because they allow you to administer many eTOC from one location. Medworm offers over 6000 individual Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase RSS Feeds from individual journal titles, news sites and podcasts, all organized

into individual specialty disciplines. Web of Knowledge (http://www.isiwebofknowledge.com/) enables profiles to be set up and table of contents subscribed to, and can be used as a ‘one-stop shop’ for all of your information needs. See Figure 4 for what this might look like. While not strictly an eTOC, Nephrology Now (http://www.nephrologynow.com) is an editorially independent and free service created for nephrologists to keep up to date with important publications in nephrology, many of which are published in non-renal journals.3 Subscribers to Nephrology Now receive email alerts of the most important articles published in the field of nephrology as selected by the editorial team for their potential impact on diagnosis, prognosis or treatment of renal disease. Links are provided to full-text articles, with many provided free for download by the publishing journals (including those from this journal). The Internet has allowed both doctors and patients ready access to medical information. A 2006 survey3 found that 80% of American Internet users, or 113 million adults, have used the Internet to search for health information. Likewise, physicians are increasingly using Google s a diagnostic tool.4 Typically, physicians use Google as a starting point for finding information, but subsequently rely more on known sites due to their familiarity and the reliability of information contained in them.