Small extracellular vesicles (EVs) play a pivotal role in intercellular communication across various physiological and pathological contexts. Despite their growing significance as disease biomarkers and therapeutic targets in biomedical research, the lack of reliable isolation techniques remains challenging. This study characterizes vesicles that were isolated from conditioned culture media (CCM) sourced from three myeloma cell lines (MM.1S, ANBL-6, and ALMC-1), and from the plasma of healthy donors and multiple myeloma patients. We compared the efficacy, reproducibility, and specificity of isolating small EVs using sucrose cushion ultracentrifugation (sUC) vs. ultrafiltration combined with size-exclusion chromatography (UF-SEC). Our results demonstrate that UF-SEC emerges as a more practical, efficient, and consistent method for EV isolation, outperforming sUC in the yield of EV recovery and exhibiting lower variability. Additionally, the comparison of EV characteristics among the three myeloma cell lines revealed distinct biomarker profiles. Finally, our results suggest that HBS associated with Tween 20 improves EV recovery and preservation over PBS. Standardization of small EV isolation methods is imperative, and our comparative evaluation represents a significant step toward achieving this goal.

BACKGROUND: Sodium-glucose transporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT-2i) are recommended for use in patients with type 2 diabetes comorbid atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, heart failure, or chronic kidney disease. Limited reports are currently available for their use in dialysis patients. In an observational, retrospective follow-up study, we reported the clinical characteristics of chronic peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients on SGLT-2i.
METHODS: We enrolled 50 diabetic chronic PD patients, and 11 continued SGLT-2i after PD treatment. We reported the patients\' ultrafiltration, HbA1c, urinary tract infection episodes, and venous CO2 during follow-up and compared the differences in these factors between patients with and without SGLT-2i.
RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 65 ± 15 years, and 16 (32%) patients were female. The age, gender, heart failure, and primary kidney disease were not different between patients with and without SGLT-2i at enrollment. In an average of 31 months follow-up, patients with SGLT-2i had higher ultrafiltration (1322 ± 200 ml/day vs. 985 ± 415 ml/day, p = 0.013), hemoglobin (11.2 ± 1.7 vs. 10.2 ± 1.7 g/dl), white blood cell count (9.2 ± 3.7 vs. 7.4 ± 2.1 109/L), and a lower venous CO2 (p = 0.036). The urine amount, the overall survival, the technical survival, and the chance of UTI were not different between patients with and without SGLT2i.
CONCLUSIONS: SGLT-2i may increase ultrafiltration volume and hemoglobin levels in chronic PD patients. SGLT-2i did not increase urinary tract infection but was linked to subclinical metabolic acidosis.
UNASSIGNED: The effect of SGLT-2i in chronic PD patients is not clear?
UNASSIGNED: SGLT-2i is associated with increased ultrafiltration, hemoglobin, white blood cell counts, and a decreased CO2 in PD patient.
UNASSIGNED: SGLT-2i may increase ultrafiltration in PD patients.

Autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) preparations are prepared at the point of care. Centrifugation cellular density separation sequesters a fresh unit of blood into three main fractions: a platelet-poor plasma (PPP) fraction, a stratum rich in platelets (platelet concentrate), and variable leukocyte bioformulation and erythrocyte fractions. The employment of autologous platelet concentrates facilitates the biological potential to accelerate and support numerous cellular activities that can lead to tissue repair, tissue regeneration, wound healing, and, ultimately, functional and structural repair. Normally, after PRP preparation, the PPP fraction is discarded. One of the less well-known but equally important features of PPP is that particular growth factors (GFs) are not abundantly present in PRP, as they reside outside of the platelet alpha granules. Precisely, insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) are mainly present in the PPP fraction. In addition to their roles as angiogenesis activators, these plasma-based GFs are also known to inhibit inflammation and fibrosis, and they promote keratinocyte migration and support tissue repair and wound healing. Additionally, PPP is known for the presence of exosomes and other macrovesicles, exerting cell-cell communication and cell signaling. Newly developed ultrafiltration technologies incorporate PPP processing methods by eliminating, in a fast and efficient manner, plasma water, cytokines, molecules, and plasma proteins with a molecular mass (weight) less than the pore size of the fibers. Consequently, a viable and viscous protein concentrate of functional total proteins, like fibrinogen, albumin, and alpha-2-macroglobulin is created. Consolidating a small volume of high platelet concentrate with a small volume of highly concentrated protein-rich PPP creates a protein-rich, platelet-rich plasma (PR-PRP) biological preparation. After the activation of proteins, mainly fibrinogen, the PR-PRP matrix retains and facilitates interactions between invading resident cells, like macrophages, fibroblast, and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), as well as the embedded concentrated PRP cells and molecules. The administered PR-PRP biologic will ultimately undergo fibrinolysis, leading to a sustained release of concentrated cells and molecules that have been retained in the PR-PRP matrix until the matrix is dissolved. We will discuss the unique biological and tissue reparative and regenerative properties of the PR-PRP matrix.

Car wash wastewaters (CWWs) contain various pollutants with different contents. Hence, selecting an appropriate process for their treatment is a great challenge. Undoubtedly, the ultrafiltration (UF) process is one of the most interesting and reliable choices. Therefore, the main aim of the current study was to investigate the performance of the UF membranes used for the long-term treatment of real CWWs. For this purpose, two polyethersulfone (PES) membranes with molecular weight cut-off (MWCO) values equal to 10 and 100 kDa were applied. As expected, a significant decrease in the permeate flux during the UF run was observed. However, it was immediately demonstrated that the systematic cleaning of membranes (every day) with Insect agent (pH = 11.5) prevented a further decline in the process\'s performance. In addition, this study focused on the relative flux during the process run with breaks lasting a few days when the UF installation was filled with distilled water. The results of this research indicated that aqueous media favor microorganism adherence to the surface which leads to the formation of biofilms inside processing installations. As a consequence, many attempts have been made to restore the initial membrane performance. It has been found that the application of several chemical agents is required. More precisely, the use of an Insect solution, P3 Ultrasil 11 agent, and phosphoric acid increases the relative flux to a value of 0.8. Finally, it has been indicated that the membranes used in this work are resistant to the long-term exposure to bacteria and chemical agents. However, during the separation of CWWs for the membrane with an MWCO of 10 kDa, a lesser fouling influence and higher effectiveness of cleaning were obtained. Finally, the present study demonstrates a novel analysis and innovative implications towards applying the UF process for the CWW treatment.

Organic micropollutants (OMPs) present in water and wastewater are in the spotlight because of their potentially harmful effects even at low concentrations and the difficulties of their elimination in urban wastewater treatment plants (UWWTPs). This study explores the impact of some membrane filtration processes on the removal of a group of 11 OMPs with an eye on the effects of two pretreatments (i.e., coagulation and adsorption onto powdered activated carbon (PAC)) and the adsorption of OMPs onto the membranes on the overall removal. For this purpose, ultrafiltration (UF) and nanofiltration (NF) experiments were conducted with selected OMPs spiked in ultrapure water and secondary effluents from UWWTPs. It was observed that the adsorption of OMPs onto the membranes was influenced by the characteristics of the membranes, as well as the presence of effluent organic matter (EfOM). Since adsorption was the dominant mechanism for the rejection of OMPs by UF membranes, a study of the adsorption equilibrium of the micropollutants using UF membrane pieces as the adsorbent was conducted. The adsorption isotherms for the most hydrophobic OMPs fitted the Langmuir model. The efficiency of coagulation and powdered activated carbon (PAC) adsorption coupled with UF were also investigated. Both pretreatments alleviated membrane fouling and improved the rejection of organic and inorganic matter. The PAC pretreatment significantly improved the removal of OMPs in the combined PAC/UF process. The best options for achieving reclaimed water with satisfactory physicochemical quality, nearly devoid of OMPs and microorganisms, and suitable for diverse reuse purposes are either the NF treatment or the combination of PAC/UF.

Deep eutectic solvents (DES) are green alternatives for conventional solvents. They have gained attention for their potential to extract valuable compounds from biomass, such as seaweed. In this framework, a case study was developed to assess the feasibility of pressure-driven membrane processes as an efficient tool for the recovery of deep eutectic solvents and targeted biomolecules. For this purpose, a mixture composed of the DES choline chloride - ethylene glycol (ChCl-EG) 1:2, water and alginate was made to mimic a DES extraction from seaweed. An integrated separation process design was proposed where ultrafiltration-diafiltration-nanofiltration (UF-DF-NF) was coupled. UF and DF were found to be effective for the separation of alginate with an 85 % yield. DES was likewise recovered by 93 %, proving the membrane filtrations\' technical feasibility. The NF performance to separate the DES from the water, for its recycling, laid by a 45 %-50 % retention and a final concentrated DES solution of 18 %(v/v).

UNASSIGNED: Due to the slower dissipation of the osmotic gradient, icodextrin-based solutions, compared to glucose-based solutions, can improve water removal. We investigated scenarios where one icodextrin-based long dwell (Extraneal) replaced two glucose-based exchanges.
UNASSIGNED: The three-pore model with icodextrin hydrolysis was used for numerical simulations of a single exchange to investigate the impact of different peritoneal dialysis schedules on fluid and solute removal in patients with different peritoneal solute transfer rates (PSTRs). We evaluated water removal (ultrafiltration, UF), absorbed mass of glucose (AbsGluc) and carbohydrates (AbsCHO, for glucose and glucose polymers), ultrafiltration efficiency (UFE = UF/AbsCHO) per exchange, and specified dwell time, and removed solute mass for sodium (ReNa), urea (ReU), and creatinine (ReCr) for a single peritoneal exchange with 7.5% icodextrin (Extraneal®) and glucose-based solutions (1.36% and 2.27%) and various dwell durations in patients with fast and average PSTRs.
UNASSIGNED: Introducing 7.5% icodextrin for the long dwell to replace one of three or four glucose-based exchanges per day leads to increased fluid and solute removal and higher UF efficiency for studied transport groups. Replacing two glucose-based exchanges with one icodextrin exchange provides higher or similar water removal and higher daily sodium removal but slightly lower daily removal of urea and creatinine, irrespective of the transport type present in the case of reference prescription with three and four daily exchanges.
UNASSIGNED: One 7.5% icodextrin can replace two glucose solutions. Unlike glucose-based solutions, it resulted only in minor differences between PSTR groups in terms of water and solute removal with UFE remaining stable up to 16 h.

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular diseases are the dominant cause of morbidity in hemodialysis (HD) patients. Unless sufficient anticoagulation is used during HD, clotting may appear. The objective was to investigate if levels of fibrin degradation products (D-dimer) were increased before and during HD.
METHODS: The combined observational study included 20 patients performing a total of 60 hemodialysis divided into three sessions of low-flux dialysis. None of the patients suffered from any clinically evident thromboembolic event before or during the study. Median bolus anticoagulation (mainly tinzaparin) doses were 84 Units/kg bow. Blood samples were drawn before HD (predialysis), and at 30min and 180min during HD with focus on analyzing D-dimer levels and its relation to interdialytic weight gain (IDWG) and speed of fluid elimination by HD (UF-rate).
RESULTS: Predialysis, D-dimer levels (mean 0.767 ±0.821, min 0.136mg/L) were above the upper reference value in 95% of the sessions. D-dimer levels were lowered at 30min (p<0.001) and returned to predialysis levels at 180min. Predialysis D-dimer correlated with NT-pro-BNP, Troponin T, IDWG and UF-rate. Multiple regression analysis revealed that the D-dimer levels were significantly related to IDWG and the UF-rate.
CONCLUSIONS: D-dimer levels were elevated in a high proportion predialysis and during HD and related to the IDWG and the UF-rate. Awareness of D-dimer levels and future studies will help clarify if optimization of those variables, besides anticoagulation and biocompatibility measures, will eradicate the repeated subclinical thromboembolic events related to each HD; one reason that may explain organ damage and shortened life span of these patients.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have the potential to provide new insights into skeletal muscle (SM) physiology and pathophysiology. However, current isolation protocols often do not eliminate co-isolated components such as lipoproteins and RNA binding proteins that could confound outcomes and hinder downstream clinical translation. In this study, we validated an EV isolation protocol that combined size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) with ultrafiltration (UF) to increase sample throughput, scalability and purity, while providing the very first analysis of the effects of UF column choice and fraction window on EV recovery. C2C12 myotube conditioned medium was pre-concentrated using either Amicon® Ultra 15 or Vivaspin®20 100 KDa UF columns and processed by SEC (IZON, qEV 70 nm). The resulting thirty fractions obtained were individually analysed to identify an optimal fraction window for EV recovery. The EV marker TSG101 could be detected from fractions 5 to 14, while CD9 and Annexin A2 only up to fraction 6. ApoA1+ lipoprotein co-isolates were detected from fraction 6 onwards for both protocols. Strikingly, Amicon and Vivaspin UF concentration protocols led to qualitative and quantitative variations in EV marker profiles and purity. Eliminating lipoprotein co-isolation by reducing the SEC fraction window resulted in a net loss of particles, but increased measures of sample purity and had only a negligible impact on the presence of EV marker proteins. In conclusion, our study developed an effective UF+SEC protocol for the isolation of EVs based on sample purity (fractions 1-5) and total EV abundance (fractions 2-10). We provide evidence to demonstrate that the choice of UF column can affect the composition of the resulting EV preparation and needs to be considered when being applied in EV isolation studies in SM. The resulting protocols will be valuable in isolating highly pure EV preparations for applications in a range of therapeutic and diagnostic studies.

Clarification and stabilisation processes are routinely performed post-fermentation to \'finish\' wines, but traditional methods are slow and energy intensive, create waste, and can affect wine volume and quality. New methods that \'finish\' wine rapidly, with higher recovery rates, and reduced waste and input costs, are therefore needed. Ultrafiltration is a separation process that fractionates liquids, nominally, according to molecular weight. By comparing the composition of permeate and retentate derived from pilot-scale fractionation of white and red wine using 75, 20, or 10 kDa membranes and different degrees of permeation (50, 80, 90, or 95%), this study sought to evaluate ultrafiltration as an innovative approach to the clarification and stabilisation of wine. Mass balance analysis confirmed that titratable acidity and alcohol were fractionated according to the degree of permeation; however, proteins, polysaccharides, and phenolic compounds (including anthocyanins for red wine) were concentrated in retentate due both to the membrane molecular weight cut-off (MWCO) specifications and degree of permeation. The retention of wine constituents smaller than the nominal MWCO suggests that interaction with other macromolecules or the membrane surface occurred. Red wine permeates were stripped of much of their essential character and were no longer considered commercially acceptable. In contrast, the removal of protein and phenolic compounds from white wine demonstrated the potential for ultrafiltration to remediate heat unstable or excessively phenolic wines. Findings enabled the identification of other winemaking applications of ultrafiltration technology that could enhance wine quality, process efficiency, and profitability.