Red-fleshed Apples: Old Autochthonous Fruits as a Novel Source of Anthocyanin Antioxidants.

In order to promote breeding programs and a full reintroduction into production of two local red-fleshed apple varieties grown in Bekran and Bastam (Iran), the evaluation of their antioxidant properties was of interest. LC-MS(n) based metabolic fingerprinting analyses were applied to investigate the anthocyanin content of both peel and flesh components of the fruits. Cyanidin-3-O-hexoside isomers were present in both 'Bekran' and 'Bastam' apples, whereas 'Bekran' apple was a valuable source of anthocyanin rutinose derivatives.

[An attempt to improve classification of HCV-correlated chronic hepatitis].

To verify the clinical efficacy of the Desmet classification of chronic hepatitis C we reviewed 801 liver biopsies from patients with HCV-chronic hepatitis (CH). The diagnosis of chronic hepatitis was assessed according to the Desmet classification based on the Knodell Histological Activity Index (HAI) (minimal CH=score 1-3; mild CH= 4-8; moderate CH= 9-12; severe CH= 13-18). Liver fibrosis was assessed according to the Scheuer scoring system.

Uselessness of liver biopsy in patients with hepatitis C virus chronic infection and persistently normal aminotransferase levels.

This case-control study evaluated the real need for liver biopsy in subjects with persistently normal aminotransferase values over a long period by comparing the histological features of these subjects with those of patients with abnormal aminotransferase values. We considered as "Cases" all 32 consecutive anti-HCV/HCV-RNA positive subjects with at least eight normal serum ALT values during the last twelve months; for each "Case", we selected as a "Control" one anti-HCV/HCV-RNA positive patient with at least two abnormal serum ALT values during the last twelve months. The Cases and Controls were matched for age ( 5 years) and sex.