Electronic microarray screening of podocin mutations: a single-center study.

Background: Because of resistance to immunosuppressants in nephrotic syndrome and reduction of proteinuria relapses following renal transplantation, it seems that new horizons have arisen from mutational screening of the podocin gene. The aim of this study was to assess electronic microarray screening of the podocin mutation.

Methods: Twelve previously identified podocin mutations were screened by the electronic microarray method in known DNA samples and in patients (aged 5 months-18 years, n = 38) with steroid-resistant primary nephrotic syndrome, isolated proteinuria, end-stage renal disease secondary to idiopathic nephrotic syndrome, and proteinuria relapses following renal transplantation.

Sugar transport systems of Bifidobacterium longum NCC2705.

Here we present the complement of the carbohydrate uptake systems of the strictly anaerobic probiotic Bifidobacterium longum NCC2705. The genome analysis of this bacterium predicts that it has 19 permeases for the uptake of diverse carbohydrates. The majority belongs to the ATP-binding cassette transporter family with 13 systems identified.