Molecular analysis of patients with type III Bartter syndrome: picking up large heterozygous deletions with semiquantitative PCR.

Type III Bartter syndrome (BS) (OMIM607364) is caused by mutations in the basolateral chloride channel CIC-Kb gene (CLCNKB). The CLCNKB gene is sometimes reported as having a large deletion mutation, but all cases reported previously were large homozygous deletions and a large heterozygous deletion is impossible to detect by direct sequencing. This report concerns a genetic analysis of five Japanese patients with type III BS.

Identification of the motilin cells in duodenal epithelium of premature infants.

Background: The aim of the present study was to examine the presence of motilin in the duodenal epithelial cells of premature infants of < 32 weeks gestation.

Methods: Specimens from 10 deceased infants (gestational age: 26.4 +/- 2.

Up-regulation of interleukin-2 mRNA in children with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome.

The current hypothesis for the pathogenesis of childhood idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (INS) favors the involvement of a T cell-mediated immune response. Various cytokines derived from T cells may play a critical role in INS. Previous studies have measured serum or urine cytokine levels and suggest an imbalance of the T cell-mediated immune response.

Analysis of glomerular anionic charge status in children with IgA nephropathy using confocal laser scanning microscopy.

Background: The proteinuria resulting from IgA nephropathy is secondary to altered charge-selective and/or size-selective properties of the glomerular capillary walls. However, the functional changes occurring within the glomerular capillary network which lead to proteinuria are still poorly understood. In this study, we analyzed the participation of charged components in the glomerular capillary and their role with respect to proteinuria in childhood IgA nephropathy.

Quantitative analysis of glomerular type IV collagen alpha3-5 chain expression in children with thin basement membrane disease.

Thin basement membrane disease (TBMD) and Alport syndrome, two forms of childhood nephritis, have generally been considered to be hereditary diseases. In Alport syndrome, several reports have demonstrated pathogenic mutations of the genes encoding type IV collagen alpha3, 4 and/or 5 chain [alpha3, 4 and/or 5(IV)]. Previous immunohistochemical studies indicated that these antigens were absent from the glomerular basement membrane (GBM) in Alport syndrome, whilst a normal labeling pattern was maintained in TBMD.

[Shear stress-induced platelet aggregation in children with minimal change nephrotic syndrome].

Analysis of the hemostasis system using biochemical techniques in children with minimal change nephrotic syndrome (MCNS) has previously been restricted to in vitro assays. The recent introduction of measurement of shear stress-induced platelet aggregation (SIPA) using platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has facilitated detailed investigation of the hemostatic system in vivo. In order to further analyze the etiology of the thrombotic tendency exhibited by patients with childhood MCNS, we investigated SIPA at both low shear stress (L-SIPA) and high shear stress (H-SIPA) in 14 children with MCNS using PRP collected weekly after commencing prednisolone therapy.