Utility of transjugular renal biopsy as an alternative to percutaneous biopsy.

Background And Objectives: Transjugular renal biopsies (TRB) are an alternative when percutaneous ultrasound renal biopsy is contraindicated. Few sites are currently carrying out this procedure, with limited literature existing on the indications, complications and diagnostic yield thereof. The aim of the study is to analyse the indications, diagnostic yield, safety and complications of percutaneous transjugular renal biopsies in our site over the last 15 years.

Mesangial C4d Deposits in Early IgA Nephropathy.

Background And Objectives: The prognostic value of mesangial C4d deposits in IgA nephropathy has been analyzed in patients with reduced GFR but has not been analyzed in those with normal kidney function. The main objective of the study was to analyze the prognostic value of C4d deposits and association with response to treatment in patients with IgA nephropathy and normal GFR.

Design, Setting, Participants, & Measurements: This retrospective cohort study included 190 patients with idiopathic IgA nephropathy diagnosed by kidney biopsy between 1988 and 2005.

Evolution of antibody titre against the M-type phospholipase A2 receptor and clinical response in idiopathic membranous nephropathy patients treated with tacrolimus.

Introduction And Objectives: The level of circulating antibodies against M-type phospolipase A2 receptor has been reported as having a significant correlation with clinical activity in idiopathic membranous nephropathy. However, the usefulness of monitoring antibody titre as a predictor of clinical response following the onset of treatment has not been formally analysed. The predictive value of the evolution of anti-PLA2R antibody titre on the clinical response of idiopathic membranous nephropathy patients treated with tacrolimus is analysed in the following study.

Rapamycin improves peripheral nerve myelination while it fails to benefit neuromuscular performance in neuropathic mice.

Charcot--Marie-Tooth disease type 1A (CMT1A) is a hereditary peripheral neuropathy characterized by progressive demyelination and distal muscle weakness. Abnormal expression of peripheral myelin protein 22 (PMP22) has been linked to CMT1A and is modeled by Trembler J (TrJ) mice, which carry the same leucine to proline substitution in PMP22 as affected pedigrees. Pharmacologic modulation of autophagy by rapamycin in neuron-Schwann cell explant cultures from neuropathic mice reduced PMP22 aggregate formation and improved myelination.