Characterization for anti-cytoplasmic antibodies specificity by morphological and molecular techniques.

Purpose: The aim of our study was the characterization of anti-cytoplasmic antibodies by home-made morphological and biochemical techniques. Indeed, indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) on HEp-2 cell line is not always exhaustive in relation to the complexity of the antigens involved.

Methods: Nine serum samples with anti-cytoplasmic antibodies (2 anti-Golgi apparatus, 3 with diffuse pattern and 4 with lysosome/endosome-like pattern) were tested with fluorescent confocal microscopy, Western blot analysis and, when necessary, with electron microscopy technique.

Diagnostic value of anti-mutated citrullinated vimentin in comparison to anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide and anti-viral citrullinated peptide 2 antibodies in rheumatoid arthritis: an Italian multicentric study and review of the literature.

In the last years, the detection of antibodies (Abs) against citrullinated peptides (ACPA) has largely replaced rheumatoid factor (RF) as the most helpful biomarker in the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Current assays detect ACPA reactivity with epitopes on various different citrullinated proteins. Among these, anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP) Abs have been widely demonstrated to be an important diagnostic and prognostic tool because of their high specificity.

Detection of anti-IFI16 antibodies by ELISA: clinical and serological associations in systemic sclerosis.

Objectives: To validate the clinical significance of anti-IFI16 autoantibodies in SSc and assess their associations with serological markers of SSc.

Methods: A semi-quantitative ELISA was used to detect anti-IFI16 autoantibodies in the sera of 344 SSc patients from seven Italian hospitals and 144 healthy controls. SSc-associated autoantibodies [anti-RNA polymerase III (anti-RNAP III) antibodies, anti-centromere, anti-topo I] and IF patterns were evaluated using commercial assays.

NT pro-B-type natriuretic peptide levels are related to microvascular reperfusion in patients undergoing direct percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty for anterior ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to describe the time course of NT pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT pro-BNP) levels in patients with large anterior ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) treated with primary angioplasty (PPCI) and to investigate the relationship between these values and both microvascular reperfusion and left ventricular (LV) function.

Background: The clinical efficacy of PPCI is largely dependent on the achievement of microvascular reperfusion. Myocardial blush is an angiographic method to evaluate the presence of effective reperfusion after PPCI.

Fecal calprotectin levels in patients with colonic polyposis.

Context: The usefulness of stool calprotectin determination in diagnosis of inflammatory disease of the colon has been reported; information about its usefulness for patients with polyposis are scarce, however.

Objective: To evaluate the significance of stool calprotectin concentrations for patients affected by colonic polyposis.

Patients: Sixty-three consecutive patients (35 males, 28 females, mean age 60.

Prevalence of undiagnosed celiac disease in the parents of preterm and/or small for gestational age infants.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of undiagnosed celiac disease (CD) in the parents of preterm and/or small for gestational age (SGA) infants.

Methods: A sample of 1,714 parents (868 women, 846 men) of 905 preterm (<37 wk of gestational age) and/or SGA (<10th percentile of birthweight) infants consecutively born in Lombardy, Northern Italy, and not diagnosed with CD prior to pregnancy, were tested for CD. Diagnosis was based on antitissue transglutaminase and anti-endomysial antibodies and confirmed by duodenal biopsy.