Potential Role of N-Cadherin in Diagnosis and Prognosis of Diabetic Nephropathy.

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a serious complication of diabetes affecting about half the people with diabetes and the leading cause of end stage renal disease (ESRD). Albuminuria and creatinine levels are currently the classic markers for the diagnosis of DN. However, many shortcomings are arising from the use of these markers mainly because they are not specific to DN and their levels are altered by multiple non-pathological factors.

Association of significantly elevated plasma levels of NGAL and IGFBP4 in patients with diabetic nephropathy.

Background: Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a type of progressive kidney disease affecting approximately 40% of patients with diabetes. Current DN diagnostic criteria predominantly rely on albuminuria and serum creatinine (sCr) levels. However, the specificity and reliability of both markers are limited.

Intermediate hyperglycaemia, insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome among obese Arab children (12-17 years old) in Kuwait.

Objective: To screen 97 obese Arab adolescents for metabolic risk factors.

Results: Insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome and intermediate hyperglycaemia was found in 56.7 %, 14.

Mapping of Neutralizing Antibody Epitopes on the Envelope of Viruses Obtained from Plasma Samples Exhibiting Broad Cross-Clade Neutralization Potential Against HIV-1.

Several broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs) that can target HIV strains with large degrees of variability have recently been identified. However, efforts to induce synthesis of such bNAbs that can protect against HIV infection have not met with much success. Identification of specific epitopes encoded in the HIV-1 envelope (Env) that can direct the host to synthesize bNAbs remains a challenge.

Abnormal routine pre-operative test results and their impact on anaesthetic management: An observational study.

Background And Aims: One of the reasons for continued routine pre-operative testing practice is the identification of hidden problems which may affect perioperative management. This study was aimed to assess the prevalence of abnormal test results, their impact on perioperative management and cost-effectiveness for detecting such abnormalities.

Methods: This observational study was conducted by screening the files of the patients attending pre-anaesthetic check-up during December 2016-January 2017.

Pathophysiology of CD4+ T-Cell Depletion in HIV-1 and HIV-2 Infections.

The hall mark of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is a gradual loss of CD4+ T-cells and imbalance in CD4+ T-cell homeostasis, with progressive impairment of immunity that leads ultimately to death. HIV infection in humans is caused by two related yet distinct viruses: HIV-1 and HIV-2. HIV-2 is typically less virulent than HIV-1 and permits the host to mount a more effective and sustained T-cell immunity.