One of the central dogmas of the Catholic Church is the belief in the Eucharistic presence of Jesus Christ, which requires no scientific confirmation because it concerns a supernatural reality. Since the early Middle Ages, however, instances have been recorded improperly referred to as Eucharistic miracles, which believers consider eyewitness testimony to a real transubstantiation. Changes in the structure, number, or an unexpected bloody red colour of the Host were often regarded as supernatural phenomena, but the Church officials themselves, aware of the possibility of a biological basis for these changes, showed far-reaching restraint.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe proper fluid and carbohydrates intake is essential before and during physical exercise, and for this reason most athletes drink beverages containing a high amount of free sugars. Sweetened soft drinks are also commonly consumed by those not doing any sport, and this habit seems to be both unhealthy and also the cause of metabolic problems. Recently, several sweeteners have been proposed to replace sugars in popular beverages.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMore than 100 substances have been identified as biomarkers of acute kidney injury. These markers can help to diagnose acute kidney injury (AKI) in its early phase, when the creatinine level is not increased. The two markers most frequently studied in plasma and serum are cystatin C and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Kidney transplantation (KT) is the most desired and cost-effective modality of renal replacement therapy for patients with chronic kidney failure. KT protects the patient from complications that may develop during chronic dialysis. Unfortunately, evidence also suggests that KT patients are more prone to developing cancer than healthy persons.
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