Targeted Next-Generation Sequencing Identifies Pathogenic Variants in Diabetic Kidney Disease.

Introduction: Diabetes is the most common cause of chronic kidney disease (CKD). For patients with diabetes and CKD, the underlying cause of their kidney disease is often assumed to be a consequence of their diabetes. Without histopathological confirmation, however, the underlying cause of their disease is unclear.

Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) study of anthocyanidins.

Anthocyanins are an important class of natural compounds responsible for the red, purple and blue colors in a large number of flowers, fruits and cereal grains. They are polyhydroxy- and polymethoxy-derivatives of 2-phenylbenzopyrylium (flavylium) salts, which are present in nature as glycosylated molecules. The aim of the present study is to assess the identification of anthocyanidins, i.

Exploiting external reflection FTIR spectroscopy for the in-situ identification of pigments and binders in illuminated manuscripts. Brochantite and posnjakite as a case study.

In the present work, the use of portable instrumentation allowing in-situ reflection FTIR analyses is exploited to identify the coloring matters of northern-Italian illuminations dating to the XVI century. In order to build a database of spectra, reference paint samples were prepared spreading the pigments on parchment with two different binders, i.e.

Detection of anti-Saccharomyces cerevisiae antibodies in Crohn's disease: is it a reliable diagnostic and prognostic marker?

Background: In the past few years, serologic markers have been proposed in inflammatory bowel disease. Anti-Saccharomyces cerevisiae antibodies showed high specificity for Crohn's disease. A prognostic role for serology has also been hypothesised.

Fecal pancreatic elastase 1 in the work up of patients with chronic diarrhea.

Background: Quantitative determination of pancreatic elastase-1 (E1) in stools has been proposed as a novel, noninvasive test of pancreatic function. The aim of the study was to verify its role in the differential diagnosis of chronic diarrhea.

Methods: E1 was measured in spot stool samples of 50 patients with pancreatic disease (PD), 62 with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), 45 with chronic diarrhea (CD), 34 with other gastroduodenal and liver disease (gastrointestinal; GI), and in 18 normal controls, by a commercial kit (Schebo-Tech.

Serum interferon gamma in primary biliary cirrhosis: effect of ursodeoxycholic acid and prednisone therapy alone and in combination.

Background: Interferon-gamma may have immunopathogenic importance in primary biliary cirrhosis, stimulating aberrant expression on biliary epithelium of class II major histocompatibility molecules and inter-cellular adhesion molecule-1. Liver transcripts for interferon-gamma are found in primary biliary cirrhosis. Its serum level is increased in pretransplantation stages and decreases after transplantation.

Amantadine hydrochloride decreases serum ALT activity without effects on serum HCV-RNA in chronic hepatitis C patients.

Background And Aims: To investigate the effects and tolerance of amantadine in chronic hepatitis C patients.

Patients And Methods: Forty consecutive patients, with biopsy proven chronic active hepatitis, were treated with amantadine 200 mg daily in the morning for two months. Nineteen patients were previous non responders to alpha-interferon, nine patients experienced hepatitis relapse after interferon treatment, and twelve patients had never been treated with antiviral drugs.