Enzyme linking to DNA aptamers via a zinc finger as a bridge.

We propose a novel enzyme-labeling method for DNA aptamers using enzyme-fused zinc finger proteins. We achieved thrombin detection and vascular endothelial growth factor detection using zinc finger-fused firefly luciferase.

Resolution of proteinuria after transarterial embolization of aberrant renal artery in a patient with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis.

A 24-year-old man was admitted to our hospital for persistent proteinuria. He was born with a low birth weight but had grown up uneventful until the age of 20 when he was found to have proteinuria. Because his body mass index was 30.9 kg/m2 at that time, he was diagnosed as obesity-related nephropathy. However, weight reduction and administration of ACE inhibitor were minimally effective for the amelioration of proteinuria. Ultrasound-guided percutaneous renal biopsy at the lower pole of right kidney was performed. As serious bleeding occurred from the right aberrant renal artery soon after biopsy, he was treated with transarterial embolization (TAE). The day after TAE, proteinuria completely disappeared. Renal biopsy showed benign nephrosclerosis with secondary focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS). Proteinuria could be induced by increased blood flow and pressure due to abnormal blood supply from aberrant renal artery. This is the first report of resolution of proteinuria after TAE of aberrant renal artery in a patient with FSGS.

Relationship between the accuracy of glycemic markers and the chronic kidney disease stage in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

BACKGROUND: It is important to establish glycemic markers which reflect accurate glycemic status in advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients; however, adequate glycemic markers have not been established. We evaluated the accuracy of glycemic markers in non-dialysis CKD patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 139 non-dialysis CKD patients with diabetes were enrolled. The patients were divided into three groups as follows: group 1 (G1), patients with an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) >= 60 mL/min/1.73 m2; group 2 (G2), 30 ≤ eGFR < 60; and group 3 (G3), eGFR < 30. The patients were also classified by serum albumin: patients with serum albumin >= 3.5 g/dL as group S1 (S1) and serum albumin < 3.5 as group S2 (S2). RESULTS: Glycated hemoglobin (A1C) was positively correlated with random PG in G1 and G2; however, no significant correlation was observed in G3. Whereas glycated albumin (GA) was correlated with random PG in S1, there was no significant correlation in S2. To clarify the significance of A1C and GA, the relationships among A1C, GA, and various clinical parameters were examined. GA was correlated with serum albumin and the urinary albumin-creatinine ratio, whereas A1C was significantly correlated with hemoglobin, the dose of recombinant human erythropoietin, and eGFR. CONCLUSION: A1C was affected by eGFR, and GA was influenced by hypoalbuminemia; therefore, it is necessary to choose adequate glycemic markers according to the CKD stage and serum albumin level. GA is a superior glycemic marker in patients with eGFR < 30 mL/min/1.73 m2 and serum albumin >= 3.5 g/dL.

Significance of renal biopsy in patients with presumed diabetic nephropathy.

AIMS/INTRODUCTION: Patients with diabetic nephropathy (DN) typically show varying degrees of proteinuria and renal impairment. Because these clinical signs are frequently observed in other glomerulopathies, renal biopsy is required to make a definitive diagnosis of DN. We carried out the present study to evaluate the significance of renal biopsy for patients who have been presumptively diagnosed with DN. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 55 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM), and proteinuria, hematuria and/or renal impairment were enrolled in this study. RESULTS: Renal biopsy showed that just 30 patients (54.5%) were histologically diagnosed with DN. Fasting plasma glucose and glycated hemoglobin levels were associated with the presence of DN, whereas baseline renal function showed no statistically significant relationship to DN. The duration of DM was not associated with the presence of DN. Patients with DN had a higher rate of diabetic retinopathy (DR) than those with non-DN (DN 18 patients vs non-DN three patients, P = 0.00029). DN patients with DR showed a more severe renal histology than those without. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that, even for patients with long-term DM, renal biopsy should be carried out in patients with presumed DN. Because treatment options differ between DN and primary glomerulopathies, renal biopsy should especially be considered for presumed DN without DR.