1,721,161 research outputs found
From-omics to personalized medicine in nephrology: Integration is the key
No full textLarge-scale gene, protein and metabolite measurements ('omics') have driven the resolution of biology to an unprecedented high definition. Passing from reductionism to a system-oriented perspective, medical research will take advantage of these high-throughput technologies unveiling their full potential. Integration is the key to decoding the underlying principles that govern the complex functions of living systems. Extensive computational support and statistical modelling is needed to manage and connect the-omic data sets but this, in turn, is speeding up the hypothesis generation in biology enormously and yielding a deep insight into the pathophysiology. This systems biology approach will transform diagnostic and therapeutic strategies with the discovery of novel biomarkers that will enable a predictive and preventive medicine leading to personalized medicine. © 2013 The Author
MicroRNAs in kidney diseases: New promising biomarkers for diagnosis and monitoring
No full textA series of microRNAs (miRNAs) have a critical role in many cellular and physiological activities such as cell cycle, growth, proliferation, apoptosis and metabolism. miRNAs are also important in the maintenance of renal homeostasis and kidney diseases. In vitro and in vivo animal models have shown a critical role of miRNAs in the development of diabetic nephropathy (DN) and in the progression of renal fibrosis. Specific miRNAs in renal tissue and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) are up and downregulated in different kidney diseases. They represent new potential biomarkers for diagnosis and targeted therapy. In addition, urinary miRNAs may be considered non-invasive biomarkers for monitoring the progression of renal damage. The activity of miRNAs can be modified by different approaches such as the use of antisense oligonucleotide inhibitors (antagomirs), tandem miRNA-binding site repeats manufactured by Decoy or Sponge technologies and miRNA mimics. The use of miRNA blockers or antagonists as therapeutic agents is very attractive but new information will be necessary considering their role in other systems. © The Author 2013
Genome-wide association studies in kidney diseases: Quo Vadis
Full text linkA genome-wide association (GWA) study is a genetic epidemiology approach designed to scan genetic variation across the entire human genome in order to identify genetic associations with phenotypic traits as well as the presence or absence of a disease. Hundreds of thousands of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), the most common form of genetic variant, serve as markers. SNPs are assayed and related to diseases or health-related conditions applying bioinformatics algorithms. This has become feasible thanks to the recent technological improvements in the so-called high-throughput technologies. The analysis identifies regions (loci) with statistically significant differences in allele or genotype frequencies between cases and controls and so the variations are said to be ‘associated’ with the diseas
Worldwide distribution of glomerular diseases: The role of renal biopsy registries
No full textMany published papers describe the frequency of histolog- ical findings from different biopsy databases all over the world. Ranging in number from hundreds to thousands, these collections sometimes report not only the frequency of the disease but the clinical and demographic correlations, too. However, the data provided are not always compara- ble mainly because of the lack of a common national renal biopsy registry. Polito et al. [1], in their paper, evaluated 9617 native renal biopsies from Brazil during the period 1993–2007 and reported the frequencies of the different histological findings. They also take into account demo- graphic and clinical features, present several analysis and compare the results with patterns of glomerular disease distribution all over the world. It is interesting to notice that Brazil encompasses both the features of developed and developing countries and this paper allows us to better
Epidemiology and ancestral difference
No full textThe following sections are included:
Introduction
Worldwide Distribution
Europe
America
Australia
Asia
Conclusion
Reference
The relevance of experimental models in the pathogenetic investigation of primary IgA nephropathy
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