1-h plasma D-xylose levels were measured in 48 untreated patients, 41 treated patients and 41 healthy controls. 4-h urine D-xylose excretion was measured in 47 untreated patients, 51 treated patients and 42 healthy controls. 100 mg of (13)C-D-xylose and 5 g of D-xylose were dissolved in 250 ml tap water and given orally. (13)CO(2) was measured in breath every 30 min for 4 h. Blood was sampled after 1 h, and urine collected after 4 h. Results. Test sensitivity/specificity for celiac disease was 88%/84% with the (13)C-D-xylose breath test, 65%/71% with the 1-h plasma D-xylose test, and 55%/74% with the 4-h urine D-xylose excretion test. Breath test results improved

significantly in the treated celiac group compared to untreated patients, but were not normalized compared AICAR PI3K/Akt/mTOR inhibitor to healthy controls. No difference was found between 1-h plasma D-xylose levels and CYT387 in vitro 4-h urinary D-xylose excretion in treated celiac patients and healthy controls. Conclusions. The (13)C-D-xylose breath test was superior to D-xylose testing in plasma and urine for assessment of small intestinal malabsorption with considerably higher sensitivity and specificity for untreated celiac disease.”
“Background: Schistosomiasis mansoni is a debilitating and sometimes fatal disease. Accurate diagnosis plays a key role in patient

management and infection control. However, currently available parasitological methods are laborious and lack sensitivity. The selection of target antigen candidates has turned out to be a promising tool

for the development of more sensitive diagnostic methods. In our previous investigations, the use of crude antigens led to false-positive results. Recently, focus has been given to highly purified Schistosoma mansoni antigens, especially to circulating antigens.\n\nMethod: Thus, our main goal was to test different types of circulating cathodic antigen glycoprotein (CCA), as “crude antigen,” the protein chain of recombinant CCA and two individual peptides. These schistosome proteins/peptides were PLX3397 tested in a new diagnostic method employing immunomagnetic separation based on the improvement of antigen-antibody binding.\n\nPrincipal Findings: Use of recombinant CCA as a diagnostic antigen allowed us to develop a diagnostic assay with high sensitivity and specificity with no false-negative results. Interestingly, the “crude antigen” worked as a good marker for control of cure after praziquantel treatment.\n\nConclusions/Significance: Our new diagnostic method was superior to enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in diagnosing low endemicity patients.”
“BACKGROUND & AIMS: Gastric ischemia is infrequently reported in the medical literature and under-recognized clinically and histopathologically. Various medical terms are used to describe gastric ischemia. We define and review the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and management of gastric ischemia.\n\nMETHODS: We describe 6 cases of gastric ischemia.