0000000001062317
AUTHOR
Carroccio A
Reply.
Regarding the first question, however, we believe that there is a clear answer in the article itself. We stated, in the Methods section, that “the biopsy specimens were assessed in Palermo by 2 pathologists (G.G. and/or A.M.F.)”; the eosinophil count, which seems to be one of the most important findings of the study, “was further assessed by an experienced gastrointestinal pathologist (V.V.) in Brescia.” We also added that “all reviewers were blinded to the diet allocation and final diagnosis of each patient.” Consequently, the k value provided in the Results section referred to the agreement between the evaluation performed in Palermo and the evaluation performed in Brescia. No further det…
Circulating E-selectin levels in chronic hepatitis C patients with normal or elevated transaminase before and after alpha-interferon treatment
E-selectin, an adhesion molecule of the selectin family, is involved in leukocyte adhesion to the endothelium and in the cellular immunological reactions. Expression of this molecule, in fact, is physiologically absent, but it becomes evident on sinusoidal lining cells during inflammatory liver disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the behavior of E-selectin in chronic hepatitis C (CH-C) patients with persistently normal transaminase in comparison to patients with CH-C and elevated transaminase, and its changes during alpha-interferon therapy. Immunohistochemical localization of E-selectin was also performed on liver tissue specimens of both groups. Fifty-eight subjects were divide…