Abstract: Methods for diagnosing chronic diarrhea and other gastrointestinal conditions are disclosed. In the methods, a sample of gastrointestinal secretions may be obtained from a control group; or a group of people who have been diagnosed with either healthy gastrointestinal tracts or a gastrointestinal condition, like chronic diarrhea. The samples from the control group may be analyzed in any manner to determine the levels of secretions, like antimicrobial proteins, mitochondria, and digestive enzymes, in gastrointestinal secretions. The results of the sample analysis may be used to create a database containing profiles of normal and abnormal gastrointestinal secretions. As the database is created and specific secretion level abnormalities are identified, patients may be diagnosed with these abnormalities and be treated by adjusting the levels of specific secretions.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for preparing a biological specimen for microscopic analysis. Fixing compositions and dewatering compositions are provided with methods for their use that improve sample preparation and result in greater detail being available in the prepared specimen. Such compositions and methods also render more quantitative analysis of prepared specimens possible, and potentially enable a range of research and diagnostic tools.

Abstract: A method for obtaining information about a chronic diarrhea condition in a patient, including possible diagnosis of chronic diarrhea, is disclosed. In the method, a sample of a gastrointestinal secretion that contains mitochondria is obtaining from the patient. The sample is analyzed using an analytical technique, such as mass spectroscopy, to obtain a unique proteomic pattern characteristic of the proteins within the secretion. The proteomic pattern of the sample is compared with a proteomic pattern profile database to determine differences and similarities of the proteomic pattern to the proteomic pattern profile database. The proteomic pattern database may include profiles of normal and/or abnormal proteomic patterns.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for preparing a biological specimen for microscopic analysis. Fixing compositions and dewatering compositions are provided with methods for their use that improve sample preparation and result in greater detail being available in the prepared specimen. Such compositions and methods also render more quantitative analysis of prepared specimens possible, and potentially enable a range of research and diagnostic tools.