Leprosy patients may present with immune system impairment and have a higher hepatitis B virus (HBV) seroprevalence, justifying the investigation of occult HBV infection in these individuals. The aim of this study was to verify the frequency and the clinical factors associated with occult HBV infection in leprosy patients. Between 2015 and 2016, leprosy patients from a reference center in Brazil were interviewed to assess clinical data.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: epigenomes can be influenced by environmental factors leading to the development of diseases.
Objective: To investigate the influence of sun exposure on global DNA methylation and hydroxymethylation status and at specific sites of the miR-9-1, miR-9-3 and MTHFR genes in skin samples of subjects with no history of skin diseases.
Methods: Skin samples were obtained by punch on sun-exposed and sun-protected arm areas from 24 corpses of 16-89 years of age.
Background: Studies have shown that a variety of environmental factors and habits are associated with epigenetic changes. In addition, various genes are also found to respond to UV radiation.
Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the sun exposure influence on the DNA methylation profile on the matrix metalloprotease-9 (MMP9), microRNA 137 (miR-137), cytokeratin 14 (KRT14) and 19 (KRT19) genes of skin cells of subjects with no history of skin diseases.