Alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency is an inherited autosomal codominant disorder, which predisposes patients to lung and/or liver disease. Even though it is considered rare, it is one of the most frequent genetic disorders worldwide, albeit remaining underdiagnosed. Several organizations and societies, including the Portuguese Society of Pulmonology have been elaborating guidelines and recommendations for the diagnosis and management of alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFUric acid is considered the main substrate for peroxidases in plasma. The oxidation of uric acid by human peroxidases generates urate free radical and urate hydroperoxide, which might affect endothelial function and explain, at least in part, the harmful effects of uric acid on the vascular system. Peroxidasin (PXDN), the most recent heme-peroxidase described in humans, catalyzes the formation of hypobromous acid, which mediates collagen IV crosslinks in the extracellular matrix.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPurpose: Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) incidence is high in South America, where recent data on survival are sparse. We investigated the main predictors of HNSCC survival in Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, and Colombia.
Methods: Sociodemographic and lifestyle information was obtained from standardized interviews, and clinicopathologic data were extracted from medical records and pathologic reports.
Background: Extracellular surface protein disulfide isomerase-A1 (PDI) is involved in platelet aggregation, thrombus formation and vascular remodeling. PDI performs redox exchange with client proteins and, hence, its oxidation by extracellular molecules might alter protein function and cell response. In this study, we investigated PDI oxidation by urate hydroperoxide, a newly-described oxidant that is generated through uric acid oxidation by peroxidases, with a putative role in vascular inflammation.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF