Structural model and functional properties of an exo-polygalacturonase from Neosartorya glabra.

A purified exo-polygalacturonase of Neosartorya glabra (EplNg) was successfully characterized. EplNg native presented 68.2 kDa, with 32% carbohydrate content.

Oncogenic and tumor suppressor pathways in subchronic aflatoxicosis in rats: Association with serum and urinary aflatoxin exposure biomarkers.

In this study, the changes in oncogenic and tumor suppressor signaling pathways in liver and their association with serum and urinary biomarkers of aflatoxin exposure were evaluated in Wistar rats fed diets containing aflatoxin B (AFB) for 90 days. Rats were divided into four groups (n = 15 per group) and assigned to dietary treatments containing 0 (control), 50 (AFB50), 100 (AFB100) and 200 μg AFB kg diet (AFB200). Multiple preneoplastic foci of hepatocytes marked with glutathione-S-transferase-placental form (GST-P) were identified in AFB100 and AFB200 groups.

Aflatoxin B residues in human livers and their relationship with markers of hepatic carcinogenesis in São Paulo, Brazil.

In this study, hepatic biopsies from autopsy cases in São Paulo, Brazil, showing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC,  = 8), cirrhosis associated with viral hepatitis (VC,  = 20), cirrhosis associated with alcoholism (AC,  = 20), and normal livers (NL or controls,  = 10) were subjected to determination of aflatoxin B (AFB) and its main metabolites, and of markers of hepatic carcinogenesis Only non-metabolized AFB was detected in 13 samples (27.1%,  = 48) of liver disorders (HCC, VC and AC), at levels between 10.0 and 418.

The comparative efficacy of renin-angiotensin system blockers in schistosomal hepatic fibrosis.

Schistosomiasis mansoni is involved in hepatic fibrogenesis and portal hypertension. Previous studies proved that blockade of some components of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) reduce liver fibrogenesis. However, the effects of inhibition of early stages of RAS pathway in schistosomal fibrosis have not been studied yet.

Congenital Zika Virus Infection Induces Severe Spinal Cord Injury.

We report 2 fatal cases of congenital Zika virus (ZIKV) infection. Brain anomalies, including atrophy of the cerebral cortex and brainstem, and cerebellar aplasia were observed. The spinal cord showed architectural distortion, severe neuronal loss, and microcalcifications.

Inhibition of Hepatocarcinogenesis by ArtinM via Anti-proliferative and Pro-apoptotic Mechanisms.

ArtinM is a d-mannose-binding lectin found in the seeds of Artocarpus heterophyllus (jackfruit) that interacts with N-glycans, that is associated with receptors on the surface of phagocytic cells and induces the production of inflammatory mediators. Some of them are especially important because they may be required for antitumor immune response. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of ArtinM on hepatocellular preneoplastic foci.

Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis: A Search for Factual Animal Models.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is characterized by hepatic steatosis, which occurs in the absence of alcohol abuse. NAFLD can evolve into progressive liver injury and fibrosis in the form of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Several animal models have been developed to attempt to represent the morphological, biochemical, and clinical features of human NASH.

Rosmarinic acid attenuates hepatic ischemia and reperfusion injury in rats.

Rosmarinic acid (RosmA) demonstrates antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. We investigated the effect of RosmA on liver ischemia/reperfusion injury. Rats were submitted to 60 min of ischemia plus saline or RosmA treatment (150 mg/kg BW intraperitoneally) followed by 6 h of reperfusion.

Riboflavin (vitamin B-2) reduces hepatocellular injury following liver ischaemia and reperfusion in mice.

Riboflavin has been shown to exhibit anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties in the settings of experimental sepsis and ischaemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. We investigated the effect of riboflavin on normothermic liver I/R injury. Mice were submitted to 60 min of ischaemia plus saline or riboflavin treatment (30 μmoles/kg BW) followed by 6 h of reperfusion.

Specificity of modified Drosophila mariner transposons in the identification of Leishmania genes.

Genetic manipulation of the protozoan Leishmania has led to a better understanding of the survival and development of these pathogens within their hosts. The association of the Leishmania genome sequencing information with the ability of transposons to introduce or destroy phenotypes allows a global perspective on the role and importance of genes in cellular pathways. Herein we report the construction and testing of mariner transposable elements carrying the neomycin phosphotransferase, green fluorescent protein, or beta-glucuronidase genes as reporters for translational fusion events.