Gut-related molecules as potential biomarkers in patients with decompensated cirrhosis.

Introduction And Objectives: Microbial translocation contributes to cirrhosis progression and complications. This study aims to investigate whether molecules related to intestinal permeability or microbial translocation can serve as prognostic biomarkers in patients with decompensated cirrhosis.

Materials And Methods: We prospectively evaluated hospitalized patients with decompensated cirrhosis for liver function, complications during hospitalization, in-hospital mortality, composite outcomes of in-hospital mortality and complications, 12-month mortality, and survival rates.

hTERT gene methylation in circulating DNA, tumor, and surrounding tissue in breast cancer: a prospective study.

Background: The human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) enzyme, encoded by the hTERT gene, synthesizes protective telomeric sequences on chromosomes and plays a fundamental role in cancer formation. Methylation of the hTERT gene has an upregulatory effect, increasing hTERT enzyme synthesis and allowing continuous tumor cell division.

Objective: In a group of patients with breast cancer, we aimed to analyze the methylation status of hTERT in the tumor, surrounding tissue, and circulating free deoxyribonucleic acid (cfDNA) of blood collected on the day of mastectomy and then approximately one year later.

Molecular monitoring by CDKN2A/p16INK4A and RB1 gene methylation in breast cancer.

Objective: This prospective study aimed to provide a comprehensive analysis of the methylation status of two pivotal genes, CDKN2A/p16INK4A (cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 2A) and RB1 (retinoblastoma transcriptional corepressor 1), in breast cancer patients.

Methods: Samples were obtained from 15 women diagnosed with breast cancer and who underwent a total mastectomy. DNA was extracted from the tumor, non-tumor tissue, and peripheral blood (circulating cell-free DNA).

P2X7 Receptor Modulation of the Gut Microbiota and the Inflammasome Determines the Severity of -Induced Ileitis.

In mice, oral infection induces severe ileitis. The aim of the present study was to investigate the impact of the P2X7 receptor (P2X7) on the inflammatory response to -induced ileitis. Cysts of the ME49 strain of were used to induce ileitis.

The P2X7 Receptor Promotes Colorectal Inflammation and Tumorigenesis by Modulating Gut Microbiota and the Inflammasome.

Given the role of the P2X7 receptor (P2X7R) in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), we investigated its role in the development and progression of colitis-associated colorectal cancer (CA-CRC). CA-CRC was induced in P2X7R and P2X7R mice with azoxymethane (AOM) combined with dextran sodium sulfate (DSS). In a therapeutic protocol, P2X7R mice were treated with a P2X7R-selective inhibitor (A740003).

Dysbiosis in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Pathogenic Role and Potential Therapeutic Targets.

Microbe-host communication is essential to maintain vital functions of a healthy host, and its disruption has been associated with several diseases, including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, the two major forms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Although individual members of the intestinal microbiota have been associated with experimental IBD, identifying microorganisms that affect disease susceptibility and phenotypes in humans remains a considerable challenge. Currently, the lack of a definition between what is healthy and what is a dysbiotic gut microbiome limits research.

Sulforaphane and Albumin Attenuate Experimental Intestinal Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury.

Background: Intestinal ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury constitutes a severe disorder, in great part resulting from oxidative stress. Because sulforaphane and albumin were shown to increase antioxidant defenses, we evaluated the therapeutic potential of these agents in an experimental model of I/R injury.

Methods: Wistar rats were used to establish a model of intestinal I/R (35 min of ischemia, followed by 45 min of reperfusion) and were treated with albumin (5 mL/kg), sulforaphane (500 μg/kg), or saline intravenously before reperfusion.

Frequency of Epstein-Barr virus DNA sequences in human gliomas.

Context And Objective: The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is the most common cause of infectious mononucleosis and is also associated with several human tumors, including Burkitt's lymphoma, Hodgkin's lymphoma, some cases of gastric carcinoma and nasopharyngeal carcinoma, among other neoplasms. The aim of this study was to screen 75 primary gliomas for the presence of specific EBV DNA sequences by means of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), with confirmation by direct sequencing.

Design And Setting: Prevalence study on EBV molecular genetics at a molecular pathology laboratory in a university hospital and at an applied genetics laboratory in a national institution.