Search results for "Wester"

Nickel(II) inhibits the repair of O 6 -methylguanine in mammalian cells

1999

Nickel compounds are widespread carcinogens, and although only weakly mutagenic, interfere with nucleotide excision repair and with the repair of oxidative DNA base modifications. In the present study we investigated the effect of nickel(II) on the induction and repair of O6-methylguanine and N7-methylguanine after treatment with N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU). We applied Chinese hamster ovary cells stably transfected with human O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) cDNA (CHO-AT), and compared the results with the MGMT-deficient parental cell line. As determined by high-performance liquid chromatography/electrochemical detection (HPLC/ECD), there was a slight but mostly not significan…

Fine-mapping of the B-cell epitope domain at the N-terminus of the preS2 region of the hepatitis B surface antigen

2002

In this study, we report the exact localization and substitutional characterization of a B-cell epitope domain at the N-terminus of the preS2 region of the hepatitis B surface antigen. A set of deletion variants containing preS2 sequences of different length was generated on the basis of frCP as a carrier. It was found after Western blot analysis that three monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) (2-11B1, 3-11C2, HB.OT10) recognized the linear preS2 sequence within the amino acid (aa) stretch 3-WNSTTFHQTLQDP-13. The importance of each aa residue of the epitope was proved by comparison of antibody binding to alanine-substituted peptides in both free-peptide and Pepscan variants.

Activation of a caspase-3-independent mode of cell death associated with lysosomal destabilization in cultured human retinal pigment epithelial cells…

2008

International audience; Purpose: To characterize the possible cytotoxic effects of oxysterols (7-hydroxycholesterol (7-OH), 25-hydroxycholesterol (25-OH)) in human retinal pigment epithelial cells (ARPE-19) and to detail the relationships between some of these effects. Methods: ARPE-19 cells were treated with 7-OH and 25-OH. Cell viability was measured with the MTT assay. Membrane permeability, mitochondrial potential, and lysosomal integrity were measured by flow cytometry with propidium iodide, DiOC6(3), and acridine orange, respectively. Cell death was characterized by staining with Hoechst 33342, transmission electron microscopy, and analysis of the DNA fragmentation pattern. Caspase ac…

Herbalists, traditional healers and pharmacists: a view of the tuberculosis in Ghana

2014

This paper is the result of a visit by Brazilian researchers to Ghana, with the aim of improving understanding of the relationship between traditional healers and conventional health practices, specifically in relation to tuberculosis. Through this exploratory visit, this group of researchers promoted by the Edital Pro Africa (CNPq) had an opportunity to learn about, reflect on, and discuss the different social, economic and cultural realities and contexts that have led to the different health conditions and forms of healthcare in Ghana. Besides the direct relationship between the social and economic conditions of the country and the health of its population, it was also concluded that ther…

Rat and human liver cytosolic epoxide hydrolases: evidence for multiple forms at level of protein and mRNA.

1990

Two forms of human liver cytosolic epoxide hydrolase (cEH) with diagnostic substrate specificity for trans-stilbene oxide (cEHTSO) and cis-stilbene oxide (cEHCSO) have been identified, and cEHCSO was purified to apparent homogeneity. The enzyme had a monomer molecular weight of 49 kDa and an isoelectric point of 9.2. Pure cEHCSO hydrolyzed CSO at a rate of 145 nmole/min/mg. TSO was not metabolized at a detectable level, and like cEHTSO, the enzyme was about three times more active at pH 7.4 than at pH 9.0. Unlike cEHTSO, cEHCSO was efficiently inhibited by 1 mM 1-trichloropropene oxide (90.5%) and 1 mM STO (92%). Similarly, liver cEH purified 541-fold from fenofibrate induced Fischer 344 ra…

Mantle-derived helium in sedimentary basins of Central Mediterranean:Geologic and tectonic constrains on fluids accumulation and migration.

2013

The geodynamics of the central Mediterranean is characterized by the interaction between the European plate and the African one. In this setting Sicily is a sector of the Appenine-Maghrebide accretionary prism, which is located between two areas affected by extensional tectonics (Sicily Channel to the south and the Thyrrenian back arc basin to the north). In the present study we present the first dataset of helium isotopic composition measured in fluids released from the central-western Sicily.With the aim to constrain the transfer system of fluids in this area we relate the results of geochemical investigations with the stratigraphy and structural setting, derived from field geology, deep …

Contessa Entellina (PA): Amphorae and ‘Romanization’ in inner western Sicily

2014

Epigenetic and in vivo comparison of diverse MSC sources reveals an endochondral signature for human hematopoietic niche formation

2015

In the last decade there has been a rapid expansion in clinical trials using mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) from a variety of tissues. However, despite similarities in morphology, immunophenotype, and differentiation behavior in vitro, MSCs sourced from distinct tissues do not necessarily have equivalent biological properties. We performed a genome-wide methylation, transcription, and in vivo evaluation of MSCs from human bone marrow (BM), white adipose tissue, umbilical cord, and skin cultured in humanized media. Surprisingly, only BM-derived MSCs spontaneously formed a BM cavity through a vascularized cartilage intermediate in vivo that was progressively replaced by hematopoietic tissue…

Manganese effects on haematopoietic cells and circulating coelomocytes of Asterias rubens (Linnaeus)

2008

Abstract Manganese (Mn) is a naturally abundant metal in marine sediments where it mainly occurs as MnO 2 . During hypoxic conditions it is converted into a bioavailable state, Mn 2+ , and can reach levels that previously have shown effects on immune competent cells of the crustacean, Nephrops norvegicus . Here we investigated if Mn also affects circulating coelomocytes and their renewal in the common sea star, Asterias rubens , when exposed to concentrations of Mn that can be found in nature. When the sea stars were exposed to Mn it accumulated in the coelomic fluid and the number of circulating coelomocytes, in contrast to what was recorded in Nephrops , increased significantly. By using …

Isolation of a hemin and hemoglobin binding outer membrane protein of Vibrio vulnificus biotype 2 (serogroup E)

2006

The eel pathogen Vibrio vulnificus biotype 2 (serogroup E) is able to use hemin (Hm) or hemoglobin (Hb) as the sole iron source for growth in vitro and in vivo. The mechanism of heme-iron acquisition in this bacterium requires a direct interaction through binding sites on the bacterial surface (constitutive outer membrane proteins). Using affinity chromatography techniques, a unique protein of around 36.5 kDa was isolated from cell envelopes of E86 strain regardless of the affinity ligand used, hemoglobin or hemin. This protein was purified from both iron-enriched and iron-restricted grown cells. These results support the hypothesis that in this pathogen Hm- and Hb-iron acquisition is media…