Effect of estradiol and bisphenol A on human hepatoblastoma cell viability and telomerase activity

Sex hormones from environmental and physiological sources might play a major role in the pathogenesis of hepatoblastoma in children. This study investigated the effects of estradiol and bisphenol A on the proliferation and telomerase activity of human hepatoblastoma HepG2 cells. The cells were divided into 6 treatment groups: control, bisphenol A, estradiol, anti-estrogen ICI 182,780 (hereinafter ICI), bisphenol A+ICI, and estradiol+ICI. Cell proliferation was measured based on average absorbance using the Cell Counting-8 assay. The cell cycle distribution and apoptotic index were determined by flow cytometry. Telomerase activity was detected by polymerase chain reaction and a telomeric repeat amplification protocol assay. A higher cell density was observed in bisphenol A (P<0.01) and estradiol (P<0.05) groups compared with the control group. Cell numbers in S and G2/M phases after treatment for 48 h were higher (P<0.05), while the apoptotic index was lower (P<0.05) and telomerase activities at 48 and 72 h (P<0.05) were higher in these groups than in the control group. The cell density was also higher in bisphenol A+ICI (P<0.01) and estradiol+ICI (P<0.05) groups compared with the ICI group. Furthermore, cell numbers were increased in S and G2/M phases (P<0.05), while the apoptotic index was lower (P<0.05) and telomerase activities at 48 and 72 h were higher (P<0.05) in these groups than in the ICI group. Therefore, bisphenol A and estradiol promote HepG2 cell proliferation in vitro by inhibition of apoptosis and stimulation of telomerase activity via an estrogen receptor-dependent pathway.

Effect of genotype, finishing system, and sex on physiochemical characteristics of goat meat

Seventy-eight kids of both sexes and five genotypes were used: Alpine, ½ Boer + ½ Alpine (½ BA), ¾ Boer + ¼ Alpine, ½ Anglo-nubian + ½ Alpine and "tricross" (½ Anglo-nubian + ¼ Boer + ¼ Alpine) with initial average weight of 14.1 ± 2.5. The objective was to evaluate the effect of genotype, finishing system, and sex on the physiochemical characteristics of goat meat. Finishing systems were: ST1 - kid + dam in pasture and ST2 - weaned kid and feedlot. Kids in ST1 were kept in an area with Panicum maximum cv. Tanzania, and after grazing, water and mineral salt/mix were fed ad libitum to the animals. The animals in ST2 were confined in collective pens distributed according to genotypes and received diet with 16% CP and 73% TDN. The values of pH, a* (red content), Cooking Loss (CL), and Ether Extract (EE) percentage were influenced by genotype. Values for red content (a*) and L* (brightness), CL and percentages of moisture, protein, EE, and ash were influenced by the finishing system. Longissimus dorsi muscle from animals ½ BA exhibited better physiochemical characteristics. For greater tenderness and higher percentages of fat, consumers should choose female kid goat meat.

Are serum cystatin C levels influenced by steroid doses in lupus nephritis patients?

INTRODUCTION: Cystatin C is considered a promising test to evaluate glomerular filtration rate, since it has characteristics of an ideal endogenous marker, being similar or even superior to serum creatinine according to some studies. However, it is possible that some factors (as corticotherapy) could have an influence on serum cystatin C levels regardless of the glomerular filtration rate. The aim of this study was to investigate if different doses of glucocorticoid could have an influence on serum cystatin C levels in lupus nephritis patients. METHODS: We evaluated 42 patients with lupus nephritis that performed 109 different blood collections; their mean age was 37.7 ± 13.1 years old, and 88% were female; the mean estimated glomerular filtration rate was of 61.9 ± 20.0 mL/min. Patients were divided according to their glucocorticoid dose in two groups: A - high (pulse therapy with methylprednisolone and prednisone > 0.5 mg/kg/d, n = 14) versus B - low doses (prednisone ≤ 0.5 mg/kg/d, n = 28). Serum creatinine levels were used as parameters for renal function comparison. Cystatin C was determined by an in-house methodology, using Luminex system flow citometry. RESULTS: Considering these groups, cystatin C levels were different only in the second visit (p = 0.106). But, when the serum creatinine levels were considered in the same groups, a marginally significant difference among them (p = 0.070) was observed, which suggested that the difference in cystatin C levels between the groups was caused by their respective glomerular filtration rate. There was not any difference between those groups that received or did not receive pulse therapy. CONCLUSION: Although some previous studies have shown that glucocorticoid has an influence on serum cystatin C levels, we have not observed such interference in the lupus nephritis patients submitted to corticotherapy.

Steroid-resistant idiopathic nephrotic syndrome in children: long-term follow-up and risk factors for end-stage renal disease

INTRODUTION: Steroid resistant idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (SRINS) in children is one of the leading causes of progression to chronic kidney disease stage V (CKD V)/end stage renal disease (ESRD). OBJECTIVE: The aim of this retrospective study is to evaluate the efficacy of immunosuppressive drugs (IS) and to identify risk factors for progression to ESRD in this population. METHODS: Clinical and biochemical variables at presentation, early or late steroid resistance, histological pattern and response to cyclosporine A (CsA) and cyclophosfamide (CP) were reviewed in 136 children with SRINS. The analyzed outcome was the progression to ESRD. Univariate as well as multivariate Cox-regression analysis were performed. RESULTS: Median age at onset was 5.54 years (0.67-17.22) and median follow up time was 6.1 years (0.25-30.83). Early steroid-resistance was observed in 114 patients and late resistance in 22. Resistance to CP and CsA was 62.9% and 35% respectively. At last follow-up 57 patients reached ESRD. The renal survival rate was 71.5%, 58.4%, 55.3%, 35.6% and 28.5% at 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 years respectively. Univariate analysis demonstrated that older age at onset, early steroid-resistance, hematuria, hypertension, focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), and resistance to IS were risk factors for ESRD. The Cox proportional-hazards regression identified CsAresistance and FSGS as the only predictors for ESRD. CONCLUSION: Our findings showed that CsA-resistance and FSGS were risk factors for ESRD.

Immunosupressive therapy in children with steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome: single center experience

INTODUCTION: Nephrotic syndrome is one of the most frequent glomerular diseases among children, and steroid therapy remains as the treatment choice. In spite of this, 10 to 15% of the patients are steroidresistant, and the best therapy for such cases has never been defined. Mycophenolate acid (MA) is one of the treatments used in such situations. OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical behavior of children diagnosed with steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome (SRNS) and to assess the therapeutic response to MA. METHODS: This was a retrospective and descriptive study. RESULTS: 26 clinical records of patients with SRNS; 70% male and 30% female. All patients underwent kidney biopsies, which showed a predominance of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS). The immunosuppresive drugs used were: Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) 100%, Cyclosporine 69.2%, Cyclophosphamide 23.1%, and Rituximab 23%. One month after treatment initiation with MMF 61.5% achieved remission. The median of relapses per year for the patients was 3 (p25: 2.75 - p75: 4). This median became 1 (p25: 1 - p75: 3.25) after using this medication (p = 0.08). Furthermore, prior to the start of the MMF treatment, the median of the steroid dose was 1 (p25: 0.5- p75: 1.62) mg/k/day. After using MMF, this median became 0.07 (p25: 0 - p75: 0.55) mg/k/day (p < 0.001), in 8 patients prednisolone was stopped. CONCLUSION: In our experience, treatment with MMF showed positive results such as decrease in the frequency of relapses, less proteinuria, and reduction in the dose of steroids administered without deterioration of glomerular filtration rates. However, more studies are needed to assess efficacy, safety, and optimal dosage.

Sex Quartetter för 2 Violiner, Alt och Violoncello. Op. 1.

Erik Tulindberg (1761–1814) on maamme ensimmäisiä nimeltä tunnettuja taidesäveltäjiä. Hänen sävellyskäsikirjoituksensa hautautuivat sukuarkistojen kätköihin yli sadaksi vuodeksi, eikä tänä aikana tiedetty säveltäjästä mitään. Vuonna 1925 kirjastonhoitaja Arne Jörgensen löysi Kansalliskirjaston yksityisestä vanhojen nuottien kokoelmasta kolme käsin kirjoitettua nuottivihkoa, joiden todettiin sisältävän Tulindbergin ensiviulun, alttoviulun ja sellon äänet kuuteen jousikvartettoon. Toisen viulun stemmat puuttuvat. Tarkkaa sävellysvuotta kvartetoissa ei ole merkittynä, mutta on arveltu että ne sijoittuisivat 1780-luvulle.

Sueciae magnae, totius orbis regni antiquissimi, hodierna in sex principales suas partes, Gothiam nempe, Sueciam propriam sive stricté sumptam, Nordlandiam, Finniam, Ingriam, Livoniam, earundemque subdivisionum, ac adiacentium insularum geographica distinctio

Nimeke ylämarginaalissa.

historiae ecclesiasticae gentis Anglorum libri quinque : authore Beda, Presbytero ; praemittitur epitaphium discipulorum sex sancti Gregorii, Papae.

Colbertinus

historiae Longobardorum libri sex : initio et ad calcem occurrunt folia aliquot loco suo mota ; authoris nomen non comparet, is autem est Paulus Diaconus.

Faurianus

1.° Petri Pauli Vergerii, Justinopolitani, liber de politia Venetorum, eorumque legibus ac moribus, urbis situ, naturaque regionis. — 2.° Ejusdem liber de situ veteris Romae. — 3.° Anonymi chronica Italica. — 4.° Historiae ecclesiasticae omnium temporum libri sex : authore anonymo. — 5.° Sexti Rufi, viri Consularis, historiae Romanae breviarium. — 6.° Benevenuti de Rambaldis, Imolensis, liber augustalis de vitis Caesarum.

Faurianus

sancti Gregorii Turonensis historiae Francorum libri novem : primus liber integer, secundi sex priora capitula et alia passim desiderantur : ad calcem libri noni subjicitur Fredegarii chronicon ab anno quo desierat Gregorius, deductum ad annum 656. quod quidem à variis authoribus productum fuit ad annum 741. porrò chronicon Fredegarii cum additamentis, decimus Gregorii Turonensis liber in hoc codice inscribitur.

Colbertinus

rerum Sicanicarum libri sex : authore Francisco Maurolyco, Abbate Messanensi ; exemplar autographum.

Colbertinus

1.° L. Annaei Senecae libri duo de clementia, ad Neronem. — 2.° Ejusdem epistolarum libri viginti duo. — 3.° Ejusdem liber de remediis fortuitorum, ad Gallionem. — 4.° Ejusdem liber de septem liberalibus artibus. — 5.° Ejusdem, sive potiùs, Martini Dumiensis liber de quatuor virtutibus. — 6.° Declamationum libri decem. — 7.° L. Annaei Senecae libri sex de quaestionibus naturalibus. — 8.° Proverbia, sive Senecae, Publii Syri et aliorum sententiae. — 9.° Liber de moribus. — 10.° Senecae de beneficiis libri septem. — 11.° Ejusdem libri duo de providentia. — 12.° Ejusdem liber de beata vita, ad Gallionem. — 13.° Ejusdem liber de tranquillitate animi, ad Serenum. — 14.° Ejusdem liber de brevitate vitae, ad Paulinum. — 15.° Ejusdem de ira libri tres, ad Novatum. — 16.° Ejusdem liber de consolatione ad Martiam. — 17.° Ejusdem liber de consolatione ad Helviam matrem. — 18.° Pauli et Senecae epistolae mutuae supposititiae.

Colbertinus, antea Jacobi Augusti Thuani

1.° L. Annaei Senecae de quaestionibus naturalibus libri septem. — 2.° Fragmentum Adelardi, Bathensis, de quibusdam quaestionibus naturalibus. — 3.° Collatio Alexandri Magni et Dyndimi, Regis Brachmannorum, de philosophia, facta per litteras. — 4.° Senecae libri septem de beneficiis. — 5.° Ejusdem, sive potiùs, Martini Dumiensis liber de quatuor virtutibus. — 6.° Senecae liber de remediis fortuitorum. — 7.° Liber de verborum copia, qui Senecae tribuitur. — 8.° Ejusdem de clementia libri duo. — 9.° Pauli et Senecae epistolae mutuae supposititiae. — 10.° Senecae, Publii Syri et aliorum sententiae. — 11.° Senecae epistolae ad Lucilium centum viginti et sex.

Colbertinus, antea Jacobi Augusti Thuani

Alberti Magni tractatus de animalibus ; sex et viginti libris.

Colbertinus