We tested the effect of bone marrow cell (BMC) transplantation in either preventing or reversing cirrhosis on an experimental model of chronic liver disease. Female Wistar rats were fed a liquid alcohol diet and received intraperitoneal injections of carbon tetrachloride (CCl 4 ) over 15 weeks. Ten animals (cell-treated group) received five injections of BMCs during the cirrhosis induction protocol (on the 4th, 6th, 8th, 10th, and 12th weeks) and four animals received the cells after liver injury was established through tail vein. Nine animals (nontreated group) were submitted to the previously described protocols; however, they received vehicle injections. Analyses were performed to verify whether the infusion of cells was effective in preventing the development of cirrhosis in our model of induction, and if the cells could reverse cirrhosis once it was established. Hepatic architecture and fibrotic septa were analyzed in liver slices stained with hematoxilin & eosin and Sirius red, respectively. Fibrosis quantification was measured by Sirius red histomorphometry. Indirect immunofluorescence was performed to detect the amount of tissue transglutaminase 2. Blood analyses were performed to assess liver injury and function by the assessment of alanine aminotransferase and albumin. Ultrasound was performed to analyze the portal vein caliber and presence of ascitis. Cirrhosis features (regenerative nodules and fibrous septa) were observed in histopathology after 15 weeks of continuous hepatic injury in nontreated and cell-treated groups. Collagen content, immunofluorescence analysis, and biochemical and ultrasound parameters were similar in nontreated and cell-treated groups; however, both groups showed significant differences compared to a normal control group. Cell infusions with bone marrowderived cells seem to be ineffective in improving morphofunctional parameters of the liver when applied to chronic cases either during or after establishment of the hepatic lesion.Key words: Cirrhosis; Bone marrow cell; Biochemistry; Histology; Ultrasound INTRODUCTIONfore, the study of alternative therapies, such as stem cell transplantation, becomes of utmost importance. Most studies performed with cell therapies in liver Liver cirrhosis is a worldwide prevalent disease that has serious impacts on public health issues. It derives diseases have been restricted to the therapeutic potential of these cells after a single cell infusion in animals with from chronic injury to the liver that is commonly caused by viral hepatitis and alcoholism (1,47,48).an already damaged liver (13,39,51). Nonetheless, liver diseases usually have a chronic course, developing over Despite great regenerative capacity of the liver, successive injuries result in a significant loss of hepatocytes many years before cirrhosis is discovered. Frequently, this evolution cannot be easily arrested because there is and excessive deposition of extracellular matrix components, leading to irreversible impairment of organ funcstill no cure available for diseases such ...

Hypovitaminosis D occurs early in the course of chronic kidney disease (CKD), and its association with cardiovascular morbidity and mortality is well known. In this study, we aimed to evaluate whether the degree of hypovitaminosis D may differently affect blood pressure (BP) and coronary artery calcification (CAC) in nondialyzed CKD patients. This study included 80 CKD patients with a creatinine clearance between 15 and 60 ml/min/1.73 m(2) and serum 25 hydroxivitamin D [25(OH)D] level <30 ng/ml. Patients underwent 24-h ambulatory BP monitoring, evaluation of CAC (multi-slice computed tomography), and laboratory evaluation. Two groups, based on the degree of hypovitaminosis D, were defined according to the median 25(OH)D value. Patients with severe hypovitaminosis D [25(OH)D <17.2 ng/ml; S-group) exhibited a higher systolic BP at all time periods (24-h, nighttime, daytime) when compared to patients with mild hypovitaminosis D [25(OH)D >17.2 ng/ml; M-group]. No differences were found between the S and M-group in terms of diastolic BP and the presence of coronary calcification. In the multiple linear regression analysis, severe hypovitaminosis D was a predictor of 24-h, daytime and nighttime BP after controlling for a number of confounders. The severity of hypovitaminosis D was associated with increased BP in nondialyzed CKD patients. The degree of hypovitaminosis D was not related to CAC, which was equally elevated in both the severe and mild hypovitaminosis D groups.

The vinegar fly Drosophila melanogaster is a pivotal model for invertebrate development, genetics, physiology, neuroscience, and disease. The whole family Drosophilidae, which contains over 4000 species, offers a plethora of cases for comparative and evolutionary studies. Despite a long history of phylogenetic inference, many relationships remain unresolved among the groups and genera in the Drosophilidae. To clarify these relationships, we first developed a set of new genomic markers and assembled a multilocus data set of 17 genes from 704 species of Drosophilidae. We then inferred well-supported group and species trees for this family. Additionally, we were able to determine the phylogenetic position of some previously unplaced species. These results establish a new framework for investigating the evolution of traits in fruit flies, as well as valuable resources for systematics.