University of Graz

About: University of Graz is a education organization based out in Graz, Steiermark, Austria. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Quantum chromodynamics. The organization has 17934 authors who have published 37489 publications receiving 1110980 citations. The organization is also known as: Carolo Franciscea Graecensis & Karl Franzens Universität.

Arsenic Metabolites in Human Urine after Ingestion of an Arsenosugar

Abstract: Background: Arsenic-containing carbohydrates (arsenosugars) are common constituents of marine algae, including those species used as human food. The toxicology of these compounds has not been fully evaluated. Methods: Arsenic metabolites in human urine were monitored over a 4-day period after ingestion of a synthetic specimen of arsenosugar. The metabolites were determined by HPLC-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, and structural assignments were confirmed with liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. Results: Approximately 80% of the total ingested arsenic was excreted in the urine during the 4 days of the experiment. There was a lag-period of ∼13 h before substantial quantities of arsenic appeared in the urine, and the excretion rate peaked between 22 and 31 h. At least 12 arsenic metabolites were detected, only 3 of which could be positively identified. Dimethylarsinate (DMA) was the major metabolite, constituting 67% of the total arsenicals excreted. A new urinary arsenic metabolite, dimethylarsinoylethanol, represented 5% of the total arsenicals, whereas trimethylarsine oxide was present as a trace (0.5%) constituent. One other significant metabolite cochromatographed with a reduced DMA standard, and hence was possibly dimethylarsinous acid. The second most abundant metabolite in the urine (20% of the total arsenic) remained unidentified, whereas the rest of the excreted arsenic was made up of several trace metabolites and small amounts of unchanged arsenosugar. Conclusions: Arsenosugars are biotransformed by humans to at least 12 arsenic metabolites, the toxicologies of which are currently unknown.

Mycology – an update. Part 1: Dermatomycoses: Causative agents, epidemiology and pathogenesis

Abstract: Summary Dermatomycoses are caused most commonly by dermatophytes. The anthropophilic dermatophyte Trichophyton rubrum is still the most frequent causative agent worldwide. Keratinolytic enzymes, e.g. hydrolases and keratinases, are important virulence factors of T. rubrum. Recently, the cysteine dioxygenase was found as new virulence factor. Predisposing host factors play a similarly important role for the development of dermatophytosis of the skin and nails. Chronic venous insufficiency, diabetes mellitus, disorders of cellular immunity, and genetic predisposition should be considered as risk factors for onychomycosis. A new alarming trend is the increasing number of cases of onychomycosis – mostly due to T. rubrum – in infancy. In Germany, tinea capitis is mostly caused by zoophilic dermatophytes, in particular Microsporum canis. New zoophilic fungi, primarily Trichophyton species of Arthroderma benhamiae, should be taken into differential diagnostic considerations of tinea capitis, tinea faciei, and tinea corporis. Source of infection are small household pets, particularly rodents, like guinea pigs. Anthropophilic dermatophytes may be introduced by families which immigrate from Africa or Asia to Europe. The anthropophilic dermatophytes T. violaceum, T. tonsurans (infections occurring in fighting sports clubs as “tinea gladiatorum capitis et corporis”) and M. audouinii are causing outbreaks of small epidemics of tinea corporis and tinea capitis in kindergartens and schools. Superficial infections of the skin and mucous membranes due to yeasts are caused by Candida species. Also common are infections due to the lipophilic yeast fungus Malassezia. Today, within the genus Malassezia more than 10 different species are known. Malassezia globosa seems to play the crucial role in pityriasis versicolor. Molds (also designated non-dermatophyte molds, NDM) are increasingly found as causative agents in onychomycosis. Besides Scopulariopsis brevicaulis, several species of Fusarium and Aspergillus are found.

Lipoprotein lipase: the regulation of tissue specific expression and its role in lipid and energy metabolism

Abstract: Purpose of reviewThe aim of this review is to summarize and discuss recent advances in the understanding of the physiological role of lipoprotein lipase in lipid and energy metabolism.Recent findingsStudies on the transcriptional and the posttranscriptional level of lipoprotein lipase expression hav

Recent Developments of Cascade Reactions Involving ω‑Transaminases

Abstract: Enzymatic cascade reactions experience tremendous attention by cutting short conventional step-by-step synthesis in a highly efficient and elegant fashion. Focusing on ω-transaminases, this review provides an overview of different biocatalytic strategies to afford a variety of (chiral) amines employing diverse cascade systems: Cascades to shift the reaction equilibrium as well as cascades for the amination of alcohols and nonactivated C–H bonds are discussed. Cascades enable the deracemization of rac-amines, other ones involve biocatalyzed C–C bond formation and C–C bond hydrolysis. Finally, the potential of spontaneous ring closure reactions initiated by ω-transaminases is illustrated.