Med Sci Monit Basic Res [JOURNAL]
Sun
200 papers
Glucose Transporter-1 (GLUT-1) Expression is Associated with Tumor Size and Poor Prognosis in Locally Advanced Gastric Cancer.
Yin C, Gao B, Yang J … +1 more , Wu J
Med Sci Monit Basic Res · 2020 Mar · PMID 32201432 · Full text
BACKGROUND The clinicopathological parameters associated with glucose transporter-1 (GLUT-1) expression in advanced gastric cancer are still controversial. This study aimed to determine the clinicopathological parameters...
BACKGROUND The clinicopathological parameters associated with glucose transporter-1 (GLUT-1) expression in advanced gastric cancer are still controversial. This study aimed to determine the clinicopathological parameters and prognosis associated with GLUT-1 expression in advanced gastric cancer. MATERIAL AND METHODS The GLUT-1 expression level of 234 consecutive gastric cancer samples was detected by immunohistochemical staining and evaluated by semiquantitative analysis. The clinicopathological data and expression level of GLUT-1 of enrolled patients were retrospectively analyzed with univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS Tumor size, depth of invasion, and Lauren classification were independent factors related to GLUT-1 expression (P<0.05). Within advanced gastric cancer, tumor size and Lauren type were independent factors associated with GLUT-1 (P=0.011, P<0.001, respectively). The mean survival time of GLUT-1-positive patients with stage M0 advanced gastric cancer who had undergone radical gastrectomy was shorter than that of GLUT-1-negative patients (61.26±6.12 versus 80.88±7.38, P=0.044). GLUT-1 was an independent prognosis factor in locally advanced gastric cancer patients who had undergone radical gastrectomy (hazard ratio [HR] 1.769, P=0.046). The mean survival time of adjuvant chemotherapy was significantly better than no adjuvant chemotherapy in the GLUT-1-positive group (71.10±6.88 versus 24.65±8.69, P<0.001) and in the GLUT-1 negative group (87.48±7.99 versus 49.39±11.71, P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS Tumor size and Lauren type independently affected GLUT-1 expression in advanced gastric cancer. GLUT-1 was not only related to poor prognosis but also predicted to be a metabolic biomarker for intestinal type in locally advanced gastric cancer. The relationship among GLUT-1, hepatic metastasis and chemotherapy regimens, and mechanism of chemotherapy responses related to GLUT-1 should be further investigated.
Antimicrobial Effect of Orthodontic Materials on Cariogenic Bacteria Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus acidophilus.
Krasniqi S, Sejdini M, Stubljar D … +4 more , Jukic T, Ihan A, Aliu K, Aliu X
Med Sci Monit Basic Res · 2020 Jan · PMID 31959737 · Full text
BACKGROUND White spot lesions (WSLs) are a common complication after orthodontic treatment. The aim of this study was to characterize and compare the antimicrobial properties of selenium-containing vs. fluoride-containin...
BACKGROUND White spot lesions (WSLs) are a common complication after orthodontic treatment. The aim of this study was to characterize and compare the antimicrobial properties of selenium-containing vs. fluoride-containing orthodontic materials. MATERIAL AND METHODS Antibacterial efficacy of orthodontic materials (SeLECT Defense bonding agent, Adhesive agent, Band Cement, Transbond Plus SEP bonding agent, Transbond Plus Adhesive agent, Fuji I Band cement, Fuji Ortho LC Adhesive agent, Ortho Solo Bonding agent, Transbond XT bonding agent, and Transbond XT primer) was tested with the inhibition of 2 bacterial strains: S. mutans (ATCC 10449) and L. acidophilus (ATCC 4356). The antimicrobial efficacy of the materials was measured by agar diffusion test. The diameters of inhibition zones around each disk were measured in millimeters (mm). RESULTS Materials containing selenium and fluoride showed significant differences from the negative control (both p<0.001). Orthodontic materials containing fluoride as a potential antimicrobial agent showed larger zones of inhibition in total (9.1±2.6 mm), the selenium group was the second-most effective (4.7±4.9 mm), and the group without any potential antimicrobial agent showed the least antimicrobial effect (0.9±1.0 mm). Materials from the group with no antibacterial agent were not significantly different from the negative control group (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS Materials containing selenium carried the most significance when comparing microorganisms with the agent, since they were the only ones showing difference between the 2 microorganisms. They showed statistically significant difference in efficacy against S. mutans, and poor antimicrobial effect against L. acidophilus. These data suggest that orthodontic materials containing selenium might have the potential to prevent WSLs due to their antimicrobial properties.
Body Temperature and Energy Expenditure During and After Yoga Breathing Practices Traditionally Described as Cooling.
Telles S, Gandharva K, Sharma SK … +2 more , Gupta RK, Balkrishna A
Med Sci Monit Basic Res · 2020 Jan · PMID 31907342 · Full text
BACKGROUND In traditional yoga texts, sheetali and sitkari pranayamas are described as cooling. The present study was aimed at recording the surface body temperature, oxygen consumed, and carbon dioxide eliminated before...
BACKGROUND In traditional yoga texts, sheetali and sitkari pranayamas are described as cooling. The present study was aimed at recording the surface body temperature, oxygen consumed, and carbon dioxide eliminated before, during, and after performance of sheetali and sitkari pranayamas. MATERIAL AND METHODS Seventeen healthy male volunteers with ages between 19 to 25 years (average age 20.7±1.8 years) were assessed in 4 sessions, viz. sheetali pranayama, sitkari pranayama, breath awareness and quiet lying, on 4 separate days, in random sequence. The axillary surface body temperature (TRUSCOPE II, Schiller, China) and metabolic variables (Quark CPET, COSMED, Italy) were recorded in 3 periods: before (5 minutes), during (18 minutes), and after (5 minutes), in each of the 4 sessions. The heat index was calculated in the before and after periods, based on recordings of ambient temperature and humidity. Data were analyzed using SPSS (Version 24.0). RESULTS Body temperature increased significantly during sheetali and sitkari (p<0.05, p<0.01; respectively) while it decreased after breath awareness and quiet lying down (p<0.01, p<0.001; respectively) when compared with respective post-exercise states. Oxygen consumption increased by 9.0% during sheetali (p<0.05) and by 7.6% during sitkari (p<0.01) while it decreased significantly during (p<0.05) and after (p<0.01) quiet lying down compared to respective pre-exercise states. CONCLUSIONS The results do not support the description of these yoga breathing practices as cooling. These yoga breathing practices may be used to induce a mild hypermetabolic state.
Development and Preliminary Validation of a Feasible Procedure for Isolating RNA from Fiber-Adherent Bacteria in Human Stool.
Neff AS, Theis KR, Burghardt PR
Med Sci Monit Basic Res · 2019 Nov · PMID 31767826 · Full text
BACKGROUND Intestinal bacterial communities are not homogenous throughout the gastrointestinal tract. Human research on the gut microbiome often neglects intra-intestinal variability by relying on a single measurement fr...
BACKGROUND Intestinal bacterial communities are not homogenous throughout the gastrointestinal tract. Human research on the gut microbiome often neglects intra-intestinal variability by relying on a single measurement from stool samples. One source of complexity is the adherence to undigested, residual fiber. Currently, no procedure exists to extract RNA from distinct bacterial subpopulations in stool samples. MATERIAL AND METHODS A serial centrifugation procedure was developed in which bacterial RNA could be extracted from distinct stool-fractions - fiber-adherent and non-fiber-adherent bacteria. To test whether the separation procedure yielded distinct bacterial subpopulations, a set of RT-qPCR assays were developed for a fiber-adherent bacterial species, Bifidobacterium adolescentis, then a within-subject repeated-measures study was conducted with 3 human subjects undergoing 4 dietary regimens. At each timepoint, between-fraction differences in gene expression were evaluated. RESULTS The RNA isolation procedure was able to isolate intact RNA in 20 of 24 samples in the fiber-adherent fraction. PurB and sdh were identified as suitable reference genes for B. adolescentis RT-qPCR assays. When subjects were provided a high resistant starch diet, bacterial fractions exhibited different expression of the trp operon (p=0.031). CONCLUSIONS Our study provides human gut microbiome researchers a novel tool for evaluating functional characteristics of bacterial subpopulations in human stool. Moreover, these experiments provide modest support for the existence of a functionally unique fiber-adherent subpopulation of B. adolescentis. Until a more thorough evaluation of the adherent and non-adherent fraction can be performed, researchers should be cautious when generalizing functional data derived solely from unfractionated stool samples.
The Effects of Progranulin in a Rat Model of Acute Myocardial Ischemia/Reperfusion are Mediated by Activation of the P13K/Akt Signaling Pathway.
Alyahya AM, Al-Masri A, Hersi A … +4 more , El Eter E, Husain S, Lateef R, Mawlana OH
Med Sci Monit Basic Res · 2019 Nov · PMID 31695019 · Full text
BACKGROUND Progranulin is an adipokine, encoded by the progranulin (GRN) gene. Progranulin is expressed in atherosclerosis, but its effects in cardiac ischemia and reperfusion injury are unknown. Therefore, this study ai...
BACKGROUND Progranulin is an adipokine, encoded by the progranulin (GRN) gene. Progranulin is expressed in atherosclerosis, but its effects in cardiac ischemia and reperfusion injury are unknown. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effects of progranulin in a rat model of acute myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (MI/R) injury in vivo. MATERIAL AND METHODS The model of acute MI/R injury was established in male Wistar rats by ligation of the left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery for 30 minutes and reperfusion for 60 minutes. Before modeling, one group was treated with progranulin (0.03 µg/kg), and one group was treated with the P13K/Akt inhibitor, LY294002 (3 mg/kg). Left ventricular function (LV) was monitored, including the LV systolic pressure (LVSP), LV end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP), and changes in LV pressure. At the end of the study, blood and myocardial tissue were examined. Cardiac biochemical markers, histopathology, gene expression, and apoptosis were analyzed. RESULTS Progranulin improved cardiac function following acute MI/R injury and significantly improved recovery of cardiac contractility and LVSP. Progranulin significantly reduced myocyte apoptosis, inflammation, and tissue edema, and was highly expressed in cardiac tissue following MI/R injury. The cardioprotective effect of progranulin was reduced by blocking the P13K/Akt signaling pathway. CONCLUSIONS In the rat model of acute MI/R injury, progranulin had a protective effect on cardiac function and morphology, associated with activation of the P13K/Akt signaling pathway. The mechanisms of the anti-apoptotic, anti-inflammatory, and inotropic effects of progranulin in the setting of acute MI/R injury require further in vivo studies.
Exosome-Mediated MiR-155 Transfer Contributes to Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cell Proliferation by Targeting PTEN.
Sun JF, Zhang D, Gao CJ … +2 more , Zhang YW, Dai QS
Med Sci Monit Basic Res · 2019 Oct · PMID 31645540 · Full text
BACKGROUND Most eukaryocytes release nano vesicles (30-120 nm), named exosomes, to various biological fluids such as blood, lymph, and milk. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the tumors with the highest incidence r...
BACKGROUND Most eukaryocytes release nano vesicles (30-120 nm), named exosomes, to various biological fluids such as blood, lymph, and milk. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the tumors with the highest incidence rate in primary malignant carcinoma of the liver. However, the mechanism of HCC proliferation remains elusive. In this study, we aim to explore whether HCC cell-derived exosomes affect the proliferation of cancer cells. MATERIAL AND METHODS Exosomes were isolated from HCC cells by ultracentrifugation and were visualized the phenotype by transmission electron microscopy. Cell proliferation was detected by Cell Counting Kit-8 assays and EdU (5-ethynyl-2-deoxyuridine) incorporation assays. Dual-luciferase assays were performed to validate the paired correlation of miR-155 and 3'-UTR of PTEN (gene of phosphate and tension homology deleted on chromosome 10). A xenograft mice model was constructed to verify the effect of exosome-mediated miR-155 on cell proliferation in vivo. RESULTS Our finding showed that miR-155 was enriched in exosomes released from HCC cells. The exosome-containing miR-155 transferred into new HCC targeted cells and lead to the elevation of HCC cells' proliferation. Besides, the exosomal miR-155 directly bound to 3'-UTR of PTEN leading to the reduction of relevant targets in recipient liver cells. The knockdown of PTEN attenuated the proliferation of HCC cells treated with the exosomal miR-155. Moreover, nude-mouse experiment results revealed a promotional effect of the exosomal miR-155 on HCC cell-acquired xenografts. CONCLUSIONS Our study indicated that exosomal-specific miR-155 transfers to adjacent and/or more distant cells and stimulates the proliferation of HCC cells.
Experiences of Screening for Human Immunodeficiency Virus, Viral Hepatitis B, and Viral Hepatitis C Infections at a Hospital in Thailand: Test Utilization and Outcomes.
Lekskulchai V
Med Sci Monit Basic Res · 2019 Oct · PMID 31597908 · Full text
BACKGROUND To prevent the transmission of HIV and hepatitis B and C viruses, early detection is necessary; however, in the early stage, most infected people are symptomless. Screening for these infections should be targe...
BACKGROUND To prevent the transmission of HIV and hepatitis B and C viruses, early detection is necessary; however, in the early stage, most infected people are symptomless. Screening for these infections should be targeted to certain clinical settings to increase the early detection rate. MATERIAL AND METHODS This retrospective study was conducted by analyzing data from patients' medical records to determine how the screening tests for these viral infections were utilized and what the clinical outcomes from the test utilization were. RESULTS From 11 676 collected records, the screening tests for HIV, HBV, and HCV infections were utilized in 871, 556, and 236 cases, respectively. The tests for HIV and HCV were utilized the most in people with chronic non-infectious diseases, while the test for HBV infection was utilized the most in pregnant women. The positive results of these tests were highly found in the group of patients with acute non-infectious diseases. HIV infection was newly detected in 1.38% of patients, and HBV and HCV infections were newly detected in 5.58% and 2.12%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Screening for HIV and HBV infections was performed according to the guidelines of the national HIV and HBV programs. The Outpatient Department (OPD) and medical ward may be the most appropriate clinical settings for HIV screening because most patients are there and blood tests are often ordered there, too. The national programs helped slow the rates of HIV and HBV infections in this community.
Clinical Features of 4 Novel NOTCH3 Mutations of Cerebral Autosomal Dominant Arteriopathy with Subcortical Infarcts and Leukoencephalopathy in China.
Qin W, Ren Z, Xia M … +5 more , Yang M, Shi Y, Huang Y, Guo X, Zhang J
Med Sci Monit Basic Res · 2019 Sep · PMID 31554780 · Full text
BACKGROUND This study aimed to identify NOTCH3 mutations and describe the genetic and clinical features and magnetic resonance imaging results in 11 unrelated patients with cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with s...
BACKGROUND This study aimed to identify NOTCH3 mutations and describe the genetic and clinical features and magnetic resonance imaging results in 11 unrelated patients with cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL) from Henan province in China. MATERIAL AND METHODS NOTCH3 was directly sequenced in 11 unrelated patients of Chinese descent. The clinical presentations and magnetic resonance imaging features were retrospectively analyzed in the 11 index patients with a definite diagnosis. RESULTS Seven different mutations were identified in 11 unrelated patients, including 4 novel mutations (p.P167S, p.P652S, p.C709R, and p.R1100H) in China and 3 reported mutations (p.C117R, p.R578C, and p.R607C). Four novel mutations (p.P167S, p.P652S, p.C709R, and p.R1100H) were predicted to be probably pathogenic using an online pathogenicity prediction program through comprehensive analysis. Clinical presentations in symptomatic patients included stroke, cognitive decline, psychiatric disturbances, and migraine. Multiple lacunars infarcts and leukoaraiosis were detected on MRI in most symptomatic patients, while white-matter lesions were identified in the temporal pole or the external capsule in all affected patients. CONCLUSIONS The mutation spectrum of CADASIL patients from Henan province in China displayed some differences from that of those reported previously. DNA sequencing was used to diagnose all 11 patients as having CADASIL, and we found 4 novel mutations. The present results further contribute to the enrichment of NOTCH3 mutation databases.
Benefit of Reducing Body Weight Loss with A Nutritional Support Pathway in Patients Undergoing Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation.
Aoyama T, Yoshitsugu K, Fukaya M … +8 more , Kume T, Kawashima M, Nakajima K, Arai H, Imataki O, Enami T, Tatara R, Ikeda T
Med Sci Monit Basic Res · 2019 Sep · PMID 31503241 · Full text
BACKGROUND: This retrospective, historically controlled investigative study examined the benefit of a nutritional support pathway that included nutritional education before the start of conditioning and emphasized oral n...
BACKGROUND: This retrospective, historically controlled investigative study examined the benefit of a nutritional support pathway that included nutritional education before the start of conditioning and emphasized oral nutrition in response to nutrition-related adverse events in patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Participants were patients undergoing allogeneic HSCT; 46 were in the control group (i.e., did not follow our nutritional pathway) and 36 were in the group that underwent nutritional intervention (enhanced nutrition group). We compared the following parameters between groups from the day before the start of conditioning to the day after completion of parenteral nutrition (PN): percent loss of body weight (%LBW), percent loss of skeletal muscle mass (%LSMM), and estimated basal energy expenditure (EBEE) sufficiency rate. The relationship between each parameter and %LBW was also examined. We also compared nutritional indices, gastrointestinal graft versus host disease (GvHD) grade, oral energy intake, and %LBW between groups. RESULTS: There was a relationship between %LBW, %LSMM, and EBEE sufficiency rate in both groups. Compared with the control group, the enhanced nutrition group had significantly improved energy intake amount, EBEE sufficiency rate, PN duration, and oral energy intake over time. The enhanced nutrition group also had increased oral energy intake, no difference in gastrointestinal GvHD grade, and improved %LBW compared with the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Use of our nutritional support pathway in patients undergoing HSCT may be beneficial for %LBW and gastrointestinal GvHD grade, enabling early enhanced nutritional intervention after HSCT.
Antifungal and Synergistic Effects of the Ethyl Acetate Extract of Tanacetum vulgare (L.) Against Candida albicans.
Kameri A, Koçani F, Hashani Z … +4 more , Kurteshi K, Kamberi B, Kurti A, Haziri A
Med Sci Monit Basic Res · 2019 Aug · PMID 31451678 · Full text
BACKGROUND With the continued demand for new, effective, and safe endodontic therapies, the aim of this study was assessment of efficiency of the ethyl acetate (EthOAc) extract of Tanacetum vulgare (L.) against Candida a...
BACKGROUND With the continued demand for new, effective, and safe endodontic therapies, the aim of this study was assessment of efficiency of the ethyl acetate (EthOAc) extract of Tanacetum vulgare (L.) against Candida albicans. MATERIAL AND METHODS The antifungal effectiveness of the EthOAc extract of T. vulgare was determined using the agar disk diffusion method. The inhibition zones induced by the EthOAc extract were compared after 5 minutes, 60 minutes, and 24 hours to those induced by standard solutions (2% chlorhexidine, saturated calcium hydroxide, and 2% sodium hypochlorite). Statistical analysis of the results was performed using the Kruskal-Wallis test and one-way ANOVA. RESULTS The inhibition zone of chlorhexidine against C. albicans was 30.3-19.3 mm, but in combination with EthOAc extract (100 mg/mL) of T. vulgare, this inhibition was from 32.7-30 mm, indicating that this combination exerted a marked synergistic effect against C. albicans. The inhibition zone of sodium hypochlorite (69.7-65 mm) was higher than the inhibition zone of EthOAc extract and chlorhexidine. The combination of EthOAc extract with sodium hypochlorite resulted in a loss of antifungal activity. Furthermore, the activity of the EthOAc extract against C. albicans was decreased after mixing the extract with dentine at a concentration of 25 mg/50 µL (30.3-20.7 mm). The EthOAc extract did not show a genotoxic effect on lymphocyte cells. CONCLUSIONS The EthOAc extract of T. vulgare may be a useful tool to discover natural bioactive agents that have antifungal activity against C. albicans and could be used as endodontic therapies.
Fibromyalgia and its New Lessons for Neuropsychiatry.
Duque L, Fricchione G
Med Sci Monit Basic Res · 2019 Jul · PMID 31273184 · Full text
Fibromyalgia (FM) is a centralized pain state that until recently has been shrouded in mystery and questionable as a disease entity in the eyes of many physicians, who considered it purely psychogenic. Fibromyalgia is no...
Fibromyalgia (FM) is a centralized pain state that until recently has been shrouded in mystery and questionable as a disease entity in the eyes of many physicians, who considered it purely psychogenic. Fibromyalgia is now thought of as a discrete diagnosis with a clustering of symptoms characterized by central nervous system pain amplification along with anergia, memory loss, disturbances of mood, and sleep disruption. The condition is present in approximately 2% to 8% of the population. We review the link between inflammatory mechanisms and FM from a neuropsychiatric perspective. Recent studies are pointing to a neuroinflammatory etiology that may open up more effective treatment strategies in the future. Better conceptualization of FM may also elucidate a neuropsychiatric understanding of how nociception, dysthymia, and suicidality co-develop and feed off one another.
microRNA-211-3p has a Role in the Effects of Lipopolysaccharide on Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress in Cultured Human Skin Fibroblasts.
Wang Y, Wang C
Med Sci Monit Basic Res · 2019 Jun · PMID 31221950 · Full text
BACKGROUND Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in bacterial infection of skin wounds delays wound healing. This study aimed to investigate the effects of LPS and endoplasmic reticulum stress in cultured skin fibroblasts and microRN...
BACKGROUND Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in bacterial infection of skin wounds delays wound healing. This study aimed to investigate the effects of LPS and endoplasmic reticulum stress in cultured skin fibroblasts and microRNA-211-3p (miR-211-3p) signaling. MATERIAL AND METHODS Human skin fibroblasts were cultured in increasing concentrations of LPS at 0 ng/ml, 5 ng/ml, 10 ng/ml, and 20 ng/ml for 0, 12 h, 24 h, 36 h, and 48 h. Cell proliferation was determined using the MTT assay. Protein expression levels of the transcription factors GRP78, CHOP, p-JNK, and the endoplasmic reticulum stress apoptosis proteins, caspase-12 and Bcl-2, were determined by Western blot. The expression of miR-211-3p in human skin fibroblasts was detected by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). RESULTS Cell proliferation of human skin fibroblasts decreased with increasing concentrations of LPS in a dose-dependent and time-dependent way. Protein levels of GRP78, CHOP, p-JNK, caspase-12, and Bcl-2 were increased 8 h and 12 h after LPS treatment compared with 0 h and 4 h after treatment. However, the expression of miR-211-3p was decreased in human skin fibroblasts after treatment with LPS. When miR-211-3p was overexpressed, the endoplasmic reticulum stress/CHOP related proteins, including GRP78, CHOP, p-JNK, caspase-12, and Bcl-2 were unchanged after the addition of LPS. Overexpression of miR-211-3p also reduced inhibitory effects of LPS on the growth of human skin fibroblasts. CONCLUSIONS This study showed that microRNA-211-3p had a role in the effects of LPS on endoplasmic reticulum stress and CHOP activation in cultured human skin fibroblasts.
Mental Wellbeing, Quality of Life, and Perception of Chronic Illness in Yoga-Experienced Compared with Yoga-Naïve Patients.
Telles S, Gupta RK, Kumar A … +3 more , Pal DK, Tyagi D, Balkrishna A
Med Sci Monit Basic Res · 2019 May · PMID 31105261 · Full text
BACKGROUND Perception of chronic illness and a positive outlook improve recovery, and yoga can improve wellbeing. This study aimed to compare perception, mental wellbeing, and quality of life in yoga-experienced compared...
BACKGROUND Perception of chronic illness and a positive outlook improve recovery, and yoga can improve wellbeing. This study aimed to compare perception, mental wellbeing, and quality of life in yoga-experienced compared with yoga-naïve patients with chronic illness and to determine whether the duration of yoga practice in the yoga-experienced group had any correlation with the perception of illness, mental wellbeing, and quality of life. MATERIAL AND METHODS A cross-sectional comparative study recruited 419 patients with chronic non-communicable disease. Yoga-experienced patients (n=150) (mean age, 41.9±13.6 years) and yoga-naïve patients (n=269) (mean age, 41.2±12.6 years) were assessed for the perception of their illness, mental wellbeing, and quality of life using the Warwick-Edinburgh mental wellbeing scale (WEMWBS) and the World Health Organization quality of life (WHOQOL-BREF) self-reporting questionnaire. RESULTS The yoga-experienced group had significantly increased mental wellbeing, personal control as a dimension of their perception of illness, and psychological and environmental quality of life compared with the yoga-naïve group (all, p<0.05), when comparisons were made using the Mann-Whitney U test. The duration of yoga practised in months was positively-correlated with mental wellbeing and different aspects of quality of life. There was a negative correlation with the perception of illness suggesting that the illness was perceived to be less severe (all, p<0.05) when correlations were made using Spearman's rank correlation coefficient. CONCLUSIONS In patients with chronic illness, yoga improved mental wellbeing, aspects of quality of life, and resulted in a positive perception of illness.
Urocortin Induces Phosphorylation of Distinct Residues of Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 (STAT3) via Different Signaling Pathways.
Corsetti G, Yuan Z, Romano C … +11 more , Chen-Scarabelli C, Fanzani A, Pasini E, Dioguardi FS, Onorati F, Linardi D, Knight R, Patel H, Faggian G, Saravolatz L, Scarabelli TM
Med Sci Monit Basic Res · 2019 May · PMID 31073117 · Full text
BACKGROUND Urocortin (Ucn) is a member of the hypothalamic corticotrophin-releasing factor family and has been shown to reduce cell death in the heart caused by ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. Signal transducer and ac...
BACKGROUND Urocortin (Ucn) is a member of the hypothalamic corticotrophin-releasing factor family and has been shown to reduce cell death in the heart caused by ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) is a transcription factor known to function as a pro-survival and anti-apoptotic factor, whose activation depends on a variety of cytokines, including IL-6. A recent study demonstrated that urocortin induced IL-6 release from cardiomyocytes in a CRF-R2-dependent manner, suggesting a possible link between CRF-R2 stimulation and STAT3 activation. MATERIAL AND METHODS Experimental work was carried out in HL-1 cardiac myocytes exposed to serum starvation for 16-24 h. RESULTS Ucn stimulation led to IL-6 expression and release from mouse atrial HL-1 cardiomyocytes. Ucn treatment led to rapid phosphorylation of JAK2, which was blocked by the protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide or the JAK inhibitor AG490. Urocortin treatment induced STAT3 phosphorylation at Y705 and S727 through transactivation of JAK2 in an IL-6-dependent manner, but had no effect on STAT1 activity. Kinase inhibition experiments revealed that urocortin induces STAT3 S727 phosphorylation through ERK1/2 and Y705 phosphorylation through Src tyrosine kinase. In line with this finding, urocortin failed to induce phosphorylation of Y705 residue in SYF cells bearing null mutation of Src, while phosphorylation of S727 residue was unchanged. CONCLUSIONS Here, we have shown that Ucn induces activation of STAT3 through diverging signaling pathways. Full understanding of these signaling pathways will help fully exploit the cardioprotective properties of endogenous and exogenous Ucn.
Spalt-Like Transcription Factor 1 (SALL1) Gene Expression Inhibits Cell Proliferation and Cell Migration of Human Glioma Cells Through the Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling Pathway.
Chi D, Zhang W, Jia Y … +2 more , Cong D, Hu S
Med Sci Monit Basic Res · 2019 May · PMID 31040265 · Full text
BACKGROUND The spalt-like transcription factor 1 (SALL1) gene is a member of the Krüppel-associated box-containing zinc finger proteins (KRAB-ZFPs) and has been shown to modulate the onset and progression of human tumors...
BACKGROUND The spalt-like transcription factor 1 (SALL1) gene is a member of the Krüppel-associated box-containing zinc finger proteins (KRAB-ZFPs) and has been shown to modulate the onset and progression of human tumors. This study aimed to investigate the regulatory effects and mechanisms of SALL1 gene expression in human glioblastoma and glioma cells and tissue samples from patients with cerebral glioma. MATERIAL AND METHODS The human glioblastoma cell lines, LN229, U87-MG, U-251, U343, and the Hs683 glioma cell line were studied. The cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, cell cycle assay, wound-healing assay, transwell assay, Western blot, and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) were used to evaluate cell proliferation, cell migration, and the cell cycle and expression of SALL1. Expression of SALL1 mRNA in 120 samples of cerebral glioma and 20 samples of normal brain were studied. Overall survival data from patients with cerebral glioma were analyzed. RESULTS SALL1 expression was down-regulated in human glioblastoma and glioma cells and in cerebral glioma tissues. Down-regulation of SALL1 expression was associated with reduced overall survival. Overexpression of SALL1 was associated with inhibition of cell proliferation associated with cell cycle arrest at the G0/G1 phase. SALL1 inhibited cell migration by preventing epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and down-regulating the expression of stem cell markers. Reduced levels of ß-catenin and downregulation of c-Myc and cyclin D1 and upregulation of p21and p27 expression were associated with SALL1 expression. CONCLUSIONS In human glioblastoma cells and cerebral glioma tissues, SALL1 acted as a tumor suppressor gene by inhibiting Wnt/ß-catenin signaling.
Changes in Shape and Size Discrimination and State Anxiety After Alternate-Nostril Yoga Breathing and Breath Awareness in One Session Each.
Telles S, Vishwakarma B, Gupta RK … +1 more , Balkrishna A
Med Sci Monit Basic Res · 2019 Apr · PMID 31006767 · Full text
BACKGROUND Yoga breathing techniques like high-frequency yoga breathing (HFYB) and breath awareness (BAW) have been associated with improved performance in the shape and size discrimination task. A PubMed search of the l...
BACKGROUND Yoga breathing techniques like high-frequency yoga breathing (HFYB) and breath awareness (BAW) have been associated with improved performance in the shape and size discrimination task. A PubMed search of the literature revealed that alternate-nostril breathing has been shown to improve performance in attention tasks, but the effect on tactile perception has not been studied. Hence, the present study was designed to assess the immediate effects of alternate-nostril yoga breathing (ANYB) compared to breath awareness on shape and size discrimination and state anxiety. MATERIAL AND METHODS Fifty healthy male volunteers ages 20-50 years (group mean ±S.D., 28.4±8.2 years) were recruited. Each participant was assessed in 3 sessions conducted on 3 separate days at the same time of day. The 3 sessions were (i) alternate-nostril yoga breathing (ANYB), (ii) breath awareness (BAW), and (iii) quiet sitting (QS), and the sequence of the sessions was randomly allocated. The shape and size discrimination task and state anxiety were assessed before and after all 3 sessions. Repeated measures analysis of variance (RM-ANOVA) followed by post hoc tests for multiple comparisons, which were Bonferroni-adjusted, were performed to compare data before and after all 3 sessions using SPSS version 18.0. RESULTS The errors scores in the shape and size discrimination task showed a significant reduction after the ANYB session (p<0.001). A significant reduction was found in the level of state anxiety after breath awareness (p<0.05) and quiet sitting sessions (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS The present results suggest that ANYB: (i) improves performance in a task which requires perceptual sensitivity and focused attention, but (ii) does not reduce state anxiety following this task.
Polyethylenimine (PEI)-Mediated E1A Increases the Sensitivity of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells to Chemotherapy.
Li Z, Yao Z, Zhang Y … +3 more , Yao J, Pan Z, Chen J
Med Sci Monit Basic Res · 2019 Apr · PMID 30956277 · Full text
BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to assess the ability of polyethylenimine (PEI) as an E1A plasmid vector to transfect hepatocellular carcinoma SMMC-7721 cells and to analyze the sensitization effect of E1A on variou...
BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to assess the ability of polyethylenimine (PEI) as an E1A plasmid vector to transfect hepatocellular carcinoma SMMC-7721 cells and to analyze the sensitization effect of E1A on various anti-tumor drugs. MATERIAL AND METHODS PEI-mediated recombinant plasmid psv-E1A with high expression of the E1A gene was introduced into hepatocellular carcinoma SMMC-7721 cells, and the effective transfection of E1A gene was determined by RT-PCR and Western blot analysis. The CCK8 method was used to detect the proliferation inhibition of docetaxel, epirubicin, gemcitabine, and 5-fluorouracil on SMMC-7721 cells before and after the transfection of the E1A gene. RESULTS RT-PCR and Western blot analysis showed that PEI could transfect plasmid psv-E1A with stable expression. After the transfection of E1A gene, the sensitivity of SMMC-7721 cells to docetaxel, epirubicin, gemcitabine, and 5-fluorouracil was increased (P<0.05), and the sensitivity to docetaxel was significantly improved (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS PEI can transfect plasmid psv-E1A. The E1A gene can increase the sensitivity of hepatocellular carcinoma cells to chemotherapeutic drugs. The mechanism may be related to the increased ability of the E1A gene to inhibit proliferation of hepatocellular carcinoma cells and altering the cell cycle of hepatocellular carcinoma cells.
VEGFR-2 Is in a State of Activation in Hair Follicles, Sebaceous Glands, Eccrine Sweat Glands, and Epidermis from Human Scalp: An In Situ Immunohistochemistry Study of Phosphorylated VEGFR-2.
Wu XJ, Jing J, Lu ZF … +1 more , Zheng M
Med Sci Monit Basic Res · 2019 Mar · PMID 30918240 · Full text
BACKGROUND Recent research reports that VEGFR-2 is expressed in the whole hair follicle, sebaceous glands, eccrine sweat glands, and epidermis. However, phosphorylated VEGFR-2 was not found, and it could not be ascertain...
BACKGROUND Recent research reports that VEGFR-2 is expressed in the whole hair follicle, sebaceous glands, eccrine sweat glands, and epidermis. However, phosphorylated VEGFR-2 was not found, and it could not be ascertained whether the activated form of VEGFR-2 actually participates in the biological control of epidermal appendages. In this study we aimed to determine whether the VEGFR-2 pathway is directly involved in the daily regulation of epidermal appendages biology. MATERIAL AND METHODS In this study, we investigated the expression of phosphorylation of VEGFR-2 by immunohistochemical analysis in the epidermis and epidermal appendages in normal human scalp skin. RESULTS Immunohistochemical analysis revealed phosphorylation of VEGFR-2 in a whole hair follicle, mainly in the infundibulum basal layer, hair cortex, and medulla in the isthmus, and matrix in the hair bulb. Phosphorylated VEGFR-2 also was found in the sebaceous glands, eccrine sweat glands, and epidermis. CONCLUSIONS Therefore, we suggest that VEGFR-2 activation is involved in routine regulation of human epidermal appendages.
Effect of Serum Deprivation Stress on Signal Induction Regulatory Protein-Alpha (SIRP-Alpha)-Mediated Erythrophagocytosis by Macrophages.
Hindi Z, Gad A, Jarvis C … +3 more , Zahoor T, Spellman C, Filleur S
Med Sci Monit Basic Res · 2019 Mar · PMID 30894504 · Full text
BACKGROUND Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a rare syndrome that involves loss of macrophages' self-cells recognition resulting in auto-phagocytosis of erythrocytes, leukocytes, and platelets and leading to mu...
BACKGROUND Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a rare syndrome that involves loss of macrophages' self-cells recognition resulting in auto-phagocytosis of erythrocytes, leukocytes, and platelets and leading to multi-system effects. The pathogenesis of HLH is unclear but can be explained by malfunction of the physiologic inhibitory pathway through interaction between macrophage SIRP-alpha and erythrocyte CD 47. The goal of the present study was to evaluate if erythrocytes phagocytosis occurs as a result of altered macrophage SIRP-alpha expression during inflammatory/stressful conditions as seen in HLH. MATERIAL AND METHODS RAW264.7 macrophages were cultured in serum-free media (SFM) and complete media (CM) to simulate stressful and physiologic conditions, respectively. CD47+ mouse erythrocytes were used to test interactions with macrophages at different stages. SIRP-alpha expressions and phagocytosis assays were measured and analyzed at different steps. The study was in vitro and used murine cells to simulate in vivo human interactions. RESULTS SIRP-alpha expressions and phagocytosis rates were higher in SFM compared to CM. Interestingly, after adding SIRP-alpha blocking antibodies (Ab), phagocytosis rates significantly decreased. CONCLUSIONS Serum deprivation and LPS/INF-Gamma induction resulted in increased SIRP-alpha expression and erythrophagocytosis. Using SIRP-alpha Ab during this condition decreased the rate of erythrophagocytosis, which indicates that SIRP-alpha receptor can have pro-phagocytic activity.
Chemical Composition and Biological Activities of Lebanese Pentapera Plant.
Kallassy H, Fayyad-Kazan H, Makki R … +7 more , Kaeen M, Sakr A, Alyamani O, El Dirani R, Hamade E, Fayyad-Kazan M, Badran B
Med Sci Monit Basic Res · 2019 Mar · PMID 30867404 · Full text
BACKGROUND Due to their chemical constituents and biological properties, plants have long been used to control life-threatening diseases. The flora of Lebanon includes many plants that have already been demonstrated to h...
BACKGROUND Due to their chemical constituents and biological properties, plants have long been used to control life-threatening diseases. The flora of Lebanon includes many plants that have already been demonstrated to have medicinal value, and other species, such as Pentapera sicula libanotica, that are yet to be characterized. The present study characterized the chemical composition, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-proliferative potential of aqueous, ethanol, and methanol extracts derived from the leaves of the Lebanese Pentapera plant. MATERIAL AND METHODS High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to determine the chemical composition. Gas chromatography (GC) coupled with mass spectrometry (MS) was applied to determine the content of essential oil. DPPH radical scavenging assay was performed to evaluate the anti-oxidant potential. The anti-inflammatory potential was assessed using quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) by measuring TNF-alpha, IL-6, and CCL4 mRNA levels, and we assessed Cox-2 and iNOS proteins levels using Western blot (WB) analysis. MTT assay was carried out to determine the anti-proliferative potential. RESULTS We identified, mainly in the alcoholic (methanol and ethanol) extracts, distinct bioactive compounds with pharmacological relevance. In parallel, with their phytochemical content, these 2 extracts showed significant anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative capacities. CONCLUSIONS Pentapera sicula libanotica appears to be a promising pharmacological tool.
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