Med Sci Monit Basic Res [JOURNAL]
Sun
200 papers
Attenuation of Morphine Withdrawal Syndrome by Prosopis Farcta Extract and Its Bioactive Component Luteolin in Comparison with Clonidine in Rats.
Moayeri A, Azimi M, Karimi E … +2 more , Aidy A, Abbasi N
Med Sci Monit Basic Res · 2018 Oct · PMID 30297685 · Full text
BACKGROUND Today, the plant Prosopis farcta is frequently used for traditional medicinal purposes. The aim of this study was the identification of luteolin in P. farcta extract (PFE) and to evaluate its effect on morphin...
BACKGROUND Today, the plant Prosopis farcta is frequently used for traditional medicinal purposes. The aim of this study was the identification of luteolin in P. farcta extract (PFE) and to evaluate its effect on morphine discontinuation syndrome in rats. MATERIAL AND METHODS Using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPCL), luteolin was evaluated in PFE. The frequency of behavioral symptoms of morphine withdrawal (jumping, rearing, and teeth chattering) induced by naloxone challenge were illustrated in morphine-dependent rats receiving PFE, luteolin, saline, or clonidine. LD50 of PFE and luteolin was 540 mg/kg and 150 mg/kg, respectively. Signs of behavioral morphine withdrawal in rats were significantly inhibited by chronic co-administration of PFE, luteolin, or clonidine with morphine. RESULTS This study showed that PFE was less effective than clonidine at a dose of 100 mg/kg, and at doses of 200 mg/kg and 300 mg/kg it was comparable to clonidine, and did not show a significant difference in the reduction of morphine withdrawal symptoms. Luteolin was comparable in 30 mg/kg, 60 mg/kg, and 90 mg/kg with clonidine to reduce the frequency of morphine withdrawal symptoms. PFE can be used as a source of luteolin. CONCLUSIONS The study findings suggest that PFE and luteolin might reduce the signs of narcotic withdrawal. Due to a similar effect to clonidine, its mechanism of action might be through the protein kinase A pathway and might have human therapeutic potential.
DNA Repair Gene (XPD, XRCC4, and XRCC1) Polymorphisms in Patients with Endometrial Hyperplasia: A Pilot Study.
Öztürk E, Pehlivan S, Balat O … +3 more , Ugur MG, Ozcan HC, Erkılıç S
Med Sci Monit Basic Res · 2018 Oct · PMID 30275440 · Full text
BACKGROUND In this study, we aimed to evaluate the association between endometrial hyperplasia and DNA repair gene (XPD, XRCC4, and XRCC1) polymorphisms. MATERIAL AND METHODS There were 114 cases enrolled in the study in...
BACKGROUND In this study, we aimed to evaluate the association between endometrial hyperplasia and DNA repair gene (XPD, XRCC4, and XRCC1) polymorphisms. MATERIAL AND METHODS There were 114 cases enrolled in the study in 4 groups: simple endometrial hyperplasia (SH) (Group 1), complex endometrial hyperplasia without atypia (CH) (Group 2), complex atypical endometrial hyperplasia (CAH) (Group 3), and normal endometrium (NE) (Group 4). Of these cases, 37 cases had SH, 36 cases had CH, 16 cases had CAH, and 25 cases had NE. To evaluate an association between atypia and DNA repair genes, we consider a group that included both SH and CH, the endometrial hyperplasia without atypia cases (Group 5). Genomic DNA was isolated from paraffin-embedded endometrial tissue collected from the Pathology Department of Gaziantep University Medical School. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and/or restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) method was used for evaluating of XPD (-751), XRCC4 (-1394 and a variable number of tandem repeats in intron 3), and XRCC1 (-399) genes. RESULTS We observed a notable distinction in patients having endometrial hyperplasia without atypia (the SH+CH group) and the CAH group in terms of XPD (-751) gene polymorphisms. A notable contrast was observed in patients with endometrial hyperplasia without atypia (the SH+CH group) and the NE group in terms of XRCC4 (VNTR intron 3) polymorphisms (P=0.026, P=0.018, respectively). CONCLUSIONS It was evident the DNA repair gene XPD and XRCC4 polymorphisms had a role in the pathophysiology of endometrial hyperplasia.
Myocardial Protective Effects of Nicorandil on Rats with Type 2 Diabetic Cardiomyopathy.
Zhang M, Zhang H, Liu C … +4 more , Li X, Ling M, Wang Z, Xing Y
Med Sci Monit Basic Res · 2018 Sep · PMID 30262799 · Full text
BACKGROUND Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a common but underestimated cause of heart failure in patients with diabetes. This study investigated the myocardial-protective effects of nicorandil (Nic) on rats with DCM. MA...
BACKGROUND Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a common but underestimated cause of heart failure in patients with diabetes. This study investigated the myocardial-protective effects of nicorandil (Nic) on rats with DCM. MATERIAL AND METHODS A total of forty-seven 180-220 g male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: a control group (control, n=8), a DCM group (DCM, n=13), a nicorandil-pretreated DCM group (Nic1, n=13), and a nicorandil-treated DCM group (Nic2, n=13). A rat model of type 2 diabetes was induced by high-fat and high-sugar diet and intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ). Nicorandil (3 mg/kg/d) was orally administrated to rats in the Nic1 group starting at week 4. Nicorandil (3 mg/kg/d) was orally administrated only after the induction of diabetes in the Nic2 group. The serum lipoids, plasma glucose, insulin levels, heart weight index, serum creatine kinase (CK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and malondialdehyde (MDA) were analyzed in all groups. RESULTS The DCM group showed increased heart weight index, serum LDH, CK, and MDA content and decreased serum SOD activity, as compared with the control group (P<0.05). The DCM-induced increases in heart weight index, serum LDH, CK, and MDA content and decrease in serum SOD activity were attenuated in both Nic1 and Nic2 groups (P<0.05). However, there was no significant difference between Nic1 and Nic2 groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS Nicorandil has protective effects on cardiac hypertrophy in DCM rats through increased SOD activity and decreased MDA content. Therefore, nicorandil may be a therapeutic method for diabetic patients with DCM.
Chromosomal Processes in Mind-Body Medicine: Chronic Stress, Cell Aging, and Telomere Length.
Esch T, Kream RM, Stefano GB
Med Sci Monit Basic Res · 2018 Sep · PMID 30220704 · Full text
Stress affects cellular aging and inflammatory and chromosomal processes, including telomere length, thereby potentially compromising health and facilitating disease onset and progression. Stress-related diseases and str...
Stress affects cellular aging and inflammatory and chromosomal processes, including telomere length, thereby potentially compromising health and facilitating disease onset and progression. Stress-related diseases and strategies to manage stress usually require integrative or behavioral therapeutic approaches that also operate on cellular levels. Mind-body medicine (MBM) uses the interaction between the mind, body, behavior, and the environment to correct physical and psychological malfunctions, thus ameliorating disease states and improving health. The relaxation response (RR) is a physiological opponent of stress and the stress response (SR) (i.e., fight-or-flight response), also invoking molecular anti-stress processes. Techniques that elicit the RR are at the core of practically all MBM interventions. We surmise that these techniques can also affect chromosomal and telomere processes, molecular aging, and the modulation of inflammatory states on cellular levels.
Health Education Using Telephone and WeChat in Treatment of Symptomatic Uterine Myoma with High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound.
Zou Q, Zhang G, Liu Y
Med Sci Monit Basic Res · 2018 Sep · PMID 30185767 · Full text
BACKGROUND Adopting modern communication methods in traditional healthcare services is a trend of modern medicine. In this study we explored the value of telephone and WeChat in health education on uterine myoma by high-...
BACKGROUND Adopting modern communication methods in traditional healthcare services is a trend of modern medicine. In this study we explored the value of telephone and WeChat in health education on uterine myoma by high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU). MATERIAL AND METHODS A total number of 426 patients diagnosed with symptomatic uterine myoma from April 2017 to September 2017 were selected and randomly divided into a routine preoperative education group (175 patients) and a telephone/WeChat preoperative health education group (251 patients). The patients in the routine preoperative education group received routine preoperative education, whereas those in the telephone/WeChat preoperative health education group received telephone/WeChat preoperative health education. Patients were evaluated before and after treatment. RESULTS Compared with the routine preoperative education group, the patients in telephone/WeChat preoperative health education group had less preoperative and postoperative anxiety, less postoperative pain, and higher treatment satisfaction (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Health education using telephone and WeChat preoperatively can reduce preoperative and postoperative anxiety, postoperative pain, and early postoperative inflammatory response in patients with uterine myoma, and can improve treatment satisfaction.
Association of Parkinson Disease Induction with Cardiac Upregulation of Apoptotic Mediators P53 and Active Caspase-3: An Immunohistochemistry Study.
Erekat NS, Al-Jarrah MD
Med Sci Monit Basic Res · 2018 Aug · PMID 30135418 · Full text
BACKGROUND Apoptosis plays a key role in the pathogenesis of Parkinson disease (PD). Active caspase-3, which is a proapoptotic factor, has been shown to reduce cardiac contractility, causing cardiac dysfunction in many p...
BACKGROUND Apoptosis plays a key role in the pathogenesis of Parkinson disease (PD). Active caspase-3, which is a proapoptotic factor, has been shown to reduce cardiac contractility, causing cardiac dysfunction in many pathological diseases. Reduced cardiac contractility and cardiac autonomic dysfunction have been reported in PD patients and PD mice treated with MPTP. The aim of this study was to show the impact of PD induction on the expression of the apoptotic mediators p53 and active caspase-3 in the heart. MATERIAL AND METHODS Equal control and PD groups were formed by 20 randomly selected normal albino mice. We used 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (25 mg/kg) and probenecid (250 mg/kg) (MPTP/p) to induce chronic Parkinsonism in the PD group. Immunohistochemistry was performed to investigate the expression of p53, active caspase-3, and β-adrenergic receptor in hearts from the 2 animal groups. RESULTS P53 and active caspase-3 expression was significantly higher in PD hearts than in the control hearts (p value <0.01). β-adrenergic receptor expression was significantly lower in PD hearts than in control hearts (p value <0.01). CONCLUSIONS Our results show an association of PD with p53 and active caspase-3 overexpression and β-adrenergic receptor underexpression in the heart, potentially promoting the cardiac autonomic dysfunction frequently observed in PD.
Physical Fitness and Its Relationship to Plasma Leptin, Leptin Soluble Receptor, and Free Leptin Index in a Saudi Population: A Comparison Between Diabetic and Non-Diabetic Individuals.
Alzamil H, Aldokhi L, Habib SS
Med Sci Monit Basic Res · 2018 Aug · PMID 30089769 · Full text
BACKGROUND Low physical activity is considered to be a risk factor for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). One theory suggest that leptin resistance is involved in the pathophysiology of impaired glucose metabolism. In this...
BACKGROUND Low physical activity is considered to be a risk factor for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). One theory suggest that leptin resistance is involved in the pathophysiology of impaired glucose metabolism. In this study we aimed to assess the correlation of physical fitness scores (PFS) with serum total leptin (TL), serum leptin soluble receptor (LSR), and free leptin index (FLI) in a group of Saudi patients with T2DM. MATERIAL AND METHODS This cross-sectional study involved 115 subjects: 52 healthy control subjects and 63 patients with T2DM. All subjects underwent body composition analysis. Blood samples were analyzed for fasting blood glucose (FBG), glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), serum total leptin (TL), and serum leptin soluble receptor (LSR). Based on ideal body composition and our previous studies, physical fitness scores (PFS) were recorded for each subject. RESULTS In patients with T2DM, levels of LSR were positively correlated with PFS (r=0.281, p=0.025), while the levels of TL (r=-0.425, p=0.001) and FLI (r=-0.439, p=0.001) were negatively correlated with PFS. In control subjects, TL and FLI levels were negatively correlated (r=-0.612, p=0.001and r=-0.543, p=0.001 respectively) with PFS. In linear regression analysis, after adjustment for age and BMI, TL and FLI were independent predictors of PFS. CONCLUSIONS Serum TL and FLI were negatively correlated while LSR was positively correlated with PFS in patients with T2DM. Therefore, they may be important biomarkers for predicting the outcomes of physical fitness and exercise programs.
Increased Mental Well-Being and Reduced State Anxiety in Teachers After Participation in a Residential Yoga Program.
Telles S, Gupta RK, Bhardwaj AK … +4 more , Singh N, Mishra P, Pal DK, Balkrishna A
Med Sci Monit Basic Res · 2018 Jul · PMID 30061552 · Full text
BACKGROUND Reducing stress in the workplace improves mental health. Teaching is of social importance, but it may receive inadequate recognition and rewards. The present study compared mental well-being and state anxiety...
BACKGROUND Reducing stress in the workplace improves mental health. Teaching is of social importance, but it may receive inadequate recognition and rewards. The present study compared mental well-being and state anxiety in primary school teachers who practiced 15 days of yoga in a residential setting with those who continued their usual routine. MATERIAL AND METHODS We enrolled 236 primary school teachers to participate in the study. We assigned 118 primary school teachers (group mean ±S.D., age 41.5±6.0 years, 74 females) to the experimental group; they underwent 15 days of yoga training for 6 hours/day) in a residential yoga center. The non-yoga control group (group mean ±S.D., age 42.3±6.0 years, 79 females) consisted of 118 teachers who continued with their normal teaching routine. RESULTS After 15 days in the residential yoga program, there was an increase in overall mental well-being (p<.001) and lower state anxiety (p<.01) (repeated-measures ANOVA, followed by post hoc multiple comparison tests). At baseline, the non-yoga control group had higher levels of state anxiety, presumably related to their remaining in the workplace. CONCLUSIONS The study was a 15-day, comparative, controlled trial. The results show that after 15 days of participation in the residential yoga program, primary school teachers increased all aspects of mental well-being and had reduced state anxiety.
The Micro-Hospital: 5G Telemedicine-Based Care.
Stefano GB, Kream RM
Med Sci Monit Basic Res · 2018 Jul · PMID 30006501 · Full text
Today's medical service delivery platforms provide everything from small urgent care 'offices' to large medical centers. Since 2007, an intermediate entity for care has been established, namely, the micro-hospital. Micro...
Today's medical service delivery platforms provide everything from small urgent care 'offices' to large medical centers. Since 2007, an intermediate entity for care has been established, namely, the micro-hospital. Micro-hospitals are 24-hour, small inpatient facilities with an average of 2 to 10 beds, designed to provide a diversity of healthcare services consistent with community demands. In addition, they seek to combine a cost-effective healthcare vehicle with potential time-dependent triage/transfer capabilities to a nearby large medical center. This smaller cost-effective entity represents an ideal vehicle for telemedicine, whereby specialists are always on hand for interpretation and consultation, with minimal patient waiting. In all likelihood, telemedicine, including cloud data storage and retrieval, will develop at a faster pace due to emerging 5G technology. Appropriate modification of the micro-hospital may also lead to creation of specialized centers devoted to endocrine and metabolic disorders, pulmonary diseases, and addiction medicine, which are certainly within the realm of medical necessity.
Prophylactic Atrial Fibrillation Ablation in Atrial Flutter Patients without Atrial Fibrillation: A Meta-Analysis with Trial Sequential Analysis.
Xie X, Liu X, Chen B … +1 more , Wang Q
Med Sci Monit Basic Res · 2018 Jun · PMID 29959310 · Full text
BACKGROUND New-onset atrial fibrillation (AF) is common after atrial flutter (AFL) ablation, but it was unclear whether AF ablation could reduce the incidence of AF in AFL patients without AF history. The present meta-an...
BACKGROUND New-onset atrial fibrillation (AF) is common after atrial flutter (AFL) ablation, but it was unclear whether AF ablation could reduce the incidence of AF in AFL patients without AF history. The present meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate the benefit of prophylactic AF ablation in reducing the occurrence of AF in typical AFL patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS We systematically searched PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library from inception to December 2017 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that assessed the efficacy of AF ablation in reducing the occurrence of AF in AFL patients without AF. Trial sequential analysis (TSA) was used to control random errors and calculate the required information size. RESULTS Four trials (n=357 patients) met the inclusion criteria and were included in our meta-analysis. The incidence of AF after AFL ablation was 46.4%. We observed that prophylactic AF ablation reduced the AF incidence compared with simple AFL ablation (26.1% versus 46.4%, RR: 0.57, 95% CIs: 0.42-0.76, P=0.0002) with a prolonged procedure duration (P<0.00001) and fluoroscopy time (P=0.004). Further TSA indicated that more RCTs were needed to reach more conclusive results. There was no significant difference in clinical complications (P=0.33) between the 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS This meta-analysis provides evidence that prophylactic AF ablation may be more effective than simple AFL ablation in reducing AF incidence after AFL ablation. Large prospective RCTs are warranted to confirm the benefit of prophylactic AF ablation in AFL patients without AF history.
The Challenge of Stress-Related Non-Communicable Diseases.
Fricchione GL
Med Sci Monit Basic Res · 2018 Jun · PMID 29904042 · Full text
The greatest challenge facing medicine today involves the so-called non-communicable diseases (NCDs). This is true regardless of whether one's location is considered high-income, middle-income, or low-income. Basic resea...
The greatest challenge facing medicine today involves the so-called non-communicable diseases (NCDs). This is true regardless of whether one's location is considered high-income, middle-income, or low-income. Basic research at all "OMICs" system levels will be significant in uncovering causal links that create NCD vulnerabilities in mind, brain, body, and society. Therefore, meeting this 21st century challenge by improving NCD management and prevention around the world will rely on advancement in this type of basic research.
Dendrobium Officinale Kimura et Migo Ameliorates Insulin Resistance in Rats with Diabetic Nephropathy.
Zhao M, Han J
Med Sci Monit Basic Res · 2018 May · PMID 29849017 · Full text
BACKGROUND Emerging evidence suggests the potential of Dendrobium officinale Kimura et Migo (DO) in treating the complications of diabetes mellitus (DM). We evaluated the therapeutic potential of DO in treating diabetic...
BACKGROUND Emerging evidence suggests the potential of Dendrobium officinale Kimura et Migo (DO) in treating the complications of diabetes mellitus (DM). We evaluated the therapeutic potential of DO in treating diabetic nephropathy (DN) by preventing insulin resistance. MATERIAL AND METHODS A DN model was established. Mean glomerular volume of rats was estimated by the method of Weibel-Gomez. Reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was used to determine the expression of mRNAs and we used Western blot assay to determine the expression of proteins. The levels of fasting insulin (FINS) and glucagon (GLU) were measured and we assessed the levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-a), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS Compared with the Normal rats, the levels of urinary glucose, albuminuria, Scr, albuminuria/Scr and BUN, and the expression levels of CaN, TLR-2, TLR-4, MyD88, hs-CRP, TNF-a, and IL-6, the level of FINS, GLU, and HOMAIR were increased in DN, DO 1.0, DO 2.0, and DMBG groups. Compared with the DN rats, in DO 1.0, DO 2.0, and DMBG groups the glomerular volume was smaller, the levels of urinary glucose, albuminuria, Scr, albuminuria/Scr, and BUN, the expression levels of CaN, TLR-2, TLR-4, MyD88, hs-CRP, TNF-a, and IL-6, the level of FINS, GLU, and HOMA-IR were decreased. CONCLUSIONS We found that DO prevents insulin resistance in rats with DN. This may be associated with reduction of TLRs and inflammatory response, which should be further verified by loss of DO effects on DN after treatment of inhibitors of TLRs.
Comprehensive Assessment of the Psychological Burden for Students in Physical Education Classes in Chinese Universities.
Wei X, Liu Z
Med Sci Monit Basic Res · 2018 May · PMID 29760373 · Full text
BACKGROUND Physical education (PE) is part of the curriculum in Chinese universities. The psychological burden, or anxiety levels, for students in PE classes, can result from several factors, including teaching content,...
BACKGROUND Physical education (PE) is part of the curriculum in Chinese universities. The psychological burden, or anxiety levels, for students in PE classes, can result from several factors, including teaching content, teaching environment, and the organization of the teaching methods. The aim of this study was to assess the psychological burden on students in PE classes in Chinese universities. MATERIAL AND METHODS The study included 400 students (200 men and 200 women) from a Chinese university, who participated in PE classes. The distribution of the levels of psychological burden associated with PE was assessed using subjective measurements and a fuzzy comprehensive evaluation method that to provide an integrated framework combining the results of judgments made at multiple stages of the evaluation process. RESULTS Of the 400 study participants who attended PE classes, 61.5% of male students and 47.5% of female students coped well or very well when dealing with the perceived psychological burden; 33.5% of male students and 42.5% of female students reported a medium level of psychological burden. Few students reported a high level of psychological burden associated with PE classes. The average psychological burden in female students was greater than for male students who participated in PE classes. CONCLUSIONS The combination of subjective measurement of the psychological burden associated with PE classes by university students in China, combined with a fuzzy comprehensive evaluation method showed that female university students might require more support than male students to overcome any psychological burden associated with PE classes.
Identification of Potentially Functional CircRNA-miRNA-mRNA Regulatory Network in Hepatocellular Carcinoma by Integrated Microarray Analysis.
Lin X, Chen Y
Med Sci Monit Basic Res · 2018 Apr · PMID 29706616 · Full text
BACKGROUND Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common malignancy of the liver and recent studies have revealed that circular RNA (circRNA) plays an important role in the pathogenesis of HCC. Some circRNAs may act...
BACKGROUND Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common malignancy of the liver and recent studies have revealed that circular RNA (circRNA) plays an important role in the pathogenesis of HCC. Some circRNAs may act as a microRNA (miRNA) sponge to affect miRNA activities in the regulation of messenger RNA (mRNA) expression. However, the circRNA-miRNA-mRNA network in HCC remains largely unknown. MATERIAL AND METHODS The circRNA expression profiles (GSE94508 and GSE97332), miRNA and mRNA expression profile (GSE22058) were downloaded from Gene Expression Omnibus microarray data and then a circRNA-miRNA-mRNA regulatory network in HCC was constructed. Gene Ontology (GO) analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis of differentially expressed (DE) genes were performed. The functional circRNA-miRNA-mRNA regulatory modules were constructed using cytoHubba plugin based on Cytoscape and KEGG enrichment analysis. RESULTS The network contained 60 circRNA-miRNA pairs and 4982 miRNA-mRNA pairs, including 29 circRNAs, 16 miRNAs, and 1249 mRNAs. GO and KEGG pathway analysis revealed the network might be involved in the procession of carcinogenesis such as cell proliferation, cell cycle, and p53 signaling pathway. In addition, 3 top ranked circRNAs (hsa_circ_0078279, hsa_circ_0007456, and hsa_circ_0004913) related networks were identified to be highly correlated with the pathogenesis of HCC. Furthermore, the functional circRNA-miRNA-mRNA regulatory modules were constructed based on the 3 top-ranked circRNAs and those DE genes enriched in carcinogenesis related pathways. CONCLUSIONS This study suggests that a specific circRNA-miRNA-mRNA network is associated with the carcinogenesis of HCC, which might aid in the identification of molecular biomarkers and therapeutic targets for HCC.
Brain Training Games Enhance Cognitive Function in Healthy Subjects.
Al-Thaqib A, Al-Sultan F, Al-Zahrani A … +4 more , Al-Kahtani F, Al-Regaiey K, Iqbal M, Bashir S
Med Sci Monit Basic Res · 2018 Apr · PMID 29674605 · Full text
BACKGROUND Brain training games (BTG) are believed to play a major role in improving cognitive functions. The current study evaluated if BTG showed positive impact on attention and memory functions compared with baseline...
BACKGROUND Brain training games (BTG) are believed to play a major role in improving cognitive functions. The current study evaluated if BTG showed positive impact on attention and memory functions compared with baseline visit in healthy subjects. MATERIAL AND METHODS The study was carried out from October 2015 until April 2016 in the Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, King Saud University and in King Khalid University Hospital (KKUH), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. We enrolled 51 normal healthy subjects to use a computerized cognitive training game (Lumosity) for exercises that target a range of cognitive functions, including attention, processing speed, visual memory, and executive functions for about 15 min per day, at least 7 days per week, for 3 weeks. The control (n=21) group did not perform the training. Both groups took the CANTAB test before and 3 weeks after training for various cognitive functions (flexibility, memory, attention, speed, and problem solving). Serum samples were used to study the brain-derived growth factor (BDNF) and apolipoprotein (Apo) E (APOE) levels. RESULTS A significant improvement in Lumosity performance index was observed in the active group compared to the control group by the end of training (p-value 0.001). After the training, a statistically significant difference in most of the CANTAB measures, such as attention-switching task (AST), mean correct latency, AST switching cost, AST mean correct latency (congruent), AST mean correct latency (incongruent), AST mean correct latency (blocks 3 and 5) [non-switching blocks], AST mean correct latency (block 7) [switching block], and MOT mean correct latency (all P=0.000). However, in the control group, significant improvements were not observed. A positive correlation between pattern recognition memory (PRM) and APOE was found and people who had higher ApoE levels had faster response. CONCLUSIONS An improvement in different cognitive domains was noted, including attention and motor speed. However, this study warrants further research to determine the long-term effect on other cognitive functions and in different groups (e.g., elderly vs. adults).
Imatinib Affects the Expression of SLC22A1 in a Non-Linear Concentration-Dependent Manner Within 24 Hours.
Sreenivasan Tantuan S, Viljoen CD
Med Sci Monit Basic Res · 2018 Mar · PMID 29567937 · Full text
BACKGROUND Imatinib is actively transported into cells by the organic cation transporter (OCT1), encoded by SLC22A1. As a result, the expression of SLC22A1 is considered a prognostic marker for treatment with imatinib in...
BACKGROUND Imatinib is actively transported into cells by the organic cation transporter (OCT1), encoded by SLC22A1. As a result, the expression of SLC22A1 is considered a prognostic marker for treatment with imatinib in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). Although limited, there is conflicting evidence indicating that imatinib may affect the expression of SLC22A1. However, thus far, no studies have investigated the effect of imatinib on SLC22A1 expression in an imatinib-sensitive cell line, which would mimic a typical clinical setting. Changes in the expression of SLC22A1 as a result of imatinib could potentially negate its usefulness as a prognostic marker. MATERIAL AND METHODS The K562 CML cell line was exposed to varying concentrations of imatinib for 24, 48, and 72 h and SLC22A1 expression was determined by quantitative real-time PCR. RESULTS Our findings suggest that imatinib affects the expression of SLC22A1 within 24 h in a non-linear concentration-dependent manner. CONCLUSIONS This is the first study to report on the short-term effect of imatinib on the expression of SLC22A1 in an imatinib-sensitive CML cell line. Our results suggest that imatinib affects SLC22A1 mRNA expression in a non-linear dose-dependent manner and that the changes in the expression of SLC22A1 as a result of the concentration of imatinib occur within 24 h of exposure to imatinib and remain stable thereafter for up to 72 h.
Effects of the Phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5) Inhibitors, Avanafil and Zaprinast, on Bone Remodeling and Oxidative Damage in a Rat Model of Glucocorticoid-Induced Osteoporosis.
Huyut Z, Bakan N, Yıldırım S … +1 more , Alp HH
Med Sci Monit Basic Res · 2018 Mar · PMID 29557941 · Full text
BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5) inhibitors, zaprinast and avanafil, on NO signalling pathway, bone mineral density (BMD), epiphyseal bone width, bone marro...
BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5) inhibitors, zaprinast and avanafil, on NO signalling pathway, bone mineral density (BMD), epiphyseal bone width, bone marrow angiogenesis, and parameters of oxidative stress in a rat model of glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis (GIOP). MATERIAL/METHODS: Twenty-four 8-month-old male rats in four groups were given a single daily treatment during a 30-day period: an (untreated) control group (n=6): a dexamethasone-treated group (120 μ/kg) (n=6); a group treated with dexamethasone (120 μ/kg) and zaprinast (10 mg/kg) (n=6): and a group treated with dexamethasone (120 μ/kg) and avanafil (10 mg/kg) (n=6). Rat whole body bone mineral density (BMD) was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA), and bone histology was performed. Also, selected oxidative stress parameters by HPLC method and the other biochemical parameters by ELISA method were measured. RESULTS: The GIOP model rats treated with zaprinast and avanafil showed a significant increase in NO, cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), and protein kinase G (PKG) (NO/cGMP/PKG) signaling-pathway components, and in C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX-1), bone marrow angiogenesis, BMD, and epiphyseal bone width, compared with the (untreated) control rats (p<0.05). Levels of pyridinoline (PD) and deoxypyridinoline (DPD) were significantly reduced in the dexamethasone + zaprinast, and dexamethasone + avanafil treatment groups (p<0.05). Malondialdehyde (MDA), ubiquinone-10 (CoQ10), ubiquinol CoQ10 (CoQ10H), and 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) were significantly increased in the dexamethasone-treated group, compared with the (untreated) controls (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In the GIOP rat model, markers of oxidative stress and bone atrophy were significantly reduced by treatment with the PDE-5 inhibitors, zaprinast and avanafil.
miR-144 Potentially Suppresses Proliferation and Migration of Ovarian Cancer Cells by Targeting RUNX1.
Han S, Zhu J, Zhang Y
Med Sci Monit Basic Res · 2018 Feb · PMID 29445078 · Full text
BACKGROUND Ovarian cancer (OC) is one of the most common malignant diseases of the female reproductive system worldwide. Evidence has shown that microRNAs are involved in the development of ovarian cancer. miR-144, one o...
BACKGROUND Ovarian cancer (OC) is one of the most common malignant diseases of the female reproductive system worldwide. Evidence has shown that microRNAs are involved in the development of ovarian cancer. miR-144, one of these microRNAs, has been found have upregulated expression in various human malignancies. The present study aimed to investigate the role miR-144 in ovarian cancer cell lines and to elucidate the mechanism involved. MATERIAL AND METHODS Human ovarian cancer cell lines (SKOV3/OVCAR3) and a normal ovarian cell line (IOSE80) were used to identify the miR-144 expression though qRT-PCR method. SKOV3/OVCAR3 cells were transfected with miR-144 mimics by Lipofectamine, and the proliferation, migration, and invasion ability of these cells were detected by MTT assay, wound healing assay, and Transwell assays, respectively. MMP2 and MMP9 expression were detected at mRNA and protein levels. The results of dual luciferase reporter assay confirmed that miR-144 could down-regulate RUNX1 expression level. Finally, the expression of runt-related transcription factor 1 (RUNX1) was examined using qRT-PCR and Western blot analysis. RESULTS Our results demonstrate that the expression level of miR-144 was downregulated in SKOV3/OVCAR3 compared to IOSE80, and we found that miR-144 suppresses the proliferation and migration of ovarian cancer cells. Moreover, RUNX1 was predicted and confirmed to be a target of miRNA-144. Additionally, after 48-h transfection with miR-144 mimics, the expression of RUNX1 was downregulated in OC cells. CONCLUSIONS miR-144 mimics can inhibit the proliferation and migration of ovarian cancer cells though regulating the expression of RUNX1.
Comparison of Nutrition-Related Adverse Events and Clinical Outcomes Between ICE (Ifosfamide, Carboplatin, and Etoposide) and MCEC (Ranimustine, Carboplatin, Etoposide, and Cyclophosphamide) Therapies as Pretreatment for Autologous Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplantation in Patients with Malignant Lymphoma.
Aoyama T, Imataki O, Arai H … +6 more , Kume T, Shiozaki H, Katsumata N, Mori M, Ishide K, Ikeda T
Med Sci Monit Basic Res · 2018 Feb · PMID 29398693 · Full text
BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to compare nutrition-related adverse events and clinical outcomes of ifosfamide, carboplatin, and etoposide regimen (ICE therapy) and ranimustine, carboplatin, etoposide, and cyclopho...
BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to compare nutrition-related adverse events and clinical outcomes of ifosfamide, carboplatin, and etoposide regimen (ICE therapy) and ranimustine, carboplatin, etoposide, and cyclophosphamide regimen (MCEC therapy) instituted as pretreatment for autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation. MATERIAL AND METHODS We enrolled patients who underwent autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation between 2007 and 2012. Outcomes were compared between ICE therapy (n=14) and MCEC therapy (n=14) in relation to nutrient balance, engraftment day, and length of hospital stay. In both groups, we compared the timing of nutrition-related adverse events with oral caloric intake, analyzed the correlation between length of hospital stay and duration of parenteral nutrition, and investigated the association between oral caloric intake and the proportion of parenteral nutrition energy in total calorie supply. Five-year survival was compared between the groups. RESULTS Compared with the MCEC group, the ICE group showed significant improvement in oral caloric intake, length of hospital stay, and timing of nutrition-related adverse events and oral calorie intake, but a delay in engraftment. Both groups showed a correlation between duration of parenteral nutrition and length of hospital stay (P=0.0001) and between oral caloric intake (P=0.0017) and parenteral nutrition energy sufficiency rate (r=-0.73, P=0.003; r=-0.76, P=0.002). Five-year survival was not significantly different between the groups (P=0.1355). CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that compared with MCEC therapy, ICE therapy improves nutrition-related adverse events and reduces hospital stay, conserving medical resources, with no significant improvement in long-term survival. The nutritional pathway may serve as a tool for objective evaluation of pretreatment for autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation.
Biomechanical Stability of a Cross-Rod Connection with a Pedicle Screw System.
Mizuno T, Sakakibara T, Yoshikawa T … +3 more , Inaba T, Kato T, Kasai Y
Med Sci Monit Basic Res · 2018 Jan · PMID 29371585 · Full text
BACKGROUND Surgery with pedicle screw instrumentation does not provide sufficient torsional stability. This leads to pseudoarthrosis, loosening of the pedicle screws, and, ultimately, implant failure. MATERIAL AND METHOD...
BACKGROUND Surgery with pedicle screw instrumentation does not provide sufficient torsional stability. This leads to pseudoarthrosis, loosening of the pedicle screws, and, ultimately, implant failure. MATERIAL AND METHODS Functional spinal units from 18 deer were evaluated using a 6-axis material testing machine. As specimen models, we prepared an intact model, a damaged model, a cross-rod model, and a cross-link model. We measured the range of motion (ROM) during bending and rotation tests. RESULTS The range of motions of cross-rod model were almost equal to those of cross-link model during the bending test. In the rotation test, the average ranges of motion of the intact, cross-rod, and cross-link models were 2.9°, 3.1°, and 3.9° during right rotation and 2.9°, 3.1°, and 4.1° during left rotation, respectively. The range of motions of the cross-rod model were significantly smaller than those of the cross-link model during the rotation test. The range of motions of the intact model were significantly smaller than those of the cross-link model during the rotation test, but there were no statistically significant differences between the range of motions of intact model and cross-rod model during the rotation test. CONCLUSIONS The stability of spinal fixation such as cross-rod model is equal to the fixation using the pedicle screw system during bending tests and equal to that of the intact spine during rotation tests.
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