Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Rebecca Bruning, Hannah Dykes, Timothy W. Jones, Nathaniel B. Wayne, Andrea Sikora Newsome
Summary: Catecholamine upregulation plays a crucial role in critical illness, with beta-blockers showing promising results in improving hemodynamic and metabolic parameters, reducing healing time, and decreasing mortality in various critically ill conditions. Ultra-rapid beta-blockers offer new possibilities for mitigating complications such as atrial fibrillation in persistently tachycardic septic patients.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jordi Ribera, Clara Vilches, Vanesa Sanz, Ignacio de Miguel, Irene Portoles, Bernat Cordoba-Jover, Esther Prat, Virginia Nunes, Wladimiro Jimenez, Romain Quidant, Manuel Morales-Ruiz
Summary: Liver fibrosis is a significant health issue with limited treatment options. Targeting hepatic stellate cells and using gold nanorods may be promising strategies for reducing fibrosis. Gold nanorods have shown potential in decreasing fibrosis, hepatic inflammation, and hepatocyte injury.
Article
Immunology
Fangbin Liu, Shengnan Li, Panpan Chen, Yanqiu Gu, Shaozhan Wang, Lei Wang, Chun Chen, Rong Wang, Yongfang Yuan
Summary: Liver fibrosis is a reversible pathological process that can lead to liver failure and cancer. Salvia miltiorrhiza is a medicinal plant with hepatoprotective effects, and its component Salvianolic acid B has been found to have anti-liver fibrosis effects. This study discovered that Sal B targets PDGFR beta to inhibit the activation, migration, and proliferation of hepatic stellate cells, which are closely related to liver fibrosis.
INTERNATIONAL IMMUNOPHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Joohyeong Lee, Eunmi Kim, Min-Kyung Kang, Jihye Ryu, Ji Eon Kim, Eun-Ae Shin, Yangie Pinanga, Kyung-hee Pyo, Haesong Lee, Eun Hae Lee, Heejin Cho, Jayeon Cheon, Wonsik Kim, Eek-Hoon Jho, Semi Kim, Jung Weon Lee
Summary: Overexpression of TM4SF5 exacerbates pathological abnormalities in both the colon and liver, including intestinal adenomas, carcinomas, sinusoidal dilatation, and fibrosis.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jose A. Godoy-Lugo, Max A. Thorwald, Dora A. Mendez, Ruben Rodriguez, Daisuke Nakano, Akira Nishiyama, Rudy M. Ortiz
Summary: This study found that long-term AT1 blockade can increase nuclear Nrf2 content and reduce the expression of antioxidant enzymes, thereby promoting the development of NAFLD. The angiotensin receptor blocker can alleviate the impact of hyperglycemia on Nrf2, suggesting its role in antioxidant defense.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Dileep Reddy Rampa, Huiying Feng, Sivakumar Allur-Subramaniyan, Kwanseob Shim, Anton Pekcec, Dongwon Lee, Henri Doods, Dongmei Wu
Summary: This study found that BI 113823 significantly reduced liver fibrosis and portal hypertension in two established mouse models, as well as improved survival rates by inhibiting the expression of fibrotic proteins and growth factors and regulating the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.
JOURNAL OF TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Adhara Lazaro, Patrick Stoll, Dominik von Elverfeldt, Wolfgang Kreisel, Peter Deibert
Summary: This study investigated the potential correlation between mean arterial pressure (MAP) and portal venous pressure (PVP) in rats with healthy livers. The results showed that changes in MAP are followed by changes in PVP with a distinct time lag, indicating a cause-and-effect relationship. The study also revealed that Sildenafil influences portal pressure. Further studies should be conducted in a model with cirrhotic livers to evaluate the effects of vasoactive drugs for therapy of portal hypertension.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Qinghua Cao, Chunling Huang, Hao Yi, Anthony J. Gill, Angela Chou, Michael Foley, Chris G. Hosking, Kevin K. Lim, Cristina F. Triffon, Ying Shi, Xin-Ming Chen, Carol A. Pollock
Summary: A fully human single-domain antibody-like scaffold called AD-114 has been developed as a therapeutic strategy targeting CXCR4. In animal models, AD-114 showed renoprotective effects by reducing renal fibrosis and blocking the activation of p38 MAPK and PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathways.
Article
Radiology, Nuclear Medicine & Medical Imaging
Yosuke Kawano, Masahiro Tanabe, Fumi Kameda, Mayumi Higashi, Kenichiro Ihara, Masaya Tanabe, Atsuo Inoue, Taiga Kobayashi, Takaaki Ueda, Katsuyoshi Ito
Summary: This study used dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) CT to evaluate the association between portal flow hemodynamics and lobar hepatic steatosis. The results showed that the contrast enhancement values in areas of lobar hepatic steatosis were significantly lower in the right lobe compared to the non-fatty left lobe. There was also a slight difference in contrast enhancement values in areas of lobar hepatic steatosis of the left lobe compared to the non-fatty right lobe. Additionally, there were significant differences in contrast enhancement values between hepatic steatosis areas and focal fatty spared areas in specific groups.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF RADIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Romain J. Amante, Charly Jehanno, Duvini De Silva, Marie-May Coissieux, Markus Ackerknecht, Vincent Romanet, Atul Sethi, Baptiste Hamelin, Bogdan-Tiberius Preca, Salvatore Piscuoglio, Charlotte K. Y. Ng, Morvarid Mohseni, Mohamed Bentires-Alj
Summary: The protein tyrosine phosphatase SHP2 is involved in various cancers, including triple-negative breast cancer. Resistance mechanisms to SHP2 inhibitors are not well-defined. The PI3K signaling pathway is also hyperactivated in breast cancer and contributes to resistance. Targeting both PI3K and SHP2 showed beneficial effects in preclinical models, suggesting a rationale for co-targeting these pathways in metastatic TNBC.
JOURNAL OF MAMMARY GLAND BIOLOGY AND NEOPLASIA
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Roderick N. Carter, Matthew T. G. Gibbins, Martin E. Barrios-Llerena, Stephen E. Wilkie, Peter L. Freddolino, Marouane Libiad, Victor Vitvitsky, Barry Emerson, Thierry Le Bihan, Madara Brice, Huizhong Su, Scott G. Denham, Natalie Z. M. Homer, Clare Mc Fadden, Anne Tailleux, Nourdine Faresse, Thierry Sulpice, Francois Briand, Tom Gillingwater, Kyo Han Ahn, Subhankar Singha, Claire McMaster, Richard C. Hartley, Bart Staels, Gillian A. Gray, Andrew J. Finch, Colin Selman, Ruma Banerjee, Nicholas M. Morton
Summary: Impaired hepatic glucose and lipid metabolism are characteristics of type 2 diabetes. Increased sulfide production or sulfide donor compounds may beneficially regulate hepatic metabolism. Lack of the liver-enriched mitochondrial SOP enzyme thiosulfate sulfurtransferase (TST) leads to normal hepatic sulfide levels but reduced protein persulfidation, affecting gluconeogenesis and lipid metabolism, particularly medium-chain fatty acid oxidation in Tst(-/-) mice.
Article
Neurosciences
Yu Wu, Jing-Hua Dong, Yong-Feng Dai, Min-Zhen Zhu, Meng-Yao Wang, Yuan Zhang, Yi-Da Pan, Xin-Rui Yuan, Zhi-Xin Guo, Chen-Xi Wang, Yuan-Qing Li, Xin-Hong Zhu
Summary: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is influenced by both genetic and environmental factors, and the role of peripheral organs in AD pathogenesis is not yet fully understood. Hepatic soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) activity increases with age and can affect brain AD metabolism through multiple pathways. Manipulating hepatic sEH can attenuate brain AD burden, tauopathy, and cognitive deficits in AD mouse models. The balance between 14,15-epoxyeicosatrienoic acid (-EET) and AD levels in the brain is crucial for preventing AD deposition. Infusion of 14,15-EET mimics the neuroprotective effects of hepatic sEH ablation in AD models. Targeting the liver-brain axis in response to environmental stimuli may be a promising therapeutic approach for AD prevention.
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Alexander Zipprich, Fleur Gittinger, Matthias Winkler, Matthias M. Dollinger, Cristina Ripoll
Summary: The study found that administration of a selective ET-A antagonist can decrease portal pressure in cirrhotic patients, with a stronger effect observed in CP B patients. Non-responders, who did not show a decrease in portal pressure, exhibited a higher increase in hepatic arterial flow, suggesting that selective ET-A antagonists might be a promising future treatment option for patients with portal hypertension.
LIVER INTERNATIONAL
(2021)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Wei Liu, Chao Sun, Ying Yan, Hongchao Cao, Zhoumin Niu, Siyi Shen, Shengnan Liu, Yuting Wu, Yan Li, Lijian Hui, Yuying Li, Lin Zhao, Cheng Hu, Qiurong Ding, Jingjing Jiang, Hao Ying
Summary: This study uncovers the effects of hepatic p38 activation on systemic metabolism and provides new insights into the pathogenesis of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Monica L. Brown Lobbins, Andrzej T. Slominski, Karen A. Hasty, Sicheng Zhang, Duane D. Miller, Wei Li, Tae-Kang Kim, Zorica Janjetovic, Robert C. Tuckey, Imara-Safi O. Scott, Linda K. Myers, Arnold E. Postlethwaite
Summary: This study demonstrates that 17,20S(OH)(2)pD can suppress type I collagen synthesis and decrease the expression of fibrosis-related mediators, offering a potential noncalcemic secosteroidal therapeutic approach for treating systemic sclerosis and fibrosis.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Marta Araujo-Castro, Eider Pascual-Corrales, Ana M. Garcia Cano, Marta Marchan, Gregori Casals, Felicia A. Hanzu, Miguel Angel Gomez-Bermejo, Hector F. Escobar Morreale, Pablo Valderrabano
Summary: This study compared body composition between patients with autonomous cortisol secretion (ACS), nonfunctioning adrenal incidentalomas (NFAIs), and control subjects. The results showed that ACS patients had lower bone and muscle mass and higher visceral fat mass. These differences may be related to the urinary excretion of steroid metabolites.
ENDOCRINE PRACTICE
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Okan Tezcan, Asmaa Said Elshafei, Karina Benderski, Elena Rama, Maike Wagner, Diana Moeckel, Robert Pola, Michal Pechar, Tomas Etrych, Saskia von Stillfried, Fabian Kiessling, Ralf Weiskirchen, Steffen Meurer, Twan Lammers
Summary: Multidrug resistance (MDR) reduces the efficacy of chemotherapy by inducing drug efflux pumps and altering the tumor microenvironment (TME) composition, limiting drug delivery. Multidrug-resistant tumors displayed a more mesenchymal phenotype, increased collagen production, enriched TME, and enhanced vascular perfusion. Drug carriers accumulated more efficiently in resistant tumors but had a limited ability to penetrate the interstitium. Microenvironmental drug resistance affected liposomal doxorubicin performance more than free doxorubicin.
JOURNAL OF CONTROLLED RELEASE
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Louis C. Penning, Marina Berenguer, Anna Czlonkowska, Kay L. Double, Petr Dusek, Carmen Espinos, Svetlana Lutsenko, Valentina Medici, Wiebke Papenthin, Wolfgang Stremmel, Jose Willemse, Ralf Weiskirchen
Summary: Wilson disease is a rare inherited metabolic disorder with diverse clinical presentations affecting the liver, neurological system, psychiatric status, and vision, often in combination. Mutations in the ATP7B gene lead to copper accumulation in hepatocytes and/or neurons, making clinical diagnosis challenging. Diagnosis is complicated by mild and non-specific manifestations, mutations with unclear effects on protein function, and ambiguous laboratory tests, particularly concerning serum ceruloplasmin levels. Establishing a global collaboration of researchers, clinicians, and patient advocacy groups is crucial for identifying and addressing the outstanding challenges of Wilson disease.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Philipp Hohlstein, Jonathan F. Brozat, Julia Schuler, Samira Abu Jhaisha, Maike R. Pollmanns, Lukas Buendgens, Theresa H. Wirtz, Eray Yagmur, Karim Hamesch, Ralf Weiskirchen, Frank Tacke, Christian Trautwein, Alexander Koch
Summary: SFRP5 plays a crucial role in critical illness and sepsis, with significantly decreased serum concentrations in these patients. The decrease in SFRP5 is associated with liver disease, age, anti-inflammation, and metabolic parameters, and levels recover during the first week of ICU treatment. SFRP5 levels at admission can predict short-term mortality in critically ill patients.
Review
Nutrition & Dietetics
Bodo C. C. Melnik, Swen Malte John, Pedro Carrera-Bastos, Loren Cordain, Claus Leitzmann, Ralf Weiskirchen, Gerd Schmitz
Summary: This review evaluates the impact of cow milk on breast carcinogenesis by linking recent epidemiological evidence and new insights into the molecular signaling of milk and its constituents in breast cancer pathogenesis. Recent prospective cohort studies support the association between cow's milk consumption and the risk of estrogen receptor-alpha-positive breast cancer. Milk contains various components that can increase systemic insulin-like growth factor 1, insulin, and estrogen signaling, promoting breast cancer. Potential oncogenic components of commercial milk include exosomal microRNAs, bovine meat and milk factors, aflatoxin M1, bisphenol A, pesticides, and micro- and nanoplastics. Individuals with certain gene mutations and genetic polymorphisms may be at increased risk for milk-induced breast cancer.
CURRENT NUTRITION REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Lilach Barer, Sarah K. Schroeder, Ralf Weiskirchen, Eran Bacharach, Marcelo Ehrlich
Summary: Lipocalin-2 (LCN2) has pleiotropic functions in different types of cancers. This study found that LCN2 can regulate prostate cancer cells by affecting cytoskeleton organization and expression of inflammation mediators. It also showed that LCN2 can modulate prostate cancer cell susceptibility to oncolytic viruses by attenuating PERK activity and increasing interferon and interferon-stimulated gene expression.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CELL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Mihael Vucur, Ahmed Ghallab, Anne T. Schneider, Arlind Adili, Mingbo Cheng, Mirco Castoldi, Michael T. Singer, Veronika Buettner, Leonie S. Keysberg, Lena Kuesgens, Marlene Kohlhepp, Boris Goerg, Suchira Gallage, Jose Efren Barragan Avila, Kristian Unger, Claus Kordes, Anne-Laure Leblond, Wiebke Albrecht, Sven H. Loosen, Carolin Lohr, Markus S. Joerdens, Anne Babler, Sikander Hayat, David Schumacher, Maria T. Koenen, Olivier Govaere, Mark Boekschoten, Simone Joers, Carlos Villacorta-Martin, Vincenzo Mazzaferro, Josep M. Llovet, Ralf Weiskirchen, Jakob N. Kather, Patrick Starlinger, Michael Trauner, Mark Luedde, Lara R. Heij, Ulf P. Neumann, Verena Keitel, Johannes G. Bode, Rebekka K. Shneider, Frank Tacke, Bodo Levkau, Twan Lammers, Georg Fluegen, Theodore Alexandrov, Amy L. Collins, Glyn Nelson, Fiona Oakley, Derek A. Mann, Christoph Roderburg, Thomas Longerich, Achim Weber, Augusto Villanueva, Andre L. Samson, James M. Murphy, Rafael Kramann, Fabian Geisler, Ivan G. Costa, Jan G. Hengstle, Mathias Heikenwalder, Tom Luedde
Summary: A molecular switch in hepatocytes can reprogram between two forms of necroptosis signaling, which fundamentally impacts immune responses and hepatocarcinogenesis.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Nina Mueller, Miriam Scheld, Clara Voelz, Natalie Gasterich, Weiyi Zhao, Victoria Behrens, Ralf Weiskirchen, Maryam Baazm, Tim Clarner, Cordian Beyer, Nima Sanadgol, Adib Zendedel
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Bodo C. Melnik, Rudolf Stadler, Ralf Weiskirchen, Claus Leitzmann, Gerd Schmitz
Summary: Epidemiological evidence suggests a link between cow's milk consumption and the risk of DLBCL. This review explores the role of milk-related agents, such as milk-derived exosomes (MDEs) and their microRNAs (miRs), in lymphomagenesis. MDE miRs during breastfeeding can upregulate BCL6 and suppress BLIMP1, promoting B cell proliferation. After weaning, the decline in MDE miR signaling leads to a decrease in BCL6 expression and an increase in BLIMP1-mediated B cell maturation. However, the consumption of pasteurized cow's milk in adults may maintain high BLC6/BLIMP1 ratio and facilitate B cell de-differentiation, potentially contributing to B cell lymphomagenesis.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Information Science & Library Science
Mahsa Keshavarz-Fathi, Niloufar Yazdanpanah, Sajad Kolahchi, Heliya Ziaei, Gary L. Darmstadt, Tommaso Dorigo, Filip Dochy, Lisa Levin, Visith Thongboonkerd, Shuji Ogino, Wei-Hsin Chen, Matjaz Perc, Mark S. Tremblay, Bolajoko O. Olusanya, Idupulapati M. Rao, Nikos Hatziargyriou, Maziar Moradi-Lakeh, Federico Bella, Laszlo Rosivall, Amir H. Gandomi, Armin Sorooshian, Manoj Gupta, Ciprian Gal, Andres M. Lozano, Connie Weaver, Michael Tanzer, Alessandro Poggi, Sadaf G. Sepanlou, Ralf Weiskirchen, Anet Rezek Jambrak, Pedro J. Torres, Esra Capanoglu, Francisco J. Barba, Chua Kian Jon Ernest, Mariano Sigman, Stefano Pluchino, Gevork B. Gharehpetian, Seyed-Mohammad Fereshtehnejad, Muh-Hwa Yang, Sabu Thomas, Wenju Cai, Elisabetta Comini, Neil J. Scolding, Paul S. Myles, Juan J. Nieto, George Perry, Constantine Sedikides, Nima Rezaeia
Summary: Scientometrics and bibliometrics are subfields of library and information science that study the quantity and quality of research outputs. The h-index is the most well-known scientometric index, but it relies on the count of highly cited publications. To address this limitation, we developed a new index called the Universal Research Index (UR-Index) that considers the impact of every single publication. We incorporated additional variables such as publication type, leading role, co-author count, and source metrics into the UR-Index. However, we recognize that unconscious biases in these variables may disadvantage research from specific groups, and encourage efforts to improve equitable scholarly impact in science and academia.
JOURNAL OF ACADEMIC LIBRARIANSHIP
(2023)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Guillermo Fernandez-Varo, Wladimiro Jimenez, Edward Cable, Pere Gines, Geoff Harris, Stan Bukofzer
Summary: OCE-205, a novel selective partial V1a receptor agonist, has shown significant effects in reducing portal hypertension and ascites volume in rat models of cirrhosis and ascites. It demonstrates expected endpoint findings consistent with its known mechanism of action and lacks apparent unwanted effects or nonspecific toxicities.
BIOMEDICINE & PHARMACOTHERAPY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jan C. Kessel, Ralf Weiskirchen, Sarah K. Schroeder
Summary: Estrogen receptor alpha (ERa) is expressed in reproductive and non-reproductive tissues, and its impact on lipocalin 2 (LCN2) expression varies among tissues. This study found an inverse correlation between ERa and LCN2 expression in reproductive tissues, particularly in Esr1-deficient ovaries. However, no significant differences in LCN2 expression were observed in non-reproductive tissues. These findings provide insight into LCN2 regulation in relation to hormones and health.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Isabella Lurje, Nadine T. Gaisa, Ralf Weiskirchen, Frank Tacke
Summary: Fibrosis, a pathological scar tissue formation, can occur in various organs due to different etiologies and contributes to global morbidity and mortality. Common mechanisms involve sustained injury to parenchymal cells triggering a deregulated wound healing response. The transformation of fibroblasts into myofibroblasts with excessive extracellular matrix production is a hallmark of the disease, along with complex cellular interactions involving immune cells, endothelial cells, and parenchymal cells. Mediators such as growth factors, cytokines, and danger-associated molecular patterns play important roles in fibrosis across organs.
MOLECULAR ASPECTS OF MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ralf Weiskirchen, Sarah K. Schroeder, Sabine Weiskirchen, Eva Miriam Buhl, Bodo Melnik
Summary: Extracellular vesicles, such as exosomes, are small bilayered biovesicles released by cells, enriched with biologically active components. Milk exosomes play a key role in infant growth and development, while exosomes derived from different cell types have regenerative and immunomodulatory properties. Isolation protocols for milk exosomes allow the purification of highly enriched fractions, expressing typical exosomal protein markers.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Muling Zeng, Xu Zhang, Jie Tang, Xingfei Liu, Yichao Lin, Dongdong Guo, Yuping Zhang, Shijie Ju, Guillermo Fernandez-Varo, Ya-Chao Wang, Xiangyu Zhou, Gregori Casals, Eudald Casals
Summary: This study investigates the evolution behavior of two commonly used cerium oxide nanozymes (CeO(2)NZs) in different fluids. The results show that the biocompatibility and antioxidant activity of CeO(2)NZs are retained in all cases, despite the different behaviors observed in different fluids. This provides experimental evidence supporting the therapeutic effectiveness of CeO(2)NZs for the treatment of chronic inflammation and cancer.
