Editorial Material
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Imke L. Lemmer, Alexander Bartelt
Summary: An elegant quantitative analysis of brown fat and skeletal muscle metabolite flux reveals that brown fat predominantly uses glucose and lactate and acts as a nitrogen scavenger during thermogenesis.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Pragyanshu Khare, Neha Mahajan, Dhirendra Pratap Singh, Vibhu Kumar, Vijay Kumar, Priyanka Mangal, Ravneet K. Boparai, Adam Gesing, Sanjay K. Bhadada, Shyam S. Sharma, Kanthikiran Kondepudi, Kanwaljit Chopra, Mahendra Bishnoi
Summary: This study suggests that dietary TRPA1 agonist ARGJ can prevent metabolic complications induced by HFD. HFD leads to reduced gut TRPA1 expression and dysregulation of post-prandial gut hormone levels, resulting in hunger phenotype, altered glucose homeostasis, hepatic inflammation, and fat accumulation. TRPA1 agonism through ARGJ supplementation can prevent HFD-induced metabolic complications.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Ping Jiang, Kejun Dong, Wei Zhang, Hongbo Wang, Xianjin Xiao, Na Chen, Yanxiang Cheng
Summary: A universal probe detection system based on endonuclease IV and DNA strand displacement reaction was constructed for single base mutations. The system has advantages of simple operation, rapid detection, and low cost, and has been successfully applied to detect common clinical mutation sites.
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Alana Deutsch, Kosaku Shinoda
Summary: Studies have shown that prolonged exposure to cold can increase the thermogenic capacity of brown adipose tissue through the recruitment of new brown adipocytes. Shamsi et al. and Angueira et al. have identified novel cellular origins of cold-induced brown adipocytes and elucidated the molecular mechanism regulating the expansion of brown adipose tissue.
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
B. Gaborit, P. Ancel, A. E. Abdullah, F. Maurice, I. Abdesselam, A. Calen, A. Soghomonian, M. Houssays, I. Varlet, M. Eisinger, A. Lasbleiz, F. Peiretti, C. E. Bornet, Y. Lefur, L. Pini, S. Rapacchi, M. Bernard, N. Resseguier, P. Darmon, F. Kober, A. Dutour
Summary: Empagliflozin effectively reduced liver fat in mice and humans without impacting myocardial fat or myocardial energetics, contradicting the thrifty substrate hypothesis for cardiovascular protection of SGLT2 inhibitors.
CARDIOVASCULAR DIABETOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Franziska Schlenker, Elena Kipf, Nadine Borst, Tobias Hutzenlaub, Roland Zengerle, Felix von Stetten, Peter Juelg
Summary: Multiplexing of analyses is crucial for reducing sample and reagent consumption in applications with a large target panel. By combining photobleaching-sensitive and photobleaching-resistant fluorophores, the degree of multiplexing per channel can be doubled. This study demonstrates the potential for utilizing virtual fluorescence color channels, in addition to standard channels, in cancer diagnostics utilizing mediator probe PCR and UR fluorogenic oligonucleotides. The high sensitivity of the method is confirmed through a LOD analysis, showcasing the potential for creating virtual channels with optimal fluorogenic reporter combinations for high degree of multiplexing at low technical effort.
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
G. Camilleri, A. K. Kiani, K. L. Herbst, J. Kaftalli, A. Bernini, K. Dhuli, E. Manara, G. Bonetti, L. Stuppia, S. Paolacci, A. Dautaj, M. Bertelli
Summary: The distribution of adipose tissue varies between men and women, with men typically accumulating fat in the abdominal region and women in the gluteal-femoral region. Genetic and environmental factors play a role in regulating adipose tissue accumulation, and genome-wide association studies can help identify genetic associations with fat distribution. Understanding these mechanisms could lead to personalized interventions for individuals with increased fat mass.
EUROPEAN REVIEW FOR MEDICAL AND PHARMACOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Jian Zhang, Xiangning Han, Ye Wang, Xiaofeng Mu, Chao Shi, Yong Li, Cuiping Ma
Summary: In this study, a staggered strand exchange amplification (SSEA) method was developed to detect Staphylococcus aureus with high specificity and efficiency at a constant temperature. The sensitivity of SSEA was 20 times that of the traditional method. An all-in-one SSEA platform was established by incorporating magnetic bead-based DNA extraction, which further enhanced the sensitivity of SSEA by two orders of magnitude. The SSEA platform showed high specificity and the ability to detect S. aureus in meat samples within 1 hour without a bacterial enrichment step, making it a promising tool for the food safety industry.
Review
Nutrition & Dietetics
Lloyd Noriega, Cheng-Ying Yang, Chih-Hao Wang
Summary: Brown and beige adipocytes have the ability to generate heat and can be activated by various methods. Understanding the molecular mechanisms of their differentiation and function is crucial for developing clinical therapies. Drugs and nutritional interventions can activate these adipocytes while minimizing potential side effects.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Zhengkai Lu, Zhen Jiang, Juan Tang, Chao-Po Lin, Hui Zhang
Summary: Cardiac adipose tissue can modulate cardiovascular functions, but abnormal deposition of adipose tissue can contribute to the development of heart diseases. Accumulation of triglyceride droplets in cardiac cells may lead to cardiomyocyte injury and cardiac hypertrophy.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Meiyuzhen Qi, Imke Janssen, Emma Barinas-Mitchell, Matthew Budoff, Maria M. Brooks, Arun S. Karlamangla, Carol A. Derby, Chung-Chou H. Chang, Kelly J. Shields, Samar R. El Khoudary
Summary: This study found that the quantity and quality of thoracic perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) in middle age are related to cognitive performance in later years. Higher thoracic PVAT volume is associated with better future episodic memory, while higher thoracic PVAT radiodensity is related to poorer future working and episodic memories, particularly at higher thoracic PVAT volume.
ALZHEIMERS & DEMENTIA
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Aline Almeida da Silva, Elisangela Martins da Silva Perez, Ingrid Samantha Tavares de Figueiredo, Nylane Maria Nunes de Alencar, Ana Paula Negreiros Nunes Alves, Fabiano Andre Narciso Fernandes, Renata Prado Vasconcelos, Ariclecio Cunha de Oliveira, Socorro Vanesca Frota Gaban
Summary: This study investigated the effects of virgin coconut oil (VCO) on body weight, white fat depots, and biochemical and morphological parameters in male Swiss mice fed standard (SD) or high-fat (HFD) diets. The results showed that low-dose VCO supplementation did not improve obesity, had no effects on hepatic or renal function, and had beneficial effects on the lipid profile only in animals fed HFD.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Iokfai Cheang, Xu Zhu, Xin Yue, Yuan Tang, Yujie Gao, Xinyi Lu, Shi Shi, Shengen Liao, Wenming Yao, Yanli Zhou, Haifeng Zhang, Yinsu Zhu, Yi Xu, Xinli Li
Summary: The purpose of this study was to investigate the prognostic values of ventricle epicardial fat volume (EFV) in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) using cardiac magnetic resonance. A total of 516 CHF patients were recruited, and 136 (26.4%) of them experienced major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) within a median follow-up of 24 months. The study found that EFV was significantly associated with MACE and showed promising predictive ability for MACE at different time points.
Article
Agronomy
Nengwu Si, Jun Li, Hongfei Gao, Yunjing Li, Shanshan Zhai, Fang Xiao, Li Zhang, Gang Wu, Yuhua Wu
Summary: In this study, the primer/probe set was found to be a key factor affecting the accuracy of dPCR quantification. When pDNA was used as a calibrator, qPCR quantification showed low accuracy for low-level pDNA and gDNA test samples, whereas dPCR quantification showed high accuracy unaffected by variations in template type and detection target. Validated dPCR assays targeting one or two elements can be used for characterizing multiple-target pDNA reference materials (RMs), and low-level pDNA RMs with certified values can be used as quality controls for dPCR assays to avoid significant bias in gDNA quantification.
Review
Food Science & Technology
Yuan Chen, Yang Wang, Chenwei Ma, Yangshuai Li, Doudou Zuo, Xiaoli Huang, Xiaojing Tian, Wenhang Wang
Summary: Collagenous products are becoming more popular in consumer markets, but tracing their origin is a challenge due to DNA damage caused by harsh production processes. DNA technology is the most effective way to identify collagen, but the low DNA content in collagen samples makes it difficult. PCR techniques, including DNA barcoding, PCR-Southern hybridization, and fluorescent PCR, have been developed for collagen identification and amplification, but each has its advantages and disadvantages. The development of a comprehensive DNA authentication system is crucial for quality control and sustainable development of the collagen industry.
CRITICAL REVIEWS IN FOOD SCIENCE AND NUTRITION
(2023)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Agnieszka Olejnik, Marta Banaszkiewicz, Anna Krzywonos-Zawadzka, Iwona Bil-Lula
Summary: This study demonstrates the protective effect of Klotho protein on cardiomyocytes subjected to ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. By regulating redox balance and maintaining metabolic homeostasis, Klotho protein mitigates cell injury and restores cellular function.
CARDIOLOGY JOURNAL
(2022)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Iwona Urbanowicz, Iwona Bil-Lula
Summary: CAR-T cell therapy is a significant breakthrough in cancer treatment, combining cell-targeted gene therapy. CAR-T modifies T lymphocyte receptors to fight cancer cells, with the potential for long-lasting effects. It has been approved for the treatment of certain lymphomas and leukemia, with ongoing trials for solid tumors. This therapy offers new hope for patients who have exhausted previous treatment options.
ACTA POLONIAE PHARMACEUTICA
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jakub Szyller, Dariusz Jagielski, Iwona Bil-Lula
Summary: Antioxidants, especially natural ones like vitamins C and E, resveratrol, and statins, show potential in treating arrhythmias. However, further research is needed to determine their efficacy and impact on different types of arrhythmias.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Anna Radajewska, Anna Krzywonos-Zawadzka, Iwona Bil-Lula
Summary: Kidney transplantation is the standard procedure for treating end-stage renal disease, and machine perfusion has been proven to be a better solution for organ preservation and monitoring.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Piotr Frydrychowski, Marcin Michalek, Iwona Bil-Lula, Elzbieta Chelmecka, Alina Kafel, Agnieszka Noszczyk-Nowak, Dominika Stygar
Summary: The study evaluated the cardioprotective effect of intracoronary administered aspirin on myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury using an experimental animal model. The results showed that aspirin reduced oxidative stress levels in heart tissue and serum compared to the control group.
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Marta Banaszkiewicz, Anna Krzywonos-Zawadzka, Agnieszka Olejnik, Agnieszka Noszczyk-Nowak, Iwona Bil-Lula
Summary: This study investigated the effect of MMP-2 siRNA on I/R heart and found that MMP-2 siRNA improved heart mechanical function, reduced cardiac damage, and prevented contractile protein degradation.
CARDIOVASCULAR THERAPEUTICS
(2022)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Kornela Jagoda Halucha, Marta Banaszkiewicz, Alina Rak-Pasikowska, Iwona Bil-Lula
Summary: The study found that doxycycline can reduce the expression of activated glycoprotein IIb/IIIa on platelets, increase the expression of CD63 in PMVs buffers, decrease the ADP-dependent aggregation of I/R platelets, and enhance the ADP-dependent aggregation in I/R platelets pretreated with doxycycline. Additionally, I/R+D platelets treated with doxycycline exhibited higher MMP-2 activity compared to I/R platelets.
ADVANCES IN CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Monika Skrzypiec-Spring, Agnieszka Sapa-Wojciechowska, Alina Rak-Pasikowska, Maciej Kaczorowski, Iwona Bil-Lula, Agnieszka Halon, Adam Szelag
Summary: This study investigated the inhibitory effect of simvastatin, a Rho-associated protein kinase (RhoA/ROCK) signaling pathway inhibitor, on matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2) activity in a rat ischemia-reperfusion injury (I/Ri) model. The results showed that simvastatin improved the contractile function of the heart and reduced MMP-2 activity in heart tissue by inhibiting the RhoA/ROCK pathway. The protective effect of simvastatin on systolic function in the acute ischemia-reperfusion model is not related to reduced MMP-2 activation but is mediated through other mechanisms associated with RhoA/ROCK pathway inhibition.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Agnieszka Olejnik, Anna Krzywonos-Zawadzka, Marta Banaszkiewicz, Iwona Bil-Lula
Summary: This study found that Klotho protein has a protective effect on cardiomyocytes during ischemia-reperfusion injury by inhibiting matrix metalloproteinase-mediated degradation of contractile proteins.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Anna Radajewska, Jakub Szyller, Joanna Niewiadomska, Agnieszka Noszczyk-Nowak, Iwona Bil-Lula
Summary: Obesity and metabolic syndrome are rapidly increasing health problems, and they contribute to the development of multiple comorbidities, including kidney diseases. Oxidative stress is an important component of metabolic syndrome and is also involved in kidney dysfunction and injury. The study confirms the usefulness of pomegranate polyphenols in treating metabolic syndrome and preventing kidney damage.
OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Katarzyna Wadowska, Piotr Blasiak, Adam Rzechonek, Iwona Bil-Lula, Mariola Sliwinska-Mosson
Summary: Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths, and anaemia is a common side effect that decreases patient survival time. This study aims to investigate the characteristics and diagnostic capabilities of hepcidin, IL-6, and TNF-alpha levels in anaemia of lung cancer patients. The researchers conducted a retrospective study on 112 lung cancer patients and found that hepcidin concentrations were significantly lower in patients who developed anaemia post-operatively. The study supports the role of hepcidin, IL-6, and TNF-alpha in cancer-related anaemia and provides diagnostic values for predicting post-operative anaemia in lung cancer patients.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Anna Radajewska, Jakub Szyller, Anna Krzywonos-Zawadzka, Agnieszka Olejnik, Grzegorz Sawicki, Iwona Bil-Lula
Summary: Transplanted organs are exposed to harmful conditions before and after surgery. Adding the antioxidant MitoQ to the hypothermic machine perfusion system can mitigate kidney injury and improve transplantation success rate.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Paulina Nowak, Iwona Bil-Lula, Mariola Sliwinska-Mosson
Summary: Lung cancer is a common and challenging cancer due to its non-specific symptoms and resistance to radiotherapy. Cancer stem cells play a crucial role in radioresistance by undergoing epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Traditional Chinese medicine offers potential compounds for improving the cytotoxic effect of lung cancer cells. This review introduces potential candidates, including both traditional Chinese medicine compounds and conventional drugs, that may overcome radioresistance in lung cancer cells.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Physiology
Jakub Szyller, Radoslaw Antoniak, Katarzyna Wadowska, Iwona Bil-Lula, Bruno Hrymniak, Waldemar Banasiak, Dariusz Jagielski
Summary: This study found significant redox disturbances in patients with heart failure and ICD/CRT-D interventions. Oxidative stress may be an additional risk factor for the development of arrhythmia in patients with heart failure.
FRONTIERS IN PHYSIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Piotr Frydrychowski, Marcin Michalek, Wiktor Kuliczkowski, Krzysztof Nowak, Piotr Skrzypczak, Iwona Bil-Lula, Agnieszka Noszczyk-Nowak
Summary: Acute myocardial infarction is a common cause of death in highly developed countries, and one of its most common complications is cardiac arrhythmias, particularly ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation. A study conducted on pigs with experimentally induced myocardial infarction found a high incidence of ventricular arrhythmias, indicating that this porcine model can be used for research on acute ischaemic ventricular arrhythmias in humans.
JOURNAL OF VETERINARY RESEARCH
(2022)