Article
Microbiology
Xindi Yin, Weijun Wang, Stephen Y. K. Seah, Yoshinori Mine, Ming Z. Z. Fan
Summary: Research has shown that the glycosylation level of gut alkaline phosphatases (AP) in weaned pigs can regulate their functionality, maintaining gut microbiome balance and preventing metabolic endotoxemia. Three different research approaches demonstrated that deglycosylation reduces the activity and affinity of gut AP in weaned pigs. These findings suggest that the glycosylation level can modulate the functionality of gut AP in weaned pigs.
Article
Hematology
Bartolo Ferraro, Pierangela Giustetto, Olga Schengel, Ludwig T. Weckbach, Lars Maegdefessel, Oliver Soehnlein
Summary: This study aimed to establish a protocol for longitudinal monitoring of plaque composition in atherosclerosis, including lipid, collagen, macrophage burden, and endothelial permeability. The protocol was validated by correlating photoacoustic signals with histomorphometric and immunofluorescence analyses in albino Apoe(-/-) mice. The study demonstrates an innovative and non-invasive approach to assess arterial inflammation in mice.
THROMBOSIS AND HAEMOSTASIS
(2023)
Article
Immunology
E. De Felice, E. Goncalves de Andrade, M. T. Golia, F. Gonzalez Ibanez, M. Khakpour, M. A. Di Castro, S. Garofalo, E. Di Pietro, C. Benatti, N. Brunello, F. Tascedda, B. Kaminska, C. Limatola, D. Ragozzino, M. E. Tremblay, S. Alboni, L. Maggi
Summary: This study explored the differences in microglia characteristics and their impact on long-term potentiation in the dorsal and ventral hippocampus poles, revealing that microglia play a key role in the region-specific plasticity processes. The observed changes in microglia phenotype across the two hippocampal poles may contribute to understanding the phenotypical aspects of diseases involving microglia.
JOURNAL OF NEUROINFLAMMATION
(2022)
Article
Pathology
Sai Zhang, Qun Wang, Mingli Qu, Qing Chen, Xiaofei Bai, Zhenzhen Zhang, Qingjun Zhou, Lixin Xie
Summary: Dry eye syndrome is a common complication in diabetic patients, but the mechanisms behind hyperglycemia-induced tear reduction and dry eye are not well understood. This study found that elevated levels of norepinephrine and tyrosine hydroxylase in the lacrimal gland of diabetic mice were associated with increased c-FOS+ cells in the superior cervical ganglion. However, the elimination of norepinephrine accumulation significantly improved tear production and reduced inflammation in the lacrimal gland, suggesting a potential strategy for treating diabetic dry eye by targeting the a1 adrenergic receptor.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Won Yeong Park, Jaeyoon Kim, Hoan Le, Bumju Kim, Per-Olof Berggren, Ki Hean Kim
Summary: Pancreatic islets are crucial for glucose homeostasis and their dysfunction is closely related to diabetes. Islet transplantation into the anterior chamber of the eye (ACE) has been developed for in vivo islet study and diabetes treatment. This study demonstrates that optical coherence microscopy (OCM) can be used as a non-invasive and sensitive monitoring method for the early detection of deficient islet grafts in ACE.
BIOMEDICAL OPTICS EXPRESS
(2023)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Vincent M. Sciortino, Angela Tran, Naidi Sun, Rui Cao, Tao Sun, Yu-Yo Sun, Ping Yan, Fenghe Zhong, Yifeng Zhou, Chia-Yi Kuan, Jin-Moo Lee, Song Hu
Summary: This study demonstrates the potential of multi-parametric photoacoustic microscopy in quantifying hemodynamics and oxygen metabolism in the mouse brain, allowing longitudinal, cortex-wide, awake-brain imaging. The use of a long-lifetime, wide-field, light-weight, dual-transparency cranial window enabled observation of cerebrovascular responses, which showed complete recovery in 18 days post-installation. Monitoring over 22 weeks post-recovery revealed no adverse changes, indicating the technique's promise for studying chronic progression and therapeutic responses of neurovascular diseases.
JOURNAL OF CEREBRAL BLOOD FLOW AND METABOLISM
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Siyuan Dong, Yanni Yang, Biqi He, Zhao Xu, Zhaoqiang Zhou, Jinhai Wang, Chen Chen, Qun Chen
Summary: Fluorosis causes female reproductive dysfunction and reduced fertility, but the underlying mechanism is still unclear. This study found that NaF treatment significantly reduced body weight and pregnancy rate in female rats, while inhibiting the secretion of hormones and estradiol. SIRT1 may be involved in this NaF-induced reproductive dysfunction in female rats through regulating reproductive hormone secretion.
BIOLOGICAL TRACE ELEMENT RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Qun Chen, Xibin Kao, Yan Gao, Jinghong Chen, Zhaoheng Dong, Chen Chen
Summary: The study investigated the role of cytoskeletal proteins in chondrocyte apoptosis induced by SNP, finding that the JNK/ERK pathways have opposite effects on cytoskeletal proteins, with the ERK pathway protecting the proteins from dissolution through inhibition of caspase-3 activation while the JNK pathway promoting dissolution through activation of caspase-3 activity.
MOLECULAR & CELLULAR TOXICOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Hui Wang, Zhengzheng Li, Yinan Liu, Meng Zhang, Yawen Shi, Ying Zhang, Ge Mi, Mengying Wang, Ying He, Yonghui Chen, Chen Chen, Jinghong Chen
Summary: SelS is a selenium-sensitive protein involved in various biological processes in chondrocytes, including ER stress. Knocking down SelS results in abnormal expression of adhesion molecules and matrix homeostasis in hypertrophic chondrocytes.
BIOLOGICAL TRACE ELEMENT RESEARCH
(2023)
Correction
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Qun Chen, Xibin Kao, Yan Gao, Jinghong Chen, Zhaoheng Dong, Chen Chen
MOLECULAR & CELLULAR TOXICOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Jeryn Chang, Thomas B. Shaw, Cory J. Holdom, Pamela A. McCombe, Robert D. Henderson, Jurgen Fripp, Markus Barth, Christine C. Guo, Shyuan T. Ngo, Frederik J. Steyn
Summary: This study found that lower hypothalamic volume is associated with lower and higher BMI in ALS patients, unlike AD patients and controls. Hypothalamic volume is not related to loss of appetite or hypermetabolism. In ALS patients, lower hypothalamic volume with lower BMI is associated with weight loss and earlier death.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Li-Sha Ran, Ya-Zeng Wu, Yi-Wen Gan, Hong-Lian Wang, Li-Juan Wu, Chun-Mei Zheng, Yao Ming, Ran Xiong, Yong-Lin Li, Shi-Hang Lei, Xue Wang, Xiao-Qing Lao, Hong-Min Zhang, Li Wang, Chen Chen, Chang-Ying Zhao
Summary: This study found that andrographolide can alleviate hepatic steatosis by suppressing FATP2-mediated fatty acid uptake, suggesting its potential therapeutic application in the treatment of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
JOURNAL OF NATURAL MEDICINES
(2023)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Huiwen Pang, Xiangquan Huang, Zhi Ping Xu, Chen Chen, Felicity Y. Han
Summary: Currently, the only practical way to treat type 1 and advanced insulin-dependent type 2 diabetes mellitus (T1/2DM) is the frequent subcutaneous injection of insulin, which has limitations and can lead to complications. Therefore, the development of oral insulin delivery has been actively pursued. In this review, recent progress in utilizing poly(lactic co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles (NPs) for oral insulin delivery is summarized, along with strategies to achieve normoglycemic effects. Challenges and future perspectives of using PLGA NPs for oral insulin delivery are also discussed.
DRUG DISCOVERY TODAY
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Cory J. Holdom, Jordi W. J. van Unnik, Ruben P. A. van Eijk, Leonard H. van den Berg, Robert D. Henderson, Shyuan T. Ngo, Frederik J. Steyn
Summary: This study examined the use of wrist and hip accelerometers to measure activity levels in patients with Motor Neuron Disease (MND) compared to controls. The results showed that wrist-based measurements were more variable and had differing sensitivity to specific functional outcomes compared to hip-based measurements. Careful selection of measurement devices and analysis methods is necessary for at-home monitoring of disease progression in patients with MND.
JOURNAL OF NEUROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Xin Zhou, Yanping Wang, Wenyun Chen, Hongmin Zhang, Yirui He, Han Dai, Wenjing Hu, Ke Li, Lili Zhang, Chen Chen, Gangyi Yang, Ling Li
Summary: This study found that serum human hedgehog-interacting protein (HHIP) concentration is associated with diabetes. The relationship between HHIP and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or abnormal sex hormones remains unknown. Bioinformatics analysis revealed the association of PCOS with metabolic-related genes and signaling pathways. HHIP may serve as a useful biomarker and novel drug target for PCOS and insulin resistance individuals.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Education, Scientific Disciplines
Yangting Xu, Chen Chen, Ming Ji, Yang Xiang, Yang Han, Dandan Feng, Ziqiang Luo
Summary: The online flipped classroom is a new teaching method in universities that combines asynchronous and synchronous online learning. In terms of overall exam scores, the online flipped classroom and online live teaching showed no significant difference. However, the online flipped classroom had a more positive impact on high-achieving students, particularly in short answer questions and courses requiring logical thinking. The performance of low-achieving students in case study questions was lower in the online flipped classroom. Further research is needed to understand the reasons behind this and develop strategies to improve their learning outcomes.
ADVANCES IN PHYSIOLOGY EDUCATION
(2023)
Review
Immunology
Chen Chen, Maree T. Smith
Summary: Chronic pain is a common health problem that is difficult to adequately treat. Recent research suggests that the NLRP3 inflammasome plays a significant role in the pathophysiology of chronic pain, particularly in neuropathic and inflammatory pain conditions.
INFLAMMOPHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Yue Zhang, He Xian, Ekaterina Strounina, Kimberley S. Gunther, Matthew J. Sweet, Chen Chen, Chengzhong Yu, Yue Wang
Summary: In this study, tetrasulphide bridged mesoporous organosilica nanoparticles (MONs) were found to have enhanced transfection performance of plasmid DNA (pDNA) in dendritic cell (DC) lines compared to conventional mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs). This enhancement is attributed to the glutathione (GSH) depletion capability of MONs, which increases the activation of the mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORc1) pathway and enhances translation and protein expression. The increased transfection efficiency was only observed in high GSH cell lines, validating the mechanism. This study provides a new design principle for nano delivery systems targeting pDNA delivery to DCs.
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Wanlong Zhang, Changhua Zhang, Lan Cao, Fang Liang, Weihua Xie, Liang Tao, Chen Chen, Ming Yang, Lingyun Zhong
Summary: Processing of Chinese Materia Medica (PCMM) is the core of traditional pharmaceutical technology in China, involving steps like cleansing and stir-frying to impact the quality and efficacy of Chinese botanical drugs. The rapid development of digital technologies has promoted the digitalization and intellectualization of traditional pharmaceutical manufacturing industry. This review analyzes and discusses the application of digital intelligence technology in PCMM, aiming to promote process standardization and ensure the quality of botanical drugs decoction pieces.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Ming-Fei Du, Xi Zhang, Gui-Lin Hu, Jian-Jun Mu, Chao Chu, Yue-Yuan Liao, Chen Chen, Dan Wang, Qiong Ma, Yu Yan, Hao Jia, Ke-Ke Wang, Yue Sun, Ze-Jiaxin Niu, Zi-Yue Man, Lan Wang, Xiao-Yu Zhang, Wen-Jing Luo, Wei-Hua Gao, Hao Li, Guan-Ji Wu, Ke Gao, Jie Zhang, Yang Wang
Summary: This study aimed to examine and compare the predictive values of three novel obesity indices--LAP, VAI, and TyG index--for cardiovascular subclinical organ damage in a Chinese adult population. The results showed that LAP, VAI, and TyG index demonstrated utility in screening cardiovascular subclinical organ damage, with TyG index showing the highest predictive value. These indices have the potential to serve as markers for early detection of cardiovascular disease in otherwise healthy individuals.
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2023)
Letter
Oncology
Hongzhuo Li, Wenyi Gu, Penny Jeffery, Chen Chen
CLINICAL AND TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE
(2023)