bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Q‐16, a Partial PPARg Agonist, Decreases Adiposity and Induces the Thermogenesis‐Related Genes in Obese Mice
Authors: Coelho Michella , Lima Caroline , Royer Carine , Pitta Ivan , Amato Angelica , Neves Francisco 
Published: June 2021

Adipose tissue is classified as white (WAT) and brown (BAT). A third type of adipocyte, so‐called beige, was described as an inducible cell type in WAT, in a process named browning of WAT. Beige adipocytes are fully capable of expressing Ucp‐1 and executing thermogenesis. Full PPARγ activation by TZDs drives the appearance of Ucp‐1‐positive cells in WAT depots, but these drugs are associated with a number of adverse effects, including weight gain.We have described a partial PPARg agonist, GQ‐16, that does not induce weight gain, but have not been shown to promote browning of WAT. Objective: To evaluate the effects of GQ‐16 on browning of WAT in mice.MethodsMice were fed a control (C) or high‐fat (HFD) diet since weaning to promote obesity. At the age of 16 wk, they received GQ‐16 (40 mg/kg/d), rosiglitazone (RSG, 4 mg/kg/d) or vehicle. Weight gain, energy intake, and blood glucose levels were measured. Visceral WAT (vWAT) and subcutaneous WAT (sWAT) pads were excised for determination of adiposity, gene expression and histological analysis.Results (p<0.05, 4 mice/group)GQ‐16 treatment reduced blood glucose, weight gain and vWAT fat mass (C: 34±6, HFD: 50±4, RSG: 67±5, GQ‐16: 30±5 mg/g) to values similar than those of mice fed a C diet. Mice treated with GQ‐16 increased energy intake and decreased adipocyte size in both vWAT and sWAT. Surprisingly, in vWAT, GQ‐16 increased the expression of thermogenesis‐related genes (Ucp‐1, Cidea and Prmd16) and there was a trend towards increased expression of beige adipocyte‐selective genes.ConclusionOur findings possibly reflect increased thermogenesis induced by GQ‐16, and reinforce the potential partial PPARγ agonists as a new strategy to treat obese patients with T2DM.
Identifying New Tumor Suppressor in Liver Cancer Using Unbiased High‐Throughput Approaches
Authors: Zhang Xi , Zhang Yuxia , Wang Li 
Published: June 2021

PurposeTumor suppressor genes are often epigenetically silenced. This study identified a new tumor suppressor in hepatocellular cancer (HCC) using an unbiased high throughput approach.Methods/ResultsStudies from our laboratory has established nuclear receptor small heterodimer partner SHP as a tumor suppressor. We also established an inhibitory feedback regulatory loop between SHP and DNA methyltransferases (Dnmts). Methylated DNA‐IP‐on‐ChIP (MeDIP) revealed alterations in DNA methylation and RNA‐sequencing (RNA‐seq) revealed changes in gene expression. By integrating both studies using Bioinformatics tools and appropriate validation, we identified the mitochondrial protein pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 4 (PDK4) as a putative tumor suppressor. PDK4 promoter was hypermethyalted and its expression downregualted in SHP‐/‐ mice. PDK4 was also silenced in human HCC. Treatment of HCC cell lines with the demethylating agent 5'‐aza ‐2'‐deoxycytidine (Aza) or histone deacetylase inhibitor trichostatin (TSA) induced PDK4 expression. The number of foci was decreased and the tumor sizes were reduced in HCC cells that stably overexpressing PDK4, whereas the opposite was found with PDK4 knockdown. PDK4 overexpression sensitized HCC cells to cell death induced by glucose deprivation by reducing the intracellular ATP contents.ConclusionsEpigenetic silencing of PDK4 is associated with the development of HCC.[Grant support] NIH DK080440, VA Merit Award 1I01BX002634.
The Expression and Role of Melanopsin in Paralichthys dentatus
Authors: Akinnola Ifeolu , Kingston Alexandra , Robinson Phyllis , Cronin Thomas 
Published: June 2021

Less than two decades ago a research on the light sensitive skin cells of Xenopus laevis led to the discovery of the visual pigment known as melanopsin. Now, it's known that melanopsin is expressed in the vertebrate retina, as well as in the brain and skin of certain species. The presence of melanopsin has been studied in several fish species. In fact, zebrafish have five melanopsin genes. Paralichthys dentatus (Summer flounder) is commonly found in the ocean water off the east coast of North America. A flat fish where the adult form is bilaterally asymmetrical, this flounder uses dynamic patterning for camouflage and signaling. It has been shown that there are visual opsin genes present within the dermal tissue of the flounder, suggesting the tissue is also light sensitive.Previous work has shown that there is an expression of rhodopsin and cone opsin in the dermal tissue of the flounder. The activation of visual opsins within retinal cells causes hyperpolarization. In contrast, the activation melanopsin is known to cause cells to depolarize. We hypothesize that melanopsin is used in a “push‐pull” system, in addition to visual opsins, to regulate the flounder's dynamic patterning. In addition melanopsin also activates at a slower rate than visual opsins, making it a good candidate for our hypothesized “push‐pull” system. Our aim is to identify the melanopsin gene using a flounder transcriptome and confirm the expression of melanopsin within dermal and retinal tissue. We also hope to confirm the presence of the components needed for proper phototransduction within the cells melanopsin is expressed in.Funding Source: NIH grant number 5T34GM008663‐18 to the UMBC MARC‐U STAR Program; The Office of Naval Research Basic Research Challenge grant number N00014‐10‐0989 to T.W.C.
A YAP/TAZ‐Regulated Transcriptional Signature Associated with Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Hiemer Samantha , Zhang Liye , Kartha Vinay , Packer Trevor , Almershed Munirah , Noonan Viki , Kukuruzinska Maria , Bais Manish , Monti Stefano , Varelas Xaralabos 
Published: June 2021

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a prevalent form of cancer that develops from the epithelium of the oral cavity. OSCC is on the rise worldwide, and the death rates associated with the disease are particularly high. Despite progress in the understanding of the mutational and expression landscape associated with OSCC, advances in deciphering these alterations for the development of therapeutic strategies have been limited. Further insight into the molecular cues that contribute to OSCC is therefore required.Here we show that the transcriptional regulators YAP and TAZ, which are key effectors of the Hippo pathway, drive pro‐tumorigenic signals in OSCC. Regions of pre‐malignant oral tissues exhibit aberrant nuclear YAP accumulation, suggesting that dysregulated YAP activity contributes to the onset of OSCC. Supporting this premise, we found that nuclear YAP and TAZ activity drives OSCC cell proliferation, survival, and migration in vitro, and is required for OSCC tumor growth and metastasis in vivo. Analyses of the global gene expression changes associated with YAP and TAZ knockdown revealed roles in the control of genes important for pro‐tumorigenic signaling, including those encoding factors required for cell cycle progression and survival. Notably, the transcriptional signature regulated by YAP and TAZ significantly correlates with gene expression changes occurring in human OSCCs identified by “The Cancer Genome Atlas” (TCGA), emphasizing a central role for YAP and TAZ in OSCC biology. This study defines a YAP/TAZ‐regulated transcriptional program in OSCC, and reveals novel roles for nuclear YAP/TAZ activity in the onset and progression of this cancer.
EU‐OPENSCREEN: Novel chemical tool compounds for molecular biologists
Authors: Stechmann Bahne , Frank Ronald 
Published: June 2021

Small molecules that can be applied as chemical 'tool' compounds (or 'probes') have become indispensable in basic research for the elucidation of fundamental biological mechanisms. They act directly with the protein‐of‐interest and often allow for the interrogation of biological processes that cannot be properly studied with traditional genetic or RNA interference approaches.EU‐OPENSCREEN (www.eu‐openscreen.eu) is the largest emerging academic chemical biology research infrastructure initiative in Europe with the aim to collaboratively develop novel research tool compounds with independent cell biologists. As a joint effort of national networks in 16 European countries, EU‐OPENSCREEN offers access to high‐throughput screening platforms, chemistry services and a large compound collection. It welcomes molecular biologists who have a robust and suitable biological assay and are interested in collaboratively developing chemical tool compounds to validate their targets‐of‐interest. Selected assays are screened against a collection of more than 100,000 compounds, incl. confirmatory and counter screening, IC/EC50 determination, SAR (structure‐activity relationships) and QC of confirmed hit compounds.EU‐OPENSCREEN will start operations in late 2015, but it can already look back on a growing number of transnational activities: joint screening projects, exchange of local compound libraries, development of new design principles for its compound collection; exchange of experimental data through its pilot database etc.
Correlation Between Diet Macronutrients and Metabolic plus Cardiovascular Abnormalities in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats
Authors: Oliveira Junior Silvio , Padovani Carlos , Rodrigues Sergio , Silva Nilza , Martinez Paula , Campos Dijon , Okoshi Marina , Okoshi Katashi , Cicogna Antonio 
Published: June 2021

This study analyzed the association between dietary macronutrients and metabolic, hormonal, as well as cardiovascular responses in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). SHR (n=20) were submitted to control (3.2 Kcal/g) or hypercaloric (4.6 Kcal/g) diets for 20 weeks. Afterward, calorie intake, body weight, adiposity, glycemia, insulin, and leptin measurements were obtained. Cardiovascular analysis integrated systolic blood pressure, echocardiography, morphology, and myosin heavy chain composition. Canonical correlation analysis was used to evaluate the relationships between dietary macronutrients and metabolic plus cardiovascular parameters.ResultsCanonical scores for sucrose, saturated and unsaturated fatty acids were strongly correlated with adiposity, leptin and glycemia (r=0.9816; p<0.001). In cardiovascular context, canonical indexes were lower for unsaturated fatty acids, sucrose, and saturated lipids in the set of macronutrients; these scores were directly associated with the ratio between left atrium and aortic artery diameters (LA/AO), E‐wave, E wave‐to‐A wave ratio (E/A), and isovolumetric relaxation time (IVRT) (r=0.9975; p<0.001). Also, saturated and unsaturated lipids, followed by sucrose were directly correlated with morphological and molecular cardiac parameters (r=0.9271; p<0.001).ConclusionDespite of diet, sucrose, saturated and unsaturated fatty acids intakes were correlated with metabolic and cardiovascular disorders in SHR. Financial support: FAPESP
Effect of the Complex Extracts of Lotus/Turmeric in accordance with Medical Nutrition Therapy in Subjects with Borderline Dyslipidemia
Authors: Lee Hansongyi , Lim Hyunjung 
Published: June 2021

AimsTo investigate the effects of complex extracts of Lotus/Turmeric in accordance with medical nutrition therapy (MNT) in subjects with borderline dyslipidemia according to the Korea Society of Lipidology and Atherosclerosis (Total‐cholesterol: 200‐239 mg/dl or low density lipoprotein cholesterol: 130 ‐159 mg/dl or Triglyceride: 150 ‐199 mg/dl).MethodsThis 12‐week randomized, controlled clinical trial was carried out. Eighty‐six subjects divided 4 groups, PLACEBO (n=23), PLACEBO+MNT (n=19), ACTIVE (n=21), ACTIVE+MNT (n=23). Placebo or Active was ingestion of 4 tablets per daily for 3 month. Active groups were ingestion of the Lotus/Turmeric extracts, total 1,400 mg/daily. All subjects' anthropometrics, nutrient intakes, blood lipid parameters and anti‐oxidants were assessed baseline and after 12 weeks. The research protocol was approved by the institutional review board.ResultsIn the ACTIVE group, HDL‐ cholesterol levels was significantly increased from the 58.9±11.2 mg/dl to 62.9±16.1 mg/dl (p=0.006) although TC, LDL‐cholesterol, and TG dose not changed. ACTIVE+MNT group, superoxide dismutase increased significantly after 12 weeks (changes: +0.9±1.4 U/mL) (P=0.006). Furthermore, the malondialdehyde also significantly reduced in the ACTIVE (change: ‐0.2±0.3 pmol/mg) (p=0.030) and ACTIVE+MNT (change: ‐0.1±0.2 pmol/mg) (p=0.048) groups.ConclusionThe results suggest that the complex extracts of Lotus/Turmeric in accordance with MNT could be beneficial effect and might be useful for subject with dyslipidemia.
AdamTS‐A Developmental Function in Neuronal Development and Migration in Drosophila Melanogaster
Authors: Romero Selena , Zhu Yi , Wilson Beth , Skeath James 
Published: June 2021

The Drosophila central nervous system (CNS) is an excellent model system in which to dissect the genetic and molecular processes that control the development of the nervous system. Through a forward genetic screen, we previously identified, a larval phenotype that leads to the formation of ectopic neural masses. These masses are composed of dozens to thousands of neuronal cell bodies at the junctures between the brain and the eyes, the ventral nerve cord and the leg imaginial discs, as well as within nerves. We determined that this mutant phenotype arises due to a transposable element insert within the 5' untranslated region of a disintegrin and metalloprotease with thrombospondin type 1 motif A (AdamTS‐A) gene. The AdamTS family of proteases are secreted proteins thought to play critical roles in extracullular matrix (ECM) formation and function, and their regulation has been linked to cancer progression. We have recently generated RNA and antibody probes to the AdamTS‐A and will report the RNA and protein expression of Adam TS‐A during larval CNS development.Support from the NINDS/NIH grant number NS0365570 and the Opportunities in Genomics Research through the Genome Institute at Washington University in St. Louis, grant number R25H600668703.
Enteral feeding therapy: Characterization of patients and care in a tertiary hospital
Authors: Paiva Miriam , Okoshi Marina , Martim Vanessa , Barbin Angela , Zambom Raquel , Lima Silvana 
Published: June 2021

ObjectiveTo describe patients on enteral nutrition therapy (NET) and aspects of care held in Brazilian tertiary university hospital. Method: Retrospective and descriptive study of secondary data obtained from the electronic patient record (EPR). The study included all patients in NET by tube, admitted to the Internal Medicine (IM), Neurology (Neu) and Adult Intensive Care (ICU) units, between September and November 2014. Results: There were 222 admissions of patients with NET (33%), 44% in IM, 34% in ICU and 22% in Neu. 17% patients underwent a nutritional screening in the first 24h. 54% were men and 50% with age over 60 years. During the period were carried out nutritional assessments in 58% patients. In 184 patients who used naso/oroenteral tube, 44.6% were inadvertently removed, and in 28 patients the tube was removed 2 to 7 times. 58 patients had diarrhea, most of them (53%) for 1 day and 33% by 2‐4 days and 14% for more than 5 days. During the 2111 days of NET, 28 patients did not have the prescribed nursing care at any time and in 1531 days did not have any record of nursing evolution. 72 patients in NET died, 45 in ICU, 25 in IM and 2 in Neu.ConclusionEPR enabled the collection of necessary data to characterize the assisted population and aid quality aspects given in hospital units. The patient's profile and the detection of weaknesses in care indicate the need for corrective action planning and preventive and direct approach to the improvement of care.
A Scanning Acoustic Microscope ‐ A Novel Tool for Cytological Discrimination
Authors: Miura Katsutoshi , Tsuchida Takashi , Yamamoto Seiji 
Published: June 2021

A scanning acoustic microscope (SAM) uses ultrasound to make cell images on the slide by plotting the data of cell thickness, speed of sound (SOS), and attenuation of sound (AOS) through cells without staining. We have applied this microscope to discriminate various free cells in the fluid for cytological diagnosis.PurposeHow different are SAM images of various free cells from optical ones? Is SAM image analysis applicable to cytological diagnosis?Materials and MethodsResidual cells of cytology specimen from body cavity were prepared to make single cell‐layer slides by liquid‐based cytology method. The slides were fixed in ethanol and kept dry until observation. The slide were soaked in distilled water and observed with SAM. Cells from squamous cell carcinomas, adenocarcinomas, reactive mesothelial cells, mesotheliomas, malignant lymphomas, and neutrophils /macrophages were compared of their SOS, AOS, and thickness.ResultsSAM could visualize not only SOS, AOS and thickness of each cell portion but also cell sizes, thicknesses, borders, contents, cell clusters and structures. Various free cells showed their own characteristic acoustic images that was equivalent to optic ones. Obtained data with SAM was statistically comparable among different cell types.imageimage

Cytological analysis

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DiscussionEach acoustic property of different cell types was distinct to make characteristic acoustic images. Statistical difference in SOS, AOS and thickness of each cell type may help discriminate cell types. SAM can be a novel diagnostic tool for cytological diagnosis.
Nigerian Medical Students at Lagos State Universtity College of Medicine (LASUCOM) Learn With Information Communication Technology
Authors: John Theresa , Agaga Luther 
Published: June 2021

IntroductionElectronics and information technology are now in most spheres of educational activities. This survey examines if Nigerian students at LASUCOM have joined the global trend.MethodsMedical students (2013/2014 session; first‐last years of MBBS Program) completed a 23‐question survey within 10min by marking one/more choices from alternatives. Instructions were: “Dear Participant, Please treat as confidential, give your true view, avoid influences, avoid crosstalk, return survey promptly.”ResultsOut of 301 students, 188 (62.46%) participated. Simple statistics gathered were: 73.7% liked e‐devices and considered them useful; 11% must always have electronics with them; they have laptops (64.4%), smart phones (62.7%), cell phones (43.6%), tablets (28.8%), desktops (2.2%), and ultrabooks (0.44%); during class they use smart phones (48%), cellphones (20.9%), tablets (19.6%), laptops (7.5%) and ultrabooks (0.89%); 5.8% started using electronics in primary school, 56% in secondary school, and 26.2%, 2.2%, 0.44%, and 0.44% in 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th years of LASUCOM. Presently, to capture lectures 61.3% write in class, 58.67% collect lecturer's e‐file, actually 36% prefer to write. For schoolwork: 35.5% email classmates, 17% email lecturers; 61.8% phone classmates, 26.2% phone lecturers; 68% claimed electronics make school work easier, 29.3% claimed electronics help to enjoy work; 82% use the Internet for general information, 40.4% to add to lecture notes, 17.33% to answer exam questions.ConclusionThe students' electronics culture: 73.7% like electronics, >60% possess laptops and smart phones, >50% use electronics for lectures, studying, and communication – is a predictor of effective teaching and training styles.
Effect of Curcumin on the Production of Interleukin‐6 from MDA‐MB‐231 Breast Cancer Cells
Authors: Paciotti James , Condori‐Salas Ramiro , Rojas‐Humpire Ricardo , Pino‐Figueroa Alejandro 
Published: June 2021

Cytokines such as interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) have an important role in cellular proliferation and survival. Overexpression of IL‐6 in inflammatory or degenerative diseases has been observed in patients with various types of cancer, arthritis and in the elderly; furthermore, it can be used as a marker of disease and degeneration. Natural agents such as Curcumin or its derivatives could produce their protective effects by inhibiting the production of IL‐6.The purpose of the current study was to investigate the inhibitory effects of Curcumin and Curcumin Diethylsuccinate on the production of IL‐6 at concentrations from 1 to 10µM in MDA‐MB‐231 breast cancer cells. Cells were cultured for 3‐5 days with Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium (DMEM) at 37°C and 5% CO2. Media samples were used to determine the levels of IL‐6 by enzyme‐linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA) that uses antibodies to achieve a sensitive colorimetric detection at 450 nm. IL‐6 measurements were normalized to cell viability determined by MTS assay at 490 nm.Administration of Curcumin Diethylsuccinate 1µM to MDA‐MB‐231 cells reduced their production of IL‐6 from 79±5 to 30±1 pg/mL (62%), showing that this agent has an inhibitory effect on the cytokine release from cancer cells and could be useful in the treatment of cancer and other degenerative disorders.
Mouse Models for Studying Human Disease
Authors: Beckwith Jason , Rockwood Stephen , Sasner Michael 
Published: June 2021

Access to model organisms is key to advancing the research objectives of the biomedical research community. To facilitate this access, The Jackson Laboratory (JAX) Mouse Repository has served as a centralized resource for the distribution, cryopreservation and development of high health status mouse models for over 50 years. Hundreds of new strains are added annually to one of the largest collections of characterized mouse strains available. DREADDs (designer receptors exclusively activated by designer drugs) are mutant G‐protein coupled receptors activated by the pharmacologically‐inert molecule clozapine‐N‐oxide. Several pharmacogenetic tool strains have Cre‐ or Tet‐inducible expression of the DREADDs hM3Dq, hM4Di or rM3Ds. Newly available Cre‐lox, Tet‐On/‐Off, fluorescent, optogenetic, CRISPR/Cas9 and other tool strains will also be described. Search JAX Mouse Repository holdings using the newly designed JAXMice database (jaxmice.jax.org/query). In addition, we show other web resources useful to identify and obtain mouse models for human disease research. The International Mouse Strain Registry (IMSR; findmice.org) displays mouse strains and mutant ES cell lines available worldwide. The Human/Mouse Disease Connection (HMDC; diseasemodel.org) is a human‐to‐mouse data traversal that enables clinical and translational researchers to access mouse model data/annotations, and allows mouse researchers to connect their findings directly to genetic associations reported in human disease. Donating a strain to JAX Mouse Repository fulfills the NIH requirement for sharing mice; researchers wishing to do so may submit them via our online submission form (jax.org/donate‐a‐mouse). JAX Mouse Repository is supported by NIH, The Howard Hughes Medical Institute and several private charitable foundations.