bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
TIMP3 deficiency exacerbates iron overload-mediated cardiomyopathy and liver disease
Authors: Zhabyeyev Pavel , Das Subhash K. , Basu Ratnadeep , Shen Mengcheng , Patel Vaibhav B. , Kassiri Zamaneh , Oudit Gavin Y. 
Published: January 2018

Chronic iron overload results in heart and liver diseases and is a common cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with genetic hemochromatosis and secondary iron overload. We investigated the role of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 3 (TIMP3) in iron overload-mediated tissue injury by subjecting male mice lacking Timp3 ( Timp3−/−) and wild-type (WT) mice to 12 wk of chronic iron overload. Whereas WT mice with iron overload developed diastolic dysfunction, iron-overloaded Timp3−/− mice showed worsened cardiac dysfunction coupled with systolic dysfunction. In the heart, loss of Timp3 was associated with increased myocardial fibrosis, greater Timp1, matrix metalloproteinase ( Mmp) 2, and Mmp9 expression, increased active MMP-2 levels, and gelatinase activity. Iron overload in Timp3−/− mice showed twofold higher iron accumulation in the liver compared with WT mice because of constituently lower levels of ferroportin. Loss of Timp3 enhanced the hepatic inflammatory response to iron overload, leading to greater neutrophil and macrophage infiltration and increased hepatic fibrosis. Expression of inflammation-related MMPs (MMP-12 and MMP-13) and inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1) was elevated to a greater extent in iron-overloaded Timp3−/− livers. Gelatin zymography demonstrated equivalent increases in MMP-2 and MMP-9 levels in WT and Timp3−/− iron-overloaded livers. Loss of Timp3 enhanced the susceptibility to iron overload-mediated heart and liver injury, suggesting that Timp3 is a key protective molecule against iron-mediated pathology. NEW & NOTEWORTHY In mice, loss of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 3 ( Timp3) was associated with systolic and diastolic dysfunctions, twofold higher hepatic iron accumulation (attributable to constituently lower levels of ferroportin), and increased hepatic inflammation. Loss of Timp3 enhanced the susceptibility to iron overload-mediated injury, suggesting that Timp3 plays a key protective role against iron-mediated pathology.
Myocardial infarction-induced microRNA-enriched exosomes contribute to cardiac Nrf2 dysregulation in chronic heart failure
Authors: Tian Changhai , Gao Lie , Zimmerman Matthew C. , Zucker Irving H. 
Published: January 2018

The imbalance between the synthesis of reactive oxygen species and their elimination by antioxidant defense systems results in macromolecular damage and disruption of cellular redox signaling, affecting cardiac structure and function, thus contributing to contractile dysfunction, myocardial hypertrophy, and fibrosis in chronic heart failure [chronic heart failure (CHF)]. The Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1-nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) pathway is an important antioxidant defense mechanism and is closely associated with oxidative stress-mediated cardiac remodeling in CHF. In the present study, we investigated the regulation of myocardial Nrf2 in the postmyocardial infarction (post-MI) state. Six weeks post-MI, Nrf2 protein was downregulated in the heart, resulting in a decrease of Nrf2-targeted antioxidant enzymes, whereas paradoxically the transcription of Nrf2 was increased, suggesting that translational inhibition of Nrf2 may contribute to the dysregulation in CHF. We therefore hypothesized that microRNAs may be involved in the translational repression of Nrf2 mRNA in the setting of CHF. Using quantitative real-time PCR analysis, we found that three microRNAs, including microRNA-27a, microRNA-28-3p, and microRNA-34a, were highly expressed in the left ventricle of infarcted hearts compared with other organs. Furthermore, in vitro analysis revealed that cultured cardiac myocytes and fibroblasts expressed these three microRNAs in response to TNF-α stimulation. These microRNAs were preferentially incorporated into exosomes and secreted into the extracellular space in which microRNA-enriched exosomes mediated intercellular communication and Nrf2 dysregulation. Taken together, these results suggest that increased local microRNAs induced by MI may contribute to oxidative stress by the inhibition of Nrf2 translation in CHF. NEW & NOTEWORTHY The results of this work provide a novel mechanism mediated by microRNA-enriched exosomes, contributing to the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 dysregulation and subsequent oxidative stress. Importantly, these new findings will provide a promising strategy to improve the therapeutic efficacy through targeting nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2-related microRNAs in the chronic heart failure state, which show potentially clinical applications.
Maternal high-fat diet acts on the brain to induce baroreflex dysfunction and sensitization of angiotensin II-induced hypertension in adult offspring
Authors: Zhang Yu-Ping , Huo Yan-Li , Fang Zhi-Qin , Wang Xue-Fang , Li Jian-Dong , Wang Hai-Ping , Peng Wei , Johnson Alan Kim , Xue Baojian 
Published: January 2018

Accumulating evidence indicates that maternal high-fat diet (HFD) is associated with metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease in adult offspring. The present study tested the hypothesis that maternal HFD modulates the brain renin-angiotensin system (RAS), oxidative stress, and proinflammatory cytokines that alter angiotensin II (ANG II) and TNF-α actions and sensitize the ANG II-elicited hypertensive response in adult offspring. All offspring were cross fostered by dams on the same or opposite diet to yield the following four groups: offspring from normal-fat control diet-fed dams suckled by control diet-fed dams (OCC group) or by HFD-fed dams (OCH group) and offspring from HFD-fed dams fed a HFD suckled by control diet-fed dams (OHC group) or by HFD-fed dams (OHH group). RT-PCR analyses of the lamina terminalis and paraventricular nucleus indicated upregulation of mRNA expression of several RAS components, NADPH oxidase, and proinflammatory cytokines in 10-wk-old male offspring of dams fed a HFD during either pregnancy, lactation, or both (OHC, OCH, and OHH groups). These offspring also showed decreased cardiac baroreflex sensitivity and increased pressor responses to intracerebroventricular microinjection of either ANG II or TNF-α. Furthermore, chronic systemic infusion of ANG II resulted in enhanced upregulation of mRNA expression of RAS components, NADPH oxidase, and proinflammatory cytokines in the lamina terminalis and paraventricular nucleus and an augmented hypertensive response in the OHC, OCH, and OHH groups compared with the OCC group. The results suggest that maternal HFD blunts cardiac baroreflex function and enhances pressor responses to ANG II or proinflammatory cytokines through upregulation of the brain RAS, oxidative stress, and inflammation. NEW & NOTEWORTHY The results of our study indicate that a maternal high-fat diet during either pregnancy or lactation is sufficient for perinatal programming of sensitization for hypertension, which is associated with hyperreactivity of central cardiovascular nuclei that, in all likelihood, involves elevated expression of the renin-angiotensin system, NADPH oxidase, and proinflammatory cytokines. The present study demonstrates, for the first time, the central mechanism underlying maternal high-fat diet sensitization of the hypertensive response in adult offspring.
ПОРІВНЯЛЬНА ХАРАКТЕРИСТИКА ЕФЕКТИВНОСТІ ВІЛЬНОЇ ТА НАНОФОРМИ ПРЕПАРАТУ БЕТАМЕТАЗОНУ ПРИ КОНТАКТНОМУ НІКЕЛЕВОМУ ДЕРМАТИТІ
Authors: Khudan-Tsilo I. I. , Shevchuk O. O. , Korda M. M. 
Published: January 2018

Топічні глюкокортикостероїди (ТГКС) є препаратами вибору для місцевого лікування контактних алергійних дерматитів (КД) завдяки наявності виражених протизапальних та протиалергійних властивостей. Однак вони не запобігають розвитку рецидивів та викликають ряд побічних реакцій.Метою нашого дослідження стало вивчення ефективності наноінкапсульованої та вільної форм бетаметазону дипропіонату на моделі контактного нікелевого алергійного дерматиту.Матеріал і методи. Дослідження проводили на 40 щурах-самцях, яких було рандомізовано на чотири групи (n=10): 1 – інтактні тварини; 2 – тварини з експериментальним КД; 3 – щури з КД, яким для корекції застосовували бетаметазону дипропіонат у вільній формі (КД + бетаметазон); 4 – щури з КД, яким наносили наноінкапсульовану форму бетаметазону (КД+нанобетаметазон). Полімерні хітозанові наночастинки готували за методикою Hussain Z. et al. (2013). Видимі зміни на шкірі КД оцінювали за візуальною шкалою та товщиною шкірної складки, також вивчали інтенсивність оксидативного та нітрооксидативного стресу. Результати. Аплікація 5 % нікелю сульфату спричиняла видимі виражені зміни шкіри і розвиток оксидативного та нітрооксидативного стресу зі зростанням вмісту продуктів ліпопероксидації й одночасним зниженням показників антиоксидантного захисту. Застосування вільної форми ТГКС бетаметазону супроводжувалося видимим покращенням стану шкірних покривів, товщина шкірної складки зменшувалася на 32,1 %. Знижувалася інтенсивність оксидативного та нітрооксидативного стресу з позитивними змінами всіх досліджуваних показників (спостерігали достовірне зниження вмісту ТБК-активних продуктів, NOx та інших з нормалізацією показників ферментативної та неферментативної ланок захисту клітин – СОД, каталази, відновленого глутатіону).Аплікація наноінкапсульованого ТГКС перевищувала застосування вільної його форми як за візуальними даними, так і за інтенсивністю впливу на досліджувані показники, що свідчить про перспективність подальшого вивчення та впровадження у клінічну практику нанотехнологій для лікування контактних алергійних дерматитів.
<b>Butterflies of Peringome Vayakkara Panchayath, Kerala, India</b>
Authors: Sneha C. 
Published: January 2018

The present study was made to assess the butterfly diversity of Peringome Vayakkara Panchayath located in the Western Ghats during 2012–13. The area is almost fully inhabited by humans and is under rapid conversion. A total of 108 species of butterflies belonging to six families were identified from the study area. The number of butterfly species encountered during winter was the highest (101), which decreased to 88 species in summer and it was only 67 during the rainy season. Fifty three species, however, were observed throughout the year. Seasonal variation on abundance was not very prominent in Papilionidae and Riodinidae. But Pieridae, Nymphalidae and Lycaenidae were less during the rainy season. On the other hand, Hesperiidae were maximum during the rainy season.
<b>Stream macro-invertebrate diversity of the Phobjikha Valley, Bhutan</b>
Authors: Wangchuk Jigme , Dorji Kuenzang 
Published: January 2018

Macro-invertebrates form an integral part of aquatic systems, and assessment of macro-invertebrate communities is one of the best ways to monitor the health of a stream. Despite this, stream monitoring of macro-invertebrates has been extremely limited in Bhutan. A study was conducted to generate baseline information on macro-invertebrate diversity in the Phobjikha valley, covering community composition and seasonal variation in diversity during post and pre-monsoon seasons. From a total of 244 units sampled in streams, 50 families from 13 orders were recorded. The dominant order overall was Ephemeroptera (31%), which also dominated the pre-monsoon assessment (33%), while Trichoptera (39%) dominated the post-monsoon assessment. The pre-monsoon assessment recorded two additional orders, Caenogastropoda and Veneroida. There was no significant difference in diversity between the post-monsoon and pre-monsoon assessments (p˃0.3), but a significant difference in species diversity between seasons was observed in pools and riffles. Physicochemical parameters indicated that pH, electrical conductivity and salinity were within favorable ranges for macro-invertebrates. Further studies of other habitats in different seasons will produce a more comprehensive understanding of macro-invertebrate diversity.
<b>A short-term survey report on the post-winter avian diversity in Corbett National Park and associated areas, Uttarakhand, India</b>
Authors: Ghosh Srinjana , Bhattacharya Tanmay 
Published: January 2018

This study documents a short-term post-winter survey of avifaunal diversity in Corbett National Park and associated areas in Uttarakhand. Qualitative and quantitative avian diversity patterns were assessed from a biomonitoring and conservation perspective. A total of 94 species of birds belonging to 40 families under 15 orders were reported. Among these 10 were winter visitors, six summer visitors and one near-threatened species. Habitat distribution and foraging guild patterns are discussed. Insectivores and nectarivores were found to be the prominent foragers. Open woodland, cultivated land and forest edges provided shelter for many bird populations, while plantation areas supported the lowest numbers of species. The study area was exposed to varying levels of anthropogenic interventions, yet supported a healthy bird diversity with low dominance index.
<b>Status of birds in Agasthyamalai Hills, Western Ghats, Kerala, India</b>
Authors: Panigrahi Madhumita , Jins V. J. 
Published: January 2018

The present study focused on the status of birds in two wildlife sanctuaries, Neyyar and Peppara, located in Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve, Kerala State, India. A total of 197 bird species representing 16 orders and 57 families are reported from the study area. According to the IUCN Red List, one Endangered, two Vulnerable, and nine Near Threatened bird species occur in the landscape. Black Bulbul was the most abundant species with highest density, followed by Yellow-browed Bulbul and Crimson-backed Sunbird. Despite many bird species being broadly distributed across elevations, most endemic species occur or breed at elevations above 1,200m, dominated by southern hilltop evergreen forest. This highlights the prominence of these high altitude species and their habitats. A customized conservation plan is needed for the whole elevation gradient with greater emphasis on high elevation forest.
<b>Distribution of <I>Nanhaipotamon hongkongense</I> (Shen, 1940) (Crustacea: Brachyura: Potamidae), a freshwater crab endemic to Hong Kong</b>
Authors: Stanton David John , Leven Michael Robertson , Hui Tommy Chung Hong 
Published: January 2018

Nanhaipotamon hongkongense (Shen, 1940) is a tropical freshwater crab currently considered endemic to Hong Kong. The species is more widely distributed in Hong Kong than previously published photographic records from Guangdong Province require further survey and corroboration; these would be the first records of this species outside of Hong Kong. Nanhaipotamon hongkongense prefers terrestrial environs in close proximity to clean watercourses shaded by secondary woodland, and records from this study indicate it is also found at lower elevations than previously published. The habitats of this semi-aquatic species are under threat due to development. It is hoped that understanding of the species’ distribution will aid in its conservation and encourage further study of this species and its habitat uses.
<b>Small carnivores of Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, the southern Western Ghats, India</b>
Authors: Sreekumar E. R. , Nameer P. O. 
Published: January 2018

The small carnivores of Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary were surveyed using camera traps. The study was conducted between November 2016 and February 2017 at 111 camera trap locations. Twenty-five mammal species were recorded, including nine small carnivores from the Mustelidae, Viverridae, Herpestidae and Felidae families. Species included the Asian Small-clawed Otter Aonyx cinereus, Brown Palm Civet Paradoxurus jerdoni, Common Palm Civet Paradoxurus hermaphroditus, Small Indian Civet Viverricula indica, Indian Grey Mongoose Herpestes edwardsii, Ruddy Mongoose Herpestes smithii, Stripe-necked Mongoose Herpestes vitticollis, Jungle Cat Felis chaus and Leopard Cat Prionailurus bengalensis. The most common small carnivore was Viverricula indica, followed by Herpestes vitticollis and Paradoxurus hermaphroditus. Time activity patterns revealed that the viverrids were nocturnal while the herpestids were diurnal. The sanctuary supports one endemic species of small carnivore, Paradoxurus jerdoni, and one threatened species, Aonyx cinereus, which is Vulnerable according to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. This documentation highlights the biodiversity significance of Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary and the Nilgiri mountain range in the Western Ghats.
<b>Rhododendron diversity along the Kusong-Panch Pokhari transect in Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve, the eastern Himalaya: a conservation perspective</b>
Authors: Chettri Prem K. , Chhetri Bijoy , Badola Hemant K. 
Published: January 2018

Sikkim Himalaya, India is part of one of the richest global biodiversity hotspots, exhibiting a significant amount of native flora including Rhododendron (Ericaceae) species, which are particularly well represented with 37 species, 11 subspecies, seven varieties and two natural hybrids occurring along the rolling mountains between 1,500m to 6,000m. Most of the habitats of rhododendrons in Sikkim Himalaya have not only been threatened by climate change but also by emerging eco-tourism and economic activities vis-à-vis trekking corridors. In recent decades, it has been observed that the climate-governed phenology of rhododendrons of eastern Himalaya is shifting; further the urbanization, tourism influx, and clearances for the footpaths have adversely impacted the diversity of many forest areas. To better understand the effects of trekking corridors on Rhododendron species for the tourist destinations, we performed a pilot survey along the Kusong-Panch Pokhari transect in relatively virgin forest of the northern part of Sikkim to assess the status of both Rhododendron diversity and potential environmental management strategies that can be employed within the transect as a new tourist destination in the Sikkim Himalaya. Along with this transect, we recorded 23 Rhododendron species, with five eastern Himalayan endemics. Our results indicate that the diversity of rhododendrons seem good along the Kusong-Panch Pokhari transect and we further recommend it could be a new potential eco-tourism destination as an alternative income generating source for the local people, provided that appropriate conservation management strategies are in place.
<b>Ceylon Kentish Plover <I>Charadrius alexandrinus seebohmi</I> breeding in Vani Vilasa Sagara, Hiriyur Taluka, Karnataka, India</b>
Authors: Rao Golusu Babu , Babu Santhanakrishnan , Kumara Honnavalli Nagaraj , Bilaskar Mahesh 
Published: January 2018

We report the breeding of the Ceylon Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinus seebohmi in Vani Vilasa Sagara, Hiriyur Taluka in the state of Karnataka, India. This is the first breeding record of the sub-species from Karnataka and this shows a lack of ornithological explorations in the wetlands of central Karnataka.
<b>A new subspecies of the Malayan Bamboo Bat (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae: <I>Tylonycteris malayana eremtaga</I>) from the Andaman Islands, India</b>
Authors: Srinivasulu Chelmala , Srinivasulu Aditya , Srinivasulu Bhargavi , Jones Gareth 
Published: January 2018

The bamboo bats belonging to the genus Tylonycteris are unique due to their morphology and ecology, and are known from few locations in South Asia. We collected voucher specimens of Tylonycteris malayana from North Andaman Island, which forms the basis of the first specimen-based record of this species from the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, and the second record from India. Our analyses based on morphometrics, craniodental measurements, bacular morphology and molecular phylogeny based on cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene indicate that the insular population of T. malayana may have diversified in isolation to differ from the mainland forms, and could represent putative new subspecies, described herein. In light of the new findings, we discuss the importance of conducting detailed study on the specimens of the Lesser Bamboo Bat earlier reported from the Andaman & Nicobar Islands to ascertain their taxonomic status.
Nonmuscle Myosin Light Chain Kinase: A Key Player in Intermittent Hypoxia‐Induced Vascular Alterations
Authors: Arnaud Claire , Bouyon Sophie , Recoquillon Sylvain , Brasseur Sandrine , Lemarié Emeline , Briançon‐Marjollet Anne , Gonthier Brigitte , Toral Marta , Faury Gilles , Martinez M. Carmen , Andriantsitohaina Ramaroson , Pepin Jean‐Louis 
Published: January 2018

Background

Obstructive sleep apnea is characterized by repetitive pharyngeal collapses during sleep, leading to intermittent hypoxia (
IH
), the main contributor of obstructive sleep apnea–related cardiovascular morbidity. In patients and rodents with obstructive sleep apnea exposed to IH, vascular inflammation and remodeling, endothelial dysfunction, and circulating inflammatory markers are linked with
IH
severity. The nonmuscle myosin light chain kinase (nm
MLCK
) isoform contributes to vascular inflammation and oxidative stress in different cardiovascular and inflammatory diseases. Thus, in the present study, we hypothesized that nm
MLCK
plays a key role in the
IH
‐induced vascular dysfunctions and inflammatory remodeling.

Methods and Results

Twelve‐week‐old nm
MLCK
+/+
or nm
MLCK
−/−
mice were exposed to 14‐day
IH
or normoxia.
IH
was associated with functional alterations characterized by an elevation of arterial blood pressure and stiffness and perturbations of
NO
signaling.
IH
caused endothelial barrier dysfunction (ie, reduced transendothelial resistance in vitro) and induced vascular oxidative stress associated with an inflammatory remodeling, characterized by an increased intima‐media thickness and an increased expression and activity of inflammatory markers, such as interferon‐γ and nuclear factor‐κB, in the vascular wall. Interestingly, nm
MLCK
deletion prevented all
IH
‐induced functional and structural alterations, including the restoration of
NO
signaling, correction of endothelial barrier integrity, and reduction of both oxidative stress and associated inflammatory response.

Conclusions

nm
MLCK
is a key mechanism in
IH
‐induced vascular oxidative stress and inflammation and both functional and structural remodeling.