bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Microparticles Novel Mechanisms of Intracellular Communication: Implication in Health and Disease
Authors: Meiliana Anna , Wijaya Andi 
Published: October 2015

BACKGROUND: The prevailing view that eukaryotic cells are restrained from intercellular exchange of genetic information has been challenged by recent reports on nanotubes, exosomes, apoptotic bodies, and nucleic acid—binding peptides that provide novel pathways for cell—cell communication, with implications in health and disease.CONTENT: Microparticles (MPs) are a heterogeneous population of small plasma membrane structures that serve as important signaling structures between cells. MPs are composed of a phospholipid bilayer that exposes transmembrane proteins and receptors and encloses cytosolic components such as enzymes, transcription factors, and mRNA derived from their parent cells. Growing evidence suggests that MPs regulate inflammation, stimulate coagulation, affect vascular functions and apoptosis, and can also play a role in cell proliferation or differentiation. MPs circulate in the bloodstream, can be detected in the peripheral blood, and may originate from different vascular cell types (eg, platelets, monocytes, endothelial cells, red blood cells, and granulocytes).SUMMARY: Cells of various types release small membrane vesicles called MP on their activation, as well as during the process of apoptosis. The properties and roles of MP generated in different contexts are diverse and are determined by their parent cell and the pathway of their generation, which affects their content. MP are involved in multiple cellular functions, including immunomodulation, inflammation, coagulation, and intercellular communication. MPs are able to deliver molecular signals in the form of lipids, proteins, nucleic acids, or functional trans-membrane proteins from the parent cell to distantly located targets. From a clinical point of view, MP may serve as biomarkers for disease status and may be found useful for developing novel therapeutic strategies.KEYWORDS: microparticles, microvesicle, membrane remodeling, Intercellular communication
Correlation between Interleukin-6 (IL-6), High Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (hsCRP), Endothelin-1 (ET-1), Asymmetric Dimethylarginine (ADMA) and Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) in Central Obese Men
Authors: Hidayat Andri , Wijaya Andi , Alrasyid Harun 
Published: October 2015

BACKGROUND: Many studies have shown that obesity was closely related to insulin resistance via several pathways such as inflammation, oxidative stress, lipolysis, and endothelial dysfunction. This study was carried out to observe the correlation between inflammation (IL-6 and hsCRP), lipolysis process (ET-1), and endothelial dysfunction (ADMA) and insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) in centrally obese men.METHODS: This was a cross sectional study on 62 male subjects aged 30–60 years old with waist circumference (WC) >90 cm. IL-6, ET-1 and ADMA levels were measured using ELISA method, while hsCRP and insulin were measured using chemiluminescence method. All blood testings were conducted in Prodia Clinical Laboratory.RESULTS: The results showed that WC was significantly correlated with hsCRP (r=0.294, p=0.022 ), ET-1 (r=0.257, p=0.047 ) and ADMA (r=0.338, p=0.009). We also found a significant correlation between hsCRP with HOMA-IR (r=0.324, p=0.021), ADMA with HOMA-IR (r=0.280, p=0.045), and IL-6 with hsCRP (r=0.437, p=0.003).CONCLUSIONS: hsCRP and ADMA have significant correlation with HOMA-IR in centrally obese men. HOMA-IR significantly increases in subjects with ADMA above median and either IL-6 or hsCRP above median, as compared to those in the other groups. Inflammation and endothelial dysfunction are important causal pathways of insulin resistance state in centrally obese men.KEYWORDS: obesity, IL-6, hsCRP, ET-1, ADMA, HOMA-IR
Epigenetic Reprogramming Induced Pluripotency
Authors: Meiliana Anna , Wijaya Andi 
Published: October 2015

BACKGROUND: The ability to reprogram mature cells to an embryonic-like state by nuclear transfer or by inducing the expression of key transcription factors has provided us with critical opportunities to linearly map the epigenetic parameters that are essential for attaining pluripotency.CONTENT: Epigenetic reprogramming describes a switch in gene expression of one kind of cell to that of another unrelated cell type. Early studies in frog cloning provided some of the first experimental evidence for reprogramming. Subsequent procedures included mammalian somatic cell nuclear transfer, cell fusion, induction of pluripotency by ectopic gene expression, and direct reprogramming. Through these methods it becomes possible to derive one kind of specialized cell (such as a brain cell) from another, more accessible tissue, such as skin in the same individual. This has potential applications for cell replacement without the immunosuppression treatments commonly required when cells are transferred between genetically different individuals.SUMMARY: Reprogramming with transcription factors offers tremendous promise for the future development of patient-specific pluripotent cells and for studies of human disease. The identification of optimized protocols for the differentiation of iPS cells and ES cells into multiple functional cell types in vitro and their proper engraftment in vivo will be challenged in the coming years. Given that the first small molecule approaches aimed at activating pluripotency genes have already been devised and that murine iPS cells have recently been derived by using non-integrative transient expression strategies of the reprogramming factors, we expect that human iPS cells without permanent genetic alterations will soon be generated.KEYWORDS: epigenetics, reprogramming, pluripotency, stem cells, iPS cells, chromatin, DNA methylation
Association of Aldosterone, Plasma Renin Activity (PRA) and Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) with Inflammation and Insulin Resistance in Adult Men with Central Obesity
Authors: Intantri Hera Yuliana , Wijaya Andi , Patellongi Ilhamjaya 
Published: October 2015

BACKGROUND: Visceral Obesity is related with chronic low grade inflammation, and is the main component of metabolic syndrome (MetS). MetS is associated with increased cardiovascular disease (CVD). Furthermore, superoxide dismutase (SOD) is correlated with insulin resistance. Several studies have reported a strong correlation between Renin Angiotensin Aldosterone System (RAAS) and CVD, but the association of Aldosterone, Plasma Renin Activity (PRA) and SOD with inflammation, insulin resistance and MetS have not been fully elucidated. The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation of Aldosterone, PRA, and SOD with inflammation (high sensitivity c-reactive protein/hsCRP) and insulin resistance (homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance/HOMA-IR) in adult men with central obesity.METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study, which was carried out on 80 male subjects with central obesity who were divided into 2 groups: the group of subjects who had fulfilled the MetS criteria and the other group of subjects who did not. After an overnight fasting, blood pressure (BP) was measured on all subjects and laboratory examinations were done for measurement of the concentration of fasting glucose, high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), triglyceride, hsCRP, insulin, aldosterone, PRA, and SOD.RESULTS: We found aldosterone had positive correlation with PRA (r = 0.389; p < 0.001) and triglycerides (r =0.234; p=0.036). PRA had positive correlation with SOD (r=0.220; p=0.05) and HDL-C (r=0.273; p=0.014), but not with hsCRP (r=-0.044; p=0.696) and HOMA-IR (r=0.168 p=0.136). PRA correlated with HOMA-IR in MetS (r=0.471; p=0.01). Aldosterone and PRA were correlated with diastolic pressure in those with hypertension (r=0.680; p=0.003 and r=0.608; p=0.01).CONCLUSIONS: There is no direct correlation between aldosterone or SOD and Insulin resistance, and inflammation in men with central obesity. The correlation between PRA and MetS might be through insulin resistance mechanism. We found significant correlation between PRA, HDL-C and SOD. Increased aldosterone was ccorrelated with elevated triglycerides, thus possibly increasing the risk of MetS.KEYWORDS: central obesity, aldosterone, plasma renin activity, superoxide dismutase, inflammation, insulin resistance
Correlation between Inflammation and Fibrinolysis Impairment on Central Obesity: A Study for hsCRP, PAI-1, PAP and TAFI
Authors: Agustiani Winni , Arif Mansyur , Patellongi Ilhamjaya 
Published: October 2015

BACKGROUND: Inflammation in the vascular wall plays an important role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Current studies have shown that increase of systemic inflammatory marker like the acute phase component C-reactive protein (CRP) are associated with an unfavorable progression of disease and an increased risk for acute cardiovascular events. Recently, a close association of Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) with hemostatic abnormalities has been reported. Among hemostatic abnormalities, an increase in plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI)-1, a strong inhibitor of fibrinolysis, is considered a core feature of MetS. High PAI-1 concentrations may be associated with thrombus formation, also causing cardiovascular events. Therefore, we investigated the association between markers for chronic inflammation (CRP) and the markers of fibrinolytic impairment (PAI-1, PAP, TAFI) in subjects with central obesity.METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study in 80 male Indonesian subjects, aged 30-60 years old with central obesity, conducted from January to March 2008 in Bandung.RESULTS: The study results showed that there was a difference of PAI-1 levels between MetS and Non-MetS group. There were significant correlations between hsCRP and PAI-1 (r=0.252, p=0.024 ), hsCRP and PAP (r=0.253, p=0.024), and also between PAI-1 and PAP (r=-0.239, p=0.033 ) respectively. But, no correlation found between hsCRP and TAFI.CONCLUSIONS: There was correlation between inflammation and fibrinolysis impairment on central obesity. Concentrations oh hsCRP, PAI-1 and TAFI were significantly higher in MetS.KEYWORDS: inflammation, fibrinolysis impairment, hsCRP, PAI-1, PAP, TAFI
Correlation of Ghrelin and Obestatin with Waist Circumference in Central Obese Men
Authors: Kurniawati Widya , Donosepoetro Marsetio , Wijaya Andi 
Published: October 2015

BACKGROUND: Central obesity is known as the cause of many metabolic disorders called Metabolic Syndrome. Accumulation of adipocytes in central obesity increases production of cytokines proinflammation. Free fatty acid increases in obesity that drives atherogenic dyslipidemia and insulin resistance. IDF 2005 states that waist circumference (WC) is regarded as the simple criteria of obesity. Energy imbalance lasting for a long period is a determinant factor for obesity, e.g. when energy intake is greater than energy expenditure. The brain and gastrointestinal tract work together to maintain this system. Ghrelin and Obestatin are two gut hormones that work in different ways to keep the energy balance. Ghrelin increases appetite but Obestatin decreases it. The two hormones play an important role in maintaining the dynamic equilibrium of energy balance. This study was aimed to determine correlation of Ghrelin and Obestatin with WC in central obese men.METHODS: This was a cross sectional study involving 53 central obese men. Based on IDF 2005 central obesity is most easily measured by waist circumference using the guidelines ethnic group (not country of residence) specific. We used South Asia ethnic which including Chinese, Malay and Asian Indian population as criteria for this study, that was WC >90 cm, aged 20-60 years. Subjects who had smoking habit, any infectious disease, and ACS were excluded from the study. No restriction was applied on the kind of meals the subjects were having or activities they were doing. The correlation of waist circumference with ghrelin and obestatin was assessed with a significance level of 95% (α=0,05).RESULTS: Patient's age was 40.9623±7.9080 year, waist circumferences was 102.1981±10.2696 cm, weight was 85.8679±16.5475 kg, height was 168.8066±6.3535 cm, BMI was 29.9723±2.4937 kg/m2. Concentration of Ghrelin were 0.70-13.72 ng/mL, and Obestatin 16.66-148.84 pg/mL. Pearson correlation showed that Ghrelin (r=-0.1114, p=0.4271) and Obestatin (r=-0.1781, p=0.2020) had no significant correlation with WC. But in patients WC ≥120 cm had significant negative correlation with Obestatin (r=-0.375, p=0.049).CONCLUSIONS: There was no significant correlation of Ghrelin and Obestatin with WC in obese men. However, there was a negative correlation tendency found in patients with greater WC (≥102 cm).KEYWORDS: obesity, ghrelin, obestatin, waist circumference (WC)
Phosphorylated-Survivin at Ser81 Induced Protein Kinase A (PKA): A Back Loop
Authors: Sandra Ferry , Khosravi-Far Roya 
Published: October 2015

BACKGROUND: Survivin, a bifunctional protein, acts as suppressor of apoptosis and has an essential role in mitosis. Survivin is physically phosphorylated on Thr34, and other important sites such as Thr117, Ser20, Thr48 and Ser81. Our previous report has shown that Ser81 of survivin plays role in cytoprotection. In order to investigate the underlying mechanism, all motifs with medium stringency were scanned. We found that site of survivin at Ser81 was correlated to PKA, which is well reported to many cell signal machineries, including cell survival. Therefore, we focused our current investigation in finding possible correlation and interaction between survivin’s Ser81 site and PKA.METHODS: Wild-type survivin (Survivin), antisense survivin (Survivin-AS), mutated-survivin and mutated-survivin Ser81Ala (Survivin-S81A) were constructed. Each retroviral product was produced. Some cell lysates were prepared and immunoprecipitated. For analysis, we performed immunoblotting and PKA’s activity assays.RESULTS: In our current results, phosphorylated-PKA was correlated with survivin. Infection of survivin could lead to acceleration of PKA’s activity in a viral particle dependent manner. This positive back loop induction by survivin was shown to be correlated to Ser81 site, since survivin-mediated PKA activity was not resulted by mutated form of survivin at Ser81 to nonphosphorylatable Ala (S81A).CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggested a possible back loop of survivin to activate PKA, and Ser81 could be an important site to mediate the survivin-PKA back loop signaling. Survivin-induced activation of PKA might be related to cytoprotection.KEYWORDS: survivin, S81A, L929, PKA
Stochastic dilution effects weaken deterministic effects of niche‐based processes in species rich forests
Authors: Wang Xugao , Wiegand Thorsten , Kraft Nathan J. B. , Swenson Nathan G. , Davies Stuart J. , Hao Zhanqing , Howe Robert , Lin Yiching , Ma Keping , Mi Xiangcheng , Su Sheng‐Hsin , Sun I‐Fang , Wolf Amy 
Published: October 2015

AbstractRecent theory predicts that stochastic dilution effects may result in species‐rich communities with statistically independent species spatial distributions, even if the underlying ecological processes structuring the community are driven by deterministic niche differences. Stochastic dilution is a consequence of the stochastic geometry of biodiversity where the identities of the nearest neighbors of individuals of a given species are largely unpredictable. Under such circumstances, the outcome of deterministic species interactions may vary greatly among individuals of a given species. Consequently, nonrandom patterns in the biotic neighborhoods of species, which might be expected from coexistence or community assembly theory (e.g., individuals of a given species are neighbored by phylogenetically similar species), are weakened or do not emerge, resulting in statistical independence of species spatial distributions. We used data on phylogenetic and functional similarity of tree species in five large forest dynamics plots located across a gradient of species richness to test predictions of the stochastic dilution hypothesis. To quantify the biotic neighborhood of a focal species we used the mean phylogenetic (or functional) dissimilarity of the individuals of the focal species to all species within a local neighborhood. We then compared the biotic neighborhood of species to predictions from stochastic null models to test if a focal species was surrounded by more or less similar species than expected by chance. The proportions of focal species that showed spatial independence with respect to their biotic neighborhoods increased with total species richness. Locally dominant, high‐abundance species were more likely to be surrounded by species that were statistically more similar or more dissimilar than expected by chance. Our results suggest that stochasticity may play a stronger role in shaping the spatial structure of species rich tropical forest communities than it does in species poorer forests. These findings represent an important step towards understanding the factors that govern the spatial configuration of local biotic communities. The stochastic dilution effect is a simple geometric mechanism that can explain why species’ spatial distributions in species‐rich communities approximate independence from their biotic neighborhood, even if deterministic niche processes are in effect.
Comparison of Economically Important Loci in Landraces and Improved Wheat Cultivars from Pakistan
Authors: Rasheed Awais , Xia Xianchun , Mahmood Tariq , Quraishi Umar Masood , Aziz Abdul , Bux Hadi , Mahmood Zahid , Mirza Javed Iqbal , Mujeeb‐Kazi Abdul , He Zhonghu 
Published: October 2015

ABSTRACTWe investigated alleles at 31 loci associated with adaptability, yield, and end‐use quality in 107 wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) landraces (WLRs) and 121 improved historical wheat cultivars (HWCs) from Pakistan. The WLRs were categorized into two further subgroups: 36 pre‐Green‐Revolution landraces released as cultivars and 71 geographically spread landraces from all over Pakistan. Alleles Vrn‐A1a, TaGW2‐6A‐A, TaCKX6‐D1b, Pinb‐D1b, Psy‐A1b, and Wx‐D1b were absent in WLRs, whereas ample diversity was observed at all other loci. In HWCs, only Wx‐D1b and Glu‐A3e were absent among the alleles tested, whereas the alleles Ppd‐D1a (90%), Rht‐B1b or Rht‐D1b (83.4%), TaCwi‐A1a (95%), TaGW2‐6A‐G (76%), TaCKX6‐D1a (77.3%), Glu‐A1b (66.1%), Glu‐D1d (61.3%), Pina‐D1b (88.2%), Pinb‐D1a (90%), Psy‐A1a (66.1%), Psy‐B1b (81.8%), Psy‐D1a (86.5%), Ppo‐A1a (70%), TaZds‐D1b (73.9%), TaLox‐B1b (80.1%), and Wx‐D1a (100%) predominated, indicating significant improvement in adaptability, yield potential, and end‐use quality and unconscious selection for favored alleles. Higher frequencies of favored alleles at the TaCwi‐A1 and TaCKX6‐D1 loci influencing 1000‐kernel weight (TKW) in HWCs indicated that selection pressure on these alleles during breeding successfully contributed to cultivar improvement. Wright's pairwise fixation index (Fst) statistics indicated greater genetic divergence between HWC and WLR collections (0.16) than HWC and WLR cultivars (0.14). Population structure based on functional markers (FMs) using principal component analysis partitioned the germplasm into two distinct groups. High genetic divergence and low admixture between HWCs and WLRs indicated limited use of landraces in wheat breeding in Pakistan. Our results suggested these collections as rich reservoirs of alleles and haplotype combinations that may be useful in future breeding programs.
Beta-Adrenergic Blockade Therapy for Autonomic Dysfunction is Less Effective for Elderly Patients with Heart Failure and Reduced Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction
Authors: Shimamoto Ken , Kawana Masatoshi 
Published: October 2015

Objective Heart rate variability (HRV) has been reported to be an independent predictor of all-cause and sudden cardiac death in patients with heart failure. In the aging heart, however, both autonomic and cardiac functions appear to be altered. We assessed the relationship between aging and responsiveness of HRV and ventricular remodeling to beta-adrenergic blockade therapy in patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction (HFREF). Methods Twenty-eight clinically stable patients with chronic heart failure, sinus rhythm, and left ventricular ejection fraction <50% as confirmed by echocardiography were included. At baseline and after carvedilol treatment, 24-hour ambulatory Holter monitor recording was used to analyze HRV indices by the maximum entropy method. Changes in these parameters were compared among three age groups. Results HR decreased in all groups after carvedilol treatment, but was still highest in the youngest group despite the same treatment doses. Time and frequency domain variables improved. The response of time domain variables (the standard deviation of all normal sinus to normal sinus [NN] intervals and the standard deviation of the averages of NN intervals in all 5-minute or 30-minute segments) to carvedilol therapy significantly decreased with increasing age. Ventricular reverse remodeling induced by carvedilol therapy significantly decreased with increasing age. Increases in time domain variables and a low-frequency domain moderately correlated with left ventricular reverse remodeling. Conclusion Beta-adrenergic blockade therapy improved HRV variables and ventricular remodeling in HFREF patients; however, the response tended to be milder in the elderly. HRV improvement was associated with ventricular reverse remodeling.
A Blended Approach to Learning in an Obstetrics and Gynecology Residency Program: Proof of Concept
Authors: Taylor Funminiyi A. , Nelson Erica , Delfino Kristin , Han Heeyoung 
Published: October 2015

Problem Graduate medical education programs are expected to educate residents to be able to manage critically ill patients. Most obstetrics and gynecology (OB/GYN) graduate medical education programs provide education primarily in a didactic format in a traditional face-to-face setting. Busy clinical responsibilities tend to limit resident engagement during these educational sessions. The revision of the training paradigm to a more learner-centered approach is suggested. Intervention A blended learning education program was designed and implemented to facilitate the teaching and learning of obstetric emergencies, specifically diabetic ketoacidosis and acute-onset severe hypertension in pregnancy. The program incorporated tools to foster a community of inquiry. Multimedia presentations were also utilized as the main modality to provide instruction. The blended learning course was designed in accordance with the cognitive theory of multimedia learning. Context This intervention was carried out in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Southern Illinois University. All 15 OB/GYN residents were enrolled in this course as part of their educational curriculum. First, face-to-face instructions were given in detail about the blended learning process, course content, and online website. The residents were then assigned tasks related to completing the online component of the course, including watching multimedia presentations, reading the resources placed online, and participating in online asynchronous discussions. The course culminated with a face-to-face session to clarify misconceptions. Pre- and postcourse quizzes were administered to the residents to assess their retention and understanding. Outcome Objective analysis demonstrated significant improvements in retention and understanding after participating in the course. The blended learning format was well received by the residents. Resident perception of social presence in the asynchronous online discussions was demonstrative of low scores relating to peer-to-peer interaction. The multimedia presentations and the availability of learning resources were well received. Lessons Learned Outcomes of this study suggest that blended learning is a viable tool to support teaching and learning of obstetric emergencies in an OB/GYN residency program.