Age-associated expression of HCN channel isoforms in rat sinoatrial node
The expression of hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated cation (HCN) channel isoforms varies among species, cardiac tissues, developmental stages, and disease generation. However, alterations in the HCN channels during aging remain unclear. We investigated the protein expressions of HCN channel isoforms, HCN1-HCN4, in the sinoatrial nodes (SANs) from young (1-month-old), adult (4-month-old), and aged (30-month-old) rats. We found that HCN2 and HCN4 proteins were present in rat SAN using immunohistochemistry; therefore, we quantitatively analyzed their expression by Western blot. Aim to correlate protein expre...
Source: Experimental Biology and Medicine - January 24, 2016 Category: Research Authors: Huang, X., Yang, P., Yang, Z., Zhang, H., Ma, A. Tags: Physiology Source Type: research
MicroRNAs as biomarkers of hepatotoxicity in a randomized placebo-controlled study of simvastatin and ubiquinol supplementation
Statins are potent cholesterol-lowering drugs and are generally well tolerated. Hepatotoxicity is a rare but serious adverse effect of statins; however, its mechanisms are not clear. Coenzyme Q10 deficiency has been suggested, and supplementation of reduced coenzyme Q10 (ubiquinol) has been shown to have hepatoprotective effects. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small nucleotides that have been shown to be up-regulated in drug-induced liver injury. We hypothesized that circulating miRNAs may be differentially regulated after simvastatin treatment and by comparing with that of simvastatin and ubiquinol supplementation could potential...
Source: Experimental Biology and Medicine - January 24, 2016 Category: Research Authors: Pek, S. L., Tavintharan, S., Woon, K., Lin, L., Ong, C. N., Lim, S. C., Sum, C. F. Tags: Pharmacology/Toxicology Source Type: research
Inhibiting myostatin signaling prevents femoral trabecular bone loss and microarchitecture deterioration in diet-induced obese rats
Besides resulting in a dramatic increase in skeletal muscle mass, myostatin (MSTN) deficiency has a positive effect on bone formation. However, the issue about whether blocking MSTN can inhibit obesity-induced bone loss has not been previously investigated. In the present study, we have evaluated the effects of MSTN blocking on bone quality in high-fat (HF), diet-induced obese rats using a prepared polyclonal antibody for MSTN (MsAb). Twenty-four rats were randomly assigned to the Control, HF and HF + MsAb groups. Rats in the HF + MsAb group were injected once a week with purified MsAb for eight weeks. The results showed t...
Source: Experimental Biology and Medicine - January 24, 2016 Category: Research Authors: Tang, L., Yang, X., Gao, X., Du, H., Han, Y., Zhang, D., Wang, Z., Sun, L. Tags: Endocrinology & amp;amp; Nutrition Source Type: research
Fermented soybeans, Chungkookjang, prevent hippocampal cell death and {beta}-cell apoptosis by decreasing pro-inflammatory cytokines in gerbils with transient artery occlusion
In conclusion, TFC and BLFC may prevent and alleviate neuronal cell death in the hippocampal CA1 region and neurological symptoms and poststroke hyperglycemia in gerbils with artery occlusion. This might be associated with increased isoflavonoid aglycones. (Source: Experimental Biology and Medicine)
Source: Experimental Biology and Medicine - January 24, 2016 Category: Research Authors: Park, S., Kim, D. S., Kang, S., Moon, B. R. Tags: Endocrinology & amp;amp; Nutrition Source Type: research
131I therapy for 345 patients with refractory severe hyperthyroidism: Without antithyroid drug pretreatment
The aim of this study is to evaluate the safety and long-term results of 131I therapy alone for patients with refractory severe hyperthyroidism without antithyroid drug pretreatment. From January 2002 to December 2012, 408 patients with refractory severe hyperthyroidism were treated with 131I alone. Among them, 345 were followed up for 1 to 10 years for physical examination, thyroid function, and thyroid ultrasound. Complete Blood Count (CBC) liver function, electrocardiogram, echocardiogram, and Emission Computed Tomography (ECT) thyroid imaging were performed as indicated. The 345 patients had concomitant conditions incl...
Source: Experimental Biology and Medicine - January 24, 2016 Category: Research Authors: Ding, Y., Xing, J., Fang, Y., Wang, Y., Zhang, Y., Long, Y. Tags: Endocrinology & amp;amp; Nutrition Source Type: research
Upregulation of microRNA-370 facilitates the repair of amputated fingers through targeting forkhead box protein O1
This study provided a potential therapeutic target for the restoration of finger function after replantation. (Source: Experimental Biology and Medicine)
Source: Experimental Biology and Medicine - January 24, 2016 Category: Research Authors: Zhang, H., Sun, X., Hao, D. Tags: Cell & amp;amp; Developmental Biology Source Type: research
Featured Article: Nuclear export of opioid growth factor receptor is CRM1 dependent
In this study, endogenous OGFr, as well as exogenously expressed OGFr-EGFP, demonstrated significant nuclear accumulation in response to leptomycin B (LMB), an inhibitor of CRM1-dependent nuclear export, suggesting that OGFr is exported in a CRM1-dependent manner. One consensus sequence for a nuclear export signal (NES) was identified. Mutation of the associated leucines, L217 L220 L223 and L225, to alanine resulted in decreased nuclear accumulation. NES-EGFP responded to LMB, indicating that this sequence is capable of functioning as an export signal in isolation. To determine why the sequence functions differently in iso...
Source: Experimental Biology and Medicine - January 24, 2016 Category: Research Authors: Kren, N. P., Zagon, I. S., McLaughlin, P. J. Tags: Biochemistry & amp;amp; Molecular Biology Source Type: research
Transforming growth factor-{beta}-sphingosine kinase 1/S1P signaling upregulates microRNA-21 to promote fibrosis in renal tubular epithelial cells
In this study, we hypothesized that SphK/S1P signaling is linked to upregulation of miR-21 by TGF-β. To verify this hypothesis, we first determined that miR-21 was highly expressed in renal tubular epithelial cells (TECs) stimulated with TGF-β by using qRT-PCR and Northern blotting. Simultaneously, inhibition of miR-21, mediated by the corresponding antimir, markedly decreased the expression and deposition of type I collagen, fibronectin (Fn), cysteine-rich protein 61 (CCN1), α-smooth muscle actin, and fibroblast-specific protein1 in TGF-β-treated TECs. ELISA and qRT-PCR were used to measure the S1P an...
Source: Experimental Biology and Medicine - January 24, 2016 Category: Research Authors: Liu, X., Hong, Q., Wang, Z., Yu, Y., Zou, X., Xu, L. Tags: Biochemistry & amp;amp; Molecular Biology Source Type: research
Ubiquitin-specific protease 28 is overexpressed in human glioblastomas and contributes to glioma tumorigenicity by regulating MYC expression
The transcription factor MYC, which is dysregulated in the majority of gliomas, is difficult to target directly. Deubiquitinase ubiquitin-specific protease 28 (USP28) stabilizes oncogenic factors, including MYC. However, the contribution of USP28 in tumorigenesis, particularly in glioma, is unknown. Here, we determined the expression of USP28 and assessed its clinical significance in human glioma. We found that USP28 is overexpressed in human glioma but not in normal brain tissue. The level of USP28 protein expression in human glioma tissues was directly correlated with glioma grade. Meanwhile, the level of USP28 protein e...
Source: Experimental Biology and Medicine - January 24, 2016 Category: Research Authors: Wang, Z., Song, Q., Xue, J., Zhao, Y., Qin, S. Tags: Anatomy & amp;amp; Pathology Source Type: research
Inflation with carbon monoxide in rat donor lung during cold ischemia phase ameliorates graft injury
This study observed the effects of lung inflation with CO on lung graft function in the setting of cold ischemia. Donor lungs were inflated with 40% oxygen + 60% nitrogen (control group) or with 500 ppm CO + 40% oxygen + nitrogen (CO group) during the cold ischemia phase and were kept at 4℃ for 180 min. Recipients were sacrificed by exsanguinations at 180 min after reperfusion. Rats in the sham group had no transplantation and were performed as the recipients. Compared with the sham group, the oxygenation determined by blood gas analysis and the pressure–volume curves of the lung grafts decreased significantly...
Source: Experimental Biology and Medicine - January 24, 2016 Category: Research Authors: Meng, C., Ma, L., Liu, J., Cui, X., Liu, R., Xing, J., Zhou, H. Tags: Anatomy & amp;amp; Pathology Source Type: research
Silk scaffolds for musculoskeletal tissue engineering
The musculoskeletal system, which includes bone, cartilage, tendon/ligament, and skeletal muscle, is becoming the targets for tissue engineering because of the high need for their repair and regeneration. Numerous factors would affect the use of musculoskeletal tissue engineering for tissue regeneration ranging from cells used for scaffold seeding to the manufacture and structures of materials. The essential function of the scaffolds is to convey growth factors as well as cells to the target site to aid the regeneration of the injury. Among the variety of biomaterials used in scaffold engineering, silk fibroin is recognize...
Source: Experimental Biology and Medicine - January 24, 2016 Category: Research Authors: Yao, D., Liu, H., Fan, Y. Tags: Minireview Source Type: research
Beyond emotions: A meta-analysis of neural response within face processing system in social anxiety
Patients with social anxiety disorder (SAD) experience anxiety and avoidance in face-to-face interactions. We performed a meta-analysis of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies in SAD to provide a comprehensive understanding of the neural underpinnings of face perception in this disorder. To this purpose, we adopted an innovative approach, asking authors for unpublished data. This is a common procedure for behavioral meta-analyses, which, however has never been used in neuroimaging studies. We searched Pubmed with the key words "Social Anxiety AND faces" and "Social Phobia AND faces." Then, we selected those...
Source: Experimental Biology and Medicine - January 24, 2016 Category: Research Authors: Gentili, C., Cristea, I. A., Angstadt, M., Klumpp, H., Tozzi, L., Phan, K. L., Pietrini, P. Tags: Minireview Source Type: research
The impact of acute aerobic exercise on chitinase 3-like protein 1 and intelectin-1 expression in obesity
Chitinase 3-like 1 (CHI3L1) and intelectin 1 (ITLN-1) recognize microbial N-acetylglucosamine polymer and galactofuranosyl carbohydrates, respectively. Both lectins are highly abundant in plasma and seem to play pro- and anti-inflammatory roles, respectively, in obesity and inflammatory-related illnesses. The aim of this study was to examine whether plasma levels of these lectins in obese subjects are useful for monitoring inflammatory conditions immediately influenced by acute aerobic exercise. Plasma interleukin-6, a pro-inflammatory cytokine, was also examined. Twenty-two (11 obese and 11 normal-weight) healthy subjects...
Source: Experimental Biology and Medicine - January 13, 2016 Category: Research Authors: Huang, C.-J., Slusher, A. L., Whitehurst, M., Wells, M., Maharaj, A., Shibata, Y. Tags: Physiology Source Type: research
The circadian Clock gene regulates acrosin activity of sperm through serine protease inhibitor A3K
Our previous study found that CLOCK knockdown in the testes of male mice led to a reduced fertility, which might be associated with the lower acrosin activity. In this present study, we examined the differential expression in proteins of CLOCK knockdown sperm. Clock gene expression was knocked down in cells to confirm those differentially expressions and serine protease inhibitor SERPINA3K was identified as a potential target. The up-regulated SERPINA3K revealed an inverse relationship with Clock knockdown. Direct treatment of normal sperm with recombinant SERPINA3K protein inhibited the acrosin activity and reduced in&nbs...
Source: Experimental Biology and Medicine - January 13, 2016 Category: Research Authors: Cheng, S., Liang, X., Wang, Y., Jiang, Z., Liu, Y., Hou, W., Li, S., Zhang, J., Wang, Z. Tags: Physiology Source Type: research
The gastroprotective effect of pogostone from Pogostemonis Herba against indomethacin-induced gastric ulcer in rats
Pogostemonis Herba, known as "Guang-Huo-Xiang" in Chinese, has been widely used in the treatment of gastrointestinal dysfunction. Pogostone is one of the major constituents of Pogostemonis Herba. The aim was to scientifically evaluate the possible gastroprotective effect and the underlying mechanisms of pogostone against indomethacin-induced gastric ulcer in rats. Rats were orally treated with vehicle, lansoprazole (30 mg/kg) or pogostone (10, 20 and 40 mg/kg) and subsequently exposed to acute gastric lesions induced by indomethacin. Gross evaluation, histological observation, gastric mucosal superoxide dismutase activity,...
Source: Experimental Biology and Medicine - January 13, 2016 Category: Research Authors: Chen, X.-Y., Chen, H.-M., Liu, Y.-H., Zhang, Z.-B., Zheng, Y.-F., Su, Z.-Q., Zhang, X., Xie, J.-H., Liang, Y.-Z., Fu, L.-D., Lai, X.-P., Su, Z.-R., Huang, X.-Q. Tags: Pharmacology/Toxicology Source Type: research
