Enhanced ECCD36 signaling promotes skeletal muscle insulin resistance in female mice.

Consumption of a Western diet (WD) increases CD36 expression in vascular, hepatic, and skeletal muscle tissues promoting lipid metabolic disorders and insulin resistance. We further examined the role of endothelial cell-specific CD36 (ECCD36) signaling in contributing to skeletal muscle lipid metabolic disorders, insulin resistance, and their underlying molecular mechanisms. Female ECCD36 wild-type (ECCD36) and knock-out (ECCD36) mice, aged 6 wk, were provided with either a WD or a standard chow diet for a duration of 16 wk.

Double promoter and tandem gene strategy for efficiently expressing recombinant FGF21.

Background: Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) is a promising candidate for treating metabolic disorder diseases and has been used in phase II clinical trials. Currently, metabolic diseases are prevalent worldwide, underscoring the significant market potential of FGF21. Therefore, the production of FGF21 must be effectively improved to meet market demand.

Cancer Therapies and Cardiomyocyte Viability: Which Drugs are Directly Cardiotoxic?

Background: Increased cancer survivorship represents a remarkable achievement for modern medicine. Unfortunately, cancer treatments have inadvertently contributed to cardiovascular (CV) damage, significantly threatening the health and quality of life of patients living with, through and beyond cancer. Without understanding the mechanisms, including whether the cardiotoxicity is due to the direct or indirect effects on cardiomyocytes, prevention and management of cardiotoxicity can pose challenges in many patients.

Sex-based differences in short- and longer-term diet-induced metabolic heart disease.

Sex-based differences in the development of obesity-induced cardiometabolic dysfunction are well documented, however, the specific mechanisms are not completely understood. Obesity has been linked to dysregulation of the epitranscriptome, but the role of N-methyladenosine (m6A) RNA methylation has not been investigated in relation to the sex differences during obesity-induced cardiac dysfunction. In the current study, male and female C57BL/6J mice were subjected to short- and long-term high-fat/high-sucrose (HFHS) diet to induce obesogenic stress.

Rheumatoid arthritis and hypothyroidism: a bidirectional Mendelian randomization study.

Object: Though significant correlations between rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and hypothyroidism have been found in earlier observational studies, their underlying causal relationship is still unknown. Mendelian randomization (MR) was used in the current study to assess the bidirectional causation between RA and hypothyroidism.

Method: We gathered summary data from genome-wide association studies (GWASs) of RA and hypothyroidism in people of European descent.

Association of Circulating Plasma Secreted Frizzled-Related Protein 5 (Sfrp5) Levels with Cardiac Function.

Secreted frizzled-related protein 5 (SFRP5) is a novel anti-inflammatory adipokine that may play a role in cardiovascular development and disease. However, there is yet to be a comprehensive investigation into whether circulating SFRP5 can be a biomarker for cardiac function. Plasma SFRP5 levels were measured via ELISA in 262 patients admitted to a cardiology unit.

Endothelial MRs Mediate Western Diet-Induced Lipid Disorders and Skeletal Muscle Insulin Resistance in Females.

Consumption of a Western diet (WD) consisting of excess fat and carbohydrates activates the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, which has emerged as an important risk factor for systemic and tissue insulin resistance. We recently discovered that activated mineralocorticoid receptors (MRs) in diet-induced obesity induce CD36 expression, increase ectopic lipid accumulation, and result in systemic and tissue insulin resistance. Here, we have further investigated whether endothelial cell (EC)-specific MR (ECMR) activation participates in WD-induced ectopic skeletal muscle lipid accumulation, insulin resistance, and dysfunction.

Overexpression of Mitochondrial Catalase within Adipose Tissue Does Not Confer Systemic Metabolic Protection against Diet-Induced Obesity.

Obesity is associated with significant metabolic co-morbidities, such as diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidaemia, as well as a range of cardiovascular diseases, all of which lead to increased hospitalisations, morbidity, and mortality. Adipose tissue dysfunction caused by chronic nutrient stress can result in oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, inflammation, hypoxia, and insulin resistance. Thus, we hypothesised that reducing adipose tissue oxidative stress via adipose tissue-targeted overexpression of the antioxidant mitochondrial catalase (mCAT) may improve systemic metabolic function.

Elevated Soluble Suppressor of Tumorigenicity 2 Predict Hospital Admissions Due to Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events (MACE).

The role of soluble suppression of tumorigenicity (sST2) as a biomarker in predicting clinical outcomes in patients with cardiovascular diseases (CVD) has not been fully elucidated. In this study, we sought to determine the relationship between sST2 levels and any unplanned hospital readmissions due to a major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE) within 1 year of first admission. Patients (n = 250) admitted to the cardiology unit at John Hunter Hospital were recruited.

The role of microglia in Alzheimer's disease and progress of treatment.

Microglia are permanent immune cells of the central nervous system. Microglia play an important role in the pathological process of Alzheimer's disease (AD). They are mainly involved in the uptake and clearance of amyloid-β (Aβ), as well as the formation of neuroinflammation.

Targeting mineralocorticoid receptors in diet-induced hepatic steatosis and insulin resistance.

Mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) activation plays an important role in hepatic insulin resistance. However, the precise mechanisms by which MR activation promotes hepatic insulin resistance remains unclear. Therefore, we sought to investigate the roles and mechanisms by which MR activation promotes Western diet (WD)-induced hepatic steatosis and insulin resistance.

Heart Failure in Breast Cancer Survivors: Focus on Early Detection and Novel Biomarkers.

Purpose Of Review: Breast cancer survival rate has greatly improved in the last two decades due to the emergence of next-generation anti-cancer agents. However, cardiotoxicity remains a significant adverse effect arising from traditional and emerging chemotherapies as well as targeted therapies for breast cancer patients. In this review, we will discuss cardiotoxicities of both traditional and emerging therapies for breast cancer.

Correlation analysis of microstructure, protein pattern, and thermal properties of subjected to different cryogenic treatments.

The objective of this work was to investigate the freezing and storage temperature (-80 and -18℃) on the microstructure, protein pattern, and thermal properties of red swamp crayfish after one-week storage, and a Pearson correlation analysis was performed among these attributes. After cryogenic treatments for short-term storage, Tp (pretein denaturation temperature) was significantly raised ( < .05) except for samples frozen at -80℃ prior to store at -18℃ (-80/-18).

Endothelial sodium channel activation promotes cardiac stiffness and diastolic dysfunction in Western diet fed female mice.

Objective: Obesity is associated with myocardial fibrosis and impaired diastolic relaxation, abnormalities that are especially prevalent in women. Normal coronary vascular endothelial function is integral in mediating diastolic relaxation, and recent work suggests increased activation of the endothelial cell (EC) mineralocorticoid receptor (ECMR) is associated with impaired diastolic relaxation. As the endothelial Na channel (EnNaC) is a downstream target of the ECMR, we sought to determine whether EC-specific deletion of the critical alpha subunit, αEnNaC, would prevent diet induced-impairment of diastolic relaxation in female mice.

Rosmarinic acid reduces the resistance of gastric carcinoma cells to 5-fluorouracil by downregulating FOXO4-targeting miR-6785-5p.

Objective: Chemoresistance has been a major problem in cancer chemotherapy. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of Rosmarinic acid (RA) on chemoresistance to 5-Fu and its molecular mechanism in gastric carcinoma.

Methods: CCK8 cell proliferation and apoptosis assay were used to evaluate the effect of RA on chemoresistance to 5-Fu in GC cells.

Uric acid promotes vascular stiffness, maladaptive inflammatory responses and proteinuria in western diet fed mice.

Objective: Aortic vascular stiffness has been implicated in the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) in obese individuals. However, the mechanism promoting these adverse effects are unclear. In this context, promotion of obesity through consumption of a western diet (WD) high in fat and fructose leads to excess circulating uric acid.

Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibition with linagliptin reduces western diet-induced myocardial TRAF3IP2 expression, inflammation and fibrosis in female mice.

Background: Diastolic dysfunction (DD), a hallmark of obesity and primary defect in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, is a predictor of future cardiovascular events. We previously reported that linagliptin, a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor, improved DD in Zucker Obese rats, a genetic model of obesity and hypertension. Here we investigated the cardioprotective effects of linagliptin on development of DD in western diet (WD)-fed mice, a clinically relevant model of overnutrition and activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system.

Absence of Endothelial ERα Results in Arterial Remodeling and Decreased Stiffness in Western Diet-Fed Male Mice.

The role of estrogen receptor-α (ERα) signaling in the vasculature of females has been described under different experimental conditions and our group recently reported that lack of endothelial cell (EC) ERα in female mice fed a Western diet (WD) results in amelioration of vascular stiffness. Conversely, the role of ERα in the male vasculature in this setting has not been explored. In conditions of overnutrition and insulin resistance, augmented arterial stiffness, endothelial dysfunction, and arterial remodeling contribute to the development of cardiovascular disease.

Sulfate removal from wastewater using ettringite precipitation: Magnesium ion inhibition and process optimization.

One of the main challenges in industrial wastewater treatment and recovery is the removal of sulfate, which usually coexists with Ca and Mg. The effect of Mg on sulfate removal by ettringite precipitation was investigated, and the process was optimized in the absence and presence of Mg. In the absence of Mg, the optimum conditions with sulfate removal of 99.

[Proficiency test for determination of benzene in drinking water].

Objective: To evaluate the capacity of national laboratories for determination of benzene in drinking water using Proficiency Testing Program.

Methods: The preparation methods of the Secondary Standard Materials were used as the reference for the sample preparation in this Proficiency Testing Program. The homogeneity and stability of the samples were tested by Single Factor Analysis of Variance( ANOVA) and Linear Regression.

Endothelial Estrogen Receptor-α Does Not Protect Against Vascular Stiffness Induced by Western Diet in Female Mice.

Consumption of a diet high in fat and refined carbohydrates (Western diet [WD]) is associated with obesity and insulin resistance, both major risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD). In women, obesity and insulin resistance abrogate the protection against CVD likely afforded by estrogen signaling through estrogen receptor (ER)α. Indeed, WD in females results in increased vascular stiffness, which is independently associated with CVD.

[Evaluation on the capability of testing total dissolved solids of the provincial centers for disease control and prevention].

Objective: To evaluate the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) provincial divisions' capabilities of detecting concentrations of organoleptic and physical parameter of total dissolved solids by adopging a quality control assessment methodology of interlaboratory comparison.

Methods: All laboratories had been divided into 2 groups of which contained 16 laboratories. Total dissolvedsolids' concentrations were assigned to 2 sample groups.

[Evaluation on the capability of testing carbon tetrachloride, benzene, methylbenzene, dimethylbenzene, p' p-DDT of the provincial centers for disease control and prevention].

Objective: To evaluate the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) provincial divisions' capabilities of detectingconcentrations of organic parameters such as carbon tetrachloride, benzene, methylbenzene, dimethylbenzene and pesticide parameter of p’ p-DDT in drinking water, by adopting a quality control assessment methodology of interlaboratory comparison.

Methods: All laboratories had been divided into 2 groups, each of which contained aboutl6 laboratories. Organic concentrations and pesticide concentrations were assigned to 2 sample groups.

Histone deacetylases and NF-kB signaling coordinate expression of CX3CL1 in epithelial cells in response to microbial challenge by suppressing miR-424 and miR-503.

The NF-kB pathway is key to epithelial immune defense and has been implicated in secretion of antimicrobial peptides, release of cytokines/chemokines to mobilize immune effector cells, and activation of adaptive immunity. The expression of many inflammatory genes following infection involves the remodeling of the chromatin structure. We reported here that histone deacetylases (HDACs) and NF-kB signaling coordinate expression of CX3CL1 in epithelial cells following Cryptosporidium parvum infection.