Search Our Scientific Publications & Authors

Semin Liver Dis 2021 Jun 15. Epub 2021 Jun 15.

Department of Surgery, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA.

Interleukin 17A (IL-17A)-producing T helper 17 (Th17) cells were identified as a subset of T helper cells that play a critical role in host defense against bacterial and fungal pathogens. Th17 cells differentiate from Th0 naïve T-cells in response to transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) and IL-6, the cytokines which also drive development of liver fibrosis, require activation of transcription factor retinoic acid receptor-related orphan nuclear receptor gamma (RORγ). IL-17A signals through the ubiquitously expressed receptor IL-17RA. Read More

Pharmacology 2021 Jun 15:1-9. Epub 2021 Jun 15.

Department for Nephrology and Hypertension, University Hospital Insel Bern, Bern, Switzerland.

Calcineurin inhibitors (CNIs) have a substantial role in maintaining immunosuppression after solid organ transplantation (SOT). These drugs have a narrow therapeutic window, and individual doses and drug treatment monitoring are necessary. Still, a substantial proportion of patients suffer from short- or long-term calcineurin inhibitor toxicity (CNT), including kidney function impairment, hypertension, neurotoxicity, and metabolic disturbances. Read More

Acta Haematol 2021 Jun 15:1-5. Epub 2021 Jun 15.

Istituto di Ematologia "Seràgnoli" IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy.

T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) is a rare entity in the adult acute leukemia setting. Translocation (9;22)(q34;q11) and BCR-ABL1 rearrangement are occasionally found in T-ALL and have been reported in no more than 100 cases in the literature (most of which are chronic myeloid leukemia blast crisis). Here, we report the remarkable effectiveness of third-generation tyrosine-kinase inhibitor ponatinib in obtaining hematological and metabolic remission, in a patient with Philadelphia chromosome-positive de novo T-ALL and outcomes of a therapeutic strategy containing chemotherapy intensification, nelarabine, and allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Read More

J Phys Act Health 2021 Jun 13:1-12. Epub 2021 Jun 13.

Background: Several behaviors have been reported to interfere with sleep in otherwise healthy adults, including low physical activity (PA) levels. However, few studies have compared low PA with the other behavioral risk factors of objective sleep impairment, despite the behavior tending to cooccur in highly stressed and affectively distressed individuals. Thus, the authors compared objective and subjective measures of PA and other potential sleep disrupting behaviors as predictors of objective sleep (sleep onset latency, actual sleep time, total sleep duration, awake time, and sleep efficacy) at baseline (T1) and 3 months later (T2). Read More

Clin Neurophysiol 2021 May 20;132(8):1757-1769. Epub 2021 May 20.

Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.

Since the term Stimulus-Induced Rhythmic, Periodic, or Ictal Discharges (SIRPIDs) was introduced into the vocabulary of electrophysiologists/neurologists, there has been an ongoing debate about its significance, as well as its correlation with outcomes. SIRPIDs are frequently seen in patients who are critically ill from various causes. The literature reflects the findings of triphasic morphology, with the generalized periodic discharge (GPD) classification in many patients with SIRPIDs: toxic/metabolic encephalopathies, septic, and hypoxemic/hypercapnic encephalopathies, but also sharp periodic complexes in Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease and advanced Alzheimer's disease. Read More

J Chromatogr B Analyt Technol Biomed Life Sci 2021 May 28;1178:122793. Epub 2021 May 28.

State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, No. 24 Tongjia Lane, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, PR China; Department of Pharmacognosy, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, No. 24 Tongjia Lane, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, PR China. Electronic address:

San Miao Wan (SMW), composed of Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex, Atractylodis Lanceae Rhizoma and Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix, is widely used for the treatment of gout, hyperuricemia and other diseases. In the present study, an overall identification strategy based on ultra-high performance liquid chromatography tandem Q-Exactive Orbitrap mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap/MS) method was established to characterize the multiple chemical constituents of SMW and its metabolites in rat plasma after oral administration of SMW. A total of 76 constituents including alkaloids, organic acids, lactones, terpenes, saponins, sterones and others types of components were identified in the extract of SMW. Read More

Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2021 Jun 12;567:9-16. Epub 2021 Jun 12.

State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Key Laboratory of Gene Engineering of the Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, China. Electronic address:

The circadian clock plays a critical role in synchronizing the inner molecular, metabolic and physiological processes to environmental cues that cycle with a period of 24 h. Non-24 h and shift schedules are commonly used in maritime operations, and both of which can disturb circadian rhythms. In this study, we first conducted an experiment in which the volunteers followed a 3-d rotary schedule with consecutive shift in sleep time (rotatory schedule), and analyzed the changes in salivary cortisol rhythms and blood variables. Read More

J Hazard Mater 2021 Jun 6;418:126310. Epub 2021 Jun 6.

Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health of Guangdong Province, School of Environment, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China. Electronic address:

In-situ stabilization of Cd-contaminated farmland is a commonly used remediation technology. Yet, rhizosphere metabolites (e.g. Read More

Med Hypotheses 2021 Jun 2;153:110620. Epub 2021 Jun 2.

Department of Life and Health Sciences, University of Nicosia, Nicosia, Cyprus. Electronic address:

Control of core cell metabolism is a key aspect of the evolutionary conflict between viruses and the host's defence mechanisms. From their side, the invading viruses press the accelerator on their host cell's glycolysis, fatty acid, and glutaminolytic metabolic processes among others. It is also well established that activation of innate immune system responses modulates facets of metabolism such as that of polyamine, cholesterol, tryptophan and many more. Read More

J Photochem Photobiol B 2021 Jun 12;221:112238. Epub 2021 Jun 12.

DHC Corporation Laboratories, Division 2, 2-42 Hamada, Mihama-ku, Chiba 261-0025, Japan.

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) is a crucial coenzyme in energy production. The imbalance of NAD synthesis has been found to trigger age-related diseases, such as metabolic disorders, cancer, and neurodegenerative diseases. Also, UV irradiation induces NAD depletion in the skin. Read More

Curr Opin Genet Dev 2021 Jun 11;70:54-60. Epub 2021 Jun 11.

Laboratory for Heart Regeneration, RIKEN Center for Biosystem Dynamics Research, 2-2-3 Minatojima-minamimachi, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo 650-0043, Japan. Electronic address:

The adult mammalian heart cannot regenerate after myocardial injury because most cardiomyocytes lack the ability to proliferate. In contrast, cardiomyocytes of vertebrates such as zebrafish and urodele amphibians, but also those of fetal and early neonatal mammals, maintain the ability to proliferate and therefore support regeneration of injured tissue and recovery of cardiac function. Whether evolutionarily conserved regulatory mechanisms of cardiomyocyte proliferation exist and, if so, whether they are modifiable to allow cardiac regeneration in adult mammals are questions of great scientific and medical interest. Read More

Plant Physiol Biochem 2021 Jun 8;166:270-277. Epub 2021 Jun 8.

Institute of Soil and Water Resources, ELGO-DEMETER, Thessaloniki, 57001, Greece. Electronic address:

The benefits of silicon against abiotic stress in different annual plant species have been described in many studies, however the regulation of ripening of fruit tree crops by silicon remains largely uncharacterized. Therefore, the present study aimed to explore the impact of foliar silicon application in the apple (cv. 'Fuji') fruit ripening traits along with the effect of silicon in the nutrient and metabolic changes in the fully expanded leaves, annual shoots, fruit outer pericarp (peel) and fruit mesocarp (skin) tissues. Read More

Clin Nutr 2021 May 12;40(6):3859-3867. Epub 2021 May 12.

Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.

Background & Aims: Increasing dietary intake of n-3 EPA+DHA and lowering dietary n-6 LA is under investigation as a therapeutic diet for improving chronic pain syndromes as well as other health outcomes. Herein we describe the diet methodology used to modulate intake of n-3 and n-6 PUFA in a free living migraine headache population and report on nutrient intake, BMI and diet acceptability achieved at week 16 of the intensive diet intervention and week 22 follow-up time-point.

Methods: A total of 178 participants were randomized and began one of three diet interventions: 1) a high n-3 PUFA, average n-6 PUFA (H3) diet targeting 1500 mg EPA+DHA/day and 7% of energy (en%) from n-6 linoleic acid (LA), 2) a high-n-3 PUFA, low-n-6 PUFA (H3L6) targeting 1500 mg EPA+DHA/day and <1. Read More

Clin Nutr 2021 Apr 28;40(6):3828-3835. Epub 2021 Apr 28.

Department of Nutrition, School of Public Health, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil. Electronic address:

Background & Aims: To evaluate the effect of the Brazilian Cardioprotective Diet Program (BALANCE Program) on inflammatory biomarkers, involved in the pathophysiology of the atherosclerosis, on inflammatory biomarkers, cardiovascular risk factors, and on plasma fatty acids in cardiovascular disease secondary prevention patients.

Methods: In this substudy of the BALANCE Program randomized clinical trial, a total of 369 patients aged 45 years or older, who have experienced cardiovascular disease in the previous 10 years, were included. These patients were randomized into two groups and followed up for six months: BALANCE Program group and control group (conventional nutrition advice). Read More

Clin Nutr 2021 Jun 3;40(6):3807-3814. Epub 2021 Jun 3.

Service of Adult Intensive Care, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV), Lausanne, Switzerland.

Introduction: Regulation of endogenous glucose production (EGP) is essential for glucose homeostasis. It includes gluconeogenesis (GNG) from non-carbohydrate substrates and hepatic glycogenolysis. Both these pathways are dysregulated in acute stress, but the magnitude of this deregulation cannot be assessed in clinical practice. Read More

Clin Nutr 2021 Apr 27;40(6):3798-3806. Epub 2021 Apr 27.

Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University Rovira i Virgili (URV), Reus, Spain; Institute of Health Pere Virgili, IISPV, University Hospital Sant Joan, Reus, Spain; Consorcio CIBER, M.P. Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBEROBN), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain. Electronic address:

Background & Aims: The Mediterranean Diet (MedDiet) may decrease the cardiometabolic risk through modulation of metabolic pathways. Furthermore, the interplay between MedDiet, metabolites and microbial metabolism may improve our understanding on the metabolic effects of this diet. We aimed to evaluate the effect of the MedDiet compared to nuts supplementation on circulating metabolites and their relationship with cardiometabolic health. Read More

Clin Nutr 2021 Apr 24;40(6):3708-3717. Epub 2021 Apr 24.

Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, PR China; NHC Key Laboratory of Assisted Circulation (Sun Yat-sen University), Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510080, PR China. Electronic address:

Background: Hyperglycemia can induce the heart to enter an oxygen-restricted environment, which results in diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM). Microbiota-derived short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) affect O consumption and play crucial roles in modulating metabolic and cardiovascular health. The epigenetic regulation of the hypoxia-inducible factor 3A (HIF3A) gene is implicated in oxidative metabolism in the pathogenesis of diabetes. Read More

Clin Nutr 2021 Apr 17;40(6):3702-3707. Epub 2021 Apr 17.

Gastroenterology Service, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre - RS, Ramiro Barcelos 2350, Rio Grande do Sul, 90035-903, Brazil.

Introduction: Refeeding syndrome occurs with the reintroduction of food after an individual has undergone a substantial period of malnutrition. The development of this condition is not uncommon but is neglected in most cases.

Objective: To identify the incidence of refeeding syndrome in hospitalized patients undergoing total parenteral nutrition and factors that may be associated with this condition. Read More

Eur J Med Chem 2021 May 26;222:113575. Epub 2021 May 26.

Istituto di Scienze e Tecnologie Chimiche "Giulio Natta", CNR, Via M. Bianco 9, 20131, Milano, Italy. Electronic address:

HPLW is a Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF)-mimicking beta-hairpin peptide endowed of proangiogenic effect and showing valuable biomedical application in the proangiogenic therapy. However, the translational potential of HPLW is limited by its low metabolic stability, which would shorten the in vivo efficacy of the molecule. Here, we developed a peptide analog of HPLW, named HPLW2, that retains the structural and biological properties of the original peptide but features an impressive resistance to degradation by human serum proteases. Read More

Curr Opin Biotechnol 2021 Jun 11;70:174-186. Epub 2021 Jun 11.

Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA. Electronic address:

Roots remain an understudied site of complex and important biological interactions mediating plant productivity. In grain and bioenergy crops, grass root specialized metabolites (GRSM) are central to key interactions, yet our basic knowledge of the chemical language remains fragmentary. Continued improvements in plant genome assembly and metabolomics are enabling large-scale advances in the discovery of specialized metabolic pathways as a means of regulating root-biotic interactions. Read More

Acta Biomater 2021 Jun 12. Epub 2021 Jun 12.

MoVe, Laboratoire interdisciplinaire de physique, CNRS UMR 5588, Université Grenoble Alpes, St-Martin d'Hères, France.

The extra cellular matrix plays a major role in the biomechanical properties of tissues that impact cell behavior and fate. It is therefore crucial to mimic these complex cell-matrix interactions in 3D cell cultures. Here, two-photon polymerization is applied to produce gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) - collagen matrixes that further enable local pO measurement, when ruthenium complexes are used as photo-activators. Read More

Free Radic Biol Med 2021 Jun 12. Epub 2021 Jun 12.

Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy; Research Center LURM Interdepartmental Laboratory of Medical Research, University of Verona, Verona, Italy. Electronic address:

Aerobic organisms possess numerous antioxidant enzymatic families, including catalases, superoxide dismutases (SODs), peroxiredoxins (PRDXs), and glutathione peroxidases (GPXs), which work cooperatively to protect cells from an excess of reactive oxygen species (ROS) derived from endogenous metabolism or external microenvironment. Catalase, as well as other antioxidant enzymes, plays an important dichotomous role in cancer. Therefore, therapies aimed at either reverting the increased or further escalating catalase levels could be effective, depending on the metabolic landscape and on the redox status of cancer cells. Read More

Mech Ageing Dev 2021 Jun 12;197:111521. Epub 2021 Jun 12.

Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medical and Health Sciences, Linköping University, Se-581 85, Linköping, Sweden.

Coenzyme Q (CoQ) is an essential component of the mitochondrial electron transport chain. It is also an antioxidant in cellular membranes and lipoproteins. All cells produce CoQ by a specialized cytoplasmatic-mitochondrial pathway. Read More

Eur J Pharmacol 2021 Jun 12:174257. Epub 2021 Jun 12.

Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt.

The study aimed to assess the possible protective impact of protocatechuic acid (PCA) on high fat diet (HFD)-induced metabolic syndrome (Mets) sequelae in rats. Forty-two male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly grouped as follows: CTR group; PCA group; HFD group; HFD-PCA group and HFD-MET group. Rats were fed on standard diet or HFD for 14 weeks. Read More

J Pediatr 2021 Jun 12. Epub 2021 Jun 12.

Department of Public Health, Dokkyo Medical University School of Medicine, Mibu, Tochigi-ken, Japan.

J Pediatr 2021 Jun 12. Epub 2021 Jun 12.

Division of Endocrinology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota Masonic Children's Hospital, Minneapolis, MN, United States.

Biochem Pharmacol 2021 Jun 12:114656. Epub 2021 Jun 12.

Section of Endocrinology and Investigative Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom.

The glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) is an important regulator of glucose homeostasis and has been successfully targeted for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Recently described biased GLP-1R agonists with selective reductions in β-arrestin versus G protein coupling show improved metabolic actions in vivo. However, two prototypical G protein-favouring GLP-1R agonists, P5 and exendin-F1, are reported to show divergent effects on insulin secretion. Read More

Cell Stem Cell 2021 Jun 11. Epub 2021 Jun 11.

Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Novartis Pharma AG, Basel, Switzerland. Electronic address:

AXIN2 and LGR5 mark intestinal stem cells (ISCs) that require WNT/β-Catenin signaling for constant homeostatic proliferation. In contrast, AXIN2/LGR5+ pericentral hepatocytes show low proliferation rates despite a WNT/β-Catenin activity gradient required for metabolic liver zonation. The mechanisms restricting proliferation in AXIN2+ hepatocytes and metabolic gene expression in AXIN2+ ISCs remained elusive. Read More

J Sep Sci 2021 Jun 15. Epub 2021 Jun 15.

National Key Discipline Laboratory, Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, School of Public Health, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, P. R. China.

The aim of untargeted metabolomics study is to obtain a global metabolome coverage from biological samples. Therefore, a comprehensive and systematic protocol for tissue metabolite extraction is highly desirable. In this study, we evaluated a comprehensive liver pretreatment strategy based on ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry to obtain more metabolites using four different protocols. Read More

Hepatology 2021 Jun 15. Epub 2021 Jun 15.

CARIM School for Cardiovascular Disease, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands.

Thiazolidinediones (TZDs) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists are potential pharmacological treatment options for patients at risk of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Therefore, we examined the association between the risk of NAFLD and the use of thiazolidinediones and GLP-1 receptor agonists compared with the use of sulfonylureas (SUs) and insulins. Additionally, we calculated the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in users of TZDs and GLP-1 receptor agonists. Read More