Ellagic acid protects against angiotensin II-induced hypertrophic responses through ROS-mediated MAPK pathway in H9c2 cells

The early myocardial response of hypertension is an elevation of angiotensin-II (Ang-II) concentration, leading to heart failure and cardiac hypertrophy. This hypertrophic event of the heart is mediated by the interaction of Ang type 1 receptors (AT-R1), thereby modulating NADPH oxidase activity in cardiomyocytes, which alters redox status in cardiomyocytes. Ellagic acid (EA) has anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative capacities. Thus, EA has potential preventive effects on cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. In the last decades, because the protective effect of EA on Ang-II-induced hypertrophic responses is unclear, this study aims to investigate the protective effect of EA in cardiomyocytes. H9c2 cells were treated to Ang-II 1 μM for 24 h to induce cellular damage. We found that EA protected against Ang-II-increased cell surface area and pro-hypertrophic gene expression in H9c2. EA reduced Ang-II-caused AT-R1 upregulation, thereby inhibiting oxidative stress NADPH oxidase activation. EA mitigated Ang-II-enhanced p38 and extracellular-signal-regulated kinase (ERK) phosphorylation. Moreover, EA treatment under Ang-II stimulation also reversed NF-κB activity and iNOS expression. This study shows that EA protects against Ang-II-induced myocardial hypertrophy and attenuates oxidative stress through reactive oxygen species-mediated mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathways in H9c2 cells. Thus, EA may be an effective compound for preventing Ang-II-induced myocardial hypertrophy.

Choline in pregnant women: a systematic review and meta-analysis

CONTEXT

Choline is a critical nutrient. Inadequate choline intake during pregnancy increases the risk of adverse maternal and offspring health.

OBJECTIVE

A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to examine the current recommendations for choline intake by pregnant women, estimate the overall prevalence of pregnant women with adequate choline intake, and explore associations between maternal choline level and adverse pregnancy outcomes (APOs).

METHODS

Choline recommendations for pregnant women were assessed from eight nutrient guidelines of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Asia, International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics, and World Health Organization. Data on the prevalence of pregnant women with adequate choline intake and the association between maternal choline level and APOs were collected from 5 databases up to May 2023. Meta-analyses with random effects and subgroup analyses were performed for the pooled estimate of prevalence and association.

RESULTS

Five recent nutrition guidelines from the United States (United States Department of Agriculture), United States (Food and Drug Administration), Canada, Australia, and the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics have emphasized the importance of adequate choline intake for pregnant women. Of 27 publications, 19 articles explored the prevalence and 8 articles explored the association. Meta-analysis of 12 prevalence studies revealed a concerning 11.24% (95% confidence interval, 6.34-17.26) prevalence of pregnant women with adequate choline intake recommendations. A meta-analysis of 6 studies indicated a significant association between high maternal choline levels and a reduced risk of developing APOs, with an odds ratio of 0.51 (95% confidence interval, 0.40-0.65).

CONCLUSION

The existing guidelines highlight the importance of choline in supporting maternal health and fetal development during pregnancy. Furthermore, a high maternal choline level was likely to be associated with a lower risk of APOs. However, 88.76% of pregnant women do not achieve the optimal choline intake. Therefore, specific policies and actions may be necessary to improve choline intake in pregnant women's care and support the well-being of pregnant women.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION

PROSPERO registration no. CDR42023410561.

Effects of Exercise Training on Immune-Related Genes and Pathways in the Cortex of Animal Models of Alzheimer's Disease: A Systematic Review

Background

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a chronic neurodegenerative disease that affects the immune system due to the accumulation of amyloid-β (Aβ) and tau associated molecular pathology and other pathogenic processes. To address AD pathogenesis, various approaches had been conducted from drug development to lifestyle modification to reduce the prevalence of AD. Exercise is considered a prominent lifestyle modification to combat AD.

Objective

This observation prompted us to review the literature on exercise related to immune genes in the cortex of animal models of AD. We focused on animal model studies due to their prevalence in this domain.

Methods

The systematic review was conducted according to PRISMA standards using Web of Science (WoS) and PubMed databases. Any kind of genes, proteins, and molecular molecules were included in this systematic review. The list of these immune-related molecules was analyzed in the STRING database for functional enrichment analysis.

Results

We found that 17 research studies discussed immune-related molecules and 30 immune proteins. These studies showed that exercise had the ability to ameliorate dysfunction in AD-related pathways, which led to decreasing the expression of microglia-related pathways and Th17-related immune pathways. As a result of decreasing the expression of immune-related pathways, the expression of apoptosis-related pathways was also decreasing, and neuronal survival was increased by exercise activity.

Conclusions

Based on functional enrichment analysis, exercise not only could reduce apoptotic factors and immune components but also could increase cell survival and Aβ clearance in cortex samples. PROSPERO ID: CRD42022326093.

Physical therapy in the intensive care unit: A cross-sectional study of three Asian countries

BACKGROUND

Physical therapy (PT) is beneficial for critically ill patients, but the extent of its application in the intensive care unit (ICU) differs between countries. Here, we compared the extent of PT intervention in the ICU in Japan, the Philippines, and Taiwan by evaluating the sociodemographic and ICU-related profiles of ICU physical therapists.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this cross-sectional study, a semistructured nationwide online survey was distributed to ICU physical therapists in the three countries.

RESULTS

We analyzed the responses of 164 physical therapists from Japan, Philippines, and Taiwan. Significant differences were observed between the countries in all sociodemographic variables and the following ICU-related profiles of physical therapists: ICU work experience, duration of the ICU posting, number of hours per day spent in the ICU, on-call ICU PT service engagement, source of ICU patient referral, therapist-patient ratio, and ICU-related PT training participation (p < 0.05). Medical, surgical, and neurologic ICUs were the most common ICU workplaces of the ICU physical therapists, but only surgical and neurologic ICUs exhibited significant differences between the countries (p < 0.05). Standard PT techniques in the ICU were passive and active-assisted range of motion, positioning, and breathing exercises but were implemented with significantly different frequencies between the countries (p < 0.05). The most common challenge faced in ICU PT service delivery by respondents from all three countries was lack of training prior to ICU duty, and lack of training was even bigger challenge in Japan than in other two countries after adjustment of age, highest educational attainment, and work experience.

CONCLUSION

The differences in the health-care system between Japan, the Philippines, and Taiwan were related to differences in the compliance with internationally recommended PT practice standards in the ICU, differences in the type of PT intervention prioritized, and the challenges encountered in ICU PT service delivery.

Transcriptomics Meta-Analysis Reveals Phagosome and Innate Immune System Dysfunction as Potential Mechanisms in the Cortex of Alzheimer's Disease Mouse Strains

Immune-related pathways can affect the immune system directly, such as the chemokine signaling pathway, or indirectly, such as the phagosome pathway. Alzheimer's disease (AD) is reportedly associated with several immune-related pathways. However, exploring its underlying mechanism is challenging in animal studies because AD mouse strains differentially express immune-related pathway characteristics. To overcome this problem, we performed a meta-analysis to identify significant and consistent immune-related AD pathways that are expressed in different AD mouse strains. Next-generation RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) and microarray datasets for the cortex of AD mice from different strains such as APP/PSEN1, APP/PS2, 3xTg, TREM, and 5xFAD were collected from the NCBI GEO database. Each dataset's quality control and normalization were already processed from each original study source using various methods depending on the high-throughput analysis platform (FastQC, median of ratios, RMA, between array normalization). Datasets were analyzed using DESeq2 for RNA-seq and GEO2R for microarray to identify differentially expressed (DE) genes. Significantly DE genes were meta-analyzed using Stouffer's method, with significant genes further analyzed for functional enrichment. Ten datasets representing 20 conditions were obtained from the NCBI GEO database, comprising 116 control and 120 AD samples. The DE analysis identified 284 significant DE genes. The meta-analysis identified three significantly enriched immune-related AD pathways: phagosome, the complement and coagulation cascade, and chemokine signaling. Phagosomes-related genes correlated with complement and immune system. Meanwhile, phagosomes and chemokine signaling genes overlapped with B cells receptors pathway genes indicating potential correlation between phagosome, chemokines, and adaptive immune system as well. The transcriptomic meta-analysis showed that AD is associated with immune-related pathways in the brain's cortex through the phagosome, complement and coagulation cascade, and chemokine signaling pathways. Interestingly, phagosome and chemokine signaling pathways had potential correlation with B cells receptors pathway.

Effects of Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Intake on Vasomotor Symptoms, Sleep Quality and Depression in Postmenopausal Women: A Systematic Review

The menopausal transition is often accompanied with distressing manifestations, such as vasomotor symptoms, sleep disruptions, and depressive syndrome. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) have emerged as a potential intervention to alleviate these symptoms. This review aimed to comprehensively assess the impact of n-3 PUFAs supplementation on vasomotor symptoms, sleep quality, and depression among postmenopausal women. We conducted a systematic literature search of randomized controlled trials across the Cochrane Library, Web of Science, PubMed, CINAHL, EMBASE, and SCOPUS databases from inception to August 2023. Among the initial pool of 163 identified studies, nine studies met the inclusion criteria and were incorporated into this systematic review. Notably, four studies detected potential benefits of n-3 PUFAs in improving hot flashes and night sweats. On the contrary, sleep quality outcomes displayed heterogeneity across the studies. Incorporating diverse scales, such as the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale-21, the Patient Health Questionnaire depression scale, and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 for depression outcomes, we found inconclusive evidence of n-3 PUFA's impact on depression. Overall, the combined analysis of these studies did not provide substantial evidence to support the efficacy of n-3 PUFAs in improving vasomotor symptoms, sleep quality, and depression. Further well-designed randomized clinical trials with larger participant groups are crucial to validate and generalize these results. Review Registration: PROSPERO registration no: CRD42023421922.

Sesamin suppresses angiotensin-II-enhanced oxidative stress and hypertrophic markers in H9c2 cells

Myocardial hypertrophy plays a crucial role in cardiovascular disease (CVD) development. Myocardial hypertrophy is an adaptive response by myocardial cells to stress after cardiac injury to maintain cardiac output and function. Angiotensin II (Ang-II) regulates CVD through the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, and its signaling in cardiac myocytes leads to excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, oxidative stress, and inflammation. Sesamin (SA), a natural compound in sesame seeds, has anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic effects. This study investigated whether SA could attenuate hypertrophic damage and oxidative injuries in H9c2 cells under Ang-II stimulation. We found that SA decreased the cell surface area. Furthermore, Ang-II treatment reduced Ang-II-increased ANP, BNP, and β-MHC expression. Ang-II enhanced NADPH oxidase activity, ROS formation, and decreased Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) activity. SA treatment reduces Ang-II-caused oxidative injuries. We also found that SA mitigates Ang-II-induced apoptosis and pro-inflammatory responses. In conclusion, SA could attenuate Ang-II-induced cardiac hypertrophic injuries by inhibiting oxidative stress, apoptosis, and inflammation in H9c2 cells. Therefore, SA might be a potential supplement for CVD management.

Mangiferin Protects against Angiotensin-II-Enhanced Hypertrophic Markers and Apoptosis in H9c2 Cardiomyocytes

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy accompanies numerous cardiovascular diseases, and the intervention of cardiac hypertrophy is an important issue to prevent detrimental consequences. Mangiferin (MGN) is a glucosylxanthone found in Mangifera indica, which exhibits anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Various studies have demonstrated the cardioprotective potential of MGN, but the mechanisms behind its beneficial effects have not been fully revealed. Here, angiotensin-II (Ang-II) was used to induce cardiac hypertrophy, and we examined cell size, expression of hypertrophy markers (e.g., ANP, BNP, and [Formula: see text]-MHC), and oxidative stress (e.g., the ratio of NADPH/NADP[Formula: see text], the expression of p22phox and p67phox, and ROS and SOD production) of cardiomyocytes. Moreover, we assessed the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling (e.g., p38 and ERK) and the NF-[Formula: see text]Bp65/iNOS axis. Additionally, an annexin V/PI assay was employed to evaluate whether MGN administration can attenuate Ang-II-elicited apoptosis. Lastly, the expression of Ang-II type 1 receptor (AT1) was measured to confirm its involvement in MGN-mediated protection. Our results showed that treatment with MGN attenuated the Ang-II-induced cell size, expression of hypertrophy markers, and oxidative stress in cardiomyocytes. MGN also abrogated the activation of MAPK signaling and the NF-[Formula: see text]Bp65/iNOS axis. Additionally, MGN prevented apoptosis and downregulated the elevation of AT1 in cardiomyocytes that had been exposed to Ang-II. Altogether, these results demonstrated the potential of using MGN to ameliorate the Ang-II-associated cardiac hypertrophy, which may be due to its anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects through suppression of MAPK signaling and the NF-[Formula: see text]Bp65/iNOS axis.

Motor Skills, Heart Rate Variability, and Arterial Stiffness in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

The prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) among children has been recently increasing. The severity of symptoms greatly varies between individuals with ASD, ranging from relatively mild to extremely severe. It is important to have a clearer understanding of the possible adverse consequences resulting from this disorder, such as delayed motor development, autonomic dysregulation, and arterial stiffness. Thus, the objective of this study was to investigate differences in motor skills, heart rate variability (HRV), and arterial stiffness between children with ASD and typically developing children. In this study, the school-aged children with mild symptoms of ASD (n = 17, 11.1 ± 1.0 years old) and typically developing peers (n = 15, 11.0 ± 0.5 years old) were recruited. Motor skills, HRV, and arterial stiffness were measured in these two groups. Motor skills were evaluated by the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency-Second Edition. Moreover, HRV was measured through a short-term recording using the Polar heart rate monitor, and arterial stiffness was assessed by non-invasive computerized oscillometry. Compared with the typically developing group, children with ASD displayed significant deficits in some areas of motor skills, including manual coordination, strength and agility, and total motor composite. Moreover, children with ASD exhibited significantly reduced HRV, including time- and frequency-domain measures. However, the results did not demonstrate any statistically significant differences in arterial stiffness between the groups. Our findings demonstrated the presence of motor skill deficits and autonomic dysregulation in children with ASD.

Diosgenin Attenuates Myocardial Cell Apoptosis Triggered by Oxidative Stress through Estrogen Receptor to Activate the PI3K/Akt and ERK Axes

Cardiovascular diseases in post-menopausal women are on a rise. Oxidative stress is the main contributing factor to the etiology and pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases. Diosgenin, a member of steroidal sapogenin, is structurally similar to estrogen and has been shown to have antioxidant effects. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the effects of diosgenin in preventing oxidation-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis and assessed its potential as a substitute substance for estrogen in post-menopausal women. Apoptotic pathways and mitochondrial membrane potential were measured in H9c2 cardiomyoblast cells and neonatal cardiomyocytes treated with diosgenin for 1[Formula: see text]h prior to hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) stimulation. H₂O₂-stimulated H9c2 cardiomyoblast cells displayed cytotoxicity and apoptosis via the activation of both Fas-dependent and mitochondria-dependent pathways. Additionally, it led to the instability of the mitochondrial membrane potential. However, the H₂O₂-induced H9c2 cell apoptosis was rescued by diosgenin through IGF1 survival pathway activation. This led to the recovery of the mitochondrial membrane potential by suppressing the Fas-dependent and mitochondria-dependent apoptosis. Diosgenin also inhibited H₂O₂-induced cytotoxicity and apoptosis through the estrogen receptor interaction with PI3K/Akt and extracellular regulated protein kinases 1/2 activation in myocardial cells. In this study, we confirmed that diosgenin attenuated H₂O₂-induced cytotoxicity and apoptosis through estrogen receptors-activated phosphorylation of PI3K/Akt and ERK signaling pathways in myocardial cells via estrogen receptor interaction. All results suggest that H₂O₂-induced myocardial damage is reduced by diosgenin due to its interaction with estrogen receptors to decrease the damage. Herein, we conclude that diosgenin might be a potential substitute substance for estrogen in post-menopausal women to prevent heart diseases.

Initial phase establishment of an in vitro method for developmental neurotoxicity test using Ki-67 in human neural progenitor cells

Building a precise alternative neurotoxicological test is of great importance to respond to societal and ethical requirements. In this study, a new developmental neurotoxicity test (DNT) was established with the human neural progenitor cell line. ReNcell CX cells were exposed to neurotoxic chemicals (aphidicolin, hydroxyurea, cytosine arabinoside, 5-fluorouracil, and ochratoxin A) or non-neurotoxic chemicals (sodium gluconate, sodium bicarbonate, penicillin G, and saccharin). Propidium iodide (PI) was used to evaluate cell viability. BrdU and Ki-76 were employed to determine cell proliferation. Based on the cell viability and proliferation, mathematical models were built by linear discriminant analysis. Furthermore, the neurotoxic-considered chemicals inhibited cell cycle progression at the protein level, supporting the biomolecular rationale for the predictive model. Overall, these results show that the new test method can be used to determine the potential developmental neurotoxicants or new drug candidates.

Efficacy of detergent-based cleaning and wiping against SARS-CoV-2 on high-touch surfaces

Efficacy of cleaning methods against SARS-CoV-2 suspended in either 5% soil load (SARS-soil) or simulated saliva (SARS-SS) was evaluated immediately (hydrated virus, T0) or 2 hours post-contamination (dried virus, T2). Hard water dampened wiping (DW) of surfaces, resulted in 1.77-3.91 log reduction (T0) or 0.93-2.41 log reduction (T2). Incorporating surface pre-wetting by spraying with a detergent solution (D + DW) or hard water (W + DW) just prior to dampened wiping did not unilaterally increase efficacy against infectious SARS-CoV-2, however, the effect was nuanced with respect to surface, viral matrix, and time. Cleaning efficacy on porous surfaces (seat fabric, SF) was low. W + DW on stainless steel (SS) was as effective as D + DW for all conditions except SARS-soil at T2 on SS. DW was the only method that consistently resulted in > 3-log reduction of hydrated (T0) SARS-CoV-2 on SS and ABS plastic. These results suggest that wiping with a hard water dampened wipe can reduce infectious virus on hard non-porous surfaces. Pre-wetting surfaces with surfactants did not significantly increase efficacy for the conditions tested. Surface material, presence or absence of pre-wetting, and time post-contamination affect efficacy of cleaning methods.

Anti-apoptotic and anti-fibrotic efficacy of exercise training in hypertensive hearts: A systematic review

Background

This review aims to summarize the antiapoptotic, pro-survival, and antifibrotic effects of exercise training in hypertensive hearts.

Methods

Keyword searches were conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus in May 2021. Research published in English on the effects of exercise training on the apoptosis, survival, and fibrosis pathways in hypertension was included. The CAMARADES checklist was used to determine the quality of the studies. Two reviewers independently implemented predesigned protocols for the search and selection of studies, the assessment of study quality, and the evaluation of the strength of evidence.

Results

Eleven studies were included after selection. The duration of the exercise training ranged from 5 to 27 weeks. Nine studies showed that exercise training improved cardiac survival rates by increasing IGF-1, IGF-1 receptor, p-PI3K, Bcl-2, HSP 72, and p-Akt. Furthermore, 10 studies showed that exercise training reduced apoptotic pathways by downregulating Bid, t-Bid, Bad, Bak, Bax, TNF, and FADD. Finally, two studies reported the modification and subsequent improvement of physiological characteristics of fibrosis and decreased MAPK p38 and PTEN levels by exercise training in the left ventricle of the heart.

Conclusions

The findings of the review showed that exercise training could improve cardiac survival rates and attenuate cardiac apoptotic and fibrotic pathways in hypertension, suggesting that exercise training could act as a therapeutic approach to prevent hypertension-induced cardiac apoptosis and fibrosis.

Systematic Review Registration

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk, identifier: CRD42021254118.

Transcriptomic Analyses of Exercise Training in Alzheimer's Disease Cerebral Cortex

BACKGROUND

Research reported exercise could reduce Alzheimer's disease (AD) symptoms in human and animals. However, the molecular mechanism of exercise training via transcriptomic analysis was unclear especially in AD in the cortex area.

OBJECTIVE

Investigate potential significant pathways in the cortex area that were affected by exercise during AD.

METHODS

RNA-seq analysis, differential expressed genes, functional enrichment analysis, and GSOAP clustering analysis were performed in the isolated cerebral cortex from eight 3xTg AD mice (12 weeks old) randomly and equally divided into control (AD) and exercise training (AD-EX) group. Swimming exercise training in AD-EX group was conducted 30 min/day for 1 month.

RESULTS

There were 412 genes significant differentially expressed in AD-EX group compared to AD group. Top 10 upregulated genes in AD-EX group against AD group mostly correlated with neuroinflammation, while top 10 downregulated genes mostly had connection with vascularization, membrane transport, learning memory, and chemokine signal. Pathway analysis revealed the upregulated interferon alpha beta signaling in AD-EX had association with cytokines delivery in microglia cells compared to AD and top 10 upregulated genes involved in interferon alpha beta were Usp18, Isg15, Mx1, Mx2, Stat1, Oas1a, and Irf9; The downregulated extracellular matrix organization in AD-EX had correlation with Aβ and neuron cells interaction and Vtn was one of the top 10 downregulated genes involved in this pathway.

CONCLUSION

Exercise training influenced 3xTg mice cortex through interferon alpha beta signaling upregulation and extracellular matrix organization downregulation based on transcriptomics analysis.

Psychophysiological factors as predictors of second language writing achievement in a computer-based test

Sleep quality, personality, and cognitive load potentially increase second language writing (SLW) anxiety and subsequently affect SLW achievement. This study investigates the predictions of sleep quality, personality (social inhibition/ negative affectivity), and cognitive load (content/ computer) toward SLW anxiety and achievement in a computer-based test. Participants included 172 voluntary undergraduates majoring in English as foreign language. SLW anxiety in a computer-based test, sleep disturbance, personality and cognitive load was assessed with the SLW Anxiety Inventory, Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index, Type-D Personality, and cognitive load questionnaires. A structural equation modeling approach was applied to examine the interdependence among the observed variables. An adequate-fit SLW anxiety model was built (X² = 6.37, df = 6, p = 0.383, NFI = 0.97, CFI = 1.00, RMSEA = 0.02; R-squared multiple correlations: SLW anxiety in a computer-based test = 0.19, computer-based SLW achievement = 0.07). The structural model showed that sleep disturbance (+0.17), social inhibition personality (+0.31), and computer-induced cognitive load (+0.16) were significant predictors of SLW anxiety in a computer-based test. Subsequently, SLW anxiety in a computer-based test (−0.16) and computer-induced cognitive load (−0.16) were significant negative predictors of computer-based SLW achievement.

Effect of exercise training on cardiac mitochondrial respiration, biogenesis, dynamics, and mitophagy in ischemic heart disease

Objective

Cardiac mitochondrial dysfunction was found in ischemic heart disease (IHD). Hence, this study determined the effects of exercise training (ET) on cardiac mitochondrial respiration and cardiac mitochondrial quality control in IHD.

Methods

A narrative synthesis was conducted after searching animal studies written in English in three databases (PubMed, Web of Science, and EMBASE) until December 2020. Studies that used aerobic exercise as an intervention for at least 3 weeks and had at least normal, negative (sedentary IHD), and positive (exercise-trained IHD) groups were included. The CAMARADES checklist was used to check the quality of the included studies.

Results

The 10 included studies (CAMARADES score: 6–7/10) used swimming or treadmill exercise for 3–8 weeks. Seven studies showed that ET ameliorated cardiac mitochondrial respiratory function as manifested by decreased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and increased complexes I-V activity, superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2), respiratory control ratio (RCR), NADH dehydrogenase subunits 1 and 6 (ND1/6), Cytochrome B (CytB), and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production. Ten studies showed that ET improved cardiac mitochondrial quality control in IHD as manifested by enhanced and/or controlled mitochondrial biogenesis, dynamics, and mitophagy. Four other studies showed that ET resulted in better cardiac mitochondrial physiological characteristics.

Conclusion

Exercise training could improve cardiac mitochondrial functions, including respiration, biogenesis, dynamics, and mitophagy in IHD.

Systematic review registration

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=226817, identifier: CRD42021226817.

Sensory Processing Impairments in Children with Developmental Coordination Disorder

The two objectives of this systematic review were to examine the following: (1) the difference in sensory processing areas (auditory, visual, vestibular, touch, proprioceptive, and multi-sensory) between children with and without developmental coordination disorder (DCD), and (2) the relationship between sensory processing and motor coordination in DCD. The following databases were comprehensively searched for relevant articles: PubMed, Science Direct, Web of Science, and Cochrane library. There were 1107 articles (published year = 2010 to 2021) found in the initial search. Full-text articles of all possibly relevant citations were obtained and inspected for suitability by two authors. The outcome measures were sensory processing impairments and their relationship with motor coordination. A total of 10 articles met the inclusion criteria. Children with DCD showed significant impairments in visual integration, tactile integration, proprioceptive integration, auditory integration, vestibular integration, and oral integration processes when compared with typically developing children. Evidence also supported that sensory processing impairments were associated with poor motor coordination in DCD. Preliminary support indicated that DCD have sensory processing impairments in visual, tactile, proprioceptive, auditory, and vestibular areas, which might contribute to participation restriction in motor activities. It is important to apply sensory integration therapy in rehabilitation programs for DCD in order to facilitate participation in daily activities.

Endonasal Septoplasty Using a Septal Cartilaginous Batten Graft for Managing Caudal Septal Deviation

Caudal nasal septal deviation is an important condition altering nasal obstruction and cosmetic appearance and many surgical techniques have been published on how to correct caudal septal deviation, as successful management of caudal septal deviation is challenging. The goal of our study was to explore the effect of endonasal septoplasty using a septal cartilaginous batten graft for managing caudal septal deviation. We tested 26 participants with caudal septal deviation who received endonasal septoplasty using a septal cartilaginous batten graft from 1 April 2019 to 29 June 2022, and followed up for at least 6 months. Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation (NOSE) Scale and visual analog scale (VAS) were recorded at baseline, 1 month, and 6 months after surgery. Valid samples were analyzed by repeated measures ANOVA and paired sample t-test. Average participant age was 36.15 ± 11.02 years old. The preoperative, 1-month postoperative, and 6-month postoperative NOSE scale decreased significantly (75.38 ± 15.62, 13.85 ± 7.79, and 14.04 ± 9.90; p < 0.001), while preoperative, 1-month postoperative, and 6-month postoperative VAS (convex/concave side) also improved (7.50 ± 0.81/3.38 ± 0.94, 2.27 ± 0.53/1.54 ± 0.58, and 2.31 ± 0.55/1.58 ± 0.58; p < 0.001). Our results showed that endonasal septoplasty using a septal cartilaginous batten graft had good surgical outcomes without an open scar or severe complications.

Possible Neuropathology of Sleep Disturbance Linking to Alzheimer's Disease: Astrocytic and Microglial Roles

Sleep disturbances not only deteriorate Alzheimer’s disease (AD) progress by affecting cognitive states but also accelerate the neuropathological changes of AD. Astrocytes and microglia are the principal players in the regulation of both sleep and AD. We proposed that possible astrocyte-mediated and microglia-mediated neuropathological changes of sleep disturbances linked to AD, such as astrocytic adenosinergic A1, A2, and A3 regulation; astrocytic dopamine and serotonin; astrocyte-mediated proinflammatory status (TNFα); sleep disturbance-attenuated microglial CX3CR1 and P2Y12; microglial Iba-1 and astrocytic glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP); and microglia-mediated proinflammatory status (IL-1b, IL-6, IL-10, and TNFα). Furthermore, astrocytic and microglial amyloid beta (Aβ) and tau in AD were reviewed, such as astrocytic Aβ interaction in AD; astrocyte-mediated proinflammation in AD; astrocytic interaction with Aβ in the central nervous system (CNS); astrocytic apolipoprotein E (ApoE)-induced Aβ clearance in AD, as well as microglial Aβ clearance and aggregation in AD; proinflammation-induced microglial Aβ aggregation in AD; microglial-accumulated tau in AD; and microglial ApoE and TREM2 in AD. We reviewed astrocytic and microglial roles in AD and sleep, such as astrocyte/microglial-mediated proinflammation in AD and sleep; astrocytic ApoE in sleep and AD; and accumulated Aβ-triggered synaptic abnormalities in sleep disturbance. This review will provide a possible astrocytic and microglial mechanism of sleep disturbance linked to AD.

Exercise Training Enhances BDNF/TrkB Signaling Pathway and Inhibits Apoptosis in Diabetic Cerebral Cortex

This study aimed to clarify the therapeutic effects of exercise training on neural BDNF/TrkB signaling and apoptotic pathways in diabetic cerebral cortex. Thirty-six male C57BL/6JNarl mice were randomly divided into three groups: control (CON-G), diabetic group (DM-G, 100 mg/kg streptozotocin, i.p.), and diabetic with exercise training group (DMEX-G, Swim training for 30 min/day, 5 days/week). After 12 weeks, H&E staining, TUNEL staining, and Western blotting were performed to detect the morphological changes, neural apoptosis, and protein levels in the cerebral cortex. The Bcl2, BclxL, and pBad were significant decreased in DM-G compared with CON-G, whereas they (excluded the Ras and pRaf1) were increased in DMEX-G. In addition, interstitial space and TUNEL(+) apoptotic cells found increased in DM-G with increases in Fas/FasL-mediated (FasL, Fas, FADD, cleaved-caspase-8, and cleaved-caspase-3) and mitochondria-initiated (tBid, Bax/Bcl2, Bak/BclxL, Bad, Apaf1, cytochrome c, and cleaved-caspase-9) apoptotic pathways. However, diabetes-induced neural apoptosis was less in DMEX-G than DM-G with observed raises in the BDNF/TrkB signaling pathway as well as decreases in Fas/FasL-mediated and mitochondria-initiated pathways. In conclusion, exercise training provided neuroprotective effects via enhanced neural BDNF/TrkB signaling pathway and prevent Fas/FasL-mediated and mitochondria-initiated apoptotic pathways in diabetic cerebral cortex.

Exercise intervention prevents early aged hypertension-caused cardiac dysfunction through inhibition of cardiac fibrosis

Background: An inappropriate accumulation of fibrillar collagen is a common pathologic feature of early aged hypertensive heart disease, but little information regarding the effects of exercise training on cardiac fibrosis in hypertension is available. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of exercise training on cardiac fibrotic pathways in early aged hypertensive rats.

Methods: Masson’s trichrome staining and Western blotting were performed on the excised left ventricle from twenty male spontaneously hypertensive rats at age of 48 weeks, which were randomly divided into either a sedentary hypertensive group (SHR) or exercise hypertensive group (SHR-EX, running on a treadmill running occurred 5 days/week for 60 min/day, for 12 weeks), and from age-matched male Wistar–Kyoto normotensive controls (WKY).

Results: Interstitial fibrosis was reduced in the SHR-Ex group when compared with the SHR group. The fibrotic-related protein levels of AT₁R, FGF23, LOX-2, TGF-β, CTGF, p-Smad 2/3, MMP-2/TIMP-2, MMP-9/TIMP-1, uPA and collagen I were decreased in the SHR-EX group, when compared with the SHR group.

Conclusions: Exercise training suppresses early aged hypertensive heart-induced LOX-2/TGF-β-mediated fibrotic pathways associated with decreasing AT₁R and FGF23, which might provide a new therapeutic effect for exercise training to prevent adverse cardiac fibrosis and myocardial abnormalities in early aged hypertension.

Cardiovascular Disease and Possible Ways in Which Lycopene Acts as an Efficient Cardio-Protectant against Different Cardiovascular Risk Factors

Foods rich in antioxidants such as lycopene have a major role in maintaining cardiac health. Lycopene, 80% of which can be obtained by consuming a common vegetable such as tomato, can prevent the disturbances that contribute to cardiovascular disease (CVD). The present work begins with a brief introduction to CVD and lycopene and its various properties such as bioavailability, pharmacokinetics, etc. In this review, the potential cardio-protective effects of lycopene that reduce the progression of CVD and thrombotic complications are detailed. Further, the protective effects of lycopene including in vitro, in vivo and clinical trials conducted on lycopene for CVD protective effects are explained. Finally, the controversial aspect of lycopene as a protective agent against CVD and toxicity are also mentioned.

Anti-apoptotic effects of diosgenin on ovariectomized hearts

BACKGROUND

The anti-apoptotic effects of diosgenin, a steroid saponin, on hearts in female with estrogen deficiency have been less studied. This study aimed to evaluate the anti-apoptotic effects of diosgenin on cardiac widely dispersed apoptosis in a bilateral ovariectomized animal model.

METHODS

A total of 60 female Wistar rats, aged 6-7 months, were divided into the sham-operated group (Sham), bilateral ovariectomized rats for 2 months, and ovariectomized rats administered with 0, 10, 50, or 100 mg/kg diosgenin daily (OVX, OVX 10, OVX 50, and OVX 100, respectively) in the second month. The excised hearts were analyzed by H&E staining, TUNEL(+) assays and Western Blot.

RESULT

Cardiac TUNEL(+) apoptotic cells, the levels of Fas ligand, Fas death receptors, Fas-associated death domain, active caspase-8, and active caspase-3 (FasL/Fas-mediated pathways) as well as the levels of Bax, Bad, Bax/Bcl2, Bad/p-Bad, cytosolic Cytochrome c, active caspase-9, and active caspase-3 (mitochondria-initiated pathway) were increased in OVX compared with Sham group but those were decreased in OVX 50 compared with OVX.

CONCLUSION

Diosgenin appeared to prevent or suppress ovariectomy-induced cardiac FasL/Fas-mediated and mitochondria-initiated apoptosis. These findings might provide one of the possible therapeutic approaches of diosgenin for potentially preventing cardiac apoptosis in women after bilateral ovariectomy or women with estrogen deficiency.

CRISPR-Edited Stem Cell Transplantation for HIV-Related Gene Modification In Vivo: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

CRISPR is a novel genomic editing technology which can be useful for the treatment of immune diseases such as HIV. However, the application of CRISPR in stem cells for HIV-related research was not effective, and most of the research was done in vivo. This systematic review is to identify a new research idea about increase CRISPR-editing efficiencies in stem cell transplantation for HIV treatment, as well as its future perspective.

METHOD

Four databases were searched for articles published during 1952 to 2020. PRISMA method was used to select appropriate research papers. CAMARADES was used to identify the paper quality. The outcome was engraftment efficiency, gene disruption percentage, differentiation ability, HIV-resistant efficiency.

RESULT

Screening method showed 196 papers mentioned the topic. However, only 5 studies were reliable with the research objective. We found that (1) Two research ideas which was double gene knockout and knockout-knockin method to provide HIV-resistant cells, engraftment support and avoid cardiac disease as an HIV disease side effect. (2) Ribonucleoprotein (RNP) delivery was the best way to deliver the CRISPR/Cas9 and Adeno-Associated Virus (AAV) would be effective for knockin purpose. (3) CRISPR/SaCas9 could replace CRISPR/Cas9 role in editing HIV-related gene.

CONCLUSION

Potential genes to increase HIV resistance and stem cell engraftment should be explored more in the future. Double knockout and knock-in procedures should be applied to set up a better engraftment for improving HIV treatment or resistance of patients. CRISPR/SaCas9 and RNP delivery should be explored more in the future.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION

PROSPERO CRD42020203312.

Neuroprotective Effects of a Small Mitochondrially-Targeted Tetrapeptide Elamipretide in Neurodegeneration

Neural mitochondrial dysfunction, neural oxidative stress, chronic neuroinflammation, toxic protein accumulation, and neural apoptosis are common causes of neurodegeneration. Elamipretide, a small mitochondrially-targeted tetrapeptide, exhibits therapeutic effects and safety in several mitochondria-related diseases. In neurodegeneration, extensive studies have shown that elamipretide enhanced mitochondrial respiration, activated neural mitochondrial biogenesis via mitochondrial biogenesis regulators (PCG-1α and TFAM) and the translocate factors (TOM-20), enhanced mitochondrial fusion (MNF-1, MNF-2, and OPA1), inhibited mitochondrial fission (Fis-1 and Drp-1), as well as increased mitophagy (autophagy of mitochondria). In addition, elamipretide has been shown to attenuate neural oxidative stress (hydrogen peroxide, lipid peroxidation, and ROS), neuroinflammation (TNF, IL-6, COX-2, iNOS, NLRP3, cleaved caspase-1, IL-1β, and IL-18), and toxic protein accumulation (Aβ). Consequently, elamipretide could prevent neural apoptosis (cytochrome c, Bax, caspase 9, and caspase 3) and enhance neural pro-survival (Bcl2, BDNF, and TrkB) in neurodegeneration. These findings suggest that elamipretide may prevent the progressive development of neurodegenerative diseases via enhancing mitochondrial respiration, mitochondrial biogenesis, mitochondrial fusion, and neural pro-survival pathway, as well as inhibiting mitochondrial fission, oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, toxic protein accumulation, and neural apoptosis. Elamipretide or mitochondrially-targeted peptide might be a targeted agent to attenuate neurodegenerative progression.

Residual Antimicrobial Coating Efficacy Against SARS-CoV-2

AIMS

This study evaluated the residual efficacy of commercially available antimicrobial coatings or films against SARS-CoV-2 on nonporous surfaces.

METHOD AND RESULTS

Products were applied to stainless steel or ABS plastic coupons and dried overnight. Coupons were inoculated with SARS-CoV-2 in the presence of 5% soil load. Recovered infectious SARS-CoV-2 was quantified by TCID50 assay. Tested product efficacies ranged from <1.0 to >3.0 log₁₀ reduction at a 2-hour contact time. The log₁₀ reduction in recovered infectious SARS-CoV-2 ranged from 0.44 to 3 log₁₀ reduction on stainless steel and 0.25 to >1.67 log₁₀ on ABS plastic. The most effective products tested contained varying concentrations (0.5 to 1.3%) of the same active ingredient: 3- (trihydroxysilyl) propyldimethyloctadecyl ammonium chloride. Products formulated with other quaternary ammonium compounds were less effective against SARS-CoV-2 in this test.

CONCLUSIONS

The residual antimicrobial products tested showed varied effectiveness against SARS-CoV-2 as a function of product tested. Several products were identified as efficacious against SARS-CoV-2 on both stainless steel and ABS plastic surfaces under the conditions evaluated. Differences in observed efficacy may be due to variation in active ingredient formulation; efficacy is, therefore, difficult to predict based upon listed active ingredient and its concentration.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT

This study highlights formulation-specific efficacy of several products against SARS-CoV-2 and may inform future development of residual antiviral products for use on nonporous surfaces. The identification of antimicrobial coatings or films showing promise to inactivate SARS-CoV-2 suggests that these products may be worth future testing and consideration.

Effects of Mdivi-1 on Neural Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Mitochondria-Mediated Apoptosis in Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury After Stroke: A Systematic Review of Preclinical Studies

This systematic review sought to determine the effects of Mitochondrial division inhibitor-1 (Mdivi-1) on neural mitochondrial dysfunction and neural mitochondria-mediated apoptosis in ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury after ischemic stroke. Pubmed, Web of Science, and EMBASE databases were searched through July 2021. The studies published in English language that mentioned the effects of Mdivi-1 on neural mitochondrial dysfunction and neural mitochondria-mediated apoptosis in I/R-induced brain injury were included. The CAMARADES checklist (for in vivo studies) and the TOXRTOOL checklist (for in vitro studies) were used for study quality evaluation. Twelve studies were included (median CAMARADES score = 6; TOXRTOOL scores ranging from 16 to 18). All studies investigated neural mitochondrial functions, providing that Mdivi-1 attenuated the mitochondrial membrane potential dissipation, ATP depletion, and complexes I-V abnormalities; enhanced mitochondrial biogenesis, as well as inactivated mitochondrial fission and mitophagy in I/R-induced brain injury. Ten studies analyzed neural mitochondria-mediated apoptosis, showing that Mdivi-1 decreased the levels of mitochondria-mediated proapoptotic factors (AIF, Bax, cytochrome c, caspase-9, and caspase-3) and enhanced the level of antiapoptotic factor (Bcl-2) against I/R-induced brain injury. The findings suggest that Mdivi-1 can protect neural mitochondrial functions, thereby attenuating neural mitochondria-mediated apoptosis in I/R-induced brain injury. Our review supports Mdivi-1 as a potential therapeutic compound to reduce brain damage in ischemic stroke (PROSPERO protocol registration ID: CRD42020205808). Systematic Review Registration: [https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/], identifier [CRD42020205808].

Synergistic anti-atherosclerotic effect of Yerba Maté (Illex Paraguariensis) polyphenols and Lox-1 silencing in foam cell model

Purpose: To elucidate the anti-atherosclerotic effect of Yerba Mate polyphenols (MP) as well as the anti-atherosclerotic effect of a combination of MP and silencing of lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor-1 interference group (LOX)-1.Methods: The anti-atherosclerotic effects of control group (CG), simvastatin group (SG), MP group (MP), LOX-1 interference group (LOX) and MP + LOX-1 interference group (MP-LOX) were determined using Oil Red O staining, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and Western blot assay.Results: The levels of foam cells, intracellular lipids, viz, total cholesterol (TC), free cholesterol (FC), cholesterol ester (CE) and acyl-coenzyme A: cholesterol acyltransferase 1 (ACAT1); LOX-1, inflammation (TNF-alpha, IL-6 and pNF-κB/NF-κB); adhesion molecular status (ICAM-1 and VCAM-1), and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 in SG and in MP, LOX and MP-LOX groups were significantly decreased, when compared with CG (p < 0.01). The levels of these parameters were much lower in MPLOX group than in SG (p < 0.01). However, they were synergistically reduced in MP-LOX group, relative to MP group or LOX group (p < 0.01). Combination of LOX-1 gene silencing with MP produced synergistic anti-atherosclerotic effect which was reflected in decreases in foam cell formation, intracellular lipids, inflammatory status, adhesion molecular status, and MCP-1-mediated migration and infiltration of macrophages in foam cells.Conclusion: The synergistic anti-atherosclerotic effects of MP and LOX-1 gene silencing may be potential tools for development of anti-atherosclerotic agents.

Angiotensin II receptor blocker irbesartan attenuates sleep apnea-induced cardiac apoptosis and enhances cardiac survival and Sirtuin 1 upregulation

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether or not angiotensin II type 1 receptor blocker irbesartan (ARB) with a partial agonist of PPAR-γ could protect against chronic nocturnal intermittent hypoxia (CIH)-induced cardiac Fas/FasL-mediated to mitochondria-mediated apoptosis.

METHODS

Sprague-Dawley rats were in a normoxic control group (CON-G), or rats were in a chronic nocturnal intermittent hypoxia group (HP-G, from 3 to 7% oxygen versus 21% oxygen per forty seconds cycle, nocturnally 8 h per day for 1 month), or rats were in a chronic nocturnal intermittent hypoxia group pretreated with ARB (50 mg/kg/day, S.C.) (ARB-HP-G). Echocardiography, H&E staining, TUNEL staining, and Western blotting were measured in the left ventricle.

RESULTS

Hypoxia-induced SIRT1 degradation, Fas receptors, FADD, active caspase-8 and caspase-3 (Fas/FasL apoptotic pathway) and Bax, tBid, active caspase-9 and -3 (mitochondrial apoptotic pathway) and TUNEL-positive apoptosis were reduced in ARB-HP-G when compared with HP-G. IGF-I, IGF1 receptor, p-PI3k, p-Akt, Bcl2, and Bcl-XL (IGF1/PI3K/AKT pro-survival pathway) were increased in ARB-HP-G compared to HP-G.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that the ARB may prevent cardiac Fas/FasL to mitochondrial apoptotic pathways and enhance cardiac IGF1/PI3K/AKT pro-survival pathway in the sleep apnea model associated with JNK de-activation and SIRT1 upregulation. ARB prevents chronic sleep apnea-enhanced cardiac apoptosis via enhancing survival pathways.

Shoulder transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation decreases heart rate via potentiating vagal tone

By enhancing vagal activity, auricle transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation (TENS) is developed as a non-invasive therapy for heart failure. Nevertheless, though shoulder TENS used for treating adhesive capsulitis could affect vagal tone, its potential impact on heart functions remains unclear. In this study, electrocardiogram (ECG) and heart rate (HR) of subjects in response to sham, right-sided, or left-sided shoulder TENS (TENS-S, TENS-R, and TENS-L, respectively; 5 min) were recorded and analyzed. During the stimulation period, TENS-R constantly and TENS-L transiently decreased the HR of subjects; both TENS-R and TENS-L increased powers of the low- and high-frequency spectra. While TENS-R exhibiting no effect, TENS-L increased the ratio of low/high-frequency power spectrum indicating TENS-R decreased the HR through potentiating cardiac vagal tone. Collectively, these results suggest TENS could be an early and non-invasive therapy for heart failure patients before considering implant devices or devices are not feasible; moreover, therapists/physicians need to carefully monitor the potential adverse events during treatment for patient safety.

Trial registration: The study protocol was registered in ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03982472; 11/06/2019).

Cerebral Cortex Apoptosis in Early Aged Hypertension: Effects of Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate

This study aimed to investigate cerebral cortex apoptosis on the early aged hypertension and the effects of green tea flavonoid epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG). Twenty-four rats were divided into three groups: a control Wistar-Kyoto group (WKY, n = 8), a spontaneously early aged hypertensive group (SHR, n = 8), and an early aged hypertension with EGCG treatment group (SHR-EGCG, n = 8; daily oral EGCG 200 mg/kg-94%, 12 weeks). At 48 weeks old, blood pressures (BPs) were evaluated and cerebral cortexes were isolated for TUNEL assay and Western blotting. Systolic, diastolic, and mean blood pressure levels in the SHR-EGCG were reduced compared to the SHR. The percentage of neural cell deaths, the levels of cytosolic Endonuclease G, cytosolic AIF (Caspase-independent apoptotic pathway), Fas, Fas Ligand, FADD, Caspase-8 (Fas-mediated apoptotic pathway), t-Bid, Bax/Bcl-2, Bak/Bcl-xL, cytosolic Cytochrome C, Apaf-1, Caspase-9 (Mitochondrial-mediated apoptotic pathway), and Caspase-3 (Fas-mediated and Mitochondria-mediated apoptotic pathways) were increased in the SHR relative to WKY and reduced in SHR-EGCG relative to SHR. In contrast, the levels of Bcl-2, Bcl-xL, p-Bad, 14-3-3, Bcl-2/Bax, Bcl-xL/Bak, and p-Bad/Bad (Bcl-2 family-related pro-survival pathway), as well as Sirt1, p-PI3K/PI3K and p-AKT/AKT (Sirt1/PI3K/AKT-related pro-survival pathway), were reduced in SHR relative WKY and enhanced in SHR-EGCG relative to SHR. In conclusion, green tea flavonoid epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) might prevent neural apoptotic pathways and activate neural survival pathways, providing therapeutic effects on early aged hypertension-induced neural apoptosis.

Anti-apoptotic and pro-survival effect of exercise training on early aged hypertensive rat cerebral cortex

The anti-apoptotic and pro-survival effects of exercise training were evaluated on the early aged hypertensive rat cerebral cortex. The brain tissues were analysed from ten sedentary male Wistar Kyoto normotensive rats (WKY), ten sedentary spontaneously 12 month early aged hypertensive rats (SHR), and ten hypertensive rats undergoing treadmill exercise training (60 min/day, 5 days/week) for 12 weeks (SHR-EX). TUNEL-positive apoptotic cells, the expression levels of endonuclease G (EndoG) and apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) (caspase-independent apoptotic pathway), Fas ligand, Fas death receptor, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, TNF receptor 1, Fas-associated death domain, active caspase-8 and active caspase-3 (Fas-mediated apoptotic pathways) as well as t-Bid, Bax, Bak, Bad, cytochrome c, active caspase 9 and active caspase-3 (mitochondria-mediated apoptotic pathways) were reduced in SHR-EX compared with SHR. Pro-survival Bcl2, Bcl-xL, p-Bad, 14-3-3, insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1, pPI3K/PI3K, and pAKT/AKT were significantly increased in SHR-EX compared to those in SHR. Exercise training suppressed neural EndoG/AIF-related caspase-independent, Fas/FasL-mediated caspase-dependent, mitochondria-mediated caspase-dependent apoptotic pathways as well as enhanced Bcl-2 family-related and IGF-1-related pro-survival pathways in the early aged hypertensive cerebral cortex. These findings indicated new therapeutic effects of exercise training on preventing early aged hypertension-induced neural apoptosis in cerebral cortex.

Effects of Treadmill Exercise on Neural Mitochondrial Functions in Parkinson's Disease: A Systematic Review of Animal Studies

This systematic review sought to determine the effects of treadmill exercise on the neural mitochondrial respiratory deficiency and neural mitochondrial quality-control dysregulation in Parkinson's disease. PubMed, Web of Science, and EMBASE databases were searched through March 2020. The English-published animal studies that mentioned the effects of treadmill exercise on neural mitochondria in Parkinson's disease were included. The CAMARADES checklist was used to assess the methodological quality of the studies. Ten controlled trials were included (median CAMARADES score = 5.7/10) with various treadmill exercise durations (1-18 weeks). Seven studies analyzed the neural mitochondrial respiration, showing that treadmill training attenuated complex I deficits, cytochrome c release, ATP depletion, and complexes II-V abnormalities in Parkinson's disease. Nine studies analyzed the neural mitochondrial quality-control, reporting that treadmill exercise improved mitochondrial biogenesis, mitochondrial fusion, and mitophagy in Parkinson's disease. The review findings supported the hypothesis that treadmill training could attenuate both neural mitochondrial respiratory deficiency and neural mitochondrial quality-control dysregulation in Parkinson's disease, suggesting that treadmill training might slow down the progression of Parkinson's disease.

Impactful factors and research design in CRISPR-edited stem cell research from top 10 highly cited articles

Our objective in this review was to determine (1) impactful research articles about CRISPR-edited stem cells, (2) factors that affected CRISPR method performance in stem cell, and (3) research design related to CRISPR-edited stem cells. Screening research papers of related topic was carried out by using the Science Citation Index Expanded (SCIE) database of the Clarivate Analytics Web of Science Core Collection updated. We screened impactful CRISPR/Cas9-edited stem cells based on total citation until 2020. The result showed the title “RNA-guided human genome engineering via Cas9” was the highest citation in stem cell research using the CRISPR method with total citation 4789 from Web of Science Core Collection until 2020. It became the most influenced paper because this was the first research using CRISPR method for modifying human cells. On the other hand, cell type, CRISPR/Cas9 delivery, and gene target affected CRISPR/Cas9 performance in stem cells. The more complex the cell structure, the more difficult for CRISPR/Cas9 to mutate the host cells. This problem could be solved by modifying the CRISPR/Cas9 delivery by liposome and SaCas9 modification. Another way was using ribonucleoprotein (RNP) as a delivery method. Then, double gene target was more difficult to execute than single gene target. Although it is difficult, CRISPR/Cas9 had the capability to target any genome region from promoter until intron. Research design used a combination of dry lab and wet lab. The dry lab is usually used for sequence analysis and gRNA design. The wet lab which consisted of in vitro and in vivo was used for gene characterization. In particular, colony selection, DNA analysis, and sequencing were important parts for in vitro research design, while DNA analysis and sequencing were crucial parts for in vivo research design. We hoped these findings could give researchers, investor, and students a guideline to conduct CRISPR-edited stem cells in the future.

Photobiomodulation Therapy to Promote Angiogenesis in Diabetic Mice with Hindlimb Ischemia

Objective: To assess whether photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) induces angiogenesis in diabetic mice with hindlimb ischemia (HLI). Background: Patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) are at high risk of developing peripheral arterial disease (PAD) in the lower extremities. PBMT has been shown to promote angiogenesis both in vitro and in vivo and could be a treatment for DM patients with PAD. Methods: Femoral artery ligation/excision in mice was performed to induce HLI as an animal model of PAD. PBMT at a dose of 660 nm and 1.91 J/cm² was delivered for 10 min on 5 consecutive days after the HLI surgery. Control mice received HLI only. Mice in the DM group were injected with streptozocin to induce diabetes before HLI surgery. Mice in the laser and DM+ laser groups received both HLI and PBMT, and the latter group had induced DM. After the laser treatment, lower limb blood flow was evaluated by laser Doppler. The capillary density and CD31 were analyzed by immunofluorescence staining, and protein levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A, hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), and extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK) were measured by Western blotting of tissue samples. Results: Compared with the control and DM mice, the laser and DM+ laser groups had more than double the capillary density and blood perfusion rate. Levels of CD31 and VEGF-A proteins in groups that received laser were increased by 1.9- to 3.2-fold compared with groups that did not undergo laser treatment. Animals treated with PBMT exhibited significantly increased HIF-1α expression and ERK phosphorylation compared with animals that did not receive this treatment, and the amount of phospho-eNOS and iNOS increased and decreased, respectively. Conclusions: PBMT can induce therapeutic angiogenesis, indicating that low intensity laser could be a novel treatment for PAD patients.

Aging Additively Influences Insulin- and Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1-Mediated Endothelial Dysfunction and Antioxidant Deficiency in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats

This study aimed to investigate the aging-related endothelial dysfunction mediated by insulin and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and antioxidant deficiency in hypertension. Male spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) and age-matched normotensive Wistar–Kyoto rats (WKYs) were randomly divided into 24-week-old (younger) and 48-week-old (older) groups, respectively. The endothelial function was evaluated by the insulin- and IGF-1-mediated vasorelaxation of aortic rings via the organ bath system. Serum levels of nitric oxide (NO), malondialdehyde (MDA), catalase, and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were examined. The insulin- and IGF-1-mediated vasorelaxation was significantly impaired in both 24- and 48-week-old SHRs compared with age-matched WKYs and was significantly worse in the 48-week-old SHR than the 24-week-old SHR. After pretreatments of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) or NO synthase (NOS) inhibitors, the insulin- and IGF-1-mediated vasorelaxation became similar among four groups. The serum level of MDA was significantly increased, while the NO, catalase, and TAC were significantly reduced in the 48-week-old SHR compared with the 24-week-old SHR. This study demonstrated that the process of aging additively affected insulin- and IGF-1-mediated endothelial dysfunction in SHRs, which could be partly attributed to the reduced NO production and antioxidant deficiency.

Anti-apoptotic and pro-survival effects of longan flower extracts on rat hearts with fructose-induced metabolic syndrome

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of longan flower (LF) water extract on cardiac apoptotic and survival pathways in rat models of fructose-induced metabolic syndrome. The study findings revealed that the levels of glucose, insulin, triglyceride, and cholesterol and TUNEL-positive apoptotic cells were significantly increased in the HF group compared with the control group; whereas, the levels were decreased in the HFLF group. The expressions of Fas, FADD, and activated caspases 8 and 3, as well as the expressions of Bax, Bak, Bax/Bcl-2, Bak/Bcl-xL, cytosolic cytochrome c, and activated caspases 9 and 3 were increased in the HF group were significantly reversed in HFLF administrated group. Furthermore, LF extract increased IGF-1R, p-PI3K, p-Akt, Bcl-2, and Bcl-xL expression compared to HF group. Taken together, the present findings help identify LF as a potential cardioprotective agent that can be effectively used in treating fructose-induced metabolic syndrome.

Coagulopathy after snake envenomation in South Korea

OBJECTIVE

This retrospective study investigated the nature and severity of venom-induced consumption coagulopathy (VICC) and determined the clotting factors involved in VICC in patients after envenomation by South Korea's snakes. Additionally, we studied the effectiveness of antivenom for the treatment of VICC after envenomation.

METHODS

Included patients were divided into three groups according to the severity of VICC (no VICC, partial VICC, and complete VICC). Data, including changes in coagulation parameters during hospitalization and clotting factors at presentation, were collected and analyzed.

RESULTS

One hundred nineteen patients who presented at our emergency department within 3 h after snake envenomation were included. VICC developed in 34 patients (27 patients with partial VICC and 7 patients with complete VICC). Two of 34 patients with VICC required blood transfusions. Five patients with complete VICC had an undetectable fibrinogen concentration at presentation. Three patients with complete VICC had an unmeasurable INR and aPTT within 24 h. The median times of the most extreme values were 10 h for INR, 12 h for aPTT, and 16 h for fibrinogen after presentation in the VICC group. The D-dimer concentration peaked at a median of 63.5 h after presentation. The activities of factors II and X were significantly reduced in the complete VICC group (factor II: 88 (84-99.3)% in the non-VICC group vs. 69 (49.5-83.5)% in the complete VICC group; factor X:94 (83-102) in the non-VICC group vs. 70 (66.5-79.8)% in the complete VICC group), while there was no difference in factor V activity at presentation. The time from bite to first antivenom administration did not correlate with the time course and most extreme concentrations for fibrinogen and D-dimer within the VICC groups.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

VICC occurs in approximately one-quarter of snakebite patients in South Korea; however, VICC itself does not appear to lead to clinical deterioration. Fibrinogen is an early diagnostic maker for complete VICC. Clotting factors II and X are involved in VICC. Future investigations should explore the mechanism of VICC from Korean snakebites and the effect of antivenom on VICC.

How Breathing Exercises Influence on Respiratory Muscles and Quality of Life among Patients with COPD? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Aim

This systematic review aimed to investigate the effect of different breathing exercises on respiratory muscle function, 6-minute walk test (6MWT), and quality of life (QoL) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Methods

We searched online databases including PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Ovid for randomized controlled trials that assessed the efficacy of breathing exercises on patients with COPD. Patient outcome parameters included changes in respiratory muscle function, 6MWT, and QoL. The Cochrane Collaboration tool was used to assess the risk of bias for each included study. Subgroup analyses concerning different interventions and outcome measurements were conducted as necessary. PROSPERO registration number is CRD42018118367.

Results

A total of 17 studies were included for final analysis. Meta-analysis based on the relevant studies showed that breathing exercises had a significant total effect on pulmonary function PImax (mean difference (MD) = 8.65, 95% confidence interval (CI) 3.13-14.16, P=0.002), as well as 6MWT (MD = 27.70, 95% CI 5.45-49.94, P=0.01) in patients with COPD.

Conclusions

This systematic review summarized the use of breathing exercises for treating patients with COPD. Breathing exercises were found to be an effective tool for treating patients with COPD by improving inspiratory muscle strength and 6MWT. However, breathing exercises showed no significant improvements on the QoL of patients with COPD.

Voluntary exercise training attenuated the middle-aged maturity-induced cardiac apoptosis

AIMS

Voluntary exercise training has cardioprotective effects in humans, but the underlying mechanism is unknown. This research was done to estimate the effect of voluntary exercise training to attenuate middle-aged maturity-induced cardiac apoptosis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study was designed to divide 64 male mice randomly into four groups, consisting of a 9-month sedentary pre-middle-aged group (9M), 15-month sedentary middle-aged group (15M), and two exercise groups using a voluntary wheel running respectively (9M+EX, 15M+EX). After 3 months, the condition of cardiac apoptosis in different groups was measured by HE dying, TUNEL and DAPI staining, and Western Blot analysis.

KEY FINDINGS

TUNEL-positive cells were increased in 15M group compared with 9M group, while decreased in 9M+EX and 15M+EX groups compared with their control groups respectively. Protein levels of AIF, Endo G, TNF-α, TNFR1, TRAF2, TRADD, Fas, FasL, FADD, activated caspase 8, 3, 9, Bax/Bcl2, Bak/BclxL, and tBid were decreased in 9M+EX and 15M+EX groups compared with their control groups respectively. The protein levels of pBad/Bad, 14-3-3, IGF1, IGFR1, pPI3K/PI3K, and pAKT/AKT were more activated in the 9M+EX and 15M+EX groups than those in their control groups respectively. Significant differences were found between 9M group and 15M group for the protein levels of TRAF2, FADD, Bax/Bcl2, tBid and pAKT/AKT.

SIGNIFICANCE

Voluntary exercise training as an important lifestyle modification may prevent cardiac widely dispersed apoptosis and enhance cardiac survival at middle-aged maturity.

The concordance rate of non-chromosomal congenital malformations in twins based on zygosity: a retrospective cohort study

OBJECTIVE

To examine the concordance rate of non-chromosomal congenital malformations in twin pairs based on zygosity.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

SETTING

A tertiary hospital in Korea.

POPULATION

Twin pairs born at Seoul National University Hospital between 2001 and 2019.

METHODS

Congenital malformations were diagnosed by postnatal workups of neonates or autopsy in cases of stillborn infants. Zygosity was confirmed by sex, chorionicity and DNA analysis.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Concordance rate of congenital malformations in twin pairs based on zygosity.

RESULTS

In total, 3386 twin pairs were included. The risk of a congenital malformation in the index twin increased significantly if the co-twin had the congenital malformation, and the concordance rate was higher in monozygotic (MZ) than in dizygotic (DZ) twins (37.04 versus 16.77, P < 0.001). An increased risk of a congenital malformation in the presence of the same congenital malformation in the co-twin was observed only for malformations of the nervous system, eye/ear/face/neck, circulatory system, cleft lip/palate, genital organs, urinary system and musculoskeletal system. Significantly higher concordance rates in MZ than in DZ twin pairs were observed only for the nervous system (40.00 versus 0.00, P < 0.001), circulatory system (32.97 versus 19.74, P = 0.021), cleft lip/palate (44.44 versus 0.00, P = 0.017) and urinary system (22.22 versus 0.00, P = 0.004), whereas significant differences were not found for the genital organs or musculoskeletal system.

CONCLUSIONS

Monozygotic twins had higher concordance rates than DZ twins only in specific organ systems. It may be speculated that nervous system, circulatory system, cleft lip/palate and urinary system are primarily genetically affected.

TWEETABLE ABSTRACT

Monozygotic twins had higher concordance rates than dizygotic twins only in specific organ systems.

The effect of myocardial injury on the clinical course of snake envenomation in South Korea

CONTENT

This study investigated the incidence, progression and clinical course of myocardial injury-related snake envenomation in South Korea. In addition, this study evaluated whether antivenom guidelines are appropriate to control envenomation in patients with myocardial injury.

METHODS

The study included 198 patients who received antivenom after a snakebite, and they were divided into two groups according to evidence of myocardial injury (defined as elevated troponin I or ischemic change on electrocardiogram) at presentation. Data including serial troponin I, echocardiogram/coronary angiogram findings, the clinical course, and treatment were collected and analyzed.

RESULTS

The incidence of myocardial injury at presentation was 15.2%. The troponin I level was 0.11 (0.07-0.56) ng/ml at presentation and tended to decrease over 24 h. Echocardiograms revealed neither regional wall motion abnormalities nor left ventricular dysfunction in 15 of 17 patients, while two patients showed signs of coronary artery stenosis on echocardiograms and coronary angiograms. However, compared with patients without myocardial injury, patients with myocardial injury had a higher frequency of systemic envenomation complications, including bleeding, respiratory failure, hypotension, acute kidney injury, thrombocytopenia and venom-induced consumption coagulopathy (VICC). The patients with myocardial injury at presentation needed significantly more frequent and larger doses of antivenom than indicated by the initial severity of envenomation. Multivariate analysis showed that myocardial injury was associated with the need for additional antivenom administration after initial administration.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

Myocardial injury is not uncommon after snake envenomation in Korea. Although myocardial injury itself seems to be benign, the clinical course of patients with myocardial injury is complicated, and myocardial injury is associated with the need for additional antivenom administration. The optimal use of antivenom to control envenomation in patents with myocardial injury after snake envenomation in South Korea should be established.

Possible Neuroprotective Mechanisms of Physical Exercise in Neurodegeneration

Physical exercise (PE) improves physical performance, mental status, general health, and well-being. It does so by affecting many mechanisms at the cellular and molecular level. PE is beneficial for people suffering from neuro-degenerative diseases because it improves the production of neurotrophic factors, neurotransmitters, and hormones. PE promotes neuronal survival and neuroplasticity and also optimizes neuroendocrine and physiological responses to psychosocial and physical stress. PE sensitizes the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS), Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) and central nervous system (CNS) by promoting many processes such as synaptic plasticity, neurogenesis, angiogenesis, and autophagy. Overall, it carries out many protective and preventive activities such as improvements in memory, cognition, sleep and mood; growth of new blood vessels in nervous system; and the reduction of stress, anxiety, neuro-inflammation, and insulin resistance. In the present work, the protective effects of PE were overviewed. Suitable examples from the current research work in this context are also given in the article.

Confounded by obesity and modulated by urinary uric acid excretion, sleep-disordered breathing indirectly relates to hyperuricaemia in males: A structural equation model

Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) causes hypoxic stress and can trigger uric acid (UA) overproduction. We comprehensively investigated whether SDB, interacting with components of metabolic syndrome, hepatic and renal dysfunctions, low physical fitness, sedentary lifestyle, disrupted sleep, and chronic systemic inflammation (CSI), is directly associated with hyperuricaemia. In 528 community-based males (mean [SD] age 46.2 [7.4] years), we cross-sectionally analysed measures of anthropometry; self-reported lifestyle habits; overnight sleep polysomnography data; cardiopulmonary exercise tests; and biomarkers of cardiometabolic, hepatic, and renal functions; and CSI, using structural equation modelling. Objective disrupted sleep, C-reactive protein, low physical fitness, and sedentary lifestyle were not related to UA levels in univariate analysis and were excluded. The latent variables (with corresponding manifest variables) obesity (body mass index, waist-hip ratio), hypertension (post-sleep systolic, diastolic blood pressure), dyslipidaemia (total cholesterol, triglyceride/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol), hepatic dysfunction (alanine aminotransferase, aspartate transaminase), and renal dysfunction (blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine) were positively; and hyperglycaemia (fasting glucose, glycated haemoglobin) was negatively associated with hyperuricaemia (serum UA), except for SDB (Apnea-Hypopnea Index, percentage of oxygen saturation <90% period against total sleep time, oxygen desaturation index) in the one-stage influence model. In the two-stage model, SDB, closely interacting with obesity, was positively indirectly associated with hyperuricaemia through directly linked renal dysfunction and obesity-linked hypertension, inverse hyperglycaemia, dyslipidaemia, and hepatic dysfunction. In conclusion, structural equation modelling reveals that SDB closely interacts with obesity and is positively but indirectly related to hyperuricaemia in males. This suggests that urinary UA excretion modulates and obesity confounds the SDB-hyperuricaemia relationship.

Second-phase validation study of an alternative developmental toxicity test using mouse embryonic stem cell-derived embryoid bodies

The embryoid body test (EBT) is a developmental toxicity test method that measures the size of embryoid bodies (EBs) and the viability of mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) and fibroblasts (3T3 cells). The previous pre-validation study confirmed the high accuracy (above 80%) of EBT using 26 coded test chemicals. This second-phase validation study assessed the inter-laboratory reproducibility (5 chemicals in common) and predictive capacity (10 chemicals in each laboratory) test using the coded test chemicals at three laboratories. For the prediction model, the accuracy is increased when more data is accumulated. Therefore, we updated the prediction model and analyzed the results of the second year with the newly created-prediction model. Statistical analysis of the inter-laboratory reproducibility test results indicated that accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity were 87%, 78%, and 100%, respectively. The results of the statistical analysis of the predictive capacity test showed an accuracy of 80%, sensitivity of 78%, and specificity of 81%. In conclusion, the EBT can accurately classify various embryotoxicants within a short period and with relatively little effort. Therefore, EBT can be used as a good way to test developmental toxicity.

Exercise training attenuates cardiac inflammation and fibrosis in hypertensive ovariectomized rats

This study investigated the effects of exercise training on cardiac inflammatory and cardiac fibrotic pathways in female spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), which were divided into a sham-operated sedentary hypertensive group (SHR-S), a sedentary hypertensive ovariectomized group (SHR-O), or a hypertensive ovariectomized group with treadmill exercise training (SHR-OT; 60 min/day, 5 days/wk) for 8 wk. Normotensive female Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY) served as controls. SOD and catalase (CAT) activities were significantly increased in the SHR-OT group, when compared with the SHR-S or SHR-O groups. The protein levels of estrogen receptor (ER)-α and ER-β became decreased in the SHR-O group, when compared with the WKY or SHR-S groups, but were not changed in the SHR-OT group. The protein level of the angiotensin II type I receptor (AT₁R) was increased in the SHR-S group but did not further change in the SHR-O group, whereas it was decreased in the SHR-OT group. The inflammatory-related protein levels of TNF-α, p-NF-κB, cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and IL-6, as well as the fibrotic-related protein levels of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), p-Smad2/3, connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA), matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9, and collagen I were increased in the SHR-S group and increased further in the SHR-O group, whereas they were decreased in the SHR-OT group. The coexistence of hypertension and ovariectomy additively increased cardiac inflammatory and fibrotic pathways partially through hypertension-enhanced AT₁R and ovariectomy-depressed estrogen receptors. Exercise training appeared to suppress hypertensive ovariectomized heart-induced inflammatory and fibrotic pathways possibly through decreasing AT₁R but not through estrogen receptors.NEW & NOTEWORTHY The coexistence of hypertension and ovariectomy appeared to increase cardiac inflammatory and fibrotic pathways likely through hypertension-enhanced angiotensin II type I receptor and ovariectomy-depressed estrogen receptors. Exercise training on a treadmill could prevent hypertensive ovariectomized heart-induced cardiac inflammation and fibrosis via an inflammatory pathway [TNF-α, p-IKK-α/β, p-NF-κB, cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2), iNOS, and IL-6] and fibrotic pathway [transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), p-Smad2/3, connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA), matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9, and collagen I] possibly through decreasing angiotensin II type I receptor but not through estrogen receptors.