Articles

Role of mitochondrial dysfunction and dysregulation of Ca²⁺ homeostasis in the pathophysiology of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes

Metabolic diseases such as obesity, type 2 diabetes (T2D) and insulin resistance have attracted great attention from biomedical researchers and clinicians because of the astonishing increase in its prevalence....

Authors: Chih-Hao Wang and Yau-Huei Wei

Conditioned place preference training prevents hippocampal depotentiation in an orexin-dependent manner

Long-term potentiation (LTP) is well recognized as a cellular-correlated synaptic plasticity of learning and memory. However, its reversal forms of synaptic plasticity, depotentiation, is less studied and its ...

Authors: Guan-Ling Lu, Hau-Jie Yau and Lih-Chu Chiou

The type VI adenylyl cyclase protects cardiomyocytes from β-adrenergic stress by a PKA/STAT3-dependent pathway

The type VI adenylyl cyclase (AC6) is a main contributor of cAMP production in the heart. The amino acid (aa) sequence of AC6 is highly homologous to that of another major cardiac adenylyl cyclase, AC5, except...

Authors: Yu-Shuo Wu, Chien-Chang Chen, Chen-Li Chien, Hsing-Lin Lai, Si-Tse Jiang, Yong-Cyuan Chen, Lin-Ping Lai, Wei-Fan Hsiao, Wen-Pin Chen and Yijuang Chern

Virulence factors, antifungal susceptibility and molecular mechanisms of azole resistance among Candida parapsilosis complex isolates recovered from clinical specimens

The aim of this study was to determine the biofilm formation, the extracellular enzymatic activities of 182 clinical isolates of the Candida parapsilosis complex.

Authors: Sourour Neji, Ines Hadrich, Houaida Trabelsi, Salma Abbes, Fatma Cheikhrouhou, Hayet Sellami, Fattouma Makni and Ali Ayadi

Beneficial effects of curcumin nano-emulsion on spermatogenesis and reproductive performance in male rats under protein deficient diet model: enhancement of sperm motility, conservancy of testicular tissue integrity, cell energy and seminal plasma amino acids content

Malnutrition resulting from protein and calorie deficiency continues to be a major concern worldwide especially in developing countries. Specific deficiencies in the protein intake can adversely influence repr...

Authors: Omar A.H. Ahmed-Farid, Maha Nasr, Rania F. Ahmed and Rofanda M. Bakeer

FTO associations with obesity and telomere length

This review examines the biology of the Fat mass- and obesity-associated gene (FTO), and the implications of genetic association of FTO SNPs with obesity and genetic aging. Notably, we focus on the role of FTO...

Authors: Yuling Zhou, Brett D. Hambly and Craig S. McLachlan

Distribution of glucose transporters in renal diseases

Kidneys play an important role in glucose homeostasis. Renal gluconeogenesis prevents hypoglycemia by releasing glucose into the blood stream. Glucose homeostasis is also due, in part, to reabsorption and excr...

Authors: Leszek Szablewski

The complexity of TRIM28 contribution to cancer

Since the first discovery in 1996, the engagement of TRIM28 in distinct aspects of cellular biology has been extensively studied resulting in identification of a complex nature of TRIM28 protein. In this revie...

Authors: Patrycja Czerwińska, Sylwia Mazurek and Maciej Wiznerowicz

Prognostic roles of pathology markers immunoexpression and clinical parameters in Hepatoblastoma

Hepatoblastoma, a leading primary hepatic malignant tumor in children, is originated from primitive hepatic stem cells. We aimed to elucidate the relationships between the histological distribution of β-cateni...

Authors: Jia-Feng Wu, Hsiu-Hao Chang, Meng-Yao Lu, Shiann-Tarng Jou, Kai-Chi Chang, Yen-Hsuan Ni and Mei-Hwei Chang

The role of Lutheran/basal cell adhesion molecule in human bladder carcinogenesis

Lutheran/basal cell adhesion molecule (Lu/BCAM) is a membrane bound glycoprotein. This study was performed to investigate the role and downstream signaling pathway of Lu/BCAM in human bladder tumorigenesis.

Authors: Hong-Yi Chang, Hsin-Mei Chang, Tsung-Jung Wu, Chang-Yao Chaing, Tzong-Shin Tzai, Hong-Lin Cheng, Giri Raghavaraju, Nan-Haw Chow and Hsiao-Sheng Liu

Comprehensive comparison of three different animal models for systemic inflammation

To mimic systemic inflammation in humans, different animal models have been developed. Since these models are still discussed controversially, we aimed to comparatively evaluate the most widely used models wit...

Authors: Semjon Seemann, Franziska Zohles and Amelie Lupp

3D brain Organoids derived from pluripotent stem cells: promising experimental models for brain development and neurodegenerative disorders

Three-dimensional (3D) brain organoids derived from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs), including embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), appear to recapitulate the brain’s 3D...

Authors: Chun-Ting Lee, Raphael M. Bendriem, Wells W. Wu and Rong-Fong Shen

Vibrio vulnificus MARTX cytotoxin causes inactivation of phagocytosis-related signaling molecules in macrophages

Vibrio vulnificus is a marine bacterial species that causes opportunistic infections manifested by serious skin lesions and fulminant septicemia in humans. We have previously shown tha...

Authors: Chun-Liang Chen, Shu-Chun Chien, Tzeng-Horng Leu, Hans I-Chen Harn, Ming-Jer Tang and Lien-I Hor

Standardized, systemic phenotypic analysis reveals kidney dysfunction as main alteration of Kctd1 ^I27N mutant mice

Increased levels of blood plasma urea were used as phenotypic parameter for establishing novel mouse models for kidney diseases on the genetic background of C3H inbred mice in the phenotype-driven Munich ENU m...

Authors: Sudhir Kumar, Birgit Rathkolb, Sibylle Sabrautzki, Stefan Krebs, Elisabeth Kemter, Lore Becker, Johannes Beckers, Raffi Bekeredjian, Robert Brommage, Julia Calzada-Wack, Lillian Garrett, Sabine M. Hölter, Marion Horsch, Martin Klingenspor, Thomas Klopstock, Kristin Moreth…

Sudden cardiac death: focus on the genetics of channelopathies and cardiomyopathies

Sudden cardiac death (SCD) describes a natural and unexpected death from cardiac causes occurring within a short period of time (generally within 1 h of symptom onset) in the absence of any other potentially l...

Authors: Simona Magi, Vincenzo Lariccia, Marta Maiolino, Salvatore Amoroso and Santo Gratteri

The cytotoxic mechanism of epigallocatechin gallate on proliferative HaCaT keratinocytes

Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) is the major ingredient of sinecatechins ointment, approved for the treatment of external genital and perianal warts. However, the molecular mechanism for EGCG’s effect on warts...

Authors: Yu-Wen Chu, Shu-Ting Liu, Ya-Lan Yang, Shih-Ming Huang and Wei-Ming Wang

Lrp, a global regulator, regulates the virulence of Vibrio vulnificus

An attenuated mutant (designated NY303) of Vibrio vulnificus, which causes serious wound infection and septicemia in humans, was isolated fortuitously from a clinical strain YJ016. This mutant was defective in cy...

Authors: Yu-Chi Ho, Feng-Ru Hung, Chao-Hui Weng, Wei-Ting Li, Tzu-Hung Chuang, Tsung-Lin Liu, Ching-Yuan Lin, Chien-Jung Lo, Chun-Liang Chen, Jen-Wei Chen, Masayuki Hashimoto and Lien-I Hor

Long non-coding RNA and tumor hypoxia: new players ushered toward an old arena

Hypoxia is a classic feature of the tumor microenvironment with a profound impact on cancer progression and therapeutic response. Activation of complex hypoxia pathways orchestrated by the transcription factor...

Authors: Jing-Wen Shih and Hsing-Jien Kung

Baicalin attenuates chronic hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension via adenosine A_2A receptor-induced SDF-1/CXCR4/PI3K/AKT signaling

Baicalin, an important flavonoid in Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi extracts, exerts a variety of pharmacological effects. In this study, we explored the effects of baicalin on chronic hypoxia-induced pulmonary ar...

Authors: Xiaoying Huang, Peiliang Wu, Feifei Huang, Min Xu, Mayun Chen, Kate Huang, Guo-ping Li, Manhuan Xu, Dan Yao and Liangxing Wang

Leptin OB3 peptide suppresses leptin-induced signaling and progression in ovarian cancer cells

Obesity and its comorbidities constitute a serious health burden worldwide. Leptin plays an important role in diet control; however, it has a stimulatory potential on cancer cell proliferation. The OB3 peptide...

Authors: Yu-Tang Chin, Le-Ming Wang, Meng-Ti Hsieh, Ya-Jung Shih, André Wendindondé Nana, Chun A. Changou, Yu-Chen S. H. Yang, Hsien-Chung Chiu, Earl Fu, Paul J. Davis, Heng-Yuan Tang and Hung-Yun Lin

Role of free fatty acids in endothelial dysfunction

Plasma free fatty acids levels are increased in subjects with obesity and type 2 diabetes, playing detrimental roles in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases. Increasing evidence show...

Authors: Arijit Ghosh, Lei Gao, Abhimanyu Thakur, Parco M. Siu and Christopher W. K. Lai

New insights into Blimp-1 in T lymphocytes: a divergent regulator of cell destiny and effector function

B lymphocyte-induced maturation protein-1 (Blimp-1) serves as a master regulator of the development and function of antibody-producing B cells. Given that its function in T lymphocytes has been identified with...

Authors: Shin-Huei Fu, Li-Tzu Yeh, Chin-Chen Chu, B. Lin-Ju Yen and Huey-Kang Sytwu

Erratum to: Significance of the urokinase-type plasminogen activator and its receptor in the progression of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis in clinical and mouse models

Authors: Jin-Shuen Chen, Li-Chien Chang, Chung-Ze Wu, Tzu-Ling Tseng, Jui-An Lin, Yuh-Feng Lin and Chao-Wen Cheng

Drug candidates in clinical trials for Alzheimer’s disease

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a major form of senile dementia, characterized by progressive memory and neuronal loss combined with cognitive impairment. AD is the most common neurodegenerative disease worldwide,...

Authors: Shih-Ya Hung and Wen-Mei Fu

LncRNA SNHG15 contributes to proliferation, invasion and autophagy in osteosarcoma cells by sponging miR-141

LncRNA small nucleolar RNA host gene 15 (SNHG15) was reported to play an oncogenic role in tumors. However, the role of SNHG15 and its molecular mechanism in osteosarcoma (OS) cells are largely unknown.

Authors: Ke Liu, Yi Hou, Yunke Liu and Jia Zheng

Klf8 regulates left-right asymmetric patterning through modulation of Kupffer’s vesicle morphogenesis and spaw expression

Although vertebrates are bilaterally symmetric organisms, their internal organs are distributed asymmetrically along a left-right axis. Disruption of left-right axis asymmetric patterning often occurs in human...

Authors: Che-Yi Lin, Ming-Yuan Tsai, Yu-Hsiu Liu, Yu-Fen Lu, Yi-Chung Chen, Yun-Ren Lai, Hsin-Chi Liao, Huang-Wei Lien, Chung-Hsiang Yang, Chang-Jen Huang and Sheng-Ping L. Hwang

PA-6 inhibits inward rectifier currents carried by V93I and D172N gain-of-function K_IR2.1 channels, but increases channel protein expression

The inward rectifier potassium current I_K1 contributes to a stable resting membrane potential and phase 3 repolarization of the cardiac action potential. KCNJ2 gain-of-function mutations V93I and D172N associate ...

Authors: Yuan Ji, Marlieke G. Veldhuis, Jantien Zandvoort, Fee L. Romunde, Marien J. C. Houtman, Karen Duran, Gijs van Haaften, Eva-Maria Zangerl-Plessl, Hiroki Takanari, Anna Stary-Weinzinger and Marcel A. G. van der Heyden

V-J combinations of T-cell receptor predict responses to erythropoietin in end-stage renal disease patients

Anemia is common among end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients who undergone hemodialysis. The total reduction of red blood cell (RBC) count is associated with poor prognosis in these patients. Although erythr...

Authors: Henry Sung-Ching Wong, Che-Mai Chang, Chih-Chin Kao, Yu-Wen Hsu, Xiao Liu, Wen-Chang Chang, Mai-Szu Wu and Wei-Chiao Chang

Crossroads between peripheral atherosclerosis, western-type diet and skeletal muscle pathophysiology: emphasis on apolipoprotein E deficiency and peripheral arterial disease

Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory process that, in the presence of hyperlipidaemia, promotes the formation of atheromatous plaques in large vessels of the cardiovascular system. It also affects periphe...

Authors: Peggy Sfyri and Antonios Matsakas

Nuclear factor-kappa B influences early phase of compensatory lung growth after pneumonectomy in mice

Compensatory lung growth (CLG) is a well-established lung regeneration model. However, the sequential mechanisms, including unknown molecular triggers or regulators, remain unclear. Nuclear factor- kappa B (NF...

Authors: Yusuke Takahashi, Noriyuki Matsutani, Hitoshi Dejima, Takashi Nakayama, Hirofumi Uehara and Masafumi Kawamura

Clinical predictors of dengue fever co-infected with leptospirosis among patients admitted for dengue fever – a pilot study

Dengue and leptospirosis infections are currently two major endemics in Malaysia. Owing to the overlapping clinical symptoms between both the diseases, frequent misdiagnosis and confusion of treatment occurs. ...

Authors: Jeyanthi Suppiah, Shie-Yien Chan, Min-Wern Ng, Yam-Sim Khaw, Siew-Mooi Ching, Lailatul Akmar Mat-Nor, Naematul Ain Ahmad-Najimudin and Hui-Yee Chee

Decoy receptor 3: an endogenous immunomodulator in cancer growth and inflammatory reactions

Decoy receptor 3 (DcR3), also known as tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR) superfamily member 6b (TNFRSF6B), is a soluble decoy receptor which can neutralize the biological functions of three members of tumo...

Authors: Shie-Liang Hsieh and Wan-Wan Lin

Dl-3-n-butylphthalide protects the heart against ischemic injury and H9c2 cardiomyoblasts against oxidative stress: involvement of mitochondrial function and biogenesis

Myocardial infarction (MI) is an acute and fatal condition that threatens human health. Dl-3-n-butylphthalide (NBP) has been used for the treatment of acute ischemic stroke. Mitochondria may play a protective ...

Authors: Xiaochao Tian, Weiliang He, Rong Yang and Yingping Liu

Quantitative proteomics in lung cancer

Lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer-related death worldwide, less than 7% of patients survive 10 years following diagnosis across all stages of lung cancer. Late stage of diagnosis and lack of effec...

Authors: Chantal Hoi Yin Cheung and Hsueh-Fen Juan

Metaproteomic analysis of human gut microbiota: where are we heading?

The human gut is home to complex microbial populations that change dynamically in response to various internal and external stimuli. The gut microbiota provides numerous functional benefits that are crucial fo...

Authors: Pey Yee Lee, Siok-Fong Chin, Hui-min Neoh and Rahman Jamal

Cancer immunotherapy by targeting immune checkpoints: mechanism of T cell dysfunction in cancer immunity and new therapeutic targets

Immune checkpoints or coinhibitory receptors, such as cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen (CTLA)-4 and programmed death (PD)-1, play important roles in regulating T cell responses, and they were proven to be effect...

Authors: Hwei-Fang Tsai and Ping-Ning Hsu

Improving the regenerative potential of olfactory ensheathing cells by overexpressing prostacyclin synthetase and its application in spinal cord repair

Olfactory ensheathing cells (OEC), specialized glia that ensheathe bundles of olfactory nerves, have been reported as a favorable substrate for axonal regeneration. Grafting OEC to injured spinal cord appears ...

Authors: May-Jywan Tsai, Chi-Ting Huang, Yong-San Huang, Ching-Feng Weng, Song-Kun Shyue, Ming-Chao Huang, Dann-Ying Liou, Yan-Ru Lin, Chu-Hsun Cheng, Huai-Sheng Kuo, Yilo Lin, Meng-Jen Lee, Wen-Hung Huang, Wen-Cheng Huang and Henrich Cheng

Aldehyde dehydrogenase 2*2 knock-in mice show increased reactive oxygen species production in response to cisplatin treatment

The aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) enzyme family metabolizes and detoxifies both exogenous and endogenous aldehydes. Since chemotherapeutic agents, such as cisplatin, generate cytotoxic aldehydes and oxidative ...

Authors: Jeewon Kim, Che-Hong Chen, Jieying Yang and Daria Mochly-Rosen

Comparing adult renal stem cell identification, characterization and applications

Despite growing interest and effort, a consensus has yet to be reached in regards to the identification of adult renal stem cells. Organ complexity and low turnover of renal cells has made stem cell identifica...

Authors: Jennifer Huling and James J. Yoo

Nintedanib antiangiogenic inhibitor effectiveness in delaying adenocarcinoma progression in Transgenic Adenocarcinoma of the Mouse Prostate (TRAMP)

In recent times, anti-cancer treatments have focused on Fibroblast Growth Factor (FGF) and Vascular-Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) pathway inhibitors so as to target tumor angiogenesis and cellular prolifera...

Authors: Raquel Frenedoso da Silva, Ellen Nogueira-Pangrazi, Larissa Akemi Kido, Fabio Montico, Sarah Arana, Dileep Kumar, Komal Raina, Rajesh Agarwal and Valéria Helena Alves Cagnon

Adducin family proteins possess different nuclear export potentials

The adducin (ADD) family proteins, namely ADD1, ADD2, and ADD3, are actin-binding proteins that play important roles in the stabilization of membrane cytoskeleton and cell-cell junctions. All the ADD proteins ...

Authors: Chia-Mei Liu, Wen-Hsin Hsu, Wan-Yi Lin and Hong-Chen Chen

Differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells into cardiomyocytes is regulated by miRNA-1-2 via WNT signaling pathway

Bone marrow derived stem cells (BMSCs) have the potential to differentiate into cardiomyocytes, but the rate of differentiation is low and the mechanism of differentiation is unclear completely. Here, we aimed...

Authors: Xing Shen, Bo Pan, Huiming Zhou, Lingjuan Liu, Tiewei Lv, Jing Zhu, Xupei Huang and Jie Tian

Characteristics of _L-citrulline transport through blood-brain barrier in the brain capillary endothelial cell line (TR-BBB cells)

_L-Citrulline is a neutral amino acid and a major precursor of _L-arginine in the nitric oxide (NO) cycle. Recently it has been reported that _L-citrulline prevents neuronal cell death an...

Authors: Kyeong-Eun Lee and Young-Sook Kang

KB-R7943 reduces 4-aminopyridine-induced epileptiform activity in adult rats after neuronal damage induced by neonatal monosodium glutamate treatment

Neonatal monosodium glutamate (MSG) treatment triggers excitotoxicity and induces a degenerative process that affects several brain regions in a way that could lead to epileptogenesis. Na⁺/Ca²⁺ exchangers (NCX1-3...

Authors: Mariana Hernandez-Ojeda, Monica E. Ureña-Guerrero, Paola E. Gutierrez-Barajas, Jazmin A. Cardenas-Castillo, Antoni Camins and Carlos Beas-Zarate

Cancer immunotherapies targeting the PD-1 signaling pathway

Immunotherapy has recently emerged as the fourth pillar of cancer treatment, joining surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. While early immunotherapies focused on accelerating T-cell activity, current immune-ch...

Authors: Yoshiko Iwai, Junzo Hamanishi, Kenji Chamoto and Tasuku Honjo

Associations of estradiol levels and genetic polymorphisms of inflammatory genes with the risk of ischemic stroke

Estrogen plays an important role as an anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective agent in ischemic stroke. In this study, we analyzed the effect of a polygenic risk score (PRS) constructed using inflammatory genes...

Authors: Yi-Chen Hsieh, Fang-I Hsieh, Yih-Ru Chen, Chaur-Jong Hu, Jiann-Shing Jeng, Sung-Chun Tang, Nai-Fang Chi, Huey-Juan Lin, Li-Ming Lien, Giia-Sheun Peng and Hung-Yi Chiou

Serotonergic system in hypoxic ventilatory response in unilateral rat model of Parkinson’s disease

Malfunctioning of the serotonergic system in Parkinson’s disease may contribute to non-motor symptoms such as respiratory complications. Thus the aim of our study was to investigate the role of serotonin 5-HT₂ re...

Authors: Kryspin Andrzejewski, Katarzyna Kaczyńska and Małgorzata Zaremba

Development and validation of a high-throughput calcium mobilization assay for the orphan receptor GPR88

GPR88 is an orphan G protein-coupled receptor highly expressed in the striatum and is implicated in basal ganglia-associated disorders. However, the receptor functions of GPR88 are still largely unknown due to...

Authors: Ann M. Decker, Elaine A. Gay, Kelly M. Mathews, Taylor C. Rosa, Tiffany L. Langston, Rangan Maitra and Chunyang Jin

Tailored design of NKT-stimulatory glycolipids for polarization of immune responses

Natural killer T (NKT) cell is a distinct population of T lymphocytes that can rapidly release massive amount of Th1 and Th2 cytokines upon the engagement of their T cell receptor with glycolipids presented by...

Authors: Jung-Tung Hung, Jing-Rong Huang and Alice L. Yu

Evaluation of the use of therapeutic peptides for cancer treatment

Cancer along with cardiovascular disease are the main causes of death in the industrialised countries around the World. Conventional cancer treatments are losing their therapeutic uses due to drug resistance, ...

Authors: Susan Marqus, Elena Pirogova and Terrence J. Piva