Ganoderic acid A ameliorates non-alcoholic streatohepatitis (NASH) induced by high-fat high-cholesterol diet in mice

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader Ganoderic acid A ameliorates non-alcoholic streatohepatitis (NASH) induced by high-fat high-cholesterol diet in mice Via Experimental and therapeutic medicine Exp Ther Med. 2022 Apr;23(4):308. doi: 10.3892/etm.2022.11237. Epub 2022 Feb 24. ABSTRACT Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is becoming a huge global health problem. Previous studies have revealed that ganoderic acids have hepatoprotective and hypocholesterolemic effects. In the present study, to evaluate the anti-NASH activity of ganoderic acid A (GAA), male 6-week-old C57BL/6J mice were divided into the following four groups, which were administered different diets: Normal diet (ND group), high-fat high-cholesterol diet (HFHC group), HFHC diet supplemented with 25 mg/kg/day (GAAL group) or 50 mg/kg/day of GAA (GAAH group). After 12 weeks of GAA treatment, histopathological results revealed that compared with that of the HFHC group, GAA significantly inhibited fat accumulation, steatosis, inflammation and fibrosis in the liver. GAA effectively reduced serum aspartate transaminase and alanine transaminase levels compared with the HF HC model. Furthermore, the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-responsive proteins, including glucose-regulated protein 78, phosphorylated (p)-eukaryotic initiation factor-2α and p-JNK, were significantly suppressed by GAA, while ERp57, p-MAPK and p-AKT were significantly increased after GAA treatment. Taken together, it was concluded that GAA could resist HFHC diet-induced NASH. In terms of its underlying mechanism, GAA could improve liver inflammation and fibrosis by inhibiting hepatic oxidative stress and the ER stress response induced by HFHC. PMID:35340879 | PMC:PMC8931630 | DOI:10.3892/etm.2022.11237 View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Pterostilbene attenuates the proliferation and differentiation of TNF-α-treated human periodontal ligament stem cells

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader Pterostilbene attenuates the proliferation and differentiation of TNF-α-treated human periodontal ligament stem cells Via Experimental and therapeutic medicine Exp Ther Med. 2022 Apr;23(4):304. doi: 10.3892/etm.2022.11233. Epub 2022 Feb 22. ABSTRACT Periodontitis is a common chronic inflammatory oral disease. The objective of periodontal treatment is to control infection whilst regenerating damaged periodontal tissue. The present study aimed to determine the potential effects of pterostilbene (PTE), a representative stilbene compound, on the proliferation and differentiation of human periodontal ligament stem cells (hPDLSCs). Different concentrations (1, 5, 10 and 20 µM) of PTE were applied to hPDLSCs, after which Cell Counting Kit-8 and western blotting assays were performed to examine the protein levels of Ki67, PCNA, p-IκBα, IκBα, Bcl-2, Bax, cleaved caspase3. The effect of PTE on the release of inflammatory factors, including IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-10 was assessed by RT-qPCR. The apoptosis of TNF-α-induced hPDLSCs was evaluated by TUNEL assay and western blotting. Additionally, the rol e of PTE in hPDLSC mineralization was evaluated using alizarin red staining. The expression levels of mineralization indices, including RUNX2 and ALP were subsequently determined using western blotting. Subsequently, the target of PTE was predicted using TargetNet database and AutoDock v4.2 software and verified using western blotting. The results of the present study revealed that PTE promoted the proliferation of hPDLSCs in a concentration-dependent manner. Furthermore, PTE treatment decreased the release of inflammatory factors and alleviated the apoptosis of TNF-α-induced hPDLSCs. PTE was also demonstrated to promote the formation of mineral nodules in TNF-α-induced hPDLSCs. The Targetnet database, along with molecular docking, indicated that histone deacetylases (HDACs) were the probable targets of PTE upstream of regulating periodontitis. The results of western blotting implied that TNF-α significantly increased expression levels of HDAC2, 4, 6 and 8, whilst PTE treatment m arkedly decreased HDAC4, 6 and 8 expression in a concentration-dependent manner compared with the TNF-α group, which further confirmed these conclusions. In summary, results of the present study revealed that PTE promoted TNF-α-induced hPDLSC proliferation and differentiation, whilst alleviating inflammation and apoptosis. PTE also inhibited the expression of HDACs, which may be involved in the mechanism of periodontitis. PMID:35340874 | PMC:PMC8 931590 | DOI:10.3892/etm.2022.11233 View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Shp2 suppresses fat accumulation in white adipose tissue by activating Wnt/β-catenin signaling following vertical sleeve gastrectomy in obese rats with type-2 diabetes

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader Shp2 suppresses fat accumulation in white adipose tissue by activating Wnt/β-catenin signaling following vertical sleeve gastrectomy in obese rats with type-2 diabetes Via Experimental and therapeutic medicine Exp Ther Med. 2022 Apr;23(4):302. doi: 10.3892/etm.2022.11231. Epub 2022 Feb 22. ABSTRACT Adipogenesis and fat accumulation are closely associated with the development of obesity. Sleeve gastrectomy (SG) is an effective treatment for obesity and associated metabolic disorders. Leptin is downregulated after SG and Src homology phosphatase 2 (Shp2) has an important role in leptin signaling. The role of Shp2 in SG and the mechanisms of fat reduction following SG were further investigated in the current study. Sham and SG operations were performed on obese type-2 diabetes model Sprague-Dawley rats. Primary pre-adipocytes were isolated from the inguinal white adipose tissue (ingWAT) of the rats. Shp2 expression in ingWAT pre-adipocytes was silenced using small interfering RNA transfection. Shp2 function was inhibited using the specific inhibitor, SHP099. In addition, Shp2 was overexpressed using lentivirus. Gene and protein expression analy sis was performed after adipocyte differentiation. Furthermore, Shp2-overexpressing ingWAT pre-adipocytes treated with the β-catenin inhibitor, PNU-74654, were also used for gene and protein expression analysis. Adipogenic markers, including triglycerides, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ), CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein α (Cebpα), adiponectin, fatty acid-binding protein 4 and leptin, were examined. Compared with the sham, triglyceride, leptin, PPARγ and Cebpα levels were significantly reduced in the ingWAT from the SG group. Shp2 expression levels were reduced following leptin treatment. Moreover, genetic analysis demonstrated depot-specific adipogenesis following Shp2 silencing or inhibition in ingWAT pre-adipocytes. Conversely, Shp2 overexpression decreased the expression of adipogenic markers by enhancing β-catenin expression. PNU-74654 treatment abolished the downregulation of adipogenic markers caused by Shp2 overexpression. SG decreased leptin level s in ingWAT, which in turn upregulated Shp2, and Shp2 suppressed fat accumulation and adipogenic differentiation by activating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Overall, this may represent a potential mechanism of fat reduction in SG, and Shp2 may serve as a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of obesity and type-2 diabetes. PMID:35340882 | PMC:PMC8931631 | DOI:10.3892/etm.2022.11231 View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Dural Entry Point of the Vertebral Artery: An Overlooked Route of Spinal CSF Leaks

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader Dural Entry Point of the Vertebral Artery: An Overlooked Route of Spinal CSF Leaks Via leak of cerebrospinal fluid NMC Case Rep J. 2022 Feb 23;9:1-5. doi: 10.2176/jns-nmc.2021-0265. eCollection 2022. ABSTRACT Spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH) is no longer considered rare. Its estimated annual incidence is 5 cases per 100,000 individuals, which is half the incidence of subarachnoid hemorrhage. Epidural blood patch (EBP) is indicated for SIH patients who do not improve with conservative treatment. Accurate determination of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak site is critical for a successfully targeted EBP. We report the case of a 43-year-old woman with SIH secondary to CSF leakage at the craniovertebral junction dural entry point of the vertebral artery (VA). We treated the patient 2 months after the onset of symptoms. Fat-suppressed T2-weighted spinal magnetic resonance (MR) images revealed a massive epidural fluid collection around the upper thoracic spine. Extravasation of contrast medium through the left VA-dural entry point was clearly visible on computed tomographic myelography. A cervical EBP was injected through the C1-2 interlaminar space. The patient had a smooth recovery and was asymptomatic, with normal spinal MR findings, 6 months after treatment. The possibility of CSF leakage from the dural entry point of the VA should be considered in SIH patients. EBP targeted at the VA entry point is proposed as a safe and effective treatment. PMID:35340334 | PMC:PMC8906836 | DOI:10.2176/jns-nmc.2021-0265 View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

3Effect of FFP2+3 masks on voice range profile measurement and voice acoustics in routine voice diagnostics

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader 3Effect of FFP2+3 masks on voice range profile measurement and voice acoustics in routine voice diagnostics Via Folia Phoniatrica et Logopaedica Introduction: Voice diagnostics including voice range profile measurement (VRP) and acoustic voice analysis is essential in laryngology and phoniatrics. Due to Covid-19 pandemic, wearing of filtering face masks (FFP2/3) is recommended when high risk aerosol generating procedures like singing and speaking are being performed. Goal of this study was to compare VRP parameters when performed without and with FFP2/3 masks. Further, formant analysis for sustained vowels, singer's formant and analysis of reading standard text samples were performed without/with FFP2/3 masks. Methods: 20 subjects (6 male and 14 female) were enrolled in this study with an average age of 36±16 y (mean ± SD). 14 patients were rated as euphonic/not hoarse and 6 patients as mildly hoarse. All subjects underwent the VRP measurements, vowel and text recordings without/with FFP2/3 mask using the software DiVAS by XION medical (Berlin, Germany). Voice range of singing voice, equivalent of voice extension measure (eVEM), fundamental frequency (F0), sound pressure level (SPL) of soft speaking and shouting were calculated and analyzed. Maximum phonation time (MPT) and jitter-% were included for Dysphonia Severity Index (DSI) measurement. Analyses of singer's formant were performed. Spectral analyses of sustained vowels /a:/, /i:/ and /u:/ (first=F1 and second=F2 formants), intensity of long term average spectrum (LTAS) and alpha-ratio (α-ratio) were calculated using the freeware praat. Results: For all subjects the mean values of routine voice parameters without/with mask were analyzed: no significant differences were found in results of singing voice range, eVEM. SPL and frequency of soft speaking/shouting, except significant lower mean SPL of shouting with FFP2/3 mask, in particular that of the female subjects (p=0.002). Results of MPT, jitter and DSI without/with FFP2/3 mask showed no significant differences. Further mean values analyzed without/with mask were: ratio singer's formant/loud singing, with lower ratio with FFP2/3 mask (p=0.001). F1 and F2 of /a:/, /i:/, /u:/, with no significant differences of the results, with the exception of F2 of /i:/ with lower value with FFP2/3 mask (p=0.005). With the exceptions mentioned, the t-test revealed no significant differences for each of the routine parameters tested in the recordings without and with wearing a FFP2/3 mask. Conclusion: It can be concluded, that VRP measurements including DSI performed with FFP2/3 masks provide reliable data in clinical routine with respect to voice condition/constitution. Spectral analyses of sustained vowel, text and singer's formant will be affected by wearing FFP2/3 masks. View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Variations in the anterior thoracic wall with sternalis muscle and accessory pectoralis major muscle

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader Variations in the anterior thoracic wall with sternalis muscle and accessory pectoralis major muscle Via radiol anat Surg Radiol Anat. 2022 Mar 27. doi: 10.1007/s00276-022-02923-w. Online ahead of print. ABSTRACT PURPOSE: The new type of the sternalis muscle needs to be recognized, and the accessory pectoralis major muscle (AcPM) was found between the pectoralis major and minor muscle. It needs to be acknowledged those two different variations can exist in one case. METHODS: The muscle was found on a 73-year-old male cadaver during the dissection class for the anterior thoracic wall. It was proceeded to identify the adjacent structures with precise dissection. RESULTS: The cadaver had sternalis muscle bilaterally. Both side sternalis muscles had a medial and lateral belly and attached to pectoral fascia and rectus abdominis sheath. The pectoralis major muscle (PMaj) had a more profound slip attached to the costal cartilage of rib 4 and 5, which is AcPM. The pectoral nerve traveled through the clavipectoral fascia to the AcPM and through PMaj to the sternalis muscle. CONCLUSIONS: This study presented a new type of sternalis muscle. Two different variations were developed along with the pectoral nerve. It needs to be recognized in the diagnostic images, the muscle rehab outcome, and the surgical complication. PMID:35344059 | DOI:10.1007/s00276-022-02923-w View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

The efficacy of Kinesio taping on lymphedema following head and neck cancer therapy: a randomized, double blind, sham-controlled trial

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader The efficacy of Kinesio taping on lymphedema following head and neck cancer therapy: a randomized, double blind, sham-controlled trial Via swallowing exercises Physiother Theory Pract. 2022 Mar 28:1-15. doi: 10.1080/09593985.2022.2056862. Online ahead of print. ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE: The aim was to investigate the effectiveness of Kinesio taping for lymphedema following head and neck cancer therapy and its effect on patient compliance and quality of life. METHODS: A total of 66 patients with lymphedema following head and neck cancer therapy were randomly allocated to the therapeutic Kinesio taping group (n = 33) and the sham Kinesio ta ping group (n = 33). All participants received manual lymphatic drainage, Kinesio taping, and home exercises for the first four weeks, and only home exercises for the second four weeks. The tape measurements, a scale of external lymphedema, a scale of the internal lymphedema, and quality of life were evaluated in both groups. The perceived discomfort consisting of limitation of daily living activities, pain, tightness, stiffness, and heaviness were also recorded. RESULTS: When the group x time effect was evaluated, it was observed that external lymphedema was significantly reduced in both groups according to neck and face composite measurements (p < .001). However, in these measurements, a significant difference was found between the groups in favor of the KT group (p = .001, p = .032, respectively). At the end of the study, there was no significant difference in terms of internal lymphedema in both groups (p = .860). The quality of life parameters such as global health sta tus and swallowing were significantly better in the Kinesio taping group (p < .001). There was no significant difference in the parameters of perceived discomfort between the two groups (p = .282, p = .225, p = .090, p = .155, p = .183, respectively). CONCLUSION: Kinesio taping is effective in tape measurements and positively affects the quality of life in lymphedema following head and neck cancer therapy. PMID:35343369 | DOI:10.1080/09593985.2022.2056862 View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.