| 1. |
- Asif, Muhammad, et al.
(författare)
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Diagnostic Performance and Appropriate Cut-Offs of Different Anthropometric Indicators for Detecting Children with Overweight and Obesity
- 2021
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Ingår i: BioMed Research International. - : Hindawi Publishing Corporation. - 2314-6133 .- 2314-6141.
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- In the clinical settings, different anthropometric indicators like neck circumference (NC), waist circumference (WC), midupper arm circumference (MUAC), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), and arm-to-height ratio (AHtR) have been suggested for evaluating overweight and obesity in children. The comparative ability of these indicators in Pakistan is yet unknown. This study is aimed at examining the validity of different anthropometric indicators of overweight and obesity simultaneously and at determining their superlative cut-off values that would correctly detect overweight and obesity in children. For this purpose, the dataset of anthropometric measurements height, weight, WC, MUAC, and NC of 5,964 Pakistani children, aged 5-12 years collected in a cross-sectional multiethnic anthropometric survey (MEAS), was used. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed to assess the validity of different anthropometric indicators. The most sensitive and specific cut-off points, positive and negative predictive values of each indicator were also calculated. The results of the ROC curve indicated that all the studied indicators had a good performance but the indicators AHtR and WHtR had the highest value of the area under the curve (AUC) for the screening of children with overweight and obesity (AUC > 0.80). In the overall sample, AHtR, WHtR, MUAC, WC, and NC cut-off points indicative of overweight, in both boys and girls, were 0.14, 0.46, 18.41 cm, 62.86 cm, and 26.36 cm and 0.14, 0.47, 18.16 cm, 64.39 cm, and 26.54 cm, respectively; the corresponding values for obesity were 0.14, 0.47, 18.67 cm, 62.10 cm, and 26.36 cm and 0.14, 0.48, 20.19 cm, 64.39 cm, and 25.27 cm. We concluded that the sex-specific cut-off points for AHtR, WHtR, MUAC, WC, and NC can be used to diagnose overweight and obesity in Pakistani children.
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| 2. |
- Cinici, Emine, et al.
(författare)
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Targeted Gene Candidates for Treatment and Early Diagnosis of Age-Related Macular Degeneration
- 2021
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Ingår i: BioMed Research International. - : Hindawi Limited. - 2314-6133 .- 2314-6141. ; 2021
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is an eye disease that impairs the sharp and central vision need for daily activities. Recent advances in molecular biology research not only lead to a better understanding of the genetics and pathophysiology of AMD but also to the development of applications based on targeted gene expressions to treat the disease. Clarification of molecular pathways that causing to development and progression in dry and wet types of AMD needs comprehensive and comparative investigations in particular precious biopsies involving peripheral blood samples from the patients. Therefore, in this investigation, dry and wet types of AMD patients and healthy individuals were aimed at investigating in regard to targeted gene candidates by using gene expression analysis for the first time. 13 most potent candidate genes involved in neurodegeneration were selected via in silico approach and investigated through gene expression analysis to suggest new targets for disease therapy. For the analyses, 30 individuals (10 dry and 10 wet types AMD patients and 10 healthy people) were involved in the study. SYBR-Green based Real-Time PCR analysis was performed on isolated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) to analyze differentially expressed genes related to these cases. According to the investigations, only the CRP gene was found to be upregulated for both dry and wet disease types. When the downregulated genes were analyzed, it was found that 11 genes were commonly decreased for both dry and wet types in the aspect of expression pattern. From these genes, CFH, CX3CR1, FLT1, and TIMP3 were found to have the most downregulated gene expression properties for both diseases. From these results, it might be concluded that these common upregulated and downregulated genes could be used as targets for early diagnosis and treatment for AMD.
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| 3. |
- Godman, Brian, et al.
(författare)
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Utilisation Trend of Long-Acting Insulin Analogues including Biosimilars across Europe : Findings and Implications
- 2021
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Ingår i: BioMed Research International. - : Hindawi Publishing Corporation. - 2314-6133 .- 2314-6141. ; 2021
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background. Diabetes mellitus rates and associated costs continue to rise across Europe enhancing health authority focus on its management. The risk of complications is enhanced by poor glycaemic control, with long-acting insulin analogues developed to reduce hypoglycaemia and improve patient convenience. There are concerns though with their considerably higher costs, but moderated by reductions in complications and associated costs. Biosimilars can help further reduce costs. However, to date, price reductions for biosimilar insulin glargine appear limited. In addition, the originator company has switched promotional efforts to more concentrated patented formulations to reduce the impact of biosimilars. There are also concerns with different devices between the manufacturers. As a result, there is a need to assess current utilisation rates for insulins, especially long-acting insulin analogues and biosimilars, and the rationale for patterns seen, among multiple European countries to provide future direction.Methodology. Health authority databases are examined to assess utilisation and expenditure patterns for insulins, including biosimilar insulin glargine. Explanations for patterns seen were provided by senior-level personnel.Results. Typically increasing use of long-acting insulin analogues across Europe including both Western and Central and Eastern European countries reflects perceived patient benefits despite higher prices. However, activities by the originator company to switch patients to more concentrated insulin glargine coupled with lowering prices towards biosimilars have limited biosimilar uptake, with biosimilars not currently launched in a minority of European countries. A number of activities were identified to address this. Enhancing the attractiveness of the biosimilar insulin market is essential to encourage other biosimilar manufacturers to enter the market as more long-acting insulin analogues lose their patents to benefit all key stakeholder groups.Conclusions. There are concerns with the availability and use of insulin glargine biosimilars among European countries despite lower costs. This can be addressed.
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| 4. |
- Kahraman, C. Y., et al.
(författare)
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The Assessment of Selected miRNA Profile in Familial Mediterranean Fever
- 2021
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Ingår i: BioMed Research International. - : Hindawi Limited. - 2314-6133 .- 2314-6141. ; 2021
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is the most prevalent autoinflammatory disease. Typical findings are recurrent fever attacks with serositis, skin rash, and synovitis. FMF is caused by mutations in the MEFV gene, encoding pyrin protein. Pyrin functions in innate immunity and triggers inflammation via inflammatory mediators' production and acts as the primary regulatory component of the inflammasome. On the other hand, various miRNAs play crucial roles in the pathogenesis of different types of cancers and immune-related and neurodegenerative diseases. However, their association with FMF is still unclear. Therefore, in this study, we assessed the roles of selected thirteen miRNAs associated with immune functions. We recruited genetically diagnosed 28 FMF patients and 28 healthy individuals. The expression profiling of the miRNAs was determined by qRT-PCR and normalized to SNORD61. Our analysis revealed that miR-34a-5p, miR-142-3p, miR-216a-5p, miR-340-5p, miR-429, and miR-582-5p were upregulated, whereas miR-107, miR-569, and miR-1304-5p were downregulated in the FMF patients. Among them, miR-107 was found to be the most remarkable in M694V homozygous mutants compared to other homozygous mutants. During clinical follow-up of the patients with M694V mutation, which is closely related to amyloidosis, evaluation of mir-107 expression might be crucial and suggestive. Our results showed that miRNAs might serve a function in the pathogenesis of FMF. Further studies may provide novel and effective diagnostic and therapeutic agents that target examined miRNAs. Targeting miRNAs in FMF seems to be promising and may yield a new generation of rational therapeutics and diagnostic or monitoring tools enabling FMF treatment.
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| 5. |
- Pierzynowski, Stefan G., et al.
(författare)
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Difference in Performance of EPI Pigs Fed Either Lipase-Predigested or Creon®-Supplemented Semielemental Diet
- 2021
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Ingår i: BioMed Research International. - : Hindawi Limited. - 2314-6133 .- 2314-6141. ; 2021
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT) and fat predigestion are key in ensuring the optimal growth of patients with cystic fibrosis. Our study attempted to highlight differences between fat predigestion and conventional PERT on body composition of young pigs with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI). EPI and healthy pigs were fed with high-fat diet for six weeks. During the last two weeks of the study, all pigs received additional nocturnal alimentation with Peptamen AF (PAF) and were divided into three groups: H - healthy pigs receiving PAF; P - EPI pigs receiving PAF+PERT; and L - EPI pigs receiving PAF predigested with an immobilized microbial lipase. Additional nocturnal alimentation increased the body weight gain of EPI pigs with better efficacy in P pigs. Humerus length and area in pigs in groups L and P were lower than that observed in pigs in group H (p value 0.005-0.088). However, bone mineral density and strength were significantly higher in P and L as compared to that of H pigs (p value 0.0026-0.0739). The gut structure was improved in P pigs. The levels of neurospecific proteins measured in the brain were mainly affected in P and less in L pigs as compared to H pigs. The beneficial effects of the nocturnal feeding with the semielemental diet in the prevention of EPI pigs' growth/development retardation are differently modified by PERT or fat predigestion in terms of growth, bone properties, neurospecific protein distribution, and gut structure.
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| 6. |
- Wang, Ruoli, et al.
(författare)
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Passive Mechanical Properties of Human Medial Gastrocnemius and Soleus Musculotendinous Unit.
- 2021
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Ingår i: BioMed Research International. - : Hindawi Publishing Corporation. - 2314-6133 .- 2314-6141. ; 2021
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The in vivo characterization of the passive mechanical properties of the human triceps surae musculotendinous unit is important for gaining a deeper understanding of the interactive responses of the tendon and muscle tissues to loading during passive stretching. This study sought to quantify a comprehensive set of passive muscle-tendon properties such as slack length, stiffness, and the stress-strain relationship using a combination of ultrasound imaging and a three-dimensional motion capture system in healthy adults. By measuring tendon length, the cross-section areas of the Achilles tendon subcompartments (i.e., medial gastrocnemius and soleus aspects), and the ankle torque simultaneously, the mechanical properties of each individual compartment can be specifically identified. We found that the medial gastrocnemius (GM) and soleus (SOL) aspects of the Achilles tendon have similar mechanical properties in terms of slack angle (GM: -10.96° ± 3.48°; SOL: -8.50° ± 4.03°), moment arm at 0° of ankle angle (GM: 30.35 ± 6.42 mm; SOL: 31.39 ± 6.42 mm), and stiffness (GM: 23.18 ± 13.46 Nmm-1; SOL: 31.57 ± 13.26 Nmm-1). However, maximal tendon stress in the GM was significantly less than that in SOL (GM: 2.96 ± 1.50 MPa; SOL: 4.90 ± 1.88 MPa, p = 0.024), largely due to the higher passive force observed in the soleus compartment (GM: 99.89 ± 39.50 N; SOL: 174.59 ± 79.54 N, p = 0.020). Moreover, the tendon contributed to more than half of the total muscle-tendon unit lengthening during the passive stretch. This unequal passive stress between the medial gastrocnemius and the soleus tendon might contribute to the asymmetrical loading and deformation of the Achilles tendon during motion reported in the literature. Such information is relevant to understanding the Achilles tendon function and loading profile in pathological populations in the future.
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| 7. |
- Wende, Morris, et al.
(författare)
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The Effects of Combining Cancer Drugs with Compounds Isolated from Combretum zeyheri Sond. and Combretum platypetalum Welw. ex MA Lawson (Combretaceae) on the Viability of Jurkat T Cells and HL-60 Cells
- 2021
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Ingår i: BioMed Research International. - : Hindawi Publishing Corporation. - 2314-6133 .- 2314-6141. ; 2021
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Combretum zeyheri and Combretum platypetalum have been shown to have anticancer, antibacterial, antituberculosis, and antifungal effects in both in vivo and in vitro studies. This study sought to evaluate the antiproliferative effects of compounds isolated from C. zeyheri and C. platypetalum on Jurkat T and HL-60 cancer cell lines in combination with doxorubicin and/or chlorambucil. At their GI(50) concentrations, the isolated compounds were combined with the corresponding GI(50) of chlorambucil and doxorubicin. The cytotoxic effects of the combined compounds were determined on BALB/c mouse peritoneal cells. All the 4 isolated compounds had significant cytotoxic effects on Jurkat T cells. Compounds CP 404 (1), CP 409 (2), CZ 453 (3), and CZ 455 (4) had GI(50)s on Jurkat T cells of 3.98, 19.33, 6.82, and 20.28 mu g/ml, respectively. CP 404 (1), CP 409 (2), CZ 453 (3), and CZ 455 (4) showed GI(50)s of 14.18, 28.69, 29.87, and 16.46 mu g/ml on HL-60 cancer cell lines, respectively. The most potent combination against Jurkat T cells was found to be CP 404 (1) and chlorambucil. This combination showed no cytotoxic effects when tested on BALB/c mouse peritoneal cells. It was concluded that the compounds extracted from C. zeyheri and C. platypetalum inhibit the growth of Jurkat T cells in vitro. The combination of the compounds with anticancer drugs enhanced their anticancer effects. The combination of CP 404 (1) and chlorambucil was found not to be toxic to normal mammalian cells. Therefore, CP 404 (1), 3-O-beta-L-rrhamnopyranosyl-5,7,3 ' 4 ',5 '-pentahydroxyflavone, has the potential to be a source of lead compounds that can be developed for anticancer therapy. Further structure-activity relationship studies on this compound are warranted.
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| 8. |
- Zhou, Wei, et al.
(författare)
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Mass Spectrometry and Computer Simulation Predict the Interactions of AGPS and HNRNPK in Glioma
- 2021
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Ingår i: BioMed Research International. - : Hindawi Publishing Corporation. - 2314-6133 .- 2314-6141. ; 2021
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Ether lipids are overexpressed in malignant tumor and play an important role in tumor process. Glioma is the most common malignant central nervous system tumor, and the content of ether lipids is higher than that of normal tissues. Alkylglycerone phosphate synthase (AGPS) is a key enzyme in the synthesis of ether esters and plays a vital role in maintaining the morphology and pathogenic properties of tumor cells. The cell proliferation and the content of tumor-related lipid such as monoalkylglycerol ether (MAGe), lysophosphatidic acid ether (LPAe), lysophosphatidylcholine ether (LPCe), lysophosphatidylethanolamine ether (LPEe), phosphatidyl inositol (PI), phosphatidylcholine (PC), and phosphatidylserine (PS) were suppressed after AGPS silencing in U251, H4, and TJ905 cells; however, heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein K (HNRNPK) could reverse the above phenomenon such as cellar proliferation and ether lipid secretion. We found that HNRNPK was the target protein of AGPS by coimmunoprecipitation and mass spectrometry assay and verified by western blot assay in U251 cells. It confirmed that AGPS and HNRNPK are coexpressed in the cellular nucleus by a confocal laser microscope. The main protein-protein interaction mechanism between AGPS and HNRNPK is hydrogen bond, conjugation bond, hydrophobic bond, and electrostatic force by computer simulation prediction.
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