LIVIVO - Search results -

Search results

Result 1 - 10 of total 19

Search options

Article ; Online: The role of calmodulin and calmodulin-dependent protein kinases in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis

Mei-Fang Chen

Tzu-Chi Medical Journal, Vol 34, Iss 2, Pp 160-

2022 Volume 168

Abstract: Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease that triggers severe thrombotic cardiovascular events, such as stroke and myocardial infarction. In atherosclerotic processes, both macrophages and vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) are essential cell ... ...

Abstract	Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease that triggers severe thrombotic cardiovascular events, such as stroke and myocardial infarction. In atherosclerotic processes, both macrophages and vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) are essential cell components in atheromata formation through proinflammatory cytokine secretion, defective efferocytosis, cell migration, and proliferation, primarily controlled by Ca2+-dependent signaling. Calmodulin (CaM), as a versatile Ca2+ sensor in diverse cell types, regulates a broad spectrum of Ca2+-dependent cell functions through the actions of downstream protein kinases. Thus, this review focuses on discussing how CaM and CaM-dependent kinases (CaMKs) regulate the functions of macrophages and VSMCs in atherosclerotic plaque development based on literature from open databases. A central theme in this review is a summary of the mechanisms and consequences underlying CaMK-mediated macrophage inflammation and apoptosis, which are the key processes in necrotic core formation in atherosclerosis. Another central theme is addressing the role of CaM and CaMK-dependent pathways in phenotypic modulation, migration, and proliferation of VSMCs in atherosclerotic progression. A complete understanding of CaM and CaMK-controlled individual processes involving macrophages and VSMCs in atherogenesis might provide helpful information for developing potential therapeutic targets and strategies.
Keywords	atherosclerosis ; calmodulin ; calmodulin-dependent kinases ; macrophages ; vascular smooth muscle cells ; Medicine ; R
Subject code	610
Language	English
Publishing date	2022-01-01T00:00:00Z
Publisher	Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications
Document type	Article ; Online
Database	BASE - Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (life sciences selection)

Full text online

Full text

Inter-library loan at ZB MED

Your chosen title can be delivered directly to ZB MED Cologne location if you are registered as a user at ZB MED Cologne.

Article ; Online: The Effectiveness of a Thanks, Sorry, Love, and Farewell Board Game in Older People in Taiwan

Mei-Fang Chen / Chun-Chin Tsai

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, Vol 19, Iss 3146, p

A Quasi-Experimental Study

2022 Volume 3146

Abstract: The objective of this study is to examine the effectiveness of the four themes of life (“thanks, sorry, love, and farewell”) board game to enhance interpersonal communication, interpersonal relationships, and self-efficacy; and decrease loneliness. The ... ...

Abstract	The objective of this study is to examine the effectiveness of the four themes of life (“thanks, sorry, love, and farewell”) board game to enhance interpersonal communication, interpersonal relationships, and self-efficacy; and decrease loneliness. The participants were a convenience sample of 91 older people recruited from two community activity centers in Taiwan. Using a quasi-experimental method, participants from one of the community activity centers were enrolled as the experimental group, and participants from the other center were enrolled as the control group. The experimental group played the four themes of life board game for 4 weeks. The control group participated in routine community center activities. Compared to the control group, the experimental group had statistically significantly larger improvements in scores on interpersonal communication, self-efficacy, and loneliness at 3 months after the end of the intervention. This study provides a reference for the design interventions for promoting health in older people.
Keywords	board game ; four themes of life ; older people ; communication ; self-efficacy ; loneliness ; Medicine ; R
Subject code	796
Language	English
Publishing date	2022-03-01T00:00:00Z
Publisher	MDPI AG
Document type	Article ; Online
Database	BASE - Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (life sciences selection)

Full text online

Full text

Inter-library loan at ZB MED

Your chosen title can be delivered directly to ZB MED Cologne location if you are registered as a user at ZB MED Cologne.

Article ; Online: Low compositions of human toll-like receptor 7/8-stimulating RNA motifs in the MERS-CoV, SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 genomes imply a substantial ability to evade human innate immunity

Chu-Wen Yang / Mei-Fang Chen

PeerJ, Vol 9, p e

2021 Volume 11008

Abstract: Background The innate immune system especially Toll-like receptor (TLR) 7/8 and the interferon pathway, constitutes an important first line of defense against single-stranded RNA viruses. However, large-scale, systematic comparisons of the TLR 7/8- ... ...

Abstract	Background The innate immune system especially Toll-like receptor (TLR) 7/8 and the interferon pathway, constitutes an important first line of defense against single-stranded RNA viruses. However, large-scale, systematic comparisons of the TLR 7/8-stimulating potential of genomic RNAs of single-stranded RNA viruses are rare. In this study, a computational method to evaluate the human TLR 7/8-stimulating ability of single-stranded RNA virus genomes based on their human TLR 7/8-stimulating trimer compositions was used to analyze 1,002 human coronavirus genomes. Results The human TLR 7/8-stimulating potential of coronavirus genomic (positive strand) RNAs followed the order of NL63-CoV > HKU1-CoV >229E-CoV ≅ OC63-CoV > SARS-CoV-2 > MERS-CoV > SARS-CoV. These results suggest that among these coronaviruses, MERS-CoV, SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 may have a higher ability to evade the human TLR 7/8-mediated innate immune response. Analysis with a logistic regression equation derived from human coronavirus data revealed that most of the 1,762 coronavirus genomic (positive strand) RNAs isolated from bats, camels, cats, civets, dogs and birds exhibited weak human TLR 7/8-stimulating potential equivalent to that of the MERS-CoV, SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 genomic RNAs. Conclusions Prediction of the human TLR 7/8-stimulating potential of viral genomic RNAs may be useful for surveillance of emerging coronaviruses from nonhuman mammalian hosts.
Keywords	Toll-like receptor 7/8 ; Immunostimulating RNA motifs ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Medicine ; R ; Biology (General) ; QH301-705.5
Subject code	572
Language	English
Publishing date	2021-02-01T00:00:00Z
Publisher	PeerJ Inc.
Document type	Article ; Online
Database	BASE - Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (life sciences selection)

Full text online

Full text

Inter-library loan at ZB MED

Your chosen title can be delivered directly to ZB MED Cologne location if you are registered as a user at ZB MED Cologne.

Article ; Online: Effects of Horticultural Activities on Attitudes toward Aging, Sense of Hope and Hand–Eye Coordination in Older Adults in Residential Care Facilities

Hui-Ying Chu / Hui-Shan Chan / Mei-Fang Chen

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, Vol 18, Iss 6555, p

2021 Volume 6555

Abstract: This study investigated the effects of an 8-week horticultural activity intervention on attitudes toward aging, sense of hope, and hand–eye coordination in 88 older adults in residential care facilities. In the experimental group, the mean score for “ ... ...

Abstract	This study investigated the effects of an 8-week horticultural activity intervention on attitudes toward aging, sense of hope, and hand–eye coordination in 88 older adults in residential care facilities. In the experimental group, the mean score for “attitudes toward aging” increased from 3.81 before the intervention to 4.74 points after the intervention (standard deviation SD = 0.24 and 0.27, respectively), and the control group dropped from 3.75 to 3.70 (standard deviations, respectively SD = 0.27 and 0.28). The mean score for “sense of hope” increased from 3.28 before the intervention to 3.81 points after the intervention (SD = 0.49 and 0.26, respectively). In contrast to the control group, the mean score gradually declined from 3.26 to 3.16 points (standard deviation SD = 0.54 and 0.48, respectively). In the test of hand–eye coordination, the time required to complete the cup stacking test significantly decreased from 33.56 to 25.38 s in the experimental group but did not significantly change in the control group. Generalized estimating equation analysis revealed a significant interaction between group and time ( p < 0.001). The data trends revealed significant differences in outcomes between the experimental group and the control group. At 3 months after the end of the study, the effect size in the experimental group remained higher than that in the control group.
Keywords	horticultural activity ; attitudes toward aging ; sense of hope ; hand–eye coordination ; Medicine ; R
Subject code	796
Language	English
Publishing date	2021-06-01T00:00:00Z
Publisher	MDPI AG
Document type	Article ; Online
Database	BASE - Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (life sciences selection)

Full text online

Full text

Inter-library loan at ZB MED

Your chosen title can be delivered directly to ZB MED Cologne location if you are registered as a user at ZB MED Cologne.

Article ; Online: Effect of profilin‐1 on the asymmetric dimethylarginine‐induced vascular lesion‐associated hypertension

Guo‐Hua Ni / Jin‐Fang Cheng / Yuan‐Jian Li / Qi‐Ying Xie / Tian‐Lun Yang / Mei‐Fang Chen

Kaohsiung Journal of Medical Sciences, Vol 38, Iss 2, Pp 149-

2022 Volume 156

Abstract: Abstract Previous studies have demonstrated that the levels of asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), an endogenous inhibitor of nitric oxide (NO) synthesis, are strongly associated with hypertension, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. Profilin‐1, an ... ...

Abstract	Abstract Previous studies have demonstrated that the levels of asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), an endogenous inhibitor of nitric oxide (NO) synthesis, are strongly associated with hypertension, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. Profilin‐1, an actin‐binding protein, has been documented to be involved in endothelial injury and in the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells resulting from hypertension. However, the role of profilin‐1 in ADMA‐induced vascular injury in hypertension remains largely unknown. Forty healthy subjects and forty‐two matched patients with essential hypertension were enrolled, and the related indexes of vascular injury in plasma were detected. Rat aortic smooth muscle cells (RASMCs) were treated with different concentrations of ADMA for different periods of time and transfected with profilin‐1 small hairpin RNA to interrupt the expression of profilin‐1. To determine the role of the Janus kinase 2/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (JAK2/STAT3) pathway, RASMCs were pretreated with AG490 or rapamycin. The expression of profilin‐1 was tested using real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and western blot analysis. Cell proliferation was measured by flow cytometry and 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazoliumbromide assays. Compared with healthy subjects, the levels of ADMA and profilin‐1 were markedly elevated in hypertensive individuals, while the levels of NO were significantly decreased (p < 0.05). In vitro, studies showed ADMA‐induced profilin‐1 expression in a concentration‐ and time‐dependent manner in RASMCs (p < 0.05), concomitantly with promoting the proliferation of RASMCs. Furthermore, ADMA‐mediated proliferation of RASMCs and upregulation expression of profilin‐1 were inhibited by blockade of the JAK2/STAT3 pathway or knockdown of profilin‐1. Profilin‐1 implicated in the ADMA‐mediated vascular lesions in hypertension.
Keywords	asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) ; hypertension ; JAK2/STAT3 pathway ; profilin‐1 ; proliferation ; Medicine (General) ; R5-920
Subject code	610
Language	English
Publishing date	2022-02-01T00:00:00Z
Publisher	Wiley
Document type	Article ; Online
Database	BASE - Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (life sciences selection)

Full text online

Full text

Inter-library loan at ZB MED

Your chosen title can be delivered directly to ZB MED Cologne location if you are registered as a user at ZB MED Cologne.

Article ; Online: Campylobacter jejuni-Associated Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis and Guillain-Barre Syndrome

Fang-e Shi / Mei-fang Chen / Yong-jie Li / Gui-ying Dong / Ji-hong Zhu

Frontiers in Medicine, Vol

A Case Report

2022 Volume 9

Abstract: Campylobacter jejuni (C. jejuni), a Gram-negative bacterium, belongs to microaerobic bacteria. We reported a 21-year-old male patient diagnosed with hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) due to C. jejuni infection, who presented with multiple clinical ...

Abstract	Campylobacter jejuni (C. jejuni), a Gram-negative bacterium, belongs to microaerobic bacteria. We reported a 21-year-old male patient diagnosed with hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) due to C. jejuni infection, who presented with multiple clinical manifestations of peripheral nerve injury, such as ophthalmoplegia, facial paralysis, and urinary retention during the treatment. Electromyography showed neurogenic injury and the final diagnosis was Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS). After treatment of dexamethasone combined with immunoglobulin, the patient was discharged from the hospital with partial recovery of neurological symptoms.
Keywords	Campylobacter jejuni ; hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis ; Guillain-Barre Syndrome ; peripheral nerve injury ; ophthalmoplegia ; facial paralysis ; Medicine (General) ; R5-920
Language	English
Publishing date	2022-07-01T00:00:00Z
Publisher	Frontiers Media S.A.
Document type	Article ; Online
Database	BASE - Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (life sciences selection)

Full text online

Full text

Inter-library loan at ZB MED

Your chosen title can be delivered directly to ZB MED Cologne location if you are registered as a user at ZB MED Cologne.

Article ; Online: Uncovering the Potential Pan Proteomes Encoded by Genomic Strand RNAs of Influenza A Viruses.

Chu-Wen Yang / Mei-Fang Chen

PLoS ONE, Vol 11, Iss 1, p e

2016 Volume 0146936

Abstract: Influenza A virus genomes are composed of eight negative sense RNAs. In total, 16 proteins encoded by eight positive sense RNAs were identified. One putative protein coding sequence (PCS) encoded by genomic strand RNA of segment 8 has been previously ... ...

Abstract	Influenza A virus genomes are composed of eight negative sense RNAs. In total, 16 proteins encoded by eight positive sense RNAs were identified. One putative protein coding sequence (PCS) encoded by genomic strand RNA of segment 8 has been previously proposed. In this study, 95,608, 123,965 and 35,699 genomic strand RNA sequences from influenza A viruses from avian, human and mammalian hosts, respectively, were used to identify PCSs encoded by the genomic strand RNAs. In total, 326,069 PCSs with lengths equal to or longer than 80 amino acids were identified and clustered into 270 PCS groups. Twenty of the 270 PCS groups which have greater than 10% proportion in influenza A viruses from avian, human or mammalian hosts were selected for detailed study. Maps of the 20 PCSGs in the influenza A virus genomes were constructed. The proportions of the 20 PCSGs in influenza A viruses from different hosts and serotypes were analyzed. One secretory and five membrane proteins predicted from the PCS groups encoded by genomic strand RNAs of segments 1, 2, 4, 6, 7 and 8 were identified. These results suggest the possibility of the ambisense nature of the influenza A virus genomic RNAs and a potential coding sequence reservoir encoding potential pan proteomes of influenza A viruses.
Keywords	Medicine ; R ; Science ; Q
Subject code	500 ; 572
Language	English
Publisher	Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Document type	Article ; Online
Database	BASE - Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (life sciences selection)

Full text online

Full text

Inter-library loan at ZB MED

Your chosen title can be delivered directly to ZB MED Cologne location if you are registered as a user at ZB MED Cologne.

Article ; Online: Curcumin Induces p53-Null Hepatoma Cell Line Hep3B Apoptosis through the AKT-PTEN-FOXO4 Pathway

An-Ting Liou / Mei-Fang Chen / Chu-Wen Yang

Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Vol

2017 Volume 2017

Abstract: Objective. Curcumin (diferuloylmethane) is a yellow-colored polyphenol with antiproliferative and proapoptotic activities to various types of cancer cells. This study explored the mechanism by which curcumin induces p53-null hepatoma cell apoptosis. ... ...

Abstract	Objective. Curcumin (diferuloylmethane) is a yellow-colored polyphenol with antiproliferative and proapoptotic activities to various types of cancer cells. This study explored the mechanism by which curcumin induces p53-null hepatoma cell apoptosis. Results. AKT, FOXO1, and FOXO3 proteins were downregulated after curcumin treatment. Conversely, PTEN was upregulated. Subcellular fractionations revealed that the FOXO4 protein translocated from cytosol into the nucleus after curcumin treatment. Overexpression of FOXO4 increases the sensitivity of Hep3B cells to curcumin. Knockdown of the FOXO4 gene by siRNA inhibits the proapoptotic effects of curcumin on Hep3B cell. Conclusions. This study revealed the AKT/PTEN/FOXO4 pathway as a potential candidate of target for treatment of p53-null liver cancers.
Keywords	Other systems of medicine ; RZ201-999
Language	English
Publishing date	2017-01-01T00:00:00Z
Publisher	Hindawi Limited
Document type	Article ; Online
Database	BASE - Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (life sciences selection)

Full text online

Full text

Inter-library loan at ZB MED

Your chosen title can be delivered directly to ZB MED Cologne location if you are registered as a user at ZB MED Cologne.

Article ; Online: Robust Generation of Ready-to-Use Cryopreserved Motor Neurons from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells for Disease Modeling

Hsiao-Chien Ting / Hong-Lin Su / Mei-Fang Chen / Horng-Jyh Harn / Shinn-Zong Lin / Tzyy-Wen Chiou / Chia-Yu Chang

International Journal of Molecular Sciences, Vol 23, Iss 13462, p

2022 Volume 13462

Abstract: Human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC)-derived motor neurons (MNs) act as models for motor neuron diseases (MNDs), such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or spinal muscular atrophy. However, the MN differentiation efficiency and viability following ... ...

Abstract	Human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC)-derived motor neurons (MNs) act as models for motor neuron diseases (MNDs), such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or spinal muscular atrophy. However, the MN differentiation efficiency and viability following cryopreservation require further development for application in large-scale studies and drug screening. Here, we developed a robust protocol to convert hPSCs into MN cryopreservation stocks (hPSCs were converted into >92% motor neural progenitors and >91% MNs). Near-mature MNs were cryopreserved at a high thawing survival rate and 89% MN marker expression on day 32. Moreover, these MNs exhibited classical electrophysiological properties and neuromuscular junction (NMJ) formation ability within only 4–6 days after thawing. To apply this platform as an MND model, MN stocks were generated from SOD1 G85R , SOD1 G85G isogenic control, and sporadic ALS hPSC lines. The thawed ALS MNs expressed ALS-specific cytopathies, including SOD1 protein aggregation and TDP-43 redistribution. Thus, a stable and robust protocol was developed to generate ready-to-use cryopreserved MNs without further neuronal maturation processes for application in MND mechanistic studies, NMJ model establishment, and large-scale drug screening.
Keywords	pluripotent stem cell ; motor neuron ; cryopreservation ; electrophysiology ; neuromuscular junction ; disease modeling ; Biology (General) ; QH301-705.5 ; Chemistry ; QD1-999
Subject code	571
Language	English
Publishing date	2022-11-01T00:00:00Z
Publisher	MDPI AG
Document type	Article ; Online
Database	BASE - Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (life sciences selection)

Full text online

Full text

Inter-library loan at ZB MED

Your chosen title can be delivered directly to ZB MED Cologne location if you are registered as a user at ZB MED Cologne.

Article ; Online: In Vitro Vascular-Protective Effects of a Tilapia By-Product Oligopeptide on Angiotensin II-Induced Hypertensive Endothelial Injury in HUVEC by Nrf2/NF-κB Pathways

Jiali Chen / Fang Gong / Mei-Fang Chen / Chengyong Li / Pengzhi Hong / Shengli Sun / Chunxia Zhou / Zhong-Ji Qian

Marine Drugs, Vol 17, Iss 7, p

2019 Volume 431

Abstract: Angiotensin II (Ang II) is closely involved in endothelial injury during the development of hypertension. In this study, the protective effects of the tilapia by-product oligopeptide Leu-Ser-Gly-Tyr-Gly-Pro (LSGYGP) on oxidative stress and endothelial ... ...

Abstract	Angiotensin II (Ang II) is closely involved in endothelial injury during the development of hypertension. In this study, the protective effects of the tilapia by-product oligopeptide Leu-Ser-Gly-Tyr-Gly-Pro (LSGYGP) on oxidative stress and endothelial injury in Angiotensin II (Ang II)-stimulated human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) were evaluated. LSGYGP dose-dependently suppressed the fluorescence intensities of nitric oxide (NO) and reactive oxygen species (ROS), inhibited the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) pathway, and reduced inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and endothelin-1 (ET-1) expression, as shown by western blot. In addition, it attenuated the expression of gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) and heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1), as well as increasing superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione (GSH) expression through the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) pathway. Other experiments revealed that LSGYGP increased the apoptotic inhibition ratio between cleaved-caspase-3/procaspase-3, reduced expressions of pro-apoptotic ratio between Bcl-2/Bax, inhibited phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK), and increased phosphorylation of the serine/threonine kinase (Akt) pathway. Furthermore, LSGYGP significantly decreased Ang II-induced DNA damage in a comet assay, and molecular docking results showed that the steady interaction between LSGYGP with NF-κB may be attributed to hydrogen bonds. These results suggest that this oligopeptide is effective in protecting against Ang II-induced HUVEC injury through the reduction of oxidative stress and alleviating endothelial damage. Thus, it has the potential for the therapeutic treatment of hypertension-associated diseases.
Keywords	tilapia ; HUVEC ; angiotensin II ; NF-κB ; Nrf2 ; endothelial dysfunction ; Biology (General) ; QH301-705.5
Subject code	570 ; 616
Language	English
Publishing date	2019-07-01T00:00:00Z
Publisher	MDPI AG
Document type	Article ; Online
Database	BASE - Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (life sciences selection)

Full text online

Full text

Inter-library loan at ZB MED

Your chosen title can be delivered directly to ZB MED Cologne location if you are registered as a user at ZB MED Cologne.

To top

Full text online

More links

Kategorien

Inter-library loan at ZB MED

Full text online

More links

Kategorien

Inter-library loan at ZB MED

Full text online

More links

Kategorien

Inter-library loan at ZB MED

Full text online

More links

Kategorien

Inter-library loan at ZB MED

Full text online

More links

Kategorien

Inter-library loan at ZB MED

Full text online

More links

Kategorien

Inter-library loan at ZB MED

Full text online

More links

Kategorien

Inter-library loan at ZB MED

Full text online

More links

Kategorien

Inter-library loan at ZB MED

Full text online

More links

Kategorien

Inter-library loan at ZB MED

Full text online

More links

Kategorien

Inter-library loan at ZB MED