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1.
Pros and cons of live kidney donation in prediabetics: A critical review and way forward.
Khalil, MAM, Sadagah, NM, Tan, J, Syed, FO, Chong, VH, Al-Qurashi, SH
World journal of transplantation. 2024;(1):89822
Abstract
There is shortage of organs, including kidneys, worldwide. Along with deceased kidney transplantation, there is a significant rise in live kidney donation. The prevalence of prediabetes (PD), including impaired fasting glucose and impaired glucose tolerance, is on the rise across the globe. Transplant teams frequently come across prediabetic kidney donors for evaluation. Prediabetics are at risk of diabetes, chronic kidney disease, cardiovascular events, stroke, neuropathy, retinopathy, dementia, depression and nonalcoholic liver disease along with increased risk of all-cause mortality. Unfortunately, most of the studies done in prediabetic kidney donors are retrospective in nature and have a short follow up period. There is lack of prospective long-term studies to know about the real risk of complications after donation. Furthermore, there are variations in recommendations from various guidelines across the globe for donations in prediabetics, leading to more confusion among clinicians. This increases the responsibility of transplant teams to take appropriate decisions in the best interest of both donors and recipients. This review focuses on pathophysiological changes of PD in kidneys, potential complications of PD, other risk factors for development of type 2 diabetes, a review of guidelines for kidney donation, the potential role of diabetes risk score and calculator in kidney donors and the way forward for the evaluation and selection of prediabetic kidney donors.
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2.
Research progress on Sirtuins (SIRTs) family modulators.
Chen, M, Tan, J, Jin, Z, Jiang, T, Wu, J, Yu, X
Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie. 2024;:116481
Abstract
Sirtuins (SIRTs) represent a class of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+)-dependent protein deacetylases that exert a crucial role in cellular signal transduction and various biological processes. The mammalian sirtuins family encompasses SIRT1 to SIRT7, exhibiting therapeutic potential in counteracting cellular aging, modulating metabolism, responding to oxidative stress, inhibiting tumors, and improving cellular microenvironment. These enzymes are intricately linked to the occurrence and treatment of diverse pathological conditions, including cancer, autoimmune diseases, and cardiovascular disorders. Given the significance of histone modification in gene expression and chromatin structure, maintaining the equilibrium of the sirtuins family is imperative for disease prevention and health restoration. Mounting evidence suggests that modulators of SIRTs play a crucial role in treating various diseases and maintaining physiological balance. This review delves into the molecular structure and regulatory functions of the sirtuins family, reviews the classification and historical evolution of SIRTs modulators, offers a systematic overview of existing SIRTs modulation strategies, and elucidates the regulatory mechanisms of SIRTs modulators (agonists and inhibitors) and their clinical applications. The article concludes by summarizing the challenges encountered in SIRTs modulator research and offering insights into future research directions.
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3.
Revisiting the interconnection between lipids and vitamin K metabolism: insights from recent research and potential therapeutic implications: a review.
Tan, J, Li, Y
Nutrition & metabolism. 2024;(1):6
Abstract
Vitamin K is a lipophilic vitamin, whose absorption, transportation, and distribution are influenced by lipids. The plasma vitamin K level after supplementation is predominantly a lipid-driven effect and independent of existing vitamin K status. However, previous studies examining the efficacy of vitamin K supplementation often overlooked the influence of lipid levels on vitamin K absorption, resulting in inconsistent outcomes. Recent research discovered that impaired transportation of vitamin K2 within uremic high-density lipoproteins (HDL) in individuals with uremia might elucidate the lack of beneficial effects in preventing calcification observed in multiple trials involving menaquinone-7 (MK-7) supplementation among patients with chronic kidney disease. Clinical findings have shown that drugs used to regulate hyperlipidemia interact with the vitamin K antagonist warfarin, because cholesterol and vitamin K share common transport receptors, such as Niemann-Pick C1-like 1 (NPC1L1) and ATP-binding cassette protein G5/G8 (ABCG5/ABCG8), in enterocytes and hepatocytes. Additionally, cholesterol and vitamin K share a common biosynthetic intermediate called geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate (GGPP). It is important to note that statins, which hinder cholesterol synthesis, can also impede vitamin K conversion, ultimately impacting the functionality of vitamin K-dependent proteins. Furthermore, certain studies have indicated that vitamin K supplementation holds potential in managing hyperlipidemia, potentially opening a novel avenue for controlling hyperlipidemia using dietary vitamin K supplements. Therefore, attaining a more comprehensive understanding of the intricate interplay between vitamin K and lipids will yield valuable insights concerning the utilization of vitamin K and lipid regulation.
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4.
Unveiling the role of iPLA2β in neurodegeneration: From molecular mechanisms to advanced therapies.
Liu, J, Tan, J, Tang, B, Guo, J
Pharmacological research. 2024;:107114
Abstract
Calcium-independent phospholipase A2β (iPLA2β), a member of the phospholipase A2 (PLA2s) superfamily, is encoded by the PLA2G6 gene. Mutations in the PLA2G6 gene have been identified as the primary cause of infantile neuroaxonal dystrophy (INAD) and, less commonly, as a contributor to Parkinson's disease (PD). Recent studies have revealed that iPLA2β deficiency leads to neuroinflammation, iron accumulation, mitochondrial dysfunction, lipid dysregulation, and other pathological changes, forming a complex pathogenic network. These discoveries shed light on potential mechanisms underlying PLA2G6-associated neurodegeneration (PLAN) and offer valuable insights for therapeutic development. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the fundamental characteristics of iPLA2β, its association with neurodegeneration, the pathogenic mechanisms involved in PLAN, and potential targets for therapeutic intervention. It offers an overview of the latest advancements in this field, aiming to contribute to ongoing research endeavors and facilitate the development of effective therapies for PLAN.
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5.
Effect of individualised nutritional intervention on the postpartum nutritional status of patients with gestational diabetes mellitus and the growth and development of their offspring: a quasi-experimental study.
Tan, J, Huo, L, Qian, X, Wang, X
Journal of obstetrics and gynaecology : the journal of the Institute of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. 2023;(1):2171280
Abstract
This study explored the effect of individualised nutritional intervention on the postpartum nutritional status of patients with the growth and development of their offspring. This study included pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) at Hangzhou Women's Hospital in 2019. At 42 days after childbirth, the HbA1c (95% CI: 0.44-0.56%, p < 0.001), the FPG (95% CI: 0.01-0.26 mmol/L, p < 0.05), 2HPG (95% CI: -0.01-0.73 mmol/L, p < 0.05) and TCH (95% CI: -0.34-0.00 mmol/L, p < 0.05) level of the control group were 0.14, 0.36, and 0.17 mmol/L higher than in the intervention group. There were no differences in TG and HGB between the two groups (all p > 0.05). There were significant differences in the number of macrosomia and neonatal weight between the two groups (both p < 0.05). Differences in WHZ after childbirth were not statistically significant between the two groups (all p > 0.05). Individualised nutritional intervention could improve blood glucose levels 42 days after childbirth and reduce macrosomia incidence in pregnant women with GDM.Impact statementWhat is already known on this subject? Individualised nutrition intervention can improve blood glucose status and complications during pregnancy, thus improving pregnancy outcomes.What the results of this study add? Individual nutrition intervention improved the blood glucose and nutritional status of patients at 42 days postpartum, but there was no difference in the growth and development indicators of their offspring at 0-24 months.What the implications are of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? Improve nutritional intervention programs for gestational diabetes, improve blood glucose during pregnancy and postpartum, to improve pregnancy outcomes and reduce the occurrence of type 2 diabetes and other metabolic diseases; Extend the monitoring range of the growth and development of the offspring of gestational diabetes, find the problems and timely carry out the nutritional intervention, to improve the development of the offspring.
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6.
Long-term exercise training and inflammatory biomarkers in healthy subjects: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
Wang, YH, Tan, J, Zhou, HH, Cao, M, Zou, Y
Frontiers in psychology. 2023;:1253329
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This meta-analysis investigated the effect of long-term exercise training (ET) including aerobic, resistance, and multicomponent ET on the levels of inflammatory biomarkers in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving healthy subjects. METHODS We searched seven databases for articles until May 1st, 2023. A random-effect meta-analysis, subgroup analysis, meta-regressions as well as trim and fill method were conducted using STATA 16.0. RESULT Thirty-eight studies were included in the meta-analysis, involving 2,557 healthy subjects (mean age varies from 21 to 86 years). Long-term ET induced significantly decreased in the levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) (SMD -0.16, 95% CI -0.30 to -0.03, p = 0.017), C-reactive protein (CRP) (SMD -0.18, 95% CI -0.31 to -0.06, p = 0.005), as well as tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) (SMD -0.43, 95% CI -0.62 to -0.24, p < 0.001). Subgroup analysis revealed that Long-term ET conducted for more than 12 weeks and exercise of moderate intensity had greater anti-inflammatory effects. Meta-regression analysis showed that the reduction in CRP level induced by long-term ET was weakened by increasing exercise intensity. CONCLUSION Long-term ET induced significant anti-inflammatory effects in healthy subjects. Long-term ET-induced anti-inflammatory effects were associated with exercise of moderate intensity and training conducted for more than 12 weeks.Systematic Review Registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/# myprospero, PROSPERO, identifier CRD42022346693.
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7.
Effect of vitamin K2 in the treatment of nocturnal leg cramps in the older population: Study protocol of a randomized, double-blind, controlled trial.
Li, Y, Zhu, R, Wang, L, Tan, J
Frontiers in nutrition. 2023;:1119233
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Nocturnal leg cramps (NLCs) are sudden contractions of the leg muscles, usually in the posterior calf muscles at night, affecting sleep quality. Because the precise pathophysiology of NCLs is unclear, different interventions have been proposed. There is conflicting evidence regarding the efficacy of conventional interventions in preventing cramps. Thus, the present study aims to investigate the effects of vitamin K2 for NLCs in a prospective randomized, double-blind, controlled trial. METHODS AND ANALYSIS This multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study will enroll older age (≥65-year-old) with two or more documented episodes of NLCs during 2 weeks of screening. Participants will be randomized to receive vitamin K2 or a similar-looking placebo for 8 weeks in a 1:1 ratio. Follow-up visits will be scheduled each week at the beginning of 4-week intervention, then participants will be visited semimonthly. The primary outcome is the difference in the mean number of NLCs per week in the vitamin K2 and placebo arms. The secondary outcomes include the severity and duration of NLCs in the vitamin K2 and placebo arms. Two hundred patients will be needed, for this two-treatment parallel design study, to achieve a probability is 90% that the study will detect a treatment difference at a two-sided 0.04 significance level, if the difference between treatments is 3.6 (difference in means between treatment arms) NLC events. DISCUSSION Nocturnal Leg Cramps (NLCs) are a common musculoskeletal disorder in the general population, but effective and safe interventions have not been established. Our previous study has shown vitamin K2 was effective to reduce the frequency, severity, and duration of dialysis-related muscle cramps with a good safety profile. This randomized controlled trial (RCT) of rigorous methodological design will help to establish the effectiveness of vitamin K2 for the management of NLCs in older population. The findings of this RCT will encourage the studies of vitamin K2 in musculoskeletal disorders. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION www.ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier, NCT05547750.
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8.
Bioactive Substances and Biological Functions in Malus hupehensis: A Review.
Li, P, Tan, J, Xiao, M, Cai, X, Xue, H, Yu, H
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland). 2023;(2)
Abstract
Malus hupehensis (MH), as a natural resource, contains various active ingredients such as polyphenols, polysaccharides, proteins, amino acids, volatile substances, and other components. Increasingly, studies have indicated that MH showed a variety of biological activities, including antioxidant, hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory activities, and other activities. Hence, MH has attracted wide interest because of its high medical and nutritional value. It is necessary to review the active components and biological activities of MH. This paper systematically reviewed the chemical substances, biological activities, and potential problems of MH to further promote the related research of MH and provide an important reference for its application and development in medicine and food.
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9.
Customizing cancer treatment at the nanoscale: a focus on anaplastic thyroid cancer therapy.
Wang, J, Tan, J, Wu, B, Wu, R, Han, Y, Wang, C, Gao, Z, Jiang, D, Xia, X
Journal of nanobiotechnology. 2023;(1):374
Abstract
Anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) is a rare but highly aggressive kind of thyroid cancer. Various therapeutic methods have been considered for the treatment of ATC, but its prognosis remains poor. With the advent of the nanomedicine era, the use of nanotechnology has been introduced in the treatment of various cancers and has shown great potential and broad prospects in ATC treatment. The current review meticulously describes and summarizes the research progress of various nanomedicine-based therapeutic methods of ATC, including chemotherapy, differentiation therapy, radioiodine therapy, gene therapy, targeted therapy, photothermal therapy, and combination therapy. Furthermore, potential future challenges and opportunities for the currently developed nanomedicines for ATC treatment are discussed. As far as we know, there are few reviews focusing on the nanomedicine of ATC therapy, and it is believed that this review will generate widespread interest from researchers in a variety of fields to further expedite preclinical research and clinical translation of ATC nanomedicines.
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10.
Naringenin: A flavanone with anti-inflammatory and anti-infective properties.
Cai, J, Wen, H, Zhou, H, Zhang, D, Lan, D, Liu, S, Li, C, Dai, X, Song, T, Wang, X, et al
Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie. 2023;:114990
Abstract
Although a growing body of research has recently shown how crucial inflammation and infection are to all major diseases, several of the medications currently available on the market have various unfavourable side effects, necessitating the development of alternative therapeutic choices. Researchers are increasingly interested in alternative medications or active components derived from natural sources. Naringenin is a commonly consumed flavonoid found in many plants, and since it was discovered to have nutritional benefits, it has been utilized to treat inflammation and infections caused by particular bacteria or viruses. However, the absence of adequate clinical data and naringenin's poor solubility and stability severely restrict its usage as a medicinal agent. In this article, we discuss naringenin's effects and mechanisms of action on autoimmune-induced inflammation, bacterial infections, and viral infections based on recent research. We also present a few suggestions for enhancing naringenin's solubility, stability, and bioavailability. This paper emphasizes the potential use of naringenin as an anti-inflammatory and anti-infective agent and the next prophylactic substance for the treatment of various inflammatory and infectious diseases, even though some mechanisms of action are still unclear, and offers some theoretical support for its clinical application.