Studies on melatonin receptors in guinea pig platelets and melatonin actions on human leukemic megakaryoblast MEG-01 cells

published_or_final_versionPhysiologyDoctoralDoctor of Philosoph

Alternative mRNA Splicing in the Pathogenesis of Obesity

Alternative mRNA splicing is an important mechanism in expansion of proteome diversity by production of multiple protein isoforms. However, emerging evidence indicates that only a limited number of annotated protein isoforms by alternative splicing are detected, and the coding sequence of alternative splice variants usually is only slightly different from that of the canonical sequence. Nevertheless, mis-splicing is associated with a large array of human diseases. Previous reviews mainly focused on hereditary and somatic mutations in cis-acting RNA sequence elements and trans-acting splicing factors. The importance of environmental perturbations contributed to mis-splicing is not assessed. As significant changes in exon skipping and splicing factors expression levels are observed with diet-induced obesity, this review focuses on several well-known alternatively spliced metabolic factors and discusses recent advances in the regulation of the expressions of splice variants under the pathophysiological conditions of obesity. The potential of targeting the alternative mRNA mis-splicing for obesity-associated diseases therapies will also be discussed

Long Non-Coding RNAs in Obesity-Induced Cancer

Many mechanisms of obesity-induced cancers have been proposed. However, it remains unclear whether or not long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play any role in obesity-induced cancers. In this article, we briefly discuss the generally accepted hypotheses explaining the mechanisms of obesity-induced cancers, summarize the latest evidence for the expression of a number of well-known cancer-associated lncRNAs in obese subjects, and propose the potential contribution of lncRNAs to obesity-induced cancers. We hope this review can serve as an inspiration to scientists to further explore the regulatory roles of lncRNAs in the development of obesity-induced cancers. Those findings will be fundamental in the development of effective therapeutics or interventions to combat this life-threatening adverse effect of obesity

Use of Course-based undergraduate research experiences model to enhance research interest of Hong Kong health professional undergraduate students

[EN] It has been not easy to recruit postgraduate students from graduates of health professionals programmes in Hong Kong.  Recent studies show that Course-based undergraduate research experiences (CURE) not only promote students’ acquisition of research abilities and collaboration skills, but also changes in their career choices and attitude. In this study, we attempted to offer CUREs to students of Medical Laboratory Science programme in our institute as extra-curricular activities to arouse their interest in scientific investigations.  They participated to learn research methods, laboratory techniques and get hands-on research experience.  The outcomes were evaluated with the CUREs Survey developed by Prof. David Lopatto of Grinnell College and focus group discussion.  Results of CUREs survey reveal students obtaining positive gains from the CUREs programme with the relevant learning experience.  Similar to previous studies, CUREs participants develop content knowledge, confidence, skills in research and confirm their interest in pursuing science-research related educational or career paths.This study is supported by the Hong Kong Polytechnique University Teaching Development Grants 2019-22 (SS-HTI).Yau, YCM.; Cheung, TSE.; Chen, XF.; Wong, C. (2022). Use of Course-based undergraduate research experiences model to enhance research interest of Hong Kong health professional undergraduate students. En 8th International Conference on Higher Education Advances (HEAd'22). Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València. 773-779. https://doi.org/10.4995/HEAd22.2022.1449877377

Consumption of dried fruit of Crataegus pinnatifida (hawthorn) suppresses high cholesterol diet-induced hypercholesterolemia in rats

The hypocholesterolemic and atheroscleroprotective potentials of dietary consumption of hawthorn (dried fruit of Crataegus pinnatifida, Shan Zha) were investigated by monitoring plasma lipid profiles and aortic relaxation in Sprague–Dawley rats fed with either normal diet, high-cholesterol diet (HCD) or HCD supplemented with hawthorn powder (2%, w/w) (4 weeks). In HCD-fed rats, an increased plasma total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol with a decreased HDL-cholesterol was observed, and consumption of hawthorn markedly suppressed the elevated total cholesterol and LDL-lipoprotein levels plus an increased HDL-cholesterol level. The blunted acetylcholine-induced, endothelium-dependent relaxation of isolated aortas of HCD-fed rats was improved by hawthorn. The development of fatty liver, an increased nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity and an elevated oxidative stress (as estimated by the attenuated levels of anti-oxidant enzymes) associated with HCD were attenuated by hawthorn. Thus, the results demonstrated that hawthorn consumption provides overall beneficial effects on reversing HCD associated detrimental changes