[Assessment of Contraindications to Percutaneous Mitral Commissurotomy (PMC) in Abidjan Heart Institute, Côte d'Ivoire]

Rheumatic mitral stenosis is still common in sub-Saharan Africa. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical and echocardiographic contraindications to the realization of percutaneous mitral commissurotomy (PMC) in Abidjan Heart Institute. We conducted a prospective, transversal and analytical study in the Exploration Unit from March 30, 2017 to March 30, 2018. Mitral stenosis was severe with an average anatomical surface area of 0.87cm², an average gradient of 13.7 mmHg and an upstream repercussion (dilatation of the left atrium (78 ml/m²); moderate dilatation of the right atrium (22.3 cm²) and average pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) of 55 mmHg). The main clinical contraindications were a history of rest dyspnoea at 66.7%, permanent atrial fibrillation at 53.3 % and clinical manifestations of severe PAH in 40 %. Unfavourable anatomy (95.7 %) evaluated by scores of Wilkins, Cormier and especially Echoscore revisited; bicommissural fusion (95.7 %) and severe aortic valvulopathy (31.1%) were the main barriers in transthoracic echocardiography. In multivariate analysis after linear regression, valvular anatomy, as assessed by the various scores, was significantly related to low socioeconomic status (p=0.018), level of education (p=0.04), severity of mitral stenosis evaluated by the mean gradient (p=0.033) and the impact on the left atrium (p=0.015). Mitral stenosis presents several clinical and echocardiographic contraindications. Adverse anatomy is the main obstacle and is related to low socio-economic status, educational level and severity of stenosis.

GC-MS analysis of volatiles in cinnamon essential oil extracted by different methods

Cinnamon essential oil (CEO) was extracted by three different methods: steam distillation (SD), ultrasound-assisted steam distillation (UASD) and microwave-assisted steam distillation (MASD). The volatiles in CEO were separated and identified by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and the differences in volatiles among the three different methods were further analyzed through principal component analysis. The results showed that 36 individual volatile components were present in the CEO from the three different methods. In general, the numbers of aldehydes, esters, alcohols, terpenes, aromatics and ketones were 6, 3, 7, 17, 2, and 1, respectively. The most abundant volatile component was determined to be cinnamic aldehyde. The content of total cinnamic aldehydes, which determines the price of CEO, was the highest among the three methods in the UASD sample (85.633%). Moreover, the highest yield (8.33‰) of essential oil was extracted by the UASD method. Therefore, UASD was the best way for CEO extraction in this research and was recommended for future industrial applications.

[Prognostic value of HbA1c and plasma glucose on one-year mortality in non-diabetic patients after myocardial infarction]

BACKGROUND

The usefulness of the combined assessment of HbA1c and plasma glucose (PG) in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in non-diabetic patients remains unclear.

PURPOSE

In a large observational study, we aimed to identify the prognostic values of these biomarkers regarding one-year all-cause mortality in non-diabetic patients after AMI.

METHODS

From the "obseRvatoire des Infarctus de Côte d'Or" (RICO) survey database, we included all consecutive non-diabetic patients with AMI (n=6617) from May 2001 to December 2016. Exclusion criteria were: admission known or unknown diabetes, in-hospital death. The primary endpoint was all-cause one-year mortality. The secondary endpoints were: MACE, infarct size, LVEF<40% and GRACE risk score. Cut-off levels (high/low) were determined by ROC curve analysis for the prediction of one-year death (HbA1c 5.9% and PG 131mg/dL) to set up 4 groups: low HbA1c/low glucose (n=3158), low HbA1c/high glucose (n=1264), high HbA1c/low glucose (n=1378) and high HbA1c/high glucose (n=817).

RESULTS

Elevation of PG was associated with elevated rate of LVEF<40%, STEMI, anterior wall location, DFG<60mL/min/m² and higher troponin Ic pic (all P<0.001); HbA1c>5.9% was associated with elevated rate of CRP>3mg/L (P<0.001); high HbA1c and high PG together were associated with higher rate of MACE (P<0.001). By multivariate logistic regression analysis, elevated admission PG remained a strong predictor of one-year all-cause [OR (95%CI): 1.64 (1.31-2.05)] mortality and cardiovascular mortality [OR (95%CI): 1.75 (1.33-2.31)], beyond GRACE score [OR (95%CI): 1.03 (1.03-1.04)], as well as elevated HbA1c [OR (95%CI): 1.43 (1.15-1.78) and OR (95%CI): 1.83 (1.39-2.41) respectively].

CONCLUSIONS

Admission PG and HbA1c had strong independent predictive value regarding one-year all-cause mortality in our non-diabetic patients with AMI. These biomarkers could be useful to identify the most-at-risk patients after AMI in order to reduce residual risk in this target population.

[Co-prevalence relationship analysis on different metabolic syndrome scores and behavioral risk factors in adults from Urumqi based]

Objective: To investigate the influence of the prevalence and co-prevalence of risk factors for metabolic syndrome on the scores of different levels of metabolic syndrome in people receiving physical examination in Urumqi. Methods: Using the 2017 Xinjiang Health Examination Database, a total of 175 927 people from 7 districts and 1 county in Urumqi were selected as subjects. Face-to-face survey and body measurements were used to collect cardiovascular risk factors and metabolic syndrome scores. Metabolic syndrome scores were used. For the 0-5 points at 6 levels, χ(2), χ(2) trend test, correlation analysis of ordered variable Kendall's tau-b, and logistic regression analysis of ordered results were used to analyze the influence of prevalence and co-prevalence of behavioral risk factors on the MS scores. Results: The percentages of 6 metabolic syndrome scores in the sample population were 23.82%, 27.87%, 22.41%, 16.03%, 8.02%, and 1.85%, respectively. The scores of metabolic syndrome were different in different age groups, ethnic groups, groups with different drinking rates, and groups with different dietary types, with the differences all significant (P<0.05).The MS score in men increased with the increase of oil/salt rate and excessive drinking rate (P<0.01). The score in women increased with the increase of the current smoking rate, oil/salt rate, and increased with the decrease of physical activity (P≤0.01). There was no significant difference in the distribution of regular drinking rates between different score groups (P>0.05). The scores of metabolic syndrome increased with the increase of risk factors (P<0.05). Ordered results logistic analysis found that in the men with ≥3 risk factors and the metabolic syndrome score was 1.15 (1.06-1.26) times higher than that in the men without risk factor, as well as in women with 2 risk factors and≥3 risk factors. The metabolic syndrome scores were 1.38 (1.22-1.55), 2.02 (1.53-2.66) times higher than those in the women without risk factors. Conclusions: The physical examination group in Urumqi, the more the metabolic syndrome disease behavior risk factors clustered, the higher the metabolic syndrome score was. Therefore, comprehensive intervention measures should be taken to control the different forms of metabolic syndrome to prevent the occurrence and progress of the disease.

Rapid and visual detection of 2019 novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) by a reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification assay

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate a reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) assay for detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), and compare it with RT-PCR.

METHODS

We designed primers specific to the orf1ab and S genes of SARS-CoV-2. Total viral RNA was extracted using the QIAamp Viral RNA Mini Kit. We optimized the RT-LAMP assay, and evaluated it for its sensitivity and specificity of detection using real-time turbidity monitoring and visual observation.

RESULTS

The primer sets orf1ab-4 and S-123 amplified the genes in the shortest times, the mean (±SD) times were 18 ± 1.32 min and 20 ± 1.80 min, respectively, and 63°C was the optimum reaction temperature. The sensitivities were 2 × 10¹ copies and 2 × 10² copies per reaction with primer sets orf1ab-4 and S-123, respectively. This assay showed no cross-reactivity with 60 other respiratory pathogens. To describe the availability of this method in clinical diagnosis, we collected 130 specimens from patients with clinically suspected SARS-CoV-2 infection. Among them, 58 were confirmed to be positive and 72 were negative by RT-LAMP. The sensitivity was 100% (95% CI 92.3%-100%), specificity 100% (95% CI 93.7%-100%). This assay detected SARS-CoV-2 in a mean (±SD) time of 26.28 ± 4.48 min and the results can be identified with visual observation.

CONCLUSION

These results demonstrate that we developed a rapid, simple, specific and sensitive RT-LAMP assay for SARS-CoV-2 detection among clinical samples. It will be a powerful tool for SARS-CoV-2 identification, and for monitoring suspected patients, close contacts and high-risk groups.

AIF1 was identified as an up-regulated gene contributing to CSFV Shimen infection in porcine alveolar macrophage 3D4/21 cells

Classical swine fever (CSF) is a disease that is characterized by diffuse hemorrhaging, high fever, and high mortality rates. The pro-inflammatory characteristics of allograft inflammatory factor 1 (AIF1) have been well documented; however, insufficient attention has been given to porcine AIF1. In the present study, AIF1 was identified as a key player contributing to CSFV Shimen infection in porcine alveolar macrophage (PAM) 3D4/21 cell line. Our evaluation showed that AIF1 mRNA and protein are expressed at a time-dependent high level in CSFV Shimen-infected PAM 3D4/21 cells. The transcription and translation of IL6 were also significantly upregulated in infected PAM 3D4/21 cells. By utilizing overexpression RNAs approach, we showed that the cellular AIF1 induced an increased IL6 in PAM 3D4/21 cells. Furthermore, silencing of AIF1 suppressed CSFV Shimen-induced IL6 production in PAM 3D4/21 cells and also inhibited CSFV replication, whereas overexpression of recombinant AIF1 was beneficial for the replication of CSFV Shimen and promoting IL6 production in CSFV Shimen-infected PAM 3D4/21 cells. It is suggested CSFV Shimen induced IL6 in PAM 3D4/21 cells via AIF1 activation, which help clarify the AIF1-related inflammatory processes that occur on CSFV Shimen infected macrophages.

Intra-articular injection of magnesium chloride attenuates osteoarthritis progression in rats

OBJECTIVE

To explore the effects of Mg²⁺ on the expression of osteoarthritic markers in human cartilage and synovium tissue explants. To investigate the therapeutic effect of intra-articular injection of Mg²⁺ in an established rat OA (Osteoarthritis) model of anterior cruciate ligament transection with partial medial meniscectomy (ACLT + PMM).

DESIGN

Human cartilage and synovium explants were collected from total knee replacement surgeries and incubated with MgCl₂ (20 mmol/L) in vitro. A rat OA model was established by ACLT + PMM surgery in 450-500 g male Sprague Dawley (SD) rats. To select the optimal dose, intra-articular injections of MgCl₂ (0.05, 0.5, 5 mol/L) were performed at 4 weeks after the surgery every 3 days for 2 weeks. The effect of optimized MgCl₂ was further determined by histology, immunohistochemistry, and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction.

RESULTS

The expressions of osteoarthritic markers in human cartilage and synovium explants were inhibited by Mg²⁺in vitro. Immunohistochemical analysis further suggested the inhibitory effects of Mg²⁺ on the expression of MMP-13 and IL-6 in the human tissue explants. Cartilage degeneration and synovitis in ACLT + PMM rats were significantly improved by intra-articular injections of Mg²⁺ (0.5 mol/L). Immunohistochemical analysis also showed the regulatory effects of Mg²⁺ on osteoarthritic markers in both cartilage and synovium in rats, consistent with in vitro results.

CONCLUSION

Intra-articular injections of Mg²⁺ at 0.5 mol/L attenuate the progression of OA in the ACLT + PMM rat model. Such effect was at least in part explained by the promotion of cartilage matrix synthesis and the suppression of synovial inflammation.

The role of miR-146b-5p in TLR4 pathway of glomerular mesangial cells with lupus nephritis

OBJECTIVE

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are now recognized as important regulators of gene expression. The aim of the study was to investigate the role of miR-146b-5p in the TLR4 pathway and provide the basis for the treatment of lupus nephritis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The glomerular mesangial cells were cultured in vitro and divided into 3 groups: control group, a group of miR-146b-5p mimic added, and a group of miR-146b-5p inhibitor added. The levels of IL-6 and IL-8 in the cell culture supernatant of the three groups were detected by ELISA. The cell proliferation was detected by MTT. The expressions of MiR-146b-5p and TLR4 pathway-associated factor TRAF6 were detected by RT- PCR. The expression of TRAF6 and IRAK1 protein was detected by Western blot.

RESULTS

The overexpression of miR-146b-5p could reduce the level of IL6 and IL8 in cell culture and inhibit glomerular mesangial cell proliferation in some degree. Also, the overexpression of miR-146b-5p could inhibit the expressions of TLR4 pathway-associated factor TRAF6 and IRAK1mRNA, and the expressions of TRAF6 and IRAK1 protein.

CONCLUSIONS

MiR-146b-5p attenuated the inflammatory response of glomerular mesangial cells by inhibiting the expressions levels of TRAF6 and IRAK1 in lupus nephritis.

Baicalein, an enteric microbial metabolite, suppresses gut inflammation and cancer progression in ApcMin/+ mice

OBJECTIVE

Chronic inflammation is recognized as a risk factor for colorectal cancer (CRC) development. Baicalin (BI), a major constituent in an anti-inflammatory herb Scutellaria baicalensis, can be biotransformed into baicalein (BE) by the intestinal microbiota. We evaluated the anti-inflammation and anti-CRC effects of the metabolite BE.

METHODS

The in vitro biotransformation by human intestinal microbiota from BI into BE has been determined with HPLC. Using a gut-specific Apc^Min/+ mouse model, the effects of oral BE on the life span, organ index, and tumor multiplicity were evaluated. The expressions of inflammatory cytokines were determined using ELISA. To verify the in vivo data, the anti-inflammatory and antiproliferative effects of BE were determined with an in vitro cell model.

RESULTS

HPLC analysis showed that BI was quickly transformed into BE by the intestinal microbiota. Oral BE (30 mg/kg/day) significantly increased the life span, from 125.2 to 218.4 days (P < 0.01%). BE treatment also decreased intestine index and increased spleen index. Compared with the model group, following BE treatment, tumor numbers were significantly reduced in the small intestine and colon (P < 0.01, P < 0.05, respectively). In the gut tissues, BE treatment significantly reduced inflammatory cytokine levels such as IL-1β, IL-2, IL-6, IL-10, G-CSF, and GM-CSF. In vitro data supported our in vivo results that the anti-CRC effects of BE were via the inhibition of gut inflammation and induction of cancer cell death.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that the parent compound BI can be quickly converted into its microbial metabolite BE, which has stronger bioactive effects than BI. Baicalein is an active chemopreventive metabolite for inflammatory associated CRC.

2214Prevalence and severity of coronary disease in patients with familial hypercholesterolemia hospitalized for an acute myocardial infarction: data from the RICO survey

Aim

Individuals with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) are at high risk of early myocardial infarction (MI). However, coronary artery disease (CAD) burden of FH remains not well described. From a large database of a regional registry of acute MI, we aimed to address prevalence of FH and severity of CAD.

Methods

Consecutive patients hospitalized with MI in a multicentre database from 2001–2017 were considered. An algorithm, adapted from Dutch Lipid Clinic Network criteria, was built upon 4 variables (LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) and lipid lowering agents, premature and family history of CAD) to identify FH probabilities.

Results

Among the 11624 patients included in the survey, 249 (2.1%) had probable/definite FH (score ≥6), and 2405 (20.7%) had possible FH (score 3–5). When compared with patients without FH (score 0–2), FH patients (score ≥6) were 20y younger (51 (46–57) vs 71 (61–80) y, p<0.001), with a lower rate of hypertension (47 vs 59%, p<0.001), diabetes (17 vs 25%, p<0.001) and prior stroke (4 vs 8%, p=0.016), but a higher prevalence of smokers (56 vs 23%, p<0.001), personal (20 vs 15%, p=0.02) or familial history of CAD (78 vs 18%, p<0.001). Chronic statin treatment was only used in 48% of FH patients and ezetimibe in 8%. After adjustment for age, sex and diabetes, FH patients were characterized by increased extent of CAD (syntax score 11 (4–19) vs 7 (1–13), p<0.001) and multivessel disease (55 vs 40%, p<0.001).

Conclusion

In this large real world population of acute MI, a high prevalence of FH was found. FH patients were characterized by their young age associated with the severity of CAD burden and limited use of preventive lipid lowering therapy.

Acknowledgement/Funding

University Hospital Center Dijon Bourgogne, Agence Régionale de Santé Bourgogne Franche Comté, France

Effect of Sustained Joint Loading on TMJ Disc Nutrient Environment

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disc nutrient environment profoundly affects cell energy metabolism, proliferation, and biosynthesis. Due to technical challenges of in vivo measurements, the human TMJ disc extracellular nutrient environment under load, which depends on metabolic rates, solute diffusion, and disc morphometry, remains unknown. Therefore, the study objective was to predict the TMJ disc nutrient environment under loading conditions using combined experimental and computational modeling approaches. Specifically, glucose consumption and lactate production rates of porcine TMJ discs were measured under varying tissue culture conditions (n = 40 discs), and mechanical strain-dependent glucose and lactate diffusivities were measured using a custom diffusion chamber (n = 6 discs). TMJ anatomy and loading area were obtained from magnetic resonance imaging of healthy human volunteers (n = 11, male, 30 ± 9 y). Using experimentally determined nutrient metabolic rates, solute diffusivities, TMJ anatomy, and loading areas, subject-specific finite element (FE) models were developed to predict the 3-dimensional nutrient profiles in unloaded and loaded TMJ discs (unloaded, 0% strain, 20% strain). From the FE models, glucose, lactate, and oxygen concentration ranges for unloaded healthy human TMJ discs were 0.6 to 4.0 mM, 0.9 to 5.0 mM, and 0% to 6%, respectively, with steep gradients in the anterior and posterior bands. Sustained mechanical loading significantly reduced nutrient levels (P < 0.001), with a critical zone in which cells may die representing approximately 13.5% of the total disc volume. In conclusion, this study experimentally determined TMJ disc metabolic rates, solute diffusivities, and disc morphometry, and through subject-specific FE modeling, revealed critical interactions between mechanical loading and nutrient supply and metabolism for the in vivo human TMJ disc. The results suggest that TMJ disc homeostasis may be vulnerable to pathological loading (e.g., clenching, bruxism), which impedes nutrient supply. Given difficulties associated with direct in vivo measurements, this study provides a new approach to systematically investigate homeostatic and degenerative mechanisms associated with the TMJ disc.