Chemokine CCL2 promotes cardiac regeneration and repair in myocardial infarction mice via activation of the JNK/STAT3 axis

Stimulation of adult cardiomyocyte proliferation is a promising strategy for treating myocardial infarction (MI). Earlier studies have shown increased CCL2 levels in plasma and cardiac tissue both in MI patients and mouse models. In present study we investigated the role of CCL2 in cardiac regeneration and the underlying mechanisms. MI was induced in adult mice by permanent ligation of the left anterior descending artery, we showed that the serum and cardiac CCL2 levels were significantly increased in MI mice. Intramyocardial injection of recombinant CCL2 (rCCL2, 1 μg) immediately after the surgery significantly promoted cardiomyocyte proliferation, improved survival rate and cardiac function, and diminished scar sizes in post-MI mice. Alongside these beneficial effects, we observed an increased angiogenesis and decreased cardiomyocyte apoptosis in post-MI mice. Conversely, treatment with a selective CCL2 synthesis inhibitor Bindarit (30 μM) suppressed both CCL2 expression and cardiomyocyte proliferation in P1 neonatal rat ventricle myocytes (NRVMs). We demonstrated in NRVMs that the CCL2 stimulated cardiomyocyte proliferation through STAT3 signaling: treatment with rCCL2 (100 ng/mL) significantly increased the phosphorylation levels of STAT3, whereas a STAT3 phosphorylation inhibitor Stattic (30 μM) suppressed rCCL2-induced cardiomyocyte proliferation. In conclusion, this study suggests that CCL2 promotes cardiac regeneration via activation of STAT3 signaling, underscoring its potential as a therapeutic agent for managing MI and associated heart failure.

Predictive Value of the Systemic Immune Inflammation Index for Adverse Outcomes in Patients With Acute Ischemic Stroke

Background and Purpose

The systemic immune-inflammation index, a new index based on platelets, neutrophils and lymphocytes, has been shown to be associated with outcomes of patients with venous sinus thrombosis and cancer. However, its application in acute ischemic stroke has rarely been reported. Therefore, we examined the relationship between systemic immune-inflammation index levels at hospital admission and the outcomes of patients 3 months after onset, and plotted a nomogram to predict the probability of adverse outcomes in patients with acute ischemic stroke.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed a total of 208 patients with acute ischemic stroke who were admitted between January 2020 and December 2020, and recorded the modified Rankin score 3 months later. A modified Rankin score ≥ 3 was defined as an adverse outcome. Age, sex, NIHSS score, SII, hypertension and coronary heart disease were included in the binary logistic regression, and the nomogram was plotted with a regression equation.

Results

Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis indicated that the best cutoff value of the systemic immune-inflammation index was 802.8, with a sensitivity of 70.9% and specificity of 58.2% (area under the curve: 0.657, 95% confidence interval: 0.572–0.742). The nomogram had a C index of 0.802. The average error of the calibration curves of the training set and the validation set was 0.021 and 0.034, respectively.

Conclusion

The systemic immune-inflammation index is associated with short-term adverse outcomes in patients with acute ischemic stroke, and the nomograms can predict the risk of adverse outcomes in patients with acute ischemic stroke.

Prognostic Analysis and Risk Factors Associated with Fetal Ventriculomegaly

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to investigate the clinical outcome and related risk factors of fetal lateral ventriculomegaly (VM).

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was performed on 255 cases diagnosed as fetal VM. Prenatal imaging examination was carried out. The pregnancy outcomes were investigated through follow-up. According to the prognosis of children, they were divided into case group and control group. Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze the factors influencing the prognosis of hydrocephalus.

RESULTS

After excluding the cases with either loss of follow-up or incomplete information, 102 cases were followed up. Twelve cases with poor prognosis were set as the case group. According to the maternal age, gestational age, gender of children, and follow-up time, 3 cases were selected from the other 90 cases for each child in the case group, respectively, and selected as the control group. Paired comparative analysis was performed on 48 cases. Using prognosis as a dependent variable, multivariate logistic regression analysis of the statistically significant factors indicated that the change speed of width ratio (CSWR) and maximum lateral ventricular width (MW) were associated with fetal prognosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggested that CSWR and MW may have the value of predicting fetal prognosis.

[Correlation of the peripheral serum complement protein levels and cognitive function in first-episode drug-naive patients with schizophrenia]

Objective: To explore the role of peripheral serum complement protein in the pathogenesis of cognitive impairment by analyzing the correlation between peripheral serum levels of complement protein and cognitive function in first-episode drug-naive patients with schizophrenia. Methods: A total of 66 first-episode drug-naive schizophrenics (schizophrenia group) from the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University and 88 healthy volunteers (control group) were enrolled. Peripheral serum levels of complements (C3, C4 and CH50) were separately examined by liposome immunoassay and turbidimetric inhibition immunoassay. The MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery (MCCB) was used to assess the cognitive function. Results: Peripheral serum levels of C4, but not C3 and CH50, were significantly lower in patients with schizophrenia [0.20(0.16, 0.25) g/L] than those in the control group [0.23 (0.19, 0.27) g/L] (P<0.05). Moreover the peripheral serum levels of C3, C4 and CH50 were positively correlated with MCCB verbal fluency (r=0.258, r=0.283 and r=0.330, all P<0.05), and the peripheral serum levels of CH50 were negatively correlated with attention and alertness (r=-0.257, P<0.05). Conclusion: The decrease of peripheral serum complement C4 protein levels may be involved in the mechamism of cognitive impairment in schizophrenia.

Inhibitory effect of D3 dopamine receptors on neuropeptide Y‑induced migration in vascular smooth muscle cells

Abnormal migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) serves an important role in hypertension, atherosclerosis and restenosis following angioplasty, which is regulated numerous hormonal and humoral factors, including neuropeptide Y (NPY) and dopamine. Dopamine and NPY are both sympathetic neurotransmitters, and a previous study reported that NPY increased VSMC proliferation, while dopamine receptor inhibited it. Therefore, the authors wondered whether or not there is an inhibitory effect of dopamine receptor on NPY‑mediated VSMC migration. The present study demonstrated that stimulation with NPY dose‑dependence (10‑10‑10‑7M, 24 h) increased VSMC migration, the stimulatory effect of NPY was via the Y1 receptor. This is because, in the presence of the Y1 receptor antagonist, BIBP3226 (10‑7 M), the stimulatory effect of NPY on VSMC migration was blocked. Activation of the D3 receptor by PD128907 dose‑dependence (10‑11‑10‑8 M) reduced the stimulatory effect of NPY on VSMC migration. The effect of PD128907 was via the D3 receptor, because the inhibitory effect of PD128907 on NPY‑mediated migration was blocked by the D3 receptor antagonist, U99194. The authors' further study suggested that the inhibitory effect of the D3 receptor was via the PKA signaling pathway, in the presence of the PKA inhibitor, 14‑22 (10‑6 M), the inhibitory effect of PD128907 on VSMC migration was blocked. Moreover, the inhibitory effect of PD128907 was imitated by PKA activator, Sp‑cAMP [S], in the presence of Sp‑cAMP [S], the NPY‑mediated stimulatory effect on VSMC migration was abolished. The present study indicated that activation of the D3 receptor inhibits NPY Y1‑mediated migration on VSMCs, PKA is involved in the signaling pathway.

Identification of genes involved in spontaneous leaf color variation in Pseudosasa japonica

Spontaneous leaf color variation in bamboo provides the opportunity to study the mechanisms of leaf color formation and the breeding of ornamental bamboos. Despite the fact that many genes are known to be involved in leaf color variation in model plants, molecular mechanisms governing natural leaf color variation in bamboo have remained obscure. This study aimed to identify the genes responsible for the occurrence of such phenomena in bamboo using the suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH) method between green and albino leaves in Pseudosasa japonica f. A total of 1062 and 1004 differentially expressed transcripts were obtained from the forward and reverse SSH libraries, respectively. Subsequently, 59 differentially expressed unigenes with potential roles in leaf color formation, predicted via computational analysis of their functional relevance, were selected for further analysis using qPCR. Ten genes, involved in photosynthesis, plastid development, and cation signal transduction, showed 2-fold changes in expression levels between green and albino leaves. Further expression pattern analyses of these genes at three developmental stages revealed much lower expression abundance of Lhca1-encoded chlorophyll a/b binding protein in the albino leaves than in the green leaves. Our results suggest that, together with the concatenated negative pressure for subsequent photosynthetic processes, the albino phenotype is at least partly attributable to chloroplast inner membrane damage or to the impairment of photosynthetic pigment accumulation, which results from low Lhca1 expression.

[Influence of introducing hexyloxy group on fluorescence property of 4-nitrostilbene compounds]

Two new stilbene derivatives, 4-methacryloxyl-4'-nitrostilbene (NS) and 4-(6-methacryloxyl)-hexyloxy-4'-nitrostilbene (HNS), were synthesized and characterized by FTIR, UV-Vis, HPLC and 1H NMR. The influence of structure, concentration and solvent polarity on the fluorescence of the two compounds was investigated in the present paper. Results showed that both NS and HNS have concentration quenching effect and the fluorescence spectrum exhibited a red shift with the increase in the polarity of solvents. Moreover, the donor-acceptor structure is formed in HNS due to the introduction of donor group hexyloxy, which leads to a 72 nm red shift of the maximum wavelength of fluorescence compared with NS, and the fluorescence generated from such composite in DMF solution would change from yellow to orange.

[Distribution and expression of peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma in human pituitary adenomas]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the distribution and expression of peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma (PPAR-gamma) in human pituitary adenomas.

METHODS

Thirty eight consecutive surgically resected pituitary adenomas and 5 normal pituitary tissues were enrolled in the study. Immunohistochemistry was used to confirm the distribution of PPAR-gamma. Expression of PPAR-gamma was evaluated by Western blot.

RESULTS

PPAR-gamma immunoreactivity was located in the nucleoli of pituitary adenoma cells. PPAR-gamma was expressed in all human pituitary adenomas and normal pituitary tissues. Its expression in pituitary adenomas was significantly higher than in normal pituitary tissues (P < 0.01), and its expression in ACTH-secreting adenomas was significantly higher than in any other type of pituitary adenomas (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

PPAR-gamma may play an important role in the generation, growth, and invasion of human pituitary adenomas. It may become a novel therapeutic target for these tumors.

[Factors influencing the recurrence of Cushing's disease treated by transsphenoidal surgery]

OBJECTIVE

To explore factors influencing the recurrence of patients with Cushing's disease after transsphenoidal surgery.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 182 patients treated by transsphenoidal surgery with Cushing's disease in our department in PUMC Hospital from 1992 to 2002.

RESULTS

The recurrence rates were significantly different when patients had different radiological findings (P = 0.001), operative methods (P = 0.001), histological findings (P = 0.04), and postoperative cortisol levels (P = 0.02); however, such difference was not found in term of tumor size (P = 0.43).

CONCLUSION

Radiological findings, operative methods, histological findings, and postoperative cortisol estimates may be the factors influencing the recurrence of patients treated by transsphenoidal surgery.

Reconstruction of the sellar floor following transsphenoidal surgery using gelatin foam and fibrin glue

OBJECTIVE

To introduce a new principle of sellar reconstruction and to evaluate the effectiveness of absorbable gelatin foam and fibrin glue for sellar reconstruction.

METHODS

A total of 176 consecutive patients who underwent surgery for pituitary adenomas, cysts, chordomas, or subdiaphragmatic craniopharyngiomas in the sella turcica between January 2001 and April 2003 at Peking Union Medical College Hospital were enrolled. Different techniques of sellar closure and indications for each specific condition were retrospectively reviewed.

RESULTS

Seventy-seven (43.7%) patients developed a visible cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage during surgery. Intra-operative CSF leakage were repaired simply with gelatin foam and fibrin glue in 62 (35.2%) patients, and with autologous fat graft and sellar floor reconstruction in 15 (8.5%) patients. Postoperative CSF rhinorrhea occurred only in 1 case. There were no visual deterioration, allergic rhinitis, meningitis, pneumocranium, granulomas, or other complications associated with the reconstruction procedure.

CONCLUSION

The procedure of using gelatin foam and fibrin glue and principle of cranial base reconstruction is safe and effective in preventing postoperative complications following transsphenoidal surgery.

Efficient and fast optical phase conjugation by use of two-photon-induced gratings in the orientation of angular momentum

Optical phase conjugation (OPC) is of interest for many applications. The generation of squeezed light, phase-conjugate mirrors, optical correlation, and turbulence correction would all benefit from improved OPC performance. Using Zeeman sublevels and cross-circularly polarized light in rubidium vapor, we demonstrate an OPC process that uses very low power (30 mW) but is still very fast (60 ns) and efficient (gain of 20). This process is generic enough to be applicable to almost any resonant medium.