[A transcriptomic analysis of correlation between mitochondrial function and energy metabolism remodeling in mice with myocardial fibrosis following myocardial infarction]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the changes of mitochondrial respiratory function during myocardial fibrosis in mice with myocardial infarction (MI) and its correlation with the increase of glycolytic flux.

METHODS

Forty C57BL/6N mice were randomized into two equal groups to receive sham operation or ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery to induce acute MI. At 28 days after the operation, 5 mice from each group were euthanized and left ventricular tissue samples were collected for transcriptomic sequencing. FPKM method was used to calculate gene expression levels to identify the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in MI mice, which were analyzed using GO and KEGG databases to determine the pathways affecting the disease process. Heat maps were drawn to show the differential expressions of the pathways and the related genes in the enrichment analysis. In primary cultures of neonatal mouse cardiac fibroblasts (CFs), the changes in mitochondrial respiration and glycolysis levels in response to treatment with the pro-fibrotic agonist TGF-β1 were analyzed using Seahorse experiment.

RESULTS

The mouse models of MI showed significantly increased diastolic and systolic left ventricular diameter (P < 0.05) and decreased left ventricular ejection fraction (P < 0.0001). A total of 124 up-regulated and 106 down-regulated DEGs were identified in the myocardial tissues of MI mice, and GO and KEGG enrichment analysis showed that these DEGs were significantly enriched in fatty acid metabolism, organelles and other metabolic pathways and in the mitochondria. Heat maps revealed fatty acid beta oxidation, mitochondrial dysfunction and increased glycolysis levels in MI mice. In the primary culture of CFs, treatment with TGF-β1 significantly reduced the basal and maximum respiratory levels and increased the basal and maximum glycolysis levels (P < 0.0001).

CONCLUSION

During myocardial fibrosis, energy metabolism remodeling occurs in the CFs, manifested by lowered mitochondrial function and increased energy generation through glycolysis.

A single site ruthenium catalyst for robust soot oxidation without platinum or palladium

The quest for efficient non-Pt/Pd catalysts has proved to be a formidable challenge for auto-exhaust purification. Herein, we present an approach to construct a robust catalyst by embedding single-atom Ru sites onto the surface of CeO2 through a gas bubbling-assisted membrane deposition method. The formed single-atom Ru sites, which occupy surface lattice sites of CeO2, can improve activation efficiency for NO and O2. Remarkably, the Ru1/CeO2 catalyst exhibits exceptional catalytic performance and stability during auto-exhaust carbon particle oxidation (soot), rivaling commercial Pt-based catalysts. The turnover frequency (0.218 h-1) is a nine-fold increase relative to the Ru nanoparticle catalyst. We further show that the strong interfacial charge transfer within the atomically dispersed Ru active site greatly enhances the rate-determining step of NO oxidation, resulting in a substantial reduction of the apparent activation energy during soot oxidation. The single-atom Ru catalyst represents a step toward reducing dependence on Pt/Pd-based catalysts.

Plasma levels of bone morphogenic protein-4 are downregulated in elderly hypertensive patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to evaluate the association between plasma bone morphogenic protein-4 (BMP-4) levels and heart failure (HF) with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) or mildly reduced ejection fraction (HFmrEF) in elderly hypertensive patients.

METHODS

A total of 222 hypertensive individuals meeting the inclusion criteria were enrolled from October 2021 to July 2022. Data were collected including clinical characteristics, laboratory tests and echocardiogram measurements. Plasma BMP-4 levels were tested using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay analysis.

RESULTS

Among 222 elderly hypertensive patients, 149 were without HF, 59 had HFpEF, and 14 had HFmrEF. Plasma BMP-4 levels were strikingly downregulated in hypertensive patients with HFpEF/HFmrEF [median (25th, 75th percentile): 15.89 (7.69, 23.12) pg/mL vs. 19.67 (10.60, 33.04) pg/mL; P = 0.002]. After univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis, the risk of HFpEF/HFmrEF was declined in the 4th quartile BMP-4 group when compared with the 1st quartile BMP-4 group (odds ratio, 0.20, 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.04 to 1.00; P = 0.050, P for trend = 0.025). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis revealed that BMP-4 ≤ 28.5 pg/mL exhibited a sensitivity of 95.9% and a specificity of 28.2% in HFpEF/HFmrEF diagnosis. Furthermore, the area under the curve (AUC) was 0.619 (95% CI:0.540-0.698, P < 0.001). The corresponding AUC for brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) was 0.781 (95% CI: 0.710-0.852), P < 0.001. Adding BMP-4 to BNP increased the AUC to 0.790 (95% CI: 0.724-0.856), vs. BMP-4, P < 0.001; vs. BNP, P = 0.730, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Plasma BMP-4 levels are downregulated in elderly hypertensive patients with HFpEF. BMP-4 is a promising biomarker for diagnosing HFpEF/HFmrEF during hypertension.

Association of the visceral adiposity index with arterial stiffness in elderly Chinese population

BACKGROUND

The visceral adiposity index (VAI) is a new marker of adipose dysfunction and related with cardiometabolic risk. The aim of this study is to investigate the association of VAI with arterial stiffness in elderly Chinese population.

METHODS

A total of 1,707 elderly individuals over 60 years of age were recruited for this cross-sectional study. We measured body composition, anthropometrics, blood pressure, and lipid parameters. The arterial stiffness was measured by brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) and defined as baPWV ≥ 1400 cm/s. VAI‬ was calculated based on body mass index, waist circumference, triglyceride and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Multivariable regression analysis was performed to evaluate the association between VAI and baPWV.

RESULTS

There were significant differences in VAI tertiles between low-baPWV and high-baPWV group (p = 0.008). Univariate analysis demonstrated that age, history of hypertension, SBP, DBP, total cholesterol, fasting glucose, the higher VAI tertiles were correlated with the existence of high-baPWV (p < 0.05). Participants in the higher VAI tertiles had higher OR (1.0 ≤ VAI < 1.74: OR= 2.89, 95% CI [1.44, 5.80]; VAI ≥ 1.75: OR = 4.23, 95% CI [1.45, 12.37], p for trend: 0.004) comparing with the lowest VAI tertile. Non-linear relationship was detected between VAI and baPWV. VAI was positively correlated with baPWV when VAI < 2.10.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrates that VAI is independently associated with the risk of arterial stiffness in elderly population.

Effects of intensive blood pressure lowering in patients with diabetes: A pooled analysis of the STEP and ACCORD-BP randomized trials

AIM

To determine whether intensive systolic blood pressure (SBP) lowering can benefit hypertensive patients with diabetes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We performed a pooled analysis of individual patient data from two randomized trials to compare intensive and standard SBP targets in hypertensive patients with diabetes (STEP diabetes subgroup and ACCORD-BP standard glycaemic group, n = 1627 and n = 2362, respectively). We defined a modified primary outcome as a composite of stroke, major coronary artery disease (myocardial infarction and unstable angina), heart failure, and cardiovascular death. The secondary outcomes were individual components of the primary outcome and death from any cause. A Cox proportional hazards regression model was used in the main analysis. We conducted one-stage mixed-effect models and two-stage analyses as sensitivity and supplementary analyses to verify the robustness of the findings.

RESULTS

A total of 3989 patients were randomized to undergo intensive (n = 1984) or standard SBP treatment (n = 2005). After a median follow-up of 3.83 years, the primary outcome occurred in 193/1984 patients in the intensive group and in 247/2005 patients in the standard group (hazard ratio [HR] 0.77, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.64-0.93). The incidence rates for secondary outcomes were lower in the intensive group than in the standard group, but were not significantly different, except for stroke (intensive vs. standard: 32/1984 vs. 58/2005; HR 0.56, 95% CI 0.36-0.86). These results remained consistent in the additional sensitivity and supplementary analyses.

CONCLUSIONS

An intensive SBP-lowering target of 110 to <130 mmHg reduces the cardiovascular outcomes compared with a standard SBP-lowering target of 130 to <150 mmHg. The findings of this study support the favourable effects of intensive SBP lowering in hypertensive patients with diabetes.

Circulating exosomal lncRNAs in patients with chronic coronary syndromes

INTRODUCTION

The concept of chronic coronary syndrome (CCS) was first presented at the European Society of Cardiology Meeting in 2019. However, the roles of exosomal lncRNAs in CCS remain largely unclear.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A case-control study was performed with a total of 218 participants (137 males and 81 females), including 15 CCS patients and 15 controls for sequencing profiles, 20 CCS patients and 20 controls for the first validation, and 100 CCS patients and 48 controls for the second validation. Exosomes were isolated from the plasma of CCS patients and controls, and exosomal lncRNAs were identified by sequencing profiles and verified twice by qRT-PCR analysis. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed to evaluate the diagnostic value of exosomal lncRNAs for CCS patients.

RESULTS

A total of 152 significantly differentially expressed lncRNAs with over two-fold changes were detected in plasma exosomes of CCS patients, including 90 upregulated and 62 downregulated lncRNAs. Importantly, 6 upregulated lncRNAs with the top fold changes were selected for validations. Exosomal lncRNAs ENST00000424615.2 and ENST00000560769.1 were significantly elevated in CCS patients in both validations compared with controls. The areas under the ROC of lncRNAs ENST00000424615.2 and ENST00000560769.1 were 0.654 and 0.722, respectively. Additionally, exosomal lncRNA ENST00000560769.1 was significantly higher in the CCS patients with more diseased vessels (p = 0.028).

CONCLUSIONS

Exosomal lncRNA ENST00000424615.2 and ENST00000560769.1 were identified as novel diagnosis biomarkers for patients with CCS. Moreover, exosomal lncRNA ENST00000560769.1 was significantly higher in the CCS patients with more diseased vessels, and might be associated with a poor prognosis.

The association between visceral adiposity index and leukocyte telomere length in adults: results from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

BACKGROUND

Leukocyte telomere length (LTL) is a robust marker of biological aging, which is associated with obesity. Recently, the visceral adiposity index (VAI) has been proposed as an indicator of adipose distribution and function.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluated the association between VAI and LTL in adult Americans.

METHODS

There were 3193 participants in U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (1999-2002) included in this analysis. LTL was measured using quantitative PCR (qPCR) and expressed as telomere to single-gene copy ratio (T/S ratio). We performed multiple logistic regression models to explore the association between VAI and LTL by adjusting for potential confounders.

RESULTS

Among all participants, VAI was associated with the shorter LTL (β:  - 14.81, 95% CI  - 22.28 to  - 7.34, p < 0.001). There were significant differences of LTL in VAI tertiles (p < 0.001). Participants in the higher VAI tertile had the shorter LTL (1.26 ≤ VAI < 2.46: β =  - 130.16, 95% CI [ - 183.44,  - 76.87]; VAI ≥ 2.46: β =  - 216.12, 95% CI [ - 216.12,  - 81.42], p for trend: < 0.001) comparing with the lower VAI tertile. We also found a non-linear relationship between VAI and LTL. VAI was negatively correlated with LTL when VAI was less than 2.84.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study demonstrates that VAI is independently associated with telomere length. A higher VAI is associated with shorter LTL. The results suggest that VAI may provide prediction for LTL and account for accelerating the biological aging.

Predictive value of CTRP3 for the disease recurrence of atrial fibrillation patients after radiofrequency ablation

OBJECTIVE

To explore the expression of plasma CTRP3 in patients with non-valvular paroxysmal atrial fibrillation after radiofrequency ablation and its predictive value for disease recurrence.

METHODS

In this retrospective study, the patients in the Heart Center of Beijing Chaoyang Hospital from June 2016 to November 2017 were collected. According to the guidelines for diagnosis and treatment of atrial fibrillation 2016, patients diagnosed with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation were selected as the study subjects. All patients with successful radiofrequency ablation of atrial fibrillation were followed up by telephone or outpatient service at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after radiofrequency ablation, respectively. Recurrence of atrial fibrillation was defined as a duration of rapid atrial arrhythmia ≥30 seconds confirmed by electrocardiogram or 24-hour ambulatory electrocardiogram 3 months after radiofrequency ablation. According to the follow-up results, the patients were divided into a recurrent group and non-recurrent group. The level of CTRP3 was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

RESULTS

Analysis of clinical baseline data showed significant differences between the recurrent group and the non-recurrent group in age, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, EGFR, thyroid stimulating hormone level, platelet count, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, NT proBNP, left atrial anterior posterior diameter, left atrial upper and lower diameter and CTRP3 (P < 0.05). The univariate logistic regression showed that older age (or = 1.08, P < 0.001), increased diastolic blood pressure (OR = 1.051, P = 0.002), cardiac dysfunction (OR = 2.594, P = 0.01), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (OR = 1.134, P = 0.008) and NT proBNP (OR = 1.000, P = 0.005), increased anterior posterior diameter of left atrium (OR = 1.158, P < 0.001), increased upper and lower diameter of left atrium (OR = 1.133, P < 0.001), thrombocytopenia (OR = -0.008, P < 0.027) and CTRP3 (OR = 1.007, P = 0.006) were the risk factors for the recurrence of atrial fibrillation after radiofrequency ablation. Moreover, the multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that CTRP3 (or = 1.032, P = 0.005) was an independent predictor of recurrence.

CONCLUSION

The plasma concentration of CTRP3 increased significantly in patients with recurrent atrial fibrillation after radiofrequency ablation. Moreover, CTRP3 was a predictor of recurrence after radiofrequency ablation in patients with atrial fibrillation.

Facilitating Catalytic Purification of Auto-Exhaust Carbon Particles via the Fe2O3{113} Facet-dependent Effect in Pt/Fe2O3 Catalysts

The purification efficiency of auto-exhaust carbon particles in the catalytic aftertreatment system of vehicle exhaust is strongly dependent on the interface nanostructure between the noble metal component and oxide supports. Herein, we have elaborately synthesized the catalysts (Pt/Fe₂O₃-R) of Pt nanoparticles decorated on the hexagonal bipyramid α-Fe₂O₃ nanocrystals with co-exposed twelve {113} and six {104} facets. The area ratios (R) of co-exposed {113} to {104} facets in α-Fe₂O₃ nanocrystals were adjusted by the fluoride ion concentration in the hydrothermal method. The strong Pt-Fe₂O₃{113} facet interaction boosts the formation of coordination unsaturated ferric sites for enhancing adsorption/activation of O₂ and NO. Pt/Fe₂O₃-R catalysts exhibited the Fe₂O₃{113} facet-dependent performance during catalytic purification of soot particles in the presence of H₂O. Among the catalysts, the Pt/Fe₂O₃-19 catalyst exhibits the highest catalytic activities (T₅₀ = 365 °C, TOF = 0.13 h^-1), the lowest apparent activation energy (69 kJ mol^-1), and excellent catalytic stability during soot purification. Combined with the results of characterizations and density functional theory calculations, the catalytic mechanism is proposed: the active sites located at the Pt-Fe₂O₃{113} interface can boost the key step of NO oxidation to NO₂. The crystal facet engineering is an effective strategy to obtain efficient catalysts for soot purification in practical applications.

The dUTPase of caprine arthritis-encephalitis virus negatively regulates interferon signaling pathway

Background

Deoxyuracil triphosphate nucleotide (dUTP) pyrophosphatase (dUTPase, DU) is an enzyme of caprine arthritis-encephalitis virus (CAEV) that minimizes incorporation of dUTP into the DNA. Caprine arthritis-encephalitis virus relies partly on its ability to escape from innate immunity to cause persistent infections. Interferon β (IFN-β) is an important marker for evaluating the innate immune system, and it has a broad spectrum of antiviral activity.

Aims

This study was conducted to investigate the details of the IFN-β response to CAEV infection.

Methods

The expression of IFN-β and the proliferation of Sendai virus (SeV) and vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) were determined by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). The effect of DU on the IFN signaling pathway was evaluated using luciferase reporter assays.

Results

In our study, the expression of IFN-β was significantly inhibited and the proliferation of SeV and VSV was promoted in cells overexpressing CAEV-DU. DU affected interferon stimulated response element (ISRE) and IFN-β promoter activities induced by RIG-I/MDA5/MAVS/TBK1 pathway, while did not affect them induced by interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3-5D).

Conclusion

DU protein downregulated the production of IFN-β by inhibiting the activity of the signal transduction molecules upstream of IRF3, thereby, helping CAEV escape innate immunity. Findings of this work provide an evidence to understand the persistent infection and multiple system inflammation of CAEV.

Wake dynamics of air filaments generated by high-energy picosecond laser pulses at 1 kHz repetition rate

We investigated the filamentation in air of 7 ps laser pulses of up to 200 mJ energy from a 1.03 μm-wavelength Yb:YAG laser at repetition rates up to f=1kHz. Interferograms of the wake generated show that while pulses in a train of repetition rate f=0.1kHz encounter a nearly unperturbed environment, at f=1kHz, a channel with an axial air density hole of ∼20% is generated and maintained at all times by the cumulative effect of preceding laser pulses. Measurements at f=1kHz show that the energy deposited decreases proportional to the air channel density depletion, becoming more pronounced as the repetition rate and pulse energy increase. Numerical simulations indicate that contrary to filaments generated by shorter duration pulses, the electron avalanche is the dominant energy loss mechanism during filamentation with 7 ps pulses. The results are of interest for the atmospheric propagation of joule-level picosecond pulses from Yb:YAG lasers, of which average powers now surpass 1 kW, and for channeling other directed energy beams.

Genetic deletion of CMG2 exacerbates systemic-to-pulmonary shunt-induced pulmonary arterial hypertension

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) secondary to congenital heart disease (CHD-PAH) with systemic-to-pulmonary shunt (SPS) is characterized by proliferative vascular remodeling. Capillary morphogenesis gene-2 (CMG2) plays a key role in cell proliferation and apoptosis. This study aimed to determine the role of CMG2 in the pathogenesis of SPS-induced PAH. CMG2 levels were significantly downregulated in pulmonary arterioles from patients with Eisenmenger syndrome and rats with SPS-induced PAH. CMG2 was highly expressed in several cells including human pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (HPASMCs). CMG2^-/- rats exhibited more severe PAH and pulmonary vascular remodeling than wild-type rats when exposed to SPS for 8 weeks. Overexpression of CMG2 significantly inhibited proliferation and promoted apoptosis of HPASMCs, while knockdown of CMG2 promoted cell proliferation and inhibited cell apoptosis. Next-generation sequencing and subsequent validation results suggested that PI3K-AKT was the most prominent signaling pathway regulated by differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in CMG2^-/- rat lungs. Our work identified a novel role for CMG2 in SPS-induced PAH based on the findings that CMG2 deficiency exacerbates SPS-induced vascular remodeling in the development of PAH, indicating that CMG2 might act as a potential target for the treatment of CHD-PAH.

[Huangqin decoction alleviates ulcerative colitis by regulating ILC3s-TH cell response]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the effect of Huangqin decoction (HQD) on group 3 innate lymphoid cells (ILC3s) and helper T cells (Th) for treatment of ulcerative colitis (UC).

OBJECTIVE

Male Balb/c mice were randomly divided into control group, DSS group, mesalazine group (ME, 400 mg/kg), and 2.275 g/kg, 4.55 g/kg and 9.1 g/kg HQD groups. All the mice were given free access to normal chow. Except for those in the normal control group, all the mice were given 3% DSS solution for 7 days to establish models of UC. The mice in ME group and 3 HQD groups were given mesalazine or HQD via oral gavage at the specified doses once a day. Flow cytometry was performed to analyze the ILC3s, MHC Ⅱ, Th1 and Treg in the lamina propria lymphocytes in the colon. Milliplex was performed to determine cytokine levels of in the colon tissues.

OBJECTIVE

Compared with those in DSS group, the mice in the 3 HQD groups all showed obviously lessened symptoms of UC with significantl decreased DAI score (P < 0.001) and macroscopic score (P < 0.001). The results of flow cytometry showed that HQD treatment significantly increased the percentage of ILC3s (P < 0.05) and expression of MHCⅡ (P < 0.05), obviously reduced the proportion of Th1 (P < 0.05) but increased Treg cells (P < 0.05) in the colon tissues. Milliplex showed that HQD treatment significantly reduced the expressions of Th-related pro-inflammatory cytokines including IL-2 (P < 0.05), IL-17A (P < 0.05), IL-23 (P < 0.05), TNF-α (P < 0.05), and IFN-γ (P < 0.05).

OBJECTIVE

HQD alleviates DSS- induced UC in mice by increasing ILC3s and MHC Ⅱ expression to suppress the function of Th17 and Th1 cells and promote Treg and Th2 cells.

Vital Roles of Gremlin-1 in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Induced by Systemic-to-Pulmonary Shunts

Background Heterozygous mutation in BMP (bone morphogenetic protein) receptor 2 is rare, but BMP cascade suppression is common in congenital heart disease-associated pulmonary arterial hypertension (CHD-PAH); however, the underling mechanism of BMP cascade suppression independent of BMP receptor 2 mutation is unknown. Methods and Results Pulmonary hypertensive status observed in CHD-PAH was surgically reproduced in rats. Gremlin-1 expression was increased, but BMP cascade was suppressed, in lungs from CHD-PAH patients and shunted rats, whereas shunt correction retarded these trends in rats. Immunostaining demonstrated increased gremlin-1 was mainly in the endothelium and media of remodeled pulmonary arteries. However, mechanical stretch time- and amplitude-dependently stimulated gremlin-1 secretion and suppressed BMP cascade in distal pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells from healthy rats. Under static condition, gremlin-1 significantly promoted the proliferation and inhibited the apoptosis of distal pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells from healthy rats via BMP cascade. Furthermore, plasma gremlin-1 closely correlated with hemodynamic parameters in CHD-PAH patients and shunted rats. Conclusions Serving as an endogenous antagonist of BMP cascade, the increase of gremlin-1 in CHD-PAH may present a reasonable mechanism explanation for BMP cascade suppression independent of BMP receptor 2 mutation.

Circulating Connective Tissue Growth Factor Is Associated with Diastolic Dysfunction in Patients with Diastolic Heart Failure

Background: Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) and transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) are emerging biomarkers for tissue fibrosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between circulating CTGF, TGF-β1 levels and cardiac diastolic dysfunction in patients with diastolic heart failure (DHF). Methods: Admitted subjects were screened for heart failure and those with left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction <45% were excluded. Diastolic dysfunction was defined as functional abnormalities that exist during LV relaxation and filling by echocardiographic criteria. Totally 114 patients with DHF and 72 controls were enrolled. Plasma levels of CTGF, TGF-β1, and B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) were determined. Results: The plasma CTGF and TGF-β1 levels increased significantly in patients with DHF. Circulating CTGF and TGF-β1 levels were correlated with echocardiographic parameter E/e’ and diastolic dysfunction grading in DHF patients. In multivariate logistic analysis, CTGF was significantly associated with diastolic dysfunction (odds ratio: 1.027, p < 0.001). Plasma CTGF (AUC: 0.770 ± 0.036, p < 0.001) and CTGF/BNP (AUC: 0.839 ± 0.036, p < 0.001) showed good predictive power to the diagnosis of DHF. Conclusions: This finding suggested CTGF could be involved in the pathophysiology of diastolic heart failure and CTGF/BNP might have auxiliary diagnostic value on diastolic heart failure.

Disordered gut microbiota and alterations in metabolic patterns are associated with atrial fibrillation

BACKGROUND

With the establishment of the heart-gut axis concept, accumulating studies suggest that the gut microbiome plays an important role in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases. Yet, little evidence has been reported in characterizing the gut microbiota shift in atrial fibrillation.

METHODS

We include the result of the global alterations that occur in the intestinal microbiota in a cohort of 50 patients with atrial fibrillation and 50 matched controls based on a strategy of metagenomic and metabolomic analyses.

RESULTS

The alterations include a dramatic elevation in microbial diversity and a specific perturbation of gut microbiota composition. Overgrowth of Ruminococcus, Streptococcus, and Enterococcus, as well as reduction of Faecalibacterium, Alistipes, Oscillibacter, and Bilophila were detected in patients with atrial fibrillation. A gut microbial function imbalance and correlated metabolic pattern changes were observed with atrial fibrillation in both fecal and serum samples. The differential gut microbiome signatures could be used to identify patients with atrial fibrillation.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings characterize the disordered gut microbiota and microbial metabolite profiles in atrial fibrillation. Further research could determine whether intervention strategies targeting intestinal microbiome composition might be useful to counteract the progression of atrial fibrillation.

Dysbiotic gut microbes may contribute to hypertension by limiting vitamin D production

Background

Accumulating studies have suggested that gut microbiota (GM) dysbiosis and vitamin D3 deficiency each play an important role during the progression of hypertension (HTN). However, few studies have characterized the underlying interaction between GM shift and vitamin D3 deficiency in HTN patients.

Hypothesis

This study aimed to evaluate the possible crosstalk between GM dysbiosis and vitamin D deficiency in the pathogenesis of HTN.

Methods

In a cohort of 34 HTN patients and 15 healthy controls, we analyzed the fecal microbiota products, GM composition, and the interaction between GM and vitamin D3.

Results

Vitamin D3 was significantly decreased in feces of HTN patients (P = .006, vs controls) and was correlated with altered GM, including decreased Shannon index (R² = 0.1296, P = .0111) and Pielou evenness (R² = 0.1509, P = .0058). Moreover, vitamin D3 positively correlated with HTN‐reduced bacterial genera, including Subdoligranulum (R² = 0.181, P = .0023), Ruminiclostridium (R² = 0.1217, P = .014), Intestinimonas (R² = 0.2036, P = .0011), Pseudoflavonifractor (R² = 0.1014, P = .0257), Paenibacillus (R² = 0.089, P = .0373), and Marvinbryantia (R² = 0.08173, P = .0464). Partial least squares structural equation modeling showed that 27.7% of the total effect of gut microbiome on HTN was mediated by limiting vitamin D production. Finally, receiver operating characteristic curve analysis revealed the predictive capacity of differential gut microbiome signatures and decreased vitamin D3 to distinguish HTN patients (AUC = 0.749, P = .006).

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that the GM dysbiosis contributing to the development of HTN might be partially mediated by vitamin D3 deficiency. Future studies involving the underlying mechanism and intervention strategies targeting microbiome composition and vitamin D3 to counteract the progression of HTN are warranted.

Studies on the effects of LPS, ß-glucan and metabolic inhibitors on the respiratory burst and gene expression in Atlantic salmon macrophages

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in macrophage-like cells is induced as an antimicrobial defence against invading pathogens. In this study, we have explored how different stimuli and metabolic inhibitors affect the level of respiratory burst in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) head kidney macrophage-like cells. Cells stimulated in vitro by bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and ß-glucan showed increased production of ROS compared to unstimulated cells. Both stimulation and costimulation by curdlan (ß-glucan) induced a higher production of ROS compared to stimulation and costimulation by LPS. Metabolic inhibitors co-incubated with the stimulants did not, in most cases, perturb the level of ROS generation in the salmon macrophage-like cells. The NAD⁺ content as well as the NAD⁺ /NADH ratio increased in curdlan and LPS + curdlan-stimulated cells compared to control cells, which indicated increased metabolic activity in the stimulated cells. Supporting these findings, gene analysis using real-time quantitative PCR showed that arginase-1 and IL-1ß genes were highly expressed in the stimulated cells.

[Analysis on the trend of innovation and development in the field of ophthalmology]

Objective: To systematically analyze the innovation and development trend in the field of ophthalmology. Methods: The latest ophthalmology funding program from the National Eye Institute and National Natural Science Foundation of China, and funding project for 2012 to 2016 from the National Institutes of Health, National Natural Science Foundation of China and National key research and development plan of China was collected. Using the comparative analysis method, the major ophthalmology funding areas at home and abroad were analyzed. Papers published in 2012 to 2016 in the field of ophthalmology were collected from the Web of Science Core Collection, among which ESI highly cited papers and hot papers were particularly selected. Using bibliometric methods, the time trend of the number of papers and the citation frequency were analyzed. Using the co-occurrence cluster analysis method, the continued focuses and emerging concerns of ophthalmology papers was analyzed. Results: The funding plan of the National Eye Institute mainly covers nine major diseases in ophthalmology. NSFC focuses on retinal damage and repair mechanisms. The National Key Research and Development Program of China focuses on research on high-end ophthalmic implants. NIH continues to focus on the molecular mechanisms of blinding eye disease such as diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, corneal disease and cataracts, basic research in genetics, and advanced diagnostic techniques such as imaging. Latest areas of interest involve gene editing techniques and the application of stem cell technology in ophthalmology. In China, research and application of stem cells in ophthalmic diseases, intraocular sustained-release drug carrier, and precision medicine research in ophthalmology are emerging areas of funding. In 2012 to 2016, research topics of 168 papers collected by ESI focused on macular degeneration, retinal diseases, glaucoma and other eye diseases. How to quickly promote new drugs and new technological achievements to the clinical application is a problem in the field of ophthalmology. How to change the ophthalmology clinic model, so as to provide patients with convenient and quality service, has become a research topic that needs to be given attention to. Conclusions: Based on the multidimensional analysis of innovation and development in the field of ophthalmology, cross application and integration of ophthalmology and high - tech fields such as advanced imaging technology, stem cell technology, gene editing technology, molecular targeting, and artificial intelligence will provide a strong basis for the enhancement of China's ophthalmology research innovation and international competitiveness. Research efforts for ophthalmic transformation should be strengthened, in order to realize the clinical application of the achievements as soon as possible. (Chin J Ophthalmol, 2018, 54: 452-463).

Downregulation of guanine nucleotide-binding protein beta 1 (GNB1) is associated with worsened prognosis of clearcell renal cell carcinoma and is related to VEGF signaling pathway

PURPOSE

Clear-cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is characterized by genetic abnormalities, while the role of Guanine Nucleotide-Binding Protein Beta 1 (GNB1) in ccRCC has not been studied. We thus aimed to evaluate the expression and prognostic value of GNB1 in ccRCC.

METHODS

A two-stage study (exploration and validation) was conducted using in silico and immunohistochemical (IHC) scoring of ccRCC samples from our institute, to evaluate the association between GNB1 expression and clinicopathological parameters of ccRCC patients. Pathway analyses were performed for genes coexpressed with GNB1 using the KOBAS platform to profile the function of GNB1 and IHC validation.

RESULTS

In the exploration stage, data from TCGA ccRCC dataset were reproduced, which contained 537 patients with ccRCC and found that downregulation of GNB1 was significantly associated with worse prognosis. IHC staining from the Human Protein Atlas showed significantly downregulation of GNB1 in ccRCC tissue compared with normal kidney. Pathway analysis showed significantly altered vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling pathways among which expressions of 3 genes (WASF2, NRP1, and HIP1) were significantly associated with GNB1 expression, respectively. In the validation stage, included were 80 ccRCC samples and GNB1 expression was scored using IHC positivity. GNB1 expression was negatively associated with tumor stage, lymph node invasion, metastasis, older age, and increased tumor grade. Female gender and receiving neoadjuvant therapy were also associated with decreased GNB1 expression. The expressions of WASF2, NRP1 and HIP1 were also studied and found that they were significantly associated with GNB1.

CONCLUSION

GNB1 was downregulated in ccRCC. Decreased GNB1 expression was associated with worsened disease characteristics and prognosis. GNB1 was related with VEGF signaling in ccRCC, implying a therapeutic potential of this factor.

[Concentration of plasma vascular endothelial growth factor and related factors in patients with unstable angina pectoris]

OBJECTIVE

To observe plasma vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) levels and related factors in patients with unstable angina pectoris(UAP).

METHODS

A total of 108 consecutive patients with chest pain hospitalized in our department from October to December 2014 were included. They were divided into UAP (n=78) and non-CHD group (n=30) by the result of coronary angiography(CAG). Coronary artery lesion was assessed according to the Gensini score, serum lipids, homocysteine(Hcy) levels and other biochemical indicators were also determined. The peripheral arterial tonometry was evaluated by reactive hyperemia index(RHI) measured by Endo-PAT2000 Noninvasive Diagnostic System.The level of plasma VEGF was detected in patients with unstable angina pectoris. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to analyze the correlations between VEGF and various related factors.

RESULTS

Percent of male gender, triglyceride (TG) and Hcy levels were significantly higher in UAP group than in no-CHD group(all P<0.05). VEGF values was significantly higher ((102.1 ± 55.7)ng/L vs.(80.9 ± 38.1)ng/L, P<0.05), while RHI was significantly lower (1.53 ± 0.27 vs.1.65 ± 0.32, P<0.05) in UAP group than in no-CHD group. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that VEGF value was significantly correlated with degree of coronary artery stenosis, Gensini score and RHI (β=38.03, P<0.01; β=0.51, P<0.01; β=-69.30, P=0.03; respectively).

CONCLUSION

VEGF levels are significantly increased in patients with unstable angina pectoris, and VEGF level is significantly associated with the degree of coronary artery stenosis, Gensini score and RHI. V EGF level might serve as a new biochemical indicator for coronary artery lesion in patients with UAP.

Vascular endothelial function of patients with stable coronary artery disease

Objectives:

To evaluate vascular endothelial function and contributing factors in coronary heart disease (CHD) patients.

Methods:

One hundred twenty six CHD outpatients were randomly recruited. Reactive hyperemia index (RHI) <1.67 indicates endothelial dysfunction. Correlation between RHI and different biochemical parameters was evaluated.

Results:

RHI in patients receiving statins treatment was significantly higher than patients without statins treatment (P<0.05). RHI in patients with more than 3 risk factors for CHD was also markedly lower than that in patients with ≤2 risk factors (P<0.05). Patients with lesions at several branches of coronary artery had a markedly lower RHI when compared with those with coronary lesions at a single branch (P<0.05). For patients without statins treatment, RHI increased significantly after statins treatment for 1 month (P=0.01). In patients with endothelial dysfunction, FBG, HbA1C, hs-CRP and Hcy were significantly higher than those in patients with normal endothelial function (P<0.05 for all). Smokers with CHD had a remarkably lower RHI when compared with non-smokers (P<0.05).

Conclusions:

Smoking, FBG, HbA1C, Hcy and hs-CRP are significantly associated with endothelial dysfunction. Endothelial dysfunction is also related to the numbers of risk factors for CHD, degree of coronary lesions and statins. Statins treatment may significantly improve the endothelial function of CHD patients.

Reduced risk of relapse after long-term nucleos(t)ide analogue consolidation therapy for chronic hepatitis B

BACKGROUND

Before stopping nucleos(t)ide analogue (NA) treatment in chronic hepatitis B (CHB), 6-12 months of consolidation therapy is recommended.

AIM

To investigate the effect of consolidation therapy on off-treatment outcomes in CHB patients.

METHODS

We included 94 patients who stopped NA after at least 1 year of therapy. Patients could be HBeAg-positive or HBeAg-negative at start-of-treatment, but were HBeAg-negative and had undetectable HBV DNA at time of discontinuation. Consolidation therapy was defined as treatment after the first undetectable HBV DNA (and HBeAg loss for HBeAg-positive patients) until NA cessation.

RESULTS

At 3 years, 74% of the start-of-treatment HBeAg-positive and 75% of the start-of-treatment HBeAg-negative patients developed HBV DNA >2000 IU/mL at a single time point, whereas a persistent virological relapse (≥2 tests of HBV DNA >2000 IU/mL 6 months apart within 1 year) developed in 49% of the start-of-treatment HBeAg-positive and 53% of the start-of-treatment HBeAg-negative patients. For both HBeAg-positive and HBeAg-negative patients, consolidation therapy of ≥3 years was associated with lower persistent virological relapse rates compared to <1 year (1-year relapse rate: 25% vs. 54%; P = 0.063 and 24% vs. 57%; P = 0.036, respectively). At 3 years, 9% of the HBeAg-positive and 14% of the HBeAg-negative patients became HBsAg-negative. Prolonged consolidation therapy increased the likelihood of HBsAg loss. Two cirrhotic patients developed hepatic decompensation but both recovered.

CONCLUSIONS

After nucleos(t)ide analogue discontinuation, relapse was common in patients with chronic hepatitis B. Prolongation of consolidation therapy beyond 3 years decreased the risk of persistent virological relapse and increased the likelihood of HBsAg loss.

MicroRNA-181c targets Bcl-2 and regulates mitochondrial morphology in myocardial cells

Apoptosis is an important mechanism for the development of heart failure. Mitochondria are central to the execution of apoptosis in the intrinsic pathway. The main regulator of mitochondrial pathway of apoptosis is Bcl-2 family which includes pro- and anti-apoptotic proteins. MicroRNAs are small noncoding RNA molecules that regulate gene expression by inhibiting mRNA translation and/or inducing mRNA degradation. It has been proposed that microRNAs play critical roles in the cardiovascular physiology and pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases. Our previous study has found that microRNA-181c, a miRNA expressed in the myocardial cells, plays an important role in the development of heart failure. With bioinformatics analysis, we predicted that miR-181c could target the 3' untranslated region of Bcl-2, one of the anti-apoptotic members of the Bcl-2 family. Thus, we have suggested that miR-181c was involved in regulation of Bcl-2. In this study, we investigated this hypothesis using the Dual-Luciferase Reporter Assay System. Cultured myocardial cells were transfected with the mimic or inhibitor of miR-181c. We found that the level of miR-181c was inversely correlated with the Bcl-2 protein level and that transfection of myocardial cells with the mimic or inhibitor of miR-181c resulted in significant changes in the levels of caspases, Bcl-2 and cytochrome C in these cells. The increased level of Bcl-2 caused by the decrease in miR-181c protected mitochondrial morphology from the tumour necrosis factor alpha-induced apoptosis.

Proposal for photonic quantization with differential encoding using a phase modulator and delay-line interferometers

A photonic quantization approach to implementing analog-to-digital conversion (ADC) in the optical domain with differential encoding employing a phase modulator and delay-line interferometers (DLIs) is proposed and demonstrated. In the proposed ADC system, the phase-modulated signal is sent to an array of DLIs that have identical time delay difference, but different phase shifts, which are employed to achieve quantization with differential encoding. A proof-of-concept experiment is performed. The quantization of a 10 GHz sinusoidal signal with a bit length of 4 is experimentally demonstrated.

Frequency of PIK 3CA Mutations in Chinese HER2+ Metastatic Breast Cancer Patients and Association with Clinical Benefit to Lapatinib and Capecitabine Treatment

Background: Activating mutations in PIK3CA are frequent in breast cancer (Campbell et al. Cancer Res 2004;64:7678-7681). Previous analyses suggest that the presence of PIK3CA activating mutations were associated with poor clinical outcome (Li et al. Breast Can Res Treat 2006;96:91-95) and could confer resistance to treatment with trastuzumab (T) (Berns et al. Cancer Cell 2007;12:395-402). Lapatinib (L) is an oral tyrosine kinase inhibitor targeting EGFR and HER2 pathways. L plus capecitabine (C) has demonstrated efficacy in women with HER2+ metastatic breast cancer (MBC) previously treated with T (Geyer et al. N Engl J Med 2006;355(26):2733-2743). EGF109491 evaluated the efficacy of L+C in 52 Chinese HER2+ MBC patients. The clinical benefit rate (CBR) was 57.7% (PR 44% and SD 44%) and median progression free survival (PFS) was 6.3 months. The purpose of this analysis was to establish the frequency of PIK3CA mutations in this small cohort of Chinese patients and to determine if the presence of a PIK3CA mutation has any impact on clinical benefit to L+C.Methods: 38/52 patients provided tumor samples for biomarker analysis. Briefly, DNA was extracted from these tumor samples, amplified by PCR and sequenced by Pyrosequencing methods to identify the presence of frequent activating mutations in exons 9 and 20 in PIK3CA. Mutation status was tested for association with CBR and PFS using contingency table analysis and proportional hazards analysis respectively.Results:11/38 (29%) patients harbored a mutation in the PIK3CA gene, consistent with published frequencies. 9/11 mutations reside in the catalytic domain and 2/11 mutations reside in the accessory domain of the gene. There was no statistical association with CBR (p=0.639) or PFS (HR=1.01, p=0.989) in PIK3CA wildtype patients vs. PIK3CA mutant patients. PIK3CA wildtype n=27 (%)PIK3CA Mutation n=11 (%)CR0 (0)0 (0)PR12 (44%)4 (36%)SD13 (48%)5 (45%)PD1 (4%)1 (9%)Unknown1 (4%)1 (9%)HR1.01 (p=0.989) Conclusion: The frequency of PIK3CA mutations in this small cohort of Chinese HER2+ MBC patients is consistent with published frequencies. There was no statistically significant association between the presence of a PIK3CA mutation and clinical benefit to L+C in these patients. These results are in agreement with previous reports that mutations in PIK3CA do not seem to impact clinical outcome following L-containing treatment regimens.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2009;69(24 Suppl):Abstract nr 1140.

Impact of glyphosate on the development, fertility and demography of Chrysoperla externa (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae): ecological approach

Few ecotoxicological studies have used life table analysis to evaluate the toxicity of pesticides on beneficial organisms. This study is the first report of the effect of the herbicide glyphosate on a predator insect, Chrysoperla externa, using a demographic approach. This predator is associated to soybean pests and has a potential role as a biological control agent in the Neotropical Region. The objective of this work was to evaluate the side-effects of glyphosate on the development, fertility and demography of C. externa, treated orally by ingestion of glyphosate-dipped eggs of Sitotroga cerealella in laboratory conditions. The data were analyzed using the age-stage, two-sex life table. Development from third larval instar to pupae and adult longevity were shorter in glyphosate-treatment than in the control. Adult pre-reproductive period was longer in glyphosate-treatment than in the control. Fecundity and fertility were deeply reduced, as well, being fertility greater affected. A high important reduction was registered in all population parameters. Most eggs from glyphosate-treated cohort looked abnormal, smaller than control, dehydrated and became black 2d after oviposition. In addition, adults developed tumours in the abdomen region at 20d after emergence, being the effect more drastic in females than males. It is beyond the scope of our study to speculate on the effects of this herbicide on C. externa field populations. However, it seems likely that populations under continuous use of glyphosate would be exposed at greater detrimental effects in the long term.

Enhanced biological phosphorus removal in the retrofitting from an anoxic selector to an anaerobic selector in a full-scale activated sludge process in Singapore

This paper presents the investigation results of retrofitting an anoxic selector to an anaerobic selector through stepwise reduction of air supply in a full-scale activated sludge process with a focus on enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR). The process experienced gradual shift from a Ludzack-Ettinger (LE) to an anaerobic-anoxic-oxic (A(2)O) process and subsequently, an anaerobic-oxic (A/O) process. The major findings are: (i) the average influent-based PO(4) (3-)-P release in the anaerobic selector compartment was 16.3 mg P l(-1) and that in the secondary clarifier was 1.7 mg P l(-1). 75% of the SCOD and 93% of the acetic acid in the primary effluent were taken up in the anaerobic selector compartment, respectively; (ii) PO(4) (3-)-P uptake contributed by both aerobic and denitrifying phosphorus accumulating organisms (DPAOs) occurred mainly in the first and second aerobic lanes together with simultaneous nitrification and denitrification (SND) while there was not much contribution from the last aerobic lane; (iii) The average PO(4) (3-)-P concentration of the final effluent was 2.4 mg P l(-1) corresponding to a removal efficiency of 85%; (iv) the SVI was satisfactory after retrofitting; and (v) the increase of NH(4) (+)-N in the final effluent from the commencement to the completion of the retrofitting resulted in an approximate 40-50% reduction in oxygen demand and a significant aeration energy saving was achieved.

Median liver lobe of woodchuck as a model to study hepatic outflow obstruction: a pilot study

BACKGROUND

Hepatic vein outflow obstruction represents an important clinical problem in living-liver transplantation. An animal model is required to study the influence of outflow obstruction on the intrahepatic regulation of liver perfusion and the subsequent effects on liver injury and recovery during liver regeneration. The size of woodchucks enables the use of standard clinical imaging procedures.

AIM

This study aims at describing hepatic vascular and territorial anatomy of the woodchuck liver based on a virtual three-dimensional (3D) visualization of the hepatic vascular tree.

METHODS

Woodchucks (n=6) were subjected to an all-in-one computed tomography (CT) after contrasting the vascular and the biliary tree. CT-images were used for 3D-reconstruction of hepatic and portal veins and calculation of the corresponding portal and hepatic vein territories and their respective volume using hepavision (MeVisLab). A virtual resection was performed following the Cantlie-line and territories at risk were calculated.

RESULTS

The median lobe of the woodchuck liver has a similar vascular supply and drainage as the human liver with two portal (right and left median portal vein) and three hepatic veins (left, middle and right median hepatic vein). The corresponding portal and hepatic vein subterritories are of a similar relative size compared with the human liver. Virtual splitting of the median lobe of the woodchuck liver revealed areas at risk of focal outflow obstruction, as observed clinically.

CONCLUSION

The median liver lobe of the woodchuck represents, to a small extent, the hepatic vascular anatomy of the human liver and is therefore a suitable potential model to correlate repeated imaging of impaired liver perfusion with histomorphological findings of liver damage and regeneration.