RESUMO
BACKGROUND: This study aimed to analyze non-coding RNA sequencing results, screen differentially expressed long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), and predict lncRNA target genes. It further clarifies the potential functions of lncRNAs, thus exploring potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for stroke. METHODS: LncRNA sequencing data of blood samples from stroke patients and healthy subjects (GSE102541 and GSE140275) were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. This study used R software and related R packages to conduct a batch correction and differential analysis of sequencing results. It also screened differentially expressed lncRNAs and visualized the correlations between significantly different lncRNAs. Target genes of differential lncRNAs were predicted by the StarBase database. Gene ontology (GO) functional enrichment analysis of related target genes was performed using the DAVID database. Principal component analysis was performed based on the expression levels of lncRNAs with the most significant differences in stroke blood samples. RESULTS: A total of 239 differentially expressed lncRNAs were screened out in this study, of which 146 were upregulated and 93 were downregulated. According to |log2FC| values from highest to lowest, the top 10 lncRNAs with the most significant differences were selected. The upregulated lncRNAs were LINC02334, TARID, MRGPRF-AS1, CAI2, LINC00189, TUG1, and RNF5P1. The downregulated lncRNAs included AC005180.2, ADAMTS9-AS1, and AC036108.3. TARID was strongly correlated with MRGPRF-AS1. Meanwhile, LINC02334 was strongly correlated with TUG1. CAI2, LINC00189, and RNF5P1 were at the core of the correlation network and may therefore be the critical lncRNAs in stroke pathogenesis. GO functional enrichment results indicated that genes were significantly enriched in muscle contraction, RNA polymerase II promoter transcription regulation, muscle structure composition, focal adhesion, endothelial cell chemotaxis, actin, actin cytoskeleton, actin filament binding, blood lipid regulation, smooth muscle contraction regulation, skeletal muscle cell differentiation, and other functions. Principal component analysis showed that the 10 lncRNAs with significant differences could significantly distinguish stroke blood samples from healthy control blood samples, and could characterize the essential characteristics of stroke. CONCLUSIONS: LINC02334, TARID, MRGPRF-AS1, CAI2, LINC00189, TUG1, RNF5P1, AC005180.2, ADAMTS9-AS1, and AC036108.3 play an essential role in the pathogenesis of stroke, and may be potential therapeutic targets.
RESUMO
BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the pulmonary function of patients with 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19)-induced pneumonia. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 137 patients with COVID-19-induced pneumonia who were discharged from the Enze Hospital, Taizhou Enze Medical Center (Group) from January 31 2020 to March 11 2020 was conducted. Follow-up occurred 2 weeks after hospital discharge, during which patients underwent a pulmonary function test. RESULTS: Of the 137 patients who underwent a pulmonary function test 2 weeks after discharge, 51.8% were male, and the mean age was 47 years. Only 19.7% of the patients were identified as having severe COVID-19-induced pneumonia. The pulmonary function tests showed that for a small number of patients the forced expiratory volume in one second/forced vital capacity ratio (FEV1/FVC)/% values were <70%, and the mean forced inspiratory volume (IVC) and FVC values were 2.4±0.7 and 3.2±0.8 L, respectively. In severe cases, 88.9% of patients had an IVC <80% of the predicted value, and 55.6% of patients had an FVC <80% of the predicted value. The proportion of patients with maximum expiratory flow rate at 25%, 50% and 75% of the vital capacity (MEF25, MEF50, and MEF75) values <70% were 55.6%, 40.7%, and 25.9%, respectively. In the non-severe group, 79.1% of patients had an IVC <80% of the predicted value, and 16.4% of patients had an FVC <80% of the predicted value. The mean MEF25, MEF50, and MEF75 <70% values were 57.3%, 30%, and 13.6%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrated that the pulmonary function of patients with COVID-19-induced pneumonia predominantly manifested as restrictive ventilation disorder and small airway obstruction, which was increased in critically ill patients.