Electroacupuncture improves vascular cognitive impairment no dementia: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND: Electroacupuncture (EA) could represent a clinically effective treatment strategy for patients with vascular cognitive impairment no dementia (VCIND). This randomized trial aims to explore the underlying mechanism of EA in VCIND patients through cognitive function assessment and neuroimaging assessment. METHODS: 140 eligible patients with VCIND were recruited and randomly divided into EA group (n = 70) and Control group (n = 70). The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), and the Auditory Verbal Learning Test (AVLT), the Stroop color-naming task (STROOP), and the resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging assessment. The EA group received treatment for 30 min/day, 5 times/week, for 8 weeks. RESULTS: EA intervention could increase the MoCA score and improve the neutral and consistency response of the STROOP test in VCIND patients (P < 0.05). fMRI functional connectivity analysis showed that, after EA, the default mode network (DMN) function of the posterior cingulate gyrus, left middle frontal gyrus, left anterior cingulate gyrus, left and right superior temporal gyrus, right insula, left precentral gyrus and other brain regions were significantly higher than that in the control group. The functional connectivity between the posterior cingulate gyrus-left middle frontal gyrus and the posterior cingulate gyrus-right superior temporal gyrus was positively correlated with cognitive function (P < 0.05). Gray Matter Volume increased in VCIND after EA(P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: EA can increase the functional connectivity between posterior cingulate gyrus-other gyri in VCIND patients. The functional connectivity is positively correlated with cognitive function.

Clinical spectrum, over 12-year follow-up and experience of SGLT2 inhibitors treatment on patients with glycogen storage disease type Ib: a single-center retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Glycogen storage disease type Ib (GSD Ib) is a rare disorder characterized by impaired glucose homeostasis caused by mutations in the SLC37A4 gene. It is a severe inherited metabolic disease associated with hypoglycemia, hyperlipidemia, lactic acidosis, hepatomegaly, and neutropenia. Traditional treatment consists of feeding raw cornstarch which can help to adjust energy metabolism but has no positive effect on neutropenia, which is fatal for these patients. Recently, the pathophysiologic mechanism of the neutrophil dysfunction and neutropenia in GSD Ib has been found, and the treatment with the SGLT2 inhibitor empaglifozin is now well established. In 2020, SGLT2 inhibitor empagliflozin started to be used as a promising efficient remover of 1,5AG6P in neutrophil of GSD Ib patients worldwide. However, it is necessary to consider long-term utility and safety of a novel treatment. RESULTS: In this study, we retrospectively examined the clinical manifestations, biochemical examination results, genotypes, long-term outcomes and follow-up of thirty-five GSD Ib children who visited our department since 2009. Fourteen patients among them underwent empagliflozin treatment since 2020. This study is the largest cohort of pediatric GSD Ib patients in China as well as the largest cohort of pediatric GSD Ib patients treated with empagliflozin in a single center to date. The study also discussed the experience of long-term management on pediatric GSD Ib patients. CONCLUSION: Empagliflozin treatment for pediatric GSD Ib patients is efficient and safe. Increase of urine glucose is a signal for pharmaceutical effect, however attention to urinary infection and hypoglycemia is suggested.

Protocol for a single-blind randomized clinical trial to test the efficacy of bilateral transcranial magnetic stimulation on upper extremity motor function in patients recovering from stroke.

BACKGROUND: No consensus currently exists regarding the optimal protocol for repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) treatment of upper-extremity motor dysfunction after stroke. Studies have shown that combined low- and high-frequency stimulation (LF-HF-rTMS) of the bilateral cerebral hemispheres is more effective than sham stimulation or stimulation of one cerebral hemisphere alone in treating motor dysfunction in the subacute stage of stroke. The efficacy of this protocol in the convalescence phase of stroke has rarely been reported, and its mechanism of action has not been clarified. In this study, we designed a prospective, single-blind, randomized controlled trial to investigate the efficacy and safety of different stimulation regimens for the treatment of upper extremity motor disorders in patients with convalescent stage stroke and aimed to explore the underlying mechanisms based on biomarkers such as brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). METHODS: Seventy-six subjects will be randomly divided into combined, low-frequency, high-frequency, and control groups based on the proportion of 1:1:1:1, with 19 cases in each group. All groups will have conventional rehabilitation, on top of which the combined group will receive 1 Hz rTMS in the unaffected hemisphere and 10 Hz rTMS in the affected hemisphere. The low-frequency group will be administered 1 Hz rTMS in the unaffected hemisphere and sham stimulation in the contralateral hemisphere. The high-frequency group will be administered 10 Hz rTMS in the affected hemisphere and contralateral sham stimulation. The control group will receive bilateral sham stimulation. Assessments will be performed at baseline, after 2 weeks of treatment, and at post-treatment follow-up at week 6. The primary outcomes are FMA-UE (Fugl-Meyer assessment-upper extremity), latency, and serum BDNF levels. The secondary outcomes are the National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), Brunnstrom staging (BS), modified Ashworth scale (MAS), Modified Barthel Index (MBI), central motor conduction time (CMCT), precursor proteins of mature BDNF (proBDNF), and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) levels. Adverse events, such as headaches and seizures, will be recorded throughout the study. DISCUSSION: The findings of this study will help develop optimal stimulation protocols for motor recovery in stroke patients and identify biomarkers that respond to post-stroke motor rehabilitation, for better guidance of clinical treatment. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study protocol was passed by the Medical Research Ethics Committee of the General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University on January 1, 2022 (no. KYLL-2021-1082). It was registered into the Chinese Clinical Trials Registry on May 22, 2022 (no. ChiCTR2200060201). This study is currently in progress.

Endothelin-1 is associated with mortality that can be attenuated with high intensity statin therapy in patients with stable coronary artery disease.

BACKGROUND: All coronary artery disease (CAD) patients do not benefit equally of secondary prevention. Individualized intensity of drug therapy is currently implemented in guidelines for CAD and diabetes. Novel biomarkers are needed to identify patient subgroups potentially benefitting from individual therapy. This study aimed to investigate endothelin-1 (ET-1) as a biomarker for increased risk of adverse events and to evaluate if medication could alleviate the risks in patients with high ET-1. METHODS: A prospective observational cohort study ARTEMIS included 1946 patients with angiographically documented CAD. Blood samples and baseline data were collected at enrollment and the patients were followed for 11 years. Multivariable Cox regression was used to assess the association between circulating ET-1 level and all-cause mortality, cardiovascular (CV) death, non-CV death and sudden cardiac death (SCD). RESULTS: Here we show an association of circulating ET-1 level with higher risk for all-cause mortality (HR: 2.06; 95% CI 1.5-2.83), CV death, non-CV death and SCD in patients with CAD. Importantly, high intensity statin therapy reduces the risk for all-cause mortality (adjusted HR: 0.05; 95% CI 0.01-0.38) and CV death (adjusted HR: 0.06; 95% CI 0.01-0.44) in patients with high ET-1, but not in patients with low ET-1. High intensity statin therapy does not associate with reduction of risk for non-CV death or SCD. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggests a prognostic value for high circulating ET-1 in patients with stable CAD. High intensity statin therapy associates with reduction of risk for all-cause mortality and CV death in CAD patients with high ET-1.

Patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) ­ in which the blood vessels supplying the heart become blocked - need careful management to prevent adverse outcomes related to their disease, such as a heart attack or sudden cardiac death. Identification of markers in the blood to predict adverse outcomes would help to improve the care of patients with CAD. Here, we find that higher circulating levels of endothelin-1 (ET-1), a protein secreted normally to maintain blood pressure, associate with greater risk of death in CAD patients. Cholesterol-lowering statin therapy used at high intensity (high dosage) can counteract the increased risk of death observed in CAD patients with high ET-1. Therefore, circulating ET-1 level could be used as a marker to predict the risk of death in CAD patients, and an indication for high intensity statin therapy. Our findings could help clinicians to improve the management of patients with CAD.

Wnt11 in regulation of physiological and pathological cardiac growth.

Wnt11 regulates early cardiac development and left ventricular compaction in the heart, but it is not known how Wnt11 regulates postnatal cardiac maturation and response to cardiac stress in the adult heart. We studied cell proliferation/maturation in postnatal and adolescent Wnt11 deficient (Wnt11-/-) heart and subjected adult mice with partial (Wnt11+/-) and complete Wnt11 (Wnt11-/-) deficiency to cardiac pressure overload. In addition, we subjected primary cardiomyocytes to recombinant Wnt proteins to study their effect on cardiomyocyte growth. Wnt11 deficiency did not affect cardiomyocyte proliferation or maturation in the postnatal or adolescent heart. However, Wnt11 deficiency led to enlarged heart phenotype that was not accompanied by significant hypertrophy of individual cardiomyocytes. Analysis of stressed adult hearts from wild-type mice showed a progressive decrease in Wnt11 expression in response to pressure overload. When studied in experimental cardiac pressure overload, Wnt11 deficiency did not exacerbate cardiac hypertrophy or remodeling and cardiac function remained identical between the genotypes. When subjecting cardiomyocytes to hypertrophic stimulus, the presence of recombinant Wnt11 together with Wnt5a reduced protein synthesis. In conclusion, Wnt11 deficiency does not affect postnatal cardiomyocyte proliferation but leads to cardiac growth. Interestingly, Wnt11 deficiency alone does not substantially modulate hypertrophic response to pressure overload in vivo. Wnt11 may require cooperation with other noncanonical Wnt proteins to regulate hypertrophic response under stress.

Hui Medicine Moxibustion Promotes the Absorption of Lumbar Disc Herniation and the Recovery of Motor Function in Rats through Fas/FasL Signaling Pathway.

Objectives: To study the resorption of the herniated lumbar disc (RHLD) and its mechanism in the SD rats of lumbar intervertebral disc herniation treated with Hui medicine moxibustion (HMM). Methods: Forty SD rats were randomly divided into four groups, normal group, lumbar disc herniation (LDH) group, HMM group, and antagonist (HMM+Met12) group, with 10 rats in each group. The rat model of LDH was prepared with the method of lumbar epidural emplacement of the caudal intervertebral disc. In the HMM group and HMM+Met12 groups, 4 weeks after modeling, HMM therapy was performed in the lumbar spine for 3 months with 1 time per day and 20 min each time, the samples were collected 8 weeks after the treatment. The histological degeneration was observed through HE staining, and the neovascularization of intervertebral disc tissues was detected by the expression of CD34 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). The apoptosis of nucleus pulpous cells was detected by TUNEL assay, and the activity of caspase-3, -8, and -9 and extracellular matrix enzymes was detected by western blotting. Results: HMM treatment significantly improved the behavioral ability of rats with LDH surgery. The morphological structure was obviously destroyed in the LDH group, but disc structure was significantly repaired in the HMM group, and mild structure alterations were observed in the HMM+Met12 group. Higher levels of CD34 and VEGF were detected in the HMM group indicating that neovascularization is formed. The expression level of FasL was significantly increased in the HMM group. The protein expression levels of cleaved-caspase-3, cleaved-caspase-8, and cleaved-caspase-9 in nucleus pulposus (NP) tissues were also elevated when treated with HMM, and the TUNEL staining showed the same results. The protein expression levels of matrix metalloproteinases- (MMP-) 1, MMP-2, MMP-3, MMP-13, and ADAMTS-4 were markedly promoted in the HMM group. Met12, a small peptide antagonist of FasL, significantly reduced the effects of HMM. Conclusion: HMM can promote the formation of neovascularization of lumbar intervertebral disc, support the apoptosis of NP cells through Fas/FasL signaling, and regulate the degradation of extracellular matrix enzyme, which then accelerates the absorption of lumbar intervertebral disc herniation and the recovery of motor function in rats.

The Clinical Efficacy of Platelet-Rich Plasma versus Conventional Drug Injection in the Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis: A Study Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial.

Knee osteoarthritis is a common chronic degenerative joint disease in middle-aged and elderly people. Intra-articular injection for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis is a regularly utilized nonsurgical treatment in modern medicine. Hyaluronic acid (HA) and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) are two frequently employed intra-articular devices. Hyaluronic acid (HA) is an accepted nonsurgical treatment for symptomatic KOA, and platelet-rich plasma is a popular option in the treatment of KOA in recent years. The purpose of this research is to compare the efficacy and safety of intra-articular injection of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) versus hyaluronic acid (HA) on the pain score scale, knee function, and related inflammatory biomarkers in KOA patients using a clinical randomized controlled trial. Participants are being randomized into either the hyaluronic acid (HA) or into the platelet-rich plasma (PRP) group. All patients receive 4 weeks of treatment (once a week), and well-being support and quadriceps training (3 times a week). The primary outcomes are measured using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) and the visual analog scale (VAS). The secondary outcomes include the activities of daily living score, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein testing, interleukin-6 levels, and X-ray examination. In order to monitor the occurrence of irregularities and abnormalities, patients are assessed at each visit, and restorative treatment is given if necessary. The results of this clinical trial will verify the efficacy of PRP and HA in the treatment of KOA and provide important evidence for the clinical treatment of KOA. The trial was enlisted at the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry on 26 September 2020 (ChiCTR2000038635).

MiR-185-5p regulates the development of myocardial fibrosis.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac fibrosis stiffens the ventricular wall, predisposes to cardiac arrhythmias and contributes to the development of heart failure. In the present study, our aim was to identify novel miRNAs that regulate the development of cardiac fibrosis and could serve as potential therapeutic targets for myocardial fibrosis. METHODS AND RESULTS: Analysis for cardiac samples from sudden cardiac death victims with extensive myocardial fibrosis as the primary cause of death identified dysregulation of miR-185-5p. Analysis of resident cardiac cells from mice subjected to experimental cardiac fibrosis model showed induction of miR-185-5p expression specifically in cardiac fibroblasts. In vitro, augmenting miR-185-5p induced collagen production and profibrotic activation in cardiac fibroblasts, whereas inhibition of miR-185-5p attenuated collagen production. In vivo, targeting miR-185-5p in mice abolished pressure overload induced cardiac interstitial fibrosis. Mechanistically, miR-185-5p targets apelin receptor and inhibits the anti-fibrotic effects of apelin. Finally, analysis of left ventricular tissue from patients with severe cardiomyopathy showed an increase in miR-185-5p expression together with pro-fibrotic TGF-ß1 and collagen I. CONCLUSIONS: Our data show that miR-185-5p targets apelin receptor and promotes myocardial fibrosis.

[Effect of internal heat-type acupuncture needle on the expression of osteoprotegerin, receptor activator of NF-κB ligand and receptor activator of NF-κB of subchondral bone in knee osteoarthritis rabbits].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of internal heat-type acupuncture needle on the expression of osteoprotegerin (OPG), receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL), and receptor activator of NF-κB (RANK) in knee osteoarthritis (KOA) rabbits, so as to explore its mechanisms in relieving KOA. METHODS: Thirty New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into control, model and treatment groups, with 10 rabbits in each group. The KOA model was established by using Hulth method. The rabbits of the treatment group received internal heat-type acupuncture needles (42 ℃) on the left hind limb 20 min, once a week for 4 weeks. The behavioral scores were assessed according to the pain severity, gait, joint motion range and articular swelling severity in reference to the modified Lequesne's methods. Toluidine Blue staining was performed to observe the structure of the subchondral bone and to analyze the difference of morphometric parameters. The protein and mRNA expressions of OPG, RANKL and RANK were detected by Western blot and real-time PCR, respectively. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the Lequesne total score, the separation degree of trabecular bone, the protein and mRNA expressions of RANKL and RANK in subchondral bone tissues were significantly increased in the model group, while the percentage of trabecular bone area, number of trabecular bone, the expression of OPG protein and mRNA were decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01). The above indexes were all reversed in the treatment group relevant to those of the model group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The internal heat-type acupuncture needle therapy can improve the motor function of rabbits with KOA, which may be related to its effects in up-regulating the expression of OPG and down-regulating the RANKL and RANK in subchondral bone tissue.

Endothelial platelet-derived growth factor-mediated activation of smooth muscle platelet-derived growth factor receptors in pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Platelet-derived growth factor is one of the major growth factors found in human and mammalian serum and tissues. Abnormal activation of platelet-derived growth factor signaling pathway through platelet-derived growth factor receptors may contribute to the development and progression of pulmonary vascular remodeling and obliterative vascular lesions in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension. In this study, we examined the expression of platelet-derived growth factor receptor isoforms in pulmonary arterial smooth muscle and pulmonary arterial endothelial cells and investigated whether platelet-derived growth factor secreted from pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cell or pulmonary arterial endothelial cell promotes pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cell proliferation. Our results showed that the protein expression of platelet-derived growth factor receptor α and platelet-derived growth factor receptor ß in pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cell was upregulated in patients with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension compared to normal subjects. Platelet-derived growth factor activated platelet-derived growth factor receptor α and platelet-derived growth factor receptor ß in pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cell, as determined by phosphorylation of platelet-derived growth factor receptor α and platelet-derived growth factor receptor ß. The platelet-derived growth factor-mediated activation of platelet-derived growth factor receptor α/platelet-derived growth factor receptor ß was enhanced in idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension-pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cell compared to normal cells. Expression level of platelet-derived growth factor-AA and platelet-derived growth factor-BB was greater in the conditioned media collected from idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension-pulmonary arterial endothelial cell than from normal pulmonary arterial endothelial cell. Furthermore, incubation of idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension-pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cell with conditioned culture media from normal pulmonary arterial endothelial cell induced more platelet-derived growth factor receptor α activation than in normal pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cell. Accordingly, the conditioned media from idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension-pulmonary arterial endothelial cell resulted in more pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cell proliferation than the media from normal pulmonary arterial endothelial cell. These data indicate that (a) the expression and activity of platelet-derived growth factor receptor are increased in idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension-pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cell compared to normal pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cell, and (b) pulmonary arterial endothelial cell from idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension patients secretes higher level of platelet-derived growth factor than pulmonary arterial endothelial cell from normal subjects. The enhanced secretion (and production) of platelet-derived growth factor from idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension-pulmonary arterial endothelial cell and upregulated platelet-derived growth factor receptor expression (and function) in idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension-pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cell may contribute to enhancing platelet-derived growth factor/platelet-derived growth factor receptor-associated pulmonary vascular remodeling in pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Phenotypic and Molecular Characteristics of Children with Progressive Familial Intrahepatic Cholestasis in South China.

PURPOSE: Progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis (PFIC) is a rare genetic autosomal recessive disease caused by mutations in ATP8B1, ABCB11 or ABCB4. Mutational analysis of these genes is a reliable approach to identify the disorder. METHODS: We collected and analyzed relevant data related to clinical diagnosis, biological investigation, and molecular determination in nine children carrying these gene mutations, who were from unrelated families in South China. RESULTS: Of the nine patients (five males, four females) with PFIC, one case of PFIC1, four cases of PFIC2, and four cases of PFIC3 were diagnosed. Except in patient no. 8, jaundice and severe pruritus were the major clinical signs in all forms. γ-glutamyl transpeptidase was low in patients with PFIC1/PFIC2, and remained mildly elevated in patients with PFIC3. We identified 15 different mutations, including nine novel mutations (p.R470HfsX8, p.Q794X and p.I1170T of ABCB11 gene mutations, p.G319R, p.A1047P, p.G1074R, p.T830NfsX11, p.A1047PfsX8 and p.N1048TfsX of ABCB4 gene mutations) and six known mutations (p.G446R and p.F529del of ATP8B1 gene mutations, p.A588V, p.G1004D and p.R1057X of ABCB11 gene mutations, p.P479L of ABCB4 gene mutations). The results showed that compared with other regions, these three types of PFIC genes had different mutational spectrum in China. CONCLUSION: The study expands the genotypic spectrum of PFIC. We identified nine novel mutations of PFIC and our findings could help in the diagnosis and treatment of this disease.

Alterations in the fecal microbiota of patients with spinal cord injury.

OBJECTIVES: Spinal cord injury (SCI) is associated with severe autonomic dysfunction. Patients with SCI often suffer from a lack of central nervous system control over the gastrointestinal system. Therefore, we hypothesized that patients with SCI would cause intestinal flora imbalance. We investigated alterations in the fecal microbiome in a group of patients with SCI. METHODS: Microbial communities in the feces of 23 patients and 23 healthy controls were investigated using high-throughput Illumina Miseq sequencing targeting the V3-V4 region of the 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene. The relative abundances between the fecal microbiota at the genus level in patients with SCI and healthy individuals were determined using cluster analysis. RESULTS: The structure and quantity of fecal microbiota differed significantly between patients with SCI and healthy controls, but the richness and diversity were not significantly different. A two-dimensional heatmap showed that the relative abundances of forty-five operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were significantly enriched either in SCI or healthy samples. Among these, 18 OTUs were more abundant in healthy controls than in patients with SCI, and 27 OTUs were more abundant in the SCI group than in healthy controls. CONCLUSION: Our study showed that patients with SCI exhibited microbiome dysbiosis.

Systemic blockade of ACVR2B ligands attenuates muscle wasting in ischemic heart failure without compromising cardiac function.

Signaling through activin receptors regulates skeletal muscle mass and activin receptor 2B (ACVR2B) ligands are also suggested to participate in myocardial infarction (MI) pathology in the heart. In this study, we determined the effect of systemic blockade of ACVR2B ligands on cardiac function in experimental MI, and defined its efficacy to revert muscle wasting in ischemic heart failure (HF). Mice were treated with soluble ACVR2B decoy receptor (ACVR2B-Fc) to study its effect on post-MI cardiac remodeling and on later HF. Cardiac function was determined with echocardiography, and myocardium analyzed with histological and biochemical methods for hypertrophy and fibrosis. Pharmacological blockade of ACVR2B ligands did not rescue the heart from ischemic injury or alleviate post-MI remodeling and ischemic HF. Collectively, ACVR2B-Fc did not affect cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, fibrosis, angiogenesis, nor factors associated with cardiac regeneration except modification of certain genes involved in metabolism or cell growth/survival. ACVR2B-Fc, however, was able to reduce skeletal muscle wasting in chronic ischemic HF, accompanied by reduced LC3II as a marker of autophagy and increased mTOR signaling and Cited4 expression as markers of physiological hypertrophy in quadriceps muscle. Our results ascertain pharmacological blockade of ACVR2B ligands as a possible therapy for skeletal muscle wasting in ischemic HF. Pharmacological blockade of ACVR2B ligands preserved myofiber size in ischemic HF, but did not compromise cardiac function nor exacerbate cardiac remodeling after ischemic injury.

miR-1468-3p Promotes Aging-Related Cardiac Fibrosis.

Non-coding microRNAs (miRNAs) are powerful regulators of gene expression and critically involved in cardiovascular pathophysiology. The aim of the current study was to identify miRNAs regulating cardiac fibrosis. Cardiac samples of age-matched control subjects and sudden cardiac death (SCD) victims with primary myocardial fibrosis (PMF) were subjected to miRNA profiling. Old SCD victims with PMF and healthy aged human hearts showed increased expression of miR-1468-3p. In vitro studies in human cardiac fibroblasts showed that augmenting miR-1468-3p levels induces collagen deposition and cell metabolic activity and enhances collagen 1, connective tissue growth factor, and periostin expression. In addition, miR-1468-3p promotes cellular senescence with increased senescence-associated ß-galactosidase activity and increased expression of p53 and p16. AntimiR-1468-3p antagonized transforming growth factor ß1 (TGF-ß1)-induced collagen deposition and metabolic activity. Mechanistically, mimic-1468-3p enhanced p38 phosphorylation, while antimiR-1468-3p decreased TGF-ß1-induced p38 activation and abolished p38-induced collagen deposition. RNA sequencing analysis, a computational prediction model, and qPCR analysis identified dual-specificity phosphatases (DUSPs) as miR-1468-3p target genes, and regulation of DUSP1 by miR-1468-3p was confirmed with a dual-luciferase reporter assay. In conclusion, miR-1468-3p promotes cardiac fibrosis by enhancing TGF-ß1-p38 signaling. Targeting miR-1468-3p in the older population may be of therapeutic interest to reduce cardiac fibrosis.

Effect and Neuroimaging Mechanism of Electroacupuncture for Vascular Cognitive Impairment No Dementia: Study Protocol for a Randomized, Assessor-Blind, Controlled Clinical Trial.

Vascular cognitive impairment no dementia (VCIND) is likely to develop into vascular dementia (VD) without intervention. The clinical efficacy of electroacupuncture (EA) for VCIND has been previously demonstrated. However, the neuroimaging mechanism of EA for VCIND has not been elucidated clearly. This trial is designed to provide solid evidence for the efficacy and neuroimaging mechanism of EA treatment for patients with VCIND. This ongoing study is an assessor-blind, parallel-group, randomized controlled trial. 140 eligible subjects will be recruited from the General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University and randomized into either the electroacupuncture (EA) group or the control group (CG). All subjects will receive basic treatment, and participants in the CG will receive health education performed weekly. Except for basic treatment and health education, participants in the EA group will receive treatment 5 times per week for a total of 40 sessions over 8 weeks. The primary outcome in this study is Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), and the secondary outcomes are Auditory Verbal Learning Test (AVLT), Stroop color-naming condition (STROOP), Rey-Osterrieth Complex Graphics Testing, and resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI). All of the outcome measures will be assessed at baseline and 8 weeks of intervention. The medical abstraction of adverse events will be done at each visit. The results of this trial will demonstrate the efficacy and neuroimaging mechanism of EA treatment for VCIND, thus supporting EA treatment as an ideal choice for VCIND treatment. The trial was registered at the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry on 28 July 2018 (ChiCTR1800017398).

Regulatory Mechanisms of Mitochondrial Function and Cardiac Aging.

Aging is a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), the major cause of death worldwide. Cardiac myocytes, which hold the most abundant mitochondrial population, are terminally differentiated cells with diminished regenerative capacity in the adult. Cardiomyocyte mitochondrial dysfunction is a characteristic feature of the aging heart and one out of the nine features of cellular aging. Aging and cardiac pathologies are also associated with increased senescence in the heart. However, the cause and consequences of cardiac senescence during aging or in cardiac pathologies are mostly unrecognized. Further, despite recent advancement in anti-senescence therapy, the targeted cell type and the effect on cardiac structure and function have been largely overlooked. The unique cellular composition of the heart, and especially the functional properties of cardiomyocytes, need to be considered when designing therapeutics to target cardiac aging. Here we review recent findings regarding key factors regulating cell senescence, mitochondrial health as well as cardiomyocyte rejuvenation.

Vezf1 regulates cardiac structure and contractile function.

BACKGROUND: Vascular endothelial zinc finger 1 (Vezf1) is a transcription factor previously shown to regulate vasculogenesis and angiogenesis. We aimed to investigate the role of Vezf1 in the postnatal heart. METHODS: The role of Vezf1 in regulating cardiac growth and contractile function was studied in zebrafish and in primary cardiomyocytes. FINDINGS: We find that expression of Vezf1 is decreased in diseased human myocardium and mouse hearts. Our experimental data shows that knockdown of zebrafish Vezf1 reduces cardiac growth and results in impaired ventricular contractile response to ß-adrenergic stimuli. However, Vezf1 knockdown is not associated with dysregulation of cardiomyocyte Ca2+ transient kinetics. Gene ontology enrichment analysis indicates that Vezf1 regulates cardiac muscle contraction and dilated cardiomyopathy related genes and we identify cardiomyocyte Myh7/ß-MHC as key target for Vezf1. We further identify a key role for an MCAT binding site in the Myh7 promoter regulating the response to Vezf1 knockdown and show that TEAD-1 is a binding partner of Vezf1. INTERPRETATION: We demonstrate a role for Vezf1 in regulation of compensatory cardiac growth and cardiomyocyte contractile function, which may be relevant in human cardiac disease.

Jinzhi protects lipopolysaccharide-treated mice against mortality by repairing intestinal mucosal barrier damage and intestinal microecology.

OBJECTIVE: Intestinal mucosal barrier damage is an important mechanism for the development of sepsis and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome. At present, there are no satisfactory and effective methods for the protection of the intestinal mucosal barrier. Jinzhi, the first fecal microbiota transplantation worldwide, is often used to treat critically ill patients; however, the specific mechanism involved in this process remains unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the therapeutic effect and mechanism of Jinzhi intervention on mice with sepsis induced through treatment with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). METHODS: Mice were intraperitoneally injected with LPS to simulate intestinal mucosal barrier function damage in sepsis; intervention was performed through the oral administration of Jinzhi. The effect of Jinzhi on LPS-induced sepsis was analyzed by comparing the vital signs and survival rate of mice under different treatments. Pathological staining and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were used to identify the effects of LPS or treatment with Jinzhi on the intestinal mucosal barrier in mice. The effect of LPS or treatment with Jinzhi on the intestinal flora was analyzed via 16S rRNA gene sequencing of ileal contents. RESULTS: Immunohistochemistry and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay showed that treatment with LPS increased levels of inflammatory factors (interleukin-1α, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α), caspase-3, and caspase-8 in the serum and ileum, and destroyed the tight junction between epithelial cells. Intervention with Jinzhi reduced levels of serum LPS and tumor necrosis factor-α, and repaired the tight junction between epithelial cells. Furthermore, 16S rRNA gene sequencing analysis showed that treatment with Jinzhi improved the diversity and physiological function of the intestinal flora. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that Jinzhi may be a promising option for the treatment of sepsis caused by LPS, and emphasize that Jinzhi exerts a recovery effect on the imbalance of intestinal flora.

A novel homozygous splice-site variant of NCAPD2 gene identified in two siblings with primary microcephaly: The second case report.

Here we describe the second case of primary microcephaly caused by a novel homozygous splice-site variant at the NCAPD2 gene. The proband was born with microcephaly, and developed intellectual disability. Whole exome sequencing identified a canonical splice-site variant, c.3477+2T>C, at the NCAPD2 gene. Sanger sequencing showed that the proband and her sibling, a symptomatic fetus, carried a homozygous c.3477+2T>C variant, while the unaffected parents were heterozygous and her younger brother had wild-type alleles. To date, only one case of primary microcephaly with a homozygous splice-site pathogenic variant at the NCAPD2 gene has been reported. Our study of two siblings provides additional evidence that NCAPD2 is a causative gene of primary microcephaly. This finding adds new knowledge in the etiology of microcephaly and contributes to more accurate counseling of affected families.

Connective Tissue Growth Factor Inhibition Enhances Cardiac Repair and Limits Fibrosis After Myocardial Infarction.

Myocardial infarction (MI)-induced cardiac fibrosis attenuates cardiac contractile function, and predisposes to arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. Expression of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) is elevated in affected organs in virtually every fibrotic disorder and in the diseased human myocardium. Mice were subjected to treatment with a CTGF monoclonal antibody (mAb) during infarct repair, post-MI left ventricular (LV) remodeling, or acute ischemia-reperfusion injury. CTGF mAb therapy during infarct repair improved survival and reduced LV dysfunction, and reduced post-MI LV hypertrophy and fibrosis. Mechanistically, CTGF mAb therapy induced expression of cardiac developmental and/or repair genes and attenuated expression of inflammatory and/or fibrotic genes.