Protective effects of macrophage-specific integrin α5 in myocardial infarction are associated with accentuated angiogenesis.

Macrophages sense changes in the extracellular matrix environment through the integrins and play a central role in regulation of the reparative response after myocardial infarction. Here we show that macrophage integrin α5 protects the infarcted heart from adverse remodeling and that the protective actions are associated with acquisition of an angiogenic macrophage phenotype. We demonstrate that myeloid cell- and macrophage-specific integrin α5 knockout mice have accentuated adverse post-infarction remodeling, accompanied by reduced angiogenesis in the infarct and border zone. Single cell RNA-sequencing identifies an angiogenic infarct macrophage population with high Itga5 expression. The angiogenic effects of integrin α5 in macrophages involve upregulation of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A. RNA-sequencing of the macrophage transcriptome in vivo and in vitro followed by bioinformatic analysis identifies several intracellular kinases as potential downstream targets of integrin α5. Neutralization assays demonstrate that the angiogenic actions of integrin α5-stimulated macrophages involve activation of Focal Adhesion Kinase and Phosphoinositide 3 Kinase cascades.

The Efficacy of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to Treat Depression and Anxiety and Improve Quality of Life Among Early-Stage Breast Cancer Patients.

PURPOSE: Positive results have appeared among nonmetastatic breast cancer patients with the use of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). However, earlier stage patient results have been mixed. This novelty of this study was the focus on stage I and II breast cancer patients. The objective of the current study was to conduct a meta-analysis of psychosocial functions in early-stage breast cancer survivors to determine its efficacy. METHODS: A search of Cochrane Library, EMBASE, MEDLINE, PsycInfo, and PubMed yielded 3237 abstracts, which were independently evaluated by research pairs. Meta-analysis was conducted on 8 studies that included a total of 1053 patients. Psychosocial functions were categorized according to 3 domains: (1) anxiety, (2) depression, and (3) quality of life. RESULTS: Improvement in anxiety was observed in patients treated with CBT relative to controls without CBT ( P = .04). Depression and quality of life improvement was not observed in the CBT group within or after 4 months of treatment ( P > .05). CONCLUSIONS: The results indicated that observed improvements in anxiety in patients with early-stage breast cancer were moderate. The effectiveness of CBT for the improvement of patient outcomes could not be determined, given the methodological and clinical shortcomings of the included trials.

[Analysis of tongue color under natural daylight based on chromatic aberration correction].

OBJECTIVE: To establish an analytical method for tongue image acquisition under natural daylight based on L*a*b* error correction, and to observe the classification rules of tongue color using color error correction. METHODS: The tongue images in 413 cases were collected under natural indoor daylight by using Nikon D70 digital SLR camera, and then the color error was adjusted by using Nikon Capture NX software correction according to Kodak Q-13 grey card. The classification and quantitative analysis of the tongue color after software correction was carried out depending on L*a*b* color space. RESULTS: The software correction method had good effects in adjusting the tongue color image error. The L* values of light red, deep red and cyanosis tongues decreased as compared with that of light white tongue (P<0.01), while the a* values of light red, deep red and cyanosis tongues increased as compared with light white tongue (P<0.01). There was no significant difference in L* value between deep red tongue and cyanosis tongue, and there was also no significant difference in a* value between light red tongue and cyanosis tongue. The b* values of light red and deep red tongues increased as compared with that of light white tongue (P<0.01), while the b* value of cyanosis tongue decreased as compared with light red and deep red tongues (P<0.01). There was no significant difference in b* value between light white tongue and cyanosis tongue, and there was also no significant difference in b* value between light red tongue and deep red tongue. The a* value of white fur was higher than that of yellow fur (P<0.01), while the b* value of white fur was lower than that of yellow fur (P<0.01). There was no significant difference in L* value between white fur and yellow fur. CONCLUSION: The analytical method for tongue image acquisition under natural daylight based on L*a*b* error correction is accurate in color restoration and feasible to operate.

[Evaluation of therapeutic effects of Chinese materia medica by tongue image analysis software 1.0 based on tongue colors].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the therapeutic effects of Chinese materia medica in treating patients with different syndromes by tongue image analysis software 1.0 based on tongue colors, and to discuss the feasibility of applying this computer science-based techniques into drug evaluation. METHODS: The tongue colors and the areas of tongue fur were examined and analyzed by the tongue image analysis software 1.0 in healthy persons and the patients with different syndromes before and after treatment. The parameters of tongue colors consisted of the followings: the hue (H), the lightness (L), the saturation (S), and the values of red (R), green (G) and blue (B). RESULTS: Obvious differences could be revealed in tongue color index between the healthy persons and the patients in five groups of different syndromes. There also existed some significant differences in those index between patients before and after treatment. CONCLUSION: The tongue image analysis software 1.0 based on tongue colors is helpful to evaluate the therapeutic effects of Chinese materia medica.