SLAMF8 Promotes Atherosclerosis by Activating the TLR4 Signaling Pathway in Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Objectives: Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) can accelerate atherosclerosis (AS) plaque formation. High prevalence of AS has been demonstrated in early-stage RA patients. Therefore, there is an urgent need to investigate what mechanisms and key molecules accelerate AS in RA to improve the management of RA. Methods: We retrieved gene expression data for RA (GSE45291) and atherosclerosis (GSE28829) from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO). Seventeen key genes were identified, and the top one candidate hub gene was SLAM family member 8 (SLAMF8). To investigate the role of SLAMF8 in AS and RA, U937 cells were differentiated into macrophages using Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) and further transformed into foam cells by oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) treatment and siRNA was manipulated to knock down SLAMF8. Flow Cytometry was employed to assess cell state. The mRNA and protein expressions of the genes were investigated using western blot and RT-qPCR. Results: SLAMF8 was screened as a key gene by bioinformatic methods. Compared to Mφ, SLAMF8, TLR4 and inflammatory cytokines, tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), and Interleukin 6 (IL-6) were noticeably expressed in foam cells. Knockdown of SLAMF8 could remarkably curtail TLR4, TNF-α, and IL-6 protein levels. Antagonizing SLAMF8 could attenuate inflammatory factors and apoptosis of foam cells by inhibiting the TLR4 pathway, thus mitigating the severity of AS in RA. Conclusions: Our work demonstrated that SLAMF8 promoted AS in patients with RA by inducing inflammation and apoptosis of foam cells via TLR4 signaling. Therefore, SLAMF8 could be a possible therapeutic spot for AS in RA patients.

Fever glove hand-shake method safe blood collection from children's fingertips in COVID-19 fever clinic.

BACKGROUND: During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic, the fever clinic is an important link for screening and diagnosing whether a patient is infected with the novel coronavirus. Blood collection from children's fingertips is a commonly used detection method; however, in children, the blood collection process may cause discomfort and resistance. To address this problem, the use of heating gloves combined with hand swinging can be considered for fingertip blood collection in children. AIM: To explore the application of fever gloves with the handshaking method for fingertip blood collection from children in fever clinics during the COVID-19 epidemic. METHODS: A total of 100 children were selected for fingertip blood collection at the fever clinic of our hospital from June 2022 to June 2023 and were divided into two groups using a randomized numerical table method, with 50 cases in each group, including the control and observation groups. The patients in the control group followed the doctor's instructions to cooperate with the routine fingertip blood collection method, and the patients in the observation group followed the doctor's instructions to cooperate with the static fever gloves with the shaking hands method of children's fingertip blood collection. The level of the six blood routine and collection indexes, and the satisfaction of the examination of the patients in the peripheral blood group and the fever gloves with the shaking hands method of the children's fingertip blood collection group were compared. RESULTS: The red and white blood cell count, hemoglobin, and red blood cell pressure volume in the observation group were higher than those in the control group (P < 0.05); the platelet count in the control group was lower than that in the observation group (P < 0.05); the number of times of squeezing the fingertip, the average time of blood collection, and the score of puncture pain in the observation group were significantly better than those in the control group (P < 0.05); and satisfaction with the routine blood examination in the observation group was greater than that in the control group. CONCLUSION: The application value of the fever gloves with shaking hands method for children's fingertip blood collection was better, the accuracy of examination indexes was higher, and patient satisfaction with the examination was greater.

Carotid artery plaque intervention with Tongxinluo capsule (CAPITAL): A multicenter randomized double-blind parallel-group placebo-controlled study.

To determine whether the traditional Chinese medicine Tongxinluo (TXL) is efficacious at retarding the progression of carotid atherosclerotic lesions, a total of 1,212 patients with a focal intima-media thickness (IMT) of ≥1.2 mm of the carotid arteries received TXL or placebo capsules in addition to current routine therapy. The primary outcome was between-group differences in annualized change in mean IMT of 12 sites of bilateral carotid arteries over 24 months. The secondary outcomes were between-group differences in plaque area, vascular remodeling index (RI), serum levels of lipids and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, and a composite of first major cardiovascular events. The results showed that the annualized change in mean IMT in the TXL and placebo groups was -0.00095 (95% CI, -0.00330 to 0.00141) mm and 0.01312 (95% CI, 0.01076 to 0.01548) mm, respectively, with a difference between the two groups of -0.01407 (95% CI, -0.01740 to -0.01073) mm (P < 0.001). Compared with placebo, TXL treatment significantly reduced the change from baseline in the plaque area and RI, as well as the first major cardiovascular events. In conclusion, TXL retarded the progression of mean IMT, plaque area and vascular remodeling of the carotid artery with a good safety profile.

[Effect of Shexiang Baoxin pill on coronary vasodilation by analysis of coronary angiography].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of Shexiang Baoxin Pill (SBP) on coronary vasodilation by analysis of coronary angiography (CAG). METHODS: A consecutive cohort of 300 patients who underwent CAG between January 2013 and July 2013 were recruited and randomly assigned to 2 groups before operation. Patients in the SBP group sublingually took SBP, while those in the control group sublingually took placebos. All patients repeatedly underwent CAG 5 min after administration. The vascular diameter was calculated by quantitative angiography analysis method. The diameter of the left anterior descending coronary artery was measured in patients whose coronary arteries had no stenosis. The narrowest vascular diameter was measured in patients whose coronary arteries had stenosis. The heart rate, blood pressure, and the vascular diameter were compared between before and after administration in the two groups. RESULTS: In the two groups, there was no significant difference in changes of heart rate, systolic pressure, or diastolic pressure between before and after administration (all P > 0.05). There were 64 patients with normal CAG in the two groups, 30 in the control group and 34 in the SBP group. CAG showed there were 236 patients with stenotic coronary artery, 110 in the control group and 126 in the SBP group. The vascular diameter was obviously larger in patients in the SBP group with normal or abnormal CAG after administration (all P < 0.01). It was also obviously larger than that of the control group after administration (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: SBP could dilate both normal coronary artery and lesioned coronary arteries, but did not lead to fastened heart rate and decreased blood pressure.

[Long-term outcome of percutaneous balloon mitral valvuloplasty in patients with rheumatic mitral valve stenosis].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the outcome of percutaneous balloon mitral valvuloplasty (PBMV) in patients with rheumatic mitral valve stenosis. METHODS: From April 1992 to November 2008, 1768 patients underwent PBMV in our hospital.Clinical and echocardiographic follow up data were analyzed in 426 patients from April 1992 to August 1998. Left atrial pressure and the mitral valve gradient (MVG) were measured before and immediately after PBMV in all patients. RESULTS: PBMV was successful in 1748 out of 1768 patients (98.86%). Left atrial pressure decreased from (38 +/- 7) mm Hg (1 mm Hg = 0.133 kPa) to (12 +/- 4) mm Hg (P < 0.001), MVG decreased from (28 +/- 6) mm Hg to (8 +/- 3) mm Hg (P < 0.001) and the area of the mitral valve increased from (0.98 +/- 0.26) cm(2) to (1.97 +/- 0.39) cm(2) (P < 0.001) post PBMV. The main complications included death (n = 2), acute pericardial effusion (n = 1), severe mitral regurgitation (n = 12), cerebral embolism (n = 2) and pulmonary edema (n = 1). Ten years follow up was finished in 426 patients and 288 patients (67.6%) were still in NYHA class Ior II without mitral valve replace operation or repeated PBMV, restenosis was evidenced in 140 patients (33.3%) and 31 patients dead (7.5%). CONCLUSION: PBMV was an effective therapy option for patients with rheumatic mitral valve stenosis.