Metabolic Reprogramming: A Byproduct or a Driver of Cardiomyocyte Proliferation?

Defining mechanisms of cardiomyocyte proliferation should guide the understanding of endogenous cardiac regeneration and could lead to novel treatments for diseases such as myocardial infarction. In the neonatal heart, energy metabolic reprogramming (phenotypic alteration of glucose, fatty acid, and amino acid metabolism) parallels cell cycle arrest of cardiomyocytes. The metabolic reprogramming occurring shortly after birth is associated with alterations in blood oxygen levels, metabolic substrate availability, hemodynamic stress, and hormone release. In the adult heart, myocardial infarction causes metabolic reprogramming but these changes cannot stimulate sufficient cardiomyocyte proliferation to replace those lost by the ischemic injury. Some putative pro-proliferative interventions can induce the metabolic reprogramming. Recent data show that altering the metabolic enzymes PKM2 [pyruvate kinase 2], LDHA [lactate dehydrogenase A], PDK4 [pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 4], SDH [succinate dehydrogenase], CPT1b [carnitine palmitoyl transferase 1b], or HMGCS2 [3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA synthase 2] is sufficient to partially reverse metabolic reprogramming and promotes adult cardiomyocyte proliferation. How metabolic reprogramming regulates cardiomyocyte proliferation is not clearly defined. The possible mechanisms involve biosynthetic pathways from the glycolysis shunts and the epigenetic regulation induced by metabolic intermediates. Metabolic manipulation could represent a new approach to stimulate cardiac regeneration; however, the efficacy of these manipulations requires optimization, and novel molecular targets need to be defined. In this review, we summarize the features, triggers, and molecular regulatory networks responsible for metabolic reprogramming and discuss the current understanding of metabolic reprogramming as a critical determinant of cardiomyocyte proliferation.

MXene-Derived Na+ -Pillared Vanadate Cathodes for Dendrite-Free Potassium Metal Batteries.

Cation-intercalated vanadates, which have considerable promise as the cathode for high-performance potassium metal batteries (PMBs), suffer from structural collapse upon K+ insertion and desertion. Exotic cations in the vanadate cathode may ease the collapse, yet their effect on the intrinsic cation remains speculative. Herein, a stable and dendrite-free PMB, composed of a Na+ and K+ co-intercalated vanadate (NKVO) cathode and a liquid NaK alloy anode, is presented. A series of NKVO with tuneable Na/K ratios are facilely prepared using MXene precursors, in which Na+ is testified to be immobilized upon cycling, functioning as a structural pillar. Due to stronger ionic bonding and lower Fermi level of Na+ compared to K+ , moderate Na+ intercalation could reduce K+ binding to the solvation sheath and favor K+ diffusion kinetics. As a result, the MXene-derived Na+ -pillared NKVO exhibits markedly improved specific capacities, rate performance, and cycle stability than the Na+ -free counterpart. Moreover, thermally-treated carbon paper, which imitates the microscopic structure of Chinese Xuan paper, allows high surface tension liquid NaK alloy to adhere readily, enabling dendrite-free metal anodes. By clarifying the role of foreign intercalating cations, this study may lead to a more rational design of stable and high-performance electrode materials.

Lipid transfer protein StLTPa enhances potato disease resistance against different pathogens by binding and disturbing the integrity of pathogens plasma membrane.

Potato is the third most important food crop worldwide. Potato production suffers from severe diseases caused by multiple detrimental plant pathogens, and broad-spectrum disease resistance genes are rarely identified in potato. Here we identified the potato non-specific lipid transfer protein StLTPa, which enhances species none-specific disease resistance against various pathogens, such as the oomycete pathogen Phytophthora infestans, the fungal pathogens Botrytis cinerea and Verticillium dahliae, and the bacterial pathogens Pectobacterium carotovorum and Ralstonia solanacearum. The StLTPa overexpression potato lines do not show growth penalty. Furthermore, we provide evidence that StLTPa binds to lipids present in the plasma membrane (PM) of the hyphal cells of P. infestans, leading to an increased permeability of the PM. Adding of PI(3,5)P2 and PI(3)P could compete the binding of StLTPa to pathogen PM and reduce the inhibition effect of StLTPa. The lipid-binding activity of StLTPa is essential for its role in pathogen inhibition and promotion of potato disease resistance. We propose that StLTPa enhances potato broad-spectrum disease resistance by binding to, and thereby promoting the permeability of the PM of the cells of various pathogens. Overall, our discovery illustrates that increasing the expression of a single gene in potato enhances potato disease resistance against different pathogens without growth penalty.

Chemokine CCL2 promotes cardiac regeneration and repair in myocardial infarction mice via activation of the JNK/STAT3 axis.

Stimulation of adult cardiomyocyte proliferation is a promising strategy for treating myocardial infarction (MI). Earlier studies have shown increased CCL2 levels in plasma and cardiac tissue both in MI patients and mouse models. In present study we investigated the role of CCL2 in cardiac regeneration and the underlying mechanisms. MI was induced in adult mice by permanent ligation of the left anterior descending artery, we showed that the serum and cardiac CCL2 levels were significantly increased in MI mice. Intramyocardial injection of recombinant CCL2 (rCCL2, 1 µg) immediately after the surgery significantly promoted cardiomyocyte proliferation, improved survival rate and cardiac function, and diminished scar sizes in post-MI mice. Alongside these beneficial effects, we observed an increased angiogenesis and decreased cardiomyocyte apoptosis in post-MI mice. Conversely, treatment with a selective CCL2 synthesis inhibitor Bindarit (30 µM) suppressed both CCL2 expression and cardiomyocyte proliferation in P1 neonatal rat ventricle myocytes (NRVMs). We demonstrated in NRVMs that the CCL2 stimulated cardiomyocyte proliferation through STAT3 signaling: treatment with rCCL2 (100 ng/mL) significantly increased the phosphorylation levels of STAT3, whereas a STAT3 phosphorylation inhibitor Stattic (30 µM) suppressed rCCL2-induced cardiomyocyte proliferation. In conclusion, this study suggests that CCL2 promotes cardiac regeneration via activation of STAT3 signaling, underscoring its potential as a therapeutic agent for managing MI and associated heart failure.

Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound-Guided Endoscopic Retrograde Appendicitis Treatment-A Pilot Study on the Diagnostic and Therapeutic Efficacy in Uncomplicated Appendicitis.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the diagnostic and therapeutic value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound-guided endoscopic retrograde appendicitis treatment (ERAT) in patients with uncomplicated appendicitis. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed on clinical and ultrasound data collected from 105 pediatric patients with uncomplicated appendicitis between January 2020 and December 2023. The ultrasound findings before and after treatment, as well as postoperative follow-up and recurrence rates, were summarized and analyzed. RESULTS: Successful intubation was achieved in 96 patients (91.4%). The conventional ultrasound appendix visualization rate was 39.6% (38/105), while the appendix visualization rate after contrast-enhanced ultrasound-guidance was 75% (72/105). Contrast-enhanced ultrasound revealed various appendiceal morphologic changes in 89 patients, such as twisting, tortuosity, stiffness, rough inner wall, dilated diameter, and narrowing of the lumen. Additionally, local filling defects, which indicated the presence of fecal stones or debris deposition, were noted in 68 patients. No leakage of the contrast agent occurred. Post-treatment evaluation showed improvement in appendiceal diameter, lumen, and filling defects (P < .01). The follow-up rate was 82 of 89 patients (92.1%), all of whom recovered well without a recurrence. The recurrence rate was 7.9% (7/89). Among the patients with recurrences, five patients resolved after medical treatment and two patients recovered after surgical treatment. CONCLUSION: Contrast-enhanced ultrasound-guided ERAT for uncomplicated appendicitis is safe and effective. Specifically, the appendix is increased, which facilitates an evaluation of therapeutic effectiveness. ERAT serves as a valuable supplementary modality to determine the need for surgical treatment of acute appendicitis, which is of significant clinical value.

Metal-Organic Frameworks: Direct Synthesis by Organic Acid-Etching and Reconstruction Disclosure as Oxygen Evolution Electrocatalysts.

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have emerged as promising oxygen evolution reaction (OER) electrocatalysts. Chemically bonded MOFs on supports are desirable yet lacking in routine synthesis, as they may allow variable structural evolution and the underlying structure-activity relationship to be disclosed. Herein, direct MOF synthesis is achieved by an organic acid-etching strategy (AES). Using π-conjugated ferrocene (Fc) dicarboxylic acid as the etching agent and organic ligand, a series of MFc-MOF (M=Ni, Co, Fe, Zn) nanosheets are synthesized on the metal supports. The crystal structure is studied using X-ray diffraction and low-dose transmission electron microscopy, which is quasi-lattice-matched with that of the metal, enabling in situ MOF growth. Operando Raman and attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy disclose that the NiFc-MOF features dynamic structural rebuilding during OER. The reconstructed one showing optimized electronic structures with an upshifted total d-band center, high M-O bonding state occupancy, and localized electrons on adsorbates indicated by density functional theory calculations, exhibits outstanding OER performance with a fairly low overpotential (130 mV at 10 mA cm-2 ) and good stability (144 h). The newly established approach for direct MOF synthesis and structural reconstruction disclosure stimulate the development of more prudent catalysts for advancing OER.

Nb2 CTx MXene Derived Polymorphic Nb2 O5.

Previously, heat treatment was the only feasible route for tuning the crystal phases of niobium pentoxide (Nb2 O5 ). With the use of Nb2 CTx MXene precursors, the first case of phase tuning of Nb2 O5 in the low-temperature hydrothermal synthesis using sulfuric acid regulating agents is presented. By varying the amount of the agent, four pure-phase Nb2 O5 crystals and mixed phases in-between are obtained. The required amount is found to be related to the H-covered surface energy calculated based on density functional theory. Overall, MXene-derived B-phase Nb2 O5 is of particular interest due to its exceptionally high capacities as lithium-ion battery anodes, which are three times higher than the routine synthesized one. Oxygen vacancies induced by crystallographic shear would be responsible for the extraordinary performance. The proposed phase tuning strategy encourages the prudent synthesis of difficult-to-obtain crystal phases.

Potato protein tyrosine phosphatase StPTP1a is activated by StMKK1 to negatively regulate plant immunity.

Phytophthora infestans causes severe losses in potato production. The MAPK kinase StMKK1 was previously found to negatively regulate potato immunity to P. infestans. Our results showed that StMKK1 interacts with a protein tyrosine phosphatase, referred to as StPTP1a, and StMKK1 directly phosphorylates StPTP1a at residues Ser-99, Tyr-223 and Thr-290. StPTP1a is a functional phosphatase and the phosphorylation of StPTP1a at these three residues enhances its stability and catalytic activity. StPTP1a negatively regulates potato immunity and represses SA-related gene expression. Furthermore, StPTP1a interacts with, and dephosphorylates, the StMKK1 downstream signalling targets StMPK4 and -7 at their Tyr-203 residue resulting in the repression of salicylic acid (SA)-related immunity. Silencing of NbPTP1a + NbMPK4 or NbPTP1a + NbMPK7 abolished the plant immunity to P. infestans caused by NbPTP1a silencing, indicating that PTP1a functions upstream of NbMPK4 and NbMPK7. StMKK1 requires StPTP1a to negatively regulate SA-related immunity and StPTP1a is phosphorylated and stabilized during immune activation to promote the de-phosphorylation of StMPK4 and -7. Our results reveal that potato StMKK1 activates and stabilizes the tyrosine phosphatase StPTP1a that in its turn de-phosphorylates StMPK4 and -7, thereby repressing plant SA-related immunity.

Porcupine inhibitor CGX1321 alleviates heart failure with preserved ejection fraction in mice by blocking WNT signaling.

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is highly prevalent, and lacks effective treatment. The aberration of WNT pathway underlies many pathological processes including cardiac fibrosis and hypertrophy, while porcupine is an acyltransferase essential for the secretion of WNT ligands. In this study we investigated the role of WNT signaling pathway in HFpEF as well as whether blocking WNT signaling by a novel porcupine inhibitor CGX1321 alleviated HFpEF. We established two experimental HFpEF mouse models, namely the UNX/DOCA model and high fat diet/L-NAME ("two-hit") model. The UNX/DOCA and "two-hit" mice were treated with CGX1321 (3 mg·kg-1·d-1) for 4 and 10 weeks, respectively. We showed that CGX1321 treatment significantly alleviated cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis, thereby improving cardiac diastolic function and exercise performance in both models. Furthermore, both canonical and non-canonical WNT signaling pathways were activated, and most WNT proteins, especially WNT3a and WNT5a, were upregulated during the development of HEpEF in mice. CGX1321 treatment inhibited the secretion of WNT ligands and repressed both canonical and non-canonical WNT pathways, evidenced by the reduced phosphorylation of c-Jun and the nuclear translocation of ß-catenin and NFATc3. In an in vitro HFpEF model, MCM and ISO-treated cardiomyocytes, knockdown of porcupine by siRNA leads to a similar inhibitory effect on WNT pathways, cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and cardiac fibroblast activation as CGX1321 did, whereas supplementation of WNT3a and WNT5a reversed the anti-hypertrophy and anti-fibrosis effect of CGX1321. We conclude that WNT signaling activation plays an essential role in the pathogenesis of HFpEF, and porcupine inhibitor CGX1321 exerts a therapeutic effect on HFpEF in mice by attenuating cardiac hypertrophy, alleviating cardiac fibrosis and improving cardiac diastolic function.

Double Doppler Tei index combined with lung ultrasound to evaluate the right ventricular function and lung condition in neonates with pulmonary hypertension.

PURPOSE: To explore the applicability of the Tei index combined with lung ultrasound score (LUS) in the evaluation of the lung condition and the right ventricular function of patients with neonatal pulmonary hypertension (PH). METHODS: Thirty healthy neonates and 75 neonates with PH were included. Two-dimensional, M-mode, and double Doppler ultrasound were used to detect RVFAC, TAPSE, TAPSV, and double Doppler Tei index (DD-Tei index). Intra-group correlation coefficient (ICC), Bland-Altman, the Spearman rank method, and the ROC (receiver operating characteristic) were used for other objectives within the study. LUS was used to score the lung condition of 75 neonates with PH with or without respiratory distress and 30 normal neonates in the control group, and the differences were compared. Spearman rank correlation was used to analyze the lung score, DD-Tei index, pulmonary artery pressure, assisted breathing therapy, and the correlation of invasive mechanical ventilation. RESULTS: There were statistically significant differences in the decrease of the values of RVFAC, TAPSE, TAPSV, and the increase of the DD-Tei index among the groups. RVFAC, TAPSE, TAPSV, and DD-Tei index showed good performance for PH, and the DD-Tei index had the best diagnostic performance. The increase in pulmonary artery pressure, lung score, and DD-Tei index in the PH were statistically significant compared with the control group. The DD-Tei index and lung scores were positively correlated with pulmonary artery pressure, assisted breathing therapy, and invasive mechanical ventilation. CONCLUSION: Dual Doppler ultrasonography combined with pulmonary ultrasound performed well in the assessment of the right ventricular function and lung condition of neonatal with PH.

The prognostic utility of GRACE risk score in predictive adverse cardiovascular outcomes in patients with NSTEMI and multivessel disease.

BACKGROUND: GRACE risk score models are capable of predicting all-cause mortality of non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) patients. However, its utility for evaluating major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in NSTEMI patients with multivessel disease (MVD) remains unclear. METHODS AND RESULTS: This study was designed as a retrospective cohort study that recruited patients with NSTEMI and multivessel disease between September 2013 and December 2018 in Daping Hospital, Chongqing, China. The primary outcome was a composite outcome that included all-cause mortality, recurrent angina, non-fatal myocardial infarction, coronary re-vascularization, and non-fatal strokes. Of the 827 patients with NSTEMI, 32 did not complete follow-up and 430 were excluded because of single-vessel disease. The remaining 365 NSTEMI patients with MVD had a median follow-up of 3.0 (IQR 2.6-3.3) years, 78 patients experienced outcomes. The GRACE risk score predicted the MACE (hazard ratio 1.014, 95% CI 1.006-1.021, P < 0.001). The GRACE risk score performed well in predicting all-cause mortality (c-statistic 0.72, 95% CI 0.59-0.85, P = 0.001) in MVD but was less powerful in predicting MACE (c-statistic 0.69, 95% CI 0.62-0.75, P < 0.001). When combining the GRACE risk score with the SYNTAX score, and blood urea nitrogen for predicting all-cause mortality and MACE events, the c-statistic value increased to 0.82 and 0.81 (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: In NSTEMI patients with MVD, the GRACE score showed an acceptable predictive value for all-cause mortality, but it was less powerful in predicting MACE. Blood urea nitrogen may be valuable in assessing long-term cardiovascular events in patients with MVD.

Association of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease with Ventricular Tachycardia and Sinus Arrest in Patients with Non-ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is an emerging driver of cardiac arrhythmias. However, the relationship between NAFLD and malignant arrhythmia in non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) patients is still unclear.In this study, 358 NSTEMI inpatients were enrolled. They all received 24-hour Holter monitoring after percutaneous coronary intervention. All inpatients were divided into two groups: the non-NAFLD group (236 cases, 65.9%) and the NAFLD group (122 cases, 34.1%). Compared with the non-NAFLD group, the NAFLD group had a significantly higher incidence of PVCs/hour > 5 (premature ventricular complexes, 32.0% versus 9.3%, P < 0.001), ventricular tachycardia (VT, 22.1% versus 5.9%, P < 0.001), and sinus arrest (SA, 7.4% versus 1.3%, P = 0.002). We found that NAFLD was closely associated with the occurrence of VT [unadjusted odds ratio (OR) 4.507, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.263-8.974, P < 0.001] and SA (OR 6.186, 95%CI 1.643-23.291, P = 0.007). After adjusting for age, sex, body mass index, and other confounding factors, the above differences were still statistically significant (VT: OR 4.808, 95%CI 2.254-10.253, P < 0.001; SA: OR 9.589, 95%CI 2.027-45.367, P = 0.004).NAFLD is associated with the occurrence of VT and SA in NSTEMI patients. It indicates that NAFLD might be a risk factor for malignant arrhythmias in post-NSTEMI patients.

Phytophthora infestans RXLR effector PITG20303 targets a potato MKK1 protein to suppress plant immunity.

Pathogens secret a plethora of effectors into the host cell to modulate plant immunity. Analysing the role of effectors in altering the function of their host target proteins will reveal critical components of the plant immune system. Here we show that Phytophthora infestans RXLR effector PITG20303, a virulent variant of AVRblb2 (PITG20300) that escapes recognition by the resistance protein Rpi-blb2, suppresses PAMP-triggered immunity (PTI) and promotes pathogen colonization by targeting and stabilizing a potato MAPK cascade protein, StMKK1. Both PITG20300 and PITG20303 target StMKK1, as confirmed by multiple in vivo and in vitro assays, and StMKK1 was shown to be a negative regulator of plant immunity, as determined by overexpression and gene silencing. StMKK1 is a negative regulator of plant PTI, and the kinase activities of StMKK1 are required for its suppression of PTI and effector interaction. PITG20303 depends partially on MKK1, PITG20300 does not depend on MKK1 for suppression of PTI-induced reactive oxygen species burst, while the full virulence activities of nuclear targeted PITG20303 and PITG20300 are dependent on MKK1. Our results show that PITG20303 and PITG20300 target and stabilize the plant MAPK cascade signalling protein StMKK1 to negatively regulate plant PTI response.

Music interventions can alleviate cancer-related fatigue: a metaanalysis.

PURPOSE: This study was designed to critically evaluate the effect of music interventions on cancer-related fatigue (CRF) in cancer patients. METHODS: Seven databases (Cochrane Library, PubMed, Embace, CBM, Wanfang, VIP, and CNKI) were systematically reviewed from inception to June 2020 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Two reviewers critically and independently assessed the risk of bias using Cochrane Collaboration criteria and extracted correlated data using the designed form. All analyses were performed with Review Manager 5.3. RESULTS: A total of 8 qualified studies that included 467 patients (music interventions: 235, control: 232) were included. Cancer patients who completed adjuvant therapy in the music intervention group, especially those with malignant hematological diseases, reported reduced CRF levels compared with patients undergoing routine care. Regardless of the frequencies, music interventions can relieve fatigue in cancer patients. Providing prerecorded music and participating in live music both can mitigate CRF. CONCLUSIONS: Music interventions can be considered as an alternative therapy for relieving fatigue in cancer patients who are undergoing active treatment or have completed treatment.

Predictive value of aberrant right subclavian artery for fetal chromosome aneuploidy in women of advanced maternal age.

BACKGROUND: In the entire population, an aberrant right subclavian artery (ARSA) is closely associated with chromosomal abnormalities. ARSA with additional ultrasonic findings would increase risk of chromosomal abnormalities. The risk of fetal chromosomal abnormalities increased exponentially with the maternal age. These risks in the advanced maternal age (AMA) group are uncertain. This study aimed to determine the incidence of ARSA in Chinese AMA and non-AMA women and the frequency of aneuploidy among AMA and non-AMA women with ARSA. METHODS: This retrospective study included 13,690 singleton pregnancies, were divided into AMA and non-AMA groups. Integrated obstetric ultrasonic screening, biochemical screening, noninvasive prenatal screening, and fetal karyotype analysis were analyzed. RESULTS: The overall incidence of ARSA was 0.69%, with no difference between age groups. The incidence of chromosomal abnormalities in the AMA group (37 / 2860) was much higher than that of the non-AMA group. The risk of chromosomal abnormalities significantly increased with both ARSA detected and additional ultrasound findings. With combined ARSA and AMA, the likelihood of the incidence of chromosomal abnormalities increased. Chimerism (45X / 46XX) was found with isolated ARSA in AMA pregnancies. CONCLUSION: There is a high prevalence of chromosomal abnormalities in fetuses of AMA women. ARSA increases the risk of chromosomal abnormalities in both age groups, especially combined with ARSA. When ARSA occurs in AMA women, it confers a high likelihood of chromosomal abnormalities.

Three­Dimensional Ultrasonography in Preoperative and Postoperative Volume Assessment of the Undescended Testicle.

BACKGROUND Ultrasound (US) is the preferred imaging method for cryptorchidism, but most guidelines indicate that its value is questionable. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical value of ultrasonic mobility and testicular atrophy index (TAI) based on three­dimensional US (3DUS) in preoperative and postoperative assessment of the undescended testis. MATERIAL AND METHODS Data from 158 children with unilateral extraperitoneal cryptorchidism were collected and their diagnoses were surgically confirmed. They were divided into different age groups and into 2 ultrasonic mobility groups: the mobile group (MG) and the restricted group (RG). Differences in sonographic characteristics between different groups were compared. Three-dimensional ultrasound performed with virtual organ computer-aided analysis (VOCAL) was used to determined preoperative and postoperative TAI and the reliability of TAI was analyzed. RESULTS Measurement of testicular volume with the VOCAL method was significantly more reliable than that done with the two-dimensional Lambert method. In all age groups, preoperative testicular volumes were smaller than that in the contralateral scrotal testis and postoperatively, they increased steadily. Both preoperative and postoperative TAI were higher in the RG than in the MG. In the MG, postoperative TAI decreased significantly in all age groups. In the RG, in contrast, effective volume growth was only achieved in patients who had undergone surgery before they reached age 1 year. CONCLUSIONS TAI values determined with 3DUS using the VOCAL technique objectively reflect recovery of testicular volume following surgery for undescended testicle. Ultrasonic mobility evaluation is beneficial for clinical management of the condition.

Application of 2- and 3-Dimensional Sonography Using the Virtual Organ Computer-Aided Analysis Technique to Measure the Hippocampal Formation and Its Correlation With Corrected Gestational Age in Neonates.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to use transcranial 2- and 3-dimensional sonography with the Virtual Organ computer-aided analysis (GE Healthcare, Milwaukee, WI) technique to observe the morphologic characteristics of the hippocampal formation and to analyze its correlation with the corrected gestational age. METHODS: Transcranial sonography was performed from the sagittal plane of the anterior fontanel to the sagittal plane of the posterior horn of the lateral ventricle. The morphologic characteristics of the hippocampal formation in 183 singleton neonates with a corrected gestational age of 32 to 43 weeks were observed. The long diameter, short diameter, area, and perimeter of the hippocampal formation were all quantitatively measured. The volume of the hippocampal formation was measured by 3-dimensional sonography using the Virtual Organ computer-aided analysis technique. The correlation between the corrected gestational age and each parameter was analyzed. RESULTS: The display rate of the hippocampal formation was 100% in the neonates with a typical hippocampus shape. In healthy neonates with a corrected gestational age of 32 to 43 weeks, the long and short diameters, area, perimeter, and volume of the hippocampal formation were all positively correlated with the gestational age. CONCLUSIONS: Transcranial sonography could be used as a conventional approach for evaluation of the development of the hippocampal formation in neonates.

[Correlation between CYP2C19 Gene Polymorphism with Clopidogrel Resistance and Distribution of Chinese Medicine Syndrome in 229 Acute Coronary Syndrome Patients].

Objective To observe correlation between CYP2C19 *2/CYP2C19 *3 gene polymorphism with clopidogrel resistance and distribution of Chinese medicine ( CM) syndrome in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) population. Methods Peripheral blood was collected from 229 ACS patients from June 2014 to March 2015. DNAs were extracted, amplified, and sequenced. Correlations between CYP2C19 *2/CYP2Cl9 *3 gene polymorphisms and clopidogrel resistance/distribution of CM syndrome were analyzed. Gene frequency and allele frequency were tested using gene counting and one-sample K-S test. Correlation between gene types and distribution of CM syndrome was tested by Pearson corre- lation test. Results (1) The CYP2C19 *2 polymorphism distribution: CYP2C19 *2(A/A) (mutant homozygous) 12 cases (5. 2%) ; CYP2C19 * 2 ( G/A ) ( mutant heterozygote ) 93 cases (40. 6%), and CYP2C19 *2 (G/G) (normal homozygous) 124 cases (54. 2%). The mutant allele frequency was 0. 255. (2) The CYP2C19 *3 polymorphism distribution: CYP2C19 *3 (A/A) 0 case (0) ; CYP2C19 *3 (G/A) 26 cases (11. 4%), and CYP2C19 *3 (G/G) 203 cases (88. 6%). The mutant allele frequency was 0. 056. (3) Correlation between CYP2C19 gene polymorphism and clopidogrel resistance: Clopidogrel resistance was more liable to occur in mutant homozygous than in mutant heterozygote and normal homozygous (R =0. 30, P <0. 01). Clopidogrel resistance was more liable to occur in mutant heterozygote than in normal homozygous (R =0. 34, P <0. 01). (4) Among the 229 patients, the CM syndrome distribution were distributed as follows. Blockage of Xin vessels syndrome (BXVS, 33 cases, 14. 41%) ; qi deficiency blood stasis syndrome (QDBSS, 51 cases, 22. 27%) ; qi stagnation blood stasis syndrome (QSBSS, 92 cases, 40.18%) ; phlegm obstructing Xin vessel syndrome (POXVS, 17 cases, 7. 42%) ; yin-cold coag- ulation syndrome (YCCS, 8 cases, 3. 49%) ; qi-yin deficiency syndrome (QYDS, 13 cases, 5.68%) ; Xin-Shen yin deficiency syndrome (XSYDS, 5 cases, 2.18%), yang and qi deficiency syndrome (YQDS, 10 cases, 4. 37%). (5) CYP2C19 *2 gene type was significantly correlated with syndrome typing of CM (R =0. 26, P <0. 01). Mutant homozygous and most mutant heterozygote patients were syndrome typed as QDBSS. Conclusions The polymorphism of CYP2C19 was closely correlated with clopidogrel resist- ance in 229 ACS patients. Its occurrence rate was correlated with CYP2C19 *2/CYP2C19 *3 gene muta- tion frequency. Blood stasis syndrome ( QSBSS, QDBSS, BXVS) were main syndromes of ACS. Be- sides, QSBSS was obviously higher than the rest syndrome types. The polymorphism of CYP2C19 * 2 was correlated with syndrome typing of CM. CYP2C19 *2 gene defect mostly existed in QSBSS.

[Study on Panax notoginseng and its processed products by FTIR spectroscopy].

The chemical differences of panax notoginseng before and after processing were analyzed by Fourier transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) combined with two-dimensionalcorrelation spectroscopy (2D-IR). Compared with conventional IR spectra of the samples, the FTIR spectra of panax notoginseng and its processed products were similar in the range of 1 200-400 cm(-1). The difference was that prepared panax notoginseng had strong and characteristic peaks at 2 925, 2 855, 1 746, 1 460, 1 376 and 1 158 cm(-1), which all arose from the characteristic vibration of peanut oil. This was because there was some peanut oil left in the panax notoginseng, when panax notoginseng after processing. Obvious differences were observed between 2D-IR spectra of them, in the range of 1 400-1 700 cm(-1), there was only one auto peaks at 1 650 cm(-1) in the spectra of panax notoginseng, but there were auto peaks at 1 469 and 1 640 cm(-1) in the spectra of prepared panax notoginseng. In the range of 1 400-1 700 cm(-1), the 2D-IR spectra of panax notoginseng and its processed product present characterstic peaks at 1 139 (1 137), 1 194 (1 196), 1 121 (1 221)cm(-1) respectively, but the relative intensities of auto peaks were changed. For example, auto peak around 1 139 cm(-1) was enhanced, but auto peak around 1 194 cm(-1) was weakened. The results of 2D-IR correlation spectroscopy indicated the decomposition of flavonoids, saccharides and saponins. This method can track dynamically the processing procedure of panax notoginseng and reveal the main tansformations, so it can explain the pharmacology of panax notoginseng and its processed product by FTIR and 2D-IR.