Maize catalases are recruited by a virus to modulate viral multiplication and infection.

Given the detrimental effects of excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation in plant cells, various antioxidant mechanisms have evolved to maintain cellular redox homeostasis, encompassing both enzymatic components (e.g., catalase, superoxide dismutase) and non-enzymatic ones. Despite extensive research on the role of antioxidant systems in plant physiology and responses to abiotic stresses, the potential exploitation of antioxidant enzymes by plant viruses to facilitate viral infection remains insufficiently addressed. Herein, we demonstrate that maize catalases (ZmCATs) exhibited up-regulated enzymatic activities upon sugarcane mosaic virus (SCMV) infection. ZmCATs played crucial roles in SCMV multiplication and infection by catalysing the decomposition of excess cellular H2 O2 and promoting the accumulation of viral replication-related cylindrical inclusion (CI) protein through interaction. Peroxisome-localized ZmCATs were found to be distributed around SCMV replication vesicles in Nicotiana benthamiana leaves. Additionally, the helper component-protease (HC-Pro) of SCMV interacted with ZmCATs and enhanced catalase activities to promote viral accumulation. This study unveils a significant involvement of maize catalases in modulating SCMV multiplication and infection through interaction with two viral factors, thereby enhancing our understanding regarding viral strategies for manipulating host antioxidant mechanisms towards robust viral accumulation.

The lncRNA DANCR promotes development of atherosclerosis by regulating the miR-214-5p/COX20 signaling pathway.

BACKGROUND: Although long non-coding RNA differentiation antagonizing non-protein coding RNA (DANCR) has been reported to be involved in atherosclerosis (AS) development, its specific mechanism remains unclear. METHODS: DANCR expression levels in blood samples of AS patients and oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) treated vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The small interfering RNA targeting DANCR (si-DANCR) was used to silence DANCR expression. Cell viability was assessed by CCK-8 assay. Cell apoptosis was evaluated by flow cytometry. Levels of inflammatory cytokines, anti-oxidative enzyme superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and malonaldehyde (MDA) were detected by specific commercial kits. An animal AS model was established to confirm the role of DANCR/microR-214-5p/COX20 (the chaperone of cytochrome c oxidase subunit II COX2) in AS development. RESULTS: DANCR was significantly increased in the blood samples of AS patients and ox-LDL treated VSMCs and HUVECs. DANCR downregulation obviously increased viability and reduced apoptosis of ox-LDL-treated VSMCs and HUVECs. Meanwhile, DANCR downregulation reduced the levels of inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-6 (IL-6), IL-1beta (IL-1ß), IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha (TNF-α) and MDA while increasing the SOD level in ox-LDL-treated VSMCs and HUVECs. DANCR regulated COX20 expression by acting as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) of miR-214-5p. Rescue experiments demonstrated that miR-214-5p downregulation obviously attenuated si-DANCR-induced protective effects on ox-LDL-caused endothelial injury. CONCLUSIONS: Our results revealed that DANCR promoted AS progression by targeting the miR-214-5p/COX20 axis, suggesting that DANCR might be a potential therapeutic target for AS.

Recombinant Brain Natriuretic Peptide for the Prevention of Contrast-Induced Nephropathy in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease Undergoing Nonemergent Percutaneous Coronary Intervention or Coronary Angiography: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

The role of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) in the prevention of contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) is unknown. This study aimed to investigate BNP's effect on CIN in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients undergoing elective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or coronary angiography (CAG). The patients were randomized to BNP (0.005 µg/kg/min before contrast media (CM) exposure and saline hydration, n = 106) or saline hydration alone (n = 103). Cystatin C, serum creatinine (SCr) levels, and estimated glomerular filtration rates (eGFR) were assessed at several time points. The primary endpoint was CIN incidence; secondary endpoint included changes in cystatin C, SCr, and eGFR. CIN incidence was significantly lower in the BNP group compared to controls (6.6% versus 16.5%, P = 0.025). In addition, a more significant deterioration of eGFR, cystatin C, and SCr from 48 h to 1 week (P < 0.05) was observed in controls compared to the BNP group. Although eGFR gradually deteriorated in both groups, a faster recovery was achieved in the BNP group. Multivariate logistic regression revealed that using >100 mL of CM (odds ratio: 4.36, P = 0.004) and BNP administration (odds ratio: 0.21, P = 0.006) were independently associated with CIN. Combined with hydration, exogenous BNP administration before CM effectively decreases CIN incidence in CKD patients.

Brain natriuretic peptide for prevention of contrast-induced nephropathy after percutaneous coronary intervention or coronary angiography.

BACKGROUND: Many methods reportedly prevent contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN), but the effect of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) on CIN is unknown. In this study we investigated recombinant BNP use before coronary angiography (CA) or nonemergent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with unstable angina. METHODS: One thousand patients with unstable angina were prospectively evaluated. The patients were randomly assigned to: group A, isotonic normal saline (NaCl 0.9%, 1 mL/kg/h) for 24 hours before CA or PCI; and group B, human recombinant BNP (rhBNP; 0.005 µg/kg/min). Serum creatinine (Scr) levels and estimated glomerular filtration rate were measured before and 24, 48, and 72 hours, and 7 days after the procedure. The primary outcome was CIN incidence defined according to a relative (≥ 25%) or absolute (≥ 0.5 mg/dL and 44 µmol/L, respectively) increase in Scr from baseline within 48 hours. The secondary end points were the changes in the Scr and estimated glomerular filtration rate, before and after the procedure. RESULTS: Contrast volume, a history of diabetes mellitus, and BNP administration independently predicted CIN. The incidence of CIN was significantly greater in group A than in group B (14.8% vs 5.6%; P < 0.01). Renal function was less compromised in patients who received rhBNP. The Scr of all patients with CIN remained increased for 24 hours, but it was lower and recovered faster in patients who received rhBNP. CONCLUSIONS: rhBNP administration before CA or PCI protects renal function and can significantly decrease CIN incidence.

Efficacy and tolerability of a single-pill combination of amlodipine/valsartan in Asian hypertensive patients not adequately controlled with valsartan monotherapy.

This randomized, double-blind study evaluated efficacy of a single-pill combination of amlodipine/valsartan (Aml/Val) in Asian patients with hypertension not responding to Val 80 mg. Patients with mean sitting diastolic blood pressure (DBP) ≥90-≤110 mmHg were randomized to Aml/Val 5/80, Val 80, or Val 160 mg for 8 weeks. At week-8 endpoint, significantly greater reductions in BP were seen with Aml/Val 5/80 mg than valsartan monotherapies (p < 0.0001). The BP control was greater with Aml/Val 5/80 (70.5%) than Val (44.1-58.6%) monotherapies. The combination was well tolerated. In conclusion, single-pill combination with Aml/Val provided significant additional BP reduction and control in hypertensive patients not responding to Val 80 mg.

[Clinical predictability of the waist-to-hip ratio in assessing the risk factors of cardiovascular disease among public servants in Shijiazhuang city].

OBJECTIVE: To assess the clinical predictability of waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) among female civil servants who had experienced risk factors of cardiovascular disease. METHODS: Data was gathered from 4153 female civil servants aged 21-91 y working at universities who were enrolled in health screening centre at the Second Hospital Attached to Hebei Medical University, in 2006. WHR quartiles were determined., as: < 0.80, 0.80- < 0.84, 0.84- < 0.90 and > or = 0.90. Subjects were placed into high-risk categories for cardiovascular disease on the basis of national health reference on range norms of protocol including hypertension, diabetes mellitus and dyslipidemia. RESULTS: Participants had an increased likelihood of hypertension (systolic blood pressure), dyslipidemia (elevated triacylglycerol and descending HDL-C) and diabetes mellitus at WHR > or = 0.84. All aforementioned variables had a significant odds ratio at WHR > or = 0.84. This trend was further persisted after adjustment had been made on smoking, age, and BMI. Descended HDL-C was observed at the 0.80 < or = WHR < 0.84 when compared with WHR < 0.80. CONCLUSION: These data indicated an upward shift in the critical threshold for WHR to > or = 0.84. Above which point, there was an elevation of risk factors on cardiovascular diseases among all the female civil servants. The trend persisted regardless of smoking, BMI < or > or = 28 and at what age group, among the civil servants population.