Investigation of TGFßR2 SNP rs4522809, Osteopontin, TGF ß1 and their association with dilatative pathology of ascending thoracic aorta.

BACKGROUND: Dilatative pathology of the ascending thoracic aorta (DPATA) is characterized by the aortic wall expansion more than 1.5 and could be accompanied by aortic wall rupture. Mutations of TGFBR2 gene demonstrated an association with syndromic DPATA and altered pathway of transforming growth factor beta (TGF-ß). Elevated TGF-ß1 level has been found in blood samples in DPATA group. Moreover, elevated osteopontin (OPN) level was associated with mutations of TGFBR2 gene. Based on recently published findings, we aimed to evaluate genotyping results of TGFBR2 rs4522809 and the association with circulating OPN and TGF-ß1 concentrations within DPATA patients. METHODS AND FINDINGS: TGFBR2 SNP genotyping assay was performed by quantitative real-time PCR, TGF-ß1 and OPN concentrations were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Genotyping results showed G allele to be associated with DPATA (p = .01), the presence of G allele significantly increased the possibility of DPATA by 1.67 times (OR = 1.67, 95%, CI = 1.12-2.47). TGF-ß1 concentration was significantly higher in DPATA subjects compared with Reference group (p = 0,001). Finally, we found moderate inverse correlation (r = -0,524) between circulating TGF-ß1 and OPN levels within DPATA subjects (p = 0,002), as increasing levels of TGF-ß1 cytokine significantly decrease concentration of OPN. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first report on the association between previously defined TGFßR2 SNP rs4522809 linked with dilatation of ascending thoracic aorta. Also, for the first time we report the inversed correlation between circulating TGF-ß1 and OPN concentrations in DPATA subjects indicating the possible biomarkers for DPATA.

Sequential treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma patients after first-line vascular endothelial growth factor targeted therapy in a real-world setting: epidemiologic, noninterventional, retrospective-prospective cohort multicentre study.

PURPOSE: The purpose of our study was to determine whether data on the clinical effectiveness of second-line therapy collected in a real-world setting provide additional valuable information on the optimal sequence of metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) treatment. METHODS: Patients diagnosed with mRCC who were treated with at least one dose of first-line vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-targeted therapy with either sunitinib or pazopanib and with at least one dose of second-line everolimus, axitinib, nivolumab, or cabozantinib were included. The efficacy of different treatment sequences was analyzed based on the time to the second objective disease progression (PFS2) and the time to the first objective disease progression (PFS). RESULTS: Data from 172 subjects were available for analysis. PFS2 was 23.29 months. The 1-year PFS2 rate was 85.3%, and the 3-year PFS2 rate was 25.9%. The 1-year overall survival rate was 97.0%, and the 3-year overall survival rate was 78.6%. Patients with a lower IMDC prognostic risk group had a significantly (p < 0.001) longer PFS2. Patients with metastases in the liver had a shorter PFS2 than patients with metastases in the other sites (p = 0.024). Patients with metastases in the lungs and lymph nodes (p = 0.045) and patients with metastases in the liver and bones (p = 0.030) had lower PFS2 rates than patients with metastases in other sites. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with a better IMDC prognosis have a longer PFS2. Metastases in the liver lead to a shorter PFS2 than metastases in other sites. One metastasis site means a longer PFS2 than 3 or more metastasis sites. Nephrectomy performed in an earlier stage of disease or metastatic setting means higher PFS and higher PFS2. No PFS2 difference was found between different treatment sequences of TKI-TKI or TKI-immune therapy.

Associations of the serotonin transporter gene polymorphism, 5-HTTLPR, and adverse life events with late life depression in the elderly Lithuanian population.

Late-life depression (LLD) is a multifactorial disorder, with susceptibility and vulnerability potentially influenced by gene-environment interaction. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the 5-HTTLPR polymorphism is associated with LLD. The sample of 353 participants aged 65 years and over was randomly selected from the list of Kaunas city inhabitants by Residents' Register Service of Lithuania. Depressive symptoms were ascertained using the EURO-D scale. The List of Threatening Events Questionnaire was used to identify stressful life events that happened over the last 6 months and during lifetime. A 5-HTTLPR and lifetime stressful events interaction was indicated by higher odds of depression in those with s/s genotype who experienced high stress compared to l/l carriers with low or medium stress, while 5-HTTLPR and current stressful events interaction analysis revealed that carriers of either one or two copies of the s allele had increased odds of depressive symptoms associated with stress compared to participants with the l/l genotype not exposed to stressful situations. Although no significant direct association was found between the 5-HTTLPR short allele and depression, our findings demonstrated that lifetime or current stressful life events and their modification by 5-HTTLPR genotype are risk factors for late-life depression.

The Impact of Trimethylamine N-Oxide and Coronary Microcirculatory Dysfunction on Outcomes following ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction.

INTRODUCTION: Persistent coronary microcirculatory dysfunction (CMD) and elevated trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) levels after ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) may drive negative structural and electrical cardiac remodeling, resulting in new-onset atrial fibrillation (AF) and a decrease in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). AIMS: TMAO and CMD are investigated as potential predictors of new-onset AF and left ventricular remodeling following STEMI. METHODS: This prospective study included STEMI patients who had primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) followed by staged PCI three months later. Cardiac ultrasound images were obtained at baseline and after 12 months to assess LVEF. Coronary flow reserve (CFR), and index of microvascular resistance (IMR) were assessed using the coronary pressure wire during the staged PCI. Microcirculatory dysfunction was defined as having an IMR value ≥25 U and CFR value <2.5 U. RESULTS: A total of 200 patients were included in the study. Patients were categorized according to whether or not they had CMD. Neither group differed from the other with regards to known risk factors. Despite making up only 40.5% of the study population, females represented 67.4% of the CMD group p < 0.001. Similarly, CMD patients had a much higher prevalence of diabetes than those without CMD (45.7% vs. 18.2%; p < 0.001). At the one-year follow-up, the LVEF in the CMD group had decreased to significantly lower levels than those in the non-CMD group (40% vs. 50%; p < 0.001), whereas it had been higher in the CMD group at baseline (45% vs. 40%; p = 0.019). Similarly, during the follow-up, the CMD group had a greater incidence of AF (32.6% vs. 4.5%; p < 0.001). In the adjusted multivariable analysis, the IMR and TMAO were associated with increased odds of AF development (OR: 1.066, 95% CI: 1.018-1.117, p = 0.007), and (OR: 1.290, 95% CI: 1.002-1.660, p = 0.048), respectively. Similarly, elevated levels of IMR and TMAO were linked with decreased odds of LVEF improvement, while higher CFR values are related to a greater likelihood of LVEF improvement. CONCLUSIONS: CMD and elevated TMAO levels were highly prevalent three months after STEMI. Patients with CMD had an increased incidence of AF and a lower LVEF 12 months after STEMI.

The impact of primary percutaneous coronary intervention strategies during ST-elevation myocardial infarction on the prevalence of coronary microvascular dysfunction.

Coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD) is a common complication of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and can lead to adverse cardiovascular events. This is a non-randomized, observational, prospective study of STEMI patients with multivessel disease who underwent primary PCI, grouped based on whether they underwent balloon pre-dilatation stenting or direct stenting of the culprit lesion. Coronary physiology measurements were performed 3 months post-PCI including coronary flow reserve (CFR) and index of microcirculatory resistance (IMR) measurements at the culprit vessel. The primary endpoint was the prevalence of CMD at 3 months, defined as IMR ≥ 25 or CFR < 2.0 with a normal fractional flow reserve. Secondary endpoints included major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) at 12 months. Two hundred ten patients were enrolled; most were men, 125 (59.5%), with a median age of 65 years. One hundred twelve (53.2%) underwent balloon pre-dilatation before stenting, and 98 (46.7%) underwent direct stenting. The prevalence of CMD at 3 months was lower in the direct stenting group than in the balloon pre-dilatation stenting group (12.24% vs. 40.18%; p < 0.001). Aspiration thrombectomy and administration of intracoronary glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors were associated with lower odds of CMD (OR = 0.175, p = 0.001 and OR = 0.113, p = 0.001, respectively). Notably, MACE in patients who underwent direct stenting was lower than in those who underwent balloon pre-dilatation before stenting (14.29% vs. 26.79%; p = 0.040). In STEMI patients with multivessel disease, direct stenting of the culprit lesion, aspiration thrombectomy and administration of intracoronary glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors were associated with a lower prevalence of CMD at 3 months and lower incidence of MACE at 12 months compared with balloon pre-dilatation stenting.This trial is registered at https://ichgcp.net/clinical-trials-registry/NCT05406297 .

Association of CX36 Protein Encoding Gene GJD2 with Refractive Errors.

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the associations of GJD2 (rs634990, rs524952) and RASGRF1 (rs8027411, rs4778879, rs28412916) gene polymorphisms with refractive errors. Methods: The study included 373 subjects with refractive errors (48 myopia, 239 myopia with astigmatism, 14 hyperopia, and 72 hyperopia with astigmatism patients) and 104 ophthalmologically healthy subjects in the control group. A quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) method was chosen for genotyping. Statistical calculations and analysis of results were performed with IBM SPSS Statistics 27 software. Results: The correlations in monozygotic (MZ) twin pairs were higher compared to DZ pairs, indicating genetic effects on hyperopia and astigmatism. The heritability (h2) of hyperopia and astigmatism was 0.654 for the right eye and 0.492 for the left eye. The GJD2 rs634990 TT genotype increased the incidence of hyperopia with astigmatism by 2.4-fold and the CT genotype decreased the incidence of hyperopia with astigmatism by 0.51-fold (p < 0.05). The GJD2 rs524952 AT genotype reduced the incidence of hyperopia with astigmatism by 0.53-fold (p < 0.05). Haplotype analysis of SNPs in the GJD2 gene revealed two statistically significant haplotypes: ACTAGG for rs634990 and TTTAGA for rs524952, which statistically significantly reduced the incidence of hyperopia and hyperopia with astigmatism by 0.41-fold (95% CI: 0.220−0.765) and 0.383-fold (95% CI: 0.199−0.737), respectively (p < 0.05). It was also found that, in the presence of haplotypes ACTAGG for rs634990 and TATAGA for rs524952, the possibility of hyperopia was reduced by 0.4-fold (p < 0.05). Conclusions: the heritability of hyperopia and hyperopia with astigmatism was 0.654−0.492, according to different eyes in patients between 20 and 40 years. The GJD2 rs634990 was identified as an SNP, which has significant associations with the co-occurrence of hyperopia and astigmatism. Patients with the GJD2 gene rs634990 TT genotype were found to have a 2.4-fold higher risk of develop hyperopia with astigmatism.

Effect of clinical factors and gene polymorphism of CYP2C19*2, *17 and CYP4F2*3 on early stent thrombosis.

AIM: To determine the main clinical and genetic factors having impact on early coronary stent thrombosis. MATERIALS & METHODS: Genotyping of CYP2C19*2, *17 and CYP4F2*3 in patients with (n = 31) and without stent thrombosis (n = 456) was performed. Clinical and genetic data were analyzed by binary logistic regression. RESULTS: Smoking (OR: 0.317; 95% CI: 0.131-0.767), high-density lipoprotein level in mmol/l (OR: 0.142; 95% CI: 0.040-0.506), CYP2C19*2*2 versus *1*1 and *1*2 genotype (OR: 11.625; 95% CI: 3.498-38.633), CYP4F2 AA versus GA and GG genotype (OR: 3.532; 95% CI: 1.153-10.822) were associated with early stent thrombosis. CONCLUSION: For the first time we have identified a clinically important polymorphism (CYP4F2 G1347A) that was independently associated with early stent thrombosis. Original submitted 18 August 2014; Revision submitted 10 November 2014.

FBN1 polymorphisms in patients with the dilatative pathology of the ascending thoracic aorta.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate polymorphisms of the fibrillin-1 (FBN1) gene (namely, rs2118181, rs1036477, rs10519177, rs755251 and rs4774517) in a case-control study for dilatative pathology of the ascending thoracic aorta (DPATA) from Lithuanians. METHODS: We studied 312 patients who had undergone aortic reconstructive surgery for DPATA. These patients were sub-divided according to the phenotypes of their DPATA into (i) ascending aortic aneurysm (n = 160), (ii) post-stenotic dilatation of the ascending aorta due to aortic valve stenosis (n = 79) and (iii) Stanford A dissection (n = 73). The reference group (n = 472) was recruited from a random sample screened within epidemiological studies of the Lithuanian population. FBN1 polymorphisms were studied by real-time polymerase-chain-reaction amplification. RESULTS: Patients within the aortic dissection sub-group had significantly higher minor allele frequencies in all five FBN1 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs) studied versus reference group subjects (P < 0.0001). Minor allele frequencies in SNPs rs2118181, rs1036477 were significantly higher in those with aortic aneurysm when compared with the reference group (P = 0.007). Thus, minor alleles of FBN1 SNPs studied were significantly associated with aortic dissection with odds ratios (ORs) 2.59-2.13, P < 0.001, while SNPs rs2118181 and rs1036477 with an increased risk of ascending aortic aneurysm [OR 1.67, confidence interval (CI) 95% 1.61-2.40]. The association of FBN1 genotypes with each phenotype of DPATA was assessed using logistic regression models adjusted for gender, age and hypertension. The additive model best fitted SNPs rs2118181 and rs1036477 in association with the ascending aortic aneurysm sub-group (OR 1.70, CI 95% 1.17-2.46) or the Stanford A dissection sub-group (OR 2.64, CI 95% 1.66-4.19). A recessive model fitted best the association between SNPs rs10519177, rs755251, rs4774517 and Stanford A dissection (OR 4.31, CI 95% 2.06-9.01). There were no significant associations between all studied FBN1 SNPs and post-stenotic or bicuspid aortic dilatation. CONCLUSIONS: Our study provides evidence for the following: (i) FBN1 SNPs rs2118181, rs1036477, rs10519177, rs4774517, rs755251 may increase susceptibility to aortic dissections and (ii) FBN1 SNPs rs2118181, rs1036477 to the formation of aortic aneurysms. Thus, these SNPs might be considered as biomarkers for identifying patients at risk for ascending aortic aneurysm and aortic dissection.