Androgen-sensitive hypertension associated with soluble guanylate cyclase-α1 deficiency is mediated by 20-HETE.

Dysregulated nitric oxide (NO) signaling contributes to the pathogenesis of hypertension, a prevalent and often sex-specific risk factor for cardiovascular disease. We previously reported that mice deficient in the α1-subunit of the NO receptor soluble guanylate cyclase (sGCα1 (-/-) mice) display sex- and strain-specific hypertension: male but not female sGCα1 (-/-) mice are hypertensive on an 129S6 (S6) but not a C57BL6/J (B6) background. We aimed to uncover the genetic and molecular basis of the observed sex- and strain-specific blood pressure phenotype. Via linkage analysis, we identified a suggestive quantitative trait locus associated with elevated blood pressure in male sGCα1 (-/-)S6 mice. This locus encompasses Cyp4a12a, encoding the predominant murine synthase of the vasoconstrictor 20-hydroxy-5,8,11,14-eicosatetraenoic acid (20-HETE). Renal expression of Cyp4a12a in mice was associated with genetic background, sex, and testosterone levels. In addition, 20-HETE levels were higher in renal preglomerular microvessels of male sGCα1 (-/-)S6 than of male sGCα1 (-/-)B6 mice. Furthermore, treating male sGCα1 (-/-)S6 mice with the 20-HETE antagonist 20-hydroxyeicosa-6(Z),15(Z)-dienoic acid (20-HEDE) lowered blood pressure. Finally, 20-HEDE rescued the genetic background- and testosterone-dependent impairment of acetylcholine-induced relaxation in renal interlobar arteries associated with sGCα1 deficiency. Elevated Cyp4a12a expression and 20-HETE levels render mice susceptible to hypertension and vascular dysfunction in a setting of sGCα1 deficiency. Our data identify Cyp4a12a as a candidate sex-specific blood pressure-modifying gene in the context of deficient NO-sGC signaling.

Myeloid neoplasms in inflammatory bowel disease: A case series and review of the literature.

Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are exposed to chronic systemic inflammation and are at risk for secondary malignancies. Here we review the literature on the risk of myeloid neoplasms (MN) in IBD and present the disease profiles of patients at a single institution with IBD who later developed MN, comparing them to those in the literature. No IBD characteristic was found to associate with MN disease severity, including the previously-identified association between MNs and thiopurine exposure. Of the somatic mutations identified in out cohort's MN, mutations in TET2 were most prevalent, followed by FLT3-ITD, BCR-ABL, and NPM1 mutations.

Diagnostic and Practical Challenges in Applying National Comprehensive Cancer Network Guidelines for Suspected Pathogenic TP53 Mosaicism.

Benefits and limitations in using NCCN guidelines to distinguish TP53 CH from mosaic LFS.

Clonal hematopoiesis and inflammation: A review of mechanisms and clinical implications.

Clonal hematopoiesis (CH) is defined by the presence of somatic mutations in hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPC). CH is associated primarily with advancing age and confers an elevated risk of progression to overt hematologic malignancy and cardiovascular disease. Increasingly, CH is associated with a wide range of diseases driven by, and sequelae of, inflammation. Accordingly, there is great interest in better understanding the pathophysiologic and clinical relationship between CH, aging, and disease. Both observational and experimental findings support the concept that CH is a potential common denominator in the inflammatory outcomes of aging. However, there is also evidence that local and systemic inflammatory states promote the growth and select for CH clones. In this review, we aim to provide an up-to-date summary of the nature of the relationship between inflammation and CH, which is central to unlocking potential therapeutic opportunities to prevent progression to myeloid malignancy.

From the Levant to Gibraltar: a regional perspective for marine conservation in the Mediterranean Sea.

Marine protected areas (MPAs) are critical to the well-being of threatened ecosystems and thus can be highly beneficial to humans, especially to those residing nearby. We explore the qualities of 117 MPAs in the Mediterranean basin and develop a taxonomy of their characteristics. We relate the spatial distribution of the MPAs to the various characteristics of the taxonomy (size, distance from shore, protection levels, management regimes, etc.) and to areas of high human impact and influence levels. To do this we use information on biogeographic regions and information from two different human influence models; one model developed for the marine environment and one covering the littoral terrestrial environment. Our analysis provides insights to planners and managers working in a regional capacity and trying to build MPA networks. Generally, current MPAs have not been established in high impact areas despite their being close to shores containing intense human activity. Decision-makers wishing to design and establish new MPAs may seek out areas of high cumulative human impacts (near the marine-terrestrial interface) or avoid them depending on marine conservation objectives, including the desire to vary types of MPAs within a network. Limitations of our analysis and methodology indicate areas for further research.

Myelodysplastic syndrome/myeloproliferative neoplasm with ring sideroblasts and thrombocytosis: Ringing in a new future.

Myelodysplastic syndrome/myeloproliferative neoplasm with ring sideroblasts and thrombocytosis (MDS/MPN-RS-T) is a rare hematologic malignancy belonging to the category of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS)/myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN) overlap syndromes. While certain clinical features, including anemia and thrombocytosis, are common to both the MDS and MPN disease components, the biologic consequences of the spliceosome mutation SF3B1 results in notable clinical exceptions. Importantly, both overall and leukemia free survival are shorter for MDS/MPN-RS-T when compared to essential thrombocythemia (ET). In the case of MDS/MPN-RS-T, thrombotic risk is not associated with the presence of JAK2V617F, nor history of prior thrombosis, but is associated with the presence of the mutated spliceosome gene SF3B1. In this review, we highlight the biology, pathology, risk stratification, and treatment approach to MDS/MPN-RS-T. In particular, we focus on clinical management concepts, which are largely borrowed from MDS and MPN, including the use of cytoreduction, bone marrow stimulating agents, and the role of allogeneic stem cell transplantation. We end by highlighting unmet needs and future research priorities in MDS/MPN-RS-T.

Overexpression of EiKCS confers paraquat-resistance in rice (Oryza sativa L.) by promoting the polyamine pathway.

BACKGROUND: Paraquat is used widely as one of the bipyridine herbicides, which generates reactive oxygen species to cause cell death. With a growing number of paraquat-resistant weeds, the mechanism of paraquat-resistance in plants remains unclear. This research verified the functions of a previously confirmed putative paraquat-resistant gene, EiKCS, from paraquat-resistant goosegrass by genetic engineering in a single overexpressing line in rice. RESULTS: Overexpression of EiKCS improved paraquat resistance in transgenic rice (KCSox). Pre-applied (12 h) exogenous spermidine (1.5 mmol L-1 ), alleviated the injury of paraquat in rice. Paraquat induced injury in KCSox was 19.57%, which was lower than 32.22% injury it induced in wild-type (WT) rice. The paraquat-resistant mechanism was through the increased activity of antioxidant enzymes and the overproduction of endogenous polyamines. The spermine content in KCSox was more than 30 µg mL-1 , while that in WT rice was less than 5 µg mL-1 . Quantitative proteomics showed that ß-ketoacyl-coenzyme A (CoA) synthase (51.81 folds) encoded by the transgenic EiKCS gene promoted the synthesis of the proteins involved with the polyamine pathway. The synthesized putrescine was promoted by the arginine decarboxylase (ADC) pathway. The spermidine synthase I (1.10-fold) and three eceriferum cofactors (CERs) were responsive to the paraquat stress. We validated putrescine (C18 H20 N2 O2 ) spermidine (C28 H31 N3 O3 ), and spermine (C38 H42 N4 O4 ) in this study. CONCLUSION: EiKCS encoding ß-ketoacyl-CoA synthase from goosegrass has been shown as an ideal candidate gene for engineering genetically modified organism (GMO) crops, as its overexpression does not only bring paraquat-resistance, but also have potential benefits without decreasing yield and rice grain quality. © 2021 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

Sexuality related social support among lesbian, gay, and bisexual youth.

Lesbian, gay, and bisexual ("LGB") youth may face significant stressors related to their sexual orientation. Few studies, however, have examined youth's experiences of support for coping with these stressors. The current study compared LGB youth's perceptions of support for sexuality stress to their support for other types of problems. The links between sexuality stress, sexuality support, and emotional distress were also examined. Ninety-eight LGB youth (ages 18-21, 33% female) rated support from family, heterosexual friends, and sexual minority friends for dealing with problems related, and not related, to their sexuality. From family and heterosexual friends, support for sexuality stress was less available than support for other stressors. Sexual minority friends provided the highest levels of sexuality support. In regression analyses, higher levels of sexuality support related to decreased emotional distress and buffered against the negative effects of sexuality stress on emotional distress. Sexuality support, although less available than other types of support, may be especially relevant to mental health among LGB youth.

Decreased Soluble Guanylate Cyclase Contributes to Cardiac Dysfunction Induced by Chronic Doxorubicin Treatment in Mice.

AIMS: The use of doxorubicin, a potent chemotherapeutic agent, is limited by cardiotoxicity. We tested the hypothesis that decreased soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) enzyme activity contributes to the development of doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity. RESULTS: Doxorubicin administration (20 mg/kg, intraperitoneally [IP]) reduced cardiac sGC activity in wild-type (WT) mice. To investigate whether decreased sGC activity contributes to doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity, we studied mice with cardiomyocyte-specific deficiency of the sGC α1-subunit (mice with cardiomyocyte-specific deletion of exon 6 of the sGCα1 allele [sGCα1-/-CM]). After 12 weeks of doxorubicin administration (2 mg/kg/week IP), left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction was greater in sGCα1-/-CM than WT mice. To further assess whether reduced sGC activity plays a pathogenic role in doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity, we studied a mouse model in which decreased cardiac sGC activity was induced by cardiomyocyte-specific expression of a dominant negative sGCα1 mutant (DNsGCα1) upon doxycycline removal (Tet-off). After 8 weeks of doxorubicin administration, DNsGCα1tg/+, but not WT, mice displayed LV systolic dysfunction and dilatation. The difference in cardiac function and remodeling between DNsGCα1tg/+ and WT mice was even more pronounced after 12 weeks of treatment. Further impairment of cardiac function was attenuated when DNsGCα1 gene expression was inhibited (beginning at 8 weeks of doxorubicin treatment) by administering doxycycline. Furthermore, doxorubicin-associated reactive oxygen species generation was higher in sGCα1-deficient than WT hearts. Innovation and Conclusion: These data demonstrate that a reduction in cardiac sGC activity worsens doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity in mice and identify sGC as a potential therapeutic target. Various pharmacological sGC agonists are in clinical development or use and may represent a promising approach to limit doxorubicin-associated cardiotoxicity. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 26, 153-164.

Novel MicroRNA Regulators of Atrial Natriuretic Peptide Production.

Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) has a central role in regulating blood pressure in humans. Recently, microRNA 425 (miR-425) was found to regulate ANP production by binding to the mRNA of NPPA, the gene encoding ANP. mRNAs typically contain multiple predicted microRNA (miRNA)-binding sites, and binding of different miRNAs may independently or coordinately regulate the expression of any given mRNA. We used a multifaceted screening strategy that integrates bioinformatics, next-generation sequencing data, human genetic association data, and cellular models to identify additional functional NPPA-targeting miRNAs. Two novel miRNAs, miR-155 and miR-105, were found to modulate ANP production in human cardiomyocytes and target genetic variants whose minor alleles are associated with higher human plasma ANP levels. Both miR-155 and miR-105 repressed NPPA mRNA in an allele-specific manner, with the minor allele of each respective variant conferring resistance to the miRNA either by disruption of miRNA base pairing or by creation of wobble base pairing. Moreover, miR-155 enhanced the repressive effects of miR-425 on ANP production in human cardiomyocytes. Our study combines computational, genomic, and cellular tools to identify novel miRNA regulators of ANP production that could be targeted to raise ANP levels, which may have applications for the treatment of hypertension or heart failure.

Inhaled Nitric Oxide as an Adjunctive Treatment for Cerebral Malaria in Children: A Phase II Randomized Open-Label Clinical Trial.

Background. Children with cerebral malaria (CM) have high rates of mortality and neurologic sequelae. Nitric oxide (NO) metabolite levels in plasma and urine are reduced in CM. Methods. This randomized trial assessed the efficacy of inhaled NO versus nitrogen (N2) as an adjunctive treatment for CM patients receiving intravenous artesunate. We hypothesized that patients treated with NO would have a greater increase of the malaria biomarker, plasma angiopoietin-1 (Ang-1) after 48 hours of treatment. Results. Ninety-two children with CM were randomized to receive either inhaled 80 part per million NO or N2 for 48 or more hours. Plasma Ang-1 levels increased in both treatment groups, but there was no difference between the groups at 48 hours (P = not significant [NS]). Plasma Ang-2 and cytokine levels (tumor necrosis factor-α, interferon-γ, interleukin [IL]-1ß, IL-6, IL-10, and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1) decreased between inclusion and 48 hours in both treatment groups, but there was no difference between the groups (P = NS). Nitric oxide metabolite levels-blood methemoglobin and plasma nitrate-increased in patients treated with NO (both P < .05). Seven patients in the N2 group and 4 patients in the NO group died. Five patients in the N2 group and 6 in the NO group had neurological sequelae at hospital discharge. Conclusions. Breathing NO as an adjunctive treatment for CM for a minimum of 48 hours was safe, increased blood methemoglobin and plasma nitrate levels, but did not result in a greater increase of plasma Ang-1 levels at 48 hours.

State-level social capital and suicide mortality in the 50 U.S. states.

This study investigated whether state levels of social capital are associated with rates of completed suicides in the fifty U.S. states. To do this we regressed state-level suicide rates on an index of social capital, along with other variables known to influence suicide rates such as gun ownership, income inequality, alcohol abuse and dependence, drug abuse and dependence, serious mental illness, unemployment, percent of population living in urban areas, poverty, population instability, and living in a "suicide belt" state. Suicide rates were aggregated from 1999 to 2002, and examined separately by sex and different race/ethnic groups. The results showed that White men and women in states with higher levels of social capital had significantly lower rates of suicide when controlling for the other influential variables. When we examined sub-dimensions of social capital, we found that community organizations (for White women) and group membership (for White men) were particularly strongly associated with lower suicide risk.

Effect of phosphodiesterase inhibition on insulin resistance in obese individuals.

BACKGROUND: Obesity is associated with cardiometabolic disease, including insulin resistance (IR) and diabetes. Cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) signaling affects energy balance, IR, and glucose metabolism in experimental models. We sought to examine effects of phosphodiesterase-5 inhibition with tadalafil on IR in a pilot study of obese nondiabetic individuals. METHODS AND RESULTS: We conducted a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial of adults age 18 to 50 years with obesity and elevated fasting insulin levels (≥10 µU/mL). Participants were randomized to tadalafil 20 mg daily or placebo for 3 months. Oral glucose tolerance tests were performed, and the effect of tadalafil on IR was examined. A total of 53 participants (mean age, 33 years; body mass index [BMI], 38 kg/m(2)) were analyzed, 25 randomized to tadalafil and 28 to placebo. In the overall sample, measures of IR did not differ between tadalafil and placebo groups at 3 months. However, in individuals with severe obesity (BMI ≥36.2 kg/m(2)), tadalafil use was associated with improved IR (homeostatic model assessment for IR), compared to placebo (P=0.02, respectively). Furthermore, one measure of ß-cell compensation for IR (oral disposition index) improved with tadalafil in the overall sample (P=0.009) and in the subgroup with severe obesity (P=0.01). CONCLUSION: Results of this pilot study did not show improvements in IR with tadalafil, compared to placebo. However, tadalafil may have favorable effects on ß-cell compensation, particularly in individuals with severe obesity. Future studies evaluating the potential metabolic benefits of cGMP modulation in obesity are warranted. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION URL: ClinicalTrials.gov. Unique Identifier: NCT01444651.

Soluble guanylate cyclase α1-deficient mice: a novel murine model for primary open angle glaucoma.

Primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) is a leading cause of blindness worldwide. The molecular signaling involved in the pathogenesis of POAG remains unknown. Here, we report that mice lacking the α1 subunit of the nitric oxide receptor soluble guanylate cyclase represent a novel and translatable animal model of POAG, characterized by thinning of the retinal nerve fiber layer and loss of optic nerve axons in the context of an open iridocorneal angle. The optic neuropathy associated with soluble guanylate cyclase α1-deficiency was accompanied by modestly increased intraocular pressure and retinal vascular dysfunction. Moreover, data from a candidate gene association study suggests that a variant in the locus containing the genes encoding for the α1 and ß1 subunits of soluble guanylate cyclase is associated with POAG in patients presenting with initial paracentral vision loss, a disease subtype thought to be associated with vascular dysregulation. These findings provide new insights into the pathogenesis and genetics of POAG and suggest new therapeutic strategies for POAG.

Anabolic steroid associated to physical training induces deleterious cardiac effects.

PURPOSE: Cardiac aldosterone might be involved in the deleterious effects of nandrolone decanoate (ND) on the heart. Therefore, we investigated the involvement of cardiac aldosterone, by the pharmacological block of AT1 or mineralocorticoid receptors, on cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis. METHODS: Male Wistar rats were randomized into eight groups (n = 14 per group): Control (C), nandrolone decanoate (ND), trained (T), trained ND (TND), ND + losartan (ND + L), trained ND + losartan (TND + L), ND + spironolactone (ND + S), and trained ND + spironolactone (TND + S). ND (10 mg·kg(-1)·wk(-1)) was administered during 10 wk of swimming training (five times per week). Losartan (20 mg·kg(-1)·d(-1)) and spironolactone (10 mg·kg(-1)·d(-1)) were administered in drinking water. RESULTS: Cardiac hypertrophy was increased 10% by using ND and 17% by ND plus training (P < 0.05). In both groups, there was an increase in the collagen volumetric fraction (CVF) and cardiac collagen type III expression (P < 0.05). The ND treatment increased left ventricle-angiotensin-converting enzyme I activity, AT1 receptor expression, aldosterone synthase (CYP11B2), and 11-ß hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 2 (11ß-HSD2) gene expression and inflammatory markers, TGFß and osteopontin. Both losartan and spironolactone inhibited the increase of CVF and collagen type III. In addition, both treatments inhibited the increase in left ventricle-angiotensin-converting enzyme I activity, CYP11B2, 11ß-HSD2, TGFß, and osteopontin induced by the ND treatment. CONCLUSIONS: We believe this is the first study to show the effects of ND on cardiac aldosterone. Our results suggest that these effects may be associated to TGFß and osteopontin. Thus, we conclude that the cardiac aldosterone has an important role on the deleterious effects on the heart induced by ND.