First-phase ejection fraction to predict adverse outcomes in patients with heart failure.

BACKGROUND: First-phase ejection fraction (EF1) is a novel measurement of early left ventricular systolic dysfunction. We investigate its prognostic value in patients with heart failure (HF). METHODS AND RESULTS: Patients with HF were prospectively enrolled from July 2019 to September 2021. A total of 228 patients were included in the final analysis. The primary endpoint was the composite of all-cause mortality or rehospitalization for HF, which occurred in 74 patients (32.46%). EF1 as well as other parameters for left ventricular function were measured in echocardiography. Time-dependent ROC showed the cutoff value of EF1 was 18.55%. Kaplan-Meier analysis indicated a higher rate of adverse events in the lower EF1 group (EF1 ≤ 18.55%) (Log-rank test P < 0.001). Cox regression analyses showed EF1 was an independent predictor with adverse events as a continuous variable (Cox model 1: per 1% change in EF1: HR = 0.92, 95%CI: 0.87-0.97, P < 0.001), as well as a categorical variable (Cox model 2: EF1 > 18.55%: HR = 0.21, 95%CI: 0.08-0.53, P < 0.001) after adjustment for hypertension, coronary artery disease (CAD), Log10 (NT-proBNP), eGFR, E/e' and loop diuretics. Restricted cubic splines revealed a linear association between EF1 levels and the incidence of adverse events (P for non-linearity = 0.145). The subgroup analyses showed the predictive ability of elevated EF1 on the decreased risk of adverse events did not change substantially stratified by HF classification, age, CAD and hypertension. CONCLUSION: EF1, as a novel measurement of early systolic function, is a promising predictor of adverse events among HF patients. EF1 might be considered a new measurement for risk stratification of HF.

Ameliorating role of Tetrastigma hemsleyanum polysaccharides in antibiotic-induced intestinal mucosal barrier dysfunction in mice based on microbiome and metabolome analyses.

The intestinal mucosal barrier is one of the important barriers to prevent harmful substances and pathogens from entering the body environment and to maintain intestinal homeostasis. This study investigated the reparative effect and possible mechanism of Tetrastigma hemsleyanum polysaccharides (THP) on ceftriaxone-induced intestinal mucosal damage. Our results suggested that THP repaired the mechanical barrier damage of intestinal mucosa by enhancing the expression of intestinal tight junction proteins, reducing intestinal mucosal permeability and improving the pathological state of intestinal epithelial cells. Intestinal immune and chemical barrier was further restored by THP via the increment of the body's cytokine levels, intestinal SIgA levels, intestinal goblet cell number, intestinal mucin-2 levels, and short-chain fatty acid levels. In addition, THP increased the abundance of probiotic bacteria (such as Lactobacillus), reduced the abundance of harmful bacteria (such as Enterococcus) to repair the intestinal biological barrier, restored intestinal mucosal barrier function, and maintains intestinal homeostasis. The possible mechanisms were related to sphingolipid metabolism, linoleic acid metabolism, and D-glutamine and D-glutamate metabolism. Our results demonstrated the potential therapeutic effect of THP against intestinal flora disorders and intestinal barrier function impairment caused by antibiotics.

Screening of endophytic fungi from Cremastra appendiculata and their potential for plant growth promotion and biological control.

Biocontrol fungi are widely used to promote plant growth and pest control. Four fungi were isolated from Cremastra appendiculata tubers and screened for plant growth-promoting and antagonistic effects. Based on the morphological characterization and ITS, 18S rRNA and 28S rRNA gene sequencing analysis, the fungi were identified to be related to Colletotrichum gloeosporioides (DJL-6), Trichoderma tomentosum (DJL-9), Colletotrichum godetiae (DJL-10) and Talaromyces amestolkiae (DJL-15). The growth inhibition tests showed that the four isolates had different inhibitory effects on Colletotrichum fructicola, Alternaria alternata and Alternaria longipes, among which DJL-9 showed the highest inhibitory activity. Their culture filtrates (especially that of DJL-15) can also inhibit pathogens. Four isolates were positive for the production of indole-3-acid (IAA) and ß-1,3-glucanase and possessed proteolytic activity but were negative for the production of iron siderophore complexes. The four fungi showed strong nitrogen fixation and potassium dissolution abilities. In addition to DJL-9 being able to solubilize phosphate, DJL-10 was able to produce chitinase and cellulase. Pot experiments indicated that the four fungi increased the germination rate of C. appendiculata and soybean seeds and increased soybean radicle growth and plant biomass. Among them, DJL-6 had a better growth-promoting effect. Therefore, we successfully screened the biocontrol potential of endophytes from C. appendiculata, with a focus on preventing fungal diseases and promoting plant growth, and selected strains that could provide nutrients and hormones for plant growth.

Protocatechualdehyde Rescues Oxygen-Glucose Deprivation/Reoxygenation-Induced Endothelial Cells Injury by Inducing Autophagy and Inhibiting Apoptosis via Regulation of SIRT1.

Background: Oxidative stress-induced endothelial cell death, such as apoptosis and autophagy, plays a critical role in ischemia-reperfusion injury. Protocatechualdehyde (PCA) is a major bioactive component of the traditional Chinese medicine Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge (Lamiaceae), and it has been proved to be effective in the prevention and treatment of ischemic cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. However, its role in oxidative stress-induced endothelial cell death and its underlying mechanisms remains unclear. This study aims to investigate the effects and mechanisms of PCA on endothelial cell apoptosis and autophagy induced by oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) injury. Methods: After OGD/R induction, human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were treated with different concentrations of PCA. Cell viability, apoptosis, and autophagy were detected by Cell Counting Kit-8 assay, flow cytometry, and monodansylcadaverine assay, respectively. Western blot was applied to explore the effects of PCA on the expression levels of relevant protein factors. Results: The results show that PCA significantly promoted cell survival rate and cell proliferation and enhanced the antioxidant activity in OGD/R-induced HUVECs. PCA inhibited HUVECs apoptosis, as evidenced by decreased expression of cleaved-caspase-3, Bcl2-associated X (BAX), and increased expression of Bcl-2. PCA induced autophagy by reducing the expression of P62 while increasing the expression of Beclin-1 and LC3 II/I. Meanwhile, PCA enhanced the expression of Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) and suppressed the expression of P53. When SIRT1 was inhibited by selisistat or SIRT1 small-interfering RNA, the anti-apoptotic and pro-autophagy abilities of PCA were attenuated. Conclusion: These results demonstrated that PCA rescued HUVECs from OGD/R-induced injury by promoting autophagy and inhibiting apoptosis through SIRT1 and could be developed as a potential therapeutic agent against ischemic diseases.