The Association Between S100A12 Protein and C-Reactive Protein with Malignant Ventricular Arrhythmias Following Acute Myocardial Infarction in the Elderly.

Objective: To investigate the association of S100A12 protein and C-reactive protein (CRP) with the onset of malignant ventricular arrhythmias (MVA) after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in the elderly. Methods: A total of 159 elderly AMI patients admitted to Chongming Hospital affiliated to Shanghai University of Medicine & Health Sciences from January 2018 to January 2023 were enrolled in the study. CRP levels were determined using an automatic biochemical analyzer, and S100A12 levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Patients were categorized based on the Lown classification into groups without MVA and with MVA. Univariate analysis was initially performed to identify independent variables, followed by multivariate logistic regression to determine the risk factors for malignant ventricular arrhythmias post-AMI. The predictive value of S100A12 protein and CRP for malignant ventricular arrhythmias after acute myocardial infarction in the elderly was analyzed using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Results: Among the 159 patients with AMI, 27 (17%) had MVA. Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that both S100A12 protein and CRP could be independent risk factors for malignant ventricular arrhythmias following acute myocardial infarction in the elderly (p < 0.05). The area under the ROC curve showed the area under the curve (AUC) for S100A12 protein to be 0.7147, for CRP 0.7356, and for the combined diagnosis 0.8350 (p < 0.05). Conclusion: S100A12 protein and CRP are independent risk factors for MVA after MI in the elderly. The combined application of S100A12 protein and CRP has higher diagnostic sensitivity and specificity.

Relationship between Brain Natriuretic Peptide and Thromboembolic Events in Elderly Patients with Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation.

Objective: To investigate the relationship between brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and thromboembolic events in elderly patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF). Methods: This is a prospective cohort study, and based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 180 elderly patients with NVAF were included. The patients received follow-up appointments in the clinic or by telephone every 6 months after the beginning of the study. The primary follow-up endpoints were thromboembolic and atherosclerotic events, including ischaemic stroke, myocardial infarction, and systemic embolism. The secondary endpoints were adverse events, including cardiovascular death, all-cause death, and hospitalisation for heart failure. Patients were divided into three groups according to their BNP level at admission: group A (BNP ≤334.5 pg/mL), group B (BNP = 334.5-1,288 pg/mL), and group C (BNP ≥1,288 pg/mL). Results: A total of 180 patients were enrolled in this study, with 50 patients in group A, 68 in group B, and 62 in group C. Compared with groups A and B, group C had a higher CHA2DS2-VASc score (Z = 15.142; P=0.001) and a lower ejection fraction (EF) value (Z = 119.893; P=0.001). The left atrium (LA) and left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD) were larger (Z = 105.031; P=0.001 and Z = 74.430; P=0.001), respectively, suggesting that patients with significantly increased BNP had a higher risk of thromboembolism and atherosclerosis, lower EF, larger LA and LVEDD, and worse cardiac function. After 1 year of follow-up, the incidence of primary endpoint events (χ2 = 9.556; P=0.008) and secondary endpoint events (χ2 = 59.485; P=0.001) in group C were higher than those in groups A and B. Conclusion: Higher BNP levels may be an independent risk factor for thromboembolic and atherosclerotic events in elderly patients with NVAF. The higher the BNP level, the greater the risk of thromboembolic and atherosclerotic events.

Analysis of potential risks of clinical application of Yi Dian Hong and its proprietary Chinese medicines: A review.

Yi Dian Hong, belonging to the Asteraceae family, finds widespread use in traditional Chinese medicine for its effectiveness in clearing heat, detoxifying, promoting blood circulation, reducing swelling, and cooling the blood. Modern medical research has revealed that Yi Dian Hong and its proprietary Chinese medicines possess biological functions such as inhibiting tumor-specific angiogenesis and regulating immune-related molecules. However, studies have identified that the primary component of Yi Dian Hong contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs), a toxic substance with potential risks to the liver, lungs, genes, and a propensity for carcinogenicity. Many countries impose strict controls on the content of PAs in herbal medicines and products. Unfortunately, China currently lacks relevant content standards, thereby introducing greater clinical application risks. To ensure the safety of clinical use of Yi Dian Hong, this review will analyze the risk associated with Yi Dian Hong and its proprietary Chinese medicines in clinical applications based on the PAs content in these medicines and provide recommendations.

Effects of different interventions on prognosis and quality of life in patients with atrial fibrillation.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of different intervention measures on prognosis and quality of life in patients with atrial fibrillation, in order to provide clinical basis for diagnosis and treatment. METHODS: A total of 160 patients who visited several hospitals including Shanghai Xinhua Hospital from June 2019 to June 2021 were selected. Among them, 40 cases were in the drug treatment group (DRUG group), 40 cases in the radiofrequency ablation group (Radiofrequency ablation, RFA group), and 40 cases in the catheter ablation combined with percutaneous left atrial appendage occlusion group (""one-stop"" procedure group) and 40 cases in the percutaneous left atrial appendage closure group (Left atrial appendage closure, LAAC group). The Minnesota quality of life score (MLHFQ), ejection fraction (LVEF), and left atrial anterior and posterior diameters (LAD) were compared between the groups at 1-year follow-up, and the differences in adverse events were compared between the groups. RESULTS: (1) After a 1-year follow-up, overall comparison, the MLHFQ scores and the LVEF and the LAD among the four groups were statistically different (p < .01); (2) Multiple comparisons, ① the MLHFQ scores: The RFA group was the lowest, the "one-stop" operation group was lower than the DRUG group, the LAAC group was the highest (p < .01). ② LVEF: The RFA group was the highest, the "one-stop" procedure group was higher than the drug treatment group, the LAAC group was the lowest (p < .01). ③ LAD: the RFA group and the "one-stop" procedure group were smaller than the DRUG group, the DRUG group was smaller than the LAAC group (p < .01).(3) Compared with the baseline data after 1-year follow-up in each group, in the RFA group and in the "one-stop" procedure group, the MLHFQ scores was decreased, the LVEF was increased, and the LAD was decreased (p < .01); in the DRUG group: the difference was not statistically significant (p > .05); in the LAAC group, the MLHFQ scores was increased, the LVEF was decreased, and the LAD was increased (p < .01). (4) There were significant differences in the incidence of adverse events among the four groups (p < .01), the lowest in the RFA group and the highest in the LAAC group. CONCLUSION: Compared with drug treatment, radiofrequency ablation and "one-stop" procedure group can improve the quality of life of patients with atrial fibrillation, improve cardiac function, and reduce the occurrence of adverse events. Percutaneous left atrial appendage occlusion affects patients' quality of life and improves cardiac function, and increases the incidence of adverse events.

Therapeutic Efficacy of a Staged Hybrid Technique vs. Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery Grafting in The Treatment of Multi-Vessel Coronary Artery Disease.

OBJECTIVE: Hybrid coronary revascularization (HCR) integrates the advantages of coronary artery bypass surgery grafting (CABG) and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and provides another effective treatment for multi-vessel coronary artery disease (CAD). This study aimed to investigate the short- and intermediate-term efficacies of a staged hybrid technique vs. CABG in treating older patients with multi-vessel CAD. METHODS: Patients, who received elective revascularization for multi-vessel CAD between May 2016 and May 2018, were recruited. They were divided into the CABG group (N = 38) and HCR group (N = 38). The major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE), including myocardial infarction and stroke, were recorded. The results of death and second revascularization also were recorded. RESULTS: In this study, 90.1% of patients received follow up for a median time of 24 months. At 60 days after surgery, the cumulative mortality in the CABG group was significantly higher than in the HCR group, but the incidence of second revascularization in the CABG group was markedly lower than in the HCR group. The incidence of MACCE was comparable between the two groups. CONCLUSION: In older patients with multi-vessel CAD, the mortality after CABG is higher than after HCR, but the incidence of second revascularization after CABG is lower than after HCR.

Clinical value of combined detection of thrombus precursor protein and P-selectin in the diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome / Valor clínico de la detección combinada de proteína precursora de trombo y selectina P en el diagnóstico del síndrome coronario agudo

Abstract Acute coronary syndrome (ACS), including acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and unstable angina (UA), is the most threatening and lethal form of coronary heart disease. ACS has an abrupt onset and rapid development, which may lead to fatal conditions at any time. Thus, it is never too early to detect and diagnose patients with ACS. The objective of this work was to explore the significance of the combined detection of plasma thrombus precursor protein (TpP) and serum P-selectin (Ps), in the detection and diagnosis of patients with early ACS. A total of 126 subjects were included in the study, 64 ACS patients, 30 individuals with stable angina (SA) and 32 healthy persons who were selected as the control groups. There were no differences in gender, age, ethnicity, or blood glucolipid levels among the groups. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (Elisa) was used to quantitatively determine the plasma levels of TpP and Ps. The levels of the two biomarkers in the case group were significantly higher than those in the control groups. Among the ACS patients, the levels of TpP and Ps were higher in AMI patients than in the UA patients. In addition, there was no significant differences in the levels of Ps between SA patients and healthy persons. In conclusion, plasma TpP and serum Ps are remarkably increased in patients with ACS. Therefore, TpP and Ps may serve as ACS indicators, and their measurement may provide a support for an early clinical identification of ACS.

Resumen El síndrome coronario agudo (SCA), que incluye el infarto agudo de miocardio (IAM) y la angina inestable (AI), es la forma más amenazante y letal de enfermedad coronaria. El SCA tiene un inicio abrupto y un desarrollo rápido, lo que puede conducir a condiciones fatales en cualquier momento. Por lo tanto, nunca es demasiado pronto para detectar y diagnosticar pacientes con SCA. El objetivo de este trabajo fue explorar la importancia de la detección combinada de la proteína precursora de trombos plasmáticos (TpP) y la selectina P sérica (Ps), en la detección y diagnóstico de pacientes con SCA precoz. Se incluyeron en el estudio un total de 126 sujetos, 64 pacientes con SCA, 30 individuos con angina estable (AE) y 32 personas sanas que fueron seleccionadas como grupos de control. No hubo diferencias en el género, la edad, el origen étnico o los niveles de glucolípidos en sangre entre los grupos. Se usó el ensayo inmunoabsorbente ligado a enzimas (Elisa) para determinar cuantitativamente los niveles plasmáticos de TpP y Ps. Los niveles de los dos biomarcadores en el grupo de casos (SCA) fueron significativamente más altos que los de los grupos de control. Entre los pacientes con SCA, los niveles de TpP y Ps fueron más altos en los pacientes con IAM que en los pacientes con AI. Además, no hubo diferencias significativas en los niveles de Ps entre pacientes con SA y personas sanas. En conclusión, la TpP plasmática y la Ps sérica están notablemente aumentadas en pacientes con SCA. Por lo tanto, TpP y Ps pueden servir como indicadores de SCA y su medición puede proporcionar un apoyo para una identificación clínica temprana de SCA.

Study on the safety and effectiveness of drug-coated balloons in patients with acute myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: Drug-coated balloon (DCB) is a new technology that has emerged in recent years and has been proven to be effective and safe in the treatment of in-stent restenosis. The purpose of this article is to observe the safety and effectiveness of drug-coated balloons in patients with acute myocardial infarction. METHOD: We selected 80 patients admitted to the hospital for STEMI from January 2018 to December 2019. The subjects were randomly divided into a Yinyi (Liaoning) Biotech Bingo Drug Coated Balloon treatment group (balloon group, n = 38) and a drug-eluting stent (DES) treatment group (stent group, n = 42). Patients were followed up to understand the incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) at 1 month, 6 months and 1 year after surgery. Coronary angiography was rechecked 1 year after surgery to understand the late lumen loss (LLL) in the two groups. RESULT: During the one-year follow-up, the LLL of the target lesion in the balloon group was -0.12±0.46 mm, while the target lesion in the stent group was 0.14±0.37 mm ( P <0.05). Within 1 year, the incidence of MACE in the balloon group was 11%, while the incidence of MACE in the stent group was 12%. There was no significant difference between the two groups. IN CONCLUSION: When PCI is used for STEMI, only DCB therapy is safe and effective, and has shown good clinical effects during a one-year follow-up period.

MiR-27b suppresses epithelial-mesenchymal transition and chemoresistance in lung cancer by targeting Snail1.

HEADING AIMS: MicroRNA-27b (miR-27b) has been shown to play a role in the progression of many different forms of cancer, but its specific relevance in the context of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains uncertain. As such, this study sought to explore the role of miR-27b in NSCLC and the mechanisms whereby it functions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We quantified miR-27b and target gene expression via quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR).We then used functional including proliferation assays, migration assay, flow cytometry, and western blotting to explore the mechanisms whereby miR-27b functions in vitro and in vivo. We additionally confirmed miR-27b target genes via luciferase reporter assay. KEY FINDINGS: We observed a marked decrease in miR-27b expression in NSCLC patient samples relative to paracancerous control tissues. We further found that altering miR-27b expression levels in vitro affected NSCLC tumor cell migration, proliferation, and ability to undergo epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Through the use of target prediction algorithms we identified Snail to be a miR-27b target protein that was suppressed when this miRNA was highlight expressed. Lastly, we found miR-27b expression to increase NSCLC cell sensitivity to cisplatin through its ability to target Snail. SIGNIFICANCE: Our results clearly demonstrate that miR-27b can suppress NSCLC tumor development and progression, highlighting this miR-27b/Snail1 axis as putative target for the therapeutic treatment of NSCLC.

Elevated level of miR-17 along with decreased levels of TIMP-1 and IL-6 in plasma associated with the risk of in-stent restenosis.

In-stent restenosis is highly related to the deposition of inflammatory extracellular matrix and the migration of endothelial and vascular smooth muscle cells. The miR-17/TIMP-1/interleukin pathway regulates vascular matrix remodeling and plays an important role in the inflammatory reaction. This study identified miR-17 and its related biomarkers in serum that potentially indicated susceptibility to in-stent restenosis (ISR) after coronary artery stenting. Subjects were 42 patients with single de novo coronary artery lesions who underwent regular coronary angiography one year after percutaneous coronary intervention. The clinical baseline information was recorded. Serum levels of biomarkers (including miR-17, TIMP-1, IL-6, IL-8, IL-2R, TNF-alpha, IL-10, and IL-1beta) were measured with real-time PCR or ELISA. Intergroup comparisons were used to compare patients with or without ISR. Compared to levels in the non-restenosis group, the serum miR-17 level was significantly higher (3.13 ± 0.22 vs. 1.06 ± 0.04, p < 0.01) and the serum TIMP-1 and IL-6 levels were significantly lower in the ISR group (TIMP-1: 0.33 ± 0.04 vs. 1.00 ± 0.05, p < 0.01; IL-6: 1.64 ± 0.18 vs. 3.52 ± 0.11, p < 0.01). Moreover, the levels of TIMP-1 and IL-6 decreased as the level of miR-17 increased. Spearman's correlation analysis indicated that the miR-17 level was inversely correlated with TIMP-1 and IL-6 levels. Findings suggest that an elevated level of miR-17 and decreased levels of TIMP-1 and IL-6 may be associated with the risk of ISR, which is in accordance with vascular matrix remodeling and an inflammatory reaction during the pathologic process of ISR. This study highlighted the potential for miR-17, TIMP-1, and IL-6 to serve as biomarkers for ISR.

Chin-down-plus-larynx-tightening maneuver improves choking cough after esophageal cancer surgery.

BACKGROUND: Esophageal cancer patients can benefit from dissection of the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) lymph node (LN); however, this procedure increases the risk of RLN injury. After nerve injury, many complications can occur, including choking cough, which can affect patients' quality of life. This study examined the effectiveness of the chin-down-plus-larynx-tightening maneuver for improving choking cough after radical thoracic esophageal cancer surgery. METHODS: Sixty-two patients with resectable thoracic esophageal cancer presented with choking cough, hoarseness or vocal cord paralysis after radical operations. Twenty-two patients who choked on water were guided to swallow 1 mL of warm water using a chin-down-plus-larynx-tightening maneuver. Choking cough relief results and their relationships with clinical factors were analyzed. RESULTS: No correlation was found between the occurrence of post-operative choking cough and gender, age, surgical method, hoarseness, vocal cord fixation type, vocal cord fixation, or glottal closure. Multivariate regression analysis revealed no independent risk factors associated with choking cough. Choking cough was completely relieved in 17 of 22 (77.3%) patients. Fifteen of 19 (78.9%) patients with choking cough and hoarseness, and 2 of 3 patients with only choking cough reported complete relief when they tried the new maneuver. The chin-down-plus-larynx-tightening maneuver was more effective for males than for females. CONCLUSIONS: The chin-down-plus-larynx-tightening maneuver significantly relieved choking cough; thus, this maneuver can aid in managing choking cough after radical thoracic esophageal cancer surgery.

Efficacy and safety of renal denervation for Chinese patients with resistant hypertension using a microirrigated catheter: study design and protocol for a prospective multicentre randomised controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: Available data show that approximately 8%-18% of patients with primary hypertension will develop resistant hypertension. In recent years, catheter-based renal denervation (RDN) has emerged as a potential treatment option for resistant hypertension. A number of observational studies and randomised controlled trials among non-Chinese patients have demonstrated its potential safety and efficacy. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This is a multicentre, randomised, open-label, parallel-group, active controlled trial that will investigate the efficacy and safety of a 5F saline-irrigated radiofrequency ablation (RFA) used for RDN in the treatment of Chinese patients with resistant hypertension. A total of 254 patients who have failed pharmacological therapy will be enrolled. Eligible subjects will be randomised in a 1:1 ratio to undergo RDN using the RFA plus antihypertensive medication or to receive treatment with antihypertensive medication alone. The primary outcome measure is the change in 24 hours average ambulatory systolic blood pressure from baseline to 3 months, comparing the RDN-plus-medication group with the medication-alone group. Important secondary endpoints include the change in office blood pressure from baseline to 6 months after randomisation. Safety endpoints such as changes in renal function will also be evaluated. The full analysis set, according to the intent-to-treat principle, will be established as the primary analysis population. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: All participants will provide informed consent; the study protocol has been approved by the Independent Ethics Committee for each site. This study is designed to investigate the efficacy and safety of RDN using a 5F saline microirrigated RFA. Findings will be shared with participating hospitals, policymakers and the academic community to promote the clinical management of resistant hypertension in China. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT02900729; pre-results.

Transcriptome comparison reveals key candidate genes in response to vernalization of Oriental lily.

BACKGROUND: Oriental hybrid lily 'Sorbonne', a very important cut flower for lily, is enjoyed great popularity in the world, but it must experience a period of low winter temperature to initiate or accelerate the flowering process. To gain a better understanding of the temperature signaling pathway and the molecular metabolic reactions involved in the vernalization response, a genome-wide transcriptional analysis using RNA-Seq was performed. RESULTS: 188,447,956 sequencing reads was assembled into 66,327 unigenes and showed similarity to known proteins in the Swiss-Prot protein database, and 2,893, 30,406 and 60,737 unigenes aligned to existing sequences in the KEGG, COG, and GO databases. Based on qRT-PCR results, we studied the expression of three signal regulation pathways genes-the plant hormones signal transduction (LoAP2, LoIAA1, LoARF10), the DNA methylation (LoCMT, LoFLD), and vernalizatin pathway (LoFLC, LoVRN1, LoVRN2, LoFT, LoSOC1, LoLFY, LoSVP) in the immature flower buds of Oriental hybrid lily. In addition, we identified two vernalizaiton-related genes (LoSVP and LoVRN1) from the cDNA library, which appear to be promising candidates for playing key roles in the development and response of flowering in Oriental lily plants, and LoSVP had a function in delaying flowering but LoVRN1could promote flowering early. CONCLUSIONS: We collected a sample for transcriptome sequencing and comparison when the bulb's apical meristem was in the time of floral transition when the apical meristem had not converted into the morphological differentiation process, which helped to obtain more genes playing key roles in the floral induction pathways. The upstream and downstream relationship between different genes were forecasted by the analysis of genes' expression levels in a wide range of time. Future research that is targeted towards how genes interact on each other, which will promote establishing and perfecting the molecular mechanisms of floral induction pathway by vernalization.

Association of atrial fibrillation with gene polymorphisms of connexin 40 and angiotensin II receptor type 1 in Chongming adults of Shanghai.

OBJECTIVE: To characterized the gene polymorphisms of connexin 40 (cx40) and angiotensin II receptor type 1 (AT1R) in Chongming adults with atrial fibrillation (AF) and to explore their relationships with AF. METHODS: 82 patients with AF, and 82 subjects without AF were enrolled. Polymorphisms of cx40 G-44A and AT1 A1166C were detected. Moreover, several samples were randomly selected to validate the gene polymorphisms of cx40 and AT1. RESULTS: Genotypes AA, AG and GG of cx40 G-44A were found in both AF patients and controls. The frequencies of genotypes AA, AG and GG were 39%, 29% and 32%, respectively, in AF patients and 31%, 35% and 34%, respectively in controls. The frequencies of alleles A and G were 54% and 46%, respectively in AF patients and 48% and 52%, respectively, in controls (P < 0.05). The risk for AF in patients with allele A increased 1.31 times (OR = 1.31, P < 0.05). The frequencies of genotypes AA, AC and CC were 88%, 8% and 4%, respectively in AF patients and 93%, 6% and 1%, respectively in controls. The frequencies of alleles A and C were 92% and 8%, respectively in AF patients and 96% and 4%, respectively in controls (P < 0.05). More AF patients had allele C as compared to controls. The risk for AF increased by 1.43 times in patients with allele C (OR = 1.43, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: There were relationships between gene polymorphisms of cx40 and AT1 and AF in Chongming adults. Allele A of cx40 G-44A and allele C of AT1 A1166C significantly increase the risk for AF.

The application of fluorescence in situ hybridization in different ploidy levels cross-breeding of lily.

21 crossing were conducted between Asiatic Lily with different ploidy levels, the results showed that the interploidy hybridization between diploid and tetraploid lilies was not as successful as intraploidy hybridization. Regardless of male sterility, triploid lilies could be used as female parents in the hybridization which the progenies were aneuploidy. 3x×4x crosses could be cultured more successfully than 3x×2x crosses. 45S rDNA was mapped on the chromosomes of seven Lilium species and their progenies using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). FISH revealed six to sixteen 45S rDNA gene loci, and normally the sites were not in pairs. The asymmetry indexes of LA (Longiflorum hybrids × Asiatic hybrids) hybrids was higher than Asiatic hybrids, the evolution degree was LA hybrids > Asiatic hybrids. 45S rDNA distributed variably on chromosome 1-10 and 12 among Asiatic hybrids. Chromosome 1 had invariable sites of 45S rDNA in all Asiatic hybrids, which could be considered as the characteristic of Asiatic hybrids. LA hybrid 'Freya' had two sites of 45S rDNA on one homologous chromosome 5, and also it could be found in the progenies. The karyotype and fluorescence in situ hybridization with 45S rDNA as probe were applied to identify the different genotypes of 9 hybrids. Typical chromosomes with parental signal sites could be observed in all the genotypes of hybrids, it was confirmed that all the hybrids were true.

Expression profile analysis of circulating microRNAs and their effects on ion channels in Chinese atrial fibrillation patients.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the changes in expression profile of circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) and the regulatory effect of atrial fibrilation (AF)-related miRNAs on ion channels. METHODS: 112 patients with AF were assigned into observation group, and another 112 non-AF people were assigned into control group. Total plasma RNAs were extracted from patients' blood samples. Differentially expressed miRNA-1s were transfected into primary-cultured neonatal rat cardiac myocytes. RESULTS: Compared with control group, significant differences were observed in 15 kinds of miRNAs in observation group. Down-regulation of the expression of miRNAs included hsa-miR-328, hsa-miR-145, hsa-miR-222, hsa-miR-1, hsa-miR-162, hsa-miR-432, and hsa-miR-493b; Up-regulation of the expression included hsa-miR634, hsa-miR-664, hsa-miR-9, hsa-miR-152, hsa-miR-19, hsa-miR-454, hsa-miR-146, and hsa-miR-374a. The expression level of CACNB2 protein in miRNA-1 group was significantly lower than that in blank control group, negative control group, MTmiRNA-1 group, AMO-1 group and miRNA-1+AMO-1 cotransfection group (P < 0.05), while in AMO-1 group, the expression level of CACNB2 protein was significantly higher than that in other groups (P < 0.05). These results indicated that transfected miRNA-1 could significantly inhibit the expression of CACNB2 protein. CONCLUSIONS: Circulating miRNAs can be used in studies concerning on the regulation mechanism of the occurrence and development of AF. MiRNA-1 can decrease the intracellular Ca(2+) concentration and prevent the AF.

De novo assembly and characterization of stress transcriptome and regulatory networks under temperature, salt and hormone stresses in Lilium lancifolium.

Plants have continually confrontation with different abiotic stresses, including salt, low temperature, drought or hormone stress. The plants acclimate to the environmental stresses relating with the falls of the molecular mesh including the stress signal receiver, signal transcriptional regulation and the expression of functional and structure genes. Using the RNA-seq, we carried out a transcriptional analysis under cold treatment for investigating a profound comprehension of the signal network and molecular metabolisms reaction included in abiotic stress reaction for Lilium lancifolium. Our study identified 18,722 unigenes had demonstrated the resemblance to the known exact proteins in the Swiss-Prot protein database and classified them by Gene ontology into three primary kinds: cellular component, biological process, and molecular function, and then 15,898 unigenes aligned to existing sequences in the KEGG databases. Based on the transcriptome results of cold stress, more stress-related genes were identified and analyzed of their expressions in other abiotic stress treatments as 37 °C, ABA, JA and Na. Meanwhile, bioinformatics qRT-PCR analyses of stress genes as LlDREB1, LlAP2, LlNAC1, LlHOT, LlR2R3-MYB and LlCDPK revealed that novel candidate genes encoding ethylene responsive transporters and serine/threonine receptor-like kinases, which contributed to speculate the signal regulation pathway during the abiotic stresses; engineering genes could also boost the tolerance to stress, as protected and maintained the function and structure of cellular components. Our research conjectured the abiotic stress signal transduction pathway and identified the expected key ingredients regulating the stress tolerance in Lilium lancifolium, which would enable the in-depth molecular exploration of stress-tolerance mechanisms in lily.

Vernalization of Oriental hybrid lily 'Sorbonne': changes in physiology metabolic activity and molecular mechanism.

Oriental hybrid lily 'Sorbonne' was used to investigate molecular changes during the storage at 4 °C for dormancy-release besides physiology metabolic activity observations. In physiological mechanism, endogenous abscisic acid (ABA) concentration level of lily bulbs decreased as the cold preservation time increased, and it kept at a stable level after being preserved for 35 days. The level of soluble sugars concentrations also changed during the cold preservation time, and it increased as the cold preservation time raised to 49 days then decreased afterward. On molecule level, a new transcriptome providing comprehensive sequence profiling data of variation during dormancy-release in lily was constructed. 34,367 unigenes expressed differentially between the control and the treatment was analyzed. 14 genes including 8 MADS-box family genes, 4 genes related to plant hormone, and 2 DNA methylation genes were selected to identify the levels of their expression by qRT-PCR. Our results show that the decrease of ABA level during cold storage, as well as changes in plant hormone genes was correlated with dormancy-release; MADS-box family genes VRN2, FLC, FT, SOC1 a, as well as LFY, MIKC and ARF, MYB transcription factor were included in lily floral induction and DNA methylation was correlated to lily vernalization under low temperature. According to the results of the present studies, we predicted that plant hormone pathway, energy metabolic pathway, vernalization pathway, and DNA methylation played important roles during vernalization; these data provided the foundation for future studies of vernalization to induce flowering of lily.

Lily breeding by using molecular tools and transformation systems.

In our review, we highlighted the progresses made in molecular breeding of lily's flowering, including the ABCDE models, the gene cloning, the establishment of regeneration system, the gene transformation methods, the transgene technology application in lily. Meanwhile, questions that were met at present in molecular breeding in flowering of lily were underlined, and we provide viable solutions. Although many researches on lily literature had been published in the world, in our review, we provided a valuable and unique resource and spring-board from which to understand or further study the molecular breeding in flowering of lily.

Relationship of osteopontin and renal function with severity of coronary artery lesions.

AIM: To explore the relationship of plasma osteopontin (OPN) level and renal function with severity of coronary artery lesions. METHODS: OPN level and renal function were detected and compared in 210 patients with coronary heart disease (CHD group) and 134 patients without coronary heart disease (control group) to analyze the relationship of osteopontin and renal function with severity of coronary artery lesions. RESULTS: Plasma OPN and creatinine level were significantly higher in CHD group than those in control group (P<0.01), and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was lower in CHD group than that in control group (P<0.01). The proportions of multi-vessel lesion and moderate to severe decreased renal function were higher in patients with high osteopontin than those in patients with low osteopontin (P<0.05), and the proportion of multi-vessel lesion was higher in patients with moderate to severe decreased renal function than that in normal renal function (P<0.05). Osteopontin and renal failure were the independent risk factors for coronary heart disease. CONCLUSIONS: Plasma OPN level is associated with renal failure, both of which are correlated with the severity of coronary artery lesions.