Identification of Plasma Inflammatory Markers of Adolescent Depression Using the Olink Proteomics Platform.

Purpose: The quality of life of worldwide adolescents has been seriously affected by depression. Notably, the inflammatory response is closely associated with the pathophysiology of depression. The present study applied a novel targeted proteomics technology, Olink proximity extension assay (PEA), to profile circulating immune-related proteins in adolescents with depression. Methods: In the present study, the expression levels of 92 inflammation-related proteins were compared between adolescents with depression (ADs) (n=15) and healthy controls (HCs) (n=15), using the OLINK PEA inflammation panel. We further validated 5 top proteins that were identified through KEGG and GO analyses between 40 HCs and 50 ADs, including CCL4, CXCL5, CXCL6, CXCL11, and IL-18 using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: We identified 13 differentially expressed proteins between the two cohorts, including 5 up-regulated and 8 down-regulated proteins. Among them, the TRAIL protein levels were significantly negatively correlated with the HAMA-14 score (r=-0.538, p= 0.038), and the levels of transforming growth factor α (TGF-α) were significantly associated with a change in appetite (r = -0.658, p = 0.008). After validation by ELISA, CCL4, CXCL5, CXCL11, and IL-18 showed significant changes between ADs and HCs (p < 0.05), while CXCL6 showed an up-regulated tendency in ADs (p=0.0673). The pooled diagnostic efficacy (area under the curve [AUC]) of these five inflammation markers in clinical diagnosis for adolescent depression was 0.819 (95% CI: 0.735-0.904). Conclusion: We report a number of inflammation-related plasma biomarkers, which uncover a potential involvement of chemokines, cytokines, and cytokine receptors in adolescent depression. Their roles in the pathophysiology of depression need to be further elucidated.

Polymorphism in genes encoding two fatty acid binding proteins increases risk of ischemic stroke in a Chinese Han population.

Background: Dyslipidemia is an independent predictor of ischemic stroke (IS). Genetic variations in lipid-metabolism related genes may increase the risk of IS. Fatty acid-binding protein 1 (FABP1) and fatty acid-binding protein 2 (FABP2) are lipid chaperones responsible for lipid transport and metabolism. The present study aimed to determine the association between FABP1 or FABP2 and ischemic stroke. Methods: A total of 251 participants were recruited composed of 138 patients with ischemic stroke and 113 healthy subjects. DNA was extracted from peripheral blood samples. The rs2241883 polymorphism in FABP1 and rs1799883 polymorphism in FABP2 were genotyped using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. Generalized multifactor dimensionality reduction (GMDR) was used to find out the interaction combinations between two SNPs and environmental factors. Results: The GA genotype of FABP2 rs1799883 increased susceptibility to ischemic stroke under overdominant inheritance model (p = 0.042). After adjusting for the risk factors of IS, it was associated with a significantly higher risk of IS in the codominant inheritance model (adjust OR = 3.431, 95%CI = 1.060-11.103, p = 0.04). The interactions of FABP1 rs2241883 and FABP2 rs1799883 were not associated with IS risk (p = 0.172). Moreover, interaction analysis of two genes (rs1799883 and rs2241883) and two environmental factors (smoking and alcohol consumption) was associated with an increased risk of IS (p = 0.011). Conclusion: The GA genotype of FABP2 rs1799883, interactions between rs1799883, rs2241883 and smoking and alcohol consumption were associated with IS risk in Chinese Han populations.

Elevated plasma intestinal fatty acid binding protein and aberrant lipid metabolism predict post-stroke depression.

Post-stroke depression (PSD) is the most common mood disorder caused by stroke. Stroke might bring about increased intestinal permeability accompanied by gut microbiota changes. According to the "gut-brain" axis hypothesis, increased intestinal permeability may contribute to PSD. Therefore, we investigated the association between increased intestinal permeability and the occurrence of PSD. Intestinal fatty acid binding protein (iFABP) is responsible for intestinal fatty acid absorption and transport and is often considered a biomarker of gut hyperpermeability, also known as leaky gut. We enrolled 48 healthy controls (HCs), 48 stroke patients without depression, and 48 PSD patients in this study. Plasma iFABP was measured in the three groups. CRP, LBP, and sCD14 were quantified for bacterial infection assessment. In addition, clinical laboratory indicators of lipid metabolism were assessed. The PSD patients exhibited higher iFABP levels compared with HCs and non-depressed stroke patients. Using OPLS discriminant analysis, four proteins (ApoA1, HDL-C, iFABP, and Lp(a)) were identified as potential biomarkers for distinguishing PSD patients from non-depression stroke patients. Our study discovered that elevated plasma iFABP levels in PSD patients correlated with the degree of depression, along with disturbed lipid metabolism. These findings also suggested the need to consider the role of a leaky gut in depression after stroke.

A retrospective study on the relationship between fibrosis­4 index and all­cause mortality in patients with acute myocardial infarction.

The fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) index is a non-invasive score used to determine liver fibrosis. The present study aimed to assess the predictive ability of FIB-4 for all-cause mortality in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). It retrospectively analyzed a total of 797 patients who were diagnosed with AMI. The patients were equally divided into three tertiles based on the values of the FIB-4 index scores: Group A (FIB-4 index <3.19; n=265), group B (3.19 ≤FIB-4 <8.14; n=267) and group C (FIB-4 index ≥8.14 group; n=265). Kaplan-Meier curves were used to analyze the incidence of all-cause mortality among the three groups. Multivariate Cox regression analysis was used to assess the association of risk of all-cause mortality in the patients. The Kaplan-Meier curves showed that the incidence of all-cause mortality was statistically significantly higher in group C than in groups A and B (P<0.001). After adjusting for confounding factors, multivariate Cox analysis demonstrated the risk of all-cause mortality in group C was significantly higher than in group A (hazard ratio: 2.898, 95% confidence interval: 1.069-7.857, P=0.037). In receiver-operating characteristics (ROC) analysis, an FIB-4 index of 6.647 and a Synergy between PCI with Taxus and Cardiac Surgery (SYNTAX) score of 26.75 had sensitivities of 67.3 and 55.8% and specificities of 63 and 71.9%, respectively. Comparing the area under the ROC curve revealed no statistical differences between the FIB-4 index and SYNTAX score (0.654 vs. 0.661; P=0.864). Higher FIB-4 index were associated with increased risks of all-cause mortality among AMI patients. The FIB-4 index, a noninvasive and convenient tool, plays a potential role in the prognosis of AMI.

Rural and Female Patients with Old Myocardial Infarction Lacked Knowledge and Preventive Measures During the Beginning of the COVID-19 Epidemic in Chongqing, Southwest China.

BACKGROUND Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has emerged as a global threat. This study was performed to gain an understanding of COVID-19-related knowledge, attitudes, and practices among susceptible individuals. MATERIAL AND METHODS Patients who had been diagnosed with old myocardial infarction were followed up via telephone survey based on an established follow-up system at the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak (January 2020) in Chongqing, Southwest China. RESULTS A total of 631 eligible patients participated in this survey, and 40.6% of the rural respondents did not know the transmission routes of SARS-CoV-2, which was higher than the proportion of urban respondents (40.6% vs 31.0). Rural residents had a lower rate of adopting preventive measures than urban residents, such as wearing masks (76.7% vs 90.1%), avoiding meetings and gatherings (58.6% vs 68.5%), and hand washing (56.0% vs 63.8%). A higher percentage of women than men did not take any preventive measures (11.3% vs 7.6%), while a lower percentage of women than men wore masks (77.7% vs 84.5%). Multiple logistic regression revealed that rural patients were more likely to lack knowledge about transmission (odds ratio (OR): 1.51). Rural patients had an increased risk of failing to implement protective measures. CONCLUSIONS Female and rural populations lacked knowledge and failed to adopt protective measures during the beginning of the COVID-19 epidemic. Therefore, these populations may benefit from health education campaigns and policies.

Left-Behind Status Worsens Prognosis of ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction in Elderly Patients from Southwest China.

BACKGROUND This study aimed to assess the association between left-behind status and the prognosis of ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). MATERIAL AND METHODS A total of 1 015 patients with STEMI patients from 4 tertiary medical centers in southwest China were enrolled and categorized into left-behind and not-left-behind groups. The primary endpoints were major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs), which were assessed with Kaplan-Meier curves. Multivariate Cox regression analyses were used to explore the predictive value of left-behind status for MACCEs. RESULTS Patients in the left-behind group were older than those in the not-left-behind group (70 vs. 65 years, P<0.001). The patients in the left-behind group had a lower incidence of history of coronary heart disease and diabetes mellitus than those in the not-left-behind group. Meanwhile, the left-behind group had higher levels of alanine aminotransferase (42 vs. 31, P<0.001), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentration (2.64 vs. 2.62, P=0.001) and cardiac troponin I (5.11 vs. 2.84, P=0.001) than the not-left-behind group. During the 18-month follow-up, the left-behind group experienced a higher rate of adverse events than the not-left-behind group (123/26.2% vs. 81/14.8%, P<0.001). After multivariate adjustment, the left-behind group also had a 1.778-fold (95% CI: 1.241-2.547, P=0.002) higher risk of experiencing MACCEs than the not-left-behind group. CONCLUSIONS Left-behind status is an independent predictor of STEMI prognosis.

Effects of different doses of atorvastatin, rosuvastatin, and simvastatin on elderly patients with ST-elevation acute myocardial infarction (AMI) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

OBJECTIVE: To conduct a randomized double-blind prospective study to investigate effect of different doses of atorvastatin, rosuvastatin, and simvastatin on elderly patients with ST-elevation AMI after PCI. METHODS: One hundred and ninety-two AMI patients over 60 years old who underwent PCI were randomly divided into six groups: the low atorvastatin group, high atorvastatin group; low rosuvastatin group; high rosuvastatin group; low simvastatin group; high simvastatin group. Demographic data and clinical information as well as coronary angiography parameters were recorded. Plasma levels of CK-MB, BNP, ALT, and TnI were measured at 12 hr, 24 hr, and 1 week after PCI. Major cardiovascular events (MACE) were recorded and analyzed using Kaplan-Meier (K-M) curve. RESULTS: No significant differences were observed in angiographic and procedural characteristics. In all high dose groups, all levels of CK-MB, BNP, ALT, and TnI were significantly lower. However, after 1 week of PCI, only CK-MB, BNP, and TnI showed significant difference between high and low dose groups. Patients in high dose groups had significantly lower rates for surgical or percutaneous intervention, recurrence of angina, and rehospitalization. K-M curve analysis also showed cumulative incidence freedom time of overall MACE in high dose groups was significantly longer. No significant differences were found among different drugs with the same doses. CONCLUSION: Patients with higher doses had lower level of CK-MB, BNP, ALT, and TnI and lower occurrence of MACE after PCI.

[Study of hrpN(CSDS001) and the gene expression profile of Arabidopsis thaliana induced by Harpin(CSDS001)].

Erwinia carotovora subsp. carotovora CSDS001 elicits hypersensitive reaction (HR) in tobacco. From the genomic libraries of Erwinia carotovora subsp. carotovora CSDS001, the hrpNCSDS001 gene (GenBank number AY939927), was isolated. The hrpNCSDS001 fusion protein was produced in Escherichia coli, and was used to induce HR by injecting into tobacco. We further examined the global regulation of Arabidopsis thaliana genes in response to HarpinCSDS001 at a concentration of 30 miccrog/mL. We indicated that 912, 1787, 2393, 1833 and 1,755 genes that were regulated significantly (log ratio or=1) at 3 h, 12 h, 24 h, 36 h and 48 h respectively after the treatment. Analysis of some transcription factors (TF) showed that 13 TF families responded to HarpinCSDS001 including ZIM, BES1, TCP, C2C2, AP2/EREBP, WRKY, bHLH, bZIP, GARP, MYB, NAC, HB, C2H2. These families mainly function in biological processes of plant defense, pho-tosynthesisdevelopment and flowering.