Evaluating the application of ChatGPT in China's residency training education: An exploratory study.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess the utility of information generated by ChatGPT for residency education in China. METHODS: We designed a three-step survey to evaluate the performance of ChatGPT in China's residency training education including residency final examination questions, patient cases, and resident satisfaction scores. First, 204 questions from the residency final exam were input into ChatGPT's interface to obtain the percentage of correct answers. Next, ChatGPT was asked to generate 20 clinical cases, which were subsequently evaluated by three instructors using a pre-designed Likert scale with 5 points. The quality of the cases was assessed based on criteria including clarity, relevance, logicality, credibility, and comprehensiveness. Finally, interaction sessions between 31 third-year residents and ChatGPT were conducted. Residents' perceptions of ChatGPT's feedback were assessed using a Likert scale, focusing on aspects such as ease of use, accuracy and completeness of responses, and its effectiveness in enhancing understanding of medical knowledge. RESULTS: Our results showed ChatGPT-3.5 correctly answered 45.1% of exam questions. In the virtual patient cases, ChatGPT received mean ratings of 4.57 ± 0.50, 4.68 ± 0.47, 4.77 ± 0.46, 4.60 ± 0.53, and 3.95 ± 0.59 points for clarity, relevance, logicality, credibility, and comprehensiveness from clinical instructors, respectively. Among training residents, ChatGPT scored 4.48 ± 0.70, 4.00 ± 0.82 and 4.61 ± 0.50 points for ease of use, accuracy and completeness, and usefulness, respectively. CONCLUSION: Our findings demonstrate ChatGPT's immense potential for personalized Chinese medical education.

Mechanism of myocardial fibrosis regulation by IGF-1R in atrial fibrillation through the PI3K/Akt/FoxO3a pathway.

Atrial structural remodeling takes on a critical significance to the occurrence and maintenance of atrial fibrillation (AF). As revealed by recent data, insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF-1R) plays a certain role in tissue fibrosis. In this study, the mechanism of IGF-1R in atrial structural remodeling was examined based on in vivo and in vitro experiments. First, cluster analysis of AF hub genes was conducted, and then the molecular mechanism was proposed by which IGF-1R regulates myocardial fibrosis via the PI3K/Akt/FoxO3a pathway. Subsequently, the mentioned mechanism was verified in human cardiac fibroblasts (HCFs) and rats transduced with IGF-1 overexpression type 9 adeno-associated viruses. The results indicated that IGF-1R activation up-regulated collagen Ⅰ protein expression and Akt phosphorylation in HCFs and rat atrium. The administration of LY294002 reversed the above phenomenon, improved the shortening of atrial effective refractory period, and reduced the increased incidence of AF and atrial fibrosis in rats. The transfection of FoxO3a siRNA reduced the anti-fibrotic effect of LY294002 in HCFs. The above data revealed that activation of IGF-1R takes on a vital significance to atrial structural remodeling by facilitating myocardial fibrosis and expediting the occurrence and maintenance of AF through the regulation of the PI3K/Akt/FoxO3a signaling pathway.

Renal Safety of Sacubitril/Valsartan: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

ABSTRACT: As a first-line therapy, sacubitril/valsartan (S/V) plays a significant role in the treatment of heart failure. However, its effect on renal function is still uncertain. We searched PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, and Clinical Trials for randomized controlled trials to evaluate the effect of S/V on renal function in patients. The results are reported as the mean difference, relative ratio, and 95% confidence intervals. A total of 13 randomized controlled trials were included (19,367 patients). Among them, 11 studies focused on patients with heart failure, 1 on patients with acute myocardial infarction, and 1 on patients with chronic kidney disease. We found that fewer worsening renal function events, elevated creatine level events, and severe hyperkalemia events (blood potassium >6.0 mmol/L) occurred in the S/V group than those in the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitor (RASi) group. The estimated glomerular filtration rate decreased in both the S/V group and the RASi group, but the change was more obvious in the RASi group. There was no significant difference in hyperkalemia events (blood potassium >5.5 mmol/L) between the 2 groups. Subgroup analysis showed that with the extension of follow-up time (>6 months), worsening renal function events occurred less frequently in the S/V group than in the RASi group. Existing evidence has shown that S/V is superior to RASi in general renal safety. Perhaps with the prolongation of treatment time, the advantages of S/V are more obvious.

High-fat stimulation induces atrial neural remodeling by reducing NO production via the CRIF1/eNOS/P21 axi.

BACKGROUND: Autonomic remodeling of the atria plays a pivotal role in the development of atrial fibrillation (AF) and exerts a substantial influence on the progression of this condition. Hyperlipidemia is a predisposing factor for AF, but its effect on atrial nerve remodeling is unclear. The primary goal of this study was to explore the possible mechanisms through which the consumption of a high-fat diet (HFD) induces remodeling of atrial nerves, and to identify novel targets for clinical intervention. METHODS: Cell models were created in vitro by subjecting cells to palmitic acid (PA), while rat models were established by feeding them a high-fat diet. To investigate the interplay between cardiomyocytes and nerve cells in a co-culture system, we utilized Transwell cell culture plates featuring a pore size of 0.4 µm. The CCK-8 assay was employed to determine cell viability, fluorescent probe DCFH-DA and flow cytometry were utilized for measuring ROS levels, JC-1 was used to assess the mitochondrial membrane potential, the Griess method was employed to measure the nitric oxide (NO) level in the supernatant, a fluorescence-based method was used to measure ATP levels, and MitoTracker was utilized for assessing mitochondrial morphology. The expression of pertinent proteins was evaluated using western blotting (WB) and immunohistochemistry techniques. SNAP was used to treat nerve cells in order to replicate a high-NO atmosphere, and the level of nitroso was assessed using the iodoTMT reagent labeling method. RESULTS: The study found that cardiomyocytes' mitochondrial morphology and function were impaired under high-fat stimulation, affecting nitric oxide (NO) production through the CRIF1/SIRT1/eNOS axis. In a coculture model, overexpression of eNOS in cardiomyocytes increased NO expression. Moreover, the increased Keap1 nitrosylation within neuronal cells facilitated the entry of Nrf2 into the nucleus, resulting in an augmentation of P21 transcription and a suppression of proliferation. Atrial neural remodeling occurred in the HFD rat model and was ameliorated by increasing myocardial tissue eNOS protein expression with trimetazidine (TMZ). CONCLUSIONS: Neural remodeling is triggered by high-fat stimulation, which decreases the production of NO through the CRIF1/eNOS/P21 axis. Additionally, TMZ prevents neural remodeling and reduces the occurrence of AF by enhancing eNOS expression.

Divergent control and variation in bacterial and fungal necromass carbon respond to the abandonment of rice terraces.

The abandonment of rice terraces in hilly agroecosystems in recent decades has caused substantial changes in microbial characteristics and their impact on microbial necromass carbon (MNC) and soil organic carbon (SOC). Nevertheless, the regulatory mechanisms and impact pathways of MNC remain unclear. Here, soil samples were collected from 0 to 120 cm soil profiles in rice terraces, dry land (DL), and forest land (FL) for analysis. After converting rice terraces to DL and FL, MNC decreased significantly by 31.12% and 38.33%, while SOC decreased significantly by 51.26% and 29.87% respectively. These reductions are due to the loss of terrace management practices and associated functions. There were no significant changes in bacterial necromass carbon (BNC), whereas fungal necromass carbon (FNC) experienced a significant decrease. As a result, the decline in SOC may be primarily attributed to the reduction in FNC. BNC and FNC were regulated by bacterial life history strategies and fungal biomass, respectively. However, bacterial copiotrophs experienced a significant reduction after rice terrace abandonment. The regulation of BNC may be influenced by other factors, potentially offsetting the negative impact of abandonment. Dissolved organic carbon and bulk density were the primary control factors for bacterial community composition and fungal biomass, respectively. Additionally, the impact of soil layers on the alterations in MNC and SOC was more significant compared to the abandonment of rice terraces. These findings indicate that short-term abandonment of rice terraces results in a decrease in SOC, potentially compromising the ecological service function of the hilly agroecosystems. In the face of rapid population growth and global warming, it is crucial to minimize terrace abandonment and enhance utilization rates. This approach will effectively support sustainable terrace management and ecological services.

Ivabradine and Atrial Fibrillation: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

ABSTRACT: This was a meta-analysis of randomized control trials (RCTs) to evaluate the effect of ivabradine on the risk of atrial fibrillation (AF) and its effect on the ventricular rate in patients with AF. The PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Controlled Trials Register, and other databases were searched for RCTs on ivabradine. Thirteen trials with 37,533 patients met the inclusion criteria. The incidence of AF was significantly higher in the ivabradine treatment group than in the control group [odds ratio (OR), 1.23; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.08-1.41], although it was reduced after cardiac surgery (OR, 0.70; 95% CI, 0.23-2.12). Regarding left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), ivabradine increased the risk of AF in both LVEF >40% (OR, 1.42; 95% CI, 1.24-1.63) and LVEF ≤40% subgroups (OR, 1.16; 95% CI, 0.98-1.37). The risk of AF was increased by both small and large cumulative doses of ivabradine (small cumulative dose: OR, 3.00; 95% CI, 0.48-18.93; large cumulative dose: OR, 1.05; 95% CI, 0.83-1.34). Furthermore, ivabradine may reduce the ventricular rate in patients with AF. In conclusion, we found that both large and small cumulative doses of ivabradine were associated with an increased incidence of AF, and the effect was more marked in the LVEF >40% subgroup. Nevertheless, ivabradine therapy is beneficial for the prevention of postoperative AF. Furthermore, ivabradine may be effective in controlling the ventricular rate in patients with AF, although more RCTs are needed to support this conclusion.

Differential Proteomic Profiles of Coronary Serum Exosomes in Acute Myocardial Infarction Patients with or Without Diabetes Mellitus: ANGPTL6 Accelerates Regeneration of Endothelial Cells Treated with Rapamycin via MAPK Pathways.

PURPOSE: Delayed re-endothelialization after coronary drug-eluting stent implantation is associated with an increased incidence of late in-stent thrombosis. Serum exosomes exhibit controversial effects on promoting endothelialization. This study aimed to compare the angiogenic effects of serum exosomes derived from patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and AMI plus diabetes mellitus (DM) and to explore the underlying mechanisms. METHODS: Serum exosomes derived from patients in the control (Con-Exos), AMI (AMI-Exos), and AMI plus DM (AMI+DM-Exos) groups were isolated and identified using standard assays. CCK-8, wound healing, and tube formation assays were performed to detect the angiogenic abilities of serum exosomes on rapamycin-conditioned human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Differential proteomic profiles between AMI-Exos and AMI+DM-Exos were analyzed by mass spectrometry. The effects and potential mechanisms of exosomal angiopoietin-like 6 (ANGPTL6) were investigated. RESULTS: Functional assays indicated that compared with Con-Exos, AMI-Exos enhanced, whereas AMI+DM-Exos inhibited the cell proliferation, migration, and tube formation of rapamycin-conditioned HUVECs. Subsequently, 28 differentially expressed proteins between AMI-Exos and AMI+DM-Exos were identified, which were correlated with material transportation, immunity, and inflammatory reaction. Moreover, ANGPTL6 was highly enriched in AMI-Exos. Overexpression and knockdown of ANGPTL6 enhanced and inhibited angiogenesis, respectively. Furthermore, the effect of ANGPTL6 on angiogenesis was mediated via the activation of ERK 1/2, JNK, and p38 pathways. The inhibition of ERK 1/2 signaling markedly attenuated the migration abilities of overexpressing ANGPTL6. CONCLUSION: Diabetes impairs the regenerative capacities of serum exosomes. Exosomal ANGPTL6 contributes to endothelial repair and is a novel therapeutic target for enhanced stent endothelization.

Exosomes secreted from mesenchymal stem cells mediate the regeneration of endothelial cells treated with rapamycin by delivering pro-angiogenic microRNAs.

Delayed endothelial healing after drug eluting stent (DES) implantation is a critical clinical problem in treatment of coronary artery diseases. Exosomes exhibit proangiogenic potential in a variety of ischemic diseases. However, the association of exosomes with endothelial regeneration after DES implantation has been rarely reported. In this study, we aimed to investigate the therapeutic effects of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-derived exosomes on endothelial cells treated with rapamycin and explore the potential mechanisms of MSC-derived exosomes in promoting endothelial regeneration. Exosomes were isolated from MSCs by ultracentrifugation and identified by transmission electron microscopy, nanoparticle tracking analysis, and Western blot assay. The in vitro effects of MSC-derived exosomes on the proliferation and migration of endothelial cells treated with rapamycin were evaluated by integrated experiment, cell counting kit-8, scratch, tube formation, and transwell assays. And the apoptosis of rapamycin-induced endothelial cells loaded with MSC-derived exosomes was detected using TUNEL and Annexin-V FITC and PI double-staining assays. The microRNA (miRNA) cargo of MSC-derived exosomes was identified by high-throughput RNA sequencing. Pro-angiogenic miRNAs and key pathways were further characterized. Our results indicated that MSC-derived exosomes could be ingested into umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and significantly enhanced cell proliferation rate, migratory and tube-forming capabilities in vitro. MSC-derived exosomes also inhibited the apoptosis of HUVECs induced by rapamycin. A distinct class of exosomal miRNAs was further identified, including six miRNAs tightly related to neovasculogenesis. Silencing the expression of exosomal miRNA-21-5p and let-7c-5p attenuated the pro-proliferative and pro-migratory capacity of MSC-derived exosomes. Moreover, functional enrichment analysis indicated that metabolic pathways might contribute to reendothelialization. This study highlights a proregenerative effect of MSC-derived exosomes in vitro, which may be partly explained by the delivery of pro-angiogenic miRNAs to endothelial cells.

Effects of individualized antiplatelet therapy, based on CYP2C19 genotyping, on platelet function in patients underwent percutaneous coronary intervention.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of individualized antiplatelet therapy, based on CYP2C19 genotyping, on platelet function in patients underwent PCI and to compare this treatment with conventional antiplatelet therapy. METHODS: All patients were treated with 100 mg aspirin once a day. Additionally, the CA group received 75 mg clopidogrel once a day. The IA group was divided into extensive metabolizers (EMs, no loss-of-function, i.e. LOF allele, 75 mg clopidogrel once a day), intermediate metabolizers (IMs, carrying one LOF alleles, 75 mg clopidogrel twice daily), and poor metabolizers group (PMs, carrying two LOF alleles, 90 mg ticagrelor twice daily). After taking these antiplatelet medications for ⩾5 days, we assessed platelet function by thromboelastography, and recorded the MAADP (maximum amplitude produced by adenosine diphosphate) value. MAADP > 47 mm was defined as residual HPR, indicating a high risk of thrombosis. MAADP ≤ 31 mm indicated a high risk of bleeding. RESULTS: The proportion of patients with MAADP > 47 mm was significantly lower in the IA group (29.6%) than the CA group (38.1%). The proportion of patients with MAADP ≤ 31 mm was significantly higher in the IA group (31.0%) than the CA group (21.3%). No significant differences were found in the proportions of patients with MAADP > 47 mm or MAADP ≤31 mm when compared between the EMs and IMs group. CONCLUSION: Individualized antiplatelet therapy, based on CYP2C19 genotyping, can reduce the incidence of HPR in ACS patients after PCI compared to conventional therapy. By taking a double dose of clopidogrel, patients with a CYP2C19 LOF allele can therefore overcome the reduced efficacy of clopidogrel associated with LOF alleles without increasing the risk of bleeding, which is of guiding significance for the management of antiplatelet therapy on ACS patients after PCI especially considering the CYP2C19 LOF alleles that carry an important predictor for the ischemic events. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: chiCTR-INC-17011550.

Relationship between serum uric acid levels and different types of atrial fibrillation: An updated meta-analysis.

AIM: Increasing evidence supports the hypothesis that high serum uric acid (SUA) levels are related to atrial fibrillation (AF). However, the incidence of AF in patients with hyperuricemia and SUA levels in different types of AF is not entirely clear. This meta-analysis was designed to evaluate the relationship between SUA and incidence of AF, and the variation in SUA levels in different types of AF. DATA SYNTHESIS: Relevant reports were searched for in Embase, PubMed and the Cochrane Library. A fixed-effects model combining relative risk (RR) and the corresponding 95% confidence interval (95% CI) was used to evaluate the correlation between SUA and AF. The standardized mean differences (SMDs) of SUA values were calculated using a random-effects model to evaluate the differences in SUA levels among different types of AF. A total of 31 studies with 504,958 participants were included in this research. The results from 8 cohort studies showed that high SUA levels significantly increased the incidence of AF [RR (95% CI): 1.92 (1.68-2.20); P < 0.01]. The results from 29 studies revealed that SUA levels elevated in patients with AF [SMD (95% CI): 0.55 (0.43-0.66); P < 0.001]. Meanwhile, SUA levels in new-onset AF [SMD (95%CI): 0.24 (0.10-0.38); P = 0.001], paroxysmal AF [SMD (95%CI): 0.52 (0.33-0.72); P < 0.001] and persistent AF [SMD (95%CI): 1.23 (0.98-1.48); P < 0.001] were significantly higher than that in patients without AF. CONCLUSIONS: High SUA levels had an obvious correlation with the occurrence rate of AF. In addition, SUA levels were significantly different among patients with new-onset, paroxysmal and persistent AF.

Long noncoding RNA TCONS-00106987 promotes atrial electrical remodelling during atrial fibrillation by sponging miR-26 to regulate KCNJ2.

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been suggested to play indispensable roles in multiple heart diseases. However, the correlations between lncRNAs and atrial fibrillation (AF) are unclear. In this study, we performed comprehensive lncRNA profiling via high-throughput RNA sequencing analysis using non-AF and AF rabbit models. Based on a series of filtering pipelines and bioinformatics analyses, TCONS-00106987 was selected for further research. TCONS-00106987 levels were increased in the atria during AF. Moreover, the atrial effective refractory period was shortened and the AF inducibility was increased in vivo in response to lentiviral-mediated up-regulation of TCONS-00106987. TCONS-00106987 repression resulted in the opposite effects. Further studies indicated that TCONS-00106987 expression was positively correlated with the expression of the protein-coding gene KCNJ2. Luciferase reporter assays and whole-cell patch-clamp recording confirmed that TCONS-00106987 promoted electrical remodelling via endogenous competition with microRNA-26 (miR-26) to induce transcription of its target gene KCNJ2, thereby increasing inward-rectifier K+ current (IK1 ). In conclusion, our study reveals a pathogenic lncRNA-miRNA regulatory network specific to atrial electrical remodelling that offers potential therapeutic targets for AF.

Prognostic value of plasma von Willebrand factor levels in major adverse cardiovascular events: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Prediction of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) may offer great benefits for patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Von Willebrand factor (vWF) is stored in endothelial cells and released into blood plasma upon vascular dysfunction. This meta-analysis was performed to evaluate the prognostic value of plasma vWF levels in CAD patients with MACEs. METHODS: A total of 15 studies were included in this meta-analysis through the search in PubMed, Embase and CNKI. Data were collected from 960 patients who had MACEs after CAD and 3224 controls nested without the adverse events. The standard mean difference (SMD) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were calculated using random-effects model. RESULTS: The plasma vWF levels examined at 24 h and 48 h after admission were significantly higher in CAD patients with MACEs than those without. The pooled SMD among the MACEs group and the non-MACEs group was 0.55 (95% CI = 0.30-0.80, P < 0.0001) and 0.70 (95% CI = 0.27-1.13, P = 0.001), respectively. However, no significant difference was found in plasma vWF levels on admission between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Plasma vWF level in CAD patients examined at 24 h and 48 h after admission might be an independent prognostic factor for MACE.

The expression profile analysis of atrial mRNA in rats with atrial fibrillation: the role of IGF1 in atrial fibrosis.

BACKGROUND: Structural remodeling is critical to the initiation and maintenance of atrial fibrillation (AF). IGF1, insulin like growth factor 1, has been recognized as contributor to fibrosis. However, the roles and mechanisms of IGF1 in structural remodeling during AF is still unclear. METHODS: We investigated the transcriptional expression profiles of left atria in AF and non-AF rat models by using microarray analysis. And quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was performed to validate the accuracy. After bioinformatics analysis, IGF1 was selected to explore its effects and mechanisms on atrial fibrosis. The fibroblasts were extracted from atria of rats, and randomly divided into negative control group, mIGF1 overexpression group and mIGF1 silencing group. Then 30 healthy male Wistar rats were randomly divided into negative control group (n = 10), pacing group (n = 10), pacing + mIGF1 silencing viruses group (n = 10). Then the intracardiac electrophysiological examination, qRT-PCR, Western Blotting, masson staining were conducted after IGF1 interfering experiments. RESULTS: A total of 956 differentially expressed transcripts were identified, in which 395 transcripts were down-regulated and 561 transcripts were up-regulated. Bioinformatics analysis was conducted to predict the functions and interactions of the aberrantly expressed genes. The inhibition of IGF1 function in AF model could ameliorate the inducibility of AF. The IGF1 plays a fibrotic role by activating the PI3K-Akt pathway to increase the expression of CTGF and AT1R. CONCLUSIONS: IGF1 develops vital function in regulating structural remodeling during AF, which could illustrate the mechanism of AF pathogenesis and supply potential targets for its precise treatment.

GCH1 attenuates cardiac autonomic nervous remodeling in canines with atrial-tachypacing via tetrahydrobiopterin pathway regulated by microRNA-206.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Cardiac autonomic nerve remodeling (ANR) is an important mechanism of atrial fibrillation (AF). GTP cyclohydrolase I, encoded by GCH1, is the rate-limiting enzyme in de novo synthesis of tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4), an essential cofactor for nitric oxide (NO) synthesis. Previous studies reported that increased BH4 and NO content negatively regulated nerve regeneration. This study investigated the effects of GCH1 on ANR via BH4 pathway, regulated by microRNA-206 (miR-206). METHODS AND RESULTS: In canines, atrial tachypacing (A-TP), together with miR-206 overexpression, increased PGP9.5 level and inhibited GCH1 expression by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis. GCH1 was validated to be a direct target of miR-206 by luciferase assays. Meanwhile, miR-206 overexpression by lentiviruses infection into right superior pulmonary vein fat pad decreased GCH1 expression to ∼40% and further reduced BH4 and NO content compared with the control canines. After infection of GCH1 overexpression lentiviruses for two weeks, atrial effective refractory period was increased compared with the control group (105.8 ± 1.537 ms vs 99.17 ± 2.007 ms, P < 0.05). Moreover, GCH1 overexpression attenuated canines' atrial PGP9.5 level to ∼56% of the controls. In myocardial cells, transfection of GCH1 overexpression lentiviruses also decreased PGP9.5 expression to 26% of the control group. In patients, plasma was collected and miR-206 expression was upregulated in AF patients (n = 18) than the controls (n = 12). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggested that GCH1 downregulation exacerbated ANR by decreasing atrial BH4 and NO content modulated by miR-206 in A-TP canines. This indicates that GCH1 may prevent the initiation of AF through inhibiting ANR.

Altered long non-coding RNA expression profile in rabbit atria with atrial fibrillation: TCONS_00075467 modulates atrial electrical remodeling by sponging miR-328 to regulate CACNA1C.

Electrical remodeling has been reported to play a major role in the initiation and maintenance of atrial fibrillation (AF). Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been increasingly recognized as contributors to the pathology of heart diseases. However, the roles and mechanisms of lncRNAs in electrical remodeling during AF remain unknown. In this study, the lncRNA expression profiles of right atria were investigated in AF and non-AF rabbit models by using RNA sequencing technique and validated using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). A total of 99,843 putative new lncRNAs were identified, in which 1220 differentially expressed transcripts exhibited >2-fold change. Bioinformatics analysis was conducted to predict the functions and interactions of the aberrantly expressed genes. On the basis of a series of filtering pipelines, one lncRNA, TCONS_00075467, was selected to explore its effects and mechanisms on electrical remodeling. The atrial effective refractory period was shortened in vivo and the L-type calcium current and action potential duration were decreased in vitro by silencing of TCONS_00075467 with lentiviruses. Besides, the expression of miRNA-328 was negatively correlated with TCONS_00075467. We further demonstrated that TCONS_00075467 could sponge miRNA-328 in vitro and in vivo to regulate the downstream protein coding gene CACNA1C. In addition, miRNA-328 could partly reverse the effects of TCONS_00075467 on electrical remodeling. In summary, dysregulated lncRNAs may play important roles in modulating electrical remodeling during AF. Our study may facilitate the mechanism studies of lncRNAs in AF pathogenesis and provide potential therapeutic targets for AF.

Association of pre-ablation level of potential blood markers with atrial fibrillation recurrence after catheter ablation: a meta-analysis.

AIMS: The meta-analysis was aimed to search for candidate blood markers whose pre-ablation level was associated with atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence after radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA). METHODS AND RESULTS: A systematic literature search of PubMed, EMBASE, Springer Link, Web of Science, Wiley-Cochrane library, and supplemented with Google scholar search engine was performed. Thirty-six studies covering 11 blood markers were qualified for this meta-analysis. Compared with the nonrecurrence group, the recurrence group had increased pre-ablation level of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-pro-BNP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), C-reactive protein, low density lipoprotein (LDL), and tissue inhibitor of metal loproteinase-2 (TIMP-2) [standardized mean difference (95% confidence interval): 0.37 (0.13-0.61), 0.77 (0.40-1.14), 1.25 (0.64-1.87), 0.37 (0.21-0.52), 0.35 (0.10-0.60), 0.24 (0.07-0.42), 0.17 (0.00-0.34), respectively], while no statistical difference of pre-ablation level of white blood cell, total cholesterol, triglyceride, and transforming growth factor-ß1 was found. Subgroup analysis demonstrated that ANP was associated with AF recurrence in participants who had no concomitant structural heart diseases (SHD); however, not in participants who had SHD, C-reactive protein was associated with AF recurrence in Asian studies, whereas not in European studies. CONCLUSION: Increased pre-ablation level of ANP, BNP, NT-pro-BNP, IL-6, C-reactive protein, LDL, and TIMP-2 was associated with greater risk of AF recurrence after RFCA.

Effects of the Sympathetic Nervous System on Regulatory T Cell and T Helper 1 Chemokine Expression in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of sympathetic overactivity on the immune system involved in the imbalance of T helper (Th) lymphocytes, we investigated the correlation between autonomic dysregulation and the generation of regulatory T (Treg) and Th1 chemokines in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). METHODS: Blood samples obtained from patients with coronary artery disease and controls were analyzed for levels of Th1 and Treg cells and their associated cytokines by flow cytometry. In addition, the activity of the cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), the levels of norepinephrine (NE), epinephrine (EPI) and serum cytokines, and the activity of protein kinase A (PKA) were analyzed by Western blot, radioimmunoassay, high-performance liquid chromatography and enzyme-linked immunoassay, respectively. All subjects were evaluated for heart rate variability (HRV). RESULTS: Levels of Th1 cells and T-bet (a T-box transcription factor), NE, EPI, cAMP and PKA significantly increased (all p < 0.01) whereas HRV and levels of Treg cells and STAT5 decreased (all p < 0.01) in ACS patients compared to patients with stable angina and controls. The disorder of Th1 and Treg cells is closely related to the activation of cAMP-PKA induced by hyperactivity of the sympathetic system. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that the abnormalities in specific subsets of CD4+ T cells are associated with sympathetic hyperactivity in ACS patients. It may provide surprising insights into the pathogenesis of arteriosclerosis, involving the regulation of the sympathetic nervous system on immune inflammation.

Atrial Heterogeneous Autonomic Neural Remodeling in Rabbits with Experimental Atrial Fibrillation and the Effect of Intervention by Rosuvastatin.

BACKGROUND: The study aimed to observe the effects of pacing on the atrial effective refractory period (AERP), inducibility of atrial fibrillation (AF), and changes of atrial autonomic neural remodeling (ANR) by rosuvastatin intervention on the acute model of rapid-pacing-induced AF. METHODS: Thirty rabbits were randomly divided into a control group (C, n = 10), rapid-pacing group (P, n = 10), and rosuvastatin-intervention group (R, n = 10). AERP and inducibility of AF were measured for all groups. The sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves of left atrium, right atrium, and atrial septum labeled with tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and choline acetyl transferase (ChAT) were detected by immunohistochemistry and Western blot. RESULTS: The AERP in group R was prolonged, and AF could not be induced as easily (P < 0.05). Immunohistochemistry showed that the densities and heterogeneity of TH and ChAT positive nerves of the atrium in group P were significantly higher than those in group C (ranked as right atrium > atrial septum > left atrium), whereas those in group R were decreased (P < 0.05). Western blot showed that TH and ChAT protein expression in group P was significantly increased compared with group C, but decreased in group R (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Persistent rapid atrial pacing can lead to heterogeneous ANR in different parts of the rabbit atrium and may cause AF, which can be reversed by rosuvastatin. The inhibitory function of rosuvastatin may be associated with its role in reversing atrial ANR.

Components of the calcium-calcineurin signaling pathway in fungal cells and their potential as antifungal targets.

In recent years, the emergence of fungal resistance has become frequent, partly due to the widespread clinical use of fluconazole, which is minimally toxic and effective in the prevention and treatment of Candida albicans infections. The limited selection of antifungal drugs for clinical fungal infection therapy has prompted us to search for new antifungal drug targets. Calcium, which acts as the second messenger in both mammals and fungi, plays a direct role in controlling the expression patterns of its signaling systems and has important roles in cell survival. In addition, calcium and some of the components, mainly calcineurin, in the fungal calcium signaling pathway mediate fungal resistance to antifungal drugs. Therefore, an overview of the components of the fungal calcium-calcineurin signaling network and their potential roles as antifungal targets is urgently needed. The calcium-calcineurin signaling pathway consists of various channels, transporters, pumps, and other proteins or enzymes. Many transcriptional profiles have indicated that mutant strains that lack some of these components are sensitized to fluconazole or other antifungal drugs. In addition, many researchers have identified efficient compounds that exhibit antifungal activity by themselves or in combination with antifungal drugs by targeting some of the components in the fungal calcium-calcineurin signaling pathway. This targeting disrupts Ca(2+) homeostasis, which suggests that this pathway contains potential targets for the development of new antifungal drugs.

Transcriptome analysis of canine cardiac fat pads: involvement of two novel long non-coding RNAs in atrial fibrillation neural remodeling.

Intrinsic cardiac autonomic neural remodeling (ANR) has been reported to be involved in the initiation and maintenance of atrial fibrillation (AF). Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are important orchestrators of gene regulatory networks. However, little is known about the relationships between lncRNAs and cardiac ANR in AF. In this study, second-generation RNA sequencing was performed to examine the transcriptomes of lncRNAs in AF and non-AF canine cardiac fat pads. A total of 61,616 putative lncRNAs were yielded, in which 166 were downregulated and 410 were upregulated with more than twofold change. Bioinformatics analysis showed that the aberrantly expressed genes were associated with neural development, migration and neurodegenerative disorders. On the basis of a series of filtering pipelines, two new lncRNAs, namely, TCONS_00032546 and TCONS_00026102, were selected. Silencing of TCONS_00032546 or TCONS_00026102 with lentiviruses in vivo could significantly shorten or prolong the atrial effective refractory period thereby increasing or preventing AF inducibility by promoting or inhibiting the neurogenesis. Besides, the expression of CCND1-FGF19-FGF4-FGF3 gene cluster and SLC25A4, the nearby genes of TCONS_00032546 and TCONS_00026102, were negatively correlated with that of lncRNAs. Furthermore, combining bioinformatics analysis with literature review, TCONS_00032546 and TCONS_00026102 may induce effects by increasing the CCND1-FGF19-FGF3-FGF4 gene cluster and SLC25A4 via complex mechanisms during neural remodeling. Taken together, dysregulated lncRNAs may play regulatory roles in AF neural remodeling, which may further provide potential therapeutic targets for prophylaxis and treatment of AF.