OBJECTIVES: To analyze the differentially expressed exosomal miRNAs in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) complicated by hyperuricemia (HUA) and explore their potential as novel diagnostic molecular markers and their target genes. METHODS: This study was conducted among 30 CHF patients with HUA (observation group) and 30 healthy volunteers (control group) enrolled between September, 2020 and September, 2023. Peripheral blood samples were collected from 6 CHF patients with HUA for analyzing exosomal miRNAs by high-throughput sequencing, and the results were validated in the remaining 24 patients using qRT-PCR. GO and KEGG enrichment analyses were performed to predict the the target genes of the identified differential miRNAs. We also validated the differentially expressed miRNAs by animal experiment. RESULTS: A total of 42 differentially expressed exosomal miRNAs were detected in observation group by high-throughput sequencing; among them, miR-27a-5p was significantly upregulated (P=0.000179), and miR-139-3p was significantly downregulated (P=0.000058). In the 24 patients with both CHF and PUA, qRT-PCR validated significant upregulation of miR-27a-5p (P=0.004) and downregulation of miR-139-3p (P=0.005) in serum exosomes. When combined, miR-27a-5p and miR-139-3p had a maximum area under the curve (AUC) of 0.899 (95% CI: 0812-0.987) for predicting CHF complicated by HUA. GO and KEGG enrichment analyses suggested that the differential expressions of miR-27a-5p and miR-139-3p was associated with the activation of the AMPK-mTOR signaling pathway to activate the autophagic response. We obtained the same conclusion from animal experiment. CONCLUSIONS Upregulated exosomal miR-27a-5p combined with downregulated exosomal miR-139-3p expression can serve as a novel molecular marker for diagnosis of CHF complicated by HUA, and their differential expression may promote autophagy in cardiomyocytes by activating the AMPK-mTOR signaling pathway.
Humans ; Hyperuricemia/diagnosis* ; Heart Failure/genetics* ; MicroRNAs/metabolism* ; Exosomes/metabolism* ; Chronic Disease ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Animals

OBJECTIVES: To explore the bioactive components in Jiawei Xiaoyao Pills (JWXYP) and their mechanisms for alleviating depression-like behaviors. METHODS: The active compounds, key targets, and pathways of JWXYP were identified using TCMSP and TCMIP databases. Thirty-six SD rats were randomized equally into 6 groups including a control group and 5 chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS)-induced depression groups. After modeling, the 5 model groups were treated with daily gavage of normal saline, 1.8 mg/kg fluoxetine hydrochloride (positive control drug), or JWXYP at 1.44, 2.88, and 4.32 g/kg. The depression-like behaviors of the rats were evaluated using behavioral tests, and pathological changes in the liver and hippocampus were examined with HE staining. The biochemical indicators in the serum and brain tissues were detected using ELISA. Serum metabolomics analysis was performed to identify the differential metabolites using OPLS-DA, and gut microbiota changes were analyzed using 16S rDNA sequencing. RESULTS: Network pharmacology revealed that menthone and paeonol in JWXYP were capable of penetrating the blood-brain barrier to regulate inflammatory pathways and protect the nervous system. In the rat models subjected to CUMS, treatment with JWXYP significantly improved body weight loss, sucrose preference and open field activities, reduced liver inflammation, alleviated structural changes in the hippocampal neurons, decreased serum levels of TNF‑α, IL-1β, IL-6 and LBP, and increased 5-HT and VIP concentrations in the serum and brain tissue, and these effects were the most pronounced in the high-dose group. Metabolomics analysis showed changes in such metabolites as indole-3-acetamide and acetyl-L-carnitine in JWXYP-treated rats, involving the pathways for bile acid biosynthesis and amino acid metabolism. 16S rDNA analysis demonstrated increased gut microbiota diversity and increased abundance of Lactobacillus species in JWXYP-treated rats. CONCLUSIONS JWXYP alleviates depression-like symptoms in rats by regulating the neurotransmitters, inhibiting inflammation and oxidation, and modulating gut microbiota.
Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome/drug effects* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Depression/drug therapy* ; Neurotransmitter Agents/metabolism* ; Rats ; Inflammation ; Male ; Hippocampus ; Behavior, Animal/drug effects*

Objective:To establish reference ranges for left and right ventricular structure and function parameters using cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) in healthy Tibetan natives residing at ultra-high altitudes, and analyze their influencing factors.Methods:This prospective study enrolled Tibetan healthy volunteers who underwent CMR examinations between September 2021 and August 2022. Participants were stratified into four age groups: 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, and 50-59 years. CMR-derived parameters included left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF), left/right ventricular end-diastolic volumes (LVEDV/RVEDV), left/right ventricular end-systolic volumes (LVESV/RVESV), and end-diastolic left ventricular mass (LVM at ED). Normally distributed data were compared between genders using independent samples t-test and among age groups using ANOVA. Non-normally distributed data were analyzed with Kruskal-Wallis test. Linear regression assessed relationships between parameters and gender, age, residential altitude, body surface area (BSA), and body mass index (BMI). Results:The study included 66 volunteers (27 males, 39 females), distributed as follows: 21 (20-29 years), 15 (30-39 years), 15 (40-49 years), and 15 (50-59 years). Reference values were: LVEF (62.6±5.7)%, RVEF (55.0±7.1)%, BSA-indexed LVEDV (60.6±12.1)ml/m2, RVEDV (65.5±14.8)ml/m2, LVESV (22.7±5.9)ml/m2, RVESV (29.6±8.1)ml/m2, and LVM at ED (39.1±8.0)g/m2. Gender and age significantly affected RVEF, RVESV, and LVM at ED ( P<0.05). Multivariate regression revealed:Gender independently predicted RVEF ( β=-5.556, P=0.003), RVESV ( β=5.421, P=0.007), and LVM at ED ( β=8.338, P<0.001). Age negatively influenced RVESV ( β=-0.202, P=0.019). BSA positively correlated with LVM at ED ( β=19.980, P=0.041). No significant associations were found with residential altitude or BMI ( P>0.05). Conclusion:This study establishes preliminary reference ranges for ventricular parameters in Tibetan ultra-high altitude natives, with gender, age, and BSA identified as key determinants of cardiac structural/functional indices.

ObjectiveTo study on the different therapeutic effects and potential mechanisms of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma（RH） before and after steaming with wine on constipation model mice. MethodsFifty-four male ICR mice were randomly divided into control group， model group， lactulose group（1.5 mg·kg^-1）， high， medium and low dose groups of RH and RH steaming with wine（PRH）（8， 4， 1 g·kg^-1）. Except for the control group， the constipation model was replicated by gavage of loperamide hydrochloride（6 mg·kg^-1） in the other groups. After 2 weeks of modeling， each administration group was gavaged with the corresponding dose of drug solution， and the control and model groups were given an equal volume of normal saline， 1 time/d for 2 consecutive weeks. After administration， the feces were collected for 16S rRNA sequencing， the levels of gastrin（GAS）， motilin（MTL）， interleukin-6（IL-6）， γ-interferon（IFN-γ） in the colonic tissue were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay（ELISA）， the histopathological changes of colon were observed by hematoxylin-eosin（HE） staining， flow cytometry was used to detect the proportion changes of CD4⁺， CD8⁺ and regulatory T cell（Treg） in peripheral blood. ResultsCompared with the control group， the model group showed significantly decrease in fecal number in 24 h， fecal quality and fecal water rate（P<0.01）， the colon was seen to have necrotic shedding of mucosal epithelium， localized intestinal glands in the lamina propria were degenerated， necrotic and atrophied， a few lymphocytes were seen to infiltrate in the necrotic area in a scattered manner， the contents of GAS and MTL， the proportions of CD4⁺， CD8⁺ and Treg were significantly reduced（P<0.01）， the contents of IL-6 and IFN-γ were significantly elevated（P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the fecal number in 24 h， fecal quality and fecal water rate of high-dose groups of RH and PRH were significantly increased（P<0.05， P<0.01）， the pathological damage of the colon was alleviated to varying degrees， the contents of GAS， MTL， IL-6 and IFN-γ were significantly regressed（P<0.05， P<0.01）， and the proportions of CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ were significantly increased（P<0.01）， although the proportion of Treg showed an upward trend， there was no significant difference. In addition， the results of intestinal flora showed that the number of amplicon sequence variant（ASV） and Alpha diversity were decreased in the model group compared with the control group， and there was a significant difference in Beta diversity， with a decrease in the relative abundance of Lactobacillus and an increase in the relative abundances of Bacillus and Helicobacter. Compared with the model group， the ASV number and Alpha diversity were increased in the high-dose groups of RH and PRH， and there was a trend of regression of Beta diversity to the control group， the relative abundance of Lactobacillus increased， and the relative abundances of Bacillus and Helicobacter decreased. ConclusionRH and PRH can improve dysbacteriosis， promote immune system activation， inhibit the release of inflammatory factors for enhancing the gastrointestinal function， which may be one of the potential mechanisms of their therapeutic effect on constipation.

Objective To explore the bioactive components in Jiawei Xiaoyao Pills(JWXYP)and their mechanisms for alleviating depression-like behaviors.Methods The active compounds,key targets,and pathways of JWXYP were identified using TCMSP and TCMIP databases.Thirty-six SD rats were randomized equally into 6 groups including a control group and 5 chronic unpredictable mild stress(CUMS)-induced depression groups.After modeling,the 5 model groups were treated with daily gavage of normal saline,1.8 mg/kg fluoxetine hydrochloride(positive control drug),or JWXYP at 1.44,2.88,and 4.32 g/kg.The depression-like behaviors of the rats were evaluated using behavioral tests,and pathological changes in the liver and hippocampus were examined with HE staining.The biochemical indicators in the serum and brain tissues were detected using ELISA.Serum metabolomics analysis was performed to identify the differential metabolites using OPLS-DA,and gut microbiota changes were analyzed using 16S rDNA sequencing.Results Network pharmacology revealed that menthone and paeonol in JWXYP were capable of penetrating the blood-brain barrier to regulate inflammatory pathways and protect the nervous system.In the rat models subjected to CUMS,treatment with JWXYP significantly improved body weight loss,sucrose preference and open field activities,reduced liver inflammation,alleviated structural changes in the hippocampal neurons,decreased serum levels of TNF-α,IL-1β,IL-6 and LBP,and increased 5-HT and VIP concentrations in the serum and brain tissue,and these effects were the most pronounced in the high-dose group.Metabolomics analysis showed changes in such metabolites as indole-3-acetamide and acetyl-L-carnitine in JWXYP-treated rats,involving the pathways for bile acid biosynthesis and amino acid metabolism.16S rDNA analysis demonstrated increased gut microbiota diversity and increased abundance of Lactobacillus species in JWXYP-treated rats.Conclusion JWXYP alleviates depression-like symptoms in rats by regulating the neurotransmitters,inhibiting inflammation and oxidation,and modulating gut microbiota.

Objective To analyze the clinical application value of modified contrast agent injection protocol in computed tomography pulmonary angiography(CTPA)examinations.Methods A total of 124 patients with high clinical suspicion of pulmonary embolism(PE)who underwent CTPA were selected,and 104 patients were finally included in the study.These patients were randomly divided into traditional group and modified group based on different contrast agent injection protocols,with 52 patients in each group.The CT values,image noise,signal-to-noise ratio(SNR),contrast-to-noise ratio(CNR),visualized segment number,image score,contrast agent dosage,and radiation dose of pulmonary artery and its branches were compared between the two groups.Results There were no significant differences in age,body mass index(BMI),Qanadli embolism index,volume CT dose index(CTDIvol),dose length product(DLP),effective dose(ED),CT values of pulmonary artery and its branches,image noise,SNR and CNR between the two groups(P＞0.05).However,there were statistically significant differences in the subjective image score and contrast agent dosage between the two groups(P＜0.05).The subjective image score in the modified group was significantly higher than that in the traditional group,and the contrast agent dosage in the modified group was approximately half of that in the traditional group.Conclusion The modified contrast agent injection protocol in CTPA examinations can not only ensure the image quality of pulmonary artery and its branches meeting the diagnostic standards,but also significantly reduce the contrast agent dosage,which indicates a high clinical application value.

Objective To analyze the clinical application value of modified contrast agent injection protocol in computed tomography pulmonary angiography(CTPA)examinations.Methods A total of 124 patients with high clinical suspicion of pulmonary embolism(PE)who underwent CTPA were selected,and 104 patients were finally included in the study.These patients were randomly divided into traditional group and modified group based on different contrast agent injection protocols,with 52 patients in each group.The CT values,image noise,signal-to-noise ratio(SNR),contrast-to-noise ratio(CNR),visualized segment number,image score,contrast agent dosage,and radiation dose of pulmonary artery and its branches were compared between the two groups.Results There were no significant differences in age,body mass index(BMI),Qanadli embolism index,volume CT dose index(CTDIvol),dose length product(DLP),effective dose(ED),CT values of pulmonary artery and its branches,image noise,SNR and CNR between the two groups(P＞0.05).However,there were statistically significant differences in the subjective image score and contrast agent dosage between the two groups(P＜0.05).The subjective image score in the modified group was significantly higher than that in the traditional group,and the contrast agent dosage in the modified group was approximately half of that in the traditional group.Conclusion The modified contrast agent injection protocol in CTPA examinations can not only ensure the image quality of pulmonary artery and its branches meeting the diagnostic standards,but also significantly reduce the contrast agent dosage,which indicates a high clinical application value.

This study aims to investigate the biological function of the Clumping factor B(clfB)gene in Staphylococcus aureus.The recombinant plasmid pBT2-△clfB was constructed and elec-troporated into Staphylococcus aureus J57 to delete clfB by homologous recombination.The ex-pression plasmid pLI50-clfB was constructed,modified,and electroporated into clfB gene deletion strain △clfB and constructed a complementation strain(C△clfB).J57,△clfB,and C△clfB were cultured at 37℃ for 12 h,and the growth curves of each strain were plotted.The hemolytic properties of each strain were analyzed by contact method,the motility of each strain on TSA plates was determined,and the autolysis rate of each strain under the action of TritonX-100 was determined.Crystal violet staining was used to detect each strain's biofilm formation ability,and biofilm components formed by each strain were quantitatively analyzed.The K-B method was used to determine the sensitivity of each strain to commonly used antibiotics.ClfB gene deletion strain△clfB and the complemented strain C△clfB were successfully constructed.The growth curves of the deletion strain were almost consistent with those of the wild and complemented strains,and there was no significant difference.Compared with J57 and C△clfB,the hemoly ability and the athletic of △clfB decreased.In the condition of TritonX-100,the autolysis rate of △clfB was significantly lower than that of J57 and C△clfB(P＜0.01).Compared with J57 and C△clfB,the ability of △clfB to form biofilm was significantly lower than that of J57 and C△clfB(P＜0.05),and the content of extracellular DNA and protein in the biofilm was significantly decreased.In con-trast,the content of soluble polysaccharides was significantly increased(P＜0.05).Compared with J57 and C△clfB,△clfB was more sensitive to chloramphenicol,gentamicin,and kanamycin while more resistant to linezolid.ClfB gene is closely related to the autolysis,hemolytic activity,athlet-ic,and biofilm formation ability of Staphylococcus aureus,affecting the sensitivity of bacteria to certain antibiotics.

Objective To explore the clinical characteristics of myelodysplastic syndrome(MDS)with U2 small nuclear RNA cofactor 1(U2AF1)mutation in different age groups,as well as the efficacy and prognosis of an arsenic-containing traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)compound prescription(Qinghuang Capsules combined with Bushen Yijing Formula).Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of patients with MDS who were hospitalized in the Hematology Department Ward of Xiyuan Hospital,China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences,and received arsenic-containing TCM compound treatment from November 30,2020,to September 30,2023.Stratified by age,the U2AF1 mutation and wild-type groups aged＜65 years and≥65 years were compared in terms of sex,TCM syndrome,World Health Organization classification,MDS Revised International Prognostic Score System(IPSS-R)score,blood routine indicators,serum lactate dehydrogenase content,nephroblastoma 1(WT1)expression level,bone marrow puncture and biopsy indicators,and chromosomal prognostic grades,et al.Furthermore,the efficacy of arsenic-containing TCM compound were compared in the U2AF1 mutation and wild-type groups among different age groups,as well as the influence of age on the survival prognosis of MDS patients with U2AF1 mutation.Results A total of 201 patients with MDS were included.104 patients were under 65 years old,among whom 20 had U2AF1 mutation,and 84 had wild-type.Ninety-seven patients were aged 65 years or older,among whom 19 patients had the U2AF1 mutation and 78 had the wild-type.Among patients aged＜65 years,the U2AF1 mutation group had a higher proportion of male patients and very low-risk/low-risk patients with an IPSS-R score≤3(P＜0.05),a lower mean corpuscular volume(MCV)(P＜0.05),and a relatively higher proportion of peripheral blood cell line 1 reduction than the wild-type group(P＜0.05).Among patients aged≥65 years,the MCV in the U2AF1 mutation group was lower(P＜0.05),and the expression level of the bone marrow WT1 gene and the proportion of patients with reticular fiber grade 4 were relatively higher than in the wild-type group(P＜0.05).The total effective rate of the arsenic-containing TCM compound for patients with U2AF1 mutation was 61.5％(24/39),and the total response rate was 30.8％(12/39).The total effective rate for the wild-type patients was 67.9％(110/162),and the total response rate was 29.6％(48/162).No significant difference was observed in the total effective and response rates.Kaplan-Meier survival analysis of 39 patients with U2AF1 mutation revealed that the median overall survival(mOS)of patients older than 65 years had not been reached.The 1-,2-,and 3-year survival rates were 93.8％,84.4％,and 84.4％,respectively.The mOS of the patients aged≥65 years was 35 months(95％confidence interval[CI]:7.559-62.441),and the 1-,2-,and 3-year survival rates were 66.2％,58.9％,and 29.4％,respectively.The mOS of patients in the aged≥65 years group was significantly lower than that in the aged＜65 years group(P＜0.05),and no significant difference was observed in median progression-free survival between the two groups.Conclusion The U2AF1 mutation is closely associated with the clinical characteristics of MDS.However,age and the presence of U2AF1 mutation have no significant effect on the total effective and response rates of arsenic-containing TCM compound.Age is a significant factor influencing the prognosis of patients with MDS with U2AF1 mutation.Patients aged 65 years or older have a shorter survival time than those younger than 65 years.

This study aims to investigate the biological function of the Clumping factor B(clfB)gene in Staphylococcus aureus.The recombinant plasmid pBT2-△clfB was constructed and elec-troporated into Staphylococcus aureus J57 to delete clfB by homologous recombination.The ex-pression plasmid pLI50-clfB was constructed,modified,and electroporated into clfB gene deletion strain △clfB and constructed a complementation strain(C△clfB).J57,△clfB,and C△clfB were cultured at 37℃ for 12 h,and the growth curves of each strain were plotted.The hemolytic properties of each strain were analyzed by contact method,the motility of each strain on TSA plates was determined,and the autolysis rate of each strain under the action of TritonX-100 was determined.Crystal violet staining was used to detect each strain's biofilm formation ability,and biofilm components formed by each strain were quantitatively analyzed.The K-B method was used to determine the sensitivity of each strain to commonly used antibiotics.ClfB gene deletion strain△clfB and the complemented strain C△clfB were successfully constructed.The growth curves of the deletion strain were almost consistent with those of the wild and complemented strains,and there was no significant difference.Compared with J57 and C△clfB,the hemoly ability and the athletic of △clfB decreased.In the condition of TritonX-100,the autolysis rate of △clfB was significantly lower than that of J57 and C△clfB(P＜0.01).Compared with J57 and C△clfB,the ability of △clfB to form biofilm was significantly lower than that of J57 and C△clfB(P＜0.05),and the content of extracellular DNA and protein in the biofilm was significantly decreased.In con-trast,the content of soluble polysaccharides was significantly increased(P＜0.05).Compared with J57 and C△clfB,△clfB was more sensitive to chloramphenicol,gentamicin,and kanamycin while more resistant to linezolid.ClfB gene is closely related to the autolysis,hemolytic activity,athlet-ic,and biofilm formation ability of Staphylococcus aureus,affecting the sensitivity of bacteria to certain antibiotics.