BACKGROUND:Myocardial hypertrophy often leads to severe cardiovascular diseases and is difficult to diagnose due to its early stages being hard to detect.Circulating inflammatory proteins have been found to be significantly associated with cardiovascular diseases,yet the specific mechanisms linking them to myocardial hypertrophy remain unclear.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the relationship between circulating proteins and myocardial hypertrophy using multiple Mendelian randomization approaches.METHODS:Utilizing data from 91 circulating inflammatory proteins in the GWAS Catalog database and the latest myocardial hypertrophy data from the R11 FinnGen database,we employed bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization,multivariate Mendelian randomization,and Genome-Wide Association Studies co-localization to investigate the causal relationship between circulating inflammatory proteins and myocardial hypertrophy.The accuracy of the results was verified through sensitivity tests including MR-PRESSO,Cochran's Q test,MR-Egger intercept assessment,leave-one-out analysis,and funnel plot analysis.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:In the results of two-sample Mendelian randomization,the primary method used for evaluation was the Inverse Variance Weighting(IVW)approach.It was found that the level of T-cell surface glycoprotein CD6 isoform(IVW:P=0.046,OR=0.74,95％Cl:0.66-1.00),level of slit chemokine(IVW:P=2.1×10-2,OR=0.74,95％CI:0.556-0.95),level of Delta and Notch-like epidermal growth factor-related receptor(IVW:P=3.7×10-4,OR=0.66,95％CI:0.49-0.87),level of interleukin-2(IVW:P=3.8×103,OR=0.667,95％CI:0.50-0.88),and sulfotransferase 1A1(IVW:P=1.42×102,OR=0.80,95％CI:0.67-0.96)had a unidirectional causal effect on cardiac hypertrophy.(2)Among the findings in multivariate Mendelian randomization,the levels of the CD6 isoform of T-cell surface glycoprotein(IVW:P=1.39×102,OR=0.81,95％CI:0.69-0.96)and the levels of Delta and Notch-like epidermal growth factor-related receptor(IVW:P=3.7×10-2,OR=0.73,95％CI:0.55-0.98)were positive,indicating that the results remained significant after excluding the effects of other circulating inflammatory proteins that had an impact on myocardial hypertrophy.(3)In colocalization,T-cell surface glycoprotein CD6 isoform levels had H3+H4=0.96,with the most significant single nucleotide polymorphism being rs59570070,suggesting an intrinsic link between T-cell surface glycoprotein CD6 isoform levels and myocardial hypertrophy.(4)Sensitivity results showed no abnormalities,indicating no heterogeneity or pleiotropic effects influencing the results.(5)These results verified that T cell surface glycoprotein CD6 isoforms,Slit chemokine,Delta and Notch-like epidermal growth factor-related receptors,interleukin-2,and sulfotransferase 1A1 had a unidirectional causal effect on myocardial hypertrophy.T cell surface glycoprotein CD6 isoforms and Delta and Notch-like epidermal growth factor-related receptors had the deepest impact,suggesting that there may be related pathways between T cell surface glycoprotein CD6 isoforms and myocardial hypertrophy.Mendelian randomization studies require large amounts of clinical data and therefore often use European samples from international databases for analysis.Since this analytical method has significant advantages in causal inference,precision medicine,and cross-population validation,its research results still hold great significance for the medical development in China.As Mendelian randomization research deepens,it also promotes the collection and analysis of clinical data in China to some extent.In the future,we can further analyze key protein mechanisms,combine multiomics and clinical validation,develop an inflammatory marker monitoring system and novel anti-inflammatory therapies,thereby promoting the prevention and control of cardiovascular diseases and the development of personalized medicine.

BACKGROUND:Myocardial hypertrophy often leads to severe cardiovascular diseases and is difficult to diagnose due to its early stages being hard to detect.Circulating inflammatory proteins have been found to be significantly associated with cardiovascular diseases,yet the specific mechanisms linking them to myocardial hypertrophy remain unclear.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the relationship between circulating proteins and myocardial hypertrophy using multiple Mendelian randomization approaches.METHODS:Utilizing data from 91 circulating inflammatory proteins in the GWAS Catalog database and the latest myocardial hypertrophy data from the R11 FinnGen database,we employed bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization,multivariate Mendelian randomization,and Genome-Wide Association Studies co-localization to investigate the causal relationship between circulating inflammatory proteins and myocardial hypertrophy.The accuracy of the results was verified through sensitivity tests including MR-PRESSO,Cochran's Q test,MR-Egger intercept assessment,leave-one-out analysis,and funnel plot analysis.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:In the results of two-sample Mendelian randomization,the primary method used for evaluation was the Inverse Variance Weighting(IVW)approach.It was found that the level of T-cell surface glycoprotein CD6 isoform(IVW:P=0.046,OR=0.74,95％Cl:0.66-1.00),level of slit chemokine(IVW:P=2.1×10-2,OR=0.74,95％CI:0.556-0.95),level of Delta and Notch-like epidermal growth factor-related receptor(IVW:P=3.7×10-4,OR=0.66,95％CI:0.49-0.87),level of interleukin-2(IVW:P=3.8×103,OR=0.667,95％CI:0.50-0.88),and sulfotransferase 1A1(IVW:P=1.42×102,OR=0.80,95％CI:0.67-0.96)had a unidirectional causal effect on cardiac hypertrophy.(2)Among the findings in multivariate Mendelian randomization,the levels of the CD6 isoform of T-cell surface glycoprotein(IVW:P=1.39×102,OR=0.81,95％CI:0.69-0.96)and the levels of Delta and Notch-like epidermal growth factor-related receptor(IVW:P=3.7×10-2,OR=0.73,95％CI:0.55-0.98)were positive,indicating that the results remained significant after excluding the effects of other circulating inflammatory proteins that had an impact on myocardial hypertrophy.(3)In colocalization,T-cell surface glycoprotein CD6 isoform levels had H3+H4=0.96,with the most significant single nucleotide polymorphism being rs59570070,suggesting an intrinsic link between T-cell surface glycoprotein CD6 isoform levels and myocardial hypertrophy.(4)Sensitivity results showed no abnormalities,indicating no heterogeneity or pleiotropic effects influencing the results.(5)These results verified that T cell surface glycoprotein CD6 isoforms,Slit chemokine,Delta and Notch-like epidermal growth factor-related receptors,interleukin-2,and sulfotransferase 1A1 had a unidirectional causal effect on myocardial hypertrophy.T cell surface glycoprotein CD6 isoforms and Delta and Notch-like epidermal growth factor-related receptors had the deepest impact,suggesting that there may be related pathways between T cell surface glycoprotein CD6 isoforms and myocardial hypertrophy.Mendelian randomization studies require large amounts of clinical data and therefore often use European samples from international databases for analysis.Since this analytical method has significant advantages in causal inference,precision medicine,and cross-population validation,its research results still hold great significance for the medical development in China.As Mendelian randomization research deepens,it also promotes the collection and analysis of clinical data in China to some extent.In the future,we can further analyze key protein mechanisms,combine multiomics and clinical validation,develop an inflammatory marker monitoring system and novel anti-inflammatory therapies,thereby promoting the prevention and control of cardiovascular diseases and the development of personalized medicine.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the role of the BNIP3-PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in mediating the inhibitory effect of Buyang Huanwu Decoction (BYHWT) on mitochondrial autophagy in human synovial fibroblasts from rheumatoid arthritis patients (FLS-RA) cultured under a hypoxic condition. METHODS: Forty normal Wistar rats were randomized into two groups (n=20) for daily gavage of BYHWT or distilled water for 7 days to prepare BYHWT-medicated or control sera. FLS-RA were cultured in routine condition or exposed to hypoxia (10% O₂) for 24 h wigh subsequent treatment with IL-1β, followed by treatment with diluted BYHWT-medicated serum (5%, 10% and 20%) or control serum. AnnexinV-APC/7-AAD double staining and T-AOC kit were used for detecting apoptosis and total antioxidant capacity of the cells, and the changes in ROS, ATP level, mitochondrial membrane potential and Ca²⁺ homeostasis were analyzed. The changes in mRNA and protein expressions of BNIP3, PI3K and AKT and mRNA expressions of LC3, Beclin-1 and P62 were detected using RT-qPCR and Western blotting. RESULTS: Treatment with BYHWT-medicated serum dose-dependently lowered apoptosis rate of IL-1β-induced FLS-RA with hypoxic exposure. The treatment significantly decreased T-AOC concentration, increased ROS production, autophagosome formation and ATPase levels, and lowered mitochondrial membrane potential and Ca²⁺ level in the cells. In IL-1β-induced FLS-RA with hypoxic exposure, treatment with BYHWT-medicated serum significantly increased BNIP3 protein expression, decreased the protein expressions of PI3K and AKT, increased the mRNA expressions of BNIP3 and P62, and lowered the mRNA expressions of PI3K, AKT, LC3 and Beclin-1 without significantly affecting Beclin-1 protein expression. The cells treated with 5% and 10% BYHWT-medicated serum showed no significant changes in LC3 expression. CONCLUSIONS BYHWT inhibits mitochondrial autophagy in IL-1β-induced FLS-RA with hypoxic exposure possibly by inhibiting BNIP3-mediated PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid/pathology* ; Animals ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/metabolism* ; Autophagy/drug effects* ; Humans ; Fibroblasts/cytology* ; Rats, Wistar ; Membrane Proteins/metabolism* ; Rats ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/metabolism* ; Mitochondria/metabolism* ; Cells, Cultured ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins/metabolism* ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Cell Hypoxia ; Synovial Membrane/cytology* ; Male ; Mitochondrial Proteins

Objective:To investigate the clinical manifestations, gene mutation characteristics, imaging and video electroencephalogram (VEEG) characteristics of patients with dentatorubral-pallidoluysian atrophy (DRPLA).Methods:The clinical data of 9 patients with genetically diagnosed DRPLA in the Neurology Center, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University from January 2018 to January 2023 were collected, and the clinical data of DRPLA patients reported in China were retrieved and summarized.Results:A total of 45 cases were included. The clinical characteristics were summarized as follows: (1) The male to female ratio of 45 patients was 1.00∶1.25, and the age of onset was (28.11±14.58) years. (2) The main clinical symptoms of juvenile type, early-onset adult type and late-onset adult type were analyzed, and the results showed that the frequency of seizures in juvenile type (16/17) was higher than that in early-onset adult type (8/21) and late-onset adult type (2/7), with statistically significant difference (χ 2=15.971, P<0.001). In addition, the frequency of cognitive impairment in juvenile type (16/17) was also higher than that in early-onset adult type (15/21) and late-onset adult type (2/7), also with statistically significant difference (χ 2=10.177, P=0.005). Cognitive impairment, language disorder and involuntary movement were common in early-onset adult patients, and about half of the patients had ataxia. Ataxia and language disorder were more common in late-onset adult patients, while seizures and cognitive impairment were rare. (3) In imaging, cerebellum and brainstem atrophy was the most common, followed by cortical atrophy and white matter lesions. (4) The number of trinucleotide (CAG) repeats was 53-79, and there was a significant negative correlation between the number of CAG repeats and the age of onset ( r=-0.765, P<0.001), that means the younger the age of onset, the higher the number of CAG repeats. (5) In terms of electrophysiology, 21 patients provided complete VEEG data, of which slowed activity (52%, 11/21) and generalized discharge (71%, 15/21) were more common, and focal discharge (33%, 7/21) was uncommon. Conclusions:DRPLA patients can present with epilepsy, cerebellar ataxia, and other clinical manifestations. Brainstem and cerebellar atrophy and white matter lesions can be relatively characteristic in imaging. In terms of electrophysiology, slowed activity and generalized discharge are more common. DRPLA patients are easy to be misdiagnosed in clinical practice and genetic confirmation helps confirm the diagnosis.

Objective To investigate the role of the BNIP3-PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in mediating the inhibitory effect of Buyang Huanwu Decoction(BYHWT)on mitochondrial autophagy in human synovial fibroblasts from rheumatoid arthritis patients(FLS-RA)cultured under a hypoxic condition.Methods Forty normal Wistar rats were randomized into two groups(n=20)for daily gavage of BYHWT or distilled water for 7 days to prepare BYHWT-medicated or control sera.FLS-RA were cultured in routine condition or exposed to hypoxia(10％O2)for 24 h wigh subsequent treatment with IL-1β,followed by treatment with diluted BYHWT-medicated serum(5％,10％and 20％)or control serum.AnnexinV-APC/7-AAD double staining and T-AOC kit were used for detecting apoptosis and total antioxidant capacity of the cells,and the changes in ROS,ATP level,mitochondrial membrane potential and Ca2+homeostasis were analyzed.The changes in mRNA and protein expressions of BNIP3,PI3K and AKT and mRNA expressions of LC3,Beclin-1 and P62 were detected using RT-qPCR and Western blotting.Results Treatment with BYHWT-medicated serum dose-dependently lowered apoptosis rate of IL-1β-induced FLS-RA with hypoxic exposure.The treatment significantly decreased T-AOC concentration,increased ROS production,autophagosome formation and ATPase levels,and lowered mitochondrial membrane potential and Ca2+level in the cells.In IL-1β-induced FLS-RA with hypoxic exposure,treatment with BYHWT-medicated serum significantly increased BNIP3 protein expression,decreased the protein expressions of PI3K and AKT,increased the mRNA expressions of BNIP3 and P62,and lowered the mRNA expressions of PI3K,AKT,LC3 and Beclin-1 without significantly affecting Beclin-1 protein expression.The cells treated with 5％and 10％BYHWT-medicated serum showed no significant changes in LC3 expression.Conclusion BYHWT inhibits mitochondrial autophagy in IL-1β-induced FLS-RA with hypoxic exposure possibly by inhibiting BNIP3-mediated PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.

Objective To investigate the effects of sample transport and sorting system on the detection results of common clinical bio-chemical and immunological items carried out in our laboratory.Methods A total of 25 patients admitted to Zidong Hospital of Jiangsu Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine in June 2024 were included in this study,and four blood samples were collected from each patients using vacuum blood vessels with separation gel containing coagulant.These samples were transferred to the laboratory department through manual transport or pneumatic logistics transmission,and the manual sorting approach or intelligent blood vessel sorting system was used to encode the samples.The effects of different sample transportation methods and sorting methods on the detec-tion results of 46 clinical biochemical parameters,12 tumor markers and 5 thyroid hormone items,which were carried out in our labora-tory,were analyzed and compared.Results No significant change on hemolytic index(HI)was found through pneumatic tube system(PTS)and intelligent blood vessel sorting system(P＞0.05).The results of AST,CK-MB,α-HBDH,and LDH in clinical biochemical parameters following PTS were significantly different from those in artificial transport group(all P＜0.05).Both the results of Cyfra21-1 and NSE in immunological items in the samples after PTS transport were significantly different from those obtained by either manual transport or intelligent sorting system,with statistical significance(all P＜0.05).Conclusion PTS basically meets the requirements of clinical laboratories,but it can lead to the increase of AST,CK-MB,α-HBDH and LDH in clinical biochemistry,as well as Cyfra21-1 and NSE in immunology,which needs to be further improved,refined,and validated in order to meet the clinical requirements.

Objective To investigate the effects of sample transport and sorting system on the detection results of common clinical bio-chemical and immunological items carried out in our laboratory.Methods A total of 25 patients admitted to Zidong Hospital of Jiangsu Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine in June 2024 were included in this study,and four blood samples were collected from each patients using vacuum blood vessels with separation gel containing coagulant.These samples were transferred to the laboratory department through manual transport or pneumatic logistics transmission,and the manual sorting approach or intelligent blood vessel sorting system was used to encode the samples.The effects of different sample transportation methods and sorting methods on the detec-tion results of 46 clinical biochemical parameters,12 tumor markers and 5 thyroid hormone items,which were carried out in our labora-tory,were analyzed and compared.Results No significant change on hemolytic index(HI)was found through pneumatic tube system(PTS)and intelligent blood vessel sorting system(P＞0.05).The results of AST,CK-MB,α-HBDH,and LDH in clinical biochemical parameters following PTS were significantly different from those in artificial transport group(all P＜0.05).Both the results of Cyfra21-1 and NSE in immunological items in the samples after PTS transport were significantly different from those obtained by either manual transport or intelligent sorting system,with statistical significance(all P＜0.05).Conclusion PTS basically meets the requirements of clinical laboratories,but it can lead to the increase of AST,CK-MB,α-HBDH and LDH in clinical biochemistry,as well as Cyfra21-1 and NSE in immunology,which needs to be further improved,refined,and validated in order to meet the clinical requirements.

Objective:To investigate the clinical manifestations, gene mutation characteristics, imaging and video electroencephalogram (VEEG) characteristics of patients with dentatorubral-pallidoluysian atrophy (DRPLA).Methods:The clinical data of 9 patients with genetically diagnosed DRPLA in the Neurology Center, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University from January 2018 to January 2023 were collected, and the clinical data of DRPLA patients reported in China were retrieved and summarized.Results:A total of 45 cases were included. The clinical characteristics were summarized as follows: (1) The male to female ratio of 45 patients was 1.00∶1.25, and the age of onset was (28.11±14.58) years. (2) The main clinical symptoms of juvenile type, early-onset adult type and late-onset adult type were analyzed, and the results showed that the frequency of seizures in juvenile type (16/17) was higher than that in early-onset adult type (8/21) and late-onset adult type (2/7), with statistically significant difference (χ 2=15.971, P<0.001). In addition, the frequency of cognitive impairment in juvenile type (16/17) was also higher than that in early-onset adult type (15/21) and late-onset adult type (2/7), also with statistically significant difference (χ 2=10.177, P=0.005). Cognitive impairment, language disorder and involuntary movement were common in early-onset adult patients, and about half of the patients had ataxia. Ataxia and language disorder were more common in late-onset adult patients, while seizures and cognitive impairment were rare. (3) In imaging, cerebellum and brainstem atrophy was the most common, followed by cortical atrophy and white matter lesions. (4) The number of trinucleotide (CAG) repeats was 53-79, and there was a significant negative correlation between the number of CAG repeats and the age of onset ( r=-0.765, P<0.001), that means the younger the age of onset, the higher the number of CAG repeats. (5) In terms of electrophysiology, 21 patients provided complete VEEG data, of which slowed activity (52%, 11/21) and generalized discharge (71%, 15/21) were more common, and focal discharge (33%, 7/21) was uncommon. Conclusions:DRPLA patients can present with epilepsy, cerebellar ataxia, and other clinical manifestations. Brainstem and cerebellar atrophy and white matter lesions can be relatively characteristic in imaging. In terms of electrophysiology, slowed activity and generalized discharge are more common. DRPLA patients are easy to be misdiagnosed in clinical practice and genetic confirmation helps confirm the diagnosis.

Objective To observe the efficacy of ligustrazine injection combined with butylphthalein in treatment of transient ischemic attack (TIA) and the its effects on cerebral glucose metabolism, platelet activation and immune inflammation reaction. Methods A total of 100 patients with TIA were selected and randomly divided into control group A (n=33), control group B (n=33) and observation group (n=34). The control group A was given butylphthalide treatment, the control group B was given tetramethylpyrazine injection treatment, and observation group was given tetramethylpyrazine injection combined with butylphthalide treatment, three groups were treated for two weeks. The clinical efficacy, stroke risk (ABCD² score), neurological function [National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score], cerebral glucose metabolism (K_E value and T_max value), platelet activation [α-granular membrane protein-140 (GMP-140), P-selectin (CD62p) and platelet activating factor (PAF)], immunoinflammatory indexes [interleukin (IL)-17, IL-23 and high mobility group protein B1 (HMGB1)] and safety were compared among the three groups. Results The total clinical effective rate of the observation group was 97.06%, which was significantly higher than 75.76% of the control group A and 72.73% of the control group B (P < 0.05). After one week and two weeks of treatment, ABCD², NIHSS scores, K_E values and T_max values in the three groups were significantly lower than before treatment, and the observation group was significantly lower than the control group A and control group B (P < 0.05); the levels of CD62p, PAF, GMP-140, IL-17, IL-23 and HMGB1 in the three groups were significantly lower than before treatment, and the observation group was significantly lower than the control group A and control group B (P < 0.05). Conclusion Ligustrazine injection combined with butylphthalein in treatment of TIA can improve the cerebral glucose metabolism and nervous function of patients, reduce the risk of stroke, with high safety and significant efficacy, which may be related to the inhibition of platelet activation and immune inflammatory response.