Background and Objectives: There is no dedicated occlusive device for closing coronary artery fistulas (CAFs), and specific efficacy and safety data of various off-label occlusive devices for CAFs closure are scarce. Methods: Patients undergoing transcatheter closure of CAFs from January 2011 to December 2022 were included in the single-center retrospective study. The study population was divided into 2 groups: coils group (n=35) and patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) occluders group (n=66). Results: No significant intergroup differences were observed in demographic characteristics except age. The presence of multiple CAF origins (54.3% vs. 4.5%, p<0.001) and multiple draining sites (51.4% vs. 3.0%, p<0.001) were more common in the coils group. In contrast, the presence of aneurysm (72.7% vs. 14.3%, p<0.001), and large fistula (75.8% vs. 37.1%, p<0.001) were more prevalent in the PDA occluders group. The acute procedural success rate of the PDA occluders group was higher compared to that of the coils group (87.9% vs.62.9%, adjusted odds ratio [OR], 7.20; 95% confidence interval, 1.59–32.64; p=0.01).In addition, no significant intergroup differences were noted in both the recanalization rate (7.8% vs. 20%, p=0.107) and the reintervention rate (3.1% vs. 8.6%, p=0.342). Conclusions Transcatheter closure of CAFs using PDA occluders was associated with significantly higher acute procedural success rates compared to coil embolization with comparable late outcomes.

Background and Objectives: There is no dedicated occlusive device for closing coronary artery fistulas (CAFs), and specific efficacy and safety data of various off-label occlusive devices for CAFs closure are scarce. Methods: Patients undergoing transcatheter closure of CAFs from January 2011 to December 2022 were included in the single-center retrospective study. The study population was divided into 2 groups: coils group (n=35) and patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) occluders group (n=66). Results: No significant intergroup differences were observed in demographic characteristics except age. The presence of multiple CAF origins (54.3% vs. 4.5%, p<0.001) and multiple draining sites (51.4% vs. 3.0%, p<0.001) were more common in the coils group. In contrast, the presence of aneurysm (72.7% vs. 14.3%, p<0.001), and large fistula (75.8% vs. 37.1%, p<0.001) were more prevalent in the PDA occluders group. The acute procedural success rate of the PDA occluders group was higher compared to that of the coils group (87.9% vs.62.9%, adjusted odds ratio [OR], 7.20; 95% confidence interval, 1.59–32.64; p=0.01).In addition, no significant intergroup differences were noted in both the recanalization rate (7.8% vs. 20%, p=0.107) and the reintervention rate (3.1% vs. 8.6%, p=0.342). Conclusions Transcatheter closure of CAFs using PDA occluders was associated with significantly higher acute procedural success rates compared to coil embolization with comparable late outcomes.

Background and Objectives: There is no dedicated occlusive device for closing coronary artery fistulas (CAFs), and specific efficacy and safety data of various off-label occlusive devices for CAFs closure are scarce. Methods: Patients undergoing transcatheter closure of CAFs from January 2011 to December 2022 were included in the single-center retrospective study. The study population was divided into 2 groups: coils group (n=35) and patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) occluders group (n=66). Results: No significant intergroup differences were observed in demographic characteristics except age. The presence of multiple CAF origins (54.3% vs. 4.5%, p<0.001) and multiple draining sites (51.4% vs. 3.0%, p<0.001) were more common in the coils group. In contrast, the presence of aneurysm (72.7% vs. 14.3%, p<0.001), and large fistula (75.8% vs. 37.1%, p<0.001) were more prevalent in the PDA occluders group. The acute procedural success rate of the PDA occluders group was higher compared to that of the coils group (87.9% vs.62.9%, adjusted odds ratio [OR], 7.20; 95% confidence interval, 1.59–32.64; p=0.01).In addition, no significant intergroup differences were noted in both the recanalization rate (7.8% vs. 20%, p=0.107) and the reintervention rate (3.1% vs. 8.6%, p=0.342). Conclusions Transcatheter closure of CAFs using PDA occluders was associated with significantly higher acute procedural success rates compared to coil embolization with comparable late outcomes.

Background and Objectives: There is no dedicated occlusive device for closing coronary artery fistulas (CAFs), and specific efficacy and safety data of various off-label occlusive devices for CAFs closure are scarce. Methods: Patients undergoing transcatheter closure of CAFs from January 2011 to December 2022 were included in the single-center retrospective study. The study population was divided into 2 groups: coils group (n=35) and patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) occluders group (n=66). Results: No significant intergroup differences were observed in demographic characteristics except age. The presence of multiple CAF origins (54.3% vs. 4.5%, p<0.001) and multiple draining sites (51.4% vs. 3.0%, p<0.001) were more common in the coils group. In contrast, the presence of aneurysm (72.7% vs. 14.3%, p<0.001), and large fistula (75.8% vs. 37.1%, p<0.001) were more prevalent in the PDA occluders group. The acute procedural success rate of the PDA occluders group was higher compared to that of the coils group (87.9% vs.62.9%, adjusted odds ratio [OR], 7.20; 95% confidence interval, 1.59–32.64; p=0.01).In addition, no significant intergroup differences were noted in both the recanalization rate (7.8% vs. 20%, p=0.107) and the reintervention rate (3.1% vs. 8.6%, p=0.342). Conclusions Transcatheter closure of CAFs using PDA occluders was associated with significantly higher acute procedural success rates compared to coil embolization with comparable late outcomes.

AIM: To investigate the effect of gastrodin on the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the striatum of cerebral ischemia rats, and to explore the potential mechanism of gastrodin in treating cerebral ischemia. METHODS: The rats were randomly divided into four groups: normal, sham, model, and gastrodin groups, each consisting of 10 rats. After successful modeling using middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO), the gastrodin group received intraperitoneal injection of gastrodin injection at a dose of 10 mg/kg once a day for 14 consecutive days. Pathological changes in striatal neurons were observed using Nissl staining. Immunohistochemistry was utilized to detect positive expression of BDNF and IL-6 proteins in the striatum. Additionally, immunoblot analysis was performed to determine the expression levels of BDNF and IL-6 proteins in the striatum. RESULTS: Nissl staining revealed clear and intact structures of striatal neurons in the normal and sham groups, with tightly arranged cells. In the model group, the number of cells was significantly reduced compared to the sham group (P<0.01), and there was a noticeable cytosolic atrophy and loose cell arrangement. The gastrodin group showed a significant increase in the number of Nissl-positive neurons compared to the model group (P<0.01), and there was also a significant improvement in cell morphology. The results of immunohistochemistry and immunoblot were consistent, and there was no statistically significant difference in BDNF and IL-6 protein expression between the normal group and the sham group (P>0.05). Compared to the sham group, the model group showed a decrease in the protein expression level of BDNF in the striatum on the ischemic side (P<0.01) and an increase in the protein expression level of IL-6 (P<0.05, P<0.01). In contrast, the gastrodin group showed an increase in the protein expression level of BDNF in the striatum on the ischemic side (P<0.05, P<0.01) and a decrease in the protein expression level of IL-6 (P< 0.05, P<0.01) compared to the model group. CONCLUSION: Gastrodin has a significant protective effect on striatal injury caused by cerebral ischemia, and its mechanism may be related to the up-regulation of the anti-inflammatory factor BDNF and the down-regulation of the pro-inflammatory factor IL-6.

Objective To explore the effect and mechanism of anti-mesangial cell-proliferation-peptide 2(AMPP2)on mesangial cell proliferation induced by transforming growth factor β1(TGF-β1).Methods Mesangial cells were cultured in vitro and treated with TGF-β1(10 μg/L)and AMPP2(10 ng/L).According to different intervention factors,mesangial cells were divided into four groups:the control group,the AMPP2 group,the TGF-β1 group and the TGF-β1+AMPP2 group.The proliferation activity of mesangial cells was detected by CCK-8.The relative protein expression of cyclin dependent kinase 4(CDK-4),cyclin dependent kinase 6(CDK-6),proliferating cell nuclear antigen(PCNA),α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA),collagen-Ⅰ(COL-Ⅰ)and fibronectin(FN)were examined by Western blot assay.The relative mRNA expression of α-SMA,COL-Ⅰ and FN were detected by qPCR.Results Compared with the control group,proliferation activity of mesangial cells was significantly increased in the TGF-β1 group(P＜0.05).The proliferation activity of mesangial cells was markedly decreased in the TGF-β1+AMPP2 group compared with that of the TGF-β1 group(P＜0.05).Compared with the control group,protein levels of CDK-4,CDK-6,PCNA,α-SMA,COL-Ⅰand FN in cells were significantly increased in the TGF-β1 group(P＜0.05),as well as the mRNA levels of α-SMA,COL-Ⅰand FN(P＜0.05).In the TGF-β1+AMPP2 group,the protein and mRNA levels of α-SMA,COL-Ⅰand FN and the protein levels of CDK-4,CDK-6 and PCNA were markedly decreased compared with those of the TGF-β1 group(P＜0.05).Compared with the control group,levels of p-SMAD3/SMAD3 was remarkably upregulated in the TGF-β1 group(P＜0.05),while levels of p-SMAD3/SMAD3 was remarkably downregulated in the TGF-β1+AMPP2 group compared with those of the TGF-β1 group(P＜0.05).Conclusion AMPP2 may inhibit mesangial cell proliferation by regulating TGF-β1/SMAD3 pathway.

Endometriosis is a common chronic gynecological disease with endometrial cell implantation outside the uterus.Angiogenesis is a major pathophysiology in endometriosis.Our previous studies have demon-strated that the prodrug of epigallocatechin gallate(ProEGCG)exhibits superior anti-endometriotic and anti-angiogenic effects compared to epigallocatechin gallate(EGCG).However,their direct binding targets and underlying mechanisms for the differential effects remain unknown.In this study,we demonstrated that oral ProEGCG can be effective in preventing and treating endometriosis.Additionally,1D and 2D Proteome Integral Solubility Alteration assay-based chemical proteomics identified metadherin(MTDH)and PX domain containing serine/threonine kinase-like(PXK)as novel binding targets of EGCG and ProEGCG,respectively.Computational simulation and BioLayer interferometry were used to confirm their binding affinity.Our results showed that MTDH-EGCG inhibited protein kinase B(Akt)-mediated angiogenesis,while PXK-ProEGCG inhibited epidermal growth factor(EGF)-mediated angiogenesis via the EGF/hypoxia-inducible factor(HIF-1a)/vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)pathway.In vitro and in vivo knockdown assays and microvascular network imaging further confirmed the involvement of these signaling pathways.Moreover,our study demonstrated that ProEGCG has superior therapeutic effects than EGCG by targeting distinct signal transduction pathways and may act as a novel anti-angiogenic therapy for endometriosis.

Objective:To analyze the genetic mutation characteristics of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency among infants in Kunming.Methods:A total of 15 533 infants (7 994 males and 7 539 females) born in Kunming from January 1, 2018, to December 31, 2020, with an age range of 2 to 44 days, were selected. G6PD enzyme activity and gene mutation types were detected using fluorescence quantitative analysis, multicolor melting curve analysis (MMCA), and Sanger sequencing. Droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) was used for quantitative analysis of a newly identified variant family to determine the mutant allele proportion in family members. Meanwhile,the protein structure model and pathogenicity prediction of the novel variant were analyzed.Data analysis was conducted using SPSS 26.0. Specifically, chi-square tests were used for the detection rates of G6PD enzyme activity and gene mutations between different genders. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used for the comparison of enzyme activity among different mutation types.Results:Among 15 533 infants, 143 cases (129 males and 14 females) were tested positive for G6PD activity, with a detection rate of 0.92% (143/15 533). The difference in detection rates between males and females was statistically significant (χ 2=96.76, P<0.001). Out of 89 enzyme activity-positive cases (83 males and 6 females) underwent genetic testing, 77 (72 males and 5 females) were detected by MMCAand other 12 negative samples were underwent further Sanger sequencing, revealing mutations in 6 samples, all of which were males. Among the 83 individuals with gene mutations, 78 had heterozygous mutations, 1 had a homozygous mutation, and 4 had compound heterozygous mutations. A total of 12 mutation types were detected, with G6PD c.487G>A, c.1024C>T, c.1388G>A, and c.1376G>T being the most common, accounting for 74.70% (62/83) of all mutation types. The average G6PD enzyme activity of c.1376G>T was the lowest, and the differences were statistically significant compared to the average enzyme activity of the other three mutations ( P<0.05). One male infant with a newly identified G6PD c.242G>C mutation was detected, predicted to be pathogenic. ddPCR confirmed that the mother of the affected child was a c.242G>C mutant chimera, with a chimera proportion of 6.66%. Conclusions:In the Kunming region, the predominant G6PD deficiency gene mutation is c.487G>A, with the detection of a novel G6PD c.242G>C mutation. The application of ddPCR technology can assist in detecting the proportion of mutation chimeras.

AIM:To investigate the effect of gastro-din on the expression of brain-derived neurotroph-ic factor(BDNF)and interleukin-6(IL-6)in the stria-tum of cerebral ischemia rats,and to explore the potential mechanism of gastrodin in treating cere-bral ischemia.METHODS:The rats were randomly divided into four groups:normal,sham,model,and gastrodin groups,each consisting of 10 rats.After successful modeling using middle cerebral artery occlusion(MCAO),the gastrodin group received in-traperitoneal injection of gastrodin injection at a dose of 10 mg/kg once a day for 14 consecutive days.Pathological changes in striatal neurons were observed using Nissl staining.Immunohistochemis-try was utilized to detect positive expression of BDNF and IL-6 proteins in the striatum.Additional-ly,immunoblot analysis was performed to deter-mine the expression levels of BDNF and IL-6 pro-teins in the striatum.RESULTS:Nissl staining re-vealed clear and intact structures of striatal neu-rons in the normal and sham groups,with tightly arranged cells.In the model group,the number of cells was significantly reduced compared to the sham group(P＜0.01),and there was a noticeable cytosolic atrophy and loose cell arrangement.The gastrodin group showed a significant increase in the number of Nissl-positive neurons compared to the model group(P＜0.01),and there was also a sig-nificant improvement in cell morphology.The re-sults of immunohistochemistry and immunoblot were consistent,and there was no statistically sig-nificant difference in BDNF and IL-6 protein expres-sion between the normal group and the sham group(P＞0.05).Compared to the sham group,the model group showed a decrease in the protein ex-pression level of BDNF in the striatum on the isch-emic side(P＜0.01)and an increase in the protein expression level of IL-6(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).In con-trast,the gastrodin group showed an increase in the protein expression level of BDNF in the stria-tum on the ischemic side(P＜0.05,P＜0.01)and a decrease in the protein expression level of IL-6(P＜0.05,P＜0.01)compared to the model group.CON-CLUSION:Gastrodin has a significant protective ef-fect on striatal injury caused by cerebral ischemia,and its mechanism may be related to the up-regula-tion of the anti-inflammatory factor BDNF and the down-regulation of the pro-inflammatory factor IL-6.

AIM:To investigate the effect of gastro-din on the expression of brain-derived neurotroph-ic factor(BDNF)and interleukin-6(IL-6)in the stria-tum of cerebral ischemia rats,and to explore the potential mechanism of gastrodin in treating cere-bral ischemia.METHODS:The rats were randomly divided into four groups:normal,sham,model,and gastrodin groups,each consisting of 10 rats.After successful modeling using middle cerebral artery occlusion(MCAO),the gastrodin group received in-traperitoneal injection of gastrodin injection at a dose of 10 mg/kg once a day for 14 consecutive days.Pathological changes in striatal neurons were observed using Nissl staining.Immunohistochemis-try was utilized to detect positive expression of BDNF and IL-6 proteins in the striatum.Additional-ly,immunoblot analysis was performed to deter-mine the expression levels of BDNF and IL-6 pro-teins in the striatum.RESULTS:Nissl staining re-vealed clear and intact structures of striatal neu-rons in the normal and sham groups,with tightly arranged cells.In the model group,the number of cells was significantly reduced compared to the sham group(P＜0.01),and there was a noticeable cytosolic atrophy and loose cell arrangement.The gastrodin group showed a significant increase in the number of Nissl-positive neurons compared to the model group(P＜0.01),and there was also a sig-nificant improvement in cell morphology.The re-sults of immunohistochemistry and immunoblot were consistent,and there was no statistically sig-nificant difference in BDNF and IL-6 protein expres-sion between the normal group and the sham group(P＞0.05).Compared to the sham group,the model group showed a decrease in the protein ex-pression level of BDNF in the striatum on the isch-emic side(P＜0.01)and an increase in the protein expression level of IL-6(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).In con-trast,the gastrodin group showed an increase in the protein expression level of BDNF in the stria-tum on the ischemic side(P＜0.05,P＜0.01)and a decrease in the protein expression level of IL-6(P＜0.05,P＜0.01)compared to the model group.CON-CLUSION:Gastrodin has a significant protective ef-fect on striatal injury caused by cerebral ischemia,and its mechanism may be related to the up-regula-tion of the anti-inflammatory factor BDNF and the down-regulation of the pro-inflammatory factor IL-6.