Tuberous sclerosis complex 2 deficiency in cardiomyocytes exacerbates cardiac remodeling in diabetic mice.

Background: Based on gene expression profiles from the BioGPS database, Tuberous sclerosis complex 2 (Tsc2) exhibited the highest expression in mouse cardiac tissues. Herein, we investigated the potential functional role of Tsc2 in diabetic cardiomyopathy.

Methods And Results: Cardiac-specific Tsc2 deletion exacerbated myocardial fibrosis and cardiac dysfunction in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice.

Pulmonary artery banding for dilated cardiomyopathy in children: report of 3 cases.

Background: Pulmonary artery banding (PAB) has emerged as a promising surgical treatment for pediatric dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in recent years. However, clinical evidence supporting its efficacy remains limited. This study reports on three cases with DCM treated with PAB to evaluate its short-term therapeutic outcomes.

Maternal adiposity measures and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy: a meta-analysis.

Background: Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) are a prevalent complication during pregnancy with significant implications for maternal and perinatal health globally. Maternal obesity is a known risk factor for HDP. This review sought to identify adiposity indicators in early pregnancy that are linked to the development of HDP.

Neutrophil extracellular traps promote proliferation of pulmonary smooth muscle cells mediated by CCDC25 in pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Background: Previous studies have indicated that neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) play a pivotal role in pathogenesis of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). However, the specific mechanism underlying the impact of NETs on pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) has not been determined. The objective of this study was to elucidate underlying mechanisms through which NETs contribute to progression of PAH.

Windows of sensitivity for risk of adverse birth outcomes related to gestational PM exposure: Evidence from a natural experiment.

While numerous studies have associated maternal exposure to PM with adverse birth outcomes, findings remain inconsistent and difficult to generalize. We aimed to investigate the causal relationship and window of sensitivity between gestational exposure to PM and birth outcomes. We leveraged high-resolution satellite data to quantify gestational PM exposure at the individual level, along with a combined model to determine daily relative risks (RRs) of birth outcomes in COVID-19 prelockdown and lockdown groups.

Prediction of coronary artery lesions in children with Kawasaki syndrome based on machine learning.

Objective: Kawasaki syndrome (KS) is an acute vasculitis that affects children < 5 years of age and leads to coronary artery lesions (CAL) in about 20-25% of untreated cases. Machine learning (ML) is a branch of artificial intelligence (AI) that integrates complex data sets on a large scale and uses huge data to predict future events. The purpose of the present study was to use ML to present the model for early risk assessment of CAL in children with KS by different algorithms.

[Role and mechanisms of CHI3L1 in coronary artery lesions in a mouse model of Kawasaki disease-like vasculitis].

Objectives: To explore the role and potential mechanisms of chitinase-3-like protein 1 (CHI3L1) in coronary artery lesions in a mouse model of Kawasaki disease (KD)-like vasculitis.

Methods: Four-week-old male SPF-grade C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into a control group and a model group, with 10 mice in each group. The model group mice were intraperitoneally injected with 0.

Genetic identification of familial hypercholesterolemia within whole genome sequences in 6820 newborns.

Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is defined as a monogenic disease, characterized by elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels. FH remains underdiagnosed and undertreated in Chinese. We whole-genome sequenced 6820 newborns from Qingdao of China to investigate the FH-related gene (LDLR, APOB, PCSK9) mutation types, carrier ratio and genotype-phenotype correlation.

A small-diameter vascular graft immobilized peptides for capturing endothelial colony-forming cells.

Combining synthetic polymers and biomacromolecules prevents the occurrence of thrombogenicity and intimal hyperplasia in small-diameter vascular grafts (SDVGs). In the present study, an electrospinning poly (L)-lactic acid (PLLA) bilayered scaffold is developed to prevent thrombosis after implantation by promoting the capture and differentiation of endothelial colony-forming cells (ECFCs). The scaffold consists of an outer PLLA scaffold and an inner porous PLLA biomimetic membrane combined with heparin (Hep), peptide Gly-Gly-Gly-Arg-Glu-Asp-Val (GGG-REDV), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF).

Joint effect of maternal pre-pregnancy body mass index and folic acid supplements on gestational diabetes mellitus risk: a prospective cohort study.

Background: The joint effect of folic acid (FA) supplements and maternal pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) on gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) has not been fully addressed. This study aimed to examine the joint effect of FA supplements and pre-pregnancy BMI on GDM.

Methods: Pregnant women at 4 to 14 weeks of gestation (n = 3186) were recruited during their first prenatal visit in Qingdao from May 1, 2019, to June 27, 2021.

Using bioinformatics analysis to screen abnormal methylated differentially expressed hub genes of Kawasaki disease and construct diagnostic model.

Objective: By using bioinformatics analysis, abnormal methylated differentially expressed genes (MDEGs) in Kawasaki disease (KD) were identified and a random forest diagnostic model for KD was established.

Methods: The expression (GSE18606, GSE68004, GSE73461) and methylation (GSE109430) profiles was retrieved and download from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO). We conducted enrichment analyses by using R software.

Correction: Neferine inhibits proliferation and collagen synthesis induced by high glucose in cardiac fibroblasts and reduces cardiac fibrosis in diabetic mice.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.11225.

[Association between duration of fever before treatment and intravenous immunoglobulin resistance in Kawasaki disease].

Objectives: To examine the association between duration of fever before intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) treatment and IVIG resistance in children with Kawasaki disease (KD).

Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on the medical data of 317 children with KD who were admitted from January 2018 to December 2020. According to the duration of fever before IVIG treatment, they were divided into two groups: short fever duration group (≤4 days) with 92 children and long fever duration group (>4 days) with 225 children.

Identification of a novel heterozygous SPTB mutation by whole genome sequencing in a Chinese patient with hereditary spherocytosis and atrial septal defect: a case report.

Background: Hereditary spherocytosis (HS) is a common inherited red blood cell membrane disorder characterized by an abnormal increase of spherocytes in peripheral blood. SPTB gene mutation is one of the most common causes of HS; however, few cases of HS resulting from SPTB mutation in the Chinese population have been reported so far.

Case Presentation: A 3-year-old Chinese girl presented to Qingdao Women and Children's Hospital, Qingdao University, with atrial septal defect (ASD).

Case Report: Two Chinese Infants of Sengers Syndrome Caused by Mutations in Gene.

Sengers syndrome (OMIM #212350) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder due to mutations in acylglycerol kinase () gene. We report two cases that were diagnosed clinically and confirmed genetically. Both infants had typical clinical features characterized by hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, bilateral cataracts, myopathy, and lactic acidosis, and heart failure was the most severe manifestation.

LncRNA AFAP1-AS1 regulates proliferation and apoptosis of endometriosis through activating STAT3/TGF-β/Smad signaling via miR-424-5p.

Aim: Endometriosis is a common gynecological disorder characterized by chronic pelvic pain and infertility, which negatively affects women's health worldwide. AFAP1-AS1 has been implicated in endometriosis lesions recently, but its mechanism of endometriosis progression remains unclear.

Methods: Endometrial stromal cells (ESCs) were used to identify the role of AFAP1-AS1 in endometriosis.

[Clinical features of children with recurrent Kawasaki disease: a Meta analysis].

Objective: To study the clinical features of children with recurrent Kawasaki disease (KD).

Methods: PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, CNKI, Wanfang Med Online, and Weipu Data were searched for case-control studies on the clinical features of initial and recurrent KD. The articles were screened according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria.

Family-Based Whole Genome Sequencing Identified Novel Variants in ABCA5 Gene in a Patient with Idiopathic Ventricular Tachycardia.

Idiopathic ventricular tachycardia (IVT) is the major cause of sudden cardiac death. Patients with IVT were usually manifested without structural heart disease. In this present study, we performed family-based whole genome sequencing (WGS) and Sanger sequencing for a 5-year-old Chinese boy with IVT and all the unaffected family members in order to identify the candidate gene and disease-causing mutation underlying the disease phenotype.

Identification of Differentially Expressed Genes and Key Pathways in the Dorsal Root Ganglion After Chronic Compression.

Neuropathic pain (NP) is caused by primary or secondary impairment of the peripheral or central nervous systems. Its etiology is complex and involves abnormal patterns of gene expression and pathway activation. Using bioinformatics analysis, we aimed to identify NP-associated changes in genes and pathways in L4 and L5 dorsal root ganglia (DRG) in a rat model of NP induced by chronic compression of the DRG (CCD).

Transcatheter Closing Atrial Septal Defect in a Child With Hereditary Spherocytosis.

A 3-year-old girl was admitted to our hospital for the correction of atrial septal defect (ASD). Open heart operation with cardiopulmonary bypass is dangerous because the patient also had hereditary spherocytosis, which put her at risk for hemolytic anemia. Therefore, percutaneous transcatheter closure for ASD was chosen and performed successfully, which avoided the erythrocyte damage caused by cardiopulmonary bypass.

The relationship between endothelial progenitor cells and pulmonary arterial hypertension in children with congenital heart disease.

Background: Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) caused by congenital heart disease (CHD) is very common in clinics. Some studies have shown that PAH is related to the number of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs), but there is no report on the relationship between PAH and the number of EPCs in children with CHD.

Methods: In this study, a total of 173 cases with CHD (from 0 to 6 years old) were collected.

Andrographolide Ameliorates Diabetic Cardiomyopathy in Mice by Blockage of Oxidative Damage and NF-B-Mediated Inflammation.

Andrographolide (Andro), a major bioactive component obtained from Nees, has exerted wide antioxidant as well as cytoprotective properties. However, whether Andro treatment could retard the progress of diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) remains unknown. In this study, we evaluated the effects of Andro against diabetes-induced myocardial dysfunction and explored the underlying mechanism in STZ-induced diabetic mice.

Genome-wide transcriptional analysis of BRD4-regulated genes and pathways in human glioma U251 cells.

Bromodomain containing 4 (BRD4), a member of the bromodomain and extra-terminal family, has become a promising drug target for numerous types of cancer. BRD4 has been reported to be deregulated in gliomas; however, the precise molecular pathways regulated by BRD4 remained elusive. In the present study, BRD4 expression was silenced in the glioma cell line U251 and the results demonstrated that BRD4 knockdown attenuated cell proliferation and promoted cell apoptosis.

Inhibition of Pin1 alleviates myocardial fibrosis and dysfunction in STZ-induced diabetic mice.

Therapeutic management of diabetic myocardial fibrosis remains an unsolved clinical problem. Pin1, a peptidyl-prolyl isomerase, impacts diverse cellular processes and plays a pivotal role in regulating cardiac pathophysiology. Here we investigate the potential mechanism of action of Pin1 and its role in diabetes-induced myocardial fibrosis and dysfunction in mice.

Ischemia-modified albumin is a predictor of short-term mortality in patients with severe sepsis.

Purpose: One of the most important events leading to morbidity and mortality in patients with severe sepsis is the development of global tissue hypoperfusion and oxidative damage. Ischemia-modified albumin (IMA), an albumin generated under ischemic and oxidative conditions, is a marker of oxidative stress and hypoperfusion. Here, we investigated whether IMA level could predict short-term mortality with severe sepsis.