Identification of atrial fibrillation-related genes through transcriptome data analysis and Mendelian randomization

BackgroundAtrial fibrillation (AF) is a common persistent arrhythmia characterized by rapid and chaotic atrial electrical activity, potentially leading to severe complications such as thromboembolism, heart failure, and stroke, significantly affecting patient quality of life and safety. As the global population ages, the prevalence of AF is on the rise, placing considerable strains on individuals and healthcare systems. This study utilizes bioinformatics and Mendelian Randomization (MR) to analyze transcriptome data and genome-wide association study (GWAS) summary statistics, aiming to identify biomarkers causally associated with AF and explore their potential pathogenic pathways.MethodsWe obtained AF microarray datasets GSE41177 and GSE79768 from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, merged them, and corrected for batch effects to pinpoint differentially expressed genes (DEGs). We gathered exposure data from expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) and outcome data from AF GWAS through the IEU Open GWAS database. We employed inverse variance weighting (IVW), MR-Egger, weighted median, and weighted model approaches for MR analysis to assess exposure-outcome causality. IVW was the primary method, supplemented by other techniques. The robustness of our results was evaluated using Cochran's Q test, MR-Egger intercept, MR-PRESSO, and leave-one-out sensitivity analysis. A “Veen” diagram visualized the overlap of DEGs with significant eQTL genes from MR analysis, referred to as common genes (CGs). Additional analyses, including Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways, and immune cell infiltration studies, were conducted on these intersecting genes to reveal their roles in AF pathogenesis.ResultsThe combined dataset revealed 355 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), with 228 showing significant upregulation and 127 downregulated. Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis identified that the autocrine motility factor receptor (AMFR) [IVW: OR = 0.977; 95% CI, 0.956–0.998; P = 0.030], leucine aminopeptidase 3 (LAP3) [IVW: OR = 0.967; 95% CI, 0.934–0.997; P = 0.048], Rab acceptor 1 (RABAC1) [IVW: OR = 0.928; 95% CI, 0.875–0.985; P = 0.015], and tryptase beta 2 (TPSB2) [IVW: OR = 0.971; 95% CI, 0.943–0.999; P = 0.049] are associated with a reduced risk of atrial fibrillation (AF). Conversely, GTPase-activating SH3 domain-binding protein 2 (G3BP2) [IVW: OR = 1.030; 95% CI, 1.004–1.056; P = 0.024], integrin subunit beta 2 (ITGB2) [IVW: OR = 1.050; 95% CI, 1.017–1.084; P = 0.003], glutaminyl-peptide cyclotransferase (QPCT) [IVW: OR = 1.080; 95% CI, 1.010–0.997; P = 1.154], and tripartite motif containing 22 (TRIM22) [IVW: OR = 1.048; 95% CI, 1.003–1.095; P = 0.035] are positively associated with AF risk. Sensitivity analyses indicated a lack of heterogeneity or horizontal pleiotropy (P > 0.05), and leave-one-out analysis did not reveal any single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) impacting the MR results significantly. GO and KEGG analyses showed that CG is involved in processes such as protein polyubiquitination, neutrophil degranulation, specific and tertiary granule formation, protein-macromolecule adaptor activity, molecular adaptor activity, and the SREBP signaling pathway, all significantly enriched. The analysis of immune cell infiltration demonstrated associations of CG with various immune cells, including plasma cells, CD8T cells, resting memory CD4T cells, regulatory T cells (Tregs), gamma delta T cells, activated NK cells, activated mast cells, and neutrophils.ConclusionBy integrating bioinformatics and MR approaches, genes such as AMFR, G3BP2, ITGB2, LAP3, QPCT, RABAC1, TPSB2, and TRIM22 are identified as causally linked to AF, enhancing our understanding of its molecular foundations. This strategy may facilitate the development of more precise biomarkers and therapeutic targets for AF diagnosis and treatment

The Role and Molecules Mechanism of Klotho in Renal Injury in Salt-sensitive Hypertension

Background Klotho is closely related to the occurrence and development of kidney disease. Salt-sensitive hypertension (SSH) is often accompanied by kidney disease. At present, there are few reports on the role and molecules mechanism of klotho in renal injury in SSH. Objective To investigate the role and molecules mechanism of klotho in renal injury in SSH. Methods The rat glomerular mesangial cell line HBZY1 was selected as the experimental cells from June 2021 to January 2022, and the experimental cells were divided into the control group and the model group. The model of HBZY1 cell injury induced by NaCl 137 mmol/L and angiotensin Ⅱ (Ang Ⅱ) 10-6 mmol/L was used to simulate the renal injury in SSH, and the cells were collected. The differences in the expression of klotho mRNA and protein were detected by real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR) and Western Blot. The interference vector and overexpression vector of klotho and the overexpression vector of angiotensin Ⅱ type 1 receptor (AT1R) were constructed. The klotho interference experiments were divided into five groups, including the control group, empty group, klotho-siRNA1 group, klotho-siRNA2 group and klotho-siRNA3 group; the klotho overexpression experiments were divided into three groups, including the control group, empty group and klotho overexpression group; the AT1R overexpression experiments were divided into three groups, including the control group, empty group and AT1R overexpression group. The constructed vectors were transfected into cells with verified transfection efficiency. After successful transfection, the experiment was divided into two parts. The first part of the experiment was to verify the renal protective effect of klotho, the experiment subjects were divided into four groups, including the control group, model group, klotho overexpression group and klotho interference group. The second part of the experiment was to explore whether the renal protective effect of klotho was related to AT1R, the experiment subjects were divided into three groups, including the model group, klotho overexpression group and klotho+AT1R overexpression group. After successful transfection, the tests including cell viability detected by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) method, reactive oxygen species (ROS) content detected by flow cytometry, malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) content in cell supernatant detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) , interaction effect between kltho and AT1R detected by co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) . Results Compared with the control group, mRNA level and protein expression of klotho in the model group decreased in model group (t=7.102, 7.506; P=0.002, 0.002) , klotho-siRNA2 interference effect was more significant (P<0.001) , the expression of klotho protein in the klotho overexpression group increased significantly (P<0.001) , the expression of AT1R protein in the overexpression group increased significantly (P<0.001) . Effects of klotho on cell viability and oxidative stress injury: compared with the control group, cell viability in the model group decreased (P<0.001) , intracellular ROS and MDA content increased (P<0.001, P=0.004) , and SOD content decreased (P=0.041) ; compared with the model group, cell viability in the klotho overexpression group increased (P<0.001) , intracellular ROS and MDA content decreased and SOD content increased (P<0.001, P=0.003, P=0.018) ; compared with the model group, cell viability in the klotho interference group decreased (P<0.001) , while intracellular ROS and MDA content increased and SOD content decreased (P<0.001, P=0.002, P=0.001) . Effects of klotho on cell viability and oxidative stress injury through AT1R: compared with the model group, cell viability increased (P<0.001) , intracellular ROS and MDA content decreased and SOD content increased (P<0.001, P=0.024, P=0.007) in the klotho overexpression group; compared with the klotho overexpression group, cell viability decreased (P<0.001) , ROS and MDA content increased and SOD content decreased (P<0.001, P=0.001, P=0.002) in the klotho+AT1R overexpression group. Co-IP determined that there was an interaction between klotho and AT1R. Conclusion Klotho plays a protective role in renal injury in SSH by inhibiting oxidative stress injury through interaction with AT1R

Lesion based diagnostic performance of dual phase 99mTc-MIBI SPECT/CT imaging and ultrasonography in patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism

Abstract Background We aimed to evaluate the diagnostic performance of 99mTc-MIBI SPECT/CT and ultrasonography in patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT), and explored the factors that affect the diagnostic performance. Methods 99mTc-MIBI SPECT/CT and ultrasonography were performed in 50 patients with SHPT within 1 month before they underwent surgery. Imaging results were confirmed by the pathology. Pearson correlation analysis was used to determine the correlation of PTH level with clinical data. The optimal cutoff value for predicting positive 99mTc-MIBI results was evaluated by ROC analysis in lesions diameter. Results Forty-nine patients had a positive 99mTc-MIBI imaging results and 39 patients had positive ultrasonography results. The sensitivities of 99mTc-MIBI and ultrasonography were 98.00% and 78.00%, respectively. A total of 199 lesions were resected in 50 patients. Among them, 183 lesions were proved to be parathyroid hyperplasia. On per-lesion basis analysis, the sensitivity and specificity of 99mTc-MIBI and ultrasonography were 59.34% and 75.00% vs 46.24% and 80.00%, respectively. The Pearson correlation analysis showed that the serum AKP and PTH level had a significant linear association (r = 0.699, P < 0.001). The lesion diameter was a statistically significant predictive factor in predicting positive 99mTc-MIBI SPECT/CT. The optimal cutoff value for predicting positive 99mTc-MIBI results evaluated by ROC analysis in lesions diameter was 8.05 mm. Conclusion Dual phase 99mTc-MIBI SPECT/CT imaging had a higher sensitivity in patients with SHPT than ultrasonography. Therefore, using 99mTc-MIBI positioning the lesion could be an effective method pre-surgical in patients with SHPT

Differential effects of different antipsychotic drugs on cognitive function in patients with chronic schizophrenia

Background Cognitive impairment is core feature of schizophrenia. The impact of antipsychotics on cognition remains controversial. This study aimed to examine the effects of long-term use of different types of antipsychotics on cognitive impairment in schizophrenia patients. Methods We used the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS) to assess the cognition of three groups of schizophrenia patients (318 on clozapine, 125 on risperidone, and 166 on typical antipsychotic drugs) and 399 healthy controls, and used the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale to assess schizophrenia symptoms of patients. Results Patients taking typical antipsychotics scored higher on the immediate memory and delayed memory index than those taking clozapine or risperidone (allp&lt; 0.01). Patients taking clozapine scored higher on the language subscale than those taking risperidone (p&lt; 0.05). Multiple regression analysis showed that the drug type was identified as an independent contributor to the immediate memory, language, and delayed memory index of RBANS (allp&lt; 0.05). Conclusions Patients taking typical antipsychotics have better memory than those taking clozapine or risperidone. Patients taking clozapine have better language function than those taking risperidone.</p

MOESM3 of Cerebral blood perfusion changes in amputees with myoelectric hands after rehabilitation: a SPECT computer-aided analysis

Additional file 3. The activated regions of the five participants

MOESM1 of Cerebral blood perfusion changes in amputees with myoelectric hands after rehabilitation: a SPECT computer-aided analysis

Additional file 1. The contents of Brief Fugl-Meyer Scale and ADL Assessment

MOESM2 of Cerebral blood perfusion changes in amputees with myoelectric hands after rehabilitation: a SPECT computer-aided analysis

Additional file 2. The change-rate of the 5 participants

Tafolecimab in Chinese patients with non-familial hypercholesterolemia (CREDIT-1): a 48-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 trialResearch in context

Summary: Background: Tafolecimab, a fully human proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) monoclonal antibody developed for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia, demonstrated robust lipid-lowering efficacy and favorable safety in previous short-term studies. We aimed to assess the long-term efficacy and safety of tafolecimab in Chinese non-familial hypercholesterolemia (non-FH) patients. Methods: Non-FH patients at high or very-high cardiovascular risk with screening low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) level ≥1.8 mmol/L or non-FH patients with screening LDL-C level ≥3.4 mmol/L and on stable lipid-lowering therapy for at least 4 weeks, were randomized in a 2:2:1:1 ratio to receive subcutaneous tafolecimab 450 mg Q4W, tafolecimab 600 mg Q6W, placebo 450 mg Q4W, or placebo 600 mg Q6W, respectively, in the 48-week double-blind treatment period. The primary endpoint was the percent change from baseline to week 48 in LDL-C levels. Findings: A total of 618 patients were randomized and 614 patients received at least one dose of tafolecimab (n = 411) or placebo (n = 203). At week 48, tafolecimab induced significant reductions in LDL-C levels (treatment differences versus placebo [on-treatment estimand]: −65.0% [97.5% CI: −70.2%, −59.9%] for 450 mg Q4W; −57.3% [97.5% CI: −64.0%, −50.7%] for 600 mg Q6W; both P < 0.0001). Significantly more patients treated with tafolecimab achieved ≥50% LDL-C reductions, LDL-C < 1.8 mmol/L, and LDL-C < 1.4 mmol/L than placebo group at both dose regimens (all P < 0.0001). Furthermore, tafolecimab significantly reduced non-HDL-C, apolipoprotein B, and lipoprotein(a) levels. The most commonly-reported treatment emergent adverse events in the tafolecimab groups included upper respiratory infection, urinary tract infection and hyperuricemia. Interpretation: Tafolecimab dosed at 450 mg Q4W and 600 mg Q6W was safe and showed superior lipid-lowering efficacy versus placebo, providing a novel treatment option for Chinese hypercholesterolemia patients. Funding: This study was sponsored by Innovent Biologics, Inc