Interleukin-6 and lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 are associated with functional trajectories

Differential gene expression patterns in ST-elevation Myocardial Infarction and Non-ST-elevation Myocardial Infarction

The ST-elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) and Non-ST-elevation Myocardial Infarction (NSTEMI) might occur because of coronary artery stenosis. The gene biomarkers apply to the clinical diagnosis and therapeutic decisions in Myocardial Infarction. The aim of this study was to introduce, enrich and estimate timely the blood gene profiles based on the high-throughput data for the molecular distinction of STEMI and NSTEMI. The text mining data (50 genes) annotated with DisGeNET data (144 genes) were merged with the GEO gene expression data (5 datasets) using R software. Then, the STEMI and NSTEMI networks were primarily created using the STRING server, and improved using the Cytoscape software. The high-score genes were enriched using the KEGG signaling pathways and Gene Ontology (GO). Furthermore, the genes were categorized to determine the NSTEMI and STEMI gene profiles. The time cut-off points were identified statistically by monitoring the gene profiles up to 30 days after Myocardial Infarction (MI). The gene heatmaps were clearly created for the STEMI (high-fold genes 69, low-fold genes 45) and NSTEMI (high-fold genes 68, low-fold genes 36). The STEMI and NSTEMI networks suggested the high-score gene profiles. Furthermore, the gene enrichment suggested the different biological conditions for STEMI and NSTEMI. The time cut-off points for the NSTEMI (4 genes) and STEMI (13 genes) gene profiles were established up to three days after Myocardial Infarction. The study showed the different pathophysiologic conditions for STEMI and NSTEMI. Furthermore, the high-score gene profiles are suggested to measure up to 3 days after MI to distinguish the STEMI and NSTEMI.

Early diagnostic value of intima-media thickness and D-dimer levels for vascular dementia

To evaluate the diagnostic value of combination of D-dimer and Doppler Intima-Media Thickness (IMT) based on clinical data for vascular dementia (VaD). In this study, 100 cases of initial VaD were diagnosed by Zhenjiang Fourth People Hospital as VaD group, and 100 healthy were engaged as control group, medical history and test results were collected for evaluation. IMT and D-dimer were highly correlated with the onset of VaD. The sensitivity of combination diagnosis for early VaD: 90.2%, the specificity: 87.9%, the area under the curve (AUC) is 0.872, which were superior to IMT or D-dimer alone. D-dimer and IMT are significantly increased in the initial onset of cerebrovascular diseases, and combined detection of them is conducive to early diagnosis and evaluation of the disease. Given the limitations of D-dimer and IMT, combined detection is more conducive to early diagnosis and prognosis, and can be used as screening and routine examination items, even evaluate the severity of cognitive decline.

The prospective relationship between subjective aging and inflammation: Evidence from the health and retirement study

This study tested the prospective associations and potential mediators between subjective aging, indexed by subjective age and self-perceptions of aging (SPA), and a range of inflammatory markers, including C-reactive proteins (CRP) and pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines among older adults. Participants (N = 6099, 59% women, age range = 50 to 94, Mean Age = 65.32, SD = 8.85) were drawn from the Health and Retirement Study. Subjective age, SPA, and demographic factors were assessed in 2008/2010. Assessments of soluble transformation growth factor-beta 1 (sTGF-β1), interleukin 10 (IL-10), interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra), interleukin 6 (IL-6), soluble tumor necrosis factor receptors (sTNFR1), and high sensitivity CRP (hsCRP) were measured in 2016. Potential mediators (body mass index, disease burden, physical inactivity, and depressive symptoms) were asssessed at baseline and in 2012/2014. Linear regression analyses indicated that an older subjective age and negative SPA were related to higher level of IL-10, IL-1Ra, IL-6, sTNFR1 and hsCRP. These associations were mediated by higher disease burden and physical inactivity. Negative SPA (but not subjective age) was associated with lower sTGF-β1. The link between subjective aging and inflammatory markers was relatively independent from chronological age. The present study provides new evidence that subjective aging is prospectively associated with inflammation, including systemic inflammation and pro-and anti-inflammatory cytokines.

Relationship of Placental and Serum Lipoprotein-Associated Phospholipase A2 Levels with Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy

Background

A series of studies has shown that lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) is closely associated with abnormal lipid metabolism and vascular endothelial cell injury, but its role in hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) remains unclear. This study aims to determine the relationship between placental and serum LP-PLA2 levels and HDP, and to provide a feasible method for predicting HDP.

Methods

The placental and serum Lp-PLA2 levels of 63 patients with HDP (20, 25, and 18 cases with gestational hypertension, mild preeclampsia, and severe preeclampsia, respectively) and 20 women with normal pregnancies (control group) were measured via a combination of tissue microarray and immunohistochemistry, real-time quantitative RT-PCR and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Results

1) The gene and protein expression levels of placental LP-PLA2: the HDP group had significantly higher levels than those of the control group (P < 0.05). The mild preeclampsia group had significantly higher levels than those of the control group (P < 0.05); the severe preeclampsia group had significantly higher levels than those of the mild preeclampsia group (P < 0.05). 2) Serum levels of Lp-PLA2: the HDP group had significantly higher levels than those of the control group (P < 0.05). The Lp-PLA2 levels increased gradually with the progression of the HDP; there were significant differences in the four groups using pair-wise comparisons (P < 0.05). 3) Serum levels of LP-PLA2 were positively correlated with placental LP-PLA2 levels in the HDP group (r = 0.435, P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Elevated Lp-PLA2 levels may be associated with the occurrence of HDP, and changes of Lp-PLA2 levels in the maternal blood may be regarded as a monitoring indicator for this disease.

Hepatitis C Virus Cure in Human Immunodeficiency Virus Coinfection Dampens Inflammation and Improves Cognition Through Multiple Mechanisms

BACKGROUND

Chronic inflammation in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/hepatitis C virus (HCV) coinfection increases cognitive impairment. With newer, direct-acting antiviral therapies for HCV, our objective was to determine whether chronic inflammation would be decreased and cognition improved with HCV sustained viral response (SVR) in coinfection.

METHODS

We studied 4 groups longitudinally: 7 HCV-monoinfected and 12 HIV/HCV-coinfected persons before and after treatment for HCV, 12 HIV-monoinfected persons, and 9 healthy controls. We measured monocyte activation and gene expression, monocyte-derived exosome micro-ribonucleic acid (miRNA) expression, plasma inflammation, and cognitive impairment before and after therapy.

RESULTS

Plasma soluble CD163 and neopterin were decreased in HCV mono- and coinfected persons. Blood CD16+ monocytes were decreased in coinfection after HCV treatment. Global deficit score improved 25% in coinfection with the visual learning/memory domain the most improved. Hepatitis C virus SVR decreased monocyte interferon genes MX1, IFI27, and CD169 in coinfection and MX1, LGALS3BP, and TNFAIP6 in HCV monoinfection. Monocyte exosomes from coinfected persons increased in microRNA (miR)-19a, miR-221, and miR-223, all of which were associated with decreasing inflammation and nuclear factor-κB activation.

CONCLUSIONS

Hepatitis C virus cure in coinfection brings monocyte activation to levels of HIV alone. Cognitive impairment is significantly improved with cure but not better than HIV infection alone, which strong suggests that cognitive impairment was driven by both HIV and HCV.SummaryHCV cure in HIV coinfection improves monocyte and plasma activation markers and increases cognitive function in the visual learning/memory domain.