Identification of potentially critical genes in the development of heart failure after ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI)

Heart failure (HF) remains a common complication after acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Here, we aim to identify critical genes related to the developed HF in patients with STEMI using bioinformatics analysis. The microarray data of GSE59867, including peripheral blood samples from nine patients with post-infarct HF and eight patients without post-infarct HF, were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between HF and non-HF groups were screened by LIMMA package. Functional enrichment analyses of DEGs were conducted, followed by construction of a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network. The dynamic messenger RNA (mRNA) level of the hub genes during the follow-up was analyzed to further elucidate their role in HF development. A total of 58 upregulated and 75 downregulated DEGs were screen out. They were mainly enriched in biological processes about inflammatory response, extracellular matrix organization, response to cAMP, immune response, and positive regulation of cytosolic calcium ion concentration. Pathway analysis revealed that the DEGs were also involved in hematopoietic cell lineage, pathways in cancer, and extracellular matrix-receptor interaction. In the PPI network consisting of 58 nodes and 72 interactions, CXCL8 (degree = 15), THBS1 (degree = 8), FOS (degree = 7), and ITGA2B (degree = 6) were identified as the hub genes. In the comparison of patients with and without post-infarct HF, the mRNA level of these hub genes were all higher within 30 days but reached similar at 6 months after STEMI. In conclusion, CXCL8, THBS1, FOS, and ITGA2B may play important roles in the development of HF after acute STEMI.     

Advances in research on signal molecules regulating biofilms

World Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology - Antibiotic and arsenic (As) contaminations are worldwide public health problems. Previously, the bacterial ABC-type efflux protein MacAB reportedly...     

Diallyl disulfide from garlic oil inhibits Pseudomonas aeruginosa virulence factors by inactivating key quorum sensing genes

Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology - Garlic oil can disrupt the quorum sensing (QS) pathways of the opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa; however, the underlying mechanisms for this...     

20-hydroxyecdysone accumulation and regulation in Ajuga lobata D. Don suspension culture

Suspension culture of Ajuga lobata D. Don cells provides a method of synthesis of the phytoecdysteroid 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) which can regulate the molting process of larvae. We characterized the culture conditions to optimize 20E production. Growth of A. lobata D. Don cells fits the logistic equation curve with a growth cycle of 19 days. Medium conductivity was negatively correlated with dry cell weight and 20E accumulation, thus could be used to determine the optimal time for cell harvest. Continuous subculture reduced 20E synthesis, but supplementing medium with 20E precursors mevalonic (MVA), α-Pinene, and nitric oxide (NO) can significantly promote cell growth and influence 20E accumulation. Combination of α-Pinene, MVA, and SNP significantly elevated 20E accumulation, thus may synergistically enhance 20E synthesis in A. lobata D. Don. The optimal concentrations of α-Pinene, MVA, and NO donor SNP in suspension culture were 50 μL L^?1, 10 mg L^?1, and 80 μmol L^?1.