Superiority of total white blood cell count over other leukocyte differentials for predicting long-term outcomes in patients with non-ST elevation acute coronary syndrome

Abstract

Context: Leukocytes have been found to be the predictor of outcome following acute coronary syndrome (ACS).

Objective: We sought to determine the relationship between leukocyte differentials and developing major adverse cardiac events (MACE) in patients with non-ST elevation ACS (NSTE-ACS).

Materials and methods: A total of 490 consecutive patients were enrolled, and MACE incidence was evaluated at long-term follow-up period.

Results: Total white blood cell (WBC) was higher in subjects occurring MACE. Moreover, elevated total WBC, ≥7.5?×?10³/µL, independently predicted MACE.

Discussion and conclusion: Elevated admission total WBC can predict long-term MACE in NSTE-ACS patients better than other differentials.     

Sevoflurane protects cardiomyocytes against hypoxia/reperfusion injury via LINC01133/miR-30a-5p axis

Previous studies failed to elucidate the detailed mechanisms of anesthetic preconditioning as a protective approach against ischemic/reperfusion (I/R) injury in cells. The present study mainly centered on discovering the mechanisms of Sevoflurane (Sev) in preventing cardiomyocytes against I/R injury. Human cardiomyocyte AC16 cell line was used to simulate I/R injury based on a hypoxia/reperfusion (H/R) model. After Sev treatment, cell viability and apoptosis were detected by MTT assay and flow cytometry, respectively. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) content was measured using an LDH Detection Kit. Relative mRNA and protein expressions of LINC01133, miR-30a-5p and apoptosis-related proteins were detected using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blot as needed. Target gene of miR-30a-5p and their potential binding sites were predicted using Starbase and confirmed by dual-luciferase reporter assay. Cell behaviors were assessed again after miR-30a-5p and LINC01133 transfection. Sev could improve cell viability, reduce LDH leakage, and down-regulate the expressions of apoptosis-related proteins (Bax, cleaved caspase-3 and cleaved caspase-9) and LINC01133 as well as up-regulate miR-30a-5p and Bcl-2 expressions in H/R cells. MiR-30a-5p was the target of LINC01133, and up-regulating miR-30a-5p enhanced the effects of Sev in H/R cells, with a suppression on H/R-induced activation of the p53 signaling pathway. However, up-regulating LINC01133 reversed the enhancing effects of miR-30a-5p on Sev pretreatment in H/R cells. Sev could protect cardiomyocytes against H/R injury through the miR-30a-5p/LINC01133 axis, which may provide a possible therapeutic method for curing cardiovascular I/R injury.     

Mitochondria could be a potential key mediator linking the intestinal microbiota to depression

The intestinal microbiota has been reported to affect depression, a common mental condition with severe health-related consequences. However, what mediates the effect of the intestinal microbiota on depression has not been well elucidated. We summarize the roles of the mitochondria in eliciting beneficial effects on the gut microbiota to ameliorate symptoms of depression. It is well known that mitochondria play a key role in depression. An important pathogenic factor, namely inflammatory response, may adversely impact mitochondrial functionality to maintain cellular homeostasis. Dysfunction of mitochondria not only affects neuronal function but also reduces neuron cell numbers. We posit that the intestinal microbiota could affect neuronal mitochondrial function through short-chain fatty acids such as butyrate. Brain inflammatory processes could also be affected through the modulation of gut permeability and blood lipopolysaccharide levels. Aberrant mitochondria functionality coupled to adverse cellular homeostasis could be a key mediator for the effect of the intestinal microbiota on the progression of depression.     

European checkerspots (Melitaeini: Lepidoptera,Nymphalidae) are not aposematic – the point of view of great tits (Parus major)

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Field evaluation of some selected plant materials for the control of major insect pests of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata(L.) Walp.) in the Northern Guinea Savannah of Nigeria

Abstract

Field experiments were carried out at the Teaching and Research Farm of the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi during the rainy season of 2005. The study was carried out with sole objective of evaluating the efficacy of six selected plant materials (sweetsop, red pepper, garlic, neem, mahogany and gmalina) against the major insect pests of cowpea variety, Dan Sokoto. The experiment was laid down in randomised complete block design with seven treatments. Each treatment was replicated three times. The results of the study showed that all the plant materials used were significantly (p < 0.05) better than control where no plant material was used in controlling the population of B. tabaci, E. dolichi, M. sjostedti and C. tomentosicollis at 1, 2 and 3 days after application of the treatments. Similarly the effects of these plant materials on the number of seeds/pod showed a significant (p < 0.05) difference between plots treated with plant materials and control. On the grain yield of the crop, all the plant materials showed significant effect except mahogany and the control which were statistically similar. Furthermore, the order of level of control indicated that sweet sop has (70.7%), garlic (69.3%), neem (61.0%), red pepper (54.0%), ash (30.9%), and mahogany (3.5%). The result of the present finding therefore recommends the use of sweet sop, garlic and neem as they were found to be the most promising in the control of major cowpea insect pests.     

A CRYGC gene mutation associated with autosomal dominant pulverulent cataract

Purpose

To describe at molecular level a family with pulverulent congenital cataract associated with a CRYGC gene mutation.

Methods

One family with several affected members with pulverulent congenital cataract and 230 healthy controls were examined. Genomic DNA from leukocytes was isolated to analyze the CRYGA-D cluster, CX46, CX50 and MIP genes through high-resolution melting curve and DNA sequencing.

Results

DNA sequencing in the affected members revealed the c.143G>A mutation (p.R48H) in exon 2 of the CRYGC gene; 230 healthy controls and ten healthy relatives were also analyzed and none of them showed the c.143G>A mutation. No other polymorphisms or mutations were found to be present.

Conclusion

In the present study, we described a family with pulverulent congenital cataract that segregated the c.143G>A mutation (p.R48H) in the CRYGC gene. A few mutations have been described in the CRYGC gene in autosomal dominant cataract, none of them with pulverulent cataract making clear the clinical heterogeneity of congenital cataract. This mutation has been associated with the phenotype of congenital cataract but also is considered an SNP in the NCBI data base. Our data and previous report suggest that p.R48H could be a disease-causing mutation and not an SNP.     

Seasonal Variation in Human Salivary Cortisol Concentration

Measurement of cortisol concentration can contribute important information about an individual's ability to adjust to various environmental demands of both physical and psychosocial origin. However, one uncertainty that affects the possibilities of correctly interpreting and designing field studies is the lack of observations of the impact of seasonal changes on cortisol excretion. For this reason, the month‐to‐month changes in diurnal cortisol concentration, the awakening cortisol response (ACR), maximum morning concentration, and fall during the day were studied in a group of 24 healthy men and women 32 to 61 yrs of age engaged in active work. On one workday for 12 consecutive months, participants collected saliva at four time points for determination of cortisol: at awakening, +30 min, +8 h, and at 21:00 h. Data were analyzed by a repeated measures design with month (12 levels) and time‐of‐day (4 levels) as categorical predictors. Cortisol concentrations were analyzed on a log scale. The diurnal pattern of cortisol was similar across months (interaction between month and time of day: p>0.4). The main effects of month and time‐of‐day were statistically significant (p <0.001). Highest concentrations were observed in February, March, and April, and lowest concentrations were observed in July and August. There were no statistically significant effects in any of the other measures, or between men and women. In conclusion, a seasonal variation in salivary cortisol concentrations was detected in an occupationally active population. Thus, seasonal variation needs to be taken into account when designing and evaluating field studies and interventions and when making comparisons across studies.     

Morningness–eveningness and treatment response in major depressive disorder

In a large, prospective, 8-week open study of 721 outpatients receiving agomelatine treatment for a current major depressive episode (MDE), morningness–eveningness (Composite Scale of Morningness) was assessed before and after treatment to investigate possible changes in morningness–eveningness after treatment and evaluate whether morningness–eveningness at baseline predicted treatment response. A change towards morningness was observed after treatment. This change was greater in responders than non-responders. Moreover, being a morning type at baseline was an independent predictor of response to treatment. Once thought to be a trait variable, morningness–eveningness is a potential treatment target that should be systematically assessed in MDE patients.