Exosomal miR-152-5p and miR-3681-5p function as potential biomarkers for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: The strain parameters of Real-Time Three-Dimensional Spot Tracking Echocardiography (RT3D-STE) are GLS, GAS, GRS, and GCS, while each index can significantly diagnose Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI) patients, but none of them can distinguish between NSTEMI and STEMI. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play essential roles in Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI), but little is known about the value of exosome miRNA combined with Real-Time Three-Dimensional Spot Tracking Echocardiography (RT3D-STE) between ST-segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) and Non-ST-segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction (NSTEMI). AIM: To estimate the exosomal miRNAs related to strain parameters of RT3D-STE as biomarkers for early detection of STEMI and NSTEMI. METHODS: The present study collected plasma samples from thirty-four (34) patients with AMI (including STEMI and NSTEMI) and employed high-throughput sequence technology and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) to identify the differentially expressed miRNAs. The Pearson correlation coefficient is used to measure the strength of a linear association between differentially expressed miRNAs and strain parameters of RT3D-STE. RESULTS: Twenty-eight (28) differentially expressed exosomal miRNAs were universally identified between STEMI, NSTEM, and normal groups. Among them, there are 10 miRNAs (miR-152-5p, miR-3681-5p, miR-193a-5p, miR-193b-5p miR-345-5p, miR-125a-5p, miR-365a-3p, miR-4520-2-3p, hsa-miR-193b-3p and hsa-miR-5579-5p) with a Pearson correlation greater than 0.6 with RT3D-STE strain parameters. Especially, miR-152-5p and miR-3681-5p showed the most significant correlation with RT3D-STE strain parameters. Target genes of these 10 miRNAs are analyzed for Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways enrichment, and they were found to be mainly involved in the cellular metabolism processes and HIF-1 signaling pathway. RT-qPCR verified the significant differential expression of miR-152-5p and miR-3681-5p between STEMI and NSTEM groups. CONCLUSION: RT3D-STE and exosome miRNAs can be used as a hierarchical diagnostic system in AMI. If the RT3D-STE is abnormal, the exosome miRNAs can be detected again to obtain more detailed and accurate diagnostic results between STEMI and NSTEM groups. Exosomal miR-152-5p and miR-3681-5p may serve as potential biomarkers for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.

Exosomal miR-152-5p and miR-3681-5p function as potential biomarkers for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction

Abstract Background: The strain parameters of Real-Time Three-Dimensional Spot Tracking Echocardiography (RT3D-STE) are GLS, GAS, GRS, and GCS, while each index can significantly diagnose Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI) patients, but none of them can distinguish between NSTEMI and STEMI. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play essential roles in Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI), but little is known about the value of exosome miRNA combined with RealTime Three-Dimensional Spot Tracking Echocardiography (RT3D-STE) between ST-segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) and Non-ST-segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction (NSTEMI). Aim: To estimate the exosomal miRNAs related to strain parameters of RT3D-STE as biomarkers for early detection of STEMI and NSTEMI. Methods: The present study collected plasma samples from thirty-four (34) patients with AMI (including STEMI and NSTEMI) and employed high-throughput sequence technology and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) to identify the differentially expressed miRNAs. The Pearson correlation coefficient is used to measure the strength of a linear association between differentially expressed miRNAs and strain parameters of RT3D-STE. Results: Twenty-eight (28) differentially expressed exosomal miRNAs were universally identified between STEMI, NSTEM, and normal groups. Among them, there are 10 miRNAs (miR-152-5p, miR-3681-5p, miR-193a-5p, miR-193b-5p miR-345-5p, miR-125a-5p, miR-365a-3p, miR-4520-2-3p, hsa-miR-193b-3p and hsa-miR-5579-5p) with a Pearson correlation greater than 0.6 with RT3D-STE strain parameters. Especially, miR-152-5p and miR-3681-5p showed the most significant correlation with RT3D-STE strain parameters. Target genes of these 10 miRNAs are analyzed for Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways enrichment, and they were found to be mainly involved in the cellular metabolism processes and HIF-1 signaling pathway. RT-qPCR verified the significant differential expression of miR-152-5p and miR-3681-5p between STEMI and NSTEM groups. Conclusion: RT3D-STE and exosome miRNAs can be used as a hierarchical diagnostic system in AMI. If the RT3D-STE is abnormal, the exosome miRNAs can be detected again to obtain more detailed and accurate diagnostic results between STEMI and NSTEM groups. Exosomal miR-152-5p and miR-3681-5p may serve as potential biomarkers for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. HIGHLIGHTS RT3D-STE and exosome miRNAs can be used as a hierarchical diagnostic system in AMI. Exosomal miR-152-5p and miR-3681-5p function as potential biomarkers for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.

[Study of dynamic characteristics of scale-free spiking neural networks based on synaptic plasticity].

Biological neural networks have dual properties of small-world attributes and scale-free attributes. Most of the current researches on neural networks are based on small-world networks or scale-free networks with lower clustering coefficient, however, the real brain network is a scale-free network with small-world attributes. In this paper, a scale-free spiking neural network with high clustering coefficient and small-world attribute was constructed. The dynamic evolution process was analyzed from three aspects: synaptic regulation process, firing characteristics and complex network characteristics. The experimental results show that, as time goes by, the synaptic strength gradually decreases and tends to be stable. As a result, the connection strength of the network decreases and tends to be stable; the firing rate of neurons gradually decreases and tends to be stable, and the synchronization becomes worse; the local information transmission efficiency is stable, the global information transmission efficiency is reduced and tends to be stable, and the small-world attributes are relatively stable. The dynamic characteristics vary with time and interact with each other. The regulation of synapses is based on the firing time of neurons, and the regulation of synapses will affect the firing of neurons and complex characteristics of networks. In this paper, a scale-free spiking neural network was constructed, which has biological authenticity. It lays a foundation for the research of artificial neural network and its engineering application.

Substance use, risky sexual behaviors, and their associations in a Chinese sample of senior high school students.

BACKGROUND: Given the higher prevalence of risky sexual behaviors and substance use, adolescents and youths are at risk for HIV. Despite its importance, however, to the best of our knowledge, there are only a few researches on risky behaviors in Chinese adolescents/youths. The present study aimed to describe the prevalence of sexual and substance use behaviors among a Chinese sample of senior high school students. And more specifically, the associations of socio-demographic factors and substance use with risky sexual behaviors were examined in the sample. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 10 senior high schools. A total of 2668 senior high school students aged 15.17 to 23.42 years participated in the survey. A self-administrated questionnaire was used to collect information on sexual and substance use behaviors. RESULTS: The percentages of students who ever had sexual intercourse in lifetime or during last three months were 7.0% and 5.1%, respectively. Among the participants with sexual intercourse during last three months, 42.1% ever had unprotected sexual intercourse and 49.4% had intercourse with two or more partners. Multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that cigarette smoke and illicit drug use were related to unprotected sexual intercourse (defined as "sexual intercourse without condom use") and younger age of first sexual intercourse was related to multiple-partner sexual intercourse. CONCLUSIONS: HIV/sexual transmitted infection (STI) health education and prevention are necessary among the Chinese adolescents, particularly among those adolescents with experience of sexual intercourse and/or substance use, which has a long-term beneficial to the control of HIV/STI in China.

[Study on preparation of Qixian decoction pellets in tangential spray fluid bed].

OBJECTIVE: To prepare Qixian decoction pellets. METHOD: The formulation and technological factors influencing the preparation of Qixian decoction were investigated in tangential spray fluid bed choosing the yield of pellets, particle diameter distribution, repose angle, bulk density as inspecting indexes. RESULT: the technological parameters for the preparation of blank pellets were as follows: the ratio of starch and dextrin was 2:1, the adhesive agent was 70% syrup, the rotating speed was 200 r x min(-1), the air blow flow was 15 x 20 L x min(-1), the rate of air flow was 15 L x min(-1), the spay air pressure was 0.15 MPa, and the rotating rate of spray solution pump was 20-50 r x min(-1); The optimized technological parameters for the preparation of Qixian decoction were as follows: the relative density of the extract was 1.12-1.15 g x min(-1), the diluent was MCC and its quantity was 8%, the rotating rate of spray solution pump was 10-12 mL x min(-1), the frequency of the rotor disc was 18-20 Hz, the atomizing pressure was 0.2 MPa, the frequency of the fan was 22 Hz, and the spheronisation and drying time was 30 mins. CONCLUSION: the appearance of the Qixian decoction pellets prepared in tangential spray fluid bed are smoothing and round, the yield of pellets are high, and pellets of the particle size between 500-700 microm is 90.6%.

Characteristics and determinants of sexual behavior among adolescents of migrant workers in Shangai (China).

BACKGROUND: China is facing a critical challenge of rapid and widespread human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) increase. Rural-to-urban migration plays a crucial role in shifting the HIV/sexual transmitted infection (STI) epidemic. The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of sexual behaviors and the correlates among the early adolescents of migrant workers in China. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 10 junior high schools from April to June of 2008. A total of 2821 adolescents aged 14.06 +/- 0.93 years (8.9% of migrant workers vs. 91.1% of general residents) participated in the survey. A self-administrated questionnaire was used to collect information on knowledge, attitude, and behaviors associated with increased risk for HIV/STI. RESULTS: The percentage of adolescents who ever had sexual intercourse or had sexual intercourse in last three months was 7.2% and 4.3% in adolescents of migrant workers, respectively; in contrast, 4.5% and 1.8% in their peers of general residents, respectively. 47.3% adolescents of migrant workers and 34.3% of those adolescents of general residents reported no condom use in sexual intercourse during last three months. Multivariate logistic regression analyses found that migration was a independent risk factor for sexual intercourse in last three months in our sampled adolescents (odds ratio [OR] = 1.23, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.01-1.72). In adolescents of migrant workers, factors such as lower family income (OR: 2.22, CI: 1.09-3.05 for low level; OR:1.25, CI: 1.04-1.59 for medium level), younger age at first sexual intercourse (OR: 1.24, CI: 1.09-1.57), lower knowledge on HIV/AIDS (OR: 0.93, CI: 0.90-0.97), and fewer communication on HIV/AIDS related issues (OR: 0.79, CI: 0.90-0.97) were related to sexual intercourse in last three months. CONCLUSION: Based on these results, we advocated that heightened concerns targeting the adolescents of migrant workers be particularly necessary, given their higher level of sexual experience, lower socioeconomic status, restricted reproductive health information, and vulnerability to HIV/STI.