Holter electrocardiogram research trends and hotspots: bibliometrics and visual analysis.

OBJECTIVE: With the help of metrology, we can identify research hotspots and development trends in dynamic electrocardiography, and thereby provide corresponding reference material to aid further theoretical research. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All research data derived from the core collection of Web of Science, and all searches were completed on the same day (February 6, 2022). The obtained data were stored in plain text format and imported into CiteSpace for subsequent analysis. Citation analysis and visualization technology were used to draw a visual map of the research elements, using factors such as annual literature volume, country, journal, author, abstract, keywords, and citation. RESULTS: After screening, 2,937 papers were obtained. Research on ambulatory electrocardiography is increasing worldwide every year. Using research hotspots, keyword-clustering time-zone maps, and high-frequency emerging words, the research in this field was roughly divided into two stages, with 2017 as the divider. The first stage primarily focuses on areas such as atrial fibrillation, stroke, autonomic nerve function, catheter ablation, and T-wave alternation. The second stage saw the focus shift to wearable devices, sudden cardiac death, obstructive sleep apnea, feature extraction, cryptogenic stroke, and similar topics. CONCLUSIONS: With the development of various wearable technologies, the daily monitoring of healthy people engaged in sporting activities and the development of innovative analysis algorithms providing more accurate data may represent the hotspots and direction of future research.

METTL14 regulates M6A methylation-modified primary miR-19a to promote cardiovascular endothelial cell proliferation and invasion.

OBJECTIVE: Increasing evidence indicated that N6-methyl-adenosine (M6A) played a key role in a variety of pathophysiological processes. Methylases could promote the processing of mature mi-RNA in a M6A-dependent manner, thereby participating in the pathological cells' occurrence and development. However, the regulatory mechanism of M6A in atherosclerosis (AS) was still unclear. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Quantificational Real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to detect the relative expression levels of M6A, methyltransferase, demethylase transferase, miR-19a and other mi-RNA in atherosclerotic vascular endothelial cells (ASVEC). Cell Counting Kit (CCK8) was used to detect cell proliferation, the expression of PCNA was measured by Western Blot (WB) and qRT-PCR. Transwell assays were used to detect the invasion ability of ASVEC. Co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) was used to detect the binding of METTL14 to DGCR8. RNA Immunoprecipitation (RIP) was used to detect the binding of METTL14 to miR-19a. RESULTS: M6A modification levels and METTL14 methylation transferase were significantly overexpressed in ASVEC. Silencing METTL14 inhibited the proliferation and invasion of ASVEC. Low expression of METTL14 suppressed the binding of methylated RNA and RNA splicing related protein DGCR8. Moreover, silencing METTL14 significantly inhibited the expression of miR-19a while promoted the expression of primary pre-miR-19a. However, high expression of METTL14 obviously increased the expression of DGCR8 and methylated m6A. Furthermore, silencing miR-19a inhibited the proliferation and invasion of ASVEC. CONCLUSIONS: METTL14 increased the M6A modification of pri-miR-19a and promoted the processing of mature miR-19a, thus promoting the proliferation and invasion of ASVEC. These results suggested that METTL14/ M6A/ miR-19a signaling pathway may be a new target for atherosclerosis treatment.

HIF-1α promotes inflammatory response of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease by activating EGFR/PI3K/AKT pathway.

OBJECTIVE: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an incomplete, reversible disease with progressive inflammation obstruction in airways. This study aims to explore the regulatory mechanism of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) in inflammatory response and progression of COPD. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 71 bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) samples were collected, including 59 samples from COPD patients (COPD group) and 12 from patients with normal pulmonary function (control group). The mRNA and protein levels of HIF-1α and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in BALF were detected by quantitative Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blot, respectively. Serum levels of interleukin-13 (IL-13), IL-9, IL-1, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Hypoxia cell model was constructed by COCl2 induction in human embryonic lung cells. Expression levels of HIF-1α, EGFR and p-AKT in NCI-H1563 cells treated with 740Y-P, the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) agonist were detected. Finally, we detected proliferation and apoptosis in NCI-H1563 cells with HIF-1α overexpression by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay and flow cytometry, respectively. RESULTS: The mRNA and protein levels of HIF-1α and EGFR were higher in COPD groups compared with those of control group. Serum levels of IL-13, IL-9, IL-1, and TNF-α in COPD patients were elevated. CoCl2 induction in NCI-H1563 cells led to upregulated levels of IL-13, IL-9, IL-1, and TNF-α. 740Y-P treatment remarkably activated EGFR/PI3K/AKT pathway. Overexpressed HIF-1α inhibited proliferation but induced apoptosis of NCI-H1563 cells. CONCLUSIONS: HIF-1α was overexpressed in COPD, which upregulated expressions of inflammatory factors via activating the EGFR/PI3K/AKT pathway. The activated EGFR/PI3K/AKT pathway induced by pulmonary inflammation further upregulated HIF-1α expression in a feedback loop, thus aggravating COPD pathological changes.

Long-term shunt patency and overall survival of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt placement using covered stents with bare stents versus covered stents alone.

AIM: To investigate the long-term shunt patency and overall survival of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) placement using covered stents with or without bare stents over a follow-up period up to 7 years. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 154 patients undergoing TIPS placement were enrolled and analysed retrospectively. They were divided into two groups: those undergoing TIPS placement using covered with bare stents (group A, n=42) and those without bare stents (group B, n=112). RESULTS: The cumulative 5-year primary patency rate was significantly lower in group A than in group B (group A: 0% versus group B: 66.7%; p<0.001). The cumulative 5-year overall survival rates were comparable between the two groups (group A: 76% versus group B: 58.7%; p=0.214). The baseline portal vein thrombosis (hazard ratio [HR]:4.610; 95% confidence interval [CI]:2.691-7.897; p=0.000), portal pressure decrement (HR: 0.911; 95% CI: 0.845-0.982; p=0.015), and group (HR: 0.419; 95% CI: 0.239-0.736; p=0.002) were independent predictors for shunt dysfunction, while hepatocellular carcinoma (HR: 6.615; 95% CI: 2.863-15.283; p=0.000) and ascites (HR: 2.166; 95% CI: 1.298-3.615; p=0.003) were independent predictors for mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Although TIPS placement using covered with bare stents led to lowered long-term shunt patency than using covered stents alone, the overall survival rates were similar.

Expression of profilin-1 in endothelial cells of rats with acute myocardial infarction.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the expression of profilin-1 in endothelial cells of rats with acute myocardial infarction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into the myocardial infarction (model) group (n=10) and sham-operation (control) group (n=10). The expression of profilin-1 and phosphorylated extracellular signal kinase (pERK1/2) in aortic endothelial cells, indexes of endothelial injury [levels of endothelial microparticles (EMPs) and nitric oxide (NO)], indexes of myocardial injury [cardiac troponin T (cTnT) and creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB)], and mRNA levels of myocardial apoptotic factors (P53, Fas, Bax, and Bcl-2) in rats between the two groups were compared. RESULTS: The expression of profilin-1 and pERK1/2 in aortic endothelial cells of rats in the model group was higher than in the control group (p<0.05), the levels of EMPs were increased, and NO levels were lower (p<0.05); cTnT and CK-MB in myocardial tissue, and mRNA of pro-apoptotic factors (P53, Fas, and Bax) were increased, whereas Bcl-2 mRNA was decreased (p<0.05). The protein expression of profilin-1 and pERK1 was positively correlated with the levels of cTnT, CK-MB, EMP, P53, Fas, and Bax, and negatively correlated with the levels of NO and Bcl-2 (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The high expression of profilin-1 is an important mechanism of acute myocardial infarction, and is expected to become a new target for the treatment of myocardial infarction.

Cognitive-behavioural therapy for patients with schizophrenia: a multicentre randomized controlled trial in Beijing, China.

BACKGROUND: Meta-analyses support the efficacy of cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) for schizophrenia in western cultures. This study aimed to compare the efficacy of CBT and supportive therapy (ST) for patients with schizophrenia in China. METHOD: A multicentre randomized controlled, single-blinded, parallel-group trial enrolled a sample of 192 patients with schizophrenia. All patients were offered 15 sessions of either CBT or ST over 24 weeks and followed up for an additional 60 weeks. All measures used were standardized instruments with good reliability and validity. The Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) was used to assess symptoms of schizophrenia. The Schedule for Assessing Insight (SAI) was used to assess patients' insight and the Personal and Social Performance Scale (PSP) was used to assess their social functioning. RESULTS: Effect-size analysis showed that patients made rapid improvements in all symptoms, insight and social functioning as measured by the PANSS, SAI and PSP at 12 and 24 weeks and maintained these improvements over the course of the study to 84 weeks. Patients in the CBT group showed significantly greater and more durable improvement in PANSS total score (p = 0.045, between-group d = 0.48), positive symptoms (p = 0.018, between-group d = 0.42) and social functioning (p = 0.037, between-group d = 0.64), with significant differences emerging after completion of therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Both CBT and ST combined with medication had benefits on psychopathology, insight and social functioning of patients with schizophrenia. CBT was significantly more effective than ST on overall, positive symptoms and social functioning of patients with schizophrenia in the long term.

Functional analysis of DNA methylation in lung cancer.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to explore the DNA methylation difference between lung cancer samples and non-cancer lung samples, and to investigate the role of DNA methylation in the mechanism of lung cancer development. Besides, we analyzed the transcriptional regulation network of DNA methylation and the miRNAs regulated by DNA methylation. This study provides a framework for DNA methylation in other tumors or diseases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: DNA methylation and gene expression profiles used were obtained from Gene Expression Omnibus. Firstly, we identified differentially methylated genes (DMGs) by Student's t-test. Then we detected the biological processes and pathways changed in lung cancer by Gene Ontology (GO) and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis. The transcriptional factors in differential genes were identified and the microRNAs regulated by them were also obtained in TransmiR. RESULTS: We obtained 108 DMGs between lung cancer samples and non-cancer samples. Besides development related biological processes and pathways were dramatically disordered. For the DMGs, we identified 11 transcriptional factors regulating them. Moreover, we screened out 21 relationships between DMGs and their transcriptional targets. Five microRNAs are reported to be regulated by DNA methylation genes. Finally a regulation network of DNA methylation was constructed. CONCLUSIONS: DNA methylation participates in carcinogenesis at the transcriptional and post-transcriptional level. Aberrant DNA methylation will prevent its binding with the upstream regulatory proteins, inhibit the function of downstream target genes and regulate the expression of downstream miRNA, and consequently affect cell development, immunoresponse and apoptosis.

Influence of EARLI1-like genes on flowering time and lignin synthesis of Arabidopsis thaliana.

EARLI1 encodes a 14.7 kDa protein in the cell wall, is a member of the PRP (proline-rich protein) family and has multiple functions, including resistance to low temperature and fungal infection. RNA gel blot analyses in the present work indicated that expression of EARLI1-like genes, EARLI1, At4G12470 and At4G12490, was down-regulated in Col-FRI-Sf2 RNAi plants derived from transformation with Agrobacterium strain ABI, which contains a construct encoding a double-strand RNA targeting 8CM of EARLI1. Phenotype analyses revealed that Col-FRI-Sf2 RNAi plants of EARLI1 flowered earlier than Col-FRI-Sf2 wild-type plants. The average bolting time of Col-FRI-Sf2 and Col-FRI-Sf2 RNAi plants was 39.7 and 19.4 days, respectively, under a long-day photoperiod. In addition, there were significant differences in main stem length, internode number and rosette leaf number between Col-FRI-Sf2 and Col-FRI-Sf2 RNAi plants. RT-PCR showed that EARLI1-like genes might delay flowering time through the autonomous and long-day photoperiod pathways by maintaining the abundance of FLC transcripts. In Col-FRI-Sf2 RNAi plants, transcription of FLC was repressed, while expression of SOC1 and FT was activated. Microscopy observations showed that EARLI1-like genes were also associated with morphogenesis of leaf cells in Arabidopsis. Using histochemical staining, EARLI1-like genes were found to be involved in regulation of lignin synthesis in inflorescence stems, and Col-FRI-Sf2 and Col-FRI-Sf2 RNAi plants had 9.67% and 8.76% dry weight lignin, respectively. Expression analysis revealed that cinnamoyl-CoA reductase, a key enzyme in lignin synthesis, was influenced by EARLI1-like genes. These data all suggest that EARLI1-like genes could control the flowering process and lignin synthesis in Arabidopsis.

Simple and rapid detection of Salmonella serovar Enteritidis under field conditions by loop-mediated isothermal amplification.

AIM: The objective of this study is to develop a serovar-specific loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) method for sensitive, rapid, and inexpensive detection of Salmonella serovar Enteritidis under field conditions. METHODS: A set of six specific primers was designed with Salmonella Enteritidis DNA as the target. LAMP conditions were optimized by incubating the target DNA with the Bst DNA polymerase large fragment in a simple water bath. The sensitivity and specificity of LAMP was then compared with those of fluorescent quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (FQ-PCR). RESULTS: The results were as follows. (1) Serovar-specific Salmonella Enteritidis DNA was amplified at 65°C in as early as 20min in a water bath. (2) A colour change visible to the naked eye indicated a positive amplification reaction. (3) The detection limit of the LAMP assay was 4 copies µl(-1) ; thus, the sensitivity and specificity of this assay is similar to those of the FQ-PCR. CONCLUSIONS: LAMP is a high-throughput detection technique with high sensitivity, specificity, and simplicity; these factors make it suitable for specifically detecting Salmonella Enteritidis under field conditions and in laboratory settings. Thus, LAMP eliminates the need for complicated equipment and technical training in the detection of this specific serovar. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This is the first study involving the use of LAMP to detect Salmonella serovar-specific DNA sequences. It is also the first to report an ideal method of distinguishing between Salmonella Enteritidis and other Salmonella under field conditions.

Imatinib sensitizes CLL lymphocytes to chlorambucil.

The effect of imatinib on chlorambucil (CLB) cytotoxicity in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) lymphocytes was examined in vitro. Imatinib sensitizes the WSU and I83 human CLL cell lines, 10- and two-fold, respectively, to CLB. Furthermore, in primary cultures of malignant B-lymphocytes obtained from 12 patients with CLL (seven patients were untreated and five treated with CLB), imatinib synergistically sensitized these lymphocytes from two- to 20-fold to CLB. This synergistic effect was observed at concentrations of imatinib (