Exploring the potential mechanism of WuFuYin against hypertrophic scar using network pharmacology and molecular docking

BACKGROUND Hypertrophic scar(HTS)is dermal fibroproliferative disorder,which may cause physiological and psychological problems.Currently,the potential mechanism of WuFuYin(WFY)in the treatment of HTS remained to be elucidated.AIM To explore the potential mechanism of WFY in treating HTS.METHODS Active components and corresponding targets were retrieved from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform.HTSrelated genes were obtained from the GeneCards,DisGeNET,and National Center for Biotechnology Information.The function of targets was analyzed by performing Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopaedia of Genes and Genome(KEGG)enrichment analysis.A protein+IBM-protein interaction(PPI)network was developed using STRING database and Cytoscape.To confirm the high affinity between compounds and targets,molecular docking was performed.RESULTS A total of 65 core genes,which were both related to compounds and HTS,were selected from multiple databases.PPI analysis showed that CKD2,ABCC1,MMP2,MMP9,glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta(GSK3B),PRARG,MMP3,and phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase catalytic subunit gamma(PIK3CG)were the hub targets and MOL004941,MOL004935,MOL004866,MOL004993,and MOL004989 were the key compounds of WFY against HTS.The results of KEGG enrichment analysis demonstrated that the function of most genes were enriched in the PI3K-Akt pathway.Moreover,by performing molecular docking,we confirmed that GSK3B and 8-prenylated eriodictyol shared the highest affinity.CONCLUSION The current findings showed that the GSK3B and cyclin dependent kinase 2 were the potential targets and MOL004941,MOL004989,and MOL004993 were the main compounds of WFY in HTS treatment.

Predicting apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy using T-wave inversion:Three case reports

BACKGROUND Apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy(AHCM)is a subtype of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.Due to its location,the thickening of the left ventricular apex can be missed on echocardiography.Giant negative T waves(GNTs)in left-sided chest leads are the hallmark electrocardiogram(ECG)change of AHCM.CASE SUMMARY The first patient was a 68-year-old woman complaining of recurrent chest tightness persisting for more than 3 years.The second was a 59-year-old man complaining of spasmodic chest tightness persisting for more than 2 years.The third was a 55-year-old woman complaining of recurrent chest pain persisting for 4 mo.In all three cases,GNTs were observed several years prior to apical cardiac hypertrophy after other causes of T-wave inversion were ruled out.CONCLUSION Electrophysiological abnormalities of AHCM appear earlier than structural abnormalities,confirming the early predictive value of ECG for AHCM.

Specific alterations of regional myocardial work in strength-trained athletes using anabolic androgenic steroids compared to athletes with genetic hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

Background:Strength-trained athletes using anabolic androgenic steroids(AAS)have left ventricular(LV)hypertrophy and myocardial fibrosis that can lead to sudden cardiac death.A similar feature was described in athletes with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy(HCM),which complicates the diagnosis for clinicians.In this context,we aimed to compare the LV function of the 2 populations by measuring global and regional strain and myocardial work using speckle-tracking imaging.Methods:Twenty-four strength-trained asymptomatic athletes using AAS(AAS-Athletes),22 athletes diagnosed with HCM(HCM-Athletes),and 20 healthy control athletes(Ctrl-Athletes)underwent a resting echocardiography to assess LV function.We evaluated LV global and regional strains and myocardial work,with an evaluation of the constructive work(CW),wasted work,and work efficiency(WE).Results:Compared to Ctrl-Athletes,both AAS-Athletes and HCM-Athletes had a thicker interventricular septum,with maj ored values in HCM-Athletes.LV strain was reduced in AAS-Athletes and even more in HCM-Athletes.Consequently,global WE was significantly diminished in both AAS and HCM-Athletes(93%±2%in Ctrl-Athletes,90%±4%in AAS-Athletes,and 90%±5%in HCM-Athletes(mean±SD);p<0.05).Constructive work and WE regional analysis showed specific alterations,with the basal septal segments preferentially affected in AAS-Athletes,and both septal and apical segments affected in HCM-Athletes.Conclusion:The regional evaluation of myocardial work reported specific alterations of the major LV hypertrophy induced by the regular use of AAS compared to the LV hypertrophy due to HCM.This finding could help clinicians to differentiate between these 2 forms of pathological hypertrophy.

Mitral Valve Abnormalities during Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: Study on a Cohort in Dakar

INTRODUCTION: Mitral valve abnormalities in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) are becoming increasingly well defined, and their role in intra-ventricular obstruction is well defined. The aim of this study was to evaluate mitral valve abnormalities in patients with HCM. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study from May 1 to July 1, 2022 in the Cardiology Department of Aristide Le Dantec Hospital. All patients with HCM aged at least 18 years old were included. The parameters studied concerned mainly the mitral valvular apparatus (papillary muscles abnormalities, leaflet length, mitral insufficiency). RESULTS: A total of 10 patients were included. Mean age was 58.3. On Doppler echocardiography, mean interventricular septal thickness was 20.6 mm. The mean maximum intra-ventricular gradient was 21.06 mmHg. Two patients had significant intraventricular obstruction. The mean length of the anterior mitral valve leaflet was 28.7 ± 3.55 mm, with extremes of 22 and 33 mm. The posterior mitral leaflet averaged 14.8 ± 3.16 mm. Nine (9) out of 10 patients had an elongated anterior valve leaflet. Elongation of the posterior leaflet was noted in 6 patients. With regard to papillary muscle position, 6 patients had an anterolateral ascending pillary muscle. These patients had a mean intra-ventricular gradient of 25 mmHg, compared with 16.5 mmHg in the others cases. We found no direct insertion on the mitral valve. Mitral insufficiency was noted in 9 patients, including 5 with mild insufficiency and 4 with moderate one. CONCLUSION: Mitral valve abnormalities in HCM appear to be frequent. They should be analyzed for a better diagnostic and therapeutic approach.

Myocardial Perfusion Abnormalities in Patients with Hereditary Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: A Study of Three Cases and Review of the Literature

Introduction: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) belongs to the very heterogeneous group of cardiomyopathies. This study aimed to study myocardial perfusion abnormalities on scintigraphy and assess the risk of sudden death from ventricular arrhythmia in hereditary sarcomeric HCM. Patients and Methods: This is a retrospective and prospective descriptive study over 18 months (January 01, 2021, to July 31, 2022) on the records of patients over 18 with the diagnosis of hypertrophic sarcomeric cardiomyopathy with or without ventricular rhythm disorders and who have undergone myocardial scintigraphy. Results: Three patients were included. The average age of our patients was 66 years old. Dyspnea is the primary symptomatology found in our patients. One patient presented with syncope and unsustained ventricular tachycardia. His risk score for sudden death from ESC at five years is estimated at 6.45%, and the patient received an ICD in primary prevention. The average sudden death risk score of our patients was 3.78%. The mean LV wall thickness was 20 mm. The mean maximum left intraventricular gradient was 39 mmHg. Myocardial fibrosis was present in all our patients. Myocardial scintigraphy was normal in all cases. Conclusion: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a very heterogeneous group of cardiomyopathies. The rhythmic risk is multifactorial and constitutes a significant prognostic factor.

Bicuspid aortic valve with associated aortopathy, significant left ventricular hypertrophy or concomitant hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: A diagnostic and therapeutic challenge

Due to its prevalence of 0.5%to 2%in the general population,with a 75%predominance among men,bicuspid aortic valve is the most common congenital heart defect.It is frequently accompanied by other cardiac congenital anomalies,and clinical presentation can vary significantly,with stenosis being the most common manifestation,often resulting in mild to moderate concentric hypertrophy of the left ventricle.Echocardiography is the primary diagnostic modality utilized for establishing the diagnosis,and it is often the sole diagnostic tool relied upon by clinicians.However,due to the heterogeneous clinical presentation and possible associated anomalies(which are often overlooked in clinical practice),it is necessary to employ various diagnostic methods and persist in finding the accurate diagnosis if multiple inconsistencies exist.By employing this approach,we can effectively manage these patients and provide them with appropriate treatment.Through a clinical case from our practice,we provide an overview of the literature on bicuspid aortic valve with aortophaty and the possible association with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy,diagnostic methods,and treatment options.This review article highlights the critical significance of achieving an accurate diagnosis in patients with bicuspid aortic valve and significant left ventricular hypertrophy.It is crucial to exclude other possible causes of left ventricular outflow tract obstruction,such as sub-or supra-aortic obstructions,and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

A Case Report of Concurrent Acne-Related Occurrence Complications: Telangiectasia, Post-Inflammatory Erythema, Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation, and Atrophic and Hypertrophic Scars

Prior to his initial diagnosis, a 21-year-old male had been experiencing facial acne for two years and had been treated by a doctor in private practice. The patient visited our department because the clinical manifestations of mandibular acne did not improve. At the time of initial examination, telangiectasia (TE), post-inflammatory erythema (PIE), post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH), atrophic scars (ASs), and a hypertrophic scar (HS) with induration were observed on the right neck. We diagnosed this as an acne vulgaris complication. HS lesions were topically treated by injecting triamcinolone acetonide, and the patient was prescribed 8.1 g/day of oral Saireito (Japanese herb). Adapalene benzoyl peroxide gel and topical tacrolimus hydrate ointment were used to treat PIE and TE. Both HSs and PIE improved;however, TE and AS did not improve. Currently, the patient is under observation. We consider this to be a very rare concurrent occurrence of diverse complications of acne vulgaris, and present the following case study.

Speckle tracking echocardiography to assess regional ventricular function in patients with apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

AIM To explore regional systolic strain of midwall and endocardial segments using speckle tracking echocardiography in patients with apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy(HCM).METHODS We prospectively assessed 20 patients(mean age 53 ± 16 years,range:18-81 years,10 were male),with apical HCM. We measured global longitudinal peak systolic strain(GLPSS) in the midwall and endocardium of the left ventricle. RESULTS The diastolic thickness of the 4 apical segments was 16.25 ± 2.75 mm. All patients had a normal global systolicfunction with a fractional shortening of 50% ± 8%. In spite of supernormal left ventricular(LV) systolic function,midwall GLPSS was decreased in all patients,more in the apical(-7.3% ±-8.8%) than in basal segments(-15.5% ±-6.93%),while endocardial GLPPS was significantly greater and reached normal values(apical:-22.8% ±-7.8%,basal:-17.9% ±-7.5%). CONCLUSION This study shows that two-dimensional strain was decreased mainly confined to the mesocardium,while endocardium myocardial deformation was preserved in HCM and allowed to identify subclinical LV dysfunction. This transmural heterogeneity in systolic strain had not been previously described in HCM and could be explained by the distribution of myofibrillar disarray in deep myocardial areas. The clinical application of this novel finding may help further understanding of the pathophysiology of HCM.

Age-related Changes in Familial Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Phenotype in Transgenic Mice and Humans

β-myosin heavy chain mutations are the most frequently identified basis for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy （HCM）. A transgenic mouse model （αMHC403） has been extensively used to study various mechanistic aspects of HCM. There is general skepticism whether mouse and human disease features are similar. Herein we compare morphologie and functional characteristics, and disease evolu- tion, in a transgenic mouse and a single family with a MHC mutation. Ten male αWHC403 transgenic mice （at -5 weeks, -12 weeks, and -24 weeks） and 10 HCM patients from the same family with a β-myosin heavy chain mutation were enrolled. Morphometric, conventional echocardiographic, tissue Doppler and strain analytic characteristics of transgenic mice and HCM patients were assessed. Ten male transgenic mice （αMHC403） were examined at ages -5 weeks, -12 weeks, and -24 Weeks. In the transgenic mice, aging was associated with a significant increase in septal （0.59±0.06 vs. 0.64±-0.05 vs. 0.69±0.11 mm, P〈0.01） and anterior wall thickness （0.58±0.1 vs. 0.62±0.07 vs. 0.80-1-0.16 mm, P〈0.001）, which was coincident with a significant decrease in circumferential strain （-22%=1=4% vs. -20%-4-3% vs. -19%-4-3%, P=0.03）, global longitudinal strain （-19%-4-3% vs. -17%-4-2% vs. -16%±3%, P=0.001） and E/A ratio （1.9±0.3 vs. 1.7-4-0.3 vs. 1.4-4-0.3, P=0.01）. The HCM patients were classified into 1st generation （n=6; mean age 534-6 years）, and 2nd generation （n=4; mean age 32＋8 years）. Septal thickness （2.2±0.9 vs. 1.4±0.1 cm, P〈0.05）, left atrial （LA） volume （62±16 vs. 41±5 mL, P=0.03）, E/A ratio （0.77±0.21 vs. 1.1±0.1, P=0.01）, E/e＇ ratio （25±10 vs. 12±2, P=0.03）, global left ventricular （LV） strain （-14%±3% vs. -20%±3%, P=0.01） and global LV early diastolic strain rate （0.76±0.17 s1 vs. 1.3±0.2 s-1, P=0.01） were significantly worse in the older generation. In β-myosin heavy chain muta- tions, transgenic mice and humans have similar progression in morphologic and functional abnormali- ties. The αMHC4±3 transgenic mouse model closely recapitulates human disease.

Inflammation and cutaneous nervous system involvement in hypertrophic scarring

This study aimed to use a mouse model of hypertrophic scarring by mechanical loading on the dorsum of mice to determine whether the nervous system of the skin and inflammation participates in hypertrophic scarring. Results of hematoxylin-eosin and immunohistochemical staining demonstrated that inflammation contributed to the formation of a hypertrophic scar and increased the nerve density in scar tissue.Western blot assay verified that interleukin-13 expression was increased in scar tissue. These findings suggest that inflammation and the cutaneous nervous system play a role in hypertrophic scar formation.

Wnt7b can replace Ihh to induce hypertrophic cartilage vascularization but not osteoblast differentiation during endochondral bone development

Indian hedgehog （Ihh） is an essential signal that regulates endochondral bone development. We have previously shown that Wnt7b promotes osteoblast differentiation during mouse embryogenesis, and that its expression in the perichondrium is dependent on Ihh signaling. To test the hypothesis that Wnt7b may mediate some aspects of Ihh function during endochondral bone development, we activated Wnt7b expression from the R26-Wnt7b allele with Col2-Cre in the Ihh-/- mouse. Artificial expression of Wnt7b rescued vascularization of the hypertrophic cartilage in the Ihh-/- mouse, but failed to restore orthotopic osteoblast differentiation in the perichondrium. Similarly, Wnt7b did not recover Ihh-dependent perichondral bone formation in the Ihh-/-; Gli3-/- embryo. Interestingly, Wnt7b induced bone formation at the diaphyseal region of long bones in the absence of Ihh, possibly due to increased vascularization in the area. Thus, Ihh-dependent expression of Wnt7b in the perichondrium may contribute to vascularization of the hypertrophic cartilage during endochondral bone development.

Clivus-involved immunoglobulin G4 related hypertrophic pachymeningitis mimicking meningioma:A case report

BACKGROUND Immunoglobulin G4 related disease(Ig G4-RD)is a fibroinflammatory disease with markedly elevated serum Ig G4 levels and fibrous tissue proliferation,accompanied by numerous plasma cells.Ig G4 related hypertrophic pachymeningitis(Ig G4-RHP)is relatively rare and indistinguishable from other phymatoid diseases before the operation.The risk of long-term immunosuppression needs to be balanced with disease activity.CASE SUMMARY A 40-year-old man presented with headache and bilateral abducent paralysis.He was also diagnosed with pulmonary tuberculosis 10 years ago and was on regular treatment for the same.Before the operation and steroid therapy,the patient was suspected of having tubercular meningitis at a local hospital.A clivus lesion was found via brain magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)at this presentation.He was preliminarily diagnosed with meningioma and underwent Gamma Knife Surgery.Transnasal endoscopic resection was performed to treat deterioration of nerve function.Postoperative pathologic examination suggested Ig G4-RD.Moreover,the serum Ig G4 was elevated at 1.90 g/L(reference range:0.035-1.500 g/L).After steroid therapy for 2 mo,the lesion size diminished on MRI,and the function of bilateral abducent nerves recovered.CONCLUSION Ig G4-RHP is relatively rare and indistinguishable before the operation.Elevated serum Ig G4 levels and imaging examination help in the diagnosis of Ig G4-RHP.Surgery is necessary when lesions progress and patients start to develop cranial nerve function deficit.

Transcatherter chemical myocardial ablation for hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy: short to mid term results.

Objective: Hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy is still a troublesome clinical problem, lack of good treatment method. We use transcatheter chemical myocardial ablation to treat hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy and analysis 25 cases results, to search a novel technique for hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy.Method: From Nov.1996 to Oct.2001 25patients with symptomitical and drug resistents hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy acccepted a nonsurgical treatment, that is percutaneous transseptal myocardial ablation (PTSMA) in our department including 16 males and 9 females, with mean age 44.1 years All patients meet echocardiography diagnosis criterias of hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy, With clinical symptoms of angiana pectors, sycope, short breath etc. No improvement to long term Medical theraphy, rest pressure left ventricular outflow tract gradients over 30 mmHg, or over 50mmHg during provocal test either by invasion or indirect measurement with Doppler echocardiography, 5 patients accepted treatment With Sigwart’s method as previous described, other 20 cases with pigtail catheter left ventricular Continuous curve to measure left ventricular outflow tract gradient, percutaneous insert 1.5mm to 2.0mm balloon catheter into first septal branch of left anterior descending coronary artery, via inflated balloon , inject 3-5ml absolute alcohol into the artery , keep inflating balloon for other 5 minutes continue monitoring pressure gradients and ECG, temporary pacemaker and defibrillator were stand by.Results: All patients, left ventricular outflowtract gradients were significantly reduced, more than 50%, 6 cases occurred serve bradycardia, hypotension need immediate administration, 17 cases with trancient complete right branch block, and in five cases, with permonant complete right branch block,2 cases with transient complete AV block. In follow up, symptom and life quality of all patients were dramitically improved, in first month post procedure, septum thickness reduction, 6mm in average and, 6.8 mm reduction were achieved in 1.5 to 2 years.and 12 cases were follow ed up for more than 4 years ,the longest one has been 6 years still in perfect condition. Anther 5 cases chemical myocardial ablation can not be oerforned for vessels anatomy reasons accepted dual chamber pacing,get compariale results with PTSMA.Conclusion: Our results shown that this technique is a safety and reliable, might be an alternative method to patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy and we although should mention, our anther 5 patients whese can not be performed PTSMA received DDDR pacemaker, with symptom improvement and pressure gradients reduction for two years, as demonstrated by other experts, is althought a opitmal therapy for HOCM.

Ventricular fibrillation and sudden cardiac arrest in apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy:Two case reports

BACKGROUND Apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy(HCM)is considered to have a benign prognosis in terms of cardiovascular mortality.This serial case report aimed to raise awareness of ventricular fibrillation(VF)and sudden cardiac death(SCD)in apical HCM.CASE SUMMARY Here we describe two rare cases of apical HCM that presented with documented VF and sudden cardiac collapse.These patients were previously not recommended for primary prevention using implantable cardioverter-defibrillator(ICD)therapy based on current guidelines.However,both received ICD therapy for the secondary prevention of SCD.CONCLUSION These cases illustrate serious complications including VF and aborted sudden cardiac arrest in apical HCM patients who are initially not candidates for primary prevention using ICD implantation based on current guidelines.

NON-LINEAR SPECTRAL IMAGING MICROSCOPY STUDIES OF HUMAN HYPERTROPHIC SCAR

Skin scar is unique to humans,the major significant negative outcome sustained after thermal injuries,traumatic injuries,and surgical procedures.Hypertrophic scar in human skin is investigated using non-linear spectral imaging microscopy.The high contrast images and spectroscopic intensities of collagen and elastic fibers extracted from the spectral imaging of normal skin tissue,and the normal skin near and far away from the hypertrophic scar tissues in a 10-year-old patient case are obtained.The results show that there are apparent differences in the morphological structure and spectral characteristics of collagen and elastic fibers when comparing the normal skin with the hypertrophic scar tissue.These differences can be good indicators to differentiate the normal skin and hypertrophic scar tissue and demonstrate that non-linear spectral imaging microscopy has potential to noninvasively investigate the pathophysiology of human hypertrophic scar.

TCM Treatment of Hypertrophic Cardiomyopaphy—A Case Report

Case History Patient Wu, aged 66 years, was admitted to this hospital on February 28, 1997 due to paroxysmal chest distress, palpitation and shortness of breath for more than 15 years and exacerbation of these symptoms in recent 3 months.

Uric acid is associated with cardiac death in patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy

BACKGROUND The role of uric acid(UA) in survival of patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy(HOCM) has not been fully evaluated. This study aimed to determine whether UA could be an independent risk factor of cardiac death in patients with HOCM.METHODS A total of 317 patients with HOCM, who were receiving conservative treatment in Fuwai Hospital from October2009 to December 2014, all of them completed UA evaluations, were analyzed. Patients were divided into three groups according to the UA levels: Tertile 1(≤ 318 μmol/L, n = 106), Tertile 2(319 to 397 μmol/L, n = 105), and Tertile 3(≥ 398 μmol/L, n = 106).RESULTS During a median follow-up of 45 months, 29 cardiac deaths(9.1%) occurred, including 6 sudden cardiac deaths and23 heart failure-related deaths. Cardiac death in Tertile 3(n = 16, 55.2%) was significantly higher than in Tertile 1(n = 6, 20.7%)and Tertile 2(n = 7, 24.1%). In univariate model, UA level(continuous value) showed predictive value of cardiac death [hazard ratio(HR) = 1.006, 95% CI: 1.003-1.009, P = 0.009]. Univariate Cox survival analysis had shown a significant higher property of cardiac death in patients of Tertile 3 when compared with those of Tertile 1, but cardiac death in patients of Tertile 2 did not show significant prognositic value compared with those of Tertile 1(HR = 3.927, 95% CI: 0.666-23.162, P = 0.131). UA was found to be an independent risk factor(HR = 1.005, 95% CI: 1.001-1.009, P = 0.009) of cardiac death in the multivariate regression analysis after the adjustment for age, body mass index, atrial fibrillation, hemoglobin, creatinine, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, interventricular septum/left ventricular posterior wall ratio, left ventricular outflow tract and left ventricular ejection fraction.CONCLUSIONS UA concentration was found to be independently associated with cardiac death in HOCM patients receiving conservative treatment. Randomized trials of UA-lowering agents for HOCM patients are warranted.

Clinical Analysis of 42 Patients With Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

Objectives To investigate the clinical manifestations of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), and to find out the clinical clues to avoid misdiagnosis and provide reference for future clinical diagnosis and treatment. Methods A retrospective analysis of 42 consecutive patients with HCM hospitalized in our hospital between January 1995 and December 2002 was explored. Based on the family history of HCM, clinical manifestations, electrocar-diogram, echocardiogram, coronary angiography and left ventriculography, the clinical characteristics between HCM patients with left ventricular outflow tract obstruction (HOCM) and HCM patients without obstruction (HNOCM) were compared. The causes of misdiagnosis and losing diagnosis were analysis. Results 13 patients were in HOCM group and 29 patients were in HNOCM group. More patients with syncope were in HOCM group than in HNOCM group (6/13 vs. 2/29, P < 0.05). Patients with ejective murmur were in HOCM group only (P < 0.01). Left ventricular outflow tract pressure gradient (LVOTPG) only observed in HOCM group (P < 0.01). Ventricular tachycardia was seen in both groups. 28 out of 42 patients (66.67%) had misdiagnosis, and 4 out of 42 patients (9.53%) had losing diagnosis. Thus, coronary heart disease (CHD) had the highest rate of misdiagnosis. There were 20 CHD patients (71.43%) among 28 patients with misdiagnosis. Hypertension was in 3, congenital heart in 2, cerebro-embolism in 2, and myocarditis in 1. Conclusions For a patient with family history or sudden death history of HCM, unexplained syncope episodes, chest pain (angina), especially in young, an ejection murmur along the left sternum border, the presence of narrow and deep Q waves, or inversion of giant T waves in V3-V6, atrial fibrillation and /or cerebra-embolism echocardiogram should be given. CAG and LVG are necessary only if the result of echo is negative, and the patients with suspected HCM or CHD.

Dynamic changes of autophagy during hypertrophic scar formation and the role of autophagy intervention

Background:The role of autophagy in the formation of hypertrophic scars(HS)remains unclear.This study aimed to explore the role and potential mechanism of autophagy during the development of HS.Methods:RNA and protein expression levels of Beclin-1,p62,and LC3II in normal skin tissues and HS specimens from different patients were examined.Autophagy inducers and inhibitors were used to cure established HS in rabbit ears,and the expression of Beclin-1,p62,and LC3II at the RNA and protein level was determined.Lastly,the effects of autophagy inducers and inhibitors on HS development were analyzed.Results:Compared to normal skin tissues,the expression of LC3II and Beclin-1 was higher(P<0.05),while that of p62 was lower(P<0.05)in HS tissues.In addition,the LC3II/LC3I ratio was increased during HS formation,and the altered expression of the three proteins stabilized after one year.Administration of autophagy inducers enhanced the formation of HS as well as the expression levels of LC3II and Beclin-1 but decreased p62 expression.Meanwhile,administration of autophagy inhibitors increased the expression of LC3II,Beclin-1,and p62,along with reduced HS formation.Conclusion:Autophagic activity increased during HS initiation and subsequent stabilization.In addition,autophagy inhibitors were able to inhibit HS formation by suppressing autophagy,whereas autophagy inducers promoted scar hyperplasia by enhancing autophagy。

Role of genetic screening in a chinese woman of childbearing age with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

Objectives The objective of this study was to evaluate the role of genetic screening in a Chinese woman of childbearing age with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.Methods and Results One 39 year-old woman with presyncope for 10 years was admitted.Both of her father and her son died of sudden death and she strongly desire to get another baby. A series of clinical and laboratory studies were performed. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy was diagnosed finally and implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator was implanted to prevent sudden cardiac death for her.Genomic DNA was isolated and the most common causal genes for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy were screened.A known pathogenetic heterozygous mutation c.700 g】a(p.Argl86Gln) in TNNI3 was found,which was not found in 100 normal control individuals matched for age,sex and geographical region.Because 50%probability of the pathogenetic mutation is inherited to the offsprings,she will get a healthy baby in vitro fertilization which the egg comes from a healthy female donor to prevent from the inherited HCM.Conclusions We found a pathogenetic TNNI3 mutation in a Chinese woman of childbearing age with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.The genetic screening definite DNA-based diagnosis and help to design a healthy fertilization in vitro for female with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.