With the advancement of genomic technologies, precision lifestyle interventions tailored to individual genetic backgrounds have emerged as a novel approach for preventing and managing chronic diseases Show more
With the advancement of genomic technologies, precision lifestyle interventions tailored to individual genetic backgrounds have emerged as a novel approach for preventing and managing chronic diseases such as obesity. Several randomized controlled trials (RCTs) targeting obese or overweight populations have found that individuals with different genotypes exhibit varying responses to the same lifestyle intervention (gene-lifestyle intervention interactions). To date, more than 20 genes, including Show less
Hereditary multiple exostoses (HME) is an autosomal dominant skeletal disorder primarily linked with mutations in Exostosin-1 (EXT1) and Exostosin-2 (EXT2) genes. However, not all HME cases can be exp Show more
Hereditary multiple exostoses (HME) is an autosomal dominant skeletal disorder primarily linked with mutations in Exostosin-1 (EXT1) and Exostosin-2 (EXT2) genes. However, not all HME cases can be explained by these mutations, and its pathogenic mechanisms are not fully understood. Herein, utilizing whole-exome sequencing and genetic screening with a family trio design, we identify two novel rare mutations co-segregating with HME in a Chinese family, including a nonsense mutation (c.204G>A, p.Trp68*) in EXT1 and a missense mutation (c.893T>G, p.Phe298Cys) in FUT7. Functional assays reveal that the FUT7 mutation affects the cellular localization of FUT7 protein and regulates cell proliferation. Notably, the simultaneous loss of fut7 and ext1 in a zebrafish model results in severe chondrodysplasia, indicating a functional link between FUT7 and EXT1 in chondrocyte regulation. Additionally, we unveil that FUT7 p.Phe298Cys reduces EXT1 expression through IL6/STAT3/SLUG axis at the transcription level and through ubiquitination-related proteasomal degradation at the protein level. Together, our findings not only identify novel germline mutations in FUT7 and EXT1 genes, but also highlight the critical interaction between these genes, suggesting a potential 'second-hit' mechanism over EXT1 mutations in HME pathogenesis. This insight enhances our understanding of the mechanisms underlying HME and opens new avenues for potential therapeutic interventions. Show less
Osteosarcoma (OS) is the most prevalent primary malignant bone sarcoma, characterized by its high rates of metastasis and mortality. In our previous multiomics analysis of the Shanghai General Hospita Show more
Osteosarcoma (OS) is the most prevalent primary malignant bone sarcoma, characterized by its high rates of metastasis and mortality. In our previous multiomics analysis of the Shanghai General Hospital OS (SGH-OS) cohort, we identified four distinct OS subtypes, each with unique molecular characteristics and clinical outcomes. Of particular importance was the identification of the MYC-driven subtype, which exhibited the poorest prognosis and was referred to as high-risk OS. A diagnostic tool is needed for clinicians to identify high-risk OS in advance. The purpose of this study is to develop a classifier capable of accurately predicting the high-risk OS subtype using transcriptome and methylation data. In this study, using eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost) with Bayesian optimization, we developed a classification model by integrating transcriptome and methylation data from our internal SGH-OS cohort. We further validated the model's predictive performance with the external TARGET-OS cohort. Using the XGBoost algorithm, we developed a classifier incorporating nine genes (ARHGAP9, CADM1, CPE, DUSP3, FGFR1, GALNT3, IGF2BP3, KIF26A, ZFP3). In our internal cohort, the classifier exhibited excellent predictive performance, with an area under the receiver operating characteristics curve (AUC) of 0.999 and an overall accuracy of 0.989. Furthermore, the classifier successfully stratified two groups with distinct survival outcomes in the external TARGET-OS cohort. Notably, our analysis revealed a positive correlation between IGF2BP3 and MYC signaling pathways, highlighting IGF2BP3 as a potential therapeutic target in high-risk OS. Our classifier demonstrated excellent predictive performance in identifying patients with high-risk OS, offering the potential to enhance treatment decision making and optimize patient management strategies. Show less
This study aimed to explore the molecular pathological mechanisms of the liver in metabolic disease-susceptible transgenic pigs via multiomics analysis. The triple-transgenic (PNPLA3 The TG2 pigs pres Show more
This study aimed to explore the molecular pathological mechanisms of the liver in metabolic disease-susceptible transgenic pigs via multiomics analysis. The triple-transgenic (PNPLA3 The TG2 pigs presented mild metaflammation and insulin resistance (IR) which was similar to WT12 pigs. Compared with the other three groups, the TG12 pigs presented severe hepatocyte ballooning, fat deposition, and portal area fibrosis. The transcriptome data suggested that the TG2 pigs presented upregulated gene expression in the extracellular matrix (ECM). The TG12 pigs presented more severe metaflammation and exhibited imbalanced glycolipid metabolism. Interestingly, genes such as ETNPPL, GABBR2, and BMP8B might be key regulatory targets for liver injury. The metabolome and lipidome suggested that long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFAs) and phospholipids with corresponding LCPUFAs were remodelled. Importantly, bis(monoacylglycerol) phosphates (BMPs) and sulfatides (SLs) could be the key regulatory metabolites in liver injury. ETNPPL, GABBR2, and BMP8B might be potential therapeutic targets for liver injury. BMPs and SLs might be biomarkers for the diagnosis and treatment of liver diseases. Show less
Previous researches have indicated the oncogenic effect of circCOL1A2 in several cancers, such as tongue squamous cell carcinoma, gastric cancer, and colorectal cancer. Regrettably, the functions and Show more
Previous researches have indicated the oncogenic effect of circCOL1A2 in several cancers, such as tongue squamous cell carcinoma, gastric cancer, and colorectal cancer. Regrettably, the functions and mechanisms of circCOL1A2 in lung cancer, a disease with the highest global incidence and mortality rates and with 85 % of cases classified as non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), remain largely unexplored. Hsa_circ₀₀₈₁₁₁₁ (circCOL1A2) was identified from GSE236879 dataset of Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Its expression was validated in 37 paired samples of cancerous and adjacent normal tissues from NSCLC patients, as well as in cell lines. The function of hsa_circ₀₀₈₁₁₁₁ was analyzed using CCK-8, Matrigel transwell, Western blot, and immunofluorescence assays in vitro, and by conducting subcutaneous xenograft experiments in mouse. The underlying mechanisms were explored using bioinformatics analysis, RNA pull-down experiments, and RNA immunoprecipitation. High expression of hsa_circ₀₀₈₁₁₁₁ was observed in NSCLC tissues and cell lines. This was positively correlated with the TNM stage and lymph node metastasis of NSCLC patients. Hsa_circ₀₀₈₁₁₁₁ overexpression promoted the proliferation, invasion, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of NSCLC cells. Conversely, its downregulation showed the opposite effects. In vivo studies revealed that silencing hsa_circ₀₀₈₁₁₁₁ inhibited tumor growth, EMT, and MMP9 expression in tumor tissues. Mechanically, hsa_circ₀₀₈₁₁₁₁ enhanced Slug mRNA stability by interacting with the RNA-binding protein IGF2BP2. Taken together, hsa_circ₀₀₈₁₁₁₁ is an oncogenic circRNA that promotes NSCLC malignancy by regulating IGF2BP2-mediated Slug mRNA stability. Hsa_circ₀₀₈₁₁₁₁ has the potential to be a diagnostic and therapeutic target for NSCLC. Show less
Excessive inflammation in sepsis causes microvascular dysfunction associated with organ dysfunction and high mortality. The present studies aimed to examine the therapeutic potential of linagliptin, a Show more
Excessive inflammation in sepsis causes microvascular dysfunction associated with organ dysfunction and high mortality. The present studies aimed to examine the therapeutic potential of linagliptin, a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor in a clinically relevant polymicrobial sepsis model in mice. Sepsis was induced by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). Mice were grouped into: Sham control+vehicle; Group 2: CLP+vehicle; Group 3: CLP+dexamethasone (10 mg/kg, s.c.) given 6 h after CLP; Group 4: CLP+linagliptin (1 mg/kg, s.c.) given 6 h after CLP. The experiment was terminated 24 hours after CLP in two experimental sets. Seven-day survival following CLP was determined in a third experimental set. Treatment with linagliptin inhibited DPP-4 activity, increased the levels of active forms of endogenous gastric inhibitory polypeptide and glucagon-like peptide-1, without affecting the blood glucose levels in CLP mice. Compared to vehicle treatment, administration of linagliptin reduced sepsis-induced tissue hyper permeability as evidenced by a reduction in vascular Evans blue leakage, prevented edema formation in the lung, heart, liver and kidney. Furthermore, linagliptin or dexamethasone reduced sepsis-induced proinflammatory cytokine and chemokine production, such as IL-1β, IL-2, IL-10, IL-23, IL-27, VCAM-1, eotaxin, MDC, MCSF1, GCP-2, and NGAL. Importantly, administration of linagliptin improved the 7-day survival rate following CLP in mice. RNA sequencing in lung and heart revealed that linagliptin attenuated key inflammatory pathways including TNF alpha (via NFκB) and IL6/JAK/STAT3 signaling and activated interferon signaling in the heart. Linagliptin treatment can attenuate the inflammatory response, protect against severe sepsis-induced vascular hyperpermeability, reduce multiorgan injury, and most importantly, improve the survival. Show less
Atherosclerosis (AS), a chronic inflammatory disease linked to oxidative stress and lipid imbalance, remains a major cardiovascular threat. Traditional herbs Salvia miltiorrhiza and Carthamus tinctori Show more
Atherosclerosis (AS), a chronic inflammatory disease linked to oxidative stress and lipid imbalance, remains a major cardiovascular threat. Traditional herbs Salvia miltiorrhiza and Carthamus tinctorius exhibit multi-target anti-AS potential, yet their compositional complexity limits clinical translation. This study aimed to systematically identify core anti-AS components from these herbs and enhance their anti-AS efficacy via machine learning-aided screening and nanotechnology-driven codelivery. We initially pioneered a machine learning-aided hybrid strategy integrating network pharmacology and quantitative activity relationship (QSAR) modeling to identify four core anti-AS polyphenols (i.e., salvianic acid A, salvianolic acid B, protocatechuic acid, and hydroxysafflor yellow A). Subsequently, a quaternary metal-phenolic network (SSPH-MPN) was engineered for plaque-targeted codelivery, optimized via the median-effect principle for achieving a synergistic effect based on ROS scavenging efficacy. The optimized SSPH-MPN was characterized by a series of studies, including molecular dynamics simulations, UV, DLS, TEM, FTIR, XPS, and ICP-MS. The anti-AS effect of the optimized SSPH-MPN was evaluated by monitoring oxidative status (ROS levels, antioxidant enzymes SOD, GSH-Px, MDA, T-AOC), inflammatory markers (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α), lipid metabolism (DiI-oxLDL uptake, cholesterol efflux, blood lipid levels, lipid accumulation), and plaque areas. The results demonstrated that the optimized SSPH-MPN showed great efficiency in inhibiting lipid uptake and accumulation, and mediating cholesterol efflux in RAW 264.7 cells, and exhibited improved lipid metabolism, attenuated oxidative stress and inflammation, thus acquired diminished plaque area in apoE Show less
This study aims to investigate the roles of the EXT1 and FGFR3 genes in the development of osteochondromas, focusing specifically on their potential interactions in chondrocyte proliferation, differen Show more
This study aims to investigate the roles of the EXT1 and FGFR3 genes in the development of osteochondromas, focusing specifically on their potential interactions in chondrocyte proliferation, differentiation, and tumor formation. In vitro, the ATDC5 chondroprogenitor cell line was used to examine the effects of inactivation of both EXT1 and FGFR3. In vivo, a mouse model with dual gene knockout of Ext1 and Fgfr3 was constructed to further explore these genes' roles in tumor formation by observing the incidence and distribution patterns of osteochondromas. The in vitro experiments demonstrated that ATDC5 cells with reduced expression of EXT1 and FGFR3 genes exhibited enhanced chondrogenic differentiation. In vivo, Fgfr3 The EXT1 and FGFR3 genes play crucial regulatory roles in the development of osteochondromas. Deficiencies in Ext1 and Fgfr3 can induce the formation of osteochondromas. Show less
To develop and evaluate a predictive model for myocardial injury in patients with advanced gastric cancer treated with fluorouracil plus platinum-based chemotherapy, incorporating baseline characteris Show more
To develop and evaluate a predictive model for myocardial injury in patients with advanced gastric cancer treated with fluorouracil plus platinum-based chemotherapy, incorporating baseline characteristics and inflammatory, nutritional, and atherosclerotic factors. A total of 268 patients with advanced gastric cancer who received this treatment between April 2020 and September 2024 were selected and divided into a training set ( In the training set, 56 patients (29.79%) developed myocardial injury, while 23 patients (28.75%) in the validation set developed myocardial injury, with no statistically significant difference in the incidence or clinical characteristics between the two sets ( This predictive model aids in the early identification of myocardial injury, guiding clinical decision-making and improving prognosis. Show less
Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) has become the most prevalent type of heart failure, but effective treatments are lacking. Cardiac lymphatics play a crucial role in maintaining Show more
Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) has become the most prevalent type of heart failure, but effective treatments are lacking. Cardiac lymphatics play a crucial role in maintaining heart health by draining fluids and immune cells. However, their involvement in HFpEF remains largely unexplored. We examined cardiac lymphatic alterations in mice with HFpEF with comorbid obesity and hypertension, and in heart tissues from patients with HFpEF. Using genetically engineered mouse models and various cellular and molecular techniques, we investigated the role of cardiac lymphatics in HFpEF and the underlying mechanisms. In mice with HFpEF, cardiac lymphatics displayed substantial structural and functional anomalies, including decreased lymphatic endothelial cell (LEC) density, vessel fragmentation, reduced branch connections, and impaired capacity to drain fluids and immune cells. LEC numbers and marker expression levels were also decreased in heart tissues from patients with HFpEF. Stimulating lymphangiogenesis with an adeno-associated virus expressing an engineered variant of vascular endothelial growth factor C (VEGFC Our study provides evidence that cardiac lymphatic disruption, driven by impaired BCAA catabolism in LECs, is a key factor contributing to HFpEF. These findings unravel the crucial role of BCAA catabolism in modulating lymphatic biology, and suggest that preserving cardiac lymphatic integrity may present a novel therapeutic strategy for HFpEF. Show less
Mammalian scent glands mediate species-specific chemical communication, yet the mechanistic basis for convergent musk production remain incompletely understood. Forest musk deer and muskrat have indep Show more
Mammalian scent glands mediate species-specific chemical communication, yet the mechanistic basis for convergent musk production remain incompletely understood. Forest musk deer and muskrat have independently evolved specialized musk-secreting glands, representing a striking case of convergent evolution. Through an integrated multi-omics approach, this study identified cyclopentadecanone as a shared key metabolic precursor in musk from both forest musk deer and muskrat, although downstream metabolite profiles diverged between the two lineages. Single-cell RNA sequencing revealed that these specialized apocrine glands possessed unique secretory architecture and exhibited transcriptional profiles associated with periodic musk production, distinct from those in conventional apocrine glands. Convergent features were evident at the cellular level, where acinar, ductal, and basal epithelial subtypes showed parallel molecular signatures across both taxa. Notably, acinar cells in both species expressed common genes involved in fatty acid and glycerolipid metabolism (e.g., Show less
To identify latent profiles of demoralization among older adults with disabilities, analyze their influencing factors, and examine their associations with active aging. From February to July 2025, a c Show more
To identify latent profiles of demoralization among older adults with disabilities, analyze their influencing factors, and examine their associations with active aging. From February to July 2025, a convenience sample of 411 older adults with disabilities was recruited from a tertiary hospital in Anhui Province, China. Data were collected using a general information questionnaire, the Chinese version of the Demoralization Scale, and the Active Aging Scale. Latent profile analysis (LPA) was performed based on demoralization subscale scores. Univariate and multinominal analyses were employed to investigate the influencing factors, and the Kruskal-Wallis The prevalence of demoralization syndrome was 49.1%. LPA identified three distinct profiles: the Well-Adapted Group (53.3%), the Disheartened-Helpless Group (23.8%), and the Fully Demoralized Group (22.9%). The Kruskal-Wallis Nearly half of the older adults with disabilities experienced demoralization, with heterogeneous subgroups identified. The active aging status of demoralized subgroups requires urgent attention. These findings suggest the need for targeted interventions tailored to the characteristics of each profile to improve mental health and promote active aging in this population. Show less
While most patients with stage I non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remain recurrence-free after resection, some still develop recurrent disease. The surgical curative time window concept, defined as Show more
While most patients with stage I non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remain recurrence-free after resection, some still develop recurrent disease. The surgical curative time window concept, defined as no recurrence through 5-year follow-up, helps identify potentially cured patients, yet predictive clinicopathologic features in stage I invasive NSCLC need clarification. This study sought to identify such features to enable risk-adapted surveillance. We analyzed a prospectively collected dataset of patients with stage I invasive NSCLC who underwent R0 resection between 2008 and 2015. Cox regression analysis was used to evaluate the association between clinicopathologic features and disease recurrence, aiming to identify independent prognostic factors. A total of 1,817 patients met the inclusion criteria. The 5-year cumulative incidence of recurrence was 14.6%. Female sex, tumor size ≤2 cm, lepidic-predominant adenocarcinoma (LPA) histologic type, presence of a ground-glass opacity (GGO) component, and solid component size ≤10 mm were identified as independent prognostic factors. A risk stratification system was subsequently developed, classifying patients into two groups: a low-risk group (with ≥4 factors; n=341) and an elevated-risk group (with <4 factors; n=1,476). Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed statistically significant differences in recurrence-free survival (RFS), overall survival (OS), and lung cancer-specific survival (LCSS) between the two groups (P<0.001). The low-risk group is considered to represent the population within the surgical curative time window. Patients with stage I invasive NSCLC who meet at least four of the following five criteria-female sex, tumor size ≤2 cm, solid component ≤10 mm, presence of a GGO component, and LPA histologic type-may be considered within the "surgical curative time window" and may therefore qualify for reduced surveillance intensity. Show less
The lack of standardized objective approaches hinders the accurate diagnosis and treatment of depression. Herein, a novel electrochemical platform was created utilizing cost-effective and rapid 3D pri Show more
The lack of standardized objective approaches hinders the accurate diagnosis and treatment of depression. Herein, a novel electrochemical platform was created utilizing cost-effective and rapid 3D printing technology to overcome the constraints of conventional diagnostic methods. This method allows for highly sensitive detection of Apolipoprotein A4 (Apo-A4), an important biomarker for depression, using dual-signal outputs. The electrode material utilized in this setup consisted of a combination of carbon black/polylactic acid (CB/PLA) and ferrocene-chitosan-gold nanoparticles (Fc-CS-AuNPs). On the other hand, the signal label was composed of gold nanoparticles-thionine-secondary antibody (AuNPs-Thi-Ab Show less
Sepsis is associated with high morbidity and high mortality and has strongly motivated intense studies into its mechanisms. Antibiotics, aimed to eradicate bacteria, have some impact on the immune sys Show more
Sepsis is associated with high morbidity and high mortality and has strongly motivated intense studies into its mechanisms. Antibiotics, aimed to eradicate bacteria, have some impact on the immune system due to anti-inflammatory properties. Tigecycline, an antibiotic of the glycylcycline class, is commonly used for severe infections. This study aimed to investigate tigecycline's mechanism on the inflammatory response of sepsis to find new targets for sepsis treatment. The objective included (i) to observe the changes in inflammatory factors in LPS (lipopolysaccharide) induced septic mice after tigecycline administration, (ii) to detect the effect of tigecycline on macrophages NF-κB (nuclear factor kappa B) signalling. For LPS-induced sepsis in mice and intervention with tigecycline, mice were first injected with tigecycline (6.5 mg/kg) via tail vein followed by LPS (15 mg/kg). Luminex analysis was performed on 16 mediators. NF-κB signalling pathway antibody chip detected the expression of target sites in macrophages of the LPS group and tigecycline + LPS group. Tigecycline has inhibitory effects on LPS-induced inflammatory response in septic mice, decreasing the concentrations of IL (interleukin)-6, IL-27, TNF-α (tumour necrosis factor-α), TNF RII, IFN-γ (interferon-gamma), CCL5/RANTES (CC Motif Chemokine Ligand) while increasing IL-6Rα, IL-10, and TWEAK (TNF-related weak inducer of apoptosis). Tigecycline downregulated phosphorylation levels of key sites JNK (c-Jun N-terminal kinase)1/2/3, p-p65 (s468) and p-p105/p50 (s907) in NF-κB signalling. Tigecycline may inhibit the excessive immune response induced by LPS in sepsis, which may cause a potential protective effect on the host through immune regulation. Show less
Sijie Gu, Haoran Feng, Xiaomei Li+10 more · 2025 · Molecular therapy : the journal of the American Society of Gene Therapy · Elsevier · added 2026-04-24
Preventing the progression from acute kidney injury (AKI) to chronic kidney disease (CKD) remains a considerable clinical challenge. In this study, we elucidate the role of WNT5A in accelerating the A Show more
Preventing the progression from acute kidney injury (AKI) to chronic kidney disease (CKD) remains a considerable clinical challenge. In this study, we elucidate the role of WNT5A in accelerating the AKI-to-CKD transition and its underlying mechanisms. Renal biopsies from patients with AKI showed marked upregulation of WNT5A and its receptor, CD146, in proximal tubules, with higher expression in patients with CKD progression. In murine AKI models, Wnt5a knockdown attenuated CKD progression. Conversely, proximal tubular overexpression of Wnt5a exacerbated renal fibrosis in ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) mice, which was alleviated by Box5, a specific WNT5A antagonist. In vitro, WNT5A overexpression in transforming growth factor β (TGF-β)-stimulated HK-2 cells promoted CD146 upregulation, activated JNK phosphorylation, and enhanced SNAI1 expression. The genetic silencing of WNT5A/CD146 and JNK inhibition suppresses SNAI1 expression and attenuates fibrotic responses. Mechanistically, JNK-mediated c-JUN phosphorylation promoted its interaction with KLF5 at the SNAI1 promoter, driving renal fibrosis. Elevated serum levels of soluble CD146 correlated with renal function in patients with AKI and were higher in patients exhibiting CKD progression. Inhibition of WNT5A could serve as a therapeutic target for delaying renal fibrosis in AKI progression. Show less
Evidence has linked self-reported sedentary behaviors with dementia and cognitive impairment; however, the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. We investigated the associations of accelerom Show more
Evidence has linked self-reported sedentary behaviors with dementia and cognitive impairment; however, the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. We investigated the associations of accelerometer-measured sedentary behavior patterns with gray matter atrophy patterns in rural-dwelling older adults, while taking into account the manner in which sedentary time is accrued (in short or long bouts). This community-based study involved 911 dementia-free older adults (age ≥ 60 years, 59% women) who participated in both ActiGraph and brain MRI substudies within MIND-China (2018-2020). Sedentary behavior parameters (total sedentary time, mean sedentary bout duration, and sedentary breaks) were recorded with accelerometers. Regional gray matter volumes (GMV) were measured using voxel-based morphometry (VBM) methods. Data were analyzed using the general linear regression models, restricted cubic spline curves, and VBM analysis. There was an inverted U-shaped association between daily sedentary time and GMV in temporal, cingulate, and medial temporal cortex, while longer mean sedentary bout duration was linearly related to decreased GMV in total, frontal, temporal, insula, cingulate, and medial temporal cortex. Greater daily time spent in light or moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (LPA and MVPA) was correlated with larger insula GMV. The VBM analysis suggested that prolonged daily total sedentary time and mean sedentary bout duration were significantly associated with smaller GMV in extensive brain regions, especially in thalamus and insula. In conclusion, gray matter atrophy associated with sedentary behavior in older adults is characterized by reduced GMV in global, frontal, temporal, medial temporal, and cingulate cortex, especially in the insula and thalamus regions. Show less
Biomolecular condensates, membrane-less assemblies formed by phase separation, are implicated in neurodegenerative disease, but their role in Alzheimer's disease (AD) remains unclear. Here, we report Show more
Biomolecular condensates, membrane-less assemblies formed by phase separation, are implicated in neurodegenerative disease, but their role in Alzheimer's disease (AD) remains unclear. Here, we report that in the brain of AD patients and animal models, an elevation of poly(C)-binding protein 2 (PCBP2) correlates with biomolecular condensation that involves phase separation. These condensates sequester large numbers of mitochondrial and mRNA-binding proteins, leading to the outside impairment of mitochondrial morphology and function, and BACE1 mRNA decay relative to amyloid deposition. We then identify a small molecule CN-0928 that inhibits the condensates by reducing PCBP2 protein level and mitigates AD pathology and cognitive decline, in which CN-0928 binding to a target protein integrator complex subunit 1 (INTS1) allows to regulate PCBP2 expression. Our findings place PCBP2 condensates as a key player that cooperates the seemingly disparate but important pathways, and show pharmacological modulation of PCBP2 as an effective approach for treating AD. Show less
The development of BACE-1 (β-site amyloid precursor protein cleaving enzyme 1) inhibitors is a crucial focus in exploring early treatments for Alzheimer's disease (AD). Recently, graph neural networks Show more
The development of BACE-1 (β-site amyloid precursor protein cleaving enzyme 1) inhibitors is a crucial focus in exploring early treatments for Alzheimer's disease (AD). Recently, graph neural networks (GNNs) have demonstrated significant advantages in predicting molecular activity. However, their reliance on graph structures alone often neglects explicit sequence-level semantic information. To address this limitation, we proposed a Graph and multi-level Sequence Fusion Learning (GSFL) model for predicting the molecular activity of BACE-1 inhibitors. Firstly, molecular graph structures generated from SMILES strings were encoded using GNNs with an atomic-level characteristic attention mechanism. Next, substrings at functional group, ion level, and atomic level substrings were extracted from SMILES strings and encoded using a BiLSTM-Transformer framework equipped with a hierarchical attention mechanism. Finally, these features were fused to predict the activity of BACE-1 inhibitors. A dataset of 1548 compounds with BACE-1 activity measurements was curated from the ChEMBL database. In the classification experiment, the model achieved an accuracy of 0.941 on the training set and 0.877 on the test set. For the test set, it delivered a sensitivity of 0.852, a specificity of 0.894, a MCC of 0.744, an F1-score of 0.872, a PRC of 0.869, and an AUC of 0.915. Compared to traditional computer-aided drug design methods and other machine learning algorithms, the proposed model can effectively improve the accuracy of the molecular activity prediction of BACE-1 inhibitors and has a potential application value. Show less
The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of dietary fatty acids (FA) saturation and lysophospholipids supplementation on growth, meat quality, oxidative stability, FA profiles, and lipi Show more
The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of dietary fatty acids (FA) saturation and lysophospholipids supplementation on growth, meat quality, oxidative stability, FA profiles, and lipid metabolism of finishing beef bulls. Thirty-two Angus bulls (initial body weight: 623 ± 22.6 kg; 21 ± 0.5 months of age) were used. The experiment was a completely randomized block design with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments: 2 diets with FA of different degree of unsaturation [high saturated FA diet (HSFA) vs. high unsaturated FA diet (HUFA)] combined with (0.075%, dry matter basis) and without lysophospholipids supplementation. The bulls were fed a high-concentrate diet (forage to concentrate, 15:85) for 104 d including a 14-d adaptation period and a 90-d data and sample collection period. No interactions were observed between dietary FA and lysophospholipids supplementation for growth and meat quality parameters. A greater dietary ratio of unsaturated FA (UFA) to saturated FA (SFA) from 1:2 to 1:1 led to lower DM intake and backfat thickness, but did not affect growth performance and other carcass traits. Compared with HSFA, bulls fed HUFA had greater shear force in Longissimus thoracis (LT) muscle, but had lower intramuscular fat (IMF) content and SOD content in LT muscle. Compared with HUFA, feeding the HSFA diet up-regulated expression of ACC, FAS, PPARγ, and SCD1, but down-regulated expression of CPT1B. Compared with feeding HSFA, the HUFA diet led to greater concentrations of c9-C18:1 and other monounsaturated FA in LT muscle. Feeding HUFA also led to lower plasma concentrations of cholesterol, but there were no interactions between FA and lysophospholipids detected. Feeding lysophospholipids improved growth and feed conversion ratio and altered meat quality by increasing muscle pH Results indicated that supplementing a high-concentrate diet with lysophospholipids to beef bulls can enhance growth rate, feed efficiency, meat quality, and beneficial FA. Increasing the dietary ratio of UFA to SFA reduced DM intake and backfat thickness without compromising growth, suggesting potential improvements in feed efficiency. Show less
Cold stress poses a significant challenge to pig farming in northern China, leading to reduced productivity and, in severe cases, even mortality. However, the mechanisms underlying cold resistance in Show more
Cold stress poses a significant challenge to pig farming in northern China, leading to reduced productivity and, in severe cases, even mortality. However, the mechanisms underlying cold resistance in pigs are not well understood. To explore the genetic mechanism of cold resistance in pigs under low-temperature conditions, the cold-tolerant Hezuo pig was selected as a model. DIA proteomics analysis was performed on liver tissues from Hezuo pigs after 24 h of exposure to low-temperature treatments. The results showed that approximately 149 differential abundance proteins (DAPs) were detected (95 up-regulated and 54 down-regulated). GO analysis showed that these DAPs were mainly associated with lipid metabolism, vesicle fusion, and membrane function. KEGG analysis showed that these DAPs were primarily enriched in lipid metabolism-related pathways such as cholesterol metabolism and vitamin digestion and absorption. Comprehensive analysis identified APOA4, APOA2, SREBF2, ATP23, STX2, USO1, ETFA, RAB11FIP1, ETNPPL, and SGMS1 as potential key proteins involved in cold resistance mechanisms. The mRNA expression of the genes for two key candidate proteins (APOA4 and SREBF2), which are involved in lipid metabolism, was analyzed using qRT-PCR, revealing a significant up-regulation after low-temperature treatment. These findings provide significant insights into the mechanisms of cold resistance in animals and may serve as candidate markers for further studies on cold tolerance. SIGNIFICANCE: Cold resistance is one of the key traits in pigs and involves multiple complex coordinated regulatory mechanisms. However, its genetic mechanisms are not completely understood. In this study, a DIA proteomics approach was used to identify proteins and pathways associated with cold resistance in the liver of low-temperature-treated Hezuo pigs. These findings offer novel candidate proteins and key pathways for investigating the molecular mechanisms of cold resistance in Hezuo pigs, providing a base for further elucidating the mechanisms of cold tolerance in pigs. Show less
Lifestyle improvement may help reverse prediabetes. Indicators such as Life's Essential 8 (LE8) and biological aging measures (phenotypic age, cardiovascular biological age) partially reflect metaboli Show more
Lifestyle improvement may help reverse prediabetes. Indicators such as Life's Essential 8 (LE8) and biological aging measures (phenotypic age, cardiovascular biological age) partially reflect metabolic status in prediabetes, but their predictive value for cardiovascular mortality and stroke in this population remains unclear. We analyzed data from 74,678 White participants with prediabetes in the UK Biobank, defined by either HbA1c (5.7-6.4%) or fasting glucose (6.1-6.9 mmol/L). Follow-up continued until October 10, 2023. Cox regression was used to examine associations between LE8, phenotypic age (PhenoAge), cardiovascular biological age (CBA), and outcomes of cardiovascular (CVD) mortality and stroke. Restricted cubic spline (RCS) models identified biological age risk thresholds. Mediation analysis assessed whether proteins such as CST3, EFEMP1, FES, IGFBP2, IGFBP6, LPA, PCSK9, and TIMP1 mediated these effects. Over a median follow-up of 13.4 years, 2263 participants died from CVD causes. Each 1-year increase in CBA or PhenoAge was associated with a ~ 10% higher risk of CVD mortality (CBA aHR = 1.10; PhenoAge aHR = 1.09; both P < 0.001), while each 1-point increase in LE8 score was linked to a 3% lower risk (HR = 0.97, P < 0.001). The risk biological ages for these two indicators were also identified: PhenoAge ≥ 58.52 years and CBA ≥ 62.42 years. Similar trends were observed for stroke. Mediation analysis revealed that CST3, TIMP1, IGFBP2, and IGFBP6 contributed to the biological pathways between aging/lifestyle and CVD outcomes. The combined LE8 and PhenoAge model showed the strongest predictive performance for CVD mortality (AUC = 0.716) and stroke (AUC = 0.638) over 15 years. LE8 combined with phenotypic age provides prognostic value for CVD outcomes in prediabetes. These findings highlight the potential of lifestyle modification and delayed biological aging in reversing prediabetes and underscore comorbidity-related proteins as promising therapeutic targets. Show less
Background Myeloid/lymphoid neoplasm with eosinophilia and rearrangement of FGFR1(MLN-FGFR1), also referred to as 8p11 myeloproliferative syndrome (EMS), arises from aberrant FGFR1 gene rearrangement Show more
Background Myeloid/lymphoid neoplasm with eosinophilia and rearrangement of FGFR1(MLN-FGFR1), also referred to as 8p11 myeloproliferative syndrome (EMS), arises from aberrant FGFR1 gene rearrangement in bone marrow hematopoietic stem cells, resulting in the transformation of myeloid/lymphoid cells into neoplastic growths. The clinical and laboratory features of affected individuals are influenced by the specific partner genes. Purpose This article aims to report a case of MLN-FGFR1 involving a novel CNTRL::FGFR1 splicing variant and to discuss its clinicopathological characteristics and treatment challenges. Methods/Results We report a case of MLN-FGFR1 in a 35-year-old male patient presenting with leukocytosis, lymphadenopathy, hepatosplenomegaly, and a mixed population of B lymphoblasts, T lymphoblasts, and monoblasts in the bone marrow and lymph nodes. Comprehensive molecular profiling, including chromosomal karyotyping, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), targeted transcriptome sequencing, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and Sanger sequencing, identified a novel splicing variant of the CNTRL::FGFR1 fusion, resulting from a t(8;9)(p11;q33) translocation. This novel splicing variant involves an in-frame fusion between exon 38 of CNTRL and exon 11 of FGFR1, retaining the kinase domain of FGFR1 and leading to its constitutive activation. Despite multiple treatment regimens, the patient failed to achieve complete remission (CR). Conclusion The findings highlight the urgent need for targeted therapies, such as FGFR inhibitors, to improve outcomes in patients with FGFR1-rearranged malignancies. Show less
The primary aim of this study is to explore distinct patterns of post-traumatic growth (PTG) and fear of cancer progression (FOP) among breast cancer patients through latent profile analysis (LPA). Ad Show more
The primary aim of this study is to explore distinct patterns of post-traumatic growth (PTG) and fear of cancer progression (FOP) among breast cancer patients through latent profile analysis (LPA). Additionally, we assessed the differences in demographic and disease-related factors among breast cancer patients with varying patterns. Finally, we examined the influence of socio-demographic, disease-related, social support, anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) factors on the varying patterns, aiming to assist healthcare providers in developing more effective psychological care strategies for breast cancer patients. A questionnaire survey was conducted on 752 breast cancer patients. Latent profile analysis was employed to explore the patterns of post-traumatic growth and fear of cancer progression in these patients, and multiple logistic regression analysis was used to identify the predictive factors for the different patterns. Based on the fit indices of latent class analysis, a three-class model was identified as the optimal solution, which included the Resisting group, Struggling group, and Growth group. In the Resisting group (24.33%), patients reported low levels of post-traumatic growth and high levels of fear of cancer progression; in the Struggling group (46.14%), patients exhibited moderate levels of post-traumatic growth and low levels of fear of cancer progression; in the Growth group (29.52%), patients demonstrated high levels of post-traumatic growth and moderate levels of fear of cancer progression. Additionally, the multiple logistic regression analysis reveals that marital status, place of residence, education level, disease stage, social support, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder levels in breast cancer patients serve as significant factors influencing the distinct patterns of post-traumatic growth and fear of progression. This study suggests that there is heterogeneity in the PTG and FOP patterns in breast cancer patients. It provides a research basis for promoting the psychological recovery of breast cancer patients and highlights the importance of focusing on the positive effects of PTG while mitigating the negative impact of FOP. Healthcare providers can implement targeted nursing interventions based on the different patterns observed in breast cancer patients. Show less
Hyperlipidemia is a common metabolic disorder and a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. The traditional medicine herb, Hippophae rhamnoides L., known as sea buckthorn, has anti-obesity and lipid-l Show more
Hyperlipidemia is a common metabolic disorder and a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. The traditional medicine herb, Hippophae rhamnoides L., known as sea buckthorn, has anti-obesity and lipid-lowering effects, while Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn, known as milk thistle, has hepatoprotective properties and exhibits antioxidant effects. To evaluate the effect of sea buckthorn and milk thistle solid beverage (H-S solid beverage) in alleviating hyperlipidemia in rats and explore the underlying mechanisms by analyzing plasma and liver metabolomics, lipidomics, and liver transcriptomics. A hyperlipidemic rat model was established after 2 weeks of high-fat diet (HFD) feeding in Sprague Dawley rats. The administered doses of H-S solid beverage were 0.30 g/kg/d, 0.15 g/kg/d and 0.075 g/kg/d. Serum biochemical parameter detection, histopathological section analysis, untargeted plasma and liver metabolomics, lipidomics, and liver transcriptomics were performed to determine the therapeutic effects of H-S solid beverage and predict the related pathways in rats with hyperlipidemia. Changes in genes and proteins related to lipid metabolism were detected using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blotting. Eighty-nine components were identified in H-S solid beverage using ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry, with flavonoids being the major constituents. The H-S solid beverage significantly reduced body weight, liver index, body fat percentage, lipid accumulation, and liver injury in HFD-fed rats. Fatty acids (FA), bile acid, phosphatidyl ethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine, triglyceride, cholesterol ester, diglyceride and phosphatidylinositol levels were significantly altered in the liver and plasma. Moreover, the transcriptomic analysis suggested that H-S solid beverage significantly altered the hepatic gene expression of cholesterol synthesis (Pdk4, Hmgcs1, and Dhcr24), lipogenesis (Scd, Angptl4, and Angptl8), and FA β-oxidation (Cpt1α, Pparδ, Acsl, Pgc-1α, and Pla2g2d). The solid beverage of sea buckthorn and milk thistle was firstly demonstrated to ameliorate HFD-induced hyperlipidemia. The lipid-lowering and hepatoprotective effects of H-S solid beverage significantly regulated cholesterol synthesis and de novo lipogenesis, as well as FA β-oxidation. In summary, this study highlights the potential of H-S solid beverages for the treatment of hyperlipidemia. Show less
The poor prognosis of glioblastoma (GBM) patients is attributed mainly to abundant neovascularization and presence of glioblastoma stem cells (GSCs). GSCs are preferentially localized to the perivascu Show more
The poor prognosis of glioblastoma (GBM) patients is attributed mainly to abundant neovascularization and presence of glioblastoma stem cells (GSCs). GSCs are preferentially localized to the perivascular niche to maintain stemness. However, the effect of abnormal communication between endothelial cells (ECs) and GSCs on GBM progression remains unknown. Here, we reveal that ECs-derived SEMA3G, which is aberrantly expressed in GBM patients, impairs GSCs by inducing c-Myc degradation. SEMA3G activates NRP2/PLXNA1 in a paracrine manner, subsequently inducing the inactivation of Cdc42 and dissociation of Cdc42 and WWP2 in GSCs. Once released, WWP2 interacts with c-Myc and mediates c-Myc degradation via ubiquitination. Genetic deletion of Sema3G in ECs accelerates GBM growth, whereas SEMA3G overexpression or recombinant SEMA3G protein prolongs the survival of GBM bearing mice. These findings illustrate that ECs play an intrinsic inhibitory role in GSCs stemness via the SMEA3G-c-Myc distal regulation paradigm. Targeting SEMA3G signaling may have promising therapeutic benefits for GBM patients. Show less
Subjective cognitive decline (SCD) serves as an initial symptom of preclinical Alzheimer's disease (AD). The accumulation of amyloid-beta (Aβ) is acknowledged as a critical risk factor for the eventua Show more
Subjective cognitive decline (SCD) serves as an initial symptom of preclinical Alzheimer's disease (AD). The accumulation of amyloid-beta (Aβ) is acknowledged as a critical risk factor for the eventual progression to mild cognitive impairment or dementia in individuals with SCD, highlighting the necessity for early detection and intervention. Previous studies have identified the retina and choriocapillaris as potential biomarkers for AD; however, these investigations have not thoroughly examined large and medium-sized choroidal vessels. Ultra-wide swept-source optical coherence tomography angiography (SS-OCTA), an innovative noninvasive imaging modality, facilitates rapid and precise quantitative assessment of retinal and choroidal boundaries and vasculature through dynamic scanning, encompassing large and medium-sized choroidal vessels. This study aims to characterize the outer retinal and choroidal vasculature and structure in individuals with SCD, examine the correlation between altered choroidal vasculature parameters and amyloid burden, and the presence of the apolipoprotein E (APOE) ε4 allele in SCD participants, to identify potential ocular biomarkers for high-risk SCD screening. In this study, 57 individuals with SCD and 45 matched normal controls were enrolled. Ultra-wide SS-OCTA was employed to assess the thickness of the outer retina and choroid and the blood flow within the choriocapillaris and large, medium-sized choroidal vessels. Show less
Pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas (PPGLs) exhibit the highest degree of heritability among all human tumors, yet the genetics of urinary bladder paragangliomas (UBPGLs) remains poorly understood. T Show more
Pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas (PPGLs) exhibit the highest degree of heritability among all human tumors, yet the genetics of urinary bladder paragangliomas (UBPGLs) remains poorly understood. The present study aims to examine the characteristics of a cohort of Chinese patients with UBPGLs, focusing particularly on genetics. The study included 70 Chinese patients with UBPGLs from 15 centers in China, 240 patients with non-head and neck PGLs (non-HNPGLs) outside the urine bladder, and 16 Caucasian patients with UBPGLs. Tumor DNA samples were sequenced by next generation sequencing. All identified pathogenic variants (PVs) were confirmed by Sanger sequencing. Among the 70 Chinese patients, PVs were identified in 38 cases: 23 in cluster 1 A (13 SDHB, 1 SDHD, 1 SDHA, 4 IDH1, 2 SLC25A11, and 2 FH), 4 in cluster 1B (3 EPAS1 and 1 EGLN1), and 11 in cluster 2 genes (7 HRAS, 1 FGFR1, 2 NF1, and 1 H3F3A). Compared with other non-HNPGLs, UBPGLs had more PVs in cluster 1 A genes (32.9% vs. 14.2%, p < 0.001), but fewer in cluster 1B (5.7% vs. 19.2%, p = 0.002) and cluster 2 genes (15.7% vs. 42.5%, p < 0.001). PVs in SDHB (18.6%) was the most common in Chinese patients with UBPGLs, followed by HRAS (10.0%). No PVs was found in 45.7% of all UBPGLs. PVs in HRAS, SLC25A11, EPAS1, and FH were also identified in Caucasians with UBPGLs. Chinese patients with UBPGLs have a diverse genetic profile. PVs in cluster 1 A genes underlie nearly 1/3 of patients, highlighting the importance of genetic testing. Diverse germline and somatic PVs are also present in Caucasian patients with UBPGLs. Show less