Twenty types of GABAergic interneurons form intricate networks to fine-tune neural circuits in the brain. Parvalbumin-positive (PV+) and somatostatin-positive (SST+) interneurons, which are the two la Show more
Twenty types of GABAergic interneurons form intricate networks to fine-tune neural circuits in the brain. Parvalbumin-positive (PV+) and somatostatin-positive (SST+) interneurons, which are the two largest populations of neocortical interneurons, innervate the soma and/or proximal dendrites, and distal dendrites of pyramidal neurons, respectively. Using PV- and SST-specific knockout mouse models, we show that PV+ interneurons require FGFR2, which responds to FGF7, to drive PV+ inhibitory presynaptic maturation on perisomatic regions of Layer V pyramidal neurons. In contrast, SST+ interneurons rely on both FGFR1 and FGFR2, which respond to FGF10 or FGF22, to promote SST+ inhibitory presynaptic maturation on distal dendrites of pyramidal neurons in cortical Layer I. Mechanistically, FGF-FGFR signaling sustains VGAT protein levels in interneurons through PP2A and Akt pathways. Together, these findings demonstrate that distinct FGF ligand-receptor combinations regulate inhibitory presynaptic differentiation by PV+ and SST+ interneurons, contributing to the formation of compartment-specific synaptic patterns. Show less
Atherosclerosis (AS) remains a leading cause of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, characterized by intricate interactions between immune dysregulation and lipid metabolism abnormalities-identify Show more
Atherosclerosis (AS) remains a leading cause of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, characterized by intricate interactions between immune dysregulation and lipid metabolism abnormalities-identifying key mediators in its pathogenesis is critical for improving diagnostics and therapies. This study focuses on Transmembrane Protein 106A (TMEM106A) to clarify its role and clinical relevance in AS progression. Public transcriptomic datasets (GSE43292, GSE100927, GSE28829) were analyzed to assess TMEM106A expression and diagnostic value; single-cell RNA-seq data (GSE159677) defined its cellular localization. Immune infiltration (ssGSEA, Cibersort, xCell) and CellChat (intercellular communication) analyses explored its immune associations. TMEM106A was significantly upregulated in AS samples across datasets, with strong diagnostic efficacy (AUC 0.80-0.95). Single-cell analysis confirmed its specific enrichment in macrophages, with functional links to immune-related pathways. TMEM106A promoted macrophage infiltration, foam cell formation, oxidative stress, and inflammatory responses, while regulating PLCB2 in chemokine signaling; silencing TMEM106A alleviated these pro-atherosclerotic effects. TMEM106A contributes to AS progression by modulating macrophage-mediated immune responses and chemokine signaling, as validated in experimental models. These findings support its potential as a clinically relevant biomarker and promising therapeutic target for AS intervention. Show less
Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a chronic inflammatory joint disorder marked by cartilage degradation and immune microenvironment dysregulation. While transcriptomic studies have identified key pathways Show more
Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a chronic inflammatory joint disorder marked by cartilage degradation and immune microenvironment dysregulation. While transcriptomic studies have identified key pathways in KOA, the interplay between ferroptosis (an iron-dependent cell death mechanism) and immune dysfunction at single-cell resolution remains unexplored. This study integrates single-cell and bulk transcriptomics to dissect ferroptosis-driven immune remodeling and identify diagnostic biomarkers in KOA. We analyzed scRNA-seq data (GSE255460, Twelve chondrocyte clusters were identified, including ferroptosis-active homeostasis chondrocytes (HomC) ( This study establishes ferroptosis as one of the key drivers immune-metabolic dysfunction in KOA, with HomC acting as a hub for FGF-mediated synovitis and ECM remodeling. The diagnostic model and regulon network ( Show less
Heart failure (HF) is a serious cardiovascular condition resulting from abnormalities in multiple biological processes, affecting over 64 million people worldwide. We sought to expand our understandin Show more
Heart failure (HF) is a serious cardiovascular condition resulting from abnormalities in multiple biological processes, affecting over 64 million people worldwide. We sought to expand our understanding of the genetic basis of HF and more specific NICM subtype in the East Asian populations and evaluate the biological pathways underlying subclinical left ventricular dysfunction. We conducted a meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies (GWAS) for all-cause HF in the East Asian populations (N cases ~ 13,385) and a more precise definition of nonischemic cardiomyopathy (NICM) subtype in multi-ancestry populations (N cases~3,603). We identified a low-frequency East-Asian enriched coding variant near MYBPC3 and a NICM specific locus. Follow up analyses demonstrated male-specific HF association at the MYBPC3 locus, and highlighted SVIL as a candidate causal gene for NICM. Moreover, we demonstrated that SVIL deficiency aggravated cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, apoptosis and impaired cell viability in phenylephrine (PE)-treated H9C2 cells. In addition, the gene expression level of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) which was deemed as a hallmark for HF was further elevated by SVIL silencing in PE-stimulated H9C2 cells. RNA-sequencing analysis of H9C2 cells revealed that the function of SVIL might be mediated through pathways relevant to regulation and differentiation of heart muscle. These results enhance our understanding of the genetic architecture of HF in the East Asian populations, and provide important insight into the biological pathways underlying NICM and sex-specific relevance of the MYBPC3 locus that warrants further replication in another datasets. Show less
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) combined with antiangiogenic agents have become a standard strategy for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). There remains an urgent need for effective biomarke Show more
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) combined with antiangiogenic agents have become a standard strategy for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). There remains an urgent need for effective biomarkers to guide treatment, with C-reactive protein and alpha-fetoprotein in immunotherapy (CRAFITY) scores and cytokine levels representing promising candidates. We aimed to assess the efficacy, safety, and potential biomarkers of anlotinib plus TQB2450 in patients with advanced HCC. This study was a single-arm, phase Ib trial. Twenty-five patients with advanced HCC were enrolled. Patients received an intravenous infusion of TQB2450 (1200 mg, on Day 1) and oral administration of anlotinib (initiated at 10 mg, once a day, from Day 1 to Day 14), which was repeated every 3 weeks. Blood was collected at baseline for serum cytokine analysis. After a median follow-up of 41.80 months, the median progression-free survival (mPFS) was 5.49 months, and the median overall survival (mOS) was 8.94 months. Treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) occurred in 22 patients, with grade ⩾3 TRAEs observed in 12 patients. Patients who achieved clinical benefit (CB) had higher baseline serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels than non-CB patients (median, 227.97 vs 129.26 pg/ml, Anlotinib plus TQB2450 demonstrated promising efficacy with manageable safety in advanced HCC. Elevated serum BDNF levels might serve as a potential positive prognostic marker and, together with ECOG score, may help complement the CRAFITY score in identifying subgroups that could benefit from ICIs and antiangiogenic therapy. Show less
Aging-related lipid metabolic disorder is related to oxidative stress. Selenium (Se)-enriched Cardamine violifolia (SEC) is known for its excellent antioxidant function. The objective of this study wa Show more
Aging-related lipid metabolic disorder is related to oxidative stress. Selenium (Se)-enriched Cardamine violifolia (SEC) is known for its excellent antioxidant function. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of SEC on antioxidant capacity and lipid metabolism in the liver of aged laying hens. A total of 450 sixty-five-wk-old Roman laying hens were randomly divided into 5 treatments: a basal diet (without Se supplementation, CON) and basal diets supplemented with 0.3 mg/kg Se from sodium selenite (SS), 0.3 mg/kg Se from Se-enriched yeast (SEY), 0.3 mg/kg Se from SEC (SEC), or 0.3 mg/kg Se from SEC and 0.3 mg/kg Se from SEY (SEC + SEY). The experiment lasted for 8 wk. The results showed that dietary SEC + SEY supplementation decreased (P < 0.05) triglyceride (in the plasma and liver) and total cholesterol levels (in the plasma), and increased (P < 0.05) HDL-C concentration in plasma compared to CON diet. Compared with CON diet, SEC and/or SEY supplementation decreased (P < 0.05) the mRNA expression of hepatic ACC, FAS and HMGCR, and increased (P < 0.05) PPARα, VTG-II, Apo-VLDL II and ApoB expression. Dietary SEC + SEY and SEY supplementation increased (P < 0.05) Se content in egg yolk and breast muscle compared to CON diet. Dietary SEC, SEY or SEC + SEY supplementation increased (P < 0.05) the activity of antioxidant enzymes (GSH-PX, T-AOC and T-SOD) in the plasma and liver and decreased (P < 0.05) MDA content in the plasma compared to CON diet. Dietary Se supplementation promoted (P < 0.05) mRNA expression of Nrf2 in the liver. In contrast, dietary SEY and SEC supplementation resulted in a decrease (P < 0.05) of hepatic Keap1 mRNA expression compared to CON diet. Dietary SEC + SEY and/or SEC supplementation increased (P < 0.05) mRNA expression of Selenof, GPX1 and GPX4 in the liver compared with CON diet. In conclusion, dietary SEC (0.3 mg/kg Se) or SEC (0.3 mg/kg Se) + SEY (0.3 mg/kg Se) improved the antioxidant capacity and the lipid metabolism in the liver of aged laying hens, which might be associated with regulating Nrf2/Keap1 signaling pathway. Show less
Metabolism alteration is a common complication of rheumatic arthritis (RA). This work investigated the reason behind RA-caused triglyceride (TG) changes. Fresh RA patients' whole blood was transfused Show more
Metabolism alteration is a common complication of rheumatic arthritis (RA). This work investigated the reason behind RA-caused triglyceride (TG) changes. Fresh RA patients' whole blood was transfused into NOD-SCID mice. Metabolism-regulatory tissues were examined after sacrifice. To verify the findings, tissues of the rats with long-lasting adjuvant-induced arthritis (AIA) were analyzed. Some rats were injected with human plasma and GPIHBP1, and their blood TG was monitored. Various cells were stimulated by cytokines or rheumatic subjects' serum. Some pre-adipocytes were cultured by human serum or in the presence of HUVEC cells and GPIHBP1. TG decrease occurred in blood and white adipose tissues (WAT) of the RA blood-transfused NOD-SCID mice and chronic AIA rats. Fatty acids (FA) oxidation in muscles was accelerated a bit, while TG catabolism status in their livers was varied. TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and RA/AIA serum promoted expression of TG utilization-related enzymes and FA uptake transporters in pre-adipocytes, but barely affected LPL. Mild IL-6 stimulus promoted GPIHBP1 release of HUVEC cells. GPIHBP1 was increased in RA serum. This change can decrease blood TG in rats, which was overshadowed by an injection of excessive GPIHBP1. RA serum slightly inhibited LPL secretion in pre-adipocytes. Both HUVEC cells co-culture and GPIHBP1 supplement reduced LPL distribution on pre-adipocytes, and eliminated LPL activity difference between normal and RA serum-treated cells. No TG uptake difference was observed in these circumstances. RA-associated inflammation induces GPIHBP1 secretion of endothelial cells, which facilitates blood TG hydrolysis and uptake to compensate the loss in WAT. Show less
Obesity is a major public health crisis associated with high mortality rates. Previous genome-wide association studies (GWAS) investigating body mass index (BMI) have largely relied on imputed data fr Show more
Obesity is a major public health crisis associated with high mortality rates. Previous genome-wide association studies (GWAS) investigating body mass index (BMI) have largely relied on imputed data from European individuals. This study leveraged whole-genome sequencing (WGS) data from 88,873 participants from the Trans-Omics for Precision Medicine (TOPMed) Program, of which 51% were of non-European population groups. We discovered 18 BMI-associated signals (P < 5 × 10 Show less
Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors are crucial for the symptomatic management of Alzheimer's disease (AD), with natural products-particularly botanical sources like Yellow Gastrodia elata (YGE)-se Show more
Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors are crucial for the symptomatic management of Alzheimer's disease (AD), with natural products-particularly botanical sources like Yellow Gastrodia elata (YGE)-serving as promising reservoirs of such inhibitors. Nevertheless, comprehensive screening and mechanistic characterization of their inhibitory potential remain limited. This study sought to identify potent AChE inhibitors from YGE, investigate their mechanisms of action, and assess their therapeutic prospects for AD. Methodologically, an integrated approach was employed, combining ultrafiltration-liquid chromatography (UF-LC) for rapid inhibitor screening, molecular docking and dynamics simulations for mechanistic insight, two-stage high-speed countercurrent chromatography for compound isolation, enzyme kinetics to delineate inhibition modalities, and network pharmacology to uncover relevant AD-related targets. The findings identified seven active constituents with notable AChE inhibition, among which parishins A and G were obtained at high purity (98.26% and 97.26%, respectively) and exhibited mixed-type inhibition with low IC Show less
Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) represents a heterogeneous state between normal aging and dementia, with varied transition pathways. While factors influencing MCI progression are known, their role in Show more
Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) represents a heterogeneous state between normal aging and dementia, with varied transition pathways. While factors influencing MCI progression are known, their role in cognitive reversal is unclear. This study analyzed 756 Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) participants, classified as progressive MCI (pMCI, N = 272, mean age = 75.10 ± 7.34 years), reversible MCI (rMCI, N = 52, mean age = 69.94 ± 7.98 years) and stable MCI (sMCI, N = 432, mean age = 73.34 ± 7.44 years) based on 36-month follow-up. We compared demographic, lifestyle, clinical, cognitive, neuroimaging, and biomarker data across groups and developed a prediction model. Patients in the rMCI group were significantly younger and had a higher level of education compared with those in the pMCI group. Memory, general cognition, daily functional activities, and hippocampal volume effectively distinguished all three groups. In contrast, Aβ, tau, and other brain regions were able to distinguish only between progressive and non-progressive cases. Informant-reported Everyday Cognition (Ecog) scales outperformed self-reported Ecog scales in differentiating subtypes and predicting progression. Multinomial regression revealed that higher education, larger hippocampal volume, and lower daily functional impairment were associated with reversion, whereas Show less
Patients with schizophrenia (SCZ) face multiple health challenges due to the complication of chronic diseases and psychiatric disorders. Among these, cardiovascular comorbidities are the leading cause Show more
Patients with schizophrenia (SCZ) face multiple health challenges due to the complication of chronic diseases and psychiatric disorders. Among these, cardiovascular comorbidities are the leading cause of their life expectancy being 15-20 years shorter than that of the general population. Identifying comorbidity patterns and uncovering differences in immune and metabolic function are crucial steps toward improving prevention and management strategies. A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted using electronic medical records of inpatients discharged between 2015 and 2024 from a municipal psychiatric hospital in China. The study included patients diagnosed with Schizophrenia, Schizotypal, and Delusional Disorders (SSDs) (ICD-10: F20-F29). Comorbidity patterns were identified through latent class analysis (LCA) based on the 20 most common comorbid conditions among SSD patients. To investigate differences in peripheral blood metabolic and immune function, linear regression or generalized linear models were applied to 44 laboratory test indicators collected during the acute episode. The Benjamini-Hochberg method was used for p-value correction, and the false discovery rate (FDR) was calculated, with statistical significance set at FDR < 0.05. Among 3,697 inpatients with SSDs, four distinct comorbidity clusters were identified: SSDs only (Class 1), High-Risk Metabolic Multisystem Disorders (Class 2, n = 39), Low-Risk Metabolic Multisystem Disorders (Class 3, n = 573), and Sleep Disorders (Class 4, n = 205). Compared to Class 1, Class 2 exhibited significantly elevated levels of apolipoprotein A (ApoA; β = 90.62), apolipoprotein B (ApoB; β = 0.181), mean platelet volume (MPV; β = 0.994), red cell distribution width-coefficient of variation (RDW-CV; β = 1.182), antistreptolysin O (ASO; β = 276.80), and absolute lymphocyte count (ALC; β = 0.306), along with reduced apolipoprotein AI (ApoAI; β = -0.173) and hematocrit (HCT; β = -35.13). Class 3 showed moderate increases in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C; β = 0.113), MPV (β = 0.267), white blood cell count (WBC; β = 0.476), and absolute neutrophil count (ANC; β = 0.272), with decreased HCT (β = -9.81). Class 4 was characterized by elevated aggregate index of systemic inflammation (AISI; β = 81.07), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR; β = 0.465), and systemic inflammation response index (SIRI; β = 0.346), indicating a heightened inflammatory state. The comorbidity patterns of patients with SCZ can be distinctly classified. During the acute episode, those with comorbid metabolic disorders exhibit a higher risk of cardiovascular diseases and immune system abnormalities, while patients with comorbid sleep disorders present a pronounced systemic inflammatory state and immune dysfunction. This study provides a basis for the chronic disease management and anti-inflammatory treatment, while also offering objective biomarker insights for transdiagnostic research. Show less
The STAT3 pathway promotes epithelial-mesenchymal transition, migration, invasion and metastasis in cancer. STAT3 upregulates the transcription of the key epithelial-mesenchymal transition transcripti Show more
The STAT3 pathway promotes epithelial-mesenchymal transition, migration, invasion and metastasis in cancer. STAT3 upregulates the transcription of the key epithelial-mesenchymal transition transcription factor SNAIL in a DNA binding-independent manner. However, the mechanism by which STAT3 is recruited to the SNAIL promoter to upregulate its expression is still elusive. In our study, the lysine methylation binding protein L3MBTL3 is positively associated with metastasis and poor prognosis in female patients with breast cancer. L3MBTL3 also promotes epithelial-mesenchymal transition and metastasis in breast cancer. Mechanistic analysis reveals that L3MBTL3 interacts with STAT3 and recruits STAT3 to the SNAIL promoter to increase SNAIL transcription levels. The interaction between L3MBTL3 and STAT3 is required for SNAIL transcription upregulation and metastasis in breast cancer, while the methylated lysine binding activity of L3MBTL3 is not required for these functions. In conclusion, L3MBTL3 and STAT3 synergistically upregulate SNAIL expression to promote breast cancer metastasis. Show less
Tea polyphenols are a class of natural plant compounds with potent antioxidant properties, and their critical role in regulating lipid metabolism has been demonstrated in numerous studies. However, sy Show more
Tea polyphenols are a class of natural plant compounds with potent antioxidant properties, and their critical role in regulating lipid metabolism has been demonstrated in numerous studies. However, systematic research on the effects of tea polyphenols on lipid metabolism in lion-head geese remains limited. In this study, we examined the impact of tea polyphenols on lipid metabolism in geese through an integrative analysis of transcriptomics and metabolomics. A total of 240 healthy male lion-head geese with similar body weights at 1 day of age were randomly allocated into two treatment groups (6 replicates per group, with 20 geese per replicate). The control group received a basal diet, while the experimental group was supplemented with 1000 mg/kg of tea polyphenols (50.4 % catechin purity) in the basal diet for 18 weeks. The results indicated that serum total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities were significantly increased (P < 0.05), while malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were significantly decreased (P < 0.05) in the tea polyphenol group compared to the control group. Additionally, serum triglycerides (TG), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activities were significantly lower (P < 0.05) in the tea polyphenol group than in the control group. Hepatic transcriptomic analysis further revealed that tea polyphenols significantly modulated the expression of several genes involved in lipid metabolism, including angiopoietin-like 4 (ANGPTL4), which plays a role in regulating lipid homeostasis, as well as glycerophosphodiester phosphodiesterase domain containing 2 (GDPD2), immunoglobulin heavy chain (IGH), proto-oncogene protein c-fos (FOS), and matrix metallopeptidase 1 (MMP1), etc. Serum metabolomic analysis also demonstrated significant alterations in lipid metabolites induced by tea polyphenols, including the downregulation of fatty acyl metabolites such as L-Palmitoylcarnitine and Hexadecanal. Moreover, the combined analysis revealed a strong positive correlation between ANGPTL4 and the organic compounds of steroidal saponins, such as Glucoconvallasaponin B, and negative correlations with glycerophospholipid metabolites, such as LysoPC (P-16:0). The comprehensive analysis suggests that the inclusion of tea polyphenols in the diet enhances the antioxidant capacity of lion-head geese, improves hepatic lipid profiles, and regulates lipid metabolism via modulating lipid metabolism-related genes and metabolites. Show less
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a leading cause of cancer mortality while diabetes is a recognized risk factor for CRC. Here we report that tirzepatide (TZP), a novel polypeptide/glucagon-like peptide 1 re Show more
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a leading cause of cancer mortality while diabetes is a recognized risk factor for CRC. Here we report that tirzepatide (TZP), a novel polypeptide/glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor (GIPR/GLP-1R) agonist for the treatment of diabetes, has a role in attenuating CRC growth. TZP significantly inhibited colon cancer cell proliferation promoted apoptosis in vitro and induced durable tumor regression in vivo under hyperglycemic and nonhyperglycemic conditions across multiple murine cancer models. As glucose metabolism is known to critically regulate colon cancer progression, spatial metabolomics results revealed that glucose metabolites are robustly reduced in the colon cancer regions of the TZP-treated mice. TZP inhibited glucose uptake and destabilized hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1α) with reduced expression and activity of the rate-limiting enzymes 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase 3 (PFKFB3) and phosphofructokinase 1 (PFK-1). These effects contributed to the downregulation of glycolysis and the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle. TZP also delayed tumor development in a patient-derived xenograft (PDX) mouse model accompanied by HIF-1α mediated PFKFB3-PFK-1 inhibition. Therefore, the study provides strong evidence that glycolysis-blocking TZP, besides its application in treating type 2 diabetes, has the potential for preclinical studies as a therapy for colorectal cancer used either as monotherapy or in combination with other anticancer therapies. Show less
Low physical activity (LPA) significantly heightens the susceptibility of both type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and chronic renal disease. Nearly half of population diagnosed with T2DM globally worsen Show more
Low physical activity (LPA) significantly heightens the susceptibility of both type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and chronic renal disease. Nearly half of population diagnosed with T2DM globally worsen into diabetic kidney disease (DKD). Focusing on physically inactive populations, we aimed to comprehensively evaluate the trends over time and regional changes in T2DM-associated DKD attributable to LPA burden. We utilized data of the 2021 Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study to initially assess the worldwide effects of T2DM-associated DKD attributable to LPA by computing the numbers and age-standardized rates (ASRs) of death, disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), years of life lost (YLLs), and years lived with disability (YLDs), categorized by subtypes in 2021. Linear regression model was applied to analyze the illness burden from 1990 to 2021. Furthermore, cluster analysis was performed to assess the regional differences in disease burden across GBD regions. Lastly, to forecast the illness burden for the next 25 years, we utilized the autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) and Excess Risk (ER) models. In 2021, the fatalities attributed to T2DM-related DKD attributable to LPA amounted to 30835 (95%UI: 12346-51646) cases, with 698484 (95%UI: 275039-1158032) DALYs. The ASRs of death and DALYs were 0.38 (95%UI: 0.15-0.63) and 8.19 (95%UI: 3.21-13.6) per 100000 individuals, respectively. Between 1990 and 2021, there was a notable escalation in deaths, DALYs, YLDs, and YLLs, as well as their ASRs. The highest burden was observed among males, older adults (aged 70 years and above), and middle Socio-demographic Index (SDI). Significant differences were noted in the disease burden among various regions and countries as defined by the GBD study. Predictive analyses indicate a continued escalation of this burden by the year 2050. The global impact of DKD attributable to LPA remains considerable, with significant disparities noted across different genders, ages, and regions. To mitigate this burden, it is crucial to implement effective interventions aimed at addressing physical inactivity, specifically designed for targeted demographic groups. Show less
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder associated with impairments in memory and executive functions. Despite significant advancements in identifying genetic risk factors Show more
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder associated with impairments in memory and executive functions. Despite significant advancements in identifying genetic risk factors, the high cost and limited accessibility of genetic testing remain major barriers. In this work, we propose a cost-effective screening approach that leverages EEG recordings and psychometric test scores to predict an individual's genetic risk for AD. Our Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) model shows promising performance: it achieved an F1 score of 72.21% in distinguishing APOE-ϵ4/PICALM GG non-carriers (N) from APOE-ϵ4 carriers with the risky PICALM GG alleles (A+P+). It reached an F1 score of 60.78% for differentiating non-carriers (N) from APOE-ϵ4 carriers without the risky alleles (A+P-), and 65.12% when separating A+P- from A+P+. To enhance interpretability, we employ Grad-CAM, which reveals that EEG features contribute more significantly to gene prediction than psychometric measures. Notably, our model also identifies three key psychometric tests, MINI COPE (which assesses emotional coping skills), the California Verbal Learning Test (CVLT), and NEO Neuroticism, as associated with higher AD risk, consistent with prior research. Moreover, our results align with earlier findings reporting increased theta-band power among high-risk individuals. Finally, Higuchi Fractal Dimension (HFD) features drove most of the EEG-based prediction capability, as shown through our ablation study. This study highlights the potential of integrating neurophysiological and cognitive assessments to develop accessible and reliable screening tools for AD genetic risk, enabling earlier diagnoses. The code has been released at https://github.com/ Shyamal-Dharia/EEG-Psycho-Genes-AD. Show less
Fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) alterations are established therapeutic targets in cholangiocarcinoma and urothelial carcinoma but remain understudied in colorectal cancer (CRC). This study i Show more
Fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) alterations are established therapeutic targets in cholangiocarcinoma and urothelial carcinoma but remain understudied in colorectal cancer (CRC). This study investigates the prevalence, clinicopathological correlates, and prognostic impact of FGFR alterations in CRC. We analyzed 608 stage I-IV CRC samples (2014-2024) through next-generation sequencing (NGS) and immunohistochemistry (IHC). FGFR genomic status was correlated with survival outcomes using Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analyses. External validation of FGFR genomic alterations was carried out using the 19 datasets (n = 6998) with prognostic impact validated through The Cancer Genome Atlas Colon and Rectum Adenocarcinoma (COREAD) dataset (Firehose Legacy, n = 640), both accessed via cBioPortal database. Large-scale genomic profiling of CRC [n = 7606 (608 in-house + 6998 public cohorts)] identified FGFR1 amplification (3.8% prevalence) as the predominant FGFR alteration subtype. Multivariable analysis confirmed FGFR alterations as independent predictors of poor disease-free survival [DFS; hazard ratio (HR) 2.58, P = 0.0002] and progression-free survival (PFS; HR 2.17, P = 0.0011), with FGFR1 amplification showing strongest prognostic impact (DFS HR 2.91, PFS HR 2.52, P < 0.01). Notably, the prognostic magnitude of FGFR alterations was comparable to KRAS/BRAF mutations in both localized and metastatic CRC. In addition, we established a semiquantitative immunoreactive score (IRS) system achieving 95.2% concordance with NGS (κ = 0.901), enabling reliable FGFR1 screening in routine pathology workflows. This study provides the first comprehensive characterization of FGFR genomic alterations in CRC through large-scale profiling (n = 7606), establishing FGFR1 amplification as the predominant alteration. Unlike FGFR2/3-driven malignancies, FGFR1-amplified CRC exhibited aggressive clinical behavior and inferior survival outcomes across disease stages. To address the diagnostic challenges in routine practice, we further developed a validated immunohistochemical scoring system (IRS), establishing a cost-effective and clinically feasible alternative to molecular assays for identifying FGFR1-driven CRC subsets. Show less
Cognitive impairments in major depressive disorder (MDD) affect patients' social functioning, with underlying mechanisms involving gut microbiota and inflammatory factors remaining unclear. The study Show more
Cognitive impairments in major depressive disorder (MDD) affect patients' social functioning, with underlying mechanisms involving gut microbiota and inflammatory factors remaining unclear. The study analyzed cognitive function, gut microbiota changes, and inflammatory factor levels in 39 unmedicated MDD patients and 41 healthy controls, employing correlation and moderation effect analysis. MDD patients scored lower than controls in cognitive functions like information processing speed, attention/vigilance, verbal learning, visual learning and social cognition. They showed reduced gut microbiota diversity and increased levels of inflammatory markers (TNF-α, IL-1, IL-6, IL-17, IL-27, IL-33). Sellimonas abundance correlated negatively with attention/vigilance, moderated by TNF-α, IL-27, and IL-33. This relationship was stronger at lower inflammation levels. MDD patients exhibit multi-domain cognitive dysfunction alongside pro-inflammatory states and disrupted gut microbiota. The abundance of Sellimonas significantly predicts attention/vigilance deficits. Inflammatory factors modulate the impact of gut microbiota on cognitive function, suggesting chronic low-grade inflammation as a key risk factor for cognitive impairment in MDD. Show less
End-stage renal disease (ESRD) is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Identifying patients with stage 4 chronic kidney disease (CKD) at risk of short-term progression to ESRD remains challen Show more
End-stage renal disease (ESRD) is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Identifying patients with stage 4 chronic kidney disease (CKD) at risk of short-term progression to ESRD remains challenging. Accurate prediction can improve advanced care planning and patient outcomes. This study aimed to develop and validate a machine learning (ML) model for predicting progression within 25 weeks (approximately six months) of ESRD in patients with stage 4 CKD. Electronic health records (EHRs) of patients with stage 4 CKD were analyzed. Nine ML models including Ridge regression (Ridge), random forest (RF), and eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost) were used to predict short-term progression to ESRD within 25 weeks. The models were trained and externally validated using the data of 346 and 105 patients. Of the 451 patients with stage 4 CKD, 219 developed ESRD. Among the evaluated models, XGBoost demonstrated the best overall performance. In the internal validation, it achieved an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.93, an accuracy of 0.90, and an F1 score of 0.89. In the external validation, XGBoost maintained the highest AUC (0.85), accuracy (0.79), and F1 score (0.79), along with the highest average precision (0.89) and a low log-loss (0.48), indicating strong discriminative ability and good generalizability. The top predictive features included high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, Alb, Cys C, ApoB, FGB, Bun, Neutrophil, and Total cholesterol. This study demonstrated the feasibility of ML for assessing ESRD prognosis based on easily accessible clinical features. XGBoost demonstrated superior performance in both internal and external validation, suggesting its potential for future patient screening. Show less
Vascular calcification (VC) significantly increases the incidence and mortality of many diseases. The causal relationships of dyslipidaemia and lipid-lowering drug use with VC severity remain unclear. Show more
Vascular calcification (VC) significantly increases the incidence and mortality of many diseases. The causal relationships of dyslipidaemia and lipid-lowering drug use with VC severity remain unclear. This study explores the genetic causal associations of different circulating lipids and lipid-lowering drug targets with coronary artery calcification (CAC) and abdominal aortic artery calcification (AAC). We obtained single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and expression quantitative trait loci (eQTLs) associated with seven circulating lipids and 13 lipid-lowering drug targets from publicly available genome-wide association studies and eQTL databases. Causal associations were investigated by univariable, multivariable, drug-target, and summary data-based Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses. Potential mediation effects of metabolic risk factors were evaluated. MR analysis revealed that genetic proxies for low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), triglycerides (TC) and Lipoprotein (a) (Lp(a)) were causally associated with CAC severity, and apolipoprotein B (apoB) level was causally associated with AAC severity. A significant association was detected between hepatic Lipoprotein(A) (LPA) gene expression and CAC severity. Colocalisation analysis supported the hypothesis that the association between LPA expression and CAC quantity is driven by different causal variant sites within the ±1 Mb flanking region of LPA. Serum calcium and phosphorus had causal associations with CAC severity. Inhibitors targeting LPA might represent CAC drug candidates. Moreover, T2DM, hypercalcemia, and hyperphosphatemia are positively causally associated with CAC severity, while chronic kidney disease and estimated glomerular filtration rate are not. Show less
Selenium (Se) foliar fertilizers enhance crop nutrition and address human selenium deficiency, while improper application may lead to excessive intake and residue accumulation. Our study comprehensive Show more
Selenium (Se) foliar fertilizers enhance crop nutrition and address human selenium deficiency, while improper application may lead to excessive intake and residue accumulation. Our study comprehensively assessed the toxicity and function of novel selenium nanoparticles and traditional sodium selenite fertilizers across cell, zebrafish, and murine models. Both fertilizers enhanced antioxidant pathways at low doses, but selenium nanoparticles exhibited stronger antioxidant and ferroptosis-modulating effects with lower toxicity at a high dose. Sodium selenite increased total and lipid ROS production, leading to decreased viability of cells and increased distortion and mortality of zebrafish. In mice, sodium selenite induced hepatic toxicity and decreased GPX4. Transcriptome analysis revealed that sodium selenite downregulated c-JUN and APOA4, weakening the antioxidant defense, whereas selenium nanoparticles promoted ferroptosis resistance through FGF21. These findings suggest selenium nanoparticles as a safer alternative for Se biofortification, mitigating health risks while supporting food security and environmental sustainability. Show less
Maternal circulating lipid concentrations impact the risk of pregnancy complications and infant health outcomes. The associations between physical activity and circulating lipids during pregnancy rema Show more
Maternal circulating lipid concentrations impact the risk of pregnancy complications and infant health outcomes. The associations between physical activity and circulating lipids during pregnancy remain inadequately understood. A study was conducted from July 2024 to March 2025, involving the recruitment of 520 pregnant women in Wuhan, China. The Pregnancy Physical Activity Questionnaire (PPAQ) scores were evaluated in trimesters. Circulating lipid profiles, including total triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), apolipoprotein A1 (APOA1) and apolipoprotein B (APOB) concentrations, were assessed at each trimester. The daily energy expenditure of physical activity (EEPA) during the first, second, and third trimesters was recorded as 11.35, 9.07, and 9.48 metabolic equivalents-hour/day (METs-h/d). The EEPA in the first trimester was significantly greater than that in the second ( This study suggests that increased physical activity during pregnancy is associated with lower lipid levels. Moreover, maternal age appears to have a significant impact on physical activity and the metabolism of circulating lipids during pregnancy. Show less
This study aimed to assess the prognostic significance of serum lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] levels regarding overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) among patients diagnosed with pancreat Show more
This study aimed to assess the prognostic significance of serum lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] levels regarding overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) among patients diagnosed with pancreatic cancer (PC). A retrospective cohort of 364 pathologically confirmed PC patients treated at the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University between January 2019 and December 2022 was analyzed. The optimal cutoff for Lp(a) was identified using X-tile software, allowing categorization into high and low Lp(a) groups. To minimize selection bias, propensity score matching (PSM) was utilized. Survival outcomes were compared using Kaplan-Meier curves and log-rank tests. Cox proportional hazards models were applied to identify independent prognostic variables affecting OS and PFS. Patients with high Lp(a) had significantly shorter OS and PFS both before and after PSM (post-PSM OS: 12.28 vs. 27.67 months, P = 0.003; PFS: 7.00 vs. 11.30 months, P = 0.002). Multivariate Cox analysis confirmed high Lp(a) as an independent predictor of poor OS [HR = 2.11 (1.17-3.81), P = 0.013] and PFS [HR = 2.14 (1.20-3.83), P = 0.010]. In the surgical subgroup (n = 215), high Lp(a) was also associated with worse OS (16.43 vs. 35.47 months, P = 0.02) and PFS (8.40 vs. 11.77 months, P = 0.036). Multivariate analysis in this subgroup showed that high Lp(a) remained an independent risk factor for OS [HR = 2.82 (1.36-5.87), P = 0.006] and PFS [HR = 2.01 (1.06-3.86), P = 0.034]. Elevated serum Lp(a) is an independent predictor of reduced OS and PFS in patients with pancreatic cancer. In contrast to conventional lipid profiles, the genetic stability of Lp(a) makes it a reliable baseline prognostic marker. Show less
As the most common primary malignant bone tumor, further investigation into risk stratification for osteosarcoma (OS) prognosis is of significant clinical importance. Copper is essential for bone meta Show more
As the most common primary malignant bone tumor, further investigation into risk stratification for osteosarcoma (OS) prognosis is of significant clinical importance. Copper is essential for bone metabolism; however, its specific role in OS remains unclear. The expression characteristics of copper metabolism related genes (CORGs) in OS were revealed by single cell sequencing. Prognosis-associated CORGs were identified, and a CORG-related scoring system and risk model were established using bioinformatics approaches, including univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses and LASSO analysis. We further analyzed immune microenvironment infiltration, molecular subtypes and clinicopathological characteristics. The impact of selected CORG with high-risk coefficient on OS cells was tested by qRT-PCR, western blot, siRNA, colony formation analysis and Transwell in vitro. We successfully developed an OS scoring system related to copper metabolism and validated its independent prognostic value in patients with OS. The potential clinical value of CORG scoring system was analyzed. APOA4 was selected for in vitro experiments and its effect on the proliferation and invasion ability of OS cells was verified. We established a copper metabolism-related scoring system to effectively stratify the risk of OS patients. Our results provide a new basis for the role of copper metabolism in OS and provide new potential targets for the treatment of OS. Show less
The Interaction of Person-Affect-Cognition-Execution (I-PACE) model offers a framework for understanding the interplay between cognitive, affective, and behavioral factors in internet addiction (IA). Show more
The Interaction of Person-Affect-Cognition-Execution (I-PACE) model offers a framework for understanding the interplay between cognitive, affective, and behavioral factors in internet addiction (IA). Our study aims to explore the heterogeneity of IA, identify bridge connectors, and compare the efficacy of cognitive behavioral therapy combined with mindfulness-based intervention (CBT+MBI) versus CBT alone in reducing IA levels among Chinese college students. In study 1, 1,030 Chinese college students completed assessments of IA, automatic thoughts, self-control, and anxiety. Latent profile analysis (LPA) was employed to identify distinct symptom profiles of IA across individuals. Network analysis (NA) identified bridge connectors for targeted intervention. In study 2, 36 participants randomly selected from the high IA and low IA groups of study 1 were randomly assigned to CBT+MBI, CBT alone, or a control group. The CBT+MBI group received an 8-week dual-modality intervention and the CBT alone received an 8-week CBT intervention, both designed to target the bridge connectors identified via NA in Study 1, while the control group only completed basic questionnaires. In study 1, LPA identified four subgroups: regular, at-risk, low IA, and high IA groups. NA pinpointed automatic thoughts and anxiety as bridge connectors. In study 2, targeted interventions significantly reduced college students' levels of IA. CBT+MBI resulted in greater and more sustained improvements compared to CBT alone, with effects maintained for six-month post-intervention. Our study not only reinforces the I-PACE model but also provides actionable strategies for designing evidence-based, multidimensional interventions to reduce addictive behaviors among college students. Show less
To examine the association between 24-hour movement behaviors and depressive symptoms in older adults using compositional data analysis, and to investigate the dose-response characteristics of time re Show more
To examine the association between 24-hour movement behaviors and depressive symptoms in older adults using compositional data analysis, and to investigate the dose-response characteristics of time reallocations between movement behaviors in relation to depressive symptoms. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 1093 urban-dwelling older adults aged 60 years and above in selected communities of Jinan City, Shandong Province, China, between April 2024 and September 2024. The Chinese version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Long Form (IPAQ-LF) was used to estimate time spent in moderate to vigorous-intensity physical activity (MVPA), light-intensity physical activity (LPA), sedentary behavior (SB), and sleep (SLP) across a typical 24-hour day. The Chinese version of the Patient Health Questionnaire Depression Scale-9 item (PHQ-9) was applied to assess depressive symptoms. Compositional isotemporal substitution models were employed to explore the associations between time reallocations among 24-hour movement behaviors and depressive symptoms, accounting for the co-dependent nature of time-use data. (1) The geometric means of time spent in MVPA, LPA, SB, and SLP were 25.33 minutes, 141.26 minutes, 738.10 minutes, and 455.15 minutes, respectively. Variation matrix analysis revealed the highest log-ratio variance between MVPA and SB (0.168), and the lowest between SLP and SB (0.031). (2) The prevalence of screening-positive depressive symptoms was 16.29% among Chinese urban older adults. (3) Results from compositional linear regression models showed that time allocated to MVPA, LPA, and SLP (relative to the remaining movement behaviors) was negatively associated with depressive symptoms, while time spent in SB was positively associated. (4) Dose-response analysis further indicated that: (a) MVPA substitutions with other movement behaviors exhibited nonlinear and markedly asymmetric effects on depressive symptoms; (b) replacing MVPA with LPA, SB, or SLP resulted in increasingly larger changes in predicted scores as substitution duration increased, whereas the reverse substitution (MVPA for other movement behaviors) produced progressively smaller changes; and (c) substitutions between SB and LPA displayed linear and symmetrical effects. The findings provide evidence of an association between 24-hour movement behaviors and depressive symptoms in Chinese urban-dwelling older adults and reinforce the importance of achieving a balance between different types of movement behaviors over a 24-hour period for mental health. Show less
Accelerated population aging and rising incidence of bone defects have intensified the need for advanced bone regeneration strategies. While tissue-engineered scaffolds fabricated via 3D printing offe Show more
Accelerated population aging and rising incidence of bone defects have intensified the need for advanced bone regeneration strategies. While tissue-engineered scaffolds fabricated via 3D printing offer promising alternatives to conventional grafts, most techniques fail to replicate the multi-scale fibrous architecture of native bone extracellular matrix, limiting their biofunctionality. To address this, we developed a hybrid manufacturing strategy integrating low-temperature thermally induced phase separation with extrusion-based 3D printing of polylactic acid (PLA) scaffolds. By optimizing solvent ratios (THF: DMF = 3:1) and freezing temperatures (-196 °C-4 °C), we produced scaffolds with tunable micro-nano fibrous surfaces and macroporous structures. Key findings revealed that scaffolds processed at -196 °C (PLA-196) exhibited the highest porosity (pore size: 6.01 ± 2.06 μm), superior hydrophilicity, and enhanced compressive modulus. These scaffolds significantly promoted BMSC adhesion, proliferation, and osteogenic differentiation via activation of 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
Thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO) is characterized by inflammation and tissue remodeling, including fibrosis and adipogenesis. Here, we identify interleukin-27 (IL-27) as a negative feedback imm Show more
Thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO) is characterized by inflammation and tissue remodeling, including fibrosis and adipogenesis. Here, we identify interleukin-27 (IL-27) as a negative feedback immunomodulator in TAO. Serum IL-27α levels were significantly elevated in patients with TAO compared with healthy and inflammatory disease controls. In orbital fibroblasts (OFs), exogenous IL-27 suppressed IL-1β-induced proinflammatory cytokines and reduced hypoxia-induced NLRP3 inflammasome activation. IL-27 also attenuated TGF-β-driven fibrosis via p38 MAPK signaling in CD90 Show less
Accumulating evidence indicates that neuroinflammation is involved in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). According to RNA sequencing and quantitative PCR (qPCR), we found that chemokine CCL Show more
Accumulating evidence indicates that neuroinflammation is involved in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). According to RNA sequencing and quantitative PCR (qPCR), we found that chemokine CCL3 mRNA expression was abnormally upregulated in the brains of AD transgenic mice. Moreover, the levels of CCL3 in the serum of AD patients were significantly elevated and negatively correlated with their cognitive abilities. However, the role of CCL3 in AD neuroinflammation and pathological damages remains elusive. Using behavioral, histological, and biochemical methods, outcomes of CCL3 antibody treatment on neuropathology and cognitive deficits were studied in the APPswe/PS1dE9 mice. In the present study, we reported that CCL3 protein expression was increased in the APPswe/PS1dE9 mice, whereas blockage of CCL3 with neutralizing antibody potently inhibited CCL3 activation in the APPswe/PS1dE9 mice down to the levels of wild-type mice. Specifically, CCL3 antibody significantly improved the learning and memory abilities of APPswe/PS1dE9 mice. In addition, CCL3 antibody treatment decreased cerebral amyloid-β (Aβ) levels and plaque burden via inhibiting amyloid precursor protein (APP) processing by reducing beta-site APP cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE1) expression in the APPswe/PS1dE9 mice. We also found that CCL3 antibody treatment alleviated neuroinflammation and reduced synaptic defects in the APPswe/PS1dE9 mice. Furthermore, the activated NF-κB signaling pathway in APPswe/PS1dE9 mice was inhibited by CCL3 antibody treatment. Collectively, our findings provide evidence that CCL3 activation may contribute to the AD pathogenesis and may serve as a novel therapeutic target in the treatment of AD. Show less