The natural compound pterostilbene (PTE) has multiple cardiovascular protective effects. However, its effects on pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH)-associated vascular remodeling remain to be eluci Show more
The natural compound pterostilbene (PTE) has multiple cardiovascular protective effects. However, its effects on pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH)-associated vascular remodeling remain to be elucidated. This study investigated the effects of PTE on monocrotaline (MCT)-induced PAH in rats Experimental PAH was established by subcutaneous injection of MCT (50 mg/kg) in Sprague-Dawley rats, which were then randomly divided into vehicle or PTE (15 mg/kg via gavage) treatment groups. Endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) was modeled in hPAECs by treating with transforming growth factor-β, tumor necrosis factor-α, and interleukin-1β in combination. In rats with MCT-induced PAH, administration of PTE resulted in a reduction in right ventricular systolic pressure, thereby alleviating right ventricular hypertrophy. This was accompanied by mitigation of the remodeling of pulmonary arteries. PTE mitigates MCT-induced PAH and vascular remodeling in rats, at least in part, by inhibiting HMGA-mediated EndMT, suggesting that PTE may be a useful complementary medicine in the treatment of PAH. Show less
Traumatic defects or non-union fractures presents a substantial challenge in the fields of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Although synthetic calcium phosphate-based biomaterials (CaPs) Show more
Traumatic defects or non-union fractures presents a substantial challenge in the fields of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Although synthetic calcium phosphate-based biomaterials (CaPs) such as dibasic calcium phosphate anhydrate (DCPA) are commonly employed for bone repair, their inadequate cellular immune responses significantly impede sustained degradation and optimal osteogenesis. In this study, drawing inspiration from the key structure of an acidic non-collagenous protein-CaP complex (ANCPs-CaP) essential for natural bone formation, we prepared biomimetic mineralized dibasic calcium phosphate (MDCPA). This preparation utilized plant-derived non-collagenous protein Zein as the organic template and acidic artificial saliva as the mineralization medium. Physicochemical property analysis revealed that MDCPA is a complex of Zein and DCPA, which mimics the composite of the natural ANCP-CaP. Moreover, MDCPA exhibited enhanced biodegradability and osteogenic potential. Mechanistic insight revealed that MDCPA can be phagocytized and degraded by macrophages via the FCγRIII receptor, leading to the release of interleukin 27 (IL-27), which promotes osteogenic differentiation by osteoimmunomodulation. The critical role of IL-27 in osteogenesis is further confirmed using IL-27 gene knockout mice. Additionally, MDCPA demonstrates effective healing of critical-sized defects in rat cranial bones within only 4 w, providing a promising basis and valuable insights for critical-sized bone defects regeneration. Show less
This study aimed to investigate the expression pattern of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase class III (PIK3C3/vps34) in gastric cancer (GC) tissues and their juxtaposed normal counterparts and its correla Show more
This study aimed to investigate the expression pattern of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase class III (PIK3C3/vps34) in gastric cancer (GC) tissues and their juxtaposed normal counterparts and its correlation with the clinicopathological attributes and prognostic outlook of afflicted individuals. Immunohistochemical (IHC) staining was used to ascertain the expression levels of PIK3C3/vps34 across 60 GC tissues juxtaposed with their normal counterparts. Statistical methodologies were used to scrutinize the correlation between PIK3C3/vps34 expression and clinicopathological features, along with prognostic implications for GC patients. In GC tissues, the positive expression rate of PIK3C3/vps34 was 23.3% (14/60), which contrasted sharply with the markedly elevated rate of 66.7% (40/60) observed in adjacent tissues. The positive expression proportion of PIK3C3/vps34 within GC tissues exhibited a notable decrease than in adjacent tissues (P < 0.05). The expression of PIK3C3/vps34 inversely correlated with tumor size, degree of tissue differentiation, depth of tumor infiltration, and incidence of lymph node metastasis (P < 0.05), whereas no significant associations were found with patient sex, age, tumor location, TNM staging, or distant metastasis (P > 0.05). As the tumor diameter increases, the degree of tissue differentiation diminishes, tumor infiltration depth intensifies, lymph node metastasis emerges, the TNM stage progresses, and PIK3C3/vps34 expression level within GC tissues declines correspondingly. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis unveiled a prolonged survival duration among GC patients exhibiting heightened PIK3C3/vps34 expression than in their counterparts with diminished expression (HR=0.66, 95% CI: 0.55-0.80), demonstrating statistical significance (P < 0.05). Protein interaction analysis revealed noteworthy interactions involving PIK3C3 with Beclin 1, UVRAG, and ATG14. PIK3C3/vps34 is downregulated in GC tissues, exerting a pivotal role in tumorigenesis, and is intimately linked with the prognostic trajectory of GC patients. It may serve as a significant biomarker for prognostic evaluation and a promising molecular therapeutic target for GC. Show less
Liver X receptor α (LXRα) plays an important role in inflammatory immune response induced by hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) and acute rejection (AR). Macrophage M1-polarization play an impo Show more
Liver X receptor α (LXRα) plays an important role in inflammatory immune response induced by hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) and acute rejection (AR). Macrophage M1-polarization play an important role in the occurrence and development of AR. Although the activation of LXR has anti-inflammatory effects, the role of LXRα in AR after liver transplantation (LT) has not been elucidated. We aimed to investigate LXRα anti-inflammatory and macrophage polarization regulation effects and mechanisms in acute rejection rat models. LXRα anti-inflammatory and liver function protective effects was initially measured in primary Kupffer cells and LT rat models. Subsequently, a flow cytometry assay was used to detect the regulation effect of LXRα in macrophage polarization. HE staining, TUNEL and ELISA were used to evaluate the co-treatment effects of TO901317 and tacrolimus on hepatic apoptosis and liver acute rejection after LT. In this study, we found that LPS can inhibit the expression of LXRα and activate MAPK pathway and PI3K/AKT/mTOR. We also found that LXRα agonist (TO901317) could improve liver function and rat survival after LT by activating the level of ABCA1 and inhibiting MAPK. TO901317 could inhibit macrophage M1-polarization by activating PI3K/AKT/mTOR signal pathway to improve the liver lesion of AR rats after liver transplantation. Additionally, co-treatment with TO901317 and tacrolimus more effectively alleviated the damaging effects of AR following LT than either drug alone. Our results suggest that the activation of LXRα can improve liver function and rat survival after LT by regulate ABCA1/MAPK and PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling axis in macrophages. Show less
Studying the molecular properties of drugs and their interactions with human targets aids in better understanding the clinical performance of drugs and guides drug development. In computer-aided drug Show more
Studying the molecular properties of drugs and their interactions with human targets aids in better understanding the clinical performance of drugs and guides drug development. In computer-aided drug discovery, it is crucial to utilize effective molecular feature representations for predicting molecular properties and designing ligands with high binding affinity to targets. However, designing an effective multi-task and self-supervised strategy remains a significant challenge for the pretraining framework. In this study, a multi-task self-supervised deep learning framework is proposed, MTSSMol, which utilizes ≈10 million unlabeled drug-like molecules for pretraining to identify potential inhibitors of fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 (FGFR1). During the pretraining of MTSSMol, molecular representations are learned through a graph neural networks (GNNs) encoder. A multi-task self-supervised pretraining strategy is proposed to fully capture the structural and chemical knowledge of molecules. Extensive computational tests on 27 datasets demonstrate that MTSSMol exhibits exceptional performance in predicting molecular properties across different domains. Moreover, MTSSMol's capability is validated to identify potential inhibitors of FGFR1 through molecular docking using RoseTTAFold All-Atom (RFAA) and molecular dynamics simulations. Overall, MTSSMol provides an effective algorithmic framework for enhancing molecular representation learning and identifying potential drug candidates, offering a valuable tool to accelerate drug discovery processes. All of the codes are freely available online at https:// github.com/zhaoqi106/MTSSMol. Show less
BackgroundAlthough abnormalities in circulating lipids and lipoproteins are associated with increased cancer risk, their specific impact on lung cancer progression and prognosis is still unclear. This Show more
BackgroundAlthough abnormalities in circulating lipids and lipoproteins are associated with increased cancer risk, their specific impact on lung cancer progression and prognosis is still unclear. This study retrospectively assessed the influence of preoperative lipid and lipoprotein levels on non-small cell lung cancer progression and prognosis, stratified by age.MethodsIn this retrospective study, we analyzed 849 patients to investigate the association between lipid markers and lung cancer progression, and examined postoperative prognosis in a subset of 222 patients. Data was analyzed using restricted cubic spline curves, Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, and Cox proportional hazards models.ResultsA significant nonlinear relationship was observed between total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), ApoB, ApoAI, ApoE, and baseline tumor diameter (BSLD) (PTC = 0.025; PHDL < 0.001; PApoB = 0.037; PApoAI =0.001; PApoE < 0.001). In contrast, Lp(a) showed a significant linear relationship with BSLD (P = 0.002). The Cox regression analysis revealed that triglyceride (TG) (hazard ratio (HR) = 0.50, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.28-0.92, P = 0.025) was significantly negatively associated with lung cancer mortality in patients under 58 years. For patients over 58 years, higher ApoB levels were linked to a reduced risk of lung cancer death (HR = 0.59, 95% CI: 0.36-0.97, P = 0.038).ConclusionThis study reveals a significant negative correlation between ApoAI and HDL levels with BSLD, while Lp(a) shows a positive correlation. In terms of long-term prognosis, high-serum ApoB are associated with a lower mortality risk in all lung cancer patients, and high-serum TG levels associated with reduced mortality risk in patients aged under 58 while high-serum TC levels associated with reduced mortality risk in patients over 58, with high Lp(a) levels indicating a greater risk of mortality in older patients. Show less
Notch2 activation promotes kidney cyst growth. Silencing Notch2 ameliorated cyst growth in mice with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease. Notch signaling, a conserved mechanism of cell-to-cel Show more
Notch2 activation promotes kidney cyst growth. Silencing Notch2 ameliorated cyst growth in mice with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease. Notch signaling, a conserved mechanism of cell-to-cell communication, plays a crucial role in regulating cellular processes, such as proliferation and differentiation, in a context-dependent manner. However, the specific contribution of Notch signaling to the progression of polycystic kidney disease (PKD) remains unclear. We investigated the changes in Notch signaling activity (Notch1–4) in the kidneys of patients with autosomal dominant PKD (ADPKD) and two ADPKD mouse models (early and late onset). Multiple genetic and pharmacologic approaches were used to explore Notch2 signaling during kidney cyst formation in PKD. Notch2 expression was significantly increased in the kidney tissues of patients with ADPKD and ADPKD mice. Targeted expression of Notch2 intracellular domain in renal epithelial cells resulted in cyst formation and kidney failure in neonatal and adult mice. Mechanistically, Notch2/Hey2 signaling promoted renal epithelial cell proliferation by driving the expression of the E26 transformation–specific homologous factor (Ehf). Depletion of Ehf delayed Notch2 intracellular domain overexpression–induced cyst formation and kidney failure in mice. A gain-of-function mutation in exon 34 of Notch2 signaling promoted kidney cyst growth, partially by upregulating Ehf expression. Show less
As global population aging intensifies, mental health issues in older adults are increasingly prominent, with depression being particularly prevalent and detrimental. The study investigated how substi Show more
As global population aging intensifies, mental health issues in older adults are increasingly prominent, with depression being particularly prevalent and detrimental. The study investigated how substituting sedentary behavior (SB) and sleep (SLP) with physical activity (PA) affects depression risk in this population. Meta-analysis was conducted by searching four databases: PubMed, Scopus, SPORTdiscus, and PsycINFO (via EBSCOhost platform) for relevant studies published until January 2025. Regression coefficients (β) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for depressive symptoms were estimated. Publication bias was assessed using funnel plots and Egger's tests, and heterogeneity was evaluated using Q tests and the I Among 18,912 participants (53.45% female, ≥60 years) across nine studies, replacing SB with MVPA significantly reduced depression (β = -0.12, 95% CI: -0.20, -0.04), subgroup analyses indicated that reallocating 10, 30 and 60 min/day of SB to MVPA ( Substituting SB and SLP with MVPA is significantly associated with a reduction in depression, whereas no significant association is observed when replaced by LPA. https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/display_record.php?RecordID=546666, identifier CRD42024546666. Show less
Limited identification of insulin resistance-associated loci hinders understanding of its role in cardiometabolic health, impeding therapeutic strategies. We apply three multivariate genome-wide assoc Show more
Limited identification of insulin resistance-associated loci hinders understanding of its role in cardiometabolic health, impeding therapeutic strategies. We apply three multivariate genome-wide association study approaches on homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance, insulin resistance index, fasting insulin, and ratio of triglycerides to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol from MAGIC and UK Biobank to develop a comprehensive phenotype ('mvIR'), and identify 217 independent loci, including 24 novel loci. The mvIR is causally associated with higher risks of 17 cardiometabolic diseases and five aging phenotypes, independent of adiposity and sarcopenia. We outline 21 of 2644 druggable genes for insulin resistance by Mendelian randomization and colocalization, where six genes (AKT1, ERBB3, FCGR1A, FGFR1, LPL, NR1H3) encode targets for approved drugs with consistent directions in alleviating insulin resistance, with no significant side effects revealed by phenome-wide association study. This study uncovers novel loci and therapeutic targets to inform strategies promoting insulin resistance-centered cardiometabolic health and longevity. Show less
The present case report presents the diagnostic challenges of pediatric diffuse low-grade glioma (pDLGG) with oligodendroglioma-like features. The patient, an 11-year-old girl, presented with refracto Show more
The present case report presents the diagnostic challenges of pediatric diffuse low-grade glioma (pDLGG) with oligodendroglioma-like features. The patient, an 11-year-old girl, presented with refractory epilepsy and brain imaging did not provide a clear diagnosis. Intraoperatively, the tumor appeared gray-yellow to gray-red, with moderate texture and unclear borders, consistent with LGG. Postoperative pathology showed diffuse infiltrative growth of the tumor, with pleomorphic cell morphology and oligodendroglioma-like gliocyte proliferation. Staining was positive for markers such as glial fibrillary acidic protein and Olig-2. Genomic analysis revealed BRAF V600E, fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR)1 and FGFR4 mutations, but no IDH mutations or other related mutations. The final diagnosis was pDLGG with alterations in the MAPK pathway. The present case underscores the importance of molecular and histological features in the diagnosis of pDLGG, especially when clinical and imaging characteristics are atypical, as molecular diagnostics provide key insights for disease classification. Show less
The interplay between intracellular and intravascular lipolysis is crucial for maintaining circulating lipid levels and systemic energy homeostasis. Adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL) and lipoprotein Show more
The interplay between intracellular and intravascular lipolysis is crucial for maintaining circulating lipid levels and systemic energy homeostasis. Adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL) and lipoprotein lipase (LPL), the primary triglyceride (TG) lipases responsible for these two spatially separate processes, are highly expressed in adipose tissue. Yet the mechanisms underlying their coordinated regulation remain undetermined. Here, we demonstrate that genetic ablation of G0S2, a specific inhibitory protein of ATGL, completely abolished diet-induced hypertriglyceridemia and significantly attenuated atherogenesis in mice. These effects were attributable to enhanced whole-body TG clearance, not altered hepatic TG secretion. Specifically, G0S2 deletion increased circulating LPL concentration and activity, predominantly through LPL production from white adipose tissue (WAT). Strikingly, transplantation of G0S2-deficient WAT normalized plasma TG levels in mice with hypertriglyceridemia. In conjunction with improved insulin sensitivity and decreased ANGPTL4 expression, the absence of G0S2 enhanced the stability of LPL protein in adipocytes, a phenomenon that could be reversed upon ATGL inhibition. Collectively, these findings highlight the pivotal role of adipocyte G0S2 in regulating both intracellular and intravascular lipolysis, and the possibility of targeting G0S2 as a viable pharmacological approach to reducing levels of circulating TGs. 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
Observational studies have identified a possible connection between lipid-lowering medications and respiratory illnesses. However, it remains unclear whether lipid-lowering drugs is causative for resp Show more
Observational studies have identified a possible connection between lipid-lowering medications and respiratory illnesses. However, it remains unclear whether lipid-lowering drugs is causative for respiratory diseases, and we aimed to answer this question. We performed Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses by integrating data from genome-wide association studies (GWAS). Three statistical approaches were employed for MR analysis: inverse variance weighting (IVW), MR-Egger, and weighted median. The purpose was to evaluate the causal relationships between 10 drug targets that lower lipid levels and the likelihood of developing 7 respiratory diseases. Additional sensitivity analyses were conducted to ensure the robustness and validity of the results. After adjusting for multiple testing, our MR analysis identified APOB (odd ratios [OR]: 0.86; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.77 to 0.97; P Our findings suggest a likely causal relationship between respiratory diseases and lipid-lowering drug targets. Further mechanistic and clinical research is needed to confirm and validate these findings. Show less
The beak bean, found only in waterfowl and Galliformes, aids in foraging, self-defense and pecking hard objects. Its rich coloration results from prolonged evolutionary adaptation. This study analyzed Show more
The beak bean, found only in waterfowl and Galliformes, aids in foraging, self-defense and pecking hard objects. Its rich coloration results from prolonged evolutionary adaptation. This study analyzed beak bean phenotypes of duck at 10, 20, 30 and 40 days of age, revealing that the most common type is the black beak bean, characterized by melanin deposition on the beak surface. This study performed single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)-based genome-wide association studies (GWASs) to investigate the genetic basis of beak bean color, identifying signals on chromosome 1. The copy number variation region-based GWAS revealed a consistent candidate region overlapping with the SNP-based GWAS signals, further supporting the importance of this genomic region. Locus zoom analysis further refined the candidate regions to 48.5-50.5 and 50.8-52.8 Mb. Functional enrichment analysis highlighted six candidate genes within these regions: KITLG, DUSP6, GALNT4, MGAT4C, ATP2B1 and NTS. Notably, KITLG and DUSP6, which are linked to melanin production, were identified as key candidate genes for beak bean color. Our finding revealed the genetic basis of the bean color traits for the first time in ducks, providing a theoretical foundation and technological framework for enhancing duck beak coloration. Show less
This study aimed to investigate serum inflammatory factor levels of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in female patients with bipolar disorder (BD) to explore the related inflammatory molecular mechani Show more
This study aimed to investigate serum inflammatory factor levels of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in female patients with bipolar disorder (BD) to explore the related inflammatory molecular mechanisms preliminarily. The study recruited 72 female drug-naïve patients with BD and 98 female healthy controls (HCs). Demographic information, menstrual cycles, sex hormone levels, and ovarian ultrasound data were collected from them. Additionally, their serum inflammatory factor levels and the proteomics of peripheral blood mononuclear cells were analyzed. The levels of interleukin (IL)-8 and IL-13 were significantly higher in patients with BD than in HCs (p < 0.05), and the IL-8 level was higher in BD patients with PCOS than in those without (adjusted p = 0.07). Bioinformatics analysis revealed that downregulated genes with significant differences between the two groups were all involved in immune-inflammatory-related pathways, and the expression of downregulated genes BTN3A2, MAP2K5, JCHAIN-B, and DMAP1 showed substantial differences and consistent trends between the two groups. IL-8-related chronic inflammatory response is closely associated with PCOS in BD patients, and genes such as BTN3A2 may mediate this chronic inflammatory response by negatively regulating the abnormal differentiation of T helper 17 cells, serving as one of the mechanisms underlying its pathogenesis. Show less
Cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) plays a key role in lipoprotein metabolism, and its activity has been linked to the risk of atherosclerosis (AS). CETP inhibitors, such as obicetrapib, repres Show more
Cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) plays a key role in lipoprotein metabolism, and its activity has been linked to the risk of atherosclerosis (AS). CETP inhibitors, such as obicetrapib, represent a novel approach in immunotherapy to reduce the risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) by targeting lipid metabolism. In addition, CETP vaccines are being explored as a novel strategy for the prevention and treatment of ASCVD by inducing the body to produce antibodies against CETP, which is expected to reduce CETP activity, thereby increasing high-density lipoproteins (HDL) levels. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of the structure of CETP, the mechanisms of lipid transfer and the progress of immunotherapy in the last decade, which provides possible ideas for future development of novel drugs and optimization of immunization strategies. Show less
Prenatal exposure to bisphenol analogs (BPs) may pose hazards to offspring's health; however, their underlying mechanisms remain to be elucidated. DNA methylation, a major epigenetic mechanism, may be Show more
Prenatal exposure to bisphenol analogs (BPs) may pose hazards to offspring's health; however, their underlying mechanisms remain to be elucidated. DNA methylation, a major epigenetic mechanism, may be involved in early programming following environmental disturbances. In this prospective study, we investigated associations between prenatal BPs exposure and the placental DNA methylation levels of 14 candidate genes in the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) signaling pathway among 205 mother-infant pairs and explored the potential mediating role of the DNA methylation in the association of prenatal BPs exposure with anthropometric measurements of infants aged 1 year. We observed a general pattern that prenatal BPs exposure was associated with the DNA hypomethylation of candidate genes, with associations consistently and notably observed for PPAR α (PPARA), retinoid X receptor α (RXRA), acetyl-CoA acyltransferase 1, and acyl-CoA dehydrogenase medium chain (ACADM) in linear regression and Bayesian kernel machine regression. Both models identified bisphenol F (BPF) as the predominant compound. We found inverse associations between the placental DNA methylation levels of most candidate genes, such as PPARA, RXRA, ACADM, and nuclear receptor subfamily 1 group H member 3 (NR1H3), and the length-for-age z-score, arm circumference-for-age z-score, subscapular skinfold-for-age z-score, and abdominal skinfold thickness of the infants. The DNA methylation levels of RXRA and NR1H3 could mediate the associations between prenatal BPF exposure and increased infant anthropometric measurements, with mediating portions ranging from 23.02% to 30.53%. Our findings shed light on the potential mechanisms underlying the effects of prenatal BPs exposure on infant growth and call for urgent actions for risk assessment and regulation of BPF. Future cohort studies with larger sample sizes are warranted to confirm our findings. 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
Dynamic responsive structural colored materials have drawn increased consideration in a wide range of applications, such as colorimetric sensors and high-safety tags. However, the sophisticated intera Show more
Dynamic responsive structural colored materials have drawn increased consideration in a wide range of applications, such as colorimetric sensors and high-safety tags. However, the sophisticated interactions among the individual responsive parts restrict the advanced design of multimodal responsive photonic materials. Inspired by stimuli-responsive color change in chameleon skin, a simple and effective photo-crosslinking strategy is proposed to construct hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) based hydrogels with multiple responsive structured colors. By controlling UV exposure time, the structural color of HPC hydrogels can be effectively controlled in a full-color spectrum. At the same time, HPC hydrogels showcase temperature and mechanical dual-responsive structural colors. In particular, the microstructure of HPC hydrogels undergoes a transition from the chiral nematic phase to the nematic phase under the action of external stretching, leading to a significant reflection of circularly polarized light (CPL) to linearly polarized light (LPL). Given the diverse responsiveness exhibited by HPC hydrogels and their unique structural transition properties under external forces, we have explored their potential applications as dynamic anti-counterfeiting labels and optical skins. This work reveals the great possibility of using structural colored cellulose hydrogels in multi-sensing and optical displays, opening up a new path for the exploration of next-generation flexible photonic devices. Show less
The risk factors and clinical prediction of cardiovascular comorbidities in patients with breast cancer have not been fully clarified. This retrospective case-control study was designed to investigate Show more
The risk factors and clinical prediction of cardiovascular comorbidities in patients with breast cancer have not been fully clarified. This retrospective case-control study was designed to investigate the factors affecting myocardial ischemia occurrence in breast cancer patients. A total of 194 cases (144 breast cancer and 50 benign breast tumor patients) were included. Univariate and multivariable Cox regression found that ApoB, age, and HER2 were significant factors responsible for the myocardial ischemia occurrence in breast cancer patients. By comparing the significance of ApoB in breast cancer patients versus benign breast tumor patients, it was observed that ApoB and HER2 were crucial predictors of myocardial ischemia in breast cancer patients compared to those with benign breast tumors. These factors were utilized to construct the clinical prediction model, achieving a combined area under the curve (AUC) of 0.583. The decision curve analysis (DCA) indicated that the model-predicted population, within a threshold ranging from 0.35 to 0.70, would experience a therapeutically clinical net benefit. Kaplan-Meier plot indicated that ApoB We demonstrated that ApoB and HER2 were potential factors in predicting the myocardial ischemia occurrence in breast cancer patients. This study will help provide clinical evidence for the early prediction of cardiovascular comorbidities in breast cancer patients. Show less
Perioperative neurocognitive disorder (PND) is a common complication following thoracic surgery and often leading to poor outcomes. Despite ongoing research, effective treatments for late PND remain l Show more
Perioperative neurocognitive disorder (PND) is a common complication following thoracic surgery and often leading to poor outcomes. Despite ongoing research, effective treatments for late PND remain limited. Identifying reliable biomarkers for early diagnosis is, therefore, essential. A prospective cohort study was conducted with 60 elderly patients undergoing thoracic surgery. Serum samples were collected within 10 minutes prior to anesthesia and following extubation to measure adiponectin (APN), cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), protein kinase A (PKA), aquaporin-4 (AQP4) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Among PND patients, serum APN, PKA, AQP4, and BDNF levels were markedly decreased compared with the normal group. While serum cAMP (HR = 1.087, p = 0.695, 95% CI [0.284-4.166]) and PKA (HR = 0.996, p = 0.09, 95% CI [0.491-0.947]) were not significantly correlated with PND, serum APN (HR = 0.307, 95% CI [0.113-0.835], p = 0.021), AQP4 (HR = 0.204, 95% CI [0.060-0.697], p = 0.011), and BDNF (HR = 0.382, 95% CI [0.177-0.823], p = 0.014) were protective factors against PND. ROC analysis demonstrated that APN (AUC = 0.68, 95% CI [0.51-0.87]), AQP4 (AUC = 0.73, 95% CI [0.59-0.87]), BDNF (AUC = 0.73, 95% CI [0.59-0.87]), and the model of combining those biomarkers (AUC = 0.91, 95% CI [0.83-0.99]) could predict PND. PND patients exhibited a lower protective stress response to surgical trauma. High serum APN, AQP4, and BDNF levels were independent protective factors for PND, and a combined model of these biomarkers showed predictive potential for PND. 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
Yuwen Guo, Huai Bai, Linbo Guan+4 more · 2025 · Zhonghua yi xue yi chuan xue za zhi = Zhonghua yixue yichuanxue zazhi = Chinese journal of medical genetics · added 2026-04-24
To assess the association between the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) rs174575 and rs2845574 of the fatty acid desaturase 2 (FADS2) gene and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). A total of 1 514 Show more
To assess the association between the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) rs174575 and rs2845574 of the fatty acid desaturase 2 (FADS2) gene and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). A total of 1 514 pregnant women who visited West China Second University Hospital of Sichuan University between January 1, 2013 and December 31, 2021 were enrolled in this study. Among them, 583 were diagnosed with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM group), and 931 had normal pregnancies (control group). The SNPs rs174575 and rs2845574 of the FADS2 gene were analyzed using Sanger DNA sequencing. Plasma levels of insulin (INS), apolipoprotein A1 (apoA1) and apolipoprotein B (apoB) were measured using enzymatic methods, chemiluminescence and immunoturbidimetry. This study was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of the West China Second University Hospital of Sichuan University (Ethics No.: 2020-036). The main genotype at the rs174575 C/G and rs2845574 C/T loci were CC in both GDM and control groups. No significant difference was found between the GDM and control groups regarding the genotypic or allelic frequencies of rs174575 and rs2845574 sites (P > 0.05). Among the GDM group, individuals with the GG genotype at the rs174575 site had lower plasma HDL-C levels compared to those with the CC genotype (P < 0.05), and had higher atherogenic indices (AI) compared with the CC and CG genotype (P < 0.05; P < 0.05). Individuals with the TT genotype at the rs2845574 site had higher AI compared with the CT genotype (P < 0.05). Among the control group, individuals with the GG genotype had lower diastolic blood pressure (DBP) compared to those with the CC genotype (P < 0.05). Additional subgroup analysis demonstrated that the rs174575 polymorphism was associated with AI levels in obesity subgroup of GDM, TG levels in non-obese subgroup of control and DBP levels in the obese subgroup of control (P < 0.05; P < 0.05; P < 0.05). The FADS2 rs174575 and rs2845574 polymorphisms in GDM patients are associated wit HDL-C and AI levels, and the FADS2 rs174575 polymorphisms was also associated with DBP levels in normal pregnant women. The AI and DBP levels have a BMI-dependent effect. Show less
Dysregulation of macrophage autophagy plays a critical role in sepsis-induced acute lung injury (ALI); however, its underlying mechanism remains unclear. In this study, we aimed to identify the regula Show more
Dysregulation of macrophage autophagy plays a critical role in sepsis-induced acute lung injury (ALI); however, its underlying mechanism remains unclear. In this study, we aimed to identify the regulatory pathway involving the PIK3C3-MAPK14 signaling axis that drives ALI progression by controlling autophagy and macrophage polarization. Using machine learning transcriptomic analysis, MAPK14 was identified as a core gene associated with ALI, and multi-omics integration confirmed its upregulated expression in ALI tissues. MAPK14 localization to pro-inflammatory macrophages was determined using single-cell sequencing. Furthermore, we observed a significant positive correlation between MAPK14 and autophagy-related genes. Molecular docking and kinetic simulations revealed high-affinity interactions between PIK3C3 and MAPK14 (ΔG-bind = -127.722 ± 33.269 kJ/mol). In vitro experiments followed by Western Blot(WB) and RT-q polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays demonstrated that lipopolysaccharide stimulation upregulated MAPK14 expression through downregulation of PIK3C3 expression, resulting in impaired autophagic flux (LC3-II/Ⅰ↓, TOM20↑, P62↑, HSP60↑). Flow cytometry and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) confirmed a shift toward pro-inflammatory (M1) macrophage polarization. RNA pull-down assay directly captured the PIK3C3-MAPK14 complex, and functional validation showed that PIK3C3 overexpression significantly inhibited MAPK14 protein expression, whereas PIK3C3 knockdown enhanced it. In conclusion, targeting the PIK3C3-MAPK14 axis is a promising therapeutic strategy for ALI. Show less
Fatigue is a common but poorly understood issue in type 2 diabetes (T2DM) that affects quality of life. Although ceRNA networks regulate disease progression, their role in T2DM-related fatigue (F-T2DM Show more
Fatigue is a common but poorly understood issue in type 2 diabetes (T2DM) that affects quality of life. Although ceRNA networks regulate disease progression, their role in T2DM-related fatigue (F-T2DM) is unclear. This study developed a circRNA-mediated ceRNA network to uncover the molecular interactions causing fatigue in F-T2DM. The study included healthy control group (Control, n = 21), F-T2DM group (n = 21), and non-fatigue type 2 diabetes patients (NF-T2DM, n = 21). By combining high-throughput sequencing to screen differentially expressed circRNAs (F-T2DM vs Control: 1144; F-T2DM vs NF-T2DM: 1303) and mRNAs (F-T2DM vs Control: 912; F-T2DM vs NF-T2DM: 1190), it was found that hsa_circ₀₀₇₈₅₃₉ and hsa_circ₀₀₂₆₂₃₉ were significantly upregulated in F-T2DM compared to both Control and NF-T2DM groups, and their host genes were involved in cytoskeleton remodeling. The GO/KEGG enrichment analysis combined with weighted gene co-expression network (WGCNA) of F-T2DM compared with Control indicated that the core pathways of F-T2DM focused on actin cytoskeleton dynamic regulation, AMPK signaling pathway, tricarboxylic acid cycle, and oxidative stress response. In the enrichment analysis of F-T2DM and NF-T2DM, cytoskeleton dynamics regulation, AMPK signaling pathway, and tricarboxylic acid cycle were further enriched, and the specific activation of reactive oxygen metabolism balance and AGE-RAGE pathway was also observed. Further, through multi-database prediction and experimental verification, a F-T2DM-specific ceRNA network was constructed, and key regulatory axes hsa_circ₀₀₄₄₆₂₃/hsa-mir-129-5p/MYLK3, hsa_circ₀₀₀₂₆₂₂/hsa-mir-200b-3p/RAB21, and hsa_circ₀₀₇₈₅₃₉/hsa-mir-4695-3p/SLC7A14 were screened out. The ceRNA regulatory network in human and animal samples was confirmed using RT-qPCR. These axes drive the pathological process by regulating myocardial contractility efficiency, glucose transport, mitochondrial energy metabolism, and insulin signaling pathway. This study clarified the molecular regulatory mode of patients with fatigue type 2 diabetes from the perspective of ceRNA network, providing a new direction for the research on diabetes classification and diagnosis. Show less
To describe the clinical characteristics, natural history, genetic landscape, and phenotypic spectrum of neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (NCL)-associated retinal disease. Multicenter retrospective coho Show more
To describe the clinical characteristics, natural history, genetic landscape, and phenotypic spectrum of neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (NCL)-associated retinal disease. Multicenter retrospective cohort study complemented by a cross-sectional examination. Twelve pediatric subjects with biallelic variants in 5 NCL-causing genes (CLN3 lysosomal/endosomal transmembrane protein [ Review of clinical notes, retinal imaging, electroretinography (ERG), and molecular genetic testing. Two subjects underwent a cross-sectional examination comprising adaptive optics scanning laser ophthalmoscopy imaging of the retina and optoretinography (ORG). Clinical/demographic data, multimodal retinal imaging data, electrophysiology parameters, and molecular genetic testing. Our cohort included a diverse set of subjects with Our cohort data demonstrates that the underlying genetic variants drive the phenotypic diversity in different forms of NCL. Genetic testing can provide molecular diagnosis and ensure appropriate disease management and support for children and their families. With intravitreal enzyme replacement therapy on the horizon as a potential treatment option for NCL-associated retinal degeneration, precise structural and functional measures will be required to more accurately monitor disease progression. We show that adaptive optics imaging and ORG can be used as highly sensitive methods to track early retinal changes, which can be used to establish eligibility for future therapies and provide metrics for determining the efficacy of interventions on a cellular scale. Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found in the Footnotes and Disclosures at the end of this article. Show less
Sesquiterpene lactones are secondary plant metabolites with a wide variety of biological activities. The process of lactone conjugation to other pharmacophores can increase the efficacy and specificit Show more
Sesquiterpene lactones are secondary plant metabolites with a wide variety of biological activities. The process of lactone conjugation to other pharmacophores can increase the efficacy and specificity of the conjugated agent effect on molecular targets in various diseases, including brain pathologies. Derivatives of biogenic indoles, including neurotransmitter serotonin, are of considerable interest as potential pharmacophores. Most of these compounds have neurotropic activity and, therefore, can be used in the synthesis of new drugs with neuroprotective properties. The aim of this experimental synthesis was to generate potential treatment agents for Alzheimer's disease using serotonin conjugated with natural sesquiterpene lactones. Three novel compounds were obtained via the Michael reaction and used for biological testing. The obtained conjugates demonstrated complex neuroprotective activities. Serotonin conjugated to isoalantolactone exhibited strong antioxidant and mitoprotective activities. The agent was also found to inhibit β-site amyloid precursor protein cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE-1), prevent the aggregation of β-amyloid peptide 1-42, and protect SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells from neurotoxins such as glutamate and H In conclusion, the obtained results indicate that serotonin conjugates to sesquiterpene lactones are promising agents for the treatment of symptoms associated with Alzheimer's disease. Show less
Inactivation of phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) is prevalent in human prostate cancer and causes high-grade adenocarcinoma with a long latency. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) play a pivota Show more
Inactivation of phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) is prevalent in human prostate cancer and causes high-grade adenocarcinoma with a long latency. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) play a pivotal role in tumor progression, but it remains elusive whether and how PTEN-deficient prostate cancers reprogram CAFs to overcome the barriers for tumor progression. Here, we report that PTEN deficiency induced Krüppel-like factor 5 (KLF5) acetylation and that interruption of KLF5 acetylation orchestrated intricate interactions between cancer cells and CAFs that enhance FGF receptor 1 (FGFR1) signaling and promote tumor growth. Deacetylated KLF5 promoted tumor cells to secrete TNF-α, which stimulated inflammatory CAFs to release FGF9. CX3CR1 inhibition blocked FGFR1 activation triggered by FGF9 and sensitized PTEN-deficient prostate cancer to the AKT inhibitor capivasertib. This study reveals the role of KLF5 acetylation in reprogramming CAFs and provides a rationale for combined therapies using inhibitors of AKT and CX3CR1. Show less