To investigate the connection betweenischemic stroke (IS) patients' risk of dying after being discharged and their residual cholesterol (RC) levels uponadmission. 2021 IS patients between the ages of Show more
To investigate the connection betweenischemic stroke (IS) patients' risk of dying after being discharged and their residual cholesterol (RC) levels uponadmission. 2021 IS patients between the ages of 35 and 80were chosen as the study's subjects, and data on deathendpoints following discharge were gathered. The doseresponse association between the risk of death and the RCat admission was examined using restricted cubic spline(RCS) regression. The hazard ratio (HR) and 95% CI werecalculated via Cox regression to analyse the associationbetween the RC level at admission and the risk of deathafter discharge in patients with IS. According to the RCS model, RC levels were nonlinearly associated with deaths from IS and other causes(P<0.001). With the median RC level as the cutoff value,the subjects were divided into two groups: a low RC group(RC<0.72 mmol/L) and a high RC group (RC≥0.72mmol/L). Compared with those in the high RC group, theage and male ratio in the low RC group were significantlygreater. The fasting blood glucose (GLU), total cholesterol(TC), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C), non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (nonHDL-C), apolipoprotein A-1 (ApoA-1), and apolipoproteinB (ApoB) levels, as well as diabetes rates, were lower (P=0.01). Cox regression analysis revealed that withoutadjusting for covariates, the high-level RC group presenteda lower risk of all-cause death than the low-level RC group(HR=0.765, 95% CI: 0.619~0.946, P=0.013) and alower risk of death from IS (HR = 0.638, 95% CI:0.435~0.936, P=0.022). After adjusting for sex, age,smoking status, drinking status, hypertension status, anddiabetes status, the high-level group still had a lower risk ofall-cause death (HR = 760, 95% CI: 0.614~0.941,P=0.012) and a lower risk of death from IS (HR=0.653,95% CI: 0.444-0.961, P=0.031). Male sex (HR=0.753,95% CI: 0.572~0.990, P=0.042). Age ≥65 years (HR=0.598, 95% CI: 0.391~0.916, P=0.018), nonsmokingstatus (HR=0.628, 95% CI: 0.408~0.967, P=0.035),nonalcoholic status (HR=0.656, 95% CI: 0.439~0.979,P=0.039), not complicated with hypertension (HR=0.321, 95% CI: 0.108~0.957, P=0.041), no diabetesmellitus (HR=0.607, 95% CI: 0.389~0.947, P=0.028).Compared with those in the high RC group, the IS patientsin the low RC group had a lower incidence of all-causedeath, IS death and other causes of death and a higher survival rate. An RC<0.72 mmol/L at admission is associated with an increased risk of all-cause death and longterm IS death after discharge. Show less
Fusion genes are pivotal drivers of tumorigenesis, often generating oncogenic chimeric RNAs and fusion circular RNAs. However, the mechanisms by which these transcripts synergistically contribute to c Show more
Fusion genes are pivotal drivers of tumorigenesis, often generating oncogenic chimeric RNAs and fusion circular RNAs. However, the mechanisms by which these transcripts synergistically contribute to cancer progression remain poorly understood. Here, we identified a lung cancer-specific chimeric RNA KANSL1-ARL17A (chKANSARL) and its circular variant fusion circular RNA KANSL1-ARL17 A (F-circKA), both derived from the fusion gene KANSARL. Functional assays revealed that overexpression of either chKANSARL or F-circKA significantly enhanced lung cancer cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, while their knockdown suppressed these malignant phenotypes. In vivo experiments demonstrated that chKANSARL overexpression accelerated tumor growth in immunodeficient mice. Notably, coexpression experiments uncovered a synergistic regulatory interaction between F-circKA and chKANSARL, amplifying oncogenic effects. Mechanistically, miRNA sequencing and dual-luciferase assays revealed that F-circKA acts as a molecular sponge for miR-6860, thereby derepressing chKANSARL expression. Rescue experiments further validated this regulatory axis, wherein miR-6860 inhibition reversed the tumor-suppressive effects of F-circKA knockdown. Collectively, our study identifies and characterizes a novel F-circKA/miR-6860/chKANSARL regulatory axis, revealing how dual transcriptional outputs from the KANSARL fusion gene can synergistically drive lung cancer progression. These findings highlight a previously unrecognized layer of cooperative regulation between linear and circular fusion RNAs in oncogenesis and provide a new framework for understanding fusion gene-mediated tumorigenesis. Show less
Diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) are a severe complication of diabetes. Although dysregulated M2 macrophage polarization is recognized as a key driver of chronic inflammation in DFU, the molecular checkpoin Show more
Diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) are a severe complication of diabetes. Although dysregulated M2 macrophage polarization is recognized as a key driver of chronic inflammation in DFU, the molecular checkpoints that can be therapeutically targeted to restore M2 bias remain poorly defined. Here, we aimed to determine whether the RNA-binding protein TAF15 acts as a post-transcriptional stabilizer of the M2-promoting CEBPB/APOE/PTX3 axis, thereby accelerating DFU healing. First, we confirmed that APOE positively regulates PTX3, which supports M2 polarization and the proliferation and migration of HDF. CEBPB transcriptionally activated APOE and promoted M2 macrophage polarization. TAF15 stabilized CEBPB mRNA and affected HDF cell proliferation and migration by promoting M2 macrophage polarization. Additionally, TAF15 overexpression partially counteracted the disruption of M2 macrophage polarization caused by APOE silencing and facilitated DFU wound healing. Collectively, our findings establish TAF15-driven stabilization of CEBPB mRNA as a target point that sequentially activates APOE/PTX3 signaling to enforce M2 polarization and accelerate DFU closure. This study provides a preclinical rationale for the development of TAF15-targeted oligonucleotides or small-molecule strategies to reprogram wound macrophages and improve DFU outcomes in patients with diabetes. Show less
Atherosclerosis (AS) is a central pathological driver underlying most cardiovascular diseases. Gut microbiota and related metabolites participate in regulating atherosclerosis. Fifty C57BL/6J ApoE Ath Show more
Atherosclerosis (AS) is a central pathological driver underlying most cardiovascular diseases. Gut microbiota and related metabolites participate in regulating atherosclerosis. Fifty C57BL/6J ApoE Atherosclerotic plaques accumulated in the aorta and aortic sinus after HFD, while statin and high-dose GP alleviated this burden. TC, TG, LDL-C, MCP-1, MCP-3 and IL-2 showed significant increase after HFD, while statin and GP decreased LDL-C, MCP-1 and MCP-3. The goblet cells, ZO-1 and Occludin decreased after HFD, while statin and GP increased them, indicating that the intestinal barrier integrity was improved. Additionally, the composition of gut microbiota was modulated by GP. Some candidate taxa were identified, such as This study suggests that GP is beneficial for alleviating atherosclerosis in HFD-induced ApoE Show less
Enzyme immobilization is critical for enhancing enzyme stability and reusability. Catalytically active inclusion bodies (CatIBs) have emerged as a promising immobilization strategy due to their straig Show more
Enzyme immobilization is critical for enhancing enzyme stability and reusability. Catalytically active inclusion bodies (CatIBs) have emerged as a promising immobilization strategy due to their straightforward production, ease of separation, and high purity. Unlike traditional cross-linked enzyme aggregates (CLEAs) that require a precipitation step, CatIBs form through carrier-free self-aggregation during expression. To overcome the limitations of conventional methods, a novel technique has been developed in this study, focusing on L-phenylserine aldolase (LPA) as the model enzyme. A hybrid tag (HLHLHL) was fused to the N-terminus of LPA to generate 3HL-LPA, which promotes the formation of active inclusion bodies. Based on structural prediction and surface properties, the active aggregation process of 3HL tags through electrostatic interactions and hydrophobic interactions was analyzed. Innovatively, we combined CatIBs and CLEAs technologies to develop novel CatIBs-CLEAs. For comparison, a control was prepared by fusing a hexahistidine tag (HHHHHH) to LPA's N-terminus (6H-LPA) to enhance soluble expression, followed by conventional CLEAs preparation. Results showed that CatIBs-CLEAs achieved an activity recovery of 69.87% after glutaraldehyde crosslinking, significantly higher than the 48.1% for conventional CLEAs. CatIBs-CLEAs also exhibited superior thermal stability across temperatures, high stability between pH 5-9, and retained over 70% activity after seven batch cycles. The integrated CatIBs-CLEAs technology combines the production advantages of CatIBs with the stability benefits of CLEAs, offering a promising strategy for designing efficient, robust industrial biocatalysts with broad application potential. Show less
Atherosclerotic plaque destabilization during acute infections such as pneumonia represents a critical clinical challenge, yet the underlying molecular dynamics remain poorly characterized. This study Show more
Atherosclerotic plaque destabilization during acute infections such as pneumonia represents a critical clinical challenge, yet the underlying molecular dynamics remain poorly characterized. This study introduces a furin-responsive photoacoustic/fluorescence dual-modal probe (FRP) to investigate intraplaque furin activity in ApoE Show less
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a chronic condition marked by compulsive drinking and withdrawal-related negative affect. Histamine (HA) signaling, particularly via the histamine H3 receptor (H3R), may Show more
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a chronic condition marked by compulsive drinking and withdrawal-related negative affect. Histamine (HA) signaling, particularly via the histamine H3 receptor (H3R), may modulate alcohol-related behaviors. We investigated the effects of pitolisant, an FDA-approved H3R antagonist, on ethanol (EtOH)-related behaviors in mice. Adult male C57BL/6J mice underwent acute or chronic (2 or > 8 weeks) intermittent alcohol exposure. Pitolisant pretreatment was administered, and then pharmacological behavior, histologic, and molecular assays were conducted. Pitolisant administration reduced acute EtOH-induced locomotor activation, conditioned place preference, and sedative effects, and also curtailed EtOH intake. It alleviated anxiety and depression-like behavior during 24-h withdrawal (Post-EtOH). Mechanistically, the Post-EtOH condition was featured by complicated brain cFos expression mapping, including elevated cFos, [HA] and [glutamine]/[glutamate] ratio in the lateral habenula (LHb). However, systemic pitolisant treatment significantly increased [norepinephrine]/[normetanephrine] ratio, and restored the diminished phosphorylated CREB and BDNF levels in the LHb. Intra-LHb H2R antagonist cimetidine infusion partly blocked the pitolisant therapeutic effect on alcohol-related behavior. These findings highlight the HAergic system as a critical regulator of alcohol-related behaviors. The LHb HA signaling and norepinephrine neurotransmission might underlie pitolisant's potential novel therapeutic strategy for AUD. Show less
Given the heterogeneous nature of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and its higher prevalence in females, it is crucial to understand sex-related differences in AD presentation and changes in the brain. This s Show more
Given the heterogeneous nature of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and its higher prevalence in females, it is crucial to understand sex-related differences in AD presentation and changes in the brain. This systematic review investigates sex differences in AD and summarizes key findings from neuroimaging studies over the past two decades to examine how genetics, hormones, and lifestyle factors influence neuroimaging biomarkers and their correlation with cognitive decline and AD progression. A comprehensive literature search was conducted across several databases for human studies from 2004 to 2024 related to AD, biological sex differences, and neuroimaging. After a 3-step review process, the final extraction included 120 peer-reviewed studies using various neuroimaging modalities, such as MRI, amyloid-beta PET, tau-PET, and fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET, to investigate sex as a biological predictor variable in adults with or at risk for AD. Over 90% of the reviewed studies identified clear sex-specific patterns of imaging biomarkers related to cognitive reserve, hormonal changes, APOE-ɛ4 genotype, inflammation, vascular health, and lifestyle factors. Machine learning studies increasingly incorporate sex as a key variable, revealing sex-specific biomarkers and improving model performance in predicting disease status and progression. Considering biological sex in AD research is essential for improving diagnostic accuracy, tailoring interventions, and health outcomes. This systematic review identifies sex-specific patterns in neuroimaging biomarkers of AD, influenced by cognitive reserve, hormones, APOE-ɛ4 genotype, inflammation, vascular health, and lifestyle. Recognizing these differences is crucial for understanding, diagnosis, and treatment efficacy. Show less
This study, adopting a person-centered approach and using network analysis, explores latent subtypes of Junzi personality among college students and their links to Receptiveness to Opposing Views, off Show more
This study, adopting a person-centered approach and using network analysis, explores latent subtypes of Junzi personality among college students and their links to Receptiveness to Opposing Views, offering empirical backing for the ancient Chinese idea of "Junzi harmonize yet remain distinct." Traditional variable-centered methods often fail to fully expose the underlying typological structure due to the possible heterogeneous combinations in Junzi personality dimensions. Thus, a person-centered latent profile analysis (LPA) was used to pinpoint typical personality trait patterns. With 1116 college students as participants, the study employed the Junzi Personality Questionnaire Based on Confucian Thought and the Receptiveness to Opposing Views Scale. LPA identified three personality types: The Moderate Type (50%), The Daring-Aggressive Type (15%), and The Virtuously-Accomplished Type (35%). Regression analysis showed significant correlations between gender, age, and personality type, with The Virtuously-Accomplished Type scoring notably higher in Receptiveness to Opposing Views. Network analysis further revealed distinct differences in the network structures of Receptiveness to Opposing Views among the three types: The Moderate Type centered on "derogation of opponents," "refraining from what should not be done," and "respectfulness and propriety"; The Daring-Aggressive Type focused on "conversancy with righteousness and cherishment of benign rule," "derogation of opponents," and "respectfulness and propriety"; while The Virtuously-Accomplished Type highlighted "negative emotions" and "wisdom, benevolence, and courage," with "taboo issues" at the periphery in all datasets. The findings uncover the heterogeneity of Junzi personality and its varied associations with Receptiveness to Opposing Views, providing insights for understanding harmonious interactions in diverse settings. Show less
Depression has emerged as a concerning factor in colon cancer progression and treatment, yet its underlying mechanisms and therapeutic targets remain poorly defined. This study aimed to elucidate how Show more
Depression has emerged as a concerning factor in colon cancer progression and treatment, yet its underlying mechanisms and therapeutic targets remain poorly defined. This study aimed to elucidate how depression affects colon cancer progression and chemotherapeutic response, and to explore potential molecular targets and therapeutic interventions involving the traditional Chinese medicine formula Sinisan (SNS) and its bioactive component Quercetin. A mouse model combining depression and colon cancer was established to evaluate behavioral alterations, tumor progression, and pathological features. RNA sequencing was performed to screen the differentially expressed genes. The effects of corticosterone (CORT) on proliferation, colony formation, migration, and GSTM2 expression were examined in HCT116 cells, followed by functional validation through GSTM2 overexpression and inhibition assays. Molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulations, and surface plasmon resonance (SPR) were used to validate the binding of Quercetin to GSTM2. The therapeutic efficacy of SNS and Quercetin was assessed with respect to depressive symptoms, serum BDNF levels, NLRP3 inflammasome activity, and the potency of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) chemotherapy. Mice with depression and colon cancer exhibited aggravated depressive behaviors and accelerated tumor progression. RNA-sequencing and network pharmacology analyses identified GSTM2 as a promising candidate target in colon cancer treatment, which was markedly down-regulated in the DP-CC group. CORT enhanced proliferation, colony formation, and migration of HCT116 cells while simultaneously suppressing GSTM2 expression. Conversely, GSTM2 levels negatively correlated with cell proliferation, colony formation, and chemoresistance in HCT116 cells. Treatment with SNS alleviated depressive symptoms, elevated serum BDNF, reduced NLRP3 inflammasome activity, and potentiated the efficacy of 5-FU chemotherapy. Quercetin, a bioactive component of SNS, bound to GSTM2 through hydrogen-bond and van-der-Waals interactions, up-regulated GSTM2 expression, and mitigated CORT-induced proliferation, colony formation, and chemoresistance. Our findings suggest that depression promotes colon-cancer progression by down-regulating GSTM2, whereas SNS restores GSTM2 expression and enhances chemotherapeutic response. Show less
Endothelial cells under oxidative stress and inflammation are vital contributors to the progression of atherosclerosis. Although Orientin possesses antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, the ef Show more
Endothelial cells under oxidative stress and inflammation are vital contributors to the progression of atherosclerosis. Although Orientin possesses antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, the effects of Orientin on oxidized low-density lipoprotein and high glucose (ox-LDL/HG)-triggered endothelial cell injury and diabetes-accelerated atherosclerosis remain unclear. ApoE Show less
Gary Chen, Adrienne Sexton · 2026 · Patient education and counseling · Elsevier · added 2026-04-24
This scoping review aims to map the experiences and outcomes of patients and their families undergoing genetic testing and counseling regarding dementia to inform future research directions and clinic Show more
This scoping review aims to map the experiences and outcomes of patients and their families undergoing genetic testing and counseling regarding dementia to inform future research directions and clinical practice. Rigorous scoping review methodology was followed. Ovid Medline, Embase, PsycINFO, and CINAHL were searched with keywords and MeSH terms related to "genetic testing", "genetic counseling", "dementia", "decision making", and "patient outcomes" for peer-reviewed studies with adult participants published over the last ten years. Thirty-six articles met inclusion criteria. Narrative synthesis organized findings into temporal categories including motivations for genetic testing, experiences during the testing/counseling process, and outcomes after testing. Common motivators included reducing uncertainty, reproductive planning, life planning, and the prospect of a treatment becoming available in the future. A lack of current treatments and fear that knowledge of genetic risk would be difficult to cope with were common barriers to testing. Patient-centered communication improved satisfaction. Genetic testing was generally psychologically well tolerated, and a wide range of practical responses were reported including changes to lifestyle, diet, advanced care and financial planning, and engaging in clinical trials. This review maps the experiences and outcomes of genetic testing or counseling for people with or at potentially increased genetic risk of dementia. Genetic testing and counseling for directly causal dementia genes and APOE genotype appears well tolerated but long-term outcome data is lacking. Motivations, concerns and perceived benefits of knowing genetic results vary depending on personal, familial and cultural viewpoints. Genetic counseling can help patients and families prepare, reduce decisional regret, and adapt to results. Motivations varied, and a patient-centered approach addressing both information and psychological aspects improves satisfaction. Future longitudinal research should ascertain ways to support individuals from a wide range of demographics with understanding and adjusting to genetic risk information regarding dementia. Show less
Atherosclerosis is a chronic and progressive inflammatory disease that can lead to adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events. Phenotypic switching of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) plays Show more
Atherosclerosis is a chronic and progressive inflammatory disease that can lead to adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events. Phenotypic switching of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) plays a pivotal role in its development and progression, but the upstream regulatory mechanisms remain incompletely defined. Here, we identify ubiquitin-fold modifier 1 (UFM1), a ubiquitin-like protein, as a critical regulator of VSMCs plasticity and atherogenesis. In VSMCs stimulated with oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL), UFM1 overexpression markedly attenuated phenotypic switching, restoring contractile features and suppressing synthetic activation, accompanied by reduced proliferation and migration. In contrast, UFM1 knockdown further exacerbated these phenotypic alterations. In ApoE Show less
Improved internet access has exposed rural adolescents in China to a greater risk of internet addiction. However, existing studies seldom examine the relationship between dynamic changes in internet a Show more
Improved internet access has exposed rural adolescents in China to a greater risk of internet addiction. However, existing studies seldom examine the relationship between dynamic changes in internet addiction and psychosocial maladjustment. This study aims to explore the transition patterns of internet addiction and its associations with emotional and interpersonal problems over time. A one-year longitudinal survey was conducted among 782 middle school students in rural China. Latent Profile Analysis (LPA) was conducted to identify internet addiction profiles at two time points. Latent Profile Transition Analysis (LPTA) was then used to examine the transition patterns between profiles over time. Subsequently, statistical analyses were conducted to explore how these transitions were associated with emotional and interpersonal problems. Three profiles of internet addiction were identified: minimal-internet addiction, low-internet addiction, and high-internet addiction. Based on LPTA, most adolescents with higher internet addiction at T1 shifted to lower-severity profiles over time (high → minimal: 35.3%; low → minimal: 39.8%; high → low: 33.3%), while some with initially lower levels transitioned to more severe profiles (minimal → high: 6.9%; low → high: 12.2%; minimal → low: 25.7%). Transition into higher addiction profiles predicted increased depression, anxiety, and poorer relationships with parents, peers, and teachers. Conversely, reductions in addiction were linked to improved depressive symptoms. Changes in internet addiction have an impact on adolescent psychosocial maladjustment. Early detection and flexible interventions are essential in rural settings. Show less
Current in vitro enzyme inhibition assays often involve subjective data analysis based on the researcher's experience. In this study, we developed a multi-dimensional quantitative integration platform Show more
Current in vitro enzyme inhibition assays often involve subjective data analysis based on the researcher's experience. In this study, we developed a multi-dimensional quantitative integration platform (MDQIP) that uses a model to objectively calculate and rank compound activities, addressing the limitations of traditional "experience-driven" evaluations, accelerates the screening and evaluation of potential AChE inhibitors from Red Gastrodia elata, offering a more efficient approach to drug discovery. Ultrafiltration-LC screening identified parishin A as having the most stable binding, with binding degree and recovery rates of 98.85% and 99.39%, respectively. Molecular docking revealed that parishins A and C were the strongest AChE inhibitors, exhibiting stable binding through hydrogen bonds, π-alkyl, and π-π interactions. Molecular dynamics simulations confirmed the stability of these compounds, with binding energies of -82.65 ± 4.24 and - 80.69 ± 4.19 kcal/mol. Enzyme kinetics showed that parishins A and C are mixed-type inhibitors, with IC Show less
Alterations in the FGFR family act as oncogenic drivers for multiple pediatric and adult tumors, leading to the development and approval of several FGFR inhibitors. However, the on-target gatekeeper a Show more
Alterations in the FGFR family act as oncogenic drivers for multiple pediatric and adult tumors, leading to the development and approval of several FGFR inhibitors. However, the on-target gatekeeper and "molecular brake" mutations confer clinically acquired resistance to the FDA-approved FGFR inhibitors, which presents a significant unmet medical need. Herein, we report the first novel macrocycle-based FGFR inhibitors targeting both wild-type and clinically acquired variants of the FGFR family. The representative compound Show less
This study explores the influence of congruence and incongruence in father-mother co-parenting on adolescent depression, as well as the mediating effect of self-esteem. A total of 1389 adolescents com Show more
This study explores the influence of congruence and incongruence in father-mother co-parenting on adolescent depression, as well as the mediating effect of self-esteem. A total of 1389 adolescents completed questionnaires assessing their levels of depression and self-esteem, while their fathers and mothers correspondingly reported on their own co-parenting behaviors using the Parental Co-parenting Scale in this cross-sectional study. Dates were analyzed using LPA, RSA, and mediation consecutively. The results show that: (1) We identified three distinct co-parenting profiles: positive parental co-parenting, negative parental co-parenting, and mixed parental co-parenting. (2) In cases of congruent parental co-parenting, high positive parental co-parenting was associated with lower adolescent depression, whereas high negative parental co-parenting was linked to higher depression, and the difference manifests in different forms among boys and girls. Girls showed nonlinear changes in depression while boys exhibited linear trends. (3) In cases of incongruence in parental co-parenting, mothers' co-parenting exerted a stronger influence on boys' depression, while girls were not affected by mothers' and fathers' discrepancies. (4) Self-esteem mediated the relationship between parental co-parenting (in)congruence and depression across both genders. This study provides evidence for the mechanism through which parental coparenting influences adolescent depression and offers a basis for future interventions targeting adolescent depression. Show less
Despite therapeutic advances, atherosclerosis remains a major global health challenge. Most current treatments target systemic risk factors rather than the diseased vascular wall. Our previous work id Show more
Despite therapeutic advances, atherosclerosis remains a major global health challenge. Most current treatments target systemic risk factors rather than the diseased vascular wall. Our previous work identified genistein, a soy isoflavone, as a cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1) antagonist capable of suppressing CB1-mediated vascular inflammation and atherosclerosis. However, its poor water solubility and low oral bioavailability limit clinical application. We aimed to develop water-soluble, orally bioavailable CB1 antagonists for atherosclerosis and to investigate the role of endothelial CB1 in hemodynamic regulation. RNA-sequencing datasets from the NCBI GEO repository were analyzed to assess CB1 expression in atherosclerotic patients. Apolipoprotein E-deficient (Apoe We found CB1 was upregulated in atherosclerotic lesions from patients and mice, and in endothelial cells exposed to disturbed flow. Mechanistically, this was driven by ZNF610 and Spi1 binding and KLF4 dissociation at the CB1 promoter. Daidzein, a soy isoflavone structurally similar to genistein, was identified as a novel CB1 antagonist. To enhance solubility and bioavailability, we developed genistein 7-O-phosphate (G7P) and daidzein 7-O-phosphate (D7P). Pharmacological treatment with these isoflavone monophosphates or genetic CB1 ablation reversed disturbed flow-induced endothelial dysfunction and endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT). Oral administration of G7P and D7P significantly reduced atherosclerotic plaque formation in mice. This is the first study to identify transcriptional regulators that drive endothelial CB1 upregulation in response to disturbed flow. We further demonstrated that isoflavone monophosphates ameliorate disturbed flow-induced endothelial dysfunction and EndMT via CB1 inhibition, offering promising oral therapeutics for atherosclerosis. Show less
The international consensus classification or the World Health Organization classifications underrepresented driver alterations enriched in pediatric acute myeloid leukemia (AML). To address this, we Show more
The international consensus classification or the World Health Organization classifications underrepresented driver alterations enriched in pediatric acute myeloid leukemia (AML). To address this, we retrospectively characterized the genomic landscape of 105 pediatric patients with AML of East Asian ancestry using transcriptome and whole-exome sequencing (WES). In addition to the common recurrent fusions such as RUNX1::RUNX1T1 and CBFB::MYH11, we identified rearrangements involving KMT2A, NUP98, GLIS, as well as FLT3 and UBTF tandem duplications. The median somatic mutation rate in AML was 0.97 per megabase, as estimated by WES. Frequently mutated pathways included signaling: 68.6% (72/105), transcription: 37.1% (39/105), epigenetic regulation: 26.7% (28/105), cohesin: 7.6% (8/105), RNA binding: 3.8% (4/105), and protein modification: 5.7% (6/105). When analyzed together, high-risk genetic subtypes including GLISr, UBTF tandem duplications, PICALM::MLLT10, and HOXr were significantly associated with poorer 5 year overall survival (OS) in multivariable analysis (p-value = 0.037). Although FLT3 internal tandem duplications were significantly associated with inferior 5 year OS in univariable analysis, this effect was not significant in multivariable analysis (p-value = 0.382). Patients with RUNX1 mutations had inferior 5 year OS in multivariable analysis (p-value = 0.009). These findings suggest specific genomic alterations that may refine risk stratification and guide future therapeutic protocols in Taiwanese pediatric patients with AML. Show less
The clinical interpretation of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is frequently complicated by the prevalence of missense variants designated as being of uncertain significance within associated genes. Conventi Show more
The clinical interpretation of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is frequently complicated by the prevalence of missense variants designated as being of uncertain significance within associated genes. Conventional computational prediction tools often overlook disease-specific pathophysiological contexts and lack pertinence and interpretability. Therefore, the present study aimed to develop a novel, interpretable framework for predicting the pathogenicity of AD missense variants by integrating transcriptomic and proteomic data enrichment patterns with machine learning methods. A cross-sectional variant-level analysis was performed using publicly available databases. Missense variants in APOE, APP, PSEN1, PSEN2, SORL1, and TREM2 reported in AD patients were retrieved from Alzforum and compared with missense variants from individuals without neurological diseases, as cataloged in the gnomAD v2.1.1 non-neuro subset. Variants were annotated with tissue-specific expression, secondary structure, relative solvent accessibility, and other functional features using tools like AlphaFold. Enrichment of specific features was assessed with Fisher's exact tests with Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons. Given that PSEN1 showed the strongest enrichment signals, six machine-learning algorithms were trained on PSEN1 variants to distinguish AD-associated variants from gnomAD variants, using a 10 × 5 nested cross-validation scheme. External validation was conducted using PSEN1 missense variants from ClinVar annotated as pathogenic/likely pathogenic or benign/likely benign. Model performance was compared with SIFT and PolyPhen-2, and interpretability was evaluated by feature ablation and SHapley Additive exPlanations analyses. AD-associated variants exhibited statistically significant enrichment within some transcriptomic or proteomic features, with PSEN1 contributing significantly to the enrichment observed across these features. Random forest and gradient boosting models achieved high performance in the internal training dataset and maintained high recall in the external validation dataset, outperforming SIFT and approaching the performance of PolyPhen-2. Relative solvent accessibility was the most discriminative individual feature, while regional and topological features provided complementary discriminative power. This integrative, multi-omics framework links disease-specific enrichment patterns with interpretable gene-level machine learning for AD missense variants. The results highlight the importance of expression level, structural context, etc. for PSEN1 variant pathogenicity and may help prioritize variants for functional studies. Further validation in additional genes and independent cohorts is warranted prior to any clinical application. Show less
The mammalian class III phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase complex (PtdIns3K) forms two biochemically and functionally distinct subcomplexes including the ATG14-containing complex I (PtdIns3K-C1) and the U Show more
The mammalian class III phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase complex (PtdIns3K) forms two biochemically and functionally distinct subcomplexes including the ATG14-containing complex I (PtdIns3K-C1) and the UVRAG-containing complex II (PtdIns3K-C2). Both subcomplexes adopt a V-shaped architecture with a BECN1-ATG14 or UVRAG adaptor arm and a PIK3R4/VPS15-PIK3C3/VPS34 catalytic arm. NRBF2 is a pro-autophagic modulator that specifically associates with PtdIns3K-C1 to enhance its kinase activity and promotes macroautophagy/autophagy. How NRBF2 exerts such a positive effect is not fully understood. Here we report that NRBF2 binds to PIK3R4/VPS15 with moderate affinity through a conserved site on its N-terminal MIT domain. The NRBF2-PIK3R4/VPS15 interaction is incompatible with the UVRAG-containing PtdIns3K-C2 because the C2 domain of UVRAG outcompetes NRBF2 for PIK3R4/VPS15 binding. Our crystal structure of the NRBF2 coiled-coil (CC) domain reveals a symmetric homodimer with multiple hydrophobic pairings at the CC interface, which is in distinct contrast to the asymmetric dimer observed in the yeast ortholog Atg38. Mutations in the CC domain that rendered NRBF2 monomeric led to weakened binding to PIK3R4/VPS15 and only partial rescue of autophagy deficiency in Show less
Rodents are widely used in immunology but do not always recapitulate human immune functions. The tree shrew (Tupaia belangeri) is phylogenetically closer to primates than rodents and may help bridge t Show more
Rodents are widely used in immunology but do not always recapitulate human immune functions. The tree shrew (Tupaia belangeri) is phylogenetically closer to primates than rodents and may help bridge this gap, yet its immune system has not been comprehensively characterised at single-cell resolution. Here, we present a single-cell transcriptomic atlas of the tree shrew immune system, profiling 39 cell types across 12 tissues. We uncover human-like tonsillar structures and two transcriptionally distinct splenic macrophage subsets: an NR1H3 Show less
Hypertrophic scar (HS) is a fibroproliferative disorder characterized by fibroblast hyperactivation and aberrant extracellular matrix deposition. This study identifies macrophage-derived lactate as a Show more
Hypertrophic scar (HS) is a fibroproliferative disorder characterized by fibroblast hyperactivation and aberrant extracellular matrix deposition. This study identifies macrophage-derived lactate as a key mediator of fibroblast phenotypic remodeling via monocarboxylate transporter 1 (MCT1)-mediated histone H3 lysine 23 lactylation (H3K23la) in HS. Elevated lactate levels and MCT1 expression were observed in HS tissues, with macrophages in stiff mechanical microenvironments identified as the primary lactate source. Lactate influx through MCT1 upregulated H3K23la, thereby promoting transcriptional activation of profibrotic genes HEY2 and COL11A1. Mechanistically, HEY2 activated YAP1/SMAD2 signaling, while COL11A1 stabilized MCT1 to enhance lactate transport, forming a positive loop that amplified fibrosis. Fibroblast-specific Mct1 deletion or pharmacological inhibition of Mct1 in male mice reduced collagen deposition, accelerated wound healing, and attenuated scar formation. Our findings redefine the macrophage-fibroblast crosstalk in HS and establish the MCT1-H3K23la-HEY2/COL11A1 axis, particularly its self-reinforcing loop, as a novel therapeutic target. Show less
Neuropathic pain (NP), a chronic disorder caused by somatosensory nervous system lesions, severely impairs the quality of life. Microglial metabolic reprogramming and neuroinflammation drive NP progre Show more
Neuropathic pain (NP), a chronic disorder caused by somatosensory nervous system lesions, severely impairs the quality of life. Microglial metabolic reprogramming and neuroinflammation drive NP progression. Although ChREBP (key metabolic regulator) protects against NP, its specific mechanisms remain unclear. NP rat model was established via spared nerve injury (SNI) surgery, and mechanical allodynia was evaluated using Von Frey tests. ChREBP expression in microglia was detected through immunofluorescence, RT-qPCR, and western blot. Functional studies involved ChREBP knockdown/overexpression to assess effects on microglial polarization, neuroinflammation, neuronal excitability, pain behaviors, and fatty acid metabolism. Mechanisms were explored via dual-luciferase reporter and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays. Mechanical pain thresholds were significantly decreased on the ipsilateral side after SNI. ChREBP was upregulated in SDH microglia after SNI and in LPS-stimulated microglia in vitro. ChREBP knockdown inhibited anti-inflammatory microglial polarization, exacerbated neuroinflammation, and aggravated pain. Conversely, ChREBP overexpression promoted the anti-inflammatory phenotype, suppressed neuroinflammation, and alleviated pain. ChREBP enhanced microglial fatty acid oxidation and energy metabolism. Mechanistically, ChREBP bound to the TFBS1 site on the PGC-1α promoter to activate its transcription. PGC-1α overexpression rescued the impairments caused by ChREBP knockdown, including reduced fatty acid oxidation, suppressed anti-inflammatory polarization, elevated inflammatory factors, and increased neuronal excitability. The protective effects of ChREBP were attenuated by the fatty acid oxidation inhibitor Etomoxir. ChREBP alleviates NP by enhancing microglial fatty acid oxidation and anti-inflammatory phenotype via PGC-1α transcriptional activation, revealing a novel metabolic-immune axis for potential NP therapy. Show less
Alzheimer's disease (AD), the most prevalent form of dementia, is characterized as a slowly progressing neurodegenerative disease marked by senile plaques and neurofibrillary tangles due to the buildu Show more
Alzheimer's disease (AD), the most prevalent form of dementia, is characterized as a slowly progressing neurodegenerative disease marked by senile plaques and neurofibrillary tangles due to the buildup of amyloid-beta peptide (Aβ) and phosphorylated tau in the brain. It is reported that arctigenin (ATG) reduces the level of the enzyme 1 that cleaves β-site amyloid precursor protein and increases Aβ clearance by enhancing autophagy. Compound ARC-18 is a derivative of ATG. The main objective of this study is to investigate whether ARC-18 could improve cognitive function and disease progression by promoting autophagy in Alzheimer-like animal models. Three-month-old 5 × FAD mice were orally treated with the drug for three consecutive months. Water maze and novel object recognition were used to assess cognitive abilities of 5 × FAD mice. In the hippocampus of the mice' brain, APP processing-related proteins (sAPP Show less
Ye Yang, Anne P Beigneux, Troy L Lowe+21 more · 2026 · Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America · National Academy of Sciences · added 2026-04-24
Apolipoprotein AV (APOA5) regulates intravascular triglyceride metabolism by binding to the angiopoietin-like protein 3/8 complex (ANGPTL3/8) and suppressing its ability to unfold the native conformat Show more
Apolipoprotein AV (APOA5) regulates intravascular triglyceride metabolism by binding to the angiopoietin-like protein 3/8 complex (ANGPTL3/8) and suppressing its ability to unfold the native conformation of lipoprotein lipase (LPL). LPL unfolding results in loss of catalytic activity and the detachment of LPL from the surface of cells. An Show less
To examine the causal association between obesity and osteoarthritis (OA) using an improved definition of obesity, and to identify mediating genes that may link obesity to OA pathogenesis. We analyzed Show more
To examine the causal association between obesity and osteoarthritis (OA) using an improved definition of obesity, and to identify mediating genes that may link obesity to OA pathogenesis. We analyzed data from the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES, 2011-2018; n = 8981). Obesity was defined using body mass index (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m²) combined with body fat percentage (BFP ≥ 25 % in men and ≥ 32 % in women). Logistic regression and subgroup analyses were conducted to evaluate associations with OA. Genetic correlation between obesity and OA was estimated using linkage disequilibrium score regression (LDSC). Two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) was applied to assess causal effects using genome-wide association study (GWAS) summary statistics for BFP and OA. Transcriptome-wide association studies (TWAS) and colocalization analyses were performed to identify candidate genes. Mediation MR was conducted to verify their mediating roles. Obesity defined by BMI combined with BFP was significantly associated with OA (OR = 1.421, 95 %CI: 1.048-1.925, P = 0.025), and was independent of age, race, and various comorbidities. MR analysis confirmed a unidirectional causal effect of obesity on OA (IVW OR = 2.349, 95 %CI: 2.012-2.743, P < 0.001), with no reverse causality detected. TWAS and colocalization identified MAPK3, RBM6, and PRMT6 as potential mediators. Mediation MR confirmed significant effects of MAPK3 (β = 0.991, P = 0.015) and RBM6 (β = 2.740, P < 0.001) in the obesity-OA pathway. Obesity exerts a causal effect on OA, partially mediated by the downregulation of MAPK3 and RBM6. These genes represent potential targets for the prevention and treatment of obesity-related OA. Show less
Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease driven by pathological angiogenesis and plaque instability. Herein, we investigated the role of macrophage-derived CXCL2 in mediating endothelial prog Show more
Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease driven by pathological angiogenesis and plaque instability. Herein, we investigated the role of macrophage-derived CXCL2 in mediating endothelial progenitor cell (EPC) homing during atherosclerosis progression. Using ApoE-/- mice on a high-fat diet and in vitro co-culture models, we found that infused EPCs exacerbated plaque burden, neovascularization, and matrix degradation. Macrophages were essential for EPC recruitment to plaques. Ox-LDL-stimulated macrophages enhanced EPC angiogenic functions, with transcriptome sequencing identifying CXCL2 as a key upregulated mediator. Functional experiments confirmed CXCL2's critical role. In vivo silencing of CXCL2 attenuated EPC homing, reduced plaque size and lipid accumulation, decreased neovascularization, and stabilized the plaque matrix. Our findings demonstrate that macrophages promote pathological angiogenesis and plaque progression via CXCL2, suggesting that targeting this chemokine could be a novel therapeutic strategy for stabilizing atherosclerotic plaques. Show less
The multifaceted nature of Alzheimer's disease (AD) spurred growing interest in developing multi-target-directed ligands (MTDLs) for its prevention and treatment. Coumarin and quinoline scaffolds, rec Show more
The multifaceted nature of Alzheimer's disease (AD) spurred growing interest in developing multi-target-directed ligands (MTDLs) for its prevention and treatment. Coumarin and quinoline scaffolds, recognized for their broad spectrum of AD-related biological activities including amyloid-β (Aβ) aggregation regulation, cholinesterase (ChE) inhibition, β-secretase 1 (BACE1) inhibition and neuroprotection, were identified as potential building blocks. Here in this study, 24 novel coumarin-quinoline hybrid compounds were rationally designed and synthesized. Inhibition studies targeting Aβ, ChE and BACE1 identified compound B8 as a promising lead compound. B8 exhibited effective binding to Aβ, and significantly attenuated Aβ-induced SH-SY5Y cell death by lowering oxidative stress and decreasing cellular apoptosis. Crucially, B8 demonstrated excellent blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability, and intragastric administration of B8 to 7-month-old APP/PS1 transgenic mice resulted in improved cognitive function. This improvement was supported by the protection of hippocampal and cortical neurons from necrosis, attenuation of oxidative stress and inflammation in these brain regions, as well as a reduction in Aβ deposition. These findings highlight the potential of coumarin-quinoline hybrids as a novel class of AD therapeutics, with B8 emerging as a promising lead candidate warranting further investigation. Show less