Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors are crucial for the symptomatic management of Alzheimer's disease (AD), with natural products-particularly botanical sources like Yellow Gastrodia elata (YGE)-se Show more
Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors are crucial for the symptomatic management of Alzheimer's disease (AD), with natural products-particularly botanical sources like Yellow Gastrodia elata (YGE)-serving as promising reservoirs of such inhibitors. Nevertheless, comprehensive screening and mechanistic characterization of their inhibitory potential remain limited. This study sought to identify potent AChE inhibitors from YGE, investigate their mechanisms of action, and assess their therapeutic prospects for AD. Methodologically, an integrated approach was employed, combining ultrafiltration-liquid chromatography (UF-LC) for rapid inhibitor screening, molecular docking and dynamics simulations for mechanistic insight, two-stage high-speed countercurrent chromatography for compound isolation, enzyme kinetics to delineate inhibition modalities, and network pharmacology to uncover relevant AD-related targets. The findings identified seven active constituents with notable AChE inhibition, among which parishins A and G were obtained at high purity (98.26% and 97.26%, respectively) and exhibited mixed-type inhibition with low IC Show less
This study focuses on the impacts of polystyrene/polylactic acid microplastics (PS/PLA-MPs) on ovarian reserve and oocyte maturation in female mice, along with the underlying mechanisms. 1 μm PS-MPs a Show more
This study focuses on the impacts of polystyrene/polylactic acid microplastics (PS/PLA-MPs) on ovarian reserve and oocyte maturation in female mice, along with the underlying mechanisms. 1 μm PS-MPs and PLA-MPs were prepared, with PLA-MPs having a rougher surface and broader size distribution. In vitro, PLA-MPs showed higher cytotoxicity to granulosa cells compared to PS-MPs. In vivo, MPs exposure disrupted the estrous cycle, and damaged ovarian reserve. Granulosa cell apoptosis and cytokine activation led to transzonal projection retraction, oocyte oxidative stress, meiotic abnormalities, and reduced oocyte retrieval and polar body extrusion rate, thus reducing litter size. PS-MPs induced more severe intestinal and ovarian impairment. Analysis of feces 16S rRNA, serum metabolomics, and ovarian RNA sequencing revealed that lipoprotein lipase (LPL) was suppressed by both MPs, linking gut microbiota, lipid metabolism, and ovarian injury. Fecal microbiota transplantation as a rescue strategy in MPs exposed mice upregulated LPL, alleviating ovarian reserve decline. In PLA-MPs exposed mice, ovarian reserve related indicators partially recovered after a two-week exposure cessation. These results clarify the similarities and differences in how PS-MPs and PLA-MPs impair ovarian function via gut-ovary axis and lipid metabolism dysregulation. Show less
Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is the most intractable complication of diabetes. Despite decades of research, accurate diagnostic markers and effective therapeutic drugs are still elusive. Abnormal copper Show more
Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is the most intractable complication of diabetes. Despite decades of research, accurate diagnostic markers and effective therapeutic drugs are still elusive. Abnormal copper metabolism is also implicated in diabetes and its complications. This study aims to identify copper metabolism-related biomarkers and potential drugs for DN. DN datasets and copper metabolism-related genes (CMGs) were obtained from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) and GeneCards. Differentially expressed CMGs (DE-CMGs) were identified using the limma package and the Venn algorithm. Functional enrichment analysis and protein-protein interaction (PPI) network were performed to identify candidate hub genes. The single gene with an area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve > 0.7 was identified as a potential diagnostic biomarker of DN. Finally, these biomarkers were validated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) in high-glucose-treated human proximal tubular (HK-2) cells. These validated hub genes were used to construct a combined prediction model, confirmed by additional GSE30528 and GSE30529 datasets. The correlation analysis between the expression level of the hub genes and the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was carried out. Additionally, immune cell infiltration and potential target drugs were investigated for these biomarkers. Five hub genes associated with copper metabolism, namely CD36, CCL2, CASP3, LPL, and APOC3, were identified as biomarkers for the early diagnosis of DN. Utilizing multiple biomarkers enhanced diagnostic accuracy and specificity. CD36, CCL2, and CASP3 correlated negatively with eGFR levels, while LPL and APOC3 correlated positively. Additionally, these hub genes were significantly linked to various immune cell types, including macrophages M1 and M2, T cells, gamma delta resting dendritic cells, neutrophils, and NK cells. Furthermore, 15 agents targeting these biomarkers were retrieved from the DrugBank database. Our study identified key genes possibly related to copper metabolism in the pathological mechanism of DN that could serve as novel targets for the diagnosis and therapy of DN. Show less
Cervical cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths among women globally, and there is still a need to research molecular targets that can be used for prognosis assessment and p Show more
Cervical cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths among women globally, and there is still a need to research molecular targets that can be used for prognosis assessment and personalized molecular therapies. Here, we investigate the role of potential molecular target ribosomal L22-like 1 (RPL22L1) on cervical cancer, identify its potential mechanisms, and explore its related applications in prognosis and molecular therapies. Multiple cervical cancer cohorts online, tissue microarrays and clinical tissue specimens were analyzed for the association between RPL22L1 expression and patient outcomes. Functional and molecular biology studies of cell and mice models were used to clarify the effects and potential mechanisms of RPL22L1 on cervical cancer. RPL22L1 is highly expressed in both cervical adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, and its expression is significantly associated with histology grade, clinical stage, recurrence, vascular space involvement, tumor sizes and poor prognosis. In vitro and in vivo experiment revealed that RPL22L1 overexpression significantly promoted cervical cancer cell proliferation, migration, invasion, tumorigenicity and Sorafenib resistance, which were attenuated by RPL22L1 knockdown. Mechanistically, RPL22L1 competitively binds to ERK phosphatase DUSP6, leading to excessive activation of ERK. The combined application of ERK inhibitors can effectively inhibit RPL22L1 overexpressing cervical cancer cells both in vivo and in vitro. RPL22L1 promotes malignant biological behavior of cervical cancer cells by competitively binding with DUSP6, thereby activating the ERK pathway. The combined use of Sorafenib and an ERK inhibitor is a potentially effective molecular targeted therapy for RPL22L1-high cervical cancer. Show less
Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is widely acknowledged as a principal cause of vision loss in the elderly. Currently, the therapeutic interventions available in clinical practice fail to achiev Show more
Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is widely acknowledged as a principal cause of vision loss in the elderly. Currently, the therapeutic interventions available in clinical practice fail to achieve satisfactory outcomes. Therefore, it is imperative that we approach the progress of AMD from novel perspectives in order to explore new therapeutic strategies. We obtained transcriptomic data from the macular and the peripheral retina from patients with AMD and a control group from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Through Gene Ontology (GO) analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis, we identified differentially expressed genes (DEGs) that were significantly enriched in functions associated with ferroptosis. Subsequent application of machine learning techniques enabled the identification of key hub genes, whose diagnostic potential was further validated. Additionally, the expression of these hub genes was corroborated in both animal and cellular models. Finally, we performed a functional enrichment analysis of these hub genes. In the macula of patients with AMD, 452 DEGs were identified, while in the peripheral retina, 222 DEGs were discovered. Within the macula, 19 genes were associated with ferroptosis, compared to 3 in the peripheral retina. Consequently, the macular was selected as the primary focus of the study. Subsequent screening of these 19 genes using LASSO regression, Support Vector Machine (SVM), and Random Forest algorithms identified four hub genes: FADS1, TFAP2A, AKR1C3, and TTPA. Consequently, we utilized cigarette smoke extract (CSE) to either stimulate retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells in vitro or administer it via intravitreal injection, thereby establishing in vitro and in vivo models of AMD. Results from RT-PCR and Western blot analyses revealed an upregulation of FADS1, AKR1C3, and TTPA, while TFAP2A exhibited decreased expression. Finally, we investigated the infiltration of immune cells within the macular and performed a functional enrichment analysis of the hub genes. We identified four key ferroptosis-related genes (FRGs)-FADS1, AKR1C3, TFAP2A, and TTPA-that possess diagnostic relevance for AMD and correlate with immune cell infiltration. Moreover, significant changes in both mRNA and protein expression levels of these genes have been observed in in vitro experiments and mice models. Show less
This study integrated the the effects of dietary Lys/Met ratio in a low protein diet on the meat quality in Tibetan sheep. A total of 90 weaned Tibetan sheep, 2 months old with initial weight of 15.37 Show more
This study integrated the the effects of dietary Lys/Met ratio in a low protein diet on the meat quality in Tibetan sheep. A total of 90 weaned Tibetan sheep, 2 months old with initial weight of 15.37 ± 0.92 kg were randomly divided into 3 treatments, which were supplemented with Lys/Met ratio at 3 (LP-H), 2 (LP-M), and 1 (LP-L) in the basal diet (10 % crude protein), respectively. After slaughter (150 days of age), the growth performances and meat quality of longissimus dorsi muscle were evaluated. The LP-L group showed significantly higher final body weight compared to the LP-M group (P < 0.05). Serum albumin and total protein levels were significantly higher in the LP-L group than in the LP-H group (P < 0.05). Furthermore, meat from the LP-L group had significantly higher protein, calcium, and vitamin E content compared to the LP-M group (P < 0.05). Transcriptomic analysis revealed 3,479 differentially expressed genes enriched in pathways related to muscle growth, energy metabolism, and signaling transduction. Metabolomic analysis identified 771 differential metabolites, significantly enriched in ABC transporters, beta-alanine metabolism, and taste transduction pathways. Integrated analysis highlighted the upregulation of the ABCD4 gene and L-valine metabolite in the LP-L group, contributing to improved phenotypic traits. These findings provide molecular insights into the regulatory mechanisms underlying the effects of dietary Lys/Met ratios on Tibetan sheep meat quality and offer a basis for developing nutritional strategies to enhance premium meat production. Show less
Autoantibodies hold promise for diagnosing lung cancer. However, their effectiveness in early-stage detection needs improvement. In this study, we investigated novel IgG and IgM autoantibodies for det Show more
Autoantibodies hold promise for diagnosing lung cancer. However, their effectiveness in early-stage detection needs improvement. In this study, we investigated novel IgG and IgM autoantibodies for detecting early-stage lung adenocarcinoma (Early-LUAD) by employing a multi-step approach, including Human Proteome Microarray (HuProtTM) discovery, focused microarray verification, and ELISA validation, on 1246 individuals consisting of 634 patients with Early-LUAD (stage 0-I), 280 patients with benign lung disease (BLD), and 332 normal healthy controls (NHCs). HuProtTM selected 417 IgG/IgM candidates, and focused microarray further verified 55 significantly elevated IgG/IgM autoantibodies targeting 32 tumor-associated antigens in Early-LUAD compared to BLD/NHC/BLD+NHC. A novel panel of 10 autoantibodies (ELAVL4-IgM, GDA-IgM, GIMAP4-IgM, GIMAP4-IgG, MGMT-IgM, UCHL1-IgM, DCTPP1-IgM, KCMF1-IgM, UCHL1-IgG, and WWP2-IgM) demonstrated a sensitivity of 70.5% and a specificity of 77.0% or 80.0% for distinguishing Early-LUAD from BLD or NHC in ELISA validation. Positive predictive values for distinguishing Early-LUAD from BLD with nodules ≤ 8 mm, 9-20 mm, and > 20 mm significantly increased from 47.27%, 52.00%, and 62.90% [low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) alone] to 79.17%, 71.13%, and 87.88% (10-autoantibody panel combined with LDCT), respectively. The combined risk score (CRS), based on the 10-autoantibody panel, sex, and imaging maximum diameter, effectively stratified the risk for Early-LUAD. Individuals with 10 ≤ CRS ≤ 25 and CRS > 25 indicated a higher risk of Early-LUAD compared to the reference (CRS < 10), with adjusted odds ratios of 5.28 [95% confidence interval (CI): 3.18-8.76] and 9.05 (95% CI: 5.40-15.15), respectively. This novel panel of IgG and IgM autoantibodies offers a complementary approach to LDCT in distinguishing Early-LUAD from benign nodules. Show less
Adipogenic differentiation of adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) is fundamental to both adipose tissue homeostasis and clinical applications, particularly fat grafting. However, the global and stage-s Show more
Adipogenic differentiation of adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) is fundamental to both adipose tissue homeostasis and clinical applications, particularly fat grafting. However, the global and stage-specific transcriptional regulatory networks underlying ADSC adipogenesis remain incompletely elucidated. In this study, we integrated bulk and single-cell RNA-seq datasets across multiple time points of ADSC adipogenesis to identify core regulators of differentiation and maturation. A total of 41 genes were consistently upregulated during early differentiation, among which eight hub genes (FABP4, FASN, FABP5, ADIPOQ, PLIN1, LPL, CIDEC, and ACSL1) formed a tightly connected protein-protein interaction (PPI) module associated with lipid metabolism, lipid droplet formation, and adipocyte maturation. Further integration of differentially expressed lncRNAs and miRNAs led to the construction of a ceRNA network involving 7 mRNAs, 9 miRNAs, and 4 lncRNAs, comprising 34 predicted lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA regulatory axes. To identify temporal transcriptional regulators, we defined five genes (TTC14, MBNL2, UBR3, ABCD2, and SORT1) as early-stage inducers of adipogenesis, and four genes (UQCR11, NDUFB4, S100A10, and PRDX3) as late-stage regulators involved in maintaining the mature phenotype. These stage-specific regulators showed distinct temporal expression patterns and were validated by qPCR. GeneMANIA network analysis further revealed that early-stage regulators were enriched in lipid transport and lipase activity regulation, while late-stage regulators were associated with mitochondrial electron transport and energy metabolism. These findings highlight the stage-dependent transcriptional landscape of ADSC adipogenesis and provide candidate regulatory targets for modulating adipocyte differentiation and stability. Show less
Mutations in the sarcomere protein, particularly in cardiac myosin binding protein C gene ( We used multi-omics approaches and super-resolution imaging to explore the effects of MyBPC3 P459fs mutation Show more
Mutations in the sarcomere protein, particularly in cardiac myosin binding protein C gene ( We used multi-omics approaches and super-resolution imaging to explore the effects of MyBPC3 P459fs mutation on humans and cells. HCM patients carrying MyBPC3 P459fs mutation (MyBPC3-P459fs HCMs) and healthy controls (HCs) were evaluated for myocardial function using both conventional and advanced echocardiography. In parallel, H9C2 myocardial cells infected with either MyBPC3 P459fs mutation (P459fs cells) or its wild type (WT cells) were investigated for myocardial fiber formation and the potential pathways behind this using super-resolution imaging and metabolomics and proteomics. First, conventional and advanced echocardiography showed that MyBPC3-P459fs HCMs exhibited left ventricular diastolic and systolic dysfunction. Subsequently, super-resolution imaging indicated that P459fs cells formed fewer and shorter myocardial fibers in the cytoplasm compared to WT cells. Moreover, our metabolomic and proteomic data suggested several key components of mitochondrial membrane integrity, myocardial remodeling, myocardial energy metabolism, oxidative stress, inflammation, and actin binding capacity were significantly altered in response to P459fs mutation. This investigation indicated myocardial dysfunction and myocardial fiber disarray in clinical HCMs with MyBPC3 P459fs mutation and added potential pathways underlying this. These findings provided a link between the observed structural and functional disorders in MyBPC3 P459fs mutation and its onset of HCM pathogenesis and might have a significant translational contribution to effective treatment in HCM patients with MyBPC3 P459fs mutation. Show less
Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) exhibit complex genotype-phenotype associations that frequently result in inconclusive variant interpretations, contributing to suboptimal diagnostic yields (~ 40%) Show more
Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) exhibit complex genotype-phenotype associations that frequently result in inconclusive variant interpretations, contributing to suboptimal diagnostic yields (~ 40%). Koolen-de Vries syndrome (KdVS), an autosomal dominant NDD caused by KANSL1 haploinsufficiency, exemplifies this diagnostic challenge with its multisystem manifestations and lack of systematic genotype-phenotype associations. To address this gap, we constructed a comprehensive KdVS genotype-phenotype repository by systematically integrating all molecularly confirmed cases from global literature. Comprehensive phenotypic analysis revealed that core KdVS features include developmental delay/intellectual disability, characteristic craniofacial dysmorphism, hypotonia, and multisystem abnormalities. Phenotypic association analysis identified 249 significant correlations, demonstrating that KdVS clinical manifestations are highly interconnected rather than representing isolated features, such as the association between strabismus and hydrocephalus (OR = 14.26). Application of this repository to screen a Chinese rare disease cohort identified 53 KANSL1 variants. Among these, one de novo nonsense variant (NM₀₀₁₁₉₃₄₆₆.2: c.902T > G, p.Leu301Ter) was classified as pathogenic in a Chinese boy with classic KdVS features. The remaining 52 variants were categorized as variants of uncertain significance (VUS), approximately half of which were absent from gnomAD databases. Each VUS was comprehensively annotated with detailed clinical profiles to facilitate phenotype-driven reinterpretation. In conclusion, this study establishes KdVS as a highly interconnected multisystem disorder and demonstrates that deep phenotypic association analysis enhanced genetic diagnosis. This disease-specific repository approach provides a scalable framework for improving molecular diagnostics across rare NDDs. Show less
To investigate the regulatory role of MACF1 and its upstream transcriptional control in focal adhesion remodeling and tumor progression in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). We employed in vitro loss- and ga Show more
To investigate the regulatory role of MACF1 and its upstream transcriptional control in focal adhesion remodeling and tumor progression in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). We employed in vitro loss- and gain-of-function assays using shRNA-mediated knockdown and ectopic overexpression of MACF1 and NR2F1 in LUAD cell lines (H1299 and Calu-3). Cell proliferation, adhesion, and migration were assessed by CCK-8, EdU, crystal violet, and Transwell assays. In vivo tumor growth and metastasis were evaluated using subcutaneous and tail vein xenograft models in nude mice. RNA-seq and GSEA were performed to identify MACF1-regulated pathways, followed by nuclear-cytoplasmic fractionation, dual-luciferase reporter assays, and immunofluorescence to assess WNT/β-catenin activity. ChIP-qPCR and ChIP-seq data from ENCODE were used to validate NR2F1 binding to the MACF1 promoter. MACF1 knockdown significantly suppressed LUAD cell proliferation, DNA replication, adhesion, and migration, and reduced tumor burden and lung metastases in vivo. Mechanistically, MACF1 activated WNT/β-catenin signaling by promoting CTNNB1 nuclear translocation, which upregulated focal adhesion genes (Paxillin, FAK, ITGB1). CTNNB1 agonist TWS119 restored focal adhesion in MACF1-deficient cells. Bioinformatic prediction and ChIP validation identified NR2F1 as a transcription factor directly targeting the MACF1 promoter. NR2F1 deficiency reduced MACF1 expression and phenocopied its functional loss, while MACF1 overexpression rescued the impaired phenotype. Our study uncovers a previously unrecognized NR2F1-MACF1-WNT axis that drives focal adhesion formation and LUAD progression. Targeting this regulatory circuit may offer new avenues for anti-metastatic therapy in lung adenocarcinoma. 1. NR2F1 is identified as a direct upstream transcription factor that activates MACF1 expression in LUAD. 2. MACF1 promotes LUAD cell proliferation, adhesion, and migration by enhancing focal adhesion assembly. 3. MACF1 activates the WNT/CTNNB1 signaling cascade, facilitating CTNNB1 nuclear translocation and downstream target expression. 4. Loss of MACF1 impairs focal adhesion formation and metastatic potential both in vitro and in xenograft and tail vein models. 5. The NR2F1-MACF1-WNT axis represents a novel regulatory circuit driving LUAD metastasis and offers potential therapeutic targets. Show less
This study aimed to identify heterogeneous patterns of medical coping modes (MCM) and to examine the moderating role of social support in the relationship between these patterns and social disability Show more
This study aimed to identify heterogeneous patterns of medical coping modes (MCM) and to examine the moderating role of social support in the relationship between these patterns and social disability in young and middle-aged patients after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). A cross-sectional study was conducted among 129 post-PCI patients from a single center in China. Participants completed the Medical Coping Modes Questionnaire (MCMQ), the Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS), and the Social Disability Screening Schedule (SDSS). Latent profile analysis (LPA) was used to identify distinct coping patterns. The moderation effect of social support was tested using the Johnson-Neyman technique. Two distinct coping profiles were identified via LPA: "Adaptive Copers" (55.1%), characterized by higher confrontation and lower avoidance/resignation, and "Maladaptive Copers" (44.9%), showing the opposite pattern. A counterintuitive finding emerged, with the Maladaptive Copers reporting significantly lower social disability scores. Furthermore, beyond this profile differentiation, social support demonstrated a significant U-shaped moderating effect in the coping-disability relationship. Its moderating role was statistically significant only at very low (<39.884) and very high (>52.924) levels of support. This study reveals two key findings: first, post-PCI patients are heterogeneous in coping, comprising adaptive and maladaptive subgroups; second, the impact of these coping styles on social disability is non-linearly moderated by social support. Clinicians should assess both coping profiles and social support levels to tailor interventions effectively. Show less
Qingyu Zhang, Zongliang Yu · 2025 · International journal of general medicine · added 2026-04-24
Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is becoming increasingly prevalent, yet clinical practice lacks specific biomarkers, early diagnostic tools, and reliable risk assessment methods Show more
Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is becoming increasingly prevalent, yet clinical practice lacks specific biomarkers, early diagnostic tools, and reliable risk assessment methods. Given the growing burden of HFpEF, identifying novel diagnostic markers is crucial. This study investigates the diagnostic potential of apolipoprotein C3 (ApoC3) in HFpEF and its correlation with ventricular structure. We analyzed data from HFpEF patients admitted to the Kunshan Branch of Gusu College of Nanjing Medical University and the First People's Hospital of Kunshan (March-December 2023). Controls included HFrEF+HFmrEF patients and healthy individuals. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the concentration of ApoC3 in all collected cases. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was plotted to evaluate the diagnostic performance of ApoC3 alone and combined with the fibrinogen-to-albumin ratio (FAR) in plasma, and the relative wall thickness (RWT) in echocardiography for HFpEF. After exclusions, 80 HFpEF patients (39 male, 41 female), 41 HFrEF+HFmrEF patients (27 male, 14 female), and 79 healthy controls (53 male, 26 female) were included. ApoC3 levels were significantly higher in HFpEF (63136.03±12,113.07 ng/mL) than in HFrEF+HFmrEF (55580.84±13,685.35 ng/mL) and controls (53090.31±5893.25 ng/mL, P<0.001). ROC analysis demonstrated that ApoC3 alone (AUC=0.836) and the combined index (ApoC3+FAR+RWT, AUC=0.891) effectively distinguished HFpEF. Both also aided in differentiating HFpEF from HFrEF+HFmrEF (AUC=0.702 vs 0.823). ApoC3 is a promising biomarker for HFpEF diagnosis, and the combined index (ApoC3+FAR+RWT) enhances diagnostic accuracy. These findings may improve early detection and clinical management of HFpEF. Show less
Sepsis is a severe systemic infection that can result in organ dysfunction and mortality. Dyslipidemia emerges as a key player in the intricate web of sepsis pathogenesis. Yet, the causal relationship Show more
Sepsis is a severe systemic infection that can result in organ dysfunction and mortality. Dyslipidemia emerges as a key player in the intricate web of sepsis pathogenesis. Yet, the causal relationship between blood lipid profiles and sepsis risk remains uncertain. This study aims to investigate the association between genetically predicted lipid traits, drug targets, and sepsis. The UK Biobank's Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) produced data on lipid and apolipoprotein characteristics. Four independent GWAS datasets were used to generate the sepsis statistics. The study utilized the two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) approach, which incorporates multivariable (MVMR) models, to assess the correlations between sepsis risk and lipid-related parameters. To gain further insight, expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) data were used to investigate the significant drug targets for lipid-lowering. Increasing ApoA-1 levels was associated with a diminished risk of sepsis (under 75) (OR 0.927, 95% CI 0.861-0.999; p = 0.047). This inverse correlation persevered even after performing multivariable MR. Elevated levels of HDL-C were associated with a decreased risk of sepsis (under 75) (OR 0.897, 95% CI 0.838-0.960; P = 0.002) and incidence of sepsis (OR 0.883, 95% CI 0.820-0.951; P = 0.001), which was consistent across sensitivity analyses. Furthermore, a decrease in total cholesterol exhibited a causal effect on sepsis in multivariable MR (OR 0.779, 95% CI 0.642-0.944; P = 0.01). The genetic variants related to lowering LDL-C, located near the HMGCR and LDLR genes, were predicted to elevate the risk of sepsis. Moreover, genetic mimicry near the ANGPTL3 and LPL gene suggested that reducing the activity of ANGPTL3 and LPL (mimicking antisense anti-ANGPTL3 and LPL agents) was forecasted to decrease sepsis risk. Genetically inferred elevated ApoA-1, total cholesterol, and HDL-C manifest a protective effect against sepsis. Within the 9 lipid-lowering drug targets investigated ANGPTL3 and LPL exhibit potential as candidate drug targets for sepsis. Show less
Discs large homolog 2 (DLG2) has been implicated in cancer development, yet its role in cervical cancer remains unclear. This study aims to explore the regulatory mechanism of DLG2 in cervical cancer Show more
Discs large homolog 2 (DLG2) has been implicated in cancer development, yet its role in cervical cancer remains unclear. This study aims to explore the regulatory mechanism of DLG2 in cervical cancer and its clinical implications. Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and western blotting assays were employed to detect RNA and protein expression, respectively. Colony formation assay, 5-Ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine assay, flow cytometry, and transwell assays were conducted for cell functional analysis. A xenograft mouse model assay was performed to analyze tumor tumorigenesis in vivo. m6A RNA immunoprecipitation assay was used to analyze the association of METTL3 and DLG2. DLG2 was underexpressed in cervical cancer tissues and cells. Elevating DLG2 levels significantly suppressed cervical cancer cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, while promoting apoptosis. Additionally, DLG2 overexpression led to the deactivation of the Hippo/YAP signaling pathway. In vivo, DLG2 overexpression was shown to reduce tumor formation. We also discovered that METTL3 destabilized DLG2 mRNA through an m6A-dependent mechanism. Moreover, lowering DLG2 expression mitigated the effects of METTL3 silencing on cervical cancer cell malignancy. DLG2 acted as a tumor suppressor in cervical cancer by inhibiting the Hippo/YAP signaling pathway. The METTL3-dependent regulation of DLG2 mRNA stability could be a critical factor in cervical cancer progression. Show less
Assessing white matter hyperintensity (WMH) is essential for the diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of multiple sclerosis (MS) and neuromyelitis optical spectrum disorder (NMOSD). MS and NMOSD presen Show more
Assessing white matter hyperintensity (WMH) is essential for the diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of multiple sclerosis (MS) and neuromyelitis optical spectrum disorder (NMOSD). MS and NMOSD present dispersed small lesions alongside larger aggregated lesions that are irregularly shaped, posing challenges for the automatic segmentation of WMH on magnetic resonance images. Furthermore, research on NMOSD brain WMH segmentation is limited due to the rare nature of the disease. This study aims to propose a deep learning method for MS and NMOSD brain WMH segmentation. In this study, we propose a 2.5D Fourier Convolutional ResUnet (FrC-ResUnet). It utilizes a spectral encoder to extract global information, enabling accurate segmentation of scattered lesions. Additionally, the model incorporates the selective features module (SFM) and the convolutional block attention module (CBAM) to enhance lesion-background differentiation and outline the lesions distinctly. We evaluated our approach on the MS public and local datasets of MS and NMOSD. Compared to U-Net, ResUNet, FC-DenseNet, AttentionUNet, lesion prediction algorithm (LPA) and Sequence Adaptive Multimodal SEGmentation (SAMSEG), the 2.5D FrC-ResUnet achieved the highest Dice similarity coefficient (DSC) on three different datasets, with values of 0.710, 0.667, and 0.822, respectively. The 2.5D FrC-ResUnet demonstrates accurate and robust segmentation of NMOSD brain WMH. Meanwhile, the model excels in segmenting MS brain WMH, particularly when confronted with irregularly shaped and dispersed lesions. Show less
To reveal the molecular basis of knee osteoarthritis (KOA) with Yang deficiency and blood stasis syndrome by analyzing the gene expression profiles in synovial fluid and blood of KOA patients with thi Show more
To reveal the molecular basis of knee osteoarthritis (KOA) with Yang deficiency and blood stasis syndrome by analyzing the gene expression profiles in synovial fluid and blood of KOA patients with this syndrome. A total of 80 KOA patients were recruited from October 2022 to June 2024, including 40 cases in the non- Logistic regression analysis showed that compared with KOA patients with non-Yang deficiency and blood stasis syndrome, those with Yang deficiency and blood stasis syndrome had increased BMI, LDL, fibrinogen, total cholesterol, and D-dimer, and decreased HDL, with a clear correlation between the two groups. There were 562 differential genes in the blood, among which 322 were up-regulated and 240 were down-regulated;755 differential genes were found in the synovial fluid, with 350 up-regulated and 405 down-regulated. KEGG signaling pathway analysis of synovial fluid revealed changes in lipid metabolism-related pathways, including cholesterol metabolism, fatty acid metabolism, and PPARG signaling pathway. Analysis of the involved differential genes identified 6 genes in synovial fluid that were closely related to lipid metabolism, namely LRP1, LPL, ACOT6, TM6SF2, DGKK, and PPARG. Subsequently, PCR and immunohistochemical verification were performed using synovial fluid and cartilage samples, and the results were consistent with those of microarray sequencing. This study explores the clinical and genomic correlation between traditional Chinese medicine syndromes and knee osteoarthritis from the perspective of lipid metabolism, and proves that abnormal lipid metabolism is closely related to KOA with Show less
SLC35B4, a nucleotide sugar transporter that mediates the transport of UDP-GlcNAc and UDP-xylose, was found to be required for the replication of influenza A virus (IAV) of the H5N1 subtype in our gen Show more
SLC35B4, a nucleotide sugar transporter that mediates the transport of UDP-GlcNAc and UDP-xylose, was found to be required for the replication of influenza A virus (IAV) of the H5N1 subtype in our genome-wide siRNA library screen. We found that defective IAV replication in SLC35B4-deficient A549 cells was independent of virus strain specificity, and the virulence of IAV in Slc35b4 knockdown mice was also decreased. By examining the individual stages of the IAV replication cycle, we discovered that the amount of internalized IAV was significantly reduced in SLC35B4-knockout A549 cells. Mechanistically, SLC35B4 facilitated IAV replication by transporting UDP-xylose, which attaches to the serine residue of heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs) in the heparan sulfate (HS) biosynthesis pathway. Knockdown of associated host factors (i.e., XYLT2, B4GALT7, EXT1, and EXT2) in the HS biosynthesis pathway also impaired IAV replication. Furthermore, we revealed that AGRN, a unique HSPG family member, was important for the endocytosis of IAV in A549 cells. Moreover, we found that the homeostasis of the AGRN protein was regulated by HS modification mediated by the initial UDP-xylose transporter SLC35B4, thereby affecting the expression level of endocytic adapter AP2B1 to influence IAV internalization. Collectively, these findings establish that SLC35B4 is an important regulator of IAV replication and uncover the underlying mechanisms by which SLC35B4 employs UDP-xylose transport activity to promote IAV internalization.IMPORTANCEThe entry process of IAV represents a favorable target for drug development. In this study, we identified SLC35B4 as an important host factor for the efficient replication of different subtypes of IAV Show less
Diabetes constitutes a risk factor for cognitive impairment, whereas insulin resistance serves as the shared pathogenesis underlying both diabetes and cognitive decline. The use of metformin for treat Show more
Diabetes constitutes a risk factor for cognitive impairment, whereas insulin resistance serves as the shared pathogenesis underlying both diabetes and cognitive decline. The use of metformin for treating cognitive impairment remains controversial. The present study found that hesperetin, a flavanone derived from citrus peel, enhanced metformin's efficacy in reducing blood sugar levels, improving insulin sensitivity, and ameliorating cognitive impairment in diabetic rats. Additionally, it reduced the required dosage of metformin to one-third of its conventional dose. Transcriptome analysis and 16S rRNA sequencing revealed that the activation of insulin and cyclic-adenosine monophosphate response element binding protein (CREB)/brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) pathways benefited from the regulation of gut microbiota and the promotion of short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) producers such as Show less
Pancreatic cancer (PC), characterized by the absence of effective biomarkers and therapies, remains highly fatal. Data regarding the correlations between PC risk and individual plasma proteome known f Show more
Pancreatic cancer (PC), characterized by the absence of effective biomarkers and therapies, remains highly fatal. Data regarding the correlations between PC risk and individual plasma proteome known for minimally invasive biomarkers are scarce. Here, we analyzed 1,345 human plasma proteins using proteome-wide association studies, identifying 78 proteins significantly associated with PC risk. Of these, four proteins (ROR1, FN1, APOA5, and ABO) showed the most substantial causal link to PC, confirmed through Mendelian randomization and colocalization analyses. Data from two clinical cohorts further demonstrated that FN1 and ABO were notably overexpressed in both blood and tumor samples from PC patients, compared to healthy controls or para-tumor tissues. Additionally, elevated FN1 and ABO levels correlated with shorter median survival in patients. Multiple drugs targeting FN1 or ROR1 are available or in clinical trials. These findings suggest that plasma protein FN1 associated with PC holds potential as both prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets. Show less
Pentadecanoic acid (PEA), an odd-chain fatty acid derived from diet by the gut microbiome, has garnered increasing attention for its systemic health-promoting properties. Its potential role in bladder Show more
Pentadecanoic acid (PEA), an odd-chain fatty acid derived from diet by the gut microbiome, has garnered increasing attention for its systemic health-promoting properties. Its potential role in bladder cancer (BC) occurrence and invasion, however, remains unclear. Large-scale cohorts' analyses were performed to assess the association between dietary PEA and BC occurrence and invasion. In vitro and in vivo experiments, including EJ and T24 BC cell assays and a BBN-induced mouse model, were conducted to experimentally assess the impact of PEA on BC. Serum proteomics, gut microbiome, and targeted fecal lipidomics analyses were employed to explore the underlying mechanisms. Dietary PEA was negatively associated with BC occurrence and invasion in cohort analyses. PEA suppressed EJ and T24 BC cell migration, invasion, and proliferation, while inhibiting BC development in a BBN-induced mouse model. In vivo serum proteomics identified differentially expressed lipid-related proteins (e.g., Apoe and Apob) following PEA treatment, implicating its modulation of lipid metabolism pathways. Considering the essential role of the gut-bladder axis, the gut microbiome analysis exhibited that PEA markedly altered bacteria (e.g., g_Alistipes) and fungi (e.g., o_Erysiphales, g_Teberdinia, and g_Gibberella), with concomitant lipid metabolism changes. Furthermore, targeted fecal lipidomics demonstrated the shifts in key lipids, such as phosphatidylethanolamines (PE) involved in essential lipid clusters, suggesting regulation by gut microbiome linked to BC development. Collectively, our findings demonstrate that PEA mitigates BC by reshaping the gut microbiome and modulating lipid metabolism, providing new insights into its molecular and therapeutic potential. Show less
The deer antler is a fully regenerable and the fastest-growing osseous organ. Circular RNA (circRNA), a novel member of the non-coding RNA family, has significant research potential and crucial roles Show more
The deer antler is a fully regenerable and the fastest-growing osseous organ. Circular RNA (circRNA), a novel member of the non-coding RNA family, has significant research potential and crucial roles in biological processes. This study aims to explore the impact and mechanisms of circRNA505 on antler chondrocytes. Functional experiments demonstrated that m5C-modified circRNA505 inhibits antler chondrocyte proliferation, enhances osteogenic differentiation, and facilitates cellular glycolysis. Mechanistically, dual luciferase and AGO2-RIP assays revealed a direct binding relationship between circRNA505, miR-127, and p53. Rescue assays further showed that circRNA505 affects cell proliferation and differentiation through the miR-127/p53 axis. Meanwhile, RNA Antisense Purification (RAP) screening and analysis of related proteins binding to circRNA505 demonstrated that circRNA505 binds to LDHA and increases the level of LDHA phosphorylation through FGFR1 to promote cellular glycolysis by FISH-IF, RIP, and Western blot experiments. Additionally, Me-RIP assays confirmed the m5C methylation modification of circRNA505. NSUN2 mediates the m5C modification of circRNA505, affecting its stability, while the m5C reader ALYREF promotes the nuclear export of circRNA505 in an ALYREF-dependent manner. This study provides new insights into the regulatory mechanisms underlying rapid antler development. Show less
Sparstolonin B (SSNB) and Curcumin (Cur), from a pair of compatible herbs, were previously identified as anti-inflammation and T helper 17 (Th17) modulation reagents. However, their compatible roles i Show more
Sparstolonin B (SSNB) and Curcumin (Cur), from a pair of compatible herbs, were previously identified as anti-inflammation and T helper 17 (Th17) modulation reagents. However, their compatible roles in atherosclerosis (AS) and underlying mechanisms remain uninvestigated. In vivo, the apoE The gene-disease interaction and hub gene network reveals Th17-associated genes in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. In vitro, SSNB and Cur reduced oxLDL-induced BMDC activation by downregulating CD36. SSNB showed stronger inhibition to inflammatory activation of DC, while Cur more intensively suppressed co-stimulatory molecules. For the Th17/Treg bias in co-culture of BMDC and CD4 Our findings reveal, for the first time, that SSNB and Cur alleviate AS by modulating Th17-stromal cell interactions, with the IL-17RA-TAK1-NF-κB pathway as a related mediator. Notably, SSNB and Cur exhibit distinct anti-atherogenic roles. SSNB primarily targets TLR4/CD36 to inhibit DC activation, Th17 differentiation, VSMC inflammation and mainly inhibited TAK1 phosphorylation, while Cur more significant inhibited macrophage inflammation, and more directly inhibited NF-κB P65 phosphorylation. This study will be valuable for developing novel and precise adjuvant therapies for AS. Show less
This study aimed to explore the career adaptability status of cardiovascular specialist nurses (CSNs) through latent profile analysis (LPA), identify distinct subgroups and their demographic features, Show more
This study aimed to explore the career adaptability status of cardiovascular specialist nurses (CSNs) through latent profile analysis (LPA), identify distinct subgroups and their demographic features, and determine factors influencing different adaptability categories. CSNs play a vital role in treating and rehabilitating patients with cardiovascular conditions. However, the existing literature offers limited insights into the career adaptability of CSNs in China. A multicenter, cross-sectional survey involving 659 Chinese CSNs was conducted. LPA was utilized to classify career adaptability profiles based on responses to the Career Adaptation Abilities Scale Short Form (CAAS-SF). Influencing factors were assessed using the Conditions of Work Effectiveness Questionnaire-II (CWEQ-II) and the General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES). Differences among identified profiles were analyzed through ANOVA, chi-square tests, and multinomial logistic regression to explore relevant socio-demographic characteristics and influencing variables. A four-profile model provided the best fit, identifying groups labeled as “high adaptability” (Class 4, These findings provide evidence to assist nursing administrators in developing training programs to enhance CSNs’ career adaptability. The variables identified as associated with profile membership may enable more tailored training strategies. Show less
To evaluate the efficacy and safety of inclisiran in the treatment of hypercholesterolemia. Randomized controlled trials comparing inclisiran with a placebo were searched until April 2024. Overall, 8 Show more
To evaluate the efficacy and safety of inclisiran in the treatment of hypercholesterolemia. Randomized controlled trials comparing inclisiran with a placebo were searched until April 2024. Overall, 8 studies involving 4947 patients were included. Inclisiran reduced low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (mean difference [MD]: -46.95 %; 95 % confidence interval [CI]: -53.26 to -40.46; P < 0.05), proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (MD: -70.80 %; 95 % CI: -76.52 to -65.08; P < 0.05), serum total cholesterol (MD: -29.47 %; 95 % CI: -32.56 to -26.39; P < 0.05), non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (MD: -40.46 %; 95 % CI: -45.24 to -35.68; P < 0.05), apolipoprotein B (MD: -36.77 %; 95 % CI: -40.94 to -32.61; P < 0.05), and lipoprotein(a) (MD: -20.04 %; 95 % CI: -24.2 to -15.87; P < 0.05) levels but increased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level (MD: 6.09 %; 95 % CI: 3.63 to 8.55; P < 0.05). The incidences of adverse events, serious adverse events, headache, nasopharyngitis, and muscular adverse reactions were not significantly different between the inclisiran and placebo groups. Inclisiran reduced the incidence of cardiovascular adverse reactions (odds ratio [OR] = 0.79; 95 % CI: 0.65 to 0.96; P = 0.02) and increased the incidence of injection-site reactions (OR = 4.79; 95 % CI: 2.18 to 10.52; P < 0.05). Inclisiran is effective in treating hypercholesterolemia and has a good safety profile. Show less
To identify latent profiles of demoralization among older adults with disabilities, analyze their influencing factors, and examine their associations with active aging. From February to July 2025, a c Show more
To identify latent profiles of demoralization among older adults with disabilities, analyze their influencing factors, and examine their associations with active aging. From February to July 2025, a convenience sample of 411 older adults with disabilities was recruited from a tertiary hospital in Anhui Province, China. Data were collected using a general information questionnaire, the Chinese version of the Demoralization Scale, and the Active Aging Scale. Latent profile analysis (LPA) was performed based on demoralization subscale scores. Univariate and multinominal analyses were employed to investigate the influencing factors, and the Kruskal-Wallis The prevalence of demoralization syndrome was 49.1%. LPA identified three distinct profiles: the Well-Adapted Group (53.3%), the Disheartened-Helpless Group (23.8%), and the Fully Demoralized Group (22.9%). The Kruskal-Wallis Nearly half of the older adults with disabilities experienced demoralization, with heterogeneous subgroups identified. The active aging status of demoralized subgroups requires urgent attention. These findings suggest the need for targeted interventions tailored to the characteristics of each profile to improve mental health and promote active aging in this population. Show less
Lipid metabolism disorders have been confirmed to be closely related to kidney injury caused by adriamycin (ADR) and obesity, respectively. However, it has not been explored whether lipid metabolism d Show more
Lipid metabolism disorders have been confirmed to be closely related to kidney injury caused by adriamycin (ADR) and obesity, respectively. However, it has not been explored whether lipid metabolism disorders appear progressively more severe after ADR-based chemotherapy in the obese state, and the specific molecular mechanism needs to be further clarified. This study was designed to examine the role of p53-fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) axis in ADR-induced renal injury aggravated by high-fat diet (HFD). We engineered Fgf21 KO mice and used long-term (4 months) and short-term (0.5 months) HFD feeding, and ADR-injected mice, as well as STZ-induced type 1 diabetic mice and type 2 (db/db) diabetic mice to produce an in vivo model of nephrotoxicity. The specific effects of p53/FGF21 on the regulation of lipid metabolism disorders and its downstream mediators in kidney were subsequently elucidated using a combination of functional and pathological analysis, RNA-sequencing, molecular biology, and in vitro approaches. Long-term HFD feeding mice exhibited compromised effects of FGF21 on alleviation of renal dysfunction and lipid accumulation following ADR administration. However, these impairments were reversed by p53 inhibitor (pifithrin-α, PFT-α). PFT-α sensitized FGF21 actions in kidney tissues, while knockout of Fgf21 impaired the protective effects of PFT-α on lipid metabolism. Mechanistically, p53 impaired the renal expression of FGF receptor-1 (FGFR1) and thereby developed gradually into FGF21 resistance via inhibiting hepatocyte nuclear factor 4 alpha (HNF4α)-mediated transcriptional activation of Fgfr1. More importantly, exogenous supplementation of FGF21 or PFT-α could not only alleviate ADR-induced lipid metabolism disorder aggravated by HFD, but also reduce lipid accumulation caused by diabetic nephropathy. Given the difficulties in developing the long-acting recombinant FGF21 analogs for therapeutic applications, sensitizing obesity-impaired FGF21 actions by suppression of p53 might be a therapeutic strategy for maintaining renal metabolic homeostasis during chemotherapy. Show less
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a prevalent digestive system malignancy accompanied by peritoneal metastasis occurring in 7% of cases. Methyltransferase-like 3 (METTL3) promoted the progression of CRC wher Show more
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a prevalent digestive system malignancy accompanied by peritoneal metastasis occurring in 7% of cases. Methyltransferase-like 3 (METTL3) promoted the progression of CRC whereas its function in peritoneal metastasis was incompletely understood. Here, we found that METTL3 was upregulated in peritoneal metastasis tissues of CRC patients compared with CRC tissues. By sequencing the mRNA of above tissues, we discovered that METTL3-mediated N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification regulated the downstream target Show less