The deposition of toxic aggregated amyloid-β (Aβ), resulting from continuous cleavage of amyloid precursor protein (APP) by β-site APP cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE1) and γ-secretase, is a key pathogenic ev Show more
The deposition of toxic aggregated amyloid-β (Aβ), resulting from continuous cleavage of amyloid precursor protein (APP) by β-site APP cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE1) and γ-secretase, is a key pathogenic event in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Small interfering RNAs (siRNA) have shown great potential for disease treatment by specifically silencing target genes. However, the poor brain delivery efficiency of siRNAs limits their therapeutic efficacy against AD. We designed a simplified and effective BACE1 siRNA (siBACE1) delivery system, namely, dendritic polyamidoamine modified with the neurotropic virus-derived peptide RVG29 and polyethylene glycol (PPR@siBACE1). PPR@siBACE1 crossed the blood-brain barrier efficiently and entered brain parenchyma in large amount, with subsequent neurotropism and potential microglia-targeting ability. Both in vitro and in vivo studies validated the effective brain delivery of siBACE1 and strong BACE1 silencing efficiency. Treatment of AD mice with PPR@siBACE1 inhibited the production of Aβ, potentiated Aβ phagocytosis by microglia, improved the memory deficits and reduced neuroinflammatory response in AD mice. This study provides a reliable delivery platform for gene therapies for AD. Show less
α-synucleinopathies are clinically and biologically heterogeneous disorders lacking reliable biomarkers to assist with early diagnosis, disease progression, patient stratification, and therapeutic tar Show more
α-synucleinopathies are clinically and biologically heterogeneous disorders lacking reliable biomarkers to assist with early diagnosis, disease progression, patient stratification, and therapeutic targeting. Genetic variation is known to impact biomarker levels, influencing their utility and interpretation in research and clinical settings. We aimed to identify common genetic modulators of biomarker levels implicated in α-synucleinopathy pathogenesis. Genome-wide association studies (GWASs) were conducted on 63 CSF, plasma, and urine biomarkers in 581 individuals from the Parkinson's Progression Markers Initiative (PPMI). Analyses were adjusted for age, sex, disease status, and principal components. PD- and DLB-risk loci associations were separately assessed for each GWAS. We confirm strong associations between urine bis(monoacylglycerol)phosphate (BMP) isoforms and the variants The present study reveals established and novel genetic modulators of potential α-synucleinopathy biomarkers, demonstrating that genetic background significantly shapes biomarker levels. These genetic influences should be accounted for when conducting biomarker-based research, clinical trials, or therapeutic development to ensure accurate interpretation and improve their translational relevance. Show less
Cholesterol metabolism (CM) plays essential roles in human disease. Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease associated with significant morbidity and healthcare burden. However Show more
Cholesterol metabolism (CM) plays essential roles in human disease. Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease associated with significant morbidity and healthcare burden. However, the role of CM in UC remains unclear. Gene expression data of UC patients and control samples were retrieved and merged from GSE75214, GSE92415, GSE16879, and GSE48958. Differential analysis was performed for the identification of cholesterol homeostasis-related differentially expressed genes (DEGs), followed by machine learning for cholesterol homeostasis-related hub DEGs. Five cholesterol homeostasis related genes were identified. We further assessed the related pathways of 5 hub genes. Five overlapped cholesterol homeostasis related genes were identified by DEGs analysis. LIPC, LIPG, CETP, ABCB11, and APOH were identified as hub genes. The current study identified 5 cholesterol homeostasis related genes, LIPC, LIPG, CETP, ABCB11, and APOH, that might play key roles in the development of UC. These findings offer new insights for further exploring UC and its underlying mechanisms. Show less
Studying the molecular properties of drugs and their interactions with human targets aids in better understanding the clinical performance of drugs and guides drug development. In computer-aided drug Show more
Studying the molecular properties of drugs and their interactions with human targets aids in better understanding the clinical performance of drugs and guides drug development. In computer-aided drug discovery, it is crucial to utilize effective molecular feature representations for predicting molecular properties and designing ligands with high binding affinity to targets. However, designing an effective multi-task and self-supervised strategy remains a significant challenge for the pretraining framework. In this study, a multi-task self-supervised deep learning framework is proposed, MTSSMol, which utilizes ≈10 million unlabeled drug-like molecules for pretraining to identify potential inhibitors of fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 (FGFR1). During the pretraining of MTSSMol, molecular representations are learned through a graph neural networks (GNNs) encoder. A multi-task self-supervised pretraining strategy is proposed to fully capture the structural and chemical knowledge of molecules. Extensive computational tests on 27 datasets demonstrate that MTSSMol exhibits exceptional performance in predicting molecular properties across different domains. Moreover, MTSSMol's capability is validated to identify potential inhibitors of FGFR1 through molecular docking using RoseTTAFold All-Atom (RFAA) and molecular dynamics simulations. Overall, MTSSMol provides an effective algorithmic framework for enhancing molecular representation learning and identifying potential drug candidates, offering a valuable tool to accelerate drug discovery processes. All of the codes are freely available online at https:// github.com/zhaoqi106/MTSSMol. Show less
Polygonum multiflorum Thunb., a plant rich in diverse bioactive constituents, has been widely used in East Asia in functional foods and medicine to ameliorate inflammatory disorders through its multi- Show more
Polygonum multiflorum Thunb., a plant rich in diverse bioactive constituents, has been widely used in East Asia in functional foods and medicine to ameliorate inflammatory disorders through its multi-component activity. The effectiveness of these botanical extracts is thought to involve complex interactions among diverse constituents; however, the molecular basis of such interactions remains insufficiently understood. In this study, we explored the anti-inflammatory properties of the ethanol extract of Polygonum multiflorum (PME) through a combination of chemical profiling and computational analysis. PME was found to reduce the production of nitric oxide, inducible nitric oxide synthase, and interleukin-6 in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. Using HS-SPME-GC-MS in conjunction with network pharmacology, we identified 32 volatile constituents, among which five core compounds were predicted to be associated with three inflammation-related targets: ESR1, FASN, and NR1H3. Dual-ligand molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations suggested that the sequence of ligand binding may influence the stability and interaction patterns of protein-ligand complexes, offering insights into possible mechanisms of synergy and antagonism mediated by key residues such as ARG394 in ESR1. Overall, these findings contribute to a better understanding of how binding order and structural context may shape constituent-target interactions, providing a basis for the further development of multi-component natural product strategies against inflammation. This study underscores the relevance of incorporating multi-ligand dynamics into natural product research and presents an integrated experimental-computational framework to investigate the cooperative or competitive behaviors of functional food constituents, thereby supporting the rational design of optimized multi-target formulations. Show less
To examine the association between 24-hour movement behaviors and depressive symptoms in older adults using compositional data analysis, and to investigate the dose-response characteristics of time re Show more
To examine the association between 24-hour movement behaviors and depressive symptoms in older adults using compositional data analysis, and to investigate the dose-response characteristics of time reallocations between movement behaviors in relation to depressive symptoms. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 1093 urban-dwelling older adults aged 60 years and above in selected communities of Jinan City, Shandong Province, China, between April 2024 and September 2024. The Chinese version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Long Form (IPAQ-LF) was used to estimate time spent in moderate to vigorous-intensity physical activity (MVPA), light-intensity physical activity (LPA), sedentary behavior (SB), and sleep (SLP) across a typical 24-hour day. The Chinese version of the Patient Health Questionnaire Depression Scale-9 item (PHQ-9) was applied to assess depressive symptoms. Compositional isotemporal substitution models were employed to explore the associations between time reallocations among 24-hour movement behaviors and depressive symptoms, accounting for the co-dependent nature of time-use data. (1) The geometric means of time spent in MVPA, LPA, SB, and SLP were 25.33 minutes, 141.26 minutes, 738.10 minutes, and 455.15 minutes, respectively. Variation matrix analysis revealed the highest log-ratio variance between MVPA and SB (0.168), and the lowest between SLP and SB (0.031). (2) The prevalence of screening-positive depressive symptoms was 16.29% among Chinese urban older adults. (3) Results from compositional linear regression models showed that time allocated to MVPA, LPA, and SLP (relative to the remaining movement behaviors) was negatively associated with depressive symptoms, while time spent in SB was positively associated. (4) Dose-response analysis further indicated that: (a) MVPA substitutions with other movement behaviors exhibited nonlinear and markedly asymmetric effects on depressive symptoms; (b) replacing MVPA with LPA, SB, or SLP resulted in increasingly larger changes in predicted scores as substitution duration increased, whereas the reverse substitution (MVPA for other movement behaviors) produced progressively smaller changes; and (c) substitutions between SB and LPA displayed linear and symmetrical effects. The findings provide evidence of an association between 24-hour movement behaviors and depressive symptoms in Chinese urban-dwelling older adults and reinforce the importance of achieving a balance between different types of movement behaviors over a 24-hour period for mental health. Show less
Disrupting liver immune homeostasis drives inflammation. Recent evidence shifts immunoregulatory focus to hepatocytes, though the mechanisms remain poorly defined. Forkhead box O1 (FoxO1) is a critica Show more
Disrupting liver immune homeostasis drives inflammation. Recent evidence shifts immunoregulatory focus to hepatocytes, though the mechanisms remain poorly defined. Forkhead box O1 (FoxO1) is a critical homeostasis regulator, but its function in liver immune homeostasis is unknown. We aimed to clarify the role of hepatocyte FoxO1 in liver immune homeostasis and inflammation. Human liver FoxO1 expression and its association with inflammation were analyzed in patients with various inflammation-related liver diseases. Hepatocyte-specific Foxo1 knockout (FoxO1 △hepa ) mice were established. Hepatocyte-specific gene interference was employed in alcoholic hepatitis and hepatic schistosomiasis murine models. Transcriptomic, single-cell RNA sequencing, and CUT&Tag analyses were performed to elucidate the underlying mechanisms. Hepatocyte FoxO1 levels in human inflammatory livers declined prevalently and were inversely correlated with inflammation and fibrosis. Around 15-18 weeks after birth, FoxO1 △hepa mice exhibited mild spontaneous hepatic inflammation with natural killer T (NKT) cell and neutrophil accumulation. NKT cell depletion in FoxO1 △hepa mice with alcoholic hepatitis or hepatic schistosomiasis (HS) significantly reduced neutrophil accumulation and protected against liver inflammation and damage. Mechanistically, FoxO1 promoted retinoic acid synthesis to induce hepatocyte CD1d expression, which is necessary for regulating NKT cell apoptosis. Innovatively, decreased JMJD1C expression in hepatocytes caused histone H3 lysine 9 (H3K9) dimethylation at the Foxo1 promoter, repressing its transcription and disrupting local immune homeostasis. Our findings uncover a hitherto unrecognized mechanism for hepatocyte-based control of liver inflammation, in which hepatocyte FoxO1 maintained by JMJD1C restrains local NKT cells and neutrophils via CD1d induction, providing promising targets for inflammatory liver diseases. Show less
Radiation-induced brain injury (RIBI) is a significant complication following radiotherapy for brain tumors, leading to neurocognitive deficits and other neurological impairments. This study aims to i Show more
Radiation-induced brain injury (RIBI) is a significant complication following radiotherapy for brain tumors, leading to neurocognitive deficits and other neurological impairments. This study aims to identify potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for RIBI by utilizing advanced proteomic techniques to explore the molecular mechanisms underlying RIBI. A rat model of RIBI was established and subjected to whole-brain irradiation (30 Gy). Tandem mass tagging (TMT)-based quantitative proteomics, combined with high-resolution mass spectrometry, was used to identify differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) in the brain tissues of irradiated rats. Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analyses were conducted to identify the biological processes and pathways involved. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks were constructed to identify key hub proteins. A total of 35 DEPs were identified, including PHLDA3, APOE and CPE. GO enrichment analysis revealed that the DEPs were mainly involved in lipid transport, cell adhesion, and metabolic processes. KEGG analysis highlighted the enrichment of pathways related to metabolism, tight junctions, and PPAR signaling. APOE was identified as a key hub protein through PPI network analysis, indicating its potential role in RIBI pathophysiology. Immunohistochemistry further validated the increased expression of PHLDA3, APOE, and CPE in the brain tissue of irradiated rats. This study provides valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms of RIBI by identifying key proteins and their associated pathways. The findings suggest that these proteins, particularly APOE and PHLDA3, could serve as potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for clinical intervention in RIBI. These results not only enhance our understanding of RIBI's molecular pathology but also open new avenues for the development of targeted therapies to mitigate radiation-induced neurotoxicity. Show less
Little is known about the association between physical activity and the risk of pre-sarcopenic obesity (pre-SO) among adolescents. Hence, this study aimed to examine the association between physical a Show more
Little is known about the association between physical activity and the risk of pre-sarcopenic obesity (pre-SO) among adolescents. Hence, this study aimed to examine the association between physical activity and pre-SO in a sample of 2143 adolescents aged 12 to 18 years from Yinchuan, China. The pre-SO was defined by three criteria: low skeletal muscle mass adjusted by weight (SMM/W) combined with body mass index (BMI), fat mass percentage (FMP), and waist circumference (WC). After adjusting for age, smoking, drinking, sleep time, and high-fat food consumption, participants with high physical activity (HPA) had a lower risk of pre-SO compared to those with low physical activity (LPA) according to the obesity criteria of FMP (OR 0.63, 95% CI, 0.48-0.83, P < 0.05), and WC (OR 0.71, 95% CI, 0.52-0.96, P < 0.05). Additionally, restricted cubic spline models showed a linear dose-response association between total physical activity (TPA) and pre-SO no matter what obesity criteria were adopted (all P overall trend < 0.05, all P non-linear > 0.50). Subgroup analyses revealed that individuals with higher TPA levels exhibited a decreased risk of pre-SO in boys according to the obesity criteria of FMP, and WC. In conclusion, HPA is associated with a reduced risk of pre-SO in adolescents, especially among boys. Show less
8p11 myeloproliferative syndrome (EMS) is a rare aggressive hematologic malignancy with a poor prognosis that can rapidly develop into acute leukemia. It is characterized by the translocation of fibro Show more
8p11 myeloproliferative syndrome (EMS) is a rare aggressive hematologic malignancy with a poor prognosis that can rapidly develop into acute leukemia. It is characterized by the translocation of fibroblast growth factor receptor-1 (FGFR1), and there is still a lack of effective and reliable treatment methods at present. This report provides a new therapeutic strategy for EMS patients diagnosed with BCR-FGFR1 fusion. This report describes a case of EMS patient with a positive BCR-FGFR1 fusion gene, whose manifestations are similar to those of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). After diagnosis by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and RNA sequencing (RNA-seq), olverembatinib, the third-generation tyrosinase inhibitor (TKI) developed in China, was used for treatment. After monotherapy and follow-up for more than one year, partial molecular response (PR) was achieved. During this period, hematologic remission and cytogenetic remission were achieved. The treatment safety of the entire process was excellent. In summary, olverembatinib provides more treatment options for rare diseases such as 8p11 myeloproliferative syndrome. Show less
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is frequently accompanied with metabolic dysfunctions, yet the causal relationships between metabolic factors and PCOS remain to be conclusively established and etiolo Show more
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is frequently accompanied with metabolic dysfunctions, yet the causal relationships between metabolic factors and PCOS remain to be conclusively established and etiology-based therapies are lacking. To comprehensively identify the metabolic causal factors and potential drug targets for PCOS. This genetic association study was conducted using bidirectional two-sample Mendelian Randomization (MR), multivariable MR (MVMR) and drug-target MR. Considering metabolic sexual dimorphism, female-specific genome-wide association studies (GWASs) for metabolic factors were obtained. To ensure the robustness of the findings, an additional independent PCOS GWAS dataset was utilized for replication. The PCOS cohort included 10,074 PCOS cases (mean age 28 to 45 years) and 103,164 controls (mean age 27 to 60 years) of European ancestry. All participants were female. Employing two-sample MR analysis, we found that genetically proxied body mass index (BMI) (OR = 3.40 [95 % CI, 2.65-4.36]), triglyceride (TG) (OR = 1.54 [95 % CI, 1.17-2.04]), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) (OR = 1.37 [95 % CI, 1.07-1.76]), and type 2 diabetes (T2D) (OR = 1.24 [95 % CI, 1.09-1.41]) were significantly associated with an increased risk of PCOS, whereas genetically predicted high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) (OR = 0.61 [95 % CI, 0.47-0.80]) decreased the odds of PCOS. Stepwise MVMR established a hierarchy of interactions among these metabolic factors, identifying BMI and HDL-c as the most prominent causal factors. Notably, drug-target MR analysis identified incretin-based therapeutics, PCSK9 inhibitors, LPL gene therapy, sulfonylureas, and thiazolidinediones as potential therapeutics for PCOS. All these findings were validated in an independent dataset. This study offered insights into the roles of obesity, diabetes, and dyslipidemia in PCOS etiology and therapeutics, underscoring the necessity for managing metabolic health in women and paving the way for tailored therapeutic strategies for PCOS based on its metabolic underpinnings. Show less
Ischemic injury induces a partial mesenchymal shift in endothelial cells (ECs), contributing to impaired vascular regeneration. However, the molecular regulators of this transitional state remain poor Show more
Ischemic injury induces a partial mesenchymal shift in endothelial cells (ECs), contributing to impaired vascular regeneration. However, the molecular regulators of this transitional state remain poorly defined. To address this, we performed circular RNA profiling of endothelial cells under ischemic-like conditions and identified a marked upregulation of a circular RNA, named circATXN1. Functional studies revealed that circATXN1 knockdown modulates endothelial phenotype and vascular response after ischemia. Functional studies have shown that knockdown of circATXN1 can regulate the endothelial cell phenotype and vascular response after ischemia. Mechanistically, circATXN1 knockdown enhances the demethylase protein ALKBH5 to reduce the RNA methylation level of the key transcription factor SLUG, thereby stabilizing SLUG. In animal models, suppression of circATXN1 enhances angiogenesis and improves recovery following ischemic injury. Here, we show that circATXN1 regulates partial endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) and angiogenesis by controlling SLUG mRNA methylation dynamics, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic target in ischemic disease. Show less
Spatial representation is a core element of spatial cognition in orienteering, but the visual-spatial neural modulation mechanisms underlying spatial representations with differently oriented maps hav Show more
Spatial representation is a core element of spatial cognition in orienteering, but the visual-spatial neural modulation mechanisms underlying spatial representations with differently oriented maps have not yet been systematically elucidated. This study recruited 67 orienteering athletes as participants and employed a single-factor (map orientation: normal vs. rotated) between-subjects experimental design. Eye-tracking and functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) techniques were used simultaneously to collect behavioral, eye movement, and brain activity data, investigating the effects of map orientation on visual attention and brain activity characteristics during terrain symbol representation processing in orienteering athletes. The results revealed that compared to the normal orientation, the rotated orientation led to significantly decreased task accuracy, significantly prolonged reaction times, and significantly increased saccade amplitude and pupil diameter. Brain activation analysis showed that the rotated orientation elicited significantly higher activation levels in the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (R-DLPFC), bilateral parietal lobe cortex (L-PL, R-PL), right temporal lobe (R-TL), and visual cortex (VC) compared to the normal orientation, along with enhanced functional connectivity. Correlation analysis revealed that under normal map orientation, accuracy was positively correlated with both saccade amplitude and pupil diameter; accuracy was positively correlated with activation in the R-DLPFC; saccade amplitude was positively correlated with activation in the R-DLPFC and R-PL; and pupil diameter was positively correlated with activation in the R-DLPFC. Under rotated map orientation, accuracy was positively correlated with saccade amplitude and pupil diameter, and pupil diameter was positively correlated with activation in both the L-PL and R-PL. The results indicate that map orientation significantly influences the visual search patterns and neural activity characteristics of orienteering athletes, impacting task performance through the coupling mode of visual-neural activity. Show less
Swine enteric coronaviruses pose a significant challenge to the global pig industry, inflicting severe diarrhea and high mortality rates among piglets, and resulting in substantial economic losses. In Show more
Swine enteric coronaviruses pose a significant challenge to the global pig industry, inflicting severe diarrhea and high mortality rates among piglets, and resulting in substantial economic losses. In our clinical practice, we observed that the addition of potassium molybdate (PM) to the feed could dramatically reduce diarrhea and diarrhea-related mortality in piglets. However, the underlying mechanisms remain elusive and merit further investigation. In this study, we revealed that PM effectively inhibited the infection of both aminopeptidase N (APN)-dependent coronaviruses, transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV), and porcine respiratory coronavirus (PRCV), both Show less
Alpha-enolase (ENO1), the enzyme catalyzing 2-phosphoglycerate conversion to phosphoenolpyruvate, is highly expressed in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and correlates with adverse clinical outc Show more
Alpha-enolase (ENO1), the enzyme catalyzing 2-phosphoglycerate conversion to phosphoenolpyruvate, is highly expressed in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and correlates with adverse clinical outcomes. Thus, understanding the relationship between ENO1-related gene (ERG) network and DLBCL is imperative. Here, we integrated multi-omics profiling (RIP-seq, RNA-seq, and protein interactome analysis) to identify ERGs and established a prognostic model by machine learning algorithms. We identified eleven hub genes (CHERP, SYNE2, INTS1, FAP, MMP9, LRP5, RBM8A, PRMT5, SLC25A6, PABPC4, PSTPIP2) using RNA sequencing, RNA immunoprecipitation sequencing, and protein interaction profiling. A prognostic model was constructed using univariate Cox regression and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression in the GSE10846 dataset and validated in two independent cohorts. DLBCL patients were stratified into high- and low-risk groups based on the model, and clinical characteristics were compared. The tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) was analyzed using CIBERSORT and xCell algorithms to explore correlations with the ERG score. Drug sensitivity assays in DLBCL cell lines were performed to validate the model's predictive capacity for chemotherapy response. Furthermore, the functional role of PABPC4, a key gene in the scoring system, was investigated through A prognostic model including 11 hub genes was established. Patients in the high-risk group exhibited worse clinical outcomes and an immunosuppressive TIME, characterized by altered expression of immune checkpoint-related proteins. This group demonstrated increased sensitivity to vincristine, etoposide, and oxaliplatin. Knockdown of PABPC4 significantly inhibited cell proliferation, reduced colony formation, and delayed tumor growth The ERG scoring system offers a robust and precise tool for predicting survival and guiding personalized treatment in DLBCL patients. Show less
Xiaolei Song, Chenchen Wang, Qin Ding+8 more · 2025 · Journal of controlled release : official journal of the Controlled Release Society · Elsevier · added 2026-04-24
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is an irreversible and progressive neurodegenerative disorder. The vicious circle between amyloid-β peptide (Aβ) overgeneration and microglial dysfunction is an important path Show more
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is an irreversible and progressive neurodegenerative disorder. The vicious circle between amyloid-β peptide (Aβ) overgeneration and microglial dysfunction is an important pathological event that promotes AD progression. However, therapeutic strategies toward only Aβ or microglial modulation still have many problems. Herein, inspired by the Aβ transportation, an Aβ-derived peptide (CKLVFFAED) engineered biomimetic nanodelivery system (MK@PC-R NPs) is reported for realizing BBB penetration and reprogram neuron and microglia in AD lesion sites. This hollow mesoporous Prussian blue-based MK@PC-R NPs carrying curcumin and miRNA-124 can down-regulate β secretase expression, thereby inhibiting Aβ production and reducing Aβ-induced neurotoxicity. Meanwhile, MK@PC-R NPs with excellent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties could normalize the microglial phenotype and promote Aβ degradation, providing neuroprotection. As expected, after treatment with MK@PC-R NPs, the Aβ burdens, neuron damages, neuroinflammation, and memory deficits of transgenic AD mice (APP/PS1 mice) are significantly attenuated. Overall, this biomimetic nanodelivery system with anti-Aβ and anti-inflammatory properties provides a promising strategy for the multi-target therapy of early AD. Show less
High-abundance serum proteins, mostly modified by N-glycans, are usually depleted from human sera to achieve in-depth analyses of serum proteome and sub-proteomes. In this study, we show that these hi Show more
High-abundance serum proteins, mostly modified by N-glycans, are usually depleted from human sera to achieve in-depth analyses of serum proteome and sub-proteomes. In this study, we show that these high-abundance glycoproteins (HAGPs) can be used as valuable standard glycopeptide resources, as long as the structural features of their glycans have been well defined at the glycosite-specific level. By directly analyzing intact glycopeptides enriched from serum, we identified 1322 unique glycopeptides at 48 N-glycosites from the top 12 HAGPs (19 subclasses). These HAGPs could be further classified into four major groups based on the structural features of their attached N-glycans. Immunoglobins including IGHG1/2/3/4, IGHA1/2 and IGHM were mostly modified by core fucosylated and bisected N-glycans with rarely sialic acids. Alpha-1-acid glycoproteins (ORM1/2) and haptoglobins (HP) were mainly modified by tri-and tetra-antennary (40 %) N-glycans with antenna-fucoses and sialic acids. Complement components C3 and C4A/B were highly modified by oligo-mannose glycans. The other HAGPs including SERPINA1, A2M, TF, FGB/G and APOB mainly contain bi-antennary complex glycans with the common core structure and (sialyl-) LacNAc branch structures. These HAGPs are easily detected by LC-MS analysis and therefore could be used as standard glycopeptides for glycoproteomic methodology studies as well as possible clinical utilities. Show less
This study aims to identify and characterize daily activity accumulation patterns (bouts of physical activity and sedentary behavior) among adolescents and then to explore the associations between the Show more
This study aims to identify and characterize daily activity accumulation patterns (bouts of physical activity and sedentary behavior) among adolescents and then to explore the associations between these groups and depressive symptoms. A total of 521 adolescents aged 13-18 years from Wuhan and Changsha, China, were included. Bouts of physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior (SED) were measured using accelerometers. The Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale was used to assess participants' depressive symptoms. Latent profile analysis was employed to identify distinct groups based on their activity patterns. Three distinct groups were identified: "Prolonged sitters" ( The synergistic effect of strategies to reduce total SED duration by limiting SED bouts to 30 min or less and increasing light physical activity (LPA) may also be effective in alleviating depressive symptoms in adolescents. Show less
Twenty types of GABAergic interneurons form intricate networks to fine-tune neural circuits in the brain. Parvalbumin-positive (PV+) and somatostatin-positive (SST+) interneurons, which are the two la Show more
Twenty types of GABAergic interneurons form intricate networks to fine-tune neural circuits in the brain. Parvalbumin-positive (PV+) and somatostatin-positive (SST+) interneurons, which are the two largest populations of neocortical interneurons, innervate the soma and/or proximal dendrites, and distal dendrites of pyramidal neurons, respectively. Using PV- and SST-specific knockout mouse models, we show that PV+ interneurons require FGFR2, which responds to FGF7, to drive PV+ inhibitory presynaptic maturation on perisomatic regions of Layer V pyramidal neurons. In contrast, SST+ interneurons rely on both FGFR1 and FGFR2, which respond to FGF10 or FGF22, to promote SST+ inhibitory presynaptic maturation on distal dendrites of pyramidal neurons in cortical Layer I. Mechanistically, FGF-FGFR signaling sustains VGAT protein levels in interneurons through PP2A and Akt pathways. Together, these findings demonstrate that distinct FGF ligand-receptor combinations regulate inhibitory presynaptic differentiation by PV+ and SST+ interneurons, contributing to the formation of compartment-specific synaptic patterns. Show less
Acupuncture has been proposed as a therapeutic intervention for stroke recovery, yet the underlying molecular mechanisms remain poorly understood. In this study, we used a mouse model of hemorrhagic s Show more
Acupuncture has been proposed as a therapeutic intervention for stroke recovery, yet the underlying molecular mechanisms remain poorly understood. In this study, we used a mouse model of hemorrhagic stroke induced by autologous blood injection to investigate the effects of acupuncture on post-stroke recovery at the cellular and molecular levels, utilizing single-cell RNA sequencing. Our findings revealed that acupuncture modulates the gene expression of microglia, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes, three major glial cell types, which may contribute to the improvement of stroke-induced phenotypes. Notably, we identified a potential role of the APOE-TREM2 signaling axis, with ligand-binding interactions enhancing microglia activation and promoting their neuroprotective functions. These findings also suggested that acupuncture may promote microglia-astrocyte interactions, leading to enhanced neuroinflammation resolution and tissue repair. Our study provided new insights into the cellular mechanisms underlying acupuncture's therapeutic effects in stroke recovery and highlighted the potential of targeting glial cell-mediated pathways, including APOE-TREM2, as a strategy for improving post-stroke rehabilitation. Show less
By integrating single-cell and bulk RNA-sequencing data for esophageal cancer (ESCA), we developed and validated a seven-macrophage-gene prognostic signature (FCN1, SCARB2, ATF5, PHLDA2, GLIPR1, CHORD Show more
By integrating single-cell and bulk RNA-sequencing data for esophageal cancer (ESCA), we developed and validated a seven-macrophage-gene prognostic signature (FCN1, SCARB2, ATF5, PHLDA2, GLIPR1, CHORDC1, and BCKDK). This signature effectively stratified patients into high- and low-risk groups with significantly different overall survival, achieving area under the curve (AUC) values greater than 0.7 for 1-, 2-, and 3-year survival prediction. A high-risk status correlated with an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, characterized by lower infiltration of B cells and CD8 + T cells, and was associated with reduced sensitivity to multiple chemotherapeutic agents, including Cisplatin and 5-Fluorouracil. Conversely, a low-risk status was linked to greater immune cell infiltration and higher predicted chemosensitivity. At the single-cell level, pseudotime analysis revealed that macrophage maturation significantly correlated with a decreasing risk score, suggesting that mature macrophages may contribute to a favorable prognosis. Furthermore, cell communication analysis identified high-risk macrophages as dominant drivers of a pro-tumorigenic microenvironment via signaling pathways, such as SPP1 and complement. In conclusion, this seven-gene signature is a robust prognostic biomarker that offers a new strategy for personalized risk assessment and treatment selection in ESCA. The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13205-025-04452-w. Show less
Perioperative neurocognitive disorder (PND) is a common complication following thoracic surgery and often leading to poor outcomes. Despite ongoing research, effective treatments for late PND remain l Show more
Perioperative neurocognitive disorder (PND) is a common complication following thoracic surgery and often leading to poor outcomes. Despite ongoing research, effective treatments for late PND remain limited. Identifying reliable biomarkers for early diagnosis is, therefore, essential. A prospective cohort study was conducted with 60 elderly patients undergoing thoracic surgery. Serum samples were collected within 10 minutes prior to anesthesia and following extubation to measure adiponectin (APN), cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), protein kinase A (PKA), aquaporin-4 (AQP4) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Among PND patients, serum APN, PKA, AQP4, and BDNF levels were markedly decreased compared with the normal group. While serum cAMP (HR = 1.087, p = 0.695, 95% CI [0.284-4.166]) and PKA (HR = 0.996, p = 0.09, 95% CI [0.491-0.947]) were not significantly correlated with PND, serum APN (HR = 0.307, 95% CI [0.113-0.835], p = 0.021), AQP4 (HR = 0.204, 95% CI [0.060-0.697], p = 0.011), and BDNF (HR = 0.382, 95% CI [0.177-0.823], p = 0.014) were protective factors against PND. ROC analysis demonstrated that APN (AUC = 0.68, 95% CI [0.51-0.87]), AQP4 (AUC = 0.73, 95% CI [0.59-0.87]), BDNF (AUC = 0.73, 95% CI [0.59-0.87]), and the model of combining those biomarkers (AUC = 0.91, 95% CI [0.83-0.99]) could predict PND. PND patients exhibited a lower protective stress response to surgical trauma. High serum APN, AQP4, and BDNF levels were independent protective factors for PND, and a combined model of these biomarkers showed predictive potential for PND. Show less
Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is a practical and effective method for treating coronary heart disease (CHD). This study aims to explore the influencing factors of major cardiovascular event Show more
Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is a practical and effective method for treating coronary heart disease (CHD). This study aims to explore the influencing factors of major cardiovascular events (MACEs) and hospital readmission risk within one year following PCI treatment. Additionally, it seeks to assess the clinical value of Apolipoprotein B/Apolipoprotein A-I (ApoB/ApoA-I) in predicting the risk of one-year MACEs and readmission post-PCI. A retrospective study included 1938 patients who underwent PCI treatment from January 2010 to December 2018 at Shandong Provincial Hospital affiliated with Shandong First Medical University. Patient demographics, medications, and biochemical indicators were recorded upon admission, with one-year follow-up post-operation. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression models were utilized to establish the relationship between ApoB/ApoA-I levels and MACEs/readmission. Predictive nomograms were constructed to forecast MACEs and readmission, with the accuracy of the nomograms assessed using the concordance index. Subgroup analyses were conducted to explore the occurrence of MACEs and readmission. We observed a correlation between ApoB/ApoA-I and other lipid indices, including total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) (P < 0.001). Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses demonstrated that ApoB/ApoA-I is an independent risk factor for MACEs in post-PCI patients (P = 0.038). Within one year, the incidence of MACEs significantly increased in the high-level ApoB/ApoA-I group (ApoB/ApoA-I ratio ≥ 0.824) (P = 0.038), while the increase in readmission incidence within one year was not statistically significant. Furthermore, a nomogram predicting one-year MACEs was established (Concordance Index: 0.668). Subgroup analysis revealed that ApoB/ApoA-I was associated with the occurrence of both MACEs and readmission in male patients, those using CCB/ARB/ACEI, those without multivessel diseases, or those with LDL-C < 2.6 mmol/L. The ApoB/ApoA-I ratio serves as an independent risk factor for one-year MACEs in post-PCI patients and correlates closely with other blood lipid indicators. ApoB/ApoA-I demonstrates significant predictive value for the occurrence of MACEs within one year.Trial registration Chinese clinical trial registry: No.ChiCTR22000597-23. Show less
Postnatal cardiac function in mammals is closely associated with cardiomyocyte proliferation and hypertrophy. However, the molecular mechanisms regulating cardiomyocyte proliferation and hypertrophy h Show more
Postnatal cardiac function in mammals is closely associated with cardiomyocyte proliferation and hypertrophy. However, the molecular mechanisms regulating cardiomyocyte proliferation and hypertrophy have not yet been fully elucidated. Therefore, phenotypic measurements and transcriptomic sequencing were performed on myocardial tissues from 7-day-old (P7) and 3-month-old (3m) female C57BL/6 mice to investigate changes in cardiomyocytes during growth and development and to identify key genes regulating myocardial growth and development. In comparison to 7-day-old mice, 3-month-old mice exhibited a significant increase in heart weight ( Show less
Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a life-threatening vascular disease with no effective pharmacological treatments. The causal role of triglycerides (TGs) in AAA development remains unclear and contr Show more
Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a life-threatening vascular disease with no effective pharmacological treatments. The causal role of triglycerides (TGs) in AAA development remains unclear and controversial. Mendelian randomization was applied to assess causal relationships between lipoproteins, circulating proteins, metabolites, and the risk of AAA. To test the hypothesis that elevated plasma TG levels accelerate AAA development, we used Mendelian randomization analyses integrating genetic, proteomic, and metabolomic data identified causal relationships between elevated TG-rich lipoproteins, TG metabolism-related proteins/metabolites, and AAA risk. In the angiotensin II infusion AAA model, most These findings identify hypertriglyceridemia as a key contributor to AAA pathogenesis and suggest that targeting TG-rich lipoproteins may be a promising therapeutic strategy for AAA. Show less
β-Secretase (BACE1), a key enzyme to producing neurotoxic β-amyloid, is a potential biomarker of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Developing a sensitive and efficient detection method for BACE1 activity is s Show more
β-Secretase (BACE1), a key enzyme to producing neurotoxic β-amyloid, is a potential biomarker of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Developing a sensitive and efficient detection method for BACE1 activity is significant for AD progression evaluation. Due to the poor cleavage efficiency and acidic working conditions of BACE1, developing probes with high stability and strong signals is challenging for its detection. This work proposed a dual-mode BACE1 detection method based on surface-enhanced Raman scattering and dark-field microscopy. 4-Mercaptobenzoic acid (4-MBA), as the internal Raman reporter of Au@Ag nanoparticles (NPs), shows stable and enhanced Raman signals in an acidic environment. The plasmonic Au Show less
Prior research has consistently demonstrated that higher levels of digital health literacy contribute positively to improved mental health outcomes and overall quality of life among patients. Neverthe Show more
Prior research has consistently demonstrated that higher levels of digital health literacy contribute positively to improved mental health outcomes and overall quality of life among patients. Nevertheless, the interplay between digital health literacy and the experience of perceived stigma-particularly among burn patients-remains underexplored, and the potential heterogeneity within this relationship has not been adequately addressed. This cross-sectional study, conducted from June to July 2025, recruited 534 burn patients (mean age 31.05 ± 9.52 years; 61.0% male) from three tertiary hospitals in Sichuan Province, China. Participants completed validated scales assessing digital health literacy, social support, appearance anxiety, perceived stigma, and demographics. Data were analyzed using Pearson correlations, latent profile analysis (LPA) with fit indices, univariate analyses (chi-square tests and Digital health literacy was negatively correlated with perceived stigma ( This study confirms heterogeneity in digital health literacy and perceived stigma among burn patients, with social support and appearance anxiety as key influencers. Findings support targeted interventions to enhance digital health literacy and reduce perceived stigma, advancing precision psychological care for burn survivors. Show less