This study investigated the effect of dietary lipid levels on growth performance, lipid metabolism, antioxidant capacity, digestive enzyme activity, and metamorphosis rate of bullfrog (
(Pro)renin receptor (PRR) is highly expressed in renal tubules, which is involved in physiological and pathological processes. However, the role of PRR, expressed in renal tubular epithelial cells, in Show more
(Pro)renin receptor (PRR) is highly expressed in renal tubules, which is involved in physiological and pathological processes. However, the role of PRR, expressed in renal tubular epithelial cells, in diabetic kidney disease (DKD) remain largely unknown. In this study, kidney biopsies, urine samples, and public RNA-seq data from DKD patients were used to assess PRR expression and cell pyroptosis in tubular epithelial cells. The regulation of tubular epithelial cell pyroptosis by PRR was investigated by in situ renal injection of adeno-associated virus9 (AAV9)-shRNA into db/db mice, and knockdown or overexpression of PRR in HK-2 cells. To reveal the underlined mechanism, the interaction of PRR with potential binding proteins was explored by using BioGrid database. Furthermore, the direct binding of PRR to dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP4), a pleiotropic serine peptidase which increases blood glucose by degrading incretins under diabetic conditions, was confirmed by co-immunoprecipitation assay and immunostaining. Higher expression of PRR was found in renal tubules and positively correlated with kidney injuries of DKD patients, in parallel with tubular epithelial cells pyroptosis. Knockdown of PRR in kidneys significantly blunted db/db mice to kidney injury by alleviating renal tubular epithelial cells pyroptosis and the resultant interstitial inflammation. Moreover, silencing of PRR blocked high glucose-induced HK-2 pyroptosis, whereas overexpression of PRR enhanced pyroptotic cell death of HK-2 cells. Mechanistically, PRR selectively bound to cysteine-enrich region of C-terminal of DPP4 and augmented the protein abundance of DPP4, leading to the downstream activation of JNK signaling and suppression of SIRT3 signaling and FGFR1 signaling, and then subsequently mediated pyroptotic cell death. This study identified the significant role of PRR in the pathogenesis of DKD; specifically, PRR promoted tubular epithelial cell pyroptosis via DPP4 mediated signaling, highlighting that PRR could be a promising therapeutic target in DKD. Show less
To explore the relationships among the epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related factors (SNAIL, TWIST, and E-Cadherin) and clinicopathological parameters and gastric mesangial tumor deposits Show more
To explore the relationships among the epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related factors (SNAIL, TWIST, and E-Cadherin) and clinicopathological parameters and gastric mesangial tumor deposits (TDs) in advanced gastric cancer (AGC) patients and their value in gastric cancer prognosis judgment. The data of 190 patients who underwent radical resection of ACG were analyzed retrospectively, including 75 cases of TDs (+) and 115 cases of TDs (-). The expression of EMT-related transforming factors Snail, Twist, and E-cadherin in the primary tumor, paracancerous normal tissues, and TDs was detected by immunohistochemistry. SNAIL and TWIST were overexpressed in primary tumors and TDs, whereas E-Cadherin was down-expressed in primary tumors. SNAIL was correlated significantly with tumor differentiation, lymph node metastases, and TDs (P < 0.05); TWIST was correlated strongly with tumor location, lymph node metastases, and TDs (P < 0.05); E-Cadherin was correlated closely with tumor differentiation and lymph node metastases (P < 0.05). Kaplan-Meier curves showed that SNAIL expression was correlated with DFS (P < 0.05), and TWIST expression was correlated with OS (P < 0.05). Tumor differentiation, lymph node metastasis, and TWIST expression were prognostic-independent risk factors of AGC patients (P < 0.05). The occurrence and development of gastric cancer and the formation of TDs may be related to EMT, analyzing the expression of EMT-related transforming proteins may be helpful to judge the prognosis of gastric cancer. Show less
FTY720 is an agonist of the Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) receptor 1, 3, 4, and 5 and a functional antagonist of the S1P1 receptor; it can inhibit the activation of mTOR/NF-κB and has therapeutic pote Show more
FTY720 is an agonist of the Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) receptor 1, 3, 4, and 5 and a functional antagonist of the S1P1 receptor; it can inhibit the activation of mTOR/NF-κB and has therapeutic potential in inflammatory disease. This study was designed to determine the role of the inflammatory process in diabetic retinopathy and investigate the effect of FTY720 on high glucose (HG)-induced rat retinal Müller cells (rMC-1 cells). In the present study, the role of FTY720 in inhibiting inflammation and its underlying mechanism were investigated. rMC-1 cells were treated without or with HG, FTY720, CQ, or RAP. Cell viability was examined by CCK-8 assay; cell activation was assessed by western blot analysis and IF staining; and cell migration was evaluated by a scratch wound healing assay. The expression of inflammation-associated proteins and autophagy-related proteins was evaluated by transmission electron microscopy, AO staining, MDC-labeled autophagic vacuoles, western blot analysis and ELISA. Western blot analysis and IF staining showed that the level of the rMC-1 cell marker GFAP was decreased, while GS was increased in FTY720 groups compared to that in the HG group. The healing assay results showed that compared with HG treatment, FTY720 treatment significantly reduced cell migration. Western blot analysis, ELISA and IF staining showed that compared with HG, FTY720 reduced proinflammatory proteins by inhibiting the mechanistic target of the mTOR/NF-κB signaling pathway and regulating autophagy. This study suggests that in an HG-induced rMC-1 cell model, FTY720 significantly inhibited the production of inflammatory cytokines by inhibiting mTOR/NF-κB signaling and regulating autophagy. These findings were associated with a decrease in rMC-1 cell injury, suggesting that FTY720 or related compounds may be valuable modulators of HG-induced retinal injury. Show less
This study aims to investigate the association between nine tag single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the A case-control study was conducted to investigate the association between CAD and Results Show more
This study aims to investigate the association between nine tag single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the A case-control study was conducted to investigate the association between CAD and Results of the polymorphism study indicated that the The Show less
Most antipsychotic drugs (APDs) induce hyperphagia and weight gain. However, the neural mechanisms are poorly understood, partly due to challenges replicating their metabolic effects in rodents. Here, Show more
Most antipsychotic drugs (APDs) induce hyperphagia and weight gain. However, the neural mechanisms are poorly understood, partly due to challenges replicating their metabolic effects in rodents. Here, we report a new mouse model that recapitulates overeating induced by clozapine, a widely prescribed APD. Our study shows that clozapine boosts food intake by inhibiting melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4R) expressing neurons in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus. Interestingly, neither clozapine nor risperidone, another commonly used APD, affects receptor-ligand binding or the canonical Gαs signaling of MC4R. Instead, they inhibit neuronal activity by enhancing the coupling between MC4R and Kir7.1, leading to the open state of the inwardly rectifying potassium channel. Deletion of Show less
In this study, the pathogenic genes of depression were calculated and analyzed by bioinformatics method, and then the key genes of Shaoyao Gancao Decoction in the treatment of depression were deduced Show more
In this study, the pathogenic genes of depression were calculated and analyzed by bioinformatics method, and then the key genes of Shaoyao Gancao Decoction in the treatment of depression were deduced and predicted through the correlation study with the target of Shaoyao Gancao Decoction. Through the production of LPS depression model mice, drug treatment, behavioral test and hippocampal tissue sample detection, it was found that Shaoyao Gancao Decoction can regulate the levels of IL-10, TNF- α, BDNF, SMAD3, FGFR1 and FGFR2 to improve depression, which can provide a theoretical basis for exploring the efficacy of Shaoyao Gancao Decoction in the treatment of depression. Show less
Previous studies have demonstrated that naringenin possesses lipid-lowering effects; however, the underlying mechanisms, particularly its specific molecular targets, remain uncertain. Using bioinforma Show more
Previous studies have demonstrated that naringenin possesses lipid-lowering effects; however, the underlying mechanisms, particularly its specific molecular targets, remain uncertain. Using bioinformatics, three traditional Chinese medicine databases and one human disease database were integrated to establish two naringenin-target-hyperlipidemia modules: naringenin-oxidative stress (OS) and naringenin-lipid metabolism (LM). Data on 1,850 proteins from 1,871 genetic instruments were sourced from seven previous studies. Using Mendelian randomization based on data from the Integrative Epidemiology Unit genome-wide association study (case, n = 5,153; control, n = 344,069), we identified potential drug targets that were subsequently validated in the UK Biobank (396,565 individuals) and FinnGen (412,181 individuals) cohorts. Using molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation to verify the binding ability of naringenin and causal protein. In plasma, every standard deviation increase in apolipoprotein B (APOB) was associated with an increased risk of hyperlipidemia (odds ratio [OR] = 9.37, 95% confidence interval [CI], 5.12-17.12; This Mendelian randomization-based combined analysis offers a robust framework for elucidating the pharmacological effects of naringenin and identifying candidate proteins for further investigation in the context of hyperlipidemia treatment. Show less
Rui Peng, Yan Chen, Liangnian Wei+6 more · 2024 · Gastric cancer : official journal of the International Gastric Cancer Association and the Japanese Gastric Cancer Association · Springer · added 2026-04-24
The gold standard of milk is human milk, not cow milk. The present study expects to explored the comprehensive nutritional value of different kinds of milk and the differences between them through mul Show more
The gold standard of milk is human milk, not cow milk. The present study expects to explored the comprehensive nutritional value of different kinds of milk and the differences between them through multi-omics analysis and found functional components that are more similar to human milk. This study employed untargeted LC-MS/MS metabolomics, untargeted LC-MS/MS lipidomics, and 4D label-free proteomics analysis techniques. The findings revealed substantial disparities in metabolites, lipids, and proteins among the five types of milk. Notably, pig milk exhibited a remarkable abundance of N-acetylneuraminic acid (Neu5Ac) and specific polar lipids. Yak milk stood out with significantly elevated levels of creatine and lipoprotein lipase (LPL) compared to other species. Buffalo milk boasted the highest concentrations of L-isoleucine, echinocystic acid, and alkaline phosphatase, tissue-nonspecific isozyme (ALPL). The concentrations of iminostilbene and osteopontin (OPN) were higher in cow milk. Show less
Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory condition triggered by immune system malfunction. Mitochondrial extracellular vesicles (MitoEVs) are a group of highly heterogeneous extracellular vesicles (EVs Show more
Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory condition triggered by immune system malfunction. Mitochondrial extracellular vesicles (MitoEVs) are a group of highly heterogeneous extracellular vesicles (EVs) enriched in mitochondrial fractions. The objective of this research was to examine the correlation between MitoEVs and the immune microenvironment of periodontitis. Data from MitoCarta 3.0, GeneCards, and GEO databases were utilized to identify differentially expressed MitoEV-related genes (MERGs) and conduct functional enrichment and pathway analyses. The random forest and LASSO algorithms were employed to identify hub MERGs. Infiltration levels of immune cells in periodontitis and healthy groups were estimated using the CIBERSORT algorithm, and phenotypic subgroups of periodontitis based on hub MERG expression levels were explored using a consensus clustering method. A total of 44 differentially expressed MERGs were identified. The random forest and LASSO algorithms identified 9 hub MERGs (BCL2L11, GLDC, CYP24A1, COQ2, MTPAP, NIPSNAP3A, FAM162A, MYO19, and NDUFS1). ROC curve analysis showed that the hub gene and logistic regression model presented excellent diagnostic and discriminating abilities. Immune infiltration and consensus clustering analysis indicated that hub MERGs were highly correlated with various types of immune cells, and there were significant differences in immune cells and hub MERGs among different periodontitis subtypes. The periodontitis classification model based on MERGs shows excellent performance and can offer novel perspectives into the pathogenesis of periodontitis. The high correlation between MERGs and various immune cells and the significant differences between immune cells and MERGs in different periodontitis subtypes can clarify the regulatory roles of MitoEVs in the immune microenvironment of periodontitis. Future research should focus on elucidating the functional mechanisms of hub MERGs and exploring potential therapeutic interventions based on these findings. Show less
The prevalence of metabolic diseases, such as obesity, has been steadily increasing in recent years, posing a significant threat to public health. Therefore, early identification and intervention play Show more
The prevalence of metabolic diseases, such as obesity, has been steadily increasing in recent years, posing a significant threat to public health. Therefore, early identification and intervention play a crucial role. With the deepening understanding of the etiology of metabolic diseases, novel therapeutic targets are emerging for the treatment of obesity, lipid metabolism disorders, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, glucose metabolism disorders, and other related metabolic conditions. IL-27, as a multi-potent cytokine, holds great promise as a potential candidate target in this regard. This article provides a comprehensive review of the latest findings on IL-27 expression and signal transduction in the regulation of immune inflammatory cells, as well as its implications in obesity and other related metabolic diseases. Furthermore, it explores the potential of IL-27 as a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of obesity and metabolic disorders. Finally, an overview is presented on both the opportunities and challenges associated with targeting IL-27 for therapeutic interventions. Show less
Renal interstitial fibrosis (RIF) is a progressive, irreversible terminal kidney disease with a poor prognosis and high mortality. Angiopoietin-like 4 (ANGPTL4) is known to be associated with fibrosis Show more
Renal interstitial fibrosis (RIF) is a progressive, irreversible terminal kidney disease with a poor prognosis and high mortality. Angiopoietin-like 4 (ANGPTL4) is known to be associated with fibrosis in various organs, but its impact on the RIF process remains unclear. This study aimed to elucidate the role and underlying mechanisms of ANGPTL4 in the progression of RIF. In vivo, a chronic kidney disease (CKD) rat model of renal interstitial fibrosis was established via intragastric administration of adenine at different time points (4 and 6 weeks). Blood and urine samples were collected to assess renal function and 24-h urinary protein levels. Kidney tissues were subjected to HE and Masson staining for pathological observation. Immunohistochemistry and real-time quantitative PCR (qRT‒PCR) were performed to evaluate the expression of ANGPTL4 and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), followed by Pearson correlation analysis. Subsequently, kidney biopsy tissues from 11 CKD patients (6 with RIF and 5 without RIF) were subjected to immunohistochemical staining to validate the expression of ANGPTL4. In vitro, a fibrosis model of human renal tubular epithelial cells (HK2) was established through hypoxic stimulation. Subsequently, an HIF-1α inhibitor (2-MeOE2) was used, and ANGPTL4 was manipulated using siRNA or plasmid overexpression. Changes in ANGPTL4 and fibrosis markers were analyzed through Western blotting, qRT‒PCR, and immunofluorescence. ANGPTL4 was significantly upregulated in the CKD rat model and was significantly positively correlated with renal injury markers, the fibrotic area, and HIF-1α. These results were confirmed by clinical samples, which showed a significant increase in the expression level of ANGPTL4 in CKD patients with RIF, which was positively correlated with HIF-1α. Further in vitro studies indicated that the expression of ANGPTL4 is regulated by HIF-1α, which in turn is subject to negative feedback regulation by ANGPTL4. Moreover, modulation of ANGPTL4 expression influences the progression of fibrosis in HK2 cells. Our findings indicate that ANGPTL4 is a key regulatory factor in renal fibrosis, forming a loop with HIF-1α, potentially serving as a novel therapeutic target for RIF. Show less
Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2D) and Osteoarthritis (OA) are both prevalent diseases that significantly impact the health of patients. Increasing evidence suggests that there is a big correlation betwee Show more
Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2D) and Osteoarthritis (OA) are both prevalent diseases that significantly impact the health of patients. Increasing evidence suggests that there is a big correlation between T2D and OA, but the molecular mechanisms remain elusive. The aims of this study are to investigate the shared biomarkers and potential molecular mechanisms in T2D combined with OA. T2D and OA-related differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified via bioinformatic analysis on Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) datasets GSE26168 and GSE114007 respectively. Subsequently, extensive target prediction and network analysis were finished with Gene Ontology (GO), protein-protein interaction (PPI), and pathway enrichment with DEGs. The transcription factors (TFs) and miRNAs coupled in co-expressed DEGs involved in T2D and OA were predicted as well. The key genes expressed both in the clinical tissues of T2D and OA were detected with western blot and qRT-PCR assay. Finally, the most promising candidate compounds were predicted with the Drug-Gene Interaction Database (DGIdb) and molecular docking. In this study, 209 shared DEGs between T2D and OA were identified. Functional analysis disclosed that these DEGs are predominantly related to ossification, regulation of leukocyte migration, extracellular matrix (ECM) structural constituents, PI3K/AKT, and Wnt signaling pathways. Further analysis via Protein-Protein Interaction (PPI) analysis and validation with external datasets emphasized MMP9 and ANGPTL4 as crucial genes in both T2D and OA. Our findings were validated through qRT-PCR and Western blot analyses, which indicated high expression levels of these pivotal genes in T2D, OA, and T2D combined with OA cases. Additionally, the analysis of Transcription Factors (TFs)-miRNA interactions identified 7 TFs and one miRNA that jointly regulate these important genes. The Receiver Operating characteristic (ROC) analysis demonstrated the significant diagnostic potential of MMP9 and ANGPTL4.Moreover, we identified raloxifene, ezetimibe, and S-3304 as promising agents for patients with both T2D and OA. This study uncovers the shared signaling pathways, biomarkers, potential therapeutics, and diagnostic models for individuals suffering from both T2D and OA. These findings not only present novel perspectives on the complex interplay between T2D and OA but also hold significant promise for improving the clinical management and prognosis of patients with this concurrent condition. Show less
The dual activation of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide receptor (GIPR) has emerged as a promising therapeutic strategy for managing type 2 di Show more
The dual activation of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide receptor (GIPR) has emerged as a promising therapeutic strategy for managing type 2 diabetes and obesity. Tirzepatide, a dual agonist peptide, has exhibited superior clinical efficacy in glycemic and weight control compared to selective GLP-1R agonists. Nevertheless, the structural basis of Tirzepatide's extended half-life, attributed to an acylation side chain on the parent peptide, raises questions regarding its partial agonistic activity. Employing molecular dynamics simulations, we explored the dynamic processes of peptide-receptor interactions. We uncovered a crucial salt bridge between parent peptide and GLP-1R/GIPR at K20, a feature not discernible in cryo-electron microscopy structures. Building upon these insights, we developed an optimization strategy based on the parent peptide which involved repositioning the acylation side chain. The results of both in vitro and in vivo experiments demonstrated that the optimized peptide has twofold to threefold increase in agonistic activity compared to Tirzepatide while maintaining its extended half-life in plasma. This led to the design of BGM0504, which proved to be more effective than its predecessor, Tirzepatide, in both laboratory and animal studies. Show less
Increasing evidence has indicated that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been proven to regulate esophageal cancer progression. The lncRNA protein disulfide isomerase family A member 3 pseudogene 1 Show more
Increasing evidence has indicated that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been proven to regulate esophageal cancer progression. The lncRNA protein disulfide isomerase family A member 3 pseudogene 1 (PDIA3P1) has been shown to promote cancer stem cell properties; however, its mechanism of action remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the regulation of esophageal cancer stem cell properties by the interaction of PDIA3P1 with proteins. The GEPIA2 and Gene Expression Omnibus databases were used to analyze gene expression. PDIA3P1 expression in human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) tissues and cell lines was detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Loss-of-function experiments were performed to determine the effects of PDIA3P1 on ESCC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. The sphere formation assay, number of side population cells, and CD271 + /CD44 + cells were detected by flow cytometry to identify the cancer stem cell properties. RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP), RNA pull-down, co-immunoprecipitation (co-IP), dual luciferase reporter, and cleavage under targets and tagmentation (CUT&Tag) assays were performed to elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms. PDIA3P1 expression was upregulated in ESCC cell lines and tissues. Functionally, higher PDIA3P1 expression promoted cell proliferation, invasion, and metastasis and inhibited apoptosis in esophageal cancer. Importantly, PDIA3P1 promoted cancer stem cell properties in ESCC. Mechanistically, PDIA3P1 interacted with and stabilized octamer-binding transcription factor 4 (OCT4) by eliminating its ubiquitination by the ubiquitinating enzyme WW domain-containing protein 2 (WWP2). Moreover, as a transcription factor, OCT4 bound to the PDIA3P1 promoter and promoted its transcription. Our research revealed a novel mechanism by which a positive feedback loop exists between PDIA3P1 and OCT4. It also demonstrated that the PDIA3P1-WWP2-OCT4 loop is beneficial for promoting the cancer stem cell properties of ESCC. Owing to this regulatory relationship, the PDIA3P1-WWP2-OCT4-positive feedback loop might be used in the diagnosis and prognosis, as well as in the development of novel therapeutics for esophageal cancer. Show less
Inactivation of phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) is prevalent in human prostate cancer and causes high-grade adenocarcinoma with a long latency. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) play a pivota Show more
Inactivation of phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) is prevalent in human prostate cancer and causes high-grade adenocarcinoma with a long latency. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) play a pivotal role in tumor progression, but it remains elusive whether and how PTEN-deficient prostate cancers reprogram CAFs to overcome the barriers for tumor progression. Here, we report that PTEN deficiency induced Krüppel-like factor 5 (KLF5) acetylation and that interruption of KLF5 acetylation orchestrated intricate interactions between cancer cells and CAFs that enhance FGF receptor 1 (FGFR1) signaling and promote tumor growth. Deacetylated KLF5 promoted tumor cells to secrete TNF-α, which stimulated inflammatory CAFs to release FGF9. CX3CR1 inhibition blocked FGFR1 activation triggered by FGF9 and sensitized PTEN-deficient prostate cancer to the AKT inhibitor capivasertib. This study reveals the role of KLF5 acetylation in reprogramming CAFs and provides a rationale for combined therapies using inhibitors of AKT and CX3CR1. Show less
Spautin-1 is a well-known macroautophagy/autophagy inhibitor via suppressing the deubiquitinases USP10 and USP13 and promoting the degradation of the PIK3C3/VPS34-BECN1 complex, while its effect on se Show more
Spautin-1 is a well-known macroautophagy/autophagy inhibitor via suppressing the deubiquitinases USP10 and USP13 and promoting the degradation of the PIK3C3/VPS34-BECN1 complex, while its effect on selective autophagy remains poorly understood. Mitophagy is a selective form of autophagy for removal of damaged and superfluous mitochondria via the autophagy-lysosome pathway. Here, we report a surprising discovery that, while spautin-1 remains as an effective autophagy inhibitor, it promotes PINK1-PRKN-dependent mitophagy induced by mitochondrial damage agents. Mechanistically, spautin-1 facilitates the stabilization and activation of the full-length PINK1 at the outer mitochondrial membrane (OMM) via binding to components of the TOMM complex (TOMM70 and TOMM20), leading to the disruption of the mitochondrial import of PINK1 and prevention of PARL-mediated PINK1 cleavage. Moreover, spautin-1 induces neuronal mitophagy in Show less
Tunable luminescence-assisted information storage and encryption holds increasing significance in today's society. A promising approach to incorporating the benefits of both organic long persistent lu Show more
Tunable luminescence-assisted information storage and encryption holds increasing significance in today's society. A promising approach to incorporating the benefits of both organic long persistent luminescent (LPL) materials and rare-earth (RE) luminescence lies in utilizing organic host materials to sensitize RE luminescence, as well as employing Förster resonance energy transfer from hydrogen-bonded organic framework (HOF) phosphorescence to RE compound luminescence. This work introduces a one-pot, in situ pyrolytic condensation method, achieved through high-temperature melting calcination, to synthesize lanthanide ion-doped HOF materials. This method circumvents the drawback of molecular triplet energy annihilation, enabling the creation of organic LPL materials with RE characteristics. The HOF material serves as the host, exhibiting blue phosphorescence and cyan LPL. By fine-tuning the doping amount, the composite material U-Tb-100 achieves green LPL with a luminescent quantum yield of 56.4 %, and an LPL duration of approximately 2-3 s, demonstrating tunable persistence. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction, spectral analysis, and theoretical calculation unveil that U-Tb-100 exhibits exceptional quantum yield and long-lived luminescence primarily due to the efficient sensitization of U monomer to RE ions and the PRET process between U and RE complexes. This ingenious strategy not only expands the repertoire of HOF materials but also facilitates the design of multifunctional LPL materials. Show less
The lion-head goose is the only large goose species in China, and it is one of the largest goose species in the world. Lion-head geese have a strong tolerance for massive energy intake and show a prio Show more
The lion-head goose is the only large goose species in China, and it is one of the largest goose species in the world. Lion-head geese have a strong tolerance for massive energy intake and show a priority of fat accumulation in liver tissue through special feeding. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the impact of high feed intake compared to normal feeding conditions on the transcriptome changes associated with fatty liver development in lion-head geese. In this study, 20 healthy adult lion-head geese were randomly assigned to a control group (CONTROL, n = 10) and high-intake-fed group (CASE, n = 10). After 38 d of treatment, all geese were sacrificed, and liver samples were collected. Three geese were randomly selected from the CONTROL and CASE groups, respectively, to perform whole-transcriptome analysis to analyze the key regulatory genes. We identified 716 differentially expressed mRNAs, 145 differentially expressed circRNAs, and 39 differentially expressed lncRNAs, including upregulated and downregulated genes. GO enrichment analysis showed that these genes were significantly enriched in molecular function. The node degree analysis and centrality metrics of the mRNA-lncRNA-circRNA triple regulatory network indicate the presence of crucial functional nodes in the network. We identified differentially expressed genes, including Show less
Sisi Zheng, Sitong Feng, Nan Song+8 more · 2024 · The world journal of biological psychiatry : the official journal of the World Federation of Societies of Biological Psychiatry · Taylor & Francis · added 2026-04-24
Depersonalisation-derealization disorder (DPD) is a dissociative disorder that impairs cognitive function and occupational performance. Emerging evidence indicate the levels of tumour necrosis factor- Show more
Depersonalisation-derealization disorder (DPD) is a dissociative disorder that impairs cognitive function and occupational performance. Emerging evidence indicate the levels of tumour necrosis factor-α and interleukin associated with the dissociative symptoms. In this study, we aimed to explore the role of the immune system in the pathology of DPD. We screened the protein expression in serum samples of 30 DPD patients and 32 healthy controls. Using a mass spectrometry-based proteomic approach, we identified differential proteins that were verified in another group of 25 DPD patients and 30 healthy controls using immune assays. Finally, we performed a correlation analysis between the expression of differential proteins and clinical symptoms of patients with DPD. We identified several dysregulated proteins in patients with DPD compared to HCs, including decreased levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), complement C1q subcomponent subunit B, apolipoprotein A-IV, and increased levels of alpha-1-antichymotrypsin (SERPINA3). Moreover, the expression of CRP was positively correlated with visuospatial memory and the ability to inhibit cognitive interference of DPD. The expression of SERPINA3 was positively correlated with the ability to inhibit cognitive interference and negatively correlated with the perceptual alterations of DPD. The dysregulation of the immune system may be the underlying biological mechanism in DPD. And the expressions of CRP and SERPINA3 can be the potential predictors for the cognitive performance of DPD. Show less
Neurexin-3 (Nrxn3) has been genetically associated with obesity, but the underlying neural mechanisms remain poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate the role of Nrxn3 in the paraventricular Show more
Neurexin-3 (Nrxn3) has been genetically associated with obesity, but the underlying neural mechanisms remain poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate the role of Nrxn3 in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN) in regulating energy balance and glucose homeostasis. We found that Nrxn3 expression in the PVN was upregulated in response to metabolic stressors, including cold exposure and fasting. Using Cre-loxP technology, we selectively ablated Nrxn3 in CaMKIIα-expressing neurons of the PVN in male mice. This genetic manipulation resulted in marked weight gain attributable to increased adiposity and impaired glucose tolerance, without affecting food intake. Our findings identify PVN CaMKIIα-expressing neurons as a critical locus where Nrxn3 modulates energy balance by regulating adipogenesis and glucose metabolism, independently of appetite. These results reveal a novel neural mechanism potentially linking Nrxn3 dysfunction to obesity pathogenesis, suggesting that targeting PVN Nrxn3-dependent neural pathways may inform new therapeutic approaches for obesity prevention and treatment. Show less
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease caused by the deterioration of cartilage. However, the underlying mechanisms of OA pathogenesis remain elusive. Hub genes were screened by bioinform Show more
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease caused by the deterioration of cartilage. However, the underlying mechanisms of OA pathogenesis remain elusive. Hub genes were screened by bioinformatics analysis based on the GSE114007 and GSE169077 datasets. The Sprague-Dawley (SD) rat model of OA was constructed by intra-articular injection of a mixture of papain and L-cysteine. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to detect pathological changes in OA rat models. Inflammatory cytokine levels in serum were measured employing the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The reverse transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) was implemented to assess the hub gene expressions in OA rat models. The roles of PDK4 and the mechanism regulating the PPAR pathway were evaluated through western blot, cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8), ELISA, and flow cytometry assays in C28/I2 chondrocytes induced by IL-1β. Six hub genes were identified, of which COL1A1, POSTN, FAP, and CDH11 expressions were elevated, while PDK4 and ANGPTL4 were reduced in OA. Overexpression of PDK4 inhibited apoptosis, inflammatory cytokine levels (TNF-α, IL-8, and IL-6), and extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation protein expressions (MMP-3, MMP-13, and ADAMTS-4) in IL-1β-induced chondrocytes. Further investigation revealed that PDK4 promoted the expression of PPAR signaling pathway-related proteins: PPARA, PPARD, and ACSL1. Additionally, GW9662, an inhibitor of the PPAR pathway, significantly counteracted the inhibitory effect of PDK4 overexpression on IL-1β-induced chondrocytes. PDK4 inhibits OA development by activating the PPAR pathway, which provides new insights into the OA management. Show less
Previous studies show that spinal cord ischemia and hypoxia is an important cause of spinal cord necrosis and neurological loss. Therefore, the study aimed to identify genes related to ischemia and hy Show more
Previous studies show that spinal cord ischemia and hypoxia is an important cause of spinal cord necrosis and neurological loss. Therefore, the study aimed to identify genes related to ischemia and hypoxia after spinal cord injury (SCI) and analyze their functions, regulatory mechanism, and potential in regulating immune infiltration. The expression profiles of GSE5296, GSE47681, and GSE217797 were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. Gene ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analyses were performed to determine the function and pathway enrichment of ischemia- and hypoxia-related differentially expressed genes (IAHRDEGs) in SCI. LASSO model was constructed, and support vector machine analysis was used to identify key genes. The diagnostic values of key genes were evaluated using decision curve analysis and receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. The interaction networks of miRNAs-IAHRDEGs and IAHRDEGs-transcription factors were predicted and constructed with the ENCORI database and Cytoscape software. CIBERSORT algorithm was utilized to analyze the correlation between key gene expression and immune cell infiltration. There were 27 IAHRDEGs identified to be significantly expressed in SCI at first. These genes were mostly significantly enriched in wound healing function and the pathway associated with lipid and atherosclerosis. Next, five key IAHRDEGs (Abca1, Casp1, Lpl, Procr, Tnfrsf1a) were identified and predicted to have diagnostic value. Moreover, the five key genes are closely related to immune cell infiltration. Abca1, Casp1, Lpl, Procr, and Tnfrsf1a may promote the pathogenesis of ischemic or hypoxic SCI by regulating vascular damage, inflammation, and immune infiltration. Show less
Steroid-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head (SONFH) is a prevalent form of osteonecrosis in young individuals. More efficacious clinical strategies must be used to prevent and treat this conditi Show more
Steroid-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head (SONFH) is a prevalent form of osteonecrosis in young individuals. More efficacious clinical strategies must be used to prevent and treat this condition. One of the mechanisms through which SONFH operates is the disruption of normal differentiation in bone marrow adipocytes and osteoblasts due to prolonged and extensive use of glucocorticoids (GCs). In vitro, it was observed that atorvastatin (ATO) effectively suppressed the impact of dexamethasone (DEX) on bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs), specifically by augmenting their lipogenic differentiation while impeding their osteogenic differentiation. To investigate the underlying mechanisms further, we conducted transcriptome sequencing of BMSCs subjected to different treatments, leading to the identification of Wnt5a as a crucial gene regulated by ATO. The analyses showed that ATO exhibited the ability to enhance the expression of Wnt5a and modulate the MAPK pathway while regulating the Wnt canonical signaling pathway via the WNT5A/LRP5 pathway. Our experimental findings provide further evidence that the combined treatment of ATO and DEX effectively mitigates the effects of DEX, resulting in the upregulation of osteogenic genes (Runx2, Alpl, Tnfrsf11b, Ctnnb1, Col1a) and the downregulation of adipogenic genes (Pparg, Cebpb, Lpl), meanwhile leading to the upregulation of Wnt5a expression. So, this study offers valuable insights into the potential mechanism by which ATO can be utilized in the prevention of SONFH, thereby holding significant implications for the prevention and treatment of SONFH in clinical settings. Show less
Class B1 G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are important regulators of many physiological functions such as glucose homeostasis, which is mainly mediated by three peptide hormones, i.e., glucagon-li Show more
Class B1 G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are important regulators of many physiological functions such as glucose homeostasis, which is mainly mediated by three peptide hormones, i.e., glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), glucagon (GCG), and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP). They trigger a cascade of signaling events leading to the formation of an active agonist-receptor-G protein complex. However, intracellular signal transducers can also activate the receptor independent of extracellular stimuli, suggesting an intrinsic role of G proteins in this process. Here, we report cryo-electron microscopy structures of the human GLP-1 receptor (GLP-1R), GCG receptor (GCGR), and GIP receptor (GIPR) in complex with G Show less
Geese evolved from migratory birds, and when they consume excessive high-energy feed, glucose is converted into triglycerides. A large amount of triglyceride deposition can induce incomplete oxidation Show more
Geese evolved from migratory birds, and when they consume excessive high-energy feed, glucose is converted into triglycerides. A large amount of triglyceride deposition can induce incomplete oxidation of fatty acids, leading to lipid accumulation in the liver and the subsequent formation of fatty liver. In the Chaoshan region of Guangdong, China, Shitou geese develop a unique form of fatty liver through 24 h overfeeding of brown rice. To investigate the mechanisms underlying the formation of fatty liver in Shitou geese, we collected liver samples from normally fed and overfed geese. The results showed that the liver size in the treatment group was significantly larger, weighing 3.5 times more than that in the control group. Extensive infiltration of lipid droplets was observed in the liver upon staining of tissue sections. Biochemical analysis revealed that compared to the control group, the treatment group showed significantly elevated levels of total cholesterol (T-CHO), triglycerides (TG), and glycogen in the liver. However, no significant differences were observed in the levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), which are common indicators of liver damage. Furthermore, we performed a combined transcriptomic and lipidomic analysis of the liver samples and identified 1,510 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and 1,559 significantly differentially abundant metabolites (SDMs). The enrichment analysis of the DEGs revealed their enrichment in metabolic pathways, cellular process-related signaling pathways, and specific lipid metabolism pathways. We also conducted KEGG enrichment analysis of the SDMs and compared them with the enriched signaling pathways obtained from the DEGs. In this study, we identified 3 key signaling pathways involved in the formation of fatty liver in Shitou geese, namely, the biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids, glycerol lipid metabolism, and glycerophospholipid metabolism. In these pathways, genes such as glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase, mitochondrial (GPAM), 1-acylglycerol-3-phosphate O-acyltransferase 2 (AGPAT2), diacylglycerol O-acyltransferase 2 (DGAT2), lipase, endothelial (LIPG), lipoprotein lipase (LPL), phospholipase D family member 4 (PLD4), and phospholipase A2 group IVF (PLA2G4F) may regulate the synthesis of metabolites, including triacylglycerol (TG), phosphatidate (PA), 1,2-diglyceride (DG), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), and phosphatidylcholine (PC). These genes and metabolites may play a predominant role in the development of fatty liver, ultimately promoting the accumulation of TG in the liver and leading to the progression of fatty liver. Show less