The beak bean, found only in waterfowl and Galliformes, aids in foraging, self-defense and pecking hard objects. Its rich coloration results from prolonged evolutionary adaptation. This study analyzed Show more
The beak bean, found only in waterfowl and Galliformes, aids in foraging, self-defense and pecking hard objects. Its rich coloration results from prolonged evolutionary adaptation. This study analyzed beak bean phenotypes of duck at 10, 20, 30 and 40 days of age, revealing that the most common type is the black beak bean, characterized by melanin deposition on the beak surface. This study performed single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)-based genome-wide association studies (GWASs) to investigate the genetic basis of beak bean color, identifying signals on chromosome 1. The copy number variation region-based GWAS revealed a consistent candidate region overlapping with the SNP-based GWAS signals, further supporting the importance of this genomic region. Locus zoom analysis further refined the candidate regions to 48.5-50.5 and 50.8-52.8 Mb. Functional enrichment analysis highlighted six candidate genes within these regions: KITLG, DUSP6, GALNT4, MGAT4C, ATP2B1 and NTS. Notably, KITLG and DUSP6, which are linked to melanin production, were identified as key candidate genes for beak bean color. Our finding revealed the genetic basis of the bean color traits for the first time in ducks, providing a theoretical foundation and technological framework for enhancing duck beak coloration. Show less
Postnatal respiration requires bulk formation of alveoli that produces extensive surface area for gas diffusion from epithelium to the circulatory system. Alveolar morphogenesis initiates at late gest Show more
Postnatal respiration requires bulk formation of alveoli that produces extensive surface area for gas diffusion from epithelium to the circulatory system. Alveolar morphogenesis initiates at late gestation or postnatal stage during mammalian development and is mediated by coordination among multiple cell types. Here we show that fibroblast-derived Heparan Sulfate Glycosaminoglycan (HS-GAG) is essential for maintaining a niche that supports alveolar formation by modulating both biophysical and biochemical cues. Gli1-CreER mediated deletion of HS synthase gene Ext1 in lung fibroblasts results in enlarged and simplified alveolar structures. Ablation of HS results in loss of a subset of PDGFRα Show less
Skeletal muscle is the largest tissue in mammals, and it plays a crucial role in metabolism and homeostasis. Skeletal muscle development and regeneration consist of a series of carefully regulated cha Show more
Skeletal muscle is the largest tissue in mammals, and it plays a crucial role in metabolism and homeostasis. Skeletal muscle development and regeneration consist of a series of carefully regulated changes in gene expression. Leiomodin2 (LMOD2) gene is specifically expressed in the heart and skeletal muscle. But the physiological functions and mechanisms of LMOD2 on skeletal muscle development are unknown. In this study, we examined the expression levels of the LMOD2 in porcine tissues and C2C12 cells. LMOD2 is mainly expressed in the heart, followed by skeletal muscle. The expression level of LMOD2 gradually decreased with skeletal muscle growth, but increased after injury. LMOD2 expression levels increased gradually with C2C12 cells proliferation and differentiation. In terms of function, the muscle fiber types were altered after LMOD2 was knocked out in C2C12 cells, MyHC-I and MyHC-2b were inhibited, whereas MyHC-2a and MyHC-2x were promoted. LMOD2 knockout has different effects on LMOD family, LMOD1 expression level was promoted, while LMOD3 was inhibited. Loss of LMOD2 suppressed cell viability and PAX7 protein expression. At the transcriptome level, proliferation-related genes and muscle contraction-related genes were respectively inhibited after LMOD2 knockout. In terms of molecular networks, a series of experiments have shown that MyoG is a transcription factor for LMOD2, while miR-335-3p can negatively regulate LMOD2 expression. We screened ACTC1 as a candidate interacting protein for LMOD2 using protein prediction software and RNA-seq, and Co-IP experiments confirmed the relationship between LMOD2 and ACTC1. In vivo, Lentivirus-mediated LMOD2 knockdown reduces muscle mass. LMOD2 knockdown inhibited MyHC-I mRNA expression, but had no effect on MyHC-2b. The protein expression of MyHC-I, MyHC-2x, and MyHC-2b was suppressed after LMOD2 knockdown. Collectively, our data indicates that LMOD2 knockout inhibits myoblast proliferation and alters muscle fiber types. MyoG is a transcription factor for LMOD2, while miR-335-3p can negatively regulate LMOD2 expression. Moreover, LMOD2 and ACTC1 interact to regulate myogenic differentiation. Our study provides a new target for skeletal muscle development. Show less
This study aimed to investigate the expression pattern of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase class III (PIK3C3/vps34) in gastric cancer (GC) tissues and their juxtaposed normal counterparts and its correla Show more
This study aimed to investigate the expression pattern of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase class III (PIK3C3/vps34) in gastric cancer (GC) tissues and their juxtaposed normal counterparts and its correlation with the clinicopathological attributes and prognostic outlook of afflicted individuals. Immunohistochemical (IHC) staining was used to ascertain the expression levels of PIK3C3/vps34 across 60 GC tissues juxtaposed with their normal counterparts. Statistical methodologies were used to scrutinize the correlation between PIK3C3/vps34 expression and clinicopathological features, along with prognostic implications for GC patients. In GC tissues, the positive expression rate of PIK3C3/vps34 was 23.3% (14/60), which contrasted sharply with the markedly elevated rate of 66.7% (40/60) observed in adjacent tissues. The positive expression proportion of PIK3C3/vps34 within GC tissues exhibited a notable decrease than in adjacent tissues (P < 0.05). The expression of PIK3C3/vps34 inversely correlated with tumor size, degree of tissue differentiation, depth of tumor infiltration, and incidence of lymph node metastasis (P < 0.05), whereas no significant associations were found with patient sex, age, tumor location, TNM staging, or distant metastasis (P > 0.05). As the tumor diameter increases, the degree of tissue differentiation diminishes, tumor infiltration depth intensifies, lymph node metastasis emerges, the TNM stage progresses, and PIK3C3/vps34 expression level within GC tissues declines correspondingly. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis unveiled a prolonged survival duration among GC patients exhibiting heightened PIK3C3/vps34 expression than in their counterparts with diminished expression (HR=0.66, 95% CI: 0.55-0.80), demonstrating statistical significance (P < 0.05). Protein interaction analysis revealed noteworthy interactions involving PIK3C3 with Beclin 1, UVRAG, and ATG14. PIK3C3/vps34 is downregulated in GC tissues, exerting a pivotal role in tumorigenesis, and is intimately linked with the prognostic trajectory of GC patients. It may serve as a significant biomarker for prognostic evaluation and a promising molecular therapeutic target for GC. Show less
The increasing global aging population presents significant challenges related to cognitive decline, mental health disorders, and social isolation. Martial arts exercise emerges as a multifaceted inte Show more
The increasing global aging population presents significant challenges related to cognitive decline, mental health disorders, and social isolation. Martial arts exercise emerges as a multifaceted intervention promoting mental health and cognitive vitality among older adults by integrating physical activity, cognitive engagement, and social interaction. This review synthesizes evidence on the neural mechanisms underlying the benefits of martial arts, highlighting their role in enhancing brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression, neuroplasticity, and neural connectivity, which support improved executive functions, memory, and emotional regulation. Both hard martial arts and soft practices, such as Tai Chi, offer distinct advantages in addressing age-related cognitive and psychosocial challenges. Additionally, martial arts foster strong social support systems, reducing loneliness and enhancing emotional resilience through community engagement and shared achievement. Physical and functional benefits, including improved strength, balance, and cardiovascular health, further contribute to overall well-being. Despite promising results, current studies are limited by heterogeneity in martial arts styles, short intervention durations, and variable methodologies. Future research should focus on long-term, standardized interventions employing advanced neuroimaging and biomarker assessments to better elucidate mechanisms and optimize training protocols. Integrating martial arts into health promotion strategies holds substantial potential for enhancing mental health, cognitive resilience, and quality of life in aging populations. Show less
Liver X receptor α (LXRα) plays an important role in inflammatory immune response induced by hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) and acute rejection (AR). Macrophage M1-polarization play an impo Show more
Liver X receptor α (LXRα) plays an important role in inflammatory immune response induced by hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) and acute rejection (AR). Macrophage M1-polarization play an important role in the occurrence and development of AR. Although the activation of LXR has anti-inflammatory effects, the role of LXRα in AR after liver transplantation (LT) has not been elucidated. We aimed to investigate LXRα anti-inflammatory and macrophage polarization regulation effects and mechanisms in acute rejection rat models. LXRα anti-inflammatory and liver function protective effects was initially measured in primary Kupffer cells and LT rat models. Subsequently, a flow cytometry assay was used to detect the regulation effect of LXRα in macrophage polarization. HE staining, TUNEL and ELISA were used to evaluate the co-treatment effects of TO901317 and tacrolimus on hepatic apoptosis and liver acute rejection after LT. In this study, we found that LPS can inhibit the expression of LXRα and activate MAPK pathway and PI3K/AKT/mTOR. We also found that LXRα agonist (TO901317) could improve liver function and rat survival after LT by activating the level of ABCA1 and inhibiting MAPK. TO901317 could inhibit macrophage M1-polarization by activating PI3K/AKT/mTOR signal pathway to improve the liver lesion of AR rats after liver transplantation. Additionally, co-treatment with TO901317 and tacrolimus more effectively alleviated the damaging effects of AR following LT than either drug alone. Our results suggest that the activation of LXRα can improve liver function and rat survival after LT by regulate ABCA1/MAPK and PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling axis in macrophages. Show less
This study aimed to investigate the role of Apolipoprotein B (Apo B) in diabetic nephropathy (DN) from epidemiological and genetic perspectives. We employed weighted multivariable-adjusted logistic re Show more
This study aimed to investigate the role of Apolipoprotein B (Apo B) in diabetic nephropathy (DN) from epidemiological and genetic perspectives. We employed weighted multivariable-adjusted logistic regression to assess the relationship between ApoB and DN risk, utilizing data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey spanning 2007-2016. Then, we used restricted cubic splines (RCS) to flexibly model and visualize the relation of predicted ApoB levels with DN risk. Subsequently, a bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization study using genome-wide association study summary statistics was performed. The primary Inverse Variance Weighted method, along with supplementary MR approaches, was employed to verify the causal link between ApoB and DN. Sensitivity analyses were conducted to confirm the robustness of the results. Our observational study enrolled 2242 participants with diabetes mellitus from NHANES. The multivariable logistic regression model indicated that elevated ApoB levels (>1.2 g/L), compared to low levels (<0.8 g/L), were significantly associated with DN risk (P < 0.05). The RCS model revealed a positive linear association with the risk of DN when ApoB levels exceeded 1.12 g/L (OR = 1.29, 95% CI: 1.07-1.57, P = 0.008). However, the MR IVW method did not reveal a direct causal effect of DN on ApoB (OR: 0.976; 95% CI: 0.950-1.004; P = 0.095), nor a direct causal effect of ApoB on DN (OR: 0.837; 95% CI: 0.950-1.078; P = 0.428). The evidence from observational studies indicates a positive correlation between ApoB levels exceeding 1.12 g/L and the onset of DN. However, the causal effects of ApoB on DN and vice versa were not supported by the MR analysis. Show less
Limited identification of insulin resistance-associated loci hinders understanding of its role in cardiometabolic health, impeding therapeutic strategies. We apply three multivariate genome-wide assoc Show more
Limited identification of insulin resistance-associated loci hinders understanding of its role in cardiometabolic health, impeding therapeutic strategies. We apply three multivariate genome-wide association study approaches on homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance, insulin resistance index, fasting insulin, and ratio of triglycerides to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol from MAGIC and UK Biobank to develop a comprehensive phenotype ('mvIR'), and identify 217 independent loci, including 24 novel loci. The mvIR is causally associated with higher risks of 17 cardiometabolic diseases and five aging phenotypes, independent of adiposity and sarcopenia. We outline 21 of 2644 druggable genes for insulin resistance by Mendelian randomization and colocalization, where six genes (AKT1, ERBB3, FCGR1A, FGFR1, LPL, NR1H3) encode targets for approved drugs with consistent directions in alleviating insulin resistance, with no significant side effects revealed by phenome-wide association study. This study uncovers novel loci and therapeutic targets to inform strategies promoting insulin resistance-centered cardiometabolic health and longevity. Show less
Social interaction with others is essential to life. Although social isolation and loneliness have been implicated as increased risks of cardiometabolic and cardiovascular diseases and all-cause morta Show more
Social interaction with others is essential to life. Although social isolation and loneliness have been implicated as increased risks of cardiometabolic and cardiovascular diseases and all-cause mortality, the cellular and molecular mechanisms by which social connection maintains cardiometabolic and cardiovascular health remain largely unresolved. To investigate how social connection protects against cardiometabolic and cardiovascular diseases, atherosclerosis-prone, high-fat diet-fed These results identify a novel brain-liver axis that links sociality to hepatic lipid metabolism, thus proposing a potential therapeutic strategy for loneliness-associated atherosclerosis progression. Show less
The present case report presents the diagnostic challenges of pediatric diffuse low-grade glioma (pDLGG) with oligodendroglioma-like features. The patient, an 11-year-old girl, presented with refracto Show more
The present case report presents the diagnostic challenges of pediatric diffuse low-grade glioma (pDLGG) with oligodendroglioma-like features. The patient, an 11-year-old girl, presented with refractory epilepsy and brain imaging did not provide a clear diagnosis. Intraoperatively, the tumor appeared gray-yellow to gray-red, with moderate texture and unclear borders, consistent with LGG. Postoperative pathology showed diffuse infiltrative growth of the tumor, with pleomorphic cell morphology and oligodendroglioma-like gliocyte proliferation. Staining was positive for markers such as glial fibrillary acidic protein and Olig-2. Genomic analysis revealed BRAF V600E, fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR)1 and FGFR4 mutations, but no IDH mutations or other related mutations. The final diagnosis was pDLGG with alterations in the MAPK pathway. The present case underscores the importance of molecular and histological features in the diagnosis of pDLGG, especially when clinical and imaging characteristics are atypical, as molecular diagnostics provide key insights for disease classification. Show less
The interplay between intracellular and intravascular lipolysis is crucial for maintaining circulating lipid levels and systemic energy homeostasis. Adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL) and lipoprotein Show more
The interplay between intracellular and intravascular lipolysis is crucial for maintaining circulating lipid levels and systemic energy homeostasis. Adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL) and lipoprotein lipase (LPL), the primary triglyceride (TG) lipases responsible for these two spatially separate processes, are highly expressed in adipose tissue. Yet the mechanisms underlying their coordinated regulation remain undetermined. Here, we demonstrate that genetic ablation of G0S2, a specific inhibitory protein of ATGL, completely abolished diet-induced hypertriglyceridemia and significantly attenuated atherogenesis in mice. These effects were attributable to enhanced whole-body TG clearance, not altered hepatic TG secretion. Specifically, G0S2 deletion increased circulating LPL concentration and activity, predominantly through LPL production from white adipose tissue (WAT). Strikingly, transplantation of G0S2-deficient WAT normalized plasma TG levels in mice with hypertriglyceridemia. In conjunction with improved insulin sensitivity and decreased ANGPTL4 expression, the absence of G0S2 enhanced the stability of LPL protein in adipocytes, a phenomenon that could be reversed upon ATGL inhibition. Collectively, these findings highlight the pivotal role of adipocyte G0S2 in regulating both intracellular and intravascular lipolysis, and the possibility of targeting G0S2 as a viable pharmacological approach to reducing levels of circulating TGs. Show less
As the most common primary malignant bone tumor, further investigation into risk stratification for osteosarcoma (OS) prognosis is of significant clinical importance. Copper is essential for bone meta Show more
As the most common primary malignant bone tumor, further investigation into risk stratification for osteosarcoma (OS) prognosis is of significant clinical importance. Copper is essential for bone metabolism; however, its specific role in OS remains unclear. The expression characteristics of copper metabolism related genes (CORGs) in OS were revealed by single cell sequencing. Prognosis-associated CORGs were identified, and a CORG-related scoring system and risk model were established using bioinformatics approaches, including univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses and LASSO analysis. We further analyzed immune microenvironment infiltration, molecular subtypes and clinicopathological characteristics. The impact of selected CORG with high-risk coefficient on OS cells was tested by qRT-PCR, western blot, siRNA, colony formation analysis and Transwell in vitro. We successfully developed an OS scoring system related to copper metabolism and validated its independent prognostic value in patients with OS. The potential clinical value of CORG scoring system was analyzed. APOA4 was selected for in vitro experiments and its effect on the proliferation and invasion ability of OS cells was verified. We established a copper metabolism-related scoring system to effectively stratify the risk of OS patients. Our results provide a new basis for the role of copper metabolism in OS and provide new potential targets for the treatment of OS. Show less
Ursolic acid (UA) exhibits antitumor activity; however, its effects and mechanisms on triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells are not well understood. The present study aimed to explore the anti- T Show more
Ursolic acid (UA) exhibits antitumor activity; however, its effects and mechanisms on triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells are not well understood. The present study aimed to explore the anti- TNBC mechanisms of UA by network pharmacology and experimental validation. TNBC cell lines MDA-MB-231 and BT-549 cells were treated with UA. A CCK-8 assay was performed to detect cell growth, while flow cytometry assessed cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. The underlying mechanism and potential targets of UA for TNBC treatment were investigated by network pharmacology, including PharmMapper database, GO, KEGG enrichment, and PPI analysis. The protein expressions and phosphorylation levels of FGFR1, AKT, and ERK were measured by western blot. Pull-down assay, cellular thermal shift assay (CETSA), and molecular docking were used to analyze the interaction between UA and FGFR1. Xenograft models were established to examine the effect of UA on TNBC tumor growth. UA effectively reduced cell viability, induced apoptosis, and arrested cell cycle in TNBC cells. Moreover, UA significantly regulated the expression of Bcl-2 and Bax to induce apoptosis. The results of network pharmacology and western blot suggested that UA reduced FGFR1/AKT/ERK pathway. Furthermore, pull-down, CETSA, and molecular docking results revealed that UA directly bound to FGFR1. In the xenograft model, UA inhibited the growth by suppressing FGFR1. In this study, we employed network pharmacology and experimental approaches to elucidate the mechanism of UA on TNBC. The results demonstrated that UA targeted FGFR1 to inhibit TNBC via mediating FGFR1/AKT/ERK pathway. Our findings demonstrate that UA inhibits the FGFR1/AKT/ERK pathway by directly targeting FGFR1, thereby suppressing TNBC progression and supporting its potential as a therapeutic agent for TNBC treatment. Show less
Cisplatin resistance in tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC) correlates with poor prognosis, where natural killer (NK) cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME) play a crucial role. This study invest Show more
Cisplatin resistance in tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC) correlates with poor prognosis, where natural killer (NK) cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME) play a crucial role. This study investigated the mechanism by which exosomes from cisplatin-resistant TSCC cells suppress NK cell function. We found that exosomal long non-coding RNA SNHG26, highly enriched in cisplatin-resistant TSCC cells and their exosomes, was transferred to NK cells. Within NK cells, SNHG26 acted as a scaffold promoting WWP2-mediated ubiquitination and degradation of the transcription factor SOX2, thereby inhibiting HLA-DRA transcription and subsequent IL-2/JAK-STAT5 signaling. Concurrently, SNHG26 competitively bound miR-515-5p, relieving its suppression of TGFB1 mRNA and activating the TGF-β1/Smad2 pathway. These dual mechanisms significantly impaired NK cell proliferation, activation, and cytotoxicity. SNHG26 depletion reversed NK cell suppression and cisplatin resistance in vitro and in vivo. Thus, our study identifies exosomal SNHG26 as a key mediator of cisplatin resistance and NK cell dysfunction in TSCC, suggesting its potential as a promising therapeutic target. Show less
This study aimed to investigate serum inflammatory factor levels of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in female patients with bipolar disorder (BD) to explore the related inflammatory molecular mechani Show more
This study aimed to investigate serum inflammatory factor levels of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in female patients with bipolar disorder (BD) to explore the related inflammatory molecular mechanisms preliminarily. The study recruited 72 female drug-naïve patients with BD and 98 female healthy controls (HCs). Demographic information, menstrual cycles, sex hormone levels, and ovarian ultrasound data were collected from them. Additionally, their serum inflammatory factor levels and the proteomics of peripheral blood mononuclear cells were analyzed. The levels of interleukin (IL)-8 and IL-13 were significantly higher in patients with BD than in HCs (p < 0.05), and the IL-8 level was higher in BD patients with PCOS than in those without (adjusted p = 0.07). Bioinformatics analysis revealed that downregulated genes with significant differences between the two groups were all involved in immune-inflammatory-related pathways, and the expression of downregulated genes BTN3A2, MAP2K5, JCHAIN-B, and DMAP1 showed substantial differences and consistent trends between the two groups. IL-8-related chronic inflammatory response is closely associated with PCOS in BD patients, and genes such as BTN3A2 may mediate this chronic inflammatory response by negatively regulating the abnormal differentiation of T helper 17 cells, serving as one of the mechanisms underlying its pathogenesis. Show less
Detecting early ischemic lesions (EIL) in computed tomography (CT) images is crucial for reducing diagnostic time and minimizing neuron loss due to oxygen deprivation. This paper introduces DCTP-Net, Show more
Detecting early ischemic lesions (EIL) in computed tomography (CT) images is crucial for reducing diagnostic time and minimizing neuron loss due to oxygen deprivation. This paper introduces DCTP-Net, a dual-branch network for segmenting acute ischemic stroke lesions in CT images, consisting of a segmentation branch and a prompt-aware branch. The segmentation branch uses an encoder-decoder network as the backbone to identify lesions, where the encoder fuses CT image features with prompt features from the prompt-aware branch. To enhance semantic feature extraction and reduce the impact of cerebral structural details, we introduce a cross-collaboration dynamic connection (CCDC) module to link the encoder and decoder. The prompt-aware branch includes a learnable prompt (LP) block to incorporate cerebral prior knowledge, and the prompt-aware encoder (PAE) combines the LP block with multi-level features from the segmentation branch for more precise representation. Additionally, we propose a CLIP-enhance textual prompt (CETP) module that utilizes the CLIP text encoder to generate specialized convolutional parameters for the segmentation head. These parameters are tailored to the unique characteristics of each input image, improving segmentation performance. Qualitative and quantitative studies reveal that DCTP-Net outperforms the current state-of-the-art, IS-Net, with Dice score increases of 3.9% on AISD and 3.8% on ISLES2018, demonstrating its superiority in EIL segmentation. Show less
The poor prognosis of glioblastoma (GBM) patients is attributed mainly to abundant neovascularization and presence of glioblastoma stem cells (GSCs). GSCs are preferentially localized to the perivascu Show more
The poor prognosis of glioblastoma (GBM) patients is attributed mainly to abundant neovascularization and presence of glioblastoma stem cells (GSCs). GSCs are preferentially localized to the perivascular niche to maintain stemness. However, the effect of abnormal communication between endothelial cells (ECs) and GSCs on GBM progression remains unknown. Here, we reveal that ECs-derived SEMA3G, which is aberrantly expressed in GBM patients, impairs GSCs by inducing c-Myc degradation. SEMA3G activates NRP2/PLXNA1 in a paracrine manner, subsequently inducing the inactivation of Cdc42 and dissociation of Cdc42 and WWP2 in GSCs. Once released, WWP2 interacts with c-Myc and mediates c-Myc degradation via ubiquitination. Genetic deletion of Sema3G in ECs accelerates GBM growth, whereas SEMA3G overexpression or recombinant SEMA3G protein prolongs the survival of GBM bearing mice. These findings illustrate that ECs play an intrinsic inhibitory role in GSCs stemness via the SMEA3G-c-Myc distal regulation paradigm. Targeting SEMA3G signaling may have promising therapeutic benefits for GBM patients. Show less
Observational studies have identified a possible connection between lipid-lowering medications and respiratory illnesses. However, it remains unclear whether lipid-lowering drugs is causative for resp Show more
Observational studies have identified a possible connection between lipid-lowering medications and respiratory illnesses. However, it remains unclear whether lipid-lowering drugs is causative for respiratory diseases, and we aimed to answer this question. We performed Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses by integrating data from genome-wide association studies (GWAS). Three statistical approaches were employed for MR analysis: inverse variance weighting (IVW), MR-Egger, and weighted median. The purpose was to evaluate the causal relationships between 10 drug targets that lower lipid levels and the likelihood of developing 7 respiratory diseases. Additional sensitivity analyses were conducted to ensure the robustness and validity of the results. After adjusting for multiple testing, our MR analysis identified APOB (odd ratios [OR]: 0.86; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.77 to 0.97; P Our findings suggest a likely causal relationship between respiratory diseases and lipid-lowering drug targets. Further mechanistic and clinical research is needed to confirm and validate these findings. Show less
The risk factors and clinical prediction of cardiovascular comorbidities in patients with breast cancer have not been fully clarified. This retrospective case-control study was designed to investigate Show more
The risk factors and clinical prediction of cardiovascular comorbidities in patients with breast cancer have not been fully clarified. This retrospective case-control study was designed to investigate the factors affecting myocardial ischemia occurrence in breast cancer patients. A total of 194 cases (144 breast cancer and 50 benign breast tumor patients) were included. Univariate and multivariable Cox regression found that ApoB, age, and HER2 were significant factors responsible for the myocardial ischemia occurrence in breast cancer patients. By comparing the significance of ApoB in breast cancer patients versus benign breast tumor patients, it was observed that ApoB and HER2 were crucial predictors of myocardial ischemia in breast cancer patients compared to those with benign breast tumors. These factors were utilized to construct the clinical prediction model, achieving a combined area under the curve (AUC) of 0.583. The decision curve analysis (DCA) indicated that the model-predicted population, within a threshold ranging from 0.35 to 0.70, would experience a therapeutically clinical net benefit. Kaplan-Meier plot indicated that ApoB We demonstrated that ApoB and HER2 were potential factors in predicting the myocardial ischemia occurrence in breast cancer patients. This study will help provide clinical evidence for the early prediction of cardiovascular comorbidities in breast cancer patients. Show less
Accelerated population aging and rising incidence of bone defects have intensified the need for advanced bone regeneration strategies. While tissue-engineered scaffolds fabricated via 3D printing offe Show more
Accelerated population aging and rising incidence of bone defects have intensified the need for advanced bone regeneration strategies. While tissue-engineered scaffolds fabricated via 3D printing offer promising alternatives to conventional grafts, most techniques fail to replicate the multi-scale fibrous architecture of native bone extracellular matrix, limiting their biofunctionality. To address this, we developed a hybrid manufacturing strategy integrating low-temperature thermally induced phase separation with extrusion-based 3D printing of polylactic acid (PLA) scaffolds. By optimizing solvent ratios (THF: DMF = 3:1) and freezing temperatures (-196 °C-4 °C), we produced scaffolds with tunable micro-nano fibrous surfaces and macroporous structures. Key findings revealed that scaffolds processed at -196 °C (PLA-196) exhibited the highest porosity (pore size: 6.01 ± 2.06 μm), superior hydrophilicity, and enhanced compressive modulus. These scaffolds significantly promoted BMSC adhesion, proliferation, and osteogenic differentiation via activation of Show less
BackgroundAlthough abnormalities in circulating lipids and lipoproteins are associated with increased cancer risk, their specific impact on lung cancer progression and prognosis is still unclear. This Show more
BackgroundAlthough abnormalities in circulating lipids and lipoproteins are associated with increased cancer risk, their specific impact on lung cancer progression and prognosis is still unclear. This study retrospectively assessed the influence of preoperative lipid and lipoprotein levels on non-small cell lung cancer progression and prognosis, stratified by age.MethodsIn this retrospective study, we analyzed 849 patients to investigate the association between lipid markers and lung cancer progression, and examined postoperative prognosis in a subset of 222 patients. Data was analyzed using restricted cubic spline curves, Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, and Cox proportional hazards models.ResultsA significant nonlinear relationship was observed between total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), ApoB, ApoAI, ApoE, and baseline tumor diameter (BSLD) (PTC = 0.025; PHDL < 0.001; PApoB = 0.037; PApoAI =0.001; PApoE < 0.001). In contrast, Lp(a) showed a significant linear relationship with BSLD (P = 0.002). The Cox regression analysis revealed that triglyceride (TG) (hazard ratio (HR) = 0.50, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.28-0.92, P = 0.025) was significantly negatively associated with lung cancer mortality in patients under 58 years. For patients over 58 years, higher ApoB levels were linked to a reduced risk of lung cancer death (HR = 0.59, 95% CI: 0.36-0.97, P = 0.038).ConclusionThis study reveals a significant negative correlation between ApoAI and HDL levels with BSLD, while Lp(a) shows a positive correlation. In terms of long-term prognosis, high-serum ApoB are associated with a lower mortality risk in all lung cancer patients, and high-serum TG levels associated with reduced mortality risk in patients aged under 58 while high-serum TC levels associated with reduced mortality risk in patients over 58, with high Lp(a) levels indicating a greater risk of mortality in older patients. Show less
To identify the various profiles of social isolation among 18-59-year-old patients with cancer in Western China and examine their demographic, clinical, and cultural predictors. This cross-sectional s Show more
To identify the various profiles of social isolation among 18-59-year-old patients with cancer in Western China and examine their demographic, clinical, and cultural predictors. This cross-sectional study included 300 patients from a tertiary hospital who completed standardized assessments of social isolation (Social Avoidance Scale, UCLA Loneliness Scale) and family functioning. Latent Profile Analysis (LPA) was used to identify the subgroups, and multinomial logistic regression was used to analyze predictors of the profiles. Three distinct latent profiles were identified: "avoidance-dominant" (52.3%), which was characterized by high levels of social avoidance (12.52 ± 1.38) and low loneliness (30.87 ± 6.89), "loneliness-dominant" (27.0%), which was characterized by high levels of loneliness (53.15 ± 6.24) and low social avoidance (2.07 ± 1.38), and "balanced" (20.7%), which was characterized by balanced scores on both the measures. Individuals with fatigue, employment status, personality traits, and family dynamics significantly predicted profile membership ( Social isolation was heterogeneous among young and middle-aged patients with cancer. Fatigue significantly predicted distinct patterns of social isolation. Furthermore, exploratory findings indicated a potential role of religious beliefs in the avoidance-dominant profile; however, replication with larger samples is required. Family dynamics may buffer the risk of isolation in patients prone to avoidance, whereas those dominated by loneliness may lack such safeguards. Health care providers can implement tailored interventions to mitigate social isolation based on these varying profiles. Show less
Xiang Lian, Xiaoyan Li, Kexin Wang+3 more · 2025 · Zhonghua yi xue yi chuan xue za zhi = Zhonghua yixue yichuanxue zazhi = Chinese journal of medical genetics · added 2026-04-24
To investigate the gene detection results of 2 patients with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) caused by complex heterozygous variation, and to clarify the relationship between clinical manifestation Show more
To investigate the gene detection results of 2 patients with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) caused by complex heterozygous variation, and to clarify the relationship between clinical manifestations and gene variation. Two patients (patient 1 and 2) with FH who visited Beijing Anzhen Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University in 2018 were selected as research subjects. A retrospective study method was used to collect clinical and family history data of the two patients. And 2 mL of peripheral venous blood from each of the two patients was collected, and genomic DNA extraction was performed on the blood samples. Sanger sequencing was used to validate the variant sites of the two patients detected by whole-exome sequencing (WES). Pathogenicity of variants was classified based on the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) Standards and Guidelines for the Classification of Genetic Variants (hereinafter referred to as the "ACMG Guidelines"), and the impact of variant was analyzed using multiple bioinformatics tools including SIFT, PolyPhen-2, and SWISS-MODEL. This study has been approved by Beijing Anzhen Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University (Ethics No. 2024215X). Patient 1 initially presented with early-onset coronary heart disease, with initial lipid levels of serum total cholesterol (TC) 9.86 mmol/L (normal reference value: 3.10~5.20 mmol/L) and serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) 8.37 mmol/L (normal reference value: 1.27~3.12 mmol/L) on admission. Patient 1 initially underwent treatment with rosuvastatin combined with ezetimibe for one month, but the lipid-lowering effect was not significant. The lipid-lowering therapy was then adjusted to atorvastatin combined with ezetimibe and probucol. After one year of treatment, the patient developed paroxysmal chest pain symptoms. A follow-up lipid profile showed a serum TC level of 4.50 mmol/L and a LDL-C level of 3.55 mmol/L. The lipid-lowering regimen was continued, and the serum LDL-C levels were maintained between 2.65 and 3.66 mmol/L. Patient 2 was found to have an abnormally high blood lipid level and carotid artery hardening during physical examination, with an initial blood lipid level of serum TC 11.82 mmol/L and serum LDL-C 9.63 mmol/L. After receiving rosuvastatain therapy, the lipid-lowering effect was significant. WES revealed that patient 1 carried the heterozygous variants c.1871₁₈₇₃del(p.Ile624del) and c.1747C>T (p.His583Tyr) in the LDLR gene (NM₀₀₀₅₂₇.4), while patient 2 carried the heterozygous variants c.1747C>T (p.His583Tyr) in the LDLR gene and c.6936₆₉₃₇inv (p.Ile2313Val) in the APOB gene (NM₀₀₀₃₈₄₎. According to the ACMG Guidelines, the LDLR gene c.1747C>T (p.His583Tyr) was classified as a pathogenic variant (PS3+PM1+PM2_supporting+PM5+PP2+PP3), and c.1871₁₈₇₃del (p.Ile624del) was classified as a pathogenic variant (PS3+PS4+PM2_supporting+PM1+PM4); the APOB gene c.6936₆₉₃₇inv (p.Ile2313Val) was classified as a variant of uncertain clinical significance (PM2_supporting BP4). Patients 1 and 2 in this study were patients with complex heterozygous variant FH, and their genotypic differences may be related to the differences in clinical serum LDL-C levels and the efficacy of hypolipidemic agents. Show less
Agonists and antagonists of the glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide receptor (GIPR) enhance body weight loss induced by glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) agonism. However, while GIPR Show more
Agonists and antagonists of the glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide receptor (GIPR) enhance body weight loss induced by glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) agonism. However, while GIPR agonism decreases body weight and food intake in a GLP-1R-independent manner via GABAergic GIPR Show less
Glucose homeostasis, essential for metabolic health, requires coordinated insulin and glucagon activity to maintain blood glucose balance. Dysregulation of glucose homeostasis causes hyperglycaemia an Show more
Glucose homeostasis, essential for metabolic health, requires coordinated insulin and glucagon activity to maintain blood glucose balance. Dysregulation of glucose homeostasis causes hyperglycaemia and glucose intolerance, hallmark features of type 2 diabetes. While SEC16 homologue B (SEC16B), an endoplasmic reticulum export factor, has been linked to obesity, type 2 diabetes and lipid metabolism, its role in glucose regulation remains poorly defined. This study aims to investigate SEC16B's contribution to glucose homeostasis by systematically dissecting its conserved physiological mechanisms across species. To interrogate SEC16B's role, we combined Drosophila genetics (RNA interference-mediated dSec16 knockdown) with murine models (Sec16b deletion) under standard or high-fat diet conditions. Glucose and insulin tolerance tests assessed glucose homeostasis. Mechanistic insights into beta cell dysfunction were derived from immunostaining, glucose-stimulated insulin secretion assays and RNA-seq profiling of murine pancreatic islets. Both disruption of dSec16 in Drosophila and Sec16b deletion in mice triggered glucose intolerance under standard diet conditions, recapitulating conserved metabolic dysfunction. In addition, Sec16b loss impaired glycaemic control in mice fed a high-fat diet. Mechanistically, Sec16b deficiency impairs insulin secretion by downregulating cholinergic signalling and compromising intracellular Ca Our study reveals SEC16B, a genome-wide association study-identified obesity risk gene, as an evolutionarily conserved regulator of glucose homeostasis. By linking SEC16B to cholinergic-driven insulin secretion and calcium dynamics, we resolve a mechanistic gap in beta cell dysfunction and metabolic disease. This finding provides novel insights into the mechanisms underlying glucose homeostasis and may enhance our understanding of potential treatments for metabolic diseases. Show less
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder and the leading cause of dementia, with current therapies offering only limited symptomatic relief and lacking disease-modifying ef Show more
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder and the leading cause of dementia, with current therapies offering only limited symptomatic relief and lacking disease-modifying efficacy. Addressing this critical therapeutic gap, natural multi-target compounds like mulberroside A (MsA)-a bioactive glycoside from Show less
To describe the clinical characteristics, natural history, genetic landscape, and phenotypic spectrum of neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (NCL)-associated retinal disease. Multicenter retrospective coho Show more
To describe the clinical characteristics, natural history, genetic landscape, and phenotypic spectrum of neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (NCL)-associated retinal disease. Multicenter retrospective cohort study complemented by a cross-sectional examination. Twelve pediatric subjects with biallelic variants in 5 NCL-causing genes (CLN3 lysosomal/endosomal transmembrane protein [ Review of clinical notes, retinal imaging, electroretinography (ERG), and molecular genetic testing. Two subjects underwent a cross-sectional examination comprising adaptive optics scanning laser ophthalmoscopy imaging of the retina and optoretinography (ORG). Clinical/demographic data, multimodal retinal imaging data, electrophysiology parameters, and molecular genetic testing. Our cohort included a diverse set of subjects with Our cohort data demonstrates that the underlying genetic variants drive the phenotypic diversity in different forms of NCL. Genetic testing can provide molecular diagnosis and ensure appropriate disease management and support for children and their families. With intravitreal enzyme replacement therapy on the horizon as a potential treatment option for NCL-associated retinal degeneration, precise structural and functional measures will be required to more accurately monitor disease progression. We show that adaptive optics imaging and ORG can be used as highly sensitive methods to track early retinal changes, which can be used to establish eligibility for future therapies and provide metrics for determining the efficacy of interventions on a cellular scale. Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found in the Footnotes and Disclosures at the end of this article. Show less
The gut-derived peptide hormones glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) play important physiological roles including glucose homeostasis and appetite su Show more
The gut-derived peptide hormones glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) play important physiological roles including glucose homeostasis and appetite suppression. Stabilized agonists of the GLP-1 receptor (GLP-1R) and dual agonists of GLP-1R and GIP receptor (GIPR) for the management of type 2 diabetes and obesity have generated widespread enthusiasm and have become blockbuster drugs. These therapeutics are refractory to the action of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP4), that catalyzes rapid removal of the two N-terminal residues of the native peptides, in turn severely diminishing their activity profiles. Here we report that a single atom change from carbon to nitrogen in the backbone of the entire peptide makes them refractory to DPP4 action while still retaining full potency and efficacy at their respective receptors. This was accomplished by use of aza-amino acids, that are bioisosteric replacements for α-amino acids that perturb the structural backbone and local side chain conformations. Molecular dynamics simulations reveal that aza-amino acid can populate the same conformational space that GLP-1 adopts when bound to the GLP-1R. The insertion of an aza-amino acid at the second position from the N-terminus in semaglutide and in a dual agonist of GLP-1R and GIPR further demonstrates its capability as a viable alternative to current DPP4 resistance strategies while offering additional structural variation that may influence downstream signaling. Show less
Sesquiterpene lactones are secondary plant metabolites with a wide variety of biological activities. The process of lactone conjugation to other pharmacophores can increase the efficacy and specificit Show more
Sesquiterpene lactones are secondary plant metabolites with a wide variety of biological activities. The process of lactone conjugation to other pharmacophores can increase the efficacy and specificity of the conjugated agent effect on molecular targets in various diseases, including brain pathologies. Derivatives of biogenic indoles, including neurotransmitter serotonin, are of considerable interest as potential pharmacophores. Most of these compounds have neurotropic activity and, therefore, can be used in the synthesis of new drugs with neuroprotective properties. The aim of this experimental synthesis was to generate potential treatment agents for Alzheimer's disease using serotonin conjugated with natural sesquiterpene lactones. Three novel compounds were obtained via the Michael reaction and used for biological testing. The obtained conjugates demonstrated complex neuroprotective activities. Serotonin conjugated to isoalantolactone exhibited strong antioxidant and mitoprotective activities. The agent was also found to inhibit β-site amyloid precursor protein cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE-1), prevent the aggregation of β-amyloid peptide 1-42, and protect SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells from neurotoxins such as glutamate and H In conclusion, the obtained results indicate that serotonin conjugates to sesquiterpene lactones are promising agents for the treatment of symptoms associated with Alzheimer's disease. Show less