Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats-Cas13 effectors are used for RNA editing but the adeno-associated virus (AAV) packaging limitations because of their big sizes hinder their th Show more
Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats-Cas13 effectors are used for RNA editing but the adeno-associated virus (AAV) packaging limitations because of their big sizes hinder their therapeutic application. Here we report the identification of the Cas13j family, with LepCas13j (529 aa) and ChiCas13j (424 aa) being the smallest and most highly efficient variants for RNA interference. The miniaturized Cas13j proteins enable the development of compact RNA base editors. Chi-RESCUE-S, by fusing dChiCas13j with hADAR2dd, demonstrates high efficiency and specificity in A-to-G and C-to-U conversions. Importantly, this system is compatible with single-AAV packaging without the need for protein sequence truncation. It successfully corrected pathogenic mutations, such as APOC3 Show less
This study aimed to compare the diagnostic value of [ A prospective study was conducted between March 2023 and July 2023. Patients with high clinical suspicion of lung cancer were recruited. Each part Show more
This study aimed to compare the diagnostic value of [ A prospective study was conducted between March 2023 and July 2023. Patients with high clinical suspicion of lung cancer were recruited. Each participant underwent PET/CT scanning using [ A total of 101 participants were included (mean age 63.267 ± 9.344 [range 39-86 years]). In benign lung lesions, [ [ Show less
The mediation effect of 24-hour physical activities on the association between type 2 diabetes and mortality is unclear. Additionally, Little evidence was found on the isotemporal substitution effect Show more
The mediation effect of 24-hour physical activities on the association between type 2 diabetes and mortality is unclear. Additionally, Little evidence was found on the isotemporal substitution effect of 24-hour physical activities components on changing Life expectancy among patients with type 2 diabetes diagnosed. To address the abovementioned research gap, the study has a two-fold aims: first, to examine the mediation effect of 24-hour physical activities in type 2 diabetes and mortality; and second, to address how reallocating time on different daily activities would affect life expectancy. Analysis was conducted on the accelerometer data of 103,359 participants in the UK Biobank, with a median age of 57 years (range 39 to 70). Compositional mediation cox model was conducted to analyze the mediating effects of 24-hour physical activities. Additionally, the cohort Life table method was utilized to estimate the changes of Life-years over the next 10 years resulting from the substitution effect of different physical activities. During a mean follow-up of 13.95 (range 2.95-16.28) years, 2,649 deaths were recorded. Diabetes was significantly associated with increased time spent engaging in sedentary behavior (SB), and reduced time spent on moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and light-intensive physical activity (LPA), thereby demonstrating an association with higher mortality risk. The indirect effect of physical activity (HR = 1.27, 95% CI 1.23-1.30) accounted for 41.9% of the total effect of diabetes on mortality. Furthermore, the Life expectancy gains with a maximum of 1.32 years over the next 10 years was found when reallocating SB time to MVPA. The results revealed that 24-hour physical activities might mediate the association between diabetes and mortality. Therefore, promoting participation in MVPA and reducing sedentary activities among diabetes patients was expected to have a positive effect on Life expectancy over the next 10 years. Show less
Sustained activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) drives liver fibrosis in response to chronic liver injury and inflammation. It is reported that profibrogenic signals released from stressed/injur Show more
Sustained activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) drives liver fibrosis in response to chronic liver injury and inflammation. It is reported that profibrogenic signals released from stressed/injured hepatocytes evoke fibrogenic responses in HSCs. However, intrahepatocyte players that modulate such cell-to-cell communications remain poorly defined. In this study, hepatic ChREBPα is found to be reduced in mouse models of chemical-induced liver fibrosis as well as in three groups of human patients with liver fibrosis. Chrebpα-LKO mice are highly sensitive to both chemical (CCL4 and TAA) and bile duct ligation (BDL)-induced liver injury and developed more advanced liver fibrosis without affecting liver lipid content. Hepatocyte ChREBPα overexpression suppressed the activation of HSCs in an in vitro medium transfer experiment in part via inhibiting the expression of profibrogenic factors THBS1 and CTGF. RNA-Seq analysis revealed that E2F1, a novel effector of TGFβ-mediated fibrogenic pathway, is highly induced in the liver of Chrebpα-LKO mice. Hepatic knockdown of E2F1 ameliorated the increased liver fibrosis in mice with hepatic Chrebpα deficiency while reducing the expression of hepatic THBS1 and CTGF. Show less
Coelonin is a dihydrophenanthrene compound derived from the traditional Chinese medicine Bletilla striata (Thunb.) Reichb.f., which exhibits significant anti-inflammatory activity and effectively inhi Show more
Coelonin is a dihydrophenanthrene compound derived from the traditional Chinese medicine Bletilla striata (Thunb.) Reichb.f., which exhibits significant anti-inflammatory activity and effectively inhibits lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory responses in RAW264.7 cells. Although previous studies have demonstrated the protective effect of Bletilla striata against LPS-induced acute lung injury (ALI), the potential protective role and underlying molecular mechanisms of its major active component, Coelonin, in ALI remain unclear. In this study, an LPS-induced mouse ALI model was established to systematically evaluate the protective effects of Coelonin on ALI. Furthermore, transcriptomic analysis was utilized to investigate the anti-inflammatory mechanisms mediated by Coelonin through the regulation of non-coding RNA (ncRNA)-associated inflammatory pathways. The results indicated that Coelonin significantly ameliorated LPS-induced pathological damage in lung tissues and markedly reduced the levels of inflammatory markers in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). In vitro experiments using the murine alveolar macrophages (MH-S) cell line further confirmed the anti-inflammatory activity of Coelonin. Transcriptome analysis revealed that Coelonin markedly upregulates the expression of the ncRNA Gm27505, which was previously found to be downregulated in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. To date, there have been no reports on the biological functions of Gm27505. Bioinformatics analysis and real-time quantitative fluorescence PCR (qPCR) confirmed that this ncRNA is primarily localized within the nucleus. Overexpression of Gm27505 in MH-S cells significantly downregulated the expression of inflammation-related genes such as Il6, Tnfα, Il27, and Ccl3 induced by LPS stimulation. Moreover, overexpression of Gm27505 promoted macrophage polarization toward the M2 phenotype while suppressing M1 polarization. These findings suggest that the ncRNA Gm27505 plays an important biological role and is critically involved in the regulation of inflammatory responses. Coelonin may alleviate LPS-induced ALI in mice by up-regulating Gm27505 expression and modulating macrophage polarization. Therefore, Gm27505 may represent a potential target for the prevention and treatment of ALI, providing new research directions for future therapeutic strategies against related diseases. Show less
Patients with cancer undergoing cisplatin chemotherapy frequently experience cardiotoxic side effects that significantly affect their prognosis and survival rates. Our study found that Panax ginseng r Show more
Patients with cancer undergoing cisplatin chemotherapy frequently experience cardiotoxic side effects that significantly affect their prognosis and survival rates. Our study found that Panax ginseng root extract exerted a significant protective effect against cisplatin-induced myocardial cell injury. The present study aims to elucidate the underlying mechanisms by which the bioactive components of Panax ginseng mitigate cisplatin-induced cardiotoxicity (CIC). In vitro, the candidate active components were screened by network pharmacological prediction and in neonatal rat ventricular myocytes (NRVMs), and their mechanisms of action were verified by transcriptome sequencing, western blotting, gene overexpression, immunoprecipitation, immunofluorescence, and cellular thermal shift assays. A C57BL/6 CIC mouse model was established to verify the protective effects of the candidate components and the in vivo mechanism of the candidate components. Through network pharmacology prediction and cellular activity screening of ginseng root compounds, ginsenoside Rh2(S) (Rh2) was identified as a significant active component. Transcriptomic, in vitro, and in vivo experiments demonstrated that Rh2 can activate the Pak1/Limk1/cofilin phosphorylation pathway, thereby inactivating the actin-severing protein cofilin and protecting cardiomyocytes from cisplatin-induced actin depolymerization. Additionally, Rh2 suppressed the ROS/caspase-3/GSDME pathway to inhibit cisplatin-induced pyroptosis. Furthermore, co-immunoprecipitation and overexpression experiments confirmed that Rh2 activated the FGFR1/HRAS axis, thereby simultaneously regulating the two aforementioned pathways to combat CIC. This study demonstrated for the first time that Rh2 is the main active component in Panax ginseng that maintains cytoskeletal homeostasis and inhibits pyroptosis by regulating the FGFR1/HRAS pathway to resist CIC. This study aimed to provide a theoretical basis for expanding the targets and pathways of CIC treatment, and for the development of related drugs. 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
Dried blood spot sampling offers a scalable strategy to close diagnostic gaps and improve global surveillance for cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic syndrome. However, assay performance and the extent of Show more
Dried blood spot sampling offers a scalable strategy to close diagnostic gaps and improve global surveillance for cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic syndrome. However, assay performance and the extent of validity vary widely between biomarkers used in cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic health assessment under different settings and have not been well described. To fill this gap, we conducted a systematic search of the literature and a narrative synthesis through April 2024 and included reports with laboratory or field validation measuring biomarkers that can be used in cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic health assessment. We categorized assays into categories based on laboratory validation: excellent performance (r>0.95 with gold standard methods and coefficients of variation <5%), very good performance (r>0.90 and coefficients of variation <10%), reasonable performance (r>0.80 and coefficients of variation <15%), and poor performance (r<0.80 or coefficients of variation >15%). The extent of validation was determined by the total number of field validation studies with strong agreement. Hemoglobin A1c has strong laboratory and field validation and should be considered for expansion into clinical testing in low-resource settings. Traditional lipid biomarkers showed poor performance in field validation studies, but apoB (apolipoprotein B), creatinine, cystatin C, and NT-proBNP (N-terminal prohormone of brain natriuretic peptide) showed promising initial laboratory validation results and deserve greater attention in field validation studies. High-sensitivity C-reactive protein has strong laboratory and field validation but has limited clinical utility. Dried blood spot assays have been developed for biomarkers that offer mechanistic insights including inflammatory and vascular injury markers, fatty acids, malondialdehyde, asymmetric dimethylarginine, trimethylamine N-oxide, carnitines, and omics. Show less
Cold stress poses a significant challenge to pig farming in northern China, leading to reduced productivity and, in severe cases, even mortality. However, the mechanisms underlying cold resistance in Show more
Cold stress poses a significant challenge to pig farming in northern China, leading to reduced productivity and, in severe cases, even mortality. However, the mechanisms underlying cold resistance in pigs are not well understood. To explore the genetic mechanism of cold resistance in pigs under low-temperature conditions, the cold-tolerant Hezuo pig was selected as a model. DIA proteomics analysis was performed on liver tissues from Hezuo pigs after 24 h of exposure to low-temperature treatments. The results showed that approximately 149 differential abundance proteins (DAPs) were detected (95 up-regulated and 54 down-regulated). GO analysis showed that these DAPs were mainly associated with lipid metabolism, vesicle fusion, and membrane function. KEGG analysis showed that these DAPs were primarily enriched in lipid metabolism-related pathways such as cholesterol metabolism and vitamin digestion and absorption. Comprehensive analysis identified APOA4, APOA2, SREBF2, ATP23, STX2, USO1, ETFA, RAB11FIP1, ETNPPL, and SGMS1 as potential key proteins involved in cold resistance mechanisms. The mRNA expression of the genes for two key candidate proteins (APOA4 and SREBF2), which are involved in lipid metabolism, was analyzed using qRT-PCR, revealing a significant up-regulation after low-temperature treatment. These findings provide significant insights into the mechanisms of cold resistance in animals and may serve as candidate markers for further studies on cold tolerance. SIGNIFICANCE: Cold resistance is one of the key traits in pigs and involves multiple complex coordinated regulatory mechanisms. However, its genetic mechanisms are not completely understood. In this study, a DIA proteomics approach was used to identify proteins and pathways associated with cold resistance in the liver of low-temperature-treated Hezuo pigs. These findings offer novel candidate proteins and key pathways for investigating the molecular mechanisms of cold resistance in Hezuo pigs, providing a base for further elucidating the mechanisms of cold tolerance in pigs. Show less
Biomarker profiling from biofluids such as blood are widely measured in clinical research, using for example Olink proteomics panels. One such research focus area is cardiovascular disease (CVD), for Show more
Biomarker profiling from biofluids such as blood are widely measured in clinical research, using for example Olink proteomics panels. One such research focus area is cardiovascular disease (CVD), for which chronic sleep restriction (SR) is a risk factor. However, it remains unclear whether blood levels of commonly measured CVD biomarkers are sensitive to acute dynamic factors such as SR, physical exercise (PEx), and time of day. In this crossover design, 16 normal-weight, healthy men underwent three highly standardized in-lab nights of SR (4.25 h/night) and normal sleep (NS, 8.5 h/night) in randomized order, with 88 CVD blood protein biomarkers quantified using the Olink technology (and selected validation using ELISA) in the morning, evening, and immediately before and repeatedly after 30 min of high-intensity exercise. We found significant time-of-day-dependent changes in several CVD biomarkers. Whereas several proteins were exercise-induced across sleep conditions (such as the canonical exerkines IL- 6 and BDNF), exercise-induced proteomic dynamics differed in response to recurrent SR, compared with following NS. Moreover, SR compared with NS resulted in a biomarker profile previously associated with increased prospective risk of several CVDs across large-scale cohorts (such as higher circulating levels of IL-27 and LGALS9). Our findings highlight how dynamic physiology can modulate CVD biomarker levels. These results also underscore the need to consider sleep duration as a key determinant of cardiovascular health-an emphasis reflected in recent American Heart Association guidelines. Further studies in women, older individuals, and patients with prior CVD, and across different chronotypes and dietary schedules are warranted. Show less
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the most malignant subtype of breast cancer (BC), characterized by limited treatment options and poor clinical outcomes. Aberrant FGFR signaling has been implic Show more
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the most malignant subtype of breast cancer (BC), characterized by limited treatment options and poor clinical outcomes. Aberrant FGFR signaling has been implicated in TNBC; however, the therapeutic potential of targeting FGFRs for TNBC treatment remains unclear. This study investigated the anti-cancer activity of the selective pan-FGFR inhibitor Erdafitinib and its underlying mechanisms using both in vitro and in vivo models. The results demonstrated that Erdafitinib suppressed TNBC tumorigenicity by promoting FGFR1/4 degradation, generating reactive oxygen species (ROS), inducing DNA damage, and ultimately triggering cell death. Mechanistic analyses revealed that Erdafitinib facilitated FGFR1/4 degradation through ubiquitination, enhanced interaction between TRIM25 and FGFR1/4, and subsequent lysosomal degradation. Furthermore, RNA-seq data from the TCGA and GEO databases, along with paired tumor tissues from TNBC patients, indicated that FGFR4 was significantly upregulated in TNBC. Notably, co-knockdown of FGFR1 and FGFR4 induced cytotoxicity in MDA-MB-231 cells, highlighting the therapeutic relevance of FGFR1/4 degradation by Erdafitinib in TNBC. These findings provide novel insights into the mechanisms underlying the anti-cancer efficacy of Erdafitinib, supporting its potential as a promising therapeutic agent for TNBC. Show less
Tumorigenesis is typically accompanied by cellular dedifferentiation and the acquisition of stem cell-like attributes. However, few studies have comprehensively evaluated the putative relationships be Show more
Tumorigenesis is typically accompanied by cellular dedifferentiation and the acquisition of stem cell-like attributes. However, few studies have comprehensively evaluated the putative relationships between these characteristics and various cancers. Here, we integrated gene expression and DNA methylation quantitative trait loci (cis-eQTL and cis-mQTL) data from the blood to perform multi-omics Mendelian randomization analysis. Our analyses revealed 967 stem cell-associated genes (P < 0.05) and 11,262 methylation sites (P < 0.01) significantly related to 12 cancers. SMAD7 (cg14321542) in colon cancer, IGF2 (cg13508136) in prostate cancer, and FADS1 (cg07005513) in rectal cancer were prioritized as candidate causal genes and regulatory elements. Notably, using cis-eQTL data from the corresponding tissue sites, we detected 16 stem cell-associated genes dramatically causally associated with six cancers (FDR<0.2). The gene THBS3 was particularly common in both blood and stomach tissues and exhibited prognostic significance. Furthermore, it was markedly associated with one microbial metabolic pathway and four immunophenotypes. Functional validation using the ECC12 gastric cancer cell line revealed that the inhibition of its expression could accelerate oxidative phosphorylation and reactive oxygen species production, reduce clonal proliferation ability, and promote the apoptosis of stomach tumor cells. Additionally, based on spatial transcriptomic data from gastrointestinal cancers, the results demonstrated the clusters enriched with the most stem cell-associated genes exhibited significantly enhanced tumor-promoting potency, and the THBS3-expressing cells displayed suppressed oxidative phosphorylation. Overall, this study enhances our understanding of tumorigenic mechanisms and aids in the identification of therapeutic targets. Show less
Panax notoginseng saponin (PNS) has a variety of biological activities, such as improvement of myocardial ischemia, improvement of learning and memory, hypolipidemia, and immunomodulation. However, it Show more
Panax notoginseng saponin (PNS) has a variety of biological activities, such as improvement of myocardial ischemia, improvement of learning and memory, hypolipidemia, and immunomodulation. However, its protective mechanism on the central nervous system (CNS) is not clear. The present study initially evaluated the possible mechanism of PNS to improve cognitive dysfunction due to chronic sleep deprivation (CSD). In the present study, we used a modified multi-platform aquatic environment sleep deprivation method to induce a cognitively impaired rat model, and explored the mechanism of action of PNS by integrating serum metabolomics and network pharmacology, which was further verified by molecular docking and experiments. The results showed that PNS significantly shortened the escape latency, increased the target quadrant time and the number of traversing platforms, and attenuated the inflammatory damage in the hippocampal Cornu Ammonis 1 (CA1) region in CSD rats. The non-targeted metabolomics results indicated that 35 biomarkers significantly altered following PNS therapy intervention, with metabolic pathways enriched for the effects of One carbon pool by folate, Riboflavin metabolism, Glycerophospholipid metabolism, Sphingolipid metabolism, Glycerolipid metabolism, Arachidonic acid metabolism, and Tryptophan metabolism. In addition, network pharmacology identified 234 potential targets for PNS intervention in CSD with cognitive impairment. Metabolite-response-enzyme-gene network was constructed by MetaScape and matched with the network pharmacology results to identify a total of five shared targets (LPL, GPAM, HSD11B1, HSD11B2, and SULT2A1) and two metabolic pathways (Sphingolipid metabolism and Steroid hormone biosynthesis). The results of molecular docking revealed that the five active ingredients had good binding ability with the five core targets. qPCR analysis confirmed the ability of PNS to modulate the above five targets. The combination of metabolomics and network analysis provides a scientific basis for promoting the clinical application of PNS in cognitive impairment. Show less
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of mortality in patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), yet traditional risk predictors remain limited in clin Show more
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of mortality in patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), yet traditional risk predictors remain limited in clinical practice. To develop machine learning (ML) models for classifying prevalent atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk in MASLD patients, and to enhance model interpretability using SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP). Methods: This retrospective study included 590 MASLD patients diagnosed at the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University between December 2019 and December 2024. Patients were randomly divided into a training set (n=413) and a validation set (n=177), and further stratified based on ASCVD status. Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression was used for feature selection. Six ML models were developed and evaluated using sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), and F1 score. SHAP analysis was performed to interpret feature contributions. ASCVD was present in 434 of 590 patients (73.6%). The Gradient Boosting (GB) model achieved the best performance, with AUCs of 0.918 (95% CI: 0.890-0.944) in the training set and 0.817 (95% CI: 0.739-0.883) in the validation set. SHAP analysis identified the top predictors as the Cholesterol-HDL-Glucose (CHG) index, Castelli Risk Index II (CRI-II), lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)], serum creatinine (Scr), and uric acid (UA). The GB model demonstrated strong high accuracy in identifying existing ASCVD in MASLD patients and may serve as a useful tool for early risk stratification in clinical settings. Show less
Interleukin-27 receptor alpha (IL27RA), a key subunit of the interleukin-27 receptor, plays an essential role in T cell-mediated immunity. However, its relevance in breast cancer and response to immun Show more
Interleukin-27 receptor alpha (IL27RA), a key subunit of the interleukin-27 receptor, plays an essential role in T cell-mediated immunity. However, its relevance in breast cancer and response to immunotherapy remains unexplored. We integrated bulk and single-cell RNA sequencing data from TCGA, GEO, and scRNA-seq datasets to analyze IL27RA expression, prognosis, immune infiltration, and treatment response. TIDE and immune checkpoint-treated clinical cohorts were used to assess immunotherapy responsiveness. Chemotherapy sensitivity was predicted using GDSC data, and IL27RA protein expression was validated by Western blot. IL27RA was downregulated in breast cancer but high expression correlated with favorable survival. It was primarily expressed in T cells, particularly CD8⁺ subsets, and associated with enriched immune infiltration and elevated checkpoint gene expression. IL27RA high-expression patients showed lower TIDE scores, better outcomes in ICI-treated cohorts, and higher sensitivity to multiple chemotherapeutic agents. IL27RA is a potential immune biomarker that reflects an inflamed tumor microenvironment and predicts benefit from immunotherapy and chemotherapy in breast cancer. These findings provide novel insights into immune-based stratification using single-cell transcriptomic data. 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
The existing evidence regarding the impact of tamoxifen on lipoprotein(a) and apolipoproteins remains inconsistent. Therefore, this updated meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) aims to Show more
The existing evidence regarding the impact of tamoxifen on lipoprotein(a) and apolipoproteins remains inconsistent. Therefore, this updated meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) aims to enhance the quality of evidence concerning the effects of tamoxifen on these lipid parameters. Eligible RCTs published up to October 2024 were meticulously selected through a comprehensive search. A meta-analysis was then performed using a random-effects model, and results were presented as the weighted mean difference (WMD) with a 95% confidence interval (CI). Findings from the random-effects model revealed an increase in ApoA-I (WMD: 15.22 mg/dL, 95% CI: 6.43-24.01, P = 0.001), alongside decreases in ApoB (WMD: -9.33 mg/dL, 95% CI: -15.46 to -3.19, P = 0.003) and lipoprotein(a) (WMD: -3.35 mg/dL, 95% CI: -5.78 to -0.91, P = 0.007) levels following tamoxifen treatment in women. Subgroup analyses indicated a more significant reduction in lipoprotein(a) levels in RCTs with a duration of ≤24 weeks (WMD: -3.65 mg/dL) and in studies using tamoxifen doses of ≥20 mg/day (WMD: -4.53 mg/dL). This meta-analysis provides evidence that tamoxifen leads to a decrease in lipoprotein(a) levels, along with reductions in ApoB and increases in ApoA-I among women. Show less
The deer antler is a fully regenerable and the fastest-growing osseous organ. Circular RNA (circRNA), a novel member of the non-coding RNA family, has significant research potential and crucial roles Show more
The deer antler is a fully regenerable and the fastest-growing osseous organ. Circular RNA (circRNA), a novel member of the non-coding RNA family, has significant research potential and crucial roles in biological processes. This study aims to explore the impact and mechanisms of circRNA505 on antler chondrocytes. Functional experiments demonstrated that m5C-modified circRNA505 inhibits antler chondrocyte proliferation, enhances osteogenic differentiation, and facilitates cellular glycolysis. Mechanistically, dual luciferase and AGO2-RIP assays revealed a direct binding relationship between circRNA505, miR-127, and p53. Rescue assays further showed that circRNA505 affects cell proliferation and differentiation through the miR-127/p53 axis. Meanwhile, RNA Antisense Purification (RAP) screening and analysis of related proteins binding to circRNA505 demonstrated that circRNA505 binds to LDHA and increases the level of LDHA phosphorylation through FGFR1 to promote cellular glycolysis by FISH-IF, RIP, and Western blot experiments. Additionally, Me-RIP assays confirmed the m5C methylation modification of circRNA505. NSUN2 mediates the m5C modification of circRNA505, affecting its stability, while the m5C reader ALYREF promotes the nuclear export of circRNA505 in an ALYREF-dependent manner. This study provides new insights into the regulatory mechanisms underlying rapid antler development. Show less
Sarcopenia is a common age-related skeletal muscle disorder that lacks diagnostic and therapeutic options. Emerging evidence suggests that cuproptosis, a copper-dependent form of regulated cell death, Show more
Sarcopenia is a common age-related skeletal muscle disorder that lacks diagnostic and therapeutic options. Emerging evidence suggests that cuproptosis, a copper-dependent form of regulated cell death, contributes to muscle atrophy, yet the underlying associations remain poorly understood. To address this gap, we integrated two GEO datasets (GSE1428 and GSE25941) for differential expression analysis and applied weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) to identify disease-related modules. Cuproptosis-related genes (CRGs) from GeneCards database were intersected with DEGs and WGCNA gene modules to obtain sarcopenia-associated cuproptosis DEGs (SAR-CUP DEGs). Functional enrichment was performed using GO, KEGG, GSEA and GSVA. Hub genes were further identified through three machine learning algorithms (LASSO, RF, and SVM). Regulatory networks were constructed via NetworkAnalyst and GeneMANIA database. A diagnostic model was also developed and later validated in an independent dataset (GSE136344). Experimental validation was performed in a D-galactose-induced sarcopenia cell model. We identified 367 DEGs and 7 co-expression modules, among which 14 SAR-CUP DEGs were mainly enriched in mitochondrial energy metabolism pathways. Machine learning methods highlighted Show less
Despite the increasing approval and ongoing clinical trials of FGFR-targeted therapies, accurately detecting FGFR fusions remains a challenge due to limited research, low incidence rates, complex fusi Show more
Despite the increasing approval and ongoing clinical trials of FGFR-targeted therapies, accurately detecting FGFR fusions remains a challenge due to limited research, low incidence rates, complex fusion partner distribution, and unique kinase domain distribution. We conducted a multicenter study to comprehensively profile FGFR fusions in the largest Chinese pan-cancer cohort to date, comprising 118 FGFR fusions from 114 individuals. Both DNA- and RNA-based sequencing approaches were utilized to reveal novel and fundamental features of FGFR fusion. Our research reveals an incidence rate of 0.96% for FGFR rearrangements within this Chinese cohort, including a high incidence rate of FGFR fusions (40%) in parotid gland carcinoma. However, this is based on a small sample size of 5 tumors and should be interpreted cautiously pending validation in larger cohorts. We also uncovered distinct breakpoint distribution patterns across various FGFR rearrangements. For example, a primary breakpoint in intron17 of FGFR2 was predominant (21/22), while FGFR1/3 breakpoints displayed substantial diversity. For the first time, we identified "hot" breakpoints in FGFR1 intron17, exon18, and FGFR3's 3' untranslated region. These findings underline the importance of incorporating these regions in targeted sequencing to ensure comprehensive detection of FGFR1/3 fusions. Notably, we observed a predilection for intrachromosomal distribution in common FGFR1/2/3 fusions. In contrast, most novel fusions (12/15) exhibited an interchromosomal distribution pattern, indicating variations in the fusion formation mechanism. Importantly, our study demonstrates the substantial incremental value of RNA-NGS or other orthogonal methods in confirming the functionality of FGFR rearrangements initially identified by DNA sequencing. In our cohort, 46% (6/13) of rare FGFR1/2/3 fusions lacked detectable RNA transcripts; however, this does not definitively indicate non-functionality as factors such as low RNA quality, expression below detection limits, or nonsense-mediated decay may contribute. Therefore, RNA-based validation is critical for accurately identifying potentially targetable FGFR fusions and guiding therapy. Our findings offer critical novel insights into functional FGFR fusions and bear considerable clinical implications for identifying individuals whose tumors are most likely to respond favorably to FGFR-targeted therapies. Show less
Gastric cancer (GC) exhibits marked heterogeneity, patients with identical stage receive divergent outcomes. Metabolic reprogramming and aging are pivotal in reshaping the tumor microenvironment. Howe Show more
Gastric cancer (GC) exhibits marked heterogeneity, patients with identical stage receive divergent outcomes. Metabolic reprogramming and aging are pivotal in reshaping the tumor microenvironment. However, their interplay in GC prognosis remains unexplored. We analyzed RNA-seq and clinical data from The Cancer Genome Atlas Program and Gene Expression Omnibus databases. Using univariate Cox, LASSO, and multivariate Cox regression, we identified candidate genes and constructed a prognostic signature. Immune contexture, genomic alterations and drug sensitivity were compared between high- and low-risk group. The metabolic and aging related risk score, comprising 4 genes (GNAI1, GSTA1, APOC3, and LOX), was developed. Validation across multiple cohorts confirmed its robust prognostic performance. The model also effectively stratified patients into distinct risk subgroups with differential immune profiles and responses to immunotherapy. Notably, high-risk patients showed reduced sensitivity to common chemotherapeutic agents but may benefit from targeting the PI3K/mTOR pathway. Metabolic and aging related risk score serves as a promising tool for individualized risk assessment and therapeutic guidance in GC, warranting further clinical validation. Show less
Dual-specificity protein phosphatase 6 (DUSP6), also known as mitogenactivated protein kinase phosphatase 3 (MKP-3), was considered as a functional candidate gene for white fat accumulation in mice. H Show more
Dual-specificity protein phosphatase 6 (DUSP6), also known as mitogenactivated protein kinase phosphatase 3 (MKP-3), was considered as a functional candidate gene for white fat accumulation in mice. However, the physiological function of the DUSP6 gene on white adipocyte adipogenesis in farm animals remains unknown. In this study, we aimed to clarify the effect of DUSP6 on porcine subcutaneous preadipocyte proliferation and differentiation. We first make clear that the patterns of DUSP6 expression is associated with fat contents in porcine fat deposition related tissues. Porcine subcutaneous preadipocytes were isolated and induced to differentiation. Small interfering RNAs were applied to deplete DUSP6. MTT assay, CCK-8 analysis, Oil Red O staining, triglyceride determination and reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction were applied to study the regulatory role of DUSP6 during adipocyte adipogenesis in pigs. We found that the expression levels of DUSP6 were significantly higher in backfat and longissimus dorsi tissues from fat-type pigs than in those from lean-type pigs. Consistently, the significantly induced expression of DUSP6 was also observed in differentiated adipocytes. In addition, knockdown of DUSP6 greatly inhibited preadipocytes proliferation, through the decreased cell viability and downregulated mRNA expressions of cell proliferation-associated genes, including PCNA, CDK1, CDK2. Furthermore, knockdown of DUSP6 significantly inhibited preadipocytes differentiation, as evidenced by markedly reduced lipid droplet formation, attenuated triglyceride accumulation and downregulated expression levels of adipogenic transcription masters (PPARγ, C/EBPβ, FASN and FABP4) in DUSP6 knockdown cells. Our results demonstrate that DUSP6 is required for white adipocyte adipogenesis in pigs. Show less
Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) in type 2 diabetes (T2D) may lead to heart failure and patient death. Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) is a therapeutic candidate for treating this disease. However, o Show more
Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) in type 2 diabetes (T2D) may lead to heart failure and patient death. Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) is a therapeutic candidate for treating this disease. However, one impediment to its clinical use is its weak ability to activate downstream signaling pathways. In this study, based on our in-depth understanding of the binding properties of fibroblast growth factor receptor 1c (FGFR1c) with paracrine FGF1 and endocrine FGF21, we engineered a novel FGF21 analog named FGF21 Show less
Altered levels of human plasma metabolites have been implicated in the etiology of bipolar disorder (BD). However, the causality between metabolites and the disease was not well described. We performe Show more
Altered levels of human plasma metabolites have been implicated in the etiology of bipolar disorder (BD). However, the causality between metabolites and the disease was not well described. We performed a bidirectional metabolome-wide Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis to evaluate the potential causal relationships between 871 plasma metabolites and BD. We used DrugBank and ChEMBL to evaluate whether related metabolites are potential therapeutic targets. Finally, Bayesian colocalization analysis was performed to identify shared genomic loci BD and identified metabolites. Our MR results showed that six metabolites were significantly associated with a reduced risk of BD, including arachidonate (20:4n6) (OR: 0.90, 95% CI: 0.84-0.95) and sphingomyelin (d18:2/24:1, d18:1/24:2) (OR: 0.92, 95% CI: 0.87-0.96), while five metabolites were significantly associated with an increased risk of BD, including 1-palmitoyl-2-linoleoyl-GPE (16:0/18:2) (OR: 1.09, 95% CI: 1.05-1.13). However, our reverse MR analysis showed that BD was not associated with the levels of any metabolite. Additionally, the leave-one-out analysis revealed SNPs within chromosome 11 loci harboring MYRF, FADS1, and FADS2 as ones with the potential to influence partial causal effects. Druggability evaluation showed that 10 of the BD-related metabolites, such as sphingomyelin and cytidine, have been targeted by pharmacologic intervention. Colocalization analysis highlighted one colocalized region (chromosome 11q12) shared by 11 metabolites and BD and pointed to some genes as possible players, including FADS1, FADS2, FADS3, and SYT7. Our study supported a causal role of plasma metabolites in the susceptibility to BD, and the identified metabolites may provide a new avenue for the prevention and treatment of BD. Show less
Obesity-induced metabolic inflammation is a key driver of chronic kidney disease (CKD), with immune dysregulation, particularly among lymphocytes, contributing to early disease pathology. To explore t Show more
Obesity-induced metabolic inflammation is a key driver of chronic kidney disease (CKD), with immune dysregulation, particularly among lymphocytes, contributing to early disease pathology. To explore the role of apolipoprotein A4 (Apoa4) in regulating immune cell metabolism and function, we establish high-fat diet-induced obese (DIO) models using wild-type and Show less
Lupus nephritis is recognized as a common and severe complication of systemic lupus erythematosus, without an optimal therapeutic strategy currently available. While mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) hold Show more
Lupus nephritis is recognized as a common and severe complication of systemic lupus erythematosus, without an optimal therapeutic strategy currently available. While mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) hold therapeutic promise, their efficacy varies substantially, likely due to their plasticity and capacity to adopt pro-inflammatory (MSC1) or anti-inflammatory (MSC2) functional states in response to different microenvironments. Here, we report for the first time that IL-27, via JAK1-STAT1 signaling, up-regulates indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) in MSCs, driving MSC differentiation toward an IDO-positive MSC2 phenotype with low immunogenicity. These IDO-positive MSC2 cells produce kynurenine and kynurenic acid, the metabolites of tryptophan, which bind to the intracellular aryl hydrocarbon receptor. This interaction stimulates an increase in the anti-inflammatory factor TSG-6 and induces the differentiation of regulatory T cells. Notably, IL-27-conditioned MSC2 demonstrated superior therapeutic efficacy compared to conventional MSCs in a murine lupus nephritis model. In conclusion, this study revealed that IL-27 is a critical modulator of MSC immune plasticity and presented a novel therapeutic strategy utilizing IL-27-enhanced MSC2 for autoimmune diseases. Show less
Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is one of the leading causes of death worldwide, and thus, more biomarker and therapeutic targets need to be explored. Herein, we aimed to explore new biomarkers of LUAD by Show more
Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is one of the leading causes of death worldwide, and thus, more biomarker and therapeutic targets need to be explored. Herein, we aimed to explore new biomarkers of LUAD by integrating bioinformatics analysis with cell experiments. We firstly identified 266 druggable genes that were significantly differentially expressed between LUAD tissues and adjacent normal lung tissues. Among these genes, SMR analysis with Show less
Although previous studies have demonstrated that lipoprotein(a) (Lp[a]) and body mass index (BMI) are associated with atrial fibrillation (AF), their joint effect on AF remains poorly understood. Our Show more
Although previous studies have demonstrated that lipoprotein(a) (Lp[a]) and body mass index (BMI) are associated with atrial fibrillation (AF), their joint effect on AF remains poorly understood. Our primary objective was to examine the combined influence of BMI and Lp(a) on AF occurrence. The study included 8886 patients, among whom 205 were diagnosed with persistent AF. The joint association of BMI and Lp(a) with AF was evaluated. A mediation Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis was also performed. In comparison with the individuals with a higher Lp(a) level (≥30 mg/dl) and BMI equal to or above 24 kg/m2, those with a lower Lp(a) level and BMI had the lowest prevalence of AF (odds ratio, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.95-0.97; P <0.001), especially at the age of 50-69 years, and the lowest risk of stroke (hazard ratio [HR], 0.28; 95% CI, 0.12-0.68; P = 0.004), heart failure (HF; HR, 0.24; 95% CI, 0.08-0.66; P = 0.006), and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE; HR, 0.35; 95% CI, 0.18-0.66; P = 0.001). Mediation MR analysis highlighted the coexposure effects of Lp(a) levels and BMI on AF and their independent influence on AF development. Lower BMI and Lp(a) levels were associated with a reduced prevalence of AF as well as a lower risk of stroke, HF, and MACE. Mediation analysis showed that neither BMI nor Lp(a) mediated the effect of the other, suggesting that their contributions to AF risk operate through independent pathways. Show less
Infantile hemangioma (IH) is a common benign vascular tumor in infants, often requiring intervention due to potential functional impairment and cosmetic concerns. Propranolol, a nonselective β-adrener Show more
Infantile hemangioma (IH) is a common benign vascular tumor in infants, often requiring intervention due to potential functional impairment and cosmetic concerns. Propranolol, a nonselective β-adrenergic receptor blocker, is the first-line therapy for IH, yet its mechanisms remain incompletely elucidated. This prospective study investigated the systemic angiogenic protein profile changes in response to propranolol in 14 treatment-naïve IH infants compared to 14 healthy controls using antibody array analysis. We identified twenty-six angiogenic proteins significantly downregulated in pretreatment IH patients compared to healthy controls. After 3 months of propranolol treatment, six proteins including HB-EGF, TGFα, ANGPTL4, Follistatin, Tie-1 and PLGF were significantly upregulated. Bioinformatic enrichment analysis revealed that these proteins are involved in key biological processes and signaling pathways, including epithelial cell proliferation, angiogenesis regulation, VEGF signaling, ERBB-EGFR axis, Ras-MAPK, and PI3K-Akt pathways. These results suggest that propranolol treatment is associated with a rebalancing of dysregulated angiogenic proteins in IH, through modulating both pro- and anti-angiogenic factors to rebalance vascular homeostasis. Our study provides novel insights into the systems-level pharmacological actions of propranolol and proposes potential biomarkers for treatment response evaluation. Show less