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
Cardiac hypertrophy as one of the major predisposing factors for chronic heart failure lacks effective interventions. It has been shown that protein ubiquitination plays an important role in cardiac h Show more
Cardiac hypertrophy as one of the major predisposing factors for chronic heart failure lacks effective interventions. It has been shown that protein ubiquitination plays an important role in cardiac hypertrophy. SMURF2 (SMAD-specific E3 ubiquitin ligase 2) is an important member of NEDD4 (neuronal precursor cell expressed developmentally downregulated 4) family of HECT E3 ubiquitin ligases. In this study we investigated the regulatory role of SMURF2 in cardiac hypertrophy. Experiment models were established in mice by transverse aortic constriction (TAC) in vivo, as well as in neonatal rat cardiomyocytes (NRCMs) by treatment with angiotensin II (Ang II, 1 μM) in vitro. We showed that the expression levels of SMURF2 were significantly elevated in cardiac tissues from patients with cardiac hypertrophy and the two experiment models. In NRCMs, SMURF2 knockdown or treatment with a specific SMURF2 inhibitor heclin (8 μM) significantly inhibited Ang II-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, evidenced by reduced mRNA levels of Anp, Bnp and β-Mhc as well as cell surface. Prophylactic or therapeutic administration of heclin (10 mg·kg 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
Some studies suggest that statins could reduce the risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), but it is unclear if this effect is related to their lipid-lowering properties. The causal link Show more
Some studies suggest that statins could reduce the risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), but it is unclear if this effect is related to their lipid-lowering properties. The causal link between serum lipid levels and COPD risk remains uncertain. This study aims to clarify this potential causal relationship and evaluate the impact of lipid-lowering drug target genes on COPD. Mendelian randomization (MR) was used to investigate causal associations between lipid levels, lipid-lowering drug target genes, and COPD risk. Data were obtained from publicly available genome-wide association study databases. The inverse variance weighted method was the primary statistical approach for evaluating causal effects, complemented by various sensitivity analyses. MR analysis demonstrated a causal relationship between low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and a reduced risk of COPD (odds ratio [OR]=0.90, 95% confidence interval [CI]=0.85-0.95, P=1.50×10⁻⁴). Causal relationships were also identified for 2 lipid-lowering drug target genes, This study genetically identified causal relationships between serum LDL-C levels, the 2 coding genes Show less
Zhen Guo, Jing Su, Lu Liu+8 more · 2025 · Modern pathology : an official journal of the United States and Canadian Academy of Pathology, Inc · Elsevier · added 2026-04-24
Precise differential diagnosis between lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma/Waldenström macroglobulinemia (LPL/WM) and marginal zone lymphoma (MZL) remains a challenging issue because of overlapping clinicopath Show more
Precise differential diagnosis between lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma/Waldenström macroglobulinemia (LPL/WM) and marginal zone lymphoma (MZL) remains a challenging issue because of overlapping clinicopathological and immunophenotypic features. In the present study, the differential diagnostic potential of CD180 was assessed by determining its expression patterns in patients with MZL and LPL/WM through flow cytometry. The results indicated that LPL/WM cases exhibited a complete absence of CD180 expression on malignant B cells, whereas MZL cases showed robust CD180 expression (P < .001). Receiver operating characteristic analysis demonstrated that CD180 expression percentage showed optimal diagnostic accuracy in LPL/WM and MZL cases (area under the curve = 0.998, sensitivity = 100%, and specificity = 98.0%), with a further improvement in differentiation potential by the CD180 mean fluorescence intensity ratio (lymphocytes/monocytes) of ≤ 0.47 (area under the curve = 0.937). Moreover, although the MYD88 Show less
Women diagnosed with PCOS exhibit a high prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). This study aims to assess risk factors of OSA among patients with PCOS. This retrospective study included 126 pati Show more
Women diagnosed with PCOS exhibit a high prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). This study aims to assess risk factors of OSA among patients with PCOS. This retrospective study included 126 patients with PCOS who were categorized into an OSA group (n = 30) and a non-OSA group (n = 96) according to the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI). A control group comprised 72 patients without PCOS who presented during the same period for infertility due to fallopian tube, pelvic, or male factors. Patients with PCOS A multivariate logistic regression model was used to analyze independent risk factors for OSA in the PCOS group. Patients with PCOS had significantly higher AHI values and elevated values for various physical indicators, including body mass index (BMI) and neck, waist, and hip circumferences; prolactin (PRL); fasting plasma glucose (FPG); insulin (FINS); triglycerides (TG); homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR); 2-hour postprandial glucose (2-hPG) and insulin (2-hINS); AHI; and oxygen desaturation index (ODI). Conversely, levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and lowest oxygen saturation (LSaO OSA in PCOS patients is linked to metabolic indicators. High neck circumference and BMI levels were independent risk factors, highlighting the need for OSA in routine PCOS screening, particularly in the context of metabolic dysregulation. Show less
To identify gene alterations in circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) from palbociclib-treated patients with advanced or metastatic breast cancer (ABC) in POLARIS to identify potential mutagenic drivers of re Show more
To identify gene alterations in circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) from palbociclib-treated patients with advanced or metastatic breast cancer (ABC) in POLARIS to identify potential mutagenic drivers of resistance. POLARIS was a prospective, real-world study of palbociclib in patients with hormone receptor-positive (HR+)/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (HER2-) ABC in the United States and Canada. Patients who received ≥1 palbociclib dose and had ≥1 ctDNA measurement were included in the biomarker analysis. ctDNA samples were analyzed using the Guardant360 platform (73 genes) at baseline, cycle 2 day 1 (C2D1), and end of treatment (EOT). Cox proportional hazard models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% CIs. A total of 344 patients were included in the biomarker analysis. Gene alterations were detected in 85% (286 of 336) of baseline samples, 72% (201 of 278) of C2D1 samples, and 85% (88 of 104) of EOT samples. The most frequently mutated genes were Patients without altered Show less
Angiopoietin-like proteins (ANGPTLs) represent a family of secreted glycoproteins that are extensively expressed in vivo and are integral to various pathophysiological processes, including glucose and Show more
Angiopoietin-like proteins (ANGPTLs) represent a family of secreted glycoproteins that are extensively expressed in vivo and are integral to various pathophysiological processes, including glucose and lipid metabolism, stem cell proliferation, local inflammation, vascular permeability, and angiogenesis. Particularly interesting is ANGPTL4, which has been identified as a significant factor in the development and progression of diabetic retinopathy (DR), thus becoming a central focus of DR research. ANGPTLs modulate metabolic pathways, enhance vascular permeability, and facilitate pathological angiogenesis, in addition to causing intraocular inflammation. As promising molecular targets, ANGPTLs not only serve as biomarkers for predicting the onset and progression of DR but also present therapeutic potential through antibody-based interventions. This paper discusses the pathogenesis of DR and the potential applications of ANGPTLs in early diagnosis and targeted therapy. It provides references for advancing precision diagnosis and personalized treatment strategies through more profound ANGPTLs research in the future. Show less
The quality of eggshells holds substantial economic significance and serves as a critical selection criterion in poultry breeding. Eggshell translucency significantly impairs their aesthetic quality, Show more
The quality of eggshells holds substantial economic significance and serves as a critical selection criterion in poultry breeding. Eggshell translucency significantly impairs their aesthetic quality, which is structurally attributed to the thinning of the eggshell membrane or reduced tensile strength. In this study, 836 dwarf white hens were selected, with 45 hens each assigned to the opaque group and the translucent group. Grading for eggshell translucency was conducted at 75, 80, and 85 weeks of age. Based on the results from these three gradings, 35 hens that consistently produced translucent eggs and 35 hens that consistently produced opaque eggs were reclassified into the translucent group and the opaque group, respectively. The thickness of the eggshell membrane, latitudinal and longitudinal tensile force and length, and other indicators related to eggshell membrane quality were measured. Correlation analysis was performed using RNA-seq genomics and DIA proteomics based on the relationships among these indicators. Transcriptome analysis revealed 179 significantly differentially expressed genes, indicating that the causes of translucent eggshells are associated with metabolism, signal transduction, the immune system, molecular binding, transport, and catabolism. Seven potential candidate genes, including Show less
CLN3 mutation causes Juvenile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (JNCL, also known as Batten disease), an early onset neurodegenerative disorder. Patients who suffer from Batten disease often die at an ea Show more
CLN3 mutation causes Juvenile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (JNCL, also known as Batten disease), an early onset neurodegenerative disorder. Patients who suffer from Batten disease often die at an early age. However, the mechanisms underlying how CLN3 loss develops Batten disease remain largely unclear. Here, using Show less
Family caregivers ('carers') bear the highest care burden during the postoperative survivorship period of pancreatic cancer, given its poor prognosis. Most carers report unmet needs when taking on car Show more
Family caregivers ('carers') bear the highest care burden during the postoperative survivorship period of pancreatic cancer, given its poor prognosis. Most carers report unmet needs when taking on caregiving responsibilities during this period. Thoroughly investigating carers' needs is essential for helping families address practical care challenges. However, this important topic remains underexplored. To assess the need levels and identify need subgroups among carers of patients with pancreatic cancer 6 months after surgery and demographic predictors contributing to heterogeneity. Cross-sectional study. Participants were recruited from the pancreas centres of four tertiary A-level comprehensive hospitals in Jiangsu Province, China. 240 patients with pancreatic cancer and their carers ('dyads') participated in the survey. Carers completed the Comprehensive Needs Assessment Tool in Cancer for Carers, the Activities of Daily Living Scale for patients, and the General Demographic Information Questionnaire for dyads. Latent profile analysis (LPA) was used to categorise carers' needs. Non-parametric and chi-square tests were used to examine differences in need scores and sociodemographic characteristics among subgroups. Multiple logistic regression (MLR) was used to analyse sociodemographic impacts. Six months post-surgery, the total carers' need score was 41.83 ± 22.65 points, indicating a moderate level, with the highest needs reported for healthcare personnel, information and knowledge, and facilities and services. The LPA results revealed that carers were divided into five distinct subgroups based on differing levels of need across the domains assessed by the Comprehensive Needs Assessment Tool in Cancer for Carers, with proportions of 8.8 %, 22.5 %, 8.3 %, 55 %, and 5.4 %. Subgroup membership was predicted by four factors: carers' sex (odds ratio [OR]: 11.08, 95 % confidence interval [CI]: 1.64, 74.99, We have highlighted the complex individualised needs of carers of patients with pancreatic cancer. Through LPA and MLR, we identified distinct need subgroups and their predictors. Healthcare professionals may be able to improve dyads' health by tailoring support to each subgroup's specific needs and issues. Registration number: ChiCTR2400079415, registered 03/01/2024, first recruitment 04/02/2024. Show less
GATA2 establishes transcriptomes governing hematopoietic stem/progenitor cell development. In progenitors, GATA2 represses inflammatory genes (Il6st and Il6ra) encoding IL6ST/GP130 and IL6RA receptor Show more
GATA2 establishes transcriptomes governing hematopoietic stem/progenitor cell development. In progenitors, GATA2 represses inflammatory genes (Il6st and Il6ra) encoding IL6ST/GP130 and IL6RA receptor subunits mediating IL-6 signaling. While IL6ST heterodimerizes with IL6RA, IL-11, IL-27, oncostatin M, and leukemia inhibitory factor receptors, IL6RA heterodimerizes exclusively with IL6ST to confer IL-6 signaling. As GATA2-dependent repression is not well understood, we devised a multi-omics strategy to elucidate mechanisms underlying repression and applied the approach to the cytokine/chemokine receptor gene family. Identifying accessible distal and intronic chromatin sites in GATA2-deficient (GATA2 Show less
Evidence of the benefits of cordycepin (Cpn) for treating obesity is accumulating, but detailed knowledge of its therapeutic targets and mechanisms remains limited. This study aimed to systematically Show more
Evidence of the benefits of cordycepin (Cpn) for treating obesity is accumulating, but detailed knowledge of its therapeutic targets and mechanisms remains limited. This study aimed to systematically identify Cpn's therapeutic targets and pathways in Western diet (WD)-induced obesity using integrated network pharmacology, transcriptomics, and experimental validation. A Western diet (WD)-induced mice model was used to evaluate the effectiveness of Cpn in ameliorating obesity. A network pharmacology analysis was then employed to identify the potential anti-obesity targets of Cpn. GO functional enrichment and KEGG pathway analysis were performed to elucidate the potential functions of the identified targets, followed by constructing a protein-protein interaction network to screen the core targets. Meanwhile, quantitative transcriptomics was conducted to validate and broaden the network pharmacology findings. Finally, molecular docking and quantitative real-time PCR assay were used for the core target validation. Cpn treatment effectively alleviated obesity-related symptoms in WD-induced mice. The metabolic pathway, insulin signaling pathway, HIF-1 signaling pathway, FoxO signaling pathway, lipid and atherosclerosis pathway, and core targets including CPS1, HRAS, MAPK14, PAH, ALDOB, AKT1, GSK3B, HSP90AA1, BHMT2, EGFR, CASP3, MAT1A, APOM, APOA2, APOC3, and APOA1 are involved in regulating the therapeutic effect of Cpn. This study comprehensively uncovers the potential mechanism of Cpn against obesity based on network pharmacology and quantitative transcriptomics, which provides evidence for revealing the pathogenesis of obesity, suggesting that Cpn is a possible lead compound for anti-obesity treatment. Show less
Metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is closely associated with insulin resistance (IR) and systemic inflammation. Apolipoprotein A1 (ApoA1) and Apolipoprotein B (ApoB), as notable non-tra Show more
Metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is closely associated with insulin resistance (IR) and systemic inflammation. Apolipoprotein A1 (ApoA1) and Apolipoprotein B (ApoB), as notable non-traditional lipid markers, have demonstrated distinct advantages in identifying risks related to metabolic syndrome and coronary atherosclerosis, yet its association with MAFLD and the mediating roles of IR/inflammation remain unclear. This retrospective investigation involved 1061 participants, categorized into a non-MAFLD group ( The MAFLD group exhibited markedly elevated levels of neutrophils/lymphocytes, neutrophils/platelets, systemic immune inflammation index, systemic inflammation response index, pan-immune-inflammation value and triglyceride-glucose index (TyG), TyG body mass index (TyGBMI), and metabolic score for insulin resistance (METS-IR) compared to the non-MAFLD group. Logistic regression analysis revealed that ApoB/ApoA1, TyG, TyGBMI, and METS-IR were markedly linked to MAFLD risk. Spearman's correlation analysis identified substantial positive links between ApoB/ApoA1 and TyG ( Our findings clarify the complex interrelationships between ApoB/ApoA1, MAFLD risk, inflammation, and IR, and for the first time, demonstrate that IR may act as a key potential mediator in the link between ApoB/ApoA1 and MAFLD, rather than systemic inflammation. This suggests that IR may serve a more prominent role than chronic systemic inflammation in the association between lipid metabolism and MAFLD risk, and intervening in IR may be more effective than anti-inflammatory therapy in blocking the progression from lipid metabolism disorders to MAFLD. Show less
Eimeria tenella (E. tenella) infection is a major cause of coccidiosis in chickens, leading to significant economic losses in the poultry industry due to its impact on the cecum. This study presents a Show more
Eimeria tenella (E. tenella) infection is a major cause of coccidiosis in chickens, leading to significant economic losses in the poultry industry due to its impact on the cecum. This study presents a comprehensive single-cell atlas of the chicken cecal epithelium by generating 7,394 cells using 10X Genomics single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq). We identified 13 distinct cell types, including key immune and epithelial populations, and characterized their gene expression profiles and cell-cell communication networks. Integration of this single-cell data with bulk RNA-seq data from E. tenella-infected chickens revealed significant alterations in cell type composition and state, particularly a marked decrease in APOB Show less
Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) has become the most prevalent type of heart failure, but effective treatments are lacking. Cardiac lymphatics play a crucial role in maintaining Show more
Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) has become the most prevalent type of heart failure, but effective treatments are lacking. Cardiac lymphatics play a crucial role in maintaining heart health by draining fluids and immune cells. However, their involvement in HFpEF remains largely unexplored. We examined cardiac lymphatic alterations in mice with HFpEF with comorbid obesity and hypertension, and in heart tissues from patients with HFpEF. Using genetically engineered mouse models and various cellular and molecular techniques, we investigated the role of cardiac lymphatics in HFpEF and the underlying mechanisms. In mice with HFpEF, cardiac lymphatics displayed substantial structural and functional anomalies, including decreased lymphatic endothelial cell (LEC) density, vessel fragmentation, reduced branch connections, and impaired capacity to drain fluids and immune cells. LEC numbers and marker expression levels were also decreased in heart tissues from patients with HFpEF. Stimulating lymphangiogenesis with an adeno-associated virus expressing an engineered variant of vascular endothelial growth factor C (VEGFC Our study provides evidence that cardiac lymphatic disruption, driven by impaired BCAA catabolism in LECs, is a key factor contributing to HFpEF. These findings unravel the crucial role of BCAA catabolism in modulating lymphatic biology, and suggest that preserving cardiac lymphatic integrity may present a novel therapeutic strategy for HFpEF. Show less
Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is a common and serious complication of diabetes, affecting approximately 40% of patients with the condition. The pathogenesis of DKD is complex, involving multiple proce Show more
Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is a common and serious complication of diabetes, affecting approximately 40% of patients with the condition. The pathogenesis of DKD is complex, involving multiple processes such as metabolism, inflammation, and fibrosis. Given its increasing incidence and associated mortality, there is an urgent need to identify novel pathogenic genes and therapeutic targets. This study systematically identified hub DKD-associated genes and their potential molecular mechanisms through bioinformatic analysis. Gene expression datasets from DKD patients and healthy controls were obtained from the GEO database. Hub genes were screened using differential expression analysis, weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), LASSO regression, random forest (RF) algorithms, and consensus clustering for DKD patient classification. Additionally, immune cell infiltration analysis was performed on differentially expressed genes to explore the relationship between hub genes and the immune microenvironment. Potential drugs targeting LPL were predicted based on gene-drug interaction analysis. Immunohistochemistry was used to verify the expression of LPL and TNF-α in kidney tissues from patients with varying degrees of DKD severity, as well as their relationship with kidney function impairment. This study revealed that LPL, a lipoprotein metabolism gene, plays a crucial role in DKD, participating in cholesterol and glycerolipid metabolism as well as PPAR signaling. LPL expression was negatively correlated with pro-inflammatory M1 macrophages and various subsets of T cells, including naïve CD4 T cells and gamma delta T cells, while positively correlated with follicular helper T cells, suggesting its immune-regulation effects in DKD progression. Potential LPL-targeting drugs, such as Ibrolipim, anabolic steroid, and acarbose, might mitigate DKD. LPL expression was decreased with DKD severity and was correlated with TNF-α and kidney dysfunction markers, indicating its key role in DKD progression. LPL is a pivotal regulator of lipid metabolism and immune inflammation in DKD. Potential drugs targeting LPL offer new candidates for precision treatment of DKD. These findings lay a theoretical foundation for understanding the molecular mechanisms of DKD and developing LPL-based therapeutic strategies. Show less
Obesity is a chronic inflammatory disorder, which promotes the progression of metabolic disorders. MicroRNA (miR)-6838-5p is dysregulated and participates in the progression of several disorder models Show more
Obesity is a chronic inflammatory disorder, which promotes the progression of metabolic disorders. MicroRNA (miR)-6838-5p is dysregulated and participates in the progression of several disorder models. To explore the role and mechanism of miR-6838-5p in insulin resistance. Mice were fed with high-fat diet (HFD) to construct an obesity animal model. The role of miR-6838-5p was evaluated by insulin tolerance test (ITT), glucose tolerance test (GTT), homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) analysis, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and western blot assays. The potential target of miR-6838-5p was screened through the starBase online website and confirmed by the luciferase assay. HFD supply induced a prominent increase in the body weight, white adipose tissue (WAT) weight, the area under the curve (AUC) of GTT and ITT, HOMA-IR, the serum level of insulin and the serum concentrations and relative protein levels of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6 and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) accompanied with reduced levels of IL-10 in mice. The level of miR-6838-5p was reduced in HFD-fed mice. Upregulation of miR-6838-5p partly reversed the above-mentioned indicators. Moreover, miR-6838-5p directly targeted to β-site amyloid precursor protein cleaving enzyme1 (BACE1) and negatively regulated the BACE1 expression. Downregulation of BACE1 improved insulin sensitivity and inflammatory mediators release involving in AKT/GSK3β signaling pathway in HFD-fed mice. Besides, overexpression of BACE1 counteracted the depressant role of miR-6838-5p overexpression in insulin resistance and inflammatory factors release in HFD-fed mice. MiR-6838-5p/BACE1 axis regulated insulin resistance and inflammatory factors release in HFD-fed mice. Show less
Natriuretic peptides (NPs) have an important role in lipid metabolism in skeletal muscle and adipose tissue in animals. C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) is an important NP, but the molecular mechanism Show more
Natriuretic peptides (NPs) have an important role in lipid metabolism in skeletal muscle and adipose tissue in animals. C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) is an important NP, but the molecular mechanisms that underlie its activity are not completely understood. Treatment of intramuscular fat (IMF) and subcutaneous fat (SCF) adipocytes with CNP led to decreased differentiation, promoted proliferation and lipolysis, and increased the expression of natriuretic peptide receptor B (NPRB) mRNA. Silencing natriuretic peptide C (NPPC) had the opposite results in IMF and SCF adipocytes. Transcriptome analysis found 665 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in IMF adipocytes and 991 in SCF adipocytes. Seven genes in IMF adipocytes (FABP4, APOA1, ACOX2, ADIPOQ, CD36, FABP5, and LPL) and eight genes in SCF adipocytes (ACOX3, ACSL1, APOA1, CPT1A, CPT2, FABP4, PDPK1 and PPARα) are related to fat metabolism. Fifteen genes were found to be enriched in the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) pathway. Integrated analysis identified 113 intersection genes in IMF and SCF adipocytes, two of which (APOA1 and FABP4) were enriched in the PPAR pathway. In conclusion, CNP may regulated lipid metabolism through the NPRB-PPAR pathway in both IMF and SCF adipocytes, FABP4 and APOA1 may be the key genes that mediated CNP regulation of fat deposition. 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
Zinc finger protein 750 (ZNF750) has been identified as a potential tumor suppressor across multiple malignancies. Nevertheless, the specific involvement of ZNF750 in the regulation of mesenchymal cel Show more
Zinc finger protein 750 (ZNF750) has been identified as a potential tumor suppressor across multiple malignancies. Nevertheless, the specific involvement of ZNF750 in the regulation of mesenchymal cell differentiation and bone homeostasis has yet to be elucidated. In the current study, we observed a substantial presence of ZNF750 in bone tissue and noted alterations in its expression during osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal progenitor cells. Functional experiments indicated that ZNF750 promoted osteogenic differentiation while impeding adipogenic differentiation from mesenchymal stem/progenitor cells. Further mechanistic investigations revealed that ZNF750 transcriptionally suppressed the expression of Snail family transcriptional repressor 1 (SNAI1) by binding to the proximal promoter region of Snai1 gene, thereby activating Wnt/β-catenin signaling. SNAI1 exerted opposing effects on cell differentiation towards osteoblasts and adipocytes in comparison to ZNF750. The overexpression of SNAI1 counteracted the dysregulated osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation induced by ZNF750. Furthermore, the transplantation of Znf750-silenced bone marrow stromal cells into the marrow of wild-type mice resulted in a reduction in cancellous and cortical bone mass, alongside a decrease in osteoblasts and an increase in marrow adipocytes, while the number of osteoclasts remained unchanged. This study presents the first demonstration that ZNF750 regulates the differentiation of osteoblasts and adipocytes from mesenchymal stem/progenitor cells by transcriptionally deactivating SNAI1 signaling, thereby contributing to the maintenance of bone homeostasis. It suggests that ZNF750 may represent a promising therapeutic target for metabolic bone disorders such as osteoporosis. Show less
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is an innovative non-invasive therapy for human cancer treatment. The significance of apoptosis-related genes (ARGs) in the prognosis of bladder cancer (BLCA) has gradually Show more
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is an innovative non-invasive therapy for human cancer treatment. The significance of apoptosis-related genes (ARGs) in the prognosis of bladder cancer (BLCA) has gradually emerged. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the prognostic significance and pathogenesis of PDT related genes (PDTRGs)-ARGs in BLCA cases. Based on the BLCA data in TCGA, PDTRGs-ARGs with prognostic value in BLCA patients were screened. Subsequently, the prognostic value and diagnostic performance of all candidate genes were evaluated by univariate Cox regression analysis and ROC curves. Then, GSEA, GSVA and immune microenvironment analysis were conducted based on candidate genes. Finally, the molecular mechanisms of key candidate genes in BLCA patients were initially explored by qRT-PCR, CCK-8 analysis, Transwell Assay and Western Blotting. A total of 5 ARGs-PDTRGs (EMP1, FGFR1, PLPPR4, JUN, TNFRSF25) were screened as prognostic biomarkers for BLCA. Survival analysis revealed significant differences in overall survival of the five prognostic biomarkers in the high/low expression groups. ROC curve analysis revealed that the five prognostic biomarkers had strong prognostic predictive ability. QRT-PCR proved that the expression of EMP1, FGFR1, PLPPR4 and JUN was obviously reduced, while TNFRSF25 was markedly increased in BLCA tissue samples and cell lines. The following research confirmed that FGFR1 inhibited the biological process of T24 cells by activating cGMP-PKG pathway. Five ARGs-PDTRGs (EMP1, FGFR1, PLPPR4, JUN, TNFRSF25) were screened as prognostic biomarkers for BLCA. Among them, FGFR1 inhibits the biological process of T24 cells via activating cGMP-PKG pathway. Show less
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is often characterized by augmented cardiac contractility, which frequently remains undetectable in its early stages. Emerging evidence suggests that hypercontractili Show more
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is often characterized by augmented cardiac contractility, which frequently remains undetectable in its early stages. Emerging evidence suggests that hypercontractility is linked to mitochondrial defects that develop early in HCM progression. However, imaging markers for identifying these early alterations in myocardial function are lacking. We used cardiac magnetic resonance feature tracking (CMR-FT) to assess myocardial strain in a Show less
Individuals with diabetes are susceptible to cardiac dysfunction and heart failure, potentially resulting in mortality. Metabolic disorders frequently occur in patients with diabetes, and diabetes usu Show more
Individuals with diabetes are susceptible to cardiac dysfunction and heart failure, potentially resulting in mortality. Metabolic disorders frequently occur in patients with diabetes, and diabetes usually leads to remodeling of heart structure and cardiac dysfunction. However, the contribution and underlying mechanisms of metabolic and structural coupling in diabetic cardiac dysfunction remain elusive. Two mouse models of type 2 diabetes (T2DM) were used to assess alterations in glucose/lipid metabolism and cardiac structure. The potential metabolic-structural coupling molecule ACBP (acyl-coenzyme A-binding protein) was screened from 4 published datasets of T2DM-associated heart disease. In vivo loss-of-function and gain-of-function approaches were used to investigate the role of ACBP in diabetic cardiac dysfunction. The underlying mechanisms of metabolic and structural coupling were investigated by stable-isotope tracing metabolomics, coimmunoprecipitation coupled with mass spectrometry, and chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing. Diabetic mouse hearts exhibit enhanced lipid metabolism and impaired ultrastructure with marked cardiac systolic and diastolic dysfunction. Analysis of 4 T2DM public datasets revealed that Our findings demonstrated that ACBP mediates the bidirectional regulation of cardiomyocyte metabolic and structural associations and identified a promising therapeutic target for ameliorating cardiac dysfunction in patients with T2DM. 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
This study explored latent mental health profiles among adolescents in southwestern China and the association with emotional regulation using the dual-factor model framework. 1,682 junior middle schoo Show more
This study explored latent mental health profiles among adolescents in southwestern China and the association with emotional regulation using the dual-factor model framework. 1,682 junior middle school students completed the LPA revealed three profiles: Troubled (31.51%, high negative symptoms/low well-being), complete mental health (61.30%, low negative symptoms/high well-being), and more troubled (7.19%, severe negative symptoms/extremely low well-being). Cognitive reappraisal positively predicted complete mental health (vs. Troubled; Three distinct profiles emerged, differing from the traditional dual-factor model. Cognitive reappraisal protects mental health, while expressive suppression correlates with poorer outcomes, highlighting the need for targeted interventions promoting cognitive reappraisal. Show less