Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive, heterogeneous subtype of breast cancer. miRNAs play an essential role in TNBC pathogenesis and prognosis. Obesity is linked with an increased ris Show more
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive, heterogeneous subtype of breast cancer. miRNAs play an essential role in TNBC pathogenesis and prognosis. Obesity is linked with an increased risk for several cancers, including breast cancer. Obesity is also related to the dysregulation of miRNA expression in adipose tissues. However, there is limited knowledge about race- and obesity-specific differential miRNA expression in TNBC. We performed miRNA sequencing of 48 samples (24 tumor and 24 adjacent non-tumor tissues) and RNA sequencing of 24 tumors samples from Black (AA) and White (EA) TNBC patients with or without obesity. We identified 55 miRNAs exclusively associated with tumors in obese EA patients and 33 miRNAs in obese AA patients, each capable of distinguishing tumor tissues from obese from lean individuals within their respective racial groups. In EA, we detected 41 significant miRNA-mRNA correlations. Notably, miR-181b-5p and miR-877-5p acted as negative regulators of tumor-suppressor genes (e.g., Show less
Jihong Shang, Tian Liu, Wen Gong+1 more · 2025 · Journal of stroke and cerebrovascular diseases : the official journal of National Stroke Association · Elsevier · added 2026-04-24
This study aimed to elucidate the bidirectional causal relationships between Alzheimer's disease (AD), cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD), and the effect of inflammatory cytokines on AD and CSVD usi Show more
This study aimed to elucidate the bidirectional causal relationships between Alzheimer's disease (AD), cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD), and the effect of inflammatory cytokines on AD and CSVD using Mendelian randomization (MR). We employed publicly available summary-level data from genome-wide association studies for AD, CSVD, and 91 inflammatory cytokines. Genetic variants strongly associated with each risk factor were selected as instrumental variables. The inverse variance weighted (IVW) method was primarily used for causal inference, with sensitivity analyses including MR-Egger and weighted median estimators. MR analysis revealed that genetically predicted CSVD significantly increased the risk of AD (odds ratio [OR] = 1.035, 95% CI, 1.015-1.056, P = 0.001). Conversely, AD did not significantly influence CSVD risk (OR = 0.878, 95% CI, 0.701-1.100, P = 0.257). Among inflammatory cytokines, Axin1 (OR = 1.082, 95% CI, 1.009-1.159, P = 0.026) and bNGF (OR = 1.061, 95% CI, 1.001-1.125, P = 0.048) increased AD risk, while CD5 (OR = 0.937, 95% CI, 0.887-0.991, P = 0.022) and CXCL11 (OR = 0.951, 95% CI, 0.912-0.992, P = 0.019) decreased AD risk. FGF19 (OR = 0.560, 95% CI, 0.405-0.773, P < 0.001) and TNFSF14 (OR = 0.744, 95% CI, 0.580-0.954, P = 0.020) were protective against CSVD. Our findings suggest that CSVD may increase AD risk, while specific inflammatory cytokines exhibit differential associations with these conditions. Targeting vascular health and inflammation may offer promising therapeutic avenues for managing neurodegenerative diseases. Show less
no PDFDOI: 10.1016/j.jstrokecerebrovasdis.2025.108259
Based on the special role of mitochondria in tumour energy metabolism. We hope to explore the pathogenesis and potential therapeutic targets of Hepatocellular carcinoma by analysing the expression of Show more
Based on the special role of mitochondria in tumour energy metabolism. We hope to explore the pathogenesis and potential therapeutic targets of Hepatocellular carcinoma by analysing the expression of 1136 mitochondrial proteins in hepatocellular carcinoma and their mechanisms in the Human.MitoCarta3.0 database. The expression of 1136 mitochondrial proteins in HCC was analysed by the TCGA database. We selected the top eight mitochondrial proteins among the highly expressed mitochondrial proteins that had not been studied in HCC and were statistically (P < 0.05) significant, according to fold change. Protein expression was verified by real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction in tumours and adjacent paracancerous tissues of 34 pairs of HCC patients. Further in HCC cells, the expression of FDPS, DNA2 and MYO19 was verified. Clinical correlations of FDPS, DNA2 and MYO19 were analysed by UALCAN and KM-plot databases. Immune correlation of FDPS, DNA2 and MYO19 was analysed by TIMER2.0 and Sangerbox3.0 online databases. Mitochondrial proteins were expressed on all 24 chromosomes. More than 2/3 of the mitochondria were 100-600 bp long, of which 204 were secondary transmembrane proteins. 1136 mitochondrial proteins, of which 202 are not included in the TCGA database. Of the 934 mitochondrial proteins included in the TCGA database, 706 were highly expressed and 228 were poorly expressed in HCC. Further validated by HCC tissues and cells, the study found that significantly high expression of FDPS, DNA2 and MYO19 was negatively correlated with the prognosis of HCC patients. The results of the immune correlation analysis showed that DNA2 and MYO19 may be involved in regulating the infiltration of immune cells. 934 out of 1136 mitochondrial proteins in the Human.MitoCarta3.0 database were differentially expressed in HCC, suggesting that mitochondrial proteins play an important biological role in the development of HCC. Further experimental validation and bioinformatics analyses showed that functional mitochondrial proteins are potential pathophysiological mechanisms for malignant progression of HCC. Mitochondrial proteins, in the future, have the potential to be valuable therapeutic targets for HCC. Show less
Fatty Acid Desaturase 1 (FADS1) is a rate-limiting enzyme controlling the bioproduction of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). Increasing studies suggest that FADS1 is a potential cancer t Show more
Fatty Acid Desaturase 1 (FADS1) is a rate-limiting enzyme controlling the bioproduction of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). Increasing studies suggest that FADS1 is a potential cancer target. Our previous research has demonstrated the significant role of FADS1 in cancer biology and patient survival, especially in kidney cancers. We aim to explore the underlying mechanism in this study. We found that pharmacological inhibition or knockdown of the expression of FADS1 significantly reduced the intracellular conversion of long-chain PUFAs, effectively inhibits renal cancer cell proliferation, and induces cell cycle arrest. The stable knockdown of FADS1 also significantly inhibits tumor formation in vivo. Mechanistically, we showed that while FADS1 inhibition induces endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, FADS1 expression is augmented by ER-stress inducer, suggesting a necessary role of PUFA production in response to ER stress. FADS1-inhibition sensitized cellular response to ER stress inducers, leading to cell apoptosis. Also, FADS1 inhibition-induced ER stress leads to activation of the PERK/eIF2α/ATF4/ATF3 pathway. Inhibiting PERK or knockdown of ATF3 rescued FADS1 inhibition-induced ER stress and cell growth suppression, while ATF3-overexpression aggravates the FADS1 inhibition-induced cell growth suppression and leads to cell death. Metabolomic analysis revealed that FADS1 inhibition results in decreased level of UPD-N-Acetylglucosamine, a critical mediator of the unfolded protein response, as well as impaired biosynthesis of nucleotides, possibly accounting for the cell cycle arrest. Our findings suggest that PUFA desaturation is crucial for rescuing cancer cells from persistent ER stress, supporting FADS1 as a new therapeutic target. Show less
Tao Geng, Mengwei Feng, Kaiyan Wang+11 more · 2025 · FASEB journal : official publication of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology · added 2026-04-24
The uptake of modified lipoproteins by macrophages to form foam cells is a crucial step in atherosclerosis (AS) development. N7-methylguanosine (m7G) is frequently methylated internally in eukaryotic Show more
The uptake of modified lipoproteins by macrophages to form foam cells is a crucial step in atherosclerosis (AS) development. N7-methylguanosine (m7G) is frequently methylated internally in eukaryotic RNA transcripts and plays a crucial role in various processes. This study aimed to investigate the m7G RNA methylation profile in AS. We employed high-throughput sequencing to analyze the m7G methylome in foam cells induced by ox-LDL, using an in vitro AS model. Then, m7G-seq, RNA-seq, bioinformatic analysis, cell biological analyses, followed by qRT-PCR were performed. Additionally, the roles of SCARB2 and RASSF8 were investigated in an in vivo AS mouse model, and cells with SCARB2/RASSF8 overexpression/knockdown. In vitro and in vivo oil red O staining confirmed the successful establishment of the atherosclerotic foam cell and mouse models. We identified 1197 m7G peaks and 430 differentially expressed mRNAs during foam cell formation. Bioinformatics analyses revealed different m7G peaks associated with the gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) signaling pathway, cytoskeleton-dependent intracellular transport, and mitochondrial organization, regulating the processes of macrophage foaminess. Moreover, 28 key differentially expressed methylated genes were identified. m7G methyltransferases (WDR4, METTL1, WBSCR22) were upregulated in the AS cell model, and m7G modification genes (SCARB2 and RASSF8) associated with pathological processes were confirmed. Immunofluorescence staining showed that RASSF8 and SCARB2 were both expressed in AS mice plaque tissues. Finally, RASSF8/SCARB2 overexpression could promote apoptosis and lipid accumulation of ox-LDL-induced RAW264.7 cells. An m7G transcriptome-wide map of AS in vitro was created, and the differentially m7G methylated genes SCARB2 and RASSF8 may be crucial in macrophage foaminess. Our findings offer novel insights into the underlying mechanisms and potential treatments for AS. Show less
Atherosclerosis, a leading cause of cardiovascular disease, is driven by a complex interplay of dyslipidemia, inflammation, and arterial plaque formation and progression. Animal models are indispensab Show more
Atherosclerosis, a leading cause of cardiovascular disease, is driven by a complex interplay of dyslipidemia, inflammation, and arterial plaque formation and progression. Animal models are indispensable to elucidate the pathogenesis and develop novel therapies. Rodent models are widely utilized due to their cost-effectiveness, reproducibility, and rapid disease progression. However, notable species differences exist in lipoprotein composition and lipid metabolism pathways. Mice and rats exhibit an HDL-dominant profile, whereas Syrian golden hamsters express cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) and display a higher LDL fraction, but lower than that of humans, offering a model closer to human metabolically. Divergent CETP activity across species further complicates the translational relevance of the findings from these models for atherosclerosis and related metabolic disorders. This review systematically examines the key factors in rodent model selection and optimization, with consideration on the roles of sex and age. We focus on three commonly used and well-characterized rodent strains prone to atherosclerosis: C57BL/6J mice, Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats, Wistar rats, and golden hamsters. On Show less
The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of dietary fatty acids (FA) saturation and lysophospholipids supplementation on growth, meat quality, oxidative stability, FA profiles, and lipi Show more
The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of dietary fatty acids (FA) saturation and lysophospholipids supplementation on growth, meat quality, oxidative stability, FA profiles, and lipid metabolism of finishing beef bulls. Thirty-two Angus bulls (initial body weight: 623 ± 22.6 kg; 21 ± 0.5 months of age) were used. The experiment was a completely randomized block design with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments: 2 diets with FA of different degree of unsaturation [high saturated FA diet (HSFA) vs. high unsaturated FA diet (HUFA)] combined with (0.075%, dry matter basis) and without lysophospholipids supplementation. The bulls were fed a high-concentrate diet (forage to concentrate, 15:85) for 104 d including a 14-d adaptation period and a 90-d data and sample collection period. No interactions were observed between dietary FA and lysophospholipids supplementation for growth and meat quality parameters. A greater dietary ratio of unsaturated FA (UFA) to saturated FA (SFA) from 1:2 to 1:1 led to lower DM intake and backfat thickness, but did not affect growth performance and other carcass traits. Compared with HSFA, bulls fed HUFA had greater shear force in Longissimus thoracis (LT) muscle, but had lower intramuscular fat (IMF) content and SOD content in LT muscle. Compared with HUFA, feeding the HSFA diet up-regulated expression of ACC, FAS, PPARγ, and SCD1, but down-regulated expression of CPT1B. Compared with feeding HSFA, the HUFA diet led to greater concentrations of c9-C18:1 and other monounsaturated FA in LT muscle. Feeding HUFA also led to lower plasma concentrations of cholesterol, but there were no interactions between FA and lysophospholipids detected. Feeding lysophospholipids improved growth and feed conversion ratio and altered meat quality by increasing muscle pH Results indicated that supplementing a high-concentrate diet with lysophospholipids to beef bulls can enhance growth rate, feed efficiency, meat quality, and beneficial FA. Increasing the dietary ratio of UFA to SFA reduced DM intake and backfat thickness without compromising growth, suggesting potential improvements in feed efficiency. Show less
Communication of gut hormones with the central nervous system is important to regulate systemic glucose homeostasis, but the precise underlying mechanism involved remain little understood. Nesfatin-1, Show more
Communication of gut hormones with the central nervous system is important to regulate systemic glucose homeostasis, but the precise underlying mechanism involved remain little understood. Nesfatin-1, encoded by nucleobindin-2 (NUCB2), a potent anorexigenic peptide hormone, was found to be released from the gastrointestinal tract, but its specific function in this context remains unclear. Herein, we found that gut nesfatin-1 can sense nutrients such as glucose and lipids and subsequently decreases hepatic glucose production. Nesfatin-1 infusion in the small intestine of NUCB2-knockout rats reduced hepatic glucose production via a gut - brain - liver circuit. Mechanistically, NUCB2/nesfatin-1 interacted directly with melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4R) through its H-F-R domain and increased cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) levels and glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) secretion in the intestinal epithelium, thus inhibiting hepatic glucose production. The intestinal nesfatin-1 -MC4R-cAMP-GLP-1 pathway and systemic gut-brain communication are required for nesfatin-1 - mediated regulation of liver energy metabolism. These findings reveal a novel mechanism of hepatic glucose production control by gut hormones through the central nervous system. Show less
RNA interference (RNAi) holds promise as a gene-silencing therapy for liver cancer but faces challenges related to siRNA instability, short half-life, and inefficient cellular uptake. In this study, w Show more
RNA interference (RNAi) holds promise as a gene-silencing therapy for liver cancer but faces challenges related to siRNA instability, short half-life, and inefficient cellular uptake. In this study, we designed a self-assembling RNA nanoparticle targeting three oncogenes- Show less
To identify latent profiles of demoralization among older adults with disabilities, analyze their influencing factors, and examine their associations with active aging. From February to July 2025, a c Show more
To identify latent profiles of demoralization among older adults with disabilities, analyze their influencing factors, and examine their associations with active aging. From February to July 2025, a convenience sample of 411 older adults with disabilities was recruited from a tertiary hospital in Anhui Province, China. Data were collected using a general information questionnaire, the Chinese version of the Demoralization Scale, and the Active Aging Scale. Latent profile analysis (LPA) was performed based on demoralization subscale scores. Univariate and multinominal analyses were employed to investigate the influencing factors, and the Kruskal-Wallis The prevalence of demoralization syndrome was 49.1%. LPA identified three distinct profiles: the Well-Adapted Group (53.3%), the Disheartened-Helpless Group (23.8%), and the Fully Demoralized Group (22.9%). The Kruskal-Wallis Nearly half of the older adults with disabilities experienced demoralization, with heterogeneous subgroups identified. The active aging status of demoralized subgroups requires urgent attention. These findings suggest the need for targeted interventions tailored to the characteristics of each profile to improve mental health and promote active aging in this population. Show less
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder associated with impairments in memory and executive functions. Despite significant advancements in identifying genetic risk factors Show more
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder associated with impairments in memory and executive functions. Despite significant advancements in identifying genetic risk factors, the high cost and limited accessibility of genetic testing remain major barriers. In this work, we propose a cost-effective screening approach that leverages EEG recordings and psychometric test scores to predict an individual's genetic risk for AD. Our Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) model shows promising performance: it achieved an F1 score of 72.21% in distinguishing APOE-ϵ4/PICALM GG non-carriers (N) from APOE-ϵ4 carriers with the risky PICALM GG alleles (A+P+). It reached an F1 score of 60.78% for differentiating non-carriers (N) from APOE-ϵ4 carriers without the risky alleles (A+P-), and 65.12% when separating A+P- from A+P+. To enhance interpretability, we employ Grad-CAM, which reveals that EEG features contribute more significantly to gene prediction than psychometric measures. Notably, our model also identifies three key psychometric tests, MINI COPE (which assesses emotional coping skills), the California Verbal Learning Test (CVLT), and NEO Neuroticism, as associated with higher AD risk, consistent with prior research. Moreover, our results align with earlier findings reporting increased theta-band power among high-risk individuals. Finally, Higuchi Fractal Dimension (HFD) features drove most of the EEG-based prediction capability, as shown through our ablation study. This study highlights the potential of integrating neurophysiological and cognitive assessments to develop accessible and reliable screening tools for AD genetic risk, enabling earlier diagnoses. The code has been released at https://github.com/ Shyamal-Dharia/EEG-Psycho-Genes-AD. Show less
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a prevalent metabolic and reproductive endocrine disorder with strong heritability. However, the independent role of oocytes in mediating this heritability remains Show more
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a prevalent metabolic and reproductive endocrine disorder with strong heritability. However, the independent role of oocytes in mediating this heritability remains unclear. Utilizing in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer and surrogacy, we demonstrated that oocytes from androgen-exposed mice (F1) transmitted PCOS-like traits to F2 and F3 generations. Notably, caloric restriction (CR) in F1 or F2 effectively prevented this transmission by restoring disrupted DNA methylation in oocyte genes related to insulin secretion and AMPK signaling pathways. Further detection in adult tissues of offspring revealed dysregulated DNA methylation and expression of those genes (e.g., Adcy3, Gnas, and Srebf1) were reversed by maternal CR. Moreover, similar benefits of CR were observed in aberrant embryonic methylome of women with PCOS. These findings elucidate the essential role of CR in preventing PCOS transmission via methylation reprogramming, emphasizing the importance of preconception metabolic management for women with PCOS. Show less
Pancreatic cancer (PC), characterized by the absence of effective biomarkers and therapies, remains highly fatal. Data regarding the correlations between PC risk and individual plasma proteome known f Show more
Pancreatic cancer (PC), characterized by the absence of effective biomarkers and therapies, remains highly fatal. Data regarding the correlations between PC risk and individual plasma proteome known for minimally invasive biomarkers are scarce. Here, we analyzed 1,345 human plasma proteins using proteome-wide association studies, identifying 78 proteins significantly associated with PC risk. Of these, four proteins (ROR1, FN1, APOA5, and ABO) showed the most substantial causal link to PC, confirmed through Mendelian randomization and colocalization analyses. Data from two clinical cohorts further demonstrated that FN1 and ABO were notably overexpressed in both blood and tumor samples from PC patients, compared to healthy controls or para-tumor tissues. Additionally, elevated FN1 and ABO levels correlated with shorter median survival in patients. Multiple drugs targeting FN1 or ROR1 are available or in clinical trials. These findings suggest that plasma protein FN1 associated with PC holds potential as both prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets. Show less
Neural hyperexcitability has been clinically associated with amyloid-β (Aβ) pathology and cognitive impairment in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Here, we show that decreased GABA
RBM6, implicated in the progression of multiple tumour types but unexplored in prostate tumours, was found to indicate potential therapeutic implications due to its elevated expression in prostate tum Show more
RBM6, implicated in the progression of multiple tumour types but unexplored in prostate tumours, was found to indicate potential therapeutic implications due to its elevated expression in prostate tumours. To elucidate its molecular function, scratch tests, transwell migration and invasion assays were conducted, with PCR and western blot analyses verifying molecular regulatory relationships. RNA pulldown and RNA immunoprecipitation tests were also employed to investigate underlying mechanisms. Results indicate that RBM6 enhances prostate cell migration by suppressing CDH1, yet ZEB1 overexpression alleviates this suppression. Notably, under these conditions, RBM6's inhibitory effect on MMP16 becomes more pronounced, reducing cell migration ability. Thus, under normal conditions, RBM6 promotes prostate tumour cell migration, but in the context of high ZEB1 expression, it inhibits migration. This shift in RBM6's regulatory capacity towards downstream genes underscores the importance of considering objective conditions in studying RBM6 molecules. Show less
Twenty types of GABAergic interneurons form intricate networks to fine-tune neural circuits in the brain. Parvalbumin-positive (PV+) and somatostatin-positive (SST+) interneurons, which are the two la Show more
Twenty types of GABAergic interneurons form intricate networks to fine-tune neural circuits in the brain. Parvalbumin-positive (PV+) and somatostatin-positive (SST+) interneurons, which are the two largest populations of neocortical interneurons, innervate the soma and/or proximal dendrites, and distal dendrites of pyramidal neurons, respectively. Using PV- and SST-specific knockout mouse models, we show that PV+ interneurons require FGFR2, which responds to FGF7, to drive PV+ inhibitory presynaptic maturation on perisomatic regions of Layer V pyramidal neurons. In contrast, SST+ interneurons rely on both FGFR1 and FGFR2, which respond to FGF10 or FGF22, to promote SST+ inhibitory presynaptic maturation on distal dendrites of pyramidal neurons in cortical Layer I. Mechanistically, FGF-FGFR signaling sustains VGAT protein levels in interneurons through PP2A and Akt pathways. Together, these findings demonstrate that distinct FGF ligand-receptor combinations regulate inhibitory presynaptic differentiation by PV+ and SST+ interneurons, contributing to the formation of compartment-specific synaptic patterns. Show less
High-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) is the most lethal type of gynecological cancer, and platinum-resistance is a serious challenge in its treatment. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play critical Show more
High-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) is the most lethal type of gynecological cancer, and platinum-resistance is a serious challenge in its treatment. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play critical regulatory roles in the occurrence and development of cancers. Here, using RNA sequencing of tumor small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) from HGSOC patients, the lncRNA CATED is identified as significantly upregulated in both tumors and tumor-derived sEVs in platinum-resistant HGSOC, and low CATED levels correlate with good prognosis. Functionally, CATED enhances cisplatin resistance by promoting cell proliferation and inhibiting apoptosis in vitro and in vivo. These effects could be transferred via CATED-overexpressing sEVs from donor cells and HGSOC tumor sEVs. Mechanistically, CATED binds to and upregulates DHX36 via PIAS1-mediated SUMOylation at the K105 site, and elevated DHX36 levels increase downstream RAP1A protein levels by enhancing RAP1A mRNA translation, consequently activating the MAPK pathway to promote platinum-resistance in HGSOC. Antisense oligonucleotide mediated knockdown of CATED reverse platinum-resistance in sEV-transmitted mouse models via the DHX36-RAP1A-MAPK pathway. This study newly identifies a sEV-transmitted lncRNA CATED in driving HGSOC platinum-resistance and elucidates the mechanism it regulates the interacting protein through SUMOylation. These findings also provide a novel strategy for improving chemotherapy in HGSOC by targeting CATED. Show less
Heat stress (HS) severely significantly reduces milk yield and causes substantial economic losses of dairy cows. TMT-based proteomes and an untargeted metabolomics approach were used to conduct the pr Show more
Heat stress (HS) severely significantly reduces milk yield and causes substantial economic losses of dairy cows. TMT-based proteomes and an untargeted metabolomics approach were used to conduct the proteomics and metabolomics in heat-stressed (HS, 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
Prenatal exposure to bisphenol analogs (BPs) may pose hazards to offspring's health; however, their underlying mechanisms remain to be elucidated. DNA methylation, a major epigenetic mechanism, may be Show more
Prenatal exposure to bisphenol analogs (BPs) may pose hazards to offspring's health; however, their underlying mechanisms remain to be elucidated. DNA methylation, a major epigenetic mechanism, may be involved in early programming following environmental disturbances. In this prospective study, we investigated associations between prenatal BPs exposure and the placental DNA methylation levels of 14 candidate genes in the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) signaling pathway among 205 mother-infant pairs and explored the potential mediating role of the DNA methylation in the association of prenatal BPs exposure with anthropometric measurements of infants aged 1 year. We observed a general pattern that prenatal BPs exposure was associated with the DNA hypomethylation of candidate genes, with associations consistently and notably observed for PPAR α (PPARA), retinoid X receptor α (RXRA), acetyl-CoA acyltransferase 1, and acyl-CoA dehydrogenase medium chain (ACADM) in linear regression and Bayesian kernel machine regression. Both models identified bisphenol F (BPF) as the predominant compound. We found inverse associations between the placental DNA methylation levels of most candidate genes, such as PPARA, RXRA, ACADM, and nuclear receptor subfamily 1 group H member 3 (NR1H3), and the length-for-age z-score, arm circumference-for-age z-score, subscapular skinfold-for-age z-score, and abdominal skinfold thickness of the infants. The DNA methylation levels of RXRA and NR1H3 could mediate the associations between prenatal BPF exposure and increased infant anthropometric measurements, with mediating portions ranging from 23.02% to 30.53%. Our findings shed light on the potential mechanisms underlying the effects of prenatal BPs exposure on infant growth and call for urgent actions for risk assessment and regulation of BPF. Future cohort studies with larger sample sizes are warranted to confirm our findings. Show less
By integrating single-cell and bulk RNA-sequencing data for esophageal cancer (ESCA), we developed and validated a seven-macrophage-gene prognostic signature (FCN1, SCARB2, ATF5, PHLDA2, GLIPR1, CHORD Show more
By integrating single-cell and bulk RNA-sequencing data for esophageal cancer (ESCA), we developed and validated a seven-macrophage-gene prognostic signature (FCN1, SCARB2, ATF5, PHLDA2, GLIPR1, CHORDC1, and BCKDK). This signature effectively stratified patients into high- and low-risk groups with significantly different overall survival, achieving area under the curve (AUC) values greater than 0.7 for 1-, 2-, and 3-year survival prediction. A high-risk status correlated with an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, characterized by lower infiltration of B cells and CD8 + T cells, and was associated with reduced sensitivity to multiple chemotherapeutic agents, including Cisplatin and 5-Fluorouracil. Conversely, a low-risk status was linked to greater immune cell infiltration and higher predicted chemosensitivity. At the single-cell level, pseudotime analysis revealed that macrophage maturation significantly correlated with a decreasing risk score, suggesting that mature macrophages may contribute to a favorable prognosis. Furthermore, cell communication analysis identified high-risk macrophages as dominant drivers of a pro-tumorigenic microenvironment via signaling pathways, such as SPP1 and complement. In conclusion, this seven-gene signature is a robust prognostic biomarker that offers a new strategy for personalized risk assessment and treatment selection in ESCA. The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13205-025-04452-w. Show less
The causal relationship between the familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) and intestinal vascular diseases was unnoticed. This study aims to investigate the cause-and-effect relationship of FH with risk Show more
The causal relationship between the familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) and intestinal vascular diseases was unnoticed. This study aims to investigate the cause-and-effect relationship of FH with risk of intestinal vascular diseases in human. A Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis was performed by extracting summary-level datasets for FH or FH concurrently with ischemic heart disease (IHD) and intestinal vascular diseases from the FinnGen study including 329,115, 316,290 and 350,505 individuals. The inverse-variance weighted (IVW) method and the weighted median method were applied to analyze the causal relationships between FH or FH concurrently with IHD and the risk of intestinal vascular diseases. Cochran's Q statistic method and MR-Egger regression were used to assess heterogeneity and pleiotropy. The IVW method demonstrated that FH was significantly associated with higher odds of intestinal vascular diseases [OR (95%CI): 1.22 (1.03, 1.45)] ( In conclusion, FH was causally positive-associated with the increased risk of intestinal vascular diseases, revealing a potential unfortunate outcome for FH. Therefore, patients with FH should pay closely attention to the risk of intestinal vascular diseases. Our study may provide evidence for new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies in clinical practices. Show less
Tianhe Ye, Cong Liu · 2025 · Frontiers in pediatrics · Frontiers · added 2026-04-24
Pulmonary artery sling (PAS) is a rare congenital vascular anomaly in which the left pulmonary artery (LPA) originates from the right pulmonary artery (RPA), forming a ring around the tracheobronchial Show more
Pulmonary artery sling (PAS) is a rare congenital vascular anomaly in which the left pulmonary artery (LPA) originates from the right pulmonary artery (RPA), forming a ring around the tracheobronchial tree. Due to non-specific respiratory symptoms, it is frequently misdiagnosed, leading to significant delays in diagnosis. This report emphasizes the crucial role of quantitative multimodal imaging in establishing a definitive diagnosis, stratifying risk, and guiding optimal surgical planning. A 4-year-and-7-month-old boy presented with a 4-year history of recurrent cough and wheezing that was refractory to standard medical therapy. Echocardiography revealed a dilated main pulmonary artery (MPA) measuring 1.9 cm ( This case of isolated PAS underscores the indispensable role of a multimodal imaging strategy. While echocardiography can provide initial clues, quantitative CTA is paramount for definitive anatomical classification, precise stenosis quantification, and comprehensive preoperative planning. Early consideration of PAS in children presenting with refractory respiratory symptoms, coupled with advanced imaging, can prevent misdiagnosis and optimize outcomes. Show less
Quinolinic acid (QA) is a metabolite of tryptophan catabolism involved in the biosynthesis of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). It has been extensively studied in the context of neuropsychiatri Show more
Quinolinic acid (QA) is a metabolite of tryptophan catabolism involved in the biosynthesis of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). It has been extensively studied in the context of neuropsychiatric disorders in the past decades. Recent studies have also linked high plasma QA levels to obesity, metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and diabetes. In the present study, we have explored the impact of long-term oral QA administration on glucose and lipid metabolism in mice. We observed a protective role for QA in preventing hepatic lipid accumulation in high-fat-diet fed mice, whereas oral administration of NAD showed opposite effects. We further demonstrated that QA reduces hepatic lipid uptake by inhibiting the expression of lipoprotein lipase (LPL) and fatty acid translocase (CD36) in liver, thereby mitigating liver lipid accumulation in the context of a high-fat diet. Our data suggest that QA is an important regulator of lipid homeostasis and has potential as a therapeutic target for MASLD. Show less
Axis inhibitor protein 1 (AXIN1) is a protein recognized for inhibiting tumor growth and is commonly involved in cancer development. In this study, we explored the potential molecular mechanisms that Show more
Axis inhibitor protein 1 (AXIN1) is a protein recognized for inhibiting tumor growth and is commonly involved in cancer development. In this study, we explored the potential molecular mechanisms that connect alternative splicing of AXIN1 to the metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Transcriptome sequencing, RT‒PCR, qPCR and Western blotting were utilized to determine the expression levels of AXIN1 in human HCC tissues and HCC cells. The effects of the AXIN1 exon 9 alternative splice isoform and SRSF9 on the migration and invasion of HCC cells were assessed through wound healing and Transwell assays, respectively. The interaction between SRSF9 and AXIN1 was investigated using UV crosslink RNA immunoprecipitation, RNA pulldown, and RNA immunoprecipitation assays. Furthermore, the involvement of the AXIN1 isoform and SRSF9 in HCC metastasis was validated in a nude mouse model. AXIN1-L (exon 9 including) expression was downregulated, while AXIN1-S (exon 9 skipping) was upregulated in HCC. SRSF9 promotes the production of AXIN1-S by interacting with the sequence of exons 8 and 10 of AXIN1. AXIN1-S significantly promoted HCC cells migration and invasion by activating the Wnt pathway, while the opposite effects were observed for AXIN1-L. In vivo experiments demonstrated that AXIN1-L inhibited HCC metastasis, whereas SRSF9 promoted HCC metastasis in part by regulating the level of AXIN1-S. AXIN1, a tumor suppressor protein that targets the AXIN1/Wnt/β-catenin signaling axis, may be a promising prognostic factor and a valuable therapeutic target for HCC. Show less
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common progressive joint disorder marked by synovial inflammation, cartilage degeneration, the formation of osteophytes, though its underlying molecular mechanisms remain uncl Show more
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common progressive joint disorder marked by synovial inflammation, cartilage degeneration, the formation of osteophytes, though its underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. This study integrated bioinformatics and experimental validation to identify key genes in OA synovium and their association with immune infiltration. Analysis of the GSE82107 dataset (10 OA, 7 controls) revealed 909 differentially expressed genes (525 upregulated, 384 downregulated). WGCNA identified the "midnightblue" module, and its intersection with DEGs yielded 122 genes enriched in cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, JAK-STAT signaling, and autophagy pathways. Protein-protein interaction analysis highlighted FLT3LG, MC4R, CXCL10, CARTPT, and LHX2 as core genes (AUC 0.743-0.871). Immune infiltration analysis showed elevated M0 macrophages in OA, with CXCL10 showing a strong positive correlation with M1 macrophage infiltration (r = 0.74), and MC4R correlating with the presence of follicular helper T cells (r = 0.85). In vitro, OA-derived fibroblast-like synoviocytes exhibited CXCL10 upregulation, MC4R downregulation, and increased IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α secretion, which were markedly reduced by CXCL10 knockdown or MC4R overexpression. Synovial tissue assays confirmed these expression patterns. CXCL10 and MC4R may represent promising diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets, offering new insights into OA immunopathogenesis and precision intervention. Show less
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a leading cause of cancer mortality while diabetes is a recognized risk factor for CRC. Here we report that tirzepatide (TZP), a novel polypeptide/glucagon-like peptide 1 re Show more
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a leading cause of cancer mortality while diabetes is a recognized risk factor for CRC. Here we report that tirzepatide (TZP), a novel polypeptide/glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor (GIPR/GLP-1R) agonist for the treatment of diabetes, has a role in attenuating CRC growth. TZP significantly inhibited colon cancer cell proliferation promoted apoptosis in vitro and induced durable tumor regression in vivo under hyperglycemic and nonhyperglycemic conditions across multiple murine cancer models. As glucose metabolism is known to critically regulate colon cancer progression, spatial metabolomics results revealed that glucose metabolites are robustly reduced in the colon cancer regions of the TZP-treated mice. TZP inhibited glucose uptake and destabilized hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1α) with reduced expression and activity of the rate-limiting enzymes 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase 3 (PFKFB3) and phosphofructokinase 1 (PFK-1). These effects contributed to the downregulation of glycolysis and the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle. TZP also delayed tumor development in a patient-derived xenograft (PDX) mouse model accompanied by HIF-1α mediated PFKFB3-PFK-1 inhibition. Therefore, the study provides strong evidence that glycolysis-blocking TZP, besides its application in treating type 2 diabetes, has the potential for preclinical studies as a therapy for colorectal cancer used either as monotherapy or in combination with other anticancer therapies. Show less