Flourishing is a key positive psychological construct that has been linked to favorable health-related outcomes in patients with inflammatory bowel disease in prior research. However, current research Show more
Flourishing is a key positive psychological construct that has been linked to favorable health-related outcomes in patients with inflammatory bowel disease in prior research. However, current research often overlooks the variations in flourishing levels within this population, as well as the mechanisms through which flourishing interacts with disease progression. This study aimed to identify latent categories of flourishing among patients with inflammatory bowel disease and to analyze the potential influencing factors. This study employed a cross-sectional, descriptive exploratory design involving 316 patients diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease. Data collection was carried out using a general information questionnaire, the Flourishing Scale (FS), the IBD Self-Efficacy Scale (IBD-SES), the Resilience Scale for Inflammatory Bowel Disease (RS-IBD), and the Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS). Latent profile analysis (LPA) was utilized to identify potential subgroups exhibiting flourishing, while multiple logistic regression analysis was conducted to evaluate the influencing factors. The flourishing of individuals with inflammatory bowel disease was classified into three latent groups: the low flourishing-low support beneficiary group ( Patients with inflammatory bowel disease demonstrate three distinct latent categories of flourishing. Healthcare professionals should implement more accurate and targeted intervention measures based on the characteristics and influencing factors of different potential categories, in order to improve the flourishing levels of patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Show less
Spinal cord injury (SCI) remains a debilitating neurological disorder with limited therapeutic options, as existing treatments primarily address symptoms rather than address the complex interplay of c Show more
Spinal cord injury (SCI) remains a debilitating neurological disorder with limited therapeutic options, as existing treatments primarily address symptoms rather than address the complex interplay of cellular and molecular barriers to regeneration. These barriers collectively hinder functional recovery, including inhibitory glial scarring, chronic neuroinflammation, intrinsic neuronal regenerative deficits, and disruption of the blood-spinal cord barrier (BSCB). To address these limitations, we developed NanoScript-PTEN (NS-PTEN), a nonviral nanoparticle platform that delivers synthetic transcription factors to transiently suppress phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) expression. PTEN negatively regulates the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling axis, which is a critical determinant of neuronal survival and axonal growth. By reducing PTEN levels, NS-PTEN derepresses this pro-survival pathway, promoting neuronal regeneration in the injured spinal cord. By integrating a DNA-binding domain targeting the PTEN promoter, a transcriptional repression module, and a nuclear localization signal onto a gold nanoparticle (AuNP) scaffold, NS-PTEN achieves transient control over PTEN repression, reactivating pro-regenerative signaling while minimizing the risks of tumorigenesis associated with permanent gene silencing. In a clinically relevant contusion SCI rat model, NS-PTEN induced a coordinated series of structural and microenvironmental improvements that collectively support spinal cord repair. Histologically, NS-PTEN enhanced axonal continuity and remyelination, as evidenced by denser NF-positive fibers and substantially greater MBP preservation than in both the injury and AuNP groups. Concurrently, NS-PTEN markedly attenuated astroglial and microglial reactivity, reducing GFAP Show less
Clinical application of mesenchymal stem cells for endometrial repair has been hampered by variability in cell quality, large-scale production, and uncertainty regarding the optimal delivery route. In Show more
Clinical application of mesenchymal stem cells for endometrial repair has been hampered by variability in cell quality, large-scale production, and uncertainty regarding the optimal delivery route. In this study, we investigated the therapeutic potential of clinical-grade human embryonic stem cell-derived immunity-and-matrix-regulatory cells (IMRCs) for treating refractory moderate-to-severe intrauterine adhesion (IUA). In a rabbit IUA model, sub-endometrial injection of IMRCs significantly reduced fibrosis and enhanced endometrial angiogenesis, outperforming uterine perfusion. Transcriptomic analysis revealed distinct pro-angiogenic gene expression profiles between the two delivery routes. In vitro, IMRCs co-cultured with endometrial stromal cells (ESCs) markedly enhanced angiogenic potential compared to either cell type alone. Protein array analysis of the co-culture supernatant showed elevated levels of angiogenic factors, with functional assays confirming that inhibition of ANGPTL4, a non-canonical pro-angiogenic mediator, impaired angiogenesis. In a first-in-human, single-center, phase 1 dose-escalation trial involving 18 patients with refractory IUA, high-dose sub-endometrial IMRC injection promoted angiogenesis, reduced uterine scarring, and improved pregnancy outcomes, with no safety concerns observed over 3 years of follow-up. These findings highlight the translational promise of IMRCs as a novel therapeutic strategy for endometrial regeneration in severe IUA. Show less
This study evaluated the efficacy of combining personalized acupuncture with accelerated deep transcranial magnetic stimulation (adTMS) for mild cognitive impairment (MCI). In this randomized, double- Show more
This study evaluated the efficacy of combining personalized acupuncture with accelerated deep transcranial magnetic stimulation (adTMS) for mild cognitive impairment (MCI). In this randomized, double-blind, controlled trial, 120 MCI patients were assigned to a Combined group (personalized acupuncture + active adTMS), a Single Stimulation group (active adTMS + sham acupuncture), or a Placebo group (sham TMS + sham acupuncture). The primary outcome was the change in Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) score at 12 weeks. Secondary outcomes included P300 latency, magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) NAA/Cr ratio, serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and the Modified Barthel Index (MBI). The Combined group showed a significantly greater improvement in MoCA scores (3.2 ± 1.3 points) compared to the Single Stimulation (1.9 ± 1.2 points; mean difference 1.3, 95 % CI 0.4 to 2.2) and Placebo groups (1.1 ± 1.0 points; mean difference 2.1, 95 % CI 1.2 to 3.0). The Combined group also demonstrated greater reductions in P300 latency and increases in NAA/Cr ratio and serum BDNF levels than the other groups. The combination of personalized acupuncture and adTMS significantly improves cognitive function in MCI patients, supported by positive changes in electrophysiological and metabolic markers. This integrative approach represents a promising non-pharmacological strategy for MCI.Trial registration: International Traditional Medicine Clinical Trials Registry (ITMCTR2025000652). Show less
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a chronic condition marked by compulsive drinking and withdrawal-related negative affect. Histamine (HA) signaling, particularly via the histamine H3 receptor (H3R), may Show more
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a chronic condition marked by compulsive drinking and withdrawal-related negative affect. Histamine (HA) signaling, particularly via the histamine H3 receptor (H3R), may modulate alcohol-related behaviors. We investigated the effects of pitolisant, an FDA-approved H3R antagonist, on ethanol (EtOH)-related behaviors in mice. Adult male C57BL/6J mice underwent acute or chronic (2 or > 8 weeks) intermittent alcohol exposure. Pitolisant pretreatment was administered, and then pharmacological behavior, histologic, and molecular assays were conducted. Pitolisant administration reduced acute EtOH-induced locomotor activation, conditioned place preference, and sedative effects, and also curtailed EtOH intake. It alleviated anxiety and depression-like behavior during 24-h withdrawal (Post-EtOH). Mechanistically, the Post-EtOH condition was featured by complicated brain cFos expression mapping, including elevated cFos, [HA] and [glutamine]/[glutamate] ratio in the lateral habenula (LHb). However, systemic pitolisant treatment significantly increased [norepinephrine]/[normetanephrine] ratio, and restored the diminished phosphorylated CREB and BDNF levels in the LHb. Intra-LHb H2R antagonist cimetidine infusion partly blocked the pitolisant therapeutic effect on alcohol-related behavior. These findings highlight the HAergic system as a critical regulator of alcohol-related behaviors. The LHb HA signaling and norepinephrine neurotransmission might underlie pitolisant's potential novel therapeutic strategy for AUD. Show less
Diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) are a severe complication of diabetes. Although dysregulated M2 macrophage polarization is recognized as a key driver of chronic inflammation in DFU, the molecular checkpoin Show more
Diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) are a severe complication of diabetes. Although dysregulated M2 macrophage polarization is recognized as a key driver of chronic inflammation in DFU, the molecular checkpoints that can be therapeutically targeted to restore M2 bias remain poorly defined. Here, we aimed to determine whether the RNA-binding protein TAF15 acts as a post-transcriptional stabilizer of the M2-promoting CEBPB/APOE/PTX3 axis, thereby accelerating DFU healing. First, we confirmed that APOE positively regulates PTX3, which supports M2 polarization and the proliferation and migration of HDF. CEBPB transcriptionally activated APOE and promoted M2 macrophage polarization. TAF15 stabilized CEBPB mRNA and affected HDF cell proliferation and migration by promoting M2 macrophage polarization. Additionally, TAF15 overexpression partially counteracted the disruption of M2 macrophage polarization caused by APOE silencing and facilitated DFU wound healing. Collectively, our findings establish TAF15-driven stabilization of CEBPB mRNA as a target point that sequentially activates APOE/PTX3 signaling to enforce M2 polarization and accelerate DFU closure. This study provides a preclinical rationale for the development of TAF15-targeted oligonucleotides or small-molecule strategies to reprogram wound macrophages and improve DFU outcomes in patients with diabetes. Show less
To describe the network structure and heterogeneity of symptom burden in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), and to examine factors associated w Show more
To describe the network structure and heterogeneity of symptom burden in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), and to examine factors associated with different symptom burden profiles to inform risk-stratified management after PCI. A convenience sample of 261 patients with ACS who underwent PCI at a tertiary hospital in Chongqing between November 2024 and August 2025 was recruited. Data were collected using a demographic questionnaire, the Cardiac Symptom Survey, and the Seattle Angina Questionnaire. Network analysis was conducted to identify inter-symptom associations and the structural characteristics of the symptom network. Latent profile analysis (LPA) was performed to classify symptom burden patterns, and multinomial logistic regression analysis was used to explore factors associated with profile membership. Network analysis indicated that depression was the most central symptom (strength Symptom burden in patients with ACS after PCI demonstrates substantial individual heterogeneity. Depression occupies a central position within the symptom network, and BMI is associated with moderate and high symptom burden profiles. These findings suggest that integrating symptom network characteristics and BMI status into post-PCI assessment may facilitate risk-stratified management and targeted psychological and weight-related interventions to improve recovery outcomes. Show less
To analyze the clinical phenotype characteristics and genetic testing data of idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (IHH) female patients, aiming to improve the understanding of genetic etiology an Show more
To analyze the clinical phenotype characteristics and genetic testing data of idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (IHH) female patients, aiming to improve the understanding of genetic etiology and inheritance patterns among female patients. This study recruited twenty-one female patients and their clinical data were collected and analyzed. Based on the olfaction function, the patients were divided into normosmic IHH group and Kallmann syndrome (KS) group. Whole exome sequencing and Sanger sequencing were performed to screen for underlying genetic etiology including genetic variants of known pathogenic genes and PLEXIN pathway genes. Alphafold2 was used for mutant protein structure prediction of Normosmic IHH patients and KS patients had no difference in baseline clinical data. Among the 21 recruited patients, 17 patients and their immediate family members' peripheral blood was collected for sequencing, and four patients were found carrying pathogenic variants involving Female IHH patients have complex genetic etiology and polygenic inheri-tance mode. Both hereditary and sporadic patients may have various degrees of genetic inheritance risk. The missense variant Show less
This study aimed to assess the childbirth readiness of women in their third trimester of pregnancy and to identify distinct readiness profiles using latent profile analysis (LPA). Additionally, it exp Show more
This study aimed to assess the childbirth readiness of women in their third trimester of pregnancy and to identify distinct readiness profiles using latent profile analysis (LPA). Additionally, it explored the factors influencing childbirth readiness in order to guide targeted interventions for improved maternal and neonatal outcomes. A cross-sectional study was conducted among women in their third trimester of pregnancy between May and November 2024. Eligible participants completed a general information questionnaire, the Childbirth Readiness Scale (CRS), the Childbirth Attitude Questionnaire (CAQ), and the Perceived Social Support Scale (PSSS). LPA identified three groups with distinct childbirth readiness levels: "Low Readiness - Childbirth Knowledge Deficit" (37.9%), "Moderate Readiness - Good Lifestyle Habits" (47.9%), and "High Readiness - Rich Health Knowledge" (14.2%). In addition, gestational age, previous childbirth history, adverse pregnancy outcomes, childbirth attitudes, and social support had different influences on women in different latent profiles of childbirth readiness. There was significant heterogeneity in childbirth readiness among women in their third trimester. Women with lower readiness-especially in childbirth knowledge-would greatly benefit from targeted educational programs, whereas those with moderate readiness levels would find enhanced emotional and psychological support most advantageous. These findings support the implementation of profile-based, personalized prenatal care strategies to improve childbirth preparedness and optimize maternal and neonatal outcomes. Show less
FURIN cleaves a subset of proproteins into functional mature fragments. Evidence suggests that FURIN is involved in brain development and the associated diseases, whereas the potential mechanisms rema Show more
FURIN cleaves a subset of proproteins into functional mature fragments. Evidence suggests that FURIN is involved in brain development and the associated diseases, whereas the potential mechanisms remain incompletely understood. Here, we report that cerebral FURIN-deficient mice exhibit cognitive decline and neurodegeneration. Lipid droplets (LDs) that are preferentially accumulated in astrocytes correlate with an increase of the LD markers PLIN2 and PLIN3, and conversely a decreased level of autophagic proteins including ATG5, BECN1 and MAP1LC3/LC3 as well as LAMP1. Accordingly, silencing of Show less
As sports socializing is becoming a dominant lifestyle that integrates physical health with social interaction in China, understanding the underlying drivers of participation is crucial. However, trad Show more
As sports socializing is becoming a dominant lifestyle that integrates physical health with social interaction in China, understanding the underlying drivers of participation is crucial. However, traditional research predominantly relies on a “variable-centered” paradigm, which assumes population homogeneity and focuses on linear relationships between single motives and behaviors. This approach often fails to capture the complexity of how multiple motivations are configured within individuals (heterogeneity), and how these internal configurations are associated with external behavioral choices. To address this gap, this study employed a novel hybrid methodological framework combining Latent Profile Analysis (LPA) and Random Forest (RF) modeling. Based on data from 1,104 adults, LPA was first used to identify distinct motivational subgroups. Subsequently, RF algorithms, utilizing feature importance ranking and “One-vs-Rest” strategies, were applied to identify the associative patterns between these motivational profiles and key behavioral indicators, including sports types, media usage, and economic investment. The analysis identified four distinct motivational profiles: (1) Psychologically Introverted (3.6%), prioritizing internal psychological rewards over social status; (2) Physiologically Oriented (44.1%), the largest group, driven primarily by physical health needs; (3) Balanced (39.0%), exhibiting moderate levels across all motivational dimensions; and (4) High-Motivation/Comprehensively Oriented (13.3%), showing high intensity in both internal and external rewards. The RF model achieved a training accuracy of 99.9% and identified that Sports Type (specifically large-ball games), Media Channels (particularly Douyin/Rednote), and Annual Spending were the top three salient behavioral markers distinguishing these profiles. Notably, the High-Motivation group was characterized by heavy reliance on visual social media for social display. Participation in sports socializing among Chinese residents is not characterized by a singular, homogeneous motivation but features a clear internal stratification structure. The specific pattern of motivational combinations (i.e., the type) systematically maps onto external behavioral choices, where the sociocultural attributes of the sport and the media characteristics of digital social platforms constitute the key predictive markers of behavioral differentiation. The establishment of this “Motivation Type—Behavioral Signal” integrated framework promotes a theoretical shift in the sports socializing research paradigm from “homogeneity” to “heterogeneity” and deepens the understanding of the complex manifestations of Self-Determination Theory and Social Capital Theory in a sports context. It also provides precise user profiles and behavioral insights for sports social platforms, commercial clubs, and public sports service departments. Exploring service customization and policy adjustments based on different motivation-behavior patterns could potentially enhance user engagement and satisfaction, suggesting a possible direction for the development of the sports socializing industry. The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12889-026-26780-z. Show less
Cerebrospinal fluid amyloid beta 42, total tau, and phosphorylated tau 181 are well accepted markers of Alzheimer's disease. These biomarkers better reflect disease pathogenesis compared to clinical d Show more
Cerebrospinal fluid amyloid beta 42, total tau, and phosphorylated tau 181 are well accepted markers of Alzheimer's disease. These biomarkers better reflect disease pathogenesis compared to clinical diagnosis. Here, we perform a genome wide association study meta-analysis including 18,948 individuals of European ancestry and identify 12 genome-wide significant loci across all three biomarkers, eight of them novel. We replicate the association of biomarkers with APOE, CR1, GMNC/CCDC50 and C16orf95/MAP1LC3B. Novel loci include BIN1 for amyloid beta and GNA12, MS4A6A, SLCO1A2 with both total tau and phosphorylated tau 181, as well as additional loci on chr. 8, near ANGPT1 and chr. 9 near SMARCA2. We also demonstrate that these variants have significant association with Alzheimer's disease risk, disease progression and/or brain amyloidosis. The associated genes are implicated in lipid metabolism independent of APOE, coupled with autophagy and brain volume regulation driven by total tau and phosphorylated tau 181 dysregulation. Show less
Postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) in older adults is strongly linked to neuroinflammation driven by microglial activation and NF-κB signaling. Runx1 has emerged as an upstream regulator of NF Show more
Postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) in older adults is strongly linked to neuroinflammation driven by microglial activation and NF-κB signaling. Runx1 has emerged as an upstream regulator of NF-κB, but its role in POCD is unknown. Dendrobine, a sesquiterpenoid alkaloid from Dendrobium species, exhibits anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective activity. POCD was induced in aged C57BL/6 mice via sevoflurane anesthesia combined with exploratory laparotomy. Dendrobine (10 or 20 mg/kg) was administered, and cognitive outcomes were evaluated by Morris Water Maze and Novel Object Recognition. RNA sequencing, Western blotting, immunofluorescence, and in vitro microglia-neuron co-culture systems were employed to investigate inflammatory responses, apoptosis, synaptic plasticity, and signaling pathway activation. Functional roles of Runx1 were validated via siRNA knockdown, pharmacological inhibition (Ro5-3335), and overexpression in BV2 cells. Dendrobine improved spatial and recognition memory in POCD mice, reduced hippocampal microglial activation, proinflammatory cytokine expression (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6), and neuronal apoptosis while enhancing synaptic protein levels (BDNF, PSD95, SYN1). Transcriptomic and KEGG analyses revealed suppression of NF-κB signaling by dendrobine, with Runx1 identified as an upstream modulator. Dendrobine downregulated Runx1 expression in vivo and in vitro. Runx1 inhibition enhanced dendrobine's anti-inflammatory effects, whereas RUNX1 overexpression abolished them. Dendrobine ameliorates POCD by inhibiting the Runx1/NF-κB signaling pathway, suppressing neuroinflammation, promoting synaptic resilience, and preventing neuronal apoptosis. Runx1 appears to act as a key upstream mediator of NF-κB signaling in POCD. Targeting the Runx1/NF-κB axis represents a promising strategy for perioperative neuroprotection. Show less
Pathological ocular neovascularization is closely linked to aberrant histone modifications, yet the underlying molecular mechanisms remain incompletely defined. This study investigates the role of the Show more
Pathological ocular neovascularization is closely linked to aberrant histone modifications, yet the underlying molecular mechanisms remain incompletely defined. This study investigates the role of the histone demethylase JMJD1C and its encoding gene Jmjd1c in driving pathological angiogenesis and evaluates its therapeutic potential in ocular proliferative vascular diseases. Jmjd1c expression was examined in mouse models of ocular neovascularization and in endothelial cells (ECs) using immunostaining, qRT-PCR, and Western blotting. The pro-angiogenic functions of JMJD1C were assessed through EdU incorporation, Transwell migration, tube-formation, and spheroid-sprouting assays in vitro, as well as retinal flat-mount isolectin-B4 staining and H&E staining in vivo. RNA sequencing, immunostaining, qPCR, Western blotting, and ChIP-qPCR were employed to dissect the molecular mechanisms by which JMJD1C regulates pathological angiogenesis. Endothelial-specific deletion of Jmjd1c markedly reduced pathological neovascularization in both oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR) and laser-induced choroidal neovascularization (CNV) models. Loss of JMJD1C impaired endothelial cell proliferation, migration, tube formation, and sprouting angiogenesis. Mechanistically, Jmjd1c deletion suppressed Srebf2 transcription and cholesterol biosynthesis by increasing repressive H3K9me2 histone marks in endothelial cells. Pharmacological inhibition of JMJD1C similarly attenuated neovascularization in wild-type mice. JMJD1C acts as a key regulator of pathological ocular angiogenesis through histone demethylation-mediated control of endothelial cholesterol biosynthesis. These findings establish JMJD1C and the Jmjd1c-Srebf2 regulatory axis as promising therapeutic targets for ocular vascular diseases. Show less
Anxiety and depression are highly comorbid mental health disorders with heterogeneous symptom patterns and poorly understood transdiagnostic mechanisms. This study aims to characterize latent subgroup Show more
Anxiety and depression are highly comorbid mental health disorders with heterogeneous symptom patterns and poorly understood transdiagnostic mechanisms. This study aims to characterize latent subgroups, risk factors, and symptom-level interactions underlying depression-anxiety comorbidity across adolescents and adults in multi-ethnic Southwest China. The study included a total of 41,394 adolescents (aged 9-19) and 17,345 adults (aged 18-80). Adolescents were recruited using multistage stratified cluster sampling, whereas adults were recruited by convenience sampling. All participants completed a self-designed sociodemographic questionnaire, the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7). Latent profile analysis identified subgroups, logistic regression analyzed risk/protective factors, and network analysis mapped symptom interactions and bridge nodes. This study found that three adolescent profiles emerged: high (11.66 %), moderate (31.95 %), and low/no depression-anxiety (56.39 %). Adults were classified into low/no comorbidity (90.63 %) and comorbid depression-anxiety (9.37 %). Risk factors for adolescents included female gender (OR = 2.77, 95 %CI: 2.55-3.00; OR = 1.59, 95 %CI: 1.52-1.67), higher grade levels (OR = 3.45, 95 %CI: 3.10-3.84; OR = 3.56, 95 %CI: 3.33-3.80), smoking (OR = 1.72, 95 %CI: 1.51-1.96; OR = 1.28, 95 %CI: 1.17-1.41),drinking (OR = 2.45, 95 %CI: 2.23-2.70; OR = 1.66, 95 %CI: 1.55-1.77), family instability (OR = 1.16, 95 %CI: 1.02-1.31; OR = 1.33, 95 %CI: 1.14-1.56) and "other" ethnic minority (OR = 1.15, 95 %CI: 1.04-1.26). For adults, female gender(OR = 1.68; 95 %CI: 1.44-1.97), living alone(OR = 1.37; 95 %CI: 1.14-1.65), poor self-rated health (OR = 0.13, 95 %CI: 0.11-0.15), and Dai ethnicity (OR = 0.70, 95 %CI: 0.49-0.96) predicted comorbidity. Network analysis revealed distinct bridge symptoms: adolescents in the high depression-anxiety group had five symptoms: depressed or sad mood (phq2), psychomotor agitation/retardation (phq8), nervousness or anxiety (gad1), restlessness (gad5), and irritable (gad6); however, adults with comorbidity had one symptom: afraid something will happen (gad7). This study identified three patterns of depression-anxiety comorbidity in adolescents and two in adults. Efforts should prioritize adolescents from "other" ethnic minorities, strengthening family and peer support, as well as smoking and drinking interventions for adolescents, and addressing social isolation, physical health, and catastrophizing cognition in adults may mitigate the comorbidity burden. Show less
Human genetic analyses have identified numerous single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) loci in noncoding regions associated with obesity-related traits; however, the functional contributions of such SNP Show more
Human genetic analyses have identified numerous single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) loci in noncoding regions associated with obesity-related traits; however, the functional contributions of such SNP loci to obesity are largely unknown. The noncoding variant rs713586, with its risk allele C, is linked to two candidate genes, DNAJC27 and ADCY3, potentially implicated in obesity. However, whether rs713586 primary targets ADCY3 or DNAJC27 gene to regulate body weight and what molecular mechanisms underlie this process remain unclear. We conducted bioinformatics analyses using BMI data from the UK biobank and GIANT consortium, and prioritised functional variants on chromosome 2 linked to ADCY3 gene for experimental validation. The variant rs713586 was identified as a functional regulator of ADCY3 and DNAJC27 expression. We investigated the molecular mechanisms by which rs713586 participates in obesity through epigenetic regulation. Dual-luciferase reporter assay and genome-editing in cell lines were conducted to assess the impacts of the rs713586-C risk allele or a proximal enhancer (Enh) on ADCY3 and DNAJC27 promoter activity and expression levels. CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockout of Dnajc27 was performed in mice to evaluate its role in obesity. Mechanistic studies examined the interactions between the rs713586-T or -C alleles and the transcription factor ZFP42. Additionally, we assessed the DNA methylation patterns within the Enh and promoter regions of ADCY3 to evaluate their impact on ADCY3 expression. First, the rs713586-C risk allele significantly reduced the promoter activity of ADCY3 and DNAJC27 and thus reduced their expression levels. However, Dnajc27 knockout mice did not develop obesity, thereby excluding DNAJC27 as the target gene through which rs713586 mediates obesity. Further, we demonstrate that the rs713586-C allele impaired ZFP42 binding, leading to decreased TET1 recruitment and increased DNA methylation in the Enh and promoter regions of ADCY3, ultimately suppressing its expression. Given that ADCY3 is a well-established gene involved in obesity, we conclude that the rs713586-C risk allele may associated with obesity susceptibility, concomitant with downregulated ADCY3 expression. Our findings establish the rs713586-ZFP42-TET1-ADCY3 epigenetic regulatory axis, providing insights into the mechanism of rs713586-mediated obesity pathogenesis. National Natural Science Foundation of China and Natural Science Foundation of Hebei Province of China (32470645, 32070567, 32202840), and Priority-Funded Postdoctoral Research Project, Zhejiang Province (ZJ2025118). Full funding details are provided in the Acknowledgements. Show less
Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress plays a significant role in chronic pain, but its potential involvement in chronic itch remains largely unexplored and poorly understood. In the current study, we inv Show more
Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress plays a significant role in chronic pain, but its potential involvement in chronic itch remains largely unexplored and poorly understood. In the current study, we investigated whether ER stress signaling in keratinocytes contributes to the pathogenesis of chronic itch. Our behavioral tests showed that the ER stress inhibitor 4-PBA attenuated itch-related behaviors in both acute and chronic itching mouse models, and reduced compound 48/80 and serotonin-induced activity of dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons. qPCR and western blotting revealed that the ER stress-related proteins and Lipocalin-2 (LCN2) were significantly elevated in the affected skin under chronic itch conditions and in cultured keratinocyte HaCaT cells and mice skin keratinocytes. The ELISA test showed that the level of LCN2 increased significantly in plasma but not in DRG tissue, from both acetone-ether-water (AEW) induced dry skin and imiquimod (IMQ) induced psoriasis model mice. Current clamp recording demonstrated that LCN2 induced hyperexcitability in dorsal root ganglia neurons, which could be abolished by HS024, the inhibitor of melanocortin receptor 4 (MC4R). In addition, pharmacological inhibition of transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) or TRPV1 knockout blocked LCN2-induced hyperexcitability in DRG neurons. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that keratinocyte ER stress is involved in chronic itch genesis by releasing LCN2, which sensitized primary sensory neurons via TRPV1. These findings suggested that inhibition of ER stress in keratinocytes could be a promising therapeutic strategy for treating chronic itch. Show less
Microcystin-LR (MC-LR) is the most prevalent and toxic microcystin congeners, posing a significant threat to aquatic organisms as well as humans; however, its underlying toxic mechanisms remain incomp Show more
Microcystin-LR (MC-LR) is the most prevalent and toxic microcystin congeners, posing a significant threat to aquatic organisms as well as humans; however, its underlying toxic mechanisms remain incompletely elucidated. In this study, the negative impacts of MC-LR and the underlying mechanisms in zebrafish larvae were investigated. The results demonstrated that MC-LR could penetrate zebrafish larvae and induce developmental toxicity, characterized by reduced heart rate, decreased body length, and smaller eye area. H&E staining revealed that MC-LR exposure significantly reduced the thickness of retinal layers. qPCR analysis showed altered expression levels of phototransduction and retinoic acid metabolism related genes (rho, gnat1, gnat2, opn1sw1, opn1lw1, opn1mw1, rdh1, rbp4, cyp26a1, and aldh1a2). These findings suggest that MC-LR may disrupt retinal structure and impair normal visual function in larvae. Behavioral analyses indicated that MC-LR exposure weakened spontaneous movements in embryos and impaired swimming ability in larvae, potentially due to significant alterations in the levels of glutamate, γ-aminobutyric acid, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor. Additionally, MC-LR exposure reduced visuomotor responses, delayed reactions to external stimuli, and disrupted circadian rhythms, which may be attributed to altered expression levels of circadian rhythm-related genes (clock1a, bmal1a, per1b, cry1a, and per2), as well as changes in melatonin and arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferase 2 levels. Overall, these findings indicate that MC-LR exposure induces developmental neurotoxicity in zebrafish, and that impaired visual function and disrupted circadian rhythm may serve as key contributing factors to MC-LR-induced behavioral abnormalities, which warrant further emphasis in future ecological and health risk assessments. Show less
(1) Background: The increasing environmental concentration of polystyrene nanoplastics (PS-NPs) may pose a risk of human exposure and health threats. Previous studies have demonstrated that exposure t Show more
(1) Background: The increasing environmental concentration of polystyrene nanoplastics (PS-NPs) may pose a risk of human exposure and health threats. Previous studies have demonstrated that exposure to PS-NPs poses a threat to neural synaptic plasticity, yet the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. (2) Methods: Hippocampal astrocytes and neurons were co-cultured, exposed to PS-NPs at concentrations of 10, 50, and 100 μg/mL, and cytotoxicity was assessed. We investigated PS-NP-induced impairment of synaptic plasticity by regulating the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). (3) Results: Calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) is a central molecular organizer of synaptic plasticity, learning, and memory, and its activity is intrinsically linked to intracellular calcium ion concentration. Our research indicates that PS-NPs may interfere with calcium ion signaling and CaMKIIα activity, thereby reducing CaMKIIα activity. This subsequently downregulates the expression of cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB), modulates BDNF expression, and impacts synaptic plasticity. (4) Conclusions: In summary, this study primarily focused on the effects of PS-NPs exposure on hippocampal synaptic plasticity. Show less
Diabetic lower extremity arterial disease (LEAD) is a manifestation of diabetic lower extremity vascular complications. This study aimed to screen the key single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) gene sig Show more
Diabetic lower extremity arterial disease (LEAD) is a manifestation of diabetic lower extremity vascular complications. This study aimed to screen the key single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) gene signature in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and LEAD. A total of 147 patients with T2DM complicated by LEAD and 144 patients with T2DM without LEAD were enrolled for transcriptome sequencing. The Plink software was used to preprocess the data. Five machine learning methods were adopted to build the SNP diagnosis models. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to quantify the predicted probabilities of the model. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses were performed using the cluster Profiler package. Finally, regression statistical analysis was used to correlate the key SNPs with clinical information and biochemical indicators. A total of 24 SNPs were retained and 10 SNPs were risk allele genes. Nine SNPs (rs7412, rs1800629, rs699947, rs3918242, rs668, rs1800470, rs1800449, rs1800469, and rs1024611) were identified as the key SNPs sites. GO and KEGG pathway analyses revealed that these genes are mainly enriched in fluid shear stress and atherosclerosis. Finally, rs1800449 was associated with low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). With high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), related site was rs1024611. The sites associated with total cholesterol (CHOL) were rs1800449 and rs7412.The site associated with apolipoprotein B (APOB) and apolipoprotein A1 (APOA1) were rs1800470 and rs1800469. This study authenticated nine SNPs for the diagnosis of T2DM patients with LEAD, which will be of great significance in the development of diagnostic molecular biomarkers for T2DM patients. Show less
Zien Lin, Zhiye Wu, Lisha Li+9 more · 2026 · Journal of controlled release : official journal of the Controlled Release Society · Elsevier · added 2026-04-24
Atherosclerotic plaque rupture, driven by a vicious pathological cycle between endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) and chronic inflammation, represents a major therapeutic challenge in cardi Show more
Atherosclerotic plaque rupture, driven by a vicious pathological cycle between endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) and chronic inflammation, represents a major therapeutic challenge in cardiovascular disease. Current clinical strategies, including statins and antiplatelet agents, fail to disrupt the EndMT-inflammation axis, while conventional TGF-β pathway inhibitors-critical for EndMT regulation-exhibit narrow therapeutic windows and systemic toxicity owing to the pleiotropic nature of TGF-β signaling. Here, we reported VRBPC, a VCAM-1-targeting, reactive oxygen species (ROS)-responsive baicalin-peptide conjugate that undergoes in situ self-assembly within atherosclerotic plaques to form a "molecular latch" that breaks the EndMT-inflammation loop. Upon VCAM-1-mediated endocytosis into activated endothelial cells, VRBPC responds to elevated ROS levels in the plaque microenvironment, triggering localized self-assembly that enhances baicalin retention and promotes its competitive binding to HSP90-a critical chaperone for TGF-β receptor stabilization. This mechanism inhibits Smad2/3 phosphorylation, reverses EndMT, and simultaneously suppresses inflammatory responses in macrophages. In vitro, VRBPC effectively restored endothelial phenotype, reduced aberrant migration, and diminished foam cell formation alongside pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion. In ApoE Show less
Atherosclerotic macrophages predominantly exhibit a pro-inflammatory phenotype, driving chronic inflammatory and accelerating atherosclerotic progression. Interferon regulatory factor 5 (IRF5) is high Show more
Atherosclerotic macrophages predominantly exhibit a pro-inflammatory phenotype, driving chronic inflammatory and accelerating atherosclerotic progression. Interferon regulatory factor 5 (IRF5) is highly expressed in lesional macrophages within advanced atherosclerotic plaques, where it promotes the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines. However, current approaches lack an effective therapeutic strategy to specifically silence this gene in lesional macrophages for atherosclerosis treatment. This study aims to develop and evaluate a dual-targeted, siRNA-based nanotherapeutic platform that selectively acts on atherosclerosis-promoting genes in plaque macrophages, offering a potential strategy for treating atherosclerosis by reprogramming lesional macrophages. Here we designed and developed dual-targeted liposome-based nano-immunotherapeutics encapsulating small interfering RNA (siRNA) against IRF5 (siIRF5) to reprogram macrophage phenotypes within advanced plaques. In high-fat diet-fed Show less
Pharmacological preconditioning of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) is a promising strategy to enhance their therapeutic efficacy for end-stage liver disease; however, maximizing this benefit remains a m Show more
Pharmacological preconditioning of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) is a promising strategy to enhance their therapeutic efficacy for end-stage liver disease; however, maximizing this benefit remains a major clinical challenge. Senkyunolide H (SNH), a small-molecule compound derived from Angelica sinensis, exhibits anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-apoptotic properties. Nevertheless, its capacity to optimize MSCs-based therapy for liver disease has not been fully elucidated. Here, we demonstrate that SNH preconditioning significantly enhances the therapeutic efficacy of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) in a murine model of liver cirrhosis. Specifically, SNH-pretreated BMSCs markedly alleviated hepatocellular injury, promoted hepatocyte proliferation, and attenuated collagen deposition. Mechanistically, SNH augments the therapeutic potency of BMSCs by partly binding to macrophage erythroblast attacher (MAEA), a subunit of the E3 ubiquitin ligase complex. This interaction stabilizes MAEA, which in turn facilitates the ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation of dual specificity phosphatase 6 (DUSP6), thereby activating ERK/STAT3 signaling and upregulating the secretion of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF). Collectively, our findings highlight SNH preconditioning as a robust approach to enhance the paracrine function and therapeutic potential of BMSCs, and identify MAEA as a novel therapeutic target for BMSCs-based interventions in liver cirrhosis. Show less
Aging is a "multidimensional engine" of biological dysfunction that can fundamentally reshape the pathology of Alzheimer's disease (AD), This review systematically elaborates on how aging synergistica Show more
Aging is a "multidimensional engine" of biological dysfunction that can fundamentally reshape the pathology of Alzheimer's disease (AD), This review systematically elaborates on how aging synergistically promotes the core pathologies of AD: aging upregulates the activity of β-secretase 1 (BACE1)/γ-secretase, impairs the clearance function of glial cells and meningeal lymphatic drainage, and accelerates Aβ deposition; the imbalance of kinases/phosphatases, dysfunction of molecular chaperones, and aging exosome-mediated propagation of Tau "seeds" facilitate Tau pathology; hyperreactivity of microglia and the transformation of astrocytes to the A1 phenotype form a senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) → neuroinflammation vicious cycle; downregulation of synaptic proteins and disintegration of the default mode network lead to cognitive decline. Recent studies have identified that the impaired transition of aging microglia to the disease-associated microglia (DAM) phenotype, peripheral-central aging signal transmission loops (the gut-brain axis, immune-brain axis, and metabolic-brain axis), as well as circadian rhythm/vascular metabolic dysregulation, have emerged as novel intervention targets. Precision strategies targeting aging mechanisms-such as senescent cell clearance, SASP inhibition, epigenetic reprogramming, and biomarker-guided early intervention-provide a new paradigm for blocking the progression of AD. Show less
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative disorder involving multiple pathological processes. Bergapten (BeG) exhibits various pharmacological activities, including anti-inflammatory, ant Show more
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative disorder involving multiple pathological processes. Bergapten (BeG) exhibits various pharmacological activities, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and neuroprotective effects, but its mechanism of action in PD remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the neuroprotective effects and underlying mechanisms of BeG in PD models. An in vitro neuroinflammation model was established using LPS-treated astrocytes. In-vitro studies demonstrated that BeG counteracted LPS-induced astrocyte activation by reducing the expressions of GFAP, inflammatory mediators (IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1β), and A1 polarization markers. It alleviated ERS (as indicated by reduced levels of GRP78, CHOP) and apoptosis (as shown by changes in Bax, caspase-3) while enhancing Bcl-2. Mechanistically, BeG suppressed LCN2 expression and JAK2/STAT3 phosphorylation, with LCN2 overexpression attenuating its protective effects. In MPTP-treated mice, BeG improved motor function, preserved dopaminergic neurons, and reduced astrocyte activation and A1 polarization. It increased neurotrophic factors (BDNF, GDNF) while decreasing inflammation, ER stress and apoptotic markers. The inhibition of the LCN2/JAK2/STAT3 pathway was consistently observed in both models, suggesting its central role in BeG's neuroprotective mechanism. These findings suggest that BeG exerts neuroprotective effects in PD by inhibiting the LCN2/JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway, thereby effectively inhibiting astrocyte activation-mediated neuroinflammation and ERS. Show less
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a type of neurodevelopmental disorder that occurs most frequently in early childhood, affecting approximately 1% of the global population. Currently, the elusive natu Show more
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a type of neurodevelopmental disorder that occurs most frequently in early childhood, affecting approximately 1% of the global population. Currently, the elusive nature of the pathological mechanisms underlying ASD precludes the existence of a definitive, effective treatment approach. In this study, we have successfully generated a novel ASD rat model utilizing CRISPR/Cas9 technology, offering a promising platform for further investigation and potential therapeutic interventions. The model is characterized by two crucial point mutations occurring at key enzyme cleavage sites of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), thereby causing disruptions in enzyme cleavage processes. The phenotypes of this rat model faithfully recapitulate the salient deficits frequently encountered in ASD patients, exhibiting impairments in social behavior, cognition, and anxiety, along with neuronal abnormalities with key brain regions, notably the hippocampus (HPC) and medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). Through preliminary RNA-seq analysis, we found changes in gene expression patterns related to synapses and neuronal excitability in these areas, providing new insights into the pathogenesis of ASD. Furthermore, our utilization of 7,8-dihydroxyflavone (7,8-DHF), a robust enhancer for the upregulation of both BDNF and TrkB mRNA and simultaneously activates the BDNF-TrkB signaling pathway, appears to strengthen the BDNF-TrkB signaling cascade. This intervention modifies firing patterns of neuronal spikes and synaptic transmission, which may contribute to the amelioration of ASD-like social interaction behavior exhibited in BDNF Show less
Atherosclerosis (AS) is a prevalent typical chronic inflammation disease characterised by lipid deposition, immune cell infiltration and inflammatory response in the arterial intima. The long-term tre Show more
Atherosclerosis (AS) is a prevalent typical chronic inflammation disease characterised by lipid deposition, immune cell infiltration and inflammatory response in the arterial intima. The long-term treatments of the existing drugs suffered safety concerns. Show less
Exchangeable apolipoproteins, including apolipoprotein C-II (apo C-II), apolipoprotein C-III (apo C-III), and apolipoprotein E (apo E), play central roles in the modulation of cardiovascular disease ( Show more
Exchangeable apolipoproteins, including apolipoprotein C-II (apo C-II), apolipoprotein C-III (apo C-III), and apolipoprotein E (apo E), play central roles in the modulation of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk by readily transferring between anti-atherogenic high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and pro-atherogenic triglyceride-rich lipoproteins (TRL). High intra-pancreatic fat deposition (IPFD) has also emerged as a novel risk factor for CVD. This study aimed to investigate the associations of apo C-II, apo C-III, and apo E with IPFD, as well as with TRL and HDL subclasses. Abdominal magnetic resonance imaging at 3.0 T was used to quantify IPFD. Plasma levels of apo C-II, apo C-III, and apo E were measured. TRL and HDL subclasses were analysed, with TRL categorised into very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) and intermediate-density lipoprotein (IDL) subclasses (IDL-C, IDL-B, and IDL-A), and HDL into HDL-large, HDL-intermediate, and HDL-small subclasses. Univariate and multivariate linear regression analyses were performed to assess these associations. A total of 128 individuals were analysed. IPFD showed a significant inverse association with both apo C-II and apo C-III, consistent across all statistical models. In the most adjusted model, each unit increase in IPFD was associated with a 0.36-unit decrease in apo C-II (p = 0.001) and a 0.31-unit decrease in apo C-III (p = 0.004). Furthermore, apo C-II and apo C-III were significantly and inversely associated with all IDL subclasses (p < 0.02), but not with VLDL, across all models. No statistically significant association between apo E and IPFD or any IDL subclass was observed in the most adjusted model. Apo C-II and apo C-III, but not apo E, contribute to the previously observed positive relationship between IPFD and IDL. Show less
Suhua Wu, Juan Peng, Xiaodong Wang+11 more · 2026 · FASEB journal : official publication of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology · added 2026-04-24
Obesity has become a global epidemic and a major contributor to the development of Type 2 diabetes (T2D) through the promotion of insulin resistance. Emerging evidence has shown that GPX4 expression i Show more
Obesity has become a global epidemic and a major contributor to the development of Type 2 diabetes (T2D) through the promotion of insulin resistance. Emerging evidence has shown that GPX4 expression is reduced in macrophages under hyperglycemic conditions; however, the involvement of macrophage-specific GPX4 in obesity-associated insulin resistance remains unclear. We generated macrophage-specific Gpx4 knockout (Gpx4 Show less
Atherosclerosis is respectively correlated with interleukin-6/interleukin-6 receptor (IL6/IL6R) mediated inflammation signaling and macrophages ferroptosis. Nonetheless, the underlying mechanism of IL Show more
Atherosclerosis is respectively correlated with interleukin-6/interleukin-6 receptor (IL6/IL6R) mediated inflammation signaling and macrophages ferroptosis. Nonetheless, the underlying mechanism of IL6/IL6R signaling mediated macrophages ferroptosis in atherosclerosis remains unknown. This study aims to investigate whether IL6/IL6R signaling mediated macrophages ferroptosis through mitochondrial fragmentation and mitophagy impairment. Two human atherosclerotic transcriptomic datasets were used to conduct bioinformatic analysis. In vitro, counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assays, flow cytometry, immunofluorescence staining, malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) assay kits were employed to evaluate reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and macrophages ferroptosis. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), laser confocal microscope and seahorse experiments were used to evaluate changes of mitochondrial morphology and mitochondrial function. Western blotting (WB) was used to quantify key markers of mitophagy and ferroptosis. In vivo, histological stainings and WB were used to determine the effects of IL6R deficiency on atherosclerosis, mitophagy and ferroptosis. Integrated bioinformatic analysis revealed that the IL6 expression could stratify early and advanced plaques. IL6 induced macrophages ferroptosis by increasing ROS and MDA levels, depleting GSH level, promoting lipid peroxidation and suppressing glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) expression. Dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1) mediated excessive mitochondrial fragmentation in IL6-induced macrophages, resulting in more shortened mitochondria, impaired oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) and ROS accumulation. Activation of mitophagy, the process of mitochondrial fragmentation clearance, could increase GPX4 expression and attenuate the lipid peroxidation level in IL6 induced macrophages. Aggravation of ferroptosis further compromised mitophagy-related proteins expression. Targeting IL6R signaling attenuated atherosclerotic burden in ApoE [Image: see text] The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10753-025-02359-5. Show less