One of the recognized effects of systematic physical activity is the improvement of physical fitness, with a negative correlation found between physical fitness and cardiovascular and cardiometabolic Show more
One of the recognized effects of systematic physical activity is the improvement of physical fitness, with a negative correlation found between physical fitness and cardiovascular and cardiometabolic risk. The purpose of this study is to analyze the influence of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the adenylate cyclase 3 ( In the 12-week HIIT program, a total of 237 Chinese Han college students with non-regular exercise habits were recruited, and these volunteers participated in the training three times a week. Baseline and after the HIIT program, total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were measured, respectively. DNA was extracted from the white blood cells of volunteers and genotyping was carried out. The PLINK v1.09 software was used to conduct quality control screening on the obtained SNPs, and a linear regression model was constructed to analyze the association between (1) Through the analysis of Illumina CGA chip scanning, a total of 22 SNPs of the (1) The implementation of a 12-week HIIT regimen can significantly enhance the blood lipid status of college students. (2) The locus rs2241759 of the Show less
Previous studies have investigated the role of metabolic factors in risk of hematological malignancies with contradicting findings. Existing studies are generally limited by potential concern of rever Show more
Previous studies have investigated the role of metabolic factors in risk of hematological malignancies with contradicting findings. Existing studies are generally limited by potential concern of reverse causality and confounding by inflammation. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the associations of glucose, lipid, and apolipoprotein biomarkers with the risk of hematological malignancy. We performed a study of over 560,000 individuals of the Swedish AMORIS cohort, with measurements of biomarkers for carbohydrate, lipid, and apolipoprotein metabolism during 1985-1996 and follow-up until 2020. We conducted a prospective cohort study and used Cox models to investigate the association of nine different metabolic biomarkers (glucose, total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), LDL-C/HDL-C, triglyceride (TG), apolipoprotein B (ApoB), apolipoprotein A-I (ApoA I), and ApoB/ApoA-I) with risk of hematological malignancy, after excluding the first five years of follow-up and adjustment for inflammatory biomarkers. We observed a decreased risk of hematological malignancy associated with one SD increase of TC (HR 0.93; 95% CI 0.91-0.96), LDL-C (HR 0.94; 95% CI 0.91-0.97), HDL-C (HR 0.92; 95% CI 0.86-0.99), and ApoA-I (HR 0.96; 95% CI 0.93-0.996). Our study highlights a decreased risk of hematological malignancy associated with a higher level of TC, LDL-C, HDL-C, and ApoA-I. Show less
D-2-hydroxyglutarate (D-2HG), an oncometabolite derived from the tricarboxylic acid cycle. Previous studies have reported the diverse effects of D-2HG in pathophysiological processes, yet its role in Show more
D-2-hydroxyglutarate (D-2HG), an oncometabolite derived from the tricarboxylic acid cycle. Previous studies have reported the diverse effects of D-2HG in pathophysiological processes, yet its role in breast cancer remains largely unexplored. We applied an advanced biosensor approach to detect the D-2HG levels in breast cancer samples. We then investigated the biological functions of D-2HG through multiple in vitro and in vivo assays. A joint MeRIP-seq and RNA-seq strategy was used to identify the target genes regulated by D-2HG-mediated N6-methyladenosine (m We found that D-2HG accumulated in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), exerting oncogenic effects both in vitro and in vivo by promoting TNBC cell growth and metastasis. Mechanistically, D-2HG enhanced global m Our study unveils a previously unrecognized role for D-2HG-mediated RNA modification in TNBC progression and targeting the D-2HG/FTO/m Show less
Cholesterol-loaded macrophage foam cells are a key feature of atherosclerotic plaques. Oxysterol-binding protein-related protein 2 (ORP2) facilitates the transport of cholesterol from lysosomes to the Show more
Cholesterol-loaded macrophage foam cells are a key feature of atherosclerotic plaques. Oxysterol-binding protein-related protein 2 (ORP2) facilitates the transport of cholesterol from lysosomes to the plasma membrane in cultured cell lines. However, the role of ORP2 in macrophages and its involvement in atherosclerosis remain unclear. In this study, we found ORP2 expression was reduced in atherosclerotic vessels and in macrophages exposed to oxidized LDL (ox-LDL). Myeloid-specific human ORP2 overexpression (hORP2 Show less
Long-term space missions are of growing research interest because of the space exploration. However, plenty of works focused on the impaired immune response, less attention has been paid to the activa Show more
Long-term space missions are of growing research interest because of the space exploration. However, plenty of works focused on the impaired immune response, less attention has been paid to the activation of immunosuppressive or anti-inflammatory function. The molecular mechanism of immune disorder induced by microgravity still needs investigation. Here, we used a random positioning machine to generate a simulated microgravity environment and evaluated its effects on mouse RAW 264.7 macrophage cell line. We used ATAC-seq and RNA-seq for revealing the mechanism at chromatin level and gene level. From ATAC-seq, we obtained an average of 75,700,675 paired-end clean reads for each library and the mapping rates averaged at 96.8 %. The number of differential accessible regions were 510 for increased peaks, 638 for decreased peaks. From RNA-seq, we obtained 278 differentially expressed genes, of which 104 were down-regulated and 174 were up-regulated genes. Through ATAC-seq and RNA-seq multi-omics analysis, we identified a group of 17 genes. Then we chose 6 up-regulated genes (CD83, CEBPD, CXCR5, DUSP6, SEMA4B, TNFRSF22) that related to immunosuppressive function for further confirmation. The qRT-PCR results were consistent with sequencing results, which indicated that simulated microgravity leads to the up-regulated expression of immunosuppressive genes of macrophages. Taken together, our results offered novel insights for understanding the brief principles and mechanisms of simulated microgravity induced immune dysfunction to macrophage. Show less
The AMPK/SIRT1/PGC-1α pathway serves as a central regulator of cellular energy homeostasis, coordinating metabolic stress responses, epigenetic modifications, and transcriptional programs. Its dysfunc Show more
The AMPK/SIRT1/PGC-1α pathway serves as a central regulator of cellular energy homeostasis, coordinating metabolic stress responses, epigenetic modifications, and transcriptional programs. Its dysfunction is implicated in the pathogenesis of a wide spectrum of complex modern diseases, spanning neurodegeneration, metabolic syndromes, and chronic inflammatory conditions. This review examines the pathway's role as an integrative hub and its potential as a therapeutic target. We synthesize current mechanistic evidence from molecular, cellular, and preclinical studies to elucidate the pathway's operational logic and the consequences of its dysregulation. The analysis is structured around key disease paradigms-including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, diabetes, cardiovascular injury, stroke, and chronic kidney disease-to dissect its tissue-specific pathophysiological impacts. The AMPK/SIRT1/PGC-1α axis operates through a core positive feedback loop: AMPK activation elevates NAD+, thereby activating SIRT1, which in turn deacetylates and activates PGC-1α to drive mitochondrial biogenesis and function, further reinforcing SIRT1 activity. Disruption of this cascade manifests in disease-specific mechanisms: promoting Aβ production via BACE1/γ-secretase in Alzheimer's; impairing α-synuclein clearance in Parkinson's; disrupting GLUT4 translocation and insulin signaling in diabetes; exacerbating oxidative damage and mitochondrial dysfunction in cardiovascular and neuronal injury; and accelerating fibrosis and sustained inflammation in renal and pulmonary diseases via NLRP3 and TGF-β/Smad3 signaling. The AMPK/SIRT1/PGC-1α pathway represents a cornerstone target at the intersection of metabolism, aging, and disease. Current therapeutic strategies-including pharmacological activators (e.g., metformin, SRT1720), natural compounds (e.g., resveratrol), lifestyle interventions (e.g., exercise, caloric restriction), and emerging technologies (e.g., gene editing, exosomal miRNAs)-offer multidimensional avenues for intervention. Future research must prioritize elucidating tissue-specific regulatory mechanisms, such as AMPK isoform diversity and PGC-1α interactome dynamics, to enable precision therapeutics and successful clinical translation for a range of complex disorders. Show less
Zhige Yan, Xiajun Guo, Ying Hu+2 more · 2025 · Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer · Springer · added 2026-04-24
To elucidate the accurate roles of dysfunctional sleep beliefs in modulating cancer-related fatigue (CRF), identify distinct sleep hygiene profiles, and assess whether and how these profiles serve as Show more
To elucidate the accurate roles of dysfunctional sleep beliefs in modulating cancer-related fatigue (CRF), identify distinct sleep hygiene profiles, and assess whether and how these profiles serve as mediators in lung cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. This study recruited 396 lung cancer patients receiving chemotherapy between May and December 2023. Participants completed the Sleep Hygiene Index, Brief Fatigue Inventory, and Dysfunctional Beliefs and Attitudes about Sleep Scale. Latent profile analysis (LPA) was conducted to identify profiles of sleep hygiene, and mediation analysis was performed to explore the impacts of sleep hygiene profiles and dysfunctional sleep beliefs on CRF. LPA revealed three distinct sleep hygiene profiles: normal (33.3%), excellent (50.3%), and poor (16.4%). Family monthly disposable income, radiotherapy, and performance status were identified as influential factors distinguishing these profiles. Additionally, the dimensions of dysfunctional sleep beliefs and sleep hygiene profiles showed different correlations with CRF. With the normal sleep hygiene group as reference, mediation analysis revealed that poor sleep hygiene serves as a mediator between sleep worry of dysfunctional sleep beliefs and CRF (SE = 0.010, 95% CI [0.006, 0.047]). This study contributes to understanding the heterogeneity in sleep hygiene in lung cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy and elucidates the underlying mechanisms of the relationship between sleep worry of dysfunctional cognitions and CRF. Clinical healthcare providers developing targeted interventions in terms of sleep beliefs and sleep hygiene might be helpful to alleviate CRF in this population. Show less
This study aimed to investigate the expression pattern of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase class III (PIK3C3/vps34) in gastric cancer (GC) tissues and their juxtaposed normal counterparts and its correla Show more
This study aimed to investigate the expression pattern of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase class III (PIK3C3/vps34) in gastric cancer (GC) tissues and their juxtaposed normal counterparts and its correlation with the clinicopathological attributes and prognostic outlook of afflicted individuals. Immunohistochemical (IHC) staining was used to ascertain the expression levels of PIK3C3/vps34 across 60 GC tissues juxtaposed with their normal counterparts. Statistical methodologies were used to scrutinize the correlation between PIK3C3/vps34 expression and clinicopathological features, along with prognostic implications for GC patients. In GC tissues, the positive expression rate of PIK3C3/vps34 was 23.3% (14/60), which contrasted sharply with the markedly elevated rate of 66.7% (40/60) observed in adjacent tissues. The positive expression proportion of PIK3C3/vps34 within GC tissues exhibited a notable decrease than in adjacent tissues (P < 0.05). The expression of PIK3C3/vps34 inversely correlated with tumor size, degree of tissue differentiation, depth of tumor infiltration, and incidence of lymph node metastasis (P < 0.05), whereas no significant associations were found with patient sex, age, tumor location, TNM staging, or distant metastasis (P > 0.05). As the tumor diameter increases, the degree of tissue differentiation diminishes, tumor infiltration depth intensifies, lymph node metastasis emerges, the TNM stage progresses, and PIK3C3/vps34 expression level within GC tissues declines correspondingly. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis unveiled a prolonged survival duration among GC patients exhibiting heightened PIK3C3/vps34 expression than in their counterparts with diminished expression (HR=0.66, 95% CI: 0.55-0.80), demonstrating statistical significance (P < 0.05). Protein interaction analysis revealed noteworthy interactions involving PIK3C3 with Beclin 1, UVRAG, and ATG14. PIK3C3/vps34 is downregulated in GC tissues, exerting a pivotal role in tumorigenesis, and is intimately linked with the prognostic trajectory of GC patients. It may serve as a significant biomarker for prognostic evaluation and a promising molecular therapeutic target for GC. Show less
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) poses a substantial global threat. SARS-CoV-2 nonstructural proteins (NSPs) are essential for impeding the host replication mechanism while Show more
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) poses a substantial global threat. SARS-CoV-2 nonstructural proteins (NSPs) are essential for impeding the host replication mechanism while also assisting in the production and organization of new viral components. However, NSPs are not incorporated into viral particles, and their subsequent fate within host cells remains poorly understood. Additionally, their role in viral pathogenesis requires further investigation. This study aimed to discover the ultimate fate of NSP6 in host cells and to elucidate its role in viral pathogenesis. We investigated the effects of NSP6 on cell death and explored the underlying mechanism; moreover, we examined the degradation mechanism of NSP6 in human cells, along with analysing its correlation with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) severity in patient peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). NSP6 was demonstrated to induce cell death. Specifically, NSP6 interacted with EI24 autophagy-associated transmembrane protein (EI24) to increase intracellular Ca This study reveals that KLHL22-mediated ubiquitination controls NSP6 stability and that NSP6 induces autophagic cell death via calcium overload, highlighting its cytotoxic role and suggesting therapeutic strategies that target calcium signaling or promote NSP6 degradation as potential interventions against COVID-19. Show less
To investigate the association between polymorphisms of the A case-control study was conducted, enrolling 100 HTG patients and 100 age-matched controls with normal triglyceride levels from the physica Show more
To investigate the association between polymorphisms of the A case-control study was conducted, enrolling 100 HTG patients and 100 age-matched controls with normal triglyceride levels from the physical examination cohort at Guangzhou 11th People's Hospital (January-December 2023) The observation group showed significant differences in genotype frequencies of Show less
Thyroid cancer pathogenesis involves complex interactions between genetic predisposition and alterations in the tumor microenvironment. The causal relationships between inflammatory gene variants and Show more
Thyroid cancer pathogenesis involves complex interactions between genetic predisposition and alterations in the tumor microenvironment. The causal relationships between inflammatory gene variants and thyroid cancer risk remain poorly understood, as does the cellular heterogeneity within the tumor ecosystem. This study aimed to investigate the causal associations between inflammatory protein genes and thyroid cancer risk, and to characterize the cellular composition and differentiation trajectories within the thyroid cancer microenvironment. We employed a two-pronged approach combining Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis and single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq). MR analyses were conducted using genetic variants associated with the expression of inflammatory proteins (4EBP1_EIF4EBP1, ADA_ADA, ARTN_ARTN, AXIN1_AXIN1, and Beta-NGF_NGF) as instrumental variables to assess their causal effects on thyroid cancer risk. Multiple MR methods (MR Egger, weighted median, inverse variance weighted, simple mode, and weighted mode) were used to enhance robustness. For the cellular characterization, scRNA-seq was performed on thyroid cancer samples, followed by dimensionality reduction, clustering analysis, cell type annotation, and pseudotime trajectory inference. MR analyses revealed a significant positive causal association between AXIN1_AXIN1 expression and thyroid cancer risk (weighted median: OR = 1.396, p < 0.05; inverse variance weighted: OR = 1.291, p < 0.05), while ADA_ADA showed protective effects (simple mode: OR = 0.731, p < 0.05). The scRNA-seq analysis identified six major cell populations within the thyroid cancer microenvironment: epithelial cells, T cells, natural killer cells, fibroblasts, stromal cells, and macrophages. Pseudotime analysis revealed distinct differentiation trajectories with natural killer cells and macrophages appearing in early pseudotime, while epithelial cells and fibroblasts demonstrated multiple developmental states. Gene expression profiling identified four distinct cellular states with unique molecular signatures, including immune/inflammatory, stromal, and vascular components. Our findings suggest that inflammatory protein genes, particularly AXIN1, have causal effects on thyroid cancer risk, providing potential targets for risk prediction and intervention. Show less
The common variant PNPLA3-I148M, globally, is the most significant genetic risk factor for fatty liver disease. However, it is unclear precisely how I148M drives disease risk. Using human hepatoma cel Show more
The common variant PNPLA3-I148M, globally, is the most significant genetic risk factor for fatty liver disease. However, it is unclear precisely how I148M drives disease risk. Using human hepatoma cells expressing endogenous I148M, we find that the variant impairs cellular secretion of apolipoprotein B (ApoB), the scaffolding protein of very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL). This is not due to loss-of-function of wild-type PNPLA3. Expression of human I148M in primary hepatocytes and mice also hinders VLDL secretion. Lipidomic profiling reveals a shift from polyunsaturated phosphatidylcholine to polyunsaturated triglycerides in I148M cells, reducing membrane fluidity and, concomitantly, VLDL biogenesis. ApoB secretion is substantially rescued in I148M cells overexpressing ABHD5/CGI-58, an I148M-binding partner that normally activates ATGL/PNPLA2-mediated triglyceride lipolysis. Conversely, knocking down CGI-58 or PNPLA2 mimics I148M. We propose that I148M is a neomorph that exacerbates fatty liver risk by simultaneously impeding two major CGI-58-dependent pathways for liver triglyceride clearance: lipolysis and secretion. Show less
Cardiovascular diseases are one of the major health threats to humans. Researchers have proposed numerous deep learning-based methods for the automatic analysis of electrocardiogram (ECG), achieving e Show more
Cardiovascular diseases are one of the major health threats to humans. Researchers have proposed numerous deep learning-based methods for the automatic analysis of electrocardiogram (ECG), achieving encouraging results. However, many existing methods are limited to task-specific model training and require retraining or full fine-tuning when confronted with a new ECG classification task, thus lacking flexibility in clinical applications. In this study, we propose a Task-Adaptive Classification method for ECG (TAC-ECG) based on cross-modal contrastive learning and low-rank convolutional adapters. TAC-ECG comprises two main phases. In the first phase, inspired by the Contrastive Language-Image Pre-training, we design the Contrastive ECG-Text Pre-training (CETP) to pre-train a robust ECG encoder. In the second phase, the pre-trained ECG encoder is frozen and integrated with a lightweight plug-in, the Low-Rank Convolutional Adapter (LRC-Adapter), forming an extensible ECG classification model. The frozen encoder extracts more discriminative features from the ECG signal, while the LRC-Adapter enables task-specific adaptation. For diverse ECG classification tasks, TAC-ECG only requires training the LRC-Adapter. This mechanism enables TAC-ECG to efficiently perform different ECG classification tasks, significantly reducing resource consumption and deployment costs in multi-tasking scenarios compared to traditional fully fine-tuned methods. We conducted extensive experiments using six different network architectures as ECG encoders. Specifically, we performed ECG classification experiments on four datasets: CPSC2018, Cinc2017, PTB-XL, and Chapman, targeting 9-category, 3-category, 5-category, and 4-category classifications respectively. The TAC-ECG achieved highly competitive results using only approximately 3% of the trainable parameters and approximately 25% of the total parameters compared to the fully fine-tuned method. These results demonstrates the effectiveness and practicality of the TAC-ECG method. The TAC-ECG offers a flexible and efficient method for ECG classification, enabling rapid adaptation to diverse tasks and enhancing clinical diagnostic practicality. Show less
As one of the most common malignant tumors in men, prostate cancer (PCa) still lacks convenient, non-invasive and highly specific diagnostic markers. The advantages of Extracellular vesicle (EV) DNA i Show more
As one of the most common malignant tumors in men, prostate cancer (PCa) still lacks convenient, non-invasive and highly specific diagnostic markers. The advantages of Extracellular vesicle (EV) DNA in tumor diagnosis have gradually attracted the attention of researchers. However, methylation detection, which is more advantageous than mutation detection in tumor diagnosis, has not been widely practiced in EV DNA, and its value in PCa diagnosis also remains underexplored. This study aims to establish and optimize an EV DNA methylation detection system and evaluate its diagnostic and classification potential for PCa. We characterized EV DNA biological properties, optimized pretreatment strategies, validated its correlation with genomic DNA methylation, and explored urine EV DNA methylation targets in 86 benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and 109 PCa patients across three cohorts (screening: 30 BPH/33 PCa; training: 27 BPH/30 PCa; validation: 29 BPH/46 PCa). Heterogeneous biological characteristics were observed among DNA from different subtypes of EV, but methylation profiles remained consistent across subtypes and post-DNase I treatment. EV DNA accurately reflected the methylation state of source cell genomic DNA. By combining our screening results with data from the TCGA database and previously reported, we developed a panel consisting of 667 PCa-specific methylation targets for detection. Among these, six methylation sites (MACF1、LINC01359-1、LINC01359-2、ADCY4、GAPLINC、C19orf25) demonstrated high diagnostic value for PCa, enabling construction of PCa and aggressive PCa differential diagnosis model with AUCs up to 0.74 and 0.91 respectively. The diagnostic value of these six markers was further confirmed using methylight PCR in the validation cohort which also displayed promising performance as a tool for diagnosing PCa. This study highlights the potential of urine EV DNA methylation as a novel diagnostic marker for PCa and lays a foundation for future EV DNA research. Show less
Alzheimer's Disease (AD), a progressive neurodegenerative disorder, is marked by cognitive deterioration and heightened neuroinflammation. The influence of Insulin-like Growth Factor 1 Receptor (IGF1R Show more
Alzheimer's Disease (AD), a progressive neurodegenerative disorder, is marked by cognitive deterioration and heightened neuroinflammation. The influence of Insulin-like Growth Factor 1 Receptor (IGF1R) and its post-translational modifications, especially sumoylation, is crucial in understanding the progression of AD and exploring novel therapeutic avenues. This study investigates the impact of exercise on the sumoylation of IGF1R and its role in ameliorating AD symptoms in APP/PS1 mice, with a specific focus on neuroinflammation and innovative therapeutic strategies. APP/PS1 mice were subjected to a regimen of moderate-intensity exercise. The investigation encompassed assessments of cognitive functions, alterations in hippocampal protein expressions, neuroinflammatory markers, and the effects of exercise on IGF1R and SUMO1 nuclear translocation. Additionally, the study evaluated the efficacy of KPT-330, a nuclear export inhibitor, as an alternative to exercise. Exercise notably enhanced cognitive functions in AD mice, possibly through modulations in hippocampal proteins, including Bcl-2 and BACE1. A decrease in neuroinflammatory markers such as IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α was observed, indicative of reduced neuroinflammation. Exercise modulated the nuclear translocation of SUMO1 and IGF1R in the hippocampus, thereby facilitating neuronal regeneration. Mutant IGF1R (MT IGF1R), lacking SUMO1 modification sites, showed reduced SUMOylation, leading to diminished expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and apoptosis. KPT-330 impeded the formation of the IGF1R/RanBP2/SUMO1 complex, thereby limiting IGF1R nuclear translocation, inflammation, and neuronal apoptosis, while enhancing cognitive functions and neuron proliferation. Moderate-intensity exercise effectively mitigates AD symptoms in mice, primarily by diminishing neuroinflammation, through the reduction of IGF1R Sumoylation. KPT-330, as a potential alternative to physical exercise, enhances the neuroprotective role of IGF1R by inhibiting SUMOylation through targeting XPO1, presenting a promising therapeutic strategy for AD. Show less
Chronic heart failure (CHF) is frequently complicated by depression, which worsens prognosis but remains underdiagnosed due to symptom overlap and a lack of objective screening tools. Although biomark Show more
Chronic heart failure (CHF) is frequently complicated by depression, which worsens prognosis but remains underdiagnosed due to symptom overlap and a lack of objective screening tools. Although biomarkers reflecting lipid metabolism, insulin resistance, inflammation, and neuro-immuno-endocrine imbalance have been implicated in both CHF and depression, their predictive value for psychiatric outcomes in CHF patients is unclear. This study aimed to develop and validate interpretable machine learning (ML) models for predicting depression risk in CHF patients via the use of clinical and biomarker data. We retrospectively enrolled 3, 110 CHF patients admitted between January 2015 and December 2024 at Guang'anmen Hospital. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory indicators, including apolipoprotein B (ApoB), the triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index, and a novel glycated TyG (gTyG) index, were collected. Logistic regression and restricted cubic spline analyses were used to assess dose-response associations between biomarkers and depression. Eight ML algorithms were trained and evaluated, with model interpretability assessed via SHapley Additive exPlanation (SHAP). Among the 3, 110 patients, 37.3% had comorbid depression. Elevated ApoB and gTyG indices were strongly associated with depression risk in both the unadjusted and fully adjusted models (ApoB Q4 vs. Q1: OR 5.41, 95% CI 3.72-7.87; gTyG Q4 vs. Q1: OR 2.88, 95% CI 1.88-4.41; both P < 0.001), demonstrating clear nonlinear dose-response relationships. The TyG index was associated with depression in the crude analyses but lost significance after adjustment. Among the ML models, the RF model achieved the best performance (AUC 0.933 in training, accuracy 0.814, sensitivity 0.939). SHAP analysis revealed that the ApoB and gTyG indices were the most influential predictors. A user-friendly web application was developed for individualized risk prediction. This study demonstrated that the ApoB and gTyG index are robust biomarkers for predicting depression risk in CHF patients. The RF model provided the highest predictive accuracy and interpretability, highlighting its potential utility for early risk stratification and targeted intervention. The incorporation of these biomarkers into routine clinical practice may facilitate timely identification and management of depression in CHF patients, ultimately improving patient outcomes. Show less
The differential impact of serum lipids and their targets for lipid modification on cardiometabolic disease risk is debated. This study used Mendelian randomization to investigate the causal relations Show more
The differential impact of serum lipids and their targets for lipid modification on cardiometabolic disease risk is debated. This study used Mendelian randomization to investigate the causal relationships and underlying mechanisms. Genetic variants related to lipid profiles and targets for lipid modification were sourced from the Global Lipids Genetics Consortium. Summary data for 10 cardiometabolic diseases were compiled from both discovery and replication data sets. Expression quantitative trait loci data from relevant tissues were employed to evaluate significant lipid-modifying drug targets. Comprehensive analyses including colocalization, mediation, and bioinformatics were conducted to validate the results and investigate potential mediators and mechanisms. Significant causal associations were identified between lipids, lipid-modifying drug targets, and various cardiometabolic diseases. Notably, genetic enhancement of LPL (lipoprotein lipase) was linked to reduced risks of myocardial infarction (odds ratio [OR] The study substantiates the causal role of lipids in specific cardiometabolic diseases, highlighting LPL as a potent drug target. The effects of LPL are suggested to be influenced by changes in glucose and blood pressure, providing insights into its mechanism of action. Show less
Ischemic injury induces a partial mesenchymal shift in endothelial cells (ECs), contributing to impaired vascular regeneration. However, the molecular regulators of this transitional state remain poor Show more
Ischemic injury induces a partial mesenchymal shift in endothelial cells (ECs), contributing to impaired vascular regeneration. However, the molecular regulators of this transitional state remain poorly defined. To address this, we performed circular RNA profiling of endothelial cells under ischemic-like conditions and identified a marked upregulation of a circular RNA, named circATXN1. Functional studies revealed that circATXN1 knockdown modulates endothelial phenotype and vascular response after ischemia. Functional studies have shown that knockdown of circATXN1 can regulate the endothelial cell phenotype and vascular response after ischemia. Mechanistically, circATXN1 knockdown enhances the demethylase protein ALKBH5 to reduce the RNA methylation level of the key transcription factor SLUG, thereby stabilizing SLUG. In animal models, suppression of circATXN1 enhances angiogenesis and improves recovery following ischemic injury. Here, we show that circATXN1 regulates partial endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) and angiogenesis by controlling SLUG mRNA methylation dynamics, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic target in ischemic disease. Show less
Second-generation antipsychotics (SGAs) are widely used to treat schizophrenia (SCZ), but they often induce metabolic side effects like dyslipidemia and obesity. We conducted genome-wide association s Show more
Second-generation antipsychotics (SGAs) are widely used to treat schizophrenia (SCZ), but they often induce metabolic side effects like dyslipidemia and obesity. We conducted genome-wide association studies (GWASs) to identify genetic variants associated with SGA-induced lipid and BMI changes in Chinese SCZ patients. A longitudinal cohort of Chinese SCZ receiving SGAs was followed for up to 18.7 years (mean = 5.7 years, SD = 3.3 years). We analysed the patients' genotypes (N = 669), lipid profiles, and BMI using 19 316 prescription records and 3 917 to 7 596 metabolic measurements per outcome. Linear mixed models were employed to evaluate seven SGAs' random effects on metabolic changes for each patient, followed by GWAS and gene set analyses with Bonferroni and FDR correction. Five SNPs achieved p-value < 5 × 10 Show less
Tumor fibrosis is recognized as a malignant hallmark in various solid tumors; however, the clinical importance and associated molecular characteristics of tumor fibrosis in liver metastases (LM) from Show more
Tumor fibrosis is recognized as a malignant hallmark in various solid tumors; however, the clinical importance and associated molecular characteristics of tumor fibrosis in liver metastases (LM) from colorectal cancer (CRLM) remain poorly understood. Here we show that patients with CRLM whose liver metastases (LM) exhibited tumor fibrosis (Fibrosis+ LM) had significantly worse progression-free survival (P = 0.025) and overall survival (P = 0.008). Single-cell RNA sequencing revealed that the tumor microenvironment of the Fibrosis+ LM was characterized by T cells with an exhausted phenotype, macrophages displaying a profibrotic and suppressive phenotype and fibrosis-promoting fibroblasts. Further investigation highlighted the pivotal role of VCAN_eCAF in remodeling the tumor fibrosis in the tumor microenvironment of Fibrosis+ LM, emphasizing potential targetable interactions such as FGF23 or FGF3-FGFR1. Validation through multiplex immunohistochemistry/immunofluorescence and spatial transcriptomics supported these findings. Here we present a comprehensive single-cell atlas of tumor fibrosis in LM, revealing the intricate multicellular environment and molecular features associated with it. These insights deepen our understanding of tumor fibrosis mechanisms and inform improved clinical diagnosis and treatment strategies. Show less
Spatial representation is a core element of spatial cognition in orienteering, but the visual-spatial neural modulation mechanisms underlying spatial representations with differently oriented maps hav Show more
Spatial representation is a core element of spatial cognition in orienteering, but the visual-spatial neural modulation mechanisms underlying spatial representations with differently oriented maps have not yet been systematically elucidated. This study recruited 67 orienteering athletes as participants and employed a single-factor (map orientation: normal vs. rotated) between-subjects experimental design. Eye-tracking and functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) techniques were used simultaneously to collect behavioral, eye movement, and brain activity data, investigating the effects of map orientation on visual attention and brain activity characteristics during terrain symbol representation processing in orienteering athletes. The results revealed that compared to the normal orientation, the rotated orientation led to significantly decreased task accuracy, significantly prolonged reaction times, and significantly increased saccade amplitude and pupil diameter. Brain activation analysis showed that the rotated orientation elicited significantly higher activation levels in the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (R-DLPFC), bilateral parietal lobe cortex (L-PL, R-PL), right temporal lobe (R-TL), and visual cortex (VC) compared to the normal orientation, along with enhanced functional connectivity. Correlation analysis revealed that under normal map orientation, accuracy was positively correlated with both saccade amplitude and pupil diameter; accuracy was positively correlated with activation in the R-DLPFC; saccade amplitude was positively correlated with activation in the R-DLPFC and R-PL; and pupil diameter was positively correlated with activation in the R-DLPFC. Under rotated map orientation, accuracy was positively correlated with saccade amplitude and pupil diameter, and pupil diameter was positively correlated with activation in both the L-PL and R-PL. The results indicate that map orientation significantly influences the visual search patterns and neural activity characteristics of orienteering athletes, impacting task performance through the coupling mode of visual-neural activity. Show less
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a fatal cancer prevalent worldwide, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a key factor in tumor invasion and metastasis. Piperine, a natural alkaloid known for its Show more
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a fatal cancer prevalent worldwide, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a key factor in tumor invasion and metastasis. Piperine, a natural alkaloid known for its antitumor properties, faces limitations in clinical use due to its moderate potency. To address this, our team synthesized and validated a new derivative, HJJ₃₅, which has shown potent antitumor activity against CRC cells. We assessed HJJ₃₅'s inhibitory effects on the colon cancer cell line HCT116 through MTT, colony formation, and assays for cell migration and invasion. To uncover HJJ₃₅'s molecular mechanisms, we utilized transcriptomics, weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), and machine learning to identify key EMT-related genes. Western blot and immunofluorescence experiments confirmed the expression changes of these key proteins. Our findings indicate that HJJ₃₅ significantly suppressed the proliferation, migration, and invasion of HCT116 cells in vitro, outperforming piperine. We discovered that HJJ₃₅ downregulated the expression of COL12A1, PJA2, VCAN, MEF2C, DPYD, and DDR2 genes in HCT116 cells, which resulted in a decrease in the EMT regulator SNAI1, thus inhibiting EMT in these cells. In summary, this study presents novel evidence that the piperine derivative HJJ₃₅ inhibits the migration and invasion of colorectal cancer cells through SNAI1-mediated EMT. Show less
Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is a practical and effective method for treating coronary heart disease (CHD). This study aims to explore the influencing factors of major cardiovascular event Show more
Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is a practical and effective method for treating coronary heart disease (CHD). This study aims to explore the influencing factors of major cardiovascular events (MACEs) and hospital readmission risk within one year following PCI treatment. Additionally, it seeks to assess the clinical value of Apolipoprotein B/Apolipoprotein A-I (ApoB/ApoA-I) in predicting the risk of one-year MACEs and readmission post-PCI. A retrospective study included 1938 patients who underwent PCI treatment from January 2010 to December 2018 at Shandong Provincial Hospital affiliated with Shandong First Medical University. Patient demographics, medications, and biochemical indicators were recorded upon admission, with one-year follow-up post-operation. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression models were utilized to establish the relationship between ApoB/ApoA-I levels and MACEs/readmission. Predictive nomograms were constructed to forecast MACEs and readmission, with the accuracy of the nomograms assessed using the concordance index. Subgroup analyses were conducted to explore the occurrence of MACEs and readmission. We observed a correlation between ApoB/ApoA-I and other lipid indices, including total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) (P < 0.001). Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses demonstrated that ApoB/ApoA-I is an independent risk factor for MACEs in post-PCI patients (P = 0.038). Within one year, the incidence of MACEs significantly increased in the high-level ApoB/ApoA-I group (ApoB/ApoA-I ratio ≥ 0.824) (P = 0.038), while the increase in readmission incidence within one year was not statistically significant. Furthermore, a nomogram predicting one-year MACEs was established (Concordance Index: 0.668). Subgroup analysis revealed that ApoB/ApoA-I was associated with the occurrence of both MACEs and readmission in male patients, those using CCB/ARB/ACEI, those without multivessel diseases, or those with LDL-C < 2.6 mmol/L. The ApoB/ApoA-I ratio serves as an independent risk factor for one-year MACEs in post-PCI patients and correlates closely with other blood lipid indicators. ApoB/ApoA-I demonstrates significant predictive value for the occurrence of MACEs within one year.Trial registration Chinese clinical trial registry: No.ChiCTR22000597-23. Show less
The vertebrate genome is spatially organized into topologically associating domains (TADs), primarily via cohesin-mediated loop extrusion which typically halts at convergent CTCF binding sites to esta Show more
The vertebrate genome is spatially organized into topologically associating domains (TADs), primarily via cohesin-mediated loop extrusion which typically halts at convergent CTCF binding sites to establish domain boundaries. However, despite the essential roles of CTCF and cohesin in establishing TADs, a long-standing paradox persists: CTCF and cohesin binding sites dramatically outnumber observed TAD boundaries, suggesting the existence of undiscovered architectural factors. To identify such missing factors, we conducted high-resolution Show less
Glucose homeostasis, essential for metabolic health, requires coordinated insulin and glucagon activity to maintain blood glucose balance. Dysregulation of glucose homeostasis causes hyperglycaemia an Show more
Glucose homeostasis, essential for metabolic health, requires coordinated insulin and glucagon activity to maintain blood glucose balance. Dysregulation of glucose homeostasis causes hyperglycaemia and glucose intolerance, hallmark features of type 2 diabetes. While SEC16 homologue B (SEC16B), an endoplasmic reticulum export factor, has been linked to obesity, type 2 diabetes and lipid metabolism, its role in glucose regulation remains poorly defined. This study aims to investigate SEC16B's contribution to glucose homeostasis by systematically dissecting its conserved physiological mechanisms across species. To interrogate SEC16B's role, we combined Drosophila genetics (RNA interference-mediated dSec16 knockdown) with murine models (Sec16b deletion) under standard or high-fat diet conditions. Glucose and insulin tolerance tests assessed glucose homeostasis. Mechanistic insights into beta cell dysfunction were derived from immunostaining, glucose-stimulated insulin secretion assays and RNA-seq profiling of murine pancreatic islets. Both disruption of dSec16 in Drosophila and Sec16b deletion in mice triggered glucose intolerance under standard diet conditions, recapitulating conserved metabolic dysfunction. In addition, Sec16b loss impaired glycaemic control in mice fed a high-fat diet. Mechanistically, Sec16b deficiency impairs insulin secretion by downregulating cholinergic signalling and compromising intracellular Ca Our study reveals SEC16B, a genome-wide association study-identified obesity risk gene, as an evolutionarily conserved regulator of glucose homeostasis. By linking SEC16B to cholinergic-driven insulin secretion and calcium dynamics, we resolve a mechanistic gap in beta cell dysfunction and metabolic disease. This finding provides novel insights into the mechanisms underlying glucose homeostasis and may enhance our understanding of potential treatments for metabolic diseases. Show less
This study aimed to explore the genotype and phenotype correlation of patients with multiple osteochondroma (MO), and validate phenotypic differences in ATDC5 cell model with Mutation analysis was emp Show more
This study aimed to explore the genotype and phenotype correlation of patients with multiple osteochondroma (MO), and validate phenotypic differences in ATDC5 cell model with Mutation analysis was employed in 27 families with MO using polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-Sanger sequencing and targeted next-generation sequencing (t-NGS). ATDC5 cell model with A total of 27 pathogenic mutations were identified in Clinical research identified nine novel mutations in Show less
Cardiac hypertrophy as one of the major predisposing factors for chronic heart failure lacks effective interventions. It has been shown that protein ubiquitination plays an important role in cardiac h Show more
Cardiac hypertrophy as one of the major predisposing factors for chronic heart failure lacks effective interventions. It has been shown that protein ubiquitination plays an important role in cardiac hypertrophy. SMURF2 (SMAD-specific E3 ubiquitin ligase 2) is an important member of NEDD4 (neuronal precursor cell expressed developmentally downregulated 4) family of HECT E3 ubiquitin ligases. In this study we investigated the regulatory role of SMURF2 in cardiac hypertrophy. Experiment models were established in mice by transverse aortic constriction (TAC) in vivo, as well as in neonatal rat cardiomyocytes (NRCMs) by treatment with angiotensin II (Ang II, 1 μM) in vitro. We showed that the expression levels of SMURF2 were significantly elevated in cardiac tissues from patients with cardiac hypertrophy and the two experiment models. In NRCMs, SMURF2 knockdown or treatment with a specific SMURF2 inhibitor heclin (8 μM) significantly inhibited Ang II-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, evidenced by reduced mRNA levels of Anp, Bnp and β-Mhc as well as cell surface. Prophylactic or therapeutic administration of heclin (10 mg·kg Show less
Infantile hemangioma (IH) is a common benign vascular tumor in infants, often requiring intervention due to potential functional impairment and cosmetic concerns. Propranolol, a nonselective β-adrener Show more
Infantile hemangioma (IH) is a common benign vascular tumor in infants, often requiring intervention due to potential functional impairment and cosmetic concerns. Propranolol, a nonselective β-adrenergic receptor blocker, is the first-line therapy for IH, yet its mechanisms remain incompletely elucidated. This prospective study investigated the systemic angiogenic protein profile changes in response to propranolol in 14 treatment-naïve IH infants compared to 14 healthy controls using antibody array analysis. We identified twenty-six angiogenic proteins significantly downregulated in pretreatment IH patients compared to healthy controls. After 3 months of propranolol treatment, six proteins including HB-EGF, TGFα, ANGPTL4, Follistatin, Tie-1 and PLGF were significantly upregulated. Bioinformatic enrichment analysis revealed that these proteins are involved in key biological processes and signaling pathways, including epithelial cell proliferation, angiogenesis regulation, VEGF signaling, ERBB-EGFR axis, Ras-MAPK, and PI3K-Akt pathways. These results suggest that propranolol treatment is associated with a rebalancing of dysregulated angiogenic proteins in IH, through modulating both pro- and anti-angiogenic factors to rebalance vascular homeostasis. Our study provides novel insights into the systems-level pharmacological actions of propranolol and proposes potential biomarkers for treatment response evaluation. Show less