The mediation effect of 24-hour physical activities on the association between type 2 diabetes and mortality is unclear. Additionally, Little evidence was found on the isotemporal substitution effect Show more
The mediation effect of 24-hour physical activities on the association between type 2 diabetes and mortality is unclear. Additionally, Little evidence was found on the isotemporal substitution effect of 24-hour physical activities components on changing Life expectancy among patients with type 2 diabetes diagnosed. To address the abovementioned research gap, the study has a two-fold aims: first, to examine the mediation effect of 24-hour physical activities in type 2 diabetes and mortality; and second, to address how reallocating time on different daily activities would affect life expectancy. Analysis was conducted on the accelerometer data of 103,359 participants in the UK Biobank, with a median age of 57 years (range 39 to 70). Compositional mediation cox model was conducted to analyze the mediating effects of 24-hour physical activities. Additionally, the cohort Life table method was utilized to estimate the changes of Life-years over the next 10 years resulting from the substitution effect of different physical activities. During a mean follow-up of 13.95 (range 2.95-16.28) years, 2,649 deaths were recorded. Diabetes was significantly associated with increased time spent engaging in sedentary behavior (SB), and reduced time spent on moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and light-intensive physical activity (LPA), thereby demonstrating an association with higher mortality risk. The indirect effect of physical activity (HR = 1.27, 95% CI 1.23-1.30) accounted for 41.9% of the total effect of diabetes on mortality. Furthermore, the Life expectancy gains with a maximum of 1.32 years over the next 10 years was found when reallocating SB time to MVPA. The results revealed that 24-hour physical activities might mediate the association between diabetes and mortality. Therefore, promoting participation in MVPA and reducing sedentary activities among diabetes patients was expected to have a positive effect on Life expectancy over the next 10 years. Show less
Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) has serious harm to human hearing health, where blood lipid and inflammatory levels may play a key role in it. Thus, the purpose of this investigation was to Show more
Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) has serious harm to human hearing health, where blood lipid and inflammatory levels may play a key role in it. Thus, the purpose of this investigation was to assess the connection between inflammatory and lipid variables and SSNHL. Patients diagnosed with SSNHL had an analysis of serum lipid parameters, such as total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides, HDL-C, LDL-C, apolipoprotein A (apo A), apolipoprotein B (apo B), and lipoprotein A (Lp(a)), as well as inflammatory factors like TNF-α and IL-10. After that, risk factor analysis was carried out utilizing univariate, multivariate regression, and LASSO retrospective modeling. In all, 72 SSNHL patients and 67 healthy control individuals were involved. The LDL/HDL, total cholesterol, ApoB, LP(a), IL-10, TNF-α, and IFN-γ considerably higher in the SSNHL group than in the healthy control group, however, nervonic acid and coenzyme Q were decreased significantly in SSNHL than Control group. The multivariate logistic regression model's analysis using multifactorial retrospective modeling revealed significant changes in LDL, LDL/HDL, IL-10, and TNF-α. In addition, in the LASSO regression model, the model demonstrated high discrimination, as evidenced by the C-index for the cohort's prediction nomogram, which was 0.998 (95% CI, 0.154-1.115) and confirmed to be 0.925 following bootstrapping validation. Finally, IL-10 and LDL/HDL were the main risk factors in SSNHL. LDL/HDL and IL-10 may be closely related to SSNHL's progress and should be evaluated promptly before treating patients with SSNHL. Show less
Zhigancao Decoction (ZGCD) is derived from "Treatise on Febrile Diseases" and is traditionally prescribed for treating a variety of cardiovascular conditions. As of now, there are no data to support i Show more
Zhigancao Decoction (ZGCD) is derived from "Treatise on Febrile Diseases" and is traditionally prescribed for treating a variety of cardiovascular conditions. As of now, there are no data to support its use as a treatment for diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) and the mechanism behind the effect is unclear as well. In the present study, clinical evidence for the efficacy of ZGCD in patients with DCM was examined using a meta-analysis and its underlying anti-DCM molecular mechanisms were explored via network pharmacology. The current study utilized an extensive search strategy encompassing various domestic and foreign databases databases to retrieve pertinent articles published up to June 2024. In light of this, a thorough evaluation of the benefits and safety of Zhigancao decoction (ZGCD) was conducted in this study using RevMan and Stata. Subsequently, a number of active compounds and target genes for ZGCD were gathered from the TCMSP and BATMAN-TCM databases, while the main targets for DCM were obtained from databases such as GenCards, OMIM, TTD, and DrugBank. To select core genes, protein-protein interaction networks were generated using the STRING platform, and enrichment analyses were completed using the Metascape platform. Meta-analysis results were ultimately derived from 9 studies involving 661 patients in total. In comparison with WM therapy alone, the pooled results showed that ZGCD significantly enhanced overall effectiveness. Additionally, the utilization of ZGCD was leading to a reduction in LVEDV, LVESV and LVDD, also a greater increase in LVEF. Meanwhile, the utilization of ZGCD during intervention was more effective in reducing SBP, and DBP. In addition, the ZGCD showed potential in reducing the occurrence of adverse events. In the context of network pharmacology, five constituents of ZGCD-namely lysine, quercetin, gamma-aminobutyric acid, stigmasterol, and beta-sitosterol-are posited to exert anti-diabetic cardiomyopathy (anti-DCM) effects through interactions with the molecular targets ASS1, SERPINE1, CACNA2D1, AVP, APOB, ICAM1, EGFR, TNNC1, F2, F10, IGF1, TNNI2, CAV1, INSR, and INS. The primary mechanisms by which ZGCD may achieve its anti-DCM effects are likely mediated via the AGEs/RAGE signaling pathway, as well as through pathways related to lipid metabolism and atherosclerosis. In comparison to WM therapy alone, ZGCD demonstrates greater efficacy and safety in the management of DCM. ZGCD not only significantly reduces blood pressure, but also enhances cardiac function while producing fewer adverse effects. The therapeutic effects of ZGCD on DCM can likely be ascribed to its capacity to modulate the AGEs-RAGE signaling pathway, as well as its efficacy in enhancing lipid metabolism and mitigating atherosclerosis. identifier (INPLASY202430133). Show less
Atherosclerosis is the leading cause of cardiovascular disease-related morbidity and mortality. The traditional Chinese medicine Qingre Sanjie Formula (QRSJF), composed of Prunellae Spica, Sargassum, Show more
Atherosclerosis is the leading cause of cardiovascular disease-related morbidity and mortality. The traditional Chinese medicine Qingre Sanjie Formula (QRSJF), composed of Prunellae Spica, Sargassum, Fritillariae Thunbergii Bulbus, Leonuri Herba, and Forsythiae Fructus, has shown efficacy in treating cardiovascular diseases, although its mechanisms are unclear. This study aimed to explore the protective effects of QRSJF against atherosclerosis and the mechanisms involved. The composition of QRSJF was analyzed using Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography Quadrupole Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry. An 8-week high-fat diet (HFD)-induced atherosclerosis model was established in ApoE Both low- and high-dose QRSJF effectively attenuated dyslipidemia and decreased serum inflammatory cytokine levels in HFD-fed ApoE QRSJF improves dyslipidemia and reduces atherosclerotic plaque in ApoE Show less
Genomic structural variants (SVs) are a major source of genetic diversity in humans. Here, through long-read sequencing of 945 Han Chinese genomes, we identify 111,288 SVs, including 24.56% unreported Show more
Genomic structural variants (SVs) are a major source of genetic diversity in humans. Here, through long-read sequencing of 945 Han Chinese genomes, we identify 111,288 SVs, including 24.56% unreported variants, many with predicted functional importance. By integrating human population-level phenotypic and multi-omics data as well as two humanized mouse models, we demonstrate the causal roles of two SVs: one SV that emerges at the common ancestor of modern humans, Neanderthals, and Denisovans in GSDMD for bone mineral density and one modern-human-specific SV in WWP2 impacting height, weight, fat, craniofacial phenotypes and immunity. Our results suggest that the GSDMD SV could serve as a rapid and cost-effective biomarker for assessing the risk of cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury. The functional conservation from human to mouse and widespread signals of positive natural selection suggest that both SVs likely influence local adaptation, phenotypic diversity, and disease susceptibility across diverse human populations. Show less
Cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are long-term complications of chronic liver disease (CLD). In this large multi-ancestry genome-wide association study of all-cause cirrhosis (35,481 cases Show more
Cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are long-term complications of chronic liver disease (CLD). In this large multi-ancestry genome-wide association study of all-cause cirrhosis (35,481 cases, 2.36M controls) and HCC (6,680 cases, 1.76M controls), we identified 27 loci associated with cirrhosis (10 novel) and 11 with HCC (three novel). Three novel cirrhosis loci were replicated in independent cohorts (e.g. Show less
Liver X receptor α (LXRα) plays an important role in inflammatory immune response induced by hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) and acute rejection (AR). Macrophage M1-polarization play an impo Show more
Liver X receptor α (LXRα) plays an important role in inflammatory immune response induced by hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) and acute rejection (AR). Macrophage M1-polarization play an important role in the occurrence and development of AR. Although the activation of LXR has anti-inflammatory effects, the role of LXRα in AR after liver transplantation (LT) has not been elucidated. We aimed to investigate LXRα anti-inflammatory and macrophage polarization regulation effects and mechanisms in acute rejection rat models. LXRα anti-inflammatory and liver function protective effects was initially measured in primary Kupffer cells and LT rat models. Subsequently, a flow cytometry assay was used to detect the regulation effect of LXRα in macrophage polarization. HE staining, TUNEL and ELISA were used to evaluate the co-treatment effects of TO901317 and tacrolimus on hepatic apoptosis and liver acute rejection after LT. In this study, we found that LPS can inhibit the expression of LXRα and activate MAPK pathway and PI3K/AKT/mTOR. We also found that LXRα agonist (TO901317) could improve liver function and rat survival after LT by activating the level of ABCA1 and inhibiting MAPK. TO901317 could inhibit macrophage M1-polarization by activating PI3K/AKT/mTOR signal pathway to improve the liver lesion of AR rats after liver transplantation. Additionally, co-treatment with TO901317 and tacrolimus more effectively alleviated the damaging effects of AR following LT than either drug alone. Our results suggest that the activation of LXRα can improve liver function and rat survival after LT by regulate ABCA1/MAPK and PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling axis in macrophages. Show less
To investigate the causal relationship between various lipid-modifying drugs and new-onset diabetes, as well as the mediators contributing to this relationship. Mediation Mendelian randomization was p Show more
To investigate the causal relationship between various lipid-modifying drugs and new-onset diabetes, as well as the mediators contributing to this relationship. Mediation Mendelian randomization was performed to investigate the causal effect of lipid-modifying drug targets on type 2 diabetes (T2D) outcomes and the proportion of this association that is mediated through ectopic fat accumulation traits. Specific sets of variants in or near genes that encode 11 lipid-modifying drug targets (LDLR, HMGCR, NPC1L1, PCSK9, APOB, ABCG5/ABCG8, LPL, PPARA, ANGPTL3, APOC3, and CETP; for expansion of gene symbols, use search tool at www.genenames.org) were extracted. Random effects inverse variance weighted were performed to evaluate the causal effects among outcomes. Mediation analyses were performed to identify the mediators of the association between lipid-modifying drugs and T2D. The study was conducted from November 10, 2023, to April 2, 2024 RESULTS: The genetic mimicry of HMGCR and APOB inhibition was associated with an increased T2D risk, whereas the genetic mimicry of LPL enhancement was linked to a lower T2D risk. Gluteofemoral adipose tissue volume was a mediator for explaining 9.52% (P=.002), 16.90% (P=.03), and 10.50% (P=.003) of the total effect of HMGCR, APOB, and LPL on T2D susceptibility, respectively. Liver fat was a mediator for explaining 21.12% (P=.005), 12.28% (P=.03), and 9.84% (P=.005) of the total effect of HMGCR, APOB, and LPL on T2D susceptibility, respectively. Our findings support the hypothesis that liver fat and gluteofemoral adipose tissue play a mediating role in the prodiabetic effects of HMGCR and APOB inhibition, as well as in the antidiabetic effects of LPL enhancement. Show less
While most patients with stage I non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remain recurrence-free after resection, some still develop recurrent disease. The surgical curative time window concept, defined as Show more
While most patients with stage I non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remain recurrence-free after resection, some still develop recurrent disease. The surgical curative time window concept, defined as no recurrence through 5-year follow-up, helps identify potentially cured patients, yet predictive clinicopathologic features in stage I invasive NSCLC need clarification. This study sought to identify such features to enable risk-adapted surveillance. We analyzed a prospectively collected dataset of patients with stage I invasive NSCLC who underwent R0 resection between 2008 and 2015. Cox regression analysis was used to evaluate the association between clinicopathologic features and disease recurrence, aiming to identify independent prognostic factors. A total of 1,817 patients met the inclusion criteria. The 5-year cumulative incidence of recurrence was 14.6%. Female sex, tumor size ≤2 cm, lepidic-predominant adenocarcinoma (LPA) histologic type, presence of a ground-glass opacity (GGO) component, and solid component size ≤10 mm were identified as independent prognostic factors. A risk stratification system was subsequently developed, classifying patients into two groups: a low-risk group (with ≥4 factors; n=341) and an elevated-risk group (with <4 factors; n=1,476). Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed statistically significant differences in recurrence-free survival (RFS), overall survival (OS), and lung cancer-specific survival (LCSS) between the two groups (P<0.001). The low-risk group is considered to represent the population within the surgical curative time window. Patients with stage I invasive NSCLC who meet at least four of the following five criteria-female sex, tumor size ≤2 cm, solid component ≤10 mm, presence of a GGO component, and LPA histologic type-may be considered within the "surgical curative time window" and may therefore qualify for reduced surveillance intensity. 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
Left-behind adolescents in China may face heightened risks of involvement in cyberbullying due to their psychological vulnerability and complex social circumstances. Considering the potential heteroge Show more
Left-behind adolescents in China may face heightened risks of involvement in cyberbullying due to their psychological vulnerability and complex social circumstances. Considering the potential heterogeneity within this population, this study aimed to identify distinct patterns of cyberbullying and cybervictimization among left-behind adolescents and to explore how reactive anger, left-behind patterns, gender, and grade level predict membership in these subgroups. A total of 1,351 junior high school students (752 left-behind, 599 non-left-behind) were recruited from five schools. Latent profile analysis (LPA) was used to identify distinct patterns, and multinomial logistic regression was used to examine the relationships between predictors and various profiles. (1) Three distinct profiles of cyberbullying and cybervictimization were identified among left-behind adolescents. (2) Left-behind adolescents were more likely to experience cybervictimization compared to their non-left-behind peers. (3) Reactive anger, left-behind patterns, gender, and grade level significantly predicted subgroup membership. These findings underscore the importance of developing targeted interventions and considering the specific psychosocial vulnerabilities of left-behind youth. Show less
SANET-ep (NCT02588170) and SANET-p (NCT02589821) demonstrated the efficacy and safety of surufatinib versus placebo in patients with advanced extra-pancreatic and pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours (NE Show more
SANET-ep (NCT02588170) and SANET-p (NCT02589821) demonstrated the efficacy and safety of surufatinib versus placebo in patients with advanced extra-pancreatic and pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours (NETs). Here, we present a pooled analysis of final overall survival (OS) from two randomised phase 3 studies. The SANET studies were randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind, phase 3 studies in China, comparing the efficacy and safety of oral 300-mg surufatinib (n = 265) versus placebo (n = 133) in patients with unresectable/metastatic, well-differentiated NETs (grade 1/2). After progression of disease or study unblinding, patients receiving placebo crossed over/switched to open-label surufatinib. By pooling the data from the two studies, OS analysis was completed using Kaplan-Meier methodology and a Cox proportional hazards model in the intention-to-treat population. Exploratory analyses were performed using different models to correct the confounding effect introduced by crossover. Long-term safety was assessed. At study termination, 69 % of the placebo group had crossed over/switched to surufatinib. Median OS was 50.1 versus 46.8 months for patients initially on surufatinib versus those initially on placebo (stratified hazard ratio [HR] 0.935, 95 % confidence interval [CI] 0.684-1.278; p = 0.6727). After correcting the confounding effect introduced by crossover/switching, the HR ranged from 0.558 to 0.825. Commonly (≥10 %) reported treatment-related adverse events (grade 3/4) included hypertension and proteinuria. OS of patients initially on surufatinib was not significantly longer versus patients initially on placebo, likely due to the high amount of crossover from placebo to surufatinib. No new safety signals were observed. SANET-ep (NCT02588170) and SANET-p (NCT02589821). Show less
This study aimed to investigate the association between objectively and subjectively measured 24-hour movement behaviors and physical fitness, and explore how the reallocation of time between 24-hour Show more
This study aimed to investigate the association between objectively and subjectively measured 24-hour movement behaviors and physical fitness, and explore how the reallocation of time between 24-hour movement behaviors is associated with changes in physical fitness in adolescents. A total of 690 adolescents aged 14-17 years (55% girls) were included in this cross-sectional study conducted in Foshan, China. Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), light physical activity (LPA), sedentary behavior, and sleep were assessed using accelerometers in combination with a questionnaire. Physical fitness was tested through body mass index, forced vital capacity, 50-m sprint, standing long jump, sit-and-reach, gender-specific 800/1000-m run, and pull-ups/sit-ups. MVPA was significantly associated with better performance in the 50-m sprint ( Show less
Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), driven by dyslipidemia and hepatic lipid deposition, has become a major public health concern. Angiopoietin-like protein 3 (ANGPTL3), a li Show more
Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), driven by dyslipidemia and hepatic lipid deposition, has become a major public health concern. Angiopoietin-like protein 3 (ANGPTL3), a lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activity inhibitor, can inhibit triglycerides (TGs) decomposition, and fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) enhances fatty acids' β-oxidation in liver. We constructed a novel fusion protein combining the anti-ANGPTL3 nanobody FD03 and FGF21 (FD03-FGF21), which exerted appropriate binding affinities to ANGPTL3 and β-Klotho respectively. Our results showed FD03-FGF21 restored bioactivity of LPL which inhibited by ANGPTL3 and activated downstream pathway of FGF21 in iLite FGF21 assay-ready cells. Next, FD03-FGF21 showed a significant therapeutic effect in MAFLD mice, including attenuation of metabolic dyslipidemia, hepatic lipid accumulation, and impaired glucose tolerance. Compared to other treatments, FD03-FGF21 achieved the most significant therapeutic effect with a 79.78 % attenuation of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and a 95.8 % reduction of hepatic lipid accumulation. Mechanistically, transcriptomic analysis revealed that differential expression genes (DEGs) were principally clustered into lipid metabolism and oxidative stress pathways after the fusion protein treatment, especially the key lipid metabolism genes of LDLR and CD36 were significantly upregulated and downregulated respectively, as confirmed by WB. Furthermore, lipidomic and metabolomic analysis indicated the fusion protein ameliorated disorders in lipid and protein metabolism mainly through the downregulation of DG and upregulation of PC. Hepatic oxidative stress and inflammation were significantly reduced after administration of the fusion protein in MAFLD mice. Collectively, FD03-FGF21 represents an effective therapeutic strategy for MAFLD therapy through ameliorating lipid metabolism and oxidative stress. Show less
Hereditary multiple exostoses (HME) is an autosomal dominant skeletal disorder primarily linked with mutations in Exostosin-1 (EXT1) and Exostosin-2 (EXT2) genes. However, not all HME cases can be exp Show more
Hereditary multiple exostoses (HME) is an autosomal dominant skeletal disorder primarily linked with mutations in Exostosin-1 (EXT1) and Exostosin-2 (EXT2) genes. However, not all HME cases can be explained by these mutations, and its pathogenic mechanisms are not fully understood. Herein, utilizing whole-exome sequencing and genetic screening with a family trio design, we identify two novel rare mutations co-segregating with HME in a Chinese family, including a nonsense mutation (c.204G>A, p.Trp68*) in EXT1 and a missense mutation (c.893T>G, p.Phe298Cys) in FUT7. Functional assays reveal that the FUT7 mutation affects the cellular localization of FUT7 protein and regulates cell proliferation. Notably, the simultaneous loss of fut7 and ext1 in a zebrafish model results in severe chondrodysplasia, indicating a functional link between FUT7 and EXT1 in chondrocyte regulation. Additionally, we unveil that FUT7 p.Phe298Cys reduces EXT1 expression through IL6/STAT3/SLUG axis at the transcription level and through ubiquitination-related proteasomal degradation at the protein level. Together, our findings not only identify novel germline mutations in FUT7 and EXT1 genes, but also highlight the critical interaction between these genes, suggesting a potential 'second-hit' mechanism over EXT1 mutations in HME pathogenesis. This insight enhances our understanding of the mechanisms underlying HME and opens new avenues for potential therapeutic interventions. Show less
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder and the leading cause of dementia, with current therapies offering only limited symptomatic relief and lacking disease-modifying ef Show more
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder and the leading cause of dementia, with current therapies offering only limited symptomatic relief and lacking disease-modifying efficacy. Addressing this critical therapeutic gap, natural multi-target compounds like mulberroside A (MsA)-a bioactive glycoside from Show less
The precise involvement of Guanine Nucleotide-Binding Protein-Like 3-Like Protein (GNL3L) in lung cancer progression and invasion remains unclear. In this study, we explored the impact and underlying Show more
The precise involvement of Guanine Nucleotide-Binding Protein-Like 3-Like Protein (GNL3L) in lung cancer progression and invasion remains unclear. In this study, we explored the impact and underlying mechanisms of GNL3L on the proliferation, migration, and invasion of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD), and evaluated the therapeutic potential of targeting GNL3L. Inhibition of GNL3L expression led to a notable decrease in the in vitro proliferation, migration, and invasion of A549 and H1299 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells. Meanwhile, GNL3L silencing could significantly reduce the tumor volume of the nude mice and improve the outcomes of tumor-bearing mice in vivo. Additionally, inhibition of GNL3L expression dramatically suppressed NF-κB activation and Slug, MMP2, and MMP9 expression. Overexpression of Slug or treatment of the GNL3L-deficient cells with NF-κB activator can partially restore the growth suppressed by GNL3L deficiency, and combined treatment with Slug overexpression and NF-κB activator could totally restore the suppressed cell growth caused by GNL3L deficiency. Moreover, the overexpression of MMP2 or MMP9 could partially enhance the reduced migration and invasion caused by GNL3L deficiency, and this GNL3L-deficiency-caused suppression of migration and invasion can be totally restored by the overexpression of MMP2 and MMP9 together. These results strongly indicated that GNL3L has the capability to activate the NF-κB and increase Slug, MMP2, and MMP9 expression, which in turn could stimulate the proliferation, migration, and invasion of lung cancer cells. NF-κB activation and Slug, MMP2, and MMP9 expression enhanced by GNL3L, leading to the promotion of proliferation, migration, and invasion of lung cancer cells, indicating the therapeutic implications and potential significance of these pathways in the progression and invasion of NSCLCs that overexpress GNL3L protein. Show less
Yu Zhang, Gang Jiang, Wenrong Feng+4 more · 2025 · Comparative biochemistry and physiology. Part A, Molecular & integrative physiology · Elsevier · added 2026-04-24
The effects of starvation and re-feeding on Jian carp (Cyprinus carpio var. Jian) remain incompletely understood. This study investigated changes in growth performance, liver antioxidant capacity, int Show more
The effects of starvation and re-feeding on Jian carp (Cyprinus carpio var. Jian) remain incompletely understood. This study investigated changes in growth performance, liver antioxidant capacity, intestinal morphology, fatty acid profile, and expression of genes related to lipid metabolism. Juvenile C. carpio var. Jian, with initial body weight of 29.50 ± 2.00 g, were reared in 15 cylindrical culture barrels (200L) at a stocking density of 10 fish per barrel. These fish were subjected to five feeding regimes: a continuous feeding group (control group, treatment A), complete fasting (treatment B), 1, 2, and 3 days starvation within one week, followed by re-feeding 6 days (treatment C), 5 days (treatment D), and 4 days (treatment E). The results indicated significantly lower growth performance in C. carpio var. Jian in treatments B and E compared to the control and treatment C (P < 0.05). Intestinal length (only 627 ± 13.14 μm in treatment B) was significantly reduced, and an increase in vacuoles was observed in C. carpio var. Jian with the prolonged starvation. Antioxidant enzyme activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were significantly (P < 0.05) improved in treatment C when compared with treatments B, D and E.. In contrast, malondialdehyde (MDA) value was lowest (12.62 ± 0.60 nmol/mL) in treatment B. Furthermore, continuous starvation significantly decreased the total lipid and fatty acids contents in the muscle (P < 0.05). Compared with the control group, the reduction of total lipid and fatty acids contents was 31.53 % and 4.57 %, respectively, particularly affecting n3PUFA and n6PUFA. However, after one-day re-feeding, these contents resumed. Lipid metabolism is closely related to fish health, while in the current study, the genes related to lipid metabolism including lipoprotein lipase (LPL), 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (G6PD), and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα) did not differ significantly in treatment C compared to the control group (P > 0.05). In contrast, expressions in treatments B, D, and E were significantly reduced (P < 0.05). Taken together, prolonged starvation (>one day per week) not only affected the growth, which may further disrupt the intestinal structure, weaken antioxidant capacity, but also attenuate lipid deposition. Show less
Inhibition of branched-chain ketoacid dehydrogenase kinase (BDK or BCKDK), a negative regulator of branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) metabolism, is hypothesized to treat cardio-metabolic diseases. From Show more
Inhibition of branched-chain ketoacid dehydrogenase kinase (BDK or BCKDK), a negative regulator of branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) metabolism, is hypothesized to treat cardio-metabolic diseases. From a starting point with potential idiosyncratic toxicity risk, modification to a benzothiophene core and discovery of a cryptic pocket allowed for improved potency with 3-aryl substitution to arrive at PF-07328948, which was largely devoid of protein covalent binding liability. This BDK inhibitor was shown also to be a BDK degrader in cells and in vivo rodent studies. Plasma biomarkers, including BCAAs and branched-chain ketoacids (BCKAs), were lowered in vivo with enhanced pharmacodynamic effect upon chronic dosing due to BDK degradation. This molecule improves metabolic and heart failure end points in rodent models. PF-07328948 is the first known selective BDK inhibitor candidate to be examined in clinical studies, with Phase 1 single ascending dose data showing good tolerability and a pharmacokinetic profile commensurate with once-daily dosing. Show less
β-Hydroxybutyrylation (Kbhb) modification regulates protein molecular fates in either physiology or pathology, including cancer. However, the function and regulatory mechanism of Kbhb remain completel Show more
β-Hydroxybutyrylation (Kbhb) modification regulates protein molecular fates in either physiology or pathology, including cancer. However, the function and regulatory mechanism of Kbhb remain completely unknown in cancer metastasis. Here, we report that β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) is clinically associated with the progression of pancreatic cancer and functionally promotes pancreatic cancer cell metastasis. Mechanistically, BHB induces Kbhb modification of Snail at lysine 152 to enhance Snail stabilization, which is regulated by Kbhb modification enzyme CREB-binding protein (CBP), and subsequently prevents Snail degradation by blocking recognition of E3 ubiquitin ligases FBXL14. Furthermore, either targeting Snail Kbhb modification or CBP inhibitor decreases cancer metastasis and enhances the therapeutic efficacy of gemcitabine in pancreatic cancer cells. Collectively, our study reveals that Kbhb of Snail is critical to promote metastasis and provides a potential therapeutic strategy. Show less
Chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) affects chicken immune system and welfare, causing huge losses of growth performance and welfare. Resveratrol (RSV), an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory natur Show more
Chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) affects chicken immune system and welfare, causing huge losses of growth performance and welfare. Resveratrol (RSV), an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory natural plant polyphenol, is widely used for the prevention of stress related disease. The aim of this study is to explore the therapeutic effect of RSV on spleen damage in CUMS. We successfully constructed a CUMS model. A total of 288 healthy one-day-old chicks were used in this study and were divided in 3 groups, control, CUMS and CUMS+RSV group. During 42 days of age, spleen tissue samples were collected and analyzed. Transmission electron microscope (TEM), Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining, immunofluorescence, qRT- PCR, Western blots, immunohistochemical staining and RNA- sequencing (RNA-seq) technology was used to determine any changes and analyzed the mRNA and enrichment pathways. Histopathology and ultrastructure showed there was a severe damage of tissues. The results of RNA-seq showed that a total of 206, 267 and 211 DEGs were identified (log2 Fold Change| >1, P < 0.05) in control -vs- CUMS group, CUMS -vs- CUMS+RSV group and control -vs- CUMS+RSV group, respectively. Through Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis of the SDEGs, two immune/stress- related pathways including PPAR signaling pathway and neuroactive ligand receptor interaction were selected. The genes related to PPAR signaling pathway identified were PLIN1, MMP1, ANGPTL4 and FABP4 and Neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction genes were GRPR, NTSR1, KNG1 and AGT. The PLIN1, MMP1, ANGPTL4, FABP4, GRPR, KNG1 and AGT were up regulated and NTSR1 was down regulated in CUMS group. When compared to CUMS -vs- CUMS+RSV group, PLIN1, FABP4, KNG1 and AGT were down regulated genes and NTSR1 was up regulated gene. Taken together, KEGG pathway analyses of DEGs, verified by qRT-PCR and Western blots, the current study suggested that these data reveal the promising role of RSV in the prevention and therapy of a wide variety of tissue damage and PPAR signaling pathway, neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction in chronic unpredictable mild stress. Show less
Clinical guidelines recommend the use of statins to reduce portal pressure and alleviate portal hypertension (PH). However, there is a lack of population-level studies on the use of non-statin Low-Den Show more
Clinical guidelines recommend the use of statins to reduce portal pressure and alleviate portal hypertension (PH). However, there is a lack of population-level studies on the use of non-statin Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (LDL-c) reduction agents for the treatment of PH. This study utilized a novel method, Mendelian Randomization (MR) analysis, to investigate the impact of commonly used LDL-c-lowering medications on PH. Instrumental variables (IVs) for eight lipid-lowering drug-related genes were extracted from three large-scale LDL-c databases of Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS), followed by MR analysis. The MR results indicated that, compared to normal individuals, lower expression of CETP and NPC1L1 in whole blood (result of meta-analysis: CETP [OR: 0.322, 95%CI:0.130-0.795, P = 1.396e-02], NPC1L1 [OR: 0.057, 95%CI: 0.022-0.146, P = 2.670e-09]) is associated with reduced portal pressure. The IVs of target genes were subjected to MR analysis with coronary atherosclerosis (CAD) as a positive control, confirming that the IVs can effectively substitute for the biological function of the target gene, thereby further enhancing the reliability of the results. Subsequently, Summary-based Mendelian Randomization (SMR) analysis was conducted by using expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) data to validate the results of the MR analysis. The SMR results suggested that only NPC1L1 is associated with PH (OR: 0.648, 95%CI: 0.472-0.891, P Show less
Axin1 plays a critical role in regulating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and cancer progression, and its polymerization is indispensable for the assembly of the β-catenin destruction complex. How Show more
Axin1 plays a critical role in regulating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and cancer progression, and its polymerization is indispensable for the assembly of the β-catenin destruction complex. However, the mechanisms that control Axin1 polymerization are limited. Here, we reveal that TRIM15 interferes with the polymerization of Axin1, thereby promoting Wnt activation and colorectal cancer growth. Mechanistically, TRIM15 strongly interacts with Axin1 through its coiled-coil domain to disrupt the polymerization among Axin1 molecules. Manipulation of TRIM15 expression dramatically weakens Wnt signaling, cell proliferation, and tumor growth. Furthermore, conditional genetic ablation of Trim15 in mice inhibits tumor formation in both AOM/DSS-induced and Apc Show less
High-intensity exercise promotes visceral adipose tissue (VAT) breakdown in females via the hypothalamic ERα pathway, and exogenous lactate infusion combined with aerobic training (AT) mimics this eff Show more
High-intensity exercise promotes visceral adipose tissue (VAT) breakdown in females via the hypothalamic ERα pathway, and exogenous lactate infusion combined with aerobic training (AT) mimics this effect. However, whether lactate administration can independently mediate hypothalamic plasticity and VAT catabolism as a standalone nutritional strategy remains unexplored. Firstly, using a two-factor design (Lactate × AT) in female SD rats, we showed that long-term exogenous lactate infusion independently induced co-expression of Estrogen receptor α (ERα) and Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH) and elevated local field potential spectral power in specific bands. These neural adaptations were accompanied by increased resting metabolic rate, enhanced fat oxidation, and enhanced lipolysis, thereby preventing excessive VAT accumulation induced by a high-fat diet. Furthermore, pharmacological inhibition confirmed that Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Gamma Coactivator 1-α (PGC-1α) acts as a co-upstream signal of ERα and BDNF mediating this process. Our findings reveal that standalone lactate administration induces functional plasticity and metabolic reprogramming through the VMH PGC-1α-ERα pathway, independent of exercise, and effectively suppresses pathological VAT accumulation in female rats. This study identifies potential nutritional interventions and mechanistic targets for preventing female-centered obesity. Show less
Accumulation of various genetics and epigenetics alterations are accepted to result in the initiation and progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and its high metastasis is viewed as a critical Show more
Accumulation of various genetics and epigenetics alterations are accepted to result in the initiation and progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and its high metastasis is viewed as a critical bottleneck leading to its treatment failure. Amongst them, the microRNAs arising from the lack of the antioxidant transcription factor Nrf2 lead to cancer metastasis. However, much less is known about the regulation of microRNAs by Nrf1, even though it acts as an essential determinon of cell homoeostasis by governing the transcriptional expression of those driver genes contributing to the EMT involved in its metastasis. In this study, distinct EMT phenotypes resulted from specific knockouts of Nrf1 and Nrf2 in HepG2 cells, as accompanied by their differential migratory and invasive capabilities. The Show less
Osteosarcoma is the most prevalent primary malignant bone tumor in children and adolescents. However, its underlying pathogenesis and mechanisms driving metastasis remain poorly understood. Here, we i Show more
Osteosarcoma is the most prevalent primary malignant bone tumor in children and adolescents. However, its underlying pathogenesis and mechanisms driving metastasis remain poorly understood. Here, we identified a novel super-enhancer-associated long noncoding RNA (SE-lncRNA), Zinc Finger MIZ-Type Containing 1 Antisense RNA 1 (ZMIZ1-AS1), which is highly expressed in osteosarcoma and promoted tumor cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. Mechanistically, the m⁶A demethylase ALKBH5 post-transcriptionally stabilized ZMIZ1-AS1 through m⁶A demethylation. Furthermore, ZMIZ1-AS1 directly bound to the RNA-binding protein Polypyrimidine Tract Binding Protein 1 (PTBP1), facilitating the translocation of PTBP1 from the nucleus to the cytoplasm. The relocalized PTBP1 then bound to and stabilized fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 (FGFR1) mRNA. In nude mouse models, ZMIZ1-AS1 overexpression promoted tumor growth and lung metastasis. Notably, combined inhibition of ALKBH5 (using ALKBH5-IN-5) and FGFR1 (using BGJ398/infigratinib) synergistically suppressed ZMIZ1-AS1-driven oncogenesis in vivo. Our study establishes the ALKBH5/ZMIZ1-AS1/PTBP1/FGFR1 signaling axis as a key driver of osteosarcoma progression and a promising target for therapeutic intervention. Show less
Sarcopenia is a common age-related skeletal muscle disorder that lacks diagnostic and therapeutic options. Emerging evidence suggests that cuproptosis, a copper-dependent form of regulated cell death, Show more
Sarcopenia is a common age-related skeletal muscle disorder that lacks diagnostic and therapeutic options. Emerging evidence suggests that cuproptosis, a copper-dependent form of regulated cell death, contributes to muscle atrophy, yet the underlying associations remain poorly understood. To address this gap, we integrated two GEO datasets (GSE1428 and GSE25941) for differential expression analysis and applied weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) to identify disease-related modules. Cuproptosis-related genes (CRGs) from GeneCards database were intersected with DEGs and WGCNA gene modules to obtain sarcopenia-associated cuproptosis DEGs (SAR-CUP DEGs). Functional enrichment was performed using GO, KEGG, GSEA and GSVA. Hub genes were further identified through three machine learning algorithms (LASSO, RF, and SVM). Regulatory networks were constructed via NetworkAnalyst and GeneMANIA database. A diagnostic model was also developed and later validated in an independent dataset (GSE136344). Experimental validation was performed in a D-galactose-induced sarcopenia cell model. We identified 367 DEGs and 7 co-expression modules, among which 14 SAR-CUP DEGs were mainly enriched in mitochondrial energy metabolism pathways. Machine learning methods highlighted Show less