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
This study evaluated the protective effects of naringin (NG) against intestinal injury in 7-day-old piglets infected with porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV). Eighteen piglets (Duroc Ă— Landrace Ă— L Show more
This study evaluated the protective effects of naringin (NG) against intestinal injury in 7-day-old piglets infected with porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV). Eighteen piglets (Duroc × Landrace × Large, body weight = 2.58 ± 0.05 kg) were divided into three treatment groups based on similar body weights and equal numbers of males and females: the blank control group (CON group), the PEDV infection group (PEDV group), and the NG intervention + PEDV infection group (NG + PEDV group) ( Show less
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a hereditary disease of the myocardium characterized by asymmetric hypertrophy (mainly the left ventricle) not caused by pressure or volume load. Most cases of HCM Show more
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a hereditary disease of the myocardium characterized by asymmetric hypertrophy (mainly the left ventricle) not caused by pressure or volume load. Most cases of HCM are caused by genetic mutations, particularly in the gene encoding cardiac myosin, such as Show less
Stroke is a leading cause of mortality and disability globally, with post-stroke depression and post-stroke anxiety being common and significant complications that hinder recovery and adversely affect Show more
Stroke is a leading cause of mortality and disability globally, with post-stroke depression and post-stroke anxiety being common and significant complications that hinder recovery and adversely affect quality of life. Although these conditions frequently co-occur, their heterogeneity remains poorly understood. This study integrates the Health Ecology Model (HEM) and employs Latent Profile Analysis (LPA) to identify distinct psychological profiles of depression and anxiety among patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS), as well as to investigate their multilevel determinants. Patients with AIS from a tertiary hospital in Guangdong Province, China, from January to November 2024 were included. Within one week of stroke onset, the data of sociodemographic, clinical characteristics, swallowing function, stroke severity, activities of daily living, resilience and social support were collected according to the HEM guidelines. The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 were used to assess the depression and anxiety symptoms of the patients three months after stroke onset. LPA was employed to identify distinct psychological profiles, and variables with a A total of 551 patients with AIS were included in the study, 49 were lost to follow-up or withdrew, resulting in a final analytic sample of 502 participants (91.11%). Three distinct psychological profiles were identified: no depression-anxiety (67.93%), high-risk depression-anxiety (21.12%) and major depression-anxiety (10.95%). In the multivariate analysis, the results indicated that occupation (OR = 0.61, 95% CI [0.40-0.93]), National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS, OR = 1.60, 95% CI [1.06-2.42]), Barthel Index (BI, OR = 1.67, 95% CI [1.27-2.19]) and hypertension (OR = 2.37, 95% CI [1.29-4.35]) were independent predictors of the high-risk depression-anxiety profile, while NIHSS (OR = 2.33, 95% CI [1.42-3.85]), BI (OR = 2.65, 95% CI [1.62-4.35]) and resilience (OR = 0.92, 95% CI [0.87-0.98]) were significantly associated with the major depression-anxiety profile. This study reveals significant heterogeneity in psychological distress among AIS survivors. Key predictors of post-stroke emotional comorbidity include occupation, hypertension, stroke severity, activities of daily living and low resilience. Early identification of high-risk individuals can significantly enhance screening and intervention strategies, particularly by focusing on symptoms such as anhedonia and nervousness. Future research should focus on longitudinal designs and objective biomarkers to better understand the mechanisms behind post-stroke emotional comorbidity. Show less
Liver and lung are the most common metastatic sites in colorectal cancer (CRC), where the tumor microenvironment (TME) plays a crucial role in the progression and metastasis of CRC. Understanding the Show more
Liver and lung are the most common metastatic sites in colorectal cancer (CRC), where the tumor microenvironment (TME) plays a crucial role in the progression and metastasis of CRC. Understanding the interactions between various types of cells in the TME can suggest innovative therapeutic strategies. Using single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-Seq) and clinical samples, fibroblast growth factor-19 (FGF19, rodent FGF15) is found to mediate a significant interaction between CRC cells and cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), activating the hepatic stellate cells (HSCs)-to-CAFs differentiation. In various CRC metastatic mouse models, it is shown that FGF15 has a more pronounced effect on liver metastasis compared to pulmonary metastasis. More importantly, the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) are also identified from the RNA-Seq dataset upon the activation of HSCs by FGF19 and compared the DEGs in matched primary and metastatic mRNA samples from patients with CRC liver metastasis (CRCLM), it is found that the ANGPTL4 gene is significantly associated with HSCs activation. Different mouse models also demonstrated the impact of the FGF19/ANGPTL4 axis on the severity of CRCLM. Importantly, disruption of this axis significantly inhibits CRCLM in vivo. This study is among the first to demonstrate the impact of the FGF19/ANGPTL4 axis on CRCLM, offering a novel therapeutic strategy. Show less
Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is the main cause of blindness worldwide, and its prevalence rate is constantly rising. More in-depth exploration of its risk factors and pathogenic mechanisms is needed. Thi Show more
Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is the main cause of blindness worldwide, and its prevalence rate is constantly rising. More in-depth exploration of its risk factors and pathogenic mechanisms is needed. This study systematically identified potential therapeutic targets for DR by evaluating causal effects of 16,989 genes and 2,923 proteins on DR/subtypes via two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR), validated with colocalization/Summary-data-based Mendelian randomization (SMR). National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 1999-2010 cross-sectional data (weighted logistic/Restricted cubic spline (RCS)) pinpointed key risk factors; MR explored their links to DR subtypes. Bioinformatics (bulk and single-cell transcriptomics) analyzed molecular mechanisms of shared targets (gene expression, immune infiltration, pathway enrichment). Machine learning selected key targets for models. Finally, two-step mediation MR examined how targets regulate DR via risk factors. This study identified 64 core targets with causal links to DR. Subtype analysis revealed 2,128 causal genes and subtype-specific targets (e.g. 52 for background DR, 66 for proliferative DR). SMR validated these findings. NHANES data highlighted body mass index (BMI), stroke, hypertension (HBP), and C-reactive protein (CRP) as key DR risk factors, confirmed by MR. Transcriptomics identified 29 differentially expressed genes associated with both risk factors and DR, linked to immune cell regulation. Machine learning selected core targets (LY9, WWP2, etc.) and built a nomogram for DR risk prediction. Functional enrichment showed these targets enriched in chemokine/cytokine and immune-inflammatory pathways. Two-step mediation MR further revealed LY9, ARHGAP1, and WWP2 influence DR subtypes via regulating BMI, CRP, and HBP. This study systematically elucidates the key risk factors, potential molecular mechanisms, and core regulatory targets of DR through multi-omics integration, causal inference, and bioinformatics approaches. The results indicate that inflammation, immune dysregulation, and metabolic disorders play crucial roles in the pathogenesis of DR. Key genes such as LY9, ARHGAP1, and WWP2 could serve as potential intervention targets, offering theoretical foundations and strategic support for early warning and precision treatment of DR. 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
Synthetic vascular grafts are promising conduits for small caliber arteries. However, due to restenosis caused by intimal hyperplasia, they cannot keep long patency in vivo. In this work, through sing Show more
Synthetic vascular grafts are promising conduits for small caliber arteries. However, due to restenosis caused by intimal hyperplasia, they cannot keep long patency in vivo. In this work, through single cell RNA sequencing, we found that thrombospondin-1 (THBS1) was highly expressed in the regenerated smooth muscle cells (SMCs) in electrospun polycaprolactone (PCL) vascular grafts. The expression of THBS1 by injured SMCs was confirmed in a balloon-induced vascular injury model. Downregulation of Thbs1 expression maintained contractile phenotypes of SMCs and reduced neointimal hyperplasia after vascular injury via inhibition of FGFR1/EGR1 signaling by decreasing THBS1 expression. THBS1 small interfering RNA (THBS1-siRNA) was then loaded into macrophage membrane (MM) hybrid lipid nanoparticles (Lipid NP@MM), which were used to modify PCL vascular grafts via polydopamine (PDA) coatings. Lipid NP@MM not only protected THBS1-siRNA from degradation but also improved its internalization by SMCs to decrease the level of THBS1 expression. PCL vascular grafts modified with PDA coatings and Thbs1-siRNA-loaded Lipid NP@MM showed significantly reduced intimal hyperplasia. Thus, the downregulation of THBS1 expression in regenerated SMCs in vascular grafts is a promising strategy to inhibit intimal hyperplasia during vascular graft regeneration in vivo. Show less
Protein arginine methyltransferase 5 (PRMT5) complexes with methylosome protein 50 (MEP50) play crucial roles in tumor progress. However, the regulatory mechanism of governing the PRMT5-MEP50 hetero-o Show more
Protein arginine methyltransferase 5 (PRMT5) complexes with methylosome protein 50 (MEP50) play crucial roles in tumor progress. However, the regulatory mechanism of governing the PRMT5-MEP50 hetero-octameric complex remains unclear. Here, we demonstrate that C6orf223, to our knowledge an uncharacterized protein, facilitates PRMT5-MEP50 multiprotein complex assembling, thereby promoting colorectal cancer (CRC) growth and metastasis. C6orf223 forms dimers through disulfide bonds, with its N-terminal arginine-enriched region binding to the C-terminal negatively charged groove of PRMT5, thus stabilizing PRMT5-MEP50 multiprotein and enhancing PRMT5 methyltransferase activity. Consequently, PRMT5-mediated H4R3me2s substantially decreases the expression of the tumor suppressor GATA5, leading to the upregulation of multiple oncogenic target genes including WWTR1, FGFR1, and CLU. Targeting C6orf223 using siRNAs encapsulated in ferritin protein shells effectively suppresses CRC tumor growth and metastasis. Collectively, our findings characterize the role of C6orf223 in facilitating PRMT5-MEP50 hetero-octameric complex assembling and suggest that C6orf223 could serve as a potential therapeutic target for CRC. Show less
Prior research has consistently demonstrated that higher levels of digital health literacy contribute positively to improved mental health outcomes and overall quality of life among patients. Neverthe Show more
Prior research has consistently demonstrated that higher levels of digital health literacy contribute positively to improved mental health outcomes and overall quality of life among patients. Nevertheless, the interplay between digital health literacy and the experience of perceived stigma-particularly among burn patients-remains underexplored, and the potential heterogeneity within this relationship has not been adequately addressed. This cross-sectional study, conducted from June to July 2025, recruited 534 burn patients (mean age 31.05 ± 9.52 years; 61.0% male) from three tertiary hospitals in Sichuan Province, China. Participants completed validated scales assessing digital health literacy, social support, appearance anxiety, perceived stigma, and demographics. Data were analyzed using Pearson correlations, latent profile analysis (LPA) with fit indices, univariate analyses (chi-square tests and Digital health literacy was negatively correlated with perceived stigma ( This study confirms heterogeneity in digital health literacy and perceived stigma among burn patients, with social support and appearance anxiety as key influencers. Findings support targeted interventions to enhance digital health literacy and reduce perceived stigma, advancing precision psychological care for burn survivors. Show less
The prevalence of depression, a common mental disorder in clinical practice, has been continuously increasing in recent years, with its intricate etiology and pathogenesis incompletely understood. Mic Show more
The prevalence of depression, a common mental disorder in clinical practice, has been continuously increasing in recent years, with its intricate etiology and pathogenesis incompletely understood. MicroRNA (miRNA), a highly conserved and widely distributed genetic regulatory factor in eukaryotic organisms, plays a crucial role in the pathophysiology of depression. miR-132, a miRNA molecule specifically enriched in the central nervous system, has emerged as a significant focus in the study of depression. miR-132 is involved in the pathogenesis by modulating critical processes such as dendritic spine remodeling and synaptic efficacy. Current research confirms that the expression profile of miR-132 in peripheral blood and brain tissue samples from animal models of depression shows significant abnormal fluctuations, and its expression level is dose-dependently associated with disease severity, progression, and treatment response. Therefore, this article focuses on a few key elements, including brain-derived neurotrophic factor, neuroinflammatory cascade reactions, neurogenesis, and plasticity, to comprehensively examine the potential role of miR-132 expression in the onset and progression of depression. This review also aims to provide a theoretical foundation for future in-depth research and clinical applications in the field of depression therapy. Show less
Mammalian scent glands mediate species-specific chemical communication, yet the mechanistic basis for convergent musk production remain incompletely understood. Forest musk deer and muskrat have indep Show more
Mammalian scent glands mediate species-specific chemical communication, yet the mechanistic basis for convergent musk production remain incompletely understood. Forest musk deer and muskrat have independently evolved specialized musk-secreting glands, representing a striking case of convergent evolution. Through an integrated multi-omics approach, this study identified cyclopentadecanone as a shared key metabolic precursor in musk from both forest musk deer and muskrat, although downstream metabolite profiles diverged between the two lineages. Single-cell RNA sequencing revealed that these specialized apocrine glands possessed unique secretory architecture and exhibited transcriptional profiles associated with periodic musk production, distinct from those in conventional apocrine glands. Convergent features were evident at the cellular level, where acinar, ductal, and basal epithelial subtypes showed parallel molecular signatures across both taxa. Notably, acinar cells in both species expressed common genes involved in fatty acid and glycerolipid metabolism (e.g., Show less
Heart failure (HF) is a serious cardiovascular condition resulting from abnormalities in multiple biological processes, affecting over 64 million people worldwide. We sought to expand our understandin Show more
Heart failure (HF) is a serious cardiovascular condition resulting from abnormalities in multiple biological processes, affecting over 64 million people worldwide. We sought to expand our understanding of the genetic basis of HF and more specific NICM subtype in the East Asian populations and evaluate the biological pathways underlying subclinical left ventricular dysfunction. We conducted a meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies (GWAS) for all-cause HF in the East Asian populations (N cases ~ 13,385) and a more precise definition of nonischemic cardiomyopathy (NICM) subtype in multi-ancestry populations (N cases~3,603). We identified a low-frequency East-Asian enriched coding variant near MYBPC3 and a NICM specific locus. Follow up analyses demonstrated male-specific HF association at the MYBPC3 locus, and highlighted SVIL as a candidate causal gene for NICM. Moreover, we demonstrated that SVIL deficiency aggravated cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, apoptosis and impaired cell viability in phenylephrine (PE)-treated H9C2 cells. In addition, the gene expression level of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) which was deemed as a hallmark for HF was further elevated by SVIL silencing in PE-stimulated H9C2 cells. RNA-sequencing analysis of H9C2 cells revealed that the function of SVIL might be mediated through pathways relevant to regulation and differentiation of heart muscle. These results enhance our understanding of the genetic architecture of HF in the East Asian populations, and provide important insight into the biological pathways underlying NICM and sex-specific relevance of the MYBPC3 locus that warrants further replication in another datasets. Show less
Branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), including valine, leucine and isoleucine, are essential nutrient signals that influence mammalian animal metabolism. Many enzymes are involved in the metabolism of Show more
Branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), including valine, leucine and isoleucine, are essential nutrient signals that influence mammalian animal metabolism. Many enzymes are involved in the metabolism of BCAAs, such as branched-chain amino acid transaminases (BCATs), branched-chain α-keto acid dehydrogenase (BCKDH), and BCKDH kinase (BCKDK). The aberrant expression of enzymes involved in BCAA metabolism and an imbalance in BCAA amino acid intake can lead to disordered metabolism. Aberrant BCAA metabolism can lead to several diseases, such as human ovarian disease, including ovarian cancer (OC), polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and premature ovarian failure (POF), which are common gynaecological diseases. The overexpression of BCATs is found in OC, which promotes BCAA catalysis to provide a large amount of energy for tumorigenesis. However, BCKDK is overexpressed in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC), which promotes proliferation and migration via MEK-ERK. In addition, several studies have reported that high levels of BCAAs are increased in the plasma of PCOS and POF patients. This review focuses on the role of BCAA metabolism and potential management methods for OC, PCOS and POF. Show less
Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) has become the most common pathological pattern of lung cancer in recent decades. Prediction of biological behavior of LUAD is crucial for disease management and treatment o Show more
Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) has become the most common pathological pattern of lung cancer in recent decades. Prediction of biological behavior of LUAD is crucial for disease management and treatment options. The objective of this study was to identify significant genes related with prognosis of LUAD, and to investigate the role and biological mechanism of caveolin-1 (CAV1) in LUAD. Bioinformatical analysis was used to identify significant genes related to the prognosis of LUAD based on GEO datasets. Then the mechanisms underlying these critical genes were explored. Enrichment analysis was implemented based on CAV1 related differentially expressed genes subsequently. The expressions of CAV1 and EGFR in LUAD tissues and adjacent tissues were detected by Western blotting, immunohistochemistry and microarray technology. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and cox regression analysis were performed to verify the correlation between CAV1 expression level and the prognosis of LUAD. The expression of CAV1 in PC-9, H1299 and H1975 cells was inhibited by siRNA transfection. CAV1 overexpression plasmid was constructed and transfected into A549 cells. Cell proliferation was detected by cell Titer-Glo, CCK-8 and colony formation assay. Scratch test was used to compare cell migration ability. Transwell assay was used to compare cell invasion ability. Cell apoptosis and cell cycle were detected by flow cytometry. The effect of CAV1 on EGFR degradation was verified by cycloheximide inhibition assay. Western blotting was used to detect the phosphorylation of AKT and STAT3, the expression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) -related molecular markers and apoptosis-related Bax/Caspase-3/Bcl-2 pathway. The GFP plasmid loaded with shRNA was transfected into PC-9 cell line by lentivirus infection. Three groups of stable PC-9 cell lines, including shNC, shCAV1-1 and shCAV1-2 were obtained. The phenotypic experiments of proliferation, invasion, migration and apoptosis were completed. Western blotting was used to detect the phosphorylation of AKT and STAT3, as well as apoptosis-related Bax/Caspase-3/Bcl-2 pathway markers. In vivo experiments, including subcutaneous tumor formation experiment and immunohistochemical detection of CAV1, EGFR and Ki-67 were performed. Comprehensive analysis of GSE130779, GSE32863 and GSE85841 datasets identified 3 up-regulated DEGs and 86 down-regulated DEGs, which were significantly enriched in malaria pathway and proteoglycans in cancer pathway. CAV1 and CAV2 may inhibit tumor growth by degrading EGFR. Thirteen core genes including ADH1B, ALDH1A1, CAV1, CAV2, CLDN18, CXCL2 (GRO2), EDNRB, GNG11, LPL, PDK4, SCGB1A1, SDPR and SFTPC were down-regulated in LUAD tissues, which were associated with better prognosis of lung cancer significantly. Enrichment analysis of CAV1-related DEGs identified the endocytosis pathway, suggesting that CAV1 was involved in the development of LUAD by degrading EGFR through endocytosis. CAV1 was highly expressed in paracancerous tissues, and there was a negative correlation between the tissue locations of CAV1 and EGFR. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis of the cohort study showed that higher Cav-1 levels were associated with longer overall survival, and the difference was significant. Both in vitro and in vivo, CAV1 knockdown increased EGFR level, while CAV1 overexpression decreased EGFR level. This effect was mediated by Cav-1 promoting EGFR degradation. Cav-1 further inhibited the phosphorylation of downstream AKT/STAT3 pathway of EGFR. Caveolin-1 positively regulated the Bax/Caspase-3/Bcl-2 pathway, thereby participating in mediating apoptosis. Cav-1 can suppress the proliferation, migration and invasion of LUAD, while promote cell apoptosis. Our findings demonstrate that CAV1 exerts its anti-tumor effects, at least in part, by inhibiting EGFR degradation and modulating the AKT/STAT3 pathway, as well as enhancing the Bax/Caspase-3/Bcl-2 signaling pathway in LUAD cells. These results suggest that targeting CAV1 may represent a promising therapeutic strategy for the treatment of LUAD patients. Show less
Sepsis is associated with high morbidity and high mortality and has strongly motivated intense studies into its mechanisms. Antibiotics, aimed to eradicate bacteria, have some impact on the immune sys Show more
Sepsis is associated with high morbidity and high mortality and has strongly motivated intense studies into its mechanisms. Antibiotics, aimed to eradicate bacteria, have some impact on the immune system due to anti-inflammatory properties. Tigecycline, an antibiotic of the glycylcycline class, is commonly used for severe infections. This study aimed to investigate tigecycline's mechanism on the inflammatory response of sepsis to find new targets for sepsis treatment. The objective included (i) to observe the changes in inflammatory factors in LPS (lipopolysaccharide) induced septic mice after tigecycline administration, (ii) to detect the effect of tigecycline on macrophages NF-κB (nuclear factor kappa B) signalling. For LPS-induced sepsis in mice and intervention with tigecycline, mice were first injected with tigecycline (6.5 mg/kg) via tail vein followed by LPS (15 mg/kg). Luminex analysis was performed on 16 mediators. NF-κB signalling pathway antibody chip detected the expression of target sites in macrophages of the LPS group and tigecycline + LPS group. Tigecycline has inhibitory effects on LPS-induced inflammatory response in septic mice, decreasing the concentrations of IL (interleukin)-6, IL-27, TNF-α (tumour necrosis factor-α), TNF RII, IFN-γ (interferon-gamma), CCL5/RANTES (CC Motif Chemokine Ligand) while increasing IL-6Rα, IL-10, and TWEAK (TNF-related weak inducer of apoptosis). Tigecycline downregulated phosphorylation levels of key sites JNK (c-Jun N-terminal kinase)1/2/3, p-p65 (s468) and p-p105/p50 (s907) in NF-κB signalling. Tigecycline may inhibit the excessive immune response induced by LPS in sepsis, which may cause a potential protective effect on the host through immune regulation. Show less
This study aims to investigate the roles of the EXT1 and FGFR3 genes in the development of osteochondromas, focusing specifically on their potential interactions in chondrocyte proliferation, differen Show more
This study aims to investigate the roles of the EXT1 and FGFR3 genes in the development of osteochondromas, focusing specifically on their potential interactions in chondrocyte proliferation, differentiation, and tumor formation. In vitro, the ATDC5 chondroprogenitor cell line was used to examine the effects of inactivation of both EXT1 and FGFR3. In vivo, a mouse model with dual gene knockout of Ext1 and Fgfr3 was constructed to further explore these genes' roles in tumor formation by observing the incidence and distribution patterns of osteochondromas. The in vitro experiments demonstrated that ATDC5 cells with reduced expression of EXT1 and FGFR3 genes exhibited enhanced chondrogenic differentiation. In vivo, Fgfr3 The EXT1 and FGFR3 genes play crucial regulatory roles in the development of osteochondromas. Deficiencies in Ext1 and Fgfr3 can induce the formation of osteochondromas. Show less
Sijie Gu, Haoran Feng, Xiaomei Li+10 more · 2025 · Molecular therapy : the journal of the American Society of Gene Therapy · Elsevier · added 2026-04-24
Preventing the progression from acute kidney injury (AKI) to chronic kidney disease (CKD) remains a considerable clinical challenge. In this study, we elucidate the role of WNT5A in accelerating the A Show more
Preventing the progression from acute kidney injury (AKI) to chronic kidney disease (CKD) remains a considerable clinical challenge. In this study, we elucidate the role of WNT5A in accelerating the AKI-to-CKD transition and its underlying mechanisms. Renal biopsies from patients with AKI showed marked upregulation of WNT5A and its receptor, CD146, in proximal tubules, with higher expression in patients with CKD progression. In murine AKI models, Wnt5a knockdown attenuated CKD progression. Conversely, proximal tubular overexpression of Wnt5a exacerbated renal fibrosis in ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) mice, which was alleviated by Box5, a specific WNT5A antagonist. In vitro, WNT5A overexpression in transforming growth factor β (TGF-β)-stimulated HK-2 cells promoted CD146 upregulation, activated JNK phosphorylation, and enhanced SNAI1 expression. The genetic silencing of WNT5A/CD146 and JNK inhibition suppresses SNAI1 expression and attenuates fibrotic responses. Mechanistically, JNK-mediated c-JUN phosphorylation promoted its interaction with KLF5 at the SNAI1 promoter, driving renal fibrosis. Elevated serum levels of soluble CD146 correlated with renal function in patients with AKI and were higher in patients exhibiting CKD progression. Inhibition of WNT5A could serve as a therapeutic target for delaying renal fibrosis in AKI progression. Show less
To identify latent profiles of demoralization among older adults with disabilities, analyze their influencing factors, and examine their associations with active aging. From February to July 2025, a c Show more
To identify latent profiles of demoralization among older adults with disabilities, analyze their influencing factors, and examine their associations with active aging. From February to July 2025, a convenience sample of 411 older adults with disabilities was recruited from a tertiary hospital in Anhui Province, China. Data were collected using a general information questionnaire, the Chinese version of the Demoralization Scale, and the Active Aging Scale. Latent profile analysis (LPA) was performed based on demoralization subscale scores. Univariate and multinominal analyses were employed to investigate the influencing factors, and the Kruskal-Wallis The prevalence of demoralization syndrome was 49.1%. LPA identified three distinct profiles: the Well-Adapted Group (53.3%), the Disheartened-Helpless Group (23.8%), and the Fully Demoralized Group (22.9%). The Kruskal-Wallis Nearly half of the older adults with disabilities experienced demoralization, with heterogeneous subgroups identified. The active aging status of demoralized subgroups requires urgent attention. These findings suggest the need for targeted interventions tailored to the characteristics of each profile to improve mental health and promote active aging in this population. Show less
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
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
The melanocortin system centrally regulates energy homeostasis, with key components such as melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) and adenylyl cyclase 3 (ADCY3) in neuronal primary cilia. Mutations in
Subjective cognitive decline (SCD) serves as an initial symptom of preclinical Alzheimer's disease (AD). The accumulation of amyloid-beta (Aβ) is acknowledged as a critical risk factor for the eventua Show more
Subjective cognitive decline (SCD) serves as an initial symptom of preclinical Alzheimer's disease (AD). The accumulation of amyloid-beta (Aβ) is acknowledged as a critical risk factor for the eventual progression to mild cognitive impairment or dementia in individuals with SCD, highlighting the necessity for early detection and intervention. Previous studies have identified the retina and choriocapillaris as potential biomarkers for AD; however, these investigations have not thoroughly examined large and medium-sized choroidal vessels. Ultra-wide swept-source optical coherence tomography angiography (SS-OCTA), an innovative noninvasive imaging modality, facilitates rapid and precise quantitative assessment of retinal and choroidal boundaries and vasculature through dynamic scanning, encompassing large and medium-sized choroidal vessels. This study aims to characterize the outer retinal and choroidal vasculature and structure in individuals with SCD, examine the correlation between altered choroidal vasculature parameters and amyloid burden, and the presence of the apolipoprotein E (APOE) ε4 allele in SCD participants, to identify potential ocular biomarkers for high-risk SCD screening. In this study, 57 individuals with SCD and 45 matched normal controls were enrolled. Ultra-wide SS-OCTA was employed to assess the thickness of the outer retina and choroid and the blood flow within the choriocapillaris and large, medium-sized choroidal vessels. Show less
The development of BACE-1 (β-site amyloid precursor protein cleaving enzyme 1) inhibitors is a crucial focus in exploring early treatments for Alzheimer's disease (AD). Recently, graph neural networks Show more
The development of BACE-1 (β-site amyloid precursor protein cleaving enzyme 1) inhibitors is a crucial focus in exploring early treatments for Alzheimer's disease (AD). Recently, graph neural networks (GNNs) have demonstrated significant advantages in predicting molecular activity. However, their reliance on graph structures alone often neglects explicit sequence-level semantic information. To address this limitation, we proposed a Graph and multi-level Sequence Fusion Learning (GSFL) model for predicting the molecular activity of BACE-1 inhibitors. Firstly, molecular graph structures generated from SMILES strings were encoded using GNNs with an atomic-level characteristic attention mechanism. Next, substrings at functional group, ion level, and atomic level substrings were extracted from SMILES strings and encoded using a BiLSTM-Transformer framework equipped with a hierarchical attention mechanism. Finally, these features were fused to predict the activity of BACE-1 inhibitors. A dataset of 1548 compounds with BACE-1 activity measurements was curated from the ChEMBL database. In the classification experiment, the model achieved an accuracy of 0.941 on the training set and 0.877 on the test set. For the test set, it delivered a sensitivity of 0.852, a specificity of 0.894, a MCC of 0.744, an F1-score of 0.872, a PRC of 0.869, and an AUC of 0.915. Compared to traditional computer-aided drug design methods and other machine learning algorithms, the proposed model can effectively improve the accuracy of the molecular activity prediction of BACE-1 inhibitors and has a potential application value. Show less
The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of dietary fatty acids (FA) saturation and lysophospholipids supplementation on growth, meat quality, oxidative stability, FA profiles, and lipi Show more
The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of dietary fatty acids (FA) saturation and lysophospholipids supplementation on growth, meat quality, oxidative stability, FA profiles, and lipid metabolism of finishing beef bulls. Thirty-two Angus bulls (initial body weight: 623 ± 22.6 kg; 21 ± 0.5 months of age) were used. The experiment was a completely randomized block design with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments: 2 diets with FA of different degree of unsaturation [high saturated FA diet (HSFA) vs. high unsaturated FA diet (HUFA)] combined with (0.075%, dry matter basis) and without lysophospholipids supplementation. The bulls were fed a high-concentrate diet (forage to concentrate, 15:85) for 104 d including a 14-d adaptation period and a 90-d data and sample collection period. No interactions were observed between dietary FA and lysophospholipids supplementation for growth and meat quality parameters. A greater dietary ratio of unsaturated FA (UFA) to saturated FA (SFA) from 1:2 to 1:1 led to lower DM intake and backfat thickness, but did not affect growth performance and other carcass traits. Compared with HSFA, bulls fed HUFA had greater shear force in Longissimus thoracis (LT) muscle, but had lower intramuscular fat (IMF) content and SOD content in LT muscle. Compared with HUFA, feeding the HSFA diet up-regulated expression of ACC, FAS, PPARγ, and SCD1, but down-regulated expression of CPT1B. Compared with feeding HSFA, the HUFA diet led to greater concentrations of c9-C18:1 and other monounsaturated FA in LT muscle. Feeding HUFA also led to lower plasma concentrations of cholesterol, but there were no interactions between FA and lysophospholipids detected. Feeding lysophospholipids improved growth and feed conversion ratio and altered meat quality by increasing muscle pH Results indicated that supplementing a high-concentrate diet with lysophospholipids to beef bulls can enhance growth rate, feed efficiency, meat quality, and beneficial FA. Increasing the dietary ratio of UFA to SFA reduced DM intake and backfat thickness without compromising growth, suggesting potential improvements in feed efficiency. Show less
Lifestyle improvement may help reverse prediabetes. Indicators such as Life's Essential 8 (LE8) and biological aging measures (phenotypic age, cardiovascular biological age) partially reflect metaboli Show more
Lifestyle improvement may help reverse prediabetes. Indicators such as Life's Essential 8 (LE8) and biological aging measures (phenotypic age, cardiovascular biological age) partially reflect metabolic status in prediabetes, but their predictive value for cardiovascular mortality and stroke in this population remains unclear. We analyzed data from 74,678 White participants with prediabetes in the UK Biobank, defined by either HbA1c (5.7-6.4%) or fasting glucose (6.1-6.9 mmol/L). Follow-up continued until October 10, 2023. Cox regression was used to examine associations between LE8, phenotypic age (PhenoAge), cardiovascular biological age (CBA), and outcomes of cardiovascular (CVD) mortality and stroke. Restricted cubic spline (RCS) models identified biological age risk thresholds. Mediation analysis assessed whether proteins such as CST3, EFEMP1, FES, IGFBP2, IGFBP6, LPA, PCSK9, and TIMP1 mediated these effects. Over a median follow-up of 13.4 years, 2263 participants died from CVD causes. Each 1-year increase in CBA or PhenoAge was associated with a ~ 10% higher risk of CVD mortality (CBA aHR = 1.10; PhenoAge aHR = 1.09; both P < 0.001), while each 1-point increase in LE8 score was linked to a 3% lower risk (HR = 0.97, P < 0.001). The risk biological ages for these two indicators were also identified: PhenoAge ≥ 58.52 years and CBA ≥ 62.42 years. Similar trends were observed for stroke. Mediation analysis revealed that CST3, TIMP1, IGFBP2, and IGFBP6 contributed to the biological pathways between aging/lifestyle and CVD outcomes. The combined LE8 and PhenoAge model showed the strongest predictive performance for CVD mortality (AUC = 0.716) and stroke (AUC = 0.638) over 15 years. LE8 combined with phenotypic age provides prognostic value for CVD outcomes in prediabetes. These findings highlight the potential of lifestyle modification and delayed biological aging in reversing prediabetes and underscore comorbidity-related proteins as promising therapeutic targets. Show less
Background Myeloid/lymphoid neoplasm with eosinophilia and rearrangement of FGFR1(MLN-FGFR1), also referred to as 8p11 myeloproliferative syndrome (EMS), arises from aberrant FGFR1 gene rearrangement Show more
Background Myeloid/lymphoid neoplasm with eosinophilia and rearrangement of FGFR1(MLN-FGFR1), also referred to as 8p11 myeloproliferative syndrome (EMS), arises from aberrant FGFR1 gene rearrangement in bone marrow hematopoietic stem cells, resulting in the transformation of myeloid/lymphoid cells into neoplastic growths. The clinical and laboratory features of affected individuals are influenced by the specific partner genes. Purpose This article aims to report a case of MLN-FGFR1 involving a novel CNTRL::FGFR1 splicing variant and to discuss its clinicopathological characteristics and treatment challenges. Methods/Results We report a case of MLN-FGFR1 in a 35-year-old male patient presenting with leukocytosis, lymphadenopathy, hepatosplenomegaly, and a mixed population of B lymphoblasts, T lymphoblasts, and monoblasts in the bone marrow and lymph nodes. Comprehensive molecular profiling, including chromosomal karyotyping, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), targeted transcriptome sequencing, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and Sanger sequencing, identified a novel splicing variant of the CNTRL::FGFR1 fusion, resulting from a t(8;9)(p11;q33) translocation. This novel splicing variant involves an in-frame fusion between exon 38 of CNTRL and exon 11 of FGFR1, retaining the kinase domain of FGFR1 and leading to its constitutive activation. Despite multiple treatment regimens, the patient failed to achieve complete remission (CR). Conclusion The findings highlight the urgent need for targeted therapies, such as FGFR inhibitors, to improve outcomes in patients with FGFR1-rearranged malignancies. Show less