Post-hemorrhagic hydrocephalus (PHH) is a neurological disease that primarily affects premature infants and involves infiltration of blood into the brain's ventricles followed by excessive accumulatio Show more
Post-hemorrhagic hydrocephalus (PHH) is a neurological disease that primarily affects premature infants and involves infiltration of blood into the brain's ventricles followed by excessive accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), leading to ventricular enlargement and increased intracranial pressure. The precise mechanisms driving PHH development and persistence are incompletely understood and lack disease-modifying treatments. Using a mouse model of PHH, we have identified transcriptomic, proteomic, and cellular features of PHH involving neuroimmune and neurovascular alterations recapitulating those reported in human disease. Improvement upon a lysophosphatidic acid (LPA)-induced PHH mouse model was combined with unbiased proteomic and single-nucleus transcriptomics that identified microglial molecular pathways propagating PHH. Pharmacological depletion of microglia in vivo significantly reduced PHH-associated ventriculomegaly. These data identify microglial and neurovascular elements in the development of PHH, implicating them as other potentially tractable therapeutic targets beyond LPA receptors, towards developing medical treatments for PHH. Show less
Death anxiety is a critical mental-health concern among young adults; however, its heterogeneity and underlying psychological mechanisms remain understudied. This study aimed to identify latent profil Show more
Death anxiety is a critical mental-health concern among young adults; however, its heterogeneity and underlying psychological mechanisms remain understudied. This study aimed to identify latent profiles of death anxiety in Chinese youth and examine the predictive roles of self-esteem, perceived social support, and security. We conducted a cross-sectional survey of 623 young adults ( Three latent death anxiety profiles emerged, High Death Anxiety (56.2%), Moderate Cognition and Low Death Anxiety (8.8%), and Low Cognition and Moderate Death Anxiety (35%). Higher self-esteem ( Death anxiety among young adults is heterogeneous, influenced by distinct psychological profiles and demographic factors. Interventions should prioritize enhancing self-esteem, social support networks, and security to mitigate death anxiety, especially in high-risk subgroups. Future research should employ longitudinal designs and cross-cultural samples to validate causal pathways and refine targeted strategies. Show less
Despite the increasing approval and ongoing clinical trials of FGFR-targeted therapies, accurately detecting FGFR fusions remains a challenge due to limited research, low incidence rates, complex fusi Show more
Despite the increasing approval and ongoing clinical trials of FGFR-targeted therapies, accurately detecting FGFR fusions remains a challenge due to limited research, low incidence rates, complex fusion partner distribution, and unique kinase domain distribution. We conducted a multicenter study to comprehensively profile FGFR fusions in the largest Chinese pan-cancer cohort to date, comprising 118 FGFR fusions from 114 individuals. Both DNA- and RNA-based sequencing approaches were utilized to reveal novel and fundamental features of FGFR fusion. Our research reveals an incidence rate of 0.96% for FGFR rearrangements within this Chinese cohort, including a high incidence rate of FGFR fusions (40%) in parotid gland carcinoma. However, this is based on a small sample size of 5 tumors and should be interpreted cautiously pending validation in larger cohorts. We also uncovered distinct breakpoint distribution patterns across various FGFR rearrangements. For example, a primary breakpoint in intron17 of FGFR2 was predominant (21/22), while FGFR1/3 breakpoints displayed substantial diversity. For the first time, we identified "hot" breakpoints in FGFR1 intron17, exon18, and FGFR3's 3' untranslated region. These findings underline the importance of incorporating these regions in targeted sequencing to ensure comprehensive detection of FGFR1/3 fusions. Notably, we observed a predilection for intrachromosomal distribution in common FGFR1/2/3 fusions. In contrast, most novel fusions (12/15) exhibited an interchromosomal distribution pattern, indicating variations in the fusion formation mechanism. Importantly, our study demonstrates the substantial incremental value of RNA-NGS or other orthogonal methods in confirming the functionality of FGFR rearrangements initially identified by DNA sequencing. In our cohort, 46% (6/13) of rare FGFR1/2/3 fusions lacked detectable RNA transcripts; however, this does not definitively indicate non-functionality as factors such as low RNA quality, expression below detection limits, or nonsense-mediated decay may contribute. Therefore, RNA-based validation is critical for accurately identifying potentially targetable FGFR fusions and guiding therapy. Our findings offer critical novel insights into functional FGFR fusions and bear considerable clinical implications for identifying individuals whose tumors are most likely to respond favorably to FGFR-targeted therapies. Show less
Postnatal cardiac function in mammals is closely associated with cardiomyocyte proliferation and hypertrophy. However, the molecular mechanisms regulating cardiomyocyte proliferation and hypertrophy h Show more
Postnatal cardiac function in mammals is closely associated with cardiomyocyte proliferation and hypertrophy. However, the molecular mechanisms regulating cardiomyocyte proliferation and hypertrophy have not yet been fully elucidated. Therefore, phenotypic measurements and transcriptomic sequencing were performed on myocardial tissues from 7-day-old (P7) and 3-month-old (3m) female C57BL/6 mice to investigate changes in cardiomyocytes during growth and development and to identify key genes regulating myocardial growth and development. In comparison to 7-day-old mice, 3-month-old mice exhibited a significant increase in heart weight ( Show less
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a chronic neurodegenerative disorder predominantly affecting the elderly population. The pathogenesis of AD involves the production of highly neurotoxic amyloid-β peptide 1 Show more
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a chronic neurodegenerative disorder predominantly affecting the elderly population. The pathogenesis of AD involves the production of highly neurotoxic amyloid-β peptide 1-42 (Aβ Show less
As global population aging intensifies, mental health issues in older adults are increasingly prominent, with depression being particularly prevalent and detrimental. The study investigated how substi Show more
As global population aging intensifies, mental health issues in older adults are increasingly prominent, with depression being particularly prevalent and detrimental. The study investigated how substituting sedentary behavior (SB) and sleep (SLP) with physical activity (PA) affects depression risk in this population. Meta-analysis was conducted by searching four databases: PubMed, Scopus, SPORTdiscus, and PsycINFO (via EBSCOhost platform) for relevant studies published until January 2025. Regression coefficients (β) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for depressive symptoms were estimated. Publication bias was assessed using funnel plots and Egger's tests, and heterogeneity was evaluated using Q tests and the I Among 18,912 participants (53.45% female, ≥60 years) across nine studies, replacing SB with MVPA significantly reduced depression (β = -0.12, 95% CI: -0.20, -0.04), subgroup analyses indicated that reallocating 10, 30 and 60 min/day of SB to MVPA ( Substituting SB and SLP with MVPA is significantly associated with a reduction in depression, whereas no significant association is observed when replaced by LPA. https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/display_record.php?RecordID=546666, identifier CRD42024546666. Show less
Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) including omega-3 and omega-6 are obtained from diet and can be measured objectively in plasma or red blood cells (RBCs) membrane biomarkers, representing different Show more
Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) including omega-3 and omega-6 are obtained from diet and can be measured objectively in plasma or red blood cells (RBCs) membrane biomarkers, representing different dietary exposure windows. In vivo conversion of omega-3 and omega-6 PUFAs from short- to long-chain counterparts occurs via a shared metabolic pathway involving fatty acid desaturases and elongase. This analysis leveraged genome-wide association study (GWAS) summary statistics for RBC and plasma PUFAs, along with expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) to estimate tissue-specific genetically predicted gene expression effects for delta-5 desaturase (FADS1), delta-6 desaturase (FADS2), and elongase (ELOVL2) on changes in RBC and plasma biomarkers. Using colocalization, we identified shared variants associated with both increased gene expression and changes in RBC PUFA levels in relevant PUFA metabolism tissues (i.e., adipose, liver, muscle, and whole blood). We observed differences in RBC versus plasma PUFA levels for genetically predicted increase in FADS1 and FADS2 gene expression, primarily for omega-6 PUFAs linoleic acid (LA) and arachidonic acid (AA). The colocalization analysis identified rs102275 to be significantly associated with a 0.69% increase in total RBC membrane-bound LA levels (p = 5.4 × 10 Show less
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a prevalent metabolic and reproductive endocrine disorder with strong heritability. However, the independent role of oocytes in mediating this heritability remains Show more
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a prevalent metabolic and reproductive endocrine disorder with strong heritability. However, the independent role of oocytes in mediating this heritability remains unclear. Utilizing in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer and surrogacy, we demonstrated that oocytes from androgen-exposed mice (F1) transmitted PCOS-like traits to F2 and F3 generations. Notably, caloric restriction (CR) in F1 or F2 effectively prevented this transmission by restoring disrupted DNA methylation in oocyte genes related to insulin secretion and AMPK signaling pathways. Further detection in adult tissues of offspring revealed dysregulated DNA methylation and expression of those genes (e.g., Adcy3, Gnas, and Srebf1) were reversed by maternal CR. Moreover, similar benefits of CR were observed in aberrant embryonic methylome of women with PCOS. These findings elucidate the essential role of CR in preventing PCOS transmission via methylation reprogramming, emphasizing the importance of preconception metabolic management for women with PCOS. Show less
Hair follicle stem cells (HFSCs) are resident stem cells within hair follicles (HFs) that possess self-renewal and differentiation capacities, serving as a critical model for regenerative medicine res Show more
Hair follicle stem cells (HFSCs) are resident stem cells within hair follicles (HFs) that possess self-renewal and differentiation capacities, serving as a critical model for regenerative medicine research. Their dynamic interaction with dermal papilla cells (DPCs) plays a decisive role in HF development and cycling. Show less
To identify the connections between lipid biomarkers and the anti-VEGF therapy response in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD). A bidirectional and multivariable Mendelia Show more
To identify the connections between lipid biomarkers and the anti-VEGF therapy response in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD). A bidirectional and multivariable Mendelian randomization study. The summary statistics for anti-VEGF nAMD treatment response included a total of 128 responders, 51 nonresponders, and 6 908 005 genetic variants available for analysis. The sample size of lipid biomarkers is 441 016 and 12 321 875 genetic variants available for analysis. Two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) method was conducted to exhaustively appraise the causalities among 13 lipid biomarkers and the risk of different anti-VEGF treatment responses (including visual acuity [VA] and central retinal thickness [CRT]) for nAMD subtypes. Thirteen lipid biomarkers, VA, and CRT. A positive causal relationship was identified between triglycerides (TGs), apolipoproteins (Apos) E2, ApoE3, total cholesterol (TC), and VA response to anti-VEGF therapy in patients with nAMD, as confirmed by MR-Egger, weighted median, and weighted mode models. The MR-Egger model yielded statistically significant results for TC, ApoA-I, ApoB, and ApoA-V in relation to the CRT response to anti-VEGF treatment in patients with nAMD. In the reverse MR, the MR-Egger model identified significant causal relationships between ApoA-I, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), ApoE3, and ApoF and the VA response. However, this was not the case in the weighted median and weighted mode models. In the MR-Egger model, ApoB, LDL-c, ApoE3, and ApoM were identified as significantly influencing the CRT response. In the multisample MR analysis, TC, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, LDL-c, and TG were found to be causally related to VA response, and TC was also identified as being causally related to the CRT response to anti-VEGF therapy in patients with nAMD. This MR study suggests unidirectional causality between TG and ApoE3 and the response to anti-VEGF treatment in patients with nAMD. The author(s) have no proprietary or commercial interest in any materials discussed in this article. 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
Activation of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) plays an important role in tumor metastasis. The purpose of this study is to investigate the role of POU6F2 in conversion of hepatic stellate cells ( Show more
Activation of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) plays an important role in tumor metastasis. The purpose of this study is to investigate the role of POU6F2 in conversion of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) into CAFs in liver metastasis of gastric adenocarcinoma (GAC). POU6F2 expression was examined by real-time PCR, Western blot and immunohistochemical staining. The functional roles of POU6F2 in GAC liver metastasis were investigated both cellular experiments in vitro and in vivo using a mouse model of subcutaneous splenic injection. ChIP and ELISA assays were used to explore the underlying molecular mechanism of POU6F2 in liver metastasis of GAC. Here we reported that POU6F2 was upregulated in GAC tissue with liver metastasis, which predicted poor early liver metastasis. Upregulating POU6F2 promoted EMT, invasion and migration of GAC cells in vitro, and the liver metastasis of GAC cells in vivo. Mechanic investigation further revealed that upregulating POU6F2 promoted the invasion and metastasis of GAC by transcriptional upregulation of EMT-inducer SNAI1, and promoting the conversion of HSCs into CAFs dependent on transcriptional upregulation of IGF2-induced activation of PI3K/AKT signaling. Our findings uncover a novel dual mechanism by which POU6F2 promotes liver metastasis of GAC. Show less
As a vital component of the immune system, macrophages play a critical role in the progression of asthma. The two classic polarization states of macrophages, M1 and M2, exhibit distinct functions. M1- Show more
As a vital component of the immune system, macrophages play a critical role in the progression of asthma. The two classic polarization states of macrophages, M1 and M2, exhibit distinct functions. M1-polarized macrophages eliminate pathogens through the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines, while M2-polarized macrophages secrete anti-inflammatory factors to facilitate tissue repair. However, in asthma, the activation of M1 macrophages is often associated with excessive inflammatory responses, whereas M2 macrophages contribute to airway remodeling and chronic inflammation. These processes collectively exacerbate airway inflammation and remodeling, thereby aggravating asthma symptoms. Reactive oxygen species (ROS), as crucial signaling molecules, have been shown to regulate macrophage polarization and promote both M1 and M2 polarization states. This review summarizes the primary endogenous and exogenous sources of ROS in asthma and elaborates on the mechanisms by which ROS influence M1/M2 polarization of macrophages. Endogenous ROS arise chiefly from NOX2, xanthine oxidase, peroxisomes and mitochondria, whereas ozone and fine particulate matter are major exogenous sources. ROS activate MAPK, NF-κB and NLRP3 cascades, boosting IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-27 release by M1 cells, while low NOX2 flux or mitochondrial H 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
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) represents a particularly aggressive form of cancer, characterized by its rapid progression and a complex interplay with the surrounding immune cellular environment. The Show more
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) represents a particularly aggressive form of cancer, characterized by its rapid progression and a complex interplay with the surrounding immune cellular environment. The primary objective of this study was to comprehensively investigate the role of ANGPTL4 in the context of HCC, utilizing RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) techniques to explore its impact on the M2 polarization of tumor-associated macrophages (TAM) and to uncover potential mechanisms driving HCC progression. To achieve this, we performed a transcriptome analysis of HCC cell lines, alongside cells obtained after co-culturing these lines with macrophages. By comparing gene expression profiles between the experimental groups exposed to ANGPTL4 and control groups, we aimed to identify specific molecular pathways associated with ANGPTL4's function. In addition to gene expression analysis, we employed flow cytometry to assess the polarization status of TAM. Furthermore, we utilized immunohistochemistry to evaluate the distribution of macrophages within HCC tissues and to quantify the expression levels of M2 macrophage markers. The results derived from RNA-seq analysis were particularly revealing; treatment with ANGPTL4 led to a significant upregulation of genes linked to M2 polarization, notably including CD206 and Arg1. In subsequent experimental observations, it became evident that ANGPTL4 not only facilitated the M2 polarization of macrophages but also enhanced the proliferation and migratory capacity of HCC cells through the upregulation of these same cytokines. Show less
The risk factors and clinical prediction of cardiovascular comorbidities in patients with breast cancer have not been fully clarified. This retrospective case-control study was designed to investigate Show more
The risk factors and clinical prediction of cardiovascular comorbidities in patients with breast cancer have not been fully clarified. This retrospective case-control study was designed to investigate the factors affecting myocardial ischemia occurrence in breast cancer patients. A total of 194 cases (144 breast cancer and 50 benign breast tumor patients) were included. Univariate and multivariable Cox regression found that ApoB, age, and HER2 were significant factors responsible for the myocardial ischemia occurrence in breast cancer patients. By comparing the significance of ApoB in breast cancer patients versus benign breast tumor patients, it was observed that ApoB and HER2 were crucial predictors of myocardial ischemia in breast cancer patients compared to those with benign breast tumors. These factors were utilized to construct the clinical prediction model, achieving a combined area under the curve (AUC) of 0.583. The decision curve analysis (DCA) indicated that the model-predicted population, within a threshold ranging from 0.35 to 0.70, would experience a therapeutically clinical net benefit. Kaplan-Meier plot indicated that ApoB We demonstrated that ApoB and HER2 were potential factors in predicting the myocardial ischemia occurrence in breast cancer patients. This study will help provide clinical evidence for the early prediction of cardiovascular comorbidities in breast cancer patients. Show less
Aging-related lipid metabolic disorder is related to oxidative stress. Selenium (Se)-enriched Cardamine violifolia (SEC) is known for its excellent antioxidant function. The objective of this study wa Show more
Aging-related lipid metabolic disorder is related to oxidative stress. Selenium (Se)-enriched Cardamine violifolia (SEC) is known for its excellent antioxidant function. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of SEC on antioxidant capacity and lipid metabolism in the liver of aged laying hens. A total of 450 sixty-five-wk-old Roman laying hens were randomly divided into 5 treatments: a basal diet (without Se supplementation, CON) and basal diets supplemented with 0.3 mg/kg Se from sodium selenite (SS), 0.3 mg/kg Se from Se-enriched yeast (SEY), 0.3 mg/kg Se from SEC (SEC), or 0.3 mg/kg Se from SEC and 0.3 mg/kg Se from SEY (SEC + SEY). The experiment lasted for 8 wk. The results showed that dietary SEC + SEY supplementation decreased (P < 0.05) triglyceride (in the plasma and liver) and total cholesterol levels (in the plasma), and increased (P < 0.05) HDL-C concentration in plasma compared to CON diet. Compared with CON diet, SEC and/or SEY supplementation decreased (P < 0.05) the mRNA expression of hepatic ACC, FAS and HMGCR, and increased (P < 0.05) PPARα, VTG-II, Apo-VLDL II and ApoB expression. Dietary SEC + SEY and SEY supplementation increased (P < 0.05) Se content in egg yolk and breast muscle compared to CON diet. Dietary SEC, SEY or SEC + SEY supplementation increased (P < 0.05) the activity of antioxidant enzymes (GSH-PX, T-AOC and T-SOD) in the plasma and liver and decreased (P < 0.05) MDA content in the plasma compared to CON diet. Dietary Se supplementation promoted (P < 0.05) mRNA expression of Nrf2 in the liver. In contrast, dietary SEY and SEC supplementation resulted in a decrease (P < 0.05) of hepatic Keap1 mRNA expression compared to CON diet. Dietary SEC + SEY and/or SEC supplementation increased (P < 0.05) mRNA expression of Selenof, GPX1 and GPX4 in the liver compared with CON diet. In conclusion, dietary SEC (0.3 mg/kg Se) or SEC (0.3 mg/kg Se) + SEY (0.3 mg/kg Se) improved the antioxidant capacity and the lipid metabolism in the liver of aged laying hens, which might be associated with regulating Nrf2/Keap1 signaling pathway. Show less
The selective inhibition of fibroblast growth factor receptors (FGFR) presents a significant challenge due to the high degree of sequence and the close structural similarity of the subtypes. Herein, w Show more
The selective inhibition of fibroblast growth factor receptors (FGFR) presents a significant challenge due to the high degree of sequence and the close structural similarity of the subtypes. Herein, we designed selective dual FGFR2/3 inhibitors based on the in-depth understanding of protein-ligand interaction contributions. We efficiently identified ISM7594 ( Show less
Tianhe Ye, Cong Liu · 2025 · Frontiers in pediatrics · Frontiers · added 2026-04-24
Pulmonary artery sling (PAS) is a rare congenital vascular anomaly in which the left pulmonary artery (LPA) originates from the right pulmonary artery (RPA), forming a ring around the tracheobronchial Show more
Pulmonary artery sling (PAS) is a rare congenital vascular anomaly in which the left pulmonary artery (LPA) originates from the right pulmonary artery (RPA), forming a ring around the tracheobronchial tree. Due to non-specific respiratory symptoms, it is frequently misdiagnosed, leading to significant delays in diagnosis. This report emphasizes the crucial role of quantitative multimodal imaging in establishing a definitive diagnosis, stratifying risk, and guiding optimal surgical planning. A 4-year-and-7-month-old boy presented with a 4-year history of recurrent cough and wheezing that was refractory to standard medical therapy. Echocardiography revealed a dilated main pulmonary artery (MPA) measuring 1.9 cm ( This case of isolated PAS underscores the indispensable role of a multimodal imaging strategy. While echocardiography can provide initial clues, quantitative CTA is paramount for definitive anatomical classification, precise stenosis quantification, and comprehensive preoperative planning. Early consideration of PAS in children presenting with refractory respiratory symptoms, coupled with advanced imaging, can prevent misdiagnosis and optimize outcomes. Show less
Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors are crucial for the symptomatic management of Alzheimer's disease (AD), with natural products-particularly botanical sources like Yellow Gastrodia elata (YGE)-se Show more
Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors are crucial for the symptomatic management of Alzheimer's disease (AD), with natural products-particularly botanical sources like Yellow Gastrodia elata (YGE)-serving as promising reservoirs of such inhibitors. Nevertheless, comprehensive screening and mechanistic characterization of their inhibitory potential remain limited. This study sought to identify potent AChE inhibitors from YGE, investigate their mechanisms of action, and assess their therapeutic prospects for AD. Methodologically, an integrated approach was employed, combining ultrafiltration-liquid chromatography (UF-LC) for rapid inhibitor screening, molecular docking and dynamics simulations for mechanistic insight, two-stage high-speed countercurrent chromatography for compound isolation, enzyme kinetics to delineate inhibition modalities, and network pharmacology to uncover relevant AD-related targets. The findings identified seven active constituents with notable AChE inhibition, among which parishins A and G were obtained at high purity (98.26% and 97.26%, respectively) and exhibited mixed-type inhibition with low IC Show less
Despite the high morbidity and mortality, the effective therapies for heart failure with preserved fraction (HFpEF) are limited as the poor understand of its pathophysiological basis. This study was a Show more
Despite the high morbidity and mortality, the effective therapies for heart failure with preserved fraction (HFpEF) are limited as the poor understand of its pathophysiological basis. This study was aimed to characterize the cellular heterogeneity and potential mechanisms of HFpEF at single-cell resolution. An HFpEF mouse model was induced by a high-fat diet with N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester. Cells from the hearts were subjected to single-cell sequencing. The key protein expression was measured with Immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence staining. In HFpEF hearts, myocardial fibroblasts exhibited higher levels of fibrosis. Furthermore, an increased number of fibroblasts differentiated into high-metabolism and high-fibrosis phenotypes. The expression levels of genes encoding certain pro-angiogenic secreted proteins were decreased in the HFpEF group, as confirmed by bulk RNA sequencing. Additionally, the proportion of the endothelial cell (EC) lineages in the HFpEF group was significantly downregulated, with low angiogenesis and high apoptosis phenotypes observed in these EC lineages. Interestingly, the fibroblasts in the HFpEF heart might cross-link with the EC lineages via over-secretion of ANGPTL4, thus displaying an anti-angiogenic function. Immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence staining then revealed the downregulation of vascular density and upregulation of ANGPTL4 expression in HFpEF hearts. Finally, we predicted ANGPTL4as a potential druggable target using DrugnomeAI. In conclusion, this study comprehensively characterized the angiogenesis impairment in HFpEF hearts at single-cell resolution and proposed that ANGPTL4 secretion by fibroblasts may be a potential mechanism underlying this angiogenic abnormality. Show less
To investigate the role of lncRNA BACE1-AS in neuronal injury and neurological deficits after ischemic stroke and explore its underlying molecular mechanism. MCAO rat model and OGD/R cell model were e Show more
To investigate the role of lncRNA BACE1-AS in neuronal injury and neurological deficits after ischemic stroke and explore its underlying molecular mechanism. MCAO rat model and OGD/R cell model were established. BACE1-AS expression was detected by RT-qPCR. Neurological function was evaluated by mNSS and MWM test. Inflammatory factors (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-10), neuronal injury markers (NSE, GFAP), and apoptosis-related markers (Bcl-2, Bax, Caspase-3) were detected by ELISA and RT-qPCR. Bioinformatics analysis, dual-luciferase reporter assay, and RIP assay were used to validate the targeting relationship between BACE1-AS and miR-103a-3p. BACE1-AS was significantly upregulated in both MCAO rats and OGD/R-treated SH-SY5Y cells. Silencing BACE1-AS alleviated neurological deficits, reduced pro-inflammatory cytokine levels, and inhibited neuronal apoptosis. Mechanistically, BACE1-AS targeted miR-103a-3p, and inhibiting miR-103a-3p reversed the neuroprotective effects of BACE1-AS silencing in vivo and in vitro. Silencing BACE1-AS mitigates neuronal injury and neurological deficits after ischemic stroke by targeting miR-103a-3p, providing a novel therapeutic target for ischemic stroke. Show less
Human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hUC-MSCs) ameliorate motor deficits in cerebral palsy (CP), but the effect of injection frequency remains unclear. Moreover, most studies have focu Show more
Human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hUC-MSCs) ameliorate motor deficits in cerebral palsy (CP), but the effect of injection frequency remains unclear. Moreover, most studies have focused on mild CP models (unilateral carotid artery occlusion [UCAO] model). This study explored the effect and mechanism of hUC-MSCs in a rat model of moderate-to-severe CP (bilateral carotid artery occlusion [BCAO] model). On postnatal Day 4 (P4), Wistar rat pups underwent BCAO induction. Subsequently, they received either a single intrathecal injection of hUC-MSCs on P21 or repeated injections on P21, P28, P35, and P42. Motor performance was assessed using the rotarod and front-limb suspension tests, while neuronal regeneration and inflammation were evaluated via biomarkers including neuronal nuclear antigen (NeuN), ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule-1 (Iba-1), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), myelin basic protein (MBP), and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). P18 model screening confirmed that the BCAO model resulted in more severe brain damage and motor impairment than the UCAO model. After injection of lentivirally transfected hUC-MSCs, it was found that hUC-MSCs could nest in the damaged area and survive for at least 3 days. Administration of hUC-MSCs following BCAO modeling led to notable improvements in both behavioral performance and histological outcomes. Furthermore, repeated injections offered greater therapeutic benefits compared to single injection. It indicated that the efficacy of repeated injections of hUC-MSCs in the treatment of moderate-to-severe CP was superior to that of single injection. Its mechanism was related to the improvement of damaged myelin structure, reduced immunoinflammatory responses, and increased neurotrophic support. Show less
This study aims to identify and characterize daily activity accumulation patterns (bouts of physical activity and sedentary behavior) among adolescents and then to explore the associations between the Show more
This study aims to identify and characterize daily activity accumulation patterns (bouts of physical activity and sedentary behavior) among adolescents and then to explore the associations between these groups and depressive symptoms. A total of 521 adolescents aged 13-18 years from Wuhan and Changsha, China, were included. Bouts of physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior (SED) were measured using accelerometers. The Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale was used to assess participants' depressive symptoms. Latent profile analysis was employed to identify distinct groups based on their activity patterns. Three distinct groups were identified: "Prolonged sitters" ( The synergistic effect of strategies to reduce total SED duration by limiting SED bouts to 30 min or less and increasing light physical activity (LPA) may also be effective in alleviating depressive symptoms in adolescents. Show less
Cognitive impairments in major depressive disorder (MDD) affect patients' social functioning, with underlying mechanisms involving gut microbiota and inflammatory factors remaining unclear. The study Show more
Cognitive impairments in major depressive disorder (MDD) affect patients' social functioning, with underlying mechanisms involving gut microbiota and inflammatory factors remaining unclear. The study analyzed cognitive function, gut microbiota changes, and inflammatory factor levels in 39 unmedicated MDD patients and 41 healthy controls, employing correlation and moderation effect analysis. MDD patients scored lower than controls in cognitive functions like information processing speed, attention/vigilance, verbal learning, visual learning and social cognition. They showed reduced gut microbiota diversity and increased levels of inflammatory markers (TNF-α, IL-1, IL-6, IL-17, IL-27, IL-33). Sellimonas abundance correlated negatively with attention/vigilance, moderated by TNF-α, IL-27, and IL-33. This relationship was stronger at lower inflammation levels. MDD patients exhibit multi-domain cognitive dysfunction alongside pro-inflammatory states and disrupted gut microbiota. The abundance of Sellimonas significantly predicts attention/vigilance deficits. Inflammatory factors modulate the impact of gut microbiota on cognitive function, suggesting chronic low-grade inflammation as a key risk factor for cognitive impairment in MDD. Show less
D-2-hydroxyglutarate (D-2HG), an oncometabolite derived from the tricarboxylic acid cycle. Previous studies have reported the diverse effects of D-2HG in pathophysiological processes, yet its role in Show more
D-2-hydroxyglutarate (D-2HG), an oncometabolite derived from the tricarboxylic acid cycle. Previous studies have reported the diverse effects of D-2HG in pathophysiological processes, yet its role in breast cancer remains largely unexplored. We applied an advanced biosensor approach to detect the D-2HG levels in breast cancer samples. We then investigated the biological functions of D-2HG through multiple in vitro and in vivo assays. A joint MeRIP-seq and RNA-seq strategy was used to identify the target genes regulated by D-2HG-mediated N6-methyladenosine (m We found that D-2HG accumulated in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), exerting oncogenic effects both in vitro and in vivo by promoting TNBC cell growth and metastasis. Mechanistically, D-2HG enhanced global m Our study unveils a previously unrecognized role for D-2HG-mediated RNA modification in TNBC progression and targeting the D-2HG/FTO/m Show less
Selenium (Se) foliar fertilizers enhance crop nutrition and address human selenium deficiency, while improper application may lead to excessive intake and residue accumulation. Our study comprehensive Show more
Selenium (Se) foliar fertilizers enhance crop nutrition and address human selenium deficiency, while improper application may lead to excessive intake and residue accumulation. Our study comprehensively assessed the toxicity and function of novel selenium nanoparticles and traditional sodium selenite fertilizers across cell, zebrafish, and murine models. Both fertilizers enhanced antioxidant pathways at low doses, but selenium nanoparticles exhibited stronger antioxidant and ferroptosis-modulating effects with lower toxicity at a high dose. Sodium selenite increased total and lipid ROS production, leading to decreased viability of cells and increased distortion and mortality of zebrafish. In mice, sodium selenite induced hepatic toxicity and decreased GPX4. Transcriptome analysis revealed that sodium selenite downregulated c-JUN and APOA4, weakening the antioxidant defense, whereas selenium nanoparticles promoted ferroptosis resistance through FGF21. These findings suggest selenium nanoparticles as a safer alternative for Se biofortification, mitigating health risks while supporting food security and environmental sustainability. Show less
The deposition of toxic aggregated amyloid-β (Aβ), resulting from continuous cleavage of amyloid precursor protein (APP) by β-site APP cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE1) and γ-secretase, is a key pathogenic ev Show more
The deposition of toxic aggregated amyloid-β (Aβ), resulting from continuous cleavage of amyloid precursor protein (APP) by β-site APP cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE1) and γ-secretase, is a key pathogenic event in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Small interfering RNAs (siRNA) have shown great potential for disease treatment by specifically silencing target genes. However, the poor brain delivery efficiency of siRNAs limits their therapeutic efficacy against AD. We designed a simplified and effective BACE1 siRNA (siBACE1) delivery system, namely, dendritic polyamidoamine modified with the neurotropic virus-derived peptide RVG29 and polyethylene glycol (PPR@siBACE1). PPR@siBACE1 crossed the blood-brain barrier efficiently and entered brain parenchyma in large amount, with subsequent neurotropism and potential microglia-targeting ability. Both in vitro and in vivo studies validated the effective brain delivery of siBACE1 and strong BACE1 silencing efficiency. Treatment of AD mice with PPR@siBACE1 inhibited the production of Aβ, potentiated Aβ phagocytosis by microglia, improved the memory deficits and reduced neuroinflammatory response in AD mice. This study provides a reliable delivery platform for gene therapies for AD. Show less