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
Low physical activity (LPA) is associated with cardiovascular and cerebrovascular pathologies. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of several noncommunicable diseases relating to LPA. Using the Show more
Low physical activity (LPA) is associated with cardiovascular and cerebrovascular pathologies. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of several noncommunicable diseases relating to LPA. Using the 2021 Global Burden of Disease data set, we modelled LPA-related disease burdens across 204 countries and territories, quantifying mortality counts, age-standardised mortality rates, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) for five noncommunicable diseases. We conducted multivariable stratification analyses to assess variations by gender, age, and sociodemographic index (SDI) quintiles. We used age-period-cohort modelling to project burden trajectories, while applying counterfactual decomposition frameworks to delineate synergistic interactions between LPA and risk factors. We found that LPA accounted for 555 101 related deaths globally in 2021 across the five studied pathologies, mostly among individuals aged 60-94 years. Association between LPA-related disease burden and SDI followed a U-shaped distribution across regions and diseases. Among individuals aged 60-89 years, LPA-related deaths were significantly higher in women than in men, indicating a disproportionate burden on elderly females. Ischaemic heart disease (IHD) trends stabilised in low- and middle-SDI regions but declined significantly in high-SDI regions, underscoring global health disparities. From 2007 to 2011, LPA DALYs and mortality risk ratios for IHD, stroke, and lower extremity peripheral arterial disease declined from >1 to <1, whereas diabetes mellitus exhibited an opposite trend, highlighting LPA's persistent and significant impact on diabetes-related morbidity. Demographic shifts and epidemiological transitions were primary drivers of LPA-related disease burden across five pathologies. In high-SDI regions, epidemiological changes predominated, whereas population growth was a key factor in low- and middle-SDI regions. Synergistic interaction of these factors with LPA is projected to substantially amplify future disease burden. Physical activity should be increased among elderly women to address health risks associated with LPA. Likewise, urgent public health interventions are needed for LPA-related diabetes. As IHD burden rises in low- and middle-SDI regions, vascular disease care strategies require optimisation. Moreover, high-SDI regions should strengthen nationwide physical activity promotion, while low- and middle-SDI areas must enhance healthcare infrastructure and manage population growth to reduce LPA-related disease burdens. Show less
The aim of this study was to investigate the improving effect of Schisandrin B (Sch B) on metabolic associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) by regulating the PPARγ signaling pathway and gut microbiota, Show more
The aim of this study was to investigate the improving effect of Schisandrin B (Sch B) on metabolic associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) by regulating the PPARγ signaling pathway and gut microbiota, and its mechanism in mice. Male C57BL/6 mice were fed with a high-fat diet (HFD) continuously for 16 weeks to establish a MAFLD model. The levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-10 (IL-10), and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in serum, as well as the level of malondialdehyde (MDA), and the activities of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the liver tissue were measured. Changes in the gut microbiota of mice was analyzed by 16S rRNA sequencing technology. The expression levels of PPARγ, Plin2, Pck1, Acsl4, and Fads1 proteins, as well as those of zonula occludins 1 (ZO-1) and Occludin proteins in the colon tissue were detected by Western Blot. The results showed that Sch B could alleviate the structure disorder, ballooning degeneration, inflammatory cell infiltration, liver lipid droplets, and fibrosis in liver tissue, lower the levels of AST, ALT, TG, TC, LDL-C, and LPS, increase the level of HDL-C and lower the levels of TNF-α and IL-6 in serum, increase the level of IL-10, and lower the level of MDA and increase the activities of SOD and GSH-Px in liver tissue in MAFLD mice. Sch B could increase the expression levels of PPARγ, Pck1, and Fads1 proteins, but decrease Plin2 and Acsl4 proteins in liver tissue. Sch B could improve the diversity and abundance of the gut microbiota, restore the normal composition of the gut microbiota at the phylum and genus levels, alleviate the disruption of the gut barrier caused by HFD, and enhance the expression of ZO-1 and Occludin proteins in colon tissue in MAFLD mice. This study showed Sch B can improve HFD-induced MAFLD, and the mechanism may be through regulating the PPARγ, Plin2, PCk1, Acsl4 and Fads1 signaling pathway, restoring the diversity of gut microbiota, and improving the gut barrier to delay the progression of MAFLD. Show less
Reverse Potts shunt is a promising yet high-risk therapy for pediatric pulmonary arterial hypertension. Postoperative hemodynamics is critically influenced by shunt configuration but is difficult to p Show more
Reverse Potts shunt is a promising yet high-risk therapy for pediatric pulmonary arterial hypertension. Postoperative hemodynamics is critically influenced by shunt configuration but is difficult to predict. This study aimed to quantify the effects of shunt size and location on hemodynamics to guide surgical planning. Based on a patient-specific model, four postoperative models with two different shunt locations [left pulmonary artery (LPA)-descending aorta (DAO) and pulmonary artery bifurcation-aortic arch] and three conduit sizes (4, 5, and 6 mm) were created. The direct Potts shunt model was created by a direct side-to-side anastomosis between the LPA and DAO with a 6-mm circular opening. Quantitative parameters including the shunt ratio (SR), which was defined as the percentage of the shunt flow rates to the total pulmonary inflow rate, lower limb oxygen saturation, and pressure were analyzed. Increasing the shunt size from 4 mm to 6 mm elevated the SR from 6.01% to 9.80%, concurrently reducing lower limb oxygen saturation from 89.57% to 86.52%. When taking 11,000 Pa as the threshold, this increased SR resulted in a reduction of the high-pressure area from 17.32% of the total pulmonary artery area to almost zero. Meanwhile, the high-pressure area on the aorta expanded from 8.72% of the total aortic area to 14.94%. These results indicated a reduction in the right ventricular afterload and an increase in the left ventricular afterload. Notably, a 6-mm shunt at the pulmonary artery bifurcation yielded a significantly larger SR than at the LPA (9.80% vs. 2.68%), which is attributed to a higher pressure gradient at the pulmonary artery bifurcation (1,201 Pa vs. 162 Pa). The shunt location had a greater impact on the SR than shunt size within the 4 mm-6 mm range in this specific case. A 6-mm shunt at the pulmonary artery bifurcation yielded a significantly larger SR than at the LPA, which is attributed to the higher preoperative pressure gradient at the bifurcation site. Left heart function is as critical as right heart function in maintaining pressure balance and determining outcomes, as the shunt flow increases the left ventricular afterload. 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
Here, we identified a type of hypothetical T7SS effector in This alternative strategy facilitates effectors' delivery, even for fragmented substrates, highlighting its importance in ensuring the funct Show more
Here, we identified a type of hypothetical T7SS effector in This alternative strategy facilitates effectors' delivery, even for fragmented substrates, highlighting its importance in ensuring the functionality of T7SS. Show less
Obesity is a major public health crisis associated with high mortality rates. Previous genome-wide association studies (GWAS) investigating body mass index (BMI) have largely relied on imputed data fr Show more
Obesity is a major public health crisis associated with high mortality rates. Previous genome-wide association studies (GWAS) investigating body mass index (BMI) have largely relied on imputed data from European individuals. This study leveraged whole-genome sequencing (WGS) data from 88,873 participants from the Trans-Omics for Precision Medicine (TOPMed) Program, of which 51% were of non-European population groups. We discovered 18 BMI-associated signals (P < 5 × 10 Show less
Metabolism alteration is a common complication of rheumatic arthritis (RA). This work investigated the reason behind RA-caused triglyceride (TG) changes. Fresh RA patients' whole blood was transfused Show more
Metabolism alteration is a common complication of rheumatic arthritis (RA). This work investigated the reason behind RA-caused triglyceride (TG) changes. Fresh RA patients' whole blood was transfused into NOD-SCID mice. Metabolism-regulatory tissues were examined after sacrifice. To verify the findings, tissues of the rats with long-lasting adjuvant-induced arthritis (AIA) were analyzed. Some rats were injected with human plasma and GPIHBP1, and their blood TG was monitored. Various cells were stimulated by cytokines or rheumatic subjects' serum. Some pre-adipocytes were cultured by human serum or in the presence of HUVEC cells and GPIHBP1. TG decrease occurred in blood and white adipose tissues (WAT) of the RA blood-transfused NOD-SCID mice and chronic AIA rats. Fatty acids (FA) oxidation in muscles was accelerated a bit, while TG catabolism status in their livers was varied. TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and RA/AIA serum promoted expression of TG utilization-related enzymes and FA uptake transporters in pre-adipocytes, but barely affected LPL. Mild IL-6 stimulus promoted GPIHBP1 release of HUVEC cells. GPIHBP1 was increased in RA serum. This change can decrease blood TG in rats, which was overshadowed by an injection of excessive GPIHBP1. RA serum slightly inhibited LPL secretion in pre-adipocytes. Both HUVEC cells co-culture and GPIHBP1 supplement reduced LPL distribution on pre-adipocytes, and eliminated LPL activity difference between normal and RA serum-treated cells. No TG uptake difference was observed in these circumstances. RA-associated inflammation induces GPIHBP1 secretion of endothelial cells, which facilitates blood TG hydrolysis and uptake to compensate the loss in WAT. Show less
Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is one of the leading causes of cancer-related mortality worldwide due to its high aggressive potential and drug resistance. Previous studies have revealed an impor Show more
Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is one of the leading causes of cancer-related mortality worldwide due to its high aggressive potential and drug resistance. Previous studies have revealed an important function of HECT And RLD Domain Containing E3 Ubiquitin Protein Ligase 5 (HERC5) in cancer. Six GEO gene microarrays identified HERC5 as a significant upregulated gene in OSCC tissues or cells (log2 Fold change > 1 and adj.p < 0.05). This study aimed to explore the role and underlying mechanisms of HERC5 in OSCC development. High HERC5 expression in OSCC tissues was confirmed by our hospital validation cohort and positively correlated with primary tumor stages. Subsequent functional studies demonstrated that knockdown of HERC5 inhibited the migratory and invasive capabilities with decrease of Vimentin and increase of E-cadherin in OSCC cells. In cisplatin treatment, cell survival rates were significantly reduced in HERC5-silencing OSCC cells, accompanied by the increase in cytotoxicity, DNA damage and apoptosis. OSCC cell-derived tumor xenograft displayed that HERC5 depletion inhibited pulmonary metastasis as well as restored the cisplatin-induced tumor burden. In line with this, overexpression of HERC5 yielded the opposite alterations both in vivo and in vitro. Mechanistically, UDP-glucose 6-dehydrogenase (UGDH) was identified as a HERC5-binding protein. Cysteine residue at position 994 in the HECT domain of HERC5 catalyzed the conjugation of ubiquitin-like protein Interferon-induced 15 kDa protein (ISG15) to UGDH (ISGylation of UGDH) and facilitated its phosphorylation, therefore enhancing SNAI1 mRNA stability. SNAI1 depletion inhibited HERC5 overexpression-triggered invasion and cisplatin resistance of OSCC cells. Our study indicates that HERC5 may be a promising therapeutic target for OSCC. Show less
Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) represents a heterogeneous state between normal aging and dementia, with varied transition pathways. While factors influencing MCI progression are known, their role in Show more
Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) represents a heterogeneous state between normal aging and dementia, with varied transition pathways. While factors influencing MCI progression are known, their role in cognitive reversal is unclear. This study analyzed 756 Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) participants, classified as progressive MCI (pMCI, N = 272, mean age = 75.10 ± 7.34 years), reversible MCI (rMCI, N = 52, mean age = 69.94 ± 7.98 years) and stable MCI (sMCI, N = 432, mean age = 73.34 ± 7.44 years) based on 36-month follow-up. We compared demographic, lifestyle, clinical, cognitive, neuroimaging, and biomarker data across groups and developed a prediction model. Patients in the rMCI group were significantly younger and had a higher level of education compared with those in the pMCI group. Memory, general cognition, daily functional activities, and hippocampal volume effectively distinguished all three groups. In contrast, Aβ, tau, and other brain regions were able to distinguish only between progressive and non-progressive cases. Informant-reported Everyday Cognition (Ecog) scales outperformed self-reported Ecog scales in differentiating subtypes and predicting progression. Multinomial regression revealed that higher education, larger hippocampal volume, and lower daily functional impairment were associated with reversion, whereas Show less
Neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) is an advanced stage of AMD and is associated with an increased risk of visual impairment. Disturbances in lipid metabolism have been proposed as a Show more
Neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) is an advanced stage of AMD and is associated with an increased risk of visual impairment. Disturbances in lipid metabolism have been proposed as a major contributing factor to the pathogenesis of AMD. This study aims to investigate whether lipid profiles in the serum and components of dyslipidemia can be used as indicators for predicting progression to nAMD. A retrospective analysis was conducted involving 125 participants with nAMD. 125 non-AMD controls, matched by age, sex, and BMI, were incorporated into the study. The comparative analysis between the groups involved six lipid biomarkers in the serum: HDL-C, LDL-C TG, TC, ApoA1, and ApoB. Moreover, the existence of dyslipidemia and its constituents was assessed through t-tests, as well as univariate and multivariable logistic regression models. Individuals with nAMD exhibited significantly higher serum HDL-C (P = 0.02) compared to the controls without AMD. Furthermore, the concentrations of ApoB were significantly less in the nAMD cohort (P < 0.01) when compared to the control group. During the investigation of the correlation between levels of serum HDL-C (P < 0.01) and serum ApoB (P < 0.01) with nAMD through logistic regression analysis, notable findings indicated a significant association between both variables and nAMD. However, by multivariate logistic regression analysis, neither serum HDL-C nor serum ApoB was an independent risk factor for nAMD. While individuals with nAMD demonstrated elevated serum HDL-C and reduced serum ApoB levels, these lipid markers may not be suitable as biomarkers for monitoring or preventing nAMD. Show less
To explore the stratification and identification of adrenal lipid-poor adenomas (LPAs), adrenal cysts (ACs), and adrenal ganglioneuromas (AGNs) from each other using contrast-enhanced computed tomogra Show more
To explore the stratification and identification of adrenal lipid-poor adenomas (LPAs), adrenal cysts (ACs), and adrenal ganglioneuromas (AGNs) from each other using contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT). Pathologically confirmed, 348 patients were categorized into Model 1 (260 LPAs, 34 ACs), Model 2 (260 LPAs, 54 AGNs), and Model 3 (34 ACs, 54 AGNs). Statistical analyses were performed on the differences in the degree of enhancement in the arterial/venous phase (DEap/DEvp) (in HU) and the corresponding graded variables for the arterial/venous phase (GVap/GVvp). Models were evaluated via receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, calibration curves, and the Hosmer‒Lemeshow (HL) test. The values of the area under the curve (AUC) for DEap, DEvp, GVap, and GVvp in Models 1-3 were 0.996, 1.000, 0.993, and 0.999; 0.980, 0.978, 0.961, and 0.975; and 0.734, 0.892, 0.725, and 0.883, respectively. The p values of the HL test were 0.984, 1.000, and 0.113, respectively. The DEvp interval values (in HU) for the LPAs, ACs, and AGNs were [4.9, 190.2] HU, [-3.7, 4.2] HU, and [-4.8, 41.8] HU, respectively. The GVap and GVvp ranges for the LPAs, ACs, and AGNs were [1, 6], [0, 2], and [0, 2] and [1, 6], [0, 1], and [0, 5], respectively. DEvp enhanced discrimination in Models 1 and 3, whereas DEap performed better in Model 2. Lesions with DEvp < 4.5 HU are likely represent non-enhancing pathology (e.g., cysts). When both GVap and GVvp are 0, when both GVap and GVvp are [2, 6], and when GVap is [3, 6] and GVvp is 6, LPA, AC, and AGN are excluded. Not applicable. Show less
Sepsis, characterized as a systemic inflammatory response triggered by pathogen invasion, represents a continuum that may progress from mild systemic infection to severe sepsis, potentially culminatin Show more
Sepsis, characterized as a systemic inflammatory response triggered by pathogen invasion, represents a continuum that may progress from mild systemic infection to severe sepsis, potentially culminating in septic shock and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome. A pivotal element in the pathogenesis and progression of sepsis involves the significant disruption of oncological metabolic networks, where cells within the pathological milieu exhibit metabolic functions that diverge from their healthy counterparts. Among these, purine metabolism plays a crucial role in nucleic acid synthesis. However, the contribution of Purine Metabolism Genes (PMGs) to the defense mechanisms against sepsis remains inadequately explored. Leveraging bioinformatics, this study aimed to identify and substantiate potential PMGs implicated in sepsis. The approach encompassed a differential expression analysis across a pool of 75 candidate PMGs. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) and Gene Set Variation Analysis (GSVA) were employed to assess the biological significance and pathways associated with these genes. Additionally, Lasso regression and Support Vector Machine-Recursive Feature Elimination (SVM-RFE) methodologies were implemented to identify key hub genes and evaluate the diagnostic potential of nine selected PMGs in sepsis identification. The study also examined the correlation between these hub PMGs and related genes, with validation conducted through expression level analysis using the GSE13904 and GSE65682 datasets. The study identified twelve PMGs correlated with sepsis, namely AK9, ENTPD3, NUDT16, GMPR2, PKM, RRM2B, POLR2J, POLE3, ADCY3, ADCY4, ADSSL1, and AMPD1. Functional analysis revealed their involvement in critical processes such as purine nucleotide and ribose phosphate metabolism. The diagnostic capability of these PMGs to effectively differentiate sepsis cases underscored their potential as biomarkers. This research elucidates twelve PMGs associated with sepsis, providing valuable insights into novel biomarkers for this condition and facilitating the monitoring of its progression. These findings highlight the significance of purine metabolism in sepsis pathogenesis and open avenues for further investigation into therapeutic targets. Show less
Obesity-induced metabolic inflammation is a key driver of chronic kidney disease (CKD), with immune dysregulation, particularly among lymphocytes, contributing to early disease pathology. To explore t Show more
Obesity-induced metabolic inflammation is a key driver of chronic kidney disease (CKD), with immune dysregulation, particularly among lymphocytes, contributing to early disease pathology. To explore the role of apolipoprotein A4 (Apoa4) in regulating immune cell metabolism and function, we establish high-fat diet-induced obese (DIO) models using wild-type and Show less
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder associated with impairments in memory and executive functions. Despite significant advancements in identifying genetic risk factors Show more
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder associated with impairments in memory and executive functions. Despite significant advancements in identifying genetic risk factors, the high cost and limited accessibility of genetic testing remain major barriers. In this work, we propose a cost-effective screening approach that leverages EEG recordings and psychometric test scores to predict an individual's genetic risk for AD. Our Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) model shows promising performance: it achieved an F1 score of 72.21% in distinguishing APOE-ϵ4/PICALM GG non-carriers (N) from APOE-ϵ4 carriers with the risky PICALM GG alleles (A+P+). It reached an F1 score of 60.78% for differentiating non-carriers (N) from APOE-ϵ4 carriers without the risky alleles (A+P-), and 65.12% when separating A+P- from A+P+. To enhance interpretability, we employ Grad-CAM, which reveals that EEG features contribute more significantly to gene prediction than psychometric measures. Notably, our model also identifies three key psychometric tests, MINI COPE (which assesses emotional coping skills), the California Verbal Learning Test (CVLT), and NEO Neuroticism, as associated with higher AD risk, consistent with prior research. Moreover, our results align with earlier findings reporting increased theta-band power among high-risk individuals. Finally, Higuchi Fractal Dimension (HFD) features drove most of the EEG-based prediction capability, as shown through our ablation study. This study highlights the potential of integrating neurophysiological and cognitive assessments to develop accessible and reliable screening tools for AD genetic risk, enabling earlier diagnoses. The code has been released at https://github.com/ Shyamal-Dharia/EEG-Psycho-Genes-AD. Show less
Atherosclerosis (AS) remains a leading cause of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, characterized by intricate interactions between immune dysregulation and lipid metabolism abnormalities-identify Show more
Atherosclerosis (AS) remains a leading cause of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, characterized by intricate interactions between immune dysregulation and lipid metabolism abnormalities-identifying key mediators in its pathogenesis is critical for improving diagnostics and therapies. This study focuses on Transmembrane Protein 106A (TMEM106A) to clarify its role and clinical relevance in AS progression. Public transcriptomic datasets (GSE43292, GSE100927, GSE28829) were analyzed to assess TMEM106A expression and diagnostic value; single-cell RNA-seq data (GSE159677) defined its cellular localization. Immune infiltration (ssGSEA, Cibersort, xCell) and CellChat (intercellular communication) analyses explored its immune associations. TMEM106A was significantly upregulated in AS samples across datasets, with strong diagnostic efficacy (AUC 0.80-0.95). Single-cell analysis confirmed its specific enrichment in macrophages, with functional links to immune-related pathways. TMEM106A promoted macrophage infiltration, foam cell formation, oxidative stress, and inflammatory responses, while regulating PLCB2 in chemokine signaling; silencing TMEM106A alleviated these pro-atherosclerotic effects. TMEM106A contributes to AS progression by modulating macrophage-mediated immune responses and chemokine signaling, as validated in experimental models. These findings support its potential as a clinically relevant biomarker and promising therapeutic target for AS intervention. 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
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
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
Axis inhibitor protein 1 (AXIN1) is a protein recognized for inhibiting tumor growth and is commonly involved in cancer development. In this study, we explored the potential molecular mechanisms that Show more
Axis inhibitor protein 1 (AXIN1) is a protein recognized for inhibiting tumor growth and is commonly involved in cancer development. In this study, we explored the potential molecular mechanisms that connect alternative splicing of AXIN1 to the metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Transcriptome sequencing, RT‒PCR, qPCR and Western blotting were utilized to determine the expression levels of AXIN1 in human HCC tissues and HCC cells. The effects of the AXIN1 exon 9 alternative splice isoform and SRSF9 on the migration and invasion of HCC cells were assessed through wound healing and Transwell assays, respectively. The interaction between SRSF9 and AXIN1 was investigated using UV crosslink RNA immunoprecipitation, RNA pulldown, and RNA immunoprecipitation assays. Furthermore, the involvement of the AXIN1 isoform and SRSF9 in HCC metastasis was validated in a nude mouse model. AXIN1-L (exon 9 including) expression was downregulated, while AXIN1-S (exon 9 skipping) was upregulated in HCC. SRSF9 promotes the production of AXIN1-S by interacting with the sequence of exons 8 and 10 of AXIN1. AXIN1-S significantly promoted HCC cells migration and invasion by activating the Wnt pathway, while the opposite effects were observed for AXIN1-L. In vivo experiments demonstrated that AXIN1-L inhibited HCC metastasis, whereas SRSF9 promoted HCC metastasis in part by regulating the level of AXIN1-S. AXIN1, a tumor suppressor protein that targets the AXIN1/Wnt/β-catenin signaling axis, may be a promising prognostic factor and a valuable therapeutic target for HCC. 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
Injectable hydrogel implants represent a promising therapeutic approach for ischemic heart failure; but their efficacy is often limited by low bioactivity, poor durability, and inadequate injection te Show more
Injectable hydrogel implants represent a promising therapeutic approach for ischemic heart failure; but their efficacy is often limited by low bioactivity, poor durability, and inadequate injection techniques. Herein, a unique hydrogel incorporating extracellular matrix from fish swim bladder (FSB-ECM), which has distinct advantages over mammalian derived ECM, such as low antigenicity, bioactivity, and source safety, is developed. It consists of collagen, glycoproteins, and proteoglycans, including 13 proteins common in the myocardial matrix and three specific proteins: HSPG, Col12a1, and vWF. This hydrogel enhances cardiac cell adhesion and stretching while promoting angiogenesis and M2 macrophage polarization. In addition, its storage modulus (G') increases over time, reaching about 1000 Pa after 5 min, which facilitates transcatheter delivery and in situ gelling. Furthermore, this hydrogel provides sustained support for cardiac contractions, exhibiting superior longevity. In a rat model of ischemic heart failure, the ejection fraction significantly improves with FSB-ECM treatment, accompanied by increased angiogenesis, reduced inflammation, and decreased infarct size. Finally, RNA sequencing combined with in vitro assays identifies ANGPTL4 as a key protein involved in mediating the effects of FSB-ECM treatment. Overall, this new injectable hydrogel based on FSB-ECM is suitable for transcatheter delivery and possesses remarkable reparative capabilities for treating heart failure. Show less
Vascular calcification (VC) significantly increases the incidence and mortality of many diseases. The causal relationships of dyslipidaemia and lipid-lowering drug use with VC severity remain unclear. Show more
Vascular calcification (VC) significantly increases the incidence and mortality of many diseases. The causal relationships of dyslipidaemia and lipid-lowering drug use with VC severity remain unclear. This study explores the genetic causal associations of different circulating lipids and lipid-lowering drug targets with coronary artery calcification (CAC) and abdominal aortic artery calcification (AAC). We obtained single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and expression quantitative trait loci (eQTLs) associated with seven circulating lipids and 13 lipid-lowering drug targets from publicly available genome-wide association studies and eQTL databases. Causal associations were investigated by univariable, multivariable, drug-target, and summary data-based Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses. Potential mediation effects of metabolic risk factors were evaluated. MR analysis revealed that genetic proxies for low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), triglycerides (TC) and Lipoprotein (a) (Lp(a)) were causally associated with CAC severity, and apolipoprotein B (apoB) level was causally associated with AAC severity. A significant association was detected between hepatic Lipoprotein(A) (LPA) gene expression and CAC severity. Colocalisation analysis supported the hypothesis that the association between LPA expression and CAC quantity is driven by different causal variant sites within the ±1 Mb flanking region of LPA. Serum calcium and phosphorus had causal associations with CAC severity. Inhibitors targeting LPA might represent CAC drug candidates. Moreover, T2DM, hypercalcemia, and hyperphosphatemia are positively causally associated with CAC severity, while chronic kidney disease and estimated glomerular filtration rate are not. 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
Macrophage-like phenotype switching of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) is a crucial mechanism driving atherogenesis. Inhibition of a phenotype switch to macrophage-like cells is a promising strat Show more
Macrophage-like phenotype switching of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) is a crucial mechanism driving atherogenesis. Inhibition of a phenotype switch to macrophage-like cells is a promising strategy to prevent atherosclerosis (AS), and targeted nanotherapeutics represent one approach for implementing this strategy. To this end, we designed immunosuppressive oligodeoxynucleotide A151 functionalized selenium nanoparticles with a spearhead LacNAc (LN-A151-SeNPs) that target macrophage-like VSMCs. Nano characterization showed that the uniformity and stability of nanoparticles were optimized by modification with LacNAc and A151, resulting in an average diameter of 88.90 ± 1.45 nm, Zeta potentials of -21.1 ± 1.5 mV, a A151:Se molar ratio of 1:60 and mass ratio of 1.68:1. The effects of LN-A151-SeNPs on inhibiting VSMCs phenotype switching and attenuation of AS were investigated using [Image: see text] The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12951-025-03925-7. Show less
Maternal circulating lipid concentrations impact the risk of pregnancy complications and infant health outcomes. The associations between physical activity and circulating lipids during pregnancy rema Show more
Maternal circulating lipid concentrations impact the risk of pregnancy complications and infant health outcomes. The associations between physical activity and circulating lipids during pregnancy remain inadequately understood. A study was conducted from July 2024 to March 2025, involving the recruitment of 520 pregnant women in Wuhan, China. The Pregnancy Physical Activity Questionnaire (PPAQ) scores were evaluated in trimesters. Circulating lipid profiles, including total triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), apolipoprotein A1 (APOA1) and apolipoprotein B (APOB) concentrations, were assessed at each trimester. The daily energy expenditure of physical activity (EEPA) during the first, second, and third trimesters was recorded as 11.35, 9.07, and 9.48 metabolic equivalents-hour/day (METs-h/d). The EEPA in the first trimester was significantly greater than that in the second ( This study suggests that increased physical activity during pregnancy is associated with lower lipid levels. Moreover, maternal age appears to have a significant impact on physical activity and the metabolism of circulating lipids during pregnancy. Show less
This study aimed to assess the prognostic significance of serum lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] levels regarding overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) among patients diagnosed with pancreat Show more
This study aimed to assess the prognostic significance of serum lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] levels regarding overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) among patients diagnosed with pancreatic cancer (PC). A retrospective cohort of 364 pathologically confirmed PC patients treated at the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University between January 2019 and December 2022 was analyzed. The optimal cutoff for Lp(a) was identified using X-tile software, allowing categorization into high and low Lp(a) groups. To minimize selection bias, propensity score matching (PSM) was utilized. Survival outcomes were compared using Kaplan-Meier curves and log-rank tests. Cox proportional hazards models were applied to identify independent prognostic variables affecting OS and PFS. Patients with high Lp(a) had significantly shorter OS and PFS both before and after PSM (post-PSM OS: 12.28 vs. 27.67 months, P = 0.003; PFS: 7.00 vs. 11.30 months, P = 0.002). Multivariate Cox analysis confirmed high Lp(a) as an independent predictor of poor OS [HR = 2.11 (1.17-3.81), P = 0.013] and PFS [HR = 2.14 (1.20-3.83), P = 0.010]. In the surgical subgroup (n = 215), high Lp(a) was also associated with worse OS (16.43 vs. 35.47 months, P = 0.02) and PFS (8.40 vs. 11.77 months, P = 0.036). Multivariate analysis in this subgroup showed that high Lp(a) remained an independent risk factor for OS [HR = 2.82 (1.36-5.87), P = 0.006] and PFS [HR = 2.01 (1.06-3.86), P = 0.034]. Elevated serum Lp(a) is an independent predictor of reduced OS and PFS in patients with pancreatic cancer. In contrast to conventional lipid profiles, the genetic stability of Lp(a) makes it a reliable baseline prognostic marker. 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