Dysregulation of macrophage autophagy plays a critical role in sepsis-induced acute lung injury (ALI); however, its underlying mechanism remains unclear. In this study, we aimed to identify the regula Show more
Dysregulation of macrophage autophagy plays a critical role in sepsis-induced acute lung injury (ALI); however, its underlying mechanism remains unclear. In this study, we aimed to identify the regulatory pathway involving the PIK3C3-MAPK14 signaling axis that drives ALI progression by controlling autophagy and macrophage polarization. Using machine learning transcriptomic analysis, MAPK14 was identified as a core gene associated with ALI, and multi-omics integration confirmed its upregulated expression in ALI tissues. MAPK14 localization to pro-inflammatory macrophages was determined using single-cell sequencing. Furthermore, we observed a significant positive correlation between MAPK14 and autophagy-related genes. Molecular docking and kinetic simulations revealed high-affinity interactions between PIK3C3 and MAPK14 (ΔG-bind = -127.722 ± 33.269 kJ/mol). In vitro experiments followed by Western Blot(WB) and RT-q polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays demonstrated that lipopolysaccharide stimulation upregulated MAPK14 expression through downregulation of PIK3C3 expression, resulting in impaired autophagic flux (LC3-II/Ⅰ↓, TOM20↑, P62↑, HSP60↑). Flow cytometry and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) confirmed a shift toward pro-inflammatory (M1) macrophage polarization. RNA pull-down assay directly captured the PIK3C3-MAPK14 complex, and functional validation showed that PIK3C3 overexpression significantly inhibited MAPK14 protein expression, whereas PIK3C3 knockdown enhanced it. In conclusion, targeting the PIK3C3-MAPK14 axis is a promising therapeutic strategy for ALI. Show less
Postnatal respiration requires bulk formation of alveoli that produces extensive surface area for gas diffusion from epithelium to the circulatory system. Alveolar morphogenesis initiates at late gest Show more
Postnatal respiration requires bulk formation of alveoli that produces extensive surface area for gas diffusion from epithelium to the circulatory system. Alveolar morphogenesis initiates at late gestation or postnatal stage during mammalian development and is mediated by coordination among multiple cell types. Here we show that fibroblast-derived Heparan Sulfate Glycosaminoglycan (HS-GAG) is essential for maintaining a niche that supports alveolar formation by modulating both biophysical and biochemical cues. Gli1-CreER mediated deletion of HS synthase gene Ext1 in lung fibroblasts results in enlarged and simplified alveolar structures. Ablation of HS results in loss of a subset of PDGFRα Show less
Xiang Lian, Xiaoyan Li, Kexin Wang+3 more · 2025 · Zhonghua yi xue yi chuan xue za zhi = Zhonghua yixue yichuanxue zazhi = Chinese journal of medical genetics · added 2026-04-24
To investigate the gene detection results of 2 patients with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) caused by complex heterozygous variation, and to clarify the relationship between clinical manifestation Show more
To investigate the gene detection results of 2 patients with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) caused by complex heterozygous variation, and to clarify the relationship between clinical manifestations and gene variation. Two patients (patient 1 and 2) with FH who visited Beijing Anzhen Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University in 2018 were selected as research subjects. A retrospective study method was used to collect clinical and family history data of the two patients. And 2 mL of peripheral venous blood from each of the two patients was collected, and genomic DNA extraction was performed on the blood samples. Sanger sequencing was used to validate the variant sites of the two patients detected by whole-exome sequencing (WES). Pathogenicity of variants was classified based on the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) Standards and Guidelines for the Classification of Genetic Variants (hereinafter referred to as the "ACMG Guidelines"), and the impact of variant was analyzed using multiple bioinformatics tools including SIFT, PolyPhen-2, and SWISS-MODEL. This study has been approved by Beijing Anzhen Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University (Ethics No. 2024215X). Patient 1 initially presented with early-onset coronary heart disease, with initial lipid levels of serum total cholesterol (TC) 9.86 mmol/L (normal reference value: 3.10~5.20 mmol/L) and serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) 8.37 mmol/L (normal reference value: 1.27~3.12 mmol/L) on admission. Patient 1 initially underwent treatment with rosuvastatin combined with ezetimibe for one month, but the lipid-lowering effect was not significant. The lipid-lowering therapy was then adjusted to atorvastatin combined with ezetimibe and probucol. After one year of treatment, the patient developed paroxysmal chest pain symptoms. A follow-up lipid profile showed a serum TC level of 4.50 mmol/L and a LDL-C level of 3.55 mmol/L. The lipid-lowering regimen was continued, and the serum LDL-C levels were maintained between 2.65 and 3.66 mmol/L. Patient 2 was found to have an abnormally high blood lipid level and carotid artery hardening during physical examination, with an initial blood lipid level of serum TC 11.82 mmol/L and serum LDL-C 9.63 mmol/L. After receiving rosuvastatain therapy, the lipid-lowering effect was significant. WES revealed that patient 1 carried the heterozygous variants c.1871₁₈₇₃del(p.Ile624del) and c.1747C>T (p.His583Tyr) in the LDLR gene (NM₀₀₀₅₂₇.4), while patient 2 carried the heterozygous variants c.1747C>T (p.His583Tyr) in the LDLR gene and c.6936₆₉₃₇inv (p.Ile2313Val) in the APOB gene (NM₀₀₀₃₈₄₎. According to the ACMG Guidelines, the LDLR gene c.1747C>T (p.His583Tyr) was classified as a pathogenic variant (PS3+PM1+PM2_supporting+PM5+PP2+PP3), and c.1871₁₈₇₃del (p.Ile624del) was classified as a pathogenic variant (PS3+PS4+PM2_supporting+PM1+PM4); the APOB gene c.6936₆₉₃₇inv (p.Ile2313Val) was classified as a variant of uncertain clinical significance (PM2_supporting BP4). Patients 1 and 2 in this study were patients with complex heterozygous variant FH, and their genotypic differences may be related to the differences in clinical serum LDL-C levels and the efficacy of hypolipidemic agents. Show less
Gliomas, particularly glioblastoma, are aggressive brain tumors with poor prognosis and unmet therapeutic needs. Structural maintenance of chromosomes 4 (SMC4), a core component of the condensin compl Show more
Gliomas, particularly glioblastoma, are aggressive brain tumors with poor prognosis and unmet therapeutic needs. Structural maintenance of chromosomes 4 (SMC4), a core component of the condensin complex, is dysregulated in multiple cancers, but its role in glioma metabolism and metastasis remains unclear. Using integrated multi-omics analyses of glioma datasets, we assessed SMC4 expression and its correlation with clinical outcomes. Functional studies in U-251MG and LN229 glioma cells including CCK-8, EdU, cell cycle, Transwell, and wound-healing assays were combined with subcutaneous xenograft and tail-vein metastasis mouse models to evaluate SMC4's effects on proliferation, migration, invasion, and metastasis. ECAR/OCR and rescue experiments validated SMC4's role in glycolysis. Luciferase reporter and ChIP assays identified nuclear factor I A (NFIA) as an upstream transcriptional regulator of SMC4. A prognostic model (SRRS) was developed via LASSO regression and validated across cohorts. SMC4 was significantly overexpressed in glioma tissues, with higher expression correlating with advanced tumor grades and poorer patient survival (AUC > 0.82). Mechanistically, SMC4 promoted G1/S cell cycle transition and proliferation SMC4 drives glioma progression through dual mechanisms TGF-β/SMAD-mediated metastasis and LDHA-dependent glycolysis regulated by NFIA. This extends beyond its known role in TGF-β activation by identifying NFIA as an upstream regulator and metabolic reprogramming as a novel function. The SRRS and nomogram provide robust tools for prognosis and personalized therapy, supporting the NFIA/SMC4 axis and downstream effectors as potential therapeutic targets for glioma. Show less
This study aimed to investigate the expression pattern of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase class III (PIK3C3/vps34) in gastric cancer (GC) tissues and their juxtaposed normal counterparts and its correla Show more
This study aimed to investigate the expression pattern of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase class III (PIK3C3/vps34) in gastric cancer (GC) tissues and their juxtaposed normal counterparts and its correlation with the clinicopathological attributes and prognostic outlook of afflicted individuals. Immunohistochemical (IHC) staining was used to ascertain the expression levels of PIK3C3/vps34 across 60 GC tissues juxtaposed with their normal counterparts. Statistical methodologies were used to scrutinize the correlation between PIK3C3/vps34 expression and clinicopathological features, along with prognostic implications for GC patients. In GC tissues, the positive expression rate of PIK3C3/vps34 was 23.3% (14/60), which contrasted sharply with the markedly elevated rate of 66.7% (40/60) observed in adjacent tissues. The positive expression proportion of PIK3C3/vps34 within GC tissues exhibited a notable decrease than in adjacent tissues (P < 0.05). The expression of PIK3C3/vps34 inversely correlated with tumor size, degree of tissue differentiation, depth of tumor infiltration, and incidence of lymph node metastasis (P < 0.05), whereas no significant associations were found with patient sex, age, tumor location, TNM staging, or distant metastasis (P > 0.05). As the tumor diameter increases, the degree of tissue differentiation diminishes, tumor infiltration depth intensifies, lymph node metastasis emerges, the TNM stage progresses, and PIK3C3/vps34 expression level within GC tissues declines correspondingly. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis unveiled a prolonged survival duration among GC patients exhibiting heightened PIK3C3/vps34 expression than in their counterparts with diminished expression (HR=0.66, 95% CI: 0.55-0.80), demonstrating statistical significance (P < 0.05). Protein interaction analysis revealed noteworthy interactions involving PIK3C3 with Beclin 1, UVRAG, and ATG14. PIK3C3/vps34 is downregulated in GC tissues, exerting a pivotal role in tumorigenesis, and is intimately linked with the prognostic trajectory of GC patients. It may serve as a significant biomarker for prognostic evaluation and a promising molecular therapeutic target for GC. Show less
Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is one of the major complications of diabetes, resulting in severe vision loss. Traction retinal detachment (TRD) is the main factor affecting the effect of proliferative dia Show more
Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is one of the major complications of diabetes, resulting in severe vision loss. Traction retinal detachment (TRD) is the main factor affecting the effect of proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) surgery. Liquid Chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was adopted to analyze the proteomes of the vitreous in the TRD, vitreous hemorrhage (VH) and macular hole (MH) groups. By employing bioinformatics tools for GO and KEGG pathway annotation, as well as conducting protein-protein interaction(PPI) network analysis, we investigated the functional enrichment of proteins in the TRD vitreous and their associated pathways. Additionally, peptide center analysis was performed on the proteomic data to identify key differentially expressed proteins based on screening results. Bioinformatics analysis showed that DEPs is mainly enriched in the complement, the coagulation cascade systems and regulation of actin cytoskeleton. The protein interaction network analysis showed that the central proteins were mainly related to sphingolipid metabolism. APOA4, CHI3L1, LTBP2 were significantly up-regulated in TRD, which were related to the complement system, coagulation cascade and platelet activation, sphingolipid metabolism and other pathways. APOA4 and CHI3L1 protein in patients with TRD group raised significantly in the vitreous humor, shows the potential biomarkers for TRD. Show less
To identify the various profiles of social isolation among 18-59-year-old patients with cancer in Western China and examine their demographic, clinical, and cultural predictors. This cross-sectional s Show more
To identify the various profiles of social isolation among 18-59-year-old patients with cancer in Western China and examine their demographic, clinical, and cultural predictors. This cross-sectional study included 300 patients from a tertiary hospital who completed standardized assessments of social isolation (Social Avoidance Scale, UCLA Loneliness Scale) and family functioning. Latent Profile Analysis (LPA) was used to identify the subgroups, and multinomial logistic regression was used to analyze predictors of the profiles. Three distinct latent profiles were identified: "avoidance-dominant" (52.3%), which was characterized by high levels of social avoidance (12.52 ± 1.38) and low loneliness (30.87 ± 6.89), "loneliness-dominant" (27.0%), which was characterized by high levels of loneliness (53.15 ± 6.24) and low social avoidance (2.07 ± 1.38), and "balanced" (20.7%), which was characterized by balanced scores on both the measures. Individuals with fatigue, employment status, personality traits, and family dynamics significantly predicted profile membership ( Social isolation was heterogeneous among young and middle-aged patients with cancer. Fatigue significantly predicted distinct patterns of social isolation. Furthermore, exploratory findings indicated a potential role of religious beliefs in the avoidance-dominant profile; however, replication with larger samples is required. Family dynamics may buffer the risk of isolation in patients prone to avoidance, whereas those dominated by loneliness may lack such safeguards. Health care providers can implement tailored interventions to mitigate social isolation based on these varying profiles. 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
Yuwen Guo, Huai Bai, Linbo Guan+4 more · 2025 · Zhonghua yi xue yi chuan xue za zhi = Zhonghua yixue yichuanxue zazhi = Chinese journal of medical genetics · added 2026-04-24
To assess the association between the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) rs174575 and rs2845574 of the fatty acid desaturase 2 (FADS2) gene and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). A total of 1 514 Show more
To assess the association between the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) rs174575 and rs2845574 of the fatty acid desaturase 2 (FADS2) gene and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). A total of 1 514 pregnant women who visited West China Second University Hospital of Sichuan University between January 1, 2013 and December 31, 2021 were enrolled in this study. Among them, 583 were diagnosed with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM group), and 931 had normal pregnancies (control group). The SNPs rs174575 and rs2845574 of the FADS2 gene were analyzed using Sanger DNA sequencing. Plasma levels of insulin (INS), apolipoprotein A1 (apoA1) and apolipoprotein B (apoB) were measured using enzymatic methods, chemiluminescence and immunoturbidimetry. This study was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of the West China Second University Hospital of Sichuan University (Ethics No.: 2020-036). The main genotype at the rs174575 C/G and rs2845574 C/T loci were CC in both GDM and control groups. No significant difference was found between the GDM and control groups regarding the genotypic or allelic frequencies of rs174575 and rs2845574 sites (P > 0.05). Among the GDM group, individuals with the GG genotype at the rs174575 site had lower plasma HDL-C levels compared to those with the CC genotype (P < 0.05), and had higher atherogenic indices (AI) compared with the CC and CG genotype (P < 0.05; P < 0.05). Individuals with the TT genotype at the rs2845574 site had higher AI compared with the CT genotype (P < 0.05). Among the control group, individuals with the GG genotype had lower diastolic blood pressure (DBP) compared to those with the CC genotype (P < 0.05). Additional subgroup analysis demonstrated that the rs174575 polymorphism was associated with AI levels in obesity subgroup of GDM, TG levels in non-obese subgroup of control and DBP levels in the obese subgroup of control (P < 0.05; P < 0.05; P < 0.05). The FADS2 rs174575 and rs2845574 polymorphisms in GDM patients are associated wit HDL-C and AI levels, and the FADS2 rs174575 polymorphisms was also associated with DBP levels in normal pregnant women. The AI and DBP levels have a BMI-dependent effect. Show less
The interplay between intracellular and intravascular lipolysis is crucial for maintaining circulating lipid levels and systemic energy homeostasis. Adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL) and lipoprotein Show more
The interplay between intracellular and intravascular lipolysis is crucial for maintaining circulating lipid levels and systemic energy homeostasis. Adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL) and lipoprotein lipase (LPL), the primary triglyceride (TG) lipases responsible for these two spatially separate processes, are highly expressed in adipose tissue. Yet the mechanisms underlying their coordinated regulation remain undetermined. Here, we demonstrate that genetic ablation of G0S2, a specific inhibitory protein of ATGL, completely abolished diet-induced hypertriglyceridemia and significantly attenuated atherogenesis in mice. These effects were attributable to enhanced whole-body TG clearance, not altered hepatic TG secretion. Specifically, G0S2 deletion increased circulating LPL concentration and activity, predominantly through LPL production from white adipose tissue (WAT). Strikingly, transplantation of G0S2-deficient WAT normalized plasma TG levels in mice with hypertriglyceridemia. In conjunction with improved insulin sensitivity and decreased ANGPTL4 expression, the absence of G0S2 enhanced the stability of LPL protein in adipocytes, a phenomenon that could be reversed upon ATGL inhibition. Collectively, these findings highlight the pivotal role of adipocyte G0S2 in regulating both intracellular and intravascular lipolysis, and the possibility of targeting G0S2 as a viable pharmacological approach to reducing levels of circulating TGs. Show less
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
To investigate the relation of glycemic and lipid metabolism with brain structure and cognitive function in people with diabetes, so as to improve cognitive function in these individuals. Based on the Show more
To investigate the relation of glycemic and lipid metabolism with brain structure and cognitive function in people with diabetes, so as to improve cognitive function in these individuals. Based on the UK Biobank, 26,394 patients, who were diagnosed with diabetes by doctors between 2006 and 2010, were included in the study. The demographic information, clinical data of glycemic and lipid metabolism and cognitive function (brain MRI and cognitive function scores) were collected. Multiple linear regression and non-restricted cubic spline analyses were used to investigate the relations of glycemic and lipid metabolism with brain structure and cognitive function. In this study, the mean age of people with diabetes (containing 39 % females) was 59.58 ± 7.21 years. Higher random blood glucose (β = -0.116, p < 0.001) and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) (β = -0.062, p = 0.051) were associated with a smaller brain volume. Higher HbA1c (β = 0.036, p < 0.001; β = 0.023, p = 0.021) was related with worse cognitive function. Further analysis showed that HbA1c < 6.5 % had a protective effect on cognitive function, and HbA1c = 6.5 %∼8.5 % and >8.5 % was unrelated and negatively related with cognitive function, respectively. Different types of lipids had varying effects on cognitive function. Higher total cholesterol (TC) (β = 0.125, p = 0.008), low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) (β = 0.086, p = 0.025), and ApoB (β = 0.092, p = 0.026) were associated with more significant brain structural abnormalities. Conversely, triglyceride (TG) = 0.75∼8.0 mmol/L was positively correlated with cognitive function (β = -0.036, p < 0.001; β = -0.044, p < 0.001; β = 0.058, p = 0.001), and higher ApoA (β = -0.032, p < 0.001; β = -0.033, p < 0.001; β = 0.047, p = 0.004) was associated with better cognitive function. The age-stratified analysis revealed that the impact of lipids on cognitive function was age-dependent. TC and LDL-C were related to brain structural abnormalities in the 55-60 age group, while TG had a stronger protective effect on cognitive function in older adults, particularly those aged 65-70 years. In people with diabetes, higher HbA1c (>8.5 %), as well as elevated TC, LDL-C, and ApoB, are associated with worse brain structure and cognitive function. Conversely, HbA1c < 6.5 % and elevated TG within the range of 0.75∼8.0 mmol/L have a protective effect on cognitive function, and the later exhibited more evident impact in older adults. To prevent or delay the onset of dementia in people with diabetes, it may be necessary to intensify glycemic control, targeting an HbA1c level of <6.5 %. Additionally, the age-specific lipid-lowering strategies shall be considered, with more flexible triglyceride-lowering goals for elderly patients. Show less
This study aimed to investigate serum inflammatory factor levels of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in female patients with bipolar disorder (BD) to explore the related inflammatory molecular mechani Show more
This study aimed to investigate serum inflammatory factor levels of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in female patients with bipolar disorder (BD) to explore the related inflammatory molecular mechanisms preliminarily. The study recruited 72 female drug-naïve patients with BD and 98 female healthy controls (HCs). Demographic information, menstrual cycles, sex hormone levels, and ovarian ultrasound data were collected from them. Additionally, their serum inflammatory factor levels and the proteomics of peripheral blood mononuclear cells were analyzed. The levels of interleukin (IL)-8 and IL-13 were significantly higher in patients with BD than in HCs (p < 0.05), and the IL-8 level was higher in BD patients with PCOS than in those without (adjusted p = 0.07). Bioinformatics analysis revealed that downregulated genes with significant differences between the two groups were all involved in immune-inflammatory-related pathways, and the expression of downregulated genes BTN3A2, MAP2K5, JCHAIN-B, and DMAP1 showed substantial differences and consistent trends between the two groups. IL-8-related chronic inflammatory response is closely associated with PCOS in BD patients, and genes such as BTN3A2 may mediate this chronic inflammatory response by negatively regulating the abnormal differentiation of T helper 17 cells, serving as one of the mechanisms underlying its pathogenesis. Show less
The beak bean, found only in waterfowl and Galliformes, aids in foraging, self-defense and pecking hard objects. Its rich coloration results from prolonged evolutionary adaptation. This study analyzed Show more
The beak bean, found only in waterfowl and Galliformes, aids in foraging, self-defense and pecking hard objects. Its rich coloration results from prolonged evolutionary adaptation. This study analyzed beak bean phenotypes of duck at 10, 20, 30 and 40 days of age, revealing that the most common type is the black beak bean, characterized by melanin deposition on the beak surface. This study performed single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)-based genome-wide association studies (GWASs) to investigate the genetic basis of beak bean color, identifying signals on chromosome 1. The copy number variation region-based GWAS revealed a consistent candidate region overlapping with the SNP-based GWAS signals, further supporting the importance of this genomic region. Locus zoom analysis further refined the candidate regions to 48.5-50.5 and 50.8-52.8 Mb. Functional enrichment analysis highlighted six candidate genes within these regions: KITLG, DUSP6, GALNT4, MGAT4C, ATP2B1 and NTS. Notably, KITLG and DUSP6, which are linked to melanin production, were identified as key candidate genes for beak bean color. Our finding revealed the genetic basis of the bean color traits for the first time in ducks, providing a theoretical foundation and technological framework for enhancing duck beak coloration. Show less
Cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) plays a key role in lipoprotein metabolism, and its activity has been linked to the risk of atherosclerosis (AS). CETP inhibitors, such as obicetrapib, repres Show more
Cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) plays a key role in lipoprotein metabolism, and its activity has been linked to the risk of atherosclerosis (AS). CETP inhibitors, such as obicetrapib, represent a novel approach in immunotherapy to reduce the risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) by targeting lipid metabolism. In addition, CETP vaccines are being explored as a novel strategy for the prevention and treatment of ASCVD by inducing the body to produce antibodies against CETP, which is expected to reduce CETP activity, thereby increasing high-density lipoproteins (HDL) levels. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of the structure of CETP, the mechanisms of lipid transfer and the progress of immunotherapy in the last decade, which provides possible ideas for future development of novel drugs and optimization of immunization strategies. Show less
The poor prognosis of glioblastoma (GBM) patients is attributed mainly to abundant neovascularization and presence of glioblastoma stem cells (GSCs). GSCs are preferentially localized to the perivascu Show more
The poor prognosis of glioblastoma (GBM) patients is attributed mainly to abundant neovascularization and presence of glioblastoma stem cells (GSCs). GSCs are preferentially localized to the perivascular niche to maintain stemness. However, the effect of abnormal communication between endothelial cells (ECs) and GSCs on GBM progression remains unknown. Here, we reveal that ECs-derived SEMA3G, which is aberrantly expressed in GBM patients, impairs GSCs by inducing c-Myc degradation. SEMA3G activates NRP2/PLXNA1 in a paracrine manner, subsequently inducing the inactivation of Cdc42 and dissociation of Cdc42 and WWP2 in GSCs. Once released, WWP2 interacts with c-Myc and mediates c-Myc degradation via ubiquitination. Genetic deletion of Sema3G in ECs accelerates GBM growth, whereas SEMA3G overexpression or recombinant SEMA3G protein prolongs the survival of GBM bearing mice. These findings illustrate that ECs play an intrinsic inhibitory role in GSCs stemness via the SMEA3G-c-Myc distal regulation paradigm. Targeting SEMA3G signaling may have promising therapeutic benefits for GBM patients. 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
Invertebrates constitute the largest group of animals on Earth, accounting for approximately 97 % of all animal species. Although the heart of invertebrates could be a sensitive target for environment Show more
Invertebrates constitute the largest group of animals on Earth, accounting for approximately 97 % of all animal species. Although the heart of invertebrates could be a sensitive target for environmental pollution, potential cardiotoxicity for most contaminants has received little attention. In this study, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and thick-shell mussels (Mytilus coruscus) were used to investigate the effect of PFOA on cardiac performance and the potential underlying mechanisms. Heart beat monitoring demonstrated that four-week exposure to 0.5 and 5.0 μg/L of PFOA resulted in bradycardia and arrhythmia in thick-shell mussels. Moreover, considerably more triglyceride (TG) accumulation, higher lipoprotein lipase (LPL) and lipase (LPS) activities, and disruption of lipid metabolism-related genes were observed in the hearts of PFOA-exposed mussels. In addition, comparable adverse impacts were detected in mussels treated with proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) agonist whereas the PFOA-induced effects were fully or partially alleviated by PPARγ antagonist. Furthermore, molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation revealed a high binding affinity of PFOA to the PPARγ of 12 invertebrates, including thick-shell mussels. In general, our data suggest that PFOA may pose a severe threat to cardiac performance of invertebrate species by inserting into the binding pocket of PPARγ, and thereby causing cardiac lipid metabolism disorders. Show less
Type 2 diabetes (T2D) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) are interrelated conditions that significantly impair quality of life. This study aimed to identify a feasible biomarker for assessing T2D-MCI Show more
Type 2 diabetes (T2D) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) are interrelated conditions that significantly impair quality of life. This study aimed to identify a feasible biomarker for assessing T2D-MCI risk and to evaluate a potential therapeutic strategy. We integrated data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) with Mendelian randomization (MR) to investigate genetic causal relationships between T2D, MCI, and their shared biomarkers. Transcriptomic analysis identified T2D-associated genes. Clinical trials evaluated the short-term effects of modified fasting therapy (MFT) on glucose regulation and cognitive function. Cellular assays and patient samples were used to validate the regulatory roles of key genes in biochemical markers and downstream signaling pathways. Among 6,356 T2D and 1,138 MCI subjects, vitamin D, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), globulin, and creatinine were associated with both conditions. MR analysis showed that higher HDL-C levels reduced T2D risk (0.9059, 95% CI: 0.8666-0.9470) but increased MCI risk (OR = 1.0482, 95% CI: 1.0216-1.0755). Nuclear factor I A ( HDL-C has divergent genetic effects on T2D and MCI. Show less
Cisplatin resistance in tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC) correlates with poor prognosis, where natural killer (NK) cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME) play a crucial role. This study invest Show more
Cisplatin resistance in tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC) correlates with poor prognosis, where natural killer (NK) cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME) play a crucial role. This study investigated the mechanism by which exosomes from cisplatin-resistant TSCC cells suppress NK cell function. We found that exosomal long non-coding RNA SNHG26, highly enriched in cisplatin-resistant TSCC cells and their exosomes, was transferred to NK cells. Within NK cells, SNHG26 acted as a scaffold promoting WWP2-mediated ubiquitination and degradation of the transcription factor SOX2, thereby inhibiting HLA-DRA transcription and subsequent IL-2/JAK-STAT5 signaling. Concurrently, SNHG26 competitively bound miR-515-5p, relieving its suppression of TGFB1 mRNA and activating the TGF-β1/Smad2 pathway. These dual mechanisms significantly impaired NK cell proliferation, activation, and cytotoxicity. SNHG26 depletion reversed NK cell suppression and cisplatin resistance in vitro and in vivo. Thus, our study identifies exosomal SNHG26 as a key mediator of cisplatin resistance and NK cell dysfunction in TSCC, suggesting its potential as a promising therapeutic target. 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
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a common inherited heart condition. Traditional genetic testing is typically conducted on the proband only, with family members undergoing Sanger sequencing, which Show more
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a common inherited heart condition. Traditional genetic testing is typically conducted on the proband only, with family members undergoing Sanger sequencing, which may overlook other pathogenic variants. This study explores the gene sequencing strategy in a three-generation family based on genetic carrier status and examines the relationship between phenotypic characteristics and genotype. High-throughput second-generation sequencing was performed on the proband to analyze HCM-related pathogenic genes. Subsequently, the identified pathogenic variants were validated by Sanger sequencing in the proband and family members. Clinical, electrocardiographic, and echocardiographic assessments were conducted for family members. Second-generation sequencing of the proband (III7) revealed a pathogenic variant MYBPC3-P453Lfs. Initially, no HCM-related pathogenic variants were detected in another patient (III11), prompting additional sequencing of III11, which identified the MYH7-G823E pathogenic variant. Both patients had severe left ventricular outflow tract obstruction. Sanger sequencing showed that five family members carried both mutations. Among them, three died suddenly before age 40, one required an implantable cardioverter defibrillator for arrhythmias, and one developed HCM before adulthood. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of patients carrying both mutations showed myocardial fibrosis of 32.75%, significantly higher than the 6.98% observed in patients carrying only one mutation. In families with varying HCM phenotypes, second-generation sequencing should be considered for all members. In this family, carrying one variant led to outflow tract obstruction, while carrying both variants resulted in severe disease, including sudden death and early onset. Cardiac MRI is crucial for assessing the severity of the disease within the family. Show less
Agonists and antagonists of the glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide receptor (GIPR) enhance body weight loss induced by glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) agonism. However, while GIPR Show more
Agonists and antagonists of the glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide receptor (GIPR) enhance body weight loss induced by glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) agonism. However, while GIPR agonism decreases body weight and food intake in a GLP-1R-independent manner via GABAergic GIPR 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
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a leading cause of disability and death worldwide, involving complex pathophysiological responses such as metabolic disturbance and systemic inflammation. This study ai Show more
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a leading cause of disability and death worldwide, involving complex pathophysiological responses such as metabolic disturbance and systemic inflammation. This study aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of selected metabolic and inflammatory biomarkers in predicting short- and medium-term mortality in patients with moderate-to-severe TBI. We conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients with TBI admitted between March 29, 2018, and July 31, 2023. Clinical data, including a panel of metabolic (eg, triglyceride-glucose index [TYG], APOB/A1 ratio) and inflammatory biomarkers (eg, neutrophil-to-platelet ratio [NPR]), were collected within 24 hours of admission. Mortality was assessed at 14 days, 30 days, and hospital discharge. Multivariate Cox regression models and ROC curve analysis were used to assess prognostic associations and model performance. A total of 2555 patients were enrolled, of whom 579 (22.67%) underwent surgical treatment. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analysis revealed that the triglyceride-glucose index (TYG) was an independent predictor of short-term mortality in TBI patients, while the neutrophil-to-platelet ratio (NPR) and apolipoprotein B/A1 (APOB/A1) ratio were independent predictors of both short- and mid-term mortality. In addition, surgical treatment was associated with an increased risk of mid-term mortality, while tracheostomy significantly reduced mortality risk across all time points. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis showed that the regression model incorporating inflammatory markers had the highest areas under the curve (AUCs) of 0.904, 0.897, and 0.897, demonstrating superior performance in predicting short- and mid-term mortality. Additionally, in the subgroup analysis of non-operation patients, TYG and NPR had a more significant impact on mortality risk. Metabolic and inflammatory biomarkers, including TYG, NPR, and APOB/A1 ratio, provide valuable prognostic information in patients with TBI. These markers may assist clinicians in early risk stratification and personalized treatment planning. Show less
To describe the clinical characteristics, natural history, genetic landscape, and phenotypic spectrum of neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (NCL)-associated retinal disease. Multicenter retrospective coho Show more
To describe the clinical characteristics, natural history, genetic landscape, and phenotypic spectrum of neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (NCL)-associated retinal disease. Multicenter retrospective cohort study complemented by a cross-sectional examination. Twelve pediatric subjects with biallelic variants in 5 NCL-causing genes (CLN3 lysosomal/endosomal transmembrane protein [ Review of clinical notes, retinal imaging, electroretinography (ERG), and molecular genetic testing. Two subjects underwent a cross-sectional examination comprising adaptive optics scanning laser ophthalmoscopy imaging of the retina and optoretinography (ORG). Clinical/demographic data, multimodal retinal imaging data, electrophysiology parameters, and molecular genetic testing. Our cohort included a diverse set of subjects with Our cohort data demonstrates that the underlying genetic variants drive the phenotypic diversity in different forms of NCL. Genetic testing can provide molecular diagnosis and ensure appropriate disease management and support for children and their families. With intravitreal enzyme replacement therapy on the horizon as a potential treatment option for NCL-associated retinal degeneration, precise structural and functional measures will be required to more accurately monitor disease progression. We show that adaptive optics imaging and ORG can be used as highly sensitive methods to track early retinal changes, which can be used to establish eligibility for future therapies and provide metrics for determining the efficacy of interventions on a cellular scale. Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found in the Footnotes and Disclosures at the end of this article. Show less
Sesquiterpene lactones are secondary plant metabolites with a wide variety of biological activities. The process of lactone conjugation to other pharmacophores can increase the efficacy and specificit Show more
Sesquiterpene lactones are secondary plant metabolites with a wide variety of biological activities. The process of lactone conjugation to other pharmacophores can increase the efficacy and specificity of the conjugated agent effect on molecular targets in various diseases, including brain pathologies. Derivatives of biogenic indoles, including neurotransmitter serotonin, are of considerable interest as potential pharmacophores. Most of these compounds have neurotropic activity and, therefore, can be used in the synthesis of new drugs with neuroprotective properties. The aim of this experimental synthesis was to generate potential treatment agents for Alzheimer's disease using serotonin conjugated with natural sesquiterpene lactones. Three novel compounds were obtained via the Michael reaction and used for biological testing. The obtained conjugates demonstrated complex neuroprotective activities. Serotonin conjugated to isoalantolactone exhibited strong antioxidant and mitoprotective activities. The agent was also found to inhibit β-site amyloid precursor protein cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE-1), prevent the aggregation of β-amyloid peptide 1-42, and protect SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells from neurotoxins such as glutamate and H In conclusion, the obtained results indicate that serotonin conjugates to sesquiterpene lactones are promising agents for the treatment of symptoms associated with Alzheimer's disease. Show less
Currently, there is a lack of serum biomarkers that can accurately predict the short-term prognosis of enterogenic sepsis. 99 patients with enterogenic sepsis were categorized based on their Acute Gas Show more
Currently, there is a lack of serum biomarkers that can accurately predict the short-term prognosis of enterogenic sepsis. 99 patients with enterogenic sepsis were categorized based on their Acute Gastrointestinal Injury (AGI) grade on the third day of ICU admission into four groups: no AGI, AGI grade I, AGI grade II, and AGI (III+IV). Additionally, patients were classified into survival and death groups according to their 28-day clinical outcomes. Peripheral venous blood samples were collected to measure levels of interleukin (IL)-27, intestinal fatty acid-binding protein (IFABP), and diamine oxidase (DAO). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were generated to assess the ability of IL-27, IFABP, and DAO to predict the short-term prognosis of patients with enterogenic sepsis. On the third day, both the survival and death groups exhibited elevated serum levels of IL-27 and IFABP compared to the first day, while levels of DAO were lower than those observed on day one. Furthermore, a significant positive correlation was observed between IL-27 and both IFABP and DAO, with stronger correlations evident on day three compared to day one. As the Acute Gastrointestinal Injury (AGI) grading increased, levels of IL-27, IFABP, and DAO rose correspondingly, correlating with a gradual decrease in survival rates, all demonstrating statistical significance (all P < 0.05). The Area Under the Curve (AUC) values for IL-27, IFABP, and DAO on the third day, predicting short-term prognosis for intestinal sepsis patients, were 0.714, 0.772, and 0.724, respectively. Notably, these values surpassed those of the first day, with IFABP on the third day exhibiting the highest predictive capability. IL-27, IFABP, and DAO levels measured on the third day of hospitalization can accurately predict the short-term prognosis of enterogenic sepsis. Show less