In recent years, the discovery of IL-12 family cytokines, which includes IL-12, IL-23, IL-27, IL-35, and IL-39, whose biological functions directly or indirectly affect various autoimmune diseases. In Show more
In recent years, the discovery of IL-12 family cytokines, which includes IL-12, IL-23, IL-27, IL-35, and IL-39, whose biological functions directly or indirectly affect various autoimmune diseases. In autoimmune diseases, IL-12 family cytokines are aberrantly expressed to varying degrees. These cytokines utilize shared subunits to influence T-cell activation and differentiation, thereby regulating the balance of T-cell subsets, which profoundly impacts the onset and progression of autoimmune diseases. In such conditions, IL-12 family members are aberrantly expressed to varying degrees. By exploring their immunomodulatory functions, researchers have identified varying therapeutic potentials for each member. This review examines the physiological functions of the major IL-12 family members and their interactions, discusses their roles in several autoimmune diseases, and summarizes the progress of clinical studies involving monoclonal antibodies targeting IL-12 and IL-23 subunits currently available for treatment. 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
Liver X receptor α (LXRα) plays an important role in inflammatory immune response induced by hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) and acute rejection (AR). Macrophage M1-polarization play an impo Show more
Liver X receptor α (LXRα) plays an important role in inflammatory immune response induced by hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) and acute rejection (AR). Macrophage M1-polarization play an important role in the occurrence and development of AR. Although the activation of LXR has anti-inflammatory effects, the role of LXRα in AR after liver transplantation (LT) has not been elucidated. We aimed to investigate LXRα anti-inflammatory and macrophage polarization regulation effects and mechanisms in acute rejection rat models. LXRα anti-inflammatory and liver function protective effects was initially measured in primary Kupffer cells and LT rat models. Subsequently, a flow cytometry assay was used to detect the regulation effect of LXRα in macrophage polarization. HE staining, TUNEL and ELISA were used to evaluate the co-treatment effects of TO901317 and tacrolimus on hepatic apoptosis and liver acute rejection after LT. In this study, we found that LPS can inhibit the expression of LXRα and activate MAPK pathway and PI3K/AKT/mTOR. We also found that LXRα agonist (TO901317) could improve liver function and rat survival after LT by activating the level of ABCA1 and inhibiting MAPK. TO901317 could inhibit macrophage M1-polarization by activating PI3K/AKT/mTOR signal pathway to improve the liver lesion of AR rats after liver transplantation. Additionally, co-treatment with TO901317 and tacrolimus more effectively alleviated the damaging effects of AR following LT than either drug alone. Our results suggest that the activation of LXRα can improve liver function and rat survival after LT by regulate ABCA1/MAPK and PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling axis in macrophages. Show less
To 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
Studying the molecular properties of drugs and their interactions with human targets aids in better understanding the clinical performance of drugs and guides drug development. In computer-aided drug Show more
Studying the molecular properties of drugs and their interactions with human targets aids in better understanding the clinical performance of drugs and guides drug development. In computer-aided drug discovery, it is crucial to utilize effective molecular feature representations for predicting molecular properties and designing ligands with high binding affinity to targets. However, designing an effective multi-task and self-supervised strategy remains a significant challenge for the pretraining framework. In this study, a multi-task self-supervised deep learning framework is proposed, MTSSMol, which utilizes ≈10 million unlabeled drug-like molecules for pretraining to identify potential inhibitors of fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 (FGFR1). During the pretraining of MTSSMol, molecular representations are learned through a graph neural networks (GNNs) encoder. A multi-task self-supervised pretraining strategy is proposed to fully capture the structural and chemical knowledge of molecules. Extensive computational tests on 27 datasets demonstrate that MTSSMol exhibits exceptional performance in predicting molecular properties across different domains. Moreover, MTSSMol's capability is validated to identify potential inhibitors of FGFR1 through molecular docking using RoseTTAFold All-Atom (RFAA) and molecular dynamics simulations. Overall, MTSSMol provides an effective algorithmic framework for enhancing molecular representation learning and identifying potential drug candidates, offering a valuable tool to accelerate drug discovery processes. All of the codes are freely available online at https:// github.com/zhaoqi106/MTSSMol. 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
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
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
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
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
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
Lipolysis of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins by peripheral lipoprotein lipase (LPL) plays an essential role in maintaining systemic cholesterol/lipid homeostasis. Human genetic studies have unequivocal Show more
Lipolysis of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins by peripheral lipoprotein lipase (LPL) plays an essential role in maintaining systemic cholesterol/lipid homeostasis. Human genetic studies have unequivocally demonstrated that activation of LPL pathway reduces risks for both coronary artery disease (CAD) and type 2 diabetes (T2D). Although sterol regulatory element-binding protein 2 (SREBP2) is well established as the master transcription factor that regulates the hepatic biosynthesis of both cholesterol and fatty acids, whether and how its activity in liver interacts with peripheral LPL pathway remains unknown. Here, it is demonstrated that acute liver-specific depletion of SREBP2 results in divergent effects on the regulation of peripheral LPL activity in mice, depending on the presence or absence of low-density lipoprotein receptors (LDLR). SREBP2 deficiency drastically elevates peripheral LPL activity through downregulation of plasma angiopoietin-related protein 3 (ANGPTL3) levels in LDLR-deficient mice. Moreover, in addition to SREBP2's transcriptional regulation of ANGPTL3, it is found that SREBP2 promotes proteasome-based degradation of ANGPTL3 in the presence of LDLR. Remarkably, acute depletion of hepatic SREBP2 protects against hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerosis, in which atherosclerotic lesions are reduced by 45% compared to control littermates. Taken together, these findings outline a liver-peripheral crosstalk mediated by SREBP2-ANGPTL3-LPL axis and suggest that SREBP2 inhibition can be an effective strategy to tackle homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HoFH). Show less
Prenatal exposure to bisphenol analogs (BPs) may pose hazards to offspring's health; however, their underlying mechanisms remain to be elucidated. DNA methylation, a major epigenetic mechanism, may be Show more
Prenatal exposure to bisphenol analogs (BPs) may pose hazards to offspring's health; however, their underlying mechanisms remain to be elucidated. DNA methylation, a major epigenetic mechanism, may be involved in early programming following environmental disturbances. In this prospective study, we investigated associations between prenatal BPs exposure and the placental DNA methylation levels of 14 candidate genes in the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) signaling pathway among 205 mother-infant pairs and explored the potential mediating role of the DNA methylation in the association of prenatal BPs exposure with anthropometric measurements of infants aged 1 year. We observed a general pattern that prenatal BPs exposure was associated with the DNA hypomethylation of candidate genes, with associations consistently and notably observed for PPAR α (PPARA), retinoid X receptor α (RXRA), acetyl-CoA acyltransferase 1, and acyl-CoA dehydrogenase medium chain (ACADM) in linear regression and Bayesian kernel machine regression. Both models identified bisphenol F (BPF) as the predominant compound. We found inverse associations between the placental DNA methylation levels of most candidate genes, such as PPARA, RXRA, ACADM, and nuclear receptor subfamily 1 group H member 3 (NR1H3), and the length-for-age z-score, arm circumference-for-age z-score, subscapular skinfold-for-age z-score, and abdominal skinfold thickness of the infants. The DNA methylation levels of RXRA and NR1H3 could mediate the associations between prenatal BPF exposure and increased infant anthropometric measurements, with mediating portions ranging from 23.02% to 30.53%. Our findings shed light on the potential mechanisms underlying the effects of prenatal BPs exposure on infant growth and call for urgent actions for risk assessment and regulation of BPF. Future cohort studies with larger sample sizes are warranted to confirm our findings. Show less
Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is a common and serious complication of diabetes, affecting approximately 40% of patients with the condition. The pathogenesis of DKD is complex, involving multiple proce Show more
Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is a common and serious complication of diabetes, affecting approximately 40% of patients with the condition. The pathogenesis of DKD is complex, involving multiple processes such as metabolism, inflammation, and fibrosis. Given its increasing incidence and associated mortality, there is an urgent need to identify novel pathogenic genes and therapeutic targets. This study systematically identified hub DKD-associated genes and their potential molecular mechanisms through bioinformatic analysis. Gene expression datasets from DKD patients and healthy controls were obtained from the GEO database. Hub genes were screened using differential expression analysis, weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), LASSO regression, random forest (RF) algorithms, and consensus clustering for DKD patient classification. Additionally, immune cell infiltration analysis was performed on differentially expressed genes to explore the relationship between hub genes and the immune microenvironment. Potential drugs targeting LPL were predicted based on gene-drug interaction analysis. Immunohistochemistry was used to verify the expression of LPL and TNF-α in kidney tissues from patients with varying degrees of DKD severity, as well as their relationship with kidney function impairment. This study revealed that LPL, a lipoprotein metabolism gene, plays a crucial role in DKD, participating in cholesterol and glycerolipid metabolism as well as PPAR signaling. LPL expression was negatively correlated with pro-inflammatory M1 macrophages and various subsets of T cells, including naïve CD4 T cells and gamma delta T cells, while positively correlated with follicular helper T cells, suggesting its immune-regulation effects in DKD progression. Potential LPL-targeting drugs, such as Ibrolipim, anabolic steroid, and acarbose, might mitigate DKD. LPL expression was decreased with DKD severity and was correlated with TNF-α and kidney dysfunction markers, indicating its key role in DKD progression. LPL is a pivotal regulator of lipid metabolism and immune inflammation in DKD. Potential drugs targeting LPL offer new candidates for precision treatment of DKD. These findings lay a theoretical foundation for understanding the molecular mechanisms of DKD and developing LPL-based therapeutic strategies. Show less
The present case report presents the diagnostic challenges of pediatric diffuse low-grade glioma (pDLGG) with oligodendroglioma-like features. The patient, an 11-year-old girl, presented with refracto Show more
The present case report presents the diagnostic challenges of pediatric diffuse low-grade glioma (pDLGG) with oligodendroglioma-like features. The patient, an 11-year-old girl, presented with refractory epilepsy and brain imaging did not provide a clear diagnosis. Intraoperatively, the tumor appeared gray-yellow to gray-red, with moderate texture and unclear borders, consistent with LGG. Postoperative pathology showed diffuse infiltrative growth of the tumor, with pleomorphic cell morphology and oligodendroglioma-like gliocyte proliferation. Staining was positive for markers such as glial fibrillary acidic protein and Olig-2. Genomic analysis revealed BRAF V600E, fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR)1 and FGFR4 mutations, but no IDH mutations or other related mutations. The final diagnosis was pDLGG with alterations in the MAPK pathway. The present case underscores the importance of molecular and histological features in the diagnosis of pDLGG, especially when clinical and imaging characteristics are atypical, as molecular diagnostics provide key insights for disease classification. Show less
Perioperative neurocognitive disorder (PND) is a common complication following thoracic surgery and often leading to poor outcomes. Despite ongoing research, effective treatments for late PND remain l Show more
Perioperative neurocognitive disorder (PND) is a common complication following thoracic surgery and often leading to poor outcomes. Despite ongoing research, effective treatments for late PND remain limited. Identifying reliable biomarkers for early diagnosis is, therefore, essential. A prospective cohort study was conducted with 60 elderly patients undergoing thoracic surgery. Serum samples were collected within 10 minutes prior to anesthesia and following extubation to measure adiponectin (APN), cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), protein kinase A (PKA), aquaporin-4 (AQP4) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Among PND patients, serum APN, PKA, AQP4, and BDNF levels were markedly decreased compared with the normal group. While serum cAMP (HR = 1.087, p = 0.695, 95% CI [0.284-4.166]) and PKA (HR = 0.996, p = 0.09, 95% CI [0.491-0.947]) were not significantly correlated with PND, serum APN (HR = 0.307, 95% CI [0.113-0.835], p = 0.021), AQP4 (HR = 0.204, 95% CI [0.060-0.697], p = 0.011), and BDNF (HR = 0.382, 95% CI [0.177-0.823], p = 0.014) were protective factors against PND. ROC analysis demonstrated that APN (AUC = 0.68, 95% CI [0.51-0.87]), AQP4 (AUC = 0.73, 95% CI [0.59-0.87]), BDNF (AUC = 0.73, 95% CI [0.59-0.87]), and the model of combining those biomarkers (AUC = 0.91, 95% CI [0.83-0.99]) could predict PND. PND patients exhibited a lower protective stress response to surgical trauma. High serum APN, AQP4, and BDNF levels were independent protective factors for PND, and a combined model of these biomarkers showed predictive potential for PND. Show less
Quinolinic acid (QA) is a metabolite of tryptophan catabolism involved in the biosynthesis of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). It has been extensively studied in the context of neuropsychiatri Show more
Quinolinic acid (QA) is a metabolite of tryptophan catabolism involved in the biosynthesis of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). It has been extensively studied in the context of neuropsychiatric disorders in the past decades. Recent studies have also linked high plasma QA levels to obesity, metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and diabetes. In the present study, we have explored the impact of long-term oral QA administration on glucose and lipid metabolism in mice. We observed a protective role for QA in preventing hepatic lipid accumulation in high-fat-diet fed mice, whereas oral administration of NAD showed opposite effects. We further demonstrated that QA reduces hepatic lipid uptake by inhibiting the expression of lipoprotein lipase (LPL) and fatty acid translocase (CD36) in liver, thereby mitigating liver lipid accumulation in the context of a high-fat diet. Our data suggest that QA is an important regulator of lipid homeostasis and has potential as a therapeutic target for MASLD. Show less
Stroke is a life‑threatening cerebrovascular disorder categorized into two major subtypes: Ischemic and hemorrhagic. Characterized by high morbidity and mortality rates, its clinical management remain Show more
Stroke is a life‑threatening cerebrovascular disorder categorized into two major subtypes: Ischemic and hemorrhagic. Characterized by high morbidity and mortality rates, its clinical management remains challenging due to limited therapeutic options. Interleukin (IL)‑27, a pleiotropic cytokine with demonstrated neuroprotective potential, has emerged as a promising candidate for stroke intervention. IL‑27 exerts immunomodulatory effects within the central nervous system, including suppression of proinflammatory T‑cell proliferation and induction of regulatory T‑cell differentiation. These mechanisms collectively attenuate neuroinflammation, mitigate neuronal apoptosis and prevent neurodegenerative processes. The efficacy of IL‑27 in reducing cerebral damage in both ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke models has been validated, although clinical translation remains to be achieved. The present review summarizes: i) The epidemiology of stroke; ii) the immunoregulatory functions of IL‑27 and its neuroprotective mechanisms across stroke subtypes; iii) innovative brain‑targeted delivery approaches; iv) IL‑27 clinical applicability with supporting evidence; and v) possible risks and solutions in clinical applications. By collating the current knowledge, the present study provides a translational framework for advancing IL‑27‑based therapies in stroke management. 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
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
Examining how hypoglycemic medications affect brain function is one of the best approaches to addressing cognitive impairment. In this study, trelagliptin, a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP4) inhibitor, w Show more
Examining how hypoglycemic medications affect brain function is one of the best approaches to addressing cognitive impairment. In this study, trelagliptin, a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP4) inhibitor, was utilized to assess memory loss in diabetic rats through fear conditioning tests. Trelagliptin restored fear memory in diabetic rats that had been disrupted over a relatively long period (24 h) or extended period (5 days). Moreover, trelagliptin treatment reduced the higher incidence of neuronal cell death in the cerebral cortex, as observed via Nissl or hematoxylin and eosin staining. Subsequent analyses revealed that diabetic rats exhibited elevated levels of inflammatory cytokines (p-IKKα and p-NFκB) and a trend toward oxidative damage, indicated by malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2), and glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) detection. However, administration of trelagliptin reversed these markers to baseline levels. Additionally, trelagliptin activated p-AMPK, p-AKT, and p-GSK-3β. Notably, trelagliptin upregulated the expression of postsynaptic density protein 95 (PSD95) and synaptotagmin 1 (SYT1) while downregulating amyloid precursor protein (APP) and beta-site amyloid precursor protein cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE1). These findings suggest that trelagliptin alleviates cognitive impairment in diabetic rats, likely through AMPK-AKT-GSK-3β-mediated mitigation of oxidative stress, enhancement of synaptic plasticity, and reduction of Aβ accumulation. Show less
Elevated lipoprotein(a) (Lp[a]) and apolipoprotein B (apoB) are individually associated with the risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Moreover, previous basic research has implicate Show more
Elevated lipoprotein(a) (Lp[a]) and apolipoprotein B (apoB) are individually associated with the risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Moreover, previous basic research has implicated the potential interaction between apoB and Lp(a) in the atherogenic process. We aimed to determine whether apoB levels significantly modulate ASCVD risk associated with Lp(a) in a large community-based population without baseline cardiovascular disease. Plasma Lp(a) and apoB were measured in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study. Elevated Lp(a) was defined as the highest race-specific quintile, and elevated apoB was defined as ≥89 mg/dl (median value). The modifying effect of apoB on the Lp(a)-related risk of ASCVD and coronary heart disease (CHD) was determined using Cox regression models adjusted for cardiovascular risk factors. Among 12,988 ARIC participants, 3,888 ASCVD events and 1754 CHD events were observed. Elevated apoB (≥89 mg/dl) and elevated Lp(a) (race-specific quintile 5) were independently associated with ASCVD (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.19; 95% CI: 1.08-1.30; P <0.001; HR: 1.27; 95% CI: 1.16-1.40; P < .001, respectively). Lp(a)-by-apoB interaction was noted [Lp(a) (quintile 1-4 or quintile 5) * apoB (<89 or ≥89 mg/dl) = 0.002]. Compared to the concordantly low Lp(a) group, the individuals with high Lp(a) had a greater ASCVD risk only when apoB was elevated (HR: 1.48; 95% CI: 1.34-1.63; P < .001). In the context of primary prevention, ASCVD risk associated with Lp(a) was observed only when apoB was elevated. The measurement of apoB can further refine and contextualize the ASCVD risk associated with Lp(a). 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
Apolipoprotein E (APOE) ε4 is the strongest genetic risk factor for Alzheimer's disease (AD), with homozygous carriers (ε4/ε4) experiencing accelerated cognitive decline. While its role in amyloid and Show more
Apolipoprotein E (APOE) ε4 is the strongest genetic risk factor for Alzheimer's disease (AD), with homozygous carriers (ε4/ε4) experiencing accelerated cognitive decline. While its role in amyloid and tau pathology is established, its impact on retinal and cerebral microvasculature remains underexplored. A total of 107 AD (46 non-carriers, 42 heterozygotes, 19 homozygotes) underwent optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) to assess retinal microvasculature and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) -derived peak width of skeletonized mean diffusivity (PSMD) to evaluate cerebral small vessel disease. Plasma biomarkers (Aβ Homozygous APOE ε4 carriers exhibited the most severe reduction in retinal microvascular density and higher PSMD (p < 0.001). Superficial retinal vessels and PSMD partially mediated APOE ε4's association with cognitive impairment. APOE ε4 homozygosity exacerbates retinal and cerebral microvascular dysfunction, which partially mediates cognitive impairment in AD. Apolipoprotein E (APOE) ε4 homozygosity is associated with the most severe reductions in retinal microvascular densities and elevated cerebral small vessel disease (peak width of skeletonized mean diffusivity [PSMD]) in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Vascular dysfunction (retinal and cerebral) correlates with lower Aβ42, higher p-tau217/Aβ 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
The gut-derived peptide hormones glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) play important physiological roles including glucose homeostasis and appetite su Show more
The gut-derived peptide hormones glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) play important physiological roles including glucose homeostasis and appetite suppression. Stabilized agonists of the GLP-1 receptor (GLP-1R) and dual agonists of GLP-1R and GIP receptor (GIPR) for the management of type 2 diabetes and obesity have generated widespread enthusiasm and have become blockbuster drugs. These therapeutics are refractory to the action of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP4), that catalyzes rapid removal of the two N-terminal residues of the native peptides, in turn severely diminishing their activity profiles. Here we report that a single atom change from carbon to nitrogen in the backbone of the entire peptide makes them refractory to DPP4 action while still retaining full potency and efficacy at their respective receptors. This was accomplished by use of aza-amino acids, that are bioisosteric replacements for α-amino acids that perturb the structural backbone and local side chain conformations. Molecular dynamics simulations reveal that aza-amino acid can populate the same conformational space that GLP-1 adopts when bound to the GLP-1R. The insertion of an aza-amino acid at the second position from the N-terminus in semaglutide and in a dual agonist of GLP-1R and GIPR further demonstrates its capability as a viable alternative to current DPP4 resistance strategies while offering additional structural variation that may influence downstream signaling. 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