Despite advancements in treatment, coronary artery disease (CAD) remains a significant global health concern. Although lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] is recognized as a crucial cardiovascular risk factor asso Show more
Despite advancements in treatment, coronary artery disease (CAD) remains a significant global health concern. Although lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] is recognized as a crucial cardiovascular risk factor associated with increased risk, the prognostic value of using Lp(a) levels in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) who have undergone percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) remains debatable. This review aimed to investigate the association between Lp(a) levels and recurrent ischemic events in patients with ACS undergoing PCI. This systematic review included studies with individuals aged ≥18 years diagnosed with ACS who underwent PCI and had Lp(a) measurements. The included studies were sourced from the PubMed database, with a focus on articles published between January 2020 and January 2025. Keywords related to Lp(a) and cardiovascular diseases were used in the search. Data extraction involved a review of titles and abstracts followed by quality assessment using the QUADAS-2 tool. The final analysis included 10 studies with a combined population of 20,896 patients from diverse regions, including Japan, India, Egypt, China, and South Korea. Key findings indicate that elevated Lp(a) levels are significantly associated with adverse cardiovascular outcomes, including myocardial infarction and mortality, both in hospital and during long-term follow-up. This review highlights Lp(a) as a critical biomarker for predicting recurrent cardiovascular events in ACS patients post-PCI. The consistent correlation between elevated Lp(a) levels and adverse outcomes underscores the necessity of routine monitoring and targeted management of Lp(a) to mitigate residual cardiovascular risk. Show less
The ocular surface microbiome (OSM) in patients with meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) differs from that of healthy individuals. However, the precise role of OSM in MGD remains unknown. Therefore, we Show more
The ocular surface microbiome (OSM) in patients with meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) differs from that of healthy individuals. However, the precise role of OSM in MGD remains unknown. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the mechanism of OSM in the inflammation of MGD and the effects of topical sodium butyrate (SB) treatment in ApoE ApoE Five-month-old ApoE ApoE Show less
To identify risk factors for heart failure (HF) within one year after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and to develop a predictive nomogram model Show more
To identify risk factors for heart failure (HF) within one year after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and to develop a predictive nomogram model. A retrospective analysis was performed on 492 patients with ACS treated at Suzhou Municipal Hospital between January 2020 and October 2023. Patients were divided into the HF group and the non-HF group according to the occurrence of HF within one year after PCI. 70% of the cases were randomly assigned to the training set and 30% to the validation set. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to screen independent predictors, and a nomogram model was subsequently established. Model performance was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, calibration curves, and decision curve analysis (DCA). Among the 492 patients, the incidence of HF within one year after PCI was 26.42% (n = 130). Logistic regression identified type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), lipoprotein(a) [LP(a)], B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (Hs-CRP) as independent predictors of HF, with odds ratios of 5.756, 0.904, 1.427, 1.012, and 1.666, respectively (all P < 0.05). The model demonstrated excellent discrimination, with areas under the ROC curve of 0.946 in the training set and 0.958 in the validation set. DCA indicated that the model provided greater net clinical benefit than the "treat-all" or "treat-none" strategies, and its predictive performance surpassed that of each individual factor (P < 0.05). The nomogram model incorporating T2DM, LVEF, LP(a), BNP and Hs-CRP provides an effective tool for predicting HF risk within one year after PCI in patients with ACS, offering valuable guidance for early clinical identification and risk stratification of high-risk individuals. Show less
To explore the optimal row-ratio in mechanized hybrid rice seed production, a field experiment was conducted in 2024 at Qionglai and Mianzhu using 'Tiantai A' × 'Taihui 808'. Three row-ratio treatment Show more
To explore the optimal row-ratio in mechanized hybrid rice seed production, a field experiment was conducted in 2024 at Qionglai and Mianzhu using 'Tiantai A' × 'Taihui 808'. Three row-ratio treatments (H1: 18:6, H2: 24:6, and H3: 30:6) were tested using agricultural unmanned aerial vehicles (AUAVs) for pollination assistance. The results showed that row-ratio had little effect on sterile line flowering dynamics. The index of flowers meeting (IFM) was 0.71-0.72 at Qionglai and 0.81-0.86 at Mianzhu, with 11 to 12 days of flowering duration. As the row-ratio increased, total pollen quantity in the panicle layer and grain filling rate (GFR) decreased, while grain infection rate (GIR) increased. The responses of grain blighted rate (GBR), grain empty rate (GER), and fertilization success rate (FSR) to row-ratio varied between sites. Pollen density and GFR followed the pattern of near region (NR) > central region (CR) > far region (FR). Within the panicle, pollen density was generally highest in the upper panicle layer (UPL), followed by the middle (MPL) and lower (LPL) layers, with partial exceptions observed in the H2 and H3 treatments at Mianzhu. The vertical distribution of GFR varied by site: at Qionglai, it was apical parts of panicle (APP) > median parts (MPP) > basal parts (BPP), whereas at Mianzhu the order was MPP > APP > BPP. With wider row-ratios, yield per unit area (YUA) and GFR declined (H1 > H2 > H3), while 1,000-grain weight increased or decreased and then increased. Under H1, yields reached 2,107.50 kg ha Show less
Tryptophan (Trp) is an essential amino acid acting as a key nutrition factor regulating animal growth and development. But how Trp modulates food intake in pigs is still not well known. Here, we inves Show more
Tryptophan (Trp) is an essential amino acid acting as a key nutrition factor regulating animal growth and development. But how Trp modulates food intake in pigs is still not well known. Here, we investigated the effect of dietary supplementation of Trp with different levels on food intake of growing pigs. The data showed that dietary Trp supplementation with the standardised ileal digestibility (SID) Trp to lysine (Lys) ratio at both 0·18 and 0·20 significantly increased the food intake by activating the expression of orexigenic gene agouti-related peptide (AgRP) and inhibiting the expression of anorexigenic gene pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC), cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript (CART) and melanocortin receptor 4 (MC4R) in the hypothalamus. Meanwhile, the level of anorexigenic hormones appetite-regulating peptide YY (PYY) in the duodenum and serum and leptin receptor in the duodenum were also significantly decreased. Importantly, both the kynurenine and serotonin metabolic pathways were activated upon dietary Trp supplementation to downregulate MC4R expression in the hypothalamus. Further mechanistic studies revealed that the reduced MC4R expression activated the hypothalamic AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) pathway, which in turn inhibited the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR)/S6 kinase 1 (S6K1) activity to stimulate food intake. Together, our study unravels the orexigenic effect of dietary Trp supplementation in pigs and expands its potential application in developing nutrition intervention strategy in pig production. Show less
This review aims to explore the epidemiology of lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] by its structural and genetic make-up variation amongst ancestry groups. Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] is a genetically determined lipop Show more
This review aims to explore the epidemiology of lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] by its structural and genetic make-up variation amongst ancestry groups. Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] is a genetically determined lipoprotein particle, causally implicated in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) and calcific aortic valve stenosis (CAVS). Given its genetic basis, studies have shown marked ancestry-related differences in different races and ethnicities. Lp(a) plasma concentrations vary by more than 100-fold among individuals, primarily due to LPA gene polymorphisms and the number of kringle-IV type 2 (KIV2) repeats, which define apolipoprotein(a) [apo(a)] isoform size. Individuals of African descent have the highest median concentrations, followed by South Asians, with Hispanics/Latinos and East Asians having lower levels. Admixed populations display heterogeneity reflecting genetic ancestry. Despite differences in absolute levels, the relative ASCVD risk per unit increase in Lp(a) is consistent across groups, highlighting the universal atherogenicity of elevated Lp(a). Small apo(a) isoforms are associated with higher Lp(a) concentrations and risk, though isoform size is mainly a surrogate for Lp(a) burden. Despite a strong genetic basis and disproportionate burden in some populations, ancestry-specific testing guidelines are limited and testing rates remain low. Therapies targeting LPA transcription are in development, with outcome trials underway. Integrating ancestry-informed perspectives with universal risk principles is essential for equitable prevention and treatment. Routine, one-time Lp(a) testing enables cost-effective early risk stratification as Lp(a)-directed therapies emerge. Show less
This study employed a person-centered Latent Profile Analysis (LPA) to explore adolescents' perceived teacher-student and friendship relationships in the school environment and to examine their associ Show more
This study employed a person-centered Latent Profile Analysis (LPA) to explore adolescents' perceived teacher-student and friendship relationships in the school environment and to examine their association with interest in physical education. A survey was conducted among 3,613 adolescents using the Teacher-Student Relationship Scale, the Friendship Quality Scale, and the Interest in Physical Education Scale. LPA was applied to identify relationship quality profiles, and multinomial logistic regression was used to examine gender differences and associations with interest in physical education. Three profiles emerged from the LPA: the Low Relationship Quality profile (23%, Adolescents exhibit heterogeneous experiences of teacher-student and friendship relationship quality, which were significantly associated with differences in interest in physical education. By applying a person-centered approach, the study extends prior research by showing that teacher-student and friendship contexts are linked to adolescents' interest in physical education, underscoring the importance of considering interest as a distinct outcome in relational research. Show less
This study aims to investigate the spectrum and prognosis of membranous nephropathy (MN) in patients with Sjögren's syndrome (SS). SS patients with biopsy-proven kidney involvement who were diagnosed Show more
This study aims to investigate the spectrum and prognosis of membranous nephropathy (MN) in patients with Sjögren's syndrome (SS). SS patients with biopsy-proven kidney involvement who were diagnosed at our center between April 2007 and February 2024 were retrospectively reviewed and analyzed. A total of 290 SS patients with kidney involvement were enrolled. The frequency of MN increased from 16.28% during the 2007-2010 period to 44.05% during the 2021-2024 period. After 2016, MN became the most common renal pathologic type, surpassing tubulointerstitial nephritis. PLA2R antibody or antigen was detected in 74 SS-MN patients, in whom 37 (50%) showed a negative result. Within the PLA2R-negative group, five out of 15 showed positivity for EXT1/EXT2 antigen and one out of eight for THSD7A antigen. Sixty-one SS patients with MN were followed up for >6 months, and 44 (72.13%) of them achieved renal complete remission (CR). Compared with PLA2R-negative patients, PLA2R-positive patients spent a longer time to achieve CR (1.46 ± 1.16 vs. 0.74 ± 0.47 years, MN has become the predominant renal pathologic type in SS. PLA2R-positivity testing followed by EXT1/EXT2 and THSD7A testing is recommended for SS-MN patients. Although most patients can achieve renal CR, the prognosis is usually poor in PLA2R-positive SS-MN patients. Show less
Brachydactyly type E (BDE) is characterized by variable shortening of metacarpals or metatarsals, often involving phalanges. It may occur as an isolated anomaly or as part of congenital syndromes. Wit Show more
Brachydactyly type E (BDE) is characterized by variable shortening of metacarpals or metatarsals, often involving phalanges. It may occur as an isolated anomaly or as part of congenital syndromes. With advancements in molecular diagnostic technologies, how genetic testing enhances the precise diagnosis of BDE remains unclear. Our aims were to establish an algorithm for molecular genetic diagnostics in Chinese children with BDE and to explore the phenotype-genotype correlations of Chinese patients with BDE. We reviewed left-hand wrist X-rays from children visiting Children's Hospital of Soochow University (Jun 2021-Dec 2023). From 60,650 films, 135 BDE cases were identified, and their comprehensive phenotypes were collected. Whole-exome sequencing (WES) with copy number variation (CNV) analysis was performed on 60 patients and their parents. Sanger sequencing was used to validate single nucleotide variants (SNV) and indels. Causative variants were found in 19 patients. SNVs and indels affecting 10 genes were identified in 15 patients, and CNVs in four. Through comprehensive evaluation of genotype-phenotype correlations, we propose a diagnostic algorithm for precise molecular diagnosis in Chinese children with BDE. Show less
Breast cancer has seriously affected women's physical and mental health. This investigation aims at screening differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in breast cancer and illuminating the potential biol Show more
Breast cancer has seriously affected women's physical and mental health. This investigation aims at screening differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in breast cancer and illuminating the potential biological functions of Leiomodin 1 (LMOD1) and its behind mechanisms against breast cancer. The common DEGs (co-DEGs) between the GSE22820 and GSE29431 data sets and pivotal genes were screened out using bioinformatics methods. The biological roles of LMOD1 overexpression on malignant phenotypes were validated by functional assays and the impact on fatty acid synthesis was also elucidated in breast cancer cell lines. Additionally, colivelin, a STAT3 activator, was applied for further investigating the role of LMOD1 on the JAK2/STAT3 pathway in vitro. A total of 208 co-DEGs and 5 focal genes were screened through bioinformatics analysis, and 5 focal genes were downregulated in breast cancer cell lines. LMOD1 overexpression retarded proliferative, migratory, invasive capabilities of breast cancer cells. LMOD1 overexpression suppressed fatty acid synthesis. Furthermore, the inhibitory effects on malignant phenotypes of breast cancer cells with LMOD1 overexpression were partially abolished after colivelin treatment. Additionally, LMOD1 could impede fatty acid synthesis in breast cancer cells. Our study highlighted LMOD1 exerted as a tumor-suppressive role in breast cancer, which was correlated with restraining the JAK2/STAT3 pathway activation. Show less
Yunqi Xie, Haochen Wang, Yajie Zhang+5 more · 2025 · Food and chemical toxicology : an international journal published for the British Industrial Biological Research Association · Elsevier · added 2026-04-24
Smoking is harmful to health. Cigarette smoke (CS) contains a variety of toxic substances. Studies have found that nicotine, tar, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, etc. in CS can pass through the bloo Show more
Smoking is harmful to health. Cigarette smoke (CS) contains a variety of toxic substances. Studies have found that nicotine, tar, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, etc. in CS can pass through the blood-brain barrier and enter the brain to exert their effects. Moreover, some existing studies have pointed out that CS exposure is closely related to the accelerated pathology of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Transgenic mice with the five familial AD mutations (5xFAD), which are 1-month-old, were used for chronic CS exposure for 100 days. Subsequently, cognitive function and behavioral changes were evaluated through morris water maze and new object recognition tests. The acceleration of pathological changes due to CS exposure was assessed by HE, Tunel and Aβ immunohistochemical staining. Differential expression proteins and metabolites were screened through hippocampal proteomics and metabolomics analyses. Finally, the expression levels of key proteins were verified by Western blot. Compared with unexposed 5xFAD mice, the behavioral results of mice showed that FAD mice after CS exposure exhibited poorer cognitive abilities, with longer latencies in the Morris water maze, and decreased time spent and entries in the target quadrant. The results of pathological sections indicated that the total nuclei density in the DG and CA3 regions of the hippocampus of 5xFAD mice decreased significantly after chronic CS exposure, the number of TUNEL-positive cells increased, and the expression of Aβ42 increased. Multi - omics analysis revealed that CS exposure up - regulated the expression of 46 proteins and down - regulated the expression of 80 proteins in the hippocampus of 5xFAD mice, and caused changes in 92 metabolites. Analysis of the correlation between differential proteins and differential metabolites revealed six key cross-node proteins: Kng1, Hbb-b1, Fabp3, Apoa1, Ilk, and Apoa4. CS exposure may accelerate pathological changes and cognitive impairment in 5xFAD mice by affecting energy metabolism through the PPAR signaling pathway. Show less
Patients with schizophrenia (SCZ) face multiple health challenges due to the complication of chronic diseases and psychiatric disorders. Among these, cardiovascular comorbidities are the leading cause Show more
Patients with schizophrenia (SCZ) face multiple health challenges due to the complication of chronic diseases and psychiatric disorders. Among these, cardiovascular comorbidities are the leading cause of their life expectancy being 15-20 years shorter than that of the general population. Identifying comorbidity patterns and uncovering differences in immune and metabolic function are crucial steps toward improving prevention and management strategies. A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted using electronic medical records of inpatients discharged between 2015 and 2024 from a municipal psychiatric hospital in China. The study included patients diagnosed with Schizophrenia, Schizotypal, and Delusional Disorders (SSDs) (ICD-10: F20-F29). Comorbidity patterns were identified through latent class analysis (LCA) based on the 20 most common comorbid conditions among SSD patients. To investigate differences in peripheral blood metabolic and immune function, linear regression or generalized linear models were applied to 44 laboratory test indicators collected during the acute episode. The Benjamini-Hochberg method was used for p-value correction, and the false discovery rate (FDR) was calculated, with statistical significance set at FDR < 0.05. Among 3,697 inpatients with SSDs, four distinct comorbidity clusters were identified: SSDs only (Class 1), High-Risk Metabolic Multisystem Disorders (Class 2, n = 39), Low-Risk Metabolic Multisystem Disorders (Class 3, n = 573), and Sleep Disorders (Class 4, n = 205). Compared to Class 1, Class 2 exhibited significantly elevated levels of apolipoprotein A (ApoA; β = 90.62), apolipoprotein B (ApoB; β = 0.181), mean platelet volume (MPV; β = 0.994), red cell distribution width-coefficient of variation (RDW-CV; β = 1.182), antistreptolysin O (ASO; β = 276.80), and absolute lymphocyte count (ALC; β = 0.306), along with reduced apolipoprotein AI (ApoAI; β = -0.173) and hematocrit (HCT; β = -35.13). Class 3 showed moderate increases in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C; β = 0.113), MPV (β = 0.267), white blood cell count (WBC; β = 0.476), and absolute neutrophil count (ANC; β = 0.272), with decreased HCT (β = -9.81). Class 4 was characterized by elevated aggregate index of systemic inflammation (AISI; β = 81.07), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR; β = 0.465), and systemic inflammation response index (SIRI; β = 0.346), indicating a heightened inflammatory state. The comorbidity patterns of patients with SCZ can be distinctly classified. During the acute episode, those with comorbid metabolic disorders exhibit a higher risk of cardiovascular diseases and immune system abnormalities, while patients with comorbid sleep disorders present a pronounced systemic inflammatory state and immune dysfunction. This study provides a basis for the chronic disease management and anti-inflammatory treatment, while also offering objective biomarker insights for transdiagnostic research. Show less
Atherosclerosis is characterized by persistent inflammatory condition, leading to various cardiovascular complications. Foam cell formation, resulting from macrophage uptake of oxidized low-density li Show more
Atherosclerosis is characterized by persistent inflammatory condition, leading to various cardiovascular complications. Foam cell formation, resulting from macrophage uptake of oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL), contributes significantly to atherosclerosis progression. This study was designed to investigate the involvement of bispecific phosphatase-6 (DUSP6) and its potential regulatory mechanisms in foam cell formation and atherosclerosis. We employed THP-1 cells to induce foam cell formation. The lipid droplet accumulation, cholesterol content, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-6 levels were evaluated using Oil Red O staining, cholesterol assay, ELISA, and qRT-PCR techniques. We investigated DUSP6 ubiquitination via immunoprecipitation and western blot (WB) analysis. A bioinformatics approach identified FBXL14 as a potential E3 ligase involved in DUSP6 ubiquitination, further confirmed by siRNA and overexpression experiments. The impact of FBXL14 on the NRF2 signaling pathway was assessed using WB analysis. DUSP6 interference suppressed foam cell formation and inflammatory factor secretion. Upon ox-LDL treatment, DUSP6 underwent deubiquitylation, with FBXL14 emerging as the candidate E3 ligase. FBXL14 overexpression induced DUSP6 ubiquitination, leading to the NRF2 signaling pathway activation. It counteracted with DUSP6 overexpression on foam cell formation and inflammation. In ApoE-/- mice, sh-DUSP6 adenovirus injection mitigated atherosclerotic lesion progression and improved the lipid profile, with increased the proteins expression of NQO1, HO-1, and NRF2 in aortic tissue. DUSP6 and FBXL14 play vital roles in modulating foam cell formation and inflammatory responses in atherosclerosis. Targeting these molecules could offer therapeutic potential in attenuating atherosclerosis-related complications. Not applicable. Show less
Mubalake Abudoureyimu, Ni Sun, Weiwei Chen+3 more · 2025 · International journal of immunopathology and pharmacology · SAGE Publications · added 2026-04-24
This study aimed to investigate whether the dysregulation of Aurora-A is involved in lenvatinib resistance in hepatocellular carcinoma. Bioinformatics tools and drug sensitivity assays were used to in Show more
This study aimed to investigate whether the dysregulation of Aurora-A is involved in lenvatinib resistance in hepatocellular carcinoma. Bioinformatics tools and drug sensitivity assays were used to investigate the association between Aurora-A expression level and lenvatinib resistance in hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines. Cell function experiments had performed after treatment with lenvatinib and/or a selective Aurora-A inhibitor (MLN-8237). CircRNA microarray, RIP, RNA pull-down, and dual-luciferace reporter assay were performed to identify the downstream molecular mechanism of Aurora-A dysregulation. Aurora-A expression was positively correlated with lenvatinib resistance in hepatocellular carcinoma cells. The Aurora-A selective inhibitor MLN-8237, in combination with lenvatinib, synergistically inhibited hepatocellular carcinoma cell proliferation in vitro and vivo, suggesting the Aurora-A might be a potential therapeutic target for lenvatinib resistance. Mechanistically, Aurora-A induced FGFR1 expression through the hsa-circ-0058046/miR-424-5p/FGFR1 axis. Aurora-A promotes lenvatinib resistance through hsa-circ-0058046/miR-424-5p/FGFR1 axis in hepatocellular carcinoma cells. The simultaneous inhibition of FGFR1 by the Aurora-A inhibitor MLN-8237 and lenvatinib overcame lenvatinib resistance in hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Collectively, our findings indicate that Aurora-A promotes lenvatinib resistance through the hsa-circ-0058046/miR-424-5p/FGFR1 axis in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells. These results suggest that Aurora-A may serve as a therapeutic target for HCC patients exhibiting lenvatinib resistance. Furthermore, the combination of lenvatinib and MLN-8237 shows potential for clinical trials aimed at overcoming lenvatinib resistance. Show less
Angiopoietin-like protein 4 (ANGPTL4) is a hepatokine implicated in fat metabolism regulation. Its genetic inactivation has been associated with improved glucose homeostasis, while elevated plasma ANG Show more
Angiopoietin-like protein 4 (ANGPTL4) is a hepatokine implicated in fat metabolism regulation. Its genetic inactivation has been associated with improved glucose homeostasis, while elevated plasma ANGPTL4 levels are observed in diabetic and obese individuals. However, the potential link between ANGPTL4 and diabetes- or obesity-related complications remains uncertain. This study aimed to explore whether plasma ANGPTL4 level could serve as a predictor of cancer mortality, cardiovascular mortality, and all-cause mortality in a community-based cohort. A community-based cohort study was conducted, where fasting plasma ANGPTL4 concentrations were measured at baseline, and vital status was ascertained through linkage with the National Health Insurance Research Database in Taiwan. During a 10.46-year follow-up period, 29 (2.49%) of the 1163 participants died. Subjects within the highest tertile of plasma ANGPTL4 levels exhibited the lowest survival rate. In unadjusted models, plasma ANGPTL4 significantly predicted all-cause mortality, cancer mortality, and cardiovascular or cancer-related mortality. Upon adjustment for confounders including age, sex, smoking, body mass index (BMI), hypertension, diabetes mellitus (DM), and renal function, each standard deviation increase in plasma ANGPTL4 was associated with HRs of 1.35 (95% CI: 1.01-1.80, Plasma ANGPTL4 emerges as a promising biomarker capable of predicting 10-year mortality and enhancing risk prediction beyond established risk factors. Show less
The dysregulation of T cell differentiation was associated with cognitive impairment. Recently, the peripheric β-secretase (BACE1) has been suggested as a regulator of T cell differentiation, which wa Show more
The dysregulation of T cell differentiation was associated with cognitive impairment. Recently, the peripheric β-secretase (BACE1) has been suggested as a regulator of T cell differentiation, which was increased in both cognitive impairment (CI) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in CI patients. However, the relationship between T cell dysfunction and CI remains unclear. To address this question, we measured T cell subtypes and BACE1 enzyme activity in a clinical cohort and 5xFAD mice. We found that both IFNγ+ Th1 and Tc1 cells were increased in the CI and T2DM-CI groups, which were associated with worsening cognitive function. The elevated IFNγ + Th1 and Tc1 cells were also observed in 8-month-old 5xFAD mice. The elevated BACE1-mediated INSR cleavage was associated with increased IFNγ + Th1 and Tc1 cells. These findings demonstrate the potential role of elevated BACE1 in IFNγ+ T cells and CI. Show less
Lipid profiles are largely determined by genetic variants, and lipid metabolism plays a crucial role in Alzheimer's disease. To investigate whether lipid profile variability in response to diverse sta Show more
Lipid profiles are largely determined by genetic variants, and lipid metabolism plays a crucial role in Alzheimer's disease. To investigate whether lipid profile variability in response to diverse statins could be affected by cholesterol metabolism-related genetic variants in Alzheimer's disease.. This prospective observational pharmacogenetic study was conducted at the Universidade Federal de São Paulo (Unifesp), Brazil. Consecutive outpatients were prospectively followed for lipid profile variations over one year, estimated by the associations between statin therapy and the following variants: rs2695121 (NR1H2), rs3846662 (HMGCR), rs11669576 (LDLR8), rs5930 (LDLR10), rs5882 and rs708272 (CETP), rs7412 and rs429358 (APOE), and ACE insertion/deletion polymorphism. All polymorphisms in the 189 patients were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. Statins resulted in lower total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels, whereas the effects on HDL cholesterol varied according to the statin used. Atorvastatin resulted in lower triglyceride level variations than simvastatin. APOE-ε4 carriers showed a better response to atorvastatin in elevating HDL-cholesterol than APOE-ε4 non-carriers. Carriers of the ACE insertion allele had cumulatively lower total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol levels, regardless of statin therapy, but lower triglyceride levels when using atorvastatin. Carriers of rs11669576-G had lower total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol levels when using simvastatin, and lower total cholesterol and triglycerides when using atorvastatin. Concerning CETP haplotypes, carriers of rs5882-A and rs708272-A benefitted the most from statins, which lowered total cholesterol and increased HDL-cholesterol levels, and from atorvastatin lowering triglycerides; however, the effects of atorvastatin lowering total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol were more pronounced for carriers of rs5882-GG/rs708272-GG. Lipid profile variations may be pharmacogenetically mediated in Alzheimer's disease, thus, confirming their high heritability. Show less
Two-coordinate coinage metal complexes have been exploited for various applications. Herein, a new donor-metal-acceptor (D-M-A) complex PZI-Au-TOT, using bulky pyrazine-fused N-heterocyclic carbene (P Show more
Two-coordinate coinage metal complexes have been exploited for various applications. Herein, a new donor-metal-acceptor (D-M-A) complex PZI-Au-TOT, using bulky pyrazine-fused N-heterocyclic carbene (PZI) and trioxytriphenylamine (TOT) ligands, was synthesized. PZI-Au-TOT displays decent thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) with a quantum yield of 93 % in doped film. The crystals of PZI-Au-TOT show simultaneous TADF, polymorphism, and linearly polarized luminescence (LPL). The polymorph-dependent emission properties with widely varied peaks from 560 to 655 nm are attributed to different packing modes in terms of isolated monomers, discrete π-π stacked dimers or dimer PLUS. Two well-defined microcrystals of PZI-Au-TOT exhibit linearly polarized thermally activated delayed fluorescence with a degree of polarization up to 0.64. This work demonstrates that the molecular rotational flexibility of D-M-A type complexes endows an integration of multiple functions into one complex through manipulation of supramolecular aggregation. This type of complexes is expected to serve as a versatile platform for the fabrication of crystal materials for advanced photonic applications. Show less
Hyperglycemia accelerates Alzheimer's disease (AD) progression, yet the role of monosaccharides remains unclear. Here, it is demonstrated that mannose, a hexose, closely correlates with the pathologic Show more
Hyperglycemia accelerates Alzheimer's disease (AD) progression, yet the role of monosaccharides remains unclear. Here, it is demonstrated that mannose, a hexose, closely correlates with the pathological characteristics of AD, as confirmed by measuring mannose levels in the brains and serum of AD mice, as well as in the serum of AD patients. AD mice are given mannose by intra-cerebroventricular injection (ICV) or in drinking water to investigate the effects of mannose on cognition and AD pathological progression. Chronic mannose overload increases β-amyloid (Aβ) burdens and exacerbates cognitive impairments, which are reversed by a mannose-free diet or mannose transporter antagonists. Mechanistically, single-cell RNA sequencing and metabolomics suggested that mannose-mediated N-glycosylation of BACE1 and Nicastrin enhances their protein stability, promoting Aβ production. Additionally, reduced mannose intake decreased BACE1 and Nicastrin stability, ultimately lowering Aβ production and mitigating AD pathology. this results highlight that high-dose mannose consumption may exacerbate AD pathogenesis. Restricting dietary mannose may have therapeutic benefits. 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 micropapillary (MIP) pattern is a high-grade histological subtype of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) with poor prognosis. In this study, surgically resected tumor samples from 101 patients with stage I Show more
Pediatric primary cardiomyopathies (PCMs) are rare diseases with complex causes and nonspecific treatment. The influence of electrolytes and amino acids (AAs) on cardiomyopathies has not been extensiv Show more
Pediatric primary cardiomyopathies (PCMs) are rare diseases with complex causes and nonspecific treatment. The influence of electrolytes and amino acids (AAs) on cardiomyopathies has not been extensively studied. This study aimed to explore clinical characteristics and the usage of electrolytes and AAs in children with PCMs. Children diagnosed with PCMs who had genetic test reports were included. Relevant information was collected and processed, and clinical characteristics and mutated genes were clarified. Gene databases were searched to explore related electrolytes and AAs in the treatment of PCMs. The effect of calcium was explored in children with DCM. Paired samples T tests and nonparametric Wilcoxon signed-rank tests were performed for comparison between before and after using calcium. In this study, 27 children with gene test results were enrolled to perform gene-related analysis. The median age was 2.5 years old. Mutated genes were collected, including pathogenic, likely pathogenic, uncertain significance, and other mutations. The most frequently mutated genes related to dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) were For children with DCM, calcium supplements may be beneficial. AAs, including serine, cysteine, and arginine, could be used for supplementary treatment in children with DCM and HCM. Show less
Cardiovascular diseases from abnormal lipid metabolism significantly increase mortality in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The causal link between dyslipidemia and SLE is unclear. Lipid metabolism Show more
Cardiovascular diseases from abnormal lipid metabolism significantly increase mortality in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The causal link between dyslipidemia and SLE is unclear. Lipid metabolism in patients with SLE was evaluated based on clinical data from 511 patients with SLE and 706 healthy individuals. Bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR) was employed to assess causal links between 179 plasma lipid metabolites, lipid-lowering drug targets, and SLE risk. Genetic instruments from GWAS and eQTL data were used to evaluate CETP and APOA4 effects. Peripheral blood CETP and apolipoprotein levels in SLE patients were validated via ELISA. SLE patients exhibited reduced HDL-C (P < 0.0001), APOA1 (P < 0.0001), and APOA4 (P < 0.0001), alongside elevated triglycerides (TG, P < 0.0001), APOC3, APOD, and APOF. MR identified three lipid metabolites-PC(18:2₂₀:4), TG(56:6), and TG(58:7)-as causal factors for SLE (P < 2.79E-5). CETP inhibition significantly reduced SLE risk via HDL-C modulation (OR = 0.72, P = 3.38E-08) and influenced LDL-C, TG, and apolipoproteins. Clinical validation confirmed elevated CETP and reduced APOA4 in SLE, correlating with disease activity. APOA4 activation showed protective effects, while PCSK9 inhibition lacked relevance. Bidirectional Mendelian randomization analyses confirmed dyslipidemia as a causal antecedent to SLE, with no evidence of reverse causation. A variety of MR analyses and clinical validation indicated that targeting HDL-C regulation offers significant advantages for managing dyslipidemia in patients with SLE, with CETP identified as the optimal pharmacological target. Show less
Insulin-like growth factor 2 mRNA-binding protein 2 (IGF2BP2) is an RNA-binding protein known to play critical roles in metabolism, cell proliferation, and tumorigenesis. Although its involvement in m Show more
Insulin-like growth factor 2 mRNA-binding protein 2 (IGF2BP2) is an RNA-binding protein known to play critical roles in metabolism, cell proliferation, and tumorigenesis. Although its involvement in muscle development has been documented in several species, the function of goose IGF2BP2 remains largely unexplored. In this study, we cloned and characterized the full-length cDNA and genomic DNA sequences of goose IGF2BP2. The cDNA is 2957 bp in length and contains a 1662 bp open reading frame encoding a 553-amino acid protein with five conserved RNA-binding domains. The genomic sequence spans 12,183 bp and consists of 12 exons and 11 introns. A total of 60 genetic variants were identified, including a deletion of a G base at position 2299 (g.2299delG) that results in a frameshift mutation. Expression analysis revealed high levels of IGF2BP2 mRNA in the liver, heart, and muscle tissues of female geese across embryonic (E25d), growing (A70d), and laying (L270d) stages, consistent with a potential role in muscle development ( Show less
Posttranslational modification (PTM) of the amyloid precursor protein (APP) plays a critical role in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Recent evidence reveals that lactylation modification, as a novel PTM, is Show more
Posttranslational modification (PTM) of the amyloid precursor protein (APP) plays a critical role in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Recent evidence reveals that lactylation modification, as a novel PTM, is implicated in the occurrence and development of AD. However, whether and how APP lactylation contributes to both the pathogenesis and cognitive function in AD remains unknown. Here, we observed a reduction in APP lactylation in AD patients and AD model mice and cells. Proteomic mass spectrometry analysis further identified lysine 612 (APP-K612la) as a crucial site for APP lactylation, influencing APP amyloidogenic processing. A lactyl-mimicking mutant (APPK612T) reduced amyloid-β peptide (Aβ) generation and slowed down cognitive deficits in vivo. Mechanistically, APPK612T appeared to facilitate APP trafficking and metabolism. However, lactylated APP entering the endosome inhibited its binding to BACE1, suppressing subsequent cleavage. Instead, it promoted protein interaction between APP and CD2-associated protein (CD2AP), thereby accelerating the endosomal-lysosomal degradation pathway of APP. In the APP23/PS45 double-transgenic mouse model of AD, APP-Kla was susceptible to L-lactate regulation, which reduced Aβ pathology and repaired spatial learning and memory deficits. Thus, these findings suggest that targeting APP lactylation may be a promising therapeutic strategy for AD in humans. Show less
Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is one of the major complications of diabetes and can cause severe visual impairment. Blood-retina barrier (BRB) destruction resulted from chronic hyperglycemia underlines it Show more
Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is one of the major complications of diabetes and can cause severe visual impairment. Blood-retina barrier (BRB) destruction resulted from chronic hyperglycemia underlines its major pathological process. However, current treatments have limited efficacy and may even cause serious complications. Remote ischemic conditioning (RIC), through repeated transient mechanical occlusion of limb blood vessels, has been confirmed to promote blood-brain barrier integrity after stroke, but its role in BRB disruption has not been elucidated. This study aimed to investigate the protective effects of RIC on the BRB in diabetic rats and its potential mechanisms. 48 Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to the Sham group, Sham + RIC group, diabetes mellitus (DM) group and DM+RIC group. The diabetic model was successfully induced by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin. RIC treatment was administered daily and lasted for 9 weeks. In functional analysis, RIC improved the retinal function based on electroretinogram data and reduced the leakage of BRB in diabetic rats. In proteomic analysis, tight junction pathway was enriched after RIC treatment, in which Patj gene was significantly increased. We also found that RIC increased mRNA levels of Patj, claudin-1 and zonula occludens (ZO)-1, protein expression of claudin-1 when compared with diabetic models. In conclusion, RIC slowed BRB damage in diabetic rats, which may be related to the preservation of tight junction proteins. RIC may be a promising protective strategy for the treatment of DR. Show less
Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a common respiratory emergency, but current clinical treatment remains at the level of symptomatic support and there is a lack of effective targeted treat Show more
Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a common respiratory emergency, but current clinical treatment remains at the level of symptomatic support and there is a lack of effective targeted treatment measures. Our previous study confirmed that inhalation of hydrogen gas can reduce the acute lung injury of ARDS, but the application of hydrogen has flammable and explosive safety concerns. Drinking hydrogen-rich liquid or inhaling hydrogen gas has been shown to play an important role in scavenging reactive oxygen species and maintaining mitochondrial quality control balance, thus improving ARDS in patients and animal models. Coral calcium hydrogenation (CCH) is a new solid molecular hydrogen carrier prepared from coral calcium (CC). Whether and how CCH affects acute lung injury in ARDS remains unstudied. In this study, we observed the therapeutic effect of CCH on lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced acute lung injury in ARDS mice. The survival rate of mice treated with CCH and hydrogen inhalation was found to be comparable, demonstrating a significant improvement compared to the untreated ARDS model group. CCH treatment significantly reduced pulmonary hemorrhage and edema, and improved pulmonary function and local microcirculation in ARDS mice. CCH promoted mitochondrial peripheral division in the early course of ARDS by activating mitochondrial thioredoxin 2 (Trx2), improved lung mitochondrial dysfunction induced by LPS, and reduced oxidative stress damage. The results indicate that CCH is a highly efficient hydrogen-rich agent that can attenuate acute lung injury of ARDS by improving the mitochondrial function through Trx2 activation. Show less
Sepsis, a life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by dysregulated host responses to infection, has emerged as a leading cause of mortality in ICU patients. Macrophages, crucial effector cells in inn Show more
Sepsis, a life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by dysregulated host responses to infection, has emerged as a leading cause of mortality in ICU patients. Macrophages, crucial effector cells in innate immunity, play pivotal regulatory roles in sepsis pathogenesis. While Programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1), a key immune checkpoint molecule, is traditionally believed to exert immunosuppressive effects through membrane anchoring, its involvement in macrophage polarization during sepsis remains unclear. This study investigated the spatial distribution of PD-L1 in macrophages and its regulatory effects on inflammatory responses during sepsis. This study investigated PD-L1’s regulatory role in macrophage polarization through RNA sequencing, Immunoprecipitation-mass spectrometry, molecular docking, and site-directed mutagenesis, with preliminary validation in C57BL/6 mice. Using GEO database analysis combined with qRT-PCR and Western blotting, we confirmed elevated PD-L1 expression in sepsis and M1-polarized macrophages. Laser scanning confocal microscopy demonstrated dual localization of PD-L1, appearing both on the plasma membrane and intracellularly within M1 macrophages. RNA sequencing revealed PD-L1’s promotion of M1 polarization through enhanced AIM2 expression in the NOD-like receptor pathway. Integrated analyses employing mass spectrometry, molecular docking, site-directed mutagenesis, and Western blotting demonstrated PD-L1 binding to AIM2, which augmented expression of downstream effector molecules (IL-18 and IFN-γ) and potentiated STAT1 activation. Silencing AIM2 by siRNA or IL-18 antagonism reversed PD-L1-induced M1 markers (IL-27, IL-6, iNOS/NO). PD-L1 was further shown to exacerbate pathological progression in septic mouse models. Our study demonstrated that sepsis-induced PD-L1 overexpression in macrophages exacerbates pathological progression by upregulating AIM2 expression, binding to AIM2 to enhance IL-18 production, which activates STAT1 to drive M1 polarization. The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12964-025-02578-1. Show less
Jia Kang, Aoming Cheng, Guanzheng Chen+3 more · 2025 · Journal of oral pathology & medicine : official publication of the International Association of Oral Pathologists and the American Academy of Oral Pathology · Blackwell Publishing · added 2026-04-24
The "cold" tumor microenvironment of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), where tumor-associated lymphatic vessels play a critical role in the transport of immune cells, is associated with a poor prog Show more
The "cold" tumor microenvironment of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), where tumor-associated lymphatic vessels play a critical role in the transport of immune cells, is associated with a poor prognosis. However, the effect of tumor-induced lymphangiogenesis on CD8+ T cell infiltration and its role in the formation of the tumor immune microenvironment remain unclear. We analyzed the prognostic significance of several lymphangiogenesis factors in OSCC with The Cancer Genome Atlas dataset, and confirmed the impact of fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) on prognosis in tissue specimens. Subsequently, we investigated the effects of FGF-2 on the proliferation, migration, and tube formation capacities of lymphatic endothelial cells, and CD8+ T cell infiltration through in vivo and in vitro experiments. Survival analysis was performed by Kaplan-Meier analysis and log-rank tests. The hazard ratio was calculated by Cox proportional hazards model. Patients with high FGF-2 levels and increased numbers of peritumoral lymphatic vessels were associated with a worse prognosis. Furthermore, we demonstrated that tumor cell-derived FGF-2 promoted lymphangiogenesis by regulating the FGFR1/PTEN/AKT axis and increased the secretion of CXCL9 to recruit and egress CD8+ T cells via neo-lymphatic vessels. PD-166866, an inhibitor of FGFR1, suppressed lymphangiogenesis and the secretion of CXCL9 to increase CD8+ T cell infiltration and inhibit tumor progression. Our data suggest that FGF-2 is a significant prognostic factor that induces lymphangiogenesis and affects intratumoral CD8+ T cells, contributing to the formation of a "cold" tumor microenvironment in OSCC. FGF-2/FGFR1 could serve as an effective target for improving the prognosis of OSCC. Show less
Injectable hydrogel implants represent a promising therapeutic approach for ischemic heart failure; but their efficacy is often limited by low bioactivity, poor durability, and inadequate injection te Show more
Injectable hydrogel implants represent a promising therapeutic approach for ischemic heart failure; but their efficacy is often limited by low bioactivity, poor durability, and inadequate injection techniques. Herein, a unique hydrogel incorporating extracellular matrix from fish swim bladder (FSB-ECM), which has distinct advantages over mammalian derived ECM, such as low antigenicity, bioactivity, and source safety, is developed. It consists of collagen, glycoproteins, and proteoglycans, including 13 proteins common in the myocardial matrix and three specific proteins: HSPG, Col12a1, and vWF. This hydrogel enhances cardiac cell adhesion and stretching while promoting angiogenesis and M2 macrophage polarization. In addition, its storage modulus (G') increases over time, reaching about 1000 Pa after 5 min, which facilitates transcatheter delivery and in situ gelling. Furthermore, this hydrogel provides sustained support for cardiac contractions, exhibiting superior longevity. In a rat model of ischemic heart failure, the ejection fraction significantly improves with FSB-ECM treatment, accompanied by increased angiogenesis, reduced inflammation, and decreased infarct size. Finally, RNA sequencing combined with in vitro assays identifies ANGPTL4 as a key protein involved in mediating the effects of FSB-ECM treatment. Overall, this new injectable hydrogel based on FSB-ECM is suitable for transcatheter delivery and possesses remarkable reparative capabilities for treating heart failure. Show less