Environmental contaminants (ECs) are increasingly recognized as crucial drivers of dyslipidemia and cardiovascular disease (CVD), but the comprehensive impact spectrum and interlinking mechanisms rema Show more
Environmental contaminants (ECs) are increasingly recognized as crucial drivers of dyslipidemia and cardiovascular disease (CVD), but the comprehensive impact spectrum and interlinking mechanisms remain uncertain. We aimed to systematically evaluate the association between exposure to 80 ECs across seven divergent categories and markers of dyslipidemia and investigate their underpinning biomolecular mechanisms via an unbiased integrative approach of internal chemical exposome and multi-omics. A longitudinal study involving 76 healthy older adults was conducted in Jinan, China, and participants were followed five times from 10 September 2018 to 19 January 2019 in 1-month intervals. A broad spectrum of seven chemical categories covering the prototypes and metabolites of 102 ECs in serum or urine as well as six serum dyslipidemia markers [total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, apolipoprotein (Apo)A1, ApoB, and ApoE4] were measured. Multi-omics, including the blood transcriptome, serum/urine metabolome, and serum lipidome, were profiled concurrently. Exposome-wide association study and the deletion/substitution/addition algorithms were applied to explore the associations between 80 EC exposures detection frequency Eight main ECs [1-naphthalene, 1-pyrene, 2-fluorene, dibutyl phosphate, tri-phenyl phosphate, mono-(2-ethyl-5-hydroxyhexyl) phthalate, chromium, and vanadium] were significantly associated with most dyslipidemia markers. Multi-omics indicated that the associations were mediated by endogenous biomolecules and pathways, primarily pertinent to CVD, inflammation, and metabolism. Clinical measures of cytokines and electrocardiograms further cross-validated the association of these exogenous ECs with systemic inflammation and cardiac function, demonstrating their potential mechanisms in driving dyslipidemia pathogenesis. It is imperative to prioritize mitigating exposure to these ECs in the primary prevention and control of the dyslipidemia epidemic. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP13864. Show less
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a respiratory disorder of obscure etiology and limited treatment options, possibly linked to dysregulation in lipid metabolism. While several observational studi Show more
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a respiratory disorder of obscure etiology and limited treatment options, possibly linked to dysregulation in lipid metabolism. While several observational studies suggest that lipid-lowering agents may decrease the risk of IPF, the evidence is inconsistent. The present Mendelian randomization (MR) study aims to determine the association between circulating lipid traits and IPF and to assess the potential influence of lipid-modifying medications for IPF. Summary statistics of 5 lipid traits (high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglyceride, apolipoprotein A, and apolipoprotein B) and IPF were sourced from the UK Biobank and FinnGen Project Round 10. The study's focus on lipid-regulatory genes encompassed PCSK9, NPC1L1, ABCG5, ABCG8, HMGCR, APOB, LDLR, CETP, ANGPTL3, APOC3, LPL, and PPARA. The primary effect estimates were determined using the inverse-variance-weighted method, with additional analyses employing the contamination mixture method, robust adjusted profile score, the weighted median, weighted mode methods, and MR-Egger. Summary-data-based Mendelian randomization (SMR) was used to confirm significant lipid-modifying drug targets, leveraging data on expressed quantitative trait loci in relevant tissues. Sensitivity analyses included assessments of heterogeneity, horizontal pleiotropy, and leave-one-out methods. There was no significant effect of blood lipid traits on IPF risk (all P>0.05). Drug-target MR analysis indicated that genetic mimicry for inhibitor of NPC1L1, PCSK9, ABCG5, ABCG8, and APOC3 were associated with increased IPF risks, with odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) as follows: 2.74 (1.05-7.12, P = 0.039), 1.36 (1.02-1.82, P = 0.037), 1.66 (1.12-2.45, P = 0.011), 1.68 (1.14-2.48, P = 0.009), and 1.42 (1.20-1.67, P = 3.17×10 Serum lipid traits did not significantly affect the risk of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Drug targets MR studies examining 12 lipid-modifying drugs indicated that PCSK9 inhibitors could dramatically increase IPF risk, a mechanism that may differ from their lipid-lowering actions and thus warrants further investigation. Show less
Baozhu Guo, Junfen Liu, Xiaoli Han+5 more · 2024 · Zhong nan da xue xue bao. Yi xue ban = Journal of Central South University. Medical sciences · added 2026-04-24
Adverse cardiovascular events are the leading cause of death in peritoneal dialysis patients. Identifying indicators that can predict adverse cardiovascular events in these patients is crucial for pro Show more
Adverse cardiovascular events are the leading cause of death in peritoneal dialysis patients. Identifying indicators that can predict adverse cardiovascular events in these patients is crucial for prognosis. This study aims to assess the value of dual-specificity phosphatase 6 (DUSP6) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells as a predictor of adverse cardiovascular events after peritoneal dialysis in diabetic nephropathy patients. A total of 124 diabetic nephropathy patients underwent peritoneal dialysis treatment at the Department of Nephrology of the First Affiliated Hospital of Hebei North University from June to September 2022 were selected as study subjects. The levels of DUSP6 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells were determined using Western blotting. Patients were categorized into high-level and low-level DUSP6 groups based on the median DUSP6 level. Differences in body mass index, serum albumin, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, and dialysis duration were compared between the 2 groups. Pearson, Spearman, and multiple linear regression analyses were performed to examine factors related to DUSP6. Patients were followed up to monitor the occurrence of adverse cardiovascular events, and risk factors for adverse cardiovascular events after peritoneal dialysis were analyzed using Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression. By the end of the follow-up, 33 (26.61%) patients had experienced at least one adverse cardiovascular event. The high-level DUSP6 group had higher body mass index, longer dialysis duration, and higher high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, but lower serum albumin levels compared to the low-level DUSP6 group (all Dialysis duration and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein are independently associated with DUSP6 levels in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of diabetic nephropathy patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis. High DUSP6 levels indicate a higher risk of adverse cardiovascular events. Show less
Deubiquitinase (DUB) dysregulation is closely associated with multiple diseases, including tumors. In this study, we used data from The Cancer Genome Atlas and Gene Expression Omnibus databases to ana Show more
Deubiquitinase (DUB) dysregulation is closely associated with multiple diseases, including tumors. In this study, we used data from The Cancer Genome Atlas and Gene Expression Omnibus databases to analyze the expression of 51 ubiquitin-specific proteases (USPs) in gastric cancer (GC) tissues and adjacent non-neoplastic tissues. The Kaplan-Meier Plotter database was used to analyze the association of the differentially expressed USPs with the overall survival of patients with GC. The results showed that five USPs (USP5, USP10, USP13, USP21, and USP35) were highly expressed in GC tissues and were associated with poor prognosis in patients with GC. Because the epithelial-mesenchymal transition enables epithelial cells to acquire mesenchymal features and contributes to poor prognosis, we investigated whether these USPs had regulatory effects on the key epithelial-mesenchymal transition transcription factor Snail1. Our results showed that USP35 exhibited the most significant regulation on Snail1. Overexpression of USP35 increased and its knockdown decreased Snail1 protein levels. Mechanistically, USP35 interacted with Snail1 and removed its polyubiquitinated chain, thereby increasing its stability. Furthermore, USP35 promoted the invasion and migration of GC cells depending on its DUB activity. USP35 knockdown exhibited the opposite effect. Snail1 depletion partially abrogated the biological effects of USP35. Experiments using nude mouse tail vein injections indicated that wild-type USP35, but not the catalytically inactive USP35-C450A mutant, dramatically enhanced cell colonization and tumorigenesis in the lungs of mice. In addition, USP35 positively correlated with Snail1 expression in clinical GC tissues. Show less
Migraine is a common neurological disorder that affects more than one billion people worldwide. Recent genome-wide association studies have identified 123 genetic loci associated with migraine risk. H Show more
Migraine is a common neurological disorder that affects more than one billion people worldwide. Recent genome-wide association studies have identified 123 genetic loci associated with migraine risk. However, the biological mechanisms underlying migraine and its relationships with other complex diseases remain unclear. We performed a phenome-wide association study (PheWAS) using UK Biobank data to investigate associations between migraine and 416 phenotypes. Mendelian randomization was employed using the IVW method. For loci associated with multiple diseases, pleiotropy was tested using MR-Egger. Single-cell RNA sequencing data was analyzed to profile the expression of 73 migraine susceptibility genes across brain cell types. qPCR was used to validate the expression of selected genes in microglia. PheWAS identified 15 disorders significantly associated with migraine, with one association detecting potential pleiotropy. Single-cell analysis revealed elevated expression of seven susceptibility genes (including ZEB2, RUNX1, SLC24A3, ANKDD1B, etc.) in brain glial cells. And qPCR confirmed the upregulation of these genes in LPS-treated microglia. This multimodal analysis provides novel insights into the link between migraine and other diseases. The single-cell profiling suggests the involvement of specific brain cells and molecular pathways. Validation of gene expression in microglia supports their potential role in migraine pathology. Overall, this study uncovers pleiotropic relationships and the biological underpinnings of migraine susceptibility. Show less
Non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) is a major contributor of male infertility. Herein, we used existing datasets to identify novel biomarkers for the diagnosis and prognosis of NOA, which could have gr Show more
Non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) is a major contributor of male infertility. Herein, we used existing datasets to identify novel biomarkers for the diagnosis and prognosis of NOA, which could have great significance in the field of male infertility. NOA datasets were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. CIBERSORT was utilized to analyze the distributions of 22 immune cell populations. Hub genes were identified by applying weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), machine learning methods, and protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis. The expression of hub genes was verified in external datasets and was assessed by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was applied to explore the important functions and pathways of hub genes. The mRNA-microRNA (miRNA)-transcription factors (TFs) regulatory network and potential drugs were predicted based on hub genes. Single-cell RNA sequencing data from the testes of patients with NOA were applied for analyzing the distribution of hub genes in single-cell clusters. Furthermore, testis tissue samples were obtained from patients with NOA and obstructive azoospermia (OA) who underwent testicular biopsy. RT-PCR and Western blot were used to validate hub gene expression. Two immune-related oxidative stress hub genes ( It appears that Show less
Chenchen Yuan, Yao Xu, Guotao Lu+12 more · 2024 · Molecular therapy : the journal of the American Society of Gene Therapy · Elsevier · added 2026-04-24
GPIHBP1 plays an important role in the hydrolysis of triglyceride (TG) lipoproteins by lipoprotein lipases (LPLs). However, Gpihbp1 knockout mice did not develop hypertriglyceridemia (HTG) during the Show more
GPIHBP1 plays an important role in the hydrolysis of triglyceride (TG) lipoproteins by lipoprotein lipases (LPLs). However, Gpihbp1 knockout mice did not develop hypertriglyceridemia (HTG) during the suckling period but developed severe HTG after weaning on a chow diet. It has been postulated that LPL expression in the liver of suckling mice may be involved. To determine whether hepatic LPL expression could correct severe HTG in Gpihbp1 deficiency, liver-targeted LPL expression was achieved via intravenous administration of the adeno-associated virus (AAV)-human LPL gene, and the effects of AAV-LPL on HTG and HTG-related acute pancreatitis (HTG-AP) were observed. Suckling Gpihbp1 Show less
Age at first egg (AFE) has consistently garnered interest as a crucial reproductive indicator within poultry production. Previous studies have elucidated the involvement of the hypothalamic-pituitary- Show more
Age at first egg (AFE) has consistently garnered interest as a crucial reproductive indicator within poultry production. Previous studies have elucidated the involvement of the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian (HPO) and hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axes in regulating poultry sexual maturity. Concurrently, there was evidence suggesting a potential co-regulatory relationship between these 2 axes. However, as of now, no comprehensive exploration of the key pathways and genes responsible for the crosstalk between the HPO and HPT axes in the regulation of AFE has been reported. In this study, we conducted a comparative analysis of morphological differences and performed transcriptomic analysis on the hypothalamus, pituitary, thyroid, and ovarian stroma between normal laying group (NG) and abnormal laying group (AG). Morphological results showed that the thyroid index difference (D-) value (thyroid index D-value=right thyroid index-left thyroid index) was significantly (P < 0.05) lower in the NG than in the AG, while the ovarian index was significantly (P < 0.01) higher in the NG than in the AG. Furthermore, between NG and AG, we identified 99, 415, 167, and 1182 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the hypothalamus, pituitary, thyroid, and ovarian stroma, respectively. Gene ontology (GO) analysis highlighted that DEGs from 4 tissues were predominantly enriched in the "biological processes" category. Additionally, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis revealed that 16, 14, 3, and 26 KEGG pathways were significantly enriched (P < 0.05) in the hypothalamus, pituitary, thyroid, and ovarian stroma. The MAPK signaling pathway emerged as the sole enriched pathway across all 4 tissues. Employing an integrated analysis of the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network and correlation analysis, we found GREB1 emerged as a pivotal component within the HPO axis to regulate estrogen-related signaling in the HPT axis, meanwhile, the HPT axis influenced ovarian development by regulating thyroid hormone-related signaling mainly through OPN5. Then, 10 potential candidate genes were identified, namely IGF1, JUN, ERBB4, KDR, PGF, FGFR1, GREB1, OPN5, DIO3, and THRB. These findings establish a foundation for elucidating the physiological and genetic mechanisms by which the HPO and HPT axes co-regulate goose AFE. Show less
Hepatic proteomes are intricately controlled through biosynthesis, extracellular secretion, and intrahepatic degradation. Autophagy governs lysosome-mediated intrahepatic degradation and the hepatic p Show more
Hepatic proteomes are intricately controlled through biosynthesis, extracellular secretion, and intrahepatic degradation. Autophagy governs lysosome-mediated intrahepatic degradation and the hepatic proteome. When autophagy is impaired, it leads to the accumulation of intrahepatic proteins, causing proteinopathy. This study investigates whether autophagy can modulate the hepatic proteome non-degradatively. Utilizing conditional, inducible, and hepatotoxin models of hepatic autophagy impairment, we assessed the overall hepatic proteome expression using Coomassie brilliant blue (CBB) staining and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS). We pinpointed and confirmed four specific hepatic proteins-Cps1, Ahcy, Ca3, and Gstm1-that were selectively modified in autophagy-deficient livers. Expression of Cps1, Ahcy, and Ca3 were significantly reduced, while Gstm1 expression increased in livers with autophagy impairment. Interestingly, these changes in hepatic protein levels were not due to defective autophagic degradation but were associated with alterations in mRNA transcript levels. Moreover, as a result of autophagic dysfunction, sustained activation of the nuclear erythroid-derived 2-like 2 (Nrf2) transcription factor, transcriptionally regulated the mRNA levels of these proteins. Our findings indicate that autophagy can influence hepatic proteins not solely via traditional degradative routes but also through non-degradative transcriptional processes by modulating Nrf2. Show less
Apolipoprotein A4 (APOA4) is synthesized by the small intestine in response to dietary lipids. Chronic exposure to a high-fat diet (HFD) desensitizes lipid-induced APOA4 production and attenuates brow Show more
Apolipoprotein A4 (APOA4) is synthesized by the small intestine in response to dietary lipids. Chronic exposure to a high-fat diet (HFD) desensitizes lipid-induced APOA4 production and attenuates brown adipose tissue (BAT) thermogenesis. We hypothesized that exogenous APOA4 could increase BAT thermogenesis and energy expenditure in HFD-fed mice, resulting in decreased obesity and improved glucose tolerance. BAT and inguinal white adipose tissue (IWAT) thermogenesis, body composition, energy intake and expenditure, and locomotor activity were measured using an infrared camera, immunoblots, quantitative magnetic resonance imaging, and a comprehensive lab animal monitoring system. An intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test and hepatic lipid accumulation and steatosis were assayed. Mice receiving continuous infusion of APOA4 for the last 4 weeks of 10 weeks of HFD feeding gained no additional body weight and had reduced fat mass but enhanced BAT and IWAT thermogenesis and energy expenditure, despite unaltered food intake and locomotor activity. Additionally, APOA4 infusion elevated fatty acid β oxidation; decreased lipogenesis, lipid accumulation, and steatosis in liver; and improved glucose tolerance. Maintenance of plasma APOA4 via exogenous APOA4 protein parallels elevation of BAT and IWAT thermogenesis, hepatic fatty acid β oxidation, and overall energy expenditure, with subsequent prevention of additional weight gain in HFD-fed obese mice. Show less
To study the role of gene mutations in the development of severe hypertriglyceridemia (HTG) in patients with hyperlipidemic acute pancreatitis (HLAP), especially different apolipoprotein A5 (APOA5) mu Show more
To study the role of gene mutations in the development of severe hypertriglyceridemia (HTG) in patients with hyperlipidemic acute pancreatitis (HLAP), especially different apolipoprotein A5 (APOA5) mutations. Whole-exome sequencing was performed on 163 patients with HLAP and 30 patients with biliary acute pancreatitis (BAP). The pathogenicity of mutations was then assessed by combining clinical information, predictions of bioinformatics programs, information from multiple gene databases, and residue location and conservation. The pathogenic mutations of APOA5 were visualized using the software. 1. Compared with BAP patients, pathogenic mutations of APOA5 were frequent in HLAP patients; among them, the heterozygous mutation of p.G185C was the most common. 2. All six pathogenic mutations of APOA5 identified in this study (p.S35N, p.D167V, p.G185C, p.K188I, p.R223C, and p.H182fs) were positively correlated with severe HTG; they were all in the important domains of apolipoprotein A-V (apoA-V). Residue 223 is strictly conserved in multiple mammals and is located in the lipoprotein lipase (LPL)-binding domain (Pro215-Phe261). When Arg 223 is mutated to Cys 223, the positive charge of this residue is reduced, which is potentially destructive to the binding function of apoA-V to LPL. 3. Four new APOA5 mutations were identified, namely c.563A > T, c.667C > T, c.788G > A, and c.544₅₄₅ insGGTGC. The pathogenic mutations of APOA5 were specific to the patients with HLAP and severe HTG in China, and identifying such mutations had clinical significance in elucidating the etiology and subsequent treatment. Show less
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a complex neurodegenerative disorder with significant genetic underpinnings, yet effective treatments remain elusive. To bridge the gap between genetic discoveries and ther Show more
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a complex neurodegenerative disorder with significant genetic underpinnings, yet effective treatments remain elusive. To bridge the gap between genetic discoveries and therapeutic development, we conducted a penalized regression based proteome-wide association study (PWAS) in both European and African American populations. Using publicly available GWAS summary statistics and the BLISS model, we identified 37 protein-coding genes significantly associated with AD risk, including APOE and BCAM in both populations. We further applied the GREP model to prioritize repositionable drugs targeting these genes, identifying 30 significant disease-target-drug pairs. Notably, Ramipril and BAY 85-8501 emerged as top candidates for AD treatment in European and African American populations, respectively. These findings highlight ancestry-specific drug targets, demonstrating the importance of diverse genetic studies in AD research and providing novel avenues for therapeutic intervention. Show less
In vitro cell culturing witnessed its applications in scientific research and industrial activities. Attempts to shorten the doubling time of cultured cells have never ceased. In plants, auxin is appl Show more
In vitro cell culturing witnessed its applications in scientific research and industrial activities. Attempts to shorten the doubling time of cultured cells have never ceased. In plants, auxin is applied to promote plant growth, the synthetic derivative 1-Naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) is a good example. Despite the auxin's naturally occurring receptors are not present in mammalian cells, studies suggested they may affect cell culturing. Yet the effects and mechanisms are still unclear. Here, an up to 2-fold increase in the yield of in vitro cultured human cells is observed. Different types of human cell lines and primary cells are tested and found that NAA is effective in all the cells tested. The PI staining followed by FACS suggested that NAA do not affect the cell cycling. Apoptosis-specific dye staining analysis implicated that NAA rescued cell death. Further bulk RNA sequencing is done and it is identified that the lipid metabolism-engaging and anti-apoptosis gene, ANGPTL4, is enhanced in expression upon NAA treatment. Studies on ANGPTL4 knockout cells indicated that ANGPTL4 is required for NAA-mediated response. Thus, the data identified a beneficial role of NAA in human cell culturing and highlighted its potency in in vitro cell culturing. Show less
Anorectal malformations (ARMs) are congenital diseases that lead to postoperative fecal incontinence, constipation, and soiling, despite improvements in surgery; however, their pathological mechanisms Show more
Anorectal malformations (ARMs) are congenital diseases that lead to postoperative fecal incontinence, constipation, and soiling, despite improvements in surgery; however, their pathological mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we report the role of microRNA-141-3p in maintaining homeostasis between apoptosis and autophagy in the lumbosacral defecation center of fetal rats with ARMs. Elevated microRNA-141-3p expression inhibited YIN-YANG-1 expression by binding its 3' UTR, and repressed autophagy and triggered apoptosis simultaneously. Then, adenylate cyclase 3 was screened to be the downstream target gene of YIN-YANG-1 by chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing experiments, and Yin Yang 1 could positively activate the transcription of adenylate cyclase 3 by directly interacting with the motif GAGATGG and ATGG in its promoter. Intraamniotic microinjection of adeno-rno-microRNA-141-3p-sponge-GFP in fetal rats with ARMs on embryonic day 15 restored apoptosis-autophagy homeostasis. These findings reveal that microRNA-141-3p upregulation impaired homeostasis between apoptosis and autophagy by inhibiting the YIN-YANG-1/adenylate cyclase 3 axis, and that intraamniotic injection of anti-microRNA-141-3p helped maintain homeostasis in the lumbosacral defecation center of ARMs during embryogenesis. Show less
The PICALM::MLLT10 fusion is a rare but recurrent cytogenetic abnormality in acute leukemia, with limited clinicopathologic and outcome data available. Herein, we analyzed 156 acute leukemia patients Show more
The PICALM::MLLT10 fusion is a rare but recurrent cytogenetic abnormality in acute leukemia, with limited clinicopathologic and outcome data available. Herein, we analyzed 156 acute leukemia patients with PICALM::MLLT10 fusion, including 12 patients from our institutions and 144 patients from the literature. The PICALM::MLLT10 fusion preferentially manifested in pediatric and young adult patients, with a median age of 24 years. T-lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma (T-ALL) constituted 65% of cases, acute myeloid leukemia (AML) 27%, and acute leukemia of ambiguous lineage (ALAL) 8%. About half of T-ALL were classified as an early T-precursor (ETP)-ALL. In our institutions' cohort, mediastinum was the most common extramedullary site of involvement. Eight of 12 patients were diagnosed with T-ALL exhibiting a pro-/pre-T stage phenotype (CD4/CD8-double negative, CD7-positive), and frequent CD79a expression. NGS revealed pathogenic mutations in 5 of 6 tested cases, including NOTCH1, and genes in RAS and JAK-STAT pathways and epigenetic modifiers. Of 138 cases with follow-up, pediatric patients (<18 years) had 5-year overall survival (OS) of 71%, significantly better than adults at 33%. The 5-year OS for AML patients was 25%, notably shorter than T-ALL patients at 54%; this distinction was observed in both pediatric and adult populations. Furthermore, adult but not pediatric ETP-ALL patients demonstrated inferior survival compared to non-ETP-ALL patients. Neither karyotype complexity nor transplant status had a discernible impact on OS. In conclusion, PICALM::MLLT10 fusion is most commonly seen in T-ALL patients, particularly those with an ETP phenotype. AML and adult ETP-ALL patients had adverse prognosis. PICALM::MLTT10 fusion testing should be considered in T-ALL, AML, and ALAL patients. Show less
This study aimed to investigate the clinicopathological characteristics, diagnostic indicators, and critical factors for the differential diagnosis of rosette-forming glioneuronal tumor (RGNT). This r Show more
This study aimed to investigate the clinicopathological characteristics, diagnostic indicators, and critical factors for the differential diagnosis of rosette-forming glioneuronal tumor (RGNT). This retrospective study included six surgically treated RGNT cases. We analyzed and summarized their clinical manifestations, radiological features, histological morphology, immunophenotype, and molecular genetic changes, supplemented with a literature review. The patients comprised four males and two females with a mean age of 35 years. The tumors were located in the cerebellum (two cases); the fourth ventricle, quadrigeminal cistern, and third ventricle (one case each); and the fourth ventricle and brainstem (one case). Clinical manifestations included headaches in four cases, left eyelid ptosis in one case, and one asymptomatic case only identified during physical examination. Microscopically, the tumor cells were uniform in size and were marked by rosette-like or pseudorosette-like structures around the neuropil and blood vessels. Immunohistochemistry revealed biphasic patterns. The central neuropil components of the rosette-like structures around the neuropil and the pseudorosette structures of the perivascular regions expressed Syn, while the cells surrounding the rosettes expressed Olig2 and not GFAP. GFAP and S-100 were expressed in the glial components but not in the rosette or pseudorosette regions. The Ki-67 proliferation index was typically low. Molecular genetic analysis showed that the main molecular changes involved FGFR1 mutation accompanied by PIK3R1 mutation. None of the patients received chemoradiotherapy postoperatively. Follow-up durations varied between 4 and 23 months with no recorded recurrence or metastasis. RGNT is a comparatively rare mixed glioneuronal tumor that occurs in the midline structures. Its morphology shows certain overlaps with other low-grade neuroepithelial tumors. Identifying the rosettes around the neuropil is critical for morphological diagnosis, and the molecular identification of FGFR1 mutations accompanied by PIK3R1 mutations can facilitate diagnosis. Show less
The objective of this study was to investigate the potential of salidroside (SAL) (a major active compound in The expression of HIF-1 SAL enhanced the expression of HIF-1 SAL promotes osteoclast proli Show more
The objective of this study was to investigate the potential of salidroside (SAL) (a major active compound in The expression of HIF-1 SAL enhanced the expression of HIF-1 SAL promotes osteoclast proliferation, differentiation and bone resorption through HIF-1 Show less
Atrial fibrillation is the most common clinical arrhythmia and may be due in part to metabolic stress. Atrial specific deletion of the master metabolic sensor, AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), ind Show more
Atrial fibrillation is the most common clinical arrhythmia and may be due in part to metabolic stress. Atrial specific deletion of the master metabolic sensor, AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), induces atrial remodeling culminating in atrial fibrillation in mice, implicating AMPK signaling in the maintenance of atrial electrical and structural homeostasis. However, atrial substrate preference for mitochondrial oxidation and the role of AMPK in regulating atrial metabolism are unknown. Here, using LC-MS/MS methodology combined with infusions of [ Show less
Adipose tissue mass is maintained by a balance between lipolysis and lipid storage. The contribution of adipose tissue lipogenesis to fat mass, especially in the setting of high-fat feeding, is consid Show more
Adipose tissue mass is maintained by a balance between lipolysis and lipid storage. The contribution of adipose tissue lipogenesis to fat mass, especially in the setting of high-fat feeding, is considered minor. Here we investigated the effect of adipose-specific inactivation of the peroxisomal lipid synthetic protein PexRAP on fatty acid synthase (FASN)-mediated lipogenesis and its impact on adiposity and metabolic homeostasis. To explore the role of PexRAP in adipose tissue, we metabolically phenotyped mice with adipose-specific knockout of PexRAP. Bulk RNA sequencing was used to determine transcriptomic responses to PexRAP deletion and Adipose-specific PexRAP deletion promoted diet-induced obesity and insulin resistance through activation of de novo lipogenesis. Mechanistically, PexRAP inactivation inhibited the flux of carbons to ethanolamine plasmalogens. This increased the nuclear PC/PE ratio and promoted cholesterol mislocalization, resulting in activation of liver X receptor (LXR), a nuclear receptor known to be activated by increased intracellular cholesterol. LXR activation led to increased expression of the phospholipid remodeling enzyme LPCAT3 and induced FASN-mediated lipogenesis, which promoted diet-induced obesity and insulin resistance. These studies reveal an unexpected role for peroxisome-derived lipids in regulating LXR-dependent lipogenesis and suggest that activation of lipogenesis, combined with dietary lipid overload, exacerbates obesity and metabolic dysregulation. Show less
Lung cancer has a high morbidity and mortality among malignant tumors, and lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is the main type of lung cancer. In recent years, circular RNAs (circRNAs) have been confirmed to Show more
Lung cancer has a high morbidity and mortality among malignant tumors, and lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is the main type of lung cancer. In recent years, circular RNAs (circRNAs) have been confirmed to play an important role in the generation and development of human cancer. However, the specific role and mechanism of circ-NUP98 in LUAD are still unclear and need to be further investigated. Circ-NUP98, microRNA-188-3p (miR-188-3p), and chromobox homolog 1 (CBX1) levels were detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Cell-counting Kit-8 (CCK-8), 5-Ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU) assay, flow cytometry, wound healing, and transwell assay were used to observe LUAD cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration, invasion, and cell-cycle progression. Malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels were examined using special assay kits. CyclinD1, Bcl-2-related X protein (Bax), matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9) protein, and CBX1 protein levels were determined using Western blot. The interaction between miR-188-3p and circ-NUP98 or CBX1 was identified by dual-luciferase reporter and RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) assay. In vivo efficacy of circ-NUP98 was evaluated in a xenograft tumor model. Besides, the expression of CBX1 and KI67 in the tumors was detected by immunohistochemical (IHC) assay. Circ-NUP98 and CBX1 expressions were upregulated in LUAD tissues and cells, and miR-188-3p was decreased. Downregulation of circ-NUP98 could inhibit the proliferation, migration, invasion, and oxidative stress, and promote apoptosis of LUAD cells. Mechanism experiments showed that circ-NUP98 acted as a sponge for miR-188-3p to increase CBX1 expression. Knockdown of circ-NUP98 could inhibit the growth of LUAD tumors in vivo. Circ-NUP98 might promote the malignant development of LUAD via the miR-188-3p/CBX1 axis, which might provide a potential new marker for early diagnosis of LUAD. Show less
Even though the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect is applicable for the passive targeting of solid tumors, many nanodrugs have failed to achieve meaningful clinical outcomes due to the Show more
Even though the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect is applicable for the passive targeting of solid tumors, many nanodrugs have failed to achieve meaningful clinical outcomes due to the heterogeneity of EPR effect. Therefore, understanding the mechanism of the EPR effect is crucial to overcome the obstacles nanomedicines face in clinical translation. The aim of this study was to establish a reliable method to increase awareness of the critical influencing factors of nanoparticle (NP) transport into tumors based on the EPR effect using a combined radiogenomics and clinical magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technique and gene set pathway enrichment analysis. Employing poly(lactic- Show less
This investigation aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of rosuvastatin in treating moderate to severe metabolic associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD). This prospective, open-label, randomized s Show more
This investigation aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of rosuvastatin in treating moderate to severe metabolic associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD). This prospective, open-label, randomized study included non-diabetic participants with metabolic syndrome and intrahepatocellular lipid (IHCL) levels >10 %, as determined by proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy ( Thirty-two participants completed the study. Rosuvastatin resulted in a significant absolute (△IHCL: 7.61 ± 4.51 vs. 1.54 ± 5.33, p = 0.002) and relative reduction in IHCL (△IHCL%: -42.28 ± 24.90 % vs. -8.91 ± 31.93 %, p = 0.003) compared to the control. Reduction in IHCL correlated significantly with decreases in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (r = 0.574, p < 0.01), apolipoprotein B (ApoB) (r = 0.660, p < 0.001), and free fatty acids (FFA) (r = 0.563, p = 0.005). No significant safety differences were observed between groups. Rosuvastatin significantly reduced hepatic steatosis in individuals with moderate to severe MAFLD and metabolic syndrome over 52 weeks, while maintaining a favorable safety profile. Show less
Elevated circulating branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) are tightly linked to an increased risk in the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus. The rate limiting enzyme of BCAA catabolism branched-cha Show more
Elevated circulating branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) are tightly linked to an increased risk in the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus. The rate limiting enzyme of BCAA catabolism branched-chain α-ketoacid dehydrogenase (BCKDH) is phosphorylated at E1α subunit (BCKDHA) by its kinase (BCKDK) and inactivated. Here, the liver-specific BCKDK or BCKDHA knockout mice displayed normal glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity. However, knockout of BCKDK in the liver inhibited hepatic glucose production as well as the expression of key gluconeogenic enzymes. No abnormal gluconeogenesis was found in mice lacking hepatic BCKDHA. Consistent with the vivo results, BT2-mediated inhibition or genetic knockdown of BCKDK decreased hepatic glucose production and gluconeogenic gene expressions in primary mouse hepatocytes while BCKDK overexpression exhibited an opposite effect. Whereas, gluconeogenic gene expressions were not altered in BCKDHA-silenced hepatocytes. Mechanistically, BT2 treatment attenuated the interaction of cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) with CREB-binding protein and promoted FOXO1 protein degradation by increasing its ubiquitination. Our findings suggest that BCKDK regulates hepatic gluconeogenesis through CREB and FOXO1 signalings, independent of BCKDHA-mediated BCAA catabolism. Show less
Psoriasis is characterized by accelerated proliferation of epidermal keratinocytes. IL-27 is relevant to psoriasis pathogenesis. We previously found that IL-27 stimulates the proliferation of keratino Show more
Psoriasis is characterized by accelerated proliferation of epidermal keratinocytes. IL-27 is relevant to psoriasis pathogenesis. We previously found that IL-27 stimulates the proliferation of keratinocytes. However, the mRNAs involved in the process have not been fully studied. This study aims to identify potential pathways and hub genes associated with proliferation in keratinocytes with IL-27 intervention by bioinformatics analysis. The mRNA expression profiles from HaCaT cells with or without IL-27 treated were analyzed by bioinformatics tools. The protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed to screen gene clusters and hub genes associated with proliferation. Gene Ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) were used to identify the function of the mRNAs. The GEO database and quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) were used to verify the expression levels of hub genes in psoriatic skin lesions and IL-27-treated psoriasiform keratinocytes, respectively. We found 1257 differentially expressed genes and screened 2 crucial gene clusters. GO analysis revealed that Cluster 1 was mainly enriched in "Mitotic sister chromatid segregation" and "Spindle". Cluster 2 was mainly enriched in the "Pyruvate metabolic process" and "Oxidoreductase complex". KEGG analysis showed that Cluster 1 and Cluster 2 were mainly enriched in "Cell cycle" and "Glycolysis/Gluconeogenesis", respectively. We then identified 6 hub genes enriched in the two pathways, including IL-27 possibly promotes glycolysis, mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation, and cell cycle progression in keratinocytes. Additionally, we identified Show less
Glioblastoma (GBM) is a malignant brain tumor that grows quickly, spreads widely, and is resistant to treatment. Fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR)1 is a receptor tyrosine kinase that regulates Show more
Glioblastoma (GBM) is a malignant brain tumor that grows quickly, spreads widely, and is resistant to treatment. Fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR)1 is a receptor tyrosine kinase that regulates cellular processes, including proliferation, survival, migration, and differentiation. FGFR1 was predominantly expressed in GBM tissues, and FGFR1 expression was negatively correlated with overall survival. We rationally designed a novel small molecule CYY292, which exhibited a strong affinity for the FGFR1 protein in GBM cell lines Show less