Derazantinib (DZB), a pan-fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) inhibitor, exhibits potent activity against FGFR1-3 kinases and has been clinically approved for antitumor therapy. However, its anti Show more
Derazantinib (DZB), a pan-fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) inhibitor, exhibits potent activity against FGFR1-3 kinases and has been clinically approved for antitumor therapy. However, its antibacterial properties remain unknown. Here, we demonstrated that DZB displays broad-spectrum activity against Show less
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a malignant tumor. Slug has been found to display a key role in diversified cancers, but its relevant regulatory mechanisms in CRC development are not fully explored. Hence, Show more
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a malignant tumor. Slug has been found to display a key role in diversified cancers, but its relevant regulatory mechanisms in CRC development are not fully explored. Hence, exploring the function and regulatory mechanisms of Slug is critical for the treatment of CRC. Protein expressions of Slug, N-cadherin, E-cadherin, Snail, HIF-1Ξ±, SUMO- 1, Drp1, Opa1, Mfn1/2, PGC-1Ξ±, NRF1, and TFAM were measured through western blot. To evaluate the protein expression of Slug and SUMO-1, an immunofluorescence assay was used. Cell migration ability was tested through transwell assay. The SUMOylation of Slug was examined through CO-IP assay. Slug displayed higher expression and facilitated tumor metastasis in CRC. In addition, hypoxia treatment was discovered to upregulate HIF-1Ξ±, Slug, and SUMO-1 levels, as well as induce Slug SUMOylation. Slug SUMOylation markedly affected mitochondrial biosynthesis, fusion, and mitogen-related protein expression levels to trigger mitochondrial stress. Additionally, the induced mitochondrial stress by hypoxia could be rescued by Slug inhibition and TAK-981 treatment. Our study expounded that hypoxia affects mitochondrial stress and facilitates tumor metastasis of CRC through Slug SUMOylation. Show less
Metabolism alteration is a common complication of rheumatic arthritis (RA). This work investigated the reason behind RA-caused triglyceride (TG) changes. Fresh RA patients' whole blood was transfused Show more
Metabolism alteration is a common complication of rheumatic arthritis (RA). This work investigated the reason behind RA-caused triglyceride (TG) changes. Fresh RA patients' whole blood was transfused into NOD-SCID mice. Metabolism-regulatory tissues were examined after sacrifice. To verify the findings, tissues of the rats with long-lasting adjuvant-induced arthritis (AIA) were analyzed. Some rats were injected with human plasma and GPIHBP1, and their blood TG was monitored. Various cells were stimulated by cytokines or rheumatic subjects' serum. Some pre-adipocytes were cultured by human serum or in the presence of HUVEC cells and GPIHBP1. TG decrease occurred in blood and white adipose tissues (WAT) of the RA blood-transfused NOD-SCID mice and chronic AIA rats. Fatty acids (FA) oxidation in muscles was accelerated a bit, while TG catabolism status in their livers was varied. TNF-Ξ±, IL-1Ξ², IL-6 and RA/AIA serum promoted expression of TG utilization-related enzymes and FA uptake transporters in pre-adipocytes, but barely affected LPL. Mild IL-6 stimulus promoted GPIHBP1 release of HUVEC cells. GPIHBP1 was increased in RA serum. This change can decrease blood TG in rats, which was overshadowed by an injection of excessive GPIHBP1. RA serum slightly inhibited LPL secretion in pre-adipocytes. Both HUVEC cells co-culture and GPIHBP1 supplement reduced LPL distribution on pre-adipocytes, and eliminated LPL activity difference between normal and RA serum-treated cells. No TG uptake difference was observed in these circumstances. RA-associated inflammation induces GPIHBP1 secretion of endothelial cells, which facilitates blood TG hydrolysis and uptake to compensate the loss in WAT. Show less
Hair follicle stem cells (HFSCs) are resident stem cells within hair follicles (HFs) that possess self-renewal and differentiation capacities, serving as a critical model for regenerative medicine res Show more
Hair follicle stem cells (HFSCs) are resident stem cells within hair follicles (HFs) that possess self-renewal and differentiation capacities, serving as a critical model for regenerative medicine research. Their dynamic interaction with dermal papilla cells (DPCs) plays a decisive role in HF development and cycling. Show less
Gliomas, particularly glioblastoma, are aggressive brain tumors with poor prognosis and unmet therapeutic needs. Structural maintenance of chromosomes 4 (SMC4), a core component of the condensin compl Show more
Gliomas, particularly glioblastoma, are aggressive brain tumors with poor prognosis and unmet therapeutic needs. Structural maintenance of chromosomes 4 (SMC4), a core component of the condensin complex, is dysregulated in multiple cancers, but its role in glioma metabolism and metastasis remains unclear. Using integrated multi-omics analyses of glioma datasets, we assessed SMC4 expression and its correlation with clinical outcomes. Functional studies in U-251MG and LN229 glioma cells including CCK-8, EdU, cell cycle, Transwell, and wound-healing assays were combined with subcutaneous xenograft and tail-vein metastasis mouse models to evaluate SMC4's effects on proliferation, migration, invasion, and metastasis. ECAR/OCR and rescue experiments validated SMC4's role in glycolysis. Luciferase reporter and ChIP assays identified nuclear factor I A (NFIA) as an upstream transcriptional regulator of SMC4. A prognostic model (SRRS) was developed via LASSO regression and validated across cohorts. SMC4 was significantly overexpressed in glioma tissues, with higher expression correlating with advanced tumor grades and poorer patient survival (AUC > 0.82). Mechanistically, SMC4 promoted G1/S cell cycle transition and proliferation SMC4 drives glioma progression through dual mechanisms TGF-Ξ²/SMAD-mediated metastasis and LDHA-dependent glycolysis regulated by NFIA. This extends beyond its known role in TGF-Ξ² activation by identifying NFIA as an upstream regulator and metabolic reprogramming as a novel function. The SRRS and nomogram provide robust tools for prognosis and personalized therapy, supporting the NFIA/SMC4 axis and downstream effectors as potential therapeutic targets for glioma. Show less
This study aimed to investigate the expression pattern of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase class III (PIK3C3/vps34) in gastric cancer (GC) tissues and their juxtaposed normal counterparts and its correla Show more
This study aimed to investigate the expression pattern of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase class III (PIK3C3/vps34) in gastric cancer (GC) tissues and their juxtaposed normal counterparts and its correlation with the clinicopathological attributes and prognostic outlook of afflicted individuals. Immunohistochemical (IHC) staining was used to ascertain the expression levels of PIK3C3/vps34 across 60 GC tissues juxtaposed with their normal counterparts. Statistical methodologies were used to scrutinize the correlation between PIK3C3/vps34 expression and clinicopathological features, along with prognostic implications for GC patients. In GC tissues, the positive expression rate of PIK3C3/vps34 was 23.3% (14/60), which contrasted sharply with the markedly elevated rate of 66.7% (40/60) observed in adjacent tissues. The positive expression proportion of PIK3C3/vps34 within GC tissues exhibited a notable decrease than in adjacent tissues (P < 0.05). The expression of PIK3C3/vps34 inversely correlated with tumor size, degree of tissue differentiation, depth of tumor infiltration, and incidence of lymph node metastasis (P < 0.05), whereas no significant associations were found with patient sex, age, tumor location, TNM staging, or distant metastasis (P > 0.05). As the tumor diameter increases, the degree of tissue differentiation diminishes, tumor infiltration depth intensifies, lymph node metastasis emerges, the TNM stage progresses, and PIK3C3/vps34 expression level within GC tissues declines correspondingly. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis unveiled a prolonged survival duration among GC patients exhibiting heightened PIK3C3/vps34 expression than in their counterparts with diminished expression (HR=0.66, 95% CI: 0.55-0.80), demonstrating statistical significance (P < 0.05). Protein interaction analysis revealed noteworthy interactions involving PIK3C3 with Beclin 1, UVRAG, and ATG14. PIK3C3/vps34 is downregulated in GC tissues, exerting a pivotal role in tumorigenesis, and is intimately linked with the prognostic trajectory of GC patients. It may serve as a significant biomarker for prognostic evaluation and a promising molecular therapeutic target for GC. Show less
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) represents a particularly aggressive form of cancer, characterized by its rapid progression and a complex interplay with the surrounding immune cellular environment. The Show more
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) represents a particularly aggressive form of cancer, characterized by its rapid progression and a complex interplay with the surrounding immune cellular environment. The primary objective of this study was to comprehensively investigate the role of ANGPTL4 in the context of HCC, utilizing RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) techniques to explore its impact on the M2 polarization of tumor-associated macrophages (TAM) and to uncover potential mechanisms driving HCC progression. To achieve this, we performed a transcriptome analysis of HCC cell lines, alongside cells obtained after co-culturing these lines with macrophages. By comparing gene expression profiles between the experimental groups exposed to ANGPTL4 and control groups, we aimed to identify specific molecular pathways associated with ANGPTL4's function. In addition to gene expression analysis, we employed flow cytometry to assess the polarization status of TAM. Furthermore, we utilized immunohistochemistry to evaluate the distribution of macrophages within HCC tissues and to quantify the expression levels of M2 macrophage markers. The results derived from RNA-seq analysis were particularly revealing; treatment with ANGPTL4 led to a significant upregulation of genes linked to M2 polarization, notably including CD206 and Arg1. In subsequent experimental observations, it became evident that ANGPTL4 not only facilitated the M2 polarization of macrophages but also enhanced the proliferation and migratory capacity of HCC cells through the upregulation of these same cytokines. Show less
Heart failure (HF) is a serious cardiovascular condition resulting from abnormalities in multiple biological processes, affecting over 64 million people worldwide. We sought to expand our understandin Show more
Heart failure (HF) is a serious cardiovascular condition resulting from abnormalities in multiple biological processes, affecting over 64 million people worldwide. We sought to expand our understanding of the genetic basis of HF and more specific NICM subtype in the East Asian populations and evaluate the biological pathways underlying subclinical left ventricular dysfunction. We conducted a meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies (GWAS) for all-cause HF in the East Asian populations (N casesβ~β13,385) and a more precise definition of nonischemic cardiomyopathy (NICM) subtype in multi-ancestry populations (N cases~3,603). We identified a low-frequency East-Asian enriched coding variant near MYBPC3 and a NICM specific locus. Follow up analyses demonstrated male-specific HF association at the MYBPC3 locus, and highlighted SVIL as a candidate causal gene for NICM. Moreover, we demonstrated that SVIL deficiency aggravated cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, apoptosis and impaired cell viability in phenylephrine (PE)-treated H9C2 cells. In addition, the gene expression level of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) which was deemed as a hallmark for HF was further elevated by SVIL silencing in PE-stimulated H9C2 cells. RNA-sequencing analysis of H9C2 cells revealed that the function of SVIL might be mediated through pathways relevant to regulation and differentiation of heart muscle. These results enhance our understanding of the genetic architecture of HF in the East Asian populations, and provide important insight into the biological pathways underlying NICM and sex-specific relevance of the MYBPC3 locus that warrants further replication in another datasets. Show less
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a chronic neurodegenerative disorder predominantly affecting the elderly population. The pathogenesis of AD involves the production of highly neurotoxic amyloid-Ξ² peptide 1 Show more
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a chronic neurodegenerative disorder predominantly affecting the elderly population. The pathogenesis of AD involves the production of highly neurotoxic amyloid-Ξ² peptide 1-42 (AΞ² Show less
To identify the connections between lipid biomarkers and the anti-VEGF therapy response in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD). A bidirectional and multivariable Mendelia Show more
To identify the connections between lipid biomarkers and the anti-VEGF therapy response in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD). A bidirectional and multivariable Mendelian randomization study. The summary statistics for anti-VEGF nAMD treatment response included a total of 128 responders, 51 nonresponders, and 6Β 908Β 005 genetic variants available for analysis. The sample size of lipid biomarkers is 441Β 016 and 12Β 321Β 875 genetic variants available for analysis. Two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) method was conducted to exhaustively appraise the causalities among 13 lipid biomarkers and the risk of different anti-VEGF treatment responses (including visual acuity [VA] and central retinal thickness [CRT]) for nAMD subtypes. Thirteen lipid biomarkers, VA, and CRT. A positive causal relationship was identified between triglycerides (TGs), apolipoproteins (Apos) E2, ApoE3, total cholesterol (TC), and VA response to anti-VEGF therapy in patients with nAMD, as confirmed by MR-Egger, weighted median, and weighted mode models. The MR-Egger model yielded statistically significant results for TC, ApoA-I, ApoB, and ApoA-V in relation to the CRT response to anti-VEGF treatment in patients with nAMD. In the reverse MR, the MR-Egger model identified significant causal relationships between ApoA-I, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), ApoE3, and ApoF and the VA response. However, this was not the case in the weighted median and weighted mode models. In the MR-Egger model, ApoB, LDL-c, ApoE3, and ApoM were identified as significantly influencing the CRT response. In the multisample MR analysis, TC, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, LDL-c, and TG were found to be causally related to VA response, and TC was also identified as being causally related to the CRT response to anti-VEGF therapy in patients with nAMD. This MR study suggests unidirectional causality between TG and ApoE3 and the response to anti-VEGF treatment in patients with nAMD. The author(s) have no proprietary or commercial interest in any materials discussed in this article. Show less
Macrophage-like phenotype switching of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) is a crucial mechanism driving atherogenesis. Inhibition of a phenotype switch to macrophage-like cells is a promising strat Show more
Macrophage-like phenotype switching of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) is a crucial mechanism driving atherogenesis. Inhibition of a phenotype switch to macrophage-like cells is a promising strategy to prevent atherosclerosis (AS), and targeted nanotherapeutics represent one approach for implementing this strategy. To this end, we designed immunosuppressive oligodeoxynucleotide A151 functionalized selenium nanoparticles with a spearhead LacNAc (LN-A151-SeNPs) that target macrophage-like VSMCs. Nano characterization showed that the uniformity and stability of nanoparticles were optimized by modification with LacNAc and A151, resulting in an average diameter of 88.90βΒ±β1.45Β nm, Zeta potentials of -21.1βΒ±β1.5 mV, a A151:Se molar ratio of 1:60 and mass ratio of 1.68:1. The effects of LN-A151-SeNPs on inhibiting VSMCs phenotype switching and attenuation of AS were investigated using [Image: see text] The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12951-025-03925-7. Show less
Lipid ratio is a balance between atherogenesis and antiatherogenesis. it is an important predictive marker of carotid plaque. The lipid ratios, which include non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ( Show more
Lipid ratio is a balance between atherogenesis and antiatherogenesis. it is an important predictive marker of carotid plaque. The lipid ratios, which include non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C)/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), remnant cholesterol (RC)/HDL-C, apolipoprotein B (ApoB)/apolipoprotein A1 (ApoA1), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C)/HDL-C, ApoB/HDL-C, total cholesterol (TC)/HDL-C, triglycerides (TG)/HDL-C, were included and analyzed. Sex differences in the relationship between lipid ratios and carotid plaque were discussed. The risk of carotid plaque was found to be significantly associated with the Non-HDL-C /HDL-C, RC/HDL-C, ApoB/ApoA1, LDL-C /HDL-C, ApoB/HDL-C, TC/HDL-C in females but not in males. The ApoB/HDL risk presented the highest relationship with carotid plaque in females only. The predictive value of the aforementioned lipid ratios for carotid plaque was observed in females only. Show less
Studies using machine learning to identify the target characteristics and develop predictive models for coronary artery disease severity in patients with premature myocardial infarction (PMI) are limi Show more
Studies using machine learning to identify the target characteristics and develop predictive models for coronary artery disease severity in patients with premature myocardial infarction (PMI) are limited. In this observational study, 1111 PMI patients (β€55 years) at Tianjin Chest Hospital from 2017 to 2022 were selected and divided according to their SYNTAX scores into a low-risk group (β€22) and medium-high-risk group (>22). These groups were further randomly assigned to a training or test set in a ratio of 7:3. Lasso-logistic was initially used to screen out target factors. Subsequently, Lasso-logistic, random forest (RF), k-nearest neighbor (KNN), support vector machine (SVM), and eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost) were used to establish prediction models based on the training set. After comparing prediction performance, the best model was chosen to build a prediction system for coronary artery severity in PMI patients. Glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), angina, apolipoprotein B (ApoB), total bile acid (TBA), B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), D-dimer, and fibrinogen (Fg) were associated with the severity of lesions. In the test set, the area under the curve (AUC) of Lasso-logistic, RF, KNN, SVM, and XGBoost were 0.792, 0.775, 0.739, 0.656, and 0.800, respectively. XGBoost showed the best prediction performance according to the AUC, accuracy, F1 score, and Brier score. In addition, we used decision curve analysis (DCA) to assess the clinical validity of the XGBoost prediction model. Finally, an online calculator based on the XGBoost was established to measure the severity of coronary artery lesions in PMI patients. In summary, we established a novel and convenient prediction system for the severity of lesions in PMI patients. This system can swiftly identify PMI patients who also have severe coronary artery lesions before the coronary intervention, thus offering valuable guidance for clinical decision-making. Show less
As a vital component of the immune system, macrophages play a critical role in the progression of asthma. The two classic polarization states of macrophages, M1 and M2, exhibit distinct functions. M1- Show more
As a vital component of the immune system, macrophages play a critical role in the progression of asthma. The two classic polarization states of macrophages, M1 and M2, exhibit distinct functions. M1-polarized macrophages eliminate pathogens through the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines, while M2-polarized macrophages secrete anti-inflammatory factors to facilitate tissue repair. However, in asthma, the activation of M1 macrophages is often associated with excessive inflammatory responses, whereas M2 macrophages contribute to airway remodeling and chronic inflammation. These processes collectively exacerbate airway inflammation and remodeling, thereby aggravating asthma symptoms. Reactive oxygen species (ROS), as crucial signaling molecules, have been shown to regulate macrophage polarization and promote both M1 and M2 polarization states. This review summarizes the primary endogenous and exogenous sources of ROS in asthma and elaborates on the mechanisms by which ROS influence M1/M2 polarization of macrophages. Endogenous ROS arise chiefly from NOX2, xanthine oxidase, peroxisomes and mitochondria, whereas ozone and fine particulate matter are major exogenous sources. ROS activate MAPK, NF-ΞΊB and NLRP3 cascades, boosting IL-1Ξ², IL-6 and IL-27 release by M1 cells, while low NOX2 flux or mitochondrial H Show less
Aging-related lipid metabolic disorder is related to oxidative stress. Selenium (Se)-enriched Cardamine violifolia (SEC) is known for its excellent antioxidant function. The objective of this study wa Show more
Aging-related lipid metabolic disorder is related to oxidative stress. Selenium (Se)-enriched Cardamine violifolia (SEC) is known for its excellent antioxidant function. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of SEC on antioxidant capacity and lipid metabolism in the liver of aged laying hens. A total of 450 sixty-five-wk-old Roman laying hens were randomly divided into 5 treatments: a basal diet (without Se supplementation, CON) and basal diets supplemented with 0.3 mg/kg Se from sodium selenite (SS), 0.3 mg/kg Se from Se-enriched yeast (SEY), 0.3 mg/kg Se from SEC (SEC), or 0.3 mg/kg Se from SEC and 0.3 mg/kg Se from SEY (SEC + SEY). The experiment lasted for 8 wk. The results showed that dietary SEC + SEY supplementation decreased (P < 0.05) triglyceride (in the plasma and liver) and total cholesterol levels (in the plasma), and increased (P < 0.05) HDL-C concentration in plasma compared to CON diet. Compared with CON diet, SEC and/or SEY supplementation decreased (P < 0.05) the mRNA expression of hepatic ACC, FAS and HMGCR, and increased (P < 0.05) PPARΞ±, VTG-II, Apo-VLDL II and ApoB expression. Dietary SEC + SEY and SEY supplementation increased (P < 0.05) Se content in egg yolk and breast muscle compared to CON diet. Dietary SEC, SEY or SEC + SEY supplementation increased (P < 0.05) the activity of antioxidant enzymes (GSH-PX, T-AOC and T-SOD) in the plasma and liver and decreased (P < 0.05) MDA content in the plasma compared to CON diet. Dietary Se supplementation promoted (P < 0.05) mRNA expression of Nrf2 in the liver. In contrast, dietary SEY and SEC supplementation resulted in a decrease (P < 0.05) of hepatic Keap1 mRNA expression compared to CON diet. Dietary SEC + SEY and/or SEC supplementation increased (P < 0.05) mRNA expression of Selenof, GPX1 and GPX4 in the liver compared with CON diet. In conclusion, dietary SEC (0.3 mg/kg Se) or SEC (0.3 mg/kg Se) + SEY (0.3 mg/kg Se) improved the antioxidant capacity and the lipid metabolism in the liver of aged laying hens, which might be associated with regulating Nrf2/Keap1 signaling pathway. Show less
Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors are crucial for the symptomatic management of Alzheimer's disease (AD), with natural products-particularly botanical sources like Yellow Gastrodia elata (YGE)-se Show more
Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors are crucial for the symptomatic management of Alzheimer's disease (AD), with natural products-particularly botanical sources like Yellow Gastrodia elata (YGE)-serving as promising reservoirs of such inhibitors. Nevertheless, comprehensive screening and mechanistic characterization of their inhibitory potential remain limited. This study sought to identify potent AChE inhibitors from YGE, investigate their mechanisms of action, and assess their therapeutic prospects for AD. Methodologically, an integrated approach was employed, combining ultrafiltration-liquid chromatography (UF-LC) for rapid inhibitor screening, molecular docking and dynamics simulations for mechanistic insight, two-stage high-speed countercurrent chromatography for compound isolation, enzyme kinetics to delineate inhibition modalities, and network pharmacology to uncover relevant AD-related targets. The findings identified seven active constituents with notable AChE inhibition, among which parishins A and G were obtained at high purity (98.26% and 97.26%, respectively) and exhibited mixed-type inhibition with low IC Show less
The risk factors and clinical prediction of cardiovascular comorbidities in patients with breast cancer have not been fully clarified. This retrospective case-control study was designed to investigate Show more
The risk factors and clinical prediction of cardiovascular comorbidities in patients with breast cancer have not been fully clarified. This retrospective case-control study was designed to investigate the factors affecting myocardial ischemia occurrence in breast cancer patients. A total of 194 cases (144 breast cancer and 50 benign breast tumor patients) were included. Univariate and multivariable Cox regression found that ApoB, age, and HER2 were significant factors responsible for the myocardial ischemia occurrence in breast cancer patients. By comparing the significance of ApoB in breast cancer patients versus benign breast tumor patients, it was observed that ApoB and HER2 were crucial predictors of myocardial ischemia in breast cancer patients compared to those with benign breast tumors. These factors were utilized to construct the clinical prediction model, achieving a combined area under the curve (AUC) of 0.583. The decision curve analysis (DCA) indicated that the model-predicted population, within a threshold ranging from 0.35 to 0.70, would experience a therapeutically clinical net benefit. Kaplan-Meier plot indicated that ApoB We demonstrated that ApoB and HER2 were potential factors in predicting the myocardial ischemia occurrence in breast cancer patients. This study will help provide clinical evidence for the early prediction of cardiovascular comorbidities in breast cancer patients. Show less
Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) including omega-3 and omega-6 are obtained from diet and can be measured objectively in plasma or red blood cells (RBCs) membrane biomarkers, representing different Show more
Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) including omega-3 and omega-6 are obtained from diet and can be measured objectively in plasma or red blood cells (RBCs) membrane biomarkers, representing different dietary exposure windows. In vivo conversion of omega-3 and omega-6 PUFAs from short- to long-chain counterparts occurs via a shared metabolic pathway involving fatty acid desaturases and elongase. This analysis leveraged genome-wide association study (GWAS) summary statistics for RBC and plasma PUFAs, along with expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) to estimate tissue-specific genetically predicted gene expression effects for delta-5 desaturase (FADS1), delta-6 desaturase (FADS2), and elongase (ELOVL2) on changes in RBC and plasma biomarkers. Using colocalization, we identified shared variants associated with both increased gene expression and changes in RBC PUFA levels in relevant PUFA metabolism tissues (i.e., adipose, liver, muscle, and whole blood). We observed differences in RBC versus plasma PUFA levels for genetically predicted increase in FADS1 and FADS2 gene expression, primarily for omega-6 PUFAs linoleic acid (LA) and arachidonic acid (AA). The colocalization analysis identified rs102275 to be significantly associated with a 0.69% increase in total RBC membrane-bound LA levels (pβ=β5.4βΓβ10 Show less
Despite the high morbidity and mortality, the effective therapies for heart failure with preserved fraction (HFpEF) are limited as the poor understand of its pathophysiological basis. This study was a Show more
Despite the high morbidity and mortality, the effective therapies for heart failure with preserved fraction (HFpEF) are limited as the poor understand of its pathophysiological basis. This study was aimed to characterize the cellular heterogeneity and potential mechanisms of HFpEF at single-cell resolution. An HFpEF mouse model was induced by a high-fat diet with N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester. Cells from the hearts were subjected to single-cell sequencing. The key protein expression was measured with Immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence staining. In HFpEF hearts, myocardial fibroblasts exhibited higher levels of fibrosis. Furthermore, an increased number of fibroblasts differentiated into high-metabolism and high-fibrosis phenotypes. The expression levels of genes encoding certain pro-angiogenic secreted proteins were decreased in the HFpEF group, as confirmed by bulk RNA sequencing. Additionally, the proportion of the endothelial cell (EC) lineages in the HFpEF group was significantly downregulated, with low angiogenesis and high apoptosis phenotypes observed in these EC lineages. Interestingly, the fibroblasts in the HFpEF heart might cross-link with the EC lineages via over-secretion of ANGPTL4, thus displaying an anti-angiogenic function. Immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence staining then revealed the downregulation of vascular density and upregulation of ANGPTL4 expression in HFpEF hearts. Finally, we predicted ANGPTL4as a potential druggable target using DrugnomeAI. In conclusion, this study comprehensively characterized the angiogenesis impairment in HFpEF hearts at single-cell resolution and proposed that ANGPTL4 secretion by fibroblasts may be a potential mechanism underlying this angiogenic abnormality. Show less
The selective inhibition of fibroblast growth factor receptors (FGFR) presents a significant challenge due to the high degree of sequence and the close structural similarity of the subtypes. Herein, w Show more
The selective inhibition of fibroblast growth factor receptors (FGFR) presents a significant challenge due to the high degree of sequence and the close structural similarity of the subtypes. Herein, we designed selective dual FGFR2/3 inhibitors based on the in-depth understanding of protein-ligand interaction contributions. We efficiently identified ISM7594 ( Show less
The limited response rate to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) remains a significant challenge in the treatment of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). In our study, we identified a lactate-based chemical ba Show more
The limited response rate to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) remains a significant challenge in the treatment of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). In our study, we identified a lactate-based chemical barrier surrounding FAP Show less
To investigate the risk factors, underlying mechanisms, and preventive strategies associated with hyperprogressive disease (HPD) induced by immunotherapy. We analyzed the clinical data of a patient wh Show more
To investigate the risk factors, underlying mechanisms, and preventive strategies associated with hyperprogressive disease (HPD) induced by immunotherapy. We analyzed the clinical data of a patient who developed HPD following palliative gastrectomy and received a combination therapy of Sintilimab, S-1 (tegafur, gimeracil, and oteracil potassium), and Oxaliplatin (SOX). Additionally, a literature review on tumor immunotherapy was conducted to further explore the risk factors and mechanisms of HPD. In this case, the development of HPD was associated with a high postoperative tumor burden, elevated PD-1 expression, and aberrant activation of signaling pathways mediated by EGFR, MET, and FGFR1 amplifications. In addition, a TP53 p.F270V mutation led to inactivation of tumor suppressor function. Although immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have demonstrated significant efficacy in cancer treatment, HPD induced by ICIs can drastically shorten patients' OS, warranting cautious use in populations with high-risk factors. Effective prevention of HPD involves screening for risk factors, monitoring predictive biomarkers such as circulating-free DNA (cfDNA) via liquid biopsy, and identifying high-risk populations through gene mutation analysis. Show less
Multiple cancers are driven by aberrant fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) signaling and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR)-linked angiogenesis. Several therapeutic agents targe Show more
Multiple cancers are driven by aberrant fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) signaling and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR)-linked angiogenesis. Several therapeutic agents targeting FGFR and VEGFR have been developed and approved for use in solid cancers; however, there is still a high unmet medical need for new agents that have a more powerful antitumor activity and a broader antitumor spectrum. Here, we report the discovery of FH-2001, a novel and potent FGFR/VEGFR dual inhibitor, with additional activity of modulating programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) gene expression. In biochemical assays, FH-2001 showed potent inhibition of FGFR1, 2, 3, and 4, with half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC 50 ) of 0.2, 0.2, 0.4, and 2.0 nM, respectively, and VEGFR1, 2, and 3, with IC 50 values of 2.0, 0.3, and 0.5 nM, respectively. FH-2001 significantly suppressed the cell growth of FGFR- or VEGFR-driven cancer cell lines. In representative cell line- and patient-derived tumor xenografts with aberrant FGFR or VEGFR signaling, FH-2001 substantially inhibited tumor growth. Furthermore, FH-2001 demonstrated marked antitumor activities when treated alone or combined with PD-L1 or PD-1 antibody in syngeneic mouse models. Flow cytometric analysis revealed that FH-2001 alone or in combination with anti-PD-L1 increased T and natural killer cells and decreased myeloid cells in the tumor microenvironment. Mechanistically, FH-2001 treatment dramatically reduced c-Myc and PD-L1 mRNA and protein levels in a dose-dependent manner in vitro . Taken together, FH-2001 is a promising dual-target inhibitor of FGFR and VEGFR and also modulates cancer immunity, while its robust antitumor activity positions it as a potentially class-leading anticancer agent. Show less
Cognitive impairments in major depressive disorder (MDD) affect patients' social functioning, with underlying mechanisms involving gut microbiota and inflammatory factors remaining unclear. The study Show more
Cognitive impairments in major depressive disorder (MDD) affect patients' social functioning, with underlying mechanisms involving gut microbiota and inflammatory factors remaining unclear. The study analyzed cognitive function, gut microbiota changes, and inflammatory factor levels in 39 unmedicated MDD patients and 41 healthy controls, employing correlation and moderation effect analysis. MDD patients scored lower than controls in cognitive functions like information processing speed, attention/vigilance, verbal learning, visual learning and social cognition. They showed reduced gut microbiota diversity and increased levels of inflammatory markers (TNF-Ξ±, IL-1, IL-6, IL-17, IL-27, IL-33). Sellimonas abundance correlated negatively with attention/vigilance, moderated by TNF-Ξ±, IL-27, and IL-33. This relationship was stronger at lower inflammation levels. MDD patients exhibit multi-domain cognitive dysfunction alongside pro-inflammatory states and disrupted gut microbiota. The abundance of Sellimonas significantly predicts attention/vigilance deficits. Inflammatory factors modulate the impact of gut microbiota on cognitive function, suggesting chronic low-grade inflammation as a key risk factor for cognitive impairment in MDD. Show less
Oocyte maturation-coupled mRNA post-transcriptional regulation is essential for the establishment of developmental potential. Previously, oocyte mRNA translation efficiencies focused on the trans-regu Show more
Oocyte maturation-coupled mRNA post-transcriptional regulation is essential for the establishment of developmental potential. Previously, oocyte mRNA translation efficiencies focused on the trans-regulation of key RNA-binding protein (RBPs), rarely related to RNA structure. RNA G-quadruplexes (rG4s) are four-stranded RNA secondary structures involved in many different aspects of RNA metabolism. In this study, we have developed a low-input technique for rG4 detection (G4-LACE-seq) in mouse oocytes and found that rG4s were widely distributed in maternal transcripts, with enrichment in untranslated regions, and they underwent transcriptome-wide removal during meiotic maturation. The rG4-selective small-molecule ligand BYBX stabilized rG4s in the oocyte transcriptome and impaired spindle assembly and meiotic cell cycle progression. The proteomic spectrum results revealed that rG4 accumulation weakened the binding of a large number of RBPs to mRNAs, especially those associated with translational initiation. Ribosomal immunoprecipitation and translational reporter assays further proved that rG4s in the untranslated regions negatively affected the translational efficiency of key maternal mRNAs. Overexpression DEAH/RHA family helicase-36 partially reverses BYBX-induced oocyte developmental defects, suggesting its importance in rG4 regulation. Collectively, this study describes the distribution, dynamic changes, and regulation of rG4s in the mouse maternal transcriptome. Before meiosis resumption, a large number of rG4s in oocytes are necessary to maintain the translatome at a low level, and DHX36-mediated rG4 removal promotes a translational switch and is required for successful maternal-to-zygotic transition. Show less
Light-responsive porous liquids (LPLs) attract significant attention for their controllable gas uptake under light irradiation, while their preparation has remained a great challenge. Here we report t Show more
Light-responsive porous liquids (LPLs) attract significant attention for their controllable gas uptake under light irradiation, while their preparation has remained a great challenge. Here we report the fabrication of type II LPLs with enhanced light-responsive efficiency by tailoring the host's functionality for the first time. The functionality of light-responsive metal-organic cage (MOC-RL, constructed from dicopper and responsive ligands) is modified by introducing the second long-chain alkyl ligand, producing MOC-RL-AL as a new host. A spatially hindered solvent based on polyethylene glycol, IL-NTf Show less
D-2-hydroxyglutarate (D-2HG), an oncometabolite derived from the tricarboxylic acid cycle. Previous studies have reported the diverse effects of D-2HG in pathophysiological processes, yet its role in Show more
D-2-hydroxyglutarate (D-2HG), an oncometabolite derived from the tricarboxylic acid cycle. Previous studies have reported the diverse effects of D-2HG in pathophysiological processes, yet its role in breast cancer remains largely unexplored. We applied an advanced biosensor approach to detect the D-2HG levels in breast cancer samples. We then investigated the biological functions of D-2HG through multiple in vitro and in vivo assays. A joint MeRIP-seq and RNA-seq strategy was used to identify the target genes regulated by D-2HG-mediated N6-methyladenosine (m We found that D-2HG accumulated in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), exerting oncogenic effects both in vitro and in vivo by promoting TNBC cell growth and metastasis. Mechanistically, D-2HG enhanced global m Our study unveils a previously unrecognized role for D-2HG-mediated RNA modification in TNBC progression and targeting the D-2HG/FTO/m Show less
This study aims to identify and characterize daily activity accumulation patterns (bouts of physical activity and sedentary behavior) among adolescents and then to explore the associations between the Show more
This study aims to identify and characterize daily activity accumulation patterns (bouts of physical activity and sedentary behavior) among adolescents and then to explore the associations between these groups and depressive symptoms. A total of 521 adolescents aged 13-18β―years from Wuhan and Changsha, China, were included. Bouts of physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior (SED) were measured using accelerometers. The Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale was used to assess participants' depressive symptoms. Latent profile analysis was employed to identify distinct groups based on their activity patterns. Three distinct groups were identified: "Prolonged sitters" ( The synergistic effect of strategies to reduce total SED duration by limiting SED bouts to 30β―min or less and increasing light physical activity (LPA) may also be effective in alleviating depressive symptoms in adolescents. Show less
Selenium (Se) foliar fertilizers enhance crop nutrition and address human selenium deficiency, while improper application may lead to excessive intake and residue accumulation. Our study comprehensive Show more
Selenium (Se) foliar fertilizers enhance crop nutrition and address human selenium deficiency, while improper application may lead to excessive intake and residue accumulation. Our study comprehensively assessed the toxicity and function of novel selenium nanoparticles and traditional sodium selenite fertilizers across cell, zebrafish, and murine models. Both fertilizers enhanced antioxidant pathways at low doses, but selenium nanoparticles exhibited stronger antioxidant and ferroptosis-modulating effects with lower toxicity at a high dose. Sodium selenite increased total and lipid ROS production, leading to decreased viability of cells and increased distortion and mortality of zebrafish. In mice, sodium selenite induced hepatic toxicity and decreased GPX4. Transcriptome analysis revealed that sodium selenite downregulated c-JUN and APOA4, weakening the antioxidant defense, whereas selenium nanoparticles promoted ferroptosis resistance through FGF21. These findings suggest selenium nanoparticles as a safer alternative for Se biofortification, mitigating health risks while supporting food security and environmental sustainability. Show less
Swine enteric coronaviruses pose a significant challenge to the global pig industry, inflicting severe diarrhea and high mortality rates among piglets, and resulting in substantial economic losses. In Show more
Swine enteric coronaviruses pose a significant challenge to the global pig industry, inflicting severe diarrhea and high mortality rates among piglets, and resulting in substantial economic losses. In our clinical practice, we observed that the addition of potassium molybdate (PM) to the feed could dramatically reduce diarrhea and diarrhea-related mortality in piglets. However, the underlying mechanisms remain elusive and merit further investigation. In this study, we revealed that PM effectively inhibited the infection of both aminopeptidase N (APN)-dependent coronaviruses, transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV), and porcine respiratory coronavirus (PRCV), both Show less