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Disruption of photoreceptor-retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) interface with loss of photoreceptor outer segments (POSs) in the retina is a pathological hallmark of several neurodegenerative and retinal diseases including lysosomal storage disorder's like CLN3 disease. However, the retina is a functional composite Acid ceramidase deficiency and consequently altered sphingolipid signaling promotes disease phenotype(s) in a lysosomal storage disorder, CLN3 disease. Show less

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a prevalent digestive system malignancy accompanied by peritoneal metastasis occurring in 7% of cases. Methyltransferase-like 3 (METTL3) promoted the progression of CRC whereas its function in peritoneal metastasis was incompletely understood. Here, we found that METTL3 was upregulated in peritoneal metastasis tissues of CRC patients compared with CRC tissues. By sequencing the mRNA of above tissues, we discovered that METTL3-mediated N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification regulated the downstream target Show less

Atherosclerosis is partially driven by the accumulation of oxidised low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL), which facilitates foam cell formation and vascular inflammation. This research examines the efficacy of bamboo charcoal (BC) as a bioactive agent for neutralising oxLDL using both in silico and in vitro methodologies. Molecular docking demonstrated significant binding affinities between BC and essential constituents of oxLDL, such as oxidised cholesterol and apolipoprotein B-100, facilitated by π-π stacking and electrostatic interactions. Molecular dynamics simulations demonstrated the stability of these complexes over 300 ns, indicating sustained molecular interactions. Quantum chemical calculations employing density functional theory showed a narrow HOMO-LUMO gap of 0.45 eV and a significant dipole moment of approximately 45 D, underscoring the reactive and polar characteristics of BC. Electrostatic potential mapping and thermodynamic analyses provided additional evidence for BC's spontaneous and stable binding to oxLDL components. The Oil Red O staining and total cholesterol estimation assays were conducted on oxLDL-treated RAW 264.7 macrophages in vitro indicated that BC significantly decreased macrophage-derived foam cell formation, thereby confirming its ability to reduce oxLDL-induced lipid accumulation. The findings suggest that BC functions as a physical adsorbent and a participant in direct chemical interactions with oxLDL, providing a dual-action therapeutic approach to atherosclerosis. Show less

The role of lipid markers in acute coronary syndrome remains incompletely understood, particularly for novel indices such as the Castelli risk indices (CRI-I, CRI-II) and cholesterol index (CHOINDEX). This study aims to elucidate the relationship between novel lipid markers and plaque rupture. In this single-center retrospective study, 649 patients with acute coronary syndrome undergoing optical coherence tomography were stratified into plaque rupture (n = 130) and non-rupture (n = 519) groups. Lipid indices included the following: CRI-I - total cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), CRI-II - low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C)/HDL-C, and CHOINDEX - LDL-C/HDL-C. Multivariable logistic regression identified independent predictors of plaque rupture. Model performance was assessed using area under the curve and integrated discrimination improvement. The plaque rupture group had higher proportions of males (89.2% vs. 80%; P = 0.01) and smokers (57.7% vs. 44.9%; P = 0.009), with elevated LDL-C mean 3.14 vs. 2.83 mmol/l), apolipoprotein B (APOB; 1.03 vs. 0.85 g/l), CRI-I (4.75 vs. 3.91), CRI-II (3.11 vs. 2.45), and CHOINDEX (1.97 vs. 1.65; all P <0.01). Multivariable analysis identified CRI-I (odds ratio [OR], 1.57), CRI-II (OR, 2.09), CHOINDEX (OR, 0.40), and APOB (OR, 5.50) as independent predictors. The combined model (traditional factors + novel indices) showed superior discrimination (area under the curve = 0.775 vs. 0.622; integrated discrimination improvement = 0.059; P <0.001). The combined assessment of CRI-II, CRI-I, CHOINDEX, and APOB, in conjunction with traditional cardiovascular risk factors, exhibits robust diagnostic efficacy for plaque rupture. Show less

Mangiferin, a chemical constituent of Mangifera indica, has been the subject of extensive investigation due to its diverse biological activities, as detailed in numerous scientific studies. Its aglycone, norathyriol, has similarly garnered attention from researchers. In furtherance of our ongoing research goals, this article presents an evaluation of these compounds in relation to biomarkers associated with Alzheimer's disease. The inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and β-secretase (BACE-1), as well as the aggregation of the amyloid beta (Aβ)42 peptide, was assessed using Ellman's colourimetric method, fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET), and thioflavin-T fluorescence emission, respectively. Mangiferin exhibited no inhibitory effect on AChE, whereas norathyriol demonstrated an inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 6.23 μM. Molecular docking revealed that the mangiferin-AChE and mangiferin-BACE-1 complexes did not interact with sites related to enzyme activity. In contrast, norathyriol showed favourable interactions with Asp72 at the peripheral site of AChE and formed significant interactions with BACE-1 through hydrogen bonds, as suggested by molecular docking. The IC50 of norathyriol for BACE-1 inhibition was found to be 9.75 μM. The reduction in Aβ42 aggregation by norathyriol was only 28%. We conclude that norathyriol is a promising prototype for drug development aimed at treating Alzheimer's disease. Show less

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) remains a challenging malignancy with poor 5-year survival rates due to diagnosis at an advanced stage and a high likelihood of recurrence and metastasis. These aggressive traits may be influenced by cancer stem cells (CSC) and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). This study investigated the prognostic significance of the CSC marker CD44 and EMT-related proteins (Snail1, Snail2, E-cadherin, N-cadherin) in 132 OSCCs using immunohistochemistry. The comprehensive survival analysis included univariate and multivariate (stepwise method) Cox regression for disease-specific survival (DSS) and disease-free survival (DFS), Kaplan-Meier curves based on log-rank testing, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis to assess the predictive accuracy of the markers. High CD44 expression independently predicted worse DSS (HR = 2.74, 95% CI 1.44-5.23, p = 0.003) and DFS (HR = 2.22, 95% CI 1.16-4.23, p = 0.01), and Snail1 was significantly associated with poor DSS (HR = 2.62, 95% CI 1.37-5.03, p = 0.004). The combined expression of CD44 and Snail1 improved the discrimination of worse outcomes compared to markers individually. The presence of lymphovascular invasion (HR = 8.68, 95% CI 3.81-19.75, p < 0.0001) and a positive surgical margin (< 5 mm; HR = 4.45, 95% CI 1.99-9.96, p = 0.0003) were also independently associated with DSS. The results of this study highlight the prognostic significance of CD44 and Snail1 in OSCC, emphasizing their potential interplay in tumor aggressiveness. Show less

Neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is a severe neurological condition associated with high rates of mortality or long-term disability. Despite its clinical significance, the detailed cellular mechanisms underlying HIE remain unclear. Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) has emerged as a powerful tool for investigating cellular heterogeneity across development, aging, and disease processes. However, no scRNA-seq studies have yet addressed neonatal HIE. In this study, we employed scRNA-seq to examine cellular heterogeneity during neonatal HIE. We analyzed a total of 87 580 high-quality brain cells to identify transcriptional changes associated with HIE. In the hyperacute phase, we observed astrocytes in response to tumor necrosis factors, involvement of microglia in phagocytosis, Stat3-mediated ischemic responses in oligodendrocyte precursor cells, and an increase in senescent lymphatic endothelial cells. In the acute phase, astrocytes were activated and involved in gliogenesis, while microglia proliferated. Neuroblasts were affected by metal ions, and oligodendrocytes decreased. In the subacute phase, astrocytes involved in inflammation and antigen presentation, while inflammatory microglia highly expressing MHC II were induced by the IL27 and type I interferon pathways and expanded. Additionally, peripheral immune cells played vital roles in HIE. Specifically, neutrophils infiltrated and expanded throughout all phases post-HIE. Spp1 Show less

Endometriosis is hypothesized to result from retrograde menstruation where cell debris including endometrial stromal cells (ESCs) travel through the fallopian tubes. This chronic inflammatory disease is characterized by inflammatory and fibrotic endometrial tissue. We have previously observed reduced expression of the anti-inflammatory factor SERPINA1 in endometriosis-like lesions in a mouse model implanted with human ESCs. Additionally, pro-inflammatory factors present in peritoneal hemorrhage exacerbated inflammation in these grafts, partly through prostaglandin (PG) E2 and thrombin. However, it remains unclear whether the reduction of SERPINA1, in combination with PGE2 and thrombin, synergistically influences the expression of inflammatory factors in endometriosis lesions and the underlying mechanisms. We analyzed RNA sequencing data from ESCs treated with SERPINA1 siRNA and PGE2/thrombin, comparing them to data sets derived from ESCs subjected to either SERPINA1 knockdown or PGE2/thrombin treatment. Comparative analysis identified 49 transcripts that were upregulated under both conditions and enriched for transcription regulatory genes, including SNAI1, HDAC5, PBX1, SOX4, EPAS1, LHX9, and MAFK. Silencing SNAI1, HDAC5, SOX4, EPAS1, or LHX9 suppressed IL6, CXCL8, and IL1B expression, which had been upregulated by SERPINA1 siRNA and PGE2/thrombin. Among these genes, LHX9 expression was significantly elevated in ectopic lesions, predominantly localized to stromal and glandular epithelial cells, with more pronounced expression during the secretory phase. LHX9 levels were also increased in endometriotic lesions compared to the normal endometrium. In conclusion, reduced SERPINA1 expression in ectopic ESCs, combined with PGE2/thrombin, induces inflammatory cytokine expression linked to LHX9. Pharmacological targeting of LHX9 may present a promising therapeutic strategy for mitigating chronic inflammation in endometriotic lesions. Show less

Neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), multiple sclerosis (MS), and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) are characterized by progressive neuronal loss and chronic neuroinflammation. Increasing evidence highlights the interleukin-12 (IL-12) cytokine family-including IL-12, IL-23, IL-27, and IL-35-as central regulators of immune responses in the central nervous system (CNS). IL-12 and IL-23 predominantly promote pro-inflammatory pathways by driving Th1/Th17 activity, microglial activation, and neurotoxicity, whereas IL-27 and IL-35 exert anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects through IL-10 induction and expansion of regulatory immune subsets. This review synthesizes disease-specific expression patterns and experimental findings, underscoring the dual pathogenic and protective roles of these cytokines. Therapeutic strategies targeting IL-12 family signaling have shown promise in preclinical and clinical contexts. In AD, blockade of IL-12/IL-23 reduced amyloid burden and improved cognition, while agents such as tadalafil and bergapten enhanced IL-27-mediated neuroprotection via PI3K/Akt, Wnt/β-catenin, and cGMP/PKG pathways. In MS, approaches including p40 blockade (ustekinumab, ABT-874), interferon-β therapy, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, and B-cell depletion (ocrelizumab) variably suppressed IL-12/IL-23 and augmented IL-27/IL-35, influencing relapse rates and progression. Natural compounds such as curcumin, berberine, and vitamin D further highlight metabolic and dietary opportunities for cytokine modulation. In PD, combinatorial regimens combining herbal formulations with anti-inflammatory agents dampened IL-12-driven macrophage activation and supported dopaminergic neuron survival. Taken together, IL-12 family cytokines emerge as both biomarkers and therapeutic targets in NDs. However, context-dependent activity, blood-brain barrier constraints, and incomplete understanding-particularly of IL-35-pose translational challenges warranting further investigation. Show less

Cervical cancer (CC) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in women, with complex etiology and progression. Diacylglycerol kinases (DGKs) are pivotal in lipid metabolism. Although diacylglycerol kinase beta (DGKβ) is well-studied in neurology, its role in cancer, especially CC, remains underexplored. This study aimed to explore DGKβ's role and mechanism in CC. Bioinformatics analysis was employed to identify genes differentially expressed in CC, with western blot confirming DGKβ expression in CC cells. The role of DGKβ was examined through small interfering RNA-mediated gene silencing, proliferation tests, migration and invasion assays, and angiogenesis studies. In-depth bioinformatics explored DGKβ-regulated downstream targets and pathways. Pathological assessment elucidated the impact of DGKβ and angiopoietin 4 (ANGPT4) on CC samples. Our data identified DGKβ as a promising candidate gene in the context of CC. This conclusion stemmed from the notable observation that DGKβ exhibited a heightened expression in CC cell lines. Notably, the silencing of DGKβ resulted in the suppression of CC cell proliferation, invasion, migration, as well as the epithelial-mesenchymal transition processes. Additional bioinformatics analysis delving into DGKβ-associated genes revealed ANGPT4 as a downstream target gene of DGKβ, which is capable of modulating angiogenesis and possesses multiple cellular functions related to cell survival, proliferation, and migration. Most significantly, our findings also demonstrated that both DGKβ and ANGPT4 were overexpressed in clinical specimens of CC. This study uncovered an oncogenic role for DGKβ in CC and identified a potential regulatory link between DGKβ and ANGPT4 in tumor angiogenesis. These findings provided promising directions for developing new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for CC. Show less

Dyslipidemia remains a central contributor to residual cardiovascular risk despite the widespread use of statins. Obicetrapib, a selective cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) inhibitor, has shown potential as an adjunctive lipid-lowering therapy by favorably modifying key lipid parameters. This study aimed to systematically evaluate the lipid-lowering efficacy of obicetrapib based on current evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs). A comprehensive literature search was conducted on PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and ClinicalTrials.gov to identify RCTs assessing the lipid-lowering effects of obicetrapib. Mean differences (MDs) with 95% CIs were calculated using a random-effects model. Nine RCTs (n = 3706) were included. Patients treated with obicetrapib exhibited significant reductions in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (MD: -36.5% [95% CI: -41.1 to -31.9]), apolipoprotein B (Apo-B) (MD: -23.8% [95% CI: -28.2 to -19.3]), non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C) (MD: -30.9% [95% CI: -34.6 to -27.1]), and lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)] (MD: -36.1% [95% CI: -44.4 to -27.8]) compared to placebo. High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels significantly increased (MD: 142.6% [95% CI: 128.6-156.6]). Triglyceride levels did not differ significantly (MD: 0.13% [95% CI: -7.01 to 7.26]). Moreover, combination therapy with ezetimibe led to greater reductions in LDL-C by 17.8% (95% CI: 12.05-23.6), Apo-B by 9.7% (95% CI: 5.8-13.7), and non-HDL-C by 17.5% (95% CI: 12.3-22.8), compared to monotherapy. Obicetrapib significantly improves key lipid parameters, including LDL-C, Apo-B, non-HDL-C, HDL-C, and Lp(a), with enhanced efficacy in lowering LDL-C, Apo-B, and non-HDL-C when combined with ezetimibe. These findings support its potential role in comprehensive lipid management strategies. Show less

Snail and Zeb1 have been suggested as markers for the hybrid/mixed epithelial (E)/mesenchymal (M) state of cancer cells. Such cancer cells co-express E- and M-specific transcripts and possess cancer stem cell properties. M13HS-2/-8 tumor hybrid clones derived from human M13SV1-EGFP-Neo breast epithelial cells and human HS578T-Hyg breast cancer cells exhibited co-expression of Snail and Zeb1. To explore the impact of Snail on stemness/epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related properties in M13HS-2/-8 tumor hybrid clones, Snail was knocked out (KO) using CRISPR/Cas9. Mammosphere formation, colony formation, Western blot analyses, cell migration, and invasion assays were conducted for the characterization of Snail knockout cells. Interestingly, Snail-KO in M13SV1-EGFP-Neo cells resulted in the up-regulation of vimentin and N-cadherin, suggesting EMT induction, which was associated with a significantly enhanced colony formation capacity. In contrast, EMT marker pattern and colony formation capacities of M13HS-2/-8 Snail-KO tumor hybrid clones remained unchanged. Notably, the mammosphere formation capacities of M13HS-2/-8 Snail-KO tumor hybrid clones were significantly reduced. The migratory behavior of all Snail-KO cells was not altered compared with their wild-type counterparts. In contrast, M13HS-2 hybrids and their M13HS-2 Snail-KO variant exhibited a markedly enhanced invasive capacity. Therefore, Snail plays a role as a mediator of stemness properties rather than mediating EMT. Show less

Spurred by the enormous therapeutic success of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) agonists (GLP1-RAs) against diabetes and obesity, glucagon family receptor pharmacology has garnered a tremendous amount of interest. Glucagon family receptors, e.g., the glucagon receptor itself (GCGR), the GLP-1R, and the glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide receptor (GIPR), belong to the incretin receptor superfamily, i.e., receptors that increase blood glucose-dependent insulin secretion. All incretin receptors are class B1 G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), coupling to the G Show less

The main function of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) is to remove low-density lipoprotein (LDL) from blood vessels through reverse cholesterol transport. In addition, HDL has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Low HDL level is an independent risk factor for development of coronary artery disease. To manage patients with low HDL levels, general measures such as lifestyle modification, controlling acute metabolic syndrome, and participating in regular endurance exercise are essential. Smoking cessation is a must, and it will often improve HDL levels by 5% to 10%. While statin therapy is the backbone therapy for controlling LDL levels, it also results in elevation of HDL levels by at least 5%. Specific pharmacologic interventions to improve HDL level and function have been disappointing. Cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) is the key metabolic pathway to transfer HDL to LDL; thus, CETP inhibitors result in elevation of HDL levels. Several products were tested in large controlled studies, such as dalcetrapib and evacetrapib; neither resulted in any clinical benefit. Anacetrapib only resulted in very limited benefit and is no longer under active development. The most recent study utilized apolipoprotein A1 infusion in high-risk patients shortly after acute myocardial infarction. There was no benefit in the primary end point of myocardial infarction, stroke, or death. In patients with low HDL, a strategy of having LDL as low as can be possibly achieved may be the most appropriate approach. Show less

This study aimed to elucidate the correlations among dyslipidemia, immune function, and clinical outcomes in patients with acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF), with particular emphasis on the clinical significance of lipid metabolism and cellular immune parameters in hepatitis B virus-associated ACLF (HBV-ACLF). A retrospective analysis was conducted on 803 patients with HBV-ACLF admitted to the Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center from January 2014 to January 2024. Patients were stratified into deceased (n = 414) and survival (n = 389) groups based on clinical outcomes. Clinical baseline data, lipid metabolic indices, and cellular immune parameters were collected. The Spearman correlation coefficient was utilized to assess the correlation between lipid metabolic indices and cellular immune parameters, and a multivariate Cox proportional hazards model was applied to analyze risk factors for mortality. Compared to the survival group, lipid metabolism indices in the deceased group were significantly reduced (P < 0.05). Lipid metabolism indices, including high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), apolipoprotein A1 (APOA1), apolipoprotein B (APOB), total cholesterol (TC), and triglycerides (TG), demonstrated significant negative correlations with the severity of liver failure (P < 0.05). Correlation analysis with lymphocyte subset counts revealed positive correlations between low-density lipoprotein, TG, TC, APOB, and CD3 + T cells, CD4 + T cells, CD8 + T cells, and CD45 + T cells (P < 0.05). APOA1 and HDL-C were positively correlated with B cells and NK cells (P < 0.05). TG and APOB showed significant negative correlations with the CD4/CD8 ratio (P < 0.05). Multivariate Cox analysis identified age, creatinine, total bilirubin, international normalized ratio (INR), hepatic encephalopathy, and hepatorenal syndrome as independent risk factors affecting the short-term prognosis of HBV-ACLF, while sodium, APOA1, and APOB were identified as independent protective factors for ACLF (HR = 0.984, 95% CI: 0.974-0.995, P < 0.001, HR = 0.267,95% CI: 0.120-0.596, P = 0.001, HR = 0.486, 95% CI: 0.282-0.838, P = 0.010). Patients with HBV-ACLF exhibit decreased levels of TC, TG, LDL-C, HDL-C, APOA1, and APOB. These alterations in serum lipid profiles are associated with immune dysfunction and disease progression in HBV-ACLF. Notably, APOA1 and APOB serve as protective factors against 90-day mortality in hospitalized ACLF patients. Further investigation is warranted to elucidate the relationship between lipid metabolism disturbances and peripheral immunity in ACLF. Show less

Hyaluronan and proteoglycan link protein 2 (HAPLN2) / Brain link protein-1 (Bral1) is important for the binding of chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans (CSPGs) to hyaluronan and thus for the formation of specific types of brain extracellular matrix (ECM). It is also significantly increased with aging. Moreover, machine learning has identified it as a brain-derived protein most predictive of Alzheimer's disease (AD). HAPLN2 binds to CSPGs that may sequester aggregation-prone proteins and also restrict neuronal plasticity. Because the apolipoprotein 4 (APOE4) allele increases AD risk, in the present study we have examined hippocampal lysates from APOE3 and APOE4 targeted replacement (TR) mice using unbiased proteomics, Western blot and hippocampal immunostaining. With proteomics, we observe that HAPLN2 is among the most significantly upregulated proteins in APOE4 mice. Prior work suggests HAPLN2 is particularly important to the assembly of perinodal matrix, and herein we show that it also colocalizes with Wisteria floribunda agglutinin (WFA) positive perineuronal nets (PNNs). PNNs represent a dense form of ECM that can increase GABAergic neurotransmission to alter overall excitatory/inhibitory (E/I) balance and neuronal oscillations important to mood and memory. Proteomics also detected elevated levels of high temperature requirement peptidase-1 (HTRA1), which accumulates in cerebral blood vessels harboring amyloid, in APOE4 mice. In Western blot studies, lysates from APOE4 mice also showed significantly reduced levels chondroitin-6 sulfated proteoglycans, which makes PNNs more susceptible to proteolysis and less inhibitory. In addition, immunostaining studies showed that levels of the PNN component aggrecan were increased in the hippocampus of APOE4 animals. Overall, these findings contribute to an emerging body of literature suggesting that brain extracellular matrix may be altered with aging and other risk factors for AD, and suggest that future studies should assess PNNs, peri-nodal structure and axonal conduction in the background of APOE4. Show less

Driving integrates multiple cognitive, sensory, and motor systems and may serve as a real-world indicator of functional decline in aging. Older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) often experience subtle driving changes before formal dementia diagnosis, but longitudinal, real-world evidence is limited. This study examined whether naturalistic driving data can differentiate older adults with MCI from those with normal cognition (NC) over time and evaluated the discriminative ability of driving features compared with conventional risk factors. We conducted a prospective, observational cohort study of community-dwelling older drivers enrolled in the Driving Real-World In-Vehicle Evaluation System Project at Washington University. Participants underwent annual Clinical Dementia Rating assessment, neuropsychological testing, and apolipoprotein ε4 (APOE ε4) genotyping. Driving behaviors were captured daily for up to 40 months using global positioning system-enabled in-vehicle dataloggers, recording trip frequency, duration, distance, time of day, speeding, hard braking, and spatial mobility (entropy, maximum distance, radius of gyration). Longitudinal changes were analyzed using linear mixed-effect models, adjusting for age, sex, race, education, and APOE ε4. Logistic regression with reciever operator curve analysis evaluated discrimination between older adults with MCI and those with NC, compared with conventional sociodemographic and genetic markers. Among 298 participants (MCI, n = 56; NC, n = 242; mean age 75.1 years; 45.6% female), the groups were similar in age, sex, race, and APOE ε4 status at baseline, as well as in most driving behaviors. Over time, drivers with MCI showed greater reductions in monthly trip count (MCI: -0.501, standard error [SE]: 0.21, 95% CI [-0.923 to -0.083] vs NC: -0.523, SE: 0.09, 95% CI [-0.709 to -0.337]; MCI was associated with progressive declines in driving frequency, complexity, and spatial range, supporting naturalistic driving data as a potential unobtrusive digital biomarker for early cognitive decline. Limitations of the study include a predominantly White, highly educated sample and a lack of external validation, warranting cautious interpretation. Continuous monitoring could augment clinical assessments, inform driving safety decisions, and guide interventions to preserve mobility in aging. Show less

Cholesterol efflux capacity (CEC) of HDL (high-density lipoprotein) is inversely associated with incident cardiovascular events, independent of HDL cholesterol. Obesity is characterized by low HDL cholesterol and impaired HDL function, such as CEC. Bariatric surgery, including Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) and sleeve gastrectomy (SG), broadly leads to improved cardiovascular outcomes, but impacts on risk factors differ by procedure, with greater improvements in weight loss, blood pressure, and glycemic control after RYGB, but greater improvements in HDL cholesterol and CEC levels after SG. This study sought to determine effects of RYGB and SG on HDL protein and lipid cargo and investigate associations with CEC changes. We prospectively studied nondiabetic, premenopausal Hispanic women with severe obesity not using lipid medications undergoing RYGB (n=31) or SG (n=36). Anthropometric measurements and blood sampling were obtained before and at 6 and 12 months after surgery. HDL was isolated from plasma, and quantitative proteomic and lipidomic assessments were performed with LC-MS/MS (liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry). CEC was assessed ex vivo using apoB-depleted serum. Participants experienced similar, significant weight loss over 12 months following bariatric surgery (38.0±10.4 kg) regardless of the procedure. Relative quantities of 47 proteins (34 increased, 13 decreased) and 150 lipids (71 increased, 79 decreased) carried on HDL were significantly altered following either surgical procedure. Proteins with similar aggregate response patterns were clustered into 15 groups (5 increased, 5 decreased, 5 minimal change) and lipids with similar aggregate responses into 25 groups (7 increased, 11 decreased, 7 minimal change). Network mediation analyses suggested that changes in 4 protein and 2 lipid clusters mediated changes in ABCA1 (ATP-binding cassette transporter A1) CEC and that 1 lipid cluster mediated changes in non-ABCA1 CEC. The protein and lipid clusters that mediated changes in CEC were distinct between SG and RYGB. Bariatric surgery produces substantial changes in HDL lipid and protein cargo, and specific changes may mediate changes in HDL function in CEC. Further study of these mechanisms may lead to improved interventions to reduce cardiovascular risk in patients with obesity. Show less

Despite the high mortality associated with angiosarcoma, its low prevalence has limited sample sizes in prior studies. To address these gaps, we analyzed the AACR Project GENIE registry, a large, multi-institutional database. 359 tumor samples from 346 patients with angiosarcoma were identified from the AACR Project GENIE v18.0-public database using cBioPortal. Somatic mutations and copy number alterations were assessed. Statistical significance was assessed by Recurrent mutations included In one of the largest genomic analyses of angiosarcoma to date, we identified recurrent alterations, suggesting potential future therapeutic targets. Show less

Evaluating prognostic performance of Alzheimer's biomarkers, multi-modal physiological measures, and clinical history in asymptomatic individuals versus established risk factors in asymptomatic individuals is can inform efficient screening strategies. To determine and compare the prognostic performance of amyloid biomarkers, multi-modal physiological measures, and clinical/modifiable risk factors We used clinical trials (A4/LEARN), longitudinal cohorts (ADNI, AIBL, HABS, NACC, OASIS), and the UK Biobank spanning 2004-2025 (median follow-up time range: 1.8-13.72 years) in time-varying survival and binary classification analyses. Settings included a United States clinical trial, longitudinal cohort studies spread across medical centers in the United States and Australia, and the volunteer-based UK Biobank. Patients were cognitively asymptomatic and age 65+ at baseline, and potentially progressed to either clinical impairment, clinical AD diagnosis, or incurred AD ICD-codes. Patients were volunteer or convenience samples. PTau-217, amyloid-PET, CSF markers (AB1-42, pTau-181, total-Tau), plasma proteomics, multi-modal brain-imaging, and cognitive tests were evaluated as predictors, along with demographics (age, sex, education), APOE genotype, and modifiable risk factors in the 2024 Lancet report PTau-217 and amyloid-PET from A4/LEARN were used to predict clinical impairment (CDR score of 0.5+ on two consecutive visits). PTau-217, amyloid-PET imaging across five cohorts, and CSF markers were used to predict clinical AD diagnosis. Plasma proteomics, multimodal neuroimaging, and cognitive assessments from the UK Biobank were used to predict AD ICD-codes. Sample-sizes ranged from 356-28,533 (31-519 cases; female percentages: 48.45-67.39). Models of demographics, APOE genotype, and risk-factors as predictors did not show statistically significant differences in time-dependent area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) compared to separate models using amyloid biomarkers. Predicting cognitive impairment in A4/LEARN, pTau-217 improved AUROC by 0.045-0.084 (best: 0.616 (CI: 0.51-0.723) vs. 0.7 (CI: 0.609-0.793)). Amyloid-PET improved AD prediction (maximum AUROC increase 0.074; 0.561 (CI: 0.468-0.653) vs. 0.635 (CI: 0.537-0.733)), and CSF biomarkers showed slightly larger gains (maximum AUROC increase 0.127; 0.627 (CI: 0.438-0.816) vs. 0.754 (CI: 0.577-0.931)). In UK Biobank analyses, mean AUROC improvements were minor across proteomics (0.044), neuroimaging (0.143, with 99.8%/0.2% class-balance), and cognitive tests (0.064). In cognitively asymptomatic populations, biomarkers offer limited advantage over demographics, APOE genotype, and modifiable risk factors, supporting their importance in early AD screening strategies. Show less

Centrioles undergo marked transformations during spermatogenesis that are essential for sperm motility and male fertility. Despite their importance, the molecular mechanisms and ultrastructural dynamics underlying these transformations remain largely unknown. Here, we apply ultrastructure expansion microscopy and reveal previously unrecognized centriolar architectural changes in mouse male germ cells, including geometry switching between the two centrioles and stage-specific removal of distal tip proteins such as centrin and SFI1. We further identify the centrin-POC5 inner scaffold as a key structure selectively augmented at the distal centriole, which directly forms and anchors the flagellum. Functional analyses of Show less

Low physical activity (LPA) is associated with cardiovascular and cerebrovascular pathologies. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of several noncommunicable diseases relating to LPA. Using the 2021 Global Burden of Disease data set, we modelled LPA-related disease burdens across 204 countries and territories, quantifying mortality counts, age-standardised mortality rates, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) for five noncommunicable diseases. We conducted multivariable stratification analyses to assess variations by gender, age, and sociodemographic index (SDI) quintiles. We used age-period-cohort modelling to project burden trajectories, while applying counterfactual decomposition frameworks to delineate synergistic interactions between LPA and risk factors. We found that LPA accounted for 555 101 related deaths globally in 2021 across the five studied pathologies, mostly among individuals aged 60-94 years. Association between LPA-related disease burden and SDI followed a U-shaped distribution across regions and diseases. Among individuals aged 60-89 years, LPA-related deaths were significantly higher in women than in men, indicating a disproportionate burden on elderly females. Ischaemic heart disease (IHD) trends stabilised in low- and middle-SDI regions but declined significantly in high-SDI regions, underscoring global health disparities. From 2007 to 2011, LPA DALYs and mortality risk ratios for IHD, stroke, and lower extremity peripheral arterial disease declined from >1 to <1, whereas diabetes mellitus exhibited an opposite trend, highlighting LPA's persistent and significant impact on diabetes-related morbidity. Demographic shifts and epidemiological transitions were primary drivers of LPA-related disease burden across five pathologies. In high-SDI regions, epidemiological changes predominated, whereas population growth was a key factor in low- and middle-SDI regions. Synergistic interaction of these factors with LPA is projected to substantially amplify future disease burden. Physical activity should be increased among elderly women to address health risks associated with LPA. Likewise, urgent public health interventions are needed for LPA-related diabetes. As IHD burden rises in low- and middle-SDI regions, vascular disease care strategies require optimisation. Moreover, high-SDI regions should strengthen nationwide physical activity promotion, while low- and middle-SDI areas must enhance healthcare infrastructure and manage population growth to reduce LPA-related disease burdens. Show less

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a complex metabolic disorder driven by genetic and environmental factors. While genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified numerous T2D-associated variants, many remain functionally uncharacterized. Integration of GWAS with molecular phenotyping offers a path to revealing biological relevance. We investigated the influence of GWAS-variants, including sub-threshold T2D-associated variants (GWAS p-value ≤ 0.0001), on gene and protein expression to assign functional relevance. Genetic variants associated with T2D in the GWAS Catalog and present in our whole-genome sequencing (WGS) data were used to perform expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) analysis in 242 whole-blood mRNA-sequenced samples. The same variants were used to perform protein quantitative trait loci (pQTL) analysis in a set of 362 plasma samples profiled on the Olink platform. For each analysis, the datasets were randomly split into discovery and validation subsets. Associations between variants and mRNA or protein levels were tested by multiple linear regression, and only QTLs that reached a false discovery rate adjusted p-value ≤ 0.05 in the discovery dataset and replicated in the validation dataset (p ≤ 0.05) with same direction of effect were carried forward. QTL-linked mRNAs and proteins were subsequently evaluated for their relationship with T2D status to connect them with T2D pathophysiology. We identified 1,291 eQTLs linked to 97 mRNAs and 1,273 pQTLs linked to 22 proteins. Among these, 10 mRNAs and 5 proteins were differentially expressed between non-diabetic and diabetic individuals. Notably, LPL, APOBR, APOM (lipid metabolism), NOTCH2, TREH (β-cell/endocrine regulation), and HLA-A, OAS3 (immune response) converged on three biological axes central to T2D pathophysiology. The directionality of molecular effects was consistent with known disease mechanisms, including insulin resistance (LPL, APOBR), β-cell stress (TREH, NOTCH2), and chronic inflammation (OAS3). Our findings indicate that variants falling below conventional GWAS significance thresholds can have demonstrable effects on gene expression and protein levels. This underscores the importance of prioritizing biological relevance alongside statistical significance, rather than relying solely on rigid p-value cutoffs. Show less

Glioma, characterized by its cellular and molecular heterogeneity, presents formidable challenges in treatment strategy and prognostic assessment. The tumor microenvironment (TME) profoundly influences tumor behavior and treatment response, with tumor-associated neutrophils (TANs) playing a complex but understudied role. This study aimed to investigate the heterogeneity and role of TANs in glioma and to develop a prognostic model. Analysis of scRNA-seq data identified cellular subpopulations and differentially expressed neutrophil-related genes (DE-NRGs). Bulk RNA-seq was obtained from four independent datasets. Molecular subtypes of glioma samples were determined by consensus clustering. WGCNA was conducted to elucidate the association between gene modules and subtypes. We developed a risk score model. Expression of selected genes was confirmed using immunohistochemistry (IHC). In vitro experiments were also performed for functional verification, including CCK8, EdU, Transwell, and TUNEL assays. A total of 108 DE-NRGs for TANs were identified based on scRNA-seq data. Two molecular subtypes were characterized, showing significant differences in prognosis and clinical features. Immune-related analyses demonstrated varied immunological characteristics between subtypes. The risk score model was constructed with 7 genes, including AEBP1, CAVIN1, DCTD, DEPP1, DUSP6, FKBP9, and UGCG. It showed significant prognostic value and was validated across three external datasets. The mutation landscape highlighted higher IDH mutation prevalence in low-risk groups. Drug sensitivity analysis indicated TMZ resistance in high-risk groups. In vitro experiments showed that UGCG could promote glioma cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, while decreasing apoptosis. This study explored the heterogeneity of TANs and developed a prognostic model, providing insights for prognostic prediction and guiding personalized treatment strategies in glioma. Declaration of Generative AI in Scientific Writing: The authors declare nonuse of generative AI and AI-assisted technologies in the writing process. Show less

Pulsatile activity of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) controls several cellular, developmental, and regenerative programs. Sequential segmentation of somites along the vertebrate body axis, a key developmental program, is also controlled by ERK activity oscillation. The oscillatory expression of Her/Hes family transcription factors constitutes the segmentation clock, setting the period of segmentation. Although oscillation of ERK activity depends on Her/Hes proteins, the underlying molecular mechanism remained mysterious. Here, we show that Her/Hes proteins physically interact with and stabilize dual-specificity phosphatases (Dusp) of ERK, resulting in oscillations of Dusp4 and Dusp6 proteins. Pharmaceutical and genetic inhibition of Dusp activity disrupt ERK activity oscillation and somite segmentation in zebrafish. Our results demonstrate that post-translational interactions of Her/Hes transcription factors with Dusp phosphatases establish the fundamental vertebrate body plan. We anticipate that future studies will identify currently unnoticed post-translational control of ERK pulses in other systems. Show less

Antipsychotic medications are essential when treating schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorders, but the efficacy and tolerability of these medications vary from person to person. This interindividual variation is likely mediated, at least in part, by epigenomic processes that have yet to be fully elucidated. Herein, we systematically identified and evaluated 65 studies that examine the influence of antipsychotic drugs on epigenomic changes, including global methylation (9 studies), genome-wide methylation (22 studies), candidate gene methylation (16 studies), and histone modification (18 studies). Our evaluation revealed that haloperidol was consistently associated with increased global hypermethylation, which corroborates with genome-wide analyses, mostly performed by methylation arrays. In contrast, clozapine seems to promote hypomethylation across the epigenome. Candidate-gene methylation studies reveal varying effects post-antipsychotic therapy. Some genes like Glra1 and Drd2 are frequently found to undergo hypermethylation, whereas other genes such as SLC6A4, DUSP6, and DTNBP1 are more likely to exhibit hypomethylation in promoter regions. In examining histone modifications, the literature suggests that clozapine changes histone methylation patterns in the prefrontal cortex, particularly elevating H3K4me3 at the Gad1 gene and affecting the transcription of genes like mGlu2 by modifying histone acetylation and interacting with HDAC2 enzymes. Risperidone and quetiapine, however, exhibit distinct impacts on histone marks across different brain regions and cell types, with risperidone reducing H3K27ac in the striatum and quetiapine modifying global H3K9me2 levels in the prefrontal cortex, suggesting antipsychotics demonstrate selective influence on histone modifications, which demonstrates a complex and targeted mode of action. While this review summarizes current knowledge, the intricate dynamics between antipsychotics and epigenetics clearly warrant more exhaustive exploration with the potential to redefine our understanding and treatment of psychiatric conditions. By deciphering the epigenetic changes associated with drug treatment and therapeutic outcomes, we can move closer to personalized medicine in psychiatry. Show less