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Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is a known risk of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), especially in asymptomatic and younger (<35 years old) populations. There are several mutations that cause HCM, most notably within the MYBPC3 and MYH7 genes. ALPK3 (alpha protein kinase 3) has been identified as a gene of interest in HCM, specifically associated with late-onset adult HCM or pediatric cases which typically present with musculoskeletal and facial deformities. In this report, we present a case of SCD due to HCM in a young, reportedly asymptomatic patient without dysmorphia that had a specific mutation of the ALPK3 gene and a striking gross pathological appearance previously undiscussed in literature. Show less

Physical activity (PA), sedentary behaviour (SB) and sleep (SLP)-key components of 24-h movement behaviours-have each been independently linked to motor development in preschool children. However, the lack of understanding regarding their integrated and mutually exclusive nature has limited research on their combined impact on early health outcomes. This study employed compositional data analysis (CoDA) to examine the relationships between these behaviours and fundamental movement skills (FMS), as well as potential changes in FMS resulting from isotemporal reallocation. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 292 preschool children (3-6 years old; 149 boys and 143 girls). SB, light physical activity (LPA) and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) were measured using accelerometers, whereas sleep duration was parent-reported. FMS, including locomotor skills, object-control skills and total motor skills (total MS), were assessed using the third edition of the Test of Gross Motor Development (TGMD-3). CoDA was used to analyse the relationship between 24-h movement behaviours and FMS. After adjusting for gender, age, family socioeconomic status (SES) and the number of children in the household, a higher proportion of MVPA was significantly positively associated with both total MS (β = 9.39, p = 0.008) and locomotor skills (β = 6.69, p = 0.003). In a 15-min isotemporal reallocation model, substituting MVPA for other behaviours resulted in significant improvements in both total MS and locomotor skills. Dose-response analysis revealed that reallocating even a small amount of time (e.g., 15 min) to MVPA resulted in meaningful benefits for FMS. Notably, this relationship was asymmetric: The negative impact of reducing MVPA outweighed the gains from increasing MVPA. These findings highlight the importance of prioritizing MVPA within the 24-h movement behaviours framework to optimize motor development in preschool-aged children. Show less

Growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15) is a key regulator of food intake and energy metabolism. GDF15 mimetic drugs for the treatment of metabolic syndrome and obesity are under clinical development. While GDF15 presents a promising target for weight management, its potential cardiovascular actions remain elusive. In this study we investigated the role of GDF15 in macrophage function and atherosclerosis pathogenesis and whether GDF15 acts both as a biomarker and mediator of atherosclerosis severity. ApoE Show less

Although several retrospective studies have investigated the association of TP53 rs1042522 and ApoB rs693 with the risk of biliary tract cancer (BTC), results have been inconsistent. In this study, to provide evidence from a prospective study, we analyzed the association of these two genetic polymorphisms with BTC risk using data from the Japan Public Health Center-based Prospective Study. We conducted a case-cohort study with 152 BTC cases and 12,159 subcohort subjects and estimated HRs and 95% confidence intervals (CI) using a weighted Cox proportional hazards model. TP53 rs1042522 showed a statistically significant association with the risk of BTC (HR, 1.89; 95% CI, 1.27-2.82, in the recessive genetic model), whereas ApoB rs693 showed no apparent association. Of interest, TP53 rs1042522 seemed to be associated with BTC risk in a recessive model, but not in a dominant model. On comparison of three BTC subtypes, TP53 rs1042522 seemed to be associated with the incidence of gallbladder cancer and extrahepatic bile duct cancer (HR, 2.21; 95% CI, 1.14-4.28 and HR, 1.97; 95% CI, 1.00-3.88, respectively) but showed only a nonsignificant association with intrahepatic bile duct cancer (HR, 1.58; 95% CI, 0.63-3.96). In this prospective case-cohort study, we found evidence to support an association between the TP53 rs1042522 polymorphism and the risk of BTC. The null finding for ApoB rs693 might be due to the extremely low T-allele frequency (4.4%) in the study population. This prospective study highlights the effect of TP53 rs1042522 on BTC risk in Japanese individuals. Identifying carriers of the high-risk CC genotype may facilitate targeted surveillance and early detection strategies, potentially reducing mortality and improving outcomes. Further large-scale studies are required to clarify environmental interactions and optimize prevention. Show less

Neural tube defects (NTDs) are complex congenital malformations with both environmental and genetic contributions. Monogenic causes of NTDs are increasingly recognized, particularly those involving genes that regulate key morphogenetic pathways. FGFR1, a receptor tyrosine kinase, is crucial for axial and neural development; however, its role in caudal dysraphism remains unclear. We report a female fetus delivered at 25 weeks of gestation following prenatal diagnosis of severe lumbosacral spina bifida. Comprehensive postmortem and genetic investigations, including trio exome sequencing, were performed to identify potential causal variants. Postmortem examination revealed Chiari II malformation, dysmorphic features, bilateral talipes, and a large caudal spinal defect. Trio exome sequencing identified a de novo heterozygous FGFR1 variant (c.1681G>A; p.Val561Met) affecting the conserved tyrosine kinase domain. This variant has been reported in somatic and developmental contexts, where it may modulate FGFR1 signaling, although evidence for constitutive activation remains limited and context-dependent. The variant has not been previously associated with NTD. This single case raises the possibility that altered FGFR1 signaling may contribute to defective neurulation and warrants further investigation in larger cohorts. Our findings support considering FGFR1 in the differential diagnosis of complex or syndromic spinal dysraphism, though additional evidence is required before recommending its inclusion in routine panels for isolated cases. Show less

Glioma is a highly aggressive malignancy with no effective treatment. This study investigates the role of protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor type N (PTPRN) in glioma progression. The U87 human glioma cell line was used to monitor proliferation, invasion, and migration during PTPRN knockdown. The viability, migration, and invasion were analyzed using the Cell Counting Kit-8 assay, transwell migration, and invasion assays. Additionally, the expression of proteins associated with the cell cycle was examined using western blotting. The knockdown of PTPRN resulted in a reduction in glioma cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, as well as the expression of cell cycle markers like Show less

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of mortality in patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), yet traditional risk predictors remain limited in clinical practice. To develop machine learning (ML) models for classifying prevalent atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk in MASLD patients, and to enhance model interpretability using SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP). Methods: This retrospective study included 590 MASLD patients diagnosed at the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University between December 2019 and December 2024. Patients were randomly divided into a training set (n=413) and a validation set (n=177), and further stratified based on ASCVD status. Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression was used for feature selection. Six ML models were developed and evaluated using sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), and F1 score. SHAP analysis was performed to interpret feature contributions. ASCVD was present in 434 of 590 patients (73.6%). The Gradient Boosting (GB) model achieved the best performance, with AUCs of 0.918 (95% CI: 0.890-0.944) in the training set and 0.817 (95% CI: 0.739-0.883) in the validation set. SHAP analysis identified the top predictors as the Cholesterol-HDL-Glucose (CHG) index, Castelli Risk Index II (CRI-II), lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)], serum creatinine (Scr), and uric acid (UA). The GB model demonstrated strong high accuracy in identifying existing ASCVD in MASLD patients and may serve as a useful tool for early risk stratification in clinical settings. Show less

This review aims to explore the epidemiology of lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] by its structural and genetic make-up variation amongst ancestry groups. Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] is a genetically determined lipoprotein particle, causally implicated in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) and calcific aortic valve stenosis (CAVS). Given its genetic basis, studies have shown marked ancestry-related differences in different races and ethnicities. Lp(a) plasma concentrations vary by more than 100-fold among individuals, primarily due to LPA gene polymorphisms and the number of kringle-IV type 2 (KIV2) repeats, which define apolipoprotein(a) [apo(a)] isoform size. Individuals of African descent have the highest median concentrations, followed by South Asians, with Hispanics/Latinos and East Asians having lower levels. Admixed populations display heterogeneity reflecting genetic ancestry. Despite differences in absolute levels, the relative ASCVD risk per unit increase in Lp(a) is consistent across groups, highlighting the universal atherogenicity of elevated Lp(a). Small apo(a) isoforms are associated with higher Lp(a) concentrations and risk, though isoform size is mainly a surrogate for Lp(a) burden. Despite a strong genetic basis and disproportionate burden in some populations, ancestry-specific testing guidelines are limited and testing rates remain low. Therapies targeting LPA transcription are in development, with outcome trials underway. Integrating ancestry-informed perspectives with universal risk principles is essential for equitable prevention and treatment. Routine, one-time Lp(a) testing enables cost-effective early risk stratification as Lp(a)-directed therapies emerge. Show less

This study used objectively measured data and compositional data analysis to examine the relationship between 24-hour movement behaviors and perceived stress in Chinese university students. Cross-sectional data were collected from 208 Chinese university students (mean age = 20.23 years, 52.9% female). Accelerometers were used to measure 24-hour movement behaviors, including moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), light physical activity (LPA), sedentary behavior (SB), and sleep. The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-14) assessed perceived stress. Compositional data methods were applied to analyze the relationship between the proportion of time spent in 24-hour activities and perceived stress. Compositional regression analysis indicated that time spent in MVPA ( The proportion of time spent in MVPA and LPA was negatively associated with perceived stress among university students. Replacing sedentary behavior with MVPA or LPA was associated with lower perceived stress. However, these findings should be interpreted with caution due to the study's cross-sectional design and reliance on self-reported sleep data. Show less

Gestational exposure to micro- and/or nanoparticles (M/NPs) may be closely associated with adverse maternal and offspring outcomes involving multiple organ dysfunctions. Organ functional change is achieved through metabolic adaptation in response to changes in the external environment; yet, intricacies of these organ dysfunctions and underlying metabolic changes remain poorly understood, particularly at spatial suborgan level. Using a pregnant mouse model exposed to polystyrene (PS)-M/NPs (sizes: 100 nm, 5 μm, 10 mg/L in drinking water) from gestation day 1 to 18, we construct a comprehensive multisub-organ lipid metabolic landscape. This analysis integrates MALDI-mass spectrometry imaging with histological assessment to monitor changes in maternal suborgans-placenta-fetus unit. Our findings reveal distinct metabolic responses between maternal and fetal organs to gestational PS-M/NPs exposure. We identify potential targeted suborgans and spatial biomarkers associated with PS-M/NPs exposure according to histological damage and metabolic remodeling, including placental junctional and labyrinth zone (e.g., phosphatidylserine, phosphatidylethanolamine [PE]), renal cortex of maternal kidney (e.g., ceramide [Cer], PE, sphingomyelin [SM], phosphatidylglycerol [PG], phosphatidylserine), ventricular muscular layer and interventricular septum of maternal heart (e.g., PE, lysophosphatidylethanolamine [LPE], lysophosphatidic acid [LPA]), fetal brain and spinal cord (e.g., Cer), and fetal liver (e.g., Cer). Furthermore, phosphatidylserine synthesis and glycolipid metabolism pathways are found to be exclusively enriched following PS-NP and PS-MP exposure in the multiorgan network, respectively. We propose an M/NPs scale-exposed suborgan effect framework, which provides a molecular foundation and potential spatial biomarkers for elucidating intersub-organ interactions in response to M/NPs exposure and their role in mediating pregnancy state. Show less

With increasing life expectancy, the prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) accompanied by comorbidities is rising, presenting a growing challenge for healthcare systems. Understanding shared genetic factors underlying CVD and its comorbid conditions may facilitate the development of more effective strategies for prevention and treatment. In this study, we investigated genetic correlations between CVD and common comorbidities using genome-wide association study (GWAS) summary statistics from the FinnGen R12 release, comprising data from 500,000 Finnish individuals. Following standard quality control procedures, we examined 19 disease endpoints using linkage disequilibrium score regression (LDSC) to estimate heritability and pairwise genetic correlations. Disease traits with significant heritability (z-score ≥ 4) and Bonferroni-corrected significant correlations (adjusted Out of the 19 diseases, four CVDs (transient ischemic attack, atrial fibrillation, myocardial infarction and heart failure) and seven comorbidities (type 2 diabetes, asthma, obesity, depression, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, gingivitis and hypertension) showed statistically significant genetic correlations. A multivariate GWAS of the LGF identified 141 novel associated loci across 29 independent SNPs. These loci overlapped with 16 protein-coding genes, including These findings underscore a shared genetic architecture between CVD and its comorbidities. We provide genetic evidence supporting the re-evaluation of these gene targets in the context of integrated, holistic and multi-disease treatment strategies. The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12920-025-02279-1. Show less

Osteoporotic bone defects pose significant clinical challenges. While icariin (ICA) exhibits pro-osteogenic effects in vitro, its capacity to repair osteoporosis (OP)-related bone defects remains unverified. This study investigates ICA' s therapeutic role in bone regeneration and elucidates its molecular mechanisms via the Hippo pathway in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) and OP rats. Rat BMSCs were isolated and characterized by flow cytometry (CD29+/CD34-/CD45-). BMSCs were induced under osteogenic conditions with ICA at 25 and 50 mg/L. Osteogenic differentiation and mineralization were assessed by ALP and Alizarin Red staining and by measuring mRNA and protein levels of ALP, Runx2, and OCN. The Hippo/TAZ pathway was evaluated by Western blot and qPCR for MST1, p-MST1, TAZ, and p-TAZ. A rescue experiment employed the Hippo pathway agonist lysophosphatidic acid (LPA). An ovariectomized (OVX) rat model of osteoporosis was established to validate ICA's effects in vivo, examined by micro-CT, histology, and tibial expression analyses of osteogenic markers and Hippo/TAZ signaling components. ICA promoted osteogenic differentiation and mineralization of BMSCs. Mechanistically, ICA did not alter MST1 or TAZ transcripts but markedly reduced MST1 and TAZ phosphorylation, thereby stabilizing total TAZ and enhancing downstream osteogenesis. Co-treatment with LPA abrogated ICA-induced osteogenesis, confirming Hippo/TAZ pathway dependence. In OVX rats, ICA mitigated bone loss, improved trabecular microarchitecture (BMD, BV/TV, Tb.N), and upregulated tibial expression of ALP, Runx2, and OCN. Consistently, ICA reduced p-MST1 and p-TAZ levels and increased total TAZ in bone tissues. ICA promotes bone formation both in vitro and in vivo by inhibiting Hippo kinase activity and stabilizing TAZ, thereby enhancing osteogenic differentiation. Our findings identify the Hippo/TAZ axis as a potential therapeutic target for OP and support further translational exploration of ICA as an anti-osteoporotic agent. Show less

Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] is increasingly recognized as a genetically determined, independent risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). This review examines the structure, pathophysiology, and epidemiology of Lp(a), with a focus on its contribution to ASCVD and related conditions such as aortic valve stenosis and peripheral artery disease. The main research question addresses how Lp(a) influences cardiovascular risk and how emerging therapies may modify this risk. This review synthesizes published evidence describing the biological characteristics of Lp(a), its mechanistic roles in disease, and its epidemiologic associations with cardiovascular outcomes. It also evaluates current and investigational therapeutic approaches by examining clinical trial data for agents targeting Lp(a). Lp(a) contributes to residual cardiovascular risk through proatherogenic, proinflammatory, and prothrombotic mechanisms. Current evidence highlights its involvement in ASCVD, aortic valve stenosis, and peripheral artery disease. Clinical studies of antisense oligonucleotides, small interfering RNAs, oral small molecules, and CRISPR-based gene editing, including pelacarsen, olpasiran, zerlasiran, lepodisiran, muvalaplin, and obicetrapib, demonstrate promising efficacy and safety. These agents show potential to significantly reduce Lp(a) levels and influence future cardiovascular prevention strategies. As novel therapies advance and clinical guidelines evolve, Lp(a) is emerging as a central determinant in personalized cardiovascular care. The increasing emphasis on Lp(a) testing underscores its importance in risk stratification and future therapeutic decisionmaking. Show less

The rising global incidence of obesity underscores the urgent demand for effective therapeutic interventions. Natural products have emerged as promising alternatives; however, identifying candidates that effectively target the complex mechanisms underlying obesity remains a critical challenge. In this study, the specialized metabolites of Dendrobium albosanguineum were investigated for their anti-obesity potential. Methanolic extraction was performed on the entire plant, followed by systematic fractionation and compound elucidation using mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. A set of in vitro colorimetric assays was employed to assess pancreatic lipase inhibition, cytotoxicity, intracellular lipid storage, triglyceride content, and glycerol release in murine (3T3-L1) and/or human (PCS-210-010) adipocyte models. In addition, flow cytometry, western blotting analysis, and RT-qPCR were used to evaluate the effects of a chosen metabolite on cell cycle progression and the expression of adipogenesis-related genes and proteins. Eight metabolites were isolated, including bibenzyls (moscatilin, chrysotoxine), lignans (syringaresinol, foliachinenoside C), a sterol (daucosterol), a phenylpropanoid (n-octacosyl-trans-p-coumarate), and flavonoids (rhoifolin, kaempferol-3-O-(2″,6″-dirhamnosyl)glucoside). Among them, foliachinenoside C exhibited the most potent activity, with 94.77 ± 0.85% inhibition of pancreatic lipase (IC Show less

Present paper elicits the synthesis of a series of 2,2-dimethyl-2H-[1,3]dioxino[4,5-b]pyrrol-4(7H)-one derivatives as novel selective BACE1 inhibitors for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD). A four-component, solvent-free condensation process, catalyzed by 10 mol% NiCl₂·6H₂O strategy was explored to achieve their synthesis. The structures of the synthesized compounds were ascertained using different spectroscopic techniques, including FT-IR, Show less

Oxymatrine is an alkaloid with the property of immunomodulation. Recent studies have demonstrated that oxymatrine inhibits experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), an animal model of multiple sclerosis (MS), by promoting the production of interferon-β (IFN-β). However, the mechanism through which oxymatrine regulates the production of IFN-β remains unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the pharmacological effects and related molecular mechanisms of oxymatrine in the treatment of EAE through in vivo and in vitro experiments. Oxymatrine alleviated neurological dysfunction, demyelination, and inflammation in EAE mice. It reduced microglia/macrophage infiltration and polarization, lowered pro-inflammatory cytokine levels (iNOS, TNF-α), and enhanced the expression of IL-10 and IL-27. Additionally, oxymatrine upregulated the STING/TBK1/IRF3 signaling pathway in EAE mice, promoting IFN-β production by microglia. Similarly, in LPS-induced BV2 cells, oxymatrine suppressed inflammatory factors and activated the STING/TBK1/IRF3 pathway to enhance IFN-β production. Notably, treatment with the STING inhibitor, C176, reversed these effects in both EAE mice and LPS-induced BV2 cells, confirming the pathway's critical role in the mechanism of oxymatrine therapy. Oxymatrine promotes IFN-β production in microglia by upregulating the STING/TBK1/IRF3 signaling pathway, thereby alleviating the neurological dysfunction of EAE and reducing pathological and inflammatory events. This study identifies a novel anti-EAE mechanism of oxymatrine: promoting IFN-β production in microglia by activating the STING/TBK1/IRF3 pathway. However, it lacks clinical sample verification. If validated later, oxymatrine may provide a more economical, convenient endogenous IFN-β induction regimen for MS patients. Show less

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) can progress to steatohepatitis (MASH), which is closely associated with obesity and insulin resistance. Resmetirom, and semaglutide, have been shown to have therapeutic effects in clinical studies. We compared these mechanisms in western diet (WD)-fed melanocortin 4 receptor knockout (MC4R-KO) mice, a human MASH pathology model. Male MC4R-KO mice were fed WD for 6 weeks starting from 22 weeks of age for disease induction and were administered drugs for 7 weeks with WD feeding, for a total duration of 13 weeks. Both resmetirom and semaglutide treatments for 7 weeks substantially improved these parameters. Although resmetirome and semaglutide improved liver hydroxyproline deposition and total fat mass, semaglutide markedly suppressed total lean mass. Moreover, resmetirom enhanced oxygen consumption, whereas semaglutide reduced energy expenditure. Histopathological evaluation showed that resmetirom significantly and semaglutide tended to improve liver steatosis score. On the fibrosis score, semaglutide significantly reduced it. Resmetirom and semaglutide have different mechanisms of action against MASH. Similar to clinical evidence, semaglutide treatment, might cause muscle mass reduction due to food intake suppression. This is the first study to simultaneously compare the effects of resmetirom and semaglutide on MASH phenotypes and reveal the differences on their mechanisms of action in WD-fed MC4R-KO mice. Show less

Cervical Cancer is the second most common gynecological malignancy affecting a large group of women worldwide. The molecular mechanism of cervical cancer progression is still not very clear. As a result, diagnosis of cervical cancer occurs at a very advanced stage when the disease has spread to its malignant stage, causing death in the majority of women. EMT is a major culprit associated with the malignant transformation of tumor cells during cancer progression and metastasis. Hence, identification of new biomarkers to detect cervical cancer at an early stage is essential to minimize incidence and mortality. The present study aims to identify Common Differentially Expressed Genes (DEGs) and early biomarkers associated with EMT in cervical cancer. The Datasets were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, with Accession numbers GSE26511, GSE67522, and GSE9750. Then, the Gene Ontology (GO), KEGG pathway enrichment analysis, and protein-protein interactions (PPI) were done. Further hub genes were identified by molecular interaction networks using Cytoscape from the constructed network of DEGs. Afterwards, survival analysis was performed to assess the prognostic significance of eight hub genes associated with EMT in cervical cancer. A total of 11,339 overlapping DEGs were identified from all three datasets, among all the total 61 DEGS, and 8 hub genes were linked to the EMT pathway. Our study suggests that these eight hub genes, CDH1, CDH2, MMP2, CD44, FN1, FGF2, SNAI1, and SNAI2, may be critically associated with EMT progression. Among the eight identified EMT hub genes, CDH2 (N-cadherin) demonstrated a significant association with overall survival, while FN1 (fibronectin) was notably linked to disease-free survival, underscoring their prognostic value in cervical cancer. Based on these findings, our study suggests that CDH1, CDH2, MMP2, CD44, FN1, FGF2, SNAI1, and SNAI2 hold potential diagnostic and prognostic significance in the progression of cervical cancer. Show less

Mitochondrial unfolded protein response (UPR The data were sourced from the cancer genome atlas (TCGA) and GSE31210 dataset and MRGs were retrieved to identify those with prognostic relevance, which were applied to recognize the molecular clusters in LUAD. The cluster-specific differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified for the functional enrichment analysis. The independent differentially expressed MRGs were sorted out to develop a risk model. Besides, the tumor immune microenvironment was analyzed using the ESTIMATE, TIMER, MCP-counter, and ssGSEA algorithms. The data were processed with Mutect2 to evaluate the genetic mutation landscape, while the IMvigor210 cohort and pRRophetic package were utilized to predict immunotherapeutic responses and drug sensitivity. Finally, in vitro validation was performed via quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR), cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8), wound healing, and Transwell assays. Most MRGs were higher expressed in LUAD, and CREB binding protein (CREBBP), lysine demethylase 6B (KDM6B) and leucine rich pentatricopeptide repeat containing (LRPPRC) were the top 3 genes with mutation frequency. 8 MRGs were applied to identify 2 molecular clusters, with the worst prognosis seen in cluster C1. The clusters-specific DEGs were mainly enriched in cell proliferation-related pathways and the established risk model based on 4 hub genes (ANLN, FAM83A, CPS1 and KRT6A) showed satisfying efficacy in predicting the prognosis and was negatively correlated with most immune cells. Besides, the tumor mutation burden tended to be stronger in high risk group with high gene mutation frequency. In IMvigor210 cohort, higher RiskScore was seen in patients with progressive disease and stable disease and related to a worse survival. 3 drug candidates, including Roscovitine, Rapamycin and PHA.665752 were positively correlated with RiskScore. Besides, all 4 MRGs were highly expressed in LUAD cells and the silencing of ANLN repressed the LUAD cell proliferation, migration and invasion. The established 4-MRGs signature not only serves as a robust prognostic indicator but also highlights the significant involvement of mitochondrial unfolded protein response in shaping tumor microenvironment and influencing immunotherapy outcomes in LUAD. The 4 MRGs may contribute to the understanding on UPR Show less

In uveal melanoma (UM), the most common primary intraocular tumor, up to half of patients develop fatal metastases despite high local tumor control. Effective treatments for genetically high-risk tumors remain limited, largely due to challenges posed by cancer stem cells (CSCs) and the tumor microenvironment (TME), which sustain tumor progression and resistance. Our study evaluated stemness properties in UM tumor cells, focusing on Show less

Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM) is typically linked to variants in desmosomal genes (eg, DSG2), whereas MYBPC3 variants are associated with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Concurrent variants from both pathways are rare and poorly characterized. A 35-year-old man who presented with congestive heart failure fulfilled the criteria for biventricular ACM. Genetic analysis identified 3 heterozygous variants, in DSG2 (c.136C>T, p.Arg46Trp and c.806T>C, p.Ile269Thr) and MYBPC3 (c.529C>T, p.Arg177Cys; variant of uncertain significance). The patient was treated with guideline-directed therapy, remained clinically stable with reduced premature ventricular complex burden and improved biventricular function on cardiac magnetic resonance, and was listed for heart transplantation. Concurrent DSG2 and MYBPC3 variants represent an uncommon genetic profile in ACM, contributing to variable phenotype and adverse outcomes. This case highlights the value of genetic testing combined with advanced imaging in refining the characterization of inherited cardiomyopathies. Concurrent genetic variants may influence phenotype and prognosis. Comprehensive testing and longitudinal follow-up are essential for risk stratification and personalized care. Show less

Previously, we advocated the importance of classifying hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) based on physiological functions. This study aims to classify HCC by focusing on liver-intrinsic metabolism and glycolytic pathway in cancer cells. Comprehensive RNA/DNA sequencing, immunohistochemistry, and radiological evaluations were performed on HCC tissues from the training cohort (n=136) and validated in 916 public samples. HCC was classified using hierarchical clustering and compared with previous molecular, histopathological, and hemodynamic classifications. Liver-specific metabolism and glycolysis are mutually exclusive and were divided into two major subclasses: The "rich metabolism" subclass (60.3%) is characterized by enhanced bile acid and fatty acid metabolism, wellto-moderate differentiation, microtrabecular or pseudoglandular pattern, and homogeneous arterial-phase hyperenhancement (APHE), corresponding to Hoshida S3 with favorable prognosis. In IL6-JAK-STAT3-high (25.0%) conditions, upregulated ALB expression, enhanced gluconeogenesis and urea cycle activity, and an inflammatorymicroenvironment are observed. Conversely, the Wnt/β-catenin-high environment (19.9%) features elevated GLUL, APOB and CYP3A4 expression, frequent CTNNB1 (D32-S37) mutations, and an immune-desert/excluded phenotype. The "glycolysis" subclass (39.7%), characterized by histopathological dedifferentiation and downregulated liver-specific metabolism, encompasses subclasses with PI3K/mTOR (20.6%) and NOTCH/TGF-β (19.1%) signaling. These often exhibit TP53 mutations, macrotrabecular massive or compact patterns, inhomogeneous/rim-APHE, and high expression of hypoxia-inducible factors and glucose transporters, corresponding to Hoshida S1/2 with poor prognosis. The loss of liver-specific metabolism correlates with morphological dedifferentiation, indicating cellular dedifferentiation may exhibit both physiological and pathological duality. Key signaling pathways involved in the maturation process from fetal to adult liver and zonation program may play a critical role in defining HCC diversity. Show less

Growth factor induced receptor dimerization and activation of downstream pathways can modulate cell fate decisions. Here, we investigate the potential of de novo designed synthetic ligands, termed Novokines, to reprogram cell identity by inducing proximity of novel pairs of receptor subunits. We find that a design, H2F, that brings together HER2 (which has no known natural ligand) and the FGF receptor has potent signaling activity. H2F induces robust signaling and reprograms fibroblasts into myogenic cells. Unlike native FGF ligands, H2F selectively activates the MAPK pathway without engaging PLCγ-mediated Ca²⁺ signaling. FRET assays confirm H2F-mediated HER2-FGFR proximity, and phosphoproteomic analysis reveals activation of MAPK effectors. H2F-induced ERK phosphorylation is abolished in cells expressing a kinase-dead FGFR1 (K514M) mutant, confirming the requirement for FGFR catalytic activity. H2F treatment significantly increases myofiber formation from adult patient-derived primary myoblasts, demonstrating its capacity to promote myogenic regeneration. Our findings demonstrate that synthetic receptor pairings can rewire signaling outputs to drive regeneration, providing a programmable platform for cell fate engineering. Show less