F-box protein is an expanding family member of eukaryotic protein characterized by an F-box motif which has specificity of substrate recognition in the ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis.These proteins have been proved to...F-box protein is an expanding family member of eukaryotic protein characterized by an F-box motif which has specificity of substrate recognition in the ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis.These proteins have been proved to be critical for many physiological processes,such as cell-cycle transition,signal transduction,gene transcription,male sterility,programmed cell death （PCD） and so on.This paper mainly introduces the biological functions of the known F-box proteins and the analysis of F-box gene phylogeny.展开更多
BACKGROUND Colon cancer represents a significant malignant neoplasm within the digestive system,characterized by a high incidence rate and substantial disease burden.The F-box protein 22(FBXO22)plays a role in forming...BACKGROUND Colon cancer represents a significant malignant neoplasm within the digestive system,characterized by a high incidence rate and substantial disease burden.The F-box protein 22(FBXO22)plays a role in forming a specific type of ubiquitin ligase subunit,which is expressed abnormally in various malignant neoplasms and shows a notable relationship with prognosis in patients with cancer.Never-theless,the function of FBXO22 in the context of colon cancer remains inade-quately elucidated.AIM To explore the role of FBXO22 in colon cancer by examining FBXO22 expression patterns and analyzing how the protein affects the prognosis in patients who have undergone surgery.METHODS Samples of cancerous and nearby normal tissues from patients with colon cancer were gathered,along with pertinent clinical data.Expression levels of the FBXO22 gene in both cancerous and paracancerous tissues were assessed through immu-nohistochemistry.The median H score served as a criterion for categorizing FBXO22 gene expression into high and low levels in cancerous tissues,and the relationship between these expression levels and various pathologic character-istics of patients,such as age,sex,and clinical stage,was analyzed.Colon cancer cell lines HCT116 and DLD-1 were used and divided into three groups:A blank control group,a negative control group,and a si-FBXO22 group.FBXO22 gene mRNA and protein expression were measured 24 hours post-transfection using real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blotting.The proliferation capabilities of the cells in each group were assessed using the Cell Counting Kit-8 assay and 5-ethynyl-2’-deoxyuridine assay,while cellular migration and invasion abilities were evaluated using scratch healing and Transwell assays.Various online platforms,including the Timer Immune Estimation Resource,were used to analyze pan-cancer expression,promoter methylation levels,and mutation frequencies of the FBXO22 gene in colon cancer patients.Additionally,the correlation between FBXO22 gene expression,patient prognosis,immune cell infiltration,and the expression of immune molecules in the colon cancer microenvironment was investigated.The relationship between FBXO22 gene expression and chemotherapy resistance,along with the potential mechanisms of action of the FBXO22 gene,were analyzed using The Cancer Genome Atlas dataset and the Genomics of Drug Sensitivity in Cancer drug training set via R software.RESULTS Compared with normal colonic tissues,the FBXO22 gene was highly expressed in colon cancer tissues.Post-operative patients with colon cancer elevated FBXO22 reduced survival and exhibited resistance to various chemotherapeutic agents.FBXO22 expression suppresses the infiltration of anti-tumor immune cells.In vitro,FBXO22 knockdown inhibited the proliferation and migration of colon cancer cells.CONCLUSION The FBXO22 gene is a biomarker of poor prognosis in patients with colon cancer and has potential as a target for immunotherapy and overcoming chemotherapy resistance.展开更多
Ma et al recently reported in the World Journal of Diabetes that ferroptosis occurs in osteoblasts under high glucose conditions,reflecting diabetes pathology.This condition could be protected by the upregulation of t...Ma et al recently reported in the World Journal of Diabetes that ferroptosis occurs in osteoblasts under high glucose conditions,reflecting diabetes pathology.This condition could be protected by the upregulation of the gene encoding polycytosine RNA-binding protein 1(PCBP1).Additionally,Ma et al used a lentivirus infection system to express PCBP1.As the authors’method of administration can be improved in terms of stability and cost,we propose delivering PCBP1 to treat type 2 diabetic osteoporosis by encapsulating it in protein nanoparticles.First,PCBP1 is small and druggable.Second,intravenous injection can help deliver PCBP1 across the mucosa while avoiding acid and enzyme-catalyzed degradation.Furthermore,incorporating PCBP1 into nanoparticles prevents its interaction with water or oxygen and protects PCBP1’s structure and activity.Notably,the safety of the protein materials and the industrialization techniques for large-scale production of protein nanoparticles must be comprehensively investigated before clinical application.展开更多
BACKGROUND Regulator of G protein signaling(RGS)proteins participate in tumor formation and metastasis by acting on theα-subunit of heterotrimeric G proteins.The speci-fic effect of RGS,particularly RGS4,on the progr...BACKGROUND Regulator of G protein signaling(RGS)proteins participate in tumor formation and metastasis by acting on theα-subunit of heterotrimeric G proteins.The speci-fic effect of RGS,particularly RGS4,on the progression of gastric cancer(GC)is not yet clear.AIM To explore the role and underlying mechanisms of action of RGS4 in GC develop-ment.METHODS The prognostic significance of RGS4 in GC was analyzed using bioinformatics based public databases and verified by immunohistochemistry and quantitative polymerase chain reaction in 90 patients with GC.Function assays were employed to assess the carcinogenic impact of RGS4,and the mechanism of its possible influence was detected by western blot analysis.A nude mouse xenograft model was established to study the effects of RGS4 on GC growth in vitro.RESULTS RGS4 was highly expressed in GC tissues compared with matched adjacent normal tissues.Elevated RGS4 expression was correlated with increased tumor-node-metastasis stage,increased tumor grade as well as poorer overall survival in patients with GC.Cell experiments demonstrated that RGS4 knockdown suppressed GC cell proliferation,migration and invasion.Similarly,xenograft experiments confirmed that RGS4 silencing significantly inhibited tumor growth.Moreover,RGS4 knockdown resulted in reduced phosphorylation levels of focal adhesion kinase,phosphatidyl-inositol-3-kinase,and protein kinase B,decreased vimentin and N-cadherin,and elevated E-cadherin.CONCLUSION High RGS4 expression in GC indicates a worse prognosis and RGS4 is a prognostic marker.RGS4 influences tumor progression via the focal adhesion kinase/phosphatidyl-inositol-3-kinase/protein kinase B pathway and epithelial-mesenchymal transition.展开更多
Protein arginine methyltransferase-6 participates in a range of biological functions,particularly RNA processing,transcription,chromatin remodeling,and endosomal trafficking.However,it remains unclear whether protein ...Protein arginine methyltransferase-6 participates in a range of biological functions,particularly RNA processing,transcription,chromatin remodeling,and endosomal trafficking.However,it remains unclear whether protein arginine methyl transferase-6 modifies neuropathic pain and,if so,what the mechanisms of this effect.In this study,protein arginine methyltransferase-6 expression levels and its effect on neuropathic pain were investigated in the spared nerve injury model,chronic constriction injury model and bone cancer pain model,using immunohistochemistry,western blotting,immunoprecipitation,and label-free proteomic analysis.The results showed that protein arginine methyltransferase-6 mostly co-localized withβ-tubulinⅢin the dorsal root ganglion,and that its expression decreased following spared nerve injury,chronic constriction injury and bone cancer pain.In addition,PRMT6 knockout(Prmt6~(-/-))mice exhibited pain hypersensitivity.Furthermore,the development of spared nerve injury-induced hypersensitivity to mechanical pain was attenuated by blocking the decrease in protein arginine methyltransferase-6 expression.Moreover,when protein arginine methyltransferase-6 expression was downregulated in the dorsal root ganglion in mice without spared nerve injury,increased levels of phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinases were observed in the ipsilateral dorsal horn,and the response to mechanical stimuli was enhanced.Mechanistically,protein arginine methyltransferase-6 appeared to contribute to spared nerve injury-induced neuropathic pain by regulating the expression of heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein-F.Additionally,protein arginine methyltransfe rase-6-mediated modulation of hete rogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein-F expression required amino atids 319 to 388,but not classical H3R2 methylation.These findings indicated that protein arginine methyltransferase-6 is a potential therapeutic target fo r the treatment of peripheral neuro pathic pain.展开更多
Protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) as a result of poor nutrition, especially for deprived resourced households, is a big health concern in the world. According to the World Health Organisation, PEM accounts for 49% of ...Protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) as a result of poor nutrition, especially for deprived resourced households, is a big health concern in the world. According to the World Health Organisation, PEM accounts for 49% of the 10.4 million deaths of children under five that take place in developing countries. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of gum Arabic (GA) and texturized soy protein (TSP) and their interactive effect on proximate, functional, and textural properties of the protein-rich snack stick produced from ground green maize, GA powder, and ground TSP. GA varied at 0%, 4%, 8%, and 12%, while TSP varied at 0%, 12%, 24% and 36%. The 5 cm long protein-rich snack sticks were made using a sausage stuffer and baked in an oven at 110˚C for 1 hr 30 minutes. The snack sticks were subjected to proximate, functional and textural analysis using the standard methods. Increasing GA resulted in a significant (p p < 0.05) increased the protein content (32.46%), Ash content (3.6%), fat (11.96%), and moisture content (16.25%) of protein-rich snack sticks. The interactive effect between GA and TSP led to a decrease in fibre and carbohydrates. Results from this study show GA and TSP significantly enhanced the physico-chemical properties of protein-rich snack sticks. A sample with 4% GA and 36% TSP is recommended for the best physico-chemical attributes of the protein-rich snack stick.展开更多
The interaction between the gut microbiota and cyclic adenosine monophosphate(cAMP)-protein kinase A(PKA)signaling pathway in the host's central nervous system plays a crucial role in neurological diseases and enh...The interaction between the gut microbiota and cyclic adenosine monophosphate(cAMP)-protein kinase A(PKA)signaling pathway in the host's central nervous system plays a crucial role in neurological diseases and enhances communication along the gut–brain axis.The gut microbiota influences the cAMP-PKA signaling pathway through its metabolites,which activates the vagus nerve and modulates the immune and neuroendocrine systems.Conversely,alterations in the cAMP-PKA signaling pathway can affect the composition of the gut microbiota,creating a dynamic network of microbial-host interactions.This reciprocal regulation affects neurodevelopment,neurotransmitter control,and behavioral traits,thus playing a role in the modulation of neurological diseases.The coordinated activity of the gut microbiota and the cAMP-PKA signaling pathway regulates processes such as amyloid-β protein aggregation,mitochondrial dysfunction,abnormal energy metabolism,microglial activation,oxidative stress,and neurotransmitter release,which collectively influence the onset and progression of neurological diseases.This study explores the complex interplay between the gut microbiota and cAMP-PKA signaling pathway,along with its implications for potential therapeutic interventions in neurological diseases.Recent pharmacological research has shown that restoring the balance between gut flora and cAMP-PKA signaling pathway may improve outcomes in neurodegenerative diseases and emotional disorders.This can be achieved through various methods such as dietary modifications,probiotic supplements,Chinese herbal extracts,combinations of Chinese herbs,and innovative dosage forms.These findings suggest that regulating the gut microbiota and cAMP-PKA signaling pathway may provide valuable evidence for developing novel therapeutic approaches for neurodegenerative diseases.展开更多
BACKGROUND: Inappropriate antibiotic treatment for patients with viral infections has led to a surge in antimicrobial resistance, increasing mortality and healthcare costs. Viral and bacterial infections are often dif...BACKGROUND: Inappropriate antibiotic treatment for patients with viral infections has led to a surge in antimicrobial resistance, increasing mortality and healthcare costs. Viral and bacterial infections are often difficult to distinguish. Myxovirus resistance protein A(MxA), an essential antiviral factor induced by interferon after viral infection, holds promise for distinguishing between viral and bacterial infections. This study aimed to determine the ability of Mx A to distinguish viral from bacterial infections.METHODS: We quantified MxA in 121 infected patients via dry immunofluorescence chromatography. The Kruskal-Wallis test and receiver operating characteristic(ROC) curve analysis were used to determine the diagnostic value of Mx A, either alone or in combination with C-reactive protein(CRP) or procalcitonin(PCT), in patients with viral, bacterial, or co-infections.RESULTS: The value of MxA(ng/mL) was significantly higher in patients with viral infections than in those with bacterial and co-infections(82.3 [24.5–182.9] vs. 16.4 [10.8–26.5], P<0.0001)(82.3 [24.5–182.9] vs. 28.5 [10.2–106.8], P=0.0237). The area under the curve(AUC) of the ROC curve for distinguishing between viral and bacterial infections was 0.799(95% confidence interval [95% CI] 0.696–0.903), with a sensitivity of 68.9%(95% CI 54.3%–80.5%) and specificity of 90.0%(95% CI 74.4%–96.5%) at the threshold of 50.3 ng/mL. Combining the MxA level with the CRP or PCT level improved its ability. MxA expression was low in cytomegalovirus(15.8 [9.6–47.6] ng/mL) and Epstein-Barr virus(12.9 [8.5–21.0] ng/mL) infections.CONCLUSION: Our study showed the diagnostic efficacy of Mx A in distinguishing between viral and bacterial infections, with further enhancement when it was combined with CRP or PCT. Moreover, EpsteinBarr virus and human cytomegalovirus infections did not elicit elevated Mx A expression.展开更多
Developing effective and long-term treatment strategies for rare and complex neurodegenerative diseases is challenging. One of the major roadblocks is the extensive heterogeneity among patients. This hinders understan...Developing effective and long-term treatment strategies for rare and complex neurodegenerative diseases is challenging. One of the major roadblocks is the extensive heterogeneity among patients. This hinders understanding the underlying disease-causing mechanisms and building solutions that have implications for a broad spectrum of patients. One potential solution is to develop personalized medicine approaches based on strategies that target the most prevalent cellular events that are perturbed in patients. Especially in patients with a known genetic mutation, it may be possible to understand how these mutations contribute to problems that lead to neurodegeneration. Protein–protein interaction analyses offer great advantages for revealing how proteins interact, which cellular events are primarily involved in these interactions, and how they become affected when key genes are mutated in patients. This line of investigation also suggests novel druggable targets for patients with different mutations. Here, we focus on alsin and spastin, two proteins that are identified as “causative” for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and hereditary spastic paraplegia, respectively, when mutated. Our review analyzes the protein interactome for alsin and spastin, the canonical pathways that are primarily important for each protein domain, as well as compounds that are either Food and Drug Administration–approved or are in active clinical trials concerning the affected cellular pathways. This line of research begins to pave the way for personalized medicine approaches that are desperately needed for rare neurodegenerative diseases that are complex and heterogeneous.展开更多
The E3 ubiquitin ligase,carboxyl terminus of heat shock protein 70(Hsp70)interacting protein(CHIP),also functions as a co-chaperone and plays a crucial role in the protein quality control system.In this study,we aimed...The E3 ubiquitin ligase,carboxyl terminus of heat shock protein 70(Hsp70)interacting protein(CHIP),also functions as a co-chaperone and plays a crucial role in the protein quality control system.In this study,we aimed to investigate the neuroprotective effect of overexpressed CHIP on Alzheimer’s disease.We used an adeno-associated virus vector that can cross the blood-brain barrier to mediate CHIP overexpression in APP/PS1 mouse brain.CHIP overexpression significantly ameliorated the performance of APP/PS1 mice in the Morris water maze and nest building tests,reduced amyloid-βplaques,and decreased the expression of both amyloid-βand phosphorylated tau.CHIP also alleviated the concentration of microglia and astrocytes around plaques.In APP/PS1 mice of a younger age,CHIP overexpression promoted an increase in ADAM10 expression and inhibitedβ-site APP cleaving enzyme 1,insulin degrading enzyme,and neprilysin expression.Levels of HSP70 and HSP40,which have functional relevance to CHIP,were also increased.Single nuclei transcriptome sequencing in the hippocampus of CHIP overexpressed mice showed that the lysosomal pathway and oligodendrocyte-related biological processes were up-regulated,which may also reflect a potential mechanism for the neuroprotective effect of CHIP.Our research shows that CHIP effectively reduces the behavior and pathological manifestations of APP/PS1 mice.Indeed,overexpression of CHIP could be a beneficial approach for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.展开更多
Hippocampal neuronal loss causes cognitive dysfunction in Alzheimer’s disease.Adult hippocampal neurogenesis is reduced in patients with Alzheimer’s disease.Exercise stimulates adult hippocampal neurogenesis in rode...Hippocampal neuronal loss causes cognitive dysfunction in Alzheimer’s disease.Adult hippocampal neurogenesis is reduced in patients with Alzheimer’s disease.Exercise stimulates adult hippocampal neurogenesis in rodents and improves memory and slows cognitive decline in patients with Alzheimer’s disease.However,the molecular pathways for exercise-induced adult hippocampal neurogenesis and improved cognition in Alzheimer’s disease are poorly understood.Recently,regulator of G protein signaling 6(RGS6)was identified as the mediator of voluntary running-induced adult hippocampal neurogenesis in mice.Here,we generated novel RGS6fl/fl;APP_(SWE) mice and used retroviral approaches to examine the impact of RGS6 deletion from dentate gyrus neuronal progenitor cells on voluntary running-induced adult hippocampal neurogenesis and cognition in an amyloid-based Alzheimer’s disease mouse model.We found that voluntary running in APP_(SWE) mice restored their hippocampal cognitive impairments to that of control mice.This cognitive rescue was abolished by RGS6 deletion in dentate gyrus neuronal progenitor cells,which also abolished running-mediated increases in adult hippocampal neurogenesis.Adult hippocampal neurogenesis was reduced in sedentary APP_(SWE) mice versus control mice,with basal adult hippocampal neurogenesis reduced by RGS6 deletion in dentate gyrus neural precursor cells.RGS6 was expressed in neurons within the dentate gyrus of patients with Alzheimer’s disease with significant loss of these RGS6-expressing neurons.Thus,RGS6 mediated voluntary running-induced rescue of impaired cognition and adult hippocampal neurogenesis in APP_(SWE) mice,identifying RGS6 in dentate gyrus neural precursor cells as a possible therapeutic target in Alzheimer’s disease.展开更多
BACKGROUND:Adeno-associated virus(AAV)gene therapy has been proven to be reliable and safe for the treatment of osteoarthritis in recent years.However,given the complexity of osteoarthritis pathogenesis,single gene ma...BACKGROUND:Adeno-associated virus(AAV)gene therapy has been proven to be reliable and safe for the treatment of osteoarthritis in recent years.However,given the complexity of osteoarthritis pathogenesis,single gene manipulation for the treatment of osteoarthritis may not produce satisfactory results.Previous studies have shown that nuclear factorκB could promote the inflammatory pathway in osteoarthritic chondrocytes,and bone morphogenetic protein 4(BMP4)could promote cartilage regeneration.OBJECTIVE:To test whether combined application of AAV-p65shRNA and AAV-BMP4 will yield the synergistic effect on chondrocytes regeneration and osteoarthritis treatment.METHODS:Viral particles containing AAV-p65-shRNA and AAV-BMP4 were prepared.Their efficacy in inhibiting inflammation in chondrocytes and promoting chondrogenesis was assessed in vitro and in vivo by transfecting AAV-p65-shRNA or AAV-BMP4 into cells.The experiments were divided into five groups:PBS group;osteoarthritis group;AAV-BMP4 group;AAV-p65shRNA group;and BMP4-p65shRNA 1:1 group.Samples were collected at 4,12,and 24 weeks postoperatively.Tissue staining,including safranin O and Alcian blue,was applied after collecting articular tissue.Then,the optimal ratio between the two types of transfected viral particles was further investigated to improve the chondrogenic potential of mixed cells in vivo.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The combined application of AAV-p65shRNA and AAV-BMP4 together showed a synergistic effect on cartilage regeneration and osteoarthritis treatment.Mixed cells transfected with AAV-p65shRNA and AAV-BMP4 at a 1:1 ratio produced the most extracellular matrix synthesis(P<0.05).In vivo results also revealed that the combination of the two viruses had the highest regenerative potential for osteoarthritic cartilage(P<0.05).In the present study,we also discovered that the combined therapy had the maximum effect when the two viruses were administered in equal proportions.Decreasing either p65shRNA or BMP4 transfected cells resulted in less collagen II synthesis.This implies that inhibiting inflammation by p65shRNA and promoting regeneration by BMP4 are equally important for osteoarthritis treatment.These findings provide a new strategy for the treatment of early osteoarthritis by simultaneously inhibiting cartilage inflammation and promoting cartilage repair.展开更多
Background Diets with high inclusion of corn co-products such as corn fermented protein(CFP)may contain excess Leu,which has a negative impact on feed intake and growth performance of pigs due to increased catabolism ...Background Diets with high inclusion of corn co-products such as corn fermented protein(CFP)may contain excess Leu,which has a negative impact on feed intake and growth performance of pigs due to increased catabolism of Val and Ile and reduced availability of Trp in the brain for serotonin synthesis.However,we hypothesized that the negative effect of using CFP in diets for weanling pigs may be overcome if diets are fortified with crystalline sources of Val,Trp,and(or)Ile.Methods Three hundred and twenty weanling pigs were randomly allotted to one of 10 dietary treatments in a com-pletely randomized design,with 4 pigs per pen and 8 replicate pens per treatment.A corn-soybean meal diet and 2 basal diets based on corn and 10%CFP or corn and 20%CFP were formulated.Seven additional diets were formu-lated by fortifying the basal diet with 20%CFP with Ile,Trp,Val,Ile and Val,Ile and Trp,Trp and Val,or Ile,Trp and Val.A two-phase feeding program was used,with d 1 to 14 being phase 1 and d 15 to 28 being phase 2.Fecal scores were recorded every other day.Blood samples were collected on d 14 and 28 from one pig per pen.On d 14,fecal samples were collected from one pig per pen in 3 of the 10 treatments to determine volatile fatty acids,ammonium concen-tration,and microbial protein.These pigs were also euthanized and ileal tissue was collected.Results There were no effects of dietary treatments on any of the parameters evaluated in phase 1.Inclusion of 10%or 20%CFP in diets reduced(P<0.05)final body weight on d 28,and average daily gain(ADG)and average daily feed intake(ADFI)in phase 2 and for the entire experimental period.However,pigs fed the CFP diet supplemented with Val,Ile,and Trp had final body weight,ADFI,ADG and gain to feed ratio in phase 2 and for the entire experiment that was not different from pigs fed the control diet.Fecal scores in phase 2 were reduced(P<0.05)if CFP was used.Conclusions Corn fermented protein may be included by up to 20%in diets for weanling pigs without affecting growth performance,gut health,or hindgut fermentation,if diets are fortified with extra Val,Trp,and Ile.Inclusion of CFP also improved fecal consistency of pigs.展开更多
In this editorial,the roles of protein tyrosine phosphatase nonreceptor 2(PTPN2)in oncogenic transformation and tumor behavior and its potential as a therapeutic target in the context of gastrointestinal(GI)cancers ar...In this editorial,the roles of protein tyrosine phosphatase nonreceptor 2(PTPN2)in oncogenic transformation and tumor behavior and its potential as a therapeutic target in the context of gastrointestinal(GI)cancers are presented with respect to the article by Li et al published in ninth issue of the World Journal of Gastrointestinal Oncology.PTPN2 is a member of the protein tyrosine phosphatase family of signaling proteins that play crucial roles in the regulation of inflammation and immunity.Accordingly,early findings highlighted the contribution of PTPN2 to the pathogenesis of inflammatory and autoimmune disorders related to its dysfunction.On the other hand,recent studies have indicated that PTPN2 has many different roles in different cancer types,which is associated with the complexity of its regulatory network.PTPN2 dephosphorylates and inactivates EGFR,SRC family kinases,JAK1 and JAK3,and STAT1,STAT3,and STAT5 in cell type-and context-dependent manners,which indicates that PTPN2 can perform either prooncogenic or anti-oncogenic functions depending on the tumor subtype.While PTPN2 has been suggested as a potential therapeutic target in cancer treatment,to the best of ourknowledge,no clear treatment protocol has referred to PTPN2.Although there are only few studies that investigated PTPN2 expression in the GI system cancers,which is a potential limitation,the association of this protein with tumor behavior and the influence of PTPN2 on many therapy-related signaling pathways emphasize that PTPN2 could serve as a new molecular biomarker to predict tumor behavior and as a target for therapeutic intervention against GI cancers.In conclusion,more studies should be performed to better understand the prognostic and therapeutic potential of PTPN2 in GI tumors,especially in tumors resistant to therapy.展开更多
BACKGROUND Although transmembrane protein 106C(TMEM106C)has been elucidated to be overexpressed in cancers,its underlying mechanisms have not yet been fully understood.AIM To investigate the expression levels and mole...BACKGROUND Although transmembrane protein 106C(TMEM106C)has been elucidated to be overexpressed in cancers,its underlying mechanisms have not yet been fully understood.AIM To investigate the expression levels and molecular mechanisms of TMEM106C across 34 different cancer types,including liver hepatocellular carcinoma(LIHC).METHODS We analyzed TMEM106C expression patterns in pan-cancers using microenvironment cell populations counter to evaluate its association with the tumor microenvironment.Gene set enrichment analysis was conducted to identify molecular pathways related to TMEM106C.Chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by sequencing(ChIP-seq)analysis was conducted to identify upstream transcriptional regulators of TMEM106C.In LIHC,we examined mRNA profiles,performed in-house quantitative polymerase chain reaction,immunohistochemistry,and constructed a co-expression gene network.Functional assays,including cell counting kit-8,cell cycle,apoptosis,migration,and invasion,were conducted.The effect of nitidine chloride(NC)on LIHC xenograft was evaluated through RNA sequencing and molecular docking.Finally,potential therapeutic agents targeting TMEM106C were predicted.RESULTS TMEM106C was significantly overexpressed in 27 different cancer types and presaged poor prognosis in four of these types,including LIHC.Across pan-cancers,TMEM106C was inversely correlated to the abundances of immune and stromal cells.Furthermore,TMEM106C was significantly linked to cell cycle and DNA replication pathways in pan-cancers.ChIP-seq analysis predicted CCCTC-binding factor as a pivotal transcriptional factor targeting the TMEM106C gene in pan-cancers.Integrated analysis showed that TMEM106C was upregulated in 4657 LIHC compared with 3652 normal liver tissue[combined standardized mean difference=1.31(1.09,1.52)].Inhouse LIHC samples verified the expression status of TMEM106C.Higher TMEM106C expression signified worse survival conditions in LIHC patients treated with sorafenib,a tyrosine kinase inhibitor(TKI).Co-expressed analysis revealed that TMEM106C were significantly enriched in the cell cycle pathway.Knockout experiments demonstrated that TMEM106C plays a crucial role in LIHC cell proliferation,migration,and invasion,with cell cycle arrest occurring at the DNA synthesis phase,and increased apoptosis.Notably,TMEM106C upregulation was attenuated by NC treatment.Finally,TMEM106C expression levels were significantly correlated with the drug sensitivity of anti-hepatocellular carcinoma agents,including JNJ-42756493,a TKI agent.CONCLUSION Overexpressed TMEM106C was predicted as an oncogene in pan-cancers,which may serve as a promising therapeutic target for various cancers,including LIHC.Targeting TMEM106C could potentially offer a novel direction in overcoming TKI resistance specifically in LIHC.Future research directions include in-depth experimental validation and exploration of TMEM106C’s role in other cancer types.展开更多
Objective:To analyze the diagnostic value of combined testing of C-reactive protein(CRP)and procalcitonin(PCT)in elderly patients with bacterial pneumonia.Methods:This study included 50 elderly patients with bacterial...Objective:To analyze the diagnostic value of combined testing of C-reactive protein(CRP)and procalcitonin(PCT)in elderly patients with bacterial pneumonia.Methods:This study included 50 elderly patients with bacterial pneumonia as the observation group and 50 patients with non-bacterial pneumonia as the control group,recruited from May 2022 to October 2023.Fasting venous blood samples were collected in the morning from all 100 participants.CRP levels were measured using a fully automated biochemical analyzer,while PCT levels were detected using the immunoturbidimetric luminescence method.Results:CRP and PCT levels were significantly higher in bacterial pneumonia patients[(98.25±11.59)mg/L and(3.57±1.35)μg/L,respectively]compared to the control group[(5.55±2.78)mg/L and(0.25±0.12)μg/L,respectively],with significant intergroup differences(P<0.05).Patients with severe bacterial pneumonia exhibited higher serum CRP and PCT levels compared to those with moderate or mild disease(P<0.05).The combined testing of CRP and PCT showed higher sensitivity and specificity than individual tests.In the observation group,CRP and PCT levels significantly decreased after treatment compared to pre-treatment levels.Conclusion:The combination of CRP and PCT testing provides high diagnostic accuracy for bacterial pneumonia in elderly patients.It effectively differentiates bacterial from non-bacterial infections,offering valuable data to guide clinical treatment.展开更多
BACKGROUND Upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage is a life-threatening manifestation of cow’s milk protein allergy(CMPA).We analyze the clinical characteristics of a case of milk protein allergy manifested as severe uppe...BACKGROUND Upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage is a life-threatening manifestation of cow’s milk protein allergy(CMPA).We analyze the clinical characteristics of a case of milk protein allergy manifested as severe upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage.CASE SUMMARY The hospital admitted a 2-month-old male infant due to“melena for 6 days,he-matemesis twice”.The main symptom was melena,initially occurring once or twice per day,then gradually increasing to five or six times per day at their peak.During the course of the illness,the infant vomited blood,but there were no re-ports of vomiting,fever,pale complexion,dyspnea,wheezing,or difficulty brea-thing.Laboratory tests showed hemoglobin level of 87 g/L,platelet count of 349×109/L,and eosinophil percentage of 0.031.Coagulation studies were normal.After avoiding certain foods and feeding with an amino acid formula for 2 weeks,a repeat gastroscopy revealed less bleeding.After six weeks,a positive oral food challenge test confirmed a severe CMPA.At the 4-month follow-up,there was no gastrointestinal bleeding,and the infant was growing and developing well.CONCLUSION The manifestations of milk protein allergy are diverse and nonspecific,with gas-trointestinal bleeding being less common,especially in infants.When infants present with unexplained massive hematemesis,it’s critical to investigate the possibility of CMPA.展开更多
Backgroud Before fertilization,spermatozoa undergo a crucial maturation step called capacitation,which is a unique event regulates the sperm’s ability for successful fertilization.The capacitation process takes place...Backgroud Before fertilization,spermatozoa undergo a crucial maturation step called capacitation,which is a unique event regulates the sperm’s ability for successful fertilization.The capacitation process takes place as the spermatozoa pass through the female reproductive tract(FRT).Dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase(DLD)protein is a post-pyruvate metabolic enzyme,exhibiting reactive oxygen species(ROS)production which causes capacitation.Additionally,other vital functions of DLD in buffalo spermatozoa are hyperactivation and acrosome reaction.DLD produces the optimum amount of ROS required to induce capacitation process in FRT.Depending on physiological or patho-physiological conditions,DLD can either enhance or attenuate the production of reactive oxygen species(ROS).Aim of this study was to investigate whether changes in the production of ROS in sperm cells can impact their ability to fertilize by triggering the capacitation and acrosome reaction.Results In this study,abundance of DLD protein was quantified between high(n=5)and low fertile bull(n=5)sper-matozoa.It was found that compared to high-fertile(HF)bulls,low-fertile(LF)bulls exhibited significantly(P<0.05)higher DLD abundances.Herein,we optimised the MICA concentration to inhibit DLD function,spermatozoa were treated with MICA in time(0,1,2,3,4,and 5 h)and concentrations(1,2.5,5,and 10 mmol/L)dependent manner.Maximum DLD inhibition was found to be at 4 h in 10 mmol/L MICA concentration,which was used for further exper-imentation in HF and LF.Based on DLD inhibition it was seen that LF bull spermatozoa exhibited significantly(P<0.05)higher ROS production and acrosome reaction in comparison to the HF bull spermatozoa.The kinematic parameters of the spermatozoa such as percent total motility,velocity parameters(VCL,VSL,and VAP)and other parameters(BCF,STR,and LIN)were also decreased in MICA treated spermatozoa in comparison to the control(capacitated)spermatozoa.Conclusions The present study provides an initial evidence explaining the buffalo bull spermatozoa with higher DLD abundance undergo early capacitation,which subsequently reduces their capacity to fertilize.展开更多
基金Supported by the Cloning and Genetics Analysis of Cold-Induced Genes in PA64S, Natural Science Foundation of Hunan Province(09JJ3044)
文摘F-box protein is an expanding family member of eukaryotic protein characterized by an F-box motif which has specificity of substrate recognition in the ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis.These proteins have been proved to be critical for many physiological processes,such as cell-cycle transition,signal transduction,gene transcription,male sterility,programmed cell death （PCD） and so on.This paper mainly introduces the biological functions of the known F-box proteins and the analysis of F-box gene phylogeny.
基金The study was reviewed and approved by institutional ethics board of Affiliated Hospital of Hebei Engineering University(No.:2024[K]005-01).
文摘BACKGROUND Colon cancer represents a significant malignant neoplasm within the digestive system,characterized by a high incidence rate and substantial disease burden.The F-box protein 22(FBXO22)plays a role in forming a specific type of ubiquitin ligase subunit,which is expressed abnormally in various malignant neoplasms and shows a notable relationship with prognosis in patients with cancer.Never-theless,the function of FBXO22 in the context of colon cancer remains inade-quately elucidated.AIM To explore the role of FBXO22 in colon cancer by examining FBXO22 expression patterns and analyzing how the protein affects the prognosis in patients who have undergone surgery.METHODS Samples of cancerous and nearby normal tissues from patients with colon cancer were gathered,along with pertinent clinical data.Expression levels of the FBXO22 gene in both cancerous and paracancerous tissues were assessed through immu-nohistochemistry.The median H score served as a criterion for categorizing FBXO22 gene expression into high and low levels in cancerous tissues,and the relationship between these expression levels and various pathologic character-istics of patients,such as age,sex,and clinical stage,was analyzed.Colon cancer cell lines HCT116 and DLD-1 were used and divided into three groups:A blank control group,a negative control group,and a si-FBXO22 group.FBXO22 gene mRNA and protein expression were measured 24 hours post-transfection using real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blotting.The proliferation capabilities of the cells in each group were assessed using the Cell Counting Kit-8 assay and 5-ethynyl-2’-deoxyuridine assay,while cellular migration and invasion abilities were evaluated using scratch healing and Transwell assays.Various online platforms,including the Timer Immune Estimation Resource,were used to analyze pan-cancer expression,promoter methylation levels,and mutation frequencies of the FBXO22 gene in colon cancer patients.Additionally,the correlation between FBXO22 gene expression,patient prognosis,immune cell infiltration,and the expression of immune molecules in the colon cancer microenvironment was investigated.The relationship between FBXO22 gene expression and chemotherapy resistance,along with the potential mechanisms of action of the FBXO22 gene,were analyzed using The Cancer Genome Atlas dataset and the Genomics of Drug Sensitivity in Cancer drug training set via R software.RESULTS Compared with normal colonic tissues,the FBXO22 gene was highly expressed in colon cancer tissues.Post-operative patients with colon cancer elevated FBXO22 reduced survival and exhibited resistance to various chemotherapeutic agents.FBXO22 expression suppresses the infiltration of anti-tumor immune cells.In vitro,FBXO22 knockdown inhibited the proliferation and migration of colon cancer cells.CONCLUSION The FBXO22 gene is a biomarker of poor prognosis in patients with colon cancer and has potential as a target for immunotherapy and overcoming chemotherapy resistance.
文摘Ma et al recently reported in the World Journal of Diabetes that ferroptosis occurs in osteoblasts under high glucose conditions,reflecting diabetes pathology.This condition could be protected by the upregulation of the gene encoding polycytosine RNA-binding protein 1(PCBP1).Additionally,Ma et al used a lentivirus infection system to express PCBP1.As the authors’method of administration can be improved in terms of stability and cost,we propose delivering PCBP1 to treat type 2 diabetic osteoporosis by encapsulating it in protein nanoparticles.First,PCBP1 is small and druggable.Second,intravenous injection can help deliver PCBP1 across the mucosa while avoiding acid and enzyme-catalyzed degradation.Furthermore,incorporating PCBP1 into nanoparticles prevents its interaction with water or oxygen and protects PCBP1’s structure and activity.Notably,the safety of the protein materials and the industrialization techniques for large-scale production of protein nanoparticles must be comprehensively investigated before clinical application.
基金Supported by the Fundamental Research Program of Shanxi Province,No.202203021222418Research Program of Shanxi Provincial Health Commission,No.2023061+2 种基金Fundamental Research Cooperation Program of Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Region of Natural Science Foundation of Tianjin,No.22JCZXJC00140Tianjin Major Science and Technology Project,No.21ZXJBSY00110Tianjin Health and Science and Technology Project,No.TJWJ2024ZK001.
文摘BACKGROUND Regulator of G protein signaling(RGS)proteins participate in tumor formation and metastasis by acting on theα-subunit of heterotrimeric G proteins.The speci-fic effect of RGS,particularly RGS4,on the progression of gastric cancer(GC)is not yet clear.AIM To explore the role and underlying mechanisms of action of RGS4 in GC develop-ment.METHODS The prognostic significance of RGS4 in GC was analyzed using bioinformatics based public databases and verified by immunohistochemistry and quantitative polymerase chain reaction in 90 patients with GC.Function assays were employed to assess the carcinogenic impact of RGS4,and the mechanism of its possible influence was detected by western blot analysis.A nude mouse xenograft model was established to study the effects of RGS4 on GC growth in vitro.RESULTS RGS4 was highly expressed in GC tissues compared with matched adjacent normal tissues.Elevated RGS4 expression was correlated with increased tumor-node-metastasis stage,increased tumor grade as well as poorer overall survival in patients with GC.Cell experiments demonstrated that RGS4 knockdown suppressed GC cell proliferation,migration and invasion.Similarly,xenograft experiments confirmed that RGS4 silencing significantly inhibited tumor growth.Moreover,RGS4 knockdown resulted in reduced phosphorylation levels of focal adhesion kinase,phosphatidyl-inositol-3-kinase,and protein kinase B,decreased vimentin and N-cadherin,and elevated E-cadherin.CONCLUSION High RGS4 expression in GC indicates a worse prognosis and RGS4 is a prognostic marker.RGS4 influences tumor progression via the focal adhesion kinase/phosphatidyl-inositol-3-kinase/protein kinase B pathway and epithelial-mesenchymal transition.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China,Nos.82001178(to LW),81901129(to LH),82001175(to FX)Shanghai Sailing Program,No.20YF1439200(to LW)+1 种基金the Natural Science Foundation of Shanghai,China,No.23ZR1450800(to LH)and the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities,No.YG2023LC15(to ZX)。
文摘Protein arginine methyltransferase-6 participates in a range of biological functions,particularly RNA processing,transcription,chromatin remodeling,and endosomal trafficking.However,it remains unclear whether protein arginine methyl transferase-6 modifies neuropathic pain and,if so,what the mechanisms of this effect.In this study,protein arginine methyltransferase-6 expression levels and its effect on neuropathic pain were investigated in the spared nerve injury model,chronic constriction injury model and bone cancer pain model,using immunohistochemistry,western blotting,immunoprecipitation,and label-free proteomic analysis.The results showed that protein arginine methyltransferase-6 mostly co-localized withβ-tubulinⅢin the dorsal root ganglion,and that its expression decreased following spared nerve injury,chronic constriction injury and bone cancer pain.In addition,PRMT6 knockout(Prmt6~(-/-))mice exhibited pain hypersensitivity.Furthermore,the development of spared nerve injury-induced hypersensitivity to mechanical pain was attenuated by blocking the decrease in protein arginine methyltransferase-6 expression.Moreover,when protein arginine methyltransferase-6 expression was downregulated in the dorsal root ganglion in mice without spared nerve injury,increased levels of phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinases were observed in the ipsilateral dorsal horn,and the response to mechanical stimuli was enhanced.Mechanistically,protein arginine methyltransferase-6 appeared to contribute to spared nerve injury-induced neuropathic pain by regulating the expression of heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein-F.Additionally,protein arginine methyltransfe rase-6-mediated modulation of hete rogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein-F expression required amino atids 319 to 388,but not classical H3R2 methylation.These findings indicated that protein arginine methyltransferase-6 is a potential therapeutic target fo r the treatment of peripheral neuro pathic pain.
文摘Protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) as a result of poor nutrition, especially for deprived resourced households, is a big health concern in the world. According to the World Health Organisation, PEM accounts for 49% of the 10.4 million deaths of children under five that take place in developing countries. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of gum Arabic (GA) and texturized soy protein (TSP) and their interactive effect on proximate, functional, and textural properties of the protein-rich snack stick produced from ground green maize, GA powder, and ground TSP. GA varied at 0%, 4%, 8%, and 12%, while TSP varied at 0%, 12%, 24% and 36%. The 5 cm long protein-rich snack sticks were made using a sausage stuffer and baked in an oven at 110˚C for 1 hr 30 minutes. The snack sticks were subjected to proximate, functional and textural analysis using the standard methods. Increasing GA resulted in a significant (p p < 0.05) increased the protein content (32.46%), Ash content (3.6%), fat (11.96%), and moisture content (16.25%) of protein-rich snack sticks. The interactive effect between GA and TSP led to a decrease in fibre and carbohydrates. Results from this study show GA and TSP significantly enhanced the physico-chemical properties of protein-rich snack sticks. A sample with 4% GA and 36% TSP is recommended for the best physico-chemical attributes of the protein-rich snack stick.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.82003965the Science and Technology Research Project of Sichuan Provincial Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine,No.2024MS167(to LH)+2 种基金the Xinglin Scholar Program of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine,No.QJRC2022033(to LH)the Improvement Plan for the'Xinglin Scholar'Scientific Research Talent Program at Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine,No.XKTD2023002(to LH)the 2023 National Project of the College Students'Innovation and Entrepreneurship Training Program at Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine,No.202310633028(to FD)。
文摘The interaction between the gut microbiota and cyclic adenosine monophosphate(cAMP)-protein kinase A(PKA)signaling pathway in the host's central nervous system plays a crucial role in neurological diseases and enhances communication along the gut–brain axis.The gut microbiota influences the cAMP-PKA signaling pathway through its metabolites,which activates the vagus nerve and modulates the immune and neuroendocrine systems.Conversely,alterations in the cAMP-PKA signaling pathway can affect the composition of the gut microbiota,creating a dynamic network of microbial-host interactions.This reciprocal regulation affects neurodevelopment,neurotransmitter control,and behavioral traits,thus playing a role in the modulation of neurological diseases.The coordinated activity of the gut microbiota and the cAMP-PKA signaling pathway regulates processes such as amyloid-β protein aggregation,mitochondrial dysfunction,abnormal energy metabolism,microglial activation,oxidative stress,and neurotransmitter release,which collectively influence the onset and progression of neurological diseases.This study explores the complex interplay between the gut microbiota and cAMP-PKA signaling pathway,along with its implications for potential therapeutic interventions in neurological diseases.Recent pharmacological research has shown that restoring the balance between gut flora and cAMP-PKA signaling pathway may improve outcomes in neurodegenerative diseases and emotional disorders.This can be achieved through various methods such as dietary modifications,probiotic supplements,Chinese herbal extracts,combinations of Chinese herbs,and innovative dosage forms.These findings suggest that regulating the gut microbiota and cAMP-PKA signaling pathway may provide valuable evidence for developing novel therapeutic approaches for neurodegenerative diseases.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (82272196 and 82272220)。
文摘BACKGROUND: Inappropriate antibiotic treatment for patients with viral infections has led to a surge in antimicrobial resistance, increasing mortality and healthcare costs. Viral and bacterial infections are often difficult to distinguish. Myxovirus resistance protein A(MxA), an essential antiviral factor induced by interferon after viral infection, holds promise for distinguishing between viral and bacterial infections. This study aimed to determine the ability of Mx A to distinguish viral from bacterial infections.METHODS: We quantified MxA in 121 infected patients via dry immunofluorescence chromatography. The Kruskal-Wallis test and receiver operating characteristic(ROC) curve analysis were used to determine the diagnostic value of Mx A, either alone or in combination with C-reactive protein(CRP) or procalcitonin(PCT), in patients with viral, bacterial, or co-infections.RESULTS: The value of MxA(ng/mL) was significantly higher in patients with viral infections than in those with bacterial and co-infections(82.3 [24.5–182.9] vs. 16.4 [10.8–26.5], P<0.0001)(82.3 [24.5–182.9] vs. 28.5 [10.2–106.8], P=0.0237). The area under the curve(AUC) of the ROC curve for distinguishing between viral and bacterial infections was 0.799(95% confidence interval [95% CI] 0.696–0.903), with a sensitivity of 68.9%(95% CI 54.3%–80.5%) and specificity of 90.0%(95% CI 74.4%–96.5%) at the threshold of 50.3 ng/mL. Combining the MxA level with the CRP or PCT level improved its ability. MxA expression was low in cytomegalovirus(15.8 [9.6–47.6] ng/mL) and Epstein-Barr virus(12.9 [8.5–21.0] ng/mL) infections.CONCLUSION: Our study showed the diagnostic efficacy of Mx A in distinguishing between viral and bacterial infections, with further enhancement when it was combined with CRP or PCT. Moreover, EpsteinBarr virus and human cytomegalovirus infections did not elicit elevated Mx A expression.
基金funded by NIH-NIA R01AG061708 (to PHO)Patrick Grange Memorial Foundation (to PHO)+1 种基金A Long Swim (to PHO)CureSPG4 Foundation (to PHO)。
文摘Developing effective and long-term treatment strategies for rare and complex neurodegenerative diseases is challenging. One of the major roadblocks is the extensive heterogeneity among patients. This hinders understanding the underlying disease-causing mechanisms and building solutions that have implications for a broad spectrum of patients. One potential solution is to develop personalized medicine approaches based on strategies that target the most prevalent cellular events that are perturbed in patients. Especially in patients with a known genetic mutation, it may be possible to understand how these mutations contribute to problems that lead to neurodegeneration. Protein–protein interaction analyses offer great advantages for revealing how proteins interact, which cellular events are primarily involved in these interactions, and how they become affected when key genes are mutated in patients. This line of investigation also suggests novel druggable targets for patients with different mutations. Here, we focus on alsin and spastin, two proteins that are identified as “causative” for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and hereditary spastic paraplegia, respectively, when mutated. Our review analyzes the protein interactome for alsin and spastin, the canonical pathways that are primarily important for each protein domain, as well as compounds that are either Food and Drug Administration–approved or are in active clinical trials concerning the affected cellular pathways. This line of research begins to pave the way for personalized medicine approaches that are desperately needed for rare neurodegenerative diseases that are complex and heterogeneous.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China,Nos.91849115 and U1904207(to YX),81974211 and 82171247(to CS)Non-profit Central Research Institute Fund of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences,No.2020-PT310-01(to YX).
文摘The E3 ubiquitin ligase,carboxyl terminus of heat shock protein 70(Hsp70)interacting protein(CHIP),also functions as a co-chaperone and plays a crucial role in the protein quality control system.In this study,we aimed to investigate the neuroprotective effect of overexpressed CHIP on Alzheimer’s disease.We used an adeno-associated virus vector that can cross the blood-brain barrier to mediate CHIP overexpression in APP/PS1 mouse brain.CHIP overexpression significantly ameliorated the performance of APP/PS1 mice in the Morris water maze and nest building tests,reduced amyloid-βplaques,and decreased the expression of both amyloid-βand phosphorylated tau.CHIP also alleviated the concentration of microglia and astrocytes around plaques.In APP/PS1 mice of a younger age,CHIP overexpression promoted an increase in ADAM10 expression and inhibitedβ-site APP cleaving enzyme 1,insulin degrading enzyme,and neprilysin expression.Levels of HSP70 and HSP40,which have functional relevance to CHIP,were also increased.Single nuclei transcriptome sequencing in the hippocampus of CHIP overexpressed mice showed that the lysosomal pathway and oligodendrocyte-related biological processes were up-regulated,which may also reflect a potential mechanism for the neuroprotective effect of CHIP.Our research shows that CHIP effectively reduces the behavior and pathological manifestations of APP/PS1 mice.Indeed,overexpression of CHIP could be a beneficial approach for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.
基金supported by the National Institutes of Health,Nos.AA025919,AA025919-03S1,and AA025919-05S1(all to RAF).
文摘Hippocampal neuronal loss causes cognitive dysfunction in Alzheimer’s disease.Adult hippocampal neurogenesis is reduced in patients with Alzheimer’s disease.Exercise stimulates adult hippocampal neurogenesis in rodents and improves memory and slows cognitive decline in patients with Alzheimer’s disease.However,the molecular pathways for exercise-induced adult hippocampal neurogenesis and improved cognition in Alzheimer’s disease are poorly understood.Recently,regulator of G protein signaling 6(RGS6)was identified as the mediator of voluntary running-induced adult hippocampal neurogenesis in mice.Here,we generated novel RGS6fl/fl;APP_(SWE) mice and used retroviral approaches to examine the impact of RGS6 deletion from dentate gyrus neuronal progenitor cells on voluntary running-induced adult hippocampal neurogenesis and cognition in an amyloid-based Alzheimer’s disease mouse model.We found that voluntary running in APP_(SWE) mice restored their hippocampal cognitive impairments to that of control mice.This cognitive rescue was abolished by RGS6 deletion in dentate gyrus neuronal progenitor cells,which also abolished running-mediated increases in adult hippocampal neurogenesis.Adult hippocampal neurogenesis was reduced in sedentary APP_(SWE) mice versus control mice,with basal adult hippocampal neurogenesis reduced by RGS6 deletion in dentate gyrus neural precursor cells.RGS6 was expressed in neurons within the dentate gyrus of patients with Alzheimer’s disease with significant loss of these RGS6-expressing neurons.Thus,RGS6 mediated voluntary running-induced rescue of impaired cognition and adult hippocampal neurogenesis in APP_(SWE) mice,identifying RGS6 in dentate gyrus neural precursor cells as a possible therapeutic target in Alzheimer’s disease.
文摘BACKGROUND:Adeno-associated virus(AAV)gene therapy has been proven to be reliable and safe for the treatment of osteoarthritis in recent years.However,given the complexity of osteoarthritis pathogenesis,single gene manipulation for the treatment of osteoarthritis may not produce satisfactory results.Previous studies have shown that nuclear factorκB could promote the inflammatory pathway in osteoarthritic chondrocytes,and bone morphogenetic protein 4(BMP4)could promote cartilage regeneration.OBJECTIVE:To test whether combined application of AAV-p65shRNA and AAV-BMP4 will yield the synergistic effect on chondrocytes regeneration and osteoarthritis treatment.METHODS:Viral particles containing AAV-p65-shRNA and AAV-BMP4 were prepared.Their efficacy in inhibiting inflammation in chondrocytes and promoting chondrogenesis was assessed in vitro and in vivo by transfecting AAV-p65-shRNA or AAV-BMP4 into cells.The experiments were divided into five groups:PBS group;osteoarthritis group;AAV-BMP4 group;AAV-p65shRNA group;and BMP4-p65shRNA 1:1 group.Samples were collected at 4,12,and 24 weeks postoperatively.Tissue staining,including safranin O and Alcian blue,was applied after collecting articular tissue.Then,the optimal ratio between the two types of transfected viral particles was further investigated to improve the chondrogenic potential of mixed cells in vivo.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The combined application of AAV-p65shRNA and AAV-BMP4 together showed a synergistic effect on cartilage regeneration and osteoarthritis treatment.Mixed cells transfected with AAV-p65shRNA and AAV-BMP4 at a 1:1 ratio produced the most extracellular matrix synthesis(P<0.05).In vivo results also revealed that the combination of the two viruses had the highest regenerative potential for osteoarthritic cartilage(P<0.05).In the present study,we also discovered that the combined therapy had the maximum effect when the two viruses were administered in equal proportions.Decreasing either p65shRNA or BMP4 transfected cells resulted in less collagen II synthesis.This implies that inhibiting inflammation by p65shRNA and promoting regeneration by BMP4 are equally important for osteoarthritis treatment.These findings provide a new strategy for the treatment of early osteoarthritis by simultaneously inhibiting cartilage inflammation and promoting cartilage repair.
基金Financial support for this research from Minnesota Corn Growers Association(Burnsville,MN,USA)Green Plains Energy(Omaha,NE,USA)is greatly appreciated.
文摘Background Diets with high inclusion of corn co-products such as corn fermented protein(CFP)may contain excess Leu,which has a negative impact on feed intake and growth performance of pigs due to increased catabolism of Val and Ile and reduced availability of Trp in the brain for serotonin synthesis.However,we hypothesized that the negative effect of using CFP in diets for weanling pigs may be overcome if diets are fortified with crystalline sources of Val,Trp,and(or)Ile.Methods Three hundred and twenty weanling pigs were randomly allotted to one of 10 dietary treatments in a com-pletely randomized design,with 4 pigs per pen and 8 replicate pens per treatment.A corn-soybean meal diet and 2 basal diets based on corn and 10%CFP or corn and 20%CFP were formulated.Seven additional diets were formu-lated by fortifying the basal diet with 20%CFP with Ile,Trp,Val,Ile and Val,Ile and Trp,Trp and Val,or Ile,Trp and Val.A two-phase feeding program was used,with d 1 to 14 being phase 1 and d 15 to 28 being phase 2.Fecal scores were recorded every other day.Blood samples were collected on d 14 and 28 from one pig per pen.On d 14,fecal samples were collected from one pig per pen in 3 of the 10 treatments to determine volatile fatty acids,ammonium concen-tration,and microbial protein.These pigs were also euthanized and ileal tissue was collected.Results There were no effects of dietary treatments on any of the parameters evaluated in phase 1.Inclusion of 10%or 20%CFP in diets reduced(P<0.05)final body weight on d 28,and average daily gain(ADG)and average daily feed intake(ADFI)in phase 2 and for the entire experimental period.However,pigs fed the CFP diet supplemented with Val,Ile,and Trp had final body weight,ADFI,ADG and gain to feed ratio in phase 2 and for the entire experiment that was not different from pigs fed the control diet.Fecal scores in phase 2 were reduced(P<0.05)if CFP was used.Conclusions Corn fermented protein may be included by up to 20%in diets for weanling pigs without affecting growth performance,gut health,or hindgut fermentation,if diets are fortified with extra Val,Trp,and Ile.Inclusion of CFP also improved fecal consistency of pigs.
文摘In this editorial,the roles of protein tyrosine phosphatase nonreceptor 2(PTPN2)in oncogenic transformation and tumor behavior and its potential as a therapeutic target in the context of gastrointestinal(GI)cancers are presented with respect to the article by Li et al published in ninth issue of the World Journal of Gastrointestinal Oncology.PTPN2 is a member of the protein tyrosine phosphatase family of signaling proteins that play crucial roles in the regulation of inflammation and immunity.Accordingly,early findings highlighted the contribution of PTPN2 to the pathogenesis of inflammatory and autoimmune disorders related to its dysfunction.On the other hand,recent studies have indicated that PTPN2 has many different roles in different cancer types,which is associated with the complexity of its regulatory network.PTPN2 dephosphorylates and inactivates EGFR,SRC family kinases,JAK1 and JAK3,and STAT1,STAT3,and STAT5 in cell type-and context-dependent manners,which indicates that PTPN2 can perform either prooncogenic or anti-oncogenic functions depending on the tumor subtype.While PTPN2 has been suggested as a potential therapeutic target in cancer treatment,to the best of ourknowledge,no clear treatment protocol has referred to PTPN2.Although there are only few studies that investigated PTPN2 expression in the GI system cancers,which is a potential limitation,the association of this protein with tumor behavior and the influence of PTPN2 on many therapy-related signaling pathways emphasize that PTPN2 could serve as a new molecular biomarker to predict tumor behavior and as a target for therapeutic intervention against GI cancers.In conclusion,more studies should be performed to better understand the prognostic and therapeutic potential of PTPN2 in GI tumors,especially in tumors resistant to therapy.
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.NSFC82160762,No.NSFC82460783Natural Science Foundation of Guangxi,No.2022GXNSFBA035657Innovation Project of Guangxi Graduate Education,No.JGY2023068,No.YCSW2023220.
文摘BACKGROUND Although transmembrane protein 106C(TMEM106C)has been elucidated to be overexpressed in cancers,its underlying mechanisms have not yet been fully understood.AIM To investigate the expression levels and molecular mechanisms of TMEM106C across 34 different cancer types,including liver hepatocellular carcinoma(LIHC).METHODS We analyzed TMEM106C expression patterns in pan-cancers using microenvironment cell populations counter to evaluate its association with the tumor microenvironment.Gene set enrichment analysis was conducted to identify molecular pathways related to TMEM106C.Chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by sequencing(ChIP-seq)analysis was conducted to identify upstream transcriptional regulators of TMEM106C.In LIHC,we examined mRNA profiles,performed in-house quantitative polymerase chain reaction,immunohistochemistry,and constructed a co-expression gene network.Functional assays,including cell counting kit-8,cell cycle,apoptosis,migration,and invasion,were conducted.The effect of nitidine chloride(NC)on LIHC xenograft was evaluated through RNA sequencing and molecular docking.Finally,potential therapeutic agents targeting TMEM106C were predicted.RESULTS TMEM106C was significantly overexpressed in 27 different cancer types and presaged poor prognosis in four of these types,including LIHC.Across pan-cancers,TMEM106C was inversely correlated to the abundances of immune and stromal cells.Furthermore,TMEM106C was significantly linked to cell cycle and DNA replication pathways in pan-cancers.ChIP-seq analysis predicted CCCTC-binding factor as a pivotal transcriptional factor targeting the TMEM106C gene in pan-cancers.Integrated analysis showed that TMEM106C was upregulated in 4657 LIHC compared with 3652 normal liver tissue[combined standardized mean difference=1.31(1.09,1.52)].Inhouse LIHC samples verified the expression status of TMEM106C.Higher TMEM106C expression signified worse survival conditions in LIHC patients treated with sorafenib,a tyrosine kinase inhibitor(TKI).Co-expressed analysis revealed that TMEM106C were significantly enriched in the cell cycle pathway.Knockout experiments demonstrated that TMEM106C plays a crucial role in LIHC cell proliferation,migration,and invasion,with cell cycle arrest occurring at the DNA synthesis phase,and increased apoptosis.Notably,TMEM106C upregulation was attenuated by NC treatment.Finally,TMEM106C expression levels were significantly correlated with the drug sensitivity of anti-hepatocellular carcinoma agents,including JNJ-42756493,a TKI agent.CONCLUSION Overexpressed TMEM106C was predicted as an oncogene in pan-cancers,which may serve as a promising therapeutic target for various cancers,including LIHC.Targeting TMEM106C could potentially offer a novel direction in overcoming TKI resistance specifically in LIHC.Future research directions include in-depth experimental validation and exploration of TMEM106C’s role in other cancer types.
文摘Objective:To analyze the diagnostic value of combined testing of C-reactive protein(CRP)and procalcitonin(PCT)in elderly patients with bacterial pneumonia.Methods:This study included 50 elderly patients with bacterial pneumonia as the observation group and 50 patients with non-bacterial pneumonia as the control group,recruited from May 2022 to October 2023.Fasting venous blood samples were collected in the morning from all 100 participants.CRP levels were measured using a fully automated biochemical analyzer,while PCT levels were detected using the immunoturbidimetric luminescence method.Results:CRP and PCT levels were significantly higher in bacterial pneumonia patients[(98.25±11.59)mg/L and(3.57±1.35)μg/L,respectively]compared to the control group[(5.55±2.78)mg/L and(0.25±0.12)μg/L,respectively],with significant intergroup differences(P<0.05).Patients with severe bacterial pneumonia exhibited higher serum CRP and PCT levels compared to those with moderate or mild disease(P<0.05).The combined testing of CRP and PCT showed higher sensitivity and specificity than individual tests.In the observation group,CRP and PCT levels significantly decreased after treatment compared to pre-treatment levels.Conclusion:The combination of CRP and PCT testing provides high diagnostic accuracy for bacterial pneumonia in elderly patients.It effectively differentiates bacterial from non-bacterial infections,offering valuable data to guide clinical treatment.
基金Supported by the Excellent Medical Talents Training Program of the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University,Difficult and Critical illness Center,Pediatric Clinical Medical Research Center of Guangxi,No.Gui Ke AD22035219the Key Laboratory of Children’s Disease Research in Guangxi’s Colleges and Universities,Education Department of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.
文摘BACKGROUND Upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage is a life-threatening manifestation of cow’s milk protein allergy(CMPA).We analyze the clinical characteristics of a case of milk protein allergy manifested as severe upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage.CASE SUMMARY The hospital admitted a 2-month-old male infant due to“melena for 6 days,he-matemesis twice”.The main symptom was melena,initially occurring once or twice per day,then gradually increasing to five or six times per day at their peak.During the course of the illness,the infant vomited blood,but there were no re-ports of vomiting,fever,pale complexion,dyspnea,wheezing,or difficulty brea-thing.Laboratory tests showed hemoglobin level of 87 g/L,platelet count of 349×109/L,and eosinophil percentage of 0.031.Coagulation studies were normal.After avoiding certain foods and feeding with an amino acid formula for 2 weeks,a repeat gastroscopy revealed less bleeding.After six weeks,a positive oral food challenge test confirmed a severe CMPA.At the 4-month follow-up,there was no gastrointestinal bleeding,and the infant was growing and developing well.CONCLUSION The manifestations of milk protein allergy are diverse and nonspecific,with gas-trointestinal bleeding being less common,especially in infants.When infants present with unexplained massive hematemesis,it’s critical to investigate the possibility of CMPA.
基金Bill&Melinda Gates Foundation(Grant number OPP1154401).
文摘Backgroud Before fertilization,spermatozoa undergo a crucial maturation step called capacitation,which is a unique event regulates the sperm’s ability for successful fertilization.The capacitation process takes place as the spermatozoa pass through the female reproductive tract(FRT).Dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase(DLD)protein is a post-pyruvate metabolic enzyme,exhibiting reactive oxygen species(ROS)production which causes capacitation.Additionally,other vital functions of DLD in buffalo spermatozoa are hyperactivation and acrosome reaction.DLD produces the optimum amount of ROS required to induce capacitation process in FRT.Depending on physiological or patho-physiological conditions,DLD can either enhance or attenuate the production of reactive oxygen species(ROS).Aim of this study was to investigate whether changes in the production of ROS in sperm cells can impact their ability to fertilize by triggering the capacitation and acrosome reaction.Results In this study,abundance of DLD protein was quantified between high(n=5)and low fertile bull(n=5)sper-matozoa.It was found that compared to high-fertile(HF)bulls,low-fertile(LF)bulls exhibited significantly(P<0.05)higher DLD abundances.Herein,we optimised the MICA concentration to inhibit DLD function,spermatozoa were treated with MICA in time(0,1,2,3,4,and 5 h)and concentrations(1,2.5,5,and 10 mmol/L)dependent manner.Maximum DLD inhibition was found to be at 4 h in 10 mmol/L MICA concentration,which was used for further exper-imentation in HF and LF.Based on DLD inhibition it was seen that LF bull spermatozoa exhibited significantly(P<0.05)higher ROS production and acrosome reaction in comparison to the HF bull spermatozoa.The kinematic parameters of the spermatozoa such as percent total motility,velocity parameters(VCL,VSL,and VAP)and other parameters(BCF,STR,and LIN)were also decreased in MICA treated spermatozoa in comparison to the control(capacitated)spermatozoa.Conclusions The present study provides an initial evidence explaining the buffalo bull spermatozoa with higher DLD abundance undergo early capacitation,which subsequently reduces their capacity to fertilize.
