Therapeutic potential of SOX family transcription factors in osteoarthritis

BACKGROUND

As the worldwide population ages, osteoarthritis has significantly increased. This musculoskeletal condition has become a pressing global health issue and thus, prevention and treatment of osteoarthritis have become the primary focus of domestic and international research. Scholarly investigations of the molecular mechanisms that are related to the occurrence and development of osteoarthritis have shed light on the pathological causes of this condition to a certain extent, providing a foundation for its prevention and treatment. However, further research is necessary to fully understand the critical role of the transcription factor SOX9 in chondrocyte differentiation and the development of osteoarthritis. As a result, there has been widespread interest in SOX transcription factors. While SOX9 has been utilized as a biomarker to indicate the occurrence and prognosis of osteoarthritis, investigations into other members of the SOX family and the development of targeted treatments around SOX9 are still required.

PURPOSE

This article considers the impact of the SOX protein on the development and inhibition of osteoarthritis and highlights the need for therapeutic approaches targeting SOX9, as supported by existing research.

RESULTS

SOX9 can contribute to the process of osteoarthritis through acetylation and ubiquitination modifications. The regulation of the WNT signalling pathway, Nrf2/ARE signalling pathway, NF-κB signalling pathway and SOX9 is implicated in the emergence of osteoarthritis. Non-coding RNA may play a role in the onset and progression of osteoarthritis by modulating various SOX family members, including SOX2, SOX4, SOX5, SOX6, SOX8, SOX9 and SOX11.

CONCLUSION

SOX9 has the capability of mitigating the onset and progression of osteoarthritis through means such as medication therapy, stem cell therapy, recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) vector therapy, physical therapy and other approaches.

Chemical composition, antioxidant activities, and enzyme inhibitory effects of Lespedeza bicolour Turcz. essential oil

Lespedeza bicolour Turcz. is a traditional medicinal plant with a wide range of ethnomedicinal values. The main components of L. bicolour essential oil (EO) were β-pinene (15.41%), β-phellandrene (12.43%), and caryophyllene (7.79%). The EO of L. bicolour showed antioxidant activity against ABTS radical and DPPH radical with an IC50 value of 0.69 ± 0.03 mg/mL and 10.44 ± 2.09 mg/mL, respectively. The FRAP antioxidant value was 81.96 ± 6.17 μmol/g. The EO had activities against acetylcholinesterase, α-glucosidase, and β-lactamase with IC50 values of 309.30 ± 11.16 μg/mL, 360.47 ± 35.67 μg/mL, and 27.54 ± 1.21 μg/mL, respectively. Molecular docking showed methyl dehydroabietate docked well with all tested enzymes. Sclareol and (+)-borneol acetate showed the strongest binding affinity to α-glucosidase and β-lactamase, respectively. The present study provides a direction for searching enzyme inhibitors for three tested enzymes and shows L. bicolour EO possesses the potential to treat a series of diseases.

Improving soybean drought tolerance via silicon-induced changes in growth, physiological, biochemical, and root characteristics

Drought-induced osmotic stress is a significant constraint to soybean growth and yield, necessitating the development of effective mitigation strategies. Silicon acts as an important strategy to mitigate the negative stress effects of drought stress. The study was aimed to evaluate the potential of soil-applied silicon in alleviating drought stress in soybean. Two field capacities were tested: control (85% FC) and drought (50% FC), with four silicon application rates (0, 100, 200, and 300 kg ha-1) applied at sowing. Drought stress significantly affected the morphological parameters in soybean as plant height, leaf area, and water potential were reduced by 25%, 20%, and 36%, respectively, while root length increased as compared to control-85% FC. However, drought stress reduced root density, surface area, and biomass as compared to control-85% FC. Additionally, drought reduced photosynthetic rates, chlorophyll a and b levels, and stomatal conductance, while increasing malondialdehyde and hydrogen peroxide. The natural plant defense system was upregulated, with increased activity of phenolics, soluble proteins, and antioxidant enzymes like catalase, superoxide dismutase, and peroxidase. However, silicon applications, especially at 200 kg ha-1, significantly alleviated the negative effects of drought stress by improving morphophysiological and biochemical traits in soybeans. Compared to the control, Si200 increased plant height, root length, photosynthetic rate, and water potential by 22%, 39%, 23%, and 17%, respectively, as compared to control. Furthermore, silicon reduced malondialdehyde and hydrogen peroxide levels by 21% and 10%, enhancing plant resilience. Silicon supplementation also boosted biochemical attributes, with total soluble proteins, phenolics, and antioxidant enzyme activities increasing by 30%, 55%, 19%, 24%, and 31%, respectively, under drought conditions. In crux, silicon at 200 kg ha-1 effectively mitigated the effects of drought stress in soybean, becoming a more sustainable approach to sustain crop yield and food security.

Olfactory receptors in neural regeneration in the central nervous system

Olfactory receptors are crucial for detecting odors and play a vital role in our sense of smell, influencing behaviors from food choices to emotional memories. These receptors also contribute to our perception of flavor and have potential applications in medical diagnostics and environmental monitoring. The ability of the olfactory system to regenerate its sensory neurons provides a unique model to study neural regeneration, a phenomenon largely absent in the central nervous system. Insights gained from how olfactory neurons continuously replace themselves and reestablish functional connections can provide strategies to promote similar regenerative processes in the central nervous system, where damage often results in permanent deficits. Understanding the molecular and cellular mechanisms underpinning olfactory neuron regeneration could pave the way for developing therapeutic approaches to treat spinal cord injuries and neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's disease. Olfactory receptors are found in almost any cell of every organ/tissue of the mammalian body. This ectopic expression provides insights into the chemical structures that can activate olfactory receptors. In addition to odors, olfactory receptors in ectopic expression may respond to endogenous compounds and molecules produced by mucosal colonizing microbiota. The analysis of the function of olfactory receptors in ectopic expression provides valuable information on the signaling pathway engaged upon receptor activation and the receptor's role in proliferation and cell differentiation mechanisms. This review explores the ectopic expression of olfactory receptors and the role they may play in neural regeneration within the central nervous system, with particular attention to compounds that can activate these receptors to initiate regenerative processes. Evidence suggests that olfactory receptors could serve as potential therapeutic targets for enhancing neural repair and recovery following central nervous system injuries.

The pivotal role of microglia in injury and the prognosis of subarachnoid hemorrhage

Subarachnoid hemorrhage leads to a series of pathological changes, including vascular spasm, cellular apoptosis, blood-brain barrier damage, cerebral edema, and white matter injury. Microglia, which are the key immune cells in the central nervous system, maintain homeostasis in the neural environment, support neurons, mediate apoptosis, participate in immune regulation, and have neuroprotective effects. Increasing evidence has shown that microglia play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of subarachnoid hemorrhage and affect the process of injury and the prognosis of subarachnoid hemorrhage. Moreover, microglia play certain neuroprotective roles in the recovery phase of subarachnoid hemorrhage. Several approaches aimed at modulating microglia function are believed to attenuate subarachnoid hemorrhage injury. This provides new targets and ideas for the treatment of subarachnoid hemorrhage. However, an in-depth and comprehensive summary of the role of microglia after subarachnoid hemorrhage is still lacking. This review describes the activation of microglia after subarachnoid hemorrhage and their roles in the pathological processes of vasospasm, neuroinflammation, neuronal apoptosis, blood-brain barrier disruption, cerebral edema, and cerebral white matter lesions. It also discusses the neuroprotective roles of microglia during recovery from subarachnoid hemorrhage and therapeutic advances aimed at modulating microglial function after subarachnoid hemorrhage. Currently, microglia in subarachnoid hemorrhage are targeted with TLR inhibitors, nuclear factor-κB and STAT3 pathway inhibitors, glycine/tyrosine kinases, NLRP3 signaling pathway inhibitors, Gasdermin D inhibitors, vincristine receptor α receptor agonists, ferroptosis inhibitors, genetic modification techniques, stem cell therapies, and traditional Chinese medicine. However, most of these are still being evaluated at the laboratory stage. More clinical studies and data on subarachnoid hemorrhage are required to improve the treatment of subarachnoid hemorrhage.

UHPLC-QTOF-MS/MS profiling, molecular networking, and molecular docking analysis of Gliricidia sepium (Jacq.) Kunth. ex. Walp. stem ethanolic extract and its gastroprotective effect on gastritis in rats

Metabolic profiling of the crude ethanolic extract of Gliricidia sepium (Jacq.) Kunth. ex. Walp. stem ethanolic extract (GSS) was conducted using ultra-high performance quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry (UHPLC-QTOF-MS/MS) in negative mode, resulting in the identification of 23 compounds belonging to various classes such as flavonoids, fatty acids, triterpenoid saponins, and phenolic acids. Notably, eight flavonoids including kaempferol-3-O-robinoside-7-O-rhamnoside, isoquercitrin, kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside, apigenin-7-glucoside, kaempeferol-7-O-rhamnoside, luteolin, apigenin, and liquiritigenin, along with two phenolic acids (4-hydroxycinnamic acid and 2-hydroxyhydrocinnamic acid) and four triterpenoid saponins (soyasaponin I, soyasaponin II, soyasaponin III, and kaikasaponin III) were dereplicated. Additionally, nine fatty acid derivatives were identified, including azelaic acid and 2-isopropyl malic acid. Molecular networking analysis revealed the formation of clusters among compounds while others do not form clusters. Further analysis indicated that the GSS ethanolic extract exhibited a total phenolic content of 38.78 ± 1.609 µg of gallic acid equivalent/mg and a total flavonoid content of 5.62 ± 0.50 µg of rutin equivalent/mg. Biological evaluations showed that GSS ethanolic extract mitigated gastric tissue injury induced by pyloric ligation, with a notable reduction in oxidative stress marker reactive oxygen species levels and inflammatory cytokines interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha levels. Additionally, it enhanced superoxide dismutase and inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa B alpha levels, while lowering the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase. Histopathological examination revealed significant improvements in gastric tissue morphology in GSS-treated groups compared to the control group. Molecular docking studies indicated potential interactions between GSS ethanolic extract compounds and various target proteins involved in oxidative stress, inflammation, and gastric protection in gastritis. This study aims to investigate the potential gastroprotective activity of GSS ethanolic extract against gastritis induced via pyloric ligation.

Co3O4/fluoro-copolymer nanocomposite modified boron-doped diamond electrode non-enzymatic sensor for the determination of skeletal muscle relaxant drug cyclobenzaprine in biological fluids

Electrochemical sensors have revolutionized pharmaceutical analysis by providing enhanced speed, selectivity, and cost-effectiveness. This study presents the development of a highly sensitive, non-enzymatic electrochemical sensor for Cyclobenzaprine (CBZ) determination. The sensor features a boron-doped diamond electrode (BDDE) modified with a novel Cobalt Oxide/Nafion-based nanocomposite (Co₃O₄/Nafion), synthesized and optimized for superior performance. The electroactive surface was fabricated by drop-casting a Co₃O₄/Nafion suspension onto the BDDE. Characterization techniques, including X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), Raman spectroscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), confirmed the crystallinity, morphology, and functional groups of the nanocomposite. Electrochemical analyses, comprising electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), square wave voltammetry (SWV), and cyclic voltammetry (CV), demonstrated enhanced charge transfer properties and a one-electron/proton oxidation mechanism for Cyclobenzaprine (CBZ) detection. The sensor demonstrated optimal performance in BR buffer at pH 5.6, with a linear response to CBZ concentrations ranging from 2.49 μg/L to 19.61 μg/L, achieving a LOD of 2.08 μg/L and LOQ of 6.96 μg/L. Practical applicability was established by successfully quantifying CBZ in various biological matrices, including human blood serum (37.8 %), artificial blood serum (35.6 %), artificial sweat (-28.9 %), and urine (-8.9 %), with excellent recovery rates in pharmaceutical formulations (99.75 %) and human blood serum (100.16 %). The sensor exhibited high specificity, unaffected by common interferents such as ions, carbohydrates, and heavy metals. This work introduces, for the first time, a Co₃O₄/Nafion-modified BDDE sensor for CBZ determination, offering rapid, selective, and interference-free analysis with potential applications in therapeutic drug monitoring and pharmaceutical quality control.

A bioprinted and scalable model of human tubulo-interstitial kidney fibrosis

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects more than 10% of the global population. As kidney function negatively correlates with the presence of interstitial fibrosis, the development of new anti-fibrotic therapies holds promise to stabilize functional decline in CKD patients. The goal of the study was to generate a scalable bioprinted 3-dimensional kidney tubulo-interstitial disease model of kidney fibrosis. We have generated novel human PDGFRβ+ pericytes, CD10+ epithelial and CD31+ endothelial cell lines and compared their transcriptomic signature to their in vivo counterpart using bulk RNA sequencing in comparison to human kidney single cell RNA-sequencing datasets. This comparison indicated that the novel cell lines still expressed kidney cell specific genes and shared many features with their native cell-state. PDGFRβ+ pericytes showed three-lineage differentiation capacity and differentiated towards myofibroblasts following TGFβ treatment. We utilized a fibrinogen/gelatin-based hydrogel as bioink and confirmed a good survival rate of all cell types within the bioink after printing. We then combined all three cells in a bioprinted model using separately printed compartments for tubule epithelium, and interstitial endothelium and pericytes. We confirmed that this 3D printed model allows to recapitulate key disease driving epithelial-mesenchymal crosstalk mechanisms of kidney fibrosis since injury of epithelial cells prior to bioprinting resulted in myofibroblast differentiation and fibrosis driven by pericytes after bioprinting. The bioprinted model was also scalable up to a 96-well format.

Quantification of mulberrin and morusin in mulberry and other food plants via stable isotope dilution analysis using LC-MS/MS

Mulberry (Morus) is an important food and medicinal plant primarily used in sericulture. It is rich in prenylated flavonoids like morusin and mulberrin, which have shown promising bioactivities in vitro and in vivo but so far rely on HPLC methods for their quantification in plant material. Hence, a more sensitive LC-MS/MS stable isotope dilution assay for morusin and mulberrin was developed and validated. The analytes were quantified in 17 plant samples, with up to three plant compartments investigated (branches, leaves, fruits). The highest amounts were found in branches of a German mulberry tree (43 μg/g morusin, 910 μg/g mulberrin). Limits of detection reached 0.02 μg/g for morusin and 0.06 μg/g for mulberrin, which is significantly lower than existing methods, allowing for the detection and quantification of the analytes in leaves and fruits of mulberry, as well as common snowball (Viburnum opulus), a common food and medicine plant.

Interactions of metal-based nanozymes with aptamers, from the design of nanozyme to its application in aptasensor: Advances and perspectives

Nanozymes, characterized by enzyme-like activity, have been extensively used in quantitative analysis and rapid detection due to their small size, batch fabrication, and ease of modification. Researchers have combined aptamers, an emerging molecular probe, with nanozymes for biosensing to address the limited reaction specificity of nanozymes. Nanozyme aptasensors are currently experiencing significant growth, offering a promising solution to the lack of rapid detection methods across various fields. Unlike traditional nanozyme research, the development of nanozyme aptasensors is challenging as it requires the design of highly active nanozymes as well as the establishment of efficient and agile interactions between aptamers and nanozymes. Therefore, this review summarizes the active species and catalytic mechanisms of various nanozymes along with classical design options, discussing the future development of nanozyme aptasensors. It is anticipated that this review will inspire researchers in this domain, leading to the design of more enzymatically active nanozymes and advanced nanozyme aptasensors.

Dydrogesterone alleviates periodontitis in perimenopausal women undergoing periodontal therapy by decreasing inflammation and mediating oral microbiota

OBJECTIVE

Dydrogesterone (DG), a synthetic isomer of progesterone, plays a potential regulatory role in the periodontal environment. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential effects of DG on periodontitis under periodontal therapy (PT) and the underlying mechanisms related to oral microbiota.

METHODS

As a cohort study, perimenopausal women with periodontitis and abnormal uterine bleeding associated with ovulatory dysfunction were screened. A total of 30 women received PT (PT group) and 30 women received PT and oral DG 10 mg twice/day for 10 days/month (PT + DG group). At baseline and 3 months after treatment, pocket probing depth (PPD), bleeding index (BI), bleeding on probing (BOP), plaque index, CRP, IL-6, and TNF-α were measured. Additionally, 16S rDNA sequencing was performed to determine the characteristics of oral microbiota, mainly in terms of abundance, diversity, composition, and community structure.

RESULTS

Three months after treatment, the levels of PPD, BI, and BOP, as well as the levels of CRP, IL-6, and TNF-α in gingival crevicular fluid were significantly lower in the PT + DG group than those in the PT group. After treatment, a relatively lower microbial abundance, and some differences in microbial composition were revealed between the PT and PT + DG groups. At the genus level, significantly fewer Escherichia-Shigella, Porphyromonas, and Absconditabacteriales (SR1), and more Lactobacillus, Gordonia, Bifidobacterium, and Oribacterium were found in the PT group than in the PT + DG group.

CONCLUSIONS

DG enhances the effect of PT on inhibiting inflammatory response in women with periodontitis by mediating oral microbiota.

Label-free determination of glypican-3 using PtPd@H-rGO nanocomposites decorated light-addressable potentiometric sensor

Glypican-3 (GPC3) is exclusively overexpressed in most Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tissue but not in normal liver tissue, making it a promising biomarker for the precise detection of HCC. In this paper, a label-free light-addressable potentiometric sensor (LAPS) decorated by platinumpalladium-hemin-reduced graphene oxide nanocomposites (PtPd@H-rGO NCs) was constructed for determination of GPC3. The GPC3 aptamer (GPC3Apt) and PtPd@H-rGO NCs were modified on the surface of silicon-based LAPS chip to build sensitive unit of LAPS system. A readout photocurrent elicited from a modulated light source, registers the localized surface potential change. When a bias voltage is provided to the LAPS system, the GPC3-GPC3Apt complexes formed by the specific reaction between GPC3 and GPC3Apt at the sensing interface can cause the sensitive membrane surface potential to change, resulting in the photocurrent-voltage (I-V) curves generate a corresponding offset response. Therefore GPC3 concentration can be determined by monitoring the potential shifts (△V). Under optimal conditions, the potential shift is linearly related to the concentration of GPC3 in the range of 0.001-3.00 μg/mL with the limit of detection (LOD) of 0.0001 μg/mL. The LAPS has a good analytical performance with good specificity, reproducibility and stability, and can be used for the detection of GPC3 in actual serum samples, which provides a broad application prospect for the combined application of LAPS and aptamers in biooassay.

Elevated Porcupine Disrupts Lipid Metabolism and Promotes Inflammatory Response in MASLD

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) presents a high incidence globally and is a major cause of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, lacking of efficient interventions. Patients with MASLD exhibit exceeded serum levels of palmitic acid (PA). However, the association between PA and MASLD remains obscure.

METHODS

Gene expression omnibus dataset analysis, western blotting, mRNA-sequencing, RT-qPCR, a click chemistry-immunoprecipitation-immunofluorescence system, ELISA, lipid extraction and UHPLC-MS/MS analysis, CyTOF mass cytometry, gene knockdown via lentivirus-mediated shRNA, and high-fat methionine and choline-deficient diet-fed WT and db/db mice models were used to reveal the expression and functions of Porcupine in MASLD development both in vitro and in vivo.

RESULTS

Our findings show that PA, as a crucial substrate for protein palmitoylation, induced the expression of palmitoyltransferase Porcupine in a time-dependent manner. This induction was closely associated with dysregulated lipid metabolism and stimulated inflammatory response observed in vitro. Porcupine protein levels were significantly increased in liver tissues from both MASLD mice models, which was predominantly localised in lipid droplet-rich hepatocytes. Pharmacological inhibition of Porcupine by Wnt974 markedly ameliorated the aberrant lipid accumulation and inflammatory response in mouse livers. Furthermore, increased Porcupine positively correlated with CD36 at protein levels, and its inhibition or knockdown decreased CD36 protein levels via mechanisms irrelevant to transcriptional regulation, but primarily dependent on protein palmitoylation.

CONCLUSIONS

The current study reveals that PA-induced Porcupine disrupts lipid metabolism and promotes inflammatory response during MASLD development, which can be ameliorated by the Porcupine inhibitor Wnt974. Therefore, Porcupine may be a potential pharmacological target for the treatment of MASLD.

LncRNA NEAT1-206 regulates autophagy of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells through the WNT5A/Ca2+ signaling pathway under senescence stress

Stem cells are crucial for maintaining bodily stability, but their regenerative abilities decline with age. This decline is marked by reduced proliferation and differentiation capacities of stem cells, as well as exhaustion of the stem cell pool. The accumulation of aged mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can reduce the tissue regeneration, but the molecular mechanisms influencing MSCs aging remain unclear. Moreover, collecting MSCs from elderly individuals is not suitable for observing the early response of MSCs to senescence stress, and the factors involved in early senescence remain unclear. In our previous study, we established a fast MSC aging model using D-galactose. We discovered that, while not affecting the "stemness" markers of mesenchymal stem cells, the expression of LncRNA NEAT1-206 was notably increased during the early stages of aging induction (within 4 days). And LncRNA NEAT1-206 was observed to be localized in the cytoplasmic matrix due to enhanced nuclear export. We found that the LncRNA NEAT1-206 could trigger autophagy through the WNT5A/Ca2+ signaling pathway, thereby decreasing senescence markers and enhancing the osteogenic differentiation of MSCs. This study elucidated the role that LncRNA NEAT1-206 as a potential key factor in conferring resistance to D-galactose-induced cell senescence at the early stage and promoting the osteogenic differentiation of MSCs. This study may provide a foundational understanding for delaying the MSCs aging process.

Revisiting the backbone phylogeny and inferring the evolutionary trends in inflorescence of Elsholtzieae (Lamiaceae): new insights from orthologous nuclear genes

The angiosperm tribe of Elsholtzieae (Lamiaceae) is characterized by complex inflorescences and has notable medicinal and economic significance. Relationships within Elsholtzieae, including the monophyly of Elsholtzia and Keiskea, and relationships among Mosla, Keiskea and Perilla, remain uncertain, hindering insights into inflorescence evolution within the tribe. Using hybridization capture sequencing and deep genome skimming data analysis, we reconstruct a phylogeny of Elsholtzieae using 279 orthologous nuclear loci from 56 species. We evaluated uncertainty among relationships using concatenation, coalescent and network approaches. Using a time-calibrated phylogeny, we reconstructed ancestral inflorescence traits to elucidate the patterns in their evolution within the tribe. Our analyses consistently support the paraphyly of the genus Elsholtzia. Phylogenetic network analyses, confirmed by PhyloNetworks and SplitsTree, showed reticulation events among the major lineages of Elsholtzieae. The unstable polyphyly of Keiskea observed in ASTRAL (accurate species tree algorithm), ML (maximum likelihood) and MP (maximum parsimony) analyses may be related to introgression from Perilla and Mosla. Based on the analyses of phylogenetic trees within Elsholtzieae, the evolutionary trajectory of inflorescences demonstrates a pattern of diversification, with specialization as one aspect of this process. Elsholtzieae support the hypothesis that compressed inflorescences evolved from larger and more complex ancestral forms through successive compressions of the inflorescence axis. Additionally, certain lineages within the tribe display a trend towards simplified inflorescences, characterized by a reduction in the number of florets. This highlights both the specialization and the diversity in the evolution of inflorescence structures within the tribe.

Non-destructive assessment of chilling injury in red pepper powder using short-wave-infrared and XGBoost algorithm

This study aimed to evaluate red pepper powder quality by the extent of chilling injury and develop a method for detecting chilling injury-affected pepper powder. Pepper powder produced from chilling injury-affected pepper fruits exhibited increased bitter amino acids, microbial counts, and biogenic amines and decreased sweetness index and organic acid levels. These quality deteriorations indicate the need to detect chilling injury in pepper powders. The color values were insufficient to identify the occurrence of chilling injury. Therefore, hyperspectral imaging was used to detect the chilling injury. Based on the feature importance metrics results from XGBoost and correlation analysis, five key wavelengths were selected from a total of 188 wavelengths. The XGBoost model, using selected wavelengths, demonstrated higher accuracy (100 %) in discriminating the chilling injury level in pepper powder compared to that using full-wavelengths (98.0 %). These results provide insights into the rapid and non-destructive quality assessment of pepper powder.

SKA3 promotes lung adenocarcinoma progression via the EGFR/E2F1/SKA3/integrin β1 signaling loop

Spindle and kinetochore-associated complex subunit 3 (SKA3) contributes to tumor growth and metastasis, but its specific roles have not been clearly elucidated. In this study, we found that SKA3 contributed to lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) progression by interacting with integrin β1. The expression characteristics of SKA3 in LUAD patients were analyzed by The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) datasets and validated in 33 paired LUAD tissues by immunohistochemistry. Our data confirmed that SKA3 was a crucial regulator of LUAD progression and was associated with worse patient survival. In vitro and in vivo studies showed that SKA3 increased cell migration and invasion. Mechanistically, it was demonstrated that SKA3 could bind to integrin β1 and promote its activation, which further promoted the activation of EGFR. As a positive feedback loop, the activation of EGFR in turn promoted the expression of SKA3 via E2F1-mediated transcriptional regulation. Inhibition of EGFR with AZD9291 blocked SKA3 signaling induced by E2F1. These results indicated that SKA3 was crucial for the activation of EGFR and its downstream signaling pathway. Our findings uncovered the oncogenic role of SKA3 in LUAD progression and elucidated a novel EGFR/E2F1/SKA3/integrin β1 signaling loop, providing a potential SKA3-directed therapeutic strategy for LUAD patients.

Genomic and morphological features of an Amazonian Bacillus thuringiensis with mosquito larvicidal activity

The occurrence of mosquito-borne diseases is increasing, and their geographical range is expanding due to climate change. New control measures are urgently needed to combat these debilitating and, in some cases, fatal diseases. Bacteria of the genus Bacillus are of interest due to the production of bioactive compounds, including those useful for insect control. The discovery and characterization of new species of Bacillus with mosquito larvicidal activity may offer opportunities to develop new products for vector control. In this study, we evaluated larvicidal activity, described morphological characteristics, and sequenced and analyzed the genome of a bacterial strain (GD02.13) isolated from the Amazon region. The metabolites produced by GD02.13 are as effective in killing Aedes aegypti larvae as the commercial product Natular™ DT (Spinosad). Furthermore, the morphological characteristics of the GD02.13 spores and crystal inclusions resemble those previously described for B. thuringiensis. A phylogenetic analysis based on 443 single-copy orthologs indicated that the bacterial strain GD02.13 belongs to the Bacillus thuringiensis species. Its genome, which was assembled and has a size of 6.6 Mb, contains 16 secondary metabolite biosynthetic gene clusters and genes encoding insecticidal proteins, predicted based on sequence similarity. The data obtained in this study support the development of new insecticide products based on the strain GD02.13 of B. thuringiensis.

A comparative study of the essential oil extracts of Centaurea alexanderina different parts: GC-MS analysis, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-hyperglycemic activities

BACKGROUND

Natural products have been a cornerstone in the field of drug discovery for centuries, they have provided numerous therapeutic agents that have significantly impacted modern medicine. Centaurea alexanderina is a canescent herb that is native to Egypt and Libya and reported in Egyptian folk medicine as an anti-hyperglycemic, antioxidant, and antimicrobial herb. It is an understudied species, thusly, the target of this contribution was to perform a comparative study of the influence of plant part variation on its chemical and pharmacological characteristics. In this context, essential oil extracts from different parts of C. alexanderina (flowers, stems, leaves, and roots) have been analyzed chemically and tested for their antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-hyperglycemic activities.

METHODS

The essential oil extracts from different parts of C. alexanderina have been prepared and their chemical compositions have been analyzed using GC-MS technique. Antimicrobial activities of different essential oil extracts were evaluated via the agar cup diffusion method. DPPH radical scavenging and FRAP assays were used for determination of the antioxidant capacity. Anti-hyperglycemic activities of the four essential oil extracts under study were investigated via α-glucosidase inhibition assay. A computational study has been performed using molecular docking of the identified compounds in the most active essential oil extracts (leaves and roots) against α-glucosidase enzyme using PDB entry 5NN8.

RESULTS

A GC-MS analysis of the four essential oil extracts revealed high levels of non-terpenoid hydrocarbons in three essential oil extracts (flower, stems, and leaves) and alcohols in roots essential oil extract, followed by fatty acids in flowers, diterpenoids in stems, steroids in leaves, and fatty acid esters in roots. Roots and stems essential oil extracts exhibited selective activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa), whereas leaves essential oil extract showed activity against both Salmonella enterica (S. enterica) and Escherichia coli (E. coli). Essential oil extracts of different parts of the plant exhibited DPPH free radical scavenging activity with IC50 values of 128, 134, 152, and 163 μM for flowers, roots, stems, and leaves essential oil extracts; respectively, while in FRAP assay, the results showed different pattern; flowers revealed the highest activity followed by leaves, roots, and stems (107.50 ± 3.64, 125.80 ± 4.2, 139.4 ± 5.27, and 155.59 ± 5.27 ug/mL, respectively). In vitro evaluation of anti-hyperglycemic activity via inhibition of α-glucosidase enzyme assay unveiled leaves and roots essential oil extracts as the most inhibitors with IC50 values of 349 and 369 μg/mL; respectively. The molecular docking study of detected metabolites in the most active essential oil extracts against human α-glucosidase enzyme (PDB: 5NN8) revealed moderate to high binding affinities (-4.6 to -7.3 kcal/mol for leaves and -4.4 to -7.9 kcal/mol for roots essential oil metabolites).

CONCLUSION

Current research demonstrated the variations in chemical composition and biological activities of essential oil extracts from different parts of Centaurea alexanderina and reported anti-hyperglycemic, antioxidant, and antimicrobial potentials of the different essential oil extracts.

An evaluation of the performance of the PAP-PCR method in detecting UGT1A1 gene polymorphisms

BACKGROUND

Gilbert's syndrome (GS) is a hereditary disorder caused by mutations in the UGT1A1 gene, leading to unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia. Accurate detection of UGT1A1 gene polymorphisms is crucial for diagnosis and management of GS. This study evaluated the clinical application of pyrophosphorolysis-activated polymerization PCR (PAP-PCR) method in dection of UGT1A1 gene polymorphisms.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Whole-blood samples from 53 patients with GS were genotyped using PAP-PCR for UGT1A1 variations, including UGT1A1*60 (c.-3279T > G), UGT1A1*28 ([TA]6 > [TA]7), UGT1A1*6 (c.211G > A, G71R), UGT1A1*27 (c.686C > A, P229Q), UGT1A1*63 (c.1091C > T, P364L), and UGT1A1*7 (c.1456T > G, Y486D). For each locus, all cases were verified using the direct sequencing to assess PAP-PCR precision. One mutation type per locus was selected to investigate reproducibility and detection limits. The UGT1A1 gene polymorphism detected using PAP-PCR showed that, among the 53 patients, 83.02% presented missense mutations at UGT1A1*60 (c.-3279T > G), 54.72% had heterozygous or homozygous insertions in the TATA box in the promoter, 52.38% had the UGT1A1*6 variant (c.211G > A, G71R). The results obtained using the PAP-PCR and direct sequencing methods were almost consistent among all patients with UGT1A1 gene variants. However, there were different results in the promoter region variants among 2 patients in which PAP-PCR showed [TA]7 homozygosity, whereas direct sequencing revealed [TA]7/[TA]6 heterozygosity. This inconsistent result had been confirmed to be caused by differences in DNA polymerase activity.

CONCLUSIONS

PAP-PCR could effectively detect UGT1A1 gene polymorphisms associated with Gilbert's syndrome. And it had exhibited superior accuracy in the analysis of TA repeat sequences compared to direct sequencing method. Additionally, due to its reduced program complexity, easy execution, and simple standardization, PAP-PCR may be a highly favorable option for clinical diagnosis.

Antitumor Research Based on Drug Delivery Carriers: Reversing the Polarization of Tumor-Associated Macrophages

The development of malignant tumors is a complex process that involves the tumor microenvironment (TME). An immunosuppressive TME presents significant challenges to current cancer therapies, serving as a key mechanism through which tumor cells evade immune detection and play a crucial role in tumor progression and metastasis. This impedes the optimal effectiveness of immunotherapeutic approaches, including cytokines, immune checkpoint inhibitors, and cancer vaccines. Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), a major component of tumor-infiltrating immune cells, exhibit dual functionalities: M1-like TAMs suppress tumorigenesis, while M2-like TAMs promote tumor growth and metastasis. Consequently, the development of various nanocarriers aimed at polarizing M2-like TAMs to M1-like phenotypes through distinct mechanisms has emerged as a promising therapeutic strategy to inhibit tumor immune escape and enhance antitumor responses. This Review covers the origin and types of TAMs, common pathways regulating macrophage polarization, the role of TAMs in tumor progression, and therapeutic strategies targeting TAMs, aiming to provide a comprehensive understanding and guidance for future research and clinical applications.

Enhanced Osteogenic Differentiation via Collagen and BMP-2 Mimetic Peptide Conjugation to β-TCP Scaffolds Using a Cold Atmospheric Plasma-Assisted Strategy

Bone defects arising from trauma, disease, or surgical intervention represent significant challenges. Developing effective bone tissue engineering strategies to address these issues and promote repair is crucial. β-Tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) has emerged as a promising synthetic graft due to its porous, degradable structure and excellent biocompatibility. However, the lack of biological cues in β-TCP limits its functionality, requiring different surface modification strategies. Bone morphogenetic protein-2 mimetic peptide (BMP; NSVNSKIPKACCVPTELSAI) and collagen mimetic peptide (CMP; GTPGPQGIAGQRGVV) have a known significant therapeutic potential due to their ability to enhance cell attachment and osteogenic differentiation. Herein, a peptide functionalization strategy for β-TCP scaffolds was introduced. Briefly, β-TCP was treated with cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) to create functional hydroxyl groups on the surface of the β-TCP. Subsequently, peptides were conjugated by using a three-step method: (1) silanization with APTES, (2) EDC activation, and (3) peptide conjugation. The successful surface modification with CAP and peptide conjugation was confirmed via XRD, FTIR, and Raman analysis. Furthermore, the effects of BMP and CMP peptides on osteogenic differentiation after CAP treatment were investigated in human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs). Both β-TCP/BMP and β-TCP/CMP scaffolds demonstrated excellent biocompatibility with hMSCs, enhancing cell proliferation and promoting osteogenic differentiation. Remarkably, β-TCP/CMP showed better results in terms of proliferation and differentiation compared with β-TCP/BMP. These findings highlight the clinical potential of peptide-functionalized β-TCP scaffolds for bone tissue engineering while also providing a promising methodology for β-TCP functionalization.

Ornithine decarboxylase antizyme 2 (OAZ2) in human colon adenocarcinoma: a potent prognostic factor associated with immunity

Despite few studies focusing on the OAZ2 gene in colorectal cancer, its potential role in colon adenocarcinoma (COAD) prognosis and immune modulation remains underexplored. This study examines the expression and mechanistic involvement of OAZ2 in COAD using data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and additional laboratory experiments. We employed uni- and multivariate Cox hazard regression analyses to evaluate its prognostic significance and gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) to identify related signaling pathways. Our findings demonstrate significantly lower OAZ2 expression in COAD tissues compared to normal counterparts (P < 0.05) and establish its value as an independent prognostic indicator (P < 0.05). Laboratory experiments further revealed that the protein and mRNA levels of OAZ2 are significantly diminished in COAD compared to adjacent normal tissues, while its antagonist AZIN2 shows elevated expression, suggesting a competitive interaction that may regulate tumor behavior. Overexpression of OAZ2 in RKO colorectal cancer cells significantly reduced their proliferation rate and impaired migration, confirming the functional impact of OAZ2 dysregulation in COAD. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) highlighted the involvement of OAZ2 in cardiac muscle contraction and oxidative phosphorylation pathways. Additionally, OAZ2's association with immune features such as tumor mutational burden (TMB), microsatellite instability (MSI), and immune infiltration underscores its integral role in the tumor microenvironment. These comprehensive findings position OAZ2 as a promising biomarker for COAD prognosis and a potential target for therapeutic intervention, with evidence supporting its regulatory effects on cell dynamics and tumor aggressiveness.

Alleviation of hyperglycaemia and oxidative stress by fruit extracts of different cultivars of the cornelian cherry (Cornus mas L. and Cornus mas × Cornus officinalis) in rats with diabetes mellitus

The development of new cornelian cherry cultivars with stronger antidiabetic properties than those of previously studied Cornus mas L. extracts is essential. Accordingly, the aim of the present study was to assess the biological effects of fruit extracts derived from the 'Uholok' and 'Koralovyi' cultivars of C. mas and mix of two hybrids of C. mas × C. officinalis ('Jerzy' and 'Tomasz' cultivars) in rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes mellitus. The quantitative and qualitative identification of bioactive substances in cornelian cherry fruits was conducted using HPLC-PDA. Fruit extracts from different cultivars were administered orally to rats with diabetes for 14 days at a dose of 20 mg per kg b.w. This resulted in a notable decrease in glucose-related parameters in the blood, proving the extracts' effectiveness as inhibitors of α-glucosidase activity. The fruit extract from the hybrids showed the most pronounced effect among the studied extracts with regard to these indicators. In addition, the fruit extracts demonstrated a positive corrective impact on the metabolites of glycolysis (pyruvate and L-lactate) and lactate dehydrogenase activity. The extracts produced antioxidant effect in diabetic rats by reducing oxidative stress biomarkers in plasma. Extracts from fruits of the 'Uholok' and 'Koralovyi' cultivars exhibited a higher efficiency than the extracts from C. mas 'Yantarnyi' and 'Flava' cultivars. The biological effects of the fruit extract from the 'Uholok' cultivar are comparable to those of the 'Podolski' cultivar. These findings contribute to the understanding of the antidiabetic effect of the studied extracts and indicate their potential application as promising drugs.

The Frequently Used Industrial Food Process Additive, Microbial Transglutaminase: Boon or Bane

Microbial transglutaminase (mTG) is a frequently consumed processed food additive, and use of its cross-linked complexes is expanding rapidly. It was designated as a processing aid and was granted the generally recognized as safe (GRAS) classification decades ago, thus avoiding thorough assessment according to current criteria of toxicity and public health safety. In contrast to the manufacturer's declarations and claims, mTG and/or its transamidated complexes are proinflammatory, immunogenic, allergenic, pathogenic, and potentially toxic, hence raising concerns for public health. Being a member of the transglutaminase family and functionally imitating the tissue transglutaminase, mTG was recently identified as a potential inducer of celiac disease. Microbial transglutaminase and its docked complexes have numerous detrimental effects. Those harmful aspects are denied by the manufacturers, who claim the enzyme is deactivated when heated or by gastric acidity, and that its covalently linked isopeptide bonds are safe. The present narrative review describes the potential side effects of mTG, highlighting its thermostability and activity over a broad pH range, thus, challenging the manufacturers' and distributers' safety claims. The national food regulatory authorities and the scientific community are urged to reevaluate mTG's GRAS status, prioritizing public health protection against the possible risks associated with this enzyme and its health-damaging consequences.

Association between folate level and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia risk: a systematic review and meta-analysis

There were several studies about the association between folate level and the risk of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN). This meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate whether folate deficiency is related to a high risk of CIN and cervical cancer. Odds ratios (ORs)/relative risks and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were summarized regarding the association between folate level and risk of CIN or cervical cancer. The meta-analysis indicated that higher serum folate levels (the second, third, and fourth quartiles of serum folate) were associated with a lower risk of CIN, as demonstrated by a random-effects model (OR = 0.42, 95% CI: 0.28-0.62). Conversely, no significant association was found between erythrocyte folate levels and the risk of CIN, as indicated by a random-effects model (OR = 0.69, 95% CI: 0.43-1.12). In addition, random-effects models demonstrated that higher serum folate levels (the second, third, and fourth quartiles of serum folate) were associated with lower risks of CIN grade 1 and CIN grades 2 or 3, compared with the lowest quartile of serum folate (CIN grade 1: OR = 0.52, 95% CI: 0.29-0.93; CIN grades 2 or 3: OR = 0.33, 95% CI: 0.19-0.58). Higher serum folate levels (the second, third, and fourth quartiles of serum folate) were associated with a lower risk of cervical cancer, compared with the lowest quartile of serum folate (OR = 0.53, 95% CI: 0.36-0.79). Serum low folate levels could increase the risk of CIN and cervical cancer, while erythrocyte folate concentration was not associated with the risk of CIN.

Elucidating emerging signaling pathways driving endothelial dysfunction in cardiovascular aging

The risk for developing cardiovascular diseases dramatically increases in older individuals, and aging vasculature plays a crucial role in determining their morbidity and mortality. Aging disrupts endothelial balance between vasodilators and vasoconstrictors, impairing function and promoting pathological vascular remodeling. In this Review, we discuss the impact of key and emerging molecular pathways that transduce aberrant inflammatory signals (i.e., chronic low-grade inflammation-inflammaging), oxidative stress, and mitochondrial dysfunction in aging vascular compartment. We focus on the interplay between these events, which contribute to generating a vicious cycle driving the progressive alterations in vascular structure and function during cardiovascular aging. We also discuss the primary role of senescent endothelial cells and vascular smooth muscle cells, and the potential link between vascular and myeloid cells, in impairing plaque stability and promoting the progression of atherosclerosis. The aim of this summary is to provide potential novel insights into targeting these processes for therapeutic benefit.

Circular RNAs as key regulators in cancer hallmarks: New progress and therapeutic opportunities

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have emerged as critical regulators in cancer biology, contributing to various cancer hallmarks, including cell proliferation, apoptosis, metastasis, and drug resistance. Defined by their covalently closed loop structure, circRNAs possess unique characteristics like high stability, abundance, and tissue-specific expression. These non-coding RNAs function through mechanisms such as miRNA sponging, interactions with RNA-binding proteins (RBPs), and modulating transcription and splicing. Advances in RNA sequencing and bioinformatics tools have enabled the identification and functional annotation of circRNAs across different cancer types. Clinically, circRNAs demonstrate high specificity and sensitivity in samples, offering potential as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers. Additionally, therapeutic strategies involving circRNA mimics, inhibitors, and delivery systems are under investigation. However, their precise mechanisms remain unclear, and more clinical evidence is needed regarding their roles in cancer hallmarks. Understanding circRNAs will pave the way for novel diagnostic and therapeutic approaches, potentially improving patient outcomes.

Symbiosis vs pathogenesis in plants: Reflections and perspectives

Plant-microbe partnerships constitute a complex and intricately woven network of connections that have evolved over countless centuries, involving both cooperation and antagonism. In various contexts, plants and microorganisms engage in mutually beneficial partnerships that enhance crop health and maintain balance in ecosystems. However, these associations also render plants susceptible to a range of pathogens. Understanding the fundamental molecular mechanisms governing these associations is crucial, given the notable susceptibility of plants to external environmental influences. Based on quorum sensing signals, phytohormone, and volatile organic carbon (VOC) production and others molecules, microorganisms influence plant growth, health, and defense responses. This review explores the multifaceted relationships between plants and their associated microorganisms, encompassing mutualism, commensalism, and antagonism. The molecular mechanisms of symbiotic and pathogenic interactions share similarities but lead to different outcomes. While symbiosis benefits both parties, pathogenesis harms the host. Genetic adaptations optimize these interactions, involving coevolution driving process. Environmental factors influence outcomes, emphasizing the need for understanding and manipulation of microbial communities for beneficial results. Research directions include employing multi-omics techniques, functional studies, investigating environmental factors, understanding evolutionary trajectories, and harnessing knowledge to engineer synthetic microbial consortia for sustainable agriculture and disease management.

Future applications of cyclic antimicrobial peptides in drug delivery

INTRODUCTION

Cyclic antimicrobial peptides (CAMPs) are gaining attention as promising candidates in advanced drug delivery systems due to their structural stability, resistance to proteolytic degradation, and versatile therapeutic potential. Their unique properties enable applications that extend beyond combating multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens. Their amphipathic and cell-penetrating properties allow them to efficiently transport drugs across cellular membranes.

AREAS COVERED

This review explores the structural advantages and mechanisms of action of CAMPs, emphasizing their role in drug delivery. The literature analysis (2010-2024) from PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science highlights developments in CAMP-conjugated therapies, liposomal formulations, and encapsulation systems. The review also examines their antimicrobial potency, amphipathic and cell-penetrating properties, and integration into nanocarrier technologies to enhance drug stability, bioavailability, and precision targeting. Challenges such as toxicity, scalability, and cost are also discussed. CAMPs have the potential to revolutionize drug delivery through their robustness and multifunctionality, particularly in precision medicine.

EXPERT OPINION

Future advancements in peptide engineering, nanotechnology, and AI-driven design are expected to enhance CAMPs' therapeutic specificity, reduce toxicity, and broaden their applications, including oncology and gene therapy, paving the way for their integration into next-generation therapeutics.

Mechanistic insights into novel cyano-pyrimidine pendant chalcone derivatives as LSD1 inhibitors by docking, ADMET, MM/GBSA, and molecular dynamics simulation

Cancer presents a formidable and complex foe, standing as one of the foremost contributors to disease-related fatalities across the globe. According to data from the Global Cancer Observatory (GLOBOCAN), projections indicate a staggering 28.4 million cases of cancer, encompassing both new diagnoses and deaths, by 2040. Therefore, developing effective and comprehensive treatment approaches for cancer patients is essential and the conventional approved treatments for cancers are associated with various harmful side effects. Our study aims to address the critical and widespread need for alternative therapies that can effectively combat cancer with minimal side effects. The present contribution outlines a targeted approach using Lysine Specific Demethylase 1 (LSD1) to evaluate novel cyano-pyrimidine pendant chalcone derivatives as potential antiproliferative agents. Two sets of novel cyano-pyrimidine pendant chalcone derivatives were produced, and molecular docking was performed on the LSD1 protein. The ligands A1 and B1 belonging to series A and B, respectively, were found to have the highest docking scores of -11.095 and -10.773 kcal/mol, in that order. The ADME and toxicity studies of the ligands showed promising responses with respect to various pharmacokinetic and physicochemical parameters. The Molecular dynamics (MD) simulation results indicated effective diffusion of both complexes inside the protein cavity, facilitated by prominent interactions with various amino acids. Additionally, the complexes displayed high relative binding free energy. The computational screening of ligands indicates that ligands A1 and B1 exhibit potential for further exploration using various in vitro and in vivo techniques. These ligands may then serve as promising leads in the discovery of cancer drugs. The in-silico screening of the novel library of cyano-pyrimidine pendant chalcone derivatives was performed with a combination of molecular docking, MM-GBSA, ADME, toxicity and MD simulation. Molecular docking and MM-GBSA were conducted using the Glide and Prime tools, respectively, of the Schrödinger suite 12.8. The ligands were analysed for ADME using the Swiss ADME, while toxicity risks were evaluated using Osiris Property Explorer. Additionally, a 400ns MD simulation of LIGA1 and LIGB1 against the protein LSD1 was performed using the Desmond tool of Schrödinger suite 12.8 to validate the docking results and analyse the behaviour and stability of the complexes.

Gliricidia sepium (Jacq.) Kunth. ex. Walp. leaves-derived biogenic nanohydrogel accelerates diabetic wound healing in rats over 21 days

This study focused on the potential of Gliricidia sepium (Jacq.) Kunth. ex. Walp. leaves zinc oxide nanoparticles hydrogel (GSL ZnONPs HG) for diabetic wound healing. The major components identified through HPLC analysis in Gliricidia sepium (Jacq.) Kunth. ex. Walp. leaves ethanolic extract (GSL) were apigenin-7-O-glucoside, kaempferol, and protocatechuic acid. These compounds exhibited anti-inflammatory properties. The hydrogel loaded with GSL ethanolic extract and Gliricidia sepium (Jacq.) Kunth. ex. Walp. leaves ethanolic extract zinc oxide nanoparticles (GSL ZnONPs) displayed controlled release and favorable swelling behavior. GSL ZnONPs HG enhanced tissue regeneration, reduced apoptosis, and modulated inflammation in diabetic wounds as demonstrated by wound morphology and closure measurements, as well as histopathological and immunohistochemical evaluations. It is important to highlight the dose-dependent behavior of GSL ZnONPs, demonstrating their effectiveness in promoting diabetic wound healing even at lower concentrations. This was supported by their response to various biomarkers through a significant reduction in vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and advanced glycation end products levels (AGEs), and a notable increase in interleukin-10 (IL-10) and platelet-derived growth factor concentrations (PDGF). Collectively, the study highlights the potential of GSL ZnONPs HG as a promising approach to enhance diabetic wound healing.

Reduction reactions dominate the interactions between Mg alloys and cells: Understanding the mechanisms

Magnesium (Mg) alloys are popular biodegradable metals studied for orthopedic and cardiovascular applications, mainly because Mg ions are essential trace elements known to promote angiogenesis and osteogenesis. However, Mg corrosion consists of oxidation and reduction reactions that produce by-products, such as hydrogen gas, reactive oxygen species, and hydroxides. It is still unclear how all these by-products and Mg ions concomitantly alter the microenvironment and cell behaviors spatially and temporally. This study shows that Mg corrosion can enhance cell proliferation by reducing intracellular ROS. However, Mg cannot decrease ROS and promote cell proliferation in simulated inflammatory conditions, meaning the microenvironment is critical. Furthermore, cells may respond to Mg ions differently in chronic or acute alkaline pH or oxidative stress. Depending on the corrosion rate, Mg modulates HIF1α and many signaling pathways like PI3K/AKT/mTOR, mitophagy, cell cycle, and oxidative phosphorylation. Therefore, this study provides a fundamental insight into the importance of reduction reactions in Mg alloys.

Kaempferol inhibited invasion and metastasis of gastric cancer cells by targeting AKT/GSK3β pathway based on network pharmacology and molecular docking

This study aims to explore the mechanisms of the inhibitory effect of kaempferol on the invasion and metastasis of gastric cancer (GC) cells through network pharmacology prediction and experimental verification. It identifies core targets via PPI network analysis and finds that kaempferol binds to these targets well. In vitro experiments showed that kaempferol could inhibit the proliferation, colony formation, migration and invasion of GC cells. Western blotting indicated kaempferol may reduce AKT and GSK3β phosphorylation, leading to lower expression of invasion-related genes SRC, MMP9, CXCR4, KDR, and MMP2. Overall, kaempferol may prevent migration and invasion of GC cells via the AKT/GSK3β signaling pathway.

Designing lysyl hydroxylase inhibitors for oral submucous fibrosis - Insights from molecular dynamics

Alpha-ketoglutarate (αKG) dependent Lysyl hydroxylase (LH) is a critical enzyme in the post-translational conversion of lysine into hydroxylysine in collagen triple helix and telopeptide regions. Overexpression of LH increases collagen hydroxylation and covalent cross-linkage, causing fibrosis. Currently, no drugs are available to inhibit LH potentially. Virtual screening of the Zinc database was employed to identify new leads. They were docked using Glide. Lead1 complex exhibits a notably superior docking score compared to other leads. This complex hinders iron stabilization by engaging with the HXD..Xn..H motif and competitively inhibiting 2OG binding at the catalytic site via interactions with Cys691 and Arg729 by forming a salt bridge. Molecular dynamics simulations over a 500 ns time scale and molecular mechanics Poisson-Boltzmann surface area calculations illustrate the stable binding of Leads. DCCA analysis finds the coordinated residue motions and the influence of the second coordinating sphere in long-range interactions. In-silico results were validated by quantifying the amount of collagen in zebrafish through histology and hydroxyproline assay. These findings demonstrated a reduction in collagen deposition in the treated samples compared to the positive control. This computational study unveiled insights into how leads may impede collagen lysine hydroxylation and potentially impact collagen-related processes.

The Efficacy for Hypertensive Intracerebral Hemorrhage Between Neuroendoscopic Surgery and Conservative Treatment: A Retrospective Observational Study

OBJECTIVES

This study aims to investigate the efficacy of neuroendoscopic surgery in the treatment of hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage (HICH).

METHODS

A total of 193 patients diagnosed with HICH were divided into 2 groups in this study: the observation group (n=101) received neuroendoscopic surgery, whereas the control group (n=92) underwent conservative treatment. Then, the outcomes between these 2 groups were compared and assessed.

RESULTS

In the pretreatment phase, there were no significant differences in the levels of inflammation and neurological function scores between these 2 groups ( P >0.05). After 3 months of treatment, the observation group displayed significantly shorter median hospital stay, lower average hospital costs, and faster hematoma resorption time, along with reduced levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8, aquaporin-4 (AQP4), macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF), Nerve Deficiency Scale (NDS), Graeb score, and national institute of health stroke scale (NIHSS) compared with the control group ( P <0.05). In addition, the observation group exhibited higher rate of hematoma clearance and better glasgow outcome scale (GOS) score compared with the control group ( P <0.05). The effective treatment rate in the observation group was notably superior to that in the control group (89.11% vs. 73.91%, P <0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Neuroendoscopic surgery is an effective treatment for HICH, with alleviating the inflammatory response and enhancing the neurological function. The treatment shows promising outcomes and justifies extensive implementation.

Association of ethylene oxide exposure with sex hormones in the general US population: a cross-sectional study

Background

Ethylene oxide (EO) is an environmental chemical widely used in industry and has been related to various conditions such as dyslipidemia and metabolic syndrome. However, it is not clear what effect EO has on sex hormones. This paper aims to investigate the connection between EO exposure and sex hormones.

Methods

EO exposure was assessed by measuring blood levels of hemoglobin adducts of EO (HbEO). Based on the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2013-2016 dataset, we assessed linear and nonlinear associations between HbEO and sex hormone levels using weighted multivariate linear regression analyses and weighted generalized additive modeling approaches. We further calculated the threshold effect using a two-piecewise linear regression model. In addition, we performed subgroup analyses.

Results

In men, HbEO levels showed a U-shaped relationship with total testosterone (TT) and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), with inflection points ln(HbEO) (natural logarithmic transformed value of HbEO) of 4.12 and 3.78 pmol/g Hb, respectively. HbEO levels in women showed an inverted U-shaped relationship with TT, with an inflection point ln(HbEO) of 4.54 pmol/g Hb. However, to the right of the inflection point, the relationship between HbEO and TT was not statistically significant (β = -0.09, 95%CI -0.21, 0.03). Female HbEO levels were negatively correlated with estradiol (β = -0.11, 95%CI -0.19, -0.03). In addition, we found a positive correlation between HbEO and SHBG in women with a body mass index (BMI) <25 (β = 0.12, 95%CI 0.04, 0.20, P for interaction = 0.007).

Conclusions

EO exposure leads to altered sex hormone levels in the general US population, and further research is required in the future to validate our findings.

Erianin serves as an NFATc1 inhibitor to prevent breast cancer-induced osteoclastogenesis and bone destruction

INTRODUCTION

Breast cancer-related bone metastasis can lead to skeletal-related events (SREs), which decrease patient quality of life. Inhibition of osteoclastogenesis is a key treatment for SREs; however, the availability of clinical drugs remains limited, and all existing ones disrupt physiological bone formation, while exhibiting no effect on patient survival time.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to identify a novel osteoclast inhibitor for the treatment of breast cancer-induced SREs.

METHODS

The MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell-induced bone loss model was used to investigate the therapeutic effects of erianin in vivo. Then, we evaluated the inhibitory effects of erianin on osteoclastogenesis and signalling in bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMMs) induced by conditioned medium from MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells (231 CM) and receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL) in vitro. Next, a Cellular Thermal Shift Assay and siRNA-mediate knockdown were performed, to investigate the target of erianin during osteoclast formation. The effects of erianin on human osteoclastogenesis were evaluated using CD14+ monocytes obtained from patients with breast cancer.

RESULTS

Erianin effectively improved breast cancer cells-induced bone destruction at doses of 2 and 20 mg/kg/day in vivo, while suppressing osteoclastogenesis and the upregulation of SRC-NFATc1, INTEGRIN β3-MMP9 signals induced by 231 CM and RANKL in vitro. Furthermore, erianin interacted with NFATc1 but not SRC, and Nfatc1 knockdown eliminated the inhibitory effects of erianin on osteoclastogenesis. Notably, lower expression of NFATc1 positively correlated with longer survival in patients with cancer and a high risk of bone metastasis. We further revealed that 62.5-250 nM erianin suppresses NFATc1 and excessive osteoclastogenesis in CD14+ monocytes from patients with breast cancer.

CONCLUSION

Erianin acts as an NFATc1 inhibitor that attenuates breast cancer-induced osteoclastogenesis and bone destruction.

Red blood cell changes due to cancer and cancer treatments: a narrative review

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To date, there is relatively limited research investigating changes in red blood cells (RBCs), particularly qualitative changes, in cancer patients and cancer patients receiving treatment. These changes may be important in better understanding cancer-associated anemia, which is the most prevalent hematological disorder in cancer patients with wide-ranging implications on patient care and quality of life. This review aims to summarize available evidence regarding qualitative and quantitative changes in RBCs in individuals with cancer prior to treatment and in patients undergoing treatment.

RECENT FINDINGS

The most commonly reported changes in RBCs in cancer patients were increased mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and decreased hemoglobin, RBC count, and hematocrit. There were increased lipid peroxidation products and decreased antioxidants. There were increased polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and decreased monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) and saturated fatty acids (FAs). Additionally, RBC shape alterations with various atypical morphologies, membrane structure abnormalities, and impaired fluidity were also reported. These and various other reported findings are discussed in depth.

SUMMARY

There are several reported quantitative and qualitative RBC changes in individuals with cancer, with some studies exhibiting conflicting results. Further research is needed to solidify the data and to better understand hematological-associated comorbidities in those patients.

Probing antimicrobial synergy by novel lipopeptides paired with antibiotics

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is fast becoming a major global challenge in both hospital and community settings as many current antibiotics and treatment processes are under the threat of being rendered less effective or ineffective. Synergistic combination of an antibiotic and an aiding agent with a different set of properties provides an important but largely unexploited option to 'repurpose' existing biomaterial's space while addressing issues of potency, spectrum, toxicity and resistance in early stages of antimicrobial drug discovery. This work explores how to combine tetracycline/minocycline (TC/MC) with a broad-spectrum antimicrobial lipopeptide that has been designed to improve the efficiency of membrane targeting and intramembrane accumulation, thereby enhancing antimicrobial efficacy. Experimental measurements of fractional inhibition concentration index (FICI) were undertaken from binary antibiotic-lipopeptide combinations. Most FICI values were found to be lower than 0.5 against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains studied including 3 AMR strains, revealing strong synergetic effects via favorable membrane-lytic interactions. The antimicrobial actions of this type of binary combinations are featured by the fast time-killing and high TC/MC uptake, benefited from effective membrane-lytic disruptions by the lipopeptide. This study thus provides an important mechanistic understanding of the combined antibiotic-lipopeptide approach to improve the therapeutic potential of conventional antibiotics by illustrating how amphiphilic lipopeptide-antibiotic combinations interact with biological membranes, providing a promising alternative to combat AMR through rational design of lipopeptide as an aiding agent.

Quercetin attenuates the symptoms of osteoarthritis in vitro and in vivo by suppressing ferroptosis via activation of AMPK/Nrf2/Gpx4 signaling

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common joint disorder involving the cartilage and other joint tissues. Quercetin (QCT) serves a protective role in the development of OA. However, to the best of our knowledge, the regulatory mechanisms of QCT in the progression of OA have not yet been fully elucidated. In order to mimic a model of OA in vitro, IL‑1β was used to stimulate chondrocytes. Furthermore, an in vivo animal model of OA was induced by anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT). 5‑Ethynyl‑2'‑deoxyuridine assays, TUNEL assays, ELISAs, western blotting and immunohistochemical assays were conducted to assess the chondroprotective properties of QCT in the development of OA. The results revealed that 100 µM QCT significantly promoted the proliferation, reduced the apoptosis and inflammation, and inhibited the extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation in IL‑1β‑stimulated chondrocytes. Additionally, QCT attenuated the IL‑1β‑induced ferroptosis of chondrocytes, as demonstrated by the reduced lipid reactive oxygen species and Fe2+ levels. Conversely, the inhibitory effects of QCT on the apoptosis and inflammatory responses were reversed by the activation of ferroptosis by erastin in IL‑1β‑stimulated chondrocytes. Furthermore, QCT significantly elevated the level of phosphorylated (p‑)5' AMP‑activated protein kinase (AMPK) and the levels of two negative regulators of ferroptosis [nuclear factor erythroid 2‑related factor 2 (Nrf2) and glutathione peroxidase 4 (Gpx4)] in IL‑1β‑stimulated chondrocytes. The AMPK inhibitor compound C notably reversed the promoting effects of QCT on phosphorylated‑AMPK, Nrf2 and Gpx4 expression in IL‑1β‑stimulated chondrocytes. Additionally, QCT markedly ameliorated the destruction and degradation of articular cartilage, and elevated the p‑AMPK, Nrf2 and Gpx4 levels in the mouse model of ACLT‑induced OA. Overall, the present study demonstrated that QCT inhibited the development of OA by suppressing ferroptosis via the activation of the AMPK/Nrf2/Gpx4 signaling pathway. These findings provide novel insights into the regulatory mechanisms of QCT for the treatment of patients with OA.

Role of circRNAs in regulating cell death in cancer: a comprehensive review

Despite multiple diagnostic and therapeutic advances, including surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy, cancer preserved its spot as a global health concern. Prompt cancer diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis depend on the discovery of new biomarkers and therapeutic strategies. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are considered as a stable, conserved, abundant, and varied group of RNA molecules that perform multiple roles such as gene regulation. There is evidence that circRNAs interact with RNA-binding proteins, especially capturing miRNAs. An extensive amount of research has presented the substantial contribution of circRNAs in various types of cancer. To fully understand the linkage between circRNAs and cancer growth as a consequence of various cell death processes, including autophagy, ferroptosis, and apoptosis, more research is necessary. The expression of circRNAs could be controlled to limit the occurrence and growth of cancer, providing a more encouraging method of cancer treatment. Consequently, it is critical to understand how circRNAs affect various forms of cancer cell death and evaluate whether circRNAs could be used as targets to induce tumor death and increase the efficacy of chemotherapy. The current study aims to review and comprehend the effects that circular RNAs exert on cell apoptosis, autophagy, and ferroptosis in cancer to investigate potential cancer treatment targets.

Antidiabetic effects of two naphthoquinones from the branches and leaves of Tectona grandis and possible mechanism

Tectona grandis is a Dai medicine that plays an important role in traditional medicine in India, Myanmar, West Africa, and Yunnan Province in China. T. grandis was recorded as an anti-diabetic herb in the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia; however, its potential antidiabetic components and possible mechanisms of action have almostly not been described to far. To completely comprehend the pharmacological components and therapeutic potential of T. grandis, we isolated chemical components from the plant's leaves and branches, evaluated their antidiabetic activities, and explored the possible mechanisms of active compounds using molecular docking and network pharmacology. In this study, two new quinones (1-2) and eighteen known compounds (3-20) were isolated and identified from T. grandis. Except for the new quinones 1 and 2, compounds 4, 11-12, 14-15, 18-20 were separated from T. grandis for the first time. The naphthoquinones 1 and 3 showed significant antidiabetic activities in α-glucosidase inhibition assay (IC50: 92.52 ± 5.05 and 45.37 ± 1.50 μM, respectively), glucose uptake assay (Inhibition rate: 63.90 ± 1.04 % and 65.41 ± 1.96 %, respectively) and preadipocyte differentiation inhibition assay (Lipid droplet content decreased by 8.49 ± 0.71 % and 13.89 ± 0.29 %, respectively, compared to the model group). Our study also revealed that T. grandis might treat diabetes by targeting CASP3, ESR1, and PTGS2. This study provided important support for the traditional usage of T. grandis as an antidiabetic herb by identifying its antidiabetic components and possible mechanism.

Curcumin Inhibits the Development of Pancreatic Cancer by Targeting the circ_0079440/miR-522-3p/EIF4A1 Pathway

Pancreatic cancer (PC) is a common gastrointestinal cancer with high invasiveness and high mortality. Curcumin is a natural polyphenol with anti-tumor activity against different cancers, including PC. Curcumin has been verified to mediate the expression of circular RNAs (circRNAs) to inhibit tumor development. This study aimed to explore the function and regulatory mechanism of curcumin on circ_0079440 in PC. PC cells were treated with different concentrations of curcumin (0, 5, 10 or 15 μM) for 24 h. Gene expression in PC cells and tissues was detected using RT-qPCR. Cell malignant phenotypes were determined by functional assays. The levels of EMT-related proteins were tested using western blot. RNA interaction was determined using RNA pulldown assay, luciferase reporter assay and RIP assay. The results showed that curcumin suppressed cell proliferative, migratory, and invasive capabilities, and weakened epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in a concentration-dependent way. Circ_0079440 was expressed at a high level in PC and its level was reduced via curcumin administration in PC cells. Rescue assays showed that circ_0079440 overexpression reversed the suppressive effects of curcumin on PC cell malignant phenotypes. Furthermore, in the xenograft mouse models, curcumin treatment inhibited tumor growth and metastasis, and circ_0079440 upregulation reversed the function of curcumin. Additionally, circ_0079440 was revealed to bind to miR-522-3p to upregulate eukaryotic initiation factor 4A1 (EIF4A1) expression in PC cells. EIF4A1 expression was also downregulated by curcumin, and EIF4A1 overexpression abolished the suppressive functions of curcumin. Moreover, EIF4A overexpression or miR-522-3p inhibition counteracted the anti-tumor effects of circ_0079440 depletion on PC development. To sum up, curcumin suppresses PC development by targeting the circ_0079440/miR-522-3p/EIF4A1 pathway, which might provide novel therapeutic targets for treatment of PC.

A low-cost autonomous and scalable hydroponics system for space farming

An alternative food production system using hydroponics is proposed to grow vegetables in a controlled environment that is implementable in space. The proposed system is an autonomous, modular, scalable, and soilless food production platform (ASFP) that can be installed in a spacecraft by meeting requirements and constraints set by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). A suite of Internet of Things (IoT) sensors was used to monitor indoor climate as well as water quality in ASFP. Average values of air temperature and relative humidity in the environmentally-controlled room are maintained between 20-24 °C and 48-62 %, while water quality components, including dissolved oxygen (DO, ppm), electrical conductivity (EC, µS/m), pH, and water temperature (WT, Celsius) are monitored by the IoT sensor in real-time during the growing period. Repeated measure analysis is also performed to evaluate the plant growth performance. The result indicates that plant growth is attributed significantly to pH and EC values. A real-time data visualization and sharing platform is another avenue for the space farming ecosystem in the years to come.

Telocinobufagin suppresses malignant metastasis of undifferentiated thyroid carcinoma via modulation of the LARP1-mTOR pathway

Metastasis is the trigger of death in anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) patients, yet the specific mechanisms at play are still largely enigmatic. While the involvement of LARP1 in the metastatic process of various cancers has been documented, there is a noticeable gap in the literature regarding its potential influence on ATC metastasis. Molecular studies probed LARP1 expression within ATC cells, with subsequent in vitro experiments examining the effects of LARP1 on ATC cell metastasis and the mTOR signaling cascade. A suite of assays, including colony formation, scratch wound healing, transwell invasion, and cell adhesion, was used to assess cell growth, movement, invasion, and attachment. Western Blot determined the expression levels of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers (E-cadherin, Vimentin, N-cadherin) and proteins implicated in metastasis (MMP-2, MMP-9), along with mTOR and p-mTOR. The affinity of Telocinobufagin (TBG) from Yuanhua Toad Essence for LARP1 was investigated through molecular docking, with CETSA assays providing subsequent validation. Further cellular experiments substantiated the influence of TBG on ATC cell metastasis and modulation in the mTOR pathway. LARP1 levels were heightened in ATC cells, and its depletion effectively curbs their proliferative, migratory, invasive, and adhesive activities. With LARP1 knockdown, we also observed that the onset of EMT and metastatic processes was thwarted, as was the mTOR pathway. Subsequent research has uncovered that TBG formed a physical complex with LARP1, allowing it to target and suppress the mTOR pathway, thus preventing the metastasis of ATC. The simultaneous overexpression of LARP1, however, lessened the ability of TBG to inhibit ATC metastasis. This study highlights the importance of TBG binding to LARP1 in the mediation of the mTOR signaling pathway, a key process in the inhibition of ATC cell metastasis. This discovery introduces a new target for the diagnosis of ATC and enlightens the consideration of TBG as a treatment for ATC metastasis.

Multiple benefits of herbs: Polygonaceae species in veterinary pharmacology and livestock nutrition

Herbs rich in secondary metabolites may possess beneficial properties in livestock nutrition and health. 49 Polygonaceae species of European mountain regions were included in a qualitative systematic review based on the methodological framework of the PRISMA statement. 174 relevant publications were identified. They comprised 231 in vitro and 163 in vivo experiments with cattle, sheep, goats, poultry, pigs, and rodents. For 16 Polygonaceae species no reports were found. Fagopyrum esculentum and Fagopyrum tataricum showed potential as anti-inflammatory, antioxidative and metabolic modifying herbs and feeds improving intake and nitrogen conversion in broiler as well as milk quality and ruminal biotransformation in dairy cows. Polygonum aviculare was promising as an antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory drug or feed, improving performance and affecting ruminal biotransformation in sheep, and Polygonum bistorta as an anti-inflammatory drug or feed, improving performance in broiler and mitigating methane emissions in ruminants. Rumex obtusifolius showed potential as an antibacterial drug or feed improving ruminal biotransformation and preventing bloating in cows, while Rumex acetosa and Rumex acetosella had antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. Furthermore, Polygonum minus, Polygonum persicaria, Rumex crispus and Rumex patientia possess interesting anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activities. In conclusion, some Polygonaceae species show relevant properties that might be useful to prevent and treat livestock diseases, combined with nutritional benefits in performance, product quality, lowering ruminal methane and ammonia formation and transferring omega-3 fatty-acids from feed to tissue. The potential of such multifunctional plants for a holistic integration of veterinary, nutritional and ecological perspectives under a one-health approach of livestock management is discussed.

Insight into metabolic dysregulation of polycystic ovary syndrome utilizing metabolomic signatures: a narrative review

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a complex multifactorial endocrinopathy affecting reproductive aged women globally, whose presentation is strongly influenced by genetic makeup, ethnic, and geographic diversity leaving these affected women substantially predisposed to reproductive and metabolic perturbations. Sophisticated techniques spanning genomics, proteomics, epigenomics, and transcriptomics have been harnessed to comprehensively understand the enigmatic pathophysiology of PCOS, however, conclusive markers for PCOS are still lacking today. Metabolomics represents a paradigm shift in biotechnological advances enabling the simultaneous identification and quantification of metabolites and the use of this approach has added yet another dimension to help unravel the strong metabolic component of PCOS. Reports dissecting the metabolic signature of PCOS have revealed disparate levels of metabolites such as pyruvate, lactate, triglycerides, free fatty acids, carnitines, branched chain and essential amino acids, and steroid intermediates in major biological compartments. These metabolites have been shown to be altered in women with PCOS overall, after phenotypic subgrouping, in animal models of PCOS, and also following therapeutic intervention. This review seeks to supplement previous reviews by highlighting the aforementioned aspects and to provide easy, coherent and elementary access to significant findings and emerging trends. This will in turn help to delineate the metabolic plot in women with PCOS in various biological compartments including plasma, urine, follicular microenvironment, and gut. This may pave the way to design additional studies on the quest of unraveling the etiology of PCOS and delving into novel biomarkers for its diagnosis, prognosis and management.

Unveiling lactylation modification: A new hope for cancer treatment

This review article delves into the multifaceted role of lactylation modification in antitumor therapy, revealing the complex interplay between lactylation modification and the tumor microenvironment (TME), metabolic reprogramming, gene expression, and immunotherapy. As an emerging epigenetic modification, lactylation has a significant impact on the metabolic pathways of tumor cells, immune evasion, gene expression regulation, and sensitivity to chemotherapy drugs. Studies have shown that lactylation modification significantly alters the development and therapeutic response of tumors by affecting metabolites in the TME, immune cell functions, and signaling pathways. In the field of immunotherapy, the regulatory role of lactylation modification provides a new perspective and potential targets for tumor treatment, including modulating the sensitivity of tumors to immunotherapy by affecting the expression of immune checkpoint molecules and the infiltration of immune cells. Moreover, research progress on lactylation modification in various types of tumors indicates that it may serve as a biomarker to predict patients' responses to chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Overall, research on lactylation modification provides a theoretical foundation for the development of new tumor treatment strategies and holds promise for improving patient prognosis and quality of life. Future research will further explore the application potential of lactylation modification in tumor therapy and how to improve treatment efficacy by targeting lactylation modification.