Glucocorticoid deficiency causes transcriptional and post-transcriptional reprogramming of glutamine metabolism

Hypoxia stress alters gene expression in the gills and spleen of greater amberjack (Serioladumerili)

Greater amberjack (Seriola dumerili) is a fish species that has significant economic and cultural value. It has a large size and grows rapidly. However, the intolerance to hypoxia poses a major obstacle to the growth of its aquaculture industry. This study focuses on the gills and spleen, two organs closely associated with the response to acute hypoxic stress. By simulating the acute hypoxic environment and using Illumina RNA-Seq technology, we explored the gills and spleen transcriptome changes in the acute hypoxia intolerant and tolerant groups of greater amberjack. It was discovered that gill tissues in the tolerant group may maintain a stable intracellular energy supply by promoting glycolysis and β-oxidation compared to the intolerant group. Additionally, it promotes angiogenesis, enhances the ability to absorb dissolved oxygen, and accelerates oxygen transport to the mitochondria, adapting to the hypoxic environment. Anti-apoptotic genes were up-regulated in gill tissues in the tolerant group compared to the intolerant group, thereby minimizing the damage of acute hypoxia. On the other hand, the spleen inhibited the TCA and energy-consuming lipid synthesis pathways to supply energy under acute hypoxic stress. Pro-angiogenic genes were down-regulated in the spleen of individuals in the tolerant group compared to the intolerant group, which may be related to organ function. The suppressed reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and the impaired immune response function of the spleen were also found. The study explored the acute hypoxic stress response in greater amberjack and the molecular mechanisms underlying its tolerance to acute hypoxia.

Familial Glucocorticoid Deficiency: the changing landscape of an eponymous syndrome

Familial Glucocorticoid Deficiency encompasses a broad spectrum of monogenic recessive disorders that theoretically solely abrogate cortisol biosynthesis. In reality, delineating clear genotype-phenotype correlations in this disorder is made complicated by marked phenotypic heterogeneity even within kindreds harbouring identical variants. Phenotypes range from isolated glucocorticoid insufficiency to cortisol deficiency plus a variety of superimposed features including salt-wasting and hypoaldosteronism, primary hypothyroidism, hypogonadism and growth defects. Furthermore, mutation type, domain topology and perceived enzyme activity do not always predict disease severity. Given the high burden of disease and implications of a positive diagnosis, genetic testing is crucial in the management of patients warranting detailed delineation of genomic variants including viable functional studies.

Neurocognitive impairment associated with chronic morbidity in long-term survivors of Hodgkin Lymphoma

Thoracic radiation is associated with significant cardiopulmonary morbidities in survivors of long-term Hodgkin lymphoma and may affect neurocognitive outcomes. Survivors (N = 204; 52.5% female; mean [standard deviation] age, 36.6 [8.01] years) treated with thoracic radiation and age-, sex-, and race/ethnicity-matched community controls (N = 205; 51.7% female; age, 36.7 [9.17] years) completed standardized neurocognitive testing, echocardiography, pulmonary function tests, and vascular studies during the same visit. Treatments were abstracted from medical records. Cardiac (ie, left ventricular ejection fraction [LVEF], global longitudinal strain [GLS]), vascular (ie, large and small artery elasticity [SAE]), pulmonary (ie, diffusing capacity of the lungs for carbon monoxide [DLCO] and forced expiratory volume [FEV1]), and chronic health conditions were evaluated for associations with age-adjusted neurocognitive performance using multivariable linear regression. Compared with controls, survivors had lower performance (P < 0.05) in visuomotor (0.11 vs 0.41), visual processing speed (0.25 vs 0.64), short-term recall (-0.24 vs 0.12), and flexibility (-0.04 vs 0.28). Survivors had lower pulmonary (FEV1, DLCOcorr), cardiac (LVEF, GLS), and vascular function (SAE) than controls (all P < 0.001). FEV1 was associated with visuomotor (P = .008) and visual processing speed (P = .05), and flexibility (P = .05). GLS was associated with short-term recall (P = .03). SAE was associated with flexibility (P = .007). Neurocognitive outcomes were also associated with moderate-to-severe neurologic chronic conditions (P < .05). Findings suggest a link between subclinical cardiopulmonary and vascular findings, neurologic morbidity, and neurocognitive impairments. Prevention of health morbidity may benefit neurocognitive outcomes.

A novel prognostic signature of cuproptosis-related genes and the prognostic value of FDX1 in gliomas

Background: Gliomas are the most common malignant tumors of the central nervous system, with extremely bad prognoses. Cuproptosis is a novel form of regulated cell death. The impact of cuproptosis-related genes on glioma development has not been reported. Methods: The TCGA, GTEx, and CGGA databases were used to retrieve transcriptomic expression data. We employed Cox's regressions to determine the associations between clinical factors and cuproptosis-related gene expression. Overall survival (OS), disease-specific survival (DSS), and progression-free interval (PFI) were evaluated using the Kaplan-Meier method. We also used the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression technique. Results: The expression levels of all 10 CRGs varied considerably between glioma tumors and healthy tissues. In glioma patients, the levels of CDKN2A, FDX1, DLD, DLAT, LIAS, LIPT1, and PDHA1 were significantly associated with the OS, disease-specific survival, and progression-free interval. We used LASSO Cox's regression to create a prognostic model; the risk score was (0.882340) *FDX1 expression + (0.141089) *DLD expression + (-0.333875) *LIAS expression + (0.356469) *LIPT1 expression + (-0.123851) *PDHA1 expression. A high-risk score/signature was associated with poor OS (hazard ratio = 3.50, 95% confidence interval 2, -4.55, log-rank p < 0.001). Cox's regression revealed that the FDX1 level independently predicted prognosis; FDX1 may control immune cell infiltration of the tumor microenvironment. Conclusion: The CRG signature may be prognostic in glioma patients, and the FDX1 level may independently predict glioma prognosis. These data may afford new insights into treatment.

Central adrenal insufficiency: who, when, and how? From the evidence to the controversies - an exploratory review

Central adrenal insufficiency (CAI) is a life-threatening disorder. This occurs when ACTH production is insufficient, leading to low cortisol levels. Since corticosteroids are crucial to many metabolic responses under organic stress and inflammatory conditions, CAI recognition and prompt treatment are vital. However, the diagnosis of CAI is challenging. This is not only because its clinical presentation is usually oligosymptomatic, but also because the CAI laboratory investigation presents many pitfalls. Thus, the clarification of when to use each test could be helpful in many contexts. The CAI challenge is also involved in treatment: Several formulations of synthetic steroids exist, followed by the lack of a biomarker for glucocorticoid replacement. This review aims to access all available literature to synthesize important topics about who should investigate CAI, when it should be suspected, and how CAI must be treated.

Protective effects of 5-aminolevulinic acid against toxicity induced by alpha-cypermethrin to the liver-gut-microbiota axis in zebrafish

To explore whether and how 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) can relieve the toxicity to the liver-gut-microbiota axis caused by alpha-cypermethrin (α-CP), adult zebrafish were exposed to α-CP (1.0 µg L-1) with or without 5.0 mg L-1 ALA supplementation. In the present work, the calculated LC50 of α-CP+ALA was 1.15 μg L-1, increasing about 1.16-fold compared with that of α-CP group (0.99 μg L-1), which indicated that ALA can alleviate the toxicity of α-CP. ALA also alleviated the histopathological lesions in the liver and gut induced by α-CP. Transcriptome sequencing of the liver showed that ALA rescues the differential expression of genes involved in the oxidation-reduction, heme metabolism, and complement activation pathways associated with dysfunctions induced by α-CP, and these findings were verified by RT-qPCR analysis and detection of the activities of enzymes in the liver-gut axis. The gut microbiota 16S rRNA sequencing results showed that α-CP alone induced gut microbial dysbiosis, which was efficiently antagonized by ALA due to decreasing the relative abundances of Cetobacterium and 3 major pathogens, and increasing the relative abundances of beneficial genera. Taken together, the results indicate that ALA might be a promising candidate for attenuating the adverse effects caused by pesticide-induced environmental pollution.

Interrenal development and function in zebrafish

In this article we aim to provide an overview of the zebrafish interrenal development and function, as well as a review of its contribution to basic and translational research. A search of the PubMed database identified 41 relevant papers published over the last 20 years. Based on the common themes identified, we discuss the organogenesis of the interrenal gland and its functional development and we review what is known about the genes involved in zebrafish steroidogenesis. We also outline the consequences of specific defects in steroid biosynthesis, as revealed by evidence from genetically engineered zebrafish models, including cyp11a2, cyp21a2, hsd3b1, cyp11c1 and fdx1b deficiency. Finally, we summarise the impact of different chemicals and environmental factors on steroidogenesis. Our review highlights the utility of zebrafish as a research model for exploring important areas of basic science and human disease, especially in the current context of rapid technological progress in the field of Molecular Biology.

Genetically encoded thiol redox-sensors in the zebrafish model: lessons for embryonic development and regeneration

Important roles for reactive oxygen species (ROS) and redox signaling in embryonic development and regenerative processes are increasingly recognized. However, it is difficult to obtain information on spatiotemporal dynamics of ROS production and signaling in vivo. The zebrafish is an excellent model for in vivo bioimaging and possesses a remarkable regenerative capacity upon tissue injury. Here, we review data obtained in this model system with genetically encoded redox-sensors targeting H₂O₂ and glutathione redox potential. We describe how such observations have prompted insight into regulation and downstream effects of redox alterations during tissue differentiation, morphogenesis and regeneration. We also discuss the properties of the different sensors and their consequences for the interpretation of in vivo imaging results. Finally, we highlight open questions and additional research fields that may benefit from further application of such sensor systems in zebrafish models of development, regeneration and disease.

Zebrafish for Personalized Regenerative Medicine; A More Predictive Humanized Model of Endocrine Disease

Regenerative medicine is a multidisciplinary field that aims to determine different factors and develop various methods to regenerate impaired tissues, organs, and cells in the disease and impairment conditions. When treatment procedures are specified according to the individual's information, the leading role of personalized regenerative medicine will be revealed in developing more effective therapies. In this concept, endocrine disorders can be considered as potential candidates for regenerative medicine application. Diabetes mellitus as a worldwide prevalent endocrine disease causes different damages such as blood vessel damages, pancreatic damages, and impaired wound healing. Therefore, a global effort has been devoted to diabetes mellitus investigations. Hereupon, the preclinical study is a fundamental step. Up to now, several species of animals have been modeled to identify the mechanism of multiple diseases. However, more recent researches have been demonstrated that animal models with the ability of tissue regeneration are more suitable choices for regenerative medicine studies in endocrine disorders, typically diabetes mellitus. Accordingly, zebrafish has been introduced as a model that possesses the capacity to regenerate different organs and tissues. Especially, fine regeneration in zebrafish has been broadly investigated in the regenerative medicine field. In addition, zebrafish is a suitable model for studying a variety of different situations. For instance, it has been used for developmental studies because of the special characteristics of its larva. In this review, we discuss the features of zebrafish that make it a desirable animal model, the advantages of zebrafish and recent research that shows zebrafish is a promising animal model for personalized regenerative diseases. Ultimately, we conclude that as a newly introduced model, zebrafish can have a leading role in regeneration studies of endocrine diseases and provide a good perception of underlying mechanisms.