Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of cancer mortality, characterized by poor prognosis due to its high proliferative and invasive potential. Tumor metabolic reprogramming, particularly involving glucose metabolism, is essential for tumor survival. This study investigates the role of the Hippo pathway effector transcriptional co-activator with PDZ-binding motif (TAZ) in regulating gluconeogenesis and promoting tumorigenesis in HCC. Methods: TAZ expression in HCC was analyzed using The Cancer Genome Atlas data and validated in clinical samples and cell lines. TAZ was overexpressed or silenced in HCC cell lines to evaluate its effects on cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and invasion. The expression and prognostic relevance of the gluconeogenesis-related genes phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase 1 (PCK1) and glucose-6-phosphatase (G6PC) were examined, along with their correlation with TAZ expression. Tumor growth was assessed in nude mice. Interactions between TAZ and the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) were investigated using co-immunoprecipitation, immunofluorescence, and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays. Results: TAZ was significantly upregulated in HCC tissues and cell lines. TAZ overexpression enhanced proliferation, reduced apoptosis, and promoted migration and invasion. In contrast, PCK1 and G6PC were downregulated in HCC and showed a negative correlation with TAZ expression. Conclusion TAZ modulates gluconeogenesis and accelerates tumor growth, whereas its knockdown attenuates tumor progression. TAZ interacts with GR, suppressing its transcriptional activity on gluconeogenic gene promoters.

Liver cancer (LC) remains one of the most prevalent tumors globally. Despite considerable advancements in its clinical treatment in recent years, the global burden of this disease is projected to increase. According to World Health Organization statistics, the number of LC deaths worldwide in 2022 was 760,000, ranking third among all cancers. Therefore, there is an urgent need to delve deeper into the realms of LC diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment. Proteomics, as an emerging technology leveraging mass spectrometry (MS)-based protein identification, liquid chromatography separation, and bioinformatics-driven data integration, enables the systematic characterization of proteome dynamics to address critical challenges in LC research. These challenges include the discovery of diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers as well as therapeutic targets. By scrutinizing the expression of specific proteins in both normal and cancerous tissues through high-throughput protein microarrays, researchers can uncover novel biomarkers. The use of these biomarkers alone or in combination with established ones holds the potential to significantly advance the fields of LC diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment. In general, the application of proteomics has significantly promoted the development of LC research. In this review, we summarized the latest advancements in the application of proteomics in LC, with a particular focus on diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment. We also concluded selected protein markers, aiming to offer guidance for further applications and present additional therapeutic targets for LC.

Cardiovascular diseases have the very high morbidity and mortality in the world.In recent years,the pharmacological effect and mechanism of Ganoderma lucidum has become the focus of research.Ganoderma lucidum,a traditional Chinese medicine,has broad development prospects and resource reserves.However,the mechanism of Ganoderma lucidum prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases is still lack of a complete review.In this paper,several domestic and foreign databases including CNKI and PubMed were searched to summarize the research progress of Ganoderma lucidum in anti-atherosclerosis,lowering blood lipids and lowering blood pressure in recent ten years.The main pharmacological mechanisms of Ganoderma lucidum in preventing and treating cardiovascular diseases include anti-inflammation,anti-oxidative stress,regulation of mitochondrial function,inhibition of calcium overload,regulation of intestinal flora and maintenance of cholesterol balance.On this basis.In addition,the paper also proposes to strengthen the in-depth study of Ganoderma lucidum in preventing and treating cardiovascular diseases,and pointed out the shortcomings of the existing research on Ganoderma lucidum,which provided some reference and guidance for promoting the in-depth study of its mechanism of action and clinical transformation of drugs.

BACKGROUND: Senescent human skin primary fibroblast (FB) models have been established for studying aging-related, proliferative, and inflammatory skin diseases. The aim of this study was to compare the transcriptome characteristics of human primary dermal FBs from children and the elderly with four senescence models. METHODS: Human skin primary FBs were obtained from healthy children (FB-C) and elderly donors (FB-E). Senescence models were generated by ultraviolet B irradiation (FB-UVB), D-galactose stimulation (FB-D-gal), atazanavir treatment (FB-ATV), and replication exhaustion induction (FB-P30). Flow cytometry, immunofluorescence staining, real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, co-culturing with immune cells, and bulk RNA sequencing were used for systematic comparisons of the models. RESULTS: In comparison with FB-C, FB-E showed elevated expression of senescence-related genes related to the skin barrier and extracellular matrix, proinflammatory factors, chemokines, oxidative stress, and complement factors. In comparison with FB-E, FB-UVB and FB-ATV showed higher levels of senescence and expression of the genes related to the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP), and their shaped immune microenvironment highly facilitated the activation of downstream immune cells, including T cells, macrophages, and natural killer cells. FB-P30 was most similar to FB-E in terms of general transcriptome features, such as FB migration and proliferation, and aging-related characteristics. FB-D-gal showed the lowest expression levels of senescence-related genes. In comparisons with the single-cell RNA sequencing results, FB-E showed almost complete simulation of the transcriptional spectrum of FBs in elderly patients with atopic dermatitis, followed by FB-P30 and FB-UVB. FB-E and FB-P30 showed higher similarity with the FBs in keloids. CONCLUSIONS Each senescent FB model exhibited different characteristics. In addition to showing upregulated expression of natural senescence features, FB-UVB and FB-ATV showed high expression levels of senescence-related genes, including those involved in the SASP, and FB-P30 showed the greatest similarity with FB-E. However, D-galactose-stimulated FBs did not clearly present aging characteristics.
Humans ; Fibroblasts/drug effects* ; Cellular Senescence/physiology* ; Skin/metabolism* ; Child ; Transcriptome/genetics* ; Aged ; Ultraviolet Rays ; Cells, Cultured ; Galactose/pharmacology*

BACKGROUND: Bile acids (BAs) facilitate the progression of gastric intestinal metaplasia (GIM). Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) dysregulation was observed along with the initiation of gastric cancer. However, how lncRNAs function in GIM remains unclear. This study aimed to explore the role and mechanism of lncRNA PVT1 in GIM, and provide a potential therapeutic target for GIM treatment. METHODS: We employed RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) to screen dysregulated lncRNAs in gastric epithelial cells after BA treatment. Bioinformatics analysis was conducted to reveal the regulatory mechanism. PVT1 expression was detected in 21 paired biopsies obtained under endoscopy. Overexpressed and knockdown cell models were established to explore gene functions in GIM. Molecular interactions were validated by dual-luciferase reporter assay, RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP), and chromatin immunoprecipitation (Ch-IP). The levels of relative molecular expression were detected in GIM tissues. RESULTS: We confirmed that lncRNA PVT1 was upregulated in BA-induced GIM model. PVT1 promoted the expression of intestinal markers such as CDX2 , KLF4 , and HNF4α . Bioinformatics analysis revealed that miR-34b-5p was a putative target of PVT1 . miR-34b-5p mimics increased CDX2 , KLF4 , and HNF4α levels. Restoration of miR-34b-5p decreased the pro-metaplastic effect of PVT1 . The interactions between PVT1 , miR-34b-5p, and the downstream target HNF4α were validated. Moreover, HNF4α could transcriptionally activated PVT1 , sustaining the GIM phenotype. Finally, the activation of the PVT1 /miR-34b-5p/ HNF4α loop was detected in GIM tissues. CONCLUSIONS BAs facilitate GIM partially via a PVT1/miR-34b-5p/HNF4α positive feedback loop. PVT1 may become a novel target for blocking the continuous development of GIM and preventing the initiation of gastric cancer in patients with bile reflux.
Humans ; RNA, Long Noncoding/metabolism* ; MicroRNAs/metabolism* ; Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor 4/genetics* ; Bile Acids and Salts ; Kruppel-Like Factor 4 ; Metaplasia/metabolism*

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of telitacicept in the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) .Methods:The clinical data of 25 SLE patients who received standard therapy combined with telitacicept at the Department of Dermatology, Xiangya Second Hospital, Central South University, from 2021 to 2024 were retrospectively collected. Baseline demographic and clinical characteristics were analyzed. Changes in skin lesions, joint pain symptoms, complete blood count, and biochemical parameters at 4, 12, and 24 weeks of treatment were compared with baseline (week 0). The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to compare complement C3 and C4 levels before and after treatment, and univariate logistic regression analysis was performed to explore factors influencing the efficacy of telitacicept.Results:Among the 25 SLE patients, 3 were male (12.0%) and 22 were female (88.0%). Based on the SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) -2000 scores, 8 patients were mild, 13 were moderate, and 4 were severe. Of the 11 SLE patients with rashes before treatment, 6 achieved complete remission at 12 weeks. Among the 7 patients with joint pain before treatment, 4 experienced symptom resolution at 24 weeks. The proportion of patients with leukopenia at baseline and at 4, 12, and 24 weeks was 10/25 (40.0%), 0/24 (0), 1/22 (4.5%), and 2/19 (10.5%), respectively. The proportion of patients with thrombocytopenia was 6/25 (24.0%), 3/24 (12.5%), 1/22 (4.5%), and 1/19 (5.3%), respectively, and the proportion of patients with anemia was 7/25 (28.0%), 3/24 (12.5%), 1/22 (4.5%), and 1/19 (5.3%), respectively. At baseline, 11 out of 25 patients (44.0%) had proteinuria. At 12 weeks, the urinary protein quantification level (0.4 [0, 0.6] g/L) was significantly lower than at baseline (0.9 [0.8, 1.2] g/L). The SLE responder index-4 (SRI4) response rates at 4, 12, and 24 weeks were 14/18, 15/17, and 12/14, respectively. Complement C3 and C4 levels were significantly higher at 4, 12, and 24 weeks compared to baseline (all P < 0.001). Univariate logistic regression analysis showed that age, disease duration, glucocorticoid dosage, baseline complement C4 levels, antinuclear antibody titer, and SLEDAI-2K score did not significantly affect the efficacy of telitacicept (SRI4 response rate at 12 weeks) (all P > 0.05). No serious adverse reactions related to telitacicept were observed in patients. Conclusions:Telitacicept improved skin lesions, complement C3 and C4 levels, and anti-double-stranded DNA antibody levels in SLE patients. No association was found between the efficacy of telitacicept and baseline SLEDAI-2K scores, antinuclear antibody titers, or complement C4 levels, suggesting that telitacicept is an effective and safe treatment for SLE patients.

Objective:To explore the correlative factors for insomnia severity in chronic insomnia patients using MemTrax memory test.Methods:Two hundred and twenty-two chronic insomnia patients (insomnia≥3 days per week with a duration≥3 months) recruited from Center for Preventive Treatment of Diseases, Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine or through in-hospital advertisements from April 2024 to September 2024 were chosen. Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was used to evaluate the sleep quality over the last month; according to PSQI score, these patients were divided into mild insomnia group (scores of 7-10), moderate insomnia group (scores of 11-15) and severe insomnia group (scores of 16-21). MemTrax memory test was used to record the picture recognition accuracy and picture recognition reaction time, and MemTrax comprehensive index (MTx-Cp) was calculated; Patients' Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 scale(GAD-7) were used to evaluate the depression and anxiety status of these patients in recent 2 weeks. The clinical data, MemTrax test results, PHQ-9 and GAD-7 scores of patients with different degrees of chronic insomnia were compared. Spearman rank correlation analysis was used to investigate the correlation between insomnia severity and clinical data such as cognitive memory function in chronic insomnia patients.Results:Among the 220 chronic insomnia patients, 54 had mild insomnia, 111 had moderate insomnia, and 55 had severe insomnia. Severe insomnia patients had significantly higher percentages of those>50 years old and those using hypnotics compared with mild insomnia patients and moderate insomnia patients ( P<0.05). Compared with the mild insomnia patients and moderate insomnia patients, the severe insomnia patients exhibited significantly lower picture recognition accuracy (90%[86%, 94%], 88%[82%, 94%], 84%[78%, 92%]), significantly lower MTx-Cp (88.55±18.67, 84.41±20.93, 76.69±17.43), and significantly higher PHQ-9 score (9[6, 11], 9[6, 15], 12[8, 16], P<0.05). Moreover, severe insomnia patients had significantly longer picture recognition reaction time and higher GAD-7 score than mild insomnia patients (1.11[1.03, 1.24] s vs. 1.04[0.90, 1.15] s; 7[5, 13] vs. 6[3, 9], P<0.05). Spearman rank correlation analysis showed that insomnia severity in chronic insomnia patients was positively correlated with age, PHQ-9 score, GAD-7 score, and picture recognition reaction time, and negatively correlated with picture recognition accuracy and MTx-Cp ( P<0.05). Conclusion:Insomnia severity in patients with chronic insomnia is correlated with age, cognitive memory function, depression and anxiety.

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of telitacicept in the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) .Methods:The clinical data of 25 SLE patients who received standard therapy combined with telitacicept at the Department of Dermatology, Xiangya Second Hospital, Central South University, from 2021 to 2024 were retrospectively collected. Baseline demographic and clinical characteristics were analyzed. Changes in skin lesions, joint pain symptoms, complete blood count, and biochemical parameters at 4, 12, and 24 weeks of treatment were compared with baseline (week 0). The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to compare complement C3 and C4 levels before and after treatment, and univariate logistic regression analysis was performed to explore factors influencing the efficacy of telitacicept.Results:Among the 25 SLE patients, 3 were male (12.0%) and 22 were female (88.0%). Based on the SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) -2000 scores, 8 patients were mild, 13 were moderate, and 4 were severe. Of the 11 SLE patients with rashes before treatment, 6 achieved complete remission at 12 weeks. Among the 7 patients with joint pain before treatment, 4 experienced symptom resolution at 24 weeks. The proportion of patients with leukopenia at baseline and at 4, 12, and 24 weeks was 10/25 (40.0%), 0/24 (0), 1/22 (4.5%), and 2/19 (10.5%), respectively. The proportion of patients with thrombocytopenia was 6/25 (24.0%), 3/24 (12.5%), 1/22 (4.5%), and 1/19 (5.3%), respectively, and the proportion of patients with anemia was 7/25 (28.0%), 3/24 (12.5%), 1/22 (4.5%), and 1/19 (5.3%), respectively. At baseline, 11 out of 25 patients (44.0%) had proteinuria. At 12 weeks, the urinary protein quantification level (0.4 [0, 0.6] g/L) was significantly lower than at baseline (0.9 [0.8, 1.2] g/L). The SLE responder index-4 (SRI4) response rates at 4, 12, and 24 weeks were 14/18, 15/17, and 12/14, respectively. Complement C3 and C4 levels were significantly higher at 4, 12, and 24 weeks compared to baseline (all P < 0.001). Univariate logistic regression analysis showed that age, disease duration, glucocorticoid dosage, baseline complement C4 levels, antinuclear antibody titer, and SLEDAI-2K score did not significantly affect the efficacy of telitacicept (SRI4 response rate at 12 weeks) (all P > 0.05). No serious adverse reactions related to telitacicept were observed in patients. Conclusions:Telitacicept improved skin lesions, complement C3 and C4 levels, and anti-double-stranded DNA antibody levels in SLE patients. No association was found between the efficacy of telitacicept and baseline SLEDAI-2K scores, antinuclear antibody titers, or complement C4 levels, suggesting that telitacicept is an effective and safe treatment for SLE patients.

Objective:To investigate the alterations of individual metabolic brain network properties in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and their correlations with cognitive function.Methods:One hundred and five participants from Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) database enrolled from March 2012 to February 2016 were chosen, including 61 MCI patients and 44 normal controls (NC). Cognitive assessments, including mini-mental state examination (MMSE), auditory verbal learning test (AVLT), trail making test (TMT), and semantic verbal fluency (SVF) score, were performed in both groups; differences of above scores and clinical data between the participants from the two groups were compared. T1-weighted imaging and fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) images were collected in both groups; individual metabolic brain networks were constructed based on differences in effect sizes between brain regions and network properties were calculated. Spatial correlation analysis was used to compare the correlations of metabolic brain networks at the individual and group levels. General linear model was employed to compare the differences in network properties between the two groups. Partial correlation analysis was used to examine the correlations of differential network properties with cognitive function in MCI patients. A support vector machine (SVM) classification model was constructed based on individual metabolic brain network properties, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to explore the diagnostic value of this SVM classification model in MCI.Results:(1) Compared with the NC group, the MCI group had significantly lower MMSE and AVLT-immediate recall scores, and longer TMT-A completion time ( P<0.05). (2) Spatial correlation analysis revealed a positive correlation between individual metabolic brain networks and group-level metabolic brain networks in patients of the MCI group ( r=0.825, P<0.001). No significant differences in global network properties were noted between the two groups ( P>0.05). Compared with the NC group, the MCI group significantly decreased degree centrality in the left A8vl, right A39c, and right V5/MT+ regions, increased degree centrality in the left anterior cuneus, decreased nodal efficiency in the left A8vl, right V5/MT+, and right caudal hippocampus regions, increased nodal shortest path length and nodal clustering coefficient in the left A8vl region ( P<0.05). (3) The degree centrality at the A8vl of ventral part of the left middle frontal gyrus and nodal efficiency in right caudal hippocampus region were positively correlated with AVLT-immediate recall scores ( r=0.331, P=0.010; r=0.282, P=0.030), nodal efficiency in the left A8vl region was negatively correlated with TMT-A completion time ( r=-0.470, P<0.001), and nodal efficiency in the left A8vl region was positively correlated with SVF score ( r=0.263, P=0.044). (4) Area under the curve of SVM classification model in diagnosing MCI was 0.880 (95% CI: 0.813-0.945, P<0.001), with an accuracy rate of 0.790. Conclusions:Patients with MCI have alterations in individual metabolic brain network properties, among which the degree centrality and nodal efficiency of some nodes are closely related to cognitive function changes. Models constructed based on individual metabolic brain network properties can help to effectively diagnose MCI.

Cardiovascular diseases have the very high morbidity and mortality in the world.In recent years,the pharmacological effect and mechanism of Ganoderma lucidum has become the focus of research.Ganoderma lucidum,a traditional Chinese medicine,has broad development prospects and resource reserves.However,the mechanism of Ganoderma lucidum prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases is still lack of a complete review.In this paper,several domestic and foreign databases including CNKI and PubMed were searched to summarize the research progress of Ganoderma lucidum in anti-atherosclerosis,lowering blood lipids and lowering blood pressure in recent ten years.The main pharmacological mechanisms of Ganoderma lucidum in preventing and treating cardiovascular diseases include anti-inflammation,anti-oxidative stress,regulation of mitochondrial function,inhibition of calcium overload,regulation of intestinal flora and maintenance of cholesterol balance.On this basis.In addition,the paper also proposes to strengthen the in-depth study of Ganoderma lucidum in preventing and treating cardiovascular diseases,and pointed out the shortcomings of the existing research on Ganoderma lucidum,which provided some reference and guidance for promoting the in-depth study of its mechanism of action and clinical transformation of drugs.