Purpose: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by alveolar destruction and increased inflammation, leading to respiratory symptoms. This study aimed to identify the traits for COPD progression from mild to severe stages. Additionally, we explored the correlation between coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) and COPD to uncover overlapping respiratory patterns. Materials and Methods: Bulk RNA sequencing was conducted on data from 43 healthy individuals and 39 COPD patients across one dataset (GSE239897) to distinguish COPD characteristics. Single-cell RNA analysis was then performed on samples from seven mild patients, seven moderate patients, and three severe patients from three datasets (GSE167295, GSE173896, and GSE227691) to analyze disease progression. Finally, single-nuclei RNA analysis was applied to data from seven healthy individuals and 20 COVID-19 patients from one dataset (GSE171524) to compare the two conditions. Results: Bulk RNA sequencing revealed enhanced inflammatory pathways in COPD patients, indicating increased inflammation.Single-cell RNA sequencing showed a stronger inflammatory response from mild to moderate COPD with a decrease from moderate to severe stages. COVID-19 displayed similar biological patterns to moderate COPD, suggesting that stage-specific COPD analysis could enhance COVID-19 management. Conclusion The analysis found that immune responses increased from mild to moderate stages but declined in severe cases, marked by reduced pulmonary T cell activation. The overlap between moderate COPD and COVID-19 suggests shared therapeutic strategies, warranting further investigation.

Purpose: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by alveolar destruction and increased inflammation, leading to respiratory symptoms. This study aimed to identify the traits for COPD progression from mild to severe stages. Additionally, we explored the correlation between coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) and COPD to uncover overlapping respiratory patterns. Materials and Methods: Bulk RNA sequencing was conducted on data from 43 healthy individuals and 39 COPD patients across one dataset (GSE239897) to distinguish COPD characteristics. Single-cell RNA analysis was then performed on samples from seven mild patients, seven moderate patients, and three severe patients from three datasets (GSE167295, GSE173896, and GSE227691) to analyze disease progression. Finally, single-nuclei RNA analysis was applied to data from seven healthy individuals and 20 COVID-19 patients from one dataset (GSE171524) to compare the two conditions. Results: Bulk RNA sequencing revealed enhanced inflammatory pathways in COPD patients, indicating increased inflammation.Single-cell RNA sequencing showed a stronger inflammatory response from mild to moderate COPD with a decrease from moderate to severe stages. COVID-19 displayed similar biological patterns to moderate COPD, suggesting that stage-specific COPD analysis could enhance COVID-19 management. Conclusion The analysis found that immune responses increased from mild to moderate stages but declined in severe cases, marked by reduced pulmonary T cell activation. The overlap between moderate COPD and COVID-19 suggests shared therapeutic strategies, warranting further investigation.

Purpose: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by alveolar destruction and increased inflammation, leading to respiratory symptoms. This study aimed to identify the traits for COPD progression from mild to severe stages. Additionally, we explored the correlation between coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) and COPD to uncover overlapping respiratory patterns. Materials and Methods: Bulk RNA sequencing was conducted on data from 43 healthy individuals and 39 COPD patients across one dataset (GSE239897) to distinguish COPD characteristics. Single-cell RNA analysis was then performed on samples from seven mild patients, seven moderate patients, and three severe patients from three datasets (GSE167295, GSE173896, and GSE227691) to analyze disease progression. Finally, single-nuclei RNA analysis was applied to data from seven healthy individuals and 20 COVID-19 patients from one dataset (GSE171524) to compare the two conditions. Results: Bulk RNA sequencing revealed enhanced inflammatory pathways in COPD patients, indicating increased inflammation.Single-cell RNA sequencing showed a stronger inflammatory response from mild to moderate COPD with a decrease from moderate to severe stages. COVID-19 displayed similar biological patterns to moderate COPD, suggesting that stage-specific COPD analysis could enhance COVID-19 management. Conclusion The analysis found that immune responses increased from mild to moderate stages but declined in severe cases, marked by reduced pulmonary T cell activation. The overlap between moderate COPD and COVID-19 suggests shared therapeutic strategies, warranting further investigation.

Purpose: Zinc finger protein 639 (ZNF639) is often found within the overlapping amplicon of PIK3CA, and previous studies suggest its involvement in the pathogenesis of esophageal and oral squamous cell carcinomas. However, its expression and significance in breast cancer remain uncharacterized. Methods: Immunohistochemical analysis of ZNF639 was performed using tissue microarrays.Functional studies, including colony formation, Transwell cell migration, and in vivo metastasis, were conducted on breast tumor cells with ZNF639 knockdown via small interfering RNA transfection. Results: Reduced ZNF639 immunoreactivity was observed in 82% of the breast cancer samples, independent of hormone receptor and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 status. In multivariate Cox regression analyses, ZNF639 expression was associated with favorable survival outcomes, including recurrence-free survival (hazard ratio, 0.35; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.14–0.89) and overall survival (hazard ratio, 0.41; 95% CI, 0.16– 1.05). ZNF639 knockdown increased clonogenicity, cell motility, and lung metastasis in NOD/ SCID mice. Following the ZNF639 knockdown, the expression of Snail1, vimentin, and C-C chemokine ligand 20 (CCL20) was upregulated, and the changes in cell phenotype mediated by ZNF639 were reversed by the subsequent knockdown of CCL20. Conclusion Low ZNF639 expression is a novel prognostic factor for recurrence-free survival in patients with breast cancer.

Purpose: Zinc finger protein 639 (ZNF639) is often found within the overlapping amplicon of PIK3CA, and previous studies suggest its involvement in the pathogenesis of esophageal and oral squamous cell carcinomas. However, its expression and significance in breast cancer remain uncharacterized. Methods: Immunohistochemical analysis of ZNF639 was performed using tissue microarrays.Functional studies, including colony formation, Transwell cell migration, and in vivo metastasis, were conducted on breast tumor cells with ZNF639 knockdown via small interfering RNA transfection. Results: Reduced ZNF639 immunoreactivity was observed in 82% of the breast cancer samples, independent of hormone receptor and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 status. In multivariate Cox regression analyses, ZNF639 expression was associated with favorable survival outcomes, including recurrence-free survival (hazard ratio, 0.35; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.14–0.89) and overall survival (hazard ratio, 0.41; 95% CI, 0.16– 1.05). ZNF639 knockdown increased clonogenicity, cell motility, and lung metastasis in NOD/ SCID mice. Following the ZNF639 knockdown, the expression of Snail1, vimentin, and C-C chemokine ligand 20 (CCL20) was upregulated, and the changes in cell phenotype mediated by ZNF639 were reversed by the subsequent knockdown of CCL20. Conclusion Low ZNF639 expression is a novel prognostic factor for recurrence-free survival in patients with breast cancer.

Purpose: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by alveolar destruction and increased inflammation, leading to respiratory symptoms. This study aimed to identify the traits for COPD progression from mild to severe stages. Additionally, we explored the correlation between coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) and COPD to uncover overlapping respiratory patterns. Materials and Methods: Bulk RNA sequencing was conducted on data from 43 healthy individuals and 39 COPD patients across one dataset (GSE239897) to distinguish COPD characteristics. Single-cell RNA analysis was then performed on samples from seven mild patients, seven moderate patients, and three severe patients from three datasets (GSE167295, GSE173896, and GSE227691) to analyze disease progression. Finally, single-nuclei RNA analysis was applied to data from seven healthy individuals and 20 COVID-19 patients from one dataset (GSE171524) to compare the two conditions. Results: Bulk RNA sequencing revealed enhanced inflammatory pathways in COPD patients, indicating increased inflammation.Single-cell RNA sequencing showed a stronger inflammatory response from mild to moderate COPD with a decrease from moderate to severe stages. COVID-19 displayed similar biological patterns to moderate COPD, suggesting that stage-specific COPD analysis could enhance COVID-19 management. Conclusion The analysis found that immune responses increased from mild to moderate stages but declined in severe cases, marked by reduced pulmonary T cell activation. The overlap between moderate COPD and COVID-19 suggests shared therapeutic strategies, warranting further investigation.

Purpose: Zinc finger protein 639 (ZNF639) is often found within the overlapping amplicon of PIK3CA, and previous studies suggest its involvement in the pathogenesis of esophageal and oral squamous cell carcinomas. However, its expression and significance in breast cancer remain uncharacterized. Methods: Immunohistochemical analysis of ZNF639 was performed using tissue microarrays.Functional studies, including colony formation, Transwell cell migration, and in vivo metastasis, were conducted on breast tumor cells with ZNF639 knockdown via small interfering RNA transfection. Results: Reduced ZNF639 immunoreactivity was observed in 82% of the breast cancer samples, independent of hormone receptor and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 status. In multivariate Cox regression analyses, ZNF639 expression was associated with favorable survival outcomes, including recurrence-free survival (hazard ratio, 0.35; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.14–0.89) and overall survival (hazard ratio, 0.41; 95% CI, 0.16– 1.05). ZNF639 knockdown increased clonogenicity, cell motility, and lung metastasis in NOD/ SCID mice. Following the ZNF639 knockdown, the expression of Snail1, vimentin, and C-C chemokine ligand 20 (CCL20) was upregulated, and the changes in cell phenotype mediated by ZNF639 were reversed by the subsequent knockdown of CCL20. Conclusion Low ZNF639 expression is a novel prognostic factor for recurrence-free survival in patients with breast cancer.

Purpose: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by alveolar destruction and increased inflammation, leading to respiratory symptoms. This study aimed to identify the traits for COPD progression from mild to severe stages. Additionally, we explored the correlation between coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) and COPD to uncover overlapping respiratory patterns. Materials and Methods: Bulk RNA sequencing was conducted on data from 43 healthy individuals and 39 COPD patients across one dataset (GSE239897) to distinguish COPD characteristics. Single-cell RNA analysis was then performed on samples from seven mild patients, seven moderate patients, and three severe patients from three datasets (GSE167295, GSE173896, and GSE227691) to analyze disease progression. Finally, single-nuclei RNA analysis was applied to data from seven healthy individuals and 20 COVID-19 patients from one dataset (GSE171524) to compare the two conditions. Results: Bulk RNA sequencing revealed enhanced inflammatory pathways in COPD patients, indicating increased inflammation.Single-cell RNA sequencing showed a stronger inflammatory response from mild to moderate COPD with a decrease from moderate to severe stages. COVID-19 displayed similar biological patterns to moderate COPD, suggesting that stage-specific COPD analysis could enhance COVID-19 management. Conclusion The analysis found that immune responses increased from mild to moderate stages but declined in severe cases, marked by reduced pulmonary T cell activation. The overlap between moderate COPD and COVID-19 suggests shared therapeutic strategies, warranting further investigation.

Objective: Bariatric surgery effectively treats non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The glutamate-serine-glycine (GSG) index has emerged as a non-invasive diagnostic marker for NAFLD, but its ability to monitor treatment response remains unclear. This study investigates the GSG index's ability to monitor NAFLD's response to bariatric surgery. Methodology: Ten NAFLD participants were studied at baseline and 6 months post-bariatric surgery. Blood samples were collected for serum biomarkers and metabolomic profiling. Hepatic steatosis [proton density fat fraction (PDFF)] and fibroinflammation (cT1) were quantified with multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI), and hepatic stiffness with magnetic resonance elastography (MRE). Amino acids and acylcarnitines were measured with mass spectrometry. Statistical analyses included paired Student’s t-test, Wilcoxon-signed rank test, and Pearson’s correlation. Results: Eight participants provided complete data. At baseline, all had hepatic steatosis (BMI 39.3 ± 5.6 kg/m2, PDFF ≥ 5%). Post-surgery reductions in PDFF (from 12.4 ± 6.7% to 6.2 ± 2.8%, p = 0.013) and cT1 (from 823.3 ± 85.4ms to 757.5 ± 41.6ms, p = 0.039) were significant, along with the GSG index (from 0.272 ± 0.03 to 0.157 ± 0.05, p = 0.001). Conclusion The GSG index can potentially be developed as a marker for monitoring the response of patients with NAFLD to bariatric surgery.
Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease ; Amino Acids ; Metabolomics

Objective: In early-stage endometrial cancer, aggressive histologic types (grade 3 endometrioid, serous, clear cell, carcinosarcomas, undifferentiated, mixed, and other unusual types) are associated with an increased risk of distant metastases and worse survival. However, the optimal adjuvant treatment for these patients remains controversial. The present study investigated the outcomes of different adjuvant treatments in patients with 2023 FIGO stage IIC endometrial cancer. Methods: We retrospectively identified patients with 2023 FIGO stage IIC endometrial cancer who underwent surgery followed by either adjuvant treatment or observation from 2000 to 2020 at two tertiary centers in Korea and Taiwan. Recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) were evaluated using Kaplan-Meier estimates and Cox proportional-hazards models. We also analyzed recurrence patterns after different adjuvant treatments. Results: A total of 272 patients were identified; 204 received adjuvant treatment postoperatively, whereas 68 only underwent observation. Adjuvant treatment was not associated with improved RFS or OS. Non-endometrioid histologic types (p=0.003) and presence of lymphovascular space invasion (LVSI, p=0.002) were associated with worse RFS, whereas only non-endometrioid histologic types impacted OS (p=0.004). In subgroup analyses, adjuvant treatment improved OS in patients with LVSI (p=0.020) and in patients with both LVSI and grade 3 endometrioid histologic type (p=0.007). We found no difference in locoregional and distant recurrence between patients undergoing adjuvant treatment or observation. Conclusion In this study, the addition of adjuvant treatment was associated with an OS benefit for patients with LVSI, especially those with grade 3 endometrioid tumors.