Cep57 regulates human centrosomes through multivalent interactions.

Human Cep57 is a coiled-coil scaffold at the pericentriolar matrix (PCM), controlling centriole duplication and centrosome maturation for faithful cell division. Genetic truncation mutations of Cep57 are associated with the mosaic-variegated aneuploidy (MVA) syndrome. During interphase, Cep57 forms a complex with Cep63 and Cep152, serving as regulators for centrosome maturation. However, the molecular interplay of Cep57 with these essential scaffolding proteins remains unclear. Here, we demonstrate that Cep57 undergoes liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) driven by three critical domains (NTD, CTD, and polybasic LMN). In vitro Cep57 condensates catalyze microtubule nucleation via the LMN motif-mediated tubulin concentration. In cells, the LMN motif is required for centrosomal microtubule aster formation. Moreover, Cep63 restricts Cep57 assembly, expansion, and microtubule polymerization activity. Overexpression of competitive constructs for multivalent interactions, including an MVA mutation, leads to excessive centrosome duplication. In Cep57-depleted cells, self-assembly mutants failed to rescue centriole disengagement and PCM disorganization. Thus, Cep57's multivalent interactions are pivotal for maintaining the accurate structural and functional integrity of human centrosomes.

Contribution of copy number variations to education, socioeconomic status and cognition from a genome-wide study of 305,401 subjects.

Educational attainment (EA), socioeconomic status (SES) and cognition are phenotypically and genetically linked to health outcomes. However, the role of copy number variations (CNVs) in influencing EA/SES/cognition remains unclear. Using a large-scale (n = 305,401) genome-wide CNV-level association analysis, we discovered 33 CNV loci significantly associated with EA/SES/cognition, 20 of which were novel (deletions at 2p22.2, 2p16.2, 2p12, 3p25.3, 4p15.2, 5p15.33, 5q21.1, 8p21.3, 9p21.1, 11p14.3, 13q12.13, 17q21.31, and 20q13.33, as well as duplications at 3q12.2, 3q23, 7p22.3, 8p23.1, 8p23.2, 17q12 (105 kb), and 19q13.32). The genes identified in gene-level tests were enriched in biological pathways such as neurodegeneration, telomere maintenance and axon guidance. Phenome-wide association studies further identified novel associations of EA/SES/cognition-associated CNVs with mental and physical diseases, such as 6q27 duplication with upper respiratory disease and 17q12 (105 kb) duplication with mood disorders. Our findings provide a genome-wide CNV profile for EA/SES/cognition and bridge their connections to health. The expanded candidate CNVs database and the residing genes would be a valuable resource for future studies aimed at uncovering the biological mechanisms underlying cognitive function and related clinical phenotypes.

Associations between adiposity and white matter hyperintensities: Cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses of 34,653 participants.

OBJECTIVES: White matter hyperintensities (WMH) increase the risk of stroke and cognitive impairment. This study aims to determine the cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between adiposity and WMH. METHODS: Participants were enrolled from the UK Biobank cohort. Associations of concurrent, past, and changes in overall and central adiposity with WMH were investigated by linear and nonlinear regression models. The association of longitudinal adiposity and WMH volume changes was determined by a linear mixed model. Mediation analysis investigated the potential mediating effect of blood pressure. RESULTS: In 34,653 participants with available adiposity measures and imaging data, the concurrent obese group had a 25.3% (ß [95% CI] = 0.253 [0.222-0.284]) higher WMH volume than the ideal weight group. Increment in all adiposity measures was associated with a higher WMH volume. Among them, waist circumference demonstrated the strongest effect (ß [95% CI] = 0.113 [0.101-0.125]). Past adiposity also demonstrated similar effects. Among the subset of 2664 participants with available WMH follow-up data, adiposity measures were predictive of WMH change. Regarding changes of adiposity, compared with ideal weight stable group, those who turned from ideal weight to overweight/obese had a 8.1% higher WMH volume (ß [95% CI] = 0.081 [0.039-0.123]), while participants who turned from overweight/obese to ideal weight demonstrated no significant WMH volume change. Blood pressure partly meditates the associations between adiposity and WMH. CONCLUSIONS: Both concurrent and past adiposity were associated with a higher WMH volume. The detrimental effects of adiposity on WMH occurred throughout midlife and in the elderly and may still exist after changes in obesity status.

Proof of Concept of an All-in-One System for Measuring Hepatic Influx, Egress, and Metabolic Clearance Based on the Extended Clearance Concept.

Hepatic clearance (CLH ) prediction is a critical parameter to estimate human dose. However, CLH underpredictions are common, especially for slowly metabolized drugs, and may be attributable to drug properties that pose challenges for conventional in vitro absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination (ADME) assays, resulting in nonvalid data, which prevents in vitro to in vivo extrapolation and CLH predictions. Other processes, including hepatocyte and biliary distribution via transporters, can also play significant roles in CLH Recent advances in understanding the interplay of metabolism and drug transport for clearance processes have aided in developing the extended clearance model. In this study, we demonstrate proof of concept of a novel two-step assay enabling the measurement of multiple kinetic parameters from a single experiment in plated human primary hepatocytes with and without transporter and cytochrome P450 inhibitors-the hepatocyte uptake and loss assay (HUpLA). HUpLA accurately predicted the CLH of eight of the nine drugs (within twofold of the observed CLH ). Distribution clearances were within threefold of observed literature values in standard uptake and efflux assays. In comparison, the conventional suspension hepatocyte stability assay poorly predicted the CLH The CLH of only two drugs was predicted within twofold of the observed CLH Therefore, HUpLA is advantageous by enabling the measurement of enzymatic and transport processes concurrently within the same system, alleviating the need for applying scaling factors independently. The use of primary human hepatocytes enables physiologically relevant exploration of transporter-enzyme interplay. Most importantly, HUpLA shows promise as a sensitive measure for low-turnover drugs. Further evaluation across different drug characteristics is needed to demonstrate method robustness. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: The hepatocyte uptake and loss assay involves measuring four commonly derived in vitro hepatic clearance endpoints. Since endpoints are generated within a single test system, it blunts experimental error originating from assays otherwise conducted independently. A key advantage is the concept of removing drug-containing media following intracellular drug loading, enabling the measurement of drug reappearance rate in media as well as the measurement of loss of total drug in the test system unencumbered by background quantities of drug in media otherwise present in a conventional assay.

Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Remodels the Fetal Brain Fatty Acid Profile Through Placenta-Brain Lipid Axis in C57BL/6J Mice.

BACKGROUND: Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), especially docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), are critical for proper fetal brain growth and development. Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) could affect maternal-fetal fatty acid metabolism. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore the effect of GDM and high-fat (HF) diet on the DHA transport signaling pathway in the placenta-brain axis and fatty acid concentrations in the fetal brain. METHODS: Insulin receptor antagonist (S961) and HF diet were used to establish an animal model of GDM. Eighty female C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into control (CON), GDM, HF, and HF+GDM groups. The fatty acid profiles of the maternal liver and fetal brain were analyzed by gas chromatography. In addition, we analyzed the protein amounts of maternal liver fatty acid desaturase (FADS1/3), elongase (ELOVL2/5) and the regulatory factor sterol-regulatory element-binding protein (SREBP)-1c, and the DHA transport signaling pathway (Wnt3/ß-catenin/MFSD2a) of the placenta and fetal brain using western blotting. RESULTS: GDM promoted the decrease of maternal liver ELOVL2, ELOVL5, and SREBP-1c. Accordingly, we observed a significant decrease in the amount of maternal liver arachidonic acid (AA), DHA, and total n-3 PUFA and n-6 PUFA induced by GDM. GDM also significantly decreased the amount of DHA and n-3 PUFA in the fetal brain. GDM downregulated the Wnt3/ß-catenin/MFSD2a signaling pathway, which transfers n-3 PUFA in the placenta and fetal brain. The HF diet increased n-6 PUFA amounts in the maternal liver, correspondingly increasing linoleic acid, gamma-linolenic acid, AA, and total n-6 PUFA in the fetal brain, but decreased DHA amount in the fetal brain. However, HF diet only tended to decrease placental ß-catenin and MFSD2a amounts (P = 0.074 and P = 0.098, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Maternal GDM could affect the fatty acid profile of the fetal brain both by downregulating the Wnt3/ß-catenin/MFSD2a pathway of the placental-fetal barrier and by affecting maternal fatty acid metabolism.

Trilaciclib dosage in Chinese patients with extensive-stage small cell lung cancer: a pooled pharmacometrics analysis.

This study aimed to analyze potential ethnic disparities in the dose-exposure-response relationships of trilaciclib, a first-in-class intravenous cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 inhibitor for treating chemotherapy-induced myelosuppression in patients with extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC). This investigation focused on characterizing these relationships in both Chinese and non-Chinese patients to further refine the dosing regimen for trilaciclib in Chinese patients with ES-SCLC. Population pharmacokinetic (PopPK) and exposure-response (E-R) analyses were conducted using pooled data from four randomized phase 2/3 trials involving Chinese and non-Chinese patients with ES-SCLC. PopPK analysis revealed that trilaciclib clearance in Chinese patients was approximately 17% higher than that in non-Chinese patients with ES-SCLC. Sex and body surface area influenced trilaciclib pharmacokinetics in both populations but did not exert a significant clinical impact. E-R analysis demonstrated that trilaciclib exposure increased with a dosage escalation from 200 to 280 mg/m2, without notable changes in myeloprotective or antitumor efficacy. However, the incidence of infusion site reactions, headaches, and phlebitis/thrombophlebitis rose with increasing trilaciclib exposure in both Chinese and non-Chinese patients with ES-SCLC. These findings suggest no substantial ethnic disparities in the dose-exposure-response relationship between Chinese and non-Chinese patients. They support the adoption of a 240-mg/m2 intravenous 3-day or 5-day dosing regimen for trilaciclib in Chinese patients with ES-SCLC.

Cognitive frailty and its association with disability among Chinese community-dwelling older adults: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: There are a variety of determinants that are key to functional disability of older adults. However, little is known regarding the relationship between cognitive frailty and disability among older people. The aims of this study were to examine the associations between cognitive frailty and its six components with instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) functioning in community-dwelling older adults. METHODS: A total of 313 community-dwelling older adults (aged ≥ 65 years) were recruited from eight community centers in central China. Cognitive frailty was operationalized using the Mini-Mental State Examination for the evaluation of cognitive status and the Fried criteria for the evaluation of physical frailty. The outcome was functional disability assessed by the IADL scale. The association between cognitive frailty, as well as its components, and IADL limitations was identified by conducting binary logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: The prevalence of cognitive frailty was 8.9% in this study. The results showed that cognitive frailty (OR = 22.86) and frailty without cognitive impairment (OR = 8.15) were associated with IADL limitations. Subdimensions of cognitive frailty, exhaustion, weakness, low physical activity and cognitive impairment components were independently associated with IADL limitations. CONCLUSION: Cognitive frailty was associated with a higher prevalence of disability. Interventions for improving cognitive frailty should be developed to prevent IADL disability among community-dwelling older adults in China.

The application of heating film to hands reduces the decline in manual dexterity performance associated with cold exposure.

PURPOSE: Exposure to cold temperatures decreases finger temperature (Tfing) and dexterity. Decreased manual function and dexterity can be serious safety risks, especially in tasks that require fine motor movements that must be performed outdoors. The aim of this study was to determine whether hand heating with a minimal power requirement (14.8 W) results in a smaller reduction in Tfing and manual dexterity performance during mild cold exposure compared to a non-heated control condition. METHODS: In a randomized crossover design, twenty-two healthy participants were exposed to a moderately cold environment (5  ºC) for 90 min. One condition had no intervention (CON), while the other had the palmar and dorsal hands heated (HEAT) by using electric heating films. Tfing and cutaneous vascular conductance (CVC) were continuously monitored using laser Doppler flowmetry. Manual dexterity performance and cognitive function were assessed by the Grooved Pegboard Test (GPT) and Stroop Color-Word (SCW) test, respectively, during the baseline period and every 30 min during the cold exposure. RESULTS: After the cold exposure, Tfing was higher in HEAT relative to CON (CON 9.8 vs. HEAT 13.7 ºC, p < 0.0001). GPT placing time, as an index of dexterity performance, was also shorter in HEAT by 14.5% (CON 69.10 ± 13.08 vs. HEAT 59.06 ± 7.99 s, p < 0.0001). There was no difference in CVC between the two conditions during the cold exposure (p > 0.05 for all). Cognitive function was similar between two conditions (p > 0.05 for all). CONCLUSION: The proposed hand heating method offers a practical means of heating fingers to maintain dexterity throughout prolonged cold exposure.

Whole exome sequencing analyses identified novel genes for Alzheimer's disease and related dementia.

INTRODUCTION: The heritability of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is estimated to be 58%-79%. However, known genes can only partially explain the heritability. METHODS: Here, we conducted gene-based exome-wide association study (ExWAS) of rare variants and single-variant ExWAS of common variants, utilizing data of 54,569 clinically diagnosed/proxy AD and related dementia (ADRD) and 295,421 controls from the UK Biobank. RESULTS: Gene-based ExWAS identified 11 genes predicting a higher ADRD risk, including five novel ones, namely FRMD8, DDX1, DNMT3L, MORC1, and TGM2, along with six previously reported ones, SORL1, GRN, PSEN1, ABCA7, GBA, and ADAM10. Single-variant ExWAS identified two ADRD-associated novel genes, SLCO1C1 and NDNF. The identified genes were predominantly enriched in amyloid-ß process pathways, microglia, and brain regions like hippocampus. The druggability evidence suggests that DDX1, DNMT3L, TGM2, SLCO1C1, and NDNF could be effective drug targets. DISCUSSION: Our study contributes to the current body of evidence on the genetic etiology of ADRD. HIGHLIGHTS: Gene-based analyses of rare variants identified five novel genes for Alzheimer's disease and related dementia (ADRD), including FRMD8, DDX1, DNMT3L, MORC1, and TGM2. Single-variant analyses of common variants identified two novel genes for ADRD, including SLCO1C1 and NDNF. The identified genes were predominantly enriched in amyloid-ß process pathways, microglia, and brain regions like hippocampus. DDX1, DNMT3L, TGM2, SLCO1C1, and NDNF could be effective drug targets.

Silver Nanoparticles Encapped by Dihydromyricetin: Optimization of Green Synthesis, Characterization, Toxicity, and Anti-MRSA Infection Activities for Zebrafish (Danio rerio).

To achieve the environmentally friendly and rapid green synthesis of efficient and stable AgNPs for drug-resistant bacterial infection, this study optimized the green synthesis process of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using Dihydromyricetin (DMY). Then, we assessed the impact of AgNPs on zebrafish embryo development, as well as their therapeutic efficacy on zebrafish infected with Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and dynamic light-scattering (DLS) analyses revealed that AgNPs possessed an average size of 23.6 nm, a polymer dispersity index (PDI) of 0.197 ± 0.0196, and a zeta potential of -18.1 ± 1.18 mV. Compared to other published green synthesis products, the optimized DMY-AgNPs exhibited smaller sizes, narrower size distributions, and enhanced stability. Furthermore, the minimum concentration of DMY-AgNPs required to affect zebrafish hatching and survival was determined to be 25.0 µg/mL, indicating the low toxicity of DMY-AgNPs. Following a 5-day feeding regimen with DMY-AgNP-containing food, significant improvements were observed in the recovery of the gills, intestines, and livers in MRSA-infected zebrafish. These results suggested that optimized DMY-AgNPs hold promise for application in aquacultures and offer potential for further clinical use against drug-resistant bacteria.

[Comparative study on excretion of Shuganning Injection and Scutellariae Radix extract in bile, urine, and feces of rats].

Scutellariae Radix extract is one of the important components in Shuganning Injection. In this study, an ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry(UPLC-MS/MS) method was established for simultaneously determining five components in Shuganning Injection and Scutellariae Radix extract in bile, urine, and feces of rats, so as to reveal the difference in the excretion process of Shuganning Injection and Scutellariae Radix extract in rats and explore the law of the excretion process of the five components in vivo before and after the compatibility of Scutellariae Radix. Rats were injected with Shuganning Injection and Scutellariae Radix extract(4.2 mL·kg~(-1)), respectively, and the excretion of baicalin, baicalein, oroxylin A, oroxylin A-7-O-ß-D-glucuronide, and scutellarin in bile, urine, and feces of rats in 24 h was observed. The results showed that except for baicalin, the other four index components were excreted as prototype components in a high proportion after intravenous injection of Shuganning Injection and Scutellariae Radix extract in rats, respectively. The excretion of each component was relatively high in urine and less in feces and bile. After the compatibility of Scutellariae Radix extract, the accumulative excretion of five index components in rats all decreased. Among them, the cumulative excretion of baicalein in bile, urine, and feces significantly decreased by 26.67%, 48.11%, and 31.01%. The cumulative excretion of baicalin in bile, urine, and feces decreased significantly by 70.69%, 19.43%, and 31.22%. The result showed that the five index components in Scutellariae Radix extract were mainly excreted by the kidneys, and other components in Shuganning Injection delayed the excretion process and prolonged the residence time. This study is of great significance for elucidating the compatibility rationality of Shuganning Injection.

[Effect of polymethoxylated flavonoids on glucose and lipid metabolism in rat model of obesity induced by a high-fat diet].

This study established a rat model of obesity by using a high-fat diet(HFD) to explore the effect of polymethoxylated flavonoids on glucose and lipid metabolism in the model rats and decipher the role and mechanism of polymethoxylated flavonoids in mitigating obesity. Thirty normal SD rats were selected and randomized into normal, model, ezetimibe(0.1 mg·kg~(-1)), and polymethoxylated flavonoids(62.5 mg·kg~(-1) and 125 mg·kg~(-1)) groups based on the body weight. Except the normal group receiving a conventional diet, the other groups received a HFD. Rats were administrated with corresponding doses of drugs by gavage. During the administration period, the body weight of each group of rats was regularly weighed, and the serum lipid and glucose levels were measured by a fully automated biochemical analyzer. Islet homeostasis and serum levels of obesity factors were measured by ELISA. The 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing was employed to study the gut microbiota. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was employed to observe the histomorphology of white fat, brown fat, and pancreas. After the wet weights of white fat and brown fat were measured, the organ index was calculated. Immunohistochemistry and Western blot were employed to determine the protein levels. The results showed that polymethoxylated flavonoids reduced the body weight and Lee's index and improved blood lipid levels of the model rats. Polymethoxylated flavonoids reduced blood glucose and insulin secretion, increased insulin responsiveness, and alleviated insulin resistance. In addition, polymethoxylated flavonoids regulated the serum levels of obesity factors and reduced the weights and indexes of white fat and brown fat, the diameter of white adipocytes, and the number of fat vacuoles in brown fat and pancreatic islet cells. The intervention with polymethoxylated flavonoids increased the diversity of gut microbiota in the model rats, increasing the beneficial bacteria associated with glucose and lipid metabolism and reduced the harmful bacteria at the genus level. In addition, polymethoxylated flavonoids up-regulated the protein levels of glucose transporter 4(GLUT4), phosphorylated AMP-activated protein kinase(p-AMPK), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator-1α(PGC-1α), and uncoupling protein 1(UCP1). In summary, polymethoxylated flavonoids may increase the body utilization of glucose and lipids by regulating the homeostasis of insulin, the serum levels of obesity factors, the diversity of gut microbiota, and the expression of mitochondrial metabolism-related proteins in brown adipocytes, thereby mitigating obesity in rats.

The causal role of circulating amino acids on neurodegenerative disorders: A two-sample Mendelian randomization study.

Potential associations between the risk of neurodegenerative diseases and circulating levels of amino acids have been implied in both experimental research and observational studies. However, because of the confounding and reverse causality, the findings could be biased. We aimed to determine whether circulating amino acid levels have potential effects on the risk of neurodegenerative diseases through a more robust analysis. So, we performed a total of two MR analyses, a discovery two-sample MR analysis, and a replication test, using summary-level genome-wide association study (GWAS) data, both with circulating levels of amino acids as exposure and risk of neurodegenerative diseases as an outcome. The potential causalities between nine amino acids (Glutamine [Glu], Leucine [Leu], Isoleucine [Ile], Phenylalanine [Phe], Valine [Val], Alanine [Ala], Tyrosine [Tyr], Histidine [His], and Glycine [Gly]) and six neurodegenerative disorders (Alzheimer's disease [AD], Parkinson's disease [PD], Multiple sclerosis [MS], Frontotemporal dementia [FTD], Lewy body dementia [DLB], Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis [ALS]) were explored in this study. According to the discovery MR analysis, 1 SD. increase in circulating levels of Gln was genetically determined to result in a 13% lower risk of AD (IVW ORSD [95% CI] = 0.872 [0.822, 0.926]; FDR = 7.46 × 10-5 ) while PD risk was decreased to 63% per SD. increase of circulating Leu levels (IVW ORSD [95% CI] = 0.628 [0.467, 0.843]; FDR = 0.021). Results from the replication test provide further evidence of the potential association between circulating Gln levels and AD risk (IVW ORSD [95% CI] = 0.094 [0.028, 0.311]; FDR = 9.98 × 10-4 ). Meanwhile, sensitivity analysis demonstrated that the significant relationships revealed by our two-sample MR outcomes were reliable. Our analyses provided robust evidence of causal associations between circulating levels of Gln and AD risk as well as circulating Leu levels and risk of PD. However, the underlying mechanisms remain to be further investigated.

HSP90.2 promotes CO2 assimilation rate, grain weight and yield in wheat.

Wheat fixes CO2 by photosynthesis into kernels to nourish humankind. Improving the photosynthesis rate is a major driving force in assimilating atmospheric CO2 and guaranteeing food supply for human beings. Strategies for achieving the above goal need to be improved. Here, we report the cloning and mechanism of CO2 ASSIMILATION RATE AND KERNEL-ENHANCED 1 (CAKE1) from durum wheat (Triticum turgidum L. var. durum). The cake1 mutant displayed a lower photosynthesis rate with smaller grains. Genetic studies identified CAKE1 as HSP90.2-B, encoding cytosolic molecular chaperone folding nascent preproteins. The disturbance of HSP90.2 decreased leaf photosynthesis rate, kernel weight (KW) and yield. Nevertheless, HSP90.2 over-expression increased KW. HSP90.2 recruited and was essential for the chloroplast localization of nuclear-encoded photosynthesis units, for example PsbO. Actin microfilaments docked on the chloroplast surface interacted with HSP90.2 as a subcellular track towards chloroplasts. A natural variation in the hexaploid wheat HSP90.2-B promoter increased its transcription activity, enhanced photosynthesis rate and improved KW and yield. Our study illustrated an HSP90.2-Actin complex sorting client preproteins towards chloroplasts to promote CO2 assimilation and crop production. The beneficial haplotype of Hsp90.2 is rare in modern varieties and could be an excellent molecular switch promoting photosynthesis rate to increase yield in future elite wheat varieties.

HSP90.2 modulates 2Q2-mediated wheat resistance against powdery mildew.

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is a critical food crop feeding the world, but pathogens threaten its production. Wheat Heat Shock Protein 90.2 (HSP90.2) is a pathogen-inducible molecular chaperone folding nascent preproteins. Here, we used wheat HSP90.2 to isolate clients regulated at the posttranslational level. Tetraploid wheat hsp90.2 knockout mutant was susceptible to powdery mildew, while the HSP90.2 overexpression line was resistant, suggesting that HSP90.2 was essential for wheat resistance against powdery mildew. We next isolated 1500 clients of HSP90.2, which contained a wide variety of clients with different biological classifications. We utilized 2Q2, a nucleotide-binding leucine repeat-rich protein, as a model to investigate the potential of HSP90.2 interactome in fungal resistance. The transgenic line co-suppressing 2Q2 was more susceptible to powdery mildew, suggesting 2Q2 as a novel Pm-resistant gene. The 2Q2 protein resided in chloroplasts, and HSP90.2 played a critical role in the accumulation of 2Q2 in thylakoids. Our data provided over 1500 HSP90.2 clients with a potential regulation at the protein folding process and contributed a nontypical approach to isolate pathogenesis-related proteins.

Dark2Light: multi-stage progressive learning model for low-light image enhancement.

Due to severe noise and extremely low illuminance, restoring from low-light images to normal-light images remains challenging. Unpredictable noise can tangle the weak signals, making it difficult for models to learn signals from low-light images, while simply restoring the illumination can lead to noise amplification. To address this dilemma, we propose a multi-stage model that can progressively restore normal-light images from low-light images, namely Dark2Light. Within each stage, We divide the low-light image enhancement (LLIE) into two main problems: (1) illumination enhancement and (2) noise removal. Firstly, we convert the image space from sRGB to linear RGB to ensure that illumination enhancement is approximately linear, and design a contextual transformer block to conduct illumination enhancement in a coarse-to-fine manner. Secondly, a U-Net shaped denoising block is adopted for noise removal. Lastly, we design a dual-supervised attention block to facilitate progressive restoration and feature transfer. Extensive experimental results demonstrate that the proposed Dark2Light outperforms the state-of-the-art LLIE methods both quantitatively and qualitatively.

Identifying causal genes for depression via integration of the proteome and transcriptome from brain and blood.

Genome-wide association studies (GWASs) have identified numerous risk genes for depression. Nevertheless, genes crucial for understanding the molecular mechanisms of depression and effective antidepressant drug targets are largely unknown. Addressing this, we aimed to highlight potentially causal genes by systematically integrating the brain and blood protein and expression quantitative trait loci (QTL) data with a depression GWAS dataset via a statistical framework including Mendelian randomization (MR), Bayesian colocalization, and Steiger filtering analysis. In summary, we identified three candidate genes (TMEM106B, RAB27B, and GMPPB) based on brain data and two genes (TMEM106B and NEGR1) based on blood data with consistent robust evidence at both the protein and transcriptional levels. Furthermore, the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network provided new insights into the interaction between brain and blood in depression. Collectively, four genes (TMEM106B, RAB27B, GMPPB, and NEGR1) affect depression by influencing protein and gene expression level, which could guide future researches on candidate genes investigations in animal studies as well as prioritize antidepressant drug targets.

Sleep, physical activity, sedentary behavior, and risk of incident dementia: a prospective cohort study of 431,924 UK Biobank participants.

Although sleep, physical activity and sedentary behavior have been found to be associated with dementia risk, findings are inconsistent and their joint relationship remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate independent and joint associations of these three modifiable behaviors with dementia risks. A total of 431,924 participants (median follow-up 9.0 years) without dementia from UK Biobank were included. Multiple Cox regressions were used to estimate adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Models fitted with restricted cubic spline were conducted to test for linear and nonlinear shapes of each association. Sleep duration, leisure-time physical activity (LTPA), and screen-based sedentary behavior individually associated with dementia risks in different non-linear patterns. Sleep duration associated with dementia in a U-shape with a nadir at 7 h/day. LTPA revealed a curvilinear relationship with dementia in diminishing tendency, while sedentary behavior revealed a J-shaped relationship. The dementia risk was 17% lower in the high LTPA group (HR[95%CI]: 0.83[0.76-0.91]) and 22% higher in the high sedentary behavior group (1.22[1.10-1.35]) compared to the corresponding low-level group, respectively. A combination of seven-hour/day sleep, moderate-to-high LTPA, and low-to-moderate sedentary behavior showed the lowest dementia risk (0.59[0.50-0.69]) compared to the referent group (longer or shorter sleep/low LTPA/high sedentary behavior). Notably, each behavior was non-linearly associated with brain structures in a pattern similar to its association with dementia, suggesting they may affect dementia risk by affecting brain structures. Our findings highlight the potential to change these three daily behaviors individually and simultaneously to reduce the risk of dementia.

Association of life course adiposity with risk of incident dementia: a prospective cohort study of 322,336 participants.

Cohort studies report inconsistent associations between body mass index (BMI) and all-cause incident dementia. Furthermore, evidence on fat distribution and body composition measures are scarce and few studies estimated the association between early life adiposity and dementia risk. Here, we included 322,336 participants from UK biobank to investigate the longitudinal association between life course adiposity and risk of all-cause incident dementia and to explore the underlying mechanisms driven by metabolites, inflammatory cells and brain structures. Among the 322,336 individuals (mean (SD) age, 62.24 (5.41) years; 53.9% women) in the study, during a median 8.74 years of follow-up, 5083 all-cause incident dementia events occurred. The risk of dementia was 22% higher with plumper childhood body size (p < 0.001). A strong U-shaped association was observed between adult BMI and dementia. More fat and less fat-free mass distribution on arms were associated with a higher risk of dementia. Interestingly, similar U-shaped associations were found between BMI and four metabolites (i.e., 3-hydroxybutrate, acetone, citrate and polyunsaturated fatty acids), four inflammatory cells (i.e., neutrophil, lymphocyte, monocyte and leukocyte) and abnormalities in brain structure that were also related to dementia. The findings that adiposity is associated with metabolites, inflammatory cells and abnormalities in brain structure that were related to dementia risk might provide clues to underlying biological mechanisms. Interventions to prevent dementia should begin early in life and include not only BMI control but fat distribution and body composition.

P38-DAPK1 axis regulated LC3-associated phagocytosis (LAP) of microglia in an in vitro subarachnoid hemorrhage model.

BACKGROUND: The phagocytosis and homeostasis of microglia play an important role in promoting blood clearance and improving prognosis after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). LC3-assocaited phagocytosis (LAP) contributes to the microglial phagocytosis and homeostasis via autophagy-related components. With RNA-seq sequencing, we found potential signal pathways and genes which were important for the LAP of microglia. METHODS: We used an in vitro model of oxyhemoglobin exposure as SAH model in the study. RNA-seq sequencing was performed to seek critical signal pathways and genes in regulating LAP. Bioparticles were used to access the phagocytic ability of microglia. Western blot (WB), immunoprecipitation, quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and immunofluorescence were performed to detect the expression change of LAP-related components and investigate the potential mechanisms. RESULTS: In vitro SAH model, there were increased inflammation and decreased phagocytosis in microglia. At the same time, we found that the LAP of microglia was inhibited in all stages. RNA-seq sequencing revealed the importance of P38 MAPK signal pathway and DAPK1 in regulating microglial LAP. P38 was found to regulate the expression of DAPK1, and P38-DAPK1 axis was identified to regulate the LAP and homeostasis of microglia after SAH. Finally, we found that P38-DAPK1 axis regulated expression of BECN1, which indicated the potential mechanism of P38-DAPK1 axis regulating microglial LAP. CONCLUSION: P38-DAPK1 axis regulated the LAP of microglia via BECN1, affecting the phagocytosis and homeostasis of microglia in vitro SAH model. Video Abstract.