Identification of SEC16B as a novel regulator of glucose homeostasis.

Aims/hypothesis: Glucose homeostasis, essential for metabolic health, requires coordinated insulin and glucagon activity to maintain blood glucose balance. Dysregulation of glucose homeostasis causes hyperglycaemia and glucose intolerance, hallmark features of type 2 diabetes. While SEC16 homologue B (SEC16B), an endoplasmic reticulum export factor, has been linked to obesity, type 2 diabetes and lipid metabolism, its role in glucose regulation remains poorly defined.

Comprehensive Analysis of 15 Cases of ELOC-RCC and Identification of Novel Mutation Site.

ELOC-mutated renal cell carcinoma (ELOC-RCC), a newly recognized tumor entity in the fifth edition of the WHO Classification of Tumors of Urinary and Male Genital Organ Tumors (5th WHO Classification), presents morphologic and immunohistochemical (IHC) features overlapping those of clear cell RCC (ccRCC), RCC with fibromyomatous stroma (RCC-FMS), and clear cell papillary renal cell tumor (ccPRCT). Confirmation of an ELOC mutation is required for a definitive diagnosis. This study aims to enhance the understanding of ELOC-RCC's morphologic and molecular characteristics and to develop an affordable and practical panel for its preliminary differentiation based on morphologic and IHC features.

MiR-135a-5p/STAT6-mediated EMT regulates IL-4 secretion in non-small cell lung cancer to affect M2-like TAM polarization.

Arginase 1 (Arg1), a key indicator of M2 polarization in tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), plays a crucial role in inhibiting T-cell activation and proliferation by depleting local arginine levels, thereby facilitating tumor immune escape. The epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), a fundamental biological process in cancer proliferation and progression, is intricately linked to the interactions between TAMs and cancer cells. However, the underlying mechanisms of EMT and how EMT-programmed cancer cells specifically modulate Arg1 expression in M2-like TAMs remain incompletely understood.

MTCH2 Suppresses Thermogenesis by Regulating Autophagy in Adipose Tissue.

Stimulating adipose tissue thermogenesis has emerged as a promising strategy for combating obesity, with uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) playing a central role in this process. However, the mechanisms that suppress adipose thermogenesis and energy dissipation in obesity are not fully understood. This study identifies mitochondrial carrier homolog 2 (MTCH2), an obesity susceptibility gene, as a negative regulator of energy homeostasis across flies, rodents, and humans.

Recombinant protein HR212 targeting heptad repeat 2 domain in spike protein S2 subunit elicits broad-spectrum neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 and its variants.

SARS-CoV-2 variants are under continuous emergence carry numerous mutations within S1 subunit in spike protein and have escaped neutralization through many currently used vaccines and antibodies. The development of next-generation vaccines is a continuing and long-term need. In our prior research, the recombinant protein vaccine HR121 targeting the heptad repeat (HR) 1 domain of S2 subunit was constructed, which could evoke highly broad-spectrum neutralizing antibodies in vivo and confer efficient protective effect on several SARS-CoV-2 variants within multiple animal models.

Sucralose uses reward pathways to promote acute caloric intake.

Non-nutritive sweeteners (NNSs) are used to reduce caloric intake by replacing sugar with compounds that are sweet but contain little or no calories. In this study, we investigate how non-nutritive sweetener sucralose to promote acute food intake in the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster. Our results showed that acute exposure to NNSs sweetness induces a robust hyperphagic response in flies.

A rapid and reproducible method for generating germ-free .

Microbial communities exert a profound influence on various facets of animal behavior and physiology, making the comprehension of their interactions with hosts or the environment essential. , a widely recognized model organism, has been pivotal in elucidating host-microbe interactions. Despite the existence of several protocols for generating germ-free (GF) , their reproducibility has been constrained by the technical difficulty of maintaining airtight conditions in centrifuge tubes.

Epidemiological characteristics and genetic diversity of Bartonella species from rodents in Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, Southwestern China.

Bartonella spp. are gram-negative bacteria recognized as zoonotic pathogens of wide spectrum mammals. Rodents are recognized as a natural reservoir of pathogens, and many Bartonella species transmitted by various blood-sucking arthropods have been detected in various rodents populations.

Hepatic Steatosis Aggravates Vascular Calcification via Extracellular Vesicle-Mediated Osteochondrogenic Switch of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells.

The global incidence of metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) has risen sharply. This condition is strongly associated with the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), but how MAFLD affects the development and progression of CVD, particularly concerning vascular calcification, remains unclear. Herein, extracellular vesicles (EVs) are identified from steatotic hepatocytes as a trigger that accelerated the progression of both vascular intimal and medial calcification.