Neuropeptide Precursor VGF Promotes Neuroendocrine Differentiation and Cancer-Associated Fibroblast Activation in Small Cell Lung Cancer.

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is a highly aggressive malignancy with limited therapeutic options. Neuroendocrine differentiation is a prominent feature of SCLC. This study identified VGF, a secreted neuropeptide precursor, as a critical regulator of neuroendocrine differentiation in SCLC, particularly the ASCL1+ subtype.

Identification of a Novel Antagonist of BRS-3 from Natural Products and Its Protective Effects Against HO-Induced Cardiomyocyte Injury.

The identification of exogenous ligands from natural products is an alternative strategy to explore the unrevealed physiological functions of orphan G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). In this study, we have successfully identified and pharmacologically characterized licoisoflavone A (LIA) as a novel selective antagonist of BRS-3, an orphan GPCR. Functional studies showed that pretreatment with LIA ameliorated hydrogen peroxide (HO)-induced cardiomyocyte injury.

Targeting STAT3-VISTA axis to suppress tumor aggression and burden in acute myeloid leukemia.

The acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients obtain limited benefits from current immune checkpoint blockades (ICBs), although immunotherapy have achieved encouraging success in numerous cancers. Here, we found that V-domain Ig suppressor of T cell activation (VISTA), a novel immune checkpoint, is highly expressed in primary AML cells and associated with poor prognosis of AML patients. Targeting VISTA by anti-VISTA mAb boosts T cell-mediated cytotoxicity to AML cells.

Discovery of small molecule Gq/11 protein inhibitors against uveal melanoma.

Constitutively activated G proteins caused by specific mutations mediate the development of multiple malignancies. The mutated Gq/11 are perceived as oncogenic drivers in the vast majority of uveal melanoma (UM) cases, making directly targeting Gq/11 to be a promising strategy for combating UM. Herein, we report the optimization of imidazopiperazine derivatives as Gq/11 inhibitors, and identified GQ262 with improved Gq/11 inhibitory activity and drug-like properties.

Inhibition of STAT3-ferroptosis negative regulatory axis suppresses tumor growth and alleviates chemoresistance in gastric cancer.

Chemotherapy is still one of the principal treatments for gastric cancer, but the clinical application of 5-FU is limited by drug resistance. Here, we demonstrate that ferroptosis triggered by STAT3 inhibition may provide a novel opportunity to explore a new effective therapeutic strategy for gastric cancer and chemotherapy resistance. We find that ferroptosis negative regulation (FNR) signatures are closely correlated with the progression and chemoresistance of gastric cancer.

Rapid BMI Increases and Persistent Obesity in Small-for-Gestational-Age Infants.

In order to compensate for the early intrauterine growth restriction, small-for-gestational age (SGA) infants have "catch-up growth" after birth. Increased caloric intake has been suggested for SGA infants conventionally. It is important to determine if the early growth rate of body mass index (BMI) is associated with risk of persistent obesity later in life.

Taste-masking and colloidal-stable cubosomes loaded with Cefpodoxime proxetil for pediatric oral delivery.

Drug administration failure has been often witnessed in pediatric due to children's resistance to take medicines with bitter taste. Taste-masking is the key requirement among the scanty drugs available for children. Solid taste-masking systems, such as tablets and capsules, are difficult to swallow for children.

Applicability of the Chinese version of the Personal and Social Performance scale in patients with severe mental disorders.

Introduction: This study was designed to determine the reliability and validity of the Chinese version of the Personal and Social Performance scale (PSP-CHN) and assess the applicability of using the PSP-CHN in patients with severe mental disorders.

Methods: A total of 285 outpatients with severe mental disorders, 220 with schizophrenia and 65 with major depressive disorder, were enrolled into the study. Both diagnoses were made using the DSM-IV.