Use of the Wnt/β-catenin Activator Lithium Is Associated with Less Emphysema.

Rationale: Emphysema is defined by progressive alveolar destruction and impaired tissue repair, with diminished Wnt/β-catenin signaling implicated in its pathogenesis. Preclinical studies suggest that lithium, a pharmacologic activator of Wnt/β-catenin signaling, may attenuate emphysema. However, its effects in humans remain unknown.

M6A modification of RRM2 drives B cell hyperactivity in primary Sjögren's syndrome.

Background: The mechanisms underlying B cell dysfunction in primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) remain unclear. This study investigates the expression and role of ribonucleotide reductase M2 (RRM2) in pSS B cells, focusing on its contribution to B cell hyperreactivity and potential as a biomarker for disease activity.

Methods: Transcriptomic data (GSE199868) of pSS B cells were analyzed to identify differentially expressed genes, with a focus on RRM2.

Advancing biocontrol strategies for red imported fire ants with emerging technologies.

The red imported fire ant (Solenopsis invicta), ranked among the world's most invasive species, poses severe threats to biodiversity, agriculture, and public health, causing profound economic and ecological damage. Chemical insecticides remain the primary means of control once S. invicta becomes established, but their extensive use has led to environmental degradation and the evolution of resistance, highlighting the urgent need for innovative and sustainable alternatives.

Reciprocal METTL3-PAX5 regulation in maintaining B-cell identity and promoting B-cell hyperreactivity in SLE.

Objective: METTL3, an m6A methyltransferase, enhances germinal center responses. This study explores its role in lupus B cells and its impact on B-cell activation.

Methods: METTL3 and m6A levels in B cells from systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients and lupus-prone mice were analyzed using m6A dot blot, RT-qPCR, western blotting, and flow cytometry.

2025 Chinese guideline for the imaging diagnosis and evaluation of Takayasu arteritis.

Background: Takayasu arteritis (TAK) presents as systemic vasculitis. Imaging is crucial for the diagnosis and evaluation of TAK, but the rational selection of imaging methods and interpretation of imaging results are major challenges in clinical practice, which can affect treatment decisions. This guideline aims to establish standardized protocols for selecting imaging modalities (as well as interpreting their findings) in TAK.

Plasma Proteomic Markers of Iron and Risk of Diabetes in a Cohort of African American and White American Current and Former Smokers.

Background: Little information is available on iron with diabetes risk among African Americans, a population where both anemia and elevated ferritin are common. We tested whether plasma proteomic measurements of ferritin and transferrin were associated with increased diabetes risk in a cohort of current and former African American (NHB) and Non-Hispanic White (NHW) smokers.

Methods: NHB and NHW participants from the COPDGene study who were free of diabetes (n = 4693) at baseline were followed for incident diabetes.

EZH2 promotes B-cell autoimmunity in primary Sjogren's syndrome via METTL3-mediated m6A modification.

Objective: Enhancer of zeste homologue 2 (EZH2) plays an important role in promoting B-cell activation and differentiation. This study aimed to elucidate the role of EZH2 in the B-cell autoimmune response in primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) and to explore the therapeutic potential of inhibiting EZH2 in pSS.

Methods: Single-cell RNA sequencing analysis of B cells in peripheral blood from pSS patients was conducted to identify abnormal expression of EZH2 and METTL3 in B-cell subsets.

VirB11, a traffic ATPase, mediated flagella assembly and type IV pilus morphogenesis to control the motility and virulence of Xanthomonas albilineans.

Xanthomonas albilineans (Xal) is a gram-negative bacterial pathogen responsible for developing sugarcane leaf scald disease, which engenders significant economic losses within the sugarcane industry. In the current study, homologous recombination exchange was carried out to induce mutations within the virB/D4-like type IV secretion system (T4SS) genes of Xal. The results revealed that the virB11-deletion mutant (ΔvirB11) exhibited a loss in swimming and twitching motility.

Diffusible Signal Factor-Mediated Quorum Sensing Modulates Swarming in .

spp. are plant pathogens known for significantly impacting crop yields. Among them, () is notable for colonizing the xylem and causing sugarcane leaf scald disease.

Identification of candidate single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and genes associated with sugarcane leaf scald disease.

Leaf scald, caused by Xanthomonas albilineans, is a severe disease affecting sugarcane worldwide. One of the most practical ways to control it is by developing resistant sugarcane cultivars. It is essential to identify genes associated with the response to leaf scald.

Clinical phenotype of AAV, anti-GBM disease and double-positive patients after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination.

The number of anti-neutrophil cytoplasm antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV), anti-glomerular basement membrane (GBM) disease and double-positive patients (DPPs) following the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine reported in the literature is increasing, we reviewed the reported cases of AAV, anti-GBM disease and DPPs subsequent to COVID-19 vaccination, and compared the disparities in DPPs who received the COVID-19 vaccination and those who did not. We did not observe any differences in clinical phenotype of AAV, anti-GBM disease and DPPs before and after severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccination.

The effect of short-term remote ischemic preconditioning on endothelial function of patients with chronic kidney disease: A randomized pilot study.

Aim: Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are more susceptible to endothelial dysfunction and cardiovascular disease (CV). Remote ischemic preconditioning (rIPC) has been proven efficient in improving endothelial function and lowering the risk of CV. However, the safety and effect of rIPC on endothelial function in patients with CKD have not been effectively assessed.

Characterised intron retention profiles in muscle tissue of idiopathic inflammatory myopathy subtypes.

Objectives: Idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIMs) are a group of heterogeneous autoimmune diseases. Intron retention (IR) serves as an important post-transcriptional and translational regulatory mechanism. This study aims to identify changes in IR profiles in IIM subtypes, investigating their influence on proteins and their correlations with clinical features.

Protein profiling in systemic sclerosis patients with different pulmonary complications using proteomic antibody microarray.

Background: Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and interstitial lung disease (ILD) are leading causes of systemic sclerosis (SSc)-related death. In this study, we aimed to identify biomarkers for detecting SSc pulmonary complications that are mild and in the early stages to improve the prognosis.

Methods: We screened for serum biomarkers using a proteomic antibody microarray that simultaneously assessed 1000 proteins.

The role and mechanism of myeloperoxidase in dermatomyositis.

Objective: Dermatomyositis (DM) is the best known subtype of idiopathic inflammatory myopathies. The hallmarks of DM muscle pathology including microangiopathy, inflammatory infiltration, and perifascicular atrophy. Recent findings have revealed pathogenetic effects of myeloperoxidase (MPO) by causing oxidative damage and regulating abnormal immunity in multiple disease conditions.

Dissecting human placental cells heterogeneity in preeclampsia and gestational diabetes using single-cell sequencing.

Preeclampsia (PE) and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) are pregnancy-specific complications, which affect maternal health and fetal outcomes. Currently, clinical and pathological studies have shown that placenta homeostasis is affected by these two maternal diseases. In this study, we aimed to gain insight into the heterogeneous changes in cell types in placental tissue-isolated from cesarean section by single-cell sequencing, including those patients diagnosed with PE (n = 5), GDM (n = 5) and healthy control (n = 5).

Longitudinal Assessment of Multimorbidity Medication Patterns among Smokers in the COPDGene Cohort.

: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is usually comorbid with other chronic diseases. We aimed to assess the multimorbidity medication patterns and explore if the patterns are similar for phase 1 (P1) and 5-year follow-up phase 2 (P2) in the COPDGene cohort. Materials and Methods: A total of 5564 out of 10,198 smokers from the COPDGene cohort who completed 2 visits, P1 and P2 visits, with complete medication use history were included in the study.

Serum metabolomic profiling reveals potential biomarkers in systemic sclerosis.

Background: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a chronic and systemic autoimmune disease marked by the skin and visceral fibrosis. Metabolic alterations have been found in SSc patients; however, serum metabolomic profiling has not been thoroughly conducted. Our study aimed to identify alterations in the metabolic profile in both SSc patients before and during treatment, as well as in mouse models of fibrosis.

Evaluating Efficacy and Safety of Tacrolimus Treatment in Membranous Nephropathy: Results of a Retrospective Study of 182 Patients.

Purpose: Tacrolimus is recommended by KDIGO Clinical Practice Guidelines as an initial therapy for the treatment of membranous nephropathy (MN). However, little is known about the factors that influence response and recurrence of the disease after tacrolimus therapy, and there are limited data regarding the duration of tacrolimus treatment. Here, we present a real-world retrospective cohort study of 182 MN patients treated with tacrolimus, aiming to assess the efficacy and safety of tacrolimus in the treatment of MN.

Endothelial function, arterial stiffness and Framingham risk score in chronic kidney disease: A prospective observational cohort study.

The aim of this study was to assess the role of endothelial function measured by the reactive hyperemia index (RHI), arterial stiffness measured by the augmentation index (AIx), and Framingham's cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk score (FRS) in kidney function decline in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The RHI and AIx@75 (adjusted for 75 heart beats per minute), both derived from peripheral arterial tonometry (EndoPAT), were measured in 428 CKD patients aged 18 years old and older during hospitalization. We evaluated kidney function and its decline (incident ≥40% decline in estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR] or initiation of renal replacement therapy) associated with the RHI, AIx@75, and FRS during follow-up for a median of 36 months.

Metagenomic next-generation sequencing for identifying pathogens in patients with rheumatic diseases and diffuse pulmonary lesions: A retrospective diagnostic study.

Objective: Lung involvement is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with rheumatic diseases. This study aimed to assess the application value of metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) for identifying pathogens in patients with rheumatic diseases and diffuse pulmonary lesions.

Methods: This retrospective study included patients who were diagnosed with rheumatic diseases and presenting diffuse pulmonary lesions on chest radiography in Xiangya Hospital from July 2018 to May 2022.

Osteocalcin association with vascular function in chronic kidney disease.

Osteocalcin (OCN) is a bone-derived and vitamin K dependent hormone that affects energy metabolism and vascular calcification. The relationship between serum OCN and vascular function in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is uncertain. This study investigated the association between serum OCN and vascular function as expressed with reactive hyperemia index (RHI) and augmentation index (AIx) measured by Endo-PAT 2000 device.