Effects of serum inflammatory factors,health index and disease activity scores on ankylosing spondylitis patients with sleep disorder

BACKGROUND Patients with ankylosing spondylitis(AS)frequently suffer from comorbid sleep disorders,exacerbating the burden of the disease and affecting their quality of life.AIM To investigate the clinical significance of serum inflammatory factors,health index and disease activity scores in patients with AS complicated by sleep disorders.METHODS A total of 106 AS patients with comorbid sleep disorders were included in the study.The patients were grouped into the desirable and undesirable prognosis groups in accordance with their clinical outcomes.The serum levels of inflammatory factors,including C-reactive protein,erythrocyte sedimentation rate,interleukin(IL)-6,tumour necrosis factor-αand IL-1β,were measured.Disease activity scores,such as the Bath AS functional index,Bath AS disease activity index,Bath AS metrology index and AS disease activity score,were assessed.The health index was obtained through the Short Form-36 questionnaire.RESULTS The study found significant associations amongst serum inflammatory factors,health index and disease activity scores in AS patients with comorbid sleep disorders.Positive correlations were found between serum inflammatory factors and disease activity scores,indicating the influence of heightened systemic inflammation on disease severity and functional impairment.Conversely,negative correlations were found between disease activity scores and health index parameters,highlighting the effect of disease activity on various aspects of healthrelated quality of life.Logistic regression analysis further confirmed the predictive value of these factors on patient outcomes,underscoring their potential utility in risk assessment and prognostication.CONCLUSION The findings demonstrate the intricate interplay amongst disease activity,systemic inflammation and patientreported health outcomes in AS patients complicated by sleep disorders.The results emphasise the need for comprehensive care strategies that address the diverse needs and challenges faced by these patients and underscore the potential relevance of serum inflammatory factors,health index and disease activity scores as prognostic markers in this patient population.

Reduced mesencephalic astrocyte-derived neurotrophic factor expression by mutant androgen receptor contributes to neurodegeneration in a model of spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy pathology

Spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy is a neurodegenerative disease caused by extended CAG trinucleotide repeats in the androgen receptor gene,which encodes a ligand-dependent transcription facto r.The mutant androgen receptor protein,characterized by polyglutamine expansion,is prone to misfolding and forms aggregates in both the nucleus and cytoplasm in the brain in spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy patients.These aggregates alter protein-protein interactions and compromise transcriptional activity.In this study,we reported that in both cultured N2a cells and mouse brain,mutant androgen receptor with polyglutamine expansion causes reduced expression of mesencephalic astrocyte-de rived neurotrophic factor.Overexpressio n of mesencephalic astrocyte-derived neurotrophic factor amelio rated the neurotoxicity of mutant androgen receptor through the inhibition of mutant androgen receptor aggregation.Conversely.knocking down endogenous mesencephalic astrocyte-derived neurotrophic factor in the mouse brain exacerbated neuronal damage and mutant androgen receptor aggregation.Our findings suggest that inhibition of mesencephalic astrocyte-derived neurotrophic factor expression by mutant androgen receptor is a potential mechanism underlying neurodegeneration in spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy.

Functions of nuclear factor Y in nervous system development,function and health

Nuclear factor Y is a ubiquitous heterotrimeric transcription factor complex conserved across eukaryotes that binds to CCAAT boxes,one of the most common motifs found in gene promoters and enhancers.Over the last 30 years,research has revealed that the nuclear factor Y complex controls many aspects of brain development,including differentiation,axon guidance,homeostasis,disease,and most recently regeneration.However,a complete understanding of transcriptional regulatory networks,including how the nuclear factor Y complex binds to specific CCAAT boxes to perform its function remains elusive.In this review,we explore the nuclear factor Y complex’s role and mode of action during brain development,as well as how genomic technologies may expand understanding of this key regulator of gene expression.

The effects of exercise interventions on brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels in children and adolescents:a meta-analysis

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor is a crucial neurotrophic factor that plays a significant role in brain health. Although the vast majority of meta-analyses have confirmed that exercise interventions can increase brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels in children and adolescents, the effects of specific types of exercise on brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels are still controversial. To address this issue, we used meta-analytic methods to quantitatively evaluate, analyze, and integrate relevant studies. Our goals were to formulate general conclusions regarding the use of exercise interventions, explore the physiological mechanisms by which exercise improves brain health and cognitive ability in children and adolescents, and provide a reliable foundation for follow-up research. We used the Pub Med, Web of Science, Science Direct, Springer, Wiley Online Library, Weipu, Wanfang, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure databases to search for randomized controlled trials examining the influences of exercise interventions on brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels in children and adolescents. The extracted data were analyzed using Review Manager 5.3. According to the inclusion criteria, we assessed randomized controlled trials in which the samples were mainly children and adolescents, and the outcome indicators were measured before and after the intervention. We excluded animal experiments, studies that lacked a control group, and those that did not report quantitative results. The mean difference(MD;before versus after intervention) was used to evaluate the effect of exercise on brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels in children and adolescents. Overall, 531 participants(60 children and 471 adolescents, 10.9–16.1 years) were included from 13 randomized controlled trials. Heterogeneity was evaluated using the Q statistic and I^(2) test provided by Review Manager software. The meta-analysis showed that there was no heterogeneity among the studies(P = 0.67, I^(2) = 0.00%). The combined effect of the interventions was significant(MD = 2.88, 95% CI: 1.53–4.22, P < 0.0001), indicating that the brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels of the children and adolescents in the exercise group were significantly higher than those in the control group. In conclusion, different types of exercise interventions significantly increased brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels in children and adolescents. However, because of the small sample size of this meta-analysis, more high-quality research is needed to verify our conclusions. This metaanalysis was registered at PROSPERO(registration ID: CRD42023439408).

Telencephalic stab wound injury induces regenerative angiogenesis and neurogenesis in zebrafish:unveiling the role of vascular endothelial growth factor signaling and microglia

After brain damage,regenerative angiogenesis and neurogenesis have been shown to occur simultaneously in mammals,suggesting a close link between these processes.However,the mechanisms by which these processes interact are not well understood.In this work,we aimed to study the correlation between angiogenesis and neurogenesis after a telencephalic stab wound injury.To this end,we used zebrafish as a relevant model of neuroplasticity and brain repair mechanisms.First,using the Tg(fli1:EGFP×mpeg1.1:mCherry)zebrafish line,which enables visualization of blood vessels and microglia respectively,we analyzed regenerative angiogenesis from 1 to 21 days post-lesion.In parallel,we monitored brain cell proliferation in neurogenic niches localized in the ventricular zone by using immunohistochemistry.We found that after brain damage,the blood vessel area and width as well as expression of the fli1 transgene and vascular endothelial growth factor(vegfaa and vegfbb)were increased.At the same time,neural stem cell proliferation was also increased,peaking between 3 and 5 days post-lesion in a manner similar to angiogenesis,along with the recruitment of microglia.Then,through pharmacological manipulation by injecting an anti-angiogenic drug(Tivozanib)or Vegf at the lesion site,we demonstrated that blocking or activating Vegf signaling modulated both angiogenic and neurogenic processes,as well as microglial recruitment.Finally,we showed that inhibition of microglia by clodronate-containing liposome injection or dexamethasone treatment impairs regenerative neurogenesis,as previously described,as well as injury-induced angiogenesis.In conclusion,we have described regenerative angiogenesis in zebrafish for the first time and have highlighted the role of inflammation in this process.In addition,we have shown that both angiogenesis and neurogenesis are involved in brain repair and that microglia and inflammation-dependent mechanisms activated by Vegf signaling are important contributors to these processes.This study paves the way for a better understanding of the effect of Vegf on microglia and for studies aimed at promoting angiogenesis to improve brain plasticity after brain injury.

Age-related driving mechanisms of retinal diseases and neuroprotection by transcription factor EB-targeted therapy

Retinal aging has been recognized as a significant risk factor for various retinal disorders,including diabetic retinopathy,age-related macular degeneration,and glaucoma,following a growing understanding of the molecular underpinnings of their development.This comprehensive review explores the mechanisms of retinal aging and investigates potential neuroprotective approaches,focusing on the activation of transcription factor EB.Recent meta-analyses have demonstrated promising outcomes of transcription factor EB-targeted strategies,such as exercise,calorie restriction,rapamycin,and metformin,in patients and animal models of these common retinal diseases.The review critically assesses the role of transcription factor EB in retinal biology during aging,its neuroprotective effects,and its therapeutic potential for retinal disorders.The impact of transcription factor EB on retinal aging is cell-specific,influencing metabolic reprogramming and energy homeostasis in retinal neurons through the regulation of mitochondrial quality control and nutrient-sensing pathways.In vascular endothelial cells,transcription factor EB controls important processes,including endothelial cell proliferation,endothelial tube formation,and nitric oxide levels,thereby influencing the inner blood-retinal barrier,angiogenesis,and retinal microvasculature.Additionally,transcription factor EB affects vascular smooth muscle cells,inhibiting vascular calcification and atherogenesis.In retinal pigment epithelial cells,transcription factor EB modulates functions such as autophagy,lysosomal dynamics,and clearance of the aging pigment lipofuscin,thereby promoting photoreceptor survival and regulating vascular endothelial growth factor A expression involved in neovascularization.These cell-specific functions of transcription factor EB significantly impact retinal aging mechanisms encompassing proteostasis,neuronal synapse plasticity,energy metabolism,microvasculature,and inflammation,ultimately offering protection against retinal aging and diseases.The review emphasizes transcription factor EB as a potential therapeutic target for retinal diseases.Therefore,it is imperative to obtain well-controlled direct experimental evidence to confirm the efficacy of transcription factor EB modulation in retinal diseases while minimizing its risk of adverse effects.

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor signaling in the neuromuscular junction during developmental axonal competition and synapse elimination

During the development of the nervous system,there is an overproduction of neurons and synapses.Hebbian competition between neighboring nerve endings and synapses performing different activity levels leads to their elimination or strengthening.We have extensively studied the involvement of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor-Tropomyosin-related kinase B receptor neurotrophic retrograde pathway,at the neuromuscular junction,in the axonal development and synapse elimination process versus the synapse consolidation.The purpose of this review is to describe the neurotrophic influence on developmental synapse elimination,in relation to other molecular pathways that we and others have found to regulate this process.In particular,we summarize our published results based on transmitter release analysis and axonal counts to show the different involvement of the presynaptic acetylcholine muscarinic autoreceptors,coupled to downstream serine-threonine protein kinases A and C(PKA and PKC)and voltage-gated calcium channels,at different nerve endings in developmental competition.The dynamic changes that occur simultaneously in several nerve terminals and synapses converge across a postsynaptic site,influence each other,and require careful studies to individualize the mechanisms of specific endings.We describe an activity-dependent balance(related to the extent of transmitter release)between the presynaptic muscarinic subtypes and the neurotrophin-mediated TrkB/p75NTR pathways that can influence the timing and fate of the competitive interactions between the different axon terminals.The downstream displacement of the PKA/PKC activity ratio to lower values,both in competing nerve terminals and at postsynaptic sites,plays a relevant role in controlling the elimination of supernumerary synapses.Finally,calcium entry through L-and P/Q-subtypes of voltage-gated calcium channels(both channels are present,together with the N-type channel in developing nerve terminals)contributes to reduce transmitter release and promote withdrawal of the most unfavorable nerve terminals during elimination(the weakest in acetylcholine release and those that have already become silent).The main findings contribute to a better understanding of punishment-rewarding interactions between nerve endings during development.Identifying the molecular targets and signaling pathways that allow synapse consolidation or withdrawal of synapses in different situations is important for potential therapies in neurodegenerative diseases.

The cGAS-STING-interferon regulatory factor 7 pathway regulates neuroinflammation in Parkinson's disease

Interferon regulatory factor 7 plays a crucial role in the innate immune response.However,whether interferon regulatory factor 7-mediated signaling contributes to Parkinson's disease remains unknown.Here we report that interferon regulatory factor 7 is markedly up-regulated in a 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine-induced mouse model of Parkinson's disease and co-localizes with microglial cells.Both the selective cyclic guanosine monophosphate adenosine monophosphate synthase inhibitor RU.521 and the stimulator of interferon genes inhibitor H151 effectively suppressed interferon regulatory factor 7 activation in BV2 microglia exposed to 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium and inhibited transformation of mouse BV2 microglia into the neurotoxic M1 phenotype.In addition,si RNA-mediated knockdown of interferon regulatory factor 7 expression in BV2 microglia reduced the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase,tumor necrosis factorα,CD16,CD32,and CD86 and increased the expression of the anti-inflammatory markers ARG1 and YM1.Taken together,our findings indicate that the cyclic guanosine monophosphate adenosine monophosphate synthase-stimulator of interferon genes-interferon regulatory factor 7 pathway plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease.

Diabetes empowerment scores among type 2 diabetes mellitus patients and its correlated factors: A cross-sectional study in a primary care setting in Malaysia

BACKGROUND There are limited studies on diabetes empowerment among type 2 diabetes patients,particularly in the primary care setting.AIM To assess the diabetes empowerment scores and its correlated factors among type 2 diabetes patients in a primary care clinic in Malaysia.METHODS This is a cross sectional study involving 322 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus(DM)followed up in a primary care clinic.Systematic sampling method was used for patient recruitment.The Diabetes Empowerment Scale(DES)questionnaire was used to measure patient empowerment.It consists of three domains:(1)Managing the psychosocial aspect of diabetes(9 items);(2)Assessing dissatisfaction and readiness to change(9 items);and(3)Setting and achieving diabetes goal(10 items).A score was considered high if it ranged from 100 to 140.Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 25 and multiple linear regressions was used to identify the predictors of total diabetes empowerment scores.RESULTS The median age of the study population was 55 years old.56%were male and the mean duration of diabetes was 4 years.The total median score of the DES was 110[interquartile range(IQR)=10].The median scores of the three subscales were 40 with(IQR=4)for"Managing the psychosocial aspect of diabetes";36 with(IQR=3)for"Assessing dissatisfaction and readiness to change";and 34 with(IQR=5)for"Setting and achieving diabetes goal".According to multiple linear regressions,factors that had significant correlation with higher empowerment scores among type 2 diabetes patients included an above secondary education level(P<0.001),diabetes education exposure(P=0.003),lack of ischemic heart disease(P=0.017),and lower glycated hemoglobin(HbA1c)levels(P<0.001).CONCLUSION Diabetes empowerment scores were high among type 2 diabetes patients in this study population.Predictors for high empowerment scores included above secondary education level,diabetes education exposure,lack of ischemic heart disease status and lower HbA1c.

Use of factor scores for determining the relationship between body measurements and semen traits of cocks

Semen evaluation is required to predict fertility. In most rural African communities, facilities for microscopic evaluation of semen are not available. Therefore, an indirect method of predicting semen traits of cocks is required by poultry farmers. The objective of this study was to use factor scores derived from factor analysis of body measurements to predict some semen traits of cocks. Correlation matrix was obtained by calculating the correlations between body measurements and semen traits of cocks. Kais-er-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) measure of sampling adequacy and Bartletts test of sphericity were used to test the appropriateness of factor analysis on the data. The extraction of the factors was done by calculating the eigenvalues of the correlation matrix. Variance maximizing rotation of the transformation matrix was done to facilitate the interpretation of the factor loadings. Two factors with eigenvalues greater than 1 were extracted which accounted for 76.96% of the variations present in the original variables. The two factors were used to obtain the factor score coefficients. When utilized as independent variables in multiple regression analysis, the two factors explained 53.20% and 40.80% of the variations in sperm motility and sperm concentration respectively. Factor 1 had more impact on sperm motility than factor 2 as it was significantly related to it. Factor 2 was significantly more related to sperm concentration than factor 1. The relationship between body measurements and semen volume, live sperm and abnormal sperm were weak and mostly negative. Therefore, they were not predicted using factor scores.

Clinicopathological differences,risk factors and prognostic scores for western patients with intestinal and diffuse-type gastric cancer

BACKGROUND In the molecular era,the Laurén system is still a cost-effective and widely implemented classification for gastric cancer(GC)and it has been recently associated with clinical,histological and molecular features of these tumors.Despite recent advances in the understanding of the molecular biology of GC,there is a need to develop new prognostic tools for patient stratification in clinical practice.Thus,the identification of easily available prognostic factors in patients with intestinal and diffuse-type tumors can significantly improve risk assessment and patient stratification in GC.AIM To identify clinicopathological differences,risk factors,and to develop costeffective prognostic scores for patients with intestinal and diffuse-type GC.METHODS Retrospective study of all patients undergoing surgery for GC at a tertiary referral center from 2001 to 2019.286 cases met inclusion criteria(intestinal:190,diffuse:96).Clinical data and gross findings were collected.All specimens were reviewed by two independent pathologists and a detailed protocol for histologic evaluation was followed.Five tissue microarrays(TMAs)were constructed and sections of the TMA block were immunostained for HERCEPTEST,MSH2,MSH6,MLH1 and PMS2.Statistical analyses were performed and prognostic scores were developed based on hazard ratios.RESULTS Intestinal and diffuse-type GC showed different epidemiological,clinicopathological and prognostic features.Diffuse tumors were significantly associated with younger age,less symptomatology,flat morphology,deeper invasion,perineural infiltration,advanced stage at diagnosis,administration of adjuvant therapy and poorer prognosis.Intestinal lesions were fungoid or polypoid,showed necrosis,desmoplasia,microsatellite instability and HERCEPTEST positivity and were diagnosed at earlier stages.Tumor depth,desmoplasia,macroscopic type and lymph node involvement were independently related to the Laurén subtype.Furthermore,intestinal and diffuse GC were associated with different risk factors for progression and death.Vascular invasion,perineural infiltration and growth pattern were important prognostic factors in intestinal-type GC.On the contrary,tumor size and necrosis were significant prognosticators in diffuse-type GC.Our recurrence and cancer-specific death scores for patients with intestinal and diffuse-type GC showed an excellent patient stratification into three(diffuse GC)or four(intestinal)prognostic groups.CONCLUSION Our findings support that Laurén subtypes represent different clinicopathological and biological entities.The development of specific prognostic scores is a useful and cost-effective strategy to improve risk assessment in GC.

Significant risk factors for intensive care unit-acquired weakness:A processing strategy based on repeated machine learning

BACKGROUND Intensive care unit-acquired weakness(ICU-AW)is a common complication that significantly impacts the patient's recovery process,even leading to adverse outcomes.Currently,there is a lack of effective preventive measures.AIM To identify significant risk factors for ICU-AW through iterative machine learning techniques and offer recommendations for its prevention and treatment.METHODS Patients were categorized into ICU-AW and non-ICU-AW groups on the 14th day post-ICU admission.Relevant data from the initial 14 d of ICU stay,such as age,comorbidities,sedative dosage,vasopressor dosage,duration of mechanical ventilation,length of ICU stay,and rehabilitation therapy,were gathered.The relationships between these variables and ICU-AW were examined.Utilizing iterative machine learning techniques,a multilayer perceptron neural network model was developed,and its predictive performance for ICU-AW was assessed using the receiver operating characteristic curve.RESULTS Within the ICU-AW group,age,duration of mechanical ventilation,lorazepam dosage,adrenaline dosage,and length of ICU stay were significantly higher than in the non-ICU-AW group.Additionally,sepsis,multiple organ dysfunction syndrome,hypoalbuminemia,acute heart failure,respiratory failure,acute kidney injury,anemia,stress-related gastrointestinal bleeding,shock,hypertension,coronary artery disease,malignant tumors,and rehabilitation therapy ratios were significantly higher in the ICU-AW group,demonstrating statistical significance.The most influential factors contributing to ICU-AW were identified as the length of ICU stay(100.0%)and the duration of mechanical ventilation(54.9%).The neural network model predicted ICU-AW with an area under the curve of 0.941,sensitivity of 92.2%,and specificity of 82.7%.CONCLUSION The main factors influencing ICU-AW are the length of ICU stay and the duration of mechanical ventilation.A primary preventive strategy,when feasible,involves minimizing both ICU stay and mechanical ventilation duration.

Are we ready to use new endoscopic scores for ulcerative colitis?

For ulcerative colitis(UC),the variability in inflammatory activity along the colon poses a challenge in management.The focus on achieving endoscopic healing in UC is evident,where the UC Endoscopic Index of Severity and Mayo Endoscopic Subscore are commonly used for evaluation.However,these indices primarily consider the most severely affected region.Liu et al recent study validates the Toronto Inflammatory Bowel Disease Global Endoscopic Reporting(TIGER)score offering a comprehensive assessment of inflammatory activity across diverse segments of the colon and rectum and a reliable index correlating strongly with UC Endoscopic Index of Severity and moderately with Mayo Endoscopic Subscore(MES).Despite recommendation,certain aspects warrant further invest-igation.Fecal calprotectin,an intermediate target,correlates with TIGER and should be explored.Determining TIGER scores defining endoscopic remission and response,evaluating agreement with histological activity,and assessing inter-endoscopist agreement for TIGER require scrutiny.Exploring the correlation between TIGER and intestinal ultrasound,akin to MES,adds value.

Factors associated with change in frailty scores and long-term outcomes in older adults with coronary artery disease

OBJECTIVE Older adults with coronary artery disease(CAD)are at risk for frailty.However,little is known regarding transition in frailty measures over time or its impact on outcomes.We sought to determine the association of temporal change in frailty with long-term outcome in older adults with CAD.METHODS We re-assessed for phenotypic frailty using the Fried index(0=not frail;1−2=pre-frail;≥3 frail)in a cohort of CAD patients≥65 years old at 2 time points 5 years apart.Factors associated with frailty worsening were assessed with scatterplots and outcomes estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method.Cox models were used to assess the risk of worsening frailty on outcome.RESULTS There were 45 subjects that completed both baseline and 5-year Fried frailty assessment.Mean age was 74.6±5.9 and 30(67%)were men.Frailty incidence increased over time:baseline(3%frail,37%pre-frail);5 years(10%frail,40%pre-frail).Baseline factors were not predictors of worsening frailty score,while both slower walk time(r=0.46;P=0.004)and diminishing grip strength(r=−0.39;P=0.01)were associated with worsening frailty transitions.In follow-up(median 5.2 years),long-term major adverse cardiac event(MACE)free survival(P=0.12)or hospitalization(P=0.98)was not different for those with worsening frailty score(referent:improved/unchanged frailty).Frailty worsening had a trend towards increased risk of MACE(HR=1.86;95%CI:0.65−5.27,P=0.25).CONCLUSIONS Frailty transitions,specifically,declines in walk time and grip strength,were strongly associated with worsening frailty score in a cohort of older adults with CAD than were baseline indices,though frailty change status was not independently associated with MACE outcomes.

Are TrkB receptor agonists the right tool to fulfill the promises for a therapeutic value of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor?

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor signaling via its receptor tro pomyosin receptor kinase B regulates several crucial physiological processes.It has been shown to act in the brain,promoting neuronal survival,growth,and plasticity as well as in the rest of the body where it is involved in regulating for instance aspects of the metabolism.Due to its crucial and very pleiotro pic activity,reduction of brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels and alterations in the brain-derived neurotrophic factor/tropomyosin receptor kinase B signaling have been found to be associated with a wide spectrum of neurological diseases.Howeve r,because of its poor bioavailability and pharmacological properties,brain-derived neurotrophic factor itself has a very low therapeutic value.Moreover,the concomitant binding of exogenous brain-derived neurotrophic factor to the p75 neurotrophin receptor has the potential to elicit several unwanted and deleterious side effects.Therefo re,developing tools and approaches to specifically promote tropomyosin receptor kinase B signaling has become an important goal of translational research.Among the newly developed tools are different categories of tropomyosin receptor kinase B receptor agonist molecules.In this review,we give a comprehensive description of the diffe rent tro pomyosin receptor kinase B receptor agonist drugs developed so far and of the res ults of their application in animal models of several neurological diseases.Moreover,we discuss the main benefits of tropomyosin receptor kinase B receptor agonists,concentrating especially on the new tropomyosin receptor kinase B agonist antibodies.The benefits observed both in vitro and in vivo upon application of tropomyosin receptor kinase B receptor agonist drugs seem to predominantly depend on their general neuroprotective activity and their ability to promote neuronal plasticity.Moreover,tro pomyosin receptor kinase B agonist antibodies have been shown to specifically bind the tropomyosin receptor kinase B receptor and not p75 neurotrophin receptor.Therefore,while,based on the current knowledge,the tropomyosin receptor kinase B receptor agonists do not seem to have the potential to reve rse the disease pathology per se,promoting brainderived neurotrophic factor/tro pomyosin receptor kinase B signaling still has a very high therapeutic relevance.

Hepatocyte growth factor promotes retinal pigment epithelium cell activity through MET/AKT signaling pathway

AIM:To explore the effects of hepatocyte growth factor(HGF)on retinal pigment epithelium(RPE)cell behaviors.METHODS:The human adult retinal pigment epithelial cell line-19(ARPE-19)were treated by HGF or mesenchymalepithelial transition factor(MET)inhibitor SU11274 in vitro.Cell viability was detected by a Cell Counting Kit-8 assay.Cell proliferation and motility was detected by a bromodeoxyuridine incorporation assay and a wound healing assay,respectively.The expression levels of MET,phosphorylated MET,protein kinase B(AKT),and phosphorylated AKT proteins were determined by Western blot assay.The MET and phosphorylated MET proteins were also determined by immunofluorescence assay.RESULTS:HGF increased ARPE-19 cells’viability,proliferation and migration,and induced an increase of phosphorylated MET and phosphorylated AKT proteins.SU11274 significantly reduced cell viability,proliferation,and migration and decreased the expression of MET and AKT proteins.SU11274 suppressed HGF-induced increase of viability,proliferation,and migration in ARPE-19 cells.Additionally,SU11274 also blocked HGF-induced phosphorylation of MET and AKT proteins.CONCLUSION:HGF enhances cellular viability,proliferation,and migration in RPE cells through the MET/AKT signaling pathway,whereas this enhancement is suppressed by the MET inhibitor SU11274.HGF-induced MET/AKT signaling might be a vital contributor of RPE cells survival.

The roles of macrophage migration inhibitory factor in retinal diseases

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor(MIF),a multifunctional cytokine,is secreted by various cells and participates in inflammatory reactions,including innate and adaptive immunity.There are some evidences that MIF is involved in many vitreoretinal diseases.For example,MIF can exacerbate many types of uveitis;measurements of MIF levels can be used to monitor the effectiveness of uveitis treatment.MIF also alleviates trauma-induced and glaucoma-induced optic nerve damage.Furthermore,MIF is critical for retinal/choroidal neovascularization,especially complex neovascularization.MIF exacerbates retinal degeneration;thus,anti-MIF therapy may help to mitigate retinal degeneration.MIF protects uveal melanoma from attacks by natural killer cells.The mechanism underlying the effects of MIF in these diseases has been demonstrated:it binds to cluster of differentiation 74,inhibits the c-Jun N-terminal kinase pathway,and triggers mitogen-activated protein kinases,extracellular signal-regulated kinase-1/2,and the phosphoinositide-3-kinase/Akt pathway.MIF also upregulates Toll-like receptor 4 and activates the nuclear factor kappa-B signaling pathway.This review focuses on the structure and function of MIF and its receptors,including the effects of MIF on uveal inflammation,retinal degeneration,optic neuropathy,retinal/choroidal neovascularization,and uveal melanoma.

Fecal calprotectin and endoscopic scores: The cornerstones in clinical practice for evaluating mucosal healing in inflammatory bowel disease

Managing inflammatory bowel disease(IBD)is becoming increasingly complex and personalized,considering the advent of new advanced therapies with distinct mechanisms of action.Achieving mucosal healing(MH)is a pivotal therapeutic goal in IBD management and can prevent IBD progression and reduce flares,hospitalization,surgery,intestinal damage,and colorectal cancer.Employing proactive disease and therapy assessment is essential to achieve better control of intestinal inflammation,even if subclinical,to alter the natural course of IBD.Periodic monitoring of fecal calprotectin(FC)levels and interval endoscopic evaluations are cornerstones for evaluating response/remission to advanced therapies targeting IBD,assessing MH,and detecting subclinical recurrence.Here,we comment on the article by Ishida et al Moreover,this editorial aimed to review the role of FC and endoscopic scores in predicting MH in patients with IBD.Furthermore,we intend to present some evidence on the role of these markers in future targets,such as histological and transmural healing.Additional prospective multicenter studies with a stricter MH criterion,standardized endoscopic and histopathological analyses,and virtual chromoscopy,potentially including artificial intelligence and other biomarkers,are desired.

Biological factors driving colorectal cancer metastasis

Approximately 20%of colorectal cancer(CRC)patients present with metastasis at diagnosis.Among Stage I-III CRC patients who undergo surgical resection,18%typically suffer from distal metastasis within the first three years following initial treatment.The median survival duration after the diagnosis of metastatic CRC(mCRC)is only 9 mo.mCRC is traditionally considered to be an advanced stage malignancy or is thought to be caused by incomplete resection of tumor tissue,allowing cancer cells to spread from primary to distant organs;however,increa-sing evidence suggests that the mCRC process can begin early in tumor development.CRC patients present with high heterogeneity and diverse cancer phenotypes that are classified on the basis of molecular and morphological alterations.Different genomic and nongenomic events can induce subclone diversity,which leads to cancer and metastasis.Throughout the course of mCRC,metastatic cascades are associated with invasive cancer cell migration through the circulatory system,extravasation,distal seeding,dormancy,and reactivation,with each step requiring specific molecular functions.However,cancer cells presenting neoantigens can be recognized and eliminated by the immune system.In this review,we explain the biological factors that drive CRC metastasis,namely,genomic instability,epigenetic instability,the metastatic cascade,the cancer-immunity cycle,and external lifestyle factors.Despite remarkable progress in CRC research,the role of molecular classification in therapeutic intervention remains unclear.This review shows the driving factors of mCRC which may help in identifying potential candidate biomarkers that can improve the diagnosis and early detection of mCRC cases.

Sorl1 knockout inhibits expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor:involvement in the development of late-onset Alzheimer's disease

Sortilin-related receptor 1(SORL1)is a critical gene associated with late-onset Alzheimer’s disease.SORL1 contributes to the development and progression of this neurodegenerative condition by affecting the transport and metabolism of intracellularβ-amyloid precursor protein.To better understand the underlying mechanisms of SORL1 in the pathogenesis of late-onset Alzheimer s disease,in this study,we established a mouse model of SorI1 gene knockout using cluste red regularly inters paced short palindro mic repeats-associated protein 9 technology.We found that Sorl1-knocko ut mice displayed deficits in learning and memory.Furthermore,the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor was significantly downregulated in the hippocampus and co rtex,and amyloidβ-protein deposits were observed in the brains of 5orl1-knockout mice.In vitro,hippocampal neuronal cell synapses from homozygous Sorl1-knockout mice were impaired.The expression of synaptic proteins,including Drebrin and NR2B,was significantly reduced,and also their colocalization.Additionally,by knocking out the Sorl1 gene in N2a cells,we found that expression of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor,NR2B,and cyclic adenosine monophosphate-response element binding protein was also inhibited.These findings suggest that SORL1 participates in the pathogenesis of late-onset Alzheimer s disease by regulating the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor NR2B/cyclic adenosine monophosphate-response element binding protein signaling axis.