Editorial commentary on the special issue of CRISPR Trends in Biomedical Research

In 2012,the laboratories of Drs.Emmanuelle Charpentier and Jennifer Doudna reported the repurposing of a bacterial adaptive immune system,known as CRISPR,as a programmable,RNA guided DNA editing system in eukaryotic cells.Over the next 12 months,a tsunami of research papers emerged demonstrating the facile utilization of this newfound genome editing platform in a variety of cell types and animal models.Since 2013.

限制热量摄入6个月对超重者寿命指标、代谢调节及氧化应激的影响——随机对照试验AuthorAffiliations：PenningtonBiomedicalResearchCenter．LouisianaStateUniversity．BatonRouge；andGarvan．InstituteforMedicalResearch．Dadinghurst，AustraIia（DrHeilbronn）．

背景：长期限制热量摄入可延长啮齿类动物的寿命。但是，尚未有研究观测长期限制人体热量是否会影响其寿命及氧化应激指标，降低代谢率。 目的：在超重但不肥胖（体重指数为25—30）的人群中研究限制热量6个月伴／不伴运动对其产生的影响。 设计、地点及参试者：于2002年3月至2004年8月在位于路易斯安娜州首府巴顿鲁治的研究中心对48名不好动的健康人进行随机对照研究。 干预：参试者在6个月内随机分为4个组：对照组（饮食可维持体重）；限制热量组（限制基线所需能量的25％）；限制热量＋运动组（限制12．5％的热量＋运动增加12．5％的能耗）；极低热量饮食组（每日摄入890keal，直至体重减少15％，随后采用维持体重的饮食）。 主要观测指标：机体组成；硫酸脱氢表雄酮（dehydroepiandrostemne sulfate，DHEAS）、葡萄糖及胰岛素水平；蛋白羰基化合物；DNA损伤；24小时能耗；核心体温。 结果：6个月时各组体重变化的均值（标准误）为：对照组-1．0％（1．1％）；限制热量组-10．4％（0．9％）；限制热量＋运动组-10．0％（0．8％）；极低热量饮食组-13．9％（0．7％）。6个月时，各干预组空腹血糖水平较基线明显降低（P均〈0．01），而DHEAS和葡萄糖水平没有改变。限制热量组及限制热量＋运动组核心体温有所下降（P均〈0．05）。对机体组成进行校正后发现，对照组24小时静息能耗无变化，但限制热量组（-135kcal／d[42kcal／d]）、限制热量＋运动组（-117kcal／d[52kcal／d]）和极低热量饮食组（-125kcal／d[35kcal／d]）24小时静息能耗有所下降（P均〈0．008）。上述“代谢调节”（超出预计值的-6％）与对照组相比存在显著差异（P〈0．05）。6个月时，各组蛋白羰基化合物的浓度较基线时无变化，而各干预组DNA损伤有所减少（P〈0．005）。 结论：我们的研究结果显示，长期限制热量可降低人类寿命的2种指标（即空腹胰岛素水平和体温）。此外，我们的研究结果还支持下述理论，即限制热量能降低代谢率，且超过缩小代谢面积产生的相应效应。我们尚需开展远期研究来评价限制热量能否延缓人类衰老过程。

A perspective on causality assessment in epigenetic research on neurodegenerative disorders

Epigenetics refers to herita ble and reversible processes regulating gene expression that do not involve a change to the DNA sequence.Epigenetic modifications include DNA modifications(e.g.DNA methylation a nd hydroxymethyl at ion),histone modifications,and non-coding RNAs such as micro RNAs and long-coding RNAs(Holtzman and Gersbach.

Revisiting HPV infection pattern among urban Indonesian women in general population and its implication on health burden:A cross-sectional analysis from Indonesian Noncommunicable Disease Research 2016

Objective:To identify circulating HPV types among urban Indonesian women and their specific co-infection patterns in bid to curb HPV infection in the general population and minimize its complications.Methods:Urban Indonesian women from general population were selected as sample framework.Sample size and distribution across regions were determined by the Indonesian Bureau of Statistics(Badan Pusat Statistik,BPS),which represented the national level.Up to 35408 cervical swab specimens were collected from August to September 2016 in 34 Indonesian provinces,categorized into six regions based on the development criteria set by the Ministry of National Development Planning(Badan Perencanaan Pembangunan Nasional,BAPPENAS).From all 1874 samples identified as HPV-positive,hybrid capture was implemented to evaluate type-specific HPV.This study analyzed descriptive data to determine the core-cluster of HPV combination.Co-occurrence HPV network was assessed using‘qgraph’package version 1.6.3 and computed in R version 3.6.3.Two-HPV association was analyzed in logistic regression using bias-reduction generalized linear model(brglm2)package version 0.5.1 adjusted by age and six main Indonesian regions.Results:The logistic regression analysis demonstrated that HPV type 52 had rare relationship despite its common co-occurrence,cementing its role in single HPV infection.HPV type 16 and 18 tended to form infection cluster and were strongly associated with other types.Conclusions:HPV type 52 was the most frequent HPV type among urban Indonesian women and accounted for most single infection cases.Concurrently,HPV 16 and HPV 18 accounted for most multiple infection cases and had strong tendency to attract other types,which may add further complications.However,due to lack of cytology and histological examination and information for other potential determinants,further in-depth studies are necessary to confirm whether these infection patterns truly connect to certain clinical outcomes.

Cell reprogramming therapy for Parkinson’s disease

Parkinson’s disease is typically characterized by the progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta.Many studies have been performed based on the supplementation of lost dopaminergic neurons to treat Parkinson’s disease.The initial strategy for cell replacement therapy used human fetal ventral midbrain and human embryonic stem cells to treat Parkinson’s disease,which could substantially alleviate the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease in clinical practice.However,ethical issues and tumor formation were limitations of its clinical application.Induced pluripotent stem cells can be acquired without sacrificing human embryos,which eliminates the huge ethical barriers of human stem cell therapy.Another widely considered neuronal regeneration strategy is to directly reprogram fibroblasts and astrocytes into neurons,without the need for intermediate proliferation states,thus avoiding issues of immune rejection and tumor formation.Both induced pluripotent stem cells and direct reprogramming of lineage cells have shown promising results in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease.However,there are also ethical concerns and the risk of tumor formation that need to be addressed.This review highlights the current application status of cell reprogramming in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease,focusing on the use of induced pluripotent stem cells in cell replacement therapy,including preclinical animal models and progress in clinical research.The review also discusses the advancements in direct reprogramming of lineage cells in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease,as well as the controversy surrounding in vivo reprogramming.These findings suggest that cell reprogramming may hold great promise as a potential strategy for treating Parkinson’s disease.

Loss of SHROOM3 affects neuroepithelial cell shape through regulating cytoskeleton proteins in cynomolgus monkey organoids

Neural tube defects(NTDs)are severe congenital neurodevelopmental disorders arising from incomplete neural tube closure.Although folate supplementation has been shown to mitigate the incidence of NTDs,some cases,often attributable to genetic factors,remain unpreventable.The SHROOM3 gene has been implicated in NTD cases that are unresponsive to folate supplementation;at present,however,the underlying mechanism remains unclear.Neural tube morphogenesis is a complex process involving the folding of the planar epithelium of the neural plate.To determine the role of SHROOM3 in early developmental morphogenesis,we established a neuroepithelial organoid culture system derived from cynomolgus monkeys to closely mimic the in vivo neural plate phase.Loss of SHROOM3 resulted in shorter neuroepithelial cells and smaller nuclei.These morphological changes were attributed to the insufficient recruitment of cytoskeletal proteins,namely fibrous actin(F-actin),myosin II,and phospho-myosin light chain(PMLC),to the apical side of the neuroepithelial cells.Notably,these defects were not rescued by folate supplementation.RNA sequencing revealed that differentially expressed genes were enriched in biological processes associated with cellular and organ morphogenesis.In summary,we established an authentic in vitro system to study NTDs and identified a novel mechanism for NTDs that are unresponsive to folate supplementation.

MicroRNA-146a-loaded magnesium silicate nanospheres promote bone regeneration in an inflammatory microenvironment

Reconstruction of irregular oral-maxillofacial bone defects with an inflammatory microenvironment remains a challenge,as chronic local inflammation can largely impair bone healing.Here,we used magnesium silicate nanospheres(MSNs)to load microRNA-146a-5p(miR-146a)to fabricate a nanobiomaterial,MSN+miR-146a,which showed synergistic promoting effects on the osteogenic differentiation of human dental pulp stem cells(hDPSCs).In addition,miR-146a exhibited an anti-inflammatory effect on mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages(BMMs)under lipopolysaccharide(LPS)stimulation by inhibiting the NF-κB pathway via targeting tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6(TRAF6),and MSNs could simultaneously promote M2 polarization of BMMs.MiR-146a was also found to inhibit osteoclast formation.Finally,the dual osteogenic-promoting and immunoregulatory effects of MSN+miR-146a were further validated in a stimulated infected mouse mandibular bone defect model via delivery by a photocuring hydrogel.Collectively,the MSN+miR-146a complex revealed good potential in treating inflammatory irregular oralmaxillofacial bone defects.

Removal of intrahepatic bile duct stone could reduce the risk of cholangiocarcinoma: A single-center retrospective study in South Korea

BACKGROUND Intrahepatic duct(IHD)stones are among the most important risk factors for cholangiocarcinoma(CCC).Approximately 10%of patients with IHD stones develop CCC;however,there are limited studies regarding the effect of IHD stone removal on CCC development.AIM To investigate the association between IHD stone removal and CCC development.METHODS We retrospectively analyzed 397 patients with IHD stones at a tertiary referral center between January 2011 and December 2020.RESULTS CCC occurred in 36 of the 397 enrolled patients.In univariate analysis,chronic hepatitis B infection(11.1%vs 3.0%,P=0.03),carbohydrate antigen 19-9(CA19-9,176.00 vs 11.96 II/mL,P=0.010),stone located in left or both lobes(86.1%vs 70.1%,P=0.042),focal atrophy(52.8%vs 26.9%,P=0.001),duct stricture(47.2%vs 24.9%,P=0.004),and removal status of IHD stone(33.3%vs 63.2%,P<0.001)were significantly different between IHD stone patients with and without CCC.In the multivariate analysis,CA19-9>upper normal limit,carcinoembryonic antigen>upper normal limit,stones located in the left or both lobes,focal atrophy,and complete removal of IHD stones without recurrence were independent factors influencing CCC development.However,the type of removal method was not associated with CCC risk.CONCLUSION Complete removal of IHD stones without recurrence could reduce CCC risk.

2024 Adult Compendium of Physical Activities:A third update of the energy costs of human activities

Background:The Compendium of Physical Activities was published in 1993 to improve the comparability of energy expenditure values assigned to self-reported physical activity(PA)across studies.The original version was updated in 2000,and again in 2011,and has been widely used to support PA research,practice,and public health guidelines.Methods:This 2024 update was tailored for adults 19-59 years of age by removing data from those≥60 years.Using a systematic review and supplementary searches,we identified new activities and their associated measured metabolic equivalent(MET)values(using indirect calorimetry)published since 2011.We replaced estimated METs with measured values when possible.Results:We screened 32,173 abstracts and 1507 full-text papers and extracted 2356 PA energy expenditure values from 701 papers.We added303 new PAs and adjusted 176 existing MET values and descriptions to reflect the addition of new data and removal of METs for older adults.We added a Major Heading(Video Games).The 2024 Adult Compendium includes 1114 PAs(912 with measured and 202 with estimated values)across 22 Major Headings.Conclusion:This comprehensive update and refinement led to the creation of The 2024 Adult Compendium,which has utility across research,public health,education,and healthcare domains,as well as in the development of consumer health technologies.The new website with the complete lists of PAs and supporting resources is available at https://pacompendium.com.

Older Adult Compendium of Physical Activities:Energy costs of human activities in adults aged 60 and older

Purpose:To describe the development of a Compendium for estimating the energy costs of activities in adults>60 years(OA Compendium).Methods:Physical activities(PAs)and their metabolic equivalent of task(MET)values were obtained from a systematic search of studies published in 4 sport and exercise databases(PubMed,Embase,SPORTDiscus(EBSCOhost),and Scopus)and a review of articles included in the 2011 Adult Compendium that measured PA in older adults.MET values were computed as the oxygen cost(VO_(2),mL/kg/min)during PA divided by 2.7 m L/kg/min(MET_(60+))to account for the lower resting metabolic rate in older adults.Results:We identified 68 articles and extracted energy expenditure data on 427 PAs.From these,we derived 99 unique Specific Activity codes with corresponding MET_(60+)values for older adults.We developed a website to present the OA Compendium MET_(60+)values:https://pacompendium.com.Conclusion:The OA Compendium uses data collected from adults>60 years for more accurate estimation of the energy cost of PAs in older adults.It is an accessible resource that will allow researchers,educators,and practitioners to find MET_(60+)values for older adults for use in PA research and practice.

Machine learning with active pharmaceutical ingredient/polymer interaction mechanism:Prediction for complex phase behaviors of pharmaceuticals and formulations

The high throughput prediction of the thermodynamic phase behavior of active pharmaceutical ingredients(APIs)with pharmaceutically relevant excipients remains a major scientific challenge in the screening of pharmaceutical formulations.In this work,a developed machine-learning model efficiently predicts the solubility of APIs in polymers by learning the phase equilibrium principle and using a few molecular descriptors.Under the few-shot learning framework,thermodynamic theory(perturbed-chain statistical associating fluid theory)was used for data augmentation,and computational chemistry was applied for molecular descriptors'screening.The results showed that the developed machine-learning model can predict the API-polymer phase diagram accurately,broaden the solubility data of APIs in polymers,and reproduce the relationship between API solubility and the interaction mechanisms between API and polymer successfully,which provided efficient guidance for the development of pharmaceutical formulations.

Photocatalytic activation of sulfite by N-doped porous biochar/MnFe_(2)O_(4) interface-driven catalyst for efficient degradation of tetracycline

A novel photo-catalytic system composed of N-doped biochars(NBCs),MnFe_(2)O_(4) and sulfite activation under ultraviolet(NBCs/MnFe_(2)O_(4)/sulfite/UV)was constructed to realize the efficient eliminate of tetracycline(TC).As the carrier of MnFe_(2)O_(4),NBCs were synthesized from alfalfa,which has large specific surface area,graphite like structure and hierarchical porous structure.The adsorption isotherm indicated that NBCs/MnFe_(2)O_(4)-2:1 had the best adsorption performance for TC(347.56 mg g^(-1)).Through synergistic adsorption and photocatalysis,the removal rate of TC reached 84%,which was significantly higher than that of MnFe_(2)O_(4).Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy(EIS)and Photoluminescence(PL)characterization results showed that the introduction of NBCs improved the separation efficiency of photogenerated electron and hole pairs and enhanced the photocatalytic performance.Moreover,the adsorption,degradation mechanism and degradation path of TC by the catalyst were systematically analyzed by coupling HPLC–MS measurement with the theoretical calculation.Considering the advantages of excellent degradation performance,low cost,easy separation and environmental friendliness of NBCs/MnFe_(2)O_(4),this work was expected to provide a new path for the practical application of biochar.

Glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor activation:anti-inflammatory effects in the brain

The glucagon-like peptide 1 is a pleiotropic hormone that has potent insulinotropic effects and is key in treating metabolic diseases such as diabetes and obesity.Glucagon-like peptide 1 exerts its effects by activating a membrane receptor identified in many tissues,including diffe rent brain regions.Glucagon-like peptide 1 activates several signaling pathways related to neuroprotection,like the support of cell growth/survival,enhancement promotion of synapse formation,autophagy,and inhibition of the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines,microglial activation,and apoptosis during neural morphogenesis.The glial cells,including astrocytes and microglia,maintain metabolic homeostasis and defe nse against pathogens in the central nervous system.After brain insult,microglia are the first cells to respond,followed by reactive astrocytosis.These activated cells produce proinflammato ry mediators like cytokines or chemokines to react to the insult.Furthermore,under these circumstances,mic roglia can become chro nically inflammatory by losing their homeostatic molecular signature and,consequently,their functions during many diseases.Several processes promote the development of neurological disorders and influence their pathological evolution:like the formation of protein aggregates,the accumulation of abnormally modified cellular constituents,the formation and release by injured neurons or synapses of molecules that can dampen neural function,and,of critical impo rtance,the dysregulation of inflammato ry control mechanisms.The glucagonlike peptide 1 receptor agonist emerges as a critical tool in treating brain-related inflammatory pathologies,restoring brain cell homeostasis under inflammatory conditions,modulating mic roglia activity,and decreasing the inflammato ry response.This review summarizes recent advances linked to the anti-inflammato ry prope rties of glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor activation in the brain related to multiple sclerosis,Alzheimer’s disease,Parkinson’s disease,vascular dementia,or chronic migraine.

Circadian rhythm disruption and retinal dysfunction:a bidirectional link in Alzheimer’s disease?

Dysfunction in circadian rhythms is a common occurrence in patients with Alzheimer’s disease.A predominant function of the retina is circadian synchronization,carrying information to the brain through the retinohypothalamic tract,which projects to the suprachiasmatic nucleus.Notably,Alzheimer’s disease hallmarks,including amyloid-β,are present in the retinas of Alzheimer’s disease patients,followed/associated by structural and functional disturbances.However,the mechanistic link between circadian dysfunction and the pathological changes affecting the retina in Alzheimer’s disease is not fully understood,although some studies point to the possibility that retinal dysfunction could be considered an early pathological process that directly modulates the circadian rhythm.

Survival benefit of concurrent chemoradiotherapy for advanced ampulla of Vater cancer

BACKGROUND Currently,there is no standard adjuvant therapy for patients with resected ampulla of Vater(AoV)cancer.AIM To evaluate the effectiveness of adjuvant concurrent chemoradiotherapy(CCRT)in patients with advanced AoV cancer who underwent curative resection.METHODS This single-centered,retrospective study included 29 patients with advanced AoV cancer who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy between 2006 and 2018.The impact of CCRT on advanced AoV cancer was analyzed.RESULTS The 1-,3-,and 5-yr recurrence-free survival(RFS)rates for patients with advanced AoV cancer were 82.8%,48.3%,and 40.8%,respectively,and the overall survival(OS)rates were 89.7%,62.1%,and 51.7%,respectively.Lymphovas-cular invasion was found to be a significant risk factor for RFS and OS in patients with advanced AoV cancer in the univariate analysis,whereas T stage and lymph node metastasis were significantly associated with OS in the multivariate analysis.Compared to the patients who did not receive adjuvant CCRT,those who received adjuvant CCRT did not show statistically significant improvements in the RFS and OS,although they had a significantly lower average age and significantly higher platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio.CONCLUSION Adjuvant CCRT did not improve survival outcomes in patients with advanced AoV cancer.These findings contribute to existing knowledge on the effectiveness of CCRT in this patient population and provide important insights for clinical decision-making.

Anti-amyloid antibodies in Alzheimer’s disease: what did clinical trials teach us?

Although many causes of Alzheimer’s disease(AD)may exist,both the original amyloid cascade and tau hypotheses posit that abnormal misfolding and accumulation of amyloid-β(Aβ)and tau protein is the central event causing the pathology.However,that conclusion could be only partly true,and there is conflicting evidence about the role of both proteins in AD,being able to precede and influence one another.Some researchers argue that these proteins are mere executors rather than primary causes of pathology.Therefore,there have been continuing refinements of both hypotheses,with alternative explanations proposed.Aβand tau proteins may be independently involved in specific neurotoxic pathways;yet there may be other crucial processes going on in early AD.Moreover,accumulating evidence suggests that Aβand tau act synergistically,rather than additively in disease onset(Jeremic et al.,2021,2023a).

Oncostatin M:a love-hate relationship in neuroinflammation

Oncostatin M and multiple sclerosis:Every 5minutes,someone in the world is diagnosed with multiple sclerosis(MS),a chronic inflammatory and degenerative disease of the central nervous system(CNS).MS appears in unpredictable episodes of symptoms,which are highly patient-dependent,but often include visual impairment,muscle weakness/spasms,fatigue,cognitive difficulties,and bladder.bowel.or sexual dysfunction.

Metabolic disorders in prediabetes:From mechanisms to therapeutic management

Diabetes,one of the world's top ten diseases,is known for its high mortality and complication rates and low cure rate.Prediabetes precedes the onset of diabetes,during which effective treatment can reduce diabetes risk.Prediabetes risk factors include high-calorie and high-fat diets,sedentary lifestyles,and stress.Consequences may include considerable damage to vital organs,including the retina,liver,and kidneys.Interventions for treating prediabetes include a healthy lifestyle diet and pharmacological treatments.However,while these options are effective in the short term,they may fail due to the difficulty of long-term implementation.Medications may also be used to treat prediabetes.This review examines prediabetic treatments,particularly metformin,glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists,sodium glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors,vitamin D,and herbal medicines.Given the remarkable impact of prediabetes on the progression of diabetes mellitus,it is crucial to intervene promptly and effectively to regulate prediabetes.However,the current body of research on prediabetes is limited,and there is considerable confusion surrounding clinically relevant medications.This paper aims to provide a comprehensive summary of the pathogenesis of prediabetes mellitus and its associated therapeutic drugs.The ultimate goal is to facilitate the clinical utilization of medications and achieve efficient and timely control of diabetes mellitus.

Machine learning in liver surgery:Benefits and pitfalls

The application of machine learning(ML)algorithms in various fields of hepatology is an issue of interest.However,we must be cautious with the results.In this letter,based on a published ML prediction model for acute kidney injury after liver surgery,we discuss some limitations of ML models and how they may be addressed in the future.Although the future faces significant challenges,it also holds a great potential.

Iron regulatory protein 1: the deadly switch of ferroptosis

Ferroptosis,an iron-dependent cell death:Ferroptosis is a type of regulated necrosis,characterized by redox-active iron accumulation and increased free radical production derived by Fenton chemistry,that triggers oxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids in phospholipids,loss of cellular membranes integrity,and leakage of intracellular contents.