Biomedical subjects

Li Zhang

Publications and source records attributed to Li Zhang.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2026

Clinical and genetic analysis of a family with 16p11.2 microduplication syndrome and variable multisystem manifestations.

16p11.2 microduplication syndrome (OMIM #614671) is a pathogenic recurrent copy-number gain at the 16p11.2 locus and is associated with variable expressivity across neurodevelopmental, growth, and medical phenotypes. Gastrointestinal symptoms have been reported in carrier cohorts, but detailed documentation of gastrointestinal motility and neuromuscular findings remains limited. We performed clinical and genetic analyses in a multigenerational family in which the proband (III1) presented with limb muscle pain, exercise intolerance, and chronic gastrointestinal symptoms. Next-generation sequencing (NGS), low-pass whole-genome sequencing (lpWGS)-based CNV analysis, Sanger sequencing, and qPCR validation identified a 0.8 Mb microduplication at 16p11.2 (BP4-BP5), involving 44 genes including TBX6, inherited from the mother (II2). The proband's clinical manifestations included developmental delay, pointed chin, low body mass index, gastrointestinal dysfunction (chronic abdominal pain, diarrhea, esophageal motility disorder, and rectal prolapse), forward-leaning gait, mild scoliosis, and limb muscle atrophy with inflammatory muscle involvement. Four family members (II2, III1, III2, and III4) carried the microduplication, but their available clinical features varied in severity and system involvement. The proband's twin brother (III2) had left ear deafness and epilepsy, individual II2 had blindness from cone-rod dystrophy, and III4 showed more pronounced scoliosis. This family provides a detailed clinical and genetic description of 16p11.2 microduplication carriers with prominent gastrointestinal motility and neuromuscular manifestations, thereby enriching the clinical characterization of this recurrent CNV and supporting substantial intrafamilial phenotypic heterogeneity.

16p11.2 microduplication syndrome↗

PubMed2026

Osimertinib With or Without Chemotherapy in Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer With EGFR and Concurrent TP53 Mutations: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

IMPORTANCE: Combination therapy has emerged as a promising therapeutic approach for patients with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-mutated non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, its clinical benefit-risk profile remains a focus of ongoing debate. Identifying patients most likely to derive benefit from such regimens remains an unmet clinical need. OBJECTIVE: To prospectively compare the efficacy and safety of first-line osimertinib plus chemotherapy with osimertinib monotherapy for patients with EGFR-mutated advanced NSCLC harboring concurrent TP53 mutations. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: A multicenter, randomized, open-label, phase 3 study conducted at 17 sites in China. Between March 25, 2021, and July 11, 2024, a total of 294 eligible patients with treatment-naive, stage IV or recurrent nonsquamous NSCLC harboring concurrent TP53 and EGFR-sensitizing mutations were enrolled. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were randomized (1:1) to receive osimertinib plus chemotherapy (pemetrexed and carboplatin every 3 weeks for 4 cycles, followed by maintenance therapy of osimertinib plus pemetrexed; n = 146) or osimertinib monotherapy (n = 148). MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: The primary end point was investigator-assessed progression-free survival. Secondary end points included overall survival, response, safety, and quality of life. RESULTS: Among 294 enrolled patients, the median age was 57 years (range, 26-79 years), and 159 (54.1%) were female. The data cutoff date was November 11, 2025. At a median follow-up of 25.1 months for the osimertinib-chemotherapy group and 26.1 months for the osimertinib monotherapy group, median progression-free survival was significantly longer with osimertinib plus chemotherapy than with osimertinib monotherapy (34.0 vs 15.6 months; difference, 18.4 months [95% CI, 9.9-22.3]; hazard ratio, 0.44 [95% CI, 0.32-0.60]; P < .001). This benefit was consistent across prespecified subgroups, including those with brain metastases and L858R mutations. The overall survival data remained immature (30.6% maturity); however, a trend toward overall survival benefit with combination therapy was observed. The incidence of grade 3 or higher treatment-related adverse events was higher in the combination group, with no new safety signal identified. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: In this randomized clinical trial, osimertinib plus chemotherapy significantly increased progression-free survival among patients with EGFR-mutated advanced NSCLC harboring concurrent TP53 mutations. These findings provided a clinical rationale for individualized combination strategies in the management of patients with EGFR-mutated NSCLC. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04695925.

Adult↗

PubMed2026

Serum Proteomic Profiling Reveals Renin-Associated Immune and Cytoskeletal Dysregulation in Post-COVID-19 Condition Patients with Secondary Adrenal Insufficiency.

Post-COVID-19 condition (PCC) with secondary adrenal insufficiency (SAI) involves multiorgan dysfunction, potentially linked to renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system dysregulation. The molecular basis of renin-associated pathology remains unclear. Here, PCC+SAI patients were stratified by upright renin into low- (<38.8 pg/mL) and high-renin (≥38.8 pg/mL) groups. Clinical, endocrine, and proteomic analyses were performed. We found that high-renin patients showed increased BMI, lipids, renin, and aldosterone, but reduced aldosterone-to-renin ratio. Proteomic annalysis identified 20 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs), including 17 upregulated and 3 downregulated proteins in Ren-H patients. Functional annotation revealed that 15 DEPs were immune-related (e.g., APOC4, APOE, C4BPA, CFAH, CFHR3, PF4V, PLF4), while FLNA and COF1 represented cytoskeletal proteins. These DEPs were primarily involved in immune response, complement and coagulation cascades, and MAPK signaling pathways. Correlation analyses indicated that upright renin was positively correlated with complement-related proteins and platelet-derived immune factors, while cytoskeletal proteins (FLNA, COF1) showed positive associations with serum Na+ levels. Additionally, white blood cell and platelet counts were positively correlated with the majority of DEPs. In conclusion, exploratory proteomic analyses suggest that elevated upright renin in PCC+SAI may be associated with immune dysregulation, complement activation, and cytoskeletal remodeling, offering novel insights into the endocrine-immune interactions driving postviral sequelae.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Age as a core disease modifier: Distinct clinical, molecular and prognostic landscapes of essential thrombocythaemia in adolescents and young adults.

Essential thrombocythaemia (ET) in adolescents and young adults (AYA, 15-39 years) is a distinct entity with an incompletely defined prognosis. In this multicentre retrospective study, 1728 ET patients from 29 centres across China were stratified into AYA (n = 328) and non-AYA (≥40 years, n = 1400) cohorts. We compared their clinical profiles, genomic landscapes, long-term outcomes and risk factors for progression to post-ET myelofibrosis (MF). AYA patients had fewer cardiovascular risks and lower thrombosis rates, but higher rates of extreme thrombocytosis. Molecularly, AYA patients were enriched for calreticulin (CALR) mutations, whereas Janus kinase 2 (JAK2) predominated in older patients. The burden of non-driver mutations (tet methylcytosine dioxygenase 2 [TET2], DNA methyltransferase 3A [DNMT3A], ASXL transcriptional regulator 1 [ASXL1], SH2‑B adaptor protein 3 [SH2B3]) was lower in AYA patients. Consequently, AYA patients achieved superior long-term outcomes across all key survival endpoints, including overall, myelofibrosis-free and leukaemia-free survival. Analysis of post-ET MF progression risks identified age-specific patterns: CALR mutations are enriched in younger patients and show an age-specific association with MF progression. AYA-ET constitutes a unique clinicomolecular subtype with a favourable prognosis, supporting age-stratified management. The enrichment of CALR mutations and their specific link to MF progression in young patients underscore the urgent need for targeted therapies against CALR-mutant clones.

adolescents and young adults (AYA)↗

PubMed2026

Standardization Challenges in Glycated Albumin Measurement: Methodological Heterogeneity and Quantification Discrepancies.

BACKGROUND: Glycated albumin (GA) is a valuable biomarker for monitoring glycemic status. However, measurement standardization is challenged by methodological heterogeneity, where different analytical principles and target measurands cause quantification discrepancies. This study systematically compared prevailing methodologies to identify a robust reference measurement procedure for widespread standardization. METHODS: We compared a targeted bottom-up proteomics method (ID-LC-MS/MS) with an enzymatic assay and the Japan Society of Clinical Chemistry (JSCC) reference method. A cohort of 129 donor serum specimens and certified reference materials (JCCRM-611) were analyzed to assess methodological comparability. Furthermore, GA concentration-dependent glycation kinetics at the Lys-525 site of albumin was examined. RESULTS: The optimized targeted bottom-up proteomics method showed a strong correlation (r = 0.986) with both the enzymatic assay and JSCC reference method. However, a progressively increasing negative systematic bias was observed at higher GA levels, confirming that Lys-525 underestimates GA at higher levels. In addition, with increasing overall GA concentration, the glycation ratio at the Lys-525 site consistently declined compared to the total glycated lysine residues. CONCLUSIONS: The standardization of GA measurements requires a precise, universally accepted definition to address analytical discrepancies. The present results indicate that quantification targeting all glycated lysine residues (as in the JSCC method) aligns more closely with biologically relevant GA values than site-specific measurement at Lys-525, which shows greater bias at higher concentrations. Therefore, further GA standardization would focus on adopting total glycated lysine residues on albumin as the preferred measurand definition, to improve detection accuracy and clinical comparability.

Serum Albumin↗

PubMed2026

Natural Selection Drives Codon Usage Bias in the Mitochondrial Genome of Ligula intestinalis (Linnaeus, 1758) Gmelin, 1790 (Cestoda: Diphyllobothriidea): Insights from Comparative Genomics and Optimal Codon Identification.

Codon usage bias (CUB) is a useful indicator of evolutionary forces shaping mitochondrial genomes. Codon usage bias in mitochondrial genomes of Diphyllobothriidae and especially in Ligula intestinalis was characterized. The roles of natural selection and mutation pressure in framing this bias were evaluated on the basis of 12 protein-coding genes in Diphyllobothriidae. The complete mitogenome (13,725 bp) of L. intestinalis comprises 12 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 tRNAs, and two rRNAs, all positioned on the heavy strand, and contains an overall AT content of 66.15%. The mean CAI (0.176), CBI (-0.105), and ENC (45.33) and an evident preference for U-ending codons observed in all examined genes indicate weak CUB. Neutrality, ENC, and PR2 plots consistently demonstrate that natural selection is the predominant force driving CUB and contributes approximately 56% in L. intestinalis and 83% in other Diphyllobothriidea species, with mutation pressure playing a secondary role. Phylogenetic reconstruction supported the monophyly of Diphyllobothriidea, confirmed the paraphyly of Diphyllobothrium as traditionally defined, and placed Ligula and Digramma as sister taxa. These findings clarify the evolutionary constraints governing codon usage in cestode mitogenomes and provide practical resources for codon optimization in heterologous gene expression and genetic studies of this economically important parasite.

Diphyllobothriidea↗

PubMed2026

Genomic and transcriptomic features of HBV integration in treatment-naïve, HBeAg-positive children with chronic HBV infection.

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) integration represents a major obstacle to curing HBV; however, the landscape of HBV integration and local immune response to transcriptionally active viral integration in children with chronic HBV infection remain unclear. Herein, we aimed to elucidate this landscape in this population. METHODS: Genomic analyses using a probe-based capture strategy were performed on 18 children and 28 adults with chronic HBV infection. Spatial transcriptomics (ST) was performed on 12 children from our cohort and 3 adults from a public database. FINDINGS: All patients were hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive and treatment-naïve. Genomically, children exhibited significantly lower clonal expansion level of HBV-integrated hepatocytes than adults, despite comparable unique breakpoint counts. After adjusting for confounding variables, age was identified as an independent risk factor for total frequency of unique integration breakpoints (b = 3.22, P = 0.005). Spatially, ST revealed that spots with transcriptionally active viral integration exhibited a sparse distribution and accounted for a low proportion of all spots in children. Notably, at these spots, children showed reduced adaptive immune cells (e.g., CD8+ T cells) but increased innate components (myeloid cells, Kupffer cells, activated dendritic cells) and APC co-stimulation, whereas adults exhibited a uniform reduction of immune cell populations. INTERPRETATION: Compared with adults, children exhibit lower clonal expansion of HBV-integrated hepatocytes and distinct immune profiles in response to transcriptionally active viral integration, offering new insights into their differing clinical course. FUNDING: Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Infectious Diseases (Ministry of Education).

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Dynamic effects of short-term storage temperature and duration on the transcriptome and functional pathways of umbilical cord blood-derived NK cells.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to elucidate the dynamic impact of different storage conditions (temperature and time) on the function of natural killer (NK) cells derived from umbilical cord blood (UCB) at the transcriptome level, providing a theoretical basis for optimizing the standardized post-collection processing protocol of UCB in clinical settings. METHODS: Four healthy full-term UCB samples were collected and assigned to a fresh control group (0H) and experimental groups stored at 4 °C (4C) or 25 °C (RT) for 24 h (24H) and 72 h (72H). Umbilical cord blood mononuclear cells (CBMCs) were isolated and expanded in vitro to derive NK cells. Using RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) technology, combined with principal component analysis (PCA), screening of differentially expressed genes (DEGs), Gene Ontology (GO), and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses, the effects of storage conditions on the transcriptome of NK cells were comprehensively analyzed. RESULTS: The results indicated that storage time was the primary factor causing transcriptomic differences. Compared to the 0H group, storage for 24 h induced a limited number of Differentially Expressed Genes (DEGs) (only 11 in the 24H-RT group), indicating overall transcriptome stability. In contrast, storage for 72 h triggered profound transcriptomic reprogramming, with DEGs significantly enriched in immune activation-related pathways. Specifically, at the 72-h time point, storage at 4 °C compared to 25 °C prevented the downregulation of key metabolic pathways such as 'response to decreased oxygen levels' and 'regulation of leukocyte cell-cell adhesion'. CONCLUSION: CBMC-derived NK cells can tolerate up to 24 h of ex vivo storage while maintaining transcriptome and core functional stability. However, extending the ex vivo storage period to 72 h leads to significant reprogramming in the expression of immune and metabolism-related genes. Notably, the degree of metabolic suppression under refrigerated conditions at 4 °C was less pronounced than that at 25 °C room temperature storage. This study recommends that the ex vivo storage time of UCB should ideally be limited to within 24 h, with room temperature storage being a viable option. If prolonged storage is necessary, refrigeration at 4 °C is advised.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Genome-Wide Identification of SSR and InDel Markers and Experimental Validation of SSR Markers for Distinguishing Cold-Tolerant and Cold-Sensitive Lily Cultivars.

In this study, whole-genome resequencing was performed on the cold-tolerant variety ND-6 and the cold-sensitive variety 'Sorbonne'. After evaluation, the Lilium davidii var. unicolor reference genome was selected to analyze SSR distribution characteristics. Whole-genome InDel identification and comparative analysis were conducted for the two varieties, yielding 34,812,909 and 24,497,857 InDels, respectively. Short InDels were predominant, with deletions slightly outnumbering insertions, mostly located in intergenic regions. Twenty pairs of SSR primers were screened and synthesized. Among them, 10 pairs amplified clearly, with a polymorphism rate of 82.6%, effectively distinguishing the two cultivars examined in this study. This study provides systematic data and a reliable marker resource for the analysis of lily genomic variation, laying a foundation for the identification of cold-tolerant germplasm; validation across additional cultivars and individuals will be required to extend their utility to broader germplasm.

cold resistant lilies↗

PubMed2026

Genetic Association of the Transcriptome and Immunoglobulin G N-glycome with Cognitive Function.

OBJECTIVE: Immunoglobulin G (IgG) N-glycosylation is associated with mild cognitive impairment through the regulation of inflammatory balance; however, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. METHODS: Our study utilized a post-genome-wide association studies (GWAS) method that integrated GWAS data for cognitive function with gene expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL), protein QTL (pQTL), and IgG N-glycan-QTL data. RESULTS: Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses suggested bidirectional causalities between glycan peaks (GPs) and cognitive function, with GP7, GP12, and GP19 showing a causal effect on cognitive function, while cognitive function conversely showed a causal effect on GP1 and GP8. Two proteins and 10 genes were implicated in the regulation of IgG N-glycosylation. Furthermore, multivariable MR results suggested complex causalities between genes/proteins and IgG N-glycans, which jointly promote or independently affect cognitive function. CONCLUSION: Our study reveals a novel mechanism by which genes, proteins, and modified IgG N-glycans converge to pathologically affect cognitive function.

Immunoglobulin G↗

PubMed2026

Systematic mining and characterization of metal transporter families regulating zinc homeostasis provide insights into metal homeostasis in Camellia sinensis.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Zinc is essential for tea plant growth and quality formation, yet its homeostatic mechanisms remain poorly understood. This study identified metal transporter families regulating zinc homeostasis, analyzed their evolution, structure, and expression, and clarified zinc uptake, transport, detoxification networks, and their links to metabolism. METHODS: This study identified zinc homeostasis-related metal transporter families in the tea plant genome, characterized their structural features and expression profiles across tissues and developmental stages through integrative bioinformatics and transcriptomic analyses, and delineated the molecular mechanisms underlying zinc uptake, translocation, and detoxification by systematically integrating published evidence. RESULTS: This study identified 74 metal transporter genes from six families: 13 CsZIPs, 12 CsNRAMPs, 10 CsHMAs, 10 CsYSLs, 14 CsMTPs, and 15 CsCAXs in the 'Shuchazao2' genome, revealing closer affinity to woody species than to Arabidopsis. These proteins exhibit conserved domains, diverse subcellular localizations (cell membrane, vacuole, chloroplast, and Golgi apparatus), and tissue-specific expression with abundant stress/hormone-responsive cis-elements. At the plant-soil interface, tea plants mobilize rhizospheric zinc via proton and organic acid secretion; CsYSLs, CsNRAMPs, and CsZIPs mediate zinc uptake, aided by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) that expand root absorption zones. Xylem CsHMAs and phloem CsYSLs coordinate root-to-shoot zinc translocation, and vacuolar transporters (CsMTPs, CsCAXs), cell wall immobilization, and antioxidant systems alleviate high-zinc stress injury. CONCLUSIONS: These findings collectively delineate an integrated zinc "acquisition-distribution-buffering" network in tea plants, offering a repertoire of candidate genes with potential utility in zinc biofortification breeding and improving acid soil adaptation. Further experimental validation, including tea transgenesis, zinc-stress qRT-PCR, and heterologous functional complementation, is essential to substantiate their biological roles.

Camellia sinensis↗

PubMed2026

The impact of EGFR subtype combined with TP53 co-mutation status on survival outcomes with front-line osimertinib in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

BACKGROUND: Osimertinib is a standard therapy for EGFR-mutant NSCLC. However, markers to better identify those at risk for poor outcomes are needed. This is the largest study to date evaluating the impact of EGFR subtype combined with TP53 co-mutation status on survival endpoints with front-line osimertinib. METHODS: Patients from a U.S. clinical-genomic database with advanced EGFR-mutant NSCLC receiving front-line osimertinib were studied. Real-world progression-free survival (rwPFS) and overall survival (OS) were determined using Kaplan-Meier methods, and multivariable Cox regression compared outcomes after accounting for relevant clinical covariates. RESULTS: Of 606 patients, 277 (46%) had EGFR L858R, 384 (63%) had TP53 co-mutations, and 186 (30.7%) had both. Bearing L858R vs. exon 19 deletions (rwPFS: hazard ratio [HR] 1.4, P = 0.001; OS: HR 1.3, P = 0.01) or a TP53 co-mutation vs. wildtype (rwPFS: HR 1.5, P < 0.001; OS: HR 1.6, P < 0.001) predicted inferior outcomes. Especially short median rwPFS (10.1 vs. 21.4 months, HR 2.2, P < 0.001) and OS (21.3 vs. 53.4 months, HR 2.3, P < 0.001) were observed in patients with both markers (L858R/TP53-mutant) as compared to neither (exon 19 deletion/TP53-wildtype). CONCLUSIONS: Having EGFR L858R or a TP53 co-mutation were independent predictors of inferior rwPFS and OS with front-line osimertinib. Patients with both unfavorable alterations had the shortest survival. Risk stratifying using a combination of these markers can assist in identifying patients for novel trials or approved intensified therapies.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Reprogramming of TLR-Ferroptosis Signaling and Immunometabolic Pathways Overcomes Myeloid Suppression to Improve Checkpoint Blockade in Prostate Cancer.

UNLABELLED: The limited efficacy of immunotherapies in advanced prostate cancer stems from a tumor microenvironment (TME) in which myeloid-driven immune suppression, stromal remodeling, and metabolic barriers converge to limit antitumor immunity. In this study, we characterized the immunometabolic properties of an ultrasmall prostate-specific membrane antigen-targeting silica particle therapy as a first-in-class strategy to reprogram the Toll-like receptor (TLR)-ferroptosis axis in MYC-driven prostate cancer. As single agents, these particles suppressed lipid and steroid biosynthesis, disrupted lipid peroxidation control, and impaired nutrient flux, sensitizing tumors to ferroptosis. Coordinated redox remodeling, stromal reprogramming, and innate immune activation reversed myeloid suppression and promoted CD8+ T-cell infiltration. When combined with CSF-1R inhibition and immune checkpoint blockade, the particles suppressed tumor growth, extended survival beyond 100 days, and achieved up to 50% complete remission in MYC-overexpressing models. These findings position TLR-ferroptosis axis remodeling as a mechanistic blueprint for rational, particle-driven immunotherapies with broad translational potential in prostate cancer and other immunologically refractory malignancies. SIGNIFICANCE: Clinically validated, PSMA-targeted ultrasmall core-shell silica particles reprogram immunometabolic pathways via a TLR-ferroptosis axis, enabling tumor microenvironment remodeling and potentiating checkpoint blockade in prostate cancer, with translational implications for treatment-resistant disease.

Male↗

PubMed2026

A phase 2 study of encorafenib in combination with binimetinib for Chinese participants with BRAFV600E mutated metastatic non-small cell lung cancer: Results from the OCEAN II study.

PURPOSE: The ongoing OCEAN II study (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT05195632) evaluates encorafenib in combination with binimetinib (E+B) in Chinese participants with BRAFV600E-mutated metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). METHODS: Participants with metastatic unresectable stage IV BRAFV600E-mutated NSCLC (treatment-naïve or with prior systemic therapy excluding BRAF/MEK-inhibitors), were enrolled in a phase 2 study with two parts: safety lead-in (SLI) and pivotal part (PP). Participants received daily oral encorafenib (450mg) and twice daily oral binimetinib (90mg total). Primary endpoints were dose-limiting toxicities (DLT) during SLI and confirmed objective response rate by independent central review (cORR-ICR) during PP. Secondary endpoints were other measures of efficacy, safety, and pharmacokinetics. RESULTS: In total, 63 participants were enrolled. One DLT (non-serious Grade 3 lipase increased) during SLI considered possibly related to E+B resolved without intervention, supporting initiation of PP. Pre-defined statistical efficacy criteria on the first 50 participants were met. In the main analysis, cORR-ICRwas59% (95%CI 45-72). At a later ad hoc analysis, cORR-ICR was 61% (95%CI 47-74), disease control rate 87% (95%CI 75-95). Medians (95%CI) were, time-to-response 1.8 months, duration of response 17.5 months, progression-free survival 13.8 months (7.5-not estimable), overall survival 27.9 months (14.7-30.0). 98.4% of participants experienced ≥1 treatment-related TEAE, and 55.6% had any Grade ≥3 TEAE. Nine (14.3%) participants discontinued any drug due to adverse events. CONCLUSION: These data confirm the clinical benefit of E+B in Chinese participants with BRAFV600E-mNSCLC, a population with distinct genomic and disease characteristics. No new safety concerns were identified in Chinese participants.

Adult↗

PubMed2026

Metagenomic profiling of tick-borne viromes across four ecologically diverse provinces in China.

Ticks are important vectors of emerging viruses, and China's ecological landscapes may influence the transmission dynamics of tick-borne viruses (TBV). In 2021, a total of 2867 ticks collected from Inner Mongolia, Hebei, Hunan, and Hainan provinces were subjected to metagenomic sequencing to characterize TBV diversity. A total of eleven TBVs were identified, comprising three members of the family Phenuiviridae (severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus, Lihan tick virus, Dabieshan tick virus), three belonging to Nairoviridae (Huangpi tick virus 1, Shanxi tick virus 2, Henan tick virus), one in Chuviridae (Wuhan tick virus 2), one in Rhabdoviridaes (Wuhan tick virus 1), and three unclassified viruses (Hubei tick virus 2, Bole tick virus 4, and Tacheng tick virus 7). Viral composition varied significantly across tick species and geographic regions, with phylogenetic analysis revealing distinct regional clustering patterns. Notably, Lihan tick virus was detected for the first time in Hunan Province, Bole tick virus 4 was identified in argasid ticks from Inner Mongolia for the first time, and a novel lineage of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus was discovered in Shijiazhuang, Hubei Province. These findings underscore substantial TBV diversity shaped by tick species and geographic origin, emphasizing the necessity for ongoing surveillance to guide the development of targeted prevention and control strategies.

Animals↗

PubMed2026

Flavoromics-based profiling reveals taste and aroma differences between infant formula and breast milk.

Flavor differences between infant formula (IF) and breast milk (BM) are considered a potential factor affecting infants' acceptance of IF. This experiment employs flavoromics combined with multivariate statistical analysis to systematically compare the flavor profiles of IF and BM. Electronic tongue analysis and amino acid correlation revealed that IF was characterised by pronounced saltiness and umami richness, whereas BM exhibited greater bitterness and astringency. Volatile compound profiling identified five key flavor constituents in IF, predominantly aldehydes such as hexanal and pentanal. In contrast, BM contained a broader array of compounds-including acids, aldehydes, and esters-resulting in a more complex flavor profile. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG)-based metabolic pathway annotation, together with fatty acid profiling, suggested that some volatiles may be associated with lipid oxidation, Maillard reaction and sulfur-containing amino acid degradation pathways, offering a theoretical basis for the targeted optimisation of IF flavor.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Meta-analysis of prostacyclin therapy for persistent pulmonary hypertension with congenital diaphragmatic hernia.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of prostacyclin in the treatment of persistent pulmonary hypertension in congenital diaphragmatic hernia. METHODS: A systematic literature search was conducted in four main databases (PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL). The protocol was registered in advance in the International Prospective of Systematic Reviews (CRD420261325458). RESULTS: A total of nine studies were included involving a total of 7009 infants in this systematic review and meta-analysis. GRADE assessment revealed substantial heterogeneity in the quality of evidence across outcomes, with most outcomes rated very low quality and only one rated moderate quality. Studies were performed meta-analysis, which showed the use of prostacylin resulted a statistically significant decrease in the OI compared to the control group (Mean Difference (MD), 9.34; I2 0%; p < 0.00001), no statistically significant in mortality (OR, 0.83; I2 84%; p = 0.70), ECMO (OR = 4.9; I2 98%; p = 0.27), BNP (std MD, 6.98; I2 98%; p = 0.31), FiO2 (SMD = 8.0;, I2 64%; p = 0.11), Systolic orientation of IVS curvature (SMD = 0.69; I2 97%; p = 0.32), Diastolic orientation of IVS differences (MD = 0.62; I2 93% p = 0.26). After applying the Hartung-Knapp adjustment, with the exception of BNP, the pooled effects of the other outcomes were not statistically significant, and there was high heterogeneity in measures such as ECMO and ventricular septal curvature. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, this meta-analysis has confirmed that prostacyclin may temporarily improve oxygenation. However, after applying the Hartung-Knapp adjustment, with the exception of BNP, the pooled effects of the other outcomes were not statistically significant, and there was high heterogeneity in measures such as ECMO and ventricular septal curvature. Further validation through high-quality studies are still needed. TRIAL REGISTRATION: PROSPERO: CRD420261325458.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Large-Scale Plasma Proteomics Enhances Prediction of Liver-Related Events Among Individuals With Prediabetes and Type 2 Diabetes: A Prospective Cohort Study in the UK Biobank.

OBJECTIVE: To develop a protein risk score (ProRS) for predicting liver-related events (LREs) in patients with diabetes and compare its predictive performance with the Fibrosis-4 Index (FIB-4) and an established polygenic risk score. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: This prospective cohort study included 13 516 individuals with prediabetes and type 2 diabetes (T2D) from the UK Biobank. Cox proportional hazards models and LASSO regression were applied to identify proteins associated with incident LREs and construct the ProRS. Predictive performance was assessed using Harrell's C-index, time-dependent area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, net reclassification improvement and integrated discrimination improvement. RESULTS: Over a median follow-up of 13.5 years, 171 (1.3%) incident LREs occurred. We identified 877 proteins associated with LRE risk, primarily enriched in inflammatory signalling, extracellular matrix remodelling and complement/coagulation cascades. In the training set, we developed a 24-protein ProRS (C-index, 0.842; 95% CI 0.797-0.884) that stratified individuals into low-, medium- and high-risk groups, with 10-year cumulative incidences of LREs of 0.2%, 1.2% and 14.2%, respectively. Compared with the low-risk group, the hazard ratio for LREs was 57.1 (95% CI 31.9-102) in the high-risk group. In the internal validation set, the ProRS model (C-index, 0.876; 95% CI 0.827-0.920) accurately predicted both short- and long-term LREs and outperformed FIB-4 index (C-index, 0.733; 95% CI 0.657-0.807) and polygenic risk score (C-index, 0.636; 95% CI 0.564-0.706). CONCLUSIONS: The protein risk score demonstrated superior performance compared with the FIB-4 index and the polygenic risk score in predicting incident LREs among individuals with prediabetes and T2D. The score allows stratification of individuals according to liver-related risk, though external validation in multi-ethnic cohorts is warranted.

Humans↗