Biomedical subjects

Yong Yang

Publications and source records attributed to Yong Yang.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2026

Ionizing radiation induces bidirectional transcriptomic reprogramming and dynamic NOS2/TREM2 regulation in triple-negative breast cancer cells.

PURPOSE: To characterize irradiation-associated transcriptomic changes in murine triple-negative breast cancer cells and examine dose- and time-response patterns of selected radiation-responsive candidates. MATERIALS AND METHODS: RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) was performed in 4T1 cells collected 24 h after 4 Gy irradiation, followed by Reactome and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment and gene set enrichment analyses. Representative RNA-seq-derived genes were examined by reverse transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR), and selected immune- and inflammation-related transcripts were further assessed across additional radiation doses and post-irradiation time points. Inducible nitric oxide synthase (NOS2) and triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (TREM2) protein abundance was assessed by Western blotting, and nitrite accumulation in culture supernatants was measured using a Griess reagent-based assay as an indirect readout of nitric oxide production. RESULTS: RNA sequencing identified 757 differentially expressed genes, including 285 upregulated and 472 downregulated genes. Irradiation was associated with enrichment of inflammatory, interferon-related, immune-system, and cell-adhesion transcriptional signatures, whereas downregulated genes were enriched in cell-cycle-, chromosome-cohesion-, DNA-damage-response-, DNA-repair-, and SUMOylation-related pathways. Selected immune- and inflammation-related transcripts showed distinct temporal patterns. Nos2 mRNA increased across the examined 0-6 Gy dose range and at later post-irradiation time points, whereas NOS2 protein showed different kinetics, with an early peak after 4 Gy irradiation and no clear further increase above 6 Gy. Nitrite accumulation increased after irradiation. Trem2 showed the largest fold increase among strongly upregulated transcripts identified by RNA-seq, but RT-qPCR detected a significant increase only at 24 h, and TREM2 protein abundance remained unchanged across the examined doses and time points. CONCLUSIONS: Ionizing radiation was associated with broad bidirectional transcriptional remodeling in 4T1 cells, involving immune-, inflammatory-, and interferon-related signatures together with reduced representation of cell-cycle- and DNA-repair-related gene sets. The discordant mRNA and protein patterns of NOS2 and TREM2 indicate that transcript-level responses do not necessarily translate into corresponding protein-level changes. These findings define irradiation-associated molecular responses requiring further functional investigation.

Triple-negative breast cancer↗

PubMed2026

Phylogenomics and evolution of the Lauraceae based on targeted capture data.

The family Lauraceae, a hyper-diverse magnoliid family comprising approximately 63 genera and over 3,000 species, plays a key ecological role in tropical and subtropical forests. Yet deep relationships among its nine tribes remain unresolved, likely due to limited sampling and complex evolutionary processes such as incomplete lineage sorting (ILS) and gene flow. To address these challenges, we generated datasets of 255 single-copy nuclear genes and chloroplast genomes using a newly designed Lauraceae-specific probe set, achieving the most comprehensive genus-level sampling (84%) to date. Phylogenomic analyses reconstructed a robust nuclear tree, which resolved the Neocinnamomeae as sister to the Caryodaphnopsideae and revealed pronounced gene tree conflict and pervasive cytonuclear discordance. To investigate the evolutionary processes underlying these patterns, comprehensive analyses were conducted. The results indicate that conflicting nuclear gene trees reflect the combined effects of ILS, gene tree estimation error, and gene flow, with ILS dominating across the core Lauraceae, whereas cytonuclear discordance is primarily driven by extensive gene flow. Diversification analyses further indicate that episodes of rapid lineage accumulation coincide with major gene flow events, suggesting a potential role of gene flow in the diversification of Lauraceae. Overall, this study provides a robust nuclear phylogenomic framework for Lauraceae and demonstrates that gene flow had profound effects on its evolutionary history, shedding light on the contribution of gene flow to the diversification of hyper-diverse tropical plant lineages.

Cytonuclear discordance↗

PubMed2026

The complete chloroplast genome of Heterostemma pingtaoi (Apocynaceae).

Heterostemma pingtaoi, a species endemic to Hainan Island, China, was discovered and formally described in the family Apocynaceae in 2010. However, genetic and evolutionary information on the genus Heterostemma remains poorly understood. Here, we report the complete chloroplast (cp) genome sequence of H. pingtaoi. The genome displays the typical quadripartite structure characteristic of dicotyledonous plant cp genomes, with a total length of 162,681 bp and a GC content of 38.25%. The cp genome encodes 131 genes, including 84 protein-coding genes, 8 rRNA genes, and 39 tRNA genes. Phylogenetic analysis based on the complete cp genome sequences confirmed that the genus Heterostemma forms a monophyletic group at the base of tribe Ceropegieae (Apocynaceae), with 100% bootstrap support. This study provides essential genomic resources for future taxonomic and evolutionary studies of Heterostemma species.

Apocynaceae↗

PubMed2026

Association of lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 with recurrence risk and its predictive value in large artery atherosclerotic stroke.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association of lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) with large artery atherosclerotic (LAA) stroke and its predictive value for recurrence. METHODS: We consecutively enrolled 412 acute LAA stroke patients. Using a cutoff of 200 ng/mL, patients were divided into high and low Lp-PLA2 groups, and into recurrence and non‑recurrence groups based on 1‑year follow‑up. Baseline characteristics, lipid profiles, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores, and vascular stenosis degree were compared. Binary logistic regression and Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) analysis were used to identify independent risk factors and evaluate predictive value. RESULTS: The high Lp-PLA2 group had significantly higher low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), small dense low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (sdLDL-C), prevalence of severe stenosis (≥70%), and proportion of NIHSS > 15 (all P < 0.05). The recurrence group showed elevated Lp-PLA2, higher LDL‑C and sdLDL-C, more severe neurological deficits, and more severe stenosis (all P < 0.001). Multivariable regression identified elevated Lp-PLA2 (per 10 ng/mL: OR = 1.139, 95% CI: 1.089-1.191), moderate (OR = 3.145) and severe (OR = 11.663) neurological deficits, and severe stenosis (OR = 9.390) as independent risk factors for recurrence (all P < 0.05). The Area Under the Curve (AUC) of Lp-PLA2 was 0.75 (95% CI: 0.69-0.82), with an optimal cutoff of 208.95 ng/mL. CONCLUSION: Elevated Lp-PLA2 is associated with adverse lipid profiles, more severe neurological deficits, and greater vascular stenosis in LAA stroke patients, and independently predicts 1‑year recurrence. Lp-PLA2 shows moderate predictive value, supporting its potential for risk stratification.

Humans↗

PubMed2025

Proteomic signatures and predictive modeling of cadmium-associated anxiety in middle-aged and elderly populations: an environmental exposure association study.

BACKGROUND: Emerging evidence implicates environmental contaminants such as cadmium (Cd) as modifiable risk factors for anxiety. Despite growing recognition of heavy metal toxicity in neuropsychiatric disorders, the molecular mechanisms linking environmental exposure to anxiety pathogenesis remain poorly understood. METHODS: Based on the established cohort of individuals with cognitive impairment in cadmium-contaminated areas, this cross-sectional association study enrolled 50 middle-aged and elderly hospitalized patients from these regions, adhering to the STROBE guidelines. Blood concentrations of cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and mercury (Hg) were analyzed in relation to anxiety severity assessed via the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAMA). Plasma proteomic profiling was performed using data-independent acquisition (DIA) quantitative technology with an LC-MS/MS platform (timsTOF Pro, Bruker Daltonics), systematically characterizing 2,531 proteins across all samples. Machine learning techniques, specifically XGBoost and LASSO, were employed to identify biomarkers that were subsequently validated through mediation analysis and animal experiments, allowing for the screening of key protein signatures. Finally, clinical variables were integrated to construct a comprehensive model, which was then thoroughly evaluated. RESULTS: Anxious individuals exhibited significantly higher blood Cd levels than controls (β = 0.50, 95% CI: 0.07-0.93, p < 0.01), with anxiety positively correlating with depression (r = 0.62, p = 0.003) and inversely with ApoE3 genotype prevalence. Proteomics identified 120 differentially expressed proteins in anxious patients, enriched in oxidative phosphorylation and neurodegenerative pathways. CCDC126 emerged as a cadmium-associated biomarker, validated in rat models exposed to Cd. Combining CCDC126, blood Cd, Pb, and hypertension, a clinical prediction model achieved robust discrimination (AUC = 0.80, validation cohort). CONCLUSIONS: This first integrative environmental-proteomic study highlights cadmium's synergistic role in anxiety pathophysiology and psychiatric comorbidity. The predictive model offers translatable potential for early risk stratification, while CCDC126 provides mechanistic insights for targeted interventions in populations exposed to environmental pollutants.

Cadmium↗