Browse Articles
Discover research articles across all indexed journals
Transcriptome analysis of differentially expressed genes in lily leaves under selenite application
Immunological sin: how a person’s earliest flu infections dictate life-long immunity
MRI-based deep learning and radiomics pipeline for myxoid liposarcoma: a feasibility study in a rare sarcoma
Stopping the next flu pandemic
The interferon-inducible MxB large GTPase attenuates hepatitis B virus replication by activating the RIG-I innate immunity signaling pathway
Quantitative lung particulate analysis links increased anthracotic pigment burden to burn pit exposure in post-9/11 veterans with distal lung disease
Seven feel-good science stories to restore your faith in 2025
Analysing fungal microbiome differences between the roots of healthy and diseased Chinese hickory (Carya cathayensis) trees
Abstract Chinese hickory ( Carya cathayensis ), an important economic nut species in China, has recently suffered significant losses due to root rot. Previous 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing suggested that the bacterial dysbiosis may contribute to root rot, but the specific pathogens remained unclear. In this study, fungal community analysis revealed that Ascomycota and Basidiomycota dominated the rhizosphere soil, bulk soil, and root tissues, accounting for approximately 93.63% of total fungal communities. The relative abundance of Basidiomycota were more abundant in healthy root tissues, whereas the relative abundance of Ascomycota were enriched in diseased and dead roots. Interestingly, at the genus level, the dominant fungi Xylaria and Ilyonectria were detected exclusively in diseased and dead trees, while Condinaea and Gliocladiopsis were primarily found in dead trees. These genera have been previously reported as root rot pathogens in various plants, suggesting their association with C. cathayensis root rot. Notably, two biocontrol fungi, Chaetomium and Trichoderma , were also present in diseased and dead trees, highlighting potential strategies for disease management. Overall, this study identifies for the first time the potential pathogenic fungi responsible for C. cathayensis root rot and highlights candidate biocontrol agents, providing a foundation for future disease verification and control efforts.
Performance and clinical utility of two targeted multigene panels for GIST molecular characterization
Abstract Molecular analysis is mandatory in the diagnostic work-up of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs). Indeed, it is essential for clinical decisions, from patients’ selection for systemic treatment to identifying unrecognized syndromic conditions. Since GISTs are recognized as a heterogeneous family of different clinical entities, molecular analysis should also require a feasible, rapid, and reliable diagnostic workflow. Herein, we present our experience on the performance and clinical utility of two lab-developed multigene-NGS panels specifically built for GIST analysis. Among 163 analyzed GISTs, 72.4% carried KIT mutations while 11.0% were PDGFRA -mutant. Among putative KIT / PDGFRA WT cases that arrived at our attention from an external analysis, nine of 10 were found carrying either KIT or PDGFRA pathogenic mutations by our panel. On 26 KIT/PDGFRA/BRAF WT patients at the first level, the second level panel identified NF1 or SDHA mutations in 16 cases, while 10 patients did not display any mutation, except for two of them found as carriers of SDHC epimutation. This optimized NGS diagnostic approach helps to characterize the molecular profiles of GIST and drastically reduces the number of truly non-KIT and non-PDGFRA-addicted GIST cases.
Comparison of viscoelastic properties of breast cancer and normal cells using AFM, FLIM and ToF-SIMS techniques
Abstract The modifications in biomechanical properties of cells and tissue are important in cancer progression, including its different aspects, e.g. invasion, migration, adhesion, signaling, interactions with microenvironment, and immune response. However, our understanding of the changes in physical characteristics of cells, and especially the molecular basis for these changes, caused by malignant transformation remains rather limited. While the differences in stiffness and viscoelasticity of tumor and normal cells have been well documented at the cellular scale, subcellular and molecular alterations have been poorly characterised. In our work, we investigated the stiffness and viscoelastic parameters, mainly determined by the actin cortex, and the microviscosity of the plasma membrane, mainly determined by its lipid profile, in normal and cancer cells. The mechanical properties of the cells were assessed using atomic force microscopy (AFM). The microviscosity of the membrane was visualized by fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) with the viscosity-sensitive probe BODIPY2. Chemical analysis of cell membranes was performed by secondary ion time-of-flight mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS). The MCF-10 A (normal epithelial cells) and MCF-7 (human breast cancer) cell lines were used in the study. It was shown that cancer cells were more deformable due to a less organized and more isotropic filamentous structure of the actin cytoskeleton. At the same time they had more viscous plasma membranes, compared to normal cells, in both in vitro and tissue conditions. In the membrane lipid profile, increased signals of sphingomyelin and saturated fatty acids and decreased signals of polyunsaturated fatty acids were detected in cancer cells, which explain the higher microviscosity of their membranes. The obtained data indicate a complex reorganization of cell biomechanics at the cellular, subcellular and molecular levels during malignant transformation, which is important for better understanding of fundamental mechanisms of tumor development.
Circulating microRNAs miR-21-5p, miR-23a-3p and miR-26a-5p reflect clinical and molecular features of aging
Abstract Circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) are emerging as key regulators of aging and age-related diseases. Among them, the so-called inflammamiRs miR-21-5p, miR-23a-3p, and miR-26a-5p have been repeatedly linked to inflammation, tissue remodelling, and metabolic dysregulation. In this cross-sectional study, we investigated their expression in older adults (65–103 years) to explore associations with frailty, comorbidity, and major clinical and functional indicators of aging. Plasma miRNA levels were measured by quantitative PCR and correlated with comprehensive clinical, functional (frailty status, Activities of Daily Living [ADL], and Cumulative Illness Rating Scale [CIRS]), and biochemical parameters. Bioinformatic pathway analyses were also performed to identify shared molecular targets. All three miRNAs showed a progressive, age-dependent increase in expression. Their associations with clinical and functional parameters remained significant after adjustment for age and sex and were confirmed in stratified analyses by sex, age, and comorbidity burden. miR-21-5p and miR-23a-3p were elevated in frail individuals, and miR-23a-3p was inversely associated with hand grip strength. miR-21-5p correlated with renal dysfunction markers, while miR-26a-5p was related to reduced ADL scores and higher comorbidity burden. Together, the three miRNAs were associated with biochemical indicators of electrolyte imbalance and systemic dysregulation, including anemia and inflammation. In silico analyses revealed convergent enrichment in the TGF-β/SMAD and RUNX1 signaling pathways, suggesting a coordinated regulatory role in inflammation-mediated fibrogenic processes. These findings identify circulating miR-21-5p, miR-23a-3p, and miR-26a-5p as potential biomarkers reflecting molecular mechanisms underlying aging and age-related decline.