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Pubertal timing varies considerably and is associated with later health outcomes. We performed multi-ancestry genetic analyses on ~800,000 women, identifying 1,080 signals for age at menarche. Collectively, these explained 11% of trait variance in an independent sample. Women at the top and bottom 1% of polygenic risk exhibited ~11 and ~14-fold higher risks of delayed and precocious puberty, respectively. We identified several genes harboring rare loss-of-function variants in ~200,000 women, including variants in ZNF483, which abolished the impact of polygenic risk. Variant-to-gene mapping approaches and mouse gonadotropin-releasing hormone neuron RNA sequencing implicated 665 genes, including an uncharacterized G-protein-coupled receptor, GPR83, which amplified the signaling of MC3R, a key nutritional sensor. Shared signals with menopause timing at genes involved in DNA damage response suggest that the ovarian reserve might signal centrally to trigger puberty. We also highlight body size-dependent and independent mechanisms that potentially link reproductive timing to later life disease.

Abstract Background Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) poses a significant challenge due to late-stage diagnoses resulting from nonspecific early symptoms and the absence of early diagnostic biomarkers. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play a crucial role in regulating diverse biological processes, and their abnormal expression is observed in various diseases, including cancer. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are thought to act as a driving force in PDAC spread and recurrence. In pursuing the goal of unravelling the complexities of PDAC and its underlying molecular mechanisms, our study aimed to identify PDAC-associated miRNAs and relate them to disease progression, focusing on their involvement in various PDAC stages in patients and in reliable in vitro models, including pancreatic CSC (PaCSC) models. Methods The miRNA profiling datasets of serum and solid biopsies of PDAC patients deposited in GEO DataSets were analyzed by REML-based meta-analysis. The panel was then investigated by Real Time PCR in serum and solid biopsies of 37 PDAC patients enrolled in the study, as well as on BxPC-3 and AsPC-1 PDAC cell lines. We extended our focus towards a possible role of PDAC-associated miRNAs in the CSC phenotype, by inducing CSC-enriched pancreatospheres from BxPC-3 and AsPC-1 PDAC cell lines and performed differential miRNA expression analysis between PaCSCs and monolayer-grown PDAC cell lines. Results Meta-analysis showed differentially expressed miRNAs in blood samples and cancerous tissues of PDAC patients, allowing the identification of a panel of 9 PDAC-associated miRNAs. The results emerging from our patients fully confirmed the meta-analysis for the majority of miRNAs under investigation. In vitro tasks confirmed the aberrant expression of the panel of PDAC-associated miRNAs, with a dramatic dysregulation in PaCSC models. Notably, PaCSCs have shown significant overexpression of miR-4486, miR-216a-5p, and miR-216b-5p compared to PDAC cell lines, suggesting the recruitment of such miRNAs in stemness-related molecular mechanisms. Globally, our results showed a dual behaviour of miR-216a-5p and miR-216b-5p in PDAC while miR-4486, miR-361-3p, miR-125a-5p, miR-320d expression changes during the disease suggest they could promote PDAC initiation and progression. Conclusions This study contributed to an enhanced comprehension of the role of miRNAs in the development and progression of PDAC, shedding new light on the miRNA landscape in PDAC and its intricate interplay with CSCs, and providing specific insights useful in the development of miRNA-based diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets.

Lymphomas are not infrequently associated with the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), and EBV positivity is linked to worse outcomes in several subtypes. Nanatinostat is a class-I selective oral histone deacetylase inhibitor that induces the expression of lytic EBV BGLF4 protein kinase in EBV+ tumor cells, activating ganciclovir via phosphorylation, resulting in tumor cell apoptosis. This phase 1b/2 study investigated the combination of nanatinostat with valganciclovir in patients aged ≥18 years with EBV+ lymphomas relapsed/refractory to ≥1 prior systemic therapy with no viable curative treatment options. In the phase 1b part, 25 patients were enrolled into 5 dose escalation cohorts to determine the recommended phase 2 dose (RP2D) for phase 2 expansion. Phase 2 patients (n = 30) received RP2D (nanatinostat 20 mg daily, 4 days per week with valganciclovir 900 mg orally daily) for 28-day cycles. The primary end points were safety, RP2D determination (phase 1b), and overall response rate (ORR; phase 2). Overall, 55 patients were enrolled (B-non-Hodgkin lymphoma [B-NHL], [n = 10]; angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma-NHL, [n = 21]; classical Hodgkin lymphoma, [n = 11]; and immunodeficiency-associated lymphoproliferative disorders, [n = 13]). The ORR was 40% in 43 evaluable patients (complete response rate [CRR], 19% [n = 8]) with a median duration of response of 10.4 months. For angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma-NHL (n = 15; all refractory to the last prior therapy), the ORR/CRR ratio was 60%/27%. The most common adverse events were nausea (38% any grade) and cytopenia (grade 3/4 neutropenia [29%], thrombocytopenia [20%], and anemia [20%]). This novel oral regimen provided encouraging efficacy across several EBV+ lymphoma subtypes and warrants further evaluation; a confirmatory phase 2 study (NCT05011058) is underway. This phase 1b/2 study is registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT03397706.

Cannabis remains by far the most consumed illicit drug in Europe. The availability of more potent cannabis has raised concerns regarding the enhanced health risks associated with its use, particularly among pregnant women. Growing evidence shows that cannabis use during pregnancy increases the risks of child psychopathology. We have previously shown that only male rat offspring prenatally exposed to Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), a rat model of prenatal cannabinoid exposure (PCE), display a hyperdopaminergic phenotype associated with a differential susceptibility to acute THC- and stress-mediated effects on sensorimotor gating functions. Here, we explore the contribution of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, key regulator of body adaptive stress responses, to the detrimental effects of acute stress on ventral tegmental area (VTA) dopamine neurons and sensorimotor gating function of PCE rats. We report a sex-dependent compromised balance in mRNA levels of genes encoding mineralocorticoid and glucocorticoid receptors in the VTA, alongside with stress-induced pre-pulse inhibition (PPI) impairment. Notably, VTA dopamine neuronal activity is causally linked to the manifestation of stress-dependent deterioration of PPI. Finally, pharmacological manipulations targeting glycogen-synthase-kinase-3-β signaling during postnatal development correct these stress-induced, sex-specific and dopamine-dependent disruption of PPI. Collectively, these results highlight the critical sex-dependent interplay between HPA axis and dopamine system in the regulation of sensorimotor gating functions in rats.

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MFIX-Exa is a CFD-DEM code for the numerical solution of chemically reacting multiphase flows (fluid and solids phases), specifically targeted for flows in complex reactor geometries. The fluid is modeled using a low Mach number formulation with a multicomponent ideal gas equation of state, which is imposed as a constraint of the velocity field. The fluid equations are discretized using an embedded boundary (EB) aware Godunov scheme with an approximate projection. The particles (that constitute the solids phase) are represented by a soft-sphere spring-dashpot model and evolved using a forward Euler method with subcycling. The fluid and particles models are coupled through a volume fraction field in addition to interphase mass, momentum, and energy transfer. The mathematical model and numerical approach are benchmarked against three different verification tests and validated with two separate tests. Also, a scaling analysis is provided. This manuscript represents the current state-of-the-art of MFIX-Exa and describes the major extensions to the previous work presented in Musser et al. (2021), including the Godunov time integration algorithm for the fluid phase and the inclusion of thermodynamics and chemistry modeling to both the fluid and solids phases.

Antipsychotic (AP) drugs are efficacious treatments for various psychiatric disorders, but excessive weight gain and subsequent development of metabolic disease remain serious side effects of their use. Increased food intake leads to AP-induced weight gain, but the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unknown. In previous studies, we identified the neuropeptide Agrp and the transcription factor nuclear receptor subfamily 5 group A member 2 (Nr5a2) as significantly upregulated genes in the hypothalamus following AP-induced hyperphagia. While Agrp is expressed specifically in the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus and plays a critical role in appetite stimulation, Nr5a2 is expressed in both the CNS and periphery, but its role in food intake behaviors remains unknown. In this study, we investigated the role of hypothalamic Nr5a2 in AP-induced hyperphagia and weight gain. In hypothalamic cell lines, olanzapine treatment resulted in a dose-dependent increase in gene expression of Nr5a2 and Agrp. In mice, the pharmacological inhibition of NR5A2 decreased olanzapine-induced hyperphagia and weight gain, while the knockdown of Nr5a2 in the arcuate nucleus partially reversed olanzapine-induced hyperphagia. Chromatin-immunoprecipitation studies showed for the first time that NR5A2 directly binds to the Agrp promoter region. Lastly, the analysis of single-cell RNA seq data confirms that Nr5a2 and Agrp are co-expressed in a subset of neurons in the arcuate nucleus. In summary, we identify Nr5a2 as a key mechanistic driver of AP-induced food intake. These findings can inform future clinical development of APs that do not activate hyperphagia and weight gain.

The degradation of cadmium yellow in paintings is influenced by various factors, primarily environmental conditions and light exposure. Applying a thin protective layer of linseed oil on the surface could help mitigate these processes. Linseed oil, being a natural material, acts as a barrier against harmful atmospheric agents like moisture and oxygen, which contribute to the degradation of pigments including cadmium yellow. Additionally, linseed oil reduces direct light exposure, thereby lowering the risk of fading and color alteration. In this study, we explored the degradation of cadmium pigments mixed with oil and applied on canvas. We elucidated how the use of a binder prevents the direct oxidation of the pigment, inducing artificial degradation by irradiating samples with UVA (365 nm) and UVC (250 nm) sources. By employing various spectroscopic techniques such as three-dimensional fluorescence mapping (PLE) and Raman, along with colorimetric analysis, we gained a comprehensive understanding of the degradation process, particularly when linseed oil serves as a protective layer.

Abstract Dysregulated nuclear-cytoplasmic trafficking has been shown to play a role in oncogenesis in several types of solid tumors and hematological malignancies. Exportin 1 (XPO1) is responsible for the nuclear export of several proteins and RNA species, mainly tumor suppressors. KPT-330, a small molecule inhibitor of XPO1, is approved for treating relapsed multiple myeloma and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) is an extranodal non-Hodgkin lymphoma with an adverse prognosis and limited treatment options in advanced stages. The effect of therapeutically targeting XPO1 with KPT-330 in CTCL has not been established. We report that XPO1 expression is upregulated in CTCL cells. KPT-330 reduces cell proliferation, induces G1 cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. RNA-sequencing was used to explore the underlying mechanisms. Genes associated with the cell cycle and the p53 pathway were significantly enriched with KPT-330 treatment. KPT-330 suppressed XPO1 expression, upregulated p53, p21WAF1/Cip1, and p27Kip1 and their nuclear localization, and downregulated anti-apoptotic protein (Survivin). The in vivo efficacy of KPT-330 was investigated using a bioluminescent xenograft mouse model of CTCL. KPT-330 blocked tumor growth and prolonged survival (p

Abstract Background and aim There is evidence to suggest that assessing back-specific altered self-perception may be useful when seeking to understand and manage low back pain (LBP). The Fremantle Back Awareness Questionnaire (FreBAQ) is a patient-reported measure of back-specific body perception that has never been adapted and psychometrically analysed in Italian. Hence, the objectives of this research were to cross-culturally adapt and validate the Italian version of this outcome measure (namely, the FreBAQ-I), to make it available for use with Italians suffering from chronic LBP. Methods The FreBAQ-I was developed by forward and backward translation, review by a committee skilled in patient-reported measures and test of the pre-final version to assess its clarity, acceptability, and relevance. The statistical analyses examined: structural validity based on Rasch analysis; hypotheses testing by investigating correlations of the FreBAQ-I with the Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ), a pain intensity numerical rating scale (PI-NRS), the Pain Catastrophising Scale (PCS), and the Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia (TSK) (Pearson’s correlations); reliability by internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha) and test–retest repeatability (intraclass correlation coefficient, ICC (2,1)); and measurement error by determining the minimum detectable change (MDC). After the development of a consensus-based translation of the FreBAQ-I, the new outcome measure was delivered to 100 people with chronic LBP. Results Rasch analysis confirmed the substantial unidimensionality and the structural validity of the FreBAQ-I. Hypothesis testing was considered good as at least 75% of the hypotheses were confirmed; correlations: RMDQ (r = 0.35), PI-NRS (r = 0.25), PCS (r = 0.41) and TSK (r = 0.38). Internal consistency was acceptable (alpha = 0.82) and test–retest repeatability was excellent (ICC (2,1) = 0.88, 95% CI: 0.83, 0.92). The MDC95 corresponded to 6.7 scale points. Conclusion The FreBAQ-I was found to be a unidimensional, valid, and reliable outcome measure in Italians with chronic LBP. Its application is advised for clinical and research use within the Italian speaking community.

Previous work revealed an inverse correlation between tobacco smoking and Parkinson's disease (PD) that is associated with nicotine-induced neuroprotection of dopaminergic (DA) neurons against nigrostriatal damage in PD primates and rodent models. Nicotine, a neuroactive component of tobacco, can directly alter the activity of midbrain DA neurons and induce non-DA neurons in the substantia nigra (SN) to acquire a DA phenotype. Here, we investigated the recruitment mechanism of nigrostriatal GABAergic neurons to express DA phenotypes, such as transcription factor Nurr1 and DA-synthesizing enzyme tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), and the concomitant effects on motor function. Wild-type and α-syn-overexpressing (PD) mice treated with chronic nicotine were assessed by behavioral pattern monitor (BPM) and immunohistochemistry/in situ hybridization to measure behavior and the translational/transcriptional regulation of neurotransmitter phenotype following selective Nurr1 overexpression or DREADD-mediated chemogenetic activation. We found that nicotine treatment led to a transcriptional TH and translational Nurr1 upregulation within a pool of SN GABAergic neurons in wild-type animals. In PD mice, nicotine increased Nurr1 expression, reduced the number of α-syn-expressing neurons, and simultaneously rescued motor deficits. Hyperactivation of GABA neurons alone was sufficient to elicit de novo translational upregulation of Nurr1. Retrograde labeling revealed that a fraction of these GABAergic neurons projects to the dorsal striatum. Finally, concomitant depolarization and Nurr1 overexpression within GABA neurons were sufficient to mimic nicotine-mediated dopamine plasticity. Revealing the mechanism of nicotine-induced DA plasticity protecting SN neurons against nigrostriatal damage could contribute to developing new strategies for neurotransmitter replacement in PD.