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Nearly 100 loci have been identified for pulmonary function, almost exclusively in studies of European ancestry populations. We extend previous research by meta-analyzing genome-wide association studies of 1000 Genomes imputed variants in relation to pulmonary function in a multiethnic population of 90,715 individuals of European (N = 60,552), African (N = 8429), Asian (N = 9959), and Hispanic/Latino (N = 11,775) ethnicities. We identify over 50 additional loci at genome-wide significance in ancestry-specific or multiethnic meta-analyses. Using recent fine-mapping methods incorporating functional annotation, gene expression, and differences in linkage disequilibrium between ethnicities, we further shed light on potential causal variants and genes at known and newly identified loci. Several of the novel genes encode proteins with predicted or established drug targets, including KCNK2 and CDK12. Our study highlights the utility of multiethnic and integrative genomics approaches to extend existing knowledge of the genetics of lung function and clinical relevance of implicated loci.

Hippocampal sharp-wave ripple (SWR) events occur during both behavior (awake SWRs) and slow-wave sleep (sleep SWRs). Awake and sleep SWRs both contribute to spatial learning and memory, thought to be mediated by the coordinated reactivation of behavioral experiences in hippocampal-cortical circuits seen during SWRs. Current hypotheses suggest that reactivation contributes to memory consolidation processes, but whether awake and sleep reactivation are suited to play similar or different roles remains unclear. Here we addressed that issue by examining the structure of hippocampal (area CA1) and prefrontal (PFC) activity recorded across behavior and sleep stages in male rats learning a spatial alternation task. We found a striking state difference: prefrontal modulation during awake and sleep SWRs was surprisingly distinct, with differing patterns of excitation and inhibition. CA1-PFC synchronization was stronger during awake SWRs, and spatial reactivation, measured using both pairwise and ensemble measures, was more structured for awake SWRs compared with post-task sleep SWRs. Stronger awake reactivation was observed despite the absence of coordination between network oscillations, namely hippocampal SWRs and cortical delta and spindle oscillations, which is prevalent during sleep. Finally, awake CA1-PFC reactivation was enhanced most prominently during initial learning in a novel environment, suggesting a key role in early learning. Our results demonstrate significant differences in awake and sleep reactivation in the hippocampal-prefrontal network. These findings suggest that awake SWRs support accurate memory storage and memory-guided behavior, whereas sleep SWR reactivation is better suited to support integration of memories across experiences during consolidation.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Hippocampal sharp-wave ripples (SWRs) occur both in the awake state during behavior and in the sleep state after behavior. Awake and sleep SWRs are associated with memory reactivation and are important for learning, but their specific memory functions remain unclear. Here, we found profound differences in hippocampal-cortical reactivation during awake and sleep SWRs, with key implications for their roles in memory. Awake reactivation is a higher-fidelity representation of behavioral experiences, and is enhanced during early learning, without requiring coordination of network oscillations that is seen during sleep. Our findings suggest that awake reactivation is ideally suited to support initial memory formation, retrieval and planning, whereas sleep reactivation may play a broader role in integrating memories across experiences during consolidation.

Objective To investigate the expression of MPZL1 in gastric cancer tissues, its relation with the prognosis, and its effects on proliferation and colony formation of gastric cancer. Methods GEPIA and UALCAN databases were used to analyze the expression of MPZL1 in various malignant tumors. The KM Plotter database and UALCAN database were used to analyze the effect of MPZL1 on the overall survival of gastric cancer patients. The expression of MPZL1 protein and the changes of apoptosis-related proteins in gastric cancer cells were detected by Western blot, and the effects of MPZL1 expression on cell proliferation and colony formation were detected by CCK-8 and colony formation assay, respectively. Results MPZL1 was found to be highly expressed in various malignant tumors by GEPIA database. The results of UALCAN and KM Plotter databases analysis showed that MPZL1 was highly expressed in gastric cancer tissues, and might be correlated with the overall survival of gastric cancer patients. The results of CCK-8 and colony formation assay showed that the overexpression of MPZL1 promoted the proliferation and colony formation ability of gastric cancer cells (P < 0.05). Western blot results showed that compared with control group, the expression levels of pro-apoptotic proteins Bad and Caspase-7 in the overexpression group were significantly lower while those in knockdown group were higher. Conclusion MPZL is highly expressed in gastric cancer tissues and promotes the proliferation and colony formation of gastric cancer cells, which may be related to the inhibition of apoptosis.

Purpose: Drug-coated balloon (DCB) angioplasty and laser atherectomy (LA) have been frequently utilized to treat femoropopliteal in-stent restenosis (ISR); however, no studies have concurrently compared available regimens, including DCB, LA+DCB, and LA + plain balloon angioplasty (PB). Therefore, we conducted this network meta-analysis to determine whether there were significant differences in outcomes among these regimens. Materials and Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted in PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane library to identify all randomized controlled trials comparing DCB or LA-based regimes with POBA or each other for treating femoropopliteal in-stent restenosis (ISR) from their inception until March 2021. The primary outcome measure was binary restenosis, and secondary outcome measures were target lesion revascularization (TLR) and mortality, evaluated at 6 and 12 months, respectively. Statistical analysis was performed using Aggregate Data Drug Information System (ADDIS) 1.4 software, and all data were graphically summarized using Microsoft Excel software. Results: The final analysis included 11 studies, of which 6 studies compared DCB with PB, 2 studies compared PB vs LA+PB, 2 studies compared DCB vs LA+DCB, and 1 study compared LA+DCB with LA+PB. DCB was better than PB in decreasing binary restenosis at 6 (odds ratio [OR]: 0.22, 95% credible interval [CrI]: 0.04–0.91) and 12 (OR: 0.26, 95% CrI: 0.12–0.50) months. DCB was associated with lower TLR than PB at 6 months (OR: 0.31, 95% CrI: 0.13–0.69). LA+DCB was also superior to PB in treating binary restenosis at 12 months (OR: 6.10, 95% CrI: 1.94–24.41) and TLR at 6 months (OR: 5.32, 95% CrI: 1.43–28.06). There was no statistical difference in mortality between PB, DCB, and LA+PB. DCB and LA+DCB were the first 2 options for reducing binary restenosis and TLR. Conclusion: The current network meta-analysis demonstrates that both DCB and LA+DCB are superior to PB alone, and that DCB and LA+DCB may be the preferred treatment options for reducing binary restenosis and TLR. Clinical Impact: The treatment for femoropopliteal in-stent restenosis (ISR) remains challenging clinical practice. One important reason is that no optimal treatment strategy was available. Drug-coated balloon angioplasty (DCB) and laser atherectomy (LA) have been extensively utilized to treat ISR; however, different combinations of these treatments further confused the clinicians' choices. This network meta-analysis systematically investigated the difference between the currently available treatments regarding therapeutic effects and safety, indicating that DCB and LA+DCB may be the optimal treatment for decreasing the risk of binary restenosis and target lesion revascularization. The results of the current network meta-analysis help to resolve the confusion of clinicians in making the decision. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abnormal proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) accelerated vascular diseases progression, like atherosclerosis and restenosis. MicroRNAs were reported to participate in modulating diverse cellular processes. Here, we focused on exploring the role of miR-638 in VSMCs glycolysis and underlying mechanism.

Forced vital capacity (FVC), a spirometric measure of pulmonary function, reflects lung volume and is used to diagnose and monitor lung diseases. We performed genome-wide association study meta-analysis of FVC in 52,253 individuals from 26 studies and followed up the top associations in 32,917 additional individuals of European ancestry. We found six new regions associated at genome-wide significance (P < 5 × 10(-8)) with FVC in or near EFEMP1, BMP6, MIR129-2-HSD17B12, PRDM11, WWOX and KCNJ2. Two loci previously associated with spirometric measures (GSTCD and PTCH1) were related to FVC. Newly implicated regions were followed up in samples from African-American, Korean, Chinese and Hispanic individuals. We detected transcripts for all six newly implicated genes in human lung tissue. The new loci may inform mechanisms involved in lung development and the pathogenesis of restrictive lung disease.

BackgroundGenome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified numerous loci influencing cross-sectional lung function, but less is known about genes influencing longitudinal change in lung function.MethodsWe performed GWAS of the rate of change in forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1) in 14 longitudinal, population-based cohort studies comprising 27,249 adults of European ancestry using linear mixed effects model and combined cohort-specific results using fixed effect meta-analysis to identify novel genetic loci associated with longitudinal change in lung function. Gene expression analyses were subsequently performed for identified genetic loci. As a secondary aim, we estimated the mean rate of decline in FEV1 by smoking pattern, irrespective of genotypes, across these 14 studies using meta-analysis.ResultsThe overall meta-analysis produced suggestive evidence for association at the novel IL16/STARD5/TMC3 locus on chromosome 15 (P  =  5.71 × 10(-7)). In addition, meta-analysis using the five cohorts with ≥3 FEV1 measurements per participant identified the novel ME3 locus on chromosome 11 (P  =  2.18 × 10(-8)) at genome-wide significance. Neither locus was associated with FEV1 decline in two additional cohort studies. We confirmed gene expression of IL16, STARD5, and ME3 in multiple lung tissues. Publicly available microarray data confirmed differential expression of all three genes in lung samples from COPD patients compared with controls. Irrespective of genotypes, the combined estimate for FEV1 decline was 26.9, 29.2 and 35.7 mL/year in never, former, and persistent smokers, respectively.ConclusionsIn this large-scale GWAS, we identified two novel genetic loci in association with the rate of change in FEV1 that harbor candidate genes with biologically plausible functional links to lung function.