Genetic and Functional Dissection of HTRA1 and LOC387715 in Age-Related Macular Degeneration

A common haplotype on 10q26 influences the risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and encompasses two genes, LOC387715 and HTRA1. Recent data have suggested that loss of LOC387715, mediated by an insertion/deletion (in/del) that destabilizes its message, is causally related with the disorder. Here we show that loss of LOC387715 is insufficient to explain AMD susceptibility, since a nonsense mutation (R38X) in this gene that leads to loss of its message resides in a protective haplotype. At the same time, the common disease haplotype tagged by the in/del and rs11200638 has an effect on the transcriptional upregulation of the adjacent gene, HTRA1. These data implicate increased HTRA1 expression in the pathogenesis of AMD and highlight the importance of exploring multiple functional consequences of alleles in haplotypes that confer susceptibility to complex traits

Exploration the Road to Prosperity in China’s Rural Areas Based on the Investigation of the Villages around Beijing

In order to explore the ways to get rich in villages, we had been to the villages around Beijing. On the basis of the field investigation of four villages around Beijing: Huoshaoying Village, Baojiapu Village, Xiaoyuzi Village and Niuzhan Village, the way to get rich in rural areas is discussed in depth based on their rich history, achievements and experience, after investigating four villages that develop homestay tourism, art, agricultural products and food processing industries respectively, we have explored the ways to get rich in villages more comprehensively from different angles. The result of the investigation shows that different villages have different situations, and different villages have different optimal development paths, which requires someone to explore and discover.Rural revitalization must be adapted to local conditions and cannot blindly follow the trend

Retinal defocus and form-deprivation induced regional differential gene expression of bone morphogenetic proteins in chick retinal pigment epithelium.

We previously reported bidirectional gene expression regulation of the Bone Morphogenetic Proteins (BMP2, 4, and 7) in chick retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) in response to imposed optical defocus and form-deprivation (FD). This study investigated whether there are local (regional) differences in these effects. 19-day old White-Leghorn chicks wore monocular +10 or - 10 D lenses, or diffusers (FD) for 2 or 48 hr, after which RPE samples were collected from both eyes, from a central circular zone (3 mm radius), and 3 mm wide annular mid-peripheral and peripheral zones in all cases. BMP2, 4, and 7 gene expression levels in RPE from treated and fellow control eyes were compared as well as differences across zones. With the +10 D lens, increased expression of both BMP2 and BMP4 genes was observed in central and mid-peripheral zones but not the peripheral zone after 2 and 48 hr. In contrast, with the -10 D lens BMP2 gene expression was significantly decreased in all three zones after 2 and 48 hr. Similar patterns of BMP2 gene expression were observed in all three zones after 48 hr of FD. Smaller changes were recorded for BMP4 and BMP7 gene expression for both myopia-inducing treatments. That optical defocus- and FD-induced changes in BMP gene expression in chick RPE show treatment-dependent local (regional) differences suggest important differences in the nature and contributions of local retinal and underlying RPE regions to eye growth regulation

Retinal defocus and form-deprivation induced regional differential gene expression of bone morphogenetic proteins in chick retinal pigment epithelium.

We previously reported bidirectional gene expression regulation of the Bone Morphogenetic Proteins (BMP2, 4, and 7) in chick retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) in response to imposed optical defocus and form-deprivation (FD). This study investigated whether there are local (regional) differences in these effects. 19-day old White-Leghorn chicks wore monocular +10 or - 10 D lenses, or diffusers (FD) for 2 or 48 hr, after which RPE samples were collected from both eyes, from a central circular zone (3 mm radius), and 3 mm wide annular mid-peripheral and peripheral zones in all cases. BMP2, 4, and 7 gene expression levels in RPE from treated and fellow control eyes were compared as well as differences across zones. With the +10 D lens, increased expression of both BMP2 and BMP4 genes was observed in central and mid-peripheral zones but not the peripheral zone after 2 and 48 hr. In contrast, with the -10 D lens BMP2 gene expression was significantly decreased in all three zones after 2 and 48 hr. Similar patterns of BMP2 gene expression were observed in all three zones after 48 hr of FD. Smaller changes were recorded for BMP4 and BMP7 gene expression for both myopia-inducing treatments. That optical defocus- and FD-induced changes in BMP gene expression in chick RPE show treatment-dependent local (regional) differences suggest important differences in the nature and contributions of local retinal and underlying RPE regions to eye growth regulation

Exploring the Molecular Tumor Microenvironment and Translational Biomarkers in Brain Metastases of Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer

Brain metastases represent a significant clinical challenge in the treatment of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), often leading to a severe decline in patient prognosis and survival. Recent advances in imaging and systemic treatments have increased the detection rates of brain metastases, yet clinical outcomes remain dismal due to the complexity of the metastatic tumor microenvironment (TME) and the lack of specific biomarkers for early detection and targeted therapy. The intricate interplay between NSCLC tumor cells and the surrounding TME in brain metastases is pivotal, influencing tumor progression, immune evasion, and response to therapy. This underscores the necessity for a deeper understanding of the molecular underpinnings of brain metastases, tumor microenvironment, and the identification of actionable biomarkers that can inform multimodal treatment approaches. The goal of this review is to synthesize current insights into the TME and elucidate molecular mechanisms in NSCLC brain metastases. Furthermore, we will explore the promising horizon of emerging biomarkers, both tissue- and liquid-based, that hold the potential to radically transform the treatment strategies and the enhancement of patient outcomes