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Search Results (218)

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Keywords = multi-pathway exposure

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18 pages, 4493 KB  
Article
Integrated Single-Cell and Spatial Transcriptomics Coupled with Machine Learning Uncovers MORF4L1 as a Critical Epigenetic Mediator of Radiotherapy Resistance in Colorectal Cancer Liver Metastasis
by Yuanyuan Zhang, Xiaoli Wang, Haitao Liu, Yan Xiang and Le Yu
Biomedicines 2026, 14(2), 273; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines14020273 - 26 Jan 2026
Abstract
Background and Objective: Colorectal cancer (CRC) liver metastasis (CRLM) represents a major clinical challenge, and acquired resistance to radiotherapy (RT) significantly limits therapeutic efficacy. A deep and comprehensive understanding of the cellular and molecular mechanisms driving RT resistance is urgently required to develop [...] Read more.
Background and Objective: Colorectal cancer (CRC) liver metastasis (CRLM) represents a major clinical challenge, and acquired resistance to radiotherapy (RT) significantly limits therapeutic efficacy. A deep and comprehensive understanding of the cellular and molecular mechanisms driving RT resistance is urgently required to develop effective combination strategies. Here, we aimed to dissect the dynamic cellular landscape of the tumor microenvironment (TME) and identify key epigenetic regulators mediating radioresistance in CRLM by integrating cutting-edge single-cell and spatial omics technologies. Methods and Results: We performed integrated single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) and spatial transcriptomics (ST) on matched pre- and post-radiotherapy tumor tissues collected from three distinct CRLM patients. Employing a robust machine-learning framework on the multi-omics data, we successfully identified MORF4L1 (Mortality Factor 4 Like 1), an epigenetic reader, as a critical epigenetic mediator of acquired radioresistance. High-resolution scRNA-seq analysis of the tumor cell compartment revealed that the MORF4L1-high subpopulation exhibited significant enrichment in DNA damage repair (DDR) pathways, heightened activity of multiple pro-survival metabolic pathways, and robust signatures of immune evasion. Pseudotime trajectory analysis further confirmed that RT exposure drives tumor cells toward a highly resistant state, marked by a distinct increase in MORF4L1 expression. Furthermore, cell–cell communication inference demonstrated a pronounced, systemic upregulation of various immunosuppressive signaling axes within the TME following RT. Crucially, high-resolution ST confirmed these molecular and cellular interactions in their native context, revealing a significant spatial co-localization of MORF4L1-expressing tumor foci with multiple immunosuppressive immune cell types, including regulatory T cells (Tregs) and tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), thereby underscoring its role in TME-mediated resistance. Conclusions: Our comprehensive spatial and single-cell profiling establishes MORF4L1 as a pivotal epigenetic regulator underlying acquired radioresistance in CRLM. These findings provide a compelling mechanistic rationale for combining radiotherapy with the targeted inhibition of MORF4L1, presenting a promising new therapeutic avenue to overcome treatment failure and improve patient outcomes in CRLM. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Epigenetic Regulation in Cancer Progression)
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32 pages, 3819 KB  
Review
Aflatoxin and Liver Cancer in China: The Evolving Research Landscape
by Jian-Guo Chen, Thomas W. Kensler, Gui-Ju Sun, Jian Zhu, Jian-Hua Lu, Da Pan, Yong-Hui Zhang and John D. Groopman
Toxins 2026, 18(2), 61; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins18020061 - 25 Jan 2026
Viewed by 49
Abstract
Aflatoxins, particularly aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), are among the most potent naturally occurring carcinogens and remain a major food-borne hazard in parts of Asia and Africa. China has generated a uniquely cohesive body of evidence connecting aflatoxin contamination to hepatocellular carcinoma [...] Read more.
Aflatoxins, particularly aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), are among the most potent naturally occurring carcinogens and remain a major food-borne hazard in parts of Asia and Africa. China has generated a uniquely cohesive body of evidence connecting aflatoxin contamination to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), especially in settings where chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is highly prevalent and acts synergistically with aflatoxin exposure. Over five decades, field investigations and laboratory innovations—exemplified by long-term work in Qidong—have assembled a multi-layered causal chain spanning the following: (i) contamination monitoring in staple foods; (ii) quantification of internal dose and biologically effective dose using validated biomarkers (e.g., urinary AFB1–N7–guanine, AFM1, and serum AFB1–lysine albumin adducts); (iii) a characteristic molecular fingerprint in tumors and circulation (TP53 R249S); (iv) reversibility demonstrated through randomized intervention trials and policy-driven natural experiments. Chemoprevention and dietary interception studies (e.g., oltipraz, chlorophyllin, and broccoli sprout beverages) showed that enhancing detoxication pathways can lower biomarker burdens in exposed populations. At the population level, a sustained dietary transition from maize to rice, together with strengthened food governance, was accompanied by marked decreases in biomarker distributions and subsequent declines in HCC mortality in endemic regions. Nevertheless, regional heterogeneity, multi-mycotoxin co-exposure, and climate variability are expected to increase exposure volatility and complicate surveillance. Here, we translate and synthesize the Chinese evidence base, highlight biomarker-enabled monitoring and policy evaluation, and propose an integrated “5+1” prevention framework spanning source control, process detoxification, tiered governance, short-course interception, precision follow-up of high-risk individuals, and climate-sensitive early warning along the climate–agriculture–storage–processing–population (CAT–CSPP) chain. Full article
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24 pages, 13198 KB  
Article
Multi-Omics Profiling of the Hepatopancreas of Ridgetail White Prawn Exopalaemon carinicauda Under Sulfate Stress
by Ruixuan Wang, Chen Gu, Hui Li, Libao Wang, Ruijian Sun, Kuipeng Fu, Wenjun Shi and Xihe Wan
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2026, 27(2), 1056; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27021056 - 21 Jan 2026
Viewed by 66
Abstract
With intensifying global climate change and human activities, and with regional topography interactions, soil and water salinization has intensified, posing major ecological and environmental challenges worldwide. Here, we integrated histology, transmission electron microscopy, RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) and data-independent acquisition (DIA)-based proteomics to profile [...] Read more.
With intensifying global climate change and human activities, and with regional topography interactions, soil and water salinization has intensified, posing major ecological and environmental challenges worldwide. Here, we integrated histology, transmission electron microscopy, RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) and data-independent acquisition (DIA)-based proteomics to profile hepatopancreas responses of Exopalaemon carinicauda during acute sulfate stress (≤48 h). Sulfate exposure disrupted tubular architecture and organelle integrity, consistent with early cellular injury. Multi-omics analyses revealed metabolic reprogramming marked by suppressed glycolysis (e.g., HK2, ENO) and enhanced oxidative phosphorylation (e.g., ATP5F1B), together with activation of calcium signaling (e.g., SLC8A1, ADCY9) and reinforcement of antioxidant/one-carbon and glucose-branch pathways (e.g., SHMT2, PGAM2). These coordinated transcript–protein changes indicate a shift from rapid cytosolic ATP supply to mitochondrial ATP production while buffering Ca2+ overload and reactive oxygen species. Collectively, our results delineate the physiological and molecular adjustments that enable E. carinicauda to cope with sulfate conditions and provide mechanistic targets for selective breeding and water-quality management in saline–alkaline aquaculture. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Molecular Genetics and Genomics)
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38 pages, 10428 KB  
Article
Conversational AI-Enabled Precision Oncology Reveals Context-Dependent MAPK Pathway Alterations in Hispanic/Latino and Non-Hispanic White Colorectal Cancer Stratified by Age and FOLFOX Exposure
by Fernando C. Diaz, Brigette Waldrup, Francisco G. Carranza, Sophia Manjarrez and Enrique Velazquez-Villarreal
Cancers 2026, 18(2), 293; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers18020293 - 17 Jan 2026
Viewed by 198
Abstract
Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) demonstrates substantial clinical and biological diversity across age groups, ancestral backgrounds, and treatment settings, alongside a rising incidence of early-onset disease (EOCRC). The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway is a major driver of CRC development and therapy response; however, [...] Read more.
Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) demonstrates substantial clinical and biological diversity across age groups, ancestral backgrounds, and treatment settings, alongside a rising incidence of early-onset disease (EOCRC). The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway is a major driver of CRC development and therapy response; however, the distribution and prognostic value of MAPK alterations across distinct patient subgroups remain unclear. Methods: We analyzed 2515 CRC tumors with harmonized demographic, clinical, genomic, and treatment metadata. Patients were stratified by ancestry (Hispanic/Latino [H/L] vs. non-Hispanic White [NHW]), age at diagnosis (early-onset [EO] vs. late-onset [LO]), and FOLFOX chemotherapy exposure. MAPK pathway alterations were identified using a curated gene set encompassing canonical EGFR-RAS-RAF-MEK-ERK signaling components and regulatory nodes. Conversational artificial intelligence (AI-HOPE and AI-HOPE-MAPK) enabled natural language-driven cohort construction and exploratory analytics; findings were validated using Fisher’s exact testing, chi-square analyses, and Kaplan–Meier survival estimates. Results: MAPK pathway disruption demonstrated marked heterogeneity across ancestry and treatment contexts. Among EO H/L patients, FGFR3, NF1, and RPS6KA6 mutations were significantly enriched in tumors not receiving FOLFOX, whereas PDGFRB alterations were more frequent in FOLFOX-treated EO H/L tumors relative to EO NHW counterparts. In late-onset H/L disease, NTRK2 and PDGFRB mutations were more common in non-FOLFOX tumors. Distinct MAPK-associated alterations were also observed among NHW patients, particularly in non-FOLFOX settings, including AKT3, FGF4, RRAS2, CRKL, DUSP4, JUN, MAPK1, RRAS, and SOS1. Survival analyses provided borderline evidence that MAPK alterations may be linked to improved overall survival in treated EO NHW patients. Conversational AI markedly accelerated analytic throughput and multi-parameter discovery. Conclusions: Although MAPK alterations are pervasive in CRC, their distribution varies meaningfully by ancestry, age, and treatment exposure. These findings highlight NF1, MAPK3, RPS6KA4, and PDGFRB as potential biomarkers in EOCRC and H/L patients, supporting the need for ancestry-aware precision oncology approaches. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovations in Addressing Disparities in Cancer)
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14 pages, 2001 KB  
Article
Black Crust-Induced Spalling of Marble: An Multi Analytical Study on the Danbi Stone Carvings
by Jianrui Zha, Bo Sheng, Wenjia Hu, Jiake Chen and Wengang Wu
Chemosensors 2026, 14(1), 24; https://doi.org/10.3390/chemosensors14010024 - 15 Jan 2026
Viewed by 216
Abstract
Black crust and spalling are common deterioration phenomena affecting marble relics, yet their correlation remains inadequately understood. Hyperspectral imaging, reflectance spectroscopy, portable X-ray Fluorescence (p-XRF), infrared thermography, Scanning Electron Microscopy coupled with Energy-Dispersive Spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), and microbiological analysis was employed to connect these [...] Read more.
Black crust and spalling are common deterioration phenomena affecting marble relics, yet their correlation remains inadequately understood. Hyperspectral imaging, reflectance spectroscopy, portable X-ray Fluorescence (p-XRF), infrared thermography, Scanning Electron Microscopy coupled with Energy-Dispersive Spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), and microbiological analysis was employed to connect these two types of deterioration on the Danbi stone carving of the Confucian Temple in Beijing. Spectral and thermal analyses reveal that black crust significantly reduces reflectance and increase solar absorption by 27%, resulting in thermal stress. p-XRF and SEM-EDS analyses indicated that black crust is enriched in Fe, Ti, Zn, Pb, As and clay minerals, while spalling areas display increase Ca, reflecting substrate exposure. Microscopy reveals microcracks at the layer–substrate interface. Microbiological analyses identify Cladosporium anthropophilum and Alternaria alternata as contributors to surface-darkening. These multi-scale datasets collectively demonstrate that alterations in surface chemistry and bio-mediated darkening promoting the formation of black crusts, which subsequently induce marble spalling due to solar absorption and thermal stress. These findings clarify the coupled physical–chemical–biological pathways through which black crust accelerates stone spalling. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Analytical Methods, Instrumentation and Miniaturization)
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32 pages, 10921 KB  
Article
Prognostic Impact of RTK–RAS Alterations in FOLFOX-Treated Early-Onset Colorectal Cancer Revealed by Artificial Intelligence-Driven Precision Oncology
by Fernando C. Diaz, Brigette Waldrup, Francisco G. Carranza, Sophia Manjarrez and Enrique Velazquez-Villarreal
Cancers 2026, 18(2), 239; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers18020239 - 13 Jan 2026
Viewed by 225
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Early-onset colorectal cancer (EOCRC; diagnosed before age 50) is rising at an accelerated rate, with a disproportionate impact on underserved populations. While alterations in the receptor tyrosine kinase–RAS (RTK–RAS) signaling pathway play a fundamental role in colorectal cancer (CRC) biology, their prognostic [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Early-onset colorectal cancer (EOCRC; diagnosed before age 50) is rising at an accelerated rate, with a disproportionate impact on underserved populations. While alterations in the receptor tyrosine kinase–RAS (RTK–RAS) signaling pathway play a fundamental role in colorectal cancer (CRC) biology, their prognostic significance in the setting of FOLFOX chemotherapy—particularly across different age groups and ancestral backgrounds—remains insufficiently characterized. We sought to characterize age-, ancestry-, and treatment-specific associations between RTK–RAS alterations and clinical outcomes using an AI-enabled precision oncology framework. Methods: We analyzed 2515 CRC cases, including 266 Hispanic/Latino (H/L) and 2249 non-Hispanic White (NHW) patients, stratified by age at onset, ancestry, and FOLFOX treatment status. Mutation frequencies were assessed using Fisher’s exact and chi-square tests, while overall survival was analyzed with Kaplan–Meier methods. The AI-HOPE and AI-HOPE–RTK–RAS conversational artificial intelligence platforms were used to integrate clinical, genomic, and treatment data via multi-parameter, natural language–based queries. Results: In early-onset Hispanic/Latino patients, ERBB2 and NF1 mutations occurred at significantly lower frequencies in FOLFOX-treated cases compared with untreated cases (p = 0.01 for both). In late-onset H/L patients, NTRK2 mutations were depleted in FOLFOX-treated tumors (p = 0.04). In untreated early-onset H/L patients, MAPK3 and NF1 mutations were enriched relative to NHW counterparts. Among early-onset NHW patients, IGF1R and ERRFI1 mutations were less frequent with FOLFOX exposure, while multiple RTK–RAS genes were reduced in FOLFOX-treated late-onset NHW patients. Survival analyses revealed worse overall survival in FOLFOX-untreated early-onset NHW patients with RTK–RAS alterations (p = 0.029), but improved survival in FOLFOX-treated late-onset NHW patients (p = 0.048). Conclusions: RTK–RAS pathway alterations demonstrate strong age-, ancestry-, and treatment-specific prognostic effects and may serve as precision biomarkers of differential chemotherapy response. AI-enabled analytics substantially accelerated integrative biomarker discovery, supporting their utility for advancing precision oncology in EOCRC. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Cancer Epidemiology and Prevention)
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22 pages, 1479 KB  
Review
Application of Graphene Oxide Nanomaterials in Crop Plants and Forest Plants
by Yi-Xuan Niu, Xin-Yu Yao, Jun Hyok Won, Zi-Kai Shen, Chao Liu, Weilun Yin, Xinli Xia and Hou-Ling Wang
Forests 2026, 17(1), 94; https://doi.org/10.3390/f17010094 - 10 Jan 2026
Viewed by 180
Abstract
Graphene oxide (GO) is a carbon-based nanomaterial explored for agricultural and forestry uses, but plant responses are strongly subject to both the dose and the route of exposure. We summarized recent studies with defined graphene oxide (GO) exposures by seed priming, foliar delivery, [...] Read more.
Graphene oxide (GO) is a carbon-based nanomaterial explored for agricultural and forestry uses, but plant responses are strongly subject to both the dose and the route of exposure. We summarized recent studies with defined graphene oxide (GO) exposures by seed priming, foliar delivery, and root or soil exposure, while comparing annual crops with woody forest plants. Mechanistic progress points to a shared physicochemical basis: surface oxygen groups and sheet geometry reshape water and ion microenvironments at the soil–seed and soil–rhizosphere interfaces, and many reported shifts in antioxidant enzymes and hormone pathways likely represent downstream stress responses. In crops, low-to-moderate doses most consistently improve germination, root architecture, and tolerance to salinity or drought stress, whereas high doses or prolonged root exposure can cause root surface coating, oxidative injury, and photosynthetic inhibition. In forest plants, evidence remains limited and often relies on seedlings or tissue culture. For forest plants with long life cycles, processes such as soil persistence, aging, and multi-seasonal carry-over become key factors, especially in nurseries and restoration substrates. The available data indicate predominant root retention with generally limited root-to-shoot translocation, so residues in edible and medicinal organs remain insufficiently quantified under realistic-use patterns. This review provides a scenario-based framework for crop- and forestry-specific safe-dose windows and proposes standardized endpoints for long-term fate and ecological risk assessment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Forest Ecophysiology and Biology)
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16 pages, 3513 KB  
Communication
Cnidium monnieri Polysaccharides Exhibit Inhibitory Effect on Airborne Transmission of Influenza A Virus
by Heng Wang, Yifei Jin, Yanrui Li, Yan Wang, Yixin Zhao, Shuang Cheng, Zhenyue Li, Mengxi Yan, Zitong Yang, Xiaolong Chen, Yan Zhang, Zhixin Yang, Zhongyi Wang, Kun Liu and Ligong Chen
Viruses 2026, 18(1), 86; https://doi.org/10.3390/v18010086 - 8 Jan 2026
Viewed by 418
Abstract
Influenza A virus (IAV) continues to present a threat to public health, highlighting the need for safe and multi-target antivirals. In this study, anti-influenza activity, airborne transmission blocking capacity, and immunomodulatory effects of Cnidium monnieri polysaccharides (CMP) were evaluated. Cytotoxicity in A549 cells [...] Read more.
Influenza A virus (IAV) continues to present a threat to public health, highlighting the need for safe and multi-target antivirals. In this study, anti-influenza activity, airborne transmission blocking capacity, and immunomodulatory effects of Cnidium monnieri polysaccharides (CMP) were evaluated. Cytotoxicity in A549 cells was assessed by CCK-8 (CC50 = 8.49 mg/mL), antiviral efficacy against A/California/04/2009 (CA04) by dose–response (EC50 = 1.63 mg/mL), and the stage of action by time-of-addition assays (pre-, co-, post-treatment). A guinea pig model infected with CA04 was used for testing the effect of pre-exposure CMP on transmission, with readouts including nasal-wash titers, seroconversion, lung index, and tissue titers (EID50). RT-qPCR was employed to quantify the mRNA expression levels of proinflammatory cytokines, including TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6, in lung tissue, while Western blot analysis was performed to assess the expression and phosphorylation status of key proteins involved in the NF-κB signaling pathway. CMP suppressed viral replication in vitro within non-cytotoxic ranges, and pre-treatment—rather than co- or post-treatment—significantly reduced titers and cytopathic effect, consistent with effects at pre-entry steps and/or host priming. In vivo, pre-exposure CMP lowered nasal shedding, reduced aerosol transmission (3/6 seroconverted vs. 6/6 controls), decreased lung indices, and diminished tissue viral loads; IAV was undetectable in trachea at 7 days post-infection in pre-exposed animals, and nasal-turbinate titers declined relative to infection controls. Moreover, during in vivo treatment in mice, CMP significantly suppressed the levels of inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6) in lung tissue. This effect was mechanistically associated with CMP-mediated regulation of the NF-κB signaling pathway, leading to attenuation of inflammatory responses. These data indicate that CMP combines a favorable in vitro safety and efficacy profile with inhibition of airborne spread in vivo, supporting further mechanistic, pharmacokinetic, and fractionation studies toward translational development. Full article
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19 pages, 262 KB  
Article
Integrating Ukrainian Students in Romanian Higher Education: Qualitative Insights from the EIUS Erasmus+ Project
by Maria Alina Caratas and Tanase Tasente
Educ. Sci. 2026, 16(1), 91; https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci16010091 - 8 Jan 2026
Viewed by 252
Abstract
Russia’s 2022 invasion precipitated one of Europe’s largest episodes of forced academic mobility, compelling universities to shift from emergency access to durable inclusion. This article investigates how Ukrainian students are integrated into Romanian higher education through a qualitative case study at Ovidius University [...] Read more.
Russia’s 2022 invasion precipitated one of Europe’s largest episodes of forced academic mobility, compelling universities to shift from emergency access to durable inclusion. This article investigates how Ukrainian students are integrated into Romanian higher education through a qualitative case study at Ovidius University of Constanta, undertaken within the Erasmus+ EIUS project. We analysed a participatory focus-group workshop (“Building Bridges,” May 2024) involving 72 participants (15 Ukrainian students, 31 Romanian students, 26 academic staff). Transcripts were coded via reflexive thematic analysis and interpreted through a SWOT lens to connect lived experience with institutional strategy. Findings indicate that integration generates tangible pedagogical and social value—diversity enriches coursework, empathy strengthens peer collaboration, and exposure to multilingual classrooms catalyses instructional innovation. Yet systemic fragilities persist: language anxiety (“translation silence”), fragmented support pathways, and limited access to counselling shift emotional labour onto faculty and peers. Opportunities cluster around Erasmus+ infrastructures, bilingual materials, and co-created projects that transform access into participation; threats include latent prejudice, social isolation, compassion fatigue, and policy discontinuity as crisis attention wanes. We advance the concept of institutionalised solidarity—a multi-level inclusion model that couples emotional infrastructures (mentoring, trauma-informed pedagogy, counselling) with organizational infrastructures (integration offices, linguistic scaffolding, adaptive assessment). The study contributes an empirically grounded framework for moving from humanitarian reaction to sustainable academic inclusion and offers actionable guidance for European universities seeking resilience under protracted disruption. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Higher Education)
21 pages, 1390 KB  
Review
DNA Methylation and Its Role in Personalized Nutrition: Mechanisms, Clinical Insights, and Future Perspectives
by Syed Ammar Hussain, Majher I. Sarker, Yanhong Liu and Tony Z. Jin
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2026, 27(2), 566; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27020566 - 6 Jan 2026
Viewed by 362
Abstract
DNA methylation is a central epigenetic mechanism that mediates the interaction between nutritional exposures and gene regulation. Emerging evidence demonstrates that diet, bioactive compounds, genetic background, and lifestyle factors collectively shape the human methylome, influencing metabolic function, disease susceptibility, and biological aging. This [...] Read more.
DNA methylation is a central epigenetic mechanism that mediates the interaction between nutritional exposures and gene regulation. Emerging evidence demonstrates that diet, bioactive compounds, genetic background, and lifestyle factors collectively shape the human methylome, influencing metabolic function, disease susceptibility, and biological aging. This review synthesizes current knowledge on the molecular and biochemical mechanisms of DNA methylation, the role of nutrients and dietary patterns in modulating methylation dynamics, and findings from human clinical trials evaluating nutritional interventions. Genotype-specific responses, including polymorphisms in one-carbon metabolism and metabolic pathways, are discussed as key determinants of interindividual variation in methylation outcomes. The review further highlights the advances in epigenetic clocks, systems biology, and multi-omics integration that support the development of precision nutrition frameworks. Ethical considerations and future challenges related to data interpretation, accessibility, and the regulation of epigenetic testing are also examined. Collectively, this review provides an integrative perspective on how DNA methylation serves as a dynamic interface between diet and health and outlines opportunities for implementing personalized nutrition strategies to improve metabolic resilience and promote healthy aging. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Advances in Epigenetics and Epigenomics)
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17 pages, 805 KB  
Review
Genetic Variants in Liver Cirrhosis: Classifications, Mechanisms, and Implications for Clinical Practice
by Roshni Pushpa Raghavan, Kirti Theresa Alexander, Shine Sadasivan, Chetan Parmar and Manikandan Kathirvel
J. Pers. Med. 2026, 16(1), 29; https://doi.org/10.3390/jpm16010029 - 5 Jan 2026
Viewed by 325
Abstract
Background: Cirrhosis represents the final common pathway of chronic liver injury, arising from diverse etiologies such as metabolic, viral, autoimmune, and alcohol-related liver diseases. Despite similar exposures, disease progression varies considerably among individuals, suggesting a genetic contribution to susceptibility and outcome. Objective: This [...] Read more.
Background: Cirrhosis represents the final common pathway of chronic liver injury, arising from diverse etiologies such as metabolic, viral, autoimmune, and alcohol-related liver diseases. Despite similar exposures, disease progression varies considerably among individuals, suggesting a genetic contribution to susceptibility and outcome. Objective: This narrative review examines how specific genetic variants influence the risk, progression, and phenotypic expression of cirrhosis. It provides a structured synthesis of established and emerging gene associations, emphasizing their biological mechanisms and potential clinical relevance. Methods: This narrative review synthesizes evidence from all major biomedical and scientific databases, including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar, as well as reference lists of relevant articles, covering literature published between 2005 and 2025 on genetic polymorphisms associated with cirrhosis and its etiological subtypes. Content: Variants are categorized into four mechanistic domains—metabolic regulation, immune modulation, liver enzyme activity, and ancestry-linked expression patterns—representing a novel integrative framework for understanding genetic risk in cirrhosis. Well-characterized variants such as PNPLA3, TM6SF2, HSD17B13, and MBOAT7, along with less commonly studied loci and chromosomal alterations, are discussed in relation to major etiologies, including MASLD/MASH, viral hepatitis, alcohol-related liver disease, and autoimmune conditions. Conclusions: Genetic insights into cirrhosis offer pathways toward early risk stratification and personalized disease management. While polygenic risk scores and multi-omic integration show promise, their clinical translation remains exploratory and requires further validation through large-scale prospective studies. Full article
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27 pages, 4713 KB  
Article
Artificial Intelligence-Enhanced Molecular Profiling of JAK-STAT Pathway Alterations in FOLFOX-Treated Early-Onset Colorectal Cancer
by Fernando C. Diaz, Brigette Waldrup, Francisco G. Carranza, Sophia Manjarrez and Enrique Velazquez-Villarreal
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2026, 27(1), 479; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27010479 - 2 Jan 2026
Viewed by 410
Abstract
Early-onset colorectal cancer (EOCRC) continues to rise, with the steepest increases observed among Hispanic/Latino (H/L) populations, underscoring the urgency of identifying ancestry- and treatment-specific biomarkers. The JAK-STAT signaling axis plays a central role in colorectal tumor biology, yet its relevance under FOLFOX-based chemotherapy [...] Read more.
Early-onset colorectal cancer (EOCRC) continues to rise, with the steepest increases observed among Hispanic/Latino (H/L) populations, underscoring the urgency of identifying ancestry- and treatment-specific biomarkers. The JAK-STAT signaling axis plays a central role in colorectal tumor biology, yet its relevance under FOLFOX-based chemotherapy in EOCRC remains poorly defined. In this study, we evaluated 2515 colorectal cancer (CRC) cases (266 H/L; 2249 non-Hispanic White [NHW]), stratifying analyses by ancestry, age of onset, and FOLFOX exposure. Statistical comparisons were performed using Fisher’s exact and chi-square tests, and survival patterns were assessed via Kaplan–Meier analysis. To extend conventional analytics, we deployed AI-HOPE and AI-HOPE-JAK-STAT, conversational artificial intelligence platforms capable of harmonizing genomic, clinical, demographic, and treatment variables through natural language queries, to accelerate multi-parameter biomarker exploration. JAK-STAT pathway alterations showed marked variation by ancestry and treatment context. Among H/L EOCRC cases, alterations were significantly enriched in patients who did not receive FOLFOX compared with those who did (21.2% vs. 4.1%; p = 0.003). A similar pattern emerged in late-onset CRC (LOCRC) NHW patients, where alterations were more frequent without FOLFOX exposure (13.3% vs. 7.5%; p = 0.0002). Notably, JAK-STAT alterations were significantly more common in untreated H/L EOCRC compared with untreated NHW EOCRC (21.2% vs. 9.9%; p = 0.002). Survival analyses revealed that JAK-STAT pathway alterations conferred improved overall survival across several NHW strata, including EOCRC treated with FOLFOX (p = 0.0008), EOCRC not treated with FOLFOX (p = 0.07), and LOCRC not treated with FOLFOX (p = 0.01). These findings suggest that JAK-STAT alterations may function as ancestry- and treatment-dependent prognostic markers in EOCRC, particularly among disproportionately affected H/L patients. However, prognostic interpretation in H/L subgroups is limited by small mutation-positive sample sizes, reflecting historical underrepresentation and highlighting the need for larger ancestry-balanced studies. The integration of AI-enabled platforms streamlined analyses and reveals the potential of artificial intelligence to accelerate discovery and advance precision medicine for populations historically underrepresented in cancer genomics research. Full article
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19 pages, 342 KB  
Review
Release of Nano- and Microplastics from Knee Prostheses: A Review of the Emerging Risks and Biomedical Implications
by Irene Méndez-Mesón, Alba Sebastián-Martín, Mónica Grande-Alonso, Rafael Ramírez-Carracedo, Rafael Moreno-Gómez-Toledano and Antonio Peña-Fernández
Micro 2026, 6(1), 2; https://doi.org/10.3390/micro6010002 - 29 Dec 2025
Viewed by 281
Abstract
Contemporary knee prostheses rely predominantly on a metal–polyethylene bearing couple, which—despite substantial advances in material engineering—continues to generate polymeric wear particles over time. While the local biological effects of polyethylene debris, such as inflammation and osteolysis, are well-characterised, their potential systemic implications remain [...] Read more.
Contemporary knee prostheses rely predominantly on a metal–polyethylene bearing couple, which—despite substantial advances in material engineering—continues to generate polymeric wear particles over time. While the local biological effects of polyethylene debris, such as inflammation and osteolysis, are well-characterised, their potential systemic implications remain insufficiently explored. In this review, we synthesise multidisciplinary evidence to evaluate the generation, biological behaviour, and systemic dissemination of polyethylene-derived nano- and microplastics (NMPs) released from knee prostheses. We also contextualise prosthetic wear within the broader toxicological framework of NMP exposure, highlighting translocation pathways, interactions with immune and metabolic systems, and potential multi-organ effects reported in recent experimental and clinical studies. Current findings suggest that prosthetic wear may represent an under-recognised internal source of NMP exposure, with possible implications for long-term patient health. A clearer understanding of the systemic behaviour of prosthetic-derived NMPs is essential to guide future biomonitoring studies, improve prosthetic materials, and support the development of safer, more biocompatible implant designs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Microscale Materials Science)
26 pages, 1051 KB  
Review
High-Altitude Hypoxia Injury: Systemic Mechanisms and Intervention Strategies on Immune and Inflammatory Responses
by Jingman Zhang, Shujie Guo, Beiebei Dou, Yang Liu, Xiaonan Wang, Yingze Jiao, Qianwen Li, Yan Li and Han Chen
Antioxidants 2026, 15(1), 36; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox15010036 - 26 Dec 2025
Viewed by 1129
Abstract
High-altitude exposure poses significant health challenges to mountaineers, military personnel, travelers, and indigenous residents. Altitude-related illnesses encompass acute conditions such as acute mountain sickness (AMS), high-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE), and high-altitude cerebral edema (HACE), and chronic manifestations like chronic mountain sickness (CMS). Hypobaric [...] Read more.
High-altitude exposure poses significant health challenges to mountaineers, military personnel, travelers, and indigenous residents. Altitude-related illnesses encompass acute conditions such as acute mountain sickness (AMS), high-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE), and high-altitude cerebral edema (HACE), and chronic manifestations like chronic mountain sickness (CMS). Hypobaric hypoxia induces oxidative stress and inflammatory cascades, causing alterations in multiple organ systems through co-related amplification mechanisms. Therefore, this review aims to systematically discuss the injury mechanisms and comprehensive intervention strategies involved in high-altitude diseases. In summary, these pathologies involve key damage pathways: oxidative stress activates inflammatory pathways through NF-κB and NOD-like receptor thermal protein domain-associated protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasomes; energy depletion impairs calcium homeostasis, leading to cellular calcium overload; mitochondrial dysfunction amplifies injury through mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP) opening and apoptotic factor release. These mechanisms could be converged in organ-specific patterns—blood–brain barrier disruption in HACE, stress failure in HAPE, and right heart dysfunction in chronic exposure. Promising strategies include multi-level therapeutic approaches targeting oxygenation (supplemental oxygen, acetazolamide), specific pathway modulation (antioxidants, calcium channel blockers, HIF-1α regulators), and damage repair (glucocorticoids). Notably, functional foods show significant therapeutic potential: dietary nitrates (beetroot) enhance oxygen delivery, tea polyphenols and anthocyanins (black goji berry) provide antioxidant effects, and traditional herbal bioactives (astragaloside, ginsenosides) offer multi-targeted organ protection. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Redox Regulation of Immune and Inflammatory Responses)
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Article
Hepatoprotection by Naringin Nanoliposomes Against Nickel Toxicity Involves Antioxidant Reinforcement and Modulation of Nrf2, NF-κB, PI3K/mTOR, JAK/STAT, and Apoptotic Pathways
by Hussein Abdelaziz Abdalla, Ekramy M. Elmorsy, Najlaa M. M. Jawad, Nora Hosny, Ahmed S. Shams, Hamada S. Salem, Manal S. Fawzy and Mai A. Salem
Pharmaceuticals 2026, 19(1), 51; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph19010051 - 25 Dec 2025
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Abstract
Background/Objectives: Nickel exposure is a significant environmental and occupational risk factor associated with the onset and progression of chronic liver diseases due to its capacity to induce persistent oxidative stress, inflammation, and hepatocellular injury. This study aimed to evaluate the enhanced hepatoprotective and [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Nickel exposure is a significant environmental and occupational risk factor associated with the onset and progression of chronic liver diseases due to its capacity to induce persistent oxidative stress, inflammation, and hepatocellular injury. This study aimed to evaluate the enhanced hepatoprotective and antioxidant/anti-inflammatory effects of naringin-loaded nanoliposomes (NRG-NLPs), a novel nanoformulation designed to improve the bioavailability of naringin, a citrus-derived flavonoid phytochemical, against nickel sulfate (NiSO4)-induced hepatotoxicity in male Wistar rats. Methods: Ninety rats were allocated into six groups (n = 15 each): control, NRG, NRG-NLPs, NiSO4, NiSO4 + NRG, and NiSO4 + NRG-NLPs. Treatments consisted of oral administration of NRG or NRG-NLPs (80 mg/kg/day) and intraperitoneal injections of NiSO4 (20 mg/kg/day) for three weeks. Endpoints included assessment of growth performance, serum biochemistry, hepatic antioxidant status, inflammatory mediators, apoptotic gene expression, nickel tissue accumulation, and histopathological and ultrastructural liver changes. Results: NiSO4 exposure induced marked hepatic injury, evidenced by reduced body weight, adverse serum biochemical profiles, increased hepatic enzymes and bilirubin, elevated oxidative damage markers (MDA, protein carbonyls), increased proinflammatory cytokines, and upregulation of HMGB1, PI3K, mTOR, JAK/STAT, and proapoptotic genes, accompanied by aberrant nickel accumulation and severe histopathological alterations. Co-treatment with NRG-NLPs significantly ameliorated biochemical and histological disturbances, restored antioxidant defense systems (SOD, CAT, GPx, GSH, Nrf2, HO-1), and modulated key pathways of inflammation (NF-κB, TNF-α, IL-6), fibrosis (TGF-β), cell survival, and apoptosis more effectively than crude naringin. NRG-NLPs also substantially reduced hepatic nickel deposition and preserved near-normal liver architecture. Conclusions: These findings demonstrate that nanoformulated naringin confers superior hepatoprotective benefits against nickel-induced liver injury through enhanced bioavailability and multi-pathway modulation, supporting its translational potential as a citrus-derived medicinal phytochemical and dietary bioactive for the prevention and therapeutic intervention of oxidative and inflammatory chronic liver disease. Full article
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