Urinary biomarkers in prediction of subclinical acute kidney injury in pediatric oncology patients treated with nephrotoxic agentsMiloševski-Lomić, Kotur-Stevuljević, Paripović
et alBMC Nephrol (2025) 26 (1), 159
Abstract: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common complication in pediatric oncology patients, most often caused by nephrotoxic drugs. We aimed to assess whether levels of urinary kidney injury molecule-1 (uKIM-1), neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (uNGAL), liver fatty acid binding protein (uL-FABP) and Vanin-1 (uVNN-1), individually and in combination-integrated could be early markers for cytotoxic treatment induced AKI.Children with different malignant diseases treated with cisplatin (CIS) or ifosfamide (IFO) were included. AKI was defined using pediatric KDIGO (Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes) criteria by comparing pretreatment serum creatinine (sCr) values with those acquired at 48 h after the first or second chemotherapy cycle. Five serum (at baseline, 2, 6, 24 and 48 h after treatment) and four urine samples (at baseline, 2, 6 and 24 h after treatment) were obtained. Urinary biomarkers (uBm) were normalized to urine creatinine.Thirty-eight patients were assessed. Within 48 h following chemotherapy 6 (15.79%) patients experienced AKI. Patients with AKI were younger and tend to have lower baseline sCr values than patients without AKI, but these differences were not statistically significant. Compared to baselines, all uBm were significantly increased during the first 6 h while sCr concentrations did not change significantly during the study period. The median increases in uBm during the first 6 h after treatment were 529.8% (interquartile range - IQR, 63.9-1835.2%) - 2194.0% (IQR, 255.3-4695.5%) in AKI vs. 302.2% (IQR 114.6-561.2%) -429.8% (156.5-1467.0%) in non-AKI group depending of tested uBm. The magnitude of these changes over time didn't differ significantly between groups. The area under receiver operator curve (AUC) for uL-FABP and uNGAL at 24 h after chemotherapy were 0.81 and 0.72, respectively. The ROC analysis revealed that the other individual biomarkers' performance at any time-point wasn't statistically significant (AUC < 0.7). A model of integrated-combined uBm, 2 h (AUC 0.78), 6 h (AUC 0.85) and 24 h after (AUC 0.92) treatment with CIS and/or IFO showed good utility for early AKI prediction.The results of this study support that the use of the uBm to improves early AKI prediction in patients receiving CIS and/or IFO containing chemotherapy. Further studies on larger comparable groups of patients are needed.© 2025. The Author(s).
Triglyceride-lowering effect of rice protein due to the regulation of fatty acid uptake and transport of triglyceride in rats fed normal/oil-enriched dietsLiu, Wang, Liang
et alFood Chem (Oxf) (2025) 10, 100253
Abstract: Dysregulation of fatty acid uptake and triglyceride transport can induce excess triglyceride accumulation. We propose that rice protein might suppress fatty acid uptake and/or triglyceride transport. To elucidate potential mechanisms, expressions of cluster determinant 36 (CD36), microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTP), fatty acid transport protein-2 (FATP-2), fatty acid-binding protein-1 (FABP-1), lipoprotein lipase (LPL) and Niemann-Pick C1-like 1 (NPC1L1) were investigated in growing and adult male Wistar rats fed with caseins and rice proteins under normal and oil-enriched dietary conditions. After two weeks of feeding, rice protein depressed the gene and protein expressions of CD36, MTP, FATP-2, FABP-1 and NPC1L1, whereas rice protein up-regulated those of LPL. As a result, rice protein significantly reduced the concentrations of triglyceride and fatty acid in the plasma and liver (P < 0.05) as well as the deposit of perirenal, epididymal and mesenteric fat (P < 0.05). The present study demonstrates an association between the depression of fatty acid uptake and triglyceride transport and the triglyceride-lowering effect of rice protein.© 2025 The Authors.
Influencing factors and quality traits of pigeon meat: A systematic reviewLan, He, Gibril
et alPoult Sci (2025) 104 (4), 105000
Abstract: Pigeon meat is highly nutritious, offering medicinal benefits, and is often valued as a tonic due to its high protein and low-fat content. With advancements in breeding technology and evolving market demands, the quality and flavor characteristics of pigeon meat have become key areas of interest for researchers and consumers. In recent years, extensive research on pigeon meat quality traits, has been conducted both domestically and internationally, to enhance the production efficiency and product quality to meet market needs while also providing theoretical support and technical guidance for industry development. This review explores the recent advancements in under-standing the genetic and non-genetic factors that influence pigeon meat quality, focusing on candidate gene markers that guide breeding strategies to enhance meat quality. For instance, studies on genetic factors have identified several genes associated with pigeon meat quality. These include ATP binding cassette subfamily a member 8 (Abca8b), von willebrand factor (VWF), oxoglutarate dehydrogenase (OGDH), TGF beta induced factor homeobox 1 (TGIF1), dickkopf WNT signaling pathway inhibitor 3 (DKK3), glutamine-fructose-6-phosphate transaminase 1 (Gfpt1) and replication factor C subunit 5 (RFC5) which influence skeletal muscle development, and fatty acid binding protein 1 (FABP1), heart-type FABP (H-FABP), and diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 (DGAT2) which impact intramuscular fat content. Furthermore, the comprehensive exploration of both genetic and non-genetic factors aims to provide a solid foundation and practical strategies for advancing the production and utilization of pigeon meat.Copyright © 2025. Published by Elsevier Inc.
Multi-omics driven paradigm for construction of traditional Chinese Medicine Zheng (syndrome) diagnosis and treatment model, taking Shi Zheng (syndrome of dampness) as an exampleWang, Yang, Li
et alChin Med (2025) 20 (1), 33
Abstract: Shi Zheng (SZ, syndrome of dampness) is a major syndrome type in traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the ambiguity of its pathomechanism and the lack of blood diagnostic indicators have limited the understanding of the development of SZ.To explore the pathological mechanism of SZ and establish a symptom-centered diagnosis and treatment model.We recruited 250 participants, including healthy individuals and patients diagnosed with SZ. Serum metabolomics and proteomics analyses were performed to screen common pathways. Along with the biological significance of common pathways, a common pathway-symptom correlation diagram was constructed to elucidate the pathological mechanism underlying the occurrence and development of SZ. The enrichment score and correlations with SZ main symptom was used to screen the key common pathways. The key common pathways related to differential metabolites and proteins were used to establish a multi-index diagnostic model and protein therapy target group.Joint metabolomics and proteomics analyses revealed 18 common pathways associated with symptoms. Six key pathways, such as pathogenic Escherichia coli infection, rheumatoid arthritis, PPAR signaling pathway, bile secretion, GnRH signaling pathway, and fat digestion and absorption were correlated with the main symptoms of SZ. These symptoms included greasy/thick/slippery tongue coating, heavy head, heavy body, heavy limbs, heavy joints, greasy hair, sticky mouth, sticky stool, and damp scrotum. Moreover, seven differential metabolites related to the key pathways were identified: LysoPA (20:3(5Z,8Z,11Z)/0:0), prostaglandin E2, leukotriene B4, lithocholate 3-O-glucuronide, 3-hydroxyquinine, lithocholic acid glycine conjugate, and PA(18:0/22:6(5Z,8E,10Z,13Z,15E,19Z)-2OH(7S, 17S)), and the combined diagnostic value of the seven indicators was the highest (discovery cohort: AUC = 0.90; validation cohort: AUC = 0.99). There were 23 differential proteins related to the key pathways, and six protein targets were identified, including RHOA, TNFSF13, PRKCD, APOA2, ATP1A1, and FABP1.The combined analysis of metabolomics and proteomics established a symptom-centered diagnosis and treatment model of Shi Zheng.© 2025. The Author(s).