Applying Untargeted Lipidomics to Evaluate the Efficacy of Combined Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy and Immunotherapy for Esophageal Squamous Carcinoma Treatment

Lipid droplets play versatile roles in ovarian development of the razor clam Sinonovacula constricta: Insights from proteomic and lipidomic analyses

Lipid droplet (LD) deposition is a common phenomenon during ovarian development across marine mollusks; however, studies on the protein and lipid composition of their ovarian LDs remain limited. Here, we purified LDs from the ovaries of Sinonovacula constricta and isolated proteins and lipids from these purified LDs for proteomic and lipidomic analyses. Our proteomic analysis identified 3243 proteins, with PLIN2 being the most abundant (37.03 ± 13.56 %). We subsequently conducted a functional analysis of the top 500 most abundant LD-associated proteins, categorizing them into 15 groups, including those involved in lipid metabolism, sterol biosynthesis, tricarboxylic acid cycle, carbohydrate metabolism, G protein superfamily, protein chaperones, transport proteins, nucleotide-catabolic process, protein processing and degradation, cytoskeletal proteins, oxidative stress and immunity, and ribosome-associated proteins. In our lipidomic analysis, we identified 1158 molecules across 52 lipid classes, with phosphatidylcholine (PC) exhibiting the greatest diversity at 209 varieties, followed by EtherPC with 177 varieties and triglyceride (TG) with 149 varieties. The fatty acid (FA) analysis of LDs revealed that 16:0 was the most abundant (30.01 ± 0.42 %). Additionally, LDs were found rich in long-chain polyunsaturated FAs (35.63 ± 4.36 %), particularly EPA and DHA. Moreover, we analyzed the FA composition of TGs, PCs, and EtherPCs derived from ovarian LDs. In PCs and TGs, the predominant FAs were 16:0, 16:1, and 18:3, while 16:0, 22:6, and 18:4 constituted the major FA species in EtherPCs. Together, our results suggest that ovarian LDs in S. constricta not only participate in lipid metabolism but also interact with other organelles and metabolic processes, thereby facilitating ovarian development.

Prognostic value of FCER1G expression and M2 macrophage infiltration in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND

FCER1G as an immune-associated protein, which belongs to the immunoglobulin superfamily and is involved in mediating and executing antibody-mediated immune responses. However, the role of FCER1G in cancers remains controversial. Our objectives were to study the association between FCER1G and tumor- infiltrating immune cells (TIICs) as well as the predictive significance of FCER1G.

METHODS

The expression of FCER1G and its prognostic value in ESCC was examined by The Cancer Genome Atlas and Gene Expression Omnibus databases. We also evaluated the relationship between FCER1G expression and 22 TIICs. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression and distribution of FCER1G. Double immunofluorescence was used to detect the co-expression of FCER1G and CD163 positive cells. Kaplan-Meier survival curves and Cox regression analysis was performed to determine the prognostic significance of FCER1G and CD163.

RESULTS

The analysis revealed that FCER1G was upregulated in ESCC, which was distributed more in the intra-tumor mesenchyme than in the cancer nests. The more infiltration in intra-tumor mesenchyme the worse the overall survival (OS) for patients with ESCC. The infiltration of FCER1G+ cells was positively correlated with that of M2 macrophages and most of the CD163+ M2 macrophages expressed FCER1G. The more the infiltration of FCER1G+ M2 macrophages, the worse the OS of ESCC patients. FCER1G and TNM stage were identified as independent risk factors affecting the OS of ESCC patients.

CONCLUSIONS

FCER1G+ cells infiltration may help to predict the prognosis of ESCC. The combined detection of FCER1G and CD163 has a higher prognostic value.

Characterization of Key Lipid Components in the Cell Membrane of Freeze-Drying Resistant Lacticaseibacillus paracasei Strains Using Nontargeted Lipidomics

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are usually freeze-dried into powder for transportation and storage, with the bacterial membrane playing a crucial role in this process. However, different strains exhibit different levels of freeze-drying resistance in their cell membranes. In this study, Lacticaseibacillus paracasei (L. paracasei) strains 1F20, K56, and J5, demonstrating survival rates of 59.51, 25.86, and 4.05% after freeze-drying, respectively, were selected. The membrane structure and composition of these strains were subsequently analyzed. Bacterial live/dead staining results indicated that strain 1F20 maintained the highest membrane integrity after drying. Nontargeted lipidomics analysis revealed six differential lipid species that differed in membrane lipid compositions. KEGG functional enrichment analysis revealed 13 significantly different pathways, with glycerophospholipid metabolism being the most critical. This study explored the membrane composition of L. paracasei at the cellular level and identified key lipid species associated with freeze-drying resistance, providing a reference for screening highly resistant strains.

Advances in Precision Medicine Approaches for Colorectal Cancer: From Molecular Profiling to Targeted Therapies

Precision medicine is transforming colorectal cancer treatment through the integration of advanced technologies and biomarkers, enhancing personalized and effective disease management. Identification of key driver mutations and molecular profiling have deepened our comprehension of the genetic alterations in colorectal cancer, facilitating targeted therapy and immunotherapy selection. Biomarkers such as microsatellite instability (MSI) and DNA mismatch repair deficiency (dMMR) guide treatment decisions, opening avenues for immunotherapy. Emerging technologies such as liquid biopsies, artificial intelligence, and machine learning promise to revolutionize early detection, monitoring, and treatment selection in precision medicine. Despite these advancements, ethical and regulatory challenges, including equitable access and data privacy, emphasize the importance of responsible implementation. The dynamic nature of colorectal cancer, with its tumor heterogeneity and clonal evolution, underscores the necessity for adaptive and personalized treatment strategies. The future of precision medicine in colorectal cancer lies in its potential to enhance patient care, clinical outcomes, and our understanding of this intricate disease, marked by ongoing evolution in the field. The current reviews focus on providing in-depth knowledge on the various and diverse approaches utilized for precision medicine against colorectal cancer, at both molecular and biochemical levels.