Increased triglyceride-glucose index is associated with adverse functional outcome for patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage after surgical clipping and endovascular coiling: insights from a large cohort study

BackgroundThe triglyceride-glucose index (TyG-i) isrecognized as a simple, cost-effective, and valuable surrogate for insulin resistance, and it has been identified to be associated with the prognosis of cardiovascular diseases. However, limited research has been conducted to explore the relationship between TyG-i and clinical outcome of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH). This study aims to elucidate the association between preoperative TyG-i level and the prognosis of aSAH.MethodsA total of 467 patients with aSAH admitted to Beijing Tiantan Hospital from January 2015 to September 2022 for inclusion in this study. Unfavorable clinical outcome was defined as modified Rankin Scale (mRS) < 3 at 90 days after discharge. TyG-i was calculated using measurements of triglyceride and fasting blood glucose. Additionally, TyG-body mass index (TyG-BMI), a TyG-derived parameter calculated by TyG-i, height, and weight, was also collected. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to explore association between clinical outcome and TyG-i level, as well as its derivative index.ResultsAfter multivariate adjustment, the increased TyG-i level was associated with high risk of unfavorable clinical outcome (Odds ratio = 3.474, p = 0.002). Multivariable-adjusted spline regression model showed a linear relationship between TyG-i and aSAH prognosis (p for nonlinear = 0.202). Moreover, adding TyG-i to conventional risk factors significantly improved the risk prediction of poor prognosis (net reclassification index: 40.17%, p < 0.001; integrated discrimination index: 3.24%, p = 0.005). Multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that there was no significant association between TyG-BMI and clinical outcome of aSAH.ConclusionHigh preoperative TyG-i levels were associated with increased risks of unfavorable clinical outcome, suggesting that TyG-i may be a valuable prognostic marker for patients with aSAH.Clinical trial registrationhttps://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04785976, identifier NCT04785976

The Technological Advances and Prospects of Vascularized Brain Organoids

Cerebrovascular diseases, characterized by high incidence, disability, and mortality rates, have emerged as a leading global cause of death and long-term disability. Organoid technology, a three-dimensional in vitro culture system derived from stem cells or tissue cells, enables the simulation of organ development, physiological processes, and pathological mechanisms, demonstrating significant potential in cerebrovascular disease research and therapeutic development. This review summarizes recent advances in organoid applications for cerebrovascular diseases, with a focus on strategies for constructing vascularized cerebral organoids, including in vivo transplantation, in vitro culture systems, and bioengineering approaches. Studies reveal that these models not only recapitulate neurovascular unit interactions but also serve as powerful platforms for drug screening and mechanistic investigations, offering novel therapeutic strategies for cerebrovascular disorders. Current challenges include insufficient vascularization efficiency and limited integration capacity with host tissues. Future integration of gene editing, microfluidic chips, and high-throughput 3D bioprinting technologies is expected to enhance the functionality and clinical translatability of vascularized cerebral organoids, thereby advancing personalized medicine and precision healthcare

Identification of Novel QTL for Mercury Accumulation in Maize Using an Enlarged SNP Panel

Mercury (Hg) pollution not only poses a threat to the environment but also adversely affects the growth and development of plants, with potential repercussions for animals and humans through bioaccumulation in the food chain. Maize, a crucial source of food, industrial materials, and livestock feed, requires special attention in understanding the genetic factors influencing mercury accumulation. Developing maize varieties with low mercury accumulation is vital for both maize production and human health. In this study, a comprehensive genome-wide association study (GWAS) was conducted using an enlarged SNP panel comprising 1.25 million single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 230 maize inbred lines across three environments. The analysis identified 111 significant SNPs within 78 quantitative trait loci (QTL), involving 169 candidate genes under the Q model. Compared to the previous study, the increased marker density and optimized statistical model led to the discovery of 74 additional QTL, demonstrating improved statistical power. Gene ontology (GO) enrichment analysis revealed that most genes participate in arsenate reduction and stress responses. Notably, GRMZM2G440968, which has been reported in previous studies, is associated with the significant SNP chr6.S_155668107 in axis tissue. It encodes a cysteine proteinase inhibitor, implying its potential role in mitigating mercury toxicity by inhibiting cysteine. Haplotype analyses provided further insights, indicating that lines carrying hap3 exhibited the lowest mercury content compared to other haplotypes. In summary, our study significantly enhances the statistical power of GWAS, identifying additional genes related to mercury accumulation and metabolism. These findings offer valuable insights into unraveling the genetic basis of mercury content in maize and contribute to the development of maize varieties with low mercury accumulation