Corosolic acid attenuates cardiac ischemia/reperfusion injury through the PHB2/PINK1/parkin/mitophagy pathway.

Despite advances in treatment, myocardial infarction remains the leading cause of heart failure and death worldwide, and the restoration of coronary blood flow can also cause heart damage. In this study, we found that corosolic acid (CA), also known as plant insulin, significantly protects the heart from ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury. In addition, CA can inhibit oxidative stress and improve mitochondrial structure and function in cardiomyocytes. Subsequently, our study demonstrated that CA improved the expression of the mitophagy-related proteins Prohibitin 2 (PHB2), PTEN-induced putative kinase protein-1 (PINK1), and Parkin. Meanwhile, through molecular docking, we found an excellent binding between CA and PHB2 protein. Finally, the knockdown of PHB2 eliminated the protective effect of CA on hypoxia-reoxygenation in cardiomyocytes. Taken together, our study reveals that CA increases mitophagy in cardiomyocytes via the PHB2/PINK1/Parkin signaling pathway, inhibits oxidative stress response, and maintains mitochondrial function, thereby improving cardiac function after I/R.

Clinicopathological and Molecular Characteristics of Rare EBV-associated Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma With IRF4 Rearrangement.

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-positive diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is a rare form of aggressive B-cell lymphoma with limited molecular information reported regarding interferon regulatory factor 4 (IRF4) status. Here, we presented 3 EBV-positive DLBCL cases with IRF4 rearrangement (EBV+DLBCL-IRF4-R) verified by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Three patients, including 1 male and 2 females (median age: 64 y; range: 45 to 68 y), had normal immune function. During a median follow-up of 12 months (range: 0 to 24 mo), 2 patients succumbed to the disease, and 1 patient achieved complete response. Three tumors were present in the mediastinum, stomach, and thalamus, respectively. All three tumors exhibited DLBCL morphology and were identified as the non-germinal center B-cell subtype, with EBV-encoded small RNA positivity ranging from 70% to 80%. RNA sequencing was able to identify RHOH and IGH as fusion partners of IRF4 in two cases. No MYC and BCL2 rearrangements were detected in 3 cases by FISH and RNA sequencing. Next-generation sequencing revealed a low mutation burden, and only IRF4 was recurrently mutated in two EBV+DLBCL-IRF4-R cases. Using the LymphGen 2.0 classifier, 1 case was classified as the MCD (including MYD88L265P and CD79B mutations) subtype. We report rare EBV+DLBCL-IRF4-R that may enhance our understanding of the diverse spectrum of large B-cell lymphoma.

WDR77 in Pan-Cancer: Revealing expression patterns, genetic insights, and functional roles across diverse tumor types, with a spotlight on colorectal cancer.

OBJECTIVE: Despite its involvement in regulating various cellular functions, the expression and role of WD repeat-containing protein 77 (WDR77) in cancer remain elusive. This study aims to explore the expression and potential roles of WDR77 across multiple cancers, with a particular focus on its relevance in colorectal cancer (CRC). METHODS: We obtained WDR77 RNA-seq data, mutations, CNVs, and DNA methylation data from the TCGA, GTEx, and GEO databases to investigate its expression patterns and prognostic value. Additionally, we examined the correlation between WDR77 expression and somatic mutations, copy number variations, DNA methylation, and mRNA modifications. We utilized GSVA, GSEA algorithms, and CRISPR KO data from the Dependency Map database to explore WDR77's potential biological functions. The association between WDR77 and the tumor immune microenvironment was investigated using ESTIMATE and IOBR algorithms. Finally, we assessed WDR77 expression in CRC and its impact on cell proliferation through qRT-PCR, Western blotting, immunohistochemistry, CCK8, colony formation, and EdU assays. RESULTS: WDR77 was upregulated in various tumors and correlated with poor patient prognosis. Its high expression positively correlated with pathways related to cell proliferation and negatively correlated with immune-related pathways. In CRC, WDR77 expression was associated with specific clinical features, genomic alterations, and immune microenvironment characteristics. Experimental validation confirmed upregulated WDR77 expression in CRC tissues and cells, with WDR77 knockdown significantly inhibiting CRC cell proliferation. CONCLUSION: WDR77 holds potential as an oncogene and biological marker in various cancers, particularly CRC.

Cadmium exposure induces multigenerational inheritance of germ cell apoptosis and fertility suppression in Caenorhabditis elegans.

Cadmium is a significant environmental pollutant that poses a substantial health hazard to humans due to its propensity to accumulate in the body and resist excretion. We have a comprehensive understanding of the damage caused by Cd exposure and the mechanisms of tolerance, however, the intricate mechanisms underlying multigenerational effects resulting from Cd exposure remain poorly understood. In this study, Caenorhabditis elegans were used as a model organism to investigate Cd-induced multigenerational effects and its association with epigenetic modifications. The results showed that Cd exposure leads to an increase in germ cell apoptosis and a decrease in fertility, which can be passed down to subsequent generations. Further analysis revealed that transcription factors DAF-16/FOXO and SKN-1/Nrf2 play essential roles in responding to Cd exposure and in the transgenerational induction of germ cell apoptosis. Additionally, histone H3K4 trimethylation (H3K4me3) marks stress-responsive genes and enhances their transcription, ultimately triggering multigenerational germ cell apoptosis. This study provides compelling evidence that the detrimental effects of Cd on the reproductive system can be inherited across generations. These findings enhance our understanding of the multigenerational effects of environmental pollutants and may inform strategies for the prevention and control of such pollutants.

Clinicopathologic features and new factors affecting constitution of eyelid neoplasms: a 10-year multicentre experience in southern coastal China.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to delineate the key characteristics of eyelid neoplasms in central and southern coastal China and to explore potential factors affecting tumour development. METHODS: This was a retrospective, multicentre observational study. In total, 1302 cases of eyelid neoplasms diagnosed in 2 tertiary hospitals were reviewed from January 2013 to May 2023. Histogenesis, pathologic diagnosis, and potential risk factors were investigated, and the findings were compared with data from various regions and countries. Age- and sex-specific incidence rates, time trends, distributions across age groups, and the relationship with the Sociodemographic Index, latitude, and altitude were calculated. RESULTS: There were 1162 benign (89.2%) and 140 malignant (10.8%) cases, representing 63 pathologic types. The median age of benign cases (50 years) was significantly lower than that of malignant cases (72 years) (P < 0.05). The most common benign and malignant lesions were intradermal nevus (28.83%) and basal cell carcinoma (BCC) (74.29%). A relatively younger median age (68 years) for sebaceous gland carcinoma (SGC) was observed, with a male preponderance (sex ratio 2:1). Analyses of the proportions of BCC, SGC, and squamous cell carcinoma in eyelid malignancies revealed significant regression equations (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Most eyelid neoplasms are of epithelial and melanocytic origin, with benign tumours being predominant. The regions with greater Sociodemographic Index exhibit a greater incidence of BCC and a lower incidence of squamous cell carcinoma and SGC. BCC appears to have a greater incidence in regions located at higher latitudes.

Impact of diabetes on COVID-19 and glucocorticoids on patients with COVID-19 and diabetes during the Omicron variant epidemic: a multicenter retrospective cohort study in South China.

BACKGROUND: To explore the impact of diabetes on the clinical features and prognosis of COVID-19 and assess the influence of glucocorticoid use on the prognosis of patients with COVID-19 and diabetes. METHODS: This retrospective multicenter cohort study included patients admitted between December 2022 and January 2023. The patients were grouped according to diabetes and glucocorticoid use. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. RESULTS: Among 400 patients with glucocorticoid data, 109 (27.3%) had diabetes. The inflammatory cytokines were higher in patients with diabetes, manifested by higher IL-6 (25.33 vs. 11.29 ng/L, p = 0.011), CRP (26.55 vs. 8.62 mg/L, p = 0.003), and PCT (0.07 vs. 0.04 ng/ml, p = 0.010), while CD4+ (319 vs. 506 /mL, p = 0.004) and CD8+ (141 vs. 261 /mL, p < 0.001) T lymphocytes were lower. The overall mortality rate of hospitalized COVID-19 patients with diabetes was 13.46%. The diabetic patients who received glucocorticoids vs. those who did not receive glucocorticoids had a similar mortality (15.00% vs. 11.39%, p = 0.591). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with COVID-19 and diabetes are more likely to experience hyperinflammatory response and T cell reduction, especially those with severe/critical disease. Glucocorticoid use was not associated with the prognosis of COVID-19 in patients with diabetes. Still, glucocorticoids should be used cautiously in diabetic patients with severe/critical COVID-19.

A novel predictive model for optimizing diabetes screening in older adults.

INTRODUCTION: The fasting blood glucose test is widely used for diabetes screening. However, it may fail to detect early-stage diabetes characterized by elevated postprandial glucose levels. Hence, we developed and internally validated a nomogram to predict the diabetes risk in older adults with normal fasting glucose levels. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study enrolled 2,235 older adults, dividing them into a Training Set (n = 1,564) and a Validation Set (n = 671) based on a 7:3 ratio. We employed the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression to identify predictors for constructing the nomogram. Calibration and discrimination were employed to assess the nomogram's performance, while its clinical utility was evaluated through decision curve analysis. RESULTS: Nine key variables were identified as significant factors: age, gender, body mass index, fasting blood glucose, triglycerides, alanine aminotransferase, the ratio of alanine aminotransferase to aspartate aminotransferase, blood urea nitrogen, and hemoglobin. The nomogram demonstrated good discrimination, with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.824 in the Training Set and 0.809 in the Validation Set. Calibration curves for both sets confirmed the model's accuracy in estimating the actual diabetes risk. Decision curve analysis highlighted the model's clinical utility. CONCLUSIONS: We provided a dynamic nomogram for identifying older adults at risk of diabetes, potentially enhancing the efficiency of diabetes screening in primary healthcare units.

Adaptive orthogonal directional total variation with kernel regression for CT image denoising.

BACKGROUND: Low-dose computed tomography (CT) has been successful in reducing radiation exposure for patients. However, the use of reconstructions from sparse angle sampling in low-dose CT often leads to severe streak artifacts in the reconstructed images. OBJECTIVE: In order to address this issue and preserve image edge details, this study proposes an adaptive orthogonal directional total variation method with kernel regression. METHODS: The CT reconstructed images are initially processed through kernel regression to obtain the N-term Taylor series, which serves as a local representation of the regression function. By expanding the series to the second order, we obtain the desired estimate of the regression function and localized information on the first and second derivatives. To mitigate the noise impact on these derivatives, kernel regression is performed again to update the first and second derivatives. Subsequently, the original reconstructed image, its local approximation, and the updated derivatives are summed using a weighting scheme to derive the image used for calculating orientation information. For further removal of stripe artifacts, the study introduces the adaptive orthogonal directional total variation (AODTV) method, which denoises along both the edge direction and the normal direction, guided by the previously obtained orientation. RESULTS: Both simulation and real experiments have obtained good results. The results of two real experiments show that the proposed method has obtained PSNR values of 34.5408 dB and 29.4634 dB, which are 1.2392-5.9333 dB and 2.828-6.7995 dB higher than the contrast denoising algorithm, respectively, indicating that the proposed method has good denoising performance. CONCLUSIONS: The study demonstrates the effectiveness of the method in eliminating strip artifacts and preserving the fine details of the images.

A Room-Temperature All-Solid-State Na-Ag Battery with a Long Cycle Life and Low Overpotential.

Aqueous Zn-Ag batteries have been developed and commercialized for nearly a century, offering stable discharge and high specific energies. Sodium, with its lower redox potential, smaller charge-to-mass ratio, and abundant resources, presents a promising alternative to zinc. In this study, we successfully developed an all-solid-state Na-Ag battery system. This battery demonstrates stable discharge and charge voltages, low overpotential (0.27 V), high energy efficiency (>91%), and long cycle life under moderate humidity at room temperature. The reaction mechanism was elucidated through combined analyses using differential electrochemical mass spectrometry (DEMS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Our findings indicate that metallic Ag in the cathode materials acts as an effective catalyst for the oxygen reduction reaction during the initial discharge process, forming NaOH as the discharge product. Ag is then oxidized during the charging process and recovered during discharge, serving as an active reactant in the Na-Ag battery. This work demonstrates superior performance of all-solid-state Na-Ag battery over aqueous Zn-Ag battery. Na-Ag battery may be of interest in applications with stringent requirements on stable discharge voltage and high specific energy.

[Retracted] Protective effect of microRNA­381 against inflammatory damage of endothelial cells during coronary heart disease by targeting CXCR4.

Following the publication of this paper, it was drawn to the Editor's attention by a concerned reader that the certain of the cell proliferation assay data shown in Fig. 4C on p. 1444 were strikingly similar to data appearing in different form in another article written by different authors at different research institutes, which had already been submitted for publication [Shi N, Shan B, Song Y, Chu H and Qian L: Circular RNA circ­PRKCI functions as a competitive endogenous RNA to regulate AKT3 expression by sponging miR­3680­3p in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. J Cell Biochem 120: 10021­10030, 2019]. Owing to the fact that the contentious data in the above article were already under consideration for publication prior to its submission to Molecular Medicine Reports, the Editor has decided that this paper should be retracted from the Journal. The authors were asked for an explanation to account for these concerns, but the Editorial Office did not receive a reply. The Editor apologizes to the readership for any inconvenience caused. [Molecular Medicine Reports 21: 1439­1448, 2020; DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2020.10957].

Exploring the Potential of MIM-Manufactured Porous NiTi as a Vascular Drug Delivery Material.

Porous nickel-titanium (NiTi) manufactured using metal injection molding (MIM) has emerged as an innovative generation of drug-loaded stent materials. However, an increase in NiTi porosity may compromise its mechanical properties and cytocompatibility. This study aims to explore the potential of porous NiTi as a vascular drug delivery material and evaluate the impact of porosity on its drug loading and release, mechanical properties, and cytocompatibility. MIM, combined with the powder space-holder method, was used to fabricate porous NiTi alloys with three porosity levels. The mechanical properties of porous NiTi were assessed, as well as the surface cell growth capability. Furthermore, by loading rapamycin nanoparticles onto the surface and within the pores of porous NiTi, we evaluated the in vitro drug release behavior, inhibitory effect on cell proliferation, and inhibition of neointimal hyperplasia in vivo. The results demonstrated that an increase in porosity led to a decrease in the mechanical properties of porous NiTi, including hardness, tensile strength, and elastic modulus, and a decrease in the surface cell growth capability, affecting both cell proliferation and morphology. Concurrently, the loading capacity and release duration of rapamycin were extended with increasing porosity, resulting in enhanced inhibitory effects on cell proliferation in vitro and inhibition of neointimal hyperplasia in vivo. In conclusion, porous NiTi holds promise as a desirable vascular drug delivery material, but a balanced consideration of the influence of porosity on both mechanical properties and cytocompatibility is necessary to achieve an optimal balance among drug-loading and release performance, mechanical properties, and cytocompatibility.

spread.gl: visualising pathogen dispersal in a high-performance browser application.

Phylogeographic analyses are able to exploit the location data associated with sampled molecular sequences to reconstruct the spatio-temporal dispersal history of a pathogen. Visualisation software is commonly used to facilitate the interpretation of the accompanying estimation results, as these are not always easily interpretable. spread.gl is a powerful, open-source and feature-rich browser application that enables smooth, intuitive and user-friendly visualisation of both discrete and continuous phylogeographic inference results, enabling the animation of pathogen geographic dispersal through time. spread.gl can render and combine the visualisation of several data layers, including a geographic layer (e.g., a world map), multiple layers that contain information extracted from the input phylogeny, and different types of layers that represent environmental data. As such, users can explore which environmental data may have shaped pathogen dispersal patterns, that can subsequently be formally tested through more principled statistical analyses. We showcase the visualisation features of spread.gl on several representative pathogen dispersal examples, including the smooth animation of a phylogeny encompassing over 17,000 genomic sequences resulting from a large-scale SARS-CoV-2 analysis.

Comparative chloroplast genomes: insights into the identification and phylogeny of rapid radiation genus Rhodiola.

Rhodiola L. is a genus exhibiting rapid radiation and represents a typical case for studying plastid gene adaptation in species that spread from high altitudes to low altitudes. In this study, 23 samples of 18 Rhodiola species were collected from the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau and five scattered alpine areas, and the plastid genomes (plastomes) of these species were sequenced, annotated, and compared between high-altitude and widely distributed groups. The plastomes of Rhodiola were found to be highly conserved in terms of gene size, content, and order but highly variable in several lineage-specific features, such as codon usage bias, IR boundary shifting, and distinct repeat sequence structures binding to SSRs. Codon usage in the genes of photosystem II exhibited an obvious preference, reflecting significant environmental adaptation pressures. In this study, three repeat regions compounded with trinucleotide and mononucleotide repeats were found for the first time in R. forrestii, R. himalensis, and R. yunnanensis. High-variability regions such as ndhF, ycf1, trnH-psbA, and rpoC1-rpoB were screened, laying the foundation for the precise identification of these species. The phylogenetic analysis revealed the occurrence of cyto-nuclear discordance, likely originating from the frequent interspecific hybridization events observed within Rhodiola species during rapid radiation. Dioecious and hermaphrodite species can be broadly categorized into two subclades, probably they have different environmental adaptation strategies in response to climate change. In addition, the phylogenetic tree supported the monophyly of R. forrestii and R. yunnanensis, which compose R. Sect. Pseudorhodiola. In conclusion, plastome data enrich the genetic information available for the Rhodiola genus and may provide insight into species migration events during climate change.

Clinical and histopathological factors for recurrence and metastasis in lacrimal gland adenoid cystic carcinoma in Chinese patients.

PURPOSE: To investigate the association of metabolism-related proteins and clinicopathological features with poor prognosis in lacrimal gland adenoid cystic carcinoma (LGACC). METHODS: Clinicopathological data for 39 Chinese patients with LGACC enrolled were retrospectively analysed. Disease progression included death, recurrence, further nodal metastasis, and distant metastasis. Expression of ASCT2 and GLS1 were evaluated by immunohistochemistry. Kaplan-Meier survival curves and Cox proportional hazards regression models were used for risk factor analyses. RESULTS: At the end of follow-up, 14 patients (35.9%) developed local recurrence, 13 patients (33.3%) developed distant metastasis, 3 patients (7.7%) developed lymph node metastasis, and 9 patients (23.1%) died. Among the 13 patients who developed distant metastasis, lung metastasis was observed in 8 patients (61.5%), the brain in 8 patients (61.5%), and bone in 1 patient (7.7%). ASCT2 was expressed in 16 (57.14%) cases, while GLS1 had high expression in 19 (67.9%) cases. Advanced T category (≥T3), bone erosion, basaloid subtype, and ASCT2 (-) were associated with disease progression. Basaloid subtype was an independent risk factor for local recurrence (P = 0.028; HR, 12.12; 95% CI, 1.3-111.5). ASCT2(-) was an independent risk factor for distant metastasis (P = 0.016; HR, 14.46; 95% CI, 1.6-127.5) and was associated with basaloid subtype (P = 0.019). CONCLUSIONS: For LGACC, ≥T3 category, basaloid subtype, and bone erosion were high-risk predictors. ASCT2(-) was an independent risk factor for distant metastasis, which suggested that it could be a potential biomarker for LGACC.

Influence of climate extremes on long-term changes in cyanobacterial blooms in a eutrophic and shallow lake.

Climate change and human activities have crucial effects on the variations in phytoplankton blooms in lakes worldwide. A record-breaking heatwave and drought event was reported in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River during the summer of 2022, but only little is known about how cyanobacterial blooms in lakes respond to such climate extremes. Here, we utilized MODIS images to generate the area, occurrence, and initial blooming date (IBD) of cyanobacterial blooms in Lake Chaohu from 2000 to 2022. We found that the area and occurrence of cyanobacterial blooms were largely reduced. At the same time, the IBD was delayed in 2022 compared with the previous 20 years. The annual occurrence and mean area of cyanobacterial blooms in 2022 were 17 % and 23.1 km2, respectively, which were the lowest reported levels since the 21st century. The IBD in 2022 was four months late compared with the IBD in 2020. The high wind speed in spring delayed the spring blooms in 2022. The record-breaking heatwaves and drought from June to August reduced the blooms by influencing the growth of cyanobacteria and reducing the flow of nutrients from the watershed into the lake. This study highlights the compound impact of heatwave and drought climate events on reducing cyanobacterial blooms in a long-term period, enhancing additional understanding of the changes in phytoplankton blooms in lakes.

[A unicenter real-world study of the correlation factors for complete clinical response in idiopathic inflammatory myopathies].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the correlation factors of complete clinical response in idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIMs) patients receiving conventional treatment. METHODS: Patients diagnosed with IIMs hospitalized in Peking University People's Hospital from January 2000 to June 2023 were included. The correlation factors of complete clinical response to conventional treatment were identified by analyzing the clinical characteristics, laboratory features, peripheral blood lymphocytes, immunological indicators, and therapeutic drugs. RESULTS: Among the 635 patients included, 518 patients finished the follow-up, with an average time of 36.8 months. The total complete clinical response rate of IIMs was 50.0% (259/518). The complete clinical response rate of dermatomyositis (DM), anti-synthetase syndrome (ASS) and immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy (IMNM) were 53.5%, 48.9% and 39.0%, respectively. Fever (P=0.002) and rapid progressive interstitial lung disease (RP-ILD) (P=0.014) were observed much more frequently in non-complete clinical response group than in complete clinical response group. The aspartate transaminase (AST), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), D-dimer, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reaction protein (CRP) and serum ferritin were significantly higher in non-complete clinical response group as compared with complete clinical response group. As for the treatment, the percentage of glucocorticoid received and intravenous immunoglobin (IVIG) were significantly higher in non-complete clinical response group than in complete clinical response group. Risk factor analysis showed that IMNM subtype (P=0.007), interstitial lung disease (ILD) (P=0.001), eleva-ted AST (P=0.012), elevated serum ferritin (P=0.016) and decreased count of CD4+T cells in peripheral blood (P=0.004) might be the risk factors for IIMs non-complete clinical response. CONCLUSION: The total complete clinical response rate of IIMs is low, especially for IMNM subtype. More effective intervention should be administered to patients with ILD, elevated AST, elevated serum ferritin or decreased count of CD4+T cells at disease onset.

B-Glycine as a marker for ß cell imaging and ß cell mass evaluation.

PURPOSE: ß cell mass (BCM) and function are essential to the diagnosis and therapy of diabetes. Diabetic patients serve ß cell loss is, and damage of ß cells leads to severe insulin deficiency. Our understanding of the role of BCM in diabetes progression is extremely limited by lacking efficient methods to evaluate BCM in vivo. In vitro methods of labeling islets, including loading of contrast reagent or integration of exogenous biomarker, require artificial manipulation on islets, of which the clinical application is limited. Imaging methods targeting endogenous biomarkers may solve the above problems. However, traditional reagents targeting GLP-1R and VAMT2 result in a high background of adjacent tissues, complicating the identification of pancreatic signals. Here, we report a non-invasive and quantitative imaging technique by using radiolabeled glycine mimics ([18F]FBG, a boron-trifluoride derivative of glycine) to assay islet function and monitor BCM changes in living animals. METHODS: Glycine derivatives, FBG, FBSa, 2Me-FBG, 3Me-FBG, were successfully synthesized and labeled with 18F. Specificity of glycine derivatives were characterized by in vitro experiment. PET imaging and biodistribution studies were performed in animal models carring GLYT over-expressed cells. In vivo evaluation of BCM with [18F]FBG were performed in STZ (streptozocin) induced T1D (type 1 diabetes) models. RESULTS: GLYT responds to excess blood glycine levels and transports glycine into islet cells to maintain the activity of the glycine receptor (GLYR). Best PET imaging condition was 80 min after given a total of 240 ~ 250 nmol imaging reagent (a mixture of [18F]FBG and natural glycine) intravenously. [18F]FBG can detect both endogenous and exogenous islets clearly in vivo. When applied to STZ induced T1D mouse models, total uptake of [18F]FBG in the pancreas exhibited a linear correlation with survival BCM. CONCLUSION: [18F]FBG targeting the endogenous glycine transporter (GLYT), which is highly expressed on islet cells, avoiding extra modification on islet cells. Meanwhile the highly restricted expression pattern of GLYT excluded the background in adjacent tissues. This [18F]FBG-based imaging technique provides a non-invasive method to quantify BCM in vivo, implying a new evaluation index for diabetic assessment.