The interplay between adipokines and pancreatic beta cells, often referred to as the adipo-insular axis, plays a crucial role in regulating metabolic homeostasis. Adipokines are signaling molecules secreted by adipocytes that have profound effects on several physiological processes. Adipokines such as adiponectin, leptin, resistin, and visfatin influence the function of pancreatic beta cells. The reciprocal communication between adipocytes and beta cells is remarkable. Insulin secreted by beta cells affects adipose tissue metabolism, influencing lipid storage and lipolysis. Conversely, adipokines released from adipocytes can influence beta cell function and survival. Chronic obesity and insulin resistance can lead to the release of excess fatty acids and inflammatory molecules from the adipose tissue, contributing to beta cell dysfunction and apoptosis, which are key factors in developing type 2 diabetes. Understanding the complex interplay of the adipo-insular axis provides insights into the mechanisms underlying metabolic regulation and pathogenesis of metabolic disorders. By elucidating the molecular mediators involved in this interaction, new therapeutic targets and strategies may emerge to reduce the risk and progression of diseases, such as type 2 diabetes and its associated complications. This review summarizes the interactions between adipokines and pancreatic beta cells, and their roles in the pathogenesis of diabetes and metabolic diseases.

Lung cancer is the second most common cancer worldwide and a leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Despite advances in targeted therapy and immunotherapy, the prognosis remains unfavorable, especially in metastatic cases. This study aims to identify molecular changes in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients based on their response to treatment. Using tumor and matched immune cell rich peritumoral tissues, we perform a retrospective, comprehensive spatial transcriptomic analysis of a proven malignant NSCLC sample treated with immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI). In addition to T cells, other immune cell types, such as B cells and macrophages, were also activated in responders to ICI treatment. In particular, B cells and B cell-mediated immunity pathways are consistently found to be activated. Analysis of the histologic subgroup (lung squamous cell carcinoma, LUSC; lung adenocarcinoma, LUAD) of NSCLC also confirms activation of B cell mediated immunity. Analysis of B cell subtypes shows that B cell subtypes were more activated in immune cell-rich tissues near tumor tissue. Furthermore, increased expression of B cell immunity-related genes is associated with better prognosis. These findings provide insight into predicting ICI treatment responses and identifying appropriate candidates for immunotherapy in NSCLC patients.

Background: Recent studies have presented the concept of the obesity paradox, suggesting that individuals with obesity have a lower risk of death than those without obesity. This paradox may arise because body mass index (BMI) alone is insufficient to understand body composition accurately. This study investigated the relationship between fat and muscle mass and the risk of mortality in individuals with overweight/obesity.Methods: We used data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 1999 to 2006 and 2011 to 2018, which were linked to mortality information obtained from the National Death Index. Multiple Cox regression analyses were performed to estimate mortality risk. Subgroup analysis was conducted using propensity score-matched (PSM) data for age, sex, and race/ethnicity.Results: This study included 16,555 participants who were overweight/obese (BMI≥25 kg/m²). An increase in appendicular skeletal muscle mass index was associated with a lower mortality risk (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.856; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.802–0.915). This finding was consistent with the subgroup analysis of the PSM data. Contrastingly, a high fat mass index was associated with an increased risk of mortality. Sarcopenic overweight/obesity was significantly associated with high mortality compared to obesity without sarcopenia (HR: 1.612, 95%CI: 1.328–1.957). This elevated risk was significant in both age- and sex-based subgroups. This finding was consistent with the subgroup analysis using PSM data.Conclusion: In contrast to the obesity paradox, a simple increase in BMI does not protect against mortality. Instead, low body fat and high muscle mass reduce mortality risk.

SERPINA3 as a Secreted-Protein Biomarker Associated with Poor Prognosis and T-cell Dysfunction in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Candida auris has emerged as a multidrug-resistant, healthcare-associated pathogen worldwide; however, outcome data on C. auris candidaemia in East Asia remain limited. We conducted a retrospective cohort study of adult patients with candidaemia who received antifungal therapy at a tertiary hospital in Seoul, Republic of Korea, from January 2023 to December 2024, comparing C. auris with other Candida species. Confounding was addressed by inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) using a five-covariate propensity score (age, Charlson Comorbidity Index, septic shock, ICU admission at antifungal initiation, and concomitant Gram-negative infection). Among 423 patients, C. auris accounted for 6.9% of cases and was uniformly fluconazole non-susceptible, with frequent high-level caspofungin resistance but preserved micafungin and anidulafungin susceptibility. Patients with C. auris were older, with greater comorbidity and more frequent ICU admission at antifungal initiation. After IPTW adjustment, C. auris was not associated with higher 30-day mortality, the primary outcome (adjusted hazard ratio 0.59, 95% CI 0.26–1.32); the wide confidence interval indicates limited precision rather than equivalence, and results were directionally consistent for 90-day and in-hospital mortality and across sensitivity analyses that varied both the comparison cohort and the analytic method. Residual confounding by unmeasured illness severity and limited precision preclude concluding equivalence. Continued surveillance, molecular characterisation, and infection control remain essential.