Combinations of plasma cfDNA concentration, integrity and tumor markers are promising biomarkers for early diagnosis of non-small cell lung cancer.

Background: Circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA) concentration and integrity as noninvasive biomarkers play an important role in cancer diagnosis, prognosis and therapy monitoring. However, few studies have been conducted on the combination of plasma cfDNA concentration, integrity and tumor markers (CEA, CA125, NSE and CYFRA21-1) for cancer detection. Thus, the purpose of this study was to investigate the diagnostic value of combining plasma cfDNA concentration, integrity and tumor markers in early detection of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Large-scale genetic surveys for main extant population of wild giant panda () reveals an urgent need of human management.

There are only six isolated living giant panda populations, and a comprehensive understanding of their genetic health status is crucial for the conservation of this vulnerable species. Liangshan Mountains is one of the main distribution areas of living giant pandas and is outside the newly established Giant panda national park. In this study, 971 giant panda fecal samples were collected in the heartland of Liangshan Mountains (Mabian Dafengding Nature Reserve: MB; Meigu Dafengding Nature Reserve: MG; and Heizhugou Nature Reserve: HZG).

Genomic evidence sheds light on the genetic mechanisms of musk secretion in muskrats.

Adult male muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus) has a pair of scent glands which secret musk to attract females during the breeding stage. The goal of the present study was to investigate the genetic mechanisms of musk secretion of muskrats at the whole genome level. Comparative genomics illustrated obvious expansion in 809 gene families, of which nine gene families played pivotal roles in steroid biosynthesis, possibly related to muskrat musk secretion.

Interleukin-17D Aggravates Sepsis by Inhibiting Macrophage Phagocytosis.

Objectives: Interleukin-17D has been shown to participate in the control of viral infections and cancer. Here we hypothesized that interleukin-17D may play a potential role in sepsis.

Design: Prospective randomized animal investigation and in vitro human blood studies.

The Draft Genome of the Endangered Sichuan Partridge () with Evolutionary Implications.

The Sichuan partridge (, Phasianidae, Galliformes) is distributed in south-west China, and classified as endangered grade. To examine the evolution and genomic features of Sichuan partridge, we de novo assembled the Sichuan partridge reference genome. The final draft assembly consisted of approximately 1.

Interleukin-26 is overexpressed in human sepsis and contributes to inflammation, organ injury, and mortality in murine sepsis.

Background: Sepsis is a serious syndrome that is caused by an unbalanced host inflammatory response to an infection. The cytokine network plays a pivotal role in the orchestration of inflammatory response during sepsis. IL-26 is an emerging proinflammatory member of the IL-10 cytokine family with multifaceted actions in inflammatory disorders.

Genome-wide analysis sheds light on the high-altitude adaptation of the buff-throated partridge (Tetraophasis szechenyii).

The buff-throated partridge (Tetraophasis szechenyii) is a hypoxia-tolerant bird living in an extremely inhospitable high-altitude environment, which has high ultraviolet (UV) radiation as well as a low oxygen supply when compared with low-altitude areas. To further understand the molecular genetic mechanisms of the high-altitude adaptation of the buff-throated partridges, we de novo assembled the complete genome of the buff-throated partridge. Comparative genomics revealed that positively selected hypoxia-related genes in the buff-throated partridge were distributed in the HIF-1 signaling pathway (map04066), response to hypoxia (GO:0001666), response to oxygen-containing compound (GO:1901700), ATP binding (GO:0005524), and angiogenesis (GO:0001525).

The complete mitochondrial genome of and its phylogenetic position.

Mitochondrial genome sequences are valuable resources for systematics and conservation biology studies. In this paper, we present the complete mitogenome of which was 18,450 bp in length. The gene content and arrangement were typical for avian mtDNA.

Elevated serum CXCL10 in patients with Clostridium difficile infection are associated with disease severity.

Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is the primary cause of community- and health care-associated diarrhea. CXCL10, also known as IFN-γ-inducible protein of 10 (IP-10), is involved in various inflammatory diseases, but its role in CDI remains unknown. In this study, We determined the serum concentration of CXCL10 in 80 CDI patients and 76 sex & age-matched diarrhea patients by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and analyzed the correlation between CXCL10 levels and CDI disease severity parameters.

Genome-wide analysis reveals the genomic features of the turkey vulture (Cathartes aura) as a scavenger.

Cathartidae is a small family of large-bodied carrion-feeding birds, of which the turkey vulture (Cathartes aura, Cathartidae) is the most widespread distributed. To investigate the chemoreception system, detoxification system, and immune system in the turkey vulture, we compared its genome to 14 other avian genomes. Comparative genomics demonstrated the expansion in the chemoreception system, especially the olfactory receptors, while the genes in the detoxification system of the turkey vulture did not show apparent expansion.

Progranulin aggravates pulmonary immunopathology during influenza virus infection.

Progranulin (PGRN) exerts multiple functions in various inflammatory diseases. However, the role of PGRN in the pathogenesis of virus infection is unknown. Here, we demonstrated that PGRN production was up-regulated in clinical and experimental influenza, which contributed to the deleterious inflammatory response after influenza virus infection in mice.

Interleukin 38 Protects Against Lethal Sepsis.

Background: Interleukin 38 (IL-38) is the most recently characterized cytokine of the interleukin 1 family. However, its role in sepsis remains unknown.

Methods: Circulating IL-38 levels were measured in 2 cohorts of adult and pediatric patients with sepsis.