Genome-Wide Structural Variation Analysis and Breed Comparison of Local Domestic Ducks in Shandong Province, China.

Structural variations in the duck genome significantly impact the environmental adaptability and phenotypic diversity of duck populations. Characterizing these SVs in local domestic duck breeds from Shandong province offers valuable insights for breed selection and the development of new breeds. This study aimed to profile the genomic SVs in three local duck breeds (Matahu duck, Weishan partridge duck, and Wendeng black duck) and explore their differential distributions.

Heterogeneous Cardiac-Derived and Neural Crest-Derived Aortic Smooth Muscle Cells Exhibit Similar Transcriptional Changes After TGFβ Signaling Disruption.

Background: Smooth muscle cells (SMCs) of cardiac and neural crest origin contribute to the developing proximal aorta and are linked to disease propensity in adults.

Methods: We analyzed single-cell transcriptomes of aortic SMCs from adult mice to determine basal states and changes after disrupting TGFβ (transforming growth factor-β) signaling necessary for aortic homeostasis.

Results: A minority of Myh11 lineage-marked SMCs differentially expressed genes suggestive of embryological origin.

Joint Genomic and Transcriptomic Analysis Reveals Candidate Genes Associated with Plumage Color Traits in Matahu Ducks.

Plumage color is a key trait for identifying waterfowl breeds with significant economic importance. A white-feathered group has recently emerged within the native Matahu duck population, presenting an opportunity for breeding new lines. However, the genetic basis for this plumage variation is still unknown, necessitating further research.

Complement Membrane Attack Complexes Disrupt Proteostasis to Function as Intracellular Alarmins.

Internalized pools of membrane attack complexes (MACs) promote NF-kB and dysregulated tissue inflammation. Here, we show that C9, a MAC-associated protein, promotes loss of proteostasis to become intrinsically immunogenic. Surface-bound C9 is internalized into Rab5 + endosomes whose intraluminal acidification promotes C9 aggregates.

Heterogeneous Cardiac- and Neural Crest-Derived Aortic Smooth Muscle Cells have Similar Transcriptional Changes after TGFβ Signaling Disruption.

Smooth muscle cells (SMCs) of cardiac and neural crest origin contribute to the developing proximal aorta and are linked to disease propensity in adults. We analyzed single-cell transcriptomes of SMCs from mature thoracic aortas in mice to determine basal states and changes after disrupting transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ) signaling necessary for aortic homeostasis. A minority of Myh11 lineage-marked SMCs differentially expressed genes suggestive of embryological origin.

Integrating genomics and transcriptomics to identify candidate genes for high egg production in Wulong geese (Anser cygnoides orientalis).

Background: Wulong geese (Anser cygnoides orientalis) are known for their excellent egg-laying performance. However, they show considerable population differences in egg-laying behavior. This study combined genome-wide selection signal analysis with transcriptome analysis (RNA-seq) to identify the genes related to high egg production in Wulong geese.

Common nutritional/inflammatory indicators are not effective tools in predicting the overall survival of patients with small cell lung cancer undergoing first-line chemotherapy.

Objective: Various studies have investigated the predictive significance of numerous peripheral blood biomarkers in patients with small cell lung cancer (SCLC). However, their predictive values have not been validated. This study assessed and evaluated the ability of common nutritional or inflammatory indicators to predict overall survival (OS) in patients with SCLC who received first-line chemotherapy.

Data extraction error in pharmaceutical versus non-pharmaceutical interventions for evidence synthesis: Study protocol for a crossover trial.

Background: Data extraction is the foundation for research synthesis evidence, while data extraction errors frequently occur in the literature. An interesting phenomenon was observed that data extraction error tend to be more common in trials of pharmaceutical interventions compared to non-pharmaceutical ones. The elucidation of which would have implications for guidelines, practice, and policy.

Persistent increase and improved survival of stage I lung cancer based on a large-scale real-world sample of 26,226 cases.

Background: Lung cancer prevails and induces high mortality around the world. This study provided real-world information on the evolution of clinicopathological profiles and survival outcomes of lung cancer, and provided survival information within stage I subtypes.

Methods: Patients pathologically confirmed with lung cancer between January 2009 and December 2018 were identified with complete clinicopathological information, molecular testing results, and follow-up data.

Everolimus combined with PD-1 blockade inhibits progression of triple-negative breast cancer.

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive subtype of breast cancer. Due to rapid progression and a lack of targetable receptors, TNBC is exceptionally difficult to treat. Available treatment options are nonspecific cytotoxic agents, which have had modest success; thus, there is a need for novel therapies for TNBC.

Trehalose attenuates abdominal aortic aneurysm formation by inducing autophagy in smooth muscle cells.

Background: Trehalose is a naturally occurring disaccharide, which has been identified as an autophagy inducer and exhibits protective effect in cardiovascular diseases such as myocardial infraction and atherosclerosis. However, the functional role of trehalose in abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) remains undefined.

Methods: To study the effect of trehalose in AAA, trehalose (1 g/kg per day) were given for 14 continuous days in a mouse model of elastase-induced abdominal aortic aneurysm.

FN (Fibronectin)-Integrin α5 Signaling Promotes Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm in a Mouse Model of Marfan Syndrome.

Background: Marfan syndrome, caused by mutations in the gene for fibrillin-1, leads to thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAAs). Phenotypic modulation of vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) and ECM (extracellular matrix) remodeling are characteristic of both nonsyndromic and Marfan aneurysms. The ECM protein FN (fibronectin) is elevated in the tunica media of TAAs and amplifies inflammatory signaling in endothelial and SMCs through its main receptor, integrin α5β1.

Hedgehog-induced ZFYVE21 promotes chronic vascular inflammation by activating NLRP3 inflammasomes in T cells.

The zinc finger protein ZFYVE21 is involved in immune signaling. Using humanized mouse models, primary human cells, and patient samples, we identified a T cell-autonomous role for ZFYVE21 in promoting chronic vascular inflammation associated with allograft vasculopathy. Ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) stimulated endothelial cells to produce Hedgehog (Hh) ligands, which in turn induced the production of ZFYVE21 in a population of T memory cells with high amounts of the Hh receptor PTCH1 (PTCH cells, CD3CD4CD45ROPTCH1PD-1), vigorous recruitment to injured endothelia, and increased effector responses in vivo.

Lonafarnib improves cardiovascular function and survival in a mouse model of Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome.

Clinical trials have demonstrated that lonafarnib, a farnesyltransferase inhibitor, extends the lifespan in patients afflicted by Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome, a devastating condition that accelerates many characteristics of aging and results in premature death due to cardiovascular sequelae. The US Food and Drug Administration approved Zokinvy (lonafarnib) in November 2020 for treating these patients, yet a detailed examination of drug-associated effects on cardiovascular structure, properties, and function has remained wanting. In this paper, we report encouraging outcomes of daily post-weaning treatment with lonafarnib on the composition and biomechanical phenotype of elastic and muscular arteries as well as associated cardiac function in a well-accepted mouse model of progeria that exhibits severe perimorbid cardiovascular disease.

Corrosion Resistance of Amorphous-Nanocrystalline Composite Structure Materials.

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the corrosion resistance of different nanoscale microstructures in the same material system and propose a novel method to obtain high-performance materials. During the last 2 decades, microstructure refinement and microalloying have become the main methods to prepare high-performance materials. The tensile strength of nanocrystalline solid solutions can reach 2.

Fenofibrate normalizes alkaline phosphatase and improves long-term outcomes in patients with advanced primary biliary cholangitis refractory to ursodeoxycholic acid.

Background: Although patients with advanced liver disease have been included in studies evaluating fibrates for the treatment of primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), the frequency of biochemical responses and adverse effects for this group of patients was not reported separately and comprehensively.

Aims: to evaluate the efficacy and safety of additional fenofibrate therapy in patients with advanced and ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA)-refractory PBC.

Methods: Patients were analyzed retrospectively to determine the clinical therapeutic effects of UDCA with additional fenofibrate therapy versus continued UDCA monotherapy.

The Effect of Molten Phosphate on Corrosion of 316 Stainless Steel, Alloy 625, and Titanium TA8 in Supercritical Water Oxidation Conditions.

The early formation of phosphate oxide formed on 316 stainless steel (316 SS), nickel-based Alloy 625, and titanium alloy TA8 exposed in supercritical water (400 °C, 25 MPa) containing phosphate, chloride, and oxygen was investigated. Phosphate corrosion products of austenitic stainless steel displayed the severest spallation. Stable phosphates oxide films were inclined to form on Alloy 625.

Coupling Effect of Hydrostatic Pressure and Erosion on Corrosion Behavior of X70 Steel in Simulated Seawater.

The corrosion behavior of X70 steel under the coupling effect of pressure and erosion in simulated seawater was investigated by using corrosion loss, electrochemical tests, SEM, AFM, XPS, and Raman spectroscopy. The coupling effect of pressure and erosion could induce changes in the amounts and compositions of the corrosion products and increase pitting. The rate of the combined corrosion of X70 steel represents a downtrend, which still displays a higher corrosion rate than only immersion at the same pressure.

Herbal Granules of Heat-Clearing and Detoxifying for Children with Mild Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease: A Bayesian Network Meta-Analysis.

Background: Regarding ethical considerations of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in children, limited evidence for mild hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) is available. Recently, with the increasing but result-conflicting RCTs published around herbal granules of heat-clearing and detoxifying (HGs-HD), a head-to-head comparison is urgently needed to choose a suitable therapy for clinical practice.

Materials And Methods: This study was conducted according to the preferred reporting items for systematic review and meta-analysis (PRISMA) extension statement for network meta-analysis (NMA).

PPP1R26 drives hepatocellular carcinoma progression by controlling glycolysis and epithelial-mesenchymal transition.

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is usually diagnosed at an advanced stage due to rapid progression. Glycolysis supports anabolic growth and metastasis to promote HCC progression. However, the molecular mechanisms linking glycolysis and metastasis in HCC are not completely defined.

mTOR inhibition prevents angiotensin II-induced aortic rupture and pseudoaneurysm but promotes dissection in Apoe-deficient mice.

Aortic dissection and rupture are triggered by decreased vascular wall strength and/or increased mechanical loads. We investigated the role of mTOR signaling in aortopathy using a well-described model of angiotensin II-induced dissection, aneurysm, or rupture of the suprarenal abdominal aorta in Apoe-deficient mice. Although not widely appreciated, nonlethal hemorrhagic lesions present as pseudoaneurysms without significant dissection in this model.

Hexarelin attenuates abdominal aortic aneurysm formation by inhibiting SMC phenotype switch and inflammasome activation.

Hexarelin, a synthetic growth hormone-releasing peptide, is shown to be protective in cardiovascular diseases such as myocardial infraction and atherosclerosis. However, the functional role of hexarelin in abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) remains undefined. The present study determined the effect of hexarelin administration (200 μg/kg twice per day) in a mouse model of elastase-induced abdominal aortic aneurysm.