Molecular diagnostics using the QIAstat-Dx syndromic device for covering avian influenza pandemic preparedness.

Introduction: A key factor in influenza pandemic preparedness is the ability to detect zoonotic influenza virus strains as they emerge in humans through spillover events, ideally before human-to-human transmission occurs.

Design: In this study, the utility of the QIAstat-Dx syndromic device for influenza surveillance was evaluated. Bioinformatic analysis was performed on all WHO-recommended influenza Candidate Vaccine Viruses (CVVs), including the common strains recommended for the 2023-2024 influenza vaccine composition in the northern hemisphere, and 16 different H5 highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV) and two H9N2 low pathogenic avian influenza virus (LPAIV) strains.

The homeobox transcription factor HB9 induces senescence and blocks differentiation in hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells.

The homeobox gene encodes for the transcription factor HB9, which is essential for pancreatic as well as motor neuronal development. Beside its physiological expression pattern, aberrant HB9 expression has been observed in several neoplasias. Especially in infant translocation t(7;12) acute myeloid leukemia, aberrant HB9 expression is the only known molecular hallmark and is assumed to be a key factor in leukemic transformation.

Silencing of cancer-germline genes in human preimplantation embryos: evidence for active de novo DNA methylation in stem cells.

Several human germline-specific genes rely principally on DNA methylation for repression in somatic tissues. Many of these genes, including MAGEA1, were qualified as cancer-germline (CG), as they become activated in tumors, where losses of DNA methylation are common. The developmental stage at which CG genes acquire DNA methylation marks is unknown.

The epigenetic regulation of stem cell factors in hepatic stellate cells.

The epigenetic regulation by DNA methylation is an important mechanism to control the expression of stem cell factors as demonstrated in tumor cells. It was recently shown that hepatic stellate cells (HSC) express stem/progenitor cell factors and have a differentiation potential. The aim of this work was to investigate if the expression of stem cell markers is regulated by DNA methylation during activation of rat HSC.

The niche of stellate cells within rat liver.

Unlabelled: It is well-accepted that hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) can develop into myofibroblast-like cells that synthesize extracellular matrix proteins and contribute to liver fibrosis. Recently, molecular markers of stem/progenitor cells were discovered in HSCs of rats. Moreover, the cells displayed the capacity to differentiate and to participate in liver regeneration.

DNA methylation-associated repression of cancer-germline genes in human embryonic and adult stem cells.

Cancer-germline (CG) genes are a particular group of germline-specific genes that rely primarily on DNA methylation for repression in somatic tissues. In a wide variety of tumors, the promoter of these genes is demethylated, and their transcription is activated. The mechanism underlying this tumor-specific activation is still unclear.