Conduction and validation of a novel mitotic spindle assembly related signature in hepatocellular carcinoma: prognostic prediction, tumor immune microenvironment and drug susceptibility.

Introduction: We have developed a risk-scoring model using gene expression levels related to mitotic spindle assembly (MSA) to predict the prognosis of liver cancer. Methods and results: Initially, we identified 470 genes related to MSA from public databases. Subsequently, through analysis of sequencing data from liver cancer patient samples in online databases, we identified 7 genes suitable for constructing the risk-scoring model. We validated the predictive accuracy and clinical utility of the model. Through drug sensitivity analysis, we identified SAC3D1 as a gene sensitive to the most common anti-tumor drugs among these 7 genes. We propose SAC3D1 as a significant target for future clinical treatment. Furthermore, we conducted in vivo and in vitro experiments to validate the relevance of SAC3D1 to MSA and found its significant impact on the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway and spindle function. Conclusion: Our research introduces a novel risk-scoring model that accurately predicts liver cancer prognosis. Additionally, our findings suggest SAC3D1 as a promising therapeutic target for hepatocellular carcinoma, potentially revealing new mechanisms underlying liver cancer development.

A radiomics nomogram based on multiparametric MRI for diagnosing focal cortical dysplasia and initially identifying laterality.

BACKGROUND: Focal cortical dysplasia (FCD) is the most common epileptogenic developmental malformation. The diagnosis of FCD is challenging. We generated a radiomics nomogram based on multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to diagnose FCD and identify laterality early. METHODS: Forty-three patients treated between July 2017 and May 2022 with histopathologically confirmed FCD were retrospectively enrolled. The contralateral unaffected hemispheres were included as the control group. Therefore, 86 ROIs were finally included. Using January 2021 as the time cutoff, those admitted after January 2021 were included in the hold-out set (n = 20). The remaining patients were separated randomly (8:2 ratio) into training (n = 55) and validation (n = 11) sets. All preoperative and postoperative MR images, including T1-weighted (T1w), T2-weighted (T2w), fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR), and combined (T1w + T2w + FLAIR) images, were included. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) was used to select features. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to develop the diagnosis model. The performance of the radiomic nomogram was evaluated with an area under the curve (AUC), net reclassification improvement (NRI), integrated discrimination improvement (IDI), calibration and clinical utility. RESULTS: The model-based radiomics features that were selected from combined sequences (T1w + T2w + FLAIR) had the highest performances in all models and showed better diagnostic performance than inexperienced radiologists in the training (AUCs: 0.847 VS. 0.664, p = 0.008), validation (AUC: 0.857 VS. 0.521, p = 0.155), and hold-out sets (AUCs: 0.828 VS. 0.571, p = 0.080). The positive values of NRI (0.402, 0.607, 0.424) and IDI (0.158, 0.264, 0.264) in the three sets indicated that the diagnostic performance of Model-Combined improved significantly. The radiomics nomogram fit well in calibration curves (p > 0.05), and decision curve analysis further confirmed the clinical usefulness of the nomogram. Additionally, the contrast (the radiomics feature) of the FCD lesions not only played a crucial role in the classifier but also had a significant correlation (r = -0.319, p < 0.05) with the duration of FCD. CONCLUSION: The radiomics nomogram generated by logistic regression model-based multiparametric MRI represents an important advancement in FCD diagnosis and treatment.

The study of new fixed-point iteration schemes for solving absolute value equations.

Absolute value equations (AVEs) play a crucial role in solving various complexities across scientific computing, engineering, management science, and operations research. This article presents two fixed-point iteration schemes designed for such AVEs. Furthermore, we show some convergence conditions under specific circumstances. Lastly, the theoretical findings are validated using numerical examples, which emphasize the distinct advantages offered by the newly developed schemes. These results are highly promising and may stimulate future research in this domain.

Central regulation of feeding and body weight by ciliary GPR75.

Variants of the G protein-coupled receptor 75 (GPR75) are associated with lower BMI in large-scale human exome sequencing studies. However, how GPR75 regulates body weight remains poorly understood. Using random germline mutagenesis in mice, we identified a missense allele (Thinner) of Gpr75 that resulted in a lean phenotype and verified the decreased body weight and fat weight in Gpr75 knockout (Gpr75-/-) mice. Gpr75-/- mice displayed reduced food intake under a high-fat diet (HFD), and pair-feeding normalized their body weight. The endogenous GPR75 protein was exclusively expressed in the brains of 3xFlag tagged Gpr75 knock-in (3xFlag-Gpr75) mice, with consistent expression across different brain regions. GPR75 interacted with Gαq to activate various signaling pathways after HFD feeding. Additionally, GPR75 was localized in the primary cilia of hypothalamic cells, whereas the Thinner mutation (L144P) and human GPR75 variants with lower BMI failed to localize in the cilia. Loss of GPR75 selectively inhibited weight gain in HFD-fed mice but failed to suppress the development of obesity in Leptin ob mice and Adenylate cyclase 3 (Adcy3) mutant mice on a chow diet. Our data reveal that GPR75 is a ciliary protein expressed in the brain and plays an important role in regulating food intake.

Esculetin facilitates post-stroke rehabilitation by inhibiting CKLF1-mediated neutrophil infiltration.

Esculetin (ESC) is a coumarin-derived phytochemical prevalent in traditional Chinese medicine that exhibits anti-acute ischemic stroke activities. Our previous studies demonstrate that CKLF1 is a potential anti-stroke target for coumarin-derived compound. In this study we investigated whether CKLF1 was involved in the neuroprotective effects of ESC against photothrombotic stroke in mice. The mice were treated with ESC (20, 40 or 80 mg·kg-1·d-1, i.g.) for two weeks. The therapeutic effect of ESC was assessed using MRI, neurological function evaluation, and a range of behavioral tests on D1, 3, 7 and 14 of ESC administration. We showed that oral administration of ESC dose-dependently reduced the cerebral infarction volume within one week after stroke, improved behavioral performance, and alleviated neuropathological damage within two weeks. Functional MRI revealed that ESC significantly enhanced the abnormal low-frequency fluctuation (ALFF) value of the motor cortex and promoted functional connectivity between the supplementary motor area (SMA) and multiple brain regions. We demonstrated that ESC significantly reduced the protein levels of CKLF1 and CCR5, as well as the CKLF1/CCR5 protein complex in the peri-infarcted area. We showed that ESC (0.1-10 µM) dose-dependently blocked CKLF1-induced chemotactic movement of neutrophils in the Transwell assay, reducing the interaction of CKLF1/CCR5 on the surface of neutrophils, thereby reducing neutrophil infiltration, and decreasing the expression of ICAM-1, VCAM-1 and MMP-9 in the peri-infarct tissue. Knockout of CKLF1 reduced brain infarction volume and motor dysfunction after stroke but also negated the anti-stroke efficacy and neutrophil infiltration of ESC. These results suggest that the efficacy of ESC in promoting post-stroke neural repair depends on its inhibition on CKLF1-mediated neutrophil infiltration, which offering novel perspectives for elucidating the therapeutic properties of coumarins.

Effect of oregano essential oil on intestinal immunoglobulin G in Holstein dairy bulls.

Introduction: Immunoglobulin G (IgG) is important in mediating humoral immunity and in the maintenance of immune homeostasis in the intestinal mucosa. Oregano essential oil (OEO) is a natural herbal extract that possesses antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory properties. As the effects of OEO on intestinal mucosal immunity in Holstein dairy bulls remained unclear, we investigated the effect of dietary supplementation of OEO on IgG levels and IgG+ cells residing in the intestinal tract in Holstein dairy bulls. Methods: Twelve Holstein bulls in good health of approximately 10 months of age were selected for the experiment and randomly equally divided into two groups. The control (CK) group was fed a basal ration, and in the OEO group, the basal ration was supplemented with OEO (20 g/head/day). After 300 days of feeding, tissue samples of the jejunum, ileum, and colon of the bulls in each group were collected for histopathological analysis, immunohistochemistry, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, respectively. Results: The jejunum, ileum, and colon of bulls in the CK group had obvious pathological damage, whereas the structure of each intestinal segment was clear and intact. In the OEO group, pathological damage was significantly reduced. IgG+ plasma cells were diffusely distributed in the lamina propria of the jejunum, ileum, and colon in the CK and OEO groups, with no significant difference between the groups. OEO supplementation significantly reduced the number of IgG+ plasma cells in each intestinal segment, with the highest decrease rate being noted for the ileum (22.87%), followed by the colon (19.45%) and jejunum (8.52%). ELISA test results and immunohistochemical results were mutually verified. The change in IgG content was consistent with the trend of change in the number of IgG+ plasma cells. Discussion: Our findings suggest that OEO supplementation does not alter the diffuse spatial distribution of IgG+ plasma cells in the intestines of Holstein dairy bulls, but lowers immunoglobulin levels to normal levels, significantly reduces intestinal damage, and may enhance mucosal immune defence barrier function by inhibiting inflammatory reactions.

Vertical Scar Reduction Mammaplasty Using the Superomedial-Based Pedicle Technique in Gigantomastia.

BACKGROUND: Breast reduction surgery has witnessed significant advancements in recent years; however, it continues to pose challenges for both surgeons and patients when dealing with cases involving excessive breast volume and severe breast ptosis. This study aimed to assess the aesthetic outcomes and the impact on the quality of life, as measured by the BREAST-Q questionnaire, in patients with gigantomastia and severe breast ptosis who underwent reduction mammaplasty using the superomedial-based pedicle technique. METHODS: We present a retrospective series comprising 84 patients who underwent reduction mammoplasty utilizing the superomedial pedicle technique. The surgical resections exceeded 1 kg per breast, with a mean resection weight of 1506.58 g (right breast) and 1500.32 g (left breast). The preoperative mean suprasternal notch to nipple distance measured 40.50 cm (right breast) and 40.38 cm (left breast). Postoperatively, the patients were followed up for a minimum of 6 months. Both preoperative and postoperative BREAST-Q surveys were administered to the participants, and scores were analyzed using descriptive statistics. RESULTS: Complications were observed in 3 patients (3.57%), characterized by partial loss of the areola, which resolved spontaneously over time. Additionally, 2 cases of hematoma and 2 instances of minor delayed wound healing were reported. All patients expressed satisfaction with their aesthetic outcomes, as they achieved a natural breast shape and minimal scarring, along with symptomatic relief. CONCLUSIONS: The superomedial pedicle reduction mammaplasty technique has demonstrated its ability to produce satisfactory aesthetic outcomes and long-term benefits in patients with excessively large breasts. Careful patient selection and postoperative management are vital for achieving optimal results. Further investigations involving larger sample sizes and longer follow-up periods are warranted to validate our findings. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.

Phylogenomics, taxonomy and morphological characters of the Microdochiaceae (Xylariales, Sordariomycetes).

Species of the family Microdochiaceae (Xylariales, Sordariomycetes) have been reported from worldwide, and collected from different plant hosts. The proposed new genus and two new species, viz., Macroidriella gen. nov., M.bambusae sp. nov. and Microdochiumaustrale sp. nov., are based on multi-locus phylogenies from a combined dataset of ITS rDNA, LSU, RPB2 and TUB2 with morphological characteristics. Microdochiumsinense has been collected from diseased leaves of Phragmitesaustralis and this is the first report of the fungus on this host plant. Simultaneously, we annotated 10,372 to 11,863 genes, identified 4,909 single-copy orthologous genes, and conducted phylogenomic analysis based on genomic data. A gene family analysis was performed and it will expand the understanding of the evolutionary history and biodiversity of the Microdochiaceae. The detailed descriptions and illustrations of species are provided.

Complications of Superomedial Versus Inferior Pedicle Reduction Mammaplasty: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: The superomedial pedicle reduction mammoplasty has gained popularity and is an important alternative approach for reduction mammoplasty, while the inferior pedicle reduction mammaplasty remains by far the most performed as it is considered to provide the best vascularization to the nipple-areola complex, allowing safe removal of large amount of redundant tissue. The authors conducted the first systematic review and meta-analysis in an attempt to declare the differences of the superomedial pedicle versus the inferior pedicle reduction technique by comparing the postoperative complications. METHODS: PubMed, MEDLINE, and Cochrane Library for clinical studies were queried from inception to January 1, 2024. Review Manager Version 5.4 was used for this meta-analysis. A random effects model was applied to OR, and 95%CI were determined using the Mantel-Haenszel method. The I2 test was used to assess heterogeneity, and the Newcastle-Ottawa scale was used to assess the risk of bias in the nonrandomized studies. RESULTS: Twelve observational comparative studies were included. The superomedial pedicle technique had a statistically lower rate of overall complications (OR 0.59, 95% CI 0.47-0.75; p < 0.0001) and delayed wound healing (OR 0.46, 95% CI 0.33-0.64; p < 0.00001) than the inferior pedicle technique. No significant differences in wound dehiscence, infection, seroma, hematoma, skin necrosis, fat necrosis, NAC necrosis, nipple sensation decrease or loss, asymmetry, hypertrophic scarring, and reoperation were noted. CONCLUSIONS: Both two techniques are equally safe and reliable, while the superomedial pedicle technique resulted in a statistically lower rate of overall complications and delayed wound healing. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE III: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Elastoplastic Mechanical Properties and Kinematic Hardening Model of 35CrNi3MoVR.

The existing tensile-compression elastoplastic models are not suitable for varies of materials. An accurate constitutive model of the elastoplastic mechanical properties more suitable for 35CrNi3MoVR was produced by optimizing the existing fitting equations based on uniaxial tensile-compression tests, which are able to describe the elastoplastic stress-strain relation and Bauschinger effect varying with the maximum tensile plastic strain. A UMAT subroutine of the constitutive model in ABAQUS was proposed and conducted for FEM calculation. Hydraulic autofrettage tests were carried out under different pressures on thick-walled 35CrNi3MoVR tubes, and the results were compared with those of FEM calculations to further validate the accuracy of the fitting model. The results show that the constructed power function kinematic hardening model can effectively describe the elastoplastic mechanical properties of 35CrNi3MoVR and can be applied to the autofrettage calculation of this material. The comparison among the calculation results of different models proved that the model proposed in this research has better performance compared to other existing models. Taking the Mises stress at the inner surface of the thick-walled tubes as the evaluation criterion, the error of the power function kinematic hardening model reaches less than 3%, decreasing the error by at least 50%.

Nanoencapsulated MgBu2@ZIF-67 to Construct High Loading Mg-Co@C Nanocomposites: Breaking Through the Barrier of Room Temperature Onset Dehydrogenation.

The synergies of nanoconfinement and catalysis is an effective strategy to improve the kinetic and thermodynamic properties of Mg-based materials. However, obtaining Mg-based materials with high loading, anti-aggregation, and containing nanocatalysts to achieve dehydrogenation at room temperature remains a huge challenge. Herein, a novel and universal preparation strategy for Mg-Co@C nanocomposites with 9.5 nm Mg nanoparticles and 9.4 nm Co nanocatalysts embedded in carbon scaffold is reported. The 9.3 nm MgBu2 nanosheets precipitated by solvent displacement are encapsulated in ZIF-67 to prepare MgBu2@ZIF-67 precursors, then removing excess MgBu2 on the precursor surface and pyrolysis to obtain Mg-Co@C. It is worth noting that the Mg loading rate of Mg-Co@C is as high as rare 69.7%. Excitingly, the Mg-Co@C begins to dehydrogenate at room temperature with saturate capacity of 5.1 wt.%. Meanwhile, its dehydrogenation activation energy (Ea(des) = 68.8 kJ mol-1) and enthalpy (ΔH(des) = 61.6 kJ mol-1) significantly decrease compared to bulk Mg. First principles calculations indicate that the hydrogen adsorption energy on the Mg2CoH5 surface is only -0.681 eV. This work provides a universally applicable novel method for the preparation of nanoscale Mg-based materials with various nanocatalysts added, and provides new ideas for Mg-based materials to achieve room temperature hydrogen storage.

Comparative Phenotypic and Transcriptomic Analyses Provide Novel Insights into the Molecular Mechanism of Seed Germination in Response to Low Temperature Stress in Alfalfa.

Low temperature is the most common abiotic factor that usually occurs during the seed germination of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.). However, the potential regulatory mechanisms involved in alfalfa seed germination under low temperature stress are still ambiguous. Therefore, to determine the relevant key genes and pathways, the phenotypic and transcriptomic analyses of low-temperature sensitive (Instict) and low-temperature tolerant (Sardi10) alfalfa were conducted at 6 and 15 h of seed germination under normal (20 °C) and low (10 °C) temperature conditions. Germination phenotypic results showed that Sardi10 had the strongest germination ability under low temperatures, which was manifested by the higher germination-related indicators. Further transcriptome analysis indicated that differentially expressed genes were mainly enriched in galactose metabolism and carbon metabolism pathways, which were the most commonly enriched in two alfalfa genotypes. Additionally, fatty acid metabolism and glutathione metabolism pathways were preferably enriched in Sardi10 alfalfa. The Weighted Gene Co-Expression Network Analysis (WGCNA) suggested that genes were closely related to galactose metabolism, fatty acid metabolism, and glutathione metabolism in Sardi10 alfalfa at the module with the highest correlation (6 h of germination under low temperature). Finally, qRT-PCR analysis further validated the related genes involved in the above pathways, which might play crucial roles in regulating seed germination of alfalfa under low temperature conditions. These findings provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms of seed germination underlying the low temperature stress in alfalfa.

Quantification of cardiac capillarization in basement-membrane-immunostained myocardial slices using Segment Anything Model.

Decreased myocardial capillary density has been reported as an important histopathological feature associated with various heart disorders. Quantitative assessment of cardiac capillarization typically involves double immunostaining of cardiomyocytes (CMs) and capillaries in myocardial slices. In contrast, single immunostaining of basement membrane protein is a straightforward approach to simultaneously label CMs and capillaries, presenting fewer challenges in background staining. However, subsequent image analysis always requires expertise and laborious manual work to identify and segment CMs/capillaries. Here, we developed an image analysis tool, AutoQC, for automatic identification and segmentation of CMs and capillaries in immunofluorescence images of basement membrane. Commonly used capillarization-related measurements can be derived from segmentation results. By leveraging the power of a pre-trained segmentation model (Segment Anything Model, SAM) via prompt engineering, the training of AutoQC required only a small dataset with bounding box annotations instead of pixel-wise annotations. AutoQC outperformed SAM (without prompt engineering) and YOLOv8-Seg, a state-of-the-art instance segmentation model, in both instance segmentation and capillarization assessment. Thus, AutoQC, featuring a weakly supervised algorithm, enables automatic segmentation and high-throughput, high-accuracy capillarization assessment in basement-membrane-immunostained myocardial slices. This approach reduces the training workload and eliminates the need for manual image analysis once AutoQC is trained.

Cone Angles Quantify and Predict Affinity and Reactivity of Anion Complexes between Trifluoroborates and Rigid Macrocycles.

Steric manipulation is a known concept in molecular recognition but there is currently no linear free energy relationship correlating sterics to the stability of receptor-anion complexes nor to the reactivity of the bound anion. By analogy to Tolman cone angles in cation coordination chemistry, we explore how to define and correlate cone angles of organo-trifluoroborates (R-BF3-) to the affinities observed for cyanostar-anion binding. We extend the analogy to a rare investigation of reactivity and how it changes upon anion binding. The substituent on the anion is used to define the cone angle, θ. A series of 10 anions were studied including versions with ethynyl, ethylene, and ethyl substituents that were selected to tune steric bulk across the sp, sp2 and sp3 hybridized a-carbons bearing 0, 1 and 2 hydrogen atoms. A linear relationship between affinity and cone angle is observed for anions bearing substituents larger than the -BF3- headgroup. This correlation predicted affinities of two new anions to within ±5%. We explored how complexation affects the reactivity of fluoride exchange. The yield of fluoride transfer from R-BF3- to Lewis acid triphenylborane is correlated with cone angle. We predict that other rigid macrocycles, like commercially available bambusuril, could follow these trends.

Visible-Light-Activated Heteroaryl Azoswitches: Toward a More Colorful Future.

Azobenzenes (Ph-N═N-Ph) are known as the most widely studied molecular photoswitches, and the recent rise of azoheteroarenes (Het-N═N-Ph or Het-N═N-Het) offers great opportunities to advance this already mature field. A common limitation is that azo-switches generally require harmful UV light for activation, which hinders their application across various fields. Despite great efforts in developing visible-light azobenzenes over the past few decades, the potential of visible-light heteroaryl azoswitches remains largely unexplored. This Perspective summarizes the state-of-the-art advancements in visible-light heteroaryl azoswitches, covering molecular design strategies, the structure-property relationship, and potential applications. We highlight the distinctive advantages of azoheteroarenes over azobenzenes in the research and development of visible-light switches. Furthermore, we discuss the opportunities and challenges in this emerging field and propose potential solutions to address crucial issues such as spectral red-shift and thermal half-life. Through this Perspective paper, we aim to provide inspiration for further exploration in this field, in anticipation of the growing prosperity and bright future of visible-light azoheteroarene photoswitches.

Diabetic retinopathy identification based on multi-source-free domain adaptation.

AIM: To address the challenges of data labeling difficulties, data privacy, and necessary large amount of labeled data for deep learning methods in diabetic retinopathy (DR) identification, the aim of this study is to develop a source-free domain adaptation (SFDA) method for efficient and effective DR identification from unlabeled data. METHODS: A multi-SFDA method was proposed for DR identification. This method integrates multiple source models, which are trained from the same source domain, to generate synthetic pseudo labels for the unlabeled target domain. Besides, a softmax-consistence minimization term is utilized to minimize the intra-class distances between the source and target domains and maximize the inter-class distances. Validation is performed using three color fundus photograph datasets (APTOS2019, DDR, and EyePACS). RESULTS: The proposed model was evaluated and provided promising results with respectively 0.8917 and 0.9795 F1-scores on referable and normal/abnormal DR identification tasks. It demonstrated effective DR identification through minimizing intra-class distances and maximizing inter-class distances between source and target domains. CONCLUSION: The multi-SFDA method provides an effective approach to overcome the challenges in DR identification. The method not only addresses difficulties in data labeling and privacy issues, but also reduces the need for large amounts of labeled data required by deep learning methods, making it a practical tool for early detection and preservation of vision in diabetic patients.

Evaluation of the mechanical properties of porcine kidney.

With the development of medical diagnosis and treatment, knowing the mechanical properties of living tissues becomes critical. The aim of this study was to investigation material properties of the fresh porcine kidney and the parametric characterization of its viscoelastic material behavior. The material investigation included uniaxial tension tests in different strain rates, relaxation tests, as well as hydrostatic compression tests on the samples extracted from the fresh porcine kidney cortex. Tension tests and relaxation tests were performed by a planar dog-bone specimen with a micron loading testing machine. Hydrostatic compression tests were performed on the kidney cylinder sample which was placed in a compression chamber. Furthermore, a nonlinear viscoelastic model recently proposed by us was employed to characterize the tension data at different strain rates and relaxation test data. The the experimental and numerical results show that the stress-strain relations of the porcine kidney cortex at different strain rates in tension are presented for the first time and a higher strain rate results in higher ultimate strength and initial Young modulus but a lower rupture strain. A damage-dependent visco-elastic model is employed to model the tension data at different strain rates and relaxation data and exhibits a good agreement with the experimental data, which also demonstrates that the damage has an obvious influence on the stress-strain relation. Through comparison with the existing reference covering the uniaxial compression data, it seems that the mechanical behavior of the porcine kidney cortex manifests a stress state-dependent mechanical behavior. The ultimate strength and rupture strain are larger in compression than that in tension.

Retinal light damage: From mechanisms to protective strategies.

Visible light serves as a crucial medium for vision formation.;however, prolonged or excessive exposure to light is recognized as a significant etiological factor contributing to retinal degenerative diseases. The retina, with its unique structure and adaptability, relies on the homeostasis of cellular functions to maintain visual health. Under normal conditions, the retina can mount adaptive responses to various insults, including light-induced damage. Unfortunately, exposure to intense and excessive light triggers a cascade of pathological alterations in retinal photoreceptor cells, pigment epithelial cells, ganglion cells, and glial cells. These alterations encompass disruption of intracellular REDOX and Ca²âº homeostasis, pyroptosis, endoplasmic reticulum stress, autophagy, and the release of inflammatory cytokines, culminating in irreversible retinal damage. We first delineate the mechanisms of retinal light damage through 4 main avenues: mitochondria function, endoplasmic reticulum stress, cell autophagy, and inflammation. Subsequently, we discuss protective strategies against retinal light damage, aiming to guide research toward the prevention and treatment of light-induced retinal conditions.

Isolation of a Virulent Clostridium perfringens Strain from Elaphurus davidianus and Characterization by Whole-Genome Sequence Analysis.

Clostridium perfringens (C. perfringens) is an important veterinary pathogen and a noteworthy threat to human and animal health. Recently, there has been a significant rise in the number of moose fatalities caused by this rare, endemic species in China. Currently, there is an increasing trend in conducting whole-genome analysis of C. perfringens strains originating from pigs and chickens, whereas fewer studies have been undertaken on Elaphurus davidianus-originating strains at the whole-genome level. Our laboratory has identified and isolated five C. perfringens type A from affected Elaphurus davidianus. The current study identified the most potent strain of C. perfringens, which originated from Elaphurus davidianus, and sequenced its genome to reveal virulence genes and pathogenicity. Our findings show that strain CX1-4 exhibits the highest levels of phospholipase activity, hemolytic activity, and mouse toxicity compared to the other four isolated C. perfringens type A strains. The chromosome sequence length of the CX1-4 strain was found to be 3,355,389 bp by complete genome sequencing. The current study unveils the genomic characteristics of C. perfringens type A originating from Elaphurus davidianus. It provides a core foundation for further investigation regarding the prevention and treatment of such infectious diseases in Elaphurus davidianus.

Exploring the intricacies of Pasteurella multocida dynamics in high-altitude livestock and its consequences for bovine health: A personal exploration of the yak paradox.

Pasturella multocida (P. multocida), a gram-negative bacterium, has long been a focus of interest in animal health because of its capacity to cause different infections, including hemorrhagic septicemia. Yaks, primarily found in high-altitude environments, are among the several livestock animals affected by these bacteria. Yaks are essential to the socioeconomic life of the people who depend on them since they are adapted to the cold and hypoxic conditions of highland environments. Nevertheless, these terrains exhibit a greater incidence of P. multocida despite the severe environmental complications. This predominance has been linked to the possible attenuation of the yak's immunological responses in such circumstances and the evolution of some bacterial strains to favor survival in the respiratory passages of the animals. Moreover, these particular strains threaten other cattle populations that interact with yaks, which might result in unanticipated outbreaks in areas previously thought to be low risk. Considering these findings, designing and executing preventative and control strategies suited explicitly for these distinct biological environments is imperative. Through such strategies, yaks' health will be guaranteed, and a larger bovine population will be safeguarded against unanticipated epidemics. The current review provides thorough insights that were previously dispersed among several investigations. Its distinct method of connecting the ecology of yaks with the dynamics of infection offers substantial background information for further studies and livestock management plans.