Lysine 2-hydroxyisobutyrylation proteomics analyses reveal the regulatory mechanism of CaMYB61-CaAFR1 module in regulating stem development in Capsicum annuum L.

Plant stems constitute the most abundant renewable resource on earth. The function of lysine (K)-2-hydroxyisobutyrylation (Khib), a novel post-translational modification (PTM), has not yet been elucidated in plant stem development. Here, by assessing typical pepper genotypes with straight stem (SS) and prostrate stem (PS), we report the first large-scale proteomics analysis for protein Khib to date. Khib-modifications influenced central metabolic processes involved in stem development, such as glycolysis/gluconeogenesis and protein translation. The high Khib level regulated gene expression and protein accumulation associated with cell wall formation in the pepper stem. Specially, we found that CaMYB61 knockdown lines that exhibited prostrate stem phenotypes had high Khib levels. Most histone deacetylases (HDACs, e.g., switch-independent 3 associated polypeptide function related 1, AFR1) potentially function as the "erasing enzymes" involved in reversing Khib level. CaMYB61 positively regulated CaAFR1 expression to erase Khib and promote cellulose and hemicellulose accumulation in the stem. Therefore, we propose a bidirectional regulation hypothesis of "Khib modifications" and "Khib erasing" in stem development, and reveal a novel epigenetic regulatory network in which the CaMYB61-CaAFR1 molecular module participating in the regulation of Khib levels and biosynthesis of cellulose and hemicellulose for the first time.

Protein-based bioactive coatings: from nanoarchitectonics to applications.

Protein-based bioactive coatings have emerged as a versatile and promising strategy for enhancing the performance and biocompatibility of diverse biomedical materials and devices. Through surface modification, these coatings confer novel biofunctional attributes, rendering the material highly bioactive. Their widespread adoption across various domains in recent years underscores their importance. This review systematically elucidates the behavior of protein-based bioactive coatings in organisms and expounds on their underlying mechanisms. Furthermore, it highlights notable advancements in artificial synthesis methodologies and their functional applications in vitro. A focal point is the delineation of assembly strategies employed in crafting protein-based bioactive coatings, which provides a guide for their expansion and sustained implementation. Finally, the current trends, challenges, and future directions of protein-based bioactive coatings are discussed.

IGF2 promotes the differentiation of chicken embryonic myoblast by regulating mitochondrial remodeling.

Skeletal muscle is crucial for animal movement and posture maintenance, and it serves as a significant source of meat in the livestock and poultry industry. The number of muscle fibers differentiated from myoblast in the embryonic stage is one of the factors determining the content of skeletal muscle. Insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF2), a well-known growth-promoting hormone, is crucial for embryonic and skeletal muscle growth and development. However, the specific molecular mechanism underlying its impact on chicken embryonic myoblast differentiation remains unclear. To elucidate the molecular mechanism by which IGF2 regulates chicken myoblast differentiation, we manipulated IGF2 expression in chicken embryonic myoblast. The results demonstrated that IGF2 was upregulated during chicken skeletal muscle development and myoblast differentiation. On the one hand, we found that IGF2 promotes mitochondrial biogenesis through the PGC1/NRF1/TFAM pathway, thereby enhancing mitochondrial membrane potential, oxidative phosphorylation, and ATP synthesis during myoblast differentiation. This process is mediated by the PI3K/AKT pathway. On the other hand, IGF2 regulates BNIP3-mediated mitophagy, clearing dysfunctional mitochondria. Collectively, our findings confirmed that IGF2 cooperatively regulates mitochondrial biogenesis and mitophagy to remodel the mitochondrial network and enhance mitochondrial function, ultimately promoting myoblast differentiation.

Being bold wisely: neural substrates underlying ability to exploit risk.

Nothing ventured, nothing gained. To succeed one must take risks, and more importantly, take risks wisely, which depends on individual ability to exploit risk. Here, we explore neural substrates for the ability to exploit risk by using voxel-based morphometry (VBM). First, we carried out structural magnetic resonance imaging and measured individual risk-taking propensity and corresponding earnings by administrating the Balloon Analogue Risk Task in 1,389 participants. Behavior analysis revealed an inverted-U-shaped relation between risk-taking propensity and earnings, that earnings initially increased and then decreased as risk-taking propensity increased. Then individual ability to exploit risk was estimated by calculating the difference between individual actual earnings and the average earnings of the group at the same level of risk-taking propensity. VBM analysis revealed that individual ability to exploit risk was positively correlated with the gray matter volumes of three clusters located in the right orbitofrontal cortex, left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC), and right dlPFC, respectively. These findings highlight the neural substrates for the ability to exploit risk and implicate that precise valuation, adaptive learning, and self-control may underpin the ability to exploit risk, which expand our understanding of the ability to exploit risk and its neural substrates.

Cortical gradient perturbation in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder correlates with neurotransmitter-, cell type-specific and chromosome- transcriptomic signatures.

AIMS: This study aimed to illuminate the neuropathological landscape of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) by a multiscale macro-micro-molecular perspective from in vivo neuroimaging data. METHODS: The "ADHD-200 initiative" repository provided multi-site high-quality resting-state functional connectivity (rsfc-) neuroimaging for ADHD children and matched typically developing (TD) cohort. Diffusion mapping embedding model to derive the functional connectome gradient detecting biologically plausible neural pattern was built, and the multivariate partial least square method to uncover the enrichment of neurotransmitomic, cellular and chromosomal gradient-transcriptional signatures of AHBA enrichment and meta-analytic decoding. RESULTS: Compared to TD, ADHD children presented connectopic cortical gradient perturbations in almost all the cognition-involved brain macroscale networks (all pBH <0.001), but not in the brain global topology. As an intermediate phenotypic variant, such gradient perturbation was spatially enriched into distributions of GABAA/BZ and 5-HT2A receptors (all pBH <0.01) and co-varied with genetic transcriptional expressions (e.g. DYDC2, ATOH7, all pBH <0.01), associated with phenotypic variants in episodic memory and emotional regulations. Enrichment models demonstrated such gradient-transcriptional variants indicated the risk of both cell-specific and chromosome- dysfunctions, especially in enriched expression of oligodendrocyte precursors and endothelial cells (all pperm <0.05) as well enrichment into chromosome 18, 19 and X (pperm <0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings bridged brain macroscale neuropathological patterns to microscale/cellular biological architectures for ADHD children, demonstrating the neurobiologically pathological mechanism of ADHD into the genetic and molecular variants in GABA and 5-HT systems as well brain-derived enrichment of specific cellular/chromosomal expressions.

α-Helix-Mediated Protein Adhesion.

Proteins have been adopted by natural living organisms to create robust bioadhesive materials, such as biofilms and amyloid plaques formed in microbes and barnacles. In these cases, ß-sheet stacking is recognized as a key feature that is closely related to the interfacial adhesion of proteins. Herein, we challenge this well-known recognition by proposing an α-helix-mediated interfacial adhesion model for proteins. By using bovine serum albumin (BSA) as a model protein, it was discovered that the reduction of disulfide bonds in BSA results in random coils from unfolded BSA dragging α-helices to gather at the solid/liquid interface (SLI). The hydrophobic residues in the α-helix then expose and break through the hydration layer of the SLI, followed by the random deposition of hydrophilic and hydrophobic residues to achieve interfacial adhesion. As a result, the first assembled layer is enriched in the α-helix secondary structure, which is then strengthened by intermolecular disulfide bonds and further initiates stepwise layering protein assembly. In this process, ß-sheet stacking is transformed from the α-helix in a gradually evolving manner. This finding thus indicates a valuable clue that ß-sheet-featuring amyloid may form after the interfacial adhesion of proteins. Furthermore, the finding of the α-helix-mediated interfacial adhesion model of proteins affords a unique strategy to prepare protein nanofilms with a well-defined layer number, presenting robust and modulable adhesion on various substrates and exhibiting good resistance to acid, alkali, organic solvent, ultrasonic, and adhesive tape peeling.

Sampling inequalities affect generalization of neuroimaging-based diagnostic classifiers in psychiatry.

BACKGROUND: The development of machine learning models for aiding in the diagnosis of mental disorder is recognized as a significant breakthrough in the field of psychiatry. However, clinical practice of such models remains a challenge, with poor generalizability being a major limitation. METHODS: Here, we conducted a pre-registered meta-research assessment on neuroimaging-based models in the psychiatric literature, quantitatively examining global and regional sampling issues over recent decades, from a view that has been relatively underexplored. A total of 476 studies (n = 118,137) were included in the current assessment. Based on these findings, we built a comprehensive 5-star rating system to quantitatively evaluate the quality of existing machine learning models for psychiatric diagnoses. RESULTS: A global sampling inequality in these models was revealed quantitatively (sampling Gini coefficient (G) = 0.81, p < .01), varying across different countries (regions) (e.g., China, G = 0.47; the USA, G = 0.58; Germany, G = 0.78; the UK, G = 0.87). Furthermore, the severity of this sampling inequality was significantly predicted by national economic levels (ß = - 2.75, p < .001, R2adj = 0.40; r = - .84, 95% CI: - .41 to - .97), and was plausibly predictable for model performance, with higher sampling inequality for reporting higher classification accuracy. Further analyses showed that lack of independent testing (84.24% of models, 95% CI: 81.0-87.5%), improper cross-validation (51.68% of models, 95% CI: 47.2-56.2%), and poor technical transparency (87.8% of models, 95% CI: 84.9-90.8%)/availability (80.88% of models, 95% CI: 77.3-84.4%) are prevailing in current diagnostic classifiers despite improvements over time. Relating to these observations, model performances were found decreased in studies with independent cross-country sampling validations (all p < .001, BF10 > 15). In light of this, we proposed a purpose-built quantitative assessment checklist, which demonstrated that the overall ratings of these models increased by publication year but were negatively associated with model performance. CONCLUSIONS: Together, improving sampling economic equality and hence the quality of machine learning models may be a crucial facet to plausibly translating neuroimaging-based diagnostic classifiers into clinical practice.

m6 A reader YTHDF3 triggers the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma through the YTHDF3/m6 A-EGFR/STAT3 axis and EMT.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the sixth most common cancer and the fourth leading cause of tumor-related deaths worldwide. N6-methyladenosine (m6 A) mediates RNA metabolism in tumor biology. However, the regulatory role of YTHDF3, an m6 A reader, in HCC progression and its underlying mechanisms remains unclear. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the oncogenic effect of YTHDF3 on HCC progression via the epigenetic regulation of m6 A-modified mRNAs. The expression levels of YTHDF3 in HCC tissues and matched adjacent liver tissues were detected using western blot analysis, immunohistochemistry, and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. The function of YTHDF3 in HCC progression and its underlying mechanisms have been studied both in vitro and in vivo. YTHDF3 expression was significantly higher in HCC tissues than in paracancerous liver tissues. YTHDF3 was also significantly upregulated in HCC with microvascular invasion (MVI) compared to that in HCC without MVI. YTHDF3 overexpression facilitated the proliferation, invasion, and migration of HCC cells both in vitro and in vivo. However, the YTHDF3 knockdown resulted in an inverse trend. Mechanistically, YTHDF3 enhanced the translation and stability of the m6 A-modified epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mRNA, which activated the downstream EGFR/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) oncogenic pathways. YTHDF3 enhanced the stability and translation of m6 A-modified EGFR mRNA and stimulated HCC progression via the YTHDF3/m6 A-EGFR/STAT3 and EMT pathways. These findings reveal that YTHDF3 plays a significant role in regulating HCC progression, suggesting a promising and novel target for HCC treatment.

LATS-regulated nuclear-cytoplasmic translocation of SREBP2 inhibits hepatocellular carcinoma cell migration and invasion via epithelial-mesenchymal transition.

Abnormal cholesterol synthesis plays a crucial role in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Sterol regulatory element-binding protein 2 (SREBP2) is involved in cholesterol synthesis by translocating to the nucleus where it stimulates the transcription of genes encoding enzymes involved in the cholesterol synthesis pathway. However, the function and regulatory mechanism of SREBP2 in HCC remain unclear. In this study, we aimed to gain a better understanding of the effects of SREBP2 and its functional mechanism in HCC. In 20 HCC patients, we demonstrated that SREBP2 was highly expressed in HCC specimens, relative to their peritumoral tissue, and that higher expression correlated positively with a poor prognosis in these patients. Moreover, higher SREBP2 levels in the nucleus enhanced the occurrence of microvascular invasion, whereas inhibition of SREBP2 nuclear translocation by fatostatin markedly suppressed the migration and invasion of HCC cells via the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process. The effects of SREBP2 were subject to functional activity of large tumor suppressor kinase (LATS), whereas inhibition of LATS promoted nuclear translocation of SREBP2, as observed in hepatoma cells and a subset of subcutaneous tumor samples from nude mice. In conclusion, SREBP2 enhances the invasion and metastasis of HCC cells by promoting EMT, which can be strengthened by the repression of LATS. Therefore, SREBP2 may serve as a novel therapeutic target for HCC.

Local GHR roles in regulation of mitochondrial function through mitochondrial biogenesis during myoblast differentiation.

BACKGROUND: Myoblast differentiation requires metabolic reprogramming driven by increased mitochondrial biogenesis and oxidative phosphorylation. The canonical GH-GHR-IGFs axis in liver exhibits a great complexity in response to somatic growth. However, the underlying mechanism of whether local GHR acts as a control valve to regulate mitochondrial function through mitochondrial biogenesis during myoblast differentiation remains unknown. METHODS: We manipulated the GHR expression in chicken primary myoblast to investigate its roles in mitochondrial biogenesis and function during myoblast differentiation. RESULTS: We reported that GHR is induced during myoblast differentiation. Local GHR promoted mitochondrial biogenesis during myoblast differentiation, as determined by the fluorescence intensity of Mito-Tracker Green staining and MitoTimer reporter system, the expression of mitochondrial biogenesis markers (PGC1α, NRF1, TFAM) and mtDNA encoded gene (ND1, CYTB, COX1, ATP6), as well as mtDNA content. Consistently, local GHR enhanced mitochondrial function during myoblast differentiation, as determined by the oxygen consumption rate, mitochondrial membrane potential, ATP level and ROS production. We next revealed that the regulation of mitochondrial biogenesis and function by GHR depends on IGF1. In terms of the underlying mechanism, we demonstrated that IGF1 regulates mitochondrial biogenesis via PI3K/AKT/CREB pathway. Additionally, GHR knockdown repressed myoblast differentiation. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, our data corroborate that local GHR acts as a control valve to enhance mitochondrial function by promoting mitochondrial biogenesis via IGF1-PI3K/AKT/CREB pathway during myoblast differentiation. Video Abstract.

Selective Complexation and Separation of Uranium(VI) from Thorium(IV) with New Tetradentate N,O-Hybrid Diamide Ligands: Synthesis, Extraction, Spectroscopy, and Crystallographic Studies.

An unmet challenge in the thorium-uranium fuel cycle is the efficient separation of uranium from thorium. Herein, two new tetradentate N,O-hybrid ligands, N,N'-diethyl-N,N'-di-p-tolyl-2,2'-bipyridine-6,6'-dicarboxamide (Et-Tol-BPDA) and N,N'-diethyl-N,N'-di-p-tolyl-2,2'-bipyrimidine-4,4'-dicarboxamide (Et-Tol-BPymDA), comprising a bipyridine or bipyrimidine core and amide moieties were designed and synthesized for selectively complexing and separating U(VI) from Th(IV). The high U(VI)/Th(IV) extraction selectivity was achieved by Et-Tol-BPDA (SFU/Th = 33 at 3 M HNO3) and Et-Tol-BPymDA (SFU/Th = 73 at 3 M HNO3) in nitric acid solutions. The extraction process for U(VI) or Th(IV) with these two ligands primarily proceeded through the solvation mechanism, as evidenced by slope analyses. Thermodynamic studies for the extraction of U(VI) and Th(IV) revealed a spontaneous process. Results from UV-vis spectroscopic titration and slope analyses demonstrated that U(VI) and Th(IV) each form a 1:1 complex with the two ligands both in the monophasic organic solution and the biphasic extraction system. The stability constants of the 1:1 complexes of Et-Tol-BPDA or Et-Tol-BPymDA with U(VI) were found to be larger than those with Th(IV), which coincide well with the high U(VI)/Th(IV) extraction selectivity. The solid-state structures of Et-Tol-BPDA, Et-Tol-BPymDA, and 1:1 complexes of the two ligands with U(VI) or Th(IV) were analyzed by X-ray diffraction technique. The results from this work implicate the potential of bipyridine- and bipyrimidine-derived diamide ligands for uranium/thorium separation.

Posterior concave reconstruction with cage in the surgical treatment of complex lumbar deformity caused by lumbosacral hemivertebrae.

PURPOSE: To identify the clinical and radiological outcomes in the coronal and sagittal planes after treatment of congenital complex lumbosacral hemivertebrae (LSHV) with or without posterior concave reconstruction. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed a consecutive series of patients with congenital LSHV deformities treated by posterior-only hemivertebra resection. The minimum follow-up was 2 years. The patients were divided into a concave-cage group and a non-cage group. The radiographic and clinical results were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Forty patients were categorized into the cage group (n = 14) and non-cage group (n = 26). At the end of the propensity score matching analysis, 14 patients from the cage group were matched to 14 patients in the non-cage group. The lumbosacral curve and thoracolumbar/lumbar curve improved significantly in both groups at the final postoperative follow-up (P < 0.001), and the lumbosacral curve at the final follow-up was remarkably lower in the cage than non-cage group. The correction rates of the lumbosacral curve and thoracolumbar/lumbar curve were significantly higher in the cage than non-cage group. The lower lumbar lordosis improved significantly in both groups at the final postoperative follow-up (P < 0.05), and the lower lumbar lordosis at the final follow-up and its correction were remarkably higher in the cage than non-cage group (both P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Posterior column reconstruction with insertion of a concave cage may achieve a higher correction rate of large lower lumbar lordosis and lumbosacral coronal deformity, attain better sagittal balance, and have fewer complications related to implant failure than posterior-only hemivertebra resection in patients with congenital LSHV.

Palladium-Catalyzed Benzylic C(sp3 )-H Carbonylative Arylation with Aryl Bromides.

A novel, selective and high-yielding palladium-catalyzed carbonylative arylation of a variety of weakly acidic (pKa 25-35 in DMSO) benzylic and heterobenzylic C(sp3 )-H bonds with aryl bromides has been achieved. This system is applicable to a range of pro-nucleophiles for access to sterically and electronically diverse α-aryl or α,α-diaryl ketones, which are ubiquitous substructures in biologically active compounds. The Josiphos SL-J001-1-based palladium catalyst was identified as the most efficient and selective, enabling carbonylative arylation with aryl bromides under 1 atm CO to provide the ketone products without the formation of direct coupling byproducts. Additionally, (Josiphos)Pd(CO)2 was identified as the catalyst resting state. A kinetic study suggests that the oxidative addition of aryl bromides is the turnover-limiting step. Key catalytic intermediates were also isolated.

Growth hormone receptor gene influences mitochondrial function and chicken lipid metabolism by AMPK-PGC1α-PPAR signaling pathway.

BACKGROUND: Adipose tissue is an important endocrine and energy-storage organ in organisms, and it plays a crucial role in the energy-metabolism balance. Previous studies have found that sex-linked dwarf (SLD) chickens generally have excessively high abdominal fat deposition during the growing period, which increases feeding costs. However, the underlying mechanism of this fat deposition during the growth of SLD chickens remains unknown. RESULTS: The Oil Red O staining showed that the lipid-droplet area of SLD chickens was larger than that of normal chickens in E15 and 14d. Consistently, TG content in the livers of SLD chickens was higher than that of normal chickens in E15 and 14d. Further, lower ΔΨm and lower ATP levels and higher MDA levels were observed in SLD chickens than normal chickens in both E15 and 14d. We also found that overexpression of GHR reduced the expression of genes related to lipid metabolism (AMPK, PGC1α, PPARγ, FAS, C/EBP) and oxidative phosphorylation (CYTB, CYTC, COX1, ATP), as well as reducing ΔΨm and ATP levels and increasing MDA levels. In addition, overexpression of GHR inhibited fat deposition in CPPAs, as measured by Oil Red O staining. On the contrary, knockdown of GHR had the opposite effects in vitro. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, we demonstrate that GHR promotes mitochondrial function and inhibits lipid peroxidation as well as fat deposition in vivo and in vitro. Therefore, GHR is essential for maintaining the stability of lipid metabolism and regulating mitochondrial function in chicken.

The anxiety-specific hippocampus-prefrontal cortex pathways links to procrastination through self-control.

Procrastination, which is defined as delaying an intended course of action despite negative outcomes, is demonstrated to have a deal with negative emotion including trait anxiety. Although highly anxious individuals showed impoverished control ability, no studies have indicated the role of self-control in the relationship between trait anxiety and procrastination, and its neural correlates. To this end, we used the sliding window method to calculate the temporal deviation of dynamic functional connectivity (FC) in 312 healthy participants who underwent the resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scanning. In line with our hypothesis, higher trait anxiety is linked to more procrastination via poorer self-control. Besides, the dynamic FC analyses showed that trait anxiety was positively correlated with dynamic FC variability in hippocampus-prefrontal cortex (HPC-PFC) pathways, including left rostral hippocampus-left superior frontal gyrus (left rHPC-left SFG), and left rHPC-right middle frontal gyrus (left rHPC--MFG). Furthermore, the structural equation modeling (SEM) uncovered a mediated role of self-control in the association between the anxiety-specific brain connectivity and procrastination. These findings suggest that the HPC-PFC pathways may reflect impoverished regulatory ability over the negative thoughts for anxious individuals, and thereby incurs more procrastination, which enhances our understanding of how trait anxiety links to procrastination.

Tripartite Motif-Containing 27 Attenuates Liver Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury by Suppressing Transforming Growth Factor ß-Activated Kinase 1 (TAK1) by TAK1 Binding Protein 2/3 Degradation.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Hepatic ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury, which mainly involves inflammatory responses and apoptosis, is a common cause of organ dysfunction in liver transplantation (LT). As a critical mediator of inflammation and apoptosis in various cell types, the role of tripartite motif-containing (TRIM) 27 in hepatic I/R injury remains worthy of study. APPROACH AND RESULTS: This study systemically evaluated the putative role of TRIM27/transforming growth factor ß-activated kinase 1 (TAK1)/JNK (c-Jun N-terminal kinase)/p38 signaling in hepatic I/R injury. TRIM27 expression was significantly down-regulated in liver tissue from LT patients, mice subjected to hepatic I/R surgery, and hepatocytes challenged by hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) treatment. Subsequently, using global Trim27 knockout mice (Trim27-KO mice) and hepatocyte-specific Trim27 transgenic mice (Trim27-HTG mice), TRIM27 functions to ameliorate liver damage, reduce the inflammatory response, and prevent cell apoptosis. In parallel in vitro studies, activating TRIM27 also prevented H/R-induced hepatocyte inflammation and apoptosis. Mechanistically, TRIM27 constitutively interacted with the critical components, TAK1 and TAK1 binding protein 2/3 (TAB2/3), and promoted the degradation of TAB2/3, leading to inactivation of TAK1 and the subsequent suppression of downstream JNK/p38 signaling. CONCLUSIONS: TRIM27 is a key regulator of hepatic I/R injury by mediating the degradation of TAB2/3 and suppression of downstream TAK1-JNK/p38 signaling. TRIM27 may be a promising approach to protect the liver against I/R-mediated hepatocellular damage in transplant recipients.

dPRLR causes differences in immune responses between early and late feathering chickens after ALV-J infection.

To understand the differences in immune responses between early feathering (EF) and late feathering (LF) chickens after infection with avian leukosis virus, subgroup J (ALV-J), we monitored the levels of prolactin, growth hormone and the immunoglobulins IgG and IgM in the serum of LF and EF chickens for 8 weeks. Moreover, we analysed the expression of immune-related genes in the spleen and the expression of PRLR, SPEF2 and dPRLR in the immune organs and DF-1 cells by qRT-PCR. The results showed that ALV-J infection affected the expression of prolactin, growth hormone, IgG and IgM in the serum. Regardless of whether LF and EF chickens were infected with ALV-J, the serum levels of the two hormones and two immunoglobulins in EF chickens were higher than those in LF chickens (P < 0.05). However, the expression of immune-related genes in the spleen of positive LF chickens was higher than that in the spleen of positive EF chickens. In the four immune organs, PRLR and SPEF2 expression was also higher in LF chickens than in EF chickens. Furthermore, the dPRLR expression of positive LF chickens was higher than that of negative LF chickens. After infection with ALV-J, the expression of PRLR in DF-1 cells significantly increased. In addition, overexpression of PRLR or dPRLR in DF-1 cells promoted replication of ALV-J. These results suggested that the susceptibility of LF chickens to ALV-J might be induced by dPRLR.

Postoperative proximal junctional kyphosis correlated with thoracic inlet angle in Lenke 5c adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients following posterior surgery.

BACKGROUND: Proximal junctional kyphosis is a common complication after posterior fusion in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis and is correlated with postoperative changes of thoracic kyphosis. In lenke 5c patients, higher postoperative LL and spontaneous change of TK may produce an effect on final PJK. However, no studies has been performed to evaluate the correlation of PJK with thoracocervical parameters in patients with AIS. METHODS: Data from 98 patients who underwent posterior fusion for Lenke 5C AIS with 2 years of follow-up were retrospectively reviewed. Patients in the extended fusion group underwent fusion at levels higher than upper-end vertebra + 2 (n = 38), and those in the thoracolumbar/lumbar (TL/L) fusion group underwent fusion at UEV + 2 or lower (n = 60). RESULTS: During an average follow-up of 38.1 months, 23 of 98 patients developed PJK. The extended fusion group had a higher incidence of PJK than the TL/L fusion group (14/38 vs. 9/60, respectively; P = 0.01) and a significantly greater decrease in thoracic kyphosis than the TL/L group (P < 0.01). Patients with PJK had a significantly larger preoperative thoracic inlet angle (TIA) than those without PJK (P < 0.01). Multivariate analysis showed that a greater preoperative TIA and extended fusion were associated with PJK. The Scoliosis Research Society 22-item questionnaire score did not significantly differ between the PJK and non-PJK groups. CONCLUSIONS: The preoperative TIA could be a predictor of PJK. Among patients with Lenke 5C AIS, those with a TIA of > 71° are more likely to develop PJK. Additionally, extended fusion in patients with Lenke 5C may increase the risk of PJK.

The improved bioactive n-HA/PA66 cage versus the PEEK cage in anterior cervical fusion: results from a 6-year follow-up and a case-matched study.

BACKGROUND: The nanohydroxyapatite/polyamide 66 (n-HA/PA66) cage, a bioactive nonmetal cage, is fabricated in a hollow cylindrical shape and has been widely used for decades with good clinical outcomes for anterior cervical fusion. However, there remain some radiological complications, such as a slightly high subsidence rate. To improve the clinical outcomes, the improved n-HA/PA66 cage now has been developed into a trapezoidal and wedge shape, a better biomechanical shape matching the cervical spine that is similar to that of the PEEK cage. However, there have been no long-term comparisons of the improved n-HA/PA66 cage and PEEK cage in anterior cervical reconstruction. METHODS: Fifty-eight patients who underwent single-level anterior cervical decompression and fusion (ACDF) with the improved n-HA/PA66 cage (n-HA/PA66 group) were matched with patients with the PEEK cage (PEEK group) by clinical presentation, segment, age and sex. All patients underwent a minimum of 6 years of follow-up. The radiographic parameters (cage subsidence, fusion status, cervical lordosis, and segmental sagittal alignment) and clinical parameters (10-point visual analogue scale, Neck Disability Index and Japanese Orthopedic Association scores) from patients were evaluated before surgery, immediately after surgery, and at the latest follow-up. RESULTS: The n-HA/PA66 and PEEK groups were well matched in terms of clinical presentation, segment, age, and sex at surgery. The n-HA/PA66 and PEEK cages had similar fusion rates at 6 months postoperatively (n-HA/PA66: 58.6% vs. PEEK: 51.7%, P = 0.455) and at the last follow-up (n-HA/PA66: 96.6% vs. PEEK: 93.1%, P = 0.402). The respective cage subsidence rates in the n-HA/PA66 and PEEK groups were 6.9 and 12.1% (P = 0.342). The correction of SA was similar between the groups at the final follow-up (n-HA/PA66: 4.29 ± 1.99 vs. PEEK: 3.99 ± 2.59 P = 0.464). There were no significant differences between the two groups in mean cervical lordosis, visual analogue scale scores of the neck and arm, NDI scores, JOA scores or patients' overall satisfaction at the final follow-up. CONCLUSION: After single-level ACDF, the improved n-HA/PA66 cage had similar excellent results in both radiological and clinical outcomes compared with the PEEK cage over 6 years of follow-up. According to these results, the improved n-HA/PA66 cage and the PEEK cage could be comparable for ACDF.

The predictive ability of occipital to C3 angle for dysphagia after occipitocervical fusion in patients with combined C2-3 Klippel-Feil syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Improper occipitocervical alignment after occipitocervical fusion (OCF) may lead to devastating complications, such as dysphagia and/or dyspnea. The occipital to C2 angle (O-C2a), occipital and external acoustic meatus to axis angle (O-EAa) have been used to evaluate occipitospinal alignment. However, it may be difficult to identify the inferior endplate of the C2 vertebra in patients with C2-3 Klippel-Feil syndrome (KFS). The purpose of this study aimed to compare four different parameters for predicting dysphagia after OCF in patients with C2-3 KFS. METHODS: There were 40 patients with C2-3 KFS undergoing OCF between 2010 and 2019. Radiographs of these patients were collected to measure the occipital to C3 angle (O-C3a), O-C2a, occipito-odontoid angle (O-Da), occipital to axial angle (Oc-Axa), and narrowest oropharyngeal airway space (nPAS). The presence of dysphagia was defined as the patient complaining of difficulty or excess endeavor to swallow. Patients were divided into two groups according to whether they had postoperative dysphagia. We evaluated the relationship between each of the angle parameters and nPAS and analyzed their influence to the postoperative dysphagia. RESULTS: The incidence of dysphagia after OCF was 25% in patients with C2-3 KFS. The Oc-Axa, and nPAS were smaller in the dysphagia group compared to non-dysphagia group at the final follow-up (p < 0.05). Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curves showed that dO-C3a had the highest accuracy as a predictor of the dysphagia with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.868. The differences in O-C3a, O-C2a, O-Da, and Oc-Axa were all linearly correlated with nPAS scores preoperatively and at the final follow-up within C2-3 KFS patients, while there was a higher R2 value between the dO-C3a and dnPAS. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that the difference of O-C3a was the only significant predictor for dnPAS (ß = 0.670, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The change of O-C3a (dO-C3a) is the most reliable indicator for evaluating occipitocervical alignment and predicting postoperative dysphagia in C2-3 KFS patients. Moreover, dO-C3a should be more than - 2° during OCF to reduce the occurrence of postoperative dysphagia.