Equilibrium Moisture Mediated Esterification Reaction to Achieve Over 100% Lignocellulosic Nanofibrils Yield.

Lignocellulosic nanofibrils (LCNFs) isolation is recognized as an efficient strategy for maximizing biomass utilization. Nevertheless, achieving a 100% yield presents a formidable challenge. Here, an esterification strategy mediated by the equilibrium moisture in biomass is proposed for LCNFs preparation without the use of catalysts, resulting in a yield exceeding 100%. Different from anhydrous chemical thermomechanical pulp (CTMP0%), the presence of moisture (moisture content of 7 wt%, denoted as CTMP7%) introduces a notably distinct process for the pretreatment of CTMP, comprising the initial disintegration and the post-esterification steps. The maleic acid, generated through maleic anhydride (MA) hydrolysis, degrades the recalcitrant lignin-carbohydrate complex (LCC) structures, resulting in esterified CTMP7% (E-CTMP7%). The highly grafted esters compensate for the mass loss resulting from the partial removal of hydrolyzed lignin and hemicellulose, ensuring a high yield. Following microfluidization, favorable LCNF7% with a high yield (114.4 ± 3.0%) and a high charge content (1.74 ± 0.09 mmol g-1) can be easily produced, surpassing most previous records for LCNFs. Additionally, LCNF7% presented highly processability for filaments, films, and 3D honeycomb structures preparation. These findings provide valuable insights and guidance for achieving a high yield in the isolation of LCNFs from biomass through the mediation of equilibrium moisture.

The Snf5-Hsf1 transcription module synergistically regulates stress responses and pathogenicity by maintaining ROS homeostasis in Sclerotinia sclerotiorum.

The SWI/SNF complex is guided to the promoters of designated genes by its co-operator to activate transcription in a timely and appropriate manner to govern development, pathogenesis, and stress responses in fungi. Nevertheless, knowledge of the complexes and their co-operator in phytopathogenic fungi is still fragmented. We demonstrate that the heat shock transcription factor SsHsf1 guides the SWI/SNF complex to promoters of heat shock protein (hsp) genes and antioxidant enzyme genes using biochemistry and pharmacology. This is accomplished through direct interaction with the complex subunit SsSnf5 under heat shock and oxidative stress. This results in the activation of their transcription and mediates histone displacement to maintain reactive oxygen species (ROS) homeostasis. Genetic results demonstrate that the transcription module formed by SsSnf5 and SsHsf1 is responsible for regulating morphogenesis, stress tolerance, and pathogenicity in Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, especially by directly activating the transcription of hsp genes and antioxidant enzyme genes counteracting plant-derived ROS. Furthermore, we show that stress-induced phosphorylation of SsSnf5 is necessary for the formation of the transcription module. This study establishes that the SWI/SNF complex and its co-operator cooperatively regulate the transcription of hsp genes and antioxidant enzyme genes to respond to host and environmental stress in the devastating phytopathogenic fungi.

Challenges in interpreting cytokine data in COVID-19 affect patient care and management.

Challenges in using cytokine data are limiting Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) patient management and comparison among different disease contexts. We suggest mitigation strategies to improve the accuracy of cytokine data, as we learn from experience gained during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Alkoxy-Functionalized Hydroxamate/Zinc Metal-Organic Frameworks and the Effects of Substituents and Acid Addition on Their Structures.

Single crystals of alkoxy-functionalized hydroxamate/zinc metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) were obtained by fixating the hydroxamate moiety via intramolecular hydrogen bonding. The resulting MOF structures depend on the steric demand of the alkoxy groups, whereby the incorporation of bulky isopropyl groups affords porous hydroxamate/zinc MOFs. The topological structures of the isopropyl-substituted MOFs could be controlled by adding acid.

Development of PEG-mediated genetic transformation and gene editing system of Bryum argenteum as an abiotic stress tolerance model plant.

KEY MESSAGE: To establish a sterile culture system and protoplast regeneration system for Bryum argenteum, and to establish and apply CRISPR/Cas9 system in Bryum argenteum. Bryum argenteum is a fascinating, cosmopolitan, and versatile moss species that thrives in various disturbed environments. Because of its comprehensive tolerance to the desiccation, high UV and extreme temperatures, it is emerging as a model moss for studying the molecular mechanisms underlying plant responses to abiotic stresses. However, the lack of basic tools such as gene transformation and targeted genome modification has hindered the understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the survival of B. argenteum in different environments. Here, we reported the protonema of B. argenteum can survive up to 95.4% water loss. In addition, the genome size of B. argenteum is approximately 313 Mb by kmer analysis, which is smaller than the previously reported 700 Mb. We also developed a simple method for protonema induction and an efficient protoplast isolation and regeneration protocol for B. argenteum. Furthermore, we established a PEG-mediated protoplast transient transfection and stable transformation system for B. argenteum. Two homologues of ABI3(ABA-INSENSITIVE 3) gene were successfully cloned from B. argenteum. To further investigate the function of the ABI3 gene in B. argenteum, we used the CRISPR/Cas9 genetic editing system to target the BaABI3A and BaABI3B gene in B. argenteum protoplasts. This resulted in mutagenesis at the target in about 2-5% of the regenerated plants. The isolated abi3a and abi3b mutants exhibited increased sensitivity to desiccation, suggesting that BaABI3A and BaABI3B play redundant roles in desiccation stress. Overall, our results provide a rapid and simple approach for molecular genetics in B. argenteum. This study contributes to a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms of plant adaptation to extreme environmental.

Effect of Poly(propylene carbonate) on Properties of Polylactic Acid-Based Composite Films.

To enrich the properties of polylactic acid (PLA)-based composite films and improve the base degradability, in this study, a certain amount of poly(propylene carbonate) (PPC) was added to PLA-based composite films, and PLA/PPC-based composite films were prepared by melt blending and hot-press molding. The effects of the introduction of PPC on the composite films were analyzed through in-depth studies on mechanical properties, water vapor and oxygen transmission rates, thermal analysis, compost degradability, and bacterial inhibition properties of the composite films. When the introduction ratio coefficient of PPC was 30%, the tensile strength of the composite film increased by 19.68%, the water vapor transmission coefficient decreased by 14.43%, and the oxygen transmission coefficient decreased by 18.31% compared to that of the composite film without PPC, the cold crystallization temperature of the composite film increased gradually from 96.9 °C to 104.8 °C, and PPC improved the crystallization ability of composite film. The degradation rate of the composite film with PPC increased significantly compared to the previous one, and the degradation rate increased with the increase in the PPC content. The degradation rate was 49.85% and 46.22% faster on average than that of the composite film without PPC when the degradation was carried out over 40 and 80 days; the composite film had certain inhibition, and the maximum diameter of the inhibition circle was 2.42 cm. This study provides a strategy for the development of PLA-based biodegradable laminates, which can promote the application of PLA-based laminates in food packaging.

Porous α-Fe2O3 Hollow Rods/Reduced Graphene Oxide Composites Templated by MoO3 Nanobelts for High-Performance Supercapacitor Applications.

Porous α-Fe2O3 hollow rods/reduced graphene oxide (α-Fe2O3 HR/RGO) composites with unique morphological characteristics and a high surface area are prepared through a template strategy, which was systematically studied and found to have outstanding supercapacitive properties. When served as active material in a three-electrode setup, the optimized α-Fe2O3 HR/RGO-30, comprised 76.5 wt% α-Fe2O3 and 23.2 wt% RGO, was able to offer the largest specific capacitance of 426.3 F g-1, an excellent rate capability as well as satisfactory cycle life with capacitance retention of 87.7% and Coulombic efficiency of 98.9% after continuously charging/discharging at 10 A g-1 for beyond 10,000 cycles. Such electrochemical behaviors of the α-Fe2O3 HR/RGO-30 electrode can rival or even surpass those of many Fe2O3-based electrodes documented in the previous literature. Later, a symmetric supercapacitor cell of α-Fe2O3 HR/RGO-30//α-Fe2O3 HR/RGO-30 was fabricated. The assembled device offers the maximum energy density of 18.7 Wh kg-1, and also exhibits commendable rate capability, and features stable cycling durability (with capacitance retention of 83.2% together with a Coulombic efficiency of 99.3% after 10,000-cycle charge/discharge at 5 A g-1). These notable electrochemical performances enable the α-Fe2O3 HR/RGO-30 composite to be a high-potential material for advanced energy storage systems.

Weighted gene co-expression network analysis identified hub genes critical to fatty acid composition in Gushi chicken breast muscle.

BACKGROUND: The composition and content of fatty acids in the breast muscle are important factors influencing meat quality. In this study, we investigated the fatty acid composition and content in the breast muscle of Gushi chickens at different developmental stages (14 weeks, 22 weeks, and 30 weeks). Additionally, we utilized transcriptomic data from the same tissue and employed WGCNA and module identification methods to identify key genes associated with the fatty acid composition in Gushi chicken breast muscle and elucidate their regulatory networks. RESULTS: Among them, six modules (blue, brown, green, light yellow, purple, and red modules) showed significant correlations with fatty acid content and metabolic characteristics. Enrichment analysis revealed that these modules were involved in multiple signaling pathways related to fatty acid metabolism, including fatty acid metabolism, PPAR signaling pathway, and fatty acid biosynthesis. Through analysis of key genes, we identified 136 genes significantly associated with fatty acid phenotypic traits. Protein-protein interaction network analysis revealed that nine of these genes were closely related to fatty acid metabolism. Additionally, through correlation analysis of transcriptome data, we identified 51 key ceRNA regulatory networks, including six central genes, 7 miRNAs, and 28 lncRNAs. CONCLUSION: This study successfully identified key genes closely associated with the fatty acid composition in Gushi chicken breast muscle, as well as their post-transcriptional regulatory networks. These findings provide new insights into the molecular regulatory mechanisms underlying the flavor characteristics of chicken meat and the composition of fatty acids in the breast muscle.

Transcriptome analysis reveals FABP5 as a key player in the development of chicken abdominal fat, regulated by miR-122-5p targeting.

BACKGROUND: The development of abdominal fat and meat quality are closely related and can impact economic efficiency. In this study, we conducted transcriptome sequencing of the abdominal fat tissue of Gushi chickens at 6, 14, 22, and 30 weeks, and selected key miRNA-mRNA regulatory networks related to abdominal fat development through correlation analysis. RESULTS: A total of 1893 differentially expressed genes were identified. Time series analysis indicated that at around 6 weeks, the development of chicken abdominal fat was extensively regulated by the TGF-ß signaling pathway, Wnt signaling pathway, and PPAR signaling pathway. However, at 30 weeks of age, the apoptosis signaling pathway was the most significant, and correlation analysis revealed several genes highly correlated with abdominal fat development, including Fatty Acid Binding Protein 5 (FABP5). Based on miRNA transcriptome data, it was discovered that miR-122-5p is a potential target miRNA for FABP5. Cell experiments showed that miR-122-5p can directly target FABP5 to promote the differentiation of preadipocytes. CONCLUSION: The present study confirms that the key gene FABP5 and its target gene miR-122-5p are critical regulatory factors in the development of chicken abdominal fat. These results provide new insights into the molecular regulatory mechanisms associated with the development of abdomen-al fat in chickens.

Genome-wide association study of 17 serum biochemical indicators in a chicken F2 resource population.

BACKGROUND: Serum biochemical indicators are often regarded as direct reflections of animal metabolism and health. The molecular mechanisms underlying serum biochemical indicators metabolism of chicken (Gallus Gallus) have not been elucidated. Herein, we performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) to identify the variation associated with serum biochemical indicators. The aim of this research was to broaden the understanding of the serum biochemical indicators in chickens. RESULTS: A GWAS of serum biochemical indicators was carried out on 734 samples from an F2 Gushi× Anka chicken population. All chickens were genotyped by sequencing, 734 chickens and 321,314 variants were obtained after quality control. Based on these variants, a total of 236 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on 9 chicken chromosomes (GGAs) were identified to be significantly (-log10(P) > 5.72) associated with eight of seventeen serum biochemical indicators. Ten novel quantitative trait locis (QTLs) were identified for the 8 serum biochemical indicator traits of the F2 population. Literature mining revealed that the ALPL, BCHE, GGT2/GGT5 genes at loci GGA24, GGA9 and GGA15 might affect the alkaline phosphatase (AKP), cholinesterase (CHE) and γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) traits, respectively. CONCLUSION: The findings of the present study may contribute to a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms of chicken serum biochemical indicator regulation and provide a theoretical basis for chicken breeding programs.

Genetic architecture and key regulatory genes of fatty acid composition in Gushi chicken breast muscle determined by GWAS and WGCNA.

BACKGROUND: Fatty acids composition in poultry muscle is directly related to its tenderness, flavour, and juiciness, whereas its genetic mechanisms have not been elucidated. In this study, the genetic structure and key regulatory genes of the breast muscle fatty acid composition of local Chinese chicken, Gushi-Anka F2 resource population by integrating genome-wide association study (GWAS) and weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) strategies. GWAS was performed based on 323,306 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) obtained by genotyping by sequencing (GBS) method and 721 chickens from the Gushi-Anka F2 resource population with highly variable fatty acid composition traits in the breast muscle. And then, according to the transcriptome data of the candidate genes that were obtained and phenotypic data of fatty acid composition traits in breast muscle of Gushi chickens at 14, 22, and 30 weeks of age, we conducted a WGCNA. RESULTS: A total of 128 suggestive significantly associated SNPs for 11 fatty acid composition traits were identified and mapped on chromosomes (Chr) 2, 3, 4, 5, 13, 17, 21, and 27. Of these, the two most significant SNPs were Chr13:5,100,140 (P = 4.56423e-10) and Chr13:5,100,173 (P = 4.56423e-10), which explained 5.6% of the phenotypic variation in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). In addition, six fatty acid composition traits, including C20:1, C22:6, saturated fatty acid (SFA), unsaturated fatty acids (UFA), PUFA, and average chain length (ACL), were located in the same QTL intervals on Chr13. We obtained 505 genes by scanning the linkage disequilibrium (LD) regions of all significant SNPs and performed a WGCNA based on the transcriptome data of the above 505 genes. Combining two strategies, 9 hub genes (ENO1, ADH1, ASAH1, ADH1C, PIK3CD, WISP1, AKT1, PANK3, and C1QTNF2) were finally identified, which could be the potential candidate genes regulating fatty acid composition traits in chicken breast muscle. CONCLUSION: The results of this study deepen our understanding of the genetic mechanisms underlying the regulation of fatty acid composition traits, which is helpful in the design of breeding strategies for the subsequent improvement of fatty acid composition in poultry muscle.

Unveiling the role of GAS41 in cancer progression.

GAS41, a member of the human YEATS domain family, plays a pivotal role in human cancer development. It serves as a highly promising epigenetic reader, facilitating precise regulation of cell growth and development by recognizing essential histone modifications, including histone acetylation, benzoylation, succinylation, and crotonylation. Functional readouts of these histone modifications often coincide with cancer progression. In addition, GAS41 functions as a novel oncogene, participating in numerous signaling pathways. Here, we summarize the epigenetic functions of GAS41 and its role in the carcinoma progression. Moving forward, elucidating the downstream target oncogenes regulated by GAS41 and the developing small molecule inhibitors based on the distinctive YEATS recognition properties will be pivotal in advancing this research field.

An Analysis of Environment-, Individual-, and Tumor-Related Factors Impacting Hypovitaminosis D in Patients with Malignant Tumors.

Vitamin D (VD) plays a regulatory role in tumor occurrence and development, although the factors influencing serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25(OH)D3) levels in patients with cancer have not been studied. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate circulating levels of 25(OH)D3 and factors influencing the VD status in patients with malignant tumors. Adult patients with malignant tumors who had undergone assessments of serum 25(OH)D3 at Beijing Cancer Hospital from January 2019 to July 2022 were included. A multiple logistic regression model was applied to explore the associations of patient characteristics, environment, and disease characteristics with 25(OH)D3 levels. Among the 1,076 included patients, the median 25(OH)D3 serum concentration was 16.25 ng/mL. VD deficiency and the combined VD insufficiency and sufficiency were observed in 811 (75.37%) and 265 (24.63%) patients, respectively. Latitude, season, sex, body mass index, and type of cancer were associated with VD concentration/status in patients with malignant tumors. 25(OH)D3 concentrations were significantly higher in patients with thyroid cancer and significantly lower in patients receiving tumor-related treatment than in untreated patients. Surprisingly, we observed 25(OH)D3 serum concentration was lower in patients receiving nutritional supplementation than in those receiving no nutritional supplements. Patients with malignant tumors are at high risk of VD deficiency.

Roles of increased NUCKS1 expression in endometriosis.

BACKGROUND: Endometriosis is still a difficult problem for women. The Nuclear Ubiquitous Casein and cyclin-dependent Kinase Substrate 1 (NUCKS1) gene is located on human chromosome 1q32.1. It encodes the NUCKS1 protein, a 27 kDa nuclear DNA binding protein that plays an important role in cell growth and proliferation. NUCKS1 plays an important role in the development of many diseases. However, its role in endometriosis is unclear. METHODS: Ectopic endometrial tissues and normal tissue specimens were collected, and the expression of NUCKS1, NF-κB and PI3K was detected by RT-qPCR and immunohistochemistry. Inhibition of NUCKS1 in hEM15A cells, study the changes in cell viability, apoptosis, migration and protein expression by CCK8 assay, flow cytometry, wound-healing assay, western blot and ELISA techniques. The comparison of differences between the two groups was implemented using unpaired sample t test or Mann-whitney U test. One-way analysis of variance or Kruskal-wallis test was used for comparisons among the three groups. RESULTS: (1) NUCKS1 is highly expressed in endometriosis tissues. (2) Inhibition of NUCKS1 decreases cell viability and capability of migration, and increases apoptosis in endometriosis cells. (3) Expressions of NF-κB and PI3K are increased in endometriosis tissues, and inhibition of NUCKS1 decreases the expression levels of PI3K and NF-κB in endometriosis cells. (4) Inhibition of NUCKS1 decreases the expression of VEGF. CONCLUSION: (1) NUCKS1 is overexpressed in endometriosis, and inhibition of NUCKS1 inhibits cell viability and capability of migration, and increases apoptosis. (2) NUCKS1 promotes the progress of endometriosis through activating PI3K and NF-κB pathways, and VEFG is also involved in this process.

28-day repeated dose toxicity and toxicokinetics study on new melatonergic antidepressant GW117 in beagle dogs.

GW117 is new melatonergic antidepressant being developed to show better antidepressant action than agomelatine. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the toxicity and to determine potential target organs after oral (gavage) administration of the test article GW117 for 28 days and to assess the reversibility after a 4-week recovery phase in beagle dogs. Toxicokinetics was also evaluated. Four groups were designed in this study, including the vehicle control group and the GW117 50, 150 and 500 mg/kg/day groups, with 5 dogs/sex/group. Body weight, hematology, clinical chemistry, gross necropsy, organ weight, histopathology, and other indicators were examined. Results showed that animals dosed at ≥150 mg/kg/day showed gastrointestinal reactions (watery feces and dark green/red brown feces), with a dose-response relationship in the incidence and severity grade. Female dogs at 500 mg/kg/day had an increase in organ weight and ratios of the liver at the end of the dosing phase. Histopathology examination showed that some animals at 500 mg/kg/day, especially female animals, had minimal centrilobular hepatocyte hypertrophy in the liver, which reversed after 28-day recovery. With the exception of the above, no GW117-related abnormality was noted. Meanwhile, there were no sexual differences in drug exposure and accumulation after the first and last dosing. The no observed adverse effect dose level (NOAEL) was 150 mg/kg/day, under which mean Cmax and AUC0 → t were 583.5 and 2767.0 ng/ml*h for females and 663.2 and 4046.3 ng/ml*h for males on Day 28.

Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Substituted Pyrazole-Fused Oleanolic Acid Derivatives as Novel Selective α-Glucosidase Inhibitors.

A series of novel substituted pyrazole-fused oleanolic acid derivative were synthesized and evaluated as selective α-glucosidase inhibitors. Among these analogs, compounds 4a-4f exhibited more potent inhibitory activities compared with their methyl ester derivatives, and standard drugs acarbose and miglitol as well. Besides, all these analogs exhibited good selectivity towards α-glucosidase over α-amylase. Analog 4d showed potent inhibitory activity against α-glucosidase (IC50 =2.64±0.13 µM), and greater selectivity towards α-glucosidase than α-amylase by ∼33-fold. Inhibition kinetics showed that compound 4d was a non-competitive α-glucosidase inhibitor, which was consistent with the result of its simulation molecular docking. Moreover, the in vitro cytotoxicity of compounds 4a-4f towards hepatic LO2 and HepG2 cells was tested.

Venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for coronavirus disease 2019 patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Although the application of venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV-ECMO) in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is accumulating, the feasibility and safety of this therapy remain controversial. We aimed to evaluate the effect of VV-ECMO in the treatment of these patients. METHODS: A comprehensive literature search was performed using PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, and International Clinical Trials Registry Platform databases through November 2021. According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, the included studies were screened, and meta-analysis was performed by R software (version 4.0.2). RESULTS: Forty-two studies including 2037 COVID-19 patients supported with VV-ECMO due to ARDS were identified. The pooled analysis revealed that 30-, 60-, and 90-day mortality among patients were respectively 46% (95% CI 37%-57%, I2 = 66%), 46% (95% CI 30%-70%, I2 = 93%), and 49% (95% CI 43%-58%, I2 = 52%), and the pooled incidence rate of in-hospital mortality, major bleeding, hemorrhagic stroke, thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, deep venous thrombosis, and renal replacement therapy were respectively 35%, 39%, 11%, 40%, 15%, 21%, and 44%. CONCLUSION: Although COVID-19 patients may have a higher risk of bleeding, hemorrhagic stroke, and acute kidney injury during ECMO therapy, the survival rate was more than half of the cases. Our data may support the application of VV-ECMO in COVID-19 patients.

MiR-342-5p protects neurons from cerebral ischemia induced-apoptosis through regulation of Akt/NF-κB pathways by targeting CCAR2.

OBJECTIVES: Ischemic stroke causes high morbidity, mortality and health burden in the world. MiR-342-5p was associated with Alzheimer's disease and cardio-protection. Herein, we aimed to reveal effects of miR-342-5p on cerebral ischemia injury as well as novel targets for stroke. MATERIALS AND METHODS: AgomiR-342-5p was intracerebroventricularly injected into the middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) mouse models to evaluate functions of miR-342-5p on cerebral ischemia. RT-qPCR and western blot assays were used to evaluate genes expression. Oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) was used as an in vitro model for ischemia. Viability and apoptosis ratio of neurons was evaluated by CCK-8, LDH release detection, and flow cytometry. The potential targets of miR-342-5p were predicted by Targetscan, and their interaction was confirmed by luciferase assay. RESULTS: The intervention of miR-342-5p effectively attenuated ischemic injury in MCAO mice. MiR-342-5p overexpression could protect neurons against OGD-induced injury, as revealed by increased cell viability and BCL2 expression, and decreased LDH release, apoptosis ratio, and BAX expression in OGD-induced neurons. Mechanically, miR-342-5p could directly bound with CCAR2 to inhibit its expression. Overexpressing CARR2 aggravated the OGD-induced injury of neurons, which was partly restrained by overexpressing miR-342-5p reversed. Furthermore, miR-342-5p/CARR2 axis regulates Akt/NF-κB signaling pathway in vitro as well as in vivo cerebral ischemia models. CONCLUSIONS: MiR-342-5p inhibited neuron apoptosis by regulating Akt/NF-kB signaling pathway via CCAR2 suppression. Our findings revealed the neuroprotection of miR-342-5p in cerebral ischemia.

The Chicken Pan-Genome Reveals Gene Content Variation and a Promoter Region Deletion in IGF2BP1 Affecting Body Size.

Domestication and breeding have reshaped the genomic architecture of chicken, but the retention and loss of genomic elements during these evolutionary processes remain unclear. We present the first chicken pan-genome constructed using 664 individuals, which identified an additional approximately 66.5-Mb sequences that are absent from the reference genome (GRCg6a). The constructed pan-genome encoded 20,491 predicated protein-coding genes, of which higher expression levels are observed in conserved genes relative to dispensable genes. Presence/absence variation (PAV) analyses demonstrated that gene PAV in chicken was shaped by selection, genetic drift, and hybridization. PAV-based genome-wide association studies identified numerous candidate mutations related to growth, carcass composition, meat quality, or physiological traits. Among them, a deletion in the promoter region of IGF2BP1 affecting chicken body size is reported, which is supported by functional studies and extra samples. This is the first time to report the causal variant of chicken body size quantitative trait locus located at chromosome 27 which was repeatedly reported. Therefore, the chicken pan-genome is a useful resource for biological discovery and breeding. It improves our understanding of chicken genome diversity and provides materials to unveil the evolution history of chicken domestication.

Clinicopathological and ultrasound features as risk stratification predictors of clinical and pathological nodal status in papillary thyroid carcinoma: a study of 748 patients.

BACKGROUND: Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is the most common histological type of thyroid malignancy that tends to metastasize to cervical lymph nodes. In the present study, we aimed to investigate which clinicopathologic and ultrasound features of PTC are associated with clinical lymph node metastasis (LNM) and numbers of pathological LNM. METHODS: From January 2016 to December 2018, we identified a cohort of patients with PTC who underwent cervical ultrasonography and were diagnosed through operation and pathology. Clinical N1(cN1) and > 5 pathologic N1(pN1) were considered in the postoperative stratification to have an intermediate risk according to the 2015 ATA guidelines. Clinicopathological and ultrasound features in PTC patients were performed in accordance with the independent risk factors of cN1 and > 5pN1 respectively by using the univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: We collected 748 PTC patients in the final inclusion criteria. There were 688 cN0 cases and 60 cN1 cases. From the analyses, primary tumor size > 2 cm, capsule contact, extrathyroidal extensions (ETE) and central LNM remained independent risk factors for cN1 in PTC patients. In the 748 PTC patients, 707 cases had ≤ 5 pN1, and 41 cases had > 5 pN1. Multifocality, primary tumor size > 2 cm, capsule contact and ETE are significant independent risk factors for > 5 pN1. CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that multifocality, primary tumor size > 2 cm, capsule contact, ETE and central LNM were independent risk factors for the intermediate risk stratification in patients with PTC. Ultrasonography is a good technique for the preoperative lymph node staging of PTC and is helpful for detecting LNM.