Effect of particle size of sesbania gum on its modification, structure and performances.

Sesbania gum (SG), as an environmentally friendly and resourceful natural polymer, has attracted a lot of attention due to its favorable properties. The size distribution of SG powders was broadened owing to the growth. Therefore, it inevitably resulted in the differences in reaction activity, structure and properties of different SG particles. The results showed that small SG particles exhibited higher reaction activity in cross-linking, carboxymethylation and oxidation than its large counterparts. Compared with those of large SG particles, the sedimentation volume of small SG particles could be reduced by 1.1 mL, while their substitution degree of carboxymethyl groups and aldehyde content could be increased by 0.0824 and 18.11 %, respectively. The swelling capacity, freeze-thaw stability, acid and alkali resistance of small SG particles were greater than those of large SG particles, but their retrogradation was weaker than that of large counterparts. The crystalline degree of small SG particles consisting of more long molecular chains could be reduced by 9.8 % compared to large SG particles. The DSC curve of small SG particles was significantly different from that of large SG particles, while the difference in TGA curves between small particles and large particles was relatively small. The enthalpy change of small SG particle was reduced by 48.4 J/g compared to large SG particles. The peak viscosity, final viscosity, breakdown and setback of tapioca starch were obviously influenced by the addition of small SG particles. And their emulsification stability was also better than large SG particles.

Biomarkers for Diagnosing and Treating Fetal Growth Restriction.

Fetal growth restriction (FGR), a common obstetric complication, significantly increases the risks of fetal intrauterine death and neonatal death, and fetuses with growth restriction are prone to cognitive retardation and various diseases in adulthood. The early determination of FGR risk is contentious in clinical research, and few indicators are available for the early prediction and diagnosis of FGR. This review focuses on the prediction and diagnosis of FGR, as well as the significance of biomarkers for FGR, such as those related to gene regulation, apoptosis, mitochondrial function, and inflammation. Although many of these biomarkers are still in the early stages of research, they are good predictors of the threats to fetal health and safety, and they provide new insights for the treatment of FGR.

Role of CD23 Activated ERK Signaling Pathway in the Pathogenesis of Eosinophilic Chronic Sinusitis with Nasal Polyps.

Objective: In the context of the rising prevalence of eosinophilic chronic sinusitis accompanied by nasal polyps, this study aims toinvestigate the role of CD23 in the pathogenesis of eosinophilic chronic sinusitis with nasal polyps. Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted, 75 patients with chronic sinusitis and nasal polyps treated in our hospital from January 2019 to May 2021 were selected, including 40 cases of eosinophilic patients with the average age of 29.92 years and 35 cases of non-eosinophilic patients with the average age of 30.05 years and 30 patients with the average age of 30.14 years who underwent skull base benign tumor resection in our hospital were selected as the control group, the expression of CD23 in polyp tissue was detected by immunohistochemistry, and the expression of CD23, p-ERK and CCL20 in polyp tissue were detected by Western blot. Specifically, tissue samples were processed and subjected to staining using specific antibodies targeting CD23. The stained sections were then visualized under a microscope to determine the expression levels of CD23. CD23, p-ERK, and CCL20 expressions in polyp tissue were evaluated via Western blot. Total protein was extracted, separated on a gel, transferred to a membrane, and probed with specific antibodies. Chemiluminescence allowed visualization and quantification of protein expressions. Results: Immunohistochemistry showed that CD23 expression was high in the eosinophilic group but low in the non-eosinophilic and control groups. The relative expression levels of CD23 protein, p-ERK protein, and CCL20 protein in polyp tissue s of the eosinophilic group were (0.892 ± 0.092), (0.733 ± 0.101) and (0.813 ± 0.106), respectively, which were significantly higher than those in non-eosinophilic group and control group (P < .05). The relative expression levels of CD23 protein, p-ERK protein, and CCL20 protein in the non-eosinophilic group were (0.461 ± 0.087), 0.412 ± 0.096) and (0.424 ± 0.098), which were significantly higher than those in the control group (P < .05). The relative expression level of CD23 protein in the eosinophilic group was positively correlated with the relative expression levels of p-ERK protein and CCL20 protein (P < .05). The Lund-Kennedy score in the eosinophilic group was (6.10 ± 1.01), which was significantly higher than that in the non-eosinophilic group (P < .05). The relative expression level of CD23 protein in the eosinophilic group was positively correlated with Lund-Kennedy score (P < .05). Conclusion: Eosinophilic chronic sinusitis with nasal polyp mucosal tissue CD23 expression is up-regulated, which is positively correlated with the ERK signaling pathway and disease severity. This study provides valuable insights into potential therapeutic targets that could be explored to develop future treatment modalities. The potential clinical significance of the study is to reveal the important role of CD23 in the pathogenesis of chronic sinusitis with nasal polyps. The upward adjustment of CD23 is positively related to the severity of the disease, which provides valuable guidance for future treatment strategies. This discovery may provide new ways for the development of CD23 treatment methods, so as to better control the progress of the disease of eosinophilic chronic sinusitis with nasal polyps. Further research can explore the molecular mechanism of CD23 regulation, further verify the feasibility of CD23 as the treatment target, and evaluate the potential value of CD23 as a prognostic logo.

Developing hyaluronic acid-proline-ferric ion cross-linked film for efficient wound healing application.

A novel cross-linked film dressing that can accelerate wound healing and guard against bacterial infection was presented in this work. The hyaluronic acid-proline-ferric ion (HA-Pro-Fe3+) film was successfully prepared by physically cross-linking method, which the carboxyl groups of the HA and Pro molecules should be in coordination with Fe3+. The HA-Pro-Fe3+ cross-linked film showed three-dimensional porous structure, appropriate water vapor permeability and swelling property, favorable cytocompatibility and hemocompatibility, antibacterial and antioxidative capability. The results of rat skin wound healing confirmed that HA-Pro-Fe3+ film could accelerate epithelial regeneration and collagen deposition, promote angiogenesis and significantly improve skin wound healing. Elisa analysis indicated that HA-Pro-Fe3+ material could down-regulate the expression of IL-6 and TNF-α, and up-regulate the level of TGF-ß1 and VEGF. Given its biocompatibility, antibacterial ability, promotion of cell proliferation and angiogenesis, the wide application of HA-Pro-Fe3+ cross-linked film in wound repair would be anticipated.

Microbial diversity and community composition of fecal microbiota in dual-purpose and egg type ducks.

Introduction: Ducks are important agricultural animals, which can be divided into egg and dual-purpose type ducks according to economic use. The gut microbiota of ducks plays an important role in their metabolism, immune regulation, and health maintenance. Methods: Here, we use 16S rDNA V4 hypervariable amplicon sequencing to investigate the compositions and community structures of fecal microbiota between egg (five breeds, 96 individuals) and dual-purpose type ducks (four breeds, 73 individuals) that were reared under the same conditions. Results: The alpha diversity of fecal microflora in egg type ducks was significantly higher than that in dual-type ducks. In contrast, there is no significant difference in the fecal microbial community richness between the two groups. MetaStat analysis showed that the abundance of Peptostreptococcaceae, Streptococcaceae, Lactobacillus, Romboutsia, and Campylobacter were significantly different between the two groups. The biomarkers associated with the egg and dual-purpose type ducks were identified using LEfSe analysis and IndVal index. Function prediction of the gut microbiota indicated significant differences between the two groups. The functions of environmental information processing, carbohydrate metabolism, lipid metabolism, xenobiotic biodegradation and metabolism, and metabolism of terpenoids and polyketides were more abundant in egg type ducks. Conversely, the genetic information processing, nucleotide metabolism, biosynthesis of amino acids and secondary metabolites, glycan biosynthesis and metabolism, fatty acid elongation, and insulin resistance were significantly enriched in dual-purpose type ducks. Discussion: This study explored the structure and diversity of the gut microbiota of ducks from different economic-use groups, and provides a reference for improving duck performance by using related probiotics in production.

Stem cell-derived exosomes: emerging therapeutic opportunities for wound healing.

Wound healing is a dynamic and highly sequential process involving a series of overlapping spatial and temporal phases, including hemostasis, inflammation, proliferation, and tissue remodeling. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent stem cells with self-renewal, multidirectional differentiation potential, and paracrine regulation. Exosomes are subcellular vesicular components 30-150 nm in size and are novel carriers of intercellular communication in regulating the biological behaviors of skin cells. Compared to MSCs, MSC-derived exosomes (MSC-exos) possess lower immunogenicity, easy storage, and highly effective biological activity. MSC-exos, mainly derived from adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs), bone marrow-derived MSCs (BMSCs), human umbilical cord MSCs (hUC-MSCs), and other stem cell types, play a role in shaping the activity of fibroblasts, keratinocytes, immune cells, and endothelial cells in diabetic wounds, inflammatory wound repair, and even wound-related keloid formation. Therefore, this study focuses on the specific roles and mechanisms of different MSC-exos in wound healing, as well as the current limitations and various perspectives. Deciphering the biological properties of MSC-exos is crucial to providing a promising cell-free therapeutic tool for wound healing and cutaneous regeneration.

Preparation and evaluation of a novel alginate-arginine-zinc ion hydrogel film for skin wound healing.

In this paper, the mixed solution of sodium alginate (SA) and arginine (Arg) was dried into a film and then crosslinked with zinc ion to form sodium alginate-arginine-zinc ion (SA-Arg-Zn2+) hydrogel for skin wound dressings. SA-Arg-Zn2+ hydrogel had higher swelling ability, which was beneficial to absorbing wound exudate. Moreover, it exhibited antioxidant activity and strong inhibition against E. coli and S. aureus, and had no obvious cytotoxicity to NIH 3T3 fibroblasts. Compared with other dressings utilized in rat skin wound, SA-Arg-Zn2+ hydrogel showed better wound healing efficacy and the wound closure ratio reached to 100 % on the 14th day. The result of Elisa test indicated that SA-Arg-Zn2+ hydrogel down-regulated the expression of inflammatory factors (TNF-α and IL-6) and promoted the growth factor levels (VEGF and TGF-ß1). Furthermore, H&E staining results confirmed that SA-Arg-Zn2+ hydrogel could reduce wound inflammation and accelerate re-epithelialization, angiogenesis and wound healing. Therefore, SA-Arg-Zn2+ hydrogel is an effective and innovative wound dressing, moreover, the preparation technique is simple and feasible for industrial application.

Genomic characteristics and selection signals of Zhongshan ducks.

The Zhongshan duck (ZSP) is a duck breed indigenous to China and is known for its moderate body size, strong disease resistance, tender meat, and little subcutaneous fat. However, the genomic basis of such excellent breeding characteristics remains poorly understood. Therefore, we generated whole-genomes of 58 ZSPs and 180 other indigenous Chinese ducks (60 Jinding ducks, 60 Shan Partridge ducks, and 60 Liancheng white ducks) and identified 10 560 032 single nucleotide polymorphisms and 1 334 893 structural variants. Based on genetic diversity and population structure indices, our results confirm that the ZSP is a unique germplasm resource. In addition, three reproduction-related genes (i.e., OAZ, AMH, and RLF) were located in highly differentiated regions between the ZSP and the other three duck breeds (Jinding duck; Liancheng White duck; Shan Partridge duck), suggesting that these genes may have a strong influence on egg production. Among these genes, AMH may have introgressed from an unknown species of the Anatidae family. We also identified other significant genes in the significantly differentiated window (i.e., 1% cut-off), some of which are responsible for growth and development (SEMA5B and MIB1), metabolism (EDEM3 and Xylb), skeletal system morphogenesis (bglap and MGP), and egg shape (ITPR2). These findings highlight the genetic characteristics of the ZSP that shape an array of its morphological traits. Overall, this study should facilitate a more fine-scale approach towards improving the ZSP and other indigenous ducks in China and even all over the world.

MicroRNA-592 Inhibits the Growth of Ovarian Cancer Cells by Targeting ERBB3.

Objectives: Ovarian cancer is the most lethal gynecologic malignancy, and targeted therapy for different pathological types and molecular phenotypes is urgent to be studied. Studies have shown that MicroRNA-592 (miR-592) plays an important negative regulatory role in the occurrence of gastrointestinal malignancies, breast cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, and glioma, but the expression of miR-592 in ovarian cancer and the mechanism of action are still unclear. Methods: The expressions of miR-592 were examined by RT-PCR and Western Blot. Cell viability and migratory capacity were detected by CCK-8 and transwell assay. TargetScan (http://www.targetscan.org) was analyzed to predict potential targets of miR-592. Then Dual-luciferase reporter gene assay was performed to verify the targeting relationship between miR-592 and ERBB3. A mouse xenograft model was applied to confirm the effect of miR-592. Results: In our study, we found that the expression of miR-592 is reduced in epithelial ovarian cancer tissues. The exogenous expression of miR-592 inhibits the proliferation, migration, and invasion in epithelial ovarian cancer tumor cells. Furthermore, the exogenous expression of miR-592 inhibits tumor growth in the nude mouse xenograft model. Therefore, miR-592 may play a role of tumor suppressor miRNA in the occurrence and development of ovarian cancer. Further experiments demonstrated that tumor-related ERBB3 is a target gene mediated by miRNA-592. The dual-luciferase reporter system was used to identify miRNA-592 target genes; qPCR and Western Blot were used to detect the expression of ERBB3. Mechanical experiments confirmed that miRNA-592 negatively regulated ERBB3.Conclusion: Together, these findings identify a heretofore unrecognized link between miR-592 and ERBB3 and suggest that targeting on miR-592 warrants attention as a novel and potential therapeutic strategy for ovarian cancer.

Anisotropic cell growth at the leaf base promotes age-related changes in leaf shape in Arabidopsis thaliana.

Plants undergo extended morphogenesis. The shoot apical meristem (SAM) allows for reiterative development and the formation of new structures throughout the life of the plant. Intriguingly, the SAM produces morphologically different leaves in an age-dependent manner, a phenomenon known as heteroblasty. In Arabidopsis thaliana, the SAM produces small orbicular leaves in the juvenile phase, but gives rise to large elliptical leaves in the adult phase. Previous studies have established that a developmental decline of microRNA156 (miR156) is necessary and sufficient to trigger this leaf shape switch, although the underlying mechanism is poorly understood. Here we show that the gradual increase in miR156-targeted SQUAMOSA PROMOTER BINDING PROTEIN-LIKE transcription factors with age promotes cell growth anisotropy in the abaxial epidermis at the base of the leaf blade, evident by the formation of elongated giant cells. Time-lapse imaging and developmental genetics further revealed that the establishment of adult leaf shape is tightly associated with the longitudinal cell expansion of giant cells, accompanied by a prolonged cell proliferation phase in their vicinity. Our results thus provide a plausible cellular mechanism for heteroblasty in Arabidopsis, and contribute to our understanding of anisotropic growth in plants.

Systematic review and network meta-analysis of different types of emollient for the prevention of atopic dermatitis in infants.

Prophylactic application of emollients has been an effective strategy against infant atopic dermatitis (AD); however, the difference of different emollients is unknown. We performed this network meta-analysis to compare different emollients in preventing infant AD. A systematic search was performed in PubMed, EMBASE and Cochrane library to identify relevant studies from their inception through 28 February, 2022. We evaluated the quality of eligible studies using the Cochrane risk of bias assessment tool. Data analysis was performed using STATA 14.0. Eleven studies were included for data analysis. Direct meta-analysis suggested that early application of emollients effectively prevented AD development in high-risk infants (risk ratio [RR], 0.64; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.47 to 0.88). Network meta-analysis suggested that emollient emulsion might the better option for preventing infant AD development, with a surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA) of 82.6% for all populations, 78.0% for high-risk populations and 79.2% for populations with food sensitization. Moreover, subjects receiving emollients more frequently experienced adverse events. Overall, early application of emollients is an effective strategy for preventing AD development in high-risk infants and emollient emulsion may be the optimal type. Future study with well-designed and large scale are warranted to validate our findings.

Circ_0000471 suppresses the progression of ovarian cancer through mediating mir-135b-5p/dusp5 axis.

BACKGROUND: Ovarian cancer (OC) is a common gynecologic cancer with high incidence and mortality. We attempted to investigate the role of circular RNA_0000471 (circ_0000471) in OC progression and its associated mechanism. METHODS: Reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and western blot assay were conducted to measure RNA and protein expression, respectively. Cell proliferation was analyzed by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK8) assay, colony formation assay, and 5-Ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU) assay. Cell apoptosis was assessed by flow cytometry. Cell migration and invasion were analyzed by wound healing assay and transwell assay, respectively. Dual-luciferase reporter assay and RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) assay were conducted to verify the target relationships. Xenograft tumor model was established to assess the role of circ_0000471 on tumor growth in vivo. RESULTS: Circ_0000471 expression was down-regulated in OC tissues and cell lines. Circ_0000471 overexpression blocked the proliferation, migration, and invasion and triggered the apoptosis of OC cells. Circ_0000471 served as a molecular sponge for microRNA-135b-5p (miR-135b-5p), and circ_0000471 overexpression-mediated anti-tumor influences in OC cells were largely reversed by the overexpression of miR-135b-5p. Dual specificity phosphatase 5 (DUSP5) was a target of miR-135b-5p, and miR-135b-5p silencing-induced anti-tumor effects were largely counteracted by the interference of DUSP5. Circ_0000471 increased DUSP5 expression by sponging miR-135b-5p in OC cells. Circ_0000471 overexpression restrained the growth of xenograft tumors in vivo. CONCLUSION: Overexpression of circ_0000471 inhibited OC development by targeting miR-135b-5p/DUSP5 axis, indicating that circ_0000471 may be a new potential target for OC treatment.

Genomic signatures reveal selection in Lingxian white goose.

Lingxian white goose (LXW) is a goose breed indigenous to China that is famous for its meat quality and fast growth. However, the genomic evidence underlying such excellent breeding characteristics remains poorly understood. Therefore, we performed whole-genome resequencing of 141 geese from 3 indigenous breeds to scan for selection signatures and detect genomic regions related to breed features of LXW. We identified 5 reproduction-related genes (SYNE1, ESR1, NRIP1, CCDC170, and ARMT1) in highly differentiated regions and 11 notable genes in 26 overlapping windows, some of which are responsible for meat quality (DHX15), growth traits (LDB2, SLIT2, and RBPJ), reproduction (KCNIP4), and unique immunity traits (DHX15 and SLIT2). These findings provide insights into the genetic characteristics of LXW and identify genes affecting important traits in LXW, which extends the genetic resources and basis for facilitating genetic improvement in domestic geese breeds.

Diabetic retinopathy risk prediction in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus using a nomogram model.

Background: This study aims to develop a diabetic retinopathy (DR) hazard nomogram for a Chinese population of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods: We constructed a nomogram model by including data from 213 patients with T2DM between January 2019 and May 2021 in the Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University. We used basic statistics and biochemical indicator tests to assess the risk of DR in patients with T2DM. The patient data were used to evaluate the DR risk using R software and a least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) predictive model. Using multivariable Cox regression, we examined the risk factors of DR to reduce the LASSO penalty. The validation model, decision curve analysis, and C-index were tested on the calibration plot. The bootstrapping methodology was used to internally validate the accuracy of the nomogram. Results: The LASSO algorithm identified the following eight predictive variables from the 16 independent variables: disease duration, body mass index (BMI), fasting blood glucose (FPG), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), homeostatic model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), and vitamin D (VitD)-T3. The C-index was 0.848 (95% CI: 0.798-0.898), indicating the accuracy of the model. In the interval validation, high scores (0.816) are possible from an analysis of a DR nomogram's decision curve to predict DR. Conclusion: We developed a non-parametric technique to predict the risk of DR based on disease duration, BMI, FPG, HbA1c, HOMA-IR, TG, TC, and VitD.

Chromosome-level genome and population genomics reveal evolutionary characteristics and conservation status of Chinese indigenous geese.

Geese are herbivorous birds that play an essential role in the agricultural economy. We construct the chromosome-level genome of a Chinese indigenous goose (the Xingguo gray goose, XGG; Anser cygnoides) and analyze the adaptation of fat storage capacity in the goose liver during the evolution of Anatidae. Genomic resequencing of 994 geese is used to investigate the genetic relationships of geese, which supports the dual origin of geese (Anser cygnoides and Anser anser). Chinese indigenous geese show higher genetic diversity than European geese, and a scientific conservation program can be established to preserve genetic variation for each breed. We also find that a 14-bp insertion in endothelin receptor B subtype 2 (EDNRB2) that determines the white plumage of Chinese domestic geese is a natural mutation, and the linkaged alleles rapidly increase in frequency as a result of genetic hitchhiking, leading to the formation of completely different haplotypes of white geese under strong artificial selection. These genomic resources and our findings will facilitate marker-assisted breeding of geese and provide a foundation for further research on geese genetics and evolution.

Targeted delivery of doxorubicin to liver used a novel biotinylated ß-cyclodextrin grafted pullulan nanocarrier.

A series of biotinylated ß-cyclodextrin grafted pullulan (Bio-CDPu) for liver-specific drug delivery were synthesized and characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and hydrogen nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) spectroscopy, and then their self-assembled spherical nanoparticles (NPs) with 110-200 nm diameter were prepared. Doxorubicin (DOX) was selected as an anti-cancer model drug to prepare the drug-loaded NPs, and the drug loading efficiency (LE%) and loading content (LC%) were determined. The drug release behavior in vitro of DOX/Bio-CDPu NPs exhibited sustained release. The results of methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assays, confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) observations and flow cytometric (FCM) analysis indicated that the designed Bio-CDPu nanocarriers showed good cytocompatibility with Bel-7404 cells and high cellular uptake. Due to their rich biotin /or pullulan ligands, Bio-CDPu NPs could promote DOX to enter Bel-7404 cells and inhibit the tumor cell growth. After intravenous injection to rats, DOX/Bio-CDPu NPs solution exhibited increased area under the curve (AUC) and prolonged half life time (t1/2), meanwhile, the drug concentration in the liver was significantly increased, and the cardio-renal toxicity was reduced. Furthermore, DOX/Bio-CDPu NPs exhibited a better anti-tumor therapeutic effect on tumor-bearing mice. Therefore, Bio-CDPu NPs can be chosen as a potential high-efficiency liver targeted carrier.

Artificial intelligence for assessing the severity of microtia via deep convolutional neural networks.

Background: Microtia is a congenital abnormality varying from slightly structural abnormalities to the complete absence of the external ear. However, there is no gold standard for assessing the severity of microtia. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to develop and test models of artificial intelligence to assess the severity of microtia using clinical photographs. Methods: A total of 800 ear images were included, and randomly divided into training, validation, and test set. Nine convolutional neural networks (CNNs) were trained for classifying the severity of microtia. The evaluation metrics, including accuracy, precision, recall, F1 score, receiver operating characteristic curve, and area under the curve (AUC) values, were used to evaluate the performance of the models. Results: Eight CNNs were tested with accuracy greater than 0.8. Among them, Alexnet and Mobilenet achieved the highest accuracy of 0.9. Except for Mnasnet, all CNNs achieved high AUC values higher than 0.9 for each grade of microtia. In most CNNs, the grade I microtia had the lowest AUC values and the normal ear had the highest AUC values. Conclusion: CNN can classify the severity of microtia with high accuracy. Artificial intelligence is expected to provide an objective, automated assessment of the severity of microtia.

Genomic signatures and evolutionary history of the endangered blue-crowned laughingthrush and other Garrulax species.

BACKGROUND: The blue-crowned laughingthrush (Garrulax courtoisi) is a critically endangered songbird endemic to Wuyuan, China, with population of ~323 individuals. It has attracted widespread attention, but the lack of a published genome has limited research and species protection. RESULTS: We report two laughingthrush genome assemblies and reveal the taxonomic status of laughingthrush species among 25 common avian species according to the comparative genomic analysis. The blue-crowned laughingthrush, black-throated laughingthrush, masked laughingthrush, white-browed laughingthrush, and rusty laughingthrush showed a close genetic relationship, and they diverged from a common ancestor between ~2.81 and 12.31 million years ago estimated by the population structure and divergence analysis using 66 whole-genome sequencing birds from eight laughingthrush species and one out group (Cyanopica cyanus). Population inference revealed that the laughingthrush species experienced a rapid population decline during the last ice age and a serious bottleneck caused by a cold wave during the Chinese Song Dynasty (960-1279 AD). The blue-crowned laughingthrush is still in a bottleneck, which may be the result of a cold wave together with human exploitation. Interestingly, the existing blue-crowned laughingthrush exhibits extremely rich genetic diversity compared to other laughingthrushes. These genetic characteristics and demographic inference patterns suggest a genetic heritage of population abundance in the blue-crowned laughingthrush. The results also suggest that fewer deleterious mutations in the blue-crowned laughingthrush genomes have allowed them to thrive even with a small population size. We believe that cooperative breeding behavior and a long reproduction period may enable the blue-crowned laughingthrush to maintain genetic diversity and avoid inbreeding depression. We identified 43 short tandem repeats that can be used as markers to identify the sex of the blue-crowned laughingthrush and aid in its genetic conservation. CONCLUSIONS: This study supplies the missing reference genome of laughingthrush, provides insight into the genetic variability, evolutionary potential, and molecular ecology of laughingthrush and provides a genomic resource for future research and conservation.

Population structure of 3907 worldwide pigs and the introgression of Chinese indigenous pigs by European pigs.

With the improvement in sequencing technology and the decrease in sequencing cost, increasing amounts of genomic data for pigs have been uploaded to public databases. However, no researchers have to date integrated all currently available data to uncover the global genetic status of pigs. Meanwhile, little is known about the introgression from European to Chinese pigs and its underlying influences. Therefore, we integrated the effective genotype data of 3907 pigs from 193 populations worldwide using population genetic analysis, gene flow analysis and a sharing-IBD study. These findings illustrate not only the population structure of 59 Chinese native breeds and others but also the amounts of gene flow and introgression that have occurred between Western and Chinese pigs. In addition, we demonstrate the presence of introgressed European haplotypes in Chinese indigenous breeds and identify relevant introgressed regions that contain genes associated with growth and feed efficiency. Moreover, we compare the introgression patterns of Western and Chinese pigs and further discuss possible explanations for why the level of introgression differs between Chinese pig breeds and Western modern breeds. Collectively, this study provides a fine global population structure analysis of pigs and presents evidence of European pigs being interbred with local breeds in China.

UVB-induced SFRP1 methylation potentiates skin damage by promoting cell apoptosis and DNA damage.

In response to the accumulation of genetic mutations and cellular changes, ultraviolet radiation B (UVB) skin lesions undergo dysplasia and transform into a cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC). Consistent with our previous findings that secreted frizzled-related protein 1 (SFRP1), a member of the SFRP gene family, was downregulated in human CSCC tissue samples, we found a significant downregulation of SFRP1 in HaCaT, A431, and SCL-1 cells after UVB irradiation. DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) was significantly increased in CSCC tissues as well as UVB-exposed A431 and SCL-1 cells. Bisulfite genomic sequencing analysis showed that the downregulation of SFRP1 was mainly due to methylation of the SFRP1 promoter, as indicated by increased methylation rate of SFRP1 after UVB irradiation in HaCaT cells. Moreover, demethylation treatment with 5-aza'-deoxycytidine (5-AzaC) increased SFRP1 expression and reduced the methylation rate of SFRP1 in HaCaT cells. Flow cytometry analyses demonstrated that 5-AzaC treatment or overexpression of SFRP1 ameliorated UVB-induced apoptosis, while knockdown of SFRP1 promoted UVB-induced apoptosis in HaCaT cells. In addition, a comet assay confirmed that 5-AzaC treatment reduced DNA damage following UVB irradiation, while knockdown of SFRP1 enhanced DNA damage following UVB irradiation. In conclusion, our study identified DNA methylation of SFRP1 as a key mediator in the UVB-induced apoptosis of keratinocytes. These findings indicate that reinforcing SFRP1 defences by 5-AzaC may help prevent UVB-induced skin damage.