Characterization of sequence variations in the extended flanking regions using massively parallel sequencing in 21 A-STRs and 21 Y-STRs.

In forensic genetics, utilizing massively parallel sequencing (MPS) to analyze short tandem repeats (STRs) has demonstrated several advantages compared to conventional capillary electrophoresis (CE). Due to the current technical limitations, although flanking region polymorphisms had been mentioned in several previous studies, most studies focused on the core repeat regions of STRs or the variations in the adjacent flanking regions. In this study, we developed an MPS system consisting of two sets of multiplex PCR systems to detect not only the STR core repeat regions but also to observe variants located at relatively distant positions in the flanking regions. The system contained 42 commonly used forensic STRs, including 21 autosomal STRs (A-STRs) and 21 Y-chromosomal STRs (Y-STRs), and a total of 350 male individuals from a Chinese Han population were genotyped. The length and sequence variants per locus were tallied and categorized based on length (length-based, LB), sequence without flanking region (core repeat regions sequence-based, RSB), and sequence with flanking region (core repeat and flanking regions sequence-based, FSB), respectively. Allele frequencies, Y-haplotype frequencies, and forensic parameters were calculated based on LB, RSB, and FSB, respectively, to evaluate the improvement in discrimination power, heterozygosity, and effectiveness of forensic systems. The results suggested the sequence variations have more influence on A-STRs and could improve the identification ability of MPS-STR genotyping. Concordance between MPS and CE methods was confirmed by using commercial CE-based STR kits. The impact of flanking region variations on STR genotype analysis and potential factors contributing to discordances were discussed. A total of 58 variations in the flanking regions (53 SNPs/SNVs and 5 InDels) were observed and most variations (48/58) were distributed in A-STRs. In summary, this study delved deeper into the genetic information of forensic commonly used STR and advanced the application of massively parallel sequencing in forensic genetics.

Structural basis for the type I-F Cas8-HNH system.

The Cas3 nuclease is utilized by canonical type I CRISPR-Cas systems for processive target DNA degradation, while a newly identified type I-F CRISPR variant employs an HNH nuclease domain from the natural fusion Cas8-HNH protein for precise target cleavage both in vitro and in human cells. Here, we report multiple cryo-electron microscopy structures of the type I-F Cas8-HNH system at different functional states. The Cas8-HNH Cascade complex adopts an overall G-shaped architecture, with the HNH domain occupying the C-terminal helical bundle domain (HB) of the Cas8 protein in canonical type I systems. The Linker region connecting Cas8-NTD and HNH domains adopts a rigid conformation and interacts with the Cas7.6 subunit, enabling the HNH domain to be in a functional position. The full R-loop formation displaces the HNH domain away from the Cas6 subunit, thus activating the target DNA cleavage. Importantly, our results demonstrate that precise target cleavage is dictated by a C-terminal helix of the HNH domain. Together, our work not only delineates the structural basis for target recognition and activation of the type I-F Cas8-HNH system, but also guides further developments leveraging this system for precise DNA editing.

The effect of polylactic acid ordering on the long-term corrosion protection capacity of biodegradable magnesium alloys.

The polylactic acid (PLA) coatings of different crystallinity were prepared on biodegradable Mg-2.2Zn-0.3Ca alloy wires to improve the long-term anti-corrosion properties. The composition characteristics and microstructure of the samples were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Fourier transform infrared spectroscope (FTIR), wide angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The corrosion resistance of all samples was investigated by immersion tests and electrochemical techniques in vitro simulated body fluid (SBF). The results indicated heat treatment improved the crystallinity of PLA coating and heated-coating performed protective behaviors in the short and long-term immersion. The corrosion rate of heated samples was lower than that of unheated samples and exhibited superior long term protective effect for Mg alloy wires. The lifetime of heated sample (H2) increased significantly from 33 to 55 days. The initial electrochemical performance of unheated coating was better than heated coating, but it declined more rapidly during the long-term immersion. These results indicated that PLA coating could not ignore the effect of its crystallinity to anti-corrosion ability, and only the suit heat treatment makes PLA coating more ordering and achieves higher corrosion resistance in vitro immersion. Therefore, it has promising potential by controlling effectively the PLA ordering for surgical implant applications.

2-Ethylhexyl Diphenyl Phosphate Induces Autism Spectrum Disorder-Like Behaviors in Offspring Mice by Disrupting Postsynaptic Development.

As organophosphorus flame retardants (OPFRs) are constantly detected in human samples, the neurotoxicity of OPFRs is of concern. In this study, pregnant ICR mice were exposed to 2-ethylhexyl diphenyl phosphate (EHDPP) in drinking water from gestation to lactation to investigate its effects on autism spectrum disorder-like (ASD-like) behaviors in offspring. Serum EHDPP concentrations in dams in the 0.4, 2, and 10 mg/kg groups were 0.282 ± 0.051, 0.713 ± 0.115, and 0.974 ± 0.048 ng/mL, respectively, within the concentration range in humans. At the highest dose, EHDPP exposure induced ASD-like behaviors in both female and male offspring. Significant reductions in mature dendritic spines and structural damage to the postsynaptic density zone were noted in all but the lowest exposure groups, indicating postsynaptic membrane impairment. Mechanistically, EHDPP significantly downregulated disc large MAGUK scaffold protein 4 expression by inhibiting protein kinase B and type 1 insulin-like growth factor receptor phosphorylation. In the heterologous synapse formation assay in vivo, EHDPP significantly reduced the levels of postsynaptic density protein 95 expression in neurons at 1 µM. Overall, the study utilized in vitro and in vivo experiments to confirm that EHDPP damaged postsynaptic membrane formation and might increase the incidence of ASD in offspring.

Research progress on the regulation of starch-polyphenol interactions in food processing.

Starch is a fundamental material in the food industry. However, the inherent structural constraints of starch impose limitations on its physicochemical properties, including thermal instability, viscosity, and retrogradation. To address these obstacles, polyphenols are extensively employed for starch modification owing to their distinctive structural characteristics and potent antioxidant capabilities. Interaction between the hydroxyl groups of polyphenols and starch results in the formation of inclusion or non-inclusion complexes, thereby inducing alterations in the multiscale structure of starch. These modifications lead to changes in the physicochemical properties of starch, while simultaneously enhancing its nutritional value. Recent studies have demonstrated that both thermal and non-thermal processing exert a significant influence on the formation of starch-polyphenol complexes. This review meticulously analyzes the techniques facilitating complex formation, elucidating the critical factors that dictate this process. Of noteworthy importance is the observation that thermal processing significantly boosts these interactions, whereas non-thermal processing enables more precise modifications. Thus, a profound comprehension and precise regulation of the production of starch-polyphenol complexes are imperative for optimizing their application in various starch-based food products. This in-depth study is dedicated to providing a valuable pathway for enhancing the quality of starchy foods through the strategic integration of suitable processing technologies.

Shell Distribution of Vitamin K3 within Reinforced Electrospun Nanofibers for Improved Photo-Antibacterial Performance.

Personal protective equipment (PPE) has attracted more attention since the outbreak of the epidemic in 2019. Advanced nano techniques, such as electrospinning, can provide new routes for developing novel PPE. However, electrospun antibacterial PPE is not easily obtained. Fibers loaded with photosensitizers prepared using single-fluid electrospinning have a relatively low utilization rate due to the influence of embedding and their inadequate mechanical properties. For this study, monolithic nanofibers and core-shell nanofibers were prepared and compared. Monolithic F1 fibers comprising polyethylene oxide (PEO), poly(vinyl alcohol-co-ethylene) (PVA-co-PE), and the photo-antibacterial agent vitamin K3 (VK3) were created using a single-fluid blending process. Core-shell F2 nanofibers were prepared using coaxial electrospinning, in which the extensible material PEO was set as the core section, and a composite consisting of PEO, PVA-co-PE, and VK3 was set as the shell section. Both F1 and F2 fibers with the designed structural properties had an average diameter of approximately 1.0 µm, as determined using scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. VK3 was amorphously dispersed within the polymeric matrices of F1 and F2 fibers in a compatible manner, as revealed using X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Monolithic F1 fibers had a higher tensile strength of 2.917 ± 0.091 MPa, whereas the core-shell F2 fibers had a longer elongation with a break rate of 194.567 ± 0.091%. Photoreaction tests showed that, with their adjustment, core-shell F2 nanofibers could produce 0.222 µmol/L ·OH upon illumination. F2 fibers had slightly better antibacterial performance than F1 fibers, with inhibition zones of 1.361 ± 0.012 cm and 1.296 ± 0.022 cm for E. coli and S. aureus, respectively, but with less VK3. The intentional tailoring of the components and compositions of the core-shell nanostructures can improve the process-structure-performance relationship of electrospun nanofibers for potential sunlight-activated antibacterial PPE.

[Design and application of a specialized protective skirt for patients undergoing extracorporeal membrane oxygenation].

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) provides continuous extracorporeal respiratory and circulatory support for patients with severe heart and lung failure, in order to maintain their lives. Currently, ECMO is an advanced organ support technology and its application in the clinical field of critical care is becoming increasingly common. When ECMO is implemented via percutaneous cannulation at the bilateral femoral artery and vein, the traditional patient pants cannot be used, which leads to exposure of privacy, easy catching of cold, and easy contamination of bed sheets and covers during defecation, making the patient uncomfortable and increasing the risk of infection. Changing bed sheets and covers not only increases the workload of nurses, but also easily causes pipeline displacement or slipping. It is inconvenient to observe the patient's bleeding, displacement, or dislodgement of the pipeline at any time when wearing patient pants. To solve the problems, nursing staff in the emergency intensive care unit of Henan Provincial People's Hospital have designed a protective skirt specifically designed for patients undergoing ECMO, which has obtained a National Utility Model Patent of China (patent number: ZL 2020 2 08120022.9). The special protective skirt for patients with ECMO mainly consists of a skirt body, a transparent observation window, a hip support part, and a fecal collection part. The transparent observation window is convenient for the puncture site and pipeline observation. After the hip support part is inflated, the patient can separate the perianal skin and urine and feces to avoid the occurrence of incontinence dermatitis. The fecal collection part can collect urine and feces to keep the bed unit clean. The protective skirt has a simple structure and is easy to wear and take off. While protecting patient privacy and ensuring patient comfort, it can also observe the condition of the pipeline at any time. It is suitable for patients with lower limb catheterization or urinary and fecal incontinence, and has certain clinical application and promotion value.

Experimental viral spillover across 25 million year gap in Rodentia reveals limited viral transmission and purifying selection of a picornavirus.

When a virus crosses from one host species to another, the consequences can be devastating. However, animal models to empirically evaluate cross-species transmission can fail to recapitulate natural transmission routes, physiologically relevant doses of pathogens, and population structures of naturally circulating viruses. Here, we present a new model of cross-species transmission where deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus) are exposed to the natural virome of pet store mice (Mus musculus). Using RNA sequencing, we tracked viral transmission via fecal-oral routes and found the evidence of transmission of murine astroviruses, coronaviruses, and picornaviruses. Deep sequencing of murine kobuvirus revealed tight bottlenecks during transmission and purifying selection that leaves limited diversity present after transmission from Mus to Peromyscus. This work provides a structure for studying viral bottlenecks across species while keeping natural variation of viral populations intact and a high resolution look at within-host dynamics that occur during the initial stages of cross-species viral transmission.IMPORTANCEViral spillover events can have devastating public health consequences. Tracking cross-species transmission in real-time and evaluating viral evolution during the initial spillover event are useful for understanding how viruses adapt to new hosts. Using our new animal model and next generation sequencing, we develop a framework for understanding intrahost viral evolution and bottleneck events, which are very difficult to study in natural transmission settings.

Hepatic protein phosphatase 1 regulatory subunit 3G alleviates obesity and liver steatosis by regulating the gut microbiota and bile acid metabolism.

Intestinal dysbiosis and disrupted bile acid (BA) homeostasis are associated with obesity, but the precise mechanisms remain insufficiently explored. Hepatic protein phosphatase 1 regulatory subunit 3G (PPP1R3G) plays a pivotal role in regulating glycolipid metabolism; nevertheless, its obesity-combatting potency remains unclear. In this study, a substantial reduction was observed in serum PPP1R3G levels in high-body mass index (BMI) and high-fat diet (HFD)-exposed mice, establishing a positive correlation between PPP1R3G and non-12α-hydroxylated (non-12-OH) BA content. Additionally, hepatocyte-specific overexpression of Ppp1r3g (PPP1R3G HOE) mitigated HFD-induced obesity as evidenced by reduced weight, fat mass, and an improved serum lipid profile; hepatic steatosis alleviation was confirmed by normalized liver enzymes and histology. PPP1R3G HOE considerably impacted systemic BA homeostasis, which notably increased the non-12-OH BAs ratio, particularly lithocholic acid (LCA). 16S ribosomal DNA (16S rDNA) sequencing assay indicated that PPP1R3G HOE reversed HFD-induced gut dysbiosis by reducing the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio and Lactobacillus population, and elevating the relative abundance of Blautia, which exhibited a positive correlation with serum LCA levels. A fecal microbiome transplantation test confirmed that the anti-obesity effect of hepatic PPP1R3G was gut microbiota-dependent. Mechanistically, PPP1R3G HOE markedly suppressed hepatic cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase (CYP7A1) and sterol-12α-hydroxylase (CYP8B1), and concurrently upregulated oxysterol 7-α hydroxylase and G protein-coupled BA receptor 5 (TGR5) expression under HFD conditions. Furthermore, LCA administration significantly mitigated the HFD-induced obesity phenotype and elevated non-12-OH BA levels. These findings emphasize the significance of hepatic PPP1R3G in ameliorating diet-induced adiposity and hepatic steatosis through the gut microbiota-BA axis, which may serve as potential therapeutic targets for obesity-related disorders.

Effects of the teach-back method on the health status of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a real-world community-based cluster-randomized controlled trial.

Background: The teach-back method (TBM), also known as the "show-me" method, is a technique for verifying patients' understanding of health-related information that has been recommended for improving health literacy. However, the research on TBM effect on the outcomes of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients is limited. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the effect of a TBM intervention on the health status of COPD patients. Methods: This real-world community-based cluster-randomized controlled trial enrolled 1,688 patients with COPD from 18 communities in China. Participants received either TBM plus usual care (UC) or UC only. General practitioners were trained in TBM before the intervention. The primary outcomes were depression and anxiety symptoms, as measured by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). The secondary outcomes were health-related quality of life and dyspnea, as measured by the COPD Assessment Test (CAT). Dyspnea was assessed using the modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) dyspnea scale. Data on acute exacerbations and deaths were extracted from medical records. Lung function was expressed as the forced expiratory volume in 1 second as a percentage of the predicted value [FEV1 (% pred)]. Results: In total, 336 of the 853 COPD patients in the intervention group (TBM plus UC) had comorbid depression, compared with 329 of the 835 in the control group (UC only). The TBM group showed a significantly greater improvement in HADS depression and anxiety subscale scores (HADS-D and HADS-A, respectively) than the UC group at12 months (t =8.34, P<0.001; t=12.18, P<0.001). The CAT and mMRC scores were significantly lower in the TBM than UC group at 12 months (t=8.43, P<0.001; t=7.23, P<0.001). The numbers of acute exacerbations and deaths were significantly lower in the TBM than UC group at 12 months (mean MCF values were 0.35 and 0.56, respectively [difference of 0.22; 95% confidence interval (CI): -0.41, -0.02; χ2=9.63, P<0.001]. The FEV1 (% pred) was significantly higher in the TBM than UC group at 12 months (t=7.45, P<0.001). Conclusions: General practitioners can use TBM interventions to effectively reduce anxiety, depression, and dyspnea symptoms, decrease the frequency of exacerbations and likelihood of death, and improve health-related quality of life and pulmonary function in patients with COPD. Trial Registration: The trial was registered on the Chinese Clinical Trials Registry (reference: ChiCTR-TRC-12001958).

Picolinic acid-mediated Mn(II) activated periodate for ultrafast and selective degradation of emerging contaminants: Key role of high-valent Mn-oxo species.

The utilization of periodate (PI, IO4-) in metal-based advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) for the elimination of emerging contaminants (ECs) have garnered significant attention. However, the commonly used homogeneous metal catalyst Mn(II) performs inadequately in activating PI. Herein, we exploited a novel AOP technology by employing the complex of Mn(II) with the biodegradable picolinic acid (PICA) to activate PI for the degradation of electron-rich pollutants. The performance of the Mn(II)-PICA complex surpassed that of ligand-free Mn(II) and other Mn(II) complexes with common aminopolycarboxylate ligands. Through scavenger, sulfoxide-probe transformation, and 18O isotope-labeling experiments, we confirmed that the dominant reactive oxidant generated in the Mn(II)-PICA/PI system was high-valent manganese-oxo species (Mn(V)=O). Due to its reliance on Mn(V)=O, the Mn(II)-PICA/PI process exhibited remarkable selectivity and strong anti-interference during EC oxidation in complex water matrices. Nine structurally diverse pollutants were selected for evaluation, and their lnkobs values in the Mn(II)-PICA/PI system correlated well with their electrophilic/nucleophilic indexes, EHOMO, and vertical IP (R2 = 0.79-0.94). Additionally, IO4- was converted into non-toxic iodate (IO3-) without producing undesired iodine species such as HOI, I2, and I3-. This study provides a novel protocol for metal-based AOPs using PI in combination with chelating agents and high-valent metal-oxo species formation during water purification.

Micro and nanobubbles-assisted advanced oxidation processes for water decontamination: The importance of interface reactions.

Micro and nanobubbles (MNBs), as an efficient and convenient method, have been widely used in water treatment. Composed of gas and water, MNBs avoid directly introducing potential secondary pollutants. Notably, MNBs exhibit significant advantages through interface reactions in assisting AOPs. They overcome barriers like low mass transfer coefficients and limited reactive sites, and shorten the distance between pollutants and oxidants, achieving higher pollutant removal efficiency. However, there is a lack of systematic summary and in-depth discussion on the fundamental mechanisms of MNBs-assisted AOPs. In this critical review, the characteristics of MNBs related to water treatment are outlined first. Subsequently, the recent applications, performance, and mechanisms of MNBs-assisted AOPs including ozone, plasma, photocatalytic, and Fenton oxidation are overviewed. We conclude that MNBs can improve pollutant removal mainly by enhancing the utilization of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated by AOPs due to the effective interface reactions. Furthermore, we calculated the electrical energy per order of reaction (EE/O) parameter of different MNBs-assisted AOPs, suggesting that MNBs can reduce the total energy consumption in most of the tested cases. Finally, future research needs/opportunities are proposed. The fundamental insights in this review are anticipated to further facilitate an in-depth understanding of the mechanisms of MNBs-assisted AOPs and supply critical guidance on developing MNBs-based technologies for water treatment.

The Efficacy and Safety of Apatinib and Anlotinib in Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.

Background: Anlotinib and apatinib, both vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (VEGFR-TKIs), are clinically established in the treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in China, with anlotinib emerging as a standard treatment strategy. This study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of apatinib and anlotinib, and to compare their differences in treating patients with advanced NSCLC. Patients and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the data of patients with advanced NSCLC treated with apatinib or anlotinib at a hospital in Eastern China from January 2017 to December 2021. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS), while secondary endpoints included objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR), overall survival (OS), and safety profile. Results: A total of 145 patients were included in this study. Median PFS (mPFS) was 3.53 months for the apatinib group and 5.3 months for the anlotinib group (HR = 0.59, 95% CI: 0.41-0.84; P = 0.004), and median OS (mOS) was 7.6 months versus 15.6 months (HR = 0.68, 95% CI: 0.46-1.00; P = 0.048), which all showed significant differences after adjusting for confounders (P < 0.05). Subgroup analysis revealed that the presence or absence of bone metastases significantly influenced PFS in both treatment groups. The ORR was 3.03% in the anlotinib group versus 10.13% in the apatinib group (P = 0.12), the DCR was 72.73% versus 51.90% (P = 0.21). No unanticipated adverse events (AEs) were observed. The incidence of grade 3-4 AEs was significantly higher in the apatinib group (31.65% vs 13.64%, P < 0.05). Conclusion: Anlotinib demonstrated greater efficacy and safety compared to apatinib in the treatment of advanced NSCLC, particularly in patients with bone metastases and EGFR(-).

Heterologous Expression of Chrysanthemum TCP Transcription Factor CmTCP13 Enhances Salinity Tolerance in Arabidopsis.

Plant-specific TEOSINTE BRANCHED1/CYCLOIDEA/PROLIFERATING CELL FACTOR (TCP) proteins play critical roles in plant development and stress responses; however, their functions in chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum morifolium) have not been well-studied. In this study, we isolated and characterized the chrysanthemum TCP transcription factor family gene CmTCP13, a homolog of AtTCP13. This gene encoded a protein harboring a conserved basic helix-loop-helix motif, and its expression was induced by salinity stress in chrysanthemum plants. Subcellular localization experiments showed that CmTCP13 localized in the nucleus. Sequence analysis revealed the presence of multiple stress- and hormone-responsive cis-elements in the promoter region of CmTCP13. The heterologous expression of CmTCP13 in Arabidopsis plants enhanced their tolerance to salinity stress. Under salinity stress, CmTCP13 transgenic plants exhibited enhanced germination, root length, seedling growth, and chlorophyll content and reduced relative electrical conductivity compared with those exhibited by wild-type (WT) plants. Moreover, the expression levels of stress-related genes, including AtSOS3, AtP5CS2, AtRD22, AtRD29A, and AtDREB2A, were upregulated in CmTCP13 transgenic plants than in WT plants under salt stress. Taken together, our results demonstrate that CmTCP13 is a critical regulator of salt stress tolerance in plants.

Effects of thermal processing on natural antioxidants in fruits and vegetables.

Research on the content of polyphenolic compounds in fruits and vegetables, the extraction of bioactive compounds, and the study of their impact on the human body has received growing attention in recent years. This is due to the great interest in bioactive compounds and their health benefits, resulting in increased market demand for natural foods. Bioactive compounds from plants are generally categorized as natural antioxidants with health benefits such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-diabetic, anti-carcinogenic, etc. Thermal processing has been used in the food sector for a long history. Implementing different thermal processing methods could be essential in retaining the quality of the natural antioxidant compounds in plant-based foods. A comprehensive review is presented on the effects of thermal blanching (i.e., hot water, steam, superheated steam impingement, ohmic and microwave blanching), pasteurization, and sterilization and drying technologies on natural antioxidants in fruits and vegetables.

Identification of key module and hub genes affecting broiler body weight through weighted gene co-expression network analysis.

Body weight (BW) is an important economic trait in chickens. The hypothalamus serves as a central regulator of appetite and energy balance, and extensive research has demonstrated its pivotal role in regulating BW. However, the molecular network of the hypothalamus regulating BW traits in chickens needs to be further illuminated. In the present study, 200 1-day-old male 817 broilers were reared to 50 d of age, and BW were recorded. 20 birds with the lowest BW were classified as the low body weight group (L-BWG), and 20 birds with the highest BW were classified as the high body weight group (H-BWG). 18 hypothalamic tissue samples were collected, including 5 from the L-BWG, 5 from the H-BWG, and 8 from the middle weight range, and were analyzed using RNA-seq and weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA). Among the 18 RNA-seq samples, 5 samples from the L-BWG and 5 from the H-BWG were selected for differential expression gene analysis. Compared with the L-BWG, 195 and 1,241 genes were upregulated and downregulated in the H-BWG, respectively. The WGCNA analysis classified all co-expressed genes in the hypothalamus of 817 broilers into 20 modules. Among these modules, the pink module was identified as significantly negatively (r = -0.81, P = 4×10-5) associated with BW. Furthermore, several genes, including Wnt family member 6 (WNT6), growth differentiation factor 11 (GDF11), bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4), and erb-b2 receptor tyrosine kinase 4 (ERBB4), involved in "regulation of developmental process" and "response to growth factor," were identified as hub genes that contribute to the regulation of BW. These results provide valuable information for further understanding of the gene expression and regulation affecting BW traits and will contribute to the molecular breeding of chickens in the future.

Validation of the PowerPlex®35GY System: a novel eight-dye STR multiplex kit on the Spectrum Compact CE System.

The PowerPlex® 35GY System (Promega, USA) is an advanced eight-dye multiplex STR kit, incorporating twenty-three autosomal STR loci, eleven Y chromosome STR loci, one sex determining marker Amelogenin, and two quality indicators. This multiplex system includes 20 CODIS loci and up to 15 mini-STR loci with sizing values less than 250 bases. In this study, validation for PowerPlex® 35GY System was conducted following the guidelines of SWGDAM, encompassing sensitivity, precision, accuracy, concordance, species specificity, stutter, mixture, stability, and degraded DNA. The results from experiments demonstrated that the PowerPlex® 35GY System could effectively amplify DNA samples, with complete allele detection achieved at 125 pg. Moreover, over 90% of alleles from minor contributors were detected at a mixed ratio of 1:4. Additionally, the system was found to yield full profiles even in the presence of hematin, humic acid, and indigo. The PowerPlex® 35GY System demonstrated superior performance in the sensitivity and degraded DNA studies compared to a six-dye STR kit. Hence, it is evident that the PowerPlex® 35GY System is well-suited for forensic practice, whether in casework or for database samples. These findings provide strong support for the efficacy and reliability of the PowerPlex® 35GY System in forensic applications.

A Versatile Redox-Active Electrolyte for Solid Fixation of Polyiodide and Dendrite-Free Operation in Sustainable Aqueous Zinc-Iodine Batteries.

Practical utilization of zinc-iodine (Zn-I2) batteries is hindered by significant challenges, primarily stemming from the polyiodide shuttle effect on the cathode and dendrite growth on the anode. Herein, a feasible redox-active electrolyte has been introduced with tetraethylammonium iodide as an additive that simultaneously addresses the above mentioned challenges via polyiodide solidification on the cathode and the electrostatic shielding effect on the anode. The tetraethylammonium (TEA+) captures water-soluble polyiodide intermediates (I3 -, I5 -), forming a solid complex at the cathode, thereby suppressing capacity loss during charge/discharge. Furthermore, the TEA+ mitigates dendrite growth on the Zn anode via the electrostatic shielding effect, promoting uniform and compact Zn deposition at the anode. Consequently, the Zn||Zn symmetric cell demonstrates superior cycling stability during Zn plating/stripping over 4,200 h at 1 mA cm-2 and 1 mAh cm-2. The Zn||NiNC full-cell exhibits a stable capacity retention of 98.4% after 20 000 cycles (>5 months) with near-unity Coulombic efficiency at 1 A g-1. The study provides novel insights for establishing a new direction for low-cost, sustainable, and long-lifespan Zn-I2 batteries.

LincR-PPP2R5C Deficiency Alleviates Airway Remodeling by Inhibiting Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition Through the PP2A/TGF-ß1 Signaling Pathway in Chronic Experimental Allergic Asthma.

Airway remodeling is a key characteristic of allergic asthma. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) induced by various factors, particularly transforming growth factor (TGF)-ß1, orchestrates airway remodeling. Protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A), an important serine-threonine phosphatase, is involved in TGF-ß1 production and EMT. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have emerged as novel players in regulating EMT. Here, we aimed to explore the effects and mechanisms of action of lincR-PPP2R5C, a lncRNA that affects PP2A activity, on airway remodeling in a mouse model of chronic allergic asthma. LincR-PPP2R5C knockout (KO) alleviated inflammatory responses in house dust mite (HDM)-induced chronic allergic asthma. Moreover, airway remodeling and EMT were reduced in lung tissues of lincR-PPP2R5C KO mice. HDM extract induced EMT in airway epithelial cells, which was decreased following lincR-PPP2R5C KO. Mechanistically, lincR-PPP2R5C deficiency enhanced PP2A activity, which inhibited TGF-ß1 production in epithelial cells. In conclusion, lincR-PPP2R5C deficiency prevented HDM-induced airway remodeling in mice by reversing EMT, which was mediated by the PP2A/TGF-ß1 signaling pathway. Thus, lncRNAs, i.e., lincR-PPP2R5C, may be potential targets to prevent airway remodeling in allergic asthma.

Radiomics Based Differentiation of Glioblastoma and Metastatic Disease: Impact of Different T1-Contrast Enhanced Sequences on Radiomic Features and Model Performance.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: To evaluate the radiomics-based model performance for differentiation between glioblastoma (GB) and brain metastases (BM) using magnetization prepared rapid gradient echo (MPRAGE) and volumetric interpolated breath-hold examination (VIBE) T1-contrast enhanced sequences. MATERIALS AND METHODS: T1-CE MPRAGE and VIBE sequences acquired in 108 patients (31 GBs and 77 BM) during the same MRI session were retrospectively evaluated. Post standardized image pre-processing and segmentation, radiomics features were extracted from necrotic and enhancing tumor components. Pearson correlation analysis of radiomics features from tumor subcomponents was also performed. A total of 90 machine learning (ML) pipelines were evaluated using a five-fold cross validation. Performance was measured by mean AUC-ROC, Log-loss and Brier scores. RESULTS: A feature-wise comparison showed that the radiomic features between sequences were strongly correlated, with the highest correlation for shape-based features. The mean AUC across the top-ten pipelines ranged between 0.851-0.890 with T1-CE MPRAGE and between 0.869-0.907 with T1-CE VIBE sequence. Top performing models for the MPRAGE sequence commonly used support vector machines, while those for VIBE sequence used either support vector machines or random forest. Common feature reduction methods for top-performing models included linear combination filter and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) for both sequences. For the same ML-feature reduction pipeline, model performances were comparable (AUC-ROC difference range: [-0.078, 0.046]). CONCLUSIONS: Radiomic features derived from T1-CE MPRAGE and VIBE sequences are strongly correlated and may have similar overall classification performance for differentiating GB from BM. ABBREVIATIONS: BM: Brain metastases, GB: glioblastoma, T1-CE: T1 contrast enhanced sequence, MPRAGE: magnetization prepared rapid gradient echo, ML: machine learning, RF: random forest, VIBE: volumetric interpolated breath-hold examination.