A new chromosome-scale duck genome shows a major histocompatibility complex with several expanded multigene families

BACKGROUND: The duck (Anas platyrhynchos) is one of the principal natural hosts of influenza A virus (IAV), harbors almost all subtypes of IAVs and resists to many IAVs which cause extreme virulence in chicken and human. However, the response of duck's adaptive immune system to IAV infection is poorly characterized due to lack of a detailed gene map of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC).RESULTS: We herein reported a chromosome-scale Beijing duck assembly by integrating Nanopore, Bionano, and Hi-C data. This new reference genome SKLA1.0 covers 40 chromosomes, improves the contig N50 of the previous duck assembly with highest contiguity (ZJU1.0) of more than a 5.79-fold, surpasses the chicken and zebra finch references in sequence contiguity and contains a complete genomic map of the MHC. Our 3D MHC genomic map demonstrated that gene family arrangement in this region was primordial; however, families such as AnplMHCI, AnplMHCIIβ, AnplDMB, NKRL (NK cell receptor-like genes) and BTN underwent gene expansion events making this area complex. These gene families are distributed in two TADs and genes sharing the same TAD may work in a co-regulated model.CONCLUSIONS: These observations supported the hypothesis that duck's adaptive immunity had been optimized with expanded and diversified key immune genes which might help duck to combat influenza virus. This work provided a high-quality Beijing duck genome for biological research and shed light on new strategies for AIV control.</p

Synthesis of 2D anatase TiO₂ with highly reactive facets by fluorine-free topochemical conversion of 1T-TiS₂ nanosheets

Two-dimensional (2D) anatase titanium dioxide (TiO(2)) is expected to exhibit different properties as compared to anatase nanocrystallites, due to its highly reactive exposed facets. However, access to 2D anatase TiO(2) is limited by the non-layered nature of the bulk crystal, which does not allow use of top-down chemical exfoliation. Large efforts have been dedicated to the growth of 2D anatase TiO(2) with high reactive facets by bottom-up approaches, which relies on the use of harmful chemical reagents. Here, we demonstrate a novel fluorine-free strategy based on topochemical conversion of 2D 1T-TiS(2) for the production of single crystalline 2D anatase TiO(2), exposing the {001} facet on the top and bottom and {100} at the sides of the nanosheet. The exposure of these faces, with no additional defects or doping, gives rise to a significant activity enhancement in the hydrogen evolution reaction, as compared to commercially available Degussa P25 TiO(2) nanoparticles. Because of the strong potential of TiO(2) in many energy-based applications, our topochemical approach offers a low cost, green and mass scalable route for production of highly crystalline anatase TiO(2) with well controlled and highly reactive exposed facets

Statistical Investigation of Correlation between Cardiovascular Event ad Hypertension

Cardiovascular disease is one of the most severe health killers in modern life. In this study, the association among the risk of cardiovascular diseases, patients’ blood pressure and treatment was analyzed. This study makes a secondary analysis on the data from the Evidence for Cardiovascular Prevention from Observational Cohorts in Japan (EPOCH-JAPAN) database. Participants have recruited 39705 representative participants with diverse blood pressure. The results show that the treated participants have a higher proportion of diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, and history of cardiovascular diseases (P<0.0001), compared with untreated participants. During the 10-year follow-up period, there were 2032 cardiovascular deaths distributed among coronary heart disease(CHD), heart failure, and stroke. The treated participants showed an significantly risk for cardiovascular mortality (Hazard ratios (HR):1.5; 95% confidence intervals (CI):1.36-1.66), CHD (HR:1.53, 95%CI: 1.23-1.9), heart failure (HR:1.39; 95%CI: 1.09-1.76) and stroke (HR:1.48; 95%CI: 1.28-1.72). Especially for the participants under antihypertensive medication, their risk of cardiovascular mortality was 1.5 times higher than that of the untreated participants

Cu-Mo2C/MCM-41: An Efficient Catalyst for the Selective Synthesis of Methanol from CO2

Supported molybdenum carbide (yMo2C/M41) and Cu-promoted molybdenum carbide, using a mechanical mixing and co-impregnation method (xCuyMo2C/M41-M and xCuyMo2C/M41-I) on a mesoporous molecular sieve MCM-41, were prepared by temperature-programmed carburization method in a CO/H2 atmosphere at 1073 K, and their catalytic performances were tested for CO2 hydrogenation to form methanol. Both catalysts, which were promoted by Cu, exhibited higher catalytic activity. In comparison to 20Cu20Mo2C/M41-M, the 20Cu20Mo2C/M41-I catalyst exhibited a stronger synergistic effect between Cu and Mo2C on the catalyst surface, which resulted in a higher selectivity for methanol in the CO2 hydrogenation reaction. Under the optimal reaction conditions, the highest selectivity (63%) for methanol was obtained at a CO2 conversion of 8.8% over the 20Cu20Mo2C/M41-I catalyst

Circulating Tumor Cells Were Associated with the Number of T Lymphocyte Subsets and NK Cells in Peripheral Blood in Advanced Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer

In this study, we aim to investigate the correlation between circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and the T lymphocyte subsets and NK cells in peripheral blood in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The peripheral blood CTCs were determined by SET-iFISH. Flow cytometry was used to determine the distribution of T lymphocyte subsets and NK cells. Forty-one (49%) patients showed positivity for CTCs. Logistic regression analysis revealed CTC number was negatively correlated with the ratio of CD3+, CD4+, CD4+/CD8+, and NK % in patients at stage IV, while in a positive correlation was noticed between CTC number and regulatory T cell (Tregs) ratio in these patients. Multivariate analysis was performed in combination with the clinical-pathological materials to identify the risk factors for CTC positivity. Differentiation, NSCLC stage, percentages of CD3+CD4+ cells, Tregs, and NK cells were the independent risk factors for CTCs. CTCs were associated with the decrease of immune surveillance in the peripheral blood in NSCLC patients. The decrease of immune surveillance contributed to the escape of CTCs from the killing effects of the immunocytes, as well as the formation of metastasized lesions in the target organs

Hierarchical ZnO nanostructures with blooming flowers driven by screw dislocations

Hierarchical ZnO nanostructures with a large yield were fabricated by a simple thermal evaporation method. For the first time, novel ZnO flowers were observed blooming at certain sites of a variety of spines, identified as Zn-terminated polar (0001) planes or tips. The spines for as-synthesized hierarchical structures can be nanowires, nanobelts, nanodendrites, nanobrushes, etc. This growth phenomenon determines the key role of polar sites in the fabrication of hierarchical structures. The spiral feature of ZnO flowers indicates an unusual screw dislocation driven growth mechanism, which is attributed to a high concentration of Zn vapor

A new chromosome-scale duck genome shows a major histocompatibility complex with several expanded multigene families

Abstract Background The duck (Anas platyrhynchos) is one of the principal natural hosts of influenza A virus (IAV), harbors almost all subtypes of IAVs and resists to many IAVs which cause extreme virulence in chicken and human. However, the response of duck’s adaptive immune system to IAV infection is poorly characterized due to lack of a detailed gene map of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC). Results We herein reported a chromosome-scale Beijing duck assembly by integrating Nanopore, Bionano, and Hi-C data. This new reference genome SKLA1.0 covers 40 chromosomes, improves the contig N50 of the previous duck assembly with highest contiguity (ZJU1.0) of more than a 5.79-fold, surpasses the chicken and zebra finch references in sequence contiguity and contains a complete genomic map of the MHC. Our 3D MHC genomic map demonstrated that gene family arrangement in this region was primordial; however, families such as AnplMHCI, AnplMHCIIβ, AnplDMB, NKRL (NK cell receptor-like genes) and BTN underwent gene expansion events making this area complex. These gene families are distributed in two TADs and genes sharing the same TAD may work in a co-regulated model. Conclusions These observations supported the hypothesis that duck’s adaptive immunity had been optimized with expanded and diversified key immune genes which might help duck to combat influenza virus. This work provided a high-quality Beijing duck genome for biological research and shed light on new strategies for AIV control

Synthesis of 2D anatase TiO2 with highly reactive facets by fluorine-free topochemical conversion of 1T-TiS2 nanosheets.

Two-dimensional (2D) anatase titanium dioxide (TiO2) is expected to exhibit different properties as compared to anatase nanocrystallites, due to its highly reactive exposed facets. However, access to 2D anatase TiO2 is limited by the non-layered nature of the bulk crystal, which does not allow use of top-down chemical exfoliation. Large efforts have been dedicated to the growth of 2D anatase TiO2 with high reactive facets by bottom-up approaches, which relies on the use of harmful chemical reagents. Here, we demonstrate a novel fluorine-free strategy based on topochemical conversion of 2D 1T-TiS2 for the production of single crystalline 2D anatase TiO2, exposing the {001} facet on the top and bottom and {100} at the sides of the nanosheet. The exposure of these faces, with no additional defects or doping, gives rise to a significant activity enhancement in the hydrogen evolution reaction, as compared to commercially available Degussa P25 TiO2 nanoparticles. Because of the strong potential of TiO2 in many energy-based applications, our topochemical approach offers a low cost, green and mass scalable route for production of highly crystalline anatase TiO2 with well controlled and highly reactive exposed facets