Gene set analyses showed no evidence of horizontal gene transfer from algae or bacteria into the fungal genome. Our data suggest a lineage-specific loss of a putative gibberellin-20-oxidase in the fungus, a gene fusion in the fungal mitochondrion, and a relocation of an algal chloroplast gene to the algal nucleus. Major technical obstacles during reconstruction of the holo-genome were coverage differences among individual genomes surpassing three orders of magnitude. Moreover, we show that GC-rich inverted repeats paired with non-random sequencing error in PacBio data can result in missing gene predictions. This likely poses a general problem for genome assemblies based on long reads. © The Author(s) 2020. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society for Molecular Biology and Evolution.BACKGROUND Remote ischaemic conditioning (RIC) has been shown to reduce myocardial infarct size in animal models of myocardial infarction.  https://www.selleckchem.com/products/CP-673451.html  Platelet thrombus formation is a critical determinant of outcome in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Whether the beneficial effects of RIC are related to thrombotic parameters is unclear. METHODS AND RESULTS In a substudy of the Effect of Remote Ischaemic Conditioning on clinical outcomes in STEMI patients undergoing Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (ERIC-PPCI) trial, we assessed the effect of RIC on thrombotic status. Patients presenting with STEMI were randomised to immediate RIC consisting of an automated autoRICTM cuff on the upper arm inflated to 200mmHg for 5 minutes and deflated for 5 minutes for 4 cycles (n = 53) or sham (n = 47). Venous blood was tested at presentation, discharge (48 h) and 6-8 weeks, to assess platelet reactivity, coagulation and endogenous fibrinolysis using the Global Thrombosis Test and thromboelastography (TEG). Bbotic occlusion was longer in patients receiving RIC than sham at 48h, but this was no longer apparent at 6-8 weeks. There was no difference in coagulation or endogenous fibrinolysis between RIC and sham groups. The short-term reduction in platelet reactivity by RIC may be useful in individuals with enhanced platelet reactivity to reduce the propensity for further thrombosis. © The Author(s) 2020. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Society of Cardiology.OBJECTIVES The effectiveness of proximal thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) surgery in preventing acute aortic syndromes, such as dissection and rupture, is unknown at the populational level. This study evaluated trends in acute aortic syndrome operation incidence relative to proximal aortic surgical volume in the USA. METHODS A retrospective analysis of the National Inpatient Sample in 2005-2014 was performed. Acute aortic syndrome and TAA were identified with International Classification of Diseases, 9th edition diagnosis codes. Proximal aortic surgery was defined as the diagnosis of acute aortic syndrome or TAA with an aortic procedure and either cardioplegia, cardiopulmonary bypass or other cardiac operation. Annual rates of acute aortic syndrome surgery and proximal thoracic aneurysm surgery were adjusted for US population. Trends were evaluated using linear regression. RESULTS We identified 38 442 operations for acute aortic diagnoses and 74 953 operations for TAAs. Case volume for acute aortic syndromes increased from 0.93 to 1.63 per 100 000 (P = 0.001), and aneurysm surgery increased from 1.75 to 3.19 per 100 000 (P  less then  0.001). Patient and hospital characteristics differed between acute aortic and aneurysm operations, with black patients being most notably underrepresented in the aneurysm population (4.9% vs 17.0%, P  less then  0.001). CONCLUSIONS Acute aortic syndrome operative volume increased from 2005 to 2014 despite increasing rates of proximal aortic aneurysm surgery. Patient characteristic discrepancies were observed between the 2 groups of hospitalizations, highlighting the need for continued efforts to minimize sociodemographic disparities. © The Author(s) 2020. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. All rights reserved.Colchicine, a plant-derived alkaloid with relatively low toxicity on normal human epidermal keratinocytes (HEKn), has selective inhibitory effect on the growth of CaSki (HPV16-positive) and HeLa (HPV18-positive) human cervical cancer cell lines via the induction of apoptosis. Colchicine (2.5, 5.0 and 10.0 ng/ml) significantly reduced the expression of human papilloma virus (HPV) 16 E6/E7 mRNA and protein in CaSki and HeLa cells. Moreover, reduced expression of E6 and E7 induced by Colchicine resulted in the up-regulation of tumor suppressor proteins, p53 and Rb, as well as down-regulation of phospho Rb (pRb) protein. In addition, Bax, cytosolic cytochrome c and cleaved caspase-3 protein were increased while Bcl-2 protein was decreased significantly by 48 h of Colchicine treatment. These results implied that Colchicine could be explored as a potent candidate agent for the treatment and prevention of HPV-associated cervical cancer without deleterious effects. © 2020 The Author(s).Rapid diagnosis or exclusion of acute myocardial infarction based on a single admission troponin measurement is a highly attractive option and has been endorsed by the European Society of Cardiology. It is accepted that risk factor scoring is required in addition to troponin measurement. The paper reviewed in this editorial suggests that the current scoring system included in the guidelines, the Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events score may not be appropriate and also highlights differences between findings from clinical study populations and audit of routine clinical practice. Published on behalf of the European Society of Cardiology. All rights reserved. © The Author(s) 2020. For permissions please email journals.permissions@oup.com.Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is a luteotropic hormone that promotes the survival and steroidogenic activity of corpus luteum by acting through LH receptors expressed on luteinized theca and granulosa cells. Therefore, it is used to support luteal phase in IVF cycles in order to improve clinical pregnancy rates and prevent miscarriage. However, the molecular mechanism underlying this action of hCG is not well-characterized. To address this question we designed an in vitro translational research study on the luteal granulosa cells (GCs) obtained from 58 IVF patients. hCG treatment at different concentrations and time points activated JNK pathway and significantly increased its endogenous kinase activity along with up-regulated expression of steroidogenic enzymes (stAR, 3β-HSD) in a dose-dependent manner in the luteal GCs. As a result, in vitro P production of the cells was significantly enhanced after hCG. When JNK pathway was inhibited pharmacologically or knocked-down with siRNA luteal function was compromised, P4 production was declined along with the expression of stAR and 3β-HSD in the cells.