Elucidating the mechanisms underlying rheumatic heart disease (RHD) accompanied by mitral annulus calcification (MAC) facilitates the identification of sensitive diagnostic biomarkers and the development of targeted therapeutic strategies. Proteomic analysis offers an approach to characterizing protein expression changes, thereby contributing to the clarification of pathogenesis in both RHD and cardiac valve calcification. Time-saving and high-efficiency enzymatic digestion methods are thus highly desirable for reliable and high-performance proteomic analysis. This study developed a quasi-immobilized enzyme digestion (QIED) technology based on honeycomb-like magnetic carbon material (Fe3C@C-650) with a pore size of 100-150 nm, which enables rapid enzymatic digestion in 5 min (200-fold faster than traditional methods) by ultrahigh enzyme adsorption capability. The developed method was applied to proteomic analysis of mitral valve tissues from 7 patients, and 3128 proteins were identified, which clarified the three-phase pathological progression (calcified, thickened, and normal tissues) of RHD-related calcification and revealed core hub genes (e.g., CXCL12, SRC, VCAM1) and the synergistic pathway of "inflammation regulation-protein translation-cell remodeling". This study provides methodological support and molecular targets for the precise diagnosis and targeted therapy of RHD complicated with MAC.

Mixed endometrial carcinoma (MEC) is a rare entity, representing only a small fraction of endometrial cancers. It is characterized by the presence of two or more distinct histological patterns, with at least one being a high-grade type such as serous or clear cell carcinoma. We present a 61-year-old postmenopausal woman who presented with abnormal uterine bleeding, intermittent lower abdominal pain, and mild pelvic discomfort for 2 months. Ultrasound revealed a thickened, irregular endometrium with a heterogeneous mass. Endometrial biopsy and immunohistochemistry confirmed the presence of mixed endometrial carcinoma. Subsequently, the patient underwent hysterectomy, and on gross, the endometrial cavity was showing a friable, irregular growth with papillary excrescences infiltrating into the myometrium. On microscopy, the coexistence of endometrioid and serous components was established, confirming the diagnosis.

Left-sided congestive heart failure was diagnosed in a 2.6-kg 13-year-old neutered male Yorkshire terrier by compatible clinical signs and findings on thoracic radiographs. Echocardiography revealed left atrium enlargement, left ventricular concentric hypertrophy, and thickening and stenosis of the mitral and aortic valves (AVs). A hypercoagulable state, chronic kidney disease, and a portal vein thrombus were identified. Medical management and balloon valvuloplasty of the AV provided good quality of life for nine months since diagnosis, but ultimately, recurrent episodes of pulmonary oedema and acute kidney injury led to attempted mitral balloon valvuloplasty which resulted in cardiac arrest and death. Postmortem examination revealed thickening of the mitral and aortic leaflets with loss of normal stratification and the presence of large areas of fibroelastic tissue and accumulation of myxoid tissue. Hypertrophy of cardiomyocytes was also observed and was considered secondary to aortic stenosis and not due to primary myocardial disease. Histopathological examination revealed fibroelastic changes affecting both the mitral valve and AV leaflets. These findings were considered atypical for more common forms of acquired valvular disease. This case report describes the clinical presentation, diagnostic approach, interventional management, and pathological features of an unusual case of acquired combined aortic and mitral stenosis in a dog and discusses similarities and differences with other conditions associated with comparable valvular abnormalities.

Secondary cell wall thickening is essential for plant structural development, providing the mechanical strength and rigidity required for upright growth. However, direct observation of this process in its endogenous developmental context within living plants has remained limited. Cellulose, the predominant component of secondary walls and the most abundant biopolymer on Earth, is synthesized at the plasma membrane by complexes containing CELLULOSE SYNTHASE A (CESA) proteins. Despite its central role, the precise timing and regulation of cellulose deposition during plant development remain unclear. To address this gap, we developed a real-time bioluminescence imaging system in the model grass Brachypodium distachyon using a luciferase transcriptional reporter driven by the CESA8 cis-regulatory region. Bioluminescence imaging revealed a consistent spatial pattern of CESA8 expression within elongating internodes, coinciding with regions undergoing secondary wall deposition and progressive increases in cellulose crystallinity. Time-lapse imaging showed that expression follows a robust daily rhythm driven by temperature cycles, independent of light or endogenous circadian signals. Temperature-pulse experiments uncovered rapid, transient inverse responses that were accurately predicted by a mathematical model based on an incoherent feedforward loop. CESA8 expression correlated strongly with stem elongation, linking structural reinforcement with temperature-driven shoot growth in grasses.

Three new species of the genus Desoria are described from the eastern Palaearctic, i.e. D. nordenskioldisp. nov., D. cookisp. nov. and D. verticillatasp. nov., which belong to three different species groups recognized within the Palaearctic representatives of the genus. Of these, the former species is a member of the tigrina-group and is characterized by fused Abd. V-VI, long smooth macrochaetae and a low number of tergal macrosensilla. Desoria cookisp. nov. belongs to the pjasini-group and differs from most similar species of the group by macrosetae densely ciliated all around and a fairly large number of tergal macrosensilla. The last species, D. verticillatasp. nov., from the violacea-group is distinguished by fused Abd. V-VI, long, whorled serrated abdominal macrosetae and a manubrial thickening with a free tooth.

Julus bengeli sp. nov. is described and illustrated from the Russian Altais, southwestern Siberia, Asian Russia. The new species shows a strong sexual dimorphism in the gnathochilarium in males, viz. a distinct projection located parabasally on the gnathochilarial stipes, apically carrying a circular bundle of 15-17 elongated papillae/trichomes. Julus bengeli sp. nov. seems to be especially close to J. ghilarovi Gulička, 1963, but differs from it by the presence of a conical apical outgrowth of the telopodite 1 of leg pair 1, and a large anterior coxal outgrowths of leg pair 2 thickened in the central part. The distributions of all Julus species of the Russian Altais are mapped, and a key to species of the genus in the study area is given.