Aggression,an evolutionarily conserved social behavior,is essential for animals to compete for valuable resources like food,territory,and mates,and to protect kin.Although aggression is required for the survival of bo...Aggression,an evolutionarily conserved social behavior,is essential for animals to compete for valuable resources like food,territory,and mates,and to protect kin.Although aggression is required for the survival of both sexes,it is often displayed in a sexually dimorphic manner,with males typically exhibiting higher levels of aggression than females.展开更多
In addition to the loss of motor function,~60% of patients develop pain after spinal cord injury.The cellular-molecular mechanisms are not well understood,but the data suggests that plasticity within the rostral,epice...In addition to the loss of motor function,~60% of patients develop pain after spinal cord injury.The cellular-molecular mechanisms are not well understood,but the data suggests that plasticity within the rostral,epicenter,and caudal penumbra of the injury site initiates a cellularmolecular interplay that acts as a rewiring mechanism leading to central neuropathic pain.Sprouting can lead to the formation of new connections triggering abnormal sensory transmission.The excitatory glutamate transporters are responsible for the reuptake of extracellular glutamate which makes them a critical target to prevent neuronal hyperexcitability and excitotoxicity.Our previous studies showed a sexually dimorphic therapeutic window for spinal cord injury after treatment with the selective estrogen receptor modulator tamoxifen.In this study,we investigated the anti-allodynic effects of tamoxifen in male and female rats with spinal cord injury.We hypothesized that tamoxifen exerts anti-allodynic effects by increasing the expression of glutamate transporters,leading to reduced hyperexcitability of the secondary neuron or by decreasing aberrant sprouting.Male and female rats received a moderate contusion to the thoracic spinal cord followed by subcutaneous slow-release treatment of tamoxifen or matrix pellets as a control(placebo).We used von Frey monofilaments and the“up-down method”to evaluate mechanical allodynia.Tamoxifen treatment decreased allodynia only in female rats with spinal cord injury revealing a sexdependent effect.The expression profile of glutamatergic transporters(excitatory amino acid transporter 1/glutamate aspartate transporter and excitatory amino acid transporter 2/glutamate transporter-1)revealed a sexual dimorphism in the rostral,epicenter,and caudal areas of the spinal cord with a pattern of expression primarily on astrocytes.Female rodents showed a significantly higher level of excitatory amino acid transporter-1 expression while male rodents showed increased excitatory amino acid transporter-2 expression compared with female rodents.Analyses of peptidergic(calcitonin gene-related peptide-α)and non-peptidergic(isolectin B4)fibers outgrowth in the dorsal horn after spinal cord injury showed an increased calcitonin gene-related peptide-α/isolectin B4 ratio in comparison with sham,suggesting increased receptive fields in the dorsal horn.Although the behavioral assay shows decreased allodynia in tamoxifen-treated female rats,this was not associated with overexpression of glutamate transporters or alterations in the dorsal horn laminae fibers at 28 days post-injury.Our findings provide new evidence of the sexually dimorphic expression of glutamate transporters in the spinal cord.The dimorphic expression revealed in this study provides a therapeutic opportunity for treating chronic pain,an area with a critical need for treatment.展开更多
It has been generally held in botany that Oryza sativa L. is a monocotyledon. Based on studies of rice embryo development we confirmed that rice embryo has two dimorphic cotyledons rather than just one cotyledo...It has been generally held in botany that Oryza sativa L. is a monocotyledon. Based on studies of rice embryo development we confirmed that rice embryo has two dimorphic cotyledons rather than just one cotyledon. In the present study we attempt to know if the morphology of embryos in other species of Oryza differs from O. sativa and if these embryos have dimorphic cotyledon. Two types of embryo structures were observed in 22 species and/or subspecies of genus Oryza under the scanning electron microscope. Type 1, the O.sativa type, which is characterized by ventral scale and lateral scales, was found in 16 species. Type 2, the O. meyeriana (Zoll. et Mor. ex Steud.) Baill. ssp. tuberculata W. C. Wu et Y. G. Lu, G. C. Wang type, with no ventral scale and lateral scales, was found in 6 species and subspecies. The embryogenic process of O.sativa and O.meyeriana sub. tuberculata showed that the scutellum primordium, coleorhiza primordium, coleoptile primordium and shoot apical meristem directly differentiate from proembryo. The former two later develop into the embryo envelope, which is the outside cotyledon; the coleoptile primordium develops into the coleoptile with the shape of inverted empty cone surrounding and covering the growth cone, which is the apical cotyledon. Both types of rice embryos have dimorphic cotyledons. The structural difference between them is that the scutellum primordium of the young embryo in type 2 does not differentiate ventral scale and lateral scales while the embryo of type 1 does. The dimorphic cotyledons of embryo of Oryza plants originate from the dorsiventrality of proembryo.展开更多
Sex-specific neurons play pivotal roles in regulating sexually dimorphic behaviors.In insects,the sex determination gene doublesex(dsx)establishes major sexual dimorphism of the nervous system,in which male-specific d...Sex-specific neurons play pivotal roles in regulating sexually dimorphic behaviors.In insects,the sex determination gene doublesex(dsx)establishes major sexual dimorphism of the nervous system,in which male-specific dsx^(M)promotes neuronal development,while female-specific dsx^(F)inhibits neuronal development by promoting neuronal apoptosis.In this study,we find that dsx regulates the number of dsx-expressing central neurons in Drosophila in cell-specific manners.Although dsx^(M)overall promotes an increase in the number of dsx neurons,it inhibits the emergence of specific pC1 neurons.dsx^(F)reduces the number of different pC1/pC2 subtypes,but promotes the formation of pC1d.We also find that dsx^(M)and dsx^(F)barely affect the number of some pC2 neurons.Changes in the number of pC1/pC2 neurons alter their roles in regulating different behaviors,including courtship,aggression,and locomotion.Our results illustrate the multifaceted functions of dsx in sexually dimorphic neuronal development and behaviors.展开更多
Sexual dimorphism in the brain underlies behavioral differences between sexes.The bed nucleus of the stria terminalis(BNST)is a complex nucleus that differs between males and females,but the sexual dimorphism in cytoa...Sexual dimorphism in the brain underlies behavioral differences between sexes.The bed nucleus of the stria terminalis(BNST)is a complex nucleus that differs between males and females,but the sexual dimorphism in cytoarchitecture and the connectome of its oval subdivision(ovBNST)remains largely unexplored.By combining snRNA-seq and transgenic labeling,we found a higher density of ovBNST proenkephalin(ovBNSTPENK)neurons in male than female mice.Anatomically,we virally mapped the efferents and afferents of ovBNSTPENK neurons,finding reciprocally dimorphic connections with the hypothalamus and striatum.Gene enrichment analysis suggests that ovBNSTPENK neurons are modulated by the upstream dopamine pathway.Functionally,by applying caspase-3-mediated depletion of ovBNSTPENK neurons,we found that loss of these neurons enhanced locomotor activity in male but not female mice,without altering the anxiety-like phenotypes in either sex.Our study may pave the way for a better understanding of the anatomical and functional profiles of ovBNSTPENK neurons from a sexually dimorphic perspective.展开更多
Mealybugs, such as Phenacoccus solenopsis, are highly sexually dimorphic. Winged adult males present such remarkable morphological differences from females that, to the untrained eye, conspecific adults of both sexes ...Mealybugs, such as Phenacoccus solenopsis, are highly sexually dimorphic. Winged adult males present such remarkable morphological differences from females that, to the untrained eye, conspecific adults of both sexes of P. solenopsis may be considered as two different insect species. A method to investigate sex-dimorphic mechanisms is by evaluating gene expression using RT-qPCR. However, the accuracy and consistency of this technique depend on the reference gene(s) selected. In this study, we analyzed the expression of 10 candidate reference genes in male and female P. solenopsis at different development stages, using common algorithms including the ?Ct method, NormFinder, geNorm, BestKeeper, and a web-based analysis tool, RefFinder. The results showed that EF1-β, RP-L32 and RP-18 S were selected as the most stable genes by both the ?Ct method and NormFinder; TUB-α was the most stable gene identified by BestKeeper; and RP-L40 and RP-L32 were the most stable genes ranked by geNorm. RefFinder, a comprehensive analysis software, ranked the ten genes and determined EF1-β and RP-L32 as the most suitable reference genes for the various developmental stages in male and female P. solenopsis. Furthermore, the two most suitable reference genes were validated by examining expression of the juvenile hormone acid O-methytransferase(JHAMT) gene. Results of the validation portion of the study showed that JHAMT expression was sex-biased towards males and exhibited a dynamic and classic expression pattern among the P. solenopsis developmental stages. The results can help further our knowledge on the molecular mechanisms underlying sexual dimorphic development in P. solenopsis.展开更多
The halophyte Salicornia europaea L. is a widely distributed salt-tolerant plant species that produces numerous dimorphic seeds. We studied germination and recovery in dimorphic seeds of Central Asian S. europaea unde...The halophyte Salicornia europaea L. is a widely distributed salt-tolerant plant species that produces numerous dimorphic seeds. We studied germination and recovery in dimorphic seeds of Central Asian S. europaea under various salinity conditions. We also tested the effects of various salts on Na＋ and K＋ accumulation during plant development from germination to anthesis under greenhouse conditions. We found good germination （close to control） of large seeds under NaCl between 0.5 and 2%, Na2SO4 and 2NaCl ＋ KCl ＋ CaCl between 0.5 and 3%, and 2Na2SO4 ＋ K2SO4 -- MgSO4 between 0.5 and 5%. For the small seeds, we found stimulating effects of chloride salts （both pure and mixed） under 0.5-1% concentrations, and sulfate salts under 0.5-3%. Both types of seeds showed high germination recovery potential. Salt tolerance limits of the two seed types during germination and at the later stages of development were very similar （4-5%）. During plant growth the optimal concentrations of mixed chloride and sulfate salts ranged from 0.5 to 2%. The mechanisms of salt tolerance in the two seed types of S. europaea appear to differ, but complement each other, improving overall adaptation of this species to high salinity.展开更多
The cellular prion protein (PrPC) expression was analyzed by western-blot in the rat, in two different dimorphic brain areas such as the anterior hypothalamic and the preoptic areas. In both cases, the PrPC expression...The cellular prion protein (PrPC) expression was analyzed by western-blot in the rat, in two different dimorphic brain areas such as the anterior hypothalamic and the preoptic areas. In both cases, the PrPC expression was increased in males, implying a sexual dimorphism for the PrPC protein. The study was also made in other two brain areas, frontal cortex and hyppocampus (a clearly dimorphic area);in this case, mice of different ages of both sexes were used. In both brain areas analyzed, although the PrPC expression was increased with age until the adult age (38 weeks), it was decreased in aged animals (56 weeks) in both sexes. The PrPC expression in mouse hippocampus was predominant in males in comparison to females. Moreover, the non-glycosylated band was increased with age and this increase was parallel with the increase observed for the glycolsylated band. The non-glycosylated band increases more in aged females. Altogether, these data suggest that PrP in rodents, in the brain areas analyzed, has a dimorphism role. As we discuss in the present study and in relation to previous studies of our group these data could be extrapolated to humans (specially in Alzhemer disease cases).展开更多
Growth hormone （GH） exerts profound anabolic actions during postnatal skeletal development, in part, through stimulating the production of insulin-like growth factor-1 （IGF-1） in liver and skeletal tissues. To exa...Growth hormone （GH） exerts profound anabolic actions during postnatal skeletal development, in part, through stimulating the production of insulin-like growth factor-1 （IGF-1） in liver and skeletal tissues. To examine the requirement for the GH receptor （GHR） in osteoblast function in bone, we used Cre-LoxP methods to disrupt the GHR from osteoblasts, both in vitro and in vivo. Disruption of GHR from primary calvarial osteoblasts in vitro abolished GH-induced signaling, as assessed by JAK2/STAT5 phosphorylation, and abrogated GH-induced proliferative and anti-apoptotic actions. Osteoblasts lacking GHR exhibited reduced IGF-l-induced Erk and Akt phosphorylation and attenuated IGF-1-induced proliferation and anti-apoptotic action. In addition, differentiation was modestly impaired in osteoblasts lacking GHR, as demonstrated by reduced alkaline phosphatase staining and calcium deposition. In order to determine the requirement for the GHR in bone in vivo, we generated mice lacking the GHR specifically in osteoblasts （△GHR）, which were born at the expected Mendelian frequency, had a normal life span and were of normal size. Three week-old, female AGHR mice had significantly reduced osteoblast numbers, consistent with the in vitro data. By six weeks of age however, female AGHR mice demonstrated a marked increase in osteoblasts, although mineralization was impaired; a phenotype similar to that observed previously in mice lacking IGF-1R specifically in osteoblasts. The most striking phenotype occurred in male mice however, where disruption of the GHR from osteoblasts resulted in a ＂feminization＂ of bone geometry in 16 week-old mice, as observed by faCT. These results demonstrate that the GHR is required for normal postnatal bone development in both sexes. GH appears to serve a primary function in modulating local IGF-1 action. However, the changes in bone geometry observed in male AGHR mice suggest that, in addition to facilitating IGF-1 action, GH may function to a greater extent than previously appreciated in establishing the sexual dimorphism of the skeleton.展开更多
Sexual dimorphism is often used as a proxy for the intensity of sexual selection in comparative studies of sexual selection and diversification. The Mexican Goodeinae are a group of livebearing freshwater fishes with ...Sexual dimorphism is often used as a proxy for the intensity of sexual selection in comparative studies of sexual selection and diversification. The Mexican Goodeinae are a group of livebearing freshwater fishes with large variation between species in sexual dimorphism in body shape. Previously we found an association between variation in morphological sexual dimorphism between species and the amount of gene flow within populations in the Goodeinae. Here we have examined if mor- phological differentiation within a single dimorphic species is related to assortative mating or gene flow between populations. In the Amarillo fish Girardinichthys multiradiatus studies have shown that exaggerated male fins are targets of female preferences. We find that populations of the species differ in the level of sexual dimorphism displayed due to faster evolution of differences in male than female morphology. However, this does not predict variation in assortative mating tests in the laboratory; in fact dif- ferences in male morphology are negatively correlated with assortative mating. Microsatellite markers reveal significant genetic differences between populations. However, gene flow is not predicted by either morphological differences or assortative mating. Rather, it demonstrates a pattern of isolation by distance with greater differentiation between watersheds. We discuss the caveats of predicting behavioural and genetic divergence from so-called proxies of sexual selection [Current Zoology 58 （3）： 440-452, 2012].展开更多
Background: There is evidence that sow heat stress(HS) during gestation affects fetal development with implications for impaired muscle growth. We have previously demonstrated that maternal HS during early to midgesta...Background: There is evidence that sow heat stress(HS) during gestation affects fetal development with implications for impaired muscle growth. We have previously demonstrated that maternal HS during early to midgestation compromised muscle fibre hyperplasia in developing fetal pigs. Thus, we hypothesised these phenotypic changes are associated with a change in expression of genes regulating fetal skeletal muscle development and metabolism. To test this, at d 60 of gestation, RNA sequencing and immunohistochemistry were performed on fetal longissimus dorsi(LD) muscle biopsies collected from pregnant gilts that had experienced either thermoneutral control(CON, 20 ℃, n = 7 gilts, 18 LD samples) or controlled HS(cyclic 28 to 33 ℃, n = 8 gilts, 23 LD samples)conditions for 3 weeks.Results: A total of 282 genes were differentially expressed between the HS and CON groups in female LD muscles(false discovery rate(FDR) ≤ 0.05), whereas no differentially expressed genes were detected in male LD muscles between the two groups(FDR > 0.05). Gestational HS increased the expression of genes associated with transcription corepressor activity, adipogenesis cascades, negative regulation of angiogenesis and pro-inflammatory signalling in female LD muscles. Immunohistochemical analyses revealed a decreased muscle vascularity density in fetuses from HS group for both sexes compared to those from the CON group(P = 0.004).Conclusions: These results reveal gilt HS during early to mid-gestation altered gene expression profiles in fetal LD muscles in a sexually dimorphic manner. The molecular responses, including transcription and angiogenesis repressions and enhanced adipogenesis cascades, were exclusively observed in females. However, the associated reductions in muscle vascularity were observed independently of sexes. Collectively this may indicate female fetal pigs are more adaptive to gestational HS in terms of gene expression changes, and/or there may be sexually dimorphic differences with respect to the timing of muscle molecular responses to gestational HS.展开更多
AIM:To analyze sex differences in adverse drug reactions(ADR) to the immune suppressive medication in inflammatory bowel disease(IBD) patients.METHODS:All IBD patients attending the IBD outpatient clinic of a referral...AIM:To analyze sex differences in adverse drug reactions(ADR) to the immune suppressive medication in inflammatory bowel disease(IBD) patients.METHODS:All IBD patients attending the IBD outpatient clinic of a referral hospital were identified through the electronic diagnosis registration system.The electronic medical records of IBD patients were reviewed and the files of those patients who have used immune suppressive therapy for IBD,i.e.,thiopurines,methotrexate,cyclosporine,tacrolimus and anti-tumor necrosis factor agents(anti-TNF);infliximab(IFX),adalimumab(ADA) and/or certolizumab,were further analyzed.The reported ADR to immune suppressive drugs were noted.The general definition of ADR used in clinical practice comprised the occurrence of the ADR in the temporal relationship with its disappearance upon discontinuation of the medication.Patients for whom the required information on drug use and ADR was not available in the electronic medical record and patients with only one registered contact and no further followup at the outpatient clinic were excluded.The difference in the incidence and type of ADR between male and female IBD patients were analyzed statistically by χ 2 test.RESULTS:In total,1009 IBD patients were identified in the electronic diagnosis registration system.Out of these 1009 patients,843 patients were eligible for further analysis.There were 386 males(46%),mean age 42 years(range:16-87 years) with a mean duration of the disease of 14 years(range:0-54 years);578 patients with Crohn's disease,244 with ulcerative colitis and 21 with unclassified colitis.Seventy percent(586 pts) of patients used any kind of immune suppressive agents at a certain point of the disease course,the majority of the patients(546 pts,65%) used thiopurines,176 pts(21%) methotrexate,46 pts(5%) cyclosporine and one patient tacrolimus.One third(240 pts,28%) of patients were treated with anti-TNF,the majority of patients(227 pts,27%) used IFX,99(12%) used ADA and five patients certolizumab.There were no differences between male and female patients in the use of immune suppressive agents.With regards to ADR,no differences between males and females were observed in the incidence of ADR to thiopurines,methotrexate and cyclosporine.Among 77 pts who developed ADR to one or more anti-TNF agents,significantly more females(54 pts,39% of all anti-TNF treated women) than males(23 pts,23% of all antiTNF treated men) experienced ADR to an anti-TNF agent [P = 0.011;odds ratio(OR) 2.2,95%CI 1.2-3.8].The most frequent ADR to both anti-TNF agents,IFX and ADA,were allergic reactions(15% of all IFX users and 7% of all patients treated with ADA) and for both agents a significantly higher rate of allergic reactions in females compared with males was observed.As a result of ADR,36 patients(15% of all patients using anti-TNF) stopped the treatment,with significantly higher stopping rate among females(27 females,19% vs 9 males,9%,P = 0.024).CONCLUSION:Treatment with anti-TNF antibodies is accompanied by sexual dimorphic profile of ADR with female patients being more at risk for allergic reactions and subsequent discontinuation of the treatment.展开更多
The kidneys are essential organs that help maintain homeostasis,and their function is regulated by the neural system.Despite the anatomical multi-synaptic connection between the central autonomic nuclei and the kidney...The kidneys are essential organs that help maintain homeostasis,and their function is regulated by the neural system.Despite the anatomical multi-synaptic connection between the central autonomic nuclei and the kidneys,it remains unclear whether there are any variations in neural connections between the nervous systems and the renal cortex and medulla in male and female mice.Here,we used the pseudorabies virus to map the central innervation network of the renal cortex and medulla in both sexes.The data revealed that specific brain regions displayed either a contralateral-bias or ipsilateral-bias pattern while kidney-innervating neurons distributed symmetrically in the midbrain and hindbrain.Sex differences were observed in the distribution of neurons connected to the left kidney,as well as those connected to the renal cortex and medulla.Our findings provide a comprehensive understanding of the brain-kidney network in both males and females and may help shed light on gender differences in kidney function and disease susceptibility in humans.展开更多
Background: Sex dimorphism in the prevalence, onset, development and progression of cardiovascular disease (CVD) is well recognized, but the mechanisms whereby sex hormones are believed to confer cardioprotection are ...Background: Sex dimorphism in the prevalence, onset, development and progression of cardiovascular disease (CVD) is well recognized, but the mechanisms whereby sex hormones are believed to confer cardioprotection are still not fully understood. Objective: This study more closely delineates the effect of 17β-Estradiol (E2) on the expression and signaling of the cardiac NP and NOS systems, well-known cardioprotective modulators of the cardiac hypertrophy (CH) response, that both contribute to downstream production of cyclic guanosine 3’,5’-monophosphate (cGMP). Materials and Methods: Ovariectomized (OVX) female ANP+/+ and ANP-/- mice, 6 - 7 weeks old, were subjected to a five-week treatment with E2 (100 μg/100 μL/day) or vehicle (VEH). Left ventricle from these treatment groups, along with that from age-matched male ANP+/+ and ANP-/- mice was used to assess expression of these systems by real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR). Left ventricle tissue and plasma cGMP were measured by enzyme immunoassay to assess alterations in resultant downstream signaling. Results: NP system expression was unchanged across genotype, sex and E2 treatment. Sex-specific differences in NOS system expression were observed;female mice showed an increased expression of NOS system genes that were significantly elevated in all but one of the E2 treatment groups. Left ventricle tissue cGMP remained unchanged across genotype, sex and E2 treatment. Plasma cGMP levels were unchanged in ANP+/+ treatment groups. In ANP-/- treatment groups, plasma cGMP in the female OVX-E2 mice was significantly higher compared to male and female OVX-VEH mice. Conclusion: These findings demonstrate that in the absence of ANP, E2 upregulates cardiac NOS system expression to produce cGMP. This study confirms the importance of the cardiac NOS system in females;this particular system may be a promising future target for sex-specific treatments and therapies for CVD in women.展开更多
Objective： To investigate the difference of proteome between yeast form and mould form of Penicillium mameffei, and to investigate the association of specific proteins expressed with biochemical properties, susceptib...Objective： To investigate the difference of proteome between yeast form and mould form of Penicillium mameffei, and to investigate the association of specific proteins expressed with biochemical properties, susceptibility of antifungal agent with dimorphic growth. Methods： Biochemistry identity plates were used to test the assimilation of carbohydrates and E-test strips were used to detect the minimum inhibitory concentration （MIC） of mould form and yeast form 16 P. mameffei. Surface enhanced laser desorption/ionization （SELDI） mass spectrometry with ProteinChip WCX2 was performed to compare the expressed proteins in yeast form and mould form. Protein profiles were read by PBSⅡ proteinchip reader and the proteome database was analyzed by proteincbip software 3.2.0. Results： Mould form assimilated lactose, melibiose significantly stronger （ P 〈0.01）, while yeast form assimilated sorbinose significantly stronger （ P 〈 0.05）. The mean MIC of fluconazole against mould form increased significantly （ P 〈 0.01 ） compared with yeast form. Seventy-five distinct proteins were found in yeast form and mould form of P. mameffei, in which proteins of 2900Da and 3151Da were specifically expressed in yeast form and other two proteins of 13151Da and 13285Da were specifically expressed in mould form （ P 〈 0.01 ）. Conclusion： The assimilation of carbohydrates and drug susceptibility of P. mameffei may change partly due to the morphogenetic conversion and different texture. Specific proteins may he involved in the regulation, the change of biochemical reaction and drug susceptibility during dimorpbic growth.展开更多
Background The impact of Prader–Willi syndrome(PWS)domain gene expression on the growth of healthy children is not well understood.This study investigated associations between PWS domain gene expression in umbilical ...Background The impact of Prader–Willi syndrome(PWS)domain gene expression on the growth of healthy children is not well understood.This study investigated associations between PWS domain gene expression in umbilical cord tissue and prenatal and postnatal growth,considering potential sex differences.Methods Relative gene expression of paternally expressed MAGEL2,NDN,and SNURF-SNRPN,and the small nucleolar RNAs SNORD116 and SNORD115 were determined by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction in umbilical cord tissue from 122 healthy newborns(59 girls and 63 boys).Gene expression levels were correlated with auxological measures at birth,infancy,and childhood(ages 2,4,and 6 years).Results MAGEL2,NDN,SNORD116,and SNORD115 expression in the umbilical cord was negatively associated with birth weight,length,and placental weight(P<0.001).Postnatally,these genes were positively associated with weight and length at 3 months(P<0.001)and weight gain from birth to ages 1,2,and 4 years(P<0.01).Negative associations at birth were stronger in girls(P<0.001),while positive associations during infancy and childhood were stronger in boys(P<0.001).MAGEL2,SNORD116,and SNORD115 expression predicted early-postnatal growth,explaining the higher growth rate in boys compared to girls and accounting for sex differences up to 1.5 kg in weight and 3 cm in height during infancy.Conclusions Paternally expressed PWS domain gene expression in the umbilical cord was negatively associated with prenatal growth and positively with early-postnatal growth in healthy infants.This gene expression may predict early human postnatal growth and promote the well-known sex dimorphism in growth.These results can also help in understanding the etiology of PWS,which remains unclear.展开更多
Background:The mechanisms underlying the beneficial effects of exercise on the human placenta are poorly understood.The objective of the current study was to ascertain the influence of a supervised concurrent exercise...Background:The mechanisms underlying the beneficial effects of exercise on the human placenta are poorly understood.The objective of the current study was to ascertain the influence of a supervised concurrent exercise intervention from gestational Week 17 until birth on key cytokines involved in placental development and function.Secondary aims were to explore:(a)the moderating effects of fetal sex and maternal weight status;and(b)whether gestational weight gain,lifestyle behaviors(diet,sleep patterns,and physical activity),and physical fitness(strength and cardiorespiratory fitness)mediated the effects of exercise on placental cytokines.Methods:Seventy-six pregnant women(33±4 years,mean±SD),divided into exercise(n=40)and control(n=36)groups,participated in this study.The exercise group followed a 60-min,3 days/week(aerobic+resistance)training program of moderate-to-vigorous intensity.Placental cytokines—including granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor(GM-CSF),granulocyte colony-stimulating factor(G-CSF),plateletderived growth factor AA(PDGF-AA),epidermal growth factor(EGF),monocyte chemoattractant protein-1(MCP-1),fractalkine,interleukin(IL)-8,IL-6,IL-1β,interleukin 1-receptor antagonist(IL-1ra),IL-10,tumor necrosis factor alpha(TNF-a),and interferon gamma(IFN-γ)were analyzed using Luminex multi-analyte profiling(x MAP)technology.Results:The exercise group presented higher placental levels of G-CSF and lower concentrations of EGF and IL-1ra than the control group(p<0.05).Significant effects of exercise on placental G-CSF and TNF-a(p<0.05)and a trend toward lower IL-6(p=0.08)were observed only in female placentas.Additionally,a reduction in weight gain partially mediated the effects of exercise on G-CSF(p<0.05).Conclusion:Maternal exercise during pregnancy is related to increased placental levels of G-CSF and lower EGF and IL-1ra levels.Some exercise-induced effects are observed exclusively in female placentas,including increased G-CSF and lower TNF-a and IL-6 concentrations.Notably,the increased levels of G-CSF observed with exercise might be due to a more adequate gestational weight gain.展开更多
Cryptochromes （CRYs） are blue and UV light photoreceptors, known to play key roles in circadian rhythms and in the light-dependent magnetosensitivity of insects. Two novel cryptochrome genes were cloned from the bro...Cryptochromes （CRYs） are blue and UV light photoreceptors, known to play key roles in circadian rhythms and in the light-dependent magnetosensitivity of insects. Two novel cryptochrome genes were cloned from the brown planthopper, and were given the designations of Nlcryl and Nlcry2, with the accession numbers KM108578 and KM108579 in GenBank. The complementary DNA sequences ofNlcryl andNlcry2 are 1935 bp and 2463 bp in length, and they contain an open reading frame of 1629 bp and 1872 bp, encoding amino acids of 542 and 623, with a predicted molecular weight of 62.53 kDa and 70.60 kDa, respectively. Well-conserved motifs such as DNA-photolyase and FAD-binding-7 domains were observed in Nlcry1 and Nlcry2. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated the proteins of Nlcry1 and Nlcry2 to be clustered into the insect＇s cryptochrome 1 and cryptochrome 2, respectively. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction showed that the daily oscillations of messenger RNA （mRNA） expression in the head of the brown planthopper were mild for Nlcryl, and modest for Nlcry2. Throughout all developmental stages, Nlcryl and Nlcry2 exhibited extreme fluctuations and distinctive expression profiles. Cryptochrome mRNA expression peaked immediately after adult emergence and then decreased subsequently. The tissue expression profiles of newly emerged brown planthopper adults showed higher expression levels of CRYs in the head than in the thorax or abdomen, as well as significantly higher levels of CRYs in the heads of the macropterous strain than in the heads of the brachypterous strain. Taken together, the results of our study suggest that the two cryptochrome genes characterized in the brown planthopper might be associated with developmental physiology and migration.展开更多
The cotton aphid, Aphis gossypii Glover, is a wing-dimorphic species, which causes globally important agricultural losses. In this present study, we compared the biochemical basis of wing polymorphism in A. gossypii w...The cotton aphid, Aphis gossypii Glover, is a wing-dimorphic species, which causes globally important agricultural losses. In this present study, we compared the biochemical basis of wing polymorphism in A. gossypii with respect to trade-off of energy resources, including glycogen, trehalose, lipids （total lipid, triglyceride and phospholipid）, free fatty acids, and soluble protein between dispersal and reproduction morphs during the wing-bud nymph and adulthood. Total lipid, triglyceride and free fatty acids were significantly higher in winged versus wingless morphs at 12 h of adulthood, the period during which alates are able to fly. By contrast, the wingless morph contained more glycogen than the winged morph from the 4th nymphal stage to adulthood. Trehalose content in the wingless morph was also higher than that in the winged morph during the 3rd and 4th nymphal stages, but vice versa at 12 h of adulthood. Finally, soluble protein content increased from nymphs to adults and was higher during adulthood in aptera versus alate. Whole-body water content in 12-h adults was significantly higher in apterae than that in alatae. These results indicate significant physiological differences between morphs related to specialization for flight.展开更多
基金supported by the New Cornerstone Science Foundation and the Key R&D Program of Zhejiang(2024SSYS0016).
文摘Aggression,an evolutionarily conserved social behavior,is essential for animals to compete for valuable resources like food,territory,and mates,and to protect kin.Although aggression is required for the survival of both sexes,it is often displayed in a sexually dimorphic manner,with males typically exhibiting higher levels of aggression than females.
基金supported by COBRE(P30GM149367)the Puerto Rico Science&Technology Trust(2022-00125)+1 种基金MBRS-RISE Program(R25 GM061838)SC1GM144032 program(all to JDM)。
文摘In addition to the loss of motor function,~60% of patients develop pain after spinal cord injury.The cellular-molecular mechanisms are not well understood,but the data suggests that plasticity within the rostral,epicenter,and caudal penumbra of the injury site initiates a cellularmolecular interplay that acts as a rewiring mechanism leading to central neuropathic pain.Sprouting can lead to the formation of new connections triggering abnormal sensory transmission.The excitatory glutamate transporters are responsible for the reuptake of extracellular glutamate which makes them a critical target to prevent neuronal hyperexcitability and excitotoxicity.Our previous studies showed a sexually dimorphic therapeutic window for spinal cord injury after treatment with the selective estrogen receptor modulator tamoxifen.In this study,we investigated the anti-allodynic effects of tamoxifen in male and female rats with spinal cord injury.We hypothesized that tamoxifen exerts anti-allodynic effects by increasing the expression of glutamate transporters,leading to reduced hyperexcitability of the secondary neuron or by decreasing aberrant sprouting.Male and female rats received a moderate contusion to the thoracic spinal cord followed by subcutaneous slow-release treatment of tamoxifen or matrix pellets as a control(placebo).We used von Frey monofilaments and the“up-down method”to evaluate mechanical allodynia.Tamoxifen treatment decreased allodynia only in female rats with spinal cord injury revealing a sexdependent effect.The expression profile of glutamatergic transporters(excitatory amino acid transporter 1/glutamate aspartate transporter and excitatory amino acid transporter 2/glutamate transporter-1)revealed a sexual dimorphism in the rostral,epicenter,and caudal areas of the spinal cord with a pattern of expression primarily on astrocytes.Female rodents showed a significantly higher level of excitatory amino acid transporter-1 expression while male rodents showed increased excitatory amino acid transporter-2 expression compared with female rodents.Analyses of peptidergic(calcitonin gene-related peptide-α)and non-peptidergic(isolectin B4)fibers outgrowth in the dorsal horn after spinal cord injury showed an increased calcitonin gene-related peptide-α/isolectin B4 ratio in comparison with sham,suggesting increased receptive fields in the dorsal horn.Although the behavioral assay shows decreased allodynia in tamoxifen-treated female rats,this was not associated with overexpression of glutamate transporters or alterations in the dorsal horn laminae fibers at 28 days post-injury.Our findings provide new evidence of the sexually dimorphic expression of glutamate transporters in the spinal cord.The dimorphic expression revealed in this study provides a therapeutic opportunity for treating chronic pain,an area with a critical need for treatment.
文摘It has been generally held in botany that Oryza sativa L. is a monocotyledon. Based on studies of rice embryo development we confirmed that rice embryo has two dimorphic cotyledons rather than just one cotyledon. In the present study we attempt to know if the morphology of embryos in other species of Oryza differs from O. sativa and if these embryos have dimorphic cotyledon. Two types of embryo structures were observed in 22 species and/or subspecies of genus Oryza under the scanning electron microscope. Type 1, the O.sativa type, which is characterized by ventral scale and lateral scales, was found in 16 species. Type 2, the O. meyeriana (Zoll. et Mor. ex Steud.) Baill. ssp. tuberculata W. C. Wu et Y. G. Lu, G. C. Wang type, with no ventral scale and lateral scales, was found in 6 species and subspecies. The embryogenic process of O.sativa and O.meyeriana sub. tuberculata showed that the scutellum primordium, coleorhiza primordium, coleoptile primordium and shoot apical meristem directly differentiate from proembryo. The former two later develop into the embryo envelope, which is the outside cotyledon; the coleoptile primordium develops into the coleoptile with the shape of inverted empty cone surrounding and covering the growth cone, which is the apical cotyledon. Both types of rice embryos have dimorphic cotyledons. The structural difference between them is that the scutellum primordium of the young embryo in type 2 does not differentiate ventral scale and lateral scales while the embryo of type 1 does. The dimorphic cotyledons of embryo of Oryza plants originate from the dorsiventrality of proembryo.
基金supported by the National Key R&D Program of China(2021YFA1101300)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(32371067 to Y.P.)+1 种基金the Natural Science Foundation from Jiangsu Province(BK20231418 to Q.P.)the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities(2242023R40054 to Q.P.).
文摘Sex-specific neurons play pivotal roles in regulating sexually dimorphic behaviors.In insects,the sex determination gene doublesex(dsx)establishes major sexual dimorphism of the nervous system,in which male-specific dsx^(M)promotes neuronal development,while female-specific dsx^(F)inhibits neuronal development by promoting neuronal apoptosis.In this study,we find that dsx regulates the number of dsx-expressing central neurons in Drosophila in cell-specific manners.Although dsx^(M)overall promotes an increase in the number of dsx neurons,it inhibits the emergence of specific pC1 neurons.dsx^(F)reduces the number of different pC1/pC2 subtypes,but promotes the formation of pC1d.We also find that dsx^(M)and dsx^(F)barely affect the number of some pC2 neurons.Changes in the number of pC1/pC2 neurons alter their roles in regulating different behaviors,including courtship,aggression,and locomotion.Our results illustrate the multifaceted functions of dsx in sexually dimorphic neuronal development and behaviors.
基金supported by research grants from the STI2030-Major Projects(2021ZD0203000 and 2021ZD0203002)the Major Project of the National Natural Science Foundation of China(82090033)+3 种基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China(32200825,32471074,and 32100792)the Shandong Provincial Natural Science Foundation(ZR2022QC173)the Shandong Provincial Taishan Scholars Project(tsqn202306174)the Shandong Province Major Basic Research Project(ZR2019ZD35).
文摘Sexual dimorphism in the brain underlies behavioral differences between sexes.The bed nucleus of the stria terminalis(BNST)is a complex nucleus that differs between males and females,but the sexual dimorphism in cytoarchitecture and the connectome of its oval subdivision(ovBNST)remains largely unexplored.By combining snRNA-seq and transgenic labeling,we found a higher density of ovBNST proenkephalin(ovBNSTPENK)neurons in male than female mice.Anatomically,we virally mapped the efferents and afferents of ovBNSTPENK neurons,finding reciprocally dimorphic connections with the hypothalamus and striatum.Gene enrichment analysis suggests that ovBNSTPENK neurons are modulated by the upstream dopamine pathway.Functionally,by applying caspase-3-mediated depletion of ovBNSTPENK neurons,we found that loss of these neurons enhanced locomotor activity in male but not female mice,without altering the anxiety-like phenotypes in either sex.Our study may pave the way for a better understanding of the anatomical and functional profiles of ovBNSTPENK neurons from a sexually dimorphic perspective.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(31270580)the Key Research and Development Program of Zhejiang Province,China(2018C02036)+1 种基金the Key Technologies R&D Program of China during the 12th Five-Year Plan period(2012BAD19B06)the Special Fund for Agro-scientific Research in the Public Interest of China(201103026)
文摘Mealybugs, such as Phenacoccus solenopsis, are highly sexually dimorphic. Winged adult males present such remarkable morphological differences from females that, to the untrained eye, conspecific adults of both sexes of P. solenopsis may be considered as two different insect species. A method to investigate sex-dimorphic mechanisms is by evaluating gene expression using RT-qPCR. However, the accuracy and consistency of this technique depend on the reference gene(s) selected. In this study, we analyzed the expression of 10 candidate reference genes in male and female P. solenopsis at different development stages, using common algorithms including the ?Ct method, NormFinder, geNorm, BestKeeper, and a web-based analysis tool, RefFinder. The results showed that EF1-β, RP-L32 and RP-18 S were selected as the most stable genes by both the ?Ct method and NormFinder; TUB-α was the most stable gene identified by BestKeeper; and RP-L40 and RP-L32 were the most stable genes ranked by geNorm. RefFinder, a comprehensive analysis software, ranked the ten genes and determined EF1-β and RP-L32 as the most suitable reference genes for the various developmental stages in male and female P. solenopsis. Furthermore, the two most suitable reference genes were validated by examining expression of the juvenile hormone acid O-methytransferase(JHAMT) gene. Results of the validation portion of the study showed that JHAMT expression was sex-biased towards males and exhibited a dynamic and classic expression pattern among the P. solenopsis developmental stages. The results can help further our knowledge on the molecular mechanisms underlying sexual dimorphic development in P. solenopsis.
基金This study was supported by a grant from the United States Agency for International Development, Bureau for Economic Growth, Agriculture, and Trade, project number TA-MOU-03-CA23- 032.
文摘The halophyte Salicornia europaea L. is a widely distributed salt-tolerant plant species that produces numerous dimorphic seeds. We studied germination and recovery in dimorphic seeds of Central Asian S. europaea under various salinity conditions. We also tested the effects of various salts on Na＋ and K＋ accumulation during plant development from germination to anthesis under greenhouse conditions. We found good germination （close to control） of large seeds under NaCl between 0.5 and 2%, Na2SO4 and 2NaCl ＋ KCl ＋ CaCl between 0.5 and 3%, and 2Na2SO4 ＋ K2SO4 -- MgSO4 between 0.5 and 5%. For the small seeds, we found stimulating effects of chloride salts （both pure and mixed） under 0.5-1% concentrations, and sulfate salts under 0.5-3%. Both types of seeds showed high germination recovery potential. Salt tolerance limits of the two seed types during germination and at the later stages of development were very similar （4-5%）. During plant growth the optimal concentrations of mixed chloride and sulfate salts ranged from 0.5 to 2%. The mechanisms of salt tolerance in the two seed types of S. europaea appear to differ, but complement each other, improving overall adaptation of this species to high salinity.
文摘The cellular prion protein (PrPC) expression was analyzed by western-blot in the rat, in two different dimorphic brain areas such as the anterior hypothalamic and the preoptic areas. In both cases, the PrPC expression was increased in males, implying a sexual dimorphism for the PrPC protein. The study was also made in other two brain areas, frontal cortex and hyppocampus (a clearly dimorphic area);in this case, mice of different ages of both sexes were used. In both brain areas analyzed, although the PrPC expression was increased with age until the adult age (38 weeks), it was decreased in aged animals (56 weeks) in both sexes. The PrPC expression in mouse hippocampus was predominant in males in comparison to females. Moreover, the non-glycosylated band was increased with age and this increase was parallel with the increase observed for the glycolsylated band. The non-glycosylated band increases more in aged females. Altogether, these data suggest that PrP in rodents, in the brain areas analyzed, has a dimorphism role. As we discuss in the present study and in relation to previous studies of our group these data could be extrapolated to humans (specially in Alzhemer disease cases).
基金supported by grants from the NIH: R01 AR052746 to TLC and R01 AR062074 to DJD
文摘Growth hormone （GH） exerts profound anabolic actions during postnatal skeletal development, in part, through stimulating the production of insulin-like growth factor-1 （IGF-1） in liver and skeletal tissues. To examine the requirement for the GH receptor （GHR） in osteoblast function in bone, we used Cre-LoxP methods to disrupt the GHR from osteoblasts, both in vitro and in vivo. Disruption of GHR from primary calvarial osteoblasts in vitro abolished GH-induced signaling, as assessed by JAK2/STAT5 phosphorylation, and abrogated GH-induced proliferative and anti-apoptotic actions. Osteoblasts lacking GHR exhibited reduced IGF-l-induced Erk and Akt phosphorylation and attenuated IGF-1-induced proliferation and anti-apoptotic action. In addition, differentiation was modestly impaired in osteoblasts lacking GHR, as demonstrated by reduced alkaline phosphatase staining and calcium deposition. In order to determine the requirement for the GHR in bone in vivo, we generated mice lacking the GHR specifically in osteoblasts （△GHR）, which were born at the expected Mendelian frequency, had a normal life span and were of normal size. Three week-old, female AGHR mice had significantly reduced osteoblast numbers, consistent with the in vitro data. By six weeks of age however, female AGHR mice demonstrated a marked increase in osteoblasts, although mineralization was impaired; a phenotype similar to that observed previously in mice lacking IGF-1R specifically in osteoblasts. The most striking phenotype occurred in male mice however, where disruption of the GHR from osteoblasts resulted in a ＂feminization＂ of bone geometry in 16 week-old mice, as observed by faCT. These results demonstrate that the GHR is required for normal postnatal bone development in both sexes. GH appears to serve a primary function in modulating local IGF-1 action. However, the changes in bone geometry observed in male AGHR mice suggest that, in addition to facilitating IGF-1 action, GH may function to a greater extent than previously appreciated in establishing the sexual dimorphism of the skeleton.
文摘Sexual dimorphism is often used as a proxy for the intensity of sexual selection in comparative studies of sexual selection and diversification. The Mexican Goodeinae are a group of livebearing freshwater fishes with large variation between species in sexual dimorphism in body shape. Previously we found an association between variation in morphological sexual dimorphism between species and the amount of gene flow within populations in the Goodeinae. Here we have examined if mor- phological differentiation within a single dimorphic species is related to assortative mating or gene flow between populations. In the Amarillo fish Girardinichthys multiradiatus studies have shown that exaggerated male fins are targets of female preferences. We find that populations of the species differ in the level of sexual dimorphism displayed due to faster evolution of differences in male than female morphology. However, this does not predict variation in assortative mating tests in the laboratory; in fact dif- ferences in male morphology are negatively correlated with assortative mating. Microsatellite markers reveal significant genetic differences between populations. However, gene flow is not predicted by either morphological differences or assortative mating. Rather, it demonstrates a pattern of isolation by distance with greater differentiation between watersheds. We discuss the caveats of predicting behavioural and genetic divergence from so-called proxies of sexual selection [Current Zoology 58 （3）： 440-452, 2012].
基金partially funded by Australian Pork Limited (APL2017/2216)the Postgraduate Research Scholarship and the Melbourne Research Scholarship from APL and The University of Melbourne,respectively
文摘Background: There is evidence that sow heat stress(HS) during gestation affects fetal development with implications for impaired muscle growth. We have previously demonstrated that maternal HS during early to midgestation compromised muscle fibre hyperplasia in developing fetal pigs. Thus, we hypothesised these phenotypic changes are associated with a change in expression of genes regulating fetal skeletal muscle development and metabolism. To test this, at d 60 of gestation, RNA sequencing and immunohistochemistry were performed on fetal longissimus dorsi(LD) muscle biopsies collected from pregnant gilts that had experienced either thermoneutral control(CON, 20 ℃, n = 7 gilts, 18 LD samples) or controlled HS(cyclic 28 to 33 ℃, n = 8 gilts, 23 LD samples)conditions for 3 weeks.Results: A total of 282 genes were differentially expressed between the HS and CON groups in female LD muscles(false discovery rate(FDR) ≤ 0.05), whereas no differentially expressed genes were detected in male LD muscles between the two groups(FDR > 0.05). Gestational HS increased the expression of genes associated with transcription corepressor activity, adipogenesis cascades, negative regulation of angiogenesis and pro-inflammatory signalling in female LD muscles. Immunohistochemical analyses revealed a decreased muscle vascularity density in fetuses from HS group for both sexes compared to those from the CON group(P = 0.004).Conclusions: These results reveal gilt HS during early to mid-gestation altered gene expression profiles in fetal LD muscles in a sexually dimorphic manner. The molecular responses, including transcription and angiogenesis repressions and enhanced adipogenesis cascades, were exclusively observed in females. However, the associated reductions in muscle vascularity were observed independently of sexes. Collectively this may indicate female fetal pigs are more adaptive to gestational HS in terms of gene expression changes, and/or there may be sexually dimorphic differences with respect to the timing of muscle molecular responses to gestational HS.
文摘AIM:To analyze sex differences in adverse drug reactions(ADR) to the immune suppressive medication in inflammatory bowel disease(IBD) patients.METHODS:All IBD patients attending the IBD outpatient clinic of a referral hospital were identified through the electronic diagnosis registration system.The electronic medical records of IBD patients were reviewed and the files of those patients who have used immune suppressive therapy for IBD,i.e.,thiopurines,methotrexate,cyclosporine,tacrolimus and anti-tumor necrosis factor agents(anti-TNF);infliximab(IFX),adalimumab(ADA) and/or certolizumab,were further analyzed.The reported ADR to immune suppressive drugs were noted.The general definition of ADR used in clinical practice comprised the occurrence of the ADR in the temporal relationship with its disappearance upon discontinuation of the medication.Patients for whom the required information on drug use and ADR was not available in the electronic medical record and patients with only one registered contact and no further followup at the outpatient clinic were excluded.The difference in the incidence and type of ADR between male and female IBD patients were analyzed statistically by χ 2 test.RESULTS:In total,1009 IBD patients were identified in the electronic diagnosis registration system.Out of these 1009 patients,843 patients were eligible for further analysis.There were 386 males(46%),mean age 42 years(range:16-87 years) with a mean duration of the disease of 14 years(range:0-54 years);578 patients with Crohn's disease,244 with ulcerative colitis and 21 with unclassified colitis.Seventy percent(586 pts) of patients used any kind of immune suppressive agents at a certain point of the disease course,the majority of the patients(546 pts,65%) used thiopurines,176 pts(21%) methotrexate,46 pts(5%) cyclosporine and one patient tacrolimus.One third(240 pts,28%) of patients were treated with anti-TNF,the majority of patients(227 pts,27%) used IFX,99(12%) used ADA and five patients certolizumab.There were no differences between male and female patients in the use of immune suppressive agents.With regards to ADR,no differences between males and females were observed in the incidence of ADR to thiopurines,methotrexate and cyclosporine.Among 77 pts who developed ADR to one or more anti-TNF agents,significantly more females(54 pts,39% of all anti-TNF treated women) than males(23 pts,23% of all antiTNF treated men) experienced ADR to an anti-TNF agent [P = 0.011;odds ratio(OR) 2.2,95%CI 1.2-3.8].The most frequent ADR to both anti-TNF agents,IFX and ADA,were allergic reactions(15% of all IFX users and 7% of all patients treated with ADA) and for both agents a significantly higher rate of allergic reactions in females compared with males was observed.As a result of ADR,36 patients(15% of all patients using anti-TNF) stopped the treatment,with significantly higher stopping rate among females(27 females,19% vs 9 males,9%,P = 0.024).CONCLUSION:Treatment with anti-TNF antibodies is accompanied by sexual dimorphic profile of ADR with female patients being more at risk for allergic reactions and subsequent discontinuation of the treatment.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (31630031 and 31930047)the National Science and Technology Innovation 2030-Major Project of China (2022ZD0208300)+1 种基金the Financial Support for Outstanding Talents Training Fund in Shenzhenthe Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Behavior (2023B1212060055).
文摘The kidneys are essential organs that help maintain homeostasis,and their function is regulated by the neural system.Despite the anatomical multi-synaptic connection between the central autonomic nuclei and the kidneys,it remains unclear whether there are any variations in neural connections between the nervous systems and the renal cortex and medulla in male and female mice.Here,we used the pseudorabies virus to map the central innervation network of the renal cortex and medulla in both sexes.The data revealed that specific brain regions displayed either a contralateral-bias or ipsilateral-bias pattern while kidney-innervating neurons distributed symmetrically in the midbrain and hindbrain.Sex differences were observed in the distribution of neurons connected to the left kidney,as well as those connected to the renal cortex and medulla.Our findings provide a comprehensive understanding of the brain-kidney network in both males and females and may help shed light on gender differences in kidney function and disease susceptibility in humans.
文摘Background: Sex dimorphism in the prevalence, onset, development and progression of cardiovascular disease (CVD) is well recognized, but the mechanisms whereby sex hormones are believed to confer cardioprotection are still not fully understood. Objective: This study more closely delineates the effect of 17β-Estradiol (E2) on the expression and signaling of the cardiac NP and NOS systems, well-known cardioprotective modulators of the cardiac hypertrophy (CH) response, that both contribute to downstream production of cyclic guanosine 3’,5’-monophosphate (cGMP). Materials and Methods: Ovariectomized (OVX) female ANP+/+ and ANP-/- mice, 6 - 7 weeks old, were subjected to a five-week treatment with E2 (100 μg/100 μL/day) or vehicle (VEH). Left ventricle from these treatment groups, along with that from age-matched male ANP+/+ and ANP-/- mice was used to assess expression of these systems by real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR). Left ventricle tissue and plasma cGMP were measured by enzyme immunoassay to assess alterations in resultant downstream signaling. Results: NP system expression was unchanged across genotype, sex and E2 treatment. Sex-specific differences in NOS system expression were observed;female mice showed an increased expression of NOS system genes that were significantly elevated in all but one of the E2 treatment groups. Left ventricle tissue cGMP remained unchanged across genotype, sex and E2 treatment. Plasma cGMP levels were unchanged in ANP+/+ treatment groups. In ANP-/- treatment groups, plasma cGMP in the female OVX-E2 mice was significantly higher compared to male and female OVX-VEH mice. Conclusion: These findings demonstrate that in the absence of ANP, E2 upregulates cardiac NOS system expression to produce cGMP. This study confirms the importance of the cardiac NOS system in females;this particular system may be a promising future target for sex-specific treatments and therapies for CVD in women.
文摘Objective： To investigate the difference of proteome between yeast form and mould form of Penicillium mameffei, and to investigate the association of specific proteins expressed with biochemical properties, susceptibility of antifungal agent with dimorphic growth. Methods： Biochemistry identity plates were used to test the assimilation of carbohydrates and E-test strips were used to detect the minimum inhibitory concentration （MIC） of mould form and yeast form 16 P. mameffei. Surface enhanced laser desorption/ionization （SELDI） mass spectrometry with ProteinChip WCX2 was performed to compare the expressed proteins in yeast form and mould form. Protein profiles were read by PBSⅡ proteinchip reader and the proteome database was analyzed by proteincbip software 3.2.0. Results： Mould form assimilated lactose, melibiose significantly stronger （ P 〈0.01）, while yeast form assimilated sorbinose significantly stronger （ P 〈 0.05）. The mean MIC of fluconazole against mould form increased significantly （ P 〈 0.01 ） compared with yeast form. Seventy-five distinct proteins were found in yeast form and mould form of P. mameffei, in which proteins of 2900Da and 3151Da were specifically expressed in yeast form and other two proteins of 13151Da and 13285Da were specifically expressed in mould form （ P 〈 0.01 ）. Conclusion： The assimilation of carbohydrates and drug susceptibility of P. mameffei may change partly due to the morphogenetic conversion and different texture. Specific proteins may he involved in the regulation, the change of biochemical reaction and drug susceptibility during dimorpbic growth.
基金supported by grants from the Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovacion,Instituto de Salud Carlos Ⅲ(ISCⅢ),Madrid,Spain(PI19/00451 and PI22/00366 to LBA and PI20/00399 and PI23/00545 to BJ)project co-funded by FEDER(Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional)funded by the grant INVESTAEP edition 2019 from the Spanish Pediatric Association.
文摘Background The impact of Prader–Willi syndrome(PWS)domain gene expression on the growth of healthy children is not well understood.This study investigated associations between PWS domain gene expression in umbilical cord tissue and prenatal and postnatal growth,considering potential sex differences.Methods Relative gene expression of paternally expressed MAGEL2,NDN,and SNURF-SNRPN,and the small nucleolar RNAs SNORD116 and SNORD115 were determined by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction in umbilical cord tissue from 122 healthy newborns(59 girls and 63 boys).Gene expression levels were correlated with auxological measures at birth,infancy,and childhood(ages 2,4,and 6 years).Results MAGEL2,NDN,SNORD116,and SNORD115 expression in the umbilical cord was negatively associated with birth weight,length,and placental weight(P<0.001).Postnatally,these genes were positively associated with weight and length at 3 months(P<0.001)and weight gain from birth to ages 1,2,and 4 years(P<0.01).Negative associations at birth were stronger in girls(P<0.001),while positive associations during infancy and childhood were stronger in boys(P<0.001).MAGEL2,SNORD116,and SNORD115 expression predicted early-postnatal growth,explaining the higher growth rate in boys compared to girls and accounting for sex differences up to 1.5 kg in weight and 3 cm in height during infancy.Conclusions Paternally expressed PWS domain gene expression in the umbilical cord was negatively associated with prenatal growth and positively with early-postnatal growth in healthy infants.This gene expression may predict early human postnatal growth and promote the well-known sex dimorphism in growth.These results can also help in understanding the etiology of PWS,which remains unclear.
基金funded by the Regional Ministry of Health of the Junta de Andalucıa(PI-0395-2016)the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under the Marie Sklodowska-Curie grant agreement(No.101027215)+1 种基金supported by the PLACENTRAINING project,funded through the FEDER-UGR23 funding call(European Regional Development Fund University of Granada programGrant No.C-EXP-336UGR23)。
文摘Background:The mechanisms underlying the beneficial effects of exercise on the human placenta are poorly understood.The objective of the current study was to ascertain the influence of a supervised concurrent exercise intervention from gestational Week 17 until birth on key cytokines involved in placental development and function.Secondary aims were to explore:(a)the moderating effects of fetal sex and maternal weight status;and(b)whether gestational weight gain,lifestyle behaviors(diet,sleep patterns,and physical activity),and physical fitness(strength and cardiorespiratory fitness)mediated the effects of exercise on placental cytokines.Methods:Seventy-six pregnant women(33±4 years,mean±SD),divided into exercise(n=40)and control(n=36)groups,participated in this study.The exercise group followed a 60-min,3 days/week(aerobic+resistance)training program of moderate-to-vigorous intensity.Placental cytokines—including granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor(GM-CSF),granulocyte colony-stimulating factor(G-CSF),plateletderived growth factor AA(PDGF-AA),epidermal growth factor(EGF),monocyte chemoattractant protein-1(MCP-1),fractalkine,interleukin(IL)-8,IL-6,IL-1β,interleukin 1-receptor antagonist(IL-1ra),IL-10,tumor necrosis factor alpha(TNF-a),and interferon gamma(IFN-γ)were analyzed using Luminex multi-analyte profiling(x MAP)technology.Results:The exercise group presented higher placental levels of G-CSF and lower concentrations of EGF and IL-1ra than the control group(p<0.05).Significant effects of exercise on placental G-CSF and TNF-a(p<0.05)and a trend toward lower IL-6(p=0.08)were observed only in female placentas.Additionally,a reduction in weight gain partially mediated the effects of exercise on G-CSF(p<0.05).Conclusion:Maternal exercise during pregnancy is related to increased placental levels of G-CSF and lower EGF and IL-1ra levels.Some exercise-induced effects are observed exclusively in female placentas,including increased G-CSF and lower TNF-a and IL-6 concentrations.Notably,the increased levels of G-CSF observed with exercise might be due to a more adequate gestational weight gain.
基金We thank the staff in the Beijing READ BIO Bioinformatic Technology Company for their assistance in the phylogenetic inference and bioinformatic analysis of brown planthopper CRY proteins. This research was supported by the Key Program of National Natural Science of China （51037006）, the National Basic Research Program of China ＂973＂ （2010CB126200） and the National Nature Science Foundations of China （31170362, 31272051, 31470454 and 31070755）.
文摘Cryptochromes （CRYs） are blue and UV light photoreceptors, known to play key roles in circadian rhythms and in the light-dependent magnetosensitivity of insects. Two novel cryptochrome genes were cloned from the brown planthopper, and were given the designations of Nlcryl and Nlcry2, with the accession numbers KM108578 and KM108579 in GenBank. The complementary DNA sequences ofNlcryl andNlcry2 are 1935 bp and 2463 bp in length, and they contain an open reading frame of 1629 bp and 1872 bp, encoding amino acids of 542 and 623, with a predicted molecular weight of 62.53 kDa and 70.60 kDa, respectively. Well-conserved motifs such as DNA-photolyase and FAD-binding-7 domains were observed in Nlcry1 and Nlcry2. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated the proteins of Nlcry1 and Nlcry2 to be clustered into the insect＇s cryptochrome 1 and cryptochrome 2, respectively. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction showed that the daily oscillations of messenger RNA （mRNA） expression in the head of the brown planthopper were mild for Nlcryl, and modest for Nlcry2. Throughout all developmental stages, Nlcryl and Nlcry2 exhibited extreme fluctuations and distinctive expression profiles. Cryptochrome mRNA expression peaked immediately after adult emergence and then decreased subsequently. The tissue expression profiles of newly emerged brown planthopper adults showed higher expression levels of CRYs in the head than in the thorax or abdomen, as well as significantly higher levels of CRYs in the heads of the macropterous strain than in the heads of the brachypterous strain. Taken together, the results of our study suggest that the two cryptochrome genes characterized in the brown planthopper might be associated with developmental physiology and migration.
基金Acknowledgments This research was supported by ＇973＇ projects （2006CB 100204） and the National Natural Science Foundation of China （grant no. 30771414）. The authors thank Professor Anthony J. Zera （Department of Biology, University of Nebraska, USA） and Professor Reddy Palli （Department of Entomology, University of Kentucky, USA） for revision of this manuscript.
文摘The cotton aphid, Aphis gossypii Glover, is a wing-dimorphic species, which causes globally important agricultural losses. In this present study, we compared the biochemical basis of wing polymorphism in A. gossypii with respect to trade-off of energy resources, including glycogen, trehalose, lipids （total lipid, triglyceride and phospholipid）, free fatty acids, and soluble protein between dispersal and reproduction morphs during the wing-bud nymph and adulthood. Total lipid, triglyceride and free fatty acids were significantly higher in winged versus wingless morphs at 12 h of adulthood, the period during which alates are able to fly. By contrast, the wingless morph contained more glycogen than the winged morph from the 4th nymphal stage to adulthood. Trehalose content in the wingless morph was also higher than that in the winged morph during the 3rd and 4th nymphal stages, but vice versa at 12 h of adulthood. Finally, soluble protein content increased from nymphs to adults and was higher during adulthood in aptera versus alate. Whole-body water content in 12-h adults was significantly higher in apterae than that in alatae. These results indicate significant physiological differences between morphs related to specialization for flight.
