Aging is considered the main risk factor for the development of several diseases,including the leading neurodegenerative disorders.While the cellular features of aging are complex and multifaceted,neuronal senescence ...Aging is considered the main risk factor for the development of several diseases,including the leading neurodegenerative disorders.While the cellular features of aging are complex and multifaceted,neuronal senescence has emerged as a major contributor and driver of this process in the mammalian cell.Cellular senescence is a programmed response to stress and irreparable damage,which drives the cell into an apoptosis-resistant,non-proliferative state.Senescent cells can also deleteriously affect neighboring,non-senescent cells.Senescence is a complex and multifaceted process associated with a wide range of cellular events,including the secretion of pro-inflammatory molecules and the arrest of the cell cycle.展开更多
BACKGROUND Donor-specific antibodies(DSAs)against human leukocyte antigen(HLA)-DQ are increasingly recognized as major contributors to antibody-mediated rejection(AMR)and graft failure in kidney transplantation.Howeve...BACKGROUND Donor-specific antibodies(DSAs)against human leukocyte antigen(HLA)-DQ are increasingly recognized as major contributors to antibody-mediated rejection(AMR)and graft failure in kidney transplantation.However,their clinical impact remains understudied in Morocco.AIM To evaluate the presence and implications of anti-HLA-DQ DSAs in Moroccan kidney transplant recipients.METHODS We retrospectively analyzed the immunological profiles and clinical outcomes of kidney transplant recipients screened for anti-HLA antibodies between 2015 and 2020,who developed anti-HLA-DQ DSAs either before or after transplantation.Anti-HLA antibodies were identified using Luminex®single antigen bead technology,and clinical follow-up included graft function assessment,biopsy interpretation,and evaluation of immunosuppression.RESULTS In the pre-transplant group(n=6 with confirmed donor typing),patients with low to moderate median fluorescence intensity(MFI)anti-HLA-DQ DSAs(MFI 561-1581)underwent successful transplantation and maintained stable graft function under optimized immunosuppression.In contrast,in the post-transplant group(n=6 with confirmed donor typing),the emergence of de novo anti-HLA-DQ DSAs was consistently associated with AMR,with MFI values reaching up to 19473,with biopsy-proven AMR in 5 of 6 cases and suspicion of AMR in 1 case.Two representative cases are detailed to illustrate the clinical impact of DQ DSAs:one patient developed high-level anti-DQB1*02 de novo DSA(MFI 12029)with persistent AMR after 5 years,while another developed anti-DQA1*05:01 de novo DSA after an early AMR episode but maintained stable graft function after 5 years(creatinine 1.48 mg/dL).CONCLUSION Our findings underscore the clinical significance of anti-HLA-DQ DSAs in Moroccan kidney transplant recipients.While preformed DSAs with low immunogenicity may permit successful transplantation,de novo DSAs strongly correlate with AMR.Proactive monitoring,including routine DSA screening and HLA-DQ typing,could improve graft outcomes by enabling early intervention and better donor selection.展开更多
Background: The Plain-backed Thrush Zoothera mollissima breeds in the Himalayas and mountains of central China. It was long considered conspecific with the Long-tailed Thrush Zoothera dixoni, until these were shown to...Background: The Plain-backed Thrush Zoothera mollissima breeds in the Himalayas and mountains of central China. It was long considered conspecific with the Long-tailed Thrush Zoothera dixoni, until these were shown to be broadly sympatric.Methods: We revise the Z. mollissima–Z. dixoni complex by integrating morphological, acoustic, genetic(two mitochondrial and two nuclear markers), ecological and distributional datasets.Results: In earlier field observations, we noted two very different song types of "Plain-backed" Thrush segregated by breeding habitat and elevation. Further integrative analyses congruently identify three groups: an alpine breeder in the Himalayas and Sichuan, China("Alpine Thrush"); a forest breeder in the eastern Himalayas and northwest Yunnan(at least), China("Himalayan Forest Thrush"); and a forest breeder in central Sichuan("Sichuan Forest Thrush"). Alpine and Himalayan Forest Thrushes are broadly sympatric, but segregated by habitat and altitude, and the same is probably true also for Alpine and Sichuan Forest Thrushes. These three groups differ markedly in morphology and songs. In addition, DNA sequence data from three non-breeding specimens from Yunnan indicate that yet another lineage exists("Yunnan Thrush"). However, we find no consistent morphological differences from Alpine Thrush, and its breeding range is unknown. Molecular phylogenetic analyses suggest that all four groups diverged at least a few million years ago, and identify Alpine Thrush and the putative "Yunnan Thrush" as sisters, and the two forest taxa as sisters. Cytochrome b divergences among the four Z. mollissima sensu lato(s.l.) clades are similar to those between any of them and Z. dixoni, and exceed that between the two congeneric outgroup species. We lectotypify the name Oreocincla rostrata Hodgson, 1845 with the Z. mollissima sensu stricto(s.s.) specimen long considered its type. No available name unambiguously pertains to the Himalayan Forest Thrush.Conclusions: The Plain-backed Thrush Z. mollissima s.l. comprises at least three species: Alpine Thrush Z. mollissima s.s., with a widespread alpine breeding distribution; Sichuan Forest Thrush Z. griseiceps, breeding in central Sichuan forests; and Himalayan Forest Thrush, breeding in the eastern Himalayas and northwest Yunnan(at least), which is described herein as a new species. "Yunnan Thrush" requires further study.展开更多
Background: The Russet Bush Warbler Locustella(previously Bradypterus) mandelli complex occurs in mountains in the eastern Himalayas, southern China, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Indonesia. The taxonomy has been deba...Background: The Russet Bush Warbler Locustella(previously Bradypterus) mandelli complex occurs in mountains in the eastern Himalayas, southern China, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Indonesia. The taxonomy has been debated,with one(L. seebohmi) to four(L. seebohmi, L. mandelli, L. montis and L. timorensis) species having been recognised.Methods: We used an integrative approach, incorporating analyses of morphology, vocalizations and a molecular marker, to re-evaluate species limits in the L. mandelli complex.Results: We found that central Chinese L. mandelli differed from those from India through northern Southeast Asia to southeast China in plumage, morphometrics and song. All were easily classified by song, and(wing + culmen)/tail ratio overlapped only marginally. Both groups were reciprocally monophyletic in a mitochondrial cytochrome b(cytb) gene tree, with a mean divergence of 1.0 ± 0.2%. They were sympatric and mostly altitudinally segregated in the breeding season in southern Sichuan province. We found that the Mt Victoria(western Myanmar) population differed vocally from other L. mandelli, but no specimens are available. Taiwan Bush Warbler L. alishanensis was sister to the L. mandelli complex, with the most divergent song. Plumage, vocal and cytb evidence supported the distinctness of the south Vietnamese L. mandelli idonea. The Timor Bush Warbler L. timorensis, Javan Bush Warbler L.montis and Benguet Bush Warbler L. seebohmi differed distinctly in plumage, but among-population song variation in L. montis exceeded the differences between some populations of these taxa, and mean pairwise cytb divergences were only 0.5–0.9%. We also found that some L. montis populations differed morphologically.Conclusions: We conclude that the central Chinese population of Russet Bush Warbler represents a new species,which we describe herein, breeding at mid elevations in Sichuan, Shaanxi, Hubei, Hunan and Guizhou provinces.The taxonomic status of the other allopatric populations is less clear. However, as they differ to a degree comparable with that of the sympatric L. mandelli and the new species, we elevate L. idonea to species status, and retain L. seebohmi and L. montis as separate species, the latter with timorensis as a subspecies. Further research should focus on different populations of L. montis and the Mt Victoria population of L. mandelli.展开更多
Background: The White-browed Shortwing(Brachypteryx montana) is widespread from the central Himalayas to the southeast Chinese mainland and the island of Taiwan, the Philippines and Indonesia. Multiple subspecies are ...Background: The White-browed Shortwing(Brachypteryx montana) is widespread from the central Himalayas to the southeast Chinese mainland and the island of Taiwan, the Philippines and Indonesia. Multiple subspecies are recognised, and several of these have recently been suggested to be treated as separate species based on differences in morphology and songs.Methods: We here analyse plumage, morphometrics, songs, two mitochondrial and two nuclear markers, and geographical distributions of the two mainland Asian taxa B. m. cruralis and B. m. sinensis and the Taiwan Residents B. m. goodfellowi.Results: We conclude that these differ congruently in morphology, songs and DNA. Male B. m. goodfellowi is the most divergent in plumage(sexually monomorphic, unlike the two others; male similar to female), and B. m. cruralis and B. m. sinensis differ in male plumage maturation. The song of B. m. cruralis is strongly divergent from the others, whereas the songs of B. m. sinensis and B. m. goodfellowi are more similar to each other. Brachypteryx m. sinensis and B. m. goodfellowi are sisters, with an estimated divergence time 4.1 million years ago(mya; 95% highest posterior distribution [HPD] 2.8–5.5 mya), and B. m. cruralis separated from these two 5.8 mya(95% HPD 4.1–7.5 mya). We also report notable range extensions of B. m. sinensis as well as sympatry between this taxon and B. m. cruralis in Sichuan Province, China. Brachypteryx m. montana from Java is found to be more closely related to Lesser Shortwing(B. leucophris) and Rusty-bellied Shortwing(B. hyperythra) than to the mainland Asian and Taiwan Residents taxa.Conclusion: Our data support a recent proposal to treat the three mainland Asian and Taiwan Residents taxa as three species, separate from B. montana sensu stricto: B. cruralis(central Himalayas to south central China and south Vietnam), B. sinensis(north central to southeastern part of China's Mainland) and B. goodfellowi(Taiwan Island).展开更多
On arrival in the Arctic, migrant birds must adjust their physiology and behavior to unpredictable snow cover, weather, food sources and predator pressure. In other words they must be resistant to environmental pertur...On arrival in the Arctic, migrant birds must adjust their physiology and behavior to unpredictable snow cover, weather, food sources and predator pressure. In other words they must be resistant to environmental perturbations (stress) so that they can migrate to their tundra nesting areas and settle on territories as soon as possible. They can then begin breeding as soon as when environmental conditions become favorable. They do this partly by using micro-habitats such as areas where snow depth is low, and patches of tundra that melt out rapidly (especially near willows Salix sp). Ground temperatures increase dramatically within hours after exposure to sun; and invertebrate activity begins simultaneously. Wind speeds are attenuated almost completely within 10 cm of the ground in willows and tussock tundra. The combination of these conditions provides an ideal refuge, especially for passerine migrants in early spring. However, if conditions worsen, the birds can leave. There are adjustments of the adrenocortical responses to stress because arctic conditions in spring are potentially severe, at least compared with wintering grounds to the south. Secretion of corticosterone in response to acute stress is enhanced at arrival in males, accompanied by a decrease in sensitivity to negative feedback and a change in responsiveness of the adrenal cortex cells to adrenocorticotropin. There is also an increase in levels of corticosterone-binding globulin (CBG) so that the actions of corticosterone are buffered according to the severity of environmental conditions. Regulation at the level of genomic receptors, particularly the low affinity glucocorticosteroid-like receptor for corticosterone in brain and liver, may be important; and non-genomic actions of corticosterone may play a major role too. In other words, the hormone-behavior system associated with arrival biology is highly flexible.展开更多
The Neogene interval witnessed three major waves of intercontinental dispersals by carnivoran mammals,mainly migrating from Eurasia to North America but with rare occurrences going in the opposite direction(e.g.,Sthen...The Neogene interval witnessed three major waves of intercontinental dispersals by carnivoran mammals,mainly migrating from Eurasia to North America but with rare occurrences going in the opposite direction(e.g.,Sthenictis,Leptarctus).The timing and composition of dispersers are thought to be controlled by filter-bridge mechanisms,but it is unclear what types of regional conditions promoted occasional dispersals outside of the three major waves.We study and report on new occurrences of small-bodied carnivorans from late Clarendonian-aged Black Hawk Ranch and Cuyama Valley fossil mammal assemblages in California.The relatively late occurrences of the mustelids Sthenictis and Hoplictis and the ailurid Alopecocyon in coastal regions of western North America suggest that nearshore dispersal corridors both facilitate and preserve faunal elements later than they might otherwise occur further inland.The availability of both marine-and terrestrially-derived food resources may be an important factor in allowing coastally dispersing taxa to be accommodated in those ecological communities compared to less heterogenous environments further inland.展开更多
Crocuta and Pachycrocuta are widely regarded as the most prevalent and emblematic hyenas across Eurasia during Quaternary.They are easily distinguished by their distinctive carnassial teeth.However,the disparities in ...Crocuta and Pachycrocuta are widely regarded as the most prevalent and emblematic hyenas across Eurasia during Quaternary.They are easily distinguished by their distinctive carnassial teeth.However,the disparities in non-carnassial elements are less pronounced and have received minimal attention in previous studies.This has resulted in erroneous identifications when dealing with fragmented specimens,particularly in cases where carnassial teeth are poorly preserved or absent.Such misidentifications have the potential to give rise to erroneous inferences regarding the paleozoogeography and biochronology of the animals in question.The bone-cracking hyena specimens from Huainan,Anhui(Tseng et al.,2008)are re-examined and re-evaluated here through a series of morphological comparisons and data analyses(univariate,bivariate,and multivariate analyses etc.).The results provide unequivocal confirmation that the specimens from Xiliexi are not spotted hyenas,but belong to Pachycrocuta perrieri instead.Conversely,the specimen from Dadingshan is the only genuine representative of the spotted hyena,which is supposed to be a possible earliest fossil record for Crocuta ultima thus far in China.Furthermore,the disparities in dentognathic morphology between Crocuta and Pachycrocuta are systematically summarized and analyzed,with an explanation of their eco-functional significance.The present study hypothesizes that Pachycrocuta retains a certain degree of active predatory capability,attributable to the robustness of the canine and the symphysis of the jaw,among other factors.This finding indicates that Pachycrocuta exhibits a form of flexible foraging behavior,combining opportunistic scavenging and active hunting in a manner analogous to Crocuta.Finally,the dynamic evolutionary history of hyenas in East China since Pleistocene has also been broadly reconstructed.展开更多
Acoustic communication signals are important for species recognition and mate attraction across numerous taxa.For instance,most of thethousands of species of frogs have a species-specifc advertisement call that female...Acoustic communication signals are important for species recognition and mate attraction across numerous taxa.For instance,most of thethousands of species of frogs have a species-specifc advertisement call that females use to localize and discriminate among potential mates.Thus,the acoustic structure of the advertisement call is critical for reproductive success.The acoustic structure of calls will generally divergeover evolutionary time and can be infuenced by the calls of sympatric species.While many studies have shown the infuence of geographyon contemporary call variation in populations of frogs,no study has compared the acoustic structure of frog calls across many species to askwhether we can detect an infuence of divergence time and overall geographic overlap on the differences in acoustic structure of species-typicalcalls that we observe now.To this end,we compared acoustic features of the calls of 225 species of frogs within 4 families.Furthermore,weused a behavioral assay from 1 species of frog to determine which acoustic features to prioritize in our large-scale analyses.We found evidencethat both phylogeny(time)and geography(place)relate to advertisement call acoustics albeit with large variation in these relationships acrossthe 4 families in the analysis.Overall,these results suggest that,despite the many ecological and evolutionary forces that infuence call structure,the broad forces of time and place can shape aspects of advertisement call acoustics.展开更多
Individual phenological life-history variations in the context of seasonal conditions are well documented in fshes and birds.However,amphibians,a group heavily affected by habitat loss and fragmentation,have received ...Individual phenological life-history variations in the context of seasonal conditions are well documented in fshes and birds.However,amphibians,a group heavily affected by habitat loss and fragmentation,have received relatively little attention regarding research on life-history adaptations.Here we present 3 years of data on the timing of reproductive activity in a suburban European green toad(Bufotes viridis)population.We found annually consistent patterns of reproductive activity and investigated whether these were caused by allochrony or individual attributes.Body size(a proxy for age),body condition,and sex signifcantly affected the timing of reproductive activity.However,most individuals showed considerable overlap in their reproductive timeframe,refuting the existence of allochronic subpopulations.Our fndings may indicate life-history adaptations in the direction of a faster lifestyle in response to hazardous environments.We propose to focus further research efforts on phenological variations in the context of environmental conditions,and that phenological variations should be considered more strongly in amphibian conservation efforts.展开更多
Roadside habitat through major urban areas may offer remnant examples of natural grasslands.These habitats may be subjected to frequent as mowing and exposure to automobile emissions and runoff.This study was conducte...Roadside habitat through major urban areas may offer remnant examples of natural grasslands.These habitats may be subjected to frequent as mowing and exposure to automobile emissions and runoff.This study was conducted on interstate highway right-of-ways in San Antonio,Texas,U.S.A.We compared the vegetation species and diversity,and the organic carbon of leaf litter,plants,and soils.Two non-native grasses accounted for 50.9% cover,while all native forbs and grasses accounted for only 9.8% cover.The mean biomass of nonnative grasseswas 4.5 times greater than that of all native species.Organic carbon content of leaf litter,plants,and soils was variable among the study sites,possibly due to management practices and a drought that occurred during the study.Themean organic carbon content in the upper 20 cm soil was 5.0 kg C/m^(2) and organic carbon content was greater in the upper 10 cm than organic carbon in the 10.1 to 20 cm portion.Cynodon dactylon and Bouteloua curtipendula exhibited the greatest photosynthesis efficiency indicating these grasses are more adaptable to hot summer temperatures found in Central Texas.The organic carbon content along a major interstate was 13,793 kg·C/ha for leaf litter,vegetation,and the upper 20 cm of the soil.We conclude that interstate highways provide habitat for some native species,but the vegetation along right-of-ways is dominated by two non-native grasses.It appears unlikely that roadside habitat can be restored to resemble native grasslands without large scale and costly restoration efforts.展开更多
Biological invasions are a major driver of global biodiversity loss,impacting endemic species,ecosystems,and economies.Although the influence of life history traits on invasive success is well-established,the role of ...Biological invasions are a major driver of global biodiversity loss,impacting endemic species,ecosystems,and economies.Although the influence of life history traits on invasive success is well-established,the role of behavior in the invasive potential of animals is less studied.The common coqui frog,Eleutherodactylus coqui,is a highly successful invader in Hawai'i.We build on previous research characterizing changes in physiology and morphology to explore behavioral variation across the invasive range of coqui in Hawai'i.Coqui have expanded both outward and upward from their initial introduction site,andby comparing frogs from different densities and elevations-we specifically asked how the physiological challenges of high-elevation living interact with the competitive challenge of high-densities at population centers.To investigate whether differences in the field represent local adaptation or behavioral plasticity,we additionally evaluated behavior following acclimation to a shared laboratory environment.Although we identified only subtle behavioral variation among populations in the field,we found that individuals from all populations became less bold,active,and exploratory in the laboratory,converging on a similar behavioral phenotype.Alongside previous work,our results suggest that coqui adjust their behavior to local environmental conditions across their invasive range and that behavioral flexibility may contribute to invasive success.展开更多
Hypnosis is a promising tool in the management of various conditions,such as anxiety and chronic pain.Preliminary studies have shown that hypnosis can directly affect the cardiovascular system,as it increases parasymp...Hypnosis is a promising tool in the management of various conditions,such as anxiety and chronic pain.Preliminary studies have shown that hypnosis can directly affect the cardiovascular system,as it increases parasympathetic activation and reduces sympathetic activity.However,the literature related to the effects of hypnosis on cardiovascular health is scarce,mainly due to misconceptions about hypnosis among researchers and medical professionals.This opinion paper examines the role that hypnosis may play in cardiovascular health,highlighting the physiological mechanisms behind it.The evidence suggests that hypnosis has both direct(e.g.,changes in the activity of the autonomic nervous system)and indirect(e.g.,changes in healthy behaviours)effects on the cardiovascular system;however,further studies are needed to properly define its mechanisms of action and its applicability in improving cardiovascular health.Thus,this opinion paper advocates the adoption of the term“hypno-cardiac physiology”to identify a new research area that gathers experts from neuroscience and cardiovascular science with the joint aim of seeking further understanding of the effects of hypnosis on the cardiovascular system.The adoption of a dedicated term to identify the study of the cardiovascular response to hypnosis will encourage its implementation in cardiovascular health interventions,promoting awareness of its effects among the public and the healthcare community,and promoting the formation of dedicated multidisciplinary research groups and dedicated educational training for healthcare professional interested in its applications.展开更多
Oxathiolene oxides are a significant class of bioactive compounds with promising implications in drug discovery,serving as bioisosteres/analogues of 2(5H)-furanones and 1,3-propene sultones.However,existing methods ar...Oxathiolene oxides are a significant class of bioactive compounds with promising implications in drug discovery,serving as bioisosteres/analogues of 2(5H)-furanones and 1,3-propene sultones.However,existing methods are quite inadequate in their synthesis.Here,we introduced an innovative approach for the photoinduced,site-selective thiosulfinylation of alkynols,providing access to a diverse range of highly functionalized oxathiolene oxides through energy transfer followed by a radical chain process.This procedure efficiently maintains the catalytic cycle under mild and operationally simple conditions,offering excellent functional group tolerance and streamlining the synthesis of bioactive scaffolds and their derivatives that are often challenging with alternative approaches.Preliminary evaluation of live-cell cytotoxicity of oxathiolene oxides toward the 4T1 cancer cells was conducted,suggesting a potentially useable in chemical biology.The strategy presented in this study is not only mechanistically robust but also demonstrates broad versatility in late-stage functionalization,indicating its great potential application in organic synthesis and medicinal chemistry.展开更多
Pharyngeal cartilage morphogenesis is crucial for the formation of craniofacial structures.Cranial neural crest cells are specified at the neural plate border,migrate to pharyngeal arches,and differentiate into pharyn...Pharyngeal cartilage morphogenesis is crucial for the formation of craniofacial structures.Cranial neural crest cells are specified at the neural plate border,migrate to pharyngeal arches,and differentiate into pharyngeal chondrocytes,which subsequently flatten,elongate,and stack like coins during maturation.Although the developmental processes prior to chondrocyte maturation have been extensively studied,their subsequent changes in morphology and organization remain largely elusive.Here,we show that wnt2bb is expressed in the pharyngeal ectoderm adjacent to the chondrogenic precursor cells in zebrafish.Inactivation of Wnt2bb leads to a reduction in nuclearβ-catenin,which impairs chondrogenic precursor proliferation and disrupts chondrocyte morphogenesis and organization,eventually causing a severe shrinkage of pharyngeal cartilages.Moreover,the decrease ofβ-catenin in wnt2bb^(-/-)mutants is accompanied by the reduction of Yap expression.Reactivation of Yap can restore the proliferation of chondrocyte progenitors as well as the proper size,shape,and stacking of pharyngeal chondrocytes.Our findings suggest that Wnt/β-catenin signaling promotes Yap expression to regulate pharyngeal cartilage formation in zebrafish.展开更多
Autophagy is a universal cellular process in eukaryotes that plays a critical role in plant growth and stress response.However,the role of autophagy in fruit ripening is largely unknown.Here,we demonstrated that most ...Autophagy is a universal cellular process in eukaryotes that plays a critical role in plant growth and stress response.However,the role of autophagy in fruit ripening is largely unknown.Here,we demonstrated that most autophagy-related genes(ATGs)were up-regulated during tomato(Solanum lycopersicum L.)fruit ripening.By using mutants of different autophagy pathway genes(ATG6,ATG10,ATG18a),we revealed that the deficiency of autophagy delayed the ripening of fruit.Compared with wild-type(WT),the production of ethylene was significantly reduced and the accumulation of lycopene was delayed in atg mutants during fruit ripening.We also observed the contents of glucose and fructose were both significantly decreased in atg mutants compared with WT,while the content of organic acids showed the opposite trend.Additionally,the negative regulator of ethylene production,APETALA2a(AP2a),interacted with ATG8 through a specific ATG8-interacting motif(AIM)and could be degraded through the autophagy pathway.These results demonstrate that autophagy plays a critical role in fruit ripening by regulating ethylene production and the accumulation of pigments,sugars and organic acids in tomato.展开更多
Osteoporosis is a known risk factor for rotator cuff tears(RCTs),but the causal correlation and underlying mechanisms remain unclear.This study aims to evaluate the impact of osteoporosis on RCT risk and investigate t...Osteoporosis is a known risk factor for rotator cuff tears(RCTs),but the causal correlation and underlying mechanisms remain unclear.This study aims to evaluate the impact of osteoporosis on RCT risk and investigate their genetic associations.Using data from the UK Biobank(n=457871),cross-sectional analyses demonstrated that osteoporosis was significantly associated with an increased risk of RCTs(adjusted OR[95%CI]=1.38[1.25–1.52]).A longitudinal analysis of a subset of patients(n=268117)over 11 years revealed that osteoporosis increased the risk of RCTs(adjusted HR[95%CI]=1.56[1.29–1.87]),which is notably varied between sexes in sex-stratified analysis.Causal inference methods,including propensity score matching,inverse probability weighting,causal random forest and survival random forest models further confirmed the causal effect,both from cross-sectional and longitudinal perspectives.展开更多
Climate change is expected to alter the popu-lation dynamics of pioneer tree species and their planned use in sustainable forest management,but we have a lim-ited understanding of how their demographic rates change in...Climate change is expected to alter the popu-lation dynamics of pioneer tree species and their planned use in sustainable forest management,but we have a lim-ited understanding of how their demographic rates change in response to climate changes during ecological restora-tion.Based on 12 years of demographic data for a pioneer tree species(Pinus massoniana)censused in three plots that correspond to three stages of ecological restoration in south-eastern China.We built integral projection models(IPMs)to assess vital rates(survival,growth,reproduction)and population growth in each plot,then evaluated demographic changes to simulated changes in seasonal mean temperature and precipitation in the current and previous census period.The plot representing the medium restoration stage had the highest population growth rate(λ=0.983).Mean population survival probability increased with ecological restoration,and reproduction probability was significantly suppressed at the high restoration stage.Survival is always the most important vital rate forλ,and climate affectsλprimarily via survival at each restoration stage.The current spring tem-perature was the most critical climate variable forλin the low and medium restoration stages,and previous summer temperature was most critical in the high restoration stage.Simulated warming leads to a decrease in the stochastic population growth rate(λ_(s))of P.massoniana in every stage.These findings suggest that during ecological restoration,P.massoniana responds to habitat change via modified demo-graphic performance,thus altering its response to climate change.Despite diverse responses to climate change,the persistence of P.massoniana populations is facing a wide-spread threat of warming states at each restoration stages.展开更多
The presence of heterozygous individuals in a population is crucial for maintaining genetic diversity,which can positively affect fitness and adaptability to environmental changes.While inbreeding generally reduces th...The presence of heterozygous individuals in a population is crucial for maintaining genetic diversity,which can positively affect fitness and adaptability to environmental changes.While inbreeding generally reduces the proportion of heterozygous individuals in a population,polyploidy tends to increase the proportion.North American Populus tremuloides is one of the most widely distributed and ecologically important tree species in the Northern Hemisphere.However,genetic variation in Mexican populations of P.tremuloides,including the genetic signatures of their adaptation to a variety of environments,remains largely uncharacterized.The aim of this study was to analyze how inbreeding coefficient(FIS)and ploidy are associated with clonal richness,population cover,climate and soil traits in 91 marginal to small,isolated populations of this tree species throughout its entire distribution in Mexico.Genetic variables were determined using 36,810 filtered SNPs derived from genome re-sequencing.We found that FIS was approximately between 0 and e1,indicating an extreme heterozygosity excess.One key contributor to the observed extreme heterozygosity excess was asexual reproduction,although ploidy levels cannot explain this excess.Analysis of all neutral SNPs showed that asexual reproduction was positively correlated with observed heterozygosity(Ho)but negatively correlated with expected heterozygosity(He).Analysis of outlier SNPs also showed that asexual reproductionwas positively correlated with Ho and negatively correlated with He,although this latter correlation was not significant.These findings support the presence of a Meselson effect.展开更多
文摘Aging is considered the main risk factor for the development of several diseases,including the leading neurodegenerative disorders.While the cellular features of aging are complex and multifaceted,neuronal senescence has emerged as a major contributor and driver of this process in the mammalian cell.Cellular senescence is a programmed response to stress and irreparable damage,which drives the cell into an apoptosis-resistant,non-proliferative state.Senescent cells can also deleteriously affect neighboring,non-senescent cells.Senescence is a complex and multifaceted process associated with a wide range of cellular events,including the secretion of pro-inflammatory molecules and the arrest of the cell cycle.
基金Supported by the National Science and Technology Research Center(Morocco)“PhD-Associate Scholarship-PASS”Program,No.88UH2C2023.
文摘BACKGROUND Donor-specific antibodies(DSAs)against human leukocyte antigen(HLA)-DQ are increasingly recognized as major contributors to antibody-mediated rejection(AMR)and graft failure in kidney transplantation.However,their clinical impact remains understudied in Morocco.AIM To evaluate the presence and implications of anti-HLA-DQ DSAs in Moroccan kidney transplant recipients.METHODS We retrospectively analyzed the immunological profiles and clinical outcomes of kidney transplant recipients screened for anti-HLA antibodies between 2015 and 2020,who developed anti-HLA-DQ DSAs either before or after transplantation.Anti-HLA antibodies were identified using Luminex®single antigen bead technology,and clinical follow-up included graft function assessment,biopsy interpretation,and evaluation of immunosuppression.RESULTS In the pre-transplant group(n=6 with confirmed donor typing),patients with low to moderate median fluorescence intensity(MFI)anti-HLA-DQ DSAs(MFI 561-1581)underwent successful transplantation and maintained stable graft function under optimized immunosuppression.In contrast,in the post-transplant group(n=6 with confirmed donor typing),the emergence of de novo anti-HLA-DQ DSAs was consistently associated with AMR,with MFI values reaching up to 19473,with biopsy-proven AMR in 5 of 6 cases and suspicion of AMR in 1 case.Two representative cases are detailed to illustrate the clinical impact of DQ DSAs:one patient developed high-level anti-DQB1*02 de novo DSA(MFI 12029)with persistent AMR after 5 years,while another developed anti-DQA1*05:01 de novo DSA after an early AMR episode but maintained stable graft function after 5 years(creatinine 1.48 mg/dL).CONCLUSION Our findings underscore the clinical significance of anti-HLA-DQ DSAs in Moroccan kidney transplant recipients.While preformed DSAs with low immunogenicity may permit successful transplantation,de novo DSAs strongly correlate with AMR.Proactive monitoring,including routine DSA screening and HLA-DQ typing,could improve graft outcomes by enabling early intervention and better donor selection.
基金financial support from the Ministry of Science and Technology of China(Grant No.2014FY210200,to.T.C.and Y.G.)the Russian Science Foundation(Project No.14-50-00029,to M.K.)+3 种基金the Delia Koo Global Faculty Endowment of the Asian Studies Center,Michigan State University(to P.C.R.)The Sound Approach and Jornvall Foundation(both to P.A.and U.O.)the Chinese Academy of Sciences Visiting Professorship for Senior International Scientists(No.2011T2S04,to P.A.)Swarovski Optik Greater China(to P.A.)
文摘Background: The Plain-backed Thrush Zoothera mollissima breeds in the Himalayas and mountains of central China. It was long considered conspecific with the Long-tailed Thrush Zoothera dixoni, until these were shown to be broadly sympatric.Methods: We revise the Z. mollissima–Z. dixoni complex by integrating morphological, acoustic, genetic(two mitochondrial and two nuclear markers), ecological and distributional datasets.Results: In earlier field observations, we noted two very different song types of "Plain-backed" Thrush segregated by breeding habitat and elevation. Further integrative analyses congruently identify three groups: an alpine breeder in the Himalayas and Sichuan, China("Alpine Thrush"); a forest breeder in the eastern Himalayas and northwest Yunnan(at least), China("Himalayan Forest Thrush"); and a forest breeder in central Sichuan("Sichuan Forest Thrush"). Alpine and Himalayan Forest Thrushes are broadly sympatric, but segregated by habitat and altitude, and the same is probably true also for Alpine and Sichuan Forest Thrushes. These three groups differ markedly in morphology and songs. In addition, DNA sequence data from three non-breeding specimens from Yunnan indicate that yet another lineage exists("Yunnan Thrush"). However, we find no consistent morphological differences from Alpine Thrush, and its breeding range is unknown. Molecular phylogenetic analyses suggest that all four groups diverged at least a few million years ago, and identify Alpine Thrush and the putative "Yunnan Thrush" as sisters, and the two forest taxa as sisters. Cytochrome b divergences among the four Z. mollissima sensu lato(s.l.) clades are similar to those between any of them and Z. dixoni, and exceed that between the two congeneric outgroup species. We lectotypify the name Oreocincla rostrata Hodgson, 1845 with the Z. mollissima sensu stricto(s.s.) specimen long considered its type. No available name unambiguously pertains to the Himalayan Forest Thrush.Conclusions: The Plain-backed Thrush Z. mollissima s.l. comprises at least three species: Alpine Thrush Z. mollissima s.s., with a widespread alpine breeding distribution; Sichuan Forest Thrush Z. griseiceps, breeding in central Sichuan forests; and Himalayan Forest Thrush, breeding in the eastern Himalayas and northwest Yunnan(at least), which is described herein as a new species. "Yunnan Thrush" requires further study.
基金the Laojunshan Nature Reserve Management Bureau for providing support for field work(to B.D.,P.A.,Y.L.,P.R.and J.Z)the Chinese National Science and Technology Basic Work Program–The Comprehensive Scientific Survey of Biodiversity from Luoxiao range Region in China(2013FY111500)(to Y.L.and J.Z)+3 种基金Jornvall Foundation(to P.A.)the Sound Approach(to P.A.and U.O.)the Chinese Academy of Sciences Visiting Professorship for Senior International Scientists(No.2011T2S04,to P.A.)Swarovski Hong Kong Ltd.(to P.A.)
文摘Background: The Russet Bush Warbler Locustella(previously Bradypterus) mandelli complex occurs in mountains in the eastern Himalayas, southern China, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Indonesia. The taxonomy has been debated,with one(L. seebohmi) to four(L. seebohmi, L. mandelli, L. montis and L. timorensis) species having been recognised.Methods: We used an integrative approach, incorporating analyses of morphology, vocalizations and a molecular marker, to re-evaluate species limits in the L. mandelli complex.Results: We found that central Chinese L. mandelli differed from those from India through northern Southeast Asia to southeast China in plumage, morphometrics and song. All were easily classified by song, and(wing + culmen)/tail ratio overlapped only marginally. Both groups were reciprocally monophyletic in a mitochondrial cytochrome b(cytb) gene tree, with a mean divergence of 1.0 ± 0.2%. They were sympatric and mostly altitudinally segregated in the breeding season in southern Sichuan province. We found that the Mt Victoria(western Myanmar) population differed vocally from other L. mandelli, but no specimens are available. Taiwan Bush Warbler L. alishanensis was sister to the L. mandelli complex, with the most divergent song. Plumage, vocal and cytb evidence supported the distinctness of the south Vietnamese L. mandelli idonea. The Timor Bush Warbler L. timorensis, Javan Bush Warbler L.montis and Benguet Bush Warbler L. seebohmi differed distinctly in plumage, but among-population song variation in L. montis exceeded the differences between some populations of these taxa, and mean pairwise cytb divergences were only 0.5–0.9%. We also found that some L. montis populations differed morphologically.Conclusions: We conclude that the central Chinese population of Russet Bush Warbler represents a new species,which we describe herein, breeding at mid elevations in Sichuan, Shaanxi, Hubei, Hunan and Guizhou provinces.The taxonomic status of the other allopatric populations is less clear. However, as they differ to a degree comparable with that of the sympatric L. mandelli and the new species, we elevate L. idonea to species status, and retain L. seebohmi and L. montis as separate species, the latter with timorensis as a subspecies. Further research should focus on different populations of L. montis and the Mt Victoria population of L. mandelli.
基金P.A.gratefully acknowledges Jornvall Foundation,Mark and Mo Constantine,and the Chinese Academy of Sciences Visiting Professorship for Senior International Scientists(No.2011T2S04)P.A.and U.O.acknowledge the Swedish Research Council(Grant Nos.2015-04402 and 2015-04651,respectively)
文摘Background: The White-browed Shortwing(Brachypteryx montana) is widespread from the central Himalayas to the southeast Chinese mainland and the island of Taiwan, the Philippines and Indonesia. Multiple subspecies are recognised, and several of these have recently been suggested to be treated as separate species based on differences in morphology and songs.Methods: We here analyse plumage, morphometrics, songs, two mitochondrial and two nuclear markers, and geographical distributions of the two mainland Asian taxa B. m. cruralis and B. m. sinensis and the Taiwan Residents B. m. goodfellowi.Results: We conclude that these differ congruently in morphology, songs and DNA. Male B. m. goodfellowi is the most divergent in plumage(sexually monomorphic, unlike the two others; male similar to female), and B. m. cruralis and B. m. sinensis differ in male plumage maturation. The song of B. m. cruralis is strongly divergent from the others, whereas the songs of B. m. sinensis and B. m. goodfellowi are more similar to each other. Brachypteryx m. sinensis and B. m. goodfellowi are sisters, with an estimated divergence time 4.1 million years ago(mya; 95% highest posterior distribution [HPD] 2.8–5.5 mya), and B. m. cruralis separated from these two 5.8 mya(95% HPD 4.1–7.5 mya). We also report notable range extensions of B. m. sinensis as well as sympatry between this taxon and B. m. cruralis in Sichuan Province, China. Brachypteryx m. montana from Java is found to be more closely related to Lesser Shortwing(B. leucophris) and Rusty-bellied Shortwing(B. hyperythra) than to the mainland Asian and Taiwan Residents taxa.Conclusion: Our data support a recent proposal to treat the three mainland Asian and Taiwan Residents taxa as three species, separate from B. montana sensu stricto: B. cruralis(central Himalayas to south central China and south Vietnam), B. sinensis(north central to southeastern part of China's Mainland) and B. goodfellowi(Taiwan Island).
文摘On arrival in the Arctic, migrant birds must adjust their physiology and behavior to unpredictable snow cover, weather, food sources and predator pressure. In other words they must be resistant to environmental perturbations (stress) so that they can migrate to their tundra nesting areas and settle on territories as soon as possible. They can then begin breeding as soon as when environmental conditions become favorable. They do this partly by using micro-habitats such as areas where snow depth is low, and patches of tundra that melt out rapidly (especially near willows Salix sp). Ground temperatures increase dramatically within hours after exposure to sun; and invertebrate activity begins simultaneously. Wind speeds are attenuated almost completely within 10 cm of the ground in willows and tussock tundra. The combination of these conditions provides an ideal refuge, especially for passerine migrants in early spring. However, if conditions worsen, the birds can leave. There are adjustments of the adrenocortical responses to stress because arctic conditions in spring are potentially severe, at least compared with wintering grounds to the south. Secretion of corticosterone in response to acute stress is enhanced at arrival in males, accompanied by a decrease in sensitivity to negative feedback and a change in responsiveness of the adrenal cortex cells to adrenocorticotropin. There is also an increase in levels of corticosterone-binding globulin (CBG) so that the actions of corticosterone are buffered according to the severity of environmental conditions. Regulation at the level of genomic receptors, particularly the low affinity glucocorticosteroid-like receptor for corticosterone in brain and liver, may be important; and non-genomic actions of corticosterone may play a major role too. In other words, the hormone-behavior system associated with arrival biology is highly flexible.
文摘The Neogene interval witnessed three major waves of intercontinental dispersals by carnivoran mammals,mainly migrating from Eurasia to North America but with rare occurrences going in the opposite direction(e.g.,Sthenictis,Leptarctus).The timing and composition of dispersers are thought to be controlled by filter-bridge mechanisms,but it is unclear what types of regional conditions promoted occasional dispersals outside of the three major waves.We study and report on new occurrences of small-bodied carnivorans from late Clarendonian-aged Black Hawk Ranch and Cuyama Valley fossil mammal assemblages in California.The relatively late occurrences of the mustelids Sthenictis and Hoplictis and the ailurid Alopecocyon in coastal regions of western North America suggest that nearshore dispersal corridors both facilitate and preserve faunal elements later than they might otherwise occur further inland.The availability of both marine-and terrestrially-derived food resources may be an important factor in allowing coastally dispersing taxa to be accommodated in those ecological communities compared to less heterogenous environments further inland.
文摘Crocuta and Pachycrocuta are widely regarded as the most prevalent and emblematic hyenas across Eurasia during Quaternary.They are easily distinguished by their distinctive carnassial teeth.However,the disparities in non-carnassial elements are less pronounced and have received minimal attention in previous studies.This has resulted in erroneous identifications when dealing with fragmented specimens,particularly in cases where carnassial teeth are poorly preserved or absent.Such misidentifications have the potential to give rise to erroneous inferences regarding the paleozoogeography and biochronology of the animals in question.The bone-cracking hyena specimens from Huainan,Anhui(Tseng et al.,2008)are re-examined and re-evaluated here through a series of morphological comparisons and data analyses(univariate,bivariate,and multivariate analyses etc.).The results provide unequivocal confirmation that the specimens from Xiliexi are not spotted hyenas,but belong to Pachycrocuta perrieri instead.Conversely,the specimen from Dadingshan is the only genuine representative of the spotted hyena,which is supposed to be a possible earliest fossil record for Crocuta ultima thus far in China.Furthermore,the disparities in dentognathic morphology between Crocuta and Pachycrocuta are systematically summarized and analyzed,with an explanation of their eco-functional significance.The present study hypothesizes that Pachycrocuta retains a certain degree of active predatory capability,attributable to the robustness of the canine and the symphysis of the jaw,among other factors.This finding indicates that Pachycrocuta exhibits a form of flexible foraging behavior,combining opportunistic scavenging and active hunting in a manner analogous to Crocuta.Finally,the dynamic evolutionary history of hyenas in East China since Pleistocene has also been broadly reconstructed.
基金funded through a grant from the NationalScience Foundation(IOS-1914646)the SmithsonianInstitute Postdoctoral Fellowship program.
文摘Acoustic communication signals are important for species recognition and mate attraction across numerous taxa.For instance,most of thethousands of species of frogs have a species-specifc advertisement call that females use to localize and discriminate among potential mates.Thus,the acoustic structure of the advertisement call is critical for reproductive success.The acoustic structure of calls will generally divergeover evolutionary time and can be infuenced by the calls of sympatric species.While many studies have shown the infuence of geographyon contemporary call variation in populations of frogs,no study has compared the acoustic structure of frog calls across many species to askwhether we can detect an infuence of divergence time and overall geographic overlap on the differences in acoustic structure of species-typicalcalls that we observe now.To this end,we compared acoustic features of the calls of 225 species of frogs within 4 families.Furthermore,weused a behavioral assay from 1 species of frog to determine which acoustic features to prioritize in our large-scale analyses.We found evidencethat both phylogeny(time)and geography(place)relate to advertisement call acoustics albeit with large variation in these relationships acrossthe 4 families in the analysis.Overall,these results suggest that,despite the many ecological and evolutionary forces that infuence call structure,the broad forces of time and place can shape aspects of advertisement call acoustics.
文摘Individual phenological life-history variations in the context of seasonal conditions are well documented in fshes and birds.However,amphibians,a group heavily affected by habitat loss and fragmentation,have received relatively little attention regarding research on life-history adaptations.Here we present 3 years of data on the timing of reproductive activity in a suburban European green toad(Bufotes viridis)population.We found annually consistent patterns of reproductive activity and investigated whether these were caused by allochrony or individual attributes.Body size(a proxy for age),body condition,and sex signifcantly affected the timing of reproductive activity.However,most individuals showed considerable overlap in their reproductive timeframe,refuting the existence of allochronic subpopulations.Our fndings may indicate life-history adaptations in the direction of a faster lifestyle in response to hazardous environments.We propose to focus further research efforts on phenological variations in the context of environmental conditions,and that phenological variations should be considered more strongly in amphibian conservation efforts.
基金supported by the Transportation Consortium of South-Central States (No.18HSTSA01)support was provided by the University of San Antonio, Department of Integrated Biology from the principal investigator’s startup funds to support student research assistants.
文摘Roadside habitat through major urban areas may offer remnant examples of natural grasslands.These habitats may be subjected to frequent as mowing and exposure to automobile emissions and runoff.This study was conducted on interstate highway right-of-ways in San Antonio,Texas,U.S.A.We compared the vegetation species and diversity,and the organic carbon of leaf litter,plants,and soils.Two non-native grasses accounted for 50.9% cover,while all native forbs and grasses accounted for only 9.8% cover.The mean biomass of nonnative grasseswas 4.5 times greater than that of all native species.Organic carbon content of leaf litter,plants,and soils was variable among the study sites,possibly due to management practices and a drought that occurred during the study.Themean organic carbon content in the upper 20 cm soil was 5.0 kg C/m^(2) and organic carbon content was greater in the upper 10 cm than organic carbon in the 10.1 to 20 cm portion.Cynodon dactylon and Bouteloua curtipendula exhibited the greatest photosynthesis efficiency indicating these grasses are more adaptable to hot summer temperatures found in Central Texas.The organic carbon content along a major interstate was 13,793 kg·C/ha for leaf litter,vegetation,and the upper 20 cm of the soil.We conclude that interstate highways provide habitat for some native species,but the vegetation along right-of-ways is dominated by two non-native grasses.It appears unlikely that roadside habitat can be restored to resemble native grasslands without large scale and costly restoration efforts.
基金supported by the United States Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture Hatch project 1026333(ILLU-875-984 to K.M.S)a University of Ilinois Graduate College Master's Fellowship(to K.M.S)+2 种基金a University of Illinois Graduate College Travel Award(to K.M.S)Ilinois State Toll Highway Authority funding(to D.E and A.L.C)University of Illinois Laboratory Start-up funds(to E.K.F).
文摘Biological invasions are a major driver of global biodiversity loss,impacting endemic species,ecosystems,and economies.Although the influence of life history traits on invasive success is well-established,the role of behavior in the invasive potential of animals is less studied.The common coqui frog,Eleutherodactylus coqui,is a highly successful invader in Hawai'i.We build on previous research characterizing changes in physiology and morphology to explore behavioral variation across the invasive range of coqui in Hawai'i.Coqui have expanded both outward and upward from their initial introduction site,andby comparing frogs from different densities and elevations-we specifically asked how the physiological challenges of high-elevation living interact with the competitive challenge of high-densities at population centers.To investigate whether differences in the field represent local adaptation or behavioral plasticity,we additionally evaluated behavior following acclimation to a shared laboratory environment.Although we identified only subtle behavioral variation among populations in the field,we found that individuals from all populations became less bold,active,and exploratory in the laboratory,converging on a similar behavioral phenotype.Alongside previous work,our results suggest that coqui adjust their behavior to local environmental conditions across their invasive range and that behavioral flexibility may contribute to invasive success.
文摘Hypnosis is a promising tool in the management of various conditions,such as anxiety and chronic pain.Preliminary studies have shown that hypnosis can directly affect the cardiovascular system,as it increases parasympathetic activation and reduces sympathetic activity.However,the literature related to the effects of hypnosis on cardiovascular health is scarce,mainly due to misconceptions about hypnosis among researchers and medical professionals.This opinion paper examines the role that hypnosis may play in cardiovascular health,highlighting the physiological mechanisms behind it.The evidence suggests that hypnosis has both direct(e.g.,changes in the activity of the autonomic nervous system)and indirect(e.g.,changes in healthy behaviours)effects on the cardiovascular system;however,further studies are needed to properly define its mechanisms of action and its applicability in improving cardiovascular health.Thus,this opinion paper advocates the adoption of the term“hypno-cardiac physiology”to identify a new research area that gathers experts from neuroscience and cardiovascular science with the joint aim of seeking further understanding of the effects of hypnosis on the cardiovascular system.The adoption of a dedicated term to identify the study of the cardiovascular response to hypnosis will encourage its implementation in cardiovascular health interventions,promoting awareness of its effects among the public and the healthcare community,and promoting the formation of dedicated multidisciplinary research groups and dedicated educational training for healthcare professional interested in its applications.
基金financial support from the National Key R&D Program of China(No.2023YFD1700500)National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.22301093)+2 种基金the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universitiesthe Central China Normal University(CCNU)Knowledge Innovation Program of Wuhan-Shuguang Project。
文摘Oxathiolene oxides are a significant class of bioactive compounds with promising implications in drug discovery,serving as bioisosteres/analogues of 2(5H)-furanones and 1,3-propene sultones.However,existing methods are quite inadequate in their synthesis.Here,we introduced an innovative approach for the photoinduced,site-selective thiosulfinylation of alkynols,providing access to a diverse range of highly functionalized oxathiolene oxides through energy transfer followed by a radical chain process.This procedure efficiently maintains the catalytic cycle under mild and operationally simple conditions,offering excellent functional group tolerance and streamlining the synthesis of bioactive scaffolds and their derivatives that are often challenging with alternative approaches.Preliminary evaluation of live-cell cytotoxicity of oxathiolene oxides toward the 4T1 cancer cells was conducted,suggesting a potentially useable in chemical biology.The strategy presented in this study is not only mechanistically robust but also demonstrates broad versatility in late-stage functionalization,indicating its great potential application in organic synthesis and medicinal chemistry.
基金support of the National Natural Science Foundation of China(32025014 and 32330029 to Q.W.)the National Key Research and Development Program of China(2020YFA0804000 to Q.W.)+2 种基金Guangdong Excellent Youth Team Project(2024B1515040019 to Q.W.)Guangzhou Science and Technology Plan Project(202201010323 to X.H.)the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities(to Q.W.).
文摘Pharyngeal cartilage morphogenesis is crucial for the formation of craniofacial structures.Cranial neural crest cells are specified at the neural plate border,migrate to pharyngeal arches,and differentiate into pharyngeal chondrocytes,which subsequently flatten,elongate,and stack like coins during maturation.Although the developmental processes prior to chondrocyte maturation have been extensively studied,their subsequent changes in morphology and organization remain largely elusive.Here,we show that wnt2bb is expressed in the pharyngeal ectoderm adjacent to the chondrogenic precursor cells in zebrafish.Inactivation of Wnt2bb leads to a reduction in nuclearβ-catenin,which impairs chondrogenic precursor proliferation and disrupts chondrocyte morphogenesis and organization,eventually causing a severe shrinkage of pharyngeal cartilages.Moreover,the decrease ofβ-catenin in wnt2bb^(-/-)mutants is accompanied by the reduction of Yap expression.Reactivation of Yap can restore the proliferation of chondrocyte progenitors as well as the proper size,shape,and stacking of pharyngeal chondrocytes.Our findings suggest that Wnt/β-catenin signaling promotes Yap expression to regulate pharyngeal cartilage formation in zebrafish.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.32302642,32272790)the Starry Night Science Fund of Zhejiang University Shanghai Institute for Advanced Study(Grant No.SN-ZJU-SIAS-0011)+1 种基金Collaborative Promotion Program of Zhejiang Provincial Agricultural Technology of China(Grant No.2023ZDXT05)the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities(Grant No.226-2022-00122).
文摘Autophagy is a universal cellular process in eukaryotes that plays a critical role in plant growth and stress response.However,the role of autophagy in fruit ripening is largely unknown.Here,we demonstrated that most autophagy-related genes(ATGs)were up-regulated during tomato(Solanum lycopersicum L.)fruit ripening.By using mutants of different autophagy pathway genes(ATG6,ATG10,ATG18a),we revealed that the deficiency of autophagy delayed the ripening of fruit.Compared with wild-type(WT),the production of ethylene was significantly reduced and the accumulation of lycopene was delayed in atg mutants during fruit ripening.We also observed the contents of glucose and fructose were both significantly decreased in atg mutants compared with WT,while the content of organic acids showed the opposite trend.Additionally,the negative regulator of ethylene production,APETALA2a(AP2a),interacted with ATG8 through a specific ATG8-interacting motif(AIM)and could be degraded through the autophagy pathway.These results demonstrate that autophagy plays a critical role in fruit ripening by regulating ethylene production and the accumulation of pigments,sugars and organic acids in tomato.
基金the Scientific Research Innovation Capability Support Project for Young Faculty(ZYGXQNJSKYCXNLZCXM-H8)Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities(2024ZYGXZR077)+3 种基金Guangdong Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation(2023B1515120006)Guangzhou Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation(2024A04J5776)the Research Fund(2023QN10Y421)Guangzhou Talent Recruitment Team Program(2024D03J0004),all related to this study.
文摘Osteoporosis is a known risk factor for rotator cuff tears(RCTs),but the causal correlation and underlying mechanisms remain unclear.This study aims to evaluate the impact of osteoporosis on RCT risk and investigate their genetic associations.Using data from the UK Biobank(n=457871),cross-sectional analyses demonstrated that osteoporosis was significantly associated with an increased risk of RCTs(adjusted OR[95%CI]=1.38[1.25–1.52]).A longitudinal analysis of a subset of patients(n=268117)over 11 years revealed that osteoporosis increased the risk of RCTs(adjusted HR[95%CI]=1.56[1.29–1.87]),which is notably varied between sexes in sex-stratified analysis.Causal inference methods,including propensity score matching,inverse probability weighting,causal random forest and survival random forest models further confirmed the causal effect,both from cross-sectional and longitudinal perspectives.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(grant no.31971638)the Public Welfare Project of Fujian Science and Technology Department(grant no.2024R1002001).
文摘Climate change is expected to alter the popu-lation dynamics of pioneer tree species and their planned use in sustainable forest management,but we have a lim-ited understanding of how their demographic rates change in response to climate changes during ecological restora-tion.Based on 12 years of demographic data for a pioneer tree species(Pinus massoniana)censused in three plots that correspond to three stages of ecological restoration in south-eastern China.We built integral projection models(IPMs)to assess vital rates(survival,growth,reproduction)and population growth in each plot,then evaluated demographic changes to simulated changes in seasonal mean temperature and precipitation in the current and previous census period.The plot representing the medium restoration stage had the highest population growth rate(λ=0.983).Mean population survival probability increased with ecological restoration,and reproduction probability was significantly suppressed at the high restoration stage.Survival is always the most important vital rate forλ,and climate affectsλprimarily via survival at each restoration stage.The current spring tem-perature was the most critical climate variable forλin the low and medium restoration stages,and previous summer temperature was most critical in the high restoration stage.Simulated warming leads to a decrease in the stochastic population growth rate(λ_(s))of P.massoniana in every stage.These findings suggest that during ecological restoration,P.massoniana responds to habitat change via modified demo-graphic performance,thus altering its response to climate change.Despite diverse responses to climate change,the persistence of P.massoniana populations is facing a wide-spread threat of warming states at each restoration stages.
基金We thank the Mexican Consejo Nacional de Humanidades,Ciencias y Tecnologías(CONAHCYT)for the financial support provided to the first author to carry out his training in the Institutional Doctoral Program in Agricultural and Forestry Sciences(PIDCAFUJED)with Scholarship No.334852financial support with agreement number CONACYT-FRQ-2016:279459 for the project“Genome-wide scans for detecting adaptation to climate and soil in Populus tremuloides as the most widely distributed tree species in North America”Dr.Jesús M.Olivas-García assisted in the sampling in the state of Chihuahua,Mexico,and Katrin Groppe,Thünen Institute of Forest Genetics,Germany,provided excellent lab work.The Emerging Leaders of the Americas Program(ELAP)of the Government of Canada awarded a scholarship and the Institute of Integrative and Systems Biology(IBIS)of Laval University allowed the use of its campus and contributed to the training of the first author.
文摘The presence of heterozygous individuals in a population is crucial for maintaining genetic diversity,which can positively affect fitness and adaptability to environmental changes.While inbreeding generally reduces the proportion of heterozygous individuals in a population,polyploidy tends to increase the proportion.North American Populus tremuloides is one of the most widely distributed and ecologically important tree species in the Northern Hemisphere.However,genetic variation in Mexican populations of P.tremuloides,including the genetic signatures of their adaptation to a variety of environments,remains largely uncharacterized.The aim of this study was to analyze how inbreeding coefficient(FIS)and ploidy are associated with clonal richness,population cover,climate and soil traits in 91 marginal to small,isolated populations of this tree species throughout its entire distribution in Mexico.Genetic variables were determined using 36,810 filtered SNPs derived from genome re-sequencing.We found that FIS was approximately between 0 and e1,indicating an extreme heterozygosity excess.One key contributor to the observed extreme heterozygosity excess was asexual reproduction,although ploidy levels cannot explain this excess.Analysis of all neutral SNPs showed that asexual reproduction was positively correlated with observed heterozygosity(Ho)but negatively correlated with expected heterozygosity(He).Analysis of outlier SNPs also showed that asexual reproductionwas positively correlated with Ho and negatively correlated with He,although this latter correlation was not significant.These findings support the presence of a Meselson effect.
