Transcriptome, genetic editing, and microRNA divergence substantiate sympatric speciation of blind mole rat, Spalax.

Incipient sympatric speciation in blind mole rat, Spalax galili, in Israel, caused by sharp ecological divergence of abutting chalk-basalt ecologies, has been proposed previously based on mitochondrial and whole-genome nuclear DNA. Here, we present new evidence, including transcriptome, DNA editing, microRNA, and codon usage, substantiating earlier evidence for adaptive divergence in the abutting chalk and basalt populations. Genetic divergence, based on the previous and new evidence, is ongoing despite restricted gene flow between the two populations. The principal component analysis, neighbor-joining tree, and genetic structure analysis of the transcriptome clearly show the clustered divergent two mole rat populations. Gene-expression level analysis indicates that the population transcriptome divergence is displayed not only by soil divergence but also by sex. Gene ontology enrichment of the differentially expressed genes from the two abutting soil populations highlights reproductive isolation. Alternative splicing variation of the two abutting soil populations displays two distinct splicing patterns. L-shaped FST distribution indicates that the two populations have undergone divergence with gene flow. Transcriptome divergent genes highlight neurogenetics and nutrition characterizing the chalk population, and energetics, metabolism, musculature, and sensory perception characterizing the abutting basalt population. Remarkably, microRNAs also display divergence between the two populations. The GC content is significantly higher in chalk than in basalt, and stress-response genes mostly prefer nonoptimal codons. The multiple lines of evidence of ecological-genomic and genetic divergence highlight that natural selection overrules the gene flow between the two abutting populations, substantiating the sharp ecological chalk-basalt divergence driving sympatric speciation.

Duhuo Jisheng Decoction inhibits SDF-1-induced inflammation and matrix degradation in human degenerative nucleus pulposus cells in vitro through the CXCR4/NF-κB pathway.

Lower back pain (LBP) is the most common disease in orthopedic clinics world-wide. A classic Fangji of traditional Chinese medicine, Duhuo Jisheng Decoction (DHJSD), has been proven clinically effective for LBP but its therapeutic mechanisms remain unclear. We hypothesized that DHJSD might relieve LBP through inhibiting the exaggerated proinflammatory cytokines and extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation. Thus, we studied the effects of DHJSD on stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1)-induced inflammation and ECM degradation in human nucleus pulposus cells (hNPCs). The primary hNPCs were isolated from either degenerated human intervertebral disc (HID) of LBP patients or normal HID of lumbar vertebral fracture patients, and cultured in vitro. The cells were treated with SDF-1 (10 ng/mL) and subsequently with different concentrations (100-500 µg/mL) of DHJSD for 24 h, respectively. We found that application of DHJSD significantly antagonized the SDF-1-induced production of proinflammatory cytokines and reduction of aggrecan and type II collagen in the hNPCs. DHJSD also markedly reduced the SDF-1-induced increase of CXCR4 and p-p65 and inhibited the nuclear translocation of p65 in the hNPCs. DHJSD, CXCR4-siRNA, and NF-κB inhibitor (BAY11-7082) caused the same inhibition of exaggerated proinflammatory cytokines in the SDF-1-treated hNPCs. These results provided compelling evidence that DHJSD may inhibit the generation of proinflammatory mediators and ECM degradation of HID through an orchestrated targeting at multiple molecules in the SDF-1/CXCR4/NF-κB pathway, thus offered novel mechanistic insights into the clinical effectiveness of DHJSD on LBP.

MicroRNA-495 Regulates Migration and Invasion in Prostate Cancer Cells Via Targeting Akt and mTOR Signaling.

Abnormal microRNA (miR) expressions were implicated in prostate cancer progression. We identified a novel miR-495, which was downregulated in prostate cancer, but not normal prostate cell lines. MiR-495 directly targeted the 3'-UTR of Akt and mTOR mRNAs. Expression of miR-495 in prostate cancer cells significantly downregulated Akt and mTOR, which further inhibited cancer cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in vitro. Function of miR-495 in vivo was examined in mouse xenograft model and was found to significantly inhibit the growth of tumors, mediated by repressing Akt and mTOR. Our report supported miR-495 as a novel tumor suppressor microRNA in prostate cancer.

Anodic Oxidation of Methanol to Formaldehyde Synergizing with a Br-/Br2 Redox-Mediated Chemical Route to Produce Methyl Formate.

Methyl formate (MF) is one of the most important chemical commodities, which has a wide range of applications. Due to environmental friendliness, mild reaction conditions, and easy operations, electrosynthesis of MF has garnered increasing attention in recent years. In this work, we reported an electrosynthesis route toward MF in a halide-containing methanol solution. The thorough mechanistic investigations point out that electrosynthesis of MF is accomplished by instant reaction between aldehyde from anodic methanol oxidation, and methoxy bromide (CH3OBr) that is in-situ generated by reaction of Br2 from anodic oxidation of Br- with methoxide (CH3O-) from cathodic reduction of methanol. This method features high atomic economy only producing valuable MF and hydrogen gas, and shows distinct advantages compared to the reported MF electrosynthesis methods. Even at 200 mA/cm2, the faradaic efficiency (FE) of MF remains consistently around 60 % at the anode while a 100 % FE hydrogen gas is produced at the cathode.

Synergistic effects of CuS/TiO2 heterointerfaces: Enhanced cathodic CO2 reduction and anodic CH3OH oxidation for paired electrosynthesis of formate.

The electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide into energy-carrying compounds or value-added chemicals is of great significance for diminishing the greenhouse effect. However, it is still imperative to replace the less-value anodic oxygen evolution reaction (OER) to improve the technical economy. Herein, we firstly reported a bifunctional CuS/TiO2 catalyst for both anodic methanol oxidation reaction (MOR) and cathodic carbon dioxide reduction (CO2R). The in-built abundant CuS/TiO2 heterointerfaces are found to boost the CO2R and MOR to produce formate. Based on the unique bifunctionality of CuS/TiO2, a paired electrosynthesis of formate was performed with a total Faradaic efficiency (FE) of about 170 %, in which the cathodic CO2R achieved a formate FE of about 70 %, and the anodic MOR exhibited an almost 100 % formate FE.

Reproductive parameters of female Macaca mulatta tcheliensis in the temperate forest of Mount Taihangshan, Jiyuan, China.

The remaining population of Macaca mulatta tcheliensis, approximately 3,000 individuals, is currently confined to the southern region of Mount Taihangshan, northern China. Using data collected from February 2003 to November 2012, we examined female reproductive characteristics in a seasonally food supplemented free-ranging group of M. m. tcheliensis (Wangwu 1, WW-1), inhabiting the Taishangshan Macaque National Nature Reserve (TMNNR), Jiyuan, China. We tested a series of predictions regarding the degree to which M. m. tcheliensis is best considered as a "strict income breeder," a "relaxed income breeder" or a "capital breeder." This group was comprised 18 adult females who produced 64 infants over the 10-year study period. In our study group (WW-1) adult female macaques gave birth to an average of 0.71 ± 0.26 infants per year. Infant mortality was 13.4 ± 19.3%. The age at first birth for mothers was 4.9 ± 0.5 years old. The mean inter-birth interval (IBI) was 15.4 ± 4.9 months. Based on the fact M. m. tcheliensis is a strictly seasonal breeder (76.6% of births occurred between April and May) with infants born during a time of the year when food availability appears to be high, and that their IBI is intermediate in length compared with other macaque populations, our results suggest that M. m. tcheliensis follows a birth pattern most consistent with a "relaxed income breeder" strategy.

Phylogeny of Leontopodium (Asteraceae) in China-with a reference to plastid genome and nuclear ribosomal DNA.

The infrageneric taxonomy system, species delimitation, and interspecies systematic relationships of Leontopodium remain controversial and complex. However, only a few studies have focused on the molecular phylogeny of this genus. In this study, the characteristics of 43 chloroplast genomes of Leontopodium and its closely related genera were analyzed. Phylogenetic relationships were inferred based on chloroplast genomes and nuclear ribosomal DNA (nrDNA). Finally, together with the morphological characteristics, the relationships within Leontopodium were identified and discussed. The results showed that the chloroplast genomes of Filago, Gamochaeta, and Leontopodium were well-conserved in terms of gene number, gene order, and GC content. The most remarkable differences among the three genera were the length of the complete chloroplast genome, large single-copy region, small single-copy region, and inverted repeat region. In addition, the chloroplast genome structure of Leontopodium exhibited high consistency and was obviously different from that of Filago and Gamochaeta in some regions, such as matk, trnK (UUU)-rps16, petN-psbM, and trnE (UUC)-rpoB. All the phylogenetic trees indicated that Leontopodium was monophyletic. Except for the subgeneric level, our molecular phylogenetic results were inconsistent with the previous taxonomic system, which was based on morphological characteristics. Nevertheless, we found that the characteristics of the leaf base, stem types, and carpopodium base were phylogenetically correlated and may have potential value in the taxonomic study of Leontopodium. In the phylogenetic trees inferred using complete chloroplast genomes, the subgen. Leontopodium was divided into two clades (Clades 1 and 2), with most species in Clade 1 having herbaceous stems, amplexicaul, or sheathed leaves, and constricted carpopodium; most species in Clade 2 had woody stems, not amplexicaul and sheathed leaves, and not constricted carpopodium.

Phylogeny of Trigonotis in China-with a special reference to its nutlet morphology and plastid genome.

The genus Trigonotis comprises nearly 60 species mainly distributed in East and Southeast Asia. China has the largest number of Trigonotis species in the world, with a total of 44 species, of which 38 are endemic. Nutlet morphology is useful for the taxonomic delimitation of Trigonotis. However, there are still controversial circumscriptions of nutlet shape in some species. In previous studies, interspecies phylogenetic relationships were inferred using few DNA markers and very few taxa, which possibly led to erroneous or incomplete conclusions. In this study, the nutlet morphology of 39 Trigonotis taxa and the characteristics of 34 complete chloroplast genomes (29 taxa) were investigated and analyzed. Then, the phylogenetic relationships were discussed within this genus based on complete chloroplast genomes. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first comprehensive analysis of nutlet morphology and complete chloroplast genome of Trigonotis. Based on nutlet morphology, Trigonotis can be divided into two groups: Group 1, hemispherical or oblique tetrahedron with carpopodiums, and Group 2, inverted tetrahedron without carpopodiums. The chloroplast genome of Trigonotis exhibited a typical quadripartite structure, including 84-86 protein-coding, 37 transfer RNA, and 8 ribosomal RNA genes, with a total length of 147,247-148,986 bp. Genes in the junctions were well conserved in Trigonotis, similar to those in other Boraginaceae s.str. species. Furthermore, Trigonotis chloroplast genomes showed relatively high diversity, with more conserved genic regions than intergenic regions; in addition, we detected 14 hot spots (Pi > 0.005) in non-coding regions. Phylogenetic analyses based on chloroplast genome data identified highly resolved relationships between Trigonotis species. Specifically, Trigonotis was divided into two clades with strong support: one clade included species with hemispherical or oblique tetrahedron nutlets with carpopodiums and bracts, whereas the other clade included species with inverted tetrahedron nutlets without carpopodiums or bracts. Our results may inform future taxonomic, phylogenetic, and evolutionary studies on Boraginaceae.

Fuel source shift or cost reduction: Context-dependent adaptation strategies in closely related Neodon fuscus and Lasiopodomys brandtii against hypoxia.

Oxygen is essential for most life forms. Insufficient oxygen supply can disrupt homeostasis and compromise survival, and hypoxia-induced cardiovascular failure is fatal in many animals, including humans. However, certain species have adapted and evolved to cope with hypoxic environments and are therefore good models for studying the regulatory mechanisms underlying responses to hypoxia. Here, we explored the physiological and molecular responses of the cardiovascular system in two closely related hypoxia-adapted species with different life histories, namely, Qinghai voles ( Neodon fuscus) and Brandt's voles ( Lasiopodomys brandtii), under hypoxic (10% O 2 for 48 h) and normoxic (20.9% O 2 for 48 h) exposure. Kunming mice ( Mus musculus) were used for comparison. Qinghai voles live in plateau areas under hypoxic conditions, whereas Brandt's voles only experience periodic hypoxia. Histological and hematological analyses indicated a strong tolerance to hypoxia in both species, but significant cardiac tissue damage and increased blood circulation resistance in mice exposed to hypoxia. Comparative transcriptome analysis revealed enhanced oxygen transport efficiency as a coping mechanism against hypoxia in both N. fuscus and L. brandtii, but with some differences. Specifically, N. fuscus showed up-regulated expression of genes related to accelerated cardiac contraction and angiogenesis, whereas L. brandtii showed significant up-regulation of erythropoiesis-related genes. Synchronized up-regulation of hemoglobin synthesis-related genes was observed in both species. In addition, differences in cardiometabolic strategies against hypoxia were observed in the rodents. Notably, M. musculus relied on adenosine triphosphate (ATP) generation via fatty acid oxidation, whereas N. fuscus shifted energy production to glucose oxidation under hypoxic conditions and L. brandtii employed a conservative strategy involving down-regulation of fatty acid and glucose oxidation and a bradycardia phenotype. In conclusion, the cardiovascular systems of N. fuscus and L. brandtii have evolved different adaptation strategies to enhance oxygen transport capacity and conserve energy under hypoxia. Our findings suggest that the coping mechanisms underlying hypoxia tolerance in these closely related species are context dependent.

[Comparison of hemogram changes under chronic intermittent hypoxia in Lasiopodomys mandarinus and Kunming Mus musculus].

Mandarin vole (Lasiopodomys mandarinus) spends almost all of its life underground and must have evolved remarkable adaptations to cope with the subterranean hypoxic stress. The aim of present study is to explore the adaptation mechanism through the comparison of hemogram changes under chronic intermittent hypoxia in Mandarin vole and Kunming (KM) mouse (Mus musculus). Mandarin vole and KM mouse were treated with chronic intermittent hypoxia (10.0% oxygen), which was maintained by an oxygen cabin, for 4 h per day during four weeks. Then blood samples from the animals with and without hypoxia treatment were analyzed by a hematology analyzer. The results showed that under normoxic condition mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), white blood cell count (WBC) and platelet (PLT) in Mandarin vole were significantly lower than those in KM mouse. On the contrast, red blood cell count (RBC) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) in Mandarin vole were higher than that in KM mouse. After four-week chronic intermittent hypoxia treatment, the hemogram changes were as following. MCV and HCT were elevated in Mandarin vole, not affected in KM mouse. Both hemoglobin (HGB) content and MCH in KM mouse increased, while only MCH increased in Mandarin vole. No obvious changes of WBC and PLT were found in two species. These results suggest that the adaptive mechanism of blood system in Mandarin vole responding to hypoxic conditions is different from that of KM mouse. As a subterranean vole, the Mandarin vole has a better tolerance to hypoxia.

The Kinetochore Protein Spc105, a Novel Interaction Partner of LaeA, Regulates Development and Secondary Metabolism in Aspergillus flavus.

Nuclear protein LaeA is known as the global regulator of secondary metabolism in Aspergillus. LaeA connects with VeA and VelB to form a heterotrimeric complex, which coordinates fungal development and secondary metabolism. Here, we describe a new interaction partner of LaeA, the kinetochore protein Spc105, from the aflatoxin-producing fungus Aspergillus flavus. We showed that in addition to involvement in nuclear division, Spc105 is required for normal conidiophore development and sclerotia production of A. flavus. Moreover, Spc105 positively regulates the production of secondary metabolites such as aflatoxin and kojic acid, and negatively regulates the production of cyclopiazonic acid. Transcriptome analysis of the Δspc105 strain revealed that 23 backbone genes were differentially expressed, corresponding to 19 of the predicted 56 secondary metabolite gene clusters, suggesting a broad regulatory role of Spc105 in secondary metabolism. Notably, the reduced expression of laeA in our transcriptome data led to the discovery of the correlation between Spc105 and LaeA, and double mutant analysis indicated a functional interdependence between Spc105 and LaeA. Further, in vitro and in vivo protein interaction assays revealed that Spc105 interacts directly with the S-adenosylmethionine (SAM)-binding domain of LaeA, and that the leucine zipper motif in Spc105 is required for this interaction. The Spc105-LaeA interaction identified in our study indicates a cooperative interplay of distinct regulators in A. flavus, providing new insights into fungal secondary metabolism regulation networks.

Dynamic changes of different phenotypic and genetic circulating tumor cells as a biomarker for evaluating the prognosis of RCC.

BACKGROUND: Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and relevant autophagy Beclin-1 genes expression are critical biomarkers for tumorigenesis and tumor progress. Here we investigated the relationship of dynamic changes of CTCs and Beclin-1 expression of CTCs with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) prognosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 69 patients with RCC were enrolled and divided into two groups based on the postoperative status of distant metastasis, including metastasis-free group (n = 58) and metastatic group (n = 11). Demographic characteristics of each patient were recorded in detail. All 69 enrolled patients had received multiple CTC tests and peripheral blood samples were obtained at three different time points (1 day before operation, 6 months and 12 months after operation). Peripheral blood samples were drawn before each time point and CTCs were separated by using Can Patrol CTC enrichment technique. CTCs were divided into epithelial, mesenchymal and mixed phenotype based on different surface biomarkers. RNA in situ hybridization assay was used to detect the expression of Beclin1 gene. RESULTS: The percentages of epithelial, mesenchymal and mixed CTCs were 11.64%, 28.04% and 60.32%, respectively. There were no significant differences of initial CTCs counts between metastasis-free group (8.43 ± 5.15) and metastatic group (7.71 ± 3.82) (P > 0.05). As for metastatic group, the number of mixed CTCs at 12 months postoperatively was significantly higher than that of mixed CTCs preoperatively and 6 months postoperatively (P < 0.05). In the metastatic group, the number of Beclin1 positive CTCs was significantly higher than that of Beclin1 negative CTCs preoperatively (P < 0.05), moreover, there were several significantly changes of Beclin1 positive CTCs with different types and at different time points. CONCLUSION: The recurrence or metastasis of RCC was uncorrelated with initial CTCs counts, but probably related with the variation trend of CTCs, especially mesenchymal CTCs and Beclin1 positive CTCs.

[Correlation of the prognosis of chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome with psychological and other factors: a Cox regression analysis].

OBJECTIVE: To establish the role of psychological factors in the etiology and symptomatology of chronic prostatitis / chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS), analyze the influence of the psychological obstacles and other relative factors on the prognosis of CP/CPPS by univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses, and provide a scientific basis for psychotherapy of the problem. METHODS: A total of 291 CP/CPPS patients and 100 normal controls were investigated in age, education, occupation, character, disease course, NIH chronic prostatitis syndrome index (NIH-CPSI) and leukocyte count in EPS and by self-rating anxiety scale (SAS) and self-rating depression scale (SDS) to establish the psychological factors related with CP/CPPS. Then, all the CP/CPPS patients were treated with the same method and followed up for 6 weeks. Based on the therapeutic results, the influence of psychological and other relative factors on the prognosis of CP/CPPS was analyzed with univariate and multivariate Cox regression. RESULTS: All together 258 valid questionnaires were collected from the patients and 87 from the normal controls. Of the 258 CP/CPPS patients, the mean scores on SAS and SDS were 42.8 +/- 11.43 and 48.15 +/- 11.49 respectively, both significantly higher than those of the controls (32.12 +/- 9.68 and 35.12 +/- 10.81) (P < 0.01). The rates of anxiety, depression and anxiety and/or depression in the CP/CPPS group were 25.97, 21.71 and 34.50 % respectively, all significantly higher than in the control group (P < 0.01). The rate of introversion was significantly higher while that of extroversion significantly lower in the former than in the latter (P < 0.01). The total effectiveness rate of treatment was 70.54 % in the CP/CPPS patients. Univariate and multivariate analyses with Cox regression revealed that anxiety, depression and disease course were the definite factors that negatively affected the prognosis of CP/CPPS, while the other factors, such as age, CPSI, character and leukocyte count in EPS had no influence. CONCLUSION: Such psychological obstacles as anxiety and depression play an important role in the pathogenesis, development and prognosis of CP/CPPS. In the treatment of CP/ CPPS, importance should be attached to the patients'psychological status and proper psychological intervention is sometimes necessary.

Effect of RNA interference of the expression of HMGA2 on the proliferation and invasion ability of ACHN renal cell carcinoma cells.

This aim of the present study was to observe the effect of high mobility group AT­hook 2 (HMGA2) on the proliferation and invasion ability of ACHN renal cell carcinoma (RCC) cells. Human ACHN cells, an RCC cell line, and HKC normal human renal tubular epithelial cells were cultured. HMGA2 small interfering (si)RNA, Mock­siRNA and their negative control group were designed and synthesized. Subsequently, the ACHN cells were transiently transfected using RNA interference technology. Finally, the mRNA and protein expression levels of HMGA2 were detected using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and western blot analyses. The proliferation ability of the ACHN cells was determined using MTT, and ACHN cell invasion ability was detected using the Transwell method. The results showed that the mRNA and protein expression levels of HMGA2 in the ACHN cells were considerably higher, compared with those in the HKC cells (P<0.01). The RCC cells, in which the expression of HMGA2 was specifically silenced, was successfully constructed. The proliferation rate of cells in the HMGA2­siRNA group was significantly lower, compared with that of cells in the Mock­siRNA group and control group at 24, 48, 72 and 96 h post­transfection (P<0.05). The invasion ability of cells in the HMGA2­siRNA group was significantly lower, compared with that of cells in the Mock­siRNA group and control group (P<0.05) 48 h following transfection. Therefore, the HMGA2 gene may function as an oncogene in the occurrence and development of RCC, and provide specific targets for the targeted therapy of RCC. Further detailed investigations of the HMGA2 gene are important for future gene therapy of RCC.

Studies on fluid dynamics of the flow field and gas transfer in orbitally shaken tubes.

Orbitally shaken cylindrical bioreactors [OrbShake bioreactors (OSRs)] without an impeller or sparger are increasingly being used for the suspension cultivation of mammalian cells. Among small volume OSRs, 50-mL tubes with a ventilated cap (OSR50), originally derived from standard laboratory centrifuge tubes with a conical bottom, have found many applications including high-throughput screening for the optimization of cell cultivation conditions. To better understand the fluid dynamics and gas transfer rates at the liquid surface in OSR50, we established a three-dimensional simulation model of the unsteady liquid forms (waves) in this vessel. The studies verified that the operating conditions have a large effect on the interfacial surface. The volumetric mass transfer coefficient (kL a) was determined experimentally and from simulations under various working conditions. We also determined the liquid-phase mass transfer coefficient (kL ) and the specific interfacial area (a) under different conditions to demonstrate that the value of a affected the gas transfer rate more than did the value of kL . High oxygen transfer rates, sufficient for supporting the high-density culture of mammalian cells, were found. Finally, the average axial velocity of the liquid was identified to be an important parameter for maintaining cells in suspension. Overall these studies provide valuable insights into the preferable operating conditions for the OSR50, such as those needed for cell cultures requiring high oxygen levels. © 2016 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 33:192-200, 2017.

Seasonal changes in chronic social interactions and physiological states in female rat-like hamsters (Tscheskia triton).

We examined the behavioral characteristics and physiological states related to solitary lifestyle and dominant-subordinate relationships in female rat-like hamsters (Tscheskia triton), formerly known as Cricetulus triton. Wild adult hamsters were captured and caged singly in the laboratory during the non-breeding and breeding seasons. The experimental hamsters were subjected to 5 min staged dyadic encounters every day for 28 consecutive days by pairing two unfamiliar and weight matched females in a neutral arena. Aggressive behavior, defense and flank marking were quantified everyday within the first week and once each week during the last 3 weeks. Animals were then autopsied and their physiological and reproductive state assessed. Our results suggested that dominant-subordinate relationships could be established especially in non-breeding conditions, where the dominant displayed higher aggression and flank marking, and lower defense than its opponent. The breeding females followed this pattern except there was no difference in aggressive behavior, between the partners. The repeated encounters did not appear to reduce aggression or lead to amiable behavior or bonding. At the end of the experiment breeding females exhibited higher levels of serum estradiol, progesterone and corticosterone than non-breeding females. Both dominant and subordinate females in non-breeding condition had atrophied ovaries and uteri, whereas both dominant and subordinate females in breeding condition had hypertrophied ovaries and uteri. Non-breeding females possessed heavier and thicker flank glands than breeding females did. Dominant females displayed longer or thicker flank glands than subordinate did. Thus, our data suggest that the behavioral traits observed in our experiment support the solitary lifestyle of adult female rat-like hamsters and physiological state show some differences between social ranks or in both seasons.

Isoflavones and Prostate Cancer: A Review of Some Critical Issues.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this review is to discuss some critical issues of isoflavones protective against the development of prostate cancer (PCa). DATA SOURCES: Data cited in this review were obtained primarily from PubMed and Embase from 1975 to 2015. STUDY SELECTION: Articles were selected with the search terms "isoflavone", "Phytoestrogen", "soy", "genistin", and "PCa ". RESULTS: Isoflavones do not play an important role on prostate-specific antigen levels reduction in PCa patients or healthy men. The effect of isoflavones on sex hormone levels and PCa risk may be determined by equol converting bacteria in the intestine, specific polymorphic variation and concentrations of isoflavones. The intake of various types of phytoestrogens with lower concentrations in the daily diet may produce synergistic effects against PCa. Moreover, prostate tissue may concentrate isoflavones to potentially anti-carcinogenic levels. In addition, it is noteworthy that isoflavones may act as an agonist in PCa. CONCLUSIONS: Isoflavones play a protective role against the development of PCa. However, careful consideration should be given when isoflavones are used in the prevention and treatment of PCa.

Foreign body in the heart.

As an emergency, a foreign body in the heart should generally be removed as early as possible by surgical or non-surgical procedures in order to avoid any complications. Early treatment typically results in a better prognosis.

Establishment of a microsatellite set for noninvasive paternity testing in free-ranging Macaca mulatta tcheliensis in Mount Taihangshan area, Jiyuan, China.

BACKGROUND: Within multi-male and multi-female mammalian societies, paternity assignment is crucial for evaluating male reproductive success, dominance hierarchy, and inbreeding avoidance. It is, however, difficult to determine paternity because of female promiscuity during reproduction. Noninvasive molecular techniques (e.g., fecal DNA) make it possible to match the genetic father to his offspring. In the current study, a troop of free-ranging Taihangshan macaques (Macaca mulatta tcheliensis) in Mt. Taihangshan area, Jiyuan, China, was selected for studying the paternity. We successfully screened a set of microsatellite loci from fecal DNA and evaluated the efficiency of these loci for paternity testing using clearly recorded data of maternity. RESULTS: The results showed that: 1) ten loci out of 18 candidate microsatellite loci were amplified successfully in the fecal samples of Taihangshan macaques. The error probability in maternity assignments and paternity testing was very low as indicated by their power of discrimination (0.70 to 0.95), power of exclusion (0.43 to 0.84), and the values of polymorphic information content ranging from 0.52 to 0.82; 2) the combined probability of exclusion in paternity testing for ten qualified loci was as high as 99.999%, and the combined probability of exclusion reached 99.99% when the seven most polymorphic loci were adopted; 3) the offspring were assigned to their biological mother correctly and also matched with their genetic father. CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that the ten polymorphic microsatellite loci, especially a core set of seven most polymorphic loci, provided an effective and reliable tool for noninvasive paternity testing in free-ranging rhesus macaques.

Natural selection and adaptive evolution of leptin in the ochotona family driven by the cold environmental stress.

BACKGROUND: Environmental stress can accelerate the evolutionary rate of specific stress-response proteins and create new functions specialized for different environments, enhancing an organism's fitness to stressful environments. Pikas (order Lagomorpha), endemic, non-hibernating mammals in the modern Holarctic Region, live in cold regions at either high altitudes or high latitudes and have a maximum distribution of species diversification confined to the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Variations in energy metabolism are remarkable for them living in cold environments. Leptin, an adipocyte-derived hormone, plays important roles in energy homeostasis. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: To examine the extent of leptin variations within the Ochotona family, we cloned the entire coding sequence of pika leptin from 6 species in two regions (Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and Inner Mongolia steppe in China) and the leptin sequences of plateau pikas (O. curzonia) from different altitudes on Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. We carried out both DNA and amino acid sequence analyses in molecular evolution and compared modeled spatial structures. Our results show that positive selection (PS) acts on pika leptin, while nine PS sites located within the functionally significant segment 85-119 of leptin and one unique motif appeared only in pika lineages-the ATP synthase alpha and beta subunit signature site. To reveal the environmental factors affecting sequence evolution of pika leptin, relative rate test was performed in pikas from different altitudes. Stepwise multiple regression shows that temperature is significantly and negatively correlated with the rates of non-synonymous substitution (Ka) and amino acid substitution (Aa), whereas altitude does not significantly affect synonymous substitution (Ks), Ka and Aa. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Our findings support the viewpoint that adaptive evolution may occur in pika leptin, which may play important roles in pikas' ecological adaptation to extreme environmental stress. We speculate that cold, and probably not hypoxia, may be the primary environmental factor for driving adaptive evolution of pika leptin.