Exposure to low levels of antidiabetic glibenclamide had no evident adverse effects on intestinal microbial composition and metabolic profiles in amphibian larvae.

Unmetabolized human pharmaceuticals may enter aquatic environments, and potentially exert adverse effects on the survival of non-target organisms. Here, Pelophylax nigromaculatus tadpoles were exposed to different concentrations of antidiabetic glibenclamide (GLB) for 30 days to evaluate its potential ecotoxicological effect in amphibians using intestinal microbiomic and metabolomic profiles. The mortality rate of GLB-exposed groups appeared to be lower than that of the control group.

Embryonic development, hatchling performance and metabolic profile after egg exposure to environmentally relevant levels of chlorpyrifos in an aquatic turtle.

The extensive use of organophosphorus insecticides poses a threat to the survival of non-target organisms. Ecotoxicological outcomes of embryonic exposure to insecticides are rarely evaluated in various oviparous species. In this study, soft-shelled turtle (Pelodiscus sinensis) eggs were incubated in moist substrate containing different levels (0, 2, 20 and 200 μg/kg) of chlorpyrifos to investigate its toxic effects on embryonic development and survival, and hatchling physiological performance.

Phylogeny-Related Variations in Venomics: A Test in a Subset of Habu Snakes ().

We conducted a comparative analysis to unveil the divergence among venoms from a subset of Old World habu snakes () in terms of venomic profiles and toxicological and enzymatic activities. A total of 14 protein families were identified in the venoms from these habu snakes, and 11 of them were shared among these venoms. The venoms of five adult habu snakes were overwhelmingly dominated by SVMP (32.

Dietary and Sexual Correlates of Gut Microbiota in the Japanese Gecko, (Schlegel, 1836).

Numerous studies have demonstrated that multiple intrinsic and extrinsic factors shape the structure and composition of gut microbiota in a host. The disorder of the gut microbiota may trigger various host diseases. Here, we collected fecal samples from wild-caught Japanese geckos () and captive conspecifics fed with mealworms (mealworm-fed geckos) and fruit flies (fly-fed geckos), aiming to examine the dietary and sexual correlates of the gut microbiota.

Single-cell transcriptomes from turtle livers reveal sensitivity of hepatic immune cells to bacteria-infection.

The liver is important in the synthesis, metabolism and storage of nutrients, detoxification and immune response of the body, and the liver immune response against exogenous pathogens from the intestinal tract plays a key role in the immune activities. However, the cellular composition of the liver immune atlas remains sparsely studied in reptiles. We used single-cell RNA sequencing to identify the cellular profile of the liver of the Chinese soft-shelled turtle (Pelodiscus sinensis).

Sexual size monomorphism may evolve in lizards with a body size maximizing reproductive performance for both sexes.

We used , a sexually size-monomorphic lacertid lizard, as a model system to test the hypothesis that sexual size monomorphism may evolve in lizards where reproductive performance is maximized at a similar body size for both sexes. We allowed lizards housed in laboratory enclosures to lay as many clutches (for females) as they could or to mate as many times (for males) as they could in a breeding season. Size-assortative mating was weak but evident in , as revealed by the fact that male and female snout-vent lengths (SVLs) in mating pairs were significantly and positively correlated.

Venom of the Annulated Sea Snake : A Biochemically Simple but Genetically Complex Weapon.

Given that the venom system in sea snakes has a role in enhancing their secondary adaption to the marine environment, it follows that elucidating the diversity and function of venom toxins will help to understand the adaptive radiation of sea snakes. We performed proteomic and de novo NGS analyses to explore the diversity of venom toxins in the annulated sea snake () and estimated the adaptive molecular evolution of the toxin-coding unigenes and the toxicity of the major components. We found three-finger toxins (3-FTxs), phospholipase A (PLA) and cysteine-rich secretory protein (CRISP) in the venom proteome and 59 toxin-coding unigenes belonging to 24 protein families in the venom-gland transcriptome; 3-FTx and PLA were the most abundant families.

Venom-gland transcriptomic, venomic, and antivenomic profiles of the spine-bellied sea snake (Hydrophis curtus) from the South China Sea.

Background: A comprehensive evaluation of the -omic profiles of venom is important for understanding the potential function and evolution of snake venom. Here, we conducted an integrated multi-omics-analysis to unveil the venom-transcriptomic and venomic profiles in a same group of spine-bellied sea snakes (Hydrophis curtus) from the South China Sea, where the snake is a widespread species and might generate regionally-specific venom potentially harmful to human activities. The capacity of two heterologous antivenoms to immunocapture the H.

Liposome-encapsulated peptide PDBSN ameliorates high-fat-diet-induced obesity and improves metabolism homeostasis.

In recent years, the obese and overweight population has increased rapidly, which has become a worldwide public health problem. However, effective medication is lacking. Our previous study identified a novel peptide, PDBSN (GLSVADLAESIMKNL), that could significantly restrict adipocyte differentiation in vitro, but its in vivo function has not been determined.

The Prognostic Value of Deficient Mismatch Repair in Stage II-IVa Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma in the Era of IMRT.

In the era of intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT), it is important to analyse the prognostic value of deficient mismatch repair (dMMR) in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). In this study, in pretreatment biopsies of 69 patients with stage II-IVa NPC, the expression levels of MMR proteins, including MLH1, MSH2, MSH6 and PMS2, were assessed by immunohistochemistry (IHC). The median follow-up time was 37.

The geographical diversification in varanid lizards: the role of mainland versus island in driving species evolution.

Monitor lizards (Varanidae) inhabit both the mainland and islands of all geological types and have diversified into an exceptionally wide range of body sizes, thus providing an ideal model for examining the role of mainland versus island in driving species evolution. Here we use phylogenetic comparative methods to examine whether a link exists between body size-driven diversification and body size-frequency distributions in varanid lizards and to test the hypothesis that island lizards differ from mainland species in evolutionary processes, body size, and life-history traits (offspring number and size). We predict that: 1) since body size drives rapid diversification in groups, a link exists between body size-driven diversification and body size-frequency distributions; 2) because of various environments on island, island species will have higher speciation, extinction, and dispersal rates, compared with mainland species; 3) as a response to stronger intraspecific competition, island species will maximize individual ability associated with body size to outcompete closely-related species, and island species will produce smaller clutches of larger eggs to increase offspring quality.

Does the oviparity-viviparity transition alter the partitioning of yolk in embryonic snakes?

Background: The oviparity-viviparity transition is a major evolutionary event, likely altering the reproductive process of the organisms involved. Residual yolk, a portion of yolk remaining unutilized at hatching or birth as parental investment in care, has been investigated in many oviparous amniotes but remained largely unknown in viviparous species. Here, we used data from 20 (12 oviparous and 8 viviparous) species of snakes to see if the oviparity-viviparity transition alters the partitioning of yolk in embryonic snakes.

Combined venomics, antivenomics and venom gland transcriptome analysis of the monocoled cobra (Naja kaouthia) from China.

Unlabelled: We conducted an omics-analysis of the venom of Naja kaouthia from China. Proteomics analysis revealed six protein families [three-finger toxins (3-FTx), phospholipase A (PLA), nerve growth factor, snake venom metalloproteinase (SVMP), cysteine-rich secretory protein and ohanin], and venom-gland transcriptomics analysis revealed 28 protein families from 79 unigenes. 3-FTx (56.

Proteomic characterization and comparison of venoms from two elapid snakes (Bungarus multicinctus and Naja atra) from China.

Unlabelled: Bungarus multicinctus (many-banded krait) and Naja atra (Chinese cobra) are widely distributed and medically important venomous snakes in China; however, their venom proteomic profiles have not been fully compared. Here, we fractionated crude venoms and analyzed them using a combination of proteomic techniques. Three-finger toxins (3-FTx) and phospholipase A2 (PLA2) were most abundant in both species, respectively accounting for 32.

Structural basis of death domain signaling in the p75 neurotrophin receptor.

Death domains (DDs) mediate assembly of oligomeric complexes for activation of downstream signaling pathways through incompletely understood mechanisms. Here we report structures of complexes formed by the DD of p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75(NTR)) with RhoGDI, for activation of the RhoA pathway, with caspase recruitment domain (CARD) of RIP2 kinase, for activation of the NF-kB pathway, and with itself, revealing how DD dimerization controls access of intracellular effectors to the receptor. RIP2 CARD and RhoGDI bind to p75(NTR) DD at partially overlapping epitopes with over 100-fold difference in affinity, revealing the mechanism by which RIP2 recruitment displaces RhoGDI upon ligand binding.

The phylogeographical pattern and conservation of the Chinese cobra (Naja atra) across its range based on mitochondrial control region sequences.

The vulnerable Chinese cobra (Naja atra) ranges from southeastern China south of the Yangtze River to northern Vietnam and Laos. Large mountain ranges and water bodies may influence the pattern of genetic diversity of this species. We sequenced the mitochondrial DNA control region (1029 bp) using 285 individuals collected from 23 localities across the species' range and obtained 18 sequences unique to Taiwan from GenBank for phylogenetic and population analysis.

Proteomic and biochemical analyses of short-tailed pit viper (Gloydius brevicaudus) venom: age-related variation and composition-activity correlation.

Unlabelled: We conducted an in-depth analysis of the proteomic and biochemical profiles of the venom of neonate and adult short-tailed pit vipers (Gloydius brevicaudus). Identified proteins were assigned to a few main toxin families. Disintegrin, phospholipase A2 (PLA2), serine proteinase, cysteine-rich secretory protein, C-type lectin-like protein, l-amino acid oxidase and snake venom metalloproteinase (SVMP) were detected in both venoms, while 5'-nucleotidase was detected only in the adult venom.

Neonate-to-adult transition of snake venomics in the short-tailed pit viper, Gloydius brevicaudus.

Unlabelled: Snake venoms undergo ontogenetic shifts in biochemical and pharmacological activities. This may be related to variation in venom components associated with the ontogenetic shift in diet. We used the short-tailed pit viper Gloydius brevicaudus that displays ontogenetic shifts in diet to examine whether the species displays a neonate-to-adult transition of snake venomics.

Immunoreactivity between venoms and commercial antiserums in four Chinese snakes and venom identification by species-specific antibody.

We studied the immunoreactivity between venoms and commercial antiserums in four Chinese venomous snakes, Bungarus multicinctus, Naja atra, Deinagkistrodon acutus and Gloydius brevicaudus. Venoms from the four snakes shared common antigenic components, and most venom components expressed antigenicity in the immunological reaction between venoms and antiserums. Antiserums cross-reacted with heterologous venoms.

Within-clutch variation in venoms from hatchlings of Deinagkistrodon acutus (Viperidae).

We used 17 hatchling five-paced pit-vipers snakes (Deinagkistrodon acutus) to study within-clutch variation in snake venoms. We measured venom yield and total protein content, and examined the correlations between venom yield and hatchling size [snout-vent length (SVL) and body mass]. We also analyzed the electrophoretic profiles and enzymatic activities of venoms from hatchlings.

[Tissue culture effect of different size explants of Lycoris aurea].

Objective: To solve the puzzle about the right size of the explant of wild medicinal plant Lycoris aurea for tissue culture.

Methods: Three-size explants: 9.0 x 8.

Evolution of reptilian viviparity: a test of the maternal manipulation hypothesis in a temperate snake, Gloydius brevicaudus (Viperidae).

We kept 48 gravid short-tailed pit vipers (Gloydius brevicaudus) under four laboratory thermal conditions during gestation and collected 10 females from the field soon before they gave birth to test whether Shine's (1995) maternal manipulation hypothesis applies to temperate reptiles. Females thermoregulated more precisely but did not shift their selected body temperatures during pregnancy, with females at high body temperatures giving birth early in the breeding season. The lowest (22 degrees C) and highest (32 degrees C) temperature treatments Increased maternal mortality and resulted in production of offspring with smaller body dimensions.