A versatile pipeline to identify convergently lost ancestral conserved fragments associated with convergent evolution of vocal learning.

Molecular convergence in convergently evolved lineages provides valuable insights into the shared genetic basis of converged phenotypes. However, most methods are limited to coding regions, overlooking the potential contribution of regulatory regions. We focused on the independently evolved vocal learning ability in multiple avian lineages, and developed a whole-genome-alignment-free approach to identify genome-wide Convergently Lost Ancestral Conserved fragments (CLACs) in these lineages, encompassing noncoding regions.

Firefly toxin lucibufagins evolved after the origin of bioluminescence.

Fireflies were believed to originally evolve their novel bioluminescence as warning signals to advertise their toxicity to predators, which was later adopted in adult mating. Although the evolution of bioluminescence has been investigated extensively, the warning signal hypothesis of its origin has not been tested. In this study, we test this hypothesis by systematically determining the presence or absence of firefly toxin lucibufagins (LBGs) across firefly species and inferring the time of origin of LBGs.

The association of intracranial atherosclerosis with cerebral small vessel disease imaging markers: a high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging study.

To evaluate the association of intracranial non-stenotic atherosclerotic plaque with cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) imaging markers in a CSVD population using 3.0 T high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (HRMRI), which was validated in embolic stroke of undetermined source (ESUS) cohort. We retrospectively recruited consecutive patients who were diagnosed with CSVD or ESUS from January 2015 to December 2019.

Subtyping analysis reveals new variants and accelerated evolution of Clostridioides difficile toxin B.

Clostridioides difficile toxins (TcdA and TcdB) are major exotoxins responsible for C. difficile infection (CDI) associated diseases. The previously reported TcdB variants showed distinct biological features, immunoactivities, and potential pathogenicity in disease progression.

Evolutionary Genetics of Hypoxia and Cold Tolerance in Mammals.

Low oxygen and fluctuant ambient temperature pose serious challenges to mammalian survival. Physiological adaptations in mammals to hypoxia and low temperatures have been intensively investigated, yet their underlying molecular mechanisms need further exploration. Independent invasions of high-altitude plateaus, subterranean burrows and marine environments by different mammals provide opportunities to conduct such analyses.

[Interactions of straw, nitrogen fertilizer and bacterivorous nematodes on soil labile carbon and nitrogen and greenhouse gas emissions].

A 3 x 2 factorial design of microcosm experiment was conducted to investigate the interactive effects of straw, nitrogen fertilizer and bacterivorous nematodes on soil microbial biomass carbon (C(mic)) and nitrogen (N(mic)), dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and nitrogen (DON), mineral nitrogen (NH(4+)-N and NO(3-)-N), and greenhouse gas (CO2, N2O and CH4) emissions. Results showed that straw amendment remarkably increased the numbers of bacterivorous nematodes and the contents of Cmic and Nmic, but Cmic and Nmic decreased with the increasing dose of nitrogen fertilization. The effects of bacterivorous nematodes strongly depended on either straw or nitrogen fertilization.

The loss of taste genes in cetaceans.

Background: Five basic taste modalities, sour, sweet, bitter, salt and umami, can be distinguished by humans and are fundamental for physical and ecological adaptations in mammals. Molecular genetic studies of the receptor genes for these tastes have been conducted in terrestrial mammals; however, little is known about the evolution and adaptation of these genes in marine mammals.

Results: Here, all five basic taste modalities, sour, sweet, bitter, salt and umami, were investigated in cetaceans.

Baiji genomes reveal low genetic variability and new insights into secondary aquatic adaptations.

The baiji, or Yangtze River dolphin (Lipotes vexillifer), is a flagship species for the conservation of aquatic animals and ecosystems in the Yangtze River of China; however, this species has now been recognized as functionally extinct. Here we report a high-quality draft genome and three re-sequenced genomes of L. vexillifer using Illumina short-read sequencing technology.