Multi-omics analysis reveals the evolution, function, and regulatory mechanisms of SPF pheromones in Anurans.

Pheromones play a pivotal role in chemical communication across various taxa, with protein-based pheromones being particularly significant in amphibian courtship and reproduction. In this study, we investigate the Emei music frog (Nidirana daunchina), which utilizes both acoustic and chemical signals for communication. Base on a de novo assembled genome of a male Emei music frog, we identify substantial expansion in four pheromone-related gene families associated with chemical communication.

Hidden hotspots of amphibian biodiversity in China.

Identifying and protecting hotspots of endemism and species richness is crucial for mitigating the global biodiversity crisis. However, our understanding of spatial diversity patterns is far from complete, which severely limits our ability to conserve biodiversity hotspots. Here, we report a comprehensive analysis of amphibian species diversity in China, one of the most species-rich countries on Earth.

Large-scale snake genome analyses provide insights into vertebrate development.

Snakes are a remarkable squamate lineage with unique morphological adaptations, especially those related to the evolution of vertebrate skeletons, organs, and sensory systems. To clarify the genetic underpinnings of snake phenotypes, we assembled and analyzed 14 de novo genomes from 12 snake families. We also investigated the genetic basis of the morphological characteristics of snakes using functional experiments.

Basing on the machine learning model to analyse the coronary calcification score and the coronary flow reserve score to evaluate the degree of coronary artery stenosis.

Aim: To obtain the coronary artery calcium score (CACS) for each branch in coronary artery computed tomography angiography (CCTA) examination combined with the flow fraction reserve (FFR) of each branch in the coronary artery detected by CT and apply a machine learning model (ML) to analyse and predict the severity of coronary artery stenosis.

Methods: All patients who underwent coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) from January 2019 to April 2022 in the HOSPITAL (T.C.

Developmental regulation of conserved non-coding element evolution provides insights into limb loss in squamates.

Limb loss shows recurrent phenotypic evolution across squamate lineages. Here, based on three de novo-assembled genomes of limbless lizards from different lineages, we showed that divergence of conserved non-coding elements (CNEs) played an important role in limb development. These CNEs were associated with genes required for limb initiation and outgrowth, and with regulatory signals in the early stage of limb development.

DNA barcoding of Chinese snakes reveals hidden diversity and conservation needs.

DNA barcoding has greatly facilitated studies of taxonomy, biodiversity, biological conservation, and ecology. Here, we establish a reliable DNA barcoding library for Chinese snakes, unveiling hidden diversity with implications for taxonomy, and provide a standardized tool for conservation management. Our comprehensive study includes 1638 cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) sequences from Chinese snakes that correspond to 17 families, 65 genera, 228 named species (80.

Genetic mapping and molecular mechanism behind color variation in the Asian vine snake.

Background: Reptiles exhibit a wide variety of skin colors, which serve essential roles in survival and reproduction. However, the molecular basis of these conspicuous colors remains unresolved.

Results: We investigate color morph-enriched Asian vine snakes (Ahaetulla prasina), to explore the mechanism underpinning color variations.

Effects of climate change and anthropogenic activity on ranges of vertebrate species endemic to the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau over 40 years.

Over the past 40 years, the climate has been changing and human disturbance has increased in the vast Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP). These 2 factors are expected to affect the distribution of a large number of endemic vertebrate species. However, quantitative relationships between range shifts and climate change and human disturbance of these species in the QTP have rarely been evaluated.

Genomic evidence reveals intraspecific divergence of the hot-spring snake (Thermophis baileyi), an endangered reptile endemic to the Qinghai-Tibet plateau.

Understanding how and why species evolve requires knowledge on intraspecific divergence. In this study, we examined intraspecific divergence in the endangered hot-spring snake (Thermophis baileyi), an endemic species on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP). Whole-genome resequencing of 58 sampled individuals from 15 populations was performed to identify the drivers of intraspecific divergence and explore the potential roles of genes under selection.

Temperature acclimation in hot-spring snakes and the convergence of cold response.

Animals have evolved sophisticated temperature-sensing systems and mechanisms to detect and respond to ambient temperature changes. As a relict species endemic to the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, hot-spring snake () survived the dramatic changes in climate that occurred during plateau uplift and ice ages, providing an excellent opportunity to explore the evolution of temperature sensation in ectotherms. Based on distributional information and behavioral experiments, we found that prefer hot-spring habitats and respond more quickly to warmth than other two snakes, suggesting that may evolve an efficient thermal-sensing system.

The structural and functional divergence of a neglected three-finger toxin subfamily in lethal elapids.

Bungarus multicinctus is a widely distributed and medically important elapid snake that produces lethal neurotoxic venom. To study and enhance existing antivenom, we explore the complete repertoire of its toxin genes based on de novo chromosome-level assembly and multi-tissue transcriptome data. Comparative genomic analyses suggest that the three-finger toxin family (3FTX) may evolve through the neofunctionalization of flanking LY6E.

Comparative study of the efficacy of dexmedetomidine and fentanyl on anxiety and pain of parturients with different COMTva1158met genotypes.

Objective: This study investigates the effects of COMTval158met gene polymorphism on maternal anxiety and pain during delivery and on the analgesic and anxiety efficacy of dexmedetomidine during delivery.

Methods: Sixty-one pregnant women, who were hospitalized in our hospital from January to November of 2016 were recruited and randomly divided into two groups, F and D groups. The pregnant women in the F group were given labor analgesia with ropivacaine combined with fentanyl.

Genomic adaptations for arboreal locomotion in Asian flying treefrogs.

SignificanceTo adapt to arboreal lifestyles, treefrogs have evolved a suite of complex traits that support vertical movement and gliding, thus presenting a unique case for studying the genetic basis for traits causally linked to vertical niche expansion. Here, based on two de novo-assembled Asian treefrog genomes, we determined that genes involved in limb development and keratin cytoskeleton likely played a role in the evolution of their climbing systems. Behavioral and morphological evaluation and time-ordered gene coexpression network analysis revealed the developmental patterns and regulatory pathways of the webbed feet used for gliding in .

East palearctic treefrog past and present habitat suitability using ecological niche models.

Ecological niche modeling is a tool used to determine current potential species' distribution or habitat suitability models which can then be used to project suitable areas in time. Projections of suitability into past climates can identify locations of climate refugia, or areas with high climatic stability likely to contain the highest levels of genetic diversity and stable populations when climatic conditions are less suitable in other parts of the range. Modeling habitat suitability for closely related species in recent past can also reveal potential periods and regions of contact and possible admixture.

Transcriptome Analysis Reveals Olfactory System Expression Characteristics of Aquatic Snakes.

Animal olfactory systems evolved with changes in habitat to detect odor cues from the environment. The aquatic environment, as a unique habitat, poses a formidable challenge for olfactory perception in animals, since the higher density and viscosity of water. The olfactory system in snakes is highly specialized, thus providing the opportunity to explore the adaptive evolution of such systems to unique habitats.

MEANGS: an efficient seed-free tool for de novo assembling animal mitochondrial genome using whole genome NGS data.

Advances in next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies have led to an exponential increase in the number of whole genome sequences (WGS) in databases. This wealth of WGS data has greatly facilitated the recovery of full mitochondrial genomes (mitogenomes), which are vital for phylogenetic, evolutionary and ecological studies. Unfortunately, most existing software cannot easily assemble mitogenome reference sequences conveniently or efficiently.

miRNA-124-3p targeting of LPIN1 attenuates inflammation and apoptosis in aged male rats cardiopulmonary bypass model of perioperative neurocognitive disorders.

Perioperative neurocognitive disorder (PND) is recently recommended to define the cognitive decrease during the perioperative period. However, the disease's underlying mechanisms remain unclear. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are noncoding RNAs that play a vital role in regulating neuroregeneration and neuronal apoptosis.

Taxonomic revision of (Pope, 1929) (Amphibia: Anura) and description of a new species from southwestern China, with discussion on group and assignment of species groups of the genus .

is a species complex and reported widely from eastern, southern, and southwestern China. Based on molecular data of 19 populations of from China, including the population from Mt. Wuyi (type locality), we recognize and provide an expanded description based on the topotypic specimens.

Geographical range evolution of the genus (Anura: Rhacophoridae) from the Oligocene to present.

Currently, the genus comprises 26 species distributed in South, Southeast, and East Asia. Because of their relatively low dispersal capability and intolerance to seawater, this genus is ideal for the study of terrestrial range evolution that extends into the island archipelagos of southeastern Asia. In this study, based on data compiled for from previous studies and partial mitochondrial and nuclear genes collected in this study, we performed systematic biogeographical analysis.

Yellow sea mediated segregation between North East Asian Dryophytes species.

While comparatively few amphibian species have been described on the North East Asian mainland in the last decades, several species have been the subject of taxonomical debates in relation to the Yellow sea. Here, we sampled Dryophytes sp. treefrogs from the Republic of Korea, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and the People's Republic of China to clarify the status of this clade around the Yellow sea and determine the impact of sea level change on treefrogs' phylogenetic relationships.

A new species of the genus Dendrelaphis (Squamata: Colubridae) from Yunnan Province, China, with discussion of the occurrence of D. cyanochloris (Wall, 1921) in China.

A new species of the genus Dendrelaphis is described from Xishuangbanna, southern Yunnan, China, based on molecular and morphological data. The new species can be differentiated from other congeners by the following combination of characters: 1) ground color of body bronze, a black postocular stripe extending onto the neck only; 2) pale and dark ventrolateral stripe absent; 3) relatively indistinct transverse bands on the anterior part of lateral body; 4) loreal single; 5) vertebral scales strongly enlarged; 6) dorsal scale rows 15-15-11, all smooth; 7) ventrals 193-197, subcaudals 130-135, paired; 8) SVL/TOL ratio 0.292-0.