Distinct monkeypox virus lineages co-circulating in humans before 2022.

The 2022 global mpox outbreak raises questions about how this zoonotic disease established effective human-to-human transmission and its potential for further adaptation. The 2022 outbreak virus is related to an ongoing outbreak in Nigeria originally reported in 2017, but the evolutionary path linking the two remains unclear due to a lack of genomic data between 2018, when virus exportations from Nigeria were first recorded, and 2022, when the global mpox outbreak began. Here, 18 viral genomes obtained from patients across southern Nigeria in 2019-2020 reveal multiple lineages of monkeypox virus (MPXV) co-circulated in humans for several years before 2022, with progressive accumulation of mutations consistent with APOBEC3 activity over time.

Chromosomal view of Lippia alba, a tropical polyploid complex under genome stabilization process.

Lippia alba is a phenotypically variable tropical shrub thought to comprise a young autopolyploid complex. Chromosome numbers in L. alba include 2n = 30, 38, 45, 60, and 90.

Development of microsatellite markers for Lippia alba and related Lippia species.

Microsatellite primers were developed in Lippia alba complex to better understanding the origins and evolution of the species. We sought to increase the numbers of available simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. We performed low-coverage (~ twofold) genomic DNA sequencing of a diploid accession and generated a de novo assembly comprising 175,572 contigs.

The makings of higher-order polyploids. A commentary on: 'The story of promiscuous crucifers: origin and genome evolution of an invasive species, Cardamine occulta (Brassicaceae), and its relatives'.

This article comments on: . The story of promiscuous crucifers: origin and genome evolution of an invasive species, (Brassicaceae), and its relatives. Annals of Botany : 209–220.

Karyotypic variation and pollen stainability in resynthesized allopolyploids Tragopogon miscellus and T. mirus.

Premise Of The Study: Polyploidy has extensively shaped the evolution of plants, but the early stages of polyploidy are still poorly understood. The neoallopolyploid species Tragopogon mirus and T. miscellus are both characterized by widespread karyotypic variation, including frequent aneuploidy and intergenomic translocations.

The Mutation Rate and the Age of the Sex Chromosomes in Silene latifolia.

Many aspects of sex chromosome evolution are common to both plants and animals [1], but the process of Y chromosome degeneration, where genes on the Y become non-functional over time, may be much slower in plants due to purifying selection against deleterious mutations in the haploid gametophyte [2, 3]. Testing for differences in Y degeneration between the kingdoms has been hindered by the absence of accurate age estimates for plant sex chromosomes. Here, we used genome resequencing to estimate the spontaneous mutation rate and the age of the sex chromosomes in white campion (Silene latifolia).

Rapid Y degeneration and dosage compensation in plant sex chromosomes.

The nonrecombining regions of animal Y chromosomes are known to undergo genetic degeneration, but previous work has failed to reveal large-scale gene degeneration on plant Y chromosomes. Here, we uncover rapid and extensive degeneration of Y-linked genes in a plant species, Silene latifolia, that evolved sex chromosomes de novo in the last 10 million years. Previous transcriptome-based studies of this species missed unexpressed, degenerate Y-linked genes.

250 years of hybridization between two biennial herb species without speciation.

Hybridization between plant species can generate novel morphological diversity and lead to speciation at homoploid or polyploid levels. Hybrids between biennial herbs Tragopogon pratensis and T. porrifolius have been studied in experimental and natural populations for over 250 years.

Multiple origins and chromosomal novelty in the allotetraploid Tragopogon castellanus (Asteraceae).

Tragopogon includes two classic examples of recently formed allopolyploid species in North America: T. mirus and T. miscellus.

Natural hybrids between Tragopogon mirus and T. miscellus (Asteraceae): a new perspective on karyotypic changes following hybridization at the polyploid level.

Premise Of The Study: Natural hybrids have formed in Pullman, Washington, United States between the recently formed allotetraploids Tragopogon miscellus and T. mirus. In addition to forming spontaneously, these hybrids are semifertile, propagating via achenes.

An assessment of karyotype restructuring in the neoallotetraploid Tragopogon miscellus (Asteraceae).

Tragopogon miscellus and Tragopogon mirus are two rare examples of allopolyploids that have formed recently in nature. Molecular cytogenetic studies have revealed chromosome copy number variation and intergenomic translocations in both allotetraploids. Due to a lack of interstitial chromosome markers, there remained the possibility of additional karyotype restructuring in these neopolyploids, via intrachromosomal and intragenomic rearrangements.

Independent, rapid and targeted loss of highly repetitive DNA in natural and synthetic allopolyploids of Nicotiana tabacum.

Allopolyploidy (interspecific hybridisation and polyploidy) has played a significant role in the evolutionary history of angiosperms and can result in genomic, epigenetic and transcriptomic perturbations. We examine the immediate effects of allopolyploidy on repetitive DNA by comparing the genomes of synthetic and natural Nicotiana tabacum with diploid progenitors N. tomentosiformis (paternal progenitor) and N.

Next-generation sequencing and genome evolution in allopolyploids.

Premise Of The Study: Hybridization and polyploidization (allopolyploidy) are ubiquitous in the evolution of plants, but tracing the origins and subsequent evolution of the constituent genomes of allopolyploids has been challenging. Genome doubling greatly complicates genetic analyses, and this has long hindered investigation in that most allopolyploid species are "nonmodel" organisms. However, recent advances in sequencing and genomics technologies now provide unprecedented opportunities to analyze numerous genetic markers in multiple individuals in any organism.

Extensive chromosomal variation in a recently formed natural allopolyploid species, Tragopogon miscellus (Asteraceae).

Polyploidy, or whole genome duplication, has played a major role in the evolution of many eukaryotic lineages. Although the prevalence of polyploidy in plants is well documented, the molecular and cytological consequences are understood largely from newly formed polyploids (neopolyploids) that have been grown experimentally. Classical cytological and molecular cytogenetic studies both have shown that experimental neoallopolyploids often have meiotic irregularities, producing chromosomally variable gametes and progeny; however, little is known about the extent or duration of chromosomal variation in natural neoallopolyploid populations.

Next generation sequencing reveals genome downsizing in allotetraploid Nicotiana tabacum, predominantly through the elimination of paternally derived repetitive DNAs.

We used next generation sequencing to characterize and compare the genomes of the recently derived allotetraploid, Nicotiana tabacum (<200,000 years old), with its diploid progenitors, Nicotiana sylvestris (maternal, S-genome donor), and Nicotiana tomentosiformis (paternal, T-genome donor). Analysis of 14,634 repetitive DNA sequences in the genomes of the progenitor species and N. tabacum reveal all major types of retroelements found in angiosperms (genome proportions range between 17-22.

Cost-effectiveness of enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP) for the treatment of stable angina in the United Kingdom.

Objectives: The objective of this study is to assess the cost-effectiveness of enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP) compared with no treatment as additional therapy to usual care for the treatment of chronic stable angina from the perspective of the UK National Health Service.

Methods: The study design was a systematic review of published evidence, use of expert clinical opinion, and decision analytic cost-effectiveness model. The systematic review was conducted and statistical methods used to synthesize the effectiveness evidence from randomized control trials.

Review of the Application of Modern Cytogenetic Methods (FISH/GISH) to the Study of Reticulation (Polyploidy/Hybridisation).

The convergence of distinct lineages upon interspecific hybridisation, including when accompanied by increases in ploidy (allopolyploidy), is a driving force in the origin of many plant species. In plant breeding too, both interspecific hybridisation and allopolyploidy are important because they facilitate introgression of alien DNA into breeding lines enabling the introduction of novel characters. Here we review how fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH) and genomic in situ hybridisation (GISH) have been applied to: 1) studies of interspecific hybridisation and polyploidy in nature, 2) analyses of phylogenetic relationships between species, 3) genetic mapping and 4) analysis of plant breeding materials.

Continuous viral escape and selection by autologous neutralizing antibodies in drug-naive human immunodeficiency virus controllers.

We assessed differences in the character and specificity of autologous neutralizing antibodies (ANAbs) against individual viral variants of the quasispecies in a cohort of drug-naïve subjects with long-term controlled human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection and moderate levels of broad heterologous neutralizing antibodies (HNAb). Functional plasma virus showed continuous env evolution despite a short time frame and low levels of viral replication. Neutralization-sensitive variants dominated in subjects with intermittent viral blips, while neutralization-resistant variants predominated in elite controllers.

Linkage of 35S and 5S rRNA genes in Artemisia (family Asteraceae): first evidence from angiosperms.

Typically in plants, the 5S and 35S ribosomal DNA (rDNA) encoding two major ribosomal RNA species occur at separate loci. However, in some algae, bryophytes and ferns, they are at the same locus (linked arranged). Southern blot hybridisation, polymerase chain reactions (PCR), fluorescent in situ hybridisation, cloning and sequencing were used to reveal 5S and 35S rDNA genomic organisation in Artemisia.

Acute dermal capillary rupture associated with noninvasive blood pressure monitoring.

We report a case of Rumpel-Leede phenomenon, or acute dermis capillary rupture, secondary to noninvasive blood pressure monitoring in a patient with type 2 diabetes mellitus. The most likely cause was increased venous pressure during cycling of the blood pressure cuff during a hypertensive state. Anesthesiologists need to be aware that acute dermal capillary rupture, although rare, can occur in patients with thrombocytopenia and/or long-standing diabetes.

Towards a Phylogeny for Coffea (Rubiaceae): identifying well-supported lineages based on nuclear and plastid DNA sequences.

Background And Aims: The phylogenetic relationships between species of Coffea and Psilanthus remain poorly understood, owing to low levels of sequence variation recovered in previous studies, coupled with relatively limited species sampling. In this study, the relationships between Coffea and Psilanthus species are assessed based on substantially increased molecular sequence data and greatly improved species sampling.

Methods: Phylogenetic relationships are assessed using parsimony, with sequence data from four plastid regions [trnL-F intron, trnL-F intergenic spacer (IGS), rpl16 intron and accD-psa1 IGS], and the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of nuclear rDNA (ITS 1/5.