Structural variation during dog domestication: insights from gray wolf and dhole genomes.

Several processes like phenotypic evolution, disease susceptibility and environmental adaptations, which fashion the domestication of animals, are largely attributable to structural variations (SVs) in the genome. Here, we present high-quality draft genomes of the gray wolf () and dhole () with scaffold N50 of 6.04 Mb and 3.

[Photosynthetic characteristics of Emmenopterys henryi seedlings and their relationships with environmental factors].

To find appropriate environment for Emmenopterys henryi seedlings and develop corresponding strategies for their natural regeneration, the net photosynthetic rate, water use efficiency, chlorophyll content, height, basal diameter and biomass of two-year old seedlings and the relationships with environmental factors were studied in different habitats, i.e., undercanopy, crown edge, forest gap, and forest edge.

Screening weight related genes of velvet antlers by whole genome re-sequencing.

The velvet antler is a special organ that has important biological significance for deer, and its growth is a complicated biological metabolism process. Growing evidence suggests that genetics factors play essential roles in the weight of velvet antlers. In this study, we investigated five sika deer (Cervus nippon) populations under the same feeding condition, and screened genetic variations in the 100 samples (including 50 heavy and 50 light velvet antler weight samples) by whole genome re-sequencing.

[Predictive factors of testicular sperm extraction in men with non-obstructive azoospermia].

Men with non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) can achieve fertility by testicular sperm extraction (TESE) coupled with intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), the key to which is the successful retrieval of sperm from the testis. Although improved testicular sperm extraction techniques have increased the chances of sperm retrieval, to predict preoperatively the success of sperm retrieval from NOA patients remains challenging. A non-invasive diagnostic technique predicting the presence of sperm in the testis would be useful for avoiding possible surgical intervention.