Establishment and Characterization of Bisexually Fertile Triploid Dwarf Surf Clam Mulinia lateralis.

Triploids are widely used to rapidly achieve genetic improvements of organisms due to their fast growth and enhanced environmental adaptability. Artificially induced triploids are generally considered to be infertile owing to the obvious inhibition of gonadal development. Recently, some fertile individuals with reduced advantages have been found in triploid bivalves, which is a notable deviation from the original intention of artificially inducing triploids.

Comparative Analyses of Dynamic Transcriptome Profile of Heart Highlight the Key Response Genes for Heat Stress in Zhikong Scallop .

Heat stress resulting from global climate change has been demonstrated to adversely affect growth, development, and reproduction of marine organisms. The Zhikong scallop (), an important economical mollusk in China, faces increasing risks of summer mortality due to the prolonged heat waves. The heart, responsible for transporting gas and nutrients, is vital in maintaining homeostasis and physiological status in response to environmental changes.

Coenzyme Q10 Improves the Post-Thaw Sperm Quality in Dwarf Surfclam .

Previous studies have shown that post-thaw sperm performance is affected by multiple stressors during cryopreservation, such as those induced by physical, chemical, mechanical and physiological changes. One of these is the balance disturbance between the antioxidant defense system and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. This study investigated whether this disturbance could be alleviated by the addition of different antioxidants to cryoprotective solution [8% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) in 1 µm filtered seawater] optimized for the sperm in dwarf surf clam , the model bivalve species used in many different types of studies.

Somatostatin Receptor Gene Functions in Growth Regulation in Bivalve Scallop and Clam.

Bivalves hold an important role in marine aquaculture and the identification of growth-related genes in bivalves could contribute to a better understanding of the mechanism governing their growth, which may benefit high-yielding bivalve breeding. Somatostatin receptor (SSTR) is a conserved negative regulator of growth in vertebrates. Although genes have been identified in invertebrates, their involvement in growth regulation remains unclear.

The Glucose-Succinate Pathway: A Crucial Anaerobic Metabolic Pathway in the Scallop Experiencing Heat Stress.

Recently, the increase in marine temperatures has become an important global marine environmental issue. The ability of energy supply in marine animals plays a crucial role in avoiding the stress of elevated temperatures. The investigation into anaerobic metabolism, an essential mechanism for regulating energy provision under heat stress, is limited in mollusks.

Characterization and Functional Analysis of Fads Reveals Δ5 Desaturation Activity during Long-Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Biosynthesis in Dwarf Surf Clam .

Fatty acid desaturases (Fads), as key enzymes in the biosynthesis of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFAs), catalyze the desaturation between defined carbons of fatty acyl chains and control the degree of unsaturation of fatty acids. In the present study, two Fads genes, designated and , were identified from the genome of the dwarf surf clam (Mollusca, Mactridae), and their spatiotemporal expression was examined. MulFadsA and MulFadsB contained the corresponding conserved functional domains and clustered closely with their respective orthologs from other mollusks.

Signatures of selection in underpinning its rapid adaptation to laboratory conditions.

The dwarf surf clam, , is considered as a model species for bivalves because of its rapid growth and short generation time. Recently, successful breeding of this species for multiple generations in our laboratory revealed its acquisition of adaptive advantages during artificial breeding. In this study, 310 individuals from five different generations were genotyped with 22,196 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with the aim of uncovering the genetic basis of their adaptation to laboratory conditions.

Identification and Expressional Analysis of Putative PRDI-BF1 and RIZ Homology Domain-Containing Transcription Factors in .

Mollusca represents one of the ancient bilaterian groups with high morphological diversity, while the formation mechanisms of the precursors of all germ cells, primordial germ cells (PGCs), have not yet been clarified in mollusks. PRDI-BF1 and RIZ homology domain-containing proteins (PRDMs) are a group of transcriptional repressors, and PRDM1 (also known as BLIMP1) and PRDM14 have been reported to be essential for the formation of PGCs. In the present study, we performed a genome-wide retrieval in and identified 11 putative PRDMs, all of which possessed an N-terminal PR domain.

Dynamic transcriptome analysis reveals the gene network of gonadal development from the early history life stages in dwarf surfclam Mulinia lateralis.

Background: Gonadal development is driven by a complex genetic cascade in vertebrates. However, related information remains limited in molluscs owing to the long generation time and the difficulty in maintaining whole life cycle in the lab. The dwarf surfclam Mulinia lateralis is considered an ideal bivalve model due to the short generation time and ease to breed in the lab.

Metabonomic Analysis Provides New Insights into the Response of Zhikong Scallop () to Heat Stress by Improving Energy Metabolism and Antioxidant Capacity.

Temperature is an important factor affecting the growth, development and survival of marine organisms. A short episode of high temperature has been proven to be a severe threat to sustainable shellfish culture. Zhikong scallop (), a shellfish with broad economic and biological value in North China, has frequently experienced heat stress in summer in recent years.

A Systematical Survey on the TRP Channels Provides New Insight into Its Functional Diversity in Zhikong Scallop ().

Transient receptor potential (TRP) channel plays a significant role in mediating various sensory physiological functions. It is widely present in the vertebrate and invertebrate genomes and can be activated by multiple compounds, messenger molecules, temperature, and mechanical stimulation. Mollusks are the second largest phylum of the animal kingdom and are sensitive to environmental factors.

Identification and Characterization of HSP90 Gene Family Reveals Involvement of HSP90, GRP94 and Not TRAP1 in Heat Stress Response in .

Heat shock proteins 90 (HSP90s) are a class of ubiquitous, highly conserved, and multi-functional molecular chaperones present in all living organisms. They assist protein folding processes to form functional proteins. In the present study, three genes, , and , were successfully identified in the genome of .

Genome-wide association study reveals genetic variations associated with ocean acidification resilience in Yesso scallop Patinopecten yessoensis.

Ocean acidification (OA), which refers to a gradual decrease in seawater pH due to the absorption of atmospheric carbon dioxide, profoundly affects the growth, development and survival of bivalves. Relatively limited studies have assessed the resilience of bivalve to OA. In the present study, Patinopecten yessoensis, an economically and ecologically significant species, were exposed to low pH (pH = 7.

Identification, Characterization, and Expression Analysis Reveal Diverse Regulated Roles of Three MAPK Genes in Under Heat Stress.

Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascades are fundamental signal transduction modules in all eukaryotic organisms, participating growth and development, as well as stress response. In the present study, three MAPK genes were successfully identified from the genome of , respectively, named , , and , and only one copy of , , and were detected. Domain analysis indicated that s possessed the typical domains, including S_TKc, Pkinase, and PKc_like domain.

Identification, characterization and expression analyses of cholinesterases genes in Yesso scallop (Patinopecten yessoensis) reveal molecular function allocation in responses to ocean acidification.

Cholinesterases are key enzymes in central and peripheral cholinergic nerve system functioning on nerve impulse transmission in animals. Though cholinesterases have been identified in most vertebrates, the knowledge about the variable numbers and multiple functions of the genes is still quite meagre in invertebrates, especially in scallops. In this study, the complete cholinesterase (ChE) family members have been systematically characterized in Yesso scallop (Patinopecten yessoensis) via whole-genome scanning through in silico analysis.

Structure and functional analysis reveal an important regulated role of arginine kinase in Patinopecten yessoensis under low pH stress.

Arginine kinase (AK), an important member of the phosphokinase family, is involved in temporal and spatial adenosine triphosphate (ATP) buffering systems. AK plays an important role in physiological function and metabolic regulations, in particular tissues with high and fluctuating energy demands. In present study, four AK genes were firstly identified from Yesso scallop (Patinopecten yessoensis) genome, respectively named PyAK1-4.

Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and risks of adverse pregnancy outcomes: a retrospective cohort study of 2368 patients.

Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) comprise a group of hypertension-related diseases and represent the most common medical disorders in pregnancy. The aim of this study was to investigate the risks of adverse pregnancy outcomes in patients with different types of HDP, including gestational hypertension, chronic hypertension, preeclampsia (PE, early or late onset), PE superimposed on chronic hypertension (superimposed PE), eclampsia, and HELLP syndrome. Data from a multicenter retrospective patient cohort in China were analyzed.

Genome-wide identification, characterization of RLR genes in Yesso scallop (Patinopecten yessoensis) and functional regulations in responses to ocean acidification.

Retinoic acid-inducible gene I (RIG-I)-like receptors (RLRs), are crucial sensors with a conserved structure in cytoplasm, inducing the production of cytokines, chemokines and host restriction factors which mediate a variety of intracellular activities to interfere with distinct PAMPs (pathogen-associated molecular patterns) for eliminating pathogens in innate immune system. Although RLR genes have been investigated in most vertebrates and some invertebrates, the systematic identification and characterization of RLR genes have not been reported in scallops. In this study, four RLR genes (PY-10413.

Alternative splicing, spatiotemporal expression of TEP family genes in Yesso scallop (Patinopecten yessoensis) and their disparity in responses to ocean acidification.

The complement system constitutes a highly sophisticated and powerful body defense machinery acting in the innate immunity of both vertebrates and invertebrates. As central components of the complement system, significant effects of thioester-containing protein (TEP) family members on immunity have been reported in most vertebrates and in some invertebrates, but the spatiotemporal expression and regulatory patterns of TEP family genes under environmental stress have been less widely investigated in scallops. In this study, expression profiling of TEP family members in the Yesso scallop Patinopecten yessoensis (designated PyTEPs) was performed at all developmental stages, in different healthy adult tissues, and in mantles during exposure to different levels of acidification (pH = 6.

A Molecular Cytogenetic Map of Scallop (Patinopecten yessoensis).

To consolidate the genetic, physical, and cytogenetic maps of scallop (Patinopecten yessoensis), we constructed a molecular cytogenetic map by localizing 84 fosmid clones that contain different SNP markers from 19 linkage groups (LGs) using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Among these 84 SNP-anchored clones, 56 clones produced specific and stable signals on one pair of chromosomes. Dual-color FISH assigned 19 LGs to their corresponding chromosomes with 38 SNP-anchored clones as probes.

Impact of Ocean Acidification on the Energy Metabolism and Antioxidant Responses of the Yesso Scallop ().

Ocean acidification (OA), which is caused by increasing levels of dissolved CO in the ocean, is a major threat to marine ecosystems. Multiple lines of scientific evidence show that marine bivalves, including scallops, are vulnerable to OA due to their poor capacities to regulate extracellular ions and acid-based status. However, the physiological mechanisms of scallops responding to OA are not well understood.

Preterm birth, low birthweight, and small for gestational age among women with preeclampsia: Does maternal age matter?

Objectives: To better understand the effects of maternal age on birth outcomes among preeclampsia (PE) patients, we examined the rates of preterm birth, low birthweight, and small for gestational age (SGA) among different age groups and explored whether maternal age was associated with those adverse outcomes.

Study Design: This is a multicenter retrospective study. Data from 1128 PE patients, including 580 with early onset PE and 548 with late onset PE, were analyzed.

Identification and characterization of TEP family genes in Yesso scallop (Patinopecten yessoensis) and their diverse expression patterns in response to bacterial infection.

Thioester-containing protein (TEP) family members are characterized by their unique intrachain β-cysteinyl-γ-glutamyl thioesters, and they play important roles in innate immune responses. Although significant effects of TEP members on immunity have been reported in most vertebrates, as well as certain invertebrates, the complete TEP family has not been systematically characterized in scallops. In this study, five TEP family genes (PyC3, PyA2M, PyTEP1, PyTEP2 and PyCD109) were identified from Yesso scallop (Patinopecten yessoensis) through whole-genome scanning, including one pair of tandem duplications located on the same scaffold.

Risk factors for adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes in women with preeclampsia: analysis of 1396 cases.

Preeclampsia is a major cause of adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes, but how to identify women and fetuses at increased risk for later adverse events is a challenge. This study aimed to investigate the risk factors for adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes in women with preeclampsia. Data from 1396 women with preeclampsia were retrospectively collected and analyzed.