Genomes reveal pervasive distant hybridization in nature among cyprinid fishes.

Background: Genomic data have unveiled a fascinating aspect of the evolutionary past, showing that the mingling of different species through hybridization has left its mark on the histories of numerous life forms. However, the relationship between hybridization events and the origins of cyprinid fishes remains unclear.

Results: In this study, we generated de novo assembled genomes of 8 cyprinid fishes and conducted phylogenetic analyses on 24 species.

Chromosome length genome assembly of the stone marten (Martes foina, Mustelidae): a new view on one of the cornerstones in carnivore cytogenetics.

The stone marten (Martes foina) is an important species for cytogenetic studies in the order Carnivora. ZooFISH probes created from its chromosomes provided a strong and clean signal in chromosome painting experiments and were valuable for studying the evolution of carnivoran genome architecture. The research revealed that the stone marten chromosome set is similar to the presumed ancestral karyotype of the Carnivora, which added an additional value for the species.

Highly efficient construction of monkey blastoid capsules from aged somatic cells.

Blastoids-blastocyst-like structures created in vitro-emerge as a valuable model for early embryonic development research. Non-human primates stem cell-derived blastoids are an ethically viable alternative to human counterparts, yet the low formation efficiency of monkey blastoid cavities, typically below 30%, has limited their utility. Prior research has predominantly utilized embryonic stem cells.

Seasonal Variations in the Structure and Function of the Gut Flora in Adult Male Rhesus Macaques Reared in Outdoor Colonies.

The seasonal variations that occur in the gut microbiota of healthy adult rhesus monkeys kept in outdoor groups under conventional rearing patterns and how these variations are affected by environmental variables are relatively poorly understood. In this study, we collected 120 fecal samples from 30 adult male rhesus monkeys kept in outdoor groups across four seasons and recorded the temperature and humidity of the housing facilities, as well as the proportions of fruit and vegetables in their diet. A 16S rRNA sequencing analysis showed that the alpha diversity of the gut microbiota of the rhesus monkeys was higher in winter and spring than in summer and autumn.

Therapeutic effect of low-dose BMSCs-Loaded 3D microscaffold on early osteonecrosis of the femoral head.

The early treatment of Osteonecrosis of Femoral Head (ONFH) remains a clinical challenge. Conventional Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cell (BMSC) injection methods often result in unsatisfactory outcomes due to mechanical cell damage, low cell survival and retention rates, inadequate cell matrix accumulation, and poor intercellular interaction. In this study, we employed a novel cell carrier material termed "3D Microscaffold" to deliver BMSCs, addressing these issues and enhancing the therapeutic effects of cell therapy for ONFH.

Identification of novel rodent and shrew orthohepeviruses sheds light on hepatitis E virus evolution.

The family has seen an explosive expansion in its host range in recent years, yet the evolutionary trajectory of this zoonotic pathogen remains largely unknown. The emergence of rat hepatitis E virus (HEV) has introduced a new public health threat due to its potential for zoonotic transmission. This study investigated 2 464 wild small mammals spanning four animal orders, eight families, 21 genera, and 37 species in Yunnan Province, China.

Connectional differences between humans and macaques in the MT+ complex.

MT+ is pivotal in the dorsal visual stream, encoding tool-use characteristics such as motion speed and direction. Despite its conservation between humans and monkeys, differences in MT+ spatial location and organization may lead to divergent, yet unexplored, connectivity patterns and functional characteristics. Using diffusion tensor imaging, we examined the structural connectivity of MT+ subregions in macaques and humans.

Huc-MSC-derived exosomes alleviates alcohol-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head through targeting the miR-25-3p/GREM1 axis.

Osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) is a destructive bone disease, and overuse of alcohol is one of the major contributing factors. Although mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and their exosomes have been reported to attenuate ONFH, the potential mechanisms of alcohol-induced ONFH (AONFH) are unclear. Here, we isolated and identified human umbilical cord MSCs-derived exosomal (hucMSCs-exos) miR-25-3p.

Drosophila CG11700 may not affect male fecundity-lifespan tradeoff as previously reported.

Our recent investigations on the function of Drosophila CG11700 and CG32744 (Ubi-p5E) genes using CRISPR/Cas9 deletion technology could not repeat or confirm the results on CG11700 shown in our previous study which was based on P-element excision assay (Zhan et al. 2012). Here by CRISPR/Cas9 editing, we generated mutants of CG32744 with the whole gene body fully deleted from the genome, and truncated mutants of CG11700 with N-terminal 103 aa deleted out of its total 301 aa peptide sequence.

A new species of Gray, 1827 (Squamata, Gekkonidae) from Yunnan Nangunhe National Nature Reserve, China.

A new forest-dwelling species of the group is described from southwestern Yunnan Province, China. Phylogenetically, it was recovered as the sister species of , with a genetic distance of 9.2% in the ND2 gene.

The ER protein CANX (calnexin)-mediated autophagy protects against alzheimer disease.

Although the relationship between macroautophagy/autophagy and Alzheimer disease (AD) is widely studied, the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood, especially the regulatory role of the initiation signaling of autophagy on AD. Here, we find that the ER transmembrane protein CANX (calnexin) is a novel interaction partner of the autophagy-inducing kinase ULK1 and is required for ULK1 recruitment to the ER under basal or starved conditions. Loss of CANX results in the inactivity of ULK1 kinase and inhibits autophagy flux.

Transferrin Disassociates TCR from CD3 Signaling Apparatus to Promote Metastasis.

Immune recognition and activation by the peptide-laden major histocompatibility complex-T cell receptor (TCR)-CD3 complex is essential for anti-tumor immunity. Tumors may escape immune surveillance by dissembling the complex. Here, we report that transferrin, which is overexpressed in patients with liver metastasis, disassociates TCR from the CD3 signaling apparatus by targeting the constant domain (CD) of T cell receptor α (TCRα), consequently suppresses T cell activation, and inhibits anti-metastatic and anti-tumor immunity.

Tumor cell-derived N-acetyl-aspartyl-glutamate reshapes the tumor microenvironment to facilitate breast cancer metastasis.

Neurotransmitters are increasingly recognized to play important roles in limiting anti-tumor immunity. N-acetyl-aspartyl-glutamate (NAAG) has been extensively studied in neurological disorders; however, its potential role in restricting anti-tumor immunity has not been investigated. Here, we demonstrated that NAAG or its synthetase RimK-like family member B (RIMKLB) significantly disrupted anti-tumor immunity by rewiring the myeloid progenitor differentiation of polymorphonuclear myeloid-derived suppressor cells (PMN-MDSCs), which in turn promoted breast cancer growth and metastasis.

Chromosome-level genome assembly, annotation, and population genomic resource of argali (Ovis ammon).

Argali stands as the largest species among wild sheep in Central and East Asia, with a concerning rate of decline estimated at 30%. The intraspecific taxonomy of argali remains contentious due to limited genomic data and unclear geographic separation. In this study, we constructed a chromosome-level genome assembly and annotation for the Tibetan argali (O.

A New '-morphotype' Species of Tube-Nosed Bat (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae: ) from China.

During an examination of various specimens previously collected from different locations at different times, we discovered four specimens that had been collected in October and December 2023 from the Huanglianshan National Nature Reserve, Lvchun, Yunnan, China. Morphologically, these specimens can be distinguished from and other congeneric species based on a combination of body size, hair distribution, fur colour, and skull and teeth characteristics; molecularly, an analysis of Cyt and COI gene sequences showed that these specimens form a monophyletic group with with high posterior probability and bootstrap support values. Furthermore, the genetic distance between our specimens and was greater than the minimum threshold for interspecific differentiation, indicating that they are phylogenetically close but have diverged.

Links Between Variation in Movement-Based Visual Signals and Social Communication Complexity in an Asian Agamid Lizard .

The social complexity hypothesis suggests that complex social interactions drive the evolution of sophisticated communicative signals. While the relationship between social communication and the complexity of sound and color signals has been extensively studied, the correlation between social communication and movement-based visual signal complexity remains underexplored. In this study, we selected the Asian agamid lizard, , as our model system.

Using Recombinase-Aid Amplification Combined with Argonaute for Rapid Sex Identification in Flamingo ().

Flamingos () are among the oldest birds worldwide and are loved by people for their bright red feathers. In addition, flamingos are sexually monomorphic birds, and distinguishing between males and females is difficult. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is widely used for sex identification.

Limited restoration of T cell subset distribution and immune function in older people living with HIV-1 receiving HAART.

Background: Older people living with HIV-1 (PLWH) experience a dual burden from the combined effects of aging and HIV-1 infection, resulting in significant immune dysfunction. Despite receiving HAART, immune reconstitution is not fully optimized. The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of aging and HAART on T cell subsets and function in PLWH across different age groups, thereby providing novel insights into the prognosis of older PLWH.

Methylome analysis in long-lived men deciphers DNA methylation modifications associated with male longevity in humans.

Men, despite having a lower likelihood of longevity compared to women, generally exhibit better health status when they achieve longevity. The role of DNA methylation in this paradox remains unclear. We performed whole-genome bisulfite sequencing on long-lived men (LLMs), long-lived women (LLWs), younger men (YMs) and younger women (YWs) to explore specific methylation characteristics in LLMs.

A Tachyplesin Antimicrobial Peptide from Theraphosidae Spiders with Potent Antifungal Activity Against .

The venoms of Theraphosidae spiders have evolved into diverse natural pharmacopeias through selective pressures. is a global health threat that frequently causes life-threatening meningitis and fungemia, particularly in immunocompromised patients. In this study, we identify a novel anti- peptide, QS18 (QCFKVCFRKRCFTKCSRS), from the venom gland of China's native spider species by utilizing bioinformatic tools.

The effects of runs-of-homozygosity on pig domestication and breeding.

Background: Since their domestication, recent inbreeding together with intensive artificial selection and population bottlenecks have allowed the prevalence of deleterious mutations and the increase of runs-of-homozygosity (ROH) in domestic pigs. This makes pigs a good model to understand the genetic underpinnings of inbreeding depression.

Results: Here we integrated a comprehensive dataset comprising 7239 domesticated pigs and wild boars genotyped by single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) chips, along with phenotypic data encompassing growth, reproduction and disease-associated traits.

Chromosome-level genome assembly of a destructive leaf-mining moth Eriocrania semipurpurella alpina.

Eriocraniidae (Lepidoptera) are widespread leaf miners and have unique adaptability to hypoxia and low temperatures, causing covert but devastating harm to Fagales (Betulaceae and Fagaceae) plants in the Holarctic. However, the lack of a high-quality genome of this most ancient family within the angiosperm-feeding group largely limits the studies on the phylogeny and environmental adaptation of the primitive Lepidoptera. In this study, utilizing Illumina sequencing, PacBio HiFi sequencing, and Hi-C technology, we constructed a chromosome-level genome assembly of E.

The combination of RL-QN15 and OH-CATH30 promotes the repair of acne via the TLR2/NF-κB pathway.

Acne is a prevalent and chronic inflammatory skin disease, and its treatment remains a huge clinical challenge. In the present study, we evaluated the therapeutic potential of combining the peptides RL-QN15 and OH-CATH30 for the treatment of acne in mice. Results indicated that the topical application of RL-QN15 and OH-CATH30 significantly inhibited the proliferation of Propionibacterium acnes (P.

CRTC3 restricts SARS-CoV-2 replication and is antagonized by CREB.

Virus-encoding RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) is essential for genome replication and gene transcription of human coronaviruses (HCoVs), including severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). We previously identified the interaction between the catalytic subunit NSP12 of SARS-CoV-2 RdRp and the host protein CREB-regulated transcription coactivator 3 (CRTC3), a member of the CRTC family that regulates cyclic AMP response element-binding protein (CREB)-mediated transcriptional activation. Currently, the implication of CRTC3 in the pathogenesis of HCoVs is poorly understood.

Ecological and anthropogenic effects on the genomic diversity of lemurs in Madagascar.

Ecological variation and anthropogenic landscape modification have had key roles in the diversification and extinction of mammals in Madagascar. Lemurs represent a radiation with more than 100 species, constituting roughly one-fifth of the primate order. Almost all species of lemurs are threatened with extinction, but little is known about their genetic diversity and demographic history.