Xiaowen Sun and colleagues report the whole-genome sequencing of the common carp, Cyprinus carpio. They also resequenced 33 representative accessions from a worldwide collection and provide insights into population structure and evolution. The common carp, Cyprinus carpio, is one of the most important cyprinid species and globally accounts for 10% of freshwater aquaculture production. Here we present a draft genome of domesticated C. carpio (strain Songpu), whose current assembly contains 52,610 protein-coding genes and approximately 92.3% coverage of its paleotetraploidized genome (2n = 100). The latest round of whole-genome duplication has been estimated to have occurred approximately 8.2 million years ago. Genome resequencing of 33 representative individuals from worldwide populations demonstrates a single origin for C. carpio in 2 subspecies (C. carpio Haematopterus and C. carpio carpio). Integrative genomic and transcriptomic analyses were used to identify loci potentially associated with traits including scaling patterns and skin color. In combination with the high-resolution genetic map, the draft genome paves the way for better molecular studies and improved genome-assisted breeding of C. carpio and other closely related species.
Objective To study the relationship between glucose tolerance and the functions of pancreatic β-cell and insulin in people with abnormal metabolism. Methods A total of 334 non-diabetic cases with abnormal metabolism was screened from the subjects underwent medical examination. The oral glucose tolerance test(OGTT) and insulin,C-peptide release test were carried out,and insulin sensitivity index(IAI),insulin resistance index(IR),insulin secretion index(HBCI or HOMA-β) and fasting β cell function index(FBCI) were calculated.According to OGTT results,the subjects were categorized into three groups of NGT (218 cases with normal glucose tolerance),IGR(93 cases with impaired glucose regulation) and DM(23 cases with diabetes mellitus).Those indices were compared among three groups. Results Compared with group NGT,the waist circumference,BMI,LDL,insulin and IR in groups of IGR and DM were higher,but IAI and HBCI were lower significantly(P0.05). Conclusion As the glucose tolerance state is decreasing in people with metabolic abnormality,a tendecy of decreased insulin sensitivity and increased damage of pancriatic β-cell function.
Recombinant Newcastle Disease Virus (rNDV) has shown oncolytic therapeutic effect in preclinical studies. Previous data indicate that rNDV carrying IL2 has shown promise in cancer therapy. Due to the significant side effects of IL2, IL15 has been introduced into cancer therapy. A number of studies have suggested that IL15 efficiently enhances the activities of CTL and NK cells and inhibits the tumor recurrence and metastasis. Furthermore, IL15 is less toxic than IL2. Therefore, we hypothesize that a recombinant NDV expressing IL15 would be a promising agent for the treatment of malignant tumors. The human IL15 gene or IL2 gene was incorporated into the genome of lentogenic LaSota strain at the position between the HN and L genes (namely rNDV-IL15 or rNDV-IL2). The two viruses efficiently infected tumor cells and expressed IL15 or IL2 protein. Melanoma tumor-bearing mice were treated by intra-tumoral (i.t.) injection of rNDV-IL15 or rNDV-IL2. Both rNDV-IL15 and rNDV-IL2 effectively suppressed tumor growth compared with rNDV. The 120-day survival rate of rNDV-IL15- treated group was 12.5% higher than that of rNDV-IL2 group, although the difference was not statistically significant, both recombinant viruses had strong abilities to induce CD41 T cell and CTL cell responses. However, rNDV-IL15 significantly induced more IFN-γ release and stimulated more CD81 T cells infiltration in the tumor sites compared with rNDV-IL2. In the tumor re-challenged experiment, the survival rates of rNDV-IL15 group and rNDV-IL2 group were statistically higher than that of PBS group. The survival rate of rNDV-IL15 group was 26.67% higher than that of rNDV-IL2 group although the difference was not statistically significant. In conclusion, rNDV-IL15 is a promising antitumor agent against melanoma.
Sinogastromyzon sichangensis, belonging to the family Balitoridae in Cypriniformes, is endemic to the Upper Yangtze River and the Qing River. In this study, the complete mitochondrial genome of S. sichangensis was sequenced with its structure analyzed. The mitochondrial genome of S. sichangensis is similar to those of the typical vertebrates, 16,567 bp in length, including 13 protein-coding genes, two ribosomal RNA genes, 22 transfer RNA genes and one non-coding control region (D-loop). The D-loop of S. sichangensis was characterized by one termination-associated sequence and seven conserved sequence blocks (CSB-F, CSB-E, CSB-D, CSB-B and CSB I-III). The mitogenome sequence of S. sichangensis could contribute to estimate the phylogenetic relationship of the Balitoridae. Further investigations with more Sinogastromyzon species and other balitorid fishes included should be performed to better understand the evolutionary history of this unique group of fishes which can successfully adapt to mountain torrents.
Chemical communication plays an important role in density-dependent phase change in locusts. However, the volatile components and emission patterns of the migratory locust, Locusta migratoria, are largely unknown. In this study, we identified the chemical compositions and emission dynamics of locust volatiles from the body and feces and associated them with developmental stages, sexes and phase changes. The migratory locust shares a number of volatile components with the desert locust (Schistocerca gregaria), but the emission dynamics of the two locust species are significantly different. The body odors of the gregarious nymphs in the migratory locust consisted of phenylacetonitrile (PAN), benzaldehyde, guaiacol, phenol, aliphatic acids and 2,3-butanediol, and PAN was the dominant volatile. Volatiles from the fecal pellets of the nymphs primarily consist of guaiacol and phenol. Principal component analysis (PCA) showed significant differences in the volatile profiles between gregarious and solitary locusts. PAN and 4-vinylanisole concentrations were significantly higher in gregarious individuals than in solitary locusts. Gregarious mature males released significantly higher amounts of PAN and 4-vinylanisole during adulthood than mature females and immature adults of both sexes. Furthermore, PAN and 4-vinylanisole were completely lost in gregarious nymphs during the solitarization process, but were obtained by solitary nymphs during gregarization. The amounts of benzaldehyde, guaiacol and phenol only unidirectionally decreased from solitary to crowded treatment. Aliphatic aldehydes (C7 to C10), which were previously reported as locust volatiles, are now identified as environmental contaminants. Therefore, our results illustrate the precise odor profiles of migratory locusts during developmental stages, sexes and phase change. However, the function and role of PAN and other aromatic compounds during phase transition need further investigation.
Phenotypic plasticity occurs prevalently and plays a vital role in adaptive evolution. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms responsible for the expression of alternate phenotypes remain unknown. Here, a density-dependent phase polyphenism of Locusta migratoria was used as the study model to identify key signaling molecules regulating the expression of phenotypic plasticity. Metabolomic analysis, using high-performance liquid chromatography and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry, showed that solitarious and gregarious locusts have distinct metabolic profiles in hemolymph. A total of 319 metabolites, many of which are involved in lipid metabolism, differed significantly in concentration between the phases. In addition, the time course of changes in the metabolic profiles of locust hemolymph that accompany phase transition was analyzed. Carnitine and its acyl derivatives, which are involved in the lipid β-oxidation process, were identified as key differential metabolites that display robust correlation with the time courses of phase transition. RNAi silencing of two key enzymes from the carnitine system, carnitine acetyltransferase and palmitoyltransferase, resulted in a behavioral transition from the gregarious to solitarious phase and the corresponding changes of metabolic profiles. In contrast, the injection of exogenous acetylcarnitine promoted the acquisition of gregarious behavior in solitarious locusts. These results suggest that carnitines mediate locust phase transition possibly through modulating lipid metabolism and influencing the nervous system of the locusts.
To investigate the clinical features of viral encephalitis in children at acute stage, and the relationship of these clinical features with post viral encephalitic epilepsy.The children with viral encephalitis treated in West China Second University Hospital between January 2010 and January 2014 were enrolled. The clinical features included general conditions, clinical manifestations, video electroencephalogram (VEEG), neuroimaging, virology, prognosis and antiepileptic drugs. The logistic regression model analysis was utilized to analyze the risk factors for the occurrence, bad control, and poor prognosis of post viral encephalitic epilepsy.Total 506 children with viral encephalitis were enrolled. Of these, 58(11.46%)developed epilepsy with a follow-up period more than 1.5 years. The logistic regression analysis showed that the risk factors were repetitive seizures (SB =3.602), detection of clinical seizures in EEG (SB =3.061), status epilepticus (SB =2.711) and mental/behavior disorder (SB =1.850). Among 58 epilepsy cases, 40(74.07%) had favorable seizure control, including 37 cases (92.5%) using no more than two kinds of antiepileptic drugs. With Glasgow Outcome Scale, 24 patients (41.38%) had poor prognosis, including 20 cases of intellectual and psychomotor retardation (83.33%), 3 cases of language disorders (12.50%), 1 case of hearing impairment (4.17%), 3 cases of limb dysfunction (12.50%), 3 cases of mortalities (12.50%). Single factor analysis suggested status epilepticus in acute phase had more chance to poor prognosis, but this was not confirmed by logistic regression analysis.The risk factors of post viral encephalitic epilepsy in pediatric patients comprise the mental/behavior disorder, repetitive seizures, status epilepticus, and detection of clinical seizures during VEEG monitoring. The risk factors of poor prognosis remain unclear.
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