Increased sperm abnormalities due to dietary restriction

The effect of dietary restriction on sperm-head morphology in BDF₁ mice was studied. The food intake of the ice was restricted to 2.0 or 1.5 g/day during the whole experimental period, while control animals were fed ad libitum. The average food intake of control mice was 4.2 ± 0.5 g/day. The frequencies of abnormal sperm in food-restricted mice remained at the basal level for the first 2 weeks. In week 3, the frequencies of abnormal sperm increased only in mice on the severely restricted diet (1.5 g/day). In week 5, the frequencies of abnormal sperm increased significantly in both restricted groups, and a negative correlation between the food intake and the frequency of abnormal sperm was observed. These results suggest that sperm abnormalities are not always the results of exogenous mutagen-induced damage     

Relationship between genome packaging and Gag translation/AUG of primate lentiviruses

About the relationship between retroviral genome packaging and translation, three possible modes (random-, trans-, and cis-) of packaging process could be assumed. In this report, we developed an assay system based on the RT-qPCR to measure the packaging efficiency of primate lentiviruses. With this system, we analyzed the genome packaging modes of primate lentiviruses such as HIV-1, 2, SIVmac and SIVagm. The data suggested that the modes of all viruses analyzed were very similar. In addition, we observed that the Gag-AUG sequences of them played important roles for maintaining efficient packaging, other than the initiation of translation.     

Commentary on Coram et al. (2021) on the use of Facebook to understand marine mammal stranding issues in Southeast Asia

We reviewed Coram et al. (Biodivers Conserv 30:2341–2359, 2021, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-021-02196-6), a paper that highlights the use of social media data to understand marine litter and marine mammals in Southeast Asia. While we commend its intent, we find that the methodology used and conclusions drawn portray an incomplete and inaccurate perception of how strandings, stranding response, and analysis of stranding data have been conducted in the region. By focusing on investigative results revealed by a very limited search of one social media platform (Facebook), using only English keywords, and insufficient ground-truthing, Coram et al. (2021) have, unintentionally, given the perception that Southeast Asian scientists have not conducted even the bare minimum of investigation required to better understand the issue of marine litter and its impact on marine mammals. In this commentary we provide a more accurate account of strandings research in Asia and include recommendations to improve future studies using social media to assess conservation issues.