Genetic Diversity and Evolution of Chinese Traditional Medicinal Fungus Polyporus umbellatus (Polyporales,Basidiomycota)

Background

Polyporus umbellatus is an important medicinal fungus distributed throughout most area of China. Its wide distribution may have resulted in substantial intraspecific genetic diversity for the fungus, potentially creating variation in its medical value. To date, we know little about the intraspecific genetic diversity of P. umbellatus.

Methodology/Principal Findings

The objective of this research was to assess genetic differences of P. umbellatus from geographically diverse regions of China based on nrDNA ITS and 28S rRNA (LSU, large subunit) sequences. Significant sequence variations in the ITS and LSU sequences were detected. All sclerotial samples were clustered into four clades based on phylogenetic analysis of ITS, LSU and a combined data set of both regions. Heterogeneity of ITS and LSU sequences was detected in 5 and 7 samples respectively. All clone sequences clustered into the same clade except for one LSU clone sequences (from Henan province) which clustered into two clades (Clade I and Clade II). Significant genetic divergence in P. umbellatus was observed and the genetic diversification was greater among sclerotial samples from Shaanxi, Henan and Gansu provinces than among other provinces. Polymorphism of ITS and LSU sequences indicated that in China, P. umbellatus may spread from a center (Shaanxi, Henan and Gansu province) to other regions.

Conclusions/Significance

We found sclerotial samples of P. umbellatus contained levels of intraspecific genetic diversity. These findings suggested that P. umbellatus populations in Shaanxi, Henan and Gansu are important resources of genetic diversity and should be conserved accordingly.     

In vivo assessment of subcutaneous fat in dogs by real-time ultrasonography and image analysis

Background

Systems for estimating body condition score (BCS) are currently used in canine practice to monitor fatness levels. These tools are cheap and easy to use but lack the necessary precision to monitor small changes in body fat, particularly during weight control treatments or in research. The present work aims to study the application of real-time ultrasonography (RTU) together with image analysis in the assessment of subcutaneous fat depots in dogs. Ultrasound images were collected from five anatomical locations (chest, flank, abdomen, thigh and lumbar) from 28 healthy dogs of different breeds and with a body weight (BW) ranging from 5.2 to 33.0 kg. BCS was collected by visual appraisal using a 5-point scale. Subcutaneous fat thickness (SFT) was estimated from RTU images, using the average of three measurements taken in fat deposits located above the muscles represented in each image. Correlations were established between SFT and BW or BCS as well as a classification of BCS-based fatness [overweight (BCS = 4), ideal (BCS = 3) and lean (BCS = 2)].

Results

SFT was found to differ between the five regions considered (P < 0.001). Abdomen and thigh were the areas displaying the widest variation for the different dogs included in the study and also those correlating most with BW, in contrast to the chest, which showed the least variation. Overall, a strong correlation was found between BCS and SFT. The highest correlations were established for the flank, abdomen and lumbar areas. In every anatomical area, a decrease in SFT was observed across all three BCS classes, ranging from 48 to 65 % among overweight and ideal dogs, and from 46 to 83 % among ideal and lean dogs.

Conclusions

Preliminary data showed that within this population there was a strong correlation between BCS and SFT estimated from RTU images. It was also observed that RTU measurements for fat thickness differed among the anatomical points surveyed suggesting differences in their sensitivity to a change in BCS. The images displaying the best prediction value for fatness variations were those collected at the lumbar and abdomen areas.

     

Temporal Variation in Physiological Biomarkers in Black Flying-Foxes (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Pteropus alecto</Emphasis>), Australia

Bats of the genus Pteropus (Pteropodidae) are recognised as the natural host of multiple emerging pathogenic viruses of animal and human health significance, including henipaviruses, lyssaviruses and ebolaviruses. Some studies have suggested that physiological and ecological factors may be associated with Hendra virus infection in flying-foxes in Australia; however, it is essential to understand the normal range and seasonal variability of physiological biomarkers before seeking physiological associations with infection status. We aimed to measure a suite of physiological biomarkers in P. alecto over time to identify any seasonal fluctuations and to examine possible associations with life-cycle and environmental stressors. We sampled 839 adult P. alecto in the Australian state of Queensland over a 12-month period. The adjusted population means of every assessed hematologic and biochemical parameter were within the reported reference range on every sampling occasion. However, within this range, we identified significant temporal variation in these parameters, in urinary parameters and body condition, which primarily reflected the normal annual life cycle. We found no evident effect of remarkable physiological demands or nutritional stress, and no indication of clinical disease driving any parameter values outside the normal species reference range. Our findings identify underlying temporal physiological changes at the population level that inform epidemiological studies and assessment of putative physiological risk factors driving Hendra virus infection in P. alecto. More broadly, the findings add to the knowledge of Pteropus populations in terms of their relative resistance and resilience to emerging infectious disease.     

Inclusion of Dominance Effects in the Multivariate GBLUP Model

New proposals for models and applications of prediction processes with data on molecular markers may help reduce the financial costs of and identify superior genotypes in maize breeding programs. Studies evaluating Genomic Best Linear Unbiased Prediction (GBLUP) models including dominance effects have not been performed in the univariate and multivariate context in the data analysis of this crop. A single cross hybrid construction procedure was performed in this study using phenotypic data and actual molecular markers of 4,091 maize lines from the public database Panzea. A total of 400 simple hybrids resulting from this process were analyzed using the univariate and multivariate GBLUP model considering only additive effects additive plus dominance effects. Historic heritability scenarios of five traits and other genetic architecture settings were used to compare models, evaluating the predictive ability and estimation of variance components. Marginal differences were detected between the multivariate and univariate models. The main explanation for the small discrepancy between models is the low- to moderate-magnitude correlations between the traits studied and moderate heritabilities. These conditions do not favor the advantages of multivariate analysis. The inclusion of dominance effects in the models was an efficient strategy to improve the predictive ability and estimation quality of variance components.     

Length–weight relationships of freshwater fishes of the Alto Madre de Dios River (Manu Biosphere Reserve,Peru)

The present work provides the estimates of morphometric relationships for 22 native freshwater fish species (11 Characidae, five Loricariidae, two Heptapteridae, one Astroblepidae, one Crenuchidae, one Curimatidae and one Erythrinidae) collected in the Alto Madre de Dios River (Cuzco and Madre de Dios, Peru) in June 2012 using a mobile backpack electrofishing unit. These are the first length–weight relationships reported for 24 species, mostly endemic to the Amazonian basin. Knowledge regarding these biometric relationships can be relevant in the management and conservation of the local fishes and fisheries.     

Different outcomes of a cardiac rehabilitation programme in functional parameters among myocardial infarction survivors according to ejection fraction

Introduction

Exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation (EBCR) is part of the management of patients who have suffered an acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Patients with a reduced ejection fraction (EF) comprise a higher-risk subgroup and are referred less often for these programmes. This study aimed at assessing the impact of the baseline EF on the functional benefits, as assessed by peak oxygen uptake (pVO₂) and exercise duration, of an EBCR programme in AMI survivors.

Methods

Observational, retrospective cohort study including all patients admitted to a tertiary centre due to an AMI who completed a phase II EBCR programme after discharge, between November 2012 and April 2017. Functional parameters were assessed by a symptom-limited cardiopulmonary exercise test.

Results

A total of 379 patients were included [40.9% with reduced EF (<50%) at discharge]. After the programme, pVO₂ and exercise duration increased significantly (p < 0.001). Patients with a reduced EF had a lower pVO₂ and completed a shorter duration of exercise at the beginning and end of the programme. This group presented a higher increase in pVO₂ (p = 0.001) and exercise duration (p = 0.007). This was maintained after adjusting for age, gender, history of coronary artery disease, number of sessions, Killip classification, arterial hypertension, dyslipidaemia, diabetes mellitus, smoking status and baseline pVO₂.

Conclusion

A phase II EBCR programme was associated with significant improvements in pVO₂ and exercise duration among AMI survivors, irrespective of baseline EF classification. Those with a reduced baseline EF derived an even greater improvement, highlighting the importance of EBCR in this subgroup of patients.

     

Characterization of the exoskeleton of the Antarctic king crab Paralomis birsteini

Ocean acidification is projected to inhibit the biogenic production of calcium carbonate skeletons in marine organisms. Antarctic waters represent a natural environment in which to examine the long‐term effects of carbonate undersaturation on calcification in marine predators. King crabs (Decapoda: Anomura: Lithodidae), which currently inhabit the undersaturated environment of the continental slope off Antarctica, are potential invasives on the Antarctic shelf as oceanic temperatures rise. Here, we describe the chemical, physical, and mechanical properties of the exoskeleton of the deep‐water Antarctic lithodid Paralomis birsteini and compare our measurements with two decapod species from shallow water at lower latitudes, Callinectes sapidus (Brachyura: Portunidae) and Cancer borealis (Brachyura: Cancridae). In Paralomis birsteini, crabs deposit proportionally more calcium carbonate in their predatory chelae than their protective carapaces, compared with the other two crab species. When exoskeleton thickness and microhardness were compared between the chelae and carapace, the magnitude of the difference between these body regions was significantly greater in P. birsteini than in the other species tested. Hence, there appeared to be a greater disparity in P. birsteini in overall investment in calcium carbonate structures among regions of the exoskeleton. The imperatives of prey consumption and predator avoidance may be influencing the deposition of calcium to different parts of the exoskeleton in lithodids living in an environment undersaturated with respect to calcium carbonate.     

Long-term feeding a high-fat diet causes histological and parasitological effects on murine schistosomiasis mansoni outcome

This study investigated whether long-term feeding a high-fat diet (HFC) has an effect on schistosomiasis mansoni outcome compared to standard chow diet (SC). Swiss Webster female mice (3 wk old) fed each diet over 5 months, and then were infected with 50 Schistosoma mansoni cercariae. Their nutritional status was assessed by monitoring growth rates twice a week and measuring serum levels of lipoproteins. Mice were euthanised 63 days after infection. Parasitological and liver histological analyses were performed. The levels of TC, HDL-C and LDL-C, fecal and tissue schistosome eggs were statistically different (p<0.05) between groups. Livers from HFC mice showed exudative, exudative/exudative-productive, exudative-productive and productive granulomas, some degree of hepatic steatosis and focal necrosis. Mice fed normal-chow did not present productive granulomas and hepatic steatosis. The morphometric evaluation of hepatic granulomas did not reach statistical significance (p>0.05) between diets assayed. The high-fat diet for long-term produces effects on schistosomiasis mansoni outcome.     

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma 2 and acyl-CoA synthetase 5 polymorphisms influence diet response

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) and its response gene, Acyl CoA synthetase 5 (ACSL5), which has an important role in fatty acid metabolism, may affect weight loss in response to caloric restriction. Therefore, we aimed to determine whether these genes were involved in the interindividual response to dietary treatment. Genotypic/phenotypic comparisons were made between selected obese women from the quintiles losing the most (diet responsive, n = 74) and the quintiles losing the least (diet-resistant, n = 67) weight in the first 6 weeks of a 900-kcal formula diet. Two common PPARgamma single nucleotide polymorphisms, Pro(12)Ala and C1431T, and eight polymorphisms across the ACSL5 gene were selected for single locus and haplotypic association analyses. The PPARgamma Pro(12)Ala single nucleotide polymorphism was associated with diet resistance (odds ratio = 3.48, 95% confidence interval = 1.41 to 8.56, p = 0.03), and the rs2419621, located in the 5'untranslated region of the ACSL5 gene, displayed the strongest association with diet response (odds ratio = 3.45, 95% confidence interval = 1.61 to 7.69, p = 0.001). Skeletal muscle ACSL5 mRNA expression was significantly lower in carriers of the wildtype compared with the variant rs2419621 allele (p = 0.03). Our results suggest a link between PPARgamma2 and ACSL5 genotype and diet responsiveness.