An analysis of determinants of amino acids substitution rates in bacterial proteins

The variation of amino acid substitution rates in proteins depends on several variables. Among these, the protein's expression level, functional category, essentiality, or metabolic costs of its amino acid residues may play an important role. However, the relative importance of each variable has not yet been evaluated in comparative analyses. To this aim, we made regression analyses combining data available on these variables and on evolutionary rates, in two well-documented model bacteria, Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis. In both bacteria, the level of expression of the protein in the cell was by far the most important driving force constraining the amino acids substitution rate. Subsequent inclusion in the analysis of the other variables added little further information. Furthermore, when the rates of synonymous substitutions were included in the analysis of the E. coli data, only the variable expression levels remained statistically significant. The rate of nonsynonymous substitution was shown to correlate with expression levels independently of the rate of synonymous substitution. These results suggest an important direct influence of expression levels, or at least codon usage bias for translation optimization, on the rates of nonsynonymous substitutions in bacteria. They also indicate that when a control for this variable is included, essentiality plays no significant role in the rate of protein evolution in bacteria, as is the case in eukaryotes.     

定坤丹对多囊卵巢综合征患者性激素水平、胰岛素抵抗及妊娠情况的影响

目的:探讨定坤丹对多囊卵巢综合征患者性激素水平、胰岛素抵抗及妊娠情况的的影响。方法:选择2016年5月至2018年5月我院收治的210例多囊卵巢综合征患者,根据随机化原则将其分为两组,每组105例。对照组患者接受达英-35与二甲双胍治疗,研究组在对照组的基础上口服定坤丹治疗。连续治疗3个月后,比较两组治疗前后的性激素水平及胰岛各相关指标的变化。治疗结束后随访1年,比较两组的排卵及妊娠情况。结果:与治疗前相比,两组治疗后的血清睾酮(Testosterone,T)、黄体生成素(Luteinizing hormone,LH)及LH/FSH均明显降低,且研究组以上指标均显著低于对照组(P<0.05)。两组治疗前后的卵泡刺激素(Follicle-stimulating hormone,FSH)水平比较无统计学差异(P>0.05)。与治疗前相比,两组治疗后的空腹胰岛素(Fasting insulin,FINS)、餐后2 h胰岛素(Postprandial 2 hours insulin,2hPINS)及β细胞胰岛素分泌功能(Homeostasis model assessment ofβcell,HOMA-β)均明显升高,胰岛素敏感指数(Homeostasis model assessment-Insulin sensitivity index,HOMA-IS)明显降低,且研究组以上指标较对照组改善更明显(P<0.05)。研究组排卵及成功妊娠率均显著高于对照组(P<0.05)。结论:定坤丹有助于改善多囊卵巢综合征患者性激素水平及胰岛素抵抗,提高排卵及妊娠率。     

Evolutionary dynamics of retrotransposons following autopolyploidy in the Buckler Mustard species complex

Long terminal repeat retrotransposons (LTR‐RTs) represent a major fraction of plant genomes, but processes leading to transposition bursts remain elusive. Polyploidy expectedly leads to LTR‐RT proliferation, as the merging of divergent diploids provokes a genome shock activating LTR‐RTs and/or genetic redundancy supports the accumulation of active LTR‐RTs through relaxation of selective constraints. Available evidence supports interspecific hybridization as the main trigger of genome dynamics, but few studies have addressed the consequences of intraspecific polyploidy (i.e. autopolyploidy), where the genome shock is expectedly minimized. The dynamics of LTR‐RTs was thus here evaluated through low coverage 454 sequencing of three closely related diploid progenitors and three independent autotetraploids from the young Biscutella laevigata species complex. Genomes from this early diverging Brassicaceae lineage presented a minimum of 40% repeats and a large diversity of transposable elements. Differential abundances and patterns of sequence divergence among genomes for 37 LTR‐RT families revealed contrasted dynamics during species diversification. Quiescent LTR‐RT families with limited genetic variation among genomes were distinguished from active families (37.8%) having proliferated in specific taxa. Specific families proliferated in autopolyploids only, but most transpositionally active families in polyploids were also differentiated among diploids. Low expression levels of transpositionally active LTR‐RT families in autopolyploids further supported that genome shock and redundancy are non‐mutually exclusive triggers of LTR‐RT proliferation. Although reputed stable, autopolyploid genomes show LTR‐RT fractions presenting analogies with polyploids between widely divergent genomes.     

生物多样性与生态系统多功能性的关系研究进展

生物多样性与生态系统功能关系是生态学研究的热点之一,以往研究多关注生物多样性与单一生态系统功能之间的关系,然而生态系统能够同时提供多种功能和服务即生态系统多功能性(ecosystem multifunctionality, EMF),仅考虑单一生态系统功能会低估生物多样性的重要性。近年来,EMF研究的重要性受到更多重视,生物多样性与生态系统多功能性(biodiversity and ecosystem multifunctionality, BEMF)关系成为生态学研究新的热点。梳理近15年的研究发现,不同维度、不同尺度的单一或多营养级生物多样性均会对EMF产生显著的影响,并且在全球变化的背景下,自然干扰与人为干扰均会影响生物多样性与生态系统多功能性从而改变BEMF关系,EMF测度方法的差异也可能导致BEMF关系的不一致。生物多样性维度(尺度)选择的局限、不同EMF测度方法的认知差异、BEMF时空数据库的缺乏以及BEMF关系研究方法的单一等问题阻碍了BEMF关系的深入探究。未来研究应对现有测度方法进行深入比较并发展通用的新方法,深入探究多维度、多尺度生物多样性对EMF影响的综合作用。此...     

三江源国家公园草地地上生物量时空动态及其气候影响

三江源区位于青藏高原腹地,作为长江、黄河、澜沧江三大河流的发源地,是我国重要的生态安全屏障。基于三江源区域草地AGB的野外调查数据,本研究采用多种机器学习算法集成分析的方式构建模型,实现了高精度的三江源国家公园草地AGB时空估算。基于AGB时空模拟结果,分析了近19年(2000—2018年)三江源国家公园区域草地AGB的时空动态变化。研究结果显示：(1)通过多种机器学习结合贝叶斯平均模型,草地AGB模拟值与实测值的r为0.88,RMSE为71.60g/m²,表明多模型集成分析的方式对草地AGB估算获得了较好的模拟效果。(2)三江源国家公园区域草地AGB的空间分布具有明显的空间异质性,呈从东南向西北递减的趋势。(3)2000—2018年长江源国家公园、黄河源国家公园和澜沧江国家公园区域草地AGB多年平均值分别为82.96 g/m²、117.54g/m²和168.39 g/m²。(4)近19年间,在黄河和长江源园区受到温度上升的影响草地AGB呈现出非显著性上升趋势;澜沧江区域,由于2015和2016年的...     

The Life Cycle of Cryptochlora perforans (Chlorarachniophyta)

Observations on the behaviour of different life cycle stages, gamete fusions, and measurements of nuclear DNA contents in Cryptochlora perforans resulted in a first concept concerning life histories in Chlorarachniophyta: the life cycle of Cr. perforans is diplohaplontic (gamete fusion with karyogamy - mitosis - meiosis - mitosis). In the haploid as well as in the diploid life cycle phases amoeboid and coccoid stages occur. The isomorphic gametes are modified amoebae frequently without filopodia. Only haploid flagellate stages are known representing mito- or meiozoospores. Diploid coccoid stages have a granular cytoplasmic structure and may be somewhat larger than haploid ones. Nevertheless, positive identification of haploid (gametophytic) and diploid (sporophytic) stages is only possible on the basis of nuclear DNA contents.     

Establishing the European diagnostic reference levels for interventional cardiology

Interventional cardiac procedures may be associated with high patient doses and therefore require special attention to protect the patients from radiation injuries such as skin erythema, cardiovascular tissue reactions or radiation-induced cancer. In this study, patient exposure data is collected from 13 countries (37 clinics and nearly 50 interventional rooms) and for 10 different procedures. Dose data was collected from a total of 14,922 interventional cardiology procedures. Based on these data European diagnostic reference levels (DRL) for air kerma-area product are suggested for coronary angiography (CA, DRL = 35 Gy cm²), percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI, 85 Gy cm²), transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI, 130 Gy cm²), electrophysiological procedures (12 Gy cm²) and pacemaker implantations. Pacemaker implantations were further divided into single-chamber (2.5 Gy cm²) and dual chamber (3.5 Gy cm²) procedures and implantations of cardiac resynchronization therapy pacemaker (18 Gy cm²). Results show that relatively new techniques such as TAVI and treatment of chronic total occlusion (CTO) often produce relatively high doses, and thus emphasises the need for use of an optimization tool such as DRL to assist in reducing patient exposure. The generic DRL presented here facilitate comparison of patient exposure in interventional cardiology.     

Artificial radiofrequency driven life-table parameters of perilla seed bugs (Nysius sp.) (Heteroptera: Lygaeidae)

The genus Nysius (Hemiptera: Lygaeidae) are polyphagous pests of various plants that damage seeds, foliage, and flowers. Here, we studied the life-table parameters and adult performances of Nysius plebeius Distant and Nysius hidakai Nakatani after exposure to five radiofrequencies: 0 (control), 5, 10, 20, and 30 kHz in infested perilla seeds. In addition, we measured the follow on effects of treatment for four generations (Parent, F1-, F2-, and F3-generation), for both Nysius species. Radiofrequency application significantly affected the life-table parameters of both Nysius species. Radiofrequency exposures affected bug oviposition, developmental period, adult weight, and longevity. Exposure also negatively affected the fecundity of subsequent generations; total developmental period from egg to adult emergence was longer while adult longevity was shorter in the radiofrequency treatments than in the untreated control. Low radiofrequency levels had the greatest effect on the life-table parameters of Nysius species, with the lowest rate of adult emergence and the shortest adult longevity at 5 kHz. The potential of using Nysius bug susceptibilities to radiofrequency as an alternative to chemical treatment is discussed.     

Grazing simplifies soil micro‐food webs and decouples their relationships with ecosystem functions in grasslands

Livestock grazing often alters aboveground and belowground communities of grasslands and their mediated carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) cycling processes at the local scale. Yet, few have examined whether grazing‐induced changes in soil food webs and their ecosystem functions can be extrapolated to a regional scale. We investigated how large herbivore grazing affects soil micro‐food webs (microbes and nematodes) and ecosystem functions (soil C and N mineralization), using paired grazed and ungrazed plots at 10 locations across the Mongolian Plateau. Our results showed that grazing not only affected plant variables (e.g., biomass and C and N concentrations), but also altered soil substrates (e.g., C and N contents) and soil environment (e.g., soil pH and bulk density). Grazing had strong bottom‐up effects on soil micro‐food webs, leading to more pronounced decreases at higher trophic levels (nematodes) than at lower trophic levels (microbes). Structural equation modeling showed that changes in plant biomass and soil environment dominated grazing effects on microbes, while nematodes were mainly influenced by changes in plant biomass and soil C and N contents; the grazing effects, however, differed greatly among functional groups in the soil micro‐food webs. Grazing reduced soil C and N mineralization rates via changes in plant biomass, soil C and N contents, and soil environment across grasslands on the Mongolian Plateau. Spearman's rank correlation analysis also showed that grazing reduced the correlations between functional groups in soil micro‐food webs and then weakened the correlation between soil micro‐food webs and soil C and N mineralization. These results suggest that changes in soil micro‐food webs resulting from livestock grazing are poor predictors of soil C and N processes at regional scale, and that the relationships between soil food webs and ecosystem functions depend on spatial scales and land‐use changes.     

X-linked meiotic drive can boost population size and persistence

X-linked meiotic drivers cause X-bearing sperm to be produced in excess by male carriers, leading to female-biased sex ratios. Here, we find general conditions for the spread and fixation of X-linked alleles. Our conditions show that the spread of X-linked alleles depends on sex-specific selection and transmission rather than the time spent in each sex. Applying this logic to meiotic drive, we show that polymorphism is heavily dependent on sperm competition induced both by female and male mating behavior and the degree of compensation to gamete loss in the ejaculate size of drive males. We extend these evolutionary models to investigate the demographic consequences of biased sex ratios. Our results suggest driving X-alleles that invade and reach polymorphism (or fix and do not bias segregation excessively) will boost population size and persistence time by increasing population productivity, demonstrating the potential for selfish genetic elements to move sex ratios closer to the population-level optimum. However, when the spread of drive causes strong sex-ratio bias, it can lead to populations with so few males that females remain unmated, cannot produce offspring, and go extinct. This outcome is exacerbated when the male mating rate is low. We suggest that researchers should consider the potential for ecologically beneficial side effects of selfish genetic elements, especially in light of proposals to use meiotic drive for biological control.