Physiological polyspermy: Selection of a sperm nucleus for the development of diploid genomes in amphibians

The union between a sperm and an egg nucleus in egg fertilization is necessary to mix genetic materials to create a new diploid genome for the next generation. In most animals, only one sperm is incorporated into the egg (monospermy), but several animals exhibit physiological polyspermy in which several sperms enter the egg during normal fertilization. However, only one sperm nucleus forms the zygote nucleus with the egg nucleus, even in a polyspermic egg. The cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in the selection of sperm nuclei in the egg cytoplasm have been well investigated in urodele amphibians. The principal sperm nucleus develops a larger sperm aster and contacts the egg nucleus to form a zygote nucleus, whereas other accessory sperm nuclei are unable to approach the egg nucleus. The diploid zygote nucleus induces cleavage and participates in embryonic development, whereas the accessory sperm nuclei undergo pyknosis and degenerate. We propose several models to account for the mechanisms of the selection of one sperm nucleus and the degeneration of accessory sperm nuclei. The roles of physiological polyspermy in animal reproduction are discussed by comparison with other polyspermic species.     

Regional distribution characteristics and ecological risk assessment of heavy metal pollution of different land use in an antimony mining area – Xikuangshan,China

Abstract

Mining activities have introduced various heavy metals and metalloids to surrounding soil environments, causing adverse impacts to the ecological environment system. The extremely high concentration of various heavy metals and metalloids make the Xikuangshan (Hunan, China) an excellent model to assess their ecological risk. In this study, the soil samples from 26 locations of different land use methods in four areas (smelting area, road nearby ore, mining area, and ore tailing area) in Xikuangshan with different levels of various heavy metals and metalloids (Sb, As, Pb, and Cd) were analyzed; in addition, the index of geo-accumulation and the potential ecological risk index were used to evaluate ecological risk. The results showed that the average contents of Sb, As, Pb, and Cd in all soil samples were 4368.222?mg·kg^?1, 40.722?mg·kg^?1, 248.013?mg·kg^?1, and 40.941?mg·kg^?1, respectively, implying serious contamination of compound pollution of heavy metals in soil. The concentration of heavy metals in soil among smelting area, road nearby ore, mining area, and ore tailing area showed significant distribution characteristics of region because different mining activities such as smelting, mining, transportation, and stacking caused different pollution intensity. Moreover, the contents of Sb in soil samples decreased successively in residue field, wasteland, forestland, sediment, grassland, and vegetable field, and the contents of Sb in vegetable-field and ecological restoration grassland were relatively low, which indicate that the method of grassland ecological restoration is an effective method to control antimony pollution in soil. The results of ecological risk assessment showed that the antimony mining area was seriously polluted by Sb, As, Pb, and Cd, and had strong ecological risk, and Sb and Cd were the most important pollution factors, which indicated that the pollution of Sb and Cd should be a major concern of relevant departments of environment and health.     

Outflow-tract ventricular tachycardia: Can 12 lead ECG during sinus rhythm identify underlying cardiac sarcoidosis?

BackgroundPatients with outflow tract ventricular tachycardia (OTVT) with normal echocardiogram are labeled as idiopathic VT (IVT). However, a subset of these patients is subsequently diagnosed with underlying cardiac sarcoidosis (CS). Objective:Whether electrocardiogram (ECG) abnormalities in sinus rhythm (SR) can differentiate underlying CS from IVT.MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed the SR-ECGs of 42 patients with OTVT/premature ventricular complexes (PVC) and normal echocardiography. All underwent advanced imaging with cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR)/¹⁸FDG PET-CT for screening of CS. Twenty-two patients had significant abnormalities in cardiac imaging and subsequently had biopsy-proven CS (Cases). Twenty patients had normal imaging and were categorized as IVT (Controls). SR-ECGs of all patients were analyzed by 2 independent, blinded observers.ResultsBaseline characteristics were comparable. Among the ECG features analyzed – fascicular (FB) or bundle branch block (BBB) was seen in 9/22 Cases vs. 1/20 controls (p = 0.01). Among patients without FB or BBB, fragmented QRS (fQRS) was present in 9/13 cases but in none of the controls (p < 0.001). Low voltage QRS was more often seen among cases as compared to controls (10/22 vs. 3/20 p = 0.03). A stepwise algorithm based on these 3 sets of ECG findings helped to diagnose CS among patients presenting with OTVT/PVC with sensitivity of 91%, specificity of 75%, a PPV of 80%, and a NPV of 88%.ConclusionsIn patients presenting with OTVT/PVC: FB/BBB, fQRS, and low QRS voltage on the baseline ECG were more often observed among patients with underlying CS as compared to true IVT. These findings may help to distinguish underlying CS among Cases presenting with OTVT/PVC.     

澜沧江流域水生昆虫群落分类多样性和功能多样性海拔格局的空间尺度依赖性

群落分类多样性和功能多样性的海拔格局研究, 是了解生物多样性空间分布现状、揭示多样性维持和变化机制的重要途径。当前对水生昆虫分类多样性和功能多样性沿海拔梯度分布格局, 及其尺度依赖性依旧缺乏深入研究。本文基于2013-2018年在云南澜沧江流域500-3,900 m海拔梯度共149个溪流点位的水生昆虫群落调查数据, 利用线性或二次回归模型探索并比较了局部尺度(点位尺度)和不同区域尺度(100 m、150 m、200 m、250 m海拔段)的分类多样性指数(物种丰富度指数、Simpson多样性指数和物种均匀度指数)和功能多样性指数(树状图功能多样性指数(dbFD)、Rao二次熵指数(RaoQ)和功能均匀度指数(FEve))的海拔格局。结果表明, 在局部尺度, 物种丰富度指数和dbFD指数沿海拔梯度均无显著分布特征, Simpson多样性指数、RaoQ指数、物种均匀度指数和FEve指数沿海拔梯度呈现U型或者单调递减趋势。在区域尺度, 随着区域海拔带宽度的增加, 物种丰富度指数沿海拔呈不显著的单调递减格局, 但dbFD指数沿海拔分布由U型转变为单调递减趋势; Simpson多样性指数和RaoQ指数沿海拔梯度由显著U型趋势转变为无显著分布特征; 物种均匀度指数沿海拔梯度无显著分布特征, 但FEve指数呈显著增加的海拔格局。综上, 群落分类多样性指数和功能多样性指数沿海拔梯度分布存在局部和区域尺度的空间差异, 但区域尺度下二者海拔格局随海拔带宽度的增加存在一定程度的一致性。     

IPBES框架下的生物多样性和生态系统服务区域评估及政策经验

生物多样性和生态系统服务为人类的生计和良好的生活质量奠定了重要基础。然而, 越来越多的研究表明, 生物多样性和生态系统服务在全球范围内的持续下降使自然对人类的贡献大幅降低。多尺度评估能够说明不同尺度下生物多样性的现状, 有利于制定适合区域特点、符合国情的决策建议。2013年12月, 生物多样性和生态系统服务政府间科学政策平台(Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services, IPBES)通过第一轮工作方案, 决定开展“区域/次区域生物多样性和生态系统服务评估”(简称“区域评估”), 即评估亚洲-太平洋(简称亚太)、美洲、非洲以及欧洲-中亚四大地理区域的生物多样性和生态系统服务。区域评估报告及其决策者摘要已在IPBES第六次全体会议上(2018年3月, 哥伦比亚麦德林)审议通过。本文概述了四大地理区域的生物多样性的重要性、生物多样性保护领域取得的进展、面临的主要危机和机遇, 探讨了评估对其他国际进程的影响, 综合分析了各区域生物多样性和生态系统服务的特点以及各区域评估结果的差别, 总结了评估的政策经验, 以期为中国的生物多样性保护提供科学参考。     

Modeling Cumulative Effects of Climate and Development on Moose,Wolf, and Caribou Populations

Wildlife models focused solely on a single strong influence (e.g., habitat components, wildlife harvest) are limited in their ability to detect key mechanisms influencing population change. Instead, we propose integrated modeling in the context of cumulative effects assessment using multispecies population dynamics models linked to landscape-climate simulation at large spatial and temporal scales. We developed an integrated landscape and population simulation model using ALCES Online as the model-building platform, and the model accounted for key ecological components and relationships among moose (Alces alces), grey wolves (Canis lupus nubilus), and woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) in northern Ontario, Canada. We simulated multiple scenarios over 5 decades (beginning 2020) to explore sensitivity to climate change and land use and assessed effects at multiple scales. The magnitude of effect and the relative importance of key factors (climate change, roads, and habitat) differed depending on the scale of assessment. Across the full extent of the study area (654,311km² [ecozonal scale]), the caribou population declined by 26% largely because of climate change and associated predator-prey response, which led to caribou range recession in the southern part of the study area. At the caribou range scale (108,378 km²), which focused on 2 herds in the northern part of the study area, climate change led to a 10% decline in the population and development led to an additional 7% decline. At the project scale (8,331 km²), which was focused more narrowly on the landscape surrounding 4 proposed mines, the caribou population declined by 29% largely in response to simulated development. Given that observed caribou population dynamics were sensitive to the cumulative effects of climate change, land use, interspecific interactions, and scale, insights from the analysis might not emerge under a less complex model. Our integrated modeling framework provides valuable support for broader regional assessments, including estimation of risk to caribou and Indigenous food security, and for developing and evaluating potential caribou recovery strategies. © 2021 The Authors. The Journal of Wildlife Management published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of The Wildlife Society.     

盐酸右美托咪定联合盐酸罗哌卡因胸椎旁神经阻滞对肺癌根治术患者血清炎性因子和免疫学指标的影响

摘要 目的：探讨盐酸右美托咪定联合盐酸罗哌卡因胸椎旁神经阻滞（TPVB）对肺癌根治术患者血清炎性因子和免疫学指标的影响。方法：选取2018年4月~2020年4月期间于我院行肺癌根治术的患者400例,根据信封抽签法分为对照组和观察组,各200例,对照组给予盐酸罗哌卡因TPVB,观察组在对照组基础上联合盐酸右美托咪定,对比两组疼痛、炎性因子、免疫学指标、血流动力学及不良反应。结果：观察组术后6 h（T5）~术后48h（T8）时间点视觉模拟评分法（VAS）评分均低于对照组（P<0.05）。对照组插管后5 min（T1）~术毕（T3）时间点心率（HR）及平均动脉压（MAP）较麻醉诱导前（T0）时间点升高（P<0.013）,观察组T1~T3时间点HR、MAP低于对照组（P<0.05）。两组T8时间点白介素-6（IL-6）、C反应蛋白（CRP）、肿瘤坏死因子-α（TNF-α）均较T0下降,且观察组低于对照组（P<0.05）。两组T8时间点CD4⁺、CD4⁺/CD8⁺均较T0时间点下降,但观察组高于对照组（P<0.05）,CD8⁺均较T0时间点升高,但观察组低于对照组（P<0.05）。观察组不良反应总发生率低于对照组（P<0.05）。结论：盐酸右美托咪定联合盐酸罗哌卡因TPVB用于肺癌根治术患者,可稳定血流动力学,且可获得较好的镇痛效果,降低不良反应发生率,减轻术后炎性损伤及免疫抑制。     

超声引导下QLB复合气管插管全麻对于老年患者TEP腹股沟疝无张力修补术影响因素分析

摘要 目的：探讨与分析超声引导下腰方肌阻滞(quadratus lumborum block,QLB)复合气管插管全麻对于老年患者腹腔镜下全腹膜外（totally extraperitoneal prosthetic,TEP）腹股沟疝无张力修补术的影响,以促进该方法的临床使用。方法：2014年9月到2020年6月选择在本院诊治的腹股沟疝老年患者180例,根据随机数字表法分为QLB组与对照组各90例。所有患者都给予腹腔镜下全腹膜外腹股沟疝无张力修补术,对照组给予气管插管全麻,QLB组在对照组麻醉的基础上给予超声引导下QLB,记录两组镇痛与麻醉效果。结果：两组的术中出血量、手术时间等对比差异无统计学意义(P>0.05),QLB组的术后住院时间、术后胃肠功能恢复时间、术后下床活动时间显著短于对照组(P<0.05)。与术后12 h对比,两组术后24 h与36 h的疼痛VAS评分均降低(P<0.05),且QLB组术后12 h、24 h与36 h的疼痛VAS评分都显著低于对照组(P<0.05)。QLB组术后7 d的血肿、呼吸抑制、脏器损伤、腹股沟区包块等并发症发生率为8.9 %,显著低于对照组的21.1 %(P<0.05)。QLB组的瑞芬太尼用量、术后48 h内有效按压自控静脉镇痛泵次数、自控静脉镇痛泵累计用量都显著少于对照组(P<0.05)。结论：超声引导下QLB复合气管插管全麻在老年患者腹腔镜下全腹膜外腹股沟疝无张力修补术中的应用能提高镇痛与麻醉效果,减少术后并发症的发生,有利于促进患者康复。     

超声引导下硬膜外阻滞在老年髋关节置换手术中的应用

目的:探讨超声引导下硬膜外阻滞在老年髋关节置换手术中的应用方法与效果。方法:2017年6月至2020年5月选择在本院进行髋关节置换手术的老年患者112例,根据随机数字表法把患者分为研究组与对照组,各56例。研究组给予超声引导下硬膜外阻滞,对照组给予传统的静脉持续镇痛。两组都给予全麻诱导与维持,记录镇痛效果与患者术后康复情况。结果:两组的性别、年龄、麻醉时间、手术时间与术中出血量等对比差异无统计学意义(P>0.05),研究组的术后住院时间显著短于对照组(P<0.05)。两组术后1 d、3 d、7 d的疼痛视觉模拟评分法(Visual Analogue Scale/Score,VAS)评分都低于术前1 d,观察组也都显著低于对照组,对比差异都有统计学意义(P<0.05)。研究组术后1 d、3 d、7 d的髋关节活动度都显著高于对照组(P<0.05)。研究组术后1 d、3 d、7 d的血清P物质(Substance P,SP)、前列腺素E2(Prostaglandin E2,PGE2)含量都高于术前1 d,观察组低于对照组,对比差异都有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论:超声引导下硬膜外阻滞在老年髋关节置换手术中的应用能抑制血清SP、PGE2的释放,能缓解患者术后疼痛,促进髋关节功能的恢复,缩短患者的康复时间。