Search

Background: The transcription factor BACH1 (BTB and CNC homology 1) suppressed endothelial cells (ECs) proliferation and migration and impaired angiogenesis in the ischemic hindlimbs of adult mice. However, the role and underlying mechanisms of BACH1 in atherosclerosis remain unclear. Methods: Mouse models of atherosclerosis in endothelial cell (EC)-specific-Bach1 knockout mice were used to study the role of BACH1 in the regulation of atherogenesis and the underlying mechanisms. Results: Genetic analyses revealed that coronary artery disease-associated risk variant rs2832227 was associated with BACH1 gene expression in carotid plaques from patients. BACH1 was upregulated in ECs of human and mouse atherosclerotic plaques. Endothelial Bach1 deficiency decreased turbulent blood flow- or western diet-induced atherosclerotic lesions, macrophage content in plaques, expression of endothelial adhesion molecules (ICAM1 [intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1] and VCAM1 [vascular cell adhesion molecule-1]), and reduced plasma TNF-α (tumor necrosis factor-α) and IL-1β levels in atherosclerotic mice. BACH1 deletion or knockdown inhibited monocyte–endothelial adhesion and reduced oscillatory shear stress or TNF-α-mediated induction of endothelial adhesion molecules and/or proinflammatory cytokines in mouse ECs, human umbilical vein ECs, and human aortic ECs. Mechanistic studies showed that upon oscillatory shear stress or TNF-α stimulation, BACH1 and YAP (yes-associated protein) were induced and translocated into the nucleus in ECs. BACH1 upregulated YAP expression by binding to the YAP promoter. BACH1 formed a complex with YAP inducing the transcription of adhesion molecules. YAP overexpression in ECs counteracted the antiatherosclerotic effect mediated by Bach1-deletion in mice. Rosuvastatin inhibited BACH1 expression by upregulating microRNA let-7a in ECs, and decreased Bach1 expression in the vascular endothelium of hyperlipidemic mice. BACH1 was colocalized with YAP, and the expression of BACH1 was positively correlated with YAP and proinflammatory genes, as well as adhesion molecules in human atherosclerotic plaques. Conclusions: These data identify BACH1 as a mechanosensor of hemodynamic stress and reveal that the BACH1-YAP transcriptional network is essential to vascular inflammation and atherogenesis. BACH1 shows potential as a novel therapeutic target in atherosclerosis.

ZHOU, SHENGBO, HE, LI, MA, SIYU, XU, SHUJUN, ZHAI, QIANG, GUAN, PING, WANG, HUI, SHI, JINGSONG (2022): Erratum: SHENGBO ZHOU (周圣博), LI HE (何力), SIYU MA (马思雨), SHUJUN XU (徐树军), QIANG ZHAI (翟强), PING GUAN (关萍), HUI WANG (王惠)& JINGSONG SHI (史静耸) (2022)Taxonomic status of Rana nigromaculata mongolia and the validity of Pelophylax tenggerensis (Anura, Ranidae) Zootaxa 5165 (4): 486–500. Zootaxa 5174 (5): 600-600, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5174.5.8, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5174.5.8

Pelophylax mongolicus (Schmidt, 1925) comb. nov. Rana nigromaculata mongolia Schmidt, 1925 Rana tenggerensis Zhao, Macey & Papenfuss, 1988 Pelophylax nigromaculatus nigromaculatus — Fei et al. 1990; Matsui et al. 1995 Hylarana tenggerensis —Chen et al. 2005 Pelophylax tenggerensis — Frost et al. 2006 Type materials. Holotype. AMNH 18149, adult male, collected from “ Mai Tai Chao, northern Shansi [= currently Meidaizhao Town, Tumed Right Banner, Baotou City, Inner Mongolia], China ” (Schmidt, 1925). Specimens examined. The holotype of Rana tenggerensis, adult male CIB 80001 shared with California Academic of Science museum label CAS 166936 (Figure 4), from “along the north shore of the Yellow River [Huang He], at Shapatou Desert Research Station, Shapotou (37°30’N, 104°58’E), Yinnan Prefecture [= currently Shapotou District, Zhongwei City], Ningxia, China ”, and 11 newly collected specimens (five adult males, five adult females, and one subadult): adult female SYAU BAA000030, from Shapotou Park, Shapotou District, Zhongwei City, Ningxia (37.4709°N, 105.0043°E, 1180 m a.s.l.); adult female SYAU BAA000031 and subadult SYAU BAA000032, from Salaqi Ecological Park, Tumed Right Banner, Baotou City, Inner Mongolia; adult male CIB 118075, from Fenghuang Park, Yinchuan City, Ningxia (40.5788°N, 110.5195°E, 1003 m a.s.l.); adult male SYAU BAA000021, from Yongchenghu Park, Fengxiang County, Baoji City, Shaanxi (34.5089°N, 107.4281°E, 782 m a.s.l.); adult males SYAU BAA000001–02, IVPP OV2728, and adult females SYS a008905, IVPP OV2729, SYAU BAA000003 from Liupan Mountain Nature Reserve, Jingyuan County, Guyuan City, Ningxia (35.4139°N, 106.3861°E, 1673 m a.s.l.). Diagnosis. (1) large body size, SVL 53.6–65.7 mm adult males (n = 6), SVL 61.8–65.5 mm in adult females (n = 5); (2) head width slightly larger than head length, maxillary gland pronounced; (3) tympanum diameter slightly smaller than the eye diameter; (4) loreal region oblique, slightly concave; (5) nostril located dorsally, closer to the eye than to the tip of snout; (6) vomerine teeth two short rows, away from the maxillary teeth; (7) tongue ovoid, free-margin notched; (8) fingers with rudimentary webs; toes with entire webs, webbing formula I 0 - -1 II ⅓-1⅓ III ⅔-2 - IV 2-⅔ V; (9) hind limb shorter, TL/SVL 0.39–0.45 (n = 11); heels not meeting. Etymology. The specific name refers to the type locality, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. Common names. “Mongolia Pond Frog” in English / “ žflḛü (meng ce zhe wa)” in Chinese. Re-description. The measurements of the examined adult specimens (n = 11) are given in Table 3. Body robust and large-sized, SVL 53.6–65.7 mm (n = 6) in adult males and 61.8–65.5 mm (n = 5) in adult females. Head flat in lateral view, width slightly larger than length (HW/HL 1.07–1.22, n = 11); snout blunt triangularshaped, distinctly protruding beyond lower jaw, obtuse in lateral view and rounded in dorsal view; canthus rostralis inconspicuous, loreal region oblique, slightly concave; nostril rounded, located dorsally, slightly raised, closer to the eye than to the tip of snout; eye orientation vertically, horizontal ellipse-shaped; interorbital space narrower than internarial distance; tympanum large, nearly round and clear, edge visible; maxillary glands thin and prominent; vomerine teeth two short rows, away from the maxillary teeth; tongue oval, free-margin notched. Forelimbs moderate, lower arm 25–30% (n = 11) of SVL and hand 29–35% (n = 11) of SVL; fingers distinctly thin and long, relative finger lengths II Hindlimbs short and robust, tibia 39–45% (n = 11) of SVL and foot 72–81% (n = 11) of SVL; heels not meeting when hindlimbs flexed at right angles to the axis of the body; tibiotarsal articulation reaching the tympanum when hindlimb is stretched along the side of the body; toes distinctly long and thin, relative lengths I Dorsal surface relatively smooth, longitudinal wrinkles and dense tubercles on the dorsum, head, flanks, and limbs; small granules on the dorsal rears of hands and tarsi; not bearing spinules on the dorsal skin; supratympanic fold distinct, raised and gracile, extending from the posterior corner of the eye, curved on the temporal region, to the previous shoulder; dorsolateral fold distinct, extending from the upward side of the tympanum, nearly in a straight line to the crotch, the widest part is equal to the upper eyelid. Ventral surface smooth, with little denser tubercles on the thighs; dense granules on the ventral feet and tarsi. Coloration. The living specimens exhibit varying degrees of green, light brown, or dark brown body color variation, with some individuals exhibiting black spots on their backs that were absent on other individuals, a tympanic membrane that was golden yellow with a green center, and yellow eyelids. A thin light green line was evident running down the middle of the back, extending from the head to the tail end. The dorsolateral fold ranged from green to light brown or golden yellow, with yellow at the ends and some irregular light brown spots. The legs were slightly lighter than the body, with very pale black markings. The throat, chest, and belly were creamy white. The backs of the elbows were black, with black cloud spots behind the thighs. The ventral surface of the forelimbs and hindlimbs were flesh-colored. The nuptial pads were light brown, with yellowish tubercles around the vent (Figure 5). In preservative, the dorsal surface turned grey with black spots and light grey patches, while the dorsolateral fold and backline were light grey, the limbs were brown with black spots, the ventral surface was white, the ventral surface of the limb was beige, and the hand and toe webs were dark grey (Figure 6). Sexual dimorphism. Male with a pair of external lateral vocal sacs; in the breeding season, a single, light brown nuptial pad on the dorsal surface of finger I, nuptial spinules tiny. Males slightly smaller than females. Comparison. Pelophylax mongolicus comb. nov. can be differentiated from other species in the Pelophylax plancyi species group (P. plancyi, P. fukienensis, P. hubeiensis and P. chosenicus) based on the external lateral vocal sacs in males (Fei et al., 2009). Pelophylax mongolicus comb. nov. additionally differs from P. nigromaculatus based on head width is slightly larger than head length, nostrils closer to the eyes than the tip of the snout, hind limb shorter and toes entire webbing without distinct notches (see Morphological Comparisons in the Results above). P. mongolicus comb. nov. further differs from P. terentievi based on dorsal surface relatively smooth with strip wrinkles (vs. dorsal surface rough with round wrinkles in P. terentievi). Distribution and ecology. At present, specimens of Pelophylax mongolicus comb. nov. have been identified in central and western Inner Mongolia, Ningxia and southwestern Shaanxi (Figure 1), indicating that this species is distributed from the Ningxia Plain to the Hetao Plain, and can be expected from Loess Plateau. Specimens were collected from near slow-flowing rivers (Figure 7), where they perch along the river bank during the daytime although when startled they jump into the water.

Pelophylax mongolicus (Schmidt, 1925) comb. nov. Rana nigromaculata mongolia Schmidt, 1925 Rana tenggerensis Zhao, Macey & Papenfuss, 1988 Pelophylax nigromaculatus nigromaculatus — Fei et al. 1990; Matsui et al. 1995 Hylarana tenggerensis —Chen et al. 2005 Pelophylax tenggerensis — Frost et al. 2006 Type materials. Holotype. AMNH 18149, adult male, collected from “ Mai Tai Chao, northern Shansi [= currently Meidaizhao Town, Tumed Right Banner, Baotou City, Inner Mongolia], China ” (Schmidt, 1925). Specimens examined. The holotype of Rana tenggerensis, adult male CIB 80001 shared with California Academic of Science museum label CAS 166936 (Figure 4), from “along the north shore of the Yellow River [Huang He], at Shapatou Desert Research Station, Shapotou (37°30’N, 104°58’E), Yinnan Prefecture [= currently Shapotou District, Zhongwei City], Ningxia, China ”, and 11 newly collected specimens (five adult males, five adult females, and one subadult): adult female SYAU BAA000030, from Shapotou Park, Shapotou District, Zhongwei City, Ningxia (37.4709°N, 105.0043°E, 1180 m a.s.l.); adult female SYAU BAA000031 and subadult SYAU BAA000032, from Salaqi Ecological Park, Tumed Right Banner, Baotou City, Inner Mongolia; adult male CIB 118075, from Fenghuang Park, Yinchuan City, Ningxia (40.5788°N, 110.5195°E, 1003 m a.s.l.); adult male SYAU BAA000021, from Yongchenghu Park, Fengxiang County, Baoji City, Shaanxi (34.5089°N, 107.4281°E, 782 m a.s.l.); adult males SYAU BAA000001–02, IVPP OV2728, and adult females SYS a008905, IVPP OV2729, SYAU BAA000003 from Liupan Mountain Nature Reserve, Jingyuan County, Guyuan City, Ningxia (35.4139°N, 106.3861°E, 1673 m a.s.l.). Diagnosis. (1) large body size, SVL 53.6–65.7 mm adult males (n = 6), SVL 61.8–65.5 mm in adult females (n = 5); (2) head width slightly larger than head length, maxillary gland pronounced; (3) tympanum diameter slightly smaller than the eye diameter; (4) loreal region oblique, slightly concave; (5) nostril located dorsally, closer to the eye than to the tip of snout; (6) vomerine teeth two short rows, away from the maxillary teeth; (7) tongue ovoid, free-margin notched; (8) fingers with rudimentary webs; toes with entire webs, webbing formula I 0 - -1 II ⅓-1⅓ III ⅔-2 - IV 2-⅔ V; (9) hind limb shorter, TL/SVL 0.39–0.45 (n = 11); heels not meeting. Etymology. The specific name refers to the type locality, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. Common names. “Mongolia Pond Frog” in English / “ žflḛü (meng ce zhe wa)” in Chinese. Re-description. The measurements of the examined adult specimens (n = 11) are given in Table 3. Body robust and large-sized, SVL 53.6–65.7 mm (n = 6) in adult males and 61.8–65.5 mm (n = 5) in adult females. Head flat in lateral view, width slightly larger than length (HW/HL 1.07–1.22, n = 11); snout blunt triangularshaped, distinctly protruding beyond lower jaw, obtuse in lateral view and rounded in dorsal view; canthus rostralis inconspicuous, loreal region oblique, slightly concave; nostril rounded, located dorsally, slightly raised, closer to the eye than to the tip of snout; eye orientation vertically, horizontal ellipse-shaped; interorbital space narrower than internarial distance; tympanum large, nearly round and clear, edge visible; maxillary glands thin and prominent; vomerine teeth two short rows, away from the maxillary teeth; tongue oval, free-margin notched. Forelimbs moderate, lower arm 25–30% (n = 11) of SVL and hand 29–35% (n = 11) of SVL; fingers distinctly thin and long, relative finger lengths II n = 11) of SVL and foot 72–81% (n = 11) of SVL; heels not meeting when hindlimbs flexed at right angles to the axis of the body; tibiotarsal articulation reaching the tympanum when hindlimb is stretched along the side of the body; toes distinctly long and thin, relative lengths I Coloration. The living specimens exhibit varying degrees of green, light brown, or dark brown body color variation, with some individuals exhibiting black spots on their backs that were absent on other individuals, a tympanic membrane that was golden yellow with a green center, and yellow eyelids. A thin light green line was evident running down the middle of the back, extending from the head to the tail end. The dorsolateral fold ranged from green to light brown or golden yellow, with yellow at the ends and some irregular light brown spots. The legs were slightly lighter than the body, with very pale black markings. The throat, chest, and belly were creamy white. The backs of the elbows were black, with black cloud spots behind the thighs. The ventral surface of the forelimbs and hindlimbs were flesh-colored. The nuptial pads were light brown, with yellowish tubercles around the vent (Figure 5). In preservative, the dorsal surface turned grey with black spots and light grey patches, while the dorsolateral fold and backline were light grey, the limbs were brown with black spots, the ventral surface was white, the ventral surface of the limb was beige, and the hand and toe webs were dark grey (Figure 6). Sexual dimorphism. Male with a pair of external lateral vocal sacs; in the breeding season, a single, light brown nuptial pad on the dorsal surface of finger I, nuptial spinules tiny. Males slightly smaller than females. Comparison. Pelophylax mongolicus comb. nov. can be differentiated from other species in the Pelophylax plancyi species group (P. plancyi, P. fukienensis, P. hubeiensis and P. chosenicus) based on the external lateral vocal sacs in males (Fei et al., 2009). Pelophylax mongolicus comb. nov. additionally differs from P. nigromaculatus based on head width is slightly larger than head length, nostrils closer to the eyes than the tip of the snout, hind limb shorter and toes entire webbing without distinct notches (see Morphological Comparisons in the Results above). P. mongolicus comb. nov. further differs from P. terentievi based on dorsal surface relatively smooth with strip wrinkles (vs. dorsal surface rough with round wrinkles in P. terentievi). Distribution and ecology. At present, specimens of Pelophylax mongolicus comb. nov. have been identified in central and western Inner Mongolia, Ningxia and southwestern Shaanxi (Figure 1), indicating that this species is distributed from the Ningxia Plain to the Hetao Plain, and can be expected from Loess Plateau. Specimens were collected from near slow-flowing rivers (Figure 7), where they perch along the river bank during the daytime although when startled they jump into the water., Published as part of Zhou, Shengbo, He, Li, Ma, Siyu, Xu, Shujun, Zhai, Qiang, Guan, Ping, Wang, Hui & Shi, Jingsong, 2022, Taxonomic status of Rana nigromaculata mongolia and the validity of Pelophylax tenggerensis (Anura, Ranidae), pp. 486-500 in Zootaxa 5165 (4) on pages 495-497, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5165.4.2, http://zenodo.org/record/6853911, {"references":["Schmidt, K. P. (1925) New Chinese amphibians and reptiles. American Museum Novitates, 175, 1 - 3.","Zhao, E. M., Macey, J. R. & Papenfuss, T. J. (1988) A new species of Rana from Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. Asiatic Herpetological Research, 2, 1 - 3. https: // doi. org / 10.1093 / aesa / 87.6.651","Fei, L., Ye, C. Y. & Huang, Y. Z. (1990) A search for amphibians in China. Chongqing Branch of Scientific and Technical Literature Publishing House, Chongqing, 120 pp. [in Chinese]","Matsui, M., Ota, H., Lau, M. W. & Bogadek A. (1995) Cytotaxonomic studies of three ranid species (Amphibia: Anura) from HongKong. Japanese Jour Herpetology, 16 (1), 12 - 18. https: // doi. org / 10.5358 / hsj 1972.16.1 _ 12","Frost, D. R., Grant, T., Faivovich, J., Bain, R. H., Haas, A., Haddad, C. F. B., De Sa, R. O., Channing, A., Wilkinson, M., Donnellan, S. C., Raxworthy, C. J., Campbell, J. A., Blotto, B. L., Moler, P. E., Drewes, R. C., Nussbaum, R. A., Lynch, J. D., Green, D. M. & Wheeler, W. C. (2006) The amphibian tree of life. Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History, 297, 1 - 370. https: // doi. org / 10.1206 / 0003 - 0090 (2006) 297 [0001: TATOL] 2.0. CO; 2","Fei, L., Hu, S. Q., Ye, C. Y. & Huang, Y. Z. (2009) Fauna Sinica - Amphibia. Vol. 2. Anura. Science Press, Beijing, pp. 1042 - 1071."]}

Segmentation is an important step in point cloud data feature extraction and three-dimensional modelling. Currently, it is also a challenging problem in point cloud processing. There are some disadvantages of the DBSCAN method, such as requiring the manual definition of parameters and low efficiency when it is used for large amounts of calculation. This paper proposes the AQ-DBSCAN algorithm, which is a density clustering segmentation method combined with Gaussian mapping. The algorithm improves upon the DBSCAN algorithm by solving the problem of automatic estimation of the parameter neighborhood radius. The improved algorithm can carry out density clustering processing quickly by reducing the amount of computation required.