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[Cu(C6N2H6O2)Br] n , monoclinic, P21/c (no. 14), a = 16.536(6) Å, b = 3.8463(14) Å, c = 14.403(6) Å, β = 115.009 ( 5 ) ∘ $115.009{(5)}^{\circ }$ , V = 830.2(6) Å3, Z = 4, Rgt (F) = 0.0441, wRref (F 2) = 0.1054, T = 296 K.

[SmCu(C6N2H5O2)2(C2O4)] n , triclinic, P 1 ‾ $P\overline{1}$ (no. 2), a = 9.457(6) Å, b = 9.482(4) Å, c = 11.013(4) Å, α = 75.87(4)°, β = 89.853(12)°, γ = 62.786(11)°, V = 844.8(7) Å3, Z = 2, R gt (F) = 0.0292, wR ref (F 2) = 0.0691, T = 296 K.

Two novel 3-D Ln(III)–Cu(I) heterometallic coordination polymers, [Ln2Cu2(L3)4(C2O4)2]·H2O (Ln = Sm, Eu; HL3 = 5-aminonicotinic acid), were hydrothermally produced by reacting lanthanide oxide and copper halide with 5-aminonicotinic acid and orotic acid. In the two isostructural complexes, {Ln6}-wheel clusters link each other via edge-sharing mode, constructing honeycomb-like layers which stack in –ABAB– mode. On the whole, the architectures can be described as sandwich framework constructed by {Ln6}-wheel layers pillared by interlamellar [CuOL32] triangle pillars. The electronic structure was theoretically calculated by the density functional theory, confirming the direct transition character. The steady and transient photoluminescent spectra were measured, from which the intensity parameters, radiative lifetime and quantum efficiency were calculated within the framework of the Judd–Ofelt theory. [Eu2Cu2(L3)4(C2O4)2]·H2O can be regarded as a potential candidate for LED applications.

Speciation plays a central role in evolutionary studies, and particularly how reproductive isolation (RI) evolves. The origins and persistence of RI are distinct processes that require separate evaluations. Treating them separately clarifies the drivers of speciation and then it is possible to link the processes to understand large-scale patterns of diversity. Recent genomic studies have focused predominantly on how species or RI originate. However, we know little about how species persist in face of gene flow. Here, we evaluate a contact zone of two closely related toad-headed lizards (Phrynocephalus) using a chromosome-level genome assembly and population genomics. To some extent, recent asymmetric introgression from Phrynocephalus putjatai to P. vlangalii reduces their genomic differences. However, their highly divergent regions (HDRs) have heterogeneous distributions across the genomes. Functional gene annotation indicates that many genes within HDRs are involved in reproduction and RI. Compared with allopatric populations, contact areas exhibit recent divergent selection on the HDRs and a lower population recombination rate. Taken together, this implies that divergent selection and low genetic recombination help maintain RI. This study provides insights into the genomic mechanisms that drive RI and two species persistence in the face of gene flow during the late stage of speciation.

Modified citrus pectin (MCP) is a specific inhibitor of galectin-3 (Gal-3) that is regarded as a new biomarker of cardiac hypertrophy, but its effect is unclear. The aim of this study is to investigate the role and mechanism of MCP in isoproterenol (ISO)-induced cardiac hypertrophy. Rats were injected with ISO to induce cardiac hypertrophy and treated with MCP. Cardiac function was detected by ECG and echocardiography. Pathomorphological changes were evaluated by the haematoxylin eosin (H&E) and wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) staining. The hypertrophy-related genes for atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), and β-myosin heavy chain (β-MHC), and the associated signal molecules were analysed by qRT-PCR and western blotting. The results show that MCP prevented cardiac hypertrophy and ameliorated cardiac dysfunction and structural disorder. MCP also decreased the levels of ANP, BNP, and β-MHC and inhibited the expression of Gal-3 and Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4). Additionally, MCP blocked the phosphorylation of Janus kinase 2 (JAK2) and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), but it promoted the phosphorylation of p38. Thus, MCP prevented ISO-induced cardiac hypertrophy by activating p38 signalling and inhibiting the Gal-3/TLR4/JAK2/STAT3 pathway.

Nigeria is an Afrotropical region with considerable ecological heterogeneity and levels of biotic endemism. Among its vertebrate fauna, reptiles have broad distributions, thus, they constitute a compelling system for assessing the impact of ecological variation and geographic isolation on species diversification. The red-headed rock agama, Agama agama, lives in a wide range of habitats and, thus, it may show genetic structuring and diversification. Herein, we tested the hypothesis that ecology affects its genetic structure and population divergence. Bayesian inference phylogenetic analysis of a mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) gene recovered four well-supported matrilines with strong evidence of genetic structuring consistent with eco-geographic regions. Genetic differences among populations based on the mtDNA also correlated with geographic distance. The ecological niche model for the matrilines had a good fit and robust performance. Population divergence along the environmental axes was associated with climatic conditions, and temperature ranked highest among all environmental variables for forest specialists, while precipitation ranked highest for the forest/derived savanna, and savanna specialists. Our results cannot reject the hypothesis that niche conservatism promotes geographic isolation of the western populations of Nigerian A. agama. Thus, ecological gradients and geographic isolation impact the genetic structure and population divergence of the lizards. This species might be facing threats due to recent habitat fragmentation, especially in western Nigeria. Conservation actions appear necessary.

Viviparous (live-bearing) vertebrates have evolved repeatedly within otherwise oviparous (egg-laying) clades. Over two-thirds of these changes in vertebrate reproductive parity mode happened in squamate reptiles, where the transition has happened between 98 and 129 times. The transition from oviparity to viviparity requires numerous physiological, morphological, and immunological changes to the female reproductive tract, including eggshell reduction, delayed oviposition, placental development for supply of water and nutrition to the embryo by the mother, enhanced gas exchange, and suppression of maternal immune rejection of the embryo. We performed genomic and transcriptomic analyses of a closely related oviparous–viviparous pair of lizards ( Phrynocephalus przewalskii and Phrynocephalus vlangalii ) to examine these transitions. Expression patterns of maternal oviduct through reproductive development of the egg and embryo differ markedly between the two species. We found changes in expression patterns of appropriate genes that account for each of the major aspects of the oviparity to viviparity transition. In addition, we compared the gene sequences in transcriptomes of four oviparous–viviparous pairs of lizards in different genera ( Phrynocephalus , Eremias , Scincella , and Sphenomorphus ) to look for possible gene convergence at the sequence level. We discovered low levels of convergence in both amino acid replacement and evolutionary rate shift. This suggests that most of the changes that produce the oviparity–viviparity transition are changes in gene expression, so occasional reversals to oviparity from viviparity may not be as difficult to achieve as has been previously suggested.

Approximately half of the species in speciose genus Raorchestes were described during the past 10 years, yet only 11 species are known from Southeast Asia and southern China (SEA-SC), adjacent Himalayas, and northeastern India. Field work in northwestern Yunnan province, China resulted in the discovery of one new species in the genus based on morphological and molecular analyses. The new species is diagnosed by small size with 15.0–19.0 mm SVL in adult males (n=3); tongue pyriform, notched posteriorly; rudimentary webbing between toes; fingers and toes with narrow lateral dermal fringes; tibiotarsal articulation reaching anterior of the eye when hindlimb is stretched along the side of the body; relative finger lengths: I < II < IV < III, relative toe lengths: I < II < V < III < IV; inner metatarsal tubercle oval, outer metatarsal tubercle absent; finger discs and toe discs greyish or orange; flank near the crotch with a distinct black region between two creamy white patches, and the thigh having a similar black patch near the groin, proximal to another creamy white patch; a distinct “) (”-shaped dark marking on the back; male with external single subgular vocal sac; nuptial pad absent. A phylogenetic tree was reconstructed based on the mitochondrial genes for 16S rRNA and ND1. The results indicated that these individuals form a monophyletic group, and show high genetic divergence to their closest relatives within the genus (uncorrected p-distances > 3.2%) by distance of 16S comparable to the divergence between recognized Raorchestes species. This study further enriches the diversity of rhacophorids, especially in northwestern Yunnan.

The global outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is greatly threatening the public health in the world. We reconstructed global transmissions and potential demographic expansions of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 based on genomic information. We found that intercontinental transmissions were rare in January and early February but drastically increased since late February. After world-wide implements of travel restrictions, the transmission frequencies decreased to a low level in April. We identified a total of 88 potential demographic expansions over the world based on the star-radiative networks and 75 of them were found in Europe and North America. The expansion numbers peaked in March and quickly dropped since April. These findings are highly concordant with epidemic reports and modelling results and highlight the significance of quarantine validity on the global spread of COVID-19. Our analyses indicate that the travel restrictions and social distancing measures are effective in containing the spread of COVID-19.

Context The key gut microbial biomarkers for polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and how dysbiosis causes insulin resistance and PCOS remain unclear. Objective To assess the characteristics of intestinal flora in PCOS and explore whether abnormal intestinal flora can affect insulin resistance and promote PCOS and whether chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA) can activate intestinal farnesoid X receptor (FXR), improving glucose metabolism in PCOS. Setting and design The intestinal flora of treatment-naïve PCOS patients and hormonally healthy controls was analyzed. Phenotype analysis, intestinal flora analysis, and global metabolomic profiling of caecal contents were performed on a letrozole-induced PCOS mouse model; similar analyses were conducted after 35 days of antibiotic treatment on the PCOS mouse model, and glucose tolerance testing was performed on the PCOS mouse model after a 35-day CDCA treatment. Mice receiving fecal microbiota transplants from PCOS patients or healthy controls were evaluated after 10 weeks. Results Bacteroides was significantly enriched in treatment-naïve PCOS patients. The enrichment in Bacteroides was reproduced in the PCOS mouse model. Gut microbiota removal ameliorated the PCOS phenotype and insulin resistance and increased relative FXR mRNA levels in the ileum and serum fibroblast growth factor 15 levels. PCOS stool-transplanted mice exhibited insulin resistance at 10 weeks but not PCOS. Treating the PCOS mouse model with CDCA improved glucose metabolism. Conclusions Bacteroides is a key microbial biomarker in PCOS and shows diagnostic value. Gut dysbiosis can cause insulin resistance. FXR activation might play a beneficial rather than detrimental role in glucose metabolism in PCOS.

Background: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is an incurable and progressive neurodegenerative disorder. Disease-modifying strategies to prevent or delay AD progression are urgently needed. Aβ oligomers (AβOs), rather than monomers or fibrils, are considered as the most neurotoxic species. Therapeutic approaches that direct against these oligomers and promote Aβ clearance may have great value for AD intervention. Results: We here reported the novel multifunctional nanoparticle W20/XD4-SPIONs, which were constructed by conjugating oligomer-specific scFv antibody W20 and class A scavenger receptor activator XD4 onto superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs). Besides the diagnostic value, W20/XD4-SPIONs retained the properties of W20 and XD4 by inhibiting Aβ aggregation, attenuating AβOs-induced cytotoxicity and increasing microglial phagocytosis of Aβ. When applied to AD transgenic mouse model, W20/XD4-SPIONs significantly rescued cognitive deficits and alleviated neuropathology of AD transgenic mice. Conclusion: These results suggest that W20/XD4-SPIONs are a promising therapeutic agent for AD. As a molecular probe, W20/XD4-SPIONs also specifically and sensitively bind to the AβOs in AD brains to provide an MRI signal, demonstrating that W20/XD4-SPIONs are a promising agent for early-stage AD.

Red phosphor of GdBiW 2 O 9 :Eu 3+ was prepared by solid-state reaction method. The phase purity and structure of the samples were characterized by XRD. The electronic structures of GdBiW 2 O 9 host were estimated by DFT calculation. The PLE and PL spectra were also investigated. The optimal luminescent properties of GdBiW 2 O 9 :Eu 3+ phosphors were obtained at 900 °C with 40 mol% of Eu 3+ concentration. The phosphors can be excited efficiently by 396 nm NUV light and emit intense red light peaking at 618 nm. The results indicate GdBiW 2 O 9 :Eu 3+ can act as a potential red-emitting phosphor for LEDs application.

A novel in situ cyclocondensation reaction of anp (anp = 2-amino-5-nitropyridine) and ethanol into L (L = 6-nitro-imidazo(1,2-a)pyridine) under solvothermal conditions has been observed for the first time. Crystal structure of a metal complex, CdL2I2 (1), has been obtained. Complex 1 was synthesized from a solvothermal reaction of anp with CdI2 in anhydrous ethanol and water. Complex 1 crystallizes in orthorhombic space group Pnma with a = 13.662(9) A, b = 16.734(11) A, c = 8.767(5) A. The structure of 1 shows mononuclear units. Weak hydrogen bonds and π···π stacking intermolecular interactions assemble units to form a 3-D supramolecular network of 1.

Pleistocene glacial-interglacial climatic oscillations greatly shaped the current genetic structure of many species. However, geographic features may influence the impact of climatic cycling. Distinct geographic and environmental characters between northern and southern parts of the eastern Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau (EQTP) facilitate explorations into the impacts of geographic features on species. The northern parts of EQTP contain large areas of marsh, and the environment is rather homogeneous. In contrast, the southern EQTP harbors complex alpine valleys and a much more heterogeneous setting. We evaluate DNA sequence variation from both the mitochondrial and nuclear genomes in Nanorana pleskei, a species endemic to the EQTP. Hypothesis testing on the evolutionary history of N. pleskei indicates that northern populations can disperse freely, but alpine valleys isolate southern populations. Demographic histories between northern and southern populations also differ. Northern populations appear to have experienced population expansions, while southern frogs exhibit a far more stable demographic history. By combining climatic analyses and species' distribution models, our study suggests that geographic and environmental features drive the differences between the northern and southern EQTP.

One sparkling success of current nanoscale science and technology is reflected in the improving capability of engineering individual units and their spatial arrangements of functional materials and devices down to nanometer level. Integrating different nanocrystals with distinct properties into a single subject represents a promising way to achieve this goal. In this thesis, we have designed and prepared various metal oxide based heterostructures for electrochemical energy storage devices. SnO2 and Fe2O3, two of the most studied functional semiconductors, have been widely applied in photocatalytic degradation, gas sensing and lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). Recently, many studies have revealed that the physical performances of SnO2 or Fe2O3 can be remarkably improved by forming Fe2O3/SnO2 heterostructures. Inspired by this, we have developed two types of novel heterostructures by incorporating SnO2 and Fe2O3 as building blocks, and investigated their corresponding lithium storage performance. The first example is based on grafting 1D SnO2 nanorods onto both sides of pre-grown 2D Fe2O3 nanoflakes, forming a comb-like branched heterostructure. The overall synthetic procedure involves only two steps: direct heating the Fe foil in air for the preparation of Fe2O3 nanoflake stems, and the subsequent hydrothermal epitaxial growth of SnO2 nanorod branches. The other type of novel branched -Fe2O3/SnO2 heterostructure with six-fold-symmetry is prepared by combining a vapor transport deposition and a facile hydrothermal method. While the tree-like branched structures have been reported previously, to our knowledge, it is the first report on the synthesis of high-symmetry branched heterostructures where the SnO2 core nanowires are surrounded by ordered -Fe2O3 nanorod branches. When such composite SnO2/Fe2O3 heterostructures are tested as LIB anodes, an enhanced electrochemical performance compared to individual components is obtained, which can be ascribed to the unique 3D structure and the synergistic effects induced by both constituents. DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY (SPMS)

Herein, we describe the new agamid species Acanthosaura phongdienensis sp. nov. from central Vietnam based on morphological and genetic data. Males of the new medium-sized species have a snout-vent length of up to 77.4 mm and females up to 64.7 mm. In both genders, the tail is longer than the snout-vent length. A spine occurs on each side of the neck, the rostral scute is entire, and the nuchal and dorsal crests are continuous. A postorbital spine is about half as long as the diameter of the eye-ball, and small lateral scales intermix with large, keeled scales whose tips point backwards and upwards. The new species differs genetically from the closely related species A. brachypoda, A. coronata, and A. lepidogaster by uncorrected p-distances of 13.6%, 21.7%, and 12.8%, respectively. This is the 13th species of Acanthosaura and the eighth species in the genus from Vietnam.

Background: miR-30a is a microRNA associated with the progression of malignant tumors such as gastric cancer, colon cancer, prostate cancer, and lung cancer, and can regulate the proliferation and migration of breast cancer (BC) cells in vitro. However, its expression, function, clinical significance and relationship with the Wnt/β-catenin pathway in human BC were still unclear. Methods: Immunohistochemistry, Western blotting and real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) were used to measure the expressions of miR-30a and β-catenin in 114 pairs of human BC tumor tissues and adjacent normal tissues which were collected from March 2014 to October 2015. The effect of miR-30a on the expression of β-catenin was studied in the MCF-7 cells in vitro. Results: The expression levels of miR-30a in human BC tumor tissues were significantly lower than they were in the adjacent normal tissues (P < 0.001), and significantly higher in β-catenin protein (P < 0.001), but there was no significant different in β-catenin mRNA (P = 0.3816). The immunohistochemistry results showed that β-catenin protein was only expressed on the cell membrane in paracancerous normal tissues, but β-catenin protein was expressed on the cell membrane and cytoplasm in BC tumor cells. In addition, there was a significantly negative correlation (r = -0.816, P < 0.001) between the expression miR-30a and β-catenin protein in BC tissues. The age of onset, PR expression, ER expression, and HER-2 expression of the BC patients were not related to miR-30a or β-catenin protein expression (P > 0.05). Tumor diameter, histological grade, lymph node metastasis, TNM stage, and the prognosis of BC patients (P < 0.05) were significantly related to miR-30a or β-catenin protein expression. In MCF-7 cells, miR-30a regulated the accumulation of β-catenin protein by inhibiting the expression of BCL9 in BC cells. Conclusion: miR-30a was lowly expressed in breast cancer tissues and highly in β-catenin protein, and miR-30a might block the Wnt/β-catenin pathway by inhibiting the accumulation of β-catenin, and then inhibiting breast cancer progression.

A three-dimensional Cd(II)–organic framework, formula as [Cd(tib)2∙(NO3)2]∙4DMF (tib = 1,3,5-tri(1H-imidazol-1-yl)benzene and DMF = N, N-dimethylformamide), has been successfully constructed by solvothermal synthesis. The as-made complex has been investigated and characterized by single X-ray diffraction, elemental analysis, powder X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analyses, luminescent spectra, and UV-Vis adsorption spectra. By virtue of its stability and luminescent property, this complex can used as a luminescent sensor toward picric acid and nitrofurantoin. The calculated KSV value is approximate 1.29 × 104 M–1 with the R2 value of 0.9946 for picric acid and 3.02 × 104 M–1 with the R2 value of 0.9973 for nitrofurantoin. Meanwhile, this as-synthesized complex has good recyclability.

Herein, a series of Dy3+, Eu3+ single/co-doped KBaGd(WO4)3 phosphors (KBGW:Dy3+, Eu3+ for short) were prepared by solid-state reaction method and investigated by means of X-ray diffraction, SEM, photoluminescence excitation and emission spectra, decay curves and thermal quenching behavior. The KBGW:xDy3+ phosphors exhibited a weak blue emission around 480 nm and a strong yellow emission around 580 nm, corresponding to the characteristic 4F9/2 → 6H15/2 and 4F9/2 → 6H13/2 transitions of Dy3+ ions respectively. The decay curves of the KBGW:xDy3+ phosphors were analyzed in the framework of the Inokuti-Hirayama (IH) model and the concentration quenching mechanisms were determined to be dipole-dipole interactions. Under the excitation of 250 nm and 352 nm, both the characteristic emissions of Eu3+ and Dy3+ ions were observed in the KBGW:Dy3+, Eu3+ phosphors. Furthermore, with the increasing concentration of Eu3+, color-tunable emissions from yellow to red were obtained in these samples. Based on the thermal quenching behavior, the optical sensitivity of the sample to temperatures, including absolute sensitivity (Sa) and relative sensitivity (Sr), were calculated and evaluated for the application in optical thermometry.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by memory loss, intracellular neurofibrillary tangles, and extracellular plaque deposits composed of β-amyloid (Aβ). Previous reports showed that naturally occurring autoantibodies, such as intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), benefited patients with moderate-stage AD who carried an APOE-ε4 allele. However, the mechanism underlying the role of IVIG remains unclear. In this study, we identified naturally occurring autoantibodies against Aβ oligomers (NAbs-Aβo), which were purified by Aβ42 oligomer or Cibacron Blue affinity chromatography from IVIG and termed as Oli-NAbs and Blue-NAbs, respectively. Oli-NAbs and Blue-NAbs recognized Aβ42 oligomers or both Aβ40 and 42 oligomers, differently. Both antibodies inhibited Aβ42 aggregation and attenuated Aβ42-induced cytotoxicity. Compared with vehicles, Oli-NAbs, Blue-NAbs and IVIG significantly improved the memory and cognition, and reduced the soluble and oligomeric Aβ levels in APPswe/PS1dE9 transgenic mice. Further investigation showed that Blue-NAbs at increased doses effectively decreased plaque burden and insoluble Aβ levels, whereas Oli-NAbs significantly declined the microgliosis and astrogliosis, as well as the production of proinflammatory cytokines in vivo. Therefore, high levels of these antibodies against oligomeric Aβ40 or Aβ42 were required, correspondingly, to achieve the optimal effect. NAbs-Aβo could be condensed to a high concentration by affinity chromatography and its isolation from IVIG may not interfere with the normal function of conventional IVIG as its concentration is very low. Thus, the isolated NAbs-Aβo as an extra product of plasma required low cost and the enriched NAbs-Aβo may be more feasible than IVIG for the treatment of AD.

Gene flow between populations assumed to be isolated frequently leads to incorrect inferences of evolutionary history. Understanding gene flow and its causes has long been a key topic in evolutionary biology. In this study, we explored the evolutionary history of the Triplophysa robusta complex, using a combination of multilocus analyses and coalescent simulation. Our multilocus approach detected conspicuous mitonuclear discordances in the T. robusta complex. Mitochondrial results showed reticular clades, whereas the nuclear results corresponded with the morphological data. Coalescent simulation indicated that gene flow was the source of these discordances. Molecular clock analysis combined with geological processes suggest that intense geological upheavals have shaped a complicated evolutionary history for the T. robusta complex since the late Miocene, causing extensive gene flow which has distorted the molecular systematics of the T. robusta complex. We suggest that frequent gene flow may restrict speciation in the T. robusta complex, leading to such a depauperate lineage. Based on this comprehensive understanding, we provide our proposals for taxonomic revision of the T. robusta complex.

To establish type 2 diabetic model in rats complicated with hypertension.Sixty five SD male rats were divided into normal control group, 1%NaCl water-treated group, 20 mg/kg STZ-1% NaCl-treated group, 30 mg/kg STZ-1%NaCl-treated group and 40 mg/kg STZ-1% NaCl-treated group according to random digit table(After STZ injection, tests showed body weight was significantly reduced (The method that the rat was fed with high-fat diet for 4 weeks, then, received intraperitoneal injection of 30~40 mg/kg STZ combined with feeding 1% NaCl drinking water, which can induce insulin resistance in rats with type 2 diabetes mellitus and hypertension.

To evaluate the anticoagulation efficacy of dabigatran etexilate for left atrial appendage (LAA) thrombus resolution in patients with atrial fibrillation by transthoracic echocardiography and transesophageal echocardiography, and to investigate the anticoagulation factors. A total of 58 atrial fibrillation patients with LAA thrombus in our hospital were enrolled. After dabigatran etexilate anticoagulation for 3 months, the patients were divided into the effective group and ineffective group according to dissolution of thrombosis. The baseline data and the left atrial diameter (LAD), left atrial ejection fraction (LAEF), left ventricular ejection fraction, LAA flow velocity (LAA-v), and LAA thrombus size before and after anticoagulation treatment were recorded, and the measurement index were statistically analyzed. After the patients received anticoagulation treatment for 3 months, 15 patients had complete dissolution, thrombus in 21 patients reduced significantly, and the complete dissolution rate was 25.9% (15/58), the effective rate of dissolution was 62.1% (36/58). Compared with the ineffective group, the proportion of persistent atrial fibrillation and LAD in effective group were lower than those in the ineffective group, the LAEF and LAA-v in the effective group were higher than those in the ineffective group, and the differences were statistically significant (P

Significance Central topics in evolutionary biology include uncovering the processes and genetic bases of speciation and documenting environmental adaptations and processes responsible for them. The challenging environment of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau (QTP) facilitates such investigations, and the Tibetan frog, Nanorana parkeri, offers a unique opportunity to investigate these processes. A cohort of whole-genome sequences of 63 individuals from across its entire range opens avenues for incorporating population genomics into studies of speciation. Natural selection plays an important role in maintaining and driving the continuing divergence and reproductive isolation of populations of the species. The QTP is a natural laboratory for studying how selection drives adaptation, how environments influence evolutionary history, and how these factors can interact to provide insight into speciation., Tibetan frogs, Nanorana parkeri, are differentiated genetically but not morphologically along geographical and elevational gradients in a challenging environment, presenting a unique opportunity to investigate processes leading to speciation. Analyses of whole genomes of 63 frogs reveal population structuring and historical demography, characterized by highly restricted gene flow in a narrow geographic zone lying between matrilines West (W) and East (E). A population found only along a single tributary of the Yalu Zangbu River has the mitogenome only of E, whereas nuclear genes of W comprise 89–95% of the nuclear genome. Selection accounts for 579 broadly scattered, highly divergent regions (HDRs) of the genome, which involve 365 genes. These genes fall into 51 gene ontology (GO) functional classes, 14 of which are likely to be important in driving reproductive isolation. GO enrichment analyses of E reveal many overrepresented functional categories associated with adaptation to high elevations, including blood circulation, response to hypoxia, and UV radiation. Four genes, including DNAJC8 in the brain, TNNC1 and ADORA1 in the heart, and LAMB3 in the lung, differ in levels of expression between low- and high-elevation populations. High-altitude adaptation plays an important role in maintaining and driving continuing divergence and reproductive isolation. Use of total genomes enabled recognition of selection and adaptation in and between populations, as well as documentation of evolution along a stepped cline toward speciation.

The aim of the current study was to discuss and analyze computerized tomography (CT) features and clinicopathological characteristics of patients with Kimura disease in head and neck. CT and clinicopathological data of 12 patients with Kimura disease diagnosed between May 2011 and May 2015 were analyzed. The mean age was 43.9 years and the disease course varied from 1 week-20 years. The mean absolute value of eosinophil granulocytes was 1.95×109/l. Multiple nodules were detected in 4 patients with Kimura disease. Main symptoms included multiple enlarged lymph nodes in neck and submaxillary regions. CT imaging of nodular lesions revealed a clear boundary, with moderate to marked homogeneous enhancement. Diffuse mass lesions were observed in 6 patients with Kimura disease. Main symptoms included subcutaneous diffuse soft tissue mass in parotid gland and maxillofacial regions. CT imaging of diffuse mass revealed unclear boundaries, adjacent skin thickness and moderate heterogeneous enhancement. In some cases, the diffuse mass involved soft mass with unclear boundaries. Pathological symptoms of Kimura disease included infiltration of eosinophilia, lymphocytic proliferation, formation of lymphatic follicles and variable degrees of fibrosis and vascular proliferation. Diagnosis of Kimura disease in head and neck regions may be improved based on lesions with clear or unclear boundaries, homogeneous or heterogeneous enhancement, with or without lymphadenectasis and by the presence of peripheral blood eosinophilia. However, a final diagnosis relies on a pathological examination.