Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Ruiyi Lin, Jiaquan Li, Yue Yang, Yinhua Yang, Jimin Chen, Fanglu Zhao, Tianfang Xiao
Summary: This study conducted a genome-wide comparative analysis of four indigenous Chinese duck breeds from Fujian Province to understand their genetic diversity and population structure. The results showed clear genetic differences among the four breeds, with identified hotspots of autozygosity and candidate genes involved in various traits. These findings provide insights for conservation strategies and further improvement of the duck breeds.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
El Hamidi Hay, Sajjad Toghiani, Andrew J. Roberts, Tiago Paim, Larry Alexander Kuehn, Harvey D. Blackburn
Summary: Genomic composition of composite breeds is not stable across generations and the Tarentaise breed contributes useful attributes as a progenitor beef cattle breed in a cool semi-arid environment.
JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Mona Allouba, Roddy Walsh, Alaa Afify, Mohammed Hosny, Sarah Halawa, Aya Galal, Mariam Fathy, Pantazis Theotokis, Ahmed Boraey, Amany Ellithy, Rachel Buchan, Risha Govind, Nicola Whiffin, Shehab Anwer, Ahmed ElGuindy, James S. Ware, Paul J. R. Barton, Magdi Yacoub, Yasmine Aguib
Summary: This study aims to define the genetic architecture of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) in North African populations with high consanguinity by comparing with ancestry-matched cases and controls. The results show a higher prevalence of homozygous variants in Egyptian patients, with minor HCM genes more likely to present in homozygosity. Rare variants in Egyptian HCM patients were less likely to be classified as (likely) pathogenic compared to Europeans. The incorporation of ancestry-matched controls improves the classification of genetic variants in HCM patients.
EUROPEAN HEART JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Jiao Yuan, Xiang Zhou, Guoqiang Xu, Sanping Xu, Bang Liu
Summary: The present study assessed the genetic diversity and population structure of Tongcheng (TC) pigs using single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers. The results showed that TC pigs possess high genetic diversity. However, their genetic resources are under threat due to the introduction of other pig breeds and African swine fever disease. Further optimization of the conservation program is needed to ensure adequate genetic diversity and avoid inbreeding depression.
FRONTIERS IN GENETICS
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Yao Jiang, Xiaojin Li, Jiali Liu, Wei Zhang, Mei Zhou, Jieru Wang, Linqing Liu, Shiguang Su, Fuping Zhao, Hongquan Chen, Chonglong Wang
Summary: This study systematically investigated the population genetic structure of five Anhui indigenous pig breeds and compared them to five Western commercial pig breeds. The occurrence and distribution of ROHs in these breeds were examined, and candidate genes associated with economically important traits were identified. The findings provide valuable insights for the selection and breeding of pig breeds.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Abbas Hajihosseinlo, Ardeshir Nejati-Javaremi, Seyed Reza Miraei-Ashtiani
Summary: This research measured the extent of linkage disequilibrium, effective population size, haplotype block structure, and runs of homozygosity in several cattle populations using SNP genotypes. The results showed a decrease in genetic diversity with increasing distance between SNP pairs. The Iranian Holstein population had the lowest level of genomic inbreeding, while the French Holstein population had the highest. The number of runs of homozygosity decreased with increasing distance due to the increased recombination rate. This is concerning as it leads to a reduction in the effective population size.
ANIMAL BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yang Liu, Zhixin Wei, Mengna He, Wenbin Zhao, Jinfeng Wang, Juan Zhao
Summary: Sea squirts, a type of marine organism, can negatively impact shipping and biodiversity. This study extracted cellulose from sea squirts and improved its hydrophilic properties. The modified cellulose was used to create a hydrogel that can reduce air pollution caused by dust.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Takashi Maoka, Chisato Tode
Summary: A novel carotenoid with a unique 2,6-cyclo-psi-end group, named roretziaxanthin (1), was isolated from the sea squirt Halocynthia roretzi as a minor carotenoid. Its structure was determined using UV-VIS, MS, and NMR spectral data, and the formation mechanism in the sea squirt was discussed.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Chiara Gregorin, Luisa Albarano, Emanuele Somma, Maria Costantini, Valerio Zupo
Summary: Adult sea urchins, their embryos, and small colonial tunicates can be used to investigate the medium- and long-term effects of various toxic agents and provide quick responses for managing contaminants in coastal waters. The functional responses of these model invertebrates to chronic and acute exposures to organic and inorganic toxic agents can help assess toxicity at different concentrations and physiological levels in marine ecosystems.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Asmundur Oddsson, Patrick Sulem, Gardar Sveinbjornsson, Gudny M. Arnadottir, Valgerdur Steinthorsdottir, Gisli Halldorsson, Bjarni O. Atlason, Gudjon Oskarsson, Hannes Helgason, Henriette Svarre Nielsen, David A. Westergaard, Juha Karjalainen, Hildigunnur Katrinardottir, Run B. Fridriksdottir, Brynjar Jensson, Vinicius A. Tragante, Egil Ferkingstad, Hakon Jonsson, Sigurjon Gudjonsson, Doruk Beyter, Kristjan H. S. Moore, Helga Thordardottir, Snaedis Kristmundsdottir, Olafur Stefansson, Solbritt Rantapaa-Dahlqvist, Ida Elken Sonderby, Maria A. Didriksen, Pernilla Stridh, Jan Haavik, Laufey Tryggvadottir, Oleksandr Frei, G. Bragi Walters, Ingrid Kockum, Henrik Hjalgrim, Thorunn Olafsdottir, Geir Selbaek, Mette Nyegaard, Christian Erikstrup, Thorsten Brodersen, Saedis Saevarsdottir, Tomas Olsson, Kaspar Rene Nielsen, Asgeir Haraldsson, Mie Topholm Bruun, Thomas Folkmann Hansen, Thora Steingrimsdottir, Rikke Louise T. Jacobsen, Rolv Lie, Srdjan Djurovic, Lars Alfredsson, Aitzkoa Lopez de Lapuente Portilla, Soren Brunak, Pall V. Melsted, Bjarni Halldorsson, Jona Saemundsdottir, Olafur Th. Magnusson, Leonid Padyukov, Karina Banasik, Thorunn Rafnar, Johan Askling, Lars Klareskog, Ole Birger Pedersen, Gisli Masson, Alexandra Havdahl, Bjorn A. Nilsson, Ole Andreassen, Mark Daly, Sisse Rye Ostrowski, Ingileif Jonsdottir, Hreinn Stefansson, Hilma Holm, Agnar Helgason, Unnur Thorsteinsdottir, Kari F. Stefansson, Daniel Gudbjartsson
Summary: Using genetic data from 1.52 million individuals, the authors identified 25 genes with protein-altering variants that are essential for successful early development. It is challenging to find genotypes causing pregnancy loss and perinatal mortality, as they are depleted among living individuals.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Review
Engineering, Environmental
Xiaoyu Lv, Jianing Han, Min Liu, Hui Yu, Kaihua Liu, Yifan Yang, Yi Sun, Panpan Pan, Zhenlin Liang, Lirong Chang, Jingdi Chen
Summary: Cellulose extracted from tunicate's outer capsule has excellent physicochemical properties, with nanocellulose having high strength, purity, modulus, and versatile photoelectromagnetic properties, making it a novel biomaterial. However, the utilization of tunicates is extremely low, leading to environmental burden and resource waste. This review highlights different extraction methods and preparation techniques for tunicate nanocellulose, discussing its applications in various fields and providing new ideas for its integrated utilization.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Antonios Kominakis, Eirini Tarsani, Ariadne L. Hager-Theodorides, Ioannis Mastranestasis, Ioannis Hadjigeorgiou
Summary: The study revealed genetic diversity and differentiation of Lemnos and Lesvos sheep populations, with genetic clusters corresponding to the two islands' origins. Despite some genetic differences, there is a shared genetic background between the sheep populations of Lemnos and Lesvos, indicating geography-related genetic patterns.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Lucas Lima Verardo, Fabyano Fonseca e Silva, Marco Antonio Machado, Joao Claudio do Carmo Panetto, Daniele Ribeiro de Lima Reis Faza, Pamela Itajara Otto, Luciana Correia de Almeida Regitano, Luiz Otavio Campos da Silva, Andrea Alves do Egito, Maria do Socorro Maues Albuquerque, Ricardo Zanella, Marcos Vinicius Gualberto Barbosa da Silva
Summary: The study evaluated the genotype of 19 cattle breeds raised in Brazil and provided an overview of the genomic architecture of cattle breeds currently raised in Brazil and other tropical countries. Different marker densities should be used among evaluated breeds to improve genomic prediction accuracy and power of genome-wide association studies. Breeds showing low Ne values indicate recent inbreeding, which require special attention in mating schemes to avoid extensive inbreeding.
FRONTIERS IN GENETICS
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Donlaporn Sripan, Alisa Wilantho, Khunnalack Khitmoh, Doonyapong Wongsawaeng, Jamal Ouazzani, Suchana Chavanich, Sissades Tongsima, Naraporn Somboonna
Summary: This study revealed microbiota and their metabolic potentials at an epipelagic depth in the southeast Andaman Sea of Thailand, showing significant differences between shallow and deep microbial communities.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jun Zeng, Yanjie Li, Yeliang Dai, Yucheng Wu, Xiangui Lin
Summary: The study found that the oxidation process promoted the formation of non-extractable residues of PAHs and had different effects on mineralization among the three PAHs. Oxidation enhanced the mineralization of high-molecular-weight PAHs but inhibited the mineralization of low-molecular-weight PAH. The inhibition of anthracene after oxidation suggests increased toxicity of soil, which coincided with a decrease in soil nitrification activity, bacterial diversity, and PAH-ring hydroxylating dioxygenase gene copies.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Rock Perez-Portela, Owen S. Wangensteen, Alex Garcia-Cisneros, Claudio Valero-Jimenez, Cruz Palacin, Xavier Turon
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Ana Riesgo, Sergi Taboada, Rocio Perez-Portela, Paolo Melis, Joana R. Xavier, Gema Blasco, Susanna Lopez-Legentil
BMC EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY
(2019)
Article
Fisheries
Andrea M. Bernard, Matthew W. Johnston, Rocio Perez-Portela, Marjorie F. Oleksiak, Felicia C. Coleman, Mahmood S. Shivji
ICES JOURNAL OF MARINE SCIENCE
(2020)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Daniel Martin, Joao Gil, Joana Zanol, Miguel A. Meca, Rocio Perez Portela
Article
Ecology
Crawford Drury, Rocio Perez Portela, Xaymara M. Serrano, Marjorie Oleksiak, Andrew C. Baker
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2020)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Rocio Perez-Portela, Ana Riesgo, Owen S. Wangensteen, Cruz Palacin, Xavier Turon
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Mirielle Lopez-Guzman, Patrick M. Erwin, Euichi Hirose, Susanna Lopez-Legentil
SYSTEMATICS AND BIODIVERSITY
(2020)
Article
Evolutionary Biology
James S. Evans, Patrick M. Erwin, Hendra F. Sihaloho, Susanna Lopez-Legentil
Summary: This study analyzed color morphs, genetic lineages, and symbiotic microbial communities of the colonial ascidian D. bermudensis, finding that two distinct genetic lineages corresponded to unique color morphs and microbial communities, indicating that two different species coexist under the same scientific name. The study highlights the utility of symbiont profiling in resolving the taxonomic status of phenotypically variable ascidian species.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Laura Vilanova, Claudio A. Valero-Jimenez, Jan A. L. van Kan
Summary: This study aimed to generate a high-quality genome of M. fructicola and to identify genes that may contribute to pathogen virulence. Using PacBio sequencing technology, the genome of M. fructicola was assembled, resulting in 10,086 trustworthy gene models. A set of 134 putative effectors was defined, with some triggering necrotic lesions when transiently expressed in Nicotiana benthamiana plants. This research will help better understand the interaction between M. fructicola and stone fruit host plants.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Rocio Perez-Portela, Alex Garcia-Cisneros, Marta Campos-Canet, Creu Palacin
Summary: The study analyzed the genetic structure of the fissiparous starfish in the Mediterranean region, revealing genetic homogeneity and low clonal richness in the Western Mediterranean, absence of new genotypes recruitment and females, indicating populations are maintained through asexual reproduction and recent colonization. The positive correlation between clonal richness and heterozygote excess suggests that genetic diversity is retained within individuals in the form of heterozygosity in clonal populations.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Joseph R. Pawlik, Denise C. Manker, James S. Evans, Patrick M. Erwin, Susanna Lopez-Legentil
Summary: Giant barrel sponges, belonging to a cryptic species complex, exhibit variations in morphology on tropical reefs worldwide, with sponges off the southwest coast of Barbados showing unique clam and tub shapes. Haplotype identification did not reveal genetic differentiation between these morphotypes, leaving the underlying cause of this morphological variation unexplained.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Susanna Lopez-Legentil, Satheesh Kumar Palanisamy, Kirsty F. Smith, Grace McCormack, Patrick M. Erwin
Summary: Ascidians, or sea squirts, are among the marine species with the highest number of introduced species globally. This study sequenced a fragment of the 16S ribosomal RNA gene to investigate symbiont diversity and host specificity in different species of ascidians. The results showed that the composition of prokaryotic symbionts was strongly influenced by both host species and location. Additionally, location had a greater impact on inter-specific differences compared to intra-specific differences. Further research is needed to understand the coevolutionary patterns between hosts and microbes and the role of microbes in facilitating host establishment in different habitats.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Brenna Hutchings, Emma Stiles, Patrick M. Erwin, Susanna Lopez-Legentil
Summary: This study investigated the impact of hurricanes on ascidian diversity and abundance in harbors and marinas along the coast of North Carolina. The results showed that hurricanes significantly affected the composition of ascidian communities, particularly native species. Additionally, two globally introduced species were found in North Carolina's harbors. This study provides important insights into the effects of hurricanes on harbor marine organisms and their natural recovery.
BIOLOGICAL INVASIONS
(2023)
Letter
Developmental Biology
Susanna Lopez-Legentil
Meeting Abstract
Zoology
P. A. Thomas, S. Lopez-Legentil, A. E. Wilbur, S. T. Kinsey
INTEGRATIVE AND COMPARATIVE BIOLOGY
(2019)
