Article
Cell Biology
Barbora Augstenova, Eleonora Pensabene, Lukas Kratochvil, Michail Rovatsos
Summary: Anguimorphan lizards are a group of squamate reptiles with wide geographical distribution and morphological variability. Their karyotypes show significant variation across different lineages, with Anguids exhibiting the most variability. The study documented differentiated sex chromosomes in monitors and helodermatids, as well as in some anguids, and also revealed a rare case of spontaneous triploidy in Varanus primordius.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Gregorio Moreno-Rueda, Senda Reguera, Francisco J. Zamora-Camacho, Mar Comas
Summary: The study on Psammodromus algirus lizards reveals that different color traits vary based on altitude, body size, head size (an indicator of fighting ability), and sex, with males typically possessing more blue eyespots and orange commissures than females. While different color signals may be interrelated, they generally provide redundant information.
Review
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Cierra J. Walker, Megan E. Schroeder, Brian A. Aguado, Kristi S. Anseth, Leslie A. Leinwand
Summary: Cardiovascular diseases exhibit significant sexual dimorphisms in prevalence, with research focusing mainly on males. Cellular sex differences in the heart, influenced by both acquired and intrinsic factors, impact cardiac health and disease outcomes. Recent studies highlight unexpected sex-related differences in cell composition and gene expression, emphasizing the importance of considering cellular sex in designing bioengineered disease models for the heart.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR AND CELLULAR CARDIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Laura Basso, Benjamin Boecking, Patrick Neff, Petra Brueggemann, Christopher R. Cederroth, Matthias Rose, Birgit Mazurek
Summary: This study examines comorbidity rates stratified by sex across various conditions and found that women have higher comorbidity rates than men, particularly in terms of mental-physical comorbidity. The most common comorbid diseases in women are musculoskeletal diseases, digestive diseases, and skin diseases, whereas in men they are musculoskeletal diseases, neurological diseases, and digestive diseases. The implications of this study include the importance of integrating mental and physical health care services and shifting clinical care focus towards an individualized, patient-centered approach.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Alexander Kostmann, Barbora Augstenova, Daniel Frynta, Lukas Kratochvil, Michail Rovatsos
Summary: Lizards of the Scincoidea clade, including cordylids, gerrhosaurids, skinks, and xantusiids, exhibit almost worldwide distribution and significant ecological and morphological diversity. Despite limited variability in cytogenetic traits, different species show conservation in diploid chromosome numbers but significant variation in chromosome morphology and the presence of interstitial telomeric sequences. Sex chromosomes, identified as XX/XY, are only found in Tiliqua scincoides within this clade, indicating a generally poor stage of differentiation in sex chromosomes among these lizards.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Pietro Pollo, Michael M. Kasumovic
Summary: Research found that participants' country, experience with certain taxonomic groups, and experience with sex-specific topics influenced their perceptions of sex differences in nonhuman animals; participants from more gender-unequal countries were more likely to agree with the concept of sex roles. Conversely, individuals with experience with mechanisms not predicted by sex roles were less likely to agree with the concept of sex roles.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Zegni Triki, Redouan Bshary
Summary: Research has shown that there are cognitive differences between males and females even in sex-changing species. Males perform better in learning tasks, while females excel in inhibitory control tasks.
ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Alexander Kostmann, Lukas Kratochvil, Michail Rovatsos
Summary: Scincoidea is a reptilian clade with diversity in sex-determining systems. It has been debated whether skinks have sex chromosomes variations or even lack of sex chromosomes. While ZZ/ZW sex chromosomes have been identified in some scincoidean lizards, they are poorly differentiated and often undetectable by cytogenetic methods. However, this study reports the presence of ZZ/ZW sex chromosomes in the plated lizard Zonosaurus madagascariensis, suggesting a different pattern of sex chromosome evolution in this species.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Marco Signaroli, Arancha Lana, Martina Martorell-Barcelo, Javier Sanllehi, Margarida Barcelo-Serra, Eneko Aspillaga, Julia Mulet, Josep Alos
Summary: In this study, a deep learning algorithm called Faster R-CNN was used to automatically detect and track the gilthead seabream. The researchers collected videos using a Raspberry Pi recording system and trained the neural network with data augmentation techniques. The final network achieved an accuracy of 92.79% and a fish positioning error of 10.25 pixels, providing a valuable tool for studying fish behavior.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Carolina Crepaldi, Emiliano Marti, Evelin Mariani Goncalves, Dardo Andrea Marti, Patricia Pasquali Parise-Maltempi
Summary: Neotropical fishes have highly diversified karyotypic and genomic characteristics, with varied sex chromosome systems. The study on the satellitome of Megaleporinus elongatus revealed 140 different satDNA families, showing gender-biased differences and significant contributions to sex chromosome differentiation. The highly diversified satDNA composition in M. elongatus influences genome plasticity and evolutionary behavior in sex chromosomes.
FRONTIERS IN GENETICS
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Ryan L. Brown, Elissa E. Epel, Jue Lin, Dena B. Dubal, Aric A. Prather
Summary: Aging biomarkers may be interconnected through direct co-regulation or common processes associated with aging or stress. Klotho, an aging regulator, is involved in regulating insulin signaling, phosphate homeostasis, oxidative stress, and age-related inflammation. This study investigated the association between klotho levels and telomere length in immune cells among mothers caregiving for children with or without autism spectrum disorder (ASD), to understand the potential impact of high caregiving stress on these aging biomarkers. Our results showed a positive association between klotho levels and telomere length in certain immune cells among high-stress mothers of children with ASD, but not among low-stress mothers of neurotypical children. There were no significant associations between klotho and telomerase activity in either group.
Editorial Material
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yuying Lin, Judith E. Mank
Summary: A genome sequence study of the flatworm Schmidtea mediterranea reveals a potential sex chromosome, providing a unique opportunity to investigate the evolution of sex determination.
Article
Developmental Biology
Alexander Kostmann, Lukas Kratochvil, Michail Rovatsos
Summary: This study applied both conventional and molecular cytogenetic methods to investigate the sex chromosomes of the Peters' keeled plated lizard (Tracheloptychus petersi) and found accumulations of rDNA loci in a pair of microchromosomes in males, but only in a single microchromosome in females. The restriction of observed heterozygosity to females suggests a putative ZZ/ZW system of sex chromosomes in this species, which is the first report of sex chromosomes in a gerrhosaurid lizard. All other cytogenetic methods did not show sex-specific signals, indicating that the sex chromosomes of T. petersi are poorly differentiated in sequence content.
SEXUAL DEVELOPMENT
(2021)
Article
Psychology, Multidisciplinary
A. A. Mezentseva, V. V. Rostovtseva, K. I. Ananyeva, A. A. Demidov, M. L. Butovskaya
Summary: This experimental study investigated sex and cultural differences in the estimation of various emotions through static photographs. The results showed that Tuvan people were more accurate in recognizing happiness and anger, but had lower accuracy in recognizing fear and disgust. Sex differences were observed in anger recognition, with Tuvan women being less accurate than Tuvan men in identifying anger in male Tuvans.
FRONTIERS IN PSYCHOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Fisheries
Zi-Wei Chen, Xing-Kun Jin, Fan-Xiang Gao, Jian-Fang Gui, Zhe Zhao, Yan Shi
Summary: The structure and function of gut microbiota in fish can be influenced by fish sex, but the impact is limited, mainly affecting certain bacterial taxa. The relative abundance of sex-specific bacterial taxa plays a role in determining bacterial phenotypes.
Article
Oncology
Raquel Cruz-Duarte, Catia Rebelo de Almeida, Magda Negrao, Afonso Fernandes, Paula Borralho, Daniel Sobral, Lina M. Gallego-Paez, Daniel Machado, Joao Gramaca, Jose Vilchez, Ana T. Xavier, Miguel Godinho Ferreira, Ana R. Miranda, Helder Mansinho, Maria J. Brito, Teresa R. Pacheco, Catarina Abreu, Ana Lucia-Costa, Andre Mansinho, Rita Fior, Luis Costa, Marta Martins
Summary: This study demonstrates the potential of PLC gamma 1 as a predictive biomarker for cetuximab responses and provides an alternative therapeutic approach to overcome PLC gamma 1-mediated resistance in patients with RAS WT mCRC. The mechanism involves the activation of ERK and AKT pathways and the noncatalytic role of PLC gamma 1 SH2 tandem domains in downstream signaling via SHP2. The findings contribute to the development of novel strategies for the treatment of mCRC.
CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Mariateresa Mazzetto, Cinzia Caterino, Marco Groth, Elisa Ferrari, Martin Reichard, Mario Baumgart, Alessandro Cellerino
Summary: This study compared the aging patterns of wild and captive turquoise killifish. The majority of differentially expressed genes showed the same regulation direction in both populations, but there were also genes regulated in opposite directions. Additionally, the rate of age-dependent gene regulation was higher in wild animals, suggesting accelerated aging.
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Ecology
M. Polacik, M. Vrtilek
Summary: Annual killifish can enter an additional developmental stasis between diapause II and III, which has been overlooked for a long time. This stasis manifests as a complete halt in development or a significantly slowed down developmental rate. The embryos that enter the stasis under usual laboratory incubation conditions can still hatch normally after exiting dormancy and completing development.
ENVIRONMENTAL BIOLOGY OF FISHES
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Martin Reichard, Karel Douda, Radim Blazek, Anna Janovska
Summary: The acute stress response of the European bitterling, Rhodeus amarus, to parasitism by the invasive unionid mussel, Sinanodonta woodiana, was measured by analyzing cortisol plasma levels using liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometer. A new method was tested that only required 4 μL of plasma by increasing the volume using charcoal-treated plasma. Bitterling showed a significant increase in cortisol levels in response to glochidia infestation. Overall, this technique allows precise measurement of steroid hormone plasma concentrations in small fish.
ENVIRONMENTAL BIOLOGY OF FISHES
(2023)
Review
Ecology
Milan Vrtilek, Jakub Zak, Martin Reichard
Summary: This review summarizes current evidence on reproductive senescence in ray-finned fishes, demonstrating that age-related reproductive decline is reported across fish phylogeny, environments, and traits. One-third of studied fish species have documented reproductive senescence, with females experiencing it less frequently compared to males or both parents combined. The occurrence of reproductive senescence in fish does not seem to be correlated with parental care or migratory strategy.
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Kamila Souckova, Matej Jasik, Iva Sovadinova, Alexandr Sember, Eliska Sychrova, Anna Konieczna, Vojtech Bystry, Iva Dykova, Radim Blazek, Karolina Luksikova, Tomas Pavlica, Marek Jankasek, Marie Altmanova, Jakub Zak, Adriana Zboncakova, Martin Reichard, Ondrej Slaby
Summary: As an alternative to animal models, this paper reports the establishment and characterization of ten continuous cell lines from annual killifish embryos. These cell lines exhibit stable growth, similar characteristics, and undifferentiated state even after continuous subcultivation and extended storage. They have the potential for application in various fields including molecular mechanisms of aging and differences in lifespan.
AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Holger Zimmerman, Deryk Tolman, Martin Reichard
Summary: Offspring of brood parasites compete for resources, but rarely resort to cannibalism. Cannibalism is used to mitigate starvation, not eliminate competition.
BEHAVIORAL ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Zoology
Carl Smith, Rowena Spence, Richard Bailey, Martin Reichard
Summary: Using network analysis, this study investigates the intensity of sperm competition in male European bitterling. It is found that larger males in the guarding role experience lower sperm competition intensity, while larger males in the sneaker role experience greater intensity.
JOURNAL OF VERTEBRATE BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Zoology
Iva Dykova, Martin Reichard
Summary: The study presents detailed structural data on the ovipositor of four bitterling species. New findings on the structure of the ovipositor were collected using both light and transmission electron microscopy. The examination revealed that all examined fish shared the same basic structure and newly reported details, regardless of their species affiliation. Evaluations of structural modifications provide insights into the presumed role of the ovipositor in egg passage.
JOURNAL OF VERTEBRATE BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Fisheries
Karolina Luksikova, Tomas Pavlica, Marie Altmanova, Jana Stundlova, Sarka Pelikanova, Sergey A. Simanovsky, Eugene Yu. Krysanov, Marek Jankasek, Matyas Hirman, Martin Reichard, Petr Rab, Alexandr Sember
Summary: Using African annual killifishes as study subjects, this research analyzed the chromosomal distribution of telomeric repeats and Nfu-SatC satellite DNA. The results showed that the presence of Nfu-SatC repeat was conserved among the studied taxa, but its organization and distribution on chromosomes varied. Only in Nothobranchius brieni, the Nfu-SatC repeat occupied a substantial portion of the neo-Y chromosome. The study also revealed a tendency of telomeric repeat loss during interchromosomal rearrangements, providing insights into genome structure and sex chromosome differentiation in Nothobranchius killifishes.
JOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Martin Reichard, Stephan Koblmuller, Radim Blazek, Holger Zimmermann, Cyprian Katongo, Anna Bryjova, Josef Bryja
Summary: Host-parasite dynamics involve coevolutionary arms races and may result in host specialization and diversification. Previous understanding of host specialization in brood parasites has been mostly focused on bird and insect lineages. This study examines the relationship between the cuckoo catfish and mouthbrooding cichlids in Lake Tanganyika and finds evidence for the existence of sympatric host-specific lineages in the cuckoo catfish. Genetic analysis shows no host-specific lineages, and parasitism is not associated with any individual characteristics of the host species, but it does come at a cost for the parasitized parents. These findings suggest that the cuckoo catfish is an intermediate generalist in terms of host specialization.
Article
Cell Biology
Mounir El Mai, Malia Bird, Asma Allouche, Seniye Targen, Naz Serifoglu, Bruno Lopes-Bastos, Jean-Marie Guigonis, Da Kang, Thierry Pourcher, Jia-Xing Yue, Miguel Godinho Ferreira
Summary: This study demonstrates that gut-specific telomerase expression is sufficient to rescue aging phenotypes and extend the lifespan of telomerase-deficient zebrafish, as well as ameliorate signs of aging in wild-type animals. The specific telomerase expression in the gut prevents telomere shortening, rescues premature aging, and has systemic beneficial impacts on distant organs such as the reproductive and hematopoietic systems.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Anna Volenikova, Karolina Luksikova, Pablo Mora, Tomas Pavlica, Marie Altmanova, Jana Stundlova, Sarka Pelikanova, Sergey A. Simanovsky, Marek Jankasek, Martin Reichard, Petr Nguyen, Alexandr Sember
Summary: Satellite DNA is a rapidly evolving class of tandem repeats, with some monomers being involved in centromere organization and function. Through studying satDNA in African annual killifishes of the genus Nothobranchius, we found that repeats associated with (peri)centromeric regions evolve rapidly and exhibit different evolutionary trends in two clades.
CHROMOSOME RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Biology
Marta Marzullo, Mounir El Mai, Miguel Godinho Ferreira
Summary: This study presents a protocol for detecting senescent cell accumulation in adult zebrafish organs using SA-beta-GAL assay and identifies previously unreported organs with increased cellular senescence in telomerase mutants.