Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Klara J. Petrzelkova, Carine Uwamahoro, Barbora Pafco, Barbora Cervena, Peter Samas, Antoine Mudakikwa, Richard Muvunyi, Prosper Uwingeli, Kirsten Gilardi, Julius Nziza, Jean Bosco Noheri, Winnie Eckardt, Felix Ndagijimana, Benard Ssebide, Ricky Okwirokello, Fred Nizeyimana, Eddy Kambale Syaluha, Gaspard Nzayisenga, Luis Flores Giron, Methode Bahizi, Adrien Emile Ntwari, Jean-Paul Lukusa, Jean Claude Tumushime, Damien Mangura, Jeff Mapilanga, Arthur Kalonji, Robert Aruho, Anna Strykova, Zuzana Tehlarova, Rita Cameira, Linda Lowenstine, Jan Slapeta, Dusan Romportl, Nicola Ferrari, Michael Cranfield, David Modry
Summary: Conservation efforts have led to the recovery of endangered mountain gorilla populations, but increased population densities may alter the epidemiology of infectious diseases. Recent records show clinical gastrointestinal illnesses linked to helminth infections. Geographic differences in strongylid infections have been observed, with higher egg counts in areas with high occurrences of gastrointestinal disease.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Edward Wright, Sven Grawunder, Eric Ndayishimiye, Jordi Galbany, Shannon C. McFarlin, Tara S. Stoinski, Martha M. Robbins
Summary: This study examines the relationship between body size and the chest beat of male mountain gorillas. Larger males were found to have significantly lower peak frequencies, but there was no consistent relationship between body size and the temporal characteristics of the chest beat. The results suggest that the gorilla chest beat is an honest signal of competitive ability.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Anthropology
Martha M. Robbins, Andrew M. Robbins
Summary: This study examined the weaning age of mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda, finding an average weaning age of 57.5 months, with sons being weaned later than daughters. Maternal dominance did not significantly influence weaning age. The weaning age of Bwindi gorillas was later compared to Virunga gorillas, but the time to conceiving the next offspring after resuming mating showed no significant difference between the two populations.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL ANTHROPOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Eddy Kambale Syaluha, Dawn Zimmerman, Jan Ramer, Kirsten Gilardi, Martin Kabuyaya, Michael R. Cranfield, Michael S. Kent, Sarah M. Corner, Natasha Yeh, Linda Lowenstine
Summary: The 30-year-old free-ranging female mountain gorilla developed a perioral malignant melanoma, underwent debulking surgery and received a canine melanoma vaccine. Despite treatment, the gorilla died shortly afterwards and post-mortem examination revealed metastases to lymph nodes, lung, liver, and kidney.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL PRIMATOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Zoology
Denis Muhangi, Chris H. Gardiner, Lonzy Ojok, Michael R. Cranfield, Kirsten V. K. Gilardi, Antoine B. Mudakikwa, Linda J. Lowenstine
Summary: The study found common gastrointestinal lesions such as enteritis, gastritis, and colitis in free-ranging mountain gorillas, with only 8% of deaths attributed to gastroenteritis. Parasitic infections like hepatic capillariasis and gastric nematodiasis were significantly associated with lesions in the digestive tract. Understanding GI lesions is important for managing morbidity in this endangered species.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PRIMATOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Zoology
Stacy Rosenbaum, Winnie Eckardt, Tara S. Stoinski, Rose Umuhoza, Christopher W. Kuzawa, Rachel M. Santymire
Summary: Androgens play a significant role in male-male competition and societal structure in primates. Male mountain gorillas show temporary increases in androgen metabolites after competitive events, but there is no clear relationship between dominance rank and androgen concentrations. Further research is needed to elucidate the surprising lack of a dominance hierarchy/androgen relationship in mountain gorillas.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PRIMATOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Shyryn Almerekova, Yuliya Genievskaya, Saule Abugalieva, Kazuhiro Sato, Yerlan Turuspekov
Summary: The genetic relationship and population structure of two-rowed barley accessions from Kazakhstan were assessed using single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers. The study revealed that Kazakh barley samples were genetically close to samples from Africa and Europe, and the KV and KA samples were the most distant groups among six breeding origins in Kazakhstan. The identified SNP markers can be efficiently used in studies of barley adaptation and deployed in breeding projects to develop new competitive cultivars.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Maria Radanova, Mariya Levkova, Galya Mihaylova, Rostislav Manev, Margarita Maneva, Rossen Hadgiev, Nikolay Conev, Ivan Donev
Summary: There is a growing interest in studying single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in microRNA (miRNA) genes, as they may be associated with susceptibility, prognosis, and treatment response in colorectal cancer (CRC). These miRNA-SNPs could serve as non-invasive biomarkers for early detection of CRC. However, contradictory findings have been reported when different research groups investigated the same SNP in a gene for a specific miRNA, highlighting the need for more case-control studies involving participants from different ethnic backgrounds. According to our review, three miRNA-SNPs - miR-146a rs2910164, miR-27a rs895819, and miR-608 rs4919510 - appear to be promising prognostic, diagnostic, and predictive biomarkers for CRC.
Review
Plant Sciences
Zheng Ying, Muhammad Awais, Reshmi Akter, Fengjiao Xu, Sul Baik, Daehyo Jung, Deok Chun Yang, Gi-Young Kwak, Wenying You
Summary: Discriminating plant species, cultivars, and landraces is challenging, but SNP markers have proven to be a reliable tool for differentiating Panax ginseng and similar species. This article provides a cost-effective guide for SNP marker analysis in a traditional laboratory setting.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Matthew R. Alexander, Samuel Hank, Bethany L. Dale, Lauren Himmel, Xue Zhong, Charles D. Smart, Daniel J. Fehrenbach, Yuhan Chen, Nitin Prabakaran, Brian Tirado, Megan Centrella, Mingfang Ao, Liping Du, Yu Shyr, Daniel Levy, Meena S. Madhur
Summary: Research suggests that the Trp encoding allele of rs3184504 may be causal for hypertension and renal dysfunction, in part due to the loss of SH2B3-mediated repression of T cell IL-12 signaling leading to enhanced IFNg production.
CIRCULATION RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Justyna Basak, Danuta Piotrzkowska, Ireneusz Majsterek, Ewa Kucharska
Summary: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disorder of the central nervous system with no cure and unclear etiology. This study aimed to identify SNPs associated with an increased risk of developing MS. The findings suggest that the GG AGO1 rs636832 and AA GEMIN4 rs7813 genotypes are associated with an increased risk of MS.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Michael R. Buchalski, Benjamin N. Sacks, Kristen D. Ahrens, Kyle D. Gustafson, Jaime L. Rudd, Holly B. Ernest, Justin A. Dellinger
Summary: The study developed a panel of 95 SNP markers for routine monitoring of individual mountain lions, which can confidently differentiate individuals, identify gender, and distinguish mountain lions from bobcats. The panel showed high performance on fecal DNA extracts, even in populations with low genetic diversity in southern California.
CONSERVATION GENETICS RESOURCES
(2022)
Article
Anthropology
Caitlin Man, Emmanuel Gilissen, Margot Michaud
Summary: This study investigated the differences in external and internal cranial structures between male and female eastern lowland gorillas, with a focus on the endocranium. The results showed significant sexual dimorphism in both size and shape of the cranial structures and endocasts. Male gorillas had larger and elongated craniums and endocasts compared to females.
JOURNAL OF HUMAN EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Yan Li, Wei Li, Li Huang, Huijia Li, Peipeng He, Chao Xue
Summary: This study investigated the association between microscopic polyangiitis and the single nucleotide polymorphism rs807185 in autophagy-associated gene 4A (ATG4A) in the Chinese population. Using multiplex polymerase chain reaction and high-throughput sequencing, it was found that the control group had a higher frequency of the A allele of rs807185 compared to the microscopic polyangiitis group, suggesting that the A allele of rs807185 may have a protective effect against microscopic polyangiitis in the Chinese population. However, the molecular mechanisms remain unclear.
INTERNATIONAL IMMUNOPHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Concetta Scimone, Luigi Donato, Simona Alibrandi, Concetta Alafaci, Angela D'Ascola, Sergio Vinci, Rosalia D'Angelo, Antonina Sidoti
Summary: This study reveals the importance of epitranscriptomic modifications in gene expression regulation and suggests the involvement of altered epitranscriptome profile in the development of CCM. These findings provide new insights for further investigation into the pathogenesis of CCM.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-CELL PHYSIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Benjamin N. Sacks, Gunmeet K. Bali, Zachary T. Lounsberry, Stevi L. Vanderzwan
Summary: A suite of 96 SNP markers was developed through high-throughput sequencing for differentiation of individual tule elk and other subspecies in California, aiding genetic monitoring efforts.
CONSERVATION GENETICS RESOURCES
(2021)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Benjamin N. Sacks, Zachary T. Lounsberry, Halie M. Rando, Kristopher Kluepfel, Steven R. Fain, Sarah K. Brown, Anna V. Kukekova
Summary: The red fox has a global distribution and is utilized as an evolutionary model system. This study sequenced a portion of the red fox Y chromosome and discovered two separate intercontinental exchanges of red foxes, with contrasting patterns between Y chromosome and mtDNA transfer history. Further sampling is necessary to confirm and clarify the red fox Y chromosome phylogeography.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Lauren M. Hennelly, Bilal Habib, Shrushti Modi, Eli K. Rueness, Philippe Gaubert, Benjamin N. Sacks
Summary: The study revealed the genetic differences between Indian and Tibetan wolves at the genome level, as well as their relationship to grey wolves in the phylogenomic context. The findings suggest that southern regions of Asia have been crucial for grey wolf evolution, and that Indian and Tibetan wolves are evolutionary significant units.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Michael R. Buchalski, Benjamin N. Sacks, Kristen D. Ahrens, Kyle D. Gustafson, Jaime L. Rudd, Holly B. Ernest, Justin A. Dellinger
Summary: The study developed a panel of 95 SNP markers for routine monitoring of individual mountain lions, which can confidently differentiate individuals, identify gender, and distinguish mountain lions from bobcats. The panel showed high performance on fecal DNA extracts, even in populations with low genetic diversity in southern California.
CONSERVATION GENETICS RESOURCES
(2022)
Article
Zoology
Ellen C. Bolas, Cate B. Quinn, Dirk H. Van Vuren, Andy Lee, Stevi L. Vanderzwan, Chris H. Floyd, Krista L. Jones, Laura Shaskey, Benjamin N. Sacks
Summary: Island spotted skunks, a rare subspecies endemic to the California Channel Islands, were found to have distinct evolutionary history and isolation patterns from mainland spotted skunks. Through the sequencing of mitochondrial genomes, it was determined that these island populations were colonized by a single ancestral population during the early Holocene and have remained isolated from each other ever since the split of the super-island Santarosae into Santa Cruz and Santa Rosa islands about 9,400-9,700 years ago. Due to their unique characteristics and current population status, island spotted skunks may require management as distinct evolutionarily significant units.
JOURNAL OF MAMMALOGY
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Thomas J. Batter, Joshua P. Bush, Benjamin N. Sacks
Summary: This study applied fDNA SCR and stratified random sampling to estimate abundance in three populations of tule elk in northern California and compared the results with telemetry data. The findings suggest that SCR methods can be successfully applied to socially gregarious ungulates such as elk, but may lead to estimation biases in extreme clustering scenarios.
JOURNAL OF WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Zoology
Cody M. Aylward, Robert A. Grahn, Laureen M. Barthman-Thompson, Douglas A. Kelt, Benjamin N. Sacks, Mark J. Statham
Summary: Noninvasive genetic surveys have become a popular tool for surveying wildlife, but have rarely been applied to small mammals due to the challenges of detecting their inconspicuous fecal pellets. In this study, a noninvasive genetic survey technique was developed for small mammals, specifically the endangered salt marsh harvest mouse, using bait stations and multiplex primer sets. The technique proved to be effective in noninvasively surveying small mammals in potential salt marsh harvest mouse habitat and could be applicable to other systems.
JOURNAL OF MAMMALOGY
(2022)
Editorial Material
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Benjamin N. Sacks
Summary: Before European colonization, a unique American wolf species inhabited the eastern forests of North America. Today, the populations of red wolf and eastern wolf have significantly declined due to human persecution and coyote hybridization. However, recent research suggests that coyote populations in the southeastern region have a high prevalence of red wolf genes, which could be an important resource for red wolf conservation.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Benjamin N. Sacks, Mark J. Statham, Laurel E. K. Serieys, Seth P. D. Riley
Summary: This study investigated the population structure of gray foxes and the evolutionary origins of the endemic island fox. The island foxes were found to have originated from an extinct mainland population and showed genetic admixture with adjacent mainland gray foxes.
Article
Zoology
David S. Green, Marie E. Martin, Sean M. Matthews, Jocelyn R. Akins, Jennifer Carlson, Pete Figura, Brian E. Hatfield, John D. Perrine, Cate B. Quinn, Benjamin N. Sacks, Thomas R. Stephenson, Sarah L. Stock, Jody M. Tucker
Summary: We used 12 years of data to model the distribution and density of the Sierra Nevada Red Fox (SNRF) in California and Oregon. Our results showed that SNRFs are mainly found in three regions with low temperatures and high snow water equivalent. These findings provide valuable information for conservation and management actions as well as future survey efforts.
JOURNAL OF MAMMALOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Carly Q. White, Joshua P. Bush, Benjamin N. Sacks
Summary: The increasing impacts of wildfire on arid regions due to climate change highlight the necessity of understanding the response of natural communities to fire. A study conducted in northern California investigated the use of and diets within burned and unburned habitats by black-tailed deer before and after a large wildfire. The study found that deer increased their use of unburned sites and reduced use of burn sites immediately after the fire, but started returning to burned sites in subsequent years. The diversity of the deer's diet was lower in burn sites post-fire, dominated by oak, but increased in subsequent years with more herbaceous plants in burn sites.
Article
Fisheries
Benjamin N. Sacks, Joshua P. Bush, Thomas J. Batter
CALIFORNIA FISH AND WILDLIFE JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Julia D. Owen-Ramos, Camilo J. Sanchez, Shelly Blair, Sara Holm, Brett J. Furnas, Benjamin N. Sacks
Summary: This study utilized fecal DNA technology to estimate black bear density, demonstrating the feasibility of this non-invasive method in urban-wildland interface areas, providing important insights for addressing human-wildlife conflicts.
WILDLIFE SOCIETY BULLETIN
(2022)
