A chromosomal reference genome sequence for the malaria mosquito Anopheles gambiae, Giles, 1902, Ifakara strain

We present a genome assembly from an individual female Anopheles gambiae (the malaria mosquito; Arthropoda; Insecta; Diptera; Culicidae), Ifakara strain. The genome sequence is 264 megabases in span. Most of the assembly is scaffolded into three chromosomal pseudomolecules with the X sex chromosome assembled. The complete mitochondrial genome was also assembled and is 15.4 kilobases in length

Genome-wide sequence analyses of ethnic populations across Russia

The Russian Federation is the largest and one of the most ethnically diverse countries in the world, however no centralized reference database of genetic variation exists to date. Such data are crucial for medical genetics and essential for studying population history. The Genome Russia Project aims at filling this gap by performing whole genome sequencing and analysis of peoples of the Russian Federation. Here we report the characterization of genome-wide variation of 264 healthy adults, including 60 newly sequenced samples. People of Russia carry known and novel genetic variants of adaptive, clinical and functional consequence that in many cases show allele frequency divergence from neighboring populations. Population genetics analyses revealed six phylogeographic partitions among indigenous ethnicities corresponding to their geographic locales. This study presents a characterization of population-specific genomic variation in Russia with results important for medical genetics and for understanding the dynamic population history of the world's largest country

Genomic Legacy of the African Cheetah, Acinonyx jubatus

Background Patterns of genetic and genomic variance are informative in inferring population history for human, model species and endangered populations. Results Here the genome sequence of wild-born African cheetahs reveals extreme genomic depletion in SNV incidence, SNV density, SNVs of coding genes, MHC class I and II genes, and mitochondrial DNA SNVs. Cheetah genomes are on average 95 % homozygous compared to the genomes of the outbred domestic cat (24.08 % homozygous), Virunga Mountain Gorilla (78.12 %), inbred Abyssinian cat (62.63 %), Tasmanian devil, domestic dog and other mammalian species. Demographic estimators impute two ancestral population bottlenecks: one \u3e100,000 years ago coincident with cheetah migrations out of the Americas and into Eurasia and Africa, and a second 11,084–12,589 years ago in Africa coincident with late Pleistocene large mammal extinctions. MHC class I gene loss and dramatic reduction in functional diversity of MHC genes would explain why cheetahs ablate skin graft rejection among unrelated individuals. Significant excess of non-synonymous mutations in AKAP4 (p\u3c0.02), a gene mediating spermatozoon development, indicates cheetah fixation of five function-damaging amino acid variants distinct from AKAP4 homologues of other Felidae or mammals; AKAP4 dysfunction may cause the cheetah’s extremely high (\u3e80 %) pleiomorphic sperm. Conclusions The study provides an unprecedented genomic perspective for the rare cheetah, with potential relevance to the species’ natural history, physiological adaptations and unique reproductive disposition

Pangolin genomes and the evolution of mammalian scales and immunity

Pangolins, unique mammals with scales over most of their body, no teeth, poor vision, and an acute olfactory system, comprise the only placental order (Pholidota) without a whole-genome map. To investigate pangolin biology and evolution, we developed genome assemblies of the Malayan (Manis javanica) and Chinese (M. pentadactyla) pangolins. Strikingly, we found that interferon epsilon (IFNE), exclusively expressed in epithelial cells and important in skin and mucosal immunity, is pseudogenized in all African and Asian pangolin species that we examined, perhaps impacting resistance to infection. We propose that scale development was an innovation that provided protection against injuries or stress and reduced pangolin vulnerability to infection. Further evidence of specialized adaptations was evident from positively selected genes involving immunity-related pathways, inflammation, energy storage and metabolism, muscular and nervous systems, and scale/hair development. Olfactory receptor gene families are significantly expanded in pangolins, reflecting their well-developed olfaction system. This study provides insights into mammalian adaptation and functional diversification, new research tools and questions, and perhaps a new natural IFNE-deficient animal model for studying mammalian immunity.University of Malaya and Ministry of Education, Malaysia [UM.C/HIR/MOHE/08]; UMRG grant from the University of Malaya and Ministry of Education, Malaysia [RG541-13HTM]; Russian Ministry of Science [11.G34.31.0068]; NIH-NHGRI grant [5U54HG00307907]SCI(E)[email protected]

Origin of Galactic and Extragalactic Magnetic Fields

A variety of observations suggest that magnetic fields are present in all galaxies and galaxy clusters. These fields are characterized by a modest strength (10^{-7}-10^{-5} G) and huge spatial scale (~Mpc). It is generally assumed that magnetic fields in spiral galaxies arise from the combined action of differential rotation and helical turbulence, a process known as the alpha-omega dynamo. However fundamental questions concerning the nature of the dynamo as well as the origin of the seed fields necessary to prime it remain unclear. Moreover, the standard alpha-omega dynamo does not explain the existence of magnetic fields in elliptical galaxies and clusters. The author summarizes what is known observationally about magnetic fields in galaxies, clusters, superclusters, and beyond. He then reviews the standard dynamo paradigm, the challenges that have been leveled against it, and several alternative scenarios. He concludes with a discussion of astrophysical and early Universe candidates for seed fields.Comment: 67 pages, 17 figures, accepted for publication in Reviews of Modern Physic

Long-term outcomes of combined coronary bypass surgery and carotid endarterectomy in patients with type 2 diabetes

At present, there are no studies on the analysis of the incidence of complications in patients with concomitant lesions of the coronary and internal carotid arteries (ICA) after combined operation of carotid endarterectomy (CE) and coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) against the background of type 2 diabetes (T2D). However, there is no doubt that this condition can be a predictor of cardiovascular and wound complications during in-hospital and long-term postoperative periods.Aim. To study in-hospital and long-term outcomes of combined CABG+CE in patients with and without type 2 diabetes.Material and methods. This multicenter retrospective study for the period from January 2015 to December 2019 included 653 patients with concomitant atherosclerotic lesions of ICA and coronary arteries, who underwent combined CE+CABG. Depending on presence of type 2 diabetes, 2 groups were formed: group 1 (n=183) — patients with type 2 diabetes; group 2 (n=471) — patients without type 2 diabetes. The duration of postoperative follow-up was 37,8±14,9 months.Results. During hospitalization, significant differences in the incidence of death (group 1 =1,1%; group 2 =1,0%; p=0,97), myocardial infarction (MI) (group 1 =1,1%; group 2 =0,8%; p=0,76), bleeding events (group 1 =1,1%; group 2 =0,8%; p=0,76) were not detected. However, stroke (group 1 =3,8%; group 2 =0,4%; p=0,0008), sternal wound infection and mediastinitis (group 1 =3,3%; group 2 =0,2%; p=0,0006) were significantly more often developed in patients with type 2 diabetes.In the long-term follow-up period, death (group 1 =6,6%; group 2 =1,1%; p<0,0001), MI (group 1 =4,9%; group 2 =0,8%; p=0,0008), stroke (group 1 =7,7%; group 2 =1,5%; p<0,0001), ICA restenosis (group 1 =8,8%; group 2 =1,6%; p<0,0001), repeated emergency myocardial revascularization (group 1 =7,2%; group 2 =1,5%; p=0,0002), repeated emergency cerebral revascularization (group 1 =8,8%; group 2 =1,6%; p<0,0001) were significantly more often recorded in patients with type 2 diabetes.Kaplan-Meier curve analysis and its comparison using the log rank test revealed that the death, MI, and stroke were also significantly more often observed in patients with type 2 diabetes (p=0,0007, p=0,003, p<0,0001, respectively).Conclusion. Patients with type 2 diabetes who are referred for combined CE+CABG are at an increased risk of stroke, sternal wound infection and mediastinitis in the in-hospital postoperative period, as well as all adverse cardiovascular events in the long-term follow-up period

Lawson criterion for ignition exceeded in an inertial fusion experiment

For more than half a century, researchers around the world have been engaged in attempts to achieve fusion ignition as a proof of principle of various fusion concepts. Following the Lawson criterion, an ignited plasma is one where the fusion heating power is high enough to overcome all the physical processes that cool the fusion plasma, creating a positive thermodynamic feedback loop with rapidly increasing temperature. In inertially confined fusion, ignition is a state where the fusion plasma can begin "burn propagation" into surrounding cold fuel, enabling the possibility of high energy gain. While "scientific breakeven" (i.e., unity target gain) has not yet been achieved (here target gain is 0.72, 1.37 MJ of fusion for 1.92 MJ of laser energy), this Letter reports the first controlled fusion experiment, using laser indirect drive, on the National Ignition Facility to produce capsule gain (here 5.8) and reach ignition by nine different formulations of the Lawson criterion

Agitation and avant-garde projects of cultural memory in theatre in 1920th

The Avant-garde in Russian theatre art heavily connected with the Soviet Union politics in common purpose of tradition destruction and creation of the new artificial culture. Despite subject identity, the views between two directions on different aspects of this subject were different. It’s was the reason of breaking alliance between two sides.Ранний советский художественный авангард неразрывно связан с государственной и партийной политикой: обе стороны связывал пафос разрушения старого уклада жизни и создания нового беспрецедентного мира. Пропаганда отказа от старой культурной памяти и демонстрация образов новой синтетической культуры особенно показательна в театральном искусстве как политико-просветительских органов, так и авангардистов. Несмотря на внешнюю идентичность целей, задачи партии и художественные практики деятелей авангарда существенно разнились, что предвосхитило скоротечность их союза