Reply to M. Horiguchi et al

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Article The extinct Sicilian wolf shows a complex history of isolation and admixture with ancient dogs

The Sicilian wolf remained isolated in Sicily from the end of the Pleistocene until its extermination in the 1930s-1960s. Given its long-term isolation on the island and distinctive morphology, the genetic origin of the Sicilian wolf remains debated. We sequenced four nuclear genomes and five mitogenomes from the seven existing museum specimens to investigate the Sicilian wolf ancestry, rela-tionships with extant and extinct wolves and dogs, and diversity. Our results show that the Sicilian wolf is most closely related to the Italian wolf but carries ancestry from a lineage related to European Eneolithic and Bronze Age dogs. The average nucleotide diversity of the Sicilian wolf was half of the Italian wolf, with 37-50% of its genome contained in runs of homozygosity. Overall, we show that, by the time it went extinct, the Sicilian wolf had high inbreeding and low-genetic diversity, consistent with a population in an insular environment

Cytogenetics and Consequences of Polyploidization on Different Biotic-Abiotic Stress Tolerance and the Potential Mechanisms Involved

The application of polyploidy in sustainable agriculture has already brought much appreciation among researchers. Polyploidy may occur naturally or can be induced in the laboratory using chemical or gaseous agents and results in complete chromosome nondisjunction. This comprehensive review described the potential of polyploidization on plants, especially its role in crop improvement for enhanced production and host-plant resistance development against pests and diseases. An in-depth investigation on techniques used in the induction of polyploidy, cytogenetic evaluation methods of different ploidy levels, application, and current research trends is also presented. Ongoing research has mainly aimed to bring the recurrence in polyploidy, which is usually detected by flow cytometry, chromosome counting, and cytogenetic techniques such as fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) and genomic in situ hybridization (GISH). Polyploidy can bring about positive consequences in the growth and yield attributes of crops, making them more tolerant to abiotic and biotic stresses. However, the unexpected change in chromosome set and lack of knowledge on the mechanism of stress alleviation is hindering the application of polyploidy on a large scale. Moreover, a lack of cost-benefit analysis and knowledge gaps on the socio-economic implication are predominant. Further research on polyploidy coupling with modern genomic technologies will help to bring real-world market prospects in the era of changing climate. This review on polyploidy provides a solid foundation to do next-generation research on crop improvement

Evaluation of Introgressed Lines of Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) under Contrasting Water Treatments

Drought stress is a major production constraint in crops globally. Crop wild relatives are important sources of resistance and tolerance for both biotic and abiotic stresses, respectively. A breeding program was initiated to introgress drought tolerance in sunflowers through hybridization between the wild species Helianthus argophyllus and the cultivated pool of H. annuus. Selection was carried out from the F2 to F5 segregating populations for the silver canopy, high cuticular wax, small leaf area, single heading and high oil content. Cuticular wax ranged between 8.72 µg g−1 and 17.19 µg g−1 in the F5 offspring. The selected F5 breeding lines were self-pollinated to obtain the F6 generation. Thereafter, this F6 was compared with the non-adapted elite sunflower germplasm in a factorial complete randomized design with different water treatments; i.e., comparing fully irrigated (100%, T0) versus 75% (T1), 50% (T2) and 25% (T3) of total irrigation. The comparison between the two types of the germplasm showed that drought-tolerant breeding lines had a comparatively lesser decrease in leaf area (0, 11, 22%) and shoot length (4, 21, 28%) than the elite germplasm, which experienced a decrease in leaf area (21%, 33% and 40%) and shoot length (17, 27 and 34%) under the various drought treatments. Moreover, drought-tolerant breeding lines had 100% more root shoot ratios than the elite germplasm (20%) in T3 when compared with control. Several drought-tolerant promising lines (D-2, D-5 and D-27) were selected due to their high leaf area, great root length and increased root to shoot ratio under T3. Some of the lines could be directly used for the development of drought-tolerant hybrids. Combining ability testing indicated that D-27 (F7) was a good general combiner for seed yield plant−1 and oil content after mating with male-line RSIN.82. Resulting hybrids could help to minimize seed yield loss due to water stress and to achieve profitable cultivation of sunflowers in arid regions of Pakistan

The glycine receptor alpha 3 subunit mRNA expression shows sex-dependent differences in the adult mouse brain

BackgroundThe glycinergic system plays an important inhibitory role in the mouse central nervous system, where glycine controls the excitability of spinal itch- and pain-mediating neurons. Impairments of the glycine receptors can cause motor and sensory deficits. Glycine exerts inhibition through interaction with ligand-gated ion channels composed of alpha and beta subunits. We have investigated the mRNA expression of the glycine receptor alpha 3 (Glra3) subunit in the nervous system as well as in several peripheral organs of female and male mice.ResultsSingle-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data analysis on the Zeisel et al. (2018) dataset indicated widespread but low expression of Glra3 in vesicular glutamate transporter 2 (Vglut2, Slc17a6) positive and vesicular inhibitory amino acid transporter (Viaat, Slc32a1)positive neurons of the mouse central nervous system. Highest occurrence of Glra3 expression was identified in the cortex, amygdala, and striatal regions, as well as in the hypothalamus, brainstem and spinal cord. Bulk quantitative real-time-PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis demonstrated Glra3 expression in cortex, amygdala, striatum, hypothalamus, thalamus, pituitary gland, hippocampus, cerebellum, brainstem, and spinal cord. Additionally, male mice expressed higher levels of Glra3 in all investigated brain areas compared with female mice. Lastly, RNAscope spatially validated Glra3 expression in the areas indicated by the single-cell and bulk analyses. Moreover, RNAscope analysis confirmed co-localization of Glra3 with Slc17a6 or Slc32a1 in the central nervous system areas suggested from the single-cell data.ConclusionsGlra3 expression is low but widespread in the mouse central nervous system. Clear sex-dependent differences have been identified, indicating higher levels of Glra3 in several telencephalic and diencephalic areas, as well as in cerebellum and brainstem, in male mice compared with female mice

The Comparative Toxicity, Biochemical and Physiological Impacts of Chlorantraniliprole and Indoxacarb on Mamestra brassicae (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Background: The cabbage moth, Mamestra brassicae, is a polyphagous pest that attacks several crops. Here, the sublethal and lethal effects of chlorantraniliprole and indoxacarb were investigated on the developmental stages, detoxification enzymes, reproductive activity, calling behavior, peripheral physiology, and pheromone titer of M. brasssicae. Methods: To assess pesticide effects, the second instar larvae were maintained for 24 h on a semi-artificial diet containing insecticides at their LC10, LC30, and LC50 concentrations. Results: M. brassicae was more susceptible to chlorantraniliprole (LC50 = 0.35 mg/L) than indoxacarb (LC50 = 1.71 mg/L). A significantly increased developmental time was observed with both insecticides at all tested concentrations but decreases in pupation rate, pupal weight, and emergence were limited to the LC50 concentration. Reductions in both the total number of eggs laid per female and the egg viability were observed with both insecticides at their LC30 and LC50 concentrations. Both female calling activity and the sex pheromone (Z11-hexadecenyl acetate and hexadecenyl acetate) titer were significantly reduced by chlorantraniliprole in LC50 concentration. Antennal responses of female antennae to benzaldehyde and 3-octanone were significantly weaker than controls after exposure to the indoxocarb LC50 concentration. Significant reductions in the enzymatic activity of glutathione S-transferases, mixed-function oxidases, and carboxylesterases were observed in response to both insecticides

Synthesis of Mesoporous Silica@Co–Al Layered Double Hydroxide Spheres: Layer-by-Layer Method and Their Effects on the Flame Retardancy of Epoxy Resins

Hierarchical mesoporous silica@Co–Al layered double hydroxide (m-SiO2@Co–Al LDH) spheres were prepared through a layer-by-layer assembly process, in order to integrate their excellent physical and chemical functionalities. TEM results depicted that, due to the electrostatic potential difference between m-SiO2 and Co–Al LDH, the synthetic m-SiO2@Co–Al LDH hybrids exhibited that m-SiO2 spheres were packaged by the Co–Al LDH nanosheets. Subsequently, the m-SiO2@Co–Al LDH spheres were incorporated into epoxy resin (EP) to prepare specimens for investigation of their flame-retardant performance. Cone results indicated that m-SiO2@Co–Al LDH incorporated obviously improved fire retardant of EP. A plausible mechanism of fire retardant was hypothesized based on the analyses of thermal conductivity, char residues, and pyrolysis fragments. Labyrinth effect of m-SiO2 and formation of graphitized carbon char catalyzed by Co–Al LDH play pivotal roles in the flame retardance enhancement

A no-take zone and partially protected areas are not enough to save the Kattegat cod, but enhance biomass and abundance of the local fish assemblage

To supplement catch and effort regulations with the purpose to rebuild the cod (Gadus morhua) stock in Kattegat, Sweden and Denmark established a large (426 km(2)) year-round no-take zone (NTZ) surrounded by partially protected areas (PPAs) in 2009. The purpose of these spatial regulations was to prohibit cod fishing on the spawning grounds and to displace fisheries bycatch of cod from areas where mature cod aggregate in the Kattegat. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of the established NTZ and PPAs on the local fish assemblage, including cod. Based on a spatially high-resolution bottom trawl survey in the Kattegat (covering 2008-2021), multivariate analyses revealed significant shifts in the fish assemblage. A closer analysis indicated that six to seven fish species, including cod increased in the NTZ relative to control areas depending on if abundance or biomass was used as dependent variable. Univariate analysis showed that two flatfish species dab (Limanda limanda) and lemon sole (Microstomus kitt), and Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus) significantly increased in biomass in the NTZ, and turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) in the PPA relative to the control areas. These results suggest that the NTZ protected even relatively mobile species in an open sea system, such as the Kattegat. However, neither cod abundance nor biomass showed a significant increase as an effect of the NTZ and PPA despite two relatively strong year classes in 2012 and 2013, which possibly would have helped the recovery of the cod stock. As assessed by the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea in 2022, Kattegat cod continuously suffer from being severely overfished with low recruitment, and high discard rates in the mixed N. norvegicus fishery, is considered the major driver behind the reinforced depletion of the stock

Nordic forest management towards climate change mitigation: time dynamic temperature change impacts of wood product systems including substitution effects

Climate change mitigation trade-offs between increasing harvests to exploit substitution effects versus accumulating forest carbon sequestration complicate recommendations for climate beneficial forest management. Here, a time dynamic assessment ascertains climate change mitigation potential from different rotation forest management alternatives across three Swedish regions integrating the forest decision support system Heureka RegWise with a wood product model using life cycle assessment data. The objective is to increase understanding on the climate effects of varying the forest management. Across all regions, prolonging rotations by 20% leads on average to the largest additional net climate benefit until 2050 in both, saved emissions and temperature cooling, while decreasing harvests by 20% leads to the cumulatively largest net climate benefits past 2050. In contrast, increasing harvests or decreasing the rotation period accordingly provokes temporally alternating net emissions, or slight net emission, respectively, regardless of a changing market displacement factor. However, future forest calamities might compromise potential additional temperature cooling from forests, while substitution effects, despite probable prospective decreases, require additional thorough and time explicit assessments, to provide more robust policy consultation