Phylogenetic studies of sinipercid fish (Perciformes: Sinipercidae) based on multiple genes, with first application of an immune-related gene, the virus-induced protein (viperin) gene

The sinipercid fish represent a group of 12 species of freshwater percoid fish endemic to East Asia. To date published morphological and molecular phylogenetics hypotheses of sinipercid fish are part congruent, and there are some areas of significant disagreement with respect to species relationships. The present study used separate and combined methods to analyze 7307 bp of data from three mitochondrial genes (cyt b, CO1 and 16S rRNA; approximate to 2312 bp) and three nuclear genes (viperin, the first two introns of S7 ribosomal protein gene; approximate to 4995 bp) for the attempts to estimate the relationships among sinipercids and to assess the phylogenetic utility of these markers. Phylogenetic trees were reconstructed using maximum parsimony, maximum likelihood and partitioned Bayesian analyses. Despite the detection of significant heterogeneity of phylogenetic signal between the mitochondrial and nuclear partitions, the combined data analysis represented the best-supported topology of all data. The sinipercid fish form a monophyletic group with two distinct clades, one corresponding to the genus Siniperca and the other to Coreoperca. Coreoperca whiteheadi is the sister taxon to Coreoperca herzi plus Coreoperca kawamebari. In the Siniperca, Siniperca undulata is the sister taxon to the other members of Siniperca, within the subclade containing the other members of the genus, Siniperca chuatsi and Siniperca kneri are sister species, next joined by Siniperca obscura, Siniperca roulei, Siniperca scherzeri and finally by Siniperca fortis. The potential utilities of six different genes for phylogenetic resolution of closely related sinipercid species were also evaluated, with special interest in that of the novel virus-induced protein (viperin) gene. (C) 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved

Development and Validation of a Novel and Cost-Effective Animal Tissue Model for Training Transurethral Resection of the Prostate

Objectives: To develop and validate a new and cost-effective animal tissue training model for practicing resection skills of TransUrethral Resection of the Prostate (TURP).Methods and Materials: A porcine kidney was prepared and restructured to simulate the relevant anatomy of the human prostate. The restructured prostate was connected to an artificial urethra and bladder. Face, content, and construct validity of the model was carried out using a five-point Likert scale questionnaire and comparison in task performance between participants and experts using Observational Clinical Human Reliability Analysis (OCHRA).Results: 24 participants and 11 experts practiced TURP skills on this model from October 2014 to December 2015 were recruited. The mean score on specific feature of the anatomy and colour, sensation of texture and feeling of resection, conductibility of current, efficacy and safety of the model were 4.34±0.37, 4.51±0.63, 4.13±0.53, 4.35±0.71 respectively by participants while they were 4.22±0.23, 4.30±0.48, 4.11±0.62, 4.56±0.77 respectively by the experts on a scale of 1(unrealistic) to 5(very realistic). Participants committed more technical errors than the experts (11 vs 7, p < 0.001), produced more instruments movements (51 vs 33, p< 0.001), and required longer operating time (11.4 minutes vs 6.2minutes, p < 0.001).Conclusions: A newly developed restructured animal tissue model for training TURP was reported. Validation study on the model demonstrates that this is a very realistic and effective model for skills training of TURP. Trainees committed more technical errors, more unproductive movements, and required longer operating time

Molecular phylogenetic analysis of key Jatropha species inferred from nrDNA ITS and chloroplast (trnL-F and rbcL) sequences

The genus Jatropha (Euphorbiaceae) contains species that are of significant economic and ornamental value. However, Jatropha breeding material is rather limited due to incomplete information regarding phylogenetic relationships among germplasm resources. Phylogenetic analyses were performed based on the internal transcribed spacer of nuclear ribosomal DNA (nrDNA ITS), two chloroplast regions (trnL-F and rbcL), and the combined (ITS+trnL-F+rbcL) dataset among twenty-five specimens representing six key Jatropha species. Phylogenetic relationships of Jatropha were well resolved between subgenus Curcas and subgenus Jatropha, and demonstrated the intermediate position of section Polymorphae among sections of both subgenera. Jatropha curcas and J. integerrima demonstrated a close phylogenetic relationship. The molecular data agreed with the morphological classification that recognized J. multifida and J. podagrica in sec. Peltatae. The distinct intraspecific divergence that occurred in J. curcas could be attributed to restricted gene flow caused by geographical isolation and different ecological conditions. Phylograms produced with trnL-F and rbcL sequence data suggested slow rates of sequence divergence among Jatropha spp., while the ITS gene tree had good resolution suggesting high genetic variation of ITS among Jatropha species

IKKα inactivation promotes Kras-initiated lung adenocarcinoma development through disrupting major redox regulatory pathways.

Lung adenocarcinoma (ADC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) are two distinct and predominant types of human lung cancer. IκB kinase α (IKKα) has been shown to suppress lung SCC development, but its role in ADC is unknown. We found inactivating mutations and homologous or hemizygous deletions in the CHUK locus, which encodes IKKα, in human lung ADCs. The CHUK deletions significantly reduced the survival time of patients with lung ADCs harboring KRAS mutations. In mice, lung-specific Ikkα ablation (IkkαΔLu ) induces spontaneous ADCs and promotes KrasG12D-initiated ADC development, accompanied by increased cell proliferation, decreased cell senescence, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation. IKKα deletion up-regulates NOX2 and down-regulates NRF2, leading to ROS accumulation and blockade of cell senescence induction, which together accelerate ADC development. Pharmacologic inhibition of NADPH oxidase or ROS impairs KrasG12D-mediated ADC development in IkkαΔLu mice. Therefore, IKKα modulates lung ADC development by controlling redox regulatory pathways. This study demonstrates that IKKα functions as a suppressor of lung ADC in human and mice through a unique mechanism that regulates tumor cell-associated ROS metabolism

Monitoring the Quality of After-school Services: Theoretical Logic, System Construction and Implementation Mechanisms

With the introduction of the “double reduction” policy in 2021, China’s after-school services have begun the historical process of germination, exploration, development and deepening. With the full coverage of after-school services, it is urgent to monitor the quality of after-school services, which is also in line with the requirements of the report of the 20th National Congress that “we should adhere to the people-centred development of education, accelerate the construction of high-quality education, accelerate the construction of a high-quality education system, develop quality education and promote educational equity”. Monitoring the quality of after-school services is a systematic, process-oriented and cyclical practice. The construction of a monitoring system should systematically integrate elements such as government, headmasters, teachers and parents, and should establish a collaborative mechanism of multiple subjects with clear responsibilities, an innovative mechanism of testing tools driven by big data, and a comprehensive mechanism for the long-term operation of the testing system

Achiral phenolic N-oxides as additives: an alternative strategy for asymmetric cyanosilylation of ketones

The activation of chiral titanium(IV) complexes with additives, phenolic N-oxides, is found to provide an alternative strategy for asymmetric cyanosilylation of ketones in excellent yield With LIP to 82%, ee. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved