Phylogeographic analysis of mtDNA variation in four ethnic populations from Yunnan Province: new data and a reappraisal

Two sets of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) hypervariable segment I (HVS-I) data from four ethnic populations (Tibetan, Va, Dai, and Lahu) from Yunnan Province, China, were analyzed here by using phylogeographic methods. The results suggest that more attention

The sequence and de novo assembly of the giant panda genome

Using next-generation sequencing technology alone, we have successfully generated and assembled a draft sequence of the giant panda genome. The assembled contigs (2.25 gigabases (Gb)) cover approximately 94% of the whole genome, and the remaining gaps (0.05 Gb) seem to contain carnivore-specific repeats and tandem repeats. Comparisons with the dog and human showed that the panda genome has a lower divergence rate. The assessment of panda genes potentially underlying some of its unique traits indicated that its bamboo diet might be more dependent on its gut microbiome than its own genetic composition. We also identified more than 2.7 million heterozygous single nucleotide polymorphisms in the diploid genome. Our data and analyses provide a foundation for promoting mammalian genetic research, and demonstrate the feasibility for using next-generation sequencing technologies for accurate, cost-effective and rapid de novo assembly of large eukaryotic genomes.

人胚胎干细胞定向分化为神经前体细胞

采用单层贴壁分化的方法在无血清条件下诱导同源饲养层培养的人胚胎干细胞定向分化,得到了高比例的神经前体细胞(97.5±0.83)%(P＜0.05).这些神经前体细胞具有分化为神经元、星形胶质细胞和少突胶质细胞的能力.在长期的传代培养中发现,随着培养时间的延长,nestin阳性的神经前体细胞比例下降,同时发育能力也发生了变化.在传代培养的早期,神经前体细胞发育为神经元的比例很高,几乎没有胶质细胞分化出来.随着培养时间的延长,胶质细胞的比例逐渐上升.这与体内神经系统的发育过程非常相似.进一步研究发现具有bHLH (basic helix-loop-helix) 结构域的转录因子neurogenein2(Ngn2) 和Olig2可能在这一变化中起重要作用.因此,人胚胎干细胞来源的神经前体细胞能够模拟体内神经发育的模式,为在体外研究人的神经发育和再生医学奠定了基础.

The genetic diversity of Acipenser stellatus populations in the Caspian Sea was studied using microsatellite technique

A total of 361 caudal fin samples were collected from adult A. stellatus specimens caught in the north Caspian Sea, including specimens from Kazakhstan (Ural River), Russia (Volga River), Azerbaijan (Kura River), specimens caught in the south Caspian Sea including specimens from Fishery Zone 1 (from Astara to Anzali), Fishery Zone 2 (from Anzali to Ramsar), Fishery Zone 3 (from Nowshahr to Babolsar), Fishery Zone 4 (from Miyankaleh to Gomishan) as well as from specimens caught in Turkmenistan (all specimens were collected during the sturgeon stock assessment survey). About 2 g of fin tissue was removed from each caudal fin sample, stored in 96% ethyl alcohol and transferred to the genetic laboratory of the International Sturgeon Research Institute. Genomic DNA was extracted using phenol-chloroform method. The quality and quantity of DNA was assessed using 1% Agarose gel electrophoresis and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) was conducted on the target DNA using 15 paired microsatellite primer. PCR products were electrophoresed on polyacrylamide gels (6%) that were stained using silver nitrate. Electrophoretic patterns and DNA bands were analyzed with BioCapt software. Allele count and frequency, genetic diversity, expected heterozygosity and observed heterozygosity allele number, and the effective allele number, genetic similarity and genetic distance, FST and RST were calculated. The Hardy Wienberg Equilibrium based on X2 and Analysis of Molecular Variance (AMOVA) at 10% confidence level was calculated using the Gene Alex software. Dendrogram for genetic distances and identities were calculated using TFPGA program for any level of the hierarchy. It is evident from the results obtained that the 15 paired primers studied, polymorphism was observed in 10 pairs in 12 loci, while one locus did not produce DNA bands. Mean allele number was 13.6. Mean observed and expected heterozygosity was 0.86 and 0.642, respectively. It was also seen that specimens from all regions were not in Hardy Wienberg Equilibrium in most of the loci (P≤0.001). Highest Fst (0.063) was observed when comparing specimens from Fishery Zone 2 and Fishery Zone 4 (Nm=3.7) and lowest FST (0.028) was observed when comparing specimens from the Volga River and those from the Ural River (8.7). Significant differences (P<0.01) were observed between RST recorded in the specimens studied. Highest genetic distance (0.604) and lowest genetic resemblance (0.547) were observed between specimens from Fishery zones 2 and 4. Lowest genetic distance (0.311) and highest genetic resemblance (0.733) was observed between specimens from Turkmenistan and specimens from Fishery zone 1. Based on the genetic dendrogeram tree derived by applying UPGMA algorithm, A. stellatus specimens from Fishery zone 2 or in other words specimens from the Sepidrud River belong to one cluster which divides into two clusters, one of which includes specimens from Fishery zones 1, 3 and 4 and specimens from Turkmenistan while the other cluster includes specimens from Ural, Volga and Kura Rivers. It is thus evident that the main population of this species belongs to the Sepidrud River. Results obtained from the present study show that at least eight different populations of A. stellatus are found in the north and south Caspian Sea, four of which are known populations including the Ural River population, the Volga River population, the Kura River population and the Sepidrud River populations. The four other populations identified belonging to Fishery zones 1, 3, and 4 and to Turkmenistan are most probably late or early spawners of the spring run and autumn run of each of the major rivers mentioned. Specific markers were also identified for each of the populations identified. The Ural River population can be identified using primers Spl-68, 54b and Spl-104, 163 170, 173, the Volga River population can be identified using primers LS-54b and Spl-104, 170, 173 113a and similarly the population from the Kura River can be identified using primers LS-34, 54b and Spl-163, 173 and that from the Sepidrud River can be identified using primers LS-19, 34, 54b and Spl-105, 113b. This study gives evidence of the presence of different populations of this species and calls for serious measures to be taken to protect the genetic stocks of these populations. Considering that the population of A. stellatus in Fishery zone 2 is an independent population of the Sepidrud River in the Gilan Province, the catch of these fishes in the region needs to be controlled and regulated in order to restore the declining stocks of this species.

流式细胞术在哺乳动物精液质量检测中的应用

精液检测的首要目标就是快速准确地确定精子的生育力。同时具备多种特性和功能完整的精子才能受,在而只有同时客观地检测多个指标，才能更好地反映精子的生育力。精子检测的传统方法费时费力，检测精子数量少，指标单一，而且易受操作者的主观影响，不能准确地反映精子功能。流式细胞术（FCM）为精子功能研究提供了一种快速、客观、多指标、大通量的检测手段；利用FCM检测精子的质膜完整性、顶体状态、染色质结构、线粒体功能以及细胞凋亡等，可以得知精子功能的相关情况。随着新的荧光探针、染色方法的不断开发和改进，FCM为精液质量检测提供了一种新的检测平台，应用前景极其广阔。

Increase in fish production achieved by stocking exotic species (Lake Kyoga, Uganda)

The Lake Kyoga complex lies towards the north of Uganda, at 311 altitude of 3,400 feet, between 10 and 2° north of the Equator. The lake is extremely elongate and digitate, shallow (1 metre-7 metres), and almost all the coast-line is swampy, with many papyrus beds. Floating islands of sud are a feature. At its eastern extremity, it breaks up into many swampy, isolated lakes. The Nile from its source at Jinja enters Lake Kyoga on its southern side, and leaves the lake at its western extremity, and winds on through to Lake Albert and the Sudan. The Kyoga/Salisbury /Kwania complex covers 2,354 sq. km. of water. Geologically, the lake is a series of flooded river valleys, probably resulting from the uplifting of the western edge of the basin in the Pliocene and the Pleistocene ages aud the endemic fish fauna is very similar to that of Lake Victoria, although Kyoga has not developed the species flocks of haplochromis which characterise the larger lake. The Victoria fauna extends down-stream of Lake Kyoga to the Murchison Falls on the Nile, which forms an almost complete barrier between Kyoga and the typical nilotic fauna of the Nile below Murchison and Lake Albert.

云南发现的猴类化石及其地层意义——附一新种Macaca jiangchuanensis sp. nov.记述

记述了早更新世的江川猕猴和早全新世的短尾猴和菲氏叶猴。江川猕猴是联系西瓦立克地区和华北地区的早期猕猴类型, 为南方早更新世猕猴种的首次记录。表2参30

三种叶猴脊神经丛的比较研究

该文首次报道3种叶猴脊神经丛的组成, 并与其他灵长类作了比较研究. 结果表明: 颈丛由C_(1-4)组成, 多数标本不存在枕小神经和多数标本存在舌下袢; 臂丛由C_(4)-T_(2)组成,形成典型的三干三索结构, 后索形成两个神经袢; 腰骶丛由L_(2-7)和S_(1-2)组成, 存在屈股神经和耻坐股神经, 与猴超科共同特征相一致。