Humphriesdavies5585

© 2020 The Authors.Herein we propose a framework for assembling and analyzing Genotype by Sequencing (GBS) data to better understand evolutionary relationships within a group of closely related species using the mastiff bats (Molossus) as our model system. Many species within this genus have low-levels of genetic variation within and between morphologically distinct species, and the relationships among them remain unresolved using traditional Sanger sequencing methods. Given that both de novo and reference genome pipelines can be used to assemble next generation sequences, and that several tree inference methodologies have been proposed for single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) data, we test whether different alignments and phylogenetic approaches produce similar results. We also examined how the process of SNP identification and mapping can affect the consistency of the analyses. Different alignments and phylogenetic inferences produced consistent results, supporting the GBS approach for answering evolutionary questions on a macroevolutionary scale when the genetic distance among phenotypically identifiable clades is low. We highlight the importance of exploring the relationships among groups using different assembly assumptions and also distinct phylogenetic inference methods, particularly when addressing phylogenetic questions in genetic and morphologically conservative taxa. • The method uses the comparison of several filter settings, alignments, and tree inference approaches on Genotype by Sequencing data. • Consistent results were found among several approaches. • The methodology successfully recovered well supported species boundaries and phylogenetic relationships among species of mastiff bats not hypothesized by previous methods. © 2020 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier B.V.Innate immune response is insisted upon detection of foreign intracellular DNA or RNA derived from viruses and bacteria. This reaction is important to initiate an effective protective response for the host cells. This crucial step is induced by cytosolic nucleic acids sensors/binding proteins, which triggers the production of type I or type III interferons (IFNs) and proinflammatory cytokines such as Interleukin 6 (IL-6). The identification of these cytosolic DNA or RNA sensors is a key step in understanding the signaling pathways triggered by those pathogens. Here we describe an effective approach to identify potential known/novel DNA or RNA sensors a pull-down assay using DNA/RNA-conjugated beads with a customized competition strategy, which conferred a more effective and efficient way to determine the interaction between DNA/RNA and the sensor protein(s), therefore greatly improves the progress to investigate potential novel cytosolic DNA or RNA sensors/ binding proteins •The customized method makes the traditional pull-down assays more effective and efficient to identify DNA/RNA binding protein(s).•With the competitor of your choice, the method provides specific information about the competitive binding between DNA/RNA and binding proteins. © 2020 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier B.V.Isolation of germinal vesicle (GV) or metaphase I (MI) oocytes from large antral follicles, using a 30 gauge needle, in mice is a common method for the retrieval of immature oocytes from ovaries. However, this method depends entirely on the experience and judgment of the investigator. It is possible that not all of the isolated immature oocytes are from large antral follicles nor necessarily represent the cohort of oocytes that would be perfectly developed and consequently ovulated upon hormonal stimulation. Here, we administered an FDA approved phosphodiesterase 3A inhibitor, named cilostazol, in superovulated mice to result in the ovulation of GV or MI oocytes, depending on time and frequency of administration. The presented method results in mice ovulating GV or MI oocytes, which can be recovered from the oviduct without the investigator's judgment mentioned above. This method does not only result in immature oocytes with high yield, health, synchronized maturation, and competence levels but also is time and labor efficient. It also permits for physiological selections of a cohort of immature oocytes that would be entirely developed and eventually ovulated, as opposed to the conventional method.•Complete superovulation•Administration of cilostazol at different times•Recovery of ovulated immature oocytes from oviducts. © 2020 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier B.V.Patients with surgical menopause often present to their primary care provider with menopausal symptoms. Here we present an unusual case of palmar arch artery occlusion in a 55-year-old woman with primary Raynaud's disease taking oral combined menopausal hormone therapy after surgical menopause for endometriosis. She was successfully treated with intravenous infusion of prostaglandin E1 and nitroglycerin patches over two weeks. Menopausal hormone therapy was stopped and her vasomotor symptoms did not recur. © 2020 Published by Elsevier B.V.In order to answer the question whether coronaviruses (CoVs) can be transmitted via foods, this review made a comparison between CoVs with the most recognized foodborne virus, human noroviruses (NoVs). As a result, although CoVs indeed have shown the possibilities to remain infectious on foods and/or food packaging materials long enough (from several days to several weeks) to potentially cause transmission, they seem to be less persistent than NoVs towards common disinfection practices with alcohols, chlorine and ultraviolet (UV). More importantly, the chance of foodborne transmission of CoVs is considered low as CoVs mainly spread through the respiratory tract and there is no clear evidence showing CoVs can follow fecal-oral routes like human NoVs and other foodborne viruses. selleck products © 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.Zebrafish (Danio rerio) are an integrative vertebrate model ideal for toxicity studies. The zebrafish genome is sequenced with detailed characterization of all life stages. With their genetic similarity to humans, zebrafish models are established to study biological processes including development and disease mechanisms for translation to human health. The zebrafish genome, similar to other eukaryotic organisms, contains microRNAs (miRNAs) which function along with other epigenetic mechanisms to regulate gene expression. Studies have now established that exposure to toxins and xenobiotics can change miRNA expression profiles resulting in various physiological and behavioral alterations. In this review, we cover the intersection of miRNA alterations from toxin or xenobiotic exposure with a focus on studies using the zebrafish model system to identify miRNA mechanisms regulating toxicity. Studies to date have addressed exposures to toxins, particulate matter and nanoparticles, various environmental contaminants including pesticides, ethanol, and pharmaceuticals.