Taxonomic revision of the genus Mesechinus (Mammalia Erinaceidae) with description of a new species

Hedgehogs in the genus Mesechinus （Family Erinaceidae）, which include two currently recognized species （ M. dauuricus and M. hughi）, are distributed from northeast Mongolia to the upper Amur Basin in Russia and adjacent areas in northeast and northern China. In recent years, a population of Mesechinus hedgehogs was discovered from Mt. Gaoligong, southwestern Yunnan, China, far from the known distribution range of the genus. Furthermore, these hedgehogs are the only known population to be distributed at elevations higher than 2 100 m and in sympatry with gymnures. To evaluate the taxonomic status of these hedgehogs, we examined specimens representing Mesechinus taxa in China and further conducted morphometric and karyotypic analyses. Our results supported the existence of four species in China. Specifically, we identified the hedgehogs from Mt. Gaoligong as a new species, Mesechinus wangi sp. nov., and recognized M. miodon, previously considered as a synonym of either M. dauuricus or M. hughi as a distinct species. Interestingly, we observed a supernumerary M4 on all specimens of Mesechinus wangi sp. nov., which is an extremely rare event in the evolution of mammalian dentition.

Energy-optimal problem of multiple nonholonomic wheeled mobile robots via distributed event-triggered optimization algorithm

The distributed event-triggered optimization problem for multiple nonholonomic robots has been studied to minimize the global battery energy consumption. Each robot possesses its own cost function which depends on the state of the hand position and represents battery energy consumption. By coordinate transformation, the dynamics of the hand positions can be formulated into two groups of first-order integrators. Then the distributed event-triggered optimization algorithm is designed such that the states of robots' hand positions exponentially converge to the optimizer of the global cost function.Meanwhile, the velocity and orientation of each robot are ensured to reach zero and a certain constant, respectively. Moreover, the inter-execution time is lower bounded and the Zeno behavior is therefore naturally avoided. Numerical simulations show the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.

Species identification of crested gibbons(Nomascus) in captivity in China using karyotyping-and PCR-based approaches

Gibbons and siamangs （Hylobatidae） are well-known for their rapid chromosomal evolution,which has resulted in high speciation rate within the family.On the other hand,distinct karyotypes do not prevent speciation,allowing interbreeding between individuals in captivity,and the unwanted hybrids are ethically problematic as all gibbon species are endangered or critically endangered.Thus,accurate species identification is crucial for captive breeding,particularly in China where studbooks are unavailable.Identification based on external morphology is difficult,especially for hybrids,because species are usually similar in appearance.In this study,we employed G-banding karyotyping and fluorescence in situ hybridization （FISH） as well as a PCR-based approach to examine karyotypic characteristics and identify crested gibbons of the genus Nomascus from zoos and nature reserves in China.We characterized and identified five karyotypes from 21 individuals of Nomascus.Using karyotypes and mitochondrial and nuclear genes,we identified three purebred species and three hybrids,including one F2 hybrid between N.gabriellae and N.siki.Our results also supported that N.leucogenys and N.siki shared the same inversion on chromosome 7,which resolves arguments from previous studies.Our results demonstrated that both karyotyping and DNA-based approaches were suitable for identifying purebred species,though neither was ideal for hybrid identification.The advantages and disadvantages of both approaches are discussed.Our results further highlight the importance of animal ethics and welfare,which are critical for endangered species in captivity.

Time-varying formation for general linear multi-agent systems via distributed event-triggered control under switching topologies

This paper investigates the time-varying formation problem for general linear multi-agent systems using distributed event-triggered control strategy.Different from the previous works,to achieve the desired time-varying formation,a distributed control scheme is designed in an event-triggered way,in which for each agent the controller is triggered only at its own event times.The interaction topology among agents is assumed to be switching.The common Lyapunov function as well as Riccati inequality is applied to solve the time-varying formation problem.Moreover,the Zeno behavior of triggering time sequences can be excluded for each agent.Finally,a simulation example is presented to illustrate the effectiveness of the theoretical results.

Improved survival ratios correlate with myeloid dendritic cell restoration in acute-on-chronic liver failure patients receiving methylprednisolone therapy

Acute-on-chronic liver failure （ACLF） is a severe life-threatening complication. Liver transplantation is the only available therapeutic option; however, several limitations have restricted its use in patients. The use of corticosteroids as an optional therapy for ACLF has received a great deal of interest. The rationale behind its use is the possible role of the immune system in initiating and perpetuating hepatic damage. In order to assess the relationship between myeloid dendritic cells （mDCs） and the efficacy of methylprednisolone （MP） treatment for hepatitis B virus （H BV）-associated ACLF patients, we recruited 30 HBV-associated ACLF patients who had received MP treatment at lO-day intervals; 26 patients received conservative medical （CM） management as a control. The functionality of DC subsets was lower in these ACLF patients compared with healthy subjects. In addition, compared with survivors, dead/transplanted patients had lower functional mDC in both groups. Furthermore, a decreased numbers of mDC at baseline was associated with high mortality of ACLF patients. Importantly, MP treatment resulted in a significant decrease in 28-day mortality, and all MP patients exhibited an initial rapid decrease in circulating mDC numbers within 10 days of MP treatment. Subsequently, MP survivors displayed a continuous increase in mDC numbers accompanied by a decrease in total bilirubin levels by more than 30%. However, MP dead/ transplanted patients lacked these sequential responses compared with survivors. This evidence suggests strongly that the higher mDC numbers at baseline and the recovery of mDC number at the end of treatment may represent a prognostic marker for favorable response to corticosteroid treatment in ACLF patients.

Partial AZFc duplications not deletions are associated with male infertility in the Yi population of Yunnan Province,China

Objective:There are many reports on associations between spermatogenesis and partial azoospermia factor c(AZFc) deletions as well as duplications;however,results are conflicting,possibly due to differences in methodology and ethnic background.The purpose of this study is to investigate the association of AZFc polymorphisms and male infertility in the Yi ethnic population,residents within Yunnan Province,ChinaMethods:A total of 224 infertile patients and 153 fertile subjects were selected in the Yi ethnic population.The study was performed by sequence-tagged site plus/minus(STS+/) analysis followed by gene dosage and gene copy definition analysis.Y haplotypes of 215 cases and 115 controls were defined by 12 binary markers using single nucleotide polymorphism on Y chromosome(Y-SNP) multiplex assays based on single base primer extension technology.Results:The distribution of Y haplotypes was not significantly different between the case and control groups.The frequencies of both gr/gr(7.6% vs.8.5%) and b2/b3(6.3% vs.8.5%) deletions do not show significant differences.Similarly,single nucleotide variant(SNV) analysis shows no significant difference of gene copy definition between the cases and controls.However,the frequency of partial duplications in the infertile group(4.0%) is significantly higher than that in the control group(0.7%).Further,we found a case with sY1206 deletion which had two CDY1 copies but removed half of DAZ genes.Conclusions:Our results show that male infertility is associated with partial AZFc duplications,but neither gr/gr nor b2/b3 deletions,suggesting that partial AZFc duplications rather than deletions are risk factors for male infertility in Chinese-Yi population.

Clinical Factors Affecting Platelet Growth in the Treatment of Aplastic Anemia by Tonifying Kidney and Generating Blood

Objective:To investigate the influence of kidney-tonifying and blood-generating method on platelet(PLT)growth in the treatment of aplastic anemia(AA)and analyze the characteristics of the clinical factors affecting PLT growth.We enrolled patients treated from September 2018to March 2021 in the China Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM)Xiyuan Hospital,China Academy of TCM hospital gate 19sub-center.We enrolled 128 AA patients,for whom the inclusion criteria were:treatment is given priority to with kidney and heart's-blood method,on the basis of western medicine treatment for kidney fill party avoid Fried instant particles,stay for 3 months for a period of treatment,taking two consecutive period of treatment,changes in the PLT were observed,and the clinical characteristics of AA patients,such as PLT growth and recovery from baseline value,were analyzed.Materials and Methods:A total of 128 AA patients from 19 branches of Xiyuan Hospital,China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences and Guang'anmen Hospital,China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences treated from September 2018 to March 2021 were enrolled.The treatment was based on the kidney-tonifying and blood-generating method and lasted for 3 months as a course of treatment.The changes in the number of PLT in patients were observed,and the clinical characteristics of AA affecting PLT growth and recovery from baseline value were analyzed.Results:After 6 months of treatment following the kidney-tonifying and blood-generating method,PLT increased from the baseline values in 75 cases,including 21 cases of AA with normal PLT recovery and 54 cases of AA without normal PLT recovery.There were 53 cases of AA in whom PLT did not increase from the baseline.Analysis of the general data showed that patients with lower Karnofsky Performance Status(KPS)score were more likely to experience PLT growth or even return to normal after therapy(P<0.05).The results of routine blood analysis showed that when hemoglobin(HGB)was≥60 g/L and the reticulocyte(RET)proportion was≥0.3%before treatment,PLTs were more likely to increase,even returning to normal in some patients(P<0.05).Analysis of bone puncture results before treatment showed that when the proliferation of nucleated cells was low or extremely low in bone puncture examination,with the proportion of granulocytes<40%,and the proportion of erythroid cells<20%,the treatment method was more effective at increasing PLT count(P<0.05).Analysis of the chromosome karyotype results before treatment showed that when the chromosome karyotype was normal,PLTs were more likely to increase or even return to normal after treatment(P<0.05).Analysis of T-lymphocyte subsets before treatment showed that when CD3+human leukocyte antigen(HLA)-DR+proportion was≥30%,PLTs were more likely to increase or even return to normal(P<0.05).Conclusions:AA patients with a low KPS score,higher HGB≥60 g/L,RET proportion≥0.3%,low or extremely low proliferation of nucleated cells,granulocytes proportion<40%,erythroid proportion<20%,normal chromosome karyotype,CD3+HLA-DR+≥30%,should be treated with a kidney-tonifying and blood-generating method.Such patients are more likely to show PLT growth and the values may even return to normal.