Incubation temperature induced developmental plasticity of cold responsive physiological phenotypes in Japanese Quails

Embryonic development is a critical period for phenotype formation.Environmental variation during embryonic development can induce changes in postnatal phenotypes of animals.The thyroxine secretion and aerobic metabolic activity of small birds are important phenotypes closely related to their winter survival.In the context of climate change,it is necessary to determine whether temperature variation during incubation in birds leads to developmental plasticity of these cold responsive phenotypes.We incubated Japanese Quail(Coturnix japonica)eggs at 36.8℃,37.8℃,and 38.8℃,and raised the chicks to 35-day old at 22℃with same raising conditions,then all the quails were exposed to gradually temperature dropping environment(from 15℃to 0℃).After cold treatment,serum T3 level,resting metabolic rate,skeletal muscle and liver metabolomes of the birds were measured.The serum T3 levels were significantly lower in the 38.8℃group and significantly higher in the 36.8℃group compared to the 37.8℃group.The metabolic rate in the 38.8℃group was significantly lower compared to the 37.8℃group.Compared with the 37.8℃group,metabolites involved in the tricarboxylic acid cycle in the liver were significantly lower in the 38.8℃group,and metabolites related to lipid oxidation metabolism and fatty acid biosynthesis were significantly lower in the skeletal muscles in the 38.8℃group but significantly higher in the 36.8℃group.These results indicate that incubation temperature variation can lead to developmental plasticity in cold responsive physiological phenotypes.Higher incubation temperature may impair the capacity of birds coping with cold challenge.

Computer-aided diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease based on structural magnetic resonance imaging

To the Editor:Alzheimer’s disease(AD)is an irreversible chronic neurodegenerative disease.AD initially affects short-term memory,thinking,and behavior.It then severely disrupts the normal lives of patients and their families and may eventually lead to death.Mild cognitive impairment(MCI)is considered an early stage of AD.Some studies have shown that nearly 20%of patients with MCI are at a risk of developing AD within the next four years.[1]Although there is no impressive way to stop the further development of MCI,only a series of procedures can slow it.Thus,timely and accurate intervention is essential to effectively slow the disease progression.

Progress in Age Estimation Based on DNA Methylation

In forensic practice,the age of suspects or victims is crucial information that aids in the resolution of cases.In recent years,age estimation based on DNA methylation has gained significant attention in forensic science.DNA methylation,an epigenetic marker,undergoes specific changes with age,making it a valuable tool for inferring the age of samples left at crime scenes.Therefore,the identification of age-related DNA methylation markers and the development of novel age estimation models are of great importance in forensic medicine.Numerous studies in the past decade have successfully established age estimation models based on DNA methylation,demonstrating excellent sensitivity and accuracy.To provide a comprehensive review,the authors of this paper conducted a systematic review of relevant articles published from 2012 to the present.We used keywords such as“forensic,”“DNA methylation,”and“age estimation”to retrieve pertinent articles from the Web of Science database.The review covers various aspects,including the sources of sample tissues used for age estimation,DNA methylation conversion methods,and different techniques for DNA methylation detection.In addition,the paper reviews the modeling methods for age estimation based on DNA methylation and factors that can influence DNA methylation.Overall,this review serves as a valuable reference for forensic genetics,offering insights into the latest advancements in age estimation using DNA methylation.As the field of forensic science continues to evolve,the integration of DNA methylation-based age estimation into practice is expected to enhance the accuracy and reliability of age determination in criminal investigations.