Bird specimen number linked with species trait and climate niche breadth

Biological specimens are fundamental for taxonomy and flora/fauna research.More importantly,they also play crucial roles in recording environmental impacts on morphology and behavior,which is vital for biodiversity research and conservation.However,there are few systematic studies on the patterns and drivers of bird specimen number at regional scales.This study is the first attempt to examine the relationships between bird specimen number and species traits as well as climate niche breadth in China,aiming to answer two questions:1)how do species’temperature niche breadth and precipitation niche breadth influence specimen number?2)which trait is most associated with bird specimen number?The associations between bird specimen number and explanatory variables were examined using ordinary least squares,generalized linear models,phylogenetic generalized linear mixed models,and multiple comparisons.The results showed that Muscicapidae was the family with the highest specimen number,and Passeriformes was the order with the highest specimen number.Bird specimen number significantly increased with larger temperature niche breadth and precipitation niche breadth.Specimen number was also positively associated with geographic range size,habitat specificity,hunting vulnerability and clutch size,but negatively associated with body size.These findings suggest that future bird specimen collection should pay more attention to birds with limited ecological niches,large body sizes,and small clutch sizes.This research enhances the use of bird specimen data to study and preserve biodiversity.

Species’ geographical range, environmental range and traits lead to specimen collection preference of dominant plant species of grasslands in Northern China

Many different factors,such as species traits,socio-economic factors,geographical and environmental factors,can lead to specimen collection preference.This study aims to determine whether grassland specimen collection in China is preferred by species traits(i.e.,plant height,flowering and fruiting period),environmental range(i.e.,the temperature and precipitation range)and geographical range(i.e.,distribution range and altitudinal range).Ordinary least squares models and phylogenetic generalized linear mixed models were used to analyze the relationships between specimen number and the explanatory variables.Random Forest models were then used to find the most parsimonious multivariate model.The results showed that interannual variation in specimen number between 1900 and 2020 was considerable.Specimen number of these species in southeast China was notably lower than that in northwest China.Environmental range and geographical range of species had significant positive correlations with specimen number.In addition,there were relatively weak but significant associations between specimen number and species trait(i.e.,plant height and flowering and fruiting period).Random Forest models indicated that distribution range was the most important variable,followed by flowering and fruiting period,and altitudinal range.These findings suggest that future floristic surveys should pay more attention to species with small geographical range,narrow environmental range,short plant height,and short flowering and fruiting period.The correction of specimen collection preference will also make the results of species distribution model,species evolution and other works based on specimen data more accurate.

REPORT OF HLA DISTRIBUTION IN 2315 VOLUNTEER DONORS OF CHINESE BONE MARROW BANK FROM NORTHWEST CHINA

Objective To report the HLA data of volunteer donors of Chinese bank from Northwest China and characterize the distribution of HLA genes in Northwest China. Methods HLA-A, B antigens of 2315 volunteer donors were examined by the method of microlymphocytetoxicity (MLT) test .The antigen frequencies(AF) were assessed by directly counting; and based on that gene frequencies(GF) were calculated. HLA data from other population were collected and distribution characteristics were compared. With the raw data, Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, statistical parameters of forensic medicine interest for HLA were computed. Results A total of 18 specific antigens were detected in HLA-A and the most frequent antigen was A2 . AF and GF were 0.5136 and 0.3026, respectively. A total of 42 specific antigens were detected in HLA-B and the most frequent antigen was A13. Its' AF and GF were 0.1978 and 0.1044, respectively. The heterozygosity(H), polymorphism information content(PIC), discrimination power(DP) and probability of paternity exclusion (PPE) of HLA-A were 0.8215, 0.8212, 0.9356 and 0.7798 accordingly; while H,PIC, DP and PPE of HLA-B were 0.9322, 0.9322, 0.9878 and 0.9528. Conclusion The polymorphism of HLA-A,B genes is characteristic in Chinese. In this research, the genetic trait of HLA in 2315 volunteers is consistent with Northern Han population.

Design and fabrication of customizable microneedles enabled by 3D printing for biomedical applications

Microneedles(MNs)is an emerging technology that employs needles ranging from 10 to 1000μm in height,as a minimally invasive technique for various procedures such as therapeutics,disease monitoring and diagnostics.The commonly used method of fabrication,micromolding,has the advantage of scalability,however,micromolding is unable to achieve rapid customizability in dimensions,geometries and architectures,which are the pivotal factors determining the functionality and efficacy of the MNs.3D printing offers a promising alternative by enabling MN fabrication with high dimensional accuracy required for precise applications,leading to improved performance.Furthermore,enabled by its customizability and one-step process,there is propitious potential for growth for 3D-printed MNs especially in the field of personalized and on-demand medical devices.This review provides an overview of considerations for the key parameters in designing MNs,an introduction on the various 3D-printing techniques for fabricating this new generation of MNs,as well as highlighting the advancements in biomedical applications facilitated by 3D-printed MNs.Lastly,we offer some insights into the future prospects of 3D-printed MNs,specifically its progress towards translation and entry into market.

Novel synthetic opioids-toxicological aspects and analysis

Over the past few years,there has been an emerging number of new psychoactive drugs.These drugs are frequently mentioned as“legal highs”,“herbal highs”,“bath salts”and“research chemicals”.They are mostly sold and advertised on online forums and on the dark web.The emerging new psychoactive substances are designed to mimic the effects of psychoactive groups,which are often abused drugs.Novel synthetic opioids are a new trend in this context and represent an alarming threat to public health.Given the wide number of fatalities related to these compounds reported within the last few years,it is an important task to accurately identify these compounds in biologic matrices in order to administer an effective treatment and reverse the respiratory depression caused by opioid related substances.Clinicians dealing with fentanyl intoxication cases should consider that it could,in fact,be a fentanyl analogue.For this reason,it is a helpful recommendation to include synthetic opioids in the routine toxicological screening procedures,including analysis in alternative matrices,if available,to investigate poly-drug use and possible tolerance to opioids.To address this public health problem,better international collaboration,effective legislation,effective investigation,control of suspicious“research chemicals”online forums and continuous community alertness are required.This article aims to review diverse reported fatalities associated with new synthetic opioids describing them in terms of pharmacology,metabolism,posology,available forms,as well as their toxic effects,highlighting the sample procedures and analytical techniques available for their detection and quantification in biological matrices.

Translational research and its effects on medicine in China

Translational research has become a globally recognized model of medical research. Chinese government and doctors have begun to discuss the plan for its development. But most articles are focusing on the advantages rather than its pros and cons. In this essay, the authors discuss the disadvantages of translational research, its effects on clinical work and medical education, highlighting some potential problems and risks in theory and practice on case basis. Some important research management requirements are summarized in this essay to help bring the therapy from the research laboratory to the patient＇s bedside.