We describe a new species of the genus Megophrys sensu lato from Guizhou Province, China. Molecular phylogenetic analyses based on mitochondrial DNA and nuclear DNA sequences all strongly supported the new species as ...We describe a new species of the genus Megophrys sensu lato from Guizhou Province, China. Molecular phylogenetic analyses based on mitochondrial DNA and nuclear DNA sequences all strongly supported the new species as an independent lineage in Megophrys(Panophrys) clade. The new species is distinguished from its congeners by a combination of the following morphological characteristics:(1) small body size with SVL < 38.8 mm in male and SVL < 42.3 mm in female;(2) vomerine teeth absent;(3) tongue not notched behind;(4) a small horn-like tubercle at the edge of each upper eyelid;(5) tympanum distinctly visible, rounded;(6) two metacarpal tubercles in hand;(7) relative finger lengths: II < I < V < III;(8) toes with rudimentary webbing at bases;(9) heels overlapping when thighs are positioned at right angles to the body;(10) tibiotarsal articulation reaching the level between tympanum to eye when leg stretched forward;(11) an internal single subgular vocal sac in male;(12) in breeding male, the nuptial pads with black nuptial spines on the dorsal bases of the first and second fingers.展开更多
Objective Western blotting (WB;immunoblotting) is a widely used tool for the serodiagnosis of Lyme borreliosis (LB),but so far,no generally accepted criteria for its performance and interpretation have been establ...Objective Western blotting (WB;immunoblotting) is a widely used tool for the serodiagnosis of Lyme borreliosis (LB),but so far,no generally accepted criteria for its performance and interpretation have been established in China.The present study was designed to determine the criteria for standardized Western blot for the predominant species of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in China,in which WB was produced with strain PD91 as the representative strain attributed to predominant genospecies Borrelia garinii of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato.Methods Approximately 13 bands between 14 and 100 kD were differentiated for strain PD91 by using Gel-Pro analysis software.In a study with 631 serum samples (taken from 127 patients with Lyme borreliosis and 504 controls),all observed bands were documented.To establish criteria for a positive WB result for strain PD91,receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used.Results The following interpretation criteria were recommended:for IgG,at least one band of P83/100,P58,P39,P30,OspC,P17,P66,and OspA;for IgM,at least one band of P83/100,P58,OspA,P30,OspC,P17 or P41.In addition,syphilis,leptospirosis and other related diseases should be excluded when the positive band is P41 in IgM.For IgG criteria,the sensitivity is 73.2%,the specificity is 99.4% and Youden index is 0.726;for IgM criteria,the sensitivity is 50.6%,the specificity is 93.1% and Youden index is 0.437.Conclusion Standardization of WB assays is necessary for comparison of results from different laboratories.Moreover,the criteria of other genospecies of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato should be determined in the future to complete the criteria of WB for the diagnosis of the Lyme disease in China.展开更多
Helicobacter heilmannii sensu lato(H.heilmannii s.l.)is a group of gastric non-Helicobacter pylori Helicobacter species that are morphologically indistinguishable from each other.H.heilmannii s.l.infect the stomach of...Helicobacter heilmannii sensu lato(H.heilmannii s.l.)is a group of gastric non-Helicobacter pylori Helicobacter species that are morphologically indistinguishable from each other.H.heilmannii s.l.infect the stomach of several animals and may have zoonotic potential.Although the prevalence of these infections in humans is low,they are associated with gastric pathology,including mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma,making them a significant health issue.Here,the taxonomy,epidemiology,microbiology,diagnosis,and treatment of these infections will be reviewed.The gastric pathology associated with H.heilmannii s.l.infections in humans will also be addressed.Finally,the features of the complete bacterial genomes available and studies on species-specific pathogenesis will be reviewed.The understanding of the mechanisms that underlie gastric disease development mediated by the different bacterial species that constitute H.heilmannii s.l.is essential for developing strategies for prevention and treatment of these infections.展开更多
The Odorrana schmackeri sensu la to is a group of cascade frogs that are widely distributed in southern China.However,their taxonomy has long been unresolved and several cryptic species have been reported in the past ...The Odorrana schmackeri sensu la to is a group of cascade frogs that are widely distributed in southern China.However,their taxonomy has long been unresolved and several cryptic species have been reported in the past decade.Previous analyses revealed the existence of three sympatrie species(i.c,O.schmackeri,O.hejiangensis and O.sp2) at the type locality of O.schmackeri(Gaojiayan Town,Yichang City,Hubei Province,China).However,the lack of an original description for the holotype specimen(SMF6241) of O.schmackeri poses a confusing and controversial problem in species nomination within this group.Here,we reevaluate the taxonomic affinities of SMF6241 and examine the distinctness of O.sp2 based on specimens from the type locality.We use integrative approaches that combine morphology with 10 microsatellite loci and bioacoustics.Canonical discriminant analysis of morphological characteristics revealed three distinct groupings(i.e.,O.schmackeri,O.hejiangensis and O.sp2) and attributed SMF6241 to O.schmackeri.Genetic clustering analysis of nuclear DNA also identified three corresponding clusters.In addition,analysis of interspecific variation in morphometrics and acoustics showed divergence between O.sp2 and its sympatric congeners.All lines of evidence from morphological,molecular and bioacoustic approaches suggest the species status of O.sp2,namely Odorrana ichangensis Chen,sp.nov.Overall,this study resolves the taxonomic assignment of the holotype of O.schmackeri and provides an example for species delimitation using integrative approaches.展开更多
Objective Human Lyme Borreliosis (LB), which is caused by Borrefia burgdorferi sensu lato (B. burgdorferi), has been identified as a major arthropod-borne infectious disease in China. We aimed to develop a multipl...Objective Human Lyme Borreliosis (LB), which is caused by Borrefia burgdorferi sensu lato (B. burgdorferi), has been identified as a major arthropod-borne infectious disease in China. We aimed to develop a multiple locus variable-number tandem repeat (VNTR) analysis (MLVA) assay for the genotyping of Borrelia burgdorJ:eri strains detected in China. Methods B. garinii PBi complete 904.246 kb chromosome and two plasmids (cp26 and Ip54) were screened by using Tandem Repeats Finder program for getting potential VNTR loci, the potential VNTR loci were analyzed and identified with PCR and the VNTR loci data were analyzed and MLVA clustering tree were constrcted by using the categorical coefficient and the unweighted pair-group method with arithmetic means (UPGMA). Results We identified 5 new VNTR loci through analyzing 47 potential VNTR loci. We used the MLVA protocol to analyse 101 B. burgdorferi strains detected in China and finally identified 51 unique genotypes in 4 major clusters including B. burgdorferi sensu stricto (B.b.s.s), B. garinii, B. a[zelii, and B. valaisiana, consistent with the current MLSA phylogeny studies. The allele numbers of VNTR-1, VNTR-2, VNTR-3, VNTR-4, and VNTR-5 were 7, 3, 9, 7, and 6. The Hunter-Gaston index (HGI) of five VNTR loci were 0.79, 0.22, 0.77, 0.71, and 0.67, respectively. The combined HGI of five VNTR loci was 0.96. Clustering of the strains of Xinjiang, Inner Mongolia and Heilongjiang was confirmed, and this situation was consistent with the close geographical distribution of those provinces. Conclusion The MLVA protocol esytablished in this study is easy and can show strains' phylogenetic relationships to distinguish the strains of Borrelia species. It is useful for further phylogenetic and epidemiological analyses of Borrelia strains.展开更多
A set of universal loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) primers targeting the flo gene was designed to detect Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (B. burgdorferi s.I.) in human samples. The sensitivity of LAM...A set of universal loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) primers targeting the flo gene was designed to detect Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (B. burgdorferi s.I.) in human samples. The sensitivity of LAMP was 20 copies/reaction, and the assay did not detect false positives among 11 other related bacteria. A positive LAMP result was obtained for 9 of the 24 confirmed cases and for 12 of 94 suspected cases. The positive rate of LAMP was the same as that of nested PCR. The LAMP is a useful diagnostic method that can be developed for rapid detection of B. burgdorferi s.I. in human sera. Combination of the LAMP and nested PCR was more sensitive for detecting B. burgdorferi s.I. in human serum samples.展开更多
Recent advances in molecular biology make it possible to sequence not only genes or genomes,but also to understand codon dynamics.For the organelle genes of these organisms,a small set of preferred codons are used for...Recent advances in molecular biology make it possible to sequence not only genes or genomes,but also to understand codon dynamics.For the organelle genes of these organisms,a small set of preferred codons are used for encoding proteins.For the first time,this paper treats the divergence of synonymous codon usage and its bias in the rbcL gene within the Laurencia complex of red algae.We observed that the synonymous codon preference biases in rbcL are large and differ among species.A clear distinction in codon usage between genera is evident:the genera Dasya and Delesseria use a set that fluctuated between 53 and 58 codons.Whereas,in the genera Ceramium,Chondrophycus,Chlamydomonas,Chlorella,Laurencia s.s,Osmundea,and Palisada codon usage indicates a higher restriction fluctuating between 40 to 51 codons.Laurencia complex genera and other representative algae showed a defined composition pattern,with lower percentage values of NNC/G(7-24.9%).Dasya and Delesseria showed a selective pattern tendency because of high percentage values of NNC/G(54-55%).The estimated codon bias parameters were tested to infer systematic relationships and match suitable codons with the NNC/G codon percentages.Cluster analysis based on Codon Usage supports phylogenetic relationships between Chondrophycus,Palisada,Laurencia,Osmundea,and Yuzurua species.展开更多
基金Collections in field were permitted by Administration of Leigong Mountain Nantioanl Nature Reserve (No. LGS20040348)approved by the animal ethical committee of Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and animal experiments were carried out following the institutional guidelines (No. 2017CIBAEC0344)+4 种基金supported by the Strategic Priority Research Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (Grant No. XDB31000000)National Natural Sciences Foundation of China (NSFC31201702) Biodiversity Conservation Key Laboratory of Guizhou province Education Department, Guiyang College, The laboratory on biodiversity conservation and applied ecology of Guiyang college, Ocean Park Conservation Foundation of Hong Kong (No. PR 1030001252)Biodiversity Conservation Program of Ministry of Ecology and Environment of China (#2110404)Guizhou Provincial Department of Education Youth Science and Technology Talents Growth Project (Nos. KY[2018]455, KY[2018]468 and KY[2018]453)
文摘We describe a new species of the genus Megophrys sensu lato from Guizhou Province, China. Molecular phylogenetic analyses based on mitochondrial DNA and nuclear DNA sequences all strongly supported the new species as an independent lineage in Megophrys(Panophrys) clade. The new species is distinguished from its congeners by a combination of the following morphological characteristics:(1) small body size with SVL < 38.8 mm in male and SVL < 42.3 mm in female;(2) vomerine teeth absent;(3) tongue not notched behind;(4) a small horn-like tubercle at the edge of each upper eyelid;(5) tympanum distinctly visible, rounded;(6) two metacarpal tubercles in hand;(7) relative finger lengths: II < I < V < III;(8) toes with rudimentary webbing at bases;(9) heels overlapping when thighs are positioned at right angles to the body;(10) tibiotarsal articulation reaching the level between tympanum to eye when leg stretched forward;(11) an internal single subgular vocal sac in male;(12) in breeding male, the nuptial pads with black nuptial spines on the dorsal bases of the first and second fingers.
基金supported by the "Tenth Five-Year Plan" project of research on the specific diagnosis method for the Lyme disease. 2001BA705B07
文摘Objective Western blotting (WB;immunoblotting) is a widely used tool for the serodiagnosis of Lyme borreliosis (LB),but so far,no generally accepted criteria for its performance and interpretation have been established in China.The present study was designed to determine the criteria for standardized Western blot for the predominant species of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in China,in which WB was produced with strain PD91 as the representative strain attributed to predominant genospecies Borrelia garinii of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato.Methods Approximately 13 bands between 14 and 100 kD were differentiated for strain PD91 by using Gel-Pro analysis software.In a study with 631 serum samples (taken from 127 patients with Lyme borreliosis and 504 controls),all observed bands were documented.To establish criteria for a positive WB result for strain PD91,receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used.Results The following interpretation criteria were recommended:for IgG,at least one band of P83/100,P58,P39,P30,OspC,P17,P66,and OspA;for IgM,at least one band of P83/100,P58,OspA,P30,OspC,P17 or P41.In addition,syphilis,leptospirosis and other related diseases should be excluded when the positive band is P41 in IgM.For IgG criteria,the sensitivity is 73.2%,the specificity is 99.4% and Youden index is 0.726;for IgM criteria,the sensitivity is 50.6%,the specificity is 93.1% and Youden index is 0.437.Conclusion Standardization of WB assays is necessary for comparison of results from different laboratories.Moreover,the criteria of other genospecies of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato should be determined in the future to complete the criteria of WB for the diagnosis of the Lyme disease in China.
文摘Helicobacter heilmannii sensu lato(H.heilmannii s.l.)is a group of gastric non-Helicobacter pylori Helicobacter species that are morphologically indistinguishable from each other.H.heilmannii s.l.infect the stomach of several animals and may have zoonotic potential.Although the prevalence of these infections in humans is low,they are associated with gastric pathology,including mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma,making them a significant health issue.Here,the taxonomy,epidemiology,microbiology,diagnosis,and treatment of these infections will be reviewed.The gastric pathology associated with H.heilmannii s.l.infections in humans will also be addressed.Finally,the features of the complete bacterial genomes available and studies on species-specific pathogenesis will be reviewed.The understanding of the mechanisms that underlie gastric disease development mediated by the different bacterial species that constitute H.heilmannii s.l.is essential for developing strategies for prevention and treatment of these infections.
基金supported by the National Natural Sciences Foundation of China (NSFC-31872220, 31572245, 31372164)。
文摘The Odorrana schmackeri sensu la to is a group of cascade frogs that are widely distributed in southern China.However,their taxonomy has long been unresolved and several cryptic species have been reported in the past decade.Previous analyses revealed the existence of three sympatrie species(i.c,O.schmackeri,O.hejiangensis and O.sp2) at the type locality of O.schmackeri(Gaojiayan Town,Yichang City,Hubei Province,China).However,the lack of an original description for the holotype specimen(SMF6241) of O.schmackeri poses a confusing and controversial problem in species nomination within this group.Here,we reevaluate the taxonomic affinities of SMF6241 and examine the distinctness of O.sp2 based on specimens from the type locality.We use integrative approaches that combine morphology with 10 microsatellite loci and bioacoustics.Canonical discriminant analysis of morphological characteristics revealed three distinct groupings(i.e.,O.schmackeri,O.hejiangensis and O.sp2) and attributed SMF6241 to O.schmackeri.Genetic clustering analysis of nuclear DNA also identified three corresponding clusters.In addition,analysis of interspecific variation in morphometrics and acoustics showed divergence between O.sp2 and its sympatric congeners.All lines of evidence from morphological,molecular and bioacoustic approaches suggest the species status of O.sp2,namely Odorrana ichangensis Chen,sp.nov.Overall,this study resolves the taxonomic assignment of the holotype of O.schmackeri and provides an example for species delimitation using integrative approaches.
基金supported by Natural Science foundation(Grant No.31100105)China Mega-Project for Infectious Disease(2012ZX10004-215 and 2013ZX10004221)
文摘Objective Human Lyme Borreliosis (LB), which is caused by Borrefia burgdorferi sensu lato (B. burgdorferi), has been identified as a major arthropod-borne infectious disease in China. We aimed to develop a multiple locus variable-number tandem repeat (VNTR) analysis (MLVA) assay for the genotyping of Borrelia burgdorJ:eri strains detected in China. Methods B. garinii PBi complete 904.246 kb chromosome and two plasmids (cp26 and Ip54) were screened by using Tandem Repeats Finder program for getting potential VNTR loci, the potential VNTR loci were analyzed and identified with PCR and the VNTR loci data were analyzed and MLVA clustering tree were constrcted by using the categorical coefficient and the unweighted pair-group method with arithmetic means (UPGMA). Results We identified 5 new VNTR loci through analyzing 47 potential VNTR loci. We used the MLVA protocol to analyse 101 B. burgdorferi strains detected in China and finally identified 51 unique genotypes in 4 major clusters including B. burgdorferi sensu stricto (B.b.s.s), B. garinii, B. a[zelii, and B. valaisiana, consistent with the current MLSA phylogeny studies. The allele numbers of VNTR-1, VNTR-2, VNTR-3, VNTR-4, and VNTR-5 were 7, 3, 9, 7, and 6. The Hunter-Gaston index (HGI) of five VNTR loci were 0.79, 0.22, 0.77, 0.71, and 0.67, respectively. The combined HGI of five VNTR loci was 0.96. Clustering of the strains of Xinjiang, Inner Mongolia and Heilongjiang was confirmed, and this situation was consistent with the close geographical distribution of those provinces. Conclusion The MLVA protocol esytablished in this study is easy and can show strains' phylogenetic relationships to distinguish the strains of Borrelia species. It is useful for further phylogenetic and epidemiological analyses of Borrelia strains.
基金funded by the National Key Science and Technology Projects of China(2012ZX10004219 and 2013ZX10004001)
文摘A set of universal loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) primers targeting the flo gene was designed to detect Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (B. burgdorferi s.I.) in human samples. The sensitivity of LAMP was 20 copies/reaction, and the assay did not detect false positives among 11 other related bacteria. A positive LAMP result was obtained for 9 of the 24 confirmed cases and for 12 of 94 suspected cases. The positive rate of LAMP was the same as that of nested PCR. The LAMP is a useful diagnostic method that can be developed for rapid detection of B. burgdorferi s.I. in human sera. Combination of the LAMP and nested PCR was more sensitive for detecting B. burgdorferi s.I. in human serum samples.
基金UAM-I-117“Macroalgas Marinas y Salobres”of the CBS-UAMI Division,and the Ministry of Science and Innovation of the Spanish Government(CGL2010-14881).
文摘Recent advances in molecular biology make it possible to sequence not only genes or genomes,but also to understand codon dynamics.For the organelle genes of these organisms,a small set of preferred codons are used for encoding proteins.For the first time,this paper treats the divergence of synonymous codon usage and its bias in the rbcL gene within the Laurencia complex of red algae.We observed that the synonymous codon preference biases in rbcL are large and differ among species.A clear distinction in codon usage between genera is evident:the genera Dasya and Delesseria use a set that fluctuated between 53 and 58 codons.Whereas,in the genera Ceramium,Chondrophycus,Chlamydomonas,Chlorella,Laurencia s.s,Osmundea,and Palisada codon usage indicates a higher restriction fluctuating between 40 to 51 codons.Laurencia complex genera and other representative algae showed a defined composition pattern,with lower percentage values of NNC/G(7-24.9%).Dasya and Delesseria showed a selective pattern tendency because of high percentage values of NNC/G(54-55%).The estimated codon bias parameters were tested to infer systematic relationships and match suitable codons with the NNC/G codon percentages.Cluster analysis based on Codon Usage supports phylogenetic relationships between Chondrophycus,Palisada,Laurencia,Osmundea,and Yuzurua species.