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A recent study proposed a new genetic lineage of leatherback turtles ( Dermochelys coriacea ) based on genetic analysis, environmental history, and local ecological knowledge (LEK), suggesting the existence of two possible species or subspecies on the beaches of Oaxaca, diverging ~ 13.5 Mya. However, this hypothesis may be influenced by nuclear mitochondrial DNA segments (NUMTs), which could have been misamplified as true mtDNA. NUMTs are sequences that have migrated from the mitochondrial genome to the nuclear genome and can co-amplify with mtDNA, potentially leading to erroneous phylogenetic interpretations. We re-examined the evidence for this proposed lineage by reviewing taxonomic literature and additional genetic data. Our analysis indicates that the divergent sequences, previously associated with a new lineage of D. coriacea , are NUMTs rather than true mitochondrial sequences. This is the first evidence of NUMTs in sea turtles. We also proposed a more specific primer for the mitochondrial control region ( D-loop ) for leatherback turtles to avoid amplifying nuclear copies. Our findings highlight the importance of rigorous genetic validation in conservation genetics, where misinterpretations can significantly impact species management. Finally, we developed a general protocol for detecting NUMTs applicable to any species.

The loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) is a cosmopolitan sea turtle species and is listed by IUCN as Vulnerable globally. The Southwest Atlantic is an important regional management unit of C. caretta worldwide due to the distinctive mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) lineage promoted by recent radiation within the Atlantic-Mediterranean region. However, due to the low resolution of mtDNA, the population structure of C. caretta SWA has not been well understood in the previous studies using only mtDNA. Our study encloses data from literature and a long-term genetic survey (1999 to 2021) distributed through four great nesting areas for the Southwest Atlantic to assess the genetic diversity and the population structure of the C. caretta, using both mtDNA and 15 microsatellite loci. The results demonstrate that the genetic diversity indexes of the Southwest Atlantic C. caretta reflect distinct compositions at a population level due to variation at an individual level. The SSRs results identified well-established and significant spatial population structure between nesting areas. Unique genetic patterns were identified for those females from studied areas of the Southwest Atlantic, and it may be related to their philopatric behavior and high relatedness. Thus, this study deeply evaluated the molecular ecology of Southwest Atlantic C. caretta and provides, for the first time, a fine-scale and long-term resolution of the genetic diversity and population structure due to the use of microsatellite data that must be considered for further studies.

Non-surgical rodent chronic kidney disease (CKD) models for both glomerular and tubular injuries are currently limited. The current study aimed to develop a rat model of CKD by combining anti-Fx1A with N(ω)-Nitro-L-Arginine Methyl Ester (L-NAME) administrations. Rats were assigned to groups receiving L-NAME, anti-Fx1A, anti-Fx1A + L-NAME, or vehicle. Renal function, stiffness, renal injury biomarkers, histopathology and renal genome-wide transcriptomic changes were evaluated. Protein and renal injury biomarker levels in urine were elevated in the anti-Fx1A alone and combination group. Shear wave elastography revealed increased stiffness of the kidneys in all treatment groups. Histopathological evaluation revealed glomerular injury, characterized by enlarged glomeruli with increased hyaline materials in both anti-Fx1A groups and tubular degeneration/regeneration in the renal cortex of all treated groups with the highest incidence and severity in the combination group. These tubular changes were sometimes accompanied by interstitial mononuclear cell infiltrates and interstitial fibrosis. Proteinuria and mild changes in blood, urine renal injury biomarkers and imaging endpoints were noted in association with these histopathologic changes. The concurrence and higher incidence and/or severity of glomerular and tubular injuries in the combination group indicates that this would be a useful and relevant CKD model suitable for mechanistic, pharmacologic and toxicologic investigations.

Background The study purpose is to describe trajectories of financial distress for parents of children (ages 1–14.9 years) with newly diagnosed acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). The secondary aim is to identify multilevel factors (child, parent, household, treating institution) that influence change in financial distress over time. Methods The study uses a prospective cohort design, repeated measurements, and mixed methods. The settings are Children’s Oncology Group (COG) institutions participating in the National Cancer Institute Community Oncology Research Program (NCORP). Eligible participants are English- and/or Spanish-speaking parents or legal guardians (hereafter “parents”) of index children. Parents are asked to complete a survey during their child’s induction (T1) and maintenance therapy (T2), and near treatment completion (T3). Study surveys include items about (a) the child’s cancer and clinical course, (b) parental socio-economic status, financial distress and financial coping behaviors, and (c) household material hardships. At least 15 parents will be invited to participate in an optional semi-structured interview. NCORP institutions that enroll at least one parent must complete an annual survey about institution resources that could influence parental financial distress. Discussion The results will inform future interventions to mitigate financial distress for parents of children diagnosed with ALL and could be instructive beyond this disease group. Trial registration This trial was initially registered with the NCI Clinical Trial Reporting Program ID: NCI-2021–03,567 on June 16, 2021. The study can be found on clinicaltrials.gov, Identifier NCT04928599 .

When the succinate receptor (SUCNR1) is activated in the afferent arterioles of the glomerulus it increases renin release and induces hypertension. To study its location in other nephron segments and its role in kidney function, we performed immunohistochemical analysis and found that SUCNR1 is located in the luminal membrane of macula densa cells of the juxtaglomerular apparatus in close proximity to renin-producing granular cells, the cortical thick ascending limb, and cortical and inner medullary collecting duct cells. In order to study its signaling, SUCNR1 was stably expressed in Madin-Darby Canine Kidney (MDCK) cells, where it localized to the apical membrane. Activation of the cells by succinate caused Gq and Gi-mediated intracellular calcium mobilization, transient phosphorylation of extracellular regulated kinase (ERK)1/2 and the release of arachidonic acid along with prostaglandins E2 and I2. Signaling was desensitized without receptor internalization but rapidly resensitized upon succinate removal. Immunohistochemical evidence of phosphorylated ERK1/2 was found in cortical collecting duct cells of wild type but not SUCNR1 knockout streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice, indicating in vivo relevance. Since urinary succinate concentrations in health and disease are in the activation range of the SUCNR1, this receptor can sense succinate in the luminal fluid. Our study suggests that changes in the luminal succinate concentration may regulate several aspects of renal function.

Urban parks and cemeteries constitute hot spots of bird diversity in urban areas. However, the seasonal dynamics of their bird communities have been scarcely explored at large scales. This study aims to analyze the drivers of urban bird assemblage seasonality in urban parks and cemeteries comparing assemblages during breeding and non-breeding seasons in the Neotropical Region. Since cemeteries have less human disturbance than urban parks, we expected differences in bird community seasonality between habitats. The seasonal change of species composition was partitioned into species turnover and nestedness. At large scales, the seasonal change of species composition was positively related to temperature seasonality and was higher in the Northern Hemisphere. At the landscape scale, the seasonal change of composition decreased in sites located in the most urbanized areas. At the local scale, sites with the highest habitat diversity and pedestrian traffic had the lowest seasonal change of composition. The species turnover was higher in the Northern Hemisphere, augmented with increasing annual temperature range, and decreased in urban parks. The species nestedness was positively related to habitat diversity. Our results showed that a multi-scale framework is essential to understand the seasonal changes of bird communities. Moreover, the two components of seasonal composition dissimilarity showed contrasting responses to environmental variables. Although the surrounding urbanization lowered the seasonal dynamics of urban green areas, cemeteries seem to conserve more seasonal changes than urban parks. Thus, urban cemeteries help to conserve the temporal dynamics of bird communities in cities.

Sea turtles are highly migratory and predominantly inhabit oceanic environments, which poses significant challenges to the study of their life cycles. Research has traditionally focused on nesting females, utilizing nest counts and mark-recapture methods, while male behavior remains understudied. To address this gap, previous studies have analyzed the genotypes of females and hatchlings to indirectly infer male genotypes and evaluate the extent of multiple paternity within populations. Our research aimed to investigate the presence of multiple paternity in loggerhead turtle ( Caretta caretta ) nests for the first time in Brazil. We analyzed 534 hatchlings from 43 nests associated with 42 females during the 2017/18 to 2019/20 nesting seasons, using four highly polymorphic, species-specific microsatellite markers (nDNA). Parentage tests were conducted to reconstruct paternal genotypes and determine the rates of multiple paternity within clutches. Our results revealed that 72.09% of clutches were sired by multiple males, with contributions ranging from one to six males per clutch. Additionally, seven out of 88 males (7.95%) were found to have sired clutches from multiple females, with some males contributing to more than one clutch within and across breeding seasons. The breeding sex ratio (BSR) was calculated to be 2.09 males per female. While multiple paternity is a common phenomenon among sea turtles, this study is the first to document polyandry in loggerheads in Brazil and the first to provide evidence of polygyny in this species globally. This research establishes a crucial database for future studies in Brazil, with a focus on the BSR of the Southwest Atlantic subpopulation, offering essential insights for developing effective management strategies for this vulnerable population.

The worldwide population of the leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) encompasses seven subpopulations among the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian Oceans. It has experienced declines across parts of its distribution, with the subpopulation of the South-west Atlantic listed as critically endangered by the IUCN Red List. The main threats to this subpopulation include its interaction with fisheries, coastal development, pollution and climate change. In this study, we sequenced mitochondrial DNA from 52 leatherback turtles in Brazil and combined these with published data from other Atlantic Ocean rookeries. The haplotype diversities of the Atlantic population rookeries ranged from 0.112 to 0.533 and are not directly proportional to current rookery sizes. The Brazilian rookery, despite recording low nest numbers per year, had the second-highest haplotype diversity among all Atlantic rookeries (h = 0.532). A mixed-stock analysis revealed that the South American pelagic aggregate is primarily composed of individuals from West Africa (84%), with contributions from the North Atlantic rookeries (14%). Leatherback turtles appear to have a complex phylogeographic pattern, showing evidence of multiple colonization events and a lack of isolation by distance. Our novel dataset, based on DNA sequences of 695 base pairs, will provide baseline data needed to understand population dynamics in the region, building comprehensive population assessments to support and develop management strategies. Having both the only known regular rookery in the South-west Atlantic, and a mixed-origin foraging area for the species along its coast, Brazil has a key role in the conservation of the leatherback turtle.

Efficient co-fermentation of glucose and xylose remains a critical hurdle in second-generation bioethanol production. In this study, we evaluated two non-Saccharomyces yeasts—Wickerhamomyces anomalus UEMG-LF-Y2 and Diutina rugosa UEMG-LF-Y4—under mixed-sugar conditions. D. rugosa exhibited superior xylose metabolism and ethanol productivity, achieving a maximum volumetric productivity (QP) of 0.55 g/L·h in a medium containing 20 g/L glucose and 40 g/L xylose. Its highest ethanol yield (YP/S) reached 0.45 g EtOH/g sugar, comparable to results from engineered Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains. By contrast, W. anomalus displayed lower ethanol yields (0.24–0.34 g/g) and greater sensitivity to catabolite repression induced by 2-deoxyglucose (2-DG). Xylose consumption by D. rugosa exceeded 80% in high-xylose media, while W. anomalus left residual xylose under all tested conditions. A strong inverse correlation (r < −0.98) between ethanol accumulation and xylose uptake was observed, especially for W. anomalus, indicating ethanol-induced inhibition as a key challenge. These findings highlight the potential of D. rugosa as a robust non-Saccharomyces platform for lignocellulosic bioethanol processes, whereas W. anomalus may benefit from further metabolic or process optimizations. Future research should address ethanol tolerance, inhibitory byproducts, and large-scale feasibility to fully exploit these strains for second-generation bioethanol production.

With the increase in pollution and improper waste disposal, aquatic ecosystems are experiencing escalating degradation leading to various detrimental effects, including eutrophication and adverse impacts on the health of the population reliant on these water resources. Consequently, microalgae have demonstrated efficacy in nutrient removal, minimal environmental disruption, and superior cost-effectiveness in comparison to traditional treatment methods. Thus, this study aimed to investigate wastewater treatment in an aerobic batch system, using two strains of non-axenic mixotrophic chlorophytes, Chlorella sp. and Desmodesmus sp., across distinct light regimes: continuous light exposure for 24 h, a photoperiod of 12 h light and 12 h darkness, and complete absence of light for 24 h. The Desmodesmus sp. strain exhibited superior efficiency in the proposed biological treatment, yielding more favorable nutrient removal results across all conditions, except for total nitrogen removal under the 24-h continuous light condition in which Chlorella sp. removed 0.199 ± 0.02% by biomass. In other parameters, Desmodesmus sp., remediated by biomass 0.408 ± 0.013% of inorganic phosphorus in 24 h light, 0.372 ± 0.011% of COD and 0.416 ± 0.004% of carbohydrate in 24 h dark. While Chlorella sp. removed 0.221 ± 0.01% of inorganic phosphorus in 24 h light, 0.164 ± 0.02% of COD in 24 h light and 0.214 ± 0.002% of carbohydrates in 24 h dark. Nevertheless, both strains displayed potential as viable alternatives for wastewater biological treatment, indicating that nutrient removal is achievable across all tested light conditions, albeit with variations in efficiency depending on the specific nutrient type.