Pangolins, unique mammals with scales over most of their body, no teeth, poor vision, and an acute olfactory system, comprise the only placental order (Pholidota) without a whole-genome map. To investigate pangolin biology and evolution, we developed genome assemblies of the Malayan (Manis javanica) and Chinese (M. pentadactyla) pangolins. Strikingly, we found that interferon epsilon (IFNE), exclusively expressed in epithelial cells and important in skin and mucosal immunity, is pseudogenized in all African and Asian pangolin species that we examined, perhaps impacting resistance to infection. We propose that scale development was an innovation that provided protection against injuries or stress and reduced pangolin vulnerability to infection. Further evidence of specialized adaptations was evident from positively selected genes involving immunity-related pathways, inflammation, energy storage and metabolism, muscular and nervous systems, and scale/hair development. Olfactory receptor gene families are significantly expanded in pangolins, reflecting their well-developed olfaction system. This study provides insights into mammalian adaptation and functional diversification, new research tools and questions, and perhaps a new natural IFNE-deficient animal model for studying mammalian immunity.
During the late winter to early spring of 1999 Ceratium hirundinella was recorded for the first time in the Hartbeespoort Dam, South Africa, and in bloom forming conditions. The C. hirundinella bloom started in July 1999 after complete mixing occurred and a Microcystis aeruginosa bloom disappeared. C. hirundinella occurred in chlorophyll a concentrations up to 4243 mg/l. The clogging of filters at water care works and a fish kill were encountered during the same period, in the area. This paper discusses the extent of the bloom, the possible causes and the water characteristics found in the Hartbeespoort Dam during the development of the bloom.
The White-winged Flufftail (Sarothrura ayresi) population is listed as globally Critically Endangered. White-winged Flufftails are only known to occur, with any regularity, in the high-altitude wetlands of South Africa and Ethiopia. Threats to the species include the limited number of suitable breeding sites in Ethiopia and severe habitat degradation and loss both in Ethiopia and South Africa. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are increasingly being studied in a variety of taxa as a broader approach to determine functional genetic diversity. In this study, we confirm low genetic diversity in the innate immune regions of the White-winged Flufftail similar to that observed in other bird species that have undergone population bottlenecks. Low TLR diversity in White-winged Flufftail indicates that this species is more likely to be threatened by changes to the environment that would potentially expose the species to new diseases. Thus, conservation efforts should be directed towards maintaining pristine habitat for White-winged Flufftail in its current distribution range. To date, no studies on immunogenetic variation in White-winged Flufftail have been conducted and to our knowledge, this is the first study of TLR genetic diversity in a critically endangered species.
Introduction: Pressure relief done by a spinal cordinjured patient is of utmost importance in order to prevent pressuresore formation. Some pressure-relieving techniques are describedin previous literature, but their effectivity has not yet been deter-mined on different wheelchair cushions.Null Hypothesis (H0): The null hypothesis (H0) stated for thistudy is that there is no difference in the effectivity of forwardleaning and forward leaning towards the left as pressure relievingtechniques for quadriplegic wheelchair users over the differenwheelchair cushions.Design: An analytical experimental study design using a convenient sample group of ten complete lesion quadriplegics (C6 to T1) was performed at the Physiotherapy Department,University of Pretoria.Method: Interface pressure (in mmHg) over the ischial tuberosities and upper thigh areas was measured using theTalley Oxford Pressure Monitor MKII with a 12-way matrix cell system.Results and Conclusion: The Friedman test for associated observations indicated statistically that the leaning diagonally forward pressure relieving technique is more effective for all three wheelchair cushions used in this study.
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