Search

Genomic data can be a powerful tool for inferring ecology, behavior, and conservation needs of highly elusive species, particularly, when other sources of information are hard to come by. Here, we focus on the Dryas monkey (Cercopithecus dryas), an endangered primate endemic to the Congo Basin with cryptic behavior and possibly <250 remaining adult individuals. Using whole-genome sequencing data, we show that the Dryas monkey represents a sister lineage to the vervets (Chlorocebus sp.) and has diverged from them ∼1.4 Ma with additional bidirectional gene flow ∼750,000-∼500,000 years ago that has likely involved the crossing of the Congo River. Together with evidence of gene flow across the Congo River in bonobos and okapis, our results suggest that the fluvial topology of the Congo River might have been more dynamic than previously recognized. Despite the presence of several homozygous loss-of-function mutations in genes associated with sperm mobility and immunity, we find high genetic diversity and low levels of inbreeding and genetic load in the studied Dryas monkey individual. This suggests that the current population carries sufficient genetic variability for long-term survival and might be larger than currently recognized. We thus provide an example of how genomic data can directly improve our understanding of highly elusive species., (© The Author(s) 2019. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society for Molecular Biology and Evolution.)

Perfluorobutyrate (PFBA) has been detected in precipitation, surface waters, water treatment effluent, and in public and private wells in Minnesota at up to low microg/l concentrations. We evaluated the pharmacokinetics of PFBA in rats, mice, monkeys, and humans to provide a rational basis for dose selection in toxicological studies and to aid in human-health-risk assessment. Studies included (1) rats--iv and oral; (2) mice--oral; (3) monkeys--iv; and (4) humans--occupationally exposed volunteers. PFBA was determined in serum (all species), liver (rats and mice), urine (rats, mice, and monkeys), and feces (rats and mice). In addition, we characterized serum PFBA concentrations in 177 individuals with potential exposure to PFBA through drinking water. Mean terminal serum PFBA elimination half-lives for males (M) and females (F), respectively, in h were (1) for rats given 30 mg/kg, 9.22 and 1.76 (oral), and 6.38 and 1.03 (iv); (2) for mice given oral doses of 10, 30, or 100 mg/kg ammonium PFBA, 13.34 and 2.87 at 10 mg/kg, 16.25 and 3.08 at 30 mg/kg; and 5.22 and 2.79 at 100 mg/kg; (3) for monkeys given 10 mg/kg iv, 40.32 and 41.04; and (4) for humans, 72.16 and 87.00 (74.63 combined). Volume of distribution estimates indicated primarily extracellular distribution. Among individuals with plausible exposure via drinking water, 96% of serum PFBA concentrations were < 2 ng/ml (maximum 6 ng/ml). These findings demonstrate that PFBA is eliminated efficiently from serum with a low potential for accumulation from repeated exposure.

Our aim was to determine whether p53 and Rab11a immunoreactivity enhance diagnostic assessment of esophageal dysplasia. Histologic sections from 68 cases of Barrett esophagus obtained as part of a 12-institution study were stained with antibodies to p53 and Rab11a, randomized, and coded. The mucosal surface layer and deeper glands were scored blindly on a semiquantitative scale. The correlations between p53 and Rab11a scoring with the consensus diagnosis of dysplasia were analyzed. The histologic scale was as follows: no dysplasia, indefinite, low-grade dysplasia, high-grade dysplasia, intramucosal carcinoma, and invasive carcinoma. Rab11a staining was most prominent in epithelia negative for dysplasia but with regenerative features. There was an inverse relationship between Rab11a staining and findings of surface dysplasia (P < .02, chi(2)). However, statistical significance largely reflected loss of Rab11a immunoreactivity in intramucosal and invasive carcinoma, which was not a diagnostic dilemma. There was a strong positive correlation of p53 immunoreactivity with an increasing degree of epithelial dysplasia and carcinoma (P < .03, chi(2)). Rab11a immunoreactivity did not enhance the diagnostic assessment of dysplasia in Barrett esophagus. The previously reported positive correlation of p53 immunoreactivity with the presence of dysplasia in Barrett esophagus was confirmed.