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One of the greatest strengths of Drosophila genetics is its easily observable and selectable phenotypic markers. The mini-white marker has been widely used as a transgenic marker for Drosophila transgenesis. Flies carrying a mini-white construct can exhibit various eye colors ranging from pale orange to intense red, depending on the insertion site and gene dosage. Because the two copies of the mini-white marker show a stronger orange color, this is often used for selecting progenies carrying two transgenes together in a single chromosome after chromosomal recombination. However, some GAL4 lines available in the fly community originally have very strong red eyes. Without employing another marker, such as GFP, generating a recombinant chromosome with the strong red-eyed GAL4 and a desired UAS-transgene construct may be difficult. Therefore, we decided to change the red eyes of GAL4 lines to orange color. To change the eye color of the fly, we tested the CRISPR/Cas9 method with a guide RNA targeting the white gene with OK371-GAL4 and elav-GAL4. After a simple screening, we have successfully obtained multiple lines of orange-eyed OK371-GAL4 and elav-GAL4 that still maintain their original expression patterns. All of these simple experiments were performed by undergraduate students, allowing them to learn about a variety of different genetic experiments and genome editing while contributing to the fly research community by creating fruit fly lines that will be used in real-world research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although CRISPR/Cas9 has been widely used in insect gene editing, the need for the microinjection of preblastoderm embryos can preclude the technique being used in insect species with eggs that are small, have hard shells, and/or are difficult to collect and maintain outside of their normal environment. Such is the case with Sogatella furcifera, the white‐backed planthopper (WBPH), a significant pest of Oryza sativa (rice) that oviposits inside rice stems. Egg extraction from the stem runs the risk of mechanical damage and hatching is heavily influenced by the micro‐environment of the rice stem. To bypass these issues, we targeted embryos prior to oviposition via direct parental (DIPA)‐CRISPR, in which Cas9 and single‐guide RNAs (sgRNAs) for the WBPH eye pigment gene tryptophan 2,3‐dioxygenase were injected into the hemocoel of adult females. Females at varying numbers of days posteclosion were evaluated to determine at what stage their oocyte might be most capable of taking up the gene‐editing components. An evaluation of the offspring indicated that the highest G0 gene‐edited efficacy (56.7%) occurred in females injected 2 d posteclosion, and that those mutations were heritably transmitted to the G1 generation. This study demonstrates the potential utility of DIPA‐CRISPR for future gene‐editing studies in non‐model insect species and can facilitate the development of novel pest management applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the last 60 years many inherited traits in domestic outbred cats were selected and retained giving birth to new breeds characterised by singular coat or morphological phenotypes. Among them, minimal white spotting associated with blue eyes was selected by feline breeders to create the Altai, Topaz, and Celestial breeds. Various established breeds also introduced this trait in their lineages. The trait, that was confirmed as autosomal dominant by breeding data, was first described in domestic cats from Kazakhstan and Russia, in British shorthair and British longhair from Russia, and in Maine Coon cats from the Netherlands, suggesting different founding effects. Using a genome‐wide association study we identified a single region on chromosome C1 that was associated with the minimal white spotting and blue eyes phenotype (also called DBE by breeders for dominant blue eyes) in the French Celestial breed. Within that region we identified Paired Box 3 (PAX3) as the strongest candidate gene, since PAX3 is a key regulator of MITF (Melanocyte‐InducingTranscriptionFactor) and PAX3 variants have been previously identified in various species showing white spotting with or without blue eyes including the mouse and the horse. Whole genome sequencing of a Celestial cat revealed an endogenous retrovirus LTR (long terminal repeat) insertion within PAX3 intron 4 known to contain regulatory sequences (conserved non‐coding element [CNE]) involved in PAX3 expression. The insertion is in the vicinity of CNE2 and CNE3. All 52 Celestial and Celestial‐mixed cats with a DBE phenotype presented the insertion, that was absent in their 22 non‐DBE littermates and in 87 non‐DBE cats from various breeds. The outbred Celestial founder was also heterozygous for the insertion. Additionally, the variant was found in nine DBE Maine Coon cats related to the Celestial founder and four DBE Siberian cats with an uncertain origin. Segregation of the variant in the Celestial breed is consistent with dominant inheritance and does not appear to be associated with deafness. We propose that this NC_018730.3:g.206974029_206974030insN[395] variant represents the DBECEL (Celestial Dominant Blue Eyes) allele in the domestic cat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species of nemacheilid loach, Schistura sonarengaensis sp. nov., is described from three cave‐dwelling populations (Barak–Surma–Meghna drainage) in the South Garo Hills district of Meghalaya, India. The new species possesses prominent eyes but is easily distinguished from all the congeners of the genus Schistura from Barak–Surma–Meghna and adjacent rivers drainages of northeast Indian (except S. syngkai) in having 13–26 vertically elongated to circular mid‐lateral black blotches (brownish in life) overlayered on a grayish‐black mid‐lateral stripe on a dull white or pale‐beige (golden brown in life) body. However, it can be easily distinguished from S. syngkai in having a complete (vs. incomplete) lateral line with more 72–89 (vs. 19–42) lateral‐line pored scales, greater pre‐dorsal length (48.5–53.1 vs. 41.9–44.1 %SL), a wider body at dorsal‐fin origin (11.3–16.7 vs. 9.4–10.3 %SL), greater dorsal (18.1–21.1 vs. 15.1–17.0 %SL) and lateral (20.9–24.1 vs. 17.4–18.9 %SL) head length, a wider head (14.5–18.5 vs. 11.6–13.3 %SL), and moderately forked (vs. emarginated) caudal fin. Further, molecular analysis confirms the distinctiveness of S. sonarengaensis sp. nov. from its congeners found in northeast India by significant divergences with uncorrected genetic distance ranging from 3.7% to 17.3% in the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene dataset. The phylogenetic position of the new species with its sister species was evaluated using maximum likelihood and Bayesian analysis. The species delimitation approaches assemble species by automatic partitioning (ASAP) and Poisson tree processes (PTP) utilized for testing species assignments consistently identified our test group as a distinct species from its sister species. Although the new species lacks typical morphological adaptations usually associated with a subterranean life, such as complete absence (or vestigial presence) of eyes and pigmentation, it exhibits a reduction of pigmentation when compared to the epigean congeners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Novel eye-sensitive Ba 3 Nb 2 O 2 F 12 (H 2 O) 2 :Tb3+/Mn4+ were synthesized by simple co-precipitation strategy. • Red phosphor presents extremely strong ZPL at ∼ 625 nm and high color purity. • Red and green phosphors exhibit inherently outstanding thermal stability and moisture resistance. • Red and green phosphors coated directly on UV chip can achieve white emission. • The fabricated WLED devices show excellent electroluminescent properties. Novel eye-sensitive Ba 3 Nb 2 O 2 F 12 (H 2 O) 2 :Tb3+ green and Ba 3 Nb 2 O 2 F 12 (H 2 O) 2 :Mn4+ red oxyfluoride phosphors with extremely strong absorption in the UV region were designed and synthesized by simple co-precipitation strategy. Particularly, Tb3+ ions were doped in this matrix for the first time, which greatly improves their absorption efficiency in the near ultraviolet region (367 nm) and emits sharp green light (544 nm). In addition, the Ba 3 Nb 2 O 2 F 12 (H 2 O) 2 :Mn4+ red phosphors have strong zero phonon line (ZPL) emission at 625 nm, which is conducive to improving the sensitivity of human eye and color purity. Meanwhile, the optical properties of the red phosphor are significantly enhanced via doping K+ cations as charge compensators. Crystal field environment and nephelauxetic effect of the as-prepared phosphors before and after K+ cation doping were systematically analyzed. Moreover, these synthesized red/green phosphors have good thermal stability and moisture resistance. Remarkably, the as-prepared Ba 3 Nb 2 O 2 F 12 (H 2 O) 2 :5%Mn4+ or K 0.9 Ba 2.1 Nb 2 O 2 F 12 (H 2 O) 2 :5%Mn4+ red phosphors can be directly mixed with the as-synthesized Ba 3 Nb 2 O 2 F 12 (H 2 O) 2 :13%Tb3+ green phosphor coating on 365 nm near-ultraviolet LED chip to package WLED devices with excellent electroluminescence performance. These findings are conducive to opening an avenue for screening the unique structure of optical materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study assesses the accuracy of the IrisPlex system, a genetic eye color prediction tool for forensic analysis, in the Kazakh population. The study compares previously published genotypes of 515 Kazakh individuals from varied geographical and ethnohistorical contexts with phenotypic data on their eye color, introduced for the first time in this research. Results: The IrisPlex panel's effectiveness in predicting eye color in the Kazakh population was validated. It exhibited slightly lower accuracy than in Western European populations but was higher than in Siberian populations. The sensitivity was notably high for brown-eyed individuals (0.99), but further research is needed for blue and intermediate eye colors. This study establishes IrisPlex as a useful predictive tool in the Kazakh population and provides a basis for future investigations into the genetic basis of phenotypic variations in this diverse population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To date, only 10 of the more than 30 fur colours that had been observed in American mink (Neogale vison) have been linked to specific genes. The Royal pastel fur colour is part of a large family of brownish colours that are quite similar to one another, making breeding and selecting processes more difficult. Here we carried out whole‐genome sequencing of five American minks with Royal pastel (b/b) phenotypes originating from two distinct mink populations. We identified an insertion of endogenous retroviral element type 1 (ERV1) into the first intron of the gene encoding the HPS3 protein, which regulates the trafficking of tyrosinase‐containing vesicles to maturing melanosomes. With Cas9‐targeted nanopore sequencing, we reconstructed the full‐length sequence of the 11.7 Kb ERV1 insertion and observed hypermethylation that spread to the HPS3 gene promoter region. These findings highlight the role of HPS3 in the formation of melanosomes and melanin, as well as the genetic process regulating the intensity and spectrum of hair colour. Moreover, in mink breeding projects, these data are also useful for tracking economically important fur qualities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Aesthetic traits are major components of modern feline breeds. Each breed is defined by a standard specifying morphology; coat length, texture, and colour; and eye colour. Considering the coat and eye colour may help breeders in managing their breeding stocks to optimise their mating, but it also has an impact on the health and well-being of cats. Indeed, some colours and patterns may be associated with deleterious traits. Recently, a new coat and eye pattern has been described in cats. It has been called "dominant blue eyes (DBE)" and includes one or two blue eyes or particolored eyes and minimal white spotting. Different feline breeding lines were developed for DBE, and in some lineages, deafness has been identified as being associated with this trait. The Altai and Topaz breeds were created using DBE founding cats found in Kazakhstan and Russia. The Celestial breed, recognised in France, was created using a DBE outbred male from Kazakhstan and British shorthair and longhair cats. Other breeds, including the Maine Coon, British, Persian, Siberian, Sphynx, and Munchkin cats, introduced DBE. We have previously identified two variants associated with DBE, and here, we report the discovery of a third DBE variant. Finally, we review the presence of the three DBE variants in 14 feline breeding lines. During the last twenty years, minimal white spotting associated with blue eyes was selected by feline breeders to create the Altai, Topaz, and Celestial breeds. Additionally, certain breeders introduced this trait in their lineages of purebred cats. The trait has been called "dominant blue eyes (DBE)" and was confirmed to be autosomal dominant in all lineages. DBE was initially described in outbred cats from Kazakhstan and Russia and in two purebred lineages of British cats from Russia, as well as in Dutch Maine Coon cats, suggesting different founding effects. We have previously identified two variants in the Paired Box 3 (PAX3) gene associated with DBE in Maine Coon and Celestial cats; however, the presence of an underlying variant remains undetermined in other DBE breeding lines. Using a genome-wide association study, we identified a single region on chromosome C1 that was associated with DBE in British cats. Within that region, we identified PAX3 as the strongest candidate gene. Whole-genome sequencing of a DBE cat revealed an RD-114 retrovirus LTR (long terminal repeat) insertion within PAX3 intron 4 (namely NC_018730.3:g.206975776_206975777insN[433]) known to contain regulatory sequences. Using a panel of 117 DBE cats, we showed that this variant was fully associated with DBE in two British lineages, in Altai cats, and in some other DBE lineages. We propose that this NC_018730.3:g.206975776_206975777insN[433] variant represents the DBEALT (Altai Dominant Blue Eye) allele in the domestic cat. Finally, we genotyped DBE cats from 14 lineages for the three PAX3 variants and showed that they were not present in four lineages, confirming genetic heterogeneity of the DBE trait in the domestic cat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)–Cas9 technology has demonstrated remarkable promise as a gene-editing tool, its application in certain insects, such as the jewel wasp, Nasonia vitripennis , has been hindered by a lack of a tractable method for reagent delivery. Direct Parental (DIPA-) CRISPR recently emerged as a facile way to induce gene lesions because it involves adult injection with commercially available Cas9–sgRNA with no helper reagent. However, DIPA-CRISPR has so far been tested in only a few insects. Here, we have assessed the amenability of DIPA-CRISPR in N. vitripennis by targeting two eye pigmentation genes, cinnabar and vermilion , which function in the ommochrome pathway. Successful generation of lesions in both genes demonstrated the functionality of DIPA-CRISPR in N. vitripennis and its potential application to other genes, thereby expanding the range of insects suitable for this method. We varied two parameters, Cas9–sgRNA concentration and injection volume, to determine optimal injection conditions. We found that the larger injection volume coupled with either higher or lower reagent concentration was needed for consistent mutation production. However, DIPA-CRISPR yields an overall low mutation rate in N. vitripennis when compared to other tested insects, a characteristic that may be attributed to a proportionally low vitellogenic import efficiency in the jewel wasp. We discuss different factors that may be considered in determining when DIPA-CRISPR may be preferable over other reagent delivery methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract One of the greatest strengths of Drosophila genetics is its easily observable and selectable phenotypic markers. The mini-white marker has been widely used as a transgenic marker for Drosophila transgenesis. Flies carrying a mini-white construct can exhibit various eye colors ranging from pale orange to intense red, depending on the insertion site and gene dosage. Because the two copies of the mini-white marker show a stronger orange color, this is often used for selecting progenies carrying two transgenes together in a single chromosome after chromosomal recombination. However, some GAL4 lines available in the fly community originally have very strong red eyes. Without employing another marker, such as GFP, generating a recombinant chromosome with the strong red-eyed GAL4 and a desired UAS-transgene construct may be difficult. Therefore, we decided to change the red eyes of GAL4 lines to orange color. To change the eye color of the fly, we tested the CRISPR/Cas9 method with a guide RNA targeting the white gene with OK371-GAL4 and elav-GAL4. After a simple screening, we have successfully obtained multiple lines of orange-eyed OK371-GAL4 and elav-GAL4 that still maintain their original expression patterns. All of these simple experiments were performed by undergraduate students, allowing them to learn about a variety of different genetic experiments and genome editing while contributing to the fly research community by creating fruit fly lines that will be used in real-world research.

Abstract Objective This study assesses the accuracy of the IrisPlex system, a genetic eye color prediction tool for forensic analysis, in the Kazakh population. The study compares previously published genotypes of 515 Kazakh individuals from varied geographical and ethnohistorical contexts with phenotypic data on their eye color, introduced for the first time in this research. Results The IrisPlex panel’s effectiveness in predicting eye color in the Kazakh population was validated. It exhibited slightly lower accuracy than in Western European populations but was higher than in Siberian populations. The sensitivity was notably high for brown-eyed individuals (0.99), but further research is needed for blue and intermediate eye colors. This study establishes IrisPlex as a useful predictive tool in the Kazakh population and provides a basis for future investigations into the genetic basis of phenotypic variations in this diverse population.

Cutaneous melanoma (CM) is a candidate for screening programs because its prognosis is excellent when diagnosed at an early disease stage. Targeted screening of those at high risk for developing CM, a cost-effective alternative to population-wide screening, requires valid procedures to identify the high-risk group. Self-assessment of the number of nevi has been suggested as a component of such procedures, but its validity has not yet been established. We analyzed the level of agreement between self-assessments and examiner assessments of the number of melanocytic nevi in the area between the wrist and the shoulder of both arms based on 4548 study subjects in whom mutually blinded double counting of nevi was performed. Nevus counting followed the IARC protocol. Study subjects received written instructions, photographs, a mirror, and a “nevometer” to support self-assessment of nevi larger than 2 mm. Nevus counts were categorized based on the quintiles of the distribution into five levels, defining a nevus score. Cohen’s weighted kappa coefficient (κ) was estimated to measure the level of agreement. In the total sample, the agreement between self-assessments and examiner assessments was moderate (weighted κ = 0.596). Self-assessed nevus counts were higher than those determined by trained examiners (mean difference: 3.33 nevi). The level of agreement was independent of sociodemographic and cutaneous factors; however, participants’ eye color had a significant impact on the level of agreement. Our findings show that even with comprehensive guidance, only a moderate level of agreement between self-assessed and examiner-assessed nevus counts can be achieved. Self-assessed nevus information does not appear to be reliable enough to be used in individual risk assessment to target screening activities.

The most significant genetic influence on eye color pigmentation is attributed to the intronic SNP rs12913832 in the HERC2 gene, which interacts with the promoter region of the contiguous OCA2 gene. This interaction, through the formation of a chromatin loop, modulates the transcriptional activity of OCA2, directly affecting eye color pigmentation. Recent advancements in technology have elucidated the precise spatial organization of the genome within the cell nucleus, with chromatin architecture playing a pivotal role in regulating various genome functions. In this study, we investigated the organization of the chromatin close to the HERC2/OCA2 locus in human lymphocyte nuclei using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and high-throughput chromosome conformation capture (Hi-C) data. The 3 Mb of genomic DNA that belonged to the chromosomal region 15q12-q13.1 revealed the presence of three contiguous chromatin loops, which exhibited a different level of compaction depending on the presence of the A or G allele in the SNP rs12913832. Moreover, the analysis of the genomic organization of the genes has demonstrated that this chromosomal region is evolutionarily highly conserved, as evidenced by the analysis of syntenic regions in species from other Vertebrate classes. Thus, the role of rs12913832 variant is relevant not only in determining the transcriptional activation of the OCA2 gene but also in the chromatin compaction of a larger region, underscoring the critical role of chromatin organization in the proper regulation of the involved genes. It is crucial to consider the broader implications of this finding, especially regarding the potential regulatory role of similar polymorphisms located within intronic regions, which do not influence the same gene by modulating the splicing process, but they regulate the expression of adjacent genes. Therefore, caution should be exercised when utilizing whole-exome sequencing for diagnostic purposes, as intron sequences may provide valuable gene regulation information on the region where they reside. Thus, future research efforts should also be directed towards gaining a deeper understanding of the precise mechanisms underlying the role and mode of action of intronic SNPs in chromatin loop organization and transcriptional regulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fishes in marine caves have attracted limited attention by the scientific community in comparison to subterranean fishes which have lost eyes and pigmentation. They constitute a largely unexplored component of marine fish diversity, except for the relatively well-studied marine caves of the Mediterranean Sea. These habitats are characterized by steep environmental gradients of decreasing light and decreasing water exchange. The fishes recorded so far in marine caves are not exclusive residents of this habitat and they are also present at least in the other mesolithial habitats. In the Mediterranean marine caves, 132 fishes have been recorded to date, representing about 17% of the total Mediterranean fish species richness. Most of these species are reported from the anterior cave zones where some light still exists, while a smaller number of species are known from the totally dark zones. Among them, 27.3% are accidental visitors, 53.8% are the regular mesolithial visitors and switchers between mesolithion and open water, 5.3% are permanent residents of the mesolithion, but also occur in other habitats, and 13.6% are exclusive permanent residents of mesolithion. Some mesolithial exclusive permanent residents recorded in marine caves share similar morphology, probably as adaptations to these habitats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The problems of the relationship between the cultures of the Volga-Kama region in general and the formation of the Udmurt ethnos involve scientists of various specializations. The main task of this work is to make a comprehensive description of the burial from the Tolyonsky burial ground located on the territory of the Debessky district of Udmurtia on the right bank of the Cheptsy River. Excavations were carried out by V.A. Semenov in the 1980s. Archaeological and anthropological material is stored in the Ivanova Historical and Cultural Museum-Reserve Idnakar of the Udmurt Republic. The absolute radiocarbon dating of the sample was obtained: 1440 ± 69 years. An anthropological study of the remains revealed a predominant body type as thoracic or pectorally muscular; the living body length was 166 cm. The studied individual was distinguished by brachycephaly, large latitudinal dimensions of the face, and a protruding nose shape. A scientific restoration of the appearance by the method of M.M. Gerasimov was carried out; contour and graphic portraits (full face and profile) were presented. Taking into account the results of genetic analysis, a watercolor artistic portrait was made. For the first time, comprehensive paleogenetic studies have been carried out on a representative of the Polomskaya archaeological culture. The Y-chromosomal haplogroup N1a1a1a2b (B181) and the mitochondrial haplogroup U4 have been established with high reliability. The identified haplogroups in individual no. 93 from the Tolyonsky burial ground along the male and female lines are geographically confined to the Central Volga-Ural region, which is consistent with the results of anthropological and archaeological research. With a probability of more than 97%, the color of the iris of the eyes is predicted to be blue in this individual. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The adaptation of animals to subterranean habitats like caves and aquifers stereotypically leads to dramatic trait‐loss consequences like the lack of eyes and body pigmentation. These body plan regression trends are expected to be tied to gene loss as well. Indeed, previous studies documented the degeneration of vision genes in obligate cave dwellers. Contradicting this picture, the first broad‐scale comparative transcriptome‐wide study of gene content evolution in separate subterranean Australian and Mediterranean beetle clades unearthed evidence of global gene gain and retention. This suggests that the transition to cave life may be more contingent on gene repertoire expansion than contraction. Future studies, however, will need to examine how much the observed patterns of gene content evolution reflect subfunctionalization and fitness‐securing genetic redundancy outcomes following gene duplication as opposed to adaptive trajectories. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Existing imaging genetics studies have been mostly limited in scope by using imaging-derived phenotypes defined by human experts. Here, leveraging new breakthroughs in self-supervised deep representation learning, we propose a new approach, image-based genome-wide association study (iGWAS), for identifying genetic factors associated with phenotypes discovered from medical images using contrastive learning. Using retinal fundus photos, our model extracts a 128-dimensional vector representing features of the retina as phenotypes. After training the model on 40,000 images from the EyePACS dataset, we generated phenotypes from 130,329 images of 65,629 British White participants in the UK Biobank. We conducted GWAS on these phenotypes and identified 14 loci with genome-wide significance (p<5×10−8 and intersection of hits from left and right eyes). We also did GWAS on the retina color, the average color of the center region of the retinal fundus photos. The GWAS of retina colors identified 34 loci, 7 are overlapping with GWAS of raw image phenotype. Our results establish the feasibility of this new framework of genomic study based on self-supervised phenotyping of medical images. Author summary: Imaging genetics is a research field focused on understanding how genetic variations influence observable traits or diseases that can be visualized through medical imaging. Previous studies in imaging genetics have mostly relied on traits identified by human experts. In this study, we used a self-supervised contrastive learning algorithm that automatically identifies features in fundus images that are unique to each individual yet consistent between their left and right eyes. These features are represented as a set of 128 numbers that can quantitatively describe the characteristics of each individual's fundus images without human labeling bias. We then conducted genome wide association studies (GWAS) to explore the associations between these features and genetic variations using paired fundus images and genetic data from the UK Biobank. Our findings indicate that these features are linked to genetic signals associated with eye measurements, eye diseases, pigmentation, and vessel development. Additionally, we found that GWAS of this set of features identified new genetic signals not detected in GWAS only using retina color. These results establish the feasibility of this self-supervised phenotyping approach for imaging genetics studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated the geographical distribution and feeding habits of Arabesque greenling Pleurogrammus azonus larvae along the Tatehama coast of Hokkaido Japan and its eastern waters from November to February. The goal was to gain insights into choice of spawning grounds and early life history. Yolk-sac larvae were predominantly found in the surface water layer near the Tatehama coast during late January to late February, and they were transported to the offshore regions by the Tsushima-Tsugaru Warm Current. During the early developmental stages, the yolk-sac larvae primarily fed on Oithona similis copepodites, which are larger than the copepod nauplii consumed by other marine fish species. Our observations of high feeding activity in the surface layer in offshore deep-water areas led us to hypothesize that the Tatehama coast may serve as a spawning ground for adult P. azonus due to its proximity to offshore areas, allowing larvae to quickly reach suitable feeding grounds after hatching. The larger egg diameter, longer body length, larger eyes with guanine pigmentation, coiled digestive system, and heavy body pigmentation of P. azonus suggest their ability to prey on copepodites and maintain sustained feeding intensity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Do children think of genetic inheritance as deterministic or probabilistic? In two novel tasks, children viewed the eye colors of animal parents and judged and selected possible phenotypes of offspring. Across three studies (N = 353, 162 girls, 172 boys, 2 non‐binary; 17 did not report gender) with predominantly White U.S. participants collected in 2019–2021, 4‐ to 12‐year‐old children showed a probabilistic understanding of genetic inheritance, and they accepted and expected variability in the genetic inheritance of eye color. Children did not show a mother bias but they did show two novel biases: perceptual similarity and sex‐matching. These results held for unfamiliar animals and several physical traits (e.g., eye color, ear size, and fin type), and persisted after a lesson. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Animals living in caves are of broad relevance to evolutionary biologists interested in understanding the mechanisms underpinning convergent evolution. In the Eastern Andes of Colombia, populations from at least two distinct clades of Trichomycterus catfishes (Siluriformes) independently colonized cave environments and converged in phenotype by losing their eyes and pigmentation. We are pursuing several research questions using genomics to understand the evolutionary forces and molecular mechanisms responsible for repeated morphological changes in this system. As a foundation for such studies, here we describe a diploid, chromosome-scale, long-read reference genome for Trichomycterus rosablanca , a blind, depigmented species endemic to the karstic system of the department of Santander. The nuclear genome comprises 1 Gb in 27 chromosomes, with a 40.0× HiFi long-read genome coverage having an N50 scaffold of 40.4 Mb and N50 contig of 13.1 Mb, with 96.9% (Eukaryota) and 95.4% (Actinopterygii) universal single-copy orthologs (BUSCO). This assembly provides the first reference genome for the speciose genus Trichomycterus , serving as a key resource for research on the genomics of phenotypic evolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The response of AI in situations that mimic real life scenarios is poorly explored in populations of high diversity. Objective: To assess the accuracy and validate the relevance of an automated, algorithm‐based analysis geared toward facial attributes devoted to the adornment routines of women. Methods: In a cross‐sectional study, two diversified groups presenting similar distributions such as age, ancestry, skin phototype, and geographical location was created from the selfie images of 1041 female in a US population. 521 images were analyzed as part of a new training dataset aimed to improve the original algorithm and 520 were aimed to validate the performance of the AI. From a total 23 facial attributes (16 continuous and 7 categorical), all images were analyzed by 24 make‐up experts and by the automated descriptor tool. Results: For all facial attributes, the new and the original automated tool both surpassed the grading of the experts on a diverse population of women. For the 16 continuous attributes, the gradings obtained by the new system strongly correlated with the assessment made by make‐up experts (r ≥ 0.80; p < 0.0001) and supported by a low error rate. For the seven categorical attributes, the overall accuracy of the AI‐facial descriptor was improved via enrichment of the training dataset. However, some weaker performance in spotting specific facial attributes were noted. Conclusion: In conclusion, the AI‐automatic facial descriptor tool was deemed accurate for analysis of facial attributes for diverse women although some skin complexion, eye color, and hair features required some further finetuning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In comparison to biodiversity on Earth's surface, subterranean biodiversity has largely remained concealed. The olm (Proteus anguinus) is one of the most enigmatic extant cave inhabitants, and until now little was known regarding its genetic structure and evolutionary history. Olms inhabit subterranean waters throughout the Dinaric Karst of the western Balkans, with a seemingly uniform phenotypic appearance of cave‐specialized traits: an elongate body, snout and limbs, degenerated eyes and loss of pigmentation ("white olm"). Only a single small region in southeastern Slovenia harbours olms with a phenotype typical of surface animals: pigmented skin, eyes, a blunt snout and short limbs ("black olm"). We used a combination of mitochondrial DNA and genome‐wide single nucleotide polymorphism data to investigate the molecular diversity, evolutionary history and biogeography of olms along the Dinaric Karst. We found nine deeply divergent species‐level lineages that separated between 17 and 4 million years ago, while molecular diversity within lineages was low. We detected no signal of recent admixture between lineages and only limited historical gene flow. Biogeographically, the contemporaneous distribution of lineages mostly mirrors hydrologically separated subterranean environments, while the historical separation of olm lineages follows microtectonic and climatic changes in the area. The reconstructed phylogeny suggests at least four independent transitions to the cave phenotype. Two of the species‐level lineages have miniscule ranges and may represent Europe's rarest amphibians. Their rarity and the decline in other lineages call for protection of their subterranean habitats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cutaneous melanoma (CM) is a candidate for screening programs because its prognosis is excellent when diagnosed at an early disease stage. Targeted screening of those at high risk for developing CM, a cost-effective alternative to population-wide screening, requires valid procedures to identify the high-risk group. Self-assessment of the number of nevi has been suggested as a component of such procedures, but its validity has not yet been established. We analyzed the level of agreement between self-assessments and examiner assessments of the number of melanocytic nevi in the area between the wrist and the shoulder of both arms based on 4548 study subjects in whom mutually blinded double counting of nevi was performed. Nevus counting followed the IARC protocol. Study subjects received written instructions, photographs, a mirror, and a "nevometer" to support self-assessment of nevi larger than 2 mm. Nevus counts were categorized based on the quintiles of the distribution into five levels, defining a nevus score. Cohen's weighted kappa coefficient (κ) was estimated to measure the level of agreement. In the total sample, the agreement between self-assessments and examiner assessments was moderate (weighted κ = 0.596). Self-assessed nevus counts were higher than those determined by trained examiners (mean difference: 3.33 nevi). The level of agreement was independent of sociodemographic and cutaneous factors; however, participants' eye color had a significant impact on the level of agreement. Our findings show that even with comprehensive guidance, only a moderate level of agreement between self-assessed and examiner-assessed nevus counts can be achieved. Self-assessed nevus information does not appear to be reliable enough to be used in individual risk assessment to target screening activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Perovskite, as a star fluorescent material, has the characteristics of adjustable luminescence peak, high color purity, high photoluminescence quantum yield, and low cost, showing significant potential in the photoelectric field. Among the RGB colors for display devices, green is the most sensitive color for human eyes, and green perovskite light‐emitting diodes (GPeLEDs) have aroused much interest in recent years. In this work, the research history of GPeLEDs is reviewed, the perovskites of different dimensions are introduced, and the common synthesis methods of perovskites are discussed. Besides, the strategies to improve the stability and luminous efficiency of GPeLEDs are summarized, including component engineering, phase engineering, ligand engineering, additive engineering, interface engineering, and optical coupling structure strategy. Finally, the development state of GPeLEDs is summarized and prospected. This work is expected to stimulate more unprecedented achievements derived from GPeLEDs, thus promoting their practical applications in future ultra‐high‐definition displays. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Birds display a rainbow of eye colours, but this trait has been little studied compared with plumage coloration. Avian eye colour variation occurs at all phylogenetic scales: it can be conserved throughout whole families or vary within one species, yet the evolutionary importance of this eye colour variation is under‐studied. Here, we summarize knowledge of the causes of eye colour variation at three primary levels: mechanistic, genetic and evolutionary. Mechanistically, we show that avian iris pigments include melanin and carotenoids, which also play major roles in plumage colour, as well as purines and pteridines, which are often found as pigments in non‐avian taxa. Genetically, we survey classical breeding studies and recent genomic work on domestic birds that have identified potential 'eye colour genes', including one associated with pteridine pigmentation in pigeons. Finally, from an evolutionary standpoint, we present and discuss several hypotheses explaining the adaptive significance of eye colour variation. Many of these hypotheses suggest that bird eye colour plays an important role in intraspecific signalling, particularly as an indicator of age or mate quality, although the importance of eye colour may differ between species and few evolutionary hypotheses have been directly tested. We suggest that future studies of avian eye colour should consider all three levels, including broad‐scale iris pigment analyses across bird species, genome sequencing studies to identify loci associated with eye colour variation, and behavioural experiments and comparative phylogenetic analyses to test adaptive hypotheses. By examining these proximate and ultimate causes of eye colour variation in birds, we hope that our review will encourage future research to understand the ecological and evolutionary significance of this striking avian trait. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phenotypic variations of eye color, skin color, and iris surface features have been well-explored in certain populations. However, there has been comparatively little research on variations in these features in Pakistani population. The aim of this study is to discover phenotypic diversity and correlations of pigmented traits and iris surface features in Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) province of Pakistan. Digital images of eyes and skin were examined by investigators to determine color using Fitzpatrick Phototype Scale. Similarly, iris patterns were characterized by Edward iris feature software and association studies were conducted through SPSS program. Intermediate eye color was frequent in KPK (44%) while brown was higher in Punjab (47%). Contrarily, light to medium brown skin color was recurring (55%) in Punjab whereas lighter skin color prevailed in KPK (69%). Furthermore, Fuchs' crypts were significantly correlated with contraction furrows in both populations. Likewise, crypts were significantly associated with Wolfflin nodules and furrows were significantly related to conjunctival melanosis and pigment spots in KPK sample set. Based on unique iris patterns, these phenotypic traits would be helpful for individuals' discrimination in the population. In future, there is need to explore genetic associations and functional differences of these traits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Objectives The collection of genotype data was conducted as an essential part of a pivotal research project with the goal of examining the genetic variability of skin, hair, and iris color among the Kazakh population. The data has practical application in the field of forensic DNA phenotyping (FDA). Due to the limited size of forensic databases from Central Asia (Kazakhstan), it is practically impossible to obtain an individual identification result based on forensic profiling of short tandem repeats (STRs). However, the pervasive use of the FDA necessitates validation of the currently employed set of genetic markers in a variety of global populations. No such data existed for the Kazakhs. The Phenotype Expert kit (DNA Research Center, LLC, Russia) was used for the first time in this study to collect data. Data description The present study provides genotype data for a total of 60 SNP genetic markers, which were analyzed in a sample of 515 ethnic Kazakhs. The dataset comprises a total of 41 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) obtained from the HIrisPlex-S panel. Additionally, there are 4 SNPs specifically related to the AB0 gene, 1 marker associated with the AMELX/Y genes, and 14 SNPs corresponding to the primary haplogroups of the Y chromosome. The aforementioned data could prove valuable to researchers with an interest in investigating genetic variability and making predictions about phenotype based on eye color, hair color, skin color, AB0 blood group, gender, and biogeographic origin within the male lineage.

The variability of camel hair fibers physical-mechanical properties across sampling body areas and phaneroptics continue to be relatively unexplored topics in scientific literature. With the aim to valorize camel hair fibers, the present investigation has examined, through discriminant canonical analysis, fiber properties of Canarian camel hair regarding the body region sampled by comparing them with Merino sheep wool, world’s most demanded textile fiber. Additionally, camel hair attribute differences depending on phaneroptics such as coat or eye color and particularities have been determined. Diameter at the base of the fiber is higher for adult camels and increases from the mid-region to the back of the animal. Besides, the highest variability in both staple length and mean diameter was found for camel shoulder and hump fibers. Camel tail dock was the region with the finest fibers but also the one accounting for the highest percentage of residual dirt. Coat color and particularities were unlikely to significantly (p

Background. Here, we report a case of a male patient with bilateral focal choroidal excavation (FCE) and central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC). A 33-year-old man complained of mild blurring of vision in the right eye. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) revealed FCE in both eyes, with subretinal fluid in both eyes and serous pigment epithelial detachment in the right eye. Standard laser fluence (50 J/cm2) was used in the right eye, and a subthreshold micropulse laser (SML) was simultaneously used in the left eye. Follow-up visits were recommended. At his last visit (5 months after treatment), the visual acuity was 16/20 in the right eye and 20/20 in the left eye and OCT showed a completed resolution of SRF. Conclusion. FCE is defined as a localized depression of the choroid detected by OCT. It may be congenital or acquired secondarily. We present a case of uncommon focal choroidal excavation and central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) coexisting in both eyes at a relatively young age in which visual acuity was improved and subretinal fluid (SRF) completely resolved with laser treatment. Timely treatment can promote SRF absorption and improve vision. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Forensic entomological evidence is employed to estimate minimum postmortem interval (PMImin), location, and identification of fly samples or human remains. Traditional forensic DNA analysis (i.e., STR, mitochondrial DNA) has been used for human identification from the larval gut contents. Forensic DNA phenotyping (FDP), predicting human appearance from DNA-based crime scene evidence, has become an established approach in forensic genetics in the past years. In this study, we aimed to recover human DNA from Lucilia sericata (Meigen 1826) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) gut contents and predict the eye and hair color of individuals using the HIrisPlex system. Lucilia sericata larvae and reference blood samples were collected from 30 human volunteers who were under maggot debridement therapy. The human DNA was extracted from the crop contents and quantified. HIrisPlex multiplex analysis was performed using the SNaPshot minisequencing procedure. The HIrisPlex online tool was used to assess the prediction of the eye and hair color of the larval and reference samples. We successfully genotyped 25 out of 30 larval samples, and the most SNP genotypes (87.13%) matched those of reference samples, though some alleles were dropped out, producing partial profiles. The prediction of the eye colors was accurate in 17 out of 25 larval samples, and only one sample was misclassified. Fourteen out of 25 larval samples were correctly predicted for hair color, and eight were misclassified. This study shows that SNP analysis of L. sericata gut contents can be used to predict eye and hair color of a corpse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: The ectoparasitic wasp Habrobracon hebetor (Hymenoptera, Braconidae) can parasitize various species of lepidopteran pests. To maximize its potential for biological control, it is necessary to investigate its gene function through genome engineering. RESULTS: To test the effectiveness of genome engineering system in H. hebetor, we injected the mixture of clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) ‐associated (Cas) 9 protein and single guide RNA(s) targeting gene white into embryos. The resulting mutants display a phenotype of eye pigment loss. The phenotype was caused by small indel and is heritable. Then, we compared some biological parameters between wildtype and mutant, and found there were no significant differences in other parameters except for the offspring female rate and adult longevity. In addition, cocoons could be used to extract genomic DNA for genotype during the gene editing process without causing unnecessary harm to H. hebetor. CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrate that the CRISPR/Cas9 system can be used for H. hebetor genome editing and it does not adversely affect biological parameters of the parasitoid wasps. We also provide a feasible non‐invasive genotype detection method using genomic DNA extracted from cocoons. Our study introduces a novel tool and method for studying gene function in H. hebetor, and may contribute to better application of H. hebetor in biocontrol. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prior work has shown that many undergraduate students have misconceptions about genetic inheritance, even after they take genetics courses. Visual representations, such as pedigree diagrams, are commonly used in genetics instruction, and they help students quickly visualize the phenotypes of multiple generations. In Study 1, we examined whether presenting a pedigree diagram of a wolf's eye color in a rich and realistic manner (i.e., with rich perceptual images that resemble real animals) or in an abstract manner (i.e., with circles and squares representing animals) would help undergraduates learn from a brief, online lesson on inheritance of the wolf's eye color, and whether they would transfer what they learned when reasoning about eye color in other species (near transfer) and other traits in other species (mid- and far transfer). Counter to our hypothesis, students transferred more with the rich diagram. In Study 2, we compared the rich diagram from Study 1 to a perceptually bland diagram (i.e., with color and textural features removed). There were no differences in students' learning or transfer between the diagrams. These results suggest that realistic elements that are attention grabbing and easily interpretable by students can be beneficial for transfer in online lessons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Iris segmentation is a crucial step in iris recognition systems. Iris segmentation in visible wavelength and unconstrained environments is more challenging than segmenting iris images in ideal environments. This paper proposes a new iris segmentation method that exploits the color of human eyes to segment the iris region more accurately. While most of the current iris segmentation methods ignore the color of the iris or deal with grayscale eye images directly, the proposed method takes benefits from iris color to simplify the iris segmentation step. In the first step, we estimate the expected iris center using Haar-like features. The iris color is detected and accordingly, a color-convenient segmentation algorithm is applied to find the iris region. Dealing separately with each iris color set significantly decreases the false segmentation errors and enhances the performance of the iris recognition system. The results of testing the proposed algorithm on the UBIRIS database demonstrate the robustness of our algorithm against different noise factors and non-ideal conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The collection of genotype data was conducted as an essential part of a pivotal research project with the goal of examining the genetic variability of skin, hair, and iris color among the Kazakh population. The data has practical application in the field of forensic DNA phenotyping (FDA). Due to the limited size of forensic databases from Central Asia (Kazakhstan), it is practically impossible to obtain an individual identification result based on forensic profiling of short tandem repeats (STRs). However, the pervasive use of the FDA necessitates validation of the currently employed set of genetic markers in a variety of global populations. No such data existed for the Kazakhs. The Phenotype Expert kit (DNA Research Center, LLC, Russia) was used for the first time in this study to collect data. Data description: The present study provides genotype data for a total of 60 SNP genetic markers, which were analyzed in a sample of 515 ethnic Kazakhs. The dataset comprises a total of 41 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) obtained from the HIrisPlex-S panel. Additionally, there are 4 SNPs specifically related to the AB0 gene, 1 marker associated with the AMELX/Y genes, and 14 SNPs corresponding to the primary haplogroups of the Y chromosome. The aforementioned data could prove valuable to researchers with an interest in investigating genetic variability and making predictions about phenotype based on eye color, hair color, skin color, AB0 blood group, gender, and biogeographic origin within the male lineage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Guppies are small tropical fish with brightly colored bodies and variable tail shapes. There are two phenotypes of domestic guppy eye color: red and black. The wild type is black-eyed. The main object of this study was to identify candidate genes for the red-eyed phenotype in domestic guppies. We hope to provide molecular genetic information for the development of new domestic guppy strains. Additionally, the results also contribute to basic research concerning guppies. In this study, 121 domestic guppies were used for genomic analysis (GWAS), and 44 genes were identified. Furthermore, 21 domestic guppies were used for transcriptomic analysis, and 874 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified, including 357 upregulated and 517 downregulated genes. Through GO and KEGG enrichment, we identified some important terms or pathways mainly related to melanin biosynthesis and ion transport. qRT-PCR was also performed to verify the differential expression levels of four important candidate genes (TYR, OCA2, SLC45A2, and SLC24A5) between red-eyed and black-eyed guppies. Based on the results of genomic and transcriptomic analyses, we propose that OCA2 is the most important candidate gene for the red-eyed phenotype in guppies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The freshwater amphipod genus Hyalella Smith, 1874 is widely distributed in the Neotropics, with several biogeographically restricted species and a high cryptic diversity throughout South America. Tens of species of Hyalella have been documented from nearby Brazil and Argentina, but no systematic record of the genus exists for Paraguay. Here we describe two new species of Hyalella: H. mboitui sp. nov. and H. julia sp. nov. from the Ñeembucú wetlands of southwestern Paraguay. Hyalella mboitui sp. nov. and H. julia sp. nov. are characterised by a dorsally smooth body, pigmented eyes, uropod 1 endopod with a curved seta, the dorsal margin of uropod 3 ramus without setae, and uropod 3 peduncle longer than wide and with six setae apically. The two species are distinguished by their diagnostic mouthparts, with a median serrated edge on the lacinia mobilis in H. mboitui sp. nov. and two elongated lateral denticles with a serrated edge in H. julia sp. nov., and by the presence of a pronounced cup for the dactylus on gnathopod 2 in H. mboitui sp. nov. In addition, they show differences in the number of articles on antennae 1 and 2, in the relative length of the pereiopods, and in the numbers and types of setae on their gnathopods and uropods 1-3. Hyalella mboitui sp. nov. and H. julia sp. nov. represent the first taxonomically documented occurrence of Paraguayan freshwater amphipods. These new taxa attest to the largely unmapped species richness of freshwater invertebrates in the Humid Chaco of Paraguay. This potential biodiversity hotspot is currently under threat from land conversion, highlighting the need for more systematic studies and effective conservation of the local invertebrate biodiversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined whether people's ability to recognize facial expressions is affected by manipulating the color of their lips or eyes. Participants comprised 100 Chinese adolescents (mean age = 13.79 years, SD = 1.06). The stimuli consisted of happy, neutral, and sad facial expressions, which were manipulated to have different lip or eye colors. Participants reacted to the images by indicating their perceived emotion. Performance speed and accuracy were assessed during the experiment. Results indicated that for happy and neutral expressions, the use of color significantly reduced reaction times, while the accuracy remained unchanged. Conversely, for sad expressions, reaction time was not affected by color, but all color categories exhibited reduced accuracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Novel receptor for fluorometric 'on-off' relay recognition of Al3+ and L-Cysteine in semi-aqueous medium (3:7; water: DMSO). • The Al3++ receptor shows bright yellow emission (522 nm and 547 nm). • The sensing mechanism of Al3+/L-Cysteine pair is chelation enhanced fluorescence (CHEF). • The receptor is effective in In-situ fluorescence imaging in HeLa cells. At this "Aluminum Age", exposure to aluminum (metallic or ionic form) is inevitable and inestimable. The presence of aluminum in biological systems is evident but more often aluminum toxicity is less understood. Therefore, the presence of biologically reactive aluminum needs to be identified and quantified. Alongside metals, L-cysteine, an essential amino acid, plays a pivotal role in the homeostasis of cellular oxidative and reductive stress. However, excess (<7g) could be lethal and can lead to death. Thus, in-situ selective detection of aluminum and L-cysteine is of larger interest. Here we report a fluorogenic probe (R) for the sequential selective detection and quantification of Al3+ and L-cysteine in a semi-aqueous medium (3:7; water: DMSO). The probe (R) was synthesized by a one-step acid-mediated condensation reaction between pyridine-3,4-diamine and 2-hydroxy-1-napthaldehyde. The synthesized probe was characterized using 1H and 13C NMR, and HR-Mass spectroscopic techniques. The probe (R) is non-emissive in nature, but on recognition of Al3+, the probe R showed "turn-on" emission (bright yellow colour) showing two emission maxima (522 nm and 547 nm), and no naked eye observable color change. Other competing cations do not show any noticeable fluorescence outcome. The R + Al3+ ensemble can specifically detect L-cysteine among all the essential amino acids by showing a fluorescence "turn-off" response. The sensing mechanism of Al3+ is obeying the chelation-enhanced fluorescence (CHEF) effect. The binding constant of R + Al3+ is 0.3 × 104 M−1. The limit of detection (LoD) for Al3+ and L-cysteine are 2.02 × 10-7 M and 0.5 × 10-5 M respectively. The probe (R) can show maximum efficiency within the pH range (7.0–10.0). The probe is found non-toxic (>80 % cell viability with 15 µM concentration) and employed for the in-vitro fluorescence imaging in the HeLa cell. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study evaluated the different body organ measurements and multiple phenotypic traits of Desi and Fayoumi chicken breeds under free range and intensive management conditions during 2021. The average values of phenotypic traits like neck length, body height, shank length, beak length, and wing span of Desi and Fayoumi males were measured as(20.4±1.9), (16.5±1.4), (43.4±3.2), (33.7±3.2), (12.5±0.82), (8.3±0.72),(3.6±0.21),(2.7±0.16) and wings span(23.7±1.6), (18.3±1.5) in intensive conditions respectively. While in the free range conditions, the neck length, body height, Shank length, beak length and wing span were recorded as (18.7±1.6), (16.4±1.3), (38.7±3.2), (34.6±3.1), (10.3±0.97), (9.4±0.94), (3.3±0.24), (2.7±0.18), (20.4±1.5), (18.5±1.4) in both chicken breeds. The different phenotype traits of chicken breeds as eye color, comb, plumage, feather, barbell and mumps, body height, Shank length, beak length, and wing span in intensive and free range conditions. It is concluded that Desi chickens were found with larger body parts and varied color. The present study suggests that further research should be carried on other characteristics to improve poultry quality and higher quantities in future endeavors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new species from the bristletail family Machilidae are described from Tajikistan, Central Asia: Allopsontus sogdianus sp. n. and Silvestrichilis perfectus sp. n. Allopsontus sogdianus sp. n. seems to be quite similar to A. pulchellus (Kaplin 1982), a species of the subgenus Anisopsontus from the Dzungarian Alatau Mountains, southeastern Kazakhstan, as their males have many small, dark, specialized bristles on the ventral surface of segments 2–7 of the maxillary palps. Allopsontus sogdianus sp. n. differs from A. pulchellus in the length of the body, the structure of the antennae, the number of segments in the distal parts of the antennae, the color and structure of the eyes and paired ocelli, the maxillary palps, the sensory field on the femora of the male forelegs, the relative length of the styli on the male and female urites VIII and IX, and the number of segments of the ovipositor and male parameres. Males of Silvestrichilis perfectus sp. n. are with 4–5 almost vertical, thickened, acicular bristles on the second segments of the fore, middle, and hind tarsi, this being one of the main morphological features of this genus. Silvestrichilis perfectus sp. n. differs from other species of the genus, first of all, by the presence of sensory fields on the fore and middle femora of males. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sinodina Liang & Cai, 1999, a genus of atyid shrimp, is endemic to China and distributed only in the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau. We describe here the thirteen species of Sinodina, and the first cave-dweller of the genus, Sinodina ashima sp. nov., collected from a limestone cave in Shilin County, Yunnan Province. This species can be distinguished from its congeners by the completely degraded pigment and eyes, the extremely long rostrum, the rostral formula and the absence of sexual dimorphism of the third and fourth pereiopods. A phylogenetic analysis based on four genes (COI, 16S, 18S, H3) shows that the new species strongly clustered with the type species of this genus, Sinodina gregoriana (Kemp, 1923), supporting the generic status of this new species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Globally age‐related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of blindness with a significant impact on quality of life. Geographic atrophy (GA) is the atrophic late form of AMD and its prevalence increases markedly with age with around 1 in 5 persons aged 85 and above having GA in at least one eye. Bilateral GA leads to severe visual impairment thus posing a significant burden on patients, careers and health providers. The incidence and prevalence of GA varies across different geographic regions, with the highest rates in those of European ancestry. Although heterogeneity in definitions of GA and reporting strategy can explain some of the discrepancies, the data overall are consistent in showing a lower prevalence in other ethnicities such as those of Asian heritage. This is at present unexplained but thought to be due to the existence of protective factors such as differences in eye pigmentation, diet, environmental exposures and genetic variability. This review covers key aspects of the prevalence and incidence of the ocular precursor features of GA (large drusen, pigmentary abnormalities and reticular pseudo‐drusen), the late stage of GA and factors that have been known to be associated with modifying risk including systemic, demographic, environment, genetic and ocular. Understanding the global epidemiology scenario is crucial for the prevention of and management of patients with GA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The discovery of the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR) system has driven gene manipulation technology to a new era with applications reported in organisms that span the tree of life. The utility of CRISPR‐mediated editing was further expanded to mRNA following identification of the RNA‐targeting Cas13 family of smaller endonuclease proteins. Application of this family to insect research, however, has been more limited. In this study, the smallest Cas13 family member, Cas13d, and guide RNAs (gRNAs) were complexed with a versatile nanomaterial (star polycation, SPc) to generate a proof‐of‐concept RNA‐editing platform capable of disrupting mRNA expression of the eye pigmentation gene tryptophan 2,3‐dioxygenase (SfTO) in white‐backed planthoppers (WBPHs). The resulting red‐eye phenotype was present in 19.76% (with SPc) and 22.99% (without SPc) of the treatment groups and was comparable to the red‐eye phenotype generated following conventional RNA interference knockdown (22.22%). Furthermore, the Cas13/gRNA phenotype manifested more quickly than RNA interference. Consistent with the expected Cas13d mechanism, SfTO transcript levels were significantly reduced. Taken together, the results indicate that the SPc‐CRISPR‐Cas13d/gRNA complex negatively impacted expression of the target gene. These findings confirm the utility of this novel mRNA disruption system in insects and lay the foundation for further development of these tools in the implementation of green agricultural pest management tactics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Insects are a sustainable source of protein for human food and animal feed. We present a genome assembly, CRISPR gene editing, and life stage-specific transcriptomes for the yellow mealworm, Tenebrio molitor, one of the most intensively farmed insects worldwide. Methods: Long and short reads and long-range data were obtained from a T. molitor male pupa. Sequencing transcripts from 12 T. molitor life stages resulted in 279 million reads for gene prediction and genetic engineering. A unique plasmid delivery system containing guide RNAs targeting the eye color gene vermilion flanking the muscle actin gene promoter and EGFP marker was used in CRISPR/Cas9 transformation. Results: The assembly is approximately 53% of the genome size of 756.8 ± 9.6 Mb, measured using flow cytometry. Assembly was complicated by a satellitome of at least 11 highly conserved satDNAs occupying 28% of the genome. The injection of the plasmid into embryos resulted in knock-out of Tm vermilion and knock-in of EGFP. Conclusions: The genome of T. molitor is longer than current assemblies (including ours) due to a substantial amount (26.5%) of only one highly abundant satellite DNA sequence. Genetic sequences and transformation tools for an insect important to the food and feed industries will promote the sustainable utilization of mealworms and other farmed insects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article describes the use of a root extract from the ipomoea batatas (sweet potato) to combat dark circles under the eyes. The extract contains dicaffeoylquinic esters (DCQE), which effectively work in various ways to prevent the formation of eye circles. A study has shown that the extract downregulates genes involved in the formation of eye circles. Clinical evaluations have shown that the extract improves the color of the eye contour and increases eye stiffness. The extraction process, called "plant milking," allows for sustainable and environmentally conscious extraction of active ingredients from plant roots. The active ingredient IBRE reduces the transcription of proteolytic enzymes and inhibits the production of inflammation-promoting mediators. Clinical tests have shown a significant improvement in the appearance of under-eye shadows. The mechanical stiffness of the skin in the area of the eye circles is significantly enhanced by the application of IBRE. The results of a clinical study confirm that the ipomoea batatas root extract (IBRE) leads to a rapid improvement in the color of eye circles. [Extracted from the article]