The leaf muntjac (Muntiacus putaoensis) is an endemic deer species found in the east trans-Himalayan region. In recent years, population numbers have decreased due to heavy hunting and habitat loss, and little genetic data exists for this species, thus our knowledge of distribution rangs and population sizes likewise remain limited. We obtained mtDNA genes and the complete mitochondrial genome sequence of M. putaoensis using PCR, followed by direct sequencing. The complete mitogenome sequence was determined as a circular 16 349 bp mitochondrial genome, containing 13 protein-coding genes, two rRNA genes, 22 tRNA genes, and one control region, the gene composition and order of which were similar to most other vertebrates so far reported. Most mitochondrial genes, except for ND6 and eight tRNAs, were encoded on the heavy strand. The overall base composition of the heavy strand was 33.1% A, 29.3% T, 24.2% C, and 13.4% G, with a strong AT bias of 62.4%. There were seven regions of gene overlap totaling 95 bp and 11 intergenic spacer regions totaling 74 bp. Phylogenetic analyses (ML and BI) among the Muntiacus genus based on the sequenced of mitogenome and ND4L-ND4 supported M. putaoensis as a member of Muntiacus, most closely related to M. vuquangensis. However, when analyses based on cyt b included two more muntjacs, M. truongsonensis was most closely related to M. putaoensis rather than M. vuquangensis, and together with M. rooseveltorum, likely forming a M. rooseveltorum complex of the species. This study will help in the exploration of the evolutionary history and taxonomic status of the leaf muntjac, as well as its protection as a genetic resource.

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Researchers have recognised one to seven species of goral (Naemorhedus spp., Caprinae, Bovidae). We compared all available whole mitogenomic sequences, including eight new ones from northern Myanmar, and now recognise five distinct species. Naemorhedus caudatus remains a valid species. Naemorhedus griseus is a synonym of Naemorhedus goral. Naemorhedus evansi is a valid species, with a geographic range that extends northwards into southwestern China. Naemorhedus cranbrooki and Naemorhedus baileyi are distinct species, not synonyms. Molecular divergence analyses suggest that goral speciation was closely related to the rapid uplift of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau and Hengduan Mountains from the early Pliocene to the Pleistocene.

Hematologic malignancies have generally been considered to be sporadic diseases. More recently several germ line mutations that lead to hereditary hematologic malignancies have been discovered, even in adults. We sought to evaluate the frequency of a family history of hematologic or other malignancy in pts admitted to the hospital for treatment of a hematologic malignancy. We also studied exposure history including use of cigarettes. All pts signed informed consent. Pts were entered prospectively and interviewed with a standard questionnaire. 702 pts (median age 61.9: range 16.3-91.3 years) were enrolled. Diagnoses were AML: 396 pts, aplastic anemia: 5 pts, ALL: 96 pts, CLL: 24 pts, CML 42 pts, CMML 10 pts, MDS 30 pts, MM 19 pts, MPD 10 pts, and NHL 70 pts. 473 pts (67.4%) had a family member with cancer. There was a total of 1037 cancers in these family members. The median number of family members with cancer was 1 (range 0-10). The frequency of each type of family member cancer is displayed in the table. 19.7% of pts had a family member with leukemia or other hematologic malignancy (leukemia: 12.0%, other hematologic: 7.7%). Compared to pts with a hematologic malignancy other than AML, pts with AML were more likely to have a family member with any type of cancer (72.4% vs 60.7%, p=0.001). Pts with AML were also more likely to have a family member with a history of any type of hematologic malignancy (22.4% vs 16.0%, p=0.03), but not specifically a history of leukemia (13.4% vs 10.1%, p=0.11). Compared to pts with hematologic malignancies other than AML, pts with AML were also more likely to have a family member with prostate cancer (16.2% vs 9.5%, p=0.01), or breast cancer (29.5% vs 21.9%, p=0.02). 51.4% of pts had a history of smoking (either current or prior). Pts with AML were more likely to be current or former smokers compared to pts with other hematologic malignancies (55.8% vs 45.8%, p=0.008). These data support the role of genetics and exposure in adults with AML. Figure 1 Figure 1. Disclosures Seiter: Delta FLY: Research Funding; Novartis: Honoraria; Rafael: Research Funding; Sun Pharma: Research Funding; Jazz: Honoraria, Research Funding; Glycomimetics: Research Funding; Incyte: Honoraria; Forma: Research Funding; Celgene (BMS): Honoraria, Research Funding. Liu: Beigene: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Pfizer: Research Funding; Astellas: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Pharmacyclics: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Incyte: Honoraria; Celgene: Research Funding.

We conducted four bird biodiversity surveys in the Putao area of northern Myanmar from 2015 to 2017. Combined with anecdotal information collected between 2012 and 2015, we recorded 319 bird species, including two species (Arborophila mandellii and Lanius sphenocercus) previously unrecorded in Myanmar. Bulbuls (Pycnonotidae), babblers (Timaliidae), pigeons and doves (Columbidae), and pheasants and partridges (Phasianidae) were the most abundant groups of birds recorded. Species richness below 1 500 m a. s. l. was higher than species richness at higher elevations. Our results suggest that the current protected areas in this region should be expanded to lower elevations to cover critical conservation gaps.