Phylogenomics and divergence pattern of Polygonatum (Asparagaceae: Polygonateae) in the north temperate region.

Polygonatum is the largest genus of tribe Polygonateae (Asparagaceae) and is widely distributed in the temperate Northern Hemisphere, especially well diversified in southwestern China to northeastern Asia. Phylogenetic relationships of many species are still controversial. Hence it is necessary to clarify their phylogenetic relationships and infer possible reticulate relationships for the genus. In this study, genome-wide data of 43 species from Polygonatum and its closely related taxa were obtained by Hyb-Seq sequencing. The phylogenetic trees constructed from genome-wide nuclear and chloroplast sequences strongly supported the monophyly of Polygonatum with division into three major clades. A high level of incongruence was detected between nuclear and chloroplast trees as well as among gene trees within the genus, but all occurred within each major clade. However, introgression tests and reticulate evolution analyses revealed low level of gene flow and weak introgression events in the genus, suggesting hybridization and introgression were not dominant during the evolutionary diversification of Polygonatum in the Northern Hemisphere. This study provides important insights into reconstructing evolutionary relationships and speciation pattern of taxa from the north temperate flora.

Simple spectral reduction algorithm used for the echelle spectrometer.

The structure of the echelle spectrometer equipped with a prism cross-dispersion element is very complex because of the nonlinear interaction between the prism and the echelle grating, which makes it difficult to extract the wavelength information from the two-dimensional spectrogram. According to the dispersion equations of both the grating and the prism direction, a wavelength calibration model is derived, establishing a relationship between the pixel position and the wavelength. It is found that a calibration process is always needed in repeated experiments due to the slight change of the spectrometer parameters caused by the environment. To solve this problem and improve the accuracy of the reduction, a simple spectral reduction algorithm involving calibration and compensation is proposed, which combines the least-square method and the polynomial fitting method. The algorithm was implemented with LabVIEW software, and the result showed that the absolute error of each wavelength was less than 0.02 nm.

Gluteus Medius and Minimus Muscle Structure, Strength, and Function in Healthy Adults: Brief Report.

Purpose: This article describes gluteus medius and minimus muscle thickness and hip abductor strength and function in healthy adults and explores the relationships between muscle thickness and function. Methods: Gluteus medius and minimus muscle thickness (B-mode ultrasound), isometric hip abductor strength (Biodex dynamometer), and lower extremity function (timed Trendelenburg test, Five-Times-Sit-to-Stand Test [FTSST], and lateral step-down test) were measured in healthy adults using a cross-sectional study design. Results: A total of 22 subjects were included: 10 men and 12 women, mean age 25.2 (SD 3.1) years, mean BMI 22.9 (SD 3.5) kilograms per metre squared. Muscle thickness of the gluteals was a mean 3.88 (SD 0.13) centimetres, and mean hip abductor peak torque was 111 (SD 43) newton-metres. FTSST mean time was 5.3 (SD 0.2) seconds, and median scores were 2.0 points for lateral step-down and 90 seconds for timed Trendelenburg. No significant relationships were found between gluteal muscle thickness and functional tests (rs=-0.28 to 0.37, ps=0.09-0.80) or strength (r=-0.24, p=0.28). Conclusion: Although hip abductors are key pelvic stabilizers for functional movements, gluteal muscle thickness was not associated with strength or function. This may be a result of agonist muscle activity, leading to an inability to isolate the gluteals, and to the ceiling effects of the functional tests.

Objectif : décrire l'épaisseur du muscle moyen glutéal et du muscle petit glutéal, la force et la fonction de l'abducteur de la hanche chez des adultes en santé et explorer les liens entre l'épaisseur et la fonction des muscles. Méthodologie : les chercheurs ont mesuré l'épaisseur du muscle moyen glutéal et du muscle petit glutéal (échographie en mode B), la force de l'abduction isométrique de la hanche (dynanomètre Biodex) et la fonction des jambes (test de Trendelenburg chronométré, test fonctionnel assis-debout de cinq répétitions [FTSST] et tests de descente latérale des marches) chez des adultes en santé dans le cadre d'une étude transversale. Résultats : au total, 22 sujets ont participé, soit 10 hommes et 12 femmes d'un âge moyen de 25,2 ans (ÉT 3,1 ans), d'un IMC moyen de 22,9 kg/m2 (ÉT 3,5 kg/m2). L'épaisseur moyenne des muscles glutéaux était de 3,88 cm (ÉT 0,13 cm), et la puissance de pointe moyenne de l'abducteur de la hanche, de 111 newton-mètres (ÉT 43 Nm). La durée moyenne du FTSST était de 5,3 secondes (ÉT 0,2 s), tandis que le score médian du test de descente latérale des marches était de 2,0 points, et celui du test de Trendelenburg chronométré, de 90 secondes. Il n'y avait pas de relation significative entre l'épaisseur des muscles glutéaux et les tests fonctionnels (r=−0,28 à +0,37, p=0,09 à 0,80) ou la force (r=−0,24, p=0,28). Conclusion : même si les abducteurs de la hanche sont des stabilisateurs essentiels du bassin lors des mouvements fonctionnels, l'épaisseur des muscles glutéaux ne s'associait ni à la force ni à la fonction. Ce peut être à cause de l'activité des muscles agonistes qui empêche d'isoler les muscles glutéaux, de même que des effets plafonds des tests fonctionnels.