Chromosome-scale genome assembly of sweet tea (Lithocarpus polystachyus Rehder).

Lithocarpus, with >320 species, is the second largest genus of Fagaceae. However, the lack of a reference genome limits the molecular biology and functional study of Lithocarpus species. Here, we report the chromosome-scale genome assembly of sweet tea (Lithocarpus polystachyus Rehder), the first Lithocarpus species to be sequenced to date. Sweet tea has a 952-Mb genome, with a 21.4-Mb contig N50 value and 98.6% complete BUSCO score. In addition, the per-base consensus accuracy and completeness of the genome were estimated at 60.6 and 81.4, respectively. Genome annotation predicted 37,396 protein-coding genes, with repetitive sequences accounting for 64.2% of the genome. The genome did not undergo whole-genome duplication after the gamma (γ) hexaploidy event. Phylogenetic analysis showed that sweet tea diverged from the genus Quercus approximately at 59 million years ago. The high-quality genome assembly and gene annotation resources enrich the genomics of sweet tea, and will facilitate functional genomic studies in sweet tea and other Fagaceae species.

Single-molecular protein-based bioelectronics via electronic transport: fundamentals, devices and applications.

Biomolecular electronics is a rapidly growing multidisciplinary field that combines biology, nanoscience, and engineering to bridge the two important fields of life sciences and molecular electronics. Proteins are remarkable for their ability to recognize molecules and transport electrons, making the integration of proteins into electronic devices a long sought-after goal and leading to the emergence of the field of protein-based bioelectronics, also known as proteotronics. This field seeks to design and create new biomolecular electronic platforms that allow for the understanding and manipulation of protein-mediated electronic charge transport and related functional applications. In recent decades, there have been numerous reports on protein-based bioelectronics using a variety of nano-gapped electrical devices and techniques at the single molecular level, which are not achievable with conventional ensemble approaches. This review focuses on recent advances in physical electron transport mechanisms, device fabrication methodologies, and various applications in protein-based bioelectronics. We discuss the most recent progress of the single or few protein-bridged electrical junction fabrication strategies, summarise the work on fundamental and functional applications of protein bioelectronics that enable high and dynamic electron transport, and highlight future perspectives and challenges that still need to be addressed. We believe that this specific review will stimulate the interdisciplinary research of topics related to protein-related bioelectronics, and open up new possibilities for single-molecule biophysics and biomedicine.

Genome-Wide Identification and Expression Analysis of Calmodulin-Like Gene Family in Paspalums vaginatium Revealed Their Role in Response to Salt and Cold Stress.

The calmodulin-like (CML) family is an important calcium (Ca2+) sensor in plants and plays a pivotal role in the response to abiotic and biotic stresses. As one of the most salt-tolerant grass species, Paspalums vaginatum is resistant to multiple abiotic stresses, such as salt, cold, and drought. However, investigations of PvCML proteins in P. vaginatum have been limited. Based on the recently published P. vaginatum genome, we identified forty-nine PvCMLs and performed a comprehensive bioinformatics analysis of PvCMLs. The main results showed that the PvCMLs were unevenly distributed on all chromosomes and that the expansion of PvCMLs was shaped by tandem and segmental duplications. In addition, cis-acting element analysis, expression profiles, and qRT-PCR analysis revealed that PvCMLs were involved in the response to salt and cold stress. Most interestingly, we found evidence of a tandem gene cluster that independently evolved in P. vaginatum and may participate in cold resistance. In summary, our work provides important insight into how grass species are resistant to abiotic stresses such as salt and cold and could be the basis of further gene function research on CMLs in P. vaginatum.

Genomic vulnerability to climate change in Quercus acutissima, a dominant tree species in East Asian deciduous forests.

Understanding the evolutionary processes that shape the landscape of genetic variation and influence the response of species to future climate change is critical for biodiversity conservation. Here, we sampled 27 populations across the distribution range of a dominant forest tree, Quercus acutissima, in East Asia, and applied genome-wide analyses to track the evolutionary history and predict the fate of populations under future climate. We found two genetic groups (East and West) in Q. acutissima that diverged during Pliocene. We also found a heterogeneous landscape of genomic variation in this species, which may have been shaped by population demography and linked selections. Using genotype-environment association analyses, we identified climate-associated SNPs in a diverse set of genes and functional categories, indicating a model of polygenic adaptation in Q. acutissima. We further estimated three genetic offset metrics to quantify genomic vulnerability of this species to climate change due to the complex interplay between local adaptation and migration. We found that marginal populations are under higher risk of local extinction because of future climate change, and may not be able to track suitable habitats to maintain the gene-environment relationships observed under the current climate. We also detected higher reverse genetic offsets in northern China, indicating that genetic variation currently present in the whole range of Q. acutissima may not adapt to future climate conditions in this area. Overall, this study illustrates how evolutionary processes have shaped the landscape of genomic variation, and provides a comprehensive genome-wide view of climate maladaptation in Q. acutissima.

Effect of right stellate ganglion block-serratus anterior plane block combined with general anesthesia in thoracoscopic radical resection of lung cancer / 中国医师杂志

Objective:To investigate the effect of right stellate ganglion block (RSGB)-serratus anterior plane block (SAPB) combined with general anesthesia in thoracoscopic radical resection of lung cancer.Methods:A total of 90 patients who planned to undergo thoracoscopic radical resection of lung cancer in Xiangya Changde Hospital from March 2020 to September 2021 were prospectively selected and divided into 3 groups by random number table method: general anesthesia group (G group), (SAPB)+ general anesthesia group (SG group), RSGB+ SAPB+ general anesthesia group (RSG group), 30 cases in each group. The SG group received SAPB on the operative side before general anesthesia, and the RSG group received RSGB+ SAPB on the operative side before general anesthesia. After the blocking effect was determined, all patients were given general anesthesia in the same scheme according to their weight, and patients were given patient-controlled intravenous analgesia (PCIA) after surgery. The mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR) were recorded before anesthesia (T 0), before intubation (T 1), 1 min after intubation (T 2), 5 min after intubation (T 3), at extubation (T 4) and 5 min after extubation (T 5). The intraoperative dosage of remifentanil, incidence of nausea and vomiting (PONV) within 24 hours after surgery, number of additional PCIA within 24 hours, the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) of static and dynamic pain, the Bruggrmann Comfort Scale (BCS) and Richard Campbell Sleep Questionnaire (RSCQ) 24 hours after surgery were recorded. Results:Compared with T 0, the MAP and HR in 3 groups were increased 1 min after intubation (T 2) and at extubation (T 4), but the increases in RSG group were significantly less than those in G and SG groups (all P<0.05). The remifentanil dosage, PONV incidence and PCIA supplemental times in SG and RSG groups were less than those in G group, and the BCS score and RSCQ score were higher than those in G group (all P<0.05); the BCS score and RSCQ score in RSG group were higher than those in SG group (all P<0.05). Conclusions:RSGB+ SAPB combined with general anesthesia in thoracoscopic radical resection of lung cancer has little circulation fluctuation, good postoperative analgesia effect, less adverse reactions and high comfort level.

In situ lattice tuning of quasi-single-crystal surfaces for continuous electrochemical modulation.

The ability to control the atomic-level structure of a solid represents a straightforward strategy for fabricating high-performance catalysts and semiconductor materials. Herein we explore the capability of the mechanically controllable surface strain method in adjusting the surface structure of a gold film. Underpotential deposition measurements provide a quantitative and ultrasensitive approach for monitoring the evolution of surface structures. The electrochemical activities of the quasi-single-crystalline gold films are enhanced productively by controlling the surface tension, resulting in a more positive potential for copper deposition. Our method provides an effective way to tune the atom arrangement of solid surfaces with sub-angstrom precision and to achieve a reduction in power consumption, which has vast applications in electrocatalysis, molecular electronics, and materials science.

Globally Relaxed Selection and Local Adaptation in Boechera stricta.

The strength of selection varies among populations and across the genome, but the determinants of efficacy of selection remain unclear. In this study, we used whole-genome sequencing data from 467 Boechera stricta accessions to quantify the strength of selection and characterize the pattern of local adaptation. We found low genetic diversity on 0-fold degenerate sites and conserved non-coding sites, indicating functional constraints on these regions. The estimated distribution of fitness effects and the proportion of fixed substitutions suggest relaxed negative and positive selection in B. stricta. Among the four population groups, the NOR and WES groups have smaller effective population size (Ne), higher proportions of effectively neutral sites, and lower rates of adaptive evolution compared with UTA and COL groups, reflecting the effect of Ne on the efficacy of natural selection. We also found weaker selection on GC-biased sites compared with GC-conservative (unbiased) sites, suggested that GC-biased gene conversion has affected the strength of selection in B. stricta. We found mixed evidence for the role of the recombination rate on the efficacy of selection. The positive and negative selection was stronger in high-recombination regions compared with low-recombination regions in COL but not in other groups. By scanning the genome, we found different subsets of selected genes suggesting differential adaptation among B. stricta groups. These results show that differences in effective population size, nucleotide composition, and recombination rate are important determinants of the efficacy of selection. This study enriches our understanding of the roles of natural selection and local adaptation in shaping genomic variation.

Phylogenomic analyses highlight innovation and introgression in the continental radiations of Fagaceae across the Northern Hemisphere.

Northern Hemisphere forests changed drastically in the early Eocene with the diversification of the oak family (Fagaceae). Cooling climates over the next 20 million years fostered the spread of temperate biomes that became increasingly dominated by oaks and their chestnut relatives. Here we use phylogenomic analyses of nuclear and plastid genomes to investigate the timing and pattern of major macroevolutionary events and ancient genome-wide signatures of hybridization across Fagaceae. Innovation related to seed dispersal is implicated in triggering waves of continental radiations beginning with the rapid diversification of major lineages and resulting in unparalleled transformation of forest dynamics within 15 million years following the K-Pg extinction. We detect introgression at multiple time scales, including ancient events predating the origination of genus-level diversity. As oak lineages moved into newly available temperate habitats in the early Miocene, secondary contact between previously isolated species occurred. This resulted in adaptive introgression, which may have further amplified the diversification of white oaks across Eurasia.

Linked selection shapes the landscape of genomic variation in three oak species.

Natural selection shapes genome-wide patterns of diversity within species and divergence between species. However, quantifying the efficacy of selection and elucidating the relative importance of different types of selection in shaping genomic variation remain challenging. We sequenced whole genomes of 101 individuals of three closely related oak species to track the divergence history, and to dissect the impacts of selective sweeps and background selection on patterns of genomic variation. We estimated that the three species diverged around the late Neogene and experienced a bottleneck during the Pleistocene. We detected genomic regions with elevated relative differentiation ('FST -islands'). Population genetic inferences from the site frequency spectrum and ancestral recombination graph indicated that FST -islands were formed by selective sweeps. We also found extensive positive selection; the fixation of adaptive mutations and reduction neutral diversity around substitutions generated a signature of selective sweeps. Prevalent negative selection and background selection have reduced genetic diversity in both genic and intergenic regions, and contributed substantially to the baseline variation in genetic diversity. Our results demonstrate the importance of linked selection in shaping genomic variation, and illustrate how the extent and strength of different selection models vary across the genome.

Application of Micro/Nanofabrication Techniques to On-Chip Molecular Electronics.

Molecular electronics is a promising subject to overcome the size limitation of silicon-based electronic devices. In the past decades, various micro/nanofabrication techniques have been developed for constructing molecular junctions, and a number of breakthroughs are made in the characterizations and applications of the single-molecule device. The history and progress are reviewed in this article, laying emphasis on the recent works on the combination of micro/nanofabrication techniques with other techniques such as electrochemical deposition and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). Some prototypical single-molecule devices such as molecular transistors are presented. Finally, the challenges and prospects in the fabrication of single-molecule devices are discussed.

Selective Fabrication of Single-Molecule Junctions by Interface Engineering.

Recent progress in addressing electrically driven single-molecule behaviors has opened up a path toward the controllable fabrication of molecular devices. Herein, the selective fabrication of single-molecule junctions is achieved by employing the external electric field. For molecular junctions with methylthio (-SMe), thioacetate (-SAc), amine (-NH2 ), and pyridyl (-PY), the evolution of their formation probabilities along with the electric field is extracted from the plateau analysis of individual single-molecule break junction traces. With the increase of the electric field, the SMe-anchored molecules show a different trend in the formation probability compared to the other molecular junctions, which is consistent with the density functional theory calculations. Furthermore, switching from an SMe-anchored junction to an SAc-anchored junction is realized by altering the electric field in a mixed solution. The results in this work provide a new approach to the controllable fabrication and modulation of single-molecule junctions and other bottom-up nanodevices at molecular scales.

Constructive Quantum Interference in Single-Molecule Benzodichalcogenophene Junctions.

Heteroatom substitution into the cores of alternant, aromatic hydrocarbons containing only even-membered rings is attracting increasing interest as a method of tuning their electrical conductance. Here, the effect of heteroatom substitution into molecular cores of non-alternant hydrocarbons, containing odd-membered rings, is examined. Benzodichalcogenophene (BDC) compounds are rigid, planar π-conjugated structures, with molecular cores containing five-membered rings fused to a six-membered aryl ring. To probe the sensitivity or resilience of constructive quantum interference (CQI) in these non-bipartite molecular cores, two C2 -symmetric molecules (I and II) and one asymmetric molecule (III) were investigated. I (II) contains S (O) heteroatoms in each of the five-membered rings, while III contains an S in one five-membered ring and an O in the other. Differences in their conductances arise primarily from the longer S-C and shorter O-C bond lengths compared with the C-C bond and the associated changes in their resonance integrals. Although the conductance of III is significantly lower than the conductances of the others, CQI was found to be resilient and persist in all molecules.

Clinical analysis of umbilical venous catheters/peripherally inserted central catheters associated pericardial effusion and cardiac tamponade in neonates / 中国新生儿科杂志

Objective To study the clinical manifestations,imaging features,treatment and outcome of umbilical venous catheters/peripherally inserted central venous catheters (UVC/PICC) associated pericardial effusion (PCE) and cardiac tamponade (CT) in neonates.Method Clinical data of cases with UVC/PICC associated PCE/CT that were found in neonatal intensive care unit of five hospitals in Shanxi province from January 2017 to December 2018 were extracted and retrospectively reviewed.Result In total,there were 632 cases received UVC/PICC insertions in 5 hospitals.7 cases of which were identified as PCE (1.0％) on echocardiography during the period of catheter indwelling,among which 5 cases suffered from PCE complicated CT (0.7％).7 cases with PCE included 6 premature infants and 1 full term infants with mean gestational age (32.6 ± 3.8) weeks and mean birth weight 1 550 (1 200,3 960) g.The mean age of PICC/UVC insertion was 14 h (1 ～ 19 h),the mean age of PCE/CT developed was 69 h (13 ～104 h) after insertion.The most common presentations included apnea/respiratory distress (7 cases),cyanosis/desaturation (7 cases),tachycardia (3 cases),bradycardia/asystole (5 cases).UVC/PICC tip ectopic was found in 6 cases after the symptoms of PCE emerged (4 cases at T6-T7 and 1 case at T12 vertebra level on chest X-ray,and 1 case at right atrium on echocardiogram).UVC/PICC tip was normal in 1 case (tip at T7-T8 vertebra level on chest X-ray).5 cases recovered after removal of catheter,pericardiocentesis and drainage of effusion;1 case recovered after removal of UVC without pericardiocentesis;1 case underwent pericardiocentesis,continued infusion for 5 h after extubated the UVC into inferior vena cava,then deceased.Conclusion UVC/PICC tip ectopic is the main cause of UVC/PICC associated PCE/CT.Immediate bedside echocardiography should be performed to any patient with UVC/PICC indwelling,who develops sudden unexplained apnea/respiratory distress,cyanosis,tachycardia/bradycardia/asystole.Timely removal of catheter and pericardiocentesis drainage may be life-saving.

Modified minimally invasive internal fixation with cannulated screws through tarsal sinus versus traditional extended lateral"L-shape"incision with plate fixation for calcaneal fractures / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND: Open reduction and internal fixation is commonest surgical method for calcaneal fractures, but its postoperative complications are troublesome. Thereafter, choosing an appropriate treatment scheme is of great significance for reducing postoperative complications and promoting patients' functional recovery. OBJECTIVE: To compare the curative efficacy of the modified minimally invasive internal fixation with cannulated screws through tarsal sinus and traditional extended lateral "L-shape" incision with plate fixation for calcaneal fractures. METHODS: Sixty-eight cases of unilateral calcaneal fractures (Sanders II and III) were selected, followed by treated with modified minimally invasive internal fixation with cannulated screws through tarsal sinus (modified group, n=33) or traditional extended lateral "L-shape" incision with plate fixation (traditional group, n=35). The operation time, blood loss, and Visual Analogue Scale scores were compared between two groups; the preoperarive and postoperative American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society scores, Bohler angle, and Gissane angle as well as postoperative complications were detected and compared between both groups. Besides, the postoperative pain, range of motion, and ankle stability were evaluated. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) The American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society scores at 6 months postoperatively in both two groups were significantly higher than those at baseline, and the scores in the modified group were significantly higher than those in the traditional group (P < 0.05). (2) The Bohler angle, Gissane angle, and calcaneal width in the modified group were significantly improved compared with the traditional group at 1 week, 6 and 12 months postoperatively (P < 0.05). (3) Compared with the traditional group, the operation time, blood loss, and Visual Analogue Scale scores in the modified group were significantly improved (P < 0.05). (4) The incidence of complications in the modified group was significantly lower than that in the traditional group (P < 0.05). (5) These results manifest that compared with the traditional extended lateral "L-shape" incision with plate fixation for calcaneal fractures, the modified minimally invasive internal fixation with cannulated screws through tarsal sinus can significantly alleviate pain, and improve the range of motion and stability of the ankle joint.

Small interfering RNA targeting TNF-α gene significantly attenuates renal ischemia-reperfusion injury in mice / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) has been found to be centrally involved in the development of ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI)-induced inflammation and apoptosis. Knockdown of TNF-α gene using small interfering RNA (siRNA) may protect renal IRI. Renal IRI was induced in mice by clamping the left renal pedicle for 25 or 35 min. TNF-α siRNA was administered intravenously to silence the expression of TNF-α. The therapeutic effects of siRNA were evaluated in terms of renal function, histological examination, and overall survival following lethal IRI. A single systemic injection of TNF-α siRNA resulted in significant knockdown of TNF-α expression in ischemia-reperfusion injured kidney. In comparison with control mice, levels of BUN and serum creatinine were significantly reduced in mice treated with siRNA. Pathological examination demonstrated that tissue damage caused by IRI was markedly reduced as a result of TNF-α siRNA treatment. Furthermore, survival experiments showed that nearly 90% of control mice died from lethal IRI, whereas more than 50% of siRNApretreated mice survived until the end of the eight-day observation period. We have demonstrated for the first time that silencing TNF-α by specific siRNA can significantly reduce renal IRI and protect mice against lethal kidney ischemia, highlighting the potential for siRNA-based clinical therapy.

Study of Inhibition Fibrosis of MicroRNA-25 on Diabetic Nephropathy by Regulating Expression of MAP2 K4 / 医药导报

Objective To determine the expression level of microRNA-25 in animal models of diabetic nephropathy and human renal tubular epithelial cells (HK-2) cultured in different conditions, and to explore its regulating effect on the fibrosis in diabetic nephropathy. Methods The expression of microRNA-25 was detected by real-time PCR. The downstream target protein of microRNA-25 was verified by bioinformatic prediction, transient transfection of cells and Western blotting. Results MicroRNA-25 was down-regulated in animal models of diabetic nephropathy and HK-2 cells which were cultured in high-glucose medium (P<0. 01). MAP2K4 might be the downstream target protein of microRNA-25. Overexpression of microRNA-25 reduced the protein expression of MAP2K4 and α-SMA (P<0. 01). Conclusion MicroRNA-25 inhibits the fibrosis in diabetic nephropathy by regulating the expression of MAP2K4.

catena-Poly[[(1,10-phenanthroline-κN,N')cadmium(II)]-µ-oxalato-κO,O:O,O].

In the title complex, [Cd(C(2)O(4))(C(12)H(8)N(2))](n), the Cd(II) atom has a distorted octa-hedral coordination, defined by four O atoms from two symmetry-related oxalate ligands and by two N atoms from a bidentate 1,10-phenanthroline ligand. Each oxalate ligand bridges two Cd(II) atoms, generating a zigzag chain structure propagating along [100]. The packing of the structure is consolidated by non-classical C-H⋯O hydrogen-bonding inter-actions.

A Guinea Pig Model of Cochlear Ischemia / 听力学及言语疾病杂志

Objective To explore a new method for establishing an animal model of cochlear ischemia.Methods Thirty guinea pigs were randomized into three groups:normal group,operation group,ischemia group.Anterior inferior cerebellar artery(AICA)was exposed surgically via a skull base approach.In ischemia group,a small piece of filter paper containing FeCl3 was placed upon the AICA to induce thrombus formation.In operation group,AICA was only exposed.In normal group,nothing was done to animal.The blood flow of cochlea(CoBF)was continuously monitored with laser Doppler flowmeter.The thresholds of auditory brainstem response(ABR)were measured before,after each experiment,and one week after operation.The AICAs of ischemia group and operation group were resected and pathological sections were perfomed for observation of the details.Results After the administration of FeCl3,the CoBF decreased to 50% of the base level at 30 min.In the AICA pathological sections of ischemia group,white thrombus composed of cellulose,blood platelets and erythrocytes could be seen.The threshold of ABR in ischemia group increased significantly.Conclusion The method provides a relatively ideal model for ischemis of the inner ear and this model may be helpful in studying the mechanisms of hearing loss caused by chronic microcirculatory disorders.

Determination of Naringin and Hesperidin in Fructus Aurantii Immaturus by HPLC / 中药新药与临床药理

Objective To establish a method for the content determination of naringin and hesperidin in Fructus Aurantii Immaturus.Methods HPLC was performed on the Merck-Lichrospher RP-C18 column(4.6?250 mm,5 ?m);CH3CN-H2O(23 ∶77) served as mobile phase and the detection wavelength was at 283 nm,the column temperature at 30 ℃and the flow rate being 1.0 mL/min.Results The content of naringin ranged from 4.65 to 12.50 mg/g and that of hesperidin from 1.60 to 6.75 mg/g.Conclusion This method is simple,sensitive,specific and can be used for the quality control of Fructus Aurantii Immaturus.

Identification of Dongfengju Oral Liquid by TLC / 中药新药与临床药理

Objective To develop a quality standard for Dongfengju oral liq ui d (DOL). Methods Atalantia buxjfolia, Radix Scrophulariae, Fructus Aurantii in DOL was identified by TLC. Results The obtained TLC spots of Atalantia buxj folia, Radix Scrophulariae, Fructus Aurantii in DOL occurred at the correspond ing positions compared to the controls. Conclusion The method is proved to be simple, sensitive, precise and reproducible and can be used for the quality con trol of DOL.