A chromosome-scale assembly of the early-flowering Prunus campanulata and comparative genomics of cherries.

Prunus campanulata is an important flowering cherry germplasm of high ornamental value. Given its early-flowering phenotypes, P. campanulata could be used for molecular breeding of ornamental species and fruit crops belonging to the subgenus Cerasus. Here, we report a chromosome-scale assembly of P. campanulata with a genome size of 282.6 Mb and a contig N50 length of 12.04 Mb. The genome contained 24,861 protein-coding genes, of which 24,749 genes (99.5%) were functionally annotated, and 148.20 Mb (52.4%) of the assembled sequences are repetitive sequences. A combination of genomic and population genomic analyses revealed a number of genes under positive selection or accelerated molecular evolution in P. campanulata. Our study provides a reliable genome resource, and lays a solid foundation for genetic improvement of flowering cherry germplasm.

Lagerstroemiastenophylla (Lythraceae), a new species from China.

Lagerstroemiastenophylla, a new species from southeastern Shaanxi Province and northwestern Hubei Province of China is described. Morphologically, L.stenophylla resembles L.subcostata, but it differs in having 4-angular, subalate branchlets, elliptic-lanceolate, or narrowly elliptic leaves, and relatively larger flowers.

Nomenclature and taxonomic identities of Prunuszappeyana and P.zappeyanavar.subsimplex (Rosaceae).

The original specimens of both Prunuszappeyana and P.zappeyanavar.subsimplex were found to belong to more than one taxon. In addition, P.zappeyanavar.subsimplex was found to be invalid because, when the name was published, two separate descriptions were given to two cited collections, but not to the taxon, making the name unaccompanied with a description or diagnosis of this taxon (Art. 38.1 (a)). Therefore, a lectotype of P.zappeyana was designated under Art. 9.11 of ICN, by which P.zappeyana was placed in the synonymy of P.veitchii.

Maleimide-functionalized phospholipid/Pluronic F127 mixed micelles for efficient ophthalmic delivery of voriconazole against Candida albicans.

Drugs that are topically applied on the eyes have low bioavailability, which has always been an important problem. In this study, maleimide functionalized, voriconazole (VCZ) loaded mixed micelles (Mal-VCZ-MM) were designed. Pluronic F127 and phospholipid were used as materials, and maleimide was used as an adhesive. The prepared Mal-VCZ-MM was nearly spherical with a particle size of 84.45 ± 1.39 nm and a zeta potential of - 20.3 ± 0.29 mV. The encapsulation efficiency of Mal-VCZ-MM was 95.33 ± 0.06%, and it had high stability with a critical micelle concentration value of 1.28 × 10-4 mg/mL. CCK-8 assay showed that its cytotoxicity was lower than that of free VCZ solution (VCZ-Sol). Both quantitative and qualitative analyses of the HCE-T cellular uptake showed that the cellular internalization of Mal-C6-MM was significantly stronger than that of C6-MM. The endocytosis pathway was macropinocytosis-mediated, cavernous-mediated, and energy-dependent. In vitro results against Candida albicans showed that the diameters of the antifungal inhibition zones of VCZ-Sol, VCZ-MM, and Mal-VCZ-MM were 15.5 ± 0.50 mm, 24.0 ± 0.71 mm, and 31.5 ± 1.12 mm, respectively. The antifungal effect of Mal-VCZ-MM was significantly higher than that of VCZ-Sol and VCZ-MM (P < 0.001). This study shows that Mal-VCZ-MM is a highly effective hydrophobic ophthalmic drug-delivery carrier that can improve the therapeutic effect of the drug.

Cell penetrating peptide TAT-functionalized liposomes for efficient ophthalmic delivery of flurbiprofen: Penetration and its underlying mechanism, retention, anti-inflammation and biocompatibility.

In treating eye diseases, topical administration on the ocular surface is the most convenient and acceptable route. However, the intraocular efficiency of non-invasive drug delivery systems is still considerably hampered by the eye's defense barriers. In this work, cell-penetrating peptide TAT-functionalized, flurbiprofen-loaded liposomes (TAT-FB-Lip) were designed to enable transcorneal drug delivery and prolong ocular surface retention. The corneal penetration-promoting properties of TAT-functionalized liposomes (TAT-Lip) were confirmed in vitro using a corneal permeability assay and the HCE-T cell sphere model and in vivo by aqueous humor pharmacokinetics assessment. TAT-Lip induced an increase in intracellular calcium ion concentration and membrane potential depolarization. F-actin images of HCE-T cells treated with TAT-Lip show the tight junctions between cells partly opened. The cellular internalization pathway mainly depended on the electrostatic interaction between TAT-Lip and the cell membrane, and there is a certain degree of energy dependence. The pharmacokinetics of flurbiprofen in tears demonstrated TAT-Lip could reduce the drug loss rate. Moreover, the anti-inflammatory effect of TAT-FB-Lip was enhanced by markedly suppressing PGE2, IL-6, and TNF-α production in tears and aqueous humor in a rabbit conjunctivitis model. In conclusion, this work demonstrates that TAT-Lip is an effective ocular drug carrier system that facilitates transcorneal delivery.

The identity of Prunusdielsiana (Rosaceae).

The valid publication date of Prunusdielsiana was found to be later than that of P.rufoides, which has been considered a synonym of P.dielsiana. Prunusdielsiana is therefore reduced to a synonym of P.rufoides, instead of the reverse. In addition, all previously named varieties of Prunusdielsiana, including var. abbreviata, var. conferta, and var. laxa, as well as P.carcharias are also listed as synonyms of P.rufoides in the present paper.

Taxonomic reconsideration of Prunusveitchii (Rosaceae).

Prunusveitchii was published in 1912 and was treated as a synonym of P.serrulatavar.pubescens. The information about this taxon is relatively scarce. When consulting specimens of Prunus L., type materials of Prunusveitchii were found to belong to three taxa and P.veitchii, P.concinna, P.japonicavar.zhejiangensis, C.jingningensis and C.xueluoensis were found to be conspecific. The taxonomic status of P.veitchii is reconsidered in the present paper. Morphometric analyses were performed to evaluate the significance of differences between P.veitchii and P.serrulatavar.pubescens. The results show that the leaves of P.veitchii are significantly smaller and narrower than the leaves of P.serrulatavar.pubescens and the peduncle and pedicels are shorter. According to the results of morphometric analyses, P.veitchii should be treated as a separate species. To address these results, a lectotype of P.veitchii is designated here and P.concinna, Cerasusjingningensis and C.xueluoensis are here designated as synonyms of P.veitchii.