Pan-genome and transcriptome analyses provide insights into genomic variation and differential gene expression profiles related to disease resistance and fatty acid biosynthesis in eastern black walnut (Juglans nigra)

Walnut(Juglans)species are used as nut crops worldwide.Eastern black walnut(EBW,Juglans nigra),a diploid,horticultural important woody species is native to much of eastern North America.Although it is highly valued for its wood and nut,there are few resources for understanding EBW genetics.Here,we present a high-quality genome assembly of J.nigra based on Illumina,Pacbio,and HiC technologies.The genome size was 540.8 Mb,with a scaffold N50 size of 35.1 Mb,and 99.0%of the assembly was anchored to 16 chromosomes.Using this genome as a reference,the resequencing of 74 accessions revealed the effective population size of J.nigra declined during the glacial maximum.A single whole-genome duplication event was identified in the J.nigra genome.Large syntenic blocks among J.nigra,Juglans regia,and Juglans microcarpa predominated,but inversions of more than 600 kb were identified.By comparing the EBW genome with those of J.regia and J.microcarpa,we detected InDel sizes of 34.9 Mb in J.regia and 18.3 Mb in J.microcarpa,respectively.Transcriptomic analysis of differentially expressed genes identified five presumed NBS-LRR(NUCLEOTIDE BINDING SITELEUCINE-RICH REPEAT)genes were upregulated during the development of walnut husks and shells compared to developing embryos.We also identified candidate genes with essential roles in seed oil synthesis,including FAD(FATTY ACID DESATURASE)and OLE(OLEOSIN).Our work advances the understanding of fatty acid bioaccumulation and disease resistance in nut crops,and also provides an essential resource for conducting genomics-enabled breeding in walnut.

Multiple-statistical genome-wide association analysis and genomic prediction of fruit aroma and agronomic traits in peaches

‘Chinese Cling’is an important founder in peach breeding history due to the pleasant flavor.Genome-wide association studies(GWAS)combined with genomic selection are promising tools in fruit tree breeding,as there is a considerable time lapse between crossing and release of a cultivar.In this study,242 peaches from Shanghai germplasm were genotyped with 145456 single-nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs).The six agronomic traits of fruit flesh color,fruit shape,fruit hairiness,flower type,pollen sterility,and soluble solids content,along with 14 key volatile odor compounds(VOCs),were recorded for multiple-statistical GWAS.Except the reported candidate genes,six novel genes were identified as associated with these traits.Thirty-nine significant SNPs were associated with eight VOCs.The putative candidate genes were confirmed for VOCs by RNA-seq,including three genes in the biosynthesis pathway found to be associated with linalool,soluble solids content,and cis-3-hexenyl acetate.Multiple-trait genomic prediction enhanced the predictive ability forγ-decalactone to 0.7415 compared with the single-trait model value of 0.1017.One PTS1-SSR marker was designed to predict the linalool content,and the favorable genotype 187/187 was confirmed,mainly existing in the‘Shanghai Shuimi’landrace.Overall,our findings will be helpful in determining peach accessions with the ideal phenotype and show the potential of multiple-trait genomic prediction to improve accuracy for highly correlated genetic traits.The diagnostic marker will be valuable for the breeder to bridge the gap between quantitative trait loci and marker-assisted selection for developing strong-aroma cultivars.

Gene flow among wild and cultivated common walnut(Juglans regia)trees in the Qinling Mountains revealed by microsatellite markers

Patterns of gene flow and gene introgres sion can be used to assess the risk of genetic pollution of wild forest trees from widespread cultivated trees.A comprehensive understanding of the genetic relationships and levels of gene flow among wild and cultivated common walnut(Juglans regia)has become an urgent issue.Using twelve microsatellite markers,we investigated the genetic diversity and gene flow between cultivated and wild trees of J.regia in the Qinling Mountains,China.A high level of genetic variation was detected in both cultivated and wild trees.The mean number of alleles per locus was 17.5.Observed heterozygosity(HO)and expected heterozygosity(HE)were 0.777 and 0.800,respectively.Pollination of mother trees was not by nearest neighbors,and a paternity of 60.7%of offspring evaluated could not be assigned to a local,sampled tree.Pollen flow from cultivated trees to wild trees was infrequent(5.4%),and selfing rates ranged from zero to 25.0%.Male parents were located from 0 to 1005 m from their female partners,with an average pollination distance of 285.1 m.These results are discussed in light of the cultivated species’diversity,outlining the frequent spontaneous genetic contributions from the wild to the cultivated compartment.In addition,the pollen flow parameters provide useful information about the dynamics of pollen movement within J.regia populations.

Moderate quantity of lard mixed with sunflower oil attenuate lipid accumulation in mice

Lard,a fat rich in saturated fatty acids(SFAs),is regarded as a risk factor for metabolic diseases.In the present study,effect of different lard blended with sunflower oil diets on lipid accumulation in adipose tissue,liver,and serum by mouse model was researched.Body weight,body fat percentage,cross-sectional area of adipocytes,liver triglycerides(TGs),and oil red stained area in mice liver of lard blend sunflower oil(L-SFO)group were significantly lower than those of sunflower oil(SFO)group,whereas no significant differences were observed between mice of lard and L-SFO groups.Serum TG and free fatty acid levels were significantly lower in L-SFO group than in other two groups.Furthermore,data showed that sunflower oil decreased contents of hormonesensitive lipase and carnitine palmitoyl transferase 1(CPT-1)and increased fatty acid synthase activity in liver tissue.A mixture of lard and sunflower oil rather than only sunflower oil or lard might promote body fat loss and reduce lipid accumulation in adipose tissue,serum,and liver by promoting hydrolysis of TG,increasingβ-oxidation of fatty acids.These data suggested that mixing lard and vegetable oil(e.g.sunflower oil)for cooking,or alternate using lard and vegetable oil could be beneficial for reducing body fat.

Treatment of Alzheimer’s disease by microcapsule regulates neurotransmitter release via microfluidic technology

Alzheimer’s disease(AD)is a progressive neurodegenerative disease with a complex etiology.The main neu-ropathological feature is the accumulation of amyloid-beta(Aβ),and the dysregulation of the cholinergic system is well associated with its mechanism of occurrence,for which no effective treatment is yet available.Daily oral administration remains the mainstay of treatment with AD,and how to improve the efficacy,prolong adsorp-tion and medication compliance is still the focus of the current solution.We proposed a microcapsule based on microfluidic electrospray to form an intestinal epithelial lining for AD treatment,reducing the frequency of administration.Microfluidic electrospray technology was recruited to overcome the limitations associated with the variability in the microencapsulation production process and to produce functional microcapsules with finely adapted chemical composition,capsule thickness and encapsulant volume ratio.These microcapsules could slowly release drugs after adhering to the intestine,and their effectiveness and safety were further evaluated using cell culture studies and animal model studies.The results from the in vivo and in vitro experiments showed a significant reduction in administration frequency(i.e.,from daily medication to once every five days),superior therapeutic efficacy and sufficient safety of these microcapsules in cell culture and APP/PS1 mice.These features make the microcapsules an excellent drug delivery system and represent great potential for clinical applications in AD.

Laboratory-based Surveillance and Clinical Profile of Sporadic HEV Infection in Shanghai,China

The study aimed to describe the epidemiological,virological and clinical features of sporadic HEV infection in eastern China.A total of 6112 patient sera were tested for anti-HEV IgG or anti-HEV IgM during one consecutive year(between August 2018 and July 2019).HEV RNA presence was evaluated by RT-PCR and HEV sequences were phylogenetically analyzed.Clinical features of confirmed HEV-infected patients were delineated.The sero-positivity rate of anti-HEV IgG maintained stable around 40%,while an obvious winter spike of anti-HEV IgM prevalence was observed.A total of 111 patients were confirmed of HEV viremia by molecular diagnosis.Subtype 4d was predominant.Phylogenetic analyses suggest that certain strains circulate across species and around the country.Subjects with confirmed current HEV infection had a high median age(58 years)and males were predominant(62.2%).Most patients presented with jaundice(75.7%)and anorexia(68.0%).Significantly elevated levels of liver enzymes and bilirubin were observed.Remarkably,the baseline bilirubin level was positively correlated with illness severity.Pre-existing HBV carriage may deteriorate illness.The clinical burden caused by locally acquired HEV infection is increasing.Surveillance should be enforced especially during the transition period from winter to spring.Patients with higher level of bilirubin at disease onset had slower recovery from HEV infection.

Multiple Mild Stimulations Reduce Membrane Distribution of CX3CR1 Promoted by Annexin al in Microglia to Attenuate Excessive Dendritic Spine Pruning and Cognitive Deficits Caused by a Transient Ischemic Attack in Mice

A transient ischemic attack(TIA)can cause reversible and delayed impairment of cognition,but the specific mechanisms arestill unclear.Annexin al(ANXA1)is a phospholipid-binding protein.Here,we confirmed that cognition and hippocampal synapses were impaired in TIA-treated mice,and this could be rescued by multiple mild stimulations(MMS).TIA promoted the interaction of ANXAl and CX3CR1,increased the membrane distribution of CX3CR1 in microglila,and thus enhanced the CX3CR1 and CX3CL1 interaction.These phenomena induced by TIA could be reversed by MMS.Meanwhile,the CX3CR1 membrane distribution and CX3CR1-CX3CL1 interaction were upregulated in primary cultured microglia overexpressing ANXAl,and the spine density was significantly reduced in co-cultured microglia overexpressing ANXAl and neurons.Moreover,ANXAl overexpression in microglia abolished the protection of MMS after TIA.Collectively,our study provides a potential strategy for treating the delayed synaptic injury caused by TIA.