Large-scale population structure and genetic architecture of agronomic traits of garlic

Garlic,an asexually propagated crop,is the second important bulb crop after the onion and is used as a vegetable and medicinal plant.Abundant and diverse garlic resources have been formed over thousands of years of cultivation.However,genome variation,population structure and genetic architecture of garlic agronomic traits were still not well elucidated.Here,1100258 single nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs)were identified using genotyping-by-sequencing in 606 garlic accessions collected from43 countries.Population structure,principal component and phylogenetic analysis showed that these accessions were divided into five subpopulations.Twenty agronomic traits,including above-ground growth traits,bulb-related and bolt-related traits in two consecutive years were implemented in a genome-wide association study.In total,542 SNPs were associated with these agronomic traits,among which 188 SNPs were repeatedly associated with more than two traits.One SNP(chr6:1896135972)was repeatedly associated with ten traits.These associated SNPs were located within or near 858 genes,56 of which were transcription factors.Interestingly,one non-synonymous SNP(Chr4:166524085)in ribosomal protein S5 was repeatedly associated with above-ground growth and bulb-related traits.Additionally,gene ontology enrichment analysis of candidate genes for genomic selection regions between complete-bolting and non-bolting accessions showed that these genes were significantly enriched in‘vegetative to reproductive phase transition of meristem’,‘shoot system development’,‘reproductive process’,etc.These results provide valuable information for the reliable and efficient selection of candidate genes to achieve garlic genetic improvement and superior varieties.

On-site conversion reaction enables ion-conducting surface on red phosphorus/carbon anode for durable and fast sodium-ion batteries

The practical applications of high-capacity alloy-type anode materials in sodium-ion batteries(SIBs)are challenged by their vast volume effects and resulting unstable electrode-electrolyte interphases during discharge-charge cycling.Taking red phosphorus(P)/carbon anode material as an example,we report an on-site conversion reaction to intentionally eliminate the volume effect-dominated surface P and yield an ionically conducting layer of Na3PS4solid-state electrolyte on the composite.Such a surface reconstruction can significantly suppress the electrode swelling and simultaneously enable the activation energy of interfacial Na+transfer as low as 36.7 k J mol^(-1),resulting in excellent electrode stability and ultrafast reaction kinetics.Consequently,excellent cycling performance(510 mA h g^(-1)at 5 A g^(-1)after 1000 cycles with a tiny capacity fading rate of 0.016%per cycle)and outstanding rate capability(484 mA h g^(-1)at 10 A g^(-1)are achieved in half cells.When coupled with Na_(3)V_(2)(PO4)3cathode,the full cells exhibit 100%capacity retention over 200 cycles at 5C with an average Coulombic efficiency of 99.93%and a high energy density of 125.5 W h kg^(-1)at a power density of 8215.6 W kg^(-1)(charge or discharge within~49 s).Remarkably,the full cell can steadily operate at a high areal capacity of 1.9 mA h cm^(-2),the highest level among red P-based full SIBs ever reported.

Genome resequencing reveals the evolutionary history of garlic reproduction traits

The propagation of cultivated garlic relies on vegetative cloves,thus flowers become non-essential for reproduction in this species,driving the evolution of reproductive feature-derived traits.To obtain insights into the evolutionary alteration of reproductive traits in the clonally propagated garlic,the evolutionary histories of two main reproduction-related traits,bolting and flower differentiation,were explored by genome analyses using 134 accessions displaying wide diversity in these two traits.Resequencing identified 272.8 million variations in the garlic genome,198.0million of which represent novel variants.Population analysis identified five garlic groups that have evolved into two clades.Gene expression,single-cell transcriptome sequencing,and genome-wide trait association analyses have identified numerous candidates that correlate with reproductive transition and flower development,some of which display distinct selection signatures.Selective forces acting on the B-box zinc finger protein-encoding Asa2G00291.1,the global transcription factor group E protein-encoding Asa5G01527.1,and VERNALIZATION INSENSITIVE 3-like Asa3G03399.1 appear to be representative of the evolution of garlic bolting.Plenty of novel genomic variations and trait-related candidates represent valuable resources for biological studies of garlic.Numerous selective signatures from genes associated with the two chosen reproductive traits provide important insights into the evolutionary history of reproduction in this clonally propagated crop.

Seeking candidate variants of arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy in sarcomere genes

ObjectiveTo seek potential pathogenic variants in sarcomere genes in arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy(ACM)and describe the characteristics.Methods and Results We performed targeted sequencing of 14sarcomere genes in 118 cases with the clinical diagnosis of ARVC and Sanger sequencing of the specific variants in family members of the probands.

Metabolic profile of heart tissue in cyanotic conaenital heart disease

Background Cyanotic congenital heart disease(CCHD)is one ofthe most common birth anomaly,in which chronic hypoxia is the basic pathophysiological process.Researches in the protective mechanisms of cardiomyocytes to chronic hypoxia have the potential to provide novel treatment strategies for many patients.Metabolomics is a study of metabolism at global level,which capture global biochemical events by assaying thousands of small molecules in tissues,followed by application of bioinformatics to define metabolomic signatures of the targets.In order to describe the features of metabolic remodeling of the heart of CCHD,we conducted our study on the effect of hypoxia on metabolism of human heart by using tissue from patients with CCHD compared with that from patients with non-cyanotic CHD(NCCHD).

Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy patients with desmoglein-2 variants are characterized by recessive inheritance and progressive heart failure:clinical and genetic features of a Chinese ARVC cohort

Background Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy(ARVC)is an inherited primary cardiomyopathy characterized by myocardial degeneration with fibro-fatty replacement.Clinical and genetic features of ARVC were well identified in Caucasian cohorts,but seldom examined in Chinese cohort.Our aim is to examine the genetic factor,genotype-phenotype correlations,and inheritance patterns of ARVC in a Chinese cohort.

Investigation and Analysis of Nutrition Components of Wild Chives Collected from Hezhang County of Guizhou Province

Guizhou Province is an important distribution area of wild onion resources,and a large area of wild( Chinese) chives are distributed in Hezhang County. In order to understand and study the distribution of wild chives,the geographical distribution,habitats and climate of wild chives in Hezhang County were investigated,and the main nutrition components of wild chives were analyzed. The results indicated that there were mainly three kinds of wild chives distributed in Hezhang County, including Allium wallichii Kunth., Allium ovalifolium Hand.-Mazz.( tentatively named),and Allium hookeri Thwaites( tentatively named). Among the 17 kinds of amino acids,except for proline,the content of other amino acids in wild chives was higher than that of the cultivated chives( Allaum tuberosum Rottler ex Spreng.). The sugar content of wild chives was significantly lower than the cultivated chives. Among nine trace elements,the manganese,zinc and iron content of A. ovalifolium Hand.-Mazz. were significantly higher than that of the cultivated chives and other wild chives. Among the four kinds of heavy metals,cadmium content in the three kinds of wild chives exceeded the limitation of the national standard,and cadmium content in A. ovalifolium Hand.-Mazz. was significantly higher than that of the others. Arsenic,mercury and lead content in A. ovalifolium Hand.-Mazz. also exceeded the limitation of the national standard. Vitamin C content in leaves and stalk of A. wallichii Kunth. in the original habits was higher than that of the cultivated chives. The biological characteristics and nutrition components of the wild chives from Hezhang County were significantly different from that of the cultivated chives. The collection and preservation of these resources are of great significance to the enriching of diversity of Chinese chive resources and has great development and utilization value to the improvement of nutritional quality of Chinese chives.

An artificial interphase enables stable PVDF-based solid-state Li metal batteries

Composite polymer electrolytes(CPEs)have attracted much attention for high energy density solid-state lithium-metal batteries owing to their flexibility,low cost,and easy scale-up.However,the unstable Li/CPE interface is always challengeable for the practical utilization of CPEs.Herein,a polymer interlayer containing K+prepared by ultraviolet(UV)-curing precursor solution is coated on Li surface to stabilize the interface between poly(vinylidene difluoride)(PVDF)composite electrolytes and Li anode.Benefiting from the physical barrier of the interlayer,the continuous decomposition of PVDF is restrained and the intimate contact between electrode and electrolyte is also achieved to reduce the interface impedance.Moreover,the added K+is utilized to further regulate smooth Li deposition.As a consequence,the symmetric Li|Li cell with coated Li demonstrates steady cycling at 0.4 mAh·cm^(-2) and a high critical current density of 1 mA·cm^(-2).The assembled Li|LiFePO_(4) cell presents outstanding cycling stability(capacity retention of 90%after 400 cycles at 1 C)and good rate performance.The associated pouch cell performs impressive flexibility and safety.This work provides a convenient strategy to achieve stable Li/PVDF interface for high-performance PVDF-based solid state Li metal batteries.

PBX/Knotted 1 homeobox-2(PKNOX2)is a novel regulator of myocardial fibrosis

Much effort has been made to uncover the cellular heterogeneities of human hearts by single-nucleus RNA sequencing.However,the cardiac transcriptional regulation networks have not been systematically described because of the limitations in detecting transcription factors.In this study,we optimized a pipeline for isolating nuclei and conducting single-nucleus RNA sequencing targeted to detect a higher number of cell signal genes and an optimal number of transcription factors.With this unbiased protocol,we characterized the cellular composition of healthy human hearts and investigated the transcriptional regulation networks involved in determining the cellular identities and functions of the main cardiac cell subtypes.Particularly in fibroblasts,a novel regulator,PKNOX2,was identified as being associated with physiological fibroblast activation in healthy hearts.To validate the roles of these transcription factors in maintaining homeostasis,we used single-nucleus RNA-sequencing analysis of transplanted failing hearts focusing on fibroblast remodelling.The trajectory analysis suggested that PKNOX2 was abnormally decreased from fibroblast activation to pathological myofibroblast formation.Both gain-and loss-of-function in vitro experiments demonstrated the inhibitory role of PKNOX2 in pathological fibrosis remodelling.Moreover,fibroblast-specific overexpression and knockout of PKNOX2 in a heart failure mouse model induced by transverse aortic constriction surgery significantly improved and aggravated myocardial fibrosis,respectively.In summary,this study established a high-quality pipeline for single-nucleus RNA-sequencing analysis of heart muscle.With this optimized protocol,we described the transcriptional regulation networks of the main cardiac cell subtypes and identified PKNOX2 as a novel regulator in suppressing fibrosis and a potential therapeutic target for future translational studies.

A Heterozygous Phospholamban Variant(p.R14del)Leads to Left Ventricular Involvement and Heart Failure Phenotypes in Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy

This study aimed to determine the prevalence and clinical features of Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy(ARVC)caused by pathogenic mutations in the Phospholamban(PLN)gene.The study included 170 patients who had a confrmed diagnosis of ARVC and underwent PLN genetic screening using next-generation sequencing.The fndings of this study provide valuable insights into the association between PLN mutations and ARVC,which can aid in the development of more efective diagnostic and treatment strategies for ARVC patients.Out of the patients evaluated,six had a rare pathogenic mutation in PLN with the same p.R14del variant.Family screening revealed that heterozygous carriers of p.R14del exhibited a defnite ARVC phenotype.In clinical studies,individuals with the p.R14del mutation experienced a similar rate of malignant arrhythmia events as those with classic desmosome mutations.After adjusting for covariates,individuals with PLN mutations had a two point one seven times greater likelihood of experiencing transplant-related risks compared to those who did not possess PLN mutations(95%CI 1.08–6.82,p=0.035).The accumulation of left ventricular fat and fbers is a pathological marker for ARVC patients with p.R14del mutations.In a cohort of 170 Chinese ARVC patients,three point fve percent of probands had the PLN pathogenic variant(p.R14del)and all were female.Our data shows that PLN-related ARVC patients are at high risk for ventricular arrhythmias and heart failure,which requires clinical diferentiation from classic ARVC.Furthermore,carrying the p.R14del mutation can be an independent prognostic risk factor in ARVC patients.

Metal-nitrogen-doped hybrid ionic/electronic conduction triple-phase interfaces for high-performance all-solid-state lithium-sulfur batteries

The point-to-point contact mechanism in all-solid-state Li-S batteries(ASSLSBs)is not as efficient as a liquid electrolyte which has superior mobility in the electrode,resulting in a slower reaction kinetics and inadequate ionic/electronic conduction network between the S(or Li_(2)S),conductive carbon,and solid-state electrolytes(SSEs)for achieving a swift(dis)charge reaction.Herein,a series of hybrid ionic/electronic conduction triple-phase interfaces with transition metal and nitrogen co-doping were designed.The graphitic ordered mesoporous carbon frameworks(TM-N-OMCs;TM=Fe,Co,Ni,and Cu)serve as hosts for Li_(2)S and Li_(6)PS_(5)Cl(LPSC)and provide abundant reaction sites on the triple interface.Results from both experimental and computational research display that the combination of Cu-N co-dopants can promote the Li-ion diffusion for rapid transformation of Li_(2)S with adequate ionic(6.73×10^(−4)S·cm^(−1))/electronic conductivities(1.77×10^(−2)S·cm^(−1))at 25℃.The as-acquired Li_(2)S/Cu-N-OMC/LPSC electrode exhibits a high reversible capacity(1147.7 mAh·g^(−1))at 0.1 C,excellent capacity retention(99.5%)after 500 cycles at 0.5 C,and high areal capacity(7.08 mAh·cm^(−2)).

三维分级复合固态电解质用于增强全固态锂金属电池界面相容性

复合固体电解质结合了聚合物固体电解质和无机固态电解质的优势,被认为是用于高能量密度全固态锂金属电池最有前景的电解质.但是,电极/电解质界面相容性差以及填料团聚阻碍了复合固态电解质的实用化进程.为解决上述问题,本文利用硅烷偶联剂(KH570)修饰Li_(6.4)La_(3)Zr_(2)Al_(0.2)O_(12)(KH@LLZO),通过原位聚合得到三维分级结构复合固态电解质.电解质中填料(KH@LLZO)含量高(80 wt%)的一侧提供刚性的屏障来抑制锂枝晶的生长;填料含量低(8 wt%)的一侧具有最优的离子电导率,赋予电池体系高效的锂离子传输.得益于电解质独特的分级结构,采用该电解质组装得到的对称锂电池具有0.9 mA cm^(-2)的临界电流密度,并且在0.3 mA h cm^(-2)的面容量下稳定循环超过600 h.组装的Li|LiFePO_(4)电池也展现了长循环稳定性(0.5 C电流密度下循环200圈,容量保持率为91.6%).此外,组装得到的软包电池表现出优异的柔韧性和安全性.本研究提出的采用表面修饰填料(KH@LLZO)构筑得到的分级结构复合固态电解质,为开发无枝晶、高性能全固态锂金属电池开辟了一条新途径.

I prostanoid receptor activation attenuates pressure overload-induced cardiac hypertrophy by enhancing glucose oxidation

Heart failure(HF)is one of the leading causes of mortality and morbidity worldwide.Despite current treatments can improve cardiac dysfunction in HF patients,the overall mortality rate remains high,indicating more effective therapeutic strategies for HF are needed.

Pan-genome of Raphanus highlights genetic variation and introgression among domesticated,wild,and weedy radishes

Post-polyploid diploidization associated with descending dysploidy and interspecific introgression drives plant genome evolution by unclear mechanisms.Raphanus is an economically and ecologically important Brassiceae genus and model system for studying post-polyploidization genome evolution and introgres-sion.Here,we report the de novo sequence assemblies for 11 genomes covering most of the typical sub-species and varieties of domesticated,wild and weedy radishes from East Asia,South Asia,Europe,and America.Divergence among the species,sub-species,and South/East Asian types coincided with Quaternary glaciations.A genus-level pan-genome was constructed with family-based,locus-based,and graph-based methods,and whole-genome comparisons revealed genetic variations ranging from single-nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs)to inversions and translocations of whole ancestral karyotype(AK)blocks.Extensive gene flow occurred between wild,weedy,and domesticated radishes.High fre-quencies of genome reshuffling,biased retention,and large-fragment translocation have shaped the genomic diversity.Most variety-specific gene-rich blocks showed large structural variations.Extensive translocation and tandem duplication of dispensable genes were revealed in two large rearrangement-rich islands.Disease resistance genes mostly resided on specific and dispensable loci.Variations causing the loss of function of enzymes modulating gibberellin deactivation were identified and could play an important role in phenotype divergence and adaptive evolution.This study provides new insights into the genomic evolution underlying post-polyploid diploidization and lays the foundation for genetic improve-ment of radish crops,biological control of weeds,and protection of wild species'germplasms.

SARS-CoV-2 treatment effects induced by ACE2-expressing microparticles are explained by the oxidized cholesterolincreased endosomal pH of alveolar macrophages

Exploring the cross-talk between the immune system and advanced biomaterials to treat SARS-CoV-2 infection is a promising strategy.Here,we show that ACE2-overexpressing A549 cell-derived microparticles(AO-MPs)are a potential therapeutic agent against SARS-CoV-2 infection.Intranasally administered AO-MPs dexterously navigate the anatomical and biological features of the lungs to enter the alveoli and are taken up by alveolar macrophages(AMs).Then,AO-MPs increase the endosomal pH but decrease the lysosomal pH in AMs,thus escorting bound SARS-CoV-2 from phago-endosomes to lysosomes for degradation.This pH regulation is attributable to oxidized cholesterol,which is enriched in AO-MPs and translocated to endosomal membranes,thus interfering with proton pumps and impairing endosomal acidification.In addition to promoting viral degradation,AO-MPs also inhibit the proinflammatory phenotype of AMs,leading to increased treatment efficacy in a SARS-CoV-2-infected mouse model without side effects.These findings highlight the potential use of AO-MPs to treat SARS-CoV-2-infected patients and showcase the feasibility of MP therapies for combatting emerging respiratory viruses in the future.

ACE2 expression is regulated by AhR in SARS-CoV-2-infected macaques

During the current outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2),more than 115 million people have been infected,and 2.5 million have died.1,2 Despite such great harm to human health,the pathogenesis of COVID-19 remains unclear.As the first step in the pathogenetic process,viral entry is mediated by the binding of the SARS-CoV-2 surface spike(S)protein to angiotensin-converting enzyme 2(ACE2)on host cells,such as lung epithelial cells.As an alternative to S protein-blocking strategies,manipulating host cell ACE2 expression may exert an inhibitory effect on SARS-CoV-2 infection.However,the molecular mechanism regulating ACE2 expression remains unclear.

Phenotypes of Cardiovascular Diseases:Current Status and Future Perspectives

Cardiovascular diseases(CVDs)are a large group of diseases and have become the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide.Although considerable progresses have been made in the diagnosis,treatment and prognosis of CVD,commu-nication barriers between clinicians and researchers still exist because the phenotypes of CVD are complex and diverse in clinical practice and lack of unity.Therefore,it is particularly important to establish a standardized and unified terminology to describe CVD.In recent years,there have been several studies,such as the Human Phenotype Ontology,attempting to provide a standardized description of the disease phenotypes.In the present article,we outline recent advances in the classification of the major types of CVD to retrospectively review the current progresses of phenotypic studies in the cardiovascular field and provide a reference for future cardiovascular research.

A case of big substernal goiter resection

Substernal goiter is considered to be a dia-gnostic differential for all anterosuperior mediastinal masses.For a substernal goiter,surgical removal is sug-gested when it is large in size,with a possibility for malig-nancy or has local compression of adjacent structures.This can be performed through the neck or by the addition of a partial or complete sternotomy if necessary.A 58-year-old Chinese man from Guangdong Province had had dry cough for a year.A subsequent CT scan in our hospital suggested‘‘ectopic intrathoracic thyroid’’.Fine needle percutaneous mass biopsy also suggested‘‘ectopic intrathoracic thyroid’’.We performed a standard median sternotomy to remove the mass.It measured 13 cm 68 cm 66 cm in size,and weighed 2.8 kg.The patho-logical diagnosis confirmed a benign thyroid adenoma.The patient had no hoarseness,dyspnea or hypocalcemia and was quickly extubated in the operating room.Recently,we encountered a big substernal goiter and had performed successful resection,which is reported here for reference.