Efficient purging of deleterious mutations contributes to the survival of a rare conifer.

Cupressaceae is a conifer family rich in plants of horticultural importance, including Cupressus, Chamaecyparis, Juniperus, and Thuja, yet genomic surveys are lacking for this family. Cupressus gigantea, one of the many rare conifers that are threatened by climate change and anthropogenic habitat fragmentation, plays an ever-increasing role in ecotourism in Tibet. To infer how past climate change has shaped the population evolution of this species, we generated a de novo chromosome-scale genome (10.92 Gb) and compared the species' population history and genetic load with that of a widespread close relative, C. duclouxiana. Our demographic analyses, based on 83 re-sequenced individuals from multiple populations of the two species, revealed a sharp decline of population sizes during the first part of the Quaternary. However, populations of C. duclouxiana then started to recover, while C. gigantea populations continued to decrease until recently. The total genomic diversity of C. gigantea is smaller than that of C. duclouxiana, but contrary to expectations, C. gigantea has fewer highly and mildly deleterious mutations than C. duclouxiana, and simulations and statistical tests support purifying selection during prolonged inbreeding as the explanation. Our results highlight the evolutionary consequences of decreased population size on the genetic burden of a long-lived endangered conifer with large genome size and suggest that genetic purging deserves more attention in conservation management.

Efficient photo-driven ion pump through slightly reduced vertical graphene oxide membranes.

Solar energy can be harvested using biological light-driven ion pumps for the sustainability of life. It remains a significant challenge to develop high-performance artificial light-driven ion pumps for solar energy harvesting in all solid-state materials. Here, we exploit the benefits of short channel lengths and efficient light absorption to demonstrate efficient photo-driven ion transport in slightly reduced vertical graphene oxide membranes (GOMs). Remarkably, this photo-driven ion pump exhibits excellent ability, countering a 10-fold electrolyte concentration gradient. We propose a plausible mechanism where light illumination enhances the electric potential of ion channels on GOMs triggered by the separation of photoexcited charge carriers between the sp2 and sp3 carbon clusters. This results in the establishment of an electric potential difference across the effective ion channels composed of sp3 carbon clusters, thus driving the directional transport of cations from the illuminated side to the non-illuminated side. The promising results of this study provide new possibilities for the application of vertical 2D nanofluidic membranes in areas such as artificial photosynthesis, light harvesting, and water treatment.

Photochromic Azobenzene Inverse Opal Film toward Dynamic Anti-Fake Pattern.

Azobenzene mesogens have garnered considerable research attention in the realm of photo-responsive materials due to their reversible trans-cis isomerization. In this paper, we demonstrate an azobenzene inverse opal film synthesized via photo-polymerization from a SiO2 opal template. The proposed design exhibits intriguing optical properties, including dynamic fluorescent features, distinct fluorescent enhancement, and an anti-fake micropattern with a switchable structure color. This work holds significant importance for advancing the development of novel optical devices.

Using human genetics to understand the phenotypic association between chronotype and breast cancer.

Little is known regarding the shared genetic influences underlying the observed phenotypic association between chronotype and breast cancer in women. Leveraging summary statistics from the hitherto largest genome-wide association study conducted in each trait, we investigated the genetic correlation, pleiotropic loci, and causal relationship of chronotype with overall breast cancer, and with its subtypes defined by the status of oestrogen receptor. We identified a negative genomic correlation between chronotype and overall breast cancer ( r g $$ {r}_g $$ = -0.06, p = 3.00 × 10-4 ), consistent across oestrogen receptor-positive ( r g $$ {r}_g $$ = -0.05, p = 3.30 × 10-3 ) and oestrogen receptor-negative subtypes ( r g $$ {r}_g $$ = -0.05, p = 1.11 × 10-2 ). Five specific genomic regions were further identified as contributing a significant local genetic correlation. Cross-trait meta-analysis identified 78 loci shared between chronotype and breast cancer, of which 23 were novel. Transcriptome-wide association study revealed 13 shared genes, targeting tissues of the nervous, cardiovascular, digestive, and exocrine/endocrine systems. Mendelian randomisation demonstrated a significantly reduced risk of overall breast cancer (odds ratio 0.89, 95% confidence interval 0.83-0.94; p = 1.30 × 10-4 ) for genetically predicted morning chronotype. No reverse causality was found. Our work demonstrates an intrinsic link underlying chronotype and breast cancer, which may provide clues to inform management of sleep habits to improve female health.

Chromosome-level de novo genome assembly of two conifer-parasitic wasps, Megastigmus duclouxiana and Megastigmus sabinae, reveals genomic imprints of adaptation to hosts.

Conifers make up about one third of global forests but are threatened by seed parasitoid wasp species. Many of these wasps belong to the genus Megastigmus, yet little is known about their genomic background. In this study, we provide chromosome-level genome assemblies for two oligophagous conifer parasitoid species of Megastigmus, which represent the first two chromosome-level genomes of the genus. The assembled genomes of Megastigmus duclouxiana and M. sabinae are 878.48 Mb (scaffold N50 of 215.60 Mb) and 812.98 Mb (scaffold N50 of 139.16 Mb), respectively, which are larger than the genome size of most hymenopterans due to the expansion of transposable elements. Expanded gene families highlight the difference in sensory-related genes between the two species, reflecting the difference in their hosts. We further found that these two species have fewer family members but more single-gene duplications than polyphagous congeners in the gene families of ATP-binding cassette transporter (ABC), cytochrome P450 (P450) and olfactory receptors (OR). These findings shed light on the pattern of adaptation to a narrow spectrum of hosts in oligophagous parasitoids. Our findings suggest potential drivers underlying genome evolution and parasitism adaptation, and provide valuable resources for understanding the ecology, genetics and evolution of Megastigmus, as well as for the research and biological control of global conifer forest pests.

Intracranial peak pressure as a predictor for perioperative mortality after spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage evacuation and decompressive craniectomy.

BACKGROUND: An optimal intracranial pressure (ICP) management target is not well defined in patients with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage. The aim of this study was to explore the association between perioperative ICP monitoring parameters and mortality of patients with spontaneous intracerebral hematoma undergoing emergency hematoma removal and decompressive craniectomy (DC), to provide evidence for a target-oriented ICP management. METHODS: The clinical and radiological features of 176 consecutive patients with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage that underwent emergent hematoma evacuation and DC were reviewed. The Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) and Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) scores were assessed 2 weeks after surgery. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify predictors for perioperative death. RESULTS: Forty-four cases (25.0%) were assigned to the ICP group. In patients with an ICP monitor, the median peak ICP value was 25.5 mmHg; 50% of them had a peak ICP value of more than 25 mmHg. The median duration of ICP > 25 mmHg was 2 days. Without a target-specific ICP management, the mortality at 2 weeks after surgery was similar between patients with or without an ICP monitor (27.3% versus 18.2%, p = 0.20). In multivariable analysis, the peak ICP value (OR 1.11, 95% CI 1.004-1.234, p = 0.04) was significantly associated with perioperative death in the ICP group. The area under ROC curve of peak ICP value was 0.78 (95%CI 0.62-0.94) for predicting mortality, with a cut-off value of 31 mmHg. CONCLUSION: Compared with a persistent hyperintracranial pressure, a high ICP peak value might provide a better prediction for the mortality of patients with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage evacuation and DC, suggesting a tailored ICP management protocol to decrease ICP peak value.

Reproduction and genetic diversity of Juniperus squamata along an elevational gradient in the Hengduan Mountains.

Elevation plays a crucial factor in the distribution of plants, as environmental conditions become increasingly harsh at higher elevations. Previous studies have mainly focused on the effects of large-scale elevational gradients on plants, with little attention on the impact of smaller-scale gradients. In this study we used 14 microsatellite loci to survey the genetic structure of 332 Juniperus squamata plants along elevation gradient from two sites in the Hengduan Mountains. We found that the genetic structure (single, clonal, mosaic) of J. squamata shrubs is affected by differences in elevational gradients of only 150 m. Shrubs in the mid-elevation plots rarely have a clonal or mosaic structure compared to shrubs in lower- or higher-elevation plots. Human activity can significantly affect genetic structure, as well as reproductive strategy and genetic diversity. Sub-populations at mid-elevations had the highest yield of seed cones, lower levels of asexual reproduction and higher levels of genetic diversity. This may be due to the trade-off between elevational stress and anthropogenic disturbance at mid-elevation since there is greater elevational stress at higher-elevations and greater intensity of anthropogenic disturbance at lower-elevations. Our findings provide new insights into the finer scale genetic structure of alpine shrubs, which may improve the conservation and management of shrublands, a major vegetation type on the Hengduan Mountains and the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.

Investigating the shared genetic architecture of uterine leiomyoma and breast cancer: A genome-wide cross-trait analysis.

Little is known regarding the shared genetic architecture or causality underlying the phenotypic association observed for uterine leiomyoma (UL) and breast cancer (BC). Leveraging summary statistics from the hitherto largest genome-wide association study (GWAS) conducted in each trait, we investigated the genetic overlap and causal associations of UL with BC overall, as well as with its subtypes defined by the status of estrogen receptor (ER). We observed a positive genetic correlation between UL and BC overall (rg = 0.09, p = 6.00 × 10-3), which was consistent in ER+ subtype (rg = 0.06, p = 0.01) but not in ER- subtype (rg = 0.06, p = 0.08). Partitioning the whole genome into 1,703 independent regions, local genetic correlation was identified at 22q13.1 for UL with BC overall and with ER+ subtype. Significant genetic correlation was further discovered in 9 out of 14 functional categories, with the highest estimates observed in coding, H3K9ac, and repressed regions. Cross-trait meta-analysis identified 9 novel loci shared between UL and BC. Mendelian randomization demonstrated a significantly increased risk of BC overall (OR = 1.09, 95% CI = 1.01-1.18) and ER+ subtype (OR = 1.09, 95% CI = 1.01-1.17) for genetic liability to UL. No reverse causality was found. Our comprehensive genome-wide cross-trait analysis demonstrates a shared genetic basis, pleiotropic loci, as well as a putative causal relationship between UL and BC, highlighting an intrinsic link underlying these two complex female diseases.

The complete chloroplast genome sequence of Athrotaxis cupressoides.

Athrotaxis cupressoides (Cupressaceae) is a Tasmanian endemic conifer. It is mainly threatened by habitat fragmentation and limited distribution, yet little is known about its genomic background. In this study, the complete chloroplast (cp) genome of the species was assembled and annotated. The cp genome of A. cupressoides is a circular of 134,248 bp in size, where the inverted repeat regions (IRs) were lost. A total of 112 unique genes were annotated, including 78 proteins-coding genes, four rRNA genes, and 30 tRNA genes. The maximum likelihood (ML) phylogenetic tree indicates that the subfamily Athrotaxidoideae, to which A. cupressoides belongs, is sister to a clade including four subfamilies including Sequoioideae, Taxodioideae, Cupressoideae, and Callitroideae. The complete cp genome will be helpful to further studies on the conservation of this species and the evolutionary history of Cupressaceae.

[Application of continuous monitoring of intracranial pressure and brain oxygen partial pressure in the treatment of patients with severe craniocerebral injury].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of continuous monitoring intracranial pressure (ICP) and brain oxygen partial pressure (PbtO2) on the prognosis of patients with severe craniocerebral injury. METHODS: A prospective randomized controlled trial was conducted. Seventy patients with severe craniocerebral injury with a Glasgow coma score (GCS) 4-8 admitted to the neurosurgical intensive care unit (NICU) of the People's Hospital of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region from January 2017 to May 2020 were enrolled, and they were divided into ICP monitoring group and ICP+PbtO2 monitoring group by random number table. Patients in ICP monitoring group received ICP monitoring and were given traditional treatment of controlling ICP and cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP), the therapeutic target was ICP < 20 mmHg (1 mmHg = 0.133 kPa) and CPP > 60 mmHg. Patients in ICP+PbtO2 monitoring group were given ICP and PbtO2 monitoring at the same time, and oxygen flow was adjusted on the basis of controlling ICP and CPP to maintain the PbtO2 > 20 mmHg, and the therapeutic target of ICP and CPP was the same as the ICP monitoring group. ICP and PbtO2 values were recorded during monitoring in the two groups, the results of CPP, GCS and arterial blood gas analysis were recorded, and the prognosis at 3 months and 6 months after injury was compared by Glasgow outcome scale (GOS) score between the two groups. GOS score > 3 was considered as good prognosis. Kaplan-Meier survival curve was drawn, and the 3-month and 6-month cumulative survival rates of the two groups were analyzed. Linear regression analysis was used to further evaluate the relationship between PbtO2 and GOS score. RESULTS: Finally, a total of 70 patients with severe craniocerebral injury were enrolled in the analysis, 34 patients received ICP combined with PbtO2 monitoring and guided therapy, and 36 patients received ICP monitoring alone. The average ICP of ICP+PbtO2 monitoring group was significantly lower than that of ICP monitoring group (mmHg: 13.4±3.2 vs. 18.2±8.3, P < 0.01). Although the CPP in both groups was great than 60 mmHg, the average CPP of ICP+PbtO2 monitoring group was significantly higher than that of ICP monitoring group (mmHg: 82.1±10.5 vs. 74.5±11.6, P < 0.01). No significant difference was found in average GCS score or arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO2) between the ICP+PbtO2 monitoring group and ICP monitoring group [GCS score: 5.3±2.3 vs. 5.2±2.2, PaCO2 (mmHg): 33.5±4.8 vs. 32.6±5.2, both P > 0.05]. The average arterial partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2) of ICP+PbtO2 monitoring group was obviously higher than that of ICP monitoring group (mmHg: 228.4±93.6 vs. 167.3±81.2, P < 0.01). Compared with the ICP monitoring group, the good outcome rates of 3 months and 6 months after injury in the ICP+PbtO2 monitoring group were significantly higher (3 months: 67.6% vs. 38.9%, 6 months: 70.6% vs. 41.7%, both P < 0.05). Kaplan-Meier survival curve showed that the 3-month and 6-month cumulative survival rates of ICP+PbtO2 monitoring group were significantly higher than those of ICP monitoring group (3 months: 85.3% vs. 61.1%, Log-Rank test: χ2 = 5.171, P = 0.023; 6 months: 79.4% vs. 55.6%, Log-Rank test: χ2 = 4.511, P = 0.034). Linear regression analysis showed that PbtO2 was significantly correlated with GOS score at 3 months and 6 months after injury in patients with severe craniocerebral injury (r values were 0.951 and 0.933, both P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: PbtO2 compared with ICP monitoring guiding therapy is valuable in improving the prognosis of patients with severe craniocerebral injury. It can improve the prognosis at 3-6 months after injury.

Effects of engrafted neural stem cells derived from GFP transgenic mice in Parkinson's diseases rats.

This study evaluated the therapeutic effect of neural stem cells (NSCs) transplanted into Parkinson's disease (PD) rats. NSCs were identified in vitro, then engrafted into the striatum of the PD rats. The rotational behavior was evaluated 1, 2, 4 and 6 weeks. A significant rotational behavior improvement was observed in PD rats subjected to cell transplantation. Transplanted NSCs not only express Nerve growth factor and Neurotrophin-3 in vitro, but also survive and partly differentiate into tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) positive cells in vivo. The results show that NSCs could be effective for PD treatment and the mechanisms might involve the neurotrophin expression and the neural differentiation.