The complex jujube genome provides insights into fruit tree biology.

The jujube (Ziziphus jujuba Mill.), a member of family Rhamnaceae, is a major dry fruit and a traditional herbal medicine for more than one billion people. Here we present a high-quality sequence for the complex jujube genome, the first genome sequence of Rhamnaceae, using an integrated strategy. The final assembly spans 437.65 Mb (98.6% of the estimated) with 321.45 Mb anchored to the 12 pseudo-chromosomes and contains 32,808 genes. The jujube genome has undergone frequent inter-chromosome fusions and segmental duplications, but no recent whole-genome duplication. Further analyses of the jujube-specific genes and transcriptome data from 15 tissues reveal the molecular mechanisms underlying some specific properties of the jujube. Its high vitamin C content can be attributed to a unique high level expression of genes involved in both biosynthesis and regeneration. Our study provides insights into jujube-specific biology and valuable genomic resources for the improvement of Rhamnaceae plants and other fruit trees.

[Effect of "Xuebijing injection" on expression of high mobility group box-1 protein and acute liver injury in rats with scald injury].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of "Xuebijing injection" (Xuebijing in brief) on expression of hepatic high mobility group box-1 protein (HMGB1) and acute liver injury in rats with scald injury. METHODS: Seventy-eight rats were divided into sham scald group (n = 18), scald group (n = 30), and Xuebijing treatment group (n = 30). Rats in the latter 2 groups were subjected to 30% full-thickness scald injury followed with delayed resuscitation. These rats were sacrificed at 8th, 24th, and 72nd post-injury hour (PIH) to collect specimens. The hepatic pathological changes were observed. Serum levels of ALT and AST were detected. HMGB1 mRNA level in hepatic tissue was detected by the reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Protein relative expression quantity of HMGB1 in hepatic tissue was determined with Western blot and immunohistochemistry. Outcomes were denoted in integral absorbance ratio and absorbance value respectively. RESULTS: Massive infiltration of inflammatory cells in hepatic tissues was observed in scald group under light microscope, especially at 24th PIH, and it was decreased in quantity in Xuebijing treatment group. Compared with those of sham scald group, both mRNA and protein expressions of HMGB1 in hepatic tissue of scald group were significantly enhanced during 8-72 PIH (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01), along with markedly increased serum levels of ALT and AST (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). Compared with those in scald group at 24h and 72nd PIH, hepatic HMGB1 mRNA expressions (0.75 +/- 0.12 vs. 0.60 +/- 0.15 and 0.78 +/- 0.11 vs. 0.55 +/- 0.07, respectively) and protein values (200 +/- 13 vs. 163 +/- 13 and 175 +/- 14 vs. 160 +/- 16, respectively) in Xuebijing treatment group were markedly down-regulated (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01), and serum levels of ALT and AST decreased in different degrees (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: HMGB1, the delay-appearing inflammatory mediator, is involved in the pathogenesis of inflammatory response in hepatic tissue in severely scalded rats. Treatment with Xuebijing can markedly down-regulate hepatic HMGB1 expression and protect liver against acute injury induced by delayed resuscitation.

[Effect of Xuebijing injection on renal high mobility group box-1 protein expression and acute kidney injury in rats after scald injury].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the change in renal high mobility group box-1 protein (HMGB1) levels, and the effect of Chinese traditional medicine-Xuebijing injection on HMGB1 expression as well as acute kidney injury in rats after scald injury. METHODS: Wistar rats were subjected to 30% full-thickness scald injury followed with delayed resuscitation. Totally 78 animals were divided into sham scald group (n=18), scald injury group (n=30), and Xuebijing injection treatment group (n=30). All animals were sacrificed at 8, 24, and 72 hours postburn. Renal tissue and blood samples were harvested to determine HMGB1 mRNA as well as protein expression and organ functional parameters. HMGB1 mRNA level was semi-quantitatively measured by the reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction taking GAPDH as an internal standard, and protein expressions of HMGB1 were detected by both Western blot and immunohistochemistry. Serum creatinine (Cr) contents were measured by automatic biochemistry analyzer. In addition, pathological lesions in kidney were observed under light microscope using HE staining. RESULTS: Compared with sham scald group, both mRNA and protein expressions of HMGB1 were significantly enhanced in the kidney at 8, 24, and 72 hours after scald injury (P<0.05, P<0.01), meanwhile serum Cr contents were markedly increased following acute insults (P<0.05, P<0.01). Treatment with Xuebijing injection could markedly down-regulated renal HMGB1 mRNA expression and protein release at 24 hours and 72 hours (P<0.05, P<0.01), and significantly reduced serum Cr content following scald injury (P<0.05). Many inflammatory cells in renal tissues were observed using light microscope following scald. The histological morphology of kidney lesions was a-HMGB1, a late mediator, appears to be inmeliorated after treatment with Xuebijing injection. CONCLUSIONS: volved in the pathogenesis of excessive inflammatory response and acute kidney damage. Treatment with Xuebijing injection can inhibit HMGB1 synthesis and release in renal tissues, and may prevent the development of acute kidney injury induced by serious scald injury.