A Chromosome-Level Genome Assembly of Toona ciliata (Meliaceae).

Toona ciliata Roem is an important timber species in the Toona genus of the Meliaceae family and an endangered species due to over-cutting and a low rate of natural regeneration in China. Although molecular markers have been applied to studying population genetic diversity, the absence of a reliable reference genome limits in-depth genetic conservation and evolutionary studies of this species. Here, we reported a high-quality assembly of the whole genome sequence of T. ciliata. The total assembled genome has 520.64 Mb in length anchored on 28 chromosomes (contig N50 = 4.48 Mb). A total of 42,159 genes were predicted after the ab initio, homology-based, and transcriptome analyses. A total of 41,284 protein-encoding genes (97.92%) were functionally annotated and 1,246 non-coding RNAs were identified in the T. ciliata genome. Phylogenomic analysis showed that T. ciliata was divergent at 15.06 (6-25) Ma from T. sinensis of the same genus Toona. This whole genome sequence provides a valuable resource to study the genetic conservation and molecular evolution of T. ciliata in the future.

[The study on oral carcinoma-associated fibroblast promoting the proliferation of lingual carcinoma cell line].

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was in vitro to investigate the effects of oral carcinoma-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) on the proliferation of lingual carcinoma cells. METHODS: The interaction model between primary oral CAFs and a lingual carcinoma cell line Tca8113 was established for this study project. The effects of CAFs on the viability and cell cycle of Tca8113 were investigated through morphological observation, MTT assay and flow cytometry. RESULTS: After oral CAFs interacted with Tca8113 directly, Tca8113 showed the cellular shape changes in morphology; compared with normal fibroblasts (NFs), CAFs enhanced the viability of Tca8113 (P<0.05), and increased the percentage of carcinoma cells in S phase and G2 phase (48.1% vs 40.0%). CONCLUSION: Oral CAFs can promote the proliferation of the lingual carcinoma cell line Tca8113 in vitro, and may play a key role in the progression of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC).

[Topical thalidomide having good effect on refractory chronic discoid lupus erythematosus: a case report].

Systemic thalidomide has good effect on refractory chronic discoid lupus erythematosus (CDLE) whereas topical regimen of it has not been reported previously. In this paper, a case of refractory CDLE cured with topical thalidomide in clinic was reported and the feasibility of topical therapy was reviewed.

[Investigation of the degradation and the mechanisms of artificial basement membrane co-cultured with oral carcinoma-associated fibroblasts].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the degradation of artificial basement membrane (matrigel) co-cultured with oral carcinoma-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and its possible mechanism. METHODS: CAFs and normal fibroblasts (NFs) were incubated on matrigel for 24, 48, 72 h. Equivalent amounts of conditioned medium were collected and assayed for total protein, hydroxyproline and matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) activity by gelatin zymography. RESULTS: Oral CAFs were superior to oral NFs in total protein and hydroxyproline density, CAFs present more pro-MMP-2 and activated MMP-2. CONCLUSION: CAFs were superior to NFs in degradation of matrigel. CAFs might play a key role in the reconstitution of extracellular matrix and the progression of tumor.