The genome of the seagrass <i>Zostera marina</i> reveals angiosperm adaptation to the sea

Seagrasses colonized the sea on at least three independent occasions to form the basis of one of the most productive and widespread coastal ecosystems on the planet. Here we report the genome of Zostera marina (L.), the first, to our knowledge, marine angiosperm to be fully sequenced. This reveals unique insights into the genomic losses and gains involved in achieving the structural and physiological adaptations required for its marine lifestyle, arguably the most severe habitat shift ever accomplished by flowering plants. Key angiosperm innovations that were lost include the entire repertoire of stomatal genes, genes involved in the synthesis of terpenoids and ethylene signalling, and genes for ultraviolet protection and phytochromes for far-red sensing. Seagrasses have also regained functions enabling them to adjust to full salinity. Their cell walls contain all of the polysaccharides typical of land plants, but also contain polyanionic, low-methylated pectins and sulfated galactans, a feature shared with the cell walls of all macroalgae and that is important for ion homoeostasis, nutrient uptake and O2/CO2 exchange through leaf epidermal cells. The Z. marina genome resource will markedly advance a wide range of functional ecological studies from adaptation of marine ecosystems under climate warming, to unravelling the mechanisms of osmoregulation under high salinities that may further inform our understanding of the evolution of salt tolerance in crop plants

The genome of the seagrass Zostera marina reveals angiosperm adaptation to the sea

Seagrasses colonized the sea(1) on at least three independent occasions to form the basis of one of the most productive and widespread coastal ecosystems on the planet(2). Here we report the genome of Zostera marina (L.), the first, to our knowledge, marine angiosperm to be fully sequenced. This reveals unique insights into the genomic losses and gains involved in achieving the structural and physiological adaptations required for its marine lifestyle, arguably the most severe habitat shift ever accomplished by flowering plants. Key angiosperm innovations that were lost include the entire repertoire of stomatal genes(3), genes involved in the synthesis of terpenoids and ethylene signalling, and genes for ultraviolet protection and phytochromes for far-red sensing. Seagrasses have also regained functions enabling them to adjust to full salinity. Their cell walls contain all of the polysaccharides typical of land plants, but also contain polyanionic, low-methylated pectins and sulfated galactans, a feature shared with the cell walls of all macroalgae(4) and that is important for ion homoeostasis, nutrient uptake and O-2/CO2 exchange through leaf epidermal cells. The Z. marina genome resource will markedly advance a wide range of functional ecological studies from adaptation of marine ecosystems under climate warming(5,6), to unravelling the mechanisms of osmoregulation under high salinities that may further inform our understanding of the evolution of salt tolerance in crop plants(7)

Biosynthetic vascular graft: a valuable alternative to traditional replacement materials for treatment of prosthetic aortic graft infection?

Background and Aims: To report the experience of a tertiary vascular surgery center using Omniflow II (R) biosynthetic vascular grafts for treatment of prosthetic aortic graft infection. Materials and methods: Retrospective analysis of all patients with prosthetic graft infections who underwent in situ aortic reconstruction using Omniflow II (R) grafts or other conduits between March 2015 and May 2017. Early and late mortality, perioperative complications, and reinfection rate were analyzed. Results: Sixteen patients (14 males, median age 68.5, range 57-89) with prosthetic aortic graft infection were treated at our center. Eight patients received an Omniflow II (R) biosynthetic graft, two patients silver-triclosan coated grafts, three patients bovine pericardial tube grafts, and three patients composite bovine pericardial tube grafts with Omniflow II (R) graft extensions. Perioperative complications occurred in seven patients (43.8%). Early mortality rate was 18.7% (n = 3). In addition, four patients died during follow-up after a median of 11 months (range 0-34 months). We did not observe any reinfections. Bypass grafts were patent in all patients. No major limb amputations were performed during follow-up. Conclusion: Treatment of prosthetic aortic graft infection with Omniflow II (R) vascular grafts is feasible. Graft material seems to have an excellent resistance to infection and might be a valuable alternative to traditional replacement materials. Especially long-term durability has to be continuously monitored and documented