MicroRNA-210 Suppresses Junction Proteins and Disrupts Blood-Brain Barrier Integrity in Neonatal Rat Hypoxic-Ischemic Brain Injury.

Cerebral edema, primarily caused by disruption of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), is one of the serious complications associated with brain injury in neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE). Our recent study demonstrated that the hypoxic-ischemic (HI) treatment significantly increased microRNA-210 (miR-210) in the neonatal rat brain and inhibition of miR-210 provided neuroprotection in neonatal HI brain injury. The present study aims to determine the role of miR-210 in the regulation of BBB integrity in the developing brain. miR-210 mimic was administered via intracerebroventricular injection (i.c.v.) into the brain of rat pups. Forty-eight hours after the injection, a modified Rice-Vannucci model was conducted to produce HI brain injury. Post-assays included cerebral edema analysis, western blotting, and immunofluorescence staining for serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) leakage. The results showed that miR-210 mimic exacerbated cerebral edema and IgG leakage into the brain parenchyma. In contrast, inhibition of miR-210 with its complementary locked nucleic acid oligonucleotides (miR-210-LNA) significantly reduced cerebral edema and IgG leakage. These findings suggest that miR-210 negatively regulates BBB integrity i n the neonatal brain. Mechanistically, the seed sequences of miR-210 were identified complementary to the 3' untranslated region (3' UTR) of the mRNA transcripts of tight junction protein occludin and adherens junction protein β-catenin, indicating downstream targets of miR-210. This was further validated by in vivo data showing that miR-210 mimic significantly reduced the expression of these junction proteins in rat pup brains. Of importance, miR-210-LNA preserved the expression of junction proteins occludin and β-catenin from neonatal HI insult. Altogether, the present study reveals a novel mechanism of miR-210 in impairing BBB integrity that contributes to cerebral edema formation after neonatal HI insult, and provides new insights in miR-210-LNA mediated neuroprotection in neonatal HI brain injury

Repression of the Glucocorticoid Receptor Aggravates Acute Ischemic Brain Injuries in Adult Mice.

Strokes are one of the leading causes of mortality and chronic morbidity in the world, yet with only limited successful interventions available at present. Our previous studies revealed the potential role of the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) in the pathogenesis of neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE). In the present study, we investigate the effect of GR knockdown on acute ischemic brain injuries in a model of focal cerebral ischemia induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) in adult male CD1 mice. GR siRNAs and the negative control were administered via intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injection 48 h prior to MCAO. The cerebral infarction volume and neurobehavioral deficits were determined 48 h after MCAO. RT-qPCR was employed to assess the inflammation-related gene expression profiles in the brain before and after MCAO. Western Blotting was used to evaluate the expression levels of GR, the mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) and the brain-derived neurotrophic factor/tropomyosin receptor kinase B (BDNF/TrkB) signaling. The siRNAs treatment decreased GR, but not MR, protein expression, and significantly enhanced expression levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α) in the brain. Of interest, GR knockdown suppressed BDNF/TrkB signaling in adult mice brains. Importantly, GR siRNA pretreatment significantly increased the infarction size and exacerbated the neurobehavioral deficits induced by MCAO in comparison to the control group. Thus, the present study demonstrates the important role of GR in the regulation of the inflammatory responses and neurotrophic BDNF/TrkB signaling pathway in acute ischemic brain injuries in adult mice, revealing a new insight into the pathogenesis and therapeutic potential in acute ischemic strokes

Examining Road Traffic Mortality Status in China: A Simulation Study

Background Data from the Chinese police service suggest substantial reductions in road traffic injuries since 2002, but critics have questioned the accuracy of those data, especially considering conflicting data reported by the health department. Methods To address the gap between police and health department data and to determine which may be more accurate, we conducted a simulation study based on the modified Smeed equation, which delineates a non-linear relation between road traffic mortality and the level of motorization in a country or region. Our goal was to simulate trends in road traffic mortality in China and compare performances in road traffic safety management between China and 13 other countries. Results Chinese police data indicate a peak in road traffic mortalities in 2002 and a significant and a gradual decrease in population-based road traffic mortality since 2002. Health department data show the road traffic mortality peaked in 2012. In addition, police data suggest China’s road traffic mortality peaked at a much lower motorization level (0.061 motor vehicles per person) in 2002, followed by a reduction in mortality to a level comparable to that of developed countries. Simulation results based on health department data suggest high road traffic mortality, with a mortality peak in 2012 at a moderate motorization level (0.174 motor vehicles per person). Comparisons to the other 13 countries suggest the health data from China may be more valid than the police data. Conclusion Our simulation data indicate China is still at a stage of high road traffic mortality, as suggested by health data, rather than a stage of low road traffic mortality, as suggested by police data. More efforts are needed to integrate safety into road design, improve road traffic management, improve data quality, and alter unsafe behaviors of pedestrians, drivers and passengers in China

PO-305 An 8-week, low carbohydrate, high fat, ketogenic diet enhanced exercise capacity through improved ketolysis and lipolysis in mice

Objective Carbohydrates, lipids and proteins are utilized both for energy production and structure of body. Among them, protein is the most important component of our body, carbohydrates and lipids are more flexible for energy supply system. Due to carbohydrate pitfall and lipid reserve abundance, coaches and elite athletes aspirate for an effective way to enhance fat utilization. Meanwhile, intramuscular triacylglycerol (IMTG) is a special way for skeletal muscle to store lipids. During exercise, IMTG may contribute up to 20% of total energy turnover, thus contribute significantly for ATP synthesis during exercise. However, abnormal or excessive fat deposition in skeletal muscle may induce insulin resistance as well. Intramuscular lipolysis regulation is crucial for energy supply system during exercise. It is reported by Amati and colleagues that well-trained athletes exhibit higher levels of IMTG and diacylglycerol (DAG) as well as well-preserved sensitivity to insulin, indicating lipolysis ability may be enhanced during exercise. In our previous study, we reported that an 8-week, a low carbohydrate, ketogenic diet increased running time till exhausted in male C57BL6/J mice, presuming the mechanism to be enhanced fat utilization. In the present study, we observed the alternation pattern of messenger RNAs related to lipid mobilization, fatty acid utilization and ketone body oxidation in muscle and adipose tissue immediately after exercise in both Type 1 and Type 2 muscle fibers. Materials and Methods Male C57BL/6J mice (n = 35) were purchased from Takasugi Experimental Animals Supply (Kasukabe, Japan) at 7 weeks of age. All mice were randomly divided into four groups: chow diet (control: Con), including chow diet, sedentary (n = 8) and chow diet plus exercise (Con + Ex, n = 9), ketogenic diet (KD), including KD, sedentary, n = 9, and KD plus exercise (KD + Ex, n = 9) groups. A KD diet TP-201450 (consisting of 76.1% fat, 8.9% protein and 3.5% carbohydrate, 7.342 kcal/g) and a chow diet AIN93G (consisting of 7% fat, 17.8% protein and 64.3% carbohydrate, 3.601 kcal/g) wt/wt were obtained from Trophic (TROPHIC Animal Feed High-tech Co., Ltd., Nantong, Jiangsu, China). Mice were maintained on ad libitum chow diet or KD. Total RNA was extracted from the gastrocnemius muscle, soleus muscle and epididymal adipose tissue using the RNeasy Mini Kit or RNeasy Lipid Mini Kit (Qiagen, Valencia, CA) according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Total RNA was reverse transcribed to cDNA using the High Capacity cDNA Reverse Transcription Kit (Applied Biosystems, Foster City, CA) according to the manufacturer’s instructions. PCR was performed with the Fast 7500 real-time PCR system (Applied Biosystems) using the Fast SYBR® Green PCR Master Mix (Applied Biosystems). Plasma IL-6 was measured using a R&D Mouse ELISA Duo set (R&D Systems, Minneapolis, USA) according to the manufacture’s instructions. Plasma glycerol was measured using Glycerol Colorimetric Assay Kit (Cayman Chemical Co., Ann Arbor, MI, USA). Results and Discussion 3.1 IL-6 concentration and exercise-induced myokine IL-6 mRNA alternation in both muscle fiber IL-6 plays essential roles in immune responses. However, exercise induced IL-6 is reported to be able to stimulate lipolysis both in IMTG pool intramuscularly and adipocytes. Defined as exercise factor, or so-called myokines, muscle-derived IL-6 exhibits regulating function in various experiment circumstances. Recombinant human IL-6 infusion showed an enhanced lipolysis and fat oxidation capacity in human subjects. Genetically IL-6 deficient mice presented a reduced ability on lipolysis and fatty acid oxidation. During KD administration, fat oxidation is no doubt the predominant, if not the only origin of energy, this make us to suspect IL-6 may be altered by acute exercise. As shown in Figure 1, IL-6 mRNA increased rapidly, with a nearly 100-fold change in slow-twitch muscle fiber, and KD helped to this up-regulation. Transcription IL-6 level increased significantly in KD, compared to Con group subject, in soleus muscle, under the context of exhaustive exercise. This makes us to suspect that IL-6 may contribute to enhanced lipolysis and fatty acid mobilization. However, the effect is not observed in fast-twitch muscle. The result indicated that IL-6 mRNA expression exhibited a muscle fiber specification. Slow-twitch muscle fiber contributes more to endurance exercise, as fast-twitch muscle fiber mainly contributes to explosive strength and acceleration. The difference of fiber function leads to a different secretion mode of IL-6. The error bar is high in both exercise group. We observed an interesting phenomenon: the mice who quit at around 200 minutes has the highest IL-6 mRNA expression (gastrocnemius muscle) and plasma IL-6 concentration in both groups. One reason may be that, as the exercise taking on and gradually reach final fatigue, the call for fatty acid decreases with time. As shown in Figure 2, both muscular IL-6 protein and plasma IL-6 were increased by exhaustive exercise. However, plasma IL-6 is significantly lower in the KD plus exercise group, though IL-6 rose nearly 5-fold in control feed group, it only rose to 2.5-fold in the KD group after exercise.  For this phenomenon, the best explanation is that the well-adaption of lipid-centered metabolism, including metabolic flexibility and increased IMTG reservoir weakened the need to pull the trigger; this may also be the answer why KD mice had lower weight. 3.2 Fatty acid mobilation related RNA alternation after exhaustive exercise under endogenous ketosis in epididymal adipose tissue Adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL) is also known as desnutrin in the first place, is a kind of lipase whose substance is patatin-like phospholipase domain-containing protein. Hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) is also known as cholesteryl ester hydrolase (CEH), is another intracellular neutral lipase. ATGL and HSL cooperated to break apart fatty acids from TG, after which IMTG-origin fatty acid will be directly used for beta-oxidation, or lipid drop-origin fatty acids will be transported though lipoprotein shipping in the form of VLDL from adipose tissue into muscle fibers during exercise. As shown in Figure 3, mRNA expression levels of lipase were significantly enhanced by KD or exercise, indicating the up-regulated lipid mobilization and utilization ability is enhanced by exercise in adipocytes. However, KD plus exercise reversed this increase. One plausible explain for this phenomenon is the lack of plasma IL-6, thus the ability to mobilize fatty acid from adipose tissue is reduced. Adrenergic blocking agents are reported to harm fatty acid mobilization during fasting, and IL-6 is reported to function as adrenergic hormone. Adipocyte-specific HSL deficiency mice present lowered submaximal exercise capacity. Our experiment design, the protocol for treadmill running is similar to a submaximal exercise. Under this circumstance, fat mobilization seems to be critical. Loss of this mobilizing ability, while exercise capacity is yet enhanced, makes us to suspect whether IMTG plays dominant role in this process. 3.3 Ketolytic RNA alternation after exhaustive exercise under conditions of endogenous ketosis in Type 1 and Type 2 muscle fiber Ketolysis is a complete oxidation of ketone bodies. Ketone bodies are utilized by mitochondria of extrahepatic tissues via a series of enzymatic reactions. Ketolysis is regulated by a rate-limiting enzyme 3-oxoacid CoA-transferase 1 (OXCT)-1 and hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase (HBDH). Thus, we measured the transcriptional alternation of these enzymes in different muscle tissues. In our previous study, plasma ketone body (KB) increased rapidly in the sedentary KD group. However, after exhaustive exercise, blood KB of those KD mice dropped dramatically, while situation of blood KD in the Con mice showed a different figure. These results indicated that 1n 8-week KD administration has improved ketolysis, the ability for subjects to utilize KB. To investigate the mechanism of this enhancement, we assessed key enzymes in ketolysis in both fiber types. As shown in Figure 4, gene expressions of these enzymes also present a fiber-specification. Since fast-twitch muscle fiber plays a second role in endurance exercise, exercise did not alter ketolytic enzymes in the transcriptional level, in gastrocnemius tissue. However, in the slow-twitch muscle fiber, it was changed. HBDH is up-regulated significantly in the case of KD plus exercise. Results here indicated that HBDH plays the key role in the improvement of exercise capacity by an 8-week KD. 3.4 Lipolysis- and fatty acid oxidation related RNA alternation after exhaustive exercise during endogenous ketosis in Type 1 and Type 2muscle fiber After reaching working site, muscle lipoprotein lipase (LPL) hydrolyzes VLDL and harvests fatty acids at last, which will be finally utilized as primary fuel. Carnitine palmitoyl transferase (CPT)-1A, acyl-CoA oxidase (ACO), hydroxyacyl-coenzyme A dehydrogenase (HADH), medium chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (MCAD) and malonyl-CoA decarboxylase (MCD) are key regulating enzymes during fatty acid beta-oxidation. And for IMTG, the fatty acid is harvest by intramuscular lipase, ATGL and HSL. In an article published several years ago, the authors called adipose ATGL and HSL, “the mover and shaker of muscle lipolysis”. As shown in Figure 5, both ATGL and HSL mRNA expression are up-regulated by KD, but not by exhaustive exercise. Combined with results in the above part, enhanced mobilization of fatty acid intramuscularly is the main factor, but not the mobilization from adipocyte. LPL mRNA expression in gastrocnemius exhibited the same pattern of lipase mRNA synthesized by adipose tissue. Combined together, the reduced fatty mobilization from adipocyte, partly being the results of higher blood NEFA and TG, accompanied with enhanced fatty acid gain from IMTG pool, need for LPL was reduced.  As shown in Figure 6, in fast-twitch muscle fiber, CPT-1a, ACO and HADH mRNA expressions are enhanced by KD during exhaustive exercise. In slow-twitch muscle fiber, feed played as a main factor regulating fatty acid oxidation. CPT1a, MCAD and MCD mRNA expressions are enhanced. In summary, though tissue specific specificity were observed, overall ability of intramuscular fatty acid mobilization and fatty acid oxidation were enhanced by an 8-week KD feeding, thus contributed to exercise capacity. Compared to a glucose-centered metabolic system, a long-term KD feeding leads to establishment of a fatty acid oxidation-centered metabolic system. Metabolic flexibility is used as a term for the ability to adapt to conditional change in metabolic demand, and an 8-week KD helped established lipid-focused metabolic system through keto-adaption, thus increasing the metabolic flexibility. This is not a denial for the conception “glycogen loading” before competitions, while adequate KD meal may help our body to be more flexible during fuel choosing. Moderate training may enhance the ability to utilize ketone bodies as well as fatty acid, or to increase fatty acid mobilization from adipose tissue. Further investigation is urged to be carried out.   Conclusions In the present study, we investigated how an 8-week KD remodeled adipose and muscle metabolic adaptation towards ketolysis, lipolysis and fatty acid oxidation under the circumstance of exhaustive exercise. Along with enhanced fatty acid oxidation capacity, KD also enhanced fatty acid mobilization capacity, ketolysis and lipolysis. These results revealed that an 8-week KD administration enhance exercise performance by up-regulated ketolytic and free fatty acid oxidation ability, indicating KD being a promising diet approach in athletes

Polymorphisms in the SULF1 gene are associated with early age of onset and survival of ovarian cancer

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>SULF1 (sulfatase 1) selectively removes the 6-O-sulphate group from heparan sulfate, changing the binding sites for extracellular growth factors. <it>SULF1 </it>expression has been reported to be decreased in various cancers, including ovarian cancer. We hypothesized that single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of <it>SULF1 </it>would impact clinicopathologic characteristics.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We genotyped five common (minor allele frequency>0.05) regulatory SNPs with predicted functionalities (rs2623047 G>A, rs13264163 A>G, rs6990375 G>A, rs3802278 G>A, and rs3087714 C>T) in 168 patients with primary epithelial ovarian cancer, using the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We found that rs2623047 G>A was significantly associated with an early age of onset of ovarian cancer in the G allele dose-response manner (<it>P </it>= 0.027; <it>P_trend</it>= 0.007) and that rs2623047 GG/GA genotypes were associated with longer progression-free survival; rs6990375 G>A was also associated with the early age of onset in the A allele dose-response manner (<it>P </it>= 0.013; <it>P_trend</it>= 0.009). The significant differences in age of disease onset persisted among carriers of haplotypes of rs2623047 and rs6990375 (<it>P </it>= 0.014; <it>P_trend</it>= 0.004). In luciferase reporter gene assays, rs2623047 G allele showed a slightly higher promoter activity than the A allele in the SKOV3 tumorigenic cell line.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>These findings suggest that genetic variations in <it>SULF1 </it>may play a role in ovarian cancer onset and prognosis. Further studies with large sample sizes and of the mechanistic relevance of <it>SULF1 </it>SNPs are warranted.</p

Comprehensively Characterizing the Cytological Features of Saccharum spontaneum by the Development of a Complete Set of Chromosome-Specific Oligo Probes

Chromosome-specific identification is a powerful technique in the study of genome structure and evolution. However, there is no reliable cytogenetic marker to unambiguously identify each of the chromosomes in sugarcane (Saccharum spp., Poaceae), which has a complex genome with a high level of ploidy and heterozygosity. In this study, we developed a set of oligonucleotide (oligo)-based probes through bioinformatic design and massive synthetization. These probes produced a clear and bright single signal in each of the chromosomes and their eight homologous chromosomes in the ancient species Saccharum spontaneum (2n = 8x = 64). Thus, they can be used as reliable markers to robustly label each of the chromosomes in S. spontaneum. We then obtained the karyotype data and established a nomenclature based on chromosomal sizes for the eight chromosomes of the octoploid S. spontaneum. In addition, we also found that the 45S and 5S rDNAs demonstrated high copy number variations among different homologous chromosomes, indicating a rapid evolution of the highly repeated sequence after polyploidization. Our fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) assay also demonstrated that these probes could be used as cross-species markers between or within the genera of Sorghum and Saccharum. By comparing FISH analyses, we discovered that several chromosome rearrangement events occurred in S. spontaneum, which might have contributed to the basic chromosome number reduction from 10 in sorghum to 8 in sugarcane. Consistent identification of individual chromosomes makes molecular cytogenetic study possible in sugarcane and will facilitate fine chromosomal structure and karyotype evolution of the genus Saccharum

Integrative Analysis of lncRNA-mRNA Profile Reveals Potential Predictors for SAPHO Syndrome

Synovitis, acne, pustulosis, hyperostosis, and osteitis (SAPHO) syndrome is known as a rare disease characterized by inflammatory lesions on bones and skin. Polymorphism of clinical manifestation and lack of molecular biomarkers have both limited its diagnosis. Our study performed RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) and integrative bioinformatics analysis of long noncoding RNA (lncRNA)-messenger RNA (mRNA) profile in patients with SAPHO syndrome and healthy controls. A total of 4,419 differentially expressed (DE) mRNAs and 2,713 lncRNAs were identified (p &lt; 0.05, fold change &gt; 2) and a coexpression network was constructed to further investigate their regulatory interactions. The DE lncRNAs were predicted to interact with mRNAs in both cis and trans manners. Functional prediction found that the lncRNA-targeted genes may function in SAPHO syndrome by participating in biological process such as adipocytokine signaling pathway, ErbB signaling pathway, FoxO signaling pathway, as well as production and function of miRNAs. The expression levels of three pairs of coexpressed lncRNA-mRNAs were validated by qRT-PCR, and their relative expression levels were consistent with the RNA-seq data. The deregulated RNAs GAS7 and lnc-CLLU1.1-1:2 may serve as potential diagnostic biomarkers, and the combined receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of the two showed more reliable diagnostic ability with an AUC value of 0.871 in distinguishing SAPHO patients from healthy controls. In conclusion, this study provides a first insight into long noncoding RNA transcriptome profile changes associated with SAPHO syndrome and inspiration for further investigation on clinical biomarkers and molecular regulators of this inadequately understood clinical entity

Efficacy and safety of acupuncture for painful diabetic neuropathy: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundPainful diabetic neuropathy (PDN) is a common chronic neurological complication of diabetes mellitus. Medications are often used to relieve pain, but with significant side effects. Acupuncture is now a component of pragmatic and integrative treatment for PDN. An increasing number of relevant randomized controlled trials have been published in recent years, but a comprehensive meta-analysis has not yet been performed. The aim of this paper is to verify the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture for PDN by meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis (TSA).MethodsAll participants in this study should have had a PDN diagnosis and the trial group was treated with acupuncture. Eight databases, including EMbase, PubMed, Web of science, Cochrane Library, China Biology Medicine disc (CBM), China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang and Chongqing VIP (CQVIP) were retrieved from inception to 5 April 2023. Meta-analysis was conducted utilizing RevMan 5.3 and Stata 15.0. TSA was performed to assess the adequacy of sample size for the outcomes.ResultsA total of 36 studies, comprising 2,739 PDN patients, were included. Among them, 1,393 patients were assigned to the trial group and 1,346 patients were treated in the control group. Outcomes covers the primary indicator Total effective rate (RR = 1.42, 95%CI [1.34, 1.52], p &lt; 0.00001), with 21 studies reported, Pain intensity (SMD = −1.27, 95%CI [−1.58, −0.95], p &lt; 0.00001), with 23 studies reported, and other outcomes, including motor nerve conduction velocity (MCV; MD = 3.58, 95%CI [2.77, 4.38], p &lt; 0.00001), sensory nerve conduction velocity (SCV; MD = 3.62, 95%CI [2.75, 4.49], p &lt; 0.00001), Depression score (SMD = −1.02, 95%CI [1.58, 0.46]), Toronto clinical scoring system (TCSS; MD = −2.41, 95%CI [−3.37, −1.45], p &lt; 0.00001), Quality of life (SMD = 1.06, 95%CI [0.66, 1.46]), traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome score (MD = −4.99, 95%CI [−6.79, −3.18], p &lt; 0.00001), suggesting that acupuncture have an ameliorating effect on PDN in various respect. Egger’s test revealed publication bias for four outcomes. TSA showed that as for Total effective rate, Pain Intensity, MCV and SCV, the number of included studies was sufficient to support the conclusions.ConclusionAcupuncture demonstrates significant effectiveness in improving PDN outcomes, including Total effective rate, Pain intensity, MCV, SCV, Depression score, TCSS, Quality of life, TCM syndrome score. But the Adverse events rate is no different in trail group and control group. The publication bias presented in Total effective rate, Pain intensity, MCV and SCV can be remedied by Trim and filling method.Systematic review registrationProspero, https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=477295

Chinese Expert Consensus on Critical Care Ultrasound Applications at COVID-19 Pandemic

The spread of new coronavirus (SARS-Cov-2) follows a different pattern than previous respiratory viruses, posing a serious public health risk worldwide. World Health Organization (WHO) named the disease as COVID-19 and declared it a pandemic. COVID-19 is characterized by highly contagious nature, rapid transmission, swift clinical course, profound worldwide impact, and high mortality among critically ill patients. Chest X-ray, computerized tomography (CT), and ultrasound are commonly used imaging modalities. Among them, ultrasound, due to its portability and non-invasiveness, can be easily moved to the bedside for examination at any time. In addition, with use of 4G or 5G networks, remote ultrasound consultation can also be performed, which allows ultrasound to be used in isolated medial areas. Besides, the contact surface of ultrasound probe with patients is small and easy to be disinfected. Therefore, ultrasound has gotten lots of positive feedbacks from the frontline healthcare workers, and it has played an indispensable role in the course of COVID-19 diagnosis and follow up

The bracteatus pineapple genome and domestication of clonally propagated crops

Domestication of clonally propagated crops such as pineapple from South America was hypothesized to be a 'one-step operation'. We sequenced the genome of Ananas comosus var. bracteatus CB5 and assembled 513 Mb into 25 chromosomes with 29,412 genes. Comparison of the genomes of CB5, F153 and MD2 elucidated the genomic basis of fiber production, color formation, sugar accumulation and fruit maturation. We also resequenced 89 Ananas genomes. Cultivars 'Smooth Cayenne' and 'Queen' exhibited ancient and recent admixture, while 'Singapore Spanish' supported a one-step operation of domestication. We identified 25 selective sweeps, including a strong sweep containing a pair of tandemly duplicated bromelain inhibitors. Four candidate genes for self-incompatibility were linked in F153, but were not functional in self-compatible CB5. Our findings support the coexistence of sexual recombination and a one-step operation in the domestication of clonally propagated crops. This work guides the exploration of sexual and asexual domestication trajectories in other clonally propagated crops