Alfalfa(Medicago sativa L.)is the most important legume forage crop worldwide with high nutritional value and yield.For a long time,the breeding of alfalfa was hampered by lacking reliable information on the autotetraploid genome and molecular markers linked to important agro-nomic traits.We herein reported the de novo assembly of the allele-aware chromosome-level genome of Zhongmu-4,a cultivar widely cultivated in China,and a comprehensive database of genomic variations based on resequencing of 220 germplasms.Approximate 2.74 Gb contigs(N50 of 2.06 Mb),accounting for 88.39％of the estimated genome,were assembled,and 2.56 Gb contigs were anchored to 32 pseudo-chromosomes.A total of 34,922 allelic genes were identified from the allele-aware genome.We observed the expansion of gene families,especially those related to the nitrogen metabolism,and the increase of repetitive elements including transposable elements,which probably resulted in the increase of Zhongmu-4 genome compared with Medicago truncatula.Population structure analysis revealed that the accessions from Asia and South America had rela-tively lower genetic diversity than those from Europe,suggesting that geography may influence alfalfa genetic divergence during local adaption.Genome-wide association studies identified 101 sin-gle nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs)associated with 27 agronomic traits.Two candidate genes were predicted to be correlated with fall dormancy and salt response.We believe that the allele-aware chromosome-level genome sequence of Zhongmu-4 combined with the resequencing data of the diverse alfalfa germplasms will facilitate genetic research and genomics-assisted breeding in variety improvement of alfalfa.

The authors attempted to use information technology in hierarchical management on clinician′s surgical authority. By means of a hierarchical surgery catalogue database, clinicians′ surgical authority is subject to by-level IT-based approval, and such authorities as clinician′s surgical medical advice, application for surgery, and approval of special surgeries are regulated. Thanks to multi-dimensional objective data, clinicians′surgical competence is subject to a dynamic evaluation, hierarchical authorization and reauthorization. These measures further standardize the behavior of the surgeons, and rule out unauthorized operations, thus improving fine management of surgeries and ensuring patient safety.

Epigenetic modification, especially histone modification, plays an important role in maintaining plant genome stability, regulating gene expression and promoting regeneration in vitro. MtSERK1 is an important marker gene involved in establishing of embryogenic callus during in vitro regeneration of Medicago truncatula. In order to understand the regulation Epigenetic modification, especially histone modification, plays an important role in maintaining plant genome stability, regulating gene expression and promoting regeneration in vitro. MtSERK1 is an important marker gene involved in establishing of embryogenic callus during in vitro regeneration of Medicago truncatula. In order to understand the regulation relationship between dynamic histone modification and MtSERK1s expression during the processes of in vitro organogenesis, the expression of MtSERK1 was analyzed by qRT-PCR, and the modification status of H3K9me2, H3K4me3 and H3K9ac in the promoter region and different regions included in the gene body was analyzed by chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP). We found expression activation of MtSERK1 was related to the dynamic changes of histone H3K4me3 and H3K9ac in the 5' and 3' regions. This study will provide important theoretical guidance for understanding of the regulatory mechanism of MtSERK1 and also for establishing efficient genetic transformation system of Medicago truncatula.
Epigenesis, Genetic ; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant ; Genome, Plant ; Histone Code ; Medicago truncatula ; genetics ; growth & development ; Protein Kinases ; genetics ; Regeneration

Objective To compare the clinical results of two different anterior cervical surgical treatment for multi-segmental cervical spondylotic myelopathy (≥3 segments).Methods Twenty-three patients with segmental cervical spondylotic myelopathy,10 cases were treated with anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) as ACDF group,13 cases were treated with anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion (ACCF) as ACCF group.The operation time,operative blood loss,JOA scores,neurological improvement rate and the variable of the D value were compared.Results The operation time and operative blood loss in ACDF group was significantly lower than that in ACCF group [(130.0 ±31.5) min vs.(150.0 ±42.5) min,(150.0 ± 120.8) ml vs.(310.0 ± 320.8) ml,P ＜ 0.05].The variable of the D value in ACDF group was significantly higher than that in ACCF group [(3.1 ± 1.4) mm vs.(2.3 ± 0.9) mm,P ＜ 0.05].There was no statistically significant difference in JOA scores,neurological improvement rate between ACDF group and ACCF group.Two cases of cerebrospinal fluid leakage in ACDF group,the oppression and drainage recovery after treatment.One case of 14 d after fistula complications in ACCF group,after patching were cured; 2 cases of titanium mesh shift,follow the fusion.Conclusions Both methods attain good clinical results.ACDF combined with ACCF treatment of multi-segmental cervical spondylotic myelopathy,with shorter operation time,relatively less blood loss,and better restoration of cervical sagittal alignment.

Objective To investigate the effects of intrathecal(IT)CX3 CR1 neutralizing antibody(antiFKR)on morphine tolerance in rats with bone cancer pain(BCP)and the unlerlying mechanism.Methods Forty-eight adult female SD rats aged 3 months weighing 180-200 g were randomized into 4 groups(n =12 each):group I sham operation(S); group Ⅱ BCP + normal saline(NS); group Ⅲ BCP + IgG(IgG)and group ⅣBCP + anti-FKR.Bone cancer pain(BCP)was induced by injecting Walker 256 cancer cells 10 μl(400 cells/ μl)into the medullary cavity of right tibia in groups Ⅱ,Ⅲ and Ⅳ.Ten days later morphine 20 μg/kg was administered IT twice a day for 7 consecutive days.Starting from the 8th day NS,IgG and anti-KFR 10 μl was administered IT once a day for 3 consecutive days in groups Ⅱ,Ⅲ and ⅣⅣ respectively.Paw withdrawal threshold to yon Frey filament stimulation(MWT)and paw withdrawal duration(MWD)were determined bcfore(To,baseline)and at 3,6,9 day after intra-tibial cancer cell inoculation(T1.2,3),on the 3rd and 7th day of IT morphine(T4.5)and on the 3rd day of IT NS/lgG/anti-KFR(T6).The animals were killed at T6 after last pain behavior assessment.The lumbar segment(L4-6)of the spinal cord was removed for determination of the expression of CX3 CR1 protein(by Western blot),μ-opioid receptor and TRPV1 receptor(by immuno-histochemistry)in the dorsal horn of spinal cord.Results IT morphine significantly eased BCP at T4,but morphine analgesia was significantly reduced on the 7th day of IT morphine in the 3 groups indicating morphine tolerance which was significantly relieved by anti-KFR in group Ⅳ.IT anti-KFR significantly down-regulated CX3CR1 prolein and TRPVI receptor expression and up-regulated μ-opioid receptor in group Ⅳ as compared with IT NS and lgG in groups Ⅱ and Ⅲ.Conctusion IT anti-KFR can relieve morphine tolerance in the rats with bone cancer pain by up-regulating μ-opioid receptor and down-regulating CX3 CR1 protein and TRPVI receptor expression.

Descending nociceptive modulation from the supraspinal structures plays an important role in cancer-induced bone pain (CIBP). Rostral ventromedial medulla (RVM) is a critical component of descending nociceptive facilitation circuitry, but so far the mechanisms are poorly known. In this study, we investigated the role of RVM glial activation in the descending nociceptive facilitation circuitry in a CIBP rat model. CIBP rats showed significant activation of microglia and astrocytes, and also up-regulation of phosphorylated p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) and pro-inflammatory mediators released by glial cells (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α and brain-derived neurotrophic factor) in the RVM. Stereotaxic microinjection of the glial inhibitors (minocycline and fluorocitrate) into CIBP rats' RVM could reverse the glial activation and significantly attenuate mechanical allodynia in a time-dependent manner. RVM microinjection of p38 MAPK inhibitor (SB203580) abolished the activation of microglia, reversed the associated up-regulation of pro-inflammatory mediators and significantly attenuated mechanical allodynia. Taken together, these results suggest that RVM glial activation is involved in the pathogenesis of CIBP. RVM microglial p38 MAPK signaling pathway is activated and leads to the release of downstream pro-inflammatory mediators, which contribute to the descending facilitation of CIBP.

Descending nociceptive modulation from the supraspinal structures plays an important role in cancer-induced bone pain (CIBP).Rostral ventromedial medulla (RVM) is a critical component of descending nociceptive facilitation circuitry,but so far the mechanisms are poorly known.In this study,we investigated the role of RVM glial activation in the descending nociceptive facilitation circuitry in a CIBP rat model.CIBP rats showed significant activation of microglia and astrocytes,and also up-regulation of phosphorylated p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) and pro-inflammatory mediators released by glial cells (IL-1β,IL-6,TNF-a and brain-derived neurotrophic factor) in the RVM.Stereotaxic microinjection of the glial inhibitors (minocycline and fluorocitrate) into CIBP rats' RVM could reverse the glial activation and significantly attenuate mechanical allodynia in a time-dependent manner.RVM microinjection of p38 MAPK inhibitor (SB203580) abolished the activation of microglia,reversed the associated up-regulation of pro-inflammatory mediators and significantly attenuated mechanical allodynia.Taken together,these results suggest that RVM glial activation is involved in the pathogenesis of CIBP.RVM microglial p38 MAPK signaling pathway is activated and leads to the release of downstream pro-inflammatory mediators,which contribute to the descending facilitation of CIBP.

Objective To investigate the change in 5-hydroxytryptomine (5-HT) content in spinal dorsal horn in a rat model of tibial bone cancer pain (BCP). Methods Sixty female SD rats weighing 160-180 g were randomly divided into 3 groups ( n = 20 each): control group (group C), sham operation group (group S) and BCP group. BCP was induced by intra-tibial inoculation of 10 μl Walker 256 breast cancer cell suspension in group BCP, while group S received intra-tibial inoculation of 10 μl D-hank solution. Paw withdrawal threshold to mechanical stimulation with yon Frey filaments (MWT) was measured 1 d before (baseline) and at 3, 5, 7, 9, 11,14, 16, 18 and 21 d after breast cancer cell inoculation. At 1 d before and 7, 14 and 21 d after breast cancer cell inoculation, four animals in each group were sacrificed after measurement of MWT. Their lumber segments of the spinal cord were removed for assay of 5-HT content in spinal dorsal horn using HPLC with fluorescence detector.HE staining was used to detect the damage to the tibia. Correlation between the 5-HT content and MWT was analyzed. Results MWT was significantly decreased after breast cancer cell inoculation in group BCP ( P ＜ 0.05).Microscopic examination showed serious bone destruction of tibia at the injection site in group BCP, while no bone destruction was found in groups C and S. 5-HT content in spinal dorsal horn was significantly higher in group BCP than in groups C and S (P ＜ 0.05). There was strong negative linear correlation between 5-HT content in spinal dorsal horn and MWT ( r = - 0.973, P ＜ 0.05 ). Conclusion The 5- HT content in spinal dorsal horn is significantly increased in rats with tibial BCP and is involved in the development of BCP.

Objective To establish a rat model of bone cancer pain-chronic morphine tolerance. Methods Thirty-six adult female Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 180-200 g in which intrathecal catheters were successfully placed without complications were randomly divided into 3 groups ( n = 12 each) :group sham operation (group S),group chronic morphine tolerance (group M) and group bone cancer pain + chronic morphine tolerance (group BM). Bone cancer pain was induced by intra-tibia inoculation of Walker256 mammary gland carcinoma cells (4 ×102 cells/μl) in group BM, while in group M heat-inactivated Walker256 mammary gland carcinoma cells were given instead, and then 10 days later, intrathecal morphine 20 μg,/kg was administered twice a day for 9 consecutive days. The mechanical paw withdrawal threshold (MWT) and mechanical paw withdrawal duration (MWD) were measured before inoculation, at day 1, 3, 6 and 9 after inoculation, and at day 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9 of morphine administration. The degree of bone destruction was assessed by radiological analysis at day 9 after inoculation. After the last measurement of pain threshold, the rats were given innoxious touch-stimulus. The rats were sacrificed 3 h after stopping the stimulus, and L4-6 segment of the spinal cord was isolated to determine the expression of Fos protein in the spinal dorsal horn. Results Compared with group S, MWT was significantly decreased, MWD was significantly prolonged and the expression of Fos protein was up-regulated in group M ( P ＜ 0.05 or 0.01 ). MWT was significantly decreased, MWD was significantly prolonged, bone destruction scores were significantly increased,and the expression of Fos protein was up-regulated in group BM compared with group M ( P ＜ 0.05 or 0.01 ). Conclusion A rat model of bone cancer pain-chronic morphine tolerance is successfully established.

Objective To construct lentivirus vector expressing antigene RNA and ferritin gene.Methods Intermediate plasmid pGC-FU-HF was constructed by transfecting lentivirus vector pGC-FU with heavy chain ferritin subunit gene.The target plasmid pGC-agRNA-HF was subsequently constructed by transfecting the intermediate plasmid with β-arrestin 2 antigene RNA.The NG108-15 cells were transfected with the target plasmid.The titre of lentivirus vector was measured by RT-PCR.The expression of antigene RNA and ferritin gene was determined by Western blot and RT-PCR.Results Lentivirus vector was successfully transfected with antigene RNA and ferritin gene.The titre of lentivirus vector was 2.00 × 109 TU/ml.The expression of β-arrestin2 protein was down-regulated and the expression of ferritin protein up-regulated in the NG108-15 cells after being transfected with the lentivirus vector.Conclusion Lentivirus vector expressing antigene RNA and ferritin gene has been successfully constructed.