As an economic crop, pepper satisfies people's spicy taste and has medicinal uses worldwide. To gain a better understanding of Capsicum evolution, domestication, and specialization, we present here the genome sequence of the cultivated pepper Zunla-1 (C. annuum L.) and its wild progenitor Chiltepin (C. annuum var. glabriusculum). We estimate that the pepper genome expanded ∼0.3 Mya (with respect to the genome of other Solanaceae) by a rapid amplification of retrotransposons elements, resulting in a genome comprised of ∼81% repetitive sequences. Approximately 79% of 3.48-Gb scaffolds containing 34,476 protein-coding genes were anchored to chromosomes by a high-density genetic map. Comparison of cultivated and wild pepper genomes with 20 resequencing accessions revealed molecular footprints of artificial selection, providing us with a list of candidate domestication genes. We also found that dosage compensation effect of tandem duplication genes probably contributed to the pungent diversification in pepper. The Capsicum reference genome provides crucial information for the study of not only the evolution of the pepper genome but also, the Solanaceae family, and it will facilitate the establishment of more effective pepper breeding programs.de novo genome sequence | genome expansion | Solanaceae evolution

Despite multiple treatment options being available, many critical challenges are still ongoing in the treatment of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Particularly, the major hurdle is to avoid facial disfigurement and oral function disability during treatment. Herein, nanoengineered mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are developed as a supersonosensitizer, named M/LPV/O2, for improving nondestructive sonodynamic therapy (SDT) against OSCC along with good therapeutic compliance. M/LPV/O2 is composed of an MSCs membrane functionalized liposomal formulation of oxygen‐loading perfluorocarbon and sonosensitizer verteporfin (M/LPV/O2), which can not only increase circulation and targeting efficacy but also supply oxygen to overcome tumor‐hypoxia‐associated resistance in SDT, resulting in enhanced therapeutic outcomes in vitro and in vivo. It is identified that M/LPV/O2 effectively stimulates the generation of reactive oxygen species even in hypoxic conditions, and consequently tremendously induces cancer cell death. In addition, M/LPV/O2 displays good tumor accumulation and penetration under ultrasound stimulation, and efficiently induces tumor inhibition and even abrogation, leading to prolonged survival of tumor‐bearing mice. Importantly, M/LPV/O2‐based SDT exhibits minimal systemic adverse effects and successfully maintains oral functions with no facial tissue damage. Therefore, these studies provide a promising therapeutic strategy for OSCC, which has a potential to enhance life quality and compliance after treatment.

Four housekeeping genes named Lbbeta-Actin1, Lbbeta-Actin2, Lbalpha-Tubulin, and LbGapdh were cloned from Liposcelis bostrychophila using the combined techniques of reverse transcriptase-PCR (RT-PCR) with rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE). The GenBank accession numbers were FJ196622, FJ447483, FJ595242, and FJ595241, respectively. The full-length cDNA of Lbbeta-Actin1 was a 1,772 bp sequence with an open reading frame (ORF) encoded 376 amino acids, while Lbbeta-Actin2 was 1,350 bp in length containing an ORF encoded 376 amino acids. Furthermore, the 1,565 bp cDNA of Lbalpha-Tubulin had an ORF of 1,350 bp encoding 450 amino acids. And LbGapdh possessed an ORF of 333 amino acids. Sequences analysis and phylogenetic trees generated from the nucleotide sequences of their coding regions revealed a relationship that was closer to other insects than to mammals. The four genes together with 18S rRNA were quantified for transcription stability in L. bostrychophila, and the geNorm software ranked from the most to least were Lbbeta-Actin1 > LbGapdh > Lbalpha-Tubulin > Lbbeta-Actin2 > Lb18S rRNA for deltamethrin induction, while ranked Lbbeta-Actin1 > Lbalpha-Tubulin > Lbbeta-Actin2 > LbGapdh > Lb18S rRNA for the different developmental stages.

Hairpin DNA (hpDNA) as a novel biobarcode was conjugated with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and a reporter DNA (rpDNA) to form hpDNA/AuNP/rpDNA nanoparticles for the detection of an oligonucleotide sequence associated with Helicobacter pylori as a model target. The rpDNA is complementary to about a half-portion of the target DNA sequence (tDNA). A capture DNA probe (cpDNA), complementary to the other half of the tDNA, was immobilized on the surface of a gold electrode. In the presence of tDNA, a sandwich structure of (hpDNA/AuNP/rpDNA)/tDNA/cpDNA was formed on the electrode surface. The differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) detection was based on [Ru(NH3)5(3-(2-phenanthren-9-yl-vinyl)-pyridine)](2+), an electroactive complex that binds to the sandwich structure by its intercalation with the hpDNA and the double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) of the sandwich structure. The several factors--high density of biobarcode hpDNA on the surface of AuNPs, multiple electroactive complex molecules intercalated with each hpDNA and dsDNA molecule, and the intercalation binding mode of the electroactive complex with the DNA sandwich structure--contribute to the DNA sensor with highly selective and sensitive sensing properties. The DNA sensor exhibited a detection limit of 1 × 10(-15) M (i.e., 1 fM), the DNA levels in physiological samples, with linearity down to 2 × 10(-15) M. It can differentiate even one single mismatched DNA from the complementary tDNA. This novel biobarcode-based DNA sensing approach should provide a general platform for development of direct, simple, repetitive, sensitive, and selective DNA sensors for various important applications in analytical, environmental, and clinical chemistry.