Tree peony (Paeonia ostii) is an economically important ornamental plant native to China. It is also notable for its seed oil, which is abundant in unsaturated fatty acids such as α-linolenic acid (ALA). Here, we report chromosome-level genome assembly (12.28 Gb) of P. ostii. In contrast to monocots with giant genomes, tree peony does not appear to have undergone lineage-specific whole-genome duplication. Instead, explosive LTR expansion in the intergenic regions within a short period (~ two million years) may have contributed to the formation of its giga-genome. In addition, expansion of five types of histone encoding genes may have helped maintain the giga-chromosomes. Further, we conduct genome-wide association studies (GWAS) on 448 accessions and show expansion and high expression of several genes in the key nodes of fatty acid biosynthetic pathway, including SAD, FAD2 and FAD3, may function in high level of ALAs synthesis in tree peony seeds. Moreover, by comparing with cultivated tree peony (P. suffruticosa), we show that ectopic expression of class A gene AP1 and reduced expression of class C gene AG may contribute to the formation of petaloid stamens. Genomic resources reported in this study will be valuable for studying chromosome/genome evolution and tree peony breeding.

IntroductionThe balance between Th17 and Treg cells controls the immune response and is an important regulator of helper T cells acting on autoimmune diseases. Focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury can induce imbalance of Th17/Treg cells in the brain and the peripheral immune system of rats. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of salidroside (Sal) on the ratio of Th17 and Treg cells in an adult rat model of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO).Material and methodsForty rats were divided into 4 groups: normal group, sham group, surgery group, and Sal group. After treatment, the neurological deficits in rats were evaluated. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated and the count of Th17 and Treg cells was detected by flow cytometry. The infarct size and expression of RORt and Foxp3 were detected in rat brain tissue. Rat spleen cells were isolated, CD4+ T cells were purified by immunomagnetic beads. Treg cells were induced by adding cytokine TGF-. Th17 cells were induced by adding cytokine IL-6. The expression of STAT-3 was inhibited by SiRNA, and the effect of Sal on the differentiation of Th17/Treg cells was analyzed. The expression levels of IL-6, TNF-, MCP-1, STAT-3 and NF--B2 proteins were examined.ResultsThe results show that MCAO can induce an imbalance of Th17 and Treg cells in peripheral blood of rats. Sal treatment can significantly reduce the neurological deficit and infarct size of MCAO rats, reverse the oxidative stress of rat brain tissue, and inhibit the apoptosis of brain cells in MCAO rats. In the brain tissue of MCAO rats, Sal could significantly inhibit the expression of IL-6, TNF-, MCP-1, STAT-3 and NF--B2. Down-regulation of STAT-3 significantly reversed the therapeutic effects of Sal treatment.ConclusionsOur results indicate that Sal can increase the tolerance of rat brain tissue to ischemia, inhibit cell apoptosis and reduce oxidative stress by targeting STAT-3.

Background: This study aimed to compare the survival outcomes of radio-chemotherapy (R-CT) and radical hysterectomy with postoperative standard therapy (RH) in stage IB1-IIA2 cervical cancer patients. Methods: Based on the large amount of diagnostic and treatment cervical cancer data in China, a real-world study and 1:1 case-control matching were used to compare overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) in cervical cancer patients. Results: In this real-world study, the 5-year OS and DFS in the R-CT group (n = 8949) were lower than those in the RH group (n = 18,152). After applying the inclusion criteria, the OS and DFS in the R-CT group (n = 582) were lower than those in the RH group (n = 4308). After 1:1 case-control matching, the 5-year OS and DFS in the R-CT group (n = 535) were lower than those in the RH group (n = 535) (OS: 76.1% vs. 84.6%, p < 0.001, HR = 1.819; DFS: 75.1% vs. 81.5%, p < 0.001, HR = 1.462, respectively). Further stratification showed that for stage IB1 and IIA1 patients, the 5year OS and DFS in the R-CT group (n = 300) were lower than those in the RH group (n = 300) (OS: 78.9% vs. 87.0%, p < 0.001, HR = 2.160; DFS: 77.0% vs. 84.9%, p < 0.001, HR = 2.053, respectively). In stage IB2 and IIA2 patients, the 5year OS in the R-CT group (n = 235) was lower than that in the RH group (n = 235) (72.5% vs. 81.5%, p = 0.039; HR = 1.550), but no difference in the 5-year DFS was found between the two groups (72.6% vs. 76.9%, p = 0.151). Conclusions:Our study found that for stage IB1-IIA2 cervical cancer patients, RH offers better overall survival and disease-free survival outcomes than R-CT, however, due to the inherent biases of retrospective study, it needs to be confirmed by randomized trials. In addition, we need to further understand the quality of life of the two treatments.Trial registration: registration number: CHiCTR1800017778; International Clinical Trials Registry Platform Search Port, http://apps.who.int/trialsearch/.

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