The tobacco hornworm, Manduca sexta, is a lepidopteran insect that is used extensively as a model system for studying insect biology, development, neuroscience, and immunity. However, current studies rely on the highly fragmented reference genome Msex_1.0, which was created using now-outdated technologies and is hindered by a variety of deficiencies and inaccuracies. We present a new reference genome for M. sexta, JHU_Msex_v1.0, applying a combination of modern technologies in a de novo assembly to increase continuity, accuracy, and completeness. The assembly is 470 Mb and is ∼20× more continuous than the original assembly, with scaffold N50 > 14 Mb. We annotated the assembly by lifting over existing annotations and supplementing with additional supporting RNA-based data for a total of 25,256 genes. The new reference assembly is accessible in annotated form for public use. We demonstrate that improved continuity of the M. sexta genome improves resequencing studies and benefits future research on M. sexta as a model organism.

The Tobacco hornworm, Manduca sexta, is a lepidopteran insect that is used extensively as a model system for studying insect biology, development, neuroscience and immunity. However, current studies rely on the highly fragmented reference genome Msex_1.0, which was created using now-outdated technologies and is hindered by a variety of deficiencies and inaccuracies. We present the new reference genome for M. sexta, JHU_Msex_v1.0, applying a combination of modern technologies in a de novo assembly to increase continuity, accuracy, and completeness. The assembly is 470 Mb and is ~20x more continuous than the original assembly, with scaffold N50 >14 Mb. We annotated the assembly by lifting over existing annotations and supplementing with additional supporting RNA-based data for a total of 25,256 genes. The new reference assembly is accessible in annotated form for public use. We demonstrate that improved continuity of the M. sexta genome improves resequencing studies and benefits future research on M. sexta as a model organism.

No abstract

Transarterial embolization (TAE) is a standard-of-care treatment for tumors in which embolic particles are locally injected via a catheter to occlude blood flow and induce ischemia in the target tissue. Physicians currently rely on subjective visual cues from fluoroscopy in order to determine the procedural endpoint relative to the injection site. This contributes to highly variable treatment outcomes, including the accumulation of embolic particles in healthy tissue, called off-target embolization. To address this concern, we describe a novel, multi-lumen catheter that 1) measures real-time pressure upstream of the tumor site during TAE injection; and 2) associates that measurement with the volume of embolic particles injected. Using an in vitro silicon vascular model, we characterize the relationship between blood flow, intravascular pressure, and injection pressure. Furthermore, we identify a predictive pressure curve based on the volume of embolic particles injected. This approach has the potential to standardize and optimize TAE, reducing the likelihood of incomplete or off-target embolization, and improving patient outcomes.

No abstract