ABSTRACT
Glycyrrhiza (Fabaceae) species are rich in metabolites and widely used in medicine. Research on the chloroplast genome of Glycyrrhiza is important for understanding its phylogenetics, biogeography, genetic diversity, species identification, and medicinal properties. In this study, comparative genomics and phylogenomics of Glycyrrhiza were analyzed based on the chloroplast genome. The chloroplast genomes of six Glycyrrhiza species were obtained using various assembly and annotation tools. The final assembled chloroplast genome sizes for the six Glycyrrhiza species ranged from 126,380 bp to 129,115 bp, with a total of 109-110 genes annotated. Comparative genomics results showed that the chloroplast genomes of Glycyrrhiza showed typically lacking inverted repeat regions, and the genome length, structure, GC content, codon usage, and gene distribution were highly similar. Bioinformatics analysis revealed the presence of 69-96 simple sequence repeats and 61-138 long repeats in the chloroplast genomes. Combining the results of mVISTA and nucleotide diversity, four highly variable regions were screened for species identification and relationship studies. Selection pressure analysis indicated overall purifying selection in the chloroplast genomes of Glycyrrhiza, with a few positively selected genes potentially linked to environmental adaptation. Phylogenetic analyses involving all tribes of Fabaceae with published chloroplast genomes elucidated the evolutionary relationships, and divergence time estimation estimated the chronological order of species differentiations within the Fabaceae family. The results of phylogenetic analysis indicated that species from the six subfamilies formed distinct clusters, consistent with the classification scheme of the six subfamilies. In addition, the inverted repeat-lacking clade in the subfamily Papilionoideae clustered together, and it was the last to differentiate. Co-linear analysis confirmed the conserved nature of Glycyrrhiza chloroplast genomes, and instances of gene rearrangements and inversions were observed in the subfamily Papilionoideae.
ABSTRACT
Background: A lung cancer screening project was conducted by attracting active participation to evaluate its feasibility and effectiveness in areas with poor basic medical education. Methods: This project entailed a prospective, single-arm study which was conducted by means of delivering a lecture on lung cancer at the Honghe Lung Cancer Medical Center to attract public attention and attendance from 28 November 2020 to 21 December 2021. A questionnaire comprising 7 high-risk factors was completed by participants to identify high-risk individuals for further chest low-dose computed tomography examination. Non calcified nodules with a diameter ≥5 mm were deemed positive nodules. The positive nodules were discussed by a multidisciplinary team and treatment suggestions were given. Finally, we analyzed participant information, examination adherence, lung cancer detection rate, and staging. Results: A total of 6,121 individuals were attracted to the project, and 5,925 (96.8%) agreed to participate. Of these, 5,889 (99.4%) completed the survey, with 4,627 (78.6%) in the high-risk group and 1,262 (21.4%) in the non-high-risk group. The proportion of males in the high-risk group was higher than that in the non-high-risk group, and the difference was statistically significant among those aged 40-49 years, 50-59, years and 60-69 years; P<0.01. In the high-risk population, 4,536 (98.0%) of participants adhered to examination, among whom 2,007 (44.2%) with positive nodules, 1,220 (26.9%) with negative nodules, and 1,309 (28.9%) without nodules showed statistical differences in age; P<0.01. The detection rate of lung cancer was 2.2% (99/4,536); 94.0% (93/99) of whom were stage 0-I patients. Conclusions: A health lecture-based approach to improving public participation in regions with poor health education is likely to be effective in promoting the early detection of lung cancer.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Madelung's disease (MD) is a rare disorder of fat metabolism, which is usually associated with diabetes, hyperuricemia, liver disease, nevertheless there is no report of a patient with MD and pulmonary aspergillosis (PA). This article aimed to enhance the awareness of this two diseases and discuss the possible mechanism of the combination of them preliminarily. CASE PRESENTATION: In this case, we described a 56-year-old male patient with cough, expectoration and dyspnea. His neck has a very peculiar appearance. Chest enhanced CT scan showed there were multiple nodules in both lungs, some of which had cavities and the mediastinal lymph nodes were swollen. Ultrasound scan of the neck showed diffuse hyperplasia of subcutaneous fat in neck and bilateral supraclavicular fossa. Fortunately, after performing pulmonary wedge resection aimed at pathological examination and giving relevant treatments, this patient was finally diagnosed as MD with PA, and his symptoms were significantly relieved. CONCLUSIONS: MD is rare, the phenomenon that MD combined with PA is rarer. Immune disorder may be the possible mechanism.