De novo assembly of the complete mitochondrial genome of pepino (Solanum muricatum) using PacBio HiFi sequencing: insights into structure, phylogenetic implications, and RNA editing.

BACKGROUND: Solanum muricatum is an emerging horticultural fruit crop with rich nutritional and antioxidant properties. Although the chromosome-scale genome of this species has been sequenced, its mitochondrial genome sequence has not been reported to date. RESULTS: PacBio HiFi sequencing was used to assemble the circular mitogenome of S. muricatum, which was 433,466 bp in length. In total, 38 protein-coding, 19 tRNA, and 3 rRNA genes were annotated. The reticulate mitochondrial conformations with multiple junctions were verified by polymerase chain reaction, and codon usage, sequence repeats, and gene migration from chloroplast to mitochondrial genome were determined. A collinearity analysis of eight Solanum mitogenomes revealed high structural variability. Overall, 585 RNA editing sites in protein coding genes were identified based on RNA-seq data. Among them, mttB was the most frequently edited (52 times), followed by ccmB (46 times). A phylogenetic analysis based on the S. muricatum mitogenome and those of 39 other taxa (including 25 Solanaceae species) revealed the evolutionary and taxonomic status of S. muricatum. CONCLUSIONS: We provide the first report of the assembled and annotated S. muricatum mitogenome. This information will help to lay the groundwork for future research on the evolutionary biology of Solanaceae species. Furthermore, the results will assist the development of molecular breeding strategies for S. muricatum based on the most beneficial agronomic traits of this species.

Association of heartburn and laryngopharyngeal symptoms with endoscopic reflux esophagitis, smoking, and drinking.

OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to investigate the association of laryngopharyngeal symptoms and heartburn with endoscopic esophagitis, smoking, and drinking. The clinical importance of the Reflux Symptom Index (RSI) in predicting endoscopic esophagitis was also evaluated. STUDY DESIGN: Case series with planned data collection. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: From November 2006 to February 2007, 156 adults received a whole-body physical check-up. They filled out the RSI questionnaire and were dichotomized into either a "no problem group" or a "possible patients group" according to their scores on the RSI. All subjects received an esophagoscopy. The relationship between RSI score and endoscopic esophagitis, smoking, and drinking was analyzed. RESULTS: Voice change, but not heartburn, was significantly associated with endoscopic reflux esophagitis. Based on the RSI scores, some items in addition to voice change were significantly associated with smoking or drinking but not with endoscopic esophagitis. CONCLUSIONS: While screening patients for reflux esophagitis by using the RSI questionnaire, there is little value in using heartburn to predict endoscopic esophagitis in Taiwanese people. On the other hand, a husky voice might be a good clinical indicator of patients at risk of having reflux esophagitis.

The association of lymph node volume with cervical metastatic lesions in head and neck cancer patients.

The aim of this study was to determine if volume of cervical lymph node measured via computed tomography (CT) could differentiate metastatic from benign lesions in head and neck cancer patients. We conducted a retrospective review of chart and images in a tertiary referring center in Taiwan. Patients with head and neck cancers underwent radical, modified radical or functional neck dissection were enrolled. The CT images before operation were reassessed by a radiologist and were compared with the results of pathological examination. A total of 102 patients were included for final analyses. Most patients were male (n = 96, 94%) and average age was 50.1 years. Although the average nodal volume in patients with cervical metastases was higher than those of patients without cervical metastases, it was not an independent factor associated with cervical metastasis after controlling for other variables; however, central nodal necrosis on enhanced CT image [odds ratio (OR) 18.95, P = 0.008) and minimal axial diameter >7.5 mm (OR 6.868, P = 0.001) were independent factors correlated with cervical metastasis. Therefore, the volume of cervical lymph node measured from CT images cannot predict cervical metastases in head and neck cancer patients. Measurement of minimal axial diameter of the largest lymph node is a simple and more accurate way to predict cervical metastasis instead.