Influence of health literacy on health outcomes of different social strata-- an empirical study based on the data of China's health literacy investigation.

BACKGROUND: Health literacy has always been considered as an important factor to promote people's health, but does it have a significant effect on health across all social strata and especially lower social strata? This study aims to analyze the influences of health literacy on health outcomes of different social strata, and then infer whether improving health literacy can reduce health disparities among different social strata. METHODS: Utilizing health literacy monitoring data from a city in Zhejiang Province in 2020, the samples are divided into three social strata according to the socioeconomic status score: low, middle and high social stratum, to compare whether there are significant differences in health outcomes between population with lower and higher health literacy among different social strata. In the strata with significant differences, control the confounding factors to further verify the influence of health literacy on health outcomes. RESULTS: In low and middle social strata, there are significant differences between population with lower and higher health literacy, when considering the two types of health outcomes (chronic diseases and self-rated health), but in high social stratum, this difference is not significant. After controlling the relevant variables, the influence of health literacy on the prevalence of chronic diseases is statistically significant only in low social stratum, and the health literacy is negatively correlated with the prevalence of chronic diseases(OR = 0.722, P = 0.022). In addition, there are statistical significances for positive impact of health literacy on self-rated health in both low and middle social strata (OR = 1.285, P = 0.047; OR = 1.401, P = 0.023). CONCLUSION: Compared with high social stratum, the influence of health literacy on health outcomes of low social stratum (chronic diseases) or both middle and low social strata (self-rated health) is more significant, and both are to improve the health outcomes. This finding suggests that improving residents' health literacy may be an effective way to alleviate the health disparities among different social strata.

The influence of health literacy and knowledge about smoking hazards on the intention to quit smoking and its intensity: an empirical study based on the data of China's health literacy investigation.

OBJECTIVE: This study explored the relationship between smokers' health literacy, knowledge of smoking hazards, and their intention to quit. METHODS: Based on data from the 2019 Health Literacy and Tobacco Use Surveillance among residents of a city in Zhejiang Province, 1120 male smokers were screened. Differential tests were used to analyze whether smokers with varying levels of health literacy and knowledge about smoking hazards differed in their intention to quit smoking and the intensity of their intention. A multi-factor logistic regression model was constructed to explore the extent of these differences. RESULTS: Only 24.8% of smokers had higher health literacy. Among smokers, those with an intention to quit had a higher health literacy level compared to those without such intention (32.7% vs. 17.0%, p < 0.001). Health literacy levels did not differ significantly between groups with different intensity of intention to quit (34.2% vs. 31.9% vs. 30.1%, p = 0.435). About 48.7% of the smokers a higher level of knowledge about smoking hazards. It was more prevalent in the intent to quit group compared to the no intent to quit group (54.0% vs. 43.4%, p < 0.001), and the low intent to quit group had lower knowledge compared to the moderate and high intent to quit groups (49.1% vs. 56.6% vs. 63.4%, p = 0.011). After adjusting for other influences, smokers with lower health literacy were less likely to have intention to quit (OR = 0.659, p = 0.016). And the association between knowledge about smoking hazards and whether smokers have the intention to quit is no longer significant, but it significantly affects the intensity of the intention to quit among smokers who already have the intention (OR = 0.623, p = 0.005). CONCLUSION: General health literacy may play a role in facilitating smokers' progression from the stage of no intent to quit to one of intent to quit, but a more specific understanding of the harms of smoking may be needed to increase the strength of intent to quit.

Ginsenoside Rg3 Protects against Diabetic Cardiomyopathy and Promotes Adiponectin Signaling via Activation of PPAR-γ.

Ginsenoside Rg3 extracted from Panax notoginseng has therapeutic effects on diabetes and heart diseases. However, the underlying mechanism of ginsenoside Rg3 on diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) remains unclear. 24-week-old diabetic db/db mice were treated with ginsenoside Rg3 for 12 weeks, then body weight, serum lipids, adiponectin levels, as well as cardiac function and pathological morphology, were measured. The targets of ginsenoside Rg3 and its regulation of the adiponectin pathway were also evaluated on 3T3-L1 or H9c2 cells. Ginsenoside Rg3 directly bound to PPAR-γ, improving adiponectin secretion and promoting adiponectin signaling. Significantly attenuated overweight, hyperglycemia, and hyperlipidemia, as well as alleviated lipid accumulation and dysfunction in adipose, liver, and heart tissues, were observed in the ginsenoside Rg3-treated group. Ginsenoside Rg3 could be a promising drug targeting PPAR-γ to treat diabetic cardiomyopathy.

A 43 Bp-Deletion in the F3'H Gene Reducing Anthocyanins Is Responsible for Keeping Buds Green at Low Temperatures in Broccoli.

Most broccoli cultivars or accessions exhibit green buds under appropriate growth conditions, which turn purple at cold temperatures. However, certain cultivars consistently maintain green buds both during normal growth and at cold temperatures. In this study, we used BSA-seq (bulked segregation analysis-sequencing), along with fine mapping and transcriptome analysis to identify a candidate gene (flavonoid 3'-hydroxylase, F3'H) responsible for reducing anthocyanin accumulation in the mutant GS and HX-16 broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. var. italica), which could retain green buds even at low temperatures. A 43-bp deletion was detected in the coding sequence (CDS) of the F3'H gene in HX-16 and the mutant GS, which significantly decreased F3'H expression and the accumulation of cyanidin and delphinidin in the mutant GS. Furthermore, the expression of F3'H was upregulated at low temperatures in the wild line PS. Our results demonstrated the efficacy of utilizing the 43-bp InDel (Insertion-Deletion) in predicting whether buds in B. oleracea L. will turn purple or remain green at cold temperatures across forty-two germplasm materials. This study provides critical genetic and molecular insights for the molecular breeding of B. oleracea and sheds light on the molecular mechanisms underlying the effect of low temperatures on bud color in broccoli.

Multi-Omics Approaches to Improve Clubroot Resistance in Brassica with a Special Focus on Brassica oleracea L.

Brassica oleracea is an agronomically important species of the Brassicaceae family, including several nutrient-rich vegetables grown and consumed across the continents. But its sustainability is heavily constrained by a range of destructive pathogens, among which, clubroot disease, caused by a biotrophic protist Plasmodiophora brassicae, has caused significant yield and economic losses worldwide, thereby threatening global food security. To counter the pathogen attack, it demands a better understanding of the complex phenomenon of Brassica-P. brassicae pathosystem at the physiological, biochemical, molecular, and cellular levels. In recent years, multiple omics technologies with high-throughput techniques have emerged as successful in elucidating the responses to biotic and abiotic stresses. In Brassica spp., omics technologies such as genomics, transcriptomics, ncRNAomics, proteomics, and metabolomics are well documented, allowing us to gain insights into the dynamic changes that transpired during host-pathogen interactions at a deeper level. So, it is critical that we must review the recent advances in omics approaches and discuss how the current knowledge in multi-omics technologies has been able to breed high-quality clubroot-resistant B. oleracea. This review highlights the recent advances made in utilizing various omics approaches to understand the host resistance mechanisms adopted by Brassica crops in response to the P. brassicae attack. Finally, we have discussed the bottlenecks and the way forward to overcome the persisting knowledge gaps in delivering solutions to breed clubroot-resistant Brassica crops in a holistic, targeted, and precise way.

Laparoscopic radical antegrade modular pancreatosplenectomy: preliminary experience with 10 cases.

BACKGROUND: The radical antegrade modular pancreatosplenectomy (RAMPS) which is a reasonable surgical approach for left-sided pancreatic cancer is emphasis on the complete resection of regional lymph nodes and tumor-free margin resection. Laparoscopic radical antegrade modular pancreatosplenectomy (LRAMPS) has been rarely performed, with only 49 cases indexed on PubMed. In this study, we present our experience of LRAMPS. METHODS: From December 2018 to February 2020, 10 patients underwent LRAMPS for pancreatic cancer at our department. The data of the patient demographics, intraoperative variables, postoperative hospital stay, morbidity, mortality, pathologic findings and follow-up were collected. RESULTS: LRAMPS was performed successfully in all the patients. The median operative time was 235 min (range 212-270 min), with an EBL of 120 ml (range 100-200 ml). Postoperative complications occurred in 5 (50.0%) patients. Three patients developed a grade B pancreatic fistula. There was no postoperative 30-day mortality and reoperation. The median postoperative hospital stay was 14 days (range 9-24 days).The median count of retrieved lymph nodes was 15 (range 13-21), and four patients (40%) had malignant-positive lymph nodes. All cases achieved a negative tangential margin and R0 resection. Median follow-up time was 11 months (range 3-14 m). Two patients developed disease recurrence (pancreatic bed recurrence and liver metastasis) 9 months, 10 months after surgery, respectively. Others survived without tumor recurrence or metastasis. CONCLUSIONS: LRAMPS is technically safe and feasible procedure in well-selected patients with pancreatic cancer in the distal pancreas. The oncologically outcomes need to be further validated based on additional large-volume studies.

Identification of QTLs associated with curd architecture in cauliflower.

BACKGROUND: Curd architecture is one of the most important characters determining the curd morphology of cauliflower. However, the genetic mechanism dissection of this complex trait at molecular level is lacking. Genes/QTLs responsible for the morphological differences between present-day loose-curd and compact-curd cauliflower haven't been well revealed. RESULTS: Herein, by using a common compact-curd parent and two loose-curd parents, we developed two double haploid (DH) populations including 122 and 79 lines, respectively. For each population, we decomposed the curd architecture concept into four parameters (basal diameter, stalk length, stalk angle and curd solidity), and collected corresponding phenotypic data for each parameter across two environments. The Kosambi function and composite interval mapping algorithm were conducted to construct the linkage map and analyze the QTLs associated with curd architecture parameters. A total of 20 QTLs were detected with the minimum likelihood of odd (LOD) values ranging from 2.61 to 8.38 and the percentage of the phenotypic variance explained by each QTL (PVE) varying between 7.69 and 25.10%. Of these, two QTLs controlling stalk length (qSL.C6-1, qSL.C6-2) and two QTLs controlling curd solidity (qCS.C6-1 and qCS.C6-2) were steadily expressed in both environments. Further, qSL.C6-1, qSL.C6-2, qCS.C6-1 and qCS.C6-4 fell into the same chromosomal region of the reference genome, indicating that these loci are involved in pleiotropic effects or are tightly linked. CONCLUSION: The current study identified a series of QTLs associated with curd architecture parameters, which might contribute essentially to the formation of present-day loose-curd cauliflower that is widely cultivated in China. These results may pave the way for intensive deciphering the molecular mechanisms of curd development and for marker-assisted selection of curd morphology in cauliflower breeding.

Identification of Candidate Genes Involved in Curd Riceyness in Cauliflower.

"Riceyness" refers to the precocious development of flower bud initials over the curd surface of cauliflower, and it is regarded as undesirable for the market. The present study aimed to identify the candidate loci and genes responsible for the morphological difference in riceyness between a pair of cauliflower sister lines. Genetic analysis revealed that riceyness is controlled by a single dominant locus. An F2 population derived from the cross between these sister lines was used to construct "riceyness" and "non-riceyness" bulks, and then it was subjected to BSA-seq. On the basis of the results of Δ(SNP-index) analysis, a 4.0 Mb candidate region including 22 putative SNPs was mapped on chromosome C04. Combining the RNA-seq, gene function annotation, and target sequence analysis among two parents and other breeding lines, an orthologous gene of the Arabidopsis gene SOC1, Bo4g024850 was presumed as the candidate gene, and an upstream SNP likely resulted in riceyness phenotype via influencing the expression levels of Bo4g024850. These results are helpful to understand the genetic mechanism regulating riceyness, and to facilitate the molecular improvement on cauliflower curds.

Construction of a high-density genetic map and identification of loci controlling purple sepal trait of flower head in Brassica oleracea L. italica.

BACKGROUND: Some broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. italic) accessions have purple sepals and cold weather would deepen the purple color, while the sepals of other broccoli lines are always green even in cold winter. The related locus or gene is still unknown. In this study, a high-density genetic map was constructed based on specific locus amplified fragment (SLAF) sequencing in a doubled-haploid segregation population with 127 individuals. And mapping of the purple sepal trait in flower heads based on phenotypic data collected during three seasons was performed. RESULTS: A genetic map was constructed, which contained 6694 SLAF markers with an average sequencing depth of 81.37-fold in the maternal line, 84-fold in the paternal line, and 15.76-fold in each individual population studied. In all of the annual data recorded, three quantitative trait loci (QTLs) were identified that were all distributed within the linkage group (LG) 1. Among them, a major locus, qPH.C01-2, located at 36.393 cM LG1, was consistently detected in all analysis. Besides this locus, another two minor loci, qPH.C01-4 and qPH.C01-5, were identified near qPH.C01-2, based on the phenotypic data from spring of 2018. CONCLUSION: The purple sepal trait could be controlled by a major single locus and two minor loci. The genetic map and location of the purple sepal trait of flower heads provide an important foundation for mapping other compound traits and the identification of the genes related to purple sepal trait in broccoli.

Genome wide analysis of MADS-box gene family in Brassica oleracea reveals conservation and variation in flower development.

BACKGROUND: MADS-box genes play important roles in vegetative growth and reproductive development and are essential for the correct development of plants (particularly inflorescences, flowers, and fruits). However, this gene family has not been identified nor their functions analyzed in Brassica oleracea. RESULTS: In this study, we performed a whole-genome survey of the complete set of MADS-box genes in B. oleracea. In total, 91 MADS-box transcription factors (TFs) were identified and categorized as type I (Mα, Mß, Mγ) and type II (MIKCC, MIKC*) groups according to the phylogeny and gene structure analysis. Among these genes, 59 were randomly distributed on 9 chromosomes, while the other 23 were assigned to 19 scaffolds and 9 genes from NCBI had no location information. Both RNA-sequencing and quantitative real-time-PCR analysis suggested that MIKC genes had more active and complex expression patterns than M type genes and most type II genes showed high flowering-related expression profiles. Additional quantitative real-time-PCR analysis of pedicel and four flower whorls revealed that the structure of the B.oleracea MIKC genes was conserved, but their homologues showed variable expression patterns compared to those in Arabidopsis thaliana. CONCLUSION: This paper gives a detailed overview of the BolMADS genes and their expression patterns. The results obtained in this study provide useful information for understanding the molecular regulation of flower development and further functional characterization of MADS-box genes in B. oleracea.

Maternal exposure to fine particulate matter and the risk of fetal distress.

Prenatal life exposure to fine particulate matter (aerodynamic diameter less than or equal to 2.5 µm, PM2.5) has been linked with increased risk of adverse fetal development and birth outcomes in previous studies. However, to our knowledge, no study has investigated the association of maternal PM2.5 with the risk of fetal distress, which is a harmful fetal status and may lead to fetal brain damage, even fetal death. Therefore, we conducted a study to determine the association between maternal PM2.5 and fetal distress among 7835 mother-infant pairs from a birth cohort, in Wuhan, China, 2013-2015. The individual daily PM2.5 level was assessed using land use regression model. We evaluated the association of maternal PM2.5 level over the whole pregnancy with fetal distress by logistic regression model, and estimated the risk between PM2.5 exposure in specific trimester and fetal distress using generalized estimating equations. We observed that per 10 µg/m3 change of maternal PM2.5 level over the whole pregnancy was associated with 25% increased risk of fetal distress (95% confidence interval: 1.09-1.44). Further, we found PM2.5 level in the 2nd trimester, but not in the 1st and 3rd trimesters, was associated with fetal distress. Stratified analyses indicated that the association was only significant among infants who were born in cold seasons. Our study suggested that PM2.5 exposure during the whole pregnancy exhibited significant associations with the risk of fetal distress, and exposure in the 2nd trimester maybe the susceptible window. Further stratified analyses indicated that birth season is a possible modifier in the association.

Recognizing and managing on toxicities in cancer immunotherapy.

Over the past 4 years, cancer immunotherapy has significantly prolonged survival time of patients with prostate cancer, melanoma, lung cancer, and liver cancer, but its side effects are also impressive. Different types of the immune therapeutic agents have different on-target or off-target toxicity due to high affinity or weak specificity, respectively. Treatment toxicity spectrums vary greatly even in patients with the same type of cancer. Common toxicities are fevers, chills, diarrhea colitis, maculopapular rash, hepatitis, and hormone gland disorder; therefore, routine monitoring of thyroid function, liver function, renal function, and complete blood count are absolutely necessary once treatment begins. Some side effects are reversible, and can be processed through the standard medicines. However, serious toxicities are lethal, which should be frequently followed-up, identified at an early stage and immediately symptomatic treated by high-dose immunosuppressors. In this case, thereafter, the same agent should not be challenged again.

Unravelling Glucoraphanin and Glucoerucin Metabolism across Broccoli Sprout Development: Insights from Metabolite and Transcriptome Analysis.

Variations in the concentration of glucoraphanin (GRA) and glucoerucin (GER), as well as the corresponding breakdown products, isothiocyanates (ITCs) and nitriles, were investigated during the growth of broccoli sprouts. The concentrations of GRA and GER decreased sharply from 33.66 µmol/g to 11.48 µmol/g and 12.98 µmol/g to 8.23 µmol/g, respectively, after seed germination. From the third to the seventh day, both GRA and GER were maintained as relatively stable. The highest concentrations of sulforaphane (17.16 µmol/g) and erucin (12.26 µmol/g) were observed on the first day. Hereafter, the concentrations of nitrile hydrolyzed from GRA or GER were higher than those of the corresponding ITCs. Moreover, the ratio of sulforaphane to sulforaphane nitrile decreased from 1.35 to 0.164 from 1 d to 5 d, with a similar trend exhibited for erucin/erucin nitrile after 2 d. RNA-seq analysis showed that BolMYB28 and BolCYP83A1, involved in aliphatic glucosinolate (GSL) biosynthesis, remained largely unexpressed until the third day. In contrast, the genes operating within the GSL-myrosinase hydrolysis pathway were highly expressed right from the beginning, with their expression levels increasing significantly after the third day. Additionally, we identified two BolESPs and six BolNSPs that might play important roles in promoting the production of nitriles during the development of broccoli sprouts.

The influence of management practices on plant diversity: a comparative study of three urban wetlands in an expanding city in eastern China.

Rapid urbanization has drawn some aquatic environments into the urban texture from the outskirts of cities, and the composition and distribution of plant species in urban wetlands along the urban gradient have changed. Understanding the drivers of these changes will help in the conservation and utilization of urban wetlands. This study investigated the differences in plant diversity and associated influencing factors in three wetlands, Xixi wetland, Tongjian Lake wetland, and Qingshan Lake wetland, which are located in a core area, fringe area, and suburban area of Hangzhou City, respectively. The results showed that a total of 104 families, 254 genera, and 336 species of plants were recorded in the Xixi wetland; 179 species, 150 genera, and 74 families were found in the Qingshan Lake wetland; and 112 species, 96 genera, and 57 families were collected in the Tongjian Lake wetland. The main plant species and flora distribution of the three urban wetlands showed similarities. Indigenous spontaneous vegetation was highest in the Xixi wetland, while cultivated plant species were most abundant in the Tongjian Lake wetland. The introduction of cultivated plants decreased the distance attenuation effect of plant communities, which led to a certain degree of plant diversity convergence among the three wetlands. Eight endangered plants were preserved in the Xixi wetland by planting them in suitable habitats. Ellenberg's indicator values showed that the proportion of heliophilous plants was higher in the Qingshan Lake wetland, while the proportion of thermophilous plants and nitrogen-loving plants in the Tongjian Lake wetland was higher than in the other two wetlands. The importance of artificial interference factors affecting the differences in plant diversity was significantly higher than that of natural environmental factors in urban wetlands. The preservation of spontaneous plants and the introduction of cultivated plants had an importance of 25.73% and 25.38%, respectively. These were the main factors influencing the plant diversity of urban wetlands. The management mode that did not interfere with spontaneous vegetation and confined maintenance to cultivated plants in the Xixi wetland was beneficial for improving wetland plant diversity. Scientific plant reintroduction can also improve wetland plant diversity.

Comparative Transcriptome and Targeted Metabolome Profiling Unravel the Key Role of Phenylpropanoid and Glucosinolate Pathways in Defense against Alternaria brassicicola in Broccoli.

Alternaria brassicicola (Ab) can cause a major yield and quality-limiting disease of Brassica oleracea called black spot, and the genetic resources conferring complete resistance against Ab have not been identified to date. Here, comparative transcriptome and targeted metabolome analysis were performed utilizing a newly identified resistant (R) line and a broccoli susceptible (S) line at 6, 24, and 72 h post-inoculation (hpi). Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes pathway enrichment and the weighted gene co-expression network analyses showed that the phenylpropanoid pathway regulates the resistance to Ab in broccoli. One metabolite, cinnamic acid, was significantly upregulated in the Ab_inoculated R line compared with the mock treatment but no significant difference in the S line, indicating that the cinnamic acid may cause the resistance difference between R and S lines. Our results also revealed that three indolic glucosinolates of I3G, 4MI3G, and 1MI3G were significantly increased in the Ab_inoculated R line compared with the mock treatment, and some related genes were differentially expressed between the R and S lines. These results provided new insights into the mechanism of Ab defense in B. oleracea and have laid a theoretical foundation for effectively utilizing resistant germplasm resources in broccoli breeding.

Smoking, alcohol consumption, and frailty: A Mendelian randomization study.

Background: Tobacco smoking and alcohol consumption have been associated with frailty in observational studies. We sought to examine whether these associations reflect causality using the two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) design. Methods: We used summary genome-wide association statistics for smoking initiation (N = 2,669,029), alcohol consumption (N = 2,428,851), and the frailty index (FI, N = 175,226) in participants of European ancestry. Both univariable and multivariable MR were performed to comprehensively evaluate the independent effects of smoking and alcohol consumption on the FI, accompanied by multiple sensitivity analyses. Results were verified using lifetime smoking and alcohol use disorder. Reverse direction MR was undertaken to assess the potential for reverse causation. Results: Genetic predisposition to smoking initiation was significantly associated with increased FI (univariable MR: ß = 0.345; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.316 to 0.374; p = 1.36E-113; multivariable MR: ß = 0.219; 95% CI = 0.197 to 0.241; p = 2.44E-83). Genetically predicted alcohol consumption showed a suggestive association with the FI (univariable MR: ß = -0.090; 95% CI = -0.151 to -0.029; p = 0.003; multivariable MR ß = -0.153; 95% CI = -0.212 to -0.094; p = 2.03E-07), with inconsistent results in sensitivity analyses. In complementary analysis, genetic predicted lifetime smoking, but not alcohol use disorder was associated with the FI. There is no convincing evidence for reverse causation. Conclusion: The present MR study supported smoking as a causal risk factor of frailty. Further research is warranted to investigate whether alcohol consumption has a causal role in frailty.

Establishment of a stable, effective and universal genetic transformation technique in the diverse species of Brassica oleracea.

Brassica oleracea is an economically important species, including seven cultivated variants. Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of B. oleracea crops, mainly via hypocotyl and cotyledon, has been achieved in the past. However, previously established transformation methods showed low efficiency, severe genotype limitation and a prolonged period for transformants acquisition, greatly restricting its application in functional genomic studies and crop improvement. In this study, we have compared the shoot regeneration and genetic transformation efficiency of hypocotyl, cotyledon petiole and curd peduncle explants from twelve genotypes of cauliflower and broccoli. Finally, an Agrobacterium-mediated transformation method using curd peduncle as explant was established, which is rapid, efficient, and amenable to high-throughput transformation and genome editing. The average genetic transformation efficiency of this method is stable up to 11.87% and was successfully implemented in twelve different genotypes of cauliflower and broccoli and other B. oleracea crops with low genotype dependence. Peduncle explants were found to contain abundant cambial cells with a strong cell division and shoot regeneration ability, which might be why this method achieved stable and high genetic transformation efficiency with almost no genotype dependence.

Molecular Breeding Strategy and Challenges Towards Improvement of Downy Mildew Resistance in Cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis L.).

Cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis L.) is one of the important, nutritious and healthy vegetable crops grown and consumed worldwide. But its production is constrained by several destructive fungal diseases and most importantly, downy mildew leading to severe yield and quality losses. For sustainable cauliflower production, developing resistant varieties/hybrids with durable resistance against broad-spectrum of pathogens is the best strategy for a long term and reliable solution. Identification of novel resistant resources, knowledge of the genetics of resistance, mapping and cloning of resistance QTLs and identification of candidate genes would facilitate molecular breeding for disease resistance in cauliflower. Advent of next-generation sequencing technologies (NGS) and publishing of draft genome sequence of cauliflower has opened the flood gate for new possibilities to develop enormous amount of genomic resources leading to mapping and cloning of resistance QTLs. In cauliflower, several molecular breeding approaches such as QTL mapping, marker-assisted backcrossing, gene pyramiding have been carried out to develop new resistant cultivars. Marker-assisted selection (MAS) would be beneficial in improving the precision in the selection of improved cultivars against multiple pathogens. This comprehensive review emphasizes the fascinating recent advances made in the application of molecular breeding approach for resistance against an important pathogen; Downy Mildew (Hyaloperonospora parasitica) affecting cauliflower and Brassica oleracea crops and highlights the QTLs identified imparting resistance against this pathogen. We have also emphasized the critical research areas as future perspectives to bridge the gap between availability of genomic resources and its utility in identifying resistance genes/QTLs to breed downy mildew resistant cultivars. Additionally, we have also discussed the challenges and the way forward to realize the full potential of molecular breeding for downy mildew resistance by integrating marker technology with conventional breeding in the post-genomics era. All this information will undoubtedly provide new insights to the researchers in formulating future breeding strategies in cauliflower to develop durable resistant cultivars against the major pathogens in general and downy mildew in particular.

Advances in Multi-Omics Approaches for Molecular Breeding of Black Rot Resistance in Brassica oleracea L.

Brassica oleracea is one of the most important species of the Brassicaceae family encompassing several economically important vegetables produced and consumed worldwide. But its sustainability is challenged by a range of pathogens, among which black rot, caused by Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris (Xcc), is the most serious and destructive seed borne bacterial disease, causing huge yield losses. Host-plant resistance could act as the most effective and efficient solution to curb black rot disease for sustainable production of B. oleracea. Recently, 'omics' technologies have emerged as promising tools to understand the host-pathogen interactions, thereby gaining a deeper insight into the resistance mechanisms. In this review, we have summarized the recent achievements made in the emerging omics technologies to tackle the black rot challenge in B. oleracea. With an integrated approach of the omics technologies such as genomics, proteomics, transcriptomics, and metabolomics, it would allow better understanding of the complex molecular mechanisms underlying black rot resistance. Due to the availability of sequencing data, genomics and transcriptomics have progressed as expected for black rot resistance, however, other omics approaches like proteomics and metabolomics are lagging behind, necessitating a holistic and targeted approach to address the complex questions of Xcc-Brassica interactions. Genomic studies revealed that the black rot resistance is a complex trait and is mostly controlled by quantitative trait locus (QTL) with minor effects. Transcriptomic analysis divulged the genes related to photosynthesis, glucosinolate biosynthesis and catabolism, phenylpropanoid biosynthesis pathway, ROS scavenging, calcium signalling, hormonal synthesis and signalling pathway are being differentially expressed upon Xcc infection. Comparative proteomic analysis in relation to susceptible and/or resistance interactions with Xcc identified the involvement of proteins related to photosynthesis, protein biosynthesis, processing and degradation, energy metabolism, innate immunity, redox homeostasis, and defence response and signalling pathways in Xcc-Brassica interaction. Specifically, most of the studies focused on the regulation of the photosynthesis-related proteins as a resistance response in both early and later stages of infection. Metabolomic studies suggested that glucosinolates (GSLs), especially aliphatic and indolic GSLs, its subsequent hydrolysis products, and defensive metabolites synthesized by jasmonic acid (JA)-mediated phenylpropanoid biosynthesis pathway are involved in disease resistance mechanisms against Xcc in Brassica species. Multi-omics analysis showed that JA signalling pathway is regulating resistance against hemibiotrophic pathogen like Xcc. So, the bonhomie between omics technologies and plant breeding is going to trigger major breakthroughs in the field of crop improvement by developing superior cultivars with broad-spectrum resistance. If multi-omics tools are implemented at the right scale, we may be able to achieve the maximum benefits from the minimum. In this review, we have also discussed the challenges, future prospects, and the way forward in the application of omics technologies to accelerate the breeding of B. oleracea for disease resistance. A deeper insight about the current knowledge on omics can offer promising results in the breeding of high-quality disease-resistant crops.

Development of GBTS and KASP Panels for Genetic Diversity, Population Structure, and Fingerprinting of a Large Collection of Broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. var. italica) in China.

Broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica) is one of the most important and nutritious vegetables widely cultivated in China. In the recent four decades, several improved varieties were bred and developed by Chinese breeders. However, the efforts for improvement of broccoli are hindered by limited information of genetic diversity and genetic relatedness contained within the available germplasms. This study evaluated the genetic diversity, genetic relationship, population structure, and fingerprinting of 372 accessions of broccoli representing most of the variability of broccoli in China. Millions of SNPs were identified by whole-genome sequencing of 23 representative broccoli genotypes. Through several stringent selection criteria, a total of 1,167 SNPs were selected to characterize genetic diversity and population structure. Of these markers, 1,067 SNPs were genotyped by target sequencing (GBTS), and 100 SNPs were genotyped by kompetitive allele specific PCR (KASP) assay. The average polymorphism information content (PIC) and expected heterozygosity (gene diversity) values were 0.33 and 0.42, respectively. Diversity analysis revealed the prevalence of low to moderate genetic diversity in the broccoli accessions indicating a narrow genetic base. Phylogenetic and principal component analyses revealed that the 372 accessions could be clustered into two main groups but with weak groupings. STRUCTURE analysis also suggested the presence of two subpopulations with weak genetic structure. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) identified 13% variance among populations and 87% within populations revealing very low population differentiation, which could be attributed to massive gene flow and the reproductive biology of the crop. Based on high resolving power, a set of 28 KASP markers was chosen for DNA fingerprinting of the broccoli accessions for seed authentication and varietal identification. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first comprehensive study to measure diversity and population structure of a large collection of broccoli in China and also the first application of GBTS and KASP techniques in genetic characterization of broccoli. This work broadens the understanding of diversity, phylogeny, and population structure of a large collection of broccoli, which may enhance future breeding efforts to achieve higher productivity.