The Utilization of ChatGPT in Reshaping Future Medical Education and Learning Perspectives: A Curse or a Blessing?

BACKGROUND: ChatGPT has substantial potential to revolutionize medical education. We aim to assess how medical students and laypeople evaluate information produced by ChatGPT compared to an evidence-based resource on the diagnosis and management of 5 common surgical conditions. METHODS: A 60-question anonymous online survey was distributed to third- and fourth-year U.S. medical students and laypeople to evaluate articles produced by ChatGPT and an evidence-based source on clarity, relevance, reliability, validity, organization, and comprehensiveness. Participants received 2 blinded articles, 1 from each source, for each surgical condition. Paired-sample t-tests were used to compare ratings between the 2 sources. RESULTS: Of 56 survey participants, 50.9% (n = 28) were U.S. medical students and 49.1% (n = 27) were from the general population. Medical students reported that ChatGPT articles displayed significantly more clarity (appendicitis: 4.39 vs 3.89, P = .020; diverticulitis: 4.54 vs 3.68, P < .001; SBO 4.43 vs 3.79, P = .003; GI bleed: 4.36 vs 3.93, P = .020) and better organization (diverticulitis: 4.36 vs 3.68, P = .021; SBO: 4.39 vs 3.82, P = .033) than the evidence-based source. However, for all 5 conditions, medical students found evidence-based passages to be more comprehensive than ChatGPT articles (cholecystitis: 4.04 vs 3.36, P = .009; appendicitis: 4.07 vs 3.36, P = .015; diverticulitis: 4.07 vs 3.36, P = .015; small bowel obstruction: 4.11 vs 3.54, P = .030; upper GI bleed: 4.11 vs 3.29, P = .003). CONCLUSION: Medical students perceived ChatGPT articles to be clearer and better organized than evidence-based sources on the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and management of 5 common surgical pathologies. However, evidence-based articles were rated as significantly more comprehensive.

Unraveling the genetic enigma of rice submergence tolerance: Shedding light on the role of ethylene response factor-encoding gene SUB1A-1.

The world's low-lying rice (Oryza sativa) cultivation areas are under threat of submergence or flash flooding due to global warming. Rice plants manifest a variety of physiological and morphological changes to cope with submergence and hypoxia, including lowering carbohydrate consumption, inhibiting shoot elongation, and forming a thicker leaf gas film during submergence. Functional studies have revealed that submergence tolerance in rice is mainly determined by an ethylene response factor (ERF) transcription factor-encoding gene, namely SUBMERGENCE 1A-1 (SUB1A-1) located in the SUB1 quantitative trait locus. The SUB1A-1-dependent submergence tolerance is manifested through hormonal signaling involving ethylene, gibberellic acid, brassinosteroid, auxin and jasmonic acid. Considerable progress has been made toward the introduction of SUB1A-1 into rice varieties through a conventional marker-assisted backcrossing approach. Here, we review the recent advances in the physiological, biochemical and molecular dynamics of rice submergence tolerance mediated by the 'quiescence strategy'. Thus, the present review aims to provide researchers with insights into the genetics of rice submergence tolerance and future perspectives for designing submergence-resilient plants for sustainable agriculture under the uncertainties of climate change.

Effect of Reproductive Stage-Waterlogging on the Growth and Yield of Upland Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum).

The reproductive stage of cotton (Gossypium sp.) is highly sensitive to waterlogging. The identification of potential elite upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) cultivar(s) having higher waterlogging tolerance is crucial to expanding cotton cultivation in the low-lying areas. The present study was designed to investigate the effect of waterlogging on the reproductive development of four elite upland cotton cultivars, namely, Rupali-1, CB-12, CB-13, and DM-3, against four waterlogging durations (e.g., 0, 3, 6, and 9-day). Waterlogging stress significantly impacted morpho-physiological, biochemical, and yield attributes of cotton. Two cotton cultivars, e.g., CB-12 and Rupali-1, showed the lowest reduction in plant height (6 and 9%, respectively) and boll weight (8 and 5%, respectively) at the highest waterlogging duration of 9 days. Physiological and biochemical data revealed that higher leaf chlorophyll, proline, and relative water contents, and lower malondialdehyde contents, particularly in CB-12 and Rupali-1, were positively correlated with yield. Notably, CB-12 and Rupali-1 had higher seed cotton weight (90.34 and 83.10 g, respectively), lint weight (40.12 and 39.32 g, respectively), and seed weight (49.47 and 43.78 g, respectively) per plant than CB-13 and DM-3 in response to the highest duration of waterlogging of 9 days. Moreover, extensive multivariate analyses like Spearman correlation and the principle component analysis revealed that CB-12 and Rupali-1 had greater coefficients in yield and physiological attributes at 9-day waterlogging, whereas CB-13 and DM-3 were sensitive cultivars in response to the same levels of waterlogging. Thus, CB-12 and Rupali-1 might be well adapted to the low-lying waterlogging-prone areas for high and sustained yield.

Metal contamination in soil and vegetables around Savar tannery area, Dhaka, Bangladesh: A preliminary study for risk assessment.

Monitoring of heavy metal concentrations in soil and their accumulation in vegetables grown in the newly shifted tannery area of Savar, Bangladesh, is crucial for human health. Heavy metals (i.e., Cr, Pb, Cu, Zn, Ni, and Cd) concentrations in soil and vegetable samples were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). In soil, 3220 mg/kg Cr was observed, which was 32-fold greater than the WHO/FAO recommended limit. Ecological risk indices such as the contamination factor, enrichment factor, pollution load index, and geoaccumulation index showed metal levels as moderately to very highly contaminated. The non-carcinogenic risk (NCR) was found to be higher, and the carcinogenic risk (CR) exceeded the acceptable value 1 × 10-6 and posed greater risks to children than adults, especially for Cr in soil. The main exposure pathway for soil metals was 97.8-99.9% due to oral ingestion. The concentration of heavy metals especially Cr, Pb, Zn, and Cd, in vegetables was alarming as they crossed the safety limit. The calculated mean hazard index (8.71) for vegetable samples showed elevated levels of potential NCR, while CR for Cr and Cd, exceeded the acceptable limit of 1 × 10-6, indicating the probability of cancer risk to humans through the consumption of vegetables. This study revealed a to-and-fro analysis of the present scenario of the tannery area, giving importance to human health and the environment.

Injuries associated with golf: A qualitative study.

Background: Golf is a popular sport played worldwide. The majority of professional golfers work as teaching professionals based at golf clubs. All professional players spend numerous hours on the golf course, placing themselves at increased risk of injury. There have been no recent, large studies investigating injury patterns among male and female professional golfers. Objective: To investigate the frequency, types and mechanism of injury sustained by male and female professional golfers and to compare injury patterns between touring and teaching professionals. Methods: Injury data was analyzed from 77 amateur golfers recruited through a questionnaire asking about their different injuries. A web based survey was conducted focusing on injury frequency, location and mechanism and any subsequent time loss. Factors such as side of injury, investigations for the injury were noted. Results: The study enlisted the participation of 76 patients. One was excluded due to incomplete questionairres Injuries were reported by 34 patients (45%). Eleven patients said they had an elbow injury. The relationship between the number of years the individuals had been playing golf and their history of injury was shown to be significant (p = 0.0257). Warm up and injury have a statistically significant relationship (p = 0.846). Conclusion: In order to contribute to making golf a safer and hence more enjoyable lifetime activity, a greater knowledge of golf-related injuries is required. This study attempts to do so, and the elbow was discovered to be the most damaged region.

An unexpected case of non-uremic calciphylaxis in a patient with multiple risk factors.

A 58-year-old woman with a history of morbid obesity, asthma, and prior warfarin use presented to the hospital with shortness of breath and a three-month history of painful, ulcerated ulcers with retiform purpura of her bilateral distal extremities. A punch biopsy specimen demonstrated focal necrosis and hyalinization of the adipose tissue with subtle arteriolar calcium deposition, findings consistent with calciphylaxis. We discuss the presentation of non-uremic calciphylaxis and review the risk factors, pathophysiology, and interdisciplinary management approach of this rare disease.

Genome-wide identification, genomic organization, and expression profiling of the CONSTANS-like (COL) gene family in petunia under multiple stresses.

BACKGROUND: CONSTANS-like (CO-like, COL) are putative zinc-finger transcription factors known to play vital role in various plant biological processes such as control of flowering time, regulation of plant growth and development and responses to stresses. However, no systematic analysis of COL family gene regarding the plant development and stress response has been previously performed in any solanaceous crop. In the present study, a comprehensive genome-wide analysis of COL family genes in petunia has been conducted to figure out their roles in development of organs and stress response. RESULTS: A total of 33 COL genes, 15 PaCOL genes in P. axillaris and 18 PiCOL genes in P. inflata, were identified in petunia. Subsequently, a genome-wide systematic analysis was performed in 15 PaCOL genes. Considering the domain composition and sequence similarity the 15 PaCOL and 18 PiCOL genes were phylogenetically classified into three groups those are conserved among the flowering plants. Moreover, all of the 15 PaCOL proteins were localized in nucleus. Furthermore, differential expression patterns of PaCOL genes were observed at different developmental stages of petunia. Additionally, transcript expression of 15 PaCOL genes under various abiotic and phytohormone treatments showed their response against stresses. Moreover, several cis-elements related to stress, light-responsive, hormone signaling were also detected in different PaCOL genes. CONCLUSION: The phylogenetic clustering, organ specific expression pattern and stress responsive expression profile of conserved petunia COL genes indicating their involvement in plant growth and development and stress response mechanism. This work provide a significant foundation for understanding the biological roles of petunia COL genes in plant growth, development and in stress response.

Time Course of Root Axis Elongation and Lateral Root Formation in Perennial Ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.).

Grasses have a segmental morphology. Compared to leaf development, data on root development at the phytomer level are scarce. Leaf appearance interval was recorded over time to allow inference about the age of segmental sites that later form roots. Hydroponically grown Lolium perenne cv. Aberdart tillers were studied in both spring and autumn in increasing and decreasing day length conditions, respectively, and dissected to define the development status of roots of known age on successive phytomers basipetally on the tiller axis. Over a 90-day observation period spring and autumn tillers produced 10.4 and 18.1 root bearing phytomers (Pr), respectively. Four stages of root development were identified: (0) main axis elongation (~0-10 days), (1) primary branching (~10-18 days), (2) secondary branching (~18-25 days), and (3) tertiary and quaternary branching without further increase in root dry weight. The individual spring roots achieved significantly greater dry weight (35%) than autumn roots, and a mechanism for seasonal shift in substrate supply to roots is proposed. Our data define a root turnover pattern likely also occurring in field swards and provide insight for modelling the turnover of grass root systems for developing nutrient efficient or stress tolerant ryegrass swards.

PEG-Induced Osmotic Stress Alters Root Morphology and Root Hair Traits in Wheat Genotypes.

Wheat crop in drought-prone regions of Bangladesh suffers from osmotic stress. The objective of this study was to investigate the response of wheat genotypes with respect to root morphology and root hair traits under polyethylene glycol (PEG)-induced osmotic stress. A total of 22 genotypes of wheat were grown hydroponically and two treatments-0% and 10% PEG-were imposed at 14 days after germination. Plant growth was reduced in terms of plant height, number of live leaves per tiller, shoot dry weight, number of root-bearing phytomers, and roots per tiller. Notably, PEG-induced osmotic stress increased root dry weight per tiller by increasing length of the main axis and lateral roots, as well as the diameter and density of both lateral roots and root hairs of the individual roots. A biplot was drawn after a principal component analysis, taking three less-affected (high-yielding genotypes) and three highly affected (low-yielding genotypes and landrace) genotypes under 10% PEG stress, compared to control. Principal component 1 separated PEG-treated wheat genotypes from control-treated genotypes, with a high and positive coefficient for the density of lateral roots and root hairs, length and diameter of the main axis, and first-order lateral roots and leaf injury scores, indicating that these traits are associated with osmotic stress tolerance. Principal component 2 separated high-yielding and tolerant wheat genotypes from low-yielding and susceptible genotypes, with a high coefficient for root dry weight, density of root hairs and second-order lateral roots, length of the main axis, and first-order lateral roots. An increase in root dry weight in PEG-stress-tolerant wheat genotypes was achieved through an increase in length and diameter of the main axis and lateral roots. The information derived from this research could be exploited for identifying osmotic stress-tolerant QTL and for developing abiotic-tolerant cultivars of wheat.

5-aminolevulinic acid-mediated plant adaptive responses to abiotic stress.

KEY MESSAGE: 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) modulates various defense systems in plants and confers abiotic stress tolerance. Enhancement of crop production is a challenge due to numerous abiotic stresses such as, salinity, drought, temperature, heavy metals, and UV. Plants often face one or more abiotic stresses in their life cycle because of the challenging growing environment which results in reduction of growth and yield. Diverse studies have been conducted to discern suitable mitigation strategies to enhance crop production by minimizing abiotic stress. Exogenous application of different plant growth regulators is a well-renowned approach to ameliorate adverse effects of abiotic stresses on crop plants. Among the numerous plant growth regulators, 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) is a novel plant growth regulator, also well-known to alleviate the injurious effects of abiotic stresses in plants. ALA enhances abiotic stress tolerance as well as growth and yield by regulating photosynthetic and antioxidant machineries and nutrient uptake in plants. However, the regulatory roles of ALA in plants under different stresses have not been studied and assembled systematically. Also, ALA-mediated abiotic stress tolerance mechanisms have not been fully elucidated yet. Therefore, this review discusses the role of ALA in crop growth enhancement as well as its ameliorative role in abiotic stress mitigation and also discusses the ALA-mediated abiotic stress tolerance mechanisms and its limitation and future promises for sustainable crop production.

Approach to stable angina in patients with advanced chronic kidney disease.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Chronic kidney disease is one of the major risk factors for coronary artery disease. Both end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and advanced chronic kidney disease patients have atypical presentations of coronary artery disease (CAD) due to modifications in cardinal symptoms and clinical presentation. Data on evaluation and management of coronary artery or stable angina is limited in advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients due to a limited number of trials. There are sparse data supporting either percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or coronary artery bypass graft in advanced CKD patients. RECENT FINDINGS: The ISCHEMIA-CKD trial to date is the most extensive prospective randomized study looking at advanced CKD patients study looking at advanced CKD stage 4/5 patients randomized to medical treatment alone vs. invasive strategy for moderate to severe myocardial ischemia. There was no evidence found that an initial invasive strategy compared with conservative strategy with maximal medical management resulted in reduced risk of death or nonfatal myocardial infarction in patients with advanced CKD and coronary artery disease with stable angina. SUMMARY: In this review, we will discuss the existing data on assessment and management of stable coronary artery disease/stable angina. And how this extrapolates to the application in advanced CKD patients awaiting kidney transplant.

Glucosinolate Profile and Glucosinolate Biosynthesis and Breakdown Gene Expression Manifested by Black Rot Disease Infection in Cabbage.

Cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata) is an economically important crop in the family Brassicaceae. Black rot disease is a top ranked cabbage disease, which is caused by Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris (Xcc) and may reduce 50% crop loss. Therefore, we need a clear understanding of black rot disease resistance for sustainable disease management. The secondary metabolites, like Glucosinolate (GSL) presents in Brassica species, which plays a potential role in the defense mechanism against pathogens. However, there is little known about GSL-regulated resistance mechanisms and GSL biosynthesis and the breakdown related gene expression after black rot disease infection in cabbage. In this study, relative expression of 43 biosynthetic and breakdown related GSLs were estimated in the black rot resistant and susceptible cabbage lines after Xcc inoculation. Ten different types of GSL from both aliphatic and indolic groups were identified in the contrasting cabbage lines by HPLC analysis, which included six aliphatic and four indolic compounds. In the resistant line, nine genes (MYB122-Bol026204, MYB34-Bol017062, AOP2-Bo9g006240, ST5c-Bol030757, CYP81F1-Bol017376, CYP81F2-Bol012237, CYP81F4-Bol032712, CYP81F4-Bol032714 and PEN2-Bol030092) showed consistent expression patterns. Pearson's correlation coefficient showed positive and significant association between aliphatic GSL compounds and expression values of ST5c-Bol030757 and AOP2-Bo9g006240 genes as well as between indolic GSL compounds and the expression of MYB34-Bol017062, MYB122-Bol026204, CYP81F2-Bol012237, CYP81F4-Bol032712 and CYP81F4-Bol032714 genes. This study helps in understanding the role of GSL biosynthesis and breakdown related genes for resistance against black rot pathogen in cabbage, which could be further confirmed through functional characterization either by overexpression or knock-out mutation.

Expression and Role of Biosynthetic, Transporter, Receptor, and Responsive Genes for Auxin Signaling during Clubroot Disease Development.

Auxins play a pivotal role in clubroot development caused by the obligate biotroph Plasmodiophora brassicae. In this study, we investigated the pattern of expression of 23 genes related to auxin biosynthesis, reception, and transport in Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa) after inoculation with P. brassicae. The predicted proteins identified, based on the 23 selected auxin-related genes, were from protein kinase, receptor kinase, auxin responsive, auxin efflux carrier, transcriptional regulator, and the auxin-repressed protein family. These proteins differed in amino acids residue, molecular weights, isoelectric points, chromosomal location, and subcellular localization. Leaf and root tissues showed dynamic and organ-specific variation in expression of auxin-related genes. The BrGH3.3 gene, involved in auxin signaling, exhibited 84.4-fold increase in expression in root tissues compared to leaf tissues as an average of all samples. This gene accounted for 4.8-, 2.6-, and 5.1-fold higher expression at 3, 14, and 28 days post inoculation (dpi) in the inoculated root tissues compared to mock-treated roots. BrNIT1, an auxin signaling gene, and BrPIN1, an auxin transporter, were remarkably induced during both cortex infection at 14 dpi and gall formation at 28 dpi. BrDCK1, an auxin receptor, was upregulated during cortex infection at 14 dpi. The BrLAX1 gene, associated with root hair development, was induced at 1 dpi in infected roots, indicating its importance in primary infection. More interestingly, a significantly higher expression of BrARP1, an auxin-repressed gene, at both the primary and secondary phases of infection indicated a dynamic response of the host plant towards its resistance against P. brassicae. The results of this study improve our current understanding of the role of auxin-related genes in clubroot disease development.

Leptosphaeria maculans Alters Glucosinolate Accumulation and Expression of Aliphatic and Indolic Glucosinolate Biosynthesis Genes in Blackleg Disease-Resistant and -Susceptible Cabbage Lines at the Seedling Stage.

The fungal pathogen, Leptosphaeria maculans causes a severe and economically important disease to Brassica crops globally, well-known as blackleg. Besides, the anti-oxidative defense response of glucosinolates to fungal pathogens is widely established. Despite notable importance of glucosinolates in blackleg disease resistance the association of glucosinolate pathway genes in glucosinolate mediated defense response after L. maculans infection remains incompletely understood. The current study was designed to identify glucosinolate-biosynthesis specific genes among the eight selected candidates induced by L. maculans and associated alterations in glucosinolate profiles to explore their roles in blackleg resistance at the seedling stage of cabbage plants. The defense responses of four cabbage inbred lines, two resistant and two susceptible, were investigated using two L. maculans isolates, 03-02s and 00-100s. Pathogen-induced glucosinolate accumulation dynamically changed from two days after inoculation to four days after inoculation. In general, glucosinolate biosynthetic genes were induced at 24 h after inoculation and glucosinolate accumulation enhanced at two days after inoculation. An increase in either aliphatic (GIB, GRA) or indolic (GBS and MGBS) glucosinolates was associated with seedling resistance of cabbage. Pearson correlation showed the enhanced accumulation of MGBS, GBS, GIB, GIV and GRA after the inoculation of fungal isolates was associated with expression of specific genes. Principal component analysis separated two resistant cabbage lines-BN4098 and BN4303 from two susceptible cabbage lines-BN4059 and BN4072 for variable coefficients of disease scores, glucosinolate accumulation and expression levels of genes. Enhanced MGBS content against both fungal isolates, contributing to seedling resistance in two interactions-BN4098 × 03-02s and BN4303 × 00-100s and enhanced GBS content only in BN4098 × 03-02s interaction. Aliphatic GRA took part in resistance of BN4098 × 00-100s interaction whereas aliphatic GIB took part is resistance of BN4098 × 03-02s interaction. Aliphatic GIV accumulated upon BN4098 × 03-02s interaction but GSL-OH-Bol033373 and CYP81F2-Bol026044 showed enhanced expression in BN4303 × 03-02s interaction. The association between the selected candidate genes, corresponding glucosinolates, and seedling resistance broaden the horizon of glucosinolate conciliated defense against L. maculans in cabbage seedlings.

Transcriptome Analysis by RNA-Seq Reveals Genes Related to Plant Height in Two Sets of Parent-hybrid Combinations in Easter lily (Lilium longiflorum).

In this study, two different hybrids of Easter lily (Lilium longiflorum), obtained from two cross combinations, along with their four parents were sequenced by high-throughput RNA-sequencing (RNA-Seq) to find out differentially expressed gene in parent-hybrid combinations. The leaf mRNA profiles of two hybrids and their four parents were RNA-sequenced with a view to identify the potential candidate genes related to plant height heterosis. In both cross combinations, based to morphological traits mid-parent heterosis (MPH) was higher than high-parent heterosis (HPH) for plant height, leaf length, and number of flowers whereas HPH was higher than MPH for flowering time. A total of 4,327 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified through RNA-Seq between the hybrids and their parents based on fold changes (FC) ≥ 2 for up- and ≤ -2 for down-regulation. Venn diagram analysis revealed that there were 703 common DEGs in two hybrid combinations, those were either up- or down-regulated. Most of the commonly expressed DEGs exhibited higher non-additive effects especially overdominance (75.9%) rather than additive (19.4%) and dominance (4.76%) effects. Among the 384 functionally annotated DEGs identified through Blast2GO tool, 12 DEGs were up-regulated and 16 of them were down-regulated in a similar fashion in both hybrids as revealed by heat map analysis. These 28 universally expressed DEGs were found to encode different types of proteins and enzymes those might regulate heterosis by modulating growth, development and stress-related functions in lily. In addition, gene ontology (GO) analysis of 260 annotated DEGs revealed that biological process might play dominant role in heterotic expression. In this first report of transcriptome sequencing in Easter lily, the notable universally up-regulated DEGs annotated ABC transporter A family member-like, B3 domain-containing, disease resistance RPP13/1, auxin-responsive SAUR68-like, and vicilin-like antimicrobial peptides 2-2 proteins those were perhaps associated with plant height heterosis. The genes expressed universally due to their overdominace function perhaps influenced MPH for greater plant height- largely by modulating biological processes involved therein. The genes identified in this study might be exploited in heterosis breeding for plant height of L. longiflorum.

Expression and Role of Response Regulating, Biosynthetic and Degrading Genes for Cytokinin Signaling during Clubroot Disease Development.

The obligate biotroph Plasmodiophora brassicae causes clubroot disease in oilseeds and vegetables of the Brassicaceae family, and cytokinins play a vital role in clubroot formation. In this study, we examined the expression patterns of 17 cytokinin-related genes involved in the biosynthesis, signaling, and degradation in Chinese cabbage inoculated with the Korean pathotype group 4 isolate of P. brassicae, Seosan. This isolate produced the most severe clubroot symptoms in Chinese cabbage cultivar "Bullam-3-ho" compared to three other Korean geographical isolates investigated. BrIPT1, a cytokinin biosynthesis gene, was induced on Day 1 and Day 28 in infected root tissues and the upregulation of this biosynthetic gene coincided with the higher expression of the response regulators BrRR1, on both Days and BrRR6 on Day 1 and 3. BrRR3 and 4 genes were also induced during gall enlargement on Day 35 in leaf tissues. The BrRR4 gene, which positively interact with phytochrome B, was consistently induced in leaf tissues on Day 1, 3, and 14 in the inoculated plants. The cytokinin degrading gene BrCKX3-6 were induced on Day 14, before gall initiation. BrCKX2,3,6 were induced until Day 28 and their expression was downregulated on Day 35. This insight improves our current understanding of the role of cytokinin signaling genes in clubroot disease development.

Inheritance Pattern and Molecular Markers for Resistance to Blackleg Disease in Cabbage.

The inheritance and causal loci for resistance to blackleg, a devastating disease of Brassicaceous crops, are yet to be known in cabbage (Brassica oleracea L.). Here, we report the pattern of inheritance and linked molecular marker for this trait. A segregating BC1 population consisting of 253 plants was raised from resistant and susceptible parents, L29 (♀) and L16 (♂), respectively. Cotyledon resistance bioassay of BC1 population, measured based on a scale of 0-9 at 12 days after inoculation with Leptosphaeria maculans isolate 03-02 s, revealed the segregation of resistance and ratio, indicative of dominant monogenic control of the trait. Investigation of potential polymorphism in the previously identified differentially expressed genes within the collinear region of 'B. napus blackleg resistant loci Rlm1' in B. oleracea identified two insertion/deletion (InDel) mutations in the intron and numerous single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) throughout the LRR-RLK gene Bol040029, of which six SNPs in the first exon caused the loss of two LRR domains in the susceptible line. An InDel marker, BLR-C-InDel based on the InDel mutations, and a high resolution melting (HRM) marker, BLR-C-2808 based on the SNP C2808T in the second exon were developed, which predicated the resistance status of the BC1 population with 80.24%, and of 24 commercial inbred lines with 100% detection accuracy. This is the first report of inheritance and molecular markers linked with blackleg resistance in cabbage. This study will enhance our understanding of the trait, and will be helpful in marker assisted breeding aiming at developing resistant cabbage varieties.

Salinity Stress Alters Root Morphology and Root Hair Traits in Brassica napus.

Plant roots show morphological plasticity and play a substantial role in tolerance to various edaphic stresses. The aim of this study was to explore salinity-induced morphogenic responses of root traits and root hairs of two rapeseed varieties, BARI Sarisha-8 and Binasarisha-5, at the reproductive stage and perceive the effects on their reproductive growth. The experiment was conducted in a hydroponic culture. Two treatments, 0 mM NaCl as control and 100 mM NaCl, were imposed 55 d after germination. Plants exposed to 100 mM NaCl for seven days displayed greater damage in the leaves, flowers, and siliquae compared to control. Length of root hairs on first-order and third-order lateral roots, density of root hairs on first-order lateral roots, and length of third-order lateral roots were significantly greater by 91%, 22%, 29%, and 48%, respectively, in the treated condition compared to the control. An increase in estimated root surface area by 20% under salt stress conditions indicated that the spontaneous responses of plants to uptake more water and nutrients allowed a plant to cope with stressful conditions. The results of this study suggest that any future stress breeding programs should consider plasticity of root traits intensively.

Mapping of a novel clubroot resistance QTL using ddRAD-seq in Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa L.).

BACKGROUND: Plasmodiophora brassicae is a soil-borne plant pathogen that causes clubroot disease, which results in crop yield loss in cultivated Brassica species. Here, we investigated whether a quantitative trait locus (QTL) in B. rapa might confer resistance to a Korean P. brassicae pathotype isolate, Seosan. We crossed resistant and susceptible parental lines and analyzed the segregation pattern in a F2 population of 348 lines. We identified and mapped a novel clubroot resistance QTL using the same mapping population that included susceptible Chinese cabbage and resistant turnip lines. Forty-five resistant and 45 susceptible F2 lines along with their parental lines were used for double digest restriction site-associated DNA sequencing (ddRAD-seq). High resolution melting (HRM)-based validation of SNP positions was conducted to confirm the novel locus. RESULTS: A 3:1 ratio was observed for resistant: susceptible genotypes, which is in accordance with Mendelian segregation. ddRAD-seq identified a new locus, CRs, on chromosome A08 that was different from the clubroot resistance (CR) locus, Crr1. HRM analysis validated SNP positions and constricted CRs region. Four out of seventeen single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) positions were within a 0.8-Mb region that included three NBS-LRR candidate genes but not Crr1. CONCLUSION: The newly identified CRs locus is a novel clubroot resistance locus, as the cultivar Akimeki bears the previously known Crr1 locus but remains susceptible to the Seosan isolate. These results could be exploited to develop molecular markers to detect Seosan-resistant genotypes and develop resistant Chinese cabbage cultivars.

Race- and Isolate-specific Molecular Marker Development through Genome-Realignment Enables Detection of Korean Plasmodiophora brassicae Isolates, Causal agents of Clubroot Disease.

Clubroot is one of the most economically important diseases of the Brassicaceae family. Clubroot disease is caused by the obligate parasite Plasmodiophora brassicae, which is difficult to study because it is non-culturable in the laboratory and its races are genetically variable worldwide. In Korea, there are at least five races that belongs to four pathotype groups. A recent study conducted in Korea attempted to develop molecular markers based on ribosomal DNA polymorphism to detect P. brassicae isolates, but none of those markers was either race-specific or pathotype-specific. Our current study aimed to develop race- and isolate-specific markers by exploiting genomic sequence variations. A total of 119 markers were developed based on unique variation exists in genomic sequences of each of the races. Only 12 markers were able to detect P. brassicae strains of each isolate or race. Ycheon14 markers was specific to isolates of race 2, Yeoncheon and Hoengseong. Ycheon9 and Ycheon10 markers were specific to Yeoncheon isolate (race 2, pathotype 3), ZJ1-3, ZJ1-4 and ZJ1-5 markers were specific to Haenam2 (race 4) isolate, ZJ1-35, ZJ1-40, ZJ1-41 and ZJ1-49 markers were specific to Hoengseong isolate and ZJ1-56 and ZJ1-64 markers were specific to Pyeongchang isolate (race 4, pathotype 3). The PCR-based sequence characterized amplified region (SCAR) markers developed in this study are able to detect five Korean isolates of P. brassicae. These markers can be utilized in identifying four Korean P. brassicae isolates from different regions. Additional effort is required to develop race- and isolate-specific markers for the remaining Korean isolates.