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Root‐knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) are plant parasites causing annual economic losses amounting to several billion US dollars worldwide. One of the most aggressive species is M. enterolobii, a growing threat to agriculture due to its broad host range and ability to overcome many known resistance genes. Mungbean, a nutritionally and economically valuable crop, is particularly vulnerable to nematodes and pathogens. However, research focusing on mungbean resistance to M. enterolobii is scarce, and the corresponding defense mechanisms are poorly understood. Here, we screened mungbean accessions and identified an accession strongly resistant to M. enterolobii. Transcriptome analysis revealed 2730 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in this resistant accession (CPI106939) compared to 1777 in the susceptible accession (Crystal) 7 days after nematode inoculation. The gene ontology (GO) upregulated in CPI106939 with functions related to plant‐pathogen interactions, plant hormone signaling, oxidative stress, and plant immunity. Plant defense‐related genes (WRKY, PAL, MAPK, POD and PR) were also significantly induced in CPI106939. Metabolome analysis showed that four secondary metabolites related to phenylpropanoid metabolism and lignification were significantly enriched in CPI106939. The induced immune response and secondary metabolites may underpin the enhanced resistance to M. enterolobii, providing insight into the resistance mechanisms in accession CPI106939 as well as candidate genes controlling the interaction between mungbean and its nematode parasite. Our study therefore provides foundations for the breeding of new varieties with intrinsic M. enterolobii resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Crop wild relatives (CWR) provide a valuable resource for improving crops. They possess desirable traits that confer resilience to various environmental stresses. To fully utilize crop wild relatives in breeding and conservation programs, it is important to understand the genetic basis of their adaptation. Landscape genomics associates environments with genomic variation and allows for examining the genetic basis of adaptation. Our study examined the differences in allele frequency of 15,416 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) generated through genotyping by sequencing approach among 153 accessions of 15 wild eggplant relatives and two cultivated species from Africa, the principal hotspot of these wild relatives. We also explored the correlation between these variations and the bioclimatic and soil conditions at their collection sites, providing a comprehensive understanding of the genetic signals of environmental adaptation in African wild eggplant. Redundancy analysis (RDA) results showed that the environmental variation explained 6% while the geographical distances among the collection sites explained 15% of the genomic variation in the eggplant wild relative populations when controlling for population structure. Our findings indicate that even though environmental factors are not the main driver of selection in eggplant wild relatives, it is influential in shaping the genomic variation over time. The selected environmental variables and candidate SNPs effectively revealed grouping patterns according to the environmental characteristics of sampling sites. Using four genotype–environment association methods, we detected 396 candidate SNPs (2.5% of the initial SNPs) associated with eight environmental factors. Some of these SNPs signal genes involved in pathways that help adapt to environmental stresses such as drought, heat, cold, salinity, pests, and diseases. These candidate SNPs will be useful for marker‐assisted improvement and characterizing the germplasm of this crop for developing climate‐resilient eggplant varieties. The study provides a model for applying landscape genomics to other crops' wild relatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) at the pressure points Zu San Li (ST36), San Yin Jiao (SP6) and Liang Men (ST21) on platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and the ultrastructure of mitochondria in rats with diabetic gastroparesis (DGP). Methods: Sixty Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were randomly separated into a normal control group (NC, n = 10) and a modeling group (n = 50). Rats in the modeling group received an injection of 2% streptozotocin (STZ) and a high-fat and high-glucose diet for eight weeks to establish a DGP rat model. At the same time, blood glucose and a general symptom score were recorded every week. After modeling, 30 successfully modeled rats were randomly separated into the following groups: the DGP group (n = 10), the EA group (n = 10) and the metoclopramide (MP) group (n = 10). After three weeks of intervention, the gastrointestinal propulsive rate was measured by measuring the optical density (OD). The concentration of Ca2+ was determined by fluorescence immunoassay, and levels of serum insulin (INS) and PDGF were determined by ELISA. The ultrastructure of mitochondria was observed with transmission electron microscopy. Results: (1) After intervention, levels of blood glucose and the general symptom score were greatly decreased in the EA group compared to the DGP group (P < 0.01). Compared with the DGP group, the gastric emptying rate and the intestinal propulsive rate of the EA group was significantly improved (P < 0.01), and there was no statistically significant difference between the EA and the NC groups. (2) Compared with the NC group, the levels of INS in the DGP group markedly decreased (P < 0.05), but there was no significant difference of INS levels between the EA and the MP groups. (3) Compared with the DGP group, the concentration of Ca2+ in the EA and the MP groups significantly increased (P < 0.01, P < 0.05, respectively). (4) Compared with the NC group, the average OD of PDGF in the DGP group was significantly higher (P < 0.01). Compared with the DGP group, levels of PDGF in the EA group increased significantly (P < 0.01). (5) There were abundant mitochondria with a clear structure and complete cristae in the NC group. However, in the DGP group, mitochondria were severely swollen, partly vacuolated, and cristae were either fractured, absent, or shortened. In the EA group, mitochondria were slightly swollen, with clear cristae. Conclusions: Electroacupuncture at the points Zu San Li (ST36), San Yin Jiao (SP6) and Liang Men (ST21) may improve gastric motility in DGP by up-regulating the amount of PDGF and improving the ultrastructure of mitochondria. Keywords: Electroacupuncture (EA), Diabetic gastroparesis (DGP), Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), mitochondria, gastric motility

Rationale: Previous studies have explored shared decision making (SDM) implementation to determine the renal replacement therapy modality; however, the SDM approach for dialysis initiation, especially when patients refuse physician suggestions for long‐term dialysis, remains unclear. Aims and Objectives: This study aimed to explore physicians' responses towards patients' refusal of long‐term dialysis during the SDM process and the thinking processes of both physicians and patients regarding dialysis refusal. Method: We conducted in‐depth semi‐structured interviews with 10 patients diagnosed with end‐stage renal disease, each of whom refused long‐term dialysis after physicians employed the SDM framework, and nine nephrologists at the Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taiwan, from March to May 2020. Interviews were audio‐recorded, transcribed, and translated from Mandarin to English. They were then thematically analysed. Results: Three main themes on dialysis initiation SDM implementation and the differences between physician and patient perceptions on patient treatment refusal were yielded. While the SDM approach for dialysis initiation developed by nephrologists in Taiwan respects patient decisions, physicians often actively persuade patients to undergo dialysis in case of treatment refusal. The motivation behind this approach is to promote the patient's best medical interests, particularly post‐dialysis life quality, and to ensure a 'rational' medical decision is made. However, patients' perceptions of treatment refusal differ significantly from those of physicians, and their decision‐making process is often iterative and based on comprehensive evaluation of immediate concerns beyond biomedical factors. Conclusions: Findings suggest that the current physician‐led SDM approach for dialysis initiation characterises active persuasion with physicians' perspectives predominating the clinical encounter. To improve SDM implementation, we propose that physicians should acknowledge and understand patients' reasoning for dialysis refusal and the distinction between objective health and subjective well‐being during the decision‐making process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]