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ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the HIV genotypic subtypes and molecular transmission clusters among men who have sex with men （MSM） with newly reported HIV infections in Dehong Dai and Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture （Dehong Prefecture）， Yunnan Province， China， between 2010 and 2019. The study aimed to identify potential high-risk transmitters and provide reference data for screening， management， and intervention of infection sources.MethodsPlasma samples from newly reported HIV-positive MSM individuals in Dehong Prefecture between 2010 and 2019 were collected. The viral pol gene fragments were amplified， sequenced， and genotyped. Genetic distances （GD） between pairwise sequences were analyzed and calculated. MEGA 7.0 and Gephi were used for phylogenetic and molecular transmission network analysis.ResultsA total of 159 newly reported HIV infections among MSM were included in the study， with successful genotyping of 100 cases. Nine HIV-1 subtypes were identified， with the most prevalent being CRF01_AE subtype （52%）， followed by CRF07_BC subtype （31%）， CRF55_01B subtype （10%）， and others （7%）. Cluster analysis revealed a total network access rate of 67%， forming three transmission clusters. CRF01_AE subtype formed two transmission clusters with 38 and 3 infected individuals， while CRF07_BC subtypes formed one transmission cluster with 26 infected individuals. The transmission network within the CRF01_AE clusters exhibited a more complex relationship. Significant differences in educational level were observed between the two main transmission clusters.ConclusionThe predominant HIV subtypes among newly reported MSM cases in Dehong Prefecture between 2010 and 2019 were CRF01_AE and CRF07_BC. Significant cultural differences are observed between the main transmission clusters. Continued monitoring of genotypic subtypes and targeted interventions within transmission clusters are warranted.

ObjectiveTo analyze the prevalence of HCV antibody positive and associated factors among drug users in Dehong Prefecture， Yunnan， and to provide scientific evidence for HCV prevention.MethodsQuestionnaire surveys and serological testing were conducted among 400 drug users continuously selected from four national AIDS sentinel surveillance in Dehong Prefecture between January and July during 2014‒2021.Results11 683 drug users were included. The prevalence of HCV antibody positive was 20.2% overall， and 14.9%， 20.1%， 22.4%， 19.8%， 22.5%， 20.6%， 24.5%， 19.0% from 2014 to 2021， respectively （trend Z=-3.78， P

ObjectiveTo determine the trend and influencing factors of HIV subtypes in newly reported HIV/AIDS cases in Dehong Dai and Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture （Dehong Prefecture） from 2017 to 2019.MethodsRNA extraction was conducted among newly reported HIV/AIDS cases in Dehong Prefecture from 2017 to 2019 whose plasma volume was more than 200 μL. The gag， env and pol genes were amplified by using RT-PCR and then sequenced to determine the subtypes.ResultsA total of 3 287 HIV-infected cases were newly reported in Dehong from 2017 to 2019. The HIV gag， env and pol genotypes were determined in 1 813 cases. The major subtypes were subtype C （28.4%，515/ 1 813）， recombination form BC （22.0%，398/1 813） and CRF_01AE （18.1%，329/1 813）. Furthermore， the proportion of subtype B， subtype C and CRF01_AE decreased over years， whereas 01/BC， CRF07_BC and CRF08_BC increased over years in both Chinese and Burmese patients （χ2=75.212，P

ObjectiveTo determine the characteristics and influencing factors of hepatitis C virus （HCV） co-infection among HIV concordant couples in Dehong Prefecture.MethodsUsing the data of newly reported HIV concordant couples in Dehong Prefecture from 2016 to 2019， we collected the demographic characteristics， exposure history， and HCV infection to determine the characteristics of HCV co-infection among HIV concordant couples.ResultsAmong the 160 HIV concordant couples included in the study， 46 （28.8%） males and 14 （8.8%） females were co-infected with HCV. The prevalence of HIV-HCV co-infection was higher among the male spouses who were diagnosed less than 40， Jingpo ethnic， Burmese， illiteracy， farmers， and intravenous drug users. In contrast， the prevalence of HIV-HCV co-infection was higher among the female spouses who were diagnosed less than 40， Jingpo ethnic， and Burmese. Logistic regression analysis among male spouses showed that the Jingpo ethnic and intravenous drug users had higher risk of HCV co-infection.ConclusionHIV concordant couples in Dehong Prefecture have high prevalence of HIV-HCV co-infection. Effective intervention strategies should be developed based on ethnic-specific factors and exposure characteristics among male and female spouses of HIV concordant couples.

GOLDEN2-like (GLK) transcription factor genes are involved in chloroplast biogenesis during all stages of plant growth and development, as well as in the response to biotic and abiotic stresses. However, little is known about this transcription factor family in eggplant. In this study, we identified 54 GLK genes in the eggplant genome (S. melongena L.) and classified them into seven groups (G1–G7). Structural analysis illustrated that the SmGLK proteins of specific groups are relatively conserved. Cis-acting elements indicated that these genes are likely to be involved in multiple responses stimulated by light, phytohormones, and abiotic stress. Collinear analysis indicated that expansion of the SmGLK gene family primarily occurred through segmental duplication. Tissue-specific expression analysis revealed that SmGLKs were preferentially expressed in leaves, fruits, and seeds. Further screening of SmGLK genes revealed their differential expression under various treatments. Notably, SmGLK18 was significantly responsive to multiple phytohormones and stress treatments, whereas SmGLK3 and SmGLK12 were highly induced by ABA, IAA, SA, and drought treatments. Our study provides new information on the eggplant GLK family systematically and comprehensively. For the first time, we propose that SmGLK18 may play a key role in improving heat resistance. This study provides valuable candidate gene resources for further functional research and will benefit eggplant molecular breeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) is important for commercial hybrid seed production. However, it is still not used in eggplant (Solanum melongena L.), and corresponding regulatory genes and mechanisms of action have not been reported. We report CMS line 327A, which was derived from the hybridization between cultivated and wild eggplants. By looking at different stages of anther development under a microscope, we saw that the 327A anther's tapetum layer vacuolized during meiosis, which caused abortion. To investigate the 327A CMS regulatory genes, the mitochondrial genomes of 327A and its maintainer line 327B were assembled de novo. It was found that 15 unique ORFs (Open Reading Frame) were identified in 327A. RT-PCR and RT-QPCAR tests confirmed that orf312a and orf172a, 327A-specific ORFs with a transmembrane domain, were strongly expressed in sterile anthers of 327A. In addition, orf312a has a chimeric structure with the ribosomal protein subunit rpl16. Therefore, orf312a and orf172a can be considered strong candidate genes for CMS. Concurrently, we analyzed the characteristics of CMS to develop a functional molecular marker, CMS312, targeting a future theoretical basis for eggplant CMS three-line molecular breeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The plant hormone ethylene plays a critical role in fruit defense against Botrytis cinerea attack, but the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. Here, we showed that ethylene response factor SlERF.C1 acts as a key regulator to trigger the ethylene‐mediated defense against B. cinerea in tomato fruits without compromising ripening.Knockout of SlERF.C1 increased fruit susceptibility to B. cinerea with no effect on ripening process, while overexpression enhanced resistance. RNA‐Seq, transactivation assays, EMSA and ChIP‐qPCR results indicated that SlERF.C1 activated the transcription of PR genes by binding to their promoters.Moreover, SlERF.C1 interacted with the mitogen‐activated protein kinase SlMPK8 which allowed SlMPK8 to phosphorylate SlERF.C1 at the Ser174 residue and increases its transcriptional activity. Knocking out of SlMPK8 increased fruit susceptibility to B. cinerea, whereas overexpression enhanced resistance without affecting ripening. Furthermore, genetic crosses between SlMPK8‐KO and SlERF.C1‐OE lines reduced the resistance to B. cinerea attack in SlERF.C1‐OE fruits. In addition, B. cinerea infection induced ethylene production which in turn triggered SlMPK8 transcription and enhanced the phosphorylation of SlERF.C1.Overall, our findings reveal the regulatory mechanism of the 'Ethylene‐MPK8‐ERF.C1‐PR' module in resistance against B. cinerea and provide new insight into the manipulation of gray mold disease in fruits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fruit color is an important trait influencing the commercial value of eggplant fruits. Three dominant genes (D , P and Y) cooperatively control the anthocyanin coloration in eggplant fruits, but none has been mapped. In this study, two white-fruit accessions (19 141 and 19 147) and their F2 progeny, with 9:7 segregation ratio of anthocyanin pigmented versus non-pigmented fruits, were used for mapping the D and P genes. A high-density genetic map was constructed with 5270 SNPs spanning 1997.98 cM. Three QTLs were identified, including two genes on chromosome 8 and one on chromosome 10. Gene expression analyses suggested that the SmANS on chromosome 8 and SmMYB1 on chromosome 10 were the putative candidate genes for P and D , respectively. We further identified (1) a SNP leading to a premature stop codon within the conserved PLN03176 domain of SmANS in 19 141, (2) a G base InDel in the promoter region leading to an additional cis -regulatory element and (3) a 6-bp InDel within the R2-MYB DNA binding domain of SmMYB1 , in 19 147. Subsequently, these three variations were validated by PARMS technology as related to phenotypes in the F2 population. Moreover, silencing of SmANS or SmMYB1 in the purple red fruits of F1 (E3316) led to inhibition of anthocyanin biosynthesis in the peels. Conversely, overexpression of SmANS or SmMYB1 restored anthocyanin biosynthesis in the calli of 19 141 and 19 147 respectively. Our findings demonstrated the epistatic interactions underlying the white color of eggplant fruits, which can be potentially applied to breeding of eggplant fruit peel color. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Resistant crop cultivars can recruit beneficial rhizobacteria to resist disease. However, whether this recruitment is regulated by quantitative trait loci (QTL) is unclear. The role of QTL in recruiting specific bacteria against bacterial wilt (BW) is an important question of practical significance to disease management. Here, to identify QTL controlling BW resistance, Super-BSA was performed in F 2 plants derived from resistant eggplant cultivar R06112 × susceptible cultivar S55193. The QTL was narrowed down through BC 1 F 1 -BC 3 F 1 individuals by wilting symptoms and KASP markers. Rhizosphere bacterial composition of R06112, S55193, and resistant individuals EB158 (with the QTL) and susceptible individuals EB327 (without QTL) from BC 2 F 1 generation were assessed by Illumina sequencing-based analysis, and the activation of plant immunity by the bacterial isolates was analyzed. Evidence showed that BW-resistant is controlled by one QTL located at the 270 kb region on chromosome 10, namely EBWR10 , and nsLTPs as candidate genes confirmed by RNA-Seq. EBWR10 has a significant effect on rhizobacteria composition and significantly recruits Bacillus . pp. A SynCom of three isolated Bacillus . pp trains significantly reduced the disease incidence, changed activities of CAT, PPO, and PAL and concentration of NO, H 2 O 2 , and O 2 - , activated SA and JA signaling-dependent ISR, and displayed immune activation against Ralstonia solanacearum in eggplant. Our findings demonstrate for the first time that the QTL can recruit beneficial rhizobacteria, which jointly promote the suppression of BW. This method charts a path to develop the QTL in resistant cultivar-driven probiotics to ameliorate plant diseases., Competing Interests: The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest., (© The Author(s) 2024. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Nanjing Agricultural University.)

The phytohormone ethylene is well known for its important role in the ripening of climacteric fruit, such as tomato ( Solanum lycopersicum ). However, the role and mode of action of other plant hormones in climacteric fruit ripening regulation are not fully understood. Here, we showed that exogenous GA treatment or increasing endogenous gibberellin content by overexpressing the gibberellin synthesis gene SlGA3ox2 specifically in fruit tissues delayed tomato fruit ripening, whereas treatment with the GA biosynthesis inhibitor paclobutrazol (PAC) accelerated fruit ripening. Moreover, exogenous ethylene treatment cannot completely reverse the delayed fruit ripening phenotype. Furthermore, exogenous GA treatment of ethylene signalling mutant Never ripe ( Nr ) or SlEBF3 -overexpressing lines still delayed fruit ripening, suggesting that GA involved in fruit ripening partially depends on ethylene. Transcriptome profiling showed that gibberellin affect the ripening of fruits by modulating the metabolism and signal transduction of multiple plant hormones, such as auxin and abscisic acid, in addition to ethylene. Overall, the results of this study provide new insight into the regulation of gibberellin in fruit ripening through mediating multiple hormone signals., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest., (© The Author(s) 2024. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Nanjing Agricultural University.)