Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
PpNAC1, a main regulator of phenylalanine biosynthesis and utilization in maritime pine

Summary The transcriptional regulation of phenylalanine metabolism is particularly important in conifers, long‐lived species that use large amounts of carbon in wood. Here, we show that the Pinus pinaster transcription factor, PpNAC1, is a main regulator of phenylalanine biosynthesis and utilization. A phylogenetic analysis classified PpNAC1 in the NST proteins group and was selected for functional characterization. PpNAC1 is predominantly expressed in the secondary xylem and compression wood of adult trees. Silencing of PpNAC1 in P. pinaster results in the alteration of stem vascular radial patterning and the down‐regulation of several genes associated with cell wall biogenesis and secondary metabolism. Furthermore, transactivation and EMSA analyses showed that PpNAC1 is able to activate its own expression and PpMyb4 promoter, while PpMyb4 is able to activate PpMyb8, a transcriptional regulator of phenylalanine and lignin biosynthesis in maritime pine. Together, these results suggest that PpNAC1 is a functional ortholog of the Arabidopsis SND1 and NST1 genes and support the idea that key regulators governing secondary cell wall formation could be conserved between gymnosperms and angiosperms. Understanding the molecular switches controlling wood formation is of paramount importance for fundamental tree biology and paves the way for applications in conifer biotechnology.
Development and evaluation of a genome‐wide Coffee 8.5K SNP array and its application for high‐density genetic mapping and for investigating the origin of Coffea arabica L.

Summary Coffee species such as Coffea canephora P. (Robusta) and C. arabica L. (Arabica) are important cash crops in tropical regions around the world. C. arabica is an allotetraploid (2n = 4x = 44) originating from a hybridization event of the two diploid species C. canephora and C. eugenioides (2n = 2x = 22). Interestingly, these progenitor species harbour a greater level of genetic variability and are an important source of genes to broaden the narrow Arabica genetic base. Here, we describe the development, evaluation and use of a single‐nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array for coffee trees. A total of 8580 unique and informative SNPs were selected from C. canephora and C. arabica sequencing data, with 40% of the SNP located in annotated genes. In particular, this array contains 227 markers associated to 149 genes and traits of agronomic importance. Among these, 7065 SNPs (~82.3%) were scorable and evenly distributed over the genome with a mean distance of 54.4 Kb between markers. With this array, we improved the Robusta high‐density genetic map by adding 1307 SNP markers, whereas 945 SNPs were found segregating in the Arabica mapping progeny. A panel of C. canephora accessions was successfully discriminated and over 70% of the SNP markers were transferable across the three species. Furthermore, the canephora‐derived subgenome of C. arabica was shown to be more closely related to C. canephora accessions from northern Uganda than to other current populations. These validated SNP markers and high‐density genetic maps will be useful to molecular genetics and for innovative approaches in coffee breeding.
A cross sectional evaluation of attitude and knowledge of Indian nursing students towards electro convulsive therapy

Objective: Studies from American and European countries have explored the attitudes and knowledge of nurses and nursing students towards Electro-Convulsive Therapy (ECT). However, there is a limited literature on the attitude and knowledge of nursing students towards ECT from Asian and African countries. The current study aims at assessing the knowledge and attitude of Indian nursing students towards ECT. Method: The study was conducted at a nursing college attached to a tertiary care multi-specialty hospital. Knowledge and attitude of the nursing students were assessed using the questionnaire developed by Kinnair and Dawson. We included students from third year and final year of nursing training. Data analysis was carried out using SPSS version 17.0. Level of statistical significance was kept at p<0 . 05 for all the tests. Result: A total of 47 nursing students (25 third year and 22 final year) were approached for participation in the study. Final year nursing students had a significantly higher score on the indication and procedure domains of the ECT knowledge questionnaire. Third year students had a significantly higher score on the adverse effect domain of the questionnaire. Conclusion: Te findings of the current study highlight the need for modifications to the existing nursing training curriculum. There is need to address the issues related mental health including interventions for mental disorders. These changes would help improve the knowledge as well as attitude of nursing students towards ECT.
Biological concepts in recurrent Plasmodium vivax malaria

Abstract A curious aspect of the evolution of the hypnozoite theory of malarial relapse is its transmogrification from theory into ‘fact’, this being of historical, linguistic, scientific and sociological interest. As far as it goes, the hypnozoite explanation for relapse is almost certainly correct. I contend, however, that many of the genotypically homologous, non-reinfection, relapse-like Plasmodium vivax recurrences that researchers ascribe to hypnozoite activation are probably hypnozoite-independent. Indeed, some malariologists are starting to recognize that homologous P. vivax recurrences have most likely been overattributed to activation of hypnozoites. Hitherto identified, non-hypnozoite, possible plasmodial sources of recurrence that must be considered, besides circulating erythrocytic stages, include parasites in splenic dendritic cells, other cells in the spleen (in addition to infected erythrocytes there), bone marrow (importantly) and the skin. I argue that we need to take into account the possibility of a dual or multiple extra-vascular origin of P. vivax non-reinfection recurrences, not arbitrarily discount it. The existence of a P. vivax reservoir(s) is a topical subject and one of practical importance for malaria eradication. Pertinent drug-associated matters are also discussed, as is the dormancy-related significance of clues provided by blood-stage-induced malarial infection.
Evaluation of Oral Health Status and the Need of Surgical and Therapeutical Preprosthodontic measures in the Elderly Living in Old People's Homes in Latvia

Evaluation of Oral Health Status and the Need of Surgical and Therapeutical Preprosthodontic measures in the Elderly Living in Old People's Homes in Latvia Introduction. Demographic evolution indicates enlargement of the older people proportion and increased life expectancy. The oral health is strongly associated with quality of life. In 1992 the main part of Latvian dental care was excluded from the list of the government paid health service. The rules N. 254 (2006) of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Latvia establish that customers from social old people's homes have to pay for dental care by themselves and the government will prepay only teeth extractions in cases of acute pain. Thereby, there appeared necessity to conduct comparative evaluation of clinical situation among populations of Latvia and other countries. Aim of the study. The aim of the study was to establish necessary types and ranges of surgical and therapeutical measures before prosthodontical teeth replacement among people who live in old people's homes; to conduct comparative analysis of clinical situation with corresponding groups of age in Latvian population. Materials and methods. There were examined 212 elderly people living in old people's homes of Kurzeme region of Latvia (randomly chosen). The indices of bad odour were established by HALIMETER. Caries incidence was assessed with DMFT index (D-decayed, M-missing, F-filling). This study was done in period from November of 2007 to February of 2009. Results. Out of all examined elderly people living in old people's homes 32.3% of men and 57.3% of women had complete teeth loss. Caries incidence ratio was 28.7 and 28.8, respectively. Untreated dental caries and filling rate were low (4.5; 2.6 and 0.6; 0.7) while the number of lost teeth was high (23.1 and 25.8). Out of the examined elderly 85.7% of men and 76.5% of women needed emergency surgical treatment (extraction of destroyed teeth). In 45.2% and 57.8% of cases were observed oral mucosal lesions, in 2.4% and 1.6% of cases were found oral precancerous conditions. In 14.3% and 18.8% of cases was noted pain in temporomandibular joints. 97.6% and 87.5% of old people's homes inhabitants needed prosthodontical teeth replacement. Conclusions. Oral health care measures for the elderly in old people's homes is insufficient, the ratio of decayed and missing teeth is high, oral hygiene mostly is unsatisfactory and many of them have halitosis. The elderly from old people's homes need vast surgical and therapeutical treatment prior to prosthetics and teeth replacement. The prevalent type of prosthodontics is complete removable dentures. There is need to develop the oral health care conception for the elderly living in old people's homes in Latvia.
Personality and risk for depression in a birth cohort of 70-year-olds followed for 15 years

Background The association between personality traits and the first lifetime onset of clinically significant depression has not been studied in older adults. Method Experienced psychiatrists conducted interviews and chart reviews at baseline and throughout the 15-year follow-up period. Survival analyses were conducted on the presence/absence of a DSM-III-R mood disorder at follow-up. Results There were 59 cases of first lifetime episodes of depression. Analyses showed that Neuroticism [hazard ratio (HR) per one point increase in the Maudsley Personality Inventory (MPI)=1.05, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.02–1.08] but not Extroversion (HR 1.02, 95% CI 0.97–1.06) amplified risk for mood disorder. Conclusions This prospective study on a randomly sampled birth cohort of older adults showed that Neuroticism confers risk for a first lifetime episode of clinically significant depression. Findings have implications for understanding the etiology of late-life depression (LLD) and could also aid in the identification and treatment of people at risk.
Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi reduce growth and infect roots of the non-host plant Arabidopsis thaliana.

The arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) symbiosis is widespread throughout the plant kingdom and important for plant nutrition and ecosystem functioning. Nonetheless, most terrestrial ecosystems also contain a considerable number of non-mycorrhizal plants. The interaction of such non-host plants with AM fungi (AMF) is still poorly understood. Here, in three complementary experiments, we investigated whether the non-mycorrhizal plant Arabidopsis thaliana, the model organism for plant molecular biology and genetics, interacts with AMF. We grew A. thaliana alone or together with a mycorrhizal host species (either Trifolium pratense or Lolium multiflorum) in the presence or absence of the AMF Rhizophagus irregularis. Plants were grown in a dual-compartment system with a hyphal mesh separating roots of A. thaliana from roots of the host species, avoiding direct root competition. The host plants in the system ensured the presence of an active AM fungal network. AM fungal networks caused growth depressions in A. thaliana of more than 50% which were not observed in the absence of host plants. Microscopy analyses revealed that R. irregularis supported by a host plant was capable of infecting A. thaliana root tissues (up to 43% of root length colonized), but no arbuscules were observed. The results reveal high susceptibility of A. thaliana to R. irregularis, suggesting that A. thaliana is a suitable model plant to study non-host/AMF interactions and the biological basis of AM incompatibility.
Closing in on maximum yield of chlorophyll fluorescence using a single multiphase flash of sub-saturating intensity.

Estimation of the maximum chlorophyll fluorescence yield under illumination, or Fm', by traditional single saturation pulse (SP) methodology is prone to underestimation error because of rapid turnover within photosystem (PS) II. However, measurements of fluorescence yield during several single pulses of variable intensity describes the irradiance dependence of apparent Fm', from which estimates of Fm' at infinite irradiance can be derived. While such estimates have been shown to result in valid approximations of Fm', the need to apply several single pulses limits its applicability. We introduce a novel approach that determines the relationship between apparent Fm' and variable irradiance within a single ∼1 s multiphase flash (MPF). Through experiments and simulations, we demonstrate that the rate of variation in irradiance during an MPF is critical for achieving quasi-steady-state changes in the proportions of PSII acceptor side redox intermediates and the corresponding fluorescence yields, which are prerequisites for accurately estimating Fm' at infinite irradiance. The MPF methodology is discussed in the context of improving the accuracy of various parameters derived from chlorophyll fluorescence measurements, such as photochemical and non-photochemical quenchings and efficiencies. The importance of using MPF methodology for interpreting chlorophyll fluorescence, in particular for integrating fluorescence and gas exchange measurements, is emphasized.
The κ Statistic

To the Editor. —Dr Goldman 1 uses the κ statistic to evaluate peer assessments of quality of care. He concluded that "physician agreement regarding quality of care is only slightly better than the level expected by chance. " Of course, the real concern is not in the level of agreement per se, but in what "agreement" implies. Common sense suggests that if there is a low level of agreement, then physician judgments about quality of care are inaccurate. Goldman's conclusion is based on the κ statistic, which is an index of interrater agreement. He used a standard 2 that κ less than 0.40 represents "poor" agreement and a finding that few κ coefficients greater than 0.40 are reported in the literature on peer assessments. However, there are difficulties in the interpretation of κ 3,4 and the reported κ statistics do not support the conclusion. The difficulties in the interpretation of the
Clinical performance of vital bleaching techniques

This study compared the clinical outcome of bleaching techniques in vital teeth. After IRB approval and informed consent, 90 subjects were selected based on the shade of their anterior teeth (A2 or darker, Vita Classic shade guide). Subjects were assigned to three treatment groups in a split-mouth study design: Group I: HB (at-home bleaching with 10% carbamide peroxide for two weeks) vs OBL (in-office bleaching with 35% hydrogen peroxide, two sessions, two-week intervals, with light irradiation); Group II: OB (in-office bleaching without light irradiation) vs OBL; Group III: HB vs combination (one session plus HB). Color change and color rebound (deltaE) were measured for a 16-week period. Color measurements were carried out with both a spectrophotometer and a shade guide at baseline, 1, 2, 4, 8 and 16 weeks. Tooth sensitivity was evaluated using a VAS scale for 15 days. Both the Student’s t-test and TukeyKramer test were used to analyze the results (p<0.05). After one week, one session of OBL followed by HB resulted in lower color values, compared with the other bleaching methods. Group III resulted in the least shade values at one-week evaluation, when compared with the other bleaching methods. After two weeks, HE alone resulted in similar color changes as OB, OBL and OBL+HB. The use of light irradiation did not improve bleaching efficacy (OB = OBL). OBL and OB resulted in higher sensitivity rates than HB. Clinical performance of vital bleaching techniques
Psychiatric family history and schizophrenia risk in Denmark: which mental disorders are relevant?

Background A family history of schizophrenia is the strongest single indicator of individual schizophrenia risk. Bipolar affective disorder and schizo-affective disorders have been documented to occur more frequently in parents and siblings of schizophrenia patients, but the familial occurrence of the broader range of mental illnesses and their role as confounders have not been studied in large population-based samples. Method All people born in Denmark between 1955 and 1991 (1.74 million) were followed for the development of schizophrenia (9324 cases) during 28 million person-years at risk. Information of schizophrenia in cohort members and psychiatric history in parents and siblings was established through linkage with the Danish Psychiatric Central Register. Data were analysed using log-linear Poisson regression. Results Schizophrenia was, as expected, strongly associated with schizophrenia and related disorders among first-degree relatives. However, almost any other psychiatric disorder among first-degree relatives increased the individual's risk of schizophrenia. The population attributable risk associated with psychiatric family history in general was 27.1% whereas family histories including schizophrenia only accounted for 6.0%. The general psychiatric family history was a confounder of the association between schizophrenia and urbanization of place of birth. Conclusions Clinically diagnosed schizophrenia is associated with a much broader range of mental disorders in first-degree relatives than previously reported. This may suggest risk haplotypes shared across many disorders and/or shared environmental factors clustering in families. Failure to take the broad range of psychiatric family history into account may bias results of all risk-factor studies of schizophrenia.
Water relations of Robinia pseudoacacia L.: do vessels cavitate and refill diurnally or are R-shaped curves invalid in Robinia?

Since 2005, an unresolved debate has questioned whether R-shaped vulnerability curves (VCs) might be an artefact of the centrifuge method of measuring VCs. VCs with R-shape show loss of stem conductivity from approximately zero tension, and if true, this suggests that some plants either refill embolized vessels every night or function well with a high percentage of vessels permanently embolized. The R-shaped curves occur more in species with vessels greater than half the length of the segments spun in a centrifuge. Many have hypothesized that the embolism is seeded by agents (bubbles or particles) entering the stem end and travelling towards the axis of rotation in long vessels, causing premature cavitation. VCs were measured on Robinia pseudoacacia L. by three different techniques to yield three different VCs; R-shaped: Cavitron P50 = 0.30 MPa and S-shaped: air injection P50 = 1.48 MPa and bench top dehydration P50 = 3.57 MPa. Stem conductivity measured in the Cavitron was unstable and is a function of vessel length when measured repeatedly with constant tension, and this observation is discussed in terms of stability of air bubbles drawn into cut-open vessels during repeated Cavitron measurement of conductivity; hence, R-shaped curves measured in a Cavitron are probably invalid.
A fully integrated isoprenoid emissions model coupling emissions to photosynthetic characteristics.

The lack of a mechanistic basis has hampered modelling isoprene emission responses to environmental drivers, in particular the simulation of isoprene emissions under different CO₂ concentrations. Here, we advance previous semi-mechanistic model formulations by introducing a model that explicitly links electron availability for other purpose than carbon assimilation (or available energy for secondary metabolism processes; supply-constraint) and enzyme activity (capacity-constraint) to emissions. We furthermore investigate the sensitivity of the model to variations in photosynthetic and emission-specific parameters. By comparing species-specific simulations with experimental data, we demonstrate that differences in photosynthetic characteristics can explain inter-species differences in emissions. Interestingly, the seasonal development of emissions could also be explained to some degree by the change in energy supply from photosynthesis throughout the season. In addition, we show that the principal responses are not limited to isoprene but can be formulated to describe the emission of other light-dependent volatile species. The proposed model is suitable for implementation into regional and global models, particularly those that already provide species-specific photosynthesis estimates.
PTSD after deployment to Iraq: conflicting rates, conflicting claims

Background Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has been called one of the signature injuries of the Iraq War. In this review prevalence estimates of PTSD are summarized and discrepancies are discussed in relation to methodological differences between studies. Method We searched for population-based studies with a minimum sample size of 300. Studies based on help-seeking samples were excluded. We identified 60 possible papers, of which 19 fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Prevalence estimates and study characteristics were examined graphically with forest plots, but because of high levels of heterogeneity between studies, overall estimates of PTSD prevalence were not discussed. Results The prevalence of PTSD in personnel deployed to Iraq varied between 1.4% and 31%. Stratifying studies by PTSD measure only slightly reduced the variability in prevalence. Anonymous surveys of line infantry units reported higher levels of PTSD compared to studies that are representative of the entire deployed population. UK studies tend to report lower prevalence of PTSD compared with many US studies; however, when comparisons are restricted to studies with random samples, prevalences are similar. US studies that have assessed personnel more than once since return from deployment have shown that PTSD prevalence increases over the 12 months following deployment. Conclusions Differences in methodologies and samples used should be considered when making comparisons of PTSD prevalence between studies. Further studies based on longitudinal samples are needed to understand how the prevalence of PTSD changes over time.
The interaction between perinatal factors and childhood abuse in the risk of developing anorexia nervosa

Background Perinatal factors seem to be implicated in the pathogenesis of anorexia nervosa (AN) and may be involved in the programming of stress response systems in humans. Our aim was to explore one of the possible pathways to explain the association between perinatal complications and a psychiatric disorder. In particular, we tested the hypothesis that neonatal immaturity may confer an enhanced vulnerability to AN after exposure to a severe stressful event, such as childhood abuse. Method The sample was composed of subjects who took part in a prevalence study carried out on a representative sample of the general population and cases of AN referred to an out-patient specialist unit. All subjects (n=663) were born in the two obstetric wards of Padua Hospital between 1971 and 1979. We analysed data using both a case-control and a cohort design. Results We found that functional signs of neonatal dysmaturity, but not a low birthweight or prematurity, had a significant additive interaction with childhood abuse in determining the risk for this illness. In normal subjects, but not in subjects with AN, neonatal dysmaturity was associated with being small, short or thin for gestational age at birth. Conclusions The synergistic effect of neonatal dysmaturity and childhood abuse in increasing the risk for AN provides evidence for the hypothesis that a prenatal programming of stress response systems can result in an impairment of the individual's resilience to severe stressful events.