An ancient and conserved function for armadillo-related proteins in the control of spore and seed germination by abscisic acid

Armadillo‐related proteins regulate development throughout eukaryotic kingdoms. In the flowering plant Arabidopsis thaliana, Armadillo‐related ARABIDILLO proteins promote multicellular root branching. ARABIDILLO homologues exist throughout land plants, including early‐diverging species lacking true roots, suggesting that early‐evolving ARABIDILLOs had additional biological roles. Here we investigated, using molecular genetics, the conservation and diversification of ARABIDILLO protein function in plants separated by c. 450 million years of evolution. We demonstrate that ARABIDILLO homologues in the moss Physcomitrella patens regulate a previously undiscovered inhibitory effect of abscisic acid (ABA) on spore germination. Furthermore, we show that A. thaliana ARABIDILLOs function similarly during seed germination. Early‐diverging ARABIDILLO homologues from both P. patens and the lycophyte Selaginella moellendorffii can substitute for ARABIDILLO function during A. thaliana root development and seed germination. We conclude that (1) ABA was co‐opted early in plant evolution to regulate functionally analogous processes in spore‐ and seed‐producing plants and (2) plant ARABIDILLO germination functions were co‐opted early into both gametophyte and sporophyte, with a specific rooting function evolving later in the land plant lineage

A soft tissue analysis for central India population: A cephalometric study

Based on surgical-orthodontic treatment planning and prediction system Tony G. McCollum(TOMAC), the present study aims to determine surgical norms for Central India population and to evaluate the variation between Central India males and females. Digital lateral cephalograms of hundred subjects (50 males and 50 females) of 15- 25 years of age were obtained. These radiographs were manually traced by single operator based on the parameterstaken from TOMAC soft tissue analysis. The data obtained was statistically analyzed using Mann-Whitney U test and One-sample Wilcoxon Signed Rank test. Statistically significant difference were observed between the Central India population and Caucasian population and also significant sexual dimorphism was noted among the population of Central India. There exist racial diversity between Central India population and the Caucasian population.Therefore, it becomes necessary to have separate norms for different ethnic groups and choose the norms carefully suited to the treatment needs of individual population

A comparative study on colour and surface parameters of current esthetic restorative CAD/CAM materials

With the development of newer technologies, computer aided design and computer aided manufacturing help immensely in designing, planning and creating a dental prosthesis with the precise 3-D printing technology. Recently, patients are at increasing demand for everlasting colour stability of restorations in such a way that it improves the aesthetic appearance of teeth. CAD/CAM systems are developed to assemble all ceramic materials which restores the aesthetic zone, attributing to the aesthetics and its clinical long-term survivability.A well-known fact that the type, thickness, composition, curing protocols, and polishing methods of resin composites influences the colour characteristics of the restorations. 99 all-ceramic samples with both glazed or polished CAD/CAM were taken into study. The samples were assessed for the surface roughness (Ra) and colour change after immersion in hot and coffee drink and then were subjected to thermocycling for about 30 days. Total samples of 99 among which 33 samples were manufactured from   Vita Enamic, Vitablocs Mark II, and Vita Suprinity.  All the disc were milled uniformly to obtain a standard dimension of 10mm ×10 mm±0.2 diameter and the thickness of the block ranges from 2.0±0.2 mm based on the manufacturer’s instructions using a CAD/CAM machine (Amann Girrbach, Germany) and then glazed

DNA methylation biomarkers to identify epigenetically abnormal spermatozoa in male partners from couples experiencing recurrent pregnancy loss

Previously, we showed that DNA methylation defects in spermatozoa from male partners of couples undergoing recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) could be a contributing paternal factor. In the present study, we aimed to determine whether the methylation levels of selected imprinted genes can be used as diagnostic markers to identify epigenetically abnormal spermatozoa sample in these cases. The methylation levels of selected imprinted genes in spermatozoa, which were previously found to be differentially methylated, were combined into a probability score (between 0–1) using multiple logistic regression. Different combinations of these genes were investigated using Receiver Operating Characteristic analysis, and the threshold values were experimentally validated in an independent cohort of 38 control and 45 RPL spermatozoa samples. Among the different combinations investigated, a combination of five imprinted genes comprising IGF2-H19 DMR, IG-DMR, ZAC, KvDMR, and PEG3 (AUC = 0.88) with a threshold value of 0.61 was selected with a specificity of 90.41% and sensitivity of 70%. The results from the validation study indicated that 97% of the control samples had probability scores below this threshold, whereas 40% of the RPL samples were above this threshold with a post-hoc power of 97.8%. Thus, this combination can correctly classify control samples and potentially identify epigenetically abnormal spermatozoa samples in the male partners of couples undergoing RPL. We propose that the combined DNA methylation levels of these imprinted genes can be used as a diagnostic tool to identify spermatozoa samples with epigenetic defects which could contribute to the pathophysiology of RPL and the couple could be counselled appropriately

Evaluation of cytokine profile in cervicovaginal lavage specimens of women having asymptomatic reproductive tract infections

Reproductive tract infections (RTIs) such as vaginal candidiasis and bacterial vaginosis (BV) are common among sexually active women and can be both symptomatic or asymptomatic. The microbiota of the reproductive tract triggers immune response at the cervicovaginal interface resulting in secretion of cytokines during the course of these RTIs. The objective of this study was to evaluate the cytokine profile in cervicovaginal lavage of women having asymptomatic vaginal infections. Measurement of vaginal cytokines was done for various interleukins including IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12/IL23p40, IL-17A, tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and interferon gamma (IFN-γ) by ProcartaPlex™ Multiplex Immunoassay. Women having vaginal Candida infection had increased concentration of IL-1β (p=.01), IL-6 (p=.007), IL-8 (p=.327), IL-12/IL23p40 (p=.049) and IFN-γ (p=.125). The results of our study suggest that evaluation of these cytokines could be explored as an additional measure to determine host inflammatory response in women having asymptomatic vaginal candidiasis.Impact Statement What is already known on this subject? Studies assessing the vaginal cytokine profile to assess the vaginal milieu in various cohorts such as post-menopausal women, pregnant women, women with history of preterm birth, CIN and scheduled IVF cycle are being undertaken. Variable cytokine response has been reported in literature in women with symptomatic bacterial vaginosis and Candida infection. However, much less is known about vaginal cytokine profile in asymptomatic infection. What do the results of this study add? The results of the study show increased concentration of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-6 IL-8, IL-12/IL23p40 and interferon gamma (IFN-γ) in women having asymptomatic Candida, vaginal leucocytosis and raised vaginal pH. What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? Evaluation of vaginal cytokine profile (IL-1β, IL-6 IL-8, IL-1β, IL-12/IL23p40 and IFN-γ) could be explored as an additional measure to determine inflammation in asymptomatic women. Vaginal cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6 IL-8, IL-1β, IL-12/IL23p40 and IFN-γ) could be used further for development of a point of care test

A Comparative Study on Colour and Surface Parameters of Current Esthetic Restorative CAD/CAM Materials

With the development of newer technologies, computer aided design and computer aided manufacturing help immensely in designing, planning and creating a dental prosthesis with the precise 3-D printing technology. Recently, patients are at increasing demand for everlasting colour stability of restorations in such a way that it improves the aesthetic appearance of teeth. CAD/CAM systems are developed to assemble all ceramic materials which restores the aesthetic zone, attributing to the aesthetics and its clinical long-term survivability.A well-known fact that the type, thickness, composition, curing protocols, and polishing methods of resin composites influences the colour characteristics of the restorations. 99 all-ceramic samples with both glazed or polished CAD/CAM were taken into study. The samples were assessed for the surface roughness (Ra) and colour change after immersion in hot and coffee drink and then were subjected to thermocycling for about 30 days. Total samples of 99 among which 33 samples were manufactured from   Vita Enamic, Vitablocs Mark II, and Vita Suprinity.  All the disc were milled uniformly to obtain a standard dimension of 10mm ×10 mm±0.2 diameter and the thickness of the block ranges from 2.0±0.2 mm based on the manufacturer's instructions using a CAD/CAM machine (Amann Girrbach, Germany) and then glazed

Prevalence of HPV-DNA and HPV-IgG positivity according to age group among Arab women residing in Qatar.

<p>Prevalence of HPV-DNA and HPV-IgG positivity according to age group among Arab women residing in Qatar.</p