G-protein α-subunit (GPA1) regulates stress, nitrate and phosphate response, flavonoid biosynthesis, fruit/seed development and substantially shares GCR1 regulation in A. <i>thaliana</i>

Heterotrimeric G-proteins are implicated in several plant processes, but the mechanisms of signal-response coupling and the roles of G-protein coupled receptors in general and GCR1 in particular, remain poorly understood. We isolated a knock-out mutant of the Arabidopsis G-protein α subunit (gpa1-5) and analysed its transcriptome to understand the genomewide role of GPA1 and compared it with that of our similar analysis of a GCR1 mutant (Chakraborty et al. 2015, PLoS ONE 10(2):e0117819). We found 394 GPA1-regulated genes spanning 79 biological processes, including biotic and abiotic stresses, development, flavonoid biosynthesis, transcription factors, transporters and nitrate/phosphate responses. Many of them are either unknown or unclaimed explicitly in other published gpa1 mutant transcriptome analyses. A comparison of all known GPA1-regulated genes (including the above 394) with 350 GCR1-regulated genes revealed 114 common genes. This can be best explained by GCR1–GPA1 coupling, or by convergence of their independent signaling pathways. Though the common genes in our GPA1 and GCR1 mutant datasets constitute only 26 % of the GPA1-regulated and 30 % of the GCR1-responsive genes, they belong to nearly half of all the processes affected in both the mutants. Thus, GCR1 and GPA1 regulate not only some common genes, but also different genes belonging to the same processes to achieve similar outcomes. Overall, we validate some known and report many hitherto unknown roles of GPA1 in plants, including agronomically important ones such as biotic stress and nutrient response, and also provide compelling genetic evidence to revisit the role of GCR1 in G-protein signalling

Identifying the Big Questions in paleontology: a community-driven project

Paleontology provides insights into the history of the planet, from the origins of life billions of years ago to the biotic changes of the Recent. The scope of paleontological research is as vast as it is varied, and the field is constantly evolving. In an effort to identify “Big Questions” in paleontology, experts from around the world came together to build a list of priority questions the field can address in the years ahead. The 89 questions presented herein (grouped within 11 themes) represent contributions from nearly 200 international scientists. These questions touch on common themes including biodiversity drivers and patterns, integrating data types across spatiotemporal scales, applying paleontological data to contemporary biodiversity and climate issues, and effectively utilizing innovative methods and technology for new paleontological insights. In addition to these theoretical questions, discussions touch upon structural concerns within the field, advocating for an increased valuation of specimen-based research, protection of natural heritage sites, and the importance of collections infrastructure, along with a stronger emphasis on human diversity, equity, and inclusion. These questions offer a starting point—an initial nucleus of consensus that paleontologists can expand on—for engaging in discussions, securing funding, advocating for museums, and fostering continued growth in shared research directions

Prevalence of biofilm and beta-lactamase producing Staphylococcus in nasal and throat isolates from healthy volunteers: A medical alert

Background: The Staphylococci species are the predominant inhabitants of the nose and throat as normal flora, they are now becoming a threat due to their capacity to produce biofilm. Biofilm related infections are difficult to be treated unless it is diagnosed early. The aim was to study the prevalence of biofilm and beta-lactamase production in Staphylococcus isolates from nasal and throat mucosa in healthy volunteers.Methods: Staphlococcal isolates were collected from nasal and throat swabs of 100 healthy volunteers at Gulf Medical University and Gulf Medical College Hospital, Ajman, UAE. Staphylococcus aureus or Coagulase Negative Staphylococcus (CoNS) was classified from growth on Mannitol Salt Agar and tube coagulase test. Biofilm production detected by Christensen’s tissue culture plate and Congo red agar methods. Betalactamase production among biofilm producers identified by iodometric tube method.Results: Among 100 Staphylococcus isolates, 41 were Staphylococcus aureus of which 61% were biofilm producers of which 46.3% were betalactamase positive. Among the 59 CoNS isolates, 64.4% were biofilm producers of which 30.5% were beta-lactamase positive. Predominance of nasal Staphylococcal isolation observed among males at the age group of &lt;20 years.Conclusion: Biofilm-producing Staphylococcus inhabits the nasal and throat mucosa of healthy individuals. Beta-lactamase production was higher in Staphylococcus aureus positive for biofilm producers as compared to CoNS. Transmission of these biofilm producers with drug resistance factors from the healthy individuals to high risk patients with indwelling devices need to be considered.Nepal Journal of Medical Sciences Vol.3(2) 2014: 79-83</jats:p

Project finance in Asia: governing variables of past, present, and future pf arrangements in power projects

Project finance (PF) market in Asia had been dominated by greenfield power project finance in 1990s prior to the Asian crisis. This greenfield PF structure was characterised by fixed priced power purchase agreements, foreign currency financing, and high dependency on export credit and multilateral agencies, guarantees and incentives. This paper presents variables that govern PF arrangements and analyzes them to explain why sponsors preferred such a common structural arrangement in PF in Asia, what variables resulted in this common structure&apos;s inability to withstand the Asian crisis, and whether a new PF structure will emerge in the future in response. Findings reveal that a PF arrangement is organized under a transaction specific structure and it is governed by variables attributed to institutional environment and transaction specific aspects. The institutional environment specific variables indicate the level of risk within PF transactions and result in particular security measures in PF in an unstable institutional environment like in Asia. As such, transaction specific variables are measures or responses to address the credit risk, which in effect causes different PF structures. These findings answer the above questions and provide a rationale for different PF arrangements in Asia

Interdental Papillary Reconstruction by Microtunnelling Technique Using Autologous Biomatrices&mdash;A Randomised Controlled Clinical Trial

Background and objectives: The study aimed to evaluate and compare the amount of papillary gain and black triangle height reduction after intervention with a microtunnelling technique with either Connective tissue graft (CTG) or Platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) as a biomatrix at 6 months using a microsurgical approach. Materials and Methods: Twenty-six patients with interdental papillary loss were included in the study. The patients were selected randomly for the study groups with thirteen patients in each group: a control group where CTG was utilised as a matrix, and a test group where PRF was utilised as a matrix, for interdental papillary reconstruction. A microtunnelling technique was performed for both the study groups under a surgical microscope. The primary parameters assessed were interdental Papillary height (PH) and Black triangle height (BTH) at baseline, with secondary parameters Visual analogue score by dentist (VAS-D) and patient (VAS-P) assessed at 6 months. Results: Both the control and test groups showed a significant reduction in BTH within their respective group at six months (p &lt; 0.05). The gain in papillary height significantly improved only in the CTG group at 6 months. However, significant differences could not be demonstrated for any of the variables such as BTH (p value = 0.582) and PH (p-value = 0.892) between the study groups at 6 months. Conclusions: IDP reconstruction utilising a microtunnelling approach with CTG or PRF was successful without any significant differences between the groups for the parameters assessed at 6 months

The Effect of Laser Micro Grooved Platform Switched Implants and Abutments on Early Crestal Bone Levels and Peri-Implant Soft Tissues Post 1 Year Loading among Diabetic Patients&mdash;A Controlled Clinical Trial

Background and Objectives: The study aimed to compare the mean crestal bone level (CBL) and peri-implant soft tissue parameters in laser micro-grooved (LMG) platform switched implants and abutments (I&amp;A) post 1 year of functional loading among non-diabetic and type II diabetic individuals. Materials and methods: Patients with an edentulous site having minimum bone height and width of &ge;13 mm and &ge;6 mm, respectively, were divided into two groups: (i) Non-diabetic-8 (control) and (ii) diabetic-8 (test). LMG Implants were placed and loaded immediately with a provisional prosthesis. Mean crestal bone level (MCBL) was evaluated radiographically at baseline and at 1 year. Peri-implant attachment level (PIAL) and relative position of the gingival margin (R-PGM) were recorded. Implant stability quotient (ISQ) level and implant survival rate (ISR) were evaluated at 1 year. Results: Early MCBL within the groups 1 year postloading was similar both mesially and distally (control&mdash;0.00 to 0.16 mm and 0.00 to 0.17 mm, respectively; test&mdash;0.00 to 0.21 mm and 0.00 to 0.22 mm, respectively) with statistical significance (p &le; 0.003, p &le; 0.001 and p &le; 0.001, p &le; 0.001, respectively). However, intergroup comparison showed no significant difference statistically in the MCBL in 1 year post functional loading. The peri-implant soft tissue parameters showed no significant difference between the groups. ISQ level between both groups did not reveal any significant changes (p &le; 0.92), and ISR was 100%. Conclusions: LMG Implants resulted in minimal and comparable early crestal bone loss and soft tissue changes post 1 year of functional loading in moderately controlled diabetic and non-diabetic individuals, suggesting that this could be a reliable system for use in systemically compromised individuals