Transcriptional repression by MYB3R proteins regulates plant organ growth

In multicellular organisms, temporal and spatial regulation of cell proliferation is central for generating organs with defined sizes and morphologies. For establishing and maintaining the post-mitotic quiescent state during cell differentiation, it is important to repress genes with mitotic functions. We found that three of the Arabidopsis MYB3R transcription factors synergistically maintain G2/M-specific genes repressed in post-mitotic cells and restrict the time window of mitotic gene expression in proliferating cells. The combined mutants of the three repressor-type MYB3R genes displayed long roots, enlarged leaves, embryos, and seeds. Genome-wide chromatin immunoprecipitation revealed that MYB3R3 binds to the promoters of G2/M-specific genes and to E2F target genes. MYB3R3 associates with the repressor-type E2F, E2FC, and the RETINOBLASTOMA RELATED proteins. In contrast, the activator MYB3R4 was in complex with E2FB in proliferating cells. With mass spectrometry and pairwise interaction assays, we identified some of the other conserved components of the multiprotein complexes, known as DREAM/dREAM in human and flies. In plants, these repressor complexes are important for periodic expression during cell cycle and to establish a post-mitotic quiescent state determining organ size

Validity, responsiveness, and minimal clinically important difference of EQ-5D-5L in stroke patients undergoing rehabilitation

To examine the criterion validity, responsiveness, and minimal clinically important difference (MCID) of the EuroQoL 5-Dimensions Questionnaire (EQ-5D-5L) and visual analog scale (EQ-VAS) in people receiving rehabilitation after stroke. ;The EQ-5D-5L, along with four criterion measures-the Medical Research Council scales for muscle strength, the Fugl-Meyer assessment, the functional independence measure, and the Stroke Impact Scale-was administered to 65 patients with stroke before and after 3- to 4-week therapy. Criterion validity was estimated using the Spearman correlation coefficient. Responsiveness was analyzed by the effect size, standardized response mean (SRM), and criterion responsiveness. The MCID was determined by anchor-based and distribution-based approaches. The percentage of patients exceeding the MCID was also reported. ;Concurrent validity of the EQ-Index was better compared with the EQ-VAS. The EQ-Index has better power for predicting the rehabilitation outcome in the activities of daily living than other motor-related outcome measures. The EQ-Index was moderately responsive to change (SRM = 0.63), whereas the EQ-VAS was only mildly responsive to change. The MCID estimation of the EQ-Index (the percentage of patients exceeding the MCID) was 0.10 (33.8 %) and 0.10 (33.8 %) based on the anchor-based and distribution-based approaches, respectively, and the estimation of EQ-VAS was 8.61 (41.5 %) and 10.82 (32.3 %). ;The EQ-Index has shown reasonable concurrent validity, limited predictive validity, and acceptable responsiveness for detecting the health-related quality of life in stroke patients undergoing rehabilitation, but not for EQ-VAS. Future research considering different recovery stages after stroke is warranted to validate these estimations

DNA double-strand breaks induce the expression of flavin-containing monooxygenase and reduce root meristem size in Arabidopsis thaliana

Plants use various mechanisms to cope with environmental stresses, which often threaten genome integrity. In Arabidopsis, DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) reduce root meristem size in a SOG1-dependent manner. SOG1 is a key transcription factor controlling the response to DNA damage. However, the underlying mechanism remains largely unknown. In this study, we found that treatment with the DSB inducer zeocin increased the accumulation of H2O2 in root tips. Chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis showed that SOG1 directly binds to the promoter of FMO1, which encodes a flavin-containing monooxygenase and is associated with the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), H2O2 in particular. Indeed, zeocin induced the expression of FMO1 in a SOG1-dependent manner, and neither the sog1 nor the fmo1 knockout mutant exhibited higher H2O2 accumulation in root tips. Consequently, both sog1 and fmo1 could tolerate exposure to zeocin, in terms of root growth and the maintenance of the meristem size. However, transgenic plants over-expressing FMO1 also accumulated H2O2 in response to zeocin exposure, suggesting that other ROS-synthesis genes are also involved in the regulation of ROS production. We conclude that SOG1-mediated regulation of ROS homeostasis plays a key role in the reduction of root meristem size under DNA stress conditions

The Adventures of Tobiacco

The objective of the game is to clear each levelby reaching the door that is placed somewhere in theroom while clearing obstacles and avoiding trapsthat are in the level. Players have many triesas they like to attempt to clear each level.Each level gets more difficult and a coupleof levels have bosses.The controls are as follows:Left and Right to moves horizontallyUp to jump'q' to shoot a platform moving horizontally'w' to shoot a platform verticallySpace is to shootGood luck

The Adventures of Tobiacco

The objective of the game is to clear each levelby reaching the door that is placed somewhere in theroom while clearing obstacles and avoiding trapsthat are in the level. Players have many triesas they like to attempt to clear each level.Each level gets more difficult and a coupleof levels have bosses.The controls are as follows:Left and Right to moves horizontallyUp to jump'q' to shoot a platform moving horizontally'w' to shoot a platform verticallySpace is to shootGood luck