Methyl-CpG-Binding PCR of Bloodspots for Confirmation of Fragile X Syndrome in Males

This study demonstrates that methyl-CpG-binding PCR (MB-PCR) is a rapid and simple method for detecting fragile X syndrome (FXS) in males, which is performed by verifying the methylation status of the FMR1 promoter in bloodspots. Proteins containing methyl-CpG-binding (MB) domains can be freeze-stored and used as stocks, and the entire test requires only a few hours. The minimum amount of DNA required for the test is 0.5 ng. At this amount, detection sensitivity is not hampered, even mixing with excess unmethylated alleles up to 320 folds. We examined bloodspots from 100 males, including 24 with FXS, in a blinded manner. The results revealed that the ability of MB-PCR to detect FMR1 promoter methylation was the same as that of Southern blot hybridization. Since individuals with 2 or more X chromosomes generally have methylated FMR1 alleles, MB-PCR cannot be used to detect FXS in females

Functional analysis of GbAGL1, a D-lineage gene from cotton (Gossypium barbadense)

Cotton fibres originate from the outer ovule integument and D-lineage genes are essential for ovule development and their roles can be described by the ‘ABCDE’ model of flower development. To investigate the role of D-lineage genes during ovule and fibre development, GbAGL1 (GenBank accession number: FJ198049) was isolated from G. barbadense by using the SMART RACE strategy. Sequence and phylogenetic analyses revealed that GbAGL1 was a member of the D-lineage gene family. Southern blot analysis showed that GbAGL1 belonged to a low-copy gene family. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR and RNA in situ hybridization analyses revealed that the GbAGL1 gene in G. barbadense was highly expressed in whole floral bud primordia and the floral organs including ovules and fibres, but the signals were barely observed in vegetative tissues. GbAGL1 expression increased gradually with the ovule developmental stages. Over-expression of GbAGL1 in Arabidopsis caused obvious homeotic alternations in the floral organs, such as early flowering, and an extruded stigma, which were the typical phenotypes of the D-lineage gene family. In addition, a complementation test revealed that GbAGL1 could rescue the phenotypes of the stk mutant. Our study indicated that GbAGL1 was a D-lineage gene that was involved in ovule development and might play key roles in fibres development

Optimasi Portofolio Resiko Menggunakan Model Markowitz MVO Dikaitkan dengan Keterbatasan Manusia dalam Memprediksi Masa Depan dalam Perspektif Al-Qur`an

Risk portfolio on modern finance has become increasingly technical, requiring the use of sophisticated mathematical tools in both research and practice. Since companies cannot insure themselves completely against risk, as human incompetence in predicting the future precisely that written in Al-Quran surah Luqman verse 34, they have to manage it to yield an optimal portfolio. The objective here is to minimize the variance among all portfolios, or alternatively, to maximize expected return among all portfolios that has at least a certain expected return. Furthermore, this study focuses on optimizing risk portfolio so called Markowitz MVO (Mean-Variance Optimization). Some theoretical frameworks for analysis are arithmetic mean, geometric mean, variance, covariance, linear programming, and quadratic programming. Moreover, finding a minimum variance portfolio produces a convex quadratic programming, that is minimizing the objective function ðð¥with constraintsð ð 𥠥 ðandð´ð¥ = ð. The outcome of this research is the solution of optimal risk portofolio in some investments that could be finished smoothly using MATLAB R2007b software together with its graphic analysis

Search for supersymmetry in events with one lepton and multiple jets in proton-proton collisions at root s=13 TeV

Peer reviewe

Measurement of the top quark mass using charged particles in pp collisions at root s=8 TeV

Peer reviewe

Discutindo a educação ambiental no cotidiano escolar: desenvolvimento de projetos na escola formação inicial e continuada de professores

A presente pesquisa buscou discutir como a Educação Ambiental (EA) vem sendo trabalhada, no Ensino Fundamental e como os docentes desta escola compreendem e vem inserindo a EA no cotidiano escolar., em uma escola estadual do município de Tangará da Serra/MT, Brasil. Para tanto, realizou-se entrevistas com os professores que fazem parte de um projeto interdisciplinar de EA na escola pesquisada. Verificou-se que o projeto da escola não vem conseguindo alcançar os objetivos propostos por: desconhecimento do mesmo, pelos professores; formação deficiente dos professores, não entendimento da EA como processo de ensino-aprendizagem, falta de recursos didáticos, planejamento inadequado das atividades. A partir dessa constatação, procurou-se debater a impossibilidade de tratar do tema fora do trabalho interdisciplinar, bem como, e principalmente, a importância de um estudo mais aprofundado de EA, vinculando teoria e prática, tanto na formação docente, como em projetos escolares, a fim de fugir do tradicional vínculo “EA e ecologia, lixo e horta”.Facultad de Humanidades y Ciencias de la Educació

Analysis of root canal system and the consistency between maxillary first and second molars in a Taiwanese population: a CBCT study

實驗目的 在許多牙齒和根管型態的研究中發現，許多牙齒根管的變異好發於某些特定族群。在亞洲人種當中：C型根管、上顎臼齒有額外近心根管、下顎臼齒有遠心舌側牙根的比率，似乎比其他人種來的高。在文獻回顧中上顎臼齒的根管治療臨床上失敗率很高，被歸因於其複雜的根管型態，本研究的目的是利用錐狀射束電腦斷層(CBCT)來分析台灣人口中，上顎第一大臼齒和第二大臼齒的根管系統的型態和彼此間的相似性、對稱性、和關聯性。 實驗方法 本研究蒐集了從2014年1月到2014年12月在台大醫院牙科部有照射CBCT影像的病人，符合條件的病人一共有519位。由兩位根管專科醫師和一位放射師來判讀這1741顆上顎大臼齒的影像，和分析兩顆上顎大臼齒彼此間的關聯性。 實驗結果 在台灣人口中，上顎第一大臼齒最常見的型態是三牙根四根管(3R4C)，而上顎第二大臼齒最常見的型態則是三牙根三根管(3R3C)。在356位具有兩個上顎第一大臼齒的病人中，兩側的上顎第一大臼齒根管型態對稱的比率是87.36%；在392位具有兩個上顎大臼齒的病人中，兩側上顎第二大臼齒對稱的比率是79.85%。在相鄰兩顆上顎第一和第二大臼齒的組別中(右側375組，左側388組)，右側上顎第一大臼齒和上顎第二大臼齒根管具有相似性的比率是53.07%，左側組別則是52.58%。兩側上顎第一大臼齒同時具有近心頰側第二根管(MB2canal)的比率是77.8%，在雙側上顎第二大臼齒則是35.97%。在110位雙側上顎第二大臼齒同時具有近心頰側第二根管的病人中，他們的雙側上顎第一大臼齒也同時具有近心頰側第二根管的比率幾乎是100%。 結論 上顎第一大臼齒比上顎第二大臼齒有更高的3牙根四根管(3R4C)的盛行率。在同一位病人中，上顎同質性的牙齒根管型態的對稱性高於相鄰兩顆上顎大臼齒。術前分析CBCT影像和了解根管可能的關聯性，可以有效率的提升根管治療的成功率。Objectives The aim of this study was to use cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) to analyze the morphology and similarity / symmetry of root canal systems in the maxillary first and second molars in Taiwanese. Materials and methods A total of 519 patients in the dental department of NTUH from January 2014 to December 2014 were enrolled. Overall, CBCT images of 1741 maxillary molars were blindly examined by two endodontists to analyze the correlation of root canal systems between the first molars and second molars as well as the bilateral first or second molars. Results The most common type in Taiwanese maxillary first molars is 3R4C (3 roots/4 canals), whereas in maxillary second molars is 3R3C.The symmetry of root canal system in bilateral maxillary first and second molars were found in 87.36% and 79.85%,respectively. The similarities of root canal system in adjacent maxillary first and second molars were 53.07% in right side and 52.58% in left side. The concurrence of MB2 canal in bilateral maxillary first molars is 77.8%, whereas is 35.97% in maxillary second molars. In the 110 patients MB2 canal in bilateral maxillary second molars, the chances of bilateral MB2 canals in their maxillary first molar is almost 100%. Conclusions Maxillary first molars have higher prevalence of 3R4C root canal system than maxillary second molars. The symmetry and similarity were higher in bilateral maxillary homonym molars than in adjacent maxillary molars. These information and assessing CBCT images in advance provide a totally understandings of the whole root canal system, and improve the endodontic treatment outcome efficiently

In Vitro and in Planta Evaluation of Trichoderma asperellum TA as a Biocontrol Agent Against Phellinus noxius, the Cause of Brown Root Rot Disease of Trees

Brown root rot (BRR), caused by the white rot fungus Phellinus noxius, is an epidemic disease of diverse broadleaved and coniferous tree species in many tropical and subtropical regions. Flooding and trenching control measures are difficult to implement, and chemical controls can have an adverse impact on ecosystems. Previous studies have provided in vitro evidence for the potential use of Trichoderma spp. for biocontrol of BRR. Here, we analyzed the in vitro antagonistic and mycoparasitic abilities of four Trichoderma spp. isolates against four P. noxius isolates in dual culture and Ficus microcarpa wood blocks. A convenient inoculation system based on root inoculation of a highly susceptible loquat (Eriobonya japonica) with P. noxius-colonized wheat-oat grains was developed to examine the effect of Trichoderma treatment in planta. Preventive application of Trichoderma asperellum TA, the isolate showing high antagonistic activity in vitro, was effective in preventing and delaying the wilting of P. noxius-inoculated loquat cuttings in greenhouse trials. To understand the specific niche in which T. asperellum TA interacts with P. noxius, KOH-aniline blue fluorescence microscopy was used to investigate the colonization of loquat roots by P. noxius and/or T. asperellum TA. Dilution plating assays were also conducted to quantify Trichoderma populations in the rhizosphere and potting mix. T. asperellum TA was able to robustly establish in the rhizosphere and potting mix but with scarce root penetration limited to the superficial layer. We discuss the timing and strategy for applying antagonistic Trichodema sp. on living trees or in BRR-infested areas for BRR management