1,121 research outputs found

    EDR2 negatively regulates salicylic acid-based defenses and cell death during powdery mildew infections of Arabidopsis thaliana

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    <p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The hypersensitive necrosis response (HR) of resistant plants to avirulent pathogens is a form of programmed cell death in which the plant sacrifices a few cells under attack, restricting pathogen growth into adjacent healthy tissues. In spite of the importance of this defense response, relatively little is known about the plant components that execute the cell death program or about its regulation in response to pathogen attack.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We isolated the <it>edr2-6 </it>mutant, an allele of the previously described <it>edr2 </it>mutants. We found that <it>edr2-6 </it>exhibited an exaggerated chlorosis and necrosis response to attack by three pathogens, two powdery mildew and one downy mildew species, but not in response to abiotic stresses or attack by the bacterial leaf speck pathogen. The chlorosis and necrosis did not spread beyond inoculated sites suggesting that EDR2 limits the initiation of cell death rather than its spread. The pathogen-induced chlorosis and necrosis of <it>edr2-6 </it>was correlated with a stimulation of the salicylic acid defense pathway and was suppressed in mutants deficient in salicylic acid signaling. <it>EDR2 </it>encodes a novel protein with a pleckstrin homology and a StAR transfer (START) domain as well as a plant-specific domain of unknown function, DUF1336. The pleckstrin homology domain binds to phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate <it>in vitro </it>and an EDR2:HA:GFP protein localizes to endoplasmic reticulum, plasma membrane and endosomes.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p><it>EDR2 </it>acts as a negative regulator of cell death, specifically the cell death elicited by pathogen attack and mediated by the salicylic acid defense pathway. Phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate may have a role in limiting cell death via its effect on EDR2. This role in cell death may be indirect, by helping to target EDR2 to the appropriate membrane, or it may play a more direct role.</p

    State of Nebraska Digital Equity Plan: Understanding the Digital Equity Needs of Covered Populations in Nebraska

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    According to 2021 estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, 7% of Nebraska households do not have access to a computer and 6% of Nebraska households have access to a computer but no internet. Although recent efforts suggest there is momentum and government action at both the federal and state levels to address lack of broadband (Hammel, 2023; Newman, 2023), this still leaves a considerable number of Nebraskans without access to reliable broadband in the meantime. Furthermore, broadband access is moot if Nebraskans do not have access or cannot afford technology and the cost of internet in the first place. The purpose of this report is to take a deeper look at specific covered populations in Nebraska who are more likely to be without affordable, reliable technology access and, therefore, are disproportionally impacted by the digital divide. The research team, representing the University of Nebraska at Omaha Center for Public Affairs Research and Department of Gerontology, was approached by the Nebraska Information Technology Commission to conduct focus groups with covered populations. Key findings from focus groups are shared. Findings indicate that access to technology and internet is not only vital for all Nebraskans but is also costprohibitive for already marginalized populations. Moving forward, these findings will inform the creation of a state digital equity plan for Nebraska

    In-Stream Structures Integrity and Channel Stability Survey and Evaluation

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    ODOT SPR Item Number 2311Streambank erosion can damage bridges, hydraulic structures, and private property. In-stream structures may be installed to control river migration and limit bank erosion during large precipitation events. Historically, the structures most widely used by the Oklahoma Department of Transportation include Kellner jetties, rip rap, pile diversions, and bendway weirs. These structures each use different methods to decrease erosion and stream migration; therefore, their effectiveness may differ based on a variety of variables including stream geomorphology, site and watershed characteristics, and occurrence of extreme precipitation events. Many of these structures have been installed on Oklahoma rivers but have not been consistently evaluated. Previously, two studies completed by the Oklahoma Department of Transportation and the University of Oklahoma in 1971 and 1989 have qualitatively evaluated the effectiveness of over 20 in-stream structures near transportation infrastructure. In this project, remote evaluations of the characteristics of the streams and watersheds, along with on-site stream surveys and geomorphological studies, were completed. This project augments and enhances the previous studies through quantitative analyses of the durability of the structures, stream characteristics, and stream geomorphology. Logistic regressions indicated that soil type and structure design impact the success of different structures. Pile diversions were more likely to fail on rivers with more sand, potentially due to the mobility of a sandy river bed. Kellner jetties failed more frequently with smaller angles between the stream flow line and the Kellner jetty lines. Overall, structures were more successful in streams with higher silt content in their bank material. This data can be used in the future for making decisions surrounding streambank stabilization projects in Oklahoma. The results of this study provide a unique opportunity to optimize the likelihood of successful implementation of in-stream structures in rivers with varying characteristics

    A modern way to teach and practice manual therapy

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    Background: Musculoskeletal conditions are the leading contributor to global disability and health burden. Manual therapy (MT) interventions are commonly recommended in clinical guidelines and used in the management of musculoskeletal conditions. Traditional systems of manual therapy (TMT), including physiotherapy, osteopathy, chiropractic, and soft tissue therapy have been built on principles such as clinician-centred assessment, patho-anatomical reasoning, and technique specificity. These historical principles are not supported by current evidence. However, data from clinical trials support the clinical and cost effectiveness of manual therapy as an intervention for musculoskeletal conditions, when used as part of a package of care. Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to propose a modern evidence-guided framework for the teaching and practice of MT which avoids reference to and reliance on the outdated principles of TMT. This framework is based on three fundamental humanistic dimensions common in all aspects of healthcare: safety, comfort, and efficiency. These practical elements are contextualised by positive communication, a collaborative context, and person-centred care. The framework facilitates best-practice, reasoning, and communication and is exemplified here with two case studies. Methods: A literature review stimulated by a new method of teaching manual therapy, reflecting contemporary evidence, being trialled at a United Kingdom education institute. A group of experienced, internationally-based academics, clinicians, and researchers from across the spectrum of manual therapy was convened. Perspectives were elicited through reviews of contemporary literature and discussions in an iterative process. Public presentations were made to multidisciplinary groups and feedback was incorporated. Consensus was achieved through repeated discussion of relevant elements. Conclusions: Manual therapy interventions should include both passive and active, person-empowering interventions such as exercise, education, and lifestyle adaptations. These should be delivered in a contextualised healing environment with a well-developed person-practitioner therapeutic alliance. Teaching manual therapy should follow this model

    Drinking behaviour and alcohol-related harm amongst older adults: analysis of existing UK datasets.

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    Older adults experience age-related physiological changes that increase sensitivity and decrease tolerance to alcohol and there are a number of age-related harms such as falls, social isolation and elder abuse, which are compounded by alcohol misuse. Despite this unique vulnerability and the fact that the number of older adults is increasing, the literature on drinking behaviour and alcohol-related harm in older adults is sparse. This article describes a secondary analysis of UK data to address this knowledge gap

    Nutrient dynamics of the southern and northern BOREAS boreal forests

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    The objective of this study was to compare nutrient concentration, distribution, and select components of nutrient budgets fur aspen (Populus tremuloides), jack pine (Pinus banksiana), and black spruce (Picea mariana) forest ecosystems at the BORcal Ecosystem Atmosphere Study (BOREAS), southern and northern study areas near Candle Lake, Saskatchewan and Thompson, Manitoba, Canada, respectively. The vegetation (excluding fine roots and understory) in the aspen, black spruce, and jack pine stands contained 70-79%, 53-54%, and 58-67% of total ecosystem carbon content, respectively. Soil (forest floor and mineral soil) nitrogen (N), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg) content comprised over 90% of the total ecosystem nutrient content, except for Ca and Mg content of the southern black spruce stand and Ca content of the southern aspen stand which were less than 90%. Annual litterfall N content was significantly greater (p < 0.05) for trembling aspen (30-41 kg N ha(-1) yr(-1)) than for jack pine (5-10 kg N ha(-1) yr(-1)) or black spruce (6-7 kg N ha(-1) yr(-1)), and was generally greater, brit not significantly, for the southern than for the northern study area. Aboveground net primary production was positively correlated (R-2 = 0.91) to annual litterfall N content for the BOREAS forests, and for all boreal forests (R-2 = 0.57). Annual aboveground nutrient (N, Ca, Mg, and K) requirements (sum of the annual increment of nutrient in foliage, branches, and stems) were significantly greater (p < 0.05) for trembling aspen than for jack pine or black spruce forests. Annual aboveground N requirements ranged from 37-53, 6-14, and 6-7 kg N ha(-1) yr(-1) fur trembling aspen, jack pine, and black spruce forests, respectively. The greater nutrient requirements of deciduous than evergreen boreal forests was explained by a greater annual production of biomass and lower use efficiency of nutrients. Nutrient cycling. characteristics of boreal forests were influenced by climate and forest type, with the latter having a greater influence on litterfall N, annual nutrient requirements, nutrient mean residence Lime, and nutrient distribution
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