Jasmonate-dependent plant defense restricts thrips performance and preference

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The western flower thrips (<it>Frankliniella occidentalis </it>[Pergande]) is one of the most important insect herbivores of cultivated plants. However, no pesticide provides complete control of this species, and insecticide resistance has emerged around the world. We previously reported the important role of jasmonate (JA) in the plant's immediate response to thrips feeding by using an <it>Arabidopsis </it>leaf disc system. In this study, as the first step toward practical use of JA in thrips control, we analyzed the effect of JA-regulated <it>Arabidopsis </it>defense at the whole plant level on thrips behavior and life cycle at the population level over an extended period. We also studied the effectiveness of JA-regulated plant defense on thrips damage in Chinese cabbage (<it>Brassica rapa </it>subsp. <it>pekinensis</it>).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Thrips oviposited more on <it>Arabidopsis </it>JA-insensitive <it>coi1-1 </it>mutants than on WT plants, and the population density of the following thrips generation increased on <it>coi1-1 </it>mutants. Moreover, thrips preferred <it>coi1-1 </it>mutants more than WT plants. Application of JA to WT plants before thrips attack decreased the thrips population. To analyze these important functions of JA in a brassica crop plant, we analyzed the expression of marker genes for JA response in <it>B. rapa</it>. Thrips feeding induced expression of these marker genes and significantly increased the JA content in <it>B. rapa</it>. Application of JA to <it>B. rapa </it>enhanced plant resistance to thrips, restricted oviposition, and reduced the population density of the following generation.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Our results indicate that the JA-regulated plant defense restricts thrips performance and preference, and plays an important role in the resistance of <it>Arabidopsis </it>and <it>B. rapa </it>to thrips damage.</p

Functional tooth number and mortality

Aim: Previous studies on the association between intraoral conditions and mortality in community-dwelling older individuals reported that fewer present teeth (PT) are significant risk factors for mortality. However, how the number of PT relative to the number of functional teeth (FT), including both present and rehabilitated teeth, influences mortality has not been investigated fully. This study examined the impact of the number of FT on mortality among community-dwelling Japanese older adults. Methods: This study was a retrospective, observational and population-based follow-up study, which examined 1188 older individuals who participated in an annual geriatric health examination from 2009 to 2015. The average follow-up period was 1697.0 ± 774.5 days. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality at follow-up. The numbers of PT and FT of each participant were counted during an oral examination. In addition, demographics, clinical variables, blood nutrient markers, physical functions and perceived masticatory function were measured. Results: Kaplan–Meier analysis, followed by a log-rank test, revealed that fewer PT (P < 0.001) and FT (P = 0.002) were significantly associated with a reduced survival rate. Cox's proportional hazard analysis indicated that the number of FT, but not the number of PT, was a significant independent mortality risk factor after adjusting for demographics, clinical variables, nutrient markers and physical functioning (P = 0.036, hazard ratio: 2.089). Conclusions: Current results suggest that the number of FT more strongly predicts all-cause mortality than the number of PT among community-dwelling older adults. Further studies are necessary to consider the confounding of socioeconomic status and disability status

Number of functional teeth more strongly predicts all‐cause mortality than number of present teeth in Japanese older adults

Aim Previous studies on the association between intraoral conditions and mortality in community‐dwelling older individuals reported that fewer present teeth (PT) are significant risk factors for mortality. However, how the number of PT relative to the number of functional teeth (FT), including both present and rehabilitated teeth, influences mortality has not been investigated fully. This study examined the impact of the number of FT on mortality among community‐dwelling Japanese older adults. Methods This study was a retrospective, observational and population‐based follow‐up study, which examined 1188 older individuals who participated in an annual geriatric health examination from 2009 to 2015. The average follow‐up period was 1697.0 ± 774.5 days. The primary outcome was all‐cause mortality at follow‐up. The numbers of PT and FT of each participant were counted during an oral examination. In addition, demographics, clinical variables, blood nutrient markers, physical functions and perceived masticatory function were measured. Results Kaplan–Meier analysis, followed by a log‐rank test, revealed that fewer PT (P  Conclusions Current results suggest that the number of FT more strongly predicts all‐cause mortality than the number of PT among community‐dwelling older adults. Further studies are necessary to consider the confounding of socioeconomic status and disability status

Impact of number of functional teeth on independence of Japanese older adults

Aim To examine the relationship between the number of present and functional teeth at baseline and future incidence of loss of independence. Methods Participants were community-dwelling older individuals who participated in a comprehensive geriatric health examination conducted in Kusatsu town, Japan, between 2009 and 2015. The primary endpoint was the incidence of loss of independence among participants, defined as the first certification of long-term care insurance in Japan. The numbers of present and functional teeth at baseline were determined via an oral examination. Demographics, clinical variables (e.g., history of chronic diseases and psychosocial factors), blood nutritional markers, physical functions, and perceived masticatory function were assessed. Results This study included 1121 individuals, and 205 individuals suffered from loss of independence during the follow-up period. Kaplan–Meier estimates of loss of independence for participants with smaller numbers of present and functional teeth were significantly greater than for those with larger numbers of teeth. Cox proportional hazard analyses indicated that a smaller number of present teeth was not a significant risk factor after adjusting for demographic characteristics. However, the number of functional teeth was a significant risk factor after the adjustment (hazard ratio: 1.975 [1.168–3.340]). Additionally, higher hazard ratios were observed in other adjusted models, but they were not statistically significant. Conclusions The number of functional teeth may be more closely related to the future incidence of loss of independence than the number of present teeth. This novel finding suggests that prosthodontic rehabilitation for tooth loss possibly prevents the future incidence of this life-event

Micro-impact-induced mechano-chemical synthesis of organic precursors from FeC/FeN and carbonates/nitrates in water and its extension to nucleobases

Much effort was taken to elucidate how organic precursors appeared in early Earth, and attention was paid to two impact experiments: hypervelocity impacts by a propellant gun which simulated meteorite collides to Earth forming fatty acids and amino acids from inorganics, and micro-impacts by a planetary ball-mill which formed ammonium and acetic acid from inorganics. Our extended study on micro-impacts showed the formation of carboxylic acids, amines, and amino acids from Fe3C/Fe4N, carbon, and carbonates/nitrates by milling up to 30 h at 40 G. Fe(CO2)2·2H2O accelerated the formation a step further. Cu addition caused superior capability to form amines and amino acids. Two reaction fields were disclosed. In the impact field, the hydration of ferrous materials generated hydrogen which hydrogenated inorganic carbons to organics and ferrous transient materials and, in the maturing field, hydrogenated materials were then transformed into complex organics. Iron and CO2 were presumably the key components in the Hadean Ocean. Discussions on the mechano-chemical reaction were extended to serpentinization coupled with diastrophism of oceanic crusts and further led to a depiction that organic precursors were formed by micro-impacts and frictions of rocks and sands (like milling-balls) due to tremors in crusts. It provides a new path on how organic precursors were formed on the aqua-planet Earth

Rate of oral frailty and oral hypofunction in rural community-dwelling older Japanese individuals

Objective To clarify the rate of oral frailty and oral hypofunction in rural community-dwelling older adults in Japan. Background Recently, the oral function of Japanese older adults has been evaluated multilaterally based on two concepts: oral frailty and oral hypofunction. Oral frailty is defined as a decrease in the oral function accompanied by a decrease in mental and physical functions. Oral hypofunction is a disease where the oral function is comprehensively decreased. However, their rates have not yet been elucidated. Materials and methods Oral frailty and oral hypofunction were evaluated in 679 older adults from rural areas. To investigate the differences in occurrence rates due to the evaluation methods, one of the subordinate symptoms of oral hypofunction, the reduced occlusal force, was evaluated based on both the occlusal force (main method) and the number of teeth (alternative method). Results The rate of oral frailty was 22.3% in men and 22.7% in women. The rate of oral hypofunction was 39.0% in men and 46.9% in women. The overall rate of oral hypofunction was 43.6% when the reduced occlusal force of oral hypofunction was evaluated using the main method and 46.4% when evaluated using the alternative method. The proportion of participants with decreased occlusal force, the number of present teeth, oral diadochokinesis, tongue pressure and masticatory performance increased with age in both men and women. Conclusion Among rural community-dwelling older adults, the rate of oral frailty was 22.5% and that of oral hypofunction was 43.6%

Association between oral, social, and physical frailty in community -dwelling older adults

Objectives: Oral frailty (OF) has been shown to be a predictor of disability. Therefore, it is important to be able to identify factors associated with OF in order to prevent long-term dependence. The purpose of this study was to clarify the relationships between OF, social frailty (SF), and physical frailty (PF) in community-dwelling older adults, with the overarching aim of informing the future development of effective measures to prevent frailty. Methods: Oral, physical, and social function, nutritional and psychological status, and medical history were examined in 682 community-dwelling individuals (267 men, 415 women) aged ≥ 65 years. Ordinal logistic regression analysis with SF and PF as independent variables was performed with pass analysis to determine the relationship between the different types of frailty. Results: Logistic regression analysis revealed significant associations between OF and decline in social function, physical function, and nutritional status, and an increase in the number of medications used. Path analysis showed that SF was directly related to OF and that OF and SF were directly related to PF. Conclusions: These findings suggest that a decline in social function may directly influence a decline in oral and physical function. The results of this study provide initial evidence, that may guide the future development of measures that aim to prevent and manage OF

Factors associated with masticatory performance in community-dwelling older adults A cross-sectional study

Background. Decreased masticatory performance leads to deterioration of overall health among older adults. However, maintaining and improving masticatory performance in ways other than maintenance of natural teeth and appropriate prosthodontic treatment remains unclear. If the factors related to the mixing and shearing abilities for masticatory performance are clarified, it may be possible to maintain and improve the masticatory performance of older adults. We aimed to clarify the association among mixing ability, shearing ability, and masticatory performance-related factors. Methods. Of the 707 community-dwelling older adults in Kusatsu Town, Japan, 344 who had been treated for any dental defects were enrolled in this study. Masticatory performance was evaluated on the basis of mixing ability and shearing ability. The number of natural teeth and artificial teeth, occlusal force, tongue pressure, and oral diadochokinesis /ta/ were measured as masticatory performance-related factors. Their relationship with mixing ability, shearing ability, and masticatory performance-related factors was examined by means of Spearman rank correlation coefficient and path analysis. Results. Among masticatory performance-related factors, the number of natural teeth, occlusal force, and tongue pressure were directly associated with both mixing ability and shearing ability. Moreover, mixing ability was also directly associated with shearing ability. Conclusions. Tongue pressure, which can be improved by means of training, is a masticatory performance-related factor associated with both mixing and shearing abilities