Global analysis of the sugarcane microtranscriptome reveals a unique composition of small RNAs associated with axillary bud outgrowth

Axillary bud outgrowth determines shoot architecture and is under the control of endogenous hormones and a fine-tuned gene-expression network, which probably includes small RNAs (sRNAs). Although it is well known that sRNAs act broadly in plant development, our understanding about their roles in vegetative bud outgrowth remains limited. Moreover, the expression profiles of microRNAs (miRNAs) and their targets within axillary buds are largely unknown. Here, we employed sRNA next-generation sequencing as well as computational and gene-expression analysis to identify and quantify sRNAs and their targets in vegetative axillary buds of the biofuel crop sugarcane (Saccharum spp.). Computational analysis allowed the identification of 26 conserved miRNA families and two putative novel miRNAs, as well as a number of trans-acting small interfering RNAs. sRNAs associated with transposable elements and protein-encoding genes were similarly represented in both inactive and developing bud libraries. Conversely, sequencing and quantitative reverse transcription-PCR results revealed that specific miRNAs were differentially expressed in developing buds, and some correlated negatively with the expression of their targets at specific stages of axillary bud development. For instance, the expression patterns of miR159 and its target GAMYB suggested that they may play roles in regulating abscisic acid-signalling pathways during sugarcane bud outgrowth. Our work reveals, for the first time, differences in the composition and expression profiles of diverse sRNAs and targets between inactive and developing vegetative buds that, together with the endogenous balance of specific hormones, may be important in regulating axillary bud outgrowth

Hot-Moments of Soil CO2 Efflux in a Water-Limited Grassland

The metabolic activity of water-limited ecosystems is strongly linked to the timing and magnitude of precipitation pulses that can trigger disproportionately high (i.e., hot-moments) ecosystem CO2 fluxes. We analyzed over 2-years of continuous measurements of soil CO2 efflux (Fs) under vegetation (Fsveg) and at bare soil (Fsbare) in a water-limited grassland. The continuous wavelet transform was used to: (a) describe the temporal variability of Fs; (b) test the performance of empirical models ranging in complexity; and (c) identify hot-moments of Fs. We used partial wavelet coherence (PWC) analysis to test the temporal correlation between Fs with temperature and soil moisture. The PWC analysis provided evidence that soil moisture overshadows the influence of soil temperature for Fs in this water limited ecosystem. Precipitation pulses triggered hot-moments that increased Fsveg (up to 9000%) and Fsbare (up to 17,000%) with respect to pre-pulse rates. Highly parameterized empirical models (using support vector machine (SVM) or an 8-day moving window) are good approaches for representing the daily temporal variability of Fs, but SVM is a promising approach to represent high temporal variability of Fs (i.e., hourly estimates). Our results have implications for the representation of hot-moments of ecosystem CO2 fluxes in these globally distributed ecosystems

Experimental study about the effects of granular skeleton distribution on the mechanical properties of self-compacting concrete (SCC)

In recent years, the use of self-compacting concrete (SCC) has been increasing. Although methods for designing the mixture proportions usually derive from experience with conventional concretes, some specific procedures still are not universally accepted. The design and characterization of SCC influences not only the mix components (paste volume and nature, binder amount and type, granular skeleton, etc.) but also the testing methods used to validate the self-compactability (usually in terms of rheology, fluidity, viscosity and resistance to segregation). This paper studies the influence on SCC mechanical properties based on the consideration of two types of granular skeleton, discontinuous and continuous, for different strength levels (35 and 60 MPa). For the both strength levels studied, the mix with continuous granular skeleton exhibited slightly higher segregation resistance and mechanical properties than did mixes with discontinuous granular skeleton. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author’s final draft

Phenotypic characteristics of the p.Asn215Ser (p.N215S) GLA mutation in male and female patients with Fabry disease: A multicenter Fabry Registry study.

BackgroundThe p.Asn215Ser or p.N215S GLA variant has been associated with late-onset cardiac variant of Fabry disease.MethodsTo expand on the scarce phenotype data, we analyzed natural history data from 125 p.N215S patients (66 females, 59 males) enrolled in the Fabry Registry (NCT00196742) and compared it with data from 401 patients (237 females, 164 males) harboring mutations associated with classic Fabry disease. We evaluated interventricular septum thickness (IVST), left ventricular posterior wall thickness (LVPWT), estimated glomerular filtration rate and severe clinical events.ResultsIn p.N215S males, mildly abnormal mean IVST and LVPWT values were observed in patients aged 25-34 years, and values gradually increased with advancing age. Mean values were similar to those of classic males. In p.N215S females, these abnormalities occurred primarily in patients aged 55-64 years. Severe clinical events in p.N215S patients were mainly cardiac (males 31%, females 8%) while renal and cerebrovascular events were rare. Renal impairment occurred in 17% of p.N215S males (mostly in patients aged 65-74 years), and rarely in females (3%).Conclusionp.N215S is a disease-causing mutation with severe clinical manifestations found primarily in the heart. Cardiac involvement may become as severe as in classic Fabry patients, especially in males

Sex differences in risk factors for oral and pharyngeal cancer among Puerto Rican adults

Background: Oral and pharyngeal cancer (OPC) is a frequent type of cancer in Puerto Rico, with the risk being higher in men relative to women. We assessed differences in OPC risk factors implicated in these sex disparities. Methods: We analyzed data of 740 adult participants (40-65 years) from the San Juan Overweight Adults Longitudinal Study (SOALS). A comprehensive questionnaire was administered to collect information on sociodemographic characteristics, cigarette smoking, binge drinking, oral high-risk HPV infection, fruit and vegetable consumption, sexual behavior, and oral hygiene practices. A full-mouth periodontal examination was also performed. Sixteen OPC known and potential risk factors were evaluated. Crude and adjusted prevalence ratio (PR) estimates for individual OPC risk factors, by sex, were calculated using log-binomial regression. Results: Compared to women, men had significantly increased prevalence of several OPC risk factors including current smoking (PR: 1.91, 95% Confidence interval [CI]: 1.35-2.70), binge drinking (PR: 1.92, 95% CI: 1.31-2.84), and severe periodontitis (PR: 2.05, 95% CI: 1.47-2.85). Conclusions: Men were significantly more likely than women to have risk factors for OPC. Cancer prevention and control efforts should focus on sex-specific interventions that help reduce this disparity

Intraclonal Genome Stability of the Metallo-beta-lactamase SPM-1-producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa ST277, an Endemic Clone Disseminated in Brazilian Hospitals

Carbapenems represent the mainstay therapy for the treatment of serious P aeruginosa infections. However, the emergence of carbapenem resistance has jeopardized the clinical use of this important class of compounds. The production of SPM-1 metallo-beta-lactamase has been the most common mechanism of carbapenem resistance identified in P. aeruginosa isolated from Brazilian medical centers. Interestingly, a single SPM-1-producing P. aeruginosa clone belonging to the ST277 has been widely spread within the Brazilian territory. In the current study, we performed a next-generation sequencing of six SPM-1-producing P. aeruginosa ST277 isolates. The core genome contains 5899 coding genes relative to the reference strain P. aeruginosa PAO1. A total of 26 genomic islands were detected in these isolates. We identified remarkable elements inside these genomic islands, such as copies of the bla(spM-1) gene conferring resistance to carbapenems and a type I-C CRISPR-Cas system, which is involved in protection of the chromosome against foreign DNA. In addition, we identified single nucleotide polymorphisms causing amino acid changes in antimicrobial resistance and virulence-related genes. Together,these factors could contribute to the marked resistance and persistence of the SPM-1-producing P aeruginosa ST277 clone. A comparison of the SPM-1-producing P. aeruginosa ST277 genomes showed that their core genome has a high level nucleotide similarity and synteny conservation. The variability observed was mainly due to acquisition of genomic islands carrying several antibiotic resistance genes.Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (FAPERJ)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)Lab Nacl Comp Cient, Lab Bioinformat, Petropolis, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Escola Paulista Med, Dept Internal Med, Lab Alerta,Div Infect Dis, Sao Paulo, BrazilLaboratório Alerta, Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, BrazilCNPq: 305535/2014-5CNPq: 302768/2011-4CNPq: 312864/2015-9FAPERJ: E-26/202.903/2016Web of Scienc

Effects of a humor-centered activity on disruptive behavior in patients in a general hospital psychiatric ward

This study would not have been possible without the professional collaboration and enthusiasm of the Titiritas Clown group, who were the stars of the humor-based activities on the ward. We offer special thanks to the members of this group: José Pérez de la Blanca, Francisco Parera, and Fernando Pérez de la Blanca.The aim of this quasi-experimental study is to investigate the effects of a humor-based activity on disruptive behaviors in patients hospitalized in a psychiatric ward. It be compared two homogeneous samples of patients hospitalized in the psychiatric ward of a general hospital (acute ward) during two 83-day-long periods designated baseline (period 1) and activity (period 2). Ten behaviors considered disruptive (DB) were defined and recorded during both periods. During the activity period, humorbased activities directed by professional actors (hospital clowns) were held two days per week. A indicator, called the Global Disruption Index (GDI), was calculated as the quotient between the total number of DB for a given period and the total number of patients per shift during that period, multiplied by 100. A Specific Disruption Index (SDI) was calculate for each of the 10 DB. The GDI decreased significantly during the activity period despite the larger number of patients on the ward. Three behaviors (attempted escape, self-injury, and fighting) also showed significant reductions during the activity period after the results were analyzed with the Bonferroni correction.El objetivo de este estudio cuasi-experimental es analizar lo efectos de una actividad centrada en el humor sobre las conductas disruptivas de pacientes hospitalizados en un servicio de Psiquiatría. Se han comparado, teniendo en cuenta dos grupos homogéneos de pacientes hospitalizados en un servicio de Psiquiatría de hospital general (unidad de agudos), dos periodos temporales de 83 días cada uno, siendo el período 1 el de línea base, y el período 2, el de intervención. Para ambos periodos, se codificaron y registraron un total de diez conductas disruptivas. En los 83 días del periodo de intervención, y con una frecuencia de dos días semanales, dos actores profesionales llevaban a cabo las actividades centradas en el humor. Se calculó un Indice de Disrupción Global (IGD), teniendo en cuenta conjuntamente todas las conductas disruptivas, al igual que un Indice de Disrupción Específico (IDE) para cada una de las conductas disruptivas. Usando para las comparaciones la corrección de Bonferroni, los resultados indican que el IGD descendió significativamente durante el periodo de intervención, siendo tres las conductas disruptivas que mostraron un descenso significativo (intentos de fuga, autolesiones y peleas).O objectivo deste estudo quase-experimental é analisar o efeito de uma actividade centrada no humor sobre os comportamentos disruptivos de pacientes hospitalizados num serviço de psiquiatria. Tendo em conta dois grupos homogéneos de pacientes hospitalizados num serviço de psiquiatria de um hospital peral (unidade de agudos), compararam-se dois períodos temporais de 83 dias cada uno, sendo o período 1 o da linha de base, e o período 2, o da intervenção. Para ambos os períodos, codificaramse e registaram-se um total de dez comportamentos disruptivos. Nos 83 dias do período de intervenção, e com uma frequência de dois dias semanais, dois actores profissionais levavam a cabo as actividades centradas no humor. Calculou-se um Índice de Disrupção Global (IGD), tendo em conta conjuntamente todas os comportamentos disruptivos, e um Índice de Disrupção Específico (IDE) para cada um dos comportamentos disruptivos. Usando para as comparações a correcção de Bonferroni, os resultados indicam que o IGD desceu significativamente durante o período de intervenção, sendo três os comportamentos disruptivos que mostraram uma descida significativa (intenção de fuga, auto-ferimentos e lutas).This study was made possible by funding from the Fundación Virgen de las Nieves in Granada (Spain)

Understanding Parents\u27 Views toward the Newly Enacted HPV Vaccine School Entry Policy in Puerto Rico: A Qualitative Study

BACKGROUND: The Human papillomavirus vaccine (HPV) is an essential tool for the prevention of HPV-related cancers. In Puerto Rico, the Secretary of Health established a school entry requirement of at least one dose of HPV vaccination in girls and boys aged 11 and 12 years, taking effect in August 2018. Our study aimed to examine parents\u27 and guardians\u27 views of unvaccinated children about the process of implementation of the new HPV vaccination school entry policy in Puerto Rico and identify potential barriers and facilitators related to the implementation of this requirement. METHODS: During April through November 2019, we conducted three focus groups (n = 12) and eight in-depth semi-structured interviews with parents of children aged 11 and 12 who had not yet initiated the HPV vaccine series. The interview topics addressed were: perception of vaccination, HPV vaccine and it is inclusion as new school entry requirement practice, procedure of the sources of information, influencers, and willingness to change. The interviews were recorded and transcribed by our staff members. We identified emergent themes through thematic analysis. RESULTS: The participants\u27 perspective on the HPV vaccine school requirement was mixed. Lack of information of the HPV vaccines and lack of communication about the school-entry requirement were the themes most mentioned in the interviews. Moreover, previous negative experiences from friends or family members and adverse effects deterred some participants from vaccinating their kids. We discussed barriers in the process of soliciting an exemption. CONCLUSION: Most barriers mentioned by study participants are modifiable. Information about the HPV vaccine mandate\u27s implementation and educational materials regarding HPV vaccine safety need to be provided to address parents\u27 concerns related to the vaccine\u27s side effects. Schools (teachers, principal directors, and administrative staff), the government, and parent organizations need to be part of these efforts. This multilevel approach will help to improve disseminating information about HPV vaccination to clarify doubts and misinformation among parents