Methylation-Sensitive Expression of a DNA Demethylase Gene Serves As an Epigenetic Rheostat

Genomes must balance active suppression of transposable elements (TEs) with the need to maintain gene expression. In Arabidopsis, euchromatic TEs are targeted by RNA-directed DNA methylation (RdDM). Conversely, active DNA demethylation prevents accumulation of methylation at genes proximal to these TEs. It is unknown how a cellular balance between methylation and demethylation activities is achieved. Here we show that both RdDM and DNA demethylation are highly active at a TE proximal to the major DNA demethylase gene ROS1. Unexpectedly, and in contrast to most other genomic targets, expression of ROS1 is promoted by DNA methylation and antagonized by DNA demethylation. We demonstrate that inducing methylation in the ROS1 proximal region is sufficient to restore ROS1 expression in an RdDM mutant. Additionally, methylation-sensitive expression of ROS1 is conserved in other species, suggesting it is adaptive. We propose that the ROS1 locus functions as an epigenetic rheostat, tuning the level of demethylase activity in response to methylation alterations, thus ensuring epigenomic stability.Pew Charitable Trusts (Biomedical Scholars Award)Alexander and Margaret Stewart Trust (Scholars Award

Prevalence of signs and symptoms of the temporomandibular dysfunction and anxiety in a population of brazilian students coming from a municipal school in Jaboticabal, state of São Paulo

Objetivos: Avaliar a prevalência de sinais e sintomas da disfunção temporomandibular e dos diferentes níveis de ansiedade em crianças, por meio de um levantamento epidemiológico em escolares do ensino fundamental. Métodos: Foram selecionados 304 alunos de escolas particulares do município de Jaboticabal, São Paulo, sendo 83 da 4ª série, 117 da 6a série e 104 da 8ª série (Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa: 200501873). A amostragem composta por crianças de ambos os gêneros, com idade entre 9 a 15 anos foi avaliada por meio de três questionários auto-aplicáveis, sendo um deles para quantificar o grau da disfunção temporomandibular (Índice de Fonseca) e outros dois para determinar o nível de ansiedade (IDATE C).Resultados : Observou-se que 64,5% possuem sinais e sintomas de disfunção temporomandibular. Este mesmo grupo apresentou alta pre -valência do nível médio de ansiedade sendo Estado: “Como estou me sentindo” e Traço: “Como eu geralmente me sinto”. Os resultados mostraram 96,7% e 63,5%, respectivamente. Ainda com relação a ansiedade traço (relacionada à personalidade), 36,5% das crianças apresentaram nível alto de ansiedade. Conclusão : A grande parte das crianças do ensino fundamental possui sinais e sintomas de disfunção temporomandibular e apresenta-se bastante ansiosa. _______________________________________________________________________________ ABSTRACTObjectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate prevalence of signs and symptoms of temporomadibular dysfunction and anxiety levels in children, by means of an epidemiological study which was accomplished in scholars from Elementary and Junior High School.Methods: A total of 304 students coming from the Municipal School of Jaboticabal/SP were selected, being 83 from the 4th grades, 117 from the 6th grades and 104 from the 8th grades (Committee of Ethics in Research: 200501873). The sample was composed by children of both genders, ages ranging from 9 to 15 years old. The evaluation was performed by means of three self-applicable questionnaires: one to quantify the temporomadibular dysfunction degree (Index of Fonseca), and two to determine the anxiety level (IDATE C). Results : It was observed that 64.5% presented signs and symptoms of temporomadibular dysfunction. The same group showed high prevalence of anxiety (“How do I feel?”) and Personality Trait anxiety (“How do I usually feel?”). Results showed 96.7% and 63.5%, respec-tively. Still regarding the anxiety related to personality trait 36.5% of the studied children presented high level of anxiety.Conclusion : A great number of children coming from Elementary and Junior High Schools showed signs and symptoms of Temporomadibular dysfunction and anxiety

Temporomandibular joint dysfunction and anxiety in graduate dentistry

As Desordens Temporomandibulares são doenças que afetam as articulações temporomandibulares e músculos da mastigação do aparelho estomatognático. Fatores psicossociais desempenham papel importante na etiopatogenia dessa doença. O objetivo deste estudo é avaliar a relação entre o grau de desordem temporomandibular e o nível de ansiedade em estudantes de graduação em Odontologia, em três períodos do curso (1o ao 4o semestres, 5o ao 7o, e 8o ao 10o semestres), por meio dos questionários auto-aplicáveis Índice Anamnésico de Fonseca e do Inventário de Ansiedade Traço-Estado (IDATE). Os dados foram tabulados e posteriormente analisados por meio dos testes estatísticos Kruskal-Wallis e correlação de Pearson, ao nível de significância de 1%. Os resultados mostraram correlação positiva e diferença estatisticamente significante entre DTM e ansiedade, em todos os períodos avaliados; e um nível mais alto de ansiedade foi observado no período intermediário do curso (5o ao 7o semestres). Concluímos que houve relação diretamente proporcional entre DTM e ansiedade nos alunos avaliados, estatisticamente significante, independente do estágio cursado; o maior nível de ansiedade foi observado no grupo formado por alunos do 5o ao 7o semestres, contudo sem nenhuma significância estatística. Torna-se importante desenvolver uma estratégia para o controle do estresse e da ansiedade dos alunos no curso de graduação em Odontologia. _________________________________________________________________________________ ABSTRACTThe Craniomandibular disorders are illnesses that affect the joints temporomandibulares and muscles of the chew. Psycho-logical and social factors are important role in the etiology of this illness. The objective of this study is to evaluate the relation between the degree of craniomandibular disorders and the level of anxiety in students of graduation in Dentistry, in three periods of the course, by means of the auto-applicable questionnaires Fonseca’s Index and of the State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). The data had been tabulated and analyzed by means of the statistical tests Kruskal-Wallis and correlation of Pearson, to the level of signifcance of 1%. The results had shown to positive correlation and statistically signifcant difference between craniomandibular disorders and anxiety, in all the evaluated periods; e a higher level of anxiety was observed in the intermediate period of the course (5o to 7o semesters). We conclude that it had directly proportional relation between craniomandibular disorders and anxiety in the evaluated students, statistically signifcant, independent of the attended a course period of training; the biggest level of anxiety was observed in the group formed for students of 5o to 7o semesters, however without no signifcance statistics; and is important to develop a strategy for the control of stress it and the anxiety of the pupils in the course of graduation in Dentistry

Examining the Transition towards the Supply of Sustainable Apartments in Australia: A Design Perspective

The built environment in Australia accounts for about 25% of total greenhouse gas emissions (GHG), where only the multi-unit residential buildings account for a quarter of these emissions. Moving towards sustainable constructions and green buildings can help in reducing GHG emissions and their negative effects. In this context, integrating Circular Economy (CE) principles into buildings’ projects can further help in reducing the environmental impact of the building stock. The purpose of this research is to explore the embracing of CE in the apartment industry. Personal experiences and perspectives of 5 stakeholders from Vitoria and NSW involving sustainable new and retrofit apartment buildings are investigated by drawing on the results of the semi-structured interview. Results underlined barriers and opportunities for designing sustainable apartments

Parental squabbles and genome expression: lessons from the polyploids

The merger of evolutionarily diverged genomes to form a new polyploid genetic system can involve extensive remodeling of gene regulation. A recent paper in BMC Biology provides important insights into regulatory events that have affected the evolution of allopolyploid cotton

Hybrid Vehicles as a Transition for Full E-Mobility Achievement in Positive Energy Districts: Comparative Assessment of Real-Driving Emissions

Air pollution is a major concern, particularly in developing countries. Road transport and mobile sources are considered the root causes of air pollutants. With the implementation of zero-carbon and zero-energy concepts at the district scale, cities can make great strides towards sustainable development. Urban planning schemes are moving from mere building solutions to the larger positive energy district (PED) scale. Alongside other technology systems in PEDs, increased uptake of electro-mobility solutions can play an important role in CO2 mitigation at the district level. This paper aims to quantify the exhaust emissions of six conventional and two fully hybrid vehicles using a portable emission measurement system (PEMS) in real driving conditions. The fuel consumption and exhaust pollutants of the conventional and hybrid vehicles were compared in four different urban and highway driving routes during autumn 2019 in Iran. The results showed that hybrid vehicles presented lower fuel consumption and produced relatively lower exhaust emissions. The conventional group’s fuel consumption (CO2 emissions) was 11%, 41% higher than that of the hy-brids. In addition, the hybrid vehicles showed much better fuel economy in urban routes, which is beneficial for PEDs. Micro-trip analysis showed that although conventional vehicles emitted more CO2 at lower speeds, the hybrids showed a lower amount of CO2. Moreover, in conventional vehi-cles, NOx emissions showed an increasing trend with vehicle speed, while no decisive trend was found for NOx emissions versus vehicle speed in hybrid vehicles