Project description:In this work we show that in genome-wide association studies (GWAS) there is a strong bias favoring of genes covered by larger numbers of SNPs. Thus, we state here that there is a need for correction for such bias when performing downstream gene-level analysis, e.g. pathway analysis and gene-set analysis. We investigate several methods of obtaining gene level statistical significance in GWAS, and compare their effectiveness in correcting such bias. We also propose a simple algorithm based on first order statistic that corrects such bias.

| S-EPMC3494661 | biostudies-literature

Response to the letter of L. Santacroce regarding article "Enhancing immunity in viral infections, with special emphasis on COVID-19: A review" (Jayawardena et al.).

Project description: Not available

| S-EPMC7287472 | biostudies-literature

Shape Matters: Plant Architecture Affects Chemical Uniformity in Large-Size Medical Cannabis Plants.

Project description:Since plant organs sense their environment locally, gradients of micro-climates in the plant shoot may induce spatial variability in the physiological state of the plant tissue and hence secondary metabolism. Therefore, plant architecture, which affects micro-climate in the shoot, may considerably affect the uniformity of cannabinoids in the Cannabis sativa plant, which has significant pharmaceutical and economic importance. Variability of micro-climates in plant shoots intensifies with the increase in plant size, largely due to an increase in inter-shoot shading. In this study, we therefore focused on the interplay between shoot architecture and the cannabinoid profile in large cannabis plants, ~2.5 m in height, with the goal to harness architecture modulation for the standardization of cannabinoid concentrations in large plants. We hypothesized that (i) a gradient of light intensity along the plants is accompanied by changes to the cannabinoid profile, and (ii) manipulations of plant architecture that increase light penetration to the plant increase cannabinoid uniformity and yield biomass. To test these hypotheses, we investigated effects of eight plant architecture manipulation treatments involving branch removals, defoliation, and pruning on plant morpho-physiology, inflorescence yield, cannabinoid profile, and uniformity. The results revealed that low cannabinoid concentrations in inflorescences at the bottom of the plants correlate with low light penetration, and that increasing light penetration by defoliation or removal of bottom branches and leaves increases cannabinoid concentrations locally and thereby through spatial uniformity, thus supporting the hypotheses. Taken together, the results reveal that shoot architectural modulation can be utilized to increase cannabinoid standardization in large cannabis plants, and that the cannabinoid profile in an inflorescence is an outcome of exogenous and endogenous factors.

| S-EPMC8468686 | biostudies-literature

Response by Luby et al to Letter Regarding Article, "Frequency of Blood-Brain Barrier Disruption Postendovascular Therapy and Multiple Thrombectomy Passes in Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients".

Project description: Not available

| S-EPMC6756991 | biostudies-literature

Forming Groups in a Large-Enrollment Biology Class: Group Permanence Matters More than Group Size.

Project description:Active-learning pedagogies often require group work. We tested aspects of forming groups in a nonmajors Biology class. We asked whether large or small groups affected student learning outcomes and attitudes towards working in groups. We placed students in groups of three or six and students stayed in their groups for the term. We measured learning outcomes using a pre/postassessment as well as two-stage exams. Attitudes towards working in groups were measured using a previously published pre/post survey and an exit survey. We found that students in large groups did better on group exams and large groups had higher highest scores on the individual part of two-stage exams. Group size had no effect on students' postassessment scores or attitudes towards working in groups. We next assigned students to permanent or nonpermanent groups. We used the same metrics as the group size experiment. Students in permanent groups had higher group exam scores and better attitudes towards working in groups. Group permanence had no effect on students' postassessment scores. Students preferred working in permanent groups due to positive group interactions that developed over the quarter. Optimal group size and permanence are likely context-specific and dependent on the types of group work used in class.

| S-EPMC10756034 | biostudies-literature

Illusory Increases in Font Size Improve Letter Recognition.

Project description:Visual performance of human observers depends not only on the optics of the eye and early sensory encoding but also on subsequent cortical processing and representations. In two experiments, we demonstrated that motion adaptation can enhance as well as impair visual acuity. Observers who experienced an expanding motion aftereffect exhibited improved letter recognition, whereas observers who experienced a contracting motion aftereffect showed impaired letter recognition. We conclude that illusory enlargement and shrinkage of a visual stimulus can modulate visual acuity.

| S-EPMC5549815 | biostudies-other

Letter by Awadhesh Kumar Singh Regarding Article, "Cardiovascular Outcomes Comparison of Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 Inhibitors Versus Sulfonylurea as Add-on Therapy for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Meta-Analysis".

Project description: Not available

| S-EPMC8792819 | biostudies-literature