Plants sense and respond to environmental stimuli by adaptively adjusting their phenotype. A prominent component regulating phenotypic plasticity is the epigenome, including DNA methylation of cytosine, which can be faithfully transmitted to the next generation, carrying epigenetic memory. Regions of densely methylated DNA largely function to silence transposable elements and maintain constitutive heterochromatin. However, the role and adaptive value of sparser methylation inside gene bodies of plants has been the subject of debate, not least due to the difficulties associated with accurately quantifying changes in methylation status at single positions. Applying a signal detection approach to existing methylome datasets from phosphate starvation and seed germination studies, obtained through bisulfite sequencing, increased resolution to phenotypically relevant differential methylation inside genes. Combining this methodology with the MutS Homolog 1 (MSH1) epigenetic experimental system in Arabidopsis thaliana with distinct non-genetic phenotypes allowed identification of genes reproducibly targeted for reprogramming through RNA-directed DNA methylation (RdDM). The epigenetic msh1 memory state was followed for seven generations and revealed that long-term transgenerational memory of stress depends on maintenance methylation and not RdDM as was previously shown for establishment of memory. The msh1 states' stress-responsive and enhanced growth phenotypes resulted from changed alternative splicing behavior associated with repatterning of exonic methylation in a subset of RdDM target genes with unique characteristics. The findings of these studies support gene body methylation playing an important role in adaptation and have implications for epigenetic improvement of crops.

Chichen-pox (varicella) is the most common childhood communicable disease today, caused by varicella zoster virus (VZu). The disease is ubiquitous and extremely contagious, but for the most part, it is a benign illnessin otherwise healthy children. Adolescents, adults and immunocompromised persons usually have more severe diseases and are at higher risk for complications. The appearance of safe and effective varicella vacine suggests a new option in dealing with this disease, namely because of possible immunisation. We estimated that children including in kindergartens have higher incidence of chichen-pox than children out of institutions. We also wanted to know whether the chichen-pox related work loss is higher at sick adult or when parents caring for sick children. Data were derived from department of communicable disease and from department of social medicine at Institute for public health Kranj. Some missing data were found at communes in our regionand at health centre in škofja Loka (dispensary for Đhildren). On average 1761 cases of chichen-pox were occurredat Gorenjska annually (five years period). Most cases occurred in preschool-age children (66%), 19% occurred in school-age children less then 10 years old and only 3.1 % of cases occurred in persons more than 20 years old. Our estimation about higher incidence of chichen-pox among children in kindergartens than at children out of institutions was successfully confirmed (p