Direct Association Research Articles

Area-Level Factors of Dental Caries in Children and Adolescents in European Neighborhoods - a Systematic Review.

The WHO emphasizes the importance of taking area-level factors into account when formulating public health interventions. The aim of this systematic review was to identify which area-level factors are associated with children's dental caries in Europe and might therefore be a suitable starting point for public health interventions. We conducted a systematic review based on a search in PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library including all European studies on caries in children and their area-level factors published since the year 2000 in English or German. We included 39 studies and identified 13 area-level factors investigated in the literature: degree of urbanization, deprivation, mean housing price, gross-national product, mean level of education, unemployment proportion and income, density of supermarkets, snack bars and dental offices, health, diet, and crime. Rural residency and higher unemployment were weakly associated with poorer oral health regarding dental caries. Deprivation showed a stronger (inverse) association. For income, findings were ambiguous; studies showed associations in both directions. For the other determinants, the included studies found no association. Many studies reported associations between place of residence and children's dental caries, but the mediators on this causal path are still not clearly established. The area-level factors analyzed in this review seem to play a role, but more studies with designs that allow causal interpretation of findings are needed to establish solid robust evidence that can be used in the formulation of future health policies.

Elevated tissue expression of RANKL and RANK is associated with poorer survival rates in pancreatic cancer patients.

Pancreatic cancer is a highly lethal malignancy with a growing incidence reported worldwide. Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is the most common type of pancreatic cancer, which is often diagnosed at advanced stages, making its prognosis and medical management difficult. The identification of histopathological biomarkers has allowed a more precise stratification of pancreatic cancer patients, providing additional information about their prognosis and offering possible therapeutic targets to be explored. The prognostic value of the receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa B (RANK) and its ligand (RANKL) has been evaluated in breast and prostate tumors, however, their usefulness has not been assessed in pancreatic cancer. In the present work, we analyzed the relationship between the protein expression of RANK and RANKL with the survival of 41 patients with pancreatic cancer followed for 60 months, by performing immunohistochemistry and Kaplan-Meier curves. Our results demonstrate a direct association of high expression levels of RANK and RANKL with poorer survival of pancreatic cancer patients in comparison to those with low/medium and null expression levels of both markers. Further studies should be conducted to explore the carcinogenic role of both components in this type of tumor, as well as additional promising translational uses.

Association between servant leadership and nurses’ turnover intention: evidence from Jordan

BackgroundNurses’ turnover has remained a concern in the healthcare sector worldwide. Nurse managers should adopt appropriate leadership styles that promote a positive working environment. The literature revealed that effective leadership...

Heterosexual couples' initial role and outcome expectations as predictors of the therapeutic alliance and relationship satisfaction prior to the fourth session.

We sampled routinely collected measures of role and outcome expectations, the expanded therapeutic alliance, and relationship satisfaction completed by 253 heterosexual couples seen by 35 therapists in the Marriage and Family Research Practice Network (Johnson et al., 2017) and investigated these variables as interdependent dyadic processes using the latent congruence model (Cheung, 2009) and the mediated actor-partner interdependence model (Ledermann et al., 2011). Taken together, we found a direct association between a couple's mean role and outcome expectation scores at Session 1 and individual partners' alliance perceptions at Session 3. Further, men rated the alliance more favorably when their outcome expectations were higher and the partners' outcome expectations were less discrepant. In terms of role expectations, both men and women began therapy expecting to be more actively engaged in the process than their partner. Whereas women rated the alliance more favorably when they had high role expectations for their partner as well as themselves, men rated the alliance more favorably when they had high expectations for their female partner's engagement in the therapy. Notably, alliance at Session 3 did not mediate the association between initial expectations and Session 4 relationship satisfaction due to a strong association (r = 0.85) between relationship satisfaction rated prior to Sessions 1 and 4. In other words, although the best predictor of relationship status before the fourth session was how the relationship was perceived before couple therapy began, men's and women's initial role and outcome expectations were important contributors to the early alliance. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Causes and consequences of major depressive disorder: An encompassing Mendelian randomization study.

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a prevalent and debilitating disorder that has been associated with a range of risk factors and outcomes. Causal pathways between MDD and other traits can be studied using genetic variants as instrumental variables. A literature review was conducted to identify 201 MDD-associated traits. For 115 traits, there were well-powered genome-wide association study (GWAS) results available that could be used to assess the genetic correlation with MDD. Of these, there were 89 meeting criteria for investigating causal associations in both directions using two-sample Mendelian randomization (TSMR). Of the traits that were not captured by GWAS, 43 could be included as outcomes of MDD using one-sample MR (OSMR). A range of methods and sensitivity tests was applied to gauge robustness of results, together with statistical power analyses to aid interpretation. Moderate to strong genetic overlap was found between MDD and most traits. Support for causal effects of MDD liability were found for circadian, cognitive, diet, medical disease, endocrine, functional, inflammatory, metabolic, mortality, physical activity, reproduction, risk behavior, social, socioeconomic, and suicide outcomes. Most associations were bidirectional, although there was less evidence for diet, disease, and endocrine traits causing MDD risk. Results were robust across sensitivity analyses. This study provides a systematic overview of traits putatively causally related to MDD, confirming previous findings as well as identifying new associations. Our results highlight the importance of MDD as a risk factor cross-cutting across medical, functional, and psychosocial domains and emphasize the need for concerted efforts at reducing this highly prevalent disorder.

The effects of discrimination and psychological distress on U.S. Latino/a young adults' relational uncertainty and relationship instability.

Racial/ethnic discrimination is a common and salient stressor for many individuals. Although discrimination can impair personal and relational well-being, little is known about its influences on the process of considering dissolution (i.e., relationship instability). In two studies of Latino/a young adults, we examined associations among discrimination, psychological distress, relational uncertainty, and relationship instability. Study 1 assessed self-reports of 475 participants aged 18-29 (60.2% female, Mage = 24.8, SD = 3.22). Study 2 examined self-reports of 462 participants aged 18-29 (40.9% female, Mage = 25.9, SD = 2.72). Structural equation models evaluated direct and indirect associations among study variables. Discrimination was associated with relationship instability, both directly and indirectly via its associations with psychological distress and, in Study 1, relational uncertainty. Overall results suggest that racial/ethnic discrimination is associated with romantic relationship instability through its associations with psychological distress and uncertainty about the future of a relationship. Prior research demonstrates the resilience of Latino/a communities, and our findings reinforce the need for policies and clinical resources that reduce discrimination and support mental health and relationships. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Interaction between Fokl polymorphism and vitamin D deficiency in the symptoms of mental disorders in adults: a population-based study

Mental disorders are intricate and multifaceted and encompass social, economic, environmental, and biological factors. This study aimed to explore the potential association between vitamin D deficiency and anxiety and depression symptoms in adults, considering the role of the vitamin D receptor gene polymorphism FokI (rs2228570). This was a population-based cross-sectional study with stratified and cluster sampling, evaluating anxiety symptoms (AS) and depression symptoms (DS) in 1637 adults. Vitamin D levels were measured using electrochemiluminescence and were considered deficient when < 20 ng/mL in a healthy population or < 30 ng/mL in at-risk groups. Genotyping was performed using real-time polymerase chain reaction with TaqMan probes. The prevalence rates of AS, DS, and vitamin D deficiency were 23.5%, 15.8%, and 30.9%, respectively. No direct association was observed between vitamin D deficiency and AS or DS. However, interaction analysis revealed a combined effect of vitamin D deficiency and FokI for DS but not for AS. Individuals with vitamin deficiency and one or two copies of the altered allele of the FokI exhibited a higher prevalence of DS than individuals homozygous for the wild-type allele and vitamin D sufficiency. The interaction between vitamin D deficiency and the FokI polymorphism was associated with DS.

Menopause and facial skin microbiomes: a pilot study revealing novel insights into their relationship.

Introduction: The human skin microbial composition is affected by age. Previous studies reported skin microbiome diversity shifts between elderly and significantly younger subjects. Some studies implied that menopausal status, which is inherently linked to age, could be associated with changes in skin microbial compositions. Nevertheless, the influence of menopausal status on skin microbiome profiles while minimizing the impact of aging-associated changes in skin parameters still needs further clarification. Methods: We performed an observational study on healthy Caucasian female volunteers, which were grouped according to their pre- or postmenopausal status. Bacterial community structures on facial skin were analyzed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Cutometer® measurements were performed to evaluate aging-associated changes in facial skin biophysical properties. Results: The relative abundance of the lipophilic Cutibacterium genus was decreased, and bacterial diversity was increased in skin samples of postmenopausal volunteers. The mean age difference between examined groups in this study was 12.4years only. Accordingly, Cutometer® measurements revealed no differences in aging-associated skin biophysical parameters between pre- and postmenopausal groups. Consequently, no correlation was detected between Shannon diversity and measured age-dependent biomechanical properties of facial skin. Discussion: These findings are in line with previous studies, which investigated the wide-ranging impact of chronological aging on skin microbial communities. However, this work reports for the first time a direct association between menopausal status and facial microbiomes on skin of similarly aged study participants, and hence uncouples aging-associated skin biophysical parameters, such as viscoelastic properties, from the equation. These findings open avenues for the development of microbiome-targeting strategies for treatment of menopause-associated skin disorders.

Artificial night light and thyroid cancer.

The occurrence of thyroid cancer (TC) has increased in recent decades. Exposure to outdoor artificial light at night (ALN) is associated with an increased risk of cancer. To investigated the impact of ALN, as a significant environmental pollutant, on TC incidence worldwide. The assessment involved analyzing satellite ALN data in conjunction with TC incidence data [adjusted standardized rate (ASR)], while considering the quality of cancer registries (QCR), gross domestic product (GDP) per person, and health expenditure per person (HEP) for each country. Results indicated a correlation between higher ASR and ALN exposure percentages, particularly in countries with higher GDP or HEP quartiles (all P< 0.05). Significant differences in ASR were observed across QCR levels, both high and low quality (all P < 0.05), but not in countries without registry activity. However, when evaluating ASR against ALN exposure percentages while considering GDP/HEP quartiles or QCR levels, no significant associations were found (all P > 0.10). The findings suggest a potential link between higher GDP and adverse health conditions, serving as possible risk factors for TC, rather than a direct association with ALN. Limitations include the use of cross-sectional data, temporal misalignment, and reliance on ALN as a socioeconomic proxy. It is proposed that light pollution might be connected to a lifestyle conducive to carcinogenesis. Additionally, the presence of higher GDP/HEP could enhance access to diagnostic resources, potentially facilitating TC diagnosis and inclusion in cancer registries.

Mental Health Mediators for Subjective, Not Objective, Cognition, and Community Participation Poststroke.

Previous studies have stated that both objective and subjective cognitive abilities and mental health symptoms are associated with community participation poststroke. However, there is a need to understand the direct and indirect associations among these variables in persons with stroke. The objective of this study was to investigate whether mental health symptoms mediate the associations of subjective and objective cognitive abilities with community participation poststroke. We built regression-based mediation models with 74 participants with mild to moderate stroke. Independent variables were objective and subjective cognitive abilities. The dependent variable was community participation. Mediators were mental health symptoms including depression, apathy, and anxiety. The results indicated that depression (b = .093), apathy (b = .134), and anxiety (b = .116) fully mediated the association between subjective cognitive ability (p < .05), but not objective cognitive ability (p > .05), and community participation poststroke. Our findings suggest that poor subjective cognitive ability combined with mental health symptoms should be addressed together to promote community participation poststroke.

Psychological capital, mindfulness, and teacher burnout: insights from Chinese EFL educators through structural equation modeling.

This cross-sectional study employs Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) to examine the relationships among psychological capital, mindfulness, and teacher burnout in a sample of 387 Chinese English as a Foreign Language (EFL) educators. Self-reported data were analyzed to investigate the direct and indirect effects of psychological capital on teacher burnout, with mindfulness serving as a potential mediator. Our SEM analysis reveals a significant direct negative association between psychological capital and teacher burnout. Moreover, mindfulness significantly mediates the relationship between psychological capital and burnout, indicating that higher psychological capital leads to increased mindfulness, which subsequently reduces burnout. This study underscores the importance of psychological capital and mindfulness in mitigating teacher burnout among Chinese EFL educators. The findings suggest that interventions targeting both psychological capital and mindfulness practices could bolster teacher well-being and foster a more positive educational environment.

DIABETES MELLITUS A RISK FACTOR OF GASTRIC CANCER : SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

Background: It is estimated that 500 million individuals globally would have diabetes mellitus (DM) by 2030. A deadly tumor that affects the digestive tract is called gastric cancer (GC). It ranks as the fourth leading cause of cancer death worldwide and the fifth most common kind of cancer. Every year, there are around 700,000 fatalities and one million new cases of GC globally. Aims : This systematic review is to review the association of diabetes mellitus as a risk factor of gastric cancer. Methods: This study demonstrated compliance with all requirements by means of a comparison with the standards established by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) 2020. Thus, the specialists were able to guarantee that the research was as current as feasible. Publications released between 2014 and 2024 were considered for this search strategy. This was accomplished by utilizing a number of distinct online reference sites, including Pubmed, ScienceDirect, and SagePub. It was determined that reviews, previously published works, and partially completed works would not be included. Result: In the PubMed database, the results of our search brought up 343 articles, whereas the results of our search on SAGEPUB brought up 2178 articles, our search on SCIENCE DIRECT brought up 23102 articles. The results of the search conducted for the last year of 2014 yielded a total 231 articles for PubMed, 1017 articles for SAGEPUB and 12260 articles for SCIENCE DIRECT. In the end, we compiled a total of 5 papers, 2 of which came from PubMed, 1 of which came from SAGEPUB and 2 of which came from SCIENCE DIRECT. We included five research that met the criteria. Conclusion: In summary, there is no direct association of diabetes mellitus and gastric cancer, but diabetes mellitus can increase the risk factor of gastric cancer cases.

A flavonoid metabolon: cytochrome b5 enhances B-ring trihydroxylated flavan-3-ols synthesis in tea plants.

Flavan-3-ols are prominent phenolic compounds found abundantly in the young leaves of tea plants. The enzymes involved in flavan-3-ol biosynthesis in tea plants have been extensively investigated. However, the localization and associations of these numerous functional enzymes within cells have been largely neglected. In this study, we aimed to investigate the synthesis of flavan-3-ols in tea plants, particularly focusing on epigallocatechin gallate. Our analysis involving the DESI-MSI method to reveal a distinct distribution pattern of B-ring trihydroxylated flavonoids, primarily concentrated in the outer layer of buds. Subcellular localization showed that CsC4H, CsF3'H, and CsF3'5'H localizes endoplasmic reticulum. Protein-protein interaction studies demonstrated direct associations between CsC4H, CsF3'H, and cytoplasmic enzymes (CHS, CHI, F3H, DFR, FLS, and ANR), highlighting their interactions within the biosynthetic pathway. Notably, CsF3'5'H, the enzyme for B-ring trihydroxylation, did not directly interact with other enzymes. We identified cytochrome b5 isoform C serving as an essential redox partner, ensuring the proper functioning of CsF3'5'H. Our findings suggest the existence of distinct modules governing the synthesis of different B-ring hydroxylation compounds. This study provides valuable insights into the mechanisms underlying flavonoid diversity and efficient synthesis and enhances our understanding of the substantial accumulation of B-ring trihydroxylated flavan-3-ols in tea plants.

The financial performance of Lebanese banks up to the financial crisis: do audit committee characteristics and ownership concentration matter?

PurposeThe focus on corporate governance has increased after the financial collapses of several banks worldwide, such as Silicon Valley Bank and First Republic Bank in the USA, and the failure of the Lebanese banking sector. This study examines the impact of audit committee (AC) characteristics on financial performance and investigates the moderating effect of ownership concentration (OC) on the associations between AC characteristics and profitability.Design/methodology/approachThe current research is carried out based on 211 Lebanese banks’ annual reports, focusing on the period from 2012 to 2021. The ordinal least squares (OLS) and the hierarchical multiple regression analysis were adopted to test the study’s hypotheses.FindingsThe outcomes reveal that AC size, AC frequency of meetings, and banks’ size (control variable) positively affect financial performance; however, OC does not moderate the associations between the AC characteristics and banks’ profitability.Originality/valueAccording to the researcher’s knowledge, no prior study has investigated the moderating effect of OC on these associations. Moreover, the current study contributes to the literature that documented mixed and inconsistent results regarding the direct associations between AC characteristics and financial performance.

The Pivotal Significance of Sociocultural Demarcations in Shaping and Upholding the Ethnic Identity of the Deported Meskhetians (Exemplified in the Context of South Georgia)

The article delves into an intricate exploration of the function, significance, and intrinsic characteristics defining social, cultural, and ethnic demarcations, pivotal in shaping the self-perception of the deported Meskhetians. Despite the prevailing consensus emphasizing the pivotal role of historical memory, territorial associations, interconnected emotions, and collective trauma in shaping the identity of the deported Meskhetians, empirical studies underscore the substantial role played by social and cultural boundaries. These boundaries stand as equally significant mechanisms, fostering the preservation of the identity of this community vis-à-vis other ethnic or social groups. A consensus prevails regarding the manifestation of these boundaries, often characterized by unique markers, symbolic representations, specific attributes, or momentous events. The existence of such resemblant boundaries exerts a profound influence on the attitudes, interrelations, and mutual understandings between individuals and discrete groups, thereby exerting a substantial impact on self-perception. The empirical foundation supporting precise assertions and deductions emanates from comprehensive field studies carried out among the deported Meskhetians domiciled in South Georgia. The inquiry into the identity quandary of repatriates is approached from diverse angles, employing a spectrum of methodologies such as the micro-history approach, biographical-narrative interviews, in-depth interviews, and life history analysis. A comparative method was instrumental in juxtaposing and analyzing data sourced from distinct target groups, enabling the correlation of discerned disparities with varying experiences and historical recollections. Specifically, 44 participants spanning various ages and diverse life experiences underwent interviews. The amassed information was meticulously sifted through, considering parameters such as the respondent's age, ethnic background, gender, direct or tangential association with memories linked to the deportation episode. The primary trends influencing the trajectory of identity establishment or preservation, as delineated within the empirical data, were methodically extracted and isolated. The scrutiny of the acquired data revealed striking disparities in how interviewees perceive their own ethnic identity. Equally apparent were discrepancies in the local community's attitudes towards them and their interpretation of the interviewees' ethnicity. Notably, confirmation emerged regarding the existence of specific social and cultural boundaries within the internal dynamics of the deported Meskhetian community. Yet, as expected, conspicuous cultural and social distinctions surfaced between the deported Meskhetians and the local population, emphasizing unequivocal separations. The contention is posited that the distinctiveness of these boundaries is shaped by several factors. Specifically, the respondent's stance concerning ethnic heritage within their internal group, the diverse traditions prevalent within the Georgian ethnic group, anticipation of potential risks inherent in the Armenian ethnic group, and the accrued experiences from intergroup relations collectively contribute to this delineation. The overarching outcomes of the research are deliberated within the realm of prevailing theories pertaining to identity. The assertion is made that the pivotal determinants shaping the self-perception of the deported Meskhetians primarily align within the constructivist theory framework.

Suicidal ideation and attempts and hyperarousal in military personnel and veterans: Network analysis reveals roles of anxiety sensitivity and insomnia.

Suicidal thoughts and behaviors (STBs) are a serious public health problem in the United States and of particular concern among active-duty service members and veterans. Research indicates hyperarousal, through its relevance across other disorder constructs and correlations with risk factors, may confer suicide risk in this population. Investigation of hyperarousal's connection with STBs and risk factors relevant to military mental health may be illuminating. A network analysis was conducted to examine whether hyperarousal transdiagnostically linked STBs with psychopathology symptoms and relevant correlates (i.e., alcohol use disorder symptoms, substance abuse, insomnia, and cognitive anxiety sensitivity [AS]) in a sample of active-duty service members and veterans (N = 1,050). Hyperarousal shared direct associations with suicidal ideation, suicidal intent, and lifetime history of suicide attempts when examined in independence. It indirectly correlated with STBs via cognitive AS and insomnia when psychopathology symptoms and relevant correlates were included in the network. The network structure did not differ between active-duty personnel and veterans. Hyperarousal examined in independence may appear to directly correlate with STBs but this relationship may be better accounted for by cognitive AS and insomnia. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

A global bibliometric analysis on the relationship between tinnitus and temporomandibular disorders.

This global bibliometric review aimed to investigate trends in publications relating to tinnitus and TMD. A search was performed in eight databases (June/2022), by independent researchers with relevant keywords about tinnitus and TMD, without restriction of date or language. Original research or case report/series evaluating prevalence, association and risk related to tinnitus and TMD were included. Independent examiners selected studies by title and abstract and performed data extraction. Data about publication and researchers, study population, objective, study design and diagnostic criteria for tinnitus and TMD were exported to VintagePoint® for bibliometric analyses. Data about the direct association between tinnitus and TMD were extracted. One hundred and seventeen articles from 25 countries were included, most observational (68.4%) and evaluating association (N = 60; 44.8%). Among the 60 studies of association, 22 (36.6%) presented results of a direct association between the presence/absence of tinnitus and the presence/absence of TMD. Brazil (19.5%) and the United States (12.7%) were the countries with the most publications, and Dentistry (48.6%) was the main publication area. A growth in publications in Dentistry was observed in the past 30 years and in the past 10 years in Medicine. Half of the studies included the elderly population (50.2%). The main diagnostic criterion for both tinnitus (37.8%) and TMD (28%) was general questionnaires and/or self-report. There is a growing trend in publications relating to tinnitus and TMD, especially in Dentistry, with a predominance of observational and association studies in the elderly population using questionnaires and/or self-report. More research with robust diagnostic methods and other study designs should be encouraged in the future.

Why So Lonely? The Direct and Indirect Associations between Developmental Trajectories of Fear of Negative Evaluation, Prosocial Behavior and Loneliness in Adolescence.

Fear of negative evaluation and prosocial behavior have been identified as predictive factors influencing the development of loneliness in adolescence, representing typical factors in the cognitive and behavioral processes of re-affiliation. The elucidation of plausible direct and indirect pathways linking these pivotal factors to adolescents' loneliness need further exploration. This study aimed to investigate the direct and indirect relationships between the fear of negative evaluation, prosocial behavior, and adolescents' loneliness through the lens of developmental changes. A total of 533 adolescents (49.0% girls, Mage = 15.18 years, SD = 0.71) participated in this longitudinal study, assessed at three timepoints over a span of two years with 12-month intervals. Latent growth modeling uncovered direct associations between the developmental trajectories of both fear of negative evaluation and prosocial behavior with the developmental trajectory of adolescents' loneliness. The developmental trajectory of fear of negative evaluation exhibited an indirect association with the developmental trajectory of loneliness through the mediating role of prosocial behavior. These findings highlighted the roles of cognitive and behavioral re-affiliation processes, both independently and as mediators, in influencing adolescent loneliness, suggesting that interventions aimed at reducing fear of negative evaluation and promoting prosocial behavior could effectively mitigate adolescents' loneliness.

Measuring maternal autonomy and its effect on child nutrition in rural India

AbstractThis paper examines the link between a mother's autonomy—the freedom and ability to think, express, make decisions and act independently—and the nutritional status of her children. We treat ‘autonomy’ as a latent variable, and design a novel statistical framework to measure this. This method allows us to separate the direct associations of maternal and family characteristics in our model for nutrition, from their indirect associations that work through maternal autonomy. Using data from India, we explore the sensitivity of our estimates to endogeneity caused by sample selection in the presence of son preference. We find: (i) a one standard deviation (SD) higher autonomy score is associated with a 0.16 SD higher height‐for‐age z‐score (HAZ score); and (ii) a 10% lower prevalence of stunting (HAZ &lt; −2 SD). The latter is equivalent to the prevention of approximately 300,000 children stunting, indicating the important role of maternal autonomy.

Information-incorporated gene network construction with FDR control.

Large-scale gene expression studies allow gene network construction to uncover associations among genes. To study direct associations among genes, partial correlation-based networks are preferred over marginal correlations. However, FDR control for partial correlation-based network construction is not well-studied. In addition, currently available partial correlation-based methods cannot take existing biological knowledge to help network construction while controlling FDR. In this paper, we propose a method called Partial Correlation Graph with Information Incorporation (PCGII). PCGII estimates partial correlations between each pair of genes by regularized node-wise regression that can incorporate prior knowledge while controlling the effects of all other genes. It handles high-dimensional data where the number of genes can be much larger than the sample size and controls FDR at the same time. We compare PCGII with several existing approaches through extensive simulation studies and demonstrate that PCGII has better FDR control and higher power. We apply PCGII to a plant gene expression dataset where it recovers confirmed regulatory relationships and a hub node, as well as several direct associations that shed light on potential functional relationships in the system. We also introduce a method to supplement observed data with a pseudogene to apply PCGII when no prior information is available, which also allows checking FDR control and power for real data analysis. R package is freely available for download at https://cran.r-project.org/package=PCGII.