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Endurance training is accompanied by important adaptations in both cardiovascular and autonomic nervous systems. Previous works have shown that the main component of gap junctions in the ventricular myocardium (connexin 43 ( Cx43) can be regulated by adrenergic stimulus. On the other hand, training raises vagal and decreases sympathetic tone, while augmenting myocardial sensitivity to sympathetic stimulation during exercise. We therefore evaluated the regulation of Cx43 expression by sympathetic tone during exercise in trained and sedentary mice. Training induced an increase in the protein level of Cx43 by 45-70% under resting conditions. The expression of Cx43 was inhibited in trained but not in untrained mice in response to a 60 min exercise bout. Normal basal expression was restored after 60 min of resting. Cx43 reached a minimum that was not different from basal expression in untrained mice. In accordance, electrocardiography and action potential analysis did not reveal major electrophysiological implications for the drop in Cx43 abundance in trained-exercise mice. We prevented Cx43 inhibition using propranolol, and observed increased basal mRNA levels of β-adrenergic receptors without significant changes in the ratio β1 to β2. In conclusion, we showed that Cx43 expression is transiently inhibited by β-adrenergic stimulus in trained mice during acute exercise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Digital agriculture (DA) can contribute solutions to meet an increase in healthy, nutritious, and affordable food demands in an efficient and sustainable way. South America (SA) is one of the main grain and protein producers in the world but the status of DA in the region is unknown. A systematic review and case studies from Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, and Chile were conducted to address the following objectives: (1) quantify adoption of existing DA technologies, (2) identify limitations for DA adoption; and (3) summarise existing metrics to benchmark DA benefits. Level of DA adoption was led by Brazil and Argentina followed by Uruguay and at a slower rate, Chile. GPS guidance systems, mapping tools, mobile apps and remote sensing were the most adopted DA technologies in SA. The most reported limitations to adoption were technology cost, lack of training, limited number of companies providing services, and unclear benefits from DA. Across the case studies, there was no clear definition of DA. To mitigate some of these limitations, our findings suggest the need for a DA educational curriculum that can fulfill the demand for job skills such as data processing, analysis and interpretation. Regional efforts are needed to standardise these metrics. This will allow stakeholders to design targeted initiatives to promote DA towards sustainability of food production in the region. The status of digital agriculture (DA) in South America (SA) is unknown. This article quantified adoption of existing DA technologies, identified limitations for DA adoption, implementing a literature review and case studies. Sustainable metrics were summarised to benchmark DA impact. GPS guidance systems, mapping tools, mobile apps and remote sensing were the most adopted DA technologies in SA. The most reported limitations to adoption were technology cost, lack of training, limited number of companies providing services, and unclear benefits from DA. The proposed metrics to benchmark DA benefits will allow stakeholders to design targeted initiatives to promote DA towards sustainability of food production in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]