Search

Immune cells have intensely physical lifestyles characterized by structural plasticity and force exertion. To investigate whether specific immune functions require stereotyped mechanical outputs, we used super-resolution traction force microscopy to compare the immune synapses formed by cytotoxic T cells with contacts formed by other T cell subsets and by macrophages. T cell synapses were globally compressive, which was fundamentally different from the pulling and pinching associated with macrophage phagocytosis. Spectral decomposition of force exertion patterns from each cell type linked cytotoxicity to compressive strength, local protrusiveness, and the induction of complex, asymmetric topography. These features were validated as cytotoxic drivers by genetic disruption of cytoskeletal regulators, live imaging of synaptic secretion, and in silico analysis of interfacial distortion. Synapse architecture and force exertion were sensitive to target stiffness and size, suggesting that the mechanical potentiation of killing is biophysically adaptive. We conclude that cellular cytotoxicity and, by implication, other effector responses are supported by specialized patterns of efferent force.

The lime plant is a horticultural plant that grows in tropical regions. One of the cultivation maintenances to increase the production of lime fruits is pruning. However, the pruning technique of lime requires high production costs. In addition, phytohormones such as ethylene and abscisic acid have regulation to help drop leaves and branches. The study aimed to identify genes in lime involved in the self-pruning process during ethephon and abscisic acid treatments. Total RNA was extracted and subjected to long-read sequencing using a PCR-cDNA sequencing kit, Oxford Nanopore Technologies. The transcripts were produced 5,914 using the RATTLE program and ranged from 201 - 8,156 bp, and N50 was 1,292 bp. The RNA-seq dataset is available as a raw sequence read that scientists can further process and analyze, and this data can be helpful for lime breeding programs that can shed branches and leaves., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2023 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Mild shading has been reported to increase leaf production in kaffir lime ( Citrus hystrix ) through the improvement of agro-physiological variables, such as growth, photosynthesis, and water-use efficiency; however, there is still a knowledge gap concerning its growth and yield after experiencing severe pruning in harvest season. Additionally, a specific nitrogen (N) recommendation for leaf-oriented kaffir lime is still unavailable due to its lesser popularity compared to fruit-oriented citrus. The present study determined the best pruning level and N dose based on agronomy and the physiology of kaffir lime under mild shading. Nine-month-old kaffir lime seedlings grafted to rangpur lime ( C. limonia ) were arranged in a split-plot design, i.e., N dose as a main plot and pruning as a subplot. Comparative analysis resulted in 20% higher growth and a 22% higher yield in the high-pruned plants by leaving 30 cm of main stem above the ground rather than short ones with a 10 cm main stem. Both correlation and regression analysis strongly highlighted the importance of N for leaf numbers. Plants treated with 0 and 10 g N plant -1 experienced severe leaf chlorosis due to N deficiency, while those treated with 20 and 40 g N plant -1 showed N sufficiency; thus, the efficient recommendation for kaffir lime leaf production is 20 g N plant -1 .

Introduction: This study aimed to evaluate the relation between happiness perception of children and quality of sleep, appetite, dietary intake and nutritional status., Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study evaluating happiness, quality of sleep, appetite, dietary intake and nutritional status in 296 Indonesian children less than five-years of age., Results: There was no significant difference on perceived happiness between urban and rural areas (P = 0.087). The proportion of children that are perceived as happy by mothers (55.1%) is significantly higher (p < 0.001) as perceived as happy by fathers (50.7%). A significant lower dietary energy intake with a higher percentage of dietary protein to total energy intake was observed among those children that are perceived as happy. However, after adjusted to body weight, there was no significant difference in the amount of protein intake between those perceived as happy and unhappy. Amongst the nutritional status indicators, this study found a significantly higher Height-for-Age Z score among the children that perceived as happy., Conclusion: Height-for-age Z score and dietary protein intake in children aged 2-5 years are associated with quality of sleep and appetite, and may therefore affect children's happiness. Not only parental care but also appropriate nutrient intakes influence the child's happiness., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest., (Copyright: © 2022 Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care.)