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Transient receptor potential (TRP) ion channels serve as sensors for variations in ambient temperature, modulating both thermoregulation and temperature responsive cellular processes. Among these, the vanilloid TRP subfamily (TRPV) comprises six members and at least four of these members (TRPV1-TRPV4) have been associated with thermal sensation. TRPV2 has been described as a sensor for noxious heat, but subsequent studies have unveiled a more complex role for TRPV2 beyond temperature perception. This comprehensive review aims to elucidate the intricate thermosensitivity of TRPV2 by synthesizing current knowledge on its biophysical properties, expression pattern and known physiological functions associated with thermosensation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

How stress affects functional hemispheric asymmetries is relevant because stress represents a risk factor for the development of mental disorders and various mental disorders are associated with atypical lateralization. Using three lateralization tasks, we investigated whether functional hemispheric asymmetries in the form of hemispheric dominance for language (verbal dichotic listening task), emotion processing (emotional dichotic listening task), and visuo-spatial attention (line bisection task) were affected by acute stress in healthy adults. One hundred twenty right-handed men and women performed these lateralization tasks in randomized order after exposure to a mild online stressor (i.e., an online variant of the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST), TSST-OL) and a non-stressful online control task (friendly TSST-OL, fTSST-OL) in a within-subjects design. Importantly, the verbal and the emotional dichotic listening tasks were presented online whereas the line bisection task was completed in paper–pencil form. During these tasks, we found the expected hemispheric asymmetries, indicating that online versions of both the verbal and the emotional dichotic listening task can be used to measure functional hemispheric asymmetries in language and emotion processing remotely. Even though subjective and physiological markers confirmed the success of the online stress manipulation, replicating previous studies, we found no stress-induced effect on functional hemispheric asymmetries. Thus, in healthy participants, functional hemispheric asymmetries do not seem to change flexibly in response to acute stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During their development, amphibians undergo various physiological processes that may affect their susceptibility to environmental pollutants. Naturally occurring fluctuations caused by developmental events are often overlooked in ecotoxicological studies. Our aim is to investigate how biomarkers of oxidative stress are modulated at different stages of larval development in the Amazonian amphibian species, Physalaemus ephippifer. The premetamorphosis, prometamorphosis and metamorphic climax stages were used to analyze total antioxidant capacity (ACAP), glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity, lipid peroxidation (LPO) levels and the expression of genes nrf2, gst, gsr (glutathione reductase) and gclc (glycine-cysteine ligase, catalytic subunit). Although there was no difference in ACAP and the genes expression among the studied stages, individuals from the premetamorphosis and prometamorphosis showed higher GST activity than ones under the climax. LPO levels were highest in individuals from the metamorphic climax. The present study suggests that the oxidative status changes during ontogeny of P. ephippifer tadpoles, especially during the metamorphic climax, the most demanding developmental phase. Variations in the redox balance at different developmental stages may lead to a divergent response to pollution. Therefore, we recommend that studies using anuran larvae as biomonitors consider possible physiological differences during ontogeny in their respective analyses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Idiopathic Normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH) is an under-diagnosed in elderly patients but none of the diagnostic tests are currently sufficiently sensitive or specific. The objective of this study was to analyze the dynamics of neurofluids by PC-MRI in relation to clinical evolution as measured using the iNPH grading scale after tap-test. Method: We prospectively included patients with suspected iNPH. All these patients underwent PCMRI to assess craniospinal hemohydrodynamics with analysis of the stroke volume of the cephalospinal fluid (CSF) within the Sylvius' aqueduct, within the high cervical subarachnoid spaces and the arteriovenous stroke volume. By this means, we calculated a compliance index. Morphological analysis was carried out using the DESH score. The infusion test was measuring the resistance to CSF flow. We analysed all these parameters according to the clinical improvement of the patients. Results: 23 patients were included. Compliance index assessed by PC-MRI was significantly higher in the group of patients with improvement > 10% (p = 0.015). Conclusions: Our study highlights the importance of investigating arteriovenous and CSF interactions in iNPH. This involves understanding the physiological and pathophysiological mechanisms related to the circulation of neurofluids. The analysis of the interactions of these neurofluids allows for a comprehensive understanding of the system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Insect's resilience to adverse conditions poses a significant challenge for integrated pest control. This has resulted in huge economic losses to agriculture and forestry production as well as a range of severe ecological issues. As a physiological mechanism of insects, digestive physiology plays an important role in the process of adaptation to stress factors. However, there has been no systematic review of what stresses insects can adapt to through digestive physiology and how digestive physiology is involved in insect adaptation to stresses. In this review, the potential link between digestive physiology and adaptation of insects to biotic and abiotic stresses, including plant defense mechanisms, chemical insecticides, and entomopathogenic microorganisms, is analyzed. We point to that digestive physiology composed of digestive enzymes and gut microbial communities is an important strategy for insects to resist plant physical defense (e.g., hemicellulose, pectin, and microfibers), chemical defense (e.g., azadirachtin, diterpenoid acids, and phenolic glycosides), chemical insecticide stress, and entomopathogenic microorganism infection. In addition, the primary function of the digestive physiology in insects is to ensure energy supply during biotic and abiotic stress, assist in the metabolism of exogenous toxins (e.g., anti-insect proteins, primary metabolites, secondary metabolites, and insecticides), and improve their innate immunity against entomopathogenic microorganisms. This review is helpful to elucidate the mechanism of pest adaptation to adversity, and provide a breakthrough point for analyzing the causes of pest outbreaks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant growth regulators are an appealing and fast-track method for overcoming the drastic effects of drought. Paclobutrazol (PBZ), a member of the triazole family, is a versatile chemical compound that acts as a growth regulator and retardant. This study assessed the effect of two concentrations of PBZ (30 and 60 mg L–1) on strawberry plants under two drought stress levels [40% and 80% field capacity (FC)] and 100% FC set as the control. The findings revealed that drought significantly affected strawberry plants, elevating the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) like hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), hydroxide ion (OH–), and superoxide ion (O2–), and reactive carbonyl species (RCS) like malondialdehyde (MDA), methylglyoxal (MG), 4-hydroxy-(E)-2-hexenal (HEE), acetone, propionaldehyde (PD), acetaldehyde (ACD), and formaldehyde (FMD), due to decreased antioxidant activities. The study also found that glutathione (GSH) is crucial in ROS and RCS scavenging. In addition, the presence of thiol groups (–SH compounds) in strawberry plants under moderate and severe drought stress was a noteworthy finding. Due to excess thiol production, drought stress significantly decreased MDA, MG, HEE, PD, ACD, FMD, and acetone levels. However, PBZ application decreased the total thiol content in strawberry leaves. Furthermore, PBZ improved plant growth and development by modulating the production of endogenous growth hormones such as abscisic acid, indole-3-acetic acid, ethylene, gibberellic acid, strigolactones, and brassinosteroids, while increasing cytokinin levels. These changes led to enhanced enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant activities, reduced stomatal conductance, increased relative water content in leaves, improved chlorophyll content, elevated photosynthetic rate, and ultimately enhanced increased fruit yield. Moreover, drought stress enhanced metabolic activity (α-tocopherol, β-carotene, total phenolic content, anthocyanin, and proline) in strawberry plants, indicating that metabolites also function as stress scavengers/protectors. This study shed light on crucial physiological mechanisms underlying ROS- and RCS-induced oxidative stresses and their management in strawberry plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The acute hypotensive effect after a physical exercise session can be a valuable tool for reducing long-term cardiovascular risk. Aim: To evaluate blood pressure and heart rate variability (HRV) pre/post a single Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) training session. Methods: Eighteen athletes were selected, (age 31 ± 10; BMI 25.9 ± 2.5), from higher to lower rank and collected/analyzed pre/post HRV in the domain of time, of frequency and of non-linear indices. The statistic included the Kolmogorov–Smirnov test, Levene test, and ANOVA of two inputs with post hoc by Holm Sidak. In addition, the unpaired t-Student;s test and the Mann–Whitney test were applied. The level of significance was p < 0.05 and the analyses were performed using SigmaPlot for Windows version 11.0 software. Results: The HRV in the time and frequency domain showed significant differences in most of the analyzed variables. Furthermore, the SD1 indices, which reflect the total variability, as well as the SD2 which reflects the parasympathetic modulation, showed a difference in the less graduated (p < 0.020; p < 0.030) and the most highly graduated athletes (p < 0.001; p < 0.013), respectively. The systolic blood pressure had a significant reduction in both groups, composed of less graduated athletes (p < 0.013), as well as, in the more graduated ones (p < 0.028), suggesting a hypotensive effect, due to the possible action of the physiological vasodilator mechanisms. Conclusion: The findings of the present study suggest that a single JJ training session can reduce pressure values in athletes of this modality, even with the HRV parameters showing greater sympathetic modulation compared to pre-intervention values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drought poses a serious threat to the productivity of hop, an important perennial crop. However, the precise physiological mechanisms that make it highly susceptible to drought are not yet fully understood. In this study, we investigated stomatal regulation and xylem vulnerability to embolism, which are important traits closely associated with plant drought resistance. In a glasshouse cultivation experiment, we monitored changes in leaf water potential, stem elongation rates, and leaf gas exchange, including net photosynthetic rates, stomatal conductance, and intrinsic water use efficiency, on relatively young hop plants (traditional Saaz - Osvald's clone 31) exposed to declining soil water availability. The transpiration rate and stem elongation of plants decreased significantly with a small decline in substrate water potential (ΨSUB), indicating a highly sensitive stomata response during early phases of soil dehydration. The stem elongation was completely halted, and the transpiration rate dropped to less than 50% of its maximum at ΨSUB levels below − 0.8 MPa. In well-watered hop plants, xylem in stems operates near the initial point of embolization and is highly vulnerable to embolism, with a water potential corresponding to a 50% loss of xylem conductivity at -1.6 MPa. The sensitive stomatal response to declining ΨSUB likely helps to mitigate the risk of hydraulic failure, albeit at the cost of impaired growth. Scheduled irrigation, particularly during the sensitive stem elongation stage, may be a promising approach to mitigate the detrimental effects of reduced soil water availability on hop growth and yield while also conserving water resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gibberellin (GA3) is an important plant hormone involved in many physiological and developmental processes in plants. However, the physiological mechanism of GA3 on the regulation yield and grain shell thickness of Tartary buckwheat is still unclear. In this study, the thick-shelled cultivar "Jinqiao 2" and thin-shelled cultivar "Miku 18" were used to study the effects of different concentrations (0, 50, and 100 mg L−1) of exogenous GA3 and chlorocholine chloride (CCC, GA3 synthesis inhibitor) on the cellulose content, amylase, and sucrose synthase (SS) activity in grain shell and the yield of Tartary buckwheat. The application of exogenous GA3 can improve the cellulose content and the activity of amylase and SS in the grain shell of the two Tartary buckwheat varieties. It can also increase the main stem node number, main stem branch number, grains per plant, and yield. Compared with the control treatment (CK, 0 mg L−1), the 100 mg/L exogenous GA3 treatment increased the number of grains per plant, grain weight per plant, 1000-grain weight, and yield of Jinqiao 2 by 20.1%, 41.9%, 13%, and 34.7%, respectively. These items of Miku 18 were increased by 26%, 15.2%, 10.2%, and 23.8%. The application of CCC reduced the activity of amylase and SS and cellulose content in grain shell. In addition, it decreased the main stem node number, main stem branch number, grains per plant, and yield of Tartary buckwheat. In summary, exogenous GA3 treatment not only improved the yield of Tartary buckwheat but also increased the thickness of grain shell by enhancing the activity of amylase and SS and promoting the synthesis and accumulation of cellulose. The results can provide theoretical references for clarifying the physiological mechanism of the difference in shell thickness between Tartary buckwheat varieties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Life history theory emphasizes that finite resources result in allocation trade-offs among the competing interests of self-maintenance, growth, reproduction, and survival. Environmental conditions, particularly during development, can influence these life history trade-offs, leading to the coupling of physiological and behavioural traits with life history strategies. Thus, populations may vary in the pattern of trait covariation, clustering along a fast-slow continuum, termed the extended pace-of-life syndrome (POLS) theory. We aimed to test how variation in ecological conditions influence life history trade-offs and their association with behaviour and physiology by comparing captive bred and wild-collected southern rainforest sunskink (Lampropholis similis). The captive bred skinks were the offspring of the wild-caught skinks, and all tests were conducted in the laboratory. We found that the groups differed, on average, in growth rate, body condition, thermal preferences, sprint performance, and activity. Counter to our expectation, wild-caught skinks exhibited a faster pace of life relative to captive-bred skinks despite experiencing more challenging environmental conditions. Furthermore, life history trade-offs were not detected, nor were traits correlated to form the syndrome. Studies are needed to identify the proximate mechanisms causing life history trade-offs and how they lead to the coupling, or decoupling, of physiological and behavioural traits. Such information will provide vital insight into how ecological forces drive the evolution of traits. Significance statement: We aimed to test how variation in ecological conditions influence life history trade-offs and their association with behaviour and physiology by comparing captive bred and wild-collected individuals. We found that wild-caught individuals exhibited a faster pace of life relative to captive-bred individuals despite experiencing more challenging environmental conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vascular tone regulation is a crucial aspect of cardiovascular physiology, with significant implications for overall cardiovascular health. However, the precise physiological mechanisms governing smooth muscle cell contraction and relaxation remain uncertain. The complexity of vascular tone regulation stems from its multiscale and multifactorial nature, involving global hemodynamics, local flow conditions, tissue mechanics, and biochemical pathways. Bridging this knowledge gap and translating it into clinical practice presents a challenge. In this paper, a computational model is presented to integrate chemo-mechano-biological pathways with cardiovascular biomechanics, aiming to unravel the intricacies of vascular tone regulation. The computational framework combines an algebraic description of global hemodynamics with detailed finite element analyses at the scale of vascular segments for describing their passive and active mechanical response, as well as the molecular transport problem linked with chemo-biological pathways triggered by wall shear stresses. Their coupling is accounted for by considering a two-way interaction. Specifically, the focus is on the role of nitric oxide-related molecular pathways, which play a critical role in modulating smooth muscle contraction and relaxation to maintain vascular tone. The computational framework is employed to examine the interplay between localized alterations in the biomechanical response of a specific vessel segment—such as those induced by calcifications or endothelial dysfunction–and the broader global hemodynamic conditions—both under basal and altered states. The proposed approach aims to advance our understanding of vascular tone regulation and its impact on cardiovascular health. By incorporating chemo-mechano-biological mechanisms into in silico models, this study allows us to investigate cardiovascular responses to multifactorial stimuli and incorporate the role of adaptive homeostasis in computational biomechanics frameworks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to assess whether activity and heart rate sensor implants can be used to measure stress and thus estimate one important welfare indicator for fish in aquaculture pens, and if such measurements correlate to physiological factors measured through blood sampling. The experiment consisted of two parts: i) a bio-logger study where implanted sensors were used to monitor activity and heart rates for fish undergoing stress (crowding); and ii) an analysis of blood constituents (cortisol, glucose, lactate, and chloride) of a second group of fish undergoing the same treatment. We found that activity measurements can be used to track high-impact stress events but may not be suitable to discern possibly nuanced reactions to stress impacts of lower magnitude. While heart rate was measured reliably, e.g., in showing clear circadian rhythms, it was no credible proxy for predicting stress in this study. Our results thus underline challenges observed in previous work around the use of heart rate as stress indicator, and imply that the translation of its meaning into a proxy for stress needs further work. Although tag-based monitoring of stress is not without its difficulties, studies such as this provide a wealth of information on salmon behaviour and physiology, and the links between these. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses a study conducted in Austria, Germany, and Switzerland that examined women's knowledge about contraception and reproductive health. The study found that there were gaps in women's knowledge about the female reproductive system, which correlated with unintended pregnancies. Factors such as marital status, age, and income were found to influence the level of knowledge. The study emphasizes the importance of providing women with proper counseling to prevent unintended pregnancies and induced abortions. [Extracted from the article]

Since the advent of industrialization, there has been a significant increase in the accumulation of heavy metals (HMs) in the soil, which further pose a major threat to plant growth and productivity. To address this issue and meet the global demand for food and energy, it is crucial to develop strategies that mitigate the toxicity induced by increased levels of HMs. One viable option is the supplementation of various phytohormones and gasotransmitters. Gasotransmitters are well-known for their ability to counteract a plethora of stresses in plants, with multifunctional hydrogen sulfide (H2S) being a promising candidate for reducing HM- induced oxidative stress. Furthermore, H2S has also been reported to regulate various physiological processes, such as seed germination, senescence and ageing in plants both under normal and stressed conditions. This review concurrently underscores the significance of H2S in plants subjected to HM stress. It also elucidates H2S's role as both a standalone stress mitigator as well as a synergistic component when combined with other stress-alleviating agents, resulting in the mitigation of HM toxicity, enhanced plant growth, stabilization of physiological processes and the upregulation of antioxidative metabolic activities. Overall, this review accentuates the necessity for sustainable and eco-friendly approaches to manage HM stress and emphasizes the potential of H2S as a promising solution to alleviate HM-related damage to plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With ascent to high altitude (HA), compensatory increases in cerebral blood flow and oxygen delivery must occur to preserve cerebral metabolism and consciousness. We hypothesized that this compensation in cerebral blood flow and oxygen delivery preserves tolerance to simulated hemorrhage (via lower body negative pressure, LBNP), such that tolerance is similar during sustained exposure to HA vs. low altitude (LA). Healthy humans (4F/4 M) participated in LBNP protocols to presyncope at LA (1130 m) and 5–7 days following ascent to HA (3800 m). Internal carotid artery (ICA) blood flow, cerebral delivery of oxygen (CDO2) through the ICA, and cerebral tissue oxygen saturation (ScO2) were determined. LBNP tolerance was similar between conditions (LA: 1276 ± 304 s vs. HA: 1208 ± 306 s; P = 0.58). Overall, ICA blood flow and CDO2 were elevated at HA vs. LA (P ≤ 0.01) and decreased with LBNP under both conditions (P < 0.0001), but there was no effect of altitude on ScO2 responses (P = 0.59). Thus, sustained exposure to hypobaric hypoxia did not negatively impact tolerance to simulated hemorrhage. These data demonstrate the robustness of compensatory physiological mechanisms that preserve human cerebral blood flow and oxygen delivery during sustained hypoxia, ensuring cerebral tissue metabolism and neuronal function is maintained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Salinization and sodication present significant threats to crop productivity in many parts of the world including Pakistan. Cultivating halophytes like quinoa presents a viable solution for the profitable use of salt-affected lands. This study specifically examines the performance and salt tolerance mechanism of four quinoa accessions under varying salinity and sodicity levels. In addition to a control group, different combinations of electrical conductivity and sodium adsorption ratio (ECe dS m−1 SAR levels) were established: 10:20, 10:40, 20:20, and 20:40, achieved by using a mixture of salts. Most of the quinoa cultivars exhibited robust growth, with the exception of GLN-22, which proved unable to withstand high levels of salinity and sodicity, resulting in a 78% reduction in yield. GLN-29, on the other hand, demonstrated superior performance across all levels of salinity and sodicity. UAF-Q7 excelled under conditions of high salinity and low sodicity compared to equivalent salinity levels but elevated sodicity. Meanwhile, GLN-33 exhibited enhanced growth under elevated sodicity levels but struggled in the face of high salinity stress. In terms of nutrient uptake, GLN-29 displayed a higher accumulation of Na+ (32%) in older leaves compared to younger ones, alongside elevated levels of antioxidant activity at all salinity and sodicity levels. Notably, GLN-29 exhibited excellent adaptation to both high salinity and sodicity levels, resulting in the highest grain yield (14.75 g/pot) and the salt tolerance mechanism was associated with highly efficient K+ retention and transport of Na+ to older leaves. This underscores the necessity for further comprehensive field studies to ascertain its suitability for the sustainable utilization of salt-affected soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Numerous studies have indicated that N6-methyladenosine (m6A) and lncRNAs play pivotal roles in human cancer. However, the underlying functions and mechanisms of m6A-lncRNA in the physiological processes of breast cancer remain unclear. Here, we found that DSCAM-AS1 is an m6A-modified lncRNA that was overexpressed in breast cancer tissues and cells, indicating poor clinical prognosis. Gain/loss functional assays suggested that DSCAM-AS1 inhibited erastin-induced ferroptosis in breast cancer cells. Mechanistically, there were remarkable m6A modification sites on both the 3'-UTR of DSCAM-AS1 and the endogenous antioxidant factor SLC7A11. M6A methyltransferase methyltransferase-like 3 (METTL3) methylated both SLC7A11 and DSCAM-AS1. Moreover, DSCAM-AS1 recognized m6A sites on the SLC7A11 mRNA, thereby enhancing its stability. Taken together, these findings indicated a potential therapeutic strategy for breast cancer ferroptosis in an m6A-dependent manner. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Gastro-esophageal reflux (GORD) following sleeve gastrectomy (SG) is a central challenge, and precise indications for revisional surgery or the physiology have not been precisely defined. We aimed to determine whether OAGB performed for reflux post-SG (1) accelerates gastric emptying half-time, (2) reduces the frequency and severity of reflux events, and (3) improves reflux symptoms. Methods: We undertook a prospective trial (ACTRN12616001089426). There were 22 participants who underwent measurement before and after revisional surgery with 29 optimal SG (patients with optimal outcome from their primary surgery) as controls. All participants underwent a protocolized nuclear scintigraphy, 24-h pH monitoring, and gastroscopy and completed objective questionnaires. Results: Trial patients were 90.9% female, age 44.4 years. Conversion from SG to OAGB was at a median of 45.2 ± 19.6 months. Scintigraphy showed an increased rate of gastric emptying post-OAGB 34 (IQR 14) vs 24 (IQR 10.3) min, p-value 0.008, with decreased number of reflux events post-prandially (39 (IQR 13) vs 26 (IQR 7), p-value 0.001). This data correlated with the pH analysis; total acid events substantially reduced post-OAGB 58.5 (IQR 88) vs 12 (IQR 9.4) events, p-value 0.017. Endoscopic findings indicated a reduction in incidence of bile stasis 72.7% vs 40.9% post-OAGB, p-value < 0.00010. Post-OAGB, patients experienced less frequent regurgitation (12 ± 4.1 vs. 5.5 ± 3, p-value 0.012) and reflux (37.1 ± 15.7 vs. 16.8 ± 12.6, p-value 0.003). Conclusions: We found OAGB is an effective treatment for reflux associated with delayed gastric emptying post-SG. The likely mechanisms is by, an increase in the rate of gastric clearance and reduced reflux events and overall esophageal acid exposure. This suggests that some forms of post-SG reflux are driven by slower emptying of the residual stomach and are amenable to treatment with drainage above the incisura. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Giant clams obtain their nutrition from both filter-feeding and photosynthates produced by symbiotic zooxanthellae within their mantle tissue. The symbiotic partnerships between giant clam and zooxanthellae are critical for the health and survival of giant clams. Therefore, light/dark alternation plays a crucial role in influencing the growth performance and physiological change of the giant clam-zooxanthellae symbiosis in natural ecosystems. In this study, the rhythms of mantle surface area, physiological metabolic activity, and oxidative stress in the boring giant clam, Tridacna crocea, caused by two different light-dark cycles (7:00–19:00 light-on and 9:00–21:00 light-on, respectively) were investigated. The relative mantle surface area, net calcification rate and gross primary production significantly increased with the increase in light time, and the highest values were observed after 4–7 h of light exposure. The values of symbiosis Y (II) sharply increased when giant clams were transferred from dark to light conditions, and then slightly decreased to a low level until the next light/dark cycle. Dynamic changes of zooxanthellae density in the outer mantle were observed with two-peak values noted at 4 h after light-on and -off, respectively. The absorption of ammonium-nitrogen (negative values of ammonia metabolic rate) was observed when giant clams were exposed to light, and the rate reached its highest value after 10 h of light exposure. Rhythmic changes of oxidative stress related enzymes and antioxidant molecule were also detected in the inner and outer mantles. In detail, the highest values of SOD activity were observed around light-on time in both the inner and outer mantles, while the tendency of CAT activity was not the same in the inner and outer mantles; the GSH contents in the inner mantle were significantly higher than that in the outer mantle, and their values significantly increased with light exposure; the MDA concentrations from 5:00 to 14:00 were almost the same in both the inner and outer mantles, which were significantly higher than those at other sampling points. The rhythms of these detected behaviors and physiological responses were almost delayed with the delay of photocycle. This provides experimental support for the hypothesis that some behaviors and physiological responses of giant clams exhibit 24-h rhythms, which are affected by changes of light/dark alternation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Salinity poses a serious challenge for stevia cultivation to meet growing demand. This study investigates protective supplements for stevia grown under saline conditions. Seedlings were subjected to titanium dioxide nanoparticles (0, 150, and 300 ppm), putrescine (0 and 1 mM), and salt (0, 75, and 150 mM) in a factorial design. Morphological traits (plant height, leaf dry and fresh weight), photosynthetic pigments (chlorophyll a, b, total), proline content, soluble and glycoside sugars (rebaudioside A and stevioside), and antioxidant enzyme activity (catalase and peroxidase) were measured. Higher salt concentrations (150 mM NaCl) reduced plant height, leaf dry and fresh weight, and chlorophyll but increased proline, soluble and glycoside sugars, and antioxidant enzyme activity. Foliar applications of putrescine (1 mM) and TiO2 nanoparticles (150 and 300 ppm) mitigated salt stress by improving growth and physiological properties. Simultaneous application of putrescine (1 mM) and TiO2 nanoparticles (300 ppm) was most effective at enhancing secondary metabolite production, important for the pharmaceutical industry. This study demonstrates protective roles of putrescine and TiO2 nanoparticles for stevia cultivation under saline conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pain-insomnia-depression syndrome (PIDS) is a complex triad of chronic pain, insomnia, and depression that has profound effects on an individual's quality of life and mental health. The pathobiological context of PIDS involves complex neurobiological and physiological mechanisms, including alterations in neurotransmitter systems and impaired pain processing pathways. The first-line therapeutic approaches for the treatment of chronic pain, depression, and insomnia are a combination of pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapies. In cases where patients do not respond adequately to these treatments, additional interventions such as deep brain stimulation (DBS) may be required. Despite advances in understanding and treatment, there are still gaps in knowledge that need to be addressed. To improve our understanding, future research should focus on conducting longitudinal studies to uncover temporal associations, identify biomarkers and genetic markers associated with PIDS, examine the influence of psychosocial factors on treatment responses, and develop innovative interventions that address the complex nature of PIDS. The aim of this study is to provide a comprehensive overview of these components and to discuss their underlying pathobiological relationships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As sessile organisms, plants constantly face a variety of abiotic stresses, such as drought, salinity, and metal/metalloid toxicity, all of which possess significant threats to plant growth and yield potential. Improving plant resilience to such abiotic stresses bears paramount importance in practicing sustainable agriculture worldwide. Acetic acid/acetate has been recognized as an important metabolite with multifaceted roles in regulating plant adaptation to diverse abiotic stresses. Recent studies have elucidated that acetic acid can potentiate plants' inherent mechanisms to withstand the adverse effects of abiotic stresses through the regulation of lipid metabolism, hormone signaling, epigenetic changes, and physiological defense mechanisms. Numerous studies also underpin the potential use of acetic acid in boosting crop production under unfavorable environmental conditions. This review provides a comprehensive update on the understanding of how acetic acid regulates plant photosynthesis, acts as an antitranspirant, detoxifies reactive oxygen species to alleviate oxidative stress, interacts with phytohormones to regulate physiological processes, and improves soil fertility and microbial diversity, with a specific focus on drought, salinity, and metal toxicity. We also highlight the eco-friendly and economic potential of acetic acid that may attract farmers from developing countries to harness the benefits of acetic acid application for boosting abiotic stress resistance in crops. Given that acetic acid is a widely accessible, inexpensive, and eco-friendly compound, the revelation of acetic acid-mediated regulatory pathways and its crosstalk with other signaling molecules will have significant importance in developing a sustainable strategy for mitigating abiotic stresses in crops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A central concept of evolutionary biology, supported by broad scale allometric analyses, asserts that changing morphology should induce downstream changes in locomotor kinematics and energetics, and by inference selective fitness. However, if these mechanistic relationships exist at local intraspecific scales, where they could provide substrate for fundamental microevolutionary processes, is unknown. Here, analyses of selectively-bred duck breeds demonstrate that distinct body shapes incur kinematic shifts during walking, but these do not translate into differences in energetics. A combination of modular relationships between anatomical regions, and a trade-off between limb flexion and trunk pitching, are shown to homogenise potential functional differences between the breeds, accounting for this discrepancy between form and function. This complex interplay between morphology, motion and physiology indicates that understanding evolutionary links between the avian body plan and locomotor diversity requires studying locomotion as an integrated whole and not key anatomical innovations in isolation. Duck breeds selectively bred for disparate body shapes are found to walk with different limb kinematics but incur similar energetic costs. This is attributed to the interplay of dynamic kinematic and modular anatomical processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bassia indica (Wight) A. J. Scott is a fast-growing halophyte suitable for the remediation of saline lands on a large scale. However, no information is available regarding its phytoremediation potential for cadmium (Cd) alone or in combination with salinity. Besides evaluating phytoremediation, assessing micronutrient hemostasis as a crucial physiological insight into the mechanism involved in the tolerance of B. indica under saline soil contaminated with Cd was subjected. Under salinity stress, a considerable amount of sodium accumulates in the plant. Moreover, the accumulation of sodium increased by Cd stress levels. The increase in the exchangeable form of Cd in the rhizosphere in the presence of NaCl ions further elevated the Cd content in the plant tissues. For instance, compared to non-saline conditions, applying 2.5 and 5 g NaCl kg−1 to soil treated with 60 mg Cd kg−1 increased exchangeable Cd by 28.4 and 49.5% in rhizosphere soil, which led to increased cadmium content by 16.1 and 29.6% in the root (as a main part of Cd accumulation), respectively. Under most stress conditions, potassium homeostasis in the shoot remained undisturbed. It was observed that this plant could transfer an optimal level of potassium from the roots to the shoots at a moderate salinity level. Changes and the distribution of Cu and Zn levels followed a similar pattern in the plant, indicating a common regulation mechanism for these nutrients. Generally, the plant could maintain an appropriate level of Fe, Zn, and Cu ions under most stressed conditions. However, the level of Mn decreased significantly under severe stress levels. Growth parameters, tolerance index, and the values of translocation factor < 1 and shoot bioconcentration factor > 1 under 5 mg Cd kg−1 soil treatment at different salinity levels indicated that B. indica could mitigate the detrimental effect of Cd toxicity and tolerate the NaCl stress via a phytostabilizer mechanism. However, the shoot bioconcentration factor values were very close to one at other Cd levels. Therefore, considering the obtained evidence and the innate ability of B. indica to remediation salinity, this plant is still recommended, even for higher Cd levels (even until 30 mg kg−1), in the presence of salinity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ecotoxicological consequences of azoxystrobin on land snails have not yet been addressed. Therefore, the present study aims to provide novel data on the threat of a commercial grade azoxystrobin (AMISTAR) at two environmentally relevant concentrations (0.3 µg/ml) and tenfold (3 µg/ml) on the model species, Theba pisana by physiological, biochemical, and histopathological markers for 28 days. Our results showed a reduction in animal food consumption and growth due to exposure to both azoxystrobin concentrations. It also induced oxidative stress and led to a significant decrease in lipid peroxidation (LPO) levels after 7 days of exposure, while the opposite effect occurred after 28 days. Except for the 7-day exposure, all treated snails had significantly reduced glutathione (GSH) content and increased catalase (CAT) activity at all-time intervals. Glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activities, and protein content (PC) were elevated in treated snails at all-time intervals. Moreover, alterations in acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity between a decrease and an increase were noticed. Additionally, azoxystrobin exerted changes in T. pisana hepatopancreas architecture. Our study suggests that azoxystrobin may have negative ecological consequences for T. pisana and highlights its potential risks to the natural environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Authors have attributed the statement "All science is either physics or stamp collecting" to the Physicist, Ernest Rutherford. Putting this sarcastic quip aside, we know that scientific disciplines come of age when they can generate testable, repeatable, and falsifiable hypotheses; yet disciplines begin, and continue, by simply collecting observational information. It is clear, even with a casual assessment of all 16 International Rotifer Symposia, as well as the extensive literature published since our first congress, that rotifer research has moved beyond describing species, making lists of their occurrences, and describing changes in their population dynamics. In spite of the excellent progress that has been made in rotiferology we believe more remains to be done. In this review we nominate 10 fields in rotifer research that we believe will advance understanding of rotiferan biology; these include the following topics: (1) neurobiological connectomes, (2) genomic architecture and control systems, (3) physiology, (4) life history, including sexuality, development, and aging, (5) ecological responses to stresses, (6) biogeography and distribution of cryptic species, (7) analysis of rotiferan morphospace, (8) rotifer evolution within Gnathifera including Acanthocephala, (9) educational opportunities for beginning students, and (10) fostering international collaboration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we evaluated Electrical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) as a monitoring tool of the physiological state of Bryopsis, Cystoseira, Stypopodium, Cladophora, Taonia, Padina, Ulva and Sargassum tissues. We analyzed the electrical response differences in the EIS between species and in the same seaweed tissue before and after electroporation. Electroporation using high voltage pulsed electric field (PEF) treatment was used as a model for cell disruption affecting the tissue physiology without being noticeable to the naked-eye. Significant differences in all the seaweeds were observed before and after electroporation. We found that seaweed species with smaller and rounder cells have a clearer dispersion profile (around a frequency of 10–100 kHz) compared to the dispersion profile of seaweed with larger cells with unround form. Those results suggest that EIS could be used as a fast non-invasive monitoring technique of the changes in the physiology of seaweeds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nowadays, there is limited research focusing on the biosorption of Pb2+ through microbial process, particularly at the level of gene expression. To overcome this knowledge gap, we studied the adsorption capacity of Stenotrophomonas rhizophila JC1 to Pb2+, and investigated the physiological mechanism by means of SEM, EDS, FTIR, membrane permeability detection, and investigated the molecular mechanism through comparative transcriptomics. The results showed that after 16 h of cultivation, the biosorption capacity of JC1 for 100 mg/L of Pb2+ reached at 79.8%. The main mechanism of JC1 adsorb Pb2+ is via intracellular accumulation, accounting for more than 90% of the total adsorption. At the physiological level, Pb2+ can precipitate with anion functional groups (e.g., –OH, –NH) on the bacterial cell wall or undergo replacement reaction with cell component elements (e.g., Si, Ca) to adsorb Pb2+ outside of the cell wall, thus accomplishing extracellular adsorption of Pb2+ by strains. Furthermore, the cell membrane acts as a “switch” that inhibits the entry of metal ions into the cell from the plasma membrane. At the molecular level, the gene pbt specificity is responsible for the adsorption of Pb2+ by JC1. In addition, phosphate permease is a major member of the ABC transporter family involved in Pb2+, and czcA/cusA or Co2+/Mg2+ efflux protein plays an important role in the efflux of Pb2+ in JC1. Further, cellular macromolecule biosynthesis, inorganic cation transmembrane transport, citrate cycle (TCA) and carbon metabolism pathways all play crucial roles in the response of strain JC1 to Pb2+ stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cadmium (Cd) stress seriously affects cucumber growth, yield, and quality. Melatonin (MT) can enhance plant resistance to abiotic stresses. However, studies on the mechanism of MT in enhancing plant resistance are limited. To better understand the underlying physiological and molecular mechanisms, the antioxidant defenses, photosynthesis, and transcriptome profiles of cucumber were analyzed under different growth conditions. The results demonstrated that exogenous MT significantly alleviated the Cd-induced damages to cucumber seedlings. Compared with Cd treatment, MT + Cd treatment enhanced antioxidant enzyme activities, suppressed ROS production, and improved photosynthesis in cucumber seedlings. Intriguingly, the scavenging or inhibition of hydrogen peroxide and nitric oxide reversed the positive effects of melatonin described above. RNA-seq identified 1299 differentially expressed genes in MD (MT + Cd) _vs_ D (Cd). Further detailed analyses suggested that MT-regulated genes are mainly related to photosynthesis, membrane lipid peroxidation, and plant hormone metabolism. In addition, some transcription factors and heavy metal transporters were involved in MT-induced Cd tolerance in cucumber seedlings. The results laid the foundation for further elucidation of the mechanism of exogenous MT-mediated Cd tolerance in cucumber and provided a theoretical reference for the future utilization of melatonin to improve Cd tolerance in cucumber. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Normal cell and body functions need to be maintained and protected against endogenous and exogenous stress conditions. Different cellular stress response pathways have evolved that are utilized by mammalian cells to recognize, process and overcome numerous stress stimuli in order to maintain homeostasis and to prevent pathophysiological processes. Although these stress response pathways appear to be quite different on a molecular level, they all have in common that they integrate various stress inputs, translate them into an appropriate stress response and eventually resolve the stress by either restoring homeostasis or inducing cell death. It has become increasingly appreciated that non-protein-coding RNA species, such as long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), can play critical roles in the mammalian stress response. However, the precise molecular functions and underlying modes of action for many of the stress-related lncRNAs remain poorly understood. In this review, we aim to provide a framework for the categorization of mammalian lncRNAs in stress response and homeostasis based on their experimentally validated modes of action. We describe the molecular functions and physiological roles of selected lncRNAs and develop a concept of how lncRNAs can contribute as versatile players in mammalian stress response and homeostasis. These concepts may be used as a starting point for the identification of novel lncRNAs and lncRNA functions not only in the context of stress, but also in normal physiology and disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Numerous challenges arise in plants, particularly salt-sensitive species such as maize, as a result of salinity. The effectiveness of silicon (Si) and biochar has been recognized in alleviating salt-induced stress. Combined application of Si and biochar could be an effective approach for mitigating drastic effects of salinity on crop plants as compared to their sole application. Hence, the present investigation aimed to assess the effects of combining Si (100 mg kg−1) and biochar (1%) on nutrient uptake, concentration of chlorophyll, antioxidant activities, and growth of maize. Present study was conducted using potted maize plants cultivated in sandy clay loam soil, with irrigation carried out using both saline and tap water. The integrated use of Si and biochar was effective in enhancing maize growth under normal and saline conditions. Silicon and biochar synergistically optimized reduction in sodium uptake and improved the accumulation of nutrients including potassium, phosphorus, and nitrogen in roots and shoots, as well as concentration of carotenoids and chlorophyll (a, b, and total). The combined application of both treatments also resulted in increased rate of transpiration and stomatal conductance, while reducing the activities of superoxide dismutase and peroxidase. Consequently, these observed improvements in plant health properties enhanced maize growth under salt stress with significant improvement in shoot and root biomass. Moreover, through the implementation of heat map and correlation analysis, this study yielded critical insights into the investigation. In summary, the integrated application of biochar and Si can be regarded as a comprehensive approach to enhance maize performance under saline conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Melatonin (Mel) is highly conserved and stress regulator molecule in plants and regulates several key physiological mechanisms relating to growth and development under abiotic stress conditions. Given that, abiotic stress conditions significantly reduce plant growth, thus it is imperative to improve abiotic stress tolerance in plants. This mini-review specifically dissects the role of genes relating to Mel-biosynthesis and metabolism in regulating abiotic stress adaptive responses. Literature analysis showed that the overexpression of different genes relating to Mel-biosynthesis or Mel metabolism regulate abiotic stress tolerance by regulating ROS production and activation of antioxidant, ionic homeostasis, hormonal regulation, and activation of stress responsive genes. Nonetheless, the regulation of such stress adaptive responses is highly plant species-specific, abiotic stress type, and Mel-related genes. The role of phytomelatonin receptor 1-Mel receptor in plants, in regulating abiotic stress tolerance has also been briefly discussed. Therefore, we entrusted that this article improved our understanding the molecular role of Mel in regulating abiotic stress adaptive responses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document is a correction notice for an article titled "Waterlogging resistance and evaluation of physiological mechanism of three peach (Prunus persica) rootstocks" published in the journal Protoplasma. The correction addresses the incorrect numbering of Figures 5, 6, and 7 in the published proof. The corrected figures depict the effects of waterlogging on cell death and ROS accumulation in the leaves of peach rootstocks and grafted seedlings. The original article has been corrected. The publisher, Springer Nature, remains neutral regarding jurisdictional claims and institutional affiliations. [Extracted from the article]

One of the reasons of the development of pathologies causing death is hypoxia. The purposes of this study were (1) to study some physiological and biochemical mechanisms of α2-adrenoblockers, which ensure the tissue resistance increase to hypoxia; (2) to offer new drugs contributing to the increase of tissues' stability towards the hypoxic affection; and (3) to submit new medications to surpass by their anti-hypoxic activity of those already used in modern medicine and have some advantages. The reactivity of postsynaptic vascular α2-adrenoceptors was determined on the damaged spinal cord expressed by the blood pressure increase in response to intravenous administration of azepexole that selectively binds to α2-adrenoceptors. Determination of the systemic hemodynamic values and the vascular resistance to the blood flow was performed by the method with plastic microspheres of marked isotopes. pO2 in the blood and the oxygen-transporting function were determined in a sample of 0.1 ml of blood in 30, 90, and 180 min after the α2-adrenoblockers' injections. It has been found that one of the major hemodynamic effects of mesedin and beditin was an improvement in cardiac output, as well as a prolonged increase in coronary blood flow and vasodilation of the heart vessels. Some anti-hypoxic mechanisms of the studied α2-adrenoblockers are an improvement of blood oxygen-transporting function followed by tissue oxygenation and the increased level of corticosterone and resistance to hypoxia. Revealing the mechanisms of action of the postsynaptic α2-adrenoceptors suggests that mesedin and beditin are potentially effective therapeutic means for many hypoxic conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this review, we address the physiological aspects of the gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) effects on the immune organs, such as red bone marrow, thymus, spleen, and lymph nodes. The use of GnRH drugs leads to the replacement of red bone marrow with yellow one and an increase in the content of lymphoid and myeloid progenitor cells. These processes are paralleled by osteoporosis due to increased bone resorption with changes in calcium metabolism and a decrease in the density of various bone tissues, although there are opposing reports that GnRH has no effect on bone density and calcium metabolism. GnRH affects the thymus during both embryonic development and postnatal ontogenesis, in inflammation and age-related involution. Not only does GnRH cause changes in the thymus, but the thymus may in turn influence the GnRH system. Although a direct impact of GnRH on splenic cells has not been detected, splenic mass changed due to active immunization against GnRH in experiment. Unfortunately, very few articles demonstrate the physiological mechanisms of immunomodulation in such conditions. In any case, the obvious insufficiency and inconsistency of publications on each aspect of GnRH effects indicate that they are still poorly understood, and it is worth furthering not only applied but also fundamental studies in this direction, particularly in the context of developing effective systems for immune control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metabolic rate is a crucial trait shaping organismal physiology, adaptability, and ecological roles, with extensive studies on its allometric relationship with body size. Larger organisms have lower mass-specific metabolic rates, a pattern observed across taxa and ontogeny. Despite numerous hypotheses, no universally accepted theory exists on the biological mechanisms of metabolic allometry, particularly for suborganism-level. We investigated the relationship between body size and metabolic rate as well as mitochondrial characteristics in isolated gill tissue of the marine mussel Mytilus edulis. Results indicated that metabolic allometry patterns observed at the organismal level did not manifest at the tissue level. Our study also revealed that while the density of mitochondria in gill tissue did not differ significantly between large and small individuals, area and perimeter of mitochondrial cross-sections increased significantly with body mass. This finding contrasts with mammalian data, suggesting potential phylogenetic differences. Larger mussels exhibited higher mitochondrial activity, supporting a link between mitochondrial morphology, activity, and growth rates. Our results highlight the importance of mitochondria in mollusk metabolism and growth, warranting further exploration into the mechanisms translating mitochondrial characteristics into growth rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The brown planthopper (Nilaparvata lugens Stål, BPH) is the most destructive pest of rice (Oryza sativa L.). Utilizing resistant rice cultivars that harbor resistance gene/s is an effective strategy for integrated pest management. Due to the co-evolution of BPH and rice, a single resistance gene may fail because of changes in the virulent BPH population. Thus, it is urgent to explore and map novel BPH resistance genes in rice germplasm. Previously, an indica landrace from India, Paedai kalibungga (PK), demonstrated high resistance to BPH in both in Wuhan and Fuzhou, China. To map BPH resistance genes from PK, a BC1F2:3 population derived from crosses of PK and a susceptible parent, Zhenshan 97 (ZS97), was developed and evaluated for BPH resistance. A novel BPH resistance locus, BPH39, was mapped on the short arm of rice chromosome 6 using next-generation sequencing-based bulked segregant analysis (BSA-seq). BPH39 was validated using flanking markers within the locus. Furthermore, near-isogenic lines carrying BPH39 (NIL-BPH39) were developed in the ZS97 background. NIL-BPH39 exhibited the physiological mechanisms of antibiosis and preference toward BPH. BPH39 was finally delimited to an interval of 84 Kb ranging from 1.07 to 1.15 Mb. Six candidate genes were identified in this region. Two of them (LOC_Os06g02930 and LOC_Os06g03030) encode proteins with a similar short consensus repeat (SCR) domain, which displayed many variations leading to amino acid substitutions and showed higher expression levels in NIL-BPH39. Thus, these two genes are considered reliable candidate genes for BPH39. Additionally, transcriptome sequencing, DEGs analysis, and gene RT-qPCR verification preliminary revealed that BPH39 may be involved in the jasmonic acid (JA) signaling pathway, thus mediating the molecular mechanism of BPH resistance. This work will facilitate map-based cloning and marker-assisted selection for the locus in breeding programs targeting BPH resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polypharmacy is commonly employed in clinical settings. The potential risks of drug–drug interactions (DDIs) can compromise efficacy and pose serious health hazards. Integrating pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics (PD) models into DDIs research provides a reliable method for evaluating and optimizing drug regimens. With advancements in our comprehension of both individual drug mechanisms and DDIs, conventional models have begun to evolve towards more detailed and precise directions, especially in terms of the simulation and analysis of physiological mechanisms. Selecting appropriate models is crucial for an accurate assessment of DDIs. This review details the theoretical frameworks and quantitative benchmarks of PK and PD modeling in DDI evaluation, highlighting the establishment of PK/PD modeling against a backdrop of complex DDIs and physiological conditions, and further showcases the potential of quantitative systems pharmacology (QSP) in this field. Furthermore, it explores the current advancements and challenges in DDI evaluation based on models, emphasizing the role of emerging in vitro detection systems, high-throughput screening technologies, and advanced computational resources in improving prediction accuracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High emissions of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere via human activities have caused climate change and ocean warming. The rising water temperature is an abiotic factor that may negatively affect various biological and physiological processes of aquatic organisms, such as growth, digestion, immunity, and survival. Orange mud crab (Scylla olivacea) are commercially important crustacean species of coastal countries along the Indo-Pacific region. Their predominant habitat—the coastal zones make—them vulnerable to ocean warming. This study aimed to understand the impact of temperature increase on the physiology and gut microbial alteration of S. olivacea. Adults of S. olivacea were subjected to present-day water temperature and warming scenarios (∆T = + 4 °C) for 14 days. Growth (weight gain and specific growth rate), oxygen consumption, and serotonin levels of S. olivacea showed a significant increase under warming scenario. However, exposure to higher temperatures did not induce higher feed consumption, feed conversion rate, hepatosomatic index, and hemolymph glucose level in S. olivacea. The thermal coefficient was 3.5232 on day 7 and decreased to 1.2534 on day 15. Furthermore, Vibrio species bacteria were more abundant in the intestines of S. olivacea under warming scenario. These results suggest that S. olivacea exposed to the warming scenario may positively impact the aquaculture industry (higher weight gain), but also bring risk of disease outbreak caused by Vibrio spp. Further studies are needed to better understand the long-term effect of warming scenario on the growth and health of coastal crustacean species, especially species being threatened by fishing pressure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the hierarchical transmission and interaction response characteristics of visual information in retina, we propose a single image dehazing enhancement computational model that simulates the multiple level physiological mechanisms of retina. Firstly, according to the characteristics of gap junction between horizontal cells followed by the dynamic changing properties of light intensity, an adaptive adjustment model of receptive fields based on the luminance information is constructed to protect the detail information at the edge of hazy images. Secondly, simulating the crossover inhibition mechanism of ON and OFF pathways, the AII amacrine cell network model is constructed to inhibit the OFF pathway through the ON pathway, thus expanding the dynamic range of the hazy images. Finally, according to the dynamic correlation between the receptive field characteristics of ganglion cell and local contrast, a single-opponent receptive field (SORF) dynamic adjustment model based on local contrast information is constructed to enhance the contrast of hazy images. Natural image dataset and the composite image dataset RESIDE-OTS are used as the experimental subjects. In the natural image dataset, Fog Aware Density Evaluator (FADE) ranked 3rd in the average score and 1st in the Natural Image Quality Evaluator (NIQE) average score; Compared with the highest index in other methods, the peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR) and structural similarity index (SSIM) in the synthetic image dataset increased by 7.20% and 4.16%, respectively. Experiments demonstrate that our method enhances the details and contrast while retaining the original color characteristics of the image, and improves the problems of color distortion and halation, which provides a new idea for the internal mechanism and application of brain vision. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unravelling the multifaceted and bidirectional interactions between microbiota and host physiology represents a major scientific challenge. Here, we utilise the nematode model, Pristionchus pacificus, coupled to a laboratory-simulated decay process of its insect host, to mimic natural microbiota succession and investigate associated tripartite interactions. Metagenomics reveal that during initial decay stages, the population of vitamin B-producing bacteria diminishes, potentially due to a preferential selection by nematodes. As decay progresses to nutrient-depleted stages, bacteria with smaller genomes producing less nutrients become more prevalent. Lipid utilisation and dauer formation, representing key nematode survival strategies, are influenced by microbiota changes. Additionally, horizontally acquired cellulases extend the nematodes' reproductive phase due to more efficient foraging. Lastly, the expressions of Pristionchus species-specific genes are more responsive to natural microbiota compared to conserved genes, suggesting their importance in the organisms' adaptation to its ecological niche. In summary, we show the importance of microbial successions and their reciprocal interaction with nematodes for insect decay in semi-artificial ecosystems. This study uses decomposing beetle grubs to replicate the natural microbial habitat of a nematode model organism. The approach enables exploration of interactions between nematodes and their microbiota and was used to show the importance of microbial successions and their reciprocal interaction with nematodes for insect decay. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Floral nectar sugar composition is assumed to reflect the nutritional demands and foraging behaviour of pollinators, but the relative contributions of evolutionary and abiotic factors to nectar sugar composition remain largely unknown across the angiosperms. We compiled a comprehensive dataset on nectar sugar composition for 414 insect-pollinated plant species across central Europe, along with phylogeny, paleoclimate, flower morphology, and pollinator dietary demands, to disentangle their relative effects. We found that phylogeny was strongly related with nectar sucrose content, which increased with the phylogenetic age of plant families, but even more strongly with historic global surface temperature. Nectar sugar composition was also defined by floral morphology, though it was not related to our functional measure of pollinator dietary demands. However, specialist pollinators of current plant-pollinator networks predominantly visited plant species with sucrose-rich nectar. Our results suggest that both physiological mechanisms related to plant water balance and evolutionary effects related to paleoclimatic changes have shaped floral nectar sugar composition during the radiation and specialisation of plants and pollinators. As a consequence, the high velocity of current climate change may affect plant-pollinator interaction networks due to a conflicting combination of immediate physiological responses and phylogenetic conservatism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Emerging research has suggested sleep to be a modifier of the trajectory of concussion recovery in adolescent and adult populations. Despite the growing recognition of the relationship between sleep and concussion, the mechanisms and physiological processes governing this association have yet to be established. Main Body: Following a concussion, a pathophysiologic cascade of events occurs, characterized by numerous factors including microglia activation, ionic imbalance, and release of excitatory neurotransmitters. Importantly, each of these factors plays a role in the regulation of the sleep-wake cycle. Therefore, dysregulation of sleep following injury may be a function of the diffuse disruption of cerebral functioning in the wake of both axonal damage and secondary physiological events. As the onset of sleep-related symptoms is highly variable following a concussion, clinicians should be aware of when and how these symptoms present. Post-injury changes in sleep have been reported in the acute, sub-acute, and chronic phases of recovery and can prolong symptom resolution, affect neurocognitive performance, and influence mood state. Though these changes support sleep as a modifier of recovery, limited guidance exists for clinicians or their patients in the management of sleep after concussion. This may be attributed to the fact that research has correlated sleep with concussion recovery but has failed to explain why the correlation exists. Sleep is a complex, multifactorial process and the changes seen in sleep that are seen following concussion are the result of interactions amongst numerous processes that regulate the sleep-wake cycle. Short Conclusion: The assessment and management of sleep by identifying and considering the biological, sociological, and psychological interactions of this multifactorial process will allow for clinicians to address the dynamic nature of changes in sleep following concussion. Key Points: Sleep is considered a modifier of recovery from concussion, yet little attention has been given to the overlapping physiologies between sleep and concussion, thereby limiting understanding as to why it effects recovery. Our theoretical model proposes that the neurometabolic cascade modulates sleep-wake physiology across multiple levels via alterations in neurotransmitter release, glymphatic clearance, and extracellular ionic concentration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Currently, collaborative robots (cobots) are mostly programmed to do one task repetitively. They can be programmed at different speeds and work near human operators. The goal of our research was to investigate the effect of robot speed on acceptance, subjective and objective stress, and cognitive workload of individuals. Therefore, we organized a repeated measures experiment in which participants (N = 25) conducted an assembly task with the YuMi cobot from ABB at a low and at a high speed. Subjective and physiological responses were collected, and participants were subjected to a standardized stress test. Our results indicate that when working with a cobot at a high speed, people believe they can work faster and be more productive but also experience a higher workload and higher perceived stress. We also found that tonic EDA is a significant physiological predictor for monitoring perceived stress in humans. We observed a greater relative increase in tonic EDA from baseline to task execution during high-speed mode compared to low-speed mode. Additionally, this increase in tonic EDA significantly correlated with participants' perceived stress levels. However, workload could not be predicted by any of the physiological measures. Future research should explore the effect of higher cobot working speeds and the use of physiological measures (such as stress) as input to guide the collaboration between individuals and cobots. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biofertilizers are a sustainable solution for the adverse biogeochemical impacts exerted by synthetic agrochemicals. The application of biofertilizers is an eco-friendly approach to facilitate plant growth and development. Biofertilizers are mainly composed of living or dormant microbes, which are usually applied to the soil. These microbes encourage plant growth by a wide variety of mechanisms which includes phytohormone production, nutrient solubilization, biocontrol ability, etc. In the present study, bacterial cultures were isolated from nutrient-rich sample sources and screened for plant growth-promoting (PGP) traits. After several PGP trait screenings; two bacterial consortia that could aid the growth and development of plants were formulated. Further, these screening results were validated by applying selected bacterial strains and the prepared consortia on tomato plants (Solanum lycopersium). The growth parameters were evaluated at the plant's germinative, vegetative, and reproductive stages. The biochemical characteristics under the experimental conditions were also examined at various intervals. The results revealed that both our consortia were able to stimulate the growth and development of the host plant. Hence, the formulated bacterial combinations have real potential to become ecologically sustainable biofertilizers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abiotic stresses have become more severe and capricious due to global warming and varying climatic conditions, with increased temperature reducing the yield of important agricultural crops due to high evapotranspiration, resulting in the increased amount of soil salinization in arid and semi-arid areas, which has become a significant threat that restricts agricultural practices and leads to the overexploitation of cultivation land. One of the crucial environmental elements limiting plant development and yield is salinity. The special effects of salt stress on the superiority of numerous crops have yet to be discovered. Under salinity, plants tend to activate multiple physiological and biochemical mechanisms to overcome the stress by altering their morphology, photosynthesis, water relations, and biochemical adaptations, such as the antioxidative metabolism response and trigger polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), which act as a biomarker for salinity stress. With the help of PUFAs, which have become popular as all-purpose defenders, decorative techniques have been created to prevent the consequences of saline. The most prevalent PUFAs in plants are those with 18 carbons, specifically 18:1 (oleic), 18:2 (linoleic), and 18:3 (α-linolenic) acids which operate as glycerolipids, a source of energy and carbon in triacylglycerol, precursors of numerous bioactive chemicals, stores of extracellular barrier components, and intrinsic antioxidants, modulating cellular membranes and enhancing crop quality and yield. However, limited information about PUFAs and their roles in enhancing crop stress tolerance is available. Therefore, producers and breeders must understand salinity's influence on crop composition to enhance fatty acids under salinity conditions. However, brief work has been reported; this review will help comprehend the role of fatty acids in salinity for food security through the genetic engineering of synthetic genes encoding fatty acids to improve crop stress tolerance and grain quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the extensive utilization of nanotechnology, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are prevalent nanomaterials that may entail ecological risks by their potential translocation into plant systems. The present study investigated the physiological and molecular responses of basil seedlings (Ocimum basilicum) subjected to AgNPs or silver nitrate (AgNO3) for 7 days. The seedlings were treated with 0, 4, 10, or 40 mg/L of AgNO3 or AgNPs in Hoagland's solution. Both treatments resulted in significant accumulation of Ag in the roots and shoots, with higher levels in the roots of AgNO3-treated seedlings. AgNPs increased plant biomass at 4 mg/L, while AgNO3 decreased it at all concentrations. Both treatments reduced the total chlorophyll, carotenoids, and carbohydrates, with more pronounced effects in AgNO3-treated seedlings. Both treatments also induced oxidative stress, as indicated by increased levels of H2O2, malondialdehyde (MDA), and proline, and enhanced activity of antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX). However, these responses were more evident in AgNO3-treated seedlings, especially at higher concentrations. Quantitative real-time PCR analysis revealed that both treatments induced the upregulation of genes encoding oxidative stress tolerance-related enzymes, such as FSD1, MSD1, CSD1, CATa, CATb, APXa and APXb, in the basil seedling shoots. These results suggest that AgNPs are less toxic to basil plants than AgNO3 and that basil plants can activate physiological and molecular mechanisms to cope with Ag-induced oxidative stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It can provide a basis for decision making for the conservation and sustainable use of forest ecosystems in mountains to understand the stoichiometric properties and nutrient allocation strategies of major tree species. However, the plant nutrient allocation strategies under different environmental gradients in forest systems of arid and semi-arid mountains are not fully understand. Therefore, three typical regions in the Qilian Mountains on the eastern edge of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau were selected based on precipitation and temperature gradients, and the stoichiometric characteristics and nutrient allocation strategies of Qinghai spruce (Picea crassifolia) of the dominant tree species under different environmental gradients were investigated. The results showed that (1) the stoichiometric characteristics of plant tissues were different in the three regions. (2) The importance of each tissue in the plant nutrient allocation varied in different regions, showing that the plant roots are more important in the warm-wet region, while the plant leaves, branches and trunks are more important in the transition and hot-dry regions. (3) The influencing factors affecting plant nutrient allocation strategies were inconsistent across regions, which showed that plant nutrient allocation strategies in the warm-wet and transition region were mainly influenced by soil factors, while they were more influenced by climatic factors in the hot-dry region. The patterns of plant nutrient allocation strategies and drivers under different environmental gradients could help us better understand the ecological adaptation mechanism and physiological adjustment mechanism of forest ecosystem in mountains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The gut microbiota plays an important role in maintaining human health and in the pathogenesis of several diseases. Antibiotics are among the most commonly prescribed drugs and have a significant impact on the structure and function of the gut microbiota. The understanding that a healthy gut microbiota prevents the development of many diseases has also led to its consideration as a potential therapeutic target. At the same time, any factor that alters the gut microbiota becomes important in this approach. Exercise and antibacterial therapy have a direct effect on the microbiota. The review reflects the current state of publications on the mechanisms of intestinal bacterial involvement in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular, metabolic, and neurodegenerative diseases. The physiological mechanisms of the influence of physical activity on the composition of the gut microbiota are considered. The mechanisms of the common interface between exercise and antibacterial therapy will be considered using the example of several socially important diseases. The aim of the study is to show the physiological relationship between the effects of exercise and antibiotics on the gut microbiota. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Citrulline (CIT) and beetroot extract (BR) have separately shown benefits in rowing performance-related outcomes. However, effects of combined supplementation remain to be elucidated. The main purpose of this research was to study the effects of 1 week of daily co-supplementation of 3.5 g BR (500 mg NO3−) plus 6 g CIT on aerobic performance, maximal strength, and high-intensity power and peak stroke in elite male rowers compared to a placebo and to a BR supplementation. Methods: 20 elite rowers participated in this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial completing 1 week of supplementation in each group of study: Placebo group (PLAG); BR group (BRG); and BR + CIT group (BR-CITG). 3 main physical tests were performed: aerobic performance, Wingate test and CMJ jump, and metabolic biomarkers and physiological outcomes were collected. Results: The Wingate all-out test showed no between-condition differences in peak power, mean power, relative power, or fatigue index (P > 0.05), but clearance of lactate was better in BR-CITG (P < 0.05). In the performance test, peak power differed only between PLAG and BR-CITG (P = 0.036), while VO2peak and maximum heart rate remained similar. CMJ jumping test results showed no between-condition differences, and blood samples were consistent (P > 0.200). Conclusion: Supplementation with 3.5 g of BR extract plus 6 g of CIT for 7 days improved lactate clearance after Wingate test and peak power in a performance test. No further improvements were found, suggesting longer period of supplementation might be needed to show greater benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]