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Cellular senescence refers to a permanent and stable state of cell cycle exit. This process plays an important role in many cellular functions, including tumor suppression. It was first noted that senescence is associated with increased cell size in the early 1960s; however, how this contributes to permanent cell cycle exit was poorly understood until recently. In this review, we discuss new findings that identify increased cell size as not only a consequence but also a cause of permanent cell cycle exit. We highlight recent insights into how increased cell size alters normal cellular physiology and creates homeostatic imbalances that contribute to senescence induction. Finally, we focus on the potential clinical implications of these findings in the context of cell cycle arrest‐causing cancer therapeutics and speculate on how tumor cell size changes may impact outcomes in patients treated with these drugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) in pediatrics provides critical insights into potential physiological causes of unexplained exercise-related complaints or symptoms, as well as specific pathophysiological patterns based on physiological responses or abnormalities. Furthermore, CPET helps evaluate exercise performance in children with chronic (lung/heart) diseases. For instance, it can ascertain any adverse reaction to exercise and estimate the effects of specific treatment measures. It affords a global assessment of the pathophysiological patterns, responses and abnormalities to exercise that is inadequately reflected by resting lung function and/or cardiac function assessment. Clinical interpretation of the results of a CPET in pediatrics requires specific knowledge regarding pathophysiological responses and interpretative strategies that can be adapted to address concerns specific to the child's medical condition or disability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Homeostasis constitutes a key concept in physiology and refers to self‐regulating processes that maintain internal stability when adjusting to changing external conditions. It diminishes internal entropy constituting a driving force behind evolution. Natural selection might act on homeostatic regulatory mechanisms and control mechanisms including homeodynamics, allostasis, hormesis and homeorhesis, where different stable stationary states are reached. Regeneration is under homeostatic control through hormesis. Damage to tissues initiates a response to restore the impaired equilibrium caused by mild stress using cell proliferation, cell differentiation and cell death to recover structure and function. Repair is a homeorhetic change leading to a new stable stationary state with decreased functionality and fibrotic scarring without reconstruction of the 3‐D pattern. Mechanisms determining entrance of the tissue or organ to regeneration or repair include the balance between innate and adaptive immune cells in relation to cell plasticity and stromal stem cell responses, and redox balance. The regenerative and reparative capacities vary in different species, distinct tissues and organs, and at different stages of development including ageing. Many cell signals and pathways play crucial roles determining regeneration or repair by regulating protein synthesis, cellular growth, inflammation, proliferation, autophagy, lysosomal function, metabolism and metalloproteinase cell signalling. Attempts to favour the entrance of damaged tissues to regeneration in those with low proliferative rates have been made; however, there are evolutionary constraint mechanisms leading to poor proliferation of stem cells in unfavourable environments or tumour development. More research is required to better understand the regulatory processes of these mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Because the universe of possible DNA sequences is inconceivably vast, organisms have evolved mechanisms for exploring DNA sequence space while substantially reducing the hazard that would otherwise accrue to any process of random, accidental mutation. One such mechanism is meiotic recombination. Although sexual reproduction imposes a seemingly paradoxical 50% cost to fitness, sex evidently prevails because this cost is outweighed by the advantage of equipping offspring with genetic variation to accommodate environmental vicissitudes. The potential adaptive utility of additional mechanisms for producing genetic variation has long been obscured by a presumption that the vast majority of mutations are deleterious. Perhaps surprisingly, the probability for adaptive variation can be increased by several mechanisms that generate mutations abundantly. Such mechanisms, here called 'mutation protocols', implement implicit 'constraints that deconstrain'. Like meiotic recombination, they produce genetic variation in forms that minimize potential for harm while providing a reasonably high probability for benefit. One example is replication slippage of simple sequence repeats (SSRs); this process yields abundant, reversible mutations, typically with small quantitative effect on phenotype. This enables SSRs to function as adjustable 'tuning knobs'. There exists a clear pathway for SSRs to be shaped through indirect selection favouring their implicit tuning‐knob protocol. Several other molecular mechanisms comprise probable components of additional mutation protocols. Biologists might plausibly regard such mechanisms of mutation not primarily as sources of deleterious genetic mistakes but also as potentially adaptive processes for 'exploring' DNA sequence space. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A chance mutation affecting a single or extremely few individuals in a continuous population will be quickly diluted through interbreeding. Charles Darwin fully appreciated this difficulty with relying on natural selection alone, and suggested an enabling role for geographical isolation in the origin of species. However, Darwin also believed in evolution by the inheritance of acquired traits and in populations of interbreeding animals, both of which would need a different isolating mechanism to overcome dilution and play a role in animal evolution. Historically disputed, the inheritance of acquired characters is now increasingly accepted as a phenomenon, and Charles Darwin himself is acknowledged as closely pre‐empting the type of physiology necessary to mediate it in his hypothesis of 'pangenesis'. In this article, we question how the inheritance of acquired traits might overcome the problem of dilution by interbreeding and contribute to evolution. Specifically, we describe how Darwin's young protégé, George Romanes, developed ideas he discussed with Darwin and extended pangenesis to include a conceivable solution published after Darwin's death: physiological selection of fertility. In light of the 'rediscovery' of pangenesis, here we recount physiological selection as a testable hypothesis to explain how environmentally acquired characteristics could become coupled to the generation of species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traditionally defined as the science of the living, or as the field that beyond anatomical structure and bodily form studies functional organization and behaviour, physiology has long been excluded from evolutionary research. The main reason for this exclusion is that physiology has a presential and futuristic outlook on life, while evolutionary theory is traditionally defined as the study of natural history. In this paper, I re‐evaluate these classic science divisions and situate physiology within the history of the evolutionary sciences, as well as within debates on the Extended Evolutionary Synthesis and the need for a Third Way of Evolution. I then briefly point out how evolutionary physiology in particular contributes to research on function, causation, teleonomy, agency and cognition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Play is a suite of apparently non‐functional, pleasurable behaviours observed in human and non‐human animals. Although the phenomenon has been studied extensively, no adaptationist behavioural theory of how play evolved can be supported by the available evidence. However, the advancement of the extended evolutionary synthesis and developments in systems biology offer alternative avenues for non‐adaptationist physiological hypotheses. I therefore propose a hypothesis of play, based upon a complex ACh activity that is under agential control of the organism, whereby play initiates ACh‐mediated feedforward and feedback processes which act to: (i) regulate metabolic processes; (ii) form new ACh receptors via ACh mRNA activity; (iii) mediate attention, memory consolidation and learning; and (iv) mediate social behaviours, reproduction and embryonic development. However, play occurs across taxa, but does not occur across all taxonomic groups or within all species of a taxonomic group. Thus, to support the validity of the proposed hypothesis, I further propose potential explanations for this anomaly, which include sampling and observer biases, altricial versus precocial juvenile development, and the influence of habitat niche and environmental conditions on behaviour. The proposed hypothesis thus offers new avenues for study in both the biological and social sciences, in addition to having potential applications in applied sciences, such as animal welfare and biomedical research. Crucially, it is hoped that this hypothesis will promote further study of a valid and behaviourally significant, yet currently enigmatic, biological phenomenon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The majority of bacteria live and evolve in surface biofilms. Both growth in biofilms and horizontal transfer of DNA are regulated by quorum‐sensing pheromone signals. The common regulation of bacterial surface growth and DNA transfers illustrates how physiology contributes to bacterial evolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract\nNOVELTY STATEMENTThe effects of rootstocks tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.), eggplant (Solanum melongena L.), and nightshade (Solanum nigrum L.) grafting on the growth and selenium (Se) accumulation of Cyphomandra betacea Sendt. seedlings were studied to identify the most suitable rootstock for increasing Se uptake of fruit trees grown in Se-contaminated soil. The rootstocks of tomato, eggplant, and nightshade grafting increased the scion biomass of C. betacea seedlings by 146.1%, 23.2%, and 94.5%, respectively, compared with the un-grafted seedlings. Moreover, tomato, eggplant, and nightshade rootstocks grafting increased the photosynthesis, superoxide dismutase activity, and peroxidase activity, while reducing the catalase activity and soluble protein content of C. betacea seedlings. Although all three rootstocks grafting decreased Se contents in rootstock roots and stems, only nightshade rootstock grafting increased Se content in the scions of C. betacea seedlings. Notably, root biomass, catalase activity, soluble protein content, rootstock root Se content, and rootstock stem Se content were closely related to the scion Se content. These findings suggest that only grafting onto nightshade rootstock significantly enhances Se uptake in C. betacea, whereas tomato and eggplant rootstocks grafting have no effect on Se uptake.This study shows that under selenium (Se)-contaminated soil conditions, tomato, eggplant, and nightshade rootstocks can promote the growth of C. betacea seedlings and improve their stress resistance. The nightshade rootstock stands out for its ability to promote Se uptake in C. betacea seedlings, suggesting its suitability as a promising rootstock to enhance both growth and Se uptake in C. betacea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Numerous recent reports have highlighted the association between mental disorders and electrocardiographic findings. The early repolarization pattern (ERP) on electrocardiogram has been linked with a history of suicide attempts and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and associations with impulsivity have also been reported. It is known that suicidal intent is more common at night. Patients who have a mental disorder and ERP may have a higher likelihood of impulsivity, potentially increasing the risk of suicide at night. Methods: The subjects were 43 patients with a history of suicide attempts who had undergone electrocardiographic examination at Jikei University School of Medicine Kashiwa Hospital and received intervention from our department. Due to the diurnal variation in electrocardiographic findings, only patients who underwent the examination during the daytime were included. Patients' clinical backgrounds were compared according to the presence or absence of ERP, and the association between nocturnal suicide attempts and ERP was examined using multivariate analysis. Results: The frequency of nocturnal suicidal behavior was 76.2% in patients with ERP and 31.8% in those without ERP, but the difference was not significant after Bonferroni correction. In the multivariate analysis, there was a significant association of ERP with nocturnal suicide attempts (p = 0.018). Conclusion: The finding of an association between ERP and nocturnal suicide attempts indicates that ERP is a biological indicator that can predict nocturnal suicide attempts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Existing readings of Wordsworth's physiological aesthetics do little to explicate the agency that is attached to the blood and its role in Wordsworth's conception of the mind and its creative processes. This essay introduces the medico-historical contexts of emerging physiological knowledge as well as long-held paradigms of health and disease to demonstrate how blood participates in the workings of the mind and reveals a more distinctly corporeal process of creative development and production in Wordsworth's poetry and prose. I argue that Wordsworth's mental system is a blood-based mind: one that is attuned to the fluid connections between the vascular and nervous systems that were of special importance to physiologists of the eighteenth century. In his poetry and prose, Wordsworth figures blood as a substance of mind that assimilates impressions from the natural world and serves as a raw material of mind that must be refined and regulated for the sake of the poet's creative health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increasing ocean temperature will speed up physiological rates of ectotherms. In fish, this is suggested to cause earlier spawning due to faster oocyte growth rates. Over time, this could cause spawning time to become decoupled from the timing of offspring food resources, a phenomenon referred to as trophic asynchrony. We used biological data, including body length, age, and gonad developmental stages collected from >125,000 individual Northeast Arctic cod (Gadus morhua) sampled between 59 and 73° N in 1980–2019. Combined with experimental data on oocyte growth rates, our analyses show that cod spawned progressively earlier by about a week per decade, partly due to ocean warming. It also appears that spawning time varied by more than 40 days, depending on year and spawning location. The significant plasticity in spawning time seems to be fine‐tuned to the local phytoplankton spring bloom phenology. This ability to partly overcome thermal drivers and thus modulate spawning time could allow individuals to maximize fitness by closely tracking local environmental conditions important for offspring survival. Our finding highlights a new dimension for trophic match–mismatch and should be an important consideration in models used to predict phenology dynamics in a warmer climate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: After posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (PCLR), functional deficits at the knee can persist. It remains unclear if neighboring joints compensate for the knee during demanding activities of daily living. Purpose: To assess long-term alterations in lower limb mechanics in patients after PCLR. Study Design: Descriptive laboratory study. Methods: A total of 28 patients who had undergone single-bundle unilateral isolated or combined PCLR performed stair navigation, squat, sit-to-stand, and stand-to-sit tasks at 8.2 ± 2.2 years after surgery. Motion capture and force plates were used to collect kinematic and kinetic data. Then, 3-dimensional hip, knee, and ankle kinematic data of the reconstructed limb were compared with those of the contralateral limb using statistical parametric mapping. Results: Side-to-side differences at the knee were primarily found during upward-driven movements at 8 years after surgery. The reconstructed knee exhibited lower internal rotation during the initial loading phase of stair ascent versus the contralateral knee (P =.005). During the sit-to-stand task, higher flexion angles during the midcycle (P =.017) and lower external rotation angles (P =.049) were found in the reconstructed knee; sagittal knee (P =.001) and hip (P =.016) moments were lower in the reconstructed limb than the contralateral limb. In downward-driven movements, side-to-side differences were minimal at the knee but prominent at the ankle and hip: during stair descent, the reconstructed ankle exhibited lower dorsiflexion and lower external rotation during the midcycle versus the contralateral ankle (P =.006 and P =.040, respectively). Frontal hip moments in the reconstructed limb were higher than those in the contralateral limb during the stand-to-sit task (P =.010); during squats, sagittal hip angles in the reconstructed limb were higher than those in the contralateral limb (P <.001). Conclusion: Patients after PCLR exhibited compensations at the hip and ankle during downward-driven movements, such as stair descent, squats, and stand-to-sit. Conversely, residual long-term side-to-side differences at the knee were detected during upward-driven movements such as stair ascent and sit-to-stand. Clinical Relevance: After PCLR, side-to-side differences in biomechanical function were activity-dependent and occurred either at the knee or neighboring joints. When referring to the contralateral limb to assess knee function in the reconstructed limb, concentric, upward-driven movements should be prioritized. Compensations at the hip and ankle during downward-driven movements lead to biases in long-term functional assessments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite global warming, the response of rice yield to long-term warming in cool regions and its physiological mechanisms remain unknown. This study used the widely cultivated japonica rice Jiyang100 in Northeast China. Taking rice grown under natural temperatures as a control (CK), field warming treatments were conducted at the tillering-panicle initiation (T1), whole growth (T2), and grain-filling (T3) stages. The positive effects of T1, T2, and T3 on the total number of spikelets per hole increased the yield in both years, with average increases of 11.5%, 9.9% and 6.5% compared to CK, respectively. Warming treatments improved the stay-green traits, photosynthesis, sucrose synthesis, and nitrogen metabolism of rice. The yield was positively correlated with the relative chlorophyll content (SPAD), soluble sugar content, sucrose content, and the activities of sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS), nitrate reductase (NR), glutamine synthetase (GS), glutamine oxoglutarate aminotransferase (GOGAT) in flag leaves. In addition, SPAD had a positive correlation with soluble sugar content, soluble protein content, and the activities of NR, GS, GOGAT, glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH), but a negative correlation with acid invertase (AI) activity. The stay-green ability was positively correlated to the net photosynthetic rate (Pn), soluble sugar content and soluble protein content. The coupling interactions of stay-green traits, nitrogen and carbon metabolism increased the yield potential and yield supply capacity, increased yield under long-term warming conditions in the cool regions. Under gradual warming, the physiological response of rice in cool regions promotes plant growth and development, thereby increasing yield. [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]

Objectives: This study investigated oral behaviors in various temporomandibular disorder (TMD) subtypes, assessing their frequency, extent, and associations with both jaw functional status and psychological distress. Materials and methods: Anonymized data from consecutive "initial-visit" TMD patients at a university-affiliated oral medicine clinic were obtained. Alongside demographic information, patients completed various questionnaires including the Diagnostic Criteria for TMD (DC/TMD) Symptom Questionnaire, Oral Behavior Checklist (OBC), Jaw Functional Limitation Scale-20 (JFLS-20), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), and General Anxiety Disorder Scale-7 (GAD-7). Patients underwent a protocolized clinical examination and received diagnoses of pain-related (PT), intra-articular (IT), or combined (CT) TMD using the DC/TMD diagnostic algorithms. Data were evaluated with Chi-square/non-parametric tests and logistic regression analyses (α = 0.05). Results: The study comprised 700 patients (mean age 37.4 ± 15.7 years), with 12.6%, 15.1%, and 72.3% diagnosed with PT, IT, and CT, respectively. For all TMD subtypes, oral activities during sleep were more prevalent than those during wakefulness. While variations in total/subscale OBC scores were insignificant, substantial differences were observed in global/subscale JFLS (PT, CT > IT), depression (PT, CT > IT), and anxiety (CT > IT) scores. Near-moderate correlations (rs = 0,36–0.39) were discerned between overall/waking-state non-functional oral behaviors and depression/anxiety. Multivariate analysis indicated that the odds of different TMD subtypes were influenced by sex, age, and jaw functional status. Conclusions: For all TMD patients, sleep-related oral activities were more commonly reported than waking-state activities. Factors such as sex, age, and jaw functional limitation are associated with the likelihood of different TMD subtypes. Statement of clinical relevance: Oral behaviors, in themselves, do not predict distinct TMD subtypes, in contrast to factors such as sex, age, and jaw functional status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite its uniform appearance, the cerebellar cortex is highly heterogeneous in terms of structure, genetics and physiology. Purkinje cells (PCs), the principal and sole output neurons of the cerebellar cortex, can be categorized into multiple populations that differentially express molecular markers and display distinctive physiological features. Such features include action potential rate, but also their propensity for synaptic and intrinsic plasticity. However, the precise molecular and genetic factors that correlate with the differential physiological properties of PCs remain elusive. In this article, we provide a detailed overview of the cellular mechanisms that regulate PC activity and plasticity. We further perform a pathway analysis to highlight how molecular characteristics of specific PC populations may influence their physiology and plasticity mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article explores the ongoing debate surrounding the mechanism of KATP channel closure in pancreatic β-cells. Some researchers believe that mitochondria play a crucial role in producing ATP to close the channels, while others argue that glycolytic ATP is responsible. The article presents conflicting experimental evidence from various studies and acknowledges the limitations of these studies. It also discusses the physiological differences between β-cells and heart cells, which further complicate the interpretation of the data. The article concludes by emphasizing the need for further research to determine the true mechanism of KATP channel closure in β-cells. Additionally, the authors critique a study that proposed a model involving pyruvate kinase activity and ATP production, suggesting that alternative pathways and direct evidence need to be considered. They propose that more research is necessary to fully understand the role of glycolysis in KATP channel closure in β-cells. [Extracted from the article]

Summary: Most splicing factors are extensively phosphorylated but their physiological functions in plant salt resistance are still elusive.We found that phosphorylation by SnRK1 kinase is essential for SRRM1L nuclear speckle formation and its splicing factor activity in plant cells. In Arabidopsis, loss‐of‐function of SRRM1L leads to the occurrence of alternative pre‐mRNA splicing events and compromises plant resistance to salt stress.In Arabidopsis srrm1l mutant line, we identified an intron‐retention Nuclear factor Y subunit A 10 (NFYA10) mRNA variant by RNA‐Seq and found phosphorylation‐dependent RNA‐binding of SRRM1L is indispensable for its alternative splicing activity. In the wild‐type Arabidopsis, salt stress can activate SnRK1 to phosphorylate SRRM1L, triggering enrichment of functional NFYA10.1 variant to enhance plant salt resistance. By contrast, the Arabidopsis srrm1l mutant accumulates nonfunctional NFYA10.3 variant, sensitizing plants to salt stress.In summary, this work deciphered the molecular mechanisms and physiological functions of SnRK1‐SRRM1L‐NFYA10 module, shedding light on a regulatory pathway to fine‐tune plant adaptation to abiotic stress at the post‐transcriptional and post‐translational levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The interaction between animals and plants for seed dispersal and predation has received much attention; however, the underlying physiological mechanisms driving the responses of both seeds and animals remain unclear.We conducted a series of behaviour and physiology experiments to examine the role of plant hormones in regulating seed germination and rodent hoarding behaviour in the Quercus variabilis and Leopoldamys edwardsi systems.We found that acorns that were partially consumed by rodents had increased gibberellin (GA) levels and shortened germination time. Rodents preferred scatter‐hoarded abscisic acid (ABA)‐treated and intact acorns but consumed germinated and GA‐treated acorns; such treatment differences disappeared for inactivated acorns by boiling water. Moreover, we found that seven potential compounds may be linked to seed germination and rodent hoarding behaviour.Our results indicate that acorns of oak showed rapid germination when facing predation risk, while rodents could identify the germination status of seeds for hoarding; GA and ABA may play an important role in regulating seed germination of oak and hoarding behaviour of rodents. See also the Commentary on this article by Steele & Bogdziewicz, 242: 1854–1855. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SUMMARY: It has been hypothesized that vacuolar occupancy in mature root cortical parenchyma cells regulates root metabolic cost and thereby plant fitness under conditions of drought, suboptimal nutrient availability, and increased soil mechanical impedance. However, the mechanistic role of vacuoles in reducing root metabolic cost was unproven. Here we provide evidence to support this hypothesis. We first show that root cortical cell size is determined by both cortical cell diameter and cell length. Significant genotypic variation for both cortical cell diameter (~1.1‐ to 1.5‐fold) and cortical cell length (~ 1.3‐ to 7‐fold) was observed in maize and wheat. GWAS and QTL analyses indicate cortical cell diameter and length are heritable and under independent genetic control. We identify candidate genes for both phenes. Empirical results from isophenic lines contrasting for cortical cell diameter and length show that increased cell size, due to either diameter or length, is associated with reduced root respiration, nitrogen content, and phosphorus content. RootSlice, a functional‐structural model of root anatomy, predicts that an increased vacuolar: cytoplasmic ratio per unit cortical volume causes reduced root respiration and nutrient content. Ultrastructural imaging of cortical parenchyma cells with varying cortical diameter and cortical cell length confirms the in silico predictions and shows that an increase in cell size is correlated with increased vacuolar volume and reduced cytoplasmic volume. Vacuolar occupancy and its relationship with cell size merits further investigation as a phene for improving crop adaptation to edaphic stress. Significance Statement: Cortical cell size is an important phene determining root metabolic cost, but the underlying physiological mechanism is unclear. Here, using in silico and empirical approaches, we provide evidence that supports the hypothesis that vacuolar occupancy in cortical parenchyma cells regulates root metabolic cost. We also show that vacuolar occupancy is associated with cortical cell diameter and cell length, phenes that are under distinct genetic control and hold the potential for improving crop yields under edaphic stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Podocytes form the backbone of the glomerular filtration barrier and are exposed to various mechanical forces throughout the lifetime of an individual. The highly dynamic biomechanical environment of the glomerular capillaries greatly influences the cell biology of podocytes and their pathophysiology. Throughout the past two decades, a holistic picture of podocyte cell biology has emerged, highlighting mechanobiological signalling pathways, cytoskeletal dynamics and cellular adhesion as key determinants of biomechanical resilience in podocytes. This biomechanical resilience is essential for the physiological function of podocytes, including the formation and maintenance of the glomerular filtration barrier. Podocytes integrate diverse biomechanical stimuli from their environment and adapt their biophysical properties accordingly. However, perturbations in biomechanical cues or the underlying podocyte mechanobiology can lead to glomerular dysfunction with severe clinical consequences, including proteinuria and glomerulosclerosis. As our mechanistic understanding of podocyte mechanobiology and its role in the pathogenesis of glomerular disease increases, new targets for podocyte-specific therapeutics will emerge. Treating glomerular diseases by targeting podocyte mechanobiology might improve therapeutic precision and efficacy, with potential to reduce the burden of chronic kidney disease on individuals and health-care systems alike. In this Review, the authors examine the biophysical and biomechanical properties that influence podocyte physiology as they integrate and adapt to stimuli from their dynamic environment within the glomerular capillaries. The authors also discuss how dysregulation and loss of biomechanical resilience in podocytes can contribute to kidney disease. Key points: Podocytes are crucial for maintaining glomerular filtration and must have enough biophysical resilience to adapt to (or balance) mechanical forces in their environment. Loss of biophysical resilience and aberrant mechanobiological signalling is a key feature of the pathophysiology of podocytopathies. Podocytes maintain their biophysical resilience through a complex cytoskeletal signalling network comprising force-sensitive proteins and pathways. Next-generation in vitro models that incorporate organoids, mechanical stimulation and biomimetic substrates offer promising avenues for interrogating podocyte mechanobiology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: As uterine extracellular pH decreases during the ischemic conditions of labor, but its effects on myometrial contraction are largely unknown, there is a need to elucidate its physiological effects and mechanisms of action. Furthermore, it is not known if any of the effects of extracellular acidification are affected by pregnancy, thus we also determined how gestation affects the response to acidification. Methods: Nonpregnant, mid‐, and term‐pregnant myometrial strips were obtained from humanely killed mice. Contractions were recorded under spontaneous, depolarized, and oxytocin‐stimulated conditions. The extracellular pH of the perfusate was changed from 7.4 to 6.9 or 7.9 in HEPES‐buffered physiological saline. Intracellular pH was measured using SNARF, and intracellular calcium was measured using Indo‐1. Statistical differences were tested using the appropriate t‐test. Results: Extracellular acidification significantly increased the frequency and amplitude of spontaneous contractions in pregnant, but not nonpregnant, myometrium, whereas alkalinization decreased contractions. Intracellular acidification, via Na‐butyrate, transiently increased force in pregnant tissue. Intracellular pH was gradually acidified when extracellular pH was acidified, but extracellular acidification increased contractility before any significant change in intracellular pH. If myometrial force was driven by oxytocin or high‐K depolarization, then extracellular pH did not further increase force. Intracellular calcium changes mirrored those of force in the spontaneously contracting pregnant myometrium, and if calcium entry was prevented by nifedipine, extracellular acidification could not induce a rise in force. Conclusion: Extracellular acidification increases excitability, calcium entry, and thus force in pregnant mouse myometrium, and this may contribute to increasing contractions during labor when ischemic conditions and acidemia occur. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A conceptual framework is proposed for understanding the relationship between temperature and biological N 2 fixation (BNF) across levels of biological organization from enzymes to ecosystems on land and in the ocean. Global compilations of measured N 2 fixation rates reveal a temperature dependence that is broadly similar in marine and terrestrial systems, including a common thermal optimum at ~25°C, suggesting an overarching enzymatic constraint. Rate–temperature relationships also reveal features unique to marine and terrestrial domains, including greater heat tolerance of terrestrial BNF, suggesting the presence of, and adaptation to, distinct thermal and ecological niches. Climate warming is projected to reduce N 2 fixation in the tropics while increasing it in higher latitudes in terrestrial and marine ecosystems, a spatial shift that would impact productivity and N cycling, unless modulated by other environmental factors and physiological adaptations. Biological N 2 fixation sustains the global inventory of nitrogenous nutrients essential for the productivity of terrestrial and marine ecosystems. Like most metabolic processes, rates of biological N 2 fixation vary strongly with temperature, making it sensitive to climate change, but a global projection across land and ocean is lacking. Here we use compilations of field and laboratory measurements to reveal a relationship between N 2 fixation rates and temperature that is similar in both domains despite large taxonomic and environmental differences. Rates of N 2 fixation increase gradually to a thermal optimum around ~25°C, and decline more rapidly toward a thermal maximum, which is lower in the ocean than on land. In both realms, the observed temperature sensitivities imply that climate warming this century could decrease N 2 fixation rates by ~50% in the tropics while increasing rates by ~50% in higher latitudes. We propose a conceptual framework for understanding the physiological and ecological mechanisms that underpin and modulate the observed temperature dependence of global N 2 fixation rates, facilitating cross-fertilization of marine and terrestrial research to assess its response to climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Improvement of selenium (Se) uptake in fruit tree can improve the source of food Se for humans. In this study, the effect of various abscisic acid (ABA) concentrations on the Se uptake in Cyphomandra betacea Sendt. (Solanum betaceum Cav.) seedlings was studied under Se stress. Only the concentration of 20 μmol/L ABA promoted the growth of C. betacea seedlings by increasing the biomass and regulating the resistance physiology under Se stress. ABA also increased the Se content in C. betacea seedlings under Se stress. The concentration of ABA at 20 μmol/L got the maximum root Se and shoot Se contents, which increased by 76.64% and 55.83%, respectively, compared with the control. Correlation and grey relational analyses showed that the peroxidase activity and proline content had the first two closest relationship with the shoot Se content. This study shows that ABA can promote the Se uptake in C. betacea under Se stress, and the concentration of 20 μmol/L ABA is the optimum for Se uptake and growth of C. betacea. Under selenium (Se) stress, abscisic acid (ABA) promotes the Se uptake in Cyphomandra betacea Sendt. (Solanum betaceum Cav.) seedlings, but only the concentration of 20 μmol/L ABA promotes the growth of C. betacea seedlings. The shoot Se content is most closely correlated with the peroxidase activity and proline content. This study shows that ABA can promote the Se uptake in C. betacea under Se stress [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this paper is to elucidate the vital meaning and strategic role that nutrition holds in Claude Bernard's "biological philosophy", in the sense Auguste Comte gave to this expression, i.e. the theoretical part of biology. I propose that Bernard's nutritive perspective on life should be thought of as an "interfield" object, following Holmes' category. Not only does nutrition bridge disciplines like physiology and organic chemistry, as well as levels of inquiry ranging from special physiology to the organism's total level, including the cell and protoplasm, but it also forms the genetic and structural foundation for Bernard's two fundamental axioms in general physiology: the necessary complementarity of destruction and creation (1) and the uniformity of this physiological law across all life forms, be it plants or animals (2). Because Bernard's nutritive theory is a major pivot for the re-ordering of life and its characterization, I argue that it must be located and understood in the scientific and metaphysical context of his time, of which he claims to be the heir and challenger—what I propose to characterize as the "epistemic space" of nutrition, on the background of which Bernard builds his own "logic". I then set out this logic of nutrition, focusing on three interrelated bernardian theses: the establishment of the theory of indirect nutrition as the basis for the notion of "milieu intérieur"; the enduring conception of nutrition as a continuous generation; the emphasis on nutrition as a way of reshaping the form/matter relationship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aerobic training is popular for people with Parkinson's disease (PD) given its potential to improve aerobic capacity, relieve symptoms, and to stabilise disease progression. Although current evidence supports some of the assertions surrounding this view, the effect of exercise intensity on PD is currently unclear. Reasons for this include inconsistent reporting of exercise intensity, training regimes based on general guidelines rather than individualised physiological markers, poor correspondence between intended exercise intensities and training zones, and lack of awareness of autonomic disturbance in PD and its impact on training regimes and outcome. We also consider the selective effect of exercise intensity on motor symptoms, function and disease progression. We review aerobic training protocols and recent guidelines for people with PD, highlighting their limitations. Considering this, we make suggestions for a more selective and discerning approach to aerobic training programming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The tethered swimming (TS) is an ergometer where swimming is simulated in an ecological environment, commonly used for assessing force in water. Objective: This systematic review aims at a critical appraise of the literature on the biomechanical and physiological variables obtained from many protocols and tests assessing force–time curve in TS. Methods: We explored the databases of PubMed, EMBASE, SPORTDiscus, Web of Science, and Academic Search Premier (PROSPERO protocol CRD42020204826), and manually searched the reference papers list. Observational studies with swimming protocols and tests were included (with any follow-up and published in the full version). The following exclusion criteria would be used, but they were not necessary, as no case met these criteria. Our search was based on the adapted Downs and Black Quality Assessment Checklist. Results: In total, 55 articles were examined extensively for fitting the established inclusion criteria. Quality of the articles included ranged from 35.7 to 85.7% (65.7 ± 13.3%). Most studies addressing TS were assessed [peak = 41 and average force = 39], whereas only a very few studies referred to measures of [force impulse = 21, fatigue index = 11, force development rate = 5], and physiological variables [oxygen consumption = 10, blood lactate concentration = 8, and heart rate = 6]. The studies were carried out with durations of 10 s, 15 s, 20 s, 25 s, 30 s, 55 s, 1, 2, or 3 min, related to the duration to perform 10 and 20 complete strokes in front crawl swimming technique. Conclusion: Based on the general results of this systematic review, the impulse seems to be the most reliable measure and presented linear correlation with swimming speed. In contrast, the TS physiological responses show compatibility for the aerobic response, critical force, and maximal oxygen uptake determination. [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]

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]

In recent years, the frequency and intensity of exposure to heat stress have increased gradually, seriously hampering the production of maize. This paper presents a study designed to analyze how the development, physiology and dispersal of pollen from the heat‐resistant maize variety Zhengdan958 and the heat‐sensitive maize variety Xianyu335 are affected by exposure to heat stress during the tasselling stage. Our results showed That exposure to heat stress significantly increased the antioxidant enzyme activity in pollen. Upon visual inspection of the pollen, we found that the lower water content had given rise to wrinkles in the pollen surface, sunken germination pores, and morphological deformations. In addition, the anther dehiscence process was hindered, resulting in a reduced amount of pollen being dispersed. We also found elevated levels of abscisic acid (ABA), jasmonic acid (JA) and its derivatives, indole acetic acid (IAA) and gibberellin‐3 (GA3) in heat‐pollens, as well as elevated ratios of IAA to ABA and ABA to GA3. Ultimately impaired pollen fertility. Summarizing, our experiment revealed that reduced pollen quantity and quality are significant contributors to fertility losses in summer maize exposed to heat stress at anthesis, and we hope that our analysis of the physiological mechanisms involved can contribute to the development of crop management measures aimed at countering the increasingly detrimental effects of heat stress on the production of summer maize. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is the fourth major crop grown as a staple food worldwide, following rice, wheat, and maize. It is highly susceptible to diseases, nematodes, insect pests, and weeds. Potato yield loss due to weeds varies from 10 to 80% depending on the environment, weed diversity, density, and period of the weed-crop competition. High weed interference may decrease 65% of marketable tuber yield by reducing the number and size of marketable tubers. Weeds not only decrease potato tuber yield but also negatively influence the antioxidant enzymatic activity and primary metabolites of the potato plant. Estimates have shown that the starch content of potato tuber decreases by 10% and protein content by 36% in potato-weed competition. These findings suggest that weed competition can substantially impact potato growth and development and that effective weed management strategies are critical for optimizing potato yields and quality. This review summarizes the recent progress on how potato plants initially respond to weed interference at morphological, biochemical, and physiological levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Holstein cattle carrying a prolactin receptor gene mutation (SLICK) exhibit short and sleek hair coats (short-haired Holstein [SLK]) enhancing thermotolerance and productivity compared with wild type–haired Holstein (WT) under tropical conditions. The objectives were to unravel the physiological and molecular mechanisms that confer an advantage to this slick genotype in Puerto Rico and determine potential correlations between metabolites and physiological variables. At 160 ± 3 DIM we compared vaginal temperatures (VT) and voluntary solar radiation exposure (VSRE) during 48 h between 9 SLK and 9 WT Holsteins, whereas a subsample of 7 SLK and 7 WT were used to assess udder skin temperature, mammary gland hemodynamics and transcriptomics, and blood plasma untargeted metabolomics at a single time point. The SLK cattle showed lower VT throughout the day and greater VSRE at 1000 h and 1100 h compared with their WT counterparts. Total mammary blood flow (MBF) was greater in SLK Holsteins compared with WT. The metabolite 9-nitrooctadecenoic acid was identified as a potential biomarker for MBF; moreover, SLK cattle had greater amounts of this metabolite in their plasma. Prostaglandin D2 synthase (PTGS) was upregulated in the slick mammary gland, while plasma prostaglandin D2 was positively correlated with milk yield and increased in SLK Holsteins compared with WT. Interestingly, the arachidonic acid metabolism pathway was enriched in the mammary gland transcriptome and perturbed in the blood metabolome in the SLK Holsteins. In conclusion, SLK Holsteins exhibited lower body temperatures, greater VSRE, enhanced blood supply to the mammary gland, and alterations in genes and metabolites involved in arachidonic acid metabolism at the mammary gland and blood plasma. The usage of the SLK Holstein cattle genetics in dairy operations could be a feasible alternative to mitigate the adverse consequences of heat 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]

Objective: Objective of the study was to reduce heat stress in Murrah buffaloes and maintain their milk production and other vital functions during heat stress. Methods: A total of 21 dyads of calf-mother Murrah buffalo were selected for the study and equally divided in 3 treatment groups. First treatment group was restricted calf contact (RCC), second treatment group was fence line calf contact (FCC) and third treatment groups fence line calf contact and heat stress protection (FCC-HSP [time-controlled fan-fogger system] in the shed). Present study was conducted from April to mid-September 2021. Results: Maximum temperature and temperature humidity index in FCC-HSP shed were significantly (p<0.05) lower than that in FCC and RCC shed. Higher (p<0.05) mean daily milk yield in both the treatment groups FCC (10.36±0.30) and FCC-HSP (10.97±0.31) than RCC (8.29±0.41) was recorded. Though no significant difference between FCC and FCC-HSP in daily milk yield but FCC-HSP yielded 600 gm more milk than FCC. Pulse rate (PR) and respiration rate (RR) were lowest in FCC-HSP followed by FCC and RCC, respectively. Cortisol and prolactin levels were lower (p<0.05) in FCC-HSP followed by FCC and RCC, respectively. Conclusion: Hence, FCC along with heat stress ameliorative measures helped the buffaloes to be free of stress and maintain milk yield during heat stress period of the year in tropical conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Impaired respiratory variation of right atrial pressure (RAP) in severe pulmonary hypertension (PH) suggests difficulty tolerating increased preload during inspiration. Our study explores whether this impairment links to specific factors: right ventricular (RV) diastolic function, elevated RV afterload, systolic RV function, or RV-pulmonary arterial (PA) coupling. We retrospectively evaluated respiratory RAP variation in all participants enrolled in the EXERTION study. Impaired respiratory variation was defined as end-expiratory RAP − end-inspiratory RAP ≤ 2 mm Hg. RV function and afterload were evaluated using conductance catheterization. Impaired diastolic RV function was defined as end-diastolic elastance (Eed) ≥ median (0.19 mm Hg/mL). Seventy-five patients were included; PH was diagnosed in 57 patients and invasively excluded in 18 patients. Of the 75 patients, 31 (41%) had impaired RAP variation, which was linked with impaired RV systolic function and RV-PA coupling and increased tricuspid regurgitation and Eed as compared to patients with preserved RAP variation. In backward regression, RAP variation associated only with Eed. RAP variation but not simple RAP identified impaired diastolic RV function (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve [95% confidence interval]: 0.712 [0.592, 0.832] and 0.496 [0.358, 0.634], respectively). During exercise, patients with impaired RAP variation experienced greater RV dilatation and reduced diastolic reserve and cardiac output/index compared with patients with preserved RAP variation. Preserved RAP variation was associated with a better prognosis than impaired RAP variation based on the 2022 European Society of Cardiology/European Respiratory Society risk score (chi-square P = 0.025) and survival free from clinical worsening (91% vs 71% at 1 year and 79% vs 50% at 2 years [log-rank P = 0.020]; hazard ratio: 0.397 [95% confidence interval: 0.178, 0.884]). Subgroup analyses in patients with group 1 and group 4 PH demonstrated consistent findings with those observed in the overall study cohort. Respiratory RAP variations reflect RV diastolic function, are independent of RV-PA coupling or tricuspid regurgitation, are associated with exercise-induced haemodynamic changes, and are prognostic in PH. Trial registration. NCT04663217. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the past decade, intestinal organoid technology has paved the way for reproducing tissue or organ morphogenesis during intestinal physiological processes in vitro and studying the pathogenesis of various intestinal diseases. Intestinal organoids are favored in drug screening due to their ability for high-throughput in vitro cultivation and their closer resemblance to patient genetic characteristics. Furthermore, as disease models, intestinal organoids find wide applications in screening diagnostic markers, identifying therapeutic targets, and exploring epigenetic mechanisms of diseases. Additionally, as a transplantable cellular system, organoids have played a significant role in the reconstruction of damaged epithelium in conditions such as ulcerative colitis and short bowel syndrome, as well as in intestinal material exchange and metabolic function restoration. The rise of interdisciplinary approaches, including organoid-on-chip technology, genome editing techniques, and microfluidics, has greatly accelerated the development of organoids. In this review, VOSviewer software is used to visualize hot co-cited journal and keywords trends of intestinal organoid firstly. Subsequently, we have summarized the current applications of intestinal organoid technology in disease modeling, drug screening, and regenerative medicine. This will deepen our understanding of intestinal organoids and further explore the physiological mechanisms of the intestine and drug development for intestinal diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Carbon nano sol (CNS) can markedly affect the plant growth and development. However, few systematic analyses have been conducted on the underlying regulatory mechanisms in plants, including tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.). Results: Integrated analyses of phenome, ionome, transcriptome, and metabolome were performed in this study to elucidate the physiological and molecular mechanisms underlying the CNS-promoting growth of tobacco plants. We found that 0.3% CNS, facilitating the shoot and root growth of tobacco plants, significantly increased shoot potassium concentrations. Antioxidant, metabolite, and phytohormone profiles showed that 0.3% CNS obviously reduced reactive oxygen species production and increased antioxidant enzyme activity and auxin accumulation. Comparative transcriptomics revealed that the GO and KEGG terms involving responses to oxidative stress, DNA binding, and photosynthesis were highly enriched in response to exogenous CNS application. Differential expression profiling showed that NtNPF7.3/NtNRT1.5, potentially involved in potassium/auxin transport, was significantly upregulated under the 0.3% CNS treatment. High-resolution metabolic fingerprints showed that 141 and 163 metabolites, some of which were proposed as growth regulators, were differentially accumulated in the roots and shoots under the 0.3% CNS treatment, respectively. Conclusions: Taken together, this study revealed the physiological and molecular mechanism underlying CNS-mediated growth promotion in tobacco plants, and these findings provide potential support for improving plant growth through the use of CNS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A blended teaching mode is necessary to improve the study efficiency of nursing students. This study aimed to explore the effects of the use of case-based learning (CBL), involving microlectures and flipped classroom teaching methods (flipped CBL mode), via online tools on the teaching of physiology to nursing undergraduates. A total of 207 nursing undergraduates were divided into a control group and a flipped CBL group. The control group received lecture-based learning, while the flipped CBL group received flipped CBL. The results showed that the final exam scores of the flipped CBL group were higher than those of the control group. The majority of nursing students believed that the flipped CBL model could provide guidance for future clinical practice, and could help in their study of physiology. Thus, the use of flipped CBL mode may improve the quality of teaching of physiology and enhance the comprehension and clinical thinking skills of nursing students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The premise of research in human physiology is to explore a multifaceted system whilst identifying one or a few outcomes of interest. Therefore, the control of potentially confounding variables requires careful thought regarding the extent of control and complexity of standardisation. One common factor to control prior to testing is diet, as food and fluid provision may deviate from participants’ habitual diets, yet a self‐report and replication method can be flawed by under‐reporting. Researchers may also need to consider standardisation of physical activity, whether it be through familiarisation trials, wash‐out periods, or guidance on levels of physical activity to be achieved before trials. In terms of pharmacological agents, the ethical implications of standardisation require researchers to carefully consider how medications, caffeine consumption and oral contraceptive prescriptions may affect the study. For research in females, it should be considered whether standardisation between‐ or within‐participants in regards to menstrual cycle phase is most relevant. The timing of measurements relative to various other daily events is relevant to all physiological research and so it can be important to standardise when measurements are made. This review summarises the areas of standardisation which we hope will be considered useful to anyone involved in human physiology research, including when and how one can apply standardisation to various contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The dentate nucleus (DN) is the largest, most lateral, and phylogenetically most recent of the deep cerebellar nuclei. Its pivotal role encompasses the planning, initiation, and modification of voluntary movement but also spans non-motor functions like executive functioning, visuospatial processing, and linguistic abilities. This review aims to offer a comprehensive description of the DN, detailing its embryology, anatomy, physiology, and clinical relevance, alongside an analysis of dentatotomy. Methods and results: We delve into the history, embryology, anatomy, vascular supply, imaging characteristics, and clinical significance of the DN. Furthermore, we thoroughly review the dentatotomy, emphasizing its role in treating spasticity. Conclusions: Understanding the intricacies of the anatomy, physiology, vasculature, and projections of the DN has taken on increased importance in current neurosurgical practice. Advances in technology have unveiled previously unknown functions of the deep cerebellar nuclei, predominantly related to non-motor domains. Such discoveries are revitalizing older techniques, like dentatotomy, and applying them to newer, more localized targets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dynamic functional connectivity investigates how the interactions among brain regions vary over the course of an fMRI experiment. Such transitions between different individual connectivity states can be modulated by changes in underlying physiological mechanisms that drive functional network dynamics, e.g., changes in attention or cognitive effort. In this paper, we develop a multi-subject Bayesian framework where the estimation of dynamic functional networks is informed by time-varying exogenous physiological covariates that are simultaneously recorded in each subject during the fMRI experiment. More specifically, we consider a dynamic Gaussian graphical model approach where a non-homogeneous hidden Markov model is employed to classify the fMRI time series into latent neurological states. We assume the state-transition probabilities to vary over time and across subjects as a function of the underlying covariates, allowing for the estimation of recurrent connectivity patterns and the sharing of networks among the subjects. We further assume sparsity in the network structures via shrinkage priors, and achieve edge selection in the estimated graph structures by introducing a multi-comparison procedure for shrinkage-based inferences with Bayesian false discovery rate control. We evaluate the performances of our method vs alternative approaches on synthetic data. We apply our modeling framework on a resting-state experiment where fMRI data have been collected concurrently with pupillometry measurements, as a proxy of cognitive processing, and assess the heterogeneity of the effects of changes in pupil dilation on the subjects' propensity to change connectivity states. The heterogeneity of state occupancy across subjects provides an understanding of the relationship between increased pupil dilation and transitions toward different cognitive states. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Appetite (satiation and satiety) is an essential element for the control of eating behavior, and as a consequence human nutrition, body weight, and chronic disease risk. A better understanding of appetite mechanisms is necessary to modulate eating behavior and food intake, and also provide a practical approach for weight management. Although many researchers have investigated the relationships between satiation/satiety and specific factors including human physiology, psychology, and food characteristics, limited information on the interactions between factors or comparisons between the relative importance of factors in contributing to satiation/satiety have been reported. This article reviews progress and gaps in understanding individual attributes contributing to perceived satiation/satiety, the advantages of considering multiple factors together in appetite experiments, as well as the applications of nondestructive sensing in evaluating human factors contributing to relative appetite perception. The approaches proposed position characterization of appetite (satiation and satiety) for personalized and precision nutrition in relation to human status and healthy diets. In particular, it is recommended that future studies of appetite perception recognize the inter-dependence of food type and intake, appetite (satiation and satiety), and individual status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SUMMARY: Extracellular ATP (eATP) is a key signaling molecule that plays a pivotal role in plant growth and defense responses. The receptor P2K1 is responsible for perceiving eATP and initiating its signaling cascade. However, the signal transduction mechanisms downstream of P2K1 activation remain incompletely understood. We conducted a comprehensive analysis of the P2K1 interactome using co‐immunoprecipitation‐coupled tandem mass spectrometry, leading to the identification of 121 candidate proteins interacting with P2K1. In silico analysis narrowed down the candidates to 47 proteins, including Ca2+‐binding proteins, ion transport‐related proteins, and receptor kinases. To investigate their involvement in eATP signaling, we employed a screening strategy based on changes in gene expression in response to eATP in mutants of the identified interactors. This screening revealed several Ca2+‐dependent protein kinases (CPKs) that significantly affected the expression of eATP‐responsive genes, suggesting their potential roles in eATP signaling. Notably, CPK28 and CPK6 showed physical interactions with P2K1 both in yeast and plant systems. Calcium influx and gene expression studies demonstrated that CPK28 perturbed eATP‐induced Ca2+ mobilization and some early transcriptional responses. Overexpression of CPK28 resulted in an antagonistic physiological response to P2K1‐mediated eATP signaling during both plant growth and defense responses to the necrotrophic pathogen Botrytis cinerea. Our findings highlight CPK28, among other CPKs, as a modulator of P2K1‐mediated eATP signaling, providing valuable insights into the coordination of eATP signaling in plant growth and immunity. Significance Statement: In the last two decades, extracellular ATP has become a pivotal signaling element in animal physiology and plant biology. Recognized for its role in plant growth and defense, the purinergic signal of eATP is well‐established. Despite some identified interactors of the eATP receptor P2K1, a comprehensive understanding of purinergic signaling has been hindered by the lack of a P2K1 interactome. Our study successfully generated this interactomics dataset, shedding light on eATP‐mediated signaling and revealing a key player, CPK28, a Ca2+‐dependent protein kinase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the realm of conditionally automated driving, understanding the crucial transition phase after a takeover is paramount. This study delves into the concept of post-takeover stabilization by analyzing data recorded in two driving simulator experiments. By analyzing both driving and physiological signals, we investigate the time required for the driver to regain full control and adapt to the dynamic driving task following automation. Our findings show that the stabilization time varies between measured parameters. While the drivers achieved driving-related stabilization (winding, speed) in eight to ten seconds, physiological parameters (heart rate, phasic skin conductance) exhibited a prolonged response. By elucidating the temporal and cognitive dynamics underlying the stabilization process, our results pave the way for the development of more effective and user-friendly automated driving systems, ultimately enhancing safety and driving experience on the roads. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Susceptibility to morbidity and mortality is increased in early life, yet proactive measures, such as breastfeeding and weaning practices, can be taken through specific investments from parents and wider society. The extent to which such biosocialcultural investment was achieved within 1st millennium BCE Etruscan society, of whom little written sources are available, is unkown. This research investigates life histories in non-adults and adults from Pontecagnano (southern Italy, 730–580 BCE) in order to track cross-sectional and longitudinal breastfeeding and weaning patterns and to characterize the diet more broadly. Stable carbon and nitrogen isotope analysis of incrementally-sampled deciduous and permanent dentine (n = 15), bulk bone collagen (n = 38), and tooth enamel bioapatite (n = 21) reveal the diet was largely based on C3 staple crops with marginal contributions of animal protein. Millet was found to play a role for maternal diet and trajectories of breastfeeding and feeding for some infants and children at the site. The combination of multiple isotope systems and tissues demonstrates exclusive breastfeeding was pursued until 0.6 years, followed by progressive introduction of proteanocius supplementary foods during weaning that lasted between approximately 0.7 and 2.6 years. The combination of biochemical data with macroscopic skeletal lesions of infantile metabolic diseases and physiological stress markers showed high δ15Ndentine in the months prior to death consistent with the isotopic pattern of opposing covariance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cognitive Arousal, frequently elicited by environmental stressors that exceed personal coping resources, manifests in measurable physiological markers, notably in galvanic skin responses. This effect is prominent in cognitive tasks such as composition, where fluctuations in these biomarkers correlate with individual expressiveness. It is crucial to understand the nexus between cognitive arousal and expressiveness. However, there has not been a concrete study that investigates this inter-relation concurrently. Addressing this, we introduce an innovative methodology for simultaneous monitoring of these elements. Our strategy employs Bayesian analysis in a multi-state filtering format to dissect psychomotor performance (captured through typing speed), galvanic skin response or skin conductance (SC), and heart rate variability (HRV). This integrative analysis facilitates the quantification of expressive behavior and arousal states. At the core, we deploy a state-space model connecting one latent psychological arousal condition to neural activities impacting sweating (inferred through SC responses) and another latent state to expressive behavior during typing. These states are concurrently evaluated with model parameters using an expectation-maximization algorithms approach. Assessments using both computer-simulated data and experimental data substantiate the validity of our approach. Outcomes display distinguishable latent state patterns in expressive typing and arousal across different computer software used in office management, offering profound implications for Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) and productivity analysis. This research marks a significant advancement in decoding human productivity dynamics, with extensive repercussions for optimizing performance in telecommuting scenarios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]