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Symbioses with beneficial microbes are widespread in plants, but these relationships must balance the energy invested by the plants with the nutrients acquired. Symbiosis with arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi occurs throughout land plants, but our understanding of the genes and signals that regulate colonization levels is limited, especially in non-legumes. Here, we demonstrate that in tomato, two CLV3/EMBRYO-SURROUNDING REGION (CLE) peptides, Sl CLE10 and Sl CLE11, act to suppress AM colonization of roots. Mutant studies and overexpression via hairy transformation indicate that Sl CLE11 acts locally in the root to limit AM colonization. Indeed, SlCLE11 expression is strongly induced in AM-colonized roots, but Sl CLE11 is not required for phosphate suppression of AM colonization. Sl CLE11 requires the FIN gene that encodes an enzyme required for CLE peptide arabinosylation to suppress mycorrhizal colonization. However, Sl CLE11 suppression of AM does not require two CLE receptors with roles in regulating AM colonization, Sl FAB (CLAVATA1 ortholog) or Sl CLV2. Indeed, multiple parallel pathways appear to suppress mycorrhizal colonization in tomato, as double mutant studies indicate that SlCLV2 and FIN have an additive influence on mycorrhizal colonization. Sl CLE10 appears to play a more minor or redundant role, as cle10 mutants did not influence intraradical AM colonization. However, the fact that cle10 mutants had an elevated number of hyphopodia and that ectopic overexpression of SlCLE10 did suppress mycorrhizal colonization suggests that Sl CLE10 may also play a role in suppressing AM colonization. Our findings show that CLE peptides regulate AM colonization in tomato and at least Sl CLE11 likely requires arabinosylation for activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Goldenberry leaves are widely consumed traditionally due to the multiple health benefits attributed to them. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of foliar application of salicylic acid (SA) at different concentrations during goldenberry cultivation on the physicochemical and nutraceutical properties of the leaves. The results showed that 0.5- and 1-mM SA treatments significantly increased the levels of total phenolic compounds, flavonoids, extractable phenolic compounds and proanthocyanins in goldenberry leaves. It also had positive effects on chlorophyll levels, although higher SA concentrations tended to decrease chlorophyll content. No SA treatment affected plant growth, pH, or acidity, however, a slight decrease in the total soluble solids content was observed. Proximate analysis revealed that SA treatment did not alter fat and ash content but increased protein content and decreased total carbohydrate content. Moreover, treatment with 0.5 and 1.0 mM of SA resulted in increased levels of proline and phytosterols and exhibited higher antioxidant capacity, attributed to their rich content of bioactive compounds, particularly phenolics. Additionally, 1.0 mM SA treatment enhanced the inhibitory activity of α-amylase and pancreatic lipase, indicating its potential in managing hyperglycemic conditions. These findings highlight the nutraceutical properties of goldenberry leaves and their potential utilization as a byproduct of goldenberry cultivation, warranting further research to explore their metabolite profile and maximize their benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To objectively assess physical activity levels and sedentary behavior in a cohort of Spanish centenarians and their nonagenarian peers. Physical activity and sedentary behavior patterns were objectively measured by an ActiGraph GT3X accelerometer in centenarians (n = 18; 83% women; 100.8 ± 0.8 [100--103] years) and nonagenarians (n = 11; 91% women; 93.3 ± 2.5 [90--98] years). Centenarians showed less counts per minute (17.6 ± 7.1 vs. 46.1 ± 23.7, p = .003, d = 1.851) and steps per day (455 ± 237 vs. 1,249 ± 776, p = .007, d = 1.587) than nonagenarians. The daily number of sedentary breaks was also lower in the former (5.0 ± 1.5 vs. 6.7 ± 2.0, p = .019, d = 0.971). When observing time distribution, the most active day period in both groups was the morning, with a peak between 10:00 and 11:59. This data suggest that the decline in physical activity levels continues to worsen until the end of the human lifespan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) in combination with blood flow restriction (BFR) enhances muscle hypertrophy and force-generating capacity. The present study aimed to investigate the acute effects of BFR and NMES, both in isolation and in combination, on muscle thickness (MT) and fatigue in the lower body of 20 young healthy subjects. Different stimuli were applied for 25 min, defined by the combination of BFR with high- and low-frequency NMES, and also isolated BFR or NMES. Changes in MT were then evaluated by ultrasound of the rectus femoris (RF) and vastus lateralis (VL) muscles at the end of the session (POST) and 15 min later (POST 15'). Lower limb fatigue was evaluated indirectly by strength performance. Results showed that RF MT was higher under the combined protocol (BFR + NMES) or isolated BFR than under NMES – regardless of the frequency – both at POST (p ≤ 0.018) and POST 15' (p ≤ 0.016). No significant changes in MT were observed under isolated NMES or BFR at POST 15' when compared with basal values (p ≥ 0.067). No significant differences were observed for VL MT between conditions (p = 0.322) or for fatigue between conditions (p ≥ 0.258). Our results indicate that a combination of BFR and NMES acutely increases MT in sedentary subjects. Also, although not significantly, BFR conditions had a greater tendency to induce fatigue than isolated NMES. Highlights The combination of blood flow restriction (BFR) and neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) produces higher acute cell swelling than the isolated application of either NMES or BFR. BFR in isolation appears to produce greater cell swelling than NMES, regardless of the frequency used. BFR conditions had a greater tendency to induce fatigue than isolated NMES. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We analysed the association between self-reported sleep characteristics and the prevalence of major cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors attending to the potential effect of physical activity (PA) and weight status. A large cohort of Spanish workers (n = 527,662; 32% female, 44 ± 9yrs) participated in this cross-sectional study. We assessed participants' self-reported indicators of sleep quantity (short [<6 h/d], normal [6–9 h/d] or long [>9 h/d]) and quality (unrestful or restful, and difficulties or not falling asleep) as well as the presence of major CVD risk factors (diabetes, hypertension and hypercholesterolemia); and categorised participants based on PA ("inactive", "insufficiently active" or "regularly active") and weight status (normal weight, overweight or obesity). Impairments in any sleep quantity or quality indicator, respectively, were significantly (p < 0.05) associated with the prevalence of at least one CVD risk factor. Yet, being physically active and having normal weight markedly attenuated these associations. Thus, individuals with poor sleep quantity or quality but who were physically active and had normal weight showed no different risk of hypertension or diabetes than those with normal sleep characteristics, albeit the former still presented a higher risk of hypercholesterolemia if they reported short sleep (+5% vs. normal duration, p = 0.047), unrestful sleep (+9% vs. restful, p < 0.001) or having difficulties to fall asleep (+48% vs. no difficulties, p < 0.001). The present findings support the need for maintaining optimal PA levels and weight status in order to minimise the CVD risk associated with poor sleep quantity or quality. Highlights Both sleep quantity and quality are associated with the prevalence of hypertension, diabetes, and hypercholesterolemia. Being physically active and having normal weight markedly reduces the cardiovascular risk associated with poor sleep quantity/quality. Having poor sleep quantity/quality while being also inactive and overweight/obese predisposes to a higher cardiovascular risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]