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Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has become an increasingly popular tool to modulate neural excitability and induce neural plasticity in clinical and preclinical models; however, the physiological mechanisms in which it exerts these effects remain largely unknown. To date, studies have primarily focused on characterizing rTMS-induced changes occurring at the synapse, with little attention given to changes in intrinsic membrane properties. However, accumulating evidence suggests that rTMS may induce its effects, in part, via intrinsic plasticity mechanisms, suggesting a new and potentially complementary understanding of how rTMS alters neural excitability and neural plasticity. In this review, we provide an overview of several intrinsic plasticity mechanisms before reviewing the evidence for rTMS-induced intrinsic plasticity. In addition, we discuss a select number of neurological conditions where rTMS-induced intrinsic plasticity has therapeutic potential before speculating on the temporal relationship between rTMS-induced intrinsic and synaptic plasticity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The study aimed to confirm the presence of the Na+-K+-2Cl− cotransporter (NKCC) in annelids, a membrane transporter crucial for cell volume regulation, which had not been directly shown before in these worms. Initially, the presence of NKCC was first recovered in silico. Using immunofluorescence, we observed that the NKCC signal was detected in various tissues from four estuarine annelid species from southern Brazil subjected to salinity changes. Two euryhaline species and two stenohaline species were tested. While all species showed NKCC expression, its distribution varied. Euryhaline and free-living species showed widespread NKCC expression along their bodies, while the sedentary stenohaline species had it mainly localized in branchiae and internal tissues. These findings suggest NKCC plays a role in cell volume regulation, particularly in annelids experiencing habitat salinity fluctuations. The expression of the Na+-K+-2Cl− cotransporter (NKCC), widely associated with cell volume regulation, has never been directly demonstrated in annelids. Its putative presence was firstly recovered in silico, and then using immunofluorescence, its signal was retrieved for the first time in different tissues of four species of estuarine annelids from southern Brazil that are regularly subjected to salinity fluctuations. We tested two euryhaline species (wide salinity tolerance), the nereidids Alitta yarae and Laeonereis acuta (habitat salinity: ~10–28 psu), and two stenohaline species (restricted salinity tolerance), the nephtyid Nephtys fluviatilis (habitat salinity: ~6–10 psu), and the melinnid Isolda pulchella (habitat salinity: ~28–35 psu). All four species showed specific immunofluorescent labelling for NKCC-like expression. However, the expression of an NKCC-like protein was not homogeneous among them. The free-living/burrowers (both euryhaline nereidids and the stenohaline nephtyid) displayed a widespread signal for an NKCC-like protein along their bodies, in contrast to the stenohaline sedentary melinnid, in which the signal was restricted to the branchiae and the internal tissues of the body. The results are compatible with NKCC involvement in cell volume, especially in annelids that face wide variations in salinity in their habitats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Antarctic marine invertebrates live in the constant of the Southern Ocean and are characterised by sensitivity to small increases in temperature. We conducted a series of aquarium experiments that tested this ability and found species-specific responses to warming. We found that some species were able to survive for many months at up to 10 °C, a temperature which is up to 4 °C warmer than previously recorded. We found that the survivors of three species had adjusted their biological systems (acclimated) and were better able to survive additional rapid warming, but one anemone species did not elevate its upper temperature limit, even though it survived for 270 days at 6 °C. There were also species-specific effects of increasing oxygen concentration on long-term survival to elevated temperatures, with extended, no change, or reduced survival duration all found in different species. Thermal sensitivity is clearly the product of multiple ecological and physiological capacities, and this diversity of response needs further investigation and interpretation to improve our ability to predict future patterns of biodiversity. Antarctic marine ectotherms live in the constant cold and are characterised by limited resilience to elevated temperature. Here we tested three of the central paradigms underlying this resilience. Firstly, we assessed the ability of eight species, from seven classes representing a range of functional groups, to survive, for 100 to 303 days, at temperatures 0 to 4 °C above previously calculated long-term temperature limits. Survivors were then tested for acclimation responses to acute warming and acclimatisation, in the field, was tested in the seastar Odontaster validus collected in different years, seasons and locations within Antarctica. Finally, we tested the importance of oxygen limitation in controlling upper thermal limits. We found that four of 11 species studied were able to survive for more than 245 days (245–303 days) at higher than previously recorded temperatures, between 6 and 10 °C. Only survivors of the anemone Urticinopsis antarctica did not acclimate CTmax and there was no evidence of acclimatisation in O. validus. We found species-specific effects of mild hyperoxia (30% oxygen) on survival duration, which was extended (two species), not changed (four species) or reduced (one species), re-enforcing that oxygen limitation is not universal in dictating thermal survival thresholds. Thermal sensitivity is clearly the product of multiple ecological and physiological capacities, and this diversity of response needs further investigation and interpretation to improve our ability to predict future patterns of biodiversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Improvement in lower esophageal sphincter (LES) competency after laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication (LNF) is well established, yet esophageal body physiology data are limited. We aimed to describe the impact of LNF on whole esophagus physiology using standard and novel manometric characteristics. Methods: A cohort of patients with an intact fundoplication without herniation and no postoperative dysphagia were selected and underwent esophageal manometry at one‐year after surgery. Pre‐ and post‐operative manometry files were reanalyzed using standard and novel manometric characteristics and compared. Key Results: A total of 95 patients were included in this study. At 16.1 (8.7) months LNF increased LES overall and abdominal length and resting pressure (p < 0.0001). Outflow resistance (IRP) increased [5.8 (3–11) to 11.1 (9–15), p < 0.0001] with a 95th percentile of 20 mmHg in this cohort of dysphagia‐free patients. Distal contractile integral (DCI) also increased [1177.0 (667–2139) to 1321.1 (783–2895), p = 0.002], yet contractile amplitude was unchanged (p = 0.158). There were direct correlations between pre‐ and post‐operative DCI [R: 0.727 (0.62–0.81), p < 0.0001] and postoperative DCI and postoperative IRP [R: 0.347 (0.16–0.51), p = 0.0006]. Contractile front velocity [3.5 (3–4) to 3.2 (3–4), p = 0.0013] was slower, while distal latency [6.7 (6–8) to 7.4 (7–9), p < 0.0001], the interval from swallow onset to proximal smooth muscle initiation [4.0 (4–5) to 4.4 (4–5), p = 0.0002], and the interval from swallow onset to point when the peristaltic wave meets the LES [9.4 (8–10) to 10.3 (9–12), p < 0.0001] were longer. Esophageal length [21.9 (19–24) to 23.2 (21–25), p < 0.0001] and transition zone (TZ) length [2.2 (1–3) to 2.5 (1–4), p = 0.004] were longer. Bolus clearance was inversely correlated with TZ length (p = 0.0002) and time from swallow onset to proximal smooth muscle initiation (p < 0.0001). Bolus clearance and UES characteristics were unchanged (p > 0.05). Conclusions & Inferences: Increased outflow resistance after LNF required an increased DCI. However, this increased contractile vigor was achieved through sustained, not stronger, peristaltic contractions. Increased esophageal length was associated with increased TZ and delayed initiation of smooth muscle contractions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The physiology and performance of individuals in a bee colony are directly related to the quality of nutrients available in the colony. A diet enriched with high-quality protein increases the immunity of the colony and the individual bees. In this study, we examined the effect of diets with different protein sources on dietary consumption, vitellogenin (Vg), abdominal lipid content, and hypopharyngeal gland development in adult worker bees. Our results indicate that the use of certain protein sources in bee diets can improve the parameters investigated. Honey bees play an important role in the pollination of flowering plants. When honey bee colonies are deficient in pollen, one of their main nutrients, protein supplements are required. In this study, the effects of diets with six different protein sources on the physiological characteristics of worker bees (vitellogenin (Vg), abdominal lipid content (ALC), hypopharyngeal gland (HPG)) and consumption were investigated. The protein sources of the diets (diet I, ..., diet VI) included pollen, spirulina dust (Arthrospira platensis Gomont), fresh egg yolk, lyophilized lactose-free skimmed milk powder, active fresh yeast, and ApiProtein. It was identified that consumption by worker bees was highest in the diet group supplemented with spirulina (diet II). Although there was no statistical difference regarding the Vg content in the hemolymph, numerically, the highest content was found in diet group IV (lyophilized lactose-free skimmed milk powder) (4.73 ± 0.03 ng/mL). ALC and HPG were highest in the group fed diet II. These results suggest that offering honey bees diets with certain protein sources can support their physiological traits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Desert is one of the harshest places on the earth due to low precipitation and soil nutrients. • Global desertification is a continuous process; almost 60% of the land surface is now desertified. • The plants in these desert ecosystems have developed several novel phenotypic characteristics that overcome the harsh environment. • Genome sequencing of the desert plant can enable us to identify the novel trait responsible for overcoming the xerophytic condition. • Transfer of novel genetic traits can be done to the crop plants. So that plants can withstand the harsh environment and overcome crop loss due to drought and other extreme conditions. Despite the exposure to arid environmental conditions across the globe ultimately hampering the sustainability of the living organism, few plant species are equipped with several unique genotypic, biochemical, and physiological features to counter such harsh conditions. Physiologically, they have evolved with reduced leaf size, spines, waxy cuticles, thick leaves, succulent hydrenchyma, sclerophyll, chloroembryo, and photosynthesis in nonfoliar and other parts. At the biochemical level, they are evolved to perform efficient photosynthesis through Crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) and C4 pathways with the formation of oxaloacetic acid (Hatch-Slack pathway) instead of the C3 pathway. Additionally, comparative genomics with existing data provides ample evidence of the xerophytic plants' positive selection to adapt to the arid environment. However, adding more high-throughput sequencing of xerophyte plant species is further required for a comparative genomic study toward trait discovery related to survival. Learning from the mechanism to survive in harsh conditions could pave the way to engineer crops for future sustainable agriculture. The distinct physiology of desert plants allows them to survive in harsh environments. However, the genomic composition also contributes significantly to this and requires great attention. This review emphasizes the physiological and genomic adaptation of desert plants. Other important parameters, such as desert biodiversity and photosynthetic strategy, are also discussed with recent progress in the field. Overall, this review discusses the different features of desert plants, which prepares them for harsh conditions intending to translate knowledge to engineer plant species for sustainable agriculture. This review comprehensively presents the physiology, molecular mechanism, and genomics of desert plants aimed towards engineering a sustainable crop. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parkinson's disease (PD) often shows disrupted brain connectivity and autonomic dysfunctions, progressing alongside with motor and cognitive decline. Recently, PD has been linked to a reduced sensitivity to cardiac inputs, that is, cardiac interoception. Altogether, those signs suggest that PD causes an altered brain–heart connection whose mechanisms remain unclear. Our study aimed to explore the large‐scale network disruptions and the neurophysiology of disrupted interoceptive mechanisms in PD. We focused on examining the alterations in brain–heart coupling in PD and their potential connection to motor symptoms. We developed a proof‐of‐concept method to quantify relationships between the co‐fluctuations of brain connectivity and cardiac sympathetic and parasympathetic activities. We quantified the brain–heart couplings from electroencephalogram and electrocardiogram recordings from PD patients on and off dopaminergic medication, as well as in healthy individuals at rest. Our results show that the couplings of fluctuating alpha and gamma connectivity with cardiac sympathetic dynamics are reduced in PD patients, as compared to healthy individuals. Furthermore, we show that PD patients under dopamine medication recover part of the brain–heart coupling, in proportion with the reduced motor symptoms. Our proposal offers a promising approach to unveil the physiopathology of PD and promoting the development of new evaluation methods for the early stages of the disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The gastrointestinal microbial consortium in dairy cattle is critical to determining the energetic status of the dairy cow from birth through her final lactation. The ruminant's microbial community can degrade a wide variety of feedstuffs, which can affect growth, as well as production rate and efficiency on the farm, but can also affect food safety, animal health, and environmental impacts of dairy production. Gut microbial diversity and density are powerful tools that can be harnessed to benefit both producers and consumers. The incentives in the United States to develop Alternatives to Antibiotics for use in food-animal production have been largely driven by the Veterinary Feed Directive and have led to an increased use of probiotic approaches to alter the gastrointestinal microbial community composition, resulting in improved heifer growth, milk production and efficiency, and animal health. However, the efficacy of direct-fed microbials or probiotics in dairy cattle has been highly variable due to specific microbial ecological factors within the host gut and its native microflora. Interactions (both synergistic and antagonistic) between the microbial ecosystem and the host animal physiology (including epithelial cells, immune system, hormones, enzyme activities, and epigenetics) are critical to understanding why some probiotics work but others do not. Increasing availability of next-generation sequencing approaches provides novel insights into how probiotic approaches change the microbial community composition in the gut that can potentially affect animal health (e.g., diarrhea or scours, gut integrity, foodborne pathogens), as well as animal performance (e.g., growth, reproduction, productivity) and fermentation parameters (e.g., pH, short-chain fatty acids, methane production, and microbial profiles) of cattle. However, it remains clear that all direct-fed microbials are not created equal and their efficacy remains highly variable and dependent on stage of production and farm environment. Collectively, data have demonstrated that probiotic effects are not limited to the simple mechanisms that have been traditionally hypothesized, but instead are part of a complex cascade of microbial ecological and host animal physiological effects that ultimately impact dairy production and profitability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Winter is an energetically challenging period for many animals in temperate regions because of the relatively harsh environmental conditions and reduction in food availability during this season. Moreover, stressors experienced by individuals in the fall can affect their subsequent foraging strategy and energy stores after exposure has ended, referred to as carryover effects. We used exogenous cortisol manipulation of wild juvenile brown trout (Salmo trutta) in the fall to simulate a physiological stress response and then investigated short‐term (2 weeks) and long‐term (4 months) effects on condition metrics (hepatosomatic index and water muscle content), diet (stomach contents and stable isotopes), and morphology during growth in freshwater. We revealed some short‐term impacts, likely due to handling stress, and long‐term (seasonal) changes in diet, likely reflecting prey availability. Unfortunately, we had very few recaptures of cortisol‐treated fish at long‐term sampling, limiting detailed analysis about cortisol effects at that time point. Nonetheless, the fish that were sampled showed elevated stable isotopes, suggestive of a cortisol effect long after exposure. This is one of few studies to investigate whether cortisol influences foraging and morphology during juvenile growth, thus extending the knowledge of proximate mechanisms influencing ecologically‐relevant phenotypes. Research highlights: Exogenous cortisol treatment did not affect condition, diet, or morphology of juvenile brown trout after 2 weeks or 4 months. However, few recaptures of cortisol treated fish at 4 months limit our conclusions but suggest nutritional effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Olov Oscarsson's review on the functional organization of spinocerebellar paths is a prime demonstration of the great skills and huge knowledge base of the electrophysiologists of his era working on communication systems in the brain. Oscarsson describes and characterizes in detail no less than ten different communication lines between the spinal cord and the cerebellum. As such, his work proved to be a highly fertile basis for ongoing physiological and anatomical research. However, even after 50 years of continuing cerebellar research, many questions are still open and even care must be taken that the differentiation in spinocerebellar paths, so carefully demonstrated by Oscarsson, is not lost in present-day research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present Cerebellar Classic highlights the experimental work of the Swedish neurophysiologist Olov Oscarsson (1931–1996) on the afferent innervation of the cerebellum by axons emanating from neurons in the spinal cord and the inferior olive. Historically, the schemes of cerebellar division had been principally based on the external morphology of lobules and fissures. However, the macroscopic anatomical division of the cerebellum does not coincide with its pattern of functional organization. By defining a system of longitudinal somatotopy, Oscarsson contributed to the much needed plan of cerebellar division that correlates experimental information on axonal connections with physiology. His contribution has ultimately led to the currently accepted microzonal modular scheme of cerebellar corticonuclear microcomplexes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although tyrosol is a quorum-sensing molecule of Candida species, it has antifungal activity at supraphysiological concentrations. Here, we studied the effect of tyrosol on the physiology and genome-wide transcription of Aspergillus nidulans to gain insight into the background of the antifungal activity of this compound. Tyrosol efficiently reduced germination of conidia and the growth on various carbon sources at a concentration of 35 mM. The growth inhibition was fungistatic rather than fungicide on glucose and was accompanied with downregulation of 2199 genes related to e.g. mitotic cell cycle, glycolysis, nitrate and sulphate assimilation, chitin biosynthesis, and upregulation of 2250 genes involved in e.g. lipid catabolism, amino acid degradation and lactose utilization. Tyrosol treatment also upregulated genes encoding glutathione-S-transferases (GSTs), increased specific GST activities and the glutathione (GSH) content of the cells, suggesting that A. nidulans can detoxify tyrosol in a GSH-dependent manner even though this process was weak. Tyrosol did not induce oxidative stress in this species, but upregulated "response to nutrient levels", "regulation of nitrogen utilization", "carbon catabolite activation of transcription" and "autophagy" genes. Tyrosol may have disturbed the regulation and orchestration of cellular metabolism, leading to impaired use of nutrients, which resulted in growth reduction. • Tyrosol had strong growth inhibitory effect against Aspergillus nidulans. • Tyrosol upregulated glutathione dependent detoxification processes. • Tyrosol treatment did not cause oxidative stress but upregulated autophagy genes. • According to RNAseq data tyrosol disturbed nutrient sensing and utilization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phosphodiesterases (PDEs) are a superfamily of enzymes that hydrolyze cyclic nucleotides, including cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP). Both cyclic nucleotides are critical secondary messengers in the neurohormonal regulation in the cardiovascular system. PDEs precisely control spatiotemporal subcellular distribution of cyclic nucleotides in a cell- and tissue-specific manner, playing critical roles in physiological responses to hormone stimulation in the heart and vessels. Dysregulation of PDEs has been linked to the development of several cardiovascular diseases, such as hypertension, aneurysm, atherosclerosis, arrhythmia, and heart failure. Targeting these enzymes has been proven effective in treating cardiovascular diseases and is an attractive and promising strategy for the development of new drugs. In this review, we discuss the current understanding of the complex regulation of PDE isoforms in cardiovascular function, highlighting the divergent and even opposing roles of PDE isoforms in different pathogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The European corn borer (Ostrinia nubilalis, Hbn.), enters diapause, a strategy characterized by arrest of development and reproduction, reduction of metabolic rate and the emergence of increased resistance to challenging seasonal conditions as low sub-zero winter temperatures. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential role of inorganic elements in the ecophysiology of O. nubilalis, analysing their content in the whole body, hemolymph and fat body, both metabolically active, non-diapausing and overwintering diapausing larvae by ICP-OES spectrometer following the US EPA method 200.7:2001. O nubilalis as many phytophagous lepidopteran species maintain a very low extracellular sodium concentration and has potassium as dominant cation in hemolymph of their larvae. Changes in hemolymph and the whole body sodium content occur already at the onset of diapause (when the mean environmental temperatures are still high above 0 ºC) and remain stable during the time course of diapause when larvae of this species cope with sub-zero temperatures, it seems that sodium content regulation is rather a part of diapausing program than the direct effect of exposure to low temperatures. Compared to non-diapausing O. nubilalis larvae, potassium levels are much higher in the whole body and fat body of diapausing larvae and substantially increase approaching the end of diapause. The concentration of Ca, Mg, P and S differed in the whole body, hemolymph and fat body between non-diapausing and diapausing larvae without a unique trend during diapause, except an increase in their contents at the end of diapause. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Female advertisement of reproductive state and receptivity has the potential to play a large role in the mating systems of many taxa, but investigations of this phenomenon are underrepresented in the literature. North American red squirrels (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus) are highly territorial and engage in scramble competition mating, with males converging from spatially disparate territories to engage in mating chases. Given the narrow estrus window exhibited in this species, the ubiquitous use of vocalizations to advertise territory ownership, and the high synchronicity of males arriving from distant territories, we hypothesized that female vocalizations contain cues relating to their estrous state. To test this hypothesis, we examined the spectral and temporal properties of female territorial rattle vocalizations collected from females of known reproductive condition over 3 years. While we found no distinct changes associated with estrus specifically, we did identify significant changes in the spectral characteristics of rattles relating to both female body mass and reproductive state relative to parturition. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first evidence of changes in vocal characteristics associated with late pregnancy in a nonhuman mammal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Southern California experienced unprecedented megadrought between 2012 and 2018. During this time, Malosma laurina, a chaparral species normally resilient to single‐year intense drought, developed extensive mortality exceeding 60% throughout low‐elevation coastal populations of the Santa Monica Mountains. We assessed the physiological mechanisms by which the advent of megadrought predisposed M. laurina to extensive shoot dieback and whole‐plant death. We found that hydraulic conductance of stem xylem (Ks, native) was reduced seven to 11‐fold in dieback adult and resprout branches, respectively. Staining of stem xylem vessels revealed that dieback plants experienced 68% solid‐blockage, explaining the reduction in water transport. Following Koch's postulates, persistent isolation of a microorganism in stem xylem of dieback plants but not healthy controls indicated that the causative agent of xylem blockage was an opportunistic endophytic fungus, Botryosphaeria dothidea. We inoculated healthy M. laurina saplings with fungal isolates and compared hyphal elongation rates under well‐watered, water‐deficit, and carbon‐deficit treatments. Relative to controls, we found that both water deficit and carbon‐deficit increased hyphal extension rates and the incidence of shoot dieback. Summary statement: We conclude that the ultimate cause of mortality of Malosma laurina in field populations was megadrought and that the proximal cause of mortality was the transition of endemic Botryosphaeria dothidea to an opportunistic pathogen that amplified protracted water stress through physical blockage of xylem water transport. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Purpose: Drug‐induced reduction of the rapid delayed rectifier potassium current carried by the human Ether‐à‐go‐go‐Related Gene (hERG) channel is associated with increased risk of arrhythmias. Recent updates to drug safety regulatory guidelines attempt to capture each drug's hERG binding mechanism by combining in vitro assays with in silico simulations. In this study, we investigate the impact on in silico proarrhythmic risk predictions due to uncertainty in the hERG binding mechanism and physiological hERG current model. Experimental Approach: Possible pharmacological binding models were designed for the hERG channel to account for known and postulated small molecule binding mechanisms. After selecting a subset of plausible binding models for each compound through calibration to available voltage‐clamp electrophysiology data, we assessed their effects, and the effects of different physiological models, on proarrhythmic risk predictions. Key Results: For some compounds, multiple binding mechanisms can explain the same data produced under the safety testing guidelines, which results in different inferred binding rates. This can result in substantial uncertainty in the predicted torsade risk, which often spans more than one risk category. By comparison, we found that the effect of a different hERG physiological current model on risk classification was subtle. Conclusion and Implications: The approach developed in this study assesses the impact of uncertainty in hERG binding mechanisms on predictions of drug‐induced proarrhythmic risk. For some compounds, these results imply the need for additional binding data to decrease uncertainty in safety‐critical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to develop a simulation model for the pharmacokinetics (PK) of drugs undergoing enterohepatic circulation (EHC) with consideration to the environment in the gastrointestinal tract in the fed state in humans. The investigation particularly focused on the necessity of compensating for the permeability rate constant in the reabsorption process in consideration of drug entrapment in bile micelles. Methods: Meloxicam and ezetimibe were used as model drugs. The extent of the entrapment of drugs inside bile micelles was evaluated using the solubility ratio of Fed State Simulated Intestinal Fluid version 2 (FeSSIF-V2) to Fasted State Simulated Intestinal Fluid version 2 (FaSSIF-V2). Prediction accuracy was evaluated using the Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE) value, calculated from the observed and predicted oral PK profiles. Results: The solubilization of ezetimibe by bile micelles was clearly observed while that of meloxicam was not. Assuming that only drugs in the free fraction of micelles permeate through the intestinal membrane, PK simulation for ezetimibe was performed in both scenarios with and without compensation by the permeation rate constant. The MAPE value of Zetia® tablet, containing ezetimibe, was lower with compensation than without compensation. By contrast, Mobic® tablet, containing meloxicam, showed a relatively low MAPE value even without compensation. Conclusion: For drugs which undergo EHC and can be solubilized by bile micelles, compensating for the permeation rate constant in the reabsorption process based on the free fraction ratio appears an important factor in increasing the accuracy of PK profile prediction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: While most baseball players' warm-up with a weighted bat/donut, there is evidence to suggest the swing speed decreases after the warm-up even though the bat feels lighter. Warming up with a dynamic moment of inertia bat may not decrease the swing speed and therefore improve the performance of baseball players. The hypothesis is that a dynamic moment of inertia bat will negate the effect of the kinesthetic illusion observed with a weighted bat. Objective: To measure the difference in bat swing speed between warming up with the dynamic moment of inertia bat compared with a weighted bat. Methods: Thirty-nine competitive baseball players participated in the study. All players were randomly assigned a warm-up tool that could be either a dynamic moment of inertia bat or a weighted bat. After the players' warm-up, they swung their normal bat, and the bat swing speed was measured using a high-speed camera. We used motion analysis software to calculate the swing speed which measured the linear displacement during the last 15 frames before ball contact. The process was then repeated so that each player had the chance to try both warm-up bats. Results: The post warm-up swing speeds using the dynamic moment of inertia bat were significantly faster compared with a weighted bat warm-up. There was a 0.56 (0.78) m/s (1.26 [1.74] mph) increase in swing speed when using the dynamic moment of inertia bat (P =.0001), which is an average increase of 2.10% compared with a weighted bat warm-up. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that using a dynamic moment of inertia bat before an at-bat can increase swing speed compared with a weighted warm-up. Future studies are needed to determine if using a dynamic moment of inertia bat as part of rehabilitation can facilitate returning to competition after injury by focusing on swing speed. [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]

This article represents a republication of an article originally published in STH in 2005. This republication is to help celebrate 50 years of publishing for STH. The original abstract follows. Platelets are specialized blood cells that play central roles in physiologic and pathologic processes of hemostasis, inflammation, tumor metastasis, wound healing, and host defense. Activation of platelets is crucial for platelet function that includes a complex interplay of adhesion and signaling molecules. This article gives an overview of the activation processes involved in primary and secondary hemostasis, for example, platelet adhesion, platelet secretion, platelet aggregation, microvesicle formation, and clot retraction/stabilization. In addition, activated platelets are predominantly involved in cross-talk to other blood and vascular cells. Stimulated "sticky" platelets enable recruitment of leukocytes at sites of vascular injury under high shear conditions. Platelet-derived microparticles as well as soluble adhesion molecules, sP-selectin and sCD40L, shed from the surface of activated platelets, are capable of activating, in turn, leukocytes and endothelial cells. This article focuses further on the new view of receptor-mediated thrombin generation of human platelets, necessary for the formation of a stable platelet–fibrin clot during secondary hemostasis. Finally, special emphasis is placed on important stimulatory and inhibitory signaling pathways that modulate platelet function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The Beer–Lambert law suggests that visual pigment optical density (OD) should be linearly related to the length of photoreceptor outer segments (POSs). Mammalian studies indicate that visual pigment concentration increases with POS length, but the nature of this relationship may vary due to factors such as visual pigment packing density or retinal eccentricity, and may not necessarily be linearly related. The purpose of this study was to establish the relationship between OD and POS length in humans. Methods: Spectral domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) was used to image POS, and imaging retinal densitometry (IRD) was used to measure OD at corresponding locations in 19 healthy participants (age range 25–82 years). POS length and OD measurements were extracted from OCT and IRD images at 23 discrete locations spanning the central 9° of the retina. The averaged data from all participants were fitted with models based on the Beer–Lambert law to establish the relationship between OD and POS length. Results: Visual pigment OD increased monotonically with POS length, but the relationship was non‐linear, and a straight‐line fit, based on a simple interpretation of the Beer–Lambert law, provided a poor description. A model allowing for different rod and cone visual pigment concentrations provided a superior fit. Specifically, the data were well described by a model where the molar concentration of visual pigment in cones and rods were 3.8 × 10−3 mol/L and 1.8 × 10−3mol/L, respectively. Conclusions: In accordance with the Beer–Lambert law, the results indicate that OD increases monotonically with POS length in humans, but the precise relationship is dependent on photoreceptor type. These results suggest that visual pigment concentration in rods is only about 48% of that found in cones. This may be due to the ubiquitous nature of artificial light that works to reduce the concentration of rhodopsin in rod photoreceptors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Administration of bacterial mimic (LPS) to male mice induced transgenerational impacts on offspring phenotypes. • F1 offspring and F2 grand-offspring of LPS challenged males displayed sexually dimorphic behavioral changes. • The behavioral changes in offspring, induced by paternal LPS, include affective endophenotypes relevant to anxiety and depressive disorders. • F2 grand-offspring, but not F1 offspring, of LPS challenged males showed enhanced immune responses. • LPS challenge changed F0 (paternal) sperm small RNA profiles, identifying candidate mediators of epigenetic inheritance. Paternal pre-conceptual exposures, including stress, diet, substance abuse, parasite infection, and viral immune activation via Poly I:C, have been reported to influence the brains and behavior of offspring through sperm epigenetic changes. However, the effects of paternal (F0) pre-conceptual exposure to bacterial-induced immune activation on the behavior and physiology of F1 and F2 generations remain unexplored. We examined this using C57BL/6J mice. Eight-week-old males (F0) received a single intraperitoneal injection of the bacterial mimetic lipopolysaccharide (LPS: 5 mg/kg) or 0.9 % saline (vehicle control) before mating with naïve females at four weeks post-injection. Comprehensive behavioral assessments were conducted to investigate anxiety, social behaviors, depressive-like behaviors and cognition in both the F1 and F2 generations within the age range of 8 to 14 weeks. Results demonstrated that only female offspring of LPS-exposed fathers exhibited reduced anxiety levels in the light/dark box, large open field, and novelty-suppressed feeding test. These F1 female offspring also exhibited heightened sociability in the 3-chambered social interaction test and a reduced preference for saccharin in the saccharin preference test. Additionally, the F1 male offspring of LPS-challenged males demonstrated an increased total distance traveled in the light/dark box and a longer distance covered in the light zone. They also exhibited diminished preference for social novelty in the 3-chambered social interaction test and an elevated novel arm preference index in the Y-maze. In the F2 generation, male descendants of LPS-treated fathers showed reduced latency to feed in the novelty-suppressed feeding test. Additionally, the F2 generation of LPS-challenged fathers, but not the F1 generation, displayed enhanced immune response in both sexes after an acute LPS immune challenge (5 mg/kg). Analysis of sperm small noncoding RNA profiles from LPS-treated F0 mice revealed significant changes at 4 weeks after administration of LPS. These changes included three microRNAs, eight PIWI-interacting RNAs, and two transfer RNAs, exhibiting significant upregulation (mmu-miR-146a-5p, mmu-piR-27082 and mmu-piR-29102) or downregulation (mmu-miR-5110, mmu-miR-467e-3p, mmu-piR-22583, mmu-piR-23548, mmu-piR-36341, mmu-piR-50293, mmu-piR-16583, mmu-piR-36507, Mus_musculus_tRNA-Ile-AAT-2-1 and Mus_musculus_tRNA-Tyr-GTA-1-1). Additionally, we detected 52 upregulated small noncoding RNAs (including 9 miRNAs, 41 piRNAs, and 2 tRNAs) and 7 downregulated small noncoding RNAs (3 miRNAs, 3 piRNAs, and 1 tRNA) in the sperm of F1 offspring from LPS-treated males. These findings provide compelling evidence for the involvement of epigenetic mechanisms in the modulation of brain function and immunity, and associated behavioral and immunological traits, across generations, in response to bacterial infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Laboratory fish play an important role in many research fields, and they are also raised and bred in many laboratories around the world. While many studies have suggested suitable feeding densities for various laboratory fish, significant variations exist in the sizes of rearing tanks across different laboratories. Moreover, there is limited research on the effects of different rearing tank sizes. In this study, we set up the same rearing density (one liter of water corresponding to two fishes) and four treatments with different tank sizes (5 L, 10 L, 15 L, 20 L). We found that different sizes of rearing tanks had no significant effect on the growth and shoaling of laboratory rare minnow. However, the rare minnow in 10 L tank had lower cortisol levels, while the rare minnow in 20 L tank had higher levels of dopamine (DA), serotonin (5-HT) and their metabolites (DOPAC and 5-HIAA). These results show that even under the same rearing density, different sizes of rearing tanks will still have a physiological effect on the rare minnow, and the tank size suitable for laboratory fish should be considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Insects are intentionally introduced to various regions out of their native ranges to perform fundamental functions, such as pest control, and some keep dispersing from introduction sites to become cosmopolitan and even invasive. The African horned dung beetle, Euoniticellus intermedius (Reiche) (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae), has been intentionally introduced on multiple continents to bury cattle dung and control livestock pests, but has naturally dispersed and became very abundant at various latitudes and elevations out of its native and original introduction ranges. This beetle has been considered invasive, but there is no direct evidence of its effects on displacing native species. As it is highly fecund, E. intermedius has been an important model in experimental studies performed in nature and in the laboratory in multiple fields. In evolutionary biology, it serves as a model for sexual selection, given the sexual dimorphism characterized by the presence of a horn in males which is correlated with individual condition and strength, and which is absent in females. In ecotoxicology, it has been studied regarding physiological mechanisms of responses to contaminants, population declines, and evolutionary responses to challenging toxic conditions. Given its importance in burying dung in cattle pastures, experiments have also determined environmental conditions that limit this ecological function. Despite being unique in its tolerance to a wide variety of stressors and environments, this species is sensitive to current conditions of global change, including warming and pollution. We identify the most promising questions to be solved in physiology, ecology, and evolution, for which E. intermedius would be an ideal study system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A passage from Ps.-Basil of Caesarea's ep. 366 contains verbatim parallels with a quotation of Valentinus given in Clement of Alexandria, Strom. 3.7.59.3. These parallels have rarely been recognized by scholars. Völker and Markschies have argued that Ps.-Basil was excerpting from Clement, but this paper argues that Ps.-Basil was independent of Clement and was likely Clement's source. Overlooked evidence includes (i) the coherence of the parallel passages in the context of ep. 366 and their relative incoherence in the context of Strom. 3.7.59.3; (ii) Valentinian theology that is found throughout ep. 366, including the notions of spiritual bodies and Charis as God's protological consort; (iii) grammatical errors in Clement that are not present in Ps.-Basil; and (iv) further textual evidence suggesting that ep. 366 has the original version of the passage. A plausible explanation of the evidence, this paper will argue, is that ep. 366 comes from the pen of Valentinus himself. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eating disorders (ED) are serious psychiatric illnesses, with no everyday support to intervene on the high rates of relapse. Understanding physiological indices that can be measured by wearable sensor technologies may provide new momentary interventions for individuals with ED. This systematic review, searching large databases, synthesises studies investigating peripheral physiological (PP) indices commonly included in wearable wristbands (heart rate [HR], heart rate variability [HRV], electrodermal activity [EDA], peripheral skin temperature [PST], and acceleration) in ED. Inclusion criteria included: (a) full peer‐reviewed empirical articles in English; (b) human participants with active ED; and (c) containing one of five wearable physiological measures. Kmet risk of bias was assessed. Ninety‐four studies were included (Anorexia nervosa [AN; N = 4418], bulimia nervosa [BN; N = 916], binge eating disorder [BED; N = 1604], other specified feeding and eating disorders [OSFED; N = 424], and transdiagnostic [N = 47]). Participants with AN displayed lower HR and EDA and higher HRV compared to healthy individuals. Those with BN showed higher HRV, and lower EDA and PST compared to healthy individuals. Other ED and Transdiagnostic samples showed mixed results. PP differences are indicated through various assessments in ED, which may suggest diagnostic associations, although more studies are needed to validate observed patterns. Results suggest important therapeutic potential for PP in ED, and larger studies including diverse participants and diagnostic groups are needed to fully uncover their role in ED. Key points: Different independent ED groups display distinct physiological patternsAN groups generally show lower physiological activity compared to healthy controlsAspects of physiology may indicate severity of illness in people with EDs [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Cattle hair meal (CHM) has the potential of usage as a dietary protein source in fish nutrition due to the qualitative nutrients present in it and the enormous quantity generated at abattoirs worldwide. This study investigated the inclusion of CHM in diet of Clarias gariepinus as fishmeal replacement. Catfish juveniles with average weight of 5.86±0.14g were stocked in 15 plastic tanks at 21fish/tank in completely randomized design. The experimental fish were fed with 40% crude protein diet at 0%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% inclusion of CHM at 3% body weight for duration of 8 weeks. Growth performance, carcass quality, haematology, digestive enzymes, gut morphology and histology of C. gariepinus were assessed. Growth parameters differed significantly (P<0.05) among treatments with similar responses in carcass composition. The blood parameters, digestive enzymes and intestinal morphology also showed variations among treatments. Histological observation revealed that only diet with 25% CHM inclusion showed no alteration in tissues of kidney, liver and intestine. This study recommends usage of CHM up to 25% as replacement for fishmeal in C. gariepinus diet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Photosynthesis is the key to crop yield. The effect of biochar on photosynthetic physiology and soybean yield under continuous cropping is unclear. We conducted a long-term field experiment to investigate the effects of co-application of biochar and fertilizer (BCAF) on these parameters. Five treatments were established: F2 (fertilizer), B1F1 (3 t hm-2 biochar plus fertilizer), B1F2 (3 t hm-2 biochar plus reduced fertilizer), B2F1 (6 t hm-2 biochar plus fertilizer), and B2F2 (6 t hm-2 biochar plus reduced fertilizer). RESULTS: BCAF increased chlorophyll and leaf area, enhancing soybean photosynthesis. The net photosynthetic rate (Pn), transpiration rate (Tr), stomatal conductance (Gs), water use efficiency (WUE) and intercellular carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration (Ci) were enhanced by BCAF. In addition, BCAF improved soybean photosystem II (PSII) photosynthetic performance, driving force, potential photochemical efficiency (Fv/F0), and quantum yield of electron transfer (φE0). Furthermore, BCAF enhanced the accumulation of photosynthetic products, such as soluble proteins, soluble sugars and sucrose content, resulting in higher leaf dry weight. Consequently, BCAF increased the soybean yield, with the highest increase of 41.54% in B2F1. The correlation analysis revealed positive relationships between soybean yield and chlorophyll, leaf area, maximal quantum yield of PSII (Fv/ Fm), electron transport flux per cross-section at t = 0 (ET0/CS0), trapped energy flux per cross-section at t = 0 (TR0/CS0), composite blade driving force (DFTotal), and leaf dry weight. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated that long-term BCAF enhances soybean photosynthesis under continuous planting, reduces fertilizer use and increases yield. This study reveals a novel way and theory to sustainably increase soybean productivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Within a spike of wheat, the central spikelets usually generate three to four fertile florets, while the basal spikelets generate zero to one fertile floret. The physiological and transcriptional mechanism behind the difference in fertility between the basal and central spikelets is unclear. This study reports a high temporal resolution investigation of transcriptomes, number and morphology of floret primordia, and physiological traits. The W6.5–W7.5 stage was regarded as the boundary to distinguish between fertile and abortive floret primordia; those floret primordia reaching the W6.5–W7.5 stage during the differentiation phase (3–9 d after terminal spikelet stage) usually developed into fertile florets in the next dimorphism phase (12–27 d after terminal spikelet stage), whereas the others aborted. The central spikelets had a greater number of fertile florets than the basal spikelets, which was associated with more floret primordia reaching the W6.5–W7.5 stage. Physiological and transcriptional results demonstrated that the central spikelets had a higher sucrose content and lower abscisic acid (ABA) and jasmonic acid (JA) accumulation than the basal spikelets due to down-regulation of genes involved in ABA and JA synthesis. Collectively, we propose a model in which ABA and JA accumulation is induced under limiting sucrose availability (basal spikelet) through the up-regulation of genes involved in ABA and JA synthesis; this leads to floret primordia in the basal spikelets failing to reach their fertile potential (W6.5–W7.5 stage) during the differentiation phase and then aborting. This fertility repression model may also regulate spikelet fertility in other cereal crops and potentially provides genetic resources to improve spikelet fertility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Food waste is a routine and increasingly growing global concern that has drawn significant attention from policymakers, climate change activists and health practitioners. Amid the plurality of discourses on food waste-health linkages, however, the health risks from food waste induced emissions have remained under explored. This lack of evidence is partly because of the lack of complete understanding of the effects of food waste emissions from household food waste on human health either directly through physiological mechanisms or indirectly through environmental exposure effects. Thus, this systematic review contributes to the literature by synthesizing available evidence to highlight gaps and offers a comprehensive baseline inventory of food waste emissions and their associated impacts on human health to support public health decision-making. Four database searches: Web of Science, OVID(Medline), EMBASE, and Scopus, were searched from inception to 3 May 2023. Pairs of reviewers screened 2189 potentially eligible studies that addressed food waste emissions from consumers and how the emissions related to human health. Following PRISMA guidelines, 26 articles were eligible for data extraction for the systematic review. Findings indicate that emissions from food waste, such as hydrogen sulphide, ammonia, and volatile organic carbons, can affect human endocrine, respiratory, nervous, and olfactory systems. The severity of the human health effects depends on the gaseous concentration, but range from mild lung irritation to cancer and death. This study recommends emission capture technologies, food diversion programs, and biogas technologies to reduce food waste emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copper, a micronutrient in low concentrations, in excess causes negative changes in the growth and development of plants. This study advances understanding in the dynamics of potentially toxic elements in areas with different uses, making it possible to evaluate the potential of C. cajan to remedy/reduce excess Cu in the soil. It was observed that in C. cajan grown in agricultural soil with high P availability, the translocation of Cu to shoot was 5−7 times greater than in grassland and grassland contaminated with Cu, where the preferred allocation for Cu was the root. The efficiency of the photosynthetic and symbiotic system was not affected; but an increase in the concentration of amino acids was observed. Because of considerable accumulation of Cu in the root and shoot, C. cajan was tolerant to a dose of approximately 100 mg kg−1 of Cu in viticulture soil and may be indicated as a phyto-extractor agent for this metal in agricultural soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) is the causative agent of tuberculosis (TB), an infectious disease that is a major killer worldwide. Due to selection pressure caused by the use of antibacterial drugs, Mtb is characterised by mutational events that have given rise to multi drug resistant (MDR) and extensively drug resistant (XDR) phenotypes. The rate at which mutations occur is an important factor in the study of molecular evolution, and it helps understand gene evolution. Within the same species, different protein-coding genes evolve at different rates. To estimate the rates of molecular evolution of protein-coding genes, a commonly used parameter is the ratio d N/ d S, where d N is the rate of non-synonymous substitutions and d S is the rate of synonymous substitutions. Here, we determined the estimated rates of molecular evolution of select biological processes and molecular functions across 264 strains of Mtb. We also investigated the molecular evolutionary rates of core genes of Mtb by computing the d N/ d S values, and estimated the pan genome of the 264 strains of Mtb. Our results show that the cellular amino acid metabolic process and the kinase activity function evolve at a significantly higher rate, while the carbohydrate metabolic process evolves at a significantly lower rate for M. tuberculosi s. These high rates of evolution correlate well with Mtb physiology and pathogenicity. We further propose that the core genome of M. tuberculosis likely experiences varying rates of molecular evolution which may drive an interplay between core genome and accessory genome during M. tuberculosis evolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In many organisms, rapidly changing environmental conditions are inducing dramatic shifts in diverse phenotypic traits with consequences for fitness and population viability. However, the mechanisms that underlie these responses remain poorly understood. Endocrine signalling systems often influence suites of traits and are sensitive to changes in environmental conditions; they are thus ideal candidates for uncovering both plastic and evolved consequences of climate change. Here, we use body size and shape, a set of integrated traits predicted to shift in response to rising temperatures with effects on fitness, and insulin-like growth factor-1 as a case study to explore these ideas. We review what is known about changes in body size and shape in response to rising temperatures and then illustrate why endocrine signalling systems are likely to be critical in mediating these effects. Lastly, we discuss research approaches that will advance understanding of the processes that underlie rapid responses to climate change and the role endocrine systems will have. Knowledge of the mechanisms involved in phenotypic responses to climate change will be essential for predicting both the ecological and the long-term evolutionary consequences of a warming climate. This article is part of the theme issue 'Endocrine responses to environmental variation: conceptual approaches and recent developments'. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Computed tomography (CT) is routinely employed on the evaluation of dyspnea, yet limited data exist on its assessment of diaphragmatic muscle. This study aimed to determine the capability of CT in identifying structural changes in the diaphragm among patients with ultrasound-confirmed diaphragmatic dysfunction. Methods: Diaphragmatic ultrasounds conducted between 2018 and 2021 at our center in Marseille, France, were retrospectively collected. Diaphragmatic pillars were measured on CT scans at the L1 level and the celiac artery. Additionally, the difference in height between the two diaphragmatic domes in both diaphragmatic dysfunction cases and controls was measured and compared. Results: A total of 65 patients were included, comprising 24 with diaphragmatic paralysis, 13 with diaphragmatic weakness, and 28 controls. In the case group (paralysis and weakness) with left dysfunctions (n = 24), the CT thickness of the pillars at the level of L1 and the celiac artery was significantly thinner compared with controls (2.0 mm vs. 7.4 mm and 1.8 mm vs. 3.1 mm, p < 0.001 respectively). Significantly different values were observed for paralysis (but not weakness) in the right dysfunction subgroup (n = 15) (2.6 mm vs. 7.4 mm and 2.2 mm vs. 3.8 mm, p < 0.001 respectively, for paralysis vs. controls). Regardless of the side of dysfunction, a significant difference in diaphragmatic height was observed between cases and controls (7.70 cm vs. 1.16 cm and 5.51 cm vs. 1.16 cm, p < 0.001 for right and left dysfunctions, respectively). Threshold values determined through ROC curve analyses for height differences between the two diaphragmatic domes, indicative of paralysis or weakness in the right dysfunctions, were 4.44 cm and 3.51 cm, respectively. Similarly for left dysfunctions, the thresholds were 2.70 cm and 2.48 cm, respectively, demonstrating good performance (aera under the curve of 1.00, 1.00, 0.98, and 0.79, respectively). Conclusion: In cases of left diaphragmatic dysfunction, as well as in paralysis associated with right diaphragmatic dysfunction, CT revealed thinner pillars. Additionally, a notable increase in the difference in diaphragmatic height demonstrated a strong potential to identify diaphragmatic dysfunction, with specific threshold values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aluminium (Al) is toxic to most plants, but recent research has suggested that Al addition may stimulate growth and nutrient uptake in some species capable of accumulating high tissue Al concentrations. The physiological basis of this growth response is unknown, but it may be associated with processes linked to the regulation of carbon assimilation and partitioning by Al supply. To test alternative hypotheses for the physiological mechanism explaining this response, we examined the effects of increasing Al concentrations in the growth medium on tissue nutrient concentrations and carbon assimilation in two populations of the Al-accumulator Melastoma malabathricum. Compared to seedlings grown in a control nutrient solution containing no Al, mean rates of photosynthesis and respiration increased by 46% and 27%, respectively, total non-structural carbohydrate concentrations increased by 45%, and lignin concentration in roots decreased by 26% when seedlings were grown in a nutrient solution containing 2.0 mM Al. The concentrations of P, Ca and Mg in leaves and stems increased by 31%, 22%, and 26%, respectively, in response to an increase in nutrient solution Al concentration from 0 to 2.0 mM. Elemental concentrations in roots increased for P (114%), Mg (61%) and K (5%) in response to this increase in Al concentration in the nutrient solution. Plants derived from an inherently faster-growing population had a greater relative increase in final dry mass, net photosynthetic and respiration rates and total non-structural carbohydrate concentrations in response to higher external Al supply. We conclude that growth stimulation by Al supply is associated with increases in photosynthetic and respiration rates and enhanced production of non-structural carbohydrates that are differentially allocated to roots, as well as stimulation of nutrient uptake. These responses suggest that internal carbon assimilation is up-regulated to provide the necessary resources of non-structural carbohydrates for uptake, transport and storage of Al in Melastoma malabathricum. This physiological mechanism has only been recorded previously in one other plant species, Camellia sinensis, which last shared a common ancestor with M. malabathricum more than 120 million years ago. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The selenomethionine cycle (SeMTC) is a crucial pathway for the metabolism of selenium. The basic bioinformatics and functions of four enzymes involved in the cycle including S-adenosyl-methionine synthase (MAT), SAM-dependent methyltransferase (MTase), S-adenosyl-homocysteine hydrolase (SAHH) and methionine synthase (MTR), have been extensively reported in many eukaryotes. The identification and functional analyses of SeMTC genes/proteins in Cardamine hupingshanensis and their response to selenium stress have not yet been reported. Results: In this study, 45 genes involved in SeMTC were identified in the C. hupingshanensis genome. Phylogenetic analysis showed that seven genes from ChMAT were clustered into four branches, twenty-seven genes from ChCOMT were clustered into two branches, four genes from ChSAHH were clustered into two branches, and seven genes from ChMTR were clustered into three branches. These genes were resided on 16 chromosomes. Gene structure and homologous protein modeling analysis illustrated that proteins in the same family are relatively conserved and have similar functions. Molecular docking showed that the affinity of SeMTC enzymes for selenium metabolites was higher than that for sulfur metabolites. The key active site residues identified for ChMAT were Ala269 and Lys273, while Leu221/231 and Gly207/249 were determined as the crucial residues for ChCOMT. For ChSAHH, the essential active site residues were found to be Asn87, Asp139 and Thr206/207/208/325. Ile204, Ser111/329/377, Asp70/206/254, and His329/332/380 were identified as the critical active site residues for ChMTR. In addition, the results of the expression levels of four enzymes under selenium stress revealed that ChMAT3-1 genes were upregulated approximately 18-fold, ChCOMT9-1 was upregulated approximately 38.7-fold, ChSAHH1-2 was upregulated approximately 11.6-fold, and ChMTR3-2 genes were upregulated approximately 28-fold. These verified that SeMTC enzymes were involved in response to selenium stress to varying degrees. Conclusions: The results of this research are instrumental for further functional investigation of SeMTC in C. hupingshanensis. This also lays a solid foundation for deeper investigations into the physiological and biochemical mechanisms underlying selenium metabolism in plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water is a scarce, strategic resource and the most important input for economic development, especially in agricultural countries such as Brazil. Cocoa production is directly related to water availability, and, as climate changes, selecting drought-tolerant genotypes is vital to keep cacao crops sustainable. Here, we evaluated cacao genotypes under irrigated and water-stressed conditions and selected drought-tolerant ones based on nutritional and physiological traits. Thirty-nine genotypes were monitored for three years for agronomic traits and higher fruit yield. After this evaluation, the 18 most promising genotypes were evaluated in a randomized block design, under a 2 (with and without irrigation) × 18 (genotypes) factorial arrangement, with three replicates and five plants per plot. We evaluated seven physiological and 11 nutritional traits, selecting genotypes based on the Genotype-by-Trait Biplot approach. Significant effects (p < 0.05) were observed for the nutritional traits N, P, Mg, S, Zn, Cu, Mn and for the physiological traits CO2 assimilation rate (A), stomatal conductance (gs), transpiration (E), intercellular and atmospheric CO2 concentrations (Ci/Ca), intrinsic water use efficiency (A/gs), instantaneous water use efficiency (A/E), and instantaneous carboxylation efficiency (A/Ci), as determined by analysis of variance. The genotype × irrigation treatment interaction was significant (p < 0.05) for the traits A, gs, and E. Genotypes CP 41, CP 43, and CCN 51 exhibited superior performance for both nutritional and physiological traits (A, gs, and E). In the irrigated environment, CP 41 showed superiority in traits such as P, A/E, A/gs, Mn, S, and Zn. Conversely, under non-irrigated conditions, CP 43 exhibited better performance in nutritional properties, specifically Mn, Mg, and Zn. Notably, in both irrigated and non-irrigated environments, CCN 51 excelled in key physiological traits, including A/Ci, A/E, and A/gs. This robust performance across diverse conditions suggests that these three genotypes possess physiological mechanisms to endure water-stressed conditions. Our research can generate valuable insights into these genotypes informing suitable choices for cocoa cultivation, especially in the context of global climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Traditionally Momordica charantia (Bitter gourd) is known for its blood glucose lowering potential. This has been validated by many previous studies based on rodent models but human trials are less convincing and the physiological mechanisms underlying the bioactivity of Bitter gourd are still unclear. The present study compared the effects of whole fruit or stems-leaves from five different Bitter gourd cultivars on metabolic control in adult diabetic obese Göttingen Minipigs. Methods: Twenty streptozotocin-induced diabetic (D) obese Minipigs (body weight ~85 kg) were subdivided in mildly and overtly D pigs and fed 500 g of obesogenic diet per day for a period of three weeks, supplemented with 20 g dried powdered Bitter gourd or 20 g dried powdered grass as isoenergetic control in a cross-over, within-subject design. Results: Bitter gourd fruit from the cultivars "Palee" and "Good healthy" reduced plasma fructosamine concentrations in all pigs combined (from 450±48 to 423±53 and 490±50 to 404±48 μmol/L, both p<0.03, respectively) indicating improved glycemic control by 6% and 17%. These effects were statistically confirmed in mildly D pigs but not in overtly D pigs. In mildly D pigs, the other three cultivars of fruit showed consistent numerical but no significant improvements in glycemic control. The composition of Bitter gourd fruit was studied by metabolomics profiling and analysis identified three metabolites from the class of triterpenoids (Xuedanoside H, Acutoside A, Karaviloside IX) that were increased in the cultivars "Palee" (>3.9-fold) and "Good healthy" (>8.9-fold) compared to the mean of the other three cultivars. Bitter gourd stems and leaves from the cultivar "Bilai" increased plasma insulin concentrations in all pigs combined by 28% (from 53±6 to 67±9 pmol/L, p<0.03). The other two cultivars of stems and leaves showed consistent numerical but no significant increases in plasma insulin concentrations. The effects on plasma insulin concentrations were confirmed in mildly D pigs but not in overtly D pigs. Conclusions: Fruits of Bitter gourd improve glycemic control and stems-leaves of Bitter gourd increase plasma insulin concentrations in an obese pig model for mild diabetes. The effects of Bitter gourd fruit on glycemic control seem consistent but relatively small and cultivar specific which may explain the varying results of human trials reported in the literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the essential role of nano-fertilizers in crop production, studies have yet to be conducted to evaluate nano-molybdenum (Mo) application on winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). The present study assessed the efficacy of nano-Mo on the Mo-uptake, plant growth, and winter wheat yield. Wheat was grown in the pot experiment using four experimental groups (deionized water: C, nano potassium molybdate: NMoK, potassium molybdate: MoK, and ammonium molybdate: MoA), each with six replicate samples applied-foliar three times in a 30-day interval. The results revealed that NMoK improved Mo accumulation in grains, stomatal conductance, root dry weight, yield, and the number of spikes per pot of wheat compared with MoK. Additionally, NMoK treatment significantly increased wheat grain yield by 46.29%, 13.94%, and 17.70% compared with C, MoK, and MoA treatments, respectively. These results demonstrated that the nano-Mo application may enhance Mo-inefficient wheat growth, thus, increasing its productivity under acidic soil conditions. The principal component analysis (PCA) elucidates that all variables reside within the positively correlated variable domain. This encompasses parameters related to yield, photosynthetic machinery, and Mo uptake by various plant organs. Through cluster analysis, the nano-Mo group exhibited a more pronounced influence on the variables than the without-Mo and non-nano-Mo groups. Based on our findings, nano-Mo could be a suitable alternative to non-nano molybdenum fertilizers. This recommendation is particularly relevant for enhancing the growth of winter wheat crops cultivated in acidic soil conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ability of an animal to effectively capture prey and defend against predators is pivotal for survival. Venom is often a mixture of many components including toxin proteins that shape predator-prey interactions. Here, we used the sea anemone Nematostella vectensis to test the impact of toxin genotypes on predator-prey interactions. We developed a genetic manipulation technique to demonstrate that both transgenically defficient and a native Nematostella strain lacking a major neurotoxin (Nv1) have a reduced ability to defend themselves against grass shrimp, a native predator. In addition, secreted Nv1 can act indirectly in defense by attracting mummichog fish, which prey on grass shrimp. Here, we provide evidence at the molecular level of an animal-specific tritrophic interaction between a prey, its antagonist, and a predator. Last, this study reveals an evolutionary trade-off, as the reduction of Nv1 levels allows for faster growth and increased reproductive rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Predictive relationships between plant traits and environmental factors can be derived at global and regional scales, informing efforts to reorient ecological models around functional traits. However, in a changing climate, the environmental variables used as predictors in such relationships are far from stationary. This could yield errors in trait–environment model predictions if timescale is not accounted for.Here, the timescale dependence of trait–environment relationships is investigated by regressing in situ trait measurements of specific leaf area, leaf nitrogen content, and wood density on local climate characteristics summarized across several increasingly long timescales.We identify contrasting responses of leaf and wood traits to climate timescale. Leaf traits are best predicted by recent climate timescales, while wood density is a longer term memory trait. The use of sub‐optimal climate timescales reduces the accuracy of the resulting trait–environment relationships.This study concludes that plant traits respond to climate conditions on the timescale of tissue lifespans rather than long‐term climate normals, even at large spatial scales where multiple ecological and physiological mechanisms drive trait change. Thus, determining trait–environment relationships with temporally relevant climate variables may be critical for predicting trait change in a nonstationary climate system. See also the Commentary on this article by Cui, 241: 2313–2315. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Auxin plays a crucial role in regulating root growth and development, and its distribution pattern under environmental stimuli significantly influences root plasticity. Under K deficiency, the interaction between K+ transporters and auxin can modulate root development. This study compared the differences in root morphology and physiological mechanisms of the low-K-tolerant maize inbred line 90-21-3 and K-sensitive maize inbred line D937 under K-deficiency (K+ = 0.2 mM) with exogenous NAA (1-naphthaleneacetic acid, NAA = 0.01 mM) treatment. Root systems of 90-21-3 exhibited higher K+ absorption efficiency. Conversely, D937 seedling roots demonstrated greater plasticity and higher K+ content. In-depth analysis through transcriptomics and metabolomics revealed that 90-21-3 and D937 seedling roots showed differential responses to exogenous NAA under K-deficiency. In 90-21-3, upregulation of the expression of K+ absorption and transport-related proteins (proton-exporting ATPase and potassium transporter) and the enrichment of antioxidant-related functional genes were observed. In D937, exogenous NAA promoted the responses of genes related to intercellular ethylene and cation transport to K-deficiency. Differential metabolite enrichment analysis primarily revealed significant enrichment in flavonoid biosynthesis, tryptophan metabolism, and hormone signaling pathways. Integrated transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses revealed that phenylpropanoid biosynthesis is a crucial pathway, with core genes (related to peroxidase enzyme) and core metabolites upregulated in 90-21-3. The findings suggest that under K-deficiency, exogenous NAA induces substantial changes in maize roots, with the phenylpropanoid biosynthesis pathway playing a crucial role in the maize root's response to exogenous NAA regulation under K-deficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The parasympathetic nervous system via the vagus nerve exerts profound influence over the heart. Together with the sympathetic nervous system, the parasympathetic nervous system is responsible for fine-tuned regulation of all aspects of cardiovascular function, including heart rate, rhythm, contractility, and blood pressure. In this review, we highlight vagal efferent and afferent innervation of the heart, with a focus on insights from comparative biology and advances in understanding the molecular and genetic diversity of vagal neurons, as well as interoception, parasympathetic dysfunction in heart disease, and the therapeutic potential of targeting the parasympathetic nervous system in cardiovascular disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: In most high-income countries, piglets undergo certain elective surgical procedures such as castration and tail docking to eliminate behaviors that are associated with mortality and the condemnation of animals and meat. It has been well established that both castration and tail docking are both painful, yet there are limited products for addressing short-term and long-term pain. Lidocam™ Topical Gel (LTG) (4% lidocaine and 0.3% meloxicam) was developed to address the animal welfare and production requirements of the swine industry. The studies described in this paper show that applications of LTG to the scrotal area and tail base act to control the pain associated with these surgical procedure. The studies also demonstrate that LTG was able to control pain and inflammation at the surgical sites for at least 24 h after application. This was demonstrated by using established physiological and behavioral markers for surgical pain: plasma cortisol and substance P, vocalization during procedure, electrocutaneous stimulation of surgical site, and body weight gain. LTG is potentially an effective product for controlling pain and inflammation for use in castration and tail docking in piglets. (1) Background: It has been well established that castration and tail docking are both painful during and following the procedure, yet there are limited convenient and effective products to address both short-term and long-term pain. Lidocam Topical Gel (LTG) (4% lidocaine and 0.3% meloxicam) was developed to address industry needs for an effective and safe product to address animal welfare concerns regarding castration and tail docking in piglets. (2) Methods: Study 1: Male piglets aged 4–8 days of age were treated with LTG (n = 30) or a control gel (n = 30). Approximately 30 min after application of the gel, the piglets were surgically castrated and tail docked. The efficacy of pain control during the surgical procedures and post-procedure (24 h) pain and inflammation control were evaluated using both behavioral and physiological measurements. Study 2: Meloxicam residue depletion following LTG treatment was followed for 28 days. Study 3: Clinical and pathological safety were evaluated in five groups of eight piglets receiving LTG with: (1) no treatment, (2) nominal topical dose, (3) two times the nominal topical dose, (4) three times the nominal topical dose, and 5) one times the nominal topical dose and 2 mL of LTG by oral gavage daily for 3 days. (3) Results: LTG-treated piglets had a significant reduction in electrocutaneous stimulation response before the procedures and 4 and 24 h post-procedures. Stress vocalization intensity and duration were less in piglets receiving LTG during the surgical procedures. Plasma cortisol and substance P were significantly lower in LTG-treated piglets 3 h after castration and tail docking. The weight and average daily gain were significantly increased in piglets receiving LTG. LTG did not interfere with wound healing or cause irritation at the application sites. There were no abnormal clinical or pathological findings associated with the use of LTG at three times the nominal dose given daily for three days. As meloxicam persisted in the application site tissue, a slaughter withdrawal time of 24 days was determined. (4) Conclusions: When applied to the skin 30 min before castration and tail docking, LTG is effective in surgical pain control and provides post-surgical pain control for up to 24 h. LTG is safe for use in piglets and provides an acceptable withdrawal time for commercial use. LTG is a potentially effective product for commercial use for piglet castration and tail docking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Gentle touch has been repeatedly shown to have a positive effect on livestock. The purpose of this study was to determine potential changes in physiological indicators in lambs subjected to gentle stroking. A total of 40 lambs of two breeds were assigned to two control groups (n = 20) and two experimental groups (n = 20). Lambs from the experimental groups received treatment (the gentle stroking procedure). Analyses consisted of determining the following parameters: heart rate (HR), saturation (S) and biochemical analysis. An increase in cortisol levels and a decrease in total protein levels indicate a disruption of homeostasis. At the same time, a significant increase in glycogen and a significant decrease in glucose and heart rate values suggest reduced stress levels. The results obtained in the experimental groups suggest that interactions with humans, even of a positive nature, can be a source of stress, but this is a transient and adaptive reaction. Interactions with humans can be a source of stress, but long-term and positive ones will lead to positive changes and easier handling of animals. The aim of the study was to determine changes in physiological indicators in lambs subjected to gentle stroking. The study included 40 three-week-old lambs (20 females of the synthetic prolific-meat (BCP) line and 20 females of the Świniarka (SW) breed). The animals were assigned to two control groups (n = 20) and two experimental groups (n = 20). Lambs from the experimental groups received treatment. Analyses consisted of determining the following parameters: heart rate (HR), saturation (S) and biochemical analysis. In the groups of sheep subjected to gentle massage, the analyses revealed a significant increase in the levels of cortisol, CAT, GST, GPx, among others, and a significant decrease in the levels of total protein, SOD, TAC, uric acid and Na+. At the same time, indicators of reduced stress levels were revealed, i.e., a significant increase in glycogen levels and a significant decrease in glucose and HR values. These results suggest that the introduction of gentle touch can induce positive states in lambs, and that the stress response may be transient and adaptive. Nevertheless, it is important to note that these interactions can be a source of stress, even if the behavioral response does not necessarily indicate stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Blood corticosterone concentrations are frequently used to evaluate stress responses in birds. Therefore, knowledge about physiological concentrations and daily fluctuations of this "stress hormone" is necessary. Corticosterone fluctuations in socially acting chickens are largely unknown, and we aimed to verify the presence of a daily rhythm. Therefore, blood samples were taken at intervals of four hours via a vein catheter over a period of three days from a total of 12 laying hens housed in groups of four in an enriched environment while video and audio recording their social interactions. Prior to the experimental phase, all hens were medically trained via adaption to repeated handling to reduce their stress reaction. In most hens, corticosterone showed a circadian course with two elevations per day. Statistical analysis revealed a significant peak during daytime (between 12:00 p.m. and 04:00 p.m.), and a tendency for a second peak during the night (12:00 a.m.). Further studies are necessary to elucidate the underlying control mechanisms, light and seasonal influences as well the function of the nightly corticosterone peak. Measurement of blood corticosterone concentrations has been established as an indicator for assessment of acute distress. Therefore, knowledge on physiological fluctuations is required, but previous studies allow little conclusion on daily fluctuations in domestic chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus). To verify the presence of a circadian corticosterone rhythm in socialized chickens, blood samples were taken at four-hour intervals from 12 laying hens kept in groups of four over three days, each. Prior to experiments, hens were adapted to repeated handling for stress reduction. Corticosterone concentration was determined using radioimmunoassay. Blood sampling time and duration were recorded, and audio and video recordings were analyzed to assess the impact of behavior on corticosterone concentrations. Despite individual fluctuations, most hens showed a circadian course with two peaks per day. Statistics revealed a significant peak during the day (between 12:00 p.m. and 04:00 p.m.) and a tendency for a second peak at night (12:00 a.m.). The daily corticosterone peak was not explained by daytime social stress and needs to be seen as an endophenotype. The role of nightly corticosterone production has to be investigated in further studies. There might be a relation between corticosterone and reproduction since the only hen not showing peaks was not laying eggs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]