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Challenge and threat (C/T) states have been shown to predict sport performance under pressure. Nevertheless, only one study has examined whether preseason C/T states are associated with season-long performance, yielding promising findings. Despite promising findings, this work is not without limitations that warrant addressing. We aimed to address these limitations and contribute to the scarce literature which tests the effect of anticipatory C/T states on longer term performance. Thirty-eight amateur cricketers prepared and delivered two counterbalanced speeches: a control speech and a speech about an important cricket batting situation approximately 16 weeks prior to the start of their competitive season. Regression analysis showed that cardiovascular reactivity in anticipation of delivering a speech about an important cricket batting scenario the next season did not predict season-long batting performance. The findings have potential to challenge the role C/T states play in predicting longer term performance in the sport domain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Preserving and regulating cellular homeostasis in the light of changing environmental conditions or developmental processes is of pivotal importance for single cellular and multicellular organisms alike. To counteract an imbalance in cellular homeostasis transcriptional programs evolved, called the heat shock response, unfolded protein response, and integrated stress response, that act cell-autonomously in most cells but in multicellular organisms are subjected to cell-nonautonomous regulation. These transcriptional programs downregulate the expression of most genes but increase the expression of heat shock genes, including genes encoding molecular chaperones and proteases, proteins involved in the repair of stress-induced damage to macromolecules and cellular structures. Sixty-one years after the discovery of the heat shock response by Ferruccio Ritossa, many aspects of stress biology are still enigmatic. Recent progress in the understanding of stress responses and molecular chaperones was reported at the 12th International Symposium on Heat Shock Proteins in Biology, Medicine and the Environment in the Old Town Alexandria, VA, USA from 28th to 31st of October 2023.

A challenge state is associated with superior performance compared to a threat state in a variety of performance domains (e.g., sport, aviation, education). However, in the challenge and threat (C/T) literature, between-subjects variability in past performance is often inconsistently controlled for. Here, we aimed to investigate the effects of C/T states on performance using two methods to control for past performance. Experiment 1 used previous performance statistics in a between-subjects design and Experiment 2 used a within-subject design. In Experiment 1, regression analysis showed that cardiovascular correlates of C/T states predicted cricket batting performance in 45 amateur cricketers. In Experiment 2, between- and within-subject analysis found that past performance was the only predictor of subsequent golf putting performance in 40 noncompetitive golfers. Taken together, the findings challenge the role that C/T states play in predicting performance under pressure after controlling for past performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The primary objective of anesthesiologists during the induction of anaesthesia is to mitigate the operative stress response resulting from endotracheal intubation. In this prospective, randomized controlled trial, our aim was to assess the feasibility and efficacy of employing Index of Consciousness (IoC, IoC1 and IoC2) monitoring in predicting and mitigating circulatory stress induced by endotracheal intubation for laparoscopic cholecystectomy patients under general anesthesia (GA). Methods: We enrolled one hundred and twenty patients scheduled for laparoscopic cholecystectomy under GA and randomly allocated them to two groups: IoC monitoring guidance (Group T, n = 60) and bispectral index (BIS) monitoring guidance (Group C, n = 60). The primary endpoints included the heart rate (HR) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) of the patients, as well as the rate of change (ROC) at specific time points during the endotracheal intubation period. Secondary outcomes encompassed the systemic vascular resistance index (SVRI), cardiac output index (CI), stroke volume index (SVI), ROC at specific time points, the incidence of adverse events (AEs), and the induction dosage of remifentanil and propofol during the endotracheal intubation period in both groups. Results: The mean (SD) HR at 1 min after intubation under IoC monitoring guidance was significantly lower than that under BIS monitoring guidance (76 (16) beats/min vs. 82 (16) beats/min, P = 0.049, respectively). Similarly, the mean (SD) MAP at 1 min after intubation under IoC monitoring guidance was lower than that under BIS monitoring guidance (90 (20) mmHg vs. 98 (19) mmHg, P = 0.031, respectively). At each time point from 1 to 5 min after intubation, the number of cases with HR ROC of less than 10% in Group T was significantly higher than in Group C (P < 0.05). Furthermore, between 1 and 3 min and at 5 min post-intubation, the number of cases with HR ROC between 20 to 30% or 40% in Group T was significantly lower than that in Group C (P < 0.05). At 1 min post-intubation, the number of cases with MAP ROC of less than 10% in Group T was significantly higher than that in Group C (P < 0.05), and the number of cases with MAP ROC between 10 to 20% in Group T was significantly lower than that in Group C (P < 0.01). Patients in Group T exhibited superior hemodynamic stability during the peri-endotracheal intubation period compared to those in Group C. There were no significant differences in the frequencies of AEs between the two groups (P > 0.05). Conclusion: This promising monitoring technique has the potential to predict the circulatory stress response, thereby reducing the incidence of adverse reactions during the peri-endotracheal intubation period. This technology holds promise for optimizing anesthesia management. Trail registration: Chinese Clinical Trail Registry Identifier: ChiCTR2300070237 (20/04/2022). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Modern warfare operations are volatile, highly complex environments, placing immense physiological, psychological, and cognitive demands on the warfighter. To maximize cognitive performance and warfighter resilience and readiness, training must address psychological stress to enhance performance. Resilience in the face of adversity is fundamentally rooted in an individual's psychophysiological stress response and optimized through decreased susceptibility to the negative impact of trauma exposure. The current project aims to optimize warfighter expertise, resilience, adaptability, and performance by utilizing a validated Full Dive Virtual Reality (FDVR) training platform to provide high-fidelity, safe, and scalable, controlled stress exposure in highly realistic simulated training scenarios with the most advanced, immersive technology available. Materials and Methods Following Institutional Review Board approval and consent, 2 operators were fitted with high-fidelity virtual reality headsets with hand and eye tracking, full-body haptic feedback suits, a 360° omnidirectional treadmill, and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) cleared biometric monitors. Following acclimation, operators were placed in an industrial fire scenario and instructed to respond as a firefighter and paramedic, to search for and resuscitate any casualties, extinguish the fire, and exfiltrate safely. Following initial acclimation and after each demonstration (n  = 2), 3 semistructured interviews asked operators their perceptions and experiences related to FDVR, focusing on usability, feasibility, and safety. Biometric data were continuously recorded using the Caretaker Medical VitalStream. Results Proof-of-concept (POC) testing proved that the FDVR training platform is usable, safe, and feasible. It creates an immersive environment with physiological responses to mimic realistic Mass Casualty Events (MCEs). Using a case study approach, transcript data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Three major themes emerged: Sensory deficits reduced realism, but sensory feedback improved fidelity, vestibular discord affected the virtual reality experience but only when the system did not respond naturally to operator movement after acclimation, and movement accommodations were made by operators to enhance usability, especially for fine motor movements. Biometric data analysis correlated timestamps from the VitalStream unit with operator responses to stress-inducing events (i.e. explosions, fires, and a deceased victim). Both operators exhibited significant physiological responses, including elevated heart rate, systolic blood pressure, and mean arterial pressure, particularly following explosions, encountering fire, and encountering the deceased victim within the training environment. Conclusions The FDVR training platform overcomes the obstacles of in-person simulation training and provides the closest to real-life experience available. It will allow warfighters to train with their teams in immersive environments that replicate the conditions in which they are expected to perform their duties. The POC demonstrated that physiological responses can be mapped to scenario events to allow tracking of stress responses, cognitive load, as well as performance, and decision-making of the warfighter. The POC only involved 2 operators, but served to prove that the platform was safe and effective. Future testing plans to include 200 warfighters in operational teams of 10 to 12 to further validate the training effectiveness of the FDVR platform. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Winter warfare training (WWT) is a critical component of military training that trains warfighters to operate effectively in extreme environments impacted by snow and mountainous terrain. These environmental factors can exacerbate the disruption to the hormone milieu associated with operating in multi-stressor settings. To date, there is limited research on the physiological responses and adaptations that occur in elite military populations training in arduous environments. The purpose of this study was to quantify hormone responses and adaptations in operators throughout WWT. Materials and Methods Participants engaged in baseline laboratory metrics at their home station, Fort Carson, located in Colorado (CO) prior to WWT, for one week in Montana (MT) and one week in Alaska (AK). WWT periods were separated by approximately one month. Blood was collected upon wake at baseline (CO) and on the first and last day of WWT at each location (MT and AK). Plasma was analyzed for stress, metabolic, and growth-related hormones via enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA). Sleep quality was assessed via the Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) at baseline (CO) and on the first day of training in MT and AK. Cognitive function was evaluated using the Defense Automated Neurobehavioral Assessment (DANA) at baseline (CO) and on the first and last day of WWT in both MT and AK. Results Fourteen US Army operators in 10th Special Forces Group (SFG) Operational Detachment participated in winter warfare training (WWT; age: 31.5 years; 95%CI[28.1, 34.3]; height: 180.6 cm; 95%CI[177.3, 183.4]; weight: 87.4 kg.; 95%CI[80.6, 97.7]; body fat: 18.9%; 95%CI[13.7, 23.1]; male: n=13; female: n=1). Plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) levels increased from baseline (19.9 pg/mL; 95%CI[8.6, 24.2])  to pre-WWT (26.9 pg/mL; 95%CI [16.2, 37]; p=0.004), decreased from pre-  (26.9 pg/mL; 95%CI [16.2, 37]) to post-WWT in MT (22.3 pg/mL; 95% CI [8, 23.7]; p=0.004;), and increased from pre-  (25 pg/mL; 95%CI[ 28.4) to post-WWT (36.6 pg/mL; 95%CI [17.9, 48.9]) in AK (p=0.005). Plasma cortisol levels decreased from pre- (174 ng/mL; 95%CI[106.2, 233.6])  to post-WWT (94.5 ng/mL; 95%CI[54.8, 101.7]) in MT (p=0.001) and, conversely, increased from pre- (123.1 ng/mL; 95%CI[97.5, 143.9]) to post-WWT  (162.8 ng/mL; 95%CI[128, 216.7]) in AK (p<0.001). Alterations in growth-related hormones (insulin-like growth factor 1 [IGF-1], insulin-like growth factor binding protein 3 [IGFBP-3], and sex hormone binding globulin [SHBG]) were observed throughout WWT (p<0.05). The Total Testosterone / Cortisol ratio (TT / CORT; molar ratio) was lower pre-WWT in MT (0.04; 95%CI[0.01,0.04) compared to baseline in CO (0.07; 95%CI[0.04, 0.07]; p=0.042). Triiodothyronine (T3) levels increased from pre-  (101.7 ng/dL; 95%CI[93.7, 110.4]) to post-WWT  (117.8 ng/dL; 95%CI[105.1, 129.4]) in MT (p=0.042). No differences in sleep quality were reported between locations (CO, MT, and AK). Alterations in cognitive function were exhibited between locations and during WWT in both MT and AK (p<0.05). Conclusions Over the course of WWT, elite operators experienced alterations in stress, metabolic, and growth-related hormones, as well as cognitive performance. The increase in stress hormones (i.e. ACTH and cortisol) and reduction in cognitive performance following training in AK are suggestive of heightened physiological strain, despite similarities in physical workload, self-reported sleep quality, and access to nutrition. The variation in hormone levels documented between MT and AK may stem from differences in environmental factors, such as lower temperatures and harsh terrain. Further research is warranted to provide more information on the combined effects of military training in extreme environments on operator health and performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

FKBP51, also known as FK506‐binding protein 51, is a molecular chaperone and scaffolding protein with significant roles in regulating hormone signaling and responding to stress. Genetic variants in FKBP5, which encodes FKBP51, have been implicated in a growing number of neuropsychiatric disorders, which has spurred efforts to target FKBP51 therapeutically. However, the molecular mechanisms and sub‐anatomical regions influenced by FKBP51 in these disorders are not fully understood. In this study, we aimed to examine the impact of Fkbp5 ablation using circadian phenotyping and molecular analyses. Our findings revealed that the lack of FKBP51 did not significantly alter circadian rhythms, as detected by wheel‐running activity, but did offer protection against stress‐mediated disruptions in rhythmicity in a sex‐dependent manner. Protein changes in Fkbp5 KO mice, as measured by histology and proteomics, revealed alterations in a brain region‐ and sex‐dependent manner. Notably, regardless of sex, aged Fkbp5 KOs showed elevated MYCBP2, FBXO45, and SPRYD3 levels, which are associated with neuronal‐cell adhesion and synaptic integrity. Additionally, pathways such as serotonin receptor signaling and S100 family signaling were differentially regulated in Fkbp5 KO mice. Weighted protein correlation network analysis identified protein networks linked with synaptic transmission and neuroinflammation. The information generated by this work can be used to better understand the molecular changes in the brain during aging and in the absence of Fkbp5, which has implications for the continued development of FKBP51‐focused therapeutics for stress‐related disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Purpose Classical antiemetics that target the serotonin system may not be effective in treating certain nausea and vomiting conditions like cyclic vomiting syndrome (CVS) and cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS). As a result, there is a need for better therapies to manage the symptoms of these disorders, including nausea, vomiting, and anxiety. Cannabis is often used for its purported antiemetic and anxiolytic effects, given regulation of these processes by the endocannabinoid system (ECS). However, there is considerable evidence that cannabinoids can also produce nausea and vomiting and increase anxiety in certain instances, especially at higher doses. This paradoxical effect of cannabinoids on nausea, vomiting, and anxiety may be due to the dysregulation of the ECS, altering how it maintains these processes and contributing to the pathophysiology of CVS or CHS.The purpose of this review is to highlight the involvement of the ECS in the regulation of stress, nausea, and vomiting. We discuss how prolonged cannabis use, such as in the case of CHS or heightened stress, can dysregulate the ECS and affect its modulation of these functions. The review also examines the evidence for the roles of ECS and stress systems' dysfunction in CVS and CHS to better understand the underlying mechanisms of these conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: Laryngoscopy and endotracheal intubation are critical aspects of general anesthesia, often provoking significant stress responses that impact circulatory parameters. This study aims to compare the hemodynamic stress responses and intubation conditions between the Macintosh and McCoy blades in patients with ASA grades I and II undergoing various surgical procedures under general anesthesia. Methods: A total of 100 patients were randomly assigned into two groups: Group A (Macintosh blade) and Group B (McCoy blade), each consisting of 50 patients. Hemodynamic parameters, including heart rate (HR), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and mean arterial pressure (MAP), were recorded at Pre-Induction, At the Start of Laryngoscopy, Immediately After Intubation, 1 Minute After Intubation, 3 Minutes After Intubation, 5 Minutes After Intubation, 10 Minutes After Intubation. Intubation ease was evaluated by recording the duration of laryngoscopy, Cormack and Lehane Grades, Modified Mallampati scores, and the necessity for optimal external laryngeal manipulation (OELM) or stylet use. Results: The Macintosh group exhibited significantly higher HR, SBP, DBP, and MAP immediately after intubation compared to the McCoy group (p < 0.001). The McCoy blade was associated with better attenuation of the hemodynamic response and facilitated improved laryngeal view under Cormack and Lehane grading, particularly beneficial in patients with higher Mallampati grades. Conclusion: The McCoy blade offers superior hemodynamic stability and enhanced visualization during intubation compared to the Macintosh blade, making it potentially more advantageous for patients with challenging airways, although further research in Mallampati grades III and IV is warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Appropriate responses to environmental challenges are imperative for the survival of all living organisms. Exposure to low‐dose stresses is recognized to yield increased cellular fitness, a phenomenon termed hormesis. However, our molecular understanding of how cells respond to low‐dose stress remains profoundly limited. Here we report that histone variant H3.3‐specific chaperone, HIRA, is required for acquired tolerance, where low‐dose heat stress exposure confers resistance to subsequent lethal heat stress. We found that human HIRA activates stress‐responsive genes, including HSP70, by depositing histone H3.3 following low‐dose stresses. These genes are also marked with histone H3 Lys‐4 trimethylation and H3 Lys‐9 acetylation, both active chromatin markers. Moreover, depletion of HIRA greatly diminished acquired tolerance, both in normal diploid fibroblasts and in HeLa cells. Collectively, our study revealed that HIRA is required for eliciting adaptive stress responses under environmental fluctuations and is a master regulator of stress tolerance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The second messenger guanosine 3',5'‐bis(diphosphate)/guanosine tetraphosphate (ppGpp) and guanosine 3'‐diphosphate 5'‐triphosphate/guanosine pentaphosphate (pppGpp) ((p)ppGpp) has been shown to be crucial for the survival of mycobacteria under hostile conditions. Unexpectedly, deletion of primary (p)ppGpp synthetase‐Rel did not completely diminish (p)ppGpp levels leading to the discovery of novel bifunctional enzyme‐RelZ, which displayed guanosine 5'‐monophosphate,3'‐diphosphate (pGpp), ppGpp, and pppGpp ((pp)pGpp) synthesis and RNAseHII activity. What conditions does it express itself under, and does it work in concert with Rel? The regulation of its transcription and whether the Rel enzyme plays a role in such regulation remain unclear. In this article, we have studied relZ promoter and compared its activity with rel promoter in different growth conditions. We observed that the promoter activity of relZ was constitutive; it is weaker than rel promoter, lies within 200 bp upstream of translation‐start site, and it increased under carbon starvation. Furthermore, the promoter activity of relZ was compromised in the rel‐knockout strain in the stationary phase. Our study unveils the dynamic regulation of relZ promoter activity by SigA and SigB sigma factors in different growth phases in mycobacteria. Importantly, elucidating the regulatory network of RelZ would enable the development of the targeted interventions for treating mycobacterial infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus is an important aquaculture species worldwide, and understanding its behavior and growth performance under variable culture conditions is essential for optimizing culture. Light as an environmental factor profoundly affects fish development, growth, food consumption, hormone secretion, and other life processes. This study investigated the effects of different light colors (blue, green, and red) on the stress response of individually reared Nile tilapia using a wireless biosensor system for real-time glucose monitoring. The biosensor system effectively measured glucose concentration (stress indicator) by enzymatic oxidation, allowing continuous monitoring of fish eyeball interstitial sclera fluid (EISF), providing longer and more accurate data. Air exposure and ammonia exposure were used as stressors, and stress responses were monitored under different light colors. Nile tilapia exhibited lower quiescent blood glucose levels, lower blood glucose elevations, and faster stress recovery under blue light. Green light induced more significant glucose elevations during acute physical stress, but showed similar fluctuations to blue light during chronic chemical stress, indicating potential benefits for fish welfare. In contrast, whether exposed to air or ammonia, red light induced large fluctuations in blood glucose levels, which may be detrimental to the fish. The study highlights the importance of light color in influencing stress responses and recovery in Nile tilapia, providing valuable insights for improving aquaculture practices and promoting fish welfare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Waterless and low temperature transportation is a green and efficient way for the transportation of live fish. However, waterless and low temperature conditions could lead to a stress response in live fish, resulting in reduced transport survival rates. It is still a challenge to intelligently monitor the breath stress state of live fish under adversity stress. Temperature (T), relative humidity (RH), oxygen (O 2) and carbon dioxide (CO 2) signals can reflect changes in adversity stress environment; while the breath angle sensors can monitor the gill opening and closing angle (breath angle) to reflect changes in fish breath. In this work, microenvironment and breath angle sensor systems were designed and developed to comprehensively evaluate the breath stress state of fish. Meanwhile, the Kalman filter-quaternion-fast Fourier transform method was established to process the breath angle signal. The breath angle signal indicated that the sturgeon had three levels of breath stress: acute fluctuation stage (0–2.5h), organismal regulation stage (2.5–16h) and cumulative stress stage (>16h). In addition, linear regression (LR), back propagation neural network (BPNN), support vector regression (SVR), and radial basis function neural network (RBFNN) models were established for breath efficiency signal prediction. The R2 of the RBFNN (0.9544) model was significantly higher than the LR (0.8092), BPNN (0.9289), and SVR (0.9428) models. This study provided a reference for further intelligent monitoring and management of the fish breath stress state under waterless and low temperature conditions. • Development of sensor systems for measuring microenvironment and breath angle. • Kalman filter-quaternion-fast Fourier transform based breath angle processing. • Comprehensive evaluation of the breath stress states of live fish. • Machine learning-based compensation and modelling of breath stress states. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Prolonged use of glucocorticoids is known to promote neurodegeneration. • GCs impact SH-SY5Y cell viability by affecting different cellular responses. • Organelle-associated stress is a major feature of GC-induced toxicity. Glucocorticoids (GCs) are widely used as powerful anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive therapeutics in multiple pathological conditions. However, compelling evidence indicates that they might promote neurodegeneration by altering mitochondrial homeostatic processes. Although the effect of dexamethasone on cell survival and homeostasis has been widely investigated, the effect of other glucocorticoids needs to be explored in more detail. In this report, we have compared the neurotoxicity induced by dexamethasone, prednisolone, betamethasone, and hydrocortisone in cultured neuroblastoma cells, through the analysis of several parameters such as cell viability, ER stress, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial fusion and fission markers. Interestingly, we have found that synthetic glucocorticoids may impact neuronal viability by affecting different cellular responses, suggesting that their therapeutic use should be consciously decided after careful consideration of benefits and detrimental effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrogen sulfide regulates essential plant processes, including adaptation responses to stress situations, and the best characterized mechanism of action of sulfide consists of the post-translational modification of persulfidation. In this study, we reveal the first persulfidation proteome described in rice including 3443 different persulfidated proteins that participate in a broad range of biological processes and metabolic pathways. In addition, comparative proteomics revealed specific proteins involved in sulfide signaling during drought responses. Several proteins are involved in the maintenance of cellular redox homeostasis, the tricarboxylic acid cycle and energy-related pathways, and ion transmembrane transport and cellular water homeostasis, with the aquaporin family showing the highest differential levels of persulfidation. We revealed that water transport activity is regulated by sulfide which correlates with an increasing level of persulfidation of aquaporins. Our findings emphasize the impact of persulfidation on total ATP levels, fatty acid composition, levels of reactive oxygen species, antioxidant enzymatic activities, and relative water content. Interestingly, the role of persulfidation in aquaporin transport activity as an adaptation response in rice differs from current knowledge of Arabidopsis, which highlights the distinct role of sulfide in improving rice tolerance to drought. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Jasmonic acid (JA) is a phytohormone involved in regulating responses to biotic and abiotic stress. Although the JA pathway is well characterized in model plants such as Arabidopsis thaliana, less is known about many non-model plants. Phytolacca americana (pokeweed) is native to eastern North Americana and is resilient to environmental stress. The goal of this study was to produce a publicly available pokeweed genome assembly and annotations and use this resource to determine how early response to JA changes gene expression, with particular focus on genes involved in defense. Results: We assembled the pokeweed genome de novo from approximately 30 Gb of PacBio Hifi long reads and achieved an NG50 of ~ 13.2 Mb and a minimum 93.9% complete BUSCO score for gene annotations. With this reference, we investigated the early changes in pokeweed gene expression following JA treatment. Approximately 5,100 genes were differentially expressed during the 0–6 h time course with almost equal number of genes with increased and decreased transcript levels. Cluster and gene ontology analyses indicated the downregulation of genes associated with photosynthesis and upregulation of genes involved in hormone signaling and defense. We identified orthologues of key transcription factors and constructed the first JA gene response network integrated with our transcriptomic data from orthologues of Arabidopsis genes. We discovered that pokeweed did not use leaf senescence as a means of reallocating resources during stress; rather, most secondary metabolite synthesis genes were constitutively expressed, suggesting that pokeweed directs its resources for survival over the long term. In addition, pokeweed synthesizes several RNA N-glycosylases hypothesized to function in defense, each with unique expression profiles in response to JA. Conclusions: Our investigation of the early response of pokeweed to JA illustrates patterns of gene expression involved in defence and stress tolerance. Pokeweed provides insight into the defense mechanisms of plants beyond those observed in research models and crops, and further study may yield novel approaches to improving the resilience of plants to environmental changes. Our assembled pokeweed genome is the first within the taxonomic family Phytolaccaceae to be publicly available for continued research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Industrial biotechnology heavily relies on the microbial conversion of carbohydrate substrates derived from sugar- or starch-rich crops. This dependency poses significant challenges in the face of a rising population and food scarcity. Consequently, exploring renewable, non-competing carbon sources for sustainable bioprocessing becomes increasingly important. Ethanol, a key C2 feedstock, presents a promising alternative, especially for producing acetyl-CoA derivatives. In this review, we offer an in-depth analysis of ethanol's potential as an alternative carbon source, summarizing its distinctive characteristics when utilized by microbes, microbial ethanol metabolism pathway, and microbial responses and tolerance mechanisms to ethanol stress. We provide an update on recent progress in ethanol-based biomanufacturing and ethanol biosynthesis, discuss current challenges, and outline potential research directions to guide future advancements in this field. The insights presented here could serve as valuable theoretical support for researchers and industry professionals seeking to harness ethanol's potential for the production of high-value products. Highlight: Highlights the characteristics of ethanol as a carbon source in bioprocessing. Summarizes microbial ethanol metabolism, stress responses, and tolerance mechanisms. Reviews recent progress in ethanol-based biomanufacturing and ethanol biosynthesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: To address the physiological response to low-temperature stress in the invasive turtle species, we investigated the hepatic metabolite alteration of Trachemys scripta elegans hatchlings under low-temperature treatments. Our results indicated that the levels of hepatic metabolites, e.g., stearolic acid, taurohyocholate, and spermidine, changed significantly in low-temperature-exposed turtles. Despite having only limited impacts on fatty acid and energy metabolism, short-term low-temperature exposure might alter the immune ability of turtles. Investigating the physiological and biochemical changes of ectothermic species before entering hibernation would contribute to the understanding of how they adapt to low-temperature environments. Here, red-eared slider turtle (Trachemys scripta elegans) hatchlings were maintained under different thermal treatments (24 °C, slowly decreasing temperatures from 24 °C to 14 °C, and to 4 °C). Hepatic metabolite alterations were measured to assess the metabolic impacts of low-temperature stress in this species. Of these differentially changed metabolites, some (e.g., raffinose, spermidine, allocholic acid, taurohyocholate, 2-ketobutyric acid, acetylcysteine) were shown to decrease, while others (e.g., stearolic acid, D-mannose) increased in low-temperature treatments. Our results indicated that short-term low-temperature stress might have limited impacts on lipid and energy metabolism in this species. The changes in other metabolites (e.g., allocholic acid, taurohyocholate, spermine, acetylcysteine) might be associated with a low food intake (and thus reduced digestive performance) and weakened immune ability of low-temperature-exposed animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Promyelocytic leukemia (PML) nuclear bodies (PML-NBs) are core–shell-type membrane-less organelles typically found in the nucleus of mammalian somatic cells but are absent in mouse oocytes. Here, we deliberately induced the assembly of PML-NBs by injecting mRNA encoding human PML protein (hPML VI -sfGFP) into oocytes and investigated their impact on fertilization in which oocyte/embryos undergo multiple types of stresses. Following nuclear membrane breakdown, preassembled hPML VI -sfGFP mRNA-derived PML-NBs (hmdPML-NBs) persisted in the cytoplasm of oocytes, forming less-soluble debris, particularly under stress. Parthenogenetic embryos that successfully formed pronuclei were capable of removing preassembled hmdPML-NBs from the cytoplasm while forming new hmdPML-NBs in the pronucleus. These observations highlight the beneficial aspect of the PML-NB-free nucleoplasmic environment and suggest that the ability to eliminate unnecessary materials in the cytoplasm of metaphase oocytes serves as a potential indicator of the oocyte quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To investigate the effect of dexmedetomidine plus sufentanil on in-patients after laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). Methods: A total of 120 patients with gallbladder disease in Jingxian Hospital, China who were treated with LC were assigned equally to control and study cohorts. Control group received sufentanil, while study group received dexmedetomidine and sufentanil after surgery. The extent of sedation, degree of pain, and dosage of self-controlled analgesia pump drug, were evaluated within 48 h. Serum levels of stress indicators such as cortisol (Cor), norepinephrine (NE), angiotensin II (AngII), reactive oxygen species (ROS), and inflammatory factors: interleukin-17 (IL-17), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) were determined. Results: Values of Ramsay sedation scores after surgery in study group were significantly higher than those in control group (p < 0.05). The visual analogue scale (VAS) scores were significantly lower in study group than in control group. The self-controlled analgesia pump drug dosages were significantly lower in study cohort (p < 0.05). Study cohort had lower levels of Cor, NE, AngII, TNF-α, and hs-CRP after surgery than control cohort, while SOD level was higher in study cohort than in control cohort (p < 0.05). There was a significantly lower incidence of adverse reactions in study cohort. Conclusion: The combination of dexmedetomidine and sufentanil as postoperative analgesia in LC significantly improves sedation and analgesia, reduces sufentanil use, alleviates stress response and inflammation, and reduces adverse reactions. Future long-term and large-scale monitoring is required to further validate these findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant formation from in vitro-cultivated microspores involves a complex network of internal and environmental factors. Haploids/doubled haploids (DHs) derived from in vitro-cultured microspores are widely used in plant breeding and genetic engineering. However, the mechanism underlying the developmental switch from regular pollen maturation towards microspore-derived plant regeneration remains poorly defined. Here, RNA-sequencing was employed to elucidate the transcriptional landscapes of four early stages of microspore embryogenesis (ME) in barley cultivars Golden Promise and Igri, which exhibit contrasting responsiveness to microspore-derived plant formation. Our experiments revealed fundamental regulatory networks, specific groups of genes, and transcription factor (TF) families potentially regulating the developmental switch. We identified a set of candidate genes crucial for genotype-dependent responsiveness/recalcitrance to ME. Our high-resolution temporal transcriptome atlas provides an important resource for future functional studies on the genetic control of microspore developmental transition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Light is one of the important factors in Chinese soft-shelled turtle culture. The study investigated the effects of light intensity on growth performance, stress, immune-related parameters, and antioxidant enzyme activities of Chinese soft-shelled turtles under the light environment of lighting the basking area in intensive farming. Four degrees of light intensities with three replicates were used, including LL (low light intensity, 6.56 ± 0.14 W/m2), ML (medium light intensity, 18.11 ± 0.54 W/m2), HL (high light intensity, 37.81 ± 2.85 W/m2), and control group (0 W/m2). The experimental photoperiod was fixed as 12 L: 12 D, and the water temperature was controlled at 30 ± 2 °C. After 152-day rearing, it was found that the growth performance of Chinese soft-shelled turtles in the LL group was significantly higher than that in the HL group. The serum cortisol level of turtles in the LL group was significantly lower than that in the HL group, indicating lower stress in the LL group compared to other groups. The content of lysozyme (LZM) was highest in the LL group, the content of acid phosphatase (ACP) in the LL group was significantly higher than that in the control group and the HL group, and the content of nitric oxide (NO) in the LL group was significantly higher than that in the HL group, implying that turtles in the LL group had the best immune performance. The superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) activity in the liver of turtles in the LL group were significantly lower than that in the control and HL groups. Further, the catalase (CAT) activity of turtles in the LL group was the lowest among the treatments. Malonaldehyde (MDA) content was significantly lower in the LL group than in the control and HL groups. Therefore, considering the growth performance and physiological status of Chinese soft-shelled turtles, it is recommended to provide a low intensity of light when lighting the basking area only, and the optimum light intensity for the growth of Chinese soft-shelled turtles is between 7.07 and 11.50 W/m2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Translation is one of the main gene expression steps targeted by cellular stress, commonly referred to as translational stress, which includes treatment with anticancer drugs. While translational stress blocks the translation initiation of bulk mRNAs, it nonetheless activates the translation of specific mRNAs known as short upstream open reading frames (uORFs)-mRNAs. Among these, the ATF4 mRNA encodes a transcription factor that reprograms gene expression in cells responding to various stresses. Although the stress-induced translation of the ATF4 mRNA relies on the presence of uORFs (upstream to the main ATF4 ORF), the mechanisms mediating this effect, particularly during chemoresistance, remain elusive. Here, we report that ALKBH5 (AlkB Homolog 5) and FTO (FTO: Fat mass and obesity-associated protein), the two RNA demethylating enzymes, promote the translation of ATF4 mRNA in a transformed liver cell line (Hep3B) treated with the chemotherapeutic drug sorafenib. Using the in vitro luciferase reporter translational assay, we found that depletion of both enzymes reduced the translation of the reporter ATF4 mRNA upon drug treatment. Consistently, depletion of either protein abrogates the loading of the ATF3 mRNA into translating ribosomes as assessed by polyribosome assays coupled to RT-qPCR. Collectively, these results indicate that the ALKBH5 and FTO-mediated translation of the ATF4 mRNA is regulated at its initiation step. Using in vitro methylation assays, we found that ALKBH5 is required for the inhibition of the methylation of a reporter ATF4 mRNA at a conserved adenosine (A235) site located at its uORF2, suggesting that ALKBH5-mediated translation of ATF4 mRNA involves demethylation of its A235. Preventing methylation of A235 by introducing an A/G mutation into an ATF4 mRNA reporter renders its translation insensitive to ALKBH5 depletion, supporting the role of ALKBH5 demethylation activity in translation. Finally, targeting either ALKBH5 or FTO sensitizes Hep3B to sorafenib-induced cell death, contributing to their resistance. In summary, our data show that ALKBH5 and FTO are novel factors that promote resistance to sorafenib treatment, in part by mediating the translation of ATF4 mRNA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Compared with acute cerebral infarction alone, the nutritional status of patients with acute cerebral infarction and dysphagia is significantly worse, which not only negatively impacts clinical treatment, but also contributes to the poor prognosis of patients. In traditional clinical treatment, more focus is placed on improving the neurological function of patients with acute cerebral infarction combined with dysphagia, often neglecting their nutritional status, leading to unsatisfactory prognosis. In this study, we explored the influence of enhanced recovery after surgery care on the neurological function and nutritional status of patients with acute cerebral infarction combined with dysphagia after thrombolytic therapy. It was found that the use of enhanced recovery after surgery care improved neurological function and nutritional status and reduced blood pressure and stress responses, while promoting the recovery of patients' muscle strength. Therefore, enhanced recovery after surgery care has high application value in the future clinical treatment of acute cerebral infarction combined with dysphagia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the influence of early nutritional nursing on gastrointestinal function and stress responses in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy. A total of 84 patients at Ankang Central Hospital from March 2019 to March 2020 were divided into the control group and treatment group using the numerical table method. The control group received routine nursing after laparoscopic cholecystectomy, and the treatment group received early nutritional nursing. The visual analogue scale and general comfort questionnaire scores of the treatment group were lower than those of the control group at 1, 3, and 5 days after surgery. The time to first feed, the time to first passage of gas, and the recovery time of intestinal sounds were significantly shorter in the treatment group compared to the control group. Abdominal distension and gastrointestinal reaction scores were significantly lower, while generic quality of life inventory-74 scores, Newcastle satisfaction with nursing scale scores, and Chinese version of the Conor--Davidson resilience scale scores were significantly higher in the treatment group compared to the control group. The levels of inflammatory factors and stress hormones were significantly lower in the treatment group than in the control group, while arm muscle circumference, body weight, and transferrin, hemoglobin, albumin, and prealbumin levels were significantly higher (P < 0.05). Overall, early nutritional nursing can effectively relieve postoperative pain and improve gastrointestinal function, quality of life, nutritional status, and nursing satisfaction in patients after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bacteria use several means to survive under stress conditions such as nutrient depletion. One such response is the formation of hibernating 100S ribosomes, which are translationally inactive 70S dimers. In Gammaproteobacteria (Enterobacterales), 100S ribosome formation requires ribosome modulation factor (RMF) and short hibernation promoting factor (HPF), whereas it is mediated by only long HPF in the majority of bacteria. Here, we investigated the role of HPFs of Comamonas testosteroni, which belongs to the Betaproteobacteria with common ancestor to the Gammaproteobacteria. C. testosteroni has two genes of HPF homologs of differing length (CtHPF‐125 and CtHPF‐119). CtHPF‐125 was induced in the stationary phase, whereas CtHPF‐119 conserved in many other Betaproteobacteria was not expressed in the culture conditions used here. Unlike short HPF and RMF, and long HPF, CtHPF‐125 could not form 100S ribosome. We first constructed the deletion mutant of Cthpf‐125 gene. When the deletion mutant grows in the stationary phase, 70S particles were degraded faster than in the wild strain. CtHPF‐125 contributes to stabilizing the 70S ribosome. CtHPF‐125 and CtHPF‐119 both inhibited protein synthesis by transcription‐translation in vitro. Our findings suggest that CtHPF‐125 binds to ribosome, and stabilizes 70S ribosomes, inhibits translation without forming 100S ribosomes and supports prolonging life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Inflammation is the hallmark of critical illness and triggers the neuro-endocrine stress response and an oxidative stress. Acute inflammation is initially essential for patient's survival. However, ongoing or exaggerated inflammation, due to persistent organ dysfunction, immune dysfunction or poor inflammation resolution, is associated to subsequent hypermetabolism and hypercatabolism that severely impact short and long-term functional status, autonomy, as well as health-related costs. Modulation of inflammation is thus tempting, with the goal to improve the short- and long-term outcomes of critically ill patients. Findings: Inflammation can be modulated by nutritional strategies (including the timing of enteral nutrition initiation, the provision of some specific macronutrients or micronutrients, the use of probiotics) and metabolic treatments. The most interesting strategies seem to be n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, vitamin D, antioxidant micronutrients and propranolol, given their safety, their accessibility for clinical use, and their benefits in clinical studies in the specific context of critical care. However, the optimal doses, timing and route of administration are still unknown for most of them. Furthermore, their use in the recovery phase is not well studied and defined. Conclusion: The rationale to use strategies of inflammation modulation is obvious, based on critical illness pathophysiology and based on the increasingly described effects of some nutritional and pharmacological strategies. Regretfully, there isn't always substantial proof from clinical research regarding the positive impacts directly brought about by inflammation modulation. Some arguments come from studies performed in severe burn patients, but such results should be transposed to non-burn patients with caution. Further studies are needed to explore how the modulation of inflammation can improve the long-term outcomes after a critical illness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to their stationary nature, plants are exposed to a diverse range of biotic and abiotic stresses, of which heavy metal (HM) stress poses one of the most detrimental abiotic stresses, targeting diverse plant processes. HMs instigate the overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and to mitigate the adverse effects of ROS, plants induce multiple defence mechanisms. Besides the negative implications of overproduction of ROS, these molecules play a multitude of signalling roles in plants, acting as a central player in the complex signalling network of cells. One of the ROS‐associated signalling mechanisms is the mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade, a signalling pathway which transduces extracellular stimuli into intracellular responses. Plant MAPKs have been implicated in signalling involved in stress response, phytohormone regulation, and cell cycle cues. However, the influence of various HMs on MAPK activation has not been well documented. In this review, we address and summarise several aspects related to various HM‐induced ROS signalling. Additionally, we touch on how these signals activate the MAPK cascade and the downstream transcription factors that influence plant responses to HMs. Moreover, we propose a workflow that could characterise genes associated with MAPKs and their roles during plant HM stress responses. Summary statement: This review highlights the link between five heavy metals (HM) and their reactive oxygen species (ROS) signalling of the mitogen‐activated protein kinases (MAPK) pathway to stimulate downstream transcription factors that act as a mechanism for HM acclimation. The review likewise provides a proposed workflow to further elucidate heavy‐metal‐ROS induction of the MAPK pathway for HMs, such as arsenic, that have not been extensively examined in plant systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The biologically produced gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are novel carriers with promising use in targeted tumor therapy. Still, there are no studies regarding the efficacy of nanoparticle internalization by cancer and noncancer cells. In this study, AuNPs were produced by Fusarium oxysporum and analyzed by spectrophotometry, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive x‐ray spectroscopy (EDS), and Zetasizer. Obtained AuNPs were about 15 nm in size with a zeta potential of –35.8 mV. The AuNPs were added to cancer cells (4T1), noncancer cells (NIH/3T3), and macrophages (RAW264.7). The viability decreased in 4T1 (77 ± 3.74%) in contrast to NIH/3T3 and RAW264.7 cells (89 ± 4.9% and 90 ± 3.5%, respectively). The 4T1 cancer cells also showed the highest uptake and accumulation of Au (∼80% of AuNPs was internalized) as determined by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectroscopy. The lowest amount of AuNPs was internalized by the NIH/3T3 cells (∼30%). The NIH/3T3 cells exhibited prominent reorganization of F‐actin filaments as examined by confocal microscopy. In RAW264.7, we analyzed the release of proinflammatory cytokines by flow cytometry and we found the AuNP interaction triggered transient secretion of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF‐α) and interferon gamma (IFN‐γ). In summary, we proved the biologically produced AuNPs entered all the tested cell types and triggered cell‐specific responses. High AuNP uptake by tumor cells was related to decreased cell viability, while low nanoparticle uptake by fibroblasts triggered F‐actin reorganization without remarkable toxicity. Thus, the biologically produced AuNPs hold promising potential as cancer drug carriers and likely require proper surface functionalization to shield phagocytizing cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Crocodilians have survived for millions of years and, like humans, experience stress and its subsequent consequences. Stress can cause significant economic and animal losses on crocodile farms if not monitored and managed appropriately. This study aims to identify immediate and delayed stress indicators in the Nile crocodile and to observe any release patterns after being subjected to acute restraint stress. We will consider known as well as novel stress indicators, such as dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), whilst observing how these novel indicators correlate with that of the known stress biomarkers. Acute restraint-stress induced noticeable changes, especially in rapid response indicators like adrenaline and noradrenaline. These monoamines, along with the stress hormone corticosterone (CORT), had a lasting impact, increasing the amount of glucose and certain immune cells in the blood. Connections were found between CORT and lactate after the acute stress reaction, whereas stress affected glucose and the heterophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (HLR) over time. Also, acute stress led to changes in the CORT:DHEA ratio, showing its quick reaction to adversity and confirming its relevance when studying the stress response in crocodilians. This research sheds light on how Nile crocodiles respond to an acute adverse event, which could improve stress management practices in crocodilians, thereby benefiting captive and wild populations. Commercial crocodilian farms face significant economic and livestock losses attributed to stress, which may be linked to their adopted husbandry practices. The development of appropriate and modernized husbandry guidelines, particularly those focused on stress mitigation, is impeded by the limited understanding of the crocodilian stress response. Fifteen grower Nile crocodiles were subjected to simulated acute transport stress, with blood samples collected at various intervals post-stress. Plasma levels of corticosterone (CORT), dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), adrenaline, and noradrenaline were determined using high-performance liquid chromatography. Glucose and lactate were measured using portable meters and the heterophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (HLR) was determined via differential leucocyte counts. Significant differences were elicited after the stressor, with acute fluctuations observed in the fast-acting catecholamines (adrenaline and noradrenaline) when compared to the baseline. Downstream effects of these catecholamines and CORT appear to be associated with a persistent increase in plasma glucose and HLR. Lactate also showed acute fluctuations over time but returned to the baseline by the final measurement. DHEA, which is used in a ratio with CORT, showed fluctuations over time with an inverted release pattern to the catecholamines. The study highlights the temporal dynamics of physiological markers under acute stress, contributing to our understanding of crocodilian stress and potentially informing improved farming practices for conservation and sustainable management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exosomes, natural nanovesicles that contain a cargo of biologically active molecules such as lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids, are released from cells to the extracellular environment. They then act as autocrine, paracrine, or endocrine mediators of communication between cells by delivering their cargo into recipient cells and causing downstream effects. Exosomes are greatly enriched in miRNAs, which are small non-coding RNAs that act both as cytoplasmic post-transcriptional repression agents, modulating the translation of mRNAs into proteins, as well as nuclear transcriptional gene activators. Neuronal exosomal miRNAs have important physiologic functions in the central nervous system (CNS), including cell-to-cell communication, synaptic plasticity, and neurogenesis, as well as modulating stress and inflammatory responses. Stress-induced changes in exosomal functions include effects on neurogenesis and neuroinflammation, which can lead to the appearance of various neuropsychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, major depression, bipolar disorder, and Alzheimer's and Huntington's diseases. The current knowledge regarding the roles of exosomes in the pathophysiology of common mental disorders is discussed in this review. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nucleophosmin (NPM1) is a key nucleolar protein released from the nucleolus in response to stress stimuli. NPM1 functions as a stress regulator with nucleic acid and protein chaperone activities, rapidly shuttling between the nucleus and cytoplasm. NPM1 is ubiquitously expressed in tissues and can be found in the nucleolus, nucleoplasm, cytoplasm, and extracellular environment. It plays a central role in various biological processes such as ribosome biogenesis, cell cycle regulation, cell proliferation, DNA damage repair, and apoptosis. In addition, it is highly expressed in cancer cells and solid tumors, and its mutation is a major cause of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). This review focuses on NPM1's structural features, functional diversity, subcellular distribution, and role in stress modulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bottlenecks in moving genomics to real-life applications also include phenomics. This is true not only for genomics medicine and public health genomics but also in ecology and livestock phenomics. This expert narrative review explores the intricate relationship between genetic makeup and observable phenotypic traits across various biological levels in the context of livestock research. We unpack and emphasize the significance of precise phenotypic data in selective breeding outcomes and examine the multifaceted applications of phenomics, ranging from improvement to assessing welfare, reproductive traits, and environmental adaptation in livestock. As phenotypic traits exhibit strong correlations, their measurement alongside specific biological outcomes provides insights into performance, overall health, and clinical endpoints like morbidity and disease. In addition, automated assessment of livestock holds potential for monitoring the dynamic phenotypic traits across various species, facilitating a deeper comprehension of how they adapt to their environment and attendant stressors. A key challenge in genetic improvement in livestock is predicting individuals with optimal fitness without direct measurement. Temporal predictions from unmanned aerial systems can surpass genomic predictions, offering in-depth data on livestock. In the near future, digital phenotyping and digital biomarkers may further unravel the genetic intricacies of stress tolerance, adaptation and welfare aspects of animals enabling the selection of climate-resilient and productive livestock. This expert review thus delves into challenges associated with phenotyping and discusses technological advancements shaping the future of biological research concerning livestock. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Melatonin (N‐acetyl‐5‐methoxytryptamine), a well‐known mammalian hormone, has been having a great relevance in the Plant World in recent years. Many of its physiological actions in plants are leading to possible features of agronomic interest, especially those related to improvements in tolerance to stressors and in the postharvest life of fruits and vegetables. Thus, through the exogenous application of melatonin or by modifying the endogenous biosynthesis of phytomelatonin, some change can be made in the functional levels of melatonin in tissues and their responses. Also, acting in the respective phytomelatonin biosynthesis enzymes, regulating the expression of tryptophan decarboxylase (TDC), tryptamine 5‐hydroxylase (T5H), serotonin N‐acetyltransferase (SNAT), N‐acetylserotonin O‐methyltransferase (ASMT), and caffeic acid O‐methyltransferase (COMT), and recently the possible action of deacetylases on some intermediates offers promising opportunities for improving fruits and vegetables in postharvest and its marketability. Other regulators/effectors such as different transcription factors, protein kinases, phosphatases, miRNAs, protein–protein interactions, and some gasotransmitters such as nitric oxide or hydrogen sulfide were also considered in an exhaustive vision. Other interesting aspects such as the role of phytomelatonin in autophagic responses, the posttranslational reprogramming by protein‐phosphorylation, ubiquitylation, SUMOylation, PARylation, persulfidation, and nitrosylation described in the phytomelatonin‐mediated responses were also discussed, including the relationship of phytomelatonin and several plant hormones, for chilling injury and fungal decay alleviating. The current data about the phytomelatonin receptor in plants (CAND2/PMTR1), the effect of UV‐B light and cold storage on the postharvest damage are presented and discussed. All this on the focus of a possible new action in the preservation of the quality of fruits and vegetables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since the molecular mechanisms behind adaptation and the bacterial stress response toward antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) are not entirely clear yet, the aim of the present study was to investigate the transcriptomic stress response in Escherichia coli after sublethal treatment with aPDT using RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq). Planktonic cultures of stationary phase E. coli were treated with aPDT using a sublethal dose of the photosensitizer SAPYR. After treatment, RNA was extracted, and RNA-Seq was performed on the Illumina NextSeq 500. Differentially expressed genes were analyzed and validated by qRT-PCR. Furthermore, expression of specific stress response proteins was investigated using Western blot analysis.The analysis of the differential gene expression following pathway enrichment analysis revealed a considerable number of genes and pathways significantly up- or down-regulated in E. coli after sublethal treatment with aPDT. Expression of 1018 genes was up-regulated and of 648 genes was down-regulated after sublethal treatment with aPDT as compared to irradiated controls. Analysis of differentially expressed genes and significantly de-regulated pathways showed regulation of genes involved in oxidative stress response and bacterial membrane damage. In conclusion, the results show a transcriptomic stress response in E. coli upon exposure to aPDT using SAPYR and give an insight into potential molecular mechanisms that may result in development of adaptation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Amphibians, with their unique physiology and habitat requirements, are especially vulnerable to changes in environmental temperatures. While the activation of the physiological stress response can help to mitigate the impact of such habitat alteration, chronic production of elevated glucocorticoid levels can be deleterious in nature. There is no empirical evidence indicating the physiological response of African amphibians to temperature changes, where individuals are unable to emigrate away from potential stressors. To rectify this, we used the edible bullfrog (Pyxicephalus edulis) as a model species to determine the effect of elevated temperature on the adrenocortical response of the species using a recently established matrix. While a control group was kept at a constant temperature (25 °C) throughout the study period, an experimental group was exposed to control (25 °C) and elevated temperatures (30 °C). Mucous swabs were collected throughout the study period to determine dermal glucocorticoid (dGC) concentrations, as a proxy for physiological stress. In addition to this, individual body mass measurements were collected. The results showed that individuals within the experimental group who experienced increased temperatures had significantly elevated dGC levels compared to the control animals. Furthermore, there was a significant difference in the percentage mass change between experimental and control animals. These findings indicate the physiological sensitivity of the edible bullfrog to a thermal stressor in captivity. While this study shows the importance of proper amphibian management within the captive environment, it also highlights the coming danger of global climate change to this and similar amphibian species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

DNA demethylation is a very important biochemical pathway regulating a group of biological processes, such as embryo development, fruit ripening, and response to stress. Despite the essential role of DNA demethylases, their evolutionary relationship and detailed biological functions in different land plants remain unclear. In this study, 48 DNA demethylases in 12 land plants were identified and classified. A phylogenetic tree was constructed to demonstrate the evolutionary relationships among these DNA demethylases, indicating how they are related across different species. Conserved domain, protein motif, and gene structure analysis showed that these 48 DNA demethylases fell into the presently identified four classes of DNA demethylases. Amino acid alignment revealed conserved catalytic sites and a previously less-studied protein region (referred to as domain A) within the DNA demethylases. An analysis showed a conserved pattern of gene duplication for DNA demethylases throughout their evolutionary history, suggesting that these genes had been maintained due to their importance. The examination of promoter cis-elements displayed potential signaling and regulating pathways of DNA demethylases. Furthermore, the expression profile was analyzed to investigate the physiological role of rice DNA demethylase in different developmental stages, in tissues, and in response to stress and various phytohormone signals. The findings offer a deeper insight into the functional regions of DNA demethylases and their evolutionary relationships, which can guide future research directions. Understanding the role of DNA demethylases can lead to improved plant stress resistance and contribute to the development of better crop and fruit varieties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Total suspended solids (TSS) are a major contributor of anthropogenic impacts to aquatic systems. TSS exposure have been shown to affect the function of gills, but the mode of action is unclear. Zebrafish (Danio rerio) is emerging as an excellent model for mechanistic toxicology, and as there are no baseline studies on TSS effects in zebrafish gills, we tested the hypothesis that environmental concentrations of TSS damages gill structure and function in this species. Adult zebrafish were exposed to either 0, 10, 100, 500, 1000, or 2000 mg/L TSS for 4 days to assess the gill morphology. The minimal concentration that affected the gill structure was further tested for the distribution of key ion transporters, including Na+/K+- ATPase (NKA) and vacuolar-type H+-ATPase (VHA), using confocal microscopy. Our results reveal that TSS concentration as low as 100 mg/L alters the morphology of gills, including greater filament thickness, lamellae thickness, and epithelial lifting. This was also associated with a reduction in NKA immunoreactive (IR) cell count and intensity in the 100 mg/L TSS group, while there was neither a change in the VHA-IR cell count or expression nor the transcript abundance of atp6v1a and atp1a1a4 in the gills. Markers of stress response in these animals, including levels of cortisol, glucose, lactate, and glycogen were not altered after 4 days of TSS exposure. Overall, environmentally relevant concentrations of TSS can damage the gill structure and function in zebrafish and has the potential to enhance the toxicity of contaminants acting via the gills. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Driving stress is a multifaceted phenomenon, and the experience of driving invokes stress. Driving causes the activation of stress-response mechanisms, leading to short-term and long-term stress responses resulting in physiological and behavioral changes. The aim of this study was to evaluate driving stress-initiated effects on orofacial functions and health behaviors in the Riyadh population. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Riyadh using a pre-validated set of questionnaires for habitual information, a driving stress assessment using a driving-behavior inventory, and an assessment of parafunctional habits and effects on orofacial functions. The results indicate that nearly 50% of the sample spends more than two hours commuting, and more than 50% of the sample has inadequate sleep and insufficient exercise. Oral parafunctional habits like nail biting (p = 0.039) and lip or object biting (p = 0.029) had a significant correlation with aggressive driving behaviors, whereas the grinding of teeth (p = 0.011), the clenching of jaws (p = 0.048), lip or object biting (p = 0.018), and pain in mastication (p = 0.036) had a positive correlation with driving dislikes. Driving stress can be detrimental to one's health and not only impacts health behaviors but also induces oral parafunctional habits and adversely affects orofacial regions and functions. Acute driving stress responses may be transient. However, prolonged driving stress can be maladaptive and can increase the risk of chronic diseases including chronic temporomandibular joint disorders and parafunctional habit-related changes in the oral cavity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Isopentenyl diphosphate isomerase (IPI) is a key enzyme in the synthesis of isoprenoids. In this paper, the in vivo biological activity of the IPI gene from Fritillaria unibracteata (FuIPI) was investigated. Combining a color complementation experiment with High-Performance Liquid Chromatography analysis showed that the FuIPI gene could accumulate β-carotene in Escherichia coli, and Glu190 was identified as a key residue for its catalytic activity. Bioinformatics analysis together with subcellular localization indicated that the FuIPI protein was localized in chloroplasts. Compared with wild-type Arabidopsis thaliana, FuIPI transgenic plants had higher abscisic acid content and strengthening tolerance to drought and salt stress. Overall, these results indicated that the FuIPI gene had substantial biological activity in vivo, hopefully laying a foundation for its further research and application in liliaceous ornamental and medicinal plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Edwardsiella ictaluri is a Gram-negative, facultative intracellular bacterium that causes enteric septicemia in catfish (ESC). The RNA chaperone Hfq (host factor for phage Qb replication) facilitates gene regulation via small RNAs (sRNAs) in various pathogenic bacteria. Despite its significance in other bacterial species, the role of hfq in E. ictaluri remains unexplored. This study aimed to elucidate the role of hfq in E. ictaluri by creating an hfq mutant (EiDhfq) through in-frame gene deletion and characterization. Our findings revealed that the Hfq protein is highly conserved within the genus Edwardsiella. The deletion of hfq resulted in a significantly reduced growth rate during the late exponential phase. Additionally, EiDhfq displayed a diminished capacity for biofilm formation and exhibited increased motility. Under acidic and oxidative stress conditions, EiDhfq demonstrated impaired growth, and we observed elevated hfq expression when subjected to in vitro and in vivo stress conditions. EiDhfq exhibited reduced survival within catfish peritoneal macrophages, although it had no discernible effect on the adherence and invasion of epithelial cells. The infection model revealed that hfq is needed for bacterial persistence in catfish, and its absence caused significant virulence attenuation in catfish. Finally, the EiDhfq vaccination completely protected catfish against subsequent EiWT infection. In summary, these results underscore the pivotal role of hfq in E. ictaluri, affecting its growth, motility, biofilm formation, stress response, and virulence in macrophages and within catfish host. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The role of iron dyshomeostasis in neurodegenerative disease has implicated the involvement of genes that regulate brain iron. The homeostatic iron regulatory gene (HFE) has been at the forefront of these studies given the role of the H63D variant (H67D in mice) in increasing brain iron load. Despite iron's role in oxidative stress production, H67D mice have shown robust protection against neurotoxins and improved recovery from intracerebral hemorrhage. Previous data support the notion that H67D mice adapt to the increased brain iron concentrations and hence develop a neuroprotective environment. This adaptation is particularly evident in the lumbar spinal cord (LSC) and ventral midbrain (VM), both relevant to neurodegeneration. We studied C57BL6/129 mice with homozygous H67D compared to WT HFE. Immunohistochemistry was used to analyze dopaminergic (in the VM) and motor (in the LSC) neuron population maturation in the first 3 months. Immunoblotting was used to measure protein carbonyl content and the expression of oxidative phosphorylation complexes. Seahorse assay was used to analyze metabolism of mitochondria isolated from the LSC and VM. Finally, a Nanostring transcriptomic analysis of genes relevant to neurodegeneration within these regions was performed. Compared to WT mice, we found no difference in the viability of motor neurons in the LSC, but the dopaminergic neurons in H67D mice experienced significant decline before 3 months of age. Both regions in H67D mice had alterations in oxidative phosphorylation complex expression indicative of stress adaptation. Mitochondria from both regions of H67D mice demonstrated metabolic differences compared to WT. Transcriptional differences in these regions of H67D mice were related to cell structure and adhesion as well as cell signaling. Overall, we found that the LSC and VM undergo significant and distinct metabolic and transcriptional changes in adaptation to iron‐related stress induced by the H67D HFE gene variant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alternative splicing is a crucial process in multicellular eukaryote, facilitated by the assembly of spliceosomal complexes comprising numerous small ribonucleoproteins. At an early stage, U1C is thought to be required for 5′ splice site recognition and base pairing. However, a systematic analysis of the U1C gene family in response to developmental cues and stress conditions has not yet been conducted in plants. This study identified 114 U1C genes in 72 plant species using basic bioinformatics analyses. Phylogenetic analysis was used to compare gene and protein structures, promoter motifs, and tissue- and stress-specific expression levels, revealing their functional commonalities or diversity in response to developmental cues, such as embryonic expression, or stress treatments, including drought and heat. Fluorescence quantitative expression analysis showed that U1C gene expression changed under salt, low temperature, drought, and Cd stress in rice seedlings. However, gene expression in shoots and roots was not consistent under different stress conditions, suggesting a complex regulatory mechanism. This research provides foundational insights into the U1C gene family's role in plant development and stress responses, highlighting potential targets for future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Proteins need to acquire their native structure in order to become fully functional. In specific cases, the active conformation is obtained spontaneously; nevertheless, many proteins need the assistance of chaperones and co-chaperones to be properly folded. These proteins help to maintain protein homeostasis under control conditions and under different stresses. HOP (HSP70–HSP90 organizing protein) is a highly conserved family of co-chaperones that assist HSP70 and HSP90 in the folding of specific proteins. In the last few years, findings in mammals and yeast have revealed novel functions of HOP and re-defined the role of HOP in protein folding. Here, we provide an overview of the most important aspects of HOP regulation and function in other eukaryotes and analyse whether these aspects are conserved in plants. In addition, we highlight the HOP clients described in plants and the role of HOP in plant development and stress response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Streptococcus pneumoniae is a major pathogen responsible for severe complications in patients with prior influenza A virus (IAV) infection. We have previously demonstrated that S. pneumoniae exhibits increased intracellular survival within IAV-infected cells. Fluoroquinolones (FQs) are widely used to treat pneumococcal infections. However, our prior work has shown that S. pneumoniae can develop intracellular FQ persistence, a phenomenon triggered by oxidative stress within host cells. This persistence allows the bacteria to withstand high FQ concentrations. In this study, we show that IAV infection enhances pneumococcal FQ persistence during intracellular survival within pneumocytes, macrophages, and neutrophils. This enhancement is partly due to increased oxidative stress induced by the viral infection. We find that this phenotype is particularly pronounced in autophagy-proficient host cells, potentially resulting from IAV-induced blockage of autophagosome-lysosome fusion. Moreover, we identified several S. pneumoniae genes involved in oxidative stress response that contribute to FQ persistence, including sodA (superoxide dismutase), clpL (chaperone), nrdH (glutaredoxin), and psaB (Mn+2 transporter component). Our findings reveal a novel mechanism of antibiotic persistence promoted by viral infection within host cells. This underscores the importance of considering this phenomenon when using FQs to treat pneumococcal infections, especially in patients with concurrent influenza A infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SUMMARY: Low temperature (LT) greatly restricts grain filling in maize (Zea mays L.), but the relevant molecular mechanisms are not fully understood. To better understand the effect of LT on grain development, 17 hybrids were subjected to LT stress in field trials over 3 years, and two hybrids of them with contrasting LT responses were exposed to 30/20°C and 20/10°C for 7 days during grain filling in a greenhouse. At LT, thousand‐kernel weight declined, especially in LT‐sensitive hybrid FM985, while grain‐filling rate was on average about 48% higher in LT‐tolerant hybrid DK159 than FM985. LT reduced starch synthesis in kernel mainly by suppression of transcript levels and enzyme activities for sucrose synthase and hexokinase. Brassinolide (BR) was abundant in DK159 kernel, and genes involved in BR and cytokinin signals were inducible by stress. LT downregulated the genes in light‐harvesting complex and photosystem I/II subunits, accompanied by reduced photosynthetic rate and Fv/Fm in ear leaf. The LT‐tolerant hybrid could maintain a high soluble sugar content and fast interconversion between sucrose and hexose in the stem internode and cob, improving assimilate allocation to kernel at LT stress and paving the way for simultaneous growth and LT stress responses. Significance Statement: A relatively high sucrose synthase and hexokinase in kernel together with abundant sugar and efficient sucrose degradation in stem and cob, as well as high capacity in photosynthesis in leaf, confer maize low‐temperature tolerance during grain filling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SUMMARY: Phytohormones are essential signaling molecules regulating various processes in growth, development, and stress responses. Genetic and molecular studies, especially using Arabidopsis thaliana (Arabidopsis), have discovered many important players involved in hormone perception, signal transduction, transport, and metabolism. Phytohormone signaling pathways are extensively interconnected with other endogenous and environmental stimuli. However, our knowledge of the huge and complex molecular network governed by a hormone remains limited. Here we report a global overview of downstream events of an abscisic acid (ABA) receptor, REGULATORY COMPONENTS OF ABA RECEPTOR (RCAR) 6 (also known as PYRABACTIN RESISTANCE 1 [PYR1]‐LIKE [PYL] 12), by integrating phosphoproteomic, proteomic and metabolite profiles. Our data suggest that the RCAR6 overexpression constitutively decreases the protein levels of its coreceptors, namely clade A protein phosphatases of type 2C, and activates sucrose non‐fermenting‐1 (SNF1)‐related protein kinase 1 (SnRK1) and SnRK2, the central regulators of energy and ABA signaling pathways. Furthermore, several enzymes in sugar metabolism were differentially phosphorylated and expressed in the RCAR6 line, and the metabolite profile revealed altered accumulations of several organic acids and amino acids. These results indicate that energy‐ and water‐saving mechanisms mediated by the SnRK1 and SnRK2 kinases, respectively, are under the control of the ABA receptor‐coreceptor complexes. Significance Statement: Phosphoproteomic, proteomic, and metabolite profiles of the Arabidopsis overexpressing an abscisic acid (ABA) receptor were integrated, providing a global overview of the complex network governed by a hormone. The overproduction of an ABA receptor caused the decreased protein levels of its coreceptor phosphatases, activating the central regulatory kinases of energy and stress signaling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To explore the application effect of posterior continuous intermuscular groove brachial plexus block combined with parecoxib sodium preemptive analgesia on patients undergoing shoulder arthroscopic surgery. Methods: 80 patients who underwent shoulder arthroscopic surgery from January 2020 to January 2023 were selected. They were randomly divided into three groups: A, B, and C, with 25 cases in Group A, 25 cases in Group B, and 30 cases in Group C. Group A received routine intravenous anesthesia, Group B received routine intravenous anesthesia combined with posterior continuous intermuscular sulcus brachial plexus block group, and Group C received posterior continuous intermuscular sulcus brachial plexus block combined with parecoxib sodium for preemptive analgesia. Compare the changes in heart rate, blood oxygen, and blood pressure levels, as well as changes in stress response indicators related to cortisol (COR) and norepinephrine (NE), among the three groups of patients at entry (T1), 10 minutes of surgery (T2), 30 minutes of surgery (T3), and immediately after surgery (T4). Compare the incidence of adverse reactions among the three groups of patients. Finally, conduct a 6-month outpatient follow-up for all patients, at preoperative and postoperative 1 month and 3 months, respectively The Constant Murley score was used to evaluate the shoulder joint function of three groups of patients at 6 months. Results: There was no difference in heart rate, blood oxygen saturation, systolic and diastolic blood pressure among the three groups of patients at T1 and T4 time (P>0.05). The heart rate, blood oxygen saturation, systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels of Group C were lower than those of Group A and Group B at T2 and T3 time (P<0.05), and the T1 to T4 time was relatively stable; There was no difference in the expression levels of COR and NE among the three groups of patients at T1 time(P>0.05), while the expression levels of COR and NE were increased in the three groups at T2 and T3 time. Moreover, the expression levels of COR and NE in Group C were lower than those in Group A and Group B at T2, T3, and T4 time(P<0.05); There was no difference in the incidence of adverse reactions among patients in groups A, B and C (P>0.05); There was no difference in the preoperative Constant Murley scores among the three groups of patients. After 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months of surgery, the Constant Murley scores of the three groups of patients all increased, and Group C was significantly higher than Group A and Group B(P<0.05). Conclusion: For patients undergoing shoulder arthroscopic surgery, the combination of posterior continuous intermuscular groove brachial plexus block group and Parexib sodium for preemptive analgesia can stabilize intraoperative blood oxygen saturation, heart rate, and blood pressure levels, reduce intraoperative stress response, and have high safety. At the same time, it can further assist patients in improving long-term shoulder joint function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Venom production has evolved independently many times in the animal kingdom, although it is rare among mammals. Venomous shrews produce venom in their submandibular salivary glands and use it for food acquisition. Only a few toxins have been identified in shrew venoms thus far, and their modes of action require investigation. The biological and molecular processes relating to venom production and gland functioning also remain unknown. To address this gap, we investigated protein content in extracts from venom glands of two shrew species, Neomys fodiens and Sorex araneus, and interpreted their biological functions. Applying a proteomic approach coupled with Gene Ontology enrichment analysis, we identified 313 and 187 putative proteins in venom glands of N. fodiens and S. araneus, respectively. A search of the UniProt database revealed that most of the proteins found in both shrew species were involved in metabolic processes and stress response, while GO enrichment analysis revealed more stress-related proteins in the glands of S. araneus. Molecules that regulate molecule synthesis, cell cycles, and cell divisions are necessary to enable venom regeneration and ensure its effectiveness in predation and food hoarding. The presence of proteins involved in stress response may be the result of shrews' high metabolic rate and the costs of venom replenishment. Some proteins are likely to promote toxin spreading during envenomation and, due to their proteolytic action, reinforce venom toxicity. Finally, finding numerous proteins involved in immune response suggests a potential role of shrew venom gland secretions in protection against pathogens. These findings open up new perspectives for studying biological functions of molecules from shrew venom glands and extend our knowledge on the functioning of eulipotyphlan venom systems. Because the majority of existing and putative venomous mammals use oral venom systems to inject venom into target species, the methods presented here provide a promising avenue for confirming or discovering new taxa of venomous mammals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]