Metabolic Responses Research Articles

Delayed and Diminished Postprandial Lactate Shuttling in Healthy Older Men and Women.

Lactate, a product of glycolysis, is formed under aerobic conditions. Extensive work has shown lactate flux in young and exercising humans; however, the effect of age is not known. We tested the hypothesis that postprandial lactate shuttling (PLS) would be diminished in older adults. We used [3-13C]lactate and [6,6-2H]-glucose tracers, an OGTT, and arterialized blood sampling to determine postprandial lactate rates of appearance (Ra), disappearance (Rd), and oxidation (Rox) in 15 young (28.1 ± 1.4 yr) and 13 older (70.6 ± 2.4 yr) healthy men and women. In young participants fasting blood [lactate] [» 0.5 mM] rose after the glucose challenge, peaked at 15 min, dipped to a nadir at 30 min, and rose again peaking at 60 min [» 1.0mM]. Initial responses in lactate Ra of older participants were delayed and diminished until 90 minutes rising by 0.83 mg·kg-1·min-1. Lactate Rox was higher throughout the entire trial in young participants by a difference of approximately 0.5 mg·kg-1·min-1. Initial peaks in lactate Ra and concentration in all volunteers demonstrated presence of an enteric PLS following an OGTT. Notably, in the systemic, but not enteric PLS phase, lactate Ra correlated highly with glucose Rd (r2 = 0.92). Correspondence of second peaks in lactate Ra and concentration and glucose Rd show dependence of lactate Ra on glucose Rd. While results show both enteric and systemic PLS phases in young and older study cohorts, metabolic responses were delayed and diminished in healthy older individuals.

Unveiling the molecular dynamics of low temperature preservation in postharvest lotus seeds: a transcriptomic perspective

BackgroundPostharvest quality deterioration poses a significant challenge to the commercial value of fresh lotus seeds. Low temperature storage is widely employed as the primary method for preserving postharvest lotus seeds during storage and transportation.ResultsThis approach effectively extends the storage life of lotus seeds, resulting in distinct physiological changes compared to room temperature storage, including a notable reduction in starch, protein, H2O2, and MDA content. Here, we conducted RNA-sequencing to generate global transcriptome profiles of postharvest lotus seeds stored under room or low temperature conditions. Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed that gene expression in postharvest lotus seeds demonstrated less variability during low temperature storage in comparison to room temperature storage. A total of 14,547 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) associated with various biological processes such as starch and sucrose metabolism, energy metabolism, and plant hormone signaling response were identified. Notably, the expression levels of DEGs involved in ABA signaling were significantly suppressed in contrast to room temperature storage. Additionally, nine weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA)-based gene molecular modules were identified, providing insights into the co-expression relationship of genes during postharvest storage.ConclusionOur findings illuminate transcriptional differences in postharvest lotus seeds between room and low temperature storage, offering crucial insights into the molecular mechanisms of low temperature preservation in lotus seeds.

Feature-Agnostic Metabolomics for Determining Effective Sub-cytotoxic Doses of Common Pesticides in Human Cells.

While classical molecular biology assays can provide a measure of cellular response to chemical challenges, they rely on a single biological phenomenon to infer a broader measure of cellular metabolic response. These methods do not always afford the necessary sensitivity to answer questions of sub-cytotoxic effects, nor do they work for all cell types. Likewise, boutique assays such as cardiomyocyte beat rate may indirectly measure cellular metabolic response, but they too, are limited to measuring a specific biological phenomenon and are often limited to a single cell type. For these reasons, toxicological researchers need new approaches to determine metabolic changes across various doses in differing cell types, especially within the low-dose regime. The data collected herein demonstrate that LC-MS/MS-based untargeted metabolomics with a feature-agnostic view of the data, combined with a suite of statistical methods including an adapted environmental threshold analysis, provides a versatile, robust, and holistic approach to directly monitoring the overall cellular metabolomic response to pesticides. When employing this method in investigating two different cell types, human cardiomyocytes and neurons, this approach revealed separate sub-cytotoxic metabolomic responses at doses of 0.1 µM and 1 µM of chlorpyrifos and carbaryl. These findings suggest that this agnostic approach to untargeted metabolomics can provide a new tool for determining effective dose by metabolomics (EDm) of chemical challenges, such as pesticides, in a direct measurement of metabolomic response that is not cell type-specific or observable using traditional assays.

Effects of pacing strategy on metabolic responses to 2-min intense exercise in Thoroughbred horses

Evidence suggests that positive pacing strategy improves exercise performance and fatigue tolerance in athletic events lasting 1–5 min. This study investigated muscle metabolic responses to positive and negative pacing strategies in Thoroughbred horses. Eight Thoroughbred horses performed 2 min treadmill running using positive (1 min at 110% maximal O2 uptake [V̇O2max], followed by 1 min at 90% V̇O2max) and negative (1 min at 90% V̇O2max, followed by 1 min at 110% V̇O2max) pacing strategies. The arterial-mixed venous O2 difference did not significantly differ between the two strategies. Plasma lactate levels increased toward 2 min, with significantly higher concentrations during positive pacing than during negative pacing. Muscle glycogen level was significantly lower at 1 and 2 min of positive pacing than those of negative pacing. Metabolomic analysis showed that the sum of glycolytic intermediates increased during the first half of positive pacing and the second half of negative pacing. Regardless of pacing strategy, the sum of tricarboxylic acid cycle metabolites increased during the first half but remained unchanged thereafter. Our data suggest that positive pacing strategy is likely to activate glycolytic metabolism to a greater extent compared to negative pacing, even though the total workload is identical.

Impact of definitive radiotherapy on metabolic response measured with 68Ga-PSMA-PET/CT in patients with intermediate-risk prostate cancer.

To assess the early metabolic response of the primary tumor using Gallium-68 (68Ga)-labeled-prostate-specific membrane antigen positron emission tomography (68Ga-PSMA-PET/CT), as well as the relationship between PSMA change in the primary tumor and PSA response after definitive radiotherapy (RT), either alone or in combination with androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) in intermediate risk prostate cancer (IR-PCa) patients. The clinical data of 71 IR-PCa patients treated with RT alone (36 patients, 50.7%) or RT and ADT (35 patients, 49.3%) were retrospectively analyzed. The difference between pre- and Posttreatment primary tumor PSMA expression and serum PSA values measured 4 months after completion of treatment were compared between treatment arms. Correlation between primary tumor metabolic response and serum PSA changes was analyzed. The median duration between pre- and Posttreatment 68Ga-PSMA-PET/CT for the entire patient population was 6.9 months (range, 5.6-8.4 months), and it was similar in both treatment arms. A decrease in primary tumor maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) was seen in 66 patients (93.0%), with a median value of 61.2%, which is significantly lower in patients undergoing RT alone than those undergoing RT and ADT (45.1 ± 30.6% vs. 59.1 ± 24.7%; p = 0.004). The complete metabolic response rate was significantly higher in patients undergoing RT and ADT than those treated with RT alone (40% vs. 0%; p < 0.001). Although moderate and positive correlation between pretreatment SUVmax and oosttreatment SUVmax was observed, there was no significant correlation between SUV change and PSA change. For patients treated with RT and ADT, posttreatment SUVmax was significantly lower and SUV change was significantly higher in patients with PSA nadir than in those without. Our preliminary results show that RT, with or without ADT, significantly reduces primary tumor SUVmax and serum PSA levels. Nonetheless, our findings indicate that early treatment response using 68Ga-PSMA-PET/CT is not feasible for those treated with RT alone, and it may only be useful in better distinguishing patients with and without PSA nadir for those who received both RT and ADT.

Performance and Metabolic Responses of Nellore Cows Subjected to Different Supplementation Plans during Prepartum

This study assessed the effects of different prepartum supplementation plans on Nellore cows’ performance, metabolic responses, and early offspring development. Thirty-nine pregnant Nellore cows (224 ± 2.67 days of pregnancy, 5.3 ± 0.29 years of age, body weight 520 ± 15.2 kg, initial body condition score 6.0 ± 0.07) were assigned to one of four treatments: a control group receiving only mineral mixture ad libitum, and three groups receiving daily protein-energy supplements of 2, 4, or 6 g/kg BW for 60 days prepartum. Weights and body condition scores were evaluated at the start of the experiment, 7 days before calving, and at 45 and 90 days postpartum. Cows supplemented with 4 and 6 g/kg BW showed improved body weight and body condition scores prepartum and postpartum and had a shorter service period (p &lt; 0.05). The highest blood urea nitrogen concentrations were observed in cows receiving 6 g/kg BW (p = 0.0124). There was a reduction in blood urea nitrogen at calving for the 6 g/kg BW group, while the control group showed an increase (p &lt; 0.001). Non-esterified fatty acids concentrations were lower 21 days before calving for the 4 and 6 g/kg BW groups compared to the control (p &lt; 0.05) and decreased postpartum for all treatments (p &lt; 0.001). No significant differences were observed in calf birth weight or performance. Supplementing with 4 g/kg BW of protein-energy is recommended to enhance metabolic health and overall performance.

Adiponectin and Adiponectin Receptors in Atherosclerosis.

Adiponectin is an abundantly secreted hormone that communicates information between the adipose tissue, and the immune and cardiovascular systems. In metabolically healthy individuals, adiponectin is usually found at high levels and helps improve insulin responsiveness of peripheral tissues, glucose tolerance, and fatty acid oxidation. Beyond its metabolic functions in insulin-sensitive tissues, adiponectin plays a prominent role in attenuating the development of atherosclerotic plaques, partially through regulating macrophage-mediated responses. In this context, adiponectin binds to its receptors, adiponectin receptor 1 (AdipoR1) and AdipoR2 on the cell surface of macrophages to activate a downstream signaling cascade and induce specific atheroprotective functions. Notably, macrophages modulate the stability of the plaque through their ability to switch between pro-inflammatory responders, and anti-inflammatory pro-resolving mediators. Traditionally, the extremes of the macrophage polarization spectrum span from M1 pro-inflammatory and M2 anti-inflammatory phenotypes. Previous evidence has demonstrated that the adiponectin-AdipoR pathway influences M1-M2 macrophage polarization; adiponectin promotes a shift towards an M2-like state, whereas AdipoR1- and AdipoR2-specific contributions are more nuanced. To explore these concepts in depth, we discuss in this review the impact of adiponectin and AdipoR1/R2 on 1) metabolic and immune responses, and 2) M1-M2 macrophage polarization, including their ability to attenuate atherosclerotic plaque inflammation, and their potential as therapeutic targets for clinical applications.

Critical variables regulating age-related anabolic responses to protein nutrition in skeletal muscle

Protein nutrition is critical for the maintenance of skeletal muscle mass across the lifecourse and for the growth of muscle in response to resistance exercise – both acting via the stimulation of protein synthesis. The transient anabolic response to protein feeding may vary in magnitude and duration, depending on, e.g., timing, dose, amino acid composition and delivery mode, which are in turn influenced by physical activity and age. This review aims to: (i) summarise the fundamental metabolic responses of muscle to protein feeding, (ii) discuss key variables regulating muscle anabolic responses to protein feeding, and (iii) explore how these variables can be optimised for muscle anabolism in response to physical activity and ageing.

Enhanced Catalytic Synthesis of Flavonoid by UV-B Radiation in Artemisia argyi

Enzymatic synthesis of specific active substances is an important foundation for biological adaptations to various stresses. In this study, we investigated the metabolic response of the medicinal herb Artemisia argyi to UV-B radiation through transcriptome and metabolome analysis. In all tested samples, there were 544 shared differentially expressed genes, most of which were linked to the metabolism of flavonoids and fatty acids. A total of 283 differential metabolites were identified and classified into 10 categories, with flavonoids being the largest category. Through an integrated analysis of genes and metabolites involved in flavonoid biosynthesis, flavonoids were predicted to be critical for the adaptation of A. argyi to UV radiation. The increased plant hormones methyl jasmonate and salicylic acid were considered as key regulatory approaches for catalyzing the large-scale synthesis of flavonoids. We explored this by investigating the flavonoid production of A. argyi grown at different altitudes. It showed that total flavonoid content of A. argyi planted in high-altitude areas was 45% higher than that in low-altitude areas. These findings not only deepen our understanding of flavonoid anabolism and its regulation but also provide a reliable strategy for improving flavonoid content in the genus Artemisia.

Enhancing Prognostication and Treatment Response Evaluation in Primary CNS Lymphoma with 18F-FDG PET/CT.

The role of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18F-FDG-PET/CT) in the prognostication and response evaluation of primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) remains inadequately defined. We conducted a retrospective analysis of 268 consecutive newly diagnosed patients with PCNSL between 2006 and 2020. Of these patients, 105 and 110 patients were included to evaluate the prognostic value of baseline and post-treatment 18F-FDG-PET/CT scans, respectively. Tumor uptake was considered positive when it exceeded that of the contralateral brain upon visual assessment. Quantitative analysis of baseline 18F-FDG-PET/CT included measurement of the maximal standardized uptake value (SUVmax), total metabolic tumor volume (TMTV), and total lesion glycolysis (TLG). The median age of the 268 patients was 62 years (range: 17-85), with 55% being male. The median progression-free survival (PFS) was 24.5 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 19.9-29.1), and the median overall survival (OS) was 34.5 months (95% CI, 22.9-46.1). The average SUVmax was 15.3 ± 5.7 and the mean TMTV and TLG were 12.6 ± 13.9cm3 and 135.0 ± 152.7g, respectively. Patients with a baseline TMTV ≥17.0cm3 had significantly shorter OS (12.5 vs. 74.0 months, p=0.011). Post-treatment metabolic response by 18F-FDG-PET/CT significantly predicted PFS (median: 10.5 vs. 46.0 months, p=0.001) and OS (median: 21.0 vs. 62.0 months, p=0.002), whereas anatomic response by contrast-enhanced MRI showed no statistically significant differences in PFS (p=0.130) or OS (p=0.540). Baseline TMTV and post-treatment metabolic response, as assessed by 18F-FDG-PET/CT, are significant prognostic factors in patients with PCNSL.

Metabolic responses of the marine mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis after exposure to microplastics of different shapes and sizes

Microplastics (MP) are ubiquitous pollutants with diverse shapes, sizes, and characteristics that pose critical risks to marine organisms and the environment. In this study, we used the Mediterranean mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis as a marine benthic organism model to investigate the metabolic consequences of exposure to different polyethylene terephthalate MP sizes and shapes: round (27–32 μm), small fibers (200–400 μm), large fibers (3000 μm), small fragments (20 μm), medium fragments (45–75 μm), and large fragments (>150 μm). After exposure to high concentrations (100 mg L−1) of MP for 14 days, round and small fiber-type MP were highly accumulated in mussels. Metabolomic analysis revealed that exposure to round and small fiber-type MP induced significant changes in 150 metabolites. Partial least squares-discriminate analysis (PLS-DA) showed that the round and small fiber MP treatment groups displayed similar cluster patterns that differed from those of the control group. In addition, only 22 annotated metabolites related to histidine, valine, leucine, and isoleucine degradation/biosynthesis and vitamin B6 and aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis were significantly affected by round or small fiber-type MP. Among the histidine metabolites, round and small fiber-type MP upregulated the levels of L-histidine, L-glutamate, carnosine, imidazole-4-acetaldehyde, 4-imidazolone-5-propanoate, and methylimidazole acetaldehyde and downregulated methylimidazole acetic acid and N-formimino-L-glutamate. These results suggest novel insights into the potential pathways through which MP of specific sizes and shapes affect metabolic processes in mussels.

Antioxidative and Metabolic Responses in Canola: Strategies with Wood Distillate and Sugarcane Bagasse Ash for Improved Growth under Abiotic Stress

In the context of increasing agricultural challenges posed by soil salinity and drought stress, the main importance of the present study was to evaluate some novel treatments for improving canola productivity and resilience by applying wood distillate (WD) in combination with bagasse ash (SBA). A two-year field experiment using a split plot design was conducted and evaluated several physiological and biochemical parameters under different irrigation regimes conducted at 80% and 50% field capacity. While there were considerable moderation effects of SBA and WD on soil salinity, expressed as exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP), under both well-irrigated and drought conditions, more importantly, the ESP was reduced to 31% under drought stress with combined WD and SBA applications over any single factor. WD and SBA treatments of canola leaves showed reduced Na content with increased K levels, and the plants maintained physiological attributes—chlorophyll content, stomatal conductance, and relative water content—to the level of controls of well-irrigation. Besides, they significantly alleviated oxidative stress by decreasing the hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), malondialdehyde (MDA), and electrolyte leakage (EL) levels and increasing the activities of antioxidant enzymes like superoxide dismutase (SOD) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX). Nonenzymatic antioxidants such as total soluble sugars (TSS), total soluble proteins (TSP), total phenolic content (TPC), and total flavonoid content (TFC) were significantly increased under stress conditions with a special accent on combined treatment, whereas the levels of proline and GB that increased in alignment with drought reduced under the combined application. Various growth parameters of plants like plant height, number of branches, and siliques per plant were significantly improved with WD and SBA under drought stress. Principal component analysis (PCA) and Pearson correlation further confirmed the relationships among these parameters and thus underpinned that WD and SBA can evoke a synergistic effect to enhance growth promotion and stress tolerance in canola. This, therefore, infers that the combined application of WD and SBA can be key, offering very high potential as viable options to better canola productivity under adverse environmental conditions.

Brain, Metabolic, and RPE Responses during a Free-Pace Marathon: A Preliminary Study

The concept of the “central governor” in exercise physiology suggests the brain plays a key role in regulating exercise performance by continuously monitoring physiological and psychological factors. In this case report, we monitored, for the first time, a marathon runner using a metabolic portable system and an EEG wireless device during an entire marathon to understand the influence of brain activity on performance, particularly the phenomenon known as “hitting the wall”. The results showed significant early modification in brain activity between the 10th and 15th kilometers, while the RPE remained low and cardiorespiratory responses were in a steady state. Thereafter, EEG responses decreased after kilometer 15, increased briefly between kilometers 20 and 25, then continued at a slower pace. After kilometer 30, both speed and respiration values dropped, along with the respiratory exchange ratio, indicating a shift from carbohydrate to fat metabolism, reflecting glycogen depletion. The runner concluded the race with a lower speed, higher RPE (above 15/20 on the Borg RPE scale), and reduced brain activity, suggesting mental exhaustion. The findings suggest that training strategies focused on recognizing and responding to brain signals could allow runners to optimize performance and pacing strategies, preventing premature exhaustion and improving overall race outcomes.

Phenotypic heterogeneity follows a growth-viability tradeoff in response to amino acid identity

In their natural environments, microorganisms mainly operate at suboptimal growth conditions with fluctuations in nutrient abundance. The resulting cellular adaptation is subject to conflicting tasks: growth or survival maximisation. Here, we study this adaptation by systematically measuring the impact of a nitrogen downshift to 24 nitrogen sources on cellular metabolism at the single-cell level. Saccharomyces lineages grown in rich media and exposed to a nitrogen downshift gradually differentiate to form two subpopulations of different cell sizes where one favours growth while the other favours viability with an extended chronological lifespan. This differentiation is asymmetrical with daughter cells representing the new differentiated state with increased viability. We characterise the metabolic response of the subpopulations using RNA sequencing, metabolic biosensors and a transcription factor-tagged GFP library coupled to high-throughput microscopy, imaging more than 800,000 cells. We find that the subpopulation with increased viability is associated with a dormant quiescent state displaying differences in MAPK signalling. Depending on the identity of the nitrogen source present, differentiation into the quiescent state can be actively maintained, attenuated, or aborted. These results establish amino acids as important signalling molecules for the formation of genetically identical subpopulations, involved in chronological lifespan and growth rate determination.

Comparison of Force, Neuromuscular, and Metabolic Responses During Sustained, Isometric Handgrip Holds to Failure Anchored to Low and High Perceptual Intensities in Men: An Exploratory Study.

Kwak, M, Succi, PJ, Benitez, B, Mitchinson, C, Samaan, MA, Abel, MG, and Bergstrom, HC. Comparison of force, neuromuscular, and metabolic responses during sustained, isometric handgrip holds to failure anchored to low and high perceptual intensities in men: An exploratory study. J Strength Cond Res 38(8): e405-e416, 2024-This study examined the responses of force alterations, relative to critical force (CF), neuromuscular parameters, and muscle oxygenation (SmO2) for isometric handgrip holds to failure (HTF) anchored to ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) of 3 and 7. Twelve men completed pre-maximal voluntary isometric contractions (pre-MVIC), submaximal HTF at 4 percentages of pre-MVIC, HTF at RPE = 3 and 7, and post-MVIC. Mechanomyograpic (MMG) signals and SmO2 were recorded during the RPE HTF. Analyses included paired-samples t-tests and repeated-measures ANOVAs at an alpha level of p ≤ 0.05. Time to task failure was not different between RPE 3 (478.7 ± 196.6 s) and RPE 7 (495.8 ± 173.8 s). Performance fatigability (PF) and MMG amplitude (AMP) were greater for RPE 7 (PF: 37.9 ± 12.9%; MMG AMP: 15.7 ± 7.4% MVIC) than RPE 3 (PF: 30.0 ± 14.5%; MMG AMP: 10.2 ± 6.5% MVIC), but MMG mean power frequency (MPF) was greater for RPE 3 (146.2 ± 31.1% MVIC) than RPE 7 (128.8 ± 23.0% MVIC). There were RPE-dependent decreases in force (p ≤ 0.01) across 3 discernable phases during the HTF. There were decreases in MMG AMP across time for both RPEs, but there were no significant changes in MMG MPF or SmO2. There were overall similar motor unit control strategies and local metabolic demand between RPEs. The majority of the HTF performed below CF at RPE 3 and 7 indicated CF did not reflect the highest sustainable force. When prescribing isometric exercise anchored to RPE, practitioners should be aware of the magnitude of force loss and relative intensity of the task to be sure desired training loads are met.

Primary gastric diffuse large B-cell lymphoma: A multicentre retrospective study.

Primary gastric diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (PG-DLBCL) accounts for the majority of extra-nodal DLBCL. Even so, literature is lacking on early, localised presentations. We studied a cohort of patients with stage I disease, diagnosed between 2006 and 2018, from six centres between Australia, Canada and Denmark. Our goal was to characterise outcomes, review treatmentand investigate the role of interim positron emission tomography (iPET). Thirty-seven eligible patients were identified. The median duration of follow-up was 42.2 months. All received chemoimmunotherapy with 91.9% (n = 34) given rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisolone (R-CHOP). 35.1% (n = 13) underwent consolidative radiotherapy. Eighteen patients were H. pylori positive and 11 had the documentation of H. pylori eradication therapy. The 4-year progression-free survival and overall survival of R-CHOP was 88% (95% CI: 71-95) and 91% (95% CI: 75-97) respectively. All patients who achieved a partial metabolic response or complete metabolic response on iPET went on to achieve complete response at the end of treatment. R-CHOP-based therapy with iPET assessment appears to offer favourable outcomes, with radiotherapy and H. pylori eradication therapy implemented on a case-by-case basis.

Multiomics Analyses Explore the Immunometabolic Interplay in the Liver of White Crucian Carp (Carassius cuvieri) After Aeromonas veronii Challenge.

Aeromonas veronii is one of the predominant pathogenic species that can imperil the survival of farmed fish. However, the interactive networks of immune regulation and metabolic response in A. veronii-infected fish are still unclear. In this investigation, we aimed to explore immunometabolic interplay in white crucian carp (WCC) after the A. veronii challenge. Elevated levels of immune-related genes were observed in various tissues after A. veronii infection, along with the sharp alteration of disease-related enzymatic activities. Besides, decreased levels of antioxidant status were observed in the liver, but most metabolic gene expressions increased dramatically. Multiomics analyses revealed that metabolic products of amino acids, such as formiminoglutamic acid (FIGLU), L-glutamate (L-Glu), and 4-hydroxyhippuric acid, were considered the crucial liver biomarkers in A. veronii-infected WCC. In addition, A. veronii infection may dysregulate endoplasmic reticulum (ER) function to affect the metabolic process of lipids, carbohydrates, and amino acids in the liver of WCC. These results may have a comprehensive implication for understanding immunometabolic response in WCC upon A. veronii infection.

Effect of Percussion Toy on Level of Pain Perception Among Infants Receiving Vaccination at Selected Health And Wellness Centre, Puducherry

Pain will affects the physiological and behavioural reactions in infants. It may cause permanent structural and functional changes in infants. Due to pain, infants experience acute measurable, physiologic, behavioural, metabolic and hormonal response to pain. This leads to long term negative effects on neurologic and behavioural evelopment of the child. METHODS True experimental post-test only control group design was adopted for the study. The study was conducted at Mettupalayam, Health and Wellness Centre, Puducherry. Study participants were infants aged between 6-20 weeks. 80 infants was selected by using consecutive sampling technique and computer generated randomization and divided into experimental and control group. Percussion toy – sound producing drum (a musical instruments that makes a sound) shown to the children of experimental group, 30 seconds before vaccination, during and 15 seconds after vaccination. Vaccination for control group with routine care (conventional intervention). The post-test data was collected by using the Neonatal Infant Pain Scale (NIPS) in experimental and control group. RESULT The study results revealed that 70% mild and 30% moderate pain in experimental group, 60% moderate and 40% severe pain in control group among infants receiving vaccination. The study showed that the difference in the level of pain perception was statistically significant at p&lt;0.05 level. This states that there is a significant difference between post-test level of pain perception among infants receiving vaccination in experimental and control group. CONCLUSION The study was done to assess the effect of percussion toys on level of pain perception among infants receiving vaccination at selected Health and Wellness Centre, Puducherry. Consecutive sampling technique and computer generated randomization was used to select the sample. The data was collected among 80 infants undergoing vaccination. Collected data was analyzed by descriptive and inferential statistics. The study findings revealed there was statistical significant difference in post-test level of pain perception among experimental and control group (p&lt;0.001). Hence it was concluded that the percussion toy reduces the level of pain perception among infants receiving vaccination.

Knockout of Hsp70 genes significantly affects locomotion speed and gene expression in leg skeletal muscles of Drosophila melanogaster.

The functions of the heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) genes were studied using a line of Drosophila melanogaster with a knockout of 6 of these genes out of 13. Namely, the effect of knockout of Hsp70 genes on negative geotaxis climbing (locomotor) speed and the ability to adapt to climbing training (0.5-1.5 h/day, 7 days/wk, 19 days) were examined. Seven- and 23-day-old Hsp70- flies demonstrated a comparable reduction (twofold) in locomotor speed and widespread changes in leg skeletal muscle transcriptome (RNA sequencing) compared with w1118 flies. To identify the functions of genes related to decreased locomotor speed, the overlapped differentially expressed genes at both time points were analyzed: the upregulated genes encoded extracellular proteins, regulators of drug metabolism, and the antioxidant response, whereas downregulated genes encoded regulators of carbohydrate metabolism and transmembrane proteins. In addition, in Hsp70- flies, activation of transcription factors related to disruption of the fibril structure and heat shock response (Hsf) was predicted, using the position weight matrix approach. In control flies, adaptation to chronic exercise training was associated mainly with gene response to a single exercise bout, whereas the predicted transcription factors were related to stress/immune (Hsf, NF-κB, etc.) and early gene response. In contrast, Hsp70- flies demonstrated no adaptation to training as well as a significantly impaired gene response to a single exercise bout. In conclusion, the knockout of Hsp70 genes not only reduced physical performance but also disrupted adaptation to chronic physical training, which is associated with changes in the leg skeletal muscle transcriptome and impaired gene response to a single exercise bout.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Knockout of six heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) genes in Drosophila melanogaster reduced locomotion (climbing) speed that is associated with genotype-specific differences in leg skeletal muscle gene expression. Disrupted adaptation of Hsp70- flies to chronic exercise training is associated with impaired gene response to a single exercise bout.

Short range shifts in plant physiological responses to induced water stress: Experimental evidence of intraspecific trait variability differentiating neighbouring Mediterranean plant populations

Mediterranean plants are facing increased periods of drought, potentially jeopardizing their survival. Despite the known influence of intraspecific variability on plants’ responses to the environment, most studies focus on differences between species and overlook short distances. Following the observation of three nearby populations of Quercus ilex and Cistus salviifolius inheriting different sets of drought-related functional traits in common garden, we tested if these populations could perform differently under water stress. We observed drought responses on plantlets from both species, measuring key physiological traits such as gas exchanges and spectrometric indexes. Our results show similar responses from populations of C. salviifolius while Q. ilex had high intraspecific variability, with increased drought-resistance in plants hailing from dry provenances, reflected by improved water use efficiency, photosynthetic capacity, and reduced metabolic response to stress. These observations support the idea that, despite the short distances, neighbouring plant populations can adapt differently to drought, changing the way they withstand climate and its changes.