Morphophysiological Changes Research Articles

Subtle effect of Xenos vesparum (Xenidae, Strepsiptera) on the reproductive apparatus of its male host: Parasite or parasitoid?

Parasitic castration is an adaptive strategy where parasites usurp the hosts’ reproductive physiology to complete their life cycle. The alterations in the host traits vary in their magnitude, from subtle changes in the host morpho-physiology and behaviour to the production of complex aberrant phenotypes, which often depend on the host gender. The strepsipteran macroparasite Xenos vesparum induces dramatic behavioural and physiological changes in its female host, the paper wasp Polistes dominula, while its effect on the male phenotype is largely unknown.In this study we investigated how a single X. vesparum parasite influences the functional morphology of P. dominula male reproductive apparatus. We performed morphometry and ultrastructure characterization of corpora allata, testes, seminal vesicles and accessory glands in parasitized and unparasitized males, and also in young and old males to control for the effect of age on the natural deterioration of these organs. Our results show that age significantly affects the development of male reproductive apparatus. A low parasite load – one parasite per host is the common prevalence in the field – has only a marginal impact on the reproductive morphology of P. dominula males, affecting quantitatively but not qualitatively the protein content of male accessory glands. Thus, in male P. dominula wasps, X. vesparum appears to behave as a true “parasite”, in clear opposition to the role of “parasitoid” that it takes in female hosts where castration causes the reproductive death.

Morphophysiological, ultrastructural, and nutritional changes induced by Cu toxicity in young Erythrina fusca plants

ABSTRACTErythrina fusca is an important legume used for shade cover in cacao plantations in Brazil. Cacao plantations receive large quantities of copper (Cu)-containing agrochemicals, mainly for control of diseases. Therefore, Cu toxicity was investigated in seedlings grown in hydroponics with increasing concentrations of Cu (0.005–32 mg L−1) in a greenhouse. Ultrastructural analyses showed cell plasmolysis in the root cortical area and changes in thylakoid membranes at 8 mg Cu L−1 and higher. There were changes in epicuticular wax deposition on the leaf surface at the 16 and 32 mg Cu L−1 treatments. Leaf gas exchanges were highly affected 24 hours after application of treatments beginning at 8 mg Cu L−1 and higher Cu concentrations. Chemical analyses showed that Cu content in E. fusca roots increased as Cu concentration in the nutrient solution increased, whereas the shoot did not show significant changes. It is also observed that excess Cu interfered with Zn, Fe, Mn, Mg, K, P, and Ca content in the different E. fusca organs. Investigation of Cu toxicity symptoms focusing on morphophysiological, ultrastructural, gas exchange, and nutritional changes would be useful to alleviate Cu toxicity in E. fusca under field conditions, an important agroforestry species in cacao plantation.

Influence of low light intensity and soil flooding on cacao physiology

Growth and development of plants frequently are limited by multiple abiotic stresses that occur simultaneously in the environment. ‘Cabruca’ an agroforestry system is a main cropping system invariably adapted for cultivation of cacao in southern Bahia, Brazil. In this system of management, cacao is grown under the shade of native species of the Atlantic Forest. However, growing cacao under the shade of trees is still questionable due to higher incidence of pests and diseases and difficulty of evaporation of excess soil water in high rainfall periods that often causes flooding. The objective of the current study is to evaluate the performance of two clonal genotypes of cacao, contrasting for tolerance to soil flooding (TSA 792 – tolerant and TSH 774 – intolerant), subjected to four levels of light intensity and two water regimes, control and flooded, in order to elucidate the mechanisms of tolerance to these stresses under ‘Cabruca’ environment. All the plants survived the period of flooding, however, with flooding stress visual symptoms like leaf chlorosis, lenticels hypertrophied on the stem base, and decomposition of roots were observed. Obtained results demonstrated morpho-physiological and molecular changes in response to low light intensity and low light intensity×soil flooding interaction. Significant effects (p<0.05) of isolated factors, double interaction and inter- and intra-genotypic differences (p<0.05) were observed for leaf gas exchange, chlorophyll fluorescence, and growth parameters. Differences among light intensities, water regime, plant organ (p<0.001), and for the interactions low light intensity×water regime and water regime×plant organ (p<0.01) were observed with respect to total soluble sugar content. Isolated factors and double and triple interactions (p<0.01) had significant effects on the starch accumulation. Triple interaction was also observed in the expression of genes coding for ADH, LDH and PDC enzymes and for aquaporin PIP1;2. Low light intensity interacts with soil flooding, limiting the damages caused by flooding in cacao plants under lowest light intensity. Flooding was the dominant factor for the most physiological responses observed during the interaction between light intensity and soil flooding whose physiological adjustments were different amoung the clonal cocoa genotypes assessed.

&amp;lt;i&amp;gt;AtDREB2A-CA&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt; Influences Root Architecture and Increases Drought Tolerance in Transgenic Cotton

Drought is a major environmental factor limiting cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) productivity worldwide and projected climate changes could increase their negative effects in the future. Thus, targeting the molecular mechanisms correlated with drought tolerance without reducing productivity is a challenge for plant breeding. In this way, we evaluated the effects of water deficit progress on AtDREB2A-CA transgenic cotton plant responses, driven by the stress-inducible rd29 promoter. Besides shoot and root morphometric traits, gas exchange and osmotic adjustment analyses were also included. Here, we present how altered root traits shown by transgenic plants impacted on physiological acclimation responses when submitted to severe water stress. The integration of AtDREB2A-CA into the cotton genome increased total root volume, surface area and total root length, without negatively affecting shoot morphometric growth parameters and nor phenotypic evaluated traits. Additionally, when compared to wild-type plants, transgenic plants (17-T0 plants and its progeny) highlighted a gradual pattern of phenotypic plasticity tosome photosynthetic parameters such as photosynthetic rate and stomatal conductance with water deficit progress. Transgene also promoted greater shoot development and root robustness (greater and deeper root mass) allowing roots to grow into deeper soil layers. The same morpho-physiological trend was observed in the subsequent generation (17.6-T2). Our results suggest that the altered root traits shown by transgenic plants are the major contributors to higher tolerance response, allowing the AtDRE2A-CA-cotton plants to maintain elevated stomatal conductance and assimilate rates and, consequently, reducing their metabolic costs involved in the antioxidant responses activation. These results also suggest that these morpho-physiological changes increased the number of reproductive structures retained per plant (26% higher) when compared with its non-transgenic counterpart. This is the first report of cotton plants overexpressing the AtDRE2A-CA transcription factor, demonstrating a morpho-physiological and yield advantages under drought stress, without displaying any yield penalty under irrigated conditions. The mechanisms by which the root traits influenced the acclimation of the transgenic plants to severe water deficit conditions are also discussed. These data present an opportunity to use this strategy in cotton breeding programs in order to improve drought adaptation toward better rooting features.

Hemodynamic gestational adaptation in bitches

ABSTRACT: Throughout pregnancy, maternal hemodynamic adaptation is needed to ensure proper uterine perfusion and fetal development. When the uteroplacental vascular system is formed, starting with reduced resistance to uterine arterial flow, this results in decreased total vascular resistance, an activation of neuroendocrine vasoactive peptides, an increase in circulating blood and changes in the cardiovascular system morphophysiology to respond to the increasing demands of uterine perfusion. There has been considerable study of hemodynamic adaptation in pregnant women and this assessment has become a diagnostic tool for fatal obstetric disorders. However, in bitches the available information in this regard is limited; therefore a parallel was drawn between other species of animals and women, in order to subsidize the paucity of information about this process and facilitate the understanding of maternal-fetal hemodynamic adaptation in pregnant bitches. This review and literature analysis aimed\ to discuss morphophysiological cardiovascular adaptations during pregnancy and the possible disorders that can affect this process in pregnant female dogs.

Potassium-induced freezing tolerance is associated with endogenous abscisic acid, polyamines and soluble sugars changes in grapevine

Crop nutrition is a practical method against freezing injury which may improves grapevine freezing tolerance (FT) potential by increasing bud nitrogenous and carbohydrates storages. In this study the effect of foliar application of potassium sulfate (PS; K2SO4; 0, 1, 2 and 3%) on some physico-chemical properties of fruit and leaf mineral contents of ‘Sultana’ grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) were studied. Moreover, to further elucidate the efficiency of foliar PS on FT and some relevant morpho-physiological changes were evaluated at four sampling dates: Nov., Jan., Mar., and Apr. following exposure to artificial freezing using electrolyte leakage and bud browning bioassay. In summer 2013 and 2014, PS was sprayed at fruit set, pea-sized berry, verison and maturity on 16 years old grapevines located in Malayer Grape Research Station (Iran) under a randomized complete block design. Based on results, foliar PS significantly affected yield, cluster weights, and berry weight and some fruit quality indices including soluble solids, titratable acidity, pH and phenolic compounds. Foliar PS significantly changed the leaf N, K, P, Mg, Zn and Fe concentrations. The effect of nutrition treatments was also significant on FT of grapevines at four sampling stages. In Jan., the highest FT (LT50=−25.97°C) and the lowest FT (LT50=−20.16°C) was found in 3% PS- treated and control untreated vines, in respectively. Moreover, PS especially at 3% resulted in higher increments in abscisic acid, total phenol, soluble sugars, and polyamines concentrations. Potassium spray increased membrane stability and decreased electrolyte leakage. The ability of Potassium in FT improvement (lower electrolyte leakage) was found to be related to change in endogenous abscisic acid concentration as a stress hormone in preliminary and subsequent changes in other metabolites such as accumulation of soluble sugars, polyamines, and phenolic acids.

Morpho-physiological response of Acacia auriculiformis as influenced by seawater induced salinity stress

Aim of the study: To evaluate the morpho-physiological changes of Acacia auriculiformis in response to seawater induced salinity stress along with its tolerance limit.Area of study: Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University, Bangladesh.Material and methods: Three saline treatments (4, 8, 12 dS m-1) were applied to six-month aged Acacia auriculiformis seedlings from January 2014 to June 2014 and the tap water was used as control treatment. To observe salinity effects, the following parameters were measured by using various established techniques: plant height and leaf number, plant biomass, shoot and root distribution as well as shoot and root density, water uptake capacity (WUC), water saturation deficit (WSD) and water retention capacity (WRC), exudation rate, and cell membrane stability.Main results: Diluted seawater caused a notable reduction in shoot and root distribution in addition to shoot and root density, though plant height, leaf number and plant biomass were found to be decreased to some extent compared to control plants. Water status of the plant also altered when plants were subjected to salinity stress. Nevertheless, membrane stability revealed good findings towards salinity tolerance.Research highlights: Considering the above facts, despite salinity exerts some negative effects on overall plant performance, interestingly the percent reduction value doesn’t exceed 50% as compared to control plants, and the plants were successful to tolerate salinity stress till the end of the experiment (150 days) through adopting some tolerance mechanisms.Additional key words: Salt stress; halophytes; growth parameters; WUC; exudation rate; membrane stability.Abbreviations used: BSMRAU (Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University); RCBD (randomized complete block design); DATI (days after treatment imposition); RWC (relative water content); WUC (water uptake capacity); WSD (water saturation deficit); WRC (water retention capacity); FW (fresh weight); DW (dry weight); TW (turgid weight); ROS (reactive oxygen species).

Allomorphic growth of Epipremnum aureum (Araceae) as characterized by changes in leaf morphophysiology during the transition from ground to canopy

The aroid vine Epipremnum aureum (L.) Engler has an allomorphic growth throughout its ascent into the forest. In the literature, the allomorphic increase in leaf area of aroid vines was hypothesized to improve its light foraging capacity. This study aims to test this hypothesis by characterizing nitrogen allocation, chlorophyll fluorescence, and morphophysiological and anatomical changes at leaf level along a vertical ascension of E. aureum toward the canopy. Leaf samples were chosen to represent the transition from ground (individuals with ageotropic shoot near to soil surface) to crown (individuals with orthotropic shoot living at canopy). Leaf allomorphic development was accompanied by a simultaneous increase of leaf area, maximum ETR, leaf succulence, and mass per area, as well as mesophyll thickness and stomatal pore height. Stomatal conductance differed only slightly between growth habits. Since nitrogen content (% of dry mass) did not differ, total nitrogen allocated per individual leaf increased only with lamina area. Multivariate analysis indicates that the increases of fluorescence parameters, as well as chlorophyll and total nitrogen contents, are positively related to leaf area, supporting the hypothesis that an increase in the leaf area of aroid vines improves its light foraging capacity. With such increased light foraging capacity in E. aureum leaves, the survival and productivity of larger plants of this vine in the canopy is potentially improved.

Ovariectomy increases the phenotypic plasticity of the female prostate epithelium in the Mongolian gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus).

The female prostate is a reproductive gland that typically presents a morphology similar to that of the male gland and is highly developed in female Mongolian gerbils. Two main cell populations compose the epithelium gland: basal and secretory luminal cells. However, during postnatal development, diverse secretory cell phenotypes are distributed among the typical ones. Prostate homeostasis is under the control of sexual hormones, such as oestrogen and progesterone. After hormonal deprivation the female gland undergoes several morphophysiological changes. The objective of this study was to identify and characterise, structurally and ultrastructurally, the cellular heterogeneity of the female prostate epithelium in normal conditions and after ovariectomy. Histological routine stains, such as haematoxylin-eosin, periodic acid-Schiff and silver impregnation, as well as immunocytochemical techniques were used to enable identification of the different cell types. Some secretory cells types were identified and characterised as mucinous, basophil, clear, ciliated, droplet, spumous and neuroendocrine cells. Population tally data showed that the hormonal suppression caused by ovariectomy resulted in a decrease in the proportions of basophil and clear cells and an increase in spumous cells. Thus, the secretory epithelial cells of the female gerbil prostate are not morphologically and functionally uniform, presenting a phenotypical plasticity according to the hormonal environment in which they operate.

Physiological differences and changes in global DNA methylation levels in Agave angustifolia Haw. albino variant somaclones during the micropropagation process

Global DNA methylation changes caused by in vitro conditions are associated with the subculturing and phenotypic variation in Agave angustifolia Haw. While the relationship between the development of albinism and in vitro culture is well documented, the role of epigenetic processes in this development leaves some important questions unanswered. During the micropropagation of Agave angustifolia Haw., we found three different phenotypes, green (G), variegated (V) and albino (A). To understand the physiological and epigenetic differences among the somaclones, we analyzed several morphophysiological parameters and changes in the DNA methylation patterns in the three phenotypes during their in vitro development. We found that under in vitro conditions, the V plantlets maintained their CAM photosynthetic capacity, while the A variant showed no pigments and lost its CAM photosynthetic ability. Epigenetic analysis revealed that global DNA methylation increased in the G phenotype during the first two subcultures. However, after that time, DNA methylation levels declined. This hypomethylation correlated with the appearance of V shoots in the G plantlets. A similar correlation occurred in the V phenotype, where an increase of 2% in the global DNA methylation levels was correlated with the generation of A shoots in the V plantlets. This suggests that an "epigenetic stress memory" during in vitro conditions causes a chromatin shift that favors the generation of variegated and albino shoots.

Reaction of osmoregulatory system in juveniles of Russian sturgeon Acipenser gueldenstaedtii (Acipenseridae) on influence of comatotropin of carp Cyprinus carpio

For the first time by the example of juveniles of Russian sturgeon Acipenser gueldenstaedtii Brandt, the role of growth hormone of hypophysis in the osmotic regulation of acipenserids was studied, also the process of transformation of reserve chloride was described. In Russian sturgeon juveniles, administration of growth hormone of carp Cyprinus carpio at a dose of 1 mg per 1 g body weight causes changes in the fine structure of numerous reserve (undifferentiated) gill epithelial cells and thus stimulates their transformation into mature chloride cells involved in transport of monovalent ions. Increase in the number of chloride cells, on account of reserve cells, was accompanied by higher enzymatic activity of Na+/K+-ATPase in gill homogenates of the injected fish adapting to a hyperosmotic environment of salinity 12.5‰ (403 mosm/l) than in the intact fish under the same conditions but without hormonal treatment. Morphophysiological changes observed in the injected juveniles provided the more efficient dynamics of blood serum osmolarity under saline exposure than that in the intact fish. Their serum osmolality during the maximum rise (24 hours after the transfer of fish into the water of 12.5‰ salinity) was lower (p <0.01), than that of the intact fish. The inclusion of growth hormone in the osmoregulatory process was established.

A simple method for inducing estrous cycle stage-specific morphological changes in the vaginal epithelium of immature female mice.

The vaginal epithelium of the adult female laboratory rodent changes from mucous secretion to cornification over the course of the estrous cycle. The morphophysiological changes occur with such regularity, accuracy and precision that the specific stage of the estrous cycle in the rat can be determined by inspection of the vaginal opening and/or exfoliative vaginal cytology. However, in the mouse, post-mortem vaginal histology is often required to determine the estrous cycle stage for ensuring the required level of reliability. Consequently, an excess number of female adult mice are needed to allow for the delivery of sufficient numbers of mice in a desired estrous cycle stage. In this study, we demonstrate that the standard procedure for oocyte superovulation and collection in the laboratory mouse (e.g. injection of equine chorionic gonadotropin followed 48 h later by human chorionic gonadotropin) can also be reliably used to induce changes in the epithelium of 3.5-week-old mouse vaginas in an estrous cycle stage-specific manner (e.g. establishment and replacement of a mucous secreting epithelium with a cornified epithelium; induction of cornification-associated loricrin expression). The superovulation protocol thus allows for the efficient and economic induction of estrous cycle stage-specific characteristics in the Müllerian duct-derived vagina thereby avoiding the necessity of post-mortem identification of the estrous cycle stage. In addition, our study indicates that the laboratory mouse vagina is an excellent organ for studying the sequence of events leading to cornification.

Morpho-physiological changes in five varieties of maize (Zea mays L.) grown under different levels of water stresses leading to drought

Morpho-physiological changes in five varieties of maize (Zea mays L.) grown under different levels of water stresses leading to drought

Impact of cement dust pollution on Cedrela fissilis Vell. (Meliaceae): A potential bioindicator species

Considering the impacts caused to vegetation in the vicinity of cement factories, the aim of this study was to evaluate the impacts of cement dust on the structural organization and physiological/biochemical traits of Cedrela fissilis leaflets, a woody species native to tropical America. Plants were exposed to 2.5 or 5 mg cm–2 cement dust applied to the leaf surface, to the soil or simultaneously to the leaf surface and the soil.. Leaves of shoot-treated plants exhibited chlorosis, marginal and inter veins necrosis, diminished thickness, epidermal cells less turgid, cellular collapse, obstructed stomata, senescence, rolling and some abscission. In few cases, individual death was recorded. Cement dust-treated plants also presented decreased amount of photosynthetic pigments and iron (Fe) and increase in calcium (Ca) levels. The cement crust formed in leaves surface blocked from 30 to 50% of the incoming light and reduced the stomatal conductance and the potential quantum yield of photosystem II. Control or soil-treated plants did not exhibit morphophysiological changes throughout the experiment. The activity of superoxide dismutase, catalase and ascorbate peroxidase increased in leaves of plants upon treatment with 2.5 mg cm−2 cement dust, independent of the site application. Overall, these results indicate that C. fissilis is highly sensitive to cement dust at the initial stage of development.

Ethanol exposure during peripubertal period increases the mast cell number and impairs meiotic and spermatic parameters in adult male rats.

Puberty is characterized by psychosomatic alterations, whereas chronic ethanol consumption is associated with morphophysiological changes in the male reproductive system. The purpose of this study was to show the toxic effects on testis and epididymal morphophysiology after ethanol administration during peripuberty. To this end, male Wistar rats were divided into two groups: ethanol (E) group: received a 2 g dose of ethanol/kg in 25% (v/v); and control (C) group: received the same volume of filtered water; both were treated by gavage for 54 days. On the 55th day of the experiment, epididymis, and testis were collected for sperm count, histopathology, mast cell count, and morphometry. The vas deferens was collected for sperm motility analysis. The femur and testicle were used for cytogenetic analysis. Ethanol exposure caused reduction in daily sperm production (DSP) and in sperm motility, multinucleated cells or those having no chromosomal content, and late chromosome migrations. No changes were observed in the number of chromosomes in the mitotic analysis. However, some alterations could be seen in meiocytes at different stages of cell division. Stereological analysis of the epididymis indicated reorganization of its component in the 2A and 5A/B regions. The epididymal cauda had greater recruitment, and both degranulated and full mast cells showed an increase in the initial segment, in the ethanol group. In conclusion, ethanol administration during the pubertal phase affects epididymis and testis in adult rats, as indicated mainly by our new findings related to mast cell number and meiotic impact. Microsc. Res. Tech. 79:541-549, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Compensatory responses in plant-herbivore interactions: Impacts of insects on leaf water relations

Herbivore damage to leaves has been typically evaluated in terms of fractions of area removed; however morpho-physiological changes in the remaining tissues can occur in response to removal. We assessed the effects of partial removal of the leaf mesophyll by Caliroa cerasi (Hymenoptera) on leaf hydraulic conductance (Kleaf), vascular architecture, water relations and leaf size of three Prunus avium cultivars. The insect feeds on the leaf mesophyll leaving the vein network intact (skeletonization). Within each cultivar there were trees without infestations and trees chronically infested, at least over the last three years. Leaf size of intact leaves tended to be similar during leaf expansion before herbivore attack occurs across infested and non-infested trees. However, after herbivore attack and when the leaves were fully expanded, damaged leaves were smaller than leaves from non-infested trees. Damaged area varied between 21 and 31% depending on cultivar. The non-disruption of the vascular system together with either vein density or capacitance increased in damaged leaves resulted in similar Kleaf and stomatal conductance in infested and non-infested trees. Non-stomatal water loss from repeated leaf damage led to lower leaf water potentials in two of the infested cultivars. Lower leaf osmotic potentials and vulnerability to loss of Kleaf were observed in infested plants. Our results show that skeletonization resulted in compensatory changes in terms of water relations and hydraulics traits and in cultivar-specific physiological changes in phylogenetic related P. avium. Our findings indicate that detrimental effects of herbivory on the photosynthetic surface are counterbalanced by changes providing higher drought resistance, which has adaptive significance in ecosystems where water availability is low and furthermore where global climate changes would decrease soil water availability in the future even further.

Comparison of anti-Aspergillus activity of Origanum vulgare L. essential oil and commercial biocide based on silver ions and hydrogen peroxide

AbstractThe antifungal activities of Origanum vulgare essential oil (EO) and of a biocide based on silver and hydrogen peroxide (Sanosil S003) against seven Aspergillus species isolated from different substrata (stone, brick, silk and paper) of cultural heritage objects in Serbia were evaluated. Microdilution, agar dilution and microatmosphere methods were used to determine minimal fungistatic and minimal fungicidal concentrations (MIC and MFC), and light microscopy to determine structural abnormalities. MIC and MFC values for O. vulgare EO ranged from 0.2 to 5 mg mL−1and for Sanosil S003 from 5 to 250 mg mL−1. Aspergillus sp. sect. fumigati was the most susceptible isolate, where MIC and MFC values were achieved at 0.5 mg mL−1for O. vulgare EO, while MIC and MFC values for Sanosil S003 were achieved at 5 and 10 mg mL−1, respectively. Morpho-physiological changes were documented in all isolates, including lack of sporulation, depigmentation of conidiogenous apparatus and conidia, and presence of aberrant fungal structures. O. vulgare EO exhibited stronger anti-Aspergillus activity than Sanosil S003, as demonstrated by the higher MIC and MFC values and fewer morpho-physiological changes observed in the tested Sanosil S003 concentrations. O. vulgare EO could be an excellent alternative to commercial biocides, with high potential in the field of cultural heritage conservation.

Growth and yield response of cowpea to multiaction bioinoculants

Studies were taken up to estimate the morpho-physiological changes in cowpea due to a multiaction bioinoculants (TagTeam) as seed treatment. Seed treatment with TagTeam @ 8.1g/kg showed significant increase in plant height, root length and number of nodules as compared to control. Physiological parameters such as leaf area, total dry matter accumulation, photosynthetic rate and chlorophyll index were also found higher in seed treatment with TagTeam @ 8.1g/kg. Co-inocultion of Rhizobium and Penicillium (TagTeam) @ 8.1g/kg enhanced the uptake of NPK in cowpea. Available NPK was found non significant with initial soil sample and found maximum with control and lower content in TagTeam seed treatment @ 8.1g/kg. Seed treatment with TagTeam @ 8.1g/kg increased the yield by 13.36 per cent over control and improved yield components and seed protein content in cowpea.

Role of silica and nitrogen interaction in submergence tolerance of rice

Submergence is an intensifying problem in major rice producing areas, when intolerant cultivars are submerged, they show a number of morpho-physiological changes such as elongation and chlorosis which is markedly developed after desubmergence probably due to oxidative damage. We studied the effects of submergence on survival, photosynthesis, nonstructural carbohydrate content, enzymatic activities, growth and yield of Sub1 and non-Sub1 cultivars. The interaction effect of nitrogen (N) and silica (Si) application was also examined for the submergence tolerance in rice. The photosynthetic rate, survival, growth of all the cultivars decreased during submergence but to a greater extent in IR64 and Swarna. After desubmergence, both the type of cultivars experienced oxidative damage, however, the oxidation of lipids was maintain at lower levels in Sub1 cultivars and anti-oxidants activities was increased more than intolerant cultivars. Application of basal Si was beneficial whereas, pre- and post-submergence Si spray was detrimental in relation to submergence tolerance. Basal Si resulted in significantly reduced elongation, lodging, leaf senescence, and chlorosis; when combined with post-flood N application either as broadcasting or spray, it led to significantly highest survival, photosynthesis, anti-oxidant activity and ultimately yields. Interaction of basal Si and post-flood N spray was the most promising method of nutrient application which not only resisted the damage during submergence but also enhanced the survival, growth after recovery in terms of number of green leaves emergence, leaf area and photosynthetic rate leading to significantly higher yield. The findings of the investigation propounds that a simple alteration in the time and method of nutrient application can significantly contribute to higher survival, crop establishment and yield in flash-flood prone areas.

Mir-351-5p contributes to the establishment of a pro-inflammatory environment in the H9c2 cell line by repressing PTEN expression.

The activated renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system modulates several metabolic pathways that contribute to left ventricular hypertrophy and heart failure. In this metabolic system, angiotensin II modulates heart morphophysiological changes triggered by a series of inflammatory and pro-inflammatory responses; however, the fine tuning associated with the control of this biochemical pathway remains unknown. Here, we investigated elements involved in the post-transcriptional regulation of the pro-inflammatory environment in the H9c2 cardiac cell line, focusing on miRNA elements that modulate PTEN expression. A cellular model of investigation was established and the miR-315-5p was identified as a novel element targeting PTEN in this cardiac cell line, thereby controlling the protein level. This interconnected pathway contributes to the control of the pro-inflammatory environment in Ang II-treated cells.