Negative Effects Of Stress Research Articles

A Comprehensive Analysis of the 9-Cis Epoxy Carotenoid Dioxygenase Gene Family and Their Responses to Salt Stress in Hordeum vulgare L.

Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) is among the earliest crops to be cultivated and is also considered a crucial staple crop. Nevertheless, the negative effects of abiotic stress on both the quality and productivity of barley are significant. Nine-cis-epoxycarotenoid dioxygenases (NCEDs) are rate-limiting enzymes in plants that cleave carotenoids and produce abscisic acid (ABA). The poor utilization of barley NCEDs in stress-resistant genetic breeding is due to the lack of appropriate information about their potential function in abiotic stress. The current study revealed five NCED genes in the barley genome (HvNCED1—HvNCED5), which are distributed unevenly on barley chromosomes. The PF03055 domain is present in all HvNCEDs, and they encode 413~643 amino acids. Phylogenetic analysis showed that NCED genes were categorized into three distinct clades, confirming the homology of NCED genes between H. vulgare L., Arabidopsis thaliana L., and Oryza sativa L. Expression analysis revealed that HvNCED1 is significantly upregulated under high salt stress, indicating its potential role in enhancing salt tolerance. In contrast, HvNCED3 and HvNCED4 exhibited downregulation, suggesting a complex regulatory mechanism in response to varying salt stress levels. These findings will enhance our comprehension of the genetic composition and evolutionary development of the HvNCED gene family and provide a basis for future research on their role in response to salt-induced stress.

The harmful effects of drought stress on the camelina oil content and fatty acid composition can be alleviated by using potassium silicate

AbstractA factorial experiment with three replicates was designed to investigate the effects of potassium silicate (0, 1, 2 and 3 g L−1) on camelina under three irrigation regimes (full irrigation, restricted irrigation from silicle formation and restricted irrigation from the beginning of flowering). Compared with full irrigation, restricted irrigation from the beginning of the flowering and silicle formation stages caused reductions of 5% and 11%, respectively, in the oil content and of 48% and 68%, respectively, in the oil yield (oil content 33% and oil yield 736 kg ha−1). The drought stress regimes increased the saturated fatty acid (SFA) content, whereas the polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) content, the PUFA/SFA (P/S) ratio and the monounsaturated fatty acid/SFA (M/S) ratio decreased. Under water‐limited conditions, 3 g L−1 potassium silicate significantly mitigated the negative effects of drought stress and increased the oil yield and content. Moreover, spraying 2 and 3 g L−1 potassium silicate increased the PUFA, P/S and M/S but decreased the SFA. Erucic acid, which was increased by the restricted irrigation treatments, decreased in response to potassium silicate application. Overall, the application of potassium silicate is a suitable measure for camelina cultivation under water‐limited conditions, as it mitigates the adverse effects of drought.

Effects of cryo-facial mask on running performance in amateur middle-distance runners

The excess heat accumulated during exercise can lead to stress-induced fatigue, possibly impairing athletic performance. Various precooling techniques have been applied to enhance thermal comfort, reduce perception of effort, and improve endurance. In this randomized crossover study, twelve male amateur middle-distance runners (age: 33.69 ± 5.9 years; body mass: 71.9 ± 4.4 kg; height: 178.4 ± 5.6 cm; V˙O2 peak: 63.3 ± 5.6 mL min−1·kg−1) wore a facial cooling mask before a time-to-exhaustion (TTE) test on a treadmill, under cryostimulation or control conditions. The running performance comprised also two constant load trials, one conducted before and another after wearing the mask, both performed at the velocity of the first ventilatory threshold. Under cryostimulation condition, the TTE was 13 % higher than the control condition (p = 0.0049; d = −0.19) with a significant main effect of time for both ratings of perceived exertion (F1, 22 = 50.10; p < 0.0001; η2p = 0.69) and heart rate (F1, 22 = 31.53; p < 0.0001; η2p = 0.59). A significant interaction “condition × time” was found for facial skin temperature (F2, 44 = 36.93; p < 0.0001; η2p = 0.63) and for heart rate during the constant load trial after wearing the mask (F1, 22 = 5.90; p = 0.0238; η2p = 0.21). The localized cryostimulation provided by the mask lowered the skin temperature on the face, potentially mitigating the negative effects of heat stress during running. Incorporating the cryo-facial mask as part of a pre-exercise routine for runners may offer a practical and convenient method to optimize performance and enhance overall training outcomes.

Working with AI: The Effect of Job Stress on Hotel Employees' Work Engagement.

Based on the Conservation of Resources (COR) theory and social support theory, this study focuses on the effects of AI-induced stress on hotel employees' work engagement and examines the mediating role of psychological capital and the moderating role of perceived organizational support. A sample of five-star hotels in China was selected for the study, data were analyzed, and hypotheses were tested using SPSS 27.0 and Mplus 7.4 software. The results of the study revealed that AI-induced stress had a significant negative effect on work engagement and psychological capital mediated the relationship between AI-induced stress and work engagement. Perceived organizational support moderated the relationship between work stress and psychological capital. Specifically, the higher the perceived organizational support, the lower the negative effect of work stress on psychological capital; conversely, the lower the perceived organizational support, the higher the negative effect of work stress on psychological capital. The greater the negative impact of work stress on psychological capital, the higher the perceived organizational support, and the smaller the negative impact of work stress on psychological capital. The findings of the study not only enrich the research related to AI in the hotel industry but also have certain reference significance for managers in the hotel industry who introduce AI in managing their employees.

The moderating role of paternalistic leadership in the relationship between job satisfaction and job stress among health workers in Gaziantep, Turkey.

Adopting an effective leadership style is of critical importance in increasing healthcare efficiency and therefore determining patient satisfaction. For example, although there are many new and effective leadership types today, the paternalistic leadership approach can still play an effective role in developing countries. The aim of this study is to examine the moderating role of paternalistic leadership in the relationship between job satisfaction and job stress. A total of 466 healthcare workers completed measures of perceived paternalistic leadership, job stress, and job satisfaction. The research was conducted in the center of Gaziantep, one of the largest cities in Turkey. Regression analysis was used to evaluate the moderate variable. Dawson slope were used to visualize the results. A negative relationship was found between job satisfaction and job stress. Additionally, it has been determined that the perception of paternalistic leadership has a moderating role. It has been observed that as the perception of paternalistic leadership increases, the negative relationship between job satisfaction and job stress decreases. It has been concluded that the paternalistic leadership approach can play a critical role in increasing the productivity of healthcare workers and reducing the negative effect of stress on satisfaction. It has been suggested that policies be developed to develop appropriate strategies for creating work environments that will increase employees' perceptions of paternalistic leadership.

Energy in the workplace: job demands, job resources, and employees' inner resources as pathways to organizational outcomes.

In this study, we expanded upon the job demands-resources model to assess the role of employees' vitality as an inner resource for their work engagement and job commitment. To assess vitality and related job resources, we developed an index of vitality outside of work and adapted measures of manager autonomy support and organizational support. For job demands, we measured work stress and predicted that each of these four variables would contribute independently to work-related outcomes. Then, in a preregistered study, we collected these measures from a sample of 5,280 American workers (primarily ages 18-34, 54% female). Results from multivariate regression analyses largely confirmed our hypotheses, showing that positive work-related outcomes, such as enthusiasm, enjoyment, and job satisfaction, were positively predicted by manager autonomy supports, organizational support, and individuals' vitality, and negatively predicted by work stress. The reverse pattern was largely observed for the negative outcome of turnover intention. Exploratory analyses also suggested that individual vitality may buffer the negative effects of stress and low manager and organizational support. The results highlight the potential role of employee vitality outside of work and managerial support in bolstering work engagement and reducing turnover intentions, offering a basis for organizational strategies aimed at improving work culture and retaining talent.

Knowledge and attitude of tile industry workers in the field of heat stress management

Introduction: One significant factor affecting employee performance is high ambient temperature or heat. Numerous studies have highlighted the negative effects of heat stress in various work environments. Therefore, enhancing workers' knowledge and attitudes toward heat stress can improve their performance. Materials and Methods: This semi-structured content analysis was conducted among tile industry workers in Yazd city in 2023. Participants engaged in both individual and group interviews. Initially, three unstructured interviews helped identify key points, followed by semi-structured interviews, which served as the primary data collection method. The study's reliability and validity were assessed using Lincoln and Guba. Data collection continued until theoretical saturation was reached, and the findings were organized into main themes and subcategories. Results: The workers' perspectives on the issue were explored from various angles, leading to two main themes: knowledge and attitude, each with different subcategories. The knowledge theme includes individual and management factors, while the attitude theme encompasses individual and environmental factors. Conclusion: The tile industry workers in Yazd City demonstrated varying levels of knowledge about heat stress and held attitudes that reflected the negative impacts of this stressor. Factors such as age and education level influenced their knowledge and attitudes. Workers' understanding and attitudes towards heat stress can be achieved through proper training.

Extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase-2 signaling in the nucleus accumbens facilitates stress-susceptibility and cocaine reinstatement.

BackgroundSecond messenger signaling within the mesolimbic reward circuit plays a key role in the negative effects of stress and the underlying mechanisms that promote drug abuse. Since the nucleus accumbens (NAc) integrates reward valence, we investigated how extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase-2 (ERK2) signaling affects the development of stress-related comorbidities, including negative affect and drug sensitivity. MethodsWe assessed how chronic unpredictable stress (CUS) influenced the phosphorylation of ERK2-signaling proteins within the NAc of male Sprague Dawley rats. Using a herpes-simplex virus, we either upregulated or downregulated NAc ERK2 activation and evaluated behavioral responses to stress-eliciting stimuli (elevated plus maze, open field, forced-swim test) and cocaine-seeking behavior (conditioned place preference, self-administration). We also examined ERK2-mediated modifications in spine morphology of medium spiny neurons (MSNs) within the NAc. ResultsCUS increased the phosphorylation of ERK2-signaling proteins within the NAc. Viral-mediated activation of NAc ERK2 enhanced susceptibility to both depression- and anxiety-related stimuli and increased cocaine-seeking behavior (conditioned place preference and reinstatement). These behavioral changes were associated with an increase in stubby and mushroom spines of NAc MSNs. Conversely, downregulation of ERK2 activation attenuated affect-related behavioral responses in the forced swim test and blunted cocaine’s rewarding effects, without influencing NAc spine morphology. ConclusionsNAc ERK2 contributes to stress-induced behavioral deficits, including anxiety- and depression-like phenotypes, while promoting cocaine-seeking behavior. These findings suggest that ERK2 signaling in the NAc plays a role in the comorbidity of these related syndromes.

Chromium yeast promotes milk protein synthesis by regulating ruminal microbiota and amino acid metabolites in heat-stressed dairy cows

The intensifying global warming may increase the impact of heat stress on the dairy industry. Our previous study showed that chromium yeast (CY) alleviated the negative effects of heat stress and improved the lactation performance by increasing milk protein content and yield in mid-lactation dairy cows. This study further investigated whether the increased milk protein after CY supplementation results from the promotion of microbial crude protein (MCP) synthesis by regulating rumen microorganisms and amino acid metabolites. Twelve heat-stressed dairy cows were divided into two treatment groups: one with CY supplementation (0.36 mg Cr/kg DM) and the other without CY supplementation. Samples were collected after eight weeks of formal experiment in a hot summer with the mean temperature-humidity index of 79.0 ± 3.13. Dietary CY supplementation did not affect rumen pH, total volatile fatty acid, acetate, propionate, isobutyrate, butyrate, isovalerate, and valerate, but increased ruminal MCP concentration (P < 0.05). Simultaneously, the alpha or beta diversity of rumen microbial bacteria were not influenced by CY supplementation. At genus level, supplementation with CY increased the relative abundances of Olsenella, Lachnospiraceae_UCG-002, and Shuttleworthia (P < 0.05) and decreased those of Enterobacter, Escherichia-Shigella, Oribacterium, and Bacteroidetes_BD2-2 (P < 0.05). There were 17 up-regulated and 57 down-regulated differential metabolites in the CON and CY groups. The partial least-squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) and orthogonal partial least-squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) scores clearly distinguished the two groups. Chromium yeast supplementation reduced the concentrations of D-(+)-proline, DL-glutamic acid, DL-lysine, Gly-l-pro, L-(-)-serine, L-(+)-alanine, and L-(+)-aspartic acid (P < 0.05) in the ruminal fluid, which were involved in arginine biosynthesis (P = 0.029), glutathione metabolism (P = 0.047), lysine degradation (P = 0.069), and D-amino acid metabolism (P = 0.084). Spearman correlation analysis showed that milk protein content was positively correlated with MCP and negatively correlated with amino acid concentrations in the ruminal fluid (P < 0.05). Collectively, CY supplementation promoted the utilization of amino acids by rumen microorganisms to synthesize MCP, thereby increasing milk protein content and yield in heat-stressed dairy cows.

Deciphering the mechanisms, signaling, and applications of newly isolated Cladosporium crousii SHF to alleviate the negative effects of Pb stress in tomato plants

In the present study, lead (Pb) tolerant fungal strains were isolated from Pb-contaminated soil and examined for plant growth-promoting traits (PGP), including the production of exopolysaccharides, siderophores, and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA). The present study aimed to isolate and characterize the Pb-tolerant fungal strains and to inoculate them into tomatoes under Pb stress to evaluate their remediation potential. Three strains were selected based on these traits and were assessed for Pb tolerance. The myco-remediation potential of Cladosporium crousii was assessed by measuring its tolerance to various Pb concentrations (0–30 mM). Among the examined strains, C. crousii SHF exhibited the highest Pb tolerance and was, therefore, selected for further experimentation. The stress resilience efficiency and phyto-beneficial characteristics of C. crousii SHF strain were assessed under Pb stress. The results revealed that C. crousii SHF inoculation in tomato plants elicited a reprogramming of plant growth, reduced Pb accumulation, and enhanced metal tolerance through the reduction of abscisic acid by 24.2% in roots and 12.19% in shoots, and jasmonic acid by 19.24% in roots and 37.84% in shoots. Furthermore, salicylic acid significantly increased by 112% in roots and 243% in shoots while simultaneously modulating antioxidants (SOD, CAT, and APX) within the oxidative stress defense system. Gene expression analysis further validated these findings, demonstrating that C. crousii SHF inoculation significantly decreased the expression of SlPCS1 (32.3%) (phytochelatin synthase protein), SlMTP5 (31.3%) (metal transportation protein), and SlNCED3 (50%) (stress hormone) in tomato plants. The fungal strains were molecularly characterized using the nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer region (ITS), and the amplified sequences through 18S rDNA were submitted to the GenBank NCBI database (accession number OR841280). These findings identified a new mycorrhizal strain, C. crousii SHF, with the potential to alleviate Pb contamination and regulate heavy metal metabolism in plants.

Ultrastructural features of psychological stress resilience in the brain: a microglial perspective.

Psychological stress is the major risk factor for major depressive disorder. Sustained stress causes changes in behaviour, brain connectivity and in its cells and organelles. Resilience to stress is understood as the ability to recover from stress in a positive way or the resistance to the negative effects of psychological stress. Microglia, the resident immune cells of the brain, are known players of stress susceptibility, but less is known about their role in stress resilience and the cellular changes involved. Ultrastructural analysis has been a useful tool in the study of microglia and their function across contexts of health and disease. Despite increased access to electron microscopy, the interpretation of electron micrographs remains much less accessible. In this review, we will first present microglia and the concepts of psychological stress susceptibility and resilience. Afterwards, we will describe ultrastructural analysis, notably of microglia, as a readout to study the mechanisms underlying psychological stress resilience. Lastly, we will cover nutritional ketosis as a therapeutic intervention that was shown to be effective in promoting psychological stress resilience as well as modifying microglial function and ultrastructure.

Deciphering Acclimation to Sublethal Combined and Sequential Abiotic Stresses in Arabidopsis thaliana.

Plants are frequently exposed to environmental challenges. Responses to sub-lethal abiotic stress combinations are complex and often distinct from responses to individual stresses and remain poorly understood. Investigating traits and molecular factors mediating acclimation to stress combinations is essential for the development of climate change-resilient field crops. Here, we studied the morphological, physiological, and molecular responses of Arabidopsis thaliana to i) co-occurring high temperature and drought and ii) flooding followed by drought, both of which have increased in frequency due to climate change, and the individual component stresses: high temperature, drought and flooding. A set of 15 physiological and morphological traits were assessed during single and combined stresses. By combining these comprehensive trait analyses with transcriptome characterization, we established the generally additive negative effects of simultaneous or sequential stresses on plant morphology and physiology compared to the corresponding individual stresses. Although drought had a mild effect on various growth, morphological and physiological traits in both stress combinations, a unique transcriptome signature emerged upon combination with high temperature simultaneously or flooding sequentially. Molecular processes identified as important for multi-stress resilience included plastid-nucleus communication, ABA signaling and photo-acclimation. Based on the RNA-seq data, a set of 39 genes was identified as potential multi-stress response regulators. Mutants were tested to validate the contribution of these genes to plant survival and phenotypic acclimation under combined stress. We confirmed the involvement of several genes in regulating phenotypic acclimation traits. Among the identified factors were EARLY FLOWERING 6 (ELF6) and ARABIDOPSIS TÓXICOS EN LEVADURA 80 (ATL80), with substantial effects on plant growth, leaf development and plant survival (wilting) during high-temperature drought and post-submergence drought, respectively.

Plant growth regulators improve the yield of white lupin (Lupinus albus) by enhancing the plant morpho-physiological functions and photosynthesis under salt stress

BackgroundWhite lupin (Lupinus albus L.) is a multi-purpose, climate resilient, pulse crop with exceptionally high protein content that makes it a suitable alternative of soybean in livestock feed. Although white lupin grows well on marginal sandy soils, previous studies have reported its sensitivity towards salinity stress. This experiment aims to assess the influence of salinity stress and mitigating role of plant growth regulators (PGRs) on performance of white lupin.MethodologyThe white lupin plants were sown in pots maintained at three salinity levels (1, 3 and 4.5 dS m− 1) throughout the growing season and foliar sprayed with different PGRs, including ascorbic acid, potassium chloride, boric acid, ammonium molybdate and methionine at sowing, four weeks after emergence and at the initiation of flowering. Foliar spray of distilled water and salinity level of 1 dS m− 1 were maintained as control treatments. Data were recorded for seed germination indices, plant growth, antioxidant enzymes and photosynthetic efficiency variables.ResultsThe severe salinity stress (4.5 dS m− 1) reduced the germination indices by 9–50%, plant growth traits by 26–54%, root nodulation by 12–26%, grain development by 44–53%, antioxidant enzymes activity by 13–153% and photosynthetic attributes by 1–8% compared to control (1 dS m− 1). Different PGRs improved several morpho-physiological attributes in a varied manner. The application of potassium chloride improved seed vigour index by 53%, while ascorbic acid improved root nodulation by 12% and number of pods per cluster by 75% at the severe salinity level. The foliar application of PGRs also displayed a recovery of 140% in the activity of superoxide dismutase and 70% in catalase. The application of multi zinc displayed an improvement of 37% in plant relative chlorophyll, while ascorbic acid brought an increase of 25% in non-photochemical quenching and 21% in photochemical quenching coefficient at the severe salinity level. On contrary, the application of PGRs brought a relatively modest improvement (8–13%) in quantum yield of photosystem II at slight to moderate (3 dS m− 1) salinity stress. The correlation analysis confirmed a partial contribution of leaf area and seed vigour index to overall photosynthetic efficiency of white lupin.ConclusionsClearly, salinity exerted a negative impact on white lupin through a decline in chlorophyll content, activity of antioxidant enzymes and efficiency of photosynthetic apparatus. However, PGRs, especially ascorbic acid and potassium chloride considerably improved white lupin growth and development by mitigating the negative effects of salinity stress.

Sweet corn (Zea mays L.) seed performance enhanced under drought stress by chitosan and minerals coating.

Sweet corn (Zea mays L.) var. Saccharata is a tropical and semitropical annual cereal with low germination, poor vigor, and weak seedling establishment in the soil. In order to enhance the physical properties of sweet corn and examine the effects of seed coating on the morphological, biochemical, and physiological characteristics of sweet corn seedlings under drought stress conditions, we conducted a factorial experiment in greenhouse conditions. Seed coating was carried out using a mixture of vermiculite (V), kaolin (K), and perlite (P) in a ratio of 3:1.5:2. The main factors of the greenhouse experiment comprised three levels of coating treatment (chitosan 0.5% + V10K2.5P5 (gr), NaAlg 1% + V10K2.5P5 (gr), and non-coated seeds as a control) along with drought stress at four levels (0, -0.3, -0.6, and -0.9bar). In greenhouse conditions, the growth indexes of sweet corn seedlings were studied under increasing levels of drought stress. The results showed that as drought stress levels increased, certain growth indicators such as seedling emergence and seedling emergence rate, soluble protein, chlorophyll total content, nitrogen, and phosphorus content decreased. On the other hand, mean emergence, proline, potassium, soluble sugars, malondialdehyde, and hydrogen peroxide were increased. The study found that the highest seedling emergence percentage occurred in the coating treatment of chitosan 0.5% + V10K2.5P5 (gr) at all levels of drought stress. Overall, seed coating with the Chitosan 0.5% + V10K2.5P5 (gr) treatment improved the performance of sweet corn seeds and reduced the negative effects of drought stress by increasing seedling emergence and establishment.

Application of Silicon Iron and Silver Nanoparticles Improve Vegetative Development and Physiological Characteristics of Boysenberry Plants Grown under Salinity Stress In Vitro Cultivation Conditions

Salinity is one of the most important abiotic stress factors that affect plant growth and limit agricultural productivity. In this study, the effects of iron (FeNP), silver (AgNP), and silicon dioxide (SiNP) nanoparticles on the morphological and physiological parameters of in vitro boysenberry plants grown under salinity stress (NaCl) were investigated. According to our study results, higher values were obtained from SiNP application in terms of shoot development parameters; FeNP application was found to be more successful for root development; AgNP application was effective in terms of SPAD, leaf relative water content (LRWC), and relative growth rate (RGR); and FeNP application increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) enzyme activities. Salt stress significantly affected root development, SPAD values, LRWC and RGR, and SOD and CAT enzyme activities. As a result, under salt stress conditions, SiNP, FeNP, and AgNP applications can significantly reduce the negative effects of stress and promote the vegetative development of the plant compared to control conditions.

Exogenous Bacillus subtilis can reduce the damage caused by waste drilling fluid to ryegrass (Lolium perenne)

Oil and gas drilling waste fluid are an alkaline mixture with complex composition that can be hazardous to plants if leakage occurs during transportation and disposal. Bacillus subtilis is well-known for its adaptable to adversity and its beneficial effect on plants and soil. In this study, the novel ultra-slippery water-based drilling fluids were evaluated as potentially hazardous liquids capable of inhibiting ryegrass (Lolium perenne) germination and growth. However, the combination of ryegrass and B. subtilis successfully decreased the negative effects of waste drilling fluid stress, while increasing the levels of antioxidant enzymes and osmotic regulatory substances, resulting in improved ryegrass germination and growth. Furthermore, B. subtilis enhanced the activation of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium in the soil, which improved soil conditions and promoted ryegrass development. This study proposes a novel approach for combined remediation of waste drilling fluid pollution in oil and gas drilling sites using microbial agents and plants, while also furnishing resources for enhancing ryegrass resilience and facilitating ecological restoration.

Stress-induced VIPergic activation mediates microbiota/Th17cell-dependent depressive-like behaviors

Chronic stress often has deleterious effects leading to the development of psychiatric diseases. The gut-brain axis represents a novel avenue for stress research. The negative effects of stress on the gut physiology have been well-described, whereas the pathways whereby stress controls microbial composition to modulate behaviors remains mainly unknown. We discovered that vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) activation promoted stress-induced microbial changes leading to increased infiltration of T helper (Th) 17 cells and microglial activation in the hippocampus and depressive-like behaviors, uncovering a close crosstalk between intestinal VIPergic release and the gut microbiota during stress and providing a new interaction between the nervous system and the gut microbiome after stress. Neutralization of the signature cytokine of Th17 cells, interleukin (IL)-17A, was sufficient to block depressive-like behaviors, reduce neuronal VIPergic activation and microglia activation induced by VIPergic activation after stress, opening new potential therapeutic targets for depression.

Exogenous γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) enhances rye (Secale cereale) seedling resistance to combined freeze-thaw and cadmium stress.

Freeze-thaw is a common stress at high altitudes in northern China. There is a risk of cadmium (Cd) contamination in the region. γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is a natural product that regulates plant growth. Rye (Secale cereale ) was used as research material to investigate the physiological effects of exogenous GABA on rye seedlings under the single and combined stresses of freeze-thaw and cadmium. The results showed that the combined stress severely inhibited shoot length, root length, fresh weight, and dry weight, increased malondialdehyde and hydrogen peroxide contents, and significantly decreased superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity. Foliar application of 5mM GABA alleviated the negative effects of stress on seedling growth, increased soluble protein content, and reduced malondialdehyde and hydrogen peroxide contents. Exogenous GABA application also enhanced the activities of SOD and peroxidase (POD). Additionally, the presence of exogenous GABA activated the GABA metabolic process and encouraged the accumulation of phytochelatins, glutathione, and non-protein thiol. These results indicate that exogenous GABA can effectively improve the resistance of rye seedlings to freeze-thaw and Cd by regulating the antioxidant enzyme system and enhancing its own detoxification mechanism, and they provide a basis for future applications of exogenous GABA, which is beneficial for ecological protection.

Linseed oil supplementation alters milk fatty acid profile, mitigates heat stress, and improves summer milk yield in grazing dairy cows.

Dietary supplementation of fat can be an important source of energy to compensate for the reduction in dry matter intake in dairy cows during heat stress periods. Studies have reported that supplementing dairy cow diets with linseed oil (LO) can increase milk yield and enhance the levels of beneficial fatty acids, such as omega-3 fatty acids, in the milk. The objective of this research was to evaluate the effect of LO supplementation on milk fatty acids profile, milk yield and composition, and physiological parameters of grazing cows. The study was conducted in two seasons, one in spring and one in summer. A 2 × 2 Latin square design was used in each experiment. Twelve Holstein and crossbred Holstein x Jersey cows were involved in each season. Cows were divided into two groups: control (TC) with no supplementation and treatment (TL) supplemented with 400g/day of LO. The results showed that LO supplementation altered the milk fatty acid profile: decreased concentrations of short and medium-chain fatty acids (C10:0 - C17:1) except for C13:0 and increased concentrations of long-chain fatty acids (C18, C18:1 (both trans and cis isomers), C18:2 (specific conjugated linoleic acid - CLA isomers), and C18:3 n3 (omega-3)). Additionally, milk yield increased by 1.5l per day during summer in LO-supplemented cows, while milk fat, protein, and casein content decreased. Milk stability increased by 2.2% in the LO-supplemented group. LO-supplemented cows reduced internal body temperature and heart frequency in the afternoon and increased daily rumination time by 20min. In conclusion, LO supplementation can be an effective strategy to improve the nutritional profile of milk by altering fatty acid composition towards potentially healthier fats, mitigate the negative effects of heat stress on grazing cows during summer, as evidenced by reduced body temperature and heart frequency and increase milk yield.

Choking under pressure in online and live esports competitions

This paper explores the phenomenon of choking under pressure within the context of esports, particularly focusing on the difference between online and live competitive settings and on high-pressure situations during overtime rounds. Employing a quasi-experimental design, the research leverages an extensive dataset covering professional CS:GO matches from 2012 to 2022 (match-level) and from 2015 to 2023 (round-level), including performance metrics such as players' ratings, headshot percentages, and teammate damage. The findings indicate a substantial decrease in the performance of esports players during overtime. This effect, however, is significantly mitigated in online competitions compared to live events. The study also reveals that while individual performance suffers under pressure, the impact on team coordination is less pronounced in online settings, suggesting that the virtual environment might offer a buffer against the negative effects of stress on team dynamics. This study enriches our understanding of performance psychology in digital settings but also opens up new avenues for research on stress, teamwork, and performance in professional and virtual environments.