Open Field Research Articles

Phenylalanine treatment induces tomato resistance to Tuta absoluta via increased accumulation of benzenoid/phenylpropanoid volatiles serving as defense signals.

Tuta absoluta ("leafminer"), is a major pest of tomato crops worldwide. Controlling this insect is difficult due to its efficient infestation, rapid proliferation, and resilience to changing weather conditions. Furthermore, chemical pesticides have only a short-term effect due to rapid development of T. absoluta strains. Here, we show that a variety of tomato cultivars, treated with external phenylalanine solutions exhibit high resistance to T. absoluta, under both greenhouse and open field conditions, at different locations. A large-scale metabolomic study revealed that tomato leaves absorb and metabolize externally given Phe efficiently, resulting in a change in their volatile profile, and repellence of T. absoluta moths. The change in the volatile profile is due to an increase in three phenylalanine-derived benzenoid phenylpropanoid volatiles (BPVs), benzaldehyde, phenylacetaldehyde, and 2-phenylethanol. This treatment had no effect on terpenes and green leaf volatiles, known to contribute to the fight against insects. Phe-treated plants also increased the resistance of neighboring non-treated plants. RNAseq analysis of the neighboring non-treated plants revealed an exclusive upregulation of genes, with enrichment of genes related to the plant immune response system. Exposure of tomato plants to either benzaldehyde, phenylacetaldehyde, or 2-phenylethanol, resulted in induction of genes related to the plant immune system that were also induced due to neighboring Phe-treated plants. We suggest a novel role of phenylalanine-derived BPVs as mediators of plant-insect interactions, acting as inducers of the plant defense mechanisms.

5-HT4 receptor agonists treatment reduces tau pathology and behavioral deficit in the PS19 mouse model of tauopathy.

Accumulation of tau in synapses in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease (AD) has been shown to cause synaptic damage, synaptic loss, and the spread of tau pathology through trans-synaptically connected neurons. Moreover, synaptic loss correlates with a decline in cognitive function, providing an opportunity to investigate therapeutic strategies to target synapses and synaptic tau to rescue or prevent cognitive decline in AD. One of the promising synaptic targets is the 5-HT4 serotonergic receptor present postsynaptically in the brain structures involved in the memory processes. 5-HT4R stimulation exerts synaptogenic and pro-cognitive effects involving synapse-to-nucleus signaling essential for synaptic plasticity. However, it is not known whether 5-HT4R activation has a therapeutic effect on tau pathology. The goal of this study was to investigate the impact of chronic stimulation of 5-HT4R by two agonists, prucalopride and RS-67333, in PS19 mice, a model of tauopathy. We utilized gradient assays to isolate pre- and post-synaptic compartments, followed by biochemical analyses for tau species and ubiquitinated proteins in the synaptic compartments and total brain tissue. Next, we performed kinetic assays to test the proteasome's hydrolysis capacity in treatment conditions. Moreover, behavioral tests such as the open field and non-maternal nest-building tests were used to evaluate anxiety-like behaviors and hippocampal-related cognitive functioning in the treatment paradigm. Our results show that 5-HT4R agonism reduced tauopathy, reduced synaptic tau, increased proteasome activity, and improved cognitive functioning in PS19 mice. Our data suggest that enhanced proteasome activity by synaptic mediated signaling leads to the enhanced turnover of tau initially within synapses where the receptors are localized, and over time, the treatment attenuated the accumulation of tau aggregation and improved cognitive functioning of the PS19 mice. Therefore, stimulation of 5-HT4R offers a promising therapy to rescue synapses from the accumulation of toxic synaptic tau, evident in the early stages of AD.

Voluntary wheel exercise improves glymphatic clearance and ameliorates colitis-associated cognitive impairment in aged mice by inhibiting TRPV4-induced astrocytic calcium activity

Background and objectivesChronic colitis exacerbates neuroinflammation, contributing to cognitive impairment during aging, but the mechanism remains unclear. The polarity distribution of astrocytic aquaporin 4 (AQP4) is crucial for the glymphatic system, which is responsible for metabolite clearance in the brain. Physical exercise (PE) improves cognition in the aged. This study aims to investigate the protective mechanism of exercise in colitis-associated cognitive impairment. MethodsTo establish a chronic colitis model, 18-month-old C57BL/6 J female mice received periodic oral administration of 1% wt/vol dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) in drinking water. The mice in the exercise group received four weeks of voluntary wheel exercise. High-throughput sequencing was conducted to screen for differentially expressed genes. Two-photon imaging was performed to investigate the function of the astrocytic calcium activity and in vivo intervention with TRPV4 inhibitor HC-067047. Further, GSK1016790A (GSK1), a TRPV4 agonist, was daily intraperitoneally injected during the exercise period to study the involvement of TRPV4 in PE protection. Colitis pathology was confirmed by histopathology. The novel object recognition (NOR) test, Morris water maze test (MWM), and open field test were performed to measure colitis-induced cognition and anxiety-like behavior. In vivo two-photon imaging and ex vivo imaging of fluorescent CSF tracers to evaluate the function of the glymphatic system. Immunofluorescence staining was used to detect the Aβ deposition, polarity distribution of astrocytic AQP4, and astrocytic phenotype. Serum and brain levels of the inflammatory cytokines were tested by Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The brain TUNEL assay was used to assess DNA damage. Expression of critical molecules was detected using Western blotting. ResultsVoluntary exercise alleviates cognitive impairment and anxiety-like behavior in aged mice with chronic colitis, providing neuroprotection against neuronal damage and apoptosis. Additionally, voluntary exercise promotes the brain clearance of Aβ via increased glymphatic clearance. Mechanistically, exercise-induced beneficial effects may be attributed, in part, to the inhibition of TRPV4 expression and TRPV4-related calcium hyperactivity, subsequent promotion of AQP4 polarization, and modulation of astrocyte phenotype. ConclusionThe present study reveals a novel role of voluntary exercise in alleviating colitis-related cognitive impairment and anxiety disorder, which is mediated by the promotion of AQP4 polarization and glymphatic clearance of Aβ via inhibition of TRPV4-induced astrocytic calcium hyperactivity.

Effects of fluorene-9-bisphenol exposure on anxiety-like and social behavior in mice and protective potential of exogenous melatonin.

Fluorene-9-bisphenol (BHPF) is widely used in the manufacture of plastic products and potentially disrupts several physiological processes, but its biological effects on social behavior remain unknown. In this study, we investigated the effects of BHPF exposure on anxiety-like and social behavior in female mice and the potential mechanisms, thereby proposing a potential therapy strategy. We exposed female Balb/c mice to BHPF by oral gavage at different doses (0.5, 50 mg/kg bw/2-day) for 28 days, which were found BHPF (50 mg/kg) exposure affected motor activity in the open field test (OFT) and elevated cross maze (EPM), resulting in anxiety-like behaviors, as well as abnormal social behavioral deficits in the Social Interaction Test (SIT). Analysis of histopathological staining results showed that BHPF exposure caused damage to hippocampal neurons in the CA1/CA3/DG region and decreased Nissl pyramidal neurons in the CA1/CA3 regions of the hippocampus, as well as a decrease in parvalbumin neuron expression. In addition, BHPF exposure upregulated the expression of excitatory and inhibitory (E/I) vesicle transporter genes (Vglut1, Vglut2, VGAT, GAD67, Gabra) and axon growth gene (Dcc) in the mouse hippocampus. Interestingly, behavioral disturbances and E/I balance could be alleviated by exogenous melatonin (15 mg/kg bw/2-day) therapy. Our findings suggest that exogenous melatonin may be a potential therapy with protective potential for ameliorating or preventing BHPF-induced hippocampal neuronal damage and behavioral disturbances. This study provided new insight into the neurotoxicological effects on organisms exposed to endocrine-disrupting chemicals and aroused our vigilance in current environmental safety about chemical use.

Development of Green and Facile Sample Preparation Method for Determination of Seven Neonicotinoids in Fresh Vegetables, and Dissipation and Risk Assessment of Imidacloprid and Dinotefuran.

A facile procedure for extracting and determining seven neonicotinoids was developed. Water was the only extraction solvent without phase separation and cleanup steps. The method was validated according to European Union standards, and the values obtained were compared with the criteria. The accuracy values were between 99.8% (thiamethoxam) and 106.8% (clothianidin) at the spiking levels of 0.01, 0.1, and 1 mg/kg in the tested matrices. The precision as pooled RSD values was ≤6.1% (intra-day) and ≤6.9% (inter-day). The limit of quantification was set and tested at 0.01 mg/kg. The matrix effect was evaluated, and all matrices had a suppressive effect. The matrix of the cucumber was the most effective, with -20.9% for dinotefuran and an average of -9.8% for all compounds, while the tomato matrix had the slightest effect. Real marketed samples were analyzed using the developed and QuEChERS (Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged, and Safe) methods; the results were not significantly different. A supervised field trial was conducted in the open field to study the dissipation patterns of imidacloprid and dinotefuran in tomatoes. The dissipation of both compounds followed first-order kinetics. The half-life (T½) values were 3.4 and 2.5 days, with dissipation rates k of 0.2013 and 0.2781 days, respectively. Following the EU-MRL database, the calculated pre-harvest interval (PHI) values were 7 and 14 days for imidacloprid and dinotefuran, respectively, and 3 days for both compounds following Codex Alimentarius regulations. The risk of imidacloprid and dinotefuran residues was estimated from chronic and acute perspectives. The risk factors of dinotefuran were lower than those of imidacloprid. Nonetheless, the highest expected residues of both compounds were below the tolerance limits.

Dietary salt promotes cognition impairment through GLP-1R/mTOR/p70S6K signaling pathway

Dietary salt has been associated with cognitive impairment in mice, possibly related to damaged synapses and tau hyperphosphorylation. However, the mechanism underlying how dietary salt causes cognitive dysfunction remains unclear. In our study, either a high-salt (8%) or normal diet (0.5%) was used to feed C57BL/6 mice for three months, and N2a cells were cultured in normal medium, NaCl medium (80 mM), or NaCl (80 mM) + Liraglutide (200 nM) medium for 48 h. Cognitive function in mice was assessed using the Morris water maze and shuttle box test, while anxiety was evaluated by the open field test (OPT). Western blotting (WB), immunofluorescence, and immunohistochemistry were utilized to assess the level of Glucagon-like Peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) and mTOR/p70S6K pathway. Electron microscope and western blotting were used to evaluate synapse function and tau phosphorylation. Our findings revealed that a high salt diet (HSD) reduced the level of synaptophysin (SYP) and postsynaptic density 95 (PSD95), resulting in significant synaptic damage. Additionally, hyperphosphorylation of tau at different sites was detected. The C57BL/6 mice showed significant impairment in learning and memory function compared to the control group, but HSD did not cause anxiety in the mice. In addition, the level of GLP-1R and autophagy flux decreased in the HSD group, while the level of mTOR/p70S6K was upregulated. Furthermore, liraglutide reversed the autophagy inhibition of N2a treated with NaCl. In summary, our study demonstrates that dietary salt inhibits the GLP-1R/mTOR/p70S6K pathway to inhibit autophagy and induces synaptic dysfunction and tau hyperphosphorylation, eventually impairing cognitive dysfunction.

How to explore a new environment: exploratory tactics of the black rat (Rattus rattus)

Abstract The black rat (Rattus rattus) is a unique model for studying exploratory tactics due to its enormous colonizing potential. Considerable behavioral variability and consistent interindividual differences might help populations inhabit new environments and persist there even under intense pressure. Additionally, the affinity of the black rat for climbing might be another advantage, widening their potential niche. In this study, we describe the exploratory tactics of the black rats when introduced to a novel environment. In the first experiment, we tested 12 rats and calculated repeatability of their behaviors across 12 sessions of an enriched open field test. We concluded that climbing is a highly repeatable behavior that serves as an important source of interindividual variability. In the second experiment, we tested 24 black rats in a unique L-shaped arena. Each rat was tested twice. We found that the majority of rats distributed their activity evenly, exploring each part of the apparatus for a similar amount of time, thus maximizing their chances of finding resources. Nevertheless, these ‘even’ explorers still greatly differed in their level of activity, orderliness and affinity for climbing, generating large variability. In contrast, the minority of rats concentrated their activity only on a section of the new environment and were therefore characterized as selective explorers. Overall, we concluded that a combination of such exploratory tactics as well as a bias for even explorers enables black rats to quickly colonize new environments and persist there even under unfavorable conditions.

Antinociceptive effect of LMH-2, a new sigma-1 receptor antagonist analog of haloperidol, on the neuropathic pain of diabetic mice

This study evaluates the antiallodynic and antihyperalgesic effects of LMH-2, a new haloperidol (HAL) analog that acts as sigma-1 receptor (σ1 R) antagonist, in diabetic mice using a model of neuropathic pain induced by chronic hyperglycemia. Additionally, we compared its effects with those of HAL. Hyperglycemia was induced in mice by nicotinamide-streptozotocin administration (NA-STZ, 50–130 mg/kg). Four weeks later, mechanical allodynia was assessed using the up-down method, and hyperalgesia was evoked with formalin 0.5%. We evaluated antiallodynic and antihyperalgesic effects of LMH-2 (5.6–56.2 mg/kg), HAL (0.018–0.18 mg/kg) and gabapentin (GBP, 5.6–56.2 mg/kg). The results showed that LMH-2 had a more significant antiallodynic effect compared to HAL and GBP (90.4±8.7 vs 75.1±3.1 and 41.9±2.3%, respectively; P<0.05), as well as an antihyperalgesic effect (96.3±1.2 vs 86.9±7.41 and 86.9±4.8%, respectively; P<0.05). Moreover, the antiallodynic and antihyperalgesic effect of both LMH-2 and HAL were completely abolished by PRE-084 (σ1 R agonist); and partially by pramipexole (a D2-like receptor agonist). Finally, the effect of all treatments on the rotarod test, barra, open field and exploratory behaviors showed that LMH-2 did not alter the animals' balance or the exploratory behavior, unlike as HAL or GBP. The molecular docking included indicate that LMH-2 has lower affinity to the D2R than HAL. These results provide evidence that LMH-2 exerts its antinociceptive effects as a σ1 R antagonist without the adverse effects induced by HAL or GBP. Consequently, LMH-2 can be considered a good and safe strategy for treating neuropathic pain caused by hyperglycemia in patients with diabetes.

Coccinellid predation efficiency on Aphis gossypii (Hemiptera: Aphididae) under laboratory conditions.

In this study, we investigated the biological aspects and predation efficiency of 3 aphidophagous ladybird beetles, Coccinella novemnotata, Hippodamia variegata, and Coccinella septempunctata, on the cotton aphid, Aphis gossypii, reared on cucumber plants (Cucumis sativus L. cultivar barracuda) under laboratory conditions. The developmental periods of C. novemnotata, H. variegata, and C. septempunctata were observed to be 16.00 ± 0.25, 16.00 ± 0.25, and 20.58 ± 0.40 days, respectively. The larvae of these ladybird beetles consumed an average of 218.93 ± 8.86, 254.77 ± 8.86, and 537.36 ± 10.49 aphids, respectively. Fourth-instar larvae were particularly efficient, consuming 53.68%, 52.68%, and 52.64% of total aphids for C. novemnotata, H. variegata, and C. septempunctata, respectively. Adult emergence rates were promising, with 91.67%, 100.00%, and 92.86%, accompanied by sex ratios of 63.64%, 53.84%, and 61.54%, respectively. Notably, a single female of C. novemnotata, H. variegata, and C. septempunctata consumed an average of 2,215.30, 2,232.00, and 3,364.50 aphids, respectively, over its lifespan. Coccinella septempunctata demonstrated the highest predation efficiency among the 3 species, suggesting its potential for biological control of A. gossypii in both open fields and greenhouses, promoting sustainable agricultural practices.

Interaction effect of crocin and citalopram on memory and locomotor activity in rats: an insight into BDNF and synaptophysin levels in the hippocampus.

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are widely used drugs for the treatment of depression. Citalopram is one of the most prescribed SSRIs that is useful for the treatment of depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and anxiety disorders. On the other hand, crocin (active constitute of saffron) has pro-cognitive and mood enhancer effects. Also, both citalopram and crocin affect the function and expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and synaptophysin, two molecular factors that are involved in cognitive functions and mood. In the present study, we aim to investigate the interaction effect of citalopram and crocin on rats' performance in the open field test (locomotor activity and anxiety-like behavior) and the shuttle box (passive avoidance memory). Citalopram was injected at the doses of 10, 30, and 50mg/kg, and crocin was injected at the dose of 50mg/kg; all administrations were intraperitoneal. Real-time PCR was used to assess the expression level of BDNF and synaptophysin in the hippocampus. The results showed that citalopram (30 and 50mg/kg) impaired passive avoidance memory and decreased BDNF and synaptophysin expression in the hippocampus, while crocin reversed memory impairment, and BDNF and synaptophysin expression in the hippocampus of rats received citalopram 30mg/kg. Also, crocin partially showed these effects in rats that received citalopram 50mg/kg. The results of the open field test were unchanged. In conclusion, we suggested that BDNF and synaptophysin may be involved in the effects of both citalopram and crocin.

Neurophysiological analysis of disadvantageous social inequity: Exploring emotional behavior changes and c-Fos expression in a male rat model

Humans and other animals exhibit aversive behavioral and emotional responses to unequal reward distributions compared with their conspecifics. Despite the significance of this phenomenon, experimental animal models designed to investigate social inequity aversion and delve into the underlying neurophysiological mechanisms are limited. In this study, we developed a rat model to determine the effects of socially equal or unequal reward and stress on emotional changes in male rats. During the training session, the rats were trained to escape when a sound cue was presented, and they were assigned to one of the following groups: all escaping rats [advantageous equity (AE)], freely moving rats alongside a restrained rat [advantageous inequity (AI)], all restrained rats [disadvantageous equity (DE)], and a rat restrained in the presence of freely moving companions [disadvantageous inequity (DI)]. During the test session, rats in the advantageous group (AE and AI) escaped after the cue sound (expected reward acquisition), whereas rats in the disadvantageous group (DE and DI) could not escape despite the cue being presented (expected reward deprivation). Emotional alteration induced by exposure to restraint stress under various social interaction circumstances was examined using an open field test. Notably, the DI group displayed reduced exploration of the center zone during the open field tests compared with the other groups, indicating heightened anxiety-like behaviors in response to reward inequity. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed increased c-Fos expression in the medial prefrontal and orbitofrontal cortices, coupled with reduced c-Fos expression in the striatum and nucleus accumbens under DI conditions, in contrast to the other experimental conditions. These findings provide compelling evidence that rats are particularly sensitive to reward inequity, shedding light on the neurophysiological basis for distinct cognitive processes that manifest when individuals are exposed to social equity and inequity situations.

Addition of Selected Plant-Derived Semiochemicals to Yellow Sticky Traps Does Not Improve Citrus Psyllid Captures.

Fast and effective monitoring and surveillance techniques are crucial for the swift implementation of control methods to prevent the spread of Huanglongbing, a devastating citrus disease, and its invasive psyllid vector, Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri, into South Africa, as well as to control the native vector, African citrus triozid, Trioza erytreae. Monitoring for citrus psyllid pests can be improved by using semiochemical odorants to augment already visually attractive yellow sticky traps. However, environmental variables such as temperature and humidity could influence odorant release rates. Five field cages were used to test the ability of a selection of odorants to improve yellow sticky trap efficacy in capturing citrus psyllids. Environmental effects on odorant loss from the dispensers were also investigated. The odorants that most improved yellow sticky trap captures in field cages were then tested under open field conditions alongside lower concentrations of those same lures. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was used to calculate odorant release rates as well as to determine if any contamination occurred under field conditions. None of the odorants under field cage or field conditions significantly improved psyllid capture on yellow sticky traps. Temperature influenced odorant loss, and release rate from polyethylene bulbs decreased over time. Based on these results, the use of unbaited yellow sticky traps seems to be the most effective method for monitoring of Huanglongbing vectors.

Neurobehavioral and molecular changes in a rodent model of ACTH-induced HPA axis dysfunction

Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis dysregulation is linked to the pathophysiology of depression. Although exogenous adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) is associated with a depressive-like phenotype in rodents, comprehensive neurobehavioral and mechanistic evidence to support these findings are limited. Sprague-Dawley rats (male, n = 30; female, n = 10) were randomly assigned to the control (male, n = 10) or ACTH (male, n = 20; female n = 10) groups that received saline (0.1 ml, sc.) or ACTH (100 μg/day, sc.), respectively, for two weeks. Thereafter, rats in the ACTH group were subdivided to receive ACTH plus saline (ACTH_S; male, n = 10; female, n = 5; 0.2 ml, ip.) or ACTH plus imipramine (ACTH_I; male, n = 10; female, n = 5;10 mg/kg, ip.) for a further four weeks. Neurobehavioral changes were assessed using the forced swim test (FST), the sucrose preference test (SPT), and the open field test (OFT). Following termination, the brain regional mRNA expression of BDNF and CREB was determined using RT-PCR. After two-weeks, ACTH administration significantly increased immobility in the FST (p = 0.03), decreased interaction with the center of the OFT (p < 0.01), and increased sucrose consumption (p = 0.03) in male, but not female rats. ACTH administration significantly increased the expression of BDNF in the hippocampus and CREB in all brain regions in males (p < 0.05), but not in female rats. Imipramine treatment did not ameliorate these ACTH-induced neurobehavioral or molecular changes. In conclusion, ACTH administration resulted in a sex-specific onset of depressive-like symptoms and changes in brain regional expression of neurotrophic factors. These results suggest sex-specific mechanisms underlying the development of depressive-like behavior in a model of ACTH-induced HPA axis dysregulation.

Anethole as a promising antidepressant for maternal separation stress in mice by modulating oxidative stress and nitrite imbalance

The occurrence of major depressive disorder is widespread and can be observed in individuals belonging to all societies. It has been suggested that changes in the NO pathway and heightened oxidative stress may play a role in developing this condition. Anethole is a diterpene aromatic compound found in the Umbelliferae, Apiaceae, and Schisandraceae families. It has potential pharmacological effects like antioxidant, anxiolytic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, gastroprotective, anticancer, estrogenic, and antimicrobial activities. This study aimed to investigate the potential antidepressant properties of Anethole in a mouse model experiencing maternal separation stress while also examining its impact on oxidative stress and nitrite levels. The research involved the participation of 40 male NMRI mice, separated into five distinct groups to conduct the study. The control group was administered 1 ml/kg of normal saline, while the MS groups were given normal saline and Anethole at 10, 50, and 100 mg/kg doses. The study comprised various behavioural tests, including the open field test (OFT), forced swimming test (FST), and splash test, to assess the effects of Anethole on the mice. In addition to the behavioural tests, measurements were taken to evaluate the total antioxidant capacity (TAC), malondialdehyde (MDA), and nitrite levels in the hippocampus of the mice. According to the findings, maternal separation stress (MS) led to depressive-like conduct in mice, including a rise in immobility duration during the FST and a reduction in the duration of grooming behaviour in the splash test. Additionally, the results indicated that MS correlated with an increase in the levels of MDA and nitrite and a reduction in the TAC in the hippocampus. However, the administration of Anethole resulted in an increase in grooming activity time during the splash test and a decrease in immobility time during the FST. Anethole also exhibited antioxidant characteristics, as demonstrated by its ability to lower MDA and nitrite levels while increasing the TAC in the hippocampus. The results suggest that Anethole may have an antidepressant-like impact on mice separated from their mothers, likely partly due to its antioxidant properties in the hippocampus.

Indirect and direct cannabinoid agonists differentially affect mesolimbic dopamine release and related behaviors.

The cannabinoid system is being researched as a potential pharmaceutical target for a multitude of disorders. The present study examined the effect of indirect and direct cannabinoid agonists on mesolimbic dopamine release and related behaviors in C57BL/6J (B6) mice. The indirect cannabinoid agonist N-arachidonoyl serotonin (AA-5-HT) indirectly agonizes the cannabinoid system by preventing the metabolism of endocannabinoids through fatty acid amide hydrolase inhibition while also inhibiting transient receptor potential vanilloid Type 1 channels. Effects of AA-5-HT were compared with the direct cannabinoid receptor Type 1 agonist arachidonoyl-2'-chloroethylamide (ACEA). In Experiment 1, mice were pretreated with seven daily injections of AA-5-HT, ACEA, or vehicle prior to assessments of locomotor activity using open field (OF) testing and phasic dopamine release using in vivo fixed potential amperometry. Chronic exposure to AA-5-HT did not alter locomotor activity or mesolimbic dopamine functioning. Chronic exposure to ACEA decreased rearing and decreased phasic dopamine release while increasing the dopaminergic response to cocaine. In Experiment 2, mice underwent AA-5-HT, ACEA, or vehicle conditioned place preference, then saccharin preference testing, a measure commonly associated with anhedonia. Mice did not develop a conditioned place preference or aversion for AA-5-HT or ACEA, and repeated exposure to AA-5-HT or ACEA did not alter saccharin preference. Altogether, the findings suggest that neither of these drugs induce behaviors that are classically associated with abuse liability in mice; however, direct cannabinoid receptor Type 1 agonism may play more of a role in mediating mesolimbic dopamine functioning than indirect cannabinoid agonism. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Solar Wind Driven from GONG Magnetograms in the Last Solar Cycle

In a previous study, Huang et al. used the Alfvén Wave Solar atmosphere Model, one of the widely used solar wind models in the community, driven by ADAPT-GONG magnetograms to simulate the solar wind in the last solar cycle and found that the optimal Poynting flux parameter can be estimated from either the open field area or the average unsigned radial component of the magnetic field in the open field regions. It was also found that the average energy deposition rate (Poynting flux) in the open field regions is approximately constant. In the current study, we expand the previous work by using GONG magnetograms to simulate the solar wind for the same Carrington rotations and determine if the results are similar to the ones obtained with ADAPT-GONG magnetograms. Our results indicate that similar correlations can be obtained from the GONG maps. Moreover, we report that ADAPT-GONG magnetograms can consistently provide better comparisons with 1 au solar wind observations than GONG magnetograms, based on the best simulations selected by the minimum of the average curve distance for the solar wind speed and density.

A Spatial Memory Deficit in Male But Not Female Rats After Neonatal Diazepam Exposure: A New Model for Developmental Sedative Neurotoxicity.

Developmental anesthetic neurotoxicity is well described in animal models for GABAergic, sedating drugs. Here we investigate the role of the benzodiazepine, diazepam on spatial and recognition memory of young adult rats after neonatal exposure. On postnatal day 7, male (n = 30) and female (n = 30) rats were exposed to diazepam (30 mg/kg intraperitoneally) or vehicle. On postnatal day 42, animals started a series of behavioral tests including Barnes maze (spatial memory), object recognition battery (recognition memory), and open field and elevated plus maze (anxiety). In a separate cohort, blood gases were obtained from diazepam-exposed animals and compared to isoflurane-exposed animals (1 MAC for 4 hours). Male animals exposed to diazepam had impaired performance in the Barnes maze and were unable to differentiate the goal quadrant from chance (1-sample t test; tdiazepam/male (14) = 1.49, P = .158). Female rats exposed to diazepam performed the same as the vehicle controls ( tdiazepam/female (12) = 3.4, P = .005, tvehicle/female (14) = 3.62, P = .003, tvehicle/male (13) = 4.76, P < .001). There were no statistical differences in either males or females in measures of recognition memory, anxiety, or locomotor activity in other behavioral tests. Physiologic measurements of arterial blood gases taken from animals under sedation with diazepam were much less aberrant than those exposed to the volatile anesthetic isoflurane by t test (pH diazepam [M = 7.56, standard deviation {SD} = 0.11] versus pH Isoflurane [M = 7.15, SD = 0.02], t (10) = 8.93, P < .001; Paco 2diazepam [M = 32.8 mm Hg, SD = 10.1] versus Paco 2Isoflurane [M = 91.8 mm Hg, SD = 5.8], t (10) = 8.93, P < .001). The spatial memory results are consistent with volatile anesthetic suggesting a model in which development of the GABA system plays a critical role in determining susceptibility to behavioral deficits.

Effect of super absorbent hydrogel on hydro-physical properties of soil under deficit irrigation

Due to water scarcity challenges, efficient management of irrigation water is becoming crucial. Water use efficiency (WUE) involves increasing crop productivity without increasing water consumption. This study was carried out to study the effect of hydrogel, deficit irrigation and soil type on WUE, soil hydro-physical properties and lettuce productivity. For this purpose, four irrigation treatments (100%, 85%, 70% and 60% of full irrigation requirements), four hydrogel concentrations (0, 0.1, 0.2 and 0.3% w/w) and three soil textural classes (clay, loamy sand, and sandy-clay soil) were conducted in pot experiment at open field during two consecutive seasons. The results revealed that crop growth parameters and soil hydro-physical properties were significantly affected by hydrogel application rates. Hydrogel addition significantly enhanced head fresh and dry weights, chlorophyll content, number of leaves and WUE. Application of hydrogel at 0.3% and 85% of irrigation requirements achieved the highest WUE without significant yield reductions. Changes in the studied hydro-physical properties of soil were more dependent on soil texture and hydrogel application rate than on the amount of irrigation water. The significant decrease in soil saturated hydraulic conductivity and bulk density confirms that super absorbent hydrogels could be recommended to improve soil water retention and enhance water use efficiency under deficit irrigation conditions.

Effects of chemical fertilizer reduction combined with bio-organic fertilizer application on growth physiology and nutrient absorption of Chinese cabbage in open fields on plateau in summer

Effects of chemical fertilizer reduction combined with bio-organic fertilizer application on growth physiology and nutrient absorption of Chinese cabbage in open fields on plateau in summer

Marketing Pattern and Price Spread of Polyhouse and Open Field Cucumber Production in Jaipur District of Rajasthan, India

In recent years, there has been concern about the effectiveness of marketing fruits and vegetables, which has resulted in high and volatile consumer price with only a minute portion of the consumer rupee flowing to the farmers. Horticultural crops are difficult to market because of their perishability, seasonality and bulkiness. Present study was an attempt to study the marketing channel and their efficiency. The Jaipur district of Rajasthan was selected purposively for the present study. A total of 26 intermediaries and 50 farmers were selected randomly. Among the total farmers, 25 growers producing cucumber in polyhouses and 25 in open field were selected randomly. The most common marketing channel engaged in marketing of polyhouse and open field cucumber in Jaipur district are following: Channel – I: Producer – Commission Agent – Wholesaler – Retailer – Consumer and Channel- II: Producer- Commission agent- Retailer- Consumer. Among both cucumber production system, in channel II the marketing cost incurred per quintal of cucumber was much lower than cost incurred in channel I. Since the marketing cost and marketing margin in channel I was higher, so the marketing efficiency was very low for that channel. At the same time in channel II was found to be lower price spread under both production systems. The most effective means of enhancing farmers' market access and reduce marketing cost through institutional means is by reinforcing cooperative societies, FPOs and shorten the marketing channel.