Stress Process Research Articles

Type-specific inflammatory responses of vascular cells activated by interaction with virgin and aged microplastics

Microplastics (MPs) are recognized as a major environmental problem due to their ubiquitous presence in ecosystems and bioaccumulation in food chains. Not only humans are continuously exposed to these pollutants through ingestion and inhalation, but recent findings suggest they may trigger vascular inflammation and potentially worsen the clinical conditions of cardiovascular patients. Here we combine headspace analysis by needle trap microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS-NTME-GC-MS) and biological assays to evaluate the effects of polystyrene, high- and low-density polyethylene MPs on phenotype, metabolic activity, and pro-inflammatory status of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells (VSMCs) the most prominent cells in vascular walls. Virgin and artificially aged MPs (4 weeks at 40 °C and 750 W/m2 simulated solar irradiation) were comparatively tested at 1 mg/mL to simulate a realistic exposure scenario. Our results clearly show the activation of oxidative stress and inflammatory processes when VSMCs were cultured with aged polymers, with significant overexpression of IL-6 and TNF-α. In addition, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), including pentane, acrolein, propanal, and hexanal as the main components, were released by VSMCs into the headspace. Type-specific VOC response profiles were induced on vascular cells from different MPs.

Role of Specificity Protein 1 (SP1) in Cardiovascular Diseases: Pathological Mechanisms and Therapeutic Potentials.

In mammals, specificity protein 1 (SP1) was the first Cys2-His2 zinc finger transcription factor to be isolated within the specificity protein and Krüppel-like factor (Sp/KLF) gene family. SP1 regulates gene expression by binding to Guanine-Cytosine (GC)-rich sequences on promoter regions of target genes, affecting various cellular processes. Additionally, the activity of SP1 is markedly influenced by posttranslational modifications, such as phosphorylation, acetylation, glycosylation, and proteolysis. SP1 is implicated in the regulation of apoptosis, cell hypertrophy, inflammation, oxidative stress, lipid metabolism, plaque stabilization, endothelial dysfunction, fibrosis, calcification, and other pathological processes. These processes impact the onset and progression of numerous cardiovascular disorders, including coronary heart disease, ischemia-reperfusion injury, cardiomyopathy, arrhythmia, and vascular disease. SP1 emerges as a potential target for the prevention and therapeutic intervention of cardiac ailments. In this review, we delve into the biological functions, pathophysiological mechanisms, and potential clinical implications of SP1 in cardiac pathology to offer valuable insights into the regulatory functions of SP1 in heart diseases and unveil novel avenues for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular conditions.

MaHOS15 negatively regulates plant immune defense induced by banana fusarium wilt via salicylic acid pathway

Fusarium wilt of banana (Musa acuminata) poses a significant threat to the banana industry globally. Salicylic acid (SA) serves as a crucial signaling molecule activating the plant's defense response against pathogen infections while also regulating various aspects of plant growth and development. High Expression of Osmotically Responsive Genes 15 (HOS15) acts as a transcriptional corepressor and an E3 ubiquitin ligase complex substrate receptor, playing an important role in regulating biological stress processes. However, the exact immune mechanism of MaHOS15 in the SA signaling pathway remains unclear. In this study, we utilized RT-qPCR, yeast two-hybridization, subcellular localization and allogeneic expression of Arabidopsis to explore MaHOS15's function against banana fusarium wilt. The expression changes of SA pathway-related factors MaNPR3, MaNPR4, MaNPR11, MaTGA8 and MaHOS15 in Foc TR4-resistant and Foc TR4-susceptible bananas infected with Foc TR4 were compared and analyzed. The results showed that the MaHOS15 expression trend in the two cultivars was opposite, while the expression trend of MaNPR4 and MaNPR11 was contrary to that of MaHOS15. Moreover, heterologous overexpression of MaHOS15 in Arabidopsis reduced the variance in SA-related signaling factors. The expression of MaHOS15 increased after defense activation, inhibiting the expression of SA-related immune factors, the immunoregulation of MaHOS15 and SA exhibited contrasting results. Collectively, these findings suggest that MaHOS15 negatively regulates plant immune defenses against banana Fusarium wilt via the salicylic acid pathway, offering potential applications in improving plant resistance to banana Fusarium wilt.

P-467 Fertility preparedness and influencing factors in women undergoing fertility treatment: Turkish sample

Abstract Study question What is the level of fertility preparedness among women undergoing fertility treatment and what factors influence this preparedness? Summary answer The readiness of the participants to undergo fertility treatment was found to be high. Factors that increase and decrease women’s prepareadiness were also identified. What is known already It is a common problem in practice to stop and not continue infertility treatment, which has a long physical, emotional and financial burden. Although there are many reasons for this, it has been found that couples move from one treatment process to another without feeling ready. In addition to the stress of infertility and treatment, couples drop out of treatment due to low readiness. Therefore, measuring the readiness of couples prior to fertility treatment and determining the factors that influence readiness may be effective in the continuation and success of treatment. Study design, size, duration It was a descriptive and cross-sectional study conducted on 375 Turkish-speaking women in a virtual environment using the Google survey technique. Infertile women who received treatment in fertility clinics of any hospital or private IVF centers worldwide and spoke Turkish constituted the population of the research. The data were collected between February 2021 and January 2022. Participants/materials, setting, methods A total of 375 women with primary infertility who agreed to be part of the study were included. Data were collected by ‘Descriptive Information Form’, ‘Fertility History Form’ and ‘Fertility Preparedness Scale for Women Receiving Fertility Support’ measurement tools. The cut-off value of the Fertility Preparedness Scale (FPS) is 56 points (min 23 - max 115) and a score of less than 56 points indicates that the participant was not sufficiently prepared for fertility treatment. Main results and the role of chance In the present study, the mean score was X¯ = 83.01 (min 39-max115). Most of the participants (94.67%) were above the cut-off value. This showed us that 94.67% of the women had a high level of prepareadiness. Factors such as advancing age, prolongation of infertility, increase in number of treatments, female factor of infertility were negative factors related to fertility preparedness. Besides increased education level, increased income, secondary infertility, feel less pressure from their families and being able to share with the social circle about the treatment were positive factors that increased the woman’s prepareadiness for treatment.According to the results fertility prepareadiness it has a very important place in starting and continuing fertility treatment. There are many factors that influence fertility prepareadiness. If a woman/couple starts well prepared in this expensive and stressful treatment process, financial loss can be prevented, treatment success can be improved and treatment discontinuation can be reduced. Limitations, reasons for caution The fact that the study was conducted online and the possibility of participation of people at different stages of treatment (beginning, while waiting for a pregnancy test, etc.) may have affected the fertility prepareadiness results. Wider implications of the findings There is a need for an experimental randomized controlled trial with objective assessment of fertility prepareadiness. It would also be useful for health professionals to measure the prepareadiness of women/couples through pre-treatment assessment in clinics. Assessment of prepareadiness and identification of influencing factors is important to provide appropriate support. Trial registration number non-clinical trials

Salivary uric acid dynamics are associated with stress response hormones among African Americans in an urban sample

Acute physiological responses to psychosocial stressors are a potential pathway underlying racial disparities in stress-related illnesses. Uric acid (UA) is a potent antioxidant that has been linked to disparities in stress-related illnesses, and recent research has shown that UA is responsive to acute social stress. However, an examination of the relationships between the purinergic system and other commonly measured stress systems is lacking. Here, we measure and characterize associations of salivary uric acid (sUA) with markers of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activation, sympathetic-adreno-medullar (SAM) axis activation, and acute inflammation. A community sample of 103 African Americans (33 male, 70 female) completed the Trier Social Stress Test to induce social-evaluative threat. Passive drool collected before, during, and after the stressor task provided salivary reactivity measures of UA (sUA), cortisol, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), salivary alpha amylase (sAA – a surrogate marker of SAM activity) and C-reactive protein (sCRP). Multiple regressions revealed that total activation of cortisol, DHEAS, and sCRP were each positively associated with higher total activation of sUA. Additionally, DHEAS reactivity was positively associated with sUA reactivity. Relationships between HPA-axis markers and sUA were especially observed among younger and male participants. Overall, findings suggest potential coordination of stress systems with sUA in response to acute stress, which may further the contributions of biological stress processes to racial health disparities.

Coping with Examination Stress: An Emotion Analysis.

Stress is an important factor affecting human behavior, with recent works in the literature distinguishing it as either productive or destructive. The present study investigated how the primary emotion of stress is correlated with engagement, focus, interest, excitement, and relaxation during university students' examination processes. Given that examinations are highly stressful processes, twenty-six postgraduate students participated in a four-phase experiment (rest, written examination, oral examination, and rest) conducted at the International Hellenic University (IHU) using a modified Trier protocol. Network analysis with a focus on centralities was employed for data processing. The results highlight the important role of stress in the examination process; correlate stress with other emotions, such as interest, engagement, enthusiasm, relaxation, and concentration; and, finally, suggest ways to control and creatively utilize stress.

Expression of the alfalfa gene MsMDHAR in Arabidopsis thaliana increases water stress tolerance.

The ascorbate-glutathione pathway plays an essential role in the physiology of vascular plants, particularly in their response to environmental stresses. This pathway is responsible for regulating the cellular redox state, which is critical for maintaining cell function and survival under adverse conditions. To study the involvement of the alfalfa monodehydroascorbate reductase (MsMDHAR) in water stress processes, Arabidopsis thaliana plants constitutively expressing the sequence encoding MsMDHAR were developed. Transgenic events with low and high MsMDHAR expression and ascorbate levels were selected for further analysis of drought and waterlogging tolerance. Under water stress, Arabidopsis transgenic plants generated higher biomass, produced more seeds, and had larger roots than wild type ones. This higher tolerance was associated with increased production of waxes and chlorophyll a at the basal level, greater stomatal opening and stability in regulating the relative water content and reduced H2O2 accumulation under stress conditions in transgenic plants. Overall, these results show that MsMDHAR is involved in plant tolerance to abiotic stresses. The data presented here also emphasises the potential of the MsMDHAR enzyme as a plant breeding tool to improve water stress tolerance.

Examining predictors of loneliness among Older Americans Act National Family Caregiver Support Program participants.

Family caregivers may be at particular risk for social isolation and loneliness. Multiple factors can impact caregivers' health and well-being outcomes, including loneliness. Guided by an adaptation of the Stress Process Model of Caregiving, this study uses the 2019 National Survey of Older Americans Act Participants (NSOAAP)-Family Caregiver Support module to inform efforts to reduce loneliness through family caregiver support programs. A hierarchical multiple regression model reveals that caregivers who report more loneliness are more likely to be female, Hispanic, living alone, not a child or other caregiver of the care recipient, have a care recipient with 3+ ADL needs, experience more social life conflict related to caregiving, experience less joy in caregiving, feel less appreciated by the care recipient, feel less support in caregiving, and attend counseling. This study helps advance the goals of the National Strategy to Support Family Caregivers, and the findings underscore the importance of continuing and expanding efforts to address loneliness and related well-being outcomes among family caregivers.

Evolution of Microstructure During Stress Relieving Heat Treatment of 1S Aluminium

Aluminium and its alloys are extensively used in nuclear research reactors due to its low neutron absorption coefficient, good heat transfer properties, excellent corrosion and oxidation resistance in air and water environment combined with desirable mechanical properties along with considerable radiation stability. The thin walled tubes are normally manufactured through port hole die extrusion route and used in 'O' tempered condition. The thin tubes in 'O' tempered condition are undergone canning operation which may alter the microstructural features to some extent which may affect mechanical properties. The paper describes the extent to which microstructural and subsequently mechanical properties are altered due to the simulated canning process and further requirements of stress relieving heat treatment to restore the microstructural features and mechanical properties. The following studies are carried out with 1S aluminum tube in 'O' tempered state, simulated canning condition and stress relieved at different temperature, - hardness measurement, X ray line profile analysis for dislocation density measurement, tensile properties measurement using ring tensile testing, electron back scattered diffraction (EBSD) analysis for recrystallization fraction determination and changes in texture components. It is found that the canning operation changes dislocation density, micro-strain, coherent domain size which are well reflected in hardness and ring tensile testing. Subsequent stress relieving at 350°C for 2 hrs. leads to improvement of mechanical properties appreciably.

Altered Physiological, Affective, and Functional Connectivity Responses to Acute Stress in Patients With Alcohol Use Disorder

BackgroundThere is evidence that the processing of acute stress is altered in alcohol use disorder (AUD), but little is known about how this is manifested simultaneously across different stress parameters and which neural processes are involved. The current study examined physiological and affective responses to stress and functional connectivity in AUD. MethodsSalivary cortisol samples, pulse rate, and affect ratings were collected on 2 days from 34 individuals with moderate or severe AUD during early abstinence and 34 control participants. On one of the days, stress was induced, and on the other day, a nonstressful control task was performed. Following the intervention, participants underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging to assess functional connectivity, with a focus on cortical and subcortical seed regions previously reported to be involved in AUD and/or stress. ResultsFor pulse rate and cortisol, stress responses were blunted in AUD, whereas the affective response was stronger. Neuroimaging analyses revealed stress-related group differences in functional connectivity, involving the connectivity of striatal seeds with the posterior default mode network, cerebellum, and midcingulate cortex and of the posterior default mode network seed with the striatum and thalamus. ConclusionsThe results suggest a dissociation between subjectively experienced distress and the physiological stress response in AUD as well as stress-related alterations in functional connectivity. These findings highlight the complex interplay between chronic alcohol use and acute stress regulation, offering valuable considerations for the development of therapeutic strategies.

The influence of linguistic and cognitive background on word stress processing in an unknown language

The influence of linguistic and cognitive background on word stress processing in an unknown language

Oxidative stress and metabolic process responses of Chlorella pyrenoidosa to nanoplastic exposure: Insights from integrated analysis of transcriptomics and metabolomics

Oxidative stress is a universal interpretation for the toxicity mechanism of nanoplastics to microalgae. However, there is a lack of deeper insight into the regulation mechanism in microalgae response to oxidative stress, thus affecting the prevention and control for nanoplastics hazard. The integrated analysis of transcriptomics and metabolomics was employed to investigate the mechanism for the oxidative stress response of Chlorella pyrenoidosa to nanoplastics and subsequently lock the according core pathways and driver genes induced. Results indicated that the linoleic acid metabolism, glycine (Gly)-serine (Ser)-threonine (Thr) metabolism, and arginine and proline metabolism pathways of C. pyrenoidosa were collectively involved in oxidative stress. The analysis of linoleic acid metabolism suggested that nanoplastics prompted algal cells to secrete more allelochemicals, thereby leading to destroy the immune system of cells. Gly-Ser-Thr metabolism and arginine and proline metabolism pathways were core pathways involved in algal regulation of cell membrane function and antioxidant system. Key genes, such as LOX2.3, SHM1, TRPA1, and proC1, are drivers of regulating the oxidative stress of algae cells. This investigation lays the foundation for future applications of gene editing technology to limit the hazards of nanoplastics on aquatic organism.

Complex stress mechanism and design method of urban rail prestressed concrete U‐beams based on finite element simulation

SummaryTo explore the complex stress mechanism of prestressed concrete U‐beams in urban rail transit, in order to improve the safety of urban rail transit construction and the economy of beam structures. The study first analyzed the complex stress mechanism of U‐beams and obtained a tension compression rod model through finite element analysis. Then, experimental research was conducted on the vertical three‐dimensional finite element stress of U‐beams, and strain cloud maps were obtained and compared with calculated values. The experimental data show that the beam can still recover to its original state after the second cycle, and the beam will not crack. This recovery mechanism means that U‐beams have high crack resistance and stability under complex stress processes. In the vertical deformation cloud map of the U‐beam, the deflection of the mid span section is the largest, with a maximum displacement of about 20.4 mm, which is very close to the measured value of 20.3 mm. In the measured data of concrete strain measuring points and the results of finite element calculation, the difference rate between measured values and calculated values of some measuring points is within 10%. The results indicate that the U‐shaped beam tension and compression rod model combined with finite element analysis has a high degree of conformity with the actual situation, and can provide technical reference for the construction of urban rail transit. The stress mechanism and design method proposed in the study have high reliability and are suitable for the design and construction of prestressed concrete U‐beams in urban rail transit construction.

Effects of Y2O3 on the hot deformation behavior and microstructure evolution of Al2O3-cu/35Cr3TiB2 electrical contact composites

The Al2O3-Cu/35Cr3TiB2 and 0.5Y2O3/Al2O3-Cu/35Cr3TiB2 composites were prepared by a combination of fast hot compression sintering and internal oxidization. The effects of Y2O3 on the hot deformation behavior and microstructure evolution of the composites were investigated. According to the hot deformation data, the constitutive equations, hot processing maps, and critical dynamic recrystallization models were constructed for the two composites. The Y2O3 addition enhanced the flow stress, activation energy, and hot processing properties of the composites. This led to a reduction in the percentage of dynamic recrystallization structure from 25.3% to 19.4%, and decreased the amount of high-angle grain boundaries from 77.8% to 71.4%. Y2O3 was distributed at grain boundaries and phase interfaces, effectively impeding dislocation movement and grain boundary migration. Notably, the strain distribution within Y2O3 exhibited greater homogeneity compared to the Cu matrix. More twins and stacking faults were observed inside the 0.5Y2O3/Al2O3-Cu/35Cr3TiB2 composites, which synergistically strengthened the matrix.

Elucidating the molecular mechanisms behind the therapeutic impact of median nerve stimulation on cognitive dysfunction post-traumatic brain injury

ObjectiveFerroptosis represents a form of regulated cellular death dependent upon iron and lipid peroxidation derivatives, holding considerable implications for cerebral and neurologic pathologies. In the present study, we endeavored to elucidate the molecular mechanisms governing ferroptosis and appraise the therapeutic value of electrical stimulation of median nerve in addressing cognitive impairments following traumatic brain injury (TBI), employing a rodent model. MethodsIn this study, we established a rat model to investigate the cognitive impairments resulting from TBI, followed by the application of median nerve stimulation (MNS). Initially, rats received an intraperitoneal injection of Erastin (2 mg/kg) prior to undergoing MNS. After 24 h of MNS treatment, the rats were subjected to an open field test to evaluate their cognitive and motor functions. Subsequently, we conducted biochemical assays to measure the serum levels of GSH, MDA and SOD. The structural integrity and cellular morphology of hippocampal tissue were examined through H&E staining, Nissl staining and transmission electron microscopy. Additionally, we assessed the expression levels of proteins crucial for neuronal health and function in the hippocampus, including VEGF, SLC7A11, GPX4, Nrf2, α-syn, NEUN and PSD95. ResultsCompared to the control group, rats in the stimulation group demonstrated enhanced mobility, reduced levels of tissue damage, a decrease in MDA concentration, and increased levels of GSH and SOD. Additionally, there was a significant upregulation in the expression of proteins critical for cellular defense and neuronal health, including GPX4, SLC7A11, Nrf2, VEGF, α-syn, NEUN, and PSD95 proteins. Conversely, rats in the Erastin group demonstrated decreased mobility, exacerbated pathological tissue damage, elevated MDA concentration, and decreased levels of GSH and SOD. There was also a notable decrease in the expression of GPX4, SLC7CA11, Nrf2, and VEGF proteins. The expression levels of α-syn, NEUN, and PSD95 were similarly diminished in the Erastin group. Each of these findings was statistically significant, indicating that MNS exerts neuroprotective effect in the hippocampal tissue of rats with TBI by inhibiting the ferroptosis pathway. Conclusion(1) MNS may enhance the cognitive and behavioral performance of rats after TBI; (2) MNS can play a neuroprotective role by promoting the expression of nerve injury-related proteins, alleviating oxidative stress and ferroptosis process; (3) MNS may inhibit ferroptosis of neuronal cells by activating Nrf2/ GPX4 signaling pathway, thereby improving cognitive impairment in TBI rats.

Anti-inflammatory effects of thymol: an emphasis on the molecular interactions through in vivo approach and molecular dynamic simulations.

Thymol (THY), as the natural monoterpene phenol, acts against oxidative stress and inflammatory processes. This study aimed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effects and possible molecular mechanisms of THY via formalin-induced mouse and egg albumin-induced chick models alongside molecular docking and molecular dynamic (MD) simulations. THY (7.5, 15, and 30mg/kg) was investigated, compared to celecoxib and ketoprofen (42mg/kg), as anti-inflammatory standards. THY dose-dependently and significantly (p < 0.05) decreased paw-licking and edema diameter parameters in formalin (phases I and II) and egg albumin-induced models. Moreover, THY (15mg/kg) exerted better anti-inflammatory effects in combination with the standard drug ketoprofen than alone and with celecoxib. In silico studies demonstrated elevated binding affinities of THY with cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) than the COX-1 enzyme, and the ligand binds at a similar location where ketoprofen and celecoxib interact. The results of MD simulations confirmed the stability of the test ligand. THY exerted anti-inflammatory effects on Swiss mice and young chicks, possibly by interacting with COX-2. As a conclusion, THY might be a hopeful drug candidate for the management of inflammatory disorders.

Integration of transcriptomics and spatial biology analyses reveals Galactomyces ferment filtrate promotes epidermal interconnectivity via induction of keratinocyte differentiation, proliferation and cellular bioenergetics.

Human skin is the first line of defence from environmental factors such as solar radiation and is susceptible to premature ageing, including a disruption in epidermal differentiation and homeostasis. We evaluated the impact of a Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate (GFF) on epidermal differentiation and response to oxidative stress. We used transcriptomics, both spatial and traditional, to assess the impact of GFF on epidermal biology and homeostasis in keratinocytes (primary or immortalized) and in exvivo skin explant tissue. The effect of GFF on cell adhesion rates, cellular ATP levels and proliferation rates were quantitated. Oxidative phosphorylation and glycolytic rates were measured under normal and stress-induced conditions. Transcriptomics from keratinocytes and exvivo skin explants from multiple donors show GFF induces keratinocyte differentiation, skin barrier development and cell adhesion while simultaneously repressing cellular stress and inflammatory related processes. Spatial transcriptomics profiling of exvivo skin indicated basal keratinocytes at the epidermal-dermal junction and cornifying keratinocytes in the top layer of the epidermis as the primary cell types influenced by GFF treatment. Additionally, GFF significantly increases crosstalk between suprabasal and basal keratinocytes. To support these findings, we show that GFF can significantly increase cell adhesion and proliferation in keratinocytes. GFF also protected overall cellular bioenergetics under metabolic or oxidative stress conditions. Our findings provide novel insights into cellular differences and epidermal spatial localization in response to GFF, supporting previous findings that this filtrate has a significant impact on epidermal biology and homeostasis, particularly on spatially defined crosstalk. We propose that GFF can help maintain epidermal health by enhancing keratinocyte crosstalk and differentiation/proliferation balance as well as promoting an enhanced response to stress.

Identity Characteristics as Moderators of Discrepancy on Well-being

Research finds that discrepancies between individuals’ self-views and their perceptions of how others view them decrease psychological well-being. According to identity theory, certain characteristics of identities may exacerbate the impact of discrepancy on well-being, while stress process theory suggests they may have the opposite, weakening effect. Using telephone survey data from a national probability sample of adults, I investigate whether several identity characteristics—subjective importance of an identity (prominence), extensiveness (interactional commitment) and intensiveness of ties (affective commitment) to others that are based on an identity, and the potential costs of failing to fulfill the role obligations of an identity (role-based commitment)—moderate associations between discrepancy and well-being (depressive symptoms and self-esteem) in two types of identities (obligatory and voluntary). I find that identity commitment buffers the effects of discrepancy in obligatory identities and exacerbates the effects of discrepancy in voluntary identities. Implications of these findings are discussed.

A Quadruple Mutant of OsPRP1 Controls Pollen Fertility by Regulating the Expression of Anther Development-Related Genes in Oryza sativa L.

Plant proline-rich proteins (PRPs) are cell wall proteins that are widely distributed in plants. Previous studies have shown that these proteins play a crucial role in adversity stress processes, but their function in the regulation of pollen fertility in rice remains unknown. In this study, we identified that OsPRP1 contains a Pollen_Ole-e_I allergenic structural domain, obtained the OsPRP1 quadruple mutant named osprp1.1/1.2/1.3/1.4, and observed significant reductions in pollen fertility, seed-setting rates, and the deformation and collapse of microspores during the late stages of pollen development. RNA-Seq analysis indicated the down-regulation of genes involved in anther development in osprp1.1/1.2/1.3/1.4, suggesting that OsPRP1 plays a role in regulating pollen fertility. In conclusion, a loss of function in OsPRP1.1/1.2/1.3/1.4 leads to decreased pollen fertility and seeding rates, which not only expands the functional spectrum of plant PRP genes but also provides new theoretical insight into the mechanism of fertility regulation in rice.

Effects of peer victimization on cortical processing of social-evaluative stress in patients with major depressive disorder.

Peer victimization contributes to the development of major depressive disorders (MDDs). While previous studies reported differentiated peripheral physiological responses in peer-victimized individuals with depression, little is known about potential alterations of cortical event-related potentials (ERPs) in response to social stimuli in depressive patients with a history of peer victimization. Using a social condition paradigm, the present study examined whether peer victimization alters conditioned cortical responses to potentially threatening social stimuli in MDD patients and healthy controls. In the task, we studied ERPs to conditioned stimuli (CSs), i.e. still images of faces, that were coupled to unconditioned socially negative and neutral evaluative video statements. Peer victimization was related to more pronounced P100 amplitudes in reaction to negative and neutral CSs. Attenuated P200 amplitudes in peer-victimized individuals were found in response to negative CSs. Cortical responses to CSs were not influenced by a diagnosis of MDD. The results suggest altered responsiveness to interpersonal information in peer-victimized individuals. Facilitated early processing of social threat indicators may prevent peer-victimized individuals from adaptive responses to social cues, increasing their vulnerability for depression.