Effects Of Stress Research Articles

Levels of Corticosterone and Glucose in Blood of Rats under Conditions of Chronic Unpredictable Stress of Different Duration

INTRODUCTION: Mammals are almost constantly exposed to a variety of stressors. The changes in the concentration of corticosterone and the level of glucose in blood of animals under such conditions seems relevant for understanding the influence of repeated stress effects on endocrine and metabolic processes. AIM: To study the concentrations of corticosterone and glucose in blood of rats in different time periods of prolonged low-intensity unpredictable stress. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Experiments were carried out on 42 male Wistar rats. Individuals of the experimental groups were subjected to 7-day cycles of alternating stressors using a modified model of chronic unpredictable mild stress with presentation of different stressors. The concentration of corticosterone and glucose in blood was determined at 1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks of observation. RESULTS: A pronounced decrease in corticosterone levels was found in rats at 1 week of stress exposure, followed by a slow recovery by the end of 4th week. Blood glucose level increased at 2 weeks of exposure. CONCLUSION: The data obtained illustrate the specificity of changes in the levels of glucose and corticosterone in the blood of mammals in different time periods of chronic stress. These changes characterize the dysregulation of the integrative physiological systems in relatively early periods of chronic stress with the subsequent development of adaptation in the later stages of repeated stress exposures.

First person – Heta Mattila

ABSTRACT First Person is a series of interviews with the first authors of a selection of papers published in Biology Open, helping researchers promote themselves alongside their papers. Heta Mattila is first author on ‘ Flavonols do not affect aphid load in green or senescing birch leaves but coincide with a decrease in Photosystem II functionality’, published in BiO. Heta conducted the research described in this article while a postdoctoral fellow in Esa Tyystjärvi's lab at University of Turku, Turun Yliopisto, Finland. She is now a postdoctoral fellow in the lab of Sónia Cruz at University of Aveiro, Portugal, investigating the effects of high light stress on different photosynthetic organisms.

Use of Proline to Induce Salt Stress Tolerance in Guava

Guava is a fruit tree with high potential in the semi-arid region of northeast Brazil. However, qualitative and quantitative water scarcity is a limiting factor for the expansion of irrigated agriculture. Thus, it is necessary to use techniques to mitigate the effects of salt stress, such as foliar application of proline. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of foliar application of proline as a mitigator of salt stress effects on the morphophysiology of guava cv. Paluma. The experiment was carried out under field conditions at the ‘Rolando Enrique Rivas Castellón’ Experimental Farm in São Domingos, PB, Brazil, using a randomized block design in a 5 × 4 factorial scheme referring to five levels of electrical conductivity of irrigation water, ECw (0.8, 1.5, 2.2, 2.9, and 3.5 dS m−1) and four concentrations of proline (0, 8, 16, and 24 mM). Salinity above 0.8 dS m−1 compromised gas exchange, photosynthetic pigment synthesis, photochemical efficiency, and growth of guava plants at 360 days after transplanting. Foliar application of proline at a concentration of 24 mM mitigated the effect of salt stress on the relative water content, stomatal conductance, and carotenoid contents in plants irrigated with 3.6 dS m−1 water. Meanwhile, a proline concentration of up to 18 mM resulted in higher transpiration, CO2 assimilation rate, instantaneous carboxylation efficiency, and absolute growth rate in stem diameter under ECw of 0.8 dS m−1. Proline concentration of up to 24 mM increased the biosynthesis of photosynthetic pigments and the relative growth rate in stem diameter of guava in the period from 190 to 360 days after transplanting.

Morpho-physiological characterization and selection of heat tolerant wheat lines using selection indices

Heat stress is one of the major constraints in wheat production due to its adverse effect on grain yield and component traits. Moreover, it negatively affects the physiological, biochemical and quality traits of wheat. Therefore, selection of heat tolerant wheat lines is one of the major breeding goals for wheat scientist. In present study, 238 recombinant inbred lines were evaluated along with their parents WH 711 × WH 542 under timely and late sown (heat stress) condition. The heat tolerance indices were calculated based on grain yield under normal and stress conditions. The mean grain yield of 238 wheat lines was reduced by 20.54% suggesting critical effect of heat stress on grain yield. The harmonic mean (HM), stress tolerance index (STI), mean productivity (MP), geometric mean productivity (GMP), and mean relative performance (MRP) were correlated significantly and positively with grain yield under stress and normal conditions. Whereas, Tolerance index (TOL) was correlated negatively with grain yield under stress conditions and positively under normal condition. Based on STI, MP, HM, GMP and MRP, wheat lines WL 92, WL 119, WL 114, WL 110, WL 6 were identified as heat tolerant and could be utilized as potential lines for increasing heat stress tolerance of future wheat breeding programs.

Emodin alleviates intestinal ischemia–reperfusion injury through antioxidant stress, anti-inflammatory responses and anti-apoptosis effects via Akt-mediated HO-1 upregulation

BackgroundIntestinal ischemia–reperfusion (I/R) injury is a severe vascular emergency. Previous research indicated the protective effects of Emodin on I/R injury. Our study aims to explore the effect of Emodin on intestinal I/R (II/R) injury and elucidate the underlying mechanisms.MethodsC57BL/6 mice and Caco-2 cells were used for in vivo and in vitro studies. We established an animal model of II/R injury by temporarily occluding superior mesenteric artery. We constructed an oxygen–glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) cell model using a hypoxia-reoxygenation incubator. Different doses of Emodin were explored to determine the optimal therapeutic dose. Additionally, inhibitors targeting the protein kinase B (Akt) or Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) were administered to investigate their potential protective mechanisms.ResultsOur results demonstrated that in animal experiments, Emodin mitigated barrier disruption, minimized inflammation, reduced oxidative stress, and inhibited apoptosis. When Akt or HO-1 was inhibited, the protective effect of Emodin was eliminated. Inhibiting Akt also reduced the level of HO-1. In cell experiments, Emodin reduced inflammation and apoptosis in the OGD/R cell model. Additionally, when Akt or HO-1 was inhibited, the protective effect of Emodin was weakened.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that Emodin may protect the intestine against II/R injury through the Akt/HO-1 signaling pathway.

The oral microbiome is associated with HPA axis response to a psychosocial stressor

Intense psychosocial stress during early life has a detrimental effect on health-disease balance in later life. Simultaneously, despite its sensitivity to stress, the developing microbiome contributes to long-term health. Following stress exposure, HPA-axis activation regulates the “fight or flight” response with the release of glucose and cortisol. Here, we investigated the interaction between the oral microbiome and the stress response. We used a cohort of 115 adults, mean age 24, who either experienced institutionalisation and adoption (n = 40) or were non-adopted controls (n = 75). Glucose and cortisol measurements were taken from participants following an extended socially evaluated cold pressor test (seCPT) at multiple time points. The cohort´s oral microbiome was profiled via 16S-V4 sequencing on microbial DNA from saliva and buccal samples. Using mixed-effect linear regressions, we identified 12 genera that exhibited an interaction with host’s cortisol-glucose response to stress, strongly influencing intensity and clearance of cortisol and glucose following stress exposure. Particularly, the identified taxa influenced the glucose and cortisol release profiles and kinetics following seCPT exposure. In conclusion, our study provided evidence for the oral microbiome modifying the effect of stress on the HPA-axis and human metabolism, as shown in glucose-cortisol time series data.

Variable Effects of Experimental Sea-level Rise Conditions and Invasive Species on California Cordgrass

AbstractSea-level rise (SLR) will produce unprecedented changes in tidal marsh systems that already cope with daily tidal fluctuation, disturbances from storms, and salinity changes from droughts and runoff events. Additionally, negative impacts from non-native invasive species may alter marsh plants’ ability to respond to SLR stressors like increased inundation and salinity. Increasingly, tidal marsh communities must tolerate both changes in the physical environment from SLR and increased risk of invasion by non-native species. To assess the response of a threatened tidal marsh cordgrass (Spartina foliosa) to both stressors, we implemented a field experiment in San Francisco Bay, CA, USA, exposing cordgrass to a treatment that extended tidal inundation projected with SLR using a recently developed in situ method. At one of two field sites, we also enclosed the cordgrass with or without the invasive European green crab, Carcinus maenas. We found that cordgrass responded negatively to longer inundation, although these effects varied by site and year. In higher inundation treatments, cordgrass survival increased with increasing surface elevation of the plot. Cordgrass survival was lower in the presence of invasive green crabs relative to controls. We did not find interacting effects of responses to increased inundation and invasive species presence, which highlights the need to consider how latent or sequential effects of multiple stressors may affect ecosystems. This study demonstrates significant biological responses to invasive species presence and increased inundation. Evaluating relative effects and timing of multiple stressors, especially those induced by climate change and invasive species, will help us to manage threatened ecological communities in a changing world.

Effects of chronic unpredictable mild stress on gut sensation and function in male mice

Stress has been linked to the development of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and various methods have been explored to model IBS in combination with other stimuli. However, it remains unclear whether stress alone can induce IBS in animals. This study aimed to investigate the impact of chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) on gastrointestinal sensation and function in mice and assess the potential of CUMS as a modeling approach for IBS. To evaluate the mice’s behavior, we conducted open field test, sucrose preference test and weighed the mice, revealing that CUMS indeed induced anxiety and depression in the mice and caused weight loss. Further analyses, including fecal analysis, a total gastrointestinal transport test, and a colon propulsion test, demonstrated that CUMS led to abnormal defecation and disruptions in gastrointestinal motility in the mice. Additionally, the abdominal withdrawal reflex test indicated an increase in visceral sensitivity in CUMS-exposed mice. Histological examination using hematoxylin and eosin staining revealed no significant histological alterations in the colons of CUMS-exposed mice, but it did show a minor degree of inflammatory cell infiltration. In summary, the findings suggest that CUMS can replicate IBS-like symptoms in mice, offering a novel top-down approach to modeling IBS.

Deformation Behavior of AZ31 Magnesium Alloy with Pre-Twins under Biaxial Tension

In the present study, the mechanical response and deformation behavior of a Mg AZ31 plate with different types of pre-twins was systematically investigated under biaxial tension along the normal direction (ND) and transverse direction (TD) with different stress ratios. The results show that significant hardening was observed under biaxial tension. The yield values in the direction of larger stress values were higher than those under uniaxial loading conditions, and the solute atom segregation at twin boundaries generates more obvious strengthening effect. Noting that, for TRH (with cross compression along the rolling direction (RD) and TD and annealing at 180 °C for about 0.5 h) sample, the strength effect of the RD yield stress = 2:1 was higher than that of the ND yield stress under stress ratio = 1:2. There is a complex competition between twinning and detwinning under biaxal tension along the ND and TD of the pre-twinned samples with the variation in the stress ratio along the TD and RD. The variation in the twin volume fractions for all samples under biaxial firstly decreases and then increases with a higher stress ratio along the ND. As for the TDH sample (precompression along the TD and annealing), the changes of the twin volume fraction were lower than that of the TR sample (cross compression along the TD and RD). However, the amplitude of variation in twin volume fraction of the TRH sample is higher than that of the TR sample. This is because the relative activity of detwinning decreases and that of twinning increases, as the ND stress mainly leads to the growth of pre-twins and the TD stress often promotes detwinning of primary twins. With a higher stress ratio along the ND, the activity of twinning deformation increases and that of detwinning decreases.

Sequential Behavior of Broiler Chickens in Enriched Environments under Varying Thermal Conditions Using the Generalized Sequential Pattern Algorithm: A Proof of Concept

Behavior analysis is a widely used non-invasive tool in the practical production routine, as the animal acts as a biosensor capable of reflecting its degree of adaptation and discomfort to some environmental challenge. Conventional statistics use occurrence data for behavioral evaluation and well-being estimation, disregarding the temporal sequence of events. The Generalized Sequential Pattern (GSP) algorithm is a data mining method that identifies recurrent sequences that exceed a user-specified support threshold, the potential of which has not yet been investigated for broiler chickens in enriched environments. Enrichment aims to increase environmental complexity with promising effects on animal welfare, stimulating priority behaviors and potentially reducing the deleterious effects of heat stress. The objective here was to validate the application of the GSP algorithm to identify temporal correlations between heat stress and the behavior of broiler chickens in enriched environments through a proof of concept. Video image collection was carried out automatically for 48 continuous hours, analyzing a continuous period of seven hours, from 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM, during two consecutive days of tests for chickens housed in enriched and non-enriched environments under comfort and stress temperatures. Chickens at the comfort temperature showed high motivation to perform the behaviors of preening (P), foraging (F), lying down (Ld), eating (E), and walking (W); the sequences <{Ld,P}>; <{Ld,F}>; <{P,F,P}>; <{Ld,P,F}>; and <{E,W,F}> were the only ones observed in both treatments. All other sequential patterns (comfort and stress) were distinct, suggesting that environmental enrichment alters the behavioral pattern of broiler chickens. Heat stress drastically reduced the sequential patterns found at the 20% threshold level in the tested environments. The behavior of lying laterally “Ll” is a strong indicator of heat stress in broilers and was only frequent in the non-enriched environment, which may suggest that environmental enrichment provides the animal with better opportunities to adapt to stress-inducing challenges, such as heat.

Association between Life's Essential 8 and Infertility as Well as the Mediating Effects of Oxidative Stress and Inflammatory Factors Among U.S. Women Aged 18-45 Years.

Management of cardiovascular disease in pregnancy is important, yet the association between cardiovascular health and infertility is rarely reported. In this study, we aimed to explore the association between Life's Essential 8 (LE8), a novel cardiovascular health (CVH) measure, and infertility, and to investigate potential mediating mechanisms. This study investigated cross-sectional data from the 2013-2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. LE8 score (ranging from 0 to 100) was calculated as the unweighted average of eight CVH metrics. The association between LE8 and infertility was explored through weighted multiple logistic regression. Restricted cubic splines were used to explore nonlinear correlation. In addition, mediation analysis was conducted to investigate the role of oxidative stress and inflammatory markers systematically. After strict exclusion criteria, 1703 American women aged 18-45 years were included. After full adjustment, the LE8 score showed a negative correlation with infertility [per 1 SD increase, OR = 0.675, 95% CI: 0.553-0.824], with a linear dose-response relationship (non-linear P = 0.122). Similar linear negative correlations were found between health factor scores and infertility, with higher body mass index and glucose scores having a significantly lower risk of infertility. Stratified analyses showed a stronger inversed relationship between LE8 and infertility in younger populations. Moreover, mediation analysis revealed that uric acid concentration and lymphocyte count mediated the effect of LE8 on infertility (P < 0.05). LE8 and its subscale scores were linearly and negatively associated with infertility, which may be mediated in part through uric acid and lymphocyte count. Focusing on weight management and glycemic control can effectively reduce the risk of infertility.

Effect of Heat Stress on Lactating and Non-Lactating Blackbelly Ewes under Tropical Conditions during Summer

Two groups of ewes (10 lactating and 10 non-lactating) were used to evaluate the effect of heat stress during summer under tropical conditions. In this study, a temperature and humidity index (THI) was found that ranged between 65 and 79 (morning and afternoon). Likewise, a heat tolerance coefficient (HTC) of 6 units was observed. The highest breathing frequency (BF; 115.46 ± 35.25 breaths per minute (bpm)) and rectal temperature (RT; 38.95 ± 0.51 °C) were found during the afternoon in the group of lactating ewes. The means were compared by group, time of the day, and interaction, and only significant differences were found between groups for RT and udder temperature (p &lt; 0.001). In the case of time of day, all parameters were higher during the afternoon, regardless of the group of ewes (p &lt; 0.001). Likewise, an interaction was found in the parameters RT, right paralumbar fossa (RPF), rump, leg, and udder (p &lt; 0.001). In conclusion, Blackbelly ewes lactating during the summer in the tropics have higher skin temperatures, and also raise BF and RT to tolerate HS in tropical climates.

Nonsurgical therapy for lumbar spinal stenosis caused by ligamentum flavum hypertrophy: A review.

Lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) can cause a range of cauda equina symptoms, including lower back and leg pain, numbness, and intermittent claudication. This disease affects approximately 103 million people worldwide, particularly the elderly, and can seriously compromise their health and well-being. Ligamentum flavum hypertrophy (LFH) is one of the main contributing factors to this disease. Surgical treatment is currently recommended for LSS caused by LFH. For patients who do not meet the criteria for surgery, symptom relief can be achieved by using oral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and epidural steroid injections. Exercise therapy and needle knife can also help to reduce the effects of mechanical stress. However, the effectiveness of these methods varies, and targeting the delay in LF hypertrophy is challenging. Therefore, further research and development of new drugs is necessary to address this issue. Several new drugs, including cyclopamine and N-acetyl-l-cysteine, are currently undergoing testing and may serve as new treatments for LSS caused by LFH.

Effects of Acute Mental Stress on Choroidal Thickness

Purpose: Previous studies have indicated an association between education and myopia, suggesting that numerous stress events during the educational process may influence eye health. This study aimed to investigate the impact of mental stress induced by mental arithmetic (MA) on choroidal thickness (CT). Methods: This study included 33 participants aged between 19 and 29 years. Swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) was used to capture images of the posterior segment of the left eye during baseline and MA to assess changes in the CT. After denoising and compensation, the baseline images and MA images that had been rigidly registered and resampled to the baseline images were segmented using a deep learning-based method. Based on the segmentation results, the CT within the regions of 1 mm and 3 mm diameter centered at the lowest point of the fovea was calculated. Results: Significant increases were observed in both CT1mm and CT3mm during MA, with mean changes of 2.742 ± 7.098 μm (p = 0.034) and 3.326 ± 6.143 μm (p &lt; 0.001), respectively. Conclusions: Thickening of the choroid has been observed during acute mental stress. We speculate that long-term or chronic mental stress could have a potential adverse impact on myopia progression.

Mental Health and Well-Being of Hospitality Students: The Buffering Role of Personal Resources

ABSTRACT This study examined the moderating role of mindfulness and resilience on the effects of academic stress and career anxiety on the well-being of hospitality students and their career intentions. A sample of 269 students selected using a simple random sampling technique completed a self-reported questionnaire. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and partial least squares structural equation modeling. The findings show a negative effect of academic stress and career anxiety on the career intentions of hospitality students. However, mindfulness increases hospitality students’ intention to work in the industry. The resilience of students minimized the negative effects of academic stress on their hospitality career intentions while enhancing their well-being. The theoretical and empirical contributions of the study were highlighted and directions for future research were also indicated.

Effects of isotropic stress on the band structure elastic, optical, thermal, and x-ray diffraction properties of TiSnO3.

Cubic perovskite titanium stannous oxide (TiSnO3) is a promising material for various applications due to its functional properties. However, understanding how these properties change under external stress is crucial for its development and optimization. This study employed density functional theory calculations to investigate the structural, electronic, optical, thermal, and mechanical properties of TiSnO3 under varying degrees of external static isotropic stress (0-120 GPa). The study reveals a significant decrease in the bandgap of TiSnO3 with increasing stress due to lattice modifications and the formation of delocalized electrons. Partial density of states analysis indicates that Sn and O states play a key role in shaping the electronic band structure. TiSnO3 exhibits increased light absorption with stress, accompanied by a blue shift in absorption peaks, whereas, both polarizability and refractive index decrease with increasing stress. Mechanically, all elastic moduli (bulk, shear, and Young's) show an increase under stress, signifying a stiffening response of the material under stress. Similarly, the Pugh ratio suggests a transition from ductile to brittle behaviour at elevated stress levels. Phonon dispersion calculations indicate the instability of the cubic phase at 0 K. However, a phonon gap emerges at 30 GPa and widens with increasing stress. X-ray diffraction further supports these findings by demonstrating a shift in diffraction peaks towards higher angles with increasing stress, consistent with the applied stress. In conclusion, this computational study offers a thorough understanding of how external stress influences the properties of TiSnO3, providing valuable insights for potential applications in various fields.

The Effect of Stress on the Occurance of Dysmenorrhea

Adolescence is a period of “storm and stress”, a time when emotional tension increases due to physical and glandular changes that make adolescents very sensitive and prone to stress. Stress management is also one of the efforts to overcome dysmenorrhea because stress factors can reduce a person's pain resistance. This study aims to determine the effect of stress on the incidence of dysmenorrhea. This study was an observational analytic study using a cross-sectional approach. The study population was seventh and eighth grade students of Junior High School Ngariboyo, totaling 179 female students. Sampling using the Slovin sample size formula, samples were taken using simple random sampling technique with a minimum sample size of 124 female students. The independent variable was stress, while the dependent variable was dysmenorrhea. Data were collected using the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-42) questionnaire, and the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS). Data were processed and analyzed using Ordinal Regression test. The results showed that there were 49 female students who had moderate stress and 53 female students who experienced moderate dysmenorrhea pain. The results of the Ordinal Regression test showed the effect of stress on the occurance of dysmenorrhea p-value = 0.017. Based on the description above, it can be concluded that there is a significant influence between stress and the incidence of dysmenorrhea in seventh and eighth grade students of Junior High School Ngariboyo. It is expected that female students can increase their knowledge in managing themselves early on in stress management towards the occurance of dysmenorrhea.

The effects and mechanisms of AM1241 in alleviating cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury

ObjectiveResearch has shown that cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury (CIRI) involves a series of physiological and pathological mechanisms, including inflammation, oxidative stress, and cell apoptosis. The cannabinoid receptor 2 agonist AM1241 has been found to have anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative stress effects. However, it is unclear whether AM1241 has a protective effect against brain ischemia-reperfusion injury, and its underlying mechanisms are not yet known. MethodsIn this study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative stress, and anti-apoptotic effects of AM1241 and its mechanisms in BV2 cells stimulated with H2O2 and in a C57BL/6 mouse model of CIRI in vitro and in vivo, respectively. ResultsIn vitro, AM1241 significantly inhibited the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-6, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and the increase in Toll-like receptor 4/myeloid differentiation protein 2 (MD2/TLR4) complex induced by H2O2. Under H2O2 stimulation, MD2 overexpression resulted in increased levels of MD2/TLR4 complex, TNF-α, IL-6, NOX2, BAX, and Cleaved-Caspase3 (C-Caspase3), as well as the activation of the MAPK pathway and NF-κB, which were reversed by AM1241. In addition, molecular docking experiments showed that AM1241 directly interacted with MD2. Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) experiments further confirmed the binding of AM1241 to MD2. In vivo, AM1241 significantly attenuated neurofunctional impairment, brain edema, increased infarct volume, oxidative stress levels, and neuronal apoptosis in CIRI mice overexpressing MD2. ConclusionOur study demonstrates for the first time that AM1241 alleviates mouse CIRI by inhibiting the MD2/TLR4 complex, exerting anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative stress and anti-apoptotic effects.

Okra cultivation under irrigation with saline water and foliar application of hydrogen peroxide

Foliar application of hydrogen peroxide can induce plant defense mechanisms against salt stress, favoring plant acclimation in regions with qualitative and quantitative scarcity of water resources, such as the Brazilian semi-arid region. From this perspective, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of foliar hydrogen peroxide application on chlorophyll a fluorescence, growth, and production of okra under irrigation with saline water. The experiment was conducted under field conditions in Pombal, PB, using a randomized block design with a 5 × 3 factorial arrangement corresponding to five electrical conductivity levels of water – ECw (0.3, 1.3, 2.3, 3.3, and 4.3 dS m-1) and three hydrogen peroxide concentrations – H2O2 (0, 25, and 50 μM), with five replications. Irrigation water salinity levels up to 2.2 dS m-1 increase the maximum fluorescence of okra plants 75 days after transplanting. Foliar application of 50 µM hydrogen peroxide proved to be beneficial for plant height, stem diameter, stem dry matter, root dry matter, and total dry matter of okra when plants were grown in low-salinity water. The hydrogen peroxide concentrations of 25 and 50 µM increased the number of leaves. However, these concentrations reduced the average weight of the okra dry fruits. Foliar application with 50 µM hydrogen peroxide had a significant effect on the dry leaf phytomass of the okra cv. Clemson American 80 regardless of the electrical conductivity of irrigation water. Foliar hydrogen peroxide application at concentrations up to 50 µM intensifies the deleterious effects of salt stress on the total weight of dried okra fruits. Keywords: Abelmoschus esculentus L., acclimation, salt stress.

CD4+ T-cell subsets are associated with chronic stress effects in newly diagnosed anxiety disorders

AimPrior research has indicated a connection between CD4+ T cells and the development of anxiety, but the specific CD4+ T cell subsets linked to anxiety disorders remain uncertain. Our study seeks to investigate the relationship between distinct CD4+ T cell subsets and anxiety, as well as to explore whether CD4+ T cell subsets mediate the effect of chronic psychological stress on anxiety. Methods56 eligible matched participants were recruited in Peking Union Medical College Hospital. The diagnosis was made based on DSM-5 diagnostic criteria. The severity of anxiety and depression symptoms was assessed using the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, respectively. The Life Events Scale (LES) evaluated the chronic stress level. CD4+ T cell subsets were characterized using multiparametric flow cytometry. To assess the impact of CD4+ T cells on the effect of chronic psychological stress on anxiety, Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) analysis was employed. ResultsWe discovered fifteen notably distinct CD4+ T-cell subsets in anxiety disorder patients compared to healthy controls. Multiple linear regression analysis unveiled an association between anxiety severity and CD27+CD45RA− Th cells, CD27+CD28+ Tregs, and the total Life Events Scale (LES) score. The PLS-SEM analysis demonstrated that CD4+ T cell subsets and LES could explain 80.2% of the variance in anxiety. Furthermore, it was observed that CD27+CD28+ Th/Treg cells acted as inverse mediators of the effects of LES on anxiety (P = 0.031). ConclusionsDrug naïve anxiety disorder patients exhibited significant alterations in numerous CD4+ T-cell subsets. Specifically, the memory subset of CD27+CD45RA− Th cells and the naïve subset of CD27+CD28+ Treg cells were found to be independent factors associated with the severity of anxiety. Additionally, the CD27+CD28+ Th and Treg cell subsets played a significant mediating role in the influence of long-term psychological stress on anxiety.