Stress Tolerance Research Articles

The hindgut microbiota of coconut rhinoceros beetles (Oryctes rhinoceros) in relation to their geographical populations.

The coconut rhinoceros beetle (CRB, Oryctes rhinoceros) is a palm tree pest capable of rapidly expanding its population in new territories. Previous studies identified a digestive symbiosis between CRB and its gut microbes. However, no research compared the genetic variation of CRBs with their hindgut microbiota on a global scale. This study aims to investigate the genetic divergence of CRB and the compositional variation of CRB's microbiota across different geographical locations, and explore the association between them and their predicted functional profiles and environmental data. The research reveals a distinct and consistent microbial community within local populations, but it varies across different geographical populations. The microbial functional profiles linked to the production of digestive enzymes, including cellulases and ligninases, are nonetheless globally conserved. This suggests that CRBs employ specific mechanisms to select and maintain microbes with functional benefits, contributing to host adaptability, stress tolerance, and fitness. The CRB microbial communities did not appear to recapitulate the genetic variation of their hosts. Rather than depend on obligate symbionts, CRBs seem to establish similar digestive associations with whatever environmentally acquired microbes are available wherever they are, aiding them in successfully establishing after invading a new location.IMPORTANCECoconut rhinoceros beetles (CRBs) are notorious pests on Arecaceae plants, posing destructive threats to countries highly reliant on coconut, oil palm, and date palm as economic crops. In the last century, CRBs have rapidly expanded their presence to territories that were once free of these beetles. The United States, for instance, has officially designated CRBs as invasive and alien pests. Given their remarkable ability to swiftly adapt to new environments, their gut microbes may play a crucial role in this process. While the microbiota of CRBs vary depending on geographical location, these beetles consistently exhibit a functionally identical digestive association with locally acquired microbes. This underscores the significance of CRB-microbe association in shaping the adaptive strategies of this agricultural pest.

Martial Arts in Physical Education and Student Self-Regulation

This study explores the impact of martial arts education within the physical education curriculum, aiming to assess its effectiveness in enhancing students' cognitive, affective, and physical self-regulation, while also identifying areas for improvement. Quantitative data from student surveys indicated that martial arts education has a positive effect on self-regulation across all domains. However, qualitative responses revealed significant challenges, including accessibility issues, the need for a more practical and engaging curriculum, and insufficient support from schools and facilities. Based on these findings, a comprehensive program was developed to address these concerns. The program focuses on curriculum enhancement, increasing accessibility and engagement, improving facilities and resources, supporting instructor development, and establishing ongoing assessment mechanisms. The program’s implementation plan is structured across six phases, ensuring a strategic approach to achieving the intended outcomes. The study concludes that while martial arts education holds considerable potential for holistic student development, its full impact is currently limited by various barriers. By addressing these challenges through targeted interventions, educational institutions can maximize the benefits of martial arts education, fostering not only physical fitness and discipline but also cultural appreciation and emotional resilience among students. The proposed program serves as a roadmap for schools to enhance martial arts education and better align it with educational objectives, ensuring a more engaging and impactful learning experience.

Wspomaganie rozwoju emocjonalno-społecznego małego dziecka i jego potencjał w budowaniu odporności psychicznej

The article deals with the broadly defined topic of supporting the emotional and social development of children and its impact on the formation of mental resilience. The text consists of 3 parts. The first one provides an overview of the theoretical representations of key concepts such as emotional-social development and its support and mental resilience. The second part presents the results of our own research on the developmental support of young children as perceived and experienced by their care-givers. The study concludes with a summary.

Two critical membranes. How does the chloroplast envelope affect plant acclimation properties?

Chloroplasts play a pivotal role in the metabolism of leaf mesophyll cells, functioning as a cellular hub that orchestrates molecular reactions in response to environmental stimuli. These organelles contain complex protein machinery for energy conversion and are indispensable for essential metabolic pathways. Proteins located within the chloroplast envelope membranes facilitate bidirectional communication with the cell and connect essential pathways, thereby influencing acclimation processes to challenging environmental conditions such as temperature fluctuations and light intensity changes. Despite their importance, a comprehensive overview of the impact of envelope-located proteins during acclimation to environmental changes is lacking. Understanding the role of these proteins in acclimation processes could provide insights into enhancing stress tolerance under increasingly challenging environments. This review highlights the significance of envelope-located proteins in plant acclimation.

A loss-of-function mutation in OsTZF5 confers sensitivity to low temperature and effects the growth and development in rice.

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is highly sensitive to low temperatures, which can significantly reduce its production. Cold tolerance in rice is a complex trait regulated by multiple mechanisms. OsTZF5, a member of the CCCH-type zinc finger gene family in rice, has been previously reported that overexpressing OsTZF5 under the stress-responsive promoter can confer drought resistance. In this study, we showed that the loss of function mutants of OsTZF5 decreased seed germination rate and chilling tolerance in rice, and influencing normal growth and development. OsTZF5 is expressed in various parts of the rice plant, including roots, stems, leaves and inflorescences, with the highest expression levels observed in leaves. Additionally, the expression of OsTZF5 gene was influenced by various stress conditions and hormone treatments. OsTZF5 knock-out mutants exhibited significantly lower survival rates compared to the wild type (Zhonghua11, ZH11) after cold stress, as well as fewer tillers, lower thousand-grain weight, and reduced grain yield under normal conditions. Transcriptomic analyses revealed that the expression of cold stress-related genes was significantly down-regulated in OsTZF5 knock-out mutants compared to ZH11 after cold stress. This down-regulation likely contributes to the reduced cold stress tolerance observed in OsTZF5 knock-out mutants. Our findings suggest that OsTZF5 is a multifunctional gene that plays a crucial role in regulating cold stress in rice.

Deciphering genetic variability and phenotype expression, assessing drought stress tolerance and multi-trait stability index of ( Vigna radiata ) genotypes in Chitwan, Nepal

Deciphering genetic variability and phenotype expression, assessing drought stress tolerance and multi-trait stability index of ( <i>Vigna radiata</i> ) genotypes in Chitwan, Nepal

Exogenous silicon alleviates aluminum stress in Eucalyptus species by enhancing the antioxidant capacity and improving plant growth and tolerance quality

BackgroundAs an efficient and high-quality additive in agriculture and forestry production, silicon (Si) plays an important role in alleviating heavy metal stress and improving plant growth. However, the alleviating effect of aluminum (Al) toxicity by Si in Eucalyptus is still incomplete.ResultsHere, a study was conducted using two Al concentrations (0 and 4.5 mM) with four Si concentrations (0, 0.5, 1, and 1.5 mM) to investigate plant growth, tolerance and antioxidant defense system in four Eucalyptus species (Eucalyptus tereticornis, Eucalyptus urophylla, Eucalyptus grandis, and Eucalyptus urophylla × Eucalyptus grandis). The results showed that the stress induced by 4.5 mM Al increased oxidative damage, disturbed the balance of enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant systems, and negatively affected plant growth and tolerance quality in the four Eucalyptus species. However, the addition of 0.5 mM and 1 mM Si alleviated the effects of Al toxicity on plant growth and improved plant growth quality by strengthening stress tolerance. Besides, adding Si significantly facilitated the synergistic action of enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant defenses, increased the removal of reactive oxygen species, reduced lipid peroxidation, and oxidative stress, and promoted the phytoremediation rate of the four Eucalyptus species by 18.7 ~ 34.8% compared to that in the absence of Si.ConclusionsSilicon can alleviate the effect of Al toxicity by enhancing the antioxidant capacity and improving plant growth and tolerance quality. Hence, the application of Si is an effective method for the phytoremediation of Eucalyptus plantations in southern China.

Plant Rho GTPase ROP6 Is Essential for Manganese Homeostasis in Arabidopsis.

Manganese (Mn) is an indispensable mineral for plant growth and development. However, plants cultivated in acidic and poorly drained soils are vulnerable to Mn2+ toxicity due to its heightened increased bioavailability. Despite the crucial roles of the Rho of plant (ROP) GTPases in various cellular processes, their precise function in regulating Mn homeostasis remains elusive. In this study, we unveil a novel ROP6 GTPase signalling pathway that profoundly influences Mn phytotoxicity tolerance in Arabidopsis. Remarkably, the rop6 and dominant-negative ROP6 (rop6DN) mutant plants displayed a dramatically sensitive phenotype to Mn toxicity, whereas ROP6-overexpression and constitutively activated ROP6 (rop6CA) lines exhibited enhanced Mn stress tolerance. Immunoblot analysis corroborated that the ROP6 protein, especially the active form of ROP6, increased in abundance in the presence of high Mn levels. Further, we identified that ROP6 physically interacted and colocalized with Metal Tolerance Protein 8 (MTP8) in vivo. Mn transport complementation assays in yeast, combined with biochemical analyses, emphasized the essentiality of ROP6 for MTP8's transport activity. In addition, genetic analyses indicated that ROP6 acted upstream of MTP8 in the regulatory cascade. Collectively, our findings elucidate that ROP6 GTPase signalling positively modulates and enhances Mn stress tolerance in plants.

Is AI-assisted assessment liable to evaluate young learners? Parents support, teacher support, immunity, and resilience are in focus in testing vocabulary learning

This study investigates the impact of artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted assessment on young L2 learners’ vocabulary knowledge, immunity, and resilience, considering parental and teacher support roles. Sixty junior high school students in Afghanistan, aged 13 to 14, participated in the study. They were divided into an experimental group receiving AI-assisted assessment and a control group with traditional instruction. The research employed a pretest–posttest control group design, using teacher-made vocabulary tests validated for reliability and instruments measuring immunity and resilience. The findings revealed that AI-assisted assessment significantly improved vocabulary knowledge and emotional resilience compared to the control group. While parental support showed a positive trend toward vocabulary enhancement, teacher support did not significantly impact the outcomes. The study highlights the potential of AI in language education, emphasizing the need for collaborative efforts among educators, parents, materials developers, syllabus designers, and policymakers to maximize the benefits of AI tools. These findings underscore the importance of integrating advanced technologies into educational frameworks to support cognitive and emotional development in learners.

Genetic Adaptations of Soybean to Cold Stress Reveal Key Insights Through Transcriptomic Analysis

Low temperatures greatly restrict the development, growth, and productivity of soybeans, with their effects differing across various cultivars. The present work investigated the transcriptome and physiological reactions of two soybean cultivars, namely “KD52” exhibiting cold tolerance and “DS17” displaying cold sensitivity, to cold stress across a precisely defined period. The soybean plants were subjected to cold treatment at 6 °C for durations of 0, 2, 4, and 8 h. A comparative physiological marker study revealed distinct reactions to cold stress in the two cultivars. The findings showed that increased malondialdehyde levels provided evidence of DS17’s heightened vulnerability to lipid peroxidation and membrane degradation. In contrast, the KD52 cultivar exhibited increased activities of antioxidant enzymes, including peroxidase and superoxide dismutase, in response to cold exposure, suggesting a strong antioxidant defense system against oxidative stress. The transcriptomic analysis revealed dynamic responses, mapping 54,532 genes. Within this group, a total of 234 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were found to be consistently changed at several time intervals, showing unique expression patterns across the two cultivars. Analysis of the association between these important DEGs and the physiological indicators revealed candidate genes that may be involved in controlling oxidative damage and antioxidant defenses. Some key genes showed a progressive rise in expression over time in both cultivars, with a more significant acceleration in KD52, and are probably involved in promoting adaptation processes during extended periods of cold exposure. The identification of improved defense mechanisms in KD52, together with the identification of crucial genes, offers great prospects for enhancing the cold stress resilience of soybean.

BiP Proteins from Symbiodiniaceae: A “Shocking” Story

More than four decades ago, the discovery of a companion protein of immunoglobulins in myeloma cells and soon after, of their ability to associate with heavy chains, made the term immunoglobulin binding protein (BiP) emerge, prompting a tremendous amount of effort to understand their versatile cellular functions. BiPs belong to the heat shock protein (Hsp) 70 family and are crucial for protein folding and cellular stress responses. While extensively studied in model organisms such as Chlamydomonas, their roles in dinoflagellates, especially in photosynthetic Symbiodiniaceae, remain largely underexplored. Given the importance of Symbiodiniaceae-cnidarian symbiosis, critical for the sustaining of coral reef ecosystems, understanding the contribution of Hsps to stress resilience is essential; however, most studies have focused on Hsps in general but none on BiPs. Moreover, despite the critical role of light in the physiology of these organisms, research on light effects on BiPs from Symbiodiniaceae has also been limited. This review synthesizes the current knowledge from the literature and sequence data, which reveals a high degree of BiP conservation at the gene, protein, and structural levels in Symbiodiniaceae and other dinoflagellates. Additionally, we show the existence of a potential link between circadian clocks and BiP regulation, which would add another level of regulatory complexity. The evolutionary relationship among dinoflagellates overall suggests conserved functions and regulatory mechanisms, albeit expecting confirmation by experimental validation. Finally, our analysis also highlights the significant knowledge gap and underscores the need for further studies focusing on gene and protein regulation, promoter architecture, and structural conservation of Symbiodiniaceae and dinoglagellate BiPs in general. These will deepen our understanding of the role of BiPs in the Symbiodiniaceae-cnidarian interactions and dinoflagellate physiology.

The Impact of Adaptive Leadership in Badminton Coaching on Player Development

This research examined the influence of adaptive leadership styles in badminton coaching on players' long-term growth. The emphasis is on qualities like adaptability in coaching, emotional intelligence, effective problem-solving, empowering players, and strategic thinking. The study encompasses a heterogeneous sample, mainly male individuals who are generally inexperienced players with different educational backgrounds. The research used a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative measurements with qualitative feedback, to evaluate the effectiveness of existing coaching procedures. The results indicate that the observed leadership tactics are only marginally implemented. However, there is a clear need for development, particularly in creating a collaborative team atmosphere and increasing player empowerment. The data reveals no notable disparities in evaluating these tactics across different demographic profiles, suggesting fair coaching procedures. When evaluating long-term growth, factors such as fundamental movement abilities, involvement in several sports, technical proficiency, tactical comprehension, and mental skills training are considered moderately advanced, specifically emphasizing building mental resilience.

Evaluation of the Robustness Under Alkanol Stress and Adaptability of Members of the New Genus Halopseudomonas

Many species of the genus Pseudomonas are known to be highly tolerant to solvents and other environmental stressors. Based on phylogenomic and comparative genomic analyses, several Pseudomonas species were recently transferred to a new genus named Halopseudomonas. Because of their unique enzymatic machinery, these strains are being discussed as novel biocatalysts in biotechnology. In order to test their growth parameters and stress tolerance, five Halopseudomonas strains were assessed regarding their tolerance toward different n-alkanols (1-butanol, 1-hexanol, 1-octanol, 1-decanol), as well as to salt stress and elevated temperatures. The toxicity of the solvents was investigated by their effects on bacterial growth rates and presented as EC50 concentrations. Hereby, all Halopseudomonas strains showed EC50 values up to two-fold lower than those previously detected for Pseudomonas putida. In addition, the activity of the cis-trans isomerase of unsaturated fatty acids (Cti), which is an urgent stress response mechanism known to be present in all Pseudomonas species, was monitored in the five Halopseudomonas strains. Although several of the tested species were known to contain the cti gene, no significant phenotypic activity could be detected in the presence of the assayed stressors. A bioinformatic analysis of eight cti-carrying Halopseudomonas strains examining promotor binding sites, binding motifs and signal peptides showed that most of the cti genes have a lipoprotein signal peptide and promotor regions and binding motifs that do not coincide with those of Pseudomonas. These insights represent putative reasons for the absence of the expected Cti activity in Halopseudomonas, which in turn has always been observed in cti-carrying Pseudomonas. The lack of Cti activity under membrane stress conditions when the cti gene is present has never been documented, and this could represent potential negative implications on the utility of the genus Halopseudomonas for some biotechnological applications.

Assessing the impact of micro-credential training in higher education: A pilot study supporting BA dissertations

Introduction: Micro-credentials, endorsed by the European Union for enhancing lifelong learning and employability, offer targeted, flexible learning experiences. This pilot study investigates the impact of integrating micro-credential training into the BA dissertation process for English Studies students at the University of Extremadura. Methodology: The study involved a two-week, in-person micro-credential course, divided into modules on time management, research techniques, and writing skills, supplemented by pre- and post-training surveys to assess students’ needs and the training’s short-term and long-term impact. Seven fourth-year students participated in the study, providing feedback through surveys. Results: The training improved students’ preparedness, confidence, and motivation. Key areas of development included time management, research skills, and emotional resilience. Students reported sustained benefits, applying the skills and strategies learned throughout their dissertation process. Discussion: Findings highlight the training’s positive short-term and long-term impacts, including increased motivation and practical skill application. However, it identifies areas for improvement, such as more training in citation techniques and writing clarity. Conclusions: Micro-credential training effectively addresses gaps in traditional curricula, enhancing students’ readiness for their BA dissertations. Further research with larger cohorts and diverse disciplines is recommended to generalise the findings and refine the microlearning approach.

Heat stress causes chromatin accessibility and related gene expression changes in crown tissues of barley (Hordeum vulgare).

Plant responses to stress caused by high temperatures involve changes occurring at the molecular, metabolic, and physiological levels. Understanding the mechanisms by which plants recognize signals to activate this response is a prerequisite for identifying key genes and signaling pathways and for obtaining heat-tolerant plants. We demonstrated the first implementation of an assay for transposase-accessible chromatin to identify open chromatin regions (OCRs) in crown tissues of barley using three genotypes carrying different allelic forms of the sdw1 gene encoding gibberellin 20-oxidase subjected to elevated temperatures. In parallel, we performed gene expression analysis, which allowed us to relate changes in chromatin state to changes in transcriptional activity. The obtained data revealed that the hypersensitive chromatin regions within the genes were more repeatable than those outside the gene intervals. We observed that prolonged exposure to high temperatures increased chromatin accessibility. Genes with OCRs in their regulatory regions were involved in stress signaling and tolerance, including calcium-dependent protein kinase, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK3), receptor-like cytoplasmic kinase (RLK), TIFY domain-containing transcriptional regulator, bZIP transcription factor, and regulatory protein NPR1. The effect of genotype on gene expression was not as pronounced as that of temperature. By combining results from the differential analysis of chromatin accessibility and expression profiles, we identified genes with high temperature-induced changes in chromatin accessibility associated with expression alterations. Importantly, our data revealed a relationship between the loss of chromatin accessibility in response to heat and the downregulation of genes related to gibberellin signaling.

Psychological Resilience of Mental Health Workers During the Russia-Ukraine War: Implications for Clinical Interventions.

Psychological Resilience of Mental Health Workers During the Russia-Ukraine War: Implications for Clinical Interventions.

Isolation and characterization of salt-stress-tolerant rhizosphere soil bacteria and their effects on plant growth-promoting properties

PGPR has a higher potential impact on agricultural crops. It enhances plant growth and development in a variety of adverse environmental conditions, including biotic and abiotic stresses. The PGPR is commercially vital since it is more efficient, safe for the environment, and beneficial to the economy. Nowadays, salt stress has an impact on the agricultural ecosystem. Salt-tolerant PGPR can directly stimulate plant growth and development by producing a variety of metabolites and phytohormones. The current study looked at the isolation of salt-tolerant bacterial species and their ability to stimulate plant development. Four bacterial species were chosen for their better salt stress tolerance (0–5%). They were identified by 16S rRNA sequencing: Solibacillus silvestris BR1, Peribacillus frigoritolerans BR2, Paenibacillus taichungensis CR1, and Solibacillus isronensis CR2. These strains were positive production of indole acetic acid with varying incubation periods (19.66 ± 1.528 to 646.111 ± 8.058 µg/mL), salt stress (ranging from 29.556 ± 1.171 to 147.8111 ± 2.086 µg/mL), phosphate solubilization (0.145 ± 0.011 to 0.921 ± 0.007 µg/mL), ammonium production (0.299 ± 0.047 to 1.202 ± 0.142 µg/mL), HCN production (0.308 ± 0.051 to 4.269 ± 0.069 µg/mL), and siderophore production (0.190 ± 0.064 to 1.543 ± 0.108 µg/mL) for control strains were used without salt stress. The production level was expressed using a standard curve containing various standards.

TaWRKY55-TaPLATZ2 module negatively regulate saline-alkali stress tolerance in wheat.

Saline-alkaline soils are a major environmental problem that limit plant growth and crop productivity. Plasma membrane H+-ATPases and the salt overly sensitive (SOS) signaling pathway play important roles in plant responses to saline-alkali stress. However, little is known about the functional genes and mechanisms regulating the transcription of H+-ATPases and SOS pathway genes under saline-alkali stress. In the present study, we identified that the plant AT-rich sequence and zinc-binding (TaPLATZ2) transcription factor are involved in wheat response to saline-alkali stress by directly suppressing the expression of TaHA2/TaSOS3. The knockdown of TaPLATZ2 enhances salt and alkali stress tolerance, while overexpression of TaPLATZ2 leads to salt and alkali stress sensitivity in wheat. In addition, TaWRKY55 directly upregulated the expression of TaPLATZ2 during saline-alkali stress. Through knockdown and overexpression of TaWRKY55 in wheat, TaWRKY55 was shown to negatively modulate salt and alkali stress tolerance. Genetic analyses confirmed that TaPLATZ2 functions downstream of TaWRKY55 in response to salt and alkaline stresses. These findings provide a TaWRKY55-TaPLATZ2-TaHA2/TaSOS3 regulatory module that regulates wheat responses to saline-alkali stress.

Deep phenotyping reveals CRH and FKBP51-dependent behavioral profiles following chronic social stress exposure in male mice.

The co-chaperone FKBP51, encoded by FKBP5 gene, is recognized as a psychiatric risk factor for anxiety and depressive disorders due to its crucial role in the stress response. Another key modulator in stress response regulation is the corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH), which is co-expressed with FKBP51 in many stress-relevant brain-regions and cell-types. Together, they intricately influence the balance of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, one of the primary stress response systems. Previous research underscores the potential moderating effects these genes have on the regulation of the stressful life events towards the vulnerability of major depressive disorder (MDD). However, the specific function of FKBP51 in CRH-expressing neurons remains largely unexplored. Here, through deep behavioral phenotyping, we reveal heightened stress effects in mice lacking FKBP51 in CRH co-expressing neurons (CRHFKBP5-/-), particularly evident in social contexts. Our findings highlight the importance of considering cell-type specificity and context in comprehending stress responses and advocate for the utilization of machine-learning-driven phenotyping of mouse models. By elucidating these intricacies, we lay down the groundwork for personalized interventions aimed at enhancing stress resilience and individual well-being.

Father-child attachment on children’s screen time: mediating role of ego resilience

BackgroundChildren spend a significant amount of time engaging in sedentary behaviors, defined as activities that do not increase energy expenditure significantly above resting levels, such as watching TV and playing PC/video games. Increased screen time is a significant public health concern because children are in a developmental stage where lifestyle behaviors predict various health outcomes in adulthood and beyond. This study explores the links between parent-child attachment, ego resilience, and children’s screen time.MethodsThis cross-sectional correlation study uses 1,163 parents and their children data from the 12th Panel Survey of Korean Children. The study instruments were a modified Armsden and Greenberg scale of parent-child attachment and modified the children’s ego resilience scale of the Block and Kremen. Children’s screen time was classified as more than 2 h per day spent watching television, playing on computers, or playing video games in their leisure time.ResultsStudy results show a negative association between father-child attachment and children’s screen time (ß = -0.43, p < .001) and a positive association between father-child attachment and ego resilience (ß = 0.24, p < .001). Ego resilience showed a negative link to children’s screen time after adjusting for parental attachment (ß =- 0.03, p = .009). Father-child attachment link to children’s screen time (ß = -0.36, p < .001) continued even though the association was slightly reduced in magnitude after adjusting for ego resilience.ConclusionsOur findings show the mediating role of ego resilience on a negative path of father-child attachment to children’s screen time. This finding emphasizes the importance of fostering solid father-child relationships and enhancing children’s psychological resilience as critical strategies for reducing excessive screen time. By addressing emotional support and resilience-building, interventions can more effectively promote healthier behavioral outcomes in children.