Stress Conditions Research Articles

Obesity-induced upregulation of miR-483-5p impairs the function and identity of pancreatic β-cells.

To assess the expression and function of miR-483-5p in diabetic β cells. The expression of miR-483-5p was evaluated in the pancreatic islets of obesity mouse models by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Dual-luciferase activity, and western blotting assays, were utilized for miR-483-5p target gene verification. Mice with β cell-specific miR-483-5p downregulation were studied under metabolic stress (i.e. a high-fat diet) condition. Lineage tracing was used to determine β-cell fate. miR-483-5p increased in the islets of obese mouse models. Expression levels of miR-483-5p were significantly upregulated with the treatment of high glucose and palmitate, in both MIN6 cells and mouse islets. Overexpression of miR-483-5p in β cells results in impaired insulin secretion and β-cell identity. Cell lineage-specific analyses revealed that miR-483-5p overexpression deactivated β-cell identity genes (insulin, Pdx1 and MafA) and derepressed β-cell dedifferentiation (Ngn3) genes. miR-483-5p downregulation in β cells of high-fat diet-fed mice alleviated diabetes and improved glucose intolerance by enhancing insulin secretory capacity. These detrimental effects of miR-483-5p relied on its seed sequence recognition and repressed expression of its target genes Pdx1 and MafA, two crucial markers of β-cell maturation. These findings indicate that the miR-483-5p-mediated reduction of mRNAs specifies β-cell identity as a contributor to β-cell dysfunction via the loss of cellular differentiation.

Phenotypic plasticity as the main driver of alien plant trait variation in urban versus rural microclimate for the model species Veronica persica.

Urban environments are warmer than the rural surroundings, impacting plant phenotypic traits. When plants are present over areas with contrasted conditions such as along urbanization gradients, their phenotypes may differ, and these differencesdepend on different processes, including phenotypic plasticity, maternal environmental effects and genetic differentiation (local adaptation and/or genetic drift). Successful establishment of alien species along environmental gradients has been linked to high phenotypic plasticity and rapid evolutionary responses, which are easier to track for species with a known residence time. The mechanisms explaining trait variation in plants in urban versus rural microclimatic conditions have received little attention. Using the alien Veronica persica as model species, we measured leaf traits in urban and rural populations and performed a reciprocal common-garden experiment to study how germination, leaf, growth, and flowering traits varied in response to experimental microclimate (rural or urban) and population origin environment (rural or urban). Veronica persica displayed phenotypic plasticity in all measured traits, with reduced germination, development, and flowering under urban microclimate which suggests more stressful growing conditions in the urban than in the rural microclimate. No significant effect of the rural or urban origin environment was detected, providing no evidence for local adaptation to urban or rural environments. Additionally, we found limited signs of maternal environmental effects. We noted the importance of the mother plant and the population identities suggesting genetically based differences. Our results indicate that urban environments are more hostile than rural ones, and that V. persica does not show any adaptation to urban environments despite genetic differences between populations.

Biomechanical study between percutaneous vertebroplasty combined with cement pedicle plasty improves vertebral biomechanical stability: A finite element analysis

ObjectiveTo investigate the biomechanical effects of percutaneous vertebroplasty combined with cement pedicle plasty (PVCPP) on the unstable osteoporotic vertebral fractures (OVFs) through finite element (FE) analysis. The study compares the biomechanical stability of finite element models between percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) and percutaneous vertebroplasty combined with cement pedicle plasty.MethodsTwo patients with unstable OVFs underwent computed tomography (CT) examination at the thoracolumbar vertebral body levels, respectively. The CT images were reconstructed into three-dimensional finite element models to simulate stress conditions across six dimensions and to evaluate the vertebral von Mises stress before and after bone cement reinforcement.ResultsThe study found that stress distribution differed between groups mainly at the pedicle base. In the surgical vertebral bodies, the maximum stress in the PVP group decreased during flexion and left bending, while it increased in other states. In the PVCPP group, all maximum stresses decreased. In the inferior vertebral bodies, the maximum stress in the PVP group generally increased, while it decreased in the PVCPP group. In the superior vertebral bodies, postoperatively, the maximum stress in the PVP group generally increased, while it almost remained unchanged in the PVCPP group. PVP group had higher cement stress and displacement.ConclusionPVCPP is an effective treatment method for patients with unstable OVFs. It can quickly relieve pain and enhance the stability of the three columns, thereby reducing the risk of some complications.

Unraveling bacterial stress responses: implications for next-generation antimicrobial solutions

The accelerated spread of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria has caused a serious health problem and rendered antimicrobial treatments ineffective. Innovative approaches are crucial to overcome the health threat posed by resistant pathogens and prevent the emergence of untreatable infections. Triggering stress responses in bacteria can diminish susceptibility to various antimicrobials by inducing resistance mechanisms. Therefore, a thorough understanding of stress response control, especially in relation to antimicrobial resistance, offers valuable perspectives for innovative and efficient therapeutic approaches to combat antimicrobial resistance. The aim of this study was to evaluate the stress responses of 8 different bacteria by analyzing reporter metabolites, around which significant alterations were observed, using a pathway-driven computational approach. For this purpose, the transcriptomic data that the bacterial pathogens were grown under 11 different stress conditions mimicking the human host environments were integrated with the genome-scale metabolic models of 8 pathogenic species (Enterococcus faecalis OG1R, Escherichia coli EPEC O127:H6 E2348/69, Escherichia coli ETEC H10407, Escherichia coli UPEC 536, Klebsiella pneumoniae MGH 78578, Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1, Staphylococcus aureus MRSA252, and Staphylococcus aureus MSSA476). The resulting reporter metabolites were enriched in multiple metabolic pathways, with cofactor biosynthesis being the most important. The results of this study will serve as a guide for the development of antimicrobial agents as they provide a first insight into potential drug targets.

Investigate on the mechanical properties and microscopic three-dimensional morphology of rock failure surfaces under different stress states

The macro and micro morphology of rock failure surfaces play crucial roles in determining the rock mechanical and seepage properties. The morphology of unloaded deep rock failure surfaces exhibits significant variability and complexity. Surface roughness is closely linked to both shear strength and crack seepage behavior. Understanding these morphology parameters is vital for comprehending the mechanical behavior and seepage characteristics of rock masses. In this study, three-dimensional optical scanning technology was employed to analyze the micromorphological properties of limestone and sandstone failure surfaces under varying stress conditions. Line and surface roughness characteristics of different rock failure surfaces were then determined. Our findings reveal a critical confining pressure value (12 MPa) that influences the damage features of Ordovician limestone failure surfaces. With increasing confining pressure, pore depth and crack formation connecting the pores also increase. Beyond the critical confining pressure, the mesoscopic roughness of the failure surface decreases, and the range of interval-distributed pore roughness diminishes. Additionally, we conducted a detailed investigation into the water conductivity properties of rocks under different stress states using Barton's joint roughness coefficient (JRC) index and rock fractal theory. The roughness features of rock failure surfaces were classified into three categories based on mesoscopic pore and crack undulation forms: straight, wavy, and jagged. We also observed significant confining pressure effects on limestone and sandstone, which exceeding the critical confining pressure led to increased water conductivity in both rocks, albeit through different mechanisms. While sandstone exhibits fissures running across it, limestone shows shear abrasion holes. Beyond the critical confining pressure, the rock failure surface becomes smoother, leading to decreased water flow blocking capacity. The fractal dimension of Ordovician limestone increases significantly under critical confining pressure, leading to a more complex mesoscopic crack extension route.

Anchorless Bacterial Moonlighting Metabolic Enzymes Modulate the Immune System and Contribute to Pathogenesis.

Moonlighting proteins (MPs), characterized by their ability to perform multiple physiologically unrelated functions without alterations to their primary structures, represent a fascinating class of biomolecules with significant implications for host-pathogen interactions. This Review highlights the emerging importance of metabolic moonlighting proteins (MetMPs) in bacterial pathogenesis, focusing on their non-canonical secretion and unconventional surface anchoring mechanisms. Despite lacking typical signal peptides and anchoring motifs, MetMPs such as acetaldehyde alcohol dehydrogenase (AdhE) and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) are secreted and localized to the bacterial surface under stress conditions, facilitating host colonization and immune evasion. The secretion of MetMPs, often observed during conditions such as resource scarcity or infection, suggests a complex regulation akin to the overexpression of heat shock proteins in response to environmental stresses. This Review proposes two potential pathways for MetMP secretion: membrane damage-induced permeability and co-transportation with traditionally secreted proteins, highlighting a remarkable bacterial adaptability. Biophysically, surface anchoring of MetMPs is driven by electrostatic interactions, bypassing the need for conventional anchoring sequences. This mechanism is exemplified by the interaction between the bifunctional enzyme AdhE (known as Listeria adhesion protein, LAP) and the internalin B (InlB) in Listeria monocytogenes, which is mediated by charged residues facilitating adhesion to host tissues. Furthermore, MetMPs play critical roles in iron homeostasis, immune modulation, and evasion, underscoring their multifaceted roles in bacterial pathogenicity. The intricate dynamics of MetMP secretion and anchoring underline the need for further research to unravel the molecular mechanisms underpinning these processes, offering potential new targets for therapeutic intervention against bacterial infections.

The Protective Role of Heat Shock Proteins against Stresses in Animal Breeding

Heat shock proteins (HSPs) play an important role in all living organisms under stress conditions by acting as molecular chaperones. The expression of different HSPs during stress varies depending on their protective functions and anti-apoptotic activities. The application of HSPs improves the efficiency and decreases the economic cost of animal breeding. By upregulating the expression of HSPs, feed supplements can improve stress tolerance in farm animals. In addition, high expression of HSPs is often a feature of tumor cells, and inhibiting the expression of HSPs is a promising novel method for killing these cells and treating cancers. In the present review, the findings of previous research on the application of HSPs in animal breeding and veterinary medicine are summarized, and the knowledge of the actions of HSPs in animals is briefly discussed.

Validity And Reliability Of Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC) 10 Items On Pregnant Women

Background: Pregnancy period trigger emotional challenges for women, not only due to hormonal changes but also due to physical, psychological, social, financial and cultural factors. Women’s reaction to stress or difficult conditions is considered as resilience. Pregnant women who have low levels of resilience tend to report high perceptions of stress, so increasing resilience in pregnant women is important for building positive coping strategies to minimize the negative effects of stress on the mother and fetus. One of the tools that is often used to assess resilience is Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC). This study aimed to test the validity and reliability of the 10-item CD-RISC on pregnant women sample. Method: This research was descriptive statistical to test the validity and reliability of the CD-RISC 10-items on 30 respondents in Magelang, Central Java. Result: The pearson correlation and cronbach alpha was used to assess validity and reliability. The statistical test results showed that the item correlation value for all items ranged from 0.711 to 0.906, r values from 10 items had score above the r table (0.361). The cronbach alpha value was 0.940. Discussion: Researchers assumed that apart from being valid and reliable, the resilience theory on the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC) shows relevance to culture and values adopted by pregnant women in Indonesia, therefore this tool can be employed to explore the level of resilience of pregnant women in quantitative or qualitative research. Conlussion: This study conclude that CD-RISC 10 items has good validity and reliability for assessing the resilience of pregnant women in Indonesia

Epigenetics Regulation in Responses to Abiotic Factors in Plant Species: A Systematic Review

Plants have several mechanisms to adapt or acclimate to environmental stress. Morphological, physiological, or genetic changes are examples of complex plant responses. In recent years, our understanding of the role of epigenetic regulation, which encompasses changes that do not alter the DNA sequence, as an adaptive mechanism in response to stressful conditions has advanced significantly. Some studies elucidated and synthesized epigenetic mechanisms and their relationships with environmental change, while others explored the interplay between epigenetic modifications and environmental shifts, aiming to deepen our understanding of these complex processes. In this study, we performed a systematic review of the literature to analyze the progression of epigenetics studies on plant species’ responses to abiotic factors. We also aimed to identify the most studied species, the type of abiotic factor studied, and the epigenetic technique most used in the scientific literature. For this, a search for articles in databases was carried out, and after analyzing them using pre-established inclusion criteria, a total of 401 studies were found. The most studied species were Arabidopsis thaliana and Oryza sativa, highlighting the gap in studies of non-economic and tropical plant species. Methylome DNA sequencing is the main technique used for the detection of epigenetic interactions in published studies. Furthermore, most studies sought to understand the plant responses to abiotic changes in temperature, water, and salinity. It is worth emphasizing further research is necessary to establish a correlation between epigenetic responses and abiotic factors, such as extreme temperatures and light, associated with climate change.

Experimental study on shear mechanical characteristics and its size effect of concrete joints based on BP neural network method

In order to study the shear mechanical characteristics and its size effect on concrete joints, this paper uses the RDS-200 shear test system developed by GCTS company to carry out the indoor direct shear tests on concrete joint specimens with five kinds of JRC and five grades of joint surface size under five normal stress conditions. The results show that the pre-peak shear stiffness of concrete joints is not significantly affected by JRC and normal stress, but is significantly affected by the joint surface size. The pre-peak shear stiffness decreases with the increase of joint surface size, when the joint surface size increases from 35 mm to 95 mm, the pre-peak shear stiffness of specimens with JRC being 0 ∼ 2, 4 ∼ 6, 8 ∼ 10, 12 ∼ 14 and 16 ∼ 18 decreased by 66.96 %, 63.87 %, 71.67 %, 64.57 % and 66.32 %, respectively, with an average of 66.68 %. Moreover, with the increase of joint surface size, the decrease rate of pre-peak shear stiffness decreases gradually, which is basically exponential, that is because the pre-peak shear stiffness has negative size effect. In addition, the peak shear strength of concrete joints increases with the increase of normal stress and JRC, and the relationship between peak shear strength and normal stress conforms to the Mohr-Coulomb criterion. Furthermore, there is no obvious size effect on the peak shear strength of concrete joints in the range of 35–95 mm. An intelligent prediction method for predicting the peak shear strength and pre-peak shear stiffness of concrete joints considering JRC, joint surface size and normal stress was established. The prediction results show that the BP Neural Network optimized by genetic algorithm can effectively predict the peak shear strength and pre-peak shear stiffness of concrete joints, the average error of peak shear strength is about 4.91 %, and the average error of pre-peak shear stiffness is 9.37 %. The conclusions can provide some reference for the evaluation of shear instability of rock joints in surface and underground rock engineering.

Injection of antioxidant trace minerals/vitamins into peripartum crossbred cows improves the nutritional and immunological properties of colostrum/milk and the health of their calves under heat stress conditions.

Multimineral and vitamin injections can provide better nutrient availability at the cellular level, which is essential for mitigating transition period stress and improving the wellbeing and productivity of dairy cows. The present study was conducted to assess the colostrum quality and calf health after intramuscular injection of multi-minerals (MM) and multi-vitamins (MV) to peripartum cows during winter (THI = 58 to 66) and summer (THI = 78 to 82) months. In each season, twenty-four pregnant crossbred Karan Fries cows were grouped into four, each consisting of six cows. Group I, referred to as the Control, received solely the basal diet, without any additional supplements. Groups II, III, and IV were administered additional MM (T1), MV (T2), and a combined MM and MV (T3) along with their basal diet, starting 30days before calving and continuing for 30days after calving. Blood samples were collected from the calves, while colostrum/milk samples were obtained from the cows on days 1, 3, 7, and 15 after calving. The somatic cell counts (SCC) in the milk were determined using a cell counter. Cortisol, IgG, IGF1 and total immunoglobulins (TIG) in whey and plasma from cow colostrum/milk or calf blood samples were estimated by ELISA. Cows that calved in the summer exhibited notably reduced levels (P < 0.05) of IgG, milk, and plasma IGF1, along with lower calf body weights, in comparison to those calving in the winter season. Furthermore, the summer months saw significant increases (P < 0.05) in plasma and milk cortisol levels, as well as total somatic cell counts (SCC) in both colostrum and milk samples. Maximum beneficial effect was observed in T3 group. Results indicate that injections to peripartum cows could be an important strategy for improving colostrum quality and calf health during the summer seasons.

Stress transfer law in laboratory hydraulic fracturing experiments

During the true triaxial hydraulic fracturing experiments, the compression stress applied to the specimen surface cannot be transferred to the interior immediately, resulting in inconsistency with in-situ stress conditions. To quantitatively analyze the stress transfer process from the surface to the interior of the specimen, an experimental method for monitoring the inside stress was proposed based on Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) sensing technique, based on which the true triaxial stress loading experiments were conducted on a concrete-like specimen of 30 cm × 30 cm × 30 cm. The results show that the stresses inside the specimen require a certain loading time to reach the uniform state. The loading time required for stress transfer from the surface to the interior of the specimen decreases with the increase of compression stresses. The stress transfer process in rock materials is determined by creep. The closure of microcracks results in stress redistribution inside the specimen during creep. Moreover, a 3-D Burgers model is modified to describe the stress transfer process. Finally, the stress transfer phenomenon during hydraulic fracturing was verified by coal fracturing experiments. This study can help to understand the stress transfer mechanism, providing guidance for standardizing the laboratory simulation of in-situ stress.

Exogenously applied nano-zinc oxide mitigates cadmium stress in Zea mays L. through modulation of physiochemical activities and nutrients homeostasis

The increasing levels of cadmium (Cd) pollution in agricultural soil reduces plant growth and yield. This study aims to determine the impact of green synthesized zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) on the physiochemical activities, nutrition, growth, and yield of Zea mays L. under Cd stress conditions. For this purpose, ZnO-NPs (450 ppm and 600 ppm) synthesized from Syzygium aromaticum were applied through foliar spray to Z. mays and also used as seed priming agents. A significant decline in plant height (35.24%), biomass production (43.86%), mineral content, gas exchange attributes, and yield (37.62%) was observed in Cd-spiked plants compared to the control. While, 450 ppm ZnO-NPs primed seed increased plant height (18.46%), total chlorophyll (80.07%), improved ascorbic acid (25.10%), DPPH activity (26.66%), and soil mineral uptake (Mg+2 (38.86%), K+ (27.83%), and Zn+2 (43.68%) as compared to plants only spiked with Cd. On the contrary, the foliar-applied 450 ppm ZnO-NPs increased plant height (8.22%), total chlorophyll content (73.59%), ascorbic acid (21.39%), and DPPH activity (17.61%) and yield parameters; cob diameter (19.45%), and kernels numbers 6.35% enhanced compared to plants that were spiked only with Cd. The findings of the current study pave the way for safer and more cost-effective crop production in Cd-stressed soils by using green synthesized NPs and provide deep insights into the underlying mechanisms of NPs treatment at the molecular level to provide compelling evidence for the use of NPs in improving plant growth and yield.

Evolution and stress response potential of the plant splicing factor U1C

Alternative splicing is a crucial process in multicellular eukaryote, facilitated by the assembly of spliceosomal complexes comprising numerous small ribonucleoproteins. At an early stage, U1C is thought to be required for 5′ splice site recognition and base pairing. However, a systematic analysis of the U1C gene family in response to developmental cues and stress conditions has not yet been conducted in plants. This study identified 114 U1C genes in 72 plant species using basic bioinformatics analyses. Phylogenetic analysis was used to compare gene and protein structures, promoter motifs, and tissue- and stress-specific expression levels, revealing their functional commonalities or diversity in response to developmental cues, such as embryonic expression, or stress treatments, including drought and heat. Fluorescence quantitative expression analysis showed that U1C gene expression changed under salt, low temperature, drought, and Cd stress in rice seedlings. However, gene expression in shoots and roots was not consistent under different stress conditions, suggesting a complex regulatory mechanism. This research provides foundational insights into the U1C gene family's role in plant development and stress responses, highlighting potential targets for future studies.

Stress Management Practices in Rainfed Sorghum (K12) on Yield, Economics and Plant Nutrient Uptake Through Foliar Plant Nutrition Under Typical Vertisols (Typic chromusterts) of Semiarid Region

ABSTRACT Foliar fertilization has great potential to give higher yields under intensive cropping system and in enhancing the crop tolerance to drought conditions. Different responses of yield to foliar fertilization are probably associated with incorrect timing of application, use of inappropriate fertilizer and lack of concern of soil available nutrients and environmental conditions. Though soil application of nutrients cannot be replaced totally with foliar fertilization, but under various situations like rainfed condition, foliar nutrition can play very important role in enhancing crop yield and nutrient use efficiency. Focusing on this, a field experiment was conducted in the Agricultural Research Station, Kovilpatti, under rainfed situation from 2017 to ‘20 to evaluate the response of foliar application of plant nutrients sprayed during moisture stress condition and to improve the growth and yield of sorghum under rainfed condition. This experiment was laid out in split plot design with replicated thrice and the treatments consisted of main plots: M1 – foliar spray during dry spell, M2 – foliar spray after relieving of stress/dry spell (with favorable soil moisture) and subplots: S1 – urea@1%, S2 – urea@2%, S3 – water soluble complex fertilizer (19:19:19)@0.5%, S4 – water soluble complex fertilizer (19:19:19)@0.5% + recommended dose of micronutrient for foliar spray (to be decided based on soil test: zinc, boron, iron, manganese, etc.), S5 – ZnSO4@0.5%, S6 – water spray, S7 – control (no spray of any material/water) under rainfed vertisols of semiarid region. The obtained results showed that the application of water soluble complex fertilizer (19:19:19)@0.5% sprayed during the dry spell significantly increased the plant height, earhead length and grain test weight. This attributes resulted in higher grain yield (1448 kg ha−1), stover yield (2288 kg ha−1), net returns (Rs. 8748 ha−1), B:C (1.16) and rainwater use efficiency (3.85 kg ha−1-mm) when compared to other practices in rainfed sorghum. There is a gradual increase in total major plant nutrient uptake, viz. nitrogen (22.3 kg ha−1), phosphorus (4.56 kg ha−1) and potassium uptake (26.0 kg ha−1) with the foliar application of water soluble complex fertilizer (19:19:19)@0.5% applied during the dry spell condition (S3) during drought stress condition (M1). Foliar application of nutrients along with soil application has several advantages in supplementing the nutritional requirements of crops such as rapid and efficient response by the plants, less product needed and independence of soil conditions. Foliar nutrition designed to eliminate the problems like fixation and immobilization of nutrients. Hence, foliar nutrition is recognized as an important method of fertilization during the dry spell under rainfed condition in modern agriculture.

Resting for viability: Gordonia polyisoprenivorans ZM27, a robust generalist for petroleum bioremediation under hypersaline stress

The intrinsic issue associated with the application of microbes for practical pollution remediation involves maintaining the expected activity of engaged strains or consortiums as effectively as that noted under laboratory conditions. Faced with various stress factors, degraders with dormancy ability are more likely to survive and exhibit degradation activity. In this study, a hydrocarbonoclastic and halotolerant strain, Gordonia polyisoprenivorans ZM27, was isolated via stimulation with resuscitation-promoting factor (Rpf). Long-term exposure to dual stresses of 10% NaCl and starvation induced ZM27 to enter a viable but nonculturable (VBNC)-like state, and ZM27 cells could be resuscitated upon Rpf stimulation. Notable changes in both morphological and physiological characteristics between VBNC-like ZM27 cells and resuscitated cells confirmed the response to Rpf and their robust resistance against harsh environments. Whole-genome sequencing and analysis indicated ZM27 could be a generalist degrader with dormancy ability. Subsequently, VBNC-like ZM27 was applied in a soil microcosm experiment to investigate the practical application potential under harsh conditions. VBNC-like ZM27 combined with Rpf stimulation exhibited the most effective biodegradation performance, and the initial n-hexadecane content (1000 mg kg−1) decreased by 63.29% after 14-day incubation. Based on 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing and analysis, Gordonia exhibited a positive response to Rpf stimulation. The relative abundance of genus Gordonia was negatively correlated with that of Alcanivorax, a genus of obligate hydrocarbon degrader with the greatest abundance during soil incubation. Based on the degradation profile and community analysis, generalist Gordonia may be more efficient in hydrocarbon degradation than specialist Alcanivorax under harsh conditions. The characteristics of ZM27, including its sustainable culturability under long-term stress, response to Rpf and robust performance in soil microcosms, are valuable for the remediation of petroleum pollution under stressful conditions. Our work validated the importance of dormancy and highlighted the underestimated role of low-activity degraders in petroleum remediation.

Heat stress transcription factors as the central molecular rheostat to optimize plant survival and recovery from heat stress.

Heat stress transcription factors (HSFs) are the core regulators of the heat stress (HS) response in plants. HSFs are considered as a molecular rheostat: their activities define the response intensity, incorporating information about the environmental temperature through a network of partner proteins. A prompted activation of HSFs is required for survival, for example the de novo synthesis of heat shock proteins. Furthermore, a timely attenuation of the stress response is necessary for the restoration of cellular functions and recovery from stress. In an ever-changing environment, the balance between thermotolerance and developmental processes such as reproductive fitness highlights the importance of a tightly tuned response. In many cases, the response is described as an ON/OFF mode, while in reality, it is very dynamic. This review compiles recent findings to update existing models about the HSF-regulated HS response and address two timely questions: How do plants adjust the intensity of cellular HS response corresponding to the temperature they experience? How does this adjustment contribute to the fine-tuning of the HS and developmental networks? Understanding these processes is crucial not only for enhancing our basic understanding of plant biology but also for developing strategies to improve crop resilience and productivity under stressful conditions.

Biochar & fly ash amendments lower mortality and increase antioxidant activity in chlorpyrifos-exposed earthworms

The investigation presented a novel finding regarding mitigating stress induced by chlorpyrifos in Eisenia fetida by incorporating biochar derived from rice straw and fly ash as soil amendments. It was observed that phenolic compounds exhibit solubility in methanol, and the methanolic fraction exhibited notable inhibitory effects on lipid peroxidation and displayed antioxidant properties. The defence mechanism of E. fetida, comprising catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), and various other enzymes, remained effective in neutralizing stressors without disruption when the earthworm was subjected to diverse chemical agents or stressful conditions. These enzymes served as indicative markers of toxicity induced by pesticide exposure, even at sublethal concentrations. The scavenging of free radicals by these enzymes ultimately safeguarded the organism. Fly ash and biochar emerged as two organic alternatives capable of alleviating stress by providing a protective mechanism. In this context, the study examined the impact of biochar and fly ash amendments on earthworm biomarkers. The mortality rate at the median lethal concentration of chlorpyrifos was reduced to less than 50% through 3% and 5% modifications. In contrast to the non-amendment group exposed to sublethal doses, the amendment group exhibited higher levels of oxidative stress and lower protein content. This observation indicated the presence of stress induced by the accumulation of free radicals, which increased in number with higher doses of chlorpyrifos. Moreover, the study highlighted the interconnected nature of total antioxidant capacity and total phenolic capacity values, with a decrease in these parameters signifying a shift in earthworm biomarkers.Graphical abstract

Wolbachia-infected pharaoh ant colonies have higher egg production, metabolic rate, and worker survival.

Wolbachia is a widespread maternally-transmitted endosymbiotic bacteria with diverse phenotypic effects on its insect hosts, ranging from parasitic to mutualistic. Wolbachia commonly infects social insects, where it faces unique challenges associated with its hosts' caste-based reproductive division of labor and colony living. Here we dissect the benefits and costs of Wolbachia infection on life-history traits of the invasive pharaoh ant, Monomorium pharaonis, which are relatively short-lived and show natural variation in Wolbachia infection status between colonies. We quantified effects of Wolbachia infection on the lifespan of queen and worker castes, the egg-laying rate of queens across queen lifespan, and the metabolic rates of whole colonies and colony members. Infected queens laid more eggs than uninfected queens but had similar metabolic rates and lifespans. Interestingly, infected workers outlived uninfected workers. At the colony level, infected colonies were more productive due to increased queen egg-laying rates and worker longevity, and infected colonies had higher metabolic rates during peak colony productivity. While some effects of infection, such as elevated colony-level metabolic rates may be detrimental in more stressful natural conditions, we did not find any costs of infection under relatively benign laboratory conditions. Overall, our study emphasizes that Wolbachia infection can have beneficial effects on ant colony growth and worker survival in at least some environments.

Asymptomatic Empty Sella Syndrome: A "New" Hypothalamic Pathology or Paraphysiological Variant.

The term empty sella refers to a shrunken or displaced (by a subarachnoid diverticulum) pituitary gland. It can be primary (genetically determined) or secondary (due to trauma/surgery/radiation). It has been reported that 50% of patients are asymptomatic, and others experience symptoms, such as headache, hypertension, or visual field defects. Few cases have an empty sella syndrome, i.e., lacking functional pituitary hormones. Diagnosis is made through NMR or CT. If asymptomatic, this condition requires no treatment; otherwise, empty sella syndrome needs hormonal replacement therapy. We examined the case of asymptomatic empty sella syndrome. A 67-year-old female patient was admitted for dilatative cardiomyopathy. She had a past medical history of arterial hypertension and right ICA endovascular repair. Blood tests demonstrated hypothyroidism, hypoadrenalism, and GH deficiency, without any signs or symptoms. NRM confirmed an empty sella, hence replacement therapy with levothyroxine and cortisone acetate was started. During a follow-up evaluation, we discovered that this biochemical profile of the patient had been known for more than a decade and never treated. Despite being exposed to stress conditions, vascular surgery and angiography, she never developed an adrenal crisis, nor has she ever been symptomatic for severe hypothyroidism. Hormonal replacement therapy was performed. The described clinical scenario is rare, as usually, empty sella syndrome presents with signs of hormone deficiency, even if asymptomatic cases have been described. Some authors suggest considering it as a hypothalamic dysfunction requiring treatment; others identify it as a paraphysiological variant. However, more cases are needed to establish a correct therapeutic strategy for these patients.