Osmotic Pressure Research Articles

Construction and integrative analysis of miRNA-mRNA response to salinity stress in Oreochromis mossambicus cells

This study investigated the genetic response of tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus) brain cells to hypertonic stress, focusing on miRNAs regulation. Three hundred and thirty-one known miRNAs and 163 novel miRNAs which responded to hypertonic stress were identified by high-throughput sequencing in tilapia brain cells. Differential expression analysis revealed that 16 miRNAs were significantly upregulated, while 11 miRNAs were significantly downregulated. These differentially expressed miRNAs are closely related to metabolism, immune response, and neural regulation. The target genes of these miRNAs are implicated in neurotrophic and synaptic signaling pathways, potentially affecting metabolic and apoptotic processes. GO and KEGG enrichment analyses provided insights into the biological processes and pathways affected by hypertonic stress. Furthermore, correlation analysis between mRNA and miRNA highlighted miRNA-mRNA interactions related to cell cycle and apoptosis regulation. These results indicated significant changes of miRNA expression under hypertonic stress and their crucial role in osmotic pressure regulation. This study offers a basis for further exploration of miRNA functions and molecular mechanisms in tilapia, potentially informing practices for aquaculture in challenging environments such as saline-alkaline waters.

Mitigating the Adverse Effects of Salt Stress on Pepper Plants Through Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) and Beneficial Bacterial (PGPR) Inoculation

This study investigates arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), and their combined application under salt stress (200 mM NaCl), emphasizing their synergistic potential to enhance plant resilience. Conducted in a controlled climate chamber, key parameters such as plant height, biomass, SPAD values, ion leakage, relative water content (RWC), osmotic potential, and mineral uptake were assessed. Salt stress significantly reduced plant growth, chlorophyll content, and nutrient absorption. However, AMF and PGPR improved plant performance, with co-inoculation showing the highest efficacy in increasing RWC, nutrient uptake, and maintaining membrane stability. AMF and PGPR treatments enhanced potassium retention and reduced sodium and chloride accumulation, mitigating ionic imbalances. The improved chlorophyll content and water relations under co-inoculation demonstrate the potential of these biostimulants to boost photosynthesis and plant resilience. These findings highlight AMF and PGPR as eco-friendly solutions for sustainable agriculture, promoting crop productivity and stress tolerance under saline conditions.

Transcriptome analysis of Ochratoxin a (OTA) producing Aspergillus westerdijkiae fc-1 under varying osmotic pressure

ABSTRACT Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a toxic secondary metabolite produced by the Aspergillus species which can contaminate various food products. This study analysed the transcriptome of the Aspergillus westerdijkiae fc-1 strain under NaCl concentrations of 0, 20, and 100 g/L using RNA-Seq technology to examine gene transcriptional changes linked to osmotic stress and OTA production. Significant changes were observed in metabolic-pathways associated with carbohydrates, cellular communication, and hydrolase activity under 20 g/L NaCl. The HOG1 gene, associated with osmotic pressure regulation was down-regulated by 78.06%. In contrast, OTA biosynthesis genes otaA, otaB, and otaC were up-regulated by 3.26 fold, 1.99 fold, and 2.06 fold, respectively. Conversely, the otaD gene was down-regulated by 43.50%. At 100 g/L NaCl, pathways related to ion transport, peptide metabolism, ribosomal function, and transmembrane transporter protein activities were significantly up-regulated. The HOG1 gene was up-regulated by 28.32% and OTA biosynthesis genes otaA, otaB, otaC, and otaD showed up-regulation of 27.06%, 36.80%, 19.59%, and 5.72 fold, respectively. The study highlights the role of metabolic pathways in osmotic stress regulation and the correlations between HOG1 expression and OTA biosynthesis genes, providing insights for developing strategies to prevent OTA contamination in food.

In Situ Self-Inflating-Modeled Giant-Vesicle-Like Quantum Dot Assembly for Biomimetic Artificial Photosynthesis.

The study of biomimetic self-assembly is crucial for scientists aiming to understand the origin of life and construct biomimetic functional structures. In our endeavor to create a biomimetic photosynthetic assembly, we discover a self-inflation behavior that drives the components, MPA-CdSe quantum dots (QDs) and a solid cationic polyelectrolyte, CPPA, to form a giant-vesicle-like (GVL) architecture, termed GVL-QDs@CPPA. The in situ generation of osmotic pressure during the self-assembly of QDs onto swollen CPPA in water was found to cause this self-inflation process. The resulting vesicle-like structure exhibits spatial characteristics similar to those of natural photosynthetic cells, with QDs acting as pigments uniformly distributed on the CPPA membranes, which have embedded cobalt catalytic centers. This architecture ensures optimal absorption of visible light and facilitates efficient electron transfer between the QDs and catalytic centers. As a result, GVL-QDs@CPPA assemblies efficiently harness photogenerated electrons and holes to convert protons and isopropanol into hydrogen (H2) and acetone, respectively, achieving a nearly 1:1 ratio of the reduction product (H2) to the oxidation product (acetone).

The impact of water relations on the vase life of contrasting Anthurium andraeanum (Hort.) cut flowers

ABSTRACT Genotypic differences in the moderation of water relations have been shown to play a key role in explaining differences in vase life in Anthurium andraeanum (Hort.). In this study, we compared the impact of a range of holding solutions on water relations in two cultivars with contrasting vase lives: ‘Spirit’ and ‘Honduras’ (designated as short vase life – ‘Spirit-S’ and long vase life – ‘Honduras-L’). The application of a biocide (8-hydroxyquinoline sulphate; 8-HQS), ‘stem’ re-cutting and a combination of both were tested for their potential to improve water uptake and vase life in the short-lived cultivar Spirit-S. The effects of osmotic conditions were compared for both cultivars, by placing cut flowers in a Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) solution. Re-cutting and biocide altered the pattern of water uptake, but neither treatment improved vase life, suggesting that occlusion of the peduncle/microbial obstruction were not important factors in determining vase life. PEG significantly reduced vase life in both cultivars. Honduras-L responded to PEG by significantly reducing its spathe osmotic potential, while no change was observed in Spirit-S. Thus, PEG-induced drought resulted in osmotic adjustment only in the long vase life cultivar, suggesting that a genotype’s capacity for osmotic adjustment influences vase life.

Combined metabolome and transcriptome analysis reveal the mechanism of water stress in Ophiocordyceps sinensis

BackgroundOphiocordyceps sinensis (O. sinensis) is the dominant bacterium in the asexual stage of Chinese cordyceps, and its growth usually suffers from water stress. Thus, simulating its ecological growth environment is crucial for artificial cultivation. This study aimed to reveal the mechanism underlying the water stress tolerance of Ophiocordyceps sinensis (O. sinensis) by combining metabolomic and transcriptome analyses to identify crucial pathways related to differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and metabolites (DEMs) involved in the response to water stress.ResultsGene coexpression analysis revealed that many genes related to ‘betalain biosynthesis’, ‘tyrosine metabolism’, ‘linoleic acid metabolism’, ‘fructose and mannose metabolism’, and ‘starch and sucrose metabolism’ were highly upregulated after 20d-water stress. Metabolomic analysis revealed that many metabolites regulated by these genes in these metabolic pathways were markedly decreased. On the one hand, we surmised that carbohydrate metabolism and the β-oxidation pathway worked cooperatively to generate enough acyl-CoA and then entered the TCA cycle to provide energy when exposed to water stress. On the other hand, the betalain biosynthesis and tyrosine metabolism pathway might play crucial roles in response to water stress in O. sinensis by enhancing cell osmotic potential and producing osmoregulatory substances (betaine) and antioxidant pigments (eumelanin).ConclusionsOverall, our findings provide important information for further exploration of the mechanism underlying the water stress tolerance of O. sinensis for the industrialization of artificial cultivation of Chinese cordyceps.

Water Stress Adaptations by Rhododendron arboreum Smith in The Himalayan Treeline Environment

Drought is amongst the most important climatic events which can severely impact natural ecosystems. The under-canopy Indian Himalayan tree species are less studied on water stress in harsh climatic conditions. Rhododendron arboreum is an ecologically and economically important tree species and distributed between 1500–3500 m asl in the Himalayan ecosystems. In this study, we have tried to assess the water stress adaptations by R. arboreum near the treeline ecotone located at 30°11´02˝N and 79°39´36˝E between 3100 and 3500 m asl elevation. Water potential (Ψ) was measured using a Pressure chamber and leaf conductance with the help of AP4 porometer. Soil moisture (Sm) across the depths was highly variable (p<0.05). The pre-dawn water potential (ΨPD) of R. arboreum tree varied between -0.12 and -0.91 MPa. ANOVA showed that the ΨPD of R. arboreum seedlings varied significantly across the years, seasons, and sites (p<0.05). The decline in osmotic potential at full turgor (Ψπ100) was -1.18 to -1.20 MPa in trees and -1.42 to -1.72 MPa in seedlings. The morning leaf conductance (gwAM) of R. arboreum trees ranged from 58.00 to 271.68 m mol m-2 sec-1. Correlation showed that the maximum leaf conductance in R. arboreum trees was observed when the ΨPD was -0.5 to -0.9 MPa. Water uptake function in plants is generally affected by winter frost which can change the Ψ, osmotic potential, and leaf conductance of plants. The ΨPD in the species was relatively high across all seasons in the treeline areas to disrupt physiological activities.

The TMEM63B Channel Facilitates Intestinal Motility and Enhances Proliferation of Intestinal Stem Cells.

The intestines are in a constant state of motion and self-renewal. The mechanical breakdown of food facilitates intestinal movement and aids digestion. It is believed that mechanical stimulation, triggered by changes in osmotic pressure within the intestines, plays a crucial role in regulating gastrointestinal motility. While TRPs and PIEZO1/2 have been identified as mechanosensitive ion channels involved in this process, there still exist numerous unidentified channels with similar properties. In this study, we demonstrate that the TMEM63B expressed in intestinal stem cells contributes to the regulation of intestinal motility and digestion. The deletion of TMEM63B in intestinal stem cells not only decelerates intestinal motility and impairs digestion but also attenuates the proliferation of intestinal stem cells and exacerbates DSS-induced colitis in mice. Collectively, our findings unveil the pivotal role of TMEM63B in governing optimal digestive function and modulating intestinal motility.

Seed ecology of the arid zone invasive thistle; Centaurea melitensis L.: A study of the effects of seasonal temperature, pH, salinity and moisture stress

AbstractCentaurea melitensis L., known commonly as Malta thistle, is an aggressive and invasive weed species native to the Mediterranean region. This species now occupies a diverse range of ecosystems and climate types across the globe, including the semi‐arid zone of New South Wales, Australia. This semi‐arid climate differs dramatically from its native Mediterranean climate, therefore, we aimed to identify if local adaptations in the seed ecology for C. melitensis have developed. Seeds were collected from mature C. melitensis at Nanya Station, located within the Scotia region of NSW, and then transported to Federation University Australia, Mt. Helen, Victoria. Under laboratory conditions, mature seeds were tested for their germination responses to temperature (17/7, 25/15, 30/20, 35/25°C), photoperiod (12 h light and 12 h dark [L/D], 24 h dark [D]), salinity (0, 25, 50, 100, 150, 200, and 250 mM), osmotic potential (0, −0.1, −0.2, −0.4, −0.6, and −0.8 MPa), and pH (5, 6, 6.2, 7, 8, 9, and 10). The seeds achieved 100% germination in the 17/7°C treatment, with light not being a limiting factor. The seeds exposed to the 25/15°C (D) and 30/20°C (D) treatments also maintained high germination percentage, whilst germination was significantly reduced in the 35/25°C (D) treatment. The L/D photoperiod maintained a 77.5% germination rate at 35/25°C. Whilst increased salinity reduced seed germination from 97.5% in the control to 6% at 250 mM, this species nevertheless demonstrated resistance to osmotic stress with 23% germination observed at 0.8 MPa. Germination exceeded 90% at all of the soil pH treatments, although mean germination time was significantly reduced when seeds were treated with a solution of pH 10. Our results demonstrate that the C. melitensis seeds collected in Australia's semi‐arid zone demonstrated high germination plasticity and are capable of competitive germination in warmer and drier conditions compared to its native Mediterranean climate. Therefore, management efforts that prioritise restricting the spread of C. melitensis seeds into new environments, for example through practising correct sanitation protocols, coupled with the early detection and control of emerging populations will be critical for C. melitensis management in Australia.

Quantification of hemolysis rates from pulsed field ablation

Abstract Introduction Pulsed electric fields induce hemolysis of red blood cells as a dose-dependent effect of the electric field. Voltage pulsations induce a transmembrane potential across the cell membrane and either open up or create pores in the red cells. In isotonic conditions, the pores allow passage of potassium and sodium ions but not sucrose or hemoglobin, and leakage of ions leads to an osmotic imbalance which in turn causes a colloidal hemolysis of the red cells. Objective To quantify hemolysis rates during pulsed field ablation (PFA). Methods We created a computational model of PFA to determine the total volume of blood hemolyzed from each pulse during catheter ablation using pulsed field energy. The percentage hemolysis was calculated as a function of electric field intensity utilizing existing published experimental data. A single electrode delivering a single pulse of 100 microseconds duration was modeled at voltages of 1 kV, 1.5 kV, and 2 kV. Results The total volume of hemolyzed blood per pulse increased with increasing applied voltage (Figure). For 2 electrodes in direct tissue contact, the electrode surface exposed to the blood pool generated 19 microliters of hemolyzed red blood cells with a single pulse of a 2 kV field strength. In the case of a single pulse train consisting of 50 pulses, using a catheter configuration with 20 electrodes, an estimate of total volume per pulse train is approximately 9.5 mL of hemolyzed blood. In the case of electrodes not in direct contact with endocardial tissue, and exposed to the blood pool, up to double this volume could be anticipated per pulse train. Hemolyzed volume can be reduced with better tissue contact (reducing exposure to blood), or potentially with the use of irrigation to dilute the local red blood cell concentration. Increased tonicity of the irrigant fluid may also reduce the osmotic pressure increases that result in hemolysis. Conclusions Typical voltages utilized in pulsed field ablation can cause significant hemolysis, which is exacerbated by inadequate tissue contact. A greater number of electrodes and number of pulses delivered increases the risk, whereas better tissue contact, and the use of irrigation, may reduce it.

Liquid Water Transport and Distribution in the Gas Diffusion Layer of a Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell Considering Interfacial Cracks

The proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC), with a high energy conversion efficiency, has become an important means of hydrogen energy utilization. However, water condensation is unavoidable in the PEMFC because of low operating temperatures. The impact of liquid water on PEMFC performance and stability is significant. The gas diffusion layer (GDL) provides a critical transport path for liquid water in the PEMFC. Liquid water saturation and distribution in the GDL determine water flooding and mass transfer efficiency in the PEMFC. In this study, focusing on the effects of the water introduction method, osmotic pressure, and contact angle, the liquid water transport in the GDL was numerically investigated based on a pore-scale model using the volume of fluid (VOF) method. The results showed that compared with the conventional water introduction method without cracks, the saturation and spatial distribution of water inside the GDL obtained in the simulation were more consistent with the experimental results when the water was introduced through the microporous layer (MPL) crack. It was found that increasing the osmotic pressure resulted in a faster rate of water penetration, faster approaching the steady-state performance, and higher saturation. The ultra-high osmotic pressure contributed to the secondary breakthrough with a significant increase in saturation. Increasing the contact angle caused higher capillary resistance, especially in the region with small pore sizes. At a constant osmotic pressure, as the contact angle increased, the liquid water gradually failed to penetrate into the small pores around the transport path, causing saturation reduction and an ultimate failure to break through the GDL. Increasing the contact angle contributed to a higher breakthrough pressure and secondary breakthrough pressure.

Exogenous hydrogen sulfide increased Nicotiana tabacum L. resistance against drought by the improved photosynthesis and antioxidant system

Drought stress is an abiotic stressor that impacts photosynthesis, plant growth, and development, leading to decreased crop yields. Sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS), an exogenous additive, has demonstrated potential regulatory effects on plant responses to polyethylene glycol-induced drought stress in tobacco seedlings. Compared to the control, drought stress induced by 15 g/L PEG-6000 significantly reduced several parameters in tobacco seedlings: shoot dry weight (22.83%), net photosynthesis (37.55%), stomatal conductance (33.56%), maximum quantum yield of PSII (Fv/Fm) (11.31%), photochemical quantum yield of PSII (ΦPSII) (25.51%), and photochemical quenching (qP) (18.17%). However, applying NaHS, an H2S donor, mitigated these effects, ultimately enhancing photosynthetic performance in tobacco seedlings. Furthermore, optimal NaHS concentration (0.4 mM) effectively increased leaf stomatal aperture, relative water content (RWC) and root activity, as well as facilitated the absorption of N, K, Mg and S. It also enhanced the accumulation of soluble sugar and proline content to maintain osmotic pressure balance under drought stress. Compared to drought alone, pretreatment with NaHS also bolstered the antioxidant defense system in leaves, leading to 22.93% decrease in hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) content, a 22.19% decrease in malondialdehyde (MDA) content and increased activities of ascorbate peroxidase (APX) by 28.13%, superoxide dismutase (SOD) by 17.07%, peroxidase (POD) by 46.99%, and catalase (CAT) by 65.27%. Consequently, NaHS protected chloroplast structure and attenuated chlorophyll degradation, thus mitigating severe oxidative damage. Moreover, NaHS elevated endogenous H2S levels, influencing abscisic acid (ABA) synthesis and the expression of receptor-related genes, collaboratively participating in the response to drought stress. Overall, our findings provide valuable insights into exogenous NaHS’s role in enhancing tobacco drought tolerance. These results lay the foundation for further research utilizing H2S-based treatments to improve crop resilience to water deficit conditions.

Estimation of gas hold-up in bubble columns using wall pressure fluctuations and machine learning

We present a novel approach to estimate gas hold-up in bubble columns using wall pressure fluctuations – without requiring knowledge of operating flow regime, column configuration or physical properties. The approach uses machine learning and pressure fluctuations acquired from a wall mounted pressure sensor. The approach is validated by carrying out experiments with different physical properties of liquid (deionised water, deionised water – alcohol [ethanol, propanol and butanol] mixture up to 2 % alcohol, deionised water – glycerine (30 %), tap water). The majority of the data was obtained with 0.1 m diameter bubble column. Data with tap water in this column was obtained for four different spargers. Data with tap water was also obtained for 0.15 m and 0.33 m diameter bubble columns. Gas velocity was varied up to 0.1 m/s. The covered physical properties, sparger configurations, column diameter and gas velocities span different flow regimes. An artificial neural network (ANN) based model was developed to relate characteristics of wall pressure fluctuations and superficial gas velocity to the gas hold-up. The approach was validated by comparing predicted results with the experimental data unseen by the ANN model. The approach demonstrates the feasibility of using wall pressure fluctuations with machine learning to estimate key characteristics without prior knowledge of column configuration, flow regimes or physical properties.

Unsteady Flow Structure of Rotating Instability in a 1.5-Stage Axial Compressor

Abstract The unsteady flow structure of the rotating instability (RI) in a 1.5-stage axial compressor is investigated through experimental and numerical analyses. In the tested compressor, the total pressure rise of the rotor stagnates at a certain flow coefficient before it increases again toward a lower flowrate in a case involving a wide tip clearance. The RI appears beyond this stagnant point as the compressor is throttled. The RI indicates a gentle hump in the frequency spectra of wall pressure or the flow velocity near the tip in a range of approximately 20–40% of the blade-passing frequency. As the flowrate decreases, the mode order of the RI increases, in contrast to the more commonly reported tendency, while the propagation velocity remains constant. These features are well captured by detached eddy simulation (DES) of the half-annulus model, with which the unsteady flow structure is further investigated. At its onset, RI is formed by the collision of the tip leakage vortex onto the pressure surface of the adjacent blade and subsequent vortex segmentation. This vortex structure spans two blade passages and propagates in the direction opposite to the rotor rotation. As the compressor is throttled, RI becomes more dominated by the circumferential propagation of vortex breakdown of tip leakage vortices, which occur simultaneously among neighboring passages with slight phase differences. The mechanism is discussed in relation to the temporal change in the blade tip loading. The frequency of vortex shedding increases with the reduction in flowrate and thus the increase in the number of RI disturbances.

Water Relations and Physiological Traits Associated with the Yield Components of Winter Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Water stress in agricultural systems may occur slowly or abruptly. Plant reactions to stress differ with regard to its level and duration. The level of plant susceptibility to water deprivation primarily depends on the management of the water content and metabolism adjustments. The aim of this study was to determine the correlation between water-based plant parameters and the yield components of 90 genotypes of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Since the loss of water is frequently used as a selection criterion to assess drought tolerance, the relationships between the yield and leaf water content, osmotic potential, and gas exchange characteristics were examined. Genotypes 1, 25, 34, 36, 42, 43, 46, 57, 66, 73, and 90 showed 33–45% larger numbers of grains/plant, 19–25% higher weights of grains/plant, and 4% higher thousand grain weights compared to other genotypes. The higher values of the yield components were accompanied by 20–30% lower leaf water content, 39–52% lower osmotic potential, and 4–39% lower water use efficiency. The principal component analysis revealed that the wheat genotypes had noticeable differences in a few physiological parameters that depended on the sowing date. Electrolyte leakage showed a substantial correlation with the sowing date, suggesting that it may not be a suitable factor for the prediction of drought tolerance. The factors that distinguished the examined genotypes the most were the leaf water content, osmotic potential, and water use efficiency. In addition, a significant correlation was observed between the mentioned parameters and yield components. As a result, these parameters may be helpful in genotype characterization in relation to water stress susceptibility, offering a trustworthy plant selection test.

Absorption and Release mechanism of superabsorbent polymers and its impact on shrinkage and durability of internally cured concrete – A review

Superabsorbent polymers (SAP) are considered as a promising assortment of chemical admixtures which present novel prospects for influencing the properties of cementitious materials in the fresh, setting, and hardened states. However, the diversity of commercial SAP, especially in terms of monomers, crosslinking agents, and synthesis methods, still poses many obstacles in their large-scale application. Therefore, this review aims to shed light on intrinsic absorption and release mechanism of various SAP and its impact on rheological properties, mechanical properties, shrinkage properties, and durability for cementitious materials. Our research findings indicate significant differences in the water absorption and release mechanisms between ionic and non-ionic SAP. The swelling of non-ionic SAP is dependent on the osmotic pressure formed between the polymer network and the solution. In contrast, ionic SAP not only exhibits osmotic properties but also generates charged hydrophilic groups in solution, which is a crucial factor contributing to polymer swelling. The water absorption characteristics of SAP facilitate the regulation of early cement matrix hydration and ensure the long-term stability of the concrete structure. These attributes are crucial for maintaining stable development in cement hydration and ensuring the overall structural integrity over time. The knowledge gleaned from this review offers a robust framework for the further research work on SAP and serves as support for practical application of internally cured concrete in construction engineering that need to withstand challenging environmental conditions.

Analysis of the effect of permeant solutes on the hydraulic resistance of the plasma membrane in cells of Chara corallina.

In the cells of Chara corallina, permeant monohydric alcohols including methanol, ethanol and 1-propanol increased the hydraulic resistance of the membrane (Lpm-1). We found that the relative value of the hydraulic resistance (rLpm-1) was linearly dependent on the concentration (Cs) of the alcohol. The relationship is expressed in the equation: rLpm-1 = ρmCs + 1, where ρm is the hydraulic resistance modifier coefficient of the membrane. Ye et al. (2004) showed that membrane-permeant glycol ethers also increased Lp-1. We used their data to estimate Lpm-1 and rLpm-1. The values of rLpm-1 fit the above relation we found for alcohols. When we plotted the ρm values of all the permeant alcohols and glycol ethers against their molecular weights (MW), we obtained a linear curve with a slope of 0.014M-1/MW and with a correlation coefficient of 0.99. We analyzed the influence of the permeant solutes on the relative hydraulic resistance of the membrane (rLpm-1) as a function of the external (π0) and internal (πi) osmotic pressures. The analysis showed that the hydraulic resistance modifier coefficients (ρm) were linearly related to the MW of the permeant solutes with a slope of 0.012M-1/MW and with a correlation coefficient of 0.84. The linear relationship between the effects of permeating solutes on the hydraulic resistance modifier coefficient (ρm) and the MW can be explained in terms of the effect of the effective osmotic pressure on the hydraulic conductivity of water channels. The result of the analysis suggests that the osmotic pressure and not the size of the permeant solute as proposed by (Ye et al., J Exp Bot 55:449-461, 2004) is the decisive factor in a solute's influence on hydraulic conductivity. Thus, characean water channels (aquaporins) respond to permeant solutes with essentially the same mechanism as to impermeant solutes.

Unraveling the impact of salinity on biofouling on ultrafiltration membranes: A spectroscopic and microscopic view

Biofouling significantly hampers the performance and longevity of ultrafiltration (UF) membranes employed in saline wastewater treatment. This research addresses a crucial knowledge gap by meticulously investigating the influence of salinity variations (0–10 g/L NaCl) on biofouling characteristics, utilizing advanced spectroscopic and microscopic techniques. Combined blocking models elucidated the evolution of fouling mechanisms under varying salinity conditions. Higher salinity levels promoted cake layer formation, potentially circumventing initial fouling stages observed under lower salinity conditions. Quantification of confocal laser scanning microscopy images revealed a denser, thinner, and less heterogeneous cake layer at high salinity, composed of proteins, nucleic acids, and α-polysaccharides. The relatively high abundance of polysaccharides may contribute to maintaining osmotic pressure and bacterial cell viability. Moreover, the integration of the confocal Raman mapping technique and non-negative matrix factorization analysis was innovatively applied to characterize the biofouling layer, identifying the important role of carotenoids within the layer. Carotenoids were found to be more abundant in the upper regions of the biofouling layer formed at high salinity, potentially scavenging the reactive oxygen species within bacterial cells. In conclusion, this investigation offers a comprehensive understanding of the salinity-dependent alterations in the chemical composition and spatial structure of the membrane fouling layer. The findings may facilitate the development of targeted mitigation strategies to combat membrane biofouling in saline wastewater treatment applications.

Transcutaneous stimulation as a niche theme in gastroparesis therapy

Introduction Gastroparesis, a global condition causing bile salt accumulation, is prevalent globally. Diagnosis techniques like bile salt titration and nitric oxide sulfate can improve patient care. However, simptomatic control is needed to reduce inflammation and control potential diseases. Neurological techniques like gyroscope stimulation and endoscopy can diagnose refractive gastroparesis. Interdisciplinary collaboration and bibliometric research are crucial for finding effective treatments. Gastroparesis, a motility issue affecting 0.9-1.3% of diabetics, can be improved by new diagnostic methods like osmotic pressure and gastric emptying, enhancing patient treatment. Methods This study uses a literature review methodology to gather data from the Scopus database on neuroaid, analyzing it using Biblioshiny and VOSviewer software. The focus is on dietary adjustments, glucose regulation, and transcutaneous stimulation’s role in gastroparesis treatment, using quantitative and qualitative analysis. Results The research trend found are documents by year, most relevant sources, factorial map of the most cited documents, factorial map of The documents with the highest contributes, documents by author, documents by country or territory, documents by subject area, documents by affiliation, network visualization, overlay visualization of scopus database using vosviewer, density visualization, thematic map, thematic evolution, cluster analysis, topic dendogram, and country collaboration map. According to our analysis, transcutaneous stimulation holds great promise for treating gastroparesis. We also found the necessity of multidisciplinary collaboration in the management of this illness. Conclusions The study on gastroparesis highlights key themes like diet modification, glucose control, medication therapy, Cajal’s role in smooth muscle concentration, common causes, transcutaneous stimulation, motorcycle themes, vagus nerve, and emerging devices and electronics. Basic themes include gastrointestinal disorders, neuromodulation, patients, diabetes, and gastric electrical stimulation. The management of gastroparesis involves multidisciplinary approaches, lifestyle changes, medication therapy, and bedtime interventions, with further investigation into transcutaneous stimulation being warranted.

Isosmotic Striction of Rat Aorta Smooth Muscle Cells During Activation of Purinergic Receptors: Role of Chlorine Transport

We studied the effect of the purinergic signaling system and Cl-transporters on vascular smooth muscle cells (SMC) isosmotic striction that occurs when osmotic pressure is normalized after prolonged incubation in a hypoosmotic medium. The study was performed with the method of myography on endothelium-denuded ring segments of the male Wistar rats aorta. Isosmotic striction was induced by placing the vascular segments in normosmotic Krebs solution containing 120 mM NaCl after a 40-minute incubation in a hyposmotic Krebs solution containing 40 mM NaCl. Purinergic receptors were activated by adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP, 500 μM) as nonselective P2X and P2Y receptor agonist, and uridine 5'-triphosphate (UTP, 500 μM) as selective P2Y receptor agonist. ATP and UTP eliminated the transient nature of the aorta SMC isosmotic striction without affecting its amplitude. Pretreatment of vascular segments with ATP and UTP during incubation in a hyposmotic solution completely suppressed the development of isosmotic striction in the presence of ATP or UTP, but did not affect isosmotic striction without activators of purinergic receptors. The inhibitor of Na+, K+, 2Cl--cotransport (NKCC) bumetanide (100 μM) abolished isosmotic striction in the presence of ATP, but not UTP, but restored its transient character. A non-selective blocker of Cl– channels and Cl–, HCO3– exchanger DIDS (100 μM) suppressed the development of isosmotic striction both in the presence of ATP and UTP. The potassium channel blocker tetraethylammonium (10 mM) potentiates the constrictor action of UTP on isosmotic striction. We suppose purinergic receptors eliminate the transient isosmotic striction by activating Cl– currents through activation of P2Y receptors. The mechanism of interaction between the purinergic signaling system and Cl– transport during changes in cell volume requires further study.