Animal welfare is not only an ethically important consideration in good animal husbandry, but can also have a significant effect on an animal’s productivity. The aim of this paper is to show that a reduction in animal welfare, in the form of increased stress, can be identified in pigs from frontal images of the animals. We train a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) using a leave-one-out design and show that it is able to discriminate between stressed and unstressed pigs with an accuracy of >90% in unseen animals. Grad-CAM is used to identify the animal regions used, and these support those used in manual assessments such as the Pig Grimace Scale. This innovative work paves the way for further work examining both positive and negative welfare states with a view to the development of an automated system that can be used in precision livestock farming to improve animal welfare.

Coral reefs are critical ecosystems globally for marine fauna, biodiversity and through the services they provide to humanity. However, they are significantly threatened by anthropogenic stressors, such as climate change. By combining 9 environmental variables and ecological and health-based thresholds obtained from the available literature, we develop, using fuzzy logic (discontinuous functions), a Coral Reef Stress Exposure Index (CRSEI) for remotely monitoring coral reef exposure to environmental stressors. Our approach capitalises on the abundance of readily available satellite Earth Observation (EO) data available in the Google Earth Engine (GEE) cloud-based geospatial processing platform. CRSEI values from 3157 distinct reefs were generated and mapped across 12 important coral reef ecosystem regions. Quantitative analyses indicated that the index detected significant temporal differences in stress and was, therefore, able to capture historic change at a global scale. We also applied the CRSEI to three case-study reef ecosystems, previously well-monitored for stress and disturbance using other methods. PCA analysis indicated that depth, current, sea surface temperature (SST) and SST anomaly accounted for the greatest contribution to the variance in stress in these three regions. The CRSEI corroborated temporal and spatial differences in stress exposure from known disturbances within these reference regions, in addition to identifying the potential drivers of inter- and intra-region differences in stress, namely depth, degree heating weeks and SST anomaly. We discuss how the index can be further improved in future with site-specific thresholds for each stress variable, and the incorporation of additional variables not currently available in GEE. This index provides an open access tool, built around a free and powerful processing platform, that has broad potential to assist in the regular monitoring of our increasingly imperilled coral reef ecosystems, and, in particular, those that are remote or inaccessible.

Inside Central Nervous System (CNS) appears neurons and glia cells. There are more glial cells than neurons and have more functions than neurons. Glia name represents different kind of cells, ones from neural origin (astrocytes, radial glia, and oligodendroglia), and others from blood monocytes (microglia). During ontogeny, neurons appear first (rat fetal 15th) and after astrocytes (rat fetal 21th) indicating a bigger importance function in the CNS. Also, during the phylogeny, reptiles have less astrocytes compared to neurons and in humans, astrocytes are double in number than neurons. This data, perhaps means that astrocytes are more special cells and work in memory and learning? Astrocytes have an important role in different mechanisms protecting CNS across the production of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory proteins, cleaning extracellular medium and helping neurons to communicate with each other correctly. Inflammatory mediators production are important to prevent changes in normal physiology. But, excessive or continue production leads to many diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), Sclerosis Lateral Amyotrophic (ELA), Multiple sclerosis (MS), and neurodevelopment diseases, like Bipolar disorder, Schizophrenia, and Autism's symptomatology. Different drugs and thecniques can reverse oxidative stress and/or inflammatory excess. This review is intended to serve as an approximation to the field.

Acute intense exercise causes significant oxidative stress and consequently an increase in total antioxidant capacity; however, the mechanisms and combined effects of intense exercise and smoking on oxidative stress among active and non-active smokers are not clear. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of acute intense exercise on antioxidant enzyme activity responses in active and non-active individuals exposed to cigarette smoke. The study included 40 subjects who were equally classified as: smokers that did exercise (SE), smokers that did not do exercise (SnE), non-smokers that did exercise (NSE), and non-smokers that did not do exercise (NSnE). The adjusted Astrand test was used to exhaust the subjects. Salivary enzymes of peroxidase (POX), catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were measured, by spectrophotometry methods, at 3 different time points: pre-test (TP1), post-test (TP2), and one hour after finishing the test (TP3). Significant (p<0.05) group x time interactions were found for the three enzymes. Salivary POX, CAT and SOD increased in all groups from TP1 to TP2 and decreased from TP2 to TP3. Only the NSE showed a significant difference between TP1 to TP3 in POX and SOD by +0.011 ± 0.007 and +0.075 ± 0.02 (U/ml), respectively. The NSE showed significantly higher levels of POX, CAT and SOD in TP2 compared to the other groups. Furthermore, NSE and NSnE had higher levels of POX, CAT and SOD in TP1 and TP3 (p<0.05) compared with SE and SnE. Only in the NSnE, were no differences observed in CAT compared with SE and SnE in TP3. These results showed that the antioxidant level at rest and in the recovery time after the acute intense exercise was lower in SE and SnE compared with NSE and NSnE, suggesting that smoking habit may reduce the ameliorating effect of regular physical activity on acute exercise-induced oxidative stress.

Background: A meaningful part of schizophrenia patients suffer from physiosomatic symptoms (formerly named psychosomatic) which are reminiscent of chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia (FF) and are associated with signs of immune activation and increased levels of tryptophan catabolites (TRYCATs). Aims: To examine whether FF symptoms in schizophrenia are associated with breakdown of the paracellular pathway, zonulin, lowered natural IgM responses to oxidative specific epitopes (OSEs); and whether FF symptoms belong to the behavioral-cognitive-physical-psychosocial-(BCPS)-worsening index consisting of indices of a general cognitive decline (G-CoDe), symptomatome of schizophrenia, and quality of life (QoL)-phenomenome. Methods: FF symptoms were assessed using the Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Rating scale in 80 schizophrenia patients and 40 healthy controls and serum cytokines/chemokines, IgA levels to TRYCATs, IgM to OSEs, zonulin and transcellular/paracellular (TRANS/PARA) molecules were assayed using ELISA methods. Results: A large part (42.3%) of the variance in the total FF score was explained by the regression on the PARA/TRANS ratio, pro-inflammatory cytokines, IgM to zonulin, IgA to TRYCATs (all positively) and IgM to OSEs (inversely). There were highly significant correlations between the total FF score and G-CoDe, symtopmatome, QoL phenomenome and BCPS-worsening score. FF symptoms belong to a common core shared by G-CoDe, symtopmatome, and QoL phenomenome. Discussion: The physio-somatic symptoms of schizophrenia are driven by various pathways including increased zonulin, breakdown of the paracellular tight-junctions pathway, immune activation with induction of the TRYCAT pathway, and consequent neurotoxicity. It is concluded that FF symptoms are part of the phenome of schizophrenia and BCPS-worsening as well.

The catenary shells of revolution are widely used in constructions due to their unique mechanics' feature. However, no publications on this type of shells can be found in the literature. To have a better understanding of the deformation and stress of the catenary shells of revolution, we formulate the principal radii for two kinds of catenary shells of revolution and their displacement type governing equations. Numerical simulations are carried out based on both Reissner-Meissner mixed formulations and displacement formulations. Our investigations show that both deformation and stress response of elastic catenary shells of revolution are sensitive to its geometric parameter $c$, and reveal that the mechanics of the catenary shells of revolution does much better than the spherical shells. Two complete codes in Maple are provided.

Early Life Adversity (ELA) is closely associated with the risk for developing diseases later in life, such as autoimmune diseases, type-2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. In humans, early parental separation, physical and sexual abuse or low social-economic status during childhood are known to have great impact on brain development, in the hormonal system and immune responses. Maternal deprivation (MD), the closest animal model available to the human situation, is known to similarly induce long lasting behavioural effects, to cause changes in the HPA axis and to have an impact in the immune system. Even though the immune responses to potential pathogens after early stress have been somehow documented, the mechanisms by which they occur are still not fully understood. Here, we have demonstrated that maternal separation, in both humans and rats, significantly affects the sensitivity of the immune system in adulthood. Particularly, NK cells’ profile and response to target cell lines are significantly changed after childhood adversity. These immune cells in rats are not only less cytotoxic towards YAC-1 cells, but also show a clear increase in the expression of maturation markers after 3h of maternal separation. Similarly, individuals who suffered from ELA display significant changes in the cytotoxic profile of NK cells together with decreased degranulation capacity. Altogether, these results lead us to conclude that one of the key mechanisms by which the immune system becomes impaired after ELA might be due to a shift on the senescent state of the cells, specifically NK cells. Elucidation of such a mechanism highlights the importance of ELA prevention and how NK targeted immunotherapy might help attenuating ELA consequences.

Background: There is a strong comorbidity between mood disorders and metabolic syndrome (MetS). Increased levels of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) and nitro-oxidative stress toxicity (NOSTOX) partially underpin this comorbidity.Aims: To examine the associations of RONS/NOSTOX biomarkers with MetS after adjusting for the significant effects of mood disorders (major depression, and bipolar type 1 and 2), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), tobacco use disorder (TUD), and male sex.Methods: The study included subjects with (n=65) and without (n=107) MetS and measured levels of superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1), lipid hydroperoxides (LOOH), nitric oxide metabolites (NOx), malondialdehyde (MDA), and advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP) and computed z unit-weighted composite scores which reflect RONS/NOSTOX. The study included 105 patients with mood disorders, 46 with GAD, and 95 with TUD.Results: MetS was associated with increased levels of MDA and AOPP, independently from mood disorders, TUD, sex and GAD. Atherogenicity and insulin resistance (IR) were significantly associated with a NOSTOX composite score. Mood disorders, TUD, GAD, male sex and MetS independently contribute to increased RONS/NOSTOX. The RONS/NOSTOX profile of MetS was different from that of GAD, which showed increased SOD1 and NOx levels. TUD was accompanied by increased SOD1, LOOH and MDA, and male sex by increased LOOH and AOPP.Conclusions: MetS is characterized by increased lipid peroxidation with aldehyde formation and chlorinative stress, and atherogenicity and IR are strongly mediated by RONS/NOSTOX. Partially shared RONS/NOSTOX pathways underpin the comorbidity of MetS with mood disorders, GAD, and TUD.

The COVID-19 pandemic has contributed to mental health problems worldwide. Nurses are particularly prone to stress because they directly care for individuals with suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19. The aim of this study is to explore the association between the mental health promotion strategies used by nurses during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak and their symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress, and to compare the strategies and symptoms of mental health nurses and non-mental health nurses. Cross-sectional study was conducted with a sample of 821 nurses. Portuguese nurses demonstrated high symptoms of depressive symptoms, stress, and anxiety. Healthy eating, physical activity, rest between shifts, maintaining social contacts, verbalizing feelings/emotions, and spending less time searching for information about COVID-19 are associated with better mental health. Mental health nurses have less depression, anxiety, and stress, and use more strategies to promote mental health than other nurses. We consider it important to promote nurses’ mental health literacy by encouraging them to develop skills and strategies aimed at improving their resilience and ability to deal with difficult situations while caring for the population.

Arbutus unedo L. is a small Ericaceae tree with a circum-Mediterranean distribution. It has a huge ecological impact on southern Europe forests and a great economic importance, as a source of phytochemicals with bioactive properties and for fruit production. On the foreseen climate change context, breeding towards drought tolerance is necessary in order to ameliorate plant performance. The aim of this work was therefore to study the reproduction mechanisms of strawberry tree, obtain new genetic combinations by hybridization and select genotypes more tolerant to drought stress. A morphological analysis of flowers and pollen was carried out, and controlled pollinations performed both in vitro and ex vitro. The very first approach on strawberry tree breeding by means of hybridization is also presented. Several physiological parameters were evaluated on 26 genotypes submitted to a water deficit regime. Plant behavior under drought greatly varied among genotypes, which showed a high phenotype plasticity. Three genotypes that were able to cope with water restriction without compromising net CO2 assimilation were identified as highly tolerant to drought stress. The results obtained elucidate the reproduction mechanisms of strawberry tree and open the way for a long-term breeding program based on the selection of drought tolerant plants.

Fatigue loading is critical to fibre reinforced polymer composites due to their anisotropic and heterogenous nature. This study investigated the tensile fatigue behaviour of polyester and vinyl ester based GFRP laminates to understand the critical aspects of failure mode and fatigue life under cyclic loading. GFRP laminates with two different resin systems (polyester and vinyl ester), two different stress ratios (0.1 and 0.5) and two different environmental conditions (air and water) were investigated at an applied stress of 80%, 60% and 40% of the ultimate capacity. Based on the investigated parameters (i.e., resin types, stress ratio, environmental conditioning and maximum applied stress), a fatigue model was proposed. Results show that the resin system plays a great role in fatigue failure mode while the stress ratio and environmental condition significantly affect the tensile fatigue life of GFRP laminates. The types of resin used in GFRP laminates and environmental conditions as input parameter in the proposed fatigue model is a unique contribution.

The transition from a dormant to a germinating seed represents a crucial developmental switch in the life cycle of a plant. Subsequent transition from a germinating seed to an autotrophic organism also requires a robust and multi-layered control. Seed germination and seedling growth are multistep processes, involving both internal and external signals, which lead to a fine-tuning control network.

The mangrove plant Acanthus ilicifolius and its relative, A. mollis, have been previously proved to possess diverse pharmacological effects. Therefore, evaluating the differentially expressed proteins of these species under tidal flooding stress is essential to fully exploit and benefit from their medicinal values. The roots of A. ilicifolius and A. mollis were exposed to 6 h of flooding stress per day for 10 days. The dry weight, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) content, anatomical characteristics, carbon and energy levels, and two-dimensional electrophoresis coupled with MALDI-TOF/TOF MS technology were used to reveal the divergent flooding resistant strategies. A. ilicifolius performed better under tidal flooding stress, which was reflected in the integrity of the morphological structure, more efficient use of carbon and energy, and a higher percentage of up-regulated proteins associated with carbon and energy metabolism. A. mollis could not survive in flooding conditions for a long time, as revealed by incomplete cell structures of the roots, less efficient use of carbon and energy, and a higher percentage of down-regulated proteins associated with carbon and energy metabolism. Energy provision and flux balance played a role in the flooding tolerance of A. ilicifolius and A. mollis.

Insects quickly develop resistance to conventional chemical insecticides. The use of silica nanoparticles (SiO₂NPs) is a promising new approach for managing insect pests. The insects that have been studied are, in most cases, external feeders and internal leaf feeders have not been well studied. Here, we investigate the efficiency of SiO₂NPs in controlling the American serpentine leafminer Liriomyza trifolii (Diptera: Agromyzidae), a devastating insect pest of a wide range of crops. SiO₂NPs at concentrations of 50, 100, 200 and 400 mg/L compared to a control of distilled water were applied to intact Phaseolus vulgaris leaves by spraying to evaluate their effects, via the plant, on the number, survival, developmental/feeding speed, body mass/size and sex ratio of L. trifolii released after spraying. A qRT-PCR analysis was conducted to assess oxidative stress in L. trifolii based on the gene expression level of the two major antioxidant enzymes; catalase and superoxide dismutase. The number of mines, survival rate and puparia weight were lower than the control at the highest concentration of SiO₂NPs, while pupariation was delayed at most of the concentrations studied and puparium weight/size decreased at low concentrations. Sex ratio was not affected by SiO₂NPs. Gene expression levels of the antioxidant enzymes at the pupal stage were not significantly affected by SiO₂NPs at any concentration but some individuals showed up-regulation at low SiO₂NP concentrations, inferring development of resistance. This study demonstrated that a priori application of the highest concentration of SiO₂NPs to plants effectively reduces a leafminer population but that application of even the lowest concentration can decrease the life history trait values of surviving leafminers.

The process of international migration causes a situation of vulnerability in people's health and greater difficulty in coping with disease. Furthermore, the adversities suffered during migration can trigger reactive signs of stress and cause anxious, depressive, confusional and somatic symptoms. This article studies the relationships between psychosocial risk, psychological distress and somatization in immigrants from 4 communities: Maghrebis, Sub-Saharans, South Americans and South Asian. A cross-sectional study was carried out with questionnaires on 602 immigrants who were surveyed in the Primary Care Centres of an urban area of Catalonia. The instruments used were the Demographic Psychosocial Inventory (DPSI), the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI) and the Somatic Symptom Inventory (SSI). The average psychosocial risk obtained was 0.35, with the highest values in the sub-Saharan community. Psychological distress showed a mean value of 0.66, with the sub-Saharan community scoring the lowest in all dimensions except depression. The average somatization values were 1.65, with the sub-Saharan community scoring the least. The female gender is a risk factor for somatization and psychological distress. Perceived psychosocial risk is a predictor of psychological distress, but not somatization, suggesting that the use of more adaptive coping strategies could minimize the effect of the migration process on somatizations.

The red seaweed Asparagopsis armata exhibits a strong invasive behaviour and is included in the list of the “Worst invasive alien species threatening biodiversity in Europe”. This seaweed has been shown to produce a large diversity of halogenated compounds with effective biological effects, deeply affecting rockpool species. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the biochemical responses to sublethal concentrations of Asparagopsis armata exudate on two coastal organisms, the marine snail Gibbula umbilicalis and the rockpool shrimp Palaemon elegans. Antioxidant defences superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST), oxidative damage endpoints lipid peroxidation (LPO) and DNA damage, the neuronal parameter acetylcholinesterase (AChE), as well as the fatty acid profile were evaluated. Results revealed different metabolic responses between species, indicating that A. armata exudate affected the organisms through different pathways. Despite previous studies indicating that the exudate effected G. umbilicalis’ survival and behaviour, this does not seem to result from oxidative stress or addressed neurotoxicity. On the other hand, for P. elegans, an inhibition of AChE and the decrease of antioxidant capacity concomitant with the increase of LPO, suggests neurotoxicity and oxidative stress as mechanisms of exudate toxicity for this species. For fatty acids, there were different profile changes between species, also more pronounced for P. elegans with a general increase in PUFA with exudate exposure, which commonly means a defence mechanism protecting from membrane disruption. Nonetheless, the omega-3 PUFAs ARA and DPA were increased in both invertebrates, indicating a common mechanism regulation of inflammation and immunity responses to this stress. This work provides further insight on the mechanisms of invertebrate response and tolerance to an expanding coastal environmental stress as is the marine invader A. armata.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is one of the most dangerous metabolic diseases with high rate of mortality worldwide. It is well known that insulin resistance and deficiency in insulin production from pancreatic β-cells are the main characteristic of DM. Due to the detrimental side effects of the current treatment, there is a considerable need to develop new effective antidiabetic drugs, especially alpha-glucosidase and alpha-amylase inhibitors with lesser adverse effects. These inhibitors are known to be directly involved in the delay of carbohydrate digestion, resulting in a reduction of glucose absorption rate and consequently reduce the post-prandial raise of plasma glucose, which can reduce the risk of long-term diabetes complications. Hence, natural products are well-known sources for the discovery of new scaffold for drugs discovery, including new antidiabetic drugs. The phytochemical investigation of Salvia aurita collected from Hogobach pass, Eastern Cape, South Africa (SA), yielded four known abietane diterpenes namely carnosol (1), rosmanol (2), 7-methoxyrosmanol (3), 12-methoxycarnosic acid (4) and one flavonoid named 4,7-dimethylapigenin (5). Structural characterization of these isolated compounds was conducted using 1 and 2D NMR, in comparison with reported spectroscopic data. These compounds are reported for the first time from S. aurita. The biological evaluation of the isolated compound against alpha-glucosidase exhibited strong inhibitory activities for 3 and 2 with IC50 values of 4.2 ± 0.7 and 16.4 ± 1.1 µg/mL respectively, while 4 and 1 demonstrated strong alpha-amylase inhibitory activity amongst the isolated compounds with IC50 of 16.2 ± 0.3 and 19.8 ± 1.4 µg/mL. Molecular docking analysis confirms strong inhibitory activity of 3 against alpha-glucosidase. Additionally, excellent antioxidant capacities were displayed by 2, 1 and 3 respectively as ORAC (25789.9 ± 10.5; 23961.8 ± 14.1; 23939.3 ± 2.4) µM TE/g; 1 and 2 as FRAP (3917.8 ± 2.1; 1522.3 ± 0.9) µM AAE/g; 5 and 2 as TEAC (3190.4 ± 2.8; 2055.0 ± 2.6) µM TE/g. The methanolic extract of S. aurita is a rich source of abietane diterpenes with excellent antioxidant and anti-diabetic activities that can be useful to modulate oxidative stress, and might possibly be excellent candidates for the management of diabetes. This is the first scientific report on the phytochemical isolation and biological evaluation of alpha-glucosidase and alpha-amylase inhibitory activities of Salvia aurita.

Major depression is accompanied by increased IgM-mediated autoimmune responses to oxidative specific epitopes (OSEs). Nevertheless, these responses have not been examined in bipolar disorder type 1 (BP1) and BP2. IgM responses to malondialdehyde (MDA), phosphatidinylinositol, oleic acid, and azelaic acid were determined in 35 healthy controls, and 101 mood disorder patients, namely 47 major depressed (MDD), 29 BP1, and 25 BP2 patients. We also measured serum total peroxides, IgG to oxidized LDL (oxLDL), IgM to nitroso-adducts, and IgM/IgA directed to lipopolysaccharides (LPS). IgM responses to OSEs were significantly higher in MDD and BP1 as compared with controls and higher in MDD than in BP2. Partial Least Squares (PLS) analysis showed that 57.7% of the variance in the clinical phenome of mood disorders was explained by number of episodes, IgM directed to OSEs and nitroso-adducts, IgG to oxLDL, and peroxides. There were significant specific indirect effects of IgA/IgM to LPS on the clinical phenome, which were mediated by peroxides, IgM OSEs, and IgG oxLDL. Using PLS we have constructed a data-driven nomothetic network which ensembled causome (increased plasma LPS load), adverse outcome pathways (namely neuro-affective toxicity), and clinical phenome features of mood disorders in a data-driven model. Based on those feature sets, cluster analysis discovered a new diagnostic class characterized by increased plasma LPS load, peroxides, autoimmune responses to OSEs and nitroso-adducts, and increased phenome scores. Using the new nomothetic network approach, we constructed a mechanistically transdiagnostic diagnostic class indicating neuro-affective toxicity in 74.3% of the mood disorder patients.

Sun-Induced chlorophyll Fluorescence (SIF) relates directly to photosynthesis yield and stress but there are still uncertainties in its interpretation. Most of these uncertainties concern the influences of the emitting vegetation’s structure (e.g., leaf angles, leaf clumping) and biochemistry (e.g., chlorophyll content, other pigments) on the radiative transfer of fluorescent photons. The Caatinga is a large region at northeast Brazil of semiarid climate and heterogeneous vegetation, where such biochemical and structural characteristics can vary greatly even within a single hectare. With this study we aimed to characterize eleven years of SIF seasonal variation from Caatinga vegetation (2007 to 2017) and to study its responses to a major drought in 2012. Orbital SIF data from the instrument GOME-2 was used along with MODIS MAIAC EVI and NDVI. Environmental data included precipitation rate (TRMM), surface temperature (MODIS) and soil moisture (ESA CCI). To support the interpretation of SIF responses we have used red and far-red SIF adjusted by the Sun’s zenith angle (SIF-SZA) and by daily Photosynthetically Active Radiation (dSIF). Furthermore, we have also adjusted SIF through two contrasting formulations using NDVI data as proxy for structure and biochemistry, based on previous leaf-level and landscape level studies: SIF-Yield and SIF-Prod. Data was tested with time-series decomposition, rank correlation, spatial correlation and Linear Mixed Models (LMM). Results show that GOME-2 SIF and adjusted SIF formulations responded consistently to the observed environmental variation and showed a marked decrease in SIF emissions in response to a 2012 drought, that was generally larger than the corresponding NDVI and EVI decreases. Drought sensitivity of SIF, as inferred from LMM slopes, was correlated to land cover at different regions of the Caatinga. This is the first study to show correlation between landscape-level SIF and an emergent property of ecosystems (i.e., resilience), showcasing the value of remotely sensed fluorescence for ecological studies.

In this study, the hot deformation of Cu-0.55Sn-0.08La (wt%) alloy was studied by gleeble-3180 testing machine at deformation temperatures of 400-700oC and various strain rates. The stress-strain curve showed that the hot deformation behavior of Cu-0.55Sn-0.08La (wt%) alloy was greatly affected by work hardening, dynamic recovery, and dynamic recrystallization. The activation energy Q was calculated as 287.141 kJ/mol , and hot compression constitutive equation was determined as ε ̇=[sinh(0.006388σ)]^12.123∙exp⁡(37.7505-287.141/RT). The microstructural evolution of the alloy during deformation at 400oC revealed the presence of both slip and shear bands in the grains. At 700oC, dynamic recrystallization grains were observed but recrystallization was incomplete. In sum, these results provided the theoretical basis for continuous extrusion process of alloys with promising future use.

Exposure to metals is known to generate oxidative stress in living organisms, which are able to respond with the induction of antioxidant defenses, both enzymatic and non-enzymatic. The aim of this work is to study the correlation among several non-enzymatic component of the antioxidant system, that are physiologically related to both metal sequestration and defense against metal-induced oxidative stress, using the blue mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) as model organism. Specimens of this marine bivalve were experimentally exposed to cadmium (Cd), used as oxidative stress risk inducer. Cd, metallothionein (MT), glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA) contents, and glutathione reductase (GR) activity in gills and in digestive glands were assessed at 0, 12, 24, 48, 72 and 96 h. The obtained results provide new data about the relationships among the non-enzymatic antioxidant cellular components considered in this study. These constitute the prompt physiological responses to the risk of oxidative stress in blue mussels exposed to Cd in controlled laboratory conditions.

High levels of air pollution can contribute to high rate of the COVID-19 outbreaks. Air pollutants induce oxidative stress, inflammatory process, immune imbalance and coagulation at systemic level, making the organism susceptible to complications caused by various pathogens, including viruses, resulting in a possible important damage co-factor. Sperm cells are highly sensitive to the pro-oxidant effects of environmental pollutants, and may represent an important alarm bell indicating that the burden of environmental pressure in a certain area is causing damage to humans. A comparison of the maps of COVID-19 case fatality rates, male infertility rates and air pollution may suggest a way to understand the dynamics of the virus impact. Semen quality may be considered as an early and sensitive environmental marker, and also a potential susceptibility indicator to viral insults (including SARS-CoV-2 ) in heavily polluted areas. Therefore, assessing the burden of environmental exposure of a given population and its potential susceptibility to insults through early biological stress indicators may be helpful for predicting the risk of the adverse effects by the SARS-CoV-2 epidemic .

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that develops as a consequence of different factors such as oxidative stress and accumulation of the protein amyloid β (Aβ) in the brain, resulting in apoptosis of neuronal cells. The search for a treatment for this disorder is essential as current medications are limited to alleviating symptoms and palliative effects. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of mint extracts on selected mechanisms implicated in the development of AD. To enable a thorough investigation of mechanisms, including effects on -secretase (the enzyme the leads to the formation of A), on Aβ aggregation, and on oxidative stress and apoptosis pathways, a neuronal cell model, SH-SY5Y cells was selected. Six Mentha taxa were investigated for their in vitro β-secretase (BACE) and Aβ-aggregation inhibition activities. Also, their neuroprotective effects on H2O2-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis in SH-SY5Y cells were evaluated through caspase activity. Real-time PCR and Western blot analysis were carried out for the two most promising extracts to determine their effects on signalling pathways in SH-SY5Y cells. All mint extracts had strong BACE inhibition activity. M. requienii extracts showed excellent inhibition of Aβ-aggregation, while other extracts showed moderate inhibition. M. diemenica and M. requienii extracts lowered caspase activity. Exposure of SH-SY5Y cells to M. diemenica extracts resulted in a decrease in the expression of pro-apoptotic protein, Bax, and an elevation in the anti-apoptotic protein, Bcl-xL, potentially mediated by down-regulation of ASK1-JNK pathway. These results indicate that mint extracts could prevent the formation of Aβ and also could prevent their aggregation if they had already formed. M. diemenica and M. requienii extracts have potential to suppress apoptosis at the cellular level. Hence, mint extracts could provide a source of efficacious compounds for a therapeutic approach for AD.

With increasing interest in the use of additive manufacturing techniques in the construction industry, static rheological properties of fresh concrete have necessarily come into focus. In particular, the knowledge and control of static yield stress (SYS) and its development over time are crucial for mastering formwork-free construction, e.g. by means of layered extrusion. Furthermore, solid understanding of the influences of various concrete constituents on the initial SYS of the mixture and the structural build-up rate is required for purposeful material design. This contribution is concentrated on the effect of aggregates on these rheological parameters. The volume fraction of aggregates was varied in the range of 35 to 55 % by volume under condition of constant total surface area of the particles. The total surface area per unit volume of cement paste was equal to 5.00, 7.25 and 10.00 m²/l, conditioned on the constant volume fraction of aggregates. Both variations were enabled by changing the particle size distributions of the aggregates while holding the cement paste composition constant for all concrete mixtures. To characterise the SYS and the structural build-up, constant shear rate tests with a vane-geometry rotational rheometer were performed. It was found that in the ranges under investigation the variation in volume fraction had a more pronounced effect on the static rheological properties of concrete than did the variation in surface area. An accurate mathematical description of the relationship between the initial SYS of concrete and the relative volume fraction of aggregate based on the Chateau-Ovarlez-Trung model was proposed. Challenges in deriving a similar relationship for the structural build-up rate of concrete were highlighted.

Oxidative stress is known to be critically implicated in the pathophysiology of several neurological disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease and ischemic stroke. The remarkable neurotrophic activity of Gelidium amansii, has been reported consistently in a series of our previous studies, inspired us to investigate whether this popular agarophyte could protect against hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R)-induced oxidative injury in hippocampal neurons. The primary culture of hippocampal neurons challenged with H/R suffered from a significant loss of cell survival, accompanied by apoptosis and necrosis, DNA damage, generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and dissipation of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) which were successfully attenuated when the neuronal cultures were preconditioned with GAE, an optimized ethanolic extract of G. amansii. Moreover, the expression of N-methyl-D-acetate receptor subunit 2B (GluN2B), an extrasynaptic glutamate receptor, was significantly repressed in GAE-treated neurons as compared to those without GAE intervention. Together, this study demonstrates that GAE attenuated H/R-induced oxidative injury in hippocampal neurons through, at least in part, a potential neuroprotective mechanism that involves inhibition of GluN2B-mediated excitotoxicity and suppression of ROS production, and suggest that this edible seaweed could be a potential source of bioactive metabolites having therapeutic significance against oxidative stress-related neurodegeneration, including ischemic stroke and neurodegenerative diseases.

A galvalume corrugated sheet was utilized as formwork for a reinforced concrete beam in flexure. A numerical model was validated to the experimentally obtained data, and further adopted to simulate the behavior of this composite structure under elevated temperatures. The properties and constitutive stress-strain data of the basic materials were obtained from experiments, and superimposed into the finite element model. The study concluded that the load carrying capacity of the member decreased as a direct function on temperature increase, and the cracking moment was very sensitive to the temperature fluctuation. The elevated temperatures also altered the failure mode.

Sorghum in Australia is grown in water-limited environments of varying extent, generating substantial genotype × environment interaction (GEI). Much of the yield variation and GEI results from variations in flowering time and tillering through their effects on canopy development. The confounding effects of flowering and tillering complicate the interpretation of breeding trials. In this study, we evaluated the impacts of both flowering time (DTF) and tillering capacity (FTN) on yield of 1741 unique test hybrids derived from three common female testers in 21 yield testing trials (48 tester/trial combinations) across the major sorghum production regions in Australia in three seasons. Contributions of DTF and FTN to genetic variation in grain yield were significant in 14 and 12 tester/trial combinations, respectively. The proportion of genetic variance in grain yield explained by DTF and FTN ranged from 0.2% to 61.0% and from 1.4% to 56.9%, respectively, depending on trials and genetic background of female testers. The relationship of DTF or FTN with grain yield of hybrids was frequently positive, but varied across the genetic background of testers. Accounting for the effects of DTF and FTN using linear models did not substantially increase the between trial genetic correlations for grain yield. The results suggested that other factors affecting canopy development dynamics and grain yield might contribute GEI and/or the linear approach to account for DTF and FTN on grain yield did not capture the complex non-linear interactions.

The rodent collecting duct (CD) expresses a 24p3/NGAL/lipocalin-2 (Lcn2) receptor (Slc22a17) apically to possibly mediate high-affinity reabsorption of filtered proteins by endocytosis, yet its functions remain uncertain. Recently, we showed that hyperosmolarity/-tonicity upregulates Slc22a17 in cultured mouse inner medullary CD cells, whereas activation of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) via bacterial lipopolysaccharides (LPS) downregulates Slc22a17. This is similar to the upregulation of Aqp2 by hyperosmolarity/-tonicity and arginine vasopressin (AVP) and downregulation by TLR4 signaling that occur via the transcription factors Nfat5 (TonEBP or OREBP), cAMP-responsive element binding protein (CREB), and nuclear factor-kappa B, respectively. The aim of the study was to determine the effects of osmolarity/tonicity via Nfat5, AVP via CREB and TLR4 signaling on the expression of Slc22a17 and its ligand Lcn2 in the mouse (m) cortical collecting duct cell line mCCD(cl.1). Normosmolarity/-tonicity was 300 mosmol/l whereas addition of 50-100 mmol/l NaCl for up to 72 h induced hyperosmolarity/-tonicity (400-500 mosmol/l). RT-PCR, qPCR, immunoblotting and immunofluorescence microscopy detected Slc22a17 and Lcn2 expression. RNAi silenced Nfat5, and the pharmacological agent 666-15 blocked CREB. Activation of TLR4 occurred with LPS. Similar to Aqp2, hyperosmotic/-tonic media and AVP upregulated Slc22a17 via activation of Nfat5 and CREB, respectively, and LPS/TLR4 signaling downregulated Slc22a17. Conversely, though Nfat5 mediated hyperosmolarity/-tonicity induced downregulation of Lcn2 expression, AVP reduced Lcn2 expression and predominantly apical Lcn2 secretion evoked by LPS, but through a posttranslational mode of action that was independent of cAMP signaling. In conclusion, the hyperosmotic/-tonic upregulation of Slc22a17 in mCCD(cl.1) cells via Nfat5 and by AVP via CREB suggests a contribution of Slc22a17 to adaptive osmotolerance, whereas Lcn2 downregulation could counteract increased proliferation and permanent damage of osmotically stressed cells.

Lead (Pb) is a toxic environmental heavy metal that induces serious clinical defect on all organs with the nervous system being the primary target. Curcumin is the main active constituent of turmeric rhizome (Curcuma longa) with strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This study is aimed at evaluating the therapeutic potentials of curcumin on Pb-induced neurotoxicity. Thirty six male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly assigned into five (5) groups with 12 rats in the control (normal saline) and 6 rats for the lead treated group (LTG) (50 mg/kg lead acetate for 4 weeks), recovery group (RC) (50 mg/kg lead acetate for 4 weeks), treatment group 1 (Cur100) (50 mg/kg lead acetate for 4 weeks, followed by 100 mg/kg curcumin for 4 weeks) and treatment group 2 (Cur200) (50 mg/kg lead acetate for 4 weeks, followed by 200 mg/kg curcumin for 4 weeks) groups each. All experimental groups received the oral treatments through orogastric-tube on alternate days. Motor function was assessed using horizontal bar method while Pb concentration in the cerebellum of the rats were evaluated using ICP-MS techniques. Pb-administered rats showed significant decrease in motor scores, SOD activity with increase MDA levels and Pb concentration in their cerebellum with marked alterations in the histological architecture of the cerebellar cortex layers. However, treatment with curcumin improved the motor score, reduced Pb concentration in the cerebellum and ameliorates the markers of oxidative stress as well as restored the histological architecture of the cerebellum. The results this in study suggested that curcumin attenuates Pb-induced neurotoxicity via inhibition of oxidative stress and chelating activity.

Lead (Pb) is a toxic environmental heavy metal that induces serious clinical defect on all organs with the nervous system being the primary target. Curcumin is the main active constituent of turmeric rhizome (Curcuma longa) with strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This study is aimed at evaluating the therapeutic potentials of curcumin on Pb-induced neurotoxicity. Thirty six male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly assigned into five (5) groups with 12 rats in the control (normal saline) and 6 rats for the lead treated group (LTG) (50 mg/kg lead acetate for 4 weeks), recovery group (RC) (50 mg/kg lead acetate for 4 weeks), treatment group 1 (Cur100) (50 mg/kg lead acetate for 4 weeks, followed by 100 mg/kg curcumin for 4 weeks) and treatment group 2 (Cur200) (50 mg/kg lead acetate for 4 weeks, followed by 200 mg/kg curcumin for 4 weeks) groups each. All experimental groups received the oral treatments through orogastric-tube on alternate days. Motor function was assessed using horizontal bar method while Pb concentration in the cerebellum of the rats were evaluated using ICP-MS techniques. Pb-administered rats showed significant decrease in motor scores, SOD activity with increase MDA levels and Pb concentration in their cerebellum with marked alterations in the histological architecture of the cerebellar cortex layers. However, treatment with curcumin improved the motor score, reduced Pb concentration in the cerebellum and ameliorates the markers of oxidative stress as well as restored the histological architecture of the cerebellum. The results this in study suggested that curcumin attenuates Pb-induced neurotoxicity via inhibition of oxidative stress and chelating activity.

Abstract: Background: Exposure to ETS (Environmental Tobacco Smoke) is one of the most toxic environmental exposures. Objective: To investigate the impact of ETS on physiological, biochemical, psychological indicators, on the urine antioxidant capacity (AC) and oxidative damage to lipids in a pilot sample of healthy pregnant women. Methods: The exposure to ETS was investigated by a validated questionnaire, urine cotinine and the marker of oxidative damage to lipids - 8-isoprostane concentrations using an ELISA kit. Urine AC was determined by the spectrophotometric TEAC method. From the sample of pregnant women (n=319, average age 30.84 ± 5.09 years) in 80 the levels of cotinine and oxidative stress markers were analyzed. Results: From our sample, 5 % individuals (7.4 % objectified by cotinine) were current smokers and 25 % reported passive smoking in the household (18.8 % objectified by cotinine). The Kappa was 0.78 for smokers and 0.22 for ETS exposed non-smokers. Smokers as well as non-smokers had significantly higher (p<0.05) urine AC than ETS exposed non-smokers. Non-smokers had significantly lower levels of 8-isoprostane than smokers (p<0.01) and ETS-exposed non-smokers (p<0.05). Correlations between urine levels of cotinine and AC were positive in ETS exposed non-smokers. Conclusion: The harmful effect of active and passive smoking on oxidative stress parameters has been indicated.

The aim of this study was to find a correlation between in vivo NIR scan patterns, oxidative status, and blood serum metabolites in rabbits fed diets protected or unprotected against oxidation. Rabbits does in groups of eight were fed for 9 weeks with diets containing linseed, rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids (LS), or linseed plus hazelnut skins, with antioxidant function (LS+HS), and palm oil, rich in saturated fatty acids (PO). The animals were examined at days 1, 31, and 63 using a smart SCÏO molecular sensor, a new miniaturized web-based wireless device, applied to the internal ear flap (NIR range 740-1070 nm). The hazelnut peels integrated diet protected the rabbits from the oxidative stress induced by the addition of unprotected polyunsaturated fats. NIR tomoscopy was variously correlated with serum parameters, lysozyme (R2=0.71), ROMs (0.47), cholesterol (0.49), triglycerides (0.40), and a multivariate Index of Oxidative Risk (0.67 [IOR]). The correlations suggested a close connection between the clustering of the diets according to the laboratory variables and the NIRS scan pattern clustering at the ending trial day, as shown by the highly significant odds ratios. Advantageous use of this simple, painless technique was evident in the planning phase, with no difference among the groups at the beginning of the study, but an effect size that evolved differently over time until the end of the study. In a practical validation of the SCÏO model in 92 commercial rabbit does, the average spread of the predicted IOR was 33% in lactating does (2.54±0.05) vs. dry does (1.91±0.07).

Plastic flow in body-centered cubic (bcc) alloys is governed by the thermally-activated screw dislocation motion. In bcc interstitial solid solutions, solute diffusion can occur at very fast rates owing to low migration energies and solute concentrations. Under mechanical loading, solutes may move on the same or similar time scale as dislocations glide, even at low temperatures, potentially resulting in very rich co-evolution processes that may have important effects in the overall material response. It is therefore important to accurately quantify the coupling between interstitial impurities and dislocations, so that larger-scale models can correctly account for their (co)evolution. In this paper, we use electronic structure calculations to obtain the energetics of oxygen diffusion under stress and its interaction energy with screw dislocation cores in bcc tungsten. We find that oxygen atoms preferentially migrate from tetrahedral to tetrahedral sites with an energy of 0.2 eV. This energy couples only weakly to hydrostatic and deviatoric deformations, with activation volumes of less than $0.02$ and $0.2b^3$, respectively. The strongest effect is found for the inelastic interaction between O atoms and screw dislocation cores, which leads to attractive energies on the order of 1.5 eV and a structural transformation of the screw dislocation core from an `easy' to a `hard' core configuration

(1) This study aimed to examine the prevalence of depression and its correlation with acculturative Stress and Social Connectedness among domestic and overseas students in Japan International University. (2) Methods: A Web-based survey was distributed among students of International University, which resulted in 263 responses. On the survey together with socio-demographic data, a nine-item tool from the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), was used to measure the prevalence of Depression and its relationship with socio-demographic data, Social Connectedness Scale was used to measure Social Connectedness, and Acculturative Stress Scale for International Students (ASSIS) was used to measured acculturative stress. (3) Results: Depression was significantly high in international and domestic students (37.81% and 29.85% respectively). English language proficiency and students age (20 years old) showed a significant correlation with depression among domestic students (β=-1.63, p=0.038 and β=2.24, p=0.048). Stay length (third year) also displayed a significant correlation with depression among international students (β=1.08, p=0.032). Among international and domestic students statistically significant positive correlation between depression and acculturative stress, negative associations of social connectedness with depression and acculturative stress were also found. Suicidal or self-hurting ideation thoughts are found among around 20% of all students. (4) Conclusions: These findings indicate a relatively high prevalence of depression among students of International University, and overseas students are more affected. Depression, Acculturation stress and Social Connectedness show statistically strong intercorrelation, which highlights the need of host University to recognise the role of Acculturation and Social Connectedness in the development of Depression among students.

Sleep disorders (SD) have a complex aetiology, and socioeconomic status (SES) as determined by social class, household income, ethnicity and education plays an important role in their development. As SD are associated with cognitive impairment and mood disorders, they in turn impact SES. Socioeconomic status also influences allostatic load caused by chronic accumulation of stress throughout life. Environmental and psychological stressors have a direct effect on SD, and they are modulated by SES, in combination with comorbidities like obesity and cardiovascular disease. This review explores the recent theories about the influence of SES on the development of SD in the general population, whether or not occurring with comorbidities, and also focusses on the interplay between socioeconomic status, circadian rhythms, aging and clinical outcomes like metabolic diseases and cancer.

Increased gut permeability (leaky gut) with increased translocation of Gram-negative bacteria plays a role in the gut-brain axis through effects on systemic immune-inflammatory processes. Deficit schizophrenia is characterized by an immune-inflammatory response combined with a deficit in natural IgM antibodies to oxidative specific epitopes (OSEs), which are a first line defense against bacterial infections. This study measured plasma IgA/IgM responses to 5 Gram-negative bacteria in association with IgM responses to malondialdehyde (MDA) and azelaic acid in 80 schizophrenia patients (40 with the deficit syndrome and 40 without) and in 38 healthy controls.Deficit schizophrenia was characterized by significantly increased IgA responses to Hafnei alvei, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Morganella morganii and Klebsiella pneumoniae as compared with non-deficit schizophrenia. The presence of deficit schizophrenia was highly predicted by increased IgA responses to Pseudomonas putida and IgM responses to all 5 Gram-negative bacteria and lowered natural IgM to MDA and azelaic acid with a bootstrap area under the ROC curve of 0.960 (2000 random curves). A large proportion of the variance (41.5%) in the PANSS negative score was explained by the regression on IgA responses to K. pneumoniae and IgM responses to the 5 enterobacteria coupled with lowered IgM antibodies to azelaic acid. There were significant associations between IgA levels to Gram-negative bacteria and Mini Mental State Examination, Boston naming test, Verbal Fluency and Word List Memory test scores.These findings provide further evidence that deficit schizophrenia is a distinct phenotype of schizophrenia, which is characterized by an increased impact of Gram-negative commensal bacteria coupled with a deficit in natural IgM, pointing to aberrations in B1 cells. It is concluded that increased bacterial translocation and deficits in the compensatory immune-regulatory system (CIRS) may drive negative symptoms and neurocognitive impairments, which are hallmarks of deficit schizophrenia.

There is a confusion in the original design concept for the tensioning of longitudinally connected reinforcement of CRTSII slab ballastless track. In order to clarify the effect of tension value of longitudinal reinforcement on mechanical characteristics of ballastless track, a three dimensional finite element model considering the nonlinear interaction between the track slab and CA mortar of CRTSII slab ballastless track was established. The mechanical characteristics of the track structure under longitudinal tension load and temperature gradient load of the longitudinal joint were calculated. A method of applying pre-stress to post-pouring concrete was proposed according to the concept of pre-stress loss of pretensioning pre-stressed concrete, reasonable tensile force value was proposed after the crack width and the reinforcement stress of the ballastless track in the operation stage were checked and calculated according to the concrete design principle. When the tension force is greater than 300 kN, it’s harmful to the bonding between the slab and mortar layer, which is prone to interlayer damage. In order to adding pre-stress to concrete of wide joints to ensure the longitudinal stability of ballastless track and the reinforcement stress and crack width to meet the design requirements. It is suggested that the tension force value should be 230 kN, and the temperature difference between reinforcement and concrete should be 30 °C before the initial curdle of wide joint concrete.

Leucine-rich repeat receptor-like kinases (LRR-RLKs) have been reported to play important roles in plant growth, development and stress responses. However, no comprehensive analysis of this family has been performed in Gossypium, which are important economic crop and suffer various stresses in growth and development. Here we conducted a comprehensive analysis of LRR-RLK family in four Gossypium species (G. arboreum, G. barbadense, G. hirsutum and G. raimondii). A total of 1641 LRR-RLK genes were identified in the four Gossypium species involved in our study. Maximum-likelihood phylogenetic tree revealed that all the LRR-RLK genes were divided into 21 subgroups. Exon-intron organization structure of LRR-RLK genes kept relative conserved in subfamilies and between Arabidopsis and Gossypium. Subfamilies XI and XII were found dramatically expanded in Gossypium. Tandem duplication acted as an important mechanism in expansion of Gossypium LRR-RLK gene family. Function analysis suggested that plant hormone signaling and plant-pathogen interaction pathway were enriched in Gossypium LRR-RLK genes. Promoters analysis and expression profiles analysis revealed that Gossypium LRR-RLK genes were extensively regulated by TFs, phytohormone and various environmental stimuli, and play key roles in stress defense and diverse development processes. Our study provided valuable information for further function study of Gossypium LRR-RLK genes.

Nucleoli are emerging as key sensors of cellular stress and regulators of the downstream consequences on proliferation, metabolism, senescence and apoptosis. NF-kB signalling is activated in response to a similar plethora of stresses, which leads to modulation of cell growth and death programs. Although these pathways are distinct, it is increasingly apparent that they converge at multiple levels. Exposure of cells to certain insults causes a specific type of nucleolar stress that is characterised by degradation of the PolI complex component, TIF-IA, and increased nucleolar size. Recent studies have shown that this atypical nucleolar stress lies upstream of cytosolic IkB degradation and NF-kB nuclear translocation. Under these stress conditions, the RelA component of NF-kB accumulates within functionally altered nucleoli to trigger a nucleophosmin dependent, apoptotic pathway. In this review, we will discuss these points of crosstalk and their relevance to the anti-tumour mechanism of aspirin and small molecule CDK4 inhibitors. We will also briefly discuss how NF-kB-nucleoli crosstalk may be more broadly relevant to the regulation of cellular homeostasis and how it may be exploited for therapeutic purpose.

Murine herpesvirus-68 (MHV-68) productively infects the mouse lungs, exhibiting a complex pathology characteristic of both acute viral infections and chronic respiratory diseases. We sought to discover proteins differentially expressed in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) from mice infected with MHV-68. Mice were infected intranasally with MHV-68. After 9 days, as the lytic phase of infection resolved, differential BAL proteins were identified by 2D electrophoresis and mass spectrometry. Of 23 unique proteins, acute phase proteins, vitamin A transport, and oxidative stress response factors Pdx6 and EC-SOD (Sod3) were enriched. Correspondingly, iNOS2 was induced in lung tissue by 7 days post infection. Oxidative stress was partly a direct result of MHV-68 infection, as reactive oxygen species (ROS) were induced in cultured murine NIH3T3 fibroblasts and human lung A549 cells infected with MHV-68. Finally, mice were infected with a recombinant MHV-68 co-expressing inflammatory cytokine murine interleukin 6 (IL6) showed exacerbated oxidative stress and soluble type I collagen characteristic of tissue recovery. Thus, oxidative stress appears to be a salient feature of MHV-68 pathogenesis, in part caused by lytic replication of virus and IL6. Proteins and small molecules in lung oxidative stress networks therefore may provide new therapeutic targets to ameliorate respiratory virus infections.

Rice production, owing to its high-water requirement for cultivation, is very vulnerable to the threat of changing climate, particularly prolonged drought and high temperature. Such threats heighten the need for abiotic stress-resilient rice varieties with better yield potential. This review examines the physiological and molecular mechanisms of rice varieties to cope with stress conditions of drought (DS), high temperature (HTS) and their combination (DS-HTS). It appraises research studies in rice about its various phenotypic traits, genetic loci and response mechanisms to stress conditions to help craft new breeding strategies for rice varieties with improved resilience to abiotic stresses. This review consolidates available information on promising rice cultivars with desirable traits as well as advocates synergistic and complementary approaches in molecular and systems biology to develop new rice breeds that favorably respond to climate-induced abiotic stresses. The development of new breeding and cultivation strategies for climate-resilient rice varieties is a challenging task. It requires a comprehensive understanding of the various morphological, biochemical, physiological, and molecular components governing yield under drought and high temperature, but possible by implementing cohesive approaches involving molecular and systems biology approaches in genomics and molecular breeding, including genetic engineering.

Salinity can negatively impact crop growth and yield. Changes in DNA methylation are known to occur when plants are challenged by stress and have been associated with the regulation of stress-response genes. However, the role of DNA-methylation in moderating gene expression in response to salt stress has been relatively poorly studied among crops such as barley. Here, we assessed the extent of salt-induced alterations of DNA methylation in barley and their putative role in perturbed gene expression. Using Next Generation Sequencing, we screened the leaf and root methylomes of five divergent barley varieties grown under control and three salt concentrations, to seek genotype independent salt-induced changes in DNA methylation. Salt stress caused increased methylation in leaves but diminished methylation in roots with a higher number of changes in leaves than in roots, indicating that salt induced changes to global methylation are organ specific. Differentially Methylated Markers (DMMs) were mostly located in close proximity to repeat elements, but also in 1094 genes, of which many possessed gene ontology (GO) terms associated with plant responses to stress. Identified markers have potential value as sentinels of salt stress and provide a starting point to allow understanding of the functional role of DNA methylation in facilitating barley’s response to this stressor.

Metabolic disorders have become among the most serious threats to human health, leading to severe chronic diseases such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Interestingly, despite the fact that each of these maladies has different physiological and clinical symptoms, they appear to share certain pathological traits such as intracellular stress and inflammation induced by metabolic derangements stemmed from over nutrition frequently aggravated by modern sedentary life style. These modern ways of living inundate cells and organs with saturating levels of sugar and fat, leading to glycotoxicity and lipotoxicity that induce intracellular stress signaling ranging from oxidative to ER stress response to cope with the metabolic insults [1]. In this review, we discuss the roles played by cellular stress and its responses in shaping metabolic disorders. We have summarized here current mechanistic insights explaining the pathogenesis of these disorders. These are followed by a discussion of the latest therapies targeting the stress response pathways.

Background: This study aimed to identify the association between occupational stress and depression-well-being by proposing a comprehensive and flexible job burden-capital model with its corresponding hypotheses. Methods: For this research, 1618 valid samples were gathered from the electronic manufacturing service industry in Hunan Province, China; self-rated questionnaires were administered to participants for data collection after obtaining their written consent. The proposed model was fitted and tested through structural equation model analysis. Results: Single-factor correlation analysis results indicated that coefficients between all items and dimensions had statistical significance. The final model demonstrated satisfactory global goodness of fit (CMIN/DF=5.37, AGFI=0.915, NNFI=0.945, IFI=0.952, RMSEA=0.052). Both the measurement and structural models showed acceptable path loadings. Job burden and capital were directly associated with depression and well-being or indirectly related to them through personality. Multi-group structural equation model analyses indicated general applicability of the proposed model to basic features of such a population. Gender, marriage and education led to differences in the relation between occupational stress and health outcomes. Conclusions: The job burden-capital model of occupational stress-depression and well-being was found to be more systematic and comprehensive than previous models.

Nanosilver plays an important role in nanoscience and nanotechnology, and is becoming increasingly used for applications in nanomedicine. Nanosilver ranges in size from one to one hundred nanometers. Smaller particles more readily enter cells and interact with the cellular components. The exposure dose, particle size, coating, and aggregation state of the nanosilver, as well as the cell type or organism that it is tested on, all have a large determining factor on the effect and potential toxicity of nanosilver. A high exposure dose to nanosilver alters the cellular stress responses and initiates cascades of signaling that can eventually trigger organelle autophagy and apoptosis. This review summarizes the current knowledge of the effects of nanosilver on cellular metabolic function and response to stress. Both the causative effects of nanosilver on oxidative stress, endoplasmic reticulum stress, and hypoxic stress, as well as the effects of nanosilver on the responses to such stresses, are outlined. The interactions and effects of nanosilver on cellular uptake, oxidative stress (reactive oxygen species), inflammation, hypoxic response, mitochondrial function, endoplasmic reticulum function and the unfolded protein response, autophagy and apoptosis, angiogenesis, epigenetics, genotoxicity, and cancer development and tumorigenesis, as well as other pathway alterations are examined in this review.

Objectives: The Implicit Prosody Hypothesis (IPH) posits that individuals generate internal prosodic representations during silent reading, mirroring those produced in spoken language. While converging behavioral evidence supports the IPH, the underlying neurocognitive mechanisms remain largely unknown. Therefore, this study investigated the neurophysiological markers of sensitivity to speech rhythm cues during silent word reading. Methods: EEG was recorded while participants silently read four-word sequences, each composed of either trochaic words (stressed on the first syllable) or iambic words (stressed on the second syllable). Each sequence was followed by a target word that was either metrically congruent or incongruent with the preceding rhythmic pattern. Results: Single-trial event-related potentials (ERPs) and time-frequency representations (TFRs) triggered by the target words were examined using a hierarchical mass univariate general linear modeling approach to investigate the effects of metrical expectancy and stress type. ERP findings revealed significant differences based on expectancy, with words carrying unexpected stress eliciting larger negativities between 240-628 ms after word onset. TFRs further revealed that different frequency bands were sensitive to distinct aspects of rhythmic structure in language. Alpha activity, linked to attention, reflected expectations about the rhythmic pattern. Theta and beta activity, associated with processing rhythm and timing, were sensitive to both the expected rhythm and the specific location of stressed syllables within words. Conclusions: These findings highlight comparable neurophysiological responses to both implicit and explicit speech rhythm, further supporting the IPH and emphasizing the role of prosody in silent reading.

The relationship between the global climate crisis associated with environmental risks and occupational hygiene has not been extensively studied. This study develops a framework for identifying how climate change and the climate crisis could impact the workplace environment, workers, and occupational morbidity, mortality, and injury. A framework based on a review of scientific literature published from 2012-2024 that addresses climate risks, their interaction with occupational hazards, and their effects on the workforce. Eight categories of climate-related hazards are identified: increased high temperatures, dust and air pollution, sun and cosmic ultraviolet exposure, pandemics, and infectious diseases, diseases transmitted by insects and changes in ecosystems, industrial occupational diseases, changes and crises in the built environment, and extreme weather events. It is important to consider the possibility of interactions between known hazards and new conditions and the productivity of workers, especially those who are most at risk of heat-related illnesses.

Plant‒fungal associations often drive plant invasion success by increasing host growth, disease resistance, and tolerance to environmental stress. In this study, to determine whether the numerically dominant foliar endophyte Colletotrichum can directly enhance the resistance of the invasive plant Ageratina adenophora to disease and environmental stressors, we planted sterile A. adenophora seedlings, inoculated them with three endophytic fungal strains of Colletotrichum with distinct genetic backgrounds and compared their role in the resistance of A. adenophora to the pathogenicity of three foliar pathogens from the Didymellaceae family, as well as to abiotic stress, including drought and nutrient stress. We observed that the foliar endophyte Colletotrichum reduced photosynthesis-related physiological indicators, increased resistance-related indicators, and decreased the biomass of A. adenophora in the absence of pathogen attack, drought and nutrient stress. However, some endophytic Colletotrichum strains exhibit positive effects on resistance to certain foliar pathogen attacks, and some endophytes increase the biomass of A. adenophora under drought or nutrient stress. Our results revealed that there are certain positive effects of foliar Colletotrichum endophytes on A. adenophora in response to biotic and abiotic stresses, which may be beneficial for its invasion.

To evaluate new circulating markers related to macrovascular complications (MVC) in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), we recruited 30 controls (CG), 34 patients with T2DM (DG), and 28 patients with T2DM and vascular complications (DG+C), among them, 22 presented MVC. Pe-ripheral blood was used to determine redox status (superoxide dismutase, SOD; catalase, CAT; glutathione reductase, GRd; glutathione peroxidase, GPx; glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, G6PD) and markers of oxidative damage (advanced oxidation protein products, AOPP; lipid pe-roxidation, LPO). Inflammatory markers (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, IL-18, MCP-1, TNF-α) and the relative expression of c-miRNAs were analyzed. The real-time PCR results showed that the expressions of miR-155-5p, miR-21-5p, miR-146a-3p, and miR-210-3p were significantly higher in the DG group compared to CG. DG+C group presented statistically relevant differences with CG for four miRs: the increased expression of miR-484-5p, miR-21-5p, and miR-210-3p, and decreased for miR-126a-3p. Moreover, miR-126a-3p was significantly less expressed in DG+C compared to DG. The application of binary logistic regression analysis and construction of receiving operator characteristic curves (ROC) revealed two models with high predictive value for vascular complications presence: 1) HbAc1, creatinine, total cholesterol (TC), LPO, GPx, SOD, miR-126, miR-484. 2) HbAc1, creatinine, TC, IL-6, LPO, miR-126, miR-484. Moreover, our data demonstrated that gender, TC, GPx, CAT, and miR-484 were associated with MVC and exhibited higher predictive values than classical variables. miR-126, miR-484, IL-6, SOD, CAT, and GPx participate in vascular damage development in the studied diabetic population and should be considered for future studies.

Low-grade endotoxemia by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) has been detected in COVID-19 and could favour thrombosis via eliciting a pro-inflammatory and pro-coagulant state. The aim of the study was to analyse the mechanism accounting for low-grade endotoxemia and its relationship with oxidative stress and clotting activation thrombosis in COVID-19. We measured serum levels of sNOX2-dp, zonulin, LPS, D-dimer and albumin in 175 patients with COVID-19, classified as having or not acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), and 50 healthy subjects. Baseline levels of sNOX2-dp, LPS, zonulin, D-dimer, albumin and hs-CRP were significantly higher in COVID-19 compared to controls. In COVID-19 patients with ARDS, sNOX2-dp, LPS, zonulin, D-dimer and hs-CRP were significantly higher compared to COVID-19 patients without ARDS. Conversely, concentration of albumin was lower in patients with compared with those without ARDS and inversely associated with LPS. In COVID-19 cohort, the number of patients with ARDS progressively increased according to sNOX2-dp and LPS quartiles; a significant correlation between LPS and sNOX2-dp, and LPS and D-Dimer was detected in COVID-19. In a multivariable logistic regression model, LPS/Albumin levels and D-dimer predicted thrombotic events. In COVID-19 patients, LPS is significantly associated with a hypercoagulation state and disease severity. In vitro, LPS can increase endothelial oxidative stress and coagulation biomarkers, that were reduced by the treatment with albumin. In conclusion, impaired gut barrier permeability, increased NOX2 activation and low serum albumin may account for low-grade endotoxemia, and they may be implicated in thrombotic events in COVID-19.

It is imperative to conduct experimental studies on the seepage behavior of gas-bearing coal under cyclic dynamic loading conditions. This paper focuses on the evolution of coal permeability under the combined effects of dynamic loading, static loading, and gas adsorption. The principal conclusions are as follows. (1) As the frequency and amplitude of dynamic loading increase, the development of pore and fissure structures within the coal body becomes increasingly pronounced during dynamic loading cycles, resulting in a gradual rise in permeability. Notably, as the coal approaches its yielding stage, the permeability can increase by up to 47%. (2) The permeability curve is divided into four regions: the compaction reduction zone, the oscillation zone, the gradual recovery zone, and the abrupt increase zone of failure. Ultimately, in the failure phase, the permeability surges dramatically, potentially reaching 4 to 5 times the initial permeability. (3) When the static load stage is constant, the rate of change in permeability of the coal under dynamic loading decreases with increasing adsorption amount. When the adsorption amount is constant, the rate of change in permeability of the coal under dynamic loading increases with the increase in static load stress stage, with the maximum increase reaching 75.2%. It can be concluded from the rate of change in permeability and the dynamic loading sensitivity coefficient that the permeability of the coal is highly sensitive to cyclic dynamic loading, with increased sensitivity associated with larger static load stages and decreased sensitivity with greater adsorption amounts.

The elderly population is particularly susceptible to myocardial damage caused by heat stress (HS). With the continuous increase in global temperatures, this poses an undeniable challenge to human health. This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effect of Shikimic Acid (SA) in treating HS-induced myocardial damage through network pharmacology, molecular docking, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, and in vitro experiments. Network pharmacology analysis revealed that SA alleviates the inflammatory response in the heart muscle associated with HS by targeting 60 disease-related targets, such as TP53, TNF, and IL-6. The tumor proteoglycan, the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, and hepatitis B were identified as the primary therapeutic pathways. Molecular docking and MD simulation results confirmed that SA can stably bind to both TNF (-6.642 kcal/mol) and IL-6 (-7.261 kcal/mol), and the complexes of Shikimic Acid-IL-6 and Shikimic Acid-TNF did not undergo significant changes within 100 ns. In addition, the in vitro experiment showed that 250 μM SA significantly increased the survival rate of HL-1 cells exposed to 43°C for 2 h by 71.1% and promoted the proliferation of HL-1 cells by 30.7%. Overall, these findings provide substantial evidence for the therapeutic potential of SA in HS-induced myocardial damage.

Withania somnifera (WS), also known as ashwagandha, is a popular botanical supplement used to treat various conditions including memory loss, anxiety and depression. Previous studies from our group showed an aqueous extract of WS root (WSAq) enhances cognition and alleviates markers for depression in Drosophila. Here, we sought to confirm these effects in the 5xFAD mouse model of β-amyloid (Aβ) accumulation. Six- to seven-month-old male and female 5xFAD mice were treated with WSAq in their drinking water at 0 mg/mL, 0.5 mg/mL or 2.5 mg/mL for four weeks. In the fourth week of treatment, spatial memory, anxiety and depressive-like symptoms were evaluated. At the conclusion of behavioral testing, brain tissue was harvested, immunohistochemistry was performed, and the cortical expression of antioxidant response genes was evaluated. Both concentrations of WSAq improved spatial memory and reduced depressive and anxiety-related behavior. These improvements were accompanied by a reduction in Aβ plaque burden in the hippocampus and cortex and an attenuation of neuroinflammatory markers. Antioxidant response genes were upregulated in the cortex of WSAq treated mice. Oral WSAq treatment could be beneficial as a therapeutic option in AD for improving disease pathology and behavioral symptoms. Future studies focused on dose optimization of WSAq administration and further assessment of the mechanisms by which WSAq elicits its beneficial effects will help inform the clinical potential of this promising botanical therapy.

Oxidative stress plays an essential role in the pathological processes that trigger various chronic liver diseases and contributes to the development of hepatocarcinogenesis. Antioxidants from natural sources trap free radicals by converting them into non-harmful products and minimize oxidative stress, playing a crucial function in the treatment of free radical-induced diseases. However, the activity of these antioxidants is limited due their poor bioavailability, which is why various nano-drug delivery systems have been developed to improve their stability, promote smooth release, and targeted delivery for liver cancer treatment. Specifically, this review aims to report recent scientific findings of novel nano-formulations containing natural antioxidant molecules targeted for the treatment of liver cancer.

Pancreatic cancer is a refractory cancer with limited treatment options. Various cancer types are resistant to the tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL). Eugenol, the main component of clove oil, exhibits anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects. However, no studies have reported that eugenol increases TRAIL sensitivity by upregulating death receptor (DR) expression. Here, we aimed to investigate eugenol as a potent TRAIL sensitizer. Increased apoptosis and inhibition of cell proliferation was observed in pancreatic cancer cells treated with eugenol and TRAIL compared with those treated with eugenol alone. Eugenol upregulated the expression of DR5, inhibited FLICE-inhibitory protein (FLIP), an anti-apoptotic protein, and increased p53, a tumor suppressor protein. In addition, eugenol induced the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and caused endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. C/EBP-homologous protein (CHOP) knockdown using siRNA decreased the expression of DR5 and reduced the combined effects of eugenol and TRAIL. These results demonstrate that eugenol enhances TRAIL-induced apoptosis by upregulating DR5 through the ROS-mediated ER stress-CHOP pathway, enhancing ER stress by inducing p53 and downregulating FLIP expression. This suggests that eugenol has the potential to treat pancreatic cancer by increasing cell sensitivity to TRAIL.

Laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) is an additive manufacturing technique that is gaining popularity for producing metallic parts in various industries. However, parts produced by LPBF are prone to residual stress, deformation, cracks and other quality defects due to uneven temperature distribution during the LPBF process. To address this issue, in prior work, the authors have proposed SmartScan, a method for determining laser scan sequence in LPBF using an intelligent (i.e., model-based and optimization-driven) approach, rather than using heuristics, and applied it to simple 2D geometries. This paper presents a generalized SmartScan methodology that is applicable to arbitrary 3D geometries. This is achieved by: (1) expanding the thermal model and optimization approach used in SmartScan to multiple layers; (2) enabling SmartScan to process shapes with arbitrary contours and infill patterns within each layer; (3) providing the optimization in SmartScan with a balance of exploration and exploitation to make it less myopic; and (4) improving SmartScan's computational efficiency via model order reduction using singular value decomposition. Sample 3D test artifacts are simulated and printed using SmartScan in comparison with common heuristic scan sequences. Reductions of up to 92% in temperature inhomogeneity, 86% in residual stress, 24% in maximum deformation and 50% in geometric inaccuracy were observed using SmartScan, without significantly sacrificing print speed. An approach for using SmartScan for printing complex 3D parts in practice, by integrating it as a plug-in to a commercial slicing software, was also demonstrated experimentally, along with its benefits in significantly improving printed part quality.

Excessive oxidative stress and exercise-induced fatigue reduce physical performance and can lead to dysfunction in antioxidant systems within muscular and hepatic tissues. Integrating natural substances with exercise may mitigate fatigue via anti-oxidant effects. This study aims to compare and evaluate the effects of exercise and supplementation with Sundarbans honey vs energy drinks on the strength, anxiety physiological profiles, and hepatic antioxidant capacity in mice undergoing extraneous exercise and fatigue. Forty-eight four-week-old Swiss albino mice were randomly assigned to one of eight groups: (1) Control, (2) Speed™ (Sp), (3) Royal Tiger™ (RT), (4) Sundarbans Honey (SH), (5) Exercise (Ex), (6) Exercise + Sundarbans Honey (Ex+SH), (7) Exercise + Speed™ (Ex+Sp), and (8) Exercise + Royal Tiger™ (Ex+RT). Supplements were administered via oral gavage: Sp (2.5 ml/kg BW), RT (2.5 ml/kg BW), and SH (1 g/kg BW), four times a week for 60 days. Mice in the Ex, Ex+SH, Ex+Sp, and Ex+RT groups underwent daily swimming and running. The strength, fatigue, anxiety levels, lipid profiles, and antioxidant biomarkers were evaluated post-treatment. The SH, Ex, and Ex+SH groups exhibited significantly enhanced physical performance (p<0.05). Plasma lipid profiles, including LDL, triglycerides, total cholesterol, and fatigue-related biomarkers (ALP, AST, ALT, LDH, CK, LA, BUN, and glucose) were markedly increased in the Sp and RT groups but decreased in the SH, Ex, and Ex+SH groups compared to control (p<0.05). Exercise-induced fatigue elevated the Nrf2/HO-1 antioxidant defense system in liver tissue. IL-6 levels were reduced in the SH, Ex, and Ex+SH groups (p<0.05). These findings indicate that regular exercise combined with SH supplementation increases strength and improves lipid profiles, reducing exercise-induced oxidative stress and fatigue via modulation of the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway in liver tissue. These results highlight SH supplementation’s potential as a complementary strategy to enhance exercise outcomes and mitigate exercise-induced stress.

Chronic administration of atypical antipsychotics (AAPs) is commonly associated with in-creased cardiovascular disease load. Although the increase in weight gain and related dis-ease risk is generally considered the main contributing factor, direct interference with mi-tochondrial bioenergetics, particularly in the liver, where these drugs are catabolized, is emerging as an additional relevant contributor to metabolic disease risk that needs to be considered. In this study, we compared the effects of two AAPs with disparate metabolic profiles, olanzapine (OLA), which is obesogenic, and aripiprazole (ARI), which is not, on the response of Fao cells to oxidative stress. We found that Fao cells treated with ARI sur-vive better a challenge with H2O2 while OLA treatment has the opposite effect. This en-hanced survival is not related to a reduction in the apoptosis rate. In fact, ARI treated cells display higher apoptotic rates than control cells exposed to H2O2. Gene expression analysis of pro and anti-apoptotic factors revealed that the changes induced by H2O2 were generally dampened in ARI treated cells, but not in OLA treated cells, suggesting a reduced respon-siveness to stimuli, a notion that was consistent with a reduced activation of MAPK and STAT3 phosphorylation in response to H2O2, while OLA enhanced their activation in re-sponse to H2O2. Loss of stress response in ARI treated cells is consistent with the elevation of mitochondrial production of O2•-, a known desensitizing factor. The physiological rele-vance of the increased production of O2•- in ARI treated cells is further supported by the observed elevation of the mitophagy flux in ARI treated cells, likely related to mitochon-drial damage. An additional relevant finding was that OLA treatment protected the pro-teasome activity in Fao cells exposed to H2O2, an effect possibly related to the better preservation of stress signaling and mitochondrial function in OLA treated cells. In sum, this study highlights the underlying alterations in cell physiology derived from the inter-ference of ARI with mitochondrial function, that de-sensitize cells to stress signaling, while OLA has the opposite effect.

Numerous investigations have suggested that seismic source parameters and properties of the surrounding medium harbor valuable information regarding alterations in stress fields and medium properties at the focal depth. Monitoring the spatial and temporal evolution of these parameters can yield insights into variations in stress fields or medium properties within the seismogenic zone, offering a critical avenue to overcome the Earth's inaccessible nature. In recent years, modern seismic parameters such as seismic moment, focal mechanism solution, source stress drop, corner frequency, radiated seismic energy, rupture radius, and apparent stress have been increasingly used to characterize source characteristics. The Sichuan region is situated on the southeastern edge of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and is known for its strong eastward extrusion and structural deformation. The main fault zones in the area include the Xianshuihe Fault, Anninghe Zemuhe Fault, and Longmenshan Fault. This paper estimates source parameters of small to medium-sized earthquakes (ML 1.5-5.2) in the main fault zones and adjacent areas in Sichuan. A total of 4,310 earthquake stress drop measurements from 2019 to 2023 were analyzed to create a stress distribution image along the fault. This earthquake parameters training catalog provides insight into how coseismic stresses change and their relationship with other geophysical factors, as well as their spatial and temporal evolution.

This paper presents an approach to the analysis of beams with rectangular cross-sections subjected to Saint-Venant torsion using the Fourier analysis, body forces being not considered. The Saint-Venant torsion of beams, also called free torsion or unrestrained torsion, is characterized by the absence of axial stresses due to torsion; only shear stresses are developed. The solution to this torsion problem consists of finding the Prandtl stress function that satisfies the governing equation and the boundary conditions, the governing equation being such that the Laplacian of the stress function has a constant value within the cross-section. In this paper, Fourier sine series was utilized to describe the constant value of the above mentioned Laplacian, while double sine series or simple sine series was utilized to describe the Prandtl stress function. Closed-form solutions in form of infinite series were derived for shear stresses, torsional constant and warping function. Those solutions were identical to the exact solutions.

The onset of neurodegenerative diseases involves a complex interplay of pathological mecha-nisms, including protein aggregation, oxidative stress, impaired autophagy. This review focuses on the intricate connection between oxidative stress and autophagy in neurodegenerative disor-ders, highlighting autophagy as pivotal in disease pathogenesis. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) play dual roles in cellular homeostasis and autophagy regulation, with disruptions of redox sig-naling contributing to neurodegeneration. The activation of the Nrf2 pathway represents a criti-cal antioxidant mechanism, while autophagy maintains cellular homeostasis by degrading al-tered cell components. The interaction between p62/SQSTM1, Nrf2 and Keap1 forms a regulatory pathway essential for cellular stress response, whose dysregulation leads to impaired autophagy and aggregate accumulation. Targeting the Nrf2-p62/SQSTM1 pathway holds promise for thera-peutic intervention, mitigating oxidative stress and preserving cellular functions. Additionally, the review explores the potential synergy between the endocannabinoid system and Nrf2 signal-ing for neuroprotection. Further research is needed to elucidate the involved molecular mecha-nisms and develop effective therapeutic strategies against neurodegeneration.

In patients with heart failure, the evaluation of left ventricular (LV) diastolic function is vital, offering crucial insights into hemodynamic impact and prognostic accuracy. Echocardiography stands as the primary imaging modality for diastolic function assessment, and using it effectively requires a profound understanding of the underlying pathology. This review covers four main topics: first, the fundamental driving forces behind each phase of normal diastolic dynamics, along with the physiological basis of two widely used echocardiographic assessment parameters, E/e' and mitral annulus early diastolic velocity (e'); second, the intricate functional relationship between the left atrium and LV in patients with varying degrees of LV diastolic dysfunction (LVDD); third, the role of stress echocardiography in diagnosing LVDD and the significance of parameter changes in this context; and fourth, the clinical utility of evaluating diastolic function from echocardiography images across diverse cardiovascular care areas.

Staphylococcus aureus and coagulase-negative staphylococci account for about 80% of infections associated with medical devices and are associated with increased virulence due to their ability to form biofilm. In this study, we aimed to construct a comprehensive reference map followed by significant pathway analysis in the proteome of S. aureus biofilm grown for 3-days as compared with 24 h planktonic using a high-resolution TMT based MS. We identified proteins associated with secondary metabolites, ABC transporters, biosynthesis of amino acids, response to stress, and amino sugar and nucleotide sugar metabolism were significantly upregulated in the 3-day biofilm. In contrast, proteins associated with virulence factors, microbial metabolism in diverse environments, translation, and energy metabolism were significantly downregulated. GO functional annotation indicated that more proteins are involved in metabolic processes, catalytic activity, and binding in biofilm, respectively. Among the significantly dysregulated proteins, hyaluronidase (hysA) in conjunction with chitinase may play a significant role in the elimination and/or prevention of biofilm development. This study advances the current S. aureus subproteomes, identified potential pathways significant to biofilm biology and helped to understand their potential role in S. aureus which may shed light on developing new therapeutic regimes including antibiofilm agents in the treatment of biofilm-infections related with implantable medical devices.

To investigate the repair mechanism of umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (UC-MSCs) in hydrogel on pancreatic β-cells in diabetes, MIN-6 damaged by streptozotocin (STZ) in vitro was used in co-culture with UC-MSCs in hydrogel (UC-MSCs + hydrogel). It was found that UC-MSCs + hydrogel had a significant repair effect on injured MIN-6 cells, which was better than the use of UC-MSCs alone (without hydrogel). After repair, the expression of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) as well as the total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) of the repaired MIN-6 cells were increased, effectively reducing the oxidative stress caused by STZ. In addition, UC-MSCs + hydrogel were able to curb the inflammatory response by promoting the expression of anti-inflammatory factor IL-10 and reducing inflammatory factor IL-1β. In addition, the expression of both nuclear antigen Ki67 for cell proliferation and insulin-related genes such as Pdx1 and MafA was increased in the repaired MIN-6 cells by UC-MSCs + hydrogel, suggesting that the repair effect promotes the proliferation of the injured MIN-6 cells. Compared with the use of UC-MSCs alone, UC-MSCs + hydrogel exhibited longer survival time of UC-MSCs, because the porous structure and hydrophilic properties of the hydrogel could affect the growth of cells and slow down their metabolic activities, resulting in a better repair effect on the injured MIN-6 cells.

To date the role of green leaf volatiles has been mainly constrained to their role in protecting plants against pests and pathogens. However, increasing evidence suggests that among the stresses that can significantly harms plants, GLV can also provide significant protection against an array of those including heat, cold, drought, light, and salinity. But while the molecular basis for this protection is still largely unknown, it seems obvious that a common theme in the way GLV work is that most if not all of these stresses are associated with physical damage to the plants, which in turn is the major event responsible for the production of GLV. Here, I summarize the current state of knowledge on GLV and abiotic stresses and provide a model that explains the multifunctionality of these compounds.

Recent studies releaved that the high production of reactive oxidative species due to exposure of fine or ultrafine particles are implicated in many chronical respiratory disorders. However, the poor standard of clinical data in sub-Saharan countries makes very difficult the assessment of knowledge of air pollution health impact in urban cities. Objective: the aim of this study was to evaluate distribution of respiratory disorders associated to exposure of air fine and ultrafine particles through changes of some oxidative stress biomarkers among motorbike drivers from two cities of Cameroon Methods: A cross-sectional survey using a standardized questionnaire was conducted in 2019 on 191 motorcycle drivers (MD) working in Douala and Dschang. Then, the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and the level of malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured by colorimetric methods. The data of participants after clustered in Excel Microsoft were analysed and statistically compared using Spss 2.0 software. Results: The motorbike drivers recruited to both cities were aged from 21 to 40, with mean age of 29.93 (± 0.82). The distribution of respiratory disorders as running nose, cold, dry cough, chest discomfort, and breathlessness, was significantly increased among MD in Douala. According to results of biological assays, SOD and MDA, were significantly more increased among MD recruited in Douala, compared to those of Dschang. The change of these oxidative stress markers was significantly correlated with mobilization of neutrophils and Monocytes showing initiation and evolution of subjacent inflammatory reactions, and seemed to be significantly influenced by place of habitation of MD. Conclusion: Through this study it is confirmed the evidence of initiation and evolution of oxidative stress with long-term exposure to air fine or ultrafine particles among active people in Urban cities. Further studies should be conducted with more analysis to provide evidence cellular damage and dysfunction related to chronically exposure to fine air PM among active people in metropolitan of sub-Saharan Africa context.

Global warming poses a threat to plant survival, impacting growth and agricultural yield. Protein turnover, a critical regulatory mechanism balancing protein synthesis and degradation, is crucial for cellular response to environmental changes. We investigated the effects of elevated temperature on proteome dynamics in Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings using 15N-stable isotope labeling and ul-tra-performance liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry, coupled with the ProteinTurnover algorithm. Analyzing different cellular fractions from plants grown under 22°C and 30°C growth conditions, we found significant changes in the turnover rates of 571 proteins, with a median 1.4-fold increase, indicating accelerated protein dynamics under thermal stress. Notably, soluble root fraction proteins exhibited smaller turnover changes, suggesting tissue-specific adap-tations. Significant turnover alterations occurred with redox signaling, stress response, protein folding, secondary metabolism, and photorespiration, indicating complex responses enhancing plant thermal resilience. Conversely, proteins involved in carbohydrate metabolism and mito-chondrial ATP synthesis showed minimal changes, highlighting their stability. This analysis high-lights the intricate balance between proteome stability and adaptability, advancing our under-standing of plant responses to heat stress and supporting the development of improved thermo-tolerant crops.

The pressing threat of global warming poses significant risks to plant survival, adversely affecting their growth and agricultural productivity. It is crucial to understand how plants react to heat stress at the molecular level to develop crops that can withstand higher temperatures. In our study, we investigated the proteome dynamics of *Arabidopsis thaliana* seedlings under moderate heat stress conditions (30°C) using a combination of 15N-stable isotope labeling and the ProteinTurnover algorithm. This approach allowed us to closely examine the proteomic changes across different cellular compartments. Our findings revealed significant changes in the turnover rates of 571 proteins, with an average increase of 1.4-fold, indicating enhanced protein dynamics under heat stress. Notably, root soluble proteins showed more subtle changes, suggesting tissue-specific responses. We also detected significant turnover variations in proteins involved in redox signaling, stress response, and metabolism, highlighting the complex nature of these adaptive mechanisms. In contrast, proteins related to carbohydrate metabolism and mitochondrial ATP synthesis showed little change, underscoring their stability. This detailed analysis illuminates the proteomic adaptations of *Arabidopsis* seedlings to moderate heat stress, enhancing our understanding of plant thermal resilience and supporting efforts to develop thermotolerant crops.

Our hypothesis that controlled ozone applications interfere into the redox balance of the biological organism (first published in 1998 with a preclinical trial on protecting the liver from CCl4 intoxication), has been verified over the last 2 decades in reactive oxygen species (ROS)-induced mitochondrial pathologies, such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, aging processes, diabetes-2 and in prevention of intoxications. Low-dose ozone acts as a redox bioregulator: The restoration of the disturbed redox balance is comprehensible in a number of preclinical and clinical studies by a remarkable increase of the antioxidant repair markers, here mainly shown as glutathione increase and a reduction in oxidative stress markers, mainly malondialdehyde. The mechanism of action is shown, relevant data are displayed, evaluated and comprehensively discussed: The repair side of the equilibrium increases by 21% up to 140% compared to the non-ozone treated groups and depending on the indication; the stress markers are simultaneously reduced, the redox system regains its balance.

Environmental factors, such as drought-stress, significantly impact maize growth and productivity worldwide. To improve yield and quality, effective strategies for early detection and mitigation of drought-stress in maize are essential. This paper presents a detailed analysis of three imaging trials conducted to detect drought-stress in maize plants using an existing, custom-developed, low cost, high throughput phenotyping platform. We propose a pipeline for early detection of water stress in maize plants using a Vision Transformer classifier and analysis of distributions of near-infrared (NIR) reflectance from the plants. We also explored suitable regions on the plant that are more sensitive to drought-stress and show that the region surrounding the youngest expanding leaf (YEL) and the stem can be used as a more consistent alternative to analysis involving just the YEL. Our results show good separation between well-watered and drought-stressed trials for two out of the three imaging trials both in terms of classification accuracy from data-driven features as well as through analysis of histograms of NIR reflectance.

Cement-free concrete has superior physical performance, such as strength and durability, compared to OPC concrete, however, it has the disadvantage of large shrinkage. Large shrinkage can cause cracks due to shrinkage stress in the long term. In this study, a shrinkage reducing agent (SRA) was used to reduce the shrinkage of cement-free mortar; its content was increased from 0.0 to 1.5 %. For an SRA content of 1.0 %, a calcium sulfoaluminate (CSA) expansive additive (EA) (2.5, 5.0, and 7.5%) was added. To calculate the shrinkage stress of cement-free mortar using the SRA and EA, the compressive strength, elastic modulus, and total and autogenous shrinkage were measured. The unit shrinkage stress of cement-free mortar was obtained by multiplying the elastic modulus by the length change and accumulated to obtain the shrinkage stress acting on the mortar according to the age. The shrinkage stress of cement-free mortar showed different tendencies as the age increased. At early ages, the shrinkage rate of the mortar occupied a large proportion of the shrinkage stress. In the long term, the shrinkage stress was significantly affected by the elastic modulus. As a result, SRA was found to be effective in reducing the shrinkage stress by decreasing both the elastic modulus and shrinkage. However, EA increased the shrinkage stress over the long term due to an increase in elastic modulus even though it compensated for early-ages shrinkage.

This general review assesses the impact of physical exercise on oxidative and nitrosative stress and the counteractive role of antioxidants, drawing from a systematic literature search up to March 2024 in databases like PubMed and Web of Science. The review highlights studies on the effect of exercise on the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) and antioxidant responses in both human and animal models based on rigorous inclusion and exclusion criteria. Due to the variety of exercise types and participants' characteristics, a narrative synthesis approach was adopted. The findings indicate that moderate exercise boosts antioxidant defenses, known as hormesis, whereas excessive physical activity may increase oxidative and nitrosative damage. The review also explores the complex effects of antioxidant supplementation, revealing that while natural dietary antioxidants support health, high-dose supplements could potentially hinder positive adaptations to exercise. Recommendations for athletes and the general active population highlight the importance of balancing exercise and dietary intake to optimize health benefits. The review concludes with a call for more detailed research on tailored exercise and nutrition plans to dissect these intricate relationships further.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a well-known autoimmune inflammatory disease that affects the diarthrodial joints. Inflammation increases the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which may explain why RA is one of the diseases that induce oxidative stress. This study aimed to evaluate potential differences in biochemical, hematological and oxidative stress markers in early stages of RA and after different treatment regimens. The study involved 111 patients, 28 men and 83 women, aged 34 to 59 years who were divided based on their c-reactive protein (CRP) levels into inactive RA patients (IRA) with CRP &lt; 1.3 (n = 57, 22 men and 35 women) and active RA patients (ARA) with CRP ≥ 1.3 (n = 54, 6 men and 48 women). The study participants were divided into two groups, A and B, based on their treatment regimen. Group A, which comprised 90% IRA, received methotrexate (MTX) monotherapy. Group B, which comprised 90% ARA, received a combination of leflunomide, a conventional disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD), and a biologic DMARD. Hematological, biochemical, oxidative stress and RA-specific biomarkers were measured twice in groups A and B, in the early stage in the disease, before and 3 months post-treatment, using conventional colorimetric, fluorometric and immunological assays. According to the results of our study, glutathione peroxidase (GPx), ROS, calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) ions, vitamin C and D, and lipid profile could serve as potential diagnostic markers in the early stages of the disease. Both treatment options were equally effective in improving the overall health of the patients. However, treatment resulted in a further increase in ROS levels and a decrease in antioxidant markers.

Pregnancy is a complex biological process which is associated with significant metabolic and hemodynamic changes of the maternal body which allow a normal fetal growth. The inability to adapt to these changes can affect the cardiovascular health. During pregnancy, women may experience mood swings, anxiety and emotional ambivalence. These symptoms can lead to stress and have a negative impact on the mental well-being of expectant mothers. It is crucial to know the aspects that can influence the development of cardiovascular problems among pregnant women in order to manage these cases properly. The current narrative review explores and summarizes the evidence regarding the impact of stress and anxiety on cardiovascular health in pregnant women. Understanding the physiological adaptations that the body undergoes throughout pregnancy is crucial for educating and supporting individuals as well as healthcare professionals. This enables them to recognize any risk factors or pathological conditions that may exacerbate pregnant women's health. In order to reduce maternal morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular disease, a psychological and cardiovascular risk factor screening that is done either before or during pregnancy may be able to identify situations that call for particular medical and/or psychological therapies.

Silencing of the fragile X mental retardation 1 (FMR1) gene and consequently lack of synthesis of FMR protein (FMRP) are associated with fragile X syndrome, which is one of the most prevalent inherited intellectual disabilities. FMRP is a multifunctional protein involved in many cellular functions in nearly all subcellular compartments under normal conditions and under conditions of cellular stress in both neuronal and non-neuronal cell types. This is achieved through its trafficking signals, nuclear localization signal (NLS), nuclear export signal (NES), and nucleolar localization signal (NoLS), as well as its RNA and protein binding domains, and is modulated by various post-translational modifications such as phosphorylation, ubiquitination, sumoylation, and methylation. This review summarizes recent advances in understanding the interaction networks of FMRP with a special focus on FMRP stress-related functions, including stress granule formation, mitochondrion and endoplasmic reticulum plasticity, ribosome biogenesis, cell cycle control, and DNA damage response.

The retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), which ensures the normal functioning of the neural retina, is a pigmented single-cell layer that separates the retina from the Bruch's membrane and the choroid. There are three main types of pigment granules in the RPE cells of the human eye: lipofuscin granules (LG) containing the fluorescent “age pigment” lipofuscin, melanoprotein granules (melanosomes, melanolysosomes) containing the screening pigment melanin and complex melanolipofuscin granules (MLG) containing simultaneously both types of pigments - melanin and lipofuscin. This review examines the functional role of pigment granules in the aging process and in the development of oxidative stress and associated pathologies in RPE cells. The focus is on the process of light-induced oxidative degradation of pigment granules caused by reactive oxygen species. The reasons leading to increased oxidative stress in RPE cells as a result of oxidative degradation of pigment granules are considered. A mechanism has been proposed to explain the phenomenon of age-related decline in melanin content in RPE cells. The essence of the mechanism is that when the lipofuscin part of the melanolipofuscin granule is exposed to light, reactive oxygen species are formed, which destroy its melanin part. As more melanolipofuscin granules are formed with age and the development of degenerative diseases, the melanin in pigmented epithelial cells ultimately disappears.

Etiological factors involved in myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) include immunologic, oxidative stress, and inflammatory factors, among others, and these are targets for microRNAs (miRNs). Here, we evaluated whether some miRNs may affect the tumor development comparing untreated and 5-azacitidine (5-AZA) MDS-treated patients. Peripheral blood samples were collected from 20 controls and 24 MDS patients, and selected miRNs related to redox balance and inflammation, including miR-18a, miR-21, miR-34a and miR-146a, were isolated and measured by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRTPCR). A differential expression profile of miRNs was detected in untreated MDS patients and 5-AZA group. MiR-18a, miR-21, miR-34a and miR-146a were significantly overexpressed in untreated MDS, compared to controls. However, we did not observe any miRNs profile alteration during the progression of the disease. On the other hand, 5-AZA treatment tends to restore miRNs expression levels. Relating to prognostic risk factors, high risk MDS groups (high IPSS-R, high cytogenetic risk, high molecular risk (HMR) mutations tended to be related with higher expression levels of miR-18a and miR-34a. Higher miRNs expression is correlated with lower glutathione peroxidase activity, while they are related with a higher profile of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-2, IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α). Although our study was limited by the low number of MDS patients included, we identified miRNs deregulation involved in the MDS development, that could regulate redox sensors and inflammatory responses. Finally, 5-AZA treatment is related with lower miRNs expression levels in MDS patients.

N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) are the main class of ionotropic receptor for the ex-citatory neurotransmitter glutamate. It plays a crucial role in the permeability of Ca2+ ions and excitatory neurotransmission in the brain. Being heteromeric receptors, they are composed of sev-eral subunits, including two obligatory GluN1 subunits (eight splice variants) and regulatory GluN2 (GluN2A~D) and/or GluN3 (GluN3A~B) subunits. Widely distributed in the brain, they regulate other neurotransmission systems and are therefore involved in essential functions such as synaptic transmission, learning and memory, plasticity, excitotoxicity. The present review will discuss the physiopathological impacts of NMDAR and particularly GluN2A and GluN2B subu-nits in cognitive processes and neurodegenerative diseases (Alzheimer's disease, Huntington's disease, Parkinson's disease). The pharmacology of different NMDAR antagonists and their po-tentialities will be presented. In particular, a focus will be given on fluoroethylnormemantine (FENM), an investigational drug with very promising developments as a tomography radiotracer for NMDARs, an anxiolytic in post-traumatic stress disorder and a neuroprotective agent in Alzheimer's disease.

Heat stress is a serious threat to tomato production. The ultrastructure and element mapping of tomato chloroplast were investigated under different nitrogen levels to explore the regulatory effect of nitrogen on tomato chloroplast under heat stress. Experiments design two temperature treatments (25°C/15°C, as control, 40°C/30°C, as severe high-temperature, SHT ) and four nitrogen levels (0.0 kg hm-2, N1; 187.5 kg hm-2, N2; 250 kg hm-2, N3, as recommended nitrogen-application; 312.5kg hm-2 , N4) for a duration of 5 days in artificial climate chamber. The results showed that heat stress led to obvious damage to the ultrastructure of tomato chloroplast, including thylakoid stacking disorder, granum destruction, and starch grain aggregation and degradation. With the increase of nitrogen level, the ratio of long and short axes of tomato chloroplasts increased, the differentiation of chloroplasts was strengthened, the number of plastoglobuli was increased and aggregated, and the degree of damage to the ultrastructure of chloroplasts was reduced. The regulatory effect of nitrogen on the ultrastructure of tomato chloroplasts under heat stress was mainly reflected in the phosphorylation degradation process of starch granules in chloroplasts. There are obvious segmentation lines of Ca, P and Cl on both sides of the inner and outer chloroplasts, and enriched in the chloroplasts, which can outline the boundary of the chloroplasts. Element mapping analysis revealed that heat stress significantly increased the contents of calcium, phosphorus and chlorine in the chloroplast of tomato leaves, while the contents of potassium was decreased. The application of nitrogen fertilizer could significantly regulate the element distribution of tomato chloroplast under heat stress, especially the regulation of phosphorus, chlorine, calcium, magnesium. These results provide new insight into the role of nitrogen using TEM-EDX mapping in the protection of tomato chloroplast under heat stress and the mechanism of heat stress tolerance in plants.

Stress can reduce the accuracy of radiation therapy owing to muscle contraction and changes in breathing patterns. This study aimed to predict stress in patients before each treatment session using artificial intelligence (AI) from biological signals to enhance treatment accuracy. We measured 123 stress cases in 41 patients and calculated stress scores by analyzing seven stress-related features derived from heart rate variability obtained from photoplethysmography. The study analyzed stress score distribution and observed its trend changes throughout the treatment. Before-treatment information was used to predict changes in stress features during treatment. AI models included both non-pre-trained (Decision Tree, Random Forest, Support Vector Machine, Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM), Transformer) and pre-trained (ChatGPT) models. The performance was evaluated using 10-fold cross-validation, exact match ratio, accuracy, recall, precision, and F1 score. More than 90% of the patients experienced stress during radiation therapy. From all the classifications, LSTM and prompt engineering GPT4.0 had the highest accuracy (feature classification, LSTM: 0.703, GPT4.0: 0.659, stress classification: LSTM: 0.846, GPT4.0: 0.769). Our research pioneers the use of AI and biological signals for stress prediction in radiation therapy, potentially identifying patients needing psychological support, and suggesting methods to improve radiotherapy effectiveness through stress management.

Ethylene is an essential plant hormone critical in various physiological processes. These processes include seed germination, leaf senescence, fruit ripening, and the plant's response to environmental stressors. Ethylene biosynthesis is tightly regulated by two key enzymes, namely 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate synthase (ACS) and 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate oxidase (ACO). Initially, the prevailing hypothesis suggested that ACS is the limiting factor in the ethylene biosynthesis pathway. Nevertheless, accumulating evidence from various studies has demonstrated that ACO, under specific circumstances, acts as the rate-limiting enzyme in ethylene production. Under normal developmental processes, ACS and ACO collaborate to maintain balanced ethylene production, ensuring proper plant growth and physiology. However, under abiotic stress conditions, such as drought, salinity, extreme temperatures, or pathogen attack, the regulation of ethylene biosynthesis becomes critical for plants’ survival. This review highlights the structural characteristics, examines the transcriptional, post-transcriptional, and post-translational regulation of ACS and ACO, and their role under abiotic stress conditions. Reviews on the role of ethylene signaling in abiotic stress adaptation are available. However, a review that delineates the role of ACS and ACO in abiotic stress acclimation is not available.

Plant growth and productivity are hindered by abiotic stresses. Crop productivity and the ecosystem are suffering due to climate change and harmful farming practices. We urgently need to use environment-friendly techniques like Arbuscular Mychorriza Fungi (AMF) to improve crop productivity. It is a well-established fact that AMF are effective bio-fertilizers. It is believed that AMF injections can increase plant resilience to stressors like heat,metals, salt, drought, and extreme temperatures. AMF aids in enhancing tolerance mechanisms and safeguarding essential metabolic pathways. AMF, as natural root symbionts, give plants important inorganic nutrients, helping them grow better, produce more, and acclimatize even under stress. AMF acts as a bio-fertilizer, boosting plants’ ability to adjust to different environments. Thus, researchers need to conduct further studies on how AMF promotes crop quality and productivity. This review describes the current understanding of AMF’s impact on host plants at their different growth stage, their benefits, applications, and the significance of plant nutrient relationships with AMF.

Background: Caring for individuals with mental disorders poses significant challenges for caregivers, often leading to compromised quality of life and mental health issues such as stress, anxiety, and depression. This study aims to assess the extent of these challenges among caregivers in Greece, identifying which demographic factors influence their well-being. Method: A total of 157 caregivers were surveyed using the SF-12 Health Survey for quality of life assessment and the DASS-21 questionnaire for evaluating stress, anxiety, and depression symptoms. T-tests, Kruskal-Wallis tests, Pearson correlation coefficients, and regression analyses were applied to understand the associations between demographics, quality of life, and mental health outcomes. Results: The study found that caregivers, especially women and younger individuals, faced high levels of mental health challenges. Marital status, educational level, and employment status also significantly influenced caregivers' well-being. Depression was the most significant factor negatively correlating with the mental component of quality of life. The magnitude of burden experienced by caregivers highlighted the urgency for targeted social and financial support, as well as strategic treatment programs that consider caregiver well-being. Conclusions: Caregivers of individuals with mental disorders endure significant stress, anxiety, and depression, influencing their quality of life. Demographic factors such as age, gender, marital status, education, and employment status have notable impacts. Findings emphasize the need for society-wide recognition of caregivers' roles and the creation of comprehensive support and intervention programs to alleviate their burden, particularly in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mulberry (Morus alba L), a significant fruit tree crop, requires magnesium (Mg) for its optimal growth and productivity. Nonetheless, our understanding of the molecular basis underlying magnesium stress tolerance in mulberry plants remains unexplored. In our previous study, we identified several differential candidate genes associated with Mg homeostasis via transcriptome analysis including xyloglucan endotransglucosylase/hydrolase (XTH) gene family. The XTH gene family is crucial for plant cell wall reconstruction and stress responses. These genes have been identified and thoroughly investigated in various plant species. However, there is no research pertaining to XTH genes within the M. alba plant. This research systematically examined the M. alba XTH (MaXTH) gene family at the genomic level using a bioinformatic approach. In total, 22 MaXTH genes were discovered and contained the Glyco_hydro_16 and XET_C conserved domains. The MaXTH’s were categorized into five distinct groups by their phylogenetic relationships. The gene structure possesses four exons and three introns. Furthermore, the MaXTH gene promoter analysis reveals a plethora of cis-regulatory elements; mainly stress responsiveness, growth and development, light responsiveness, and phytohormone responsiveness. GO analysis indicated that MaXTHs encode proteins that exhibit xyloglucan xyloglucosyl transferase and hydrolase activities in addition cell wall biogenesis as well as xyloglucan and carbohydrate metabolic processes. Moreover, a synteny analysis unveiled an evolutionary relationship between the XTH genes in M. alba and those in three other species: A. thaliana, P. trichocarpa, and Zea mays. Expression profiles from RNA-Seq data displayed distinct expression patterns of XTH genes in M. alba leaf tissue during Mg treatments. Real-time quantitative PCR analysis confirmed the expression of the MaXTH genes in Mg stress response. Overall, this research enhances our understanding of the characteristics of MaXTH gene family members and lays the foundation for future functional genomic study in M. alba.

Replication stress (RS) is a characteristic state of cancer cells as they tend to exchange precision of replication for fast proliferation and increased genomic instability. To overcome the consequences of improper replication control malignant cells frequently inactivate parts of their DNA damage response (DDR) pathways (the ATM-CHK2-p53 pathway), while relying on other pathways which help to maintain replication fork stability (ATR-CHK1). This creates a dependency on the remaining DDR pathways, vulnerability to further destabilization of replication and synthetic lethality of DDR inhibitors with common oncogenic alterations such as mutations of TP53, RB1, ATM, amplifications of MYC, CCNE1 and others. The response to RS is normally limited by coordination of cell cycle, transcription and replication. Inhibition of WEE1 and PKMYT1 kinases, which prevent unscheduled mitosis entry, leads to fragility of under-replicated sites. Recent evi-dence also shows that inhibition of Cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs), such as CDK4/6, CDK2, CDK8/19 and CDK12/13 can contribute to RS through disruption of DNA repair and replication control. Here, we review the main causes of RS in cancers as well as main therapeutic targets – ATR, CHK1, PARP and their inhibitors.

Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and being born small for gestational age (SGA) are two distinct conditions with different implications for child development. IUGR is associated with greater perinatal morbidity and mortality and can be identified by additional abnormalities (pathological Doppler sonography, oligohydramnios, lack of growth in the interval, estimated weight <3rd percentile). IUGR may also be present in neonates with birth weights above the 10th percentile. Recognizing fetuses being “at risk” of a higher perinatal mortality and morbidity rate in order to monitor them accordingly and deliver them in good time is still challenging. This review article summarizes approaches to increase the diagnostic accuracy of IUGR and presents current concepts of pathophysiology with a focus on oxidative stress and consecutive inflammatory and metabolic changes. Since prenatal influences affect the risk of later diseases, we also discuss the need for interdisciplinary follow-up strategies during childhood and look at future scientific challenges. It should be emphasized that prenatal and postnatal care of IUGR neonates should be regarded as a continuum.

ShK domain-containing proteins are peptides found in different parasitic and venomous organisms. From a previous transcriptomic dataset from Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, a plant-endoparasitic nematode that infects forest tree species, we identified 96 transcripts potentially as ShK domain-containing proteins with unknown function in the nematode genome. This study aimed to characterize and explore the functional role of genes encoding ShK domain-containing proteins in B. xylophilus biology. We selected and functionally analyzed nine candidate genes specific from B. xylophilus. In situ hybridization revealed expression of one B. xylophilus ShK in the pharyngeal gland cells, suggesting their delivery into host cells. Most of the transcripts are highly expressed during infection and showed a significant upregulation in response to peroxide products compared to the nematode catalase enzymes. We reported for the first time, the potential involvement of ShK domain genes in oxidative stress, suggesting that these proteins may have an important role protecting or modulating the reactive oxygen species (ROS) activity of the host plant during parasitism.

Background: A personalized approach to occupational medicine allows specialists to 1 prevent professional hazards such as stress-related depression and anxiety in extreme work environments. Objective: we aim to detect genetic markers of low resilience to stress. Methods: The study cohort included 97 elite athletes and 167 special forces personnel. The research team collected buccal mucosa samples and examined psychological status with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). We assessed 35 variants within selected genes that are most often associated with low resilience to stress, anxiety, and depression. Fisher’s Exact test was used to determine nonrandom associations between scores in the HADS scale and the genetic variants. We also trained machine learning models to predict score values from genotyping findings and ranked genetic biomarkers according to their predictive power. Results: High-risk depression profiles included C/T genotype of MTHFR C677T and A/C variant of MTHFR A1298C. Susceptibility to anxiety was associated with several polymorphisms regulating neuroactive substances, immune response, and coagulation. The ML models accurately detect depression or anxiety levels with MAE/ROV of 17.69±1.35 and 17.86±2.09% respectively. Conclusions: The study findings justify a polymorphic nature of anxiety and confirm the immune system's involvement in regulating stress response.

The conserved MYST proteins form the largest family of histone acetyltransferases (HATs) that acetylate lysines within the N-terminal tails of histone, enabling active gene transcription. Here, we have investigated the biological and regulatory functions of the MYST family HAT Sas3 in the opportunistic human pathogenic fungus Aspergillus fumigatus using a series of genetic, biochemical, pathogenic, and transcriptomic analyses. The deletion of sas3 results in drastically reduced colony growth, asexual development, spore germination, response to stresses, and the fungal virulence. Genome-wide expression analyses have revealed that the sas3 mutant showed 2,402 significant differentially expressed genes; 1,147 up-regulated and 1,255 down-regulated. The representative up-regulated gene resulting from sas3 is hacA predicted to encode a bZIP transcription factor, whereas the UV-endonuclease UVE-1 was significantly down-regulated by sas3. Furthermore, our Western blot analyses suggest that Sas3 likely catalyzes acetylation of H3K9, K3K14, and H3K29 in A. fumigatus. In conclusion, Sas3 is associated with diverse biological processes and can be a potential target for controlling pathogenic fungi.

Sarcopenia is an age-related condition that involves a progressive decline in muscle mass and function, leading to increased risks of falls, frailty, and mortality. Although the exact mechanisms are not fully understood, aging-related processes like inflammation, oxidative stress, reduced mitochondrial capacity, and cell apoptosis contribute to this decline. Disruption of the circadian system with age may initiate these pathways in skeletal muscle, preceding the onset of sarcopenia. At present, there is no pharmacological treatment for sarcopenia, only resistance exercise and proper nutrition may delay its onset. Melatonin, derived from tryptophan, emerges as an exceptional candidate for treating sarcopenia due to its chronobiotic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. Its impact on mitochondria, organelle where it is synthesized and crucial in aging skeletal muscle, further highlights its potential. In this review, we discuss the influence of clock genes in muscular aging, with special reference to peripheral clock genes in the skeletal muscle, as well as their relationship with melatonin, which is proposed as a potential therapy against sarcopenia.

Currently, peptic ulcers are widely studied as an infectious disease caused by Helicobacter pylori primarily due to 3 supporting evidences, and this etiology may explain the other 3 observations, but cannot confront the challenges of the 15 major characteristics and the other 75 observations/phenomena of peptic ulcers. To address the challenges, a recently published Complex Causal Relationship with its accompanying methodologies was applied to analyze existing data. Peptic ulcers are identified as a psychosomatic disease triggered by psychological stress, where Helicobacter pylori plays a secondary role in only the late phase of ulceration. This new etiology elucidated all the 15 major characteristics and 81 observations/phenomena of peptic ulcers in a series of 6 articles. This sixth article focuses exclusively on the controversies surrounding the role of Helicobacter pylori in peptic ulcers. In-depth analyses find that all the 3 evidences supporting “peptic ulcers are an infectious disease caused by Helicobacter pylori” are deceiving, and 2 of the 3 explainable observations may have been misinterpreted. Meanwhile, the definitions of ‘etiological factor’ and ‘causality’ do not support ‘H. pylori infection is an etiological factor of peptic ulcers’, and existing literatures have presented a controversial view on the role of Helicobacter pylori in peptic ulcers. Interestingly, if “peptic ulcers are an infectious disease caused by Helicobacter pylori” is considered an illusion, all the characteristics of the disease, along with all the clinical, epidemiological, and laboratory observations/phenomena, can be fully understood. This illusion has misguided peptic ulcer research over the past 36 years with little progress in the field, and that may represent a widespread situation in modern medical research, resulting in a direct interference with the true understanding of disease. Evidently, keeping the concept “illusion” in mind may help remove a huge obstacle that impedes medical advance, thereby facilitating the in-depth study of disease.

The mechanical behavior, microstructures as well as the crystallographic textures of the Ti57-Nb43 alloy were investigated on cylindrical specimens compressed at high temperatures, in the range of 700-1000 °C, and strain rates between 0.001 and 1.0 s-1. Hardening, followed by softening behaviours were observed as a function of strain, due to the occurrence of dynamic recrystallization/recovery in hot deformation. The modified five-parameter Voce type equation described well the stress-strain curves, but for the present alloy, it was also possible with only four parameters. A new two-variables polynomial function was employed on the four parameters that described well the flow curves as a direct function of temperature and strain rate. It permitted to reduce the number of parameters and had the predictive capacity for the flow stress at any temperature, strain, and strain rate in the investigated range. The crystallographic textures were similar at all temperatures with an increase of intensity from 900 °C. The textures could be characterized by a double &lt;100&gt; and &lt;111&gt; fiber and a unique component of (001)&lt;110&gt;, the latter inherited from the initial hot rolling texture. Viscoplastic polycrystal self-consistent deformation modeling reproduced the measured textures showing that dynamic recrystallization did not alter the development of the deformation texture, only increased it intensity.

Postpartum depression (PPD) is a disorder that impairs the formation of the relationship between mother and child, and reduces the quality of life for affected women to a functionally significant degree. Studying markers associated with PPD can help in early detection, prevention, or monitoring treatment. The purpose of this paper is to review biomarkers linked to PPD and to present selected theories on the pathogenesis of the disease based on data from biomarker studies. The complex etiology of the disorder reduces the specificity and sensitivity of markers, but they remain a valuable source of information to help clinicians. The biggest challenge of the future will be to translate high-tech methods for detecting markers associated with postpartum depression into more readily available and less costly ones. Population-based studies are needed to test the utility of potential PPD markers.

Endurance triathlons impose substantial physiological stress, yet effects of short-course formats remain relatively unexplored. In this preliminary study, we assessed proteinuria and hydration levels in 27 well-trained triathletes (41.9 [7.4] years) who completed a sprint triathlon consisting of a 1500-m swim, 26-km cycle, and 8-km run. Urine samples were collected before and after the race. The results showed an increase in cases of post-race proteinuria from four to nine (p=0.03). Also, one case of urobilinuria and ketoacidosis was observed after the race. Pre-race glucosuria, which was present in nine cases, decreased to three cases post-race. Although hematuria cases decreased from six to two (p=0.13), pre-race leukocyturia (found in two cases) resolved post-race. There was a significant increase in urine specific gravity (from 1.018 to 1.023, p=0.03), indicating dehydration. In conclusion, short-course triathlons were found to induce post-race proteinuria, urobilinuria, and dehydration without exacerbating pre-race glucosuria, hematuria, or leukocyturia. These preliminary findings contribute to our understanding of medical guidelines for sprint triathlons, an area of endurance sports that has received limited research attention. Further investigation, both mechanistic and longitudinal, is warranted in this regard.

Background: The seasonal variation of peptic ulcers is a rhythmic phenomenon reported worldwide, exhibiting diverse patterns and controversies. Unfortunately, it has remained an unresolved mystery for more than 90 years. Numerous studies have found that this phenomenon was closely associated with multiple environmental factors, but the underlying mechanism has never been elucidated. Objectives: This study aims to elucidate the seasonal variation of peptic ulcers and identify the role of environmental factors in the disease. Methods: Based on a recently identified etiology of peptic ulcers, two inverse operations in calculus, differentiation and integration, are iterated to analyze the existing data. First, the fluctuation curve in the seasonal variation is differentiated twice into the monthly incidences caused by multiple individual environmental factors, and the fluctuation curve due to each individual environmental factor is generated separately. Second, the monthly incidences caused by the individual environmental factors are integrated twice to reproduce the fluctuation curves in the seasonal variation of peptic ulcers. Results: The differentiations of the fluctuation curves in the season variation reveal a parallel relationship between the psychological impacts of each individual environmental factor and the monthly incidences of peptic ulcers. The integrations of the monthly incidences caused by 3 environmental factors reproduce the fluctuation curves in 3 representative seasonal patterns of peptic ulcers but make the parallel relationships invisible. Discussion: The parallel relationships revealed a causal role of environmental factors in peptic ulcers, whereas the reproduction of the fluctuation curves elucidated that multiple environmental factors cause the seasonal variation of peptic ulcers by Superposition Mechanism. The regional differences in environmental factors result in the diverse patterns, as well as the controversy questioning the seasonality of peptic ulcers. Significantly, the data analyses exemplify the application of a new concept, Superposition Mechanism, which might be an indispensable methodological complement to life science and medicine.

Background: In 1962, Susser and Stein observed that the mortality rates of peptic ulcers in England and Wales increased markedly in the 1910s, maintained at a high level during the 1910s-1940s, and began to decline steadily since the early 1950s. They termed this epidemic pattern a birth-cohort phenomenon, but its mechanism has never been elucidated. Susser and Stein speculated that the occurrences of extraordinary social environmental factors roughly fit the fluctuations, but the role of environmental factors in peptic ulcers has never been identified. Objectives: This study aims to elucidate the mechanism of the birth-cohort phenomenon of peptic ulcers and identify the role of environmental factors in the disease. Methods: Starting from an etiology identified recently, this study uses the two inverse operations in calculus, differentiation, and integration, to analyze the existing data. First, a fluctuation curve in the birth-cohort phenomenon is differentiated into multiple annual mortality rates caused by individual environmental factors. Second, these annual mortality rates are integrated to reproduce the fluctuation curve in the birth-cohort phenomenon. Results: The differentiation reveals a parallel relationship between the psychological impacts of environmental factors and the mortality rates of peptic ulcers, whereas the integration reproduces a representative fluctuation curve in the birth-cohort phenomenon. The successive occurrences of multiple social environmental factors from the 1910s to 1940s maintained the increase in mortality rates, while the sustained improvements in living environments explained the steady decline of the mortality rates from the early 1950s. Conclusion: The parallel relationship suggests a causal role of environmental factors in peptic ulcers, whereas the reproduction of a representative fluctuation curve indicates that multiple environmental factors caused the birth-cohort phenomenon by Superposition Mechanism. Significantly, this study challenges the current reductionist approach used to study disease in modern medicine by demonstrating the effectiveness of an opposite methodological concept focused on integration.

Elevation of the intermediate amino acid metabolite Homocysteine (Hcy) causes Hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy), a metabolic disorder frequently associated with mutations in the methionine-cysteine metabolic cycle as well as with nutritional deficiency and aging. Previous literature suggest that HHcy is a strong risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Severe HHcy is well established to correlate with vascular pathologies primarily via endothelial cell death. Though moderate HHcy is more prevalent and associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular abnormalities in later part of life, its precise role in endothelial physiology is largely unknown. In this study, we report that moderate elevation of Hcy causes endothelial dysfunction through impairment of their migration and proliferation. We established that unlike severe elevation of Hcy, moderate HHcy is not associated with suppressed endothelial VEGF/VEGFR signaling and oxidative stress induction. We further showed that moderate HHcy induces a sub-lethal ER stress that causes defective endothelial migration through abnormal actin cytoskeletal remodeling. We also found that sub-lethal increase of Hcy causes endothelial proliferation defect by suppressing mitochondrial respiration and concomitantly increases glycolysis to compensate the consequential ATP loss and maintain overall energy homeostasis. Finally, analyzing an available microarray dataset, we confirmed that these hallmarks of moderate HHcy are conserved in adult endothelial cells as well. Thus, we identified adaptive UPR and metabolic rewiring as two key mechanistic signatures in moderate HHcy-associated endothelial dysfunction. As HHcy is clinically associated with enhanced vascular inflammation and hypercoagulability, identifying these mechanistic pathways may serve as future targets to regulate endothelial function and health.

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. This study aimed to test the efficacy of a newly-developed symptom self-management program on health outcomes among inpatients post-AMI. A pilot randomised, controlled trial was utilised. A convenience sample of 90 was recruited from a tertiary hospital in Singapore. Adult inpatients with post-AMI were randomly assigned to the three groups: IManage-HSet, IManage-FF or control group. Sample size was computed using power analysis. Data were collected through self-reported questionnaires and physiological instruments. Data analyses included univariate statistics, analysis of variance and repeated measure analysis of variance. Ninety participants were recruited with 30 in each group. Participants in the IManage-HSet and IManage-FF group had significantly greater relaxation (ηp2 = 0.11), lower objective stress (ηp2 =0.14), and greater knowledge (ηp2 = 0.62) than those of the control group. The two intervention groups had lower subjective stress (ηp2 = 0.04), depression (ηp2 = 0.01), and anxiety (ηp2 = 0.03) than the control but such differences did not achieve statistical significance. Furthermore, most participants reported that they were satisfied with the programs and they provided positive comments on the contents, educational materials and relaxation practice. This pilot study supports the potential benefits and feasibility of the IManage-VR and IManage-FF interventions on stress, perceived relaxation, knowledge and patient satisfaction. Contents of the symptom management interventions could be added into current cardiac rehabilitation programs. Future RCTs with multi-centered sites and larger sample size are required to further test the intervention. This study was prospectively registered with the International Standard Randomised Controlled Trial on the 5th August 2014 with registration number ISRCTN61027816.

Lupus nephritis (LN) is a severe complication of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and is considered one of the leading causes of mortality. Multiple immunological pathways are involved in the pathogenesis of SLE, which makes it imperative to deepen our knowledge about this disease's immunopathological complexity and explore new therapeutic targets. Since an altered redox state contributes to immune system dysregulation, this document briefly addresses the role of oxidative stress (OS), oxidative DNA damage, antioxidant enzymes, mitochondrial function, and mitophagy in SLE and LN. Although adaptive immunity's participation in the development of autoimmunity is undeniable, increasing data emphasize the importance of innate immunity elements, particularly the Toll-like receptors (TLRs) that recognize nucleic acid ligands, in inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Here, we discuss the intriguing role of TLR7 and TLR9 in developing SLE and LN. Also included are the essential characteristics of conventional treatments and some other novel and little-explored alternatives that offer options to improve renal function in LN.

Limited scientific evidence shows that alpha lipoic acid (ALA) can induce regression rates of low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSIL) but the mechanisms of these effects have not been elucidated. To gain a broader insight into its therapeutic potential and mechanisms of action, the effects of 3-month supplementation with 600 mg of ALA on antioxidant- and lipid status param-eters in 100 patients with LSIL were investigated in randomized placebo-controlled study. Obtained results were discussed in terms of patients’ initial metabolic status and diet quality (particularly nutritional intake of antioxidants). Obtained results showed that oxidative status biomarkers were not significantly affected by ALA supplementation. However, serum superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was positively affected in the subgroup of patients with higher dietary antioxidant intake. Surprisingly, ALA supplementation resulted with small but statistically significant increase of serum low density lipoprotein (LDL) and observed effect was significantly affected by the initial lipid status of participants. Larger studies are necessary to gain additional insights on the clinical significance of ALA as an antioxidant and hypolipemic agent and to optimize its potential application in LSIL treatment.