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Abstract Background Chickpea is a key pulse crop grown in the spring in dryland regions. The cold resistance potential of chickpeas allows for the development of genotypes with varying sowing dates to take advantage of autumn and winter rainfall, particularly in dryland regions. In this study, we assessed grain yield, plant height, 100-seed weight, days to maturity, and days to flowering of 17 chickpea genotypes in five autumn-sown dryland regions from 2019 to 2021. Additionally, the response of selected chickpea genotypes to cold stress was examined at temperatures of -4 °C, 4 °C, and 22 °C by analyzing biochemical enzymes. Results Mixed linear model of ANOVA revealed a significant genotype × environment interaction for all traits measured, indicating varying reactions of genotypes across test environments. This study reported low estimates of broad-sense heritability for days to flowering (0.34), days to maturity (0.13), and grain yield (0.08). Plant height and seed weight exhibited the highest heritability, with genotypic selection accuracies of 0.73 and 0.92, respectively. Moreover, partial least square regression highlighted the impactful role of rainfall during all months except of October, November, and February on grain yield and its interaction with environments in autumn-planted chickpeas. Among the genotypes studied, G9, G10, and G17 emerged as superior based on stability parameters and grain yield. In particular, genotype G9 stood out as a promising genotype for dryland regions, considering both MTSI and genotype by yield*trait aproaches. The cold assay indicated that − 4 °C is crucial for distinguishing between susceptible and resistant genotypes. The results showed the important role of the enzymes CAT and GPX in contributing to the cold tolerance of genotype G9 in autumn-sown chickpeas. Conclusions Significant G×E for agro-morphological traits of chickpea shows prerequisite for multi-trial analysis. Chickpea`s direct root system cause that monthly rainfall during plant establishment has no critical role in its yield interaction with dryland environment. Considering the importance of agro-morphological traits and their direct and indirect effects on grain yield, the utilization of multiple-trait stability approches is propose. Evaluation of chickpea germplasm reaction against cold stress is necessary for autumn-sowing. Finally, autumn sowing of genotype FLIP 10–128 C in dryland conditions can led to significant crop performance.

Background/Aims Four high-genetic barrier nucleos(t)ide analogues (NAs) for chronic hepatitis B (CHB), namely entecavir (ETV), tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF), tenofovir alafenamide (TAF), and besifovir dipivoxil maleate (BSV), have been established. The aim of this study is to investigate the efficacy of four high-genetic barrier NAs using a network meta-analysis of randomized trials and propensity score-matched cohorts. Methods Systematic search was performed using PubMed, Cochrane library, and EMBASE and included randomized controlled trials and cohort studies that used propensity score matching. Studies on treatment-naïve CHB patients treated with ETV, TDF, TAF, or BSV were included. Outcomes included alanine aminotransferase normalization and hepatitis B e antigen seroclearance at week 48 and undetectable hepatitis B virus DNA at weeks 48 and 96. Network meta-analysis was performed to synthesize the results. Results In total, 15,000 patients from 16 studies were included. In terms of 48- and 96-week virologic response (VR), TDF outperformed ETV with statistical significance (48 weeks: odds ratio [OR], 1.38; p < 0.001; 96 weeks: OR, 1.57; p = 0.004). ETV was ranked first for 48-week biochemical response (BR) and outperformed TDF (OR, 0.76; p = 0.028). In the sensitivity analyses, 48-week VR from randomized-controlled trials were compiled, and the same trend toward the superiority of TDF over ETV was found (OR, 1.51; p = 0.030). Conclusions Four high-genetic barrier NAs were compared, and TDF was more likely to achieve a VR after 48 weeks, while ETV provided a superior BR after 48 weeks.

BackgroundPeroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) agonists are recognised as a promising treatment for primary biliary cholangitis (PBC). However, the effects and safety of these agonists on PBC remain unexplored. Our study aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of PPAR agonists in treating PBC.MethodsWe searched Cochrane Library, and Web of Science, PubMed, and Embase databases from inception to 15 March 2024 for randomised controlled studies (RCTs) that enrolled individuals with PBC treated with PPAR agonists compared with placebo. The primary outcomes were biochemical response and normalization of the alkaline phosphatase (ALP) level.ResultsEight RCTs involving 869 participants in total were included. The meta-analysis revealed that compared to placebo, PPAR agonists increased the rate of biochemical response (RR: 5.53; 95% CI: 3.79, 8.06) and normalization of the ALP level (RR: 17.18; 95% CI: 5.61, 52.61). In addition, PPAR agonists can also reduce alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (MD: −12.69 U/L; 95% CI: −18.03, −7.35), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (MD: −4.18 U/L; 95% CI: −7.28, −1.08), ALP (MD: −142.95 U/L; 95% CI: −167.29, −118.60), γ-glutamyltransferase (GGT) (MD: −63.03 U/L; 95% CI: −92.08, −33.98), and total cholesterol (TC) levels (SMD: −0.71; 95% CI: −1.38, −0.04), and there was no significant difference in overall adverse reactions (RR: 0.99; 95% CI: 0.92, 1.05), serious adverse reactions (RR: 1.10; 95% CI: 0.70, 1.72) between the two groups.ConclusionPPAR agonists are safe and well-tolerated in patients with PBC and are effective in improving the rate of biochemical response and related biomarkers.

Rationale: The high prevalence of hepatitis D virus (HDV) infection in the Republic of Dagestan, significantly exceeding that in the European part of the Russian Federation, as well as the limited choice of therapeutic options, have led to the need to analyze the accumulated experience of interferon therapy in the real clinical practice to further select possible treatment regimens. Aim: To evaluate the efficacy of pegylated interferon alpha (Peg-IFN-) in patients with chronic hepatitis D (CHD) in real world clinical practice. Materials and methods: In a retrospective study, the efficacy, safety and tolerability of Peg-IFN- were analyzed in 34 patients with CHD living in the Republic of Dagestan. Main virological parameters (anti-HDV antibodies (anti-HDV), HDV RNA and HBV DNA), alanine aminotransferase levels, changes over time in liver density by elastometry, and clinical parameters (hematology and urine tests, clinical chemistry, thyroid function tests) were assessed at 24 and 48 weeks of therapy, as well as at 48 weeks after its completion. Results: The treatment with Peg-IFN- for 48 weeks resulted in a virological response, defined as a HDV RNA decrease by more than 2 lg copies/mL, in 32% (11/34) of the patients. A sustained virological response, defined as undetectable HDV RNA at 48 weeks after the end of therapy, was not observed in any case. Treatment with interferon was associated with a decrease in liver density by average 4.1 kPa by week 48 on therapy. Normalization of alanine aminotransferase levels after 48 weeks of treatment was observed in 59% (20/34) of the patients; however, sustained biochemical response was achieved in none of them. Serious adverse events of high or moderate severity that resulted in the discontinuation of therapy were observed in 12% (4/34) of the cases. Conclusion: The results obtained indicate low efficacy of Peg-IFN- in the treatment of CHD in the Dagestan patients. Further research is needed to refine optimal interferon therapy regimens, to search for predictors of treatment response, and to evaluate the impact of interferon treatment regimens on the risk of hepatic complications, clinical outcomes, and patient survival. However, the most obvious solution to the problem of CHD therapy is the development and implementation of interferon-free treatment regimens.

The argan (Argania spinosa L. Skeels) ecosystem is severely degrading in arid and semi-arid lands due to climate change, particularly in terms of density loss and reforestation failure. Thus, it is important to adopt innovative effective sustainable practices to optimize the densification and reforestation success of the argan tree. The purpose of the present research was to investigate the combined effect of subsurface water retention technology (SWRT) and the use of native arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) on edaphic, growth, physiological and biochemical parameters of field-grown argan seedlings in the Essaouira region, Morocco. In this experiment, one-year-old argan seedlings were transplanted in the absence and presence of biodegradable plastic and AMF. Our findings revealed that the application of SWRT enhanced soil profile moisture up to 640% at 40 cm depth compared to the control. The combination of this technology with AMF also improved soil fertility. Furthermore, the application of SWRT, with or without AMF, significantly enhanced argan seedling height (208 and 168%, respectively), stomatal conductance (54 and 33%, respectively), and chlorophyll fluorescence (21 and 20%, respectively). Similarly, the combined application of SWRT and AMF significantly improved protein and sugar content (36 and 57%, respectively), as well as antioxidant enzyme activities (peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase) and chlorophyll pigments content compared to the control. However, this treatment reduced malondialdehyde and H2O2 content in the argan leaves. As a summary, SWRT technology combined with AMF may be used as a valuable strategy to promote the success of argan reforestation and to limit soil erosion and desertification in arid and semi-arid climates.

Abstract Temporally heterogeneous environments is hypothesized to correlate with greater plasticity of plants, which has rarely been supported by direct evidence. To address this issue, we subjected three species from different ranges of habitats to a first round of alternating full light and heavy shading (temporally heterogeneous light experience), constant moderate shading and full light conditions (temporally homogeneous light experiences, control) and a second round of light-gradient treatments. We measured plant performance in a series of morphological, biomass, physiological and biochemical traits at the end of each round. Compared to constant full light experience, temporally heterogeneous light conditions induced immediate active biochemical responses (in the first round) with improved late growth in biomass (during the second round); constant moderate shading experience increased photosynthetic physiological and biomass performances of plants in early response, and decreased their late growth in biomass. The karst endemic species of Kmeria septentrionalis showed greater improvement in late growth of biomass and lower decrease in biochemical performance, due to early heterogeneous experience, compared to the non-karst species of Lithocarpus glaber and the karst adaptable species of Celtis sinensis. Results suggested plants will prefer to produce morphological and physiological responses that are less reversible and more costly in the face of more reliable environmental cues at early stage in spite of decreased future growth potential, but to produce immediate biochemical responses for higher late growth potential when early environmental cues are less reliable, to avoid the loss of high costs and low profits. Typical karst species should be more able to benefit from early temporally heterogeneous experience, due to long-term adaptation to karst habitats of high environmental heterogeneity and low resource availability.

Salinization reduces soil health and quality, drastically limiting growth and reducing land degradation and crop yield. This comprehensive research aimed to evaluate the impact of sodium chloride increment on growth factors, amount of oxidative stress biomarker (Malondialdehyde), osmotic response (evaluated by both proline and sugars contents), photosynthesis efficiency (expressed with chlorophyll fluorescence measurement) and activity of Malate dehydrogenases (MDHs) as a regulator under abiotic stress tolerantly in Aloe in Alzahra University, Tehran. Experiments were conducted in two studies at the following concentration of sodium chloride: 0 (control), 100, 200, and 300 (mM) NaCl for 30 days (short-term treatments) and: 0 (control), 54.7, 109.5, and 164.5 (mM) NaCl for 150 days (long-term treatments). Three replications in completely randomized design were applied. The results showed that while the fresh weight of belowground biomass declined at higher salinity level (164.5 mM), no significant differences were reported in the short period of salt treatments. A considerable amount of free proline was accumulated in both short (3.594 µg.g-1 dw) and long ( 2.20 µg.g-1 dw) term studies which raised the role of proline in osmoregulation. Our results showed the decline of MDA amount (0.0003mmol.g-1FW) in 54.7 NaCl (mM) that may be due to less membrane damage in presence of moderate salinity, indicating a variety of dependent differences in biochemical markers activity.

Soil salinity is one of the major causes of losses in agricultural production, which is accentuated by global warming. A sustainable strategy to mitigate the effects of the increasing soil salinisation is the use of biostimulants. In this study, the effect of a plant-based biostimulant was tested on tomato plants exposed to different salinity levels in loamy and sandy soils. Salinity in the soils reached a maximum value of 14.35 dS m−1. The treatments included a control (tap water) and a dose of 0.4 mL L−1 of the commercial biostimulant BALOX®, containing polyphenols and glycine betaine. After 60 days of treatment, several growth and biochemical parameters were evaluated in the plants, and different responses were found depending on the type of soil texture. Salt stress inhibited plant growth, mainly affecting the roots of plants not treated with the biostimulant, in both soil texture types. It also caused a reduction of total chlorophyll and carotenoid levels by 44% and 38%, respectively, under severe salinity conditions. High salinity induced a significant increase in ionic, osmotic and oxidative stress in plants, as indicated by the accumulation of toxic Na+ and Cl− ions, higher proline and MDA levels, and increased antioxidant enzyme activities. However, the application of BALOX® stimulated plant growth and root system development in all experimental conditions. The areas of roots and leaves and the stem length and diameter showed higher mean values in biostimulant-treated plants on both soil types, with more pronounced differences with the controls in sandy soils. The total fresh weight showed maximum increases of 54% and 93% on loamy and sandy soils, respectively. In addition, BALOX® significantly improved the active transport of nutrients such as K+ and Ca2+, and the concentration of photosynthetic pigments by up to 64% over control values; it also allowed greater protection against salt stress as shown by a significant reduction of proline levels, by up to 36%, and MDA by 51% under strongly saline conditions. The application of BALOX® generally decreased the level of stress in the tomato plants, promoting plant growth and enhancing their biochemical responses, even on strongly salinised soils.

Artificial light has been used to control plant growth and secondary metabolite production. Artemisia annua L. plants were illuminated with three light-emitting diode (LED) spectra to investigate proteomic and biochemical responses. After 7 days, proteomic data revealed different protein numbers in leaves, stems, and roots under particular treatments. Results demonstrated increased accumulation of several proteins, including secondary metabolite-related proteins. The red light (R) (660 nm) highly induced terpenoid proteins. Similar biochemical profiles were observed in white light (W) (445, 544 nm) and blue light (B) (445 nm) conditions, while profiles from R treatment were different. Functional proteins of W and B treatments were involved in the MVA and MEP pathways and sesquiterpene biosynthesis. By contrast, unique proteins in R treatment were mainly expressed in sesquiterpene and tetraterpene biosynthesis. Specific relationships between biosynthetic proteins and sesquiterpenes were observed, suggesting the indispensable role of the light spectrum in regulating terpenoid biosynthesis.

Abstract Background To determine how much an augmented analysis approach could improve the efficiency of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) response analyses in clinical practice. PSA response rates are commonly used outcome measures in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) trial reports. PSA response is evaluated by comparing continuous PSA data (e.g., change from baseline) to a threshold (e.g., 50% reduction). Consequently, information in the continuous data is discarded. Recent papers have proposed an augmented approach that retains the conventional response rate, but employs the continuous data to improve precision of estimation. Methods A literature review identified published prostate cancer trials that included a waterfall plot of continuous PSA data. This continuous data was extracted to enable the conventional and augmented approaches to be compared. Results Sixty-four articles, reporting results for 78 mCRPC treatment arms, were re-analysed. The median efficiency gain from using the augmented analysis, in terms of the implied increase to the sample size of the original study, was 103.2% (IQR [89.8,190.9%]). Conclusions Augmented PSA response analysis requires no additional data to be collected and can be performed easily using available software. It improves precision of estimation to a degree that is equivalent to a substantial sample size increase. The implication of this work is that prostate cancer trials using PSA response as a primary endpoint could be delivered with fewer participants and, therefore, more rapidly with reduced cost.

Abstract Background Mexico is considered the diversification center for chili species, but these crops are susceptible to infection by pathogens such as Colletotrichum spp., which causes anthracnose disease and postharvest decay in general. Studies have been carried out with isolated strains of Colletotrichum in Capsicum plants; however, under growing conditions, microorganisms generally interact with others, resulting in an increase or decrease of their ability to infect the roots of C. chinense seedlings and thus, cause disease. Results Morphological changes were evident 24 h after inoculation (hai) with the microbial consortium, which consisted primarily of C. ignotum. High levels of diacylglycerol pyrophosphate (DGPP) and phosphatidic acid (PA) were found around 6 hai. These metabolic changes could be correlated with high transcription levels of diacylglycerol-kinase (CchDGK1 and CchDG31) at 3, 6 and 12 hai and also to pathogen gene markers, such as CchPR1 and CchPR5. Conclusions Our data constitute the first evidence for the phospholipids signalling events, specifically DGPP and PA participation in the phospholipase C/DGK (PI-PLC/DGK) pathway, in the response of Capsicum to the consortium, offering new insights on chilis’ defense responses to damping-off diseases.

Acute salinity stress can impact many physiological processes of marine shellfish. The responses of Pinctada maxima to salinity stress, especially the osmotic pressure regulation and immune response, are of great significance to health. To investigate the molecular changes in response to acute salinity stress, the pearl oysters were transferred from 30 ppt (C) to 40 ppt (HS) and 20 ppt (LS) for 12 h, and the transcriptome analysis was conducted on the gills. Compared to the control, there were 6613 (3253 up-regulated and 3360 down-regulated) differentially expressed genes (DEGs), 4395 (2180 up-regulated and 2215 down-regulated) DEGs observed in HS and LS, respectively. The related molecular biological processes and potential functions were explored from enrichment analysis. A total of 332 KEGG pathways (including 1514 genes) and 308 KEGG pathways (including 731 genes) were enriched in C vs. HS and C vs. LS, respectively. In addition, there are 1559 DEGs shared by C vs. HS group and C vs. LS group, and the results of the KEGG function annotation showed that 7 DEGs were involved in membrane transport, and 34 DEGs were involved in the immune system. The correlation network for expression of genes shows that the expression of 3 genes was significantly correlated with each other in membrane transport, and there were significant correlations between the expression of 27 genes in immune response. The results of this study will be of great value in understanding the molecular basis of salinity stress adaptation in the pearl oyster P. maxima.

Salinity is one of the most significant environmental factors limiting microalgal biomass productivity. In the present study, the model microalga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii (C. reinhardtii) was exposed to 200 mM NaCl for eight days to explore the physiological, biochemical and metabolomic changes. C. reinhradtii exhibited a significant decrease in growth rate, and Chl a and Chl b levels. 200 mM NaCl induced ROS generation in C. reinhardtii with increase in H2O2 content. This caused lipid peroxidation with increase in MDA levels. C. reinhardtii also exhibited an increase in carbohydrate and lipid accumulation under 200 mM NaCl conditions as storage molecules in cells to maintain microalgal survival. In addition, NaCl stress increased the content of carotenoids, polyphenols and osmoprotectant molecules such as proline. SOD and APX activities decreased, while ROS-scavenger enzymes (POD and CAT) decreased. Metabolomic response showed an accumulation of the major molecules implicated in membrane remodelling and stress resistance such oleic acid (40.29%), linolenic acid (19.29%), alkanes, alkenes and phytosterols. The present study indicates the physiological, biochemical and metabolomic responses of C. reinhardtii to salt stress.

Plant roots are colonized by rhizobacteria, and these soil microorganisms can not only stimulate plant growth but also increase tolerance to stress through the production of volatile organic compounds. However, little is known about the effect that these plant beneficial volatiles may have on bacteria. In this study, the effects on growth and oxidative status of different concentrations of three volatiles already reported to have a positive influence on plant growth (2-butanone, 3-methyl-1-butanol, and 2,3-butanediol) were determined in A. thaliana and Rhizobium sp. strain E20-8 via airborne exposure in the presence and absence of Cd. It was expected to ascertain if the plant and the bacterium are influenced in the same way by the volatiles, and if exposure to stress (Cd) shifts the effects of volatiles on plants and bacteria. Results showed the antioxidant activity of the volatiles protecting the plant cell metabolism from Cd toxicity and increasing plant tolerance to Cd. Effects on bacteria were less positive. The two alcohols (3-methyl-1-butanol and 2,3-butanediol) increased Cd toxicity, and the ketone (2-butanone) was able to protect Rhizobium from Cd stress, constituting an alternative way to protect soil bacterial communities from stress. The application of 2-butanone thus emerges as an alternative way to increase crop production and crop resilience to stress in a more sustainable way, either directly or through the enhancement of PGPR activity.

BackgroundFirst-generation somatostatin receptor ligands (fg-SRLs) represent the first-line medical treatment for acromegaly, recommended in patients with persistent disease after neurosurgery, or when surgical approach is not feasible. Despite the lack of strong recommendations from guidelines and consensus statements, data from national Registries report an increasing use of medical therapy as first-line treatment in acromegaly.ObjectiveWe retrospectively evaluated the potential role of a large number of clinical and radiological parameters in predicting the biochemical response to 6-month treatment with fg-SRLs, in a cohort of naïve acromegaly patients referred to a single tertiary center for pituitary diseases.MethodsUnivariable and multivariable logistic regression and linear regression analyses were performed. Biochemical response was defined based on IGF-1 levels, represented as both categorical (tight control, control, >50% reduction) and continuous (linear % reduction) variables.ResultsFifty-one patients (33 females, median age 57 years) were included in the study. At univariable logistic regression analysis, we found that younger age (≤ 40 years; OR 0.04, p=0.045) and higher BMI (OR 0.866, p=0.034) were associated with a lower chance of achieving >50% IGF-1 reduction. On the contrary, higher IGF-1 xULN values at diagnosis (OR 2.304, p=0.007) and a T2-hypointense tumor (OR 18, p=0.017) were associated with a significantly higher likelihood of achieving >50% IGF-1 reduction after SRL therapy. Of note, dichotomized age, IGF1 xULN at diagnosis, and T2-hypointense signal of the tumor were retained as significant predictors by our multivariable logistic regression model. Furthermore, investigating the presence of predictors to the linear % IGF-1 reduction, we found a negative association with younger age (≤ 40 years; β -0.533, p50% IGF-1 reduction and linear % IGF-1 reduction after 6 month fg-SRL treatment in naïve acromegaly patients. These parameters should be considered in the light of an individualized treatment for acromegaly patients.

Background/Aims: Emergence of tyrosine-methionine-aspartate-aspartate (YMDD) motif in reverse transcriptase is a serious problem in chronic hepatitis B(CHB) patients after Lamivudine (LAM) therapy. However, the relationship between inflammation pharmacological reaction and YMDD mutational patterns of CHB has not been well-characterized. The aim of this study was to investigate the inflammation pharmacological reaction and different YMDD mutants patterns of CHB patients.Methods: We investigated the inflammation pharmacological reaction and YMDD mutational patterns through biochemical, serological and virological detection among 83 CHB patients, including 25 YMDD mutants, 25 under detection, and 33 control patients without YMDD mutants.Results: Prevalence of YMDD mutation patterns is different. Among 25 YMDD mutants patients, YIDD was the dominant mutation (72%), followed YVDD (16%) and the hybrid YIDD + YVDD (12%). The time course during the YMDD mutations was also different. 52.4% patients developed the mutation less than 12 months after the LAM therapy. Serum hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA level in patients with YMDD mutants were significantly higher than that in control and negative groups. Serum HbsAg and HbeAg in patients with YMDD mutants were also higher than those in control and negative groups, despite no significant difference was found forserum HbeAb. ALT and AST levels were also significantly higher in mutants group.Conclusions: Illuminating inflammation pharmacological reaction and YMDD mutational patterns of CHB during pathological process may have implications for future therapy in YMDD mutation patients. This may have impact on the choice of treatment strategies for lamivudine-resistant HBV.

Seasonal variations affect the rate of biomass accumulation in plants which is internally governed by biochemical metabolites. Studying the impact of atmospheric seasonal changes on biochemical parameters can improve our understanding of various plant species' physiological plasticity. Bamboos are a fast-growing group of woody grass species, widely distributed across tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world, and are an important species of the Indian subcontinent. Nevertheless, limited information is available on the seasonal response of biochemical's in bamboo species growing in ambient atmospheric circumstances. Therefore, we investigated the seasonal biochemical responses of Dendrocalamus strictus clones viz. Pantnagar (PNT) and Dhampur (DHM) to seasonal ambient atmospheric conditions. The concentrations of chlorophyll, protein, carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and magnesium in bamboo leaves were increased significantly (p < 0.025) in monsoon compared to summer and winter seasons. Carotenoid, total sugar and ascorbic acid contents were highest during winters and reduced significantly during monsoon. Proline content was highest in summer and reduced by 97% during monsoon, indicating effective adaptation to both clones' water-limited conditions. It was inferred that seasonal variation in atmospheric conditions significantly influenced the biochemical constituents of plants. This study provides a biochemical approach for screening potential bamboo species with adaptive nature for plantation purposes intended to mitigate climate change.

Mungbean is a nutritionally and economically important pulse crop cultivated around Asia, mainly in India. The crop is sensitive to drought at various developmental stages of its growing period. However, there is limited or almost no research on a comparative evaluation of mung-bean plants at the flowering stage under drought conditions. Hence, the aim of this research was to impose the drought stress on two mungbean cultivars VRM (Gg) 1 and CO6 at the flowering stage and assess the physio-biochemical and transcriptional changes. After imposing the drought stress, we found that VRM (Gg) 1 exhibited a low reduction in physiological traits (Chlorophyll, relative water content, and plant dry mass) and high proline content than CO6. Additionally, VRM (Gg) 1 has a low level of H2O2 and MDA contents and higher antioxidant enzymes (SOD, POD, and CAT) activity than CO6 during drought stress. The transcriptional analysis of photosynthesis (PS II-PsbP, PS II-LHC, PS I-PsaG/PsaK, and PEPC 3), antioxidant (SOD 2, POD, CAT 2), and drought-responsive genes (HSP-90, DREB2C, NAC 3 and AREB 2) show that VRM (Gg) 1 had increased transcripts more than CO6 under drought stress. Taken together, VRM (Gg) 1 had a better photosynthetic performance which resulted in fewer reductions in chlorophyll, relative water content, and plant dry mass during drought stress. In addition, higher antioxidative enzyme activities led to lower H2O2 and MDA levels, limiting oxidative damage in VRM (Gg) 1. This was positively correlated with increased transcripts of photosynthesis and antioxidant-related genes in VRM (Gg) 1. Further, the increased transcripts of drought-responsive genes indicate that VRM (Gg) 1 has a better genetic basis against drought stress than CO6. These findings help to understand the mungbean response to drought stress and will aid in the development of genotypes with greater drought tolerance by utilizing natural genetic variants.

Tomato is a high-value vegetable crop widely cultivated in the Philippines, and its production is threatened by various stresses including infection by the root-knot nematode M. incognita. In this study, we checked for resistance to M. incognita in selected tomato germplasm collections and commercially available varieties using a bioassay method, the molecular marker Mi23 and biochemical analysis. Among the eight varieties tested, none showed a resistant reaction against M. incognita. Use of the molecular marker Mi23 yielded 430 bp in all the tomato varieties screened. Phylogenetic analysis using the neighbor-joining method revealed the clustering of consensus sequence of the varieties tested with the susceptible variety S. lycopersicum cv. M82-1-8 and a wild relative, S. pimpinellifolium isolate LA2184. The biochemical analysis showed varying responses among the varieties when they were inoculated with M. incognita. Increased levels of total antioxidant activity were observed in Diamante Max F1, Ilocos Red and Tm 2016 11-1, while total phenolic content was found to be elevated in Athena, Avatar TY F1 and Rosanna. Increased levels of ascorbic acid were observed in Athena and Avatar TY F1 even at 45 dpi. Even though these varieties showed elevated levels of the abovementioned biochemical parameters related to a resistance reaction, all of them showed highly susceptible reactions. Hence, this study showed that these tomato varieties have no resistance against M. incognita and that there is a need to identify other sources of resistance against M. incongita and produce resistant tomato cultivars adapted to local conditions.

BackgroundRepeated radioiodine (131I) treatment (RT) are commonly performed in patients with 131I-avid distant metastatic differentiated thyroid cancer (DM-DTC), but more precise indications remain indeterminate. This prospective study was conducted to explore predictors for biochemical response (BR) to next RT.MethodsTotally thyroidectomized patients with 131I-avid DM-DTC demonstrated by initial post-therapeutic whole body scan (Rx-WBS) were consecutively recruited. Repeated RTs were performed at a fixed dose and a fixed interval, which was terminated once a decline in thyroid stimulating hormone-suppressed thyroglobulin (Tgon) could not be achieved or Rx-WBS was negative. BR was evaluated by change rate of Tgon level (ΔTgon%).ResultsAfter exclusion of 27 ineligible courses, a total of 166 neighboring course pairs from 77 patients were established and utilized. Univariate and multivariate analyses showed that the maximum target/background ratio (T/Bmax) on the whole body scan and ΔTgon% derived from the former RT were independently associated to the latter one. In predicting biochemical remission, the positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of T/Bmax at the cut-off value of 8.1 were 79.1% and 84.0%, respectively; whereas the PPV and NPV of ΔTgon% at the cut-off value of 25.3% were 70.8% and 77.1%, respectively. Notably, the PPV of combined T/Bmax ≥ 8.1 and ΔTgon% ≥ 25.3% increased to 87.7%; while the NPV of T/Bmax ≥ 8.1 or ΔTgon% ≥ 25.3% reached as high as 97.7%.ConclusionsThis study revealed that combined use of the latest RT-derived T/Bmax and ΔTgon% may efficiently identify biochemical responders/non-responders to next RT, warranting management optimization of patients with 131I-avid DM-DTC.

Abstract Background Microsporidia are a group of eukaryotic intracellular parasites that infect almost all vertebrates and invertebrates. However, there is little information available of how microsporidia obtain nutrients and energy from host cells. The purpose of this study was to investigate the energy and material requirements of Nosema bombycis for the invasion procedure through analyzing the global variation of the gene expression, protein abundance, fatty acids level and ATP flux induced by the microsporidia N. bombycis infection in the midgut of the silkworm Bombyx mori. Methods A suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH) and quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) analysis were performed to identify the genes upregulated in the midgut of B. mori 48 h following N. bombycis infection. Gene Ontology (GO) and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses were used to annotate and summarize the differentially expressed genes, according to the categories ‘molecular function’, ‘cellular component’ and ‘biological process’. To evaluate the nutrition material and energy costs in B.mori infected by N. bombycis, biochemical analysis was performed to determine the variation of protein abundance, fatty acid levels and ATP flux with or without the microsporidia N. bombycis infection in the midgut of the silkworm B. mori. Results A total of 744 clones were obtained, 288 clones were randomly selected for sequencing, and 110 unigenes were generated. Amongst these, 49.21%, 30.16% and 14.29% genes were involved in 19 molecular functions, 19 biological processes and nine cellular components, respectively. A total of 11 oxidative phosphorylation- and eight proton-coupled ATP synthesis-related genes were upregulated. Seven protein degradation-, three fat degradation-related genes were upregulated, and no genes related to the de novo synthesis of amino acids and fatty acids were significantly upregulated. The data from the biochemical analysis showed the contents of total protein and ATP of B. mori midgut tissues decreased significantly, whereas the fatty acid content did not significantly change after four days of N. bombycis infection. Microsporidia N. bombycis infection upregulated the expression level of genes involved in host ATP synthesis, protein and fat degradation, which eventually causes the obvious decline of protein content and ATP synthesis in the host midgut, whereas the fatty acids content did not change significantly. Conclusions This study suggested to some extent that N. bombycis invasion can activate the host protein degradation and accelerate the production of host ATP. Microsporidia of N. bombycis show preference for proteins rather than fatty acids from the host to ensure the material preparation required by their parasitic life-cycle. Requirements of N. bombycis for energy were also mainly dependent on the host ATP production. This study provides a new data that may help our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of obtaining energy and nutrients from the host by the microsporidium N. bombycis.

Climate change exacerbates flooding problems due to hurricanes followed by heavy rains, particularly in sub-tropical regions. Consequently, submerged plants experience hypoxia stress which limits agronomic and horticultural crop growth and production. Hypoxia causes oxidative damage by accelerating the lipid peroxidation associated with O2- and H2O2 levels. Additionally, hypoxia increases the accumulation of organic osmoprotectants and antioxidant activity, whereas it decreases the macronutrient (N, P, K, and Zn) uptake. This study aimed at investigating the effects of flooding-induced hypoxia stress on the growth and the physiological, biochemical, and nutritional characteristics of the hydroponically grown southern highbush blueberry (cv. Jewel) plants. In addition, the hypoxia-mitigating effects of conventional silicon (Si-C) and silicon nanoparticles (SiNPs) and their application methods (foliar vs. foliar and rootzone application) were also appraised. Both the Si-C and the SiNPs efficiently alleviated hypoxia-induced oxidative and osmotic damage to cells by enhancing the activities of the enzymatic antioxidants (ascorbate peroxidase, catalase, dehydroascorbate reductase, superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, guaiacol peroxidase, monodehydroascorbate, reductase); the non-enzymatic antioxidants (ascorbic acid and glutathione contents); and the accumulation of compatible solutes (proline and glycinebetaine) in leaves and roots. However, the SiNPs were more effective than Si-C at improving antioxidant activities and osmolytes formation. A strong negative correlation between the antioxidant activities and the lipid peroxidation rate was observed in the SiNP-treated plants under hypoxia stress. The SiNPs also regulated nutrient uptake by increasing the K, N, P, and Zn concentrations while decreasing Fe and Mn concentrations to a less toxic level. Blueberry plants treated with SiNPs responded more effectively to hypoxia stress by maintaining higher antioxidant and osmoprotectant concentrations than blueberry plants treated with Si-C. Additionally, the foliar and rootzone applications yielded better results than the foliar applications only.

The use of 225Ac in prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-targeted radioligand therapy (RLT), either as monotherapy or in combination with 177Lu, is a promising therapy approach in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate carcinoma (mCRPC). In this study, we report the efficacy and safety of [225Ac]Ac-PSMA-617 augmented [177Lu]Lu-PSMA-617 RLT in 177Lu-naive mCRPC patients (n = 15) with poor prognosis (presence of visceral metastases, high total tumor burden with diffuse bone metastases or a short PSA doubling time of 68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT) was assessed after two cycles of [177Lu]Lu-PSMA-617 RLT, with at least one [225Ac]Ac-PSMA-617 augmentation. In addition, PSA-based progression-free survival (PSA-PFS), overall survival (OS) and toxicity (according to CTCAE) were analyzed. We observed a biochemical- and molecular imaging-based partial remission in 53.3% (8/15) and 66.7% (10/15) of patients, respectively. The median PSA-PFS and OS was 9.1 and 14.8 months, respectively. No serious acute adverse events were recorded. Two out of fifteen patients experienced grade 3 anemia. No other grade 3/4 toxicities were observed. RLT-related xerostomia (grade 1/2) was recorded in 2/15 patients. Our data showed a high clinical efficacy with a favorable side effects profile of [225Ac]Ac-PSMA-617 augmented [177Lu]Lu-PSMA-617 RLT in this highly challenging patient cohort.

Drought is a global problem for crop productivity. Therefore, the objective of this research was to evaluate five dry-Caribbean Bacillus spp. strains in drought stress amelioration in maize plants. Maize seeds were single-strain inoculated and sown in pots under greenhouse conditions. After 12 days, plants were subjected to 33 days of drought conditions, i.e., 30% of soil field capacity, and then collected to measure leaf and root dry biomass, plant height, antioxidant enzymes, proline accumulation, and P+, Ca2+, and K+ uptake. Results correlated drought stress amelioration with the inoculation of Bacillus spp. strains XT13, XT38 and XT110. Inoculated plants showed increases in dry biomass, plant height, and K+ and P+ uptake. The overall maize antioxidant response to bacterial inoculation under drought stress showed dependence on proline accumulation and decreases in ascorbate peroxidase and glutathione reductase activities. Moreover, results suggest that this stress amelioration is driven by a specific plant-strain correlation observed in antioxidant response changes in inoculated plants under stress. Also, there is a complex integration of several mechanisms, including plant growth-promotion traits and nutrient uptake. Hence, the use of dry-Caribbean plant growth-promoting Bacillus strains represents an important biotechnological approach to enhance crop productivity in arid and semi-arid environments.

Conventional aquaculture feed materials available in Australia are expensive, which has prompted the search for alternatives that would be cost-effective and locally available. The present study was undertaken in order to maximize the use of a tuna hydrolysate (TH), which was produced locally from the tuna-processing discards. The growth performance, biochemical status, antioxidant capacity and liver health of juvenile barramundi (Lates calcarifer) were assessed. Two series of isonitrogenous and isocaloric diets labelled as TH50, TH75 (non-fermented tuna hydrolysate) and FTH50, FTH75 (fermented tuna hydrolysate) were formulated to replace FM at 50% and 75%, respectively. A basal diet without the TH supplementation was used as a control. The experimental diets were fed to the triplicate groups of fish three times a day for 56 days. The results of the experiment revealed that fish fed on both fermented and non-fermented TH-containing diets significantly reduced (p

We investigated the accumulation and adverse effects of toxic and non-toxic Microcystis in the edible clam Corbicula leana. Treated clams were exposed to toxic Microcystis at 100 μg of MC (microcystin)-LReq L−1 for 10 days. The experimental organism was then placed in toxin-free water and fed on non-toxic Microcystis for the following 10 days for depuration. Filtering rates (FRs) by C. leana of toxic and non-toxic Microcystis and of the green alga Chlorella vulgaris as a control were estimated. Adverse effects were evaluated though the activity of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione S-transferase (GST). Clam accumulated MCs (up to 12.7 ± 2.5 μg g−1 dry weight (DW) of free MC and 4.2 ± 0.6 μg g−1 DW of covalently bound MC). Our results suggest that although both toxic and non-toxic cyanobacteria caused adverse effects by inducing the detoxification and antioxidant defense system, the clam was quite resistant to cyanotoxins. The estimated MC concentration in C. leana was far beyond the World Health Organization's (WHO) provisional tolerable daily intake (0.04 μg kg−1 day−1), suggesting that consuming clams harvested during cyanobacterial blooms carries a high health risk.

Triplicate groups of fed and starved olive flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus (body weight: 119.8±17.46 g), were examined over 42 days for physiological changes using hematological, biochemical, and non-specific immune parameters. No significant differences in concentrations of blood hemoglobin and hematocrit and plasma levels of total cholesterol, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, glucose, and cortisol were detected between fed and starved groups at any sampling time throughout the experiment. In contrast, plasma total protein concentrations were significantly lower in starved fish than in fed fish from day 7 onwards. Moreover, plasma lysozyme concentrations were significantly higher in starved flounder from day 21 onwards. This result confirms that the response of olive flounder to short-term (less than about 1.5 months) starvation consists of a readjustment of metabolism rather than the activation of an alarm-stress response. The present results indicate that starvation does not significantly compromise the health status of fish despite food limitation.

Nanoscale zerovalent iron (nZVI) is the most widely used nanomaterial for environmental remediation. The impacts of nZVI on terrestrial organisms have been recently reported, and in particular, plant growth was promoted by nZVI treatment in various concentrations. Therefore, it is necessary to investigate the detailed physiological and biochemical responses of plants toward nZVI treatment for agricultural application. Here, the effects of nZVI on photosynthesis and related biochemical adaptation of soil-grown Arabidopsis thaliana were examined. After treatment with 500 mg nZVI/kg soil, the plant biomass increased by 38% through enhanced photosynthesis, which was confirmed by the gas-exchange system, carbon isotope ratio and chlorophyll content analysis. Besides, the iron uptake of the plant increased in roots and leaves. The magnetic property measurements and transmission electron microscopy showed that the transformed particles were accumulated in parts of the plant tissues. The accumulation of carbohydrates such as glucose, sucrose and starch increased by the enhanced photosynthesis, and photosynthetic-related inorganic nutrients such as phosphorus, manganese and zinc maintained homeostasis, according to the increased iron uptake. These findings suggest that nZVI has additional or alternative benefits as a nano-fertilizer and a promoter of CO2 uptake in plants.

In the present investigation, experiments were conducted to investigate the growth, morphological, anatomical and biochemical responses of to UV and drought stresses in Spilanthes acmella (toothache plant). Results were shown that both UV and drought treatments retarded plant growth. Although there was no significant difference in the internal structure of leaf and stem. Morphometric changes such as curling of leaves and shiny surface due to waxy coatings were noticed in plants grown under UV radiation however these changes were absent in water stressed plants but yellowing was observed in the entire leaves. Chlorophyll content and relative water content in leaves were significantly affected by UV and drought. Relative water content markedly increased in UV treated plants and reduced in drought. In UV treated plants chlorophyll a, chlorophyll band total chlorophyll contents were considerably decreased than the drought treated plants. The carotenoid, flavonoids and anthocyanins concentration increased in both treatments. Changes in contents of antioxidative metabolites under the stresses were observed. Free proline and MDA accumulations also showed significant increase in droughttreatment than in UV treatment. During drought condition the catalase activity decreased as compared with the control plant whereas UV treated plants showed increase in the catalase activity.

The freshwater fish Carassius auratus was chosen as an experimental subject, and their hepatic biochemical responses to the medium-term exposure of Benzo(k)fluoranthene (BkF) alone and in combination with PCB118 and dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) were investigated by measuring the reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione S-transferase (GST), and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), to assess sublethal effects. The hepatic GSH content was significantly inhibited by organic pollutants, alone and in mixtures, while the TBARS content was significantly induced after three days of exposure. Bell-shaped concentration-response charts of GST activities were obtained. Significant dose-response relationships were found for hepatic GSH and TBARS contents of all concentrations and for the GST activity, except at the highest concentration. The GSH content, GST activity, and TBARS content in Carassius auratus were confirmed as useful biomarkers of exposure to organic pollutions.

Background: Parathyroidectomy is considered the standard treatment for primary hyperparathyroidism, however, though the onset of biochemical response is variable and is different from one patient to the other. Aim: To evaluate the onset of systemic response and the biochemical normalization of serum calcium levels to a successful surgery. Patients and Methods: In a retrospective fashion, we collected clinical data from 303 patients admitted to our hospital between 2005 and 2008, with a diagnosis of primary hyperparathyroidism after sestamibi localization. The pathology reports, parathyroidectomy results, the preoperative and postoperative parathormone (PTH) and serum calcium levels were reviewed. Response of each patient to the surgery was studied and all the data were analyzed to determine how fast the serum calcium levels drop. Results: The majority of patients (72.9%, 221/303) showed a decrease in their serum calcium levels to normal values within 48 h. While in 40 patients it took 72 hours and 42 patients (13.8%) had a delayed normalization for more than 72 h. The pathology in the PH group was predominantly of a single adenoma 80.9% vs.19.1 with hyperplasia with a P of 0.03. Preoperative parathyroid hormone PTH elevation was not significantly deferent between the two groups (PH and EN) with a mean of 7.9±5.36 vs. 7.41±14.5 pmol/L respectively with a P of 0.43. Conclusion: The majority of patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (PHP) respond to parathyroidectomy in the form of normalization of their serum calcium levels and PTH within 48 h; however, a certain group of patients will need more than 3 days.

Background/Aims: The authors examined whether the response to interferon (IFN) therapy can affect the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients. Methods: Out of 353 biopsy-proven CHB patients, 229 (65%) were treated with IFN-Ձ for 6 to 12 months. They were followed for a median period of 75 months (range, 6-120). In patients treated with IFN, biochemical and virologic responses were evaluated at the end of treatment (EOT). The cumulative incidence rates of HCC were calculated and analyzed in relation to baseline characteristics as well as biochemical and virologic responses to IFN therapy. Results: The overall cumulative incidence of HCC was 0%, 0.8%, 3.7% and 5.5% at 3, 5, 7 and 8 years, respectively. Age, serum AFP levels and the stage of fibrosis were significantly associated with the occurrence of HCC. As a whole, IFN therapy did not affect the occurrence of HCC. Among the patients treated with IFN, biochemical responders had low HCC incidence rates compared with non-responders (p=0.018). However, the HCC incid-ence rates of virologic responders were not different from non-responders (p=0.203). Conclusions: Biochemical rather than virologic response to IFN therapy may be more closely associated with decrease of HCC incidence in CHB patients. (Gut and Liver 2007;1:49-55)

Phytophthora blight of pepper caused by Phytophthora capsici Leonian is a destructive disease throughout the world. Cuminic acid, extracted from the seed of Cuminum cyminum L., belongs to the benzoic acid chemical class. In this study, the sensitivity and biochemical response of P. capsici to cuminic acid was determined. The mean EC50 (50% effective concentration) values for cuminic acid in inhibiting mycelial growth and zoospore germination of the 54 studied P. capsici isolates were 14.54 ± 5.23 μg/mL and 6.97 ± 2.82 μg/mL, respectively. After treatment with cuminic acid, mycelial morphology, sporangium formation and mycelial respiration were significantly influenced; cell membrane permeability and DNA content increased markedly, but pyruvic acid content, adenosine triphosphate (ATP) content, and ATPase activity decreased compared with the untreated control. In pot experiments, cuminic acid exhibited both protective and curative activity. Importantly, POD and PAL activity of the pepper leaves increased after being treated with cuminic acid. These indicated that cuminic acid not only showed antifungal activity, but also could improve the defense capacity of the plants. All the results suggested that cuminic acid exhibits the potential to be developed as a new phytochemical fungicide, and this information increases our understanding of the mechanism of action of cuminic acid against Phytophthora capsici.