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One of the least invasive sampling methods suitable for self-sampling is saliva spitting. The aim of this study is to evaluate the suitability of saliva self-sampling for unsupervised testing. Two self-sampling strategies were compared on the basis of visual evaluation of samples, measurement of cortisol levels in samples and questionnaire survey. The saliva samples obtained by supervised self-sampling were found to be fully suitable for further analysis. In contrast, not all saliva samples obtained from unsupervised self-collection can be used: 13% non-compliance with the minimum required sample volume, 8% with some food/drink residues and 26% taken at the wrong day time. About 42% of the unsupervised probands made at least one significant error in the saliva self-collection procedure. These results indicate that the accuracy of the results based on the analysis of samples received from saliva self-sampling is limited. For clinical investigation, the presence of an inner standard (referring to the reliability of the sampling procedure) is required.

Several 1,2,4-triazoles are widely used as systemic fungicides in agriculture because they inhibit fungal 14ɑ-demethylase. However, they can also act on many non-target plant enzymes, thereby affecting phytohormonal balance, free amino acid content, and adaptation to stress. In this study, tomato plants (Solanum lycopersicum L. var. ‘Cherrola‘) were exposed to penconazole, tebuconazole, or their combination, either by foliar spraying or soil drenching, every week, as an ecotoxicological model. All triazole-exposed plants showed a higher content (1.7–8.8 ×) of total free amino acids than the control, especially free glutamine and asparagine were increased most likely in relation to the increase in active cytokinin metabolites 15 days after the first application. Conversely, the Trp content decreased in comparison with control (0.2–0.7 ×), suggesting depletion by auxin biosynthesis. Both triazole application methods slightly affected the antioxidant system (antioxidant enzyme activity, antioxidant capacity, and phenolic content) in tomato leaves. These results indicated that the tomato plants adapted to triazoles over time. Therefore, increasing the abscisic and chlorogenic acid content in triazole-exposed plants may promote resistance to abiotic stress.

Triazole fungicides can threaten plants as abiotic stressors but can also positively affect plant defense by inducing priming. Thus, plant yield is also both protected and endangered by triazoles that may influence several metabolic pathways during maturation processes, such as the biosynthesis of saccharides or secondary metabolites. Here, Solanum lycopersicum L. plants were exposed to foliar and soil applications of penconazole, tebuconazole, or their combination, and their resulting effect on tomato fruits was followed. The exposure to the equimolar mixture of both triazoles influenced the representation of free proteinogenic amino acids, especially Gln, Glu, Gly, Ile, Lys, Ser and Pro, saccharide content, and led to a significant increase in the contents of total phenolics and flavonoids as well as positive stimulation of the non-enzymatic antioxidant system. Among the identified secondary metabolites, the most abundant was naringenin, followed by chlorogenic acid in tomato peel. In turn, all triazole-treated groups showed a significantly lower content of rosmarinic acid in comparison with the control. Foliar application of penconazole affected the fruit more than other single triazole applications, showing a significant decrease in antioxidant capacity, the total content of secondary metabolites, and the activities of total membrane-bound peroxidases and ascorbate peroxidase.

Currently, reforestation efforts focus primarily on deciduous species replacing coniferous monocultures. Related to this are efforts to identify their interactions in the soil. Root exudation has many functions, including plant communication with soil microorganisms and the solubilisation of nutrients. Root exudates reflect the situation in the soil, as well as refer to the plant species and health/fitness. The idea here was to reveal the typical content of low-molecular-weight phenolic acids in the soil solution that occur in the early-life stages of most typical temperate deciduous trees Quercus robur, Sorbus torminalis, Fagus sylvatica and Acer pseudoplatanus, including the fast-growing invasive Robinia pseudoacacia. To compare their initial strategies and ambient, seedlings were planted in the pot experiment for one season since emergence. The following phenolic acids were detected in detectable concentrations: vanillic, 4-benzoic, syringic, p-coumaric and salicylic. Each tree species tested showed a unique fingerprint in these acids, which can be considered species-specific, i.e., their presence differed among the species. Robinia pseudoacacia (unlike the other trees tested) showed the ability to maintain high levels of p-coumaric acid in the soil solution, indicating its potential to survive in nutrient-poor soil and achieve rapid growth. On the contrary, the levels of all phenolic acids detected in the soil solution of Quercus robur and Sorbus torminalis were very low. These fingerprints should be extended to other compounds and also to older trees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are regulators of post-transcriptional gene expression that reflect individual biological adaptations to environmental exposures. Measuring circulating miRNAs offers a way to evaluate biological changes from behavioural interventions, such as exercise and sports, which relate to adaptation, muscle damage and inflammation. Objectives: This review aims to summarize the current knowledge about circulating miRNAs associated with sports, endurance exercise, training and the identification of cardiovascular, as well as myocyte disorders in humans. It is primarily focused on the role of miRNAs in endurance and aerobic training and their regulation in response to cardiac hypertrophy, myocyte damage, fibrosis and inflammation. Material and methods: In this review, the existing literature on miRNA expression is examined in various exercise contexts, identifying key miRNAs involved in the adaptive response to exercise. Research included in the review primarily employed quasi-experimental designs, focusing on pre- and post-exercise miRNA expression changes in elite athletes and healthy individuals. Results: Key miRNAs, such as miR-1, miR-133, miR-21, miR-155, miR-206, miR-208 and miR-146, are highlighted for their significant roles in exercise adaptation. Two key future research directions are identified in the review: investigating the biological pathways linked to different exercise modalities and understanding miRNA expressions in various exercise contexts. Conclusions: Despite varied findings, the review allows to emphasize the need for future research to explore miRNA-gene interactions and the impact of different training types as well as durations, especially comparing athletes to healthy populations. This will help to better understand the relationship between miRNA expression and exercise performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Terconazole is one of the triazole derivatives with an antifungal effect. It is used locally to treat vaginal yeast infections. Terconazole could interact with copper cations in the vagina or uterus of women who use an intrauterine device releasing copper cations. Other triazole derivatives in complexes with copper cations differ in their properties like toxicity or mobility. Cu2+ can be reduced in the presence of triazoles, which can lead to a Fenton-like reaction and the production of free radicals. Thus, the Cu2+/Cu+ terconazole system can be potentially dangerous. Stoichiometry, fragmentation, and stability of forming complexes were studied with tandem mass spectrometry. The Cu2+/Cu+ terconazole system was measured within the pH range of 4.0–7.2, with a concentration ratio of CuCl2 and terconazole 1:5 to 20:1, with water and ethanol as solvents (1:1). The achieved results suggest that terconazole is partially oxidized in the Cu2+/terconazole system and that this oxidation depends on the pH of a solution. Apart from the oxidized and protonated terconazole, other detected ions and complexes were not significantly affected by pH. The detection of complexes containing Cu+ is alarming because this could correspond to the occurrence of a Fenton-like reaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Triazole fungicides can threaten plants as abiotic stressors but can also positively affect plant defense by inducing priming. Thus, plant yield is also both protected and endangered by triazoles that may influence several metabolic pathways during maturation processes, such as the biosynthesis of saccharides or secondary metabolites. Here, Solanum lycopersicum L. plants were exposed to foliar and soil applications of penconazole, tebuconazole, or their combination, and their resulting effect on tomato fruits was followed. The exposure to the equimolar mixture of both triazoles influenced the representation of free proteinogenic amino acids, especially Gln, Glu, Gly, Ile, Lys, Ser and Pro, saccharide content, and led to a significant increase in the contents of total phenolics and flavonoids as well as positive stimulation of the non-enzymatic antioxidant system. Among the identified secondary metabolites, the most abundant was naringenin, followed by chlorogenic acid in tomato peel. In turn, all triazole-treated groups showed a significantly lower content of rosmarinic acid in comparison with the control. Foliar application of penconazole affected the fruit more than other single triazole applications, showing a significant decrease in antioxidant capacity, the total content of secondary metabolites, and the activities of total membrane-bound peroxidases and ascorbate peroxidase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the least invasive sampling methods suitable for self-sampling is saliva spitting. The aim of this study is to evaluate the suitability of saliva self-sampling for unsupervised testing. Two self-sampling strategies were compared on the basis of visual evaluation of samples, measurement of cortisol levels in samples and questionnaire survey. The saliva samples obtained by supervised self-sampling were found to be fully suitable for further analysis. In contrast, not all saliva samples obtained from unsupervised self-collection can be used: 13% non-compliance with the minimum required sample volume, 8% with some food/drink residues and 26% taken at the wrong day time. About 42% of the unsupervised probands made at least one significant error in the saliva self-collection procedure. These results indicate that the accuracy of the results based on the analysis of samples received from saliva self-sampling is limited. For clinical investigation, the presence of an inner standard (referring to the reliability of the sampling procedure) is required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]