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College students use substances for varied reasons, including to cope with stress. The parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) regulates bodily functions to promote energy conservation (the 'rest and digest' response), and individuals differ in their physiological sensitivity to challenge. It remains unclear whether greater PNS responses (i.e., declines in PNS activity, termed vagal withdrawal) to challenge could suggest difficulty regulating and thereby confer risk for using substances in community samples. We hypothesised that lower resting PNS activity and greater PNS responses to a challenge task would be associated with more frequent substance use (i.e., alcohol use, binge drinking, cannabis use). College students (N = 152; Mage = 20.5, SD = 3.2; 73.8% female) reported their past month frequency of substance use and completed a laboratory-based challenge task while having an electrocardiogram administered to derive respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA), a measure of PNS activity. They watched a 4-min neutral video (resting baseline) and then traced a star with their nondominant hand while only seeing the mirror reflection of their hand (challenge). Higher resting RSA was related to more frequent cannabis use. Individuals with larger declines in RSA from the video to the task (i.e., greater PNS responses) tended to use each substance more frequently. RSA recovery from the task was not related to substance use. Taken together, college students who are more physiologically responsive to challenge may use substances more frequently, potentially as a means of coping. Biofeedback interventions can be investigated for reducing college students' substance use risk.

The widespread use of generative AI has become an irreversible trend for creativity education, but excessive information load brings potential risks of psychological stress to users. This study uncovers the dual impact of generative AI on user creativity and psychological stress in the context of serious games. A comparative task was adopted, employing 46 participants to complete creative design tasks in the serious game. The creative outputs of both groups were quantitatively evaluated. Physiological parameters such as facial emotion, Skin conductance response (SCR), and Heart rate variability (HRV) were analyzed to assess the emotional and physiological changes in users with creative stimulation. The study results show that generative AI significantly promotes the activation of SCR, enhances human creativity with quantity, quality, elaboration, and integrity, but also increases psychological stress by reducing HRV. This study demonstrates that the development of symbiotic AI must prioritise human mental well-being, rather than focusing solely on the efficiency, accuracy, and generalisation performance of the generative AI outputs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Drought stress severely affects global crop yields, reduces water availability, and hinders growth. Strigolactones can alleviate damage caused by various abiotic stresses in plants; however, limited research has been conducted on their ability to enhance drought tolerance in tobacco. Methods: This study evaluated the drought tolerance of 'Qin Tobacco 96' (drought-tolerant) and 'Yun Tobacco 116' (moisture-sensitive) before and after the application of gibberellic acid lactone at a concentration of 0.2 mg·L⁻¹ under three drought conditions: mild, moderate, and severe. The primary drought tolerance traits were identified from 29 related indicators, including agronomic traits, photosynthetic efficiency, reactive oxygen metabolism, antioxidant enzyme activities, osmotic regulators, and hormone regulation, using affiliation function, principal component analysis, and cluster analysis to categorize the traits. The degree of drought tolerance enhancement in the two tobacco varieties was evaluated under various treatments. Results: Spraying exogenous strigolactones reduced the adverse effects of drought stress, particularly in the moisture-sensitive Y116 variety. Under drought stress, chlorophyll content and photosynthetic parameters significantly decreased, whereas strigolactone treatment increased both chlorophyll content and photosynthetic efficiency. Strigolactones reduced the accumulation of reactive oxygen species and malondialdehyde content, enhancing the antioxidant capacity of both varieties. Additionally, strigolactones increased the levels of osmoregulatory substances and activated the production of antioxidant enzymes, thereby enhancing drought tolerance. Furthermore, drought stress disrupted the balance of endogenous hormones, decreasing levels of auxin, gibberellic acid, and ribosylzeatin, while increasing abscisic acid levels. Exogenous strigolactones restored this hormonal balance. Conclusion: Sixteen traits associated with drought tolerance in tobacco were analyzed using principal component analysis, the traits were classified using cluster analysis, and the magnitude of the D-value was determined by calculating the values of the affiliation function and their respective weights. The results indicated that a concentration of 0.2 mg·L⁻¹ of strigolactones enhanced the drought tolerance of tobacco across different levels of drought stress and promoted the growth and development of flue-cured tobacco. However, the interactions between strigolactones and various hormones under drought stress require further investigation to elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms. The application methods of strigolactones should be optimized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the effects of varying dietary protein and lipid levels on the growth performance and whole-body composition of climbing perch (Anabas testudineus) fry. Fish (initial weight: 0.34 ± 0.01 g) were fed nine semi-purified diets with three protein (35%, 40%, and 45%) and three lipids (6%, 8%, and 10%) levels for 60 days. While survival rates were unaffected by dietary treatments, fish fed a diet containing 40% protein and 8% lipid exhibited significantly higher (P < 0.05) weight gain (WG), specific growth rate (SGR), protein efficiency ratio (PER), and protein productive value (PPV), and lower feed conversion ratio (FCR) compared to other groups. Dietary protein and lipid levels had significantly (P < 0.05) affected whole-body composition. Second-order polynomial regression analysis showed that the optimal dietary protein and lipid requirements for climbing perch fry are in the ranges of 40.54—40.68% and 8.17—8.30%, respectively. These findings provide valuable insights for formulating nutritionally balanced diets to support optimal growth and development of A. testudineus fry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the hot summer months, the significant temperature disparity between outdoor and indoor air-conditioned spaces can lead to thermal discomfort and pose a potential health risk. Transition areas such as corridors and elevator lobbies, serving as intermediary zones connecting indoors and outdoors, have been found effective in mitigating this thermal discomfort. In this study, three different temperatures (25 °C-case 1, 27 °C-case 2, and 29 °C-case 3) were employed to investigate the dynamic physiological regulation and thermal perception response of individuals when transitioning from an outdoor environment into an indoor neutral room through a transition space. The findings revealed that mTsk decreased by 0.31 °C, 0.13 °C, and 0.07 °C; TSV decreased by 1.63, 1.56, and 0.9 units; while TCV increased by 1.9, 2.16 ,and 0.81units for cases1-3 respectively indicating that an air temperature of around 27 °C is most suitable for achieving optimal comfort levels in these transition spaces. The correlation between UTCI index with MTSV was stronger compared to PET or SET* throughout the entire process; moreover, a better linear relationship was observed between ΔTSV and ΔT than ΔTCV. Furthermore, a second-order polynomial function model was established using dissatisfaction rate at initial entry moment into new environment along with operative temperature difference, resulting in acceptable temperatures ranging from 25.3 °C to 27.93 °C within current experimental conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Continued heat exposure can cause physiological and cellular responses. This study investigated the association between physiological responses and heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) expressions in Kuala Lumpur's urban vulnerable population. We conducted a cross-sectional study involving 54 participants from four areas classified as experiencing moderate to strong heat stress. Physiological measurements included core body temperature, heart rate, and diastolic and systolic blood pressure. RT-qPCR and ELISA were also performed on blood samples to assess HSP70 gene and protein expressions. Despite indoor heat stress, participants maintained normal physiological parameters while there were significant indications of HSP70 expression at both the gene and protein levels. However, our study found no significant correlation (p > 0.05) between physiological responses and HSP70 expressions. This study shows no interaction between physiological responses and HSP70 expressions in the study population, revealing the complex mechanisms of indoor heat stress in vulnerable individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eustoma grandiflorum (Lisianthus) is a popular cut flower with high economic value. Improving plant quality during production is crucial for enhancing marketability. This study investigated the effects of exogenous compounds including karrikin (KAR), salicylic acid (SA), and humic acid (HA) on plant growth, defense mechanisms, and biotic and abiotic stress responses in E. grandiflorum, due to their role in modulating plant antioxidative defense. Plants were treated with different concentrations of these compounds, individually and in combination, and various growth and physiological parameters were evaluated. The treatment, KAR 2 mg L−1 + SA 200 mg L−1 + HA 0 mg L−1 and KAR 1 mg L−1 + SA 100 mg L−1 + HA 100 mg L−1 were the most effective treatments on the growth of Lisianthus which promoted shoot and root dry weight, respectively up to 4.4-fold compared to the control. However, the treatment KAR 0 mg L−1 + SA 100 mg L−1 + HA 100 mg L−1 reduced growth by 82.22%. Chlorophyll b content increased by 89.97% under KAR 2 mg L−1 + SA 200 mg L−1 + HA 50 mg L−1, while chlorophyll a content decreased by 63.80% under the same treatment. Anthocyanin content increased by 52.94% with KAR 0 mg L−1 + SA 200 mg L−1 + HA 100 mg L−1, and total soluble protein content increased by 81.80% with KAR 1 mg L−1 + SA 200 mg L−1 + HA 50 mg L−1. Enzyme activities, including catalase, peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase, showed significant increases under treatments (up to 55.56% at KAR 1 mg L−1), while malondialdehyde content and electrolyte leakage were reduced by up to 74.78% and 63.78%, respectively. These findings highlight the potential of these exogenous compounds in enhancing the growth and stress tolerance of E. grandiflorum, offering valuable insights for improving the quality and marketability of this important cut flower. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Main conclusion: This paper highlights the need for innovative approaches to enhance cold tolerance. It underscores how genome-editing tools can deepen our understanding of genes involved in cold stress. Cold stress is a significant abiotic factor in high-altitude regions, adversely affecting plant growth and limiting crop productivity. Plants have evolved various mechanisms in response to low temperatures that enable resistance at both physiological and molecular levels during chilling and freezing stress. Several cold-inducible genes have been isolated and characterized, with most playing key roles in providing tolerance against low-temperature stress. However, many plants fail to survive at low temperatures due to the absence of cold acclimatization mechanisms. Conventional breeding techniques, such as inter-specific or inter-genic hybridization, have had limited effectiveness in enhancing the cold resistance of essential crops. Thus, it is crucial to develop crops with improved adaptability, high yields and resistance to cold stress using advanced genomic approaches. The current availability of gene editing tools offers the opportunity to introduce targeted modifications in plant genomes efficiently, thereby developing cold-tolerant varieties. This review discusses advancements in gene editing tools, including zinc finger nucleases (ZFNs), transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs), clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein 9 (Cas9)/Cas12a(Cpf1), prime editing (PE) and retron library recombineering (RLR). We focus specifically on the CRISPR/Cas system, which has garnered significant attention in recent years as a groundbreaking tool for genome editing across various species. These techniques will enhance our understanding of molecular interactions under low-temperature stress response and highlight the progress of genome editing in designing future climate-resilient crops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The domestication of carnivorous largemouth bass by formula diet has been well developed in the aquaculture industry in China. Three distinct POMCa genotypes were identified in largemouth bass; significant shifts in genotype frequency were observed between the non-selection population fed on forage fish and the selection population domesticated by formula diet. The random inheritance of allele frequency might be affected by decades of selection on feeding traits of largemouth bass. The increased frequency of POMC-A I in the selection population, along with its association with superior growth and physiological responses, provides novel insights into the genetic adaptation of largemouth bass to artificial diets in aquaculture. Diverse feeding habits in teleosts involve a wide range of appetite-regulating factors. As an appetite-suppressing gene, the polymorphisms of POMCa in largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) were validated via sequencing and high-resolution melting (HRM). The frequency distribution of different POMCa genotypes were analyzed in two populations, and physiological responses of different POMCa genotypes to feed domestication were investigated. The indel of an 18 bp AU-rich element (ARE) in the 3′ UTR and four interlocked SNP loci in the ORF of 1828 bp of POMCa cDNA sequence were identified in largemouth bass and constituted three genotypes of POMC-A I, II, and III, respectively. POMC-A I and Allele I had increased frequencies in the selection population than in the non-selection population (p < 0.01), 63.55% vs. 43.33% and 0.7850 vs. 0.6778, respectively. POMC-A I possessed the lowest value of POMCa mRNA during fasting (p < 0.05) and exhibited growth and physiological advantages under food deprivation and refeeding according to the levels of body mass and four physiological indicators, i.e., cortisol (Cor), growth hormone (GH), insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), and glucose (Glu). The identification of three POMCa genotypes, alongside their varying physiological responses during feed domestication, suggests a selective advantage that could be leveraged in molecular marker-assisted breeding of largemouth bass that are adapted to feeding on formula diet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heat waves (HW) are projected to become more frequent and intense with climate change, potentially enhancing the invasiveness of certain plant species. This study aims to compare the physiological and photosynthetic responses of the invasive Wedelia trilobata and its native congener Wedelia chinensis under simulated heat wave conditions (40.1 °C, derived from local historical data). Results show that W. trilobata maintained higher photosynthetic efficiency, water-use efficiency (WUE), and total biomass under HW, suggesting that its ability to optimize above-ground growth contributes to its success in heat-prone environments. In contrast, W. chinensis focused more on root development and antioxidant protection, exhibiting a decrease in total biomass under heat wave conditions. These results indicate that W. trilobata employs a more effective strategy to cope with heat stress, likely enhancing its competitive advantage in regions affected by heat waves. This study highlights the importance of understanding species-specific responses to extreme climate events and underscores the potential for heat waves to drive ecological shifts, favoring invasive species with higher phenotypic plasticity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Currently, research on tobacco's response to chilling stress is mostly limited to laboratory simulations, where temperature is controlled to study physiological and molecular responses. However, laboratory conditions cannot fully replicate the complex environment of field chilling stress, so conducting research under field conditions is crucial for understanding the multi-level adaptive mechanisms of tobacco to chilling stress in natural environments. Methods: This study aims to use field trials, starting from physiological responses, combined with proteomics and untargeted metabolomics, to systematically reveal the physiological and biochemical characteristics and key molecular mechanisms of tobacco leaves under chilling stress. It provides new insights into tobacco's adaptation strategies under chilling stress. Results: The results showed that (1) chilling stress damages the appearance of tobacco leaves, reduces the chlorophyll content, increases H2O2 and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in cold-injured tobacco leaves, and damages the plasma membrane system. Although catalase (CAT) activity increases to cope with the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), the activities of key antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD) significantly decrease, indicating that the antioxidant system of tobacco leaves fails in environments with sudden temperature drops. (2) Proteomics analysis indicated that 410 differentially expressed proteins were identified in cold-stressed tobacco leaves, with 176 upregulated and 234 downregulated. Tobacco leaves under chilling stress attempt to maintain energy supply and physiological stability by enhancing glycolysis, starch, and sucrose metabolism pathways. Concurrently, chilling stress triggers the expression of proteins related to cell wall reinforcement and antioxidant defense. However, due to impaired ribosomal function, protein synthesis is significantly inhibited, which aggravates damage to photosynthesis and cellular functions. (3) Metabolomics analysis revealed that the differential metabolites in cold-stressed tobacco leaves were mainly enriched in tyrosine metabolism, isoquinoline alkaloid biosynthesis, and fatty acid degradation pathways. This indicates that under chilling stress, tobacco leaves enhance adaptability by regulating energy metabolism, increasing antioxidant capacity, and stabilizing cell membrane structure. Conclusions: Therefore, under chilling stress, tobacco leaves exhibit complex physiological adaptability through multiple regulatory mechanisms involving proteins and metabolites. The research results provide important insights into the metabolic regulatory mechanisms of tobacco in response to extreme environments and also enhance the theoretical foundation for addressing low-temperature stress in practical production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

C-repeat binding factor (CBF) transcription factors can activate the expression of a series of cold regulation-related genes, thereby improving the cold resistance of plants. However, no detailed information is known about the biological functions of CBF proteins in yellowhorn (Xanthoceras sorbifolium). In this study, a total of 59 CBF gene family members were identified in five yellowhorn cultivars (WF18, Zhongshi 4, Jinguanxipei 2021, Zhong Guan NO.2 , and XsoG11) , revealing their intraspecific structural and functional diversity, with 8 core genes present in all cultivars. Phylogenetic and motif analyses highlighted conserved features and species-specific adaptations. Gene duplication events revealed that tandem duplicates are major factors involved in the expansion of this gene family in yellowhorn. Expression profiling under stress conditions demonstrated the involvement of these genes in stress responses. Of particular interest was Xg11_CBF11 , which showed strong induction by low-temperature stress. Overexpression of Xg11_CBF11 in Arabidopsis thaliana was performed to validate its cold resistance function. The wild-type and T2 transgenic A. thaliana plants were subjected to low-temperature stress at 4°C for 0, 24, and 48 h, and physiological indexes related to antioxidant enzyme activity, photosynthesis, and cell membrane permeability were determined by comparative test. The results were as follows: the POD and SOD activities of transgenic lines were significantly higher than those of wild-type lines, indicating Xg11_CBF11 improved the adaptability of A. thaliana to low-temperature; The increase of relative conductivity and malondialdehyde, the decrease of chlorophyll content in transgenic lines were smaller than those of wild-type lines, indicating Xg11_CBF11 enhanced the resistance of A. thaliana to low-temperature stress. These results implied that Xg11_CBF11 has a positive regulatory effect on A. thaliana 's response to low-temperature stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research was conducted to determine the effects of Andrographis paniculate extract on hybrid catfish. The fish were fed 0, 0.2, 0.4 and 0.6 g/kg extract to supplement their diets for 90 days. The highest weigh gain, average daily growth, specific growth rate, feed efficiency and protein efficiency ratio, as well as the lowest feed conversion rate, were found in the group fed 0.6 g/kg. RBC were at their highest in all treatment groups, while the highest levels of total WBC and haematocrit percentage were observed in the group fed 0.6 g/kg. ALT and triglyceride were at their lowest levels in all treatment groups, while the highest amounts of glucose were found in all treatment groups. The highest levels of high-density lipoprotein and the lowest cholesterol were observed in fish fed 0.6 g/kg. Lysozyme activity was initially observed at a significant difference on days 60–90, the highest activity was found in the group fed 0.6 g/kg. After bacterial challenge test, lysozyme activity and WBC were significantly increased in all treatment groups, the lowest cumulative mortality was found in the group fed 0.6 g/kg. These results suggest that 0.6 g/kg of the extract has positive effects on hybrid catfish. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Objective: The midday depression of photosynthesis, a physiological phenomenon driven by environmental stress, impacts plant productivity. This study aims to elucidate the molecular and physiological responses underlying midday depression in two mulberry species, Ewu No. 1 (Ew1) and Husan No. 32 (H32), to better understand their species-specific stress adaptation mechanisms. Methods: RNA-seq analysis was conducted on leaf samples collected at three time points (10:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., and 4:00 p.m.), identifying 22,630 differentially expressed genes (DEGs). A comparative Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis was performed to reveal the involvement of key metabolic and signaling pathways in stress responses. Results: Ew1 displayed enhanced stress tolerance by upregulating genes involved in energy management, water conservation, and photosynthetic processes, maintaining higher photosynthetic rates under midday stress. In contrast, H32 adopted a more conservative response, downregulating genes related to photosynthesis and metabolism, favoring survival at the expense of productivity. The KEGG analysis highlighted starch and sucrose metabolism and plant hormone signaling as critical pathways contributing to these species-specific responses. Conclusions: Ew1's adaptive molecular strategies make it more suitable for environments with variable light and temperature conditions, while H32's conservative approach may limit its productivity. These findings provide valuable insights for breeding programs aimed at improving stress tolerance and photosynthetic efficiency in mulberry and other crops, particularly under fluctuating environmental conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluated the salinity tolerance of five populations of Salvia subg. Perovskia (S. abrotanoides and S. yadngii). The aims of the study were to assess essential oil components, as well as growth and physiological parameters of two Salvia species in response to salt stress. Four different levels of salinity (0, 60, 90, and 120 mM NaCl) were applied. The effects of various concentrations of NaCl on essential oil content, composition, growth, water relation, proline, lipid peroxidation (MDA), hydrogen peroxide content, and antioxidant enzyme activity, as well as Na and K contents in leaves and the roots were evaluated. The results revealed that root dry weight loss was higher than that of shoots, indicating root vulnerability due to direct exposure to the salt stress. The lowest and highest oil content was obtained in PATKH (0.6%) at 60 mM and PABAD (0.6%) in 90 mM to 2.16% in PABSM population under 120 mM NaCl. Based on GC-MS analysis, 1,8-cineol (11.64 to 22.02%), camphor (2.67 to 27.14%), bornyl acetate (2.12 to 11.07%), borneol (2.38 to 24.37%), β-caryophyllene (3.24 to 7.58%), α-humulene (2.97 to 7.92%), and δ-3-carene (5.31 to 26.65%) were the most abundant compounds. Based on the principal component analysis (PCA), the most salinity-tolerant populations belonged to P. abrotanoides species. These populations are characterized by high root stress tolerance index (STI), root elements, and relative water content (RWC) with elevated levels of salinity stress. Finally, the findings might be useful in unraveling the salinity tolerance mechanisms for integrating stress tolerance with medicinal qualities in future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]