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Objective: Rare coexistence of disease or pathology Background: Microcytic anemia has long been associated with thyrotoxicosis, but this correlation has been largely forgotten, and few literature references to this phenomenon exist since the 1980s. No mechanism for this association has been proposed. Case Report: Here, we present the case of a 56-year-old man who developed clinically significant hyperthyroidism in the setting of Graves’ disease and simultaneous microcytic anemia. He was treated with methimazole, and the hyperthyroidism symptoms and biochemical parameters remitted. Simultaneously, the red cell microcytosis and anemia remitted. Notably, iron deficiency as indicated by high serum ferritin was not present during the acute illness, and the ferritin level decreased with methimazole treatment. Conclusions: The supraphysiological concentration of 3,5,3’-triiodo-L-thyronine (T3) gained entry to the cells, bound to hormone receptors (TR), activating a set of responsive genes, via thyroid response elements (TREs). In red cell precursors, which were notably not iron deficient, proteotoxic stress was induced, leading to activation of HRI kinase activity as part of the integrated stress response. The phosphorylation of eIF2 on the critical Ser51 led to depletion of the ternary complex (eIF2-GTP-Met-tRNA) by preventing eIF2 from exchanging GDP for GTP. Formation of the preinitiation complex was hampered, and translation of the abundant globin mRNA was attenuated. Decreased globin synthesis in turn was coupled to smaller red cell size, as occurs in thalassemia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives Methods Results Conclusion Stress‐induced hyperglycaemia (SIH) is an elevated blood glucose level (≥11.1 mmol/L) in patients experiencing physiological stress, in the absence of diabetes mellitus. Although early in‐hospital SIH has been associated with worse outcomes following major trauma, the predictive value of SIH in the prehospital setting has not been established. To investigate the role of prehospital SIH as a predictor of in‐hospital mortality following major trauma.A retrospective cohort study of non‐diabetic, adult major trauma patients was undertaken to determine the association between prehospital SIH and in‐hospital mortality. Secondary outcomes included ED disposition and ED length of stay.Of 1179 trauma patients included, 89 (8%) had SIH. Prehospital SIH was associated with higher Injury Severity Scores (median (interquartile range): 25 (17–33) vs 17 (14–25)), lower GCS (GCS 3–7: 48.3% vs 10.9%, P < 0.001), lower systolic BP (mean (SD): 122 (44.0) vs 133 (30.3)), lower oxygen saturations (mean (SD): 88% (16) vs 96% (7)) and abnormal heart and respiratory rate. The in‐hospital mortality rate was 9.9% in non‐SIH patients and 42.7% among patients with SIH (odds ratio (OR): 6.8; 95% confidence interval (CI): 4.3–10.8, P < 0.001). The area under the receiver operating curve for blood glucose alone in predicting mortality was 0.65 (95% CI: 0.60–0.70). Prehospital blood glucose was an independent predictor of mortality after adjustment for age, sex, GCS and vital signs (adjusted OR = 2.9; 95% CI: 1.5–5.5, P = 0.001).The present study demonstrated an association between prehospital SIH and in‐hospital mortality following major trauma. Further prospective research is warranted to examine the utility and integration of prehospital SIH into predicting models of trauma care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the effects of variable durations of loud noise stress on the histomorphology of the thyroid gland in adult rats. METHODS: This laboratory-based experimental study was conducted at the Anatomy Department, Army Medical College/National University of Medical Sciences, Rawalpindi, Pakistan, from January to December 2020. Thirty Sprague Dawley rats were divided into three groups: Control group A (no noise exposure), experimental group B (100 dB noise for 4 hours daily), and experimental group C (100 dB noise for 6 hours daily) for four months. At the end of the experiment, the rats were weighed, euthanized, and their thyroid glands removed. The glands were analyzed microscopically after Haematoxylin and Eosin staining, measuring the diameter and epithelial height of thyroid follicles. RESULTS: All rats remained healthy with no statistically significant differences in weight gain between the groups. The follicular epithelial height significantly increased in groups B (9.86±0.38 µm) and C (10.37±0.39 µm) compared to the control group A, (p-values

Satisfaction with life is considered an essential indicator of quality of life and has implications not only for parents but also for the general health of society. It is relevant to know the factors that could explain differences in parents' satisfaction with life. The objectives of this study were to analyse the degree of satisfaction with life of a cohort of fathers 13–24 months after the birth of their child and to analyse the predictive capacity of sociodemographic, physical, psychological, and social factors on their long-term life satisfaction. This was a longitudinal study with follow-up at 6–12 months and at 13–24 months (n = 152 fathers). The Fatigue Assessment Scale, Athens Insomnia Scale, Parental Stress Scale and short version of the Dyadic Adjustment Scale were completed online at 6–12 months. Finally, Satisfaction with Life Scale was assessed between 13 and 24 months after birth. The mean score of life satisfaction of the participants 13–24 months after the birth of their child was 18.72 (SD = 3.71) and was negatively correlated with fatigue, insomnia, and stress (p < 0.01), and positively correlated with dyadic adjustment (p < 0.01). The final hierarchical regression model showed that educational levels and insomnia were the main predictive variables for life satisfaction during the second-year postpartum. This work has important implications for clinical practice because it allows health professionals to understand the factors influencing satisfaction with life and health among fathers and to plan more effective antenatal and postnatal care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To verify the effect of chronic pain on stress and depressive symptoms in elderly caregivers over four years. Method: This is a longitudinal study, with data collection in 2014 and 2018, with 104 individuals aged 60 years and older who provided care to another older adult living in the same household and residing in the urban areas of the city of São Carlos-SP, registered in Family Health Units (FHU). For statistical analyses, the linear regression model with mixed effects (random and fixed effects) and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) were used. All models were adjusted for sex, age, education, number of medications and number of diseases. Results: Participants with chronic pain had an average of 5.21 points higher in the stress score (p=0.019; CI: -9.823 – -0.604) in the second assessment (2018) and an increase of 1.3 in the depressive symptoms score in the first assessment (2014), in addition to 1.8 in the second assessment (2018) (=0.020; CI: -2.530 - - 0.225 and p=0.003; CI: -3.016 - -0.640, respectively). Pain intensity was associated with stress (p=0.019; CI= 0.179- 1.958) and depressive symptoms in the first and second assessments (p=0.001; CI: 0.218- 0.772; p=0.013; CI: 0.066- 0.538). Through ANCOVA analysis, it was found that the greater the difference in pain intensity, the greater the difference in depressive symptoms over time. Conclusion: It is necessary to take effective action to manage chronic pain in elderly caregivers to minimize problems related to stress and depressive symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To evaluate the effects of ultrasus-guided thoracic paravertebral nerve block (TPVB) and erectile spinal-plane block (ESPB) on perioperative stress response and analgesia in patients undergoing thoracoscopic surgery. Methods Ninety patients underwent thoracoscopic surgery under elective general anesthesia were included and randomly divided into the control group (group C), the ESPB group (group E) and the TPVB group (group T), with 30 cases in each group. Before anesthesia induction, no treatment was given to the group C, and the group E and the group T were treated with ultrasound guided ESPB and TPVB on the affected side, and injected with 20 mL of 0.5% ropivacaine. Patient controlled analgesia (PCIA) was connected after operation. The venous blood samples were collected immediately before operation (T0), 30 minutes after operation (T1) and at the time of tracheal catheter removal (T2) to test the concentration of blood glucose (Glu) and serum cortisol (Cor). The type of surgery, the duration time of surgery, the number of patients who needed to use phenylephrine and the amount of remifentanil for hypotension during operation were recorded. Visual analog scores (VAS) of patients at rest and coughing status at T2, 12 hours after operation (T3), 24 hours after operation (T4), 48 hours after operation (T5), the total number of PCIA compression and the total amount of PCIA sufentanil infusion within 48 hours after operation, the use of rescue analgesia, and the occurrence of adverse reactions were recorded. Results Compared with T0, concentrations of Cor and Glu at T1 and T2, were increased in patients (P＜0.05). Compared with the group C, Glu was significantly decreased in the group T, the resting VAS pain scores of T2, T3, T4 and T5 were decreased in the group T and the group E. The coughing VAS pain scores of T2 and T4 were decreased, and the intraoperative dosage of reifentanil, the number of PCIA compression and the total infusion of sufentanil were decreased. The remedial analgesic rate was decreased in the T group (P＜0.05). Compared with the group T, the resting VAS scores of T2, T3 and T4 were increased in the group E, and the coughing VAS scores of T3 were increased, the number of PCIA compression, remifentanil usage and the total infusion of PCIA sufentanil were increased. The percentage of intraoperative use of norepinephrine for hypotension was decreased (P＜ 0.05). Conclusion TPVB can inhibit the stress response of patients undergoing thoracoscopic surgery. TPVB could provide better postoperative analgesia than ESPB, and has a significant inhibitory effect on intraoperative blood pressure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Various stressors have been identified in patients in the intensive care unit (ICU), including postoperative pain, ventilatory management, and nursing care. However, sedated patients are less responsive, and nurses have difficulty capturing their stressors. Objective: To investigate patient stress caused by nursing care performed in the ICU on sedated patients based on changes in physiological indices. Methods: We observed nursing care performed on patients with postoperative esophageal cancer under sedation in the ICU. This included endotracheal suctioning and turning, the time required for the care, and the patients' behavioral responses. Information on arousal levels, autonomic nervous system indices, and vital signs were also obtained. The changes in indicators before and after care were then compared and analyzed. Results: There were 14 patients in the study. The mean age of the patients was 68 years. Ninety-nine scenes of nursing care were observed, and in six of these, additional bolus sedation was administered because of the patient's significant body movements. In endotracheal suctioning, no significant changes were observed in all indicators. In turning, vital signs changed significantly, and when both were continued, all indicators changed significantly. Conclusion: Our study found that different types and combinations of nursing care may cause different stresses to the patients. Moreover, the autonomic nervous system indices may be more likely to react to stresses in a variety of nursing care, while arousal levels may be more likely to react to burdensome stresses. If the characteristics of these physiological indicators can be understood and effectively utilized during care, it may be possible to better identify and reduce patient stress during sedation management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the behaviour and stress of children undergoing restorative treatment with and without sedation. Material and Methods:Participants were 14 healthy children aged between 2.5 and 6 years and with a history of dental behavioural management problems. In the dental treatment visit, the child was treated with non-pharmacological techniques, and in the second, moderate sedation was added. The child received the same procedure performed by a paediatric dentist in both visits: composite resin restoration using local anaesthesia and rubber dam isolation. In both visits, saliva was collected at the children's arrival at the dental clinic, during local anaesthesia and at the end of treatment. The visits were filmed for later analysis of behaviour according to the Ohio State University Behavioural Rating Scale. Results: About 78.5% of children improved their behaviour from the first to the second visit. The salivary cortisol curve of the first visit was maintained in the second visit for 21.4% of children but varied in the remaining participants. Conclusion: Most children presented better behaviour and less stress when sedation was added to non-pharmacological techniques during dental care.

Objective: To assess the awareness about COVID-19 among dental patients and determine the association between COVID-19 awareness and perceived stress among dental patients. Material and Methods: A self-administered knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) questionnaire and perceived stress scale (PSS) were employed to assess the knowledge and attitude among dental patients visiting the outpatient department. A p-value of ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant. An independent t-test was used to compare the KAP and PSS scores based on age, gender, occupation and the responses to unscorable questions. Spearman’s correlation was employed to assess the association between KAP and PSS scores. Results: The older participants (mean KAP score = 16±2.2), the participants who answered that the Coronavirus outbreak changed their daily routine (mean KAP score = 15.8±2.2) and the participants who answered that they changed their plans due to the Coronavirus outbreak (mean KAP score = 16±2.14) had significantly higher KAP scores when compared to their respective counterparts. The Spearman's correlation value of -0.45 suggested a moderate negative association between the KAP and PSS scores, but this correlation was not statistically significant. Conclusion: The participants had a moderate to good level of knowledge related to COVID-19 and were positive in their approach and outlook on overcoming the pandemic.

Background: Climate change results in an increased occurrence of drought periods, which affect the performance of Mediterranean legumes such as sulla. To evaluate the effects of drought stress on the antioxidant capacity and the accumulation of phytochemicals in sulla shoots, rainfed and drought-stressed plants (RAI) and watered plants with timely vegetative regeneration (STI) were cultivated in parallel in a field experiment and sampled at four different times., Results: Drought stress strongly and positively affected the antioxidant capacity and the accumulation of polyphenols in sulla shoots, with key differences at wintertime. These findings were supported through untargeted and targeted metabolomics of RAI and STI samples, which detailed the accumulation of about 300 secondary metabolites in RAI, mostly polyphenols and saponins., Conclusion: This study provided new insights into the changes in secondary metabolites in sulla due to drought stress, which can be used to produce forages or raw plant extracts with enhanced biological effects. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry., (© 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.)

Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is a primary culprit of food poisoning. As a highly adaptable pathogen, S. aureus demonstrates formidable biofilm-forming and stress tolerance capabilities, inducing significant challenges to eradicate food contamination caused by this organism. SpoVG, a regulatory protein in S. aureus, controls the expression of numerous genes. However, its role in biofilm formation and stress response in foodborne S. aureus remains to be elucidated. In this study, we investigated the functions of SpoVG involved in food-related stress responses and biofilm formation in S. aureus RMSA50. The results demonstrated that SpoVG deletion enhanced biofilm formation and resistance to heat and desiccation, while decreased tolerance to oxidative stress. Further analysis revealed that cell aggregation and the accumulation of extracellular DNA (eDNA) may contribute to the enhanced biofilm formation. Real-time quantitative reverse transcription-PCR (RT-qPCR) revealed that the expression levels of nuc and sasC, which are related to cell aggregation and eDNA concentration, were significantly altered in the spoVG mutant. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSA) confirmed that SpoVG directly binds to the promoter region of nuc and sasC to regulate their expression. These findings suggest that SpoVG may serve as a target to decrease biofilm formation and control S. aureus contamination in the food industry., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Stress is considered an independent risk factor for the development of cardiometabolic disorders, especially when it occurs during pregnancy, and it may play an important role in stress-induced fetal programming on the protein-folding homeostasis in hepatic endoplasmic reticulum. The study aimed to determine the effects of prenatal stress on the unfolded protein responses in the liver of male and female offspring of Wistar rats. Pregnant Wistar rats at 90 days old were divided into control and stress groups. The unpredictable stress protocol was performed from the 14th to the 21st day of pregnancy. The offspring of each group were divided into four groups according to sex and intervention. After the lactation period, the dams were anesthetized and euthanized for blood collection to determine plasma corticosterone levels. At 90 days old, the offspring were anesthetized and euthanized for liver tissue collection to measure protein expression of the endoplasmic reticulum stress. Dams submitted to prenatal stress showed an increase in corticosterone levels when compared to the control group. In the male offspring, prenatal stress induced lower body mass at birth and at 90 days compared to control, while females presented lower body mass only at birth. Prenatal stress reduced eIF2α expression in males, while increased p-eIF2α expression similarly in both sexes. Furthermore, only males had a greater p-eIF2α/eIF2α ratio and androgen receptor expression when compared to its respective control group and females. Prenatal stress induced a hepatic programming in the reticulum endoplasmic responses only in males at 90 days old by increasing androgen receptor, eIF2α phosphorylation and activity, while in females stress during pregnancy reduced cHDL and had little impact on hepatic unfolded protein response., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The mechanisms controlling Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) replication and survival inside its human host remain ill-defined. Phagosome acidification and nutrient deprivation are common mechanisms used by macrophages to restrict the replication of intracellular bacteria. Mtb stops replicating at mildly acidic pH (

The impact of seasonal short-term drought on plant physiology and resilience is crucial for conservation and management strategies. This study investigated drought stress effects on growth, photosynthetic capacity, and physiological responses of Camphor (Cinnamomum camphora) seedlings in Guangxi province, China. Fertilized potted plants underwent continuous drought treatments to assess varying water supply effects. Treatments included normal water supply (CK), light drought (D1), moderate drought (D2), and severe drought (D3). Physiological indicators including net photosynthetic rate (Pn), stomatal conductance (Gs), transpiration rate (Tr), and intercellular CO2 concentration (Ci) were measured. Additionally, the stomatal limitation value (Ls) was calculated using the formula Ls = 1-Ci/Ca, and water use efficiency (WUE) was computed as Pn/Tr. Furthermore, parameters such as PIABS (Performance Index based on absorbed light energy), WK (the ratio of variable fluorescence FK at the K point to the amplitude FO-FJ), VJ (the ratio of variable fluorescence FJ at the J point to the amplitude FO-FP), ΔI/I0 (the relative amplitude of the 820 nm light absorption curve), superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), and malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured to evaluate the impact of drought stress on various physiological processes and antioxidant enzyme activities. Results showed significant decreases in base diameter growth (GD) and seedling height growth (GH) with increasing drought stress. Notably, moderate (D2) and severe (D3) drought treatments led to negative GD values. GD decreased by 23.79%, 114.85%, and 175.50% for D1, D2, and D3 treatments, respectively, while reductions of 40.00%, 73.33%, and 90.00% in GD were observed compared to the control (CK). Pn decreased significantly across treatments, with D1CK>D2>D3. Light energy transmission to PSI by the unit reaction center (REo/RC) initially increased then decreased, significantly smaller in D3 compared to D1. Conversely, heat dissipation absorbed by the unit reaction center (DIo/RC) increased notably in D3 compared to D1 and CK. PIABS, WK, VJ, and ΔI/I0 decreased over time, while Rubisco enzyme activity decreased, while proline (Pro) levels increased. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels significantly increased during D1 treatment but decreased with D2 and D3 treatments. Overall, drought severity had varying impacts on Cinnamomum camphora growth and photosynthetic structure, with D1 treatment maintaining normal growth and metabolic activities, while D2 and D3 treatments resulted in severe membrane damage, rendering seedlings essentially unable to survive. These findings provide a theoretical basis for implementing water management practices and conservation strategies for camphor seedlings., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright: © 2025 Wang et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.)

Plant HKTs (High-affinity K + transporters) are essential transporters for ion transport and homeostasis and play crucial roles in plant growth and stress responses. However, the evolution of HKTs in Populus species and their functions require further investigation. In this study, we identified 16 HKTs from six Populus species. All poplar HKTs were classified as Class I HKTs because of their physiological relationships and the conservation of amino acids in key structures, which aligns with their conserved evolutionary coding sequences. The analysis of the protein domains, motifs and gene structures of 16 poplar HKTs revealed consistent conservation, with the exception of two members. The number of homologs and their chromosome locations indicated the differentiation of HKTs during poplar evolution and adaptation. Poplar HKTs can be classified into two subgroups on the basis of their physiological relationships and distinct protein structures. Gene expression pattern analysis revealed that poplar HKTs presented relatively high expression levels in roots and stems under salt stress. Furthermore, cis-element analysis and protein interaction predictions provide insights into the functions of HKTs under salt stress through the activation of ion transporters, proline content, and ATPases regulated by hormonal signals and MYB transcription factors. In conclusion, our research established a theoretical framework for investigating the evolutionary relationships and functional roles of HKTs in Populus species and offered valuable insights into the functions and underlying mechanisms of poplar HKTs in specific tissues under various stress conditions., Competing Interests: Declarations. Ethics approval and consent to participate: Not applicable. Consent for publication: Not applicable. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests., (© 2025. The Author(s).)

The SPFH (stomatin, prohibitin, flotillin, and HflK/HflC) protein superfamily is conserved across all domains of life. Fungal SPFH proteins are required for respiration, stress adaptation, and membrane scaffolding. In the yeast Candida albicans , stomatin-like protein 3 (Slp3) forms punctate foci at the plasma membrane, and SLP3 overexpression causes cell death following exposure to the surfactant, SDS, and the oxidative stressor, H 2 O 2 . Here, we sought to determine the cellular localization and functionally characterize stomatin-like protein 2 (Slp2), prohibitin-1 (Phb1), prohibitin-2 (Phb2), and prohibitin-12 (Phb12) in C. albicans . Cytological and western blotting results showed that Slp2-Gfp/Rfp and prohibitin-Gfp fusion proteins localize to the mitochondrion in yeast cells. Growth assay results did not identify any respiration defects in a panel of stomatin and prohibitin mutant strains, suggesting that SPFH respiratory function has diverged in C. albicans from other model eukaryotes. However, a slp2Δ / Δ / slp3Δ / Δ double mutant strain grew poorly in the presence of 0.08% SDS, accumulated intracellular reactive oxidative species, and displayed aberrant ergosterol distribution in the plasma membrane. These phenotypes were not observed in slp2Δ / Δ or slp3Δ / Δ single mutants, indicating a possible indirect genetic interaction between SLP2 and SLP3 . In addition, slp2Δ / Δ and slp2Δ / Δ / slp3Δ / Δ mutant strains were slightly resistant to the antifungal drug, fluconazole. Collectively, these findings reveal the cellular localization of Slp2, Phb1, Phb2, and Phb12, highlight the significance of stomatins in C. albicans SDS stress tolerance, and, for the first time, associate stomatins with antifungal resistance., Importance: Stomatins and prohibitins coordinate respiration and stress adaptation in fungi. Invasive mycoses caused by Candida albicans are a significant cause of morbidity, and candidemia patients show high mortality rates worldwide. Mitochondria are essential for C. albicans commensalism and virulence, and mitochondrial proteins are targets for antifungal interventions. C. albicans encodes five SPFH proteins: two stomatin-like proteins and three prohibitins. We have previously shown that Slp3 is important for C. albicans adaptation to various types of environmental stress. Moreover, synthetic compounds that bind to mammalian prohibitins inhibit C. albicans filamentation and are fungicidal. However, there is limited information available regarding the remaining SPFH proteins. Our findings show that mitochondrial localization of SPFH proteins is conserved in C. albicans . In addition, we demonstrate the importance of stomatins in plasma membrane and mitochondrial stress tolerance., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Stress and circadian systems are interconnected through the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis to maintain responses to external stimuli. Yet, the mechanisms of how such signals are orchestrated remain unknown. Here, we uncover the gut microbiota as a regulator of HPA-axis rhythmicity. Microbial depletion disturbs the brain transcriptome and metabolome in stress-responding pathways in the hippocampus and amygdala across the day. This is coupled with a dysregulation of the circadian pacemaker in the brain that results in perturbed glucocorticoid rhythmicity. The resulting hyper-activation of the HPA axis at the sleep/wake transition drives time-of-day-specific impairments of the stress response and stress-sensitive behaviors. Finally, microbiota transplantation confirmed that diurnal oscillations of gut microbes underlie altered glucocorticoid secretion and that L. reuteri is a candidate strain for such effects. Our data offer compelling evidence that the microbiota regulates stress responsiveness in a circadian manner and is necessary to respond adaptively to stressors throughout the day., Competing Interests: Declaration of interests J.F.C. has been an invited speaker at conferences organized by Bromotech and Nestle and has received research funding from Nutricia, Dupont/IFF, and Nestle. G.C. has received honoraria from Janssen, Probi, and Apsen as an invited speaker; is in receipt of research funding from Pharmavite, Fonterra, Reckitt, Nestle, Tate, and Lyle; and is a paid consultant for Yakult, Zentiva, and Heel Pharmaceuticals. This support neither influenced nor constrained the contents of this article., (Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Savory (Satureja rechingeri L.) is one of Iran's most important medicinal plants, having low irrigation needs, and thus is considered one of the most valuable plants for cultivation in arid and semi-arid regions, especially under drought conditions. The current research was carried out to develop a genetic algorithm-based artificial neural network (ΑΝΝ) model able of simulating the levels of antioxidants in savory when using soil amendments [biochar (BC) and superabsorbent (SA)] under drought. Data under different watering schemes and different levels of soil amendments showed that both BC and SA have mitigating effects over drought stress by optimizing enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant traits (POD, CTA, and APX enzymes). Specifically, using biochar and superabsorbent led to improved homeostasis under water deficit as reflected by lower MDA levels. An ANN model with a 3-10-6 topology was found to be the best model to predict polyphenols (PHE), proline (PRO), peroxidase (POX), catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX) levels, and indicator of oxidative stress malondialdehyde (MDA). The model's efficiency was established using the R-value as the statistical parameter, and simulated GA-ANN data were highly correlated with experimental findings. Across enzymatic antioxidants, APX had the best model fit, having an R-value of 0.9733. On the other hand, POX had a lower predictive correlation (R = 0.8737), indicating a lower capacity of the ANN system in forecasting this parameter. On the other hand, MDA (R = 0.9690) had an elevated assimilation performance over PHE (R = 0.9604) and PRO (R = 0.9245) levels. The current study shows the potential of the ANN model in predicting the content of enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants in savory plants under drought stress as a non-invasive, low-cost experimental alternative., Competing Interests: Declarations. Ethics approval and consent to participate: This article does not involve research on humans, animals, or endangered species. All experimental studies and materials comply with relevant institutional, national, and international guidelines and laws. The collection of seeds was conducted on public lands with approval from the Forestry Department. The plant (herbarium code Lu1001) was identified by Dr. Faraj Allah Tarnian at the Dept. of Pasture and Watershed Management, Faculty of Science, Lorestan University, Khorramabad, I.R. Consent for publication: Not applicable. Clinical trial number: Not applicable. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests., (© 2025. The Author(s).)

Translation initiation, which involves numerous protein factors and coordinated control steps, represents the most complicated process during eukaryotic translation. However, the roles of eukaryotic translation initiation factor (eIF) in filamentous fungi are not well clarified. In this study, we investigated the function of eIF2Bα in Aspergillus oryzae, an industrially important filamentous fungus. The ΔeIF2Bα mutants showed slow colony growth and decreased conidia production, suggesting the critical roles of eIF2Bα in the growth and development of A. oryzae. In addition, the loss of eIF2Bα significantly impaired the ability to produce amylase and kojic acid, indicating the involvement of eIF2Bα in the amylase synthesis and secondary metabolite production. Interestingly, the elimination of eIF2Bα improved the tolerance of A. oryzae to diverse adverse stresses, including endoplasmic reticulum stress, oxidative stress, cell wall-perturbing stress, and cell membrane-damaging stress. Overall, our results indicate that eIF2Bα is a crucial regulator of growth, development, stress response, amylase production, and kojic acid synthesis in A. oryzae., Competing Interests: Declarations. Conflict of Interest: No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors. Ethical Approval: This article does not contain any studies with human participants or animals performed by any of the authors., (© 2025. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

The increasing cultivation of perennial C4 grass known as Miscanthus spp. for biomass production holds promise as a sustainable source of renewable energy. Unlike the sterile triploid hybrid of M. × giganteus, which cannot reproduce through seeds, M. sinensis possesses attributes that could potentially address these limitations by effectively establishing itself through seed propagation. This study aimed to investigate how 18 genotypes of M. sinensis respond to chilling stress and subsequent recovery. Various traits were measured, including growth and biomass yield, the rate of leaf elongation, and a variety of chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, as well as chlorophyll content estimated using the SPAD method. Principal Component Analysis revealed unique genotype responses to chilling stress, with distinct clusters emerging during the recovery phase. Strong, positive correlations were identified between biomass content and yield-related traits, particularly leaf length. Leaf growth analysis delineated two subsets of genotypes: those maintaining growth and those exhibiting significant reductions under chilling conditions. The Comprehensive Total Chill Stress Response Index (SRI) pinpointed highly tolerant genotypes such as Ms16, Ms14, and Ms9, while Ms12 showed relatively lower tolerance., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright: This is an open access article, free of all copyright, and may be freely reproduced, distributed, transmitted, modified, built upon, or otherwise used by anyone for any lawful purpose. The work is made available under the Creative Commons CC0 public domain dedication.)

This study investigates the effects of lead stress on tomato plants and explores the potential role of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) to alleviate this stress. The experiment was conducted in pots, introducing varying lead levels (0, 100, 200, 300, 400, and 500 mg kg⁻¹) using lead nitrate. For rhizobacterial inoculation, pre-characterized LTPGP strains S5 Pseudomonas fluorescens A506 and S10 Pseudomonas fluorescens LMG 2189 were used. Data were recorded on growth parameters (shoot and root length, fresh and dry weight), physiological attributes (chlorophyll content, proline content, electrolyte leakage, and lead accumulation), and antioxidant activities (catalase, peroxidase, superoxide dismutase) in tomato plants. Results revealed that lead contamination significantly impaired plant growth, reducing shoot and root lengths by approximately 49.78-57.62%, and negatively impacted physiological attributes and antioxidant enzyme activities. However, inoculation with PGPR strains S5 and S10 led to notable improvements in growth parameters, enhanced physiological traits, and better antioxidant activities, effectively mitigating lead stress. These findings highlights the potential of PGPR to improve tomato plant resilience to lead contamination., Competing Interests: Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests. Ethical approval: No ethical approval was required for this study., (© 2025. The Author(s).)

Nurse sharks (Ginglymostoma cirratum), especially juveniles, are often encountered by near-shore and shore-based recreational anglers and are suggested to exhibit minimal behavioral and physiological responses to capture, largely based on studies of adults using commercial or scientific fishing methods. To quantify the sub-lethal effects of recreational angling on juvenile nurse sharks, 27 individuals (across 31 angling events) were caught using hook-and-line fishing methods. Over a 30-min period, 4 blood samples were taken with variable time intervals between sampling (i.e., randomized ordering of an interval of 5, 10, and 15 min between each sampling event). Lactate increased by 611% (6.7 ± 2.17 mmol/L) on average over the 30-min fight, and significant relationships were identified between lactate and blood draw number, fight time, and temperature, with large effect sizes. Significant relationships were also detected between blood draw number, glucose, and hematocrit, while osmolality was only affected by fishing site. These results suggest juvenile nurse sharks may exhibit a greater physiological stress response when exposed to recreational angling than adults captured with other fishing methods., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright: © 2025 Giesy et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.)

Drought stress significantly impacts wheat productivity, but plant growth regulators may help mitigate these effects. This study examined the influence of gibberellic acid (GA3) and abscisic acid (ABA) on wheat (Triticum aestivum L., CV: Giza 171) growth and yield under different water regimes. Using a split-plot design, we tested three drought levels as main plots: normal irrigation (80% field capacity), moderate drought (60% field capacity), and severe drought (40% field capacity). Subplots consisted of GA3 and ABA treatments at 100 and 200 ppm concentrations. Results showed that 200 ppm GA3 treatment enhanced multiple growth parameters under normal irrigation, including plant height (25-30% increase), leaf area (30-35% increase), and reproductive traits (40% increase in number of number of spikes, 35% increase in grains per spike). In contrast, ABA treatment at 200 ppm resulted in reduced plant height (35% decrease) and greater leaf area reduction (40% vs. 20% in control) under drought conditions. GA3 at 200 ppm also improved physiological parameters including catalase and superoxide dismutase activities, protein content, and proline accumulation. These findings demonstrate the distinct roles of GA3 and ABA in regulating wheat growth and stress responses, providing valuable insights for drought management in wheat cultivation., Competing Interests: Declarations. Ethics approval and consent to participate: This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects. The current experimental research and field study including the collection of plant material, is complying with relevant institutional, national, and international guidelines and legislation and used for research and development. Consent for publication: Not applicable (NA). Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests. Clinical trial number: Not applicable (NA)., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Sensory disabilities have been identified as significant risk factors for dementia but underlying molecular mechanisms are unknown. In different Drosophila models with loss of sensory input, we observe non-autonomous induction of the integrated stress response (ISR) deep in the brain, as indicated by eIF2α S50 phosphorylation-dependent elevated levels of the ISR effectors ATF4 and XRP1. Unlike during canonical ISR, however, the ATF4 and XRP1 transcription factors are enriched in cytosolic granules that are positive for RNA and the stress granule markers Caprin, FMR1, and p62, and are reversible upon restoration of vision for blind flies. Cytosolic restraint of the ATF4 and XRP1 transcription factors dampens expression of their downstream targets including genes of cell death pathways activated during chronic cellular stress and thus constitutes a chronic stress protective response (CSPR). Cytosolic granules containing both p62 and ATF4 are also evident in the thalamus and hippocampus of mouse models of congenital or degenerative blindness. These data indicate a conserved link between loss of sensory input and curbed stress responses critical for protein quality control in the brain., Competing Interests: Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Our study explores the complex dynamics of the integrated stress response (ISR) axis, highlighting PIM2 kinase's critical role and its interaction with the BCL2 protein family, uncovering key mechanisms of cell survival and tumor progression. Elevated PIM2 expression, a marker of various cancers, often correlates with disease aggressiveness. Using a model of normal and malignant plasma cells, we show that inhibiting PIM2 kinase inhibits phosphorylated BAD production and activates ISR-mediated NOXA expression. This shift towards MCL1 dependence underscores the synergy achieved through combined PIM/MCL1 inhibition, driven largely by ISR-mediated NOXA expression. In mouse xenograft models, dual targeting of PIM2 and MCL1 effectively controls tumor growth-a response reversed by ISR-specific inhibition and upregulation of genes linked to tumor cell dissemination. This work elucidates the molecular intricacies of PIM2 inhibition and its implications for cancer therapy, especially in tumors with elevated PIM2 expression., Competing Interests: Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S) has emerged as a crucial signaling molecule in plant stress responses, playing a significant role in regulating various physiological and biochemical processes. In this study, we report an aggregation-induced emission (AIE)-based ratiometric fluorescent probe TPN-H 2 S for the highly selective detection of H 2 S in plant tissues. The probe exhibited excellent sensitivity and selectivity towards H 2 S over other analytes, enabling real-time monitoring of H 2 S dynamics in living cell. Furthermore, the AIE-based ratiometric probe TPN-H 2 S allowed for accurate quantification of H 2 S levels, providing valuable insights into the spatiotemporal distribution of Cys metabolism produces H 2 S. Importantly, the physiological pathways and signaling mechanisms of H 2 S production of was investigated in plant tissues under Cr and nano-plastics stress. Utilizing a high-throughput screening approach, we identified exogenous substances such as calcium chloride (CaCl 2 ) and abscisic acid (ABA) that could induce higher level of H 2 S production during the stress response in plants. Overall, those findings demonstrate the potential of the AIE-based ratiometric fluorescent probe TPN-H 2 S as a powerful tool for unraveling the role of H 2 S in plant stress responses and pave the way for further exploration of H 2 S-mediated signaling pathways in plants., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Drought is a natural disaster that profoundly impacts on global agricultural production, significantly reduces crop yields, and thereby poses a severe threat to worldwide food security. Addressing the challenge of effectively improving crop drought resistance (DR) to mitigate yield loss under drought conditions is a global issue. An optimal root system architecture (RSA) plays a pivotal role in enhancing the capacity of crops to efficiently uptake water and nutrients, which consequently strengthens their resilience against environmental stresses. In this review, we discuss the compositions and roles of crop RSA and summarize the most recent developments in augmenting drought tolerance in crops by manipulating RSA-related genes. Based on the current research, we propose the potential optimal RSA configuration that could be helpful in enhancing crop DR. Lastly, we discuss the existing challenges and future directions for breeding crops with enhanced DR capabilities through genetic improvements targeting RSA., Competing Interests: Conflict of interest The authors declare no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Immunoglobulin A (IgA) has been investigated as a stress biomarker with the potential to complement glucocorticoid measurements in welfare assessments. This study aimed to develop the methodology and validate an enzyme immunoassay (EIA) for quantifying IgA in feces (FIgA) of lions (Panthera leo), investigate excretion patterns of FIgA under baseline conditions in captive lions, and explore its relationship with fecal glucocorticoid metabolites (FGM). Feces were collected from 11 lions housed in stable social groups at four Spanish zoos over a period of two to six weeks. FIgA was reliably quantified using a commercial EIA, with concentrations ranging from 0.28 to 794.17 μg IgA/g feces, showing substantial intra- and inter-individual variability. Females had significantly higher FIgA concentrations than males (113.10 vs 54.96 μg IgA/g feces; p < 0.01). Additionally, FIgA concentrations varied across zoos (p < 0.001). Positive correlations were found between FIgA and FGM for all samples combined (rho = 0.43, p < 0.001) and across individual means (rho = 0.70, p < 0.05), but not consistently when examining each lion separately. This study demonstrates for the first time that IgA can be reliably quantified in lion feces, paving the way for its application in welfare studies., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Wildlife researchers must balance the need to safely capture and handle their study animals to sample tissues, collect morphological measurements, and attach dataloggers while ensuring their results are not confounded by stress artifacts caused by handling. To determine the physiological effects of research activities including chemical immobilization, transport, instrumentation with biologgers, and overnight holding on a model marine mammal species, we collected hormone, blood chemistry, hematology, and heart rate data from 19 juvenile northern elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris) throughout a translocation experiment. Across our six sampling timepoints, cortisol and aldosterone data revealed a moderate hormonal stress response to handling accompanied by minor changes in hematocrit and blood glucose, but not ketone bodies or erythrocyte sedimentation rate. We also examined heart rate as a stress indicator and found that interval heart rate, standard deviation of heart rate, and apnea-eupnea cycles were influenced by handling. However, when seals were recaptured after several days at sea, all hormonal and hematological parameters had returned to baseline levels. Furthermore, 100 % of study animals were resighted in the wild post-translocation, with some individuals observed over four years later. Together, these findings suggest that while northern elephant seals exhibit measurable physiological stress in response to handling, they recover rapidly and show no observable long-term deleterious effects, making them a robust species for ecological and physiological research., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Soybeans are a critical crop that provides both protein and oil. In response to environmental stresses, mitogen-activated protein kinases (MPKs) play a key role in transmitting stress signals to the nucleus to initiate stress-responsive actions. Drought stress reduces plant development and productivity but the specific MPK responsible for drought stress responses has not been previously identified. In this study, we demonstrate that GmMPK6, a soybean MPK, responds to drought stress and enhances drought tolerance. GmMPK6 is activated in drought conditions through post-translational modifications. Inhibition of GmMPK6 activity leads to reduced drought resistance and a decrease in GmRD19A expression. Additionally, GmMPK6 activation is modulated by calcium signaling, highlighting GmMPK6 as a positive regulator of drought stress resistance in soybean. This study presents the first report of an MPK conferring drought tolerance in soybean., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Nucleoside diphosphate kinase (Ndk/NDK/NDPK) is known to possess pleiotropic functions, one of which is that as a protein kinase, and has been shown to be involved in stress tolerance in plants. To assess its role in the cyanobacterium Nostoc PCC 7120, which is hitherto unreported, recombinant strain overexpressing Ndk, Anndk + was generated. Phosphoproteomic analysis of Anndk + and its comparison with that of the vector control, AnpAM, revealed differential phosphorylation at S/T/Y sites of proteins belonging to varied functional groups, with over 17 % phosphoproteins involved in photosynthesis. A total of 177 phosphopeptides and 117 phosphoproteins were identified, including newly identified phosphopeptides in any cyanobacteria. Compared to AnpAM, the Anndk + cells exhibited (i) lower photosynthetic efficiency and electron transport rate at low PAR (photosynthetically active radiation), (ii) no change in photochemical quenching across PAR, (iii) but distinct non-photochemical quenching [zero Y(NPQ) and high Y(NO) in Anndk + and high Y(NPQ) and low (NO) in AnpAM], and (iv) increased tolerance to γ-radiation, oxidative, salt and DCMU stresses. The observed modulation of phosphoproteome linked to physiological changes upon overexpression of Ndk in Nostoc could be a combination of direct protein kinase activity of Ndk and/or indirectly through other protein kinases and phosphatases whose phosphorylation status is mediated by Ndk. This is the first report on a direct correlation between Ndk levels, phosphorylation status of proteins and stress tolerance in any cyanobacteria., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest Authors report no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Microorganisms residing in different parts of tea plants play an important role in the growth and development, disease resistance, and stress tolerance of the plants; these microorganisms have certain potential for improving the quality of tea. This forum mainly summarizes and discusses the role of microorganisms in regulating tea plants and their prospects for improving the quality of tea., Competing Interests: Declaration of interests The authors declare no competing interests., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is the fourth most cultivated oilseed in the world, but its cultivation is subject to fluctuations in water demand. Current studies of tolerance between cultivars and physiological mechanisms involved in plant recovery after drought are insufficient for selection of tolerant cultivars. We evaluated tolerance of different peanut cultivars to water deficit and subsequent rehydration, based on physiological and biochemical status. Gas exchange, photosynthetic pigments, F v /F m , MDA, H 2 O 2 and antioxidant enzyme activity were analysed. Drought stress and rehydration triggered distinct changes in pigments, F v /F m , gas exchange, and H 2 O 2 across genotypes, with increased MDA in all cultivars under stress. Based on multivariate analysis, 'IAC Sempre Verde' was identified as most drought sensitive, while 'IAC OL3', 'IAC 503', and 'IAC OL6' exhibited variations in physiological responses and antioxidant activity correlated to their respective tolerance levels. Notably, 'IAC OL3' had higher WUE and enhanced enzymatic defence and was classified as the most drought tolerant in this context. The above findings suggest that antioxidant metabolism is a important factor for plant recovery post-rehydration. Our study provides insights into antioxidant and physiological responses of peanut cultivars, which can support breeding programs for selection of drought-tolerant genotypes. Future field studies should be conducted for a better understanding of tolerance of these cultivars, particularly through correlation of these data with crop yield impact., (© 2024 Wiley‐VCH GmbH. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

To assess the inherent effects of light-dark cycle on the aniline degradation and nitrogen removal in algal-bacterial symbiotic system, three groups with different photoperiods (0L:12D;6L:6D;12L:0D) were set up. The results revealed that the aniline degradation rate of the three systems all surpassed 99 %, the total nitrogen removal rate of Z2-6L:6D was approximately 36 % higher than Z1-0L:12D eventually, the Z1-0L:12D was restrained by NH 4 + -N assimilation and nitrification while anoxic denitrification in Z3-12L:0D. The disappearance of microalgae biomass was accompanied by the sharp decreased of polysaccharide in Z1 and longer illumination suppressed the secretion of extracellular polymeric substances, the Z3 yielded slightly superior biomass production despite the double illumination compared with Z2. Moreover, high throughput sequencing analysis illustrated that the microbial community structure in Z2 was more abundant and even than Z3, the TM7a, norank&#95;f&#95;&#95;norank&#95;o&#95;&#95;Saccharimonadales, Ellin6067 and Scenedesmus proliferated wildly and the photoinhibition to functional genus was effectively alleviated in Z2., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Polyploid varieties have been suggested as an alternative approach to promote drought tolerance in citrus crops. In this study, we compared the responses of diploid and tetraploid Sunki 'Tropical' rootstocks to water deficit when grafted onto 'Valencia' sweet orange trees and subjected to water withholding in isolation or competition experiments under potted conditions. Our results revealed that, when grown in isolation, tetraploid rootstocks took longer to show drought symptoms, but this advantage disappeared when grown in competition under the same soil moisture conditions. The differences in drought responses were mainly associated with variations in endogenous leaf levels of abscisic acid (ABA), hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and carbohydrates among treatments. Overall, tetraploids were more affected by drought in individual experiments, showing higher H₂O₂ production, and in competition experiments, rapidly increasing ABA production to regulate stomatal closure and reduce water loss through transpiration. Therefore, our results highlight the crucial importance of evaluating diploid and tetraploid rootstocks under the same soil moisture conditions to better simulate field conditions, providing important insights to improve selection strategies for more resilient citrus rootstocks., (© 2024 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

The European eel (Anguilla anguilla) juvenile stage exhibits facultative estuarine migration. The causes of this behavior are yet unknown but it may have an impact on the population's fate by altering the sex ratio of the population. Recent studies have highlighted potential stress-related issues in glass eels settling in estuaries but studying stress response in small organisms requires sensitive, accurate and precise analytical methods. The aims of the present study are (i) to develop a whole-body Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method for the simultaneous determination of several stress hormones in low-body mass fish; (ii) to apply this method to glass eels to study their responses to acute stress (iii) to test the effect of anxiolytics (diazepam) on these responses. Our results showed that enhanced LC-MS/MS analysis reduced detection limits and improved accuracy and precision for the quantification at the individual level. Following an acute stress, cortisol concentration significantly increased in glass eels and a 15 h diazepam exposure significantly reduced cortisol levels highlighting a marked anxiolytic effect on this species., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The major environmental factors limiting rice growth and production are osmotic stresses such as drought and high salinity. High osmotic stresses directly disrupt cellular activities, leading to plant growth retardation or death. Plants have various response mechanisms to survive under such stresses. Understanding rice's stress response mechanisms is necessary to enhance the osmotic stress tolerance of rice. However, assessing specific physiological responses to osmotic stresses is difficult because multiple environmental factors affect rice growth. Here, we describe a simple method for analyzing the osmotic stress responses of rice plants using a hydroponic culture system. This method allows comprehensive gene expression and phenotypic analyses under osmotic stress conditions in rice. Various osmotic stress conditions and samples can be tested simultaneously because this method is small-scale. In addition, the procedure is easy, and highly reproductive results can be obtained., (© 2025. The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

Stilbenes, naturally occurring polyphenolic secondary metabolites, play a pivotal role in adaptation of various plant species to biotic and abiotic factors. Recently, increased attention has been directed toward their potential to enhance plant stress tolerance. We evaluated drought tolerance of three grapevine varieties grown with different levels of water deficit. Throughout, we studied physiological mechanisms associated with drought stress tolerance, particularly stilbene accumulation in root tissues, using HPLC. Additionally, we explored the possible relationship between antioxidant potential and stilbene accumulation in response to water deficit. The results underscore the detrimental impact of water deficit on grapevine growth, water status, and membrane stability index, while revealing varying tolerance among the studied genotypes. Notably, Syrah variety had superior drought tolerance, compared to Razegui and Muscat d'Italie grapes. Under severe water deficit, Syrah exhibited a substantial increase in levels of stilbenic compounds, such as t-resveratrol, t-piceatannol, t-ɛ-viniferin, and t-piceid, in root tissues compared to other genotypes. This increase was positively correlated with total antioxidant activity (TAA), emphasizing the active role of resveratrol and its derivatives in total antioxidant potential. This demonstratres the potential involvement of resveratrol and its derivatives in enhancing antioxidant status of the drought-tolerant Syrah grape variety. Our findings suggest that these stilbenes may function as valuable markers in grapevine breeding programs, offering novel insights for the sustainable cultivation of grapevines in water-limited environments., (© 2024 The Author(s). Plant Biology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of German Society for Plant Sciences, Royal Botanical Society of the Netherlands.)

Drought drastically affects plant growth, development and productivity. Plants respond to drought stress by enhancing sugar accumulation and water transport. Homeodomain-leucine zipper (HD-Zip) transcription factors (TFs) participate in various aspects of plant growth and stress response. However, the internal regulatory mechanism of HD-Zips in moso bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis) remains largely unknown. In this study, we identified an HD-Zip member, PeHDZ72, which was highly expressed in bamboo shoots and roots and was induced by drought. Furthermore, PeSTP&#95;46019, PeSWEET&#95;23178 and PeTIP4-3 were identified as downstream genes of PeHDZ72 in moso bamboo by DAP-seq. The expressions of these three genes were all induced by drought stress. Y1H, DLR and GUS activity assays demonstrated that PeHDZ72 could bind to three types of HD-motifs in the promoters of these three genes. Overexpression of PeHDZ72 led to a remarkable enhancement in drought tolerance in transgenic rice, with significantly improved soluble sugar and sucrose contents. Meanwhile, the expressions of OsSTPs, OsSWEETs and OsTIP were all upregulated in transgenic rice under drought stress. Overall, our results indicate that drought stress might induce the expression of PeHDZ72, which in turn activated downstream genes PeSTP&#95;46019, PeSWEET&#95;23178 and PeTIP4-3, contributing to the improvement of cellular osmotic potential in moso bamboo in response to drought stress., (© 2024 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Background: Wheat is an important grain crop that has been under serious threat from Fusarium graminearum. Nup2, a member of the nuclear pore complex, plays an important role in regulating eukaryotic nuclear protein transport and participates in gene regulation. Dissecting the function of nuclear pore proteins in pathogenic fungi may provide effective targets for novel fungicides., Results: Mutants exhibited nutritional growth defects, asexual/sexual developmental abnormalities. Deficiency of FgNup2 resulted in increased resistance of Fusarium graminearum to cell wall disruptors and increased sensitivity to metal ions. Pathogenicity analyses showed that the mutant was significantly less virulent on flowering wheat ears, consistent with the observed decrease in deoxynivalenol (DON) production. Furthermore, we showed that FgNup2 interacts synergistically with FgTri6, a transcription factor of the TRI family, to regulate the expression of toxin-producing genes, which, in turn, affects the biosynthesis of DON and related toxins., Conclusion: This study revealed that FgNup2 plays important roles in the growth and development, cell wall integrity, stress response, pathogenicity, and DON synthesis of F. graminearum. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry., (© 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.)

Introduction and Background: Experiencing illnesses or other stressors may disrupt processes of growth and development throughout the different stages of prepubertal development. Stunted stature for age is one potential outcome from such disruption, with both the nature and timing of stressors playing a role in the development of stunting. This study explores whether stress events in utero or during birth, and prepubertal development have an impact on stature, by examining associations between experience of prenatal or birth issues, postnatal stressor exposure by severity, and stature at time-of-death, with the impact of different stress experiences compared., Methods: A coronial pediatric dataset of individuals aged 0-20.9 years (280 male, 195 female) who died in the state of New Mexico from years 2011 to 2019 was assessed for presence/absence of stunting associated with physiological stress exposure type whilst controlling for low socioeconomic status (as inferred by housing type) and sex using two multiple logistic regression models for ages < 12, and for ages 12+. Broad postnatal condition categories were then investigated, again controlling for socioeconomic status and sex for these two cohorts. A linear regression model was also used to assess relationships between stunting, physiological stress, low socioeconomic status housing, and age-at-death., Results and Discussion: For both groups aged < 12 and 12+, experiencing moderate to severe illness prior to 12 years of age increased the odds of being stunted at death. Only experience of prenatal or birth issues was associated with younger age-at-death, but stunting itself was not, potentially reflecting the prolonged exposure to severe stressors necessary for stunted growth., (© 2024 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Woronin bodies are unique organelles in Pezizomycotina fungi that allow hyphae compartmentalization and prevent cytoplasmatic bleeding after mechanical injury. Several studies have related the peroxisomal protein HEX1, the major component of Woronin bodies with other biological processes such as hyphal growth, osmotic stress tolerance and pathogenicity. Trichoderma spp. are plant-beneficial multipurpose biological control agents, and proteomic and transcriptomic studies have shown that HEX1 and its corresponding gene are overrepresented when grown in the presence of fungal cell walls and plant polymers. To further investigate the involvement of hex1 in Trichoderma biology, we generated hex1 deletion transformants using the wheat endophytic strain T. simmonsii T137 as host. Results confirmed that hex1 gene is involved in the prevention of cytoplasmatic bleeding, and also has a role in fungal growth and biocontrol potential against phytopathogenic fungi and oomycetes. The involvement of hex1 in the fungal response to osmotic and oxidative stresses is conditioned by the type of stress and by the nutrient richness of the culture medium. The hex1 deletion also affected the interaction with wheat, but did not affect the plant protective effect of T137 against water stress. Overall, this study shows the implication of HEX1 in a wide range of biological processes necessary for T. simmonsii to deploy its abilities to be used as an agriculturally beneficial fungus., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier GmbH.. All rights reserved.)

We investigate the impact of a 20-yr irrigation on root water uptake (RWU) and drought stress release in a naturally dry Scots pine forest. We use a combination of electrical resistivity tomography to image RWU, drone flights to image the crown stress and sensors to monitor soil water content. Our findings suggest that increased water availability enhances root growth and resource use efficiency, potentially increasing trees' resistance to future drought conditions by enabling water uptake from deeper soil layers. This research highlights the significant role of ecological memory and legacy effects in determining tree responses to environmental changes., (© 2024 The Author(s). New Phytologist © 2024 New Phytologist Foundation.)

Double-season late indica rice frequently experiences low temperature accompanying with low light stress during the grain filling stage in southern China, which alters the carbon and nitrogen metabolism of the rice grains, thereby impacting both grain yield and quality. However, the physiological mechanism is still unclear. A pot experiment using two late indica rice cultivars (high-quality and common-quality rice cultivars) was conducted under control (CK), low temperature (LT) and low temperature and light (LT + LL) to investigate the grain filling, photosynthetic characteristics, carbon and nitrogen metabolic enzymes and related gene expression. The results indicated that both LT and LT + LL treatments primarily reduced grain weight in the two cultivars compared to CK. This effect was particularly pronounced for LT + LL, which showed a significant difference in both superior and inferior grains of the common-quality rice cultivar. This reduction in grain weight was attributed to an average decrease in the photosynthetic rate of rice leaves by 23.5%, a decrease in Fv/Fm by 6.2%, and a decrease in the original grain filling rate by 10.3%. LT and LT + LL treatments decreased the activities of soluble starch synthase (SSS), granules bound starch synthetase (GBSS) and starch branch enzyme (SBE) in the early grain filling stage, and its related gene expression including OsAGPL2, OsAGPS2b, OsGBSSI and OsSSIIIa, and the influence degree was intensified by LT + LL, compared with LT. For nitrogen metabolism, the activity of glutamic oxalic aminotransferase (GOT) also significantly decreased by LT and LT + LL during grain filling in the cultivars, which was relatively lower under LT + LL, and only decreased the glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT) in the early grain filling stage but increased in the later period. However, the related gene expressions of OsGOT1B and OsGS1;3 were enhanced significantly by LT and LT + LL treatments, and reached the highest level under LT + LL treatment, implying the disordered process of nitrogen metabolism. The results suggest that low temperature decreased photosynthetic traits to hinder grain filling in the cultivars, mainly derived from the worsened carbon and nitrogen metabolism, and LT + LL combined stress aggravated the damage degree., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The study was funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (32272212, 32160503), the Key Program of Natural Science Foundation of Jiangxi Province, China (20232ACB205011, 20202ACBL215004), and the Youthful Innovation Research Team of Jiangxi Agricultural University (JXAUCXTD004). We wish to confirm that there are no knows conflicts of interest associated with this publication. We confirm that the manuscript has been read and approved by all named authors. We confirm that we have given due consideration to the protection of intellectual property associated with this work and that there are no impediments to publication., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

The present experiment evaluated whether dietary protein (P) or lipid (L) is preferred as an energy source by genetically improved farmed tilapia (GIFT) reared at high temperatures. A 60-day feeding trial was conducted at 28.3 °C and 33.3 °C, testing five diets with varying protein (34,36,38 %) and lipid (8,10,12 %) levels, viz., P 38 L 8 , P 36 L 8 , P 34 L 8 , P 34 L 10 , P 34 L 12 . Parameters assessed included growth, body composition, serum lipids, enzyme activities, fatty acid profiles, and PPAR-α mRNA expression. Results indicated that the fish fed optimum protein and highest lipid level (P 34 L 12 ) showed significantly higher (P < 0.05) weight gain percent and thermal growth coefficient. Increasing dietary lipid content reduced whole-body lipid deposition and mobilised serum triglycerides and cholesterol at higher temperatures (HT). Hepatic malic enzyme activity decreased with rising temperature and lipid content, while lipoprotein lipase activity in muscle increased. The fatty acid composition altered substantially with the changes in rearing temperature and diets. Unsaturated fats were preferred as direct fuels for β-oxidation, wherein the P 34 L 12 groups preserved body (area %) EPA, DHA, and linolenic acid, especially at HT. The expression of PPAR-α, a lipolytic marker, was upregulated with increasing temperature and high dietary lipid content, peaking in P 34 L 12 groups. The study concludes that high-lipid diets (12 %) are metabolically superior to high-protein diets for GIFT tilapia at elevated temperatures, optimising growth, enhancing metabolic efficiency, and maintaining essential fatty acid profiles under hyperthermal stress., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare no competing interests for this manuscript., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

With an alarming increase in global greenhouse gas emissions, unstable weather conditions are significantly impacting agricultural production. Drought stress is one of the frequent consequences of climate change that affects crop growth and yield. Addressing this issue is critical to ensure stable crop productivity under drought conditions. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) establish symbiotic relationships with plants and enhance their resistance to adverse conditions. Effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal associations on the rhizosphere microbiome and root transcriptome under drought conditions have not been explored. Here, we investigated the effects of AMF and drought stress on rhizosphere microorganisms and root transcriptome of maize plants grown in chernozem soil. We used high-throughput sequencing data of bacterial 16S rRNA and fungal internal transcribed spacer regions (ITS) to identify rhizosphere microorganisms. Transcriptomic data were used to assess gene expression in maize plants under different treatments. Our results show that AMF maintains the composition of maize rhizosphere microorganisms under drought stress. In particular, the bacterial and fungal phyla maintained were Actinomycetes and Ascomycota, respectively. Transcriptomic data indicated that AMF influenced gene expression in maize plants under drought stress. Under drought stress, the expression of SWEET13, CHIT3, and RPL23A was significantly higher in the presence of AMF than it was without AMF inoculation, indicating better sugar transport, reduced malondialdehyde accumulation, and improved water use efficiency in AMF-inoculated maize plants. These findings suggest that AMF can enhance the resistance of maize to moderate drought stress by stabilising plant physical traits, which may help maintain the structure of the rhizosphere microbial community. This study provides valuable theoretical insights that should aid the utilization of AMF in sustainable agricultural practices., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that there are no competing interests., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.)

Early stress detection of crops requires a thorough understanding of the signals showing the very first symptoms of the alterations in the photosynthetic light reactions. Detection of the activation of the regulated heat dissipation mechanism is crucial to complement passively induced fluorescence to resolve ambuiguities in energy partitioning. Using leaf spectroscopy, we evaluated the capability of pigment spectral unmixing to calculate the fluorescence quantum efficiency (FQE) and simultaneously retrieve fast absorption changes in a drought and nitrogen deficiency experiment with tomato. In addition, active fluorescence measurements and pigment analyses of xanthophylls, carotenes and chlorophylls were conducted. We observed notable responses in noninvasive proximal sensing-retrieved FQE values under stress, but as expected, these alone were not enough to identify the constraints in photosynthetic efficiency. Reflectance-based detection of the 535-nm peak absorption change was able to complement FQE and indicate the activation of regulated heat dissipation for both stress treatments under growing light conditions. However, further complexity in the light harvesting energy regulation needs to be accounted for when considering additional light stress. Our results underscore the potential of complementary in vivo quantitative spectroscopy-based products in the early and nondestructive stress diagnosis of plants, marking the path for further applications., (© 2024 The Author(s). New Phytologist © 2024 New Phytologist Foundation.)

The isolated microspores can be reprogrammed towards embryogenesis via stress treatment during in vitro culture, and produce (doubled) haploid plants as a breeding source of new genetic variability. However, the mechanism underlying the cell fate transition from gametogenesis to embryogenesis remains largely unknown. Here, we report that autophagy plays a key role in cell fate transition for microspore embryogenesis (referred to as androgenesis) in Nicotiana tabacum. Immunofluorescence and transmission electronic microscopy detection unveiled that autophagy was triggered in microspores following exposure to inductive stress, and a transient wave of the numerous autophagy-related genes (ATGs) expression occurred before the initiation of microspore embryogenesis. Suppression or promotion of the original autophagy levels could inhibit microspore embryogenesis, indicating that stress-induced autophagic homeostasis is essential for cell fate transition. Furthermore, quantitative proteomics analysis revealed that autophagy might be involved in lignin biosynthesis and chromatin decondensation for promoting reprogramming for androgenesis initiation. Altogether, we reveal an essential role of autophagy in the microspore cell fate transition and androgenesis initiation, providing novel insight for understanding this critical developmental process., (© 2024 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)