Acute HSV-1 infection is associated with mild symptom, such as fever and lesions of the mouth, face and skin. This phase is followed by a latency period before reactivation which is associated with symptoms ranging from ulcers to encephalitis. Despite available anti-HSV-1 drugs, the development of new antiviral agents is sought due to the presence of resistant viruses. Melatonin, a molecule secreted by the pineal gland, has been shown to be an antioxidant, inducer of antioxidant enzymes, and regulator of various biological processes. Clinical trials have explored its therapeutic utility in conditions including infections. This study focuses on melatonin's role in HSV-1 replication and the underlying mechanisms. Melatonin was found to decrease the synthesis of HSV-1 proteins in infected Vero cells measured by inmunofluorescence indicating an inhibition of HSV-1 replication. Additionally, it regulates the activities of antioxidant enzymes and affects proteasome activity. Melatonin activates the unfolded protein response (UPR) and autophagy and suppresses apoptosis in HSV-1-infected cells. In summary, melatonin demonstrates an inhibitory role in HSV-1 replication by modulating various cellular responses, suggesting its potential utility in the treatment of viral infections.

The initiation of micro-cracks in concrete is primarily due to its brittleness, which causes severe impacts on the overall behavior of the concrete. However, incorporating fibers in concrete could significantly improve its mechanical properties. The current study demonstrates the influence of two types of fibers on the mechanical properties of concrete. Nylon Fiber Threads (NFT) and Nylon Fiber Strands (NFS) at a fiber content of 2.5 kg/m³ were incorporated in the concrete mix. Concrete with a compressive strength of 30 MPa and a water-cement ratio of 0.4 was produced to investigate the fresh and mechanical properties of conventional and nylon-fiber reinforced concrete (NFRC). The concrete prims and cylinders were tested for compressive, splitting, and flexural strength using ASTM standards (ASTM C-39, C-496, and D-790, respectively). It was found that NFT-reinforced samples achieved higher mechanical properties of concrete (13.05%) compared to NFS-reinforced samples. Test results showed that incorporation of nylon fibers (NF) in concrete decreased the compressive strength of cylindrical and cubical specimens by 0–10% and 5–15%, respectively. However, it increased the splitting tensile and flexural strengths by 0-15%, and 5-15% respectively. Furthermore, the incorporation of NF in concrete significantly improved the ductility and delayed the crack initiation in concrete.

(1) Background: Fire department cadets preparing to become firefighters and paramedics experience high levels of stress when participating in incidents like traffic accidents and fires. Stress adversely affects health and coping with it proves difficult. Unfortunately, there is no single method that reduces stress completely in humans. One non-invasive method for lowering stress hormone levels is craniosacral therapy. (2) Methods: Fifty-seven firefighting cadets aged 18-24 years (21.63 ± 1.41) participated in the study. They were randomly assigned to either a test group or a control group. Participants’ blood levels of cortisol and CRH (corticotropin-releasing hormone) were assessed before and after the study. The study group underwent 5-week craniosacral therapy (1x per week). (3) Results: The Kruskal-Wallis test showed that the therapy group’s result was statistically significant for CRH values (p-value=0.00067) and for cortisol values (p-value=<0.0001). Wilxocon and Dunn tests showed that statistical significance for cortisol after CS therapy between the control and study groups (p=0.0377), and for CRH between the control and study groups before (p=0.00634) and after the study (p=0.000887), and in the study group before and after the study (p=0.0101). (4) Conclusions: Five weeks of craniosacral therapy lowered stress hormone levels. This therapy is a non-invasive tool for reducing stress.

Stresses due to drought and high soil salt content are the most severe threats to global rice pro-duction, causing a significant decline in rice yield. Therefore, this study examined the effects of treatment with various plant extracts on the stresses on rice plants associated with drought and high salinity. Additionally, this study examined various physiological and biochemical parameters such as growth, photosynthetic activity, chlorophyll content, and lipid peroxidation in rice plants after treatment with selected plant extracts under drought and salt stress conditions. Out of the eleven extracts tested, four extracts, namely soybean leaf, soybean stem, Chinese chive, and onion extracts, were found to effectively reduce drought stress. A reduction of only 24-37% in shoot fresh weight was observed in rice plants under drought stress that were treated with these ex-tracts compared to the 78% reduction observed in control plants. In addition, rice plants under salt stress which were treated with soybean leaf, soybean stem, moringa (Moringa oleifera), and Undaria pinnatifida extracts were observed to have lower reductions in shoot fresh weight (3-23%) com-pared to the control plants (43%). The effectiveness varied with the concentrations of the plant ex-tracts. Water content was higher in the rice plants treated with extracts than in the control plants after 6 days of drought and salt stress, but not after 4 days of drought and salt stress. Although photosynthetic efficiency (Fv/Fm) and electron transport rate (ETR), and the content of pigments (chlorophyll and carotenoid) varied based on the types and levels of stress and the extracts that the rice plants were treated with, generally photosynthetic efficiency and pigment contents were higher in the treated rice compared to control plants than in the control plants. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as the superoxide radical, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels increased as the duration of the period of stress increased. ROS and MDA levels were lower in the treated rice compared to control plants. Proline and soluble sugar accumulation also increased as the duration of the stressperiod increased. However, proline and soluble sugar ac-cumulation were lower in the treated rice compared to control plants. Generally, all the parame-ters investigated in this study were similar regardless of the plant extract used for treating the rice plants. Thus, extracts found to be effective in this study can be used to alleviate the adverse effects of stress on rice crops associated with drought and high salinity soil.

The main objective of this study was to study the effect of occupational stress on turnover intentions, as well as whether this relationship is mediated by burnout levels and moderated by motivation. The sample of this study consisted of 603 participants, all employees of the Portuguese Tax and Customs Authority, which is part of the Ministry of Finance and belongs to the Direct State Administration. The results indicate that occupational stress (with managers, with career and remuneration and with work overload) has a positive and significant effect on turnover intentions and that this relationship is mediated by burnout. Motivation (intrinsic and identified) has a negative and significant effect on turnover intentions. Intrinsic motivation moderates the rela-tionship between occupational stress (with managers, with colleagues, with career and pay and with family problems) and turnover intentions. These results indicate that among the dimensions of occupational stress, the most critical are stress with managers, work overload and career and pay. These are factors that the Direct State Administration should be concerned about in trying to minimize their causes.

Laser shock peening is a process which can reduce stress corrosion cracking and improve fatigue life by forming compressive residual stress on the surface of the material. In a computational FE simulation of laser shock peening, during applying the pressure load generated by the laser pulse to the surface of simulation geometry, the peening is simulated by explicit analysis and then convert to implicit analysis to dissipate the dynamic energy remaining in the geometry. In this study, static damping is applied to dissipate residual dynamic energy without converting it into an implicit analysis. The compressive residual stress distribution is compared between the simulation results for the stainless steel 304 material and the same material subjected to actual laser shock peening. The laser shock peening parameters were 4.2J laser pulse energy, 50% overlap of 3mm diameter of the laser beam and water as a confinement layer. As a result, the compressive residual stress from the surface to the depth direction is similar to both the simulation and the experimental result measured by the hole drilling method.

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a major cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality. Although the specific etiology is unknown, previous research shows that maternal environment may be a contributing factor. Gestational stress may lead to the development of NEC by interfering with the barrier function of the intestinal epithelial barrier. The migration of cells from the crypts to the tips of the villi is crucial in maintaining the integrity of the epithelial barrier. Previously, the Martin lab found that pups from psychologically stressed pregnant dams were more susceptible to NEC-like injury. We have also shown that investigated how stress signaling and zinc impact intestinal epithelial wound healing. Through a scratch assay, human Caco-2 cell migration was studied over 24 hours, and the percent wound healing was calculated. We found that only hydrocortisone at the 30 ug/ml concentration led to an inhibition of wound healing, and that zinc was unable to rescue hydrocortisone mediated inhibition.

JIS SUJ2 is most widely used in bearing steels. The advantages are good hardenability, excellent fatigue, wear resistance and comprehensive mechanical properties. For wear resistance and fatigue resistance of the steel are getting more and more attention, the residual stress state and its distribution on the surface of the heat affect zone are critical factors affecting the fatigue life and wear resistance of the parts. In this study, using the SUJ2 as the material to talk about the surface residual stress and retained austenite distribution. Doing the quenching and tempering treatment to obtain different microstructures, using the induction method to re-quench the case region. After the heat treatment, measuring the residual stress and retained austenite volume on the surface by X-ray diffraction, observing the microstructure and comparing the hardness. The results show that the microstructure after heat treatment contains unsolidified carbides, tempered martensite and retained austenite. The residual stress on the surface is the tensile state. In the re-hardened area after induction quenching, the residual stress is all compressive, and the values are more than -800 MPa. In conclusion, in the same output power condition can be observed that the microstructure of the specimens before induction hardening has a significant impact on the effective case depth. The surface residual stress has changed from a tensile to a compressive state. In the re-hardened area, the maximum of the residual compressive stress increased with the austenitized temperature increase.

In this experiment, the fermented pineapple residue (FPR) was replaced with 0% (CON), 25% (T25) and 50% (T50) in the diet based on silage royal grass roxb for 30 days in the fattened fatten bulls to evaluate the effect of FPR on growth performance, serum indicators and rumen characteristics.Thirty Simmental calves were selected and divided into three groups according to a completely random design.The temperature and humidity of the cowshed shall be measured every day.Rectal temperature and blood of cattle were measured, and blood and immune markers were measured.The results showed that the rectal temperature decreased significantly when adding 25% fermented pineapple residue (P<0.05), and the rectal temperature decreased significantly when adding 50% fermented pineapple residue (P<0.01).The content of T4 and TC in serum of cattle in T50 group was significantly lower than that in the control group (P<0.01), and the content of T3 was significantly higher than that in the control group (P<0.05), and the content of CR was significantly lower than that in the control group (P<0.01). Fermented pineapple residue can indeed improve the oxidative (heat) stress resistance of finishing cattle. In the correlation experiment, bacterial genera such as Succinniclassicum, Melainabacteria, Lachnospiraceae, and Fibrobacteres all showed significant or extremely significant correlations with heat stress-related indicators.

Radical oxygen species formed in human tissue cells by many endogenous and exogenous pathways, cause extensive oxidative damage, which has been linked to various human diseases. This review paper provides an overview of lipid peroxidation and focuses on the free-radicals initiated processes of LDL oxidative modification and DNA oxidative damage, which are widely associated to the initiation and development of atherosclerosis and carcinogenesis, respectively. The article subsequently provides an overview of the recent human trials or even in vitro investigations on the potential of natural antioxidant compounds (such as carotenoids, vitamins C and E) to monitor LDL and DNA oxidative changes.

In this study, the model proposed by Yang et al. to generalize the stress–strain model for unconfined concrete with consideration of the size effect is expanded. Sim et al.’s compressive strength model that is based on the function of specimen width and aspect ratio was used for the maximum stress. In addition, a strain at the maximum stress was formulated as a function of compressive strength by considering the size effect using the regression analysis of datasets compiled from a wide variety of specimens. The descending branch after the peak stress was formulated with consideration of less dissipated area of fracture energy with the increase in specimen width and aspect ratio in the compression damage zone (CDZ) model. The key parameter for the slope of the descending branch was formulated as a function of specimen width and aspect ratio, concrete density, and compressive strength of concrete considering the size effect. Consequently, a rational stress–strain model for unconfined concrete was proposed. This model explains the trends of the peak stress and strain at the peak stress to decrease and the slope of the descending branch to increase, as the specimen width and aspect ratio increase. The proposed model agrees well with the test results, irrespective of the compressive strength of concrete, concrete type, specimen width and aspect ratio. In particular, the proposed model for the stress–strain curve rationally considered the effect of decreasing peak stress and increasing the descending branch slope, with the increase in specimen width and aspect ratio.

Plant responses to different light and water availability are variable among species and their re-spective phenotypic plasticity, and the combination between these two abiotic factors can alleviate or intensify stressful effects. This study aimed to evaluate the impacts of exposure time of Cedrela fissilis Vell. seedlings to different water and light availability and the interaction of these factors. Seedlings were submitted to combinations of three shading levels – SH (0, 30 and 70%) and three water regimes based on the water holding capacity (WHC) in the substrate, constituting nine cul-tivation conditions: T1 – 0% SH + 40% WHC; T2 – 0% SH + 70% WHC; T3 – 0% SH + 100% WHC; T4 – 30% SH + 40% WHC; T5 – 30% SH + 70% WHC; T6 – 30% SH and 100% WHC; T7 – 70% SH + 40% WHC; T8 – 70% SH +70% WHC; T9 – 70% SH + 100% WHC. C. fissilis seedlings respond to water deficit, here represented by 40% WHC, regardless of exposure time, and when cultivated in full sun, the stressful effects were enhanced, acting in a synergistic manner. The condition that provided better gas exchange performance and greater total dry mass accumulation for C. fissilis seedlings was 30% shading combined with 100% WHC. C. fissilis seedlings have physiological plasticity and resilience to survive under different water and light conditions.

Introduction: Research studies have shown that workplace stress and physical immobility can have a multi-layered effect on the human body. It causes degrade our physical functioning, and also having negative effect on our performance. Yoga techniques have proved to be effective at various levels, including physical, mental, and emotional health. Objective: This study aimed to determine the efficacy of a short-term Yoga protocol – Y break, for improved well-being and resilience to stress. It is intended to working population at work to de-stress, refresh, and refocus. Methods: This study was conducted as a single-arm, multi-centric, experimental pilot trial. Prominent yoga institutes in six metropolitan cities were engaged in this study. Participants practised specific yoga techniques for 5 minutes, twice a day, for 15 days. Pre & post-intervention data was collected along with feedback about the protocol. A self-report questionnaire, based on the Pancha kosha parameters, was used to record pre- and post-data. Results: The Statistical data analysis shown significant improvement in every parameter selected for the study. Conclusion: A five-minute yoga break can do wonders for the health-related parameters of the working population; therefore, it should be introduced in all organizations to improve the quality of life and work.

This paper studies the combined effect of corrosion and fatigue on the growth of cracks in aircraft and on the effect of skin corrosion and stress corrosion cracking on the load bearing capacity of rib stiffened aircraft wings. In this context it is shown that the growth of cracks from surface pitting, and also from intergranular cracking at a fastener hole, can be accurately computed using the Hartman-Schijve variant of the NASGRO crack growth equation. The examples studied support the lead crack approach, that has been independently developed by the USAF and the Australian Defence Science Technology Group, in which the growth of lead cracks is often exponential. In the case of skin corrosion it is shown that to be consistent with the US Joint Service Structural Guidelines (JSSG2006) assessment of its effect on the load bearing capacity of the wing should involve an assessment of whether at 115% DLL the remaining material exceeds the yield stress of the material.

Phototherapy is an efficient strategy to respond to oxidative stress and has been in the spotlight in various therapeutic fields through its biological effect, but the exact molecular mechanism has not yet been established. As a result of irradiating RAW264.7 cells with a 630 nm or 850 nm LED with an energy intensity of 0.01J/cm2, cell viability was increased depend on the irradiation time. After H2O2 was added, 630 nm or 850 nm LEDs were irradiated for 10 min or 40 min to increase cell viability by about 1.7- or 1.6-fold, respectively. In addition, 630nm or 850nm LED irradiation showed a significant ROS scavenging effect and significantly reduced TUNEL-positive cells by 45.7% and 37.8%, respectively, compared to cells treated only with H2O2. In the result of flow cytometry, the number of cells in the late apoptosis stage was about 2.3- and 1.8-fold lower than that of the cells treated with H2O2 only, but there was no significance. The Bax/Bcl-2 ratio of cells irradiated with 630 nm or 850 nm LED was significantly lower than that of cells treated with H2O2 only, and the expression of procaspase-3 and cleaved PARP was also significantly expressed in the direction of suppressing cell death. In conclusion, the ROS scavenging activity by 630 nm or 850 nm LED irradiation, leading the expression of cell death pathway proteins in the direction of inhibiting cell death.

The aim was to evaluate the influence of model (alcohol, sugar, salt, protein and acid) and real foods and beverages on the viability of probiotics during incubation and artificial digestion. Viability of monocultures Lactobacillus acidophilus CCM4833 and Bifidobacterium breve CCM7825T and commercial mixture of 9 probiotic bacterial strains were tested by cultivation assay and flow cytometry. In model foods, the best viability was determined in the presence of 0.2 g/L glucose, 10% albumin and 10% ethanol. As the most suitable real food for probiotic survival complex protein and carbohydrate substrates were found, such as beef broth, potato salad with pork, chicken with rice, chocolate spread, porridge and yoghurt. The best liquid was milk and meat broth, followed by coca-cola, beer and coffee. Viability of probiotics was higher when consumed with meals than with beverages only. Addition of prebiotics increased the viability of probiotics especially in presence of instant and fast foods. Generally, the highest viability of probiotics during artificial digestion was observed in mixed culture in presence of protein, sugar and fat or their combination. The increase of cell viability observed in such foods during model digestion may further contribute to the positive effect of probiotics on human health.

The objective of this study was to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of the articles that addressed the effect BA or carnosine supplementation on physical exercise (PE)-induced oxidative stress (OS). Before May 2018 we searched throughout PubMed, CAPES Periodic and SPORTDiscus human model peer review, randomized control studies with chronic BA or carnosine supplementation on PE-induced OS. A total of 128 citations were found. Only four articles met criteria for inclusion. All four studies used healthy young sedentary, recreationally active or athletic participants. After a chronic BA or carnosine supplementation, the studies evaluated PE-induced OS both immediately and several hours after exercise (0.5 to 48 h). In response to PE-induced OS, when compared to placebo, BA/carnosine supplementation increased total antioxidant capacity [TAC; Effect Size (ES) = 0.35, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) 0.06 to 0.65, p = 0.02] and glutathione (GSH; ES = 0.75, 95% CI 0.32 to 1.19, p = 0.0007) concentrations while decreased direct OS markers (ES = −1.19, 95% CI −1.48 to −0.80, p < 0.01) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity (ES = − 0.58, 95% CI −1.10 to −0.06, p = 0.03). BA or carnosine supplementation did not prevent the increase in indirect OS markers (ES: 0.06, 95% CI −0.38 to 0.500, p = 0.80). In humans, following PE-induced OS, initial treatment trials of BA or carnosine supplementation seemed to increase TAC and GSH concentrations, while decreasing SOD activity. Also, albeit mitigating the acute increase in direct OS markers (reactive nitrogen and oxygen species), treatment did not decrease measured values of indirect OS markers (peroxidation or molecule oxidation).

This study aimed at the investigation of the effect of substrate preheating on residual stress in laser powder bed fusion using a physics-based analytical model. In this study, an analytical model is proposed to predict the residual stress through the calculation of preheating affected temperature profile and thermal stress. The effect of preheating is super-positioned with initial temperature in the modeling of temperature profile using a moving heat source approach; the resultant temperature gradient is then employed to predict the thermal stress from a point body load approach. If the thermal stress exceeds the yield strength of the material, then the residual stress under cyclic heating and cooling will be calculated based on the incremental plasticity and kinematic hardening behavior of metal. IN718 is used as a material example to pursue this investigation. To validate the predicted residual stress, experimental measurements are conducted using X-ray diffraction on IN718 samples manufactured via laser powder bed fusion under different process conditions. Results showed that preheating of the substrate could reduce the residual stress in an additively manufactured part due to the reduction in temperature gradient and resultant shrinkage stresses. However, the excessive preheating could have an opposite impact on residual stress accumulation. Moreover, the results confirm that the proposed model is a valuable tool for the prediction of residual stress- eliminating the costly experiments and time-consuming finite element simulations.

Biomedical aspects of tattooing have been extensively discussed in literature, however pathophysiological effects of tattoo inks in the human body are still unexplored. Oxidative stress is considered responsible for the adverse effects of tattooing, however no experimental evidence for tattoo ink-related oxidative stress in the human body currently exists. The aim was to examine the effect of a blue tattoo on skin redox regulatory network (RRN) parameters in a single human subject. Skin surface oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) was analyzed with a PH60F flat probe. Interstitial and intracellular fluid enriched capillary blood from the tattoo and the control area was extracted and analyzed with I₂/KI-stabilized microORP, nitrocellulose redox permanganometry (NRP), carbonato-cobaltate (III) formation-derived H₂O₂ dissociation rate assay, 1,2,3-trihydroxybenzene autoxidation assay, thiobarbituric reactive substances (TBARS) assay and 5,5,’-dithio-bis-(2-nitrobenzoic acid) (DTNB)-based determination of free thiol content in low molecular weight and protein precipitate fractions. Surface ORP analysis revealed a greater antioxidant capacity of tattooed skin in comparison with the control (CTR). Capillary blood analysis confirmed greater reductive capacity in the tattoo sample both by microORP (-4.33mV vs CTR) and NRP (+10.8%). Hydrogen peroxide dissociation rate (+11.8%), and protein sulfhydryl content (+8.5%) were increased, and lipid peroxidation (-15%) was reduced in the tattoo sample in comparison with the CTR. In this N-of-1 study, RRN of tattooed skin was shifted towards a more reductive state with all parameters indicating reduced levels of oxidative stress in comparison with nontattooed skin. The local antioxidant effect of copper(II) phthalocyanine provides one possible explanation of the observed effects.

The effects of 1%~5% cold compression on the mechanical properties, microstructure and residual stress of 7050 aluminum alloy were investigated, and the results were applied to the complex die forging with stiffener structure. The results show that with the increase of cold compression, the tensile strength of forging decreases gradually, but the conductivity and fracture toughness of the forging have little change. TEM microstructure shows that with larger cold compression (5%), the dislocation density was relatively higher, which promoted the precipitation and growth of precipitated phases at positions with higher dislocation density during aging process. The ultrasonic tests of residual stress show that with the increase of cold compression, the residual stress in the forging decreases first, and then increases when cold compression reaches 5%. The results of the die forging of 7050 aluminum alloy with bar structure show that the residual stress of the die forging is obviously eliminated after 2-4% cold compression, and the deformation after machining is obviously less than of the uncompressed forgings. The combination of bar and web is more beneficial to the uniform distribution of residual stress of the die forging with bar structure.

This study provides, to our knowledge, the first detailed analysis of how surface oil modifies air-sea interaction in a two-way coupled model, i.e., the coupled-ocean-atmosphere-wave-sediment-transport (COAWST) model modified to account for oil-related changes to air-sea fluxes. This study investigates the effects of oil on surface roughness, surface wind, surface and near surface temperature differences, and boundary-layer stability, and how those conditions ultimately affect surface stress. We first conducted twin coupled modeling simulations with and without the influence of oil over the Deepwater Horizon (DWH) oil spill period (April 21 to May 5, 2010) in the Gulf of Mexico. Then we compared the results by using a modularized flux model with parameterizations selected to match those selected in the coupled model adapted to either ignore or account for different atmospheric/oceanic processes in calculating surface stress. When non-oil inputs to the bulk formula treated as unchanged by oil, the surface stress changes are always negative due to oil-related damping of surface roughness alone. However, the oil-related changes to 10-m wind speed and boundary-layer stability are found to play a dominant role in surface stress changes relative to those due to the oil-related surface roughness changes, highlighting that most of the changes in surface stress are due to the oil-related changes in wind speed and boundary-layer stability. Finally, the oil-related changes to surface stress due to the combined oil-related changes in surface roughness, surface wind, and boundary-layer stability are not large enough to have a major impact on the surface current and surface oil transport, indicating that the feedbacks from the surface oil to the surface oil movement itself are minor for forecasting the surface oil transport unless the fractional oil coverage is much larger than found in this study.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a disease that currently has no cure. There are numerous studies showing that carnosine and hyaluronic acid (HA) have a positive pharmacological action during joint inflammation. For this reason, the goal of this research was to discover the protective effect of a new HA+Carnosine formulation (FidHycarn) on the inflammatory response and on the cartilage degradation in in vivo experimental model of OA. This model was induced by a single intra-articular (i.ar.) injection of 25µl normal saline having 1mg of monosodium iodoacetate solution (MIA) in the knee joint. MIA injection caused histological alterations and degradation of cartilage as well as behavioral changes. Oral treatment with FidHycarn ameliorated the macroscopic signs, improved thermal hyperalgesia and weight distribution of hind paw as well as decreased histological and radiographic alterations. The oxidative damage was analyzed by evaluating the levels of nitrotyrosine and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) that were significantly reduced in FidHycarn rats. Moreover, the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines were also significantly reduced by FidHycarn. However, interestingly, in more cases, the effects of FidHycarn were not statistically different to Naproxen used as positive control. Thus, the new formulation containing Carnosine and HA could represent an interesting therapeutic strategy to combat osteoarthritis.

The aim of this study was to assess the effects of three warm-up durations on post-exercise oxidative stress biomarkers, as well as recovery from the Wingate test in 14 amateur handball players. These players completed the Wingate test three times: after 5-min, after 10-min, and then after 15-min of warm-up, spread over two weeks with an interval of one week between each session. At the end of each session of the Wingate test, blood samples were taken: at rest (PR), after warming up (PWU) and immediately at the end of the test (P0), then after 10-min (P10) and after 20-min (P20) of recovery. The measured parameters are the total antioxidant status (TAS), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), malondialdehyde (MDA), protein-bound-carbonyls (PC) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS). The main findings revealed that anaerobic exercise induces oxidative stress, as evidenced by changes in antioxidant status and significant increases in concentrations of the majority of oxidative stress indicators (p < 0.05). At P20, plasma GPx, SOD, GR, TBARS, and PC contents, are lower and significantly different after a 15-min warm-up than after a 10-min or 5-min warm-up. ANOVA showed a significant ‘‘warm-up×recovery’’ effect on plasma GPx, SOD, GR, TBARS, and PC contents [F(8.104)=3.61; p<0.001; η2p=0.22, F(8.104): from 1.88 to 19.97; η2p: from 0.19 to 0.61: 0.05<p<0.001], respectively. We concluded that a 15-min warm-up was more efficient than the other duration in reducing free radical rise, emphasizing the importance of warm-up length on plasma oxidative stress biomarkers.

Carotenoids are essential pigments that play a vital role in the photosynthetic process of algae and are important for human health and nutrition. Despite their potential value, algal carotenoids are being neglected by biofuel industries. Recent research is aimed at producing microalgal lipids and carotenoids simultaneously under abiotic stresses. In this study, the effect of different abiotic stress factors such as Nitrogen (N), Potassium (K), Phosphorous (P), Sulphur (S), light intensity, and photoperiod on biomass, lipid, and carotenoids synthesis in Monoraphidium sp. (MP) were explored utilizing a statistical method. In addition, 2, 7-dichlorofluorescein diacetate (DCF-DA) mediated spectrofluorimetry was employed to detect the ele-vation in ROS level. The results revealed that variations in nutrients and light con-ditions are the key factors in the up-regulation of biomolecules lipids and carote-noids in the algae. The carotenoids profiling was done by Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography Quadrupole Time-of-Flight Mass Spectroscopy (UPLC-Q-ToF-MS). Among consisting carotenoids violaxanthin, astaxanthin, and beta-carotene were enhanced by 1.3 folds, 1.19 folds, 1.08 folds, while lutein was declined by 1.32 folds under stressed condition compared to control. The identified carotenoids are rec-ognized for their importance in the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries, highlighting the significant role of MP in these sectors.

Background: Endocrine conditions that impact women define polycystic ovary syndrome. Previous studies have demonstrated a connection between PCOS and insulin intolerance, oxidative stress, and immune system dysfunction. Additionally, some reports have indicated that propolis has antioxidant properties and that chitosan nanoparticles have beneficial effects on the reproductive system. The goal of the present study is to compare metformin (Met) to chitosan-propolis nanoparticles and explain how they protect against a rat PCOS model caused by estradiol valerate (EV). (as a control treatment). Methods: In order to cause PCOS in rodents, a single subcutaneous injection of estradiol valerate was used, followed by a 42-day oral administration of 500 mg/kg of chitosan-propolis nanoparticles. Four sets of rats were created: the control, PCOS, metformin (PCOS and 150 mg/kg metformin), and chitosan-propolis nanoparticle (PCOS and 500 mg/kg chitosan-propolis nanoparticle) groups. The histopathological examination of the ovaries and measurement of serum ferctors were performed on all of the animals. Estradiol valerate caused PCOS, but chitosan-propolis nanoparticle therapy reversed it. Results: After chitosan-propolis nanoparticle intervention, the body weight and ovarian morphology had improved, and the serum biochemical parameters, including esretogen, progestron, vitamin D, calcium, and the insulin resistance index, had been corrected. These EV-induced changes include decreased SOD activity, elevated MDA levels, and evidence that oxidative stress was increased by EV when chitosan-propolis nanoparticle/Met were administered for 42 straight days. Additionally, certain relative mRNA transcripts, including those for the MCP, IL18, and CRP genes, were markedly upregulated in EV-treated animals. These findings unequivocally demonstrate the beneficial effects of chitosan-propolis nanoparticles/Met in inflammatory disorders. Conclustion: Together, the study's end findings, which are presented here, are consistent with the hypothesis that chitosan-propolis nanoparticle/Met offered protective activity against the harmful effects of EV. Although ameliorative effects may have been implicated, the primary pathway or pathways still need to be clarified.

This study focused on the impact of the treatment with the hypomethylating agent 5-Azacitidine on the redox status and inflammation in 24 MDS patients. Clinical and genetic features of MDS patients were recorded and peripheral blood samples were used to determine the activity of the endogenous antioxidant defense system (superoxide dismutase, SOD, catalase, CAT, glutathion peroxidase, GPx, and reductase, GRd, activities), markers of oxidative damage (lipid peroxidation, LPO, and advanced oxidation protein products, AOPP). Moreover, pro-inflammatory cytokines and plasma nitrite plus nitrate levels as markers of inflammation, and CoQ10 plasma levels, were also measured. Globally, MDS patients showed less redox status in terms of a reduction in the GSSG/GSH ratio and in the LPO levels, and increased CAT activity compared with healthy subjects, with not changes in SOD, GPx and GRd activities, and AOPP levels. When analyzed the evolution from early- to advanced stages of the disease, the GPx activity, GSSG/GSH ratio, LPO and AOPP increased, with a reduction in CAT. GPx changes were related with the presence of risk factors such as high-risk IPSS-R or mutational score. Besides, there was an increase in IL-2, IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α plasma levels, with further increase of IL-2 and IL-10 from early to advanced stage of the disease. However, we did not observe any association between inflammation and oxidative stress. Finally, 5-azacitidine treatment generates oxidative stress in MDS patients, without affecting inflammation levels, suggesting that oxidative status and inflammation are two independent processes.

Background: This study aimed to examine the obesity¬ stress, weight control behavior, and self-control in overweight and obese female university students, and identify the mediating effect of self-control in the relationship between obesity stress and weight control behavior. Methods: This study employed a descriptive correlational design. A total of 109 female university students who were overweight and obese participated in the study. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson's correlation coefficient analysis, and Bootstrapping using Hayes' PROCESS macro for mediation. Results: Significant relationships between obesity stress and weight control behavior (r=0.25, p<0.001), obesity stress and self-control (r=-0.36, p<0.001), and weight control behavior and self-control (r=.26, p<.001) were observed. Self-control showed indirect mediating effect on the relationship between obesity stress and weight control behavior. Conclusion: Therefore, development of programs and strategies for improving self-control is necessary in order to decrease obesity among female university students.

Kidney diseases are a global health problem, and their frequency is continuously increasing. Available treatments provide limited kidney protection. The protective effect of the green tea polyphenol epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) in several diseases have been extensively investigated. Experimental and clinical studies have shown that the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic properties of EGCG are promising for the treatment and/or prevention of kidney diseases. This review analyzes the available evidence on the effects, and the likely protective mechanisms of action, of EGCG in a broad spectrum of kidney diseases, including acute kidney injury, drug-induced nephrotoxicity, kidney stone disease, diabetic nephropathy, chronic kidney disease, and kidney fibrosis.

Galanthus elwesii Hook is an important plant species of the Amaryllidaceae family and is used for medicinal purposes with its valuable bioactive compounds. The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of foliar salicylic acid (SA) and zinc (Zn) treatments on proline, carotenoid, chlorophyll content and anti-oxidant enzyme activity in G. elwesii. The ascorbate peroxidase (APX), catalase (CAT) enzyme activity, and protein contents were determined with ascorbate oxidation, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and Bradford experiments, respectively. The plants were treated with three different concentrations of SA (0.5, 1, and 2 mM) and, and Zn (40, 80, and 120 mM) were compared with the control. Fresh leaves were harvested in the study. APX (3.99 ± 0.58 EU/mg protein) and CAT (154.64 ± 4.10 EU/mg protein) were obtained from Zn 80 and 120 mM treatments at the highest level, respectively. Proline, chlorophyll b, and carotenoid content increased 12.4, 1.54 and 3.95-fold, respectively, in 0.5 mM SA treatments when matched with control group. It was found that increasing doses of SA and Zn increased the content of malondialdehyde (MDA), but this was not at a significant level. The total chlorophyll content increased 2.27-fold in Zn 120 mM + SA 2 mM treatment and the chlorophyll content increased 2.41-fold in Zn 40 mM + SA 1 mM treatment.

This study examines demographic factors which may influence opinions concerning medical students’ self-care and substance use behaviors as a means of providing insights into how future doctors view these issues compared to Australian doctors and members of the public. We conducted national, multicenter, prospective, on-line cross-sectional surveys using hypothetical scenarios to three cohorts- Australian medical students, medical doctors, and the public. Participants’ responses were compared for the different contextual variables within the scenarios and the participants’ demographic characteristics. In total 2,602 medical students, 809 doctors and 503 members of the public participated. Compared with doctors and the public, medical students were least tolerant of alcohol intoxication, and most tolerant of using stimulants to assist with study, and cannabis for anxiety. Doctor respondents more often aligned with the public’s opinions on the acceptability of the medical students’ behaviors. Although opinions are not equivalent to behaviour, Australian students’ views on the acceptability for cannabis to help manage anxiety, and inappropriate use of prescription-only drugs are concerning; these future doctors will be responsible for prescribing drugs and managing patients with substance abuse problems. However, if current Australian medical student’s opinions on alcohol misuse persist, one of the commonest substance addictions amongst doctors may decrease in future.

The circadian and stress-realizing systems are interconnected, and the balance of their interaction determines the state of human health. The objective of this study was to investigate the modulating effect of activating the circadian system on heart rate variability in female medical students with high anxiety while performing a cognitive task. After 20 minutes of adequate stimulation of circadian photoreceptors with a monochromatic blue light, the cognitive task performance resulted in a decrease in sympathetic impact. During the session of using Blue Sky Pro glasses, a trend of increasing heart rate variability was observed in a state of relative rest (especially in the first 5 minutes). A comparative analysis of the parameters of the letter cancellation test before and after light exposure revealed a statistically significant increase in the indexes reflecting mental productivity, work accuracy, and concentration of attention. The results suggest an essential physiological role of the human circadian system in modulating the autonomic and psycho-emotional conditions, as well as cognitive functions of individuals with high anxiety. Our findings indicate the possibility of quickly correcting the balance in human systemic regulatory mechanisms using the activation of retinal circadian photoreceptors by blue light.

Keywords: underground engineering; numerical simulation; excavation length effect, major principal stress; displacement; damage initiation; CPU time

The ameliorative effect ethanolic extract of M. oleifera (MO) leaves in combination of curcumin against seizures, cognitive impairment & oxidative stress PTZ-induced kindled rats. Molecular docking was performed to predict the potential phytochemical of MO and curcumin against Epilepsy. The effect of pretreatment with leaves of M. oleifera ethanolic extracts (MOEE) (250, 500mg/kg, orally), curcumin (200 and 300 mg/kg, orally), valproic acid used as standards (100mg/kg) and combined effect of MOEE (250mg/kg) and curcumin (200mg/kg) at low dose, on pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced kindling. For the development of kindling the individual Wistar rats (Male) were injected pentyletetrazole (40 mg/kg, i.p.) on every alternate day. Molecular Docking has been done by AutoDock4.2 tool to merge the ligand orientations in the binding cavity. From the RCSB website, the crystal structure of Human Glutathione reductase (PDB ID: 3DK9) was obtained. Curcumin and MOEE showed dose-dependent effect. The combined effects of leaves of MOEE & curcumin significantly improved the seizure score and decreased the number of myo-clonic jerks in compare with standard dose of valproic acid. PTZ kindling induced a significant oxidative stress and cognitive impairment which was reversed by pretreatment with MOEE & curcumin. Glutathione reductase (GR) is an enzyme, which plays key role in the cellular control of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Therefore, activating GR can uplift the antioxidant property, which leads to the inhibition of ROS induced cell death in brain. The combination of ethanolic extract of M. oleifera (MOEE) leaves and curcumin have shown better result than any other combination for antiepileptic effect by virtue of antioxidant effects. As per docking study showed that the chloro-genic acid and quercetin is treated with the combination of curcumin can be much more potential.

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

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

Immunity has become an important aspect of concern, as the spread of corona virus, is on the rise. The strategies to boost and modulate the immunity have therefore become need of the hour. The present study was carried out to evaluate the effect of Charak immunity Tablets (CIT) on innate and adaptive immune response in healthy individuals. It was a single-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, exploratory study. After obtaining Ethics Committee permission, 36 healthy individuals of either sex aged 18-35 years with prior consent were recruited in the study. They were randomly divided into 2 groups to receive either CIT or Placebo in 2:1 ratio. Both the interventions were given in a dose of 1 tab (500 mg) twice daily. The assessment variables were vitals [temperature, pulse, and blood pressure], respiratory health [respiratory rate, oxygen saturation and peak expiratory flow rate], questionnaire based assessment of immune status, perceived stress and quality of life along with objective assessment of immunity [CD4+, CD8+ counts, Interferon gamma (IFN γ), Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and Interleukin 10 (IL-10)] as well as oxidative stress; [Malondialdehyde (MDA) and Glutathione peroxidase], which were assessed at fixed time points. Of 36 recruited participants, only 18 participants completed the study. CIT treated individuals showed a statistically significant improvement in respiratory health, quality of life, perceived stress and subjective immune status. There was a decrease in the levels of serum IFN γ on day 60 compared to baseline. TNF-α and IL-10, both estimated from supernatant of Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells (PBMCs) stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), showed a decrease and a significant increase respectively on day 60 compared to baseline in CIT group. Further, CIT significantly decreased MDA levels.The present study indicates that CIT is an effective and safe drug to boost immunity. However, our findings need to be confirmed in larger sample size using more specific immune parameters.

The study aimed to determine the effect of heat stress (HS) on reproductive parameters [calving to first service (CTFS) and first service conception rate (FSCR)] and general physiological responses [rectal temperature (RT) and respiratory rate (RR)] in tropical Holstein Friesian dairy cows raised in Ratchaburi province, Thailand. Cows were divided into a moderate HS (n = 22) and a mild HS (n = 22) group. Cycling cows were detected and injected with PGF2α at the beginning of the experimental period. Reproductive and physiological parameters were recorded. The average temperature humidity indices experienced by the cows were 80.67 ± 0.79 and 77.81 ± 1.09 for the moderate and mild HS groups, respectively. Cows showed significantly lower RT and RR in the mild (38.47 ± 0.21°C and 41.04 ± 4.55 bpm, respectively) than in the moderate HS group (38.87 ± 0.15°C and 51.17 ± 10.52 bpm). Under mild HS, cows showed a better response to injection of PGF2α than those under moderate HS. The percentage of cows that ovulated after being induced by PGF2α and showed estrus signs was higher in the mild than the moderate HS groups (54.55% versus 18.18%). Furthermore, the FSCR of cows under mild HS tended to be higher than in the moderate HS group (54.55 % and 42.11%, respectively), while the average CTFS interval was significantly shorter under mild than moderate HS (69.47 ± 18.18 and 84.60 ± 27.68, respectively). These results indicate that HS impairs reproductive performance in cross-bred Holstein cows, especially in moderate HS conditions.

Over the last decade, there has been a growing interest in the use of a wide range of phytoadditives to counteract the harmful effects of heat stress in poultry. Willow (Salix spp.) is a tree with a long history. Among various forms, willow bark is an important natural source of salicin, β-O-glucoside of saligenin, but also of polyphenols (flavonoids and condensed tannins) with antioxidant, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activity. In light of this, the current review presents some literature data aiming to: (1) describe the relationship between heat stress and oxidative stress in broilers, (2) present or summarize literature data on the chemical composition of Salix species, (3) summarize the mechanisms of action of willow bark in heat-stressed broilers, (4) present different biological effects of the extract of Salix species in different experimental models.

Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of a suburethral sling implantation on the urge symptoms in patients suffering mixed urinary incontinence (MUI) with predominant stress component in case of. Material and methods: The study group was 220 woman with stress urinary incontinence (SUI), among them 35 women with stress-predominant MUI, treated primary with suburethral sling implantation. In 85.7% (N=30) TOT and in 14.3% (N=5) TVT was performed. The clinical symptoms and QOL were assesed before and after treatment using bladder diary and QOL questionnaire. Other additional treatment was also evaluated.Results: Subjective improvement of urge symptoms was observed in 97.1% of woman in the study group. ‘Wet OAB’ symptoms were reduced from 68.6% to 28.6% after sling procedure. Nocturia and pollakiuria were reduced from 45.7% to 11.4% and 8.6% respectively. Nocturia and pollakiuria de novo were observed in 2 (5.4%) and 1 (2.7%) patients respectively. After the sling procedure in 28.6 % (N=10) pharmacotherapy with solifenacin was administered for 2-4 months, in 8.6% (N=3) intravesical injection of botulinum toxin was performed due to persisting OAB symptoms.Conclusion: suburethral sling implantation in woman with stress- predominant MUI, although dedicated to treat SUI symptoms, seems to improve also the urge component of MUI.

The study investigated the effect of a multi-strain probiotic compound containing Bacillus coagulans, Enterococcus faecalis, Clostridium butyricum and Bacillus mesentericus as in-feed zinc oxide (ZnO) alterna-tive on growth performance, diarrhea incidence, antioxidant status, lipid profile, stress and immunity in weaned piglets. A total of 72 piglets were randomly divided into 3 groups with four replicates of six piglets each. The details of the groups were as follows; (i) weaned control group (WC) received basal diet, (ii) weaned probiotic group (WB) received basal diet and probiotics and (iii) positive control (PC) group received basal diet with 2500 mg/kg ZnO. The experiment lasted for 28 days. Probiotic supple-mentation improved growth performance and reduced diarrhea rate. Probiotics supplementation im-proved lipid profile; significantly lower levels of total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and higher level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in WB group as compared to those of the control group (WC) were recorded. Probiotic supplementation stimulated antioxidant defense system by in-creasing total antioxidant capacity and decreasing lipid peroxidation. Probiotic supplementation down-regulated the stress biomarkers like serum cortisol and serum heat shock proteins. WB group showed higher serum levels of IgG and IgM throughout the study period and higher IgA at day 28 as compared to WC. These data suggest that supplementation of the probiotic minimizes the weaning stress, thereby improves the growth performance, lipid profile, antioxidant status and systemic as well as mucosal immunity. Therefore, the multi-strain probiotic compound may be used to replace ZnO in weaned piglets.

Manganosalen complexes are coordination compounds that possess a chelating salen-type ligand, a class of bis-Schiff bases obtained by condensation of salicylaldehyde and a diamine. They may act as catalytic antioxidants mimicking both the structure and the reactivity of the native antioxidant enzymes active site. Thus, manganosalen complexes have shown to exhibit superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase activities, and they could potentially facilitate the scavenging of excess ROS, thereby restoring the redox balance in the damaged cells and organs. Initial catalytic studies compared the potency of these compounds as antioxidants in terms of rate constants of the chemical reactivity against ROS, giving catalytic values approaching and even exceeding that of the native antioxidative enzymes. Although most of these catalytic studies lack of biological relevance, subsequent in vitro studies have confirmed the efficiency of many manganosalen complexes in oxidative stress models. These synthetic catalytic scavengers, cheaper than natural antioxidants, have accordingly attracted intensive attention for the therapy of ROS-mediated injuries. The aim of this review is to focus on in vivo studies performed on manganosalen complexes and their activity on the treatment of several pathological disorders associated with oxidative damage. This disorders, ranging from the prevention of fetal malformations to the extension of lifespan, include neurodegenerative, inflammatory and cardiovascular diseases, tissue injury, and other damages related to liver, kidney or lungs.

This study examined the impact of Vibration-Assisted Drilling (VAD) on hole quality and residual stress in Ti-6Al-4V ELI material. Ti-6Al-4V ELI possesses excellent mechanical properties but presents challenges in machining, including chip evacuation, burr formation, and elevated cutting temperatures. VAD, particularly Low-Frequency Vibration-Assisted Drilling (LF-VAD), has been explored as a potential solution to address these issues. The research com-pares LF-VAD with conventional drilling (CD) under various cutting and cooling conditions. LF-VAD exhibits higher maximum cutting forces under specific conditions, which result in accel-erated tool wear. However, it also demonstrates lower RMS (Root Mean Square) forces com-pared to CD, offering better control over chip formation, reduced burr formation, and improved surface roughness within the hole. Furthermore, LF-VAD generates greater compressive residual stresses on the hole's inner surface compared to CD, suggesting enhanced fatigue performance. These findings indicate that LF-VAD holds promise for improving hole quality, fatigue life, and overall component durability in Ti-6Al-4V machining applications.

The growth of plant and process of yield formation in crops are moderated by surrounding conditions as well as interaction of genetic background of plants and environment. In the last two decades significant changes in climate can be observed generating unfavorable and harmful impact on plant development. Drought stress can be considered as one of the most dangerous environmental factor influencing plant life cycle and decreasing production of biomass and finally the yield. Plants can react to water deficit in a wide degree what is dependent on the species, the genetic variability within the species, the phase of the plant ontogenesis, the intensity of stress, and other potential stress factors. In plants there can be observed hybrids between distinct taxa which exhibit certain traits adopted to tolerate stress conditions better than parental plants. Oat × maize addition (OMA) plants are good example of fertile hybrids with retained maize chromosomes as addition to complete oat genome. Hybrids generated via wide crossing can exhibit morphological, physiological and biochemical variations implemented by the occurrence of extra chromosomes of maize, as well as interaction of maize and oat chromatin. The molecular analysis indicated 12.5% OMA lines among all tested descendants of wide oat-maize crossing. On the fourteenth day of the drought, a significant effect of stress on the content of soluble sugars and phenolic compounds was observed, soil drought significantly reduced plant biomass above ground and several yield components. Less water lost revealed by results of the excised leaf water loss test was correlated with high yield of OMA lines. Phenolic compounds content might be used as biochemical indicator of plant drought tolerance since there were significant correlation with high kernel yields of plants subjected to drought stress.

Porphyromonas gingivalis is a periodontopathogenic bacterium that can adhere and colonize periodontal tissues leading to inflammatory process, and consequently tissue destruction. New therapies using flavonoids such as hesperidin are being studied, and its promising properties have been highlighted. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of hesperidin on epithelial barrier function, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and on inflammatory response caused by P. gingivalis in in vitro models. Integrity of the epithelial tight junctions challenged by P. gingivalis was determined by monitoring the transepithelial electrical resistance (TER). P. gingivalis adherence to a gingival keratinocyte monolayer and a basement membrane model were evaluated by a fluorescence assay. A fluorometric assay was used to determine the ROS production in gingival keratinocytes. The level of pro-inflammatory cytokines and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) secretion was evaluated by ELISA, while to assess NF-κB activation, the U937-3xjB-LUC monocyte cell line transfected with a luciferase reporter gene was used. Hesperidin protected against gingival epithelial barrier dysfunction caused by P. gingivalis and reduced the adherence of P. gingivalis to the basement membrane model. Hesperidin dose-dependently inhibited P. gingivalis-mediated ROS production by oral epithelial cells as well as the secretion of IL-1β, TNF- IL-8, MMP-2 and MMP-9 by macrophages challenged with P. gingivalis. Additionally, it was able to attenuate NF-κB activation in macrophages stimulated with P. gingivalis. These findings suggested that hesperidin has a protective effect on the epithelial barrier function, in addition to reduce ROS production and attenuate the inflammatory response associated with periodontal disease.

The present clinical study was approved by the Review Board for Animals Care of the University of Parma prot N. 03/CESA /2023, which provided a consent to the clinical study: regulation (EU) no. 536/2014. (22A01712) (GU General Series n.65 of 18-03-2022); European Law (O.J. of E.C. L 358/1 12/18/1986), and USA Laws (Animal Welfare Assurance No A5594-01, Department of Health and Human Services, USA). The owners signed a voluntary informed consent form prior to the dogs’ enrollment in the study. Twenty female dogs, aged 1±1.5 months, and weighing 16± 0.5 kg were enrolled in the study. The inclusion criterion of the patients was to undergo ovariectomy surgery; dogs enrolled in this study had normal physiological, haematological and biochemical parameters.

The Mann-Whitney effect is a measure for comparing survival distributions between two groups. The Mann-Whitney effect is interpreted as the probability that a randomly selected subject in a group survives longer than a randomly selected subject in the other group. Under the independence assumption of two groups, the Mann-Whitney effect can be expressed as the traditional integral formula of survival functions. However, when the survival times in two groups are not independent each other, the traditional expression of the Mann-Whitney effect has to be modified. In this article, we propose a copula-based approach to compute the Mann-Witney effect with parametric survival models under dependence of two groups, which may arise in the potential outcome framework. In addition, we develop a Shiny web app that can implement the proposed method via simple commands (https://nkosuke.shinyapps.io/shiny_survival/). Through a simulation study, we show the correctness of the proposed calculator. We apply the proposed methods to two real datasets.

Purpose: The pandemic, named COVID-19, which shook global economy, production and trade has equally affected the social and domestic lives of ours. In this study the COVID-19’s impact has been investigated on lack of social interaction, financial stress and how it influences the domestic violence in a developing country like Pakistan. The study focuses on some of the important factors that are root causes of increased domestic violence in Pakistan. Design/methodology/approach: The study is quantitative and survey questionnaire has been conducted for structural equation modelling (SEM) to evaluate the hypotheses. The modified scale was validated using confirmatory factor analysis, the Purposive and snowball sampling technique is used for collecting data from 200 respondents of Punjab Pakistan for data analysis through SPSS and SmartPLS. Findings: It is revealed that Covid 19 has a significant effect on lack of social interaction and financial stress. Moreover, lack of social interaction and financial stress also enhances domestic violence. Finally, lack of social interaction and financial stress mediates COVID-19 and domestic violence. Originality/value: This study appears to be frontier research which determines the impact of COVID-19 on lack of social interaction, financial stress and domestic violence particularly in a developing country like Pakistan.

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

Indirect fracturing from roof rock to coal using a horizontal well is a new and promising technology for coalbed methane surface exploitation in soft and low-permeability coal seams. In order to study the propagation law of hydraulic fracture across the coal-rock interface, a pore pressure cohesive element is used to establish a numerical model for indirect fracturing. Combined with practical engineering in 3# coal seam in Xinjing mine in China, the propagation behavior of hydraulic fracture across the coal-rock interface was researched, and the range of horizontal well position for indirect fracturing was determined. The results show that: (1) the pore pressure cohesive element can be used to simulate accurately the interaction between hydraulic fracture and natural fracture, and the propagation of hydraulic fracture across the coal-rock interface. (2) As the vertical distance between the horizontal well and coal-rock interface decreases, the breakdown pressure of perforation decreases; while the injection pressure increases when the hydraulic fracture crosses the coal-rock interface. (3) For the indirect fracturing engineering in 3# coal seam in Xinjing mine, the vertical distance between the horizontal well and coal-rock interface should not be larger than 2.0m to make the hydraulic fracture propagate into the coal seams.

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

UVA radiation inducing oxidative stress is harmful for the skin cells. The most sensitive are dermal fibroblasts. Exposure of the cells to prolonged UVA radiation induces apoptosis. Although, skin cells have a number of defense mechanisms that protect them against UV-induced oxidative stress, they are insufficient during long-lasting UV exposure. Therefore, there is a need for effective skin protection compounds with cytoprotective and antioxidant properties. One of their sources is Amaranthus cruentus L. seed oil, rich in unsaturated fatty acids, squalene, vitamin E derivatives, and phytosterols. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether Amaranthus cruentus seed oil evokes protective effect on the apoptosis stimulated by UVA radiation in human skin fibroblasts. UVA radiation at an applied dose of 10 J/cm2 caused a significant reduction in the survival of human skin fibroblasts and directed them into apoptosis pathway. Increased expression of p53, caspase 3, and caspase 9 and PARP proteins in UVA-treated fibroblasts suggests the intrinsic mechanism of apoptosis. The application of Amaranthus cruentus seed oil at 0.1% and 0.15% concentrations to UVA-treated cells decreased the expression of these proteins, which was accompanied by increased cell survival. Similarly, the UVA-dependent decrease in expression of p-Akt and mTOR proteins was restored, under the effect of studied oil. The molecular mechanism of this phenomenon is related to the stimulation of antioxidant processes through activation of Nrf2. This suggests that Amaranthus cruentus seed oil stimulate the antioxidant system in fibroblast cells and prevent the effects of UVA-induced oxidative stress and may find application in pharmacy and cosmetology as a sun- protective substance.

The pulsatile flow rate (PFR) in the cerebral artery system and shunt ratios in bifurcated arteries are two patient-specific parameters which may affect the hemodynamic characteristics on the pathobiology of cerebral aneurysms (CAs). Accordingly, a systematic study was employed to investigate the effects of the two parameters on hemodynamic characteristics in two internal carotid artery sidewall aneurysms (i.e., ICASA-1 and ICASA-2) models. Numerical results indicate larger PFRs can cause higher WSS in some local regions of the aneurysmal dome that may increase the probability of small/secondary aneurysms generation than under smaller PFRs. The low WSS and relatively high oscillatory shear index (OSI) could appear under a smaller PFR, which has the potential to cause aneurysmal sac growth and rupture. However, the variances in PFRs and bifurcated shunt ratios have rare impacts on the time-average pressure distributions on the aneurysmal sac, although a higher PFR can contribute more to the pressure increase in ICASA-1 dome due to the relatively stronger impingement by the redirected blood stream than in ICASA-2. Simulation results also present the variances of shunt ratios have rare impacts on the hemodynamic characteristics in sacs, mainly because the bifurcated location is not close enough to the sac in present models. Furthermore, it has been found that the vortex location plays a major role in the temporal and spatial distribution of the WSS on the luminal wall, varying significantly with the cardiac period.

Microalgae have gained attention as alternative food sources due to their nutritional value and biological effects. This study investigated the effect of salt stress on the antioxidant activity, phenolic profile, bioa-vailability of bioactive compounds, and microbial counts in the blue-green algae Spirulina platensis and di-atom species Phaeodactylum tricornutum. Culturing these microalgae in different salt concentrations (15 35‰), we observed the highest antioxidant activity and phenolic compounds in the control groups. S. platensis (20‰) exhibited higher antioxidant activity compared to P. tricornutum (30‰), which decreased with in-creasing salt stress. Using HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS/MS, we identified and quantified 20 phenolic compounds in P. tricornutum and 24 in S. platensis. The bioavailability of these compounds was assessed through in vitro di-gestion, with the highest amounts observed in the intestinal phase. Salt stress negatively affected the syn-thesis of bioactive substances. Microbial counts ranged from 300 to 2.78x104 cfu/g for total aerobic mesophilic bacteria and from 10 to 1.35x104cfu/g for yeast/mold in P. tricornutum samples, while S. platensis samples ranged from 300 to 1.9x104cfu/g and 10 to 104 cfu/g, respectively. This study suggests that adding salt at different ratios to the nutrient media during the production of P. tricornutum and S. platensis can impact phenolic compounds, antioxidant capacity, microbial load evaluation, and in vitro bioaccessibility of the studied microalgae.

Heat stress affects the yield of medicinal plants and can reduce biomass and/or metabolite production. In order to evaluate the effect of heat-induced stress on the essential oil production in Mentha x piperita L. var. Mitcham (Mitcham mint) and Mentha x arvensis var. piperascens Malinv. ex L. H. Bailey (Japanese mint), we studied the chemical composition of the oils of the two mint species under different heat shock stress in growth chambers. The antibacterial activity of the essential oils was also evaluated; microscopic observation (fluorescence and electron transmission) was used to assess the effect of the tested samples on bacterial growth. The results obtained shed light on the mint essential oils composition and biological activity in relation to heat stress.

This paper identifies preschool teachers' sources of stress, the times they experience high stress, and their ways of coping with stress levels. The study was conducted using a phenomenological design, one of the qualitative research models. The data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 36 preschool teachers working with children aged 0-6 in state and private schools. As a result of the content analysis, stressors were identified primarily at both interpersonal (positive, and effective interactions), and organizational levels (school management, and leadership style). It was also found that intense stress was experienced when children were difficult to control, such as during sleeping, eating, and cleaning. Finally, these results confirmed that the teachers used active/active behavioral, and passive/avoidant coping strategies. However, it was understood that preschool teachers perceived stress negatively, and did not see stress as a personal development situation. These results are discussed in terms of their ramifications for preschool education.

The reason for excessive multidecade deflections is still unclear after 70 years of the cantilever method that has been applied in building large-span segmental concrete bridges. The failure of the Koror-Babeldaob bridge gives the author a clue that the reason might be the boundary condition. The asymmetric properties of the bearing and prestress tendon draw the author’s attention. To understand the process of stress redistribution, the virtual stiffness method which is derived from the principle of minimum potential energy was created, and the phenomenon the author suggested named Material Inelasticity and Prestress Loss Coupling Effect is discovered. The unexplainable excessive deflection and prestress loss are found in the new load model. The calculation of excessive deflection is discussed. The new model fits the experience well. The optimization design methods and construction key points are proposed.

The rehabilitation of the road embankments alongside the irrigation canal, which is constructed on a Bangkok soft clay foundation, has resulted from land use growth for several decades. As a result, the embankment is always confronted with the problem of instability. Numerous articles have demonstrated that rapid drawdown of the water level in the canal could be one of the most significant reasons, whereas vehicle cyclic loading may potentially contribute to some effect of the embankment failure. To explore and assess the effects of the influence factors, the finite element method (FEM) and conventional and dynamic triaxial approaches were employed. The study also investigated the consequences of varying thicknesses of soft clay and cyclic loading with different magnitudes and frequencies. Consequently, cyclic loading can lead to an augmentation in strain distribution and excess pore water pressure. Likewise, more significant deformation and excess pore water pressure were induced by a lower frequency and deeper thickness of soft clay compared to a higher frequency and thinner thickness. In brief, vehicle repetitive loading is one of the primary factors contributing to embankment failure, with the threshold stress being approximately three-fourths of the undrained shear strength. In contrast, threshold strain is approximately one to two-fold of the monotonic strain condition.

Water stress (drought and waterlogging) is drastic abiotic stress to plant growth and development. Melatonin, bioactive plant hormone, has been widely tested in drought situations in diverse plant species, while a few studies on the role of melatonin in waterlogging stress conditions have been published. In the current review, we analyze the bio-stimulatory functions of melatonin on plants under both drought and waterlogging stress. Melatonin controls the levels of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species and positively changes the molecular defense to improve plant tolerance against drought and waterlogging stress. Moreover, the crosstalk of melatonin and other phytohormones is a key element on plant survival under drought stress, while this relationship needs further investigation under waterlogging stress. In this review, we draw the complete story of water stress on both sides: drought and waterlogging through discussing the previous critical studies under both conditions. Moreover, we suggest several research directions, especially for waterlogging, which remains a big vague piece of melatonin and water stress puzzle.

Many studies were done in the development of drought stress-tolerant transgenic plants, including crop plants. Rice is considered to be a vital crop target for improving drought stress tolerance. Much transgenic rice showed improved drought stress tolerance was reported to date. They are genetically engineered plants that are developed by using genes that encode proteins involved in drought stress regulatory networks. These proteins include protein kinases, transcription factors, enzymes related to osmoprotectant or plant hormone synthesis, receptor-like kinase. Of the drought stress-tolerant transgenic rice plants described in this review, most of them display retarded plant growth. In crop crops, plant health is a fundamental agronomic trait that can directly affect yield. By understanding the regulatory mechanisms of retarded plant growth under drought stress, conditions are necessary precursors to developing genetically modified plants that result in high yields.

Complex proteomic and physiological approaches to study cold and heat stress responses in plant mitochondria are still limited. Variations in the mitochondrial proteome of cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis) curds after cold and heat and after stress recovery were assayed by 2D PAGE in relation to respiratory parameters. Quantitative analysis of the mitochondrial proteome revealed numerous stress-affected protein spots. In cold alternative oxidase isoforms were extensively upregulated; major downregulations in the level of photorespiratory enzymes, porine isoforms, oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) and some low-abundant proteins were observed. On the contrary, distinct proteins, including carbohydrate metabolism enzymes, heat-shock proteins, translation, protein import, and OXPHOS components were involved in heat response and recovery. Few metabolic regulations were suggested. Cauliflower plants appeared less susceptible to heat; closed stomata in heat stress resulted in moderate photosynthetic, but only minor respiratory impairments, however photosystem II performance was unaffected. Decreased photorespiration corresponded with proteomic alterations in cold. Our results show that cold and heat stress not only operate in diverse mode (exemplified by cold-specific accumulation of some heat shock proteins), but exert some associations on molecular and physiological levels. This implies more complex model of action of investigated stresses on plant mitochondria.

Neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson’s disease (PD), Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Amyloidal lateral sclerosis (ALS), and Huntington disease (HD) are the most concerned disorders due to the lack of effective therapeutics and dramatic rise in affected cases. Although these disorders have diverse clinical manifestations, yet they all share a common cellular stress response. These cellular stress responses including neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, proteotoxicity, and ER-stress, which combats with stress conditions, but the overwhelming cellular stress response induces cell damage. Small molecules such as flavonoids could reduce cellular stress and have gained much attention in recent years. Evidence has shown the potential use of flavonoids in several ways such as antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic, yet their mechanism is still elusive. This review provides an insight into the mechanistic ways of flavonoids against cellular stress response that prevent the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders.

While sex ratios at birth (SRB) have been shown to vary within and across populations, after over a century of research, explanations have remained elusive. A variety of ecological, demographic, economic, and social variables have been evaluated, yet their association with SRB has been equivocal. Here, in an attempt to shed light on this unresolved topic within the literature, we approach the question of what drives variation in SRB using detailed longitudinal data spanning the frontier-era to the early 20th century in a US population. Using several measures of environmental harshness, we find that fewer boys are born during challenging times. However, these results hold only for the frontier-era and not into a period of rapid industrialization. We argue that the mixed state of the literature may result from the impact and frequency of exogenous stressors being dampened in post-industrial societies.

The intracellular calcium dynamics in vascular endothelial cells (VECs) in response to wall shear stress (WSS) and/or adenosine triphosphate (ATP) have been commonly regarded as an important factor in regulating VEC function and behavior including proliferation, migration and apoptosis. However, the effects of time-varying ATP signals have been usually neglected in the past investigations in the field of VEC mechanobiology. In order to investigate the combined effects of WSS and dynamic ATP signals on the intracellular calcium dynamic in VECs, a Y-shaped microfluidic device, which can provide the cultured cells on the bottom of its mixing micro-channel with stimuli of WSS signal alone and different combinations of WSS and ATP signals in one single micro-channel, is proposed. Both numerical simulation and experimental studies verify the feasibility of its application. Cellular experimental results also suggest that a combination of WSS and ATP signals rather than a WSS signal alone might play a more significant role in VEC Ca²⁺ signal transduction induced by blood flow.

Video gamers can play to negate the psychological impact of stress (Pine et al., 2020), which may become problematic when users over-rely on the stress-relief potential of gaming. This study used a repeated-measures experimental design to investigate the relationships between stress, video gaming, and problematic video gaming behaviours in a convenience sample of 40 students at a UK university. Results indicated that positive affect increased and negative affect decreased, whilst a biological stress measure (Instantaneous Pulse Rate) also decreased after a short video gaming session (t(36) = 4.82, p < .001, d = 0.79). Results also suggest that video gaming can act as a short-term buffer against the physiological impact of stress. Further research should focus on testing individuals who have been tested for Gaming Disorder as opposed to a general population. Research could also utilise variations of the methodological framework used in this study to examine the intensity of a stress-relief effect under different social situations. The study’s findings in relation to published work are also discussed.

Abstract: Arterial hypertension is the main preventable risk factor for premature death and stroke worldwide and anxiety is a real public health problem. Stress is the common denominator for both cases. In the last 3 years, the aggressive exposure of the population to negative emotions (fear of disease in a pandemic, fear of war, financial instability) was the trigger factor. The psycho-neuro-endocrine mechanisms include the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and induce sympathetic-parasympathetic imbalance, hypercortisolemia, endothelial dysfunction, oxidative stress, inflammation, cytokine growth, and atherosclerosis. The individual’s vulnerability to stress depends on many factors, but the key role in the perception of stress belongs to immunogenic personality traits. Among them, self-efficacy is a protective factor against stress. Our research aimed to evaluate the connections between psycho-emotional factors and hypertension, using psychometric tests, to identify vulnerability to stress, perceived stress level, anxiety, self-efficacy, and psychobehavioral type, for 215 patients, 104 hypertensive and 111 non-hypertensive patients. The results of the study confirmed that there is a statistically significant difference, which requires psychological screening measures to identify patients vulnerable to stress, as well as medical education courses for doctors in the field of psychology.

To mitigate the COVID-19 infection, many world governments endorsed the cessation of non-essential activities, such as the school attendance. Thereby, forcing the evolution of the teaching model to the virtual classroom. In the present work we show the application of a modified version of the adapted COVID-19 stress scales (ACSS) which also included teaching anxiety and preparedness, and resilience for academic professionals in Mexico, during the unprecedented transformation of the education system undergone in the COVID-19 quarantine. Most of the studied variables: gender, age, academic degree, household occupants, having a disease, teaching level, teaching mode, work hours, resilience, teaching anxiety and preparedness, and fear of being an asymptomatic patient (FOBAP), showed significant statistical correlation between each other (p<0.050) and to the 6 areas of the ACSS (danger, contamination, social economical, xenophobia, traumatic stress and compulsive checking). Our results further showed that the perceived stress and anxiety, fell into the category of absent to mild with only the danger section of the ACSS falling into the moderate category. Finally, resilience generated throughout the quarantine, seems to be a predictor of the adaptation the academic professional has undergone to cope with stress.

Drought is one of the major stress factors affecting growth and development of plants. In this context, drought-related losses of crop plant productivity impede sustainable agriculture all over the world. In general, plants responses to water deficit by multiple physiological and metabolic adaptations at the molecular, cellular and organism levels. To understand the underlying mechanisms of drought tolerance, adequate stress models and arrays of reliable stress markers are required. Therefore, in this review we comprehensively address currently available models of drought stress, based on culturing plants in soil, hydroponic or agar culture. These experimental setups give access to different aspects of plant response to drought, like decrease of tissue water potential, reduction of stomata conductance and photosynthesis efficiency, accumulation of low-molecular weight solutes (metabolic adjustment) and drought protective proteins. Till now, this pattern of markers was successfully extended to the methods of enzyme chemistry, molecular biology and omics techniques. Thus, conventional tests can be efficiently complemented by determination of phytohormone and reactive oxygen species (ROS) contents, activities of antioxidant enzymes, as well as comprehensive profiling of transcriptome, proteome and metabolome.

The epigenetic mechanism of DNA methylation is essential for regulating gene expression and adaptation in plants, especially when exposed to various environmental stressors such as drought, heat, and nutrient availability. The impact of these stressors can lead to alterations in DNA methylation patterns and gene expression, which this study aims to investigate. Specifically, we are interested in understanding how DNA methylation plays a role in controlling the expression of stress-response genes, as well as genes involved in plant growth and development. To accomplish this, we are analyzing the changes in DNA methylation patterns and gene expression in response to different stressors like drought and heat. Our research findings suggest that DNA methylation is a vital regulator of plant adaptation to environmental stress, and we hope to gain further insight into these mechanisms by identifying genes that exhibit differential expression in response to stress and analyzing their DNA methylation status. This study offers valuable insights into the development of crops that can thrive under changing climate conditions.

Plant-microbial interactions are very crucial for the terrestrial ecosystem. At the rhizospheric, phyllospheric and endospheric regions, these interactions occur through different signalling pathways and play a pivotal role as they strengthen the plant defence mechanism against pathogen attacks and other stresses. A better knowledge of these relationships will help to develop novel solutions for sustainable agriculture and safeguarding the global food supply in the context of climate change and mounting environmental concerns. This chapter emphasises the role of the microbiome in providing resistance to plants against various environmental stresses and aiding in their improved adaption. This chapter also underscores the impact of the microbiome in providing resilience to plants under changing climatic scenarios.

Klotho (KL) is a glycosyl hydrolase and aging-suppressor gene. Stress is a risk factor for depression and anxiety that are highly comorbid with each other. The aim of this study was to determine KL is regulated by estrogen and plays an important role in sex differences in stress resilience. Our results showed that KL was regulated by estrogen in rat hippocampal neurons in vivo and in vitro and was essential for estrogen-mediated increase in the number of presynaptic vesicular glutamate transporter 1 (Vglut1) positive clusters on the dendrites of hippocampal neurons. The role of KL in sex differences in stress responses was examined in rats using three-week chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS). CUMS produced a deficit in spatial learning and memory, anhedonic-like and anxiety-like behaviors in male but not female rats, which was accompanied by a reduction in KL protein levels in the hippocampus of male, but not female rats. This demonstrated the resilience of female rats to CUMS. Interestingly, knockdown of KL protein levels in the rat hippocampus of both sexes caused a decrease in stress resilience in both sexes, especially in female rats. These results suggest that regulation of KL by estrogen plays an important role in estrogen-mediated synapse formation, and KL plays a critical role in the sex differences in cognitive deficit, anhedonic-like and anxiety-like behaviors induced by chronic stress in rats, highlighting an important role of KL in sex differences in stress resilience.

An immune-inflammatory response is accompanied by increased nitro-oxidative stress. The aims of this mechanistic review are to review: a) the role of redox sensitive transcription factors and enzymes, ROS/RNS production and the activity of cellular antioxidants on the activation and performance of macrophages, dendritic cells, neutrophils, T cells, B cells and natural killer cells; b) the involvement of high-density lipoprotein (HDL), apolipoprotein (Apo)A1, paraoxonase (PON)-1, and oxidized phospholipids in the regulation of the immune response; and c) the detrimental effects of hypernitrosylation and chronic nitro-oxidative stress on the immune response. The redox changes during immune-inflammatory responses are orchestrated by the actions of nuclear factor (NF)-κB, HIF1alpha, the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTor), the phosphatidylinositol 3‑kinase (PI3K) / protein kinase B (AKT) signalling pathway, mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases, 5' AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR). The performance and survival of individual immune cells is under redox control and sensitive to intracellular and extracellular levels of ROS/RNS and is heavily influenced by cellular anti-oxidants including the glutathione and thioredoxin systems, nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf-2), and the HDL complex. Chronic nitro-oxidative stress and hypernitrosylation inhibit the activity of those antioxidant systems, the tricarboxylic acid cycle, mitochondrial functions, and the metabolism of immune cells. In conclusion, those redox-associated mechanisms modulate metabolic reprogramming of immune cells, macrophage and T helper cell polarization, phagocytosis, production of pro- versus anti-inflammatory cytokines, immune training and tolerance, chemotaxis, pathogen sensing, antiviral and antibacterial effects, Toll-like receptor activity, and endotoxin tolerance.

Purpose: To investigate the alterations in nitro-oxidative stress (OS) and antioxidant status in adolescents with metabolic syndrome (MetS) and whether these alterations occur independently from effects of overweight or obesity.Methods: Blood was collected in 47 adolescents with MetS and 94 adolescents without MetS as assessed with the International Diabetes Federation criteria. The International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) criteria were used to classify the subjects into those with overweight or obesity. We measured nitro-oxidative biomarkers including nitric oxide metabolites (NOx), lipid hydroperoxides (LOOH), and malondialdehyde (MDA), and antioxidant biomarkers, i.e. total radical-trapping antioxidant parameter (TRAP), paraoxonase (PON)-1 activity, thiol (SH-) groups, as well as tumor necrosis factor-α, glucose, insulin, triglycerides, uric acid and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C).Results: Logistic regression analysis showed that increased MDA and NOx and a lowered TRAP/uric acid ratio were associated with MetS. Machine learning including soft independent modeling of class analogy (SIMCA) showed that the top-3 most important features of MetS were increased glucose and MDA and lowered HDL-C. Support vector machine using MDA, glucose, insulin, HDL-C, triglycerides and body mass index as input variables yielded a 10-fold cross-validated accuracy of 89.8% when discriminating MetS from controls. The association between MetS and increased MDA was independent from the effects of overweight-obesity. glucose, insulin, triglycerides and HDL-C.Conclusion: In adolescents, increased MDA formation is a key component of MetS, indicating that increased production of reactive oxygen species with consequent lipid peroxidation and aldehyde formation participate in the development of MetS.

French bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) a member of family Leguminosae is a useful source of protein (∼22%), minerals (folate), vitamins and fibre. Abiotic and biotic stresses are the constraints to high yield and production of French bean. Varieties reluctant to diseases as well as abiotic stresses is among the top breeding objectives for the French bean. Mendelian ratios could know the genetically reliable forms of resistance, whereas it's more robust to understand the intricate kinds, often referred to as quantitative trait loci (QTL). Here, we review and compile the information from the studies related to the identification of QTLs for critical biofortification traits, biotic and abiotic stresses in French bean. Successful map-based cloning requires QTLs represent single genes which could be isolated in near-isogenic lines, and also the genotypes could be unambiguously inferred by progeny testing. Overall, this information will be useful for directing the French bean breeders to select a suitable method for the inheritance evaluation of quantitative traits and determining the novel genes in germplasm resources to ensure that much more potential of genetic information may be uncovered.

This study was undertaken to elucidate the role of trehalose (Tre) in mitigating oxidative stress under salinity and low P in maize. Eight-day-old maize seedlings of two maize varieties, BARI Hybrid Maize-7 and BARI Hybrid Maize-9 were subjected to salinity (150 mM NaCl), low P (5 µM KH2PO4) and their combined stress with or without 10 mM Tre for 15-d.Salinity and combined stress significantly inhibited the shoot length, root length, and root volume, whereas, low P increased the root length and volume in both genotypes. Exogenous Tre in the stress treatments increased all of the growth parameters as well as decreased the salinity, low P and combined stress-mediated Na+/K+, ROS, MDA, LOX activity and MG in both genotypes. Under salinity and low P stress, the SOD activity increased in both genotypes, but the activity decreased in combined stress. POD activity increased in all stress treatments. Interestingly, Tre application enhanced the SOD activity in all the stress treatments but inhibited the POD activity. Both CAT and GPX activity were increased by saline and low P stress while the activities inhibited in combined stress. Similar results were found for APX, GR, and DHAR activities in both genotypes. However, MDHAR activity was inhibited in all the stresses. Interestingly, Tre enhanced CAT APX, GPX, GR, MDHAR and DHAR activities suggesting the amelioration of ROS scavenging in maize under all the stresses. Increased GST activity in presence or absence of Tre might involve in detoxification of hydroperoxides as well as leaf senescence. On the other hand, increased glyoxalase activities in saline and low P stress in BHM-9 suggested better MG detoxification system because of down-regulation of Gly-I activity in BHM-7 in those stresses. Tre also increased the glyoxalase activities in both genotypes under all the stresses. Tre improved the growth in maize seedlings by decreasing Na+/K+, ROS, MDA, and MG through regulating antioxidant and glyoxalase systems.

BACKGROUND: Stable-phase schizophrenia may comprise two distinct nosological entities namely Major Neuro-Cognitive Psychosis (MNP, largely overlapping with the deficit syndrome) and simple NP (SNP), which are defined by neuroimmune and neurocognitive abnormalities. Furthermore, cognitive impairments and PHEM (psychotic, hostility, excitation, mannerism) and negative symptoms load on the same dimension.METHODS: The current study aimed to investigate associations of psychomotor retardation (PMR) and clinical as well as biomarker characteristics of schizophrenia. We recruited 40 healthy controls and 79 schizophrenia patients and measured IgA responses to tryptophan catabolites (TRYCATs), IgM to malondialdehyde and nitroso (NO)-cysteinyl, macrophage inflammatory protein-1 (MIP-1), soluble interleukin (IL)-1 receptor antagonist (sIL-1RA), IL-10, CCL-11 as well as PMR items of different rating scales and motor screening task (MOT). RESULTS: PMR differentiated schizophrenia from controls and MNP from SNP. In addition, PMR was strongly associated with executive functions, deficits in episodic and semantic memory, PHEM and negative (PHEMN) symptoms. Around 50% of the variance in PMR was predicted by the cumulative effects of immune activation, CCL-11, TRYCATs and NO-Cysteinyl levels, and lowered natural IgM. PRM may be reliably combined with PHEMN symptoms and memory and executive impairments into one latent vector reflecting overall psychopathology.CONCLUSIONS: Current findings indicate that PMR may be a key psychopathological feature of schizophrenia and mainly MNP. In addition, PMR and associated impairments in memory and executive functions, and PHEMN symptoms may be driven by deficits in the compensatory immune regulatory system (natural IgM) combined with increased production of neurotoxic immune products, namely TRYCATs and IgM to NO-cysteinyl, and an endogenous cognition deteriorating chemokine, namely CCL-11.

Transposable elements (TE) function as one of the major effectors to respond to biological or environmental stress. The mobility of TEs, which is heavily controlled under normal conditions, may be activated by stress. LncRNAs are emerging as a crucial tool in the regulation of TEs. This study focuses on the gene expression of THAP9, a domesticated transposon and lncRNA THAP9-AS1 (THAP9-antisense1), which form a sense and antisense gene pair with a promoter overlap of approximately 350bp. Under basal conditions, THAP9 is preferentially transcribed while THAP9-AS1 is heavily down-regulated. In the S-phase of the cell cycle, THAP9 expression exhibits stress-specific effects ranging from moderate enhancement to no change. On the other hand, THAP9-AS1, which has previously been reported to be upregulated in several cancers, always demonstrates enhanced expression under stress. Moreover, THAP9-AS1 is transcriptionally favoured during stress since the stress-induced fold-increase of THAP-AS1 expression is always higher than THAP9. Interestingly, the expression of both THAP9 and THAP9-AS1 exhibit a striking periodicity throughout the S-phase, reminiscent of cell cycle regulated genes. Thus, this study sets the stage to further explore the relationship between THAP9 and THAP9-AS1 and investigate THAP9-AS1’s potential regulatory role during stress.

This article shows the alternative learning methodology to stimulate the holistic side of students’ minds to achieve the increment of the innovation skill, managing the creative competencies and level of stress. The present research study is pre-experimental research designed with prior and posterior measurement, longitudinal, explanatory, and co-relational, with the main objective to demonstrate the effect of the holistic innovation coefficient of the beneficiaries of the program “Impulsa Peru”. Program Results: It has been concluded that the experimental group is significant over the control group. Therefore, the holistic innovation methodology had an impact on the experimental group. Conclusions: Hypothesis 1 is fulfilled in which it is affirmed that the holistic innovation methodology has a positive impact on the level of coefficient of holistic innovation of the student mentors of the women recyclers of the program Impulsa Peru with a significance level of 0.05%.

The agricultural sector faces challenges due to climate change and the growing global population. Alkaline stress could adversely impact plant growth and crop production. This stressor diminishes water quality essential for crop cultivation, consequently impairing plant growth and overall productivity. Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a non-protein amino acid, may exhibit multifaceted roles in plant responses to adverse environmental conditions. Optimization of crop production in controlled environmental agriculture under artificial light attracted much attention. In the present study, we investigated the effects of different light spectra and GABA concentrations on Lollo Rosso lettuce plants under alkaline stress. Seedlings were placed under different light spectra [red (R), blue (B), white (W), 3R:1B, and 2R:1B:1far-red (FR)] and treated by GABA (0 and 50 µmol). Alkaline conditions were instituted by applying NaHCO3 at a concentration of 40 mM. The experiment incorporated a control treatment without NaHCO3. In general, R light exposure caused the highest growth performance of lettuce plants. GABA augmented biomass production in control and alkaline-treated plants across all light spectra. Additionally, it increased the concentrations of photosynthetic and protective pigments under alkaline conditions. GABA also improved the photosynthetic performance under all light spectra. Non-photochemical quenching and pigmentation were enhanced by exposure to B light, especially in plants treated with GABA. Alkaline stress induced an increase in soluble carbohydrate content in the lettuce leaves. These findings highlight the support of GABA application in facilitating coping plants to alkaline stress.

Male infertility (MI) involves various endogenous and exogenous facts. These include oxidative stress (OS), which is known to alter several physiological pathways and it is estimated to be present at high levels in up to 80 % of infertile men. That is why since the late 20th Century, the relationship between OS and MI has been widely studied. New terms have emerged, such as Male Oxidative Stress Infertility (MOSI), which is proposed as a new category to define infertile men with high OS levels. Another important term is MOXI: Male, Antioxidants, and Infertility. Such term refers to the hypothesis that antioxidants could improve male fertility without the use of assisted reproductive technology. However, there is no evidence-based antioxidant treatments that directly improve seminal parameters or birth ratio. In this regard, there is controversy about their use. While certain scientists argue against their use due to the lack of results, others support this use because of their safety profile and low price. Some uncertainties related to the use of antioxidants for treating MI are their questionable efficacy or the difficulties to know their correct dosage. In addition, the lack of quality methods for OS detection can lead to an excessive antioxidant supplementation, resulting in “reductive stress”. Another important problem is that, although the inflammatory process is interdependent and closely linked to OS, it is usually ignored. To solve these uncertainties, new trends have recently emerged. These include the use of molecules with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant potential, and which are also able to specifically target the reproductive tissue; as well as the use of new methods that allow for reliable quantification of OS and a quality diagnosis. This review aims to elucidate the main uncertainties about MOXI and to outline the latest trends in research to achieve effective therapies with clinically relevant outcomes.

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is an important organelle responsible as protein synthesis regulator in plant. High salinity can also lead to the activation of ER stress, caused by the accumulation of misfolded protein. This could lead to a stress response mechanism, unfolded protein response (UPR). Failure of UPR to reverse the effect of protein misfolding will activate Programmed Cell Death (PCD). Metacaspase genes regulate programmed cell death (PCD) in plants. The present study was focused on comprehensive gene analyses of the expression patterns of type II rice metacaspase (OsMC) genes in response to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and salinity stress in rice leaf and OsMC4 in callus. A strong evidence of unfolded protein response (UPR) during tolerance to both ER and salinity stress was found in the present study. Overexpression of OsMC4 in rice callus as a fusion protein with TagRFP and controlled by the CaMV35 promoter caused major changes in the expression of the stress ER-marker genes, protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) and Binding immunoglobulin Protein (BiP), and OsMC4 in overexpressing calli. These expression analyses of the OsMC family provide valuable information for further functional studies on the biological roles of OsMCs in PCD related to ER and salinity stress responses.

Trypanosoma cruzi infection results in debilitating cardiomyopathy, which is a major cause of mortality and morbidity in the endemic regions of Chagas disease (CD). The pathogenesis of Chagasic cardiomyopathy (CCM) has been intensely studied as a chronic inflammatory disease until recent observations reporting the role of cardio-metabolic dysfunctions. In particular, we demonstrated accumulation of lipid droplets and impaired cardiac lipid metabolism in the hearts of cardiomyopathic mice and patients, and their association with impaired mitochondrial functions and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in CD mice. In the present study, we examined whether treating infected mice with an ER stress inhibitor can modify the pathogenesis of cardiomyopathy during chronic stages of infection. T. cruzi infected mice were treated with an ER stress inhibitor 2-Aminopurine (2AP) during the indeterminate stage and evaluated for cardiac pathophysiology during the subsequent chronic stage. Our study demonstrates that inhibition of ER stress improves cardiac pathology caused by T. cruzi infection by reducing ER stress and downstream signaling of phosphorylated eukaryotic initiation factor (P-elF2α) in the hearts of chronically infected mice. Importantly, cardiac ultrasound imaging showed amelioration of ventricular enlargement, suggesting that inhibition of ER stress may be a valuable strategy to combat the progression of cardiomyopathy in Chagas patients.

To date, soil salinity becomes a huge obstacle for food production worldwide since salt stress in plants is one of the major factors limiting agricultural productivity. It is estimated that a significant loss of crops (20%–50%) would be due to drought and salinity. To embark upon this harsh situation, numerous strategies such as plant breeding, plant genetic engineering, and a large variety of agricultural practices including the applications of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) and seed biopriming technique have been developed to improve plant defense system against salt stress, resulting in higher crop yields to meet human’s increasing food demand in the future. In the present review, we update and discuss the advantageous roles of beneficial PGPR as green bioinoculants in mitigating the burden of high saline conditions on morphological parameters and on physio-biochemical attributes of plant crops via diverse mechanisms. In addition, the applications of PGPR as a useful tool in seed biopriming technique are also updated and discussed since this approach exhibits promising potentials in improving seed vigor, rapid seed germination, and seedling growth uniformity, Furthermore, the controversial findings regarding the fluctuation of antioxidants and osmolytes in PGPR-treated plants are also pointed out and discussed.

Plants are continually exposed to multiple stresses, which co-occur in nature and the net effects are frequently more non-additive (i.e., synergistic or antagonistic) suggesting ‘unique’ responses respect to that of the individual stress. Further, plant stress responses are not uniforms showing a high spatial and temporal variability among and along the different organs. In this respect, the present work investigated the morphological responses of different root types (seminal, seminal lateral, primary, primary lateral) of maize plants exposed to single (drought and heat) and combined stress (drought + heat). Data were evaluated by a specific root image analysis system (WinRHIZO) and analyzed by uni- and multi-variate statistical analysis. The results indicated that primary root and their laterals were the types more sensitive to the single and combined stresses while the seminal laterals specifically responded to the combined only. Further, antagonistic and synergistic effects were observed for the specific traits in the primary and their laterals and in the seminal lateral roots in response to the combined stress. These results suggested that maize root system modified specific root types and traits to face with different stressful environmental conditions highlighting that the adaptation strategy to the combined stress may be different from that of the individual ones. The knowledge of “unique or shared” responses of plant to multiple stress can be utilized to develop varieties with broad spectrum stress tolerance.

The present study investigated the effect of different ambient temperature and relative humidity (RH) but equal temperature-humidity index (THI) on laying performance, egg quality, heterophil to lymphocyte ratio (H/L ratio), corticosterone (CORT) concentration in blood, yolk and albumen, and plasma biochemical parameters in laying hens. One hundred and twenty commercial hens (Hy-Line Brown) aged 60 weeks were allocated into 2 environmental chambers. Laying hens were subjected to either one of two thermal treatments, i.e., 26ºC and 70% RH (LH75) and 30ºC and 30% RH (HL75) for 28 days. Both thermal treatments had equal THI being 75. Neither LH75 nor HL75 affected (P > 0.05) laying performance including egg production, egg weight, egg mass, feed intake, and feed conversion ratio. Plasma biochemical parameters such as total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglyceride, calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus was not altered (P > 0.05) by thermal treatments. As to the stress indicators, both environment regimes failed (P > 0.05) to affect blood H/L ratio and CORT levels in plasma, yolk and albumen although albumen CORT levels were elevated (P < 0.05) in LH75 vs. HL75 at days 3, 7, and 28. In conclusion, our study suggests that laying hens performed and responded equally when they were exposed to equal THI environment conditioned from either 26ºC and 70% RH or 30ºC and 30% RH. The results of this study will be served as a scientific basis for management decisions and handling under thermally challenging conditions.

The world is currently, subjected to the worst health crisis documented in modern history; an epidemic led by the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). At the epicenter of this crisis, healthcare professionals continue working to safeguard our well-being. To the regular high levels of stress, COVID new heights even more to healthcare professionals so depending on the area, specialty, and type of work. Here we investigated what are the tendencies, or areas most affected. Through an adaptation of the original COVID-stress scale, we developed a remote, fast test designed for healthcare professionals of the Northeastern part of Mexico, an important part of the country with economic and cultural ties to the US. Our results showed 4 key correlations as highly dependent: Work area – Xenophobia (p &lt; 0.045), Work with COVID patients - Traumatic stress (p &lt; 0.001) and Total number of COVID patients per day – Traumatic stress (p &lt; 0.027), and Total number of COVID patients - Compulsive checking and reassurance. Overall concluding that normal levels of stress have increased (mild – moderate). Additionally, we further determine that the fear of being an asymptomatic patient (potential to spread without knowing) continues being a concern.

Rapid and accurate prediction of residual stress in metal additive manufacturing processes is of great importance to guarantee the quality of the fabricated part to be used in a mission-critical application in the aerospace and automotive industries. Experimentation and numerical modeling are valuable tools for measuring and predicting the residual stress; however, to-date conducting experimentation and numerical modeling is expensive and time-consuming. Thus, herein, a physics-based thermomechanical analytical model is proposed to predict the residual stress of the additively manufactured part rapidly and accurately. A moving point heat source approach is used to predict the temperature field by considering the effects of scan strategies, heat loss, and energy needed for solid-state phase transformation. Due to the high temperature gradient in this process, part experiences a high amount of thermal stress following solidification which may exceed the yield strength of the material. The thermal stress is obtained using Green’s function of stresses due to the point body load. The Johnson-Cook flow stress model is used to predict the yield surface of the part under repeated heating and cooling. As a result of the cyclic heating and cooling and the fact that the material is yielded, the residual stress build-up is predicted based on incremental plasticity and kinematic hardening behavior of the metal according to the property of volume invariance in plastic deformation in coupling with the equilibrium and compatibility conditions. The computational methodology is realized with the laser powder fusion of maraging steel 350 as a material of example. The validation of the predictive models has been presented in terms of the comparison of predicted and measured scan-direction and build-direction residual stress distributions along depth of build under various process parameter combinations. Moreover, for the first time, the Jonson-Cook parameters of maraging steel 350 are predicted using analytical modeling of machining forces and non-linear optimization techniques.

Salinity is a serious environmental hazard which limits world agricultural production by adversely affects plant physiology and biochemistry. Hence increase tolerance against salt stress is very important. In this study, we explored the function of β-aminobutyric acid (BABA) in enhancing salt stress tolerance in rapeseed (Brassica napus L.). After pretreatment with BABA, seedlings were exposed to NaCl (100 mM and 150 mM) for 2 days. Salt stress increased Na content and decreased K content in shoot and root. It disrupted the antioxidant defense system by producing reactive oxygen species (ROS; H2O2 and O2•−), methylglyoxal (MG) content and causing oxidative stress. It also reduced the growth and photosynthetic pigments of seedlings but increased proline (Pro) content. However, BABA pretreatment in salt-stressed seedlings increased ascorbate (AsA) and glutathione (GSH) contents; GSH/GSSG ratio; and the activities of ascorbate peroxidase (APX), monodehydroascorbate reductase (MDHAR), dehydroascorbate reductase (DHAR), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glyoxalase I (Gly I), and glyoxalase II (Gly II) as well as growth and photosynthetic pigments of plants. In addition, compared to salt stress alone BABA increased Pro content, reduced the H2O2, MDA and MG contents and decreased Na content in root and increased K content in shoot and root of rapeseed seedlings.

Being a chilling-sensitive staple crop, rice (Oryza sativa L.) is vulnerable to climate change. The competence of rice to withstand chilling stress should, therefore, be enhanced through technological tools. The present study employed chemical intervention like application of sodium nitroprusside (SNP) as nitric oxide (NO) donor and elucidated the underlying molecular mechanisms of NO-mediated chilling tolerance in rice. At germination stage, germination indicators were interrupted by chilling stress (5.0 ± 1.0°C for 8 h day‒1), while pretreatment with 100 μM SNP markedly improved the indicators. At seedling stage (14-day-old), chilling stress caused stunted growth with visible toxicity along with alteration of biochemical markers, for example, increase in oxidative stress markers (superoxide, hydrogen peroxide, and malondialdehyde) and osmolytes (total soluble sugar; proline and soluble protein content, SPC), and decrease in chlorophyll (Chl), relative water content (RWC), and antioxidants. However, NO application attenuated toxicity symptoms with improving growth performance which might be attributed to enhanced activities of antioxidants, mineral contents, Chl, RWC and SPC. Furthermore, principal component analysis indicated that water imbalance and increased oxidative damage were the main contributors to chilling injury, whereas NO-mediated mineral homeostasis and antioxidant defense were the critical determinants for chilling tolerance in rice. Collectively, our findings revealed that NO protects against chilling stress through valorizing cellular defense mechanisms, suggesting that exogenous application of NO could be a potential tool to evolve cold tolerance as well as climate resilience in rice.

Water stress (WS) and heat stress (HS) have a negative effect on soybean plant growth and crop productivity. During WS, soybean plants opt for survival through ion homeostasis and the conformations of proteins are disconcerted as plant cells lose water while HS leads to difficulties in flowering and fruiting. Some of these changes include oxidative stress leading to the destruction of photosynthetic apparatus, macromolecules within cells and the onset of complex signaling cascades. Changes in the physiological characteristics, proteome, and certain metabolites investigated on molecular and cellular functions were studied in two soybean cultivars exposed to different heat and water stress conditions independently and in combination. Leaf protein composition was studied using 2-DE and complemented with MALDI TOF mass spectrometry. While two cultivars displayed genetic variation in response to water and heat stress, thirty-nine proteins were significantly altered in their relative abundance in response to WS, HS and combined WS+HS in both cultivars; a majority of them involved in metabolism, response to heat and photosynthesis showing significant cross-tolerance mechanisms. Functional analysis revealing a majority of heat responsive-proteins were more abundant during HS and combined stress (WS+HS) whereas these proteins were low to WS in cultivar PI 471938 and heat shock proteins were in low abundance to water, heat and combined stresses in cultivar R95-1705. Most protein abundances were not correlated with their expression at mRNA levels in PI cultivar, however, in cultivar R 95, the expression levels of transcript follow their relative abundance in proteins. Our systems bioinformatics analyses revealed that MED37C, a probable mediator of RNA polymerase transcription II protein showed potential interacting partners in Arabidopsis and our studies signifies the marked impact of this protein in PI cultivar. Elevated activities in antioxidant enzymes indicate that the PI-371938 cultivar has the ability to restore the oxidation levels and sustain the plant during the stress. Our study hypothesizes the plant’s development of cross-stress tolerance which will help foster the ongoing ventures in genetic modifications in stress tolerance.

Garment sector has crucial working field in Turkey.It has also very high risky occupational health conditions and safety.The objective of this study is to define level of job level, work-related stress’ symptoms, social support and coping mechanisms of garment workers and to determine any related factors.This study is descriptive and cross-sectional. The study population comprised garment workers in the 16-65 age range. The data was collected by Assessment Form, The Brief Stress Coping Profile and Brief Job Stress Questionnaire. The level of work-related stress was statistically higher among the workers who had chronic disease, low economic, education status and poor quality of sleep. Psychological and physical physiological reactions to stress were found higher among women workers and those with chronic disease.It also was seen that job stress scores had a meaningful relationship with “emotional expression involving others” (r =.20) and “Avoidance and suppression” coping profile (r =.16; p <.01).Psychological symptom scores were found to have a low level of meaningful relationship with “Seeking help for solution” (r =-.08), “changing point of view” (r=.13) and “emotional expression involving others” coping profiles (r=.21). Work-related stress causes many health and behavioral problems. Work related reasons and coping profiles have powerful effects on stress.

Hypotrochoidal profile contours have been produced in industrial applications in recent years using twin-spindle processes, and they are considered effective high-quality solutions for positive shaft–hub connections. This study mainly concerns analytical approaches to determine the bending stresses in hypotrochoidal profile shafts. The formulation was developed according to bending principles using the mathematical theory of elasticity and conformal mappings. The loading was further used to investigate the rotating bending behaviour. The stress factors for the classical calculation of maximum bending stresses were also determined for all those profiles presented and compiled in the German standard DIN3689-1 for practical applications. The results were also compared with the corresponding numerical and experimental results, and very good agreement was observed. Additionally, based on previous work, the stress factor was determined for the case of torsional loading to calculate the maximum torsional stresses in the standardised profiles, and the results are listed in a table. This study contributes to the further refinement of the current DIN3689 standard.

Stress has been identified as a prominent contributor to the development and advancement of bowel cancer, however its specific involvement is intricate and diverse. This abstract tries to offer a concise summary of the correlation between stress and bowel cancer, consolidating significant discoveries from several research fields. The investigation commences by studying the molecular pathways by which chronic stress impacts the development of colon cancer. Chronic stress causes disruption in the functioning of neuroendocrine, immunological, and inflammatory pathways, leading to the development of a microenvironment within the gastrointestinal system that promotes the growth of tumours. Furthermore, changes in the composition of gut microbiota, variations in epigenetics, and alterations in immune function caused by stress also have a role in increasing the risk and advancing the advancement of cancer. Psychological aspects, including how one perceives stress, the tactics they use to cope with it, and the level of psychosocial support they receive, are crucial in determining a person's susceptibility to bowel cancer and impacting the effectiveness of treatment. Stress management therapies, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy and mindfulness-based stress reduction, have demonstrated potential in enhancing patient well-being and promoting adherence to treatment. Moreover, epidemiological studies and clinical trials offer vital knowledge regarding the correlation between stress and the risk, prognosis, and treatment results of bowel cancer. Although the evidence is inconclusive, it is essential to continue researching the intricate relationship between stress and bowel cancer. This will help us understand the connection better and create specific strategies to reduce its impact on patient outcomes.

Background: Pregnancy can be a period of increased psychological susceptibility for women living with HIV. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and factors associated with depression and psychological stress among women living with HIV during their perinatal period in Ibadan, Nigeria. Methods: This study was a facility-based cross-sectional survey conducted in three HIV treatment centers. The study population consisted of women living with HIV 18 years and above who were pregnant or had given birth within the last two years. Data obtained were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science version 25. Results: A total of 402 participants were eligible for this study. About 69.0% and 78.0% of the participants were depressed and had perceived stress respectively. Women who had positive partners (OR=0.60, 95% CI=0.20-1.30) were found to be significantly associated with perceived depression. Women who reported having a gestational age between 29-40 weeks (OR=0.054 95% CI = 0.006, 0.500) were found to be significantly associated with perceived stress. Factors associated with the co-occurrence of symptoms of depression and perceived stress were partner status, income level, family support, gestational age, and years on ART. Conclusions: Given the high prevalence of major depression, perceived stress, and the co-occurrence of depression and perceived stress among women living with HIV, mental health care should be incorporated into the routine maternal healthcare for all women, especially those living with HIV.

Teaching is considered a multifarious task. Teachers, in the pursuit of educational success, are burdened with numerous teaching workloads and dilemmas causing them stress. This study endeavored to determine the influence of stress on professional satisfaction of multigrade teachers. It employed correlation research design involving thirty (30) purposively selected multigrade teachers in the Schools Division of General Santos City (GSC), Southern Philippines. Employing the survey method, tailored questionnaires were utilized to gather the needed data. The statistical tools employed in the analysis were weighted mean and Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient. Moderate level of stress and high level of professional satisfaction are gained among the multigrade teachers surveyed. It was further found out that there is no significant relationship between stress and professional satisfaction, providing evidence that stress may not necessarily influence satisfaction. This result offers unique implications in theory, practice, and research which are discussed in the study.

Human exposure to carbon nanotubes (CNTs) can cause health issues due to their chemical–physical features and biological interactions. These nanostructures cause oxidative stress, also due to endogenous ROS production, which increases following mitochondrial impairment. The aim of this in vitro study was to assess the health effects, due to mitochondrial dysfunction, caused by a sub-chronic exposure to a non-acutely toxic dose of multi walled CNTs (raw and functionalised). The A549 cells were exposed to MWCNTs (2 µg mL^-1) for 36 days. Periodically, cellular dehydrogenases, pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 1 (PDK1), cytochrome c release, permeability transition pore (mPTP) opening, transmembrane potential (Δψ m), apoptotic cells, and intracellular ROS were measured. The results, compared to untreated cells and to positive control formed by cells treated with MWCNTs (20 µg mL^-1), highlighted the efficiency of homeostasis to counteract ROS overproduction, but a restitutio ad integrum of mitochondrial functionality was not observed. Despite the tendency to restore, the mitochondrial impairment persisted. Overall, the results underlined the tissue damage that can arise following sub-chronic exposure to MWCNTs.

The characteristics of response to stressful situations depend on a complex of factors such as personality traits, emotional regulation, health state, features of the nervous system, motor functions and proprioception. In cases of disruption of the brain's dopamine system due to disease or chemotherapy, hormone discharge due to stress, changes in emotions and proprioception may occur. The aim of our study was to find the relationship of stress resilence in verbal test and individual differences performed in proprioceptive test in onco-patients, sportsmen and group of control; as well as to observe the differences between these groups in the verbal stress resistance and individual differences proprioceptive tests. The results showed that onco-patients were less resistant as per verbal stress resistance outcomes for a major part of variables compared to other groups. The sportsmen were superior in verbal Risk and Control dimensions compared to other groups; but less in Positive Affectiveness. The proprioceptive test perfomance revealed the only statistically significant difference in performance in the dimension related to Mood, showing more Pessimism in the sportsmen group, but more Optimism in the oncopatients at temperamental (or intrisinc) level. The obtained results can be used by psychologists, therapists, coach and healthcare when needed to attend the specific needs of public, being pateints or sportsmen, etc.

Keywords: Fatigue crack propagation; Welding residual stress; Plastic re-distribution; Stress ratio effect

Iris laevigata Fisch. is a perennial aquatic plant with strong cold resistance and showy flowers. However, the flowering period of a single flower is only two days, greatly limiting its potential use in landscaping and the cutting-flower industry. In addition, I. laevigata is often challenged with various abiotic stresses including high salinity and drought in its native habitat. Thus, breeding novel cultivars with prolonged flowering time and higher resistance to abiotic stress is of high importance. In this study, we first performed genome-wide identification of WRKYs, key transcription factors in modulating flowering time and abiotic stress responses. We overexpressed IlWRKY22 in Arabidopsis thaliana and found the flowering time was delayed in the transgenic plants. Molecular characterization further revealed that IlWRKY22 promotes the expression of CO and GA20OX genes in the photoperiod and gibberellin pathways, respectively, and inhibits the expression of SPL3 in the aging pathway. We also created transgenic Nicotiana tabacum overexpressing IlWRKY22, which showed significantly improved resistance to both salt and drought compared to control plants. Specifically, the photosynthetic rate, maximum potential quantum efficiency of Photosystem II (Fv/Fm), and chlorophyll content were higher in the transgenic plants, which was accompanied with higher antioxidant enzyme activity and lower levels of reactive oxygen species. Thus, our study revealed a unique dual function of IlWRKY22, an excellent candidate gene for breeding novel I. laevigata cultivars of desirable traits.

Testicular heat stress is a well described phenomenon that occurs in mammals that possess a scrotum. Different models to induce testicular hyperthermia, such as surgical cryptorchidism, hot water bath, scrotal insulation or increased environmental temperature have all shown that spermatocytes and spermatids are unambiguously affected by high temperature, resulting in poor sperm production weeks later. Furthermore, a body of evidence suggest the involvement of oxidative stress is either a major or contributory pathway, which gives rise to the potential to overcome this condition. Whilst experimental models conclusively show the deleterious effect of testicular heat on sperm quality, the physiological relevance of the work is still debated. Herein we summarise a cohort of studies that report the effect of “season” on sperm quality. The data show season can affect sperm production, motility and morphology depending on where the work was performed. In countries where temperatures drop below zero, there is evidence showing summer conditions tend to improve semen quality. However, in sub-tropical countries, some studies show a decrease in summer, whilst others show no change. Herein we offer a reasonable explanation for this apparent controversy and present a range of antioxidant supplements that may offer some protection against testicular hyperthermia.

The WRKY gene family in plants regulates the plant's response to drought through regulatory networks and hormone signaling. AfWRKY20 (MT859405) was cloned from A. fruticosa (Amorpha fruticosa,A. fruticosa) seedlings using RT-PCR. The binding properties of the AfWRKY20 protein and the W-box (a DNA cis-acting element) were verified both in vivo and in vitro using EMSA and Dual-Luciferase activity assays. RT-qPCR detected that the total expression level of AfWRKY20 in leaves and roots was 22 times higher in the 30% PEG6000 simulated drought treatment compared to the untreated group. Under the simulated drought stress treatments of sorbitol and ABA (abscisic acid,ABA), the transgenic tobacco with the AfWRKY20 gene showed enhanced drought resistance at the germination stage, with significantly increased germination rate, green leaf rate, fresh weight, and root length compared to the WT (wild type,WT) tobacco. In addition, the SOD (superoxide dismutase,SOD)activity, chlorophyll content, and Fv/Fm ratio of AfWRKY20 transgenic tobacco were significantly higher than those of the WT tobacco under natural drought stress, while the MDA (malondialdehyde,MDA) content and DAB (3,3'-diaminobenzidine,DAB) and NBT (nitroblue tetrazolium,NBT) staining levels were lower. The expression levels of oxidation kinase genes (NbSOD, NbPOD, and NbCAT) in transgenic tobacco under drought stress were significantly higher than those in WT tobacco. This enhancement in gene expression improved the ability of transgenic tobacco to detoxify ROS (reactive oxygen species,ROS). The survival rate of transgenic tobacco after natural drought rehydration was four times higher than that of WT tobacco. In summary, this study revealed the regulatory mechanism of AfWRKY20 in response to drought stress-induced ABA signaling, particularly in relation to the ROS. This finding provides a theoretical basis for understanding the pathways of WRKY20 involved in drought stress, and offers genetic resources for molecular plant breeding aimed at enhancing drought resistance.