Brain region-specific roles of brain-derived neurotrophic factor in social stress-induced depressive-like behavior

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor is a key factor in stress adaptation and avoidance of a social stress behavioral response.Recent studies have shown that brain-derived neurotrophic factor expression in stressed mice is brain region–specific,particularly involving the corticolimbic system,including the ventral tegmental area,nucleus accumbens,prefrontal cortex,amygdala,and hippocampus.Determining how brain-derived neurotrophic factor participates in stress processing in different brain regions will deepen our understanding of social stress psychopathology.In this review,we discuss the expression and regulation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor in stress-sensitive brain regions closely related to the pathophysiology of depression.We focused on associated molecular pathways and neural circuits,with special attention to the brain-derived neurotrophic factor–tropomyosin receptor kinase B signaling pathway and the ventral tegmental area–nucleus accumbens dopamine circuit.We determined that stress-induced alterations in brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels are likely related to the nature,severity,and duration of stress,especially in the above-mentioned brain regions of the corticolimbic system.Therefore,BDNF might be a biological indicator regulating stress-related processes in various brain regions.

Correlation between the rock mass properties and maximum horizontal stress:A case study of overcoring stress measurements

Understanding the mechanical properties of the lithologies is crucial to accurately determine the horizontal stress magnitude.To investigate the correlation between the rock mass properties and maximum horizontal stress,the three-dimensional(3D)stress tensors at 89 measuring points determined using an improved overcoring technique in nine mines in China were adopted,a newly defined characteristic parameter C_(ERP)was proposed as an indicator for evaluating the structural properties of rock masses,and a fuzzy relation matrix was established using the information distribution method.The results indicate that both the vertical stress and horizontal stress exhibit a good linear growth relationship with depth.There is no remarkable correlation between the elastic modulus,Poisson's ratio and depth,and the distribution of data points is scattered and messy.Moreover,there is no obvious relationship between the rock quality designation(RQD)and depth.The maximum horizontal stress σ_(H) is a function of rock properties,showing a certain linear relationship with the C_(ERP)at the same depth.In addition,the overall change trend of σ_(H) determined by the established fuzzy identification method is to increase with the increase of C_(ERP).The fuzzy identification method also demonstrates a relatively detailed local relationship betweenσ_H and C_(ERP),and the predicted curve rises in a fluctuating way,which is in accord well with the measured stress data.

Dip2a regulates stress susceptibility in the basolateral amygdala

Dysregulation of neurotransmitter metabolism in the central nervous system contributes to mood disorders such as depression, anxiety, and post–traumatic stress disorder. Monoamines and amino acids are important types of neurotransmitters. Our previous results have shown that disco-interacting protein 2 homolog A(Dip2a) knockout mice exhibit brain development disorders and abnormal amino acid metabolism in serum. This suggests that DIP2A is involved in the metabolism of amino acid–associated neurotransmitters. Therefore, we performed targeted neurotransmitter metabolomics analysis and found that Dip2a deficiency caused abnormal metabolism of tryptophan and thyroxine in the basolateral amygdala and medial prefrontal cortex. In addition, acute restraint stress induced a decrease in 5-hydroxytryptamine in the basolateral amygdala. Additionally, Dip2a was abundantly expressed in excitatory neurons of the basolateral amygdala, and deletion of Dip2a in these neurons resulted in hopelessness-like behavior in the tail suspension test. Altogether, these findings demonstrate that DIP2A in the basolateral amygdala may be involved in the regulation of stress susceptibility. This provides critical evidence implicating a role of DIP2A in affective disorders.

Acquired sensorineural hearing loss,oxidative stress,and microRNAs

Hearing loss is the third leading cause of human disability.Age-related hearing loss,one type of acquired sensorineural hearing loss,is largely responsible for this escalating global health burden.Noise-induced,ototoxic,and idiopathic sudden sensorineural are other less common types of acquired hearing loss.The etiology of these conditions is complex and multi-fa ctorial involving an interplay of genetic and environmental factors.Oxidative stress has recently been proposed as a likely linking cause in most types of acquired sensorineural hearing loss.Short non-coding RNA sequences known as microRNAs(miRNAs)have increasingly been shown to play a role in cellular hypoxia and oxidative stress responses including promoting an apoptotic response.Sensory hair cell death is a central histopathological finding in sensorineural hearing loss.As these cells do not regenerate in humans,it underlies the irreversibility of human age-related hearing loss.Ovid EMBASE,Ovid MEDLINE,Web of Science Core Collection,and ClinicalTrials.gov databases over the period August 1,2018 to July 31,2023 were searched with"hearing loss,""hypoxamiRs,""hypoxia,""microRNAs,""ischemia,"and"oxidative stress"text words for English language primary study publications or registered clinical trials.Registe red clinical trials known to the senior author we re also assessed.A total of 222studies were thus identified.After excluding duplicates,editorials,retra ctions,secondary research studies,and non-English language articles,39 primary studies and clinical trials underwent full-text screening.This resulted in 11 animal,in vitro,and/or human subject journal articles and 8 registered clinical trial database entries which form the basis of this narrative review.MiRNAs miR-34a and miR-29b levels increase with age in mice.These miRNAs were demonstrated in human neuroblastoma and murine cochlear cell lines to target Sirtuin 1/peroxisome proliferato r-activated receptor gamma coactivator-1-alpha(SIRT1/P GC-1α),SIRT1p53,and SIRT1/hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha signaling pathways resulting in increased apoptosis.Furthermore,hypoxia and oxidative stress had a similar adve rse apoptotic effect,which was inhibited by resve ratrol and a myocardial inhibitorassociated transcript,a miR-29b competing endogenous mRNA.Gentamicin reduced miR-182-5p levels and increased cochlear oxidative stress and cell death in mice-an effect that was corrected by inner ear stem cell-derived exosomes.There is ongoing work seeking to determine if these findings can be effectively translated to humans.

Endoplasmic reticulum stress and autophagy in cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury:PERK as a potential target for intervention

Several studies have shown that activation of unfolded protein response and endoplasmic reticulum(ER)stress plays a crucial role in severe cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury.Autophagy occurs within hours after cerebral ischemia,but the relationship between ER stress and autophagy remains unclear.In this study,we established experimental models using oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation in PC12 cells and primary neurons to simulate cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury.We found that prolongation of oxygen-glucose deprivation activated the ER stress pathway protein kinase-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase(PERK)/eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2 subunit alpha(e IF2α)-activating transcription factor 4(ATF4)-C/EBP homologous protein(CHOP),increased neuronal apoptosis,and induced autophagy.Furthermore,inhibition of ER stress using inhibitors or by si RNA knockdown of the PERK gene significantly attenuated excessive autophagy and neuronal apoptosis,indicating an interaction between autophagy and ER stress and suggesting PERK as an essential target for regulating autophagy.Blocking autophagy with chloroquine exacerbated ER stress-induced apoptosis,indicating that normal levels of autophagy play a protective role in neuronal injury following cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury.Findings from this study indicate that cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury can trigger neuronal ER stress and promote autophagy,and suggest that PERK is a possible target for inhibiting excessive autophagy in cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury.

MicroRNAs as potential biomarkers for diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder

Post-traumatic stress disorder is a mental disorder caused by exposure to severe traumatic life events.Currently,there are no validated biomarkers or laboratory tests that can distinguish between trauma survivors with and without post-traumatic stress disorder.In addition,the heterogeneity of clinical presentations of post-traumatic stress disorder and the overlap of symptoms with other conditions can lead to misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment.Evidence suggests that this condition is a multisystem disorder that affects many biological systems,raising the possibility that peripheral markers of disease may be used to diagnose post-traumatic stress disorder.We performed a PubMed search for microRNAs(miRNAs)in post-traumatic stress disorder(PTSD)that could serve as diagnostic biomarkers and found 18 original research articles on studies performed with human patients and published January 2012 to December 2023.These included four studies with whole blood,seven with peripheral blood mononuclear cells,four with plasma extracellular vesicles/exosomes,and one with serum exosomes.One of these studies had also used whole plasma.Two studies were excluded as they did not involve microRNA biomarkers.Most of the studies had collected samples from adult male Veterans who had returned from deployment and been exposed to combat,and only two were from recently traumatized adult subjects.In measuring miRNA expression levels,many of the studies had used microarray miRNA analysis,miRNA Seq analysis,or NanoString panels.Only six studies had used real time polymerase chain reaction assay to determine/validate miRNA expression in PTSD subjects compared to controls.The miRNAs that were found/validated in these studies may be considered as potential candidate biomarkers for PTSD and include miR-3130-5p in whole blood;miR-193a-5p,-7113-5p,-125a,-181c,and-671-5p in peripheral blood mononuclear cells;miR-10b-5p,-203a-3p,-4488,-502-3p,-874-3p,-5100,and-7641 in plasma extracellular vesicles/exosomes;and miR-18a-3p and-7-1-5p in blood plasma.Several important limitations identified in the studies need to be taken into account in future studies.Further studies are warranted with war veterans and recently traumatized children,adolescents,and adults having PTSD and use of animal models subjected to various stressors and the effects of suppressing or overexpressing specific microRNAs.

Hydrogen sulfide reduces oxidative stress in Huntington's disease via Nrf2

The pathophysiology of Huntington's disease involves high levels of the neurotoxin quinolinic acid. Quinolinic acid accumulation results in oxidative stress, which leads to neurotoxicity. However, the molecular and cellular mechanisms by which quinolinic acid contributes to Huntington's disease pathology remain unknown. In this study, we established in vitro and in vivo models of Huntington's disease by administering quinolinic acid to the PC12 neuronal cell line and the striatum of mice, respectively. We observed a decrease in the levels of hydrogen sulfide in both PC12 cells and mouse serum, which was accompanied by down-regulation of cystathionine β-synthase, an enzyme responsible for hydrogen sulfide production. However, treatment with NaHS(a hydrogen sulfide donor) increased hydrogen sulfide levels in the neurons and in mouse serum, as well as cystathionine β-synthase expression in the neurons and the mouse striatum, while also improving oxidative imbalance and mitochondrial dysfunction in PC12 cells and the mouse striatum. These beneficial effects correlated with upregulation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 expression. Finally, treatment with the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2inhibitor ML385 reversed the beneficial impact of exogenous hydrogen sulfide on quinolinic acid-induced oxidative stress. Taken together, our findings show that hydrogen sulfide reduces oxidative stress in Huntington's disease by activating nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2,suggesting that hydrogen sulfide is a novel neuroprotective drug candidate for treating patients with Huntington's disease.

Proteomic-Level Responses of Early-Weaned Piglets to Dietary Arginine Supplementation

Dietary arginine supplementation enhances the immune status and protein synthesis in early-weaned pigs. However, the underlying mechanisms remain largely unknown. To investigate how arginine affects the expression of key proteins that regulate growth and nutrient transport of jejunum, a total of 12 healthy piglets （21 day-old, similar body weight, Landrace x Yorkshire） delivered by four sows were randomly divided into two groups. Piglets in the test group were reared with feed supplemented L-arginine at a concentration of 6.0 g/kg, while piglets in the control group were fed with feed supplemented L-alanine at a concentration of 12.3 g/kg （isonitrogenous control）. After 7 d, jejunum mucosae was collected and analyzed with the 2-D PAGE MS technology. Compared with the control pigs, arginine decreased the levels of proteins that regulate the protein syn- thesis, intermediary metabolism and tissue growth （ similar to anterior gradient 2 homolog, cyclophilin_ABHJike, hypothetical protein FLJ39502 and tetratrioopeptide repeat domain 16, similar to KIAA0156, mitechondrial ATP synthase, hydrion transporting F1 complex, beta subunit and alpha-tu- bulin ubiquitous isoform 19, prolyl 4-hydroxylase, beta subunit precursor）. In addition, arginine increased the levels of proteins that are involved in proteolysis and immune response （ PGAM1, T cell receptor beta variable 20, membrane steroid binding protein, similar to myomesin-1, and chain A, structure of pig muscle Pgk complexed with MgATP）. Therefore, arginine influences the immune response and protein synthesis mechanisms as well as improves eady weaned stress syndrome of piglets.

Lactobacillus frumenti mediates energy production via fatty acid β-oxidation in the liver of early-weaned piglets

Background:Early-weaning of piglets is often accompanied by severe disorders,especially diarrhea.The gut microbiota and its metabolites play a critical role in the maintenance of the physiologic and metabolic homeostasis of the host.Our previous studies have demonstrated that oral administration of Lactobacillus frumenti improves epithelial barrier functions and confers diarrhea resistance in early-weaned piglets.However,the metabolic response to L.frumenti administration remains unclear.Then,we conducted simultaneous serum and hepatic metabolomic analyses in early-weaned piglets administered by L.frumenti or phosphatebuffered saline(PBS).Results:A total of 1006-day-old crossbred piglets(Landrace×Yorkshire)were randomly divided into two groups and piglets received PBS(sterile,2 m L)or L.frumenti(suspension in PBS,10~8 CFU/m L,2 m L)by oral administration once per day from 6 to 20 days of age.Piglets were weaned at 21 days of age.Serum and liver samples for metabolomic analyses were collected at 26 days of age.Principal components analysis(PCA)showed that L.frumenti altered metabolism in serum and liver.Numerous correlations(P<0.05)were identified among the serum and liver metabolites that were affected by L.frumenti.Concentrations of guanosine monophosphate(GMP),inosine monophosphate(IMP),and uric acid were higher in serum of L.frumenti administration piglets.Pathway analysis indicated that L.frumenti regulated fatty acid and amino acid metabolism in serum and liver.Concentrations of fatty acidβ-oxidation related metabolites in serum(such as3-hydroxybutyrylcarnitine,C4-OH)and liver(such as acetylcarnitine)were increased after L.frumenti administration.Conclusions:Our findings suggest that L.frumenti regulates lipid metabolism and amino acid metabolism in the liver of early-weaned piglets,where it promotes fatty acidβ-oxidation and energy production.High serum concentrations of nucleotide intermediates,which may be an alternative strategy to reduce the incidence of diarrhea in early-weaned piglets,were further detected.These findings broaden our understanding of the relationships between the gut microbiota and nutrient metabolism in the early-weaned piglets.

Ferroptosis and endoplasmic reticulum stress in ischemic stroke

Ferroptosis is a form of non-apoptotic programmed cell death,and its mechanisms mainly involve the accumulation of lipid peroxides,imbalance in the amino acid antioxidant system,and disordered iron metabolism.The primary organelle responsible for coordinating external challenges and internal cell demands is the endoplasmic reticulum,and the progression of inflammatory diseases can trigger endoplasmic reticulum stress.Evidence has suggested that ferroptosis may share pathways or interact with endoplasmic reticulum stress in many diseases and plays a role in cell survival.Ferroptosis and endoplasmic reticulum stress may occur after ischemic stroke.However,there are few reports on the interactions of ferroptosis and endoplasmic reticulum stress with ischemic stroke.This review summarized the recent research on the relationships between ferroptosis and endoplasmic reticulum stress and ischemic stroke,aiming to provide a reference for developing treatments for ischemic stroke.

Grain Yield,Biomass Accumulation,and Leaf Photosynthetic Characteristics of Rice under Combined Salinity-Drought Stress

Simultaneous stresses of salinity and drought often coincide during rice-growing seasons in saline lands,primarily due to insufficient water resources and inadequate irrigation facilities.Consequently,combined salinity-drought stress poses a major threat to rice production.In this study,two salinity levels(NS,non-salinity;HS,high salinity)along with three drought treatments(CC,control condition;DJ,drought stress imposed at jointing;DH,drought stress imposed at heading)were performed to investigate their combined influences on leaf photosynthetic characteristics,biomass accumulation,and rice yield formation.Salinity,drought,and their combination led to a shortened growth period from heading to maturity,resulting in a reduced overall growth duration.Grain yield was reduced under both salinity and drought stress,with a more substantial reduction under the combined salinity-drought stress.The combined stress imposed at heading caused greater yield losses in rice compared with the stress imposed at jointing.Additionally,the combined salinity-drought stress induced greater decreases in shoot biomass accumulation from heading to maturity,as well as in shoot biomass and nonstructural carbohydrate(NSC)content in the stem at heading and maturity.However,it increased the harvest index and NSC remobilization reserve.Salinity and drought reduced the leaf area index and SPAD value of flag leaves and weakened the leaf photosynthetic characteristics as indicated by lower photosynthetic rates,transpiration rates,and stomatal conductance.These reductions were more pronounced under the combined stress.Salinity,drought,and especially their combination,decreased the activities of ascorbate peroxidase,catalase,and superoxide dismutase,while increasing the contents of malondialdehyde,hydrogen peroxide,and superoxide radical.Our results indicated a more significant yield loss in rice when subjected to combined salinity-drought stress.The individual and combined stresses of salinity and drought diminished antioxidant enzyme activities,inhibited leaf photosynthetic functions,accelerated leaf senescence,and subsequently lowered assimilate accumulation and grain yield.

Piezo1 channel exaggerates ferroptosis of nucleus pulposus cells by mediating mechanical stress-induced iron influx

To date,several molecules have been found to facilitate iron influx,while the types of iron influx channels remain to be elucidated.Here,Piezo1 channel was identified as a key iron transporter in response to mechanical stress.Piezo1-mediated iron overload disturbed iron metabolism and exaggerated ferroptosis in nucleus pulposus cells(NPCs).Importantly,Piezo1-induced iron influx was independent of the transferrin receptor(TFRC),a well-recognized iron gatekeeper.Furthermore,pharmacological inactivation of Piezo1 profoundly reduced iron accumulation,alleviated mitochondrial ROS,and suppressed ferroptotic alterations in stimulation of mechanical stress.Moreover,conditional knockout of Piezo1(Col2a1-CreERT Piezo1^(flox/flox))attenuated the mechanical injury-induced intervertebral disc degeneration(IVDD).Notably,the protective effect of Piezo1 deficiency in IVDD was dampened in Piezo1/Gpx4 conditional double knockout(cDKO)mice(Col2a1-CreERT Piezo1^(flox/flox)/Gpx4^(flox/flox)).These findings suggest that Piezo1 is a potential determinant of iron influx,indicating that the Piezo1-iron-ferroptosis axis might shed light on the treatment of mechanical stress-induced diseases.

Effect of Glutamine Supplementation on Intestinal Mucosal Protein,DNA and Mucosal Morphology of Early-Weaned Piglets

Forty piglets weaned at 21 days age were randomly assigned to one of two groups. The treatment group contained 1. 2% glutamine. The diets were calculated to be isonitrogenous and isoenergetic, each treatment contained five replicates of four piglets. Five piglets from each dietary treatment were killed at 35 days and 49 days age. The results showed that dietary glutamine supplementation increased jejunal DNA content of piglets in the treatment group at 35 days and 49 days age. There was no significant change of ileum DNA content and intestinal protein content between the treatment and control ones. Dietary glutamine supplementation increased mucosal thickness of piglets in treatment group markedly at 35 days age. The intestinal villus heights were significantly higher in treatment than that in control. The results of electron micrograph showed that dietary glutamine supplementation prevented deterioration of intestinal epithelium, and maintained normal intestinal microvillus structure. The results suggested that glutamine supplementation prevented villus atrophy, and had protective effect on intestinal structure.

Impact of effective stress on permeability for carbonate fractured-vuggy rocks

To gain insight into the flow mechanisms and stress sensitivity for fractured-vuggy reservoirs,several core models with different structural characteristics were designed and fabricated to investigate the impact of effective stress on permeability for carbonate fractured-vuggy rocks(CFVR).It shows that the permeability performance curves under different pore and confining pressures(i.e.altered stress conditions)for the fractured core models and the vuggy core models have similar change patterns.The ranges of permeability variation are significantly wider at high pore pressures,indicating that permeability reduction is the most significant during the early stage of development for fractured-vuggy reservoirs.Since each obtained effective stress coefficient for permeability(ESCP)varies with the changes in confining pressure and pore pressure,the effective stresses for permeability of four representative CFVR show obvious nonlinear characteristics,and the variation ranges of ESCP are all between 0 and 1.Meanwhile,a comprehensive ESCP mathematical model considering triple media,including matrix pores,fractures,and dissolved vugs,was proposed.It is proved theoretically that the ESCP of CFVR generally varies between 0 and 1.Additionally,the regression results showed that the power model ranked highest among the four empirical models mainly applied in stress sensitivity characterization,followed by the logarithmic model,exponential model,and binomial model.The concept of“permeability decline rate”was introduced to better evaluate the stress sensitivity performance for CFVR,in which the one-fracture rock is the strongest,followed by the fracture-vug rock and two-horizontalfracture rock;the through-hole rock is the weakest.In general,this study provides a theoretical basis to guide the design of development and adjustment programs for carbonate fractured-vuggy reservoirs.

Overexpression of the transcription factor MdWRKY115 improves drought and osmotic stress tolerance by directly binding to the MdRD22 promoter in apple

Abiotic stress reduces plant yield and quality.WRKY transcription factors play key roles in abiotic stress responses in plants,but the molecular mechanisms by which WRKY transcription factors mediate responses to drought and osmotic stresses in apple(Malus×domestica Borkh.)remain unclear.Here,we functionally characterized the apple GroupⅢWRKY gene MdWRKY115.qRT-PCR analysis showed that MdWRKY115 expression was up-regulated by drought and osmotic stresses.GUS activity analysis revealed that the promoter activity of MdWRKY115 was enhanced under osmotic stress.Subcellular localization and transactivation assays indicated that MdWRKY115 was localized to the nucleus and had a transcriptional activity domain at the N-terminal region.Transgenic analysis revealed that the overexpression of MdWRKY115 in Arabidopsis plants and in apple callus markedly enhanced their tolerance to drought and osmotic stresses.DNA affinity purification sequencing showed that MdWRKY115 binds to the promoter of the stress-related gene MdRD22.This binding was further verified by an electrophoretic mobility shift assay.Collectively,these findings suggest that MdWRKY115 is an important regulator of osmotic and drought stress tolerance in apple.

Adverse effects of early-life stress:focus on the rodent neuroendocrine system

Early-life stress is associated with a high prevalence of mental illnesses such as post-traumatic stress disorders,attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder,schizophrenia,and anxiety or depressive behavior,which constitute major public health problems.In the early stages of brain development after birth,events such as synaptogenesis,neuron maturation,and glial differentiation occur in a highly orchestrated manner,and external stress can cause adverse long-term effects throughout life.Our body utilizes multifaceted mechanisms,including neuroendocrine and neurotransmitter signaling pathways,to appropriately process external stress.Newborn individuals first exposed to early-life stress deploy neurogenesis as a stress-defense mechanism;however,in adulthood,early-life stress induces apoptosis of mature neurons,activation of immune responses,and reduction of neurotrophic factors,leading to anxiety,depression,and cognitive and memory dysfunction.This process involves the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis and neurotransmitters secreted by the central nervous system,including norepinephrine,dopamine,and serotonin.The rodent early-life stress model is generally used to experimentally assess the effects of stress during neurodevelopment.This paper reviews the use of the early-life stress model and stress response mechanisms of the body and discusses the experimental results regarding how early-life stress mediates stress-related pathways at a high vulnerability of psychiatric disorder in adulthood.

A semi-analytical model for coupled flow in stress-sensitive multi-scale shale reservoirs with fractal characteristics

A large number of nanopores and complex fracture structures in shale reservoirs results in multi-scale flow of oil. With the development of shale oil reservoirs, the permeability of multi-scale media undergoes changes due to stress sensitivity, which plays a crucial role in controlling pressure propagation and oil flow. This paper proposes a multi-scale coupled flow mathematical model of matrix nanopores, induced fractures, and hydraulic fractures. In this model, the micro-scale effects of shale oil flow in fractal nanopores, fractal induced fracture network, and stress sensitivity of multi-scale media are considered. We solved the model iteratively using Pedrosa transform, semi-analytic Segmented Bessel function, Laplace transform. The results of this model exhibit good agreement with the numerical solution and field production data, confirming the high accuracy of the model. As well, the influence of stress sensitivity on permeability, pressure and production is analyzed. It is shown that the permeability and production decrease significantly when induced fractures are weakly supported. Closed induced fractures can inhibit interporosity flow in the stimulated reservoir volume (SRV). It has been shown in sensitivity analysis that hydraulic fractures are beneficial to early production, and induced fractures in SRV are beneficial to middle production. The model can characterize multi-scale flow characteristics of shale oil, providing theoretical guidance for rapid productivity evaluation.

Genome-Wide Exploration of the Grape GLR Gene Family and Differential Responses of VvGLR3.1 and VvGLR3.2 to Low Temperature and Salt Stress

Grapes,one of the oldest tree species globally,are rich in vitamins.However,environmental conditions such as low temperature and soil salinization significantly affect grape yield and quality.The glutamate receptor(GLR)family,comprising highly conserved ligand-gated ion channels,regulates plant growth and development in response to stress.In this study,11 members of the VvGLR gene family in grapes were identified using whole-genome sequence analysis.Bioinformatic methods were employed to analyze the basic physical and chemical properties,phylogenetic trees,conserved domains,motifs,expression patterns,and evolutionary relationships.Phylogenetic and collinear analyses revealed that the VvGLRs were divided into three subgroups,showing the high conservation of the grape GLR family.These members exhibited 2 glutamate receptor binding regions(GABAb and GluR)and 3-4 transmembrane regions(M1,M2,M3,and M4).Real-time quantitative PCR analysis demonstrated the sensitivity of all VvGLRs to low temperature and salt stress.Subsequent localization studies in Nicotiana tabacum verified that VvGLR3.1 and VvGLR3.2 proteins were located on the cell membrane and cell nucleus.Additionally,yeast transformation experiments confirmed the functionality of VvGLR3.1 and VvGLR3.2 in response to low temperature and salt stress.Thesefindings highlight the significant role of the GLR family,a highly conserved group of ion channels,in enhancing grape stress resistance.This study offers new insights into the grape GLR gene family,providing fundamental knowledge for further functional analysis and breeding of stress-resistant grapevines.

Synergistic effects of carbon cycle metabolism and photosynthesis in Chinese cabbage under salt stress

Chinese cabbage(Brassica rapa ssp. pekinensis) has a long cultivation history and is one of the vegetable crops with the largest cultivation area in China. However, salt stress severely damages photosynthesis and hormone metabolism, nutritional balances, and results in ion toxicity in plants. To better understand the mechanisms of salt-induced growth inhibition in Chinese cabbage, RNA-seq and physiological index determination were conducted to explore the impacts of salt stress on carbon cycle metabolism and photosynthesis in Chinese cabbage. Here, we found that the number of thylakoids and grana lamellae and the content of starch granules and chlorophyll in the leaves of Chinese cabbage under salt stress showed a time-dependent response, first increasing and then decreasing. Chinese cabbage increased the transcript levels of genes related to the photosynthetic apparatus and carbon metabolism under salt stress, probably in an attempt to alleviate damage to the photosynthetic system and enhance CO_(2) fixation and energy metabolism. The transcription of genes related to starch and sucrose synthesis and degradation were also enhanced;this might have been an attempt to maintain intracellular osmotic pressure by increasing soluble sugar concentrations. Soluble sugars could also be used as potential reactive oxygen species(ROS) scavengers, in concert with peroxidase(POD)enzymes, to eliminate ROS that accumulate during metabolic processes. Our study characterizes the synergistic response network of carbon metabolism and photosynthesis under salt stress.

Pre‑hatch thermal manipulation of embryos and post‑hatch baicalein supplementation mitigated heat stress in broiler chickens

Background High environmental temperatures induce heat stress in broiler chickens,affecting their health and pro-duction performance.Several dietary,managerial,and genetics strategies have been tested with some success in mitigating heat stress(HS)in broilers.Developing novel HS mitigation strategies for sustaining broiler production is critically needed.This study investigated the effects of pre-hatch thermal manipulation(TM)and post-hatch baica-lein supplementation on growth performance and health parameters in heat-stressed broilers.Results Six hundred fertile Cobb 500 eggs were incubated for 21 d.After candling on embryonic day(ED)10,238 eggs were thermally manipulated at 38.5℃ with 55%relative humidity(RH)from ED 12 to 18,then transferred to the hatcher(ED 19 to 21,standard temperature)and 236 eggs were incubated at a controlled temperature(37.5℃)till hatch.After hatch,180-day-old chicks from both groups were raised in 36 pens(n=10 birds/pen,6 replicates per treatment).The treatments were:1)Control,2)TM,3)control heat stress(CHS),4)thermal manipulation heat stress(TMHS),5)control heat stress supplement(CHSS),and 6)thermal manipulation heat stress supplement(TMHSS).All birds were raised under the standard environment for 21 d,followed by chronic heat stress from d 22 to 35(32–33℃ for 8 h)in the CHS,TMHS,CHSS,and TMHSS groups.A thermoneutral(22–24℃)environment was maintained in the Control and TM groups.RH was constant(50%±5%)throughout the trial.All the data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA in R and GraphPad software at P<0.05 and are presented as mean±SEM.Heat stress significantly decreased(P<0.05)the final body weight and ADG in CHS and TMHS groups compared to the other groups.Embryonic TM significantly increased(P<0.05)the expression of heat shock protein-related genes(HSP70,HSP90,and HSPH1)and antioxidant-related genes(GPX1 and TXN).TMHS birds showed a significant increment(P<0.05)in total cecal volatile fatty acid(VFA)concentration compared to the CHS birds.The cecal microbial analysis showed significant enrichment(P<0.05)in alpha and beta diversity and Coprococcus in the TMHSS group.Conclusions Pre-hatch TM and post-hatch baicalein supplementation in heat-stressed birds mitigate the detrimental effects of heat stress on chickens’growth performance,upregulate favorable gene expression,increase VFA produc-tion,and promote gut health by increasing beneficial microbial communities.