Stress in plants: physiological approach

The problem of stress in current plant physiology is examined. The review of different points of view on this problem is given.     

Neonatally-induced thermotolerance: physiological responses

1. Broiler cockerels exposed to neonatal heat (35-37.8 degrees C for 24 hr) at 5 days of age experienced significantly lower mortality upon exposure to elevated temperatures (35-37.8 degrees C) at 43 days of age than did cockerels not given neonatal heat exposure. 2. No differences were found between neonatally stressed and neonatal control groups in water consumption, core and surface temperature, plasma T3 and T4, protein or glucose concentration when exposed to juvenile heat stress. 3. Heterophil to lymphocyte ratios were significantly lower in the neonatally stressed than in the neonatal control group when exposed to heat at 44 days of age. 4. The results indicate that lower mortality during periods of high environmental temperature in the neonatally stressed chicks may involve homeostatic mechanisms different from those utilized during acclimation to high environmental temperature.     

Stress in physiological studies

The review focuses on the concept of biological stress pioneered by Hans Selye, who demonstrated a key involvement of the pituitary-adrenocortical axis in the response to stress. It discusses the historic background of development of the stress concept and some aspects of modern physiological researches related to stress-induced activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical axis. We focus mainly on the results demonstrating that stress-induced activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical axis is a gastroprotective component of stress response.     

Stress physiological responses to tourist pressure in a wild population of European pine marten

The tourist pressure in natural parks is a potential source of stress and may cause an increase in the adrenal activity of wild populations of European pine marten (Martes martes). Seventy-six faecal samples were collected during 15 months in a natural park of Northwest Spain. Analysis of faecal DNA was used for the specific identification using the PCR-RFLPs technique. Faecal steroid determinations were performed by EIA. Natural park was divided in three areas: free entry, restricted area, and integral reservation, and number of daily human visitors recorded. Faecal glucocorticoid metabolite levels (ng/g dry faeces) were significantly higher in spring (56.36 ± 19.62) and summer (31.27 ± 11.98) compared to autumn (15.33 ± 6.89) and winter (11.13 ± 3.30). These data are closely related to daily number of visitors (spring: 3204, summer: 1672, winter: 646, autumn: 551). Androgen, progestin and oestrogen levels were also significantly higher in spring (reproductive season) showing values of 43.62 ± 18.6, 154.31 ± 53.50 and 829.62 ± 456.1, respectively. Glucocorticoid levels were significantly lower in integral reservation (15.95 ± 3.56) compared to restricted (31.4 ± 16.30) and free entry areas (41.59 ± 12.73), respectively. Wild populations of European pine marten showed stress physiological response induced by the tourist pressure and this response is higher during reproductive season.     

Whitefish stocking in acidified lakes: ecological and physiological responses

In autumn 1986, six small lakes at different stages of acidification were stocked with one-summer-old whitefish, Coregonus pallasi Valenciennes 1848, in order to see whether whitefish stocking would be a suitable method for the mitigation of acidification effects. In two of the lakes the introduction was a complete failure: the whitefish did not survive, evidently due to high acidity and high aluminium concentrations of the lake waters. In one of the most acidified lakes (pH 4.3–4.8, Al_lab 29–125 g 1^–1) and in two less acidic lakes (pH 5.0–5.2 and 5.4–6.4), introduction was successful. Three years after the introduction, the mean weights of the fish in those three lakes were 580, 250 and 360 g respectively, with the weight and also the condition factor of stocked whitefish being highest in the most acidified lake. In that lake there were few or no fish present during the introduction, whereas in the less acid lakes there were dense populations of perch and therefore a potential interspecific competition for food. Different availability of food in the lakes was presumed to be the main reason for the growth differences. Plasma Na⁺ and Cl^– concentrations of whitefish were lower in the acidic lakes than in the lake with pH around 6 three years after stocking. This suggests that, despite the good growth and highest condition factor of whitefish in the most acid lake, the fish still experienced some acid stress.     

Stress responses in mycobacteria

Mycobacterium tuberculosis is a successful pathogen that overcomes numerous challenges presented by the immune system of the host. This bacterium usually establishes a chronic infection in the host where it may silently persist inside a granuloma until, a failure in host defenses, leads to manifestation of the disease. None of the conventional anti-tuberculosis drugs are able to target these persisting bacilli. Development of drugs against such persisting bacilli is a constant challenge since the physiology of these dormant bacteria is still not understood at the molecular level. Some evidence suggests that the in vivo environment encountered by the persisting bacteria is anoxic and nutritionally starved. Based on these assumptions, anaerobic and starved cultures are used as models to study the molecular basis of dormancy. This review outlines the problem of persistence of M. tuberculosis and the various in vitro models used to study mycobacterial latency. The basis of selecting the nutritional starvation model has been outlined here. Also, the choice of M. smegmatis as a model suitable for studying mycobacterial latency is discussed. Lastly, general issues related to oxidative stress and bacterial responses to it have been elaborated. We have also discussed general control of OxyR-mediated regulation and emphasized the processes which manifest in the absence of functional OxyR in the bacteria. Lastly, a new class of protein called Dps has been reviewed for its important role in protecting DNA under stress.     

Unpleasantness and physiological responses in using sanitary napkins

This study investigated the physiological and psychological effects of sanitary napkins (SN) on women in hemorrhage treatment during the menstrual phase. Mesh and non-woven napkins were employed, and the effects were studied during the follicular and menstrual phases; mesh SN presented a higher textural surface-roughness. In both phases, the increases in systolic and diastolic blood pressure were significantly dependent on the application intervals. The low-frequency component of systolic blood pressure variability significantly increased, while the salivary secretion rate decreased with the use of mesh SN during the follicular phase compared with non-woven SN. In addition, the heart rate during the menstrual phase significantly increased in subjects after the replacement of mesh SN compared with non-woven SN. In cases of wearing the unpleasant mesh SN, electroencephalography (EEG) manifested bilateral enhancements in beta and alpha2 waves in the frontal areas increased arousal level during both phases. From the above findings, napkin use increased physiological loading and wearing napkins with higher textural surface-roughness tended to increase activities of the autonomic nervous system and brain arousal level.     

Glycerol hyperhydration: physiological responses during cold-air exposure.

Hypohydration occurs during cold-air exposure (CAE) through combined effects of reduced fluid intake and increased fluid losses. Because hypohydration is associated with reduced physical performance, strategies for maintaining hydration during CAE are important. Glycerol ingestion (GI) can induce hyperhydration in hot and temperate environments, resulting in greater fluid retention compared with water (WI) alone, but it is not effective during cold-water immersion. Water immersion induces a greater natriuresis and diuresis than cold exposure; therefore, whether GI might be effective for hyperhydration during CAE remains unknown. This study examined physiological responses, i.e., thermoregulatory, cardiovascular, renal, vascular fluid, and fluid-regulating hormonal responses, to GI in seven men during 4 h CAE (15 degrees C, 30% relative humidity). Subjects completed three separate, double-blind, and counterbalanced trials including WI (37 ml water/l total body water), GI (37 ml water/l total body water plus 1.5 g glycerol/l total body water), and no fluid. Fluids were ingested 30 min before CAE. Thermoregulatory responses to cold were similar during each trial. Urine flow rates were higher (P = 0.0001) with WI (peak 11.8 ml/min, SD 1.9) than GI (5.0 ml/min, SD 1.8), and fluid retention was greater (P = 0.0001) with GI (34%, SD 7) than WI (18%, SD 5) at the end of CAE. Differences in urine flow rate and fluid retention were the result of a greater free water clearance with WI. These data indicate glycerol can be an effective hyperhydrating agent during CAE.     

Stress responses: JAZ players deliver fusion and rhythm

How do stress-induced jasmonates cause genetic re-programming of plant cells? New research shows that the JAZ proteins provide the missing link.     

Plant cell responses to heavy metals: molecular and physiological aspects

The effect of lead, cadmium and cooper on protein pattern, free radicals and antioxidant enzymes in root of Lupinus luteus L. were investigated. Heavy metals inhibited growth of lupin roots, which was accompanied by increased synthesis and accumulation of a 16 kDa polypeptide (Przymusiński et al. 1991 Biochem. Physiol. Pflanzen., 187:51–57). This component has been earlier identified as immunologically related to Cu,Zn-superoxide dismutase (Przymusiński et al. 1995 Env.Exp.Bot., 35:485–495). However, more detailed study revealed that this stress-stimulated protein is composed of four to six polypeptides of different electrophoretic mobility. The most abundant polypeptides of the 16kDa region were found to be closely homologous to pathogen related proteins. The number and intensity of these polypeptides was highly variable in roots of individual seedlings, which suggests that they might represent separate allelic forms. Electron paramagnetic spectra revealed that at low lead concentrations the amplitude of the first derivative was similar to the control and distinctly increased at higher metal concentrations. On the other hand, at the lower lead concentrations the activity of antioxidant enzymes increased, whereas at higher metal doses the enzyme activities did not raise further (SOD) or even dropped (CAT, APOX). This implies that the responses of antioxidant system to lead is dose-dependent stimulated by low metal concentrations, whereas at the higher metal level the free radical emission is beyond the quenching capacity of antioxidant enzymes, which in turn might contribute to the reduced root growth. The effect of various heavy metals: Pb²⁺, Cd²⁺ and Cu²⁺ on phytochelatins and antioxidant enzymes depends on the kind of metal ion. Pb²⁺ and Cd²⁺ stimulated the PCs formation whereas Cu²⁺ was not effective. On the other hand, in root exposed to Cu the activity of catalase (CAT) was the highest as was the production of H₂O₂. The strong oxidative effect of Cu²⁺ ions which were not complexed by PCs suggests that these peptides might by involved in the cellular defense system by binding excessive heavy metal ions. On the basis of our results it can be concluded that in lupin roots exposed to heavy metals there is a complex defense system against metal phytotoxicity, which comprises of specific proteins, antioxidant enzymes and phytochelatins.     

Stress responses in tropical sparrows: comparing tropical and temperate Zonotrichia

Seasonal modulation of the adrenocortical response appears to be ubiquitous in mid- to high-latitude vertebrates but has not been investigated in tropical vertebrates. Previous studies demonstrate that temperate passerines show seasonality in corticosterone secretion and corticosteroid binding globulin capacities. We examined seasonal and sex differences in the stress response in an equatorial population of Zonotrichia capensis, the only Zonotrichia that breeds in the tropics, and compared the results with those of northern Zonotrichia. Seasonal differences in tropical Zonotrichia would presumably be independent of photoperiod and thus directly related to such activities as reproduction and feather molt. In addition, we investigated the possible role of binding globulin as a sex steroid binding globulin, as suggested for temperate passerines. Similar to northern congeners, Z. capensis show seasonal modulation in total corticosterone and binding globulin capacity with higher levels during breeding than molt. However, unlike many temperate passerines, there are no sex differences in corticosterone secretion or binding globulin capacity. Furthermore, the seasonal differences in total corticosterone diminish when the free levels are calculated. The contrast between equatorial and northern congeners indicates factors such as breeding environment and life-history strategy may play important roles in shaping stress response in these species.     

Stress granules and organelles: coordinating cellular responses in health and disease

Membrane-bound organelles and membraneless organelles (MLOs) coordinate various biological processes within eukaryotic cells. Among these, stress granules (SGs) are significant cytoplasmic MLOs that form in response to cellular stress, exhibiting liquid-like properties alongside stable substructures. SGs interact with diverse organelles, thereby influencing cellular pathways that are critical in both health and disease contexts. This review discusses the interplay between SGs and organelles and explores the methodologies employed to analyze interactions between SGs and other MLOs. Furthermore, it highlights the pivotal roles SGs play in regulating cellular responses and the pathogenesis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Gaining insights into these interactions is essential for deciphering the mechanisms underlying both physiological processes and pathological conditions.