Effects of Bacterial Inoculation to Immobilize Nickel in Wheat Grown on Ni-Contaminated Soil

Abstract

Plant growth stimulating bacteria are very effective in immobilization of metals and reducing their translocation in plants through precipitation, and adsorption. A pot experiment was conducted to investigate the effectiveness of chitosan- and hematite-modified biochar and bacterial inoculations on the immobilization of nickel (Ni) in polluted soil under wheat cultivation. Application of modified biochars and inoculation with Pseudomonas putida significantly increased both wheat root and shoot dry matter yields but decreased Ni phytoextraction efficiency. The Ni concentration, translocation factor and uptake in wheat shoot and root significantly decreased the application of either modified or unmodified biochars. Bacterial inoculation significantly decreased mean translocation factor and also root and shoot concentration and the uptake Ni in the shoot. Chitosan-modified biochar was the most influential treatment in decreasing Ni uptake by wheat followed by P. putida inoculation treatment. The results demonstrated positive effects of chitosan modified biochar and inoculation with P. putida in increasing dry matter yield and decreasing Ni uptake in wheat grown on Ni-contaminated soil. According to the results of present study, modified biochars application and bacterial inoculation are influential treatments which prevent Ni toxicity probably.     

Complicated Role of Exercise in Modulating Memory: A Discussion of the Mechanisms Involved

Neurochemical Research - Evidence has shown the beneficial effects of exercise on learning and memory. However, many studies have reported controversial results, indicating that exercise can impair...     

Investigation of the relationship between kinesiophobia and sensory processing in fibromyalgia patients

Abstract

Purpose/aim: The aims of this study are to investigate the relationship between kinesiophobia and sensory processing in fibromyalgia (FM) patients and obtain new information about kinesiophobia in light of these results.

Materials and methods: This study has been conducted with 82 literate subjects aged 18–65?years and diagnosed with FM based on ACR 2010 diagnostic criteria. Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire was used for measuring functional status in FM patients, The Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia was used for determine the levels of kinesiophobia and Adolescent/Adult Sensory Profile was used for determine the characteristics of sensory process patterns of the individuals.

Results: Among the participants, sensory sensitivity scores of 65.85% and sensation avoiding scores of 40.24% were higher than that in the general population. Sensation seeking scores of 48.78% the subjects were lower compared to the general population. A significant and weak positive correlation was found between the kinesiophobia scores and responses of sensory sensitivity and sensation avoiding (r?=?0.23, p?=?0.04; z?=?0.29, p?=?0.01)

Conclusion: This is the first study conducted to investigate the relationship between kinesiophobia and sensory processing in fibromyalgia patients. However, different studies investigating this subject are warranted in order to be able to generalize the findings and increase the value of evidence.     

Lotus japonicus karrikin receptors display divergent ligand-binding specificities and organ-dependent redundancy

Karrikins (KARs), smoke-derived butenolides, are perceived by the α/β-fold hydrolase KARRIKIN INSENSITIVE2 (KAI2) and thought to mimic endogenous, yet elusive plant hormones tentatively called KAI2-ligands (KLs). The sensitivity to different karrikin types as well as the number of KAI2 paralogs varies among plant species, suggesting diversification and co-evolution of ligand-receptor relationships. We found that the genomes of legumes, comprising a number of important crops with protein-rich, nutritious seed, contain two or more KAI2 copies. We uncover sub-functionalization of the two KAI2 versions in the model legume Lotus japonicus and demonstrate differences in their ability to bind the synthetic ligand GR24^ent-5DS in vitro and in genetic assays with Lotus japonicus and the heterologous Arabidopsis thaliana background. These differences can be explained by the exchange of a widely conserved phenylalanine in the binding pocket of KAI2a with a tryptophan in KAI2b, which arose independently in KAI2 proteins of several unrelated angiosperms. Furthermore, two polymorphic residues in the binding pocket are conserved across a number of legumes and may contribute to ligand binding preferences. The diversification of KAI2 binding pockets suggests the occurrence of several different KLs acting in non-fire following plants, or an escape from possible antagonistic exogenous molecules. Unexpectedly, L. japonicus responds to diverse synthetic KAI2-ligands in an organ-specific manner. Hypocotyl growth responds to KAR₁, KAR₂ and rac-GR24, while root system development responds only to KAR₁. This differential responsiveness cannot be explained by receptor-ligand preferences alone, because LjKAI2a is sufficient for karrikin responses in the hypocotyl, while LjKAI2a and LjKAI2b operate redundantly in roots. Instead, it likely reflects differences between plant organs in their ability to transport or metabolise the synthetic KLs. Our findings provide new insights into the evolution and diversity of butenolide ligand-receptor relationships, and open novel research avenues into their ecological significance and the mechanisms controlling developmental responses to divergent KLs.