A single nucleotide substitution in TaHKT1;5-D controls shoot Na+ accumulation in bread wheat

Improving salinity tolerance in the most widely cultivated cereal, bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), is essential to increase grain yields on saline agricultural lands. A Portuguese landrace, Mocho de Espiga Branca accumulates up to sixfold greater leaf and sheath sodium (Na⁺) than two Australian cultivars, Gladius and Scout, under salt stress in hydroponics. Despite high leaf and sheath Na⁺ concentrations, Mocho de Espiga Branca maintained similar salinity tolerance compared to Gladius and Scout. A naturally occurring single nucleotide substitution was identified in the gene encoding a major Na⁺ transporter TaHKT1;5-D in Mocho de Espiga Branca, which resulted in a L190P amino acid residue variation. This variant prevents Mocho de Espiga Branca from retrieving Na⁺ from the root xylem leading to a high shoot Na⁺ concentration. The identification of the tissue-tolerant Mocho de Espiga Branca will accelerate the development of more elite salt-tolerant bread wheat cultivars.     

Pharmacological Characterization of a Betaine/GABA Transporter 1 (BGT1) Inhibitor Displaying an Unusual Biphasic Inhibition Profile and Anti-seizure Effects

Neurochemical Research - Focal epileptic seizures can in some patients be managed by inhibiting γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) uptake via the GABA transporter 1 (GAT1) using tiagabine...     

Evolution under pH stress and high population densities leads to increased density-dependent fitness in the protist Tetrahymena thermophila

Abiotic stress is a major force of selection that organisms are constantly facing. While the evolutionary effects of various stressors have been broadly studied, it is only more recently that the relevance of interactions between evolution and underlying ecological conditions, that is, eco-evolutionary feedbacks, have been highlighted. Here, we experimentally investigated how populations adapt to pH-stress under high population densities. Using the protist species Tetrahymena thermophila, we studied how four different genotypes evolved in response to stressfully low pH conditions and high population densities. We found that genotypes underwent evolutionary changes, some shifting up and others shifting down their intrinsic rates of increase (r₀). Overall, evolution at low pH led to the convergence of r₀ and intraspecific competitive ability (α) across the four genotypes. Given the strong correlation between r₀ and α, we argue that this convergence was a consequence of selection for increased density-dependent fitness at low pH under the experienced high density conditions. Increased density-dependent fitness was either attained through increase in r₀, or decrease of α, depending on the genetic background. In conclusion, we show that demography can influence the direction of evolution under abiotic stress.     

Soil-transmitted helminth infection,anemia, and malnutrition among preschool-age children in Nangapanda subdistrict,Indonesia

BackgroundSoil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections are still prevalent in Indonesia, with roughly one-third of infected population being preschool-age children (PSC), which are generally at higher risk of morbidity such as malnutrition and anemia. This study aimed to investigate the association of STH infections with nutritional status and anemia among PSC in Nangapanda subdistrict, Ende, East Nusa Tenggara.MethodsA cross-sectional survey involving PSC ranging from 12 to 59 months old from Nangapanda subdistrict, Ende district, East Nusa Tenggara was performed. Socio-demographic, breastfeeding, and complementary feeding information was obtained from structured questionnaires, while nutritional and anemia status was determined from anthropometry and hemoglobin measurements, respectively. Anthropometric z-scores were calculated based on the World Health Organization 2006 standards and stool samples were examined using Kato-Katz method.ResultsA total of 393 PSC randomly selected from 22 villages were examined. The prevalence of underweight, stunting, wasting, and anemia were 33.1%, 40.2%, 17.1%, and 60.3%, respectively. STH infection, predominated by Ascaris lumbricoides, was found in 160 (58.8%) PSC. Single STH infection, but not multiple infection, was independently associated with a lower risk of anemia (odds ratio [OR] 0.320, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.126–0.809, p = 0.016). Similar association with anemia was also found on mild STH infection (OR 0.318 [95% CI: 0.114–0.887], p = 0.029). On the other hand, younger children were found to have a higher risk of anemia and stunting. None of the examined variables were independently associated with underweight and wasting.ConclusionSTH infection as well as anemia and malnutrition were prevalent in this region. However in this study, current STH infections seemed to have minimal negative impact on children’s nutritional status.     

Pharmacological postconditioning by bolus injection of phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors vardenafil and sildenafil

Postconditioning enables cardioprotection against ischemia/reperfusion injury either by application of short, repetitive ischemic periods or by pharmacological intervention prior to reperfusion. Pharmacological postconditioning has been described for phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors when the substances were applied as a permanent infusion. For clinical purposes, application of a bolus is more convenient. In a rat heart in situ model of ischemia reperfusion vardenafil or sildenafil were applied as a bolus prior to reperfusion. Cardioprotective effects were found over a broad dosage range. In accordance with current hypotheses on pharmacological postconditioning signaling, the protective effect was mediated by extracellular signal-regulated kinase and protein kinase C pathway. Interestingly, the extent of protection was independent of the concentration applied for both substances. Full protection comparable to ischemic postconditioning was reached with half-maximal human equivalence dose. In contrast, mean arterial pressure dropped upon bolus application in a dose-dependent manner. Taken together, the current study extends previous findings obtained in a permanent infusion model to bolus application. This is an important step toward clinical application of pharmacological postconditioning with sildenafil and vardenafil, especially because the beneficial effects were proven for concentrations with reduced hemodynamic side effects compared to the dosage applied for erectile dysfunction treatment.