Developmental regulation of fear learning and anxiety behavior by endocannabinoids

The developing brain undergoes substantial maturation into adulthood and the development of specific neural structures occurs on differing timelines. Transient imbalances between developmental trajectories of corticolimbic structures, which are known to contribute to regulation over fear learning and anxiety, can leave an individual susceptible to mental illness, particularly anxiety disorders. There is a substantial body of literature indicating that the endocannabinoid (eCB) system critically regulates stress responsivity and emotional behavior throughout the life span, making this system a novel therapeutic target for stress‐ and anxiety‐related disorders. During early life and adolescence, corticolimbic eCB signaling changes dynamically and coincides with different sensitive periods of fear learning, suggesting that eCB signaling underlies age‐specific fear learning responses. Moreover, perturbations to these normative fluctuations in corticolimbic eCB signaling, such as stress or cannabinoid exposure, could serve as a neural substrate contributing to alterations to the normative developmental trajectory of neural structures governing emotional behavior and fear learning. In this review, we first introduce the components of the eCB system and discuss clinical and rodent models showing eCB regulation of fear learning and anxiety in adulthood. Next, we highlight distinct fear learning and regulation profiles throughout development and discuss the ontogeny of the eCB system in the central nervous system, and models of pharmacological augmentation of eCB signaling during development in the context of fear learning and anxiety.     

The longer the better: Sleep–wake patterns during preparation of the World Rowing Junior Championships

Recovery is essential for high athletic performance, and therefore especially sleep has been identified as a crucial source for physical and psychological well-being. However, due to early-morning trainings, which are general practice in many sports, athletes are likely to experience sleep restrictions. Therefore, this study investigated the sleep–wake patterns of 55 junior national rowers (17.7 ± 0.6 years) via sleep logs and actigraphy during a four-week training camp. Recovery and stress ratings were obtained every morning with the Short Recovery and Stress Scale on a 7-point Likert-type scale ranging from 0 (does not apply at all) to 6 (fully applies). The first training session was scheduled for 6:30 h every day. With two to four training sessions per day, the training load was considerably increased from athletes’ home training. Objective sleep measures (n = 14) revealed less total sleep time (TST) in the first two weeks (409.6 ± 19.1 and 416.0 ± 16.3 min), while training volume and intensity were higher. In the second half of the camp, less training sessions were implemented, more afternoons were training free and TSTs were longer (436.3 ± 15.8 and 456.9 ± 25.7 min). A single occasion of 1.5-h delayed bedtime and usual early morning training (6:30 h) resulted in reduced ratings of Overall Recovery (OR) (M = 3.3 ± 1.3) and greater Negative Emotional State (NES) (M = 1.3 ± 1.2, p < .05), which returned to baseline on the next day. Following an extended night due to the only training-free day, sleep-offset times were shifted from ~5:30 to ~8:00 h, and each recovery and stress score improved (p < .01). Moreover, subjective ratings of the first six days were summarised as a baseline score to generate reference data as well as to explore the association between sleep and recovery. Intercorrelations of these sleep parameters emphasised the relationship between restful sleep and falling asleep quickly (r = .34, p < .05) as well as few awakenings (r = .35, p < .05). Overall, the findings highlight the impact of sleep on subjective recovery measures in the setting of a training camp. Providing the opportunity of extended sleep (and a day off) seems the most simple and effective strategy to enhance recovery and stress-related ratings.     

A Randomized Cross-over Exploratory Study of the Effect of Visiting Therapy Dogs on College Student Stress Before Final Exams

This exploratory study investigated the effect of visiting therapy dogs on college-student perceived and physiological stress the week prior to final exams. Students (n = 78) were randomly assigned to order of a therapydog intervention and attention-control condition, each 15 minutes long. Students completed the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), a stress visual analog scale (SVAS), and provided saliva for measuring nerve growth factor (sNGF) and alpha amylase (sAA), prior to randomization. Saliva samples and SVAS were again collected after each condition. There was no effect of group order on demographics, PSS, or initial SVAS. Repeated measures models were used to analyze the complete data sets of 57 students. There were no significant differences in sAA between or within students completing the intervention and control conditions. sNGF was not subjected to analysis as most levels were undetectable. Significant differences in SVAS scores were found between the intervention and control condition, with large effect sizes. SVAS scores were lower following the intervention, regardless of condition order (intervention first, p = 0.0001, d = 1.87; intervention second, p = 0.0004, d = 1.63). No SVAS differences were found for the control condition. Based on these findings, campus events with visiting therapy dogs represent a costeffective, easily accessible activity to reduce perceived, but not physiological, stress for college students prior to final exams.     

Diadegma insulare development is altered by Plutella xylostella reared on water‐stressed host plants

Natural enemies of herbivores function in a multitrophic context, and their performance is directly or indirectly influenced by herbivores and their host plants. Very little is known about tritrophic interactions between host plants, pests and their parasitoids, particularly when the host plants are under any stress. Herbivores and their natural enemies’ response to plants under stress are diverse and variable. Therefore, in this study we investigated how diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.), reared on water‐stressed host plants (Brassica napus L. and Sinapis alba L.) influenced the development of its larval parasitoid, Diadegma insulare (Cresson). No significant differences were observed in development of P. xylostella when reared on water‐stressed host plants. However, all results indicated that water stress had a strong effect on developmental parameters of D. insulare. Development of D. insulare was delayed when the parasitoid fed on P. xylostella, reared on stressed host plants. Egg to adult development of D. insulare was faster on non‐stressed B. napus than non‐stressed S. alba followed by stressed B. napus and S. alba. Female parasitoids were heavier on non‐stressed host plants than stressed counterparts. Furthermore, the parasitoid lived significantly longer on stressed B. napus. However, body size was not affected by water treatment. Most host plant parameters measured were significantly lower for water‐stressed than non‐stressed treatments. Results suggest that development of this important and effective P. xylostella parasitoid was influenced by both water stress and host plant species.     

Effects of groundwater salinity on the characteristics of leaf photosynthesis and stem sap flow in Tamarix chinensis

AimsThe objective of this study was to investigate the change pattern of leaves photosynthesis and stem sap flow of Tamarix chinensisin under different groundwater salinity, which can be served as a theoretical basis and technical reference for cultivation and management of T. chinensis in shallow groundwater table around Yellow River Delta.MethodsThree-year-old T. chinensis, one of the dominated species in Yellow River Delta, was selected. Plants were treated by four different salinity concentrations of groundwater—fresh water (0 g∙L^-1), brackish water (3.0 g∙L^-1), saline water (8.0 g∙L^-1), and salt water (20.0 g∙L^-1) under 1.2 m groundwater level. Light response of photosynthesis and the diurnal courses of leaf transpiration rate, stem sap flux velocity and environment factors under different groundwater salinity were determined via LI-6400XT portable photosynthesis system and a Dynamax packaged stem sap flow gauge based on stem-heat balance method, respectively.Important findings The result showed that groundwater salinity had a significant impact on photosynthesis efficiency and water consumption capacity of T. chinensis by influencing the soil salt. The net photosynthetic rate (P_n), maximum P_n, transpiration rate, stomatal conductance, apparent quantum yield and dark respiration rate increased first and then decreased with increasing groundwater salinity, while the water use efficiency (WUE) continuously decreased. The mean P_n under fresh water, brackish water and salt water decreased by 44.1%, 15.1% and 62.6%, respectively, compared with that under saline water (25.90 µmol∙m^-2∙s^-1). The mean WUE under brackish water, saline water and salt water decreased by 25.0%, 29.2% and 41.7%, respectively, compared with that under fresh water (2.40 µmol∙mmol^-1). With the increase of groundwater salinity from brackish water to salt water, light saturation point of T. chinensisdecreased while the light compensation point increased, which lead to the decrease of light ecological amplitude and light use efficiency. Fresh water and brackish water treatment helped T. chinensis to use low or high level light, which could significantly improve the utilization rate of light energy. The decrease in P_n of T. chinensis was mainly due to non-stomatal limitation under treatment from saline water to fresh water, while the decrease in P_n of T. chinensis was due to stomatal limitation from saline water to salt water. With increasing groundwater salinity, stem sap flux velocity of T. chinensis increased firstly and then decreased, reached the maximum value under saline water. The mean stem sap flux velocity under fresh water, brackish water and salt water decreased by 61.8%, 13.1% and 41.9%, respectively, compared with that under saline water (16.96 g·h^-1). Tamarix chinensis had higher photosynthetic productivity under saline water treatment, and could attained high WUE under severe water deprivation by transpiration, which was suitable for the growth of T. chinensis.     

藜科植物藜和灰绿藜实时荧光定量PCR内参基因的选择

选择合适的内参基因是实时荧光定量PCR(qRT-PCR)研究的关键,目前对藜科耐盐(盐生)植物胁迫相关基因的表达分析中所用内参基因的报道较为有限.该研究利用GeNorm、NormFinder和BestKeeper 3个内参基因分析软件,对已选择过的β-TUBULIN、β-ACTIN、GAPDH 3个常用候选内参基因进行了比较分析,筛选出在NaCl和PEG胁迫下藜和灰绿藜中表达相对稳定的内参基因.结果表明:GeNorm、NormFinder内参软件分析在NaCl和PEG胁迫下,GAPDH是藜和灰绿藜中均共同稳定表达的内参基因,同时在藜和灰绿藜中也有各自表达较稳定的内参基因,β-ACTIN在藜中稳定表达,β-TUBULIN则在灰绿藜中稳定表达.对相同科不同种的植物内参基因表达差异进行比较,内参基因在相同科中具有相同稳定表达的内参;对相同胁迫下两种不同植物内参基因表达稳定性进行分析,内参基因的选择需根据实际的实验材料和实验条件而定.基于3个分析软件对以上3个常用内参基因的分析结果,初步确定了在藜科植物藜和灰绿藜中相对稳定的内参基因,为藜和灰绿藜胁迫相关基因的定量表达分析提供了参考依据.     

水杨酸对大花三色堇幼苗耐热性的影响

大花三色堇性喜冷凉、忌酷热。该研究以大花三色堇3个自交系08H 、HAR 和 E01为材料,分别测定了40℃高温处理4、8和12 h 时不同基因型大花三色堇幼苗的生理指标,以及不同浓度(0.1、1、2 mmol?L-1)水杨酸预处理对热胁迫下大花三色堇幼苗耐热性的影响。结果表明：在高温胁迫下大花三色堇电解质外渗量增加,随着处理时间的延长,电解质外渗更多,可溶性糖含量先增加后降低,POD 酶活性先提高后降低;与其他2个自交系相比,HAR 表现出较好的耐热性,其可溶性糖含量、POD 酶活性的增加均较高,而电解质外渗率偏低;与对照相比,3种浓度 SA 预处理均显著降低了大花三色堇幼苗的电解质外渗率,增加了幼苗体内可溶性糖含量,提高了大花三色堇的幼苗体内脯氨酸含量和 POD 酶活性;其中1 mmol?L-1的 SA 预处理对高温胁迫下大花三色堇幼苗体内可溶性糖的含量增加最高,最大程度减缓幼苗体内的电解质外渗量,08H 和 HAR 的脯氨酸含量和 POD 酶活性达到最大值。而对 E01而言,0.1 mmol?L-1的水杨酸预处理的脯氨酸含量和 POD 酶活性最高。该研究结果探讨了高温胁迫下不同基因型大花三色堇幼苗的生理表现,以及外施水杨酸对增强大花三色堇幼苗耐热性的效果,为大花三色堇抗热栽培提供重要的基础资料。     

土荆芥挥发性化感物质对蚕豆叶表皮保卫细胞的影响

化感作用是外来植物土荆芥( Chenopodium ambrosioides)成功入侵的机制之一。为了探讨土荆芥挥发油的化感作用机制,该文以蚕豆( Vicia faba)叶的下表皮为材料,将表皮条孵育在分别含土荆芥挥发油、α-萜品烯和对伞花素的MES [2-( N-morpholino) ethanesulfonic acid]缓冲液中,25℃下光照培养30 min,采用吖啶橙/溴乙锭( AO/EB)双荧光染色法和Feulgen染色法,研究土荆芥挥发油、α-萜品烯和对伞花素对保卫细胞活性和细胞核形态的影响。结果表明：在土荆芥挥发油、α-萜品烯和对伞花素的作用下,蚕豆气孔保卫细胞活性降低,细胞核出现固缩、畸形或降解等细胞凋亡特征。随着处理剂量增加,保卫细胞活性显著下降,核异常率显著增加,表明土荆芥挥发油、α-萜品烯和对伞花素均对蚕豆保卫细胞具有细胞毒性,其中,挥发油毒性最大,α-萜品烯的毒性次之,对伞花素的毒性最小;Caspase抑制剂Z-VAD-FMK可缓解挥发油、α-萜品烯和对伞花素对保卫细胞的毒性,提高细胞活性,这种缓解效应随着抑制剂浓度的增加而增大。由此可见,土荆芥挥发油、α-萜品烯和对伞花素诱导蚕豆保卫细胞发生了Caspase依赖性的细胞凋亡。     

淹水胁迫下江南牡丹生长及光合特性研究

以3年生江南牡丹品种‘凤丹白’为材料,利用盆栽淹水法,设置正常管理、轻度胁迫和重度胁迫3个水平,研究不同淹水胁迫水平对牡丹生长和光合特性的影响。结果表明：经过30 d胁迫后,正常管理、轻度胁迫和重度胁迫下的江南牡丹苗高生长量分别为3.6、1.1和0.73 cm,地径生长量分别为0.21、0.11和0.06 cm,植株总生物量增加量分别为7.0、3.0和2.75 g,淹水胁迫和正常生长差异显著,淹水胁迫严重影响了江南牡丹的生长。同时,在正常管理时,牡丹总叶绿素含量升高,而在淹水胁迫下呈下降趋势。淹水胁迫不同时间根系活力均呈下降趋势且随着胁迫程度的增加下降越大。正常管理下光合速率逐渐增加而胁迫条件下光合速率逐渐降低。同时胁迫条件下,牡丹蒸腾速率、气孔导度均明显下降;轻度淹水胁迫下胞间CO2浓度先升高后降低;而重度胁迫下胞间CO2浓度呈现逐渐升高的变化趋势。淹水胁迫对牡丹根系活力、茎段生长和叶片光合特性影响较大。该研究结果为江南牡丹耐涝胁迫机理研究奠定了理论基础。