Hypothalamic TRPM8 and TRPA1 ion channel genes in the regulation of temperature homeostasis at water balance changes

The role of the hypothalamic cold-sensitive ion channels - transient receptor potential melastatin 8 (TRPM8) and transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 (TRPA1) in homeostatic systems of thermoregulation and water-salt balance - is not clear. The interaction of homeostatic systems of thermoregulation and water-salt balance without additional temperature load did not receive due attention, too. On the models of water-balance disturbance, we tried to elucidate some aspect of these problems. Body temperature (Tbody), O2 consumption, CO2 excretion, electrical muscle activity (EMA), temperature of tail skin (Ttail), plasma osmolality, as well as gene expression of hypothalamic TRPM8 and TRPA1 have been registered in rats of 3 groups: control; water-deprived (3 days under dry-eating); and hyperhydrated (6 days without dry food, drinking liquid 4 % sucrose). No relationship was observed between plasma osmolality and gene expression of Trpm8 and Trpa1. In water-deprived rats, the constriction of skin vessels, increased fat metabolism by 10 % and increased EMA by 48 % allowed the animals to maintain Tbody unchanged. The hyperhydrated rats did not develop sufficient mechanisms, and their Tbody decreased by 0.8 °C. The development of reactions was correlated with the expression of genes of thermosensitive ion channels in the anterior hypothalamus. Ttail had a direct correlation with the expression of the Trpm8 gene, whereas EMA directly correlated with the expression of the Trpa1 gene in water-deprived group. The obtained data attract attention from the point of view of management and correction of physiological functions by modulating the ion channel gene expression.

Water deprivation-induced hypoxia and oxidative stress physiology responses in respiratory organs of the Indian stinging fish in near coastal zones

Background

Water deprivation-induced hypoxia stress (WDIHS) has been extensively investigated in numerous fish species due to their adaptation with accessory respiratory organs to respire air but this has not been studied in Indian stinging fish Heteropneustes fossilis. Data regarding WDIHS-induced metabolism in accessory respiratory organ (ARO) and gills and its relationship with oxidative stress (OS) in respiratory organs of air-breathing fish H. fossilis, are limited. So, this study aimed to investigate the effects of WDIHS (0, 3, 6, 12, and 18 h) on hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) as reactive oxygen species (ROS), OS, redox regulatory enzymes, and electron transport enzymes (ETC) in ARO and gills of H. fossilis.

Methods

Fish were exposed to air for different hours (up to 18 h) against an appropriate control, and ARO and gills were sampled. The levels of oxygen saturation in the body of the fish were assessed at various intervals during exposure to air. Protein carbonylation (PC) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) were used as OS markers, H2O2 as ROS marker, and various enzymatic activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR), along with the assessment of complex enzymes (I, II, III, and V) as well as the levels of ascorbic acid (AA) and the reduced glutathione (GSH) were quantified in both the tissues.

Results

Discriminant function analyses indicate a clear separation of the variables as a function of the studied parameters. The gills exhibited higher levels of GSH and H2O2 compared to ARO, while ARO showed elevated levels of PC, TBARS, AA, SOD, CAT, and GPx activities compared to the gills. The activities of GR and ETC enzymes exhibited similar levels in both the respiratory organs, namely the gills, and ARO. These organs experienced OS due to increased H2O2, TBARS, and PC levels, as observed during WDIHS. Under WDIHS conditions, the activity/level of CAT, GPx, GR, and GSH decreased in ARO, while SOD activity, along with GR, GSH, and AA levels decreased in gills. However, the activity/level of SOD and AA in ARO and CAT in gills was elevated under WDIHS. Complex II exhibited a positive correlation with WDIHS, while the other ETC enzymes (complex I, III, and V) activities had negative correlations with the WDIHS.

Discussion

The finding suggests that ARO is more susceptible to OS than gills under WDIHS. Despite both organs employ distinct redox regulatory systems to counteract this stress, their effectiveness is hampered by the inadequacy of small redox regulatory molecules and the compromised activity of the ETC, impeding their ability to effectively alleviate the stress induced by the water-deprivation condition.

Shortening of primary cilia length is associated with urine concentration in the kidneys

BACKGROUND

The primary cilium, a microtubule-based cellular organelle present in certain kidney cells, functions as a mechano-sensor to monitor fluid flow in addition to various other biological functions. In kidneys, the primary cilia protrude into the tubular lumen and are directly exposed to pro-urine flow and components. However, their effects on urine concentration remain to be defined. Here, we investigated the association between primary cilia and urine concentration.

METHODS

Mice either had free access to water (normal water intake, NWI) or were not allowed access to water (water deprivation, WD). Some mice received tubastatin, an inhibitor of histone deacetylase 6 (HDAC6), which regulates the acetylation of α-tubulin, a core protein of microtubules.

RESULTS

WD decreased urine output and increased urine osmolality, concomitant with apical plasma membrane localization of aquaporin 2 (AQP2) in the kidney. After WD, compared with after NWI, the lengths of primary cilia in renal tubular epithelial cells were shortened and HDAC6 activity increased. WD induced deacetylation of α-tubulin without altering α-tubulin levels in the kidney. Tubastatin prevented the shortening of cilia through increasing HDAC6 activity and consequently increasing acetylated α-tubulin expression. Furthermore, tubastatin prevented the WD-induced reduction of urine output, urine osmolality increase, and apical plasma membrane localization of AQP2.

CONCLUSIONS

WD shortens primary cilia length through HDAC6 activation and α-tubulin deacetylation, while HDAC6 inhibition blocks the WD-induced changes in cilia length and urine output. This suggests that cilia length alterations are involved, at least in part, in the regulation of body water balance and urine concentration.

Lactate inhibited sodium intake in dehydrated rats

Recent studies have suggested that glial cells, especially astrocytes, are involved in balanced hydromineral modulation. In response to increased extracellular Na+ concentration, astrocytic Nax channels are activated, promoting lactate production and release. Furthermore, previous in vitro studies have suggested that lactate and hypertonic Na + solution activate SFO GABAergic neurons involved in the salt-appetite central pathways. Here, we evaluated the role of lactate in dehydration-induced sodium and water intake. To this end, intracerebroventricular microinjection (icv) of l-lactate or α-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamic acid (α-CHCA, MCT lactate transporter inhibitor) was performed in rats subjected to 48 h of water deprivation (WD) and 1 h of partial rehydration after 48 h of WD (WD-PR). The rehydration protocol was used to distinguish the mechanisms of thirst and sodium appetite induced by WD. Then, water and sodium (0.3 M NaCl) intake were evaluated for 2 h. Our results showed that central α-CHCA induced an increase in sodium preference in WD rats. Furthermore, central lactate increased water intake but reduced sodium intake in WD-PR animals. In contrast, central lactate transporter inhibition did not change water or sodium intake in WD-PR rats. Our results suggest that lactate is involved in inhibitory mechanisms that induce sodium intake avoidance in dehydrated rats.

Enhanced recovery after surgery strategy to shorten perioperative fasting in children undergoing non-gastrointestinal surgery: A prospective study

BACKGROUND

Enhanced recovery after surgery strategies are increasingly implemented to improve the management of surgical patients.

AIM

To evaluate the effects of new perioperative fasting protocols in children ≥ 3 mo of age undergoing non-gastrointestinal surgery.

METHODS

This prospective pilot study included children ≥ 3 mo of age undergoing non-gastrointestinal surgery at the Children’s Hospital (Zhejiang University School of Medicine) from January 2020 to June 2020. The children were divided into either a conventional group or an ERAS group according to whether they had been enrolled before or after the implementation of the new perioperative fasting strategy. The children in the conventional group were fasted using conventional strategies, while those in the ERAS group were given individualized fasting protocols preoperatively (6-h fasting for infant formula/non-human milk/solids, 4-h fasting for breast milk, and clear fluids allowed within 2 h of surgery) and postoperatively (food permitted from 1 h after surgery). Pre-operative and postoperative fasting times, pre-operative blood glucose, the incidence of postoperative thirst and hunger, the incidence of perioperative vomiting and aspiration, and the degree of satisfaction were evaluated.

RESULTS

The study included 303 patients (151 in the conventional group and 152 in the ERAS group). Compared with the conventional group, the ERAS group had a shorter pre-operative food fasting time [11.92 (4.00, 19.33) vs 13.00 (6.00, 20.28) h, P < 0.001), shorter preoperative liquid fasting time [3.00 (2.00, 7.50) vs 12.00 (3.00, 20.28) h, P < 0.001], higher preoperative blood glucose level [5.6 (4.2, 8.2) vs 5.1 (4.0, 7.4) mmol/L, P < 0.001], lower incidence of thirst (74.5% vs 15.3%, P < 0.001), shorter time to postoperative feeding [1.17 (0.33, 6.83) vs 6.00 (5.40, 9.20), P < 0.001], and greater satisfaction [7 (0, 10) vs 8 (5, 10), P < 0.001]. No children experienced perioperative aspiration. The incidences of hunger, perioperative vomiting, and fever were not significantly different between the two groups.

CONCLUSION

Optimizing fasting and clear fluid drinking before non-gastrointestinal surgery in children ≥ 3 mo of age is possible. It is safe and feasible to start early eating after evaluating the recovery from anesthesia and the swallowing function.

Expression of estrogen receptor alpha in response to stress and estrogen antagonist tamoxifen in the shell gland of Gallus gallus domesticus: involvement of anti-oxidant system and estrogen

Animals are frequently exposed to various kinds of environmental stressors and estrogen is known to play important role in stress response besides its crucial role in regulation of cellular proliferation, metabolic activity and reproduction. The study investigates the estrogen antagonist, tamoxifen (TM), mediated estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) expression, to modulate stress induced parameters in chickens. The study further explores the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and malonaldehyde (MDA) in brain, ovary and shell gland during water deprivation (WD) and tamoxifen administration in sexually mature chicken. WD and TM administration both decrease the plasma estradiol while WD increases corticosterone. WD also elevates MDA concentration in the brain, ovary and shell gland while TM lowers it. WD and TM administration lowers the specific activity of SOD in brain and shell gland. In contrast, WD increases the specific activity of catalase, GPx and GR in the brain and shell gland, while TM decreases it. It appears that endogenous estradiol plays a crucial role in expression of antioxidant enzymes and tamoxifen acts as an antioxidant by reducing the oxidative stress in chicken. Abundant expression of ERα has been observed in the shell gland of egg laying birds while stress like water deprivation and TM down-regulates its expression. Thus, it can be concluded that expression of ERα in shell gland plays a predominant role in mediating estrogen action in response to water deprivation stress and tamoxifen.

Sodium palatability in male spontaneously hypertensive rats

Spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) ingest more NaCl than normotensive strains. Here we investigated NaCl intake and taste reactivity in adult male SHRs and normotensive Holtzman rats treated or not with AT1 receptor antagonist centrally in euhydrated condition and after fluid depletion. Taste reactivity was measured by the number of orofacial expressions to intra-oral infusions of 0.3 M NaCl. In euhydrated condition, intra-oral infusions of 0.3 M NaCl produced greater number of hedonic responses in SHRs than in normotensive rats, without differences in the number of aversive responses. Compared to euhydrated condition, the treatment with the diuretic furosemide + low dose of captopril (angiotensin converting enzyme blocker) increased the number of hedonic and reduced the number of aversive responses to intra-oral NaCl in normotensive rats, without changing the number of hedonic or aversive responses in SHRs. Losartan (AT1 receptor antagonist, 100 ng/1 μl) injected intracerebroventricularly in SHRs abolished 0.3 M NaCl intake induced by water deprivation + partial rehydration, whereas only transiently (first 30 min of the 60 min test) reduced hedonic responses, without changes in aversive responses to intra-oral NaCl. Losartan intracerebroventricularly also only transiently (first 30 min) reduced the number of hedonic responses to intra-oral NaCl in euhydrated SHRs. The results suggest that NaCl palatability is increased and independent from body fluid balance in SHRs. The results also suggest that central AT1 receptors are part of the mechanisms activated to increase NaCl intake and palatability in SHRs. A partial dissociation between NaCl intake and palatability in SHRs is also suggested.

[Effect of glucose pretreatment on the effect of rapid rehabilitation surgery in patients undergoing hip replacement]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the effect of glucose pretreatment in the rapid rehabilitation surgery of hip replacement patients, and to provide reference for the future clinical treatment.

METHODS

From June 2016 to June 2018, 168 patients (100 males, 68 females) were treated with hip replacement. The patients were divided into control group and observation group, 84 cases in each group, aged 25 to 90 (52.05±5.73) years old. Both groups were treated with the concept of rapid rehabilitation surgery, the control group was given traditional fasting water deprivation before operation, and the observation group was given glucose pretreatment before operation. The levels of fasting blood glucose(FBG), C-peptide, fasting insulin(FINS), IgG, IgM, IgA and total lymphocyte count (TLC) were compared before and after operation, and the sensitivity of thirst, nausea, fatigue, sweating, stomach discomfort, anxiety, hunger and dizziness were compared.

RESULTS

All the 168 patients were followed up. There was no significant difference in FBG, C-peptide and fins levels between the observation group and the control group (P>0.05). The levels of FBG, C-peptide and fins in the observation group were higher than those in the control group (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the serum IgG, IgM, IgA and TLC levels between the observation group and the control group(P>0.05);the serum IgG, IgM, IgA and TLC levels after operation were higher than those before operation, and the observation group was higher than the control group(P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the degree of thirst, nausea, fatigue, sweating and stomach discomfort between the observation group and the control group (P>0.05);the degree of anxiety, hunger and dizziness in the observation group was less than that in the control group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

Glucose pretreatment before hip replacement can relieve insulin resistance, improve immunity and change energy storage under fasting, which can be widely used in clinic.

Multiple endocrinological failures as a clinical presentation of a metastatic lung adenocarcinoma

SUMMARY

Multiple endocrine metastases are a rare but possible complication of lung adenocarcinoma (LAC). Pituitary metastasis is a rare condition with poor clinical expression. Diabetes insipidus (DI) is its most common presenting symptom. Here we report an original case of a pituitary stalk (PS) metastasis from LAC presenting as central DI followed by adrenal insufficiency (AI) from bilateral adrenal metastasis, without known evidence of the primary malignancy. A 45-year-old woman whose first clinical manifestations were polyuria and polydipsia was admitted. She was completely asymptomatic with no cough, no weight loss or anorexia. Chest radiography was normal. Brain MRI showed a thick pituitary stalk (PS). DI was confirmed by water restriction test and treated with vasopressin with great clinical results. Explorations for systemic and infectious disease were negative. Few months later, an acute AI led to discovering bilateral adrenal mass on abdominal CT. A suspicious 2.3 cm apical lung nodule was found later. Histopathological adrenal biopsy revealed an LAC. The patient received systemic chemotherapy with hormonal replacement for endocrinological failures by both vasopressin and hydrocortisone. We present this rare case of metastatic PS thickness arising from LAC associated with bilateral adrenal metastasis. Screening of patients with DI and stalk thickness for lung and breast cancer must be considered. Multiple endocrine failures as a diagnostic motive of LAC is a rare but possible circumstance.

LEARNING POINTS

Adrenal metastasis is a common location in lung adenocarcinoma; however, metastatic involvement of the pituitary stalk remains a rare occurrence, especially as a leading presentation to diagnose lung cancer. The posterior pituitary and the infundibulum are the preferential sites for metastases, as they receive direct arterial blood supply from hypophyseal arteries. Patients diagnosed with diabetes insipidus due to pituitary stalk thickness should be considered as a metastasis, after exclusion of the classical systemic and infectious diseases. The diagnosis of an endocrinological metastatic primary lung adenocarcinoma for patients without respiratory symptoms is often delayed due to a lack of correlation between endocrinological symptoms and lung cancer. The main originality of our case is the concomitant diagnosis of both endocrinological failures, as it was initiated with a diabetes insipidus and followed by an acute adrenal insufficiency.

The protein turnover of Arabidopsis BPM1 is involved in regulation of flowering time and abiotic stress response

Protein degradation is essential in plant growth and development. The stability of Cullin3 substrate adaptor protein BPM1 is regulated by multiple environmental cues pointing on manifold control of targeted protein degradation. A small family of six MATH-BTB genes (BPM1-6) is described in Arabidopsis thaliana. BPM proteins are part of the Cullin E3 ubiquitin ligase complexes and are known to bind at least three families of transcription factors: ERF/AP2 class I, homeobox-leucine zipper and R2R3 MYB. By targeting these transcription factors for ubiquitination and subsequent proteasomal degradation, BPMs play an important role in plant flowering, seed development and abiotic stress response. In this study, we generated BPM1-overexpressing plants that showed an early flowering phenotype, resistance to abscisic acid and tolerance to osmotic stress. We analyzed BPM1-GFP protein stability and found that the protein has a high turnover rate and is degraded by the proteasome 26S in a Cullin-dependent manner. Finally, we found that BPM1 protein stability is environmentally conditioned. Darkness and salt stress triggered BPM1 degradation, whereas elevated temperature enhanced BPM1 stability and accumulation in planta.

Long term osmotic stress exposure outcomes on rat dopaminergic innervations and the associated motor behavior

The osmotic stress is a powerful stimulus that elicits profound peripheral and central disturbances. In the mammalian brain, osmotic stress has been associated to several glial and neuronal changes. The lack of data regarding the impact on the dopaminergic system and locomotion led us to investigate the effect of prolonged water deprivation in rat on the midbrain dopaminergic system and locomotor performance by dehydrating rats for one and two weeks. Locomotor activity and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) expression were assessed using the open field test and immunohistochemistry respectively. Water deprivation was accompanied with a significant increment of TH expression within substantia nigra compacta (SNc) and ventral tegmental area (VTA) gradually as the duration of dehydration increases. While locomotor activity showed the inverse tendency manifested by a drop of crossed boxes number following one and two weeks of water deprivation. Our data suggest a substantial implication of midbrain dopaminergic system in the central response to the osmotic stimuli accompanied with locomotor deficiencies.

Chronic water insufficiency induced kidney damage and energy dysregulation despite reduced food intake, which improved gut microbiota in female rats

Water intake is recommended for weight loss, but the relationship between water intake and energy metabolism is not clear. We hypothesized that long-term water insufficiency would influence energy, glucose, and lipid metabolism while modulating gut microbiota. Female rats were provided with high-fat diets with different amounts of water and food intake for 6 weeks as follows: water provided for 1 h per day with food ad libitum (WRFA), water supply ad libitum plus pair feeding of with water restricted rats(WAFR), water restriction with ad libitum food for 3 weeks and water and food intake ad libitum for 3 weeks (WR-WA) and ad libitum supply of water and food (WAFA). Water intake in WRFA was about one-third of WAFR and WAFA, whereas food intake was lowered by 30% in WRFA and WAFR than WAFA. Body fat decreased in WRFA and WAFR, but WAFR decreased fat mass more than WRFA. Energy expenditure was lower in WRFA than WAFA and carbohydrate utilization was much higher in WRFA than the other groups. The peak serum glucose concentrations were lower in WAFA than the other groups and WRFA lowered serum insulin levels more than WAFA during OGTT. WRFA shrank the glomerulus with increased apoptotic cells and damaged renal tubules compared to the WAFA and WAFR. WR-WA also exhibited greater glomerular shrinkage and apoptosis that WAFA, but not as much WRFA, indicating that the kidneys were healing after water restriction damage. WRFA exacerbated dyslipidemia compared to the WAFA and WAFR groups. The gut microbiome was similarly modulated in WRFA and WAFR, compared to WAFA, but it was mainly affected by food intake, not water restriction in the host. WRFA and WAFR increased Bacteroidetes and decreased Firmicutes compared WAFA. In conclusion, chronic insufficient water intake induced renal damage, decreased energy expenditure, and exacerbated dyslipidemia in rats with reduced food intake. However, the reduction of food intake improved gut microbiome regardless of insufficient water intake and only minor effects on the microbiome were observed due to water restriction.

An optimization method for energy structures based on life cycle assessment and its application to the power grid in China

The optimization of energy structures, aimed at saving energy and reducing emissions, is an important precautionary measure against climate change. This study considers different environmental impacts of power systems, and investigates ways to optimize power structures and decrease their potential environmental impact. A multi-objectives optimization model of energy structures was created based on life cycle assessment (LCA). This model covers several environment impacts, rather than only focusing on carbon emissions. LCA was used to calculate the different environmental impacts and provided a new method for normalization. The model was applied to the power industry in China. Three kinds of environmental impacts were considered: material input (MI), global warming potential (GWP), and water deprivation (WD). The five major existing methods of electricity generation in China were considered: thermal power, nuclear power, hydro power, wind power, and solar photovoltaic power. The system boundary included all life cycle stages; specifically, extraction of raw materials and resources, production, energy generation processes, and power transport. The optimization results showed that the total environmental impacts were reduced; MI, GWP, and WD were decreased by 29.53%, 29.67%, and 19.06%, respectively. This method provides new insights into optimization of energy structures by considering multi-environment impacts.

Bifocal germinoma in a patient with 16p11.2 microdeletion syndrome

Intracranial germinomas are rare tumors affecting mostly patients at young age. Therefore, molecular data on its etiopathogenesis are scarce. We present a clinical case of a male patient of 25 years with an intracranial germinoma and a 16p11.2 microdeletion. His initial complaints were related to obesity, loss of facial hair and polydipsia. He also had a history of social-interaction difficulties during childhood. His blood tests were consistent with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism and secondary adrenal insufficiency, and he had been previously diagnosed with hypothyroidism. He also presented with polyuria and polydipsia and the water deprivation test confirmed the diagnosis of diabetes insipidus. His sellar magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed two lesions: one located in the pineal gland and other in the suprasellar region, both with characteristics suggestive of germinoma. Chromosomal microarray analysis was performed due to the association of obesity with social disability, and the result identified a 604 kb 16p11.2 microdeletion. The surgical biopsy confirmed the histological diagnosis of a germinoma. Pharmacological treatment with testosterone, hydrocortisone and desmopressin was started, and the patient underwent radiotherapy (40 Gy divided in 25 fractions). Three months after radiotherapy, a significant decrease in suprasellar and pineal lesions without improvement in pituitary hormonal deficiencies was observed. The patient is currently under follow-up. To the best of our knowledge, we describe the first germinoma in a patient with a 16p11.2 deletion syndrome, raising the question about the impact of this genetic alteration on tumorigenesis and highlighting the need of molecular analysis of germ cell tumors as only little is known about their genetic background. Learning points: Central nervous system germ cell tumors (CNSGTs) are rare intracranial tumors that affect mainly young male patients. They are typically located in the pineal and suprasellar regions and patients frequently present with symptoms of hypopituitarism. The molecular pathology of CNSGTs is unknown, but it has been associated with gain of function of the KIT gene, isochromosome 12p amplification and a low DNA methylation. Germinoma is a radiosensitive tumor whose diagnosis depends on imaging, tumor marker detection, surgical biopsy and cerebrospinal fluid cytology. 16p11.2 microdeletion syndrome is phenotypically characterized by developmental delay, intellectual disability and autism spectrum disorders. Seminoma, cholesteatoma, desmoid tumor, leiomyoma and Wilms tumor have been described in a few patients with 16p11.2 deletion. Bifocal germinoma was identified in this patient with a 16p11.2 microdeletion syndrome, which represents a putative new association not previously reported in the literature.

Behavioral and physiological changes during heat stress in Corriedale ewes exposed to water deprivation

This study was conducted to investigate the behavioral and physiological changes of heat stressed Corriedale ewes exposed to water deprivation. Nine Corriedale ewes (average BW = 45 ± 3.7 kg) were individually fed diets based on maintenance requirements in metabolic crates. Ewes were assigned into three groups (9 sheep per treatment) according to a 3 × 3 Latin square design for 3 periods with 21-d duration for each period. The control (CON) group was given free access to water, 2 h water deprivation (2hWD), and 3 h water deprivation (3hWD) following feeding. No differences were found in fecal excretion frequency, standing frequency (number/d), and sitting frequency among the groups (p > 0.05). Measurements of standing duration (min/d) and urine excretion frequency (number/d) showed a significant decrease whereas sitting duration (min/d) showed a significant increase in the 2hWD and 3hWD groups when compared with the CON group (p < 0.05). Fecal score and heart rate (number/min) were not different among the groups (p > 0.05). However, respiratory rate (number/min) and panting score were found to be significantly higher in the 2hWD and 3hWD groups than in the CON group (p < 0.05). It is concluded that water deprivation following feeding intensifies physiological heat stress related indicators such as respiratory rate and panting score and changes behavioral parameters such as water intake and urine excretion frequency in heat stressed ewes. Daily adaptation to the extreme environmental conditions may occur actively in ewes.

Oxidative stress in a capital breeder (Vipera aspis) facing pregnancy and water constraints

The physiological mechanisms underlying the 'cost of reproduction' remain under debate, though oxidative stress has emerged as a potential candidate. The 'oxidative cost of reproduction' has received considerable attention with regards to food and antioxidant availability; however, the limitation of water availability has thus far been neglected. In this study, we experimentally examined the combined effect of pregnancy and water deprivation on oxidative status in a viviparous snake (Vipera aspis), a species naturally exposed to periods of water and food deprivation. We predicted a cumulative effect of pregnancy and dehydration on oxidative stress levels. Our results support the occurrence of an oxidative cost of reproduction as we found higher oxidative damage levels in pregnant females than in non-reproductive individuals, despite an up-regulation of antioxidant defences. Surprisingly, water deprivation was associated with an up-regulation of antioxidant defences, and did not increase oxidative damage, either alone or in combination with reproduction.

Expression of stress hormones AVP and CRH in the hypothalamus of Mus musculus following water and food deprivation

Neurohypophyseal hormone, arginine vasopressin (AVP), in addition to acting as antidiuretic hormone is also considered to be stress hormone like hypothalamic corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH). Present study was designed to investigate the relative response of these stress hormones during water and food deprivation. In this study, male laboratory mice of Swiss strain were divided in 5 groups, control - provided water and food ad libitum, two experimental groups water deprived for 2 and 4days respectively (WD2 and WD4) and another two groups food deprived for 2 and 4days respectively (FD2 and FD4). Results indicate an increased expression of AVP mRNA as well as peptide in the hypothalamus of WD2 mice and the expression was further upregulated after 4days of water deprivation but the expression of CRH remained unchanged compare to their respective controls. On the other hand no change was observed in the expression of hypothalamic AVP mRNA while AVP peptide increased significantly in FD2 and FD4 mice compare to control. Further, the expression of CRH mRNA although increased in hypothalamus of both FD2 and FD4 mice, the immunofluorescent staining shows decreased expression of CRH in PVN of food deprived mice. Based on these findings it is concluded that since during osmotic stress only AVP expression is upregulated but during metabolic stress i.e. food deprivation transcription and translation of both the stress hormones are differentially regulated. Further, it is suggested that role of AVP and CRH may be stress specific.

Lead uptake increases drought tolerance of wild type and transgenic poplar (Populus tremula x P. alba) overexpressing gsh 1

Growth and development of plants largely depends on their adaptation ability in a changing climate. This is particularly true on heavy metal contaminated soils, but the interaction of heavy metal stress and climate on plant performance has not been intensively investigated. The aim of the present study was to elucidate if transgenic poplars (Populus tremula x P. alba) with enhanced glutathione content possess an enhanced tolerance to drought and lead (Pb) exposure (single and in combination) and if they are good candidates for phytoremediation of Pb contaminated soil. Lead exposure reduced growth and biomass accumulation only in above-ground tissue of wild type poplar, although most of lead accumulated in the roots. Drought caused a decline of the water content rather than reduced biomass production, while Pb counteracted this decline in the combined exposure. Apparently, metals such as Pb possess a protective function against drought, because they interact with abscisic acid dependent stomatal closure. Lead exposure decreased while drought increased glutathione content in leaves of both plant types. Lead accumulation was higher in the roots of transgenic plants, presumably as a result of chelation by glutathione. Water deprivation enhanced Pb accumulation in the roots, but Pb was subject to leakage out of the roots after re-watering. Transgenic plants showed better adaptation under mild drought plus Pb exposure partially due to improved glutathione synthesis. However, the transgenic plants cannot be considered as a good candidate for phytoremediation of Pb, due to its small translocation to the shoots and its leakage out of the roots upon re-watering.

Water footprints of products of oil palm plantations and palm oil mills in Thailand

The water footprint (WF) of fresh fruit bunches (FFBs) from oil palm plantations and crude palm oil (CPO) from palm oil mills in southern and eastern Thailand were determined over 25 years. Climatic conditions, soil characteristics, and the characteristics of oil palm growth were considered. The WF of FFBs was 1063 m(3)/ton (t) on average. Green, blue, and grey waters comprised of 68, 18, and 14% of total WF, respectively. The oil palm plantations in Thailand required smaller amounts of indirect blue water. The average WF for producing a ton of CPO of seven mills was 5083 m(3). Most of the waters used in the mills originated from indirect green, blue and grey waters from the plantations. The direct blue water used in the mills had less impact on the total WF, lower than 1% of the total WF. Average percentages of green, blue, and grey waters of 69, 16, and 15% of total WF were determined for the mills, respectively. The water deprivation of the FFBs and CPO ranged from 0.73-12.9 and 3.44-58.3 m(3)H2Oeq/t, respectively. In 2013, the CPO production in Thailand including green, blue, and grey waters from plantation and blue water from mills required 11,343 million m(3) water. If the oil palm variety Suratthani 7 is used in the plantation, it would increase the yield from 15.2 to 22.8 t FFBs/ha-year and decrease the WF to 888 m(3)/t FFBs. The average value of the oil extraction rate (OER) of mills was 18.1%. With an increase in the OER of 1%, a reduction of the WF of 250 m(3)/t CPO or 5.1% of total WF could be obtained.

The ontogeny of ethanol aversion

Recent work has suggested separate developmental periods within the broader framework of adolescence, with data suggesting distinct alterations and vulnerabilities within these intervals. While previous research has suggested reduced sensitivity to the aversive effects of alcohol in adolescence relative to adults, a more detailed ontogeny of this effect has yet to be conducted. The adolescent brain undergoes significant transitions throughout adolescence, including in regions linked with drug reward and aversion. The current study aimed to determine the ontogeny of ethanol aversion by utilizing a conditioned taste aversion procedure at six different ages to test the hypothesis that the transitions into, through, and out of adolescence are associated with ontogenetic alterations in sensitivity to the aversive properties of ethanol. Non-deprived animals given Boost® as the conditioned stimulus (CS) were used in Experiment 1, whereas Experiment 2 used water-restricted animals provided with a saccharin/sucrose solution as the CS. In both experiments, an attenuated sensitivity to the aversive properties of ethanol was evident in adolescents compared to adults, although more age differences were apparent in water deprived animals than when a highly palatable CS was given to ad libitum animals. Overall, the data suggest an attenuated sensitivity to the aversive properties of ethanol that is most pronounced during pre- and early adolescence, declining thereafter to reach the enhanced aversive sensitivity of adults.

New insights into the mechanism for VACM-1/cul5 expression in vascular tissue in vivo

Vasopressin-activated calcium-mobilizing (VACM-1)/cul5 is the least conserved member of a cullin protein family involved in the formation of E3-specific ligase complexes that are responsible for delivering the ubiquitin protein to their target substrate proteins selected for ubiquitin-dependent degradation. This chapter summarizes work to date that has focused on VACM-1/cul5's tissue-specific expression in vivo and on its potential role in the control of specific cellular signaling pathways in those structures. As mammalian cells may contain hundreds of E3 ligases, identification VACM-1/cul5 as a specific subunit of the system that is expressed in the endothelium and in collecting tubules, structures known for their control of cellular permeability, may have significant implications when designing studies to elucidate the mechanism of water conservation. For example, VACM-1/cul5 expression is affected by water deprivation in some tissues and there is a potential relationship between neddylated VACM-1/cul5 and aquaporins.

Effects of "in vivo" administration of baclofen on rat renal tubular function

The effects of the in vivo administration of baclofen on renal tubular transport and aquaporin-2 (AQP2) expression were evaluated. In conscious animals kept in metabolic cages, baclofen (0.01-1mg/kg, s.c.) induced a dose-dependent increment in the urine flow rate (UFR) and in sodium and potassium excretion, associated with an increased osmolal clearance (Closm), a diminished urine to plasma osmolality ratio (Uosm/Posm) and a decrease in AQP2 expression. The above mentioned baclofen effects on functional parameters were corroborated by using conventional renal clearance techniques. Additionally, this model allowed the detection of a diminution in glucose reabsorption. Some experiments were performed with water-deprived or desmopressin-treated rats kept in metabolic cages. Either water deprivation or desmopressin treatment decreased the UFR and increased the Uosm/Posm. Baclofen did not change the Uosm/Posm or AQP2 expression in desmopressin-treated rats; but it increased the UFR and diminished the Uosm/Posm and AQP2 expression in water-deprived animals. These results indicate that in vivo administration of baclofen promotes alterations in proximal tubular transport, since glucose reabsorption was decreased. The distal tubular function was also affected. The increased Closm indicates an alteration in solute reabsorption at the ascending limb of the Henle's loop. The decreased Uosm/Posm and AQP2 expression in controls and in water-deprived, but not in desmopressin-treated rats, lead us to speculate that some effect of baclofen on endogenous vasopressin availability could be responsible for the impaired urine concentrating ability, more than any disturbance in the responsiveness of the renal cells to the hormone.