Wiley最新文献

Non-structural carbohydrates (NSC), including soluble sugars (SS) and starch (ST), are vital for plant metabolism and stress resilience. However, how the allocation of NSC and their components varies diurnally between C3 trees and shrubs in arid regions, and their respective roles in drought response, has received limited attention. This study examines the diurnal dynamics of NSC in leaves of woody species to elucidate growth-form-specific carbon storage strategies. In August 2023, we measured SS and ST concentrations in leaves of 16 C3 common species (11 trees, 5 shrubs) in Xinjiang, comparing daytime and nighttime levels. We used a two-way ANOVA to assess the effects of life form (tree/shrub) and time (day/night) on NSC, SS, ST, and SS:ST. Trees had significantly higher NSC and SS concentrations than shrubs. Life form and time jointly influenced NSC, ST, and SS:ST ratios, while SS concentration varied only with life form. Starch accumulates during the day and decreases at night, indicating it is a temporary carbon reserve that is converted to sugars for nighttime metabolism. The findings highlight divergent carbon allocation strategies between the studied C3 trees and shrubs, with trees maintaining higher NSC pools. Diurnal starch turnover underscores its importance in balancing carbon supply under arid conditions. These insights advance our understanding of growth-form-specific adaptations in carbon allocation within water-limited ecosystems.

Space is considered one of the harshest environments for living organisms, where ionizing radiation poses a significant threat to biological systems. Although plants exhibit higher resistance to radiation than animals, their photosynthetic machinery remains highly vulnerable. Given the role of plants in Controlled Ecological Life Support Systems (CELSSs), understanding how environment influences plant performance is critical for space missions. This study investigated the combined effects of X-ray irradiation (0.3, 10, or 20 Gy) and light quality (white, red, or red-blue LEDs) on young Vigna radiata L. plants. To assess plant potential acclimation strategies to radiation, we evaluated key functional traits, focusing on growth and photosynthetic performance. Specifically, we quantified in vivo chlorophyll fluorescence, photosynthetic pigments (chlorophylls, carotenoids), and expression of two major photosynthetic proteins: D1 (PSII core) and Rubisco. To our knowledge, no previous studies have explored how specific light wavelengths modulate plant responses to ionizing radiation during early development stages. Our results showed that red light enhances biomass allocation to shoots, promotes pigment accumulation, specifically at 0.3 and 10 Gy, and maintains higher photochemical efficiency and protein expression even at the highest radiation dose, compared to other light wavelengths. Maintaining an appropriate light environment during initial phases of growth enhances photosynthetic performance, reducing the harmful effects of X-rays, thus enabling plants to fulfil their ecological role in CELSSs.

Conventionally used for its stimulant, empathogenic and entactogenic effects, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, ecstasy) is one of the most commonly used psychoactive drugs, specifically among young adults and in nightlife and recreational party contexts. Often perceived as a safe drug, MDMA can display an array of toxic effects on multiple organs, with hyponatraemia (a low blood sodium concentration that can cause an altered mental state) being increasingly reported. Although hyponatraemia per se is among the most common electrolyte disorders encountered in clinical care, acute MDMA-induced hyponatraemia was first described in 1993 and constitutes a life-threatening condition if left untreated, particularly among women, who present higher incidence rates and increased odds of developing severe clinical effects. The present review outlines the main clinical manifestations and prevalence of MDMA-induced hyponatraemia, its pathophysiological mechanisms and the therapeutical approaches to correct this electrolyte imbalance.

Monosaccharides play a central role in metabolic networks and in the biosynthesis of glycomolecules, which perform essential functions across all domains of life. Thus, identifying and quantifying these building blocks is crucial in both research and industry. Routine methods have been established to facilitate the analysis of common monosaccharides. However, despite the presence of common metabolites, most organisms utilize distinct sets of monosaccharides and derivatives. These molecules therefore display a large diversity, potentially numbering in the hundreds or thousands, with many still unknown. This complexity presents significant challenges in the study of glycomolecules, particularly in microbes, including pathogens and those with the potential to serve as novel model organisms. This review discusses mass spectrometric techniques for the isomer-sensitive analysis of monosaccharides, their derivatives, and activated forms. Although mass spectrometry allows for untargeted analysis and sensitive detection in complex matrices, the presence of stereoisomers and extensive modifications necessitates the integration of advanced chromatographic, electrophoretic, ion mobility, or ion spectroscopic methods. Furthermore, stable-isotope incorporation studies are critical in elucidating biosynthetic routes in novel organisms.

Caves present unique ecological conditions that influence the distribution and adaptation of species, yet studies on cave-associated vegetation remain limited. This study investigated how cave conditions affect the functional traits of Miconia sellowiana Naudin (Melastomataceae), comparing individuals from the cave interior with those from the adjacent understory. Our objective was to understand how these environments influence the species' morpho-functional characteristics and ecological relevance, aiming to identify physiological responses to the constraints of each habitat. Based on this, we hypothesize that caves act as distinct environmental filters compared to the understory, selecting for unique morphological and physiological variations. Leaf morpho-functional traits were evaluated, including macroscopic dimensions (length, width, and leaf area) and microscopic characteristics, such as the anatomy of the central vein, mesophyll, and epidermis. Samples were fixed, processed for histological sections, and analysed by optical and electron microscopy. Statistical analysis included PCA to identify morpho-functional patterns and Student's t-tests/Wilcoxon tests to compare variables between habitats. Cave individuals had thinner leaves, with fewer layers of photosynthetic parenchyma, smaller relative phloem area in the central vein, lower stomatal density, and reduced leaf area and length compared to understory individuals. Low light availability, high humidity, shallow soils, and nutrient scarcity in caves likely limit the development of thicker leaves and affect stomatal density, vascular tissue, and leaf size. These results suggest that cave environments drive morpho-functional and physiological variations in surrounding plants. This study fills gaps in the literature and highlights ecological mechanisms that sustain life in subterranean ecosystems.

A considerable number of oral antitumor therapeutics (OAT) has the potential for causing pseudo-worsening of kidney function (PW) due to inhibition of renal creatinine secretion, i.e., kidney function is unaffected, while creatinine-based calculation of glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) erroneously indicates an impaired kidney function. Nonrecognition of PW can lead to dose reductions, interruptions, or discontinuations of OAT. The extent and incidence of PW has so far not been studied for a broad set of OAT in clinical routine. In this retrospective, multicenter cohort study, 694 AMBORA patients newly started on OAT were assessed for eligibility. eGFR values were compared between baseline and within 30 days of treatment. OAT were separated into the groups unlikely causing and likely causing/with proven PW. The usage of cystatin C measurements as an alternative method for assessing kidney function was evaluated. A total of 238 patients received 38 OAT likely causing PW/with proven PW. In this group, eGFR decreased significantly (-6.8 ml/min, p < 0.001). In 17.2% of these patients, eGFR decreased by ≥20 ml/min. Significant decreases in eGFR were observed for patients receiving, for example, abemaciclib, ribociclib, and osimertinib. Cystatin C measurements were not performed in 95.8% of the patients. In the group of 67 patients receiving OAT unlikely causing PW, there was no significant change in eGFR. In clinical routine, multiple OAT associated with PW are prescribed. A very low rate of usage of creatinine-independent methods for assessing kidney function (cystatin C) indicates that further training of oncologists is required on OAT-induced PW to further improve patient safety.

The bud bank of perennial grasses is a key aspect of their reproduction and longevity in frequently burned ecosystems. We investigated how fire intensity and time since fire affected fire-stimulated flowering and bud activity of wiregrass (Aristida beyrichiana), a foundational bunchgrass in south-eastern US pine savannas. We manipulated fuels and monitored fire temperatures in plants during an experimental fire. We tested effects of plant size and fire intensity on flowering stem production and proportions of active and dead buds. We compared active, dead and total buds from plants in the experimental burn with those in stands burned one and 2 years ago, and described the species' bud morphology and anatomy. The duration above 60 °C had a marginally significant negative effect on the number of flowering stems per plant. This effect was less than the significant positive correlation of flowering stem number with plant size. Fire intensity did not affect the proportions of dead and active buds 5 months after fire. There were significant differences in proportions of active, dead and dormant buds 1 year after fire, and the total number of buds decreased with time since fire. Plants had an average of one bud per tiller, and mean bud depth was 3 cm. Perennial bud banks are a substantial source of regenerative biomass for plants in fire-prone savannas. For fire-stimulated flowering species, frequent fires are likely important for maintaining large bud banks that supply both vegetative and flowering structures. A focus on belowground structures should shed light on long-term ecosystem dynamics in fire-prone ecosystems.

Plants are multicellular organisms composed of diverse cell types, each with its own distinct mRNA, protein and metabolite profile. In addition, each cell type exhibits developmental gradients that require fine-tuned balancing with neighbouring cells in terms of cell geometry and chromatin status. These factors highlight the need for precise knowledge of gene expression and chromatin dynamics during stress responses at the single-cell level in planta, linked to cell position and fate. In this viewpoint, we discuss the importance of spatial cell biology in situ methods in modern plant research and briefly compare it with the methods currently available for studying single-cell resolution.