Ameliorative effects of salicylic acid on mineral concentrations in roots and leaves of two grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) cultivars under salt stress

Salicylic acid (SA) acts as an endogenous signal molecule, synchronizing plant responses under abiotic stress and a component of tolerance in plants. The current study investigates the effects of SA on mineral nutrient concentrations in two grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) cultivars, 'Qarah Shani' and 'Thompson Seedless' under NaCl stress. Grapevine rooted cuttings were planted in pots, containing a mixture of perlite and cocopeat (1:1 v/v) and placed in an open hydroponic system. Plants were exposed to five levels of salinity 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100 mM NaCl and four levels of SA 0, 100, 200 and 300 mg∙L-1. Results indicated that foliar spray with SA improved nutrient uptake by grape roots. Plant’s leaves and roots Na+ and Cl- contents increased significantly, and NO- 3-N, K+, Na+, Ca2+, Mg2+, Zn2+, Fe2+ and also K+/Na+ selectivity ratios decreased in both cultivars in response to salt treatments. Application of SA significantly reduced Na+ and Cl- accumulation in leaves and roots in both cultivars and it increased NO3-N, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, Zn2+ and Fe2+ contents under NaCl stress. Therefore, SA could mitigate the detrimental effects of salinity on accumulation of harmful ions and improve the absorption of essential and beneficial elements in grapevine under salinity.

Probiotic-Derived Polyphosphate Enhances the Epithelial Barrier Function and Maintains Intestinal Homeostasis through Integrin–p38 MAPK Pathway

Probiotics exhibit beneficial effects on human health, particularly in the maintenance of intestinal homeostasis in a complex manner notwithstanding the diversity of an intestinal flora between individuals. Thus, it is highly probable that some common molecules secreted by probiotic and/or commensal bacteria contribute to the maintenance of intestinal homeostasis and protect the intestinal epithelium from injurious stimuli. To address this question, we aimed to isolate the cytoprotective compound from a lactobacillus strain, Lactobacillus brevis SBC8803 which possess the ability to induce cytoprotective heat shock proteins in mouse small intestine. L. brevis was incubated in MRS broth and the supernatant was passed through with a 0.2-µm filter. Caco2/bbe cells were treated with the culture supernatant, and HSP27 expression was evaluated by Western blotting. HSP27-inducible components were separated by ammonium sulfate precipitation, DEAE anion exchange chromatography, gel filtration, and HPLC. Finally, we identified that the HSP27-inducible fraction was polyphosphate (poly P), a simple repeated structure of phosphates, which is a common product of lactobacilli and other bacteria associated with intestinal microflora without any definitive physiological functions. Then, poly P was synthesized by poly P-synthesizing enzyme polyphosphate kinase. The synthesized poly P significantly induced HSP27 from Caco2/BBE cells. In addition, Poly P suppressed the oxidant-induced intestinal permeability in the mouse small intestine and pharmacological inhibitors of p38 MAPK and integrins counteract its protective effect. Daily intrarectal administration of poly P (10 µg) improved the inflammation grade and survival rate in 4% sodium dextran sulfate-administered mice. This study, for the first time, demonstrated that poly P is the molecule responsible for maintaining intestinal barrier actions which are mediated through the intestinal integrin β1-p38 MAPK

A review of friction models in interacting joints for durability design.

This paper presents a comprehensive review of friction modelling to provide an understanding of design for durability within interacting systems. Friction is a complex phenomenon and occurs at the interface of two components in relative motion. Over the last several decades, the effects of friction and its modelling techniques have been of significant interests in terms of industrial applications. There is however a need to develop a unified mathematical model for friction to inform design for durability within the context of varying operational conditions. Classical dynamic mechanisms model for the design of control systems has not incorporated friction phenomena due to non-linearity behaviour. Therefore, the tribological performance concurrently with the joint dynamics of a manipulator joint applied in hazardous environments needs to be fully analysed. Previously the dynamics and impact models used in mechanical joints with clearance have also been examined. The inclusion of reliability and durability during the design phase is very important for manipulators which are deployed in harsh environmental and operational conditions. The revolute joint is susceptible to failures such as in heavy manipulators these revolute joints can be represented by lubricated conformal sliding surfaces. The presence of pollutants such as debris and corrosive constituents has the potential to alter the contacting surfaces, would in turn affect the performance of revolute joints, and puts both reliability and durability of the systems at greater risks of failure. Key literature is identified and a review on the latest developments of the science of friction modelling is presented here. This review is based on a large volume of knowledge. Gaps in the relevant field have been identified to capitalise on for future developments. Therefore, this review will bring significant benefits to researchers, academics and industrial professionals

The Effect of Forearm Kinesio Taping on Hand Grip Strength of Healthy People

Abstract: Background & Aims: Grip strength plays a fundamental role in many daily activities of upper extremities. Reduced grip strength is common in patients with some musculoskeletal disorders in upper extremities. Kinesio taping of the forearm area might help to facilitate muscle contraction through stimulating the skin mechanoreceptors and consequently increasing sensory feedbacks around the taped area. This study aimed to find the best place and time for kinesio taping of the forearm in increasing hand grip strength. Methods: Using a simple non-randomized sampling method, 40 healthy subjects (20 males and 20 females) were recruited in this interventional study. First, the flexor, extensor and flexor/extensor muscle groups of the forearm were taped with a 50% stretched and I-shaped technique. A grip-meter device (MIE, UK) was used to measure the grip strength every half an hour during 2 hours and then the tape was removed from the skin. Changes of the hand grip strength before and after the taping were recorded and analyzed using Repeated Measure and One-Way ANOVA. Results: Mean age of participants was 22.3±2 years. Hand grip strength of males increased from 38.33±6.5 to 42.4±7.3 kg (P<0.05) and in females it increased from 19.3±4.5 to 23.5±4.3 kg (P<0.05). In addition, taping on the extensor region increased hand grip strength more than when it was used on the flexor or flexor/extensor regions (P<0.05). Furthermore, male subjects reached to the maximum hand grip strength (10.8% increase in force) in half an hour after taping while females reached to this point (23.9% increase in force) 1.5 hour after taping Conclusion: Kinesio taping technique seemed to be effective in increasing hand grip strength of healthy individuals and the best region for tape application is the extensor region of the forearm. Although in females increase of hand grip strength occurs later than males, the rate of this increase is higher. Keywords: Athletic tape, Hand strength, Forear

Growth and Photosynthesis of Two Cultivars of Grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) in Response to Salicylic Acid Application under Salinity

کاهش اثرات منفی تنش شوری با استفاده از برخی مواد تنظیم کننده رشد گیاهی در گیاهان مختلف گزارش شده است. پژوهش حاضر به&zwnj;منظور بررسی اثرات اسید سالیسیلیک بر ویژگی&shy;های رشدی، میزان رنگدانه&shy;های فتوسنتزی و بازده فتوسنتز دو رقم انگور قره&shy;شانی و تامپسون&shy;سیدلس در شرایط تنش ناشی از مقادیر مختلف کلرید سدیم انجام شد. قلمه&shy;های ریشه&shy;دار شده هر دو رقم با 5 سطح شوری (شوری در محلول غذایی) صفر (شاهد)، 25، 50، 75 و 100 میلی&shy;مولار کلرید سدیم و 4 سطح اسید سالیسیلیک (محلول&shy;پاشی برگساره&shy;ای) صفر (شاهد)، 100، 200 و 300 میلی&zwnj;گرم در لیتر تیمار شدند. نتایج نشان داد که بالاترین غلظت شوری (100 میلی&zwnj;مولار) همه پارامترهای رشدی و سرعت فتوسنتز خالص را کاهش داد. رقم قره&zwnj;شانی در مقایسه با رقم تامپسون&shy;سیدلس، از میزان کلروفیل کل بالاتری برخوردار بود. میزان فتوسنتز خالص و هدایت روزنه&shy;ای در پاسخ به شوری در هر دو رقم کاهش یافت و در رقم تامپسون&shy;سیدلس میزان کاهش بیشتر از رقم قره&zwnj;شانی بود. میزان فتوسنتز خالص در بیشترین سطح شوری، بدون کاربرد اسید سالیسیلیک در مقایسه با تیمار شاهد در ارقام قره&zwnj;شانی و تامپسون سیدلس به&zwnj;ترتیب در حدود 2 و 4 برابر کاهش یافت، اما با کاربرد 300 میلی&shy;گرم در لیتر اسید سالیسیلیک در سطح شوری 100 میلی&shy;مولار، میزان فتوسنتز خالص در مقایسه با تیمار شاهد در ارقام قره&zwnj;شانی و تامپسون سیدلس به&zwnj;ترتیب حدود 2 و 5/2 برابر کاهش یافت. یافته&shy;های این پژوهش، پیشنهاد می&zwnj;نماید که تأثیر اسید سالیسیلیک (غلظت 200 میلی&shy;گرم در لیتر) در شرایط شوری بر رشد و فتوسنتز هر دو رقم به&zwnj;ویژه قره&shy;شانی، مثبت بوده واین ترکیب می&shy;تواند به&zwnj;عنوان یک تنظیم کننده رشد، باعث افزایش مقاومت گیاه به شوری گردد