scholarly journals Development of novel robotic platforms for mechanical stress induction, and their effects on plant morphology, elements, and metabolism

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Polina Kurtser ◽  
Victor Castro-Alves ◽  
Ajay Arunachalam ◽  
Viktor Sjöberg ◽  
Ulf Hanell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Stress ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Plant Morphology ◽  
Labor Cost ◽  
Stem Length ◽  
Mechanical Stimuli ◽  
Stress Induction ◽  
Morphological Aspects ◽  
Metabolite Profiles ◽  
Robotic Platforms

AbstractThis research evaluates the effect on herbal crops of mechanical stress induced by two specially developed robotic platforms. The changes in plant morphology, metabolite profiles, and element content are evaluated in a series of three empirical experiments, conducted in greenhouse and CNC growing bed conditions, for the case of basil plant growth. Results show significant changes in morphological features, including shortening of overall stem length by up to 40% and inter-node distances by up to 80%, for plants treated with a robotic mechanical stress-induction protocol, compared to control groups. Treated plants showed a significant increase in element absorption, by 20–250% compared to controls, and changes in the metabolite profiles suggested an improvement in plants’ nutritional profiles. These results suggest that repetitive, robotic, mechanical stimuli could be potentially beneficial for plants’ nutritional and taste properties, and could be performed with no human intervention (and therefore labor cost). The changes in morphological aspects of the plant could potentially replace practices involving chemical treatment of the plants, leading to more sustainable crop production.

scholarly journals EZH2 reduction is an essential mechanoresponse for the maintenance of super-enhancer polarization against compressive stress in human periodontal ligament stem cells

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
Author(s):  
Qian Li ◽  
Xiwen Sun ◽  
Yunyi Tang ◽  
Yanan Qu ◽  
Yanheng Zhou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Mechanical Stress ◽  
Periodontal Ligament ◽  
Compressive Force ◽  
Mechanical Stimuli ◽  
Periodontal Ligament Stem Cells ◽  
Super Enhancer ◽  
Ezh2 Expression ◽  
A Genome ◽  
Temporal Dimensions

Abstract Despite the ubiquitous mechanical cues at both spatial and temporal dimensions, cell identities and functions are largely immune to the everchanging mechanical stimuli. To understand the molecular basis of this epigenetic stability, we interrogated compressive force-elicited transcriptomic changes in mesenchymal stem cells purified from human periodontal ligament (PDLSCs), and identified H3K27me3 and E2F signatures populated within upregulated and weakly downregulated genes, respectively. Consistently, expressions of several E2F family transcription factors and EZH2, as core methyltransferase for H3K27me3, decreased in response to mechanical stress, which were attributed to force-induced redistribution of RB from nucleoplasm to lamina. Importantly, although epigenomic analysis on H3K27me3 landscape only demonstrated correlating changes at one group of mechanoresponsive genes, we observed a genome-wide destabilization of super-enhancers along with aberrant EZH2 retention. These super-enhancers were tightly bounded by H3K27me3 domain on one side and exhibited attenuating H3K27ac deposition and flattening H3K27ac peaks along with compensated EZH2 expression after force exposure, analogous to increased H3K27ac entropy or decreased H3K27ac polarization. Interference of force-induced EZH2 reduction could drive actin filaments dependent spatial overlap between EZH2 and super-enhancers and functionally compromise the multipotency of PDLSC following mechanical stress. These findings together unveil a specific contribution of EZH2 reduction for the maintenance of super-enhancer stability and cell identity in mechanoresponse.

scholarly journals Cyclic Mechanical Strain Regulates Osteoblastic Differentiation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells on TiO2 Nanotubes Through GCN5 and Wnt/β-Catenin

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yanchang Liu ◽  
Wendan Cheng ◽  
Yao Zhao ◽  
Liang Gao ◽  
Yongyun Chang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Mesenchymal Stem Cells ◽  
Osteogenic Differentiation ◽  
Mechanical Stress ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Mechanical Strain ◽  
Biological Behavior ◽  
Mechanical Stimuli ◽  
Mechanical Signals ◽  
Alkaline Phosphatase Staining

Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) play a critical role in bone formation and are extremely sensitive to external mechanical stimuli. Mechanical signals can regulate the biological behavior of cells on the surface of titanium-related prostheses and inducing osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs, which provides the integration of host bone and prosthesis benefits. But the mechanism is still unclear. In this study, BMSCs planted on the surface of TiO2 nanotubes were subjected to cyclic mechanical stress, and the related mechanisms were explored. The results of alkaline phosphatase staining, real-time PCR, and Western blot showed that cyclic mechanical stress can regulate the expression level of osteogenic differentiation markers in BMSCs on the surface of TiO2 nanotubes through Wnt/β-catenin. As an important member of the histone acetyltransferase family, GCN5 exerted regulatory effects on receiving mechanical signals. The results of the ChIP assay indicated that GCN5 could activate the Wnt promoter region. Hence, we concluded that the osteogenic differentiation ability of BMSCs on the surface of TiO2 nanotubes was enhanced under the stimulation of cyclic mechanical stress, and GCN5 mediated this process through Wnt/β-catenin.

Metabolite profiles of brown planthopper-susceptible and resistant rice (Oryza sativa) varieties associated with infestation and mechanical stimuli

2022 ◽  
Vol 194 ◽  
pp. 113044
Author(s):  
Umaporn Uawisetwathana ◽  
Watchareewan Jamboonsri ◽  
Jakrin Bamrungthai ◽  
Prapatsorn Jitthiang ◽  
Intawat Nookaew ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oryza Sativa ◽  
Brown Planthopper ◽  
Mechanical Stimuli ◽  
Metabolite Profiles

Abstract 044: Transient Receptor Potential Channel 6 (TRPC6) Is An Important Mediator Of Mechanical Stretch Responses In The Atrial Endocardial Endothelium.

2013 ◽  
Vol 113 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Vesna Nikolova-Krstevski ◽  
Soeren Wagner ◽  
Oliver Friedrich ◽  
Diane Fatkin
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Stress ◽  
Transient Receptor Potential ◽  
Volume Overload ◽  
Receptor Potential ◽  
Mechanical Stretch ◽  
Transient Receptor Potential Channel ◽  
Cyclic Stretch ◽  
Mechanical Stimuli ◽  
Important Mediator ◽  
Endocardial Endothelium

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common heart arrhythmia and a major risk factor for thromboembolic stroke and hearth failure. Atrial pressure and/or volume overload that cause increased mechanical stretch in the atrium are the common features of the diseases that cause AF. The latter suggests that mechanical stress has a major role in the pathogenesis of AF. The atrial endocardial endothelium (AE) is the interface between the myocardium and the circulating blood but its role in the mechanotransduction in the atrium is unknown. Endothelial cells (EC) are very sensitive and responsive to external mechanical stimuli and AE dysfunction has been reported in individuals with AF. We therefore hypothesized that the AE is an important mediator of stretch responses in the atrium and that stretch-induced AE dysfunction may be critical for initiation and/or maintenance of AF. We investigated the AE responses to increased mechanical stress by subjecting novel primary AE cells to mechanical stretch. The mechanical stretch conditions included cyclic stretch of 30 cycles/min at 10 percent displacement. The AE cells were stretched for 1-10 min, and 1, 4, 8, and 24h. Changes in the cell shape with elongation, hypertrophy and re-alignment of the cells and their stress fibres in a direction perpendicular to the lines of stretch were first observed after 1h of stretch. TRPC6 is a stretch sensitive ion channel and important regulator of Ca2+-signalling in the EC cells. Immunostaining and Western blot analysis showed redistribution and changed levels of expression of TRPC6 in the stretched AE cells, respectively. The latter suggested changed TRPC6 activity which was evaluated by measuring extracellular Ca2+ influx through the TRPC6 channels in the AE cells under baseline and stretch conditions. We found that short-stretch (1-10min) increased TRPC6 activity, while the long stretch (1-24h) silenced it. Based on these findings it could be concluded that TRPC6 is an important mediator of the mechanical stretch responses in the AE; the functional consequences of the altered channel activity are predetermined by the duration of the stretch-stimulus; and TRPC6 changes in the stretched AE may cause AE dysfunction through altered Ca2+ signalling that contributes to AF development.

scholarly journals Mechanical Stress Stimulates the Osteo/Odontoblastic Differentiation of Human Stem Cells from Apical Papilla via ERK 1/2 and JNK MAPK Pathways

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chao Mu ◽  
Taohong Lv ◽  
Zilu Wang ◽  
Shu Ma ◽  
Jie Ma ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Mechanical Stress ◽  
Background Information ◽  
Ultrastructural Changes ◽  
Mechanical Stimuli ◽  
Human Stem Cells ◽  
Differentiation Capacity ◽  
Mapk Pathways ◽  
Proliferation And Differentiation ◽  
Apical Papilla

Background Information. Stem cells from apical papilla (SCAPs) are a potent candidate for the apexogenesis/apexification due to their multiple differentiation capacity. During the orthodontic treatment of developing teeth, SCAPsin vivoare usually subjected to the cyclic stress induced by compression forces. However, it remains unclear whether mechanical stress can affect the proliferation and differentiation of human SCAPs.Results. Human SCAPs were isolated and stimulated by 200 g mechanical stimuli for 30 min and their proliferation and differentiation capacity were evaluatedin vitroat different time points. MTT and FCM results demonstrated that cell proliferation was enhanced, while TEM findings showed the morphological and ultrastructural changes in stress-treated SCAPs. ALP activity and mineralization capacity of stress-treated SCAPs were upregulated . In the meantime, higher odontogenic and osteogenic differentiation were found in stress-treated SCAPs by real-time RT-PCR and Western blot, as indicated by the expression of related markers at both mRNA and protein levels. Moreover, the protein expressions of pJNK and pERK MAPK pathways were upregulated.Conclusion. Together, these findings suggest that mechanical stress is an important factor affecting the proliferation and differentiation of SCAPs via the activation of ERK and JNK signaling pathway.

Proteomics based detection of differentially expressed proteins in human osteoblasts subjected to mechanical stress

2013 ◽  
Vol 91 (2) ◽  
pp. 109-115 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fei-Fei Li ◽  
Fu-Lin Chen ◽  
Huan Wang ◽  
Shi-Bin Yu ◽  
Ji-Hong Cui ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Stress ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Bone Development ◽  
Expression Profiles ◽  
Differentially Expressed ◽  
Initiation Factor ◽  
Mechanical Stimuli ◽  
Mitochondrial Atp Synthase ◽  
Initiation Factor 2 ◽  
Protein Expression Profiles

Mechanical stress is essential for bone development. Mechanical stimuli are transduced to biochemical signals that regulate proliferation, differentiation, and cytoskeletal reorganization in osteoblasts. In this study, we used proteomics to evaluate differences in the protein expression profiles of untreated Saos-2 osteoblast cells and Saos-2 cells subjected to mechanical stress loading. Using 2-D electrophoresis, MALDI–TOF mass spectroscopy, and bioinformatics, we identified a total of 26 proteins differentially expressed in stress loaded cells compared with control cells. Stress loaded Saos-2 cells exhibited significant upregulation of 17 proteins and significant downregulation of 9 proteins compared with control cells. Proteins that were most significantly upregulated in mechanically loaded cells included those regulating osteogenesis, energy metabolism, and the stress response, such as eukaryotic initiation factor 2 (12-fold), mitochondrial ATP synthase (8-fold), and peptidylprolyl isomerase A (cyclophilin A)-like 3 (6.5-fold). Among the proteins that were significantly downregulated were those involved in specific signaling pathways and cell proliferation, such as protein phosphatase regulatory (inhibitor) subunit 12B (13.8-fold), l-lactate dehydrogenase B (9.4-fold), Chain B proteasome activator Reg (Alpha) PA28 (7.7-fold), and ubiquitin carboxyl-terminal esterase L1 (6.9-fold). Our results provide a platform to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying mechanotransduction.

scholarly journals Techno-economic performance of 4-row self-propelled mechanical rice transplanter at farmers field in Bangladesh

2016 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 369-382
Author(s):  
AKMS Islam ◽  
MA Rahman ◽  
AKML Rahman ◽  
MT Islam ◽  
MI Rahman
Keyword(s):  
Crop Production ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Rice Variety ◽  
Labor Demand ◽  
Field Capacity ◽  
Labor Cost ◽  
Labor Requirement ◽  
Seedbed Preparation ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Input Cost

Mechanical transplanting is an emerging technology in Bangladesh agriculture. Deadong DP480 rice transplanter was used to conduct the experiment which is imported from South Korea and China. The performance of this machine needs to be thoroughly investigated in local condition. This experiment was conducted in Boro (2015) season in the farmers’ field at Gosaidanga in Shailkupa upazila under Jhenaidah district and at Rashidpur in Mithapukur upazila under Rangpur district. Two treatments, i.e. T1 = Hand transplanting (HT) and T2 = Mechanical transplanting (MT) were used in the experiment. The experiment was carried out in randomized complete block design (RCBD) and replicated in six plots in each location. Rice variety BRRI dhan28 was used to conduct the experiment in both locations. Fuel consumption of 4-row walking type mechanical transplanter obtained 5.25 L/ha. The field capacity and field efficiency of rice transplanter   obtained 0.11-0.12 ha/hr and 64-70 percent, respectively. Conventional seedbed preparation required 37-55 man-hr/ha whereas 71-77 man-hr/ha required in mat type seedling suitable for mechanical transplanting. Labor requirement in hand and mechanical transplanting ranged from 123-150 and 9.0-10.5 man-hr per hectare which was 19-22 and 1.65-2.00 percent of total labor requirement in rice cultivation, respectively. Number of seedling tray requirement ranged from 215-230 per hectare. Calibration should be done on space and seedling density setting before operation in each plot to get optimum plant spacing and seedling tray requirement. Missing hill obtained 1-2 percent in mechanically transplanted plot. Mechanically transplanted plot showed significantly the higher grain yield (9-14%) than hand transplanted method due to use of infant seedling. The input cost in the form of labor and material was found similar in hand transplanting whereas in mechanical transplanting, labor cost found 12 percent lower than material cost. The cost of growing mat type seedling for mechanical transplanter found 53 percent whereas the cost of raising traditional seedbed found 34 percent of the cost of hand transplanting. Mechanical transplanting reduced 1.8 percent input cost than hand transplanting in crop cultivation. BCR of MT and HT showed 1.18-1.19 and 1.03-1.06, respectively. Mechanical intervention in crop production drastically reduced the labor requirement which can offset the peak labor demand. Mechanical transplanting systems increased yield, improved labor efficiency, ensured timeliness in operation and faster transplanting.Progressive Agriculture 27 (3): 369-382, 2016

Thigmomorphogenesis: changes in morphology, biochemistry, and levels of transcription in response to mechanical stress in Acacia koa

2017 ◽  
Vol 47 (5) ◽  
pp. 583-593 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kazue L. Ishihara ◽  
Eric K.W. Lee ◽  
Dulal Borthakur
Keyword(s):  
Disease Resistance ◽  
Mechanical Stress ◽  
Fungal Pathogens ◽  
Heavy Rain ◽  
Ethylene Biosynthesis ◽  
Environmental Stresses ◽  
Biochemical Changes ◽  
Stem Length ◽  
Strong Wind ◽  
Acacia Koa

Acacia koa A. Gray, an economically important timber-wood tree growing in the Hawaiian Islands, is affected by many environmental stresses, including drought, strong wind, heavy rain, and infection by fungal pathogens. Previous studies have shown that some morphological and biochemical changes that take place as a result of environmental stresses in plants can be also induced by mechanical stresses such as touching and bending. We studied morphological and biochemical changes and levels of gene transcription in A. koa plants due to mechanical stress. For a mechanical stress treatment, A. koa seedlings were gently bent in four cardinal directions daily for 2–6 months, after which morphological and biochemical changes were quantified. The stressed A. koa had significantly increased stem diameter, number of xylem cells, and anthocyanin and lignin contents and significantly reduced stem length. The gene expression analyses showed that 53 genes, including the genes for calcium signaling, ethylene biosynthesis, abscisic acid degradation, stress-related transcriptional regulation, and disease resistance, were induced more than twofold within 10–60 min following mechanical stress. The observation that the genes for disease resistance such as NBS-LRR can be induced by mechanical stress suggests that strong wind and rain in the natural forest may also induce disease resistance in trees.

scholarly journals Multiple paths lead to salt tolerance - pre-adaptation vs dynamic responses from two closely related extremophytes

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kieu-Nga Tran ◽  
Guannan Wang ◽  
Dong-Ha Oh ◽  
John C. Larkin ◽  
Aaron P Smith ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Salt Stress ◽  
Salt Tolerance ◽  
Stress Responses ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Nutrient Balance ◽  
Nutrient Content ◽  
Dynamic Responses ◽  
Metabolite Profiles ◽  
Eutrema Salsugineum ◽  
Multiple Paths

Salinity stress is an ongoing problem for global crop production. Schrenkiella parvula and Eutrema salsugineum are salt-tolerant extremophytes closely related to Arabidopsis thaliana. We investigated multi-omics salt stress responses of the two extremophytes in comparison to A. thaliana. Our results reveal that S. parvula limits Na accumulation while E. salsugineum shows high tissue tolerance to excess Na. Despite this difference, both extremophytes maintained their nutrient balance, while A. thaliana failed to sustain its nutrient content. The root metabolite profiles of the two extremophytes, distinct at control conditions, converged upon prolonged salt stress. This convergence was achieved by a dynamic response in S. parvula roots increasing its amino acids and sugars to the constitutively high basal levels observed in E. salsugineum. The metabolomic adjustments were strongly supported by the transcriptomic responses in the extremophytes. The predominant transcriptomic signals in all three species were associated with salt stress. However, root architecture modulation mediated by negative regulators of auxin and ABA signaling supported minimally affected root growth unique to each extremophyte during salt treatments. Overall, E. salsugineum exhibited more preadapted responses at the metabolome level while S. parvula showed predominant pre-adaptation at the transcriptome level to salt stress. Our work shows that while salt tolerance in these two species shares common features, they substantially differ in pathways leading to convergent adaptive traits.

scholarly journals Economically Optimal Plant Density for Machine-harvested Edamame

HortScience ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 55 (3) ◽  
pp. 368-373
Author(s):  
Daljeet S. Dhaliwal ◽  
Martin M. Williams
Keyword(s):  
Glycine Max ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Plant Density ◽  
Plant Morphology ◽  
Growth And Yield ◽  
Seeding Rate ◽  
Fresh Market ◽  
Branch Number ◽  
Area Index

Consumer demand for edamame [Glycine max (L.) Merr.], the vegetable version of soybean (Glycine max), has grown during the past decade in North America. Domestic production of edamame is on the rise; however, research to guide fundamental crop production practices, including knowledge useful for developing appropriate recommendations for crop seeding rate, is lacking. Field experiments near Urbana, IL, were used to quantify edamame response to plant density and determine the economically optimal plant density (EOPD) of machine-harvested edamame. Crop growth and yield responses to a range of plant densities (24,700 to 395,100 plants/ha) were quantified in four edamame cultivars (AGS 292, BeSweet 292, Gardensoy 42, and Midori Giant) across 2 years. Plots were harvested with the Oxbo BH100, a fresh market bean harvester. In general, as plant density increased, branch number and the ratio of pod mass to vegetative mass decreased, while plant height and leaf area index increased. Recovery, the percent of marketable pods in the machine-harvested sample, varied among cultivars from 86% to 95%. Results identified the EOPD for machine-harvested edamame ranged from 87,000 to 120,000 plants/ha. When considering the effect of plant density on plant morphology, as well as seeding cost, harvester efficiency, recovery, and marketable pod yield, edamame EOPDs are considerably lower than seeding rates of up to 344,200 seeds/ha recommended in recent publications.

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