Deltamethrin Application on Pre-Weaned Calves Improves Feed Consumption, Stress and Fatigue Status under Heat Stress Conditions

Fly infestation remains a universal problem for dairy cattle herds, affecting the animals’ health and welfare status. Pre-weaned dairy calves are significantly challenged by the direct and indirect consequences of severe fly infestation, heat-stress and their interaction, which contribute to a stressful and fatiguing environment. Among several physiological, behavioral, clinical and biochemical traits, serum cortisol (SC) and creatine kinase (CK) levels, as well as feed consumption can be used as valid indicators of potential stressful and fatiguing conditions and, therefore, can be efficiently used for stress analysis studies. Hence, the objective of the study was to assess the fly-repellency effect of deltamethrin on pre-weaned dairy calves exposed to heat stress conditions, as well as its association with SC, CK concentrations and feed consumption. Two commercial dairy cattle herds of the Holstein breed in Central Macedonia (Greece) were involved in the study during summer months and under heat stress conditions. Deltamethrin administration resulted in (i) a decreased fly population (100% Musca domestica) landing on pre-weaned dairy calves, (ii) a reduced SC (stress indicator) and CK (fatigue indicator) concentration, and (iii) an increased consumption of feedstuff in deltamethrin treated animals compared to the untreated ones.

Performance Evaluation of AquaCrop Model in Processing Tomato Biomass, Fruit Yield and Water Stress Indicator Modelling

A three-year long experiment was conducted on open-field tomato with different levels of water shortage stress. Three different water supply levels were set in 2017 and four levels for 2018 and 2019. Biomass and yield data were collected, along with leaf-temperature-based stress measurements on plants. These were used for calibration and validation of the AquaCrop model. The validation gave various results of biomass and yield simulation during the growing season. The largest errors in the prediction occurred in the middle of the growing seasons, but the simulation became more accurate at harvest in general. The prediction of final biomass and yields were good according to the model evaluation indicators. The relative root mean square error (nRMSE) was 12.1 and 13.6% for biomass and yield prediction, respectively. The modeling efficiency (EF) was 0.96 (biomass) and 0.99 (yield), and Willmott’s index of agreement (d) was 0.99 for both predicted parameters at harvest. The lowest nRMSE (4.17) was found in the simulation of final yields of 2018 (the calibration year). The best accuracy of the validation year was reached under mild stress treatment. No high correlation was found between the simulated and measured stress indicators. However, increasing and decreasing trends could be followed especially in the severely stressed treatments.

Examination of the Productivity and Physiological Responses of Maize (Zea mays L.) to Nitrapyrin and Foliar Fertilizer Treatments

Nutrient stress has been known as the main limiting factor for maize growth and yield. Nitrapyrin, as a nitrification inhibitor—which reduces nitrogen loss—and foliar fertilizer treatments have been successfully used to enhance the efficiency of nutrient utilization, however, the impacts of these two technologies on physiological development, enzymatic responses, and productivity of maize are poorly studied. In this paper, the concentration of each stress indicator, such as contents of proline, malondialdehyde (MDA), relative chlorophyll, photosynthetic pigments, and the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) were measured in maize leaf tissues. In addition, biomass growth, as well as quantitative and qualitative parameters of yield production were examined. Results confirm the enhancing impact of nitrapyrin on the nitrogen use of maize. Furthermore, lower activity of proline, MDA, SOD, as well as higher photosynthetic activity were shown in maize with a more favorable nutrient supply due to nitrapyrin and foliar fertilizer treatments. The obtained findings draw attention to the future practical relevance of these technologies that can be implemented to enhance the physiological development and productivity of maize. However, this paper also highlights the importance of irrigation, as nutrient uptake from soil by the crops decreases during periods of drought.

Effects of ambient temperature during the nestling stage on a stress indicator in nestling pied flycatchers Ficedula hypoleuca

Long-term and short-term changes in ambient temperature can cause stress in birds, leading to changes in the level of hematological parameters. The H:L ratio (heterophil-to-lymphocyte ratio) is a hematological index that allows for the assessment of the stress induced by environmental changes, including weather conditions. In this paper, we examined the influence of temperatures and the sum of precipitation on the health of nestling pied flycatchers (Ficedula hypoleuca) by using the H:L ratio reflecting the body’s response to stress. All examined temperature indicators influenced the H:L ratio, yet the average value of daily minimum temperature during the first 12 days of nestling life had the strongest influence, maximum temperature had the weakest effect, while precipitation had no significant influence. Our research indicates that even a small increase in temperature caused a stress reaction in nestling pied flycatchers, which was reflected by an increase in the H:L ratio. The increase in the stress index (H:L ratio) was probably a result of poor weather conditions (precipitation, low temperature), which prevented the adult birds from actively foraging and properly feeding the nestlings.

Identifying Factors Explaining Yield Variability of Miscanthus x giganteus and Miscanthus sinensis Across Contrasting Environments: Use of an Agronomic Diagnosis Approach

Miscanthus is a perennial C4 crop whose lignocellulose can be used as an alternative to the production of biosourced material. Miscanthus x giganteus (M. x giganteus) has demonstrated high maximum yields but also high yield variability across farmers’ fields. Miscanthus sinensis (M. sinensis) can be an alternative to M. x giganteus because it is considered to be more tolerant to water stress and to produce more stable yields. This study aimed to identify the main factors explaining the variability of yields across site-years for M. x giganteus and M. sinensis. A multi-local and multi-year trial network was set up in France (Ile de France and Center regions). Four treatments were established on seven sites, from spring 2013 to winter 2019: at each site, two treatments of M. x giganteus (a treatment from rhizome and a treatment from rhizome-derived plantlets) and two treatments of M. sinensis (a treatment from seed-derived plantlets established in single density and a treatment from seed-derived plantlets established in double density). We experienced 5 years of harvest because miscanthus was not harvested in 2014. First, we characterized yield variations across site-years for both genotypes. Second, we defined and calculated a set of indicators (e.g., water stress indicator, sum of degree-days of the previous year, number of frost days) that could affect miscanthus yields. Finally, we performed a mixed model with re-sampling to identify the main indicators that explained yield variability for each genotype specifically. Results showed that water stress and crop age mainly explained yield variability for both genotypes. M. sinensis yields were also affected by the sum of degree-days of the previous year of growth. Hence, genotype choice must take into account environmental characteristics. M. sinensis could indeed achieve higher and more stable yields than those of M. x giganteus in shallow sandy soils or in locations with a higher risk of low rainfall.

Subjective and Objective Consequences of Stress in Subjects with Subjectively Different Sleep Quality—A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Restful sleep plays an important role in long-term health and occupational safety. Heart rate variability (HRV) is used as stress indicator. The aim of this study was to determine whether HRV at rest or during sleep, as an objective indicator of stress, reflects subjectively assessed sleep quality. Methods: 84 subjects (37.3 ± 15.6 years) were classified into good sleepers and poor sleepers based on the results of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). The cut-off value to distinguish between good and bad sleepers recommended by Buysse et al. 1989 is >5. Mental health status was determined using the 12-Item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12). A 24 h electrocardiogram (ECG) was recorded for HRV analysis (total and 6 h night phase). Results: The poor sleepers showed a significantly lower mental health status (p = 0.004). The multifactorial variance analysis of the total phase time parameters Min HR (p = 0.032, η2 = 0.056) and SI (p = 0.015, η2 = 0.072) showed significant interaction effects. In the 6h night phase, significant interaction effects were found for SDNN (p = 0.036, η2 = 0.065) and SD2 (p = 0.033, η2 = 0.067). In addition, there was a significant negative correlation between HRV and stress and a positive correlation between HRV and mental health. Conclusions: Although this study did not demonstrate a direct relationship between sleep quality and HRV, it was shown that there are important connections between sleep quality and mental health, and between HRV and mental health.

Association of Vital Exhaustion with Risk Factors for Cardiovascular Diseases, Quality of Life and Lifestyle in 41–44-Year-Old Muscovite Men

(1) Background: Vital exhaustion (VE) is no less of an important risk factor (RF) for cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and cardiovascular events than the well-known RFs. Insufficient knowledge of the relationship between VE and CVD RF, quality of life, and lifestyle was the rationale for this study. (2) Methods: We examined 301 Muscovite men 41–44 years of age. The categorization of RFs for CVD was carried out in accordance with conventionally considered criteria. In order to evaluate the lifestyle and quality of life in study participants, we were offering them a self-filling questionnaire developed by I.A. Gundarov. The presence of VE signs was assessed using a 14-item short version of the Maastricht Vital Exhaustion Questionnaire scale (MVEQ). All study subjects were classified into three ordered groups depending on the distribution of VE indicators by tertiles: Group 1 consisted of men with a low VE (0–2 points), Group 2 included males with a medium VE score (3–5 points), and Group 3 comprised subjects with high VE scores (6–14 points). To analyze the obtained data, we used one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), Pearson’s chi-squaredtest (χ2), Goodman and Kruskal’s gamma, and linear regression analysis. (3) Results: We established that every third male (36.8%) had VE signs, while 10.6% of men had high VE levels. With an increase of VE in men, the frequency of arterial hypertension (AH) was increasing as well, and it was significantly higher in men with a high VE compared to their peers with a low VE (48.4% versus 33%; p = 0.03). A significant linear relationship was discovered between VE levels and excessive alcohol consumption (p = 0.001). The strongest linear associations were found between the VE level, and both psychosocial stress indicator and the amount of consumed ethanol. Self-assessment of personal happiness, job and sleep satisfaction, residential living conditions, and spiritual needs, as well as psychosocial stress indicator, total amount of consumed ethanol, and muscle strength (hand-grip dynamometry), were independent determinants of the VE level, and, collectively, they explained 46.6% of its variability. The greatest contribution to VE was made by the personal happiness level, explaining 25.5% of its variability. The proportions of the VE variance uniquely explained by various factors were as follows: 9.3% by the psychosocial stress, 4.9% by job satisfaction, 2.8% by sleep satisfaction, 2.3% by total consumption of ethanol, 1.6% by muscle strength, 1.1% by living conditions in the residential neighborhood, and just 0.8% by spiritual needs. (4) Conclusion: High VE levels in 41–44-year-old men are associated with AH, sedentary behavior, excessive alcohol consumption, and lower values of most indicators of both lifestyle and quality of life.

Assessment of Stress Level of Young Undergraduates Before and After a Degree Examination Using Heart Rate Variability Analysis

This study aimed at assessing the value of heart rate variability (HRV) as a stress indicator before and after a final re-sit exam among healthy sixth grade medical students. Fifty participants were recruited for the study (test group, n = 30; control group, n = 20). Each participant was examined for 5 minutes pre and post exam periods using the Heartmath proprietary protocol. EmWave equipment was used to detect, record and analyze the HR and to plot out the variability in discrete percentages for low, medium and high coherences. Results indicated that mean percentage coherence score was significantly higher in the test group (p < 0.05) at low cardiac coherence domain, but lower (p < 0.05) at the high coherence domain, compared with the control. Coherence score was significantly higher (p < 0.05) after the exam indicating release from stress, as compared to before the examination when stress was observable among the exam candidates. There were no significant gender differences observed in cardiac coherence scores before and after examination. Our findings indicate that HRV is a reliable indicator of real-time exam stress and supports future clinical use of HRV as a non-invasive and simple stress test.

Verbascoside Protects Gingival Cells against High Glucose-Induced Oxidative Stress via PKC/HMGB1/RAGE/NFκB Pathway

Impaired wound healing often occurs in patients with diabetes and causes great inconvenience to them. Aside from the presence of prolonged inflammation, the accumulation of oxidative stress is also implicated in the delayed wound healing. In the present study, we tested the effect of verbascoside, a caffeoyl phenylethanoid glycoside, on the improvement of cell viability and wound healing capacity of gingival epithelial cells under high glucose condition. We showed that verbascoside attenuated the high glucose-induced cytotoxicity and impaired healing, which may be associated with the downregulation of oxidative stress. Our results demonstrated that verbascoside increased the activity of the antioxidant enzyme SOD and reduced the oxidative stress indicator, 8-OHdG, as well as apoptosis. Moreover, verbascoside upregulated the PGC1-α and NRF1 expression and promoted mitochondrial biogenesis, which was mediated by suppression of PKC/HMGB1/RAGE/NFκB signaling. Likewise, we showed the inhibitory effect of verbascoside on oxidative stress was via repression of PKC/HMGB1/RAGE/NFκB activation. Also, our data suggested that the PKC-mediated oxidative stress may lead to the elevated production of inflammatory cytokines, IL-6 and IL-1β. Collectively, we demonstrated that verbascoside may be beneficial to ameliorate impaired oral wound healing for diabetic patients.