Investigation of Arabidopsis root skototropism with different distance settings.

Plants can activate protective and defense mechanisms under biotic and abiotic stresses. Their roots naturally grow in the soil, but when they encounter sunlight in the top-soil layers, they may move away from the light source to seek darkness. Here we investigate the skototropic behavior of roots, which promotes their fitness and survival. Glutamate-like receptors (GLRs) of plants play roles in sensing and responding to signals, but their role in root skototropism is not yet understood. Light-induced tropisms are known to be affected by auxin distribution, mainly determined by auxin efflux proteins (PIN proteins) at the root tip. However, the role of PIN proteins in root skototropism has not been investigated yet. To better understand root skototropism and its connection to the distance between roots and light, we established five distance settings between seedlings and darkness to investigate the variations in root bending tendencies. We compared differences in root skototropic behavior across different expression lines of Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings (atglr3.7 ko, AtGLR3.7 OE, and pin2 knockout) to comprehend their functions. Our research shows that as the distance between roots and darkness increases, the root's positive skototropism noticeably weakens. Our findings highlight the involvement of GLR3.7 and PIN2 in root skototropism.

Boquila trifoliolata mimics leaves of an artificial plastic host plant.

Upon discovery that the Boquila trifoliolata is capable of flexible leaf mimicry, the question of the mechanism behind this ability has been unanswered. Here, we demonstrate that plant vision possibly via plant-specific ocelli is a plausible hypothesis. A simple experiment by placing an artificial vine model above the living plants has shown that these will attempt to mimic the artificial leaves. The experiment has been carried out with multiple plants, and each plant has shown attempts at mimicry. It was observed that mimic leaves showed altered leaf areas, perimeters, lengths, and widths compared to non-mimic leaves. We have calculated four morphometrical features and observed that mimic leaves showed higher aspect ratio and lower rectangularity and form factor compared to non-mimic leaves. In addition, we have observed differences in the leaf venation patterns, with the mimic leaves having less dense vascular networks, thinner vascular strands, and lower numbers of free-ending veinlets.

Algal Ocelloids and Plant Ocelli.

Vision is essential for most organisms, and it is highly variable across kingdoms and domains of life. The most known and understood form is animal and human vision based on eyes. Besides the wide diversity of animal eyes, some animals such as cuttlefish and cephalopods enjoy so-called dermal or skin vision. The most simple and ancient organ of vision is the cell itself and this rudimentary vision evolved in cyanobacteria. More complex are so-called ocelloids of dinoflagellates which are composed of endocellular organelles, acting as lens- and cornea/retina-like components. Although plants have almost never been included into the recent discussions on organismal vision, their plant-specific ocelli had already been proposed by Gottlieb Haberlandt already in 1905. Here, we discuss plant ocelli and their roles in plant-specific vision, both in the shoots and roots of plants. In contrast to leaf epidermis ocelli, which are distributed throughout leaf surface, the root apex ocelli are located at the root apex transition zone and serve the light-guided root navigation. We propose that the plant ocelli evolved from the algal ocelloids, are part of complex plant sensory systems and guide cognition-based plant behavior.

Potential Plant-Plant Communication Induced by Infochemical Methyl Jasmonate in Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor).

Despite the fact that they are sessile organisms, plants actively move their organs and also use these movements to manipulate the surrounding biotic and abiotic environments. Plants maintain communication with neighboring plants, herbivores, and predators through the emission of diverse chemical compounds by their shoots and roots. These infochemicals modify the environment occupied by plants. Moreover, some infochemicals may induce morphophysiological changes of neighboring plants. We have used methyl-jasmonate (MeJa), a plant natural infochemical, to trigger communication between emitters and receivers Sorghum bicolor plants. The split roots of two plants were allocated to three different pots, with the middle pot containing the roots of both plants. We scored low stomatal conductance (gS) and low CO2 net assimilation (A) using the plants that had contact with the infochemical for the first time. During the second contact, these parameters showed no significant differences, indicating a memory effect. We also observed that the plants that had direct leaf contact with MeJa transmitted sensory information through their roots to neighboring plants. This resulted in higher maximum fluorescence (FM) and structural changes in root anatomy. In conclusion, MeJa emerges as possible trigger for communication between neighboring sorghum plants, in response to the environmental challenges.

Funcionalidade e força muscular estão associadas ao risco e medo de quedas em idosos? / Are functionality and muscle strength associated with risk and fear of falls in the elderly? / ¿Están la funcionalidad y la fuerza muscular asociadas con el riesgo y el miedo de caídas en mayores?

Objetivo: Investigar se o nível de funcionalidade e a força muscular estão associados ao risco de queda e ao medo de cair em idosos. Métodos: Estudo transversal, realizado com 80 idosos, de março a agosto de 2019, no município de Maringá, Paraná, Brasil. Para avaliação, aplicaram-se: um questionário sociodemográfico, o WHODAS 2.0, a Escala Internacional de Eficácia de Quedas, o teste de levantar e sentar na cadeira, o teste de flexão de antebraço, além do teste sentado, caminhada de 2,44m e voltar a sentar. Para análise dos dados, utilizaram-se a correlação de Pearson e análise de regressão múltipla (p<0,05). Resultados: Os domínios de funcionalidade e a força muscular explicam 40% da variância nas pontuações do medo de quedas, no entanto apenas os domínios de autocuidado (ß=0,409) e AVD (ß=0,379) apresentaram associação significante (p<0,05) e positiva com o medo de quedas. Os domínios de funcionalidade e a força muscular explicam 51% da variância das pontuações do risco de queda, sendo que apenas o domínio de relações interpessoais (ß=-0,340), a força muscular de membros superiores (ß=-0,512) e a força muscular de membros inferiores (ß=-0,192) apresentaram associação significante (p<0,05) e negativa com o risco de quedas. Conclusão: Observa-se que, na população de idosos em questão, as medidas de funcionalidade e a força muscular estão associadas ao risco de queda e ao medo de cair.

Objective: To investigate whether the level of functionality and muscle strength is associated with the risk of falling and the fear of falling in the elderly. Methods: Cross-sectional study, carried out with 80 elderly, from March to August 2019, in the municipality of Maringá, Paraná, Brazil. For evaluation, the following were applied: a sociodemographic questionnaire, the WHODAS 2.0, the International Scale for the Effectiveness of Falls, the test of getting up and sitting on the chair, the forearm flexion test, in addition to the sitting test, walking of 2.44m and sit back. For data analysis, we used Pearson's correlation and multiple regression analysis (p<0.05). Results: The domains of functionality and muscle strength explain 40% of the variance of the fear of falling scores; however, only the domains of self-care (ß=0.409) and ADL (ß=0.379) showed a significant (p<0.05) and positive association with the fear of falls. The domains of functionality and muscle strength explain 51% of the variance of the risk scores for falling, with only the domain of interpersonal relationships (ß=-0.340), the muscular strength of upper limbs (ß=-0.512), and strength lower limb muscle (ß=-0.192) showed a significant (p<0.05) and negative association with the risk of falls. Conclusion: It is observed that in the elderly population in question, measures of functionality and muscle strength are associated with the risk of falling and the fear of falls.

Objetivo: Investigar si el nivel de la funcionalidad y la fuerza muscular están asociados con el riesgo de caída y el miedo de los mayores en caerse. Métodos: Estudio transversal realizado con 80 mayores entre marzo y agosto de 2019 en el municipio de Maringá, Paraná, Brasil. Se ha aplicado para la evaluación los instrumentos a continuación: un cuestionario sociodemográfico, el WHODAS 2.0, la Escala Internacional de Eficacia de Caídas, la prueba de sentarse y levantarse de la silla, la prueba de flexión de antebrazo además de la prueba sentada, la caminata de 2,44m y volver a sentarse. Se ha utilizado la correlación de Pearson y el análisis de regresión múltiple (p<0,05) para el análisis de datos. Resultados: Los dominios de la funcionalidad y la fuerza muscular explican el 40% de la variancia de las puntuaciones del miedo de caídas, sin embargo, solamente los dominios de autocuidado (ß=0,409) y AVD (ß=0,379) presentaron asociación significante (p<0,05) y positiva con el miedo de caídas. Los dominios de funcionalidad y la fuerza muscular explican el 51% de la variancia de las puntuaciones del riesgo de caída y solamente los dominios de las relaciones interpersonales (ß=-0,340), la fuerza muscular de los miembros superiores (ß=-0,512) y la fuerza muscular de los miembros inferiores (ß=-0,192) presentaron asociación significante (p<0,05) y negativa con el riesgo de caídas. Conclusión: Se observa que en esa población de mayores las medidas de funcionalidad y de fuerza muscular se asocian con el riesgo de caída y el miedo de caerse.

A duração e a frequência da prática de atividade física interferem no indicativo de sarcopenia em idosos? / ¿La duración y la frecuencia de la actividad física interfieren con la indicación de sarcopenia en los ancianos? / Do the duration and frequency of physical activity affect the indicator of sarcopenia in older adult?

RESUMO A sarcopenia é uma síndrome caracterizada pela perda progressiva de massa muscular e está associada a desfechos adversos na saúde de idosos. A atividade física tem sido apontada como uma importante ferramenta para a prevenção da sarcopenia. Diante disso, este estudo investigou a relação da duração e frequência da prática de atividade física com os indicativos de sarcopenia de idosos. Participaram deste estudo transversal 551 idosos praticantes de atividade física nas academias da terceira idade do município de Maringá (PR). Como instrumentos foram utilizados o international physical activity questionnaire (IPAQ) e o SARC-F. A análise dos dados foi conduzida por meio dos testes de Kolmogorov-Smirnov, correlação de Spearman e a análise de equações estruturais (p<0,05). Os resultados evidenciaram que os idosos deste estudo realizam atividades físicas leves (Md=3) e moderadas (Md=2) semanalmente, mas não praticam atividades vigorosas (Md=0), e apresentam baixo indicativo de sarcopenia (Md=1). A análise de equações estruturais revelou que as variáveis de atividades leves e moderadas apresentaram associação significativa (p<0,05), e negativa com o escore de indicativo de sarcopenia, entretanto fraca (β<0,20), explicando 7% da sua variabilidade. Concluiu-se que a prática de atividades física leves e moderadas parece ser fator interveniente no indicativo de sarcopenia em idosos.

RESUMEN La sarcopenia es un síndrome caracterizada por la pérdida progresiva de masa muscular y que está asociada a resultados adversos en la salud de los ancianos. La actividad física ha sido señalada como una importante herramienta para la prevención de la sarcopenia. Por lo tanto, este estudio investigó la relación de la duración y frecuencia de la práctica de actividad física con los indicativos de sarcopenia de ancianos. En este estudio transversal participaron 551 ancianos practicantes de actividad física en las Academias de la tercera edad del municipio de Maringá (PR). Como instrumentos se utilizaron el International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) y el SARC-F. El análisis de los datos fue conducido por medio de las pruebas de Kolmogorov-Smirnov, correlación de Spearman y el análisis de ecuaciones estructurales (p<0,05). Los resultados evidenciaron que los ancianos realizan actividades físicas leves (Md=3) y moderadas (Md=2) semanalmente, pero no actividades vigorosas (Md=0), además de bajo indicativo de sarcopenia (Md=1). El análisis de ecuaciones estructurales reveló que las variables de actividad leves y moderadas presentaron una asociación significativa (p<0,05) y negativa con la puntuación del indicativo de sarcopenia, sin embargo débil (β<0,20), explicando el 7% de su variabilidad. Se concluyó que la práctica de actividades físicas leves y moderadas parece ser un factor interviniente en el indicativo de sarcopenia en ancianos.

ABSTRACT Sarcopenia is a syndrome characterized by progressive loss of muscle mass and associated with adverse health outcomes in older adults. Physical activity has been pointed out as an important tool for its prevention. Therefore, this study investigated the relationship of sedentary lifestyle, duration and frequency of physical activity with the indicator of sarcopenia in older adults. Five hundred and fifty-one physically active older adults enrolled in senior fitness centers of Maringá (PR) participated in this cross-sectional study. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) and the SARC-F were the instruments used. Data analysis was conducted using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov tests, Spearman correlation coefficient and the Structural Equation Analysis (p<0.05). Results showed that older adults participated in mild to moderate physical activities weekly, but not vigorous ones, besides exhibiting low sarcopenia indicators. Structural Equations analysis revealed that the variables of mild and moderate activity presented a significant (p<0.05) and negative correlations with the sarcopenia indicators score, however weak (β<0.20), explaining its 7% variability. It was concluded that the practice of mild and moderate physical activity affect sarcopenia indicators in older people.

Comparação da funcionalidade, risco de quedas e medo de cair em idosos em razão do perfil de prática de atividade física / Comparison of functionality, risk of falls and fear of falling in the elderly due to the profile of physical activity

Objetivo: Comparar a funcionalidade, o risco de quedas e o medo de cair em idosos em razão do perfil de prática de atividade física. Método: Trata-se de um estudo transversal, realizado com 80 idosos de ambos os sexos. Foi utilizado um questionário sociodemográfico e de saúde, o medo de cair foi avaliado pela Escala de Eficácia de Quedas (FES-I) e a funcionalidade foi avaliada por meio da avaliação de saúde e deficiência (WHODAS 2.0). Resultados: A análise dos dados foi feita por meio dos testes Kolmogorov-Smirnov, testes de Kruskal-Wallis e "U" de Mann-Whitney. Considerou-se um nível de significância de p<0,05. Os principais achados demonstraram que os idosos que frequentam a academia mais de três vezes por semana apresentam melhor capacidade funcional em medo de quedas (p = 0,020) e nos domínios de cognição (p = 0,024), mobilidade (p = 0,042) e autocuidado (p = 0,036). Conclusão: A maior frequência de atividade física parecer ser fator interveniente nos menores risco de quedas, menor medo de cair e maior funcionalidade.

Objective: The aim of the present study was to compare functionality, the risk of falls and the fear of falling in the elderly due to the profile of physical activity. Method: This is a cross-sectional study, carried out with 80 elderly people of both sexes. A sociodemographic and health questionnaire was used, the fear of falling was assessed using the Falls Effectiveness Scale (FES-I) and functionality was assessed using the health and disability assessment (WHODAS 2.0). Results: Data analysis was performed using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov tests, Kruskal-Wallis tests and Mann-Whitney "U" tests. A significance level of p <0.05 was considered. The main findings demonstrated that the elderly who attend the gym more than three times a week have better functional capacity in fear of falling (p = 0.020) and in the domains of cognition (p = 0.024), mobility (p = 0.042) and self-care (p = 0.036). Conclusion: It is concluded that the higher frequency of physical activity seems to be an intervening factor in the lower risk of falls, less fear of falling and greater functionality.