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Frontiers in Plant Science 2024L. is a flowering succulent halophyte in the ice plant family Aizoaceae. There are various ecotypes distributed in sandy coastlines and salty marshlands in tropical and... (Review)
Review
L. is a flowering succulent halophyte in the ice plant family Aizoaceae. There are various ecotypes distributed in sandy coastlines and salty marshlands in tropical and subtropical regions with the common name of sea purslane. These plants are tolerant to salt, drought, and flooding stresses and have been used for the stabilization of sand dunes and the restoration of coastal areas. With the increased salinization of agricultural soils and the widespread pollution of toxic metals in the environment, as well as excessive nutrients in waterbodies, has been explored for the desalination of saline soils and the phytoremediation of metals from contaminated soils and nitrogen and phosphorus from eutrophic water. In addition, sea purslane has nutraceutical and pharmaceutical value. Tissue analysis indicates that many ecotypes are rich in carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins, and mineral nutrients. Native Americans in Florida eat it raw, pickled, or cooked. In the Philippines, it is known as atchara after being pickled. contains high levels of ecdysteroids, which possess antidiabetic, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory activities in mammals. In this review article, we present the botanical information, the physiological and molecular mechanisms underlying the tolerance of sea purslane to different stresses, its nutritional and pharmaceutical value, and the methods for its propagation and production in saline soils and waterbodies. Its adaptability to a wide range of stressful environments and its role in the production of valuable bioactive compounds suggest that can be produced in saline soils as a leafy vegetable and is a valuable genetic resource that can be used for the bioremediation of soil salinity and eutrophic water.
PubMed: 38916037
DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2024.1387102 -
Cureus May 2024Introduction Menopause is an important milestone in the lives of women. Despite it being a natural phenomenon, menopause brings a lot of changes in a woman's life,...
Introduction Menopause is an important milestone in the lives of women. Despite it being a natural phenomenon, menopause brings a lot of changes in a woman's life, which significantly affects their health and well-being. Menopause involves the cessation of hormone production necessary for menstrual cycles and fertility of females. The absence of these hormones may disturb the homeostasis of minerals, blood glucose, and lipid parameters and predispose women to several health conditions affecting different organs. Obesity has been identified as one of the several conditions that influence the health of women. Therefore, assessing women's health before menopause may improve understanding of their well-being and predict problems during and after menopause. The present study evaluated the activities of calcium, magnesium, phosphorous, fasting blood glucose (FBG), and lipid parameters in obese and nonobese premenopausal women. Methods The present study included 90 obese and 110 nonobese premenopausal women attending the General Medicine and Obstetrics and Gynaecology Departments of Gandhi Medical College and Hospital (GMC&H), Secunderabad, Telangana, India. The body mass index (BMI) was measured in all the study participants to put them under obese and nonobese categories. Blood samples were collected from all the study participants for the estimation of the activities of minerals like calcium, magnesium, phosphorous, FBG, and lipid parameters including total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), very low-density lipoproteins (VLDL), low-density lipoproteins (LDL), and high-density lipoproteins (HDL). Results The results demonstrated a significant difference in the activities of lipid parameters (TC-obese (158.90 ± 20.20 mg/dl) versus nonobese (148.7 ± 18.6 mg/dl), p < 0.05; TG-obese (143.1 ± 58.2 mg/dl) versus nonobese (118.40 ± 55.80 mg/dl), p < 0.01; VLDL-obese (28.30 ± 11.50 mg/dl) versus nonobese (23.30 ± 11 mg/dl), p < 0.05; LDL-obese (92 ± 30.30 mg/dl) versus nonobese (73.90 ± 26.10 mg/dl), p < 0.01; HDL-obese (61.60 ± 12.50) versus nonobese (65.30 ± 11.25 mg/dl), p < 0.01), FBG (obese (106.80 ± 32.20 mg/dl) versus nonobese (88.50 ± 42.60 mg/dl); p < 0.01)), and magnesium (obese (1.79 ± 0.36 mg/dl) versus nonobese (2.42 ± 0.67 mg/dl); p < 0.01)). However, the activities of calcium (obese (9 ± 0.54 mg/dl) vs. nonobese (8.9 ± 0.58); p > 0.05)) and phosphorous (obese (3.84 ± 0.53 mg/dl) versus nonobese (3.75 ± 0.46 mg/dl); p > 0.05)) was found to be similar in obese and nonobese premenopausal women. Conclusions The results suggest that obese premenopausal women revealed lowered activities of magnesium that can predispose them to chronic diseases like cardiovascular diseases. In addition, obese women showed higher activities of FBG that predisposes them to type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). There was significant variation in the lipid parameters among obese and nonobese women. However, serum calcium and phosphorous were similar in obese and nonobese premenopausal women.
PubMed: 38916014
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.60995 -
BMC Plant Biology Jun 2024Soil contamination with heavy metals poses a significant threat to plant health and human well-being. This study explores the potential of nano silica as a solution for...
BACKGROUND
Soil contamination with heavy metals poses a significant threat to plant health and human well-being. This study explores the potential of nano silica as a solution for mitigating heavy metal uptake in Calendula officinalis.
RESULTS
Greenhouse experiments demonstrated, 1000 mg•kg nano silica caused a 6% increase in soil pH compared to the control treatment. Also in 1000 mg. kg nano silica, the concentrations of available Pb (lead), Zn (zinc), Cu (copper), Ni (nickel), and Cr (chromium) in soil decreased by 12%, 11%, 11.6%, 10%, and 9.5%, respectively, compared to the control. Nano silica application significantly reduces heavy metal accumulation in C. officinalis exposed to contaminated soil except Zn. In 1000 mg.kg nano silica shoots Zn 13.28% increased and roots Zn increased 13% compared to the control treatment. Applying nano silica leads to increase the amount of phosphorus (P) 25%, potassium (K) 26% uptake by plant, In 1000 mg.kg treatment the highest amount of urease enzyme activity was 2.5%, dehydrogenase enzyme activity, 23.6% and the highest level of alkaline phosphatase enzyme activity was 13.5% higher than the control treatment.
CONCLUSION
Nano silica, particularly at a concentration of 1000 mg.kg , enhanced roots and shoots length, dry weight, and soil enzyme activity Moreover, it increased P and K concentrations in plant tissues while decreasing heavy metals uptake by plant.
Topics: Silicon Dioxide; Metals, Heavy; Soil Pollutants; Calendula; Nanoparticles; Soil; Plant Roots
PubMed: 38914950
DOI: 10.1186/s12870-024-05311-1 -
Scientific Reports Jun 2024Aloe barbadensis is a drought-tolerant perennial medicinal plant with both nutritional and cosmetic uses. Drought is one of the main abiotic stresses limiting plant...
Evaluation of the benefits of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria and mycorrhizal fungi on biochemical and morphophysiological traits of Aloe barbadensis Mill under water deficit stress.
Aloe barbadensis is a drought-tolerant perennial medicinal plant with both nutritional and cosmetic uses. Drought is one of the main abiotic stresses limiting plant growth and development. However, the use of drought-resistant plants combined with beneficial soil micro-organisms could improve the effectiveness of biological methods to mitigate drought damage. This research aims to evaluate the effects of Funneliformis mosseae (MF), plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) (including Pseudomonas putida and Pantoea agglomerans), and their co-inoculation on the macronutrient status, antioxidant enzyme activities, and other morphophysiological traits of A. barbadensis under four irrigation regimes [25%, 50%, 75% and 100% of water requirement (WR)]. Three harvests were conducted, revealing that inoculation enhanced the survival rate and shoot fresh weight (SFW) compared to the control plants. However, at 25% WR, the SFW was reduced by 43% more than the control. across all harvests, while the PGPR + MF treatment showed increases of more than 19%, 11%, and 17% compared to the control, MF, and PGPR treatments, respectively. The results also showed that A. barbadensis exhibited innate drought tolerance up to a 50% WR level by enhancing physiological defenses, such as antioxidant enzyme activity. Inoculation increased the macronutrient status of the plant at all levels of irrigation regimes especially under severe drought conditions. The highest levels of nitrogen (N) (16.24 mg g DW) and phosphorus (P) (11.29 mg g DW) were observed in the PGPR + MF treatment at 100% WR. The maximum relative water content under MF inoculation and 75% WR (98.24%) (98.24%) was reached. PGPR + MF treatment alleviated drought-induced osmotic stress, as indicated by reduced antioxidant enzyme activities and electrolyte leakage. However, P. putida and P. agglomerans strains alone or in combination with F. mosseae increased plant yield, macronutrient uptake and antioxidant enzyme activity. This study underscores the potential of these PGPR and MF strains as invaluable biological tools for the cultivation of A. barbadensis in regions with severe drought stress.
Topics: Aloe; Mycorrhizae; Droughts; Pseudomonas putida; Antioxidants; Plant Roots; Water; Stress, Physiological; Soil Microbiology; Pantoea; Dehydration; Fungi
PubMed: 38914637
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-64878-9 -
Nature Communications Jun 2024Global patterns of leaf nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) stoichiometry have been interpreted as reflecting phenotypic plasticity in response to the environment, or as an...
Global patterns of leaf nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) stoichiometry have been interpreted as reflecting phenotypic plasticity in response to the environment, or as an overriding effect of the distribution of species growing in their biogeochemical niches. Here, we balance these contrasting views. We compile a global dataset of 36,413 paired observations of leaf N and P concentrations, taxonomy and 45 environmental covariates, covering 7,549 sites and 3,700 species, to investigate how species identity and environmental variables control variations in mass-based leaf N and P concentrations, and the N:P ratio. We find within-species variation contributes around half of the total variation, with 29%, 31%, and 22% of leaf N, P, and N:P variation, respectively, explained by environmental variables. Within-species plasticity along environmental gradients varies across species and is highest for leaf N:P and lowest for leaf N. We identified effects of environmental variables on within-species variation using random forest models, whereas effects were largely missed by widely used linear mixed-effect models. Our analysis demonstrates a substantial influence of the environment in driving plastic responses of leaf N, P, and N:P within species, which challenges reports of a fixed biogeochemical niche and the overriding importance of species distributions in shaping global patterns of leaf N and P.
Topics: Phosphorus; Plant Leaves; Nitrogen; Phylogeny; Ecosystem; Plants; Environment; Species Specificity
PubMed: 38914561
DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-49665-4 -
PloS One 2024The adsorption and desorption of phosphorus (P) in soil constitute a crucial internal cycle that is closely associated with soil fertility, exerting direct influence on...
The adsorption and desorption of phosphorus (P) in soil constitute a crucial internal cycle that is closely associated with soil fertility, exerting direct influence on the quantity, form, and availability of P within the soil. The vertical spatial variation characteristics of soil adsorption and desorption were investigated for the 0-100 cm soil layer in the northeast black soil region in this study. The maximum adsorption capacity (Qmax) and maximum adsorption buffer capacity (MBC) of black soil in the study area ranged from 313.8 to 411.9 mg kg-1 and from 3.1 to 28.8 L kg-1, respectively, within the soil layer of 0-100 cm depth, exhibiting an increasing trend with greater soil depth. The degree of P adsorption saturation (DPS) exhibited a contrasting trend with the variations in Qmax and MBC, ranging from 3.8% to 21.6%. The maximum desorption capacity (Dmax) and desorption rate (Dr) of soil P ranged from 112.8 to 215.7 mg kg-1 and 32.1% to 52.5%, respectively, while the readily desorbable P (RDP) in soil was within the range of 1.02 to 3.35 mg kg-1. Both Dmax, Dr, and RDP exhibited a decreasing trend with increasing soil depth before showing an upward trend. These research findings not only provide essential background data for the systematic investigation of soil P in the black soil region but also serve as a valuable reference for assessing soil quality in this area.
Topics: Phosphorus; Soil; Adsorption; China
PubMed: 38913687
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0306145 -
Frontiers in Plant Science 2024Human activities have increased nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) inputs to the Yellow River Delta and the supply level of N and P affects plant growth as well as...
Human activities have increased nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) inputs to the Yellow River Delta and the supply level of N and P affects plant growth as well as ecosystem structure and function directly. However, the root growth, stoichiometry, and antioxidant system of plants in response to N and P additions, especially for herbaceous halophyte in the Yellow River Delta (YRD), remain unknown. A field experiment with N addition (0, 5, 15, and 45 g N m yr, respectively) as the main plot, and P addition (0 and 1 g N m yr, respectively) as the subplot, was carried out with a split-plot design to investigate the effects on the root morphology, stoichiometry, and antioxidant system of . The results showed that N addition significantly increased the above-ground and root biomass as well as shoot-root ratio of , which had a significant interaction with P addition. The highest biomass was found in the treatment with 45 g N m yr combined with P addition. N addition significantly increased TN content and decreased C:N ratio of root, while P addition significantly increased TP content and decreased C:P ratio. The main root length (MRL), total root length (TRL), specific root length (SRL), and root tissue density (RTD) of root were significantly affected by N addition and P addition, as well as their interaction. The treatments with or without P addition at the 45 g N m yr of N addition significantly increased the superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT) activities and soluble protein content of roots, decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) content. And there was a significant interaction between the N and P addition on SOD activity. Therefore, N and P additions could improve the growth of by altering the root morphology, increasing the root nutrient content, and stimulating antioxidant system.
PubMed: 38911979
DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2024.1410036 -
Open Life Sciences 2024A pot experiment was conducted to investigate the combined effects of different nitrogen fertilizer levels (5, 25, and 45 kg of pure nitrogen per 667 m²) and...
A pot experiment was conducted to investigate the combined effects of different nitrogen fertilizer levels (5, 25, and 45 kg of pure nitrogen per 667 m²) and biochar concentrations (0, 0.7, 1.4, and 2.1%) on the growth, yield, and fruit quality of pepper. The findings indicated that a combination of 25 kg/667 m of nitrogen and either 0.7% or 1.4% biochar significantly enhanced plant growth, yield, and fruit quality. Specifically, the N2 treatment (25 kg of pure nitrogen per 667 m²) increased substrate porosity, alkali-hydrolyzed nitrogen content, and available phosphorus content. It also boosted root activity and superoxide dismutase activity in pepper leaves, resulting in increased yield and better fruit quality. Furthermore, the proper addition of biochar (0.7-1.4% by weight) enhanced the physical and chemical properties of the substrate, including increased chlorophyll content and enzyme activity in plants, thereby leading to improved overall plant growth, yield, and fruit quality.
PubMed: 38911928
DOI: 10.1515/biol-2022-0882 -
RSC Advances Jun 2024Recently, carbon dots (CDs) have been extensively investigated as potential tools for numerous applications. Modified lignin-based CDs have been synthesized and used in...
Recently, carbon dots (CDs) have been extensively investigated as potential tools for numerous applications. Modified lignin-based CDs have been synthesized and used in the field of drug detection. They were found to be highly selective and sensitive to valsartan (VAL). Using a simple hydrothermal method, phosphorus and chlorine co-doped CDs were synthesized using lignin extracted from date seeds. The fluorescence properties of the synthesized CDs are influenced by several factors, which were investigated in detail. The optimal synthesis conditions were 1.50 g of lignin, 18 mL of 2 M NaOH, 1 mM HPO, 3 mM HCl and the mixture was heated at 220 °C for 16 hours. The synthesized lignin-based CDs have excellent FL properties and are well soluble in water with reasonable stability. Characterization of the prepared CDs revealed that they have various functional groups with a graphene oxide-like structure. The developed CDs show a good quantum yield of 37.7%. The FL of the CDs is quenched by VAL at 313 nm after at 275 nm by a combination of static and dynamic quenching mechanisms. The response of VAL was linear in the range of 4.0-100.0 μg mL. The detection and quantification limits of VAL were 1.23 and 3.71 μg mL, respectively. The nanoprobe was successfully used to analyze VAL in drug samples and provided satisfactory results.
PubMed: 38911833
DOI: 10.1039/d4ra02398f -
Frontiers in Neuroscience 2024Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) is a crucial molecule in cellular metabolism and signaling. Mapping intracellular NAD content of human brain has long been of...
INTRODUCTION
Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) is a crucial molecule in cellular metabolism and signaling. Mapping intracellular NAD content of human brain has long been of interest. However, the sub-millimolar level of cerebral NAD concentration poses significant challenges for measurement and imaging.
METHODS
In this study, we demonstrated the feasibility of non-invasively mapping NAD contents in entire human brain by employing a phosphorus-31 magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging (P-MRSI)-based NAD assay at ultrahigh field (7 Tesla), in combination with a probabilistic subspace-based processing method.
RESULTS
The processing method achieved about a 10-fold reduction in noise over raw measurements, resulting in remarkably reduced estimation errors of NAD. Quantified NAD levels, observed at approximately 0.4 mM, exhibited good reproducibility within repeated scans on the same subject and good consistency across subjects in group data (2.3 cc nominal resolution). One set of higher-resolution data (1.0 cc nominal resolution) unveiled potential for assessing tissue metabolic heterogeneity, showing similar NAD distributions in white and gray matter. Preliminary analysis of age dependence suggested that the NAD level decreases with age.
DISCUSSION
These results illustrate favorable outcomes of our first attempt to use ultrahigh field P-MRSI and advanced processing techniques to generate a whole-brain map of low-concentration intracellular NAD content in the human brain.
PubMed: 38911598
DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2024.1389111