-
PloS One 2021Watermelon is extensively consumed fruit across the globe. However, limited is known about interactive effect of nitrogen (N) and boron (B) nutrition on pomological,...
Watermelon is extensively consumed fruit across the globe. However, limited is known about interactive effect of nitrogen (N) and boron (B) nutrition on pomological, yield and fruit quality attributes of grafted watermelon. This two-year study tested the influence of different N and B doses on pomological, yield and fruit quality attributes of grafted watermelon under field conditions in Çukurova plains of Turkey. Four different N (0, 90, 180 and 270 kg ha-1) and two B doses (0 and 2 kg ha-1 B) were tested. The individual and interactive effects of N and B significantly altered pomological, yield and fruit quality attributes during both years. Overall, application of 270 kg ha-1 N and 2 kg ha-1 B improved yield, pomological and fruit quality attributes during both years. The highest values for yield, main stem length, stem diameter, fruit weight, fruit width, number nodes and branches per stem were recorded for 270 kg ha-1 N during both years. However, rind thickness was not altered by N application. Similarly, the highest values for quality attributes such as sucrose, glucose, fructose, citric acid, tartaric acid and ascorbic acid were noted for 270 kg ha-1 N during both years. Interestingly, no N application and 90 kg ha-1 N recorded the highest values of maleic acid during both years. The highest values of rind thickness, fruit length, fruit width and fruit weight were noted for 2 kg ha-1 B during both years, while B application had no effect on main stem length, main stem diameter, number of nodes and number of branches. Regarding N by B interactions, 180 and 270 kg ha-1 N with both B doses observed the highest values for yield, pomological and quality attributes during each year. These results indicate that N has significant contribution towards yield, pomological attributes and fruit quality of grafted watermelon. Therefore, N should be applied at the rate of 270 kg ha-1 for better yield, pomological attributes and fruit quality. Nonetheless, where necessary grafted watermelon should be fertilized with 2 kg ha-1 B for better fruit quality and pomological attributes.
Topics: Agriculture; Boron; Citrullus; Fruit; Nitrogen
PubMed: 34048470
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0252396 -
Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety May 2021Boron (B), an essential element for increasing seed yield and germinability in alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), plays a vital role in its reproductive processes. However,...
Boron (B), an essential element for increasing seed yield and germinability in alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), plays a vital role in its reproductive processes. However, effects of B stress on physiological and proteomic changes in reproductive organs related to alfalfa seed yield and germinability are poorly understood. In order to gain a better insight into B response or tolerance mechanisms, field trials were designed for B deficiency (0 mg B L), B sufficiency (800 mg B L), and B surplus (1600 mg B L) application during alfalfa flowering to analyze the proteomics and physiological responses of alfalfa 'Aohan' reproductive organs. Results showed that B deficiency weakened the stress-responsive ability in these organs, while B surplus reduced the sugar utilization of 'Aohan' flowers and caused lipid membrane peroxidation in 'Aohan' seeds. In addition, four upregulated stress responsive proteins (ADF-like protein, IMFP, NAD(P)-binding Rossmann-fold protein and NAD-dependent ALDHs) might play pivotal roles in the response of 'Aohan' reproductive organs to conditions of B deficiency and B surplus. All of the above results would be helpful to understand the tolerance mechanisms of alfalfa reproductive organs to both B deficiency and B surplus conditions, and also to give insight into the regulatory role of B in improving seed yield and germinability in alfalfa seed production. In summary, B likely plays a structural and regulatory role in relation to lipid metabolism, carbohydrate metabolism, amino acid metabolism, and signal transduction, thus regulates alfalfa reproductive processes eventually affecting the seed yield and germinability of alfalfa seeds.
Topics: Boron; Carbohydrate Metabolism; Flowers; Genitalia; Germination; Medicago sativa; Proteomics; Seeds
PubMed: 33676054
DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2021.112083 -
Journal of Trace Elements in Medicine... Dec 2018Boron is considered to be a biological trace element but there is substantial and growing support for it to be classified as an essential nutrient for animals and... (Review)
Review
Boron is considered to be a biological trace element but there is substantial and growing support for it to be classified as an essential nutrient for animals and humans, depending on its speciation. Boron-containing compounds have been reported to play an important role in biological systems. Although the exact biochemical functions of boron-containing compounds have not yet been fully elucidated, previous studies suggest an active involvement of these molecules in the mediation of inflammation and oxidative stress. Chronic inflammation and oxidative stress are known to amplify the effects of the main cardiovascular risk factors: smoking, diet, obesity, arterial hypertension, dyslipidemia, type 2 diabetes (as modifiable risk factors), and hyperhomocysteinemia and age (as independent risk factors). However, the role of boron-containing compounds in cardiovascular systems and disease prevention has yet to be established. This paper is a review of boron-containing compounds' existence in nature and their possible functions in living organisms, with a special focus on certain cardiovascular risk factors that may be diminished by intake of these compounds, leading to a reduction of cardiovascular morbidity and/or mortality.
Topics: Animals; Boron; Boron Compounds; Cardiovascular Diseases; Humans; Inflammation; Risk Factors
PubMed: 30262316
DOI: 10.1016/j.jtemb.2018.06.003 -
Yakugaku Zasshi : Journal of the... 2023In the past, drug discovery using low-molecular-weight compounds was dominated by structural design based on combinations of non-metallic elements such as carbon,...
In the past, drug discovery using low-molecular-weight compounds was dominated by structural design based on combinations of non-metallic elements such as carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, and halogens. Recent drug discovery efforts have shown extraordinary progress, an example of which is the adoption of non-universal elements. The approval of boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) using a neutron accelerator in Japan ahead of other countries is still fresh in our memory. Other small-molecule drugs containing boron atoms have also been developed, and boron is becoming widely recognized as a constituent element for drug discovery. It is known that borane (BH) is unstable because of its electron-deficient bonds; nevertheless, its stability has been improved by the formation of clusters through multimerization. Carborane (CBH), one of the borane clusters, has an icosahedral structure with two carbon atoms and ten boron atoms and exhibits properties that vastly differ from conventional boron compounds. In this symposium review, we will introduce the basic chemistry of carboranes and their application to drug discovery. Boron is an essential element in plant cell wall formation and has extremely low toxicity to humans. I hope that this symposium review will be an opportunity for us to free ourselves from existing prejudices and constraints in drug discovery, and that new modalities that skillfully utilize the characteristics of boron and boron clusters will be developed one after another.
Topics: Humans; Boron; Drug Discovery; Boron Compounds; Boranes; Chemistry, Inorganic; Carbon; Boron Neutron Capture Therapy
PubMed: 37121757
DOI: 10.1248/yakushi.22-00205-1 -
Nature Communications Apr 2023Boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) was clinically approved in 2020 and exhibits remarkable tumour rejection in preclinical and clinical studies. It is binary...
Boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) was clinically approved in 2020 and exhibits remarkable tumour rejection in preclinical and clinical studies. It is binary radiotherapy that may selectively deposit two deadly high-energy particles (He and Li) within a cancer cell. As a radiotherapy induced by localized nuclear reaction, few studies have reported its abscopal anti-tumour effect, which has limited its further clinical applications. Here, we engineer a neutron-activated boron capsule that synergizes BNCT and controlled immune adjuvants release to provoke a potent anti-tumour immune response. This study demonstrates that boron neutron capture nuclear reaction forms considerable defects in boron capsule that augments the drug release. The following single-cell sequencing unveils the fact and mechanism that BNCT heats anti-tumour immunity. In female mice tumour models, BNCT and the controlled drug release triggered by localized nuclear reaction causes nearly complete regression of both primary and distant tumour grafts.
Topics: Male; Female; Animals; Mice; Boron; Neoplasms; Boron Neutron Capture Therapy; Immunotherapy; Neutrons; Boron Compounds
PubMed: 37019890
DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-37253-x -
International Journal of Molecular... Oct 2021The fruit fly has become a valuable model organism in nutritional science, which can be applied to elucidate the physiology and the biological function of nutrients,... (Review)
Review
The fruit fly has become a valuable model organism in nutritional science, which can be applied to elucidate the physiology and the biological function of nutrients, including trace elements. Importantly, the application of chemically defined diets enables the supply of trace elements for nutritional studies under highly standardized dietary conditions. Thus, the bioavailability and bioactivity of trace elements can be systematically monitored in . Numerous studies have already revealed that central aspects of trace element homeostasis are evolutionary conserved among the fruit fly and mammalian species. While there is sufficient evidence of vital functions of boron (B) in plants, there is also evidence regarding its bioactivity in animals and humans. Lithium (Li) is well known for its role in the therapy of bipolar disorder. Furthermore, recent findings suggest beneficial effects of Li regarding neuroprotection as well as healthy ageing and longevity in . However, no specific essential function in the animal kingdom has been found for either of the two elements so far. Here, we summarize the current knowledge of Li and B bioactivity in in the context of health and disease prevention.
Topics: Animals; Boron; Drosophila melanogaster; Lithium; Models, Animal; Trace Elements
PubMed: 34769143
DOI: 10.3390/ijms222111710 -
Environment International Oct 2016Boron is a metalloid found at highly varying concentrations in soil and water. Experimental data indicate that boron is a developmental toxicant, but the few human...
BACKGROUND
Boron is a metalloid found at highly varying concentrations in soil and water. Experimental data indicate that boron is a developmental toxicant, but the few human toxicity data available concern mostly male reproduction.
OBJECTIVES
To evaluate potential effects of boron exposure through drinking water on pregnancy outcomes.
METHODS
In a mother-child cohort in northern Argentina (n=194), 1-3 samples of serum, whole blood and urine were collected per woman during pregnancy and analyzed for boron and other elements to which exposure occurred, using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Infant weight, length and head circumference were measured at birth.
RESULTS
Drinking water boron ranged 377-10,929μg/L. The serum boron concentrations during pregnancy ranged 0.73-605μg/L (median 133μg/L) and correlated strongly with whole-blood and urinary boron, and, to a lesser extent, with water boron. In multivariable-adjusted linear spline regression analysis (non-linear association), we found that serum boron concentrations above 80μg/L were inversely associated with birth length (B-0.69cm, 95% CI -1.4; -0.024, p=0.043, per 100μg/L increase in serum boron). The impact of boron appeared stronger when we restricted the exposure to the third trimester, when the serum boron concentrations were the highest (0.73-447μg/L). An increase in serum boron of 100μg/L in the third trimester corresponded to 0.9cm shorter and 120g lighter newborns (p=0.001 and 0.021, respectively).
CONCLUSIONS
Considering that elevated boron concentrations in drinking water are common in many areas of the world, although more screening is warranted, our novel findings warrant additional research on early-life exposure in other populations.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Argentina; Birth Weight; Boron; Cohort Studies; Drinking Water; Female; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Male; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Outcome; Young Adult
PubMed: 27502898
DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2016.07.017 -
Environmental Health Perspectives Nov 1994Boron has been recognized since 1923 as an essential micronutrient element for higher plants. Over the years, many roles for boron in plants have been proposed,... (Review)
Review
Boron has been recognized since 1923 as an essential micronutrient element for higher plants. Over the years, many roles for boron in plants have been proposed, including functions in sugar transport, cell wall synthesis and lignification, cell wall structure, carbohydrate metabolism, RNA metabolism, respiration, indole acetic acid metabolism, phenol metabolism and membrane transport. However, the mechanism of boron involvement in each case remains unclear. Recent work has focused on two major plant-cell components: cell walls and membranes. In both, boron could play a structural role by bridging hydroxyl groups. In membranes, it could also be involved in ion transport and redox reactions by stimulating enzymes like nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide and reduced (NADH) oxidase. There is a very narrow window between the levels of boron required by and toxic to plants. The mechanisms of boron toxicity are also unknown. In nitrogen-fixing leguminous plants, foliarly applied boron causes up to a 1000% increase in the concentration of allantoic acid in leaves. In vitro studies show that boron inhibits the manganese-dependent allantoate amidohydrolase, and foliar application of manganese prior to application of boron eliminates allantoic acid accumulation in leaves. Interaction between borate and divalent cations like manganese may alter metabolic pathways, which could explain why higher concentrations of boron can be toxic to plants.
Topics: Animals; Boron; Cell Membrane; Cell Wall; Energy Metabolism; Humans; Multienzyme Complexes; NADH, NADPH Oxidoreductases; Nutritional Requirements; Plants, Edible
PubMed: 7889877
DOI: 10.1289/ehp.94102s731 -
JPMA. the Journal of the Pakistan... Jul 2022To examine the in vitro antifungal effects of water-soluble pure elemental boron with an alkaline solution against Candida species, Trichophyton species, and Aspergillus...
OBJECTIVE
To examine the in vitro antifungal effects of water-soluble pure elemental boron with an alkaline solution against Candida species, Trichophyton species, and Aspergillus fumigatus that cause superficial mycosis.
METHODS
The study was conducted at the microbiology laboratory of Kahramanmaras Sutcu Imam University Hospital, Kahramanmaras, Turkey, from June to December 2018, and comprised fungal strains isolated from patients with superficial mycosis who visited the dermatology clinic. The in vitro antifungal effects of the boron solution at various concentrations were determined using the microbroth dilution method. Candida albicans ATTC 90028 and Candida albicans MYA 274 served as the quality control strains, while fluconazole and amphotericin B were used as comparator antifungal agents. Data was analysed using SPSS 22.
RESULTS
Of the 58 strains, 28(48.3%) were Candida albicans, 9(15.5%) non-Candida albicans, 12(20.7%) Trichophyton rubrum, 4(6.9%) Trichophyton mentagrophytes, 2(3.4%) Trichophyton species and 3(5.2%) were Aspergillus fumigates. Boron at a concentration of 78.125 μg/mL inhibited the growth of Candida albicans. The 50% and 90% minimum inhibitory concentrations of the solution in non-Candida albicanswere 78.125 and 312.5 μg/mL, respectively, whereas those in Trichophyton rubrum were 312.5 and 625 μg/mL, respectively. The 50% minimum inhibitory concentration of the solution in Aspergillus fumigatus was 625 μg/mL, whereas the 90% minimum inhibitory concentration could not be determined.
CONCLUSIONS
Boron is an inexpensive, non-antibiotic element with potential uses as an antifungal agent.
Topics: Amphotericin B; Antifungal Agents; Arthrodermataceae; Boron; Candida; Candida albicans; Fluconazole; Humans; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Trichophyton; Water
PubMed: 36156555
DOI: 10.47391/JPMA.2219 -
ACS Biomaterials Science & Engineering Jul 2022Osseointegration of implants depends on several intertwined factors: osteogenesis, angiogenesis, and immunomodulation. Lately, novel reinforcements allowing faster...
Osseointegration of implants depends on several intertwined factors: osteogenesis, angiogenesis, and immunomodulation. Lately, novel reinforcements allowing faster bonding with osseous tissue have been explored intensively. In this study, we hypothesized the use of boron as a major multifunctional ion to confer versatility to calcium-deficient hydroxyapatite (cHA) synthesized by a wet precipitation/microwave reflux method. By synthesis of boron-doped calcium-deficient hydroxyapatite (BcHA), we expected to obtain an osteoimmunomodulatory and regenerative nanoreinforcement. BcHA was found to possess a pure HA phase, a greater surface area (66.41 m/g, = 0.028), and cumulative concentrations of Ca (207.87 ± 6.90 mg/mL, < 0.001) and B (112.70 ± 11.79 mg/mL, < 0.001) released in comparison to cHA. Osteogenic potential of BcHA was analyzed using human fetal osteoblasts. BcHA resulted in a drastic increase in the ALP activity (1.11 ± 0.11 mmol/gDNA·min, < 0.001), biomineralization rate, and osteogenic gene expressions compared to cHA. BcHA angiogenic potential was investigated using human umbilical cord vein endothelial cells. Significantly, the highest VEGF-A release (1111.14 ± 87.82 in 4 h, = 0.009) and angiogenic gene expressions were obtained for BcHA-treated samples. These samples were also observed to induce a more prominent and highly branched tube network. Finally, inflammatory and inflammasome responses toward BcHA were elucidated using human monocyte-derived macrophages differentiated from THP-1s. BcHA exhibited lower CAS-1 release (50.18 ± 5.52 μg/g μg/gDNA) and higher IL-10 release (126.97 ± 15.05 μg/g) than cHA. In addition, BcHA treatment led to increased expression of regenerative genes such as VEGF-A, RANKL, and BMP-2. In vitro results demonstrated that BcHA has tremendous osteogenic, angiogenic, and immunomodulatory potential to be employed as a "versatile-in-all-trades" modality in various bone tissue engineering applications.
Topics: Boron; Calcium; Cell Proliferation; Durapatite; Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells; Humans; Immunomodulation; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
PubMed: 35708275
DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.2c00242