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Nitrate (NO3−) nutrition is known to mitigate the damages caused by individual stresses of waterlogging and salinity. Here, we investigated the role of NO3− in soybean plants exposed to these stresses in combination. Nodulated soybean cultivated under greenhouse conditions and daily fertilised with a nutrient solution without nitrogen were subjected to the following treatments: Water, NO3−, NaCl, and NaCl + NO3−. Then, plants were exposed to waterlogging (6 days) and drainage (2 days). Compared to plants exposed to isolated stress, the saline waterlogging resulted in higher concentrations of H2O2, O2˙ − , and lipid peroxidation at the whole-plant level, mainly during drainage. Furthermore, saline waterlogging increased fermentation and the concentrations of Na+ and K+ in roots and leaves both during waterlogging and drainage. NO3− supplementation led to augments in NO3− and NO levels, and stimulated nitrate reductase activity in both organs. In addition, NO3− nutrition alleviated oxidative stress and fermentation besides increasing the K+/Na+ ratio in plants exposed to saline waterlogging. In conclusion, NO3− supplementation is a useful strategy to help soybean plants overcome saline waterlogging stress. These findings are of high relevance for agriculture as soybean is an important commodity and has been cultivated in areas prone to saline waterlogging. Here, we investigated the role of NO3− in soybean plants exposed to saline waterlogging. NO3− supplementation led to augments in NO3− and NO levels, and stimulated nitrate reductase activity in roots and leaves. In addition, NO3− nutrition alleviated oxidative stress and fermentation besides increasing the K+/Na+ ratio in plants exposed to saline waterlogging. In conclusion, NO3− supplementation is a useful strategy to help soybean plants overcome saline waterlogging stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given the failure of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) raising therapies to reduce cardiovascular disease risk, attention has turned towards HDL composition and vascular protective functions. In individuals with insulin resistance, exercise interventions recover HDL function. However, the effect of exercise on HDL in otherwise healthy individuals is unknown. This cross-sectional study aimed to measure HDL composition and antioxidant/endothelial anti-inflammatory function in insulin sensitive endurance athlete and healthy control men. HDL was isolated using density gradient ultracentrifugation. HDL composition was measured using microplate assays for apolipoprotein A-I, total cholesterol content and apolipoprotein M. HDL protein composition was measured using nano-liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. HDL subclass distribution was measured by native gel electrophoresis. HDL in vitro antioxidant function was measured by paraoxonase-1 activity assay and anti-inflammatory function assessed in endothelial cells. Compared with controls, endurance athlete HDL had higher apolipoprotein A-1 (1.65 ± 0.62 mg/ml vs 1.21 ± 0.34 mg/ml, P=0.028) and higher total cholesterol content (2.09 ± 0.44 mmol/L vs 1.54 ± 0.33 mmol/L, P<0.001). Proteomics revealed higher apolipoprotein A-II, A-IV and D and transthyretin in endurance athlete HDL versus controls. There was no difference observed in in vitro HDL antioxidant or anti-inflammatory functions between controls and endurance athletes. Despite a more favourable composition, endurance athlete HDL did not have higher in vitro antioxidant or anti-inflammatory function. It is possible that HDL has a ceiling of function, i.e. that healthy HDL function cannot be enhanced by endurance exercise., (© 2024 The Author(s).)

Heterocyclic aromatic amines (HAAs) and advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are hazardous substances produced when food is heated. In this study, the ability of plasma-activated water (PAW) to simultaneously mitigate production of HAAs and AGEs in roasted beef patties was investigated. Assays of free radicals, lipid peroxidation, and active carbonyls were used to analyze the mechanisms. PAW treatment decreased the contents of free HAAs, free AGEs, bound HAAs, and bound AGEs to 12.65 ng/g, 0.10 μg/g, 297.74 ng/g, and 4.32 μg/g, with the inhibition rates of 23.88%, 23.08%, 11.02%, and 8.47%, respectively. PAW treatment decreased HAAs and AGEs and mitigated their increase during storage. The decrease of HAAs and AGEs in PAW-treated samples was correlated with the enhancement of antioxidant capacity. The increase of free radical scavenging ability by PAW treatment led to the decrease of lipid peroxidation and the decrease of active carbonyls, HAAs, and AGEs in meat products., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest No conflict of interest exists in the submission of this manuscript. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Arthrospira platensis has been utilized as a food source since ancient times due to its rich nutrient profile. In recent years, its popularity as a dietary supplement has soared, especially due to the presence of a water-soluble phycobiliprotein, C-phycocyanin C (C-PC), which is abundant and notable for its fluorescent properties. C-PC contains the chromophore phycocyanobilin B (PCB-B), a tetrapyrrole molecule, that is why it plays a dual role as a food colorant and as nutraceutical. However, comprehensive studies have mostly evaluated C-PC's broader health-promoting properties, particularly its antioxidative and anti-inflammatory effects, which are linked to its ability to contrast oxidative stress and related pathological conditions. That is why this review explores recent advancements in optimizing culture conditions to enhance C-PC and PCB-B production, with a particular emphasis on novel extraction and purification techniques that increase yield and bioactivity. This focus on efficient production methods is crucial for expanding the commercial and therapeutic applications of C-PC, contributing to its growing relevance in the food and pharmaceutical industries., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

Drought stress is an abiotic stressor that impacts photosynthesis, plant growth, and development, leading to decreased crop yields. Sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS), an exogenous additive, has demonstrated potential regulatory effects on plant responses to polyethylene glycol-induced drought stress in tobacco seedlings. Compared to the control, drought stress induced by 15 g/L PEG-6000 significantly reduced several parameters in tobacco seedlings: shoot dry weight (22.83%), net photosynthesis (37.55%), stomatal conductance (33.56%), maximum quantum yield of PSII (Fv/Fm) (11.31%), photochemical quantum yield of PSII (ΦPSII) (25.51%), and photochemical quenching (qP) (18.17%). However, applying NaHS, an H 2 S donor, mitigated these effects, ultimately enhancing photosynthetic performance in tobacco seedlings. Furthermore, optimal NaHS concentration (0.4 mM) effectively increased leaf stomatal aperture, relative water content (RWC) and root activity, as well as facilitated the absorption of N, K, Mg and S. It also enhanced the accumulation of soluble sugar and proline content to maintain osmotic pressure balance under drought stress. Compared to drought alone, pretreatment with NaHS also bolstered the antioxidant defense system in leaves, leading to 22.93% decrease in hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) content, a 22.19% decrease in malondialdehyde (MDA) content and increased activities of ascorbate peroxidase (APX) by 28.13%, superoxide dismutase (SOD) by 17.07%, peroxidase (POD) by 46.99%, and catalase (CAT) by 65.27%. Consequently, NaHS protected chloroplast structure and attenuated chlorophyll degradation, thus mitigating severe oxidative damage. Moreover, NaHS elevated endogenous H 2 S levels, influencing abscisic acid (ABA) synthesis and the expression of receptor-related genes, collaboratively participating in the response to drought stress. Overall, our findings provide valuable insights into exogenous NaHS's role in enhancing tobacco drought tolerance. These results lay the foundation for further research utilizing H 2 S-based treatments to improve crop resilience to water deficit conditions., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Nanomaterials offer considerable benefits in improving plant growth and nutritional status owing to their inherent stability, and efficiency in essential nutrient absorption and delivery. Cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeO 2 NPs) at optimum concentration could significantly influence plant morpho-physiology and nutritional status. However, it remains unclear how elevated CO 2 and CeO 2 NPs interactively affect plant growth and quality. Accordingly, the ultimate goal was to reveal whether CeO 2 NPs could alter the impact of elevated CO 2 on the nutrient composition of spinach. For this purpose, spinach plant morpho-physiological, biochemical traits, and nutritional contents were evaluated. Spinach was exposed to different foliar concentrations of CeO 2 NPs (0, 25, 50, 100 mg/L) in open-top chambers (400 and 600 CO 2  μmol/mol). Results showed that elevated CO 2 enhanced spinach growth by increasing photosynthetic pigments, as evidenced by a higher photosynthetic rate (Pn). However, the maximum growth and photosynthetic pigments were observed at the highest concentration of CeO 2 NPs (100 mg/L) under elevated CO 2 . Elevated CO 2 resulted in a decreased stomatal conductance (gs) and transpiration rate (Tr), whereas CeO 2 NPs enhanced these parameters. No significant changes were observed in any of the measured biochemical parameters due to increased levels of CO 2 . However, an increase in antioxidant enzymes, particularly in catalase (CAT; 14.37%) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX; 10.66%) activities, was observed in high CeO 2 NPs (100 mg/L) treatment under elevated CO 2 levels. Regarding plant nutrient content, elevated CO 2 significantly decreases spinach roots and leaves macro and micronutrients as compared to ambient CO 2 levels. CeO 2 NPs, in a dose-dependent manner, with the highest increase observed in 100 mg/L CeO 2 NPs treatment and increased roots and shoots magnesium (211.62-215.49%), iron (256.68-322.77%), zinc (225.89-181.49%), copper (21.99-138.09%), potassium (121.46-138.89%), calcium (118.22-91.32%), manganese (133.15-195.02%) under elevated CO 2 . Overall, CeO 2 NPs improved spinach growth and biomass and reverted the adverse effects of elevated CO 2 on its nutritional quality. These findings indicated that CeO 2 NPs could be used as an effective approach to increase vegetable growth and nutritional values to ensure food security under future climatic conditions., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Drought stress imposes a serious challenge to cultivate wheat, restricting its growth. Drought reduces the capability of plant to uptake essential nutrients. This causes stunted growth, development and yield. Traditional ways to increase wheat growth under drought stress have shortcomings. Using plant-growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) has proved feasible and eco-friendly way to enhance wheat growth even under the drought stress. Combining PGPR in consortiums further boosts up their effects. In this study, we have checked the efficacy of drought-tolerant Bacillus halotolerans, Pseudomonas sihuiensis and Bacillus atrophaeus in combination. These strains were allowed to grow on PEG 6000 with concentrations (-0.15, -0.49, -0.73 and - 1.2) Mega Pascal (MPa) alone and in combination. Furthermore, Fourier transmission infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used. Their biochemical traits such as solubilization of K, P and Zn and the synthesis of siderophore, indole acetic acid (IAA), protease, amylase, hydrogen cyanide (HCN) and 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) deaminase were done. In addition to this, we investigated the optimum folic acid concentration i.e 150 ppm for wheat against drought stress. We conducted a pot experiment to check the growth-enhancing and drought-mitigating effects of consortium and folic acid alone and in combination. As a result, we found a significantly increased wheat biomass, relative water content (RWC), chlorophyll content, antioxidants including glutathione reductase and total soluble sugars and protein content under all treatments. However, the combined treatment of bacterial consortium and folic acid showed maximum potential to boost wheat growth and survival even under drought. We also investigated the minerals uptake by wheat after the treatments and found maximum nutrient uptake under the co-effect of folic acid and bacterial consortium We believe this is the first study that has investigated the optimal dose of folic acid for wheat. Our research is also novel in that we seek to investigate the effects of folic acid along with a bacterial consortium comprising Bacillus halotolerans, Pseudomonas sihuiensis and Bacillus atrophaeus on wheat grown under the drought stress., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Beta vulgaris L. is a root vegetable that is consumed mainly as a food additive. This study aimed to describe the protective effect of B. vulgaris on Fe 2+ -mediated oxidative liver damage through in vitro, ex vivo, and in silico studies to establish a strong rationale for its protective effect. To induce oxidative damage, we incubated the livers of healthy male rats with 0.1 mM FeSO 4 to induce oxidative injury and coincubated them with an aqueous extract of B. vulgaris root (BVFE) (15-240 µg/mL). Induction of liver damage significantly (p < .05) decreased the levels of GSH, SOD, CAT, and ENTPDase activities, with a corresponding increase in MDA and NO levels and Na + /K + ATPase, G6 Pase, and F-1,6-BPase enzyme activities. BVFE treatment (p < .05) reduced these levels and activities to almost normal levels, with the most prominent effects observed at 240 µg/mL BVFE. An HPLC investigation revealed sixteen compounds in BVFE, with quercetin being the most abundant. Chlorogenic acid and iso-orientation showed the highest binding affinities for G6 Pase and Na+/K + ATPase, respectively. These findings suggest that B. vulgaris can protect against Fe 2+ -mediated liver damage by suppressing oxidative stress and cholinergic and purinergic activities while regulating gluconeogenesis. Overall, the hepatoprotective activity of this extract might be driven by the synergistic effect of the identified compounds and their probable interactions with target proteins., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Higher usage of copper oxide nanomaterials in industrial and biomedical fields may cause an increase of these nanoparticles in aquatic environments, which could have a detrimental ecological effect. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the acute toxicity of copper oxide nanoparticles on the freshwater gastropod, Biomphalaria alexandrina. Transmission electron microscopy, x-ray diffraction analysis and UV-VIS spectrophotometer of CuO NPs revealed a typical TEM image and a single crystal structure with average crystallite size of approximately 40 nm also, a sharp absorption band was appeared. Following exposure to sub-lethal concentrations of CuO NPs (LC 10 , 15.6 mg/l and LC 25, 27.2 mg/l), treated snails revealed a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in total antioxidant capacity, reduced glutathione contents as well as catalase, and sodium dismutase activities were significantly declined (p < 0.05) in comparison to the control group. Also, histopathological alterations were observed in the digestive gland, including ruptured and vacuolated digestive cells, and a marked increase in the number of secretory cells and the severity of the damage increased with rising concentrations. Furthermore, changes in RAPD profiles were detected in the treated snails. In conclusion, our research highlights the potential ecological impact of CuO NPs release in aquatic ecosystems and advocates for improved monitoring and regulation of CuO NPs industrial usage and disposal., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Background: Balancing nutrient application is crucial for plant growth. However, excessive fertilizer use, especially imbalanced applications of macronutrients such as phosphate (P), can hinder plant uptake of micronutrients. Balanced P and zinc (Zn) are vital for apple yield and quality, and apple trees are highly sensitive to deficiencies in these nutrients. Therefore, this study was conducted in May 2022, employed a sand culture experiment to investigate the effects of varying P and Zn levels on the growth phenotype, photosynthetic capacity, antioxidant enzyme activity, sugar composition, endogenous hormone levels, and nutrient absorption and utilization of M9-T337 seedlings. Three levels of P (low, medium, high) and three levels of Zn (low, medium, high) were combined to create a total of nine distinct treatment., Results: The results indicate that combined P and Zn fertilization at various levels exerts either synergistic or antagonistic effects on the growth, nutrient absorption, and utilization of M9-T337 seedlings. Compared to low and medium levels of P, a combination of high P (4 mmol·L -1 ) and an adequate amount of Zn significantly enhanced plant growth, root system development, and the microstructure of leaves. Notably, seedlings treated with high P and low Zn (HPLZn) reached a height 1.54 times that of the medium P and medium Zn (MPMZn, control). Physiological indicators under HP conditions revealed significant increases in antioxidant enzyme activity, leaf water retention, photosynthetic pigment concentration, osmotic adjustment substances, and the contents of glucose, sucrose, fructose, endogenous hormones, as well as P and Zn accumulation in the leaves, compared to the control. However, an increase in Zn application led to a declining trend in these parameters. Specifically, the HPLZn treatment exhibited substantial increases in Net photosynthetic rate (Pn), Total chlorophyll (Chl a + b), glucose, fructose, sucrose, and Auxin(IAA), with increments of 7.12%, 27.32%, 11.40%, 23.20%, 16.67%, and 55.11%, respectively, compared to the control., Conclusion: Based on the comprehensive ranking from principal component analysis, the combination of HP ( 4 mmol·L -1 ) and LZn (0.5 µmol·L -1 ) was found to be the most effective in enhancing the antioxidant capacity, sugar accumulation, osmotic regulation ability, photosynthetic capacity, endogenous hormone levels, as well as P and Zn nutrient absorption and utilization in M9-T337 seedlings., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

The phenolic antioxidant 2,6-Di-tert-butyl-p-cresol (BHT) has been detected in various environments and is considered a potential threat to aquatic organisms. Algal-bacterial interactions are crucial for maintaining ecosystem balance and elemental cycling, but their response to BHT remains to be investigated. This study analyzed the physiological and biochemical responses of the microalga Isochrysis galbana and the changes of associated bacterial communities under different concentrations of BHT stress. Results showed that the biomass of I. galbana exhibited a decreasing trend with increasing BHT concentrations up to 40 mg/L. The reduction in chlorophyll, carotenoid, and soluble protein content of microalgal cells was also observed under BHT stress. The production of malondialdehyde and the activities of superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, and catalase were further determined. Scanning electron microscopy analysis revealed that BHT caused surface rupture of the algal cells and loss of intracellular nutrients. Proteomic analysis demonstrated the upregulation of photosynthesis and citric acid cycle pathways as a response to BHT stress. Additionally, BHT significantly increased the relative abundance of specific bacteria in the phycosphere, including Marivita, Halomonas, Marinobacter, and Alteromonas. Further experiments confirmed that these bacteria had the ability to utilize BHT as the sole carbon resource for growth, and genes related to the degradation of phenolic compounds were detected through pangenome analysis., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V.)

Alcohol consumption increases oxidative stress and imbalances in the antioxidant system, even with ethanol (EtOH) exposure at a young age. This study assessed changes in the antioxidant system following young EtOH exposure in peripheral immunity and measured sensitive indicators of heavy alcohol consumption. We used peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from 197 male university students without smoking habits to examine changes in antioxidant-related gene expression in vitro and in PBMCs. In vitro, the antioxidant system was impaired by EtOH. Next, we examined the expression of 84 antioxidant-related genes in the PBMCs of 162 young adults, among which the superoxide dismutase (SOD) 1 expression was most negatively correlated with alcohol consumption degree. The plasma SOD1 level had the highest area under the curve value (0.806) for heavy alcohol consumption. Our data demonstrated that a decreased SOD1 level is a sensitive indicator of an impaired antioxidant system and heavy alcohol consumption with early EtOH exposure., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Background: As an efficient and high-quality additive in agriculture and forestry production, silicon (Si) plays an important role in alleviating heavy metal stress and improving plant growth. However, the alleviating effect of aluminum (Al) toxicity by Si in Eucalyptus is still incomplete., Results: Here, a study was conducted using two Al concentrations (0 and 4.5 mM) with four Si concentrations (0, 0.5, 1, and 1.5 mM) to investigate plant growth, tolerance and antioxidant defense system in four Eucalyptus species (Eucalyptus tereticornis, Eucalyptus urophylla, Eucalyptus grandis, and Eucalyptus urophylla × Eucalyptus grandis). The results showed that the stress induced by 4.5 mM Al increased oxidative damage, disturbed the balance of enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant systems, and negatively affected plant growth and tolerance quality in the four Eucalyptus species. However, the addition of 0.5 mM and 1 mM Si alleviated the effects of Al toxicity on plant growth and improved plant growth quality by strengthening stress tolerance. Besides, adding Si significantly facilitated the synergistic action of enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant defenses, increased the removal of reactive oxygen species, reduced lipid peroxidation, and oxidative stress, and promoted the phytoremediation rate of the four Eucalyptus species by 18.7 ~ 34.8% compared to that in the absence of Si., Conclusions: Silicon can alleviate the effect of Al toxicity by enhancing the antioxidant capacity and improving plant growth and tolerance quality. Hence, the application of Si is an effective method for the phytoremediation of Eucalyptus plantations in southern China., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Whey is a byproduct of the dairy industry and is rich in protein. To enhance the significance of such byproducts and find efficacious antioxidants for combating oxidative stress, this study reported on the preparation, purification, and identification of novel peptides with antioxidant activities from whey protein metabolites following fermentation by Lactobacillus rhamnosus B2-1. The isolation and identification processes involved macroporous adsorption resin column chromatography, gel filtration column chromatography, and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Therein, three novel antioxidant peptides (PKYPVEPF, LEASPEVI, and YPFPGPIHNS) were selected to be synthesized, and they demonstrated remarkable antioxidant activities in vitro chemical assays. PKYPVEPF, LEASPEVI, and YPFPGPIHNS (100 μg/mL) displayed a notable cytoprotective impact on HepG2 cells under oxidative stress induced by H 2 O 2 , increasing the cell viability from 49.02 ± 3.05% to 88.59 ± 10.49%, 82.38 ± 19.16%, and 85.15 ± 7.19%, respectively. Moreover, the peptides boosted the activities of catalase and superoxide dismutase in damaged cells and reduced reactive oxygen species levels. The molecular docking studies highlighted that these antioxidant peptides efficiently bound to key amino acids in the Kelch domain of Keap1, thereby preventing the interaction between Keap1 and Nrf2. In conclusion, PKYPVEPF, LEASPEVI, and YPFPGPIHNS demonstrated substantial antioxidant activity, suggesting their potential for widespread application as functional food additives and ingredients.

Heavy metal pollution causes severe abiotic stress in cereal crops around the world. This study investigated the effects of different concentrations (0, 100, 200, and 300 mg·kg -1 ) of nickel, lead, and copper stress on the growth and biochemical responses of Aegilops tauschii seedlings, to provide a reference for research on the mechanism of invasion and screening potential sources of wheat tolerance genes. The results showed that nickel, lead, and copper stress caused a significant decrease in the contents of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and chlorophyll (a + b) in A. tauschii, thereby inhibiting photosynthesis to different degrees and hindering seedling growth, which was reflected in significant reductions in plant height and root length, with the most notable effect observed under stress by 300 mg·kg -1 lead. As the concentration of heavy metals increased, the activities of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, POD, and APX), non-enzymatic antioxidants (GSH and AsA), and the contents of osmotic regulatory substances (proline and soluble proteins) in A. tauschii significantly increased. Additionally, heavy metal stress increased H 2 O 2 and TBARS levels. However, when the nickel, lead, and copper concentrations reached 300 mg·kg -1 , no significant differences were found in H 2 O 2 or TBARS levels compared to those in the CK group. To summarize, A. tauschii can mitigate the accumulation of ROS and membrane lipid peroxidation caused by heavy metal stress through self-regulation, thus exhibiting a certain degree of tolerance to stress caused by different concentrations of nickel, lead, and copper. Finally, the evaluation using the membership function method revealed that among the three heavy metals, A. tauschii exhibited the strongest adaptation to Cu, followed by Ni and Pb., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Sarcomyxa edulis, a notable edible and medicinal mushroom indigenous to northeast China, is celebrated for its high nutritional value and delightful taste. In this study, white light as a control and examined the effects of red, green, and blue light on the agronomic traits, antioxidant capabilities, and nutritional composition of S. edulis. The results showed that different monochromatic light qualities affected the color of S. edulis pileus, with blue light demonstrating particular efficacy. Furthermore, blue light also regulated pileus length, whereas red light was instrumental in significantly increasing stalk length. Regarding antioxidant capacity, compared with red and green light, the activities of POD, SOD, and CAT were significantly improved by blue light irradiation, decreased MDA levels, and improved free radical scavenging potential. Additionally, blue light exposure led to an increase in the contents of 15 amino acids. Green light treatment reduced the crude fat content. For the first time, we found that light quality is a key factor in controlling the color of S. edulis. Blue light is an effective way to regulate the color and pileus size of S. edulis, and improve the antioxidant properties. The photobiological characteristics and the response of nutritional quality to light environment of S. edulis were clarified., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Background/aims: Lead exposure is known to induce oxidative stress and neurotoxicity. Nitric oxide (NO) plays an important role in modulating oxidative stress, with L-arginine as a precursor of NO and N ω -nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA) as an inhibitor of NO synthase, an enzyme that catalyses the production of nitric oxide (NO) from L-arginine., Methods: This study investigated the differential effects of L-arginine and L-NNA on markers of oxidative stress and biochemical changes in brain tissue from rats with different levels of resistance to hypoxia exposed to lead nitrate. Rats with either low or high resistance to hypoxia were exposed to lead nitrate (oral 3.6 mg lead nitrate/kg b.w. per day for 30 days) and treated with L-arginine (600 mg/kg b.w., i.p., 30 min before and after exposure to lead nitrate) or L-NNA (35 mg/kg b.w., i.p., 30 min before and after exposure to lead nitrate). Brain tissue samples were analysed for lipid peroxidation, oxidative modification of proteins, and activity of antioxidant enzymes, including superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione reductase, and peroxidase, and total antioxidant status (TAS). We also examined the biomarkers of biochemical pathways involving the activity of alanine and aspartate aminotransferases, succinate dehydrogenase (SDH), and α-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase (KGDH). In addition, the trend observed was supported by assessments of the acetylcholine levels and acetylcholinesterase activity (ACh-AChE system) in brain tissue., Results: In rats with low resistance to hypoxia, the L-arginine treatment significantly reduced lipid peroxidation and oxidative protein modification but increased antioxidant enzyme activity, suggesting a protective effect against lead-induced oxidative stress. Conversely, in rats with high resistance to hypoxia, L-NNA had a protective effect, reducing lead-induced oxidative damage and decreasing lipid peroxidation, whereas L-arginine exacerbated oxidative stress and impaired antioxidant defences. These findings were supported by corresponding changes in the acetylcholine-acetylcholinesterase system, reflecting the observed patterns of lead-induced oxidative stress and neurotoxicity. The study shows that L-arginine exerts a protective effect by reducing lead-induced oxidative damage via an improvement in TAS. Our study shows that lead nitrate exposure significantly increases ala-nine and aspartate aminotransferase activity in brain tissue, with L-arginine exacerbating and L-NNA reversing this effect. The lead nitrate exposure also affected the activities of SDH and KGDH, which are important for cellular energy production and hypoxia resistance, with L-arginine altering SDH activity depending on the level of resistance and L-NNA enhancing both SDH and KGDH activities. These trends were further validated by alterations in the ACh-AChE system, highlighting the differential role of NO-dependent mechanisms in modulating lead-induced neurotoxicity based on hypoxia resistance., Conclusion: These findings suggest potential targeted therapeutic strategies based on the oxidative stress profile and highlight the potential of nitric oxide system modulators in counteracting lead-induced biochemical alterations and the dynamics of the ACh-AChE system depending on the individual physiological reactivity of organisms., Competing Interests: The authors have no competing interests to declare., (© Copyright by the Author(s). Published by Cell Physiol Biochem Press.)

Sulfur is a critical element for plant growth and development, serving as a component of amino acids (cysteine and methionine), iron-sulfur clusters, proteins, glutathione, coenzymes, and auxin precursors. Deficiency or low concentrations of sulfur in the soil can lead to significant growth retardation in plants. The objective of our study was to examine the effects of sulfur (S) deficiency and excess on morphological symptoms, sulfur and nitrogen (N) metabolism, as well as antioxidant activity in soybean. We found that S starvation decreased the fine root length, biomass, and activity, and the chlorophyll content was reduced, while excess sulfur promotes lateral root growth. In contrast to sulfur excess, sulfur deficiency inhibits N and S metabolism levels in both subsurface and above-ground parts, and induced the expression of some sulfur transporters (SULTRs). In this study, we created soybean hairy root lines overexpressing the SULTR gene ( GmSULTR2;1a ) to observe metabolic changes following sulfur deficiency treatment. The results showed that GmSULTR2;1a saved the sulfur-deficient phenotype, and the antioxidant enzyme activity was much higher than that of the wildtype in the absence of sulfur. Our study revealed the important role of sulfur element in soybean growth and development and the regulation of sulfur deficiency by GmSULTR2;1a .

Key Message: A plant growth regulator, 5-aminolevulinic acid, enhanced the saline-alkali tolerance via photosynthetic, oxidative-reduction, and glutathione metabolism pathways in pepper seedlings. Saline-alkali stress is a prominent environmental problem, hindering growth and development of pepper. 5-Aminolevulinic acid (ALA) application effectively improves plant growth status under various abiotic stresses. Here, we evaluated morphological, physiological, and transcriptomic differences in saline-alkali-stressed pepper seedlings after ALA application to explore the impact of ALA on saline-alkali stress. The results indicated that saline-alkali stress inhibited plant growth, decreased biomass and photosynthesis, altered the osmolyte content and antioxidant system, and increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation and proline content in pepper seedlings. Conversely, the application of exogenous ALA alleviated this damage by increasing the photosynthetic rate, osmolyte content, antioxidant enzyme activity, and antioxidants, including superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione reductase, and glutathione peroxidase, and reducing glutathione to reduce ROS accumulation and malonaldehyde content. Moreover, the transcriptomic analysis revealed the differentially expressed genes were mainly associated with photosynthesis, oxidation-reduction process, and glutathione metabolism in saline-alkali stress + ALA treatment compared to saline-alkali treatment. Among them, the change in expression level in CaGST, CaGR, and CaGPX was close to the variation of corresponding enzyme activity. Collectively, our findings revealed the alleviating effect of ALA on saline-alkali stress in pepper seedlings, broadening the application of ALA and providing a feasible strategy for utilize saline-alkali soil., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

The present study investigates the impact of varying concentrations of PVC microplastics (PVC-MPs) - specifically 0 (no PVC-MPs), 2, and 4 mg L - 1 -alongside different arsenic (As) levels of 0 (no As), 150, and 300 mg kg - 1 in the soil, with the concurrent application of copper oxide-nanoparticles (CuO-NPs) at 0 (no CuO -NPs), 25 and 50 µg mL - 1 to barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) plants. This research primarily aims to assess plant growth and biomass, photosynthetic pigments and gas exchange characteristics, oxidative stress indicators, as well as the response of various antioxidants (both enzymatic and non-enzymatic) and their relevant genes expression, proline metabolism, the AsA-GSH cycle, and cellular fractionation within the plants. The findings showed that increased levels of PVC-MPs and As stress in the soil significantly reduced plant growth and biomass, photosynthetic pigments, and gas exchange characteristics. Additionally, PVC-MPs and As stress increased oxidative stress in the roots and shoots, as evidenced by elevated levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ), and electrolyte leakage (EL), which in turn stimulated the production of various enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants, gene expression, and sugar content. Furthermore, a notable increase in proline metabolism, the AsA-GSH cycle, and cellular pigmentation was observed. Conversely, the application of CuO-NPs resulted in a substantial improvement in plant growth and biomass, gas exchange characteristics, and the activity of enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants, along with a reduction in oxidative stress. Additionally, CuO-NPs enhanced cellular fractionation while decreasing proline metabolism and the AsA-GSH cycle in H. vulgare plants. These outcomes provide new insights into sustainable agricultural practices and offer significant potential in addressing the critical challenges of heavy metal contamination in agricultural soils., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Aminoglycoside nephrotoxicity stands as a primary contributor to the development of acute intrinsic renal failure. Distinctive characteristic associated with this nephrotoxicity is the occurrence of tubular necrosis, which is why it is commonly referred to as acute tubular necrosis. Studies have demonstrated that inhibiting rhoA/rho-kinase pathway is beneficial for kidney damage induced by diabetes and renal ischemia. Comparable pathological conditions can be observed in aminoglycoside nephrotoxicity, like those found in diabetes and renal ischemia. Gentamicin, an aminoglycoside, is known to activate Rho/Rho-kinase pathway. The primary goal of this study is to explore influence of oxidative stress on this pathway by concurrently administering gentamicin and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) possessing known antioxidant properties. To achieve this, gentamicin (100 mg kg -1 ) and ALA (70 mg kg -1 ) were administered to mice for a period of 9 days, and Rho/Rho-kinase pathway was examined by using ELISA. Administration of gentamicin to mice led to an elevation in RhoA and rho-kinase II levels, along with the activity of rho-kinase in kidneys. However, ALA effectively reversed this heightened response. ALA, known for its antioxidant properties, inhibited activation of Rho/Rho-kinase pathway induced by gentamicin. This finding suggests that gentamicin induces nephrotoxicity through oxidative stress., Competing Interests: The authors declare there are no competing interests., (©2024 Pazarci et al.)

Background: Drought stress is a significant abiotic stressor that hinders growth, development, and crop yield in soybeans. Strigolactones (SLs) positively regulate plant resistance to drought stress. However, the impact of foliar application of SLs having different concentrations on soybean growth and metabolic pathways related to osmoregulation remains unknown. Therefore, to clarify the impact of SLs on soybean root growth and cellular osmoregulation under drought stress, we initially identified optimal concentrations and assessed key leaf and root indices. Furthermore, we conducted transcriptomic and metabolic analyses to identify differential metabolites and up-regulated genes., Results: The results demonstrated that drought stress had a significant impact on soybean biomass, root length, root surface area, water content and photosynthetic parameters. However, when SLs were applied through foliar application at appropriate concentrations, the accumulation of ABA and soluble protein increased, which enhanced drought tolerance of soybean seedlings by regulating osmotic balance, protecting membrane integrity, photosynthesis and activating ROS scavenging system. This also led to an increase in soybean root length, lateral root number and root surface area. Furthermore, the effects of different concentrations of SLs on soybean leaves and roots were found to be time-sensitive. However, the application of 0.5 µM SLs had the greatest beneficial impact on soybean growth and root morphogenesis under drought stress. A total of 368 differential metabolites were screened in drought and drought plus SLs treatments. The up-regulated genes were mainly involved in nitrogen compound utilization, and the down-regulated metabolic pathways were mainly involved in maintaining cellular osmoregulation and antioxidant defenses., Conclusions: SLs enhance osmoregulation in soybean plants under drought stress by regulating key metabolic pathways including Arachidonic acid metabolism, Glycerophospholipid metabolism, Linoleic acid metabolism, and Flavone and flavonol biosynthesis. This study contributes to the theoretical understanding of improving soybean adaptability and survival in response to drought stress., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Sustainable plant production in soil polluted with heavy metals requires that novel strategies are developed for the benefit of humans and other living things. Cadmium (Cd) is a common heavy metal pollutant for plants, and there is limited information on the use of exogenous bio-regulators to reduce the accumulation and toxic effects of Cd pollution in plants. Choline is an endogenous quertarnary amine that is known to improve stress tolerance in plants, while its mechanism of action in certain conditions is yet to be determined. This study investigated the effects of foliar choline supplementation (10 mM) on Solanum lycopersicum seedlings exposed to Cd application (50 mg/L in soil). The seedlings were randomized to five groups: Control (E1), Cd stress (E2), Choline supplementation after Cd stress (E3), Choline (E4), and Choline supplementation before Cd stress (E5). Following the applications, the Cd content, growth and development parameters (chlorophyll content, fresh and dry weight), oxidative stress parameters (H 2 O 2 and MDA contents), as well as antioxidative defense system (SOD, GSH, AsA, and TPC contents) were analyzed. Choline supplementation after Cd stress reduced the enhanced Cd content in roots by 38% but did not alter it in leaves (p > 0.05) compared to the Cd group. Choline supplementation before Cd stress decreased Cd content both in roots by 87.5% and in leaves by 50%. Choline supplementation after and before Cd stress increased fresh and dry weights in both roots and leaves. While the Cd group (E2) increased the H 2 O 2 level and SOD activity, no remarkable change was observed in H 2 O 2 levels in all choline supplementations (E3, E4, E5). Therefore, lipid peroxidation (MDA) was not observed in choline supplementation before Cd stress (E5), however, when the choline was applied after Cd stress (E3) MDA content was reduced by 40% compared with the Cd stress group (E2). Choline supplementations after and before Cd stress (E3, E5) increased AsA content by 30%, while the Cd group (E2) decreased it by 60% compared with the control group (E1). Choline supplementations before Cd stress (E5) increased TPC by 33%, while the Cd group (E2) decreased it by 18%, moreover, when choline was applied after Cd stress (E3), no change was observed compared to the control group. These data suggest that choline prevents inhibition of plant growth due to Cd toxicity by reducing Cd uptake. The results provided in the present study are likely to enhance the quality and efficiency of crop production in heavy metal-polluted areas., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Background: Castor is an important industrial raw material. Drought-induced oxidative stress leads to slow growth and decreased yields in castor. However, the mechanisms of drought-induced oxidative stress in castor remain unclear. Therefore, in this study, physiological, biochemical, and RNA-seq analyses were conducted on the roots of castor plants under PEG-6000 stress for 3 d and 7 d followed by 4 d of hydration., Results: The photosynthetic rate of castor leaves was inhibited under PEG-6000 stress for 3 and 7 d. Biochemical analysis of castor roots stressed for 3 d and 7 d, and rehydrated for 4 d revealed that the activities of APX and CAT were highest after only 3 d of stress, whereas the activities of POD, GR, and SOD peaked after 7 d of stress. RNA-seq analysis revealed 2926, 1507, and 111 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the roots of castor plants under PEG-6000 stress for 3 d and 7 d and after 4 d of rehydration, respectively. GO analysis of the DEGs indicated significant enrichment in antioxidant activity. Furthermore, KEGG enrichment analysis of the DEGs revealed significantly enriched metabolic pathways, including glutathione metabolism, fatty acid metabolism, and plant hormone signal transduction. WGCNA identified the core genes PP2C39 and GA2ox4 in the navajowhite1 module, which was upregulated under PEG-6000 stress. On the basis of these results, we propose a model for the response to drought-induced oxidative stress in castor., Conclusions: This study provides valuable antioxidant gene resources, deepening our understanding of antioxidant regulation and paving the way for further molecular breeding of castor plants., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

This research aimed to investigate the effects of dietary fructooligosaccharides (FOS) on attenuating the Aeromonas hydrophila (A. hydrophila)-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis in blunt snout bream Megalobrama amblycephala. Fish were divided into three groups as follows: C1 (Control), T1 (A. hydrophila), and T2 (A. hydrophila + 4 g/kg FOS). The results showed that the activities of antioxidant enzymes increased, the liver morphology had disorderly arrangement, and extensive cell necrosis occurred because of A. hydrophila-infection. While the dietary FOS improved the above-mentioned liver damage. Additionaly, FOS elevated mRNA levels of pro-apoptotic molecules, including caspase-8 and 9, and down-regulated mRNA levels of the anti-apoptotic molecule Bcl-2, which is triggered by A. hydrophila-infection. The transcriptome analysis showed that the oxidative stress-related DEGs pathways were activated in intestine of blunt snout bream by A. hydrophila-infection. The FOS-added group led to the enrichment of more pathways to health. Further WGCNA co-expression network analysis showed that the screened single genes were clustered into 49 modules. The two modules with the highest association to the five traits (10 hub genes) were chosen to build the network by combining the physiological and biochemical characteristic. In summary, this research offers a foundation for the exploring of A. hydrophila-restoration genes in dietary FOS, and also lays a theoretical foundation for aquaculture in the future., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Increased intramitochondrial free iron is a key feature of various liver diseases, leading to oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and liver damage. Polydatin is a polyphenol with a hepatoprotective effect, which has been attributed to its ability to enhance mitochondrial oxidative metabolism and antioxidant defenses, thereby inhibiting reactive oxygen species (ROS) dependent cellular damage processes and liver diseases. However, it has not been explored whether polydatin is able to exert its effects by protecting the phospholipid cardiolipin against damage from excess iron. Cardiolipin maintains the integrity and function of electron transport chain (ETC) complexes and keeps cytochrome c bound to mitochondria, avoiding uncontrolled apoptosis. Therefore, the effect of polydatin on oxidative lipid damage, ETC activity, cytochrome levels, and ROS production was explored in iron-exposed rat liver mitochondria. Fe 2+ increased lipid peroxidation, decreased cardiolipin and cytochromes c + c 1 and aa 3 levels, inhibited ETC complex activities, and dramatically increased ROS production. Preincubation with polydatin prevented all these effects to a variable degree. These results suggest that the hepatoprotective mechanism of polydatin involves the attenuation of free radical production by iron, which enhances cardiolipin levels by counteracting membrane lipid peroxidation. This prevents the loss of cytochromes, improves ETC function, and decreases mitochondrial ROS production.

The objective of this study is to assess the influence of genetic polymorphisms in DGAT1 , LEP , and SCD1 on the oxidative stress biomarkers and bioactive protein levels in Hereford bulls. A total of sixty-eight bulls were analyzed at 22 months of age to assess growth metrics and carcass quality, with a focus on polymorphisms in these genes. The key markers of oxidative stress, including malondialdehyde (MDA), and the activities of antioxidant enzymes such as glutathione reductase (GluRed), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were measured, alongside bioactive compounds like taurine, carnosine, and anserine. The results show that the TT genotype of DGAT1 is linked to significantly higher MDA levels, reflecting increased lipid peroxidation, but is also associated with higher GluRed and GPx activities and elevated levels of taurine, carnosine, and anserine, suggesting an adaptive response to oxidative stress. The LEP gene analysis revealed that the CC genotype had the highest MDA levels but also exhibited increased GPx and SOD activities, with the CT genotype showing the highest SOD activity and the TT genotype the highest total antioxidant status (TAS). The SCD1 AA genotype displayed the highest activities of GluRed, GPx, and SOD, indicating a more effective antioxidant defence, while the VA genotype had the highest MDA levels and the VV genotype showed lower MDA levels, suggesting protective effects against oxidative damage. These findings highlight genotype specific variations in the oxidative stress markers and bioactive compound levels, providing insights into the genetic regulation of oxidative stress and antioxidant defences, which could inform breeding strategies for improving oxidative stress resistance in livestock and managing related conditions.

This research evaluated the efficacy of mixed Bacillus strains probiotic supplements in mitigating acute thermal-induced stress in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Three experimental fish groups involved 135 Nile tilapia (49 ± 2 g); one control (no added probiotics), 0.5, and 1% of selected Bacillus strains (B. subtilis, B. licheniformis, and B. pumilus) for 58 days. After the feeding period, growth parameters, immunological parameters, stress biochemical markers, and antioxidant parameters in addition to genes related to stress and histopathological changes in fish, were assessed; subsequently subjected to heat shock at 36 ± 0.5 ◦C for 2 h. Before the heat challenge, our results exhibited a marked increase in the growth efficacy (P < 0.05), lower marked serum levels of triglycerides and cholesterol, and tissue malondialdehyde (MDA) levels along with significantly increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) enzymes activity in fish-fed Bacillus probiotic at 0.5% concerning the control group (P < 0.05). There were no significant changes in the serum levels of glucose, cortisol, lactate, phagocytic activity, respiratory burst (ROS), total immunoglobulin Ig, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), total protein, albumin, globulin, uric acid, urea, creatinine, as well as HSP70, GST, and GPx mRNA expression in most of the probiotic groups compared to the control group (P > 0.05). When Nile tilapia was exposed to heat stress, supplementation with Bacillus probiotic in the diet significantly decreased most of the indices related to serum biochemical (ALT (P < 0.01; P < 0.001), AST (P < 0.01), LDH (P < 0.01), urea (P < 0.05), and creatinine (P < 0.01)), triglycerides (P < 0.001; (P < 0.01)), cholesterol (P < 0.01; (P < 0.05)), glucose (P < 0.001), and cortisol (P < 0.01; (P < 0.05)), with tissue oxidative stress MDA levels (P < 0.05), and HSP70 mRNA expression (P < 0.01; P < 0.001), aligned with the stressed control group. In addition, a notable upsurge in the total protein, albumin, globulin, phagocytic and ROS activities, and total Ig, as well as the enzymatic antioxidant ability (SOD, CAT) (P < 0.01), with GST and GPx mRNA expression (P < 0.05; P < 0.01), were shown in fish-fed Bacillus spp. post-exposure compared with the stressed control group. Besides, no histopathological alterations were revealed in the spleen and brain of fish pre- and post-heat exposure. According to our findings, diet supplementation of Bacillus species has the potential to combat the suppressive effects of heat shock in Nile tilapia., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

This study investigated the effects of substituting inorganic trace minerals (ITM) with advanced chelate technology-based TM (ACTM) in broiler chicken feed on productive performance, metabolic profile, humoral immunity, antioxidant status, and modulation of NF-kB and Nrf2 signaling pathways in mixed Eimeria species exposure. The study involved 480 newly hatched male broiler chickens, which were divided into 5 treatment groups, each with 6 replicate cages and 16 chickens per replicate. The experimental treatments included an uninfected negative control group fed a basal diet with recommended inorganic TM levels (NC), an infected positive control group fed the same diet (PC), a PC group supplemented with salinomycin (SAL), and two PC groups in which the basal diet was replaced with 50% and 100% ACTM instead of inorganic TM (ACTM50 and ACTM100, respectively). All groups, except for the NC group, were orally challenged with mixed Eimeria species oocysts on day 14. According to the results, the PC group showed lower feed intake, breast yield, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol concentration, lactobacillus spp. counts, and serum IgG levels, but higher jejunal TGF-β expression versus the NC group. The broilers in the NC, SAL, and ACTM100 groups showed higher body weight gain, carcass yield, and TGF-β expression, but lower serum alkaline phosphatase activity, ileal E. coli count, and jejunal expression levels of IL-1β, IL-6, IFN-γ, Nrf2, and SOD1 compared to the PC group, with the NC group having the highest body weight gain and lowest IL-1β and Nrf2 expression levels. Furthermore, the administration of ACTM100 treatment improved feed efficiency, increased serum iron, zinc, manganese, and copper levels, enhanced total antioxidant capacity and different antioxidant enzyme activities, and reduced malondialdehyde concentration. In conclusion, complete replacement of ITM with ACTM effectively protects broilers from Eimeria infection, with similar positive effects to SAL treatment in terms of productive performance and anti-inflammatory responses and better antioxidant responses and mineral availability., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Elaeagnus mollis is an important newly developing woody oil plant species and the vitamin E (VitE) content in its kernel oil is relatively high. In the present study, the VitE component content and functional genes involving in VitE biosynthesis in E. mollis kernel at different developmental stage were investigated. The VitE content increased with kernel development, reaching up to ~ 7.96 mg/g oil in kernel mature stage. The content of tocopherol was much higher than that of tocotrienol and γ-tocopherol became the dominant component. E. mollis kernel extracts had relatively strong antioxidant capacity. We identified 17 genes (16 VTEs and 1 homogentisic acid geranylgeranyl transferase (HGGT)) directly involving in VitE biosynthesis in RNA-Seq data. Phylogenetic and qRT-PCR results indicated that the annotation and reliability of the RNA-Seq were accurate. Transient overexpression of EmVTE3 and EmWRKY13 in tobacoo leaves increased and decreased the VitE content to 192.18 and 118.29 µg/g, respectively. Weighted gene co-expression analysis elucidated that the blue module showed significant correlation with tocopherol content. Co-expression network analysis revealed that 2-methyl-6-phytobenzoquinone methyltransferase (MPBQ-MT/VTE3) played a vital role and EmWRKY13 may be a key negative regulator in E. mollis VitE biosynthesis. This study not only revealed the traditional VitE biosynthesis pathway in E. mollis, but also set a solid foundation for future genetic breeding of this species., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V.)

Background: The utilization of nutrition management, has recently been developed as a means of improving the growth and production of phytochemical compounds in herbs. The present study aimed to improve the growth, physiological, and phytochemical characteristics of lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.) using different NH 4 + (ammonium) to NO 3 ̄ (nitrate) ratios (0:100, 25:75, 50:50, 75:25 and 100:0) under floating culture system (FCS)., Results: The treatment containing 0:100 - NH 4 + :NO 3 ̄ ratio showed the most remarkable values for the growth and morpho-physiological characteristics of M. officinalis. The results demonstrated that maximum biomass (105.57 g) earned by using the ratio of 0:100 and minimum at 75:25 ratio of NH 4 + : NO 3 ̄. The plants treated with high nitrate ratio (0:100 - NH 4 + :NO 3 ̄) showed the greatest concentration of total phenolics (60.40 mg GAE/g DW), chlorophyll a (31.32 mg/100 g DW), flavonoids (12.97 mg QUE/g DW), and carotenoids (83.06 mg/100 g DW). Using the 75:25 - NH 4 + :NO 3 ̄ ratio caused the highest dry matter (DM), N and K macronutrients in the leaves. The highest antioxidant activity by both DPPH (37.39 µg AAE/mL) and FRAP (69.55 mM Fe ++ /g DW) methods was obtained in 75:25 - NH 4 + :NO 3 ̄ treatment. The p-coumaric acid as a main abundant phenolic composition, was detected by HPLC analysis as the highest content in samples grown under 0:100 - NH 4 + :NO 3 ̄ treatment. Also, the major compounds in M. officinalis essential oil were identified as geranial, neral, geranyl acetate and geraniol by GC analysis. With increasing NO 3 ̄ application, geraniol and geranyl acetate contents were decreased., Conclusions: The findings of present study suggest that the management of NH4 + to NO 3 ̄ ratios in nutrient solutions could contribute to improving growth, physiological and phytochemical properties of M. officinalis. The plants treated with high nitrate ratio (especially 0:100 - NH 4 + :NO 3 ̄) showed the greatest effects on improving the growth and production of morpho-physiological and phytochemical compounds. By comprehensively understanding the intricate dynamics among nitrogen sources, plants, and their surroundings, researchers and practitioners can devise inventive approaches to optimize nitrogen management practices and foster sustainable agricultural frameworks., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Bitter melon (Momordica charantia L.) is well-known for its high protein, steroid, alkaloid, mineral, lipid, triterpene, and phenolic compound content, as well as its medicinal properties, particularly its anti-diabetic effects. To investigate the impact of elicitors on the morphology and phytochemical characteristics of bitter melon (Jounpouri cultivar) over two consecutive years (2018 and 2019), we conducted a field experiment. The study aimed to determine the effects of Ethrel, brassinosteroids (BRs), and k-carrageenan on yield and the production of anti-diabetic agents in M. charantia farm crops. The elicitors included ten levels, ranging from a control group to Ethrel (100, 300, and 600 mg l - 1 ), brassinosteroids (BRs) (0.1, 0.5, and 1 mg l - 1 ), and k-carrageenan (200, 400, and 600 mg l - 1 ). These characteristics included leaf area, leaf length, leaf width, fruit parameters, carbohydrate content, total phenols and flavonoid accumulation, antioxidant activity, total acid, ascorbic acid, momordicine, and charantin. Across both years, we observed the highest flavonoid accumulation and antioxidant activity in the Ethrel treatment group. Specifically, applying 0.5 mg l - 1 BRs and 300 mg l - 1 Ethrel led to an 18.8% and 14.8% increase in momordicine content, respectively. All elicitor treatments, particularly at 0.1 mg l - 1 BRs, significantly increased leaf area, leaf length, and leaf width compared to the control group in both cropping years. Additionally, the application of all elicitors resulted in increased fruit weight, dimensions, and yield over the two consecutive years. Notably, in 2018, 600 mg l - 1 Ethrel contributed to enhanced fruit weight and yield, while in 2019, 0.5 mg l - 1 BRs exhibited the same effect. Metabolic and physiological changes in bitter squash induced by employed elicitors over two different years (2018-2019) are strongly dependent on a variety of environmental factors such as temperature and rainfall. In conclusion, using BRs as an elicitor has the potential to optimize the health benefits of bitter melon by increasing the content of two bioactive molecules, momordicine and charantin., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Cadmium (Cd) toxicity significantly threatens agricultural productivity and food safety. Developing effective strategies to enhance plant tolerance to Cd stress is essential. This study investigates the synergistic effects of biochar (BC) and gibberellic acid (GA3) on mitigating Cd toxicity in maize (Zea mays), focusing on their impact on oxidative stress markers and antioxidant enzyme activities. Soil samples were collected from the Cholistan Institute of Desert Studies (CIDS) and analyzed for trace metal ions and other properties. Biochar was produced from fruit and vegetable waste, washed, washed, deashed, and mixed with 10 ppm GA3. FH-1036 hybrid maize seeds were sterilized and planted in pots containing soil with varying Cd levels (0, 8, and 16 mg Cd/kg soil). Twelve treatments were established, including control, GA3, BC, and their combinations under different Cd stress levels. Plants were irrigated to maintain 60% field capacity and harvested at the V10 growth stage. Hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) contents and activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) were measured in roots, stems, and leaves. Statistical analysis was performed using OriginPro 2021, with ANOVA and Fisher's LSD test used to determine significant differences. GA3 and BC treatments significantly reduced H 2 O 2 levels in maize roots, stems and leaves under Cd stress. The combined treatment of GA3 + BC showed the most significant reduction in H 2 O 2 levels across all plant parts, reducing root H 2 O 2 by 50%, stem H 2 O 2 by 55%, and leaf H 2 O 2 by 53% under severe Cd stress (16 mg Cd/kg). SOD activity increased under non-stress conditions but decreased under Cd stress, with the highest activity observed in the combined treatment. POD activity followed a similar pattern, with GA3 + BC treatment resulting in the most significant increases under non-stress conditions and the least reductions under Cd stress. CAT activity showed substantial increases with GA3 + BC treatment, particularly under severe Cd stress, with a notable rise over the control. APX activity also exhibited enhancements with GA3 and BC treatments, especially in the combined treatment under various Cd stress levels. This study highlights the potential of combined BC and GA3 treatments in improving Cd stress tolerance in maize. Future research should focus on field trials and the long-term impacts of these treatments on crop productivity and soil health., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Background: The Oxidative Balance Score (OBS) is employed for evaluating the body's overall level of oxidative stress. This study aimed to investigate the association between OBS and mortality in individuals with chronic kidney disease (CKD) using a cohort study design., Methods: We used data from adult participants(≥ 20 years old) in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 1999 to 2018. CKD is diagnosed based on the Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) guidelines. OBS, which consists of 16 dietary factors and 4 lifestyle factors, categorized into pro-oxidants and antioxidants, with a total score range of 0 to 40 .The OBS was divided into four quartiles (Q1 to Q4), with Q1 (5-12), Q2 (13-18), Q3 (19-24), and Q4 (25-36). We excluded patients with missing data on OBS, CKD, and key covariates.Cox regression analysis were used to examine the relationship between OBS and all-cause mortality in CKD patients. Sensitivity analyses included subgroup analysis and multiple imputation., Results: We included a total of 3,984 patients with CKD. During an average follow-up period of 103 months, 1,263 cases (31.7%) of all-cause mortality were recorded. In the fully adjusted model, compared to Q1 the hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for Q4 were as follows: OBS 0.80 (0.68, 0.95) (p = 0.012), dietary OBS 0.78 (0.66, 0.92) (p = 0.003), and lifestyle OBS 0.83 (0.70, 0.99) (p = 0.038). Our sensitivity analyses further confirmed the robustness of these results., Conclusions: Higher OBS was negatively correlated with all-cause mortality risk in American adults with CKD., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Melatonin has been found to be crucial in the growth and development of plants under stress conditions. In this study, the effects of melatonin and nano melatonin regarding the growth and development of tomato plants, along with their photosynthetic pigment, phenol, and antioxidant activity, were investigated under saline conditions. The study was conducted using a completely randomized design with three replications, and the applied treatments were salt stress and foliar spraying of melatonin at a concentration of 0 (control), melatonin (Mel), and nano capsule-melatonin (Nano-Mel) at 500 µM. Salinity treatments included application of sodium chloride with two concentration of 0 mM NaCl (S1) and 50 mM NaCl (S2). Under saline conditions, Mel and Nano-Mel increased both shoot and root fresh and dry weights, improved relative water content (RWC), and enhanced antioxidant activity and phenolic content. Salinity elevated leaf ABA content, unaffected by Mel or Nano-Mel. Chlorophyll fluorescence and SPAD values demonstrated resilience to salinity with Mel and Nano-Mel applications. Nano-Mel notably mitigated Na + accumulation in leaves under salinity, helping maintain K + homeostasis. Proline levels rise due to salinity but decreased with Mel and Nano-Mel treatments. Electrolyte leakage (EL) increased under salinity but is significantly reduced by Mel, indicating enhanced membrane stability. The findings reveal that salinity stress significantly reduced plasma membrane intrinsic protein (PIP) expression in roots and leaves, whereas Mel and Nano-Mel treatments enhance PIP expression, particularly in roots. The study concludes that Mel and Nano-Mel effectively alleviate salinity-induced stress, promoting growth and maintaining physiological homeostasis in tomato plants., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Background: Secondary metabolites of several plants, including esculin and digitoxin, which are cardiac glycosides, were previously employed for their therapeutic effects. The current study aims to investigate the functions of the main Na + /K + transport inhibitor digitoxin and the antioxidant esculin for enhancing flax plant growth and production under salinity., Methodology: Flax plants were irrigated with distilled water supplemented with 0.0 and 5000 mg/L salt solution starting from 15 DAS from sowing. Then exogenous treatment with digitoxin and esculin with 50 mg L - 1 and 100 mg L - 1 were used for this work., Results: According to the results of this work, foliar spraying of esculin or digitoxin increased the salinity tolerance of flax plants.The foliar application of either esculin or digitoxin induced an elevation in the contents of photosynthetic pigments, osmolytes including soluble sugar and proline as well as the total phenols in salt-stressed flax plants. Moreover, esculin and digitoxin in particular counteract oxidative stress by increasing the activity of antioxidant enzymes including superoxide dismutase, catalase, peroxidase, phenylalanine ammonia-lyase, and tyrosine ammonia lyase, leading to a decrease in reactive oxygen species and lipid peroxidation levels and electrolyte leakage. The efficiency of esculin and digitoxin to sustain ion homeostasis by inhibiting Na + absorption and increasing potassium, calcium, and phosphorus in flax plants may be the reason for their protective actions towards salinity.As a consequence, esculin and digitoxin increased yield quantity and quality as shown by increases in all investigated yield criteriaas shoot height, root length, their fresh and dry weights as well asseed yield/plant (g), and 1000 seeds weight, especially those that improved the desired oil properties., Conclusion: In conclusion, this study concluded that digitoxin was more effective in inhibiting Na + build-up and increasing flax salinity tolerance, particularly at the high investigated dose as compared to esculin. In this study, we reported the recent findings of exogenousapplication of either digitoxin or esculin glycosides which are new investigated salt alleviators never used before for improving the salt tolerance in flax plants., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Strain SAICEUPBM T was isolated from soils of Almadén (Ciudad Real, Spain), subjected to a high mercury concentration. SAICEUPBM T significantly increased aerial plant weight, aerial plant length and the development of secondary roots under mercury stress; increased twice the absorption of mercury by the plant, while favoring its development in terms of biomass. Similarly, plants inoculated with SAICEUPBM T and grown in soils contaminated with mercury, express a lower activity of antioxidant enzymes; catalase enzymes (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), glutathione reductase (GR) for defense against ROS (reactive oxygen species). Whole genome analysis showed that ANI (95. 96 %), dDDH (72.9 %), AAI (93.3 %) and TETRA (0.99) values were on the thresholds established for differentiation a subspecies. The fatty acids analysis related the strain with the Peribacillus frigoritolerans species. And the synapomorphic analysis reveals a common ancestor with analysis related the strain with the Peribacillus frigoritolerans species. Results from genomic analysis together with differences in phenotypic features and chemotaxonomic analysis support the proposal of strain SAICEUPBM T as the type strain of a novel subspecies for which the name Peribacillus frigoritolerans subps. mercuritolerans sp. nov is proposed. The absence of virulence genes and transmissible resistance mechanisms reveals its safety for agronomic uses, under mercury stress conditions. The ability of Peribacillus frigoritolerans subsp. mercuritolerans subsp. nov to improve plant development was tested in a Lupinus albus model, demonstrating a great potential for plant phytoprotection against mercury stress., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Microplastics (MPs) are pollutants widely distributed in the aquatic environments and causing various degrees of aquatic toxicity to aquatic organisms, which has attracted global attention in recent years. Nano-selenium (NSe) has been shown to have the potential to mitigate the harmful impacts of toxic substances. However, there is currently no reported evidence regarding the protective influence of NSe against the adverse effects of MPs. The aim of this study is to determine whether NSe could ameliorate the polystyrene (PS)-MPs-induced injury in grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella). The individuals of grass carp were assigned into three groups: (1) the control group fed with basal diet, (2) the PS group fed with basal diet and exposed to PS-MPs, and (3) the NSe group fed with diet supplemented with NSe and exposed to PS-MPs. Our results indicated that NSe administration significantly alleviated the histological damage caused by the PS-MPs in the liver and intestine with lower goblet cell count and larger villus height in the intestine, and significantly lower damage score in the liver. Moreover, NSe mitigated PS-MPs-induced oxidative stress through restoring the activities of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and malondialdehyde (MDA)) except the intestinal CAT activity. Furthermore, NSe supplementation could help fish maintain lower transcriptional level of the immune-related genes (Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88)), inflammation-related genes (major histocompatibility complex class II (MHC-II) and interleukin 8 (IL-8)) and antioxidant enzyme-related genes (nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf-2) and kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap-1)) after PS-MPs exposure. Besides, NSe supplementation dramatically helped maintain the intestinal microbial composition, for example, the proportion of Proteobacteria in the grass carp intestine of the NSe group (41 %) was similar to that of the control group (34 %) while 85 % of the PS group. NSe also played a significant protective role in intestinal microbial diversity, effectively resisting the damage on intestinal microbial diversity due to PS-MPs exposure. PS-MPs reduced the beneficial bacteria and increased the pathogenic microorganism like Aeromonas, which was undeniable signs of intestinal dysbiosis. Functional analysis indicated that PS-MPs affected intestinal microbiota functions like inhibition of metabolism, while NSe could significantly alleviate the damage. Our findings suggested that NSe could ameliorate PS-MPs-induced injury, which could contribute to the better understanding of the ecotoxicological effects of MPs on fish and help develop relevant mitigation strategies., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Growing evidence has reported that diphenhydramine (DPH), an ionisable antihistamine, is widely present in surface waters across the world. Relative to vertebrates studied, its impact on invertebrates, particularly concerning cytochrome P450 (CYP) metabolism and oxidative stress, remains poorly understood. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of 2, 20, and 200 µg/L DPH on marbled crayfish (Procambarus virginalis) after 96-h exposure. Specifically, we assessed CYP activity, antioxidant enzyme responses, and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity in gills, muscle, and hepatopancreas. The crayfish CYP metabolised fluorogenic CYP-metabolic substrates of 7-benzyloxy-4-trifluoromethylcoumarin (BFC) and dibenzylfluorescein (DBF), which evidenced the activity of CYP2C and CYP3A isoforms, well known in mammalian detoxification metabolism. Both BFC and DBF dealkylations showed a positive correlation with each other but were negatively correlated to water and haemolymph DPH concentrations. Exposure to 200 µg/L DPH elicited an apparent inhibition trend, albeit not significant, in BFC- and DBF-transformation activities in crayfish. Other tested 7-benzyloxyresorufin and 7-pentoxyresorufin substrates were poorly metabolised, suggesting their relatively low activity or the lack of mammalian-like CYP1A and CYP2B isoforms in marbled crayfish. The significant modulation of antioxidant enzymes was demonstrated in gills and hepatopancreas. The exposure to DPH did not alter the activity of AChE. Integrated biomarker response version 2 showed the highest cumulative effect of DPH exposure on gills, implying that gill tissue is the most reliable matrix for evaluating DPH toxicity. Activities of glutathione peroxidase and glutathione-S-transferase were the most deviated determinants among the investigated biomarkers, providing insights into the DPH toxicity in crayfish. This study brought the first insight into utilising the fluorogenically active substrates BFC and DBF to demonstrate the CYP involvement in the detoxification metabolism in marbled crayfish. Further, our results provided information on valuable antioxidant defence mechanisms and biomarker responses for a future DPH toxicity assessment in aquatic organisms., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The increase of oxidative stress level is one of the vital mechanisms of liver toxicity induced by arsenic (As). Ellagic acid (EA) is widely known due to its excellent antioxidation. Nevertheless, whether EA could alleviate As-induced oxidative stress and the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. Herein, As (2 and 4 μM) and EA (25 and 50 μM) were selected for alone and combined exposure of HepG2 cells to investigate the effects of EA on As-induced oxidative stress. Results indicated that EA could alleviate the oxidative stress caused by As via decreasing intracellular ROS level and MDA content, as well as improving SOD, CAT and GSH-PX activities. qRT-PCR showed that EA might enhance the expression levels of antioxidant enzymes NQO1, CAT and GPX1 by activating MAPK (JNK, p38 and ERK)/keap1-Nrf2 signaling pathway. EA was found to promote dissociation from keap1 and nuclear translocation of Nrf2 by competing with Nrf2 at ARG-380 and ARG-415 sites on keap1 to exert antioxidation using molecular docking. Moreover, metabolomics revealed that EA might maintain the redox balance of HepG2 cells by modulating or reversing disorders of carbon, amino acid, lipid and other metabolisms caused by As. This study provides diversified new insights for the removal of liver toxicity of As and the application of EA., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: The present study aimed to investigate the effects of endurance training (ET) in combination with MitoQ supplementation on antioxidant indices and the expression of sesterin-2 (SESN2) as an anti-aging factor and AMPK as an energy sensor in aged male Wistar rats., Methods: Twenty-eight aged Wistar rats (410 ± 15 g, 22 ± 1.5 months old) were randomly divided into four groups (n = 7): Control, ET (eight weeks endurance training on the treadmill), MitoQ (250 μ/L in drinking water), and ET + MitoQ. We measured the protein and gene expression of SESN2 and AMPK in the heart tissue by western blotting and real-time PCR, respectively. In addition, antioxidant indices, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity, and oxidant malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration in the cardiac tissue and serum were measured., Results: SESN2 and AMPK protein expression significantly increased in the MitoQ group compared to the control group (P = 0.002, P = 0.0003). MDA content in tissue and serum remained unchanged in all groups (P > 0.05). MitoQ supplementation significantly increased SOD and GPx enzyme activity in serum and cardiac tissue (P = 0.001)., Conclusion: Overall, ET and MitoQ alone and in combination have anti-aging effects and improve the expression of AMPK and SESN2. Additionally, ET and MitoQ lead to improved antioxidant capacity in aged rats by ameliorating the activity of antioxidant enzymes., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The current trend is the promotion of antioxidants that are beneficial for both health and the environment. Candida utilis have garnered considerable attention due to their commendable attributes such as non-toxicity and the ability to thrive in waste. Therefore, Candida utilis was used as raw material to isolate and identify new antioxidant peptides by employing methods such as ultrafiltration, DEAE Sepharose Fast Flow, and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The antioxidant mechanism of peptides was investigated by molecular docking. The properties of antioxidant peptides were evaluated using a variety of computational tools. This study resulted in the identification of two novel antioxidant peptides. According to the molecular docking results, the antioxidant mechanism of Candida utilis peptides operates by obstructing the entry to the myeloperoxidase activity cavity. The (-) CDOCKER energy of antioxidant peptides was 6.2 and 6.1 kcal/mol, respectively. Additionally, computer predictions indicated that antioxidant peptides exhibited non-toxicity and poor solubility., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Aspergillus cristatus, the predominant microbe of Fuzhuan brick tea (FBT), is responsible for the creation of distinctive golden flower and unique floral aroma of FBT. The present study examined the alterations in chemical and aromatic components of raw dark tea by solid-state fermentation using A. cristatus (MK346334), the strain isolated from FBT. As results, catechins, total ployphenols, total flavonoids, theaflavins, thearubigins and antioxidant activity were significantly reduced after fermentation. Moreover, 112 and 76 volatile substances were identified by HS-SPME-GC-MS and HS-GC-IMS, respectively, primarily composed of alcohols, ketones, esters and aldehydes. Furthermore, the calculation of odor activity values revealed that 19 volatile chemicals, including hexanal, heptanal, linalool and methyl salicylate, were the main contributors to the floral, fungal, woody and minty aroma of dark tea. The present research highlights the pivotal role played by the fermentation with A. cristatus in the chemical composition, antioxidant property and distinctive flavor of dark tea., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest All the authors declare no competing financial interest., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Addressing insulin resistance or hyperinsulinemia might offer a viable treatment approach to stop the onset of diabetic cardiomyopathy, as these conditions independently predispose to the development of the disease, which is initially characterized by diastolic abnormalities. The development of diabetic cardiomyopathy appears to be driven mainly by insulin resistance or impaired insulin signalling and/or hyperinsulinemia. Oxidative stress, hypertrophy, fibrosis, cardiac diastolic dysfunction, and, ultimately, systolic heart failure are the outcomes of these pathophysiological alterations. Melatonin is a ubiquitous indoleamine, a widely distributed compound secreted mainly by the pineal gland, and serves a variety of purposes in almost every living creature. Melatonin is found to play a leading role by improving myocardial cell metabolism, decreasing vascular endothelial cell death, reversing micro-circulation disorders, reducing myocardial fibrosis, decreasing oxidative and endoplasmic reticulum stress, regulating cell autophagy and apoptosis, and enhancing mitochondrial function. This review highlights a relationship between insulin resistance and associated cardiomyopathy. It explores the potential therapeutic strategies offered by the neurohormone melatonin, an important antioxidant that plays a leading role in maintaining glucose homeostasis by influencing the glucose transporters independently and through its receptors. The vast distribution of melatonin receptors in the body, including beta cells of pancreatic islets, asserts the role of this indole molecule in maintaining glucose homeostasis. Melatonin controls the production of GLUT4 and/or the phosphorylation process of the receptor for insulin and its intracellular substrates, activating the insulin-signalling pathway through its G-protein-coupled membrane receptors., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest Authors declare that they have no competing interests., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Production of the red seaweed Palmaria palmata is currently hindered by a lack of standardised cultivation methods leading to uncertainties in yield and product quality. This study assessed vegetative propagation of meristematic fragments and the protein content and bioactivity potential of resulting plants. Growth was strong and sustained, averaging 5% day -1 . Total protein contents initially decreased but recovered as the fragments grew larger and thicker. Samples displayed the highest antioxidant activity early in the experiment, suggesting that wounds may increase the secretion of antioxidant compounds. In silico analysis identified 762 potentially bioactive motifs, including 70 matching in vitro results. The newly discovered peptide SLLYSDITRPGGNMYTTR (SR18), linked to the pigment allophycocyanin, had very strong antioxidant properties and may drive the recorded in vitro activity. Vegetative propagation appears as a strong potential cultivation tool, and the utilised approach can be applied to assess the cultivation and nutritional potential of other seaweed species., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Microalgae play an important role in aquatic ecosystems, but the widespread presence of micro- and nano-plastics (MNPs) poses significant threats to them. Haematococcus pluvialis is well-known for its ability to produce the antioxidant astaxanthin when it experiences stress from environmental conditions. Here we examined the effects of polystyrene nanoplastics (PS-NPs) at concentrations of 0.1, 1, and 10 mg/L on H. pluvialis over an 18-day period. Our results show that PS-NPs caused a significant, dose-dependent inhibition of H. pluvialis growth and a reduction in photosynthesis. Furthermore, PS-NPs severely damaged the morphology of H. pluvialis, leading to cell shrinkage, collapse, content release, and aggregation. Additionally, PS-NPs induced a dose-dependent increase in soluble protein content and a decrease in the production of extracellular polymeric substances. These findings indicate that PS-NPs has the potential to adversely affect both the physiology and morphology of H. pluvialis. An increase in reactive oxygen species and antioxidant enzyme activities was also observed, suggesting an oxidative stress response to PS-NPs exposure. Notably, the synthesis of astaxanthin, which is crucial for H. pluvialis's survival under stress, was significantly inhibited in a dose-dependent manner under strong light conditions, along with the down-regulation of genes involved in the astaxanthin biosynthesis pathway. This suggests that PS-NPs exposure reduces H. pluvialis's ability to survive under adverse conditions. This study enhances our understanding of the toxic effects of PS-NPs on microalgae and underscores the urgent need for measures to mitigate MNP pollution to protect aquatic ecosystems., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

This study investigated the production of antioxidant peptides from Porphyra yezoensis through fermentation with three strains of microorganisms: Lactiplantibacillus plantarum L13, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens MMB-02, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae A8. The crude peptides were extracted by aqueous acid precipitation and purified by Sephadex G-25 gel column to produce highly active antioxidant components with molecular weight of <4000 Da. The LC-MS/MS result revealed that the fermentation group contained more hydrophobic amino acids and oligopeptides, which were mainly originated from phycobiliproteins and algal blue proteins. Finally, the antioxidant activity of Porphyra yezoensis was determined with DPPH· and ABTS· scavenging rates of 54.87% and 57.39%, respectively. The ferric ion-reducing power (FRAP) and enzyme activities of SOD and CAT were significantly higher than those of the control group. This study provides a scientific foundation for the deep processing of striped seaweed and contributes to the theoretical understanding of synthetic antioxidant substitutes., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

In this study, gum arabic (GA) coating was employed to mitigate chilling injury in peach fruit, and it was observed that 10% GA coating exhibited the most favorable effect. GA coating significantly inhibited the decline of AsA content and enhanced antioxidant enzyme activity in peach fruit, thereby enhancing reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging rate while reducing its accumulation. Simultaneously, GA coating inhibited the activity of oxidative degradation enzymes for phenolics and enhanced synthase activity, thus maintaining higher levels of total phenolics and flavonoids in fruits. Additionally, compared to the control fruit, GA-coated fruits demonstrated higher concentrations of sucrose and sorbitol, accompanied more robust activity of sucrose synthase and sucrose phosphate synthase, as well as reduced activity of acid invertase and neutral invertase. Our study demonstrates that GA coating can effectively enhance the cold resistance of peach fruit by regulating ROS, phenolics, and sugar metabolism, maintaining high levels of phenolics and sucrose while enhancing antioxidant activity., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Cultivating productive paddy crops on salty soil to maximise production is a challenging approach to meeting the world's growing food demand. Thus, determining salinity tolerance rates in specific paddy cultivars is urgently needed. In this study, the salt tolerance traits of selected paddy cultivars, ADT45 and ADT39, were investigated by analysing germination, metabolites (pigments and biomolecules), and enzymatic (Superoxide dismutase (SOD), Catalase (CAT), and Peroxidase (POD) adaptation strategies as salt-stress tolerance mechanisms. This study found that salinity-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) were efficiently detoxified by the antioxidant enzymes Superoxide dismutase (SOD), Catalase (CAT), and Peroxidase (POD) in ADT45 paddy varieties, followed by ADT39. Salinity stress had a significant impact on pigments and essential biomolecules in ADT45 and ADT39 paddy cultivars, including total chlorophyll, anthocyanin, carotenoids, ascorbic acid, hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ), malondialdehyde, and proline. ADT45 demonstrated a significant relationship between H 2 O 2 and antioxidant enzyme levels, followed by ADT39 paddy but not IR64. Morphological, physiological, and biochemical analyses revealed that ADT45, followed by ADT39, is a potential salt-tolerant rice cultivar., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) worldwide increases as the population ages. The progression of the disease increases the risk of complications and death and leads to end-stage renal failure, requiring renal replacement therapy. Despite the positive effect of hemodialysis (HD), patients are at risk of developing malnutrition, inflammation, oxidative stress, or cardiovascular disease, which worsens quality of life and can lead to organ dysfunction. The occurrence of the mentioned disorders depends largely on the diet, so changes in diet composition are an important part of the treatment of kidney disease. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a balanced diet on some parameters of oxidative stress, immune response, and nutritional status in patients. This study included 57 HD patients (19 women and 38 men). In all of them, nutritional status and diet were initially determined, and then, they were divided into six groups, which received different diets and supplements. Serum levels of albumin, total protein, MDA, and the cytokines Il-1, IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α, and IL-10 were determined, and the activity of the enzymes such as CAT, SOD, and GSH-Px were determined in erythrocytes by spectrophotometry. Based on the results of BMI, albumin, and total protein, it can be concluded that a well-balanced diet can reduce weight loss. This study shows that a well-balanced diet can reduce the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines, and ensure the normal activity of antioxidative enzymes in the blood of HD patients., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflicts of interest.