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The conversion of a functional group into another represents the core of organic synthesis. Within the arena of functional group interconversions, oxidative and reductive transformations occupy a privileged position and the development of new sustainable, selective, and general methodologies continue to attract significant interest. Owing to the versatility of their chemistry, selenium compounds offer significant opportunities to achieve both oxidation and reduction of a wide range of functional groups. Additionally, the possibility to generate in situ the active oxidant or reducing selenium species from suitable inert precursors enables the development of catalytic processes. In this review, recent advances in selenium‐mediated oxidative and reductive functional group interconversions, with particular emphasis on cutting‐edge researches bringing about new insights into the comprehension of their mechanistic aspects, will be discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Selenium (Se) compounds hold promise as potential therapeutics for cancer due to their diverse biological functions and redox‐regulating properties. In this study, the encapsulation of a hydrophobic selenium compound inside 5 µm sized biodegradable polyelectrolyte capsules consisting of poly‐L‐arginine and dextran is investigated. While the encapsulated form of the compound showed comparable cellular uptake and cytotoxicity as the free drug, e.g. no improved anti‐cancer efficacy is achieved, the investigation yielded crucial insights. Utilizing subcellular resolution synchrotron X‐ray fluorescence imaging (XFI), the intracellular location of the Se compound is successfully visualized by demonstrating the degradation of the capsules and the following redistribution of the compound, without exogenous labeling. By applying a quantitative fitting approach, the intracellular Se mass is determined to be 0.09 ± 0.01 pg after degradation of the carrier. This highlights the potential of XFI as a powerful tool for tracking intracellular dynamics of metal‐based drugs, which may facilitate drug development in the clinic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the synthesis, antimicrobial activity, drug-likeness, and molecular docking studies of novel 3-((2-(benzylthio)-5-(phenylselanyl)pyrimidin-4-yl)amino)-2-(4-substituted phenyl)thiazolidin-4-ones. The compounds showed effective antimicrobial activities against gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria, as well as fungal strains. Computational molecular docking studies revealed strong binding affinities of the compounds with DNA gyrase and topoisomerase enzymes. The study aims to contribute to further investigations on the potential therapeutic role of these compounds. [Extracted from the article]

The equilibrium structure of selenophenol has been investigated using rotational spectroscopy and high-level quantum mechanical calculations, offering electronic and structural insight into the scarcely studied selenium compounds. The jet-cooled broadband microwave spectrum was measured in the 2–8 GHz cm-wave region using broadband (chirped-pulse) fast-passage techniques. Additional measurements up to 18 GHz used narrow-band impulse excitation. Spectral signatures were obtained for six isotopic species of selenium (80Se, 78Se, 76Se, 82Se, 77Se, and 74Se), together with different monosubstituted 13C species. The (unsplit) rotational transitions associated with the non-inverting μa-dipole selection rules could be partially reproduced with a semirigid rotor model. However, the internal rotation barrier of the selenol group splits the vibrational ground state into two subtorsional levels, doubling the dipole-inverting μb transitions. The simulation of the double-minimum internal rotation gives a very low barrier height (B3PW91: 42 cm−1), much smaller than for thiophenol (277 cm−1). A monodimensional Hamiltonian then predicts a huge vibrational separation of 72.2 GHz, justifying the non-observation of μb transitions in our frequency range. The experimental rotational parameters were compared with different MP2 and density functional theory calculations. The equilibrium structure was determined using several high-level ab initio calculations. A final Born–Oppenheimer ( r e BO ) structure was obtained at the coupled-cluster CCSD(T)_ae/cc-wCVTZ level of theory, including small corrections for the wCVTZ → wCVQZ basis set enlargement calculated at the MP2 level. The mass-dependent method with predicates was used to produce an alternative r m (2) structure. The comparison between the two methods confirms the high accuracy of the r e BO structure and offers information on other chalcogen-containing molecules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• This review discussed various mineral selenium compounds for Hg0 removal. • The adsorption performance and influence factors are summarized. • The adsorption mechanisms and reusability are also summarized. • MSe adsorbents are effective in removing mercury. Mercury (Hg) pollution has been a global concern in recent decades, posing a significant threat to entire ecosystems and human health due to its cumulative toxicity, persistence, and transport in the atmosphere. The intense interaction between mercury and selenium has opened up a new field for studying mercury removal from industrial flue gas pollutants. Besides the advantages of good Hg° capture performance and low secondary pollution of the mineral selenium compounds, the most noteworthy is the relatively low regeneration temperature, allowing adsorbent regeneration with low energy consumption, thus reducing the utilization cost and enabling recovery of mercury resources. This paper reviews the recent progress of mineral selenium compounds in flue gas mercury removal, introduces in detail the different types of mineral selenium compounds studied in the field of mercury removal, reviews the adsorption performance of various mineral selenium compounds adsorbents on mercury and the influence of flue gas components, such as reaction temperature, air velocity, and other factors, and summarizes the adsorption mechanism of different fugitive forms of selenium species. Based on the current research progress, future studies should focus on the economic performance and the performance of different carriers and sizes of adsorbents for the removal of Hg0 and the correlation between the gas-particle flow characteristics and gas phase mass transfer with the performance of Hg0 removal in practical industrial applications. In addition, it remains a challenge to distinguish the oxidation and adsorption of Hg0 quantitatively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aggregation of β‐amyloid peptide (Aβ) is associated with neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). Several therapies aimed at reducing the aggregation of this peptide have emerged as potential strategies for the treatment of AD. This paper describes the design and preparation of new hybrid molecules based on steroids, selenosugars, and [60]fullerene as potential inhibitors of Aβ oligomerization. These moieties were selected based on their antioxidant properties and possible areas of interaction with the Aβ. Cyclopropanations between C60 and malonates bearing different steroid and selenosugar moieties using the Bingel–Hirsch protocol have enabled the synthesis of functionalized molecular hybrids. The obtained derivatives were characterized by physical and spectroscopic techniques. Theoretical calculations for all the selenium compounds were performed using the density functional theory DFT/B3LYP‐D3(BJ)/6‐311G(2d,p) predicting the most stable conformations of the synthesized derivatives. Relevant geometrical parameters were investigated to relate the stereochemical behavior and the spectroscopic data obtained. The affinity of the compounds for Aβ‐peptide was estimated by molecular docking simulation, which predicted an increase in affinity and interactions for Aβ for the hybrids containing the C60 core. In addition, parameters such as lipophilicity, polar surface area, and dipole moment were calculated to predict their potential interaction with membrane cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Breast cancer has the highest incidence rate among all malignancies worldwide. Its high mortality is mainly related to the occurrence of multidrug resistance, which significantly limits therapeutic options. In this regard, there is an urgent need to develop compounds that would overcome this phenomenon. There are few reports in the literature that selenium compounds can modulate the activity of P-glycoprotein (MDR1). Therefore, we performed in silico studies and evaluated the effects of the novel selenoesters EDAG-1 and EDAG-8 on BCRP, MDR1, and MRP1 resistance proteins in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. The cytometric analysis showed that the tested compounds (especially EDAG-8) are inhibitors of BCRP, MDR1, and MRP1 efflux pumps (more potent than the reference compounds—novobiocin, verapamil, and MK-571). An in silico study correlates with these results, suggesting that the compound with the lowest binding energy to these transporters (EDAG-8) has a more favorable spatial structure affecting its anticancer activity, making it a promising candidate in the development of a novel anticancer agent for future breast cancer therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peanut is an economically important crop, but it is susceptible to Cr contamination. In this study, we used peanut as experimental material to investigate the effects of exogenous P, Se interacting with Cr on the nutrient growth and antioxidant system of peanut seedlings by simulating Cr (0 μM, 50 μM, and 100 μM) stress environment. The results showed that exogenous P, Se supply could mitigate irreversible damage to peanut seedlings by altering the distribution of Cr in roots and aboveground, changing root conformation, and repairing damaged cells to promote growth. When the Cr concentration is 100 μM, it exhibits the highest toxicity. Compared to the control group P and Se (0 MM), the treatment with simultaneous addition of P + Se (0.5 + 6.0) resulted in a significant increase in root length and root tip number by 248.7% and 127.4%, respectively. Additionally, there was a 46.9% increase in chlorophyll content, a 190.2% increase in total surface area of the seedlings, and a respective increase of 149.1% and 180.3% in soluble protein content in the shoot and roots. In addition, by restricting the absorption of Cr and reducing the synthesis of superoxide dismutase SOD (Superoxide dismutase), CAT (Catalase), POD (Peroxidase), and MDA (Malonaldehyde), it effectively alleviates the oxidative stress on the antioxidant system. Therefore, the exogenous addition of P (0.5 MM) and Se (6.0 MM) prevented the optimal concentration of chromium toxicity to peanuts. Our research provides strong evidence that the exogenous combination of P and Se reduces the risk of peanut poisoning by Cr, while also exploring the optimal concentration of exogenous P and Se under laboratory conditions, providing a basis for further field experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Selenium (Se) is an essential trace element known for its significant role in maintaining human health and mitigating disease progression. Selenium and its compounds exhibit high selective cytotoxicity against tumor cells. However, their anti-cervical cancer (CC) effects and underlying mechanisms have not been fully explored. This study found that sodium selenite (SS) inhibits the viability of HeLa and SiHa cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Intraperitoneal injection of 3 and 6 mg/kg SS for 14 days in female nude mice significantly inhibited the growth of HeLa cell xenografts without evident hepatotoxicity or nephrotoxicity. RNA sequencing results indicated that the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), Forkhead box protein O (FOXO), and apoptosis signaling pathways are key regulatory pathways in SS's anti-CC effects, and SS's inhibition of HeLa cell proliferation may be related to autophagy and ROS-induced apoptosis. Further research has revealed that SS induces cell autophagy and apoptosis through the AMPK/mTOR/FOXO3a pathway, characterized by the upregulation of p-AMPK/AMPK, FOXO3a, LC3-II, cleaved-caspase3, and cleaved-PARP and the downregulation of p-mTOR/mTOR and p62. Additionally, SS impaired mitochondrial function, including decreased mitochondrial membrane potential, mitochondrial Ca2+ overload, and accumulation of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mtROS). Pretreatment with Mitoquinone mesylate (Mito Q) and compound C partially reversed SS-induced apoptosis, autophagy, and proliferation inhibition. Pretreatment with 3-methyladenine (3-MA) enhances SS-induced apoptosis and proliferation inhibition in HeLa cells but reverses these effects in SiHa cells. In summary, SS induces apoptosis, autophagy, and proliferation inhibition in HeLa and SiHa cells through the activation of the AMPK/mTOR/FOXO3a signaling pathway via mtROS. Autophagy activation may be a major risk factor for SS-induced apoptosis in SiHa cells but can protect HeLa cells from SS-induced apoptosis. These findings provide new evidence for understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying SS in potential new drug development for CC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Breast cancer is a major malignancy among women, characterized by a high mortality rate. The available literature evidence indicates that selenium, as a trace element, has chemopreventive properties against many types of cancer; as such, compounds containing it in their structure may potentially exhibit anticancer activity. Accordingly, we have undertaken a study to evaluate the effects of novel selenoesters (EDAG-1, -7, -8, -10) on MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. Our analysis included investigations of cell proliferation and viability as well as cytometric determinations of apoptosis/autophagy induction, changes in mitochondrial membrane polarity (ΔΨm), caspase 3/7, 8, and 9 activities, and Bax, Bcl-2, p53, Akt, AMPK, and LC3A/B proteins. The obtained data revealed that the tested derivatives are highly cytotoxic and inhibit cell proliferation even at nanomolar doses (0.41–0.79 µM). Importantly, their strong proapoptotic properties (↑ caspase 3/7) are attributable to the effects on both the extrinsic (↑ caspase 8) and intrinsic (↓ ΔΨm and Bcl-2, ↑ Bax, p53, and caspase 9) pathways of apoptosis. Moreover, the tested compounds are autophagy activators (↓ Akt, ↑ autophagosomes and autolysosomes, AMPK, LC3A/B). In summary, the potent anticancer activity suggests that the tested compounds may be promising drug candidates for future breast cancer therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to evaluate the nutrient intake and dietary antioxidant capacity of children and adolescents with ASD. The study included 38 children and adolescents with ASD aged 6–18 years and 38 gender and age-matched peers without ASD. Caregivers of participants who met inclusion criteria completed a questionnaire form, three-day food consumption record and antioxidant nutrient questionnaire. There were 26 (68.4%) boys and 12 (31.6%) girls in both groups and mean age of participants with and without ASD was 10.9 ± 4.03 years versus 11.1 ± 4.09 years, respectively. The average intake of carbohydrates, vitamin D, calcium, sodium and selenium was lower in participants with ASD than in participants without ASD (p < 0.05). In both groups, dietary fiber, vitamin D, potassium, calcium and selenium intake insufficiency were high, and there was a significant difference between the two groups in terms of carbohydrate, omega 3, vitamin D and sodium intake insufficiency. Considering the antioxidant intakes of the participants, the median value of dietary antioxidant capacity from food consumption record of participants with and without ASD was 3.2 (1.9) mmol versus 4.3 (1.9) mmol, respectively, whereas the dietary antioxidant capacity from antioxidant nutrient questionnaire was 3.5 (2.9) mmol versus 4.8 (2.7) mmol, respectively (p < 0.05). It is predicted that providing nutritional counseling and regulation of diet, especially keeping the antioxidant capacity of diets high, may be effective in reducing some of the symptoms of ASD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

N-acetyl-selenomethionine (NASeLM), a representative of the selenium compounds, failed to convince in clinical studies and cell cultures that it neither inhibits cancer growth nor has a chemoprotective effect. This study aims to find out whether NASeLM shows a growth-inhibiting property compared to the carrier substance N-Acetyl-L-methionine (NALM) on two different cancer cells, namely Jurkat cells and MTC-SK cells. Methods: Jurkat and MTC-SK cells were cultured in the absence or presence of varying concentrations (0–500 µg/mL) of NASeLM and NALM solutions. After 0, 24, 48, and 72 h, mitochondrial activity, cancer cell membrane CP levels, cell growth, and caspase-3 activity were assessed in aliquots of Jurkat and MTC-SK cells. Results: Both substances, NASeLM and NALM, were similarly able to inhibit cell growth and mitochondrial activity of Jurkat cells in a concentration-dependent and time-dependent manner up to 70%. Only the determination of caspase activity showed that only NASeLM was able to increase this to almost 40% compared to the control as well as the same lack of NALM. However, the experiments on MTC-SK cells showed a clear difference in favor of NASeLM compared to NALM. While NASeLM was able to reduce cell growth to up to 55%, the same amount of NALM was only at around 15%, which turned out to be highly significant (p < 0.001). The same could also be measured for the reduction in MTC-SK mitochondrial activity. Time dependence could also be recognized: the longer both substances, NASeLM and NALM, were incubated, the higher the effect on cell growth and mitochondrial activity, in favour of NASeLM. Only NASeLM was able to increase caspase-3 activity in MTC-SK cells: at 250 µg/mL NASeLM, caspase-3 activity increased significantly to 28% after 24 and 48 h compared to the control (14%) or the same NALM concentration (14%). After 72 h, this could still increase to 37%. A further increase in the NASeLM concentration did not result in higher caspase-3 activity. Conclusion: NASeLM could clearly increase caspase-3 activity in both cell types, Jurkat or MTC-SK cells, and thus induce cell death. NALM and NASeLM showed a reduction in cell growth and mitochondrial activity in both cell lines: While NALM and NASeLM showed almost identical measurements on Jurkat cells, NASeLM was much more effective on MTC-SK than the non-selenium-containing carrier, indicating that it has additional anti-chemoprotective effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work presents the first systematic comparison of selenium (Se) speciation in plasma from cancer patients treated orally with three Se compounds (sodium selenite, SS; L-selenomethionine, SeMet; or Se-methylselenocysteine, MSC) at 400 µg/day for 28 days. The primary goal was to investigate how these chemical forms of Se affect the plasma Se distribution, aiming to identify the most effective Se compound for optimal selenoprotein expression. This was achieved using methodology based on HPLC-ICP-MS after sample preparation/fractionation approaches. Measurements of total Se in plasma samples collected before and after 4 weeks of treatment showed that median total Se levels increased significantly from 89.6 to 126.4 µg kg−1 Se (p < 0.001), particularly when SeMet was administered (190.4 µg kg−1 Se). Speciation studies showed that the most critical differences between treated and baseline samples were seen for selenoprotein P (SELENOP) and selenoalbumin after administration with MSC (p = 5.8 × 10−4) and SeMet (p = 6.8 × 10−5), respectively. Notably, selenosugar-1 was detected in all low-molecular-weight plasma fractions following treatment, particularly with MSC. Two different chromatographic approaches and spiking experiments demonstrated that about 45% of that increase in SELENOP levels (to ~ 8.8 mg L−1) with SeMet is likely due to the non-specific incorporation of SeMet into the SELENOP affinity fraction. To the authors' knowledge, this has not been reported to date. Therefore, SELENOP is probably part of both the regulated (55%) and non-regulated (45%) Se pools after SeMet administration, whereas SS and MSC mainly contribute to the regulated one. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Selenoneine exhibited high antioxidant action compared to ergothioneine, a traditional antioxidant ingredient, whereas other selenium compounds such as selenious acid and seleno-L-methionine showed no antioxidative properties in several evaluations. We enzymatically prepared a hydrolysate of mackerel protein (EMP) containing selenoneine. EMP also exhibited antioxidant action in vitro. EMP treatment modulated the secretion of interleukin-6 and -10, but not TNF-a, in cultured RAW264.7 macrophages. The safety of EMP intake, i.e., selenium-feeding, was confirmed in SD rats. Serum and hepatic triglyceride levels and serum insulin, leptin, and cholesteryl ester levels tended to lower in SD rats fed EMP. The elevated serum triglyceride, free fatty acid, insulin, and leptin levels also tended to be decreased in KK-Ay mice fed EMP. These results suggest that EMP intake may be involved in the improvement of lipid metabolism, through immune modulation by the various antioxidants contained in EMP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document is a contents list for the New Journal of Chemistry, providing a summary of papers published in 2024. The journal covers a wide range of topics in the chemical sciences, including selenium compounds as antiviral agents, guanidinium-terminated gold nanoparticles for protein delivery, and the synthesis of macroporous nanocarbon for sodium ion batteries. The journal aims to connect the global chemistry community and reinvest profits into the field. Additionally, the document includes an expression of concern and a correction for previous articles. [Extracted from the article]

The past two decades of this century have faced half a dozen pandemics caused by different kinds of viruses, affecting millions of people globally. Among them three zoonotic viruses of the beta-coronavirus family, namely SARS-CoV-1, MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2, have emerged in a span of 17 years. Prevention of viral infection using vaccines is the foremost strategy to combat viral infection, but development of a vaccine for a virus remains a challenging task due to high genetic diversity and high mutation rates. Treatment of viral disease at different stages by antiviral drugs is another strategy. Several antiviral agents, primarily aiming to disrupt the viral life cycle, have been developed. Extensive research in different labs across the globe has shown that selenium deficiency has been associated with pathogenicity of several viruses like influenza viruses, HIV, HBV, HSV-1, etc. While dietary selenium supplementation has been practiced clinically, researchers are now focusing on developing new synthetic organoselenium compounds as novel antiviral agents. In this essay we have covered different classes of selenium compounds, viz. N-heterocyclic selenium derivatives, ebselen and its derivatives, organoselenium compounds, and selenium nanoparticles, which have been evaluated for effective management of viral infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The discovery and synthetic applications of novel organoselenium compounds and their reactions proceeded rapidly during the past fifty years and such processes are now carried out routinely in many laboratories. At the same time, the growing demand for new enantioselective processes provided new challenges. The convergence of selenium chemistry and asymmetric synthesis led to key developments in the 1970s, although the majority of early work was based on stoichiometric processes. More recently, greater emphasis has been placed on greener catalytic variations, along with the discovery of novel reactions and a deeper understanding of their mechanisms. The present review covers the literature in this field from 2010 to early 2023 and encompasses asymmetric reactions mediated by chiral selenium‐based reagents, auxiliaries, and especially, catalysts. Protocols based on achiral selenium compounds in conjunction with other species of chiral catalysts, as well as reactions that are controlled by chiral substrates, are also included. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Selenium is an important and essential trace element in organisms, but its effects on organisms are also a "double-edged sword". Selenium deficiency or excess can endanger the health of humans and animals. In order to thoroughly understand the nutritional value and toxicity hazards of selenium, researchers have conducted many studies on the model animal zebrafish. However, there is a lack of induction and summary of relevant research on which selenium acts on zebrafish. This paper provides a review of the reported studies. Firstly, this article summarizes the benefits of selenium on zebrafish from three aspects: Promoting growth, Enhancing immune function and anti-tumor ability, Antagonizing some pollutants, such as mercury. Then, three aspects of selenium toxicity to zebrafish are introduced: nervous system and behavior, reproductive system and growth, and damage to some organs. This article also describes how different forms of selenium compounds have different effects on zebrafish health. Finally, prospects for future research directions are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bacterial multiresistance to drugs is a rapidly growing global phenomenon. New resistance mechanisms have been described in different bacterial pathogens, threatening the effective treatment of even common infectious diseases. The problem worsens in infections associated with biofilms because, in addition to the pathogen's multiresistance, the biofilm provides a barrier that prevents antimicrobial access. Several "non-antibiotic" drugs have antimicrobial activity, even though it is not their primary therapeutic purpose. However, due to the urgent need to develop effective antimicrobials to treat diseases caused by multidrug-resistant pathogens, there has been an increase in research into "non-antibiotic" drugs to offer an alternative therapy through the so-called drug repositioning or repurposing. The prospect of new uses for existing drugs has the advantage of reducing the time and effort required to develop new compounds. Moreover, many drugs are already well characterized regarding toxicity and pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic properties. Ebselen has shown promise for use as a repurposing drug for antimicrobial purposes. It is a synthetic organoselenium with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and cytoprotective activity. A very attractive factor for using ebselen is that, in addition to potent antimicrobial activity, its minimum inhibitory concentration is very low for microbial pathogens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The application of selenium-based non-covalent bond catalysis in living cationic polymerization has rarely been reported. In this work, the cationic polymerization of p-methoxystyrene (pMOS) was performed using a bidentate selenium bond catalyst – a new water-tolerant Lewis acid catalyst. A polymer with controllable molecular weight and narrow molecular weight distribution can be obtained at room temperature, with a maximum molecular weight of 23.3 kDa. This selenium bond compound can also catalyze the controllable cationic polymerization of p-methoxy styrene under environmental conditions. By changing the monomer feeding ratio, a secondary feeding experiment and DFT analysis, it is shown that the selenium bond catalyst can induce polymer chain growth by reversibly activating dormant covalent bonds (C–OH). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This research has investigated the effect of different levels of nitrogen and selenium on some growth and physiological characteristics of garlic leaves. Research method: This research was done as a factorial in the form of randomized complete blocks in 3 replications. The first factor included four levels of nitrogen (0, 50, 100, and 150 kg ha-1) and the second factor included three levels of selenium (0, 5, and 10 mgL-1). Findings: In all four nitrogen levels, with increasing selenium concentration, plant height (69.66 cm), fresh weight (10.66 g m²), and dry weight (51.33 g m²) of leaf increased. The highest amount of photosynthetic pigments was observed in the treatment of 150 kg ha-1 of nitrogen along with 10 mg L-1 of sodium selenate. Nitrogen and selenium increased antioxidant capacity (45.69 µmol g-1FW), total phenol (295.60 mg 100 g-1FW) and ascorbic acid (18.30 mg 100 g-1FW). Contrary to selenium, nitrogen increased the amount of allicin in garlic leaf, and the highest amount of allicin (0.33 mgmL-1) was in the treatment of 150 kg ha-1 of nitrogen along with 0 mgL-1 of sodium selenate. The maximum plant height and wet and dry weight of the leaf were observed in the treatments of selenium and nitrogen, which shows the positive effect of both elements on increasing the amount of chlorophyll synthesis and, as a result increasing the amount of photosynthesis and carbon fixation, which ultimately will have, increasing the growth rate of garlic plant. Research limitations: None were found to report. Originality/Value: As a result, the treatment of 150 kg ha-1 of nitrogen along with 10 mgL-1 of sodium selenate is recommended to increase the antioxidant compounds of garlic leaf, which is a good source of these compounds and selenium in early spring, which also plays an essential role in human health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deficient wound healing is frequently observed in patients diagnosed with diabetes, a clinical complication that compromises mobility and leads to limb amputation, decreasing patient autonomy and family lifestyle. Fibroblasts are crucial for secreting the extracellular matrix (ECM) to pave the wound site for endothelial and keratinocyte regeneration. The biosynthetic pathways involved in collagen production and crosslinking are intimately related to fibroblast redox homeostasis. In this study, two sets of human dermic fibroblasts were cultured in normal (5 mM) and high (25 mM)-glucose conditions in the presence of 1 µM selenium, as sodium selenite (inorganic) and the two selenium amino acids (organic), Se-cysteine and Se-methionine, for ten days. We investigated the ultrastructural changes in the secreted ECM induced by these conditions using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). In addition, we evaluated the redox impact of these three compounds by measuring the basal state and real-time responses of the thiol-based HyPer biosensor expressed in the cytoplasm of these fibroblasts. Our results indicate that selenium compound supplementation pushed the redox equilibrium towards a more oxidative tone in both sets of fibroblasts, and this effect was independent of the type of selenium. The kinetic analysis of biosensor responses allowed us to identify Se-cysteine as the only compound that simultaneously improved the sensitivity to oxidative stimuli and augmented the disulfide bond reduction rate in high-glucose-cultured fibroblasts. The redox response profiles showed no clear association with the ultrastructural changes observed in matrix fibers secreted by selenium-treated fibroblasts. However, we found that selenium supplementation improved the ECM secreted by high-glucose-cultured fibroblasts according to endothelial migration assessed with a wound healing assay. Direct application of sodium selenite and Se-cysteine on purified collagen fibers subjected to glycation also improved cellular migration, suggesting that these selenium compounds avoid the undesired effect of glycation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Background & Objective: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a rapid loss of kidney function that is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Oxidative hazard, inflammation, mitochondrial deterioration and depletion of cellular energy stores, which terminate in organ dysfunction, are the major hallmarks of AKI. The current experimental investigation attempted to evaluate the effects of selenium (Se), a pivotal micronutrient, on the ischemia/reperfusion (IR)-induced kidney damage emphasizing on the biogenesis of mitochondria. Materials & Methods: Male Wistar rats (n = 18) were randomly allocated into three groups: sham, IR, and Se + IR. Rats in the last group 1 h before IR induction, were treated with Se (0.5 mg/kg) intraperitoneally. Six hours after reperfusion blood and kidney tissue samples were collected, and animals were euthanized. In addition to the evaluation of biochemical factors and histopathology, the protein levels of sirtuin1 (SIRT-1), and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator 1-α (PGC-1α) of the kidney tissues were determined via western blotting. Results: Pre-treatment with Se could significantly improve IR-induced kidney function markers (creatinine and BUN) as well as the pathological alteration in comparison with the IR group (P < 0.05). Moreover, in the Se + IR group, a substantial surge of the Sirt-1 and PGC-1α at the protein level was recorded compared to the IR group. Conclusion: The results proposed that Se displays a protective role against renal IR injury via up-regulating proteins involved in mitochondrial biogenesis. Due to the pivotal role of mitochondria in renal tubules, these results offer insight into the plausible preventative and/or therapeutic effects of Se against AKI after further studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Leishmaniasis remains a significant global health concern, with current treatments relying on outdated drugs associated with high toxicity, lengthy administration, elevated costs, and drug resistance. Consequently, the urgent need for safer and more effective therapeutic options in leishmaniasis treatment persists. Previous research has highlighted selenium compounds as promising candidates for innovative leishmaniasis therapy. In light of this, a library of 10 selenium-containing diverse compounds was designed and evaluated in this study. These compounds included selenium-substituted indole, coumarin, chromone, oxadiazole, imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine, Imidazo[2,1-b]thiazole, and oxazole, among others. These compounds were screened against Leishmania amazonensis promastigotes and intracellular amastigotes, and their cytotoxicity was assessed in peritoneal macrophages, NIH/3T3, and J774A.1 cells. Among the tested compounds, MRK-106 and MRK-108 displayed the highest potency against L. amazonensis promastigotes with reduced cytotoxicity. Notably, MRK-106 and MRK-108 exhibited IC50 values of 3.97 µM and 4.23 µM, respectively, and most of the tested compounds showed low cytotoxicity in host cells (CC50 > 200 µM). Also, compounds MRK-107 and MRK-113 showed activity against intracellular amastigotes (IC50 18.31 and 15.93 µM and SI 12.55 and 10.92, respectively). In conclusion, the identified selenium-containing compounds hold potential structures as antileishmanial drug candidates to be further explored in subsequent studies. These findings represent a significant step toward the development of safer and more effective therapies for leishmaniasis, addressing the pressing need for novel and improved treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exciton-phonon coupling (EXPC) plays a key role in the optoelectronic properties of semiconductor nanocrystals (NCs), but a microscopic picture of EXPC is still lacking, particularly regarding the magnitude and scaling with NC size, the dependence on phonon frequency, and the role of the NC surface. The computational complexity associated with accurately describing excitons and phonons has limited previous theoretical studies of EXPC to small NCs, noninteracting electron-hole models, and/or a small number of phonon modes. Here, we develop an atomistic approach for describing EXPC in NCs of experimentally relevant sizes. We validate our approach by calculating the reorganization energies, a measure of EXPC, for CdSe and CdSe-CdS core-shell NCs, finding good agreement with experimental measurements. We demonstrate that exciton formation distorts the NC lattice primarily along the coordinates of low-frequency acoustic modes. Modes at the NC surface play a significant role in smaller NCs while interior modes dominate for larger systems.

Selenylation of heterocyclic and carbocyclic compounds using selenium dioxide as a selenylating reagent has emerged as a novel research area. Selenium dioxide is a cheap, easily available and odorless selenium source with wide functional group tolerance. Selenium dioxide is much known for α‐oxidation reactions but this review will elaborate its role as oxidizing as well as selenylating agents. In this review, we have summarized the selenylation of different molecules like anilines, phenylhydrazines, aryl alkyl ketones, phenols, indoles, active methylene compounds, imidazole heterocycles, 1,3‐diones, boronic acids, pyrazoles, 2‐hydroxy acetophenones, alkyl halides and different electron rich arenes along with detailed mechanism. Triselenium dicyanide is a yellow colored addition product that has now been emerged as a well‐known reagent of selenocyanation and many research groups extensively working on it. Selenium containing compounds possess biological as well as pharmacological activity. The immense potential of selenium dioxide as a selenylating reagent attracted the interest of researchers working on selenylation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) are extremely popular objects in nanotechnology. "Green" synthesis has special advantages due to the growing necessity for environmentally friendly, non-toxic, and low-cost methods. This review considers the biosynthesis mechanism of bacteria, fungi, algae, and plants, including the role of various biological substances in the processes of reducing selenium compounds to SeNPs and their further packaging. Modern information and approaches to the possible biomedical use of selenium nanoparticles are presented: antimicrobial, antiviral, anticancer, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and other properties, as well as the mechanisms of these processes, that have important potential therapeutic value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heterocyclic pyridazine continues to attract great interest, mainly arising from a large variety of interesting pharmacological activities, herbicides, insecticides, and fungicides. On the other hand, the current interest in selenium-containing heterocycles is a result of their chemical properties and biological activities. In addition to the many recent publications dealing with the pharmacological potential of a selenium compound, new active formulations are an attractive target for chemical research. 2-((3-cyano-4,6-dimethylpyridin-2-yl)selanyl) acetic acid (pyd-Se), 2-((4-cyano-5,6-diphenylpyridazin-3-yl)selanyl)acetic acid (pydz-Se) and 2-((4,6-dimethyl quinolin-2-yl)selanyl)acetic acid (quin-Se) reacts with gold(III) chloride to produce metal ion complexes of specific composition. These synthesized complexes were characterized by elemental analyses, molar conductivity, FTIR, 1H NMR and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) investigations. The complexes were found to have the formulas [Au(pyd-Se)2]Cl, [Au(pydz-Se)2]Cl and Au(quin-Se)2]Cl, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Selenium is naturally present in the human body, animals, and plants, and is one of the important elements in their growth and maintenance. Recently, the nanoform of selenium has attracted attention due to its low toxicity and a high degree of adsorption compared to its organic and inorganic forms. The current study aimed to examine the effect of Cress leaves (Lepidium sativum L.) extract in combination with selenium nanoparticles in alleviating polycystic ovary syndrome in letrozole-induced PCOS in adult female rats. Nonthermal or cold plasma was used in the synthesis of selenium nanoparticles. Subsequently, the produced nanoparticles were identified, the 30 rats were divided into 6 equal groups, the first group was healthy (negative control); handled with distilled water given orally. To induce PCOS, rats were given letrozole (1 mg/kg) B. W daily for 21 days, The second group was left without any treatment (PCOS group), while the rats in the other 4 groups were treated orally and daily for 30 days using the following treatments: metformin (metformin group), Cress extract only (CE group), Cress extract with SeNPs (CE+SeNPs group), and SeNPs only (SeNPs group), respectively. Biochemical tests (Follicle stimulating, luteinizing, testosterone, and estrogen hormones as well as glucose and insulin levels) and histopathological analyses were performed. The results of the current study show a significant decrease in glucose and insulin levels, and a highly significant increase in LH, FSH, and testosterone levels while a significant decrease in estrogen levels in the Cress extract, SeNPs and metformin-treated groups with respect to PCOS induced group. The present study demonstrated the effect of SeNPs and Cress extract in the treatment of PCOS. SeNPs and Cress leaves extract improved ovarian dysfunction and reduced the number of ovarian cysts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Nano-vitamins and minerals are used in animal nutrition to improve performance and health of broiler chickens as a potential alternative to antibiotic growth promoters. Objective: To evaluate the effect of several levels of a dietary nano α-tocopherol acetate plus selenium compound (NTS) on growth, intestinal histomorphometry, carcass traits, and immune status of broiler chickens. Methods: A total of 240 one-day-old Ross 308 chickens were randomly divided into four groups, each one with three pens (n=20 per pen). Four doses of nano α-tocopherol acetate and selenium (0, 5, 7, and 10 mg/kg) were included in the basal diet for 42 days. Results: Final body weight, cumulative body weight gain, and final conversion ratio significantly improved with increasing NTS levels (p<0.05). Carcass traits and weight of internal organs increased in the groups fed 7 and 10 mg/kg NTS. High NTS doses significantly increased immune vaccine titers against Newcastle disease, avian influenza virus, infectious bursal disease, and infectious bronchitis. Moreover, dietary addition of NTS improved intestinal morphometry. Conclusion: Thus, NTS (7 and 10 mg/kg) can be added to poultry rations to improve production, carcass characteristics, and immune status of broilers. Further studies are needed to evaluate NTS residues in meat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

COVID-19 patients suffer from the detrimental effects of cytokine storm and not much success has been achieved to overcome this issue. We sought to test the ability of selenium to reduce the impact of two important cytokine storm players: IL-6 and TNF-α. The effects of four selenium compounds on the secretion of these cytokines from THP-1 macrophages were evaluated in vitro following an LPS challenge. Also, the potential impact of methylseleninic acid (MSeA) on Nrf2 and IκBα was determined after a short treatment of THP-1 macrophages. MSeA was found to be the most potent selenium form among the four selenium compounds tested that reduced the levels of IL-6 and TNF-α secreted by THP-1 macrophages. In addition, an increase in Nrf2 and decrease in pIκBα in human macrophages was observed following MSeA treatment. Our data indicate that COVID-19 patients might benefit from the addition of MSeA to the standard therapy due to its ability to suppress the key players in the cytokine storm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In earlier studies, we showed that adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) have significant glutathione (GSH) depletion and that GSH is reciprocally related to glycemic control. In both the general population and in those with diabetes, the use of over-the-counter antioxidant supplements is widespread. We hypothesized that improved glycemic control, alone or in combination with dietary antioxidants, would restore blood GSH pool. The study included 41 participants who were 15.8 ± 2.4 years of age (mean ± standard deviation) and with poorly controlled T1DM (hemoglobin A1c [HbA1c] 8.2 ± 0.6%). Erythrocyte GSH, and 3-nitrotyrosine, F2-isoprostane, and 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxy-guanosine (as markers of protein, lipid, and DNA oxidative stress, respectively) were determined in the postabsorptive state after blood glucose was maintained overnight near euglycemia. Participants were then randomized to a mix of antioxidants (vitamin C, selenium, zinc, vitamin E, β-carotene) or placebo for 3 to 6 months, and diabetes management was intensified using CSII (n = 30) or multiple daily injections (n = 11) coupled with CDE phone calls and visits with a Nutritionist. A second, identical study was performed when/if a drop in HbA1c ≥0.5% was achieved. HbA1c levels dropped similarly in both groups (from 8.9 ± 1.0% to 7.9 ± 0.9% and 8.5 ± 0.6% to 7.7 ± 0.7% in placebo and antioxidant group, respectively). Neither total nor reduced GSH was altered by improved metabolic control. Markers of protein, lipid, and DNA oxidation remained unaltered. We conclude that, in youngsters with T1DM, neither a significant improvement in diabetes control over a 3-month period nor the regimen of dietary antioxidant supplied in the current study can mitigate oxidative stress. These findings suggest that, in adolescents with T1DM, (1) more sustained improvement of diabetes control may be needed to alleviate oxidative stress and (2) the putative benefit of antioxidant supplements remains to be proven. Chronic hyperglycemia resulting from type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) produces oxidative stress, depletion of blood glutathione (GSH), and increased 8-hydroxy-deoxyguanosine (8-OH-DG), 3-Nitro-tyrosine (3-NT), and F2-Isoprostanes (F2-Iso). A 3-month regimen of intensified insulin treatment either alone or along with oral antioxidants (vitamin C, zinc, selenium, and β-carotene) for 3 months, improved hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) of 0.5%, but failed to alter GSH, 8-OH-DG, 3-NT, or F2-Iso in adolescents with poorly controlled T1DM. Abbreviation: NS, not significant. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Investigation of the induction of antioxidant activity (AOA) by selenium compounds (Na2SeO3, diacetophenonyl selenide (DAPS-25), L-selenocystine) in various organisms is of interest as a way of protecting cell membranes from oxidative stress. A comparative analysis of the antioxidant activity of 23 amino acids was performed by coulometric titration with electrogenerated bromine and iodine. The activity decreases in the order: cystine > tryptophan > selenocystine > tyrosine > 3,3'-dimethyl-L-selenocystine > methionine. Only amino acids with sulfhydryl and selenol groups as more active reductants can interact with the electrogenerated iodine: cysteine > selenocysteine > threo-3-methyl-L-selenocysteine. Probably the correction of the antioxidant status at the amino acids level is based on the sulfhydryl and selenol groups in radicals. In case they are not enough, cystine, selenocystin, tryptophan, tyrosine, and methionine will act as scavenger-reductants. It was found that selenium compounds dose-dependently induce the total antioxidant activity of the Aspergillus niger mycelium and affect indicators of the antioxidant status (amino acid composition and catalase activity), which in turn stimulates the biomass accumulations. DAPS-25 and sodium selenite treatment at high doses (0.025 mg Se/L) caused the greatest effect on the total AOA induction (3.4–5.5 times). Lower concentrations (0.0025–0.00025 mg Se/L) had a lesser effect (25.8–41.7%). Activity in samples with L-selenocystin increased by 1.6–43.3%. It is noted that the iodine antioxidant activity in the mycelium was generally lower than the bromine one. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs), an essential trace element are known to be nontoxic with excellent biocompatibility and bioavailability among other selenium compounds. Considering the potential benefits as well as toxic effects of the SeNPs regarding dosage, it is important to evaluate the biomedical efficacy of the functional SeNPs with great care. The current investigation involves the synthesis of SeNPs using culture supernatant of Nocardia concava through microwave-assisted synthesis method. The formation of SeNPs was confirmed by UV-Visible spectroscopy at 570 nm. The XRD spectrum confirmed the monoclinic crystalline phase of the synthesized SeNPs. FTIR spectra depicted the possible functional groups such as hydroxyl and hydrocarbon groups involved in the reduction. EDX micrographs showed strong Se signals at 2 KeV regions. The zeta potential of the synthesized SeNPs was found to be 6.5 mV which confirms good stability in water. SEM micrograph confirmed the spherical nature of the SeNPs. Good antimicrobial efficacy was reported for Xanthomonas campestris MTCC 2286 and Vibrio harveyi MTCC 7954 with a MIC of 1.625 µg/ml and 3.25 µg/ml concentration respectively. Also, they showed strong antioxidant activity in the DPPH assay (IC50 = 31.26 µg/ml) and ABTS assay (IC50 = 35.7 µg/ml). Remarkable cytotoxic activity was observed against MDAMB 231 and U87MG cancer cells with an IC50 value of 119 µg/ml and 65.8 µg/ml respectively whereas, mild toxicity was observed in the case of HT-29 cell lines. This is the first report on the synthesis of SeNPs from Nocardia concava and specifically by a microwave-assisted method. Synthesized SeNPs displayed unique properties that can be used in diverse biomedical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Selenium, a naturally occurring metalloid, is an essential trace element for many higher organisms, including humans. Humans primarily become exposed to selenium by ingesting food products containing trace amounts of selenium compounds. Although essential in these small amounts, selenium exhibits toxic effects at higher doses. Previous studies investigating the effects on insects of order Blattodea, Coleoptera, Diptera, Ephemeroptera, Hemiptera, Hymenoptera, Lepidoptera, Odonata, and Orthoptera revealed impacts on mortality, growth, development, and behavior. Nearly every study examining selenium toxicity has shown that insects are negatively affected by exposure to selenium in their food. However, there were no clear patterns of toxicity between insect orders or similarities between insect species within families. At this time, the potential for control will need to be determined on a species-by-species basis. We suspect that the multiple modes of action, including mutation-inducing modification of important amino acids as well as impacts on microbiome composition, influence this variability. There are relatively few studies that have examined the potential effects of selenium on beneficial insects, and the results have ranged from increased predation (a strong positive effect) to toxicity resulting in reduced population growth or even the effective elimination of the natural enemies (more common negative effects). As a result, in those pest systems where selenium use is contemplated, additional research may be necessary to ascertain if selenium use is compatible with key biological control agents.This review explores selenium as a potential insecticide and possible future directions for research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study was aimed at the assessment of the effect of chitosan‐ZnO/Selenium nanoparticles scaffold on infected wound healing and care of paediatric surgery treatment. The nanoparticle scaffolds were developed from sources such as chitosan (CS), different concentrations of zinc oxide (ZnO), and Selenium (SeNPs) nanoparticles by freeze‐drying method. The structural and chemical properties of nanoparticles were investigated by UV–Vis, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and phase identification by x‐ray diffraction analysis. The surface morphology of CS, chitosan‐ZnO (CS‐ZnO) and chitosan‐ZnO/SeNPs was analysed using a scanning electron microscope. The incorporation of ZnO and SeNPs along with CS polymer induces antioxidant and antimicrobial functions. The bacterial susceptibility to nanoparticle scaffolds against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus showed the excellent antibacterial effects of ZnO and SeNPs. In‐vitro studies of fibroblast of NIH 3 T3 and HaCaT cell lines revealed the biocompatibility, cell adhesion, cell viability, and proliferation of scaffold in the wound site. Also, results of in‐vivo studies strongly enhanced collagen synthesis, re‐epithelialization, and rapid wound closure. Thus, the synthesised chitosan‐ZnO/SeNPs nanoparticle scaffold resulted in significant improvement in histopathological indices in the full thickness of wound healing after nursing care of paediatric fracture surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Elaborating on the methods and means of enriching nutrition, including that of plants, with a number of microelements that are vital for humans is now very important due to the unresolved acute problems of micronutrient deficiency and imbalance, which affect the majority of the population of various countries in the world. Promising solutions for the implementation of biofortification in terms of safety, efficiency, size, biocompatibility, and transportability are the water-soluble derivatives of C60 or C70 fullerene. By now, the use of water-soluble fullerenes (C60(OH)22–24 or C70(OH)12–14 fullerenols, C60 fullerene with glycine or with arginine: C60-L-Gly or C60-L-Arg) with various functional groups for plant enrichment is pioneering. Experimental research work was carried out at the agrobiopolygon of the Agrophysical Research Institute under controlled microclimate conditions. This work constituted an assessment of the influence of C60(OH)22–24 fullerenol introduction into the soil on the content of macro- and microelements in the soil and in plants, for example, cucumber, as well as on the plants' physiological state (photosynthetic pigments, the intensity of lipid peroxidation, the activity of peroxidase and catalase enzymes), growth, and element content. Its aim was to study the possibility of enriching the plants' production (Chinese cabbage, tomato, and cucumber) with compositions of the fullerene derivatives (C60-L-Gly or C60-L-Arg, C60(OH)22–24 or C70(OH)12–14 fullerenols) and selenium or zinc compounds by introducing them into a nutrient solution or by foliar treatment of plants. It was revealed that the introduction of solutions of C60 fullerenol in various concentrations (1 mg/kg, 10 mg/kg, and 100 mg/kg) into soddy-podzolic sandy loamy soil contributed to the activation of the processes of nitrogen transformation in the soil, in particular, the enhancement of the process of nitrification, and to the increase in the content of mobile forms of some macro- and microelements in the soil as well as of the latter in plant organs, for example, in cucumber plants, especially in their leaves. Along with this, the plants showed an increase in the content of photosynthetic pigments, a predominant decrease in the activity of the oxidative enzyme peroxidase and in the intensity of lipid peroxidation, and an increase in the content of the reducing enzyme catalase. The improvement in the physiological state of plants had a positive effect on the growth rates of cucumber plants. The compositions of solutions of amino acid fullerenes (C60-L-Gly or C60-L-Arg) and sodium selenate as well as C60 or C70 fullerenols and zinc sulfate, selected on the basis of different charges of molecules or functional groups of fullerene derivatives, showed higher efficiency at low concentrations in enriching the plant products of Chinese cabbage, tomato, and cucumber with selenium and zinc, respectively, compared with mineral salts of the indicated elements and control (edible part of Chinese cabbage: by 31.0−89.0% relative to that in the control and by 26.0–81.0% relative to the treatment of plants with a sodium selenate; tomato fruits: by 33.7–42.2% relative to that in the control and by 10.2–17.2% relative to the treatment of plants with a sodium selenate; cucumber fruits: by 42.0–59.0% relative to that in the control and by 10.0–23.0% relative to the treatment of plants with a zinc sulfate). At the same time, the quantitative characteristics of growth, productivity, and/or quality of the obtained products increase and improve accordingly. The prospects for further research include an in-depth study into the mechanisms of the compositions of fullerene derivatives and various compounds of trace elements' influence on the plants, as well as the synthesis and study of the various exo- and endo derivatives of fullerenes' properties, including C60 complex compounds with transition metals and fullerenes, which, inside their carbon networks, contain atoms of various chemical elements, such as lanthanum and others. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) have demonstrated utility in long-term single particle tracking of membrane proteins in live cells in culture. To extend the superior optical properties of QDs to more physiologically relevant cell platforms, such as acute brain slices, we examine the photophysics of compact ligand-conjugated CdSe/CdS QDs using both ensemble and single particle analysis in brain tissue media. We find that symmetric core passivation is critical for both photostability in oxygenated media and for prolonged single particle imaging in brain slices. We then demonstrate the utility of these QDs by imaging single dopamine transporters in acute brain slices, achieving 20 nm localization precision at 10 Hz frame rates. These findings detail design requirements needed for new QD probes in complex living environments, and open the door to physiologically relevant studies that capture the utility of QD probes in acute brain slices.

Simple Summary: Both oxidative and reductive stress can be destructive to cells. Unlike oxidative stress, reductive stress and the therapeutic opportunities underlying the mechanisms of reductive stress in cancer, as well as how cancer cells reply to reductive stress, have attracted little interest and are not properly characterized. Selenium compounds have been demonstrated to have chemotherapeutic effects against cancer, and their anticancer mechanism is thought to be related to the formation of their metabolites. One of them is hydrogen selenide (H2Se), a highly reactive molecule with reducing properties. Unfortunately, most chemotherapeutic selenium compounds were studied under aerobic conditions, although solid tumors exhibit hypoxic conditions. Here, we show the latest reports on the mechanism of cellular recognition and reaction to reductive and oxidative stress as well as the mechanisms through which different types of selenium compounds can release H2Se and thereby can selectively affect reductive stress under controlled conditions, which may be crucial for their anticancer activity. Redox balance is important for the homeostasis of normal cells, but also for the proliferation, progression, and survival of cancer cells. Both oxidative and reductive stress can be harmful to cells. In contrast to oxidative stress, reductive stress and the therapeutic opportunities underlying the mechanisms of reductive stress in cancer, as well as how cancer cells respond to reductive stress, have received little attention and are not as well characterized. Therefore, there is recent interest in understanding how selective induction of reductive stress may influence therapeutic treatment and disease progression in cancer. There is also the question of how cancer cells respond to reductive stress. Selenium compounds have been shown to have chemotherapeutic effects against cancer, and their anticancer mechanism is thought to be related to the formation of their metabolites, including hydrogen selenide (H2Se), which is a highly reactive and reducing molecule. Here, we highlight recent reports on the molecular mechanism of how cells recognize and respond to oxidative and reductive stress (1) and the mechanisms through which different types of selenium compounds can generate H2Se (2) and thus selectively affect reductive stress under controlled conditions, which may be important for their anticancer effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Colon cancer incidence rates are increasing annually, a scenario aggravated by genetic and epigenetic alterations that promote drug resistance. Recent studies showed that novel synthetic selenium compounds are more efficient and less toxic than conventional drugs, demonstrating biocompatibility and pro-oxidant effects on tumor cells. This study aimed to investigate the cytotoxic effect of MRK-107, an imidazo [1,2- a]pyridine derivative, in 2D and 3D cell culture models of colon cancer (Caco-2 and HT-29). Sulforhodamine B results revealed a GI50 of 2.4 µM for Caco-2, 1.1 µM for HT-29, and 22.19 µM for NIH/3T3 in 2D cultures after 48 h of treatment. Cell recovery, migration, clonogenic, and Ki-67 results corroborated that MRK-107 inhibits cell proliferation and prevents cell regeneration and metastatic transition by selectively reducing migratory and clonogenic capacity; non-tumor cells (NIH/3T3) re-established proliferation in less than 18 h. The oxidative stress markers DCFH-DA and TBARS revealed increased ROS generation and oxidative damage. Caspases-3/7 are activated and induce apoptosis as the main mode of cell death in both cell models, as assessed by annexin V-FITC and acridine orange/ethidium bromide staining. MRK-107 is a selective, redox-active compound with pro-oxidant and pro-apoptotic properties and the capacity to activate antiproliferative pathways, showing promise in anticancer drug research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The physiological level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is necessary for many cellular functions. However, during the in-vitro manipulations, cells face a high level of ROS, leading to reduced cell quality. Preventing this abnormal ROS level is a challenging task. Hence, here we evaluated the effect of sodium selenite supplementation on the antioxidant potential, stemness capacity, and differentiation of rat-derived Bone Marrow MSCs (rBM-MSCs) and planned to check our hypothesis on the molecular pathways and networks linked to sodium selenite's antioxidant properties. Methods: MTT assay was used to assess the rBM-MSCs cells' viability following sodium selenite supplementation (concentrations of: 0.001, 0.01, 0.1, 1, 10 µM). The expression level of OCT-4, NANOG, and SIRT1 was explored using qPCR. The adipocyte differentiation capacity of MSCs was checked after Sodium Selenite treatment. The DCFH-DA assay was used to determine intracellular ROS levels. Sodium selenite-related expression of HIF-1α, GPX, SOD, TrxR, p-AKT, Nrf2, and p38 markers was determined using western blot. Significant findings were investigated by the String tool to picture the probable molecular network. Results: Media supplemented with 0.1 µM sodium selenite helped to preserve rBM-MSCs multipotency and keep their surface markers presentation; this also reduced the ROS level and improved the rBM-MSCs' antioxidant and stemness capacity. We observed enhanced viability and reduced senescence for rBM-MSCs. Moreover, sodium selenite helped in rBM-MSCs cytoprotection by regulating the expression of HIF-1 of AKT, Nrf2, SOD, GPX, and TrxR markers. Conclusions: We showed that sodium selenite could help protect MSCs during in-vitro manipulations, probably via the Nrf2 pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Short-wave infrared (SWIR) emitters are at the center of ground-breaking applications in biomedical imaging, next-generation optoelectronic devices, and optical communications. Colloidal nanocrystals based on indium arsenide are some of the most promising SWIR emitters to date. However, the lack of single-particle spectroscopic methods accessible in the SWIR has prevented advances in both nanocrystal synthesis and fundamental characterization of emitters. Here, we demonstrate an implementation of a solution photon correlation Fourier spectroscopy (s-PCFS) experiment utilizing the SWIR sensitivity and time resolution of superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors to extract single-particle emission linewidths from colloidal indium arsenide/cadmium selenide (InAs/CdSe) core/shell nanocrystals emissive from 1.2 to 1.6 μm. We show that the average single InAs/CdSe nanocrystal fluorescence linewidth is, remarkably, as narrow as 52 meV, similar to what has been observed in some of the most narrowband nanostructured emitters in the visible region. Additionally, the single nanocrystal fluorescence linewidth increases with increasing shell thickness, suggesting exciton-phonon coupling as the dominant emission line-broadening mechanism in this system. The development of the SWIR s-PCFS technique has enabled measurements of spectral linewidths of colloidal SWIR-emissive NCs in solution and provides a platform to study the single NC spectral characteristics of SWIR emitters.