Effect of γFe2O3 nanoparticles on photosynthetic characteristic of soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.): foliar spray versus soil amendment

There is an urgent need to address comprehensive biosafety issues associated with the use of Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles (IONPs). The present study was performed to investigate the effect of 6-nm IONPs and citrate-coated IONPs (IONPs-Cit) on photosynthetic characteristics and root elongation during germination of Glycine max (L) Merr. Plant physiological performance was assessed after foliar and soil IONPs fertilization. No adverse impacts at any growth stage of the soybeans were observed after application of IONPs. The Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles produced a significant positive effect on root elongation, particularly when compared to the bulk counterpart (IOBKs) suspensions of concentrations greater than 500 mg L^?1. Furthermore, IONPs-Cit significantly enhanced photosynthetic parameters when sprayed foliarly at the eight-trifoliate leaf stage (P < 0.05). The increases in photosynthetic rates following spraying were attributed to increases in stomatal opening rather than increased CO₂ uptake activity at the chloroplast level. We observed more pronounced positive effects of IONPs via foliar application than by soil treatment. This study concluded that IONPs coated with citric acid at IONPs to citrate molar ratio of 1:3 can markedly improve the effectiveness of insoluble iron oxide for Fe foliar fertilization.     

A Newly Characterized Potentially Probiotic Strain,Lactobacillus brevis MK05, and the Toxicity Effects of its Secretory Proteins Against MCF-7 Breast Cancer Cells

Among seven strains of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) isolated from traditional dairy products, a Lactobacillus strain was identified through 16S rRNA gene sequencing and tentatively designated as Lactobacillus brevis MK05. This strain demonstrated the highest probiotic potential through biochemical analysis, including acid and bile salt resistance, as well as antibacterial activity. The collected cell-free supernatant (CFC) of L. brevis MK05 culture, compared with MRS broth with pH equal to the pH for CFC, revealed antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922) and Staphylococcus aureus subsp. aureus (ATCC 25923), possibly due to the presence of antibacterial metabolites other than organic acids. This strain was, therefore, selected to assess the biological activity of its partially purified secretory proteins against MCF-7 cancer cells and normal fibroblast cells via the MTT assay. The partially purified cell-secreted proteins of this strain (hereafter referred to as Lb-PPSPs) showed a time and dose-dependent anti-cancer and apoptosis induction function. There was a remarkable decline in the survival rate of MCF-7 cells at doses equal to and higher than 0.5 mg/mL after 48 h. The changes in expression of the three genes involved in the apoptosis pathway (BAX, BCL-2, and BCL2L11) in MCF-7 cells treated with the Lb-PPSPs confirm its cytotoxic activity and apoptosis induction.

     

Introducing New Conjugated Quantum Dots for Photothermal Therapy in Biological Applications

Plasmonics - It is well-known that near-infrared (NIR) light sources are appropriate to ablate benign tumor irreversibly using heat treatment even in deep tissues. The laser light penetration into...