Effect of riboflavin on redox balance, osmolyte accumulation, methylglyoxal generation and nutrient acquisition in indian squash (Praecitrullus fistulosus L.) under chromium toxicity.

The presence of high chromium (Cr) levels induces the buildup of reactive oxygen species (ROS), resulting in hindered plant development. Riboflavin (vitamin B2) is produced by plants, fungi, and microbes. It serves as a precursor to the coenzymes flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) and flavin mononucleotide (FMN), which play a crucial role in cellular metabolism. The objective of this work was to clarify the underlying mechanisms by which riboflavin alleviates Cr stress in Praecitrullus fistulosus L. Further, the role of riboflavin in growth, ions homeostasis, methylglyoxal detoxification, and antioxidant defense mechanism are not well documented in plants under Cr toxicity. We found greater biomass and minimal production of ROS in plants pretreated with riboflavin under Cr stress. Results manifested a clear abridge in growth, chlorophyll content, and nutrient uptake in Indian squash plants exposed to Cr stress. Findings displayed that Cr stress visibly enhanced oxidative injury reflected as higher malondialdehyde (MDA), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), superoxide radical (O2•‒), methylglyoxal (MG) levels alongside vivid lipoxygenase activity. Riboflavin strengthened antioxidant system, enhanced osmolyte production and improved membrane integrity. Riboflavin diminished Cr accumulation in aerial parts that led to improved nutrient acquisition. Taken together, riboflavin abridged Cr phytotoxic effects by improving redox balance because plants treated with riboflavin had strong antioxidant system that carried out effective ROS detoxification. Riboflavin protected membrane integrity that, in turn, improved nutrient uptake in plants.

Spinel nanocomposite (nMnZnFe2O4) synchronously promotes grain yield and Fe-Zn biofortification in non-aromatic rice.

Soils deficient in essential micro-nutrients produce nutritionally starved crops that do not fulfill human nutritional requirements. This is getting serious since progressively increasing nutritional disorders are being diagnosed in residents of third-world countries like Pakistan. During this study, we synthesized a spinel nanocomposite (nMnZnFe2O4) and investigated its effectiveness in improving the micronutrient status and yield traits of rice. The nMnZnFe2O4 exhibited a cubic structure at the most prominent peak (311); a crystallite size of 44 nm, and an average grain size ranging from 7 to 9 µm. Foliar application of this nanocomposite was performed to 45 days old plants at concentrations 0, 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 mg L-1, and data from rice plant parts (straw, husk, and grain) was recorded at maturity. Agronomic traits like the number of tillers, straw dry weight, root dry biomass, and grain yield per plant were improved by nMnZnFe2O4 application (+34.4% yield). Whereas some biochemical traits like amino acids, soluble sugars, flavonoids, and phenolics varied significantly in rice plant parts compared to the control. Above all, the maximum Zn and Fe concentrations in rice grain were recorded through foliar application of spinel nanocomposite (40 and 50 mg L-1). Therefore, results indicated that micronutrient supply in the form of a nanocomposite could positively regulate nutritional quality and rice grain yield.

Tartaric acid soil-amendment increases phytoextraction potential through root to shoot transfer of lead in turnip.

The phytoextraction potential of turnip and comparative effectiveness of three different organic ligands towards removal of lead (Pb) was investigated under field conditions. The 20 d old turnip seedlings were exposed to different Pb levels (0.0218, 2.42 and 4.83 mM Pb) spiked in the soil. After 10 d of Pb application, the soil was spiked with 2.4 mM concentration of different chelates viz. ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), citric acid (CA) and tartaric acid (TA). The 60 d old plants were harvested for growth analyses and determination of photosynthetic pigments, while Pb-concentration in different plant parts was determined from 60 and 90 d old plants. Yield attributes were recorded at the harvesting stage (HS, 90 d old plants). No suppression (rather a stimulation) in the root and shoot growth was evident upon Pb exposure whereas, a reduction in the chlorophyll content occurred at 4.83 mM Pb level. Soil amendment with TA improved chlorophyll contents irrespective of Pb levels while the effect of CA and EDTA was differential. A reduction in the root length while an increase in its diameter was recorded particularly at 4.83 mM Pb stress in 90 d old plants. The turnip retained maximum Pb-fraction in the roots at early growth stages, while EDTA application further increased its retention in root at 4.83 mM Pb regime. Nonetheless, only TA amendment promoted the transfer of Pb to shoot (∼30%) irrespective of Pb regimes. At the HS, application of both TA and EDTA caused substantial uptake of Pb in the root while the maximum shoot Pb-fraction was recorded again due to TA application, particularly at 4.83 mM Pb level. Above all, TA was identified as the most effective chelate that mobilized Pb from root to shoot leading to better growth possibly due to dilution effect, and thus enhanced phytoextraction efficiency in turnip.

Improvement in dialysis-related adverse events with use of body composition monitoring.

This study aims to utilize body composition monitor (BCM) device to achieve euvolemic status in problematic dialysis patients and to evaluate its clinical outcome. One hundred and five hemodialysis (HD) patients were enrolled based on difficulty in achieving dry weight. The reasons for enrollment in the study were (a) recurrent intradialytic hypotension, (b) intradialytic hypertension, (c) intradialytic muscle cramps, or (d) the presence of comorbid conditions that make clinical assessment of dry weight difficult (e.g., cirrhosis of liver, heart failure, severe malnutrition, or morbid obesity). Following initial assessment of hydration status using BCM device, dry weight for each patient was adjusted accordingly (upward, downward, or unchanged). The patients were, thereafter, monitored over a 15-week period for possible resultant change in the clinical and hemodynamic parameters. Forty-two patients were monitored due to hypertension, 18 due to hypotension, 10 due to hypotension and cramps, and 35 due to comorbid conditions that make clinical assessment of dry weight difficult. At the conclusion of study period, there was improvement in the monitored parameters. Hypertension improved in 79% of the patient with hypertension, hypotension in 90%, and hypotension with cramps in 90%. In the comorbid group, BCM monitoring provided better insight to clinical problem management in 80% cases. Overall quality of BCM assessments was 96.1%. In the hypertension group, mean blood pressure decreased by 10.9 mm Hg in the whole group (P = 0.0006), the drop was 3 mm Hg in the patients dialyzing with HD (P = 0.0006) and 8.6 mm Hg in those on hemodiafiltration (HDF) (P = 0.08). In the comorbid conditions group, the mean blood pressure rose by 22.5 mm Hg in the whole group (P 0.00001), 21.5 mm Hg in the patients dialyzing with HD (P = 0.00001) and 21.5 mm Hg in those on HDF (P = 0.0004). BCM monitoring together with clinical assessment is a useful tool which when appropriately applied reduces the incidence of dialysis-related complications.

Ginsenoside Rb1 as a neuroprotective agent: A review.

Ginsenosides represent the major bioactive components of ginseng. These triterpenoid saponins have been shown to exert numerous beneficial effects on the human body. Recent evidences suggest that ginsenosides may be useful for the management and treatment of several diseases of the central nervous system (CNS). In particular, numerous in vitro and in vivo models have shown that ginsenosides can modulate numerous pharmacological effects on the brain, including attenuation of excitotoxicity, oxidative stress and neuroinflammation, maintenance of neurotransmitter balance, anti-apoptotic effects, and mitochondrial stabilization effects. Regulations of these pathophysiological mechanisms have been shown to improve cognitive function and protect the brain against several neurodegenerative diseases. This review will critically address the pharmacological effects and mechanisms of action of ginsenosides in the CNS, and particularly those associated with therapeutic efficacies in Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, Huntington's disease, and traumatic brain injury, and ischemia.

Proteus mirabilis alleviates zinc toxicity by preventing oxidative stress in maize (Zea mays) plants.

Plant-associated bacteria can have beneficial effects on the growth and health of their host. However, the role of plant growth promoting bacteria (PGPR), under metal stress, has not been widely investigated. The present study investigated the possible mandatory role of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria in protecting plants from zinc (Zn) toxicity. The exposure of maize plants to 50µM zinc inhibited biomass production, decreased chlorophyll, total soluble protein and strongly increased accumulation of Zn in both root and shoot. Similarly, Zn enhanced hydrogen peroxide, electrolyte leakage and lipid peroxidation as indicated by malondaldehyde accumulation. Pre-soaking with novel Zn tolerant bacterial strain Proteus mirabilis (ZK1) isolated zinc (Zn) contaminated soil, alleviated the negative effect of Zn on growth and led to a decrease in oxidative injuries caused by Zn. Furthermore, strain ZK1 significantly enhanced the activities of catalase, guaiacol peroxidase, superoxide dismutase and ascorbic acid but lowered the Proline accumulation in Zn stressed plants. The results suggested that the inoculation of Zea mays plants with P. mirabilis during an earlier growth period could be related to its plant growth promoting activities and avoidance of cumulative damage upon exposure to Zn, thus reducing the negative consequences of oxidative stress caused by heavy metal toxicity.