The potential application of biochar and salicylic acid to alleviate salt stress in soybean (Glycine max L.)

Salt stress has been one of the major contributor which affect soybean seed germination, its establishment, growth, and physiology stages. Utilization of strategies such as soil amendment and elicitors are of significant importance to reduce the disadvantageous effects of salt stress. In this regard, the objectives of the present study were to evaluate the effect of biochar and salicylic acid on morphological and physiological properties of soybean subjected to salinity. The first experiment was carried out based on completely randomized design with three replications including 11 soybean cultivars such as Williams, Saba, Kowsar, Tapor, Sari, Telar, Caspian, Nekador, Amir, Katol and Sahar and various levels of salinity such as 0, 2, 4, 6 dS/m of NaCl. The second experiment was performed as factorial design in a randomized complete block design with three replications consisting of treatments of biochar (0, 5 and 10 WP), salicylic acid (0, 0.5 and 1 mM), and NaCl (0, 2.5, 5, 7.5 dS/m). With respect to seed germination result, various concentrations of salt stress showed negative impact not only on all studied traits, but also varied among soybean cultivars indicating Amir cultivar as the best salt tolerant soybean genotype among others. In addition, our data exhibited that the interaction effect of biochar and salicylic acid on salt treated soybean plant were positively significant on some morphological traits such as leaf area, shoot dry/fresh weight, total dry/fresh weight and physiological attributes including chlorophyll a, flavonoid, proline contents, catalase and peroxidase activities. Moreover, the resultant data showed that the combination treatment of 5 and 10 WP of biochar and 1 mM of salicylic acid caused increase of the aforementioned parameters in order to improve their performance subjected to higher concentration of salinity. In final, it was concluded that the coupled application of biochar alongside salicylic acid was recommended as proficient strategy to mitigate the injurious influences of salt stress in soybean or other probable crops.

Achieving agricultural sustainability through soybean production in Iran: Potential and challenges

The utilization of soybean as a key oil crop to enhance sustainable agriculture has garnered significant attention from researchers. Its lower water requirements compared to rice, along with its reduced environmental impact, including greenhouse gas emissions, improved water quality, enhanced biodiversity, and efficient resource utilization, make it an attractive option. Unfortunately, Iran, like many other developing countries, heavily relies on soybean imports (over 90%) to meet the demand for oil and protein in human and livestock food rations. The decline in soybean production, coupled with diminishing cultivation areas, yield rates, and increasing import needs, underscores the urgent need to address the challenges faced in Iran. The decline in soybean production in the country can be attributed to various factors, including environmental stresses (both biotic and abiotic), limited variation in soybean cultivars, inadequate mechanization for cultivation, and economic policies. Hence, this review provides a comprehensive overview of the current status of soybean production in Iran and highlights its potential to enhance sustainable agriculture. Additionally, it examines the challenges and constraints associated with soybean cultivation, such as environmental changes and unbalanced marketing, and explores potential solutions and management strategies to bridge the gap between small-scale and large-scale production. Given the increasing global demand for plant-based protein and the significance of the feed industry, studying the limitations faced by countries with slower soybean production growth can shed light on the issues and present opportunities to capitalize on novel soybean advancements in the future. By addressing these challenges and unlocking the potential of soybean cultivation, Iran can contribute to sustainable agricultural practices and attain a more resilient food system.

The Therapeutic Potential of Targeting Key Signaling Pathways as a Novel Approach to Ameliorating Post-Surgical Adhesions

BACKGROUND

Peritoneal adhesions (PA) are a common complication of abdominal operations. A growing body of evidence shows that inhibition of inflammation and fibrosis at sites of peritoneal damaging could prevent the development of intra-abdominal adhesions.

METHODS

A search of PubMed, Medline, CINAHL and Embase databases was performed using the keywords 'postsurgical adhesion', 'post-operative adhesion', 'peritoneal adhesion', 'surgery-induced adhesion' and 'abdominal adhesion'. Studies detailing the use of pharmacological and non-pharmacological agents for peritoneal adhesion prevention were identified, and their bibliographies were thoroughly reviewed to identify further related articles.

RESULTS

Several signaling pathways, such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha, tissue plasminogen activator, and type 1 plasminogen activator inhibitor, macrophages, fibroblasts, and mesothelial cells play a key part in the development of plasminogen activator. Several therapeutic approaches based on anti-PA drug barriers and traditional herbal medicines have been developed to prevent and treat adhesion formation. In recent years, the most promising method to prevent PA is treatment using biomaterial-based barriers.

CONCLUSION

In this review, we provide an overview of the pathophysiology of adhesion formation and various agents targeting different pathways, including chemical agents, herbal agents, physical barriers, and clinical trials concerning this matter.

The therapeutic potential of Panax ginseng and Ginger on postsurgical adhesion band formation

Background:

Peritoneal adhesions (PA) are a common complication of abdominal operations. Previous studies indicate that inhibition of inflammation and fibrosis at sites of peritoneal damage may prevent the development of intra-abdominal adhesions. Zingiber officinalis Roscoe (ginger) and Panax ginseng (p. ginseng) are herbal products with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects which can have restorative properties.

Objective:

This research aimed to examine the impact of ginger and p. ginseng on prevention of PA in a rat model after surgery.

Methods:

Following a laparotomy, the wall of the cecum was rubbed to induce intra-abdominal adherence in Wistar rats. Ginger (400mg/kg) and p. ginseng (500mg/kg) were administered to the animals. The animals were sacrificed on 10 days after surgery, and the Nair and Leach scoring system was used to assess adhesion. The microscopic histology of the induced cecal adhesions was evaluated. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to determined tissue levels of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) on homogenized PA tissue. Real-time PCR was performed to quantify the mRNA expression of IL-1β, TNF-α, Col 1a1, and Col 3a1 in rat tissue.

Result:

The adhesion score and histopathological rating based on the Nair and Leach scoring criteria showed lower adhesion scores in the group of rats treated with p. ginseng compared to the control group (P<0.05). Treatment with ginger and p. ginseng was associated with reduced tissue level of TGF-β and mRNA expression of TNF-α and IL-1β. The gene expression level of Col 1a1 and Col 3a1 were markedly decreased in the p. ginseng group.

Conclusion:

The study's outcome recommends that p. ginseng could be an effective agent for preventing the PA and inflammation during the post-operative stage.

Rare Case of Small Cell Metastatic Prostatic Adenocarcinoma, Properly Staged by 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT Scan

ABSTRACT

Small cell carcinoma (SCC) of the prostate is a very rare entity and one of most aggressive neuroendocrine malignancies of prostate. We present a 60-year-old man with pathology-proven prostatic SCC by transrectal biopsy with ultrasonography guidance and Gleason score of 5 + 5. He was referred to perform 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT scan for staging. The scan showed PSMA uptake in the prostate bed and multiple large pelvic lymph nodes. As we know, 68Ga-PSMA uptake in the de novo form of SCC of prostate is not commonly found in the literature.

Structural and molecular properties of complexes of biomolecules and metal-organic frameworks: dispersion-corrected DFT treatment

Investigation of complexes of nanostructured materials and biomolecules has attracted much attention by various researchers as it can contribute to coherent growth and extended application of nanostructures in different technologies. In this research, following a comprehensive approach, we examined the interaction between different amino acids and metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) at atomic scale using computational chemistry. For this purpose, we employed the density functional theory (DFT-D2) calculations to afford a molecular description of the interaction properties of the amino acids and MOF-5 by examining the interaction energy and the electronic structure of the amino acid/MOF complexes. We found strong interactions between the amino acids and MOF through their polar groups as well as aromatic rings in the gas phase. However, our findings were significantly different in solvent media, where water molecules prevent the amino acids from approaching the active sites of MOF, causing weak attractions between them. The evaluation of nature of interaction between the amino acids and MOF by the atoms-in-molecules (AIM) theory shows that the electrostatic attractions are the main force contributing to bond formation between the interacting entities. Furthermore, our DFT-PBE model of theory was validated against the comprehensive MP2 quantum level of theory.

Synthesis of Magnetite Nanoparticles by Biological Technique

ABSTRACT: The development of synthesis routes for oxide nanoparticles is a matter of considerable topical attention. Green synthesis of nanoparticles with the help of microorganisms as reducing agents is an efficient, cost effective, fast and eco-friendly in nature. This paper presents a simple technique to synthesize magnetite (Fe3O4) nanoparticles. In this routine, an aqueous solution of ferrous and ferric salts was mixed with Magnetospirillum and heated for 10 minutes at 70℃. UV–vis absorption spectra, dynamic light scattering (DLS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) have been used to illustrate the form process and explain the structure of the magnetite nanoparticles. UV–Vis absorption spectrum showed surface plasmon resonance absorption bands about 240 nm that confirmed magnetite nanoparticles existence. We obtain magnetite nanoparticles of size 42±20 nm after separation and washing procedures by dynamic light scattering (DLS).

Optimisation of nitrate reductase enzyme activity to synthesise silver nanoparticles

Today, the synthesis of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) is very common since it has many applications in different areas. The synthesis of these nanoparticles is done by means of physical, chemical, or biological methods. However, due to its inexpensive and environmentally friendly features, the biological method is more preferable. In the present study, using nitrate reductase enzyme available in the Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacterium, the biosynthesis of Ag NPs was investigated. In addition, the activity of the nitrate reductase enzyme was optimised by changing its cultural conditions, and the effects of silver nitrate (AgNO(3)) concentration and enzyme amount on nanoparticles synthesis were studied. Finally, the produced nanoparticles were studied using ultraviolet -visible (UV-Vis) spectrophotometer, dynamic light scattering technique, and transmission electron microscopy. UV-Visible spectrophotometric study showed the characteristic peak for Ag NPs at wavelength 405-420 nm for 1 mM metal precursor solution (AgNO(3)) with 1, 5, 10, and 20 cc supernatant and 435 nm for 0.01M AgNO(3) with 20 cc supernatant. In this study, it was found that there is a direct relationship between the AgNO(3) concentration and the size of produced Ag NPs.

Biological coating of paper using silver nanoparticles

The capacity of Ag nanoparticles to destroy various micro-organisms makes it one of the most powerful antimicrobial agents, an attractive feature against antibiotic resistant bacteria. Here, a simple method to develop coating of colloidal silver on paper using a biological method is presented. The coated paper was studied by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction technique and atomic absorption spectroscopy. The antibacterial activity of the coated paper against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus was measured by agar diffusion method. This study shows the potential use of the coated paper as a food antimicrobial packing material for longer shelf life.