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Silicon (Si) is the most copious element of existence in the lithosphere but still it has not been added into the essential element list. The imperative role of Si in triggering growth and development of plants has been identified. It is of paramount importance in regulating overall physiological and metabolic characteristics of the plants. Being considered as a non-essential element, it has been known to occur at about 30%, majority of its presence is there in rocks as mineral salts. It has been regarded as multitalented or quasi-element on earth's crust that can be efficiently taken up by plants and translocated further towards aerial parts via transpiration phenomenon. It has also been known to mitigate different biotic and abiotic stressed conditions from plants as the need of the hour owing to its eco-friendly nature. However, the mechanisms associated with their stress attenuation are associated with Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) scavenging, activation of antioxidative defense responses and phytohormonal signaling. Also, biotic stress factors can be ameliorated through accumulation of Si within epidermal tissues or pathogenesis-related host defense mechanisms. To explore further, omics-mediated studies have been further discussed to shed light on the stress mitigating processes. Further, to improve our understanding for Si-mediated benefits in plants we need to explore the molecular mechanisms of Si uptake, transport and gene expression studies revealing their mitigate properties. In the present review, we have evolved the Si-based studies in plants associated with its transport, uptake and accumulation. Apart from this, we have also discussed about their role in ameliorating stresses from plants by activating their defenses. Moreover, their roles in plant hormonal crosstalk have also been elucidated. Above all, we have also revealed the role of Si-Nanoparticles (SiNPs) in improving stress potential of plants along with stimulation of plant productivities via omics-based approaches.

Electrochemical oxidation of imipramine (IMP) has been studied in aqueous solutions by cyclic voltammetry and controlled-potential coulometry techniques. Our voltammetric results show a complex behavior for oxidation of IMP at different pH values. In this study, we focused our attention on the electrochemical oxidation of IMP at a pH of about 5. Under these conditions, our results show that the oxidation of IMP leads to the formation of a unique dimer of IMP (DIMP). The structure of synthesized dimer is fully characterized by UV–visible, FTIR, 1 H NMR, 13 C NMR and mass spectrometry techniques. It seems that the first step in the oxidation of IMP is the cleavage of the alkyl group (formation of IMPH). After this, a domino oxidation-hydroxylation-dimerization-oxidation reaction, converts IMPH to ( E )-10,10′,11,11′-tetrahydro-[2,2′-bidibenzo[b,f]azepinylidene]-1,1′(5 H ,5′ H )-dione (DIMP). The synthesis of DIMP is performed in an aqueous solution under mild conditions, without the need for any catalyst or oxidant. Based on our electrochemical findings as well as the identification of the final product, a possible reaction mechanism for IMP oxidation has been proposed. Conjugated double bonds in the DIMP structure cause the compound to become colored with sufficient fluorescence activity (excitation wave-length 535 nm and emission wave-length 625 nm). Moreover, DIMP has been evaluated for in vitro antibacterial. The antibacterial tests indicated that DIMP showed good antibacterial performance against all examined gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria ( Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, Escherichia coli and Shigella sonnei ).

Arsenic (As) pollution, which is on the increase around the world, poses a growing threat to the environment. Phytoremediation, an important green technology, uses different strategies, including As uptake, transport, translocation, and detoxification, to remediate this metalloid. Arsenic hyperaccumulator plants have developed various strategies to accumulate and tolerate high concentrations of As. In these plants, the formation of AsIII complexes with GSH and phytochelatins and their transport into root and shoot vacuoles constitute important mechanisms for coping with As stress. The oxidative stress induced by reactive oxygen species (ROS) production is one of the principal toxic effects of As; moreover, the strong antioxidative defenses in hyperaccumulator plants could constitute an important As detoxification strategy. On the other hand, nitric oxide activates antioxidant enzyme and phytochelatins biosynthesis which enhances As stress tolerance in plants. Although several studies have focused on transcription, metabolomics, and proteomic changes in plants induced by As, the mechanisms involved in As transport, translocation, and detoxification in hyperaccumulator plants need to be studied in greater depth. This review updates recent progress made in the study of As uptake, translocation, chelation, and detoxification in As hyperaccumulator plants.

In the present study, electrospun nanofiber mats were fabricated by mixing different ratios (96:4, 95:5, 94:6, 93:7, and 92:8) of Persian gum (PG) and poly (ethylene oxide) (PEO). The SEM micrographs revealed that the nanofibers obtained from 93% PG and 7% PEO were bead-free and uniform. Therefore, it was selected as the optimized ratio of PG:PEO for the development of antimicrobial nanofibers loaded with ɛ-Polylysine (ɛ-PL). All of the spinning solutions showed pseudoplastic behavior and the viscosity decreased by increasing the shear rate. Additionally, the apparent viscosity, G′, and G″ of the spinning solutions increased as a function of PEO concentration, and the incorporation of ɛ-PL did not affect these parameters. The electrical conductivity of the solutions decreased when increasing the PEO ratio and with the incorporation of ɛ-PL. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectra showed the compatibility of polymers. The antimicrobial activity of nanofibers against Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) was investigated, and the samples loaded with ɛ-PL demonstrated stronger antimicrobial activity against S. aureus.

Background Oxidative stress-induced cell death and injury are pivotal mechanisms in the breakdown of ocular tissue, leading to degenerative diseases. To counter this, we investigated quercetin, a flavonoid with well-documented antioxidant and anti-apoptotic properties, as a potential therapeutic agent. Its clinical translation is hampered by poor stability and ocular bioavailability. The goal was to examine the effectiveness and anti-apoptotic properties of polyethylene glycol-coated superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles conjugated with quercetin (QCSPIONs) in rat eye tissue. Methods Male Wistar rats received free quercetin (QC), SPIONs, or QCSPIONs orally via gavage or through intraperitoneal injection once daily for 35 days. HPLC measured serum and ocular quercetin levels; nanoparticle localization was assessed by Prussian blue staining; safety was evaluated by histopathology with H&E staining; and apoptotic signaling was examined by qPCR for Bax and Bcl-2 expression. Results QCSPIONs demonstrated significantly higher ocular quercetin accumulation than free QC after both oral and intraperitoneal delivery ( p  < 0.0001). Prussian Blue staining confirmed that nanoparticles crossed the corneal and retinal barriers, with greater deposition following intraperitoneal injection. Additionally, histological analysis showed no structural or inflammatory damage in the retina or cornea. Furthermore, molecular results indicated Bax suppression and Bcl-2 upregulation with QCSPIONs, along with a decreased Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, demonstrating vigorous anti-apoptotic activity. Less pronounced effects were observed with free QC. Conclusions Overall, QCSPIONs significantly enhance the ocular bioavailability of quercetin and provide robust anti-apoptotic protection without detectable cytotoxicity. These results support nanoparticle-mediated delivery as a practical approach for overcoming ocular barriers and enhancing preventive antioxidant strategies against oxidative stress-related eye diseases.

The aim of the present study was to assess the positive predictive value (PPV) of panoramic radiographic signs in the assessment of the relationship between impacted mandibular third molars (IMTMs) and the mandibular canal (MC). This cross-sectional study was conducted by reviewing 102 cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) and panoramic radiographs of patients with IMTMs and radiographic signs of the contact of the IMTMs with the MC on panoramic radiographs (i.e., root apex darkening and interference with the white line). A positive relationship of the IMTM roots with the MC based on CBCT findings was recorded as the gold standard. The PPV of panoramic radiographic signs was calculated for the detection of the relationship of the IMTM root with the MC. The IMTMs were in contact with the MC on CBCT scans in 90.1% of the cases. The PPV of root apex darkening and the interference with the white line was found to be 89.09% (95% CI: (77.75, 95.88)) and 91.48% (95% CI: (79.62, 97.63)), respectively. The MC had a buccal position in 63.7%, and a lingual position in 35.2%, of the cases. The contact of IMTMs with the MC was more commonly seen in patients with a lingual position (100% of the samples). The IMTM root apex darkening and interference with the white line of the MC on panoramic radiographs had a high PPV for determination of the contact of IMTMs with the MC. Thus, presence of the above-mentioned risk factors indicates the need for subsequent 3D radiographic assessments.

Arsenic (As) and phosphorus (P) interactions are important for better understanding their uptake and accumulation by plants due to similar chemical behaviors. In this study, we investigated the interactions of arsenic and phosphorus on plant biomass and uptake of arsenic and phosphorus by Isatis cappadocica, a newly discovered arsenic hyperaccumulator. In a 28 day hydroponic experiment with varying concentrations of arsenate (0, 50, 200, 800, and 1,200 μmol l⁻¹) and phosphate (5, 50, 200, 800, and 1,600 μmol l⁻¹), I. cappadocica accumulated As in the shoots up to 700 mg As kg⁻¹dry weight, and the shoot As to root As concentration ratio varied between 0.6 and 1.5. At low and medium As levels (50 and 200 μmol l⁻¹), phosphate had slight effects on As uptake and growth of I. cappadocica. However, increasing P supply decreased As uptake markedly, with the effect being greater on root As concentration than on shoot As concentration at high arsenate levels (800 and 1,200 μmol l⁻¹). Increasing As supply decreased the P concentration in the roots and shoots, especially at high levels, because of its phytotoxicity. The root P concentrations of I. cappadocica were greater than those of shoots, which is in contrast to non-accumulator plants. Our findings suggest that P application may be an important strategy for efficient use of I. cappadocica to phytoremediate As-contaminated areas. Further studies are needed on the mechanisms of interactive effects of As and P on I. cappadocica in the soil system.

The current study was conducted to investigate the role of sulfur (S) and reduced glutathione (GSH) in mitigating arsenic (As) toxicity in Isatis cappadocica and Erysimum allionii . These plants were exposed for 3 weeks to different concentrations (0, 400 and 800 μM) of As to measure fresh weight, total chlorophyll, proline and hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) content, As and S accumulation, and guaiacol peroxidase (POD) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) along with the supplementation of 20 mg L −1 of S and 500 μM of GSH. Results revealed the significant reduction of fresh weight (especially in E. allionii ), activities of POD and GST enzymes and proline content as compare to control. However, the application of S and GSH enhanced the fresh weight. Inhibition in H 2 O 2 accumulation and improvement in antioxidant responses were measured with the application of S and GSH. Hence, the supplementation of S and GSH enhanced fresh weight and total chlorophyll in both I. cappadocica and E. allionii by alleviating the adverse effects of As stress via decreased H 2 O 2 content and restricted As uptake.

Arsenic (As) toxicity hinders plant growth and productivity and poses human health concerns. However, silicon (Si) nutrition can help improve plant tolerance to abiotic stresses. This study evaluated the influence of Si application on plant growth and As accumulation in an As hyperaccumulator plant, Isatis ( Isatis cappadocica Desv.) under As stress. Isatis seedlings were exposed to 0, 5, 25, 125, and 625 μM Na 2 HAsO 4. 7H 2 O (AsV) and NaAsO 2 (AsIII) and then Si was applied as Na 2 SiO 3 (1 and 2 mM). Plant exposure to As(V: 650 μM) and As(III: 125 µM) caused significant reduction in plant fresh weight by 31 and 42%, and photosynthetic pigments by 47 and 62%, respectively. The same treatments caused 37- and 4.2-fold increase in levels of reactive oxygen species. However, exogenous application of Si effectively mitigated As stress, and caused a decrease in shoot As concentration up to 15% and 21% in As(V) and As(III) treated plants, respectively. In this regard, Si application at 1 mM level was more effective. The Si-induced tolerance against As in Isatis was attributed to the activation of antioxidant defense system (increase in the activities of gluthatione-S-transferase and guaiacol peroxidase, carotenoids, proline and anthocyanin contents). In conclusion, Si application improved the As tolerance in Isatis plants by modulating plant growth, decreasing As accumulation and activating the antioxidant defense system.