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In order to explore the influence of selenium (Se) on the development of rice, various levels of sodium selenite (Na2SeO3) were treated on rice in the present study. The results showed that under the condition of 13-104 μmol/L Na2SeO3 treatment in comparison with the control group (0 μmol/L Na2SeO3 treatment), the plant height of rice in the experimental group decreased by 8.72%-47.36%; fresh weight and dry weight decreased by 67.5%-88.35% and 64.52%-87.82%, respectively. In addition, high selenium treatment also significantly increased the antioxidant activity of rice, and the enzyme activities of CAT, SOD and POD were up-regulated by 16.07%-48.21%, 20.94%-73.00%, and 34.65%-53.65%, respectively. Rice might regulate the stress response system in vivo through those reactions, so as to resist the adverse environmental stress. The findings of this research could establish theoretical basis for the cultivation of Se-rich rice.

Supplementation of selenium (Se) is a common practice in the poultry industry via sodium selenite (SS) and selenium yeast (SY), while the effects of nano-selenium (NS) on laying hens are poorly known. This study aimed to compare the effects of NS, SS, and SY on productivity; selenium (Se) deposition in eggs; and antioxidant capacity in laying hens. A total of 288 30-week-old Brown Hy-line laying hens were randomly assigned into four dietary treatments, which included corn-soybean meal basal diet (Con) without Se sources and basal diets supplemented with 0.3 mg Se/kg as SS, SY, or NS, respectively. The results exhibited that Se-supplemented treatments achieved greater egg production, egg weight, and daily egg mass, also better feed conversion ratio than Con group ( p  < 0.05). Se supplementation significant increased egg Se concentration and decreased the egg Se deposition efficiency ( p <  0.05), while SY or NS supplementation had higher Se deposition efficiency than SS group at 35 days ( p  < 0.05). Moreover, serum glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity increased in SS or NS group compared to Con group ( p  < 0.05). The glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX-4) mRNA levels in liver were significantly higher ( p  < 0.05) in SS or SY group than in NS group, and mRNA levels of the methionine (Met) metabolism gene glycine N-methyltranserfase (GNMT) were markedly upregulated ( p  < 0.05) in SY group compared to SS or NS group. Taken together, the results revealed Se from SY is deposited into eggs more efficiently than Se from NS or SS, probably via enhancing the route of Met metabolism. Meanwhile, it might be concluded that SS or SY supplementation directly regulated GSH-Px activity via enhancing GPx4 level, whereas NS via GPx1, thus affecting body oxidation and development.

Solar water evaporation offers a promising solution to address global water scarcity, utilizing renewable energy for purification and desalination. Transition-metal selenite hydrates (specifically nickel and cobalt) have shown potential as solar absorbers with high evaporation rates of 1.83 and 2.34 kg∙m−2∙h−1, but the reported discrepancy in evaporation rate deserves further investigation. This investigation aims to clarify their thermal stability for applications and determine the underlying mechanisms responsible for the differences. Nickel and cobalt selenite hydrate compositions were synthesized and investigated via thermogravimetric analysis, X-ray diffraction, and Raman spectroscopy to assess their temperature-induced structural and compositional variations. The results reveal distinct phase transitions and structural alterations under various temperature conditions for these two photothermal materials, providing valuable insights into the factors influencing water transportation and evaporation rates.

Selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) have attracted considerable attention globally due to their significant potential for alleviating abiotic stresses in plants. Accordingly, further research has been conducted to develop nanoparticles using chemical ways. However, our knowledge about the potential benefit or phytotoxicity of bioSeNPs in rapeseed is still unclear. Herein, we investigated the effect of bioSeNPs on growth and physiochemical attributes, and selenium detoxification pathways compared to sodium selenite (Se (IV)) during the early seedling stage under normal and salt stress conditions. Our findings showed that the range between optimal and toxic levels of bioSeNPs was wider than Se (IV), which increased the plant’s ability to reduce salinity-induced oxidative stress. BioSeNPs improved the phenotypic characteristics of rapeseed seedlings without the sign of toxicity, markedly elevated germination, growth, photosynthetic efficiency and osmolyte accumulation versus Se (IV) under normal and salt stress conditions. In addition to modulation of Na + and K + uptake, bioSeNPs minimized the ROS level and MDA content by activating the antioxidant enzymes engaged in ROS detoxification by regulating these enzyme-related genes expression patterns. Importantly, the main effect of bioSeNPs and Se (IV) on plant growth appeared to be correlated with the change in the expression levels of Se-related genes. Our qRT-PCR results revealed that the genes involved in Se detoxification in root tissue were upregulated upon Se (IV) treated seedlings compared to NPs, indicating that bioSeNPs have a slightly toxic effect under higher concentrations. Furthermore, bioSeNPs might improve lateral root production by increasing the expression level of LBD16 . Taken together, transamination and selenation were more functional methods of Se detoxification and proposed different degradation pathways that synthesized malformed or deformed selenoproteins, which provided essential mechanisms to increase Se tolerance at higher concentrations in rapeseed seedlings. Current findings could add more knowledge regarding the mechanisms underlying bioSeNPs induced plant growth. Graphical Abstract

Selenite is a predominant form of selenium (Se) available to plants, especially in anaerobic soils, but the molecular mechanism of selenite uptake by plants is not well understood. ltn1, a rice mutant previously shown to have increased phosphate (Pi) uptake, was found to exhibit higher selenite uptake than the wild-type in both concentration- and time-dependent selenite uptake assays. Respiratory inhibitors significantly inhibited selenite uptake in the wildtype and the ltn1 mutant, indicating that selenite uptake was coupled with H+ and energydependent. Selenite uptake was greatly enhanced under Pi-starvation conditions, suggesting that Pi transporters are involved in selenite uptake. OsPT2, the most abundantly expressed Pi transporter in the roots, is also significantly upregulated in ltn1 and dramatically induced by Pi starvation. OsPT2-overexpressing and knockdown plants displayed significantly increased and decreased rates of selenite uptake, respectively, suggesting that OsPT2 plays a crucial role in selenite uptake. Se content in rice grains also increased significantly in OsPT2-overexpressing plants. These data strongly demonstrate that selenite and Pi share similar uptake mechanisms and that OsPT2 is involved in selenite uptake, which provides a potential strategy for breeding Seenriched rice varieties.

Selenium (Se) is an essential trace element for humans and animals. Appropriate amount of Se in the body can prevent a variety of diseases. However, Se deficiency leads to pathological changes such as skeletal muscle necrosis and pancreatic atrophy in livestock and poultry. Se preparations are widely used in the prevention and treatment of Se-deficient disease, but there is no unified standard of medication, and the safe dose range of Se is narrow. Therefore, it is of great significance to study the pharmacokinetics of low-Se ducklings and to formulate drug administration schemes. In the present study, eighty 1-day-old healthy ducklings were randomly selected, and fed with low-Se diet to 30 days of age (blood Se content ≦ 0.03 μg/mL). After the low Se duckling models were duplicated, blood samples and tissues of livers, pancreases, and thigh muscles were collected at different time points to detect Se content following oral administration of 0.1% sodium selenite (Na 2 SeO 3 ) at 0.8 mg/kg BW, and the pharmacokinetics parameters were automatically calculated by MCPKP program. The results showed that pharmacokinetics characteristics of Na 2 SeO 3 in blood, livers, and pancreases of ducklings were consistent with the first-order absorption and two-compartment open models; in thigh muscles was consistent with the first-order absorption and one compartment with a lag time open model. The primary kinetic parameters of Na 2 SeO 3 in blood: the half-life of absorption was 5.9026 h, the time of reaching maximum concentration was 23.03 h, and the half-life of elimination was 131.13 h. The absorption of Na 2 SeO 3 in livers was the quickest, pancreases and thigh muscles were in order of becoming slower, and the elimination of Na 2 SeO 3 in thigh muscles was the quickest, livers and pancreases were in order of becoming slower. The administration parameters of multi-dose were calculated according to the kinetic of single-dose: loading dose (D*) was 1.7046 mg/kg BW, maintenance dose (D 0 ) was 0.8 mg/kg BW, and dosing interval (τ) was 120 h. The results of this study can supplement and improve the theoretical system of Se metabolic kinetics, and provide experimental basis for the prevention and treatment of Se deficiency disease by rational drug use.

Background Rhodotorula glutinis , a specific type of yeast, has been recognised as a superior resource for generating selenium-enriched biomass that possesses exceptional nutritional and functional attributes. The purpose of this investigation was to assess the effect of sodium selenite at different concentrations on lipid and carotenoid synthesis, as well as the growth of R . glutinis . Methods The lipid’s fatty acid composition was determined using gas chromatography (GC). The vitamins were detected by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Transmission electron microscopy was used to detect the structural modification of yeast cells caused by the addition of sodium selenite to the growth medium, as well as the accumulation of elemental selenium in the yeast cells. Results The yeast cells demonstrated the ability to endure high concentrations of sodium selenite under lipid accumulation (LAM) and growth-promoting (YPD) conditions. 25.0 mM and 30.0 mM, respectively, were published as the IC50 values for the LAM and YPD conditions. In both growth media, 1 mM sodium selenite boosted lipid synthesis. Lipid accumulation increased 26% in LAM to 11.4 g/l and 18% in YPD to 4.3 g/l. Adding 1 mM and 3 mM sodium selenite to YPD medium increased total and cellular carotenoids by 22.8% (646.7 µg/L and 32.12 µg/g) and 48.7% (783.3 µg/L and 36.43 µg/g), respectively. Palmitic acid was identified as the most abundant fatty acid in all treatments, followed by oleic acid and linoleic acid. The concentrations of water soluble vitamins (WSV) and fat soluble vitamins (FSV) were generally significantly increased after supplementation with 1.0 mM sodium selenite. TEM examination revealed a significant reduction in lipid bodies accumulation in the yeast cells when sodium selenite was added to lipid-promoting environments. This decline is accompanied by an augmentation in the formation of peroxisomes, indicating that selenium has a direct impact on the degradation of fatty acids. In addition, autophagy appears to be the primary mechanism by which selenium ions are detoxified. Additionally, intracellular organelles disintegrate, cytoplasmic vacuolization occurs, and the cell wall and plasma membrane rupture, resulting in the discharge of cytoplasmic contents, when a high concentration of sodium selenite (20.0 mM) is added. Also, the presence of numerous electron-dense granules suggests an intracellular selenium-detoxification pathway. Conclusion This study proposes the use of YPD with 1 mM sodium selenite to cultivate selenium-enriched biomass from R. glutinis . This approach leads to heightened lipid levels with higher accumulation of oleic, linoleic and linolenic acids, carotenoids, and vitamins. Hence, this biomass has the potential to be a valuable additive for animal, fish, and poultry feed. Furthermore, explain certain potential factors that indicate the impact of selenium in reducing the accumulation of lipid droplets in R. glutinis during lipogenesis, as detected through TEM examination.

Background Dracocephalum kotschyi Boiss., a perennial medicinal and aromatic plant endemic to Iran, is renowned for its diverse biological and medicinal properties. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of foliar application of selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) and sodium selenite (SSe) on the growth, yield, physiological and biochemical characteristics, and essential oil (EO) of D. kotschyi . The experiment included seven treatments: a control (distilled water) and a foliar spray of 50, 100, and 200 mg L −1 of both SeNPs and SSe separately. Results SeNPs were more effective than SSe in improving plant growth and yield. Specifically, a 200 mg L −1 SeNPs treatment led to the highest plant height, fresh weight of the plant, dry weight of the leaf, and relative water content. Elevated Se concentrations were associated with a decrease in chlorophyll levels. Both SeNPs and SSe treatments increased hydrogen peroxide levels, and catalase and ascorbate peroxidase activity. The phenylalanine ammonia-lyase activity increased with SeNPs up to 50 mg L −1 and SSe up to 100 mg L −1 . Application of 200 mg L −1 SSe resulted in the highest total phenol content and antioxidant activity. Although spraying 100 mg L −1 SeNPs led to the highest EO content, the EO yield peaked with 200 mg L −1 SeNPs. Notably, applying 200 mg L −1 SeNPs reduced the level of neral, while 200 mg L −1 SSe decreased both geranial and neral levels. Conversely, levels of α -pinene and geranyl acetate increased with Se application. Conclusions The results revealed that SeNPs were more effective than the SSe in improving plant growth and yield. Overall, the 200 mg L −1 SeNPs treatment was the most effective in improving the growth, yield attributes, and EO yield of D. kotschyi.

In this study, we investigated the effects of different types of selenium (Se) (sodium selenite [SS], yeast selenium [YS], and nano-selenium [NS]) on the toxicity, growth, Se accumulation, and transformation of Lucilia sericata maggots (LSMs). We found that the 50% lethal concentration of LSMs exposed to SS was 2.18 and 1.96 times that of YS and NS, respectively. LSM growth was significantly promoted at exposure concentrations of 10–50 mg kg −1 in group SS and 10–30 mg kg −1 in group YS, whereas NS inhibited LSMs growth at all concentrations ( p  <  0.05 ). Total Se content in LSMs, conversion efficiency to organic and other forms of Se, and bioaccumulation factor of Se were the highest in the SS group when exposed to 50 mg kg −1 (81.6 mg kg −1 , 94.6%, and 1.63, respectively). Transcriptomic results revealed that LSMs significantly upregulated the amino acid (alanine, aspartate, glutamic, and tyrosine) and tricarboxylic acid cycle signaling pathways ( p  < 0.05) on exposure to Se, resulting in a significant increase in LSMs biomass and quality. In conclusion, our study indicates that LSMs exhibit good tolerance to SS and can convert it into bioorganic or other forms of Se.

Selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) are gaining importance in the field of medicine owing to their antibacterial and anticancer properties. SeNPs are biocompatible and non-toxic compared to the counterparts, selenite (SeO₃ ⁻²) and selenate (SeO₄ ⁻²). They can be synthesized by physical, chemical, and biological methods and have distinct bright orange-red color. Biogenic SeNPs are stable and do not aggregate owing to natural coating of the biomolecules. Various hypotheses have been proposed to describe the mechanism of microbial synthesis of SeNPs. It is primarily a two-step reduction process from SeO₄ ⁻² to SeO₃ ⁻² to insoluble elemental selenium (Se⁰) catalyzed by selenate and selenite reductases. Phenazine-1-carboxylic acid and glutathione are involved in selenite reduction. Se factor A (SefA) and metalloid reductase Rar A present on the surface of SeNPs confer stability to the nanoparticles. SeNPs act as potent chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic agents. Conjugation with antibiotics enhances their anticancer efficacy. These also have applications in nanobiosensors and environmental remediation.