Possible Synergistic Toxicity of Oxygen Scavenger and Defoamer on the Niger Delta Freshwater <i>Tilapia guineensis</i>

Globally, the generation of produced water keeps increasing due to depleting wells and about 40% of this wastewater is disposed of into the environment. Produced water is made up of several components that are toxic in nature, like production chemicals that are used for oil and gas production activities. Oxygen scavenger and defoamer are commonly used for corrosion prevention as both are applied at different stages of corrosion prevention. Evaluation of the possible synergistic toxicity contribution of oxygen scavenger and defoamer formed the basis of this research and was conducted using the Tilapia guineensis as bio-indicator. The toxicity test was carried out using the ELIMINOX (oxygen scavenger) and EC9017A (defoamer) individually and both chemicals were combined together. The choice of these chemicals was premised on previous researches that have confirmed that they are toxic individually, without further research on how they interact when they are combined. These chemicals and freshwater were used to generate produced water samples in the laboratory. The experiment was set up by adding ten fishes into each of the glass containers, containing the produced water samples at different concentrations and a control sample without the chemicals. The rate of mortality of the fish for the individual chemicals ranged from 100% to 10% for the different percentage concentrations. While on the other hand, a combination of the two chemicals had more survival than mortality, the percentage survival rate ranged from 100% to 90% across all the percentage concentrations. The lethal concentration also showed that the oxygen scavenger was more toxic than the defoamer, however, when they were combined;they showed an antagonistic relationship as the toxicity of the oxygen scavenger drastically reduced. The research findings intend to create awareness of the possible interaction of production chemicals when they are used for oil and gas activities and their combined toxicity contribution to produced water. This will in turn aid government regulators in their decision-making for disposal of produced water.

A Novel Dominant Allele from 93-11, ES(4), Represses Reactive Oxygen Species Scavenging and Leads to Early-Senescence in Rice

Senescence is the last developmental process in plant,which has an important impact on crop yield and quality.In this study,a stable hereditary early-senescence line BC64 was isolated from the high-generation recombinant inbred lines of 93-11 and Wuyunjing7(W7).Genetic analysis showed that the premature aging phenotype was controlled by a dominant gene derived from 93-11.By linkage analysis,the gene was primarily mapped in the region between marker B4 and B5 near the centromere of chromosome 4,described as ES(4).Through multiple backcrossing with W7,the near-isogenic line of ES(4)(NIL-ES(4))was obtained.Compared with wild-type W7,NIL-ES(4)plants showed more sever senescence phenotype in both nature and dark conditions.In NIL plants,leaves turned yellow at the fully tillering stage;photosynthetic rate,pollen fertility and seed setting rate were decreased.Moreover,the malondialdehyde,proline content and relative conductivity in NIL-ES(4)were significantly higher than those in W7;both transcript level and activities of reactive oxygen species scavenging enzymes were repressed;H2O2 and O^(2−)were significantly accumulated.This study provides a basis for further cloning and function identification of ES(4).

Integrated high-performance and accurate shaping technology of low-cost powder metallurgy titanium alloys: A comprehensive review

The practical engineering applications of powder metallurgy (PM) Ti alloys produced through cold compaction and pressure-less sintering are impeded by poor sintering densification, embrittlement caused by excessive O impurities, and severe sintering deforma-tion resulting from the use of heterogeneous powder mixtures. This review presents a summary of our previous work on addressing the above challenges. Initially, we proposed a novel strategy using reaction-induced liquid phases to enhance sintering densification. Near- complete density (relative density exceeding 99%) was achieved by applying the above strategy and newly developed sintering aids. By focusing on the O-induced embrittlement issue, we determined the onset dissolution temperature of oxide films in the Ti matrix. On the basis of this finding, we established a design criterion for effective O scavengers that require reaction with oxide films before their dissol-ution. Consequently, a ductile PM Ti alloy was successfully obtained by introducing 0.3wt% NdB6 as the O scavenger. Lastly, a powder- coating strategy was adopted to address the sintering deformation issue. The ultrafine size and shell-like distribution characteristics of coating particles ensured rapid dissolution and homogeneity in the Ti matrix, thereby facilitating linear shrinkage during sintering. As a result, geometrically complex Ti alloy parts with high dimensional accuracy were fabricated by using the coated powder. Our fundament-al findings and related technical achievements enabled the development of an integrated production technology for the high-performance and accurate shaping of low-cost PM Ti alloys. Additionally, the primary engineering applications and progress in the industrialization practice of our developed technology are introduced in this review.

TaNF-YB11,a gene of NF-Y transcription factor family in Triticum aestivum,confers drought tolerance on plants via modulating osmolyte accumulation and reactive oxygen species homeostasis

Transcription factors(TFs)regulate diverse stress defensive-associated physiological processes and plant stress responses.We characterized TaNF-YB11,a gene of the NF-YB TF family in Triticum aestivum,in mediating plant drought tolerance.TaNF-YB11 harbors the conserved domains specified by its NF-YB partners and targets the nucleus after the endoplasmic reticulum(ER)assortment.Yeast two-hybrid assay indicated the interactions of TaNF-YB11 with TaNF-YA2 and TaNF-YC3,two proteins encoded by genes in the NF-YA and NF-YC families,respectively.These results suggested that the heterotrimer established among them further regulated downstream genes at the transcriptional level.The transcripts of TaNF-YB11 were promoted in roots and leaves under a 27-h drought regime.Moreover,its upregulated expression levels under drought were gradually restored following a recovery treatment,suggesting its involvement in plant drought response.TaNF-YB11 conferred improved drought tolerance on plants;the lines overexpressing target gene displayed improved phenotype and biomass compared with wild type(WT)under drought treatments due to enhancement of stomata closing,osmolyte accumulation,and cellular reactive oxygen species(ROS)homeostasis.Knockdown expression of TaP5CS2,a P5CS family gene modulating proline biosynthesis that showed upregulated expression in drought-challenged TaNF-YB11 lines,alleviated proline accumulation of plants treated by drought.Likewise,TaSOD2 and TaCAT3,two genes encoding superoxide dismutase(SOD)and catalase(CAT)that were upregulated underlying TaNF-YB11 regulation,played critical roles in ROS homeostasis via regulating SOD and CAT activities.RNA-seq analysis revealed that numerous genes associated with processes of‘cellular processes',‘environmental information processing',‘genetic information processing',‘metabolism',and‘organismal systems'modified transcription under drought underlying control of TaNF-YB11.These results suggested that the TaNF-YB11-mediated drought response is possibly accomplished through the target gene in modifying gene transcription at the global level,which modulates complicated biological processes related to drought response.TaNF-YB11 is essential in plant drought adaptation and a valuable target for molecular breeding of drought-tolerant cultivars in T.aestivum.

Oxygen Scavenging Effect of LaLuO_3/TiN Gate Stack in High-Mobility Si/SiGe/SOI Quantum-Well Transistors

Higher-s dielectric LaLuO3, deposited by molecular beam deposition, with TiN as gate stack is integrated into high-mobility Si/SiGe/SOI quantum-well p-type metal-oxide-semiconduetor field effect transistors. Threshold voltage shift and capacitance equivalent thickness shrink are observed, resulting from oxygen scavenging effect in LaLuO3 with ti-rich TiN after high temperature annealing. The mechanism of oxygen scavenging and its potential for resistive memory applications are analyzed and discussed.

Effects of PQQ on Protective System in Cucumber Cotyledons under Low Temperature Stress

The authors have studied the effects of Pyrroioguinloine quinone (PQQ) on superoxide dismutase (SOD), Ascorbid acid(AsA) peroxidase (AsAPOD), glutathion (GSH) and electrolytic leakage of cotyledon in cucumber seedling under low temperature stress, meanwhile, 8-hydroquinone (8-HQ) and AsA (activeoxiygen scavengers) have been made use of in comparison with PQQ. The results indicate that the activities of SOD, AsAPOD and content of GSH can be increased by PQQ. The relative conductivity of cotyledon in cucumber seedling is decreased for PQQ possesses the ability of cleaning up free redical of oxygen. We came to the conclusion that PQQ can act as a kind of active oxygen scavenger and adjust the metabolism on free radical of oxygen to balance in plants and enhance resistance finally in plants.

Antioxidant Activity of Pigment Extracted from Green-Wheat-Bran

The anthocyanin pigment extracted from green-wheat-bran was studied to identify its antioxidant activity.The antioxidant activities of the pigment were evaluated by anti-lipid peroxidation,total antioxidant activity （TAA）,superoxide anion radical scavenging activity （SARSA）,active oxygen scavenging activity （AOSA）,and DPPH （1,1-diphenyl-2 picrylhydrazyl free radical） radical scavenging activity.The results showed that the pigment had higher antioxidant activity and TAA,SARSA,AOSA and DPPH.scavenging activities at a certain concentration than Vc （antiscorbutic vitamin,vitamin C）,and the capacity increased with the increase of pigment concentration.Its TAA was 51.06 U mL-1,1.73 times of Vc,and SARSA 18 025.21 U mL-1,2.26% higher than Vc,and AOSA 3 776.31 U mL-1,1.24 times of Vc.As to the DPPH.scavenging activity of the pigment,there was a trend that higher concentration performed higher activity significantly improved with the company of Vc.The pigment showed significant antioxidant activities evaluated by different assays.Results will provide a better understanding on antioxidant activity of green wheat and allow the screening or breeding of green wheat varieties with higher antioxidant activity for food processing.

Sub-cytotoxic concentrations of ionic silver promote the proliferation of human keratinocytes by inducing the production of reactive oxygen species

Silver-containing preparations are widely used in the management of skin wounds, but the effects of silver ions on skin wound healing remain poorly understood. This study investigated the effects of silver ions （Ag^＋） on the proliferation of human skin keratinocytes （HaCaT） and the production of intracellular reactive oxygen species （ROS）. After treating HaCaT cells with Ag^＋ and/or the active oxygen scavenger N-acetyl cysteine （NAC）, cell proliferation and intracellular ROS generation were assessed using CCK-8 reagent and DCFH-DA fluorescent probe, respectively. In addition, 5-bromo-2-deoxyUridine （BrdU） incorporation assays, cell cycle flow cytometry, and proliferating cell nuclear antigen （PCNA） immunocytochemistry were conducted to further evaluate the effects of sub-cytotoxic Ag^＋ concentrations on HaCaT cells. The proliferation of HaCaT cells was promoted in the presence of 10^-6 and 10^-5s mol/L Ag^＋at 24, 48, and 72 h. Intracellular ROS generation also significantly increased for 5 60 min after exposure to Ag^＋ The number of BrdU-positive cells and the presence of PCNA in HaCaT cells increased 48 h after the addition of 10^-6 and 10^-5 mol/L Ag^＋, with 10^-5 mol/L Ag^＋ markedly increasing the cell proliferation index. These effects of sub-cytotoxic Ag^＋ concentrations were repressed by 5 mmol/L NAC. Our results suggest that sub-cytotoxic Ag^＋ concentrations promote the proliferation of human keratinocytes and might be associated with a moderate increase in intracellular ROS levels. This study provides important experimental evidence for developing novel silver-based wound agents or dressings with few or no cytotoxicity.

Reactive Oxygen Species Scavenging Enzymes and Down-Adjustment of Metabolism Level in Mitochondria Associated with Desiccation-Tolerance Acquisition of Maize Embryo

It is a well-known fact that a mature seed can survive losing most of its water, yet how seeds acquire desiccation- tolerance is not well understood. Through sampling maize embryos of different developmental stages and comparatively studying the integrity, oxygen consumption rate and activities of antioxidant enzymes in the mitochondria, the main origin site of reactive oxygen species （ROS） production in seed cells, we found that before an embryo achieves desiccation-tolerance, its mitochondria shows a more active metabolism, and might produce more ROS and therefore need a more effective ROS scavenging system. However, embryo dehydration in this developmental stage declined the activities of most main antioxidant enzymes and accumulated thiobarbituric acid-reactive products in mitochondria, and then destroyed the structure and functional integrity of mitochondria. In physiologically-matured embryos （dehydration- tolerant）, mitochondria showed lower metabolism levels, and no decline in ROS scavenging enzyme activities and less accumulation of thiobarbituric acid-reactive products after embryo dehydration. These data indicate that seed desiccation- tolerance acquisition might be associated with down-adjustment of the metabolism level in the late development stage, resulting in less ROS production, and ROS scavenging enzymes becoming desiccation-tolerant and then ensuring the structure and functional integrity of mitochondria.

Carrier-Free Deferoxamine Nanoparticles against Iron Overload in Brain

Although considerable progress has been achieved in treating iron-overload diseases with deferoxamine(DFO)-based biomaterials,high DFO loading and multifunctional integration in one system are still grand challenges.Herein,a series of carrier-free,high DFO-loading(∼80%),uniform spherical nanoparticles(NPs)assisted by polyphenols have been facilely developed with both efficient iron and reactive oxygen species-scavenging properties.Interestingly,those DFO-based NPs have demonstrated excellent scavenging performance in iron-overloaded cell model and energetically exhibited brain cell protection in vivo in intracerebral hemorrhage animal models.This study could provide a promising strategy to significantly improve the curative effect of DFO delivery systems for iron-overload diseases.

New insights into hydraulic fracturing fluids used for hightemperature wells

Current interest in deep,low-permeability formations(<10 md)demands accelerated development of high-temperature hydraulic fracturing technologies.Conventional guar systems break down above 300°F and require higher polymer loadings to maintain thermal stability.However,higher polymer loadings generate more residue and damage to the proppant pack and the formation.To resolve these problems,a variety of high-temperature stabilizers are added to enhance the thermal stability of these fracturing fluids at temperatures above 300F.The focus of this work is to:(1)identify those additives that best enhance temperature stability of fracturing fluids and(2)study the rheological influence of incorporating these additives on the fracturing fluid systems.The experimental fracturing-fluid solutions were prepared at a total polymer concentration of 30 and 40 lb/1000 gal.Additives such as synthetic polymer,oxygen scavengers,crosslinkers,crosslinker delay additives,and pH buffers were examined in this work.Hydrated polymer solutions were crosslinked with a metallic crosslinker between 200 and 400°F.Viscosity measurements were carried out in a highpressure/high-temperature(HP/HT)rheometer to evaluate rheology and thermal stability.Results show that adding a synthetic polymer and a crosslinker with the slowest reaction rate improves the fracturing fluid thermal stability.Of the three other additives tested,oxygen scavengers showed the greatest enhancement to thermal stability while pH buffers showed the least.Through the addition of high-temperature stabilizing additives,the fracturing fluid in this work was able to maintain a stable performance at temperatures up to 400°F.Maintaining the thermal stability of fracturing fluids at a lower polymer loading remains a challenge in the industry.This work proposes techniques that can be used to enhance the thermal stability of fracturing fluids.Deeper knowledge about these different techniques will allow for better additive development and application in the field.

Salt Tolerance in Soybean

Soybean is an important cash crop and its productivity is significantly hampered by salt stress. High salt imposes negative impacts on growth, nodulation, agronomy traits, seed quality and quantity, and thus reduces the yield of soybean. To cope with salt stress, soybean has developed several tolerance mechanisms, including： （i） maintenance of ion homeostasis; （ii） adjustment in response to osmotic stress; （iii） restoration of osmotic balance; and （iv） other metabolic and structural adaptations. The regulatory network for abiotic stress responses in higher plants has been studied extensively in model plants such as Arabidopsis thaliana. Some homologous components involved in salt stress responses have been identified in soybean. In this review, we tried to integrate the relevant works on soybean and proposes a working model to describe its salt stress responses at the molecular level.

Response of Chinese Wampee Axes and Maize Embryos to Dehydration at Different Rates

Survival of wampee （Clausena lansium Skeels） axes and maize （Zea mays L.） embryos decreased with rapid and slow dehydration. Damage of wampee axes by rapid dehydration was much less than by slow dehydration, and that was contrary to maize embryos. The malondialdehyde contents of wampee axes and maize embryos rapidly increased with dehydration, those of wampee axes were lower during rapid dehydration than during slow dehydration, and those of maize embryos were higher during rapid dehydration than during slow dehydration. Activities of superoxide dismutase （SOD）, ascorbate peroxidase （APX） and catalase （CAT） of wampee axes markedly increased during the early phase of dehydration, and then rapidly decreased, and those of rapidly dehydrated axes were higher than those of slow dehydrated axes when they were dehydrated to low water contents. Activities of SOD and APX of maize embryos notable decreased with dehydration. There were higher SOD activities and lower APX activities of slowly dehydrated maize embryos compared with rapidly dehydrated maize embryos. CAT activities of maize embryos markedly increased during the early phase of dehydration, and then decreased, and those of slowly dehydrated embryos were higher than those of rapidly dehydrated embryos during the late phase of dehydration.

Natural product curcumin-based coordination nanoparticles for treating osteoarthritis via targeting Nrf2 and blocking NLRP3 inflammasome

Oxidative stress leads to chondrocyte apoptosis and extracellular matrix(ECM)degradation,thus contributing to the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis(OA).Herein,curcumin with remarkable antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities has been employed as an organic ligand to coordinate ferric ions for enhancing the water-solubility and biocompatibility of natural product curcumin.The obtained iron-curcumin-based coordination nanoparticles(Fe-Cur NPs)exhibit great water-solubility and efficient reactive oxygen/nitrogen species(ROS/RNS)scavenging ability.In vitro chondrocyte evaluation experiments indicated that the intracellular ROS/RNS induced by interleukin 1β(IL-1β)could be efficiently scavenged by these Fe-Cur NPs and oxidative-stressinduced cell death could be preserved as well.In addition,post intra-articular(i.a.)injection into OA rat joints,Fe-Cur NPs could greatly inhibit OA progression via activating the nuclear factor-erythroid 2 related factor-2(Nrf2)and inhibiting nod-like receptor protein-3(NLRP3)inflammasome activation in primary rat chondrocytes,as well as decrease the production of matrix degrading proteases and other inflammatory mediators.The efficient antioxidation and anti-inflammation performance of Fe-Cur NPs endow them as a promising nanoplatform for treatment of various inflammatory diseases,and more detailed researches will be conducted in the future.