Disruption of Energy Metabolism and Reactive Oxygen Species Homeostasis in Honglian Type-Cytoplasmic Male Sterility(HL-CMS)Rice Pollen

Honglian type-cytoplasmic male sterility(HL-CMS)is caused by the inter-communication between the nucleus and mitochondria.However,the mechanisms by which sterility genes regulate metabolic alterations and changes in mitochondrial morphology in the pollen of HL-CMS remain unclear.In this study,we compared the morphological differences between the pollen of the male sterile line YA and the near-isogenic line NIL-Rf6 using hematoxylin-eosin staining and 4ʹ,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole(DAPI)staining.HL-CMS is characterized by gametophytic sterility,where the aborted pollen grains are empty,and the tapetal layer remains intact.Transmission electron microscopy was employed to observe mitochondrial morphological changes at the microspore stage,revealing significant mitochondrial alterations,characterized by the formation of'large spherical mitochondria',occurred at the binucleate stage in the YA line.Additionally,metabolomics analysis revealed decreased levels of metabolites associated with the carbohydrate and flavonoid pathways.Notably,the decrease in flavonoids was found to contribute to an elevation in reactive oxygen species(ROS)levels.Therefore,we propose a model in which rice fertility is modulated by the levels of pollen carbohydrates and flavonoid metabolites,with impaired mitochondrial energy production and reduced flavonoid biosynthesis as the main causes of ROS accumulation and pollen abortion in rice.

OsbZIP53 Negatively Regulates Immunity Response by Involving in Reactive Oxygen Species and Salicylic Acid Metabolism in Rice

The basic region/leucine zipper(bZIP)transcription factors play important roles in plant development and responses to abiotic and biotic stresses.OsbZIP53 regulates resistance to Magnaporthe oryzae in rice by analyzing APIP5-RNAi transgenic plants.To further investigate the biological functions of OsbZIP53,we generated osbzip53 mutants using CRISPR/Cas9 editing and also constructed OsbZIP53 over-expression transgenic plants.Comprehensive analysis of phenotypical,physiological,and transcriptional data showed that knocking-out OsbZIP53 not only improved disease resistance by inducing a hypersensitivity response in plants,but also regulated the immune response through the salicylic acid pathway.Specifically,disrupting OsbZIP53 increased H2O2 accumulation by promoting reactive oxygen species generation through up-regulation of several respiratory burst oxidase homologs(Osrboh genes)and weakened H2O2 degradation by directly targeting OsMYBS1.In addition,the growth of osbzip53 mutants was seriously impaired,while OsbZIP53 over-expression lines displayed a similar phenotype to the wild type,suggesting that OsbZIP53 has a balancing effect on rice immune response and growth.

Catalyst–Support Interaction in Polyaniline‑Supported Ni_(3)Fe Oxide to Boost Oxygen Evolution Activities for Rechargeable Zn‑Air Batteries

Catalyst–support interaction plays a crucial role in improving the catalytic activity of oxygen evolution reaction(OER).Here we modulate the catalyst–support interaction in polyaniline-supported Ni_(3)Fe oxide(Ni_(3)Fe oxide/PANI)with a robust hetero-interface,which significantly improves oxygen evolution activities with an overpotential of 270 mV at 10 mA cm^(-2)and specific activity of 2.08 mA cm_(ECSA)^(-2)at overpotential of 300 mV,3.84-fold that of Ni_(3)Fe oxide.It is revealed that the catalyst–support interaction between Ni_(3)Fe oxide and PANI support enhances the Ni–O covalency via the interfacial Ni–N bond,thus promoting the charge and mass transfer on Ni_(3)Fe oxide.Considering the excellent activity and stability,rechargeable Zn-air batteries with optimum Ni_(3)Fe oxide/PANI are assembled,delivering a low charge voltage of 1.95 V to cycle for 400 h at 10 mA cm^(-2).The regulation of the effect of catalyst–support interaction on catalytic activity provides new possibilities for the future design of highly efficient OER catalysts.

Poly(lactic acid)/Poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate)films with simultaneous high oxygen barrier and fast degradation properties

Although poly(lactic acid)(PLA)is a good environmentally-friendly bio-degradable polymer which is used to substitute traditional petrochemical-based polymer packaging films,the barrier properties of PLA films are still insufficient for high-barrier packaging applications.In this study,oxygen scavenger hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene(HTPB)and cobalt salt catalyst were incorporated into the PLA/poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate)(PLA/PBAT),followed by melting extrusion and three-layer co-extrusion blown film process to prepare the composite films.The oxygen permeability coefficient of the composite film combined with 6 wt%oxygen scavenger and 0.4 wt%catalyst was decreased significantly from 377.00 cc·mil·m^(-2)·day^(-1)·0.1 MPa^(-1) to 0.98 cc·mil·m^(-2)·day^(-1)·0.1 MPa^(-1),showing a remarkable enhancement of 384.69 times compared with the PLA/PBAT composite film.Meanwhile,the degradation behavior of the composite film was also accelerated,exhibiting a mass loss of nearly 60%of the original mass after seven days of degradation in an alkaline environment,whereas PLA/PBAT composite film only showed a mass loss of 32%.This work has successfully prepared PLA/PBAT composite films with simultaneously improved oxygen barrier property and degradation behavior,which has great potential for high-demanding green chemistry packaging industries,including food,agricultural,and military packaging.

Overview of in-situ oxygen production technologies for lunar resources

The rich resources and unique environment of the Moon make it an ideal location for human expansion and the utilization of extraterrestrial resources.Oxygen,crucial for supporting human life on the Moon,can be extracted from lunar regolith,which is highly rich in oxygen and contains polymetallic oxides.This oxygen and metal extraction can be achieved using existing metallurgical techniques.Furthermore,the ample reserves of water ice on the Moon offer another means for oxygen production.This paper offers a detailed overview of the leading technologies for achieving oxygen production on the Moon,drawing from an analysis of lunar resources and environmental conditions.It delves into the principles,processes,advantages,and drawbacks of water-ice electrolysis,two-step oxygen production from lunar regolith,and one-step oxygen production from lunar regolith.The two-step methods involve hydrogen reduction,carbothermal reduction,and hydrometallurgy,while the one-step methods encompass fluorination/chlorination,high-temperature decomposition,molten salt electrolysis,and molten regolith electrolysis(MOE).Following a thorough comparison of raw materials,equipment,technology,and economic viability,MOE is identified as the most promising approach for future in-situ oxygen production on the Moon.Considering the corrosion characteristics of molten lunar regolith at high temperatures,along with the Moon's low-gravity environment,the development of inexpensive and stable inert anodes and electrolysis devices that can easily collect oxygen is critical for promoting MOE technology on the Moon.This review significantly contributes to our understanding of in-situ oxygen production technologies on the Moon and supports upcoming lunar exploration initiatives.

Boosting Oxygen Evolution Reaction Performance on NiFe‑Based Catalysts Through d‑Orbital Hybridization

Anion-exchange membrane water electrolyzers(AEMWEs)for green hydrogen production have received intensive attention due to their feasibility of using earth-abundant NiFe-based catalysts.By introducing a third metal into NiFe-based catalysts to construct asymmetrical M-NiFe units,the d-orbital and electronic structures can be adjusted,which is an important strategy to achieve sufficient oxygen evolution reaction(OER)performance in AEMWEs.Herein,the ternary NiFeM(M:La,Mo)catalysts featured with distinct M-NiFe units and varying d-orbitals are reported in this work.Experimental and theoretical calculation results reveal that the doping of La leads to optimized hybridization between d orbital in NiFeM and 2p in oxygen,resulting in enhanced adsorption strength of oxygen intermediates,and reduced rate-determining step energy barrier,which is responsible for the enhanced OER performance.More critically,the obtained NiFeLa catalyst only requires 1.58 V to reach 1 A cm^(−2) in an anion exchange membrane electrolyzer and demonstrates excellent long-term stability of up to 600 h.

Ru⁃doped Co_(3)O_(4)/reduced graphene oxide:Preparation and electrocatalytic oxygen evolution property

Binary composites(ZIF-67/rGO)were synthesized by one-step precipitation method using cobalt nitrate hexahydrate as metal source,2-methylimidazole as organic ligand,and reduced graphene oxide(rGO)as carbon carrier.Then Ru3+was introduced for ion exchange,and the porous Ru-doped Co_(3)O_(4)/rGO(Ru-Co_(3)O_(4)/rGO)composite electrocatalyst was prepared by annealing.The phase structure,morphology,and valence state of the catalyst were analyzed by X-ray powder diffraction(XRD),scanning electron microscope(SEM),transmission electron microscopy(TEM),and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS).In 1 mol·L^(-1)KOH,the oxygen evolution reaction(OER)performance of the catalyst was measured by linear sweep voltammetry,cyclic voltammetry,and chronoamperometry.The results show that the combination of Ru doping and rGO provides a fast channel for collaborative electron transfer.At the same time,rGO as a carbon carrier can improve the electrical conductivity of Ru-Co_(3)O_(4)particles,and the uniformly dispersed nanoparticles enable the reactants to diffuse freely on the catalyst.The results showed that the electrochemical performance of Ru-Co_(3)O_(4)/rGO was much better than that of Co_(3)O_(4)/rGO,and the overpotential of Ru-Co_(3)O_(4)/rGO was 363.5 mV at the current density of 50 mA·cm^(-2).

Targeting sepsis through inflammation and oxidative metabolism

Infection is a public health problem and represents a spectrum of disease that can result in sepsis and septic shock.Sepsis is characterized by a dysregulated immune response to infection.Septic shock is the most severe form of sepsis which leads to distributive shock and high mortality rates.There have been significant advances in sepsis management mainly focusing on early identification and therapy.However,complicating matters is the lack of reliable diagnostic tools and the poor specificity and sensitivity of existing scoring tools i.e.,systemic inflammatory response syndrome criteria,sequential organ failure assessment(SOFA),or quick SOFA.These limitations have underscored the modest progress in reducing sepsis-related mortality.This review will focus on novel therapeutics such as oxidative stress targets,cytokine modulation,endothelial cell modulation,etc.,that are being conceptualized for the management of sepsis and septic shock.

Inhibitory effect of ferroptosis inhibitor toxicity induced by cobalt nanoparticles through reactive oxygen species

BACKGROUND:Soft tissue damage induced by cobalt nanoparticles is currently the most noticeable complication in patients with artificial joint prostheses.Therefore,an effective therapeutic strategy is needed to limit the toxicity of cobalt nanoparticles.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the protective effect of a ferroptosis inhibitor on cobalt nanoparticles-induced cytotoxicity.METHODS:To evaluate the detoxification effect of ferroptosis inhibitor on mouse fibroblasts(Balb/3T3),Balb/3T3 cells were treated with cobalt nanoparticles and ferroptosis inhibitor for 24 hours.The cell viabilities were measured by cell viability assay.Based on the results of the cell viability assay,the concentrations of cobalt nanoparticles and deferiprone were determined.The experiment was divided into four groups:the cobalt nanoparticles group(400μmol/L cobalt nanoparticles),the cobalt nanoparticles+deferiprone group(400μmol/L cobalt nanoparticles and 25μmol/L deferiprone),the deferiprone group(25μmol/L deferiprone),and the control group.The expressions of glutathione peroxidase 4 and solute carrier family 7 member 11 protein were examined by western blot assay.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The cell viability assay results showed that as the exposure time or the drug concentration increased,cell viability decreased further,indicating that the cytotoxic effect of cobalt nanoparticles was time-and dose-dependent.Additionally,after 24 hours of exposure,cobalt nanoparticles significantly reduced cell viability and glutathione levels compared with the control group(P<0.05).At the same time,compared with the control group,there was an increase in reactive oxygen species production,intracellular iron levels,and the expression of inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factorα,interleukin-1β,and interleukin-6.After the addition of deferiprone,compared with the cobalt nanoparticles group,cell viability significantly improved,and reactive oxygen species production,intracellular iron levels,and the expression of inflammatory cytokines(tumor necrosis factorα,interleukin-1β,and interleukin-6)significantly decreased(P<0.05).This demonstrated that deferiprone had a protective effect on cells exposed to cobalt nanoparticles.(2)Western blot assay results showed that cobalt nanoparticles reduced the expression of glutathione peroxidase 4 and solute carrier family 7 member 11 protein(P<0.05),while deferiprone inhibited this effect(P<0.05).(3)The above findings verify that cobalt nanoparticles are highly cytotoxic and ferroptosis inhibitor deferiprone has a detoxification effect on cytotoxicity induced by cobalt nanoparticles.Ferroptosis plays an important role in the process by which cobalt nanoparticles induce cytotoxicity.The inhibitory effect of ferroptosis inhibitors on the toxicity of cobalt nanoparticles may provide valuable insights for further research into the mechanisms of cobalt nanoparticle toxicity and potential detoxification strategies.

De novo-design of highly exposed Co−N−C single-atom catalyst for oxygen reduction reaction

The nitrogen-coordinated metal single-atom catalysts(M−N−C SACs)with an ultra-high metal loading synthetized by direct high-temperature pyrolysis have been widely reported.However,most of metal single atoms in these catalysts were buried in the carbon matrix,resulting in a low metal utilization and inaccessibility for adsorption of reactants during the catalytic process.Herein,we reported a facile synthesis based on the hard-soft acid-base(HSAB)theory to fabricate Co single-atom catalysts with highly exposed metal atoms ligated to the external pyridinic-N sites of a nitrogen-doped carbon support.Benefiting from the highly accessible Co active sites,the prepared Co−N−C SAC exhibited a superior oxygen reduction reactivity comparable to that of the commercial Pt/C catalyst,showing a high turnover frequency(TOF)of 0.93 e^(−)·s^(-1)·site^(-1)at 0.85 V vs.RHE,far exceeding those of some representative SACs with a ultra-high metal content.This work provides a rational strategy to design and prepare M−N−C single-atom catalysts featured with high site-accessibility and site-density.

Current role of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for the management of trauma patients:Indications and results

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation(ECMO)has emerged as a vital circulatory life support measure for patients with critical cardiac or pulmonary conditions unresponsive to conventional therapies.ECMO allows blood to be extracted from a patient and introduced to a machine that oxygenates blood and removes carbon dioxide.This blood is then reintroduced into the patient’s circulatory system.This process makes ECMO essential for treating various medical conditions,both as a standalone therapy and as adjuvant therapy.Veno-venous(VV)ECMO primarily supports respiratory function and indicates respiratory distress.Simultaneously,veno-arterial(VA)ECMO provides hemodynamic and respiratory support and is suitable for cardiac-related complications.This study reviews recent literature to elucidate the evolving role of ECMO in trauma care,considering its procedural intricacies,indications,contraindications,and associated complications.Notably,the use of ECMO in trauma patients,particularly for acute respiratory distress syndrome and cardiogenic shock,has demonstrated promising outcomes despite challenges such as anticoagulation management and complications such as acute kidney injury,bleeding,thrombosis,and hemolysis.Some studies have shown that VV ECMO was associated with significantly higher survival rates than conventional mechanical ventilation,whereas other studies have reported that VA ECMO was associated with lower survival rates than VV ECMO.ECMO plays a critical role in managing trauma patients,particularly those with acute respiratory failure.Further research is necessary to explore the full potential of ECMO in trauma care.Clinicians should have a clear understanding of the indications and contraindications for the use of ECMO to maximize its benefits in treating trauma patients.

Prognostic factors for acute central retinal artery occlusion treated with hyperbaric oxygen:The Hong Kong study report number five

BACKGROUND Central retinal artery occlusion(CRAO)is a potentially blinding disease,and hyperbaric oxygen therapy(HBOT)is becoming increasingly popular with the support of scientific evidence.Despite the presence of various acute management measures,there is no clear evidence on the gold standard treatment for CRAO.AIM To identify factors and imaging parameters associated with good visual outcome,which guide ophthalmologists in the triage of CRAO patients for HBOT.METHODS Patients who suffered from CRAO and had a symptom onset≤6 h were recruited for a course of HBOT in a tertiary hospital after failing bedside treatment.Patient demographics,onset time,CRAO eye parameters,and past medical history were prospectively collected.Visual outcomes after HBOT were also analyzed.RESULTS A total of 26 patients were included;the female-to-male ratio was 1:1.6,and the mean age was 67.5 years±13.3 years(range 44–89 years).The mean duration of follow-up and mean visual acuity(VA)improvement were 10.0 mo±5.3 mo and 0.48 logarithm of minimal angle of resolution(logMAR)±0.57 logMAR(approx-imately 9 letters in ETDRS)(P=0.0001,Z=-3.67),respectively.The 1 mm zone of central macular thickness(CMT)on optical coherence tomography was not associated with VA changes(P=0.119);however,the 1-to-3 mm circular rim of CMT was fairly associated(P=0.02,Spearman's coefficient=0.45).Complete retinal perfusion time during fundus fluorescein angiography(FFA)was mode-rately associated(P=0.01,Spearman's coefficient=0.58)with visual outcome.

Taming of trinitromethyl-oxadiazole to access high density and high oxygen balance via a dual modulation strategy

Energetic compounds bearing the trinitromethyl group are garnering broad attraction as potential candidates for a new generation of high energy dense oxidizers.In this work,an effective dual modulation strategy involving both molecular isomerization and crystal morphology control was employed to design and optimize trinitromethyl-oxadiazole with improved comprehensive performance.Utilizing this dual strategy,3,5-bis(trinitromethyl)-1,2,4-oxadiazole(3)was synthesized,resulting in the formation of two distinct crystal morphologies(needle and sheet)corresponding to two crystal forms(3-a and3-b).Encouragingly,while maintaining ultra-high oxygen balance(21.73%),3 achieves impressive densities(1.97-1.98 g/cm^(3)).To our knowledge,the density of 1.98 g/cm^(3)for 3-a sets a new record among that of nitrogen-rich monocyclic compounds.Notably,practical crystal morphology prediction was creatively introduced to guide the experimental crystallization conditions of 3,increasing the impact sensitivity and friction sensitivity from 1 J to 80 N(3-a)to 10 J and 240 N(3-b),respectively.Additionally,the crystal structural analyses and theoretical calculations were conducted to elucidate the reasons of differences between 3-a and 3-b in density and stability.This work provides an efficient strategy to enhance performance of trinitromethyl derivatives,broadening the path and expanding the toolbox for energetic materials.

Assessing the impact of climate change on dissolved oxygen using a flow field ecosystem model that takes into account the anaerobic and aerobic environment of bottom sediments

This study examines the potential impacts o climate change on Lake Biwa,Japan’s largest freshwate lake,with a focus on temperature,wind speed,and pre cipitation variations.Leveraging data from the IPCC Sixth Assessment Report,including CCP scenarios,projecting a significant temperature rise of 3.3–5.7℃in the case o very high GHG emission power,the research investigates how these shifts may influence dissolved oxygen levels in Lake Biwa.Through a one-dimensional model incorporat ing sediment redox reactions,various scenarios where ai temperature and wind speed are changed are simulated.I is revealed that a 5℃increase in air temperature leads to decreasing 1-2 mg/L of dissolved oxygen concentrations from the surface layer to the bottom layer,while a decrease in air temperature tends to elevate 1–3 mg/L of oxygen lev els.Moreover,doubling wind speed enhances surface laye oxygen but diminishes it in deeper layers due to increased mixing.Seasonal variations in wind effects are noted with significant surface layer oxygen increases from 0.4to 0.8 mg/L during summer to autumn,increases from 0.4 to 0.8 mg/L in autumn to winter due to intensified vertica mixing.This phenomenon impacts the lake’s oxygen cycle year-round.In contrast,precipitation changes show limited impact on oxygen levels,suggesting minor influence com pared to other meteorological factors.The study suggests the necessity of comprehensive three-dimensional models that account for lake-specific and geographical factors fo accurate predictions of future water conditions.A holistic approach integrating nutrient levels,water temperature,and river inflow is deemed essential for sustainable management of Lake Biwa’s water resources,particularly in addressing precipitation variations.

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation combined with intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation for pheochromocytoma:A case report

BACKGROUND Pheochromocytoma(PHEO)is a type of tumor that originates from chromaffin cells in the adrenal medulla and is classified as an adrenal paraganglioma.PHEOs can secrete catecholamines,leading to a variety of symptoms.Accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment selection are crucial for favorable outcomes in these cases.CASE SUMMARY The patient presented with unexplained chest tightness,palpitations,and pink sputum.Upon examination and analysis of laboratory results,a diagnosis of adrenal PHEO was established.The PHEO secreted high levels of catecholamines,causing sudden fluctuations in blood pressure and heart rate,leading to extre-mely unstable hemodynamics.Treatment with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation helped stabilize the patient’s vital signs,allowing for timely surgical intervention.CONCLUSION The combination of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation can enhance tissue perfusion,thus providing a solid foundation for the accurate diagnosis and effective surgical treatment of PHEO.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy in the treatment of severe gastric laceration with active bleeding: A case report

BACKGROUND Endoscopic therapy is the primary approach for treating Mallory-Weiss syndro-me,particularly under conditions of mucosal protection and gastric acid suppre-ssion.However,for a subset of patients who cannot undergo endoscopic interven-tion or for whom such treatment proves ineffective,alternative measures like arterial embolization or surgical intervention may be required.While hyperbaric oxygen therapy(HBOT)has been applied across a range of medical conditions,its application in managing hemorrhage due to gastric tears remains undocumented.CASE SUMMARY A 52-year-old patient was admitted with symptoms of hematemesis and melena,and an endoscopy revealed a gastric fundus tear approximately 4 cm×5 cm in size.The lesion was considered unsuitable for endoscopic repair by the attending endoscopist.Despite conservative measures,including fasting and acid sup-pression,the patient experienced persistent bleeding and a substantial decrease in hemoglobin levels relative to admission values.Following a multidisciplinary consultation,HBOT was initiated,resulting in the cessation of bleeding and rapid wound healing.CONCLUSION For patients with gastric tears presenting with active hemorrhage,HBOT might offer an effective alternative when conventional endoscopic therapies are not viable or have been unsuccessful.

Effects of Nitric Oxide on the Germination of Wheat Seeds and Its Reactive Oxygen Species Metabolisms Under Osmotic Stress

Effects of sodium nitroprusside (SNP), a nitric oxide (NO) donor, on the germination and metabolism of reactive oxygen species were surveyed in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) seeds. Germination of wheat seeds and even the elongation of radicle and plumule were dramatically promoted by SNP treatments during the germination under osmotic stress. Meanwhile, activities of amylase and EP were enhanced, thus leading to the degradation of storage reserve in seeds. After osmotic stress was removed, higher viability of wheat seeds was also maintained. In addition, the activities of CAT, APX and the content of proline were increased by SNP treatment simultaneously, but activities of LOX were inhibited, and both of which were beneficial for improving the antioxidant capacity during the germination of wheat seeds under osmotic stress. It was also shown that the increase of the activity of amylase induced by SNP in embryoless half-seeds of wheat in the beginning period of germination (6 h) might be indirectly related to GA(3).

Effects of 1-MCP and Chitosan on Active Oxygen Metabolism and Quality of Fresh-cut Potato during Storage

[Objective] The research aimed to study the effects of 1-methylcyclopropene （1-MCP） and chitosan on active oxygen metabolism and quality of fresh-cut potato during storage. [Method] The fresh-cut potato slices were respectively treated with 1- MCP （2 μl/L）, chitosan or 1-MCP ＋ chitosan. During the storage period, the contents of superoxide anion （02）, malondialdehyde （MDA）, hydrogen dioxide （H202） and Vita- min C （Vc）, the activities of polyphenol oxidase （PPO）, peroxydase （POD） and super- oxide dismutase （SOD） as well as the respiratory rate of the fresh-cut potatoes in all the treatments were determined every day. The fresh-cut potato slices treated without any reagents were used as control. [Result] 1-MCP Treated could significantly de- creased the respiratory rate, PPO activity and the accumulations of 02 , H202 and MDA, increased the activities of SOD and POD and slowed down Vc content reduc- tion. On the contrary, potato treated with chitosan significantly inhibited the POD activi- ty in fresh-cut potato. Compared with the control, the combination of 1-MCP and chi- tosan showed a little but not significant better effects on potato preservation. [Conclu- sion] 1-MCP Treated showed the best effects on potato preservation.

Effects of Zinc Deficiency and Drought on Plant Growth and Metabolism of Reactive Oxygen Species in Maize (Zea mays L.)

The combinative effects of applied zinc （Zn） and soil moisture on the plant growth, Zn uptake, and the metabolism of reactive oxygen species （ROS） in maize （Zea mays L.） plants were examined through two pot experiments under greenhouse conditions. Maize variety Zhongdan 9409 was used. In experiment 1, maize plants were grown in cumulic cinnamon soil with five Zn treatments （0, 3.0, 9.0, 27.0, and 81.0 mg Zn kg^-1 soil）. Three treatments of soil moisture including serious drought, mild drought, and adequate water supply were set at 30-35%, 40-45%, and 70-75% （w/w） of soil saturated water content, respectively. Soil saturated water content was 36% （w/w）. The dry matter weights of shoots were enhanced by Zn application and adequate water supply. There was no apparent difference in plant growth among Zn application rates from 3.0 to 81.0 mg Zn kg^-1 soil. The increases of plant growth and Zn uptake due to Zn application were found more significant under well-watered condition than under drying condition. In experiment 2, two levels of Zn （0 and 5.0 mg Zn kg^-1 soil） and soil moisture regimen （40-45% and 70-75% of soil saturated water content, respectively） were set. Zn deficiency or water stress resulted in higher concentrations of O2^- and malondiadehyde in the first fully expanded leaves. Zn deficiency lowered the activity of superoxide dismutase （SOD, EC 1.15.1.1） in leaves. Drought stress increased SOD activity in leaves regardless of Zn supply. The activity of guaiacol peroxidase （POD, ECI.11.1.11） was found to be enhanced by Zn supply only in well-watered leaves. Zinc deficiency or water stress had little effect on the activity of catalase （CAT, EC 1.11.1.6）. The higher ROS level in early maize leaves due to water stress seemed not to be alleviated or lowered partially by Zn application. However, Zn fertilizer was recommended to apply to maize plants irrigated or supplied with adequate water, otherwise Zn deficiency would reduce the water use for plant biomass production.

Effect of Lanthanum (Ⅲ) on Reactive Oxygen Metabolism of Soybean Seedlings under Supplemental UV-B Irradiation

The effect of lanthanum （Ⅲ） on reactive oxygen metabolism of soybean seedlings under elevated ultraviolet-B radiation（UV-B：280~320 nm）at 0.15 and 0.45 W·cm-2 levels respectively was studied through hydroponics in the laboratory.Plasmolemma permeability and contents of malonadialdehyde（MDA）,hydrogen peroxide（H2O2）,and proline gradually increased during the imposition of UV-B radiation and subsequently decreased during recovery from UV-B stress.The dynamic tendency of catalase（CAT）activity was similar to that of the above four indices.The activity of peroxidase（POD）initially increased,then remained at a high level,and finally dropped steeply when soybean seedlings were exposed to a low dosage of UV-B radiation.However,POD activity rose throughout and declined slightly on the eleventh day when soybean seedlings were stressed by a high dosage.With the addition of La （Ⅲ） of 20 mg·L-1,the rising tendency of plasmolemma permeability and contents of MDA,H2O2,and proline were slowed down during the stress period,whereas the declining speed was accelerated during the recovery period.The activities of CAT and POD were higher than those without La （Ⅲ） in all experiments.It suggested that the regulative effect of La （Ⅲ） on antioxidant enzymes such as CAT and POD could strengthen their capacities to scavenge reactive oxygen species（ROS）,decrease contents of MDA and proline,and maintain normal plasmolemma permeability.Further more,the protective potential of La （Ⅲ） was better under low UV-B radiation than under a high one.