Improvement of Growth and Selenium Absorption Characteristics of Tomato Plant by Lactic Acid Bacterial Biochar Fertilizer.

Phosphorus influence on arsenic bioavailability in soils and its toxicity to plants is widely recognized. This work compares competitive influence of P on As bioavailability in dry and flooded soils. Pot experiments were carried out in dry and flooded soils, respectively. Bioavailable As in soils was measured using diffusive gradients in thin films (DGT), soil solution concentration, and three single chemical extraction methods. P concentration at 50 mg/kg promoted wheat growth in dry soil. At concentrations above 50 mg/kg, P competition inhibited wheat growth and enhanced As toxicity. In flooded soil, the rice height and biomass decreased with the increase of P addition. P concentrations above 800 mg/kg were lethal to the rice. The content of As absorbed by wheat and rice roots as well as shoots increased with the increase of P concentration. The bioavailability of As in wheat- and rice-grown soils, determined by all methods, also increased with the increase of P concentration. The correlation analysis between the bioavailable As measured by the all three methods and the content of As in plants showed a significant positive correlation. The Pearson correlation coefficient for the DGT method was higher comparing to all other methods. DGT-induced fluxes in soils (DIFS) modeling further showed sharp decreases of Tc (the characteristic time to reach equilibrium between available solid As pool and soil solution As from DGT perturbation) and increases of desorption and adsorption rate constants (k1 and k−1) of As in P-amended soils, reflecting that the kinetic release of As from available solid As pools became much easy from P competition. P competition in both dry and flooded soils could significantly increase bioavailability of As and further increase its toxicity. Competition effect was more pronounced in flooded soil. DGT is a more accurate method for As bioavailability evaluation in both dry and flooded soils.

Factors controlling accumulation and bioavailability of selenium in paddy soils: A case study in Luxi County, China

BackgroundThe purpose of this comparative study was to detect superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities in Fasciola hepatica, F. gigantica parasites, infected and healthy liver tissues in order to determine of species effects and liver infection on SODs activity level.MethodsFasciola spp. parasites and sheep liver tissues (healthy and infected liver tissues), 10 samples for each, were collected, homogenized and investigated for protein measurement, protein detection and SOD enzyme activity assay. Protein concentration was measured by Bradford method and SODs band protein was detected on SDS-PAGE. SODs activity was determined by iodonitrotetrazolium chloride, INT, and xanthine substrates. Independent samples t-test was conducted for analysis of SODs activities difference.ResultsProtein concentration means were detected for F. hepatica 1.3 mg/ ml, F. gigantica 2.9 mg/ml, healthy liver tissue 5.5 mg/ml and infected liver tissue 1.6 mg/ml (with similar weight sample mass). Specific enzyme activities in the samples were obtained 0.58, 0.57, 0.51, 1.43 U/mg for F. hepatica, F. gigantica, healthy liver and infected liver respectively. Gel electrophoresis of Fasciola spp. and sheep liver tissue extracts revealed a band protein with MW of 60 kDa. The statistical analysis revealed significant difference between SOD activities of Fasciola species and also between SOD activity of liver tissues (P<.05).ConclusionFasciola species and liver infection are effective causes on SOD enzyme activity level.

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia is characterized by the progressive accumulation of immature lymphocytes due to inhibited apoptosis. Oxidative stress has a significant role in the pathogenesis of diseases as well as in cancerogenesis itself. The aim of this research was to determine the activity of antioxidative enzymes in blood plasma and in lymphocyte lysates of chronic lymphocytic leukemia patients. Fifty-one patients were divided into two groups according to Rai classification. Group A consisted of patients in stage 0 and stage I and group B consisted of stage II, III and IV patients. Group C consisted of 32 healthy individuals. Enzyme activities of catalase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase in lymphocyte lysates of group B patients showed statistically significant decrease. Enzyme activity of catalase in group B patients' blood plasma showed statistically significant increase. Enzyme activities of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase of group B patients' blood plasma showed no statistically significant changes.

Changes in superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzyme activity were examined in infected barley seedlings of five cultivars with the goal to study the role of SOD in the defense mechanism induced by Pyrenophora teres f. teres (PTT) infection. Our results showed that although there were differences in the responses of the cultivars, all three PTT isolates (H-618, H-774, H-949) had significantly increased SOD activity in all examined barley varieties at the early stages of the infection. The lowest SOD activity was observed in the case of the most resistant cultivar. Our results did not show a clear connection between seedling resistance of genotypes and SOD enzyme activity; however, we were able to find strong significant correlations between the PTT infection scores on the Tekauz scale and the SOD activity. The measurement of the SOD activity could offer a novel perspective to detect the early stress responses induced by PTT. Our results suggest that the resistance of varieties cannot be estimated based on SOD enzyme activity alone, because many antioxidant enzymes play a role in fine-tuning the defense response, but SOD is an important member of this system.

Exopolysaccharides (EPS) are water soluble polymers synthesized by three strains of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) namely EPS-S1, EPS-S2 and EPS-S7. Some exopolysaccharides (EPSs) produced by lactic acid bacteria (LAB) present potential health-beneficial properties, such as immune stimulation and antioxidative activities. Antioxidants function in several ways including preventing the formation of radicals, scavenging free radicals, formation of hydrogen peroxide and lipid peroxides. The Objectives of this research were to evaluate the antioxidant activities of exopolysaccharides (EPS) extracts from lactic acid bacteria (LAB). The extracts were investigated by using in vitro assays induced tersier-Butilhidroperoksida (t-BHP) 6 µg.ml -1 red blood cell (RBC) for their effects on lipid peroxidation malondealdehyde (MDA) level and activities of some antioxidant enzymes which includes catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD). Six groups consisted of 3 replicated per group; (I) normal control, RBC (II) negative control, RBC+ t-BHP (III) positive control, RBC+t-BHP+vitamin-C, and (IV-VI) samples, RBC+t-BHP+EPS (S1, S2 and S7) extracts. The results showed that exopolysaccharides (EPS) of three strains of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) increased catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzyme activity and decreased malondealdehyde (MDA) content, exopolysaccharides (EPS)-S2 most potential to increase the activity of catalase (CAT; 77.46%) and superoxide dismutase (SOD; 33.87%) enzyme and inhibit the increase malondealdehyde (MDA; 32.19%) levels. Keywords: exopolysaccharide, lactic acid bacteria, malondealdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT)

Source apportionment of selenium and influence factors on its bioavailability in intensively managed greenhouse soil: A case study in the east bank of the Dianchi Lake, China

Preeclampsia is a complex syndrome of unknown aetiologic origin. It is characterized by the clinical triad of hypertension, edema and protenuria. Current concepts of the genesis of preeclampsia include endothelial dysfunction and oxidative stress. This study assessed the relationship between the activity of superoxide dismutase, the zincemia and the preeclampsia. A case-control study was carried out with 94 women, age between 17 and 44 years, which were divided in two groups: women with preeclampsia (n = 44) and control group women with normal pregnancy (n = 50). The activity of superoxide dismutase enzyme was determined according to Ransod kit. Zinc concentrations in plasma and erythrocytes were determined using the flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry technique, both determined before delivery and during puerperium. Student's t-test and the paired t-test were used for statistical analysis, and significance was established at p < 0.05. The study revealed plasma hypozincemia more pronounced in women with severe preeclampsia (p < 0.05). This behavior was not observed in erythrocytes, whose concentrations remained stable, before delivery and puerperium in women with preeclampsia and normal pregnancy. The antioxidant activity of the enzyme superoxide dismutase was found elevated in women with and without preeclampsia (p>0.05), with significant reduction in activity in the postpartum period (p < 0.05) in both groups studied (p>0.05). This study shows there are alterations in biochemical parameters of zinc in women with preeclampsia. The activity of superoxide dismutase shows that this marker cannot be used to predict the evolution of the disease.

Background: Aloxan tetrahyd micee causes free radicals and higher reactive oxidative species (ROS) production, being able to lead to reduce insulin secretion from pancreatic β cells and receptor sensitivity in insulin-receptor cells resulting in hyperglycemia conditions. Bean extract ethanol can reduce oxidative stress. The purpose of this study was to determine bean’s ethanol extract effectiveness in lowering blood sugar levels and increasing the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzyme. Subjects and Methods: This was a randomized controlled trial (RCT) study. The samples were mice ( Micetus norvegicus ) of wistar strains randomized in five groups: P1-negative control, positive P2-control, P-3 ethanol extract group of 200mg / kgBW, P4-group 400mg / kgBW, P5-group 600 mg / kgBW. Dependent variables are blood sugar (mg/ dL) and superoxide dismutase enzymes. The independent variable is the bean extract of ethanol. Differences in blood sugar levels and superoxide enzyme levels of intergroup dismutase were tested by Anova test, followed by post hoc test, to determine the effectiveness of bean extract ethanol. Results: This study showed a statistically significant decrease in blood glucose levels after ethanol extract of green beans 600 mg / kg BW from day 14 to day 28 (p 0.05). Giving ethanol extract of green beans did not affect the activity of superoxide dismutase enzyme (p = 0.830). Conclusion: Giving ethanol extract of green beans 600 mg / kgBW effectively decrease blood sugar in male wistar mice ( Micetus norvegicus ) from day 14 to day 28. Giving ethanol extract of green beans 200 mg/ kgBW, 400 mg / kgBW, and 600 mg / kgBW, is not effective to increase the activity of superoxide dismutase enzyme. Keywords: Phaseolus Vulgaris L., blood sugar level, superoxide dismutase enzyme Correspondence: Ade Putra Fratama Sinaga. Masters Program on Biomedics, Faculty of Medicine, North Sumatra University. Email: adeputra535@ymail.com. Indonesian Journal of Medicine (2017), 2(2): 139-145 https://doi.org/10.26911/theijmed.2017.02.02.08

To investigate the effects of blocking lactate synthesis on the HT22 cell injuries caused by hypoxia. 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG) is a non-metabolized glucose analogue that can inhibit lactate synthesis by blocking glycolysis. HT22 cells were divided into 4 groups: Control group, 2-DG group, Hypoxia group and 2-DG+Hypoxia group. The cells in control group and 2-DG treatment group were cultured in a 37℃, 5% CO2 incubator, and thecells in hypoxia group and 2-DG + Hypoxia group were cultured in a hypoxia incubator. The concentrations of 2-DG were 2.5 and 5 mmol/L, the concentration of oxygen was 0.3%, and the treatment time was 24 h. Cell activity was detected by CCK-8 assay, the levels of lactate in cell culture medium were detected by spectrophotometry, cell morphology was observed by fluorescence staining, the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was detected by flow cytometry, and the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) were determined by enzyme activity kits. The protein expression levels of p-p38, t-p38 and β-actin were detected by Western blot. Compared with that in control group, the lactate level in culture medium and cell activity were decreased significantly (P＜0.01), the number of adherent cells was decreased, the level of ROS was increased (P＜0.01), and the enzyme activity of CAT was decreased (P＜0.05) in the 2-DG group. In the hypoxia group, the level of lactate in the culture medium was increased significantly (P＜0.01), the cell activity was decreased (P＜0.01), the number of adherent cells was decreased, the ROS levels were increased (P＜0.01), and the enzyme activities of CAT and SOD were decreased (P＜0.01 or P＜0.05). In 2-DG+Hypoxia group, the level of lactate was decreased significantly (P＜0.05), the cell viability was decreased significantly (P＜0.01), the number of cells was decreased significantly, and the ability of adhere to the wall was weakened significantly. The level of ROS was increased significantly (P＜0.01), the enzyme activities of CAT and SOD were decreased significantly (P＜0.01), the protein expression level of p-p38 was increased significantly (P＜0.05), and there was no change in t-p38. Compared with hypoxia groups, in 2-DG combined with hypoxia group, the level of lactate induced by hypoxia, the cell activity, and the enzyme activity level of CAT were decreased significantly (all P＜0.01), while the level of ROS was increased significantly (P＜ 0.01). Blocking lactate can reduce the cell activity level under hypoxia and aggravate the oxidative stress injury of HT22 cells. The mechanisms may be related to increasing ROS level and activating p38 signal pathway.

Data on the activity of catalase and superoxide dismutase in the thalli of the cyanolichen Peltigera praetextata and the green algal lichen Hypogymnia physodes (See Fig. 1) at different ontogenetic conditions are not available in the literature. At the same time, the study of antioxidant system of lichen thalli with different photobionts during ontogenesis is relevant and can contribute to understanding the mechanisms of adaptation of symbionts to changing environmental conditions, and also serve as indicators of the functional state of the organism. The aim of the study was to investigate the activity of catalase and superoxide dismutase enzymes in lichen thalli P. praetextata and H. physodes at different stages of ontogenesis. P. praetextata and H. physodes thalli samples were collected from aspen and pine trunks under similar ecological conditions of mixed aspen-spruce communities in the middle taiga (62°15'15.9'' N, 33°58'746.1'' E, 61°50'17'' N, 34°23'13'' E, the Republic of Karelia) and northern taiga (64°34'13.9' 'N, 43°15'48'' E, Arkhangelsk Oblast, 64° 33'19'' N, 30°20'46'' E, the Republic of Karelia). Based on morphological features, thalli samples were divided into groups of different age. P. praetextata thalli were divided into 3 groups: virginal (pregenerative, young thalli without reproduction structures), generative (thalli with apothecia and phyllidia – structures of vegetative reproduction), and senile thalli (thalli with signs of degradation over a larger area). H. physodes thalli were divided into 2 groups: virginil and senile thalli; generative thalli with apothecia are extremely rare in the study areas. Catalase activity measured based on enzymatic degradation of hydrogen peroxide, superoxide dismutase activity was determined spectrophotometrically by inhibition of photoreduction of nitroblue tetrazolium, protein content was determined by the method Bradford. Statistical analysis of the data was carried out using one-way analysis of variance. The protein content (mg/g dry mass) in P. praetextata thalli within the studied sample averaged 1.12 ± 0.09, in H. physodes thalli – 2.45 ± 0.32. The activity of superoxide dismutase (units/mg of protein) in thalli of P. praetextata reached an average of 0.34 ± 0.12, in thalli of H. physodes – 0.09 ± 0.01. The values of catalase activity (µmol H2O2/µg protein) in P. praetextata thalli averaged 2.06 ± 0.48, H. physodes – 0.49 ± 0.07. For the thalli of the cyanolichen P. praetextata, a lower (2 times) protein content (See Fig. 2) and a higher (4-5 times) activity of superoxide dismutase (See Fig. 3) and catalase (See Fig. 4) were found in compared with the chlorobiont lichen H. physodes. The species P. praetextata belongs to the group of cyanolichens, and its photobiont is cyanobacteria of the genus Nostoc located in the algal layer of the thallus. In both lichen species, the maximum values of catalase activity were established for virginal thalli, and the minimum values for senile thalli. Perhaps this is due to the high intensity of "growth respiration" of young lichen thalli, which leads to the formation of reactive oxygen species. Differences in the activity of superoxide dismutase in thalli of different ontogenetic stages in the studied species were not shown. In the thalli of P. praetextata and H. physodes, the activity of catalase in thalli from the northern taiga communities is higher than in the thalli of the middle taiga, while the activity of superoxide dismutase, on the contrary, was on average higher in the lichen thalli of the middle taiga. This might be due to variability in the intensity of photosynthesis and respiration along the latitudinal gradient. In lichens, catalase activity can be a marker of mycobiont respiration, and superoxide dismutase activity is a marker of photobiont photosynthesis. The question of contribution of the fungal or algal components of the lichen thallus to the activity of antioxidant enzymes remains open.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the relationship between the levels of neopterin among patients with benign and malignant breast disease and the relation with the stage of the malignant process. In this study, neopterin concentrations and enzyme activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) were determined in malign (n=30) and benign breast tumor patients (n=30) by high performance liquid chromatographic and spectrophotometric methods, respectively. Results were compared with a healthy control group (n=20). The correlations between neopterin, CAT and SOD were also evaluated in controls and patients. Urinary neopterin level of the control group was (mean value ± S.D.) 128.6 ± 64.6 μmol/mol creatinine. Neopterin concentrations in patients with breast malignancy were 153.6 ± 71.2 μmol/mol creatinine and 107.8 ± 32.1 μmol/mol creatinine in benign disorders patients. The mean neopterin level in the benign group was found to be statistically different from the malign tumor group (p = 0.039). SOD and CAT activities in controls were found as 3.57 ± 0.84 U/mg protein and 2.19 ± 0.20 U/mg protein, respectively. In patients with malignancy, the SOD activity was 3.84 ± 0.73 U/mg protein while CAT activity was 1.03 ± 0.13 U/mg protein. Patients with benign breast disorders, SOD activity was 4.09 ± 1.00 U/mg protein and CAT activity was 1.02 ± 0.18 U/mg protein. Whereas SOD activity did not differ between the groups of patients and controls, the mean catalase level in the control group was higher than in the benign and malign tumor groups (both p &lt;0.001). Urinary neopterin concentration seems to be an important and useful biomarker in diagnosis of breast tumors in clinical practice.

Root architecture is of key importance for plant nutrition and performance. It is known that root architecture is determined by genetics and environmental conditions. The aim of the present study was to evaluate if root exudation within a given plant has a role in the development of root architecture. We conducted a series of experiments using Arabidopsis thaliana Ler and Col grown with and without activated charcoal (AC). The addition of AC lowered the concentration of secondary metabolites in the growth media by more than 90%. Our results consistently showed that the addition of AC significantly decreased the number of lateral roots (38% in Ler and 27% in Col), but this decrease was compensated by an increase in the root length per unit of lateral root (83% in Ler and 96% in Col). This compensation resulted in a non-significant effect of AC on the total length of lateral roots. The effects of AC on root architecture were partially or totally reverted by the differential supplementation of root exudates from other plants of the same ecotype. Our results indicate a direct role of secondary metabolites present in the root exudates in the development of root architecture.

Introduction/Objective Oxidative stress plays a central role in the pathogenesis of diabetes mellitus, primarily through the overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) serve as key components in cellular defense by neutralizing ROS. Measuring their activities provides critical insight into the antioxidant status under diabetic conditions and the impact of therapeutic interventions. Objectives This study aimed to evaluate the protective effects of Curcuma longa ethanolic extract on oxidative stress in diabetic rats by assessing SOD and CAT activities in serum and liver tissues. Methods/Case Report Twenty-five male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to five groups: normal control, diabetic untreated, diabetic treated with Curcuma longa at 50 mg/kg, diabetic treated with Curcuma longa at 100 mg/kg, and diabetic treated with glibenclamide (4 mg/kg). Type 2 diabetes was induced in the respective groups, and treatments were administered for 21 days. At the end of the experiment, liver tissues were collected, homogenized in phosphate buffer (0.1 M, pH 7.4), and analyzed for SOD and CAT enzyme activities using spectrophotometric methods. SOD activity was assessed via the riboflavin-nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) assay, while CAT activity was measured by the rate of hydrogen peroxide decomposition. Data were expressed as mean ± SD and analyzed by one-way ANOVA with p ≤ 0.05 considered significant. Results SOD activity decreased significantly in diabetic rats (0.0367±0.03) compared to controls (0.091±0.02). Treatment with Curcuma longa at 50 mg/kg (0.0978±0.04) and 100 mg/kg (0.0812±0.066) significantly restored SOD activity. The glibenclamide group showed minimal improvement (0.0343±0.035). Similarly, CAT activity dropped in diabetic rats (0.49±0.5) versus controls (1.8±0.9), while Curcuma longa at 50 mg/kg (1.33±1.0) and 100 mg/kg (1.6±1.0) restored CAT levels significantly. Conclusion Curcuma longa demonstrated a dose-dependent antioxidant effect by enhancing SOD and CAT activities in diabetic rats. These improvements were more substantial than those observed with glibenclamide, suggesting Curcuma longa may serve as a promising natural agent to counteract oxidative stress in diabetes.

Copper increases superoxide dismutase activity in rat liver