Article
Plant Sciences
Dan Wang, Nan Yang, Chaoyue Zhang, Weihong He, Guiping Ye, Jianjun Chen, Xiangying Wei
Summary: Soil salinity is an important environmental problem that affects plant growth and crop productivity. By studying the halophytic plant Sesuvium portulacastrum, it was found that this plant possesses specific gene expressions, physiological mechanisms, and metabolic pathways that enable it to convert saline soils into arable land under high concentrations of salt. These findings are significant for addressing issues related to saline soils.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Aymen Souid, Lorenza Bellani, Eliana Lanfranca Tassi, Karim Ben Hamed, Vincenzo Longo, Lucia Giorgetti
Summary: Quinoa is a South American plant that has gained attention for its nutritional properties. The Red Faro variety of quinoa grown in Tunisia showed increased levels of antioxidants and enzyme activity under salt stress conditions. However, salt stress had negative effects on seedling growth. These findings suggest that stress conditions can enhance the production of biologically active molecules for potential nutraceutical applications.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jing Li, Xiaonong Guo, Deyu Cai, Ying Xu, Yaling Wang
Summary: This article discusses the effect of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens 11B91 on the growth, development, and salt tolerance of quinoa. The results show that plants inoculated with 11B91 exhibited increased biomass, chlorophyll content, root activity, and total phosphorus content, both under normal conditions and under salt stress.
Article
Plant Sciences
Akhtar Ali, Natalia Raddatz, Jose M. Pardo, Dae-Jin Yun
Summary: Plants cope with high salinity by limiting Na+ influx, compartmentalizing ions into vacuoles, exporting excess Na+ from cells, and distributing ions between aerial and root organs. Research on the salt overly sensitive (SOS) pathway and HKT1-type transporters in different species indicates that they use similar approaches to deal with salinity stress.
PHYSIOLOGIA PLANTARUM
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Shichao Gu, Shiming Han, Muhammad Abid, Danfeng Bai, Miaomiao Lin, Leiming Sun, Xiujuan Qi, Yunpeng Zhong, Jinbao Fang
Summary: This study elucidated the molecular regulatory role of the kiwifruit HKT transporter in response to salt stress. The overexpression of AvHKT1 improved salt tolerance in kiwifruit by facilitating ion transport and reducing the harmful effects of salt accumulation.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Cameron J. Shock, Mark J. Stevens, Amalie L. Frischknecht, Issei Nakamura
Summary: "In this study, we developed a model to describe the dielectric responses of polar solvents and NaCl solutions. The simulated dielectric constants of these liquids matched well with experimental values, including the significant decrease in the dielectric constant of water upon the addition of NaCl. Furthermore, the simulations predicted an increase in dielectric constant when considering the influence of ion translations and the orientation of permanent dipoles."
JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL PHYSICS
(2023)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Fernando E. Rosas Vega, Salvador Sanchez Munoz, Igor Severo Goncalves, Felix Teran Hilares, Thercia Rocha Balbino, Marcus B. Soares Forte, Silvio Silverio da Silva, Julio C. dos Santos, Ruly Teran Hilares
Summary: Quinoa stalk can be a valuable source for the production of xylooligosaccharides and carotenoids through autohydrolysis and enzymatic hydrolysis. Xylooligosaccharides with mainly xylotetraose to xylohexaose can be obtained in 20 minutes of autohydrolysis, while xylobiose and xylotriose can be obtained in 45 minutes. Higher permeate flux was observed at pH 6.6 during ultrafiltration. The yeast produced 4.1 mg carotenoids/g dry cells weight using enzymatic hydrolysate of residual solids.
INDUSTRIAL CROPS AND PRODUCTS
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Carmen Jurado-Manogil, Gregorio Barba-Espin, Jose A. Hernandez, Pedro Diaz-Vivancos
Summary: Halophyte-based intercropping is a valuable approach in soil remediation and agriculture. This study investigated the intercropping between the halophyte Arthrocaulon macrostachyum and tomato using metabolomics. The study found significant changes in metabolites in the halophyte, with intercropping affecting sugar, starch, and amino acid-related pathways in tomato and halophyte plants. The study also observed physiological alterations and mild oxidative stress in intercropped tomato plants. This study provides the first understanding of intercropping interactions at the metabolome level and its effect on plant physiology.
PHYSIOLOGIA PLANTARUM
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Federico Vita, Stefano Ghignone, Nadia Bazihizina, Fatemeh Rasouli, Leonardo Sabbatini, Ali Kiani-Pouya, Claudia Kiferle, Sergey Shabala, Raffaella Balestrini, Stefano Mancuso
Summary: Soil salinity is a major abiotic stress affecting plants, especially in arid and semiarid regions. Quinoa, a halophytic pseudo-cereal, shows high salt tolerance and can secrete salt out of young leaves through epidermal bladder cells. Transcript profiling of two quinoa genotypes revealed constitutive differences in gene expression related to salt tolerance traits, providing insights into molecular mechanisms at the early stages of salinity stress. These findings may contribute to the development of plant breeding or genome engineering programs in quinoa.
PHYSIOLOGIA PLANTARUM
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Xuhong Zhang, Changzhi Han, Yuqin Liang, Yang Yang, Yun Liu, Yanpo Cao
Summary: The study revealed significant differences in gene and metabolite expression between the salt-tolerant genotype 'jx1502' and the salt-sensitive genotype 'gold crown' under salt stress, including ion transport, plant hormone response, and cell division and growth. 'jx1502' maintained a more stable ion and water balance system, enhanced response to auxin signaling, and promoted cell division and growth, contributing to its higher salt tolerance compared to 'gold crown'.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Tabassum Hussain, Hina Asrar, Wensheng Zhang, Bilquees Gul, Xiaojing Liu
Summary: An integrated transcriptome and proteome analysis approach was used to identify the salt tolerance mechanisms of Panicum antidotale. Under low salinity levels, upregulated genes and proteins were involved in salt resistance strategies, while downregulated genes and proteins were related to energy generation. High salinity levels led to inhibiting biomass accumulation by altering expression of genes involved in various metabolic pathways.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Lirong Wang, Meng Du, Bo Wang, Huirong Duan, Benyin Zhang, Dong Wang, Yi Li, Jiuli Wang
Summary: Nitraria tangutorum exhibits excellent salt tolerance through complex regulatory mechanisms modulated by multiple genes, including catabolism of organic compounds, antioxidant defense, signaling pathways regulation, ion homeostasis maintenance, and cell expansion.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Max William Moog, Mai Duy Luu Trinh, Anton Frisgaard Norrevang, Amalie Kofoed Bendtsen, Cuiwei Wang, Jeppe Thulin Osterberg, Sergey Shabala, Rainer Hedrich, Toni Wendt, Michael Palmgren
Summary: Understanding the role of epidermal bladder cells in salt tolerance of halophytes, such as quinoa, reveals a mechanism in which these cells accumulate potassium ions and serve as a water sink for solute storage, improving the plant's survival under high salinity conditions.
Article
Plant Sciences
Takao Oi, Peta L. Clode, Mitsutaka Taniguchi, Timothy D. Colmer, Lukasz Kotula
Summary: Halophytes accumulate high concentrations of salt in vacuoles while maintaining lower levels in the cytoplasm. This study assessed the salt concentrations in different cell types of a halophytic plant and linked the elemental concentrations in chloroplasts to their ultrastructure and photosynthetic performance. The findings suggest that specific cellular salt distributions and regulation of salt concentrations in chloroplasts contribute to salinity tolerance in the plant.
PLANT CELL AND ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Agronomy
Elena Shuyskaya, Zulfira Rakhmankulova, Maria Prokofieva, Varvara Kazantseva, Nina Lunkova
Summary: The combined effect of elevated temperature and salinity on Chenopodium quinoa has been studied. It was found that this combination induced high oxidative stress, decreased biomass, reduced efficiency of photosynthesis, and downregulated the expression of photosynthetic genes.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Daisy Yang, Aliaa Shallan, Michael C. Breadmore, Christopher Greet, Craig Priest
Summary: This study successfully applied an open microfluidic chip for real-time continuous monitoring of EDTA extractable iron in mineral slurries, providing a convenient and efficient analysis method for depressing mineral flotation in mineral processing.
CANADIAN JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Lubna Shahzadi, Fernando Maya, Michael C. Breadmore, Stuart C. Thickett
Summary: A new 3D printable resin formulation has been developed and optimized using commercially available thiol and alkyne monomers. The printed objects showed excellent dye removal efficiency, and the resin system has potential applications in water treatment for organic dye removal from wastewater.
MACROMOLECULAR MATERIALS AND ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Anda-Larisa Iosip, Soenke Scherzer, Sonja Bauer, Dirk Becker, Markus Krischke, Khaled A. S. Al-Rasheid, Joerg Schultz, Ines Kreuzer, Rainer Hedrich
Summary: The Venus flytrap Dionaea muscipula estimates prey nutrient content by counting trigger hair contacts initiating action potentials (APs) and calcium waves traveling all over the trap. The plant uses a calcium clock to time the memory function and decision-making. There are two distinct phases of trap closure, fast trap snapping requiring two APs and slow trap sealing and prey processing induced by more than five APs. The DYSC mutant fails to properly read, count, and decode touch/AP-induced calcium signals.
Article
Plant Sciences
Shouguang Huang, Tobias Maierhofer, Kenji Hashimoto, Xiangyu Xu, Sohail M. Karimi, Heike Mueller, Michael A. Geringer, Yi Wang, Joerg Kudla, Ive De Smet, Rainer Hedrich, Dietmar Geiger, M. Rob G. Roelfsema
Summary: This study found that CIPK23 is expressed in Arabidopsis guard cells and enhances stomatal conductance by regulating the activity of multiple ion channel proteins, including the inhibition of SLAC1-type anion channels.
Article
Plant Sciences
Fatemeh Rasouli, Ali Kiani-Pouya, Ali Movahedi, Yuan Wang, Leiting Li, Min Yu, Mohammad Pourkheirandish, Meixue Zhou, Zhonghua Chen, Heng Zhang, Sergey Shabala
Summary: A comparative investigation was conducted to evaluate transcriptional changes in guard cells (GCs) of halophytic (Chenopodium quinoa) and glycophytic (Spinacia oleracea) species under salt stress. Salt-responsive genes in both species were mainly related to protein metabolism, secondary metabolites, signal transduction, and transport systems. Quinoa exhibited strong induction of genes related to abscisic acid signaling and biosynthesis, as well as transporters for amino acids, proline, sugars, sucrose, and potassium. Additionally, changes in cell wall-related genes and stomatal development were observed, suggesting that these variations may contribute to the higher salt tolerance and water use efficiency in quinoa.
PLANT AND CELL PHYSIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Kolsoum Dalvand, Alireza Ghiasvand, Sepideh Keshan-Balavandy, Feng Li, Michael Breadmore
Summary: This article describes a rapid, simple, and sensitive 3D printed microfluidic device integrated with smartphone-based on-chip detection for POCT quantification of urinary uric acid. The device includes two circular inputs connected to microliter-scale chambers, separated by an integrated porous membrane. Under optimal conditions, the device showed a linear calibration curve in the concentration range of 30-600 mg L-1, with a limit of detection of 10.5 mg L-1. The device was successfully used for the recovery and quantification of uric acid in urine.
AUSTRALIAN JOURNAL OF CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Leila Arab, Yasutomo Hoshika, Elena Paoletti, Philip J. White, Michael Dannenmann, Heike Mueller, Peter Ache, Rainer Hedrich, Saleh Alfarraj, Ghada Albasher, Heinz Rennenberg
Summary: Chronic ozone exposure selectively disrupts metabolic processes in the roots rather than the shoot, affecting mineral uptake and partitioning between roots and shoots. However, there were no significant changes in total carbon and nitrogen concentrations and their partitioning between different metabolic pools. The effects of chronic ozone exposure on mineral acquisition and partitioning between leaves and roots are discussed.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Shouguang Huang, Rainer Hedrich
Summary: The Venus flytrap benefits from fire ecology by recognizing and responding to heat waves, closing its traps to survive fires and continue to catch prey during hot summers.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Pooya Azizian, Jasmina Casals-Terre, Jordi Ricart, Joan M. Cabot
Summary: By manipulating the geometry and surface chemistry of microfluidic channels, capillary-driven microfluidics allow for spontaneous movement and control of fluids without external instrumentation. The design and validation of a novel diffusion-free capillary valve, the p-valve, is presented in this study. The p-valve eliminates unwanted diffusion and cross-contamination through its 3D structure and void area, achieving a 40% increase in fluorescence intensity compared to conventional valves in a proof-of-concept capillary-driven circuit.
MICROSYSTEMS & NANOENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Anatolii Makhinia, Pooya Azizian, Valerio Beni, Jasmina Casals-Terre, Joan M. Cabot, Peter Andersson Ersman
Summary: Microfluidic surface chemistry allows for control of capillary-driven flow without bulky external instrumentation. A novel nonhomogeneous coating is used to define regions with different wetting properties on microchannel walls, leading to different capillary pressures and automatic flow control. This method employs inkjet printing to deposit hydrophilic coatings on the surfaces of 3D-printed microfluidic devices, enabling capillary flow control in 3D-printed microfluidics for the first time. The method is further utilized to create stop and delay valves and integrated with organic electrochemical transistors for sensing applications.
ADVANCED MATERIALS TECHNOLOGIES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Pooya Azizian, Jasmina Casals-Terre, Elena Guerrero-SanVicente, Ruta Grinyte, Jordi Ricart, Joan M. Cabot
Summary: Microfluidics technology is used to enhance the performance of analytical techniques. We present a capillary-driven microfluidic device that improves the sensitivity of lateral flow immunoassays by offering an automated washing step. The device utilizes a 3D-printed multilevel microfluidic chip and quantitatively measures cortisol levels to demonstrate its efficacy.
Review
Chemistry, Analytical
Pooya Azizian, Jasmina Casals-Terre, Jordi Ricart, Joan M. Cabot
Summary: Decentralized diagnostics has been advancing towards rapid and cost-effective testing at the point-of-care. Microfluidics has played a key role in this, but the need for robust peripheral equipment has been a limiting factor. However, with advancements in manufacturing technologies and the use of 3D features and surface chemistry, capillary valves have become a powerful tool for point-of-care applications.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Hui Yin Tey, Michael C. Breadmore, Hong Heng See
Summary: A polymer inclusion membrane (PIM) based sampling probe was developed to electrokinetically extract drugs from biological fluids. The probe was fabricated using a dipcoating method with a homogeneous PIM solution. The electrokinetic extraction of doxorubicin from human plasma, human serum, and dried blood spot (DBS) was evaluated using LC-MS/MS for quantification. The developed technique offers a more efficient analytical workflow in the laboratory and was integrated into a portable battery-powered device for safe low-voltage electrokinetic extraction.
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Chloe M. Taylor, Michael C. Breadmore, Nathan L. Kilah
Summary: In this study, we investigated the use of three porphyrin host molecules as visual sensors to detect different sizes of perfluorocarboxylates. By modifying the fluorinated chain lengths, we achieved subtle control over binding preferences and colorimetric responses. UV-visible spectroscopy and ImageJ software analysis were used to relate the RGB information with binding and perceived colors. The visual estimation of PFCA concentrations was formalized using the CIE76 formula, and color charts were produced from raw RGB information. The color responses were parameterized and calibrated using known concentrations, allowing for the estimation of total PFCA concentrations with less than 20% error across a wide range.
SENSORS & DIAGNOSTICS
(2023)