Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Valentina N. Mal'tseva, Michael V. Goltyaev, Egor A. Turovsky, Elena G. Varlamova
Summary: This review presents the latest data on the role of selenium-containing agents in regulating diseases of the immune system, including defense mechanisms against viral infections. The article summarizes the contributions, mechanisms, and potential of different selenium compounds, selenoproteins, and selenium nanoparticles in immune process regulation, emphasizing their importance and key differences in mechanisms of action.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Barbara Rita Cardoso, Larissa Lago, Aimee Linda Dordevic, Eugene Anthony Kapp, Anna M. Raines, Roger A. Sunde, Blaine Russel Roberts
Summary: The study identified candidate proteins in the liver regulated by dietary selenium intake, ranging from deficiency to toxic levels, and found a U-shaped dose-response relationship between selenium status and health outcomes. The results suggest that changes in selenium levels can impact the metabolism of glutathione, xenobiotics, and amino acids in the body.
JOURNAL OF NUTRITIONAL BIOCHEMISTRY
(2021)
Review
Biology
Sojit Tomo, Gangam Saikiran, Mithu Banerjee, Sushmita Paul
Summary: The disruption of antioxidant defense in severe acute respiratory syndrome due to SARS-CoV infection has been demonstrated, with selenium playing a major role in reducing reactive oxygen species produced in response to viral infections. Selenium also inhibits NF-kappa B activation, thus alleviating inflammation. In viral infections, selenoproteins have been found to inhibit type I interferon responses and modulate T cell proliferation and oxidative burst in macrophages. Virally encoded selenoproteins have been identified in various viral genomes, and potential selenoproteins in the COVID-19 genome may provide further insights into their role in viral pathogenesis.
Article
Chemistry, Applied
ZhiJian Li, QingQing Wang, FuJuan Dai, HaiFeng Li
Summary: The study found that the Se(IV)-resistant Lactobacillus paralimentarius strain JZ07 has high selenium biotransformation ability, which can produce red elemental selenium nanospheres and play an important role in selenium bioaccumulation. The sulfur content in the cells increases significantly in the presence of Se(IV), resulting in changes in cell morphology.
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Barbara O. Guimaraes, Youp Van der Graaf, Isabelle Kunert, Rene H. Wijffelsa, Maria J. Barbosa, Sarah 'Adamo
Summary: This study investigates the effect of phosphorus limitation on Se accumulation and uptake efficiency in N. oceanica for the first time. Se accumulation increased up to 16-fold and Se uptake efficiency increased up to 3.6-fold under phosphorus growth-limiting concentrations. N. oceanica was then cultivated in a bioreactor with two phosphorus growth-limiting concentrations, analyzing the accumulation of Se in the microalgal biomass and its presence in the spent medium. This study is the first to explore the effect of phosphorus limitation on increasing Se accumulation in microalgae and preventing the release of Se in wastewater.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Zhongqiu Hu, Yuanxi Yao, Meng Lv, Yiqian Zhang, Lin Zhang, Yahong Yuan, Tianli Yue
Summary: Selenoproteins PR-Se-1, PR-Se-2, and PR-Se-3 were isolated from Agaricus blazei Murrill (ABM) and identified as isoenzymes of isocitrate dehydrogenase, dihydrolipoyl dehydrogenase, and n-proline reductase, respectively. ABM is a promising source of selenium in selenium-poor regions, with organic selenium comprising about 81% of its total selenium content.
Article
Plant Sciences
Annalisa Meucci, Anton Shiriaev, Irene Rosellini, Fernando Malorgio, Beatrice Pezzarossa
Summary: The study found that foliar spray with selenium salts can enrich tomatoes with selenium and improve quality traits, especially when performed at the flowering stage, resulting in positive changes in fruit aroma profile.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Chenhao Lyu, Jiawei Chen, Lei Li, Zhuqing Zhao, Xinwei Liu
Summary: This study investigated the characteristics of Se enrichment in the water-soil-plant system, as well as the dietary Se status of local residents in seleniferous areas. The results showed that Se in well water mainly came from Se-enriched shales and coals, and the mobility of Se in seleniferous soils was relatively low. The concentration of Se in edible parts of crops varied widely, with cereal plants having a higher Se-enrichment ability than tuber plants. The probable dietary Se intake in high-Se areas has decreased in recent years but still exceeds the permissible value. Reducing cereal-derived dietary Se intake is an important strategy to improve the Se nutrition status in high-Se areas.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
T. Castel, K. Leon, C. Gandubert, B. Gueguen, A. Amerand, A. Guernec, M. Theron, K. Pichavant-Rafini
Summary: Selenium contributes to physiological functions through selenoproteins and plays a role in oxidative stress defense. A deficiency of selenium can lead to the onset or worsening of pathologies. The study aimed to determine the effects of sodium selenite or selenium-enriched spirulina supplementation.
BIOLOGICAL TRACE ELEMENT RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Yan Li, Yiran Xiao, Jinghong Hao, Shuangxi Fan, Ruifang Dong, Haihong Zeng, Chaojie Liu, Yingyan Han
Summary: This paper investigated the selenium accumulation ability of lettuce and the effects of selenate and selenite on its growth and amino acid content. The results showed that lettuce could effectively convert inorganic selenium into organic selenium, and the addition of selenium improved photosynthesis and growth. The optimal selenium application was found to be 2 mu mol L-1, with some regions able to use 4 mu mol L-1 selenite. However, excessive selenium areas are not recommended for growing selenium-rich foods. Overall, lettuce has strong biofortification potential.
PLANT PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY
(2022)
Review
Food Science & Technology
John-Nelson Ekumah, Yongkun Ma, Nelson Dzidzorgbe Kwaku Akpabli-Tsigbe, Emmanuel Kwaw, Shengmei Ma, Jie Hu
Summary: Selenium is a necessary micronutrient with health benefits, but accessing organic selenium in nature is challenging due to uneven global distribution. Various methods such as genetic engineering, selenium fertilizer, and microorganisms can help address this issue. There are also unexplored opportunities to convert inorganic selenium from selenium-rich soil into organic forms for human consumption.
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Amit Khurana, Prince Allawadhi, Vishakha Singh, Isha Khurana, Poonam Yadav, Kshirod Bihari Sathua, Sachin Allwadhi, Anil Kumar Banothu, Umashanker Navik, Kala Kumar Bharani
Summary: Deficiency of selenium in COVID-19 patients is associated with higher mortality rates. Selenium nanoparticles have anti-inflammatory, anti-fibrotic, and immunomodulatory effects, and can also inhibit viral growth. Additionally, the expression of selenoproteins and their association with COVID-19 is highlighted, emphasizing their role in maintaining a successful immune response.
JOURNAL OF DRUG DELIVERY SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Yin Xiong, Xuhong Tian, Tianci Qiu, Xin Cong, Xingfei Zheng, Shaoyu Chen, Aiqing You, Shuiyuan Cheng, Muci Wu, Deze Xu
Summary: The effect of Se-nanoparticles (SeNPs) fertilizer on rice quality was investigated. The results showed that Se treatments significantly increased the content of Se in brown and polished rice. Cd content increased while As and Cr content decreased in rice grains after Se treatments. SeNPs had no significant impact on rice eating and cooking quality, but could slightly improve the fatty acid content. In general, the use of SeNPs fertilizer at a rate of 6.4 g/ha was identified as the optimal choice for improving grain Se content and quality.
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Claire Hogan, Anthony V. Perkins
Summary: Selenium is an essential trace element for human health, and deficiency can lead to various diseases. Selenium is incorporated into selenoproteins, which play important roles in antioxidant defense, signaling, hormone production, DNA synthesis, and protein response. This review highlights the importance of selenium for a healthy pregnancy and the role of placental selenoproteins in early life development.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Baolong Zhang, Guangqian Duan, Yingying Fang, Xuan Deng, Yongguang Yin, Kaiyao Huang
Summary: This study found that selenite can alleviate the toxicity of Cr(VI) in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii by reducing ROS levels produced by Cr(VI). Additionally, selenite can reduce cell absorption of Cr(VI), thereby decreasing its toxicity. These findings provide new insights for enhancing the bioremediation capacity of algae.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2021)
Article
Agronomy
Diego Pizzeghello, Livio Bellin, Serenella Nardi, Ornella Francioso, Andrea Squartini, Giuseppe Concheri
Summary: The use of compost from green and woody residues is a promising strategy to counteract the loss of organic matter in agricultural soils. This study investigated the effects of wood-based compost (WBC) on physical and chemical soil properties in an organic farm in NE Italy, and found that WBC significantly increased organic C content and available P in both vineyard and field-scale soil compared to conventional fertilization. The analysis of bacterial community through DNA metabarcoding revealed unique characteristics of WBC and its stimulating effect on root development.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Serenella Nardi, Michela Schiavon, Ornella Francioso
Summary: Humic substances (HS) are recognized as natural growth promoters in sustainable agriculture, with their biological activity in plants being influenced by factors such as chemical structure and molecular size. These substances target key physiological pathways in plants to enhance growth and development.
Article
Plant Sciences
Veronica Santoro, Michela Schiavon, Ivan Visentin, Christian Constan-Aguilar, Francesca Cardinale, Luisella Celi
Summary: The study reveals that strigolactones play a crucial role in shaping the phosphorus acquisition strategies in tomato plants, with their depletion leading to inefficient activation of various mechanisms associated with the phosphorus starvation response. This results in reduced phosphorus uptake and increased carbon and nitrogen costs under both phosphorus-depleted and normal phosphorus conditions.
PLANT CELL AND ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Agronomy
Veronica Santoro, Michela Schiavon, Ivan Visentin, Maria Martin, Daniel Said-Pullicino, Francesca Cardinale, Luisella Celi
Summary: This study reveals the role of strigolactones (SLs) in modulating tomato plants' acclimation to phosphorus deficiency. SL-depleted tomato plants were more efficient in phosphorus acquisition than wild-type plants, although the phosphorus acquisition efficiency did not significantly increase. This highlights the central role of SLs in controlling phosphorus uptake and optimizing the cost/benefit ratio of phosphorus acquisition.
Editorial Material
Plant Sciences
Serenella Nardi, Michela Schiavon, Adele Muscolo, Diego Pizzeghello, Andrea Ertani, Luciano Pasqualoto Canellas, Jose M. Garcia-Mina
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Leonardo Warzea Lima, McKenna Castleberry, Ami L. Wangeline, Bernadette Aguirre, Stefano Dall'Acqua, Elizabeth A. H. Pilon-Smits, Michela Schiavon
Summary: This study analyzed the effects of selenium hyperaccumulation on the fitness of Stanleya pinnata and found that the variation in selenium accumulation did not appear to enhance or compromise the plant's fitness in seleniferous habitats.
Article
Plant Sciences
Michela Schiavon, Serenella Nardi, Elizabeth A. H. Pilon-Smits, Stefano Dall'Acqua
Summary: Biofortification is a process that aims to enrich crops with micronutrients and valuable compounds. Selenium biofortification has gained increasing interest due to the rise in Se deficiency. This study investigated the effects of foliar Se application on two rocket species grown in soil and compared the results with hydroponic supplementation. The metabolic responses varied between species and doses of Se.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Agronomy
Rodolfo Lizcano Toledo, Cristina Lerda, Barbara Moretti, Eleonora Miniotti, Veronica Santoro, Emilia Fernandez-Ondono, Maria Martin, Daniel Said-Pullicino, Marco Romani, Luisella Celi
Summary: This study found that planting and incorporation of hairy vetch can significantly increase rice grain yield and reduce nitrogen fertilizer use in temperate cropping systems. Hairy vetch also provides readily available nitrogen and phosphorus sources for rice, allowing for better synchronization of soil nutrient availability and crop nutrient demand, resulting in improved rice grain yield and quality performance.
Article
Soil Science
Emanuele Pintaldi, Veronica Santoro, Michele E. D'Amico, Nicola Colombo, Luisella Celi, Michele Freppaz
Summary: In high-mountain areas, ancient soils can be preserved on stable surfaces, retaining valuable palaeoenvironmental information. This study analyzed the organic material in palaeosols from a high-elevation Lateglacial Alpine Nunatak, revealing that the organic matter originated from well-adapted alpine vegetation. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the palaeoenvironment of the study area.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF SOIL SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Soil Science
Sara Martinengo, Michela Schiavon, Veronica Santoro, Daniel Said-Pullicino, Marco Romani, Eleonora Francesca Miniotti, Luisella Celi, Maria Martin
Summary: This study aims to estimate the availability of phosphorus (P) in paddy soils by coupling redox mechanisms and plant responses. The results show that readily desorbable P pools are better predictors of P availability than Fe-bound pools, and there is an asynchrony between Fe reduction and plant P demand.
BIOLOGY AND FERTILITY OF SOILS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Francesca Dalla Vecchia, Serenella Nardi, Veronica Santoro, Elizabeth Pilon-Smits, Michela Schiavon
Summary: This study evaluated the potential of Brassica juncea and Stanleya pinnata in taking up and storing chromium and selenium. The results showed that the two plants have different affinities for the two elements and their joint application restricted the accumulation of both elements. Additionally, both chromium and selenium decreased sulfur accumulation in the plants.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2023)