The effects of increasing NaCl concentrations on biomass, superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) in Jatropha curcas L. seedlings were investigated. The fresh weights of cotyledons and radicles with increasing NaCl concentrations decreased progressively, and the fresh weight of hypocotyls reached the lowest level at NaCl concentration of 150 mmol and then increased. SOD activity in the cotyledons, hypocotyls and radicles increased gradually up to NaCl concentrations of 150, 200 and 150 mmol, respectively. The highest POD activities in the cotyledons, hypocotyls and radicles were observed at NaCl concentrations of 150, 200 and 150 mmol, respectively. CAT activity in the cotyledons, hypocotyls and radicles enhanced gradually up to 100, 200 and 150 mmol NaCl concentrations, respectively. Increased PAL activity in the hypocotyls and radicles was linearly and positively correlated with increasing NaCl concentrations, but the peak activity in the cotyledons was observed at NaCl concentration of 150 mmol. Electrophoresis analysis suggested that different patterns in SOD and POD isoenzymes depend on NaCl concentrations and organ type, and the staining intensities of these isoforms are consistent with the changes of enzyme activity assayed in solutions.

We provide a novel and versatile signaling transduction strategy in the fluoroimmunoassay through regulating the interaction between graphene (Gr) and graphene quantum dots (GQDs), and demonstrate its feasibility in sensitive detection of human immunoglobulin G (IgG).

The effects of different concentrations of copper (0-800 µmol) on growth, protein contents, peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) in Jatropha curcas L. seedlings were assessed by means of pot experiments. Results suggested that increased copper concentrations lead to decreased shoot elongation and seedling biomass. Protein content in the leaves and roots reached their highest levels at the copper concentrations of 400 µmol, while the highest protein content in the stem was observed at 800 µmol copper. POD activity in leaves and stems was unaffected at low copper concentrations, but showed a considerable variation at high copper concentrations. In roots, the highest POD activity was observed at 200 µmol copper. Under copper stress, SOD activity in leaves increased concomitantly with increasing copper up to 400 µmol, and SOD activity in stems and roots showed a slight increase. Catalase activity significantly elevated in leaves and roots but showed no significant changes in stems of the seedlings exposed to copper. A gradual increase of PAL activity in leaves and roots at the copper concentration of 400 and 200 µmol was observed, while PAL activity remained unchanged in stems.

Half-Heusler alloys (MgAgSb structure) are promising thermoelectric materials. RNiSn halfHeusler phases (R=Hf, Zr, Ti) are the most studied in view of thermal stability. The highest dimensionless figure of merit (ZT) obtained is ~1 in the temperature range ~450-900 o C, primarily achieved in nanostructured alloys. Through proper annealing, ZT~1.2 has been obtained in a previous ZT~1 n-type (Hf,Zr)NiSn phase without the nanostructure. There is an appreciable increase in power factor, decrease in charge carrier density, and increase in carrier mobility. The findings are attributed to improved structural order. Present approach may be applied to optimize the functional properties of Heusler-type alloys. a)

An effective approach to enhance the thermoelectric performance (ZT) of polycrystalline In4Se3 based samples by crystallographic and microstructural engineering is proposed and demonstrated. Cu intercalation, Br substitution at selenium sites, and incorporation of dispersed hierarchical nanoparticles are discussed. An improved ZT of 1.1 at 723 K is achieved in CuBr2 doped In4Se2.5.

Ovarian cancer is the most lethal gynecological malignancy due to its high metastatic ability. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is essential during both follicular rupture and epithelium regeneration. However, it may also accelerate the progression of ovarian carcinomas. Experimental studies have found that 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin-D3 [1α,25(OH)2D3] can inhibit the proliferation of ovarian cancer cells. In this study, we investigated whether 1α,25(OH)2D3 could inhibit the migration of ovarian cancer cells via regulating EMT. We established a model of transient transforming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1)-induced EMT in human ovarian adenocarcinoma cell line SKOV-3 cells. Results showed that, compared with control, 1α,25(OH)2D3 not only inhibited the migration and the invasion of SKOV-3 cells, but also promoted the acquisition of an epithelial phenotype of SKOV-3 cells treated with TGF-β1. We discovered that 1α,25(OH)2D3 increased the expression of epithelial marker E-cadherin and decreased the level of mesenchymal marker, Vimentin, which was associated with the elevated expression of VDR. Moreover, 1α,25(OH)2D3 reduced the expression level of transcription factors of EMT, such as slug, snail, and β-catenin. These results indicate that 1α,25(OH)2D3 suppresses the migration and invasion of ovarian cancer cells by inhibiting EMT, implying that 1α,25(OH)2D3 might be a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of ovarian cancer.

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