Shape Memory Polyurethane Composite With Fast Response to Near-Infrared Light Based on Tannic Acid-Iron and Dynamic Phenol-Carbamate Network.

Intelligent materials derived from green and renewable bio-based materials garner widespread attention recently. Herein, shape memory polyurethane composite (PUTA/Fe) with fast response to near-infrared (NIR) light is successfully prepared by introducing Fe3+ into the tannic acid-based polyurethane (PUTA) matrix through coordination between Fe3+ and tannic acid. The results show that the excellent NIR light response ability is due to the even distribution of Fe3+ filler with good photo-thermal conversion ability. With the increase of Fe3+ content, the NIR light response shape recovery rate of PUTA/Fe composite films is significantly improved, and the shape recovery time is reduced from over 60 s to 40 s. In addition, the mechanical properties of PUTA/Fe composite film are also improved. Importantly, owing to the dynamic phenol-carbamate network within the polymer matrix, the PUTA/Fe composite film can reshape its permanent shape through topological rearrangement and show its good NIR light response shape memory performance. Therefore, PUTA/Fe composites with high content of bio-based material (TA content of 15.1-19.4%) demonstrate the shape memory characteristics of fast response to NIR light; so, it will have great potential in the application of new intelligent materials including efficient and environmentally friendly smart photothermal responder.

Diverse Data Generation for Retinal Layer Segmentation with Potential Structure Modelling.

Accurate retinal layer segmentation on optical coherence tomography (OCT) images is hampered by the challenges of collecting OCT images with diverse pathological characterization and balanced distribution. Current generative models can produce high-realistic images and corresponding labels without quantitative limitations by fitting distributions of real collected data. Nevertheless, the diversity of their generated data is still limited due to the inherent imbalance of training data. To address these issues, we propose an image-label pair generation framework that generates diverse and balanced potential data from imbalanced real samples. Specifically, the framework first generates diverse layer masks, and then generates plausible OCT images corresponding to these layer masks using two customized diffusion probabilistic models respectively. To learn from imbalanced data and facilitate balanced generation, we introduce pathological-related conditions to guide the generation processes. To enhance the diversity of the generated image-label pairs, we propose a potential structure modeling technique that transfers the knowledge of diverse sub-structures from lowly- or non-pathological samples to highly pathological samples. We conducted extensive experiments on two public datasets for retinal layer segmentation. Firstly, our method generates OCT images with higher image quality and diversity compared to other generative methods. Furthermore, based on the extensive training with the generated OCT images, downstream retinal layer segmentation tasks demonstrate improved results. The code is publicly available at: https://github.com/nicetomeetu21/GenPSM.

Comprehensive Evaluation of Appreciation of Rhododendron Based on Analytic Hierarchy Process.

Qinting Lake Park has effectively imported Rhododendron varieties from Zhejiang Province. The analytic hierarchy process was employed to devise an evaluation framework to evaluate the ornamental and adaptive features of these species. Subsequently, we conducted a standardized evaluation of 24 species for their ornamental and adaptive traits under controlled cultivation conditions. The findings indicated that the percentage of ornamental flowers in the first-level index was significantly greater than the other two factors, indicating that the ornamental value of flowers was the most important in the evaluation of Rhododendron ornamental value. Among the secondary indicators, the proportion of flower color and flower weight was significantly higher than that of other factors, which had the greatest impact on the evaluation results. The 24 Rhododendron species were classified into two grades based on their ornamental value, as determined by index weights and scoring standards. Rhododendron 'Xueqing', Rhododendron 'Big Qinglian', and Rhododendron 'Jinyang No. 9' exhibited superior ornamental value and demonstrated more favorable suitability for garden applications.

Association analysis of apoptosis-related gene caspase3, Integrin a subunit 1 and glutathione sulfur transferase M1 gene polymorphisms and susceptibility to gastric cardia carcinoma.

Background: To explore the association of polymorphisms of apoptosis-linked genes caspase3 (CASP3), integrin a subunit 1 (ITGA1), glutathione sulfur transferase M1 (GSTM1) with susceptibility to gastric cardia carcinoma (GCC). Methods: From February 2016 to March 2018, selection of 113 GCC patients was as the gastric cancer (GC), and selection of 75 patients without gastric disease was as the control. Detection of CASP3, ITGA1 and GSTM1 gene polymorphisms in patients' peripheral blood was to analyze their association with GC. Division of the GC was into the good prognosis and the unpleasing prognosis in the light of the survival of patients after surgery of 3 years, and the predictable value of gene polymorphisms of CASP3, ITGA1 and GSTM1 in GCC patients was analyzed. Results: CASP3 gene rs12108497 locus, ITGA1 gene rs1862610 locus and GSTM1 genotype of the GC and the control were in accord with Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (P > 0.05); The detection rate of CASP3 gene rs12108497 locus TC/CC type, ITGA1's gene rs1862610 locus AC/AA type and GSTM1 blank type in the GC was elevated vs. the control (P < 0.05); Logistic regression analysis manifested smoking, anxiety, helicobacter pylori infection, family history of gastrointestinal tumor, combination with chronic gastric disease, CASP3 gene and GSTM1 gene polymorphism were risk factors for GC (P < 0.05); Stratification was in the light of individual smoking status, discovering that the detection rates of CASP3 gene rs12108497 locus TC/CC type, ITGA1 gene RS1862610 locus AC/AA type and GSTM1 blank type in the smoking were crucially augmented vs. the smoking (P < 0.05); The detection rates of CASP3 gene rs12108497 locus TC/CC type, ITGA1 gene rs1862610 locus AC/AA type and GSTM1 blank type in the death were augmented vs. the survival (P < 0.05); Combined detection of CASP3, ITGA1 and GSTM1 gene polymorphisms was provided with predictive value for GCC's prognosis (P < 0.05). Conclusions: CASP3 and GSTM1 genes are susceptibility genes for GCC, which might be associated with the occurrence of GCC in smoking patients, and the joint detection of multiple genes is provided with predictive value for patients' prognosis.

Construction of layered double hydroxide-modified silica integrated multilayer shell phase change capsule with flame retardancy and highly efficient thermoregulation performance.

Current energy problems have driven the development of thermal storage technology based on phase change materials (PCMs). However, the leakage and flammability of organic PCMs appeared as troublesome agendas that deserve attention. In this article, the strategy of constructing phase change capsules with paraffin wax (PW) core and multilayer shell was proposed aiming to address the above issues. For the integrated multi-layer shell, silica (SiO2) acts as initial layer to encapsulate the PW core, and then tannic acid (TA) was creatively taken to bridge the subsequent flame retardant layered double hydroxides (LDH) layer on the surface of the silica shell, and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) layer was further introduced to improve the compatibility of phase change capsules with polymer matrix. Characterization of chemical structure and morphology confirmed that phase change capsules with LDH modified silica multilayer shell (M-EPCMs) was successfully prepared. The results indicated that M-EPCMs, particularly the representative M-EPCM-5, possessed outstanding thermal stability, excellent leak proofness, good thermal regulation performance as well as long-term cycling stability. Importantly, M-EPCM-5 with the thickest LDH layer can self-extinguish when exposed to fire, and especially can keep the integrity of its shell without breakage after being heated at high temperature. Furthermore, the silicone rubber foam (SRF) composite containing M-EPCM-5 can reach UL-94V-1 level, indicating the flame retardancy of SRF matrix was improved significantly. The possible flame retardant mechanism revels that LDH can not only accelerate the formation of dense ceramic protective layer in condensed phase, but also release non-combustible gases (H2O, CO2) in gas phase, thus improving the fire retardancy of M-EPCMs. Therefore, the construction strategy proposed in this article represents a powerful means to improve flame retardancy and prevent leakage of phase change capsules at the same time, which will greatly expand the application scope of PCMs.

Phosphonate poly(vinylbenzyl chloride)-Modified Sulfonated poly(aryl ether nitrile) for Blend Proton Exchange Membranes: Enhanced Mechanical and Electrochemical Properties.

Blend proton exchange membranes (BPEMs) were prepared by blending sulfonated poly(aryl ether nitrile) (SPAEN) with phosphorylated poly(vinylbenzyl chloride) (PPVBC) and named as SPM-x%, where x refers to the proportion of PPVBC to the weight of SPAEN. The chemical complexation interaction between the phosphoric acid and sulfonic acid groups in the PPVBC-SPAEN system resulted in BPEMs with reduced water uptake and enhanced mechanical properties compared to SPAEN proton exchange membranes. Furthermore, the flame retardancy of the PPVBC improved the thermal stability of the BPEMs. Despite a decrease in ion exchange capacity, the proton conductivity of the BPEMs in the through-plane direction was significantly enhanced due to the introduction of phosphoric acid groups, especially in low relative humidity (RH) environments. The measured proton conductivity of SPM-8% was 147, 98, and 28 mS cm-1 under 95%, 70%, and 50% RH, respectively, which is higher than that of the unmodified SPAEN membrane and other SPM-x% membranes. Additionally, the morphology and anisotropy of the membrane proton conductivities were analyzed and discussed. Overall, the results indicated that PPVBC doping can effectively enhance the mechanical and electrochemical properties of SPAEN membranes.

Modification of sulfonated poly(arylene ether nitrile) proton exchange membranes by poly(ethylene-co-vinyl alcohol).

The modification of the physicochemical properties of sulfonated poly(arylene ether nitrile) (SPAEN) proton exchange membranes was demonstrated by poly(ethylene-co-vinyl alcohol) (EVOH) doping (named SPAEN-x%). By controlling the temperature during membrane preparation, the side reactions of the sulfonic acid groups to form sulfonic acid esters were effectively prevented, greatly reducing the proton conductivity of the membranes. Due to the flexible chain of EVOH, SPAEN-8% showed a relatively high elongation of 30.2%, which enhanced the aromatic polymers' flexibility. The SPAEN-2% membrane exhibited proton conductivity of 166, 55, and 9.6 mS cm-1 at 95%, 70%, and 50% relative humidity, respectively, higher than those of the other SPAEN-x% membranes and even comparable to that of Nafion 212. The water uptake, morphological study, and through-plane proton conductivity of the membranes were studied and discussed. The results suggest that EVOH doping can be used as an effective strategy to improve SPAEN-based proton exchange membranes' performance.

Silencing of peroxiredoxin 1 expression ameliorates ulcerative colitis in a rat model.

BACKGROUND: Peroxiredoxin 1 (PRDX1), a protein with anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic properties, shows elevated expression in ulcerative colitis (UC). However, PRDX1's specific role in UC is poorly understood. METHODS: UC was induced in rats using dextran sulfate sodium (DSS). In vivo RNA interference was used to silence the PRDX1 expression. PRDX1 expression levels and the inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1ß, IL-6, transforming growth factor (TGF)-ß and interferon (IFN)-γ in tissues were assessed by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blotting. Colonic injury was assessed by hematoxylin-eosin staining. ELISA was used to assess levels of the inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-1ß and IL-6 in colon tissues. Apoptosis of intestinal epithelial cells was assessed by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling, and expression of the apoptotic proteins bcl-2, Bax, cleaved caspase-3 and caspase-3 was assessed by western blotting. RESULTS: PRDX1 expression was significantly increased in rats with DSS-induced UC. Silencing of PRDX1 expression improved colon injury in rats with DSS-induced UC. In addition, silencing of PRDX1 expression inhibited inflammatory responses and apoptosis of intestinal epithelial cells in rats with DSS-induced UC. CONCLUSIONS: Silencing of PRDX1 expression can ameliorate colon injury in rats with DSS-induced UC.

Cellulose nanocrystals reinforced gelatin/bioactive glass nanocomposite scaffolds for potential application in bone regeneration.

Simulating components, precise porous three-dimensional structure and physico-mechanical properties of natural bone have become a vital direction in the development of bone tissue regeneration. This work focused on enhancing mechanical strength of scaffold materials for bone regeneration, a subject of serious attention in its fabrication. Hence, cellulose nanocrystals (CNC), possessing favorable biocompatibility and impressive mechanical properties, was selected to reinforce the nanocomposite scaffolds of gelatin/bioactive glass (BG-Gel) system. The porous composite BG-Gel-CNC was simultaneously constructed by in-situ composite method and freeze-drying technique. The results manifested that the scaffolds incorporated with CNC showed a desirable compressive strength compared to the control, better wettability, which is conducive to better adhesion, growth and proliferation of cells. In addition, appropriate porosity, pore connectivity and biocompatibility were also demonstrated. These findings therefore suggested their potential application to function as effective scaffold materials in bone tissue regeneration.

Construction and Comprehensive Analysis of a ceRNA Network to Reveal Potential Novel Biomarkers for Triple-Negative Breast Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the most common and aggressive type of breast cancer with an unfavourable outcome worldwide. Novel therapeutic targets are urgently required to explore this malignancy. This study explored the ceRNA network and the important genes for predicting the therapeutic targets. METHODS: It identified the differentially expressed genes of mRNAs, lncRNAs and miRNAs between TNBC and non-TNBC samples in four cohorts (TCGA, GSE38959, GSE45827 and GSE65194) to explore the novel therapeutic targets for TNBC. Downstream analyses, including functional enrichment analysis, ceRNA network, protein-protein interaction and survival analysis, were then conducted by bioinformatics analysis. Finally, the potential core protein of the ceRNA network in TNBC was validated by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: A total of 1,045 lncRNAs and 28 miRNAs were differentially expressed in the TCGA TNBC samples, and the intersections of 282 mRNAs (176 upregulations and 106 downregulations) between the GEO and TCGA databases were identified. A ceRNA network composed of 7 lncRNAs, 62 mRNAs, 12 miRNAs and 244 edges specific to TNBC was established. The functional assay showed dysregulated genes, and GO, DO and KEGG enrichment analysis were performed. Survival analysis showed that mRNA LIFR and lncRNA AC124312.3 were significantly correlated with the overall survival of patients with TNBC in the TCGA databases (P < 0.05). Finally, the LIFR protein was validated, and immunohistochemical results showed the upregulated expression of LIFR in TNBC tissues. CONCLUSION: Thus, our study presents an enhanced understanding of the ceRNA network in TNBC, where the key gene LIFR may be a new promising potential therapeutic target for patients with TNBC.

[Operating Characteristics and Fouling Characteristics of a RO Membrane System for Desalination of Dyeing Wastewater].

The reverse osmosis (RO) process is of great significance for the desalination and reclamation of dyeing wastewater. However, fouling of RO membranes has been a severe problem and key limiting factor in the widespread application of the RO process. The operating characteristics and fouling characteristics of a RO membrane system for desalination of dyeing wastewater were investigated in an industrial park in Guangdong Province. The results showed that the COD and turbidity of RO influent after ozone oxidation-sand filtration-ultrafiltration (UF) processes were 12.4 mg ·L-1 and<1 NTU, respectively, with a stable desalination rate of the RO system of around 98%. The COD and turbidity of the RO effluent were 0.7 mg ·L-1 and 0.12 NTU, respectively. However, after 3 years of operation, the pressure drop across the membrane reached 0.6 MPa, and the permeate flux decreased to 120 m3 ·h-1, which could not be restored to its original flux by chemical cleaning. The organic and inorganic matter occupied (53.5±0.2)% and (46.5±0.2)% of the deposits on the RO membrane, respectively, suggesting both organic and inorganic fouling were the main problems for the RO membrane. Si, Al, and Ca were major inorganic elements on the RO membrane. Large amounts of Si, Al, and organic matter deposited on the RO membrane were dissolved easily by alkaline (NaOH) solution than acid (HCl) solution.

Carbon nanomaterials alter plant physiology and soil bacterial community composition in a rice-soil-bacterial ecosystem.

The aim of this study was to compare the toxicity effects of carbon nanomaterials (CNMs), namely fullerene (C60), reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), on a mini-ecosystem of rice grown in a loamy potted soil. We measured plant physiological and biochemical parameters and examined bacterial community composition in the CNMs-treated plant-soil system. After 30 days of exposure, all the three CNMs negatively affected the shoot height and root length of rice, significantly decreased root cortical cells diameter and resulted in shrinkage and deformation of cells, regardless of exposure doses (50 or 500 mg/kg). Additionally, at the high exposure dose of CNM, the concentrations of four phytohormones, including auxin, indoleacetic acid, brassinosteroid and gibberellin acid 4 in rice roots significantly increased as compared to the control. At the high exposure dose of MWCNTs and C60, activities of the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD) in roots increased significantly. High-throughput sequencing showed that three typical CNMs had little effect on shifting the predominant soil bacterial species, but the presence of CNMs significantly altered the composition of the bacterial community. Our results indicate that different CNMs indeed resulted in environmental toxicity to rice and soil bacterial community in the rhizosphere and suggest that CNMs themselves and their incorporated products should be reasonably used to control their release/discharge into the environment to prevent their toxic effects on living organisms and the potential risks to food safety.

Effect of wound fluid on chemotherapy sensitivity of T24 bladder cancer cells with different enhancer of zeste homolog 2 status.

The present study investigated the effect of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) and wound fluid (WF) on chemotherapy sensitivities of T24 bladder cancer cells by using a collagen gel droplet embedded culture-drug sensitivity test (CD-DST). T24 bladder cancer cells with different EZH2 expression levels were co-cultured with postoperative WF from patients with bladder cancer. The CD-DST was performed to detect the sensitivity of tumor cells to gemcitabine and cis-diamminedichloridoplatinum (II) (cisplatin, DDP). The survival rates of the bladder cancer cells were used to determine the drug's chemotherapeutic effect. EZH2 knockdown increased the sensitivity of the cells to gemcitabine and DDP, whereas EZH2 overexpression decreased the chemotherapeutic sensitivity. Except for the situation of EZH2 overexpression, co-culturing with WF induced significantly higher drug resistance in tumor cells. Overexpression of EZH2 and surgery-induced WF promoted the drug resistance of bladder cancer cells to the investigated chemotherapeutic agents, suggesting that more studies are needed to investigate the key mechanisms underlying the EZH2- and WF-induced reduction of susceptibility to chemotherapy drugs.

Prognostic significance of subclassification of stage IIB lung cancer: a retrospective study of 226 patients.

We investigated the prognostic significance of subclassification of stage IIB lung cancer according to the eighth tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) classification. To this purpose, the prognostic outcomes of 226 stage IIB lung cancer patients who underwent surgery without adjuvant therapies between 2001 and 2010 were evaluated retrospectively based on the eighth TNM classification. Of the 226 patients, 23, 30, 118 and 55 had pT1b, pT1c, pT2a, and pT2b stage cancers, respectively. Their 5-year survival rates were 67%, 33%, 21%, and 27%, respectively. There was no significant difference in the 5-year survival between T1b and T1c, between T1c and T2a, and between T2a and T2b (p = 0.128, 0.105, and 0.403, respectively). There were significant differences in the 5-year survival between T1b and T2a, between T1b and T2b, and between T1c and T2b (p = 0.005, 0.002, and 0.042, respectively). The 5-year survival of patients with pleural invasion and vessel invasion was significantly worse than that of their counterparts (p = 0.009 and <0.001, respectively). Subclassification of stage IIB lung cancer is of prominent prognostic significance. It is recommended that the current stage be subclassified, in order to more accurately predict the prognosis of patients.

Chronic hepatitis B patients with high liver fibrosis levels should receive antiviral treatment.

The present study aimed to evaluate improvements in liver stiffness (LS) measured by transient elastography (TE) and associated factors in Chinese patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) treated with entecavir (ETV). A total of 190 consecutive CHB patients who received entecavir therapy and two LS measurements (LSMs) were enrolled in this retrospective study (average age, 47 years; 137 males [72.1%]), including 111 patients without liver cirrhosis (group 0) and 79 patients with liver cirrhosis (group 1). Each patient received LSM twice with an interval of six months. Normalized aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels were accompanied by a significant reduction in LSM values (P<0.001) in each group. Multivariate analysis revealed that a higher initial LS value in groups 0 and 1, and a higher prothrombin time activity in group 1 was associated with a greater decline of the LS value. Higher initial quantitative hepatitis B surface antigen (qHBsAg) levels were correlated with a greater decline of the qHBsAg value in the two groups. In conclusion, LS values in CHB patients significantly improved after 24 weeks of entecavir therapy. The results suggested that higher LSM values at baseline contributed to a greater regression of LSM, and higher initial qHBsAg values could lead to greater qHBsAg reduction during ETV therapy. Extrapolating our results, we might be able to consider CHB patients who have higher initial LSM values or have higher levels of qHBsAg values when enrolled would have more benefit during ETV treatment.

Potential Applications and Antifungal Activities of Engineered Nanomaterials against Gray Mold Disease Agent Botrytis cinerea on Rose Petals.

Nanoparticles (NPs) have great potential for use in the fields of biomedicine, building materials, and environmental protection because of their antibacterial properties. However, there are few reports regarding the antifungal activities of NPs on plants. In this study, we evaluated the antifungal roles of NPs against Botrytis cinerea, which is a notorious worldwide fungal pathogen. Three common carbon nanomaterials, multi-walled carbon nanotubes, fullerene, and reduced graphene oxide, and three commercial metal oxidant NPs, copper oxide (CuO) NPs, ferric oxide (Fe2O3) NPs, and titanium oxides (TiO2) NPs, were independently added to water-agar plates at 50 and 200-mg/L concentrations. Detached rose petals were inoculated with spores of B. cinerea and co-cultured with each of the six nanomaterials. The sizes of the lesions on infected rose petals were measured at 72 h after inoculation, and the growth of fungi on the rose petals was observed by scanning electron microscopy. The six NPs inhibited the growth of B. cinerea, but different concentrations had different effects: 50 mg/L of fullerene and CuO NPs showed the strongest antifungal properties among the treatments, while 200 mg/L of CuO and Fe2O3 showed no significant antifungal activities. Thus, NPs may have antifungal activities that prevent B. cinerea infections in plants, and they could be used as antifungal agents during the growth and post-harvesting of roses and other flowers.

Changes in liver stiffness and its associated factors during oral antiviral therapy in Chinese patients with chronic hepatitis B.

The present study aimed to assess improvements in liver stiffness determined by transient elastography and associated factors in Chinese patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) during long-term treatment with oral antiviral drugs. A total of 334 consecutive Chinese patients with CHB who underwent oral antiviral therapy and received at least two liver stiffness measurements (LSMs) at the First Hospital of Jilin University (Changchun, China) from December 2012 to February 2015 were enrolled in the present study. The cohort included 201 patients without liver cirrhosis (group 0) and 133 patients with liver cirrhosis (group 1). Each patient was subjected to LSM twice with an interval of 6 months. The mean initial liver stiffness values were 14.01±9.37 and 21.59±10.25 kPa for patients in group 0 and group 1, respectively (P<0.001). Multivariate analysis revealed that higher aspartate aminotransferase and lower alanine aminotransferase levels at baseline as well as higher α-fetoprotein levels at follow-up (24 weeks) were associated with a greater decline of liver stiffness in group 0. Furthermore, a higher liver stiffness at baseline and a longer course of antiviral therapy prior to the initial LSM were significantly correlated with a reduction of liver stiffness, whereas higher total bilirubin levels at follow-up contributed to increased liver stiffness in group 1. In conclusion, LSM at the beginning and the end of a 24-week observation period showed that antiviral drug therapy significantly improved in group 1, while a marked decreasing trend was also observed in group 0. In group 0, the reduction of liver stiffness was correlated with liver inflammation, whereas in group 1, it was correlated with the treatment duration prior to the initial LSM and serum levels of hepatitis B virus DNA. Furthermore, a higher liver stiffness at baseline was associated with a greater reduction of liver stiffness in each group.

Carbon Nanotubes Filled with Different Ferromagnetic Alloys Affect the Growth and Development of Rice Seedlings by Changing the C:N Ratio and Plant Hormones Concentrations.

The aim of this study was to investigate the phytotoxicity of thin-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) to rice (Oryza sativa L.) seedlings. Three different CNTs, including hollow multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), Fe-filled carbon nanotubes (Fe-CNTs), and Fe-Co-filled carbon nanotubes (FeCo-CNTs), were evaluated. The CNTs significantly inhibited rice growth by decreasing the concentrations of endogenous plant hormones. The carbon to nitrogen ratio (C:N ratio) significantly increased in rice roots after treatments with CNTs, and all three types of CNTs had the same effects on the C:N ratio. Interestingly, the increase in the C:N ratio in roots was largely because of decreased N content, indicating that the CNTs significantly decreased N assimilation. Analyses of the Fe and Co contents in plant tissues, transmission electron microscope (TEM) observations and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) analysis proved that the CNTs could penetrate the cell wall and the cell membrane, and then enter the root cells. According to the author's knowledge, this is the first time to study the relationship between carbon nanotubes and carbon nitrogen ratio and plant hormones.

Iron Oxide Nanoparticles as a Potential Iron Fertilizer for Peanut (Arachis hypogaea).

Nanomaterials are used in practically every aspect of modern life, including agriculture. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe2O3 NPs) as a fertilizer to replace traditional Fe fertilizers, which have various shortcomings. The effects of the Fe2O3 NPs and a chelated-Fe fertilizer (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid-Fe; EDTA-Fe) fertilizer on the growth and development of peanut (Arachis hypogaea), a crop that is very sensitive to Fe deficiency, were studied in a pot experiment. The results showed that Fe2O3 NPs increased root length, plant height, biomass, and SPAD values of peanut plants. The Fe2O3 NPs promoted the growth of peanut by regulating phytohormone contents and antioxidant enzyme activity. The Fe contents in peanut plants with Fe2O3 NPs and EDTA-Fe treatments were higher than the control group. We used energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) to quantitatively analyze Fe in the soil. Peanut is usually cultivated in sandy soil, which is readily leached of fertilizers. However, the Fe2O3 NPs adsorbed onto sandy soil and improved the availability of Fe to the plants. Together, these results show that Fe2O3 NPs can replace traditional Fe fertilizers in the cultivation of peanut plants. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first research on the Fe2O3 NPs as the iron fertilizer.