RESUMO
Over the past few years, there has been a rising interest in employing biochar (BC) and biofertilizers (BF) as a means of restoring soils that have been polluted by heavy metals. The primary objective of this study was to examine how the application of BC and BF affects the ability of cotton plants to withstand Pb toxicity at varying concentrations (0, 500, and 1000 mg/kg soil). The findings revealed that exposure to Pb stress, particularly at the 1000 mg/kg level, led to a decline in the growth and biomass of cotton plants. Pb toxicity triggered oxidative damage, impaired the photosynthetic apparatus, and diminished the levels of photosynthetic pigments. By increasing the expression of Rubisco-S, Rubisco-L, P5CR, and PRP5 genes and regulating proline metabolism, BC and BF increased the levels of proline and photosynthetic pigments and protected the photosynthetic apparatus. The application of BC and BF resulted in an upregulation of genes such as CuZnSOD, FeSOD, and APX1, as well as an increase in the activity of the glyoxalase system and antioxidant enzymes. These changes enhanced the antioxidant capacity of the plants and provided protection to membrane lipids from oxidative stress caused by Pb. The inclusion of BC and BF offered protection to photosynthesis and other essential intracellular processes in leaves by minimizing the transfer of Pb to leaves and promoting the accumulation of thiol compounds. This protective effect helped mitigate the negative impact of the toxic metal Pb on leaf function. By improving plant tolerance, reducing metal transfer, strengthening the antioxidant defense system, and enhancing the level of protective substances, these amendments show promise as valuable tools in tackling heavy metal pollution.
RESUMO
BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: Chemotherapy is one of the main modalities for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC); however,survival period do not increase in this way even though good short-term response has been achieved. The aim of this study was to increase the survival period by postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy base on chemosensitivity testing in nude mouse subrenal capsule assay. METHODS: Fresh NSCLC specimens were transplanted into nude mouse subrenal capsule and 10 kinds of potential anticancer drugs were used in the vivo chemosensitivity test. One hundred and thirty patients with NSCLC undergone radical surgery were randomized into two groups: Group I (70 cases) and Group C (60 cases). The patients in Group I received adjuvant chemotherapy based on chemosensitivity testing in nude mouse assay. In Group C, 60 patients received adjuvant chemotherapy with standard regimen [cyclophosphamide (CTX) 600 mg/m(2) d1+Adriamycin (ADM) 40 mg/m(2) d1 + cisplatin (DDP) 20 mg/m(2) d1-5). RESULTS: The difference between two groups in local recurrence (43.1% versus 46%, P=0.556), metastasis (33.8% versus 34%, P=0.605), and 5-year survival rate (35.4% versus 34%,P=0.571) were not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Adjuvant chemotherapy based on chemosensitivity testing in nude mouse subrenal capsule assay showed no significant improvement in long-term survival rate.
