[en] Highlights: • Boron supply improves root growth by reducing Al induced changes in the cell wall components, specially pectin and cellulose. • Boron supply protects root injury from Al toxicity. • Boron supply decreases the Al uptake, cell wall thickness and callose induction. Aluminum (Al) phytotoxicity is a major limitation in the production of crops in the soils with pH ≤ 5. Boron (B) is indispensable nutrient for the development of higher plants and B role has been reported in the alleviation Al toxicity. Trifoliate orange rootstock was grown in two B and two Al concentrations. The results of the present study showed that Al toxicity adversely inhibited root elongation and exhibited higher oxidative stress in terms of H₂O₂ and O₂⁻ under B-deficiency. Additionally, the X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis confirmed the increase of the cellulose crystallinity in the cell wall (CW). Al-induced remarkable variations in the CW components were prominent in terms of alkali-soluble pectin, 2-keto-3-deoxyoctonic acid (KDO) and the degree of methyl-esterification (DME) of pectin. Interesting, B supply reduced the pectin (alkali-soluble) under Al toxicity. Moreover, the results of FTIR (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy) and ¹³C-NMR (¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance) spectra revealed the decrease of carboxyl groups and cellulose by B application during Al exposure. Furthermore, B supply tended to decrease the Al uptake, CW thickness and callose formation. The study concluded that B could mitigate Al phytotoxicity by shielding potential Al binding sites and by reducing Al induced alterations in the CW cellulose and pectin components.

[en] Graphical abstract: Mesoporous materials were hydrothermally prepared from fly ash in an alkaline condition with cetyltrimethylammonium bromide as synthesis directing agent. The mean pore diameter was between 3.58 nm and 3.96 nm. The maximum adsorption capacity for Cu(II) was about 221 mg g⁻¹. Highlights: ► Mesoporous adsorbents were hydrothermally prepared with fly ash. ► The equilibrium adsorption time was about 20 min. ► The maximum adsorption capacity for Cu(II) was about 221 mg g⁻¹. ► A chemical ion exchange mechanism. - Abstract: Mesoporous materials were hydrothermally prepared from fly ash in an alkaline condition with cetyltrimethylammonium bromide as synthesis directing agent. The structural properties of the mesoporous materials were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction, high-resolution transmission electron microscope, and N₂ adsorption. The chemical contents of SiO₂ in the mesoporous materials were determined by spectrometry of the silicone molybdenum and sulfosalicylic acid complexes, and Al₂O₃ determined by complexometry with Ethylene Diamine Tetraacetic Acid in the presence of KF-Zn(Ac)₂ tests. The removal of Cu(II) was studied under equilibrium and dynamic conditions, and the influence of the Al:Si molar ratio were also considered. The equilibrium data were fitted to Freundlich and Langmuir models and the models parameters were evaluated. The adsorption mechanism was clarified with the Dubnin–Radushkevich isotherm.

[en] Laser plasma propulsion in glass-layer confined ablation was experimentally investigated. The results showed that compared to that of direct ablation, the coupling coefficient was enhanced over ten times. By observing the plasma expansion and calculating the ablation pressure, it was found that a higher ablation pressure and larger glass mass resulted in a higher coupling coefficient in the confined laser ablation. (plasma technology)

[en] The rapid development of laser technology, laser plasma propulsion is clearly demonstrating its distinct advantages, and has become a hot topic in propulsion research. Prospective applications and recent research progress are reviewed. (authors)

[en] Highlights: • The releasing profile of vancomycin is pH-dependent, which is well matched with the pH changes when wounds get infected. • The VEGF’s release is adjustable by changing the pore sizes of PLGA microspheres. • The release of vancomycin and VEGF is in accordance with the clinical demands of non-healing infected wounds. • This design provides a new thought to realize the staged drug release during the treatment of complicated diseases. - Abstract: Treatment of non-healing infected wounds is an arduous task in clinical practice. Early antibacterial strategy and subsequent promotion of granulation tissue growth facilitate to cure the wounds. For this purpose, we fabricated a sequential drug delivery system by incorporation of an injectable hydrogel with porous PLGA microspheres. Vancomycin was linked to the injectable hydrogel via the reversible Schiff's base reaction, and VEGF were encapsulated into PLGA microspheres. After adding vancomycin, the strength and elasticity of the hydrogel were improved, and the gelation time was shortened. The results also demonstrated that the releasing profile of vancomycin was pH-dependent and the VEGF's profile was adjustable by changing the pore sizes of PLGA microspheres. The duration of VEGF release was longer than vancomycin. This hybrid system was valid to inhibit bacteria growth and accelerate vein endothelial cell proliferation in vitro. In rat models, it was effective to manage non-healing infected wounds by reducing inflammation and promoting angiogenesis. In conclusion, this sequential delivery system is promoting to manage non-healing infected wounds, and also provides a new thought to realize the staged drug release.

[en] A poly-elemental mesoporous adsorbent was hydrothermally prepared from microcline in an alkaline condition with cetyltrimethylammonium bromide as synthesis directing agent. The properties of the mesoporous adsorbent were determined by X-ray powder diffraction, high-resolution transmission electron microscope, N₂ adsorption, and solid-state Magic Angle Spinning Nuclear Magnetic Resonance. The pore size distribution was detected by small angle X-ray scattering. The particles size was observed by Scanning electron microscope imagine. The chemical content of SiO₂ in the mesoporous adsorbent was determined by spectrometry of the silicone molybdenum and sulfosalicylic acid complexes, and Al₂O₃ determined by complexometry with ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid in the presence of KF-Zn(Ac)2 tests. The adsorption properties of the mesoporous adsorbent to Pb(II) were studied, and three main factors, the adsorption time, solution pH, and initial concentration of Pb(II), were considered in the adsorption experiments.

[en] Highlights: • Oilseed rape with high Cd accumulation in shoots was more resistant to Cd toxicity. • Higher pectin, hemicellulose, & pectin demethylation increased cell wall Cd chelation in Cd-resistant shoots. • Cd-resistant genotype had higher vacuole sequestration of Cd with stronger chelate biosynthesis. Oilseed rape (Brassica napus) has potential as a hyperaccumulator in the phytoremediation of cadmium (Cd)-contaminated soils. Oilseed rape varieties with higher Cd accumulation ability and Cd tolerance are ideal candidates for the hyperaccumulation of excess Cd. To explore the physiological and molecular mechanisms underlying Cd tolerance and high Cd accumulation in oilseed rape leaves, we examined two genotypes, “BN067” (Cd-sensitive with lower Cd accumulation in leaves) and “BN06” (Cd-tolerant with higher Cd accumulation in leaves). We characterized the physiological morphology, structure, subcellular distribution of Cd, cell wall components, cell chelates, and the transcriptional levels of the related genes. Greater Cd accumulation was observed in the cell walls and vacuoles of Cd-tolerant leaves, reducing Cd toxicity to the lamellar structure of the chloroplast thylakoid and leaf stomata. Higher expression of PMEs genes and lower expression of pectin methylesterase inhibitors (PMEI) genes improved pectin methylesterase (PME) activity in leaves of Cd-tolerant genotype. Stronger demethylation of pectin along with higher pectin and hemicellulose levels induced by lower pectinase and hemicellulose activities in the leaves of the Cd-tolerant genotype, resulting in higher Cd retention in the cell walls. Under Cd toxicity, higher Cd sequestration within the vacuoles of Cd-tolerant leaves was closely related to greater accumulation of Cd chelates with stronger biosynthesis in protoplasts. The results highlight the importance of using hyperaccumulation by plants to remediate our environment, and also provide a theoretical basis for the development of Cd-tolerant varieties.