Salinity stress is a major abiotic factor that adversely affects plant growth and development. This study investigated the physiological and molecular responses of Brassica rapa L. ssp. Pekinensis to salinity stress by subjecting seedlings to varying concentrations of NaCl. Physiological analysis revealed significant wilting, chlorosis, and a marked reduction in chlorophyll and carotenoid contents in NaCl-treated seedlings, indicating impaired photosynthetic efficiency and oxidative stress mitigation. RNA-seq analysis identified extensive transcriptional reprogramming, with 6693 and 10,280 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in Z150 and Z300 treatments, respectively, compared to the control group. DEGs were clustered into six expression trends, with sustained up-regulation in Clusters 2 and 6 and down-regulation in Cluster 3. Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis highlighted the involvement of these DEGs in stress responses. Key DEGs encoding heat shock proteins, peroxidases, glutathione S-transferases, and transcription factors were significantly induced under salinity stress, suggesting their roles in stress adaptation. Furthermore, GO and KEGG enrichment analyses revealed significant down-regulation of genes associated with photosynthesis and carbon metabolism, indicating disruption of these critical pathways. Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis (WGCNA) identified hub genes, such as histidine synthase and low-density receptor-like protein, potentially central to salinity stress responses. Additionally, carotenoid metabolism was significantly inhibited, with down-regulation of key genes in the carotenoid biosynthesis pathway. RT-qPCR validation confirmed the reliability of the RNA-seq data. Collectively, these findings provide comprehensive insights into the physiological and molecular mechanisms underlying response of B. rapa L. ssp. Pekinensis to salinity stress, highlighting potential targets for improving salinity tolerance in crops.

Arthrospira platensis (A. platensis) is a species of cyanobacteria with high economic value; the species is commercially well known as Spirulina platensis, and A. platensis was used in this paper. Its high adaptability, high photosynthetic efficiency, and fast growth rate make it one of the few cyanobacteria that can be cultivated on a large scale. Therefore, using the selenium enrichment property of A. platensis to cultivate selenium-enriched A. platensis will not only enhance the physiological efficacy of A. platensis but also increase its economic value significantly. In this study, we investigated the effects of sodium selenite on the growth and photosynthetic performance of A. platensis selenium by setting different amounts and methods of sodium selenite addition, and we explored the optimal culture conditions of the best dosage and method of sodium selenite addition. The results showed that the experimental group treated with sodium selenite at 700 μmol/L had the fastest growth, and the contents of soluble protein, phycocyanin C, and chlorophyll a increased by approximately 67.9%, 1.44 times, and 38.8% compared to the control group, respectively. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activity increased by 1.88-fold and 65%, respectively, and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were reduced by 62% compared to the control group. The results of the OJIP assay showed that the J and I points were significantly higher at the batch addition and treatment concentration of 700 μmol/L, with the rate of QA being reduced and the proportion of the slowly reduced PQ pool being increased. The values of the maximum light energy conversion efficiency (Fv/Fm) per unit of reaction center were higher in both sodium selenite treatment groups than in the control group, indicating that the light energy conversion efficiency of A. platensis was promoted under all concentration treatment conditions. The batch addition of sodium selenite at concentrations less than 700 μmol/L resulted in significantly higher ABS/RC values than the control, and they were far superior to the one-time addition method. The reason for this may have been that the batch addition of sodium selenite at low concentrations increased the light absorption capacity of the unit reaction center of PSII, resulting in a rise in captured light energy, a rise in the energy captured by the reaction center for electron transfer (ETo/RC), a decrease in the energy dissipated in the absorption of light energy by the reaction center (DIo/RC), and an increase in the photosynthetic performance index (PI abs).

Arthrospira platensis is a class of microalgae with high economic value. Its high adaptability, high photosynthetic efficiency, and fast growth rate make it one of the few microalgae that can be cultivated on a large scale. Therefore, using the selenium enrichment property of Arthrospira platensis to cultivate selenium-enriched Arthrospira platensis will not only enhance the physiological efficacy of Arthrospira platensis but also increase its economic value significantly. In this study, we investigated the effects of sodium selenite on the growth and photosynthetic performance of Arthrospira platensis selenium by setting different amounts and methods of sodium selenite addition, and we explored the optimal culture conditions. The results showed that the experimental group treated with sodium selenite at 120 mg/L had the fastest growth, and the contents of soluble protein, phycocyanin, and Chlorophyll a increased by approximately 67.9%, 1.44 times, and 38.8%, respectively, compared to the control group. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activity increased by 1.88-fold and 65%, respectively, and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were reduced by 62% compared to the control group. The results of the OJIP assay showed that the J and I points were significantly higher at the batch addition and treatment concentration of 120 mg/L, with the rate of QA being reduced and the proportion of the slowly reduced PQ pool being increased. The values of the maximum light energy conversion efficiency (Fv/Fm) per unit of reaction center were higher in both sodium selenite treatment groups than in the control group, indicating that the light energy conversion efficiency of Arthrospira was promoted under all concentration treatment conditions. The batch addition of sodium selenite at concentrations less than 120 mg/L resulted in significantly higher ABS/RC values than the control, and they were far superior to the one-time addition method. The reason for this may have been that the batch addition of sodium selenite at low concentrations increased the light absorption capacity of the unit reaction center of the Arthrospira PSII, resulting in a rise in captured light energy, a rise in the energy captured by the reaction center for electron transfer (ETo/RC), a decrease in the energy dissipated in the absorption of light energy by the reaction center (DIo/RC), and an increase in the photosynthetic performance index (PI abs).

This study developed a synergistic system based on hazardous solid waste-AWM, integrating harmless treatment, resource recovery, and microbially induced carbonate precipitation (MICP) for sand fixation. Single-factor and orthogonal experiments were conducted to optimize KOH alkaline and H3PO4 acid treatment conditions, achieving efficient detoxification of AWM. The treated solid residue and liquid product were further utilized to prepare solid and liquid soil conditioners, which significantly improved the physicochemical properties of aeolian sand and promoted the growth of Mongolian ice grass. MICP technology was incorporated to induce the formation of a mineralized crust on the sand surface, thereby enhancing structural stability and wind erosion resistance. The optimal alkaline treatment conditions were 1.75 mol/L KOH, 70 °C, a solid-liquid ratio of 1:20, and 120 min, while the optimal acid treatment conditions were 3 mol/L H3PO4, 90 °C, a solid-liquid ratio of 1:20, and 150 min. After acid-base coupling treatment, the B1a content in AWM was decreased from 240.18 mg/kg to 0 mg/kg. Under the optimal application conditions (17.3% amendment addition, 0.24 mol/L binding solution, and four spray cycles), the treated sand achieved a cohesion of 14.23 kPa, an internal friction angle of 11.82°, and a CaCO3 production of 12.2 g/kg. These results indicate significantly improved structural stability and wind erosion resistance, with plants exhibiting maximum specific root length and enhanced growth performance. This study bridges fermentation waste valorization, microbial mineralization, and sand stabilization, providing a cost-effective strategy for desertification control and a new paradigm for full-scale utilization of multi-source fermentation waste.

This study investigated the effects of shenge bushen capsules (SGBSC) with varying bioactive component mass fractions on renal-gonadal axis function in 56 Beagle dogs, via organ toxicity evaluation, toxicokinetics and urinalysis. Animals were assigned to three dose groups and one control group, receiving 9-month dosing followed by a 4-week recovery, then anesthetized, euthanized and subjectedc to post-mortem examination. SGBSC induced no drug-related renal-gonadal axis toxicity at any dose. Transient elevated urine protein positivity (P ≤ 0.01) and reduced urinary pH (P ≤ 0.05) were noted in the high-dose group, with no significant differences in organ coefficients or histopathology across groups (P > 0.05). Puerarin and icariin plasma concentrations showed dose proportionality, without notable differences in tissue exposure or accumulation (P > 0.05). SGBSC has a favorable renal-gonadal axis safety profile in Beagle dogs, supporting its clinical safety.