A. Ledesma-Juárez^a, J. F. Quintero-Guerrero^b, A. M. Fernández^a,*

Chalcogenide Letters, Vol.22, No.2, pp. 97-108, 2025, DOI:10.15251/CL.2025.222.97

Abstract The evaporation technique fabricates solar cells using the Cu(In, Ga)Se₂ (CIGS) absorber. This technique has strong limitations in preparing this absorber in a large area, necessitating the electrodeposition technique. However, the morphology and crystallinity of this absorber need to be sufficiently adequate to guarantee proper collection of charge carriers since a cauliflower-type growth is favored. This underscores the need for modifications during the synthesis, thermal treatments, and post-synthesis to improve the morphology and crystallinity, a complex and significant aspect of our research. This work discusses the structural, atomic composition, morphological, and optical results obtained for samples More >

Oscar Sariñana-Aldaco¹, Carmen Alicia Ayala-Contreras¹, Susana González-Morales², Gregorio Cadenas-Pliego³, Marissa Pérez-Alvarez³, América Berenice Morales-Díaz⁴, Dámaris Leopoldina Ojeda-Barrios⁵, José Gerardo Uresti-Porras⁶, Adalberto Benavides-Mendoza^7,*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.94, No.7, pp. 2131-2153, 2025, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2025.067577 - 31 July 2025

Abstract Selenium (Se) is a nutrient that is considered beneficial for plants, because its improvement in growth, yield and quality helps plants to mitigate stress. The objective of this research was to evaluate the application of sodium selenite (Na₂SeO₃), nanoparticles (SeNPs) and microparticles (SeMPs) of Se in cucumber seedlings, via two experiments: one with seed priming and the other with foliar application of Se materials. The doses used were: 0, 0.1, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 3.0 mg · L⁻¹, for each form of Se and for each form of application. Treatment 0 consisted of the application of… More >

T. Hesabizadeh^a, R. Subedi^a, T. J. Webster^b,c,d, G. Guisbiers^a,*

Chalcogenide Letters, Vol.21, No.11, pp. 847-854, 2024, DOI:10.15251/CL.2024.2111.847

Abstract Amorphous selenium nanoparticles have been synthesized by pulsed laser ablation in liquids. After undergoing a thermal treatment at 121°C for 60 minutes, the amorphous nanoparticles crystallized into trigonal ones. The antimicrobial properties of both amorphous and trigonal nanoparticles have been compared; and the amorphous ones displayed better antibacterial and antifungal properties compared to the trigonal ones. Specifically, Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Ampicillin-resistant Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Candida albicans were almost completely inhibited in the presence of amorphous selenium nanoparticles at 0.025 microgram/ml concentrations after 24 hours of in vitro culture, compared to controls (no nanoparticles). In summary, More >

Fenglan Zhao^1,2,#, Shuwen Wu^1,#, Xue Meng¹, Jianping Xue^1,2, Yongbo Duan^1,2,*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.93, No.7, pp. 1705-1716, 2024, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2024.052287 - 30 July 2024

Abstract Dōng líng căo, the dried aboveground parts of Isodon rubescens (Hemls.) Hara., is commonly consumed as a medicinal decoction or tea beverage. Natural beverages can be an important source of human dietary selenium (Se). However, how I. rubescens plants respond to exogenous Se remains unknown. In this study, a pot cultivation experiment was employed to investigate the phenotypic and physiological responses of I. rubescens plants exposed to Se. Fifteen days after applying different concentrations of sodium selenate to the soil, the Se enrichment capacity, growth indices, antioxidant capacities, and the content of flavonoids and diterpenoids were measured in… More >

Chengxu Qian¹, Qiangwen Chen^1,2, Leiyu Jiang¹, Xiaoyan Yang³, Shen Rao⁴, Weiwei Zhang¹, Feng Xu^1,*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.93, No.5, pp. 951-962, 2024, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2024.050893 - 28 May 2024

Abstract The objective of this study was to explain the physiological mechanisms through which NaSeO mitigates the growth and developmental inhibition of pakchoi under HgCl stress. The results showed that treatment with HgCl (40 mg L) led to reduced biomass, dwarfing, root shortening, and root tip necrosis in pakchoi. Compared to control (CK), the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD) in Hg treatment increased, and the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) also dramatically increased, which negatively impacted the growth of pakchoi. Low concentrations of NaSeO (0.2 mg L) significantly increased the content of soluble sugars… More >

Fenglan Zhao¹, Jizhi Jin¹, Meng Yang¹, Franklin Eduardo Melo Santiago², Jianping Xue¹, Li Xu^3,*, Yongbo Duan^1,*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.93, No.3, pp. 611-625, 2024, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2024.048295 - 28 March 2024

Abstract

Seed germination with selenium (Se) is promising for producing Se-biofortified foods. Mungbean (Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek) sprout is freshly eaten as a salad dressed with sauce, making it superior for Se biofortification. Since the Se safety range for the human body is extremely narrow, it is imperative to evaluate the genotypic responses of mungbean sprouts to Se. This study evaluated the Se enrichment capacity and interaction with flavonoids and antioxidant systems in sprouts of 20 mungbean germplasms. Selenium treatment was done by immersing mungbean seeds in 20 μM sodium selenite solution for 8 h. Afterward, the

… More >

ROGHAYEH GHORBANI¹, MAHMOUD GHARBAVI², ALI SHARAFI^3,4, ELHAM RISMANI⁵, HAMED REZAEEJAM⁶, YOUSEF MORTAZAVI^1,*, BEHROOZ JOHARI^3,*

Oncology Research, Vol.32, No.1, pp. 101-125, 2024, DOI:10.32604/or.2023.044741 - 15 November 2023

Abstract In the present study, we investigated the synergistic effects of targeted methotrexate-selenium nanostructure containing Myc decoy oligodeoxynucleotides along with X-irradiation exposure as a combination therapy on LNCaP prostate cancer cells. Myc decoy ODNs were designed based on the promoter of Bcl-2 gene and analyzed by molecular docking and molecular dynamics assays. ODNs were loaded on the synthesized Se@BSA@Chi-MTX nanostructure. The physicochemical characteristics of nanostructures were determined by FTIR, DLS, UV-vis, TEM, EDX, in vitro release, and hemolysis tests. Subsequently, the cytotoxicity properties of them with and without X-irradiation were investigated by uptake, MTT, cell cycle, apoptosis, and… More > Graphic Abstract

Mojtaba Kordrostami¹, Ali Akbar Ghasemi-Soloklui¹, Mohammad Anwar Hossain^2,*, Mohammad Golam Mostofa^3,4,*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.92, No.9, pp. 2713-2736, 2023, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2023.030372 - 28 July 2023

Abstract Numerous plant species, particularly those that can accumulate selenium (Se) and silicon (Si), benefit from these essential micronutrients. Se and Si accumulation in plants profoundly affects several biochemical reactions in cells. Understanding how plants react to Se/Si enrichment is crucial for ensuring adequate dietary Se/Si intake for humans and animals and increasing plant tolerance to environmental stressors. Several studies have shown that Se/Si-enriched plants are more resistant to salinity, drought, extreme temperatures, UV radiation, and excess metalloids. The interplay between Se/Si in plants is crucial for maintaining growth and development under normal conditions while providing… More >

Ali Bandehagh^1,*, Zahra Dehghanian², Vahideh Gougerdchi¹, Mohammad Anwar Hossain^3,*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.92, No.8, pp. 2301-2324, 2023, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2023.028586 - 25 June 2023

Abstract The presence of selenium (Se) is not widely established as crucial for crops, although it is commonly recognized as an important nutrient for animals as well as humans. Even so, it is inevitably accepted that Se usually contributes positively to the life cycle of plants. Previous findings suggested that small amounts of Se seem to have a productive role in growth and production. As a result, Se is assumed to function in multiple ways, primarily by influencing a variety of biochemical and physiological functions. Also, Se also acts as a plant antioxidant and pro-oxidant and… More >

Armin Saed-Moucheshi^1,*, Elham Rezaei Mirghaed²

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.92, No.7, pp. 1921-1941, 2023, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2023.027810 - 29 May 2023

Abstract

One of the main reasons of the annual reduction in plant production all around the world is the occurrence of abiotic stresses as a result of an unpredicted changes in environmental conditions. Abiotic stresses basically trigger numerous pathways related to oxygen free radicals’ generation resulting in a higher rate of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Accordingly, higher rate of oxygen free radicals than its steady state causes to oxidize various types of molecules and compartments within the plants’ cells and tissues. Oxidative stress is the result of high amount free radicals of oxygen interfering with different

… More >