Curcumin has been proved to inhibit cell proliferation and induce cell apoptosis in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, little is known about antimetastatic effects and molecular mechanisms ...of curcumin in NSCLC. In this study, we investigated the involvement of miR-206 in curcumin’s anti-invasion and anti-migration in NSCLC. Cell proliferation was determined by MTT assay. Cell migration and invasion were analyzed by wound healing assay and transwell assay. MiRNA-206 expression was detected by real-time PCR. Western blot was used to detect the protein expression of PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. Curcumin significantly inhibited migration and invasion in A549 cells, accompanied by significantly elevated miR-206 expression. Overexpression of miR-206 could inhibit migration and invasion of A549 cells, but it could also significantly decrease the phosphorylation levels of mTOR and AKT. The inhibition of miR-206 promoted cell migration, invasion and increased the phosphorylation level of mTOR and AKT. Furthermore, miR-206 mimics improved the inhibitory effects of curcumin on cell migration, invasion and the phosphorylation level of mTOR and AKT in A549 cells. On the contrary, MiR-206 inhibitors reversed the inhibitory effects of curcumin on cell migration, invasion and the phosphorylation level of mTOR and AKT. In conclusion, curcumin inhibited cell invasion and migration in NSCLC by elevating the expression of miR-206 which further suppressed the activation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway.
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•Novel activated carbon fiber supported/modified TNTs (TNTs/ACF) was prepared.•TNTs/ACF can effectively and simultaneously remove both U(VI) cations and 2-CP.•TNTs/ACF offered greater ...adsorption capacities when U(VI) and 2-CP are co-present.•The co-solute synergistic effect is due to ternary U(VI)-2-CP complexes on TNTs/ACF.•TNTs/ACF performed optimally under circumneutral pH and moderate DOM conditions.
Mixtures of U(VI) and chlorinated compounds have been detected at many radionuclides-contaminated sites. Yet, simultaneous removal of the two classes of contaminants is still challenging. Herein, we prepared a new type of composite material (TNTs/ACF) based on commercial TiO2 and activated carbon fiber (ACF) through a hydrothermal approach and tested it for simultaneous removal of U(VI) and 2-Chlorophenol (2-CP). The hydrothermal treatment converted TiO2 into titanate nanotubes (TNTs), a cation exchanger, which are not only supported by bulk ACF, but also modified by carbon nanoparticles. TNTs/ACF exhibited fast sorption kinetics and high adsorption capacities for both U(VI) (Langmuir Qmax = 188.0 mg/g) and 2-CP (Qmax = 122.1 mg/g). Moreover, higher adsorption was observed when both solutes are co-present than in the single-solute systems. An extended dual-mode model, which considers adsorption and other specific mechanisms well interpreted the adsorption isotherms. The optimal working pH for U(VI) ranged from 6.0 to 8.0, while the sorption of 2-CP remained high over a broader pH range. The presence of 1.0–10.0 mg/L humic acid as TOC increased the adsorption of both chemicals. The key adsorption mechanism for U(VI) is ion-exchange at the –O− functional sites in the interlayers of TNTs, while 2-CP was taken up via hydrophobic interactions with ACF and capillary condensation. The adsorption synergy of U(VI) and 2-CP in the binary systems resulted from the complexation between U(VI) ions and phenolic groups of 2-CP and the cation–π interactions. TNTs/ACF appears promising for simultaneous removal of radionuclides and chlorinated chemicals from contaminated water.
Abstract
High-performance catalysts are extremely required for controlling NO emission via selective catalytic reduction (SCR), and to acquire a common structural feature of catalytic sites is one ...key prerequisite for developing such catalysts. We design a single-atom catalyst system and achieve a generic characteristic of highly active SCR catalytic sites. A single-atom Mo
1
/Fe
2
O
3
catalyst is developed by anchoring single acidic Mo ions on (001) surfaces of reducible α-Fe
2
O
3
, and the individual Mo ion and one neighboring Fe ion are thus constructed as one dinuclear site. As the number of the dinuclear sites increases, SCR rates increase linearly but the apparent activation energy remains almost unchanged, evidencing the identity of the dinuclear active sites. We further design W
1
/Fe
2
O
3
and Fe
1
/WO
3
and find that tuning acid or/and redox properties of dinuclear sites can alter SCR rates. Therefore, this work provides a design strategy for developing improved SCR catalysts via optimizing acid-redox properties of dinuclear sites.
AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is an evolutionarily conserved energy sensor important for cell growth, proliferation, survival, and metabolic regulation. Active AMPK inhibits biosynthetic ...enzymes like mTOR and acetyl CoA carboxylase (required for protein and lipid synthesis, respectively) to ensure that cells maintain essential nutrients and energy during metabolic crisis. Despite our knowledge about this incredibly important kinase, no specific chemical inhibitors are available to examine its function. However, one small molecule known as compound C (also called dorsomorphin) has been widely used in cell-based, biochemical, and in vivo assays as a selective AMPK inhibitor. In nearly all these reports including a recent study in glioma, the biochemical and cellular effects of compound C have been attributed to its inhibitory action toward AMPK. While examining the status of AMPK activation in human gliomas, we observed that glioblastomas express copious amount of active AMPK. Compound C effectively reduced glioma viability in vitro both by inhibiting proliferation and inducing cell death. As expected, compound C inhibited AMPK; however, all the antiproliferative effects of this compound were AMPK independent. Instead, compound C killed glioma cells by multiple mechanisms, including activation of the calpain/cathepsin pathway, inhibition of AKT, mTORC1/C2, cell-cycle block at G2-M, and induction of necroptosis and autophagy. Importantly, normal astrocytes were significantly less susceptible to compound C. In summary, compound C is an extremely potent antiglioma agent but we suggest that caution should be taken in interpreting results when this compound is used as an AMPK inhibitor.
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•A novel FeS-TNTs was integrated for the first time through a facile synthesis.•Simultaneous removal of total Cr by FeS-TNTs was achieved.•Outperformance of FeS-TNTs under wide pH ...range and high oxygen level was obtained.•Synergies in reduction of Cr(VI) and adsorption of Cr(III) between FeS and TNTs were identified.
In this study, a novel composite composed of iron monosulfide nanoparticles (FeS NPs) and titanate nanotubes (TNTs) was hydrothermally synthesized. Characterizations revealed the encapsulation and homogenous dispersion of FeS NPs into the interlayers of TNTs. Significant performance in removal of aqueous total Cr was acquired by efficient conversion of Cr(VI) to Cr(III) on FeS and simultaneous adsorption of Cr(III) on TNTs. Moreover, the high activity of FeS-TNTs in reduction of Cr(VI) can maintain at high oxicity or alkalinity of its solution. The synergistic effect between FeS and TNTs was derived from sheltering of FeS NPs from their self-aggregation, O2-oxidation and the affinity of Cr(III) to TNTs. The unique properties, e.g. the solid acidity, the hollow and interlayered configuration of TNTs played important roles in high activity, good stability and reusability of FeS-TNTs.
The cell-in-cell (CIC) phenomenon has received increasing attention over recent years because of its wide existence in multiple cancer tissues. The mechanism of CIC formation is considerably complex ...as it involves interactions between two cells. Although the molecular mechanisms of CIC formation have been extensively investigated, the process of CIC formation remains ambiguous. Currently, CIC is classified into four subtypes based on different cell types and inducing factors, and the underlying mechanisms for each subtype are distinct. Here, we investigated the subtypes of CIC and their major mechanisms involved in cancer development. To determine the clinical significance of CIC, we reviewed several clinical studies on CIC and found that CIC could serve as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker. The implications of CIC on the clinical management of cancers also remain largely unknown. To clarify this aspect, in the present review, we highlight the findings of recent investigations on the causal link between CIC and cancer treatment. We also indicate the existing issues that need to be resolved urgently to provide a potential direction for future research on CIC.
•An assessment framework for quantifying intensities of relationships among multiple ecosystem services (ESs) was proposed.•ESs showed two spatial pattern from northwest to southeast in the Beijing ...Bay area (BBA).•The spatial heterogeneity of the relationships among multiple ESs were widespread in the BBA.•All relationships among multiple ESs showed gradient effects along influencing factors.
Understanding the complex relationships among ecosystem services (ESs) is a prerequisite for optimized management and is of great significance to China’s current implementation of an eco-civilization. However, it is always difficult to simultaneously reveal the relationships among multiple ESs from a local perspective. We proposed an assessment framework that can quantify and conveniently display the intensities of relationships (tradeoffs, synergies, and losses) among multiple ESs, permitting the spatial heterogeneity and gradient effects of these relationships to be revealed. Using township as the study unit, a case study was conducted and nine ESs were evaluated in a transitional area, the Beijing Bay Area (BBA), where the conflict between conservation and development has been prominent. The results suggested that nine ESs were clumped and showed either a high-low (ecosystem-dominated ESs) or a low-high (human-dominated ESs) spatial pattern from northwest to southeast in the BBA. In addition, the relationships among multiple ESs showed significant spatial heterogeneity across townships. In general, tradeoff intensity was mainly related to the supply of human-dominated ESs (especially food supply or water quality regulation), and synergy intensity and loss intensity were mainly related to the supply of ecosystem-dominated ESs. Moreover, all relationships among multiple ESs showed gradient effects along influencing factors. The tradeoff intensity largely exhibited V-shaped patterns, first decreasing and then increasing. Synergy intensity and loss intensity were mainly characterized by monotonically increasing or decreasing patterns. Overall, we found that the process of formation of ESs and their dominating factors largely determined their spatial patterns, spatial heterogeneity, and the gradient effects along influencing factors within the BBA. Based on these results, we propose optimized management suggestions for different townships, combining new plans for development of the BBA. The results of our study will provide information for policy makers to alleviate conflict between conservation and development and will promote sustainable development in the area.
Numerous approaches have been used to modify graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) for improving its photocatalytic activity. In this study, we demonstrated a facial post-calcination method for modified ...graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4-Ar/Air) to direct tuning band structure, i.e., bandgap and positions of conduction band (CB)/valence band (VB), through the control of atmospheric condition without involving any additional elements or metals or semiconductors. The synthesized g-C3N4-Ar/Air could efficiently degrade sulfamethazine (SMT) under simulated solar light, i.e., 99.0% removal of SMT with rate constant k1 = 2.696 h−1 within 1.5 h (4.9 times than pristine g-C3N4). Material characterizations indicated that the damaged/partial-collapsed structure and decreased nanosheet-interlayer distance for g-C3N4-Ar/Air resulted in the shift of band structure due to the denser stacking of pristine g-C3N4 through oxidative exfoliation and planarization by air calcination. In addition, the bandgap of g-C3N4-Ar/Air was slightly shrunk from 2.82 eV (pristine g-C3N4) to 2.79 eV, and the CB was significantly upshifted from −0.44 eV (pristine g-C3N4) to −0.81 eV, suggesting the powerful ability for donating the electrons for O2 to form •O2−. Fukui index (f–) based on theoretical calculation indicated that the sites of SMT molecule with high values, i.e., N9, C4 and C6, preferred to be attacked by •O2− and •OH, which is confirmed by the intermediates’ analysis. The tuning method for graphitic carbon nitride provides a simple approach to regulate the charge carrier lifetime then facilitate the utilization efficiency of solar light, which exhibits great potential in efficient removal of emerging organic contaminants from wastewater.
Modified graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4-Ar/Air) was synthesized via a facial post-calcination method and exhibited efficiently photocatalytic activity for SMT removal due to the tune of band structure. Display omitted
Simulated rainfall experiments were performed on bare, undecomposed litter layer and semi‐decomposed litter layer slopes with litter biomasses of 0, 50, 100 and 150 g m−2, respectively, to evaluate ...the effect of the undecomposed layer and semi‐decomposed layer of Quercus variabilis litter on the soil erosion process and the particle size distribution of eroded sediment. The undecomposed layer and semi‐decomposed layer of litter reduced the runoff rate by 10.91–27.04% and 12.91–36.05%, respectively, and the erosion rate by 13.35–40.98% and 17.16–59.46%, respectively. The percentage of smaller particles (clay and fine silt particles) decreased and the percentage of larger particles (coarse silt and sand particles) increased with an increased rainfall duration on all treated slopes, while the extent of the eroded sediment particle content varied among the treated slopes with the rainfall duration, with bare slopes exhibiting the largest variability, followed by undecomposed litter layer slopes and finally semi‐decomposed litter layer slopes. The clay and sand particles were transported as aggregates, and fine silt and coarse silt particles were transported as primary particles. Compared with the original soil, sediment eroded from all treated slopes was mainly enriched in smaller particles. Furthermore, the loss of the smaller particles from the undecomposed litter layer slopes was lower than that from the semi‐decomposed litter layer slopes, indicating that the undecomposed litter layer alleviated soil coarsening to some extent. The findings from this study improve our understanding of how litter regulates slope erosion and provide a reference for effectively controlling soil erosion.
The runoff and erosion reduction rates provided by the semi‐decomposed litter layer slopes were greater than those with the undecomposed litter layer slopes, respectively.
The percentage of smaller particles decreased and the percentage of larger particles increased as rainfall duration increased on all treated slopes.
The less loss of the smaller particles from the undecomposed litter layer slopes was observed than from the semi‐decomposed litter layer slopes.
To quantitatively simulate the particle size distribution (PSD) of eroded sediment on grass and root slopes, simulated rainfall experiments were implemented on grass slopes with intact plants and ...root slopes with the aboveground parts removed. There were four coverage degrees (Cr) (0, 20, 40, and 60%), two rainfall intensities (R) (60 and 90 mm h–1) and two slope gradients (J) (15° and 25°). The content of sand‐sized particles was greatest in the eroded sediment from the grass slope, whereas the content of fine silt‐sized particles was greatest in the eroded sediment from the root slope. The PSD of eroded sediment was influenced by Cr, R, J, and hydrodynamic characteristics flow velocity (u), flow depth (h), Reynolds number (Re), Froude number (Fr), resistance coefficient (f), runoff shear force (t), runoff power (w), unit runoff power (P). Through grey relational analysis, the relational degree (γ) of these impact factors to the PSD of eroded sediment was ranked γR > γRe > γJ > γh > γw > γu > γt > γP > γFr > γCr > γf on the grass slope and γR > γRe > γJ > γh > γt > γw > γu > γFr > γp > γf > γCr > on the root slope. The radial basis function neural network performed well at simulating the PSD of eroded sediment on both the grass and root slopes. These results lay the foundation for the establishment of a physics‐ based soil erosion model and a chemical transport model.
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