The ultimate goal of phototherapy based on nanoparticles, such as photothermal therapy (PTT) which generates heat and photodynamic therapy (PDT) which not only generates reactive oxygen species (ROS) ...but also induces a variety of anti-tumor immunity, is to kill tumors. In addition, due to strong efficacy in clinical treatment with minimal invasion and negligible side effects, it has received extensive attention and research in recent years. In this paper, the generations of nanomaterials in PTT and PDT are described separately. In clinical application, according to the different combination pathway of nanoparticles, it can be used to treat different diseases such as tumors, melanoma, rheumatoid and so on. In this paper, the mechanism of pathological treatment is described in detail in terms of inducing apoptosis of cancer cells by ROS produced by PDT, immunogenic cell death to provoke the maturation of dendritic cells, which in turn activate production of CD4+ T cells, CD8+T cells and memory T cells, as well as inhibiting heat shock protein (HSPs), STAT3 signal pathway and so on.
Due to their specific properties, ion-adsorption rare earth mine sites may be a threat for adjacent environments. This work was undertaken to assess whether former mining operations on ion-adsorption ...rare earth mine sites have a significant impact on water bodies and soils of the surrounding environments. Tailing soil materials, stream waters and sediments, and farmland soils were collected from one of the largest ion-adsorption rare earth mine sites worldwide (Southern China). Total concentrations of rare earth elements (REEs), Fe, Al, etc., and pH were measured. Results revealed high concentrations of REEs in tailing soils (392 mg kg−1), stream waters (4460 μg L−1), sediments (462 mg kg−1) and farmland soils (928 mg kg−1) in comparison with control sites. In the tailing profiles, light REEs (LREEs) were preferentially leached compared to middle REEs (MREEs) and heavy REEs (HREEs). Anomalies in tailings and stream water indicated strong soil weathering (Eu) and leaching activities (Ce) within the tailings. The MREE enriched pattern in stream water was more related to water parameters such as Al and Fe oxides, and ligands, than to the source of REEs. Anomalies also indicated that REEs contamination in the farmland soils was mainly originated from the stream water contaminated by the leaching from the tailings. In conclusion, a heavy REEs pollution was recorded in the surrounding environment of ion-adsorption rare earth mine. REEs fractionation, Ce and Eu anomalies provided an insight to the understanding of REEs leaching and soil weathering processes, and REEs environmental fate in rare earth mining area.
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•Heavy REEs contamination at ion-adsorption rare earth mine sites, especially stream waters and farmland soils.•Heavy soil weathering and leaching activities within the tailings in which LREEs were preferentially leached.•REEs fractionation and anomalies facilitate to understand REEs geochemistry within ion-adsorption rare earth mine sites.
Agomelatine is a selective agonist of melatonin receptor 1A/melatonin receptor 1B (MT1/MT2) and antagonist of 5-hydroxytryptamine 2C receptors. It is used clinically to treat major depressive ...episodes in adults. The pro-chronobiological activity of agomelatine reconstructs sleep-wake rhythms and normalizes circadian disturbances via its agonistic effect of melatonin receptor 1A/melatonin receptor 1B, which work simultaneously to counteract depression and anxiety disorder. Moreover, by antagonizing neocortical postsynaptic 5-hydroxytryptamine 2C receptors, agomelatine enhances the release of dopamine and noradrenaline in the prefrontal cortex, increases the activity of dopamine and noradrenaline, and thereby reduces depression and anxiety disorder. The combination of these two effects means that agomelatine exhibits a unique pharmacological role in the treatment of depression, anxiety, and disturbance of the circadian rhythm. Emotion and sleep are closely related to memory and cognitive function. Memory disorder is defined as any forms of memory abnormality, which is typically evident in a broad range of neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease. Memory impairment and cognitive impairment are common symptoms of neurodegenerative and psychiatric diseases. Therefore, whether agomelatine can improve memory and cognitive behaviors if used for alleviating depression and circadian-rhythm sleep disorders has become a research "hotspot". This review presents the latest findings on the effects of agomelatine in the treatment of psychologic and circadian-rhythm sleep disorders in clinical trials and animal experiments. Our review evaluates recent studies on treatment of memory impairment and cognitive impairment in neurodegenerative and psychiatric diseases.
The exploitation of ion-adsorption rare earth element (REE) deposits has resulted in large quantities of abandoned mine tailings, which pose significant risks to the surrounding environment. However, ...the natural evolutional patterns at early successional stages and related biogeochemical dynamics (e.g. nutrient and REE cycling) on such mine tailings remains poorly understood. To this end, a chronosequence of REE mine tailings abandoned for up to 15 years was investigated in a post-mining site in south China. Our results showed that biocrusts were the earliest colonizers on these tailings, reaching a peak of 10% of surface coverage after 10 years of abandonment. Later on, after 15 years, the biocrusts began to be replaced by pioneer plants (e.g. Miscanthus sinensis), suggesting a rather rapid succession. This ecological succession was accompanied by obvious changes in soil nutrients and microbial community structure. Compared to bulk soils, both the biocrusts and rhizospheric soils favored an accumulation of nutrients (e.g. P, S, N, C). Notably, the autotrophic bacteria (e.g. Chloroflexi and Cyanobacteria) with C and N fixation abilities were preferentially enriched in biocrusts, while heterotrophic plant growth promoting bacteria (e.g. Pseudoocardiaceae and Acidobacteriales) were mainly present in the rhizosphere. Moreover, the biocrusts showed a remarkably high concentration of REEs (up to 1820 mg kg−1), while the rhizospheric soils tended to decrease REE concentrations (~400 mg kg−1) in comparison with bulk soils, indicating that the REEs could be redistributed by biological processes. Principal component analysis and mantel tests showed that the concentrations of nutrients and REEs were the most important factors affecting the microbial communities in biocrusts, rhizospheric and bulk soils. In sum, based on the observation of nutrient accumulation and pollutant (i.e. REE) dynamics in the initial successional stages, this work provides a feasible theoretical basis for future restoration practices on REE mine tailings.
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•The succession of REE tailings has evolved from biocrust to vascular plants.•Biocrusts and pioneer plants promote nutrient accumulation of tailings.•The autotrophic microorganisms are preferentially enriched in biocrusts.•The heterotrophic growth promoting bacteria are accumulated in rhizosphere soils.•Biocrusts and pioneer plants significantly redistribute the REEs in tailings.
Aims
Dicranopteris linearis
is a fern that accumulates unusually high concentrations (up to 0.3% dry weight) of rare earth elements (REEs) in China. Previously, we reported that
D. linearis
...accumulates high concentrations of aluminium (Al) and silicon (Si) in the fronds, but the interactions between these elements and REEs were unknown.
Methods
In this study, a range of analytical techniques, including chemical extractions, Scanning-Electron Microscopy with Energy-Dispersive Spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) and Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) were used to study the association of REEs with Al and Si.
Results
The results show that
D. linearis
accumulates high concentrations of REEs (up to 3830 mg kg
−1
), Al (up to 9660 mg kg
−1
) and Si (up to 20,300 mg kg
−1
), with concentrations increasing with age and frond order of pinna. The extraction patterns suggest the existence of REEs-Si and Al-Si complexes. The SEM-EDS analysis confirmed the existence of phytoliths (Al) deposits in the protoplast and apoplast of the pinna cells. The upper epidermis of the pinnule and the pericycle of the midvein are more concentrated in phytoliths (Al) particles. The LA-ICP-MS analysis revealed that REEs and Al are preferentially compartmentalized within bio-inactive tissues of the pinnules, e.g. necrotic tissues (REEs) and in the margins (Al).
Conclusions
Co-deposition of Si with REEs and Al may be a mechanism for dealing with the high concentrations of REEs and Al in
D. linearis
fronds.
Summary
Aim
Substance P (SP) causes vasodilation and blood pressure (BP) reduction. However, the involvement of tachykinin receptors (NKRs) within baroreflex afferent pathway in SP‐mediated BP ...regulation is largely unknown.
Methods
Under control and hypertensive condition, NKRs’ expressions were evaluated in nodose (NG) and nucleus of tractus solitary (NTS) of male, female, and ovariectomized (OVX) rats; BP was recorded after microinjection of SP and NKRs agonists into NG; Baroreceptor sensitivity (BRS) was tested as well.
Results
Immunostaining and immunoblotting data showed that NK1R and NK2R were estrogen‐dependently expressed on myelinated and unmyelinated afferents in NG. A functional study showed that BP was reduced dose‐dependently by SP microinjection, which was more dramatic in males and can be mimicked by NK1R and NK2R agonists. Notably, further BP elevation and BRS dysfunction were confirmed in desoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)‐salt model in OVX compared with DOCA‐salt model in intact female rats. Additionally, similar changes in NKRs’ expression in NG were also detected using DOCA‐salt and SHR. Compared with NG, inversed expression profiles of NKRs were also found in NTS with either gender.
Conclusion
The estrogen‐dependent NKRs’ expression in baroreflex afferent pathway participates at least partially in sexual‐dimorphic and SP‐mediated BP regulation under physiological and hypertensive conditions.
Aims
Dicranopteris linearis
is a rare earth element (REE), aluminium (Al) and silicon (Si) hyperaccumulator plant which occurs in southern China. To date, there have been no studies on the variation ...in elemental accumulation among populations of
Dicranopteris linearis
occurring on REE-enriched and non-REE enriched soils.
Methods
In total 43
Dicranopteris linearis
individuals and the corresponding rhizosphere soils from 7 populations in southern China were sampled and the plant material and soil composition were chemically analysed for REE and other elements.
Results
Dicranopteris linearis
populations from REE-enriched soils and non-REE enriched soils both have the ability to accumulate high concentrations of REE (> 1000 mg kg
− 1
), Al (> 1000 mg kg
− 1
) and Si (> 10 000 mg kg
− 1
). The ratios of light REEs (LREEs) to heavy REEs (HREEs) in
Dicranopteris linearis
pinnae are consistently > 1, regardless of their ratios in the corresponding soils. Concentrations of REE in
Dicranopteris linearis
pinnae vary significantly among populations and have positive correlations with total and extractable soil REE concentrations. The plant Al and Si concentrations in
Dicranopteris linearis
populations are uncoupled from variations in soil Al and Si concentrations. The plant REE concentrations have no obvious relationships with the prevailing Al concentrations, but are positively correlated with plant Si and Mn, and negatively correlated with soil extractable P concentrations.
Conclusions
The hyperaccumulation of REEs (LREE > HREE), Al and Si in non-REE enriched soils is a species-wide trait. The accumulation of REEs is highly variable and associated with soil REE concentrations, nutrients status, and other soil properties.
Background and Aims The widespread use of Rare Earth Elements (REEs) has resulted in localized soil pollution. Phytolacca americana L. has potential for REE phyto-extraction, but the related ...mechanism is not clear. Methods In this study, the uptake and fractionation of REEs, and the influence of REEs on biomass production was investigated in hydroponically grown plants. Furthermore, the effects of Ca2+ and Al3+ on REE uptake, and the role of organic acids in REE translocation were also examined. Results Results showed that biomass and accumulation of REEs in P. americana were enhanced at low REE concentrations, but inhibited at higher concentrations in solution. Significant heavy REE (HREE) enrichment was observed during the stem-to-leaf transport, with a quotient of ΣLREE/ΣHREE decreasing from 0.75 to 0.23. Ca2+ and Al3+ treatments diminished REE accumulation. The ΣLREE/ΣHREE ratio decreased from 0.84 to 0.62 with increasing input of Ca2+, but increased from 0.83 to 0.92 with higher Al addition. Conclusions LREEs appear to enter into the root of P. americana through Ca2+ ion channels, whereas HREEs may share pathways with Al3+. Finally, citrate plays an important role in the translocation of REEs in P. americana.
Phytoextraction is a promising technology for decontamination and recovery of rare earth elements (REEs) from REE-rich wastes. However, the improvement of REE phytoextraction efficiency on ...ion-adsorption REE mine tailings remains a challenge because the substrate can hardly support the growth of hyperaccumulators. In this study, REE phytoextraction using a REE hyperaccumulator, Phytolacca americana, grown on ion-adsorption REE mine tailing materials amended with organic material (OM) and biochar (BC) was explored through a pot experiment. Results show that under 1% OM, 5% OM, 1% BC, and 5% BC treatments, the shoots biomass of P. americana was 4.17, 7.85, 3.41, and 5.14 times higher than the control (without organic amendment) respectively, whereas the REE concentrations in shoots were 2.02, 68.4, 0.16, and 1.98 times lower than the control (524 ± 82.8 mg kg−1) respectively. The highest REE yield was obtained under 1% BC treatment and was 3.56 times that of the control. Both OM and BC treatments largely improved the soil physico-chemical properties. However, compared with OM and 5% BC treatments, 1% BC treatment induced a smaller increase in pH, and the amount of organic carbon and nutrients in the soil solution, thereby minimizing the reduction of REE bioavailability. We conclude that amendment with a low dosage of BC could be a potential way to improve REE phytoextraction efficiency by P. americana on ion-adsorption REE mine tailings.
•Rare earth element (REE) phytoextraction by hyperaccumulator was explored.•Organic material and biochar improved soil properties and plant growth.•Organic material and biochar reduced REE concentration in soil solution and plants.•Low dosage of biochar minimized the reduction of REE bioavailability.•The highest REE yield was obtained for tailings amended with 1% biochar.
Much effort has been made to remediate the degraded mine lands that bring severe impacts to the natural environments. However, it remains unclear what drives the recovery of biodiversity and ...ecosystem functions, making the restoration of these fragile ecosystems a big challenge. The interactions among plant species, soil communities, and abiotic conditions, i.e., plant-soil feedbacks (PSFs), significantly influence vegetation development, plant community structure, and ultimately regulate the recovery of ecosystem multi-functionality. Here, we present a conceptual framework concerning PSFs patterns and potential mechanisms in degraded mine lands. Different from healthy ecosystems, mine lands are generally featured with harsh physical and chemical properties, which may have different PSFs and should be considered during the restoration. Usually, pioneer plants colonized in the mine lands can adapt to the stressful environment by forming tolerant functional traits and gathering specific soil microbial communities. Understanding the mechanisms of PSFs would enhance our ability to predict and alter both the composition of above- and below-ground communities, and improve the recovery of ecosystem functions in degraded mine lands. Finally, we put forward some challenges of the current PSFs study and discuss avenues for further research in the ecological restoration of degraded mine lands.
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